Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

As I was writing the above, UK opened up lead on the Hoosier, but Indiana has closed it to 3 late in the first half. The Buckeyes and Bulldogs finally found the range, and it's a close battle going on there. We seem to have two good games in Indiana at the moment.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

At the half, Ohio State by two and UK by one.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Kentucky now up by a dozen, but that other game's a dogfight.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Butler's opened up an 8-point lead, but the Buckeyes still have time. The Hoosiers, however, are running out of that commodity.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Except for the crying, it's all over for the Hoosiers, and it's getting that way for the Buckeyes. The Big Ten's about to take another double-hit.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Whoa, Ohio State's made a furious comback, and cut it to 3 with 45 ticks left. Stay tuned.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Finals: Kentucky 90, Indiana 73. And Butler 74, Ohio State 66, with that margin almost totally from the line.

Hey, here's another interesting score for you:

Seton Hall 64, VMI 51 - in the first half.
Seton Hall 70, VMI 56 - in the second half.
Game final, Seton Hall 134, VMI 107. Now, there's a defensive war for you.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Creighton and George "Cinderella" Mason duking it out now - in the second half, a 2-point game.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Kansas stomping La Salle - no shock.
Georgetown/Washington a battle - no shock.
McNeese State up 12 over Mississippi with 12 minutes left - say what now?

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Ole Miss has come back to tie, and the Hoyas opening up against Washington. Oh, and George Mason beat Creighton by 3.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Mississippi makes late big run to whomp McNeese State, as they should have from the tipoff. Both Kansas and Georgetown in control of their games - the Jayhawks as expected, and the Hoyas further shaming the Pac-10.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

How about them Syracuse Orangemen! Seems like they never get much press at the beginning of the year but find a way to make noise.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

C-a-t-s cats cats cats!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

James, there are more "Cats" in the NCAA than will fit in a Dolly Partonesque gunnysack, but I'll assume you mean Kentucky here. Yes, they have a good team, and seem a potential Final Four candidate. As for Syracuse, the 'freak is also right, to a point. True, Jim Boeheim appears to have a better squad than what experts expected before the season started, but despite their success so far I cannot see them playing on three consecutive weekends come March. Besides, a win over St. Francis NY? C'mon. The Orangemen often get hot, either early or late, yet very rarely do they finish that way. Well, we will see.

Other scores of interest, aside from blowouts, on Saturday:

# 4 Purdue 73 - Alabama 65 = A nice win, but hardly dominance.
# 11 Georgetown 74 - # 24 Washington 66 = Mark this in your chimney, boys: UW is the highest-ranked Pac-10 team, and they barely made it.
# 15 Gonzaga 103 - Davidson 91 = There's no Curry on this 'Cats team, so put this down as a "bad" win. A dozen points ain't squat.
# 17 Kansas State 95 - former # 18 (now unranked) UNLV 80 = To me it's odd that this loss dropped UNLV from #18 to out, but not as odd as the win kicking KSU from out to #17. Just shows to go ya how useless rankings are this early.
# 19 New Mexico 84 - # 23 Texas A&M 81 = Pretty much ditto as above.

Some other scores of interest were Va. Tech over Penn State and Western Carolina over Louisville. The first does not surprise me, but the second? Well, I thought that UNC-Charlotte had a team to beat the Cardinals, but I never expected the Catamounts to do so.

On Sunday:

Temple 75 - # 8 Villanova 65 = I told you this would be a game. That's Philly ball for you. Those Big Five play tough, especially against each other.
Xavier 83 - # 25 Cincinnati 79 (2OT) = And I told you this would be a game too, but who ever listens to me?

Speaking of listening to me, St. John's beat Fordham 73-56 and go to 8-1 for the season. The win over the Rams may not mean a lot to you, but those other include decent programs like Siena, Georgia, St. Bonaventure and - oh yeah, the aforementioned Temple Owls. Are they getting any love, gettysburgfreak? Fark no.

The only game tonight of any interest is # 22 Georgia Tech vs. UT-Chattanooga. Well, there's also Bethune-Cookman vs. Carver Bible. :r Enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Well, Georgia Tech beat UT-Chattanooga last night - but not as badly as Bethune-Cookman beat Carver Bible. Tonight's schedule isn't quite as bad, but it pretty much stinks also:

# 2 Texas vs. Texas Pan American = Gimme a break here, as opposed to giving the Longhorns another one.
# 7 Duke vs. Gardner-Webb = Sheesh.
# 9 Tennessee vs. Wyoming = Well, at least both teams are also states.

Other than that, the only interesting match (between ones with winning records) is La. Tech vs. Murray State - which at least has some 'po of being good.

Don't ask me how, but enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

As expected, not much of interest happened last evening with the ranked teams, though # 9 Tenn. needed a late run to best Wyoming - by almost 20. As I expected, the La.Tech/Murray St. game was much better - and the Rutgers/Rider overtime game was more interesting, even if only because the Scarlet Knights scored all 10 points of the OT for the win. Tonight's action is nearly as dull:

# 18 Ohio State vs. Presbyterian = Those preachers will play dang near everyone, won't they? Good for them!
# 19 New Mexico vs. Northern Arizona = Don't know enough about either team to comment, or to give a damn.
# 20 Mississippi vs. UTEP = Eh, could be OK.
# 22 Georgia Tech vs. AR Pine Bluff = Eh, could be over by the half.
# 25 Cincy vs. UAB = Could put the Bearcats out of the rankings.

You might have a better chance of good action with:

Oral Roberts vs. Louisville
Richmond vs. South Carolina
Belmont vs. St. Louis

But whatever, enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

......Woot......Woot.......:) Go the Orangemen of Syracuse

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

:tpd:

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Don't get to hyped yet, boys. You know Jim Boeheim - make him too excited and he starts crying. :D

There were several interesting scores last night, and not merely amongst the ranked:

# 18 Ohio State 78 - Presbyterian 48 = Well, this isn't one of them, except for the fact that the Buckeyes were the latest to spank the Blue Hose (yeah, that's right, Blue Hose :rolleyes:). So far these guys have lost to Clemson, Furman, Illinois, Bradley, UNC, and now OSU. Their next 3 games are against Dayton, Marquette, and Florida. As I said - good for them. Hey, if Kansas and Texas had played as tough a schedule, we might know better if they are for real or not.

# 20 Mississippi 91 - UTEP 81 (OT) = Yeah, I figgered this would be a good game, and the second time in a row Ole Miss has struggled.

# 22 Georgia Tech 65 - AR Pine Bluff 53 = Here's another I class as a "bad" win. A dozen points over those guys? Pleeze.

UAB 64 - # 25 Cincinnati 47 = Now here's a good win, and a loss that will put Cincy out of the rankings.

I also found interesting the 62-57 win by American over DePaul, and the double-overtime game between Duquesne and Canisius. As for tonight, the only game I found that's of even the slightest interest is:

Auburn vs. Florida State = Eh. As I said, "the slightest interest". Enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

John Wall....

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7923/wallali.jpg


GO BIG BLUE!!!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

All you Kentucky fans seem focused on John Wall, and understandably so. The kid has had a great start to his (likely short) college career, and will probably have a fine NBA career also, and soon. Yet to me, looking from the outside, the bigger question is that other John you brought in - namely, Calipari. UK fans are not happy unless they win it all, and Cal was paid a king's ransom to do just that. The issue is, which will he do first - win a championship, or land Kentucky on probation? I figure it's about a tossup. No offense, but there it is.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

I love when fans who have no clue about what happened talk about this issue. First, at UMASS Camby accepted money from a booster. Now, this would be the same as blaming a parent when the kid goes away and gets too drunk and passes out. The parent can only do so much and can't control the kids actions once they step outside the door. So is it his fault that a player on his own time accepted money? And by the way, guess who reported the violations when he heard about them, yep Calipari.

Now, on to Memphis. The player took an SAT test while a high schooler. Yet, you're going to blame Calipari for that, when he wasn't even a member of the team? Please, get real. The NCAA ok'd the player when he was recruited then more info came out and they put Memphis on probation. The NCAA stated that Calipari had ZERO involvement in the violations, yet you and other's who have no idea of what happened will jump on the bandwagon to tar and feather the guy.

So, the two incidents you brought up never implicated Calipari with the probation and in fact in the UMASS instance he brought to light the violations for the NCAA. No offense, but there it really is.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Keep telling yourself, Brian, that smoke means no fire - until the house burns down. As is typical of a blindered fan (regardless of team colors), methinks thou doest protest too predictably. After all, Calipari had nothing to do with Wall's illegal involvement with his AAU coach, but this matter was known well enough that other coachs choose not to recruit him despite his skills. Cal has no such scruples - and there it really truly is. The buck stops with the head coach, as it should.

Back to the games. That Florida State/Auburn game was a good one, with the Seminoles prevailing 76-72. Two other scores were interesting, in that both LSU and N.C.State dodged bullets - the Tigers beat Nicholls State 63-60, and the Wolfpack beat Elon 79-76. But there's nothing going on tonight, almost at all. The only game I see that might be good is Pacific vs. St. Mary's - and who really cares about these two?

But tomorrow there is a full lineup of games involving ranked teams - and a few of them may even be good games:

# 1 Kansas vs. Michigan = Like this one, though I expect the Jayhawks to prevail.
# 2 Texas vs. UNC = And this one, if Carolina does not disappear for ten minutes like they did against Syracuse and Kentucky.
# 3 Kentucky vs. Austin Peay = But not this one, which should be over by the half.
# 4 Purdue vs. Ball State = Or this one, although Purdue seems to me a weak # 4.
# 5 Syracuse vs. St. Bonaventure = Ibid.
# 6 West Virginia vs. Cleveland State = Ibid ibid.
# 7 Duke vs. # 15 Gonzaga = Opposite, as the personnel here match up pretty well.
# 8 Villanova vs. Fordham = No contest.
# 9 Tennessee vs. USC = A better matchup on the gridiron than the hardwood.
# 11 Georgetown vs. ODU = Don't be shocked if this is a good game here.
# 12 Michigan State vs. IPFW = WTF??
# 13 Florida vs. Richmond = The Spiders may just bite the Gators.
# 16 Texas Tech vs. Wichita State = Ehh, there's worse games than this one.
# 17 Kansas Statre vs. Alabama = Or this one.
# 18 Ohio State vs. Delaware State = However, THIS one . . . .
# 19 New Mexico vs. Creighton = Not the best test to see if the Lobos are for real, but not a walkover either.
# 20 Mississippi vs. Centenary = I'd say this IS a walkover, but Ole Miss seems lost lately.
# 21 Butler vs. Xavier = Hey, here's a fun game for you. Two good mid-majors dook it out.
# 23 Texas A&M vs. The Citadel = Aggies will win, but may be closer than you'd expect.
# 24 Washington vs. Portland = A former brief # 25 takes on a sinking # 24. On PAPER, a decent game, if anybody cares
# 25 Cincinnati vs. Lipscomb = Even if the Bearcats totally dominate, that won't save their ranking.

I'd also like to mention one game between two teams that have played quite well and gotten little love except from me. Temple and Seton Hall square off, for what may just get one of them into the polls. But whatever - the polls still mean squat, so just enjoy for the sake of enjoyment.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

We must agree to disagree then pistols at noon at 10 paces.:r

Of all of the teams so far, Syracuse has been the most impressive. I mean they've STOMPED 3 top 15 ranked teams already. Not just beaten, but embarrased them.

That doesn't happen by accident, and it's unlikely to be done by a team that's just a flash in the pan or just on a hot streak.:2

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

They have played very well so far, and may indeed continue to do so. And Boeheim is, I will readily admit, not nearly the whiner he used to be, whether to do with greater age or greater success and respect. I confess there are some top programs with which I have my problems, but my "problems" with the Orangemen are much more picayune and mundane than with others, so I do not wish them ill. If they manage to maintain their high level of play they could go far in the NCAA tourney, and I'd not cry if they do so.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Not a blindered fand (not sure what that means, blinded perhaps?). I'm a graduate of the University of Kentucky and a fan of every UK sports program. Therefore, when you attack my university and spread blatant lies about it, I will speak up. However, if we do something wrong, I will be right there wanting answers.

I brought up both instances when you stated he cheated and yet you come back with once again nothing. Please, tell me when Calipari was put on probation by the NCAA or was ever implicated in any wrongdoing? You honestly expect a coach to be held responsible when a sports agent gives money to a college player to seek favor. With this mentality then every coach should be suspended or blamed when a player gets a DUI, flunks a class, uses illegal drugs. Please, these are adults and are expected to act accordingly when they are on their own. Shouldn't the blame be placed on the player who knowingly broke the rules for their own personal gain?

And once again let me set the record straight because you are wrong about the recruitment of Wall. John Wall was recruited by Roy Williams but he (Williams) backed off because of a strained relationship Williams had with Wall's AAU coach. There were questions about John Wall's eligibility after his coach paid $800 for travel expenses, which John Wall repaid. Wall chose Memphis over other universities because of the offensive mentality implemented by Calipari, not because of some backroom deal struch between the coach and player. The NCAA looked at the issue (Wall and his AAU coach), suspended John Wall for two games and the issue is dead. If there was something there then don't you think the NCAA would do everything in it's power to go after Wall, Calipari and UK. So, there was a little smoke, and unfortunately for your pitchfork brigade, there was no fire.

When Calipari is found guilty by the NCAA of any rules violations, then you can attack the man's character until then it's baseless slander that brings into question your own credibility.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Whatever. You are absolutely right - it is merely ill fortune that the rancid stench of corruption has followed Calipari everywhere he's gone, and the University of Kentucky has always been the cleanest, most honest, and totally perfect college program in the history of all the entire universes, both known and unknown. God Himself is not as holy as Adolph Rupp.

As for the games, both Kansas and Michigan State hold healthy, albeit not dominating, leads in their games at the middle of the second half.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Both KU and MSU win. Texas/UNC just starting.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Texas goes on late run to take a 13-point lead into the break. West Virginia starting to open their game up in the second, while Xavier and Butler are really duking it out.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Still double-digits for the Longhorns with 4 minutes left. West Virginia in a war with Cleveland State, and Xavier/Butler still one too.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Butler edges Xavier by one, and West Virginia stomps Cleveland State by two. Texas about has UNC finished late.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Texas passes its first true test of the season, besting the Tar Heels 103-90 at a neutral site - Cowboy Stadium. :rolleyes:

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Sarcasm is usually the last resort when truth kicks you in the ass. Let's not forget Kansas (while Roy Williams was coach) just ending its two years probation due to three university representatives giving cash and clothing to graduating players. No program/coach is without dark clouds in its past, but to attack a man for a players transgressions is unfair to him, his family and the university he represents. And personally, I find the blasphemy of your last statement not only unfortunate but offensive. I'm gladly done with this thread. Go Big Blue!!!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

OK, Brian, I tried to let this go and let you have your way, as I decided discussing this is akin to talking evolution to a creationist. But you seemingly cannot, and so I'll reply to some of your previous comments.

You said that Roy Williams recruited John Wall himself. Well, Coach Williams is on record as saying he made one phonecall to Wall, when he and UNC were at the Final Four, and that merely at the behest of an unnamed third party. When pressed on the issue as to why he did not pursue the matter further, he diplomatically replied that John Wall was the most talented guard he'd seen since Jason Kidd, but that Wall did not fit into the plans he had for the Tar Heels. But hey, what does Roy Williams know about what Roy Williams did? You know better - after all, you are a Kentucky fan, and Kentucky fans know everything. As for your contention that Roy had a problem with Wall's AAU coach, I never saw any comment Roy made on that specific subject. However, it is logical to me that, if he did have a problem with the John Wall situation, Roy would not put the onus of blame upon a naive high-school student, but would instead place the fault on the adult who was supposed to be mentoring the kid, and who may have venal reasons for trying to exploit John Wall for his own benefit. Yet this does not necessarily mean that your opposing logic, that of placing the blame fully upon the young men who played for John Calipari in his previous positions instead of the grown-up who was getting paid millions of dollars to be THEIR mentor, is flawed. You may feel that, just because these young men are (at least in theory) students, their singlemost important influence in their college career need not be an educator, and that a coach's responsibilities begin and end in the gym. But hey, who am I to argue this with you - after all, you are a Kentucky fan, and Kentucky fans know everything. And speaking of John Wall, of whom I made no negative comment, he himself said that, although he was glad to be at Kentucky, he himself was disappointed and a bit hurt that Roy Williams did not recruit him to play for the Tar Heels, the team for whom he grew up playing. However, this is not to dispute your contention that Roy tried to get Wall to come to Chapel Hill, for what does John Wall know about who recruited John Wall? You know best - after all, you are a Kentucky fan, and Kentucky fans know everything. Further, let me point out that the negative comments I made about John Calipari pale in comparision to those made late last week by Bobby Knight, who stated quite plainly that he did not understand why Cal was still allowed by the NCAA to coach college basketball. Nevertheless, we can surely discount this criticism, as it is obvious that, just like me, Bobby Knight knows absolutely nothing about college basketball. After all, he is only the winningest coach in the history of NCAA basketball, and me - well, I've only been following the sport for a bit over fifty years. You know better than both of us - after all, you are a Kentucky fan, and Kentucky fans know everything.

So go right ahead and continue to wear those blinders (you know, blinders, like they put on horses in Kentucky so that they cannot see what's going on in the world around them), and keep believing what your faith tells you to. Yes, faith, for too many fans - regardless of their loyalties - appear to view it more as a religion than what it truly is: a game. All I will ask you is that, if you have any further remarks to make on this, you take it to PMs to me and refrain from posting anything more than a cursory reply on here, unless it is about the game itself and not on this specific issue. As for me, I shall not reply again on this at all.

And as for the rest of you, I apologize for the direction this "fun" thread took recently, and I'll do my best to get it back on the court and out of the courtroom. Thank you for your patience, and my, hopefully, normal updates will follow - as soon as I relax and have a drink.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Good gracious, this Christmas rush is killing me. I will get back to this as soon as the madness stops, I promise you. But hey, I ain't stopping you guys from posting about games YOU found of interest. Go ahead, jump in.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Well maybe the holiday rush has slowed down enough for me to finally get back to this, so let me give you an update of the games I found most interesting during the preceeding week.

On Saturday 12/19 :

Richmond 56 - Florida 53 = Those Spiders bite someone again. Seems I recall telling the Gator fans not to get too excited 'way back when they beat Michigan State.

ODU 61 - Georgetown 57 = Hey, that was one good day for the state of Virginia, wasn't it?

USC 77 - Tennessee 55 = This was NOT a Pearl of a performance by the Volunteers. But it makes some sense - after all, Spartans are raised as warriors from birth, while Volunteers are, well, volunteers.

Wichita State 85 - Texas Tech 83 = Once again proof that early polls are just that - early.

U. Mass. 73 - Memphis 72 = This was one hell of a matchup in the first annual John Calipari Uninvitational. :D

On Sunday 12/20 :

Florida State 66 - Geogia Tech 59 (OT) = Life in the ACC is, as usual, one tough row to hoe.

On Monday 12/21 :

Arizona 83 - Lipscomb 82 (OT) = OK, I know this ain't a great Arizona team, compared to their past, but c'mon now. Lipscomb?

Kentucky 88 - Drexel 44 = The double-up final score means jack in itself, but I'll give the Wildcats some props for winning their 2,00th game.

On Tuesday 12/22 :

South Alabama 67 - Florida 66 = Those Gators got got again.

UAB 67 - Butler 57 = Those Bulldogs are just strange this season. They win a big game, then lose a big game, then win, then lose. Will somebody take them out of the rankings until they can find their @$$es for more than a week or so?

Washington 73 - Texas A&M 64 = The battle of two teams that are probably where they belong - lurking near the cellar of the ranked.

On Wednesday 12/23 :

Arizona 76 - N.C. State 74 = And it took a driving layup - on their own home court, fer Kris'sakes - with a second left for these Wildcats to pull out the win over a "meh" Wolfpack. How the mighty have fallen.

Oral Roberts 75 - New Mexico 66 = Remember when pundits were touting the Mountain West, with both the Lobos and the Runnin' Rebels climbing the polls? Fuggitabboutit.

On Friday 12/25 :

USC 67 - UNLV 56 = See?

There's only one game scheduled today, with # 6 West Virginia playing Seton Hall in beautiful downtown Newark. And there's not a lot tomorrow, with the only significant game being U.Conn/Iona and Wash./San Francisco. But soon the conference schedules will hit high gear, and then we'll have some fun. Until then, enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

West Virginia has its hands full at the Pru, and lead only 41-39 over the Pirates at the half.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

First off :tu. Second, I am disclosing that I am also a UK grad, and I agree with everything you have said. Secondly, anyone who looks at the violations everyone loves to talk about, and actually thinks about it, they will see they were out of his hands. He has been a head coach since 1988, and those are the two events people remember, both of which were not violations committed by him. Anyways, one thing I love about UK is other people getting worked up...especially when we are winning. When people are talking bad about UK, I am feeling good :banger

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

If you missed that West Virginia/Seton Hall game Saturday, you definitely did miss it. The Pirates went on a 12-2 run in the last minute to force an overtime at 77-all, and The Rock was rockin'. Had the Pirates hit just one of those numerous chokes from the line in regulation, they would have won the game, instead of losing it 90-84 in OT. As for the Sunday games, both U. Conn and Washington won easily against pretty weak opposition - so for once you were better off watching all the upsets in the NFL yesterday.

There's not much promise of good games tonight either, at least if all the teams play up to their potential. Games involving the better schools include:

UNC vs. Rutgers = Should be a double-digit win to get the Heels to double-digit wins.

Florida vs. American = You'd think the Gators could handle these guys easily, but it won't help their standing regardless.

Temple vs. Bowling Green = Zzzzzzzzzzz.

Gonzaga vs. Eastern Washington = And don't wake me for this one either.

BYU vs. Arizona = OK now, here might be a game. Both teams are trying to prove, to the country and themselves, that they are for real.

Portland vs. Nevada = And again. These two were early darlings who've fallen out of favor, and both need to reboot.

Enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Up next for the Orangemen, the most hated (well, not MOST hated, but kinda hated) Seton Hall.

I hope to be at one of the home games soon. The company my dad recently retired from has a corporate box in the Carrier, and because of his postion in the company over the years I've gotten to see great events there, boxing, basketball, concerts, it's been a blast. Hoping to get to see a big game. :banger

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Well Vic, if Bobby Gonzalez can get his boys to play like they did Saturday against WVA, your Orange is gonna have a game on their hands. That Hazell kid will be shooting over Boeheim's zone all night long, and if he has the range you're in trouble.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

I a tually hope so Thomas, a little adversityis good for the soul!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

That's the spirit, brother. :tu Those 105-32 games ain't no fun at all.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

The action involving top teams last night was not so good, no matter how you cut it. F'instance:

UNC 81 - Rutgers 67 = The final score is about what one would expect, but it does not tell the story of a game that both should have been closer and not nearly as close. The Heels had a 17-point lead early in the second half, and were already in the bonus with only four minutes gone, but the Scarlet Knights cut it to 4 points with about two minutes left - which would have been even tighter had they hit more than 3 of 23 from outside the arc. Only a late run, started by a Dexter Strickland "No, no, no . . . YES!" 3-pointer, got the margin back up to respectable. Roy still hasn't gotten through to these guys yet, and the ACC season is approaching fast.

Florida 76 - American 60 = Gators stop the bleeding in a gimme game that was not terribly impressive.

Gonzaga 94 - Eastern Washington 52 = Like this - though it's just as meaningless a win.

Nevada 78 - Portland 69 = One of the two wanna-bes had to win, ya know?

BYU 99 - Arizona 69 = A couple of close wins by these Wildcats is followed by this stomping.

Actually, I found two other games to be of more interest than these:

Richmond 66 - N.C. Wilmington 64 = Remember, these Spiders have already beaten Miss. State, Missouri, ODU, and Florida. This squeaker against UNC-W is embarrassing.

NJIT 66 - Wagner 56 = And why is this of interest? Well, it gave the Highlanders their fourth win of this season, which is twice as many as they had in the previous two campaigns. Remember, they had a 51-game losing streak from 2007-09, so their present 4-8 record is a cause for celebration.

There looks to be a few good games sprinkled in amongst the crap tonight:

Kansas vs. Belmont = This ain't one of them.
Texas vs. Gardner-Webb = Nor this.
Kentucky vs. Hartford = Nor this snorer either.
Purdue vs. Iowa = Well, at least it is a conference game, but that's about all one can say.
Syracuse vs. Seton Hall = OK, now here might be a contest, as discussed above yesterday.
Duke vs. Long Beach State = Hey, I said a FEW good games, didn't I?
West Virginia vs. Marquette = Ehhhh, I give this one a shot at being a game anyway.
Kansas State vs. Cleveland State = Uhhhh, I don't give this one the same shot.
Ole Miss vs. Jacksonville State = Or this one either.
Clemson vs. South Carolina . . . State = Had you hoping for a second there, right?
New Mexico vs. Texas Tech = I expect this to be a war, as both teams need the W.
LSU vs. Xavier = And I've got a feeling this one too could be fun.

There's not a lot of poison for you to pick above, but there is some - so enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

The 'Cuse......:banger

15-0 run starting at the 12 minute mark put it away, baby.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Yes, and they needed that run too. For a team projected to rule the cellar of the Big East, Seton Hall is certainly putting the fear of God into some highly-ranked schools. A 80-73 loss to the # 5 Orangemen, following an OT loss to # 6 West Virginia? Not too shabby, if you ask me.

There were a few other decent games last night too:

# 4 Purdue 67 - Iowa 56 = Don't let that 11-point win fool you. The 12-0 Boilermakers had to shoot over 65% in the second half to beat the 5-8 Hawkeyes.

# 6 West Virginia 63 - Marquette 62 = Did I not tell you this could be a tight one? The Mountainmen dodged their second minieball inna row when Butler hit that 20-footer with 2 ticks left.

# 19 New Mexico 90 - # 20 Texas Tech 75 = I thought this would be closer, but only the Lobos showed up.

# 21 Clemson 70 - South Carolina State 67 = Sheesh. No other comment needed.

And out of the ranked we had:

Delaware 82 - Lafayette 72 (OT) = Don't you just love extra helpings?

Tonight there are a few potential gems scattered amongst the dogs:

# 9 UNC vs. Albany = Woof.

# 10 U. Conn vs. Cincinnati = Here we've got a shot at some fun.

# 11 Michigan State vs. Texas Arlington = Here we got no shot.

# 18 Temple vs. Northern Illinois = Not much bang here either.

# 24 UAB vs. UVA = This is in Cav country, so the Jeffersonians have a decent chance.

# 25 Northwestern vs. Illinois = These particular Wildcats (as opposed to many of the upteen-dozen others) have not been ranked since early 1969, and though this Illini team is not a classic one, Northwestern may make an even earlier exit.

Duquesne vs. ODU = These two can match up quite well.

William & Mary vs. Maryland = Don't be shocked if this one's closer than the Terps would prefer.

Providence vs. Notre Dame = When middlin' conference foes meet, anything can happen.

Baylor vs. Arkansas = Not a conference matchup, but otherwise ibid.

South Carolina vs. Boston College = Ibid ibid.

Enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Hey, whaddaya know? Again I managed to call a few:

# 9 UNC 87 - Albany 70 = Once more this game was not this close, yet closer than Roy Williams wanted. The most significant note is that both teams scored 41 points in the second half - which is totally unacceptable. Were I Roy I'd bench the whole damn team.

Cincinnati 71 - # 10 U. Conn. 69 = Jim Calhoun has no beef. If you fall behind, catch up and tie with 9 ticks left, then foul a freshman at the horn to give him two shots for the win, you've only your own team to blame. I don't wanna hear no whining about the zebras.

# 18 Temple 70 - Northern Illinois 60 = Here's another one of those "bad" wins. Ten points ain't squat.

Virginia 72 - # 24 UAB 63 = And here's a good win, for the Cavs.

Illinois 89 - # 25 Northwestern 83 (OT) = Did I not say they'd likely make a quick departure from those ranked?

William & Mary 83 - Maryland 77 = Like I predicted, closer than Gary Williams would prefer. :D

ODU 63 - Duquesne 54 = Yeah, a decent matchup, though not as decent as . . .

Central Conn. State 89 - UMBC 86 (2 OT) = Hey, if anybody cared about either of these two teams, this would have been the game of the week.

A good percentage of today's action is already over, even if the clock's still running:

# 23 Wisconsin 65 - # 15 Ohio State 43 = Yeah, I know this was in Madison, and I know the Buckeyes miss Evan Turner, but that's just pitiful.

Indiana 71 - Michigan 65 = Does anyone but me and the Wolverine fans remember that UM was once ranked, whereas the Hoosiers are - well, just rank?

IUPUI 79 - IPFW 69 = OMG, WTF?

With time still left, # 14 Tennessee has an OK lead over Memphis, while # 22 Florida State is spanking Alabama A&M. Also, UCLA has a healthy margin over Arizona State early in the second half. Later games tonight include:

# 7 Duke vs. Penn = Were this a science fair, Penn would have the edge. But it ain't, and they don't.

# 13 Georgetown vs. St. John's = I am really interested in seeing if the Johnnies can hold their own against the Hoyas.

# 17 Washington vs. Oregon State = Any conference game, especially early, can be a test.

Oregon vs. Washington State = And no, I'm not suffering from dyslexia here, nor am I repeating myself.

Richmond vs. Wake Forest = This I see as one hell of a non-conference contest.

Oklahoma vs. Gonzaga = This, not so much, though the Sooners might shock me and show up.

Arizona vs. USC = The Trojans have started to play better, while the Wildcats have not.

Wisc. Green Bay vs. Butler = Green Bay is almost always well-coached and a tough out, so Butler's rollercoaster could continue.

And as for action to kick off the New Year tomorrow, there's not a lot to choose from - though part of it might be "cherch":

# 4 Purdue vs. # 6 West Virginia = I personally believe both teams are a bit over-ranked, so this one is truly of interest to me.

# 19 New Mexico vs. Dayton = Can the Flyers top the Lobos? There's a chance.

# 20 Texas Tech vs. McNeese State = OK, there's a clinker in every bunch. Regardless, enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

In case anyone cares, UCLA's double-digit lead over ASU has slipped to 1 point with 8 minutes left - yes, and it's in Pauley too. Sheesh.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

UCLA holds on to top ASU 72-70. Speaking of tops, the Rocky Tops best cross-state rival Memphis 66-59. And surprise surprise, Dook is just murdering Penn.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Happy hoopy New Year! There's a bunch to cover, so lemme get to it:

On the last day of 2009, we had a few good games:

# 13 Georgetown 66 - St. John's 59 = A nice win for the Hoyas, and not an embarrassment for St. John's either.

# 17 Washington 76 - Oregon State 70 = Here was a tight border war, but not as tight as . . .

Oregon 91 - Washington State 89 (2 OT) = Did anybody see this one? I'm curious as to if it was one neither wanted to lose, or neither wanted to win. If the former, it's a classic.

USC 56 - Arizona 50 = I suspect the low score was more a product of bad offense than good defense, but regardless it was competitive. Again, speaking of competition . . .

Wake Forest 74 - Richmond 68 (OT) = I KNEW this would be a good one. The teams were tied at the half, tied at the end of regulation, but the Deacs outfought the Spiders 12-6 in the extra 5 minutes. Ohhh, baby.

Then to kick off 2010, we had these:

# 4 Purdue 77 - # 6 West Virginia 62 = Lessee, we had that OT against Seton Hall last weekend, then this 15-point pounding by the Boilermakers. Coupled with their Gator Bowl loss in Bowden's swan song, it was not a great week for the Mountaineers.

# 19 New Mexico 68 - Dayton 66 = Well, the Flyers hung tough . . . just not quite tough enough.

# 20 Texas Tech 76 - McNeese State 75 = C'mon, you gotta be kiddin' me. McNeese State? Hrumpff.

Today there is a ton of action, some already in progress:

# 5 Syracuse has a slim lead over Pitt halfway through the first, but # 10 U. Conn is in a real war with Notre Dame, while so far Arkansas is laying a whuppin' on # 24 UAB. I'll keep you updated. Other games include:

# 1 Kansas vs. # 18 Temple = One's gonna wanna run, the other crawl. This could get interesting . . . for a while, anyway.

# 2 Texas vs. TAMU Corpus Christi = Cupcake of Criminy, given to thee Horns.

# 3 Kentucky vs. Louisville = Hatfields and McCoys, brothers. I think Calipari and Pitino should just face off with pistols at midcourt.

# 8 Villanova vs. Marquette = Hmmmm. Might be a pretty good matchup.

# 11 Michigan State vs. # 25 Northwestern = Northwestern's week in the spotlight ends with a second loss.

# 17 Washington vs. Oregon = Should be fairly close for a while, but the Dawgs have that Starbucks edge over the Quacks.

Georgia Tech vs. Charlotte = Nice potential out of conference, and the ranked.

Seton Hall vs. Virginia Tech = Ditto.

Gonzaga vs. Illinois = Ibid.

Cincinnati vs. Rutgers = Mid-pack conference implications.

USC vs. Arizona State = Also.

Arizona vs. UCLA = Less so, as both may turn into bottom-feeders.

Then come Sunday we can look forward to:

# 12 Kansas State vs. South Dakota = Well, maybe we can't look forward to this one.

# 13 Georgetown vs. DePaul = Nor this one, unless the Blue Demons find some old magic.

# 15 Ohio State vs. Michigan = The Logans need a good win, and badly. Will the Buckeyes oblige?

# 20 Texas Tech vs. UTEP = Ehhh, who the fark cares anyway?

# 23 Wisconsin vs. Penn State = Uh, yeah.

Florida vs. N. C. State = This could be the best game out of the ranked teams.

Whatever you choose, enjoy.