My computer problems seem to be back, so the following posts may be briefer than normal. Yeah, I can hear you now . . . "Thank God!"
Last night, some of the teams in my picks did not show up to play. It happens. Here are what I consider the the more meaningful scores:
Kansas 81 - Memphis 68 = I'm not surprised at the Jayhawk victory, and the margin seems about right too. I am a bit surprised that Memphis is still getting all their respect, when they haven't played well enough to deserve it.
Syracuse 72 - Michigan State 58 = But here is one that shocks me. Yeah, not only did I pick the Spartans, but they couldn't even stay close in this one. So maybe MSU is being overrated too. Regardless, a good win for the Orange.
Georgia 73 - Georgia Tech 72 = And a good win for the Bulldogs too. As for the Jackets, nobody can figure them out. They were edged here, and earlier by the aforementioned Syracuse Orange, yet were spanked by Kennesaw State and Northwestern. Don't ask me . . . I've no clue.
Marshall 67 - James Madison 63 = So, at least a few of my game picks turned out to be decent, anyway.
Belmont 88 - Middle Tennessee State 87 (2OT) = I looked at this one yesterday, and considered posting it, but for some reason it did not make my cut. Mea culpa. This was the one game to watch, if you could only watch the one.
Tonight's lineup is pretty packed:
# 1 Duke vs. Bradley = The Braves have lost 4 in a row, and that will be 5 after tonight. But Dook has lost star freshman guard Kyrie Irving for an indefinite period to a toe injury. That won't hurt them tonight, but with the ACC starting soon, it could.
# 3 Pitt vs. Delaware State = This one is also already over, before it tips off.
# 6 U. Conn vs. Fairleigh Dickinson = Make that three not to watch.
# 12 Villanova vs. Penn = This might be a tad better, but not much.
# 14 San Diego State vs. California = OK, here we might actually have us a contest . . . by which I mean something under double-digits. And at times the Bears have played well enough to even challenge the Aztecs.
# 15 Missouri vs. Vanderbilt = Here too we could have a good game. Missou's not been dominant, and Vandy's played well on occasion.
# 16 Illinois vs. Oakland = Oakland is not total crap, winning 4 in a row, but they have lost to every halfway decent team they've played. Tonight begins a losing streak for them, since they follow this game with Michigan State and Tennessee.
# 17 Kentucky vs. # 23 Notre Dame = Like the Spartan/Orange game last night, this pits a higher ranked team with two losses against a lower ranked one with zero. So don't ask me to make a fool of myself again. I'm just hoping it's a good one.
# 18 BYU vs. Vermont = The Cougars have dodged bullets from Utah State, South Florida, and St. Mary's to remain undefeated. The Catamounts have only lost to U. Conn. This just might be another slug fired at BYU's head, believe it or not.
# 20 UNLV vs. Boise State = This might be close for a while, but I'd expect the Rebels to Run away during the second half.
# 22 Minnesota vs. St. Joseph's = And this should be about the same story here.
# 24 Louisville vs. San Francisco = Pairing city against city, it's no contest. Pairing team against team, it's also no contest, albeit flop-flipped.
Providence vs. Boston College = The Friars showed me something with the way they handled Rhode Island. The Eagles have shown a few good signs too. This one could be fun.
Arkansas vs. Seton Hall = So could this one, if the SH Pirates show up to play. As for the 'Backs, good or bad, they always show up.
UNC vs. Evansville = After two disappointing years, losing 30 games to injury during that time, Tyler Zeller has started to show signs of being a quality big man. But it's not in the post the Heels have been hurting; rather, it is guard play and outside shooting. If that is even halfway decent, this will be a scrimmage. If not, the Heels may get another scare . . . at least.
TCU vs. Texas Tech = This one could be close, from the tipoff to the horn.
Gonzaga vs. Washington State = Both of these teams have some talent, and they both need this victory. Depending on who comes to play, and how they succeed at it, one will get it. I'm leaning towards the 'Zags, but they've already let me down a Few times this year.
That's about it for me. Toss in your
, if you choose. Until later then. Enjoy.