Well, I'm back, and because of the blizzard I'm even a little early, since I was the only one who could make it to work. When your commute is two minutes, by foot, there's little excuse. I hope you all had a great holiday, but now it' time to put my ample honker back on the grindstone.
On Friday, Christmas Eve:
Mississippi 69 - Saint Louis 61 = As I said, if the Billikens showed up, this one could be some fun. Maybe if Rick Majerus had shown up himself (he was out sick, though it is reportedly not serious), they perhaps could have grabbed the upset.
Colorado State 63 - Southern Mississippi 58 = And I also had the feeling this would be close too. So, though there wasn't much action, what there was was choice.
On Saturday Christmas Day:
Florida State 68 - Baylor 61 = Well, the Bears failed their test against the Seminoles, and have paid the price by dropping out of the latest AP poll . . . and with good reason. But despite their overranking, this was still a good win for FSU.
Hawaii 68 - Mississippi State 57 = This one was not as close as I thought it would be, but it likely would have been had the Bulldogs not put their two best bigs in the penalty box. Renardo Sidney and Elgin Bailey were both suspended from the MSU team indefinitely, and only because they got into a fistfight in the stands Thursday night, in front of cameras to boot. Hey, what's a little beatdown between roommates, hunh? Their absence allowed the Rainbow Warriors to own the paint, and take the win. Good for them, and good for Miss. State for not putting up with such nonsense.
San Diego 67 - Utah 64 = I did not mention this game in my post last Friday because I did not think the Toreros had a snowball's chance in Honolulu. It's not that the Utes are that good, being merely a .500 or so team, but San Diego purely sucks! This victory "improved" their record to 3-10, and was their first win over a D-1 opponent all year. Good for them, and keep it up, Toreros. The Aztecs need a little competition.
On Sunday, Boxing Day (or here on the East Coast, the first day of a White Kwanzaa):
Richmond 69 - Seton Hall 61 = As I had hoped, a decent game, and a Spider W. And the fact that Pirates senior guard Jeremy Hazell was shot the night before played no factor in the game, since he was already out after wrist surgery for an injury sustained early this month. Reportedly, his wound was not life-threatening, being a shot in the arm (which he wasn't for the Hall). I wish him a rapid and full recovery, and advise him that a night in the hospital is better than the 3-to-5 in jail. If he doubts this he should just ask his former teammates (and his former coach).
I'm gonna take a little break now, and be back later with the upcoming schedule . . . what hasn't been cancelled due to the blizzard (already the Fordham game at Georgia Tech is snowed out). Back shortly.