Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum - View Single Post - College Hoops Thread '10-'11

The Poet · 01-04-2011, 03:05 PM

I found several interesting results from last night's action, the most notable being:

St. John's 61 - Georgetown 58 = Although I figured the Johnnies could give the Hoyas game, I would never have had the chutzpah to predict they would win. And although I rarely ever mention the much-maligned RPI rankings, I do strongly suspect that this loss will drop Georgetown from its # 1 rating there, a position they have held without sufficient justification for a week or more now. Otherwise, I shall only say that the Hoyas seem to have fallen back into their age-old habit, that of being a very good defensive team, and a totally average offensive one.

Michigan State 65 - Northwestern 62 = And I find this one nearly as interesting, since the Spartans really should have won by much more than a single possession. So, for all you critics giving Roy Williams such a hard time, why don't you save a few bolts for Tom Izzo, hunh?

Auburn 65 - Florida State 60 = Here again, there seems no good reason for this loss by the Semiholes. Prior to this one, they had only dropped games to quality opponents like Florida, Ohio State, and Butler, while beating a good Baylor squad along the way. As for Auburn, they pretty much have stunk up the gym all year long, and not in a good way. This one had to hurt. But, speaking of Butler . . .

Wisc. Milwaukee 76 - Butler 52 = Wow. Hey, I started out saying to begin this thread that Butler would not be nearly as good nor as successful as last year's group, yet of late they have been playing better. Well, their 6-game winning streak has ended, with a big boom. I'm not saying W-M sucks, but when a team loses by 24 points, it stings.

Texas A&M 66 - Nicholls State 55 = And any time a team which supposedly deserves a national ranking beats a bunch like Nicholls State by a mere 11 points, it should sting a little too. We've seen worse wins this season, but not by a lot.

Jacksonville 67 - Campbell 65 = I told you this would be one damn nice game that would go down to the end. See, I'm not a complete idiot.

There are quite a few games this evening, but many of them pit one 2-10 team against another, so although they may thus be close ones, who actually gives a flying fark? However, there are a handful of pretty good ones, or at least ones with the potential to be pretty good:

Ohio State vs. Iowa = The Buckeyes are much better than the Hawkeyes, yet keep your Owneyes on this one. As with any conference matchup, it just might turn into a fight before it's over . . . and in the Big Ten, that could be taken literally.

Pitt vs. Providence = And it's pretty much the same story here. Put your money on the Panthers, but don't be shocked if the Friars cover the spread (and no, I have no idea what that spread is, but it really doesn't matter).

Texas vs. Arkansas = The hits just keep on comin'. Once more, the Longhorns have the beef, but the Razorbacks have the nasty attitude. Expect a fairly close one.

U. Conn vs. Notre Dame = And though this is less a David/Goliath situation than those above, being more of a heavyweight bout, this one could go a long way towards telling us which of these 2 Big Mouth teams are for real . . . if either actually are.

Indiana vs. Minnesota = Back to the Big Ten, and another shot at a bloody battle. The Gophers have the better personnel, but the Hoosiers are playing a bit better than they have in years, so they could make a decent game of it, for at least a half or more.

West Virginia vs. DePaul = Here again, we have two well-matched opponents, with WVA being the slight favorite (in my eyes, anyway). Yet the Blue Demons have played OK from time to time, and since both teams are now 0-2 in conference play, you know both want the victory. If nothing else, the intensity should be there all game long.

Missouri State vs. Creighton = And here we might have, with the exception of the Huskies/Irish game (or some of those 2-10 opponents previously mentioned, then ignored), the most even matchup of the evening. A last-second shot, or even OT, might just decide this one.

That's what got my attention for tonight, but if you have any candidates to nominate, feel not merely free, but encouraged. Regardless . . . enjoy.

01-04-2011, 03:05 PM	#131
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: College Hoops Thread '10-'11 I found several interesting results from last night's action, the most notable being: St. John's 61 - Georgetown 58 = Although I figured the Johnnies could give the Hoyas game, I would never have had the chutzpah to predict they would win. And although I rarely ever mention the much-maligned RPI rankings, I do strongly suspect that this loss will drop Georgetown from its # 1 rating there, a position they have held without sufficient justification for a week or more now. Otherwise, I shall only say that the Hoyas seem to have fallen back into their age-old habit, that of being a very good defensive team, and a totally average offensive one. Michigan State 65 - Northwestern 62 = And I find this one nearly as interesting, since the Spartans really should have won by much more than a single possession. So, for all you critics giving Roy Williams such a hard time, why don't you save a few bolts for Tom Izzo, hunh? Auburn 65 - Florida State 60 = Here again, there seems no good reason for this loss by the Semiholes. Prior to this one, they had only dropped games to quality opponents like Florida, Ohio State, and Butler, while beating a good Baylor squad along the way. As for Auburn, they pretty much have stunk up the gym all year long, and not in a good way. This one had to hurt. But, speaking of Butler . . . Wisc. Milwaukee 76 - Butler 52 = Wow. Hey, I started out saying to begin this thread that Butler would not be nearly as good nor as successful as last year's group, yet of late they have been playing better. Well, their 6-game winning streak has ended, with a big boom. I'm not saying W-M sucks, but when a team loses by 24 points, it stings. Texas A&M 66 - Nicholls State 55 = And any time a team which supposedly deserves a national ranking beats a bunch like Nicholls State by a mere 11 points, it should sting a little too. We've seen worse wins this season, but not by a lot. Jacksonville 67 - Campbell 65 = I told you this would be one damn nice game that would go down to the end. See, I'm not a complete idiot. There are quite a few games this evening, but many of them pit one 2-10 team against another, so although they may thus be close ones, who actually gives a flying fark? However, there are a handful of pretty good ones, or at least ones with the potential to be pretty good: Ohio State vs. Iowa = The Buckeyes are much better than the Hawkeyes, yet keep your Owneyes on this one. As with any conference matchup, it just might turn into a fight before it's over . . . and in the Big Ten, that could be taken literally. Pitt vs. Providence = And it's pretty much the same story here. Put your money on the Panthers, but don't be shocked if the Friars cover the spread (and no, I have no idea what that spread is, but it really doesn't matter). Texas vs. Arkansas = The hits just keep on comin'. Once more, the Longhorns have the beef, but the Razorbacks have the nasty attitude. Expect a fairly close one. U. Conn vs. Notre Dame = And though this is less a David/Goliath situation than those above, being more of a heavyweight bout, this one could go a long way towards telling us which of these 2 Big Mouth teams are for real . . . if either actually are. Indiana vs. Minnesota = Back to the Big Ten, and another shot at a bloody battle. The Gophers have the better personnel, but the Hoosiers are playing a bit better than they have in years, so they could make a decent game of it, for at least a half or more. West Virginia vs. DePaul = Here again, we have two well-matched opponents, with WVA being the slight favorite (in my eyes, anyway). Yet the Blue Demons have played OK from time to time, and since both teams are now 0-2 in conference play, you know both want the victory. If nothing else, the intensity should be there all game long. Missouri State vs. Creighton = And here we might have, with the exception of the Huskies/Irish game (or some of those 2-10 opponents previously mentioned, then ignored), the most even matchup of the evening. A last-second shot, or even OT, might just decide this one. That's what got my attention for tonight, but if you have any candidates to nominate, feel not merely free, but encouraged. Regardless . . . enjoy.