[The Poet]

Sadly, that Belmont/Jacksonville game didn't turn out to be so hot after all, with the Bruins slapping the Dolphins around like they were spawning salmon, 81-50. Hey, Belmont has a danged good team, don't kid yourselves . . . especially when they play someone from out of state. Of their 3 losses to date, 2 were to Tennessee, and the 3rd to Vandy. Go figure.

However, we can take some consolation in the fact that the upsets keep on coming:


Marquette 79 - Notre Dame 57 = Well, so maybe this is not such a big upset as the "experts" would lead you to believe. I myself said it would be tight . . . but it wasn't. Stupid me. I failed to notice that, when the Irish lose, they lose big and not small. Their other 2 losses so far were to Kentucky (72-58) and Syracuse (70-58). Odd ain't it, how similar those outcomes are.


Unlike last night, there are a fair number of important games this evening. Many of them involve the same team that got knocked off over the weekend, and thus gives them the opportunity to bounce back . . . or not. For instance:


Kentucky vs. Auburn = I was not all that surprised that Georgia tamed the Wildcats Saturday. I will be totally flummoxed if the Tigers even show up for this game in Rupp.

Wisconsin vs. Michigan State = On the other hand, I was totally flummoxed that the Nittany Lions beat the Spartans, and I don't care if the game was played in Joe Paterno's basement . . . there's no excuse for it. MSU has the talent to beat the Badgers, but I'm beginning to doubt if they have the will. Therefore I am extremely interested to see what happens here, in what should, all things being equal, be a pick 'em at best.

Texas vs. Texas Tech = And though you cannot call the Longhorns' loss to U. Conn an upset, it still should focus them for this in-state rival . . . which is not good news for the struggling Red Raiders. And speaking of U. Conn . . .

U. Conn vs. Rutgers = The Scarlet Knights got their first conference win Saturday, but with this one against the Huskies being followed by the Hoyas, it might be a while before they get their 2nd one. I would plan on tuning this one out at the half.

BYU vs. Utah = And pretty much the same thing here. Though I don't much like the Cougars, I can't see the Utes runnin' out of anything but time . . . despite their decent showing against Larry's Aztecs in their last game.

Baylor vs. Oklahoma = Although the Bears have been stumbling a bit recently, they should have enough to handle the Sooners.

Illinois vs. Penn State = Before Saturday, I would have said there was no damn way the Illini could lose to PSU. But Illinois has not exactly been lights-out, and if the Lions can take Michigan State on their floor, they can take this one too. Were I a betting man, I most definitely would NOT bet that however. Penn State got a great win Saturday, and strike me as a team that will still be celebrating that, and figure their season's already made. Expect a spanking here.

Florida vs. Tennessee = And here we have a game between two teams that have oscillated between wonderful to woeful. Flip a coin . . . Gators or Vols.

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson = The Jackets have been a bit better than was expected, and the Tigers have been . . . well, the Tigers. Can I borrow that coin again?

N.C. State vs. Boston College = Earlier in the year I would have picked the Eagles by three or four possessions. But they have been iffy of late, and the Wolfpack is on a bit of a roll . . . against pretty crappy teams, that's true, yet momentum is still momentum. This one just might go down to the final few shots.


That's what I see tonight. Pick your own personal poison, and enjoy.