[The Poet]

There were a few notable scores last night, including:


Minnesota 70 - Purdue 67 = Though this can be classed an upset, it does not qualify as a shock. The Gophers have played very well at time, and the Boilermakers have too often struggled to score. Against a team as deliberate on offense as Minnesota, with limited possessions available, this problem can be compounded. And so it was last evening. A good win for the distracted Gophers, in a tough spot against a tough conference foe.

Stanford 58 - Washington 56 = However, the Huskies could not overcome their off-court distractions, and dropped an important Pac-10 game against a Cardinal team which is decent, but supposedly not on the same level as Washington. This win might not make Stanford's season, but it just might spell the beginning of the end for the Huskies.

Oregon 68 - USC 62 = And speaking of distractions, the story here are the "on-court" distractions of the Ducks' new $230 million arena. Reportedly the reflections from the floor gave viewers headaches, and the players could not see the midcourt or three-point lines worth a doodly. So give the Ducks one point for the victory, and take two away for causing epileptic seizures all over the Northwest.

California 88 - Washington State 81 (OT) = Over the long haul, I expect this outcome will prove to mean little, but give both teams credit for an entertaining show.

Drexel 62 - ODU 57 = But as I said yesterday, this one was important for both teams. In this particular fairy tale, the Dragons top the Monarchs in a hard-fought battle.

Rhode Island 78 - Richmond 74 = And, as I said yesterday, this one was the same story . . . and the same sort of tight fight. A good win for the Rams, and a disappointing loss for the Spiders.

North Carolina 64 - Virginia Tech 61 = Not a great win for the Tar Heels, but better than a bad loss at home. Like too often last year, and like their previous game against UVA, UNC fell behind big (by 16 last night) and needed to fight back for the late lead. Unlike last year, they actually did so. Two positive signs, however, aside from the outcome. First, much-hyped then much-maligned freshman Harrison Barnes scored 8 of his 12 points in the final 3 1/2 minutes to help secure the victory. Second, another freshman Kendall Marshall garnered 9 assists. Not impressed? Well, 9 assists in a game where you scarcely break 60 is a monstrous effort, if you ask me.


Tonight has very few games on the slate, and only three of them interest me in the least:


Valparaiso vs. Wright State = These two are pretty evenly matched, and should give us a close contest right up until the end.

Iona vs. Rider = Same thing here.

Butler vs. Detroit = The profiles of these programs may be slightly higher than the previous ones, but my point is the same. I see a good game here, start to finish.


Now this weekend we have far too many games scheduled to give proper coverage to them all. I'll get a jump on the bigger ones now by giving you some which tip off early on Saturday:


Louisville vs. Marquette = Though the Cardinals have been getting better press, I see this as a pick 'em. The Golden Eagles may not win, but on any given day they can beat anybody.

Temple vs. Duquesne = And it's about the same story here. Well, OK, so the Dukes can't beat anybody (like Duke, f'instance), but they can beat the Owls. I don't think they will, but I don't think they'll be embarrassed either. Might actually be pretty tight.

Syracuse vs. Cincinnati = The Orange try to keep their streak alive, but it won't be easy, even in their Dome. The Bearcats have only lost one themselves, to Villanova, and if they can hit some shots over Boeheim's zone they can make a real battle of this one.

Georgetown vs. Rutgers = And the Hoyas need to do something now to turn their season around. All things being equal, I would not give the Scarlet Knights a snowball's chance, yet since Georgetown's not shown me much lately, who knows? Bet the Hoyas, but don't give too many points.

Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee = And here both teams have been up, then down, then up, then down. Though it would surprise me if both teams lost, it would not if neither actually tried to win. This one I'm curious about, just for that reason alone . . . not "which team will show up?", but "will one show up at all?"

Marshall vs. Memphis = The Memphis Tigers makes a third "name" team from the Volunteer State that has yo-yo'ed all over the place. Don't be surprised at all if the Thundering Herd tramples all over them.

Villanova vs. Maryland = 'Nova has only one loss so far, and I would not expect they will drop this one on their home court. However, the Terps do have a pretty good team, so give them a puncher's shot. This might be closer than Jay Wright would prefer, but figure it will be Gary Williams crying at the buzzer.

Northwestern vs. Michigan State = And here's another one that's hard to call. The Spartans are starting to prove the wrong thing . . . that they ain't all that good. The Wildcats aren't either, but they ain't garbage, and only lost to MSU by 3 in their first meeting. I would expect the Spartans to pull it out, yet Tom Izzo might just gain a few more gray hairs before it's over.

Missouri vs. Texas A&M = And here, without a doubt, we have us a tossup game. The # 15 Tigers (15-2, 1-1) are visiting the # 14 Aggies (15-1, 2-0) in a vital early conference game for both, and in a conference neither is favored to win. You think they won't be focused here?


That's it until tomorrow afternoon for me. I'll see you then. Enjoy.