Well, that Texas/Texas A&M game was a disappointment, unless you're a diehard 'Horn. I had hoped for a better contest, but seems the Aggies didn't make it back to the barn. It's one thing to lose by 20 points. It's quite another when your opponent only scored 69, and you lose by 20 points.
Still, there were a few good games last night, including:
Georgetown 62 - Louisville 59 = Now that's more like it, although it was an ugly, ugly game for both teams. Poor shooting and turnovers were the most significant stats, and that's never a good thing. And the Hoyas tried to give the Cardinals another miracle come-fro-behind victory by blowing most of an 11-point lead to make it a game. But Pitino's gone to that well all too often lately, and it wasn't in the Cards last night. A badly-needed conference win for the Hoyas . . . who move into 7th place all by their lonesome.
Fairfield 70 - Canisius 55 = OK, so this one wasn't nearly as close. However, it does get the Stags to 10-1 in MAAC play, with a full 2-game lead over St. Peter's, so that alone makes it notable.
Norfolk State 110 - Coppin State 108 (2OT) = And this one means nothing at all, as we are unlikely to hear about either of these teams come March . . . or as far as that goes, any other team from the Mid-Eastern Conference, for more than 20 minutes or so. So why not give them some press now? Both squads wanted to stay in contention for their league lead, and neither wanted to lose. Good show from them, and thanks for playing.
There are a decent number of meaningful games scheduled for tonight (I say "scheduled", as poor weather may cause some postponements), including:
Purdue vs. Wisconsin = At 7-2 in Big Ten play, it looks unlikely that the Boilermakers can take the top spot from 9-0 Ohio State unless the Buckeyes give them a lot of help. But they can go a long way towards securing the 2nd spot by giving the Badgers their 4th conference loss tonight, and thus drop them into a scrum for the 3-hole. It won't be easy. Wisconsin is a tough team to play even when they suck, and they don't suck this year. Plus, it's in Madison. Plus plus, Purdue ain't exactly been world-beaters so far, especially on offense. Luckily for them, you usually don't have to score a ton against the glacial Badgers, so maybe they have a slim edge there. Yet this one can go either way, and I expect a tight one.
Penn State vs. Illinois = Here are two of those Big Ten "scrum" teams mentioned above, with both of them having 4 league losses so far. It goes without saying that they don't want another tonight. These two teams seem to be heading in opposite directions. The Illini have dropped 4 or their last 5, and have dropped from national ranking also. On the surface, it might seem as though PSU is not much more successful, being a .500-team since the first of the year. Yet this includes a number of wins nobody expected them to get, and a number of razor-close losses to the teams atop the conference. If the Nittany Lions can make it to Champaign for the game, it may just be a good one.
Vanderbilt vs. Florida = Vandy is one of only two SEC teams presently ranked nationally, yet is mired in the middle of the East division with a 3-3 league record. The Gators have yo-yo'ed between good and crap all year (as has the Comms, to be fair), yet at 5-2 lead that same division over that other ranked team, UK (4-2). To be totally honest, I can't figure out either one of these teams. Flip a coin.
New Mexico vs. Air Force = The Lobos are coming off a huge win for them, beating BYU this past weekend. The Falcons, on the other hand, needed OT to edge the bottom-feeding TCU Horned Frogs by a point. Yet they are tied in Mountain West play with 3-4 records. Even though this one's in the Rockies and not the desert, I'd go with the Lobos.
Kentucky vs. Mississippi = The Wildcats travel down to Oxford to challenge the Rebels. I can't see it being much of one. Calipari is whining that his bench is paper-thin . . . as if he didn't ask for that by recruiting one-and-dones and semi-pros. Well, he should not need a bench against Ole Miss. Sure, they could possibly maybe somehow perhaps give them a game. I don't expect that, but stranger things have happened.
Baylor vs. Oklahoma = The Bears have been another of those inconsistent teams, following a good game with a poor one. The Sooners have been much more consistent . . . consistently bad, that is. Sure, they have one quality win over Colorado, but otherwise they have pretty much sucked, start to finish. If I had any faith in Baylor at all, I'd bet the farm on them tonight. But as I don't, I won't. I figure they will win, and maybe even big, but they have squirted games away before.
Kansas vs. Texas Tech = And here's the other big match . . . or should I say mis-match . . . in the Big 12 tonight. The Jayhawks take their 1-loss record down to Lubbock to take on the 11-11 Red Raiders. If KU gets their 2nd loss tonight, Bill Self should make the team walk back to Lawrence.
Wichita State vs. Indiana State = The Shockers want this bad, as a win would assure they will stay at worst tied for 1st place in the Missouri Valley. The Sycamores want it just a bad, as a win would keep them in contention, thus giving them some post-season hopes despite their 12-10 overall record. If the game is not iced over in Terre Haute tonight, it should be a real good one.
North Carolina vs. Boston College = This is a huge game for the Tar Heels, as a victory up in Chestnut Hill would tie them with Duke at 6-1 atop the ACC, and also drop BC to .500 at 4-4. A win would also build on the momentum, minimal though it be, which has crept them back into the rankings. But a win won't be easy. The Eagles have talent, and the home court, and have won the last few meetings with UNC. It might go down to the wire.
Wake Forest vs. Florida State = Speaking of momentum, the Demon Deacons got their 1st ACC win against Virginia Saturday, and are hungry for more. Meanwhile, the Semiholes took their 2nd conference loss against Clemson, scoring only a putrid 44 points in Littlejohn. Do I think the Deacs can deek their way to another league win down in Tallahassee tonight? No way in hell. But hey, I guess most anything is possible with the power of prayer, so "Go Deacs!"
That's it for now. Feel free to toss your own
in here, as it is worth as much as my ravings. Enjoy.