As previously mentioned, Temple got a big conference win over Richmond last night, 73-53. Although the outcome does not surprise me, the margin of victory does a bit, since I expected a closer game out of the Spiders. This win moves the Owls to within 1/2 game of Xavier atop the A-10. As these teams will not face each other again, and as both have relatively easy remaining competition (only 1 team each left with a decent shot at an upset), this one could go down to their head-to-head tie-breaker a month back . . . which the X-Men won by 11.
In other action last night, there were a few shocks, including:
DePaul 79 - Providence 76 = The Blue Demons suddenly leap into contention for the Big East crown by improving their conference mark to 1-12. And in Rhode Island, to boot. It's been nearly 3 years since DePaul has won a Big East road game! Well, good for them.
N. C. State 69 - Clemson 61 = And here's another surprise, at least of sorts. Don't get me wrong . . . the Wolfpack has some talent. But they haven't played as if they do of late, and lost 7 or 8 before putting together this 2-game winning streak. OK, so you can toss out the one over Wake Forest, but beating Clemson? A great win for NCSU. But will it save Lowe's job? Stay tuned.
Penn State 66 - Minnesota 63 = As for this one, I'm not sure either outcome would be worth remarking. Both teams have gotten good wins, both have suffered bad losses, and both are mid-pack Big Ten teams. Somebody had to win, and somebody needed to lose. Since I'm still not sure how the Nittany Lions are managing to compete, I will give them credit however.
Belmont 68 - East Tennessee State 58 = It's all over but the shouting in the Atlantic Sun, and it's the Bruins basking in the Nashville springtime. Yeah, the math tells you ETSU could run the table, and Belmont fold up against the crappy teams it still must face, which would lock them into a tie . . . which would go to Belmont with the tie-breaker. Hey, NOBODY is officially in The Dance so far, but if Belmont does not make it, there is no justice.
And as for "Moving Day" in the Pac-10 . . . nobody did so.
Arizona 79 - Washington State 70 // UCLA 69 - Stanford 65 // Washington 79 - Arizona State 62 = So things remain same as they ever was, same as they ever was, save with one fewer shot at changing all that. It's still anybody's league to win between these three victors, and they will fight it out amongst themselves, soon. This could be a lot of fun.
You might already expect that there's not much of note this evening . . . and you'd be wrong:
U. Conn vs. Louisville = Don't ask me how this ended up a Friday game, but who's complaining? It ought to be a good one out in the Cru - ummmmmm, the KFC Yumi, what with both teams ranked, both teams at 8-5 in conference play, and both team in need of a few more good wins to earn the highest possible at-large bid. Plus, there's the perception that Calhoun and Pitino are not exactly the closest of friends. If this one's not spicy and extra crunchy, demand your money back.
VCU vs. Wichita State = And don't ask me how such a great non-conference matchup like this made it into the 2nd half of February. Here's two very good NCAA-caliber teams, both in line for an at-large at the least, yet both wanting that little bit of extra insurance. Whoever wins this one will get just that. Don't pick 'em, don't flip a coin . . . just sit back, and enjoy.
Princeton vs. Yale // Harvard vs. Cornell = Although it is STILL too early to know for sure, all indications are that the Tigers and the Crimson may be the ones to beat in the Ivy. Remember, there is no conference tourney there, so the team that takes the season takes the bid . . . and there won't be but the one. However, though they may be better than most of the rest of the league, they are not dominant, and either (or both) could stumble on any given night. With very little margin for error, every game is vital. Both teams need to focus each and every night, and you can bet your bottom dollar they are both smart enough to know that. You may not really give a dinky-damn about the Ivy, but then that's your loss. THIS, this is what college sports is SUPPOSED to be about.
I'll likely be back a little later with early Saturday tip-offs. 'Til then, then.