[The Poet]

With all the early-season tip-off tourneys and invitationals, many of Sunday's match-ups are yet TBD, depending on the outcome of games. For instance, Kentucky will face the winner of the ODU/South Florida contest . . . and win. There are a lot of others like that. So all I can give you are the "givens" up tomorrow:


Washington vs. Saint Louis = One might think a Husky would have no problem tearing a Billiken to shreds. Yet the PAC-12 as a whole has been as a hole so far, and SL can hoop a bit. This may be a nice game, at least midway through the 2nd half.

# 4 U Conn vs. Coppin State = Kay-riest! Did you read what I said about Syracuse above? Well, as for these Huskies, they've obviously been neutered too. This is their 4th home cupcake to open their defense of the crown, following Columbia, Wagner, and Maine, and they won't hit the road until they face South Florida on 12/28. Plus, they have NO ranked teams out-of-conference scheduled for the entire season! I think they are over-ranked at #4. I also think they shall remain over-ranked until they actually have the nerve to play somebody, come January. Sheesh.

Iona vs. Maryland = Yesterday I probably would have given the Gaels a decided edge over the Terps, who have not played all that well. But UM played better against the Buffaloes, so now I think this may be a pretty good one afterall.

# 1 North Carolina vs. Mississippi Valley State = And I don't think this one will be much good at all, save maybe for us Tar Heels. And before you object that UNC should be lumped in the same boat as I put U Conn and the 'Cuse, note not only that this is their FIRST game in the Dean Dome, after opening up on the road on that flattop and that mountaintop in Asheville, but that they will host Wisconsin and visit Kentucky in the near future. So I think they've earned a little scrimmage against the Delta Devils.

LSU vs. Georgia Tech = Two so-so teams in two basketball-rich conferences. That could mean a decent game for us to enjoy.

# 25 Florida State vs. South Alabama = Though I'm not expecting the Semiholes to have much of a problem, I want to see if their defense does a better job than they did against Jacksonville and Stetson.

Murray State vs. UAB = Aside from being of interest to Joe, this might tell us a bit about the Racers' chances of having a good season. UAB should be at least a tough out, and maybe even too tough.

Iowa vs. Creighton = And this IMHO will just be a dogfight.

Duquesne vs. Valparaiso = Here's another one, at least potentially.

Temple vs. Wichita State = And here's another.

Michigan State vs. AR Little Rock = And here's the Spartans' shot to get to .500 after opening up with losses to UNC and Dook. Give Izzo credit though. He's willing to play these two, even though he's something like 1-for-11 in his last dozen against the Tobacco Road duo.

Tulsa vs. St. Joseph's = I could see this one going down to the last few possessions.

# 16 Alabama vs. Purdue = And I could see this one doing the same damn thing.

# 21 Marquette vs. Mississippi = And this might not be quite as close, but still should not be a blow-out.

Northwestern vs. Seton Hall = The Hall's played better than I'd expected so far. I think they're gonna hafta continue to in order to compete here.

Washington State vs. Portland = Do any of you remember last year, when Portland got off hot and even got ranked for a bit? Or was that the year before? Anyway, the Pilots have a shot at making some noise in the Great NW if they can take it to the "meh" Cougars. Keep your eye on this.


That's it for now. Though I may reply to any comments, I shan't be back until Monday afternoon. So until then . . . enjoy.