So let's kick this off with the big news from last night:
# 2 Ohio State 85 - # 3 (yeah, right) Duke 63 = Well, I halfway called this one for you. As I said, I could maybe see Dook winning a tight one, but could see the Buckeyes blowing them off the court also. Thus this spanking does not surprise me much, mainly because I've never seen enough from the Plumlees to think they could deal with Sully. They couldn't.
Northwestern 76 - Georgia Tech 60 = And I called this one for sure. The Wreck has been pretty much exactly that for some years now, with the Smarty 'Cats doing quite well, thank you very much.
Virginia 70 - # 14 (yesterday) Michigan 58 = And I contend I called this one too. The Logans returned to their earlier scoring woes, and the Cavs made more than a game of it. Good for them, and a possible warning to those who insist the ACC's top-heavy.
Purdue 76 - Miami 65 = And my only hesitation for claiming I called this one is that I thought the Boilermakers might even make it uglier that that final 11-point margin.
Clemson 71 - Iowa 55 = But if you want to get picky, you can diss me on this one if you like. I leaned towards the Tigers, but that "lean" of 16 points makes the Tower of Pisa look like the Washington Momument.
Illinois 71 - Maryland 62 = I made no call on this one, and consider myself wise in doing so. A win by 3 or 4 possessions is a cointoss IMHO, so there is no surprise here.
In other action outside the ACC/Big Ten challenge:
Cincinnati 56 - Miami OH 47 = A win for the struggling Bearcats, but not a very impressive one.
Loyola Marymount 75 - # 23 (bye-bye!) Saint Louis 68 = The Billikens made it into the polls for the first time in a long while, and promptly spit the bit. It's not a terrible loss, if you recall that LM knocked UCLA out of the rankings right off the bat, but it's one that likely rankles Rick Majerus . . . who's never found a spotlight he didn't like, if he could find one large enough to illuminate his entire frame.
Arizona 83 - New Mexico State 76 = And the Desert 'Cats are another PAC-12 team that dropped out of sight early. This won't get them back, but it's a step in the right direction.
ODU 63 - East Carolina 58 = This is just one of those I thought could be good, and it was.
Oregon 64 - UTEP 59 = And this is another I had that feeling about, and The Force was with me here also.
Tonight's action includes a few too many games with potential to note here, so I'll stick with ones I see as relevant:
Marshall vs. Ohio = The Bobcats may not be able to stick with the Herd from start to finish, yet Marshall's one of those mid-majors we need to keep one eye upon. They can give you a scary first-round game come March, if they make it there.
Northeastern vs. La Salle = And although I can't see (at this point anyway) either of these two making it to March, I do think they could entertain us for 30 minutes or so, if not all the way to the buzzer.
Bucknell ve George Mason = Here too it's the same thing, as I don't see GM making another miracle run anytime soon. Still, this may be fun.
# 17 Pittsburgh vs. Duquesne = And considering the way the Panthers have played from time to time, this one could also be more fun than Dixon would prefer.
South Florida vs. VCU = This one's another that could be a nail-biter going either way.
Tulsa vs. Oklahoma State = And this in-state match-up should be close also. Me, I lean slightly towards Tulsa here.
# 15 Kansas vs. Florida Atlantic = And I lean slightly towards the Jayhawks here.
Colorado vs. Colorado State = Another in-stater with potential.
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State = Ditton.
Lamar vs. TCU = I don't know, and don't much care, where Lamar is, but I do think they might give TCU some game before it's over.
# 25 Texas A&M vs. Alcorn State = And if this isn't done by halftime, I'll be surprised.
Drake vs. Boise State = I've no clue as to why this one popped, but I've learned to pay attention to my hunches.
# 18 UNLV vs. UCSB = But I know exactly why this one popped. Not only do I want to see what the Runnin' Rebels have left after taking my Heels, I'm getting that feeling Santa Barbara may give them game. Hey, they beat a good Santa Clara team, and lost to a good Aztec squad by a point. Speaking of Aztecs . . .
Creighton vs. SDSU = This one pops for me too. Though those Aztecs have made noise the past 12 months or so, Creighton's on occasion been making noise for decades. Watch the scoreboard here.
# 19 Gonzaga vs. Notre Dame = The 'Zag Bulldogs haven't played much of anybody yet, so their 4-0 record means little. The Irish have played even more nobodies so far, thus their 5-2 record means even less. We might find out who's who this evening, or at least finally get some hints.
Then, with the continuation of the ACC/Big Ten challenge:
Indiana vs. N. C. State = The Hoosiers are supposed to be a year or two away, yet have played better than was expected early this season. The exact same thing can be said of the Wolfpack. As I see this going either way, with maybe a slim edge to the home team in Raleigh, I'd suggest you put your money on "red".
Florida State vs. Michigan State = The 'Noles started warm, if not hot, then cooled. The Spartans started cool, yet have warmed up considerably. Ehhh, ummmm . . . beats me. I like Izzo a lot, so may have to go against league loyalty here.
Wake Forest vs. Nebraska = If the fact that the Cornhuskers are now Big Ten isn't enough to confuse you, consider that the lame@$$ Demon Deacons have already won about as much as they did all last season. This just might be a pretty decent game out in Lincoln.
Virginia Tech vs. Minnesota = And this one too, come to think of it. The Hokies play well about 2 out of 3 times, which is pretty much what the Gophers do too. If both show up, we might just have us a contest here.
# 5 North Carolina vs. # 9 Wisconsin = Man, I truly have no idea what to say about this one in Chapel Hill. Don't make too much of the old saw about not wanting to face a good team after an upset . . . like with baseball, momentum lasts as long as the next day's pitcher. The Tar Heels exhibited some weaknesses in rebounding, perimeter defense, FT percentage, and outside shooting even before that Las Vegas game. And the Badgers are both big enough and (unlike their rep) fast enough to take advantage. Still, I think they'll make a mistake if they try to run with the Heels. I can see this being Carolina's 2nd loss in a row with a game in the 70s, or a win if it gets up around 90. But they'd better play better than they did Saturday, or the home crowd will let them hear it, for sure. Flip a coin.
Speaking of coins that's it for my
today. Enjoy.