[The Poet]

A few more early finals:


Miami 93 - Florida Atlantic 90 (2OT) = The 'Canes hold on in a high wind by the skin of their teeth. A win's a win, but with ACC play starting soon this does not bode well for UM.

Iona 73 - Vermont 72 = Just about exactly the tight one I expected.


With time running out, both Purdue/Butler and Baylor/BYU are too close to call. But at the half the Gators are all over the Aggies, 50-25. Color me totally unsurprised.


Tomorrow has limited action, but a few games of interest include:


Wake Forest vs. Gardner-Webb = The Deacs have played better than was expected, but I can see them being tested here, believe it or not.

# 8 Xavier vs. Oral Roberts = I don't know how many Musketeers have been suspended for this game due to that fight with Cincy, which may affect the Preachers' odds. But either way, this could be decent for a while anyway.

# 9 U Conn vs. Holy Cross = Calhoun's home cooking continues, and Holy Cross should be crucified.

# 10 Missouri vs. William & Mary = This might last a half or so, but I'd not think much longer than that.

Loyola Marymount vs. Florida State = As the Semiholes have not played as well as was expected, this one may be more fight than they'd prefer. I give them an edge, but not a huge one.

Virginia vs. Oregon = Unlike FSU, UVA has played above all expectations so far. Even out in Eugene, they can give the Ducks a run for their money. The Cavs may not win, but they won't go down without a fight.

Eastern Illinois vs. Northwestern = This one may depend on how the Smarty 'Cats rebound from their poor showing today. I did not mention it above, but they just edged Central Conn. State by 6 points. EI's a better team, so if this game today did not focus NW they might just get knocked off.

Montana State vs. Pepperdine = These two teams are just above .500 now, and both want to stay there. It's in Malibu, so maybe the Waves have a slim advantage in that, but otherwise it has potential to be a blast.

Portland State vs. Oregon State = Though it is in Corvallis, I'm not sure what sort of home court advantage that means for OSU in this in-state game. I can see it lasting well into the 2nd half at least, and maybe going down to the last few possessions.


While typing this nonsense, two other finals happened:


Baylor 86 - BYU 83 = Like I said, BYU had a chance at the upset. They didn't pull it off, but they scared the Bears for sure.

Butler 67 - Purdue 65 = And like I said, I expected a good one here, and that's just what we got.

At last look, the Gators were still 18-up on the Aggies with 5 minutes gone in the 2nd, but I'm not gonna hang around here all damn day just to give you sports desk updates. So that's it from me for now. Have a great balance of the weekend, and enjoy.