[The Poet]

Forgive me for not getting to this yesterday, but hopefully the worst of the Christmas rush is over. Still, I'm pressed for time, so here's a short update:


On Tuesday, scores of note (to me, anyway);


Louisville 69 - Charleston 62 = I expected a good game, and we got one.

N. C. State 67 - St. Bonaventure 65 = Not a great win for the 'Pack, but a good one nonetheless.

Richmond 90 - ODU 82 (OT) = And a great in-state fight here.

Wright State 80 - Idaho 78 (OT) = And a great out-state one here, since one can't get much more out-state than Idaho.


On Tuesday:


North Carolina 82 - Texas 63 = OK, so the 'Horns are down this year. The Heels were down the last two years, and lost both games to UT, so this is sweet . . . especially when you consider that we also won the Battle of the Barnes, meaning Harrison over Rick.

Fresno State 68 - Arizona State 65 = The Sun Devils still struggle to find themselves, just as much of the Pac-12 has.

Middle Tennessee State 68 - Mississippi 56 = I can't prove it, but had I had the time yesterday I would have called this one. Ole Miss keeps up the poor rep of the SEC West.


Today's action includes a lot of games that might be pretty good, such as:


Kansas State vs. Southern Illinois = K-State's trying to get better, yet they may be tested here.

Charleston vs. Coastal Carolina = An in-state battle with potential.

Florida vs. Florida State = Here's another, if the 'Noles show up.

Syracuse vs. Tulane = Hey, would you believe I give the Green Wave half-a-shot in the Dome (of course, in the Dome) tonight? If nothing else, they are smart enough to recognize a zone defense.

Davidson vs. U. Mass = This is one of those that popped out for me.

Georgetown vs. Memphis = The Hoyas have done better than most expected, and the Tigers have done worse. Still, keep an eye on this one to see how things develop.

Gerogia Tech vs. Mercer = Yeah, one may think the Wreck will roll, but I'm not so sure of that.

Elon vs. San Diego State = And these two can maybe give us a close one also.

Miami vs. Charlotte = Ditto.

West Virginia vs. Missouri State = Dit-three.

Rice vs. Texas A&M = And dit-four for this in-stater.

Louisiana Tech vs. Arkansas = Don't ask me why, but I got that tickle here again.

South Florida vs. Southern Miss = Here, I'm more confident we'll have a game.

Creighton vs. Northwestern = Here too.

Boise State vs. Iowa = And here.

Illinois vs. Missouri = Perhaps the key match-up of the night, and one will drop in the rankings. The other may rise, or may not.

St. Mary's vs. Baylor = This one could be just about as tough on the Bears as that BYU game was. I'm not going to say the Gaels will win, but as we've seen too little of Baylor against good competition . . . well, anything is possible when you don't know what you got.


That, sadly, is all I've time for. Hopefully I'll be able to do a better job in the near future. Until then then, enjoy.