[The Poet]

Big games in progress have not been so big so far, with UConn and UK handing it to St. John's and Louisville, and unless they turn around both games are already over. While they continue, lemme catch up some. On Thursday:


Rutgers 85 - Florida 83 (2OT) = As mentioned above, this one's a shock. I realize the Gators have been spotty at times, but letting the Scarlet Knights take them is inexcusable.

Vanderbilt 74 - Marquette 57 = This one would not be as much a surprise, despite the fact that this other SEC team has been even more spotty than Florida. However, both the margin and the fact that the Comms were on the road add significance to a badly-needed win for them.

N. C. State 87 - Campbell 81 = The Wolfpack has been somewhat better than "meh", while the Fighting Camels have been humping along fairly well, considering. Jerry may not be delighted by this win, but I feel it is at least a decent one, and certainly better than a loss.

Wake Forest 72 - Yale 71 = And considering where the Demon Deacons were last year, this is not a bad win either. Also, regarding head-to-head between the "Two Ivy Leagues" . . .

Davidson 75 - Penn 70 = Had this happened during the Curry era (or the Lefty one, for you old-timers), this would not be that good a win. But were I a Wildcat, I'd take it, thank you very much.

VCU 76 - Akron 75 (OT) = I expected a battle in this one, and we got it.

Belmont 79 - Marshall 74 = Ditto.

Illinois State 65 - Northern Iowa 61 = Same here, though I thought NI'd take it. Shows what I know.

Wisc-Milwaukee 57 - Valparaiso 55 = And here's another one, which despite the low scoring was one fine contest between two good mid-majors.

Cincinnati 56 - Oklahoma 55 = And here again, with the Bearcats getting a win they desperately needed.

St. Mary's 98 - BYU 82 = Way to go, Gaels. Not only did they beat the Mormons, they kinda spanked them too.


On Friday:


Georgia 58 - Delaware State 51 = The Bulldogs post a totally unimpressive victory.

Northeastern 53 - Vermont 51 = Both programs have been better in the past, yet still gave us a fun game.

Missouri 75 - ODU 68 = Missou remains undefeated, though against an ODU team that's also been better before this year. 'Grats to the Tigers, and enjoy it while you can . . . your run will end soon.

Princeton 75 - Florida State 73 (3OT) = Wow. The Garden State sure handed it to the Sunshine State over these two days, with both the Scarlet Knights and the Tigers hanging L's on the Gators and 'Noles . . . though it took a comnbined 5 OTs to do it.

George Mason 84 - Charleston 76 = I don't think CoC's as good as before, and I know GM's not going to reach another Final Four this year. Still, it's a good win for them.

Temple 66 - Delaware 63 = But like that Georgia win above, I can't consider this to be a very good showing by the Owls.

Auburn 78 - Georgia Southern 75 = Nor is this one by the Tigers.

Murray State 73 - Eastern Illinois 40 = I normally refrain from posting blowouts, but I wanna keep on Joe's good side . . . and give some props to the Racers for staying unblemished to date.

Seton Hall 67 - West Virginia 48 = Speaking of blowouts, what about this one? By itself it means little, as we know the Mountaineers are down some this year. But have you noticed that the Pirates are quietly 12-2 so far, including decent wins over VCU, St. Joe's, Auburn, Wake, and Dayton? Are they for real? We may find out come this Tuesday, when they face the UConn Huskies.

James Madison 71 - Stetson 69 (OT) = Neither team is likely to make much noise this season, but the did give us an entertaining contest here.

Wagner 64 - Santa Clara 62 = The Seahawks follow up their stunning victory over the Pitt Panthers by edging a decent Broncos squad. Good for them.


While I was typing the above, Louisville made a huge comeback to get back into their game in Rupp. However, St. John's has not done the same against those Huskies. Some other games which tip-off early today include:


Viginia Tech vs. Oklahoma State = The Cowboys have grabbed a slim lead over the Hokies with 5 gone in the second, but it's still too close to call. I expect it to stay that way.

Iowa vs. Wisconsin = The Hawkeyes are up a trey in Madison over the Badgers, but it's only midway through the first. Anything can happen, and I think those Badgers will wrest control eventually. But I don't expect a blowout.

Rice vs. Texas = I get that feeling that this Lone Star War will be exactly that.

N. C. State vs. Western Carolina = And if Jerry's 'Pack want to keep any sort of respect, they'd better take care of the Catamounts in this in-state fight. I believe they will, but it might be closer than Jerry'd wish.

Florida vs. Yale = You'd expect the Gators to bounce back from that embarrassing loss to Rutgers. I'd expect that too. Still, if the Scarlet Knights can beat them, so can the Eli.

Wis-Milwaukee vs. Butler = The Bulldogs, national runner-up the last two years, are struggling at 7-7 so far. Me, I think they'll drop below .500 today.

Boise State vs. Idaho = Get out your potato guns. This one could be fun.

Georgetown vs. Providence = The Hoyas have done very well, and the Friars have not. Still, anything can happen in conference play, so keep an eye on this one.

Mississippi State vs. Utah State = I've yet to be convinced that MSU's for real. A win here won't convince me they are, nor will a loss convince me they aren't. I get that feeling this will be close, even if it is in Starkville.

Northwestern vs. Oklahoma = And I get that feeling about this one too.

Michigan State vs. Nebraska = And I don't get that feeling about this one. The Spartans have won a dozen inna row, and Izzo likely won't let them lose focus. As for the Cornhuskers . . . well, their nightmare introduction to the Big Ten+ has just begun.

Drake vs. Missouri State = Yeah, nobody much cares about either one of these teams, but I think it may be a pretty decent match-up.

South Alabama vs. Middle Tennessee State = Same here.


I'll be back a little later with early finals and other games today and Sunday. Enjoy.