Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum - View Single Post - College Hoops Thread '09-'10

The Poet · 02-20-2010, 11:05 AM

First, let's get last night's action out of the way:

Cornell 79 - Harvard 70 // Princeton 82 - Yale 58 = I put these two together because they belong there. The Big Red holds a slim 1/2-game lead over the Tigers for the Ivy, with Princeton having the game-in-hand, and they will go head-to-head next week. Meanwhile, the Crimson's hopes for reaching the Tourney for the first time since Naismith was a pup took a fatal hit.

Iona 69 - William & Mary 53 // Northern Iowa 71 - ODU 62 = And I put these two together because the losers most likely also lost their at-large hopes here . . . but hey, we won't know that for sure until Selection Sunday.

As is always the case, there are a slew of games today. And as is the case this time of year, many of them have little significance save for their fans, as they have no meaningful impact, win or lose, or they are likely blowouts by one of those teams involved. So I won't talk about games such as Wake/NC State, Stanford/Oregon State, or Kansas/Colorado. Of those games I feel DO have some juice, we have later today:

Baylor vs. Oklahoma State = Two pretty good teams, and a key game for the "also-rans" in the Big 12.

Texas vs. Texas Tech = What I just said, with the added spark that Rick Barnes really needs to get his boys' horns out of their hindquarters if he expects them to make much noise come March.

Xavier vs. Charlotte = As neither of these two are likely to jump over both Richmond and Temple in the A-10, here's the first of several more key "at-large" matchups.

Georgia Tech vs. Maryland = These two teams don't need any more victories for their at-large, but the Terps still have some hope that Dook will stumble and let them steal the ACC.

Fairfield vs. Vermont = Although Vermont will likely take their conference, Fairfield needs this one for a shot at their bid.

Purdue vs. Illinois = The casual fan may overlook this one, but take note: Purdue is ranked #4 in the nation, but at 10-3 are #2 in the Big 10 behind the Spartans. The unranked Illini are #4 just below the Buckeyes, yet at 9-4 still do have a prayer. This one should be fun.

UTEP vs. Tulsa = UTEP wants this one to grab the CUSA by the throat. Tulsa NEEDS this one to stay alive. Should be fun also.

Akron vs. VCU = Here's another of those key "at-large" games, for VCU anyway.

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt = This is the marquee matchup of the day, and it's not an easy one to call, believe it or not. UK has only lost once all year, but they have pulled a number of wins out of the fire at the end. They are talented, but undisciplined at times. Vandy is disciplined, yet they sometimes don't show up to play. The Wildcats could blow the Commodores off the court, but Vandy could also edge them in a tight contest. Should be interesting.

Wichita State vs. Utah State = The last of those key "at-large" games of the day, for the boys from Wichita anyway. It's in Logan, so it won't be easy, but I think they will take it.

The schedule for Sunday is quite a bit slimmer, but it is nearly as heavy in big games:

Villanova vs. Pittsburgh = You'd have to give 'Nova the edge here, but the Panthers are totally capable of beating anyone on any given Sunday. Plus, 'Nova has proved they can lay the occasional rotten egg themselves. Don't put this down in ink already.

Ohio State vs. Michigan State = The Spartans have been more consistently good, but the Buckeyes have seemed to put their struggles behind them. I see a tight one.

Wisconsin vs. Northwestern = The Badgers are coming off a terrible loss to Minnesota, and want to recoup. Northwestern has fallen off the map after their over-hyped start, but still have a pretty good squad. Here's another tight one.

Arizona vs. Arizona State = And there's more than desert bragging rights at stake here, for the Sun Devils anyway. They want to remain in the hunt with California for the Pac-10, and Sendek will have them focused. Devils by 10.

Duke vs. Virginia Tech = This might be Devils by 10 also, though as I've noted before, they do struggle when their outside shots won't fall. Give them the advantage, but give the Hokies a boxer's chance to put a kink in Dook's plans for the ACC regular season crown. Of course, as any true ACC fan knows, that don't mean squat . . . it's the ACC Tournament, the gran'daddy of them all, that really matters.

I'll be back shortly with some scores. Enjoy.

02-20-2010, 11:05 AM	#329
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10 First, let's get last night's action out of the way: Cornell 79 - Harvard 70 // Princeton 82 - Yale 58 = I put these two together because they belong there. The Big Red holds a slim 1/2-game lead over the Tigers for the Ivy, with Princeton having the game-in-hand, and they will go head-to-head next week. Meanwhile, the Crimson's hopes for reaching the Tourney for the first time since Naismith was a pup took a fatal hit. Iona 69 - William & Mary 53 // Northern Iowa 71 - ODU 62 = And I put these two together because the losers most likely also lost their at-large hopes here . . . but hey, we won't know that for sure until Selection Sunday. As is always the case, there are a slew of games today. And as is the case this time of year, many of them have little significance save for their fans, as they have no meaningful impact, win or lose, or they are likely blowouts by one of those teams involved. So I won't talk about games such as Wake/NC State, Stanford/Oregon State, or Kansas/Colorado. Of those games I feel DO have some juice, we have later today: Baylor vs. Oklahoma State = Two pretty good teams, and a key game for the "also-rans" in the Big 12. Texas vs. Texas Tech = What I just said, with the added spark that Rick Barnes really needs to get his boys' horns out of their hindquarters if he expects them to make much noise come March. Xavier vs. Charlotte = As neither of these two are likely to jump over both Richmond and Temple in the A-10, here's the first of several more key "at-large" matchups. Georgia Tech vs. Maryland = These two teams don't need any more victories for their at-large, but the Terps still have some hope that Dook will stumble and let them steal the ACC. Fairfield vs. Vermont = Although Vermont will likely take their conference, Fairfield needs this one for a shot at their bid. Purdue vs. Illinois = The casual fan may overlook this one, but take note: Purdue is ranked #4 in the nation, but at 10-3 are #2 in the Big 10 behind the Spartans. The unranked Illini are #4 just below the Buckeyes, yet at 9-4 still do have a prayer. This one should be fun. UTEP vs. Tulsa = UTEP wants this one to grab the CUSA by the throat. Tulsa NEEDS this one to stay alive. Should be fun also. Akron vs. VCU = Here's another of those key "at-large" games, for VCU anyway. Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt = This is the marquee matchup of the day, and it's not an easy one to call, believe it or not. UK has only lost once all year, but they have pulled a number of wins out of the fire at the end. They are talented, but undisciplined at times. Vandy is disciplined, yet they sometimes don't show up to play. The Wildcats could blow the Commodores off the court, but Vandy could also edge them in a tight contest. Should be interesting. Wichita State vs. Utah State = The last of those key "at-large" games of the day, for the boys from Wichita anyway. It's in Logan, so it won't be easy, but I think they will take it. The schedule for Sunday is quite a bit slimmer, but it is nearly as heavy in big games: Villanova vs. Pittsburgh = You'd have to give 'Nova the edge here, but the Panthers are totally capable of beating anyone on any given Sunday. Plus, 'Nova has proved they can lay the occasional rotten egg themselves. Don't put this down in ink already. Ohio State vs. Michigan State = The Spartans have been more consistently good, but the Buckeyes have seemed to put their struggles behind them. I see a tight one. Wisconsin vs. Northwestern = The Badgers are coming off a terrible loss to Minnesota, and want to recoup. Northwestern has fallen off the map after their over-hyped start, but still have a pretty good squad. Here's another tight one. Arizona vs. Arizona State = And there's more than desert bragging rights at stake here, for the Sun Devils anyway. They want to remain in the hunt with California for the Pac-10, and Sendek will have them focused. Devils by 10. Duke vs. Virginia Tech = This might be Devils by 10 also, though as I've noted before, they do struggle when their outside shots won't fall. Give them the advantage, but give the Hokies a boxer's chance to put a kink in Dook's plans for the ACC regular season crown. Of course, as any true ACC fan knows, that don't mean squat . . . it's the ACC Tournament, the gran'daddy of them all, that really matters. I'll be back shortly with some scores. Enjoy.