College Hoops Thread '10-'11

[The Poet]

As already noted, it was a weekend for upsets and near-upsets, from start to finish. Not counting those results previously posted, we had during the balance of Saturday:


Georgia 77 - Kentucky 70 = I previewed this by saying the 'Dawgs weren't, and that it could be closer than Calipari wanted. Well, that was most certainly true. And although I did give Georgia a chance, we still must consider this a true upset.

Houston 76 - UCF 71 = But not necessarily this one. Though I admitted that I . . . nor no one else for that matter . . . knew who the Knights really are, as they've not actually played anyone yet, I did for at least the second time on this thread call them "Mickey Mouse". So count this as a decent win for the Houston Cougars, yet not one which makes their season.

South Carolina 83 - Vanderbilt 75 (OT) = Nor this one either. In fact, I flat-out said I would not consider it an upset if the 'Cocks took it to the Comms. So, I won't. However, as the "experts" do, we'll count it as one more.

Pitt 89 - Marquette 81 = And here's the first of those "near upsets" which occurred. But once again, maybe not. I told you Marquette could make this one close, and they did.

Memphis 61 - East Carolina 58 = However, there's no doubt on this one. The Tigers have the talent to run the Pirates out of the gym, and though I felt EeeZeeTeeCee could keep it respectable for a time, I never thought it would be a 1-possession decision by the end. Give the Pirates props, and the Tigers .

U. Conn 82 - Texas 81 (OT) = This one would not have been an upset, no matter the outcome. I could not, so did not, pick either squad here (albeit a slight leaning that ultimately went the wrong way), and that was a wiser decision than most of those I make. It's a good, and hard-fought, victory for the Huskies, and a disappointing, though far from shameful, loss for the 'Horns.

BYU 76 - Air Force 66 = Although I figured that the over-rated Cougars would down the Falcons, I never thought the Academy boys could stay this close. One would be pressed to consider this a "near upset", yet it does perhaps offer some evidence to support my lack of respect for BYU's ultimate chances in the national race.

Florida 77 - Mississippi 71 = And although one might make a stronger case about this being a "near upset", I myself have seen too much inconsistent play from the Gators to give them all that much credit either. And although I did lump this game in with a handful of all-important conference games which could go either way, I still believe the Gators possess more talent than the Rebels, and should perhaps have won more handily.

Rutgers 85 - Providence 72 = Since both teams are, at best, mid-pack Big Mouth teams, and both came into this one on 3-game losing streaks, I still find it a bit of a shock that the Scarlet Knights managed such a "decisive" victory over a Friars team that has, at times, played quite well. Does any of that make any sense at all, or sound like so much specious obfuscation?

St. Bonaventure 92 - Charlotte 88 (3OT) = This was by far the closest of the group of vital conference matchups I listed, and was as good a win for the Bonnies as it was a heartbreaker for the 49ers.

ODU 69 - George Mason 65 = Here too.

Clemson 79 - Miami 72 = Here three.

California 65 - Arizona State 61 = Here four.

LSU 62 - Auburn 55 = Here, not so much, as both these teams are pretty crappy, so it won't make any difference in the end.


On Sunday the Madness continued, or at least tried to anyway:


Duke 71 - Maryland 64 = Not to show any lack of respect to the Terps, as they do have a pretty good team, but one would tend to believe that the unanimous # 1 team in the nation could possibly manage a teeny bit more than a 7-point victory on their own damn court, would one not? Hey, these conference games are no laughing matter. If you don't believe me, just ask . . .

Ohio State 67 - Minnesota 64 = The Buckeyes finally actually decided to play a real game against a real opponent, and damn near got a real loss for their audacity of facing anyone except another cupcake. And so, for those who think the Blue Devils exhibited a lack of dominance, consider this one, or even . . .

Kansas 67 - Michigan 60 (OT) = I watched a good portion of this game, but in the end I had to switch it off. Both teams played like crap. One might expect that from the youthful Wolverines, but the Jayhawks have pretensions of greatness. Well, of what I saw, that is precisely what they are . . . pretenders. Had UM been able to hit almost ANYTHING from outside 15 feet, they would have plucked the Prairie Fowls.

Arizona 67 - Stanford 57 = This game is at least as significant for the fact that it was postponed due to the tragedy in Tucson as to any consequence of the game itself. A good win for the Wildcats, after a horrible day for the state of Arizona, and for the nation as a whole.

Villanova 72 - Cincinnati 61 = Meanwhile, the Philly Wildcats hand the Bearcats their first loss of the season . . . though it could easily be argued that this was actually Cincy's first GAME of the season, as their previous list of victims were far from the highest water. Well, the floodgates are opened now, so expect the Ls to start piling up.

Butler 84 - Youngstown State 79 = This was a better game than I thought it might be . . . which doesn't say much of anything, I know, but still . . . .

Creighton 74 - Evansville 69 = Ditto.

Miami OH 92 - Ohio U 88 (3OT) = Dit-three, as in 3 OT.

Valparaiso 64 - Cleveland State 58 = But here, I pretty much figured it would be fun.

USC 63 - UCLA 52 = Not as good a game as I had hoped, but in the long run it likely won't mean all that much to either team, as neither one scares anybody.

Missouri State 59 - Wichita State 56 = However, I hoped for a scrappy game in this one, and I got what I wanted.


There's not a lot of action tonight, once you toss out all those game which are either mismatches, and likely blowouts, or contests between teams where both of them suck. So I have only two for you to TiVo:

Notre Dame vs. Marquette = Here is one that should go down to whoever makes the key plays in the final 2 minutes.

Jacksonville vs. Belmont = And if that game above turns into a laffer, either way, check out this one with some possibilities.


I'm starting to get blisters here, so I'll leave you with . . . enjoy.