College Hoops Thread 2011-2012

[The Poet]

Pressed for time again today, so this will need be short and sweet. Last night:


Fordham 60 - Harvard 54 = The most stunning result from these games, and not because I didn't give the Rams a shot in hell. Can you blame me? They haven't won at home against a ranked opponent since 1978, which was before some of you were born.

Seton Hall 75 - U Conn 63 = I've been surprised at how well the Pirates have played so far this year, and the fact that they dominated this game surprises me some also. But I'm not surprised the Huskies lost. I felt they started out over-ranked to begin with, and furthermore felt this would start to manifest itself once they got out of their home state and actually played some decent teams on the road.

Michigan State 63 - Wisconsin 60 (OT) = The Spartans swipe a tough one in Madison, but despite the fact that a tying 3-pointer by the Badgers was disallowed at the 2nd buzzer they did not STEAL it. If Wisconsin had really deserved the victory, maybe they should have hit more that 5 of their first 20+ treys before they "hit" the post-final one.

Alabama 73 - Georgia Tech 48 = Good God, is the Wreck in that bad a shape? Lawsy mercy.

Mississippi 50 - SMU 48 = About what I figured it might be, though awfully low-scoring.


Although there are not a ton of games this evening, there are quite a few that look to be good match-ups . . . too many, in fact, for me to give them all justice. So here's my highlights:


Xavier vs. LaSalle = Have the X-Men gotten over their post-brawl blues? Even if so, LaSalle could give them game.

Auburn vs. Florida State = Going into the season I'd have thought the 'Noles would romp here. However, they've played like crap, so this one interests me, even if only for that.

Georgetown vs. Marquette = Two good teams should give us one good game. Until the Hoyas show me otherwise, I'll stick with them for now.

St. Joseph's vs. Duquesne = The Hawks have been much better than they were last year, yet this still might be some fun.

Tulane vs. UCF = This could be too.

Illinois vs. Northwestern = The Smarty 'Cats have NOT been quite as good as last year, but the Illini have shown they can be vulnerable.

West Virginia vs. Rutgers = And the Mountaineers have also not been as good, while the Scarlet Knights have been 'way up, and fairly down too. If RU shows up, should be close.

Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati = Unlike Xavier, the Bearcats got hot after that fight. The Irish may not be able to cool them off, but keep an eye on this one to see what develops.

Duke vs. Temple = The Owls are decent anyway, though not the mid-major power they've often been in the past. But the Blue Devils may have a bit more of a fight than they'd wish, even if only for the fact that . . . believe it or not . . . they AREN'T PLAYING IN DURHAM!!! How the hell did K let that happen?

Murray State vs. Eastern Kentucky = I won't pick against Joe's Racers until after they give me some reason, but I can see them facing a challenge at home here.

Kansas vs. Kansas State = I'm not sure I need to say much more. KU's played about as expected, while K-State's played better than was thought. Plus, they don't much like each other, in case you didn't know. Look for a war in Allen Fieldhouse, and figure the Jayhawks in a tight one.

Saint Louis vs. Dayton = And figure on much the same here, on a mid-major level.

Syracuse vs. Providence = Just like Dook, the Orange have screwed up again and scheduled a game outside the Dome. Were it many places aside from Rhode Island, I might look for them to take their first loss tonight. That loss will come, but I can't see the Friars handing it to SU.

Iowa vs. Minnesota = In case you haven't noticed, these two "also-rans" in the Big Ten+ have surprised a few people. Both now have ambitions to make the NCAAs come March, and need every conference win they can muster to get there. If nothing else, they should come into this focused.


Sad to say, I've no time for other good ones today, like maybe Indiana State/Northern Iowa or Illinois State/Missouri State to name just two. But feel free to jump in and name them yourselves, fellas! I can use all the help I can get here!

Later then. Enjoy.