College Hoops Thread 2011-2012

[The Poet]

Last night's limited action included:


# 12 Florida 90 - Rider 69 = I told you not to bother. Me, I'm surprised it was even this close.

U Mass 83 - Siena 78 = This one does surprise me a little too because so far this year Siena hasn't been all that good. That's why I didn't post it yesterday, figuring U Mass would roll. They won, but it was a decent fight.

VCU 73 - Richmond 51 = And this one surprises me a lot, not by the win but by the margin. The Spiders normally don't get spanked like this.

Iowa State 86 - Iowa 76 = No big shock here, although I thought it might be closer.

Wyoming 65 - Colorado 54 = As I did here, but blame the Buffaloes, not me. This was tied at 30 at the break, so that 11-point margin was all in the 2nd half. In Boulder, no less, which makes it an even poorer showing.

Fairfield 59 - ODU 51 = A decent enough game, at least compared to some others.

Idaho 74 - Oregon State 60 = Well, I try to give the Badgers a bit of respect, and they gnaw down the sapling before it even leafs. And this was in Corvallis too. Guess this does answer my query as to if they are for real, however.


Today's early games has yet to produce any finals, nor any surprises yet, so let me get to other Saturday games first. As usual, there are far too many to note them all, so I've cut it down from that to 'way too many:

Kent State vs. Western Carolina = This could be fun. The Catamounts are home in Cullowhee, and remember they lost to Purdue by only 5. Kent State's been decent so far also, and I feel it may be tight.

LIU vs. Columbia = And though this game also won't mean a lot over the long haul, it has potential too.

Butler vs. Ball State = The fans who'd jumped on the Bulldog bandwagon over the past two seasons are holding onto the railings and looking for a soft spot to land once they bail. Butler wants to reach .500 today, and the Lettermans want to improve to 6-2. Keep an eye on this one.

Wisc. Milwaukee vs. Northern Iowa = Both these teams are 8-1, so they have some confidence. As for me, I have more in NIU than the boys from Wisconsin. But speaking of that . . .

# 14 Wisconsin vs. UNLV = Talk about your contrast in styles! The Rebels are runnin' again, while the Badgers only will when they have their opponent totally outclassed. Otherwise, they channel the last Ice Age named for their state, and are glacial. They did manage to get the type of game against a running Tar Heel team, yet fell just short. Will they do the same today, or will UNLV chase them off the court? For this alone, it will be worth watching.

# 15 Pittsburgh vs. Oklahoma State = Several times this year I've said that the Panthers do not lose games like this one. But this one is not one of those ones, and the Cowboys might very well give them more than they want.

Arkansas vs. Oklahoma = Neither of these teams seem to be a national power, but neither one sucks. Expect a close one.

# 2 Ohio State vs. # 13 Kansas = The Jayhawks have not shown me nearly as much as the Buckeyes have to date. But the game is in Allen Fieldhouse, which is a hard place to play. Furthermore, Sullinger is still questionable with his bad back, so even if he does suit up he may not play effectively, if at all. Don't bet on the "upset", but don't be shocked if OSU takes its first L of the year.

# 20 Michigan vs. Oakland = Actually, I can see this being pretty tight, at least for a while. The Logans have struggled to score at times, which gives a scrappy team extra shots, and half-a-shot anyway at the upset. I don't expect that, but weirder things have happened.

# 17 Mississippi State vs. Troy = One of those weirder things would be Troy making a game of this one. Yeah, I have little faith in the Bulldogs, but come on!

Clemson vs. Arizona = I also have little faith in the Desert 'Cats, but even less in the Tigers. Hell, they couldn't even beat the 'Cocks on their own floor! AU may not be golden, but they win this one by several possessions.

# 25 Harvard vs. BU = The Crimson have no reason to be red-faced over their first loss to U Conn, and will rebound today.

Lehigh vs. Wagner = Here's just one of those that pop for me, don't ask why.

# 5 Louisville vs. Fairleigh-Dickinson = And this one will be fairly ridiculous.

# 10 Missouri vs. Navy = The Midshipmen sink again.

Villanova vs. Temple = Now this is more like it! We have a Battle of Brotherly Love here, so flip a coin.

# 1 Kentucky vs. Indiana = And I have a feeling this will be pretty damn good too. The Hoosiers have yet to get any love in the rankings, which surprises me. Maybe they are not "back" yet, but they have been playing very well. Of course, so have the Wildcats, so the upset may be unlikely. Yet I do think we'll see Calipari sweating before it's over.

Penn State vs. Duquesne = This is just another one that hopped off the page for me.

# 4 North Carolina vs. Long Beach State = In the Dean Dome, but that's not the only reason the Heels should be favored. However, don't expect another 2-for-1 win here. Remember, the 49ers beat Pitt already, and lost to KU by only 8, so they are by no stretch total cupcakes.

Davidson vs. Charlotte = A battle for the Queen City here, and I think it will be a good one.

Penn vs. UCLA = At 2-5, the Bruins were self-destructing even before Ben Howland dismissed forward Reeves Nelson from the team last night for "insubordination". Oooo-kay. Penn's not great, but aren't pushovers either. Thus this one is interesting on both counts.

# 3 Syracuse vs. George Washington = And this one is not, in any way.

Youngstown State vs. Buffalo = But this one could be. Again, don't ask me why, but it looks to be a fun one.

New Mexico vs. USC = As does this one.

Miami vs. West Virginia = And this one, with me giving a slim edge to the Mountaineers . . . more for what the 'Canes haven't shown me than for what WVA has.

# 22 Texas A&M vs. LA Monroe = The Aggies continue to hoe in high cotton, refusing to work hard for their supper. But a diet of cupcakes will eventually give you a tummyache. Not tonight, however.

Wake Forest vs. Seton Hall = Both of these teams have been down in recent years, and both have played much better than expected so far. I can see this one being an all-out war.

# 23 Gonzaga vs. Michigan State = This one too. The Spartans have recovered and won something like 7 in a row. I give them a good shot at knocking off the 'Zags, even in Spokane.

# 11 Marquette vs. Green Bay = But I can't see GB winning here, or even hanging tough for long.

Nevada vs. Montana = However, for you nightowls, this one ought to be a pretty good contest.


Lemme take a break before I come back with early finals and Sunday games. Later, brohs.