College Hoops Thread 2011-2012

[The Poet]

Three ranked teams were in action last night, but only one performed as I assumed:


# 14 Wisconsin 60 - Wisc. Milwaukee 54 = I figured the Badgers would win a relatively close one, and they did.

# 17 Mississippi State 75 - Florida Atlantic 68 = But despite my doubts about the Bulldogs, I never thought they'd have so much trouble here. Hey, a couple of 3s here or there, and this would have gone the other way. It's much the same with . . .

# 20 Michigan 63 - AR Pine Bluff 50 = OK, so a 13-point win is better than a 1-point loss, but if the Wolverines think they can challenge in the Big Ten by playing this poorly, they shall be sadly disappointed.


Other scores of some note:


South Carolina 66 - Presbyterian 58 = The Blue Hose held onto the 'Cocks for over a half, and actually led 25-19 at the break. I felt it would be a decent game, and it was OK at least.

Middle Tenn State 65 - Belmont 62 = Here's another I thought would be good, and it totally lived up to expectations.

UCSB 65 - San Diego 61 = Ditto.


Today Iona and Richmond are already in action against each other, with the Gaels starting to break open a tight one midway through the 2nd half, leading by 11 as I type. Other match-ups include:


Cincinnati vs. Wright State = I have learned not to expect the Bearcats to be either good or bad, since they've been both so far. WS may again give them a fight, and I'm just hoping it's not another brawl.

# 2 Ohio State vs. South Carolina Upstate = Despite the absence of Sully from the lineup, I give the Buckeyes a slim edge here.

# 6 Baylor vs. Bethune-Cookman = Much as with the Orange, I can't see how the Bears have shown us they deserve this high a ranking. Again, as with Syracuse, they may actually be good, but we have been given no reason to believe so. Their 7-0 record has decent wins against San Diego State and Northwestern, but nobody else of note. That situation does not change tonight.

South Florida vs. Auburn = The Tigers are 4-1, but that loss was a stomping by the Seton Hall Pirates. Even on their home court, I can see the Bulls goring them this evening.

Eastern Washington vs. UCLA = And I shall continue to keep my eye on the Bruins, just to see whether or not their start from hell turns around.


That's about all for me. I will update you by saying Iona's about sewed up a win over the Spiders in Richmond with only 2 minutes left, so they have responded well from that whuppin' they took from Marshall. Otherwise, enjoy.