College Hoops Thread 2011-2012

[The Poet]

I'm getting a late start, and am pressed for time, so let me hit what I consider the highlights.

Saturday:


Evansville 80 - Butler 77 (OT) = I thought this could be a good one. It may not tell us yet what the Bulldogs will be, but it's not a good early sign.

Northern Iowa 63 - ODU 46 = In Norfolk, no less. I'm not shocked that NIU won, but for ODU to be so crappy at home . . . that is odd.

Seton Hall 75 - St. Francis (NY) 71 (OT) = Short of, of course, Penn State football, the Pirates basketball team has had perhaps the most checkered recent off-court past lately. If this showing against what should have been a cupcake is any indication, these problems have killed their program.

South Florida 61 - Vermont 59 = I still don't know why this one popped off the page at me, but at least I wasn't wrong.


On Sunday:


Cleveland State 71 - # 7 (formerly) Vanderbilt 58 = By far, the biggest surprise of the weekend. And in Nashville, to boot. OK, anybody can have a bad night. OK, even a cupcake can have some lumps in it. But this, this is just embarrassing.

# 10 Pittsburgh 86 - Rider 78 = Despite the victory, this isn't much better either.

# 16 Arizona 73 - Ball State 63 = Nor this one. And yes, in Tucson, not Dave Letterman's backyard.

Maryland 71 - N. C. Wilmington 62 = And yes, in College Park. This does not bode well for the Terps chances in the ACC.

Washington 77 - Florida Atlantic 71 = And wasn't Washington supposed to be the dark horse in the PAC-12 this year? Man, it might be getting dark early in the Great NW.

# 1 North Carolina 91 - N. C. Asheville 75 = And although I could come up with at lease a half dozen "good" excuses for this one, it also does not please me very much. The 91 scored doesn't bug me, but the 75 allowed does. Too many TOs, too may possessions p!$$ed away.

Gardner-Webb 74 - Lipscomb 71 = I'm not sure what to make of this one. Lipscomb has a good history, while Gardner-Webb is . . . well, Gardner-Webb. I'll need to keep an eye on both these teams.

San Francisco 71 - LA Lafayette 70 = SF had probably its best season last year since Bill Russell left. Hey, maybe he's left them again.


There are a few HUGE games in the next few day, but only a couple tonight that pique my interest:


Penn vs. Temple = Penn had a surprisingly good season last year, and the Owls are the Owls. I'm curious how both will play.

Northeastern vs. U Mass = And I get the feeling these two will match up well.

Murray State vs. Morgan State = These two, maybe not so well. But I have to keep Joe on board, so .

Richmond vs. Davidson = Two storied programs, and two decent coaches. Could be fun.

USC vs. Nebraska = Both are more football than basketball schools, but that may mean they also match up well on the hardwood.

Northern Iowa vs. St. Mary's = And both of these have a chance at earning NCAA bids before the smoke clears. If you can stay up late, check it out.


Sorry about the "quick and dirty" postings, but what can I do? Man, I hate it when work gets in the way of fun.