College Hoops Thread 2011-2012

[The Poet]

While I'm waiting for a few more early games to go final, let's talk briefly about some Sunday games:


New Mexico State vs. Southern Miss = I've got that feeling again that this one will be fun.

Dayton vs. Murray State = And even though Joe's Racers have played a bit better than the Flyers, this one has potential also. Keep your fingers crossed, Joe.

VCU vs. George Washington = Most years I'd call this a gimme for VCU, but they've struggled a bit so far. I still think they'll take it by double-digits, yet it may be tighter.

South Carolina vs. Clemson = This Palmetto war is in Littlejohn, but I don't much care where they play it considering how the 'Cocks have been limp. Tigers, fairly easily.

# 7 Baylor vs. Northwestern = Yet even if this was down in Tejas, and not up in Evanston, I'd give the Smarty 'Cats a good shot at skinning the Bears here. They have already beaten LSU and Tulsa there, plus at Seton Hall and Georgia Tech. Meanwhile, the only decent team Baylor's played was hosting the SDSU Aztecs, so their undefeated record doesn't mean as much as does Northwestern's. If you're looking for an "upset", here's a place to start.

N. C. State vs. Stanford = And though I don't see Jerry's Wolfpack pulling of anupset here, I do think they can keep it competitive with the Trees.

# 18 UNLV vs. Wichita State = After surviving UCSB in OT, the Runnin' Rebels should be looking to make a statement here. Even on their homecourt, the Shockers should not shock them. However, I don't expect a blowout either.

Indiana vs. Stetson = I would be shocked if Stetson's still around at halftime. The Hoosiers have played above expectations, and I'd not be shocked to see them creep into the Top 25 next week.

Notre Dame vs. Maryland = The Irish haven't shown us much so far, but the Terps have shown us even less. The game's in DC, which is much closer to College Park than South Bend, but I don't know if that will be enough to help Maryland here.

# 24 California vs. San Diego State = Even before the latest news out of Berkeley, I'd have expected a pretty good game here. But Cal has just announced it has suspended their sophmore forward Richard Solomon for "conduct contrary to academic department values". Kudos to them for actually being a school which HAS academic department values, considering that so many others do NOT. They may not miss his 6 PPG, but his team-leading 7.3 rebounds will leave a hole. Here's a shot for the Aztecs to pull off a signature victory, if they can take advantage of it.

Nebraska vs. Creighton = The Cornhuskers don't seem to have much to work with, whereas the Bluejays have racked up nice wins over UAB, Iowa, and the aforementioned SDSU Aztecs. Go with Creighton here.

Kansas State vs. Virginia Tech = The Manhattan 'Cats are apparently down from previous years, and the Hokies are about what the Hokies always seem to be . . . feisty, if not great. In Blacksburg, so I give them the narrow edge.

Mississippi vs. Penn State = Both teams are in major conferences, yet both are "also-rans" respectively. Flip a coin.


Some of those early finals I promised:


# 2 Ohio State 64 - Texas Pan American 35 = You expected something different? My only quibble is that 64 points seems awfully low against such awful competition . . . if you can even call it that.

# 14 Michigan 76 - Iowa State 66 = Again, just about what one might expect.

ODU 69 - Northeastern 59 = Maybe a slightly bigger margin than I thought, but still about right.

Miami 83 - U Mass 75 = Not quite the same thing here, but pretty close.

Virginia 86 - Longwood 53 = Just as meaningless a score as that Buckeye one above. Good for the Cavs . . . now go play somebody, will ya?

Richmond 70 - Wake Forest 62 = I thought it could be closer, but I'm far from surprised that the Spiders won. They have been good for a long time, and better than the Deacons for a while also.


I may be back later, I may not see you until Monday. But regardless, enjoy.