College Hoops Thread '09-'10

[The Poet]

West Virginia 68 - Villanova 66 (OT) = Again, wow. Mountaineers start dreaming of a 2-seed.

[The Poet]

Memphis 75 - Tulsa 53 = Good showing for the Tigers, and pitiful effort by Tulsa.

A number of close contests going on, but Kansas/Missouri ain't one of them. Jayhawks have taken total control.

[The Poet]

Maryland 74 - Virginia 68 = Terps do their part, but it was harder than they planned.

Missouri gets to within 6 of Kansas, and Louisville up 7 over Syracuse. There's time left for anything to happen.

[The Poet]

Kansas 77 - Missouri 56 = Just a warm-up for the tourneys.

South Carolina 77 - Vanderbilt 73 = And the 'Cocks get ahold of another one.

Louisville 78 - Syracuse 68 = Who's bragging now, Vic? That #1 ain't so easy to hold onto, is it.

Richmond/Charlotte and Marquette/Notre Dame both into OT. Like I said, big games for all.

[The Poet]

Notre Dame 63 - Marquette 60 (OT)

Richmond 89 - Charlotte 84 (OT)

Arizona 86 - USC 84 (2OT)

Lordy! All this extra session has me bushed. I'm calling it quits until Monday. As always - enjoy.

[jcruse64]

Wow! The Cards give a great send-off to their old playground today!!!

Some pretty good games today. Watching East Ill and Mercer right now in a barn-burner finish, though it looks like EI will hang on. Just waiting for MSU vs MSU for the OVC crown. Go Racers!!!!!!.

Great coverage, Poet, I enjoy this thread!

Didn't know a big Orange basketball could lay an egg. Learn something new everyday.

On to the tournatment

[jcruse64]

Yeah!!!! Murray State is dancing!

Refs called this game wayyy close, on both sides. I saw lots of no-calls called for fouls against both teams, where they should have let them play. Glad to see Kennedy up off the bench actually coaching for a change, and felt real good about the way they started finding ways to attack the zone in the 2nd half. Still too turnover prone, and weaker than they should be on freebies. I hope we do better than a 13th seed, but don't think they'll be that lucky.

Dook is thumping UNC.

Can't wait for the SEC and Big East tourneys next week.

[JaKaacH]

Duke 82 North Carolina 50

[The Poet]

Yeah, the Heels pretty much stunk up the place, no matter what place it was this season. So it goes. Congratulations to Duke for keeping Maryland from taking more than half of the ACC season crown out of the state of North Carolina - for even though Dook may not be a North Carolina school (with only 15% of its student body in-state, they obviously don't give a crap about educating the native population) - it most decidedly is IN the state of North Carolina, whether they like it or not. And congratulations to the Blue Devil seniors for finally beating the Tar Heels in Cameron, in their 4th and final chance.

Now let's see if they can keep their high seeding throughout the ACC Tourney, and if they can refrain from getting knocked out of the NCAAs early - like they've allowed to happen for, what, every year for about a decade now?

And congratulations to Murray State for getting to The Dance. Good luck to them. However, were I their AD, I woudn't book a second night at the motel.

Regular update to follow.

[jcruse64]

Originally Posted by The Poet

And congratulations to Murray State for getting to The Dance. Good luck to them. However, were I their AD, I wouldn't book a second night at the motel.

I'm hoping they stay at a Holiday Inn Express...maybe that'll work .

Watching the Sun Belt tourney right now; Western is down to Troy, but coming on.

I'm with you on UK, Poet. Calipari has not exercised them of the bad habit of coasting. That ain't gonna cut it in the Dance, some little school is going to knock their block off if they don't find a way to stay interested in a game.

I was also very surprised with Kansas State's performance. I was hoping they'd snatch the 4th #1 seed from dook, but it doesn't look likely now.

Fun week ahead!

[The Poet]

The prelims of March Madness continue, and we now have a few more RSVPs back. Aside from the aforementioned Cornell (Ivy) and Murray State (Ohio Valley), there are these conference winners also:

East Tennessee State - Atlantic Sun
Winthrop - Big South
Northern Iowa - Missouri Valley

And of these 5 teams so far, I can see NIU winning a game in The Dance, with all the others having a meet-and-greet, then hit the street.

As for the balance of the action over the weekend, take note of these:

Arizona State 56 - UCLA 46 = This give the Sun Devils 22 wins for the season. If they don't receive an at-large . . . well, then I don't wanna hear any mid-majors baitching if they don't get a 3rd or 4th bid, or the also-rans if they don't get a 2nd.

Baylor 92 - Texas 77 = What in the holy hell has happened to the 'Horns? Am I the only person in the country who thinks Rick Barnes is one pretty crappy excuse for a coach?

Mississippi 68 - Arkansas 66 = This may have insured the Rebels get in, and almost certainly insured that the 'Hogs are out.

Butler 68 - Wisc. Milwaukee 59 = Butler's the class of the Horizon, and has been for a while. Unless there is some upsets in their tourney, the Bulldogs and maybe Wright State will be their dancers . . . if they get that 2nd bid. It's a decent mid-major, but I'd not give them 3.

VCU 75 - George Mason 60 = But I might give the Colonial 3 . . . which might leave both of these out. That would be a shame, but you can only cut the cake into so many pieces.

Virginia Tech 88 - Georgia Tech 82 = The Hokies were likely in before this win, and the Jackets were likely out. This should guarantee that, both ways.

Iowa State 85 - Kansas State 82 (OT) = OK, there were a few upsets in the last week or so, but perhaps none bigger than this one. Before their loss to the Jayhawks, K-State was dreaming of snatching a #1-seed from somebody. Now that've lost again, and to a crap Cyclones team to boot, they should feel lucky to get a #3.

Tennessee 75 - Mississippi State 59 = OK, I'd expect the Vols to take this one, but here's the thing: How many bids do you think the Committee's gonna give the SEC? Will all 6 above .500 in conference play get in? The Bulldogs better hope so.

Purdue 64 - Penn State 60 = Without Hummel, the Boilermakers looked like dogs against the Spartans the previous weekend. Beating PSU's PU squad by 4 points is fairly canine too. They will dance, but if they keep up this type of play they may not even make the Sweet Sixteen.

South Florida 75 - U. Conn 68 = This will not get the Bulls in, but it did bull the Huskies out, you can bank on it. They can't win the Big East tourney, any more than the Tar Heels can win the ACC.


On Sunday:

Kentucky 74 - Florida 66 = A decent-enough win over a pretty good (at times) Gator team. But again, WTF is going on in Lexington? I watched a bit of the 1st half, and UK was all over the Gators like stink on skunks so, expecting a blowout, I moved on to something else. But once again the Wildcats let their opponent right back into the game . . . just like they've done 2 dozen times this season. They may have the best talent of all going into the NCAAs, but talent alone rarely wins it all, and this trend may not stand them in good stead that 2nd weekend . . . and certainly not that 3rd, if they make it that far.

Wisconsin 72 - Illinois 57 = Two weeks ago I'd have said the Illini were a shoo-in for an at-large bid. Now, with 3 Ls inna row, I'm more inclined to say they are in danger of becoming a shoo-out. As for the Badgers, they are in.

Michigan State 64 - Michigan 48 = This was the 2nd week in a row I've watched the Spartans. They reeked against Purdue . . . who reeked even more, and lost . . . and they were not all that impressive against a putrid Logan team either. And this is the Big Ten co-tri-champion, and a Top Ten (well, 11th, to be perzact) team? Shoot, at this point only the Buckeyes are playing like champs.

ODU 73 - VCU 69 (OT) = The Monarchs are in, and were regardless. The Rams needed this one, not badly but rather desperately, so this is one killer of a tough loss.

Wake Forest 70 - Clemson 65 = This puts both these squads at 9-7 in the ACC, and tied for 5th place. How many bids will the Committee grant? Four, certainly, and almost certainly a 5th . . . but a 6th? Hmmmmmm. Makes it important for BOTH these teams to do something positive in the ACC tourney.

N. C. State 66 - Boston College 54 = And here's two teams with twenty left feet on the court at any given time, so even if they WERE invited to dance . . . which won't happen . . . they wouldn't be able to keep time, much less keep up. But it does get Jerry's Wolfpack out of the conference basement. Besides, when was the last time they finished a regular season tied in conference play with the Tar Heels? That's gotta be worth something!


Tonight there are some great games in conference tourament action, between some damn good teams:

Siena vs. Fairfield = The Metro Atlantic may get a 2nd bid, but it's dangerous to bank on that, especially considering the parity in the "power" players.

William&Mary vs. ODU = Pretty much the same story here, though the Colonial does normally get a slight nod over the MAC this time of year.

Appalachian State vs. Wofford = Same story here, though the Southern is often denied that 2nd shot.

Gonzaga vs. St. Mary's = I'd expect both these West Coast teams to get in, particularly as the 'Zags have become perennials now. But it's still one heck of a game.

As always,, brothers, enjoy.

[The Poet]

Always a fun week, Joe, what with all the conference tournaments leading up to the start of that best weekend in sports - four days of solid hoops from noon to midnight. As for all you guys who are loving those conference wars - be they little, mid-major, or the Big Boys - and speaking as a loyal ACC fan who spent the first half of my life listening to all of you tell me that my guys were freakin' nutz to base their season on a tournament for all the marbles - well, you are welcome very much.

Update to follow.

[The Poet]

Well, there's 4 more going to The Dance for sure now. Old Dominion took care of Wm.&Mary for the Colonial while Wofford topped App. State for the Southern, both in fairly close games. It took Siena an extra 5 minutes to rid themselves of Fairfield for the Metro Atlantic, but they got the job done. They and ODU have a chance to win one game come next weekend, but I'd not expect Wofford to get 'er done. The 4th team to get in, St. Mary's, may also win a game, for last night they laid a 19-point whuppin' on perennial fan fave darkhorse - and total braggards - Gonzaga.

Tonight there's more conference tourney action, most notably in the Big East. In fact, that's already started. South Florida took out DePaul 58-49, and with 49 ticks left St. John's is beating the tar out of U. Conn. In lieu of updating more, I'll be back in a flash with the final, and we'll go from there.

[The Poet]

Final: St. John's 73 - U. Conn 51 = As I said on here earlier, UNC won't be the only #1-seed from last year to sit out this dance. As for the Johnnies, this won't get them into the NCAAs, and it may not even save Norm Roberts' job, but at least it keeps their hopes alive for one more day. Survive and advance, as V put it.

[The Poet]

There looks to be three more automatics up for grabs this evening:

Butler vs. Wright State = Here's the Horizon crown for you. Butler is the people's pick, and have to be favored in this game. But as some experts have pointed out, their outstanding winning record may be a bit deceiving. True, they beat an overrated Northwestern team, and Ohio State (when Turner was out injured, I believe), and the yo-yo Xavier squad. However, they didn't play much of anybody else out of conference - of which they are the class - and those they did play (Minnesota, Clemson, Georgetown, & UAB) all beat them. Yeah, I can see them winning their first game next week, but after that it all depends on whom they are paired against.

Troy vs. North Texas = And here's your Sun Belt representative. I admit I know next to nothing about either one, and I believe it will not matter anyway. Toss a coin, as they both are one-and-dones.

Oakland vs. IUPUI = A different "Who are they?" conference - the Summit League in this case - but the same story here. One of them will get one check from the NCAA, and the other will save some travel expenses.


Aside from that, and continuing Big East early-round games, we have action in the Mid-Eastern Conference - with powers such as Bethune-Cookman and Howard playing - and the Big Sky guys, pitting giants like Weber State and Northern Colorado against other "Hunh??" programs. Oh, and as for one that actually might matter, play will occur in the decent mid-major Atlantic 10 Conference. Out of the 14 schools in the A-10 (?????? - hey, don't ask me), there are two or three capable of, at the very least, scaring some of the best teams in the nation.

Whatever you do, enjoy. And hey, if you can't enjoy this time of year, you're a Commie, or a girl, or both.

[The Poet]

Just ran across an interesting factoid: Today's loss in MSG to St. John's has extended U. Conn's losing streak in the Big East tourney to six games. The Huskies have not won a game - no, not a championship, a GAME! - in the conference tournament since the quarterfinals in 2005.

Wow. Just freakin' wow.

[jcruse64]

The Sun Belt title game is pretty good, so far.

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by jcruse64

The Sun Belt title game is pretty good, so far.

And if the final is any indication, it remained that way also. North Texas took care of Troy 66-63 to take the automatic of the Sun Belt. The other two autos from last night were not nearly as close, as Oakland beat IUPUI for the Summit 76-64, and Butler spanked Wright State 70-45 for the Horizon. So now we have two more one-and-dones in our field of 64+1, plus one who may - MAY, I said - have a chance to reach the Sweet 16.

Regular update to follow.

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by The Poet

Troy vs. North Texas = And here's your Sun Belt representative. I admit I know next to nothing about either one, and I believe it will not matter anyway. Toss a coin, as they both are one-and-dones.

Originally Posted by The Poet

And if the final is any indication, it remained that way also. North Texas took care of Troy 66-63 to take the automatic of the Sun Belt. The other two autos from last night were not nearly as close, as Oakland beat IUPUI for the Summit 76-64, and Butler spanked Wright State 70-45 for the Horizon. So now we have two more one-and-dones in our field of 64+1, plus one who may - MAY, I said - have a chance to reach the Sweet 16.

Regular update to follow.

Come on now ... my boys from UNT have heart. And sometimes, heart gets you pretty far in the Big Dance.