College Hoops Thread '09-'10

The Poet · 03-08-2010, 03:52 PM

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.

03-08-2010, 03:52 PM	#1
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10 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.