College Hoops Thread '09-'10

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by BryanB

Go Campbell. I hope they make it. See not just a Duke fan.

Ah, hump the Camels.

[BryanB]

Originally Posted by The Poet

Ah, hump the Camels.

They could hang with UNC.

[Col. Kurtz]

Originally Posted by BryanB

They could hang with UNC.

or State

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by BryanB

They could hang with UNC.

And your point being?

[BryanB]

Originally Posted by The Poet

And your point being?

Well, ummmmmm, I got nothing. Not really a good point.

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by BryanB

Well, ummmmmm, I got nothing. Not really a good point.

Is that you, Bryan? Or is that Larry Drew posting?

[The Poet]

So what happened last night, you ask? Well, here's a few examples:

California 95 - Arizona 71 // Arizona State 68 - Stanford 60 = If you've been paying attention, you know not only why these two scores are together but also why they are first on this list. With the Golden Bears just 1/2-game ahead of the Sun Devils in the Pac-10, and with them meeting head-to-head tomorrow, and with the fact that most "experts" seem to feel only one team from the Left Coast will make it into the Big Dance . . . well, add that all up and you know why this was huge, for both schools.

Gonzaga 88 - Santa Clara 51 = And while we're on the Left Coast, what about this? OK, the game itself didn't mean jack, but it does mean the 'Zags clinch at least a tie for their 10th consecutive WCC title. All props to Mark Few and his program, but let's be honest here for a second . . . it takes two to tango, and nobody else in that conference ever seems to want to dance with the 'Zags.

Duke 70 - Tulsa 52 = This one comes 3rd on my list due to the Blue Devils' . . . slim? . . . hopes of stealing a # 1 seed a few weeks from now. It could happen, but they will probably need some help from other schools, in other conferences, for that to happen.

Vanderbilt 96 - Georgia 94 (OT) = Like I said in my preview of this game, you can never tell which of these two teams will show up . . . the good one or the stinker. I'd guess the good Bulldogs showed up in Nashville, and the Commodores were partying down in Printers Alley instead. But a win's a win, just as a stripper is a stripper.

Kentucky 82 - South Carolina 61 = Did you really think the Gamecocks would skin the 'Cats twice? Not in their house, no way.

Wisconsin 78 - Indiana 46 = Nothing to see here . . . move along. But you loyal Hoosier fans can take some consolation in the fact that your team is moving in the right direction anyway. They scored 22 points in the first half. In the second, they scored 24.

Jacksonville 65 - Campbell 52 = Like I said, "Hump the Camels".


It's Friday night tonight, in case you didn't know. That means there's pretty much just a little bit of nothing on tap. Well, the Butler/Valpo game means something to Butler, since with a win they can finish a perfect season in the Horizon. And the Iona/Fairfield matchup is a battle for second in the MAAC, but as Siena already has it in hand, do you really care yourselves? Didn't think so. And even that Princeton/Cornell game has a bit of juice, since it is still mathematically possible for the Tigers to take the Ivy, being only 1 1/2 back with games to play. However, had they not dropped that stinker to Brown last week, the game would be much juicier. So let me jump ahead to the bigger games with an early tip-off time on Saturday:

Pittsburgh vs. St. John's = Big game for the Panthers, as they try to improve their seeding in the NCAAs. Bigger game for the Redmen, as they try to swipe a bid for themselves late. I'd expect both teams to be focused, at the least.

Georgetown vs. Notre Dame = Same conference as above, same story as above.

Ohio State vs. Michigan = Different conference, halfway a different story. I can't even see the Wolverines getting a NIT ticket . . . unless it's just in hopes of a big gate with a game or two in Ann Arbor.

Georgia Tech vs. Boston College = Another different conference, yet another similar story. Some think the Wreck won't even get a bid (I do, but what do I know?), and most know that BC won't either, since they cannot run the table in the ACC Tourney.

Kentucky vs. Tennessee = We all pretty much know what UK is by now. We all are still pretty clueless as to what the Vols are . . . and so are they. This might be the Wildcats last real regular season test, and it is in Knoxville. But I'd not advise you to put any money on it.

We'll know more about it tomorrow. Until then, enjoy.

In some weird scheduling twist, there seems to be only one game tomorrow.......................................... ...........

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by Resipsa

In some weird scheduling twist, there seems to be only one game tomorrow.......................................... ...........

You are absolutely right, there's only one game . . . in the Carrier Dome.


Enjoy it while you can, since you KNOW they're gonna choke come Tourney time.

[The Poet]

Action's already begun in the games mentioned above, but before I update them let's get this other crap outta the way. I saw only two scores to note in last night's:

Cornell 50 - Princeton 47 = OK, it is still mathematically possible for the Tigers to steal the Ivy from Big Red, but it ain't gonna happen. Cornell closes out its season with several cupcakes, and the won't give Princeton that big an opening, so pencil them into you bracket today.

Butler 74 - Valpariaso 47 = The game itself meant nothing, but for this supposedly Top 25 team to beat a .500 squad by only a coupla buckets . . . well, it does not bode well for their chances in the Dance.

As is normal, there's tons of games this Saturday. And as is also normal this late in the season, most of them don't mean squat, as both teams are merely playing out the string. Further, a number of them are only meaningful for one of the two teams involved, since the outcome will effect either their seeding or their shot at even receiving a bid at all. So a lot of the contests below are of this nature, such as:

Baylor vs Oklahoma = The Bears are in, but where? The Sooners are out.

Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas = Same story for the Comms and Hogs.

Texas vs. Texas A&M = Now we're talking, and more than bragging rights. Both are in, but this one will go a loooong way towards determining where.

Mississippi vs. Alabama = 'Bama's out for sure, but Ole Miss is solidly on the bubble. They need this one bad.

Wake Forest vs. UNC = It's "Wait 'til LAST year" for the Heels, and the Deacs SHOULD be in . . . but hey, you never know. As much as I'd like my Heels to win, Wake needs it more.

West Virginia vs. Cincinnati = If the Mountaineers want a 2-seed, they need this. If Cincy wants to dance, they need this. Could be fun.

Arizona State vs. California = And here's another conference up for grabs, aside from Vic's game coming up below. It's in Berkeley, but that's the only edge I'd give the Bears. As for the Sun Devils . . . I've said it before, and will repeat it here: Herb Sendek is the most underrated coach in America, no doubt about it. Is it because he's such a quiet little nebbish? Is it because he runs a system instead of depending upon superior athletics to win? Beats me, just as he beats more people than he probably should. Know this: He'll have his team ready to play.

Kansas vs. Oklahoma State = Oak State may be on the bubble, being a hair above .500 in the Big 12. KU's on nobody's bubble, but need to finish the way they started to secure their 1-seed.

New Mexico vs. BYU = And here's your Mountain West regular season right here.

Minnesota vs. Illinois = The Illini should not be on the bubble, particularly since they've played better lately. But again, who knows? The Gophers need to go for every W they can to get off the bubble. Should also be fun.

Maryland vs. Virginia Tech = I wouldn't have either of these guys on my bubble, but the ACC's not gotten much respect this season, so again . . . who knows. That especially goes for the Terps, who are likely the most underrated TEAM in the nation at this time. More to follow on that, below.

VCU vs. ODU = Old Dominion is in, or should be. But the Rams are tied for 4th in the Colonial Athletic, and will that mid-major get 4 bids? Big game for them, for sure.

Florida vs. Georgia = The Gators should not be on anybody's bubble list, but they need to finish strong before it's a layup. And Georgia has shown it is capable of beating anybody, given the shot. The Bulldogs aren't dancing next month, but they could spoil someone else's fun.

Mississippi State vs. South Carolina = And it's pretty much the same story here, and in the same conference to boot. The 'Cocks will be holding their own alone next month, but they can put a kink in THESE Bulldogs' chain.

Kansas State vs. Missouri = Both teams are in, and K-State likely a 2-seed . . . unless they blow it late. Here's a good chance for them to do so.

Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State = I don't know how many bids the Missouri Valley will get . . . two? Three maybe? They don't deserve four, IMHO. These two, along with Wichita State, have the best shots. But quiz me this one: How does Northern Iowa, at 14-3 in the MVC, deserve a Top 25 ranking, whereas the Maryland Terrepins, 10-3 in the ACC, get no stinkin' love at all? And no, I am most decidedly NOT a Maryland fan, and actually have hated them ever since the old Lefthander stole Tom McMillen from Dean 'way back in 1970! But hey, what's right is right . . . right, Mr. Congressman?

Oh yeah, I also understand they will be playing some game or other up in the Carrier Dome tonight too. Right, Vic?

Sunday's games have a few more of the same old slop too:

Marquette vs. Seton Hall = The Pirates are stuck on a reef, but Marquette can grab a slot with a few more Ws. Here's one chance.

Richmond vs. Xavier = The Spiders are good. The Musketeers are hit-and-miss. I would have no problem with both getting a decent seeding . . . 5 thru 7, let's say . . . but they don't count my vote.

Louisville vs. U. Conn = Both these squads will finish above .500 in the Big East, so I guess you can't put them on the bubble. But neither one is all that great, so don't expect them to get more than one check out of it.

Michigan State vs. Purdue = The Boilermakers have their visors set on a 1-seed. The Spartans would like to convince people they deserve nothing worse that a 3. Should be interesting.

Florida State vs. Clemson = The Seminoles are not on my bubble, but again, I don't get a vote. The Tigers are decidely on the backside of one, and will need some help to climb over it. Here's a place where they could help themselves.

Duke vs. Virginia = And here's the 5th or 6th team looking for a 1-seed. They cannot earn one with a win here, but they can most certainly lose one. Yet I don't expect that to happen . . . here.


I'll check on the scores and come back with some results. Enjoy.

[The Poet]

Two noteworthy notes: Late in the second, Notre Dame has a working lead over Georgetown . . . and Tennessee leads Kentucky by 3 or 4 possessions.

[The Poet]

Final: Ohio State 66 - Michigan 55 = An OK win, and keeps the Buckeyes on track for a 3-seed.

Looks like the Irish are gonna beat the Hoyas, good. And Vols need to hold off UK another 3 1/2 minutes to give them their 2nd loss.

[The Poet]

Notre Dame 78 - Georgetown 64 = A shock to me, and in DC to boot!

Vols still up 2 possessions, but time enough left to blow it.

[The Poet]

Georgia Tech 73 - Boston College 68 = Will this get Tech off the bubble? Maybe not by itself.

Vols up a bucket with just over a minute left.

[The Poet]

Vols up 5 with 38 ticks.

[The Poet]

Up 7 with 24 ticks.

[The Poet]

Up 9 with 13 ticks. Oh, my!

[The Poet]

3 ticks.

[The Poet]

Tennessee 74 - Kentucky 65 = Well, John Calipari said before the game that the SEC championship meant nothing, so I guess his boys were listening. Does this cost them the 1-seed? Not in itself, but it does open the door a crack.

Vandy all over Arkansas early, and Oklahoma giving Baylor all they can handle, so far.

[The Poet]

Pittsburgh 71 - St. John's 64 = OK, so what if it was in MSG? It's still not a very impressive win for the Panthers.