Kaiser So-Says:
Tennessee -6 @ Temple
Memphis @ Georgetown -3.5
Saturday Picks
Maniac Quick Picks - Saturday Dec 13th
We stick with the road less traveled, picking 7 road teams to cover Saturday. Don't be surprised if Butler or Memphis win outright.
Butler +8.5 @ Ohio St.
Tennessee -6 @ Temple
Memphis +3.5 @ Georgetown
Indiana +16.5 @ Kentucky
Utah +14 @ Oklahoma
West Virginia -7 @ Duquesne
W. Kentucky +1 @ Evansville
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We stick with the road less traveled, picking 7 road teams to cover Saturday. Don't be surprised if Butler or Memphis win outright.
Butler +8.5 @ Ohio St.
Tennessee -6 @ Temple
Memphis +3.5 @ Georgetown
Indiana +16.5 @ Kentucky
Utah +14 @ Oklahoma
West Virginia -7 @ Duquesne
W. Kentucky +1 @ Evansville
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The Game Mottas
Thad Motta has had quite a half-decade. The journey began by bringing an already-competitive Butler program to national prominence. That success parlayed into what has evolved as the best launching pad job in the country at Xavier (Pete Gillen, the late Skip Prosser and Motta). In his second season Motta took the Muskies to an Elite Eight narrow loss to Duke.
Two short years later, he pilaged his old stomping grounds, snatching Indianapolis kids Greg Oden and Mike Conley who spearheaded a National Final appearance for Ohio State as freshman.
Saturday, the journey comes full circle when the Bulldogs visit Columbus to take on the likewise unbeaten Buckeyes. Both teams have been solid early; Ohio St, spectacular in defeating Miami (FL) and Notre Dame last week. Butler enters owning solid wins over Drake and Bradley, but clearly seeking a signature win to stockpile for Selection Sunday when they try to topple the 5-0 Buckeyes.
Both teams have been surprisingly nimble in plugging holes from graduation in 2008. Ohio State has yet to recieve significant contributions from highly touted 7-foot freshman BJ Mullens, but is getting a huge boost from guard Evan Turner (16.6 pt, 8 reb.)
Butler employes a typical balanced attack, with all five starters averaging between 7-13 ppg.
Expect a great contest - for those of you lucky enough to have the game televised! (Game is televised on the Big 10 network - DISH 439)
Two short years later, he pilaged his old stomping grounds, snatching Indianapolis kids Greg Oden and Mike Conley who spearheaded a National Final appearance for Ohio State as freshman.Saturday, the journey comes full circle when the Bulldogs visit Columbus to take on the likewise unbeaten Buckeyes. Both teams have been solid early; Ohio St, spectacular in defeating Miami (FL) and Notre Dame last week. Butler enters owning solid wins over Drake and Bradley, but clearly seeking a signature win to stockpile for Selection Sunday when they try to topple the 5-0 Buckeyes.
Both teams have been surprisingly nimble in plugging holes from graduation in 2008. Ohio State has yet to recieve significant contributions from highly touted 7-foot freshman BJ Mullens, but is getting a huge boost from guard Evan Turner (16.6 pt, 8 reb.)
Butler employes a typical balanced attack, with all five starters averaging between 7-13 ppg.
Expect a great contest - for those of you lucky enough to have the game televised! (Game is televised on the Big 10 network - DISH 439)
Kaiser Krushes the Deve
Our resident Syracuse honk and gambling aficionado weighs in with his take on the Eric Devendorf "possible suspension"
Eric Devendorf, what were you thinking? Really? Did you really have to hit that girl? Now I read that this altercation occurred early morning on November 1 which means this happened at a Halloween party. What, did you not like her costume? Did this girl dress up as "Eric Devendorf" for Halloween and you were pissed she had 8 tattoos (obviously THREE short!?) Were you pissed because she asked if you were the frontman for House of Pain? Did you not jump up jump up to get down?
I have nothing against the state of Michigan but this really isn't their year. The Lions and Wolverines just flat out sucked this year, their economy is piss poor (unfortunately), and now Devendorf (hails from Bay City). At least you have Allen Iverson now (er, my bad, the Pistons actually have a losing record since he's arrived). At least you have Rumeal Robinson and Glenn Rice who are probably a combined 650 lbs. Thank goodness Coach Dan was this season's big brother.
I have nothing against the state of Michigan but this really isn't their year. The Lions and Wolverines just flat out sucked this year, their economy is piss poor (unfortunately), and now Devendorf (hails from Bay City). At least you have Allen Iverson now (er, my bad, the Pistons actually have a losing record since he's arrived). At least you have Rumeal Robinson and Glenn Rice who are probably a combined 650 lbs. Thank goodness Coach Dan was this season's big brother.So what's next for Devendorf? He still has one more year left of eligibility (thanks to a medical redshirt last yr). So that means that he still might have a chance to win a first round game in the NCAA tourney. I've liked Devendorf ever since he was a freshman and figured he'd be under the tutelage of Gerry Mac (I cant see them 2 hanging out though)...Devendorf, you have 1 more yr to prove yourself so you can make my top 5 of favorite 'Cuse players in the last 15 yrs (currently held by Gerry Mac, Hopkins, Forth, and Cipola). Clean up your act Eric! Hell, since you will be at Syracuse for 5 yrs, maybe, just maybe you can get a college degree?
If not, I look forward to seeing you as the token white guy on the Globetrotters, working at Varsity Pizza, or on one of those trashy reality shows on VH1 as a contestant where you have to eat a creamed pie out of a garbage can in order to go on a 1 on 1 date with a random skank.
If not, I look forward to seeing you as the token white guy on the Globetrotters, working at Varsity Pizza, or on one of those trashy reality shows on VH1 as a contestant where you have to eat a creamed pie out of a garbage can in order to go on a 1 on 1 date with a random skank.
Come to think of it, either way sounds pretty entertaining!
This Guy??
I know it will come as a shock to many college basketball fans that a clean-cut, quiet kid like Eric Devendorf could find himself on the wrong side of the law (allegedly). But - if the rumored suspension or dismissal from the team comes to fruition, it is a huge blow to the Cuse's March hopes.
This Syracuse team looked great, not good, great in the early goings, and Johnny Flynn was making a solid case as a second or third team All-American. Without his running mate in Devendorf, look for the pressure to fall squarely on Flynn's shoulders for the rest of the grueling Big East season.
Ok Eric, lets go over this one last time. You can hit jump shots, you can hit the deck... but you cannot hit women. (allegedly)
Read story from ESPN.com HERE
This Syracuse team looked great, not good, great in the early goings, and Johnny Flynn was making a solid case as a second or third team All-American. Without his running mate in Devendorf, look for the pressure to fall squarely on Flynn's shoulders for the rest of the grueling Big East season.
Ok Eric, lets go over this one last time. You can hit jump shots, you can hit the deck... but you cannot hit women. (allegedly)Read story from ESPN.com HERE
Lofty Heyts
Josh Heytvelt and the Zags absolutely laid the wood to Washington St. tonight. Regardless of the final score, Gonzaga is up 30 at the time of writing this with less than 5 minutes to go - and that is what matters. It was never, ever close.Wazzou is not Top 25 good, but they are tourney-bubble good. And Gonzaga treated them much the same way North Carolina treats mere-mortal foes; with quick and utter disdain.
Gonzaga is big with Heytvelt, Micah Downs and Austin Daye all topping 6'10''. They are quick at the point with NBA-bound Jeremy Pargo. They can shoot the eyes out with do-everything swingman Matt Bouldin (and DOwns and Heyvelt popping out as well). And they are deep, playing 9 players without drop off.
Make that #2 with an exclamation point!With tests still remaining against Arizona, Connecticut, Tennessee and Memphis, the Zags have a real shot to sow up a number 1 seed in January. (I don't care if they lose 2-3 games in conference. Run this non-conference gauntlet unblemished, and you are a #1)
Circle your calendar NOW - Dec 20th v. UCONN! (in Seattle) - Right now, Zags have to be a 2-3 point favorite...who'da thunk it...
Another Miss
Score of the night:
Charlotte 70 @ Miss St. 64
With the win Charlotte pushes their record to 3-6. A quick look at some of their other "gems":
The losses keep piling up, someone needs to say it. The SEC could (should) be a 1 or 2 bid league at this point. They will still get 3 or 4, but how is 9-7 in the SEC any more impressive than 9-7 in the A-10 or Mountain West??
Charlotte 70 @ Miss St. 64
With the win Charlotte pushes their record to 3-6. A quick look at some of their other "gems":
| Sun, Nov 16 | Old Dominion | L 68-69 | ||||
| Wed, Nov 19 | at Appalachian St. | L 84-87 | ||||
| Sat, Nov 22 | Clemson | L 70-71 | ||||
| Thu, Nov 27 | (14) Arizona St. | L 56-84 | ||||
| Fri, Nov 28 | Providence | L 62-67 | ||||
| Sun, Nov 30 | at CSU Fullerton | L 84-92 |
The losses keep piling up, someone needs to say it. The SEC could (should) be a 1 or 2 bid league at this point. They will still get 3 or 4, but how is 9-7 in the SEC any more impressive than 9-7 in the A-10 or Mountain West??
Maniac Picks - Dec 10th
A slate of good games today - some under the radar (Dayton @ Creighton is a gem) and others on TV only for the strong-of-stomach (TCU @ Indiana). Here's how the Maniac sees them going down.
Oh - by the way, we are 59% A.T.S. so far on the young season...
MANIAC PICKS:
Ohio +16 @ Xavier - Muskies win, but still have some point guard issues to resolve before they run anyone out of the Cintas Center. They best figure them out before Saturday with the high-pressure UC Bearcats looming seven miles down the road.
Cal +6 @ Utah - A good game. Cal can win this straight-up. Take the security of the six points.
Butler -2 @ Bradley - They're Baaaaa-aaack. Take the tough Bulldogs on the road.
Dayton +6.5 @ Creighton - This line seems like Vegas saw the name on the jersey and the home court and ran with it. Dayton is the better club this season, and gets a chance to prove it tonight. I'll make this my LOCK of the night.
Gonzaga @ Washington St. +4.5 - Give me the rivalry factor, plus the the grind of having so many big games stacked back to back to back to...(you get the point) working against the Zags. Wazzou might not steal the win, but expect a really tough, well played game. Washington St. might be the most under appreciated program in the country over the past 2 seasons.
Under the radar? Not if they steal a win over the Zags...
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Oh - by the way, we are 59% A.T.S. so far on the young season...
MANIAC PICKS:
Ohio +16 @ Xavier - Muskies win, but still have some point guard issues to resolve before they run anyone out of the Cintas Center. They best figure them out before Saturday with the high-pressure UC Bearcats looming seven miles down the road.
Cal +6 @ Utah - A good game. Cal can win this straight-up. Take the security of the six points.
Butler -2 @ Bradley - They're Baaaaa-aaack. Take the tough Bulldogs on the road.
Dayton +6.5 @ Creighton - This line seems like Vegas saw the name on the jersey and the home court and ran with it. Dayton is the better club this season, and gets a chance to prove it tonight. I'll make this my LOCK of the night.
Gonzaga @ Washington St. +4.5 - Give me the rivalry factor, plus the the grind of having so many big games stacked back to back to back to...(you get the point) working against the Zags. Wazzou might not steal the win, but expect a really tough, well played game. Washington St. might be the most under appreciated program in the country over the past 2 seasons.
Under the radar? Not if they steal a win over the Zags... .
Hook 'Em Horns
Texas basketball, utilizing a football-esque ruggedness accomplished something their Longhorn gridiron compatriots couldn't. Lockdown defense.The Horns utilized a smothering defense and relentless athletic assault on the glass to hold Scottie Reynolds (10pts) and the Villanova Wildcats to just 58 points, capturing an impressive neutral court win in the back half of the Jimmy V Classic in Madison Square Garden.
AJ Abrahams continued his outside POY campaign netting 26 points and playing a solid floor game, while the inside bruisers did their job grabbing contested offensive boards all night.
A couple takeaways from this game:
1. Texas has a lot of Memphis in them. Great quickness, relentless rebounding, tough extended pressure defense.. and the ability to build a house laying bricks from the charity stripe. It is a glaring weakness they need to shore up to win 5 games in March (no one is winning 6 other than UNC - sorry.)
2. 'Nova is a little small inside. With the bevy of big-man talent in the Big East (Harangody, Thabeet, Young (Pitt), Samardo Samuels ('Ville), Greg Monroe (GTown) it is tough to envision Villanova as any better than 6th in the carnage of that conference. Add in Syracuse, Marquette, Cincinnati (underrated - watch out for the 'Cats) and it is not that hard to see the Wildcats on the dreaded "Boeheim" come March...
No need to cry this year... so far!Villanova hung right with a Texas team that is a legit Top 6-8 team in the country. With the early season prowess displayed by that conference (Read "Big 12 December Report Card"), they or Oklahoma have positioned themselves early for the #1 seed that will go to the Big 12 winner. Villanova is good - but not near the true cream of the Big East crop.
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"Strugglin" Steph
Sorry Jimmy Pastos. It turns out the key to defending Steph Curry isn't ridiculous gimmicks and stunts. Rather it is something that teams in the Southern conference don't have, size and length on the perimeter.Blanketed by wave after wave of long, lean defenders, Curry struggled all night to get clean looks at the hoop. Granted, on many nights, his looks aren't that clean - but still seem to find the bottom of the bucket.
What stood out to me was two things: ONE - Curry is pretty unselfish, especially considering that TWO - his team is garbage around him. Lovedale is a good athlete inside, but limited offensively. There are several spot-up shooters who benefit from the attention Curry draws. But to be frank, the cupboard is pretty bare.
How badly did Curry struggle? At about the 7:00 mark in the second half, after Curry attempted his 13th 3-pointer, there were no gasps, no "ooohs" and no "ahhhhs." The excitement and anticipation that follows every Curry release had subsided. For tonight, it seemed Curry was just another player. And when that happens, Davidson is even a little less than "any old" team.A team that looked a little "out-athleted" by West Virginia.
Then it happened. A star did what STARS do; Steph shook off all the struggles, and took over the game down the stretch. A steal and a pop-back 17-footer. A slipped screen for a NBA-range three. A one-on-one, shake 'em out his sneakers step back three. Two calm free throws and an improbable win on a night when they (and Steph) did not play particularly well.
End of the night? 27 points, 10 assists. Must be nice to "struggle" like that in the Garden.
A Man's Game
Blake Griffin's first five minutes against the Tulane Golden Hurricane and their 7'1'' center Jerome Jordan clearly displayed what being the National POY is all about. The sophomore Griffin blocked the 7-footer's first two shot attempts, grabbed 4 boards, scored 7 points - 2 on a spectacular alley-oop finish in heavy traffic, deflected a pass and altered a third shot.
Then came the first TV timeout.
Wheph....
Whether Griffin wins POY has more to do with his guard's play then it does his own, and the sensational scoring machine/spectacle that is Steph Curry will be difficult to contend with, as well as UNC's juggernaut led by Hansbrough.
However there is little debating who the number one pick in the NBA draft will be come July '09. Unlike the scoring sensations of Durant and Beasley before him, Griffin is a natural fit to play on the block in the pros, and could easily be a top 3 power forward by the time the 2012 Olympics roll around.
Then came the first TV timeout.
Wheph....
Whether Griffin wins POY has more to do with his guard's play then it does his own, and the sensational scoring machine/spectacle that is Steph Curry will be difficult to contend with, as well as UNC's juggernaut led by Hansbrough.
However there is little debating who the number one pick in the NBA draft will be come July '09. Unlike the scoring sensations of Durant and Beasley before him, Griffin is a natural fit to play on the block in the pros, and could easily be a top 3 power forward by the time the 2012 Olympics roll around.
Tuesday Picks - Dec 9th
The Kaiser's Pick:Virginia Tech-3.5 over Georgia
Maniac Picks:
Virginia Tech -3.5 @ Georgia *LOCK*
Texas -2.5 @ Villanova (@MSG)
Davidson -1 @ West Virginia (@MSG)
The Steph Curry show takes stage in the Big Apple!
Give Me Liberty...
Let's get it on the record early. Before the flood gates of March hysteria open and prognosticators who haven't watched a full game outside the 6 power conferences start giving you their Cinderellas (selected by taking 2 12's and throwing a dart at a list of 13-14's...)
Liberty Flames.
The Big South has been well represented of late by Winthrop. However, their NCAA stranglehold will likely come to a close this year. In their stead, get ready for four years of Liberty. Led by?
S. Curry. Not "Steph" but baby brother "Seth."
The 6'2'', 170 lb. freshman has been averaging 21 a night in the early going, helping ignite the Flames to wins over Virginia and George Mason. Today they fell by only 5 at Clemson. Curry had 24 with 6 of 9 from behind the arc.
Write it down early, and thank me later. Liberty Flames led by "overlooked" S. Curry.
If genetically possible, I would consider letting this guy impregnate me...
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Liberty Flames.
The Big South has been well represented of late by Winthrop. However, their NCAA stranglehold will likely come to a close this year. In their stead, get ready for four years of Liberty. Led by?
S. Curry. Not "Steph" but baby brother "Seth."
The 6'2'', 170 lb. freshman has been averaging 21 a night in the early going, helping ignite the Flames to wins over Virginia and George Mason. Today they fell by only 5 at Clemson. Curry had 24 with 6 of 9 from behind the arc.
Write it down early, and thank me later. Liberty Flames led by "overlooked" S. Curry.
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Mercer - The Champions of the SEC!
A BIG congratulations to the Mercer Bears, who the Maniac is crowning as the early favorite to win the SEC. What's that? Mercer is actually in the Atlantic Sun? Oh, but they do have early season wins against Alabama and Auburn to post an unblemished 2-0 SEC record in November.
Alabama was tabbed by many to win the SEC West in 08-09 but has been unimpressive in the early going, also being blown out by Oregon. Auburn coupled their Mercer loss with an equally unimpressive home loss to Northern Iowa.
Lest you think Mercer is a "Cinderella Sleeper" for March, let me slow you down. The only dancing the Bears will likely be doing in March will have to come at a campus mixer. After forging to an early "SEC conference" lead, the Bears celebrated with a 3 point win over Texas Southern and a 20 point blow-out loss to East Tennessee State. Not exactly the stuff Cinderellas are made of.
It is not just in the state of Alabama that trouble is brewing, it is the state of the entire SEC that is cause for a 4-Star BCS-alarm. Take a look at some of the other early season stumbles:
Kentucky famously opened with another home debacle, giving up 111 points in a home loss to VMI. Since then, they have probably (outside UF and Tenn.) been the class of the conference. Yes, they suffered their third defeat yesterday at the hands of Miami (FL), but can at least boast a couple quality wins, with victories over Kansas St and West Virginia.
Their fellow conference mates can not boast as much. Vanderbilt took a loss to Illinois-Chicago. South Carolina stumbled to instate "rival" Charleston. Arkansas was toppled by Missouri State, while Georgia dropped a series of stinkbombs, losing to Loyola of Chicago (perhaps the SEC should avoid Windy City foes...) before taking a 34-point pounding yesterday to Illinois.
SO what does all this mean? For one, the SEC sucks. Like Cincinnati Bengals SUCKS, like the ECONOMY sucks. They really suck.
More importanty, it shrinks the bid pool come tourney time. Can anyone take a 9-7 SEC team too seriously with the stack of bad losses that has piled up this Fall? It looks more an more like a 3-4 bid league MAX come March.
(Our picks: Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Kentucky (somehow, someway....)
I see the confusion. 'Bama thought they were playing at a high school charity game! Look at that gym...
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Alabama was tabbed by many to win the SEC West in 08-09 but has been unimpressive in the early going, also being blown out by Oregon. Auburn coupled their Mercer loss with an equally unimpressive home loss to Northern Iowa.
Lest you think Mercer is a "Cinderella Sleeper" for March, let me slow you down. The only dancing the Bears will likely be doing in March will have to come at a campus mixer. After forging to an early "SEC conference" lead, the Bears celebrated with a 3 point win over Texas Southern and a 20 point blow-out loss to East Tennessee State. Not exactly the stuff Cinderellas are made of.
It is not just in the state of Alabama that trouble is brewing, it is the state of the entire SEC that is cause for a 4-Star BCS-alarm. Take a look at some of the other early season stumbles:
Kentucky famously opened with another home debacle, giving up 111 points in a home loss to VMI. Since then, they have probably (outside UF and Tenn.) been the class of the conference. Yes, they suffered their third defeat yesterday at the hands of Miami (FL), but can at least boast a couple quality wins, with victories over Kansas St and West Virginia.
Their fellow conference mates can not boast as much. Vanderbilt took a loss to Illinois-Chicago. South Carolina stumbled to instate "rival" Charleston. Arkansas was toppled by Missouri State, while Georgia dropped a series of stinkbombs, losing to Loyola of Chicago (perhaps the SEC should avoid Windy City foes...) before taking a 34-point pounding yesterday to Illinois.
SO what does all this mean? For one, the SEC sucks. Like Cincinnati Bengals SUCKS, like the ECONOMY sucks. They really suck.
More importanty, it shrinks the bid pool come tourney time. Can anyone take a 9-7 SEC team too seriously with the stack of bad losses that has piled up this Fall? It looks more an more like a 3-4 bid league MAX come March.
(Our picks: Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Kentucky (somehow, someway....)
I see the confusion. 'Bama thought they were playing at a high school charity game! Look at that gym....
Bracketeering - Dec 7th
A volitile week in the Top 25 will leave some room for debate, so feel free to complain or make your team's case! Enjoy the Maniac's third edition of Bracketeering for 08-09
FINAL FOUR:
1. UNC - The Maniac called the fierce beatdown of Michigan St. The question isn't whether they are number one, the question evolves now into "can they run the table?"
2. Gonzaga - A little high? We think not. With as challenging a non-conference schedule as anyone in the nation, the Zags "Anyone. Anywhere." scheduling mentality could pay dividends this March. This team is legitimately loaded, three NBA prospects and FIVE guys over 6'11', could have them pointing to Ford Field come April
3. Oklahoma - Beat a tough USC squad in a close thriller. Has beaten Davidson in another tough ball game. DItto for Purdue and add a solid beating of UAB, and they have proved their "Final Four-Worthiness." IF their guard play remains steady, the Sooners are a legit National Runner-Up contender. Their next 6 games should be wins, so look for the Sooners to enter Big 12 play 14-0.
4. Pitt - I am temporarily shelving my "anti-Pitt" bias. There really is no other alternative. Pitt has not shown anyone they can beat the big boys, but Duke, Texas, Tennessee and Notre Dame have all shown they can lose to them... Pitt is well on its way to the inevitable destiny of being the first 1 or 2 seed to lose in the NCAA tourney this March.
ELITE EIGHT:
5. UConn - They sleepwalked through a near-loss of Buffalo. While they were there, Calhoun should have borrowed Turner Gill for a day. Maybe he could fire up the oft-comatose Huskies to reach their potential
6. Tennessee - The loss to Gonzaga looks better and better every week. Tennessee is deep and athletic, and will get another crack at the Zags on January 7th at home.
7. Duke - Exactly four days after I guzzled the Duke Kool-Aid, proclaiming their man-to-man defense impregnable (shout out to Mikey Tyson), they laid an absolute stinkbomb in Crysler. So which is it? The dominating scrappy tough bunch that hijacked Mackey Arena and the Boilers? Or the team that appeared much too jump shot reliant and a little slow defending backcuts in Michigan? Probably somewhere in between. That said, their sub 25% 3-point shooting against Michigan might be a low water mark on the season when it is all said and done.
Either way the loss does take a little of the shine off of the looming UNC matchup in February...for now.
8. Xavier - I keep striving for clear objectivity, but Xavier keeps winning while no one else around them does. They beat Auburn easily this week, but must now gear up for a brutal three week stretch which includes a scrappy Ohio club, a trip to cross-town rival (and underrated) Cincinnati, and a neutral court tilt with the scorned Blue Devils. Add in a Dec 23rd game against fellow "don't call me a mid-major" power Butler, and there are plenty of chances for someone to knock down my Muskies...
Sweet and lurking: The next tier (8 - now in order)
Texas, Syracuse, Louisville, Memphis, Ohio St (back-to-back wins over Miami & Notre Dame - I don't care that they are not "ranked" - I have them 13th) Wake Forest, Villanova (big "show-me" game Tues. v. Texas), and Michigan (overreaction? Maybe. But I'll take wins over UCLA and Duke offsetting the earlier Duke loss as well as the Maryland 5-pt loss)
13th? Look at the quality wins this week, the Bucks are back.
Bracket Busts: Some early season disappointments
Michigan St, Purdue, UCLA, Southern Illinois, Florida, Winthrop, The ENTIRE SEC!
Half Court Heaves: Teams outside the common radar worth keeping an eye on
Dayton, Davidson, Minnesota, Cincinnati, St. Mary's, Air Force, Arizona St, Butler, Washington St, Missouri, Northwestern, Liberty, & Western Kentucky,
FINAL FOUR:
1. UNC - The Maniac called the fierce beatdown of Michigan St. The question isn't whether they are number one, the question evolves now into "can they run the table?"
2. Gonzaga - A little high? We think not. With as challenging a non-conference schedule as anyone in the nation, the Zags "Anyone. Anywhere." scheduling mentality could pay dividends this March. This team is legitimately loaded, three NBA prospects and FIVE guys over 6'11', could have them pointing to Ford Field come April3. Oklahoma - Beat a tough USC squad in a close thriller. Has beaten Davidson in another tough ball game. DItto for Purdue and add a solid beating of UAB, and they have proved their "Final Four-Worthiness." IF their guard play remains steady, the Sooners are a legit National Runner-Up contender. Their next 6 games should be wins, so look for the Sooners to enter Big 12 play 14-0.
4. Pitt - I am temporarily shelving my "anti-Pitt" bias. There really is no other alternative. Pitt has not shown anyone they can beat the big boys, but Duke, Texas, Tennessee and Notre Dame have all shown they can lose to them... Pitt is well on its way to the inevitable destiny of being the first 1 or 2 seed to lose in the NCAA tourney this March.
ELITE EIGHT:
5. UConn - They sleepwalked through a near-loss of Buffalo. While they were there, Calhoun should have borrowed Turner Gill for a day. Maybe he could fire up the oft-comatose Huskies to reach their potential6. Tennessee - The loss to Gonzaga looks better and better every week. Tennessee is deep and athletic, and will get another crack at the Zags on January 7th at home.
7. Duke - Exactly four days after I guzzled the Duke Kool-Aid, proclaiming their man-to-man defense impregnable (shout out to Mikey Tyson), they laid an absolute stinkbomb in Crysler. So which is it? The dominating scrappy tough bunch that hijacked Mackey Arena and the Boilers? Or the team that appeared much too jump shot reliant and a little slow defending backcuts in Michigan? Probably somewhere in between. That said, their sub 25% 3-point shooting against Michigan might be a low water mark on the season when it is all said and done.
Either way the loss does take a little of the shine off of the looming UNC matchup in February...for now.
8. Xavier - I keep striving for clear objectivity, but Xavier keeps winning while no one else around them does. They beat Auburn easily this week, but must now gear up for a brutal three week stretch which includes a scrappy Ohio club, a trip to cross-town rival (and underrated) Cincinnati, and a neutral court tilt with the scorned Blue Devils. Add in a Dec 23rd game against fellow "don't call me a mid-major" power Butler, and there are plenty of chances for someone to knock down my Muskies...
Sweet and lurking: The next tier (8 - now in order)
Texas, Syracuse, Louisville, Memphis, Ohio St (back-to-back wins over Miami & Notre Dame - I don't care that they are not "ranked" - I have them 13th) Wake Forest, Villanova (big "show-me" game Tues. v. Texas), and Michigan (overreaction? Maybe. But I'll take wins over UCLA and Duke offsetting the earlier Duke loss as well as the Maryland 5-pt loss)
13th? Look at the quality wins this week, the Bucks are back.Michigan St, Purdue, UCLA, Southern Illinois, Florida, Winthrop, The ENTIRE SEC!
Half Court Heaves: Teams outside the common radar worth keeping an eye on
Dayton, Davidson, Minnesota, Cincinnati, St. Mary's, Air Force, Arizona St, Butler, Washington St, Missouri, Northwestern, Liberty, & Western Kentucky,
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