No one wins in the Kohl Center except the Badgers. Except for tonight.
Tubby's Gophers snatched a huge OT win from Wisconsin in a true validation game for Minnesota. The road doesn't get any easier, as they get a visit from Purdue (also dramtatic victors tonight) on Saturday, but at 3-1 in conference and 15-1 overall, the Gophers lookd primed to end their tourney drought (and possibly play into week two).
Most fellow hoops aficionados disagree with me, but I still think top to bottom, the Big Ten in on par with any conference in the nation, except perhaps the ACC. Yes, the Big East is better at the top, but their bottom seven (six if you give Cincinnati or Providence a pass) are terrible.
Here is how I see the Big Ten right now from a national perspective (meaning Big Dance):
LOCKS: Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Illinois
SHOULD: Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan,
NOT IMPOSSIBLE: Penn State
NIT LIKELY: Iowa, Northwestern
NO WAY: Indiana
Do the same with other conferences, and tell me how it shakes out? Big East? Six locks, three likely with one possibly getting shafted. Two possible NIT'ers. Five no way in hells. Yes, the power is there up top, but they have 16 freaking teams!
The only conference on par is the ACC (My vote for best in America)
LOCKS: Duke, Wake, UNC, Clemson
SHOULD: Miami, Florida State, Maryland,
NIT'ers: NC State, Va Tech, Boston College (ANY of these three has postential to jump up)
NOPE: Georgia Tech, Virginia
Grab the bottom 25% of each league. Who would you rather play? Boston College, Georgia Tech and Virginia... OR, South Florida, DePaul, St. Johns, Rutgers. Easy choice, right? How about Northwestern, Iowa and Indiana? IU sucks, but NW or Iowa would be favored by 4-8 over each of the previous four listed.
It is going to be a great finish to the year, and best of all, we will get to find out -
ON THE COURT!
Escape Artists - Robbie Humel and the Boilers Dodge a Bullet
Purdue needed a furious rally in the final four minutes to overcome an eleven point deficit and beat Northwestern by a pair, 63-61. Northwestern evened the score up with 46 seconds to go on a beatifully designed inbound play for a back door lob when Coble turned Hummel around and slipped to the glass for the allry-oop layup.
Purdue's E'Twan Moore (Maniac'c vote for most overrated player in the nation) clunked a three, leading to a Wildcat 3 on 1 break. They failed to capitalize and Purdue took possession with 8 seconds remaining.
JuJuan Johnsons was fould with 2 seconds to go, converted them both and Purdue escaped a damagin loss.
The win pulls the Boilers to an even 2-2 in Big Ten play.
Up Next:
Northwestern looks to play spoiler Sunday hosting the #17 Golden Gophers. Northwestern is a lot tougher than their 0-4 conference record. With the exception of IU, there really isn';t a gimme win in the Big 10 this year. I still contend it is the nation's most balanced quality conference this year.
Purdue hosts Iowa on Sunday in a should-win game, then travels to Minnesota next Thursday in a great matchup that will say a lot about whether the Gophers are "good" or "conference champ good."
Purdue's E'Twan Moore (Maniac'c vote for most overrated player in the nation) clunked a three, leading to a Wildcat 3 on 1 break. They failed to capitalize and Purdue took possession with 8 seconds remaining.
JuJuan Johnsons was fould with 2 seconds to go, converted them both and Purdue escaped a damagin loss.
The win pulls the Boilers to an even 2-2 in Big Ten play.
Up Next:
Northwestern looks to play spoiler Sunday hosting the #17 Golden Gophers. Northwestern is a lot tougher than their 0-4 conference record. With the exception of IU, there really isn';t a gimme win in the Big 10 this year. I still contend it is the nation's most balanced quality conference this year.
Purdue hosts Iowa on Sunday in a should-win game, then travels to Minnesota next Thursday in a great matchup that will say a lot about whether the Gophers are "good" or "conference champ good."
Wednesday's Pick
Wow, the Maniac is still reeling from the display Jodie Meeks put on last night. Highlights don't do it justice my friends...
As far as the Maniac last night, precient selections of the road wins notched by Kentucky and FSU, as well as sweating out his lock pick of TCU +15. The only loss was on lost-cause IU, suffering, along with the audience, on yet another nationally televised blowout.
Here are Wednesday's selections:
Michigan State travels to surprising Penn State. Talor Battle has been great for the Nittany Lions, who still remain an outside candidate to sneak into the Big Dance. However, Michigan State has gelled of late and the talent discrepency is really large between them. I like Penn State, but no way they cover tonight.
Maniac's Pick: Michigan State -5 1/2 (LOCK)
Syracuse begins their four-game gauntlet tonight with a trip to the nation's capital to take on Greg Monroe and the Hoyas. These two teams always sem to lock up in tough battles, I expect tonight to be no different. I like the Hoyas, but will take the Orange with the points.
Maniac's Pick: Syracuse +6
Florida heads to Auburn tonight to take on the Tigers. Auburn has athleticism and rebounding, but lacks playmakers and shooting. It sees like the type of matchup that bodes well for the Gators, provided they can take care of the basketball and get on the defensive glass. Year Two of the "Baby Gators" has not been quite as successful as some hoped, but tonight's win would be a good positive step to returning the the NCAA Touney.
Maniac's Pick: Florida -3
Arkansas has notched two of the most impressive non-conference wins of anyone in the country, beating Oklahoma and Texas. SO why are they two point dogs tonight at Mississippi? Because the SEC is full of parity; good, yet few (if any) very good teams. Mississippi entered the season with SEC West title aspirations, though they took a hit when Chris Warren got hurt. Arkansas has a lot of talent most people have never heard of. A loss tonight puts a tarnish on their two big wins. I think John Pelphrey will make sure his Hogs know that.
Maniac's Pick: Arkansas +2
Last year's darlings of the Valley travel to this year's hopefuls when Drake visits Illinois State. We were real high on the Redbirds and their unbeaten start until MVC parity reared it's ugly head. It is that same parity that makes it crazy to lay 9 on anyone in this league. Gimme Drake and the points.
Maniac's Pick: Drake +9 (LOCK)
Wake visits BC in the proverbial "trap game." Fresh off their emotional fantastic victory over UNC they would seem ripe for the plucking. Just like...exactly, BC versus Harvard. Don't think that won't come up several hundred times in tonight's pregame locker room talk. Wake shows some maturity and poise tonight, and handles their business over a less-talented BC team.
Maniac's Pick: Wake -4 (LOCK)
Utah @ Air Force - Interesting game, gimme Air Force at home, if only becuase getting 8 is like getting 15 for a team that plays a normal tempo.
Maniac's Pick: Air Force +8
As far as the Maniac last night, precient selections of the road wins notched by Kentucky and FSU, as well as sweating out his lock pick of TCU +15. The only loss was on lost-cause IU, suffering, along with the audience, on yet another nationally televised blowout.
Here are Wednesday's selections:
Michigan State travels to surprising Penn State. Talor Battle has been great for the Nittany Lions, who still remain an outside candidate to sneak into the Big Dance. However, Michigan State has gelled of late and the talent discrepency is really large between them. I like Penn State, but no way they cover tonight.
Maniac's Pick: Michigan State -5 1/2 (LOCK)
Syracuse begins their four-game gauntlet tonight with a trip to the nation's capital to take on Greg Monroe and the Hoyas. These two teams always sem to lock up in tough battles, I expect tonight to be no different. I like the Hoyas, but will take the Orange with the points.
Maniac's Pick: Syracuse +6
Florida heads to Auburn tonight to take on the Tigers. Auburn has athleticism and rebounding, but lacks playmakers and shooting. It sees like the type of matchup that bodes well for the Gators, provided they can take care of the basketball and get on the defensive glass. Year Two of the "Baby Gators" has not been quite as successful as some hoped, but tonight's win would be a good positive step to returning the the NCAA Touney.
Maniac's Pick: Florida -3
Arkansas has notched two of the most impressive non-conference wins of anyone in the country, beating Oklahoma and Texas. SO why are they two point dogs tonight at Mississippi? Because the SEC is full of parity; good, yet few (if any) very good teams. Mississippi entered the season with SEC West title aspirations, though they took a hit when Chris Warren got hurt. Arkansas has a lot of talent most people have never heard of. A loss tonight puts a tarnish on their two big wins. I think John Pelphrey will make sure his Hogs know that.
Maniac's Pick: Arkansas +2
Last year's darlings of the Valley travel to this year's hopefuls when Drake visits Illinois State. We were real high on the Redbirds and their unbeaten start until MVC parity reared it's ugly head. It is that same parity that makes it crazy to lay 9 on anyone in this league. Gimme Drake and the points.
Maniac's Pick: Drake +9 (LOCK)
Wake visits BC in the proverbial "trap game." Fresh off their emotional fantastic victory over UNC they would seem ripe for the plucking. Just like...exactly, BC versus Harvard. Don't think that won't come up several hundred times in tonight's pregame locker room talk. Wake shows some maturity and poise tonight, and handles their business over a less-talented BC team.
Maniac's Pick: Wake -4 (LOCK)
Utah @ Air Force - Interesting game, gimme Air Force at home, if only becuase getting 8 is like getting 15 for a team that plays a normal tempo.
Maniac's Pick: Air Force +8
Never Seen Better
I am not sure I have ever seen a better single game performance than the one Jodie Meeks put on at Tennessee tonight. There are still 4 minutes to play as I write, but he is sitting on 52 points and is single handedly carrying Kentucky to a huge win and step back towards national prominence.
We wrote about him three or four weeks ago, and not many people were on board yet.
Not anymore.
March Maniacs had him as a first team All-American for a month now, but the discussion for National POY has to now sincerely inclide Jodie Meeks.
The scoring was breathtaking, but it wasn't all he did tonight. He played great defense. He rebounded. He made unselfish passes that lead to easy buckets for teammates. He cut fiercly to find space and bail the Cats out of shot clock pressure and delivered huge, contested buckets.
He did it all on the road, in a huge conference game and didn't force but maybe two or three shots all night. If you missed the game, find the YouTube highlight reel, but it won't do it justice.
Hands down, the greatest individual performance of the year (sorry Steph), Jodie Meeks.
We wrote about him three or four weeks ago, and not many people were on board yet.
Not anymore.
March Maniacs had him as a first team All-American for a month now, but the discussion for National POY has to now sincerely inclide Jodie Meeks.
The scoring was breathtaking, but it wasn't all he did tonight. He played great defense. He rebounded. He made unselfish passes that lead to easy buckets for teammates. He cut fiercly to find space and bail the Cats out of shot clock pressure and delivered huge, contested buckets.
He did it all on the road, in a huge conference game and didn't force but maybe two or three shots all night. If you missed the game, find the YouTube highlight reel, but it won't do it justice.
Hands down, the greatest individual performance of the year (sorry Steph), Jodie Meeks.
Early All-American Team
There is still a good two months of conference play left to sort out some interesting races for 1st, 2nd and 3rd team All-American. Here's how the Maniac has them early on...(breaking a few slight position rules as it is hard to justify picking a center and bumping Teague, Flynn or Abrahms...)
First Team:
G - Steph Curry (Davidson)
G - Jodie Meeks (Kentucky)
F - James Hardin (Arizona State)
F - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)
F/C - Luke Harangody (Notre Dame)
Second Team:
G - Johnny Flynn (Syracuse)
G - Jeff Teague (Wake)
G - AJ Abrahms (Texas)
F - Kyle Singler (Duke)
F/C - Tyler Hansbrough (UNC)
Watch List:
LaVance Fields (Pitt), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova), Jerl McNeil (Marquette), Darren Collison (UCLA), Ty Lawson (UNC), Patty Mills (St. Mary's)
Nick Calathes (Florida), KC Rivers (Clemson), John Scheyer (Duke), Jermaine Taylor (UCF), Lestor Hudson (TN-Martin), Eric Maynor (VCU), Talor Battle (Penn St)
Patrick Patterson (UK), Tyler Smith (Tenn), Terrance Williams (L'Ville), Hasheem Thabeet (UConn), Greg Monroe (G'town), DeJuan Blair (Pitt), Chase Buddinger (Arizona), Willie Warren (Oklahoma),
First Team:
G - Steph Curry (Davidson)
G - Jodie Meeks (Kentucky)
F - James Hardin (Arizona State)
F - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)
F/C - Luke Harangody (Notre Dame)
Second Team:
G - Johnny Flynn (Syracuse)
G - Jeff Teague (Wake)
G - AJ Abrahms (Texas)
F - Kyle Singler (Duke)
F/C - Tyler Hansbrough (UNC)
Watch List:
LaVance Fields (Pitt), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova), Jerl McNeil (Marquette), Darren Collison (UCLA), Ty Lawson (UNC), Patty Mills (St. Mary's)
Nick Calathes (Florida), KC Rivers (Clemson), John Scheyer (Duke), Jermaine Taylor (UCF), Lestor Hudson (TN-Martin), Eric Maynor (VCU), Talor Battle (Penn St)
Patrick Patterson (UK), Tyler Smith (Tenn), Terrance Williams (L'Ville), Hasheem Thabeet (UConn), Greg Monroe (G'town), DeJuan Blair (Pitt), Chase Buddinger (Arizona), Willie Warren (Oklahoma),
Tuesday's Picks
The Maniac Pick's Em - Tuesday, January 13th
The SEC may have no ranked teams, but tonight's Kentucky v. Tennessee game is a big one. Rivalry aside, both teams have a lot at stake in the matter. For Kentucky, their spot in the Big Dance is far from sure at this point. Only a ferocious late season run kept their 17 year streak in tact. A road win over conference big boy Tennessee would go a long way to making Selection Sunday joyous rather than anxious.
Maniac's Pick: Kentucky +6.5
This scene last year catapulted the "Cats to the tourney
Poor Indiana gets yet another chance to broadcast their misery natiowide when they visit a hungry Buckeye team that cannot afford to many more Big Ten missteps. Does ESPN not have the option of NFL-esue "flex scheduling"? This is like the seventh IU game already this season...
That said, the number is a big one, and Ohio State is not an offensive juggernaut. They win, but I like the Hoosier Pride keeping in under the number
Maniac's Pick: Indiana +17
Florida State looked like brutal defense socking it out with Blue Devils Saturday. Unfortunatly their offense looked "brutal" as well, and not in a good way. The broadcast team made it sound lik FSU is a sure-fire NCAA team this year. I am not sure how they figure that in a conference wheer they are AT BEST fifth. It is an interesting muddle in the middle; NC State, Maryland, Miami, Boston College, Florida State and Virginia Tech all seem to be fairly even to me. If FSU wants to make good on ESPN's words, they need a big road win tonight. I think they'll get it.
Maniac's Pick: FSU +4.5
TCU travels to BYU is a sneaky-good game tonight. Vegas has the Horned Frogs getting 15. Take the points and enjoy the evening. Let's call this the LOCK of the day.
Maniac's Pick: TCU +15 (LOCK)
The SEC may have no ranked teams, but tonight's Kentucky v. Tennessee game is a big one. Rivalry aside, both teams have a lot at stake in the matter. For Kentucky, their spot in the Big Dance is far from sure at this point. Only a ferocious late season run kept their 17 year streak in tact. A road win over conference big boy Tennessee would go a long way to making Selection Sunday joyous rather than anxious.
Maniac's Pick: Kentucky +6.5
This scene last year catapulted the "Cats to the tourneyPoor Indiana gets yet another chance to broadcast their misery natiowide when they visit a hungry Buckeye team that cannot afford to many more Big Ten missteps. Does ESPN not have the option of NFL-esue "flex scheduling"? This is like the seventh IU game already this season...
That said, the number is a big one, and Ohio State is not an offensive juggernaut. They win, but I like the Hoosier Pride keeping in under the number
Maniac's Pick: Indiana +17
Florida State looked like brutal defense socking it out with Blue Devils Saturday. Unfortunatly their offense looked "brutal" as well, and not in a good way. The broadcast team made it sound lik FSU is a sure-fire NCAA team this year. I am not sure how they figure that in a conference wheer they are AT BEST fifth. It is an interesting muddle in the middle; NC State, Maryland, Miami, Boston College, Florida State and Virginia Tech all seem to be fairly even to me. If FSU wants to make good on ESPN's words, they need a big road win tonight. I think they'll get it.
Maniac's Pick: FSU +4.5
TCU travels to BYU is a sneaky-good game tonight. Vegas has the Horned Frogs getting 15. Take the points and enjoy the evening. Let's call this the LOCK of the day.
Maniac's Pick: TCU +15 (LOCK)
Bracketeering - January 12th, 2009
Things have certainly changed over the past few weeks. Let's clear a few things up early.
1. The Maniac is a terrible psychic. He's an even worse predictor of college basketball games.
2. That might be a little harsh, but the swing and miss on UNC has been noticed by a few readers. Touche'. And blow me.
3. The Big East is not head and shoulders better than everyone. The ACC is as strong through the top four, and the Big Ten has more balance first to last. Let's not forget there are 16 teams in the Big East when gratuitously shining their popsicle. That said, the Top 9 in the Big East are all Sweet 16 capable, and six have national title talent (Pitt, UConn, Notre Dame, Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown).
4. There is not much difference between the #7 and #47 team in the country this year. Don't believe me? No SEC team is ranked currently. However, in the last two weeks Arkansas has beaten Texas and Oklahoma. Boston College has beaten UNC. Harvard has beaten Boston College. How do you like those apples?!?
5. We are not trying to predict the future or mirror the polls in Bracketeering. It's the Maniac's take on where teams stack up right now. The polls reward teams for A)being ranked high early, B) lack of parity in an already-respected conference C) playing no one and waiting for teams ahead of you to lose.
We don't do that. It is a fine mix between performance, quality of opponents, competitiveness of games (not just records and margins). For example, UCLA's two losses; a 3 point very-early nuetral court loss to Michigan and game that was tied into the final minute AT an excellent Texas team are not "bad" losses. Neither is a nine-point loss to Wake Forest by BYU a "bad loss." The game was tied with two minutes to go, and Wake might be the #1 team in the country. Gonzaga getting beat by Portland State, Xavier getting waxed by Duke, Davidson getting obliterated by Purdue; the thoroughness of defeat exposed those teams. Just as the valor of UCLA's early loss toughened them up to run of nine straight wins. Every W or L are not equal...
That said, let's feel free to agree, disagree or swear at us anytime. We are only an email or comment away...
1. The Maniac is a terrible psychic. He's an even worse predictor of college basketball games.
2. That might be a little harsh, but the swing and miss on UNC has been noticed by a few readers. Touche'. And blow me.
3. The Big East is not head and shoulders better than everyone. The ACC is as strong through the top four, and the Big Ten has more balance first to last. Let's not forget there are 16 teams in the Big East when gratuitously shining their popsicle. That said, the Top 9 in the Big East are all Sweet 16 capable, and six have national title talent (Pitt, UConn, Notre Dame, Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown).
4. There is not much difference between the #7 and #47 team in the country this year. Don't believe me? No SEC team is ranked currently. However, in the last two weeks Arkansas has beaten Texas and Oklahoma. Boston College has beaten UNC. Harvard has beaten Boston College. How do you like those apples?!?
5. We are not trying to predict the future or mirror the polls in Bracketeering. It's the Maniac's take on where teams stack up right now. The polls reward teams for A)being ranked high early, B) lack of parity in an already-respected conference C) playing no one and waiting for teams ahead of you to lose.
We don't do that. It is a fine mix between performance, quality of opponents, competitiveness of games (not just records and margins). For example, UCLA's two losses; a 3 point very-early nuetral court loss to Michigan and game that was tied into the final minute AT an excellent Texas team are not "bad" losses. Neither is a nine-point loss to Wake Forest by BYU a "bad loss." The game was tied with two minutes to go, and Wake might be the #1 team in the country. Gonzaga getting beat by Portland State, Xavier getting waxed by Duke, Davidson getting obliterated by Purdue; the thoroughness of defeat exposed those teams. Just as the valor of UCLA's early loss toughened them up to run of nine straight wins. Every W or L are not equal...
That said, let's feel free to agree, disagree or swear at us anytime. We are only an email or comment away...
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FINAL FOUR:
1. Pitt - The Panthers are the real deal. This team is big, solid in the back court and ferocious defensively. Things are good in the Steel City. The Steelers host the AFC Championship Sunday and the Panthers are #1 in the nation.
2. Wake Forest - Last night's Carolina game was an instant classic. It showed me two things: 1. Carolina is fallible, but still easily capable of cutting down the nets. 2. SO IS WAKE. Jeff Teague is the ACC POY right now, and was sensational against UNC. Wake is good defensively, excellent rebounding the basketball and has enough depth to survive a few rough spots.
3. Duke - I have seen both they and UNC play 4-5 times, and am starting to become convinced Duke is every bit as talented, and maybe a bit better offensviely (at least in a hlaf-court set). The ACC is going to be amazing.
4. North Carolina - What a difference a few weeks make huh? From "immortality" to "0-2" in conference play. The BC loss is tough to explain, other than saying that most every good team takes one (See: Duke/Michigan, OK/Ark, Gonzaga/Port St, Syracuse/Cleveland State...). The Wake loss? A terrific, well-played fantastic college basketball game that came down to a one possession loss on the road. I am not being stubborn. North Carolina is still better than Oklahoma, UConn, and Syracuse.
ELITE EIGHT:
5. UConn - The Huskies rebounded from an opening loss to Georgetown with wins over Rutgers and Cincinnati and Providence. The have two more should-wins before tussling with 'Nova and Notre Dame in two weeks.
6. Michigan State - How far back does that Carolina game seem now? Since the 35 point loss at Ford Field the Spartans have won nine in a row, including wins over Texas, Ohio State, Minnesota and Kansas. A trip back to Ford Field for redemption doesn't seem so unlikely as these young Spartans are growing up in a hurry.
7. Oklahoma - The original concern was that the Sooners were a one man gang. That is clearly not true. They are a Two Man Group. Willie Warren and Blake Griffin need some help. We will see if they get it tonight in a HUGE game against Texas at home. The winner tonight has a clear leg up in the Big 12.
8. UCLA - It's not their fault the Pac-10 seems down and that they play most of their games after 10PM EST. Collison and company are playing great ball, and won a tough cross-town rivalry game last night against USC to run their win streak to nine. Interesting week coming up with a Thursday visit from Arizona and a weekend trip to take on James Hardin and Arizona State.
Sweet and lurking: The next tier (in order)
9. Syracuse - If I were an AP voter, I'd have the Orange 7th. They've earned it. Johnny Flynn will get All-American consideration (but not a lock for first team all-conference...the Big East is THAT good.) They move into the Top Four if they win their next four: @ G'Town, Notre Dame, @ Pitt, Louisville. I suspect the Orange would be quietly content with a 2-2 split.
10.Clemson - OK, this is getting interesting now at 16-0. There ar quality wins; South Carolina, Miami, Illinois, Alabama, NC State. However their quest for respectability begins in earnest Wednesday with a visit from Wake Forest. Win that and they get to take one of two undefeated records in the nation to the Dean Dome and face the Heels.
Win both, and they have my vote for #1. Unless Syracuse wins all four...
11. Louisville - Yes, this might be a little higher than most polls, but their play of late suggests some early season focus-lapses might be behind them. The three straight wins over Villanova, Kentucky and Notre Dame are impressive. The WAY they won all three in gutty, nail biting fashion is invaluable experience for a team this rife with talent come March.
12. Texas - This is a good, solid ball club, though I imagine they will suffer a loss at Oklahoma tonight. It is OK, as long as they hold the rope until the rematch in Austin later in February.
13. Xavier - It is still hard to erase the memory of the Duke game with A-10 wins, but they way they have been winning them is impressive. This is a team that could very realistically have 28-30 wins heading into the Big Dance.
14. Georgetown - If we can forgive the Heels for being 0-2 in conference, surely we can give the Hoyas some slack for being 2-2. The road win at UConn remains as impressive as the road pummeling to Pitt was discouraging. The Big East is brutal. Georgetown is still in a group of 12-15 teams that have the talent to get to Detroit.
15. Minnesota - I feel uneasy putting them this high, with a daunting Wisconsin trip looming on Thursday. Regardless, Tubby's Gophers are off to a fantastic start, with their only loss coming at a really good Spartan squad.
16. Butler- I really don't like this pick, because there will not be a reason to move the Bulldogs UP the rest of the year. The only way they move up is by other teams falling DOWN. The AP will likely slide them into the Top 10 as teams ahead of them savage each other. We vow not to raise them until the beat SOMEONE else. Barring a bizarre schedule addition the Bulldogs will have to hope they are sharp when play again in the Tourney.
Closing In...
Marquette, Arkansas, BYU, Notre Dame, Arizona State, St. Mary's, Texas A&M, Villanova
Half Court Heaves: Long shots worth keeping an eye on
VMI, Illinois-Chicago, Drake, IUPUI, Siena, Davidson, Kentucky, San Diego State, George Mason
FINAL FOUR:
1. Pitt - The Panthers are the real deal. This team is big, solid in the back court and ferocious defensively. Things are good in the Steel City. The Steelers host the AFC Championship Sunday and the Panthers are #1 in the nation.
2. Wake Forest - Last night's Carolina game was an instant classic. It showed me two things: 1. Carolina is fallible, but still easily capable of cutting down the nets. 2. SO IS WAKE. Jeff Teague is the ACC POY right now, and was sensational against UNC. Wake is good defensively, excellent rebounding the basketball and has enough depth to survive a few rough spots.
3. Duke - I have seen both they and UNC play 4-5 times, and am starting to become convinced Duke is every bit as talented, and maybe a bit better offensviely (at least in a hlaf-court set). The ACC is going to be amazing.
4. North Carolina - What a difference a few weeks make huh? From "immortality" to "0-2" in conference play. The BC loss is tough to explain, other than saying that most every good team takes one (See: Duke/Michigan, OK/Ark, Gonzaga/Port St, Syracuse/Cleveland State...). The Wake loss? A terrific, well-played fantastic college basketball game that came down to a one possession loss on the road. I am not being stubborn. North Carolina is still better than Oklahoma, UConn, and Syracuse.
ELITE EIGHT:
5. UConn - The Huskies rebounded from an opening loss to Georgetown with wins over Rutgers and Cincinnati and Providence. The have two more should-wins before tussling with 'Nova and Notre Dame in two weeks.
6. Michigan State - How far back does that Carolina game seem now? Since the 35 point loss at Ford Field the Spartans have won nine in a row, including wins over Texas, Ohio State, Minnesota and Kansas. A trip back to Ford Field for redemption doesn't seem so unlikely as these young Spartans are growing up in a hurry.
7. Oklahoma - The original concern was that the Sooners were a one man gang. That is clearly not true. They are a Two Man Group. Willie Warren and Blake Griffin need some help. We will see if they get it tonight in a HUGE game against Texas at home. The winner tonight has a clear leg up in the Big 12.
8. UCLA - It's not their fault the Pac-10 seems down and that they play most of their games after 10PM EST. Collison and company are playing great ball, and won a tough cross-town rivalry game last night against USC to run their win streak to nine. Interesting week coming up with a Thursday visit from Arizona and a weekend trip to take on James Hardin and Arizona State.
Sweet and lurking: The next tier (in order)
9. Syracuse - If I were an AP voter, I'd have the Orange 7th. They've earned it. Johnny Flynn will get All-American consideration (but not a lock for first team all-conference...the Big East is THAT good.) They move into the Top Four if they win their next four: @ G'Town, Notre Dame, @ Pitt, Louisville. I suspect the Orange would be quietly content with a 2-2 split.
10.Clemson - OK, this is getting interesting now at 16-0. There ar quality wins; South Carolina, Miami, Illinois, Alabama, NC State. However their quest for respectability begins in earnest Wednesday with a visit from Wake Forest. Win that and they get to take one of two undefeated records in the nation to the Dean Dome and face the Heels.
Win both, and they have my vote for #1. Unless Syracuse wins all four...
11. Louisville - Yes, this might be a little higher than most polls, but their play of late suggests some early season focus-lapses might be behind them. The three straight wins over Villanova, Kentucky and Notre Dame are impressive. The WAY they won all three in gutty, nail biting fashion is invaluable experience for a team this rife with talent come March.
12. Texas - This is a good, solid ball club, though I imagine they will suffer a loss at Oklahoma tonight. It is OK, as long as they hold the rope until the rematch in Austin later in February.
13. Xavier - It is still hard to erase the memory of the Duke game with A-10 wins, but they way they have been winning them is impressive. This is a team that could very realistically have 28-30 wins heading into the Big Dance.
14. Georgetown - If we can forgive the Heels for being 0-2 in conference, surely we can give the Hoyas some slack for being 2-2. The road win at UConn remains as impressive as the road pummeling to Pitt was discouraging. The Big East is brutal. Georgetown is still in a group of 12-15 teams that have the talent to get to Detroit.
15. Minnesota - I feel uneasy putting them this high, with a daunting Wisconsin trip looming on Thursday. Regardless, Tubby's Gophers are off to a fantastic start, with their only loss coming at a really good Spartan squad.
16. Butler- I really don't like this pick, because there will not be a reason to move the Bulldogs UP the rest of the year. The only way they move up is by other teams falling DOWN. The AP will likely slide them into the Top 10 as teams ahead of them savage each other. We vow not to raise them until the beat SOMEONE else. Barring a bizarre schedule addition the Bulldogs will have to hope they are sharp when play again in the Tourney.
Closing In...
Marquette, Arkansas, BYU, Notre Dame, Arizona State, St. Mary's, Texas A&M, Villanova
Half Court Heaves: Long shots worth keeping an eye on
VMI, Illinois-Chicago, Drake, IUPUI, Siena, Davidson, Kentucky, San Diego State, George Mason
The Closer
Many of our readers' obsessive basketball joneses extend beyond just college and into the NBA. If so, you have seen roughly 22,000 promos (and NO episodes) of TNT's The Closer.
I confess I have no clue what the show is about other than some non-MILFy lady they parade about the promos. Apparently they have bucked convention and cast her as the hot chick regardless of one glaring ironic shortcoming. Think Molly Ringwald in every shitty 80's movie.
If you found yourself screaming, "what about Pretty in Pink?!?" then please choke yourself. Yet I digress...
There have been some amazing games already this season. But the one thing they have lacked is a closer.
Last week Louisville escaped Villanova in a dandy. The defining moment? Two rim rattling tips that failed to roll in at the buzzer. Tonight Louisville pummeled a completely gassed Notre Dame team in overtime. However the story might have been different had Notre Dame even got a shot off to win the game in regulation. McAlarney fits the mold; quick release, unlimited range... bu they couldn't even get the ball to him (or to the rim).
There have been plenty of big stops to win games this season. But we have lacked assassins ripping hearts out with Reggie Miller-like daggers. With the exception of the Cleveland State and Xavier mid-court miracles in November, this season has been marked more by "misses" than "makes."
Defense wins championships, but as fans we live for Mario Chalmers gut-punches. So far this season has been a lot more Memphis clunk than Kansas cash... We can only hope this is not an early foretelling of March.
Maybe "mediocre" in pink?? "Semi bang-able" in Pink??
I confess I have no clue what the show is about other than some non-MILFy lady they parade about the promos. Apparently they have bucked convention and cast her as the hot chick regardless of one glaring ironic shortcoming. Think Molly Ringwald in every shitty 80's movie.
If you found yourself screaming, "what about Pretty in Pink?!?" then please choke yourself. Yet I digress...
There have been some amazing games already this season. But the one thing they have lacked is a closer.
Last week Louisville escaped Villanova in a dandy. The defining moment? Two rim rattling tips that failed to roll in at the buzzer. Tonight Louisville pummeled a completely gassed Notre Dame team in overtime. However the story might have been different had Notre Dame even got a shot off to win the game in regulation. McAlarney fits the mold; quick release, unlimited range... bu they couldn't even get the ball to him (or to the rim).
There have been plenty of big stops to win games this season. But we have lacked assassins ripping hearts out with Reggie Miller-like daggers. With the exception of the Cleveland State and Xavier mid-court miracles in November, this season has been marked more by "misses" than "makes."
Defense wins championships, but as fans we live for Mario Chalmers gut-punches. So far this season has been a lot more Memphis clunk than Kansas cash... We can only hope this is not an early foretelling of March.
Maybe "mediocre" in pink?? "Semi bang-able" in Pink??ed note: YES, I am intentionally blacking out regarding Edgar Sosa's bunk 30 footer. BTW - he was holding a clipboard come money time tonight, even Pitino knows a rabbit in a hat when he gets one...
Blue Balls: Knights Tease Once Again
(article courtesy of Big Jim)
Blue Balls....that's what UCF gives their fans. They are the biggest tease in the history of college sports. For what seems like the 30th time in the past 8 years a UCF sports team hangs close and even leads a big time opponent only to let things slip away by the end of the game. Last year it was Villanova, Kansas State, UConn, and Mississippi. This year Memphis. It's frustrating but being 100% honest they played really well against a much longer Memphis team.
A fantastic crowd of nearly 10,000 fans dressed in black packed the new arena to lead on their team. UCF was up by 1 at the half lead by Conference USA player of the year front runner (he should be at least)Jermaine Taylor.
The second half got off to a great start with UCF getting a 7 point lead 4 minutes into the half. However at that point Memphis put the defensive clamps on UCF and sufficated them to the point where UCF went 11 minutes without a field goal. When all was said and done Memphis did just enough to win in what is surprisingly turning into a tough place to win.
If UCF can somehow keep up attendance of 6,000 plus per game then the new arena will certainly grow into a hated place to travel to. UCF has a very young team with 7 freshman on the roster and most of them getting a good amount of run each game. You wouldn't think that a team like this could compete but it certainly looked like they could hang for a 4th or 5th place finish in CUSA.
Blue Balls....that's what UCF gives their fans. They are the biggest tease in the history of college sports. For what seems like the 30th time in the past 8 years a UCF sports team hangs close and even leads a big time opponent only to let things slip away by the end of the game. Last year it was Villanova, Kansas State, UConn, and Mississippi. This year Memphis. It's frustrating but being 100% honest they played really well against a much longer Memphis team.
A fantastic crowd of nearly 10,000 fans dressed in black packed the new arena to lead on their team. UCF was up by 1 at the half lead by Conference USA player of the year front runner (he should be at least)Jermaine Taylor.
The second half got off to a great start with UCF getting a 7 point lead 4 minutes into the half. However at that point Memphis put the defensive clamps on UCF and sufficated them to the point where UCF went 11 minutes without a field goal. When all was said and done Memphis did just enough to win in what is surprisingly turning into a tough place to win.
If UCF can somehow keep up attendance of 6,000 plus per game then the new arena will certainly grow into a hated place to travel to. UCF has a very young team with 7 freshman on the roster and most of them getting a good amount of run each game. You wouldn't think that a team like this could compete but it certainly looked like they could hang for a 4th or 5th place finish in CUSA.
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