It's been a tough week to be on the top, as parity (not "upsets") reared their future "Cinderella" heads this week. Lots has happened, so let's quickly put the week on rewind.
Big Monday proved to be just that; BIG. Kansas State rendered us with just one unbeaten team remaining as they handled Texas in Manhattan. Pullen, Clemente and the Cats were impressive, but do you know what impressed me most?
Not one student stormed the court. They simply stayed and applauded and the players ran around and slapped some high fives. The message? We're happy. We're really happy. But not surprised or stunned. I loved it.
Speaking of storming the floor, Carolina has to be within striking distance of the record for "most times being in the middle of an on court celebration/mob after a loss." Seriously, at some point it might be time to recognize this team just isn't that good. Storming the court after beating UNC is just kind of embarrassing at this point...
It reminds me of a decade ago when my beloved Alma matter, UCF, travelled to Alabama and knocked off the Crimson Tide on their football team's Homecoming Game. The "biggest win in school history!!"
Never mind that the Tide went 4-8 that year. Never mind that they were a terrible football team who just happened to wear a recognizable jersey. The celebration of the win should have lasted about as long as a stack of singles in the hands of Mike Price. "Roll Tide!!" Baby!
Instead? We wrote songs about it. (think "UCF beat Alabama" to the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama" - and they say anyone could get into ucf, ha!)
I digress. But seriously, stop storming the floor after beating the Heels this year.
Down Tobacco Road, I'd have no problem with them on the floor in Raleigh after beating Duke Wednesday night. Duke has lost two straight on the road and the ACC is indeed more up for grabs than anytime in recent memory. The likely two worst teams are Boston College and Miami, and neither one is just dreadful.
The Big East is starting to seperate a bit. Marquette's loss to DePaul might be the one that pulls them under and Louisville's loss to Seton Hall last night was one the Cards really couldn't afford. Meanwhile UConn stopped their slide beating St Johns and still appears to be tourney bound. Here's wishing Calhoun a speedy recovery.
The "haves" and "have nots" are becomming clear. The muddled middle is becomming just UConn, UC, Notre Dame and St Johns. At this point, I wouldn't want to be worse than seventh in the BEast and be expecting a bid...
I promised no more Marshall talk until they won one of their "big five" on their upcoming schedule gauntlet, but their loss to West Virginia felt like a win in terms of earning respect. It was a two point game with :40 to go. I think the have a real shot hosting UAB Saturday. The Blazers are 17-2, but have some incredibly unimpressive wins including this week's one point squeeker over conference doormat So Miss.
Louisianna Tech notched their first conference loss last night to San Jose State. You can't blame that one on the Maniac's Curse (the article was weeks ago) but the odds of them recieving an at large bid went from "slim" to "next to nil".
Maniac fave William & Mary got absolutly trounced by VCU. I think the Rams (and the Tribe for that matter) are in the Best 65 in the land, but it's looking like parity might again relegate the CAA to just one bid. Add in Old Dominion and George Mason who struggled early, but leads the conference at 8-1, and even Northeastern, and you've got one heck of a quality, competitive league.
The SEC has played sone tight battles, but is starting to get the separation needed for five or six bids. Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss, Vandy and Miss St all won, giving the conference six legit tourney contenders. They are looking to put last year's three-bid campaign far in the rear view mirror.
"Three bids? Sold! ~ the Pac10
First and last place are still seperated by only 2 games. With the miserable pre-conference play (only USC beat anyone and, oh wait, they are on a self-imposed post season ban). That said, Cal laid the lumber to Oregon last night to move to 4-2 in league. If it wasn't for the egg they laid at Washington on Saturday I'd almost be willing to flirt with the Bears as an at large contender. Outside of them, and maybe (mayyyyybe.....) Arzona State there really are none.
The Big Ten is bunching up a bit. Ohio State is on fire with Evan Turner back (hammering NW by 20) and Purdue looks to be back on track dropping Illinois and getting back in the Big Ten mix. Only Sparty remains unbeaten and remains in firm control of the league. Spots two through seven are up for grabs...
It's been a busy but telling week. It feels like it is almost time to drum up a mock bracket for next week....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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