Pitt (-5.5) @ Duquesne: The Maniac liked Duquesne as a sleeper tourney pick out of the improved, balanced Atlantic Ten. Then they went out and lost to Western Carolina, after struggling to a three point win over Arkansas-Monticello. Yep, the famed power Arkansas-Monticello. Not an impressive start. But keep in mind they just got 6'3'' scoring guard Melquan Boldin back this week, giving the four of the five leading scorers from 2008-09 back on the floor.
Meanwhile Pitt has looked impressive, starting 5-1 and playing Texas tough for 32 minutes before capitulating late. The names on the front of the jerseys and the early season results would seem to tilt the scales pretty heavily in Pitt's favor. I still like the Dukes tonight, as the game means just a little bit more for them.
Here's a nice article on the history of the series. Plus, Papa Maniac will appreciate the reflection on the Duquesne glory days...
Siena @ Georgia Tech (-6): Georgia Tech is the only ACC squad not playing in the Challenge this week, but will still get a challenge from the Siena Saints. Siena burst into national consciousness with the Double OT upset of Ohio State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament last year. They even opened this season ranked in several polls. However they have already lost to both Temple and St. John's; both bubble teams at best.
This looks like a classic case of the long underrated proving to be, um, more "appropriately" rated. Georgia Tech however is a budding beast. Long gone is the 11-18 season of 2008-2009. These Jackets have no intention of sitting out this postseason.
Give me the Jackets to win and cover.
Old Dominion @ Richmond (-3): Another great matchup of small school potential darlings come March. Old Dominion entered the season as the favorite in the undervalued CAA. Richmond is one of the sleepers (behind Xavier and Dayton) to shake up the A-10.
Richmond is 6-1 with wins over Missouri and Mississippi State, and their lone loss to William & Mary (not a bad loss - seriously - click here), Old Dominion has been a little less sharp losing the the same two school Richmond padded their resume against.
However the head-to-head matchup is the true test. If we were playing the who-beat-who game, LeMoyne is better than North Carolina.
That said, I like Richmond in a really intriguing ballgame.
Western Kentucky @ South Carolina (-5.5): South Carolina and Devan Downey entered the season hoping to challenge Kentucky and Tennessee in the SEC East; and expecting to dance in March. They got their doors blown off by Miami and showed the hangover effect, giving up 93 points to Jacksonville in a game they were lucky to win 97-93.
Their next three games will really set the table for how much work they will have to get done in the insanely deep and balanced SEC (no, they are not the best conference, but have less drop off from 3 to 11 than any other league). After this they host Clemson and travel to Richmond. First things first, knock off a twice-defending Sweet 16 participant in the Hilltoppers.
The Hilltoppers have been really disappointing thus far; losing to LSU and Indiana State, and winning by only 4 and 1 vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee and CS Northridge. Yuck.
South Carolina needs to bring some focus tonight. I think they will, and will win convincingly.
Rhode Island @ VCU (-4): Eric Maynor is gone, but VCU and first-year coach Shaka Smart have no intention of sitting out this year's Big Dance. They have already burried the memory of the loss to Western Michigan with big wins over Oklahoma and Nevada.
Rhode Island was one of the last teams on the outside of the bubble last year. Their early 4-0 start contains little to help remedy that in 2010. Tonight is huge for the Rams. They still have shots against Oklahoma St, Boston College and Providence. They can't afford many losses unless they want to be forced to win the A-10 to dance.
A really good game that most people will miss; give me RI in a close win.
Arkansas @ Oklahoma (-12): Hard to believe how much worse this game is than it sounds like it should be. Oklahoma has struggled mightily learning how to cope with the loss of the Griffin boys. Arkansas is scouring the campus for enough warm bodies to dress. What is this, Hickory High School??
Cover your eyes, and expect Oklahoma to take out a little frustration on the hapless Hogs.
The Maniac takes Willie Warren and the Sooners in a romp.
Oklahoma State (-2.5) @ Tulsa: This is one of the best games of the early season. An no one will get to see it. Except for the kids parents. And Tulsans. (Is that right? Tulsasians? Tulsainians? Can anyone help with this?)
Oklahoma State is has six easy cruising wins. However only the latest against Utah (who boasts losses to ) is evenly remotely relevant. After this, their only "games" before Big 12 play are against Pacific, Stanford and Rhode Island. All decent teams, but the Cowboys have a lot more opportunity for "bad losses" then they do "good wins." They need tonight more than it seems from a distance.
Their is no doubt of the importance of this game for Tulsa. Conference USA has become a one-bid league, more inline with the WCC and MVC than the Big Six. Many experts tabbed Tulsa as the pre-season fave (not us, it is still Memphis by a lot). They enter tonight 5-1, fresh off a loss to Missouri State. Tonight is a must win if they want to entertain notions of an at-large bid. After tonight, their two best remaining non-conference games are Colorado and Nebraska.
A won't put an official pick on this one; it really is a coin-flip to me. That said, I think the MO St. loss is a clear result of looking ahead to tonight and that Tulsa will give them one heck of a battle defending their home court.
These games all tip between 7-8pm EST. It is a fantastic early night for college hoops and one that will be reference back all season long as we begin to sort out RPI's and Power Rankings.
MANIAC'S PICKS (RECAP):
Duquesne +5.5
Georgia Tech -6
Richmond -3
South Carolina -5.5
Rhode Island +4
Oklahoma -12
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