College Hoops, February 6-12

[Red Dog]

National TV Schedule

Monday, Feb. 6
Louisville at Cincinnati, ESPN2, 7 HD
Texas at Texas Tech, ESPN2, 9 HD
Saint Mary's at Gonzaga, ESPN2, midnight

Tuesday, Feb. 7
Tennessee at Kentucky, ESPN, 7 HD
Villanova vs. Saint Joseph's, ESPN2, 7:30 HD
Duke at North Carolina, ESPN, 9
Missouri State at Southern Illinois, ESPNU, 9

Wednesday, Feb. 8
Indiana at Wisconsin, ESPN, 7
N.C. State at Miami (Fla.), ESPNU, 7
Boston College at Wake Forest, ESPN2, 7:30 HD
Syracuse at Connecticut, ESPN, 9 HD
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State, ESPNU, 9
UAB at Texas-El Paso, CSTV, 10

Thursday, Feb. 9
Ohio State at Michigan, ESPN, 7 HD
Georgia Tech at Florida State, ESPNU, 7
West Virginia at Pittsburgh, ESPN, 9
St. John's at Georgetown, ESPN2, 9 HD
Pacific at Cal State-Fullerton, ESPN2, 11

Saturday, Feb. 11
Iowa at Indiana, ESPN, noon HD
St. Peter's at Loyola (Md.), ESPN2, noon
Michigan at Purdue, ESPNU, noon
Duke at Maryland, CBS, 1 HD
Villanova at DePaul, ESPN, 2 HD
George Washington at Saint Joseph's, ESPN2, 2
Michigan State at Minnesota, ESPNU, 2:30
Charlotte at Wake Forest, ABC regional, 3:30
Oklahoma State at Texas A&M, ABC regional, 3:30
UCLA at Washington, ABC regional, 3:30
Memphis at Marshall, CSTV, 4
Nebraska at Texas, ESPN, 4
Wisconsin at Penn State, ESPN2, 4 HD
Massachusetts at Florida State, FSN, 5:30
Old Dominion at Virginia Commonwealth, ESPN2, 6
UNLV at Brigham Young, ESPN2, 8 HD
Stanford at Gonzaga, ESPN, 9 HD

Sunday, Feb. 12
Alabama State at Alabama A&M, ESPNU, noon
Illinois at Ohio State, CBS, 1
Colgate at American, CSTV, 2:30
Massachusetts at Florida State, FSN, 5:30
North Carolina at Miami (Fla.), FSN, 8

[Red Dog]

Full Court Schedule:

Monday, Feb. 6, 2006
Fresno State @ Idaho 10:05 PM ET

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006
Missouri @ Baylor 8:00 PM ET

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006
Kansas @ Nebraska 7:30 PM ET
Iowa @ Northwestern 8:00 PM ET
Arkansas @ LSU 8:00 PM ET
Purdue @ (12) Michigan State 8:00 PM ET
Minnesota @ Penn State 8:00 PM ET
BYU @ Utah 9:00 PM ET
(18) Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State 9:00 PM ET

Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006
Fordham @ St. Bonaventure 7:00 PM ET
Oregon @ Arizona 8:30 PM ET

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006
(20) Michigan @ Purdue 12:00 PM ET
La Salle @ Xavier 12:00 PM ET
LSU @ (7) Florida 1:00 PM ET
Baylor @ (18) Oklahoma 1:30 PM ET
(12) Michigan State @ Minnesota 2:30 PM ET
Kentucky @ Vanderbilt 3:00 PM ET
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M 3:30 PM ET
Charlotte @ Wake Forest 3:30 PM ET
(13) UCLA @ (15) Washington 3:30 PM ET
Iowa State @ Kansas 4:00 PM ET
Wyoming @ Air Force 6:00 PM ET
(1) Connecticut @ Seton Hall 8:00 PM ET
Virginia Tech @ Virginia 8:00 PM ET
Clemson @ (14) Boston College 8:00 PM ET
Oregon @ Arizona State 8:00 PM ET

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006
Siena @ Rider 12:00 PM ET
(17) N.C. State @ Georgia Tech 1:00 PM ET
Kansas State @ Missouri 1:30 PM ET
Ball State @ Miami (OHIO) 2:00 PM ET
Cincinnati @ (9) Pittsburgh 2:00 PM ET
Syracuse @ St. John's 2:00 PM ET
Ohio @ Western Michigan 2:00 PM ET
(11) West Virginia @ (22) Georgetown 7:00 PM ET

[B.A.]

Damnit - it looks like I am going to be out of town on Saturday. :mad:

[Josh H]

Big week for WVU with games @Pitt and @Georgetown.

[kneijst1]

Big week for WVU with games @Pitt and @Georgetown.

Ouch! That may not be pretty for WVU, but at least that should be some good games!


Cuse @ UConn should be interesting... Cuse can play with UConn (for one half), but let's see if they start the game with some emotion coming off the Rutgers win.

[Josh H]

Ouch! That may not be pretty for WVU, but at least that should be some good games!


Tough stretch of the schedule is coming up. Are @ Seton Hall then host UCONN next week.

[Josh H]

Week 14 AP Top 25
1. Connecticut (68) 20-1 1,796
2. Duke (3) 21-1 1,723
3. Memphis 21-2 1,637
4. Villanova (1) 17-2 1,570
5. Gonzaga 18-3 1,499
6. Texas 19-3 1,415
7. Florida 20-2 1,376
8. George Washington 18-1 1,188
9. West Virginia 17-4 1,147
10. Illinois 20-3 1,143
11. Tennessee 16-3 993
12. Michigan State 17-5 985
13. UCLA 19-4 914
14. Pittsburgh 17-3 911
15. Georgetown 16-4 870
16. N.C. State 18-4 648
17. Boston College 17-5 634
18. Iowa 18-5 602
19. Ohio State 16-3 573
20. Oklahoma 14-5 287
21. Washington 16-5 264
22. Michigan 16-4 205
23. North Carolina 14-5 169
24. Indiana 13-6 161
25. Northern Iowa 20-4 117



Week 14 ESPN/USA Today Poll
1. Connecticut (22) 20-1 761
2. Duke (8) 21-1 749
3. Memphis (1) 21-2 709
4. Villanova 17-2 677
5. Gonzaga 18-3 630
6. Florida 20-2 612
7. Texas 19-3 606
8. George Washington 18-1 505
9. Illinois 20-3 486
10. West Virginia 17-4 482
11. Michigan State 17-5 429
12. UCLA 19-4 410
13. Pittsburgh 17-3 384
14. Tennessee 16-3 380
15. N.C. State 18-4 339
16. Georgetown 16-4 306
17. Ohio State 16-3 303
18. Boston College 17-5 271
19. Iowa 18-5 192
20. Oklahoma 14-5 175
21. Indiana 13-6 110
22. Michigan 16-4 98
23. Washington 16-5 93
24. North Carolina 14-5 81
25. Colorado 15-4 45

WVU in the top ten in the coaches poll for the first time this year, should be in the AP as well. :thumbsup: Will probably be short lived though as I don't see them winning both games this week.

Added Ap Poll: WVU 9 there. :thumbsup:

[RoyalTea]

Duke at North Carolina, ESPN, 9not in HD? that is horse crap.

[taa455]

not in HD? that is horse crap.
It is because of the JP broadcast. I agree that it is horse crap. I don't really understand it.

[taa455]

ACC Men's Basketball Officiating Crew Suspended


Suspension handed down to crew that worked Saturday's Florida State at Duke men's basketball game.

Feb. 6, 2006

ACC Coordinator of Men's Basketball Officials John Clougherty today announced the suspension of the officiating crew that worked Saturday's Florida State at Duke men's basketball game. The technical foul that was called on Florida State's Alexander Johnson in the second half of play should not have been assessed. The technical foul was Johnson's fifth foul and resulted in his disqualification from the contest.

Because of the incorrect assessment and handling of the dead ball technical foul situation, the officials that worked the contest will each be suspended for their next game.



Link: http://theacc.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/020606aaa.html


Hmmm...I wonder if UNC will shoot an unusually high number of free throws Tuesday night?

[Red Dog]

It is because of the JP broadcast. I agree that it is horse crap. I don't really understand it.


That is odd. I think it was in ESPNHD last year, but of course, those of us in ACC country got fucked because of the Raycom-JP broadcast.

[taa455]

That is odd. I think it was in ESPNHD last year, but of course, those of us in ACC country got fucked because of the Raycom-JP broadcast.
It was not in HD last year.

[Red Dog]

It was not in HD last year.


Hmm. I thought I remember being really pissed off because of an ESPN-HD blackout of the game.

Then I don't understand why the JP broadcast would prevent ESPN from doing an HD broadcast (albeit blacked out in ACC territory). What am I missing?

[taa455]

Hmm. I thought I remember being really pissed off because of an ESPN-HD blackout of the game.

Then I don't understand why the JP broadcast would prevent ESPN from doing an HD broadcast (albeit blacked out in ACC territory). What am I missing?
I don't know. Maybe ESPN chooses not to broadcast HD due the broadcast being blacked out in the primary geographic region of viewers. Knowing ESPN, I'm sure it's a financially motivated decision.

[Red Dog]

I don't know. Maybe ESPN chooses not to broadcast HD due the broadcast being blacked out in the primary geographic region of viewers. Knowing ESPN, I'm sure it's a financially motivated decision.

The ACC Tourney is scheduled for ESPN-HD (or 2-HD) broadcast despite the regional JP broadcast, so that can't be the reason.

[taa455]

Maybe ESPN and R/JP use the same video feed. Like I said, I'm just guessing. There's really no excuse for it. There is the Tenn-Kentucky game in HD just before it, so maybe that has some bearing on their decision.

[B.A.]

ESPN-HD is one of the biggest crock of shits in the television universe.

[Quake1028]

Updated Bracketology (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology?&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2).

Miami (FL) in as a 10 :up:
Bucknell in as an 11 :up:

#1 SEEDS
UCONN
Duke
Memphis
Texas

LAST FOUR IN
Southern Illinois
Cal
Nevada
Iowa State

LAST FOUR OUT
Florida State
Cincinnati
Virginia
Stanford

NEXT FOUR OUT
UNC Wilmington
Air Force
Temple
Xavier

[Josh H]

WVU as a 3 seed in there. :thumbsup:

[Josh H]

Cincy beat Louisville 74-68. Huge win for Cincy's tourney hopes, crushing blow for Louisville's (even for the big east tourney as the bottom 4 stay home).

[taa455]

Updated Bracketology (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology?&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2).

I don't understand the love for LSU. Why are they a #3 seed?

[Josh H]

Yeah, that's ridiculous, especially after their loss this weekend.

I get the hype of them as a dark horse team that could make a run, they've beat some good teams, and all their losses have been close and mostly to very good teams.

But know way are they a three seed. Right now they should be like a 7-10 seed.

[Red Dog]

The Zags seem to have a fair share of nail-biters in the WCC.

[Red Dog]

THIS WEEK IN THE ACC:

Tuesday, February 7
Virginia @ Maryland, RSN (XM 191) 7:00 PM
Duke @ North Carolina, RJ/ESPN (XM 192) 9:00 PM RJ TV Syndication

Wednesday, February 8
NC State @ Miami, ESPNU (XM 192) 7:00 PM
Boston College @ Wake Forest, ESPN2 (XM 191) 7:30 PM
Virginia Tech @ Clemson (XM 193) 7:30 PM

Thursday, February 9
Georgia Tech @ Florida State, ESPNU (XM 191) 7:00 PM

Saturday, February 11
Duke @ Maryland, CBS (XM 191) 1:00 PM
UNC Charlotte @ Wake Forest, ABC (XM 192) 3:30 PM
Virginia Tech @ Virginia, RJ* (XM 192) 8:00 PM
Clemson @ Boston College, RJ* (XM 193) 8:00 PM

Sunday, February 12
NC State @ Georgia Tech, RJ (XM 191) 1:00 PM
UMass @ Florida State, FSN (XM 192) 5:30 PM
North Carolina @ Miami, FSN (XM 191) 8:00 PM


STANDINGS:
Duke 9-0 1.000 21-1 .955
NC State 7-2 .778 18-4 .818
Miami 6-3 .667 14-8 .636
North Carolina 5-3 .625 14-5 .737
Boston College 5-4 .556 17-5 .773
Virginia 5-4 .556 11-8 .579
Maryland 4-4 .500 14-7 .667
Florida State 4-5 .444 13-6 .684
Clemson 3-6 .333 14-8 .636
Virginia Tech 2-7 .222 12-10 .545
Georgia Tech 2-7 .222 9-11 .450
Wake Forest 1-8 .111 12-10 .545

[Red Dog]

Must-win game for Maryland tonight.

[Red Dog]

I don't understand the love for LSU. Why are they a #3 seed?


Their RPI is 21, so that doesn't reflect a 3 either. Hey Insiders (fucking ESPN and their pay content -ohbfrank-) - what is Lunardi's explanation for it?

[WallyOPD]

Another squeaker for Gonzaga last night, and the announcers for that game were just terrible. I watched Morrison move pretty well without the ball and get himself open for a 3 point shot and the color man said something about how that's all you can ask for when guarding Morrison is make him take a tough and contested shot. A few minutes later they're showing a replay of it and he remarks about how great Morrison is because he can lose his man in traffic and get himself a wide open 3.

Then a foul was whistled on Errol Knight when he reached in trying for a steal and the play-by-play man went on for 10 to 15 seconds about how devastating this 4th foul on Morrison (who was about 5 feet away from the action) was before he realized it was on Knight.

Just little annoying errors like that throughout the game make me wish I could just watch the game with the crowd and game noises and no announcers.

[Red Dog]

Date, Time, and Network Assignments for the Bracket Buster TV matchups just announced:

Fri., Feb. 17
7 p.m. Albany at Virginia Commonwealth ESPNU
9 p.m. Akron at Nevada ESPNU

Sat., Feb. 18
Noon Bucknell at Northern Iowa ESPN2
Noon Buffalo at Iona ESPN360
12:30 p.m. Butler at Kent State ESPNU
2 p.m. Missouri State at Wisconsin-Milwaukee ESPN2
2:30 p.m. Northern Arizona at Western Kentucky ESPNU
4 p.m. Marist at Old Dominion ESPN2
6 p.m. Louisiana Tech at Southern Illinois ESPN2
8 p.m. George Mason at Wichita State ESPN2
8 p.m. Samford at Ohio ESPN360
10 p.m. Northwestern State at Utah State ESPNU
Midnight Fresno State at Creighton ESPN

__________

I hope the Creighton fans are nightowls.

[sjhoffm]

Another squeaker for Gonzaga last night...

Caught the first 8 minutes of the second half. It's a shame that conference isn't televised more (or at least more often for us East Coasters) because that was an exciting game. Morrison was definitely off last night...early in the second half he missed a wide open lay-up. You don't see that too often.

Hats off to the St. Mary's student body who were Cameron Crazie-like in their enthusiasm for the team.

[Jeremy517]

This just in...

The venom spewed in the ACC, indeed most of the nation, toward J.J. Redick is causing us to miss a rare player, Bomani Jones says.

How can we possibly miss him when ESPN channels are showing 22 Duke games this season, plus three games on other networks? :confused:

[Jeremy517]

Hats off to the St. Mary's student body who were Cameron Crazie-like in their enthusiasm for the team.

The game was at Gonzaga.

[edytwinky]

8 p.m. George Mason at Wichita State ESPN2

What a perfect time. Gives us Wichita people enough time to get some sleep in after a long Friday night.

We could really use that victory but even more important is our game against ranked Northern Iowa tonight.

[wildcatlh]

I do not like how this game is starting.

C'mon Heels.

[dick_grayson]

the UNC-Duke game isn't on in the dc area, for some reason. the onscreen guide says it's on, but espn has espn news going and the espn hd channel is black (gray).

[Josh H]

Must-win game for Maryland tonight.

And they get the much needed W. :thumbsup:

[RoyalTea]

the UNC-Duke game isn't on in the dc area, for some reason. the onscreen guide says it's on, but espn has espn news going and the espn hd channel is black (gray).upn 20

[taa455]

Galiant effort by the young Tar Heels, but Redick was too much. Hansbrough missing those two free throws was huge. They really needed Terry in there on that last possession. It sucks to lose, especially to dook, but it was nice to come back and lead by 5 after being down by 17 in the 2nd half.

[Nazgul]

Misery melts down and gets crushed by Baylor. 90-64 :(

Sorry, Quin. I'll miss you.

[B.A.]

J.J. finally had a great game against UNC. :beer:

I don't say this often, but a nice game by Dockery. McRoberts had a great game, too.

[WallyOPD]

Galiant effort by the young Tar Heels, but Redick was too much.

Not sure about that, he threw that one pass away and got stripped on the next possession (although the Heels couldn't hang onto it). For as much as he did with his shooting he almost cost Duke the game with those plays.

[sjhoffm]

J.J. finally had a great game against UNC. :beer:

I don't say this often, but a nice game by Dockery. McRoberts had a great game, too.

I reluctantly must agree with Wally above. Redick did have a great scoring game, but he made a variety of careless errors. Granted, the whole squad had too many turnovers, but Redick had a few at key moments, and if not for good placement by Paulus it may have cost the game.

Dockery played well although had a couple "frustration fouls"...not smart decisions by a senior player.
McRoberts finally had his coming out game, and that reverse slam was a play not often seen on this level.

[taa455]

I reluctantly must agree with Wally above. Redick did have a great scoring game, but he made a variety of careless errors. Granted, the whole squad had too many turnovers, but Redick had a few at key moments, and if not for good placement by Paulus it may have cost the game.

Your team would've been blown out without Redick, so I'd think twice before saying he almost cost you the game. I can't stand the guy, but he played an amazing game.


McRoberts finally had his coming out game, and that reverse slam was a play not often seen on this level.

Meh. It was an easy play. He was wide open and Dockery placed the ball in the perfect spot. McRoberts made some good plays, hit that 3 ptr, a couple of free throws. However, I wait until/if he becomes more consistent and until he has the pressure of trying to carry the team (ala Hansbrough) once Redick and SheWill are gone, before I can say he's "come out". I'd be concerned if I had the prospect of Paulus as my point guard for the next few years. He plays scared and has no jump shot. I wouldn't be surprised if they made an early exit from the NCAAs due to their rookie point guard. It's extremely rare to win many big games with such inexperience at the point. When the seniors are gone next year the dookie freshmen will be exposed.

[B.A.]

Who the fuck is Wally? :hscratch:


J.J. might have thrown the ball away a few times, but I think he had around four steals to help make up for those turnovers. Now it would have been nice to see him rack up an assist or two. ;)

Paulus needs to work on his shot w/out a doubt, but the boy can pass and drive to the hole. If he works on his shooting like a madman and matures a bit - he may just be the next Jason Williams.

:p


I was just happy to see that Hansborough was human last night.

[Adam Tyner]

Who the fuck is Wally? :hscratch:This guy (http://dvdtalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6765850&postcount=40).

[Red Dog]

Yeah, needless to say, notwithstanding a few errors down the stretch (and I think he got away with a late double-dribble), Duke would have been blown out without the Poet. He played an amazing game.


Meanwhile, Maryland gets their must-win, but it didn't look like they were going to get it on several occasions last night. Somebody also needs to knock Mike Jones upside the head for trying to make the SportsCenter Top-10 plays. -ohbfrank-

[Red Dog]

Good to see UNI beat Wichita State last night.

[WallyOPD]

Who the fuck is Wally? :hscratch:

:sad:

[WallyOPD]

Yeah, needless to say, notwithstanding a few errors down the stretch (and I think he got away with a late double-dribble), Duke would have been blown out without the Poet. He played an amazing game.

I was just surprised with his poor ballhandling at the end of the game and it did almost cost them the win. You're right though, without his amazing shooting and some of his key steals they wouldn't have even been in a position to blow a lead, so it can be forgiven.

[sjhoffm]

Meh. It was an easy play. He was wide open and Dockery placed the ball in the perfect spot. McRoberts made some good plays, hit that 3 ptr, a couple of free throws. However, I wait until/if he becomes more consistent and until he has the pressure of trying to carry the team (ala Hansbrough) once Redick and SheWill are gone, before I can say he's "come out". I'd be concerned if I had the prospect of Paulus as my point guard for the next few years. He plays scared and has no jump shot. I wouldn't be surprised if they made an early exit from the NCAAs due to their rookie point guard. It's extremely rare to win many big games with such inexperience at the point. When the seniors are gone next year the dookie freshmen will be exposed.

I stand at 5'10" and can barely knick the rim when I really get a good leap off the ground...so I don't know much about dunking. But that was a sick dunk. Alley-oop reverse jams are not easy, and he flushed it through well. The timing on any alley-oop is challenging, so saying it was an easy play is ridiculous.
I agree, he's lucky to not have to carry the team at this point. Hansbrough has no chance and is meeting the challenge very well. However, McRoberts is getting some great teaching from Williams and he's doing quite well considering he's playing out of position. He's a natural 5 playing the 4. He'll break out next year in a big way. 17 points in a tough environment and on a big stage is no small feat.

Paulus had 7 dimes though. He's not asked to score, and so his jumper isn't that crucial. He's currently the best free throw shooter on the team, and that's what you really want from the guy handling the ball. Plus Dockery is always a consistent point man if the situation became dire.

[sjhoffm]

J.J. might have thrown the ball away a few times, but I think he had around four steals to help make up for those turnovers. Now it would have been nice to see him rack up an assist or two. ;)


Box score has him having one assist. :)

[WallyOPD]

There was an interesting column in the Arizona Daily Star yesterday about the confusion and bandwagon bailing going on among Arizona fans during this rough year if anyone's interested in reading it. Supposedly there are even tickets available for this week's games against the Oregon schools.

http://azstarnet.com/sn/wildcats/114744

[Daryl]

from today's USAToday

ESPN plans to lavish attention on the North Carolina-Duke college basketball game March 4. As ESPN airs normal coverage, ESPN2 will show the game only from cameras above each rim; ESPNU will show split-screen coverage combining regular coverage with shots from a hand-held camera in the Duke student section; ESPN 360 will add lots of extra stats on its broadband coverage; and ESPN International sends the game to 120 countries. Still, this doesn't seem like enough.

[taa455]

I stand at 5'10" and can barely knick the rim when I really get a good leap off the ground...so I don't know much about dunking. But that was a sick dunk. Alley-oop reverse jams are not easy, and he flushed it through well. The timing on any alley-oop is challenging, so saying it was an easy play is ridiculous.
I agree, he's lucky to not have to carry the team at this point. Hansbrough has no chance and is meeting the challenge very well. However, McRoberts is getting some great teaching from Williams and he's doing quite well considering he's playing out of position. He's a natural 5 playing the 4. He'll break out next year in a big way. 17 points in a tough environment and on a big stage is no small feat.

Paulus had 7 dimes though. He's not asked to score, and so his jumper isn't that crucial. He's currently the best free throw shooter on the team, and that's what you really want from the guy handling the ball. Plus Dockery is always a consistent point man if the situation became dire.

Trust me, it was an easy dunk. Timing may be an issue on long alley-oop passes, but Dockery and McRoberts were only about 5 feet from each other. Like i said Dockery put the ball in the perfect location. Dockery did the hard part, not McRoberts. It was a nice dunk and McRoberts is a good player... I'm not denying that, although I haven't been overly impressed with him. Paulus is defintiely not the best free throw shooter on the team. I don't know where you got that. Yes, he had 7 assists (and 4 turnovers) but that is not a difficult feat when the team is shooting from the perimeter as well as they did. Paulus is definitely not the next Hurley (as some have made this comparison).

[sjhoffm]

Paulus is defintiely not the best free throw shooter on the team. I don't know where you got that. Yes, he had 7 assists (and 4 turnovers) but that is not a difficult feat when the team is shooting from the perimeter as well as they did. Paulus is definitely not the next Hurley (as some have made this comparison).

I wouldn't consider him Hurley either...yet. Maybe in two years or so, but at this point he hasn't had the opportunity to lead the team due to the fact that two All-Americans are there leading the charge.

His ability to slash to the hole and dish dimes (at his size) is encouraging though.

The free throw statistic was true after the Clemson game (when Redick missed 4). Paulus was at 89% and Redick fell to 87%.
Currently, Redick is still at 87% and after last nights game Paulus is up to 85%, making him the second best free-throw shooter on the squad.

[Josh H]

Great article on the rise of WVU basketball the past couple of years under Belein. Too long to post here so I'll just link in the off chance any of you guys give a shit. ;)

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2323119

[Tommy_Harn]

Why couldn't Reddick be like Jay Williams, and leave dook with a degree after three years? I can't wait to see him go, he absolutely killed Carolina with clutch shooting last night.

Paulus is pretty solid offensively, especially as a freshman. He runs their system well. But I see him as a potential liability on defense (even in another year or two), especially against the quicker points.

[Daryl]

BTW, did Quinn Snyder call his real estate agent yet? I gotta imagine he's gonna be moving out of Columbia sooner than later.

[Red Dog]

Did anyone see Bruce Pearl on PTI today. What a character - great interview - one of the best ones I've ever seen on PTI.

[Red Dog]

Bucknell keeps on rolling, as they cruise over American. They're now 19-3, 10-0, heading into their huge game at the Cross Saturday.

[Canadian Bacon]

Someone tell SEC refs that going over the back IS a foul!!!!
LSU's been doing it all night :mad: Down 6 at the half

[RoyalTea]

I don't get it.

espn: indiana-wisconsin - in SD
espn2: bc-wake forest - in HD

so, what do they show on ESPNHD? indiana-wisconsin in SD.

what a waste. I'd kinda like to watch the Ty Rice show in High-Def.

[Dr_Evil]

Bucknell keeps on rolling, as they cruise over American. They're now 19-3, 10-0, heading into their huge game at the Cross Saturday.

:banana::banana:

Big stretch come up for the Bison:

@Holy Cross
@Lafeyette
@Northern Iowa
Lehigh

[B.A.]

:sad::lol: Sorry, he said "Wally" when he quoted me so I didn't really know what the frick was going on.


_______________________________________________________

Back off, Coach K, for the good of the game

Feb. 8, 2006
By Gregg Doyel
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer


Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is a great coach, a great leader and a great endorser for American Express. But it's time for Coach K to be something greater.

A great man.

Krzyzewski has a passion and a love for college basketball, and for six days and 20 hours each week, he's a wonderful ambassador. But for those other four hours, his four most visible hours -- two for this game, two for that one -- he's awful. He's noxious. He is, in fact, an eroding influence on the sport he helped build.

Yes, I'm saying it: For four hours each week, Mike Krzyzewski is bad for college basketball.

The background is the ACC's one-game suspension of the officials who helped screw Florida State out of a win Saturday at Duke. Those officials gave a double technical to FSU center Alexander Johnson and Duke's Shelden Williams when only Williams deserved it. The technicals counted as personal fouls -- Johnson's fifth -- and he was disqualified with more than nine minutes left. Duke won 97-96 in overtime.

Did officials intentionally help Duke by intentionally hurting Florida State? No way. That call, that game -- Duke shot 41 free throws to Florida State's 11, even though FSU was attacking the basket -- wasn't evidence of a pro-Duke conspiracy. Anyone who believes otherwise should leave. We've got a bigger issue to address than your favorite fable.

The blown technical wasn't the problem, but a symptom. Other symptoms were late pro-Duke calls involving Williams' physical post defense -- first against Boston College's Tyrese Rice, then FSU's Todd Galloway -- that helped Duke win games last week.

Again, those are symptoms -- but not the sickness. However, in a strange and potentially fortunate twist, the cold and the cure are one and the same: Mike Krzyzewski.

Krzyzewski is the problem, but he's also the fix.

This has to be a collaborative effort, solving the officiating issues that taint Duke games. And Duke games have definitely become tainted. Along with J.J. Redick's jumper, the impact of officiating is a major storyline whenever Duke plays. And that, people, is terrible for the game.

And that, people, is Krzyzewski's fault. Watch him from start to finish. Watch him work the officials. Watch him spew and curse and sneer. It's ugly.

Not that ugly is the problem. Most coaches work officials. Gary Williams looks deranged. Jim Boeheim looks ill. Karl Hobbs looks persecuted. But Krzyzewski is different: He's Krzyzewski.

Name the five most powerful people in basketball. Coach K has to be on that list. He's the head coach of the NCAA's top program over the past 25 years; he's the head coach of the next U.S. Olympic team; he could be the head coach of any NBA team he wanted, most recently the Los Angeles Lakers. He's enormous.

Game officials? They're human. They spend two hours getting worked over by Krzyzewski, and like a boxer absorbing gut punches for 14 rounds, the impact is crushing. It has to be. Krzyzewski is an immortal. Officials aren't.

For two hours twice a week, Krzyzewski preys on that stuff. That's how the FSU-Duke officials buckled and gave Johnson a bad technical. That's how two straight 50-50 calls in the final seconds went Duke's way against Boston College and then FSU. Coach K spends two hours winning those two seconds.

Krzyzewski says things, abominable things, that other coaches can't. Listen to him. Read his lips. Coach K gets away with it because he's Coach K. Need a reminder? Read the floor at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Krzyzewski, who wouldn't be made available for comment, has become what he once despised -- a latter-day Dean Smith. On Jan. 21, 1984, after uneven officiating cost Duke a win against Smith's North Carolina dynasty, Krzyzewski unloaded in his postgame news conference.

"I want to tell you something," he said. "... You cannot allow people to go around pointing at officials and yelling at them without technicals being called. That is just not allowed. So let's get some things straight around here and quit the double standard that exists in this league, all right?"

Good idea then, and good idea now. But it can't start with officials. They've been pushed around too long, too mercilessly, by the biggest bully on the block. They're not going to stand up to Krzyzewski now.

It's up to Krzyzewski to make the first move. To pipe down. To back off. He has become the biggest star in his universe, and it takes a great man to build that base of power.

But it takes a small man to wield it the wrong way.

[B.A.]

Wow - Northwestern held court against Iowa in Evanston.

[Josh H]

UCONN killed Syracuse.

NC State beat Miami in Double OT.

LSU beats Arkansas by 1.

[taa455]

UCONN killed Syracuse.

NC State beat Miami in Double OT.

LSU beats Arkansas by 1.
Also...

South Carolina beats Florida.

Wisconsin beats Indiana.

Texas A&M beats Colorado.

[MrX]

Wisconsin beats Indiana.

Time for Mike Davis to start packing his bags as well.

[Josh H]

Can't wait for WVU @ Pitt tonight!

[B.A.]

There's no doubt: Snyder must go
By Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Feb. 08 2006

We're witnessing something of historic proportions: the most humiliating
stretch of Missouri basketball in 40 years.

Quin Snyder's once-promising coaching regime has collapsed in the final weeks
of his employment at Mizzou. The Tigers have lost six consecutive games by an
average of 18.1 points. The futility is staggering.

Sure, there have been longer losing streaks. Norm Stewart-coached teams lost
eight in a row in 1973-74, dropped seven consecutive games in 1978-79 and had
another 0-7 skid as recently as 1992-1993. But those teams had pride and
competed. Those players didn't quit on Stewart. They may have lost games, but
many of the defeats were close. Unlike what we're watching now, there were no
signs of surrender.

It hasn't been this pathetic for Mizzou basketball since the 1965-66 season,
when coach Bob Vanatta's squad lost 12 consecutive games by an average of 19.9
points. Vanatta's 1966-67 team also lost 12 in a row, but by 12 points on
average.

When Snyder arrived in Columbia, the hope and the belief were that he'd elevate
the program by adding NCAA Tournament success onto Stewart's sturdy history of
regular-season achievement.

Instead, Snyder has taken the program back down to the level of Bob Vanatta.

In his last two seasons as coach, Vanatta lost 43 of 49 games. Obviously,
Snyder's record over the last two years (26-28) isn't as hideous, but it can be
argued that the embarrassment is just as severe, because the expectations were
so high, and Snyder did manage to take the Tigers on a run to the NCAA
Tournament's Elite Eight in 2002. But Mizzou basketball has been in steady
decline since then; in the latest RPI simulation, Mizzou is ranked No. 128 in
the nation, just a notch above Holy Cross.

Clearly, this team has quit on Snyder. We don't need to hear false testimony of
players who insist they still want to play hard for their coach; our eyes can
see the truth. Tuesday's lazy, 90-64 loss to young but hungry Baylor was
disgraceful. The Tigers barely offered resistance on the defensive end, the
offense consisted of the usual pickup-game chaos, and temperamental players
yapped at officials. It's a complete breakdown in all phases.

Tigers fans are ashamed of their program. And they're making it known at the
box office; the Tigers are averaging only 8,200 fans at home. That's
unthinkable, considering the extensive string of sellouts under Stewart, and
the appeal of a new arena that was built to represent the new golden age of
Mizzou basketball.

This must end.

Now.

This is no different from a boxing match, where an overwhelmed fighter is so
beaten down, bloodied and wobbled that it's cruel for him to continue and
absorb more punishment. That's when the referee usually intervenes and stops
the fight.

And Mizzou has reached that stage with Snyder.

Wednesday, I spoke to Missouri director of athletics Mike Alden. And though
Alden was reserved and diplomatic in his comments, his frustration is obvious.
Alden realizes that as long as he stays with Snyder, the more he'll be
splattered with mud. The longer Alden sticks with Snyder, Alden puts his own
reputation on the line. And more fans will be calling for Alden's ouster as
well.

But Alden won't fire Snyder before season's end. According to Alden, Snyder
will finish this one out.

"Certainly we're disappointed by the performance of the team, and we're
especially disappointed by the recent losses," Alden said. "Hopefully, we'll
win some games and finish strong. But it's been my policy to let our coaches in
all sports complete their seasons, and at the end of the season, we evaluate
the performance. We do that every season. And we'll do it this time."

Alden should make an exception in this case.

But if he won't, then Snyder should do the right thing and resign.

Snyder is gone at the end of the season, and surely he knows this. Just listen
to his weekly radio show. As the Kansas City Star described it, on a recent
show host Mike Kelly asked Snyder how the coach planned to keep everyone up.

Snyder's response: "(Expletive), I'm down."

And that was before Mizzou got thumped by losses to Texas, Texas Tech and
Baylor.

So what is the point of Snyder staying?

Short of a Norman Dale miracle, Snyder has no chance to keep his job - and this
won't be a sequel to "Hoosiers." Most fans and alums have turned their backs on
him, and the players don't care. Snyder's doomed status as their coach makes
the situation worse. Until Snyder goes, he is the story, and the story won't go
away, and the story is growing heavier and nastier by the day. This team has to
be feeling the weight of Snyder's burden.

Each day that Snyder stays on is one less day that Mizzou has to start
repairing the damage. And the sooner Snyder leaves, the sooner Mizzou can begin
the healing process.

Snyder has been given every fair opportunity to succeed - from multiple
contract extensions to a generous recruiting budget, to the new arena, to the
support of a Mizzou administration hit with criticism for staying the course
after the Ricky Clemons fiasco, NCAA violations, and official NCAA sanctions.

And now Snyder owes the university something in return: a letter of resignation.

[taa455]

...

Krzyzewski, who wouldn't be made available for comment, has become what he once despised -- a latter-day Dean Smith. On Jan. 21, 1984, after uneven officiating cost Duke a win against Smith's North Carolina dynasty, Krzyzewski unloaded in his postgame news conference.

"I want to tell you something," he said. "... You cannot allow people to go around pointing at officials and yelling at them without technicals being called. That is just not allowed. So let's get some things straight around here and quit the double standard that exists in this league, all right?"

...


K said that? -eek-

[Daryl]

WTF?! Ohio State is 12-16 from three... in the first half! That's AFTER starting 1 of 4.

[Josh H]

Terrible 1st half in Pittsburgh.

WVU only makes 6 field goals in the half (only had 3 at the 2 minute mark) and it's tied at 21 at the break. :lol:

If pitt loses, they'll kick themselves for not building a lead in the first 15 minutes when WVU couldn't buy a bucket (only got up by 7).

[Dr_Evil]

If WVU shoots well at all in the 2nd half they should win this.

[WallyOPD]

Arizona keeps their fading NCAA hopes alive by edging out a home win over a really bad Oregon team.

[Josh H]

That was one of the worst basketball games I've ever watched. WVU shoots 35% from the field, 22% from three, and 69% from the line and Pitt only wins by 4 at home, 57-53. -rolleyes-

All I can say is WVU will have a long bus ride tonight, but Pitt will have one on the 27th. WVU won't shoot that poorly again and Pittsnogle won't go scoreless again.

I hope WVU shoots better on Sunday against G-town as I have tickets and they need their absolute A game as well as the Hoyas are playing right now.

[Josh H]

ESPN.com Power Rankings

1 Seeds:

UCONN
Duke
Memphis
Texas

2 seeds:

Villanova
West Virginia
Gonzaga
Michigan State

3 seeds:

George Washington
Illinois
Tennessee
Florida

4 Seeds:

Pitt
UCLA
NC State
Kansas

[Josh H]

CNNSI.com power rankings

1. UCONN
2. Duke
3. Texas
4. Memphis
5. West Virginia
6. Villanova
7. Tennessee
8. Gonzaga
9. George Washington
10. Illinois
11. Michigan State
12. Florida
13. UCLA
14. Georgetown
15. NC State
16. Pitt

[taa455]

ESPN.com Power Rankings
4 Seeds:

Pitt
UCLA
NC State
Kansas
Kansas a 4 seed!? rotfl

[Red Dog]

At least for one night, we weren't subjected to _____ got Pittsnogled.

[Red Dog]

Kansas a 4 seed!? rotfl


No shit. 45th in the RPI and 2-3 vs the RPI Top-50. :lol:

[MrX]

Quin Synder has resigned from his job at Mizzou effective immediately:(

[WallyOPD]

From espn.com:

"Snyder Steps Down At Missouri
Quin Snyder's up-and-down tenure at Missouri is over. ESPN has learned that Snyder has resigned as men's basketball coach after six-plus seasons. Assistant coach Melvin Watkins will take over the 10-11 squad."

[WallyOPD]

Damn you MrX!

[Josh H]

The first "bubble watch" is out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bubblewatch?id=11

[WallyOPD]

Arizona [14-9 (7-5), RPI: 21, SOS: 3] Huge two-point win over Oregon really could be the difference. Cats now probably only need three of the last six to be sure. Nine Ws may even be enough with the very strong computer numbers.

That's more optimistic than I am, that would mean beating ASU, OSU, and WSU at home while losing to Washington at home and getting swept by the Bay Area schools. That would put them at 17-10 (10-8 in a pretty weak conference) and 4-6 in their last 10 games. I suppose their SOS and RPI might be enough to overcome their record (and the fact that they're just not very good) but I was figuring they would need to go 5-1 in these final 6 games to make sure they get in.

[MrX]

According to Vitale, Snyder failed at Mizzou because he cares too much:lol:

Missouri, Snyder both have chance to move on
Dick Vitale
SPECIAL TO ESPN.COM

Feb. 10, 2006

Obviously, one cannot be shocked with what transpired at Missouri. It has been a soap opera there. There has been no bigger supporter of Quin Snyder than yours truly.

It was by mutual agreement between the school and Snyder that he leave his position. Snyder thought it was best to step down immediately so the kids would not be caught up with the constant questioning of his status.

I have followed his career from his collegiate days as a player at Duke and observed him very closely in his role as an assistant under one of the great teachers of all time, Mike Krzyzewski. If there was one guy who, in my heart, was going to be a star in the coaching profession, it was Snyder.

Why did I feel that way? I loved his passion, enthusiasm and excitement for the game that we all love. I admired his outstanding communication skills and his boyish charm that seemed to be a natural for dealing with the modern-day athlete.

Why did this situation deteriorate? It is very simple: Quin, like many coaches -- including yours truly when I was working the sideline on the collegiate level at Detroit -- feels he can change any kid who might have a problem.

Quin's recruitment of Ricky Clemons, a player with a checkered past, created a nightmare. The Tigers, Snyder and his staff couldn't recover from all the negativity that transpired during Clemons' days on the Missouri campus. The coach and staff did not use good judgment in the evaluation process, but one has to understand the heart and the caring that come from within Quin's personality. He genuinely felt he could make Clemons a better player and better person as well.

The snowball effect with the dismantling of assistant coaches by the administration over the chaos created by the Clemons situation became too much to handle.

Obviously, the success of any program is dictated by recruiting, and this could not be an asset in the battles that take place.

Missouri will move on as Melvin Watkins, who coached at Charlotte and Texas A&M, will take over. Quin has a chance now to start with a clean slate in a different situation.

Snyder, I firmly believe, will learn from this experience as he is extremely bright, possesses a law degree and, let me tell you, the cream will rise. Nothing has changed in my belief that he can make it on the coaching sideline. He has knowledge, personality, work ethic and -- just like so many in the past who had to bounce back when hit with adversity -- I believe his training under Coach K at Duke and working in this tough, tough situation will have him prepared when the opportunity presents itself.

It is always sad to see someone you admire and respect have to deal with the pressure of trying to survive in this competitive coaching environment. Believe me, I know what he is going through mentally as I will never forget Nov. 8, 1979, when the Pistons' owner, Bill Davidson, knocked on my door and gave me the ziggy.

Snyder will find out who his genuine friends and supporters are now. You start questioning everything you have done, but as in my case and many others, Quin will say it is a small part of life.
http://sports.espn.go.com/dickvitale/060210%20Vitaleonquinsnyder.html

[Josh H]

Yeah, cares too much. -rolleyes-

He cares too much about winning, so he recruits any thug as long as they're a highly touted baller.

Bob Huggins and many other coaches do the same thing.

[MrX]

Mike Davis not coaching Indiana today.

Public reports are he's out sick but over on peegs they are saying he's resigned.

[Red Dog]

Dammit. I didn't hear about Davis being out until a few seconds before tip. Had I known sooner, I would have bet Iowa.

[wildcatlh]

According to Vitale, Snyder failed at Mizzou because he cares too much:lol:


http://sports.espn.go.com/dickvitale/060210%20Vitaleonquinsnyder.html

One questions whether Vitale would've written such a puff piece if Snyder wasn't part of the Coach K lineage.

[Red Dog]

They must have an on-court mike right near a very vocal Maryland fan. :lol:

I like the Maryland defensive strategy - make anyone other than the Poet beat you. Unfortunately, the rest of the Duke team has stepped up. For future opponents, I still think a box & 1 vs Duke might prove effective.

[MrX]

Another K disciple having a great day.

Michigan is losing at Purdue by 25 with 10 minutes left:lol:

[Red Dog]

Nice close-out to the half for the Terps.

[Red Dog]

Meanwhile Indiana has hung around enough to cut it to 2 with 27 secs left.

[Red Dog]

Michigan is losing at Purdue by 25 with 10 minutes left:lol:


Wow. I didn't even think about throwing that up on Full Court since I figured it would be a blowout the other way.

[Red Dog]

Indiana had a chance to tie it at the end with a trey - got a good look, but hit back iron. I give them credit for coming back after being down double digits for much of the game.

[Josh H]

Hope the Terps can keep this up and at least keep it close. It's not a must win for their tourney hopes (though a win would all but seal the deal) but it is a must "not get blown out."

Another big loss here would be crushing.

[Red Dog]

Hope the Terps can keep this up and at least keep it close. It's not a must win for their tourney hopes (though a win would all but seal the deal) but it is a must "not get blown out."

Another big loss here would be crushing.


Not really.

They don't have anything to lose this game. A win would be huge. A loss is a loss, no matter what the spread. Heck, their RPI should go up just by playing the game.

Their season comes down to winning their 2 remaining home games, and then, in all likelihood, 2 more games.

[Josh H]

The selection process is very subjective. If you show you can't play with the top teams in the country (and have really huge quality wins, no good road/netural wins) you're chances of getting in are pretty shitty.

A loss is definitely not a loss when it's people sitting at a table deciding who gets in and who stays home, IMO.

For instance, LSU will probably get a higher seed than their number of losses would indicate, just because their losses were to very good (and excellent) teams by very narrow margins.

[Red Dog]

This is just one game, unlike your LSU example (which has a number of such losses). It is extremely unlikely that a close loss vs a blowout would make a difference to Maryland's tourney chances.

[Red Dog]

St Joes leads GW by 8 at the half. I'd love to see that hold up.

[Red Dog]

Florida picks up a big win over LSU.

[Josh H]

This is just one game, unlike your LSU example (which has a number of such losses). It is extremely unlikely that a close loss vs a blowout would make a difference to Maryland's tourney chances.

I was just pointing out that in addition to quality wins, the selection committee also considers "good losses."

A blow out is never a good loss, and close game against a top team is.

As such, with the final margin, it will make no difference one way or the other, neither a bad loss or a "good loss." Just a game that will have little effect other than perhaps raising Maryland's RPI.

At any rate, I don't care much this year. If MD is a 7 seed or lower, they probably won't get out of the first round, and if a higher seed they won't get further than the second anyway. The team just doesn't play well together, lacks a good point guard, and really doesn't have any consistency on offense aside from Caner-Medley (and even he has too many off games).

Hopefully they'll be better next year when WVU will suck and I'll have more incentive to follow MD more closely. :D

[Red Dog]

St Joes leads GW by 8 at the half. I'd love to see that hold up.


So much for that.

[WallyOPD]

I'd like to know who was out there today wearing Arizona's uniforms. Radenovic scoring a career high with aggressive and effective interior play? Hassan Adams finding open teammates and actually hitting them with passes instead of throwing it out of bounds? Daniel Dillon coming off the bench and running the point, driving the lane more successfully than any Wildcat has all year?

Most fun I've had watching an Arizona game since the win at Washington.

[Red Dog]

Damn - GW holds on to win by 2.

[Red Dog]

Looks like the cellar dwellers of the B10 are getting their revenge today. First Purdue spanks Michigan. Minny beats MSU by double digits. Now we'll see how PSU does vs Wisconsin.

[Red Dog]

YES! Bucknell comes back from double digits in the 2nd half to win at the Cross by 5. :banana: They're now 7-3 when trailing at the half, all 7 wins coming on the road.

Thank goodness for Chuck Lee.

They run their record to 20-3, 11-0 PL. That 11-0 ties the best start in PL history.

[MrX]

Kentucky loses to Vandy

UK now 5-5 in a shitty SEC and 15-9 overall. The way they are going they are going to have to win the SEC tourney to get in to the tournament.

[Red Dog]

Looks like the cellar dwellers of the B10 are getting their revenge today. First Purdue spanks Michigan. Minny beats MSU by double digits. Now we'll see how PSU does vs Wisconsin.


Well despite being down at the half, Wisconsin will stem the tide.

[Dr_Evil]

YES! Bucknell comes back from double digits in the 2nd half to win at the Cross by 5. :banana: They're now 7-3 when trailing at the half, all 7 wins coming on the road.

Thank goodness for Chuck Lee.

They run their record to 20-3, 11-0 PL. That 11-0 ties the best start in PL history.

:banana::banana:

Huge win in probably their biggest game of the season thus far as far as what it meant to win/lose the game. Charles Lee was out of his mind today. I can't recall a better game from him in all his years at Bucknell.

They have a good chance of breaking into the AP top 25 next week with some of the losses for teams in the rankings this week. Could add a little more to an already huge game with UNI if they are both ranked. They can't overlook Lafeyette though, taking care of the league is the most important thing.

[Dr_Evil]

Teams Unbeaten In Conference Play:
Bucknell
Duke
George Washington
Gonzaga
Memphis
Penn

[Red Dog]

Breaking into the AP rankings is quite likely to happen. I'm torn on the ranking deal. While it would be great for the kids and give the program something to beat their chest about, I don't like the timing of it. I'm already afraid they'll be looking ahead of Lafayette Wednesday to UNI on Saturday. Getting a ranking might make things worse. Since the rankings really don't mean jack, I'd almost rather have them get snubbed - it will fire them up for this critical week.

Then if they win these next 2 games, I would be far more comfortable with them breaking into the rankings going into a less daunting week: home games vs Lehigh and Army.

[Red Dog]

BTW, I'm scouting UNI tonight on FCS-Central (vs Missouri State). ;)

[Dr_Evil]

Breaking into the AP rankings is quite likely to happen. I'm torn on the ranking deal. While it would be great for the kids and give the program something to beat their chest about, I don't like the timing of it. I'm already afraid they'll be looking ahead of Lafayette Wednesday to UNI on Saturday. Getting a ranking might make things worse. Since the rankings really don't mean jack, I'd almost rather have them get snubbed - it will fire them up for this critical week.

Then if they win these next 2 games, I would be far more comfortable with them breaking into the rankings going into a less daunting week: home vs Lehigh and a road trip to Army.

I actually haven't seen them play this year. They looked strong against Wisconsin in the tournament last year. They reminded me a lot of Bucknell with better outside shooting.

[MrX]

UNI's coach is rumored to be one of the frontrunners for the Missouri job so they might be distracted as well.

[Red Dog]

I actually haven't seen them play this year. They looked strong against Wisconsin in the tournament last year. They reminded me a lot of Bucknell with better outside shooting.


BTW - keep in mind that Seton Hall is playing UConn right now. Should they knock off UConn, they could very well vault over Bucknell for taking down #1.

[Red Dog]

UNI's coach is rumored to be one of the frontrunners for the Missouri job so they might be distracted as well.


Why couldn't Mizzou wait to dump Snyder another week. ;)

[Red Dog]

BTW - keep in mind that Seton Hall is playing UConn right now. Should they knock off UConn, they could very well vault over Bucknell for taking down #1.


Well no need to concern ourselves with that. They're down 40 right now. :lol:

Meanwhile, UNI is down 6 to Mizzou St with under 4 to play.

[Daryl]

Wow. I didn't even think about throwing that up on Full Court since I figured it would be a blowout the other way.
Michigan is not good enough to win ANY B10 road game with 2 of their 3 best players on the bench with injuries (and 2 other injured guys in their 9 man rotation). I don't think they can win at home against Minnesota either unless we get really healthy really quickly. Too bad, because this would have easily been a 3 game win streak without the injuries.

[dick_grayson]

I have some "interest" in the Gonzaga - Stanford game. Things need to turn around a good bit in the second half. -pray-

[Red Dog]

Damn. UNI loses by 3.

Mizzou St did their best to hand the game to UNI in the last 30 seconds too.

[Dr_Evil]

Anyone see the pee-wee highlight during the Gonzaga game? Cool highlight, but the kid took at least 4 steps on that half court shot. :lol:

[Jeremy517]

I have some "interest" in the Gonzaga - Stanford game. Things need to turn around a good bit in the second half. -pray-

I think Gonzaga is 2-8 ATS at home this year.

The fact they don't play defense hurts too.

[Red Dog]

Anyone see the pee-wee highlight during the Gonzaga game? Cool highlight, but the kid took at least 4 steps on that half court shot. :lol:


Are you sure it wasn't an NBA highlight? ;)

[Dr_Evil]

Are you sure it wasn't an NBA highlight? ;)

Well the team names were the Spurs and the Clippers.

[Red Dog]

Stanford +8 pays. :thumbsup:


I have some "interest" in the Gonzaga - Stanford game. Things need to turn around a good bit in the second half. -pray-

Sorry dude.

This was only the 2nd bet I've made so far this season, and coincidentally enough, both were against the Zags (previously won with Memphis over the Zags). That line just didn't make sense. I've watched a lot of Gonzaga over the last month and they haven't looked that good; barely pulling out wins. Plus they haven't played anyone decent in about 6 weeks. Meanwhile, Stanford has playing their best ball of the season (by far) the last few weeks.

[Dr_Evil]

Stanford +8 pays. :thumbsup:




Sorry dude.

This was only the 2nd bet I've made so far this season, and coincidentally enough, both were against the Zags (previously won with Memphis over the Zags). That line just didn't make sense. I've watched a lot of Gonzaga over the last month and they haven't looked that good; barely pulling out wins. Plus they haven't played anyone decent in about 6 weeks. Meanwhile, Stanford has playing their best ball of the season (by far) the last few weeks.

I got greedy and took Stanford on the moneyline. :( I thought they had a legit chance at winning, and they did. Oh well.

[Red Dog]

I got greedy and took Stanford on the moneyline. :( I thought they had a legit chance at winning, and they did. Oh well.


I'm lucky. I would have done that too but my books didn't offer it.

[Red Dog]

I think Gonzaga is 2-8 ATS at home this year.

The fact they don't play defense hurts too.


Actually, they are now 2-12 ATS at home. One could have made a fortune simply betting against them in all their home games.

This was also Stanford's 9th straight cover.

[dick_grayson]

oh well.....it's was only a fin anyway.

[Quake1028]

Updated Bracketology:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

Miami moves up to a #9 seed after their close loss to NC State, but facing Kentucky in the first round and being UCONN fodder in the 2nd.
Bucknell gets shifted to the Oakland region as a #11 seed.
Maryland as a #10 seed against Indiana.
Arizona as a #12 seed against Ohio State.

#1 Seeds
UCONN
Duke
Memphis
Texas

LAST FOUR IN
Arizona
UNC Wilmington
UAB
Stanford

LAST FOUR OUT
Iowa State
Cincinnati
Colorado
Arkansas

NEXT FOUR OUT
Xavier
Florida State
UNLV
Charlotte

[edytwinky]

Huge night for the Shockers. Big win against Indiana State, with a Creighton and Northen Iowa loss tonight that puts four teams in a 4-way tie for 1st in the Missouri Valley.

Anybody know what the tie-breakers are in a conference?

[Dr_Evil]

I believe tiebreakers are head-to-head record (which becomes round robin with more than two teams), and then RPI. So as of right now*:

Rank Team Record RPI
1. UNI 3-2 14
2. Creighton 3-2 19
3. Southern Illinois 3-2 34
4. Wichita State 1-4 23

*Records as of Saturday, RPI as of Friday so this could change

EDIT: After consulting the MVC rule book the second tie breaker is not RPI but a power rating developed from results of conference action. It looks time consuming to calculate (it takes into account rank in conference for every game so lots of calculations) so I'm not going to do it, but here is the link if you feel like it. Section 4.2.4. http://www.mvc.org/manual/mbb.pdf

[MrX]

Updated Bracketology:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

If that was the real bracket they could cancel all the games on the left side and just have UConn and Duke play right away.

[JesseCuster]

Tennessee takes out Georgia in Athens for their longest conference win streak since the 1981-1982 season. UT's Chris Lofton lights up the Bulldogs for 33 points with 9 three pointers. With LSU's loss today, UT is in sole control of the SEC at 9-1. They're also #2 in the RPI. They would have to win out but a #1 seed is astonishingly within reach. I say astonishing because this is very nearly the same team, minus the number 1 scorer and top rebounder last year, that went 14-17 last season. They were picked by anyone and everyone to be dead last in the SEC East this year.

[MrX]

So Mike Davis was too sick to show up at the game yesterday and coach but had enough energy to be interviewed by ESPN and blame the fans for all of IU's problems:lol:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=2327443

[edytwinky]

Thanks Dr. Evil.

Guess we gotta step it up. Big game tuesday against Creighton!

[Red Dog]

Fortunately, UNI only slipped to 19th in the RPI - so it will still give a nice little boost to Bucknell's falling SOS. Bucknell moved up 4 spots to 38. That top-40 is key since only once since they started using it, has a top-40 RPI team not gotten an at-large bid.



Rank Team Record RPI
1. UNI 3-2 14
2. Creighton 3-2 19
3. Southern Illinois 3-2 34
4. Wichita State 1-4 23


The updated RPIs are:

19
29
23
22

....respectively

[Josh H]

Thankfully the snow is over and I will be able to get to the WVU-Georgetown game with no problems.

Got 11 inches here in Wheaton, MD, oddly they got 21" inches a little further north in the Columbia area, and my sister in law has been without power since 2 a.m. which isn't good since they have a 3 month old.

[Red Dog]

This GT performance came out of nowhere.

[das Monkey]

• Red Dog •

This GT performance came out of nowhere.
More like the officials' performance. Nothing like home court advantage in the ACC. Thanks for the win, zebras. :up:

das

[Red Dog]

Who's shit-for-brains #11 for the Wolfpack?

[edytwinky]

A 22 RPI for Wichita State. It's still going to be tight with our next two games against Creighton and the bracket-buster against George Mason. We need to pick up at least one of these victories and then win out against Drake and Illinois State.

[Quake1028]

Canes trying to make a game of it against UNC. Down 5 with 5 minutes to play.

[Quake1028]

UNC pulls away :(. Not good for UM.

[Red Dog]

I am far more impressed with what Roy Williams has done this year than what he did last year.

[Quake1028]

Same.

What do you think about UM's tourney chances? I pretty much think they have to win their last 3 games, since I don't see them beating Duke or BC on the road. Any slips in the last 3 games and they will have to win at least 3 in the ACC tournament I think. The game at Maryland on 3/1 could be an NCAA tournament eliminator.

[Red Dog]

9 wins is seemingly the magic number for ACC teams, historically, so you would think 3 more wins. However, that RPI is still pretty low though, so 9 may not be enough, unless they win an additional game in the tourney OR beat BC or Duke on the road as part of the 3.

[Quake1028]

Yeah, we are pretty much thinking along the same exact lines.

[Josh H]

Huge road win for WVU, beating Georgetown 69-56. Pittsnogle bounded back from his terrible game at Pitt with 25 tonight.

Glad WVU had their off game this week during the one I wasn't attending. :D

There were a hell of a lot of WVU fans there, probably 30% or so of the crowd and where louder than the G-town fans at times.

Should keep them from dropping in the polls and bracketolgy. Another big game at Seton Hall tuesday, and then the showdown at home against UCONN on Saturday.