Season Officially Underway

[xubrew]

I don't know what compelled Eastern Washington schedule a game at 8am local time other than wanting to be the first official game of the season. They're playing Texas Southern. Neither team is likely to get anywhere close to the bubble, but both are expected to be two of the better teams in their leagues, so I guess it could be worse. And, for a few short hours, the winner of this game will be kings of college basketball. Then...the other games will start...

http://www.americaonesports.com/bigskyplayer.asp?aptid=41

[GoMuskies]

I don't know what compelled Eastern Washington schedule a game at 8am local time other than wanting to be the first official game of the season. They're playing Texas Southern. Neither team is likely to get anywhere close to the bubble, but both are expected to be two of the better teams in their leagues, so I guess it could be worse. And, for a few short hours, the winner of this game will be kings of college basketball. Then...the other games will start...

http://www.americaonesports.com/bigskyplayer.asp?aptid=41

Chris Thomas!

[fellahmuskie]

Chris Thomas!

I lost track of that guy, had no idea everything fell apart for him after de-committing from us.

[bobbiemcgee]

TS got hammered 86-62. Thomas 5/15 - 16 pts.

[xubrew]

Okay, so it's hard to tell who's good this early in the year. But, you can quickly point out some of the teams that are bad.

DePaul had to sweat out a win at home against a really bad UIC team.

Saint Joe's, who I thought would be decent and still may turn out to be, lost at home to Fairleigh Dickinson. FDU had a lot of new players, so you don't know THAT much about them, but no one was expecting them to do much by NEC standards. But, they won at Joe's.

We all knew George Mason was bad, and that when it comes to sucking, the ultimate poster child is their coach. Tonight, they lost to Cornell. Cornell is pretty much the undisputed worst team in a bad league. But, they beat Paul Hewitt's team tonight. Mason has bad players that are poorly coached. Other than that, they're pretty good.

UMKC won at Missouri, which was kind of a surprise. Mizzou isn't the best team, but they usually are a home court hero. And...

You know what, HOW THE HELL DO YOU LOSE TO CORNELL?? I mean...that's.....just....

Just cancel the rest of the season. Give up. There really is no point.

[xu82]

Okay, so it's hard to tell who's good this early in the year.

Apparently it's not us! Fox Sports South just spent several minutes discussing who would win the Big East and who would be the surprise teams.... and the "X" word was never mentioned! Time to do some sneaking up on people!!!

[xubrew]

Tonight is the first night that really feels like hoops is in full swing.

We had Miami come from behind on the road to beat Florida. There were a lot of questions about the Canes. They answered a lot of them tonight. While that was going on, Drexel and Saint Joe's were in a seesaw battle, Winthrop was in the process of upsetting Clemson, UCSB, who some speculated might be good enough to land inside the bubble, lost in overtime at FGCU, and UMKC was following up their win at Mizzou by leading at K State for most of the first half. That's still going on and it appears to be slipping away from them, but still a good showing from a team no one expected much out of.

When you have five good games happening at the same time, it now feels like basketball season. And, again these are notable games because this is how those "one bid leagues" can avoid being one bid leagues. November basketball is more important than I think most people realize. March does not just fall out of the sky. Things this happen this early can play a huge factor.

[GoMuskies]

Chris Thomas led Texas Southern to a respectable cover in Bloomington tonight.

[kyxu]

Colorado dropped future opponent Auburn, 90-59. Yikes

[X-band '01]

Don't sweat Auburn too much. They get all their creampuffs at the end of the season (with games at Florida and Kentucky mixed in).

[BMoreX]

SF Austin up 12 on Northern Iowa right now on ESPN2.

[X-band '01]

They're going OT. SFA's home winning streak is still alive for another 5 minutes.

[X-band '01]

SFA needs to take a page out of Saint Joe's book and give a scholarship to their mascot. The Lumberjack looks totally bad-ass.

[BMoreX]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN
Nice road win for Northern Iowa in overtime over Stephen F. Austin. Will be interesting to see if Panthers can push Wichita in the Valley.

[GoMuskies]

That's too bad. I would have much rather had SFA coming in here after winning that game rather than losing it. Oh well.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Jeff Van Gundy said on Mike and Mike this morning that if all of the top 10 teams had to play Northern Iowa or SFA once that both of those teams would get 3 wins. I think he must have been announcing the game but he was hyping both teams pretty hard.

[GoMuskies]

Shockers up 7 on Memphis at the break. Wichita is 0-17 from three-point range so far this young season.

[GoMuskies]

After watching the Zags last night, I'm VERY interested in their tilt against Arizona on December 6 in Tucson. That has all the makings of potentially the best regular season game of the year.

[PMI]

So are Utah and San Diego State a couple of top 25 teams that are just incredible at defense or a couple of over ranked teams that are terrible on offense? Probably somewhere in between the extremes, but that appears to be one sloppy basketball game.

[PMI]

So are Utah and San Diego State a couple of top 25 teams that are just incredible at defense or a couple of over ranked teams that are terrible on offense? Probably somewhere in between the extremes, but that appears to be one sloppy basketball game.

Of course as soon as I post this the offenses catch fire in the last two minutes...

[X-band '01]

So are Utah and San Diego State a couple of top 25 teams that are just incredible at defense or a couple of over ranked teams that are terrible on offense? Probably somewhere in between the extremes, but that appears to be one sloppy basketball game.

Wichita State-Memphis was sloppier just because of Memphis.

[xubrew]

Colorado dropped future opponent Auburn, 90-59. Yikes

Auburn was without one of their best players. Had they had him, they would have probably only lost 88-65 or so.

[xubrew]

That's too bad. I would have much rather had SFA coming in here after winning that game rather than losing it. Oh well.

That was an AWESOME game. I think it was one of the best games of the year so far, not just because it was well played and went into overtime, but because it was between two really good teams that have limited shots at statement wins, and that really needed this one. You really got the sense that SFA needed it more because Northern Iowa will have at least a few more shots. SFA had this game, the game against us, Baylor, Memphis and.....that's it. Their conference is set-your-head-on-fire bad, and all they can do the rest of the way is try to avoid bad losses. They have no other shots at good wins.

SFA is good, though. Xavier better not overlook them. If we do, we'll lose.

[xubrew]

Jeff Van Gundy said on Mike and Mike this morning that if all of the top 10 teams had to play Northern Iowa or SFA once that both of those teams would get 3 wins. I think he must have been announcing the game but he was hyping both teams pretty hard.

As good, and as under the radar as I think both these teams are, that's still a ridiculous statement. They're easily legitimate top forty caliber teams, IMHO. But, top ten teams can beat top forty teams on the road more than thirty percent of the time.

[DoubleD86]

As good, and as under the radar as I think both these teams are, that's still a ridiculous statement. They're easily legitimate top forty caliber teams, IMHO. But, top ten teams can beat top forty teams on the road more than thirty percent of the time.

I read the quote as meaning, SFA/UNI would go 3-7 against the top ten if each got to play every top ten team. Still probably a bit optimistic but a lot more likely than the top ten only winning 30%.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I read the quote as meaning, SFA/UNI would go 3-7 against the top ten if each got to play every top ten team. Still probably a bit optimistic but a lot more likely than the top ten only winning 30%.

Yes this is how Van Gundy meant it.

[GoMuskies]

I don't know if Ohio is any good, but Florida Gulf Coast is up 25 on the Bobcats at the half. Hopefully FGCU will be a solid non-conference opponent.

[xu82]

UB/Kent game postponed! Damn! And that's where it "barely" snowed.

[GoMuskies]

UB/Kent game postponed! Damn! And that's where it "barely" snowed.

If I was a Kent player, I would be none too happy right now. This game should have been cancelled BEFORE Kent took an 11 hour bus ride to get there. It's not like the storm was a surprise.

[xu82]

If I was a Kent player, I would be none too happy right now. This game should have been cancelled BEFORE Kent took an 11 hour bus ride to get there. It's not like the storm was a surprise.

Something to bore your grand kids with....

[xu82]

In all fairness, that lake effect stuff is hard to gauge. A year worth of snow in 36 hours is an odd event. But where UB plays it was just a normal winter day. (I lived there right after the dinosaurs.) I wonder what the details were. Areas south of that have bans on driving, but I don't get why the game couldn't be played - for my amusement.

[xu82]

Creighton has a whopping 22 points with a minute left in the first half. Yikes!

[GoMuskies]

UC crushed powerful Morehead State 69-61.

[GoMuskies]

The Lexus is trailing the Anteaters just before halftime.

[X-band '01]

So are Utah and San Diego State a couple of top 25 teams that are just incredible at defense or a couple of over ranked teams that are terrible on offense? Probably somewhere in between the extremes, but that appears to be one sloppy basketball game.

We can at least safely say that San Diego State can play defense; even though they were just playing Cal State-Bakersfield, they held Bakersfield to a whopping 27 points last night.

[usfldan]

Louisville trying to outdo the 28 points UK held Montana State to yesterday- held Savannah State scoreless for the first 15:58. Still leads 29-1 at the final media timeout of the first half.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Louisville trying to outdo the 28 points UK held Montana State to yesterday- held Savannah State scoreless for the first 15:58. Still leads 29-1 at the final media timeout of the first half.

Please score less than 20 and take that record away from my SLU Billikens. I was a sophomore (maybe jr?) at SLU when SLU set the record with 20 points in a whole game against GW. Gross.

[usfldan]

and Savannah State makes two of their last three shots to shoot a blistering 7.7% (2 for 26) for the first half... with 15 turnovers. Louisville leads 41-7 at the half.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Please score less than 20 and take that record away from my SLU Billikens. I was a sophomore (maybe jr?) at SLU when SLU set the record with 20 points in a whole game against GW. Gross.

Think it was my Jr year because I am pretty sure it was Majerus' first year.

[usfldan]

Please score less than 20 and take that record away from my SLU Billikens. I was a sophomore (maybe jr?) at SLU when SLU set the record with 20 points in a whole game against GW. Gross.

Sorry. Savannah State shot a blistering 32% in the second half (8 for 25) to lose 87-26. The Billikens spot in the record book remains:

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280100045

[X-band '01]

Savannah had an offensive explosion and made it up to 26. Both SLU and Miami (remember their 23-point performance at Dayton?) can rest easy.

[paulxu]

E Washington beat Indiana? Who is E Washington?

[LadyMuskie]

George's lesser known brother, Edward.

[X-band '01]

E Washington beat Indiana? Who is E Washington?

A team that led the RPI for a couple of hours at the beginning of the season.

[Masterofreality]

Tom Crean. L......O.....L!

What a superb three days for Hoosier Nation. Losses in 3 sports- two to "lesser" schools.

[xu82]

George's lesser known brother, Edward.

Ha! They lost to a really old guy.

[xubrew]

Eastern Washington isn't that bad. They're probably the best team in the Big Sky this year, and they've got two guys that can really shoot the ball. It shouldn't be THAT much of a surprise that IU lost to them. It's not like IU is going anywhere close to the NIT, much less the NCAAs.

[GoMuskies]

Four white guys and an Egyptian

[Masterofreality]

Indiana, yes, the Indiana Hoosiers should never, Evvvvvvvvvvvver, lose to Eastern Washington...at home.

Never. Nice job Crean

[bobbiemcgee]

Four white guys and an Egyptian


Ferguson's police force next week?

[xu82]

Ferguson's police force next week?

So they're working on the diversity thing?

[PMI]

SLU's record might be in jeopardy again tonight if Kentucky feels like not easing up in the second half.

[X-band '01]

I don't know how Calipari will top 4 white guys and an Egyptian, but I wouldn't underestimate him.

[LadyMuskie]

I am really looking forward to that new movie over Christmas: White Men Can't Jump And Neither Can Egyptians.

[xu82]

I am really looking forward to that new movie over Christmas: White Men Can't Jump And Neither Can Egyptians.

But I read King Tut could go off both feet. (I'm not sure how they knew, but that's modern science for you.)

[D-West & PO-Z]

Big 9 point win for the bearkittens over NC Central. A whopping 59 points!

[X-band '01]

NC Central was the best them they had played so far - they were defending MEAC champs last year (and a 14 seed in the NCAAs last year).

[Masterofreality]

Shawn Kemp Jr. is playing for Washington.

I wonder which of the 9 different women that Shawn Kemp Sr. had kids with is the mother?

[xu82]

Shawn Kemp Jr. is playing for Washington.

I wonder which of the 9 different women that Shawn Kemp Sr. had kids with is the mother?

Don't feel bad, he's probably wondering too.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'm watching my Billikens right now on CBS Sports Network in the Corpus Christi tournament and there might, might be 100 people at the game. SLU is pretty brutal this year, very very young, pretty much lost their entire team from last year. I probably only know 2-3 of the players, only two for sure played any sort of decent minutes last year.

[GoMuskies]

SF Austin has been struggling a bit, but they managed to put a smackdown on Memphis at the FedEx tonight.

[xu82]

SF Austin has been struggling a bit, but they managed to put a smackdown on Memphis at the FedEx tonight.

Thanks for a positive note. Any positive note.

[GoMuskies]

Thad Matta's team is getting squashed. I think that's a positive note.

[xu82]

Thad Matta's team is getting squashed. I think that's a positive note.
Glorious even, almost as good as a solid win for the good guys!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Thad Matta's team is getting squashed. I think that's a positive note.

Love that OSU is getting crushed right now. Knew that was coming, they havent played anyone even remotely good this year. Marquette was their best opponent and we know they arent the typical Marquette team this year especially early on when they played them.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Love that OSU is getting crushed right now. Knew that was coming, they havent played anyone even remotely good this year. Marquette was their best opponent and we know they arent the typical Marquette team this year especially early on when they played them.

I've been texting my OSU buddies tonight. Their excuse? Ville can recruit players that would not meet B1G academic standards...so it's not fair. I was textless...

[GoMuskies]

A lot of Louisville players would really struggle with AIDS Awareness. Takes a scholar like Katzenmoyer to get through that kind of class.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I've been texting my OSU buddies tonight. Their excuse? Ville can recruit players that would not meet B1G academic standards...so it's not fair. I was textless...

Oh.My.God. :shocked2:

[xu82]

I've been texting my OSU buddies tonight. Their excuse? Ville can recruit players that would not meet B1G academic standards...so it's not fair. I was textless...

I wish I could help, but..... wtf? Were there scores too high? I'm a bit confused. (Not for the first time.)

[D-West & PO-Z]

A lot of Louisville players would really struggle with AIDS Awareness. Takes a scholar like Katzenmoyer to get through that kind of class.

Yeah not to mention golf

[GoMuskies]

Damn Ohio State had to ruin our fun by going on a big run and making this interesting.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I wish I could help, but..... wtf? Were there scores too high? I'm a bit confused. (Not for the first time.)

I think the Big 10's academic standards may be higher than the ACC or SEC. But I'm guessing they can cheat pretty well too. Think the Big East academic standards for recruits are similar to Big 10. But told them I wouldn't complain about it. If OSU wants to lower their standards , do it. I'm guessing the SEC or ACC would take them with open arms. Neither here nor there, listening to my OSU buddies talking about unfairness in D1 sports was funny.

[RealDeal]

I wish X could learn to close a game out the way Syracuse did last night.

[GoMuskies]

I wish X could learn to close a game out the way Syracuse did last night.

Maybe I'm missing the joke somewhere, but Syracuse lost. Seems of late we've figured that out.

[RealDeal]

Maybe I'm missing the joke somewhere, but Syracuse lost. Seems of late we've figured that out.

If you watched the end of the game you would get the joke. It was a mess.

[kyxu]

I think the Big 10's academic standards may be higher than the ACC or SEC. But I'm guessing they can cheat pretty well too. Think the Big East academic standards for recruits are similar to Big 10. But told them I wouldn't complain about it. If OSU wants to lower their standards , do it. I'm guessing the SEC or ACC would take them with open arms. Neither here nor there, listening to my OSU buddies talking about unfairness in D1 sports was funny.

Unless we're talking Ivy, can we really generalize the academic standards of an entire conference?

[X-Fan]

I wish X could learn to close a game out the way Syracuse did last night.


Maybe I'm missing the joke somewhere, but Syracuse lost. Seems of late we've figured that out.
Ha! I was at the game it was a MESS! Mich was fortunate to win, and did a poor job of closing Cuse out. Give Cuse credit for coming back to tie when they were down 10 later in the second half, but you have to be SICK if you are a Cuse fan with how they blew the end.

If not for "The Paper Boy" Spike Albrecht, Michigan loses that game. Truth be told neither team played all that great. Fun game to watch though.

In comparing Mich to X, one thing was interesting...Michigan does not try to get any post game going. Everything is based upon ball movement and penetration. I'm sure that was mostly because of the Cuse zone, Michigan's inexperienced Bigs, and Beilein's system, but it was interesting to see. Not saying X should do that, but with our saturation of shooters, it wouldn't be a bad model to emulate at times.

[bleedXblue]

I wish X could learn to close a game out the way Syracuse did last night.

I'm sure many anticipated this being an issue with this team early on.

We have really one guy right now (Stain) that we give the ball to in tough situations. That's makes us really easy to defend.

Hoping that by mid January we have a few more guys ready to step up and make big shots.

hop

[GoMuskies]

You've got about two minutes to take advantage of the rarest of rarities: Wichita State is an underdog in a regular season game. +2.5 at Utah.

[GoMuskies]

Larry Eustachy's Colorado State team took down Tim Floyd's UTEP team tonight. People in Ames were somewhat interested.

[xubrew]

Colorado State fans didn't seem to be that interested. They have a good team, and they were playing a good team, and the place was half empty.

[GoMuskies]

Late 14-1 Wichita State run when they looked dead. Headed to OT.

And the streak is over. 69-68 Utes. But the Shockers did get the cover.

[D-West & PO-Z]

SFA and LBS playing right now. SFA up 10 in the second half right now.

[D-West & PO-Z]

UCONN goes down at home to Yale.

[THRILLHOUSE]

UK-Texas went about the way I expected. Texas kept it close in the first half and showed good fight during the last 5 - 8 min of the 2nd, but too much UK depth and too many UT errors. Gotta play near perfect to knock off this UK team. Oh and Cauley Stein couldn't be stopped.

[xu82]

UK-Texas went about the way I expected. Texas kept it close in the first half and showed good fight during the last 5 - 8 min of the 2nd, but too much UK depth and too many UT errors. Gotta play near perfect to knock off this UK team. Oh and Cauley Stein couldn't be stopped.

I was surprised the score was so low. Apparently really good teams play really good defense.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I was surprised the score was so low. Apparently really good teams play really good defense.

Refs calling so many fouls didn't help either.

[xu82]

Refs calling so many fouls didn't help either.

I just checked in a few times, didn't realize that. I guess it helps to have a boat load of McDonalds all americans on the bench when you have some fouls.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I just checked in a few times, didn't realize that. I guess it helps to have a boat load of McDonalds all americans on the bench when you have some fouls.

There were 51 total fouls called. Not saying that all the calls were bad, but they called it ridiculously tight. They didn't seem to know how to call a game with so much size.

[LA Muskie]

UCONN goes down at home to Yale.

Just imagine the UConn board right now...

[casualfan]

SFA and LBS playing right now. SFA up 10 in the second half right now.

Long beach lost by 29. That surprised me.

[xu82]

Long beach lost by 29. That surprised me.

Maybe they were basking in the glow of their recent revenge victory.

[GoMuskies]

Maybe they were basking in the glow of their recent revenge victory.

I'm thinking it has more to do with the Beach kind of sucking.

[xu82]

I'm thinking it has more to do with the Beach kind of sucking.

I like it better my way.

[BMoreX]

Michigan down 3 to NJIT 2 mins left

[paulxu]

I don't know who NJIT is, but barring a miracle they are going to beat Michigan.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I don't know who NJIT is, but barring a miracle they are going to beat Michigan.

Wasn't that long ago that NJIT went on a 51 game losing streak

[xu82]

Wasn't that long ago that NJIT went on a 51 game losing streak

Wow! That's brutal. Who turned that around? Even when you lose that coach (not if), you're not likely to go back to 51 straight loses, so that's the bright side. I'd just shut it down if we lost 51 straight. It would be a mercy killing.

[Masterofreality]

NJIT beats Michigan and SC Upstate beats Georgia Tech?

The sky is falling!!!!!

[paulxu]

Not at all. Great basketball (small time) in the Upstate.
USC Upstate Spartans and the Wofford Terriers.

[Masterofreality]

Havoc is about to lose again...this time to Virginia.

That means that right now they're no better than 3rd in their own state after losing to Old Dominion.

The gimmickry is wearing thin.

[Masterofreality]

Sooooooo...

When will Dana Jacobsen or any other ESPN writer compose an article about the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC at a "Crossroads" after Yale beats UCon at Gampel?

[GoMuskies]

Gonzaga/Arizona delivering.

[GoMuskies]

If you want to see the definition of choking, check out the first free throw by Wesley of Gonzaga with 3 seconds left in overtime.

[MADXSTER]

Memphis is winning at the half.

[MADXSTER]

NJIT(don't even know what that stands for) over Michigan in Ann Arbor

[BMoreX]

NJIT(don't even know what that stands for) over Michigan in Ann Arbor

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Go Highlanders!

[MADXSTER]

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Go Highlanders!

Are they this year's Florida State Gulf Coast

[GoMuskies]

Are they this year's Florida State Gulf Coast

No

[Xavgrad08]

UTEP loses to New Mexico St. That is their 3rd loss in a row.

[paulxu]

Hmm...put football post in wrong thread.

[X-band '01]

NJIT(don't even know what that stands for) over Michigan in Ann Arbor

They're the only independent program remaining in Division I. They're in their 7th season of D-I play.

Amazingly, I read somewhere that this was not just their first ever win against a Top 25 team, but their first game against a Top 25 team. Quite impressive that nobody before would even play them in a buy game.

[GoMuskies]

I didn't notice that Auburn's last good coach, Cliff Ellis, took Coastal Carolina to Auburn and got a win Thursday. The Chanticleers aren't a bad team.

[Masterofreality]

UCLA only beat San Diego by 7 in Pauley.

[Masterofreality]

I didn't notice that Auburn's last good coach, Cliff Ellis, took Coastal Carolina to Auburn and got a win Thursday. The Chanticleers aren't a bad team.

Why the hell did Coastal Carolina choose Chanticleers as a nickname? The only Chanticleers I've ever been familiar with are a rooster that appeared in the Medieval Folklore Tales of Reynard the Fox and a chior of voices.

Pretty obscure for a nickname.

[paulxu]

Why the hell did Coastal Carolina choose Chanticleers as a nickname?

Simple really. Gamecocks was taken.

[Masterofreality]

Simple really. Gamecocks was taken.

You guys have something with roosters down there?

[Masterofreality]

By the way,

Dunk City beat UMess today in Springfield, Ma. Don't look now, but they're 8-1.

[GoMuskies]

I didn't realize until this morning that Huggy Bear made his triumphant return to the Tri-State this weekend with West Virginia. What I don't understand is, why didn't he do a home and home with us instead of NKU? We even could have played downtown. Maybe two games downtown for us vs. one game in Morgantown? Sounds like a great deal that absolutely no one could complain about.

[Masterofreality]

I didn't realize until this morning that Huggy Bear made his triumphant return to the Tri-State this weekend with West Virginia. What I don't understand is, why didn't he do a home and home with us instead of NKU? We even could have played downtown. Maybe two games downtown for us vs. one game in Morgantown? Sounds like a great deal that absolutely no one could complain about.

No, I would complain because my head would explode. PLEASE. No more games with BeelzeBob. NO....MORE dancing with Satan.

[paulxu]

What I don't understand is, why didn't he do a home and home with us instead of NKU?

I think you pretty much answered your own question.

[nuts4xu]

I didn't realize until this morning that Huggy Bear made his triumphant return to the Tri-State this weekend with West Virginia. What I don't understand is, why didn't he do a home and home with us instead of NKU? We even could have played downtown. Maybe two games downtown for us vs. one game in Morgantown? Sounds like a great deal that absolutely no one could complain about.

No one except DC Muskie....

Like MOR, his head would explode like my ass after eating a Five Guys double cheeseburger!

[THRILLHOUSE]

I didn't realize until this morning that Huggy Bear made his triumphant return to the Tri-State this weekend with West Virginia. What I don't understand is, why didn't he do a home and home with us instead of NKU? We even could have played downtown. Maybe two games downtown for us vs. one game in Morgantown? Sounds like a great deal that absolutely no one could complain about.

Probably didn't play any role in the scheduling, but Huggins does have some connections to NKU. One of NKU's assistants, Kevin Schappell, used to be on Huggins staff at West VA and he was a long time boyfriend of one of his daughters. Huggins also has a nephew that plays for NKU.

[GoMuskies]

Wrong thread

[casualfan]

Coach's Poll is out.

2 BE teams ranked, 4 more getting votes.

We did not receive any.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings

[paulxu]

Actually 5 other teams got points.
Those 2 Calif. games were costly to this ranking.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yale, who won at UCONN, is losing by 39 at Florida right now.

[xu82]

Yale, who won at UCONN, is losing by 39 at Florida right now.

Wow, hard to imagine. Every year is different. Every week is different. Hopefully our D gets different.

[Masterofreality]

Yale, who won at UCONN, is losing by 39 at Florida right now.

And UCon beat UDump.

[vee4xu]

No one except DC Muskie....

Like MOR, his head would explode like my ass after eating a Five Guys double cheeseburger!

Now there's a visual that will wake me up screaming tonight. :blink:

[xu82]

Now there's a visual that will wake me up screaming tonight. :blink:

It can only wake you up if you ever go to sleep... I don't know what to wish for.

[xubrew]

I didn't realize until this morning that Huggy Bear made his triumphant return to the Tri-State this weekend with West Virginia. What I don't understand is, why didn't he do a home and home with us instead of NKU? We even could have played downtown. Maybe two games downtown for us vs. one game in Morgantown? Sounds like a great deal that absolutely no one could complain about.

Huggins and the NKU coach are long time friends. He really just did it to help them out. I think it's a four year deal and that they're actually coming back.

[GoMuskies]

Huggins and the NKU coach are long time friends. He really just did it to help them out. I think it's a four year deal and that they're actually coming back.

I don't believe for a second that this is anything other than Huggins trolling UC some more.

[xubrew]

I don't believe for a second that this is anything other than Huggins trolling UC some more.

Perhaps, but that may just be a bonus. He and the NKU coach really are close friends.

[PMI]

Perhaps, but that may just be a bonus. He and the NKU coach really are close friends.

The NKU coach sounds like a real classy and upstanding individual.

[Masterofreality]

The NKU coach sounds like a real classy and upstanding individual.

Well, he's got Dante Jackson working for him as an assistant.

[sirthought]

I don't believe for a second that this is anything other than Huggins trolling UC some more.

Huggin's daughter's boyfriend played at NKU a few years back. Huggin's actually gave a lot of advice to this kid and some of his team mates, they actually worked over that summer on what he said, and they performed at a much higher level. I think Huggin's quietly made an impact on that program for a while. He knew a lot of the kids that went there to play.

[xubrew]

Wow! That's brutal. Who turned that around? Even when you lose that coach (not if), you're not likely to go back to 51 straight loses, so that's the bright side. I'd just shut it down if we lost 51 straight. It would be a mercy killing.

NJIT beat SFNY tonight.....and stormed the court.

I'm actually happy for them. They were the first place team in the Great West one year, but that was the only conference that didn't have an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. They wanted into the America East, and thought they were going to get the invite, but they invited UMass Lowell instead for hockey reasons.

So, they're in independent. Their only way into the NCAA Tournament is with an at-large, which is a virtual impossibility, but they can probably get to the CIT and at least play in a postseason tournament if they're able to finish above .500.

I didn't know about 51 losses in a row, but they did once go 0-29 when they were transitioning up to div1. They were a pretty poor div2 team before they moved up.

[xu82]

So what's the recruiting pitch when you're on an 0-51 run? Ugh... Happy to see something they must be excited about. That's what sports is about!

[GoMuskies]

So what's the recruiting pitch when you're on an 0-51 run? Ugh... Happy to see something they must be excited about. That's what sports is about!

1. Playing time
2. Playing time
3. Hot women (this is the New Jersey Institute of Technology after all)

[xu82]

1. Playing time
2. Playing time
3. Hot women (this is the New Jersey Institute of Technology after all)

I'm sure you're right. Many morbidly obese women feel over heated. Is that what you meant by hot? On a related note, at my XU houses we usually had doors and windows open in the winter. (Utilities paid by a silly owner.) There were multiple reasons there.

[xubrew]

Oh Michigan. Oh Michigan!!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Oh Michigan. Oh Michigan!!

Ouch

[muskiefan82]

Oh Michigan. Oh Michigan!!

And now they get Arizona on the road. Michigan better hope that a season really is a lifetime for them because things look bleak now. How does this make Syracuse feel?

[X-Fan]

And now they get Arizona on the road. Michigan better hope that a season really is a lifetime for them because things look bleak now. How does this make Syracuse feel?
I think Michigan wil be ok. They have a lot of talent and a great coach. As long as EMU doesn't tank, they should have a decent RPI at the end of the year. Even with that said its early and Mich is YOUNG, especially their front court. They start 1 Jr, 2 So, and 2 Frosh. Most of their bench is young also. Right now, when they aren't hitting the 3 they are screwed (see EMU) because they do not have any option in the post. I know it's not really a part of Beileins offense, but they don't even try to feed the ball down low. I bet they give Zona a good game. It's not like Millers crew has been blowing away opponents.

[GoMuskies]

Brew ' s favorite team Nebraska fell victim to Incarnate Word tonight. So much for the Huskers being an NCAA Tournament team this year.

[xubrew]

Brew ' s favorite team Nebraska fell victim to Incarnate Word tonight. So much for the Huskers being an NCAA Tournament team this year.

It could've been worse. It could've been........

No, it could not have been worse. It really couldn't have. Incarnate Word has only won 11 games against div1 teams in their entire history, and two of those were against Abeline Christian, who is also a transitional program.

Not to be outdone, did you see who Frank Haith's team lost to tonight?

[X Factor]

Long Beach St. lost by 1 point on the road to #18 San Diego St.

[xu82]

Long Beach St. lost by 1 point on the road to #18 San Diego St.

Ugh, bad, but good.

[xubrew]

They really should have beaten them. They had a chance to put it out of reach late, but didn't. Still, a great showing.

Long Beach's OOC schedule includes the following: BYU, Xavier, Kansas State, UCLA, Washington, Xavier again, SFA, San Diego State, Texas, Saint John's, Syracuse and Louisville.

They should be good and battle tested by the time they start Big West play. They're not bad, and their RPI will be fairly decent, and had they gotten this one today it would have been their third (and by far the biggest) win of note. But, because their schedule is ridiculous, they're currently below .500

[Masterofreality]

It could've been worse. It could've been........

No, it could not have been worse. It really couldn't have. Incarnate Word has only won 11 games against div1 teams in their entire history, and two of those were against Abeline Christian, who is also a transitional program.

Not to be outdone, did you see who Frank Haith's team lost to tonight?

SE North Southwestern Oklahoma State.

Incarnate Word is 6-1. Maybe not chopped liver.

The Little 14 is taking some bad, bad losses though between Michigan, Nebraska and Purdue.

[X-band '01]

SE Oklahoma State - you mean Tulsa lost to the Savages?

[BMoreX]

Darren Rovell @darrenrovell
Incarnate Word, who beat Nebraska in basketball tonight, flew to the game on Southwest “because there are no baggage fees” (via @AP)

[STL_XUfan]

Darren Rovell @darrenrovell
Incarnate Word, who beat Nebraska in basketball tonight, flew to the game on Southwest “because there are no baggage fees” (via @AP)

In a related story the NCAA has opened an investigation into Incarnate Word for their players receiving impermissible benefits from Southwest Airlines.

[STL_XUfan]

SE Oklahoma State - you mean Tulsa lost to the Savages?

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Frank Haith era has begun!

[xubrew]

SE North Southwestern Oklahoma State.

Incarnate Word is 6-1. Maybe not chopped liver.

The Little 14 is taking some bad, bad losses though between Michigan, Nebraska and Purdue.

Perhaps not, but they are a transitional program, and four of those six wins were against nondiv1 teams.

Ironically, I think the last time a transitional team actually beat an NCAA Tournament team was when North Dakota State took down Wisconsin and Marquette. That team was, ironically, coached by Tim Miles. Maybe this is merely the universe coming back into balance or something.

As was mentioned earlier, NJIT lost 51 straight games during their transitional stage. NKU is struggling through theirs. They were 8-20 last year, which is actually not bad by transitional program standards. Savannah State went 7-79 as a transitional program. So, to lose to one is.....bad.

[xubrew]

Dayton v Arkansas is being preempted for peewee football. This is actually happening. That is a first.

[BMoreX]

Archie calling timeouts down 12 delaying ESPN2 taking us to the X game.

[xubrew]

Nebraska is a much bigger basketball school than UC.

[waggy]

Long time UC fans had to be thinking WFT? when the Cornhuskers were put on the schedule.

Creighton, they're neighbors, but why would anyone not in the immediate vicinity bother?

[xubrew]

Cincinnati's offense is the worst I've seen all year, and I've seen quite a bit. Oh my God it's like watching a manure truck crash into a hazardous waste storage plant.

[xsteve1]

Cincinnati's offense is the worst I've seen all year, and I've seen quite a bit. Oh my God it's like watching a manure truck crash into a hazardous waste storage plant.

Sad thing is Nebraska's may be worse.

[X-band '01]

You should not be driving a car or operating any heavy machinery while listening to this game. First to 50 wins.

[xsteve1]

Who said Tim Miles was a good coach? I ain't seeing it.

[waggy]

Nebraska is head coaching suicide. I'd gladly ruin the rest of my life there, but if you're a serious young coach..., well, not smart.

[waggy]

Wasn't Nebrask the place they had that guy they called The Big Valley?

[D-West & PO-Z]

This game is brutal. How Cronin doesnt have a T yet I dont understand, he has literally lost his mind 10 times at the refs. I have seen at least 5 "fucks" and I believe one mother f'er.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Guaranteed Cronin mentions something about the refs in his post game press conference if they lose. Might even if they win.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Nebraska wins. Love it. UC had plenty of chances to take this one.

[xubrew]

Who said Tim Miles was a good coach? I ain't seeing it.

If you've only seen the last two games, then yeah, it hasn't been good. But, they're still a lot better than they were two years ago, and they have a really strong recruiting class coming in. They've just been crappier than expected this year.

[XU3232]

Dayton loses yesterday right before the Xavier game started and UC loses later that night while X wins. Solid day yesterday...

[GoMuskies]

Murray State has turned the tide a bit following their 35 point loss to Valpo. They've now won four straight, including a very nice win at 7-1 Evansville yesterday. Murray will likely be a 20 win team, and they might even sneak into the top 100 in the RPI. In fact, they're 76th right now.

[X-band '01]

Yep, I don't think the Missouri Valley is going to be a 1-bid league this year. Evansville and Northern Iowa look like the main challengers to Wichita State right now.

Too bad for Northern Iowa last night - they lost a double-OT game at VCU. That win could have put them into single-digit territory for NCAA seeding.

As for Evansville, now we're starting to see why Xavier struggled to beat them last year. They've got a good inside-outside combo of Balentien and a center whose name escapes me at the moment.

[X-band '01]

Dayton loses yesterday right before the Xavier game started and UC loses later that night while X wins. Solid day yesterday...

Dayton should be thanking the Mothership for preempting them for peewee football, not yelling at them.

[paulxu]

Apropos of absolutely nothing, I watched the end of the Wofford/NCState game this afternoon.

What a terrific basketball finish.
Wofford down 4, hits a 3, gets a steal, goes up 1, goes down 1, and makes a basket with a couple seconds left.
State gets it into their star, he dribbles to 3 point line and launches a shot that goes in at the buzzer.
Per the clock on the TV broadcast and looking at the replay with that clock, the ball leaves his hand between the clock at 0:01 and 0:00. Looks good.
They go back and look at the clock on top of the basket with red light, and the ball is still on his fingertips right when 0:00 ticks off.

Students had rushed court a little, much rejoicing...only to have it overturned and Wofford wins.
Great finish to a ball game.

[xu82]

Wish I'd seen that! Go Wofford! My wife's family is from that area and they recruited my son for a while. We took a visit and I'm glad to hear they can knock off one of the big boys.

[X-band '01]

FL-Gulf had a surprising home loss to FIU yesterday - exam hangover?

[paulxu]

With Dana O'Neil's sideways swipe at our conference when discussing the B10 tournament in MSG in 2018, it's nice to see the BE currently at 6-4 vs the B10, and 5-1 vs the ACC.
And overall, 16-10 vs the P5.

[Cheesehead]

Alabama pissed away an 8 point lead In last 3 minutes of game to lose by one point at Whichita State. That win could have helped X.

[xu82]

Alabama pissed away an 8 point lead In last 3 minutes of game to lose by one point at Whichita State. That win could have helped X.

Sadly, I have to hope a disappointing lose on the road will help to some degree. That sucked!

[X-band '01]

There was one pleasant surprise last night - Northern Arizona won at Saint Mary's in the final seconds.

[GoMuskies]

There is a post on one of the IU boards comparing college programs to countries, and although I didn't find most of it that interesting or insightful, they did nail one program in particular exactly:

Dayton - Cuba. Came out of nowhere and threatened everyone for one year in the 1960s.

[bjf123]

There is a post on one of the IU boards comparing college programs to countries, and although I didn't find most of it that interesting or insightful, they did nail one program in particular exactly:

Dayton - Cuba. Came out of nowhere and threatened everyone for one year in the 1960s.

Gotta hand it to the Hoosiers. They nailed that one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nigel Tufnel]

UC -2 tonight versus #19 San Diego State....hmmmm. There is a strong trend for betting non ranked home favorites against ranked opponents....but after watching some of that debacle at Nebraska, there is no way I could bet on UC against one of the best defensive teams in the country. I'll likely stay away. Still, I'm surprised UC is favored...has me wondering if Vegas knows something.

[X-band '01]

What's the over/under for that game? This may be a game where both teams barely crack the 40/50 mark.

[Masterofreality]

What's the over/under for that game? This may be a game where both teams barely crack the 40/50 mark.

I believe 108.

[X-band '01]

Skip the Nyquil tonight and just turn on the Deuce. That will ensure a sound night of sleep.

[xu82]

I hope you took the under. UC up at half time with an amazing score of 22-20. Yes, that's the halftime score!!!

[GoMuskies]

UC -2 tonight versus #19 San Diego State....hmmmm.

Bettors pretty much had this one pegged.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Love it! OT. Oh, and Cronin screaming at and blaming refs again!!!???? No way! Ha, classic Cronin!

[xu82]

With both teams in the 60's. High scoring affair in the second half (and OT).

[BMoreX]

@BarstoolBigCat: Whoaaaa, watch out for the 5'7'' Tough Guy! https://t.co/wRsHzORFLp

[GoMuskies]

Remember when many of us complained about the strength of the Wooden event, some going so far as to claim we had nothing to gain? Don't look now, but U-Dub is 8-0 (will be 9-0 later tonight) and ranked #16. They would have provided an opportunity for a very big OOC win had we made it that far.

[sirthought]

Good win for UC. I forgot the game was on, but I'm looking at the GameTracker.

They shot a respectable 47% FG, 81% FT, and 36% 3PT.

SDSU shot much much worse, which shouldn't come as a surprise with UC's defense. Rebounds, turnovers, etc. were all fairly close otherwise, which is why SDSU hung in there to tie at the end. UC basically toughed it out to hold on, but they also have much bigger size than SDSU (and many teams). Their team is young and not exactly confident. I wonder how much time they spend in practice on defense versus offense?


EDIT: Apparently I'm wrong on the size. SDSU has really good-sized players. UC did out rebound, but not by much.

[casualfan]

Good win for UC. I forgot the game was on, but I'm looking at the GameTracker.

They shot a respectable 47% FG, 81% FT, and 36% 3PT.

SDSU shot much much worse, which shouldn't come as a surprise with UC's defense. Rebounds, turnovers, etc. were all fairly close otherwise, which is why SDSU hung in there to tie at the end. UC basically toughed it out to hold on, but they also have much bigger size than SDSU (and many teams). Their team is young and not exactly confident. I wonder how much time they spend in practice on defense versus offense?


EDIT: Apparently I'm wrong on the size. SDSU has really good-sized players. UC did out rebound, but not by much.

SD State is really, really, really, long.

I watched their game against Arizona and I remember thinking that they have to be the longest team in the country.

Here's how their starting lineup looks:

PG- Kell- 6 '4
SG Shepard- 6 '7
SF- Polee- 6 '7
PF- O'Brien- 6 '7
C- Spencer- 6 ' 10

Their first two guys off the bench are typically Angelo Chol (6 '9) and Matt Shrigley (6 '6).

They were saying on the broadcast last night they just got a pg back. He is the short man of the bunch at 6 '3.

Looking at those numbers should tell you a lot about why they're so successful defensively. I doubt there are many teams out there who go 6 '6 or higher for 6 of their 7 top rotation players and 6 '7 or higher for 5 of the 7.

[bleedXblue]

SD State is really, really, really, long.

I watched their game against Arizona and I remember thinking that they have to be the longest team in the country.

Here's how their starting lineup looks:

PG- Kell- 6 '4
SG Shepard- 6 '7
SF- Polee- 6 '7
PF- O'Brien- 6 '7
C- Spencer- 6 ' 10

Their first two guys off the bench are typically Angelo Chol (6 '9) and Matt Shrigley (6 '6).

They were saying on the broadcast last night they just got a pg back. He is the short man of the bunch at 6 '3.

Looking at those numbers should tell you a lot about why they're so successful defensively. I doubt there are many teams out there who go 6 '6 or higher for 6 of their 7 top rotation players and 6 '7 or higher for 5 of the 7.

Yeah, but offensively they are seriously challenged in the half court. I didn't see much in the way of solid guard play. Looks to me like they have some really athletic players, but will have a hard time scoring.

[X Factor]

Yeah, but offensively they are seriously challenged in the half court. I didn't see much in the way of solid guard play. Looks to me like they have some really athletic players, but will have a hard time scoring.

According to kenpom, SDSU is #133 in Offense. On the other hand, they are #6 in Defense. They are by far the worst offense of any team in the Top 30 of kenpom's ranking.

Looking at their ESPN stats, they are 293rd in FG% (.400), 342nd in assists (8.8 per game), and 289th in points per game (62.3).

[Boro Muskie]

Also, check out the time out seating arrangement for UC. All the players get the little stools while their "coach" has a folding chair brought out to sit in.
I suppose it is meant to convey the authoruty he supposely has but it is hilarious when all the stools are brought out then the folding chair for the little guy...

[casualfan]

Yeah, but offensively they are seriously challenged in the half court. I didn't see much in the way of solid guard play. Looks to me like they have some really athletic players, but will have a hard time scoring.

Ok? What does that have to do with them being one of the longest teams in the country?

I wasn't saying their length would and/or should lead them to be good offensively, just that they are freakin huge.

[bleedXblue]

Ok? What does that have to do with them being one of the longest teams in the country?

I wasn't saying their length would and/or should lead them to be good offensively, just that they are freakin huge.


Did I disagree with any of your points? Relax.

It was simply a continuation of the discussion around their team.

Merry Christmas!

[GoMuskies]

Miami (FL) lost by 30 to Eastern Kentucky. What?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Miami (FL) lost by 30 to Eastern Kentucky. What?

Yeah, nuts.

St. Johns got a decent win.

And FGCU avoided a bad loss.

[waggy]

Exam Week.

It's like Feast Week, or Rivalry Week, expect weirder.

[X Factor]

Yeah, nuts.

St. Johns got a decent win.

And FGCU avoided a bad loss.


No. Arizona beat St. Mary's a few nights ago. That was a shock.

[waggy]

UTEP trying to give Arizona a game. Down only 3 at the half.

On FS1.

[X Factor]

Arizona escaped with a 5 point win. UTEP was without Vince Hunter for at least the last 6 minutes, having fouled out.

It was pretty ugly, but UTEP gave 'em a game.

[waggy]

I moved on to other things when Hunter picked up his 5th. I'm surprised they kept it within 5.

Arizona was playing some great D when I was watching.

[X-band '01]

Yeah, nuts.

St. Johns got a decent win.

And FGCU avoided a bad loss.

St. John's was down 15 at the half - that was a nice win to pull out of a hat.

[xubrew]

Arizona escaped with a 5 point win. UTEP was without Vince Hunter for at least the last 6 minutes, having fouled out.

It was pretty ugly, but UTEP gave 'em a game.

UTEP is a snake pit. They're not a top 25 team by any stretch of the imagination, but they're very tough to beat at home. They can beat top 25 teams at home. I actually think that the selection committee will give Arizona more credit for winning that game than what most people realize.

[X Factor]

UK is up 41-7 on UCLA at halftime. UCLA is 3-37 from the field.

[Masterofreality]

UK is up 41-7 on UCLA at halftime. UCLA is 3-37 from the field.

.....and Bill Walton is still blaming Ben Howland.

[paulxu]

UCLA is 3-37 from the field.

That is hard to grasp.

[xubrew]

UK is up 41-7 on UCLA at halftime. UCLA is 3-37 from the field.

Harvard is shooting five percent from the floor against Virginia right now.

Some days just aren't your day.

[Retire33]

Harvard is shooting five percent from the floor against Virginia right now.

Some days just aren't your day.

Or the Packline works if you have the type of players to play it. No slam on our players but Chris needs to find a better way to hide these defensive deficiencies.

[xubrew]

Or the Packline works if you have the type of players to play it. No slam on our players but Chris needs to find a better way to hide these defensive deficiencies.

Harvard generally does well against pack defenses. It's the 1-3-1 that typically throws htem out of whack. Not yesterday, though.

[GoMuskies]

Temple is threatening to get a huge win for MOR 's favorite league tonight. They drilling Kansas thus far.

[GoMuskies]

Nebraska lost to Hawaii yesterday in the Diamond Head Classic. Their disappointing season continues.

[xu82]

Nebraska lost to Hawaii yesterday in the Diamond Head Classic. Their disappointing season continues.

It's going to get worse.... they'll have to return to Nebreska.

[Cheesehead]

Not sure what Nebreska is

[Masterofreality]

Temple is threatening to get a huge win for MOR 's favorite league tonight. They drilling Kansas thus far.

Even a blind hog finds an acorn in the forest occasionally.

This post exam/holiday period is truly the silly season. Gardner Webb went to Purdue and beat them last night. Literally nothing is an upset at this time.

Surprisingly, Fordham and DePaul lost. Oh, the humanity!

[waggy]

Kansas had sugar plums dancing in their heads.

[Masterofreality]

Kansas had sugar plums dancing in their heads.

Or sugar acid cubes.

[X Factor]

Auburn currently down 7 points to Texas Southern in the second half.

Auburn shooting 28% from the field and 23% from 3.

[X Factor]

Make that 27%. Bowers and Mason are a combined 2-14.

[xu82]

Kansas had sugar plums dancing in their heads.

That probably hurts...

[X Factor]

Auburn wins 61-60.

[waggy]

Auburn is going to turn into a great loss.


I also have sugar plums dancing in my head.

[xu82]

Auburn is going to turn into a great loss.


I also have sugar plums dancing in my head.

So, you're on acid?

[GoMuskies]

The Lexus crashed in Vegas tonight.

[Masterofreality]

The Lexus crashed in Vegas tonight.

To a sub 100 KenPom ranked team.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, whaaaaa, whaaaaa!

The Desert Raccoon "can recruit but he can't game coach." "He's never had a Final 4". "He's living off past legacy", "If it wasn't for Nick Johnson.....Jordin Mayes...Solomon Hill, etc,etc,etc this coach wouldn't have won anything"- Estimated MessageBoard posts from ArizonaHoops.com or WildcatMadness.com

[X Factor]

GW beat Wichita State 60-54 in Hawaii.

[Masterofreality]

GW beat Wichita State 60-54 in Hawaii.

GW has won a game against a ranked team the last couple of years in a neutral court Holiday Tournament. They beat Creighton last year.

They're probably the 2nd or 3rd best team in a weak A10 this year. Some are making that game last night out to be a "statement" game for the A10. It is not. The fact that GW beat Wichita doesn't make the A10 more impressive. Just a game where one school that had lost 3 games (GW) beat another team that had only lost one game, but living on the edge doing it- and should have lost to Alabama.

[xsteve1]

Would love to see Lonergan end up at DePaul. The guy can coach.

[Masterofreality]

Would love to see Lonergan end up at DePaul. The guy can coach.

And can recruit too. I agree. DePaul needs to dump Ollie. Soon.

[X Factor]

Stony Brook goes on the road and beats #13 Washington 62-57. Head scratcher.
.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Alabama beats UCLA.

[GoMuskies]

Alabama is definitely better than expected, but UCLA has huge issues. Both people in LA that care about UCLA basketball cannot be pleased with what Alford has done so far.

[LA Muskie]

Alabama is definitely better than expected, but UCLA has huge issues. Both people in LA that care about UCLA basketball cannot be pleased with what Alford has done so far.

I think you exaggerate the fan support for UCLA out here. No way that many care about them.

[xudash]

I think you exaggerate the fan support for UCLA out here. No way that many care about them.

What a difference a generation - or two - makes. Damn.

[Xville]

that reminds me...why has no one picked Ben Howland up? Is the guy just an ass or what? I remember hearing that maybe there were some problems at UCLA by the time he left but don't really remember what they were. The guy has won every place he has been a head coach...just seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me.

[Masterofreality]

Auburn got a 16 point win last night. Just sayin'.

[xubrew]

that reminds me...why has no one picked Ben Howland up? Is the guy just an ass or what? I remember hearing that maybe there were some problems at UCLA by the time he left but don't really remember what they were. The guy has won every place he has been a head coach...just seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me.

He is an ass, but most basketball coaches are. It's just that even by basketball coach standards, he's an ass.

[GoMuskies]

Coach Fran and Iowa are putting a helluva scare into the Buckeyes in Columbus right now.

[94GRAD]

Osu has 1, I said 1, RPI win under 100 (High Point) out of conference. People think we're going to have trouble making the Tourney?

http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_192_Men.html

[GoMuskies]

Ohio State loses. Bummer.

[Masterofreality]

Ohio State loses. Bummer.

Ohio State's RPI right now is 93. Beaknose has always scheduled weak, but this year takes the cake. It's going to come back to bite him in his Toucan ass.

[GoMuskies]

It would be nice if LBSU could at least throw a scare into Louisville today. Beating them would be even better. 10-9 Cards early on.

[Xville]

Uc beating NC state by 15 at half on the road. That last non con game is going to be a tough game. Good thing is that it will probably be a chance for a top 100 if not 50 win.

[PMI]

Maryland and Michigan State are in a 17-14 barnburner at the half. Ugly, ugly game. I am very pleased with the Terps' season so far but I don't buy their #12 ranking at all. They're good, but the 12th best team? Gives me confidence as a Xavier fan, because there's no way I could see the Terps winning at Cintas this year (although we couldn't win in College Park either.) Random thought, is Dez Wells the only four year player ever to play in three different conferences? I feel like he is the answer to so very many interesting trivia questions in his never-dull career.

[GoMuskies]

Random thought, is Dez Wells the only four year player ever to play in three different conferences? I feel like he is the answer to so very many interesting trivia questions in his never-dull career.

Depends on whether you consider the AAC and the Big East the same thing, because Louisville had a number of guys in the Big East, AAC and ACC. Ditto Rutgers (with Big Ten instead of ACC).