Two Top 25 Matchups 1/12

[American X]

#13 Notre Dame @ #23 Louisville 7:00ET ESPN. I have my suspicions about the Irish. A road win against a good team would gain some legitimacy. Not sure about the Cardinals either. Everyone seemed to miss they lost at home to UNLV. Hope they sent Villanova a thank you card.

#7 Texas @ #6 Oklahoma 9:00ET ESPN. Great matchup in the Big 12 - winner takes early lead for conference title.

[jdm2000]

I'm like you are on ND and the Ville. Not sold on either. Unfortunately, I think it will be hard to get a gauge on many of the B. East teams because I expect they will all beat up on each other.

I know Texas is highly rated, but they have some of the same questions to me as well. A win over Griffin (who is a monster) would go a long way.

(Good thread.)

[American X]

I never understand why the final shot of choice is abandoning what worked for your offense the entire game, give the ball to the guy alone at the top of the key, and have him throw the ball at the side of the rim without enough time. No motion, no screens, no moving toward the basket. Just wait until its time to panic then fly into the paint out of control.

Notre Dame blew that one. I had them out of my Top 25 and will keep them out.

Maybe Louisville is turning the corner after some head-scratching losses.

[MuskieMark]

i have no comment on the irish as a team, but ive seen harangody play in person a few times and he is legit

[American X]

Notre Dame reminds me of Vanderbilt last year. Offensive firepower, fun to watch, great at home, not so much on the road. I also correctly picked four-seed Vanderbilt getting tossed in the first round. I hope the Irish put it together in March because I am always compelled to put them in the Sweet Sixteen. Last year, I knew they would lose to Washington St. but had to pick them because it feels morally wrong to do otherwise.

Oklahoma just looks solid. It will be interesting to watch if the Big 12 is a horse race or OU runs away with it. One road victory so far at K-State. Texas looks wobbly, not sure about that ranking.