The 3-0 start to conference play (including the squeak win over Ohio U) is worth a look.
Some eye-opening road wins in the preseason makes you wonder what's up with this team.
Three starters return from last year's conference tourney champ, led by fNikola Cvetinovic; gBrett McClanahan is
a solid contributor; 7-0 cZeke Marshall has experience as well for still young coach Keith Dambrot's squad.
In the weak Mid-American ,
veteran Kent State is the favorite to repeat in the East (and overall) ahead of what's left
at the tourney champ Zips, Miami(Ohio), Ohio University -- even Buffalo and Bowling Green have
veteran teams that could spoil; in the West, five returning starters at Western Michigan only have a veteran squad
at Ball State to battle.
Making noise at 2KS/CVC (at Mississippi State) was unexpected; winning the consolation on the road was a tough ask;
winning at West Virgnia-no; at Middle Tennessee, at Cleveland State and at Marshall were all unlikely (and they still got
one).
In league play, they get Ball State and Western Michigan on the road -- tougher than you'd want.
1 /18 L 70-@82 @ .Buffalo
1 /21 W @84-75 v # .Kent St (OH)
1 /24 W 70-@58 @ .Ball St (BG)
- / fJones(25p9r)
1 /28 W 74-@64 @ .C Michigan
2 / 1 W @86-72 v .Toledo (OH)
- / cPearson(29p12r)
Three starters return from last year's winning team, led by cJaMychal Green and fTony Mitchell; gTrevor Releford is
a solid contributor as well; freshmen 6-3 gTrevor Lacey and 6-5 gLevi Randolph should contribute sooner rather than later;
freshman 6-6 gRodney Cooper will eventually be ready as well for young coach Anthony Grant's squad.
(Replacing fChris Hines won't be a problem.)
In the new single-division alignment of the SEC, reloaded tourney champ Kentucky is
the favorite ahead of five returning starters at Vanderbilt;
retooled title champ Florida and the fortified Tide will contend; new-look Arkansas,
retooling Mississippi State and five returning starters at LSU can only hope to spoil.
Winning PUERTO RICO (Purdue, Temple, Maryland, Colorado, Wichita State) won't be easy; neither will winning on the road
against Kansas State or at home against Oklahoma State, VCU, Georgetown; Oakland and Detroit should be OK.
In league play, the "West Division" schedule gives them a break, plus two of their three tough "East" games are at home.
(No team is better poised to take advantage of the new single division standings.)
***
11/ 7 w @67-60 v {AL-Huntsville} (AL)
11/11 W @64-44 v N Florida
11/14 W @74-57 v Oakland
11/17 W 62-42 v Maryland (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
11/18 W 70-60 v # Wichita St (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
11/20 W 65-56 v #15 Purdue ([3:P.RICO] PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
- 4DF,5/19 3S,9TO;pTReleford(20p5a)
Great job winning PUERTO RICO with solid wins over Wichita State and Purdue -- part of the Best Week Ever
for WxSE (the SEC West). The defensive side is already there, but the halfcourt offense still needs a lot of work.
11/23 (#11) W @82-45 v Alabama A&M (AL)
11/27 (#11) W @72-64 v # VCU
- 1/11 3S
12/ 1 (#7) L @55-57 v # Georgetown
- 3/16 3S,9TO;fTMitchell(20p9r)
12/ 7 (#9) L 62-@74 @ Dayton
- 50%FG,4/16 3S,4/8FT;TMitchell(18p)
12/11 (#9) W @62-54 v Detroit
12/17 (#16) L 58-@71 @ # Kansas St (@ Kansas City, MO)
The Great Danes have turned in the most solid preseason among league teams. Better to track them as the standard-bearers
than struggling Stony Brook.
Four starters return from last year's .500 team, led by bLogan Aronhalt; gMike Black, fLuke Devlin
and reserve cBlake Metcalf all have experience as well for coach Will Brown.
(Replacing star bTim Ambrose is the main task.)
In the weak America East ,
it's up for grabs between five returning starters at Stony Brook
against veteran squads in Year After mode at Vermont, Boston University
and the Great Danes.
Winning NIT TIP-OFF (at Syracuse, at George Mason) wasn't likely; neither winning was at Pittsburgh.
In league play, their toughest games all come on the road in the first half -- as tough as you can get, actually.
12/28 L 72-@83 @ Maryland
- tGSuero(22p8a7r) / MD: TStoglin(22p)
12/31 W 65-@64 @ Mt St Mary's
- xGSuero(28p10r6to;GWFT;9/20fg;10/10ft)
Only two starters return from last year's conference regular season/Elite 8 team -- fSolomon Hill and gKyle Fogg have
experience; freshmen 6-3 gJosiah Turner should make an immediate impact; freshmen 6-2 gNick Johnson and 6-0 fAngelo Choi
will be ready sooner rather than later; freshman 6-8 fSidiki Johnson will eventually contribute as well
for still young coach Sean Miller.
(Replacing star fDerrick Williams [not to mention gMoMo Jones] is a major task.)
In the fortified and renamed Pac-12, it's up for grabs
among front-loaded UCLA, the retooling title champ Wildcats,
guard-happy tourney champ Washington, veteran California
and upwardly mobile Oregon.
Winning 2KS/COACHES VS CANCER (at St. John's, Texas A&M, Mississippi State) won't be easy; winning at Florida
and on the road against Gonzaga won't happen; beating Oakland at home should be no problem.
In league play, they only play California (away) and Oregon (home) once each -- easier than most have it.
***
10/27 (#21) l @68-69 v {Seattle Pacific}
11/ 1 (#21) w @60-51 v {Humboldt St}
11/ 7 (#21) W @73-64 v # Valparaiso (2KS/COACHES VS CANCER CLASSIC)
11/ 9 (#21) W @67-59 v Duquesne (2KS/COACHES VS CANCER CLASSIC)
11/13 (#21) W @73-63 v Ball St
- 31/43FT / 6/13FT;fJJones(25p9r)
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by bTyShawn Edmondson and cJohn Fraley; gJosh Terry
and tAnthony Campbell have experience as well for veteran coach Dave Loos' squad.
In the weak OVC ,
the Governors will battle it out with other veterans at Tennessee Tech and five returning starters at Tennessee State
for the top spot; retooling Murray State can only hope to spoil.
Winning CBE (California, Detroit) won't happen; road wins at Memphis, Belmont won't happen (but maybe Oral Roberts);
even at home, beating Belmont will be tough -- BRACKETBUSTERS may be their best shot at making noise.
In league play, two double-up tough games, but at least the one single is at home -- could be worse.
***
11/ 3 w @107-96 v {C Missouri}
11/ 7 w @98-55 v {Manchester}
11/11 L 71-@80 @ # Mid Tennessee (TN)
11/15(10Pet) L 55-@72 @ #25 California (CBE CLASSIC) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
- 2/17 3S
11/19 L 59-@71 @ # Oral Roberts
11/21 L 72-@82 @ Bowling Green (CBE CLASSIC @ Bowling Green, OH)
11/22 L 52-54 v Geo Washington (CBE CLASSIC @ Bowling Green, OH)
11/23 L 93-94(OT) v Detroit (CBE CLASSIC @ Bowling Green, OH)
11/26 L @70-90 v # Mid Tennessee (TN)
- 2DF,36%FG,4/17 3S,24/33FT,10S
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by fPerry Jones III and fQuincy Acy; cAnthony Jones
and pA.J. Walton have experience as well; freshman 6-9 fQuincy Miller and JuCo transfer 5-10 pPierre Jackson should make
an immediate impact; freshman 6-4 gDeuce Bello will be ready sooner rather than later
for still young coach Scott Drew's squad.
(Replacing star gLaceDarius done is a major task, but it also sets up the Bears
to use the "Year After" Rule to improve
on last year's disappointing season.)
In the downsized Big 12,
it's up for grabs as the veteran Bears (in Year After mode) and Texas A&M,
reloaded Texas and retooled Oklahoma State look to take advantage
of the new balanced schedule while five returning starters at Missouri
and rebuilding Kansas face a tougher road this season; Kansas State will be
spoilers at best.
Winning LAS VEGAS-XMAS (St. Mary's, West Virginia, Missouri State) should happen; beating San Diego State (home)
and BYU (away) are much easier this year; beating Mississippi State shouldn't be a problem, either.
In league play, a rough patch with seven big games (out of eight overall) will either make them or break them.
***
11/ 1 w @81-54 v {Abilene Christian} (TX)
11/11 W @77-57 v Texas So (TX)
11/13 W @92-59 v Jackson St
- 30/37FT
11/15(2Pet) W @77-67 v # San Diego St
(TIP-OFF MARATHON)
Just keep winning and the ranking will come. (Also, the win over rebuilt San Diego St looks better
after they have started the season quite competitively overall.)
11/29 (#21) W @90-54 v Prairie View A&M (TX)
12/ 4 (#21) W 69-@41 @ Northwestern
- 4DF,60%FG,4/18 3S,7/12FT;fQAcy(16p6r),gPJackson(16p)
The impressive road rout over finesse Northwestern warrants a substantial bump in the standings.
Better outside shooting would make them more believable in the long run ... but how do you argue with 60% shooting
from point-blank range!!!???
12/14 (#13) W @69-42 v Bethune-Cookman (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC)
12/17 (#13) W 86-@83 @ # BYU
- fPJones(28p8r)
12/19 (#11) w @95-54 v {Paul Quinn} (TX) (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC)
12/22(7:30P) (#11) W 72-59 v # St Mary's (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
- RM
12/23(6P) (#11) W 83-81(OT) v # W Virginia ([2v2:LVC-X] LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
- RM ; pPJackson(23p5a)
12/28 (#11) W @54-52 v #17 Mississippi St (THE SHOWCASE @ Dallas, TX)
- 35%FG,5/17 3S,11/17FT,8A,10S,[gPJackson(14p1a)]
As it was in LAS VEGAS, it was gPierre Jackson to the rescue at the end of the SHOWCASE game
with Mississippi State. The Bears have a lot of weapons -- and they haven't begun to put it all
together yet; fPerry Jones III and tQuincy Miller aren't consistenly showing their talents. Right now, it's gJackson,
cQuincy Acy in the paint and gBrady Heslip on the perimeter who are carrying the team.
1 / 2 (#10) W @61-52 v .Texas A&M (TX)
- 4DF,39%FG,2/12 3S;[cPJonesIII(14p12r)]
1 / 7 (#10) W 73-@60 @ .Texas Tech (TX)
1 /10 (#9) W 75-@73 @ #11 .Kansas St
- 4DF,54%FG,20A,13S;fPJonesIII(17p8r)
1 /14 (#9) W @106-65 v .Oklahoma St
- QMiller(26p)
The tough road win at Kansas State kept the Bears unbeaten. Better still was the breakout game
from fQuincy Miller against Oklahoma State. The big jump in the rankings has more
to do with everyone around them losing to non-elite opponents, but they can make it all legit if they survive
the roughest week yet.
1 /16 (#2) L 74-@92 @ #6 .Kansas
- 4DF,9/11FT,20A,12S;bPJonesIII(18p5r),gQMiller(17p),[fQAcy(14p6r)]
1 /21 (#2) L @88-89 v #9 .Missouri
- 4DF,57%FG,9/11FT,23A;gQMiller(29p;12/17fg),pPJackson(20p15a6to),fQAcy(18p9r)
The blowout loss at Kansas exposed their vulnerability to a true power player in the paint.
The lucky-to-be-squeak home loss vs Missouri exposed their inability to defend a multi-guard attack.
Yikes. Size is great, but they don't have inside muscle and those inside-out big men can't deal with a real guard.
They did worse the second time around vs Kansas and at Missouri. Maybe
moving gPierre Jackson into the starting lineup has hurt the overall balance in the team offense. fQuincy Miller
and fPerry Jones III can't seem to play well together in a win.
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season and tournament champ, led by gIan Clark and cMick Hedgepeth;
5-11 gDrew Hanlen and reserve cScott Saunders are solid contributors as well; gKerron Johnson also has experience
for veteran coach Rick Byrd's squad.
In the weak Atlantic Sun, the veteran Bruins are the overwhelming favorite;
East Tennessee State and Lipscomb will spoil at best.
Winning MAUI (at Duke, at Memphis) is a tough ask; a split with Marshall should happen (and maybe a sweep of Austin Peay).
In league play, double-ups with the biggest contenders is as tough as you could ask (but a veteran squad can handle it).
***
11/11 (#25) L 76-@77 @ #5 Duke (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
They gave it a great shot at upsetting Duke in Durham, ... but close only counts in Horseshoes --
so say goodbye to the national rankings (unless they can win in Memphis).
11/15 L 81-@97 @ #19 Memphis (TN) (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
11/19 W @87-41 v Towson (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Murfreesboro, TN)
A disappointing rout loss at Memphis. Still, it is some consolation to be
Unwelcome Guest winners of the MAUI mainland leftover group at Middle Tennessee.
It's taken them into February to post a splashworthy win -- the home win over Gonzaga is good enough
to make the elite overall record seem legit.
Three starters return from last year's Mountain West conference co-champ/Sweet 16 team, led by reinstated fBrandon Davies;
fNoah Hartsock and tKyle Collinsworth as well as reserves bCharles Abouo and fChris Collinsworth all have experience
for still young coach Dave Rose's squad.
(Replacing star gJimmer Fredette is an impossible task, not to mention gJackson Emery.)
In the fortified, competitive WCC,
the Tito champ Gonzaga is the favorite ahead of title champ veteran St. Mary's
and what's left at the new conferencemate Cougars; five returning starters at San Francisco and CIT champ Santa Clara
are both good enough to spoil.
Winning CHICAGO (Wisconsin, Nevada) was a tough ask; beating Baylor was unlikely; winning at Utah was a stretch;
beating Oregon and Weber State were expected.
In league play, starting at St. Mary's is a tough debut and then a big home double with midseason will make or break
their season.
2 /11 W @86-48 v .Pepperdine
2 /16 @ .San Francisco
2 /18 @ .Santa Clara
2 /23 @ # .Gonzaga
2 /25 v .Portland
2 /29 v ?? (WCC TOURNAMENT @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season and tournament (TiTo) champs, led by cMike Muscala
and gBryson Johnson; gBryan Cohen has experience as well for coach Dave Paulsen's squad.
(Replacing pDarryl Shazier is the main task.)
In the weak Patriot League ,
the veteran Tito champ Bison are the overwhelming favorites to repeat; Holy Cross
and veteran Lehigh have enough star power to spoil.
Don't expect a win at Vanderbilt (LEGENDS) but they can definitely win the Consolation bracket at home; road wins
at Minnesota, George Mason and Syracuse are tough asks (but BU away is a possibility); Richmond at home could be
a noise-maker.
In league play, the big games are well spaced on the full home-and-away balanced schedule.
***
11/11 L 58-@70 @ Minnesota
11/15 L 68-@80 @ #22 Vanderbilt (LEGENDS CLASSIC)
11/19 W @73-42 v St Francis-PA (PA)
11/22 W 74-@68 @ Marist
11/25 W @62-56 v Princeton (LEGENDS CLASSIC @ Lewisburg, PA)
- 1DF,2/6 3S,8A;cMMuscala(25p12r)
11/26 w @87-50 v {W Alabama} (LEGENDS CLASSIC @ Lewisburg, PA)
11/27 W @54-50 v Morehead St ([rr3vLEGENDSconsB] CLASSIC @ Lewisburg, PA)
Only two starters return from last year's FIVE-TIME DEFENDING conference regular season, two-time defending
conference tournament and two-time defending national runner-up squad -- notably cAndrew Smith; gChase Stigall,
and reserves gRonald Nored and fKhyle Marshall all have big-time experience; freshman 6-4 gRoosevelt Jones figures to be
the most ready among six newcomers to make an immediate contribution for young coach Brad Stevens.
(Replacing the likes of stars fMatt Howard and bShelvin Mack [not to mention key reserves gShawn Vanzant and gZach Hahn] is
a major rebuilding job -- but a winning tradition such as this one should be able to find a way to keep on rolling.)
In the competitive Horizon, the depleted Bulldogs are no longer
a "can't-miss" Anti-Spoiler prospect; they'll have their hands full staying ahead the Year After veterans
at Cleveland State and what's left at Milwaukee; five returning starters at Detroit might jump
from spoilers to contenders as well.
Winning at Indiana-yes, at Gonzaga-no; beating Purdue (CROSSROADS) on neutral ground is a toss-up this year;
beating Louisville and Xavier at home are tough but doable.
In league play, two of three big games come at home in the first half -- pretty good schedule.
***
11/ 2 (#11) l @50-53 v {Northern St}
11/ 5 (#11) w @91-53 v {Franklin}
11/12 (#11) L 77-@80(OT) @ Evansville (IN)
- / 32/43FT;tCRyan(23p7r5s;14/18ft)
Guess that exhibition loss wasn't an aberration after all.
This team has to find its own identity with such a turnover in personnel. Unfortunately, they won't be able to maintain
a ranking while doing it.
11/15 W @57-46 v Chattanooga (HOOSIER INVITATIONAL)
11/19 L @52-69 v #9 Louisville (BG)
- 2DF,39%FG,4/18 3S;fKMarhsall(20p6r)
11/21 W @57-42 v Savannah St (HOOSIER INVITATIONAL)
11/23 W @68-66 v Gardner-Webb (HOOSIER INVITATIONAL)
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by gJorge Gutierrez, cHarper Kamp and fAllen Crabbe --
all solid contributors for veteran coach Mike Montgomery's squad.
(Replacing fMarkuri Sanders-Frison is the major task.)
In the fortified and renamed Pac-12, it's up for grabs
among front-loaded UCLA, retooling title champ Arizona,
guard-happy tourney champ Washington, the veteran Bears
and upwardly mobile Oregon.
Winning CBE (Notre Dame, at Missouri) is tough but doable; winning at UNLV won't be easy, at San Diego State-yes.
In league play, they only face Arizona (home) and Oregon (away) once each -- as good as anyone has it.
***
11/ 1 w @88-53 v {UC-San Diego} (CA)
11/11 W @77-56 v UC-Irvine (CA)
11/13 W @81-54 v Geo Washington (CBE CLASSIC)
- / 3/8FT
Their so-so preseason is still better than Longwood -- track them
as the best Independent.
Three starters return from last year's losing team; pStephon Carter and cRashad Savage have experience
for new coach Rod Barnes (ex-Georgia State)'s squad.
(Replacing gDonavan Bragg and gAlex Johnson is the main task.)
The Independents (Longwood,
the Roadrunners and Seattle) are all in about the same boat with solid nuclei returning for everyone.
Winning at Oregon State, at Nevada or at home against UNLV won't happen.
Splitting with future conferencemate Cal Poly-SLO[BIG WEST] is their best shot.
In "league play", they don't play either of the other Independents.
12/27 L 58-@74 @ Texas Tech
12/30 w @75-41 v {Pomona-Pitzer} (CA)
1 / 2 L @72-73 v New Mexico St
1 / 5 L @57-89 v #14 UNLV
1 / 7 W @72-57 v TX Pan American
1 /10 W @71-70 v NJIT
- / tWilkerson(24p5a6r)
1 /14 W @67-65 v Cal St-Fullerton (CA)
- SCarter(25p)
1 /17 W 76-@73 @ Pacific (CA)
1 /23 L 70-@78 @ San Jose St (CA)
- / Brown(33p)
1 /28 L @68-76 v Cal St-Northridge (CA)
- cJohnson(18p10r) / CSN: Hicks(26p4a)
All five starters return from last year's winning team, led by gMarcus Jordan (yes, Michael's son)
and fKeith Clanton; freshman 6-10 cMichael Chandler should make an immediate contribution; 6-1 gJeff Jordan (ex-Illinois;
yes, also Michael's son) has experience as well for young coach Donnie Jones' squad.
In Conference USA,
tourney champ Memphis' five returning starters will battle what's left at title champ UAB,
veterans at Tulsa and talented Marshall for the top spot; the Golden Knights' five returning starters have
the star power to spoil.
Don't expect a breakthrough in ATLANTIS (Connecticut, Florida State, Harvard, UNC-Asheville); HOLIDAY (Rhode Island,
James Madison) is a bit tougher than your normal showcase; winning at Florida State-maybe; Old Dominion at home-yes.
In league play, they double-up on three tough opponents plus Tulsa is on the road -- about as tough as you could ask.
***
11/ 5 w @81-66 v {W Virginia Tech}
11/12 w @74-61 v {St Thomas-FL} (FL)
11/14 L 50-@73 @ # Florida St (FL)
11/18 W @84-72 v High Pt
11/24 W 74-63 v Col of Charleston (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
- cKClanton(28p14r)
11/25 W 68-63 v #4 Connecticut (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
- 27-36R;pMJordan(20p7a7r),bKClanton(20p6r)
11/26 L 49-59 v # Harvard (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
- 2DF,33%FG,1/11 3S,8/23FT,6A,5TO
For the second year in a row, they've claimed a major scalp -- this time,
it's defending champ Conncecticut. They couldn't keep the momentum going last year and crash-landed
in the second half of the season. Here, they follow up against (admittedly tough) Harvard.
Handle the scrubs and then peak for the next big opportunity to make some noise (in January).
12/ 3 W @67-48 v Hartford
12/10 W @53-51 v Bethune-Cookman (FL)
12/13 W @77-65 v NC A&T
- pMaJordan(28p6a)
12/17 W @61-53 v Old Dominion
- cKClanton(23p16r)
12/21 L 60-@61 @ Louisiana
12/29 W @80-70 v Stetson (FL) (UCF HOLIDAY CLASSIC @ Orlando, FL)
- MaJordan(26p)
12/30 W @65-54 v Rhode Island ([2vUCF] HOLIDAY CLASSIC @ Orlando, FL)
1 / 4 W @60-53 v .Tulane
1 / 7 W 81-@63 @ .E Carolina
1 /11 W @74-63 v .Houston
1 /14 L 64-@65 @ # .Marshall
- 5/20 3S,11/17FT;[fKClanton(14p8r)]
1 /18 W @68-67 v # .Memphis
- 2DF,26-28R,9A,8TO;tKClanton(23p8r;GWFT),gMaJordan(20p)
What a nice, mature road win against veteran, talented Vanderbilt. Looks like
the "Year After" Rule has taken hold right away!
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season tri-champ; gTrevor Harmon, gJeremy Montgomery
and fAaron Pogue are all solid contributors; former standout gD'Aundray Brown (back after a medical redshirt) will make
an immediate impact; 6-8 fAnton Grady will be ready sooner rather than later as well for coach Gary Waters' squad.
(Replacing 40p20r-star xNorris Cole is a major task.)
In the competitive Horizon,
depleted Butler is no longer a "can't-miss" Anti-Spoiler prospect; they'll have
their hands full staying ahead the Year After veteran Vikings and what's left at Milwaukee; five returning starters
at Detroit might jump from spoilers to contenders as well.
Beating Vanderbilt (LEGENDS) wasn't likely, and winning LEGENDS Cons (at Rhode Island, Hofstra) won't be easy, either;
BRACKETBUSTERS at home should be no problem.
In league play, two of three big games are away in the first half (including one in December) -- tough, but a veteran squad
can handle it.
11/15 (#21) w @86-57 v {Rio Grande}
11/18 (#21) W @67-64 v St Bonaventure
11/22 (#21) W 57-@53 @ # Kent St (OH)
- 33-37
11/25 (#21) W 63-62 v Boston U (LEGENDS CLASSIC @ Kingston, RI)
11/26 (#21) L 53-63 v Hofstra (LEGENDS CLASSIC @ Kingston, RI)
11/27 (#21) W 67-@45 @ # Rhode Island ([rr3@LEGENDSconsA] CLASSIC @ Kingston, RI)
An Unwelcome Guest win in the LEGENDS Consolation A group at Rhode Island is nice (but it included a squeak win
over Boston College and a loss to Hofstra). Ready or not, here come to big conference road games way early.
Even though they're still tied for the lead, they've lost control of the league race by being swept
by Valparaiso. (And there's no at-large bid coming their way, either.)
For sure, they're a better standard-bearer than struggling UNC-Asheville;
but they're also just plain trackable in their own right.
Three starters return from last year's conference regular season champs; fSam McLaurin, gKierre Greenwood
and reserve gAnthony Raffa all have experience for veteran coach Cliff Ellis' squad.
(Replacing stars fChad Gray and gDesmond Holloway is a major task.)
In the weak Big South ,
veteran squads (UNC-Asheville and Liberty) will battle it out for the top spot;
what's left of the Chanticleers and veteran VMI will be spoilers at least, contenders at best.
Beating LSU and winning at Clemson were pleasant surprises; winning at East Carolina should be easier by comparison;
BRACKETBUSTERS is just for show since theirs is a 1BC-only path to the tournament.
In league play, two big December games were fortunately at home, but that means they close with two big ones on the road.
It's the 3-0 start to conference play, not the so-so preseason, that gets them a notice.
Only two starters return from last year's winning team; tAndre Roberson has experience;
senior transfer (ex-Utah) 6-5 gCarlon Brown will make an immediate impact; freshman 6-4 gSpencer Dinwiddle will eventually
be ready for young coach Tad Boyle's squad.
(Replacing star bAlec Burks and bCory Higgins, not to mention gLevi Knutson and Marcus Relphorde is a complete overhaul.)
In the fortified and renamed Pac-12, it's up for grabs
among front-loaded UCLA, retooling title champ Arizona,
the guard-happy tourney champ Washington, veteran California
and upwardly mobile Oregon.
(The Buffaloes were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning PUERTO RICO (Purdue, Temple, Alabama, Wichita State) was out of the question; winning at Air Force
and Colorado State were tough asks; winning vs Wyoming and Cal State-Bakersfield were more doable.
In league play, they only get the L.A. schools once each -- too bad.
Four starters return from last year's conference tournament and national champs, led by tJeremy Lamb
and cAlex Oriakhi; fRoscoe Smith and reserve gShabazz Napier have plenty of experience as well;
freshmen 6-8 fDeAndre Daniels and 6-0 gRyan Boatright should make an immediate impact for Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun.
(Replacing Player of the Year pKemba Walker isn't possible, but they may actually use the "Year After" Rule to have
a stronger regular season campaign than last year's 9th-place league finish.)
Winning ATLANTIS (Florida State, Central Florida, Harvard, UNC-Asheville) should happen; beating Tennessee on the road
shouldn't be a problem this year; so too beating Arkansas, Harvard and Fairfield all at home.
In league play, their double-up games (Syracuse, Notre Dame, Seton Hall) are tougher than most; more big games at home
than away makes up for it.
***
11/ 2 (#4) w @78-35 v {American International}
11/ 6 (#4) w @91-61 v {C.W. Post}
11/11 (#4) W @70-57 v Columbia
- gJLamb(30p;11/17fg,5/8 3s)
11/14 (#4) W @78-66 v Wagner
11/17 (#4) W @80-60 v Maine
11/20 (#4) W @87-70 v Coppin St
- gJLamb(25p1a;10/17fg),xSNapier(22p13a12r) / pTGallo(21p6a)
So far so good. gJeremy Lamb has asserted himself nicely as Option No. 1; and now,
with xShabazz Napier's triple-double, there are absolutely no worries on the perimeter. Still,
a more physical presence up front and even more of a clamp-down defensive performance would be nice.
11/24 (#4) W 73-62 v # UNC-Asheville (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
11/25 (#4) L 63-68 v # C Florida (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
- 2/17 3S,7A,10B;gJLamb(15p1a)
11/26 (#4) W 78-74(OT) v #24 Florida St (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
- 4DF,11/25 3S,31-32R;pSNapier(26p5a6to;6/13 3s),gJLamb(19p)
Central Florida really clamped down on them on the perimeter -- that's a worry. The good news, though,
is that pShabazz Napier and gJeremy Lamb both played well against also-tough-defensively Florida State.
Still looking for help inside.
The December schedule is loaded.
12/ 3 (#13) W @75-62 v # Arkansas (BIG EAST/SEC CHALLENGE)
- 57%FG,33-40R,11B;pRBoatwright(23p6a6r),[bJLamb(14p6r)]
12/ 8 (#16) W @67-53 v #14 Harvard
- 8/12FT,8TO;bJLamb(18p7r)
12/18 (#12) W @77-40 v Holy Cross
12/22 (#10) W @79-71 v Fairfield (CT)
- SNapier(24p)
The back-to-back road losses at Seton Hall and at Rutgers are a wake-up call.
They couldn't make nay real noise in the preseason and now they've stumbled out of the gate in conference play.
Time to regroup and stop living off of last year's memories. This year's team doesn't have enough presence in the paint.
1 / 9 W @64-57 v #12 .W Virginia
- 2DF,55%FG,3/10 3S,9/13FT;tJLamb(25p8r),cADrummond(20p11r)
1 /14 W 67-@53 @ # .Notre Dame
1 /18 (#21) L @67-70 v .Cincinnati
- 9/12FT;pSNapier(27p7a5r)
Winning the feature match of GS-E/DALE HOWARD in such fine fashion over an improving Iowa team (along with the weak start
from Indiana State and Wichita State's failure to break through in PUERTO RICO) makes the Bluejays
(and perhaps Missouri State as well) the trackable standard-bearers for the league.
Three starters return from last year's winning team -- fDoug McDremott [the coach's son], pAntoine Young
and cGregory Echenique are all solid contributors for Greg McDermott's team.
(Replacing cKenny Lawson and bKaleb Korver is the main task.)
In the MVC,
the tourney champ Indiana State is the favorite ahead of NIT champ Wichita State
and the Bluejays; retooling title champ Missouri State may only be able to spoil.
Winning GS-E/DALE HOWARD (at Iowa) wasn't a surprise; winning at San Diego State (MVC/MWC) as well as Nebraska
and Northwestern at home will be tougher -- but all are doable.
In league play, two huge games come right away at the end of December -- it's make or break.
11/25 W @104-81 v # Campbell ([rr4:GS-E/D.HOWARD] DALE HOWARD CLASSIC)
- 5DF,70%FG,14/21 3S,23-29R,10S;bDMcDermott(31p11r;13/19fg)
/ xFGriffin(29p14r),bDWhite(16p5r)
They went belly-up at home in the biggest game of the season against Wichita State
(and they're Player of the Year "candidate" was nowhere to be found when they needed him most). They're probably still OK
for an at-large bid, but they're headed in the wrong direction (and losing a home BRACKETBUSTERS game could be devastating).
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by fJake Cohen and gJ.P. Kuhlman; fClint Mann
and reserve fDe'Mon Brooks have experience as well for veteran coach Bob McKillop's squad.
(Replacing gBrendan McKillop is the main task.)
In the weak Southern ,
the veteran Wildcats are the favorites in the South (and overall); in the North, veteran squads at Chattanooga
and Appalachian State will battle the returning nucleus at Western Carolina.
Don't expect road wins at Duke and Kansas or even Charlotte and Massachusetts; a home win over Vanderbilt is a tough ask,
but Richmond, Penn and the BRACKETBUSTERS game are all within reach.
In league play, two of three tough January games are on the road, but they can roll in the second half.
***
11/ 5 w @81-44 v {Lenoir-Rhyne}
11/11 w @111-64 v {Guilford}
11/14 W @74-61 v Richmond
11/18 L 69-@82 @ #11 Duke (NC)
11/21 w @68-54 v {Presbyterian}
11/26 W 70-@67 @ UNC-Wilmington (NC)
12/ 1 W 72-@69 @ .Wofford
12/ 3 W @86-65 v .Furman
12/ 7 L @83-87 v # Vanderbilt
- 4DF,5/22 3S,24/30FT;fDBrooks(24p9r),fJCohen(18p7r)
12/10 L 61-@84 @ Charlotte
12/19 W 80-@74 @ #6 Kansas (@ Kansas City, MO)
- 4DF,11/23 3S,34-41R;gNCochran(21p),bJPKuhlman(15p5r4a)
Winning OS/ORLANDO was quite a surprise. Nice win for the league as well, taking the crown away from a BCS school,
Minnesota.
Three starters return from last year's winning team; fChris Johnson is the only major contributor
for new coach Archie Miller's squad.
(Replacing fChris Wright as well as gJuwan Staten is the main task on the court; continuing the moment after Brian Gregory
left for Georgia Tech is the main task off the court.)
In the competitive Atlantic 10, they've finished 1-2
for four straight years already -- what's one more? This time, title champ Xavier is
the favorite to repeat ahead of veteran Temple; veteran squads at George Washington and St. Bonaventure
can only hope to spoil; (tourney champ Richmond has to rebuild from scratch).
(The Flyers were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning OS/ORLANDO (Indiana State, Minnesota, Arizona State, Fairfield) wasn't expected; even at home, beating Alabama is
a tough ask; winning at Murray State won't be easy, eirther.
In league play, their double-up games (Xavier, St. Louis, Duquesne) are pretty tough.
11/30 (#25) L @55-84 v Buffalo
12/ 4 (#25) L 58-@75 @ # Murray St
- 2DF,3/21 3S,5/8FT;fJBenton(17p6r)
The home win over Alabama gets them back in the conversation. If not for the ugly home loss to Buffalo,
they might have even climbed back into the rankings. The A-10 is having a good preseason, so they'll have
plenty of opportunities to impress further.
12/17 W @61-40 v FL International
12/21 L @64-69 v Seton Hall
12/23 W @64-57 v IL-Chicago
12/30 W @62-50 v Mississippi
1 / 4 W @79-72(OT) v # .St Louis
- 5DF,24/28FT,40-27R,21TO;pKDillard(18p10a)
The double over St. Louis and Temple is a fantastic start to conference play.
Junior transfer (ex-Southern Illinois) pKevin Dillard has emerged as the leader and senior gJosh Parker keeping pace
as his running mate. More consistent production up front would make this a truly splashworthy squad.
Not quite sure if they're good enough to be publicly tracked.
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by cSamme Givens; reserve gChris Fouch is
a major contributor as well; fDaryl McCoy and reserve fDartaye Ruffin also have experience for coach Bruiser Flint's squad.
(Replacing gGeral Colds is the main task.)
In the competitive Colonial, veteran squads (the Dragons,
George Mason and James Madison) will have the early jump on retooling Old Dominion
and VCU in a wide open race.
(The Dragons aren't expected to be a factor.)
Winning PARADISE (Marquette, Mississippi, TCU) won't happen; beating Fairfield and Bradley at home should;
they're not likely to be high enough in the RPI for their road BRACKETBUSTERS game to make the difference.
In league play, three of five big games are at home -- could be worse.
***
11/15 W 80-@62 @ Rider (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
11/18 L 56-61 v # Norfolk St (PARADISE JAM @ St. Thomas, VI)
11/19 L 35-49 v TCU (PARADISE JAM @ St. Thomas, VI)
11/21 W 68-45 v Winthrop (PARADISE JAM @ St. Thomas, VI)
They paid back their two league losses (Georgia State and Delaware), plus they have
a win over conference favorite George Mason to boot. Worth a re-look.
Only two starters return from last year's conference tourney champ/Sweet 16 team; senior fMiles Plumlee,
junior fMason Plumlee and gSeth Curry all have experience; freshmen 6-4 gAustin Rivers (son of Doc) and 6-0 gQuinn Cook
should make an immediate impact; freshman 6-7 tMichael Gbinije will contribute sooner rather than later;
freshmen 6-8 fAlex Murphy and 6-10 fMarshall Plumlee (making it "Plumlee U")
for Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski's squad.
(Replacing stars pNolan Smith, GC pKyrie Irving and tKyle Singler is basically a total rebuild from scratch.)
In the top-heavy ACC,
five returning starters at North Carolina are the favorite
over the guard-heavy Blue Devils; veteran Miami(Florida),
Florida State and Virginia Tech might contend (but probably only spoil).
Winning MAUI (UCLA, Michigan, Memphis, Kansas, Georgetown, Belmont) could be trouble so early for a young team;
winning at Ohio State (ACC/BIG 10) is too much to ask, on the road against Temple-yes; beating Washington at a neutral site
should happen; St. John's and Davidson at home are no problem.
In league play, they only play Miami(Florida) once (at home) -- better than it could be.
***
10/29 (#5) w @87-62 v {Bellarmine}
11/ 2 (#5) v @80-66 v {Shaw}
11/11 (#5) W @77-76 v #25 Belmont (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
11/12 (#5) w @96-55 v {Presbyterian}
- Mike Krzyzewski tied Bob Knight for all-time career wins (902)
They were lucky to escape at home against tough Belmont. Fortunately, the home win streak is intact
and Coach K's coronation is still on track for its TV close-up.
For the long term, though, there's a lot of maturing that needs to be done with this team.
11/15(7Pet) (#11) W 74-59 v # Michigan St (CHAMPIONS CLASSIC @ New York, NY /MSG/) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
- MIKE KRZYZEWSKI'S 903rd CAREER WIN -- #1 ALL-TIME; 30/41FT
Hat's off to Mike Krzyzewski for becomging THE ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACH (903 and counting). He's done it
with more of the greats as his contemporaries than any of the others at the top of the list (but he's also accomplished it
with a lion's share of the best-of-the-best blue chip talent).
11/21 (#10) W 77-67 v Tennessee (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
11/22 (#10) W 82-75 v #19 Michigan (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
- 25-29R
11/23 (#10) W 68-61 v #25 Kansas ([3:MAUI] INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
- 39%FG,27-32R,6A,11/25 3S;cMasPlumlee(17p12r),gRKelly(17p3a),gTThornton(7p;"2GW3"s)
They really had to work for it to win in MAUI. That can be a good sign or a bad one -- either they're going to have to grind
their way for every big win just like that, or they'll be a very tough out come the postseason because of their determination.
They're going to need it in their ACC/BIG 10 game. At this point, they're one of the few obstacles left standing in between
Ohio State and a run at an undefeated season.
11/29 (#4) L 63-@85 @ #1 Ohio St (ACC/BIG 10 CHALLENGE)
- 2DF,3/15 3S,8/14FT;gARivers(22p),fMasPlumlee(16p8r)
12/ 7 (#5) W @87-64 v Colorado St
12/10 (#5) W 86-80 v # Washington (CQAP/MSG CLASSIC @ New York, NY /MSG/)
- 4DF,5/17 3S,27/44FT;gARivers(18p),gADawkins(17p),fRKelly(16p8r)
Guardplay is supposed to be the strength of this squad, yet the backcourt failed to come through on the road
at Temple, and it was the determination and clutch free-throw shooting of tRyan Kelly that saved the day
on the road at lowly Georgia Tech. This year's team is starting to look like it has
Imperial Clothing.
1 /12 (#8) W @61-58 v #17 .Virginia
- 4DF,52%FG,5/20 3S,8/19FT,23-34R
1 /15 (#8) W 73-@66 @ .Clemson
1 /19 (#5) W @91-73 v .Wake Forest (NC)
1 /21 (#5) L @73-76 v # .Florida St
1 /25 (#8) W 74-@61 @ .Maryland
1 /28 (#8) W @83-76 v St John's
2 / 2 (#8) W 75-@60 @ .Virginia Tech
2 / 5 (#8) L @74-78(OT) v # .Miami-FL
- 2DF,38%FG,13/22FT;gSCurry(22p4a),tARivers(20p9r)
The OT home loss to Miami(Florida) drops them into second place at the break,
behind Florida State and North Carolina. Such a non-elite loss at Cameron is
a bad sign.
They absolutely stole the win at North Carolina with some late 3s (including bAustin Rivers'
buzzer-beating game-winner). Now they're back in control with their league title fate in their own hands again.
2 /16 (#4) v .NC State (NC)
2 /19 (#4) @ .Boston Col
2 /23 @ # .Florida St
2 /25 v .Virginia Tech
2 /28 @ .Wake Forest (NC)
3 / 3 v # .N Carolina (NC)
3 / 8 v ?? (ACC TOURNAMENT @ Atlanta, GA /PHILIPS/)
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season champs, led by fRyan Olander and 5-11 gDerek Needham;
bMaurice Barrow and reserve gRakim Sanders also have experience for new coach Sydney Johnson (ex-Princeton).
(Replacing fYorel Hawkins is the main task, besides taking over from coach Ed Cooley [who left for Providence].)
In the weak Metro Atlantic ,
the veteran Stags are the favorites to repeat ahead of Iona and Rider;
Loyola(Maryland) may be good enough to spoil.
Winning OS/ORLANDO (Arizona State) isn't unthinkable; winning at Minnesota, Connecticut and Drexel is out;
beating Providence or Old Dominion in front of home crowds-maybe.
In league play, the tough games all come at home in the first half -- great way to get a leg up on the competition.
They couldn't come up with a breakthrough win at OS/ORLANDO. It's going to be tough now making any kind of splash
on the national scene on the road. They lost their chance at being a bubble team -- it's "1BC or Bust"
from here on out.
12/ 2 W 79-@75 @ .Niagara
- / Green(35p)
12/ 4 W 68-@59 @ .Canisius
12/ 9 W @59-51 v Old Dominion (HALL OF FAME SHOWCASE @ Springfield, MA)
12/11 W @58-52 v New Hampshire
12/22 L 71-@79 @ #10 Connecticut (CT)
- RSanders(20p)
Only two starters return from last year's conference regular season champ/Elite 8 team
-- the backcourt duo of 5-8 gErving Walker and gKenny Boynton; fPatrick Young has experience as well;
transfer 6-3 gMike Rosario (ex-Rutgers) is a solid contributor; freshmen 6-3 gBradley Beal will make an immediate impact
as well for coach Billy Donovan's squad.
(Replacing tChandler Parsons, cVernon Macklin and fAlex Tyus is a total rebuild of the front line.)
In the new single-division alignment of the SEC,
reloaded tourney champ Kentucky is the favorite
ahead of five returning starters at Vanderbilt; the retooled title champ Gators
and fortified Alabama will contend; new-look Arkansas, retooling Mississippi State
and five returning starters at LSU can only hope to spoil.
Winning GS-A (at Ohio State) won't happen; neither will winning at Syracuse; beating Arizona, Texas A&M (ORANGE BOWL)
and Florida State won't be easy; beating Mississippi Valley State and UAB will.
In league play, the "East Division" schedule does them no favors, and they get Alabama and Arkansas on the road to boot.
Impressive rout of Texas A&M. It's nice to see three backcourt players getting theirs -- (but it's be
nicer to see one or two guys up front in the mix regularly as well). Still, onward and upward.
12/19 (#15) W @82-54 v # MS Valley St
- 5DF,10/21 3S,20/24FT,42-28R;gEWalker(19p),gKBoynton(16p)
12/22 (#15) W @82-64 v # Florida St (FL)
- BBeal(21p)
The slumping Gators have found themselves sliding all the way out of the rankings this week. What talent there is up front
is so dependent upon the backcourt to feed it that it goes undernourished from the shoot-first guard corps. A road loss
at starting-over-from-scratch Tennessee is just a lack of effort.
1 /10 W @70-48 v .Georgia
1 /14 W 79-@65 @ .S Carolina
1 /21 (#23) W @76-64 v .LSU
1 /26 (#21) W 64-@60 @ .Mississippi
1 /28 (#21) W @69-57 v #19 .Mississippi St
- 11/24 3S,4/7FT,5TO;BBeal(19p)
The solid win over Mississippi State confirms their return to form. They lead the nation
in three-point shooting, but it's a continuing issue of rebounding and scoring from the front line.
2 / 2 (#12) W @74-66 v .S Carolina
2 / 4 (#12) W @73-65 v #16 .Vanderbilt
- 4DF,38%FG,11/24 3S;gKBoynton(18p0a),bBBeal(16p7r)
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season champs, led by 5-6 gRay Taylor
and gGreg Gantt; fKore White has experience as well for veterean coach Mike Jarvis' squad.
(Replacing fBrett Royster isn't a major rask.)
In the weak Sun Belt ,
the veteran Owls are the favorites in the East (and overall) ahead of the returning nucleus
at Middle Tennessee; in the competitive West, Arkansas State and Louisiana will battle
five returning starters at Denver.
Winning WV (Washington) won't happen, neither will road wins at Kansas, Harvard, Mississippi State or Miami(Florida);
beting George Mason at home is probably a stretch as well.
In league play, two of three games against the West are on the road (as well as two of three big games in the first half).
***
11/ 8 w @64-53 v {Lynn U}
11/12 L 65-70 v Portland (WV CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
- 8/15FT,5TO
11/13 L 71-@77 @ # Washington (WV CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
11/14 W 84-77 v Georgia St (WV CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
- 15/25 3S
11/16 L 56-@62 @ American
11/19 W @80-75(OT) v # Geo Mason
- 5DF;pRTaylor(15p5a7r)
11/22 W 62-@60 @ Hofstra
- ATucker(GWFG)
11/26 L 55-@68 @ S Florida (FL)
11/30 L 54-@77 @ # Kansas
- 2DF,32%FG,4/17 3S,8/19FT,8A,10S;xPBertone(17p12r),gDMarvin(17p0a)
Three starters return from last year's Sweet 16 team, led by tBernard James; freshman 6-7 fAntwan Space should make
an immediate impact for veteran coach Leonard Hamilton's squad.
(Replacing do-everything fChris Singleton and gDerwin Kitchen is a major task.)
In the top-heavy ACC,
five returning starters at North Carolina are the favorite
guard-heavy "Plumlee U" (Duke); veteran Miami(Florida),
the Seminoles and Virginia Tech might contend (but probably only spoil).
Winning ATLANTIS (Connecticut, Central Florida, Harvard, UNC-Asheville) won't happen, neither will winning at Michigan State
(ACC/BIG 10); winning at Florida isn't an impossible thought; beating Central Florida at home should happen.
In league play, they only have to play North Carolina once (at home, to boot) -- as good as you could ask.
The Seminoles failed to make a name for themselves at ATLANTIS. Instead, it was Harvard who made
their own rep at their expense. Still, they did get to meet up with Connecticut like they'd hoped,
but that outcome didn't go their way, either.
No time for navel-gazing, though. If the league has any shot at reclaiming the title in the ACC/BIG 10 CHALLENGE,
the 'Noles have to come through with a big road win.
11/30 L 49-@65 @ # Michigan St (ACC/BIG 10 CHALLENGE)
- 2DF,39%FG,4/20 3S,3/6FT
12/ 5 W @76-51 v Charleston So
12/11 W @75-60 v UNC-Greensboro
12/18 W @77-61 v Loyola Marymount
12/22 L 64-@82 @ #15 Florida (FL)
- LLoucks(15p)
12/30 L @73-75(3OT) v Princeton
- 4/18 3S
1 / 4 W @85-56 v Auburn
1 / 7 L 59-@79 @ .Clemson
1 /10 W 63-@59 @ .Virginia Tech
1 /14 W @90-57 v #2 .N Carolina
- 12/27 3S,12S;gDDulkys(32p;12/14fg,8/10 3s),bMSnaer(17p5r)
A stellar performance from gDelvidas Dulykis keyed the Seminoles' total humiliation of North Carolina.
They still have a lot to prove, though, that this statement was more about themselves than it was about the Tar Heels.
The switch has been turned on and this team is finally delivering the results that were expected from it from the start
of the season. A buzzer-beater win at Duke is huge. It legitimizes the earlier stunner.
Give 'em all the credit you can for the moment. (But can they deliever the routine wins from here on out?)
1 /25 (#7) W 75-@52 @ .Wake Forest
2 / 1 (#7) W @68-54 v .Georgia Tech
2 / 4 (#7) W @58-55 v #24 .Virginia
- 2DF,9/16FT,7A,10S
Three starters return from last year's conference tournament champ/first-round splash team, led by fRyan Pearson;
5-10 gAndrew Cornelius and fMike Morrison have experience as well; 6-8 cErik Copes should make an immediate impact
for new coach Paul Hewitt (ex-Georgia Tech).
(Replacing bCam Long and fLuke Hancock is a major task, not to mention the transition to a new coach after Jim Larranaga
left to take over at Miami(Florida).)
In the competitive Colonial,
veteran squads (Drexel, the Patriots and James Madison) will have the early jump
on retooling Old Dominion and VCU in a wide open race.
Winning the NIT TIP-OFF (Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Stanford) isn't impossible; a road win at Florida Atlantic
shouldn't be a problem, winning at Virginia isn't out of the question, either; beating Bucknell and the BRACKETBUSTERS game
at home should happen as well.
In league play, they double-up with all the big contenders except Drexel (which is away) -- pretty tough schedule.
***
10/31 (#24) w @90-62 v {Lycoming}
11/11 (#24) W @92-90(OT) v Rhode Island
- 2/14 3S;cRPearson(28p12r;11/22fg) / fJWilson(38p7r;12/22fg,11/12ft)
They failed to even make it far enough to meet Virginia Tech for the chance to go to New York in the NIT TIP-OFF. At least,
they salvaged something by winning their Consolation round-robin showcase.
11/30 W @61-57 v # Bucknell
- 2/12 3S,8TO,29-35R;fRPearson(16p6r)
12/ 3 W 65-@53 @ .Towson
12/ 6 L 48-@68 @ #25 Virginia (VA)
- 0DF,2/8 3S,8/16FT,6A,20TO
12/10 W 76-@61 @ Radford (VA)
12/21 L @64-75 v Duquesne
12/23 W @81-61 v Manhattan
- RPearson(25p)
12/30 W 84-@76 @ Col of Charleston
- cRPearson(35p14r;15/25fg)
1 / 2 W @70-56 v .William & Mary (VA)
1 / 5 W 63-@54 @ .Old Dominion (VA)
1 / 7 W @61-58 v .Georgia St
- 37%FG,5/18 3S,18/21FT,36-26R,8A;bVVaughns(17p5r),[cMMorrison(14p15r)
The Patriots won what passes for The Game of the Year in conference this season with their victory
over surprising Georgia State. Better news: they did it without a major contribution
from fRyan Pearson this time.
The tough road win at Alabama seals the deal -- this team is worth tracking ...
and more -- a Top-10 ranking (this week, anyway).
Only two starters return from last year's NCAA team, led by fHollis Thompson; gJason Clark is a solid contributor as well;
freshmen 6-9 cTyler Adams and 6-9 fOtto Porter will eventually be ready for coach John Thompson III.
(Replacing gAustin Freeman and pChris Wright as well as fJulian Vaughn is a major overhaul.)
Winning MAUI (Duke, Memphis, Michigan, Kansas) was a tough ask; winning at Alabama was also a surprise; beating Memphis
at home should happen.
In league play, their double-up games (Marquette, St. John's, Providence) are tough, but they could be worse.
12/10 (#7) W @62-48 v Howard (Washington,DC)
12/17 (#8) W @81-55 v American (Washington,DC)
12/22 (#16) W @70-59 v # Memphis
- JClark(18p)
12/28 (#14) W 71-@68 @ #15 .Louisville
- gMStarks(20p0a),[cOPorter(14p14r)]
Let's hear it for a no-name squad that just keeps delivering the Ws. Very solid wins, at home
over struggling Memphis, and on the road at talented Louisville.
1 / 4 (#9) W @73-70 v #12 .Marquette
- trailed by 17 ; 63%FG,13/23FT,21-22R;bJClark(26p5r),gHThompson(16p;GW3)
1 / 7 (#9) L 62-@74 @ # .W Virginia
- 2/14 3S;bHThompson(20p5r)
1 / 9 (#13) L @64-68 v .Cincinnati
1 /15 (#13) W 69-@49 @ .St John's
1 /17 W 83-@75 @ .DePaul
- JClark(31p)
1 /21 W @52-50 v .Rutgers
1 /28 L 60-@72 @ .Pittsburgh
2 / 1 (#22) W @58-44 v # .Connecticut
2 / 4 (#22) W @75-45 v .S Florida
- tHSims(13p9r5a)
Only one starter returns from last year's NCAA squad -- 5-11 gDustin Ware. gGerald Robinson has experience.
[If he's eligible,] freshman 6-4 gKentavious Caldwell-Pope is the best hope of making an immediate impact.
Transfer 6-7 tConnor Nolte (ex-Furman), JuCo transfer 7-0 cJohn Florveus, and freshmen 6-11 cJohn Cannon,
6-8 fNemanja Djurisic and 6-10 cTim Dixon don't figure to be ready to contribute right away for still young coach Mark Fox'
squad.
(Replacing fTrey Thompkins and bTravis Leslie is beyond the capability of this new group.)
In the new single-division alignment of the SEC, reloaded tourney champ Kentucky is
the favorite ahead of five returning starters at Vanderbilt;
retooled title champ Florida and fortified Alabama will contend; new-look Arkansas,
retooling Mississippi State and five returning starters at LSU can only hope to spoil.
(The depleted Dawgs will do well to even be a tough out this season.)
Winning CBE (California, Notre Dame, Missouri) won't happen; road wins at Xavier, Colorado or USC aren't likely, either;
home wins vs Cincinnati (SEC/BIG EAST) and the grudge match with Georgia Tech maybe the highlight of the season.
In league play, the "East Division" schedule does them no favors but at least they get Alabama and Arkansas at home.
***
11/ 4(7P) w @74-50 v {Morehouse Col} (GA)
11/11(8P) W @62-49 v Wofford
11/13(6P) W @63-54 v Bowling Green (CBE CLASSIC @ Athens, GA)
- 3/15 3S / 2/11 3S,6/13FT
11/16(7P) W @72-61 v SD State (CBE CLASSIC @ Athens, GA)
11/21 L 46-70 v #20 California (CBE CLASSIC @ Kansas City, MO)
11/22 W 61-57 v #13 Notre Dame (CBE CLASSIC @ Kansas City, MO)
The Dawgs did a great job beating Notre Dame at CBE. Unfortunately, they lost
the two other tough games on the week, so it's hard to give them much credit for going 1-2.
11/28 L 68-@70 @ # Colorado
12/ 2(7P) L @51-57 v # Cincinnati (SEC/BIG EAST CHALLENGE)
- 2DF,36%FG,3/14 3S,8A;bKCaldwellPope(16p7r)
12/ 7(7P) L @56-68 v Georgia Tech (GA)
- 35%FG,6/23 3S,7A;gGRobinson(20p1a)
12/17 W 63-@59 @ USC
12/20(7P) W @72-58 v Mercer (GA)
12/23(7P) W @64-50 v Furman
12/27(7P) W @92-86(OT) v Winthrop
- GRobinson(22p) / Jones(33p)
12/30(2P) W @58-51 v Delaware St
1 / 7(7P) L @59-74 v # .Alabama
- KCaldwellPope(22p)
1 /10 L 48-@70 @ # .Florida
- 1DF,1/9FT
1 /14 L 66-@77 @ #18 .Vanderbilt
1 /18(8P) W @57-53(OT) v .Tennessee
1 /21(4P) L @63-66 v .Mississippi
- KCaldwellPope(25p) / Henry(24p)
1 /24(9P) L @44-57 v #1 .Kentucky
2 / 1 L 51-@59 @ .Auburn
2 / 4 L 62-@73 @ .Tennessee
2 / 8(8P) W @81-59 v .Arkansas
- GRobinson(27p)
2 /11 W 70-@68(OT) @ # .Mississippi St
- 11/26 3S,5/11FT,4TO;tKCaldwellPope(20p8r;6/12 3s,GW3)
2 /15 @ .S Carolina
2 /19(1P) v #25 .Vanderbilt
2 /22 @ .LSU
2 /25(4P) v # .Florida
3 / 1 @ # .Kentucky
3 / 3(1:30P) v .S Carolina
3 / 8 v ?? (SEC TOURNAMENT @ New Orleans, LA /NEW ORLEANS/)
Four starters return from last year's losing team, led by fEric Buckner and bJihad Ali; fBrandon McGee has experience
as well. 6-5 gTony Kimbro is the only newcomer of note for new coach Ron Hunter (ex-IUPUI).
(There's nowhere to go but up after the disappointing Rod Barnes era.)
In the competitive Colonial, veteran squads
at Drexel, George Mason and James Madison will have
the early jump on retooling Old Dominion and VCU in a wide open race.
(The rebuilding Panthers can't expect to be anything more than a tough out.)
Winning WV (@Washington, Florida Atlantic) won't happen; beating Rhode Island and BRACKETBUSTERS at home are
the best shots at making noise.
In league play, they double-up with three of the five top squads -- tougher than it could be.
***
10/31(7P) w @90-65 v {Southern Poly} (GA)
11/ 5(7P) w @90-49 v {Oglethorpe} (GA)
11/12 L 74-@91 @ # Washington (WV CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
- 8/17FT
11/13 L 61-66 v Portland (WV CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
- 8/13FT
11/14 L 77-84 v FL Atlantic (WV CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
11/18(7P) W @69-50 v McNeese St
- RM ; gDWhite(21p)
11/22 W 55-@47 @ Samford
11/26(7:30P) W @72-50 v Liberty
11/29 W 85-@54 @ SC State
12/ 1(7P) W @73-47 v FL International
- RM ; / 24%FG,4/24 3S
12/ 3(2P) W @66-34 v .William & Mary
- / 0DF
12/10(2P) W @96-54 v Rhode Island
12/17 W 71-@68 @ # UT Valley
- 4DF,16/28FT,30-40R,12S;gDWhite(17p),tJAli(16p8r)
The Panthers dropped The Game of the Year in conference this season, but they played George Mason
tough on the road . . . and they were a part of The Game of the Year in conference! Qualifying for the postseason is
going to be difficult now. Even a home BRACKETBUSTERS win won't get them an at-large bid; so it's either win the tournament
or hope for some help getting back in the title race. (Still, ain't it great they're back in the conversation!?)
1 /12(7P) W @75-61 v .UNC-Wilmington
- RM ; JFields(21p) / cRendleman(23p13r)
Only two starters return from last year's losing team, led by bGlen Rice Jr.; cDaniel Miller has experience.
Transfer 6-3 gBrandon Reed (ex-Arkansas State) and freshman 6-7 fJulian Royal should contribute as well
for new coach Brian Gregory (ex-Dayton).
(Replacing bIman Shumpert and fBrian Oliver is the main task on the court; turning around the slumping momentum
of the program in the last few years of Paul Hewitt's reign may be tougher.)
In the top-heavy ACC,
five returning starters at North Carolina are the favorite
over guard-heavy "Plumlee U" (Duke); veteran Miami(Florida),
Florida State and Virginia Tech might contend (but probably only spoil).
(If the rebuilding Jackets make any noise at all, it'll be an accomplishment.)
Winning CHARLESTON (VCU, LSU) won't happen; beating Northwestern (ACC/BIG 10) and Alabama will be tough even at home.
In league play, at least they only get the juggernauts once each.
***
(Due to renovations turning the old Alexander Coliseum into the new McCamish Pavilion,
the Jackets' home games will be held either at the Arena at Gwinnett [in Duluth] or at Philips Arena [downtown].)
11/11(8P) W @92-59 v Florida A&M (/GWINNETT/)
11/14(7P) W @70-52 v Delaware St (/GWINNETT/)
11/17 L 53-66 v St Joseph's (CHARLESTON CLASSIC @ Charleston, SC)
11/18 W 73-60 v # VCU (CHARLESTON CLASSIC @ Charleston, SC)
11/20 L 50-59 v LSU (CHARLESTON CLASSIC @ Charleston, SC)
- 5/6FT
11/23(7P) W @72-44 v Siena (/GWINNETT/)
11/29(7:15P) L @60-76 v # Northwestern (ACC/BIG EAST CHALLENGE) (/PHILIPS/)
- RM ; 4DF,2/11 3S;gJMorris(21p1a)
12/ 3 L 52-@57 @ Tulane
12/ 7(7P) W 68-@56 @ Georgia (GA)
- 5DF,52%,3/12 3S,25-25R;pJMorris(15p1a)
12/10 W 65-@45 @ Savannah St (GA)
12/19(7P) W @65-54 v Alabama A&M (/GWINNETT/)
12/22(7P) L @59-@65 @@ Mercer (GA) (/GWINNETT/)
12/29 L 66-@72 @ Fordham
- / FORD: cGaston(23p17r)
1 / 3(9P) L @48-73 v # Alabama (/PHILIPS/)
- [Holsey(14p)]
1 / 7(12N) L @74-81 v #3 .Duke (/PHILIPS/)
- tGRiceJr(28p8r;10/17fg),gMUdofia(19p)
Three starters return from the ELEVEN-TIME DEFENDING conference regular season
and last year's conference tournament (TiTo) champ, led by 7-0 cRobert Sacre and fElias Harris; freshmen 6-1 gKevin Pangos,
6-2 gGary Bell and 6-5 gKyle Dranginis should make an immediate impact for coach Mark Few's squad.
(Replacing gSteven Gray is the main task -- an all-freshman backcourt is a tough way to go.)
In the fortified, competitive WCC,
the Tito champ Bulldogs are the favorites ahead of title champ veteran St. Mary's and what's left
at new conferencemate BYU; five returning starters at San Francisco and CIT champ Santa Clara are both good enough
to spoil.
BC (Hawaii) should be no problem; road wins at Illinois and Xavier will be tough to pull off; home wins
over Notre Dame and Longwood should be expected, but Michigan State, Arizona and Butler won't be easy even at home.
In league play, the tough games are evenly spread across the beefed up schedule.
***
10/28 (#19) w @95-51 v {Carroll Col}
11/11 (#19) W @77-69 v Ea Washington (WA)
- 36/51FT
11/14(12Met) (#17) W @89-81 v Washington St (WA) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
- 30/37FT;pKPangos(33p6a;9/13 3s)
11/19 (#17) W @73-54 v Hawaii (BC CLASSIC @ Vancouver, BC CANADA)
pKevin Pangos' spectacular debut against Washington State couldn't have been better. Here's hoping he doesn't get trapped
trying to repeat it. Regardless, an outside threat is just what the doctor ordered for this front-loaded team.
11/26 (#17) W @78-58 v We Michigan
11/30 (#17) W @73-53 v # Notre Dame
12/ 3 (#17) L 75-@82 @ # Illinois
- 51%FG;fEHarris(19p8r),RSacre(16p2r)
12/10 L @67-74 v #24 Michigan St
- 22/28FT,9A;pDStockton(19p1a;5/9 3s),fRSacre(16p7r)
12/15 W @67-61 v # Oral Roberts
12/17 W @71-60 v # Arizona (BATTLE IN SEATTLE @ Seattle, WA)
- 4DF,3/20 3S,20/32FT,36-22R,5TO;fEHarris(25p8r;11/15fg)
12/20 W @71-55 v Butler
12/22 W @70-60 v Air Force
12/28 W @90-51 v .Portland
12/31 W 72-@65 @ # Xavier
- 41-27R;cSDower(20p10r)
The road win at Xavier probably says more about the state of the Musketeers;
but here's to keeping a struggling team struggling. Way to take advantage of what vulnerability they show you.
It's a good sign that a backcourt that talented didn't rip them to shreds. Plus, the emergence of cSam Dower is
an unexpected bonus.
The road pounding at St. Mary's puts their streak of regular season titles in doubt (but they came back
from a much worse position than this to claim a share last year). An at-large bid is always an iffy prospect
for this league, so they can't afford any non-elite slip-ups.
1 /19 W @74-63 v .San Francisco
1 /21 W @77-60 v .San Diego
1 /26 W 74-@62 @ .Portland
2 / 2 (#25) L 73-@83 @ # .BYU
- 9/19 3S
2 / 4 (#25) W 72-@60 @ .Pepperdine
2 / 9 W @73-59 v #15 .St Mary's
- 4DF,53%FG,10/19FT,36-26R;gKPangos(27p;5/6 3s)
The solid home win over St. Mary's gets them back in the conversation (if not completely back in
the league race, unfortunately). Win out and see what happens.
2 /16 (#21) @ .Santa Clara
2 /18 (#21) @ .San Francisco
2 /23 v # .BYU
2 /25 @ .San Diego
2 /27 v Longwood
2 /29 v ?? (WCC TOURNAMENT @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
Three starters return from last year's conference tournament champs, led by the backcourt of gDarrion Pellum
and bKwame Morgan; fDanny Abgelese has experience as well for young coach Ed Joyner's squad.
(Replacing fCharles Funches is the main task.)
In the fortified (but still weak overall) MEAC ,
it's up for grabs between the returning Pirates and title champ Bethune-Cookman and veteran squads at Coppin State,
Morgan State and North Carolina A&T.
Winning CANCUN (Richmond, Rutgers) won't happen, but DP (at Chattanooga, Longwood, Utah Valley) is more possible,
and BIG APPLE (Howard)-yes; at James Madison-no.
In league play, they double-up on two tough opponents, but they don't play North Carolina A&T at all -- weird.
***
11/12 W @73-58 v William & Mary (VA)
11/17 L 51-@72 @ Richmond (VA) (CANCUN-THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE)
11/20 L 52-@66 @ Rutgers (CANCUN-THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE)
11/22 L 71-78 v Sacred Heart (CANCUN-THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE @ Cancun, MEXICO)
11/23 w 68-64 v {SIU-Edwardsville} (CANCUN-THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE @ Cancun, MEXICO)
11/29 W @68-64 v High Pt
12/ 1 L @49-65 v .Savannah St
12/ 4 W @71-@53 @@ .Howard (DC/VA) ([@@BIG APPLE] CLASSIC @ New York, NY)
All five starters return from last year's conference co-champs, led by cKeith Wright and fKyle Casey;
gChristian Webster, gOliver McNally, gBrandyn Curry and reserve gLaurent Riyard are all solid contributors
for coach Tommy Amaker's squad.
In the Ivy League, the Crimson's five returning starters are the favorites;
veteran squads at Yale and Princeton will contend.
Winning ATLANTIS (Connecticut, Florida State, Central Florida, UNC-Asheville) is too much to ask; winning at Connecticut
won't happen; beating Florida Atlantic shouldn't be a problem.
In league play, the big games come on the road first -- tougher than you'd want, but a veteran squad can handle it.
***
11/11 w @76-49 v {MIT} (Boston,MA)
11/15 W 73-@64 @ Holy Cross (MA)
11/19 W 77-@67 @ Loyola Marymount
- / Ireland(26p)
11/24 W 75-47 v Utah (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
11/25 W 46-41 v #24 Florida St (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
- 1DF,36%FG,3/8 3S,4/10FT,26-36R,13S
11/26 W 59-49 v # C Florida ([3:ATLANTIS] BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
- 2DF,4/14 3S,23p35FT,9A;fKCasey(15p9r)
Wow!!! Welcome to the big leagues, boys!!! Great job winning ATLANTIS
with the likes of defending national champion Connecticut in the field. The direct wins
over Florida State and Central Florida came from tough, physical defense
and a deliberate (if less than smooth) offense.
Take your bow; adjust to the view from this higher level ... and get back to work. There are much greater things
awaiting at the end of the season.
12/ 1 (#8) W 55-@48 @ # Vermont
12/ 4 (#8) w @80-70 v {Seattle}
12/ 8 (#14) L 53-@67 @ #16 Connecticut
- 1DF,36%FG
12/10 (#14) W 76-@52 @ Boston U (Boston,MA)
12/22 (#18) W @63-51 v FL Atlantic
12/29 (#22) W 67-@46 @ Boston Col (Boston,MA)
12/31 (#22) W @74-69 v St Joseph's
- cKCasey(26p10r) / gJones(22p5a)
Say goodbye to the rankings for the year after the road loss at Fordham. (Nothing less than running the table instead
a 1BC league would have kept them in, anyway.) Now the task is to dominate the league and set yourself up
for a quality seed that can be a path to a first-round splash.
1 /10 W 70-@61 @ Monmouth
1 /14 W @69-48 v Geo Washington
1 /21 W 54-@38 @ .Dartmouth
1 /27 W 65-@35 @ .Yale
1 /28 W 68-@59 @ .Brown
2 / 3 (#23) W @71-60 v .Cornell
2 / 4 (#23) W @57-52 v .Columbia
2 /10 (#19) W 56-@50 @ .Penn
2 /11 (#19) L 62-@70 @ .Princeton
- 5/18 3S,7/11FT,7TO;cKWright(16p12r),gBCurry(15p4a)
The loss at Princeton is bad news. One more slip-up and they'll be in a playoff for the league title
for the second straight year. (They're in decent shape for an at-large bid, but it's a bad year to try and get in that way.)
Winning CANCUN was a nice way to start the season. Not sure if any of those wins warrant publicly tracking them yet, though.
Only one starter returns from last year's winning team; gBrandon Paul and 7-1 cMeyers Leonard have experience;
transfer (ex-Bradley) 6-0 pSam Maniscalco will make an immediate impact; freshmen 6-1 gTracy Abrams, 6-8 fMike Shaw
and 6-6 tMyke Henry will eventually be ready to contribute for Bruce Weber's squad.
(Replacing pDemetri McCamey, not to mention fMike Davis and 7-1 cMike Tisdale, as well as tJereme Richmond is
a total rebuild from scratch.)
In the fortified, strong Big 10,
Tito champ Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to repeat;
retooling Wisconsin and Purdue still have the stars to contend;
veteran Michigan, revamped Michigan State and the Illini, as well as Minnesota
and Northwestern are spoilers at best.
Winning CANCUN-THANX (Rutgers, Richmond, Illinois State, Hampton) was always doable; winning at Maryland (BIG 10/ACC) is
tough but doable; beating Gonzaga, UNLV at home and Missouri (BRAGGIN' RIGHTS) are all tough asks.
In league play, there are no breaks in the schedule ... for anyone in the league.
Winning HOOSIERS -- more specifically, beating Butler is
a great calling card to show this is a brand new season.
All five starters return from last year's losing team, led by fChristian Watford; bVerdell Jones III
and gJordan Hulls have experience as well; freshman 6-11 fCody Zeller (Tyler's brother) should make an immediate impact
for coach Tom Crean's squad.
In the fortified, strong Big 10,
Tito champ Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to repeat;
retooling Wisconsin and Purdue still have the stars to contend;
veteran Michigan, revamped Michigan State and Illinois, as well as Minnesota
and Northwestern are spoilers at best.
(Even with all five starters back, the Hoosiers were not expected to be a factor.)
Winnnig HOOSIERS (Butler) was always a possibility; winning at NC State (BIG 10/ACC) is tough but doable; beating Kentucky
won't happen; beating [depleted] Notre Dame (CROSSROADS) should.
In league play, three killer games right off the bat will make or break them.
11/30 (#22) W 86-@75 @ # NC State (BIG 10/ACC CHALLENGE)
- 4DF,19/23FT,34-37R,8A,10S;pJHulls(20p5a),fCZeller(19p7r),tCWatford(16p9r)
12/ 4 (#22) W @84-50 v Stetson
12/10 (#21) W @73-72 v #1 Kentucky (BG)
- 5DF;bCWatford(20p5r;GW3)
The Hoosiers couldn't have made a more dramatic statement than the buzzer-beater three-pointer from tChris Watford
to sink Kentucky's dreams of an undefeated season. It's the best win of the season by anyone,
and they're unbeated themselves -- and they're No. 1 !!!
12/17 (#1) W @69-@58 @@ # Notre Dame (IN) (CROSSROADS CLASSIC @ Indianapolis, IN /CONSECO/)
12/19 (#1) W @107-50 v Howard
12/22 (#1) W @89-47 v MD-Baltimore Co
12/28 (#1) L 65-@80 @ #12 .Michigan St
- 5/9FT;xCWatford(26p10r)
12/31 (#1) W @74-70 v #4 .Ohio St (BG)
- 5DF,26-34R,6A;gJHulls(17p),bVOladipo(15p6r),[CZeller(14p4r),gVJonesIII(14p1a6to)]
Ordinarily, a week in which they were routed on the road at Michigan State (who hasn't been?)
and then regrouped to edge Ohio State at home might be judged a net positive and a cause to move
up in the rankings -- but not when you're already over-ranked at No.1. Still, nobody else has wins over
Kentucky and the Buckeyes this year. So, they haven't been demoted out of the elite group just yet.
1 / 5 (#5) W @73-71 v # .Michigan
- 2DF,55%FG,28-28R;bCWatford(25p7r),CZeller(18p4r)
1 / 8 (#5) W 88-@82 @ .Penn St
- JHulls(28p)
1 /12 (#4) L @74-77 v .Minnesota
- 4/18 3S,22/25FT,6A
1 /15 (#4) L 63-@80 @ #6 .Ohio St (BG)
- 8/11FT;fCZeller(16p6r)
You knew that payback was coming on the road at Ohio State. Much more troubling is the home loss
to Minnesota. Time to put the overachieving giant-killing wins behind them and beat the teams that should be beaten.
Losing on the road to the likes of Wisconsin isn't such a worry. (Losing at Nebraska was.)
They'll have to show more mettle away from home in order to stay in the rankings, though. They slumped to 4-5 at the break.
Four starters return from last year's conference tournament champs, led by the trio of bDwayne Lathan, tCard Richard
and gJake Odum; cMyles Walker has experience as well for young coach Greg Lansing.
In the MVC,
the tourney champ Sycamores are the favorites ahead of NIT champ Wichita State and Creighton;
retooling title champ Missouri State may only be able to spoil.
Winning OS/ORLANDO (Minnesota, Dayton, Arizona State, Fairfield) is probably beyond their reach; winning at Boise State
(MVC/MWC) and BRACKETBUSTERS are doable, at Vanderbilt isn't.
In league play, two of three big games are at home in the first half.
***
11/ 5 w @87-33 v {Truman St}
11/11 W @79-72 v Ea Illinois
11/14 W 71-@59 @ LA-Monroe
11/18 W @57-50 v Ball St (IN)
11/21 W @57-56 v Green Bay
11/24 W 60-49 v Texas Tech (OS/ORLANDO @ Orlando, FL)
11/25 L 69-76 v Minnesota (OS/ORLANDO @ Orlando, FL)
11/27 W 72-66 v Fairfield (OS/ORLANDO @ Orlando, FL)
- xJOdum(10p12a10r)
The win over Fairfield is nice, but they were after bigger fish at OS/ORLANDO.
They couldn't break through on neutral ground. Now, it's tougher because the only opportunities to make noise now are
all on the road.
12/ 3 L 65-@74 @ # Boise St (MVC/MWC CHALLENGE)
- 10/27 3S,9/16FT;gDLathan(17p) / 5/8FT
12/10 w @68-57 v {Maryville}
12/17 W 61-@55 @ # Vanderbilt
- 4DF,20/21 3S,7/10FT,28-31R;[gRMahurin(14p1a)]
The road win at Vanderbilt savlages something from a preseason filled with missed opportunities.
Not enough to make them a bubble team, so they'll have to be dominant in conference play to stay in the conversation.
12/21 W @50-35 v LA-Monroe
12/28 L 64-@79 @ .Drake
12/31 W @77-66 v .Bradley
1 / 4 L 48-@65 @ .No Iowa
1 / 7 L @63-69 v .Missouri St
- 2DF,38%FG,13/24FT;gDLathan(17p),fCRichard(16p5r)
Gaudy individual stats (moreso than impressive team results) have gotten the Gaels noticed.
Three starters return from last year's winning team, led by fMike Glover; bScott Machado and gKyle Smyth are
solid cotributors as well for still young coach Tim Cluess' squad.
(Replacing fAlejo Rodriguez isn't a major task.)
In the weak Metro Atlantic ,
veteran Fairfield is the favorite to repeat ahead of the Gaels and Rider;
Loyola(Maryland) may be good enough to spoil.
Winning PUERTO RICO wasn't going to happen; beating Long Island should; winning at Marshall, Richmond or Hofstra won't be
easy; a home BRACKETBUSTER win would be nice (but it won't win an at-large bid for this 1BC schedule).
In league play, they could get on a roll inside the conference before the tougher games on the schedule come along.
11/28 W @100-84 v # Long Island (NY)
- 4DF,50%FG,28A;cMGlover(28p14r),pSMachado(14p10a5to)
The loss at Loyola(Maryland) drops them back into a tie for first place.
BRACKETBUSTERS is just a showcase in 1BC-land -- there's no at-large bid waiting at the end of the season.
tRoyce White's triple-double against struggling Texas A&M is
an impressive performance.
Only two starters return from last year's .500 team, led by fMelvin Ejim; gScott Christopherson and gChris Allen have
experience as well for young coach Fred Hoiberg's squad.
(Replacing gDiante Garrett, gJake Anderson and fJamie Vanderbeken is a major overhaul.)
In the downsized Big 12,
it's up for grabs as veteran Baylor (in Year After mode) and Texas A&M,
reloaded Texas and retooled Oklahoma State look to take advantage
of the new balanced schedule while five returning starters at Missouri
and rebuilding Kansas face a tougher road this season; Kansas State will be
spoilers at best.
(The Cyclones were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning SOUTH PADRE (Providence, Northern Iowa) was doable (and they halfway did); winning at Michigan was a tough ask;
beating Lehigh and Mississippi Valley State was to be expected.
In league play, the brutal schedule at least has some easy weeks sprinkled in between the tough ones.
Only one starter returns from the SEVEN-TIME DEFENDING conference regular season champ
and two-time defending conference tournament (TiTo) champ/Elite 8 team -- gTyshawn Taylor; fThomas Robinson has experience
as well; freshman 6-5 gBen McLemore [if he's eligible] should make an immediate impact; freshman 5-11 pNaadir Tharpe
will be ready sooner rather than later for coach Bill Self's squad.
(Replacing twin stars fMarcus Morris and fMarkieff Morris, as well as gTyrel Reed [not to mention GC gJosh Selby
and gBrady Morningstar] is a total rebuild from scratch.)
In the downsized Big 12,
it's up for grabs as veteran squads at Baylor (in Year After mode) and Texas A&M,
reloaded Texas and retooled Oklahoma State look to take advantage
of the new balanced schedule while five returning starters at Missouri
and the rebuilding Jayhawks face a tougher road this season; Kansas State will be spoilers at best.
Beating Kentucky (CHAMPIONS) is out of the question; so too is winning MAUI (Duke, UCLA, Michigan, Memphis, Georgetown);
even at home, beating Ohio State won't happen; beating Florida Atlantic, Long Beach State and Davidson should; so too
winning at USC.
In league play, an easy start and then well spaced runs of tough games is about as much as you could ask for a young team.
***
11/ 1 w @84-55 v {Pittsburg St}
11/ 8 w @101-52 v {Ft Hays St}
11/11 W @100-54 v Towson (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
- 6DF,30A,5TO
Starless workhorses is the way to go (if you can get players these days to buy into it). It may be a good
(make that great) thing that this team is a bunch of no-names.
11/15(9Pet) (#24) L 65-75 v #3 Kentucky (CHAMPIONS CLASSIC @ New York, NY /MSG/) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
- 4/15 3S;gTTraylor(22p;15/17ft)
11/21 (#25) W 67-63 v # Georgetown (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
11/22 (#25) W 72-55 v UCLA (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
11/23 (#25) L 61-68 v #10 Duke (MAUI INVITAIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
- 4DF;2/8 3S,6A;gTTaylor(17p1a11to),cTRobinson(16p15r)
The home rout of Kansas State reaffirms their elite status. (Forget the outlier home loss
to Davidson.) Bill Self has this B-grade talent playing harder than some blue-chips
elsewhere seem willing to do.
1 /11 (#5) W 81-@46 @ .Texas Tech
1 /14 (#5) W @82-73 v # .Iowa St
- pTTaylor(28p6a)
1 /16 (#6) W @92-74 v #2 .Baylor
- 5DF,57%FG,36-21R,21A;cTRobinson(27p14r;11/18fg),pTTaylor(28p6a;10/14fg)
The big win over solid Alabama warrants tracking at the least.
Only two starters return from last year's NCAA first-round splash team, led by gRodney McGruder; fJamar Samuels has
experience as well; freshman 6-7 fThomas Gipson should contribute sooner rather than later
for young coach Frank Martin's squad.
(Replacing star gJacob Pullen and fCurtis Kelly is a major task.)
In the downsized Big 12,
it's up for grabs as veteran Baylor and Texas A&M, reloaded Texas
and retooled Oklahoma State look to take advantage of the new balanced schedule
while five returning starters at Missouri and rebuilding Kansas face
a tougher road this season; the Wildcats will be spoilers at best.
Beating Alabama (HV) and at Virginia Tech was a surprise; losing to West Virginia (WICHITA) was tough.
Winning DIAMOND HEAD (Xavier, Long Beach State) is tough but doable.
In league play, the new full schedule is rough on everyone, start to finish, this year, especially.
12/22 W 83-58 v So Illinois (DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
12/23 W 78-70 v UTEP (DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
12/25 W 77-60 v # Long Beach St ([3:DIAMOND] HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
Who needs marquee names? This nameless bunch is playing quite well, thank you, and getting better with each game.
The DIAMOND HEAD crown (over Long Beach State has an asterisk because Xavier was
undermanned, but that's not the Wildcats' fault -- a win-is-a-win-is-a-win.
Four starters return from last year's losing team, led by fMarkieth Cummmings; fLaDaris Green and gSpencer Dixon
are solid contributors as well; fAaron Anderson also has experience for new coach Lewis Preston's squad.
(Replacing gKelvin McConnell is the main task as well as the legacy of long-time coach Tony Ingle.)
In the weak Atlantic Sun, veteran Belmont is
the overwhelming favorite; East Tennessee State and Lipscomb will spoil at best.
(The veteran Owls may be good enough to make noise.)
Winning LAS VEGAS-XMAS is out of the question; so to road games at Wisconsin and Missouri.
In league play, six of the first eight games are on the road -- they could be out of the running
before the favorable second half.
***
11/ 2(7P) w @70-68 v {W Georgia} (GA)
11/12 L 31-@85 @ #13 Wisconsin
- 1DF,23%FG,2/10 3S,9/16FT,2A
11/14 L 55-@68 @ Auburn
11/18 W 65-@59 @ Chattanooga
11/23(7P) w @72-46 v {Reinhardt}
11/26(5P) L @98-104(2OT) v SC State
- gSDixon(26p) / SCST: cSanders(28p13r)
12/ 1 L 52-@98 @ # .Belmont
- 2DF,6/17 3S;gMCummings(21p4r3a)
12/ 3 L 52-@75 @ .Lipscomb
12/15 L 67-@104 @ #14 Missouri
- 2DF,8/12FT;gDLove(27p;5/103s),fMCummings(17p6r5to)
12/17 L 55-@78 @ Missouri St (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC)
- 2DF,35%FG,9A,7TO;fMCummings(24p7r),gSDixon(17p)
12/19 L 51-@74 @ # St Mary's (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC)
- 2DF,3/7FT
12/22(2:30P) L 68-81 v Tennessee Tech (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
12/23(12N) W 69-65 v TexasA&M-CC (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
12/30 L 63-@71 @ # Ohio U
1 / 2(7P) L @62-66 v .Stetson
1 / 4(7P) L @55-62 v .FL Gulf Coast
1 / 7 L 53-@68 @ .SC Upstate
- / cCraig(28p10r)
1 / 9 L 69-@73 @ .E Tennessee St
- pSDixon(22p8a) / ETSU: pSollazzo(20p5a)
1 /13 L 51-@81 @ .Mercer (GA)
1 /18 L 63-@74 @ Charlotte
- Love(26p) / CHARL: Mayfield(25p)
1 /21(7P) L @50-66 v .Jacksonville
1 /23(7P) L @68-76 v .N Florida
- cAnderson(19p12r) / NFLA: Wallace(27p)
(Whether it was the draw of its being a TV game, the added bonus of a state-rival, or a special alumni function --
whatever the reason -- it was fantastic to see a 3-22 team break the attendance mark (4991) this late
into a sorry season. That's great team support.)
2 /14(7P) L @75-76(OT) v TN-Martin
- Dixon(20p) / TNMART: Taylor(31p)
2 /18 @ .N Florida
2 /20 @ .Jacksonville
2 /23(7P) v # .Belmont
2 /25(5P) v .Lipscomb
2 /29 v ?? (A-SUN TOURNAMENT @ Macon, GA /Mercer/)
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season champs, lded by fJustin Greene and bMichael Porrini;
gRandal Holt and reserve gCarlton Guyton have experience as well; JuCo transfer 6-7 fChris Evans should make
an immediate impact for new coach Rob Senderoff (who was promoted from assistant).
(Replacing gRodriguez Sherman is the main task on the court; keeping the momentum going off the court [after Geno Ford left
for Bradley] may be more difficult.)
In the weak Mid-American ,
the veteran Golden Flashes are the favorites to repeat in the East (and overall) ahead of what's left
at tourney champ Akron, Miami(Ohio), Ohio University -- even Buffalo and Bowling Green have
veteran teams that could spoil; in the West, five returning starters at Western Michigan only have a veteran squad
at Ball State to battle.
Winning at West Virginia is a tough ask; beating Cleveland State at home won't be easy; wining AIA (at Utah State) is tough
but doable; BRACKETBUSTERS at home can only work as a knockout game for this 1BC-bid team.
In league play, they double-up with everyone in the tough East, but at least the two tough West games are both at home.
***
11/ 7 w @76-63 v {Rochester-MI}
11/15(10Aet) W 70-@60 @ # W Virginia
(TIP-OFF MARATHON)
- 27-42R
At the break, they're tied for fourth in the East (and overall along with West-leading Eastern Michigan)
behind first-place Akron and second-place Ohio U and Buffalo.
2 / 8 W 62-@58 @ .Ea Michigan
2 /11 W @76-55 v .Ball St
2 /14 W @76-71 v .Buffalo
- Greene(18p)
2 /18 v # Col of Charleston (BRACKETBUSTERS)
2 /21 @ .Miami-OH (OH)
2 /25 @ .Bowling Green (OH)
2 /29 v # .Ohio U (OH)
3 / 2? v # .Akron (OH)
3 / 5 v ?? (MAC TOURNAMENT on-campus/@ Cleveland, OH)
Only two starters return from last year's conference tournament champ/Final Four team, led by fTerrence Jones; gDoron Lamb
and reserve tDarius Miller are solid contributors as well; freshmen 6-10 fAnthony Davis, 6-7 fMichael Kidd-Gilchrist,
6-2 pMarquis Teague and 6-9 fKyle Wiltjer should all make an immediate impact for coach John Calipari's squad.
(Replacing GC gBrandon Knight [not to mention cJosh Harrellson] would seem to be a major task, but this roster is
more talented than last year's. It's just a question of how quickly Coach Cal can get them to gel.)
In the new single-division alignment of the SEC,
the reloaded tourney champ 'Cats are the favorite
ahead of five returning starters at Vanderbilt; retooled title champ Florida
and fortified Alabama will contend; new-look Arkansas,
retooling Mississippi State and five returning starters at LSU can only hope to spoil.
Winning HALL OF FAME (Old Dominion) is no problem; beating Kansas (CHAMPIONS) might be a problem so early in the season,
but St. John's (SEC/BIG EAST) won't be; even at home beating North Carolina and state-rival Louisville will be tough.
In league play, the "East Division" schedule is still tougher, but at least they get Alabama and Arkansas at home.
***
11/ 2 (#3) w @97-53 v {Transylvania}
11/ 7(7P) (#3) w @125-40 v {Morehouse Col} - @74-13(H)!!!
11/11 (#3) W @108-58 v Marist (HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF)
11/15(9Pet) (#3) W 75-65 v #24 Kansas (CHAMPIONS CLASSIC @ New York, NY /MSG/) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
11/19 (#3) W @85-47 v Penn St (HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF @ Uncasville, CT)
- gDLamb(26p)
11/20 (#3) W @62-52 v # Old Dominion ([2v2:HALL.FAME] HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF @ Uncasville, CT)
- 4/13 3S,10/17FT,41-31R,21TO
Nice win handling rebuilt Kansas. There's plenty of talent, but a lot of work to do as well.
Having gDoron Lamb be the playmaker isn't ideal, but pMarquis Teague isn't quite ready yet.
11/23 (#3) W @88-40 v Radford (HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF)
11/26 (#3) W @87-63 v Portland
12/ 1 (#2) W @81-59 v # St John's (SEC/BIG EAST CHALLENGE)
- 20/30FT,45-35R,18B;fTJones(26p9r;11/16ft),gDLamb(16p),cADavis(15p15r8r)
12/ 3 (#2) W @73-72 v #12 N Carolina
- 4DF,4/17 3S,9A,9TO;cMKiddGilchrist(17p11r),[bTJones(14p7r),gDLamb(14p),gDMiller(12p0a),gADavis(7p9r;GWB)
The Wildcats came out on top in their sensational showdown with North Carolina, thanks to
fAnthony Davis' sky-high shot-block on the Tar Heels' fJohn Henson. UK's interior D was excellent (against as good
a front line as they're going to see all season), they scored plenty on their own inside, and didn't turn the ball over --
all great stuff. The thing is, they can still get much better offensively -- their 9 assists attests that most
of their offense was their myriad of scorers taking the ball in their own hands rather than much team offense.
What does it all mean? It means IT'S ON -- they've got a legitimate shot at The "U"-word
(an undefeated season). A couple of grudge games (at Indiana and vs Louisville)
in December, but after that, it's the middle of February before they face a tough enough road opponent to give them
any pause.
They saved their best performance of the year for the home showdown with Florida --
outstanding defensively, and more cohesive in team offense with every game. Then, they took everything
Vanderbilt had and still rallied for the win on the road. No team is more impressive
than this one.
2 /18 (#1) v .Mississippi
2 /21 @ # .Mississippi St
2 /25 v # .Vanderbilt
3 / 1 v .Georgia
3 / 4 @ # .Florida
3 / 8 vv ?? (SEC TOURNAMENT @ New Orleans, LA /NEW ORLEANS/)
It probably says more about where Xavier is at these day, but give the Explorers credit for keeping
a struggling team struggling.
Only two starters return from last year's losing team; pTyreek Duren has experience; freshman 6-7 fJerrell Wright
will eventually be ready for coach John Giannini's squad.
(Replacing fAaric Murray and fJerrell Williams as well as gRuben Guillandeaux is a major overhaul.)
In the competitive Atlantic 10, they've finished 1-2
for four straight years already -- what's one more? This time, title champ Xavier is
the favorite to repeat ahead of veteran Temple; veteran squads at George Washington and St. Bonaventure
can only hope to spoil; (tourney champ Richmond has to rebuild from scratch).
(The Explorers were not expected to be a factor.)
In the Big 5, they've won or tied
for the past eight years now -- WHAT'S ONE MORE!? Once again, the Owls
and city champ Villanova are a step above the rest.
(Again, the Explorers were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning PHILLY (at Pittsburgh, Robert Morris) was too much to ask.
In league play, their double-up games (Temple, Massachusetts, George Washington) aren't so bad, but they open
with three tough games in their first four.
1 /10 W @68-@57 @@ Penn (Philadelphia,PA) (BIG 5) (/PALESTRA/)
1 /14 L 75-@79 @ #23 .Dayton
1 /18 L 70-@76 @ # .Temple (Philadelphia,PA)
1 /21 W @80-66 v .Rhode Island
1 /25 W @78-63 v .Geo Washington
- Galloway(28p)
1 /28 W 71-@68 @ .Duquesne (PA)
2 / 1 W @85-72 v .Charlotte
- Duren(22p) / tBraswell(19p6r4a)
A solid preseason makes the Cardinals the choice as standard-bearers for the league
in place of Texas-San Antonio.
Three starters return from last year's losing team, led by gDevon Lamb; gAnthony Miles and reserve gMike James are
solid contributors as well; reserve bCharlie Harper also has experience new young coach Pat Knight (ex-Texas Tech)'s squad.
(Replacing gKendrick Harris is the main task.)
In the weak Southland ,
veteran tourney champ Texas-San Antonio is the favorite in the West (and overall)
ahead of five returning starters at Texas-Arlington and Stephen F. Austin; in the East, the Cardinals have
the most solid nucleus returning, with McNeese State, Northwestern State and Southeast Louisiana all retooling
around returning stars.
Winning GS-B (at Louisville, at Ohio University) was never in a possibility; neither was winning at Ohio State, winning
at TCU was a tough ask.
In league play, they get the toughest teams only once each and at home, to boot. Can't ask for more.
12/28 L 64-@86 @ #2 Kentucky
- 2/12 3S;gMJames(29p1a;13/29fg)
12/31 w @102-58 v {Lyon Col}
1 / 4 W 74-@58 @ Texas A&M-CC (TX)
- MJames(31p)
1 / 7 W @103-67 v .C Arkansas
- Davis(27p)
1 /11 L 54-@57 @ .McNeese St
- / McNES: fRichard(25p7r)
1 /14 L @82-91 v # .TX-Arlington (TX)
- pJames(25p7a) / TXARL: ReedIII(25p)
The road loss at McNeese was bad enough, but the home loss to Texas-Arlington says
that this isn't the team that's the proper standard-bearer for the league after all.
Winning one of the Consolation round-robins at 2KS/COACHES VS CANCER is equivalent to an Unwelcome Guest showcase win.
That's worth a look (especially with Bucknell's failing to impress.
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by gC.J. McCollum; fGabe Knutson is a solid contributor
as well for young coach Brett Reed's squad.
(Replacing bMichael Ojo is the main task.)
In the weak Patriot League ,
veteran TiTo champ Bucknell is the overwhelming favorite to repeat; Holy Cross
and the veteran Mountain Hawks have enough star power to spoil.
Winning at St. John's (2KS/CVC) wasn't likely, but winning 2KS/CVC Consolation (at William & Mary, at Liberty) was nice;
winning at Michigan State is out of the question.
In league play, they start with a big road game right away, but a veteran squad can handle that.
11/28 W @86-75 v Quinnipiac
12/ 1 W 78-@60 @ Fordham
12/ 3 L 79-@81(OT) @ Cornell
- CJMcCollum(31p)
12/ 7 W @71-50 v St Francis-PA (PA)
12/10 W 70-@69 @ Wagner
12/12 w @95-55 v {Arcadia}
12/22 L 81-@90 @ #13 Michigan St
- Greiner(24p)
12/28 W 70-@67 @ St Peter's
- xCJMcCollum(22p11r5a)
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season champs -- cT.J. Robinson, 5-10 gCasper Ware,
fLarry Anderson and cEugene Phelps -- stars all; newcomers 6-7 tJames Ennis and 6-0 gMichael Caffey should make
an immediate impact on coach Dan Monson's squad.
(Replacing gGreg Plater should be no problem.)
In the weak Big West ,
the fortified veteran title champ 49ers are the favorites to repeat ahead of tourney champ UC-Santa Barbara;
veteran Cal Poly-SLO is good enough to spoil.
Winning DIAMOND HEAD (Xavier) is a tough ask; road wins at Louisville, Kansas and North Carolina won't happen,
at San Diego State-maybe, at Montana and BRACKETBUSTERS-yes; home wins over Idaho and Boise State-yes.
In league play, two of three big games come on the road in the first half -- tough, but a veteran squad can handle it --
and then it's smooth sailing in the second half.
***
11/12 W @69-61 v Idaho
11/16 W 86-@76 @ #5 Pittsburgh
- 4DF,59FG,24A;pCWare(28p6a;10/18fg),pJEnnis(19p6a5s)
11/19 L 73-@77(OT) @ # San Diego St (CA)
- 2DF,4/14 3S,25/32FT;pCWare(26p6a;11/12ft),tLAnderson(25p8r)
/ SDGOST: 4/17 3S,34-39R;tJFranklin(21p9r),gJRahon(20p)
Outstanding road win at Pittsburgh; if only they had been able to pull it out on the road
against San Diego St as well, they might have even been ranked this week. No matter. Their challenging schedule
will give them more opportunities to prove they're a force to reckoned with this season.
11/22 W @72-62 v Boise St
11/26 L 71-@73 @ Montana
- 28/36FT,9A;cTJRobinson(25p13r;11/12ft),gCWare(15p)
11/28 L 66-@79 @ #15 Louisville
4DF,3/11 3S,21TO;tLAnderson(17p6r6to)
12/ 2 w @79-43 v {BYU-Hawaii}
12/ 6 L 80-@88 @ #6 Kansas
- 4DF,28/37FT,15S;fTJRobinson(19p7r),gJEnnis(16p6s),gCWare(16p1a)
12/10 L 78-@84 @ #4 N Carolina
- 5/8FT;pCWare(29p5a5to),bLAnderson(17p5r)
12/19 w @76-54 v {Ea New Mexico}
12/22 W 68-58 v #23 Xavier (DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
- Caffey(14p)
12/23 W 64-43 v Auburn (DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
12/25 L 60-77 v # Kansas St (DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
Three starters return from last year's conference regular season and tournament (TiTo) champs, led by fJulian Boyd
and fJamal Olasewere; 5-10 gC.J. Garner and reserve 5-10 pJason Brickman have experience as well
for coach Jim Ferry's squad.
(Replacing bKyle Johnson and gDavid Hicks is the main task.)
In the weak Northeast ,
the Blackbirds' nucleus will battle it out to repeat against veteran squads at Central Connecticut State
and Robert Morris.
Winning HALL OF FAME (Penn State, Old Dominion) is beyond their reach; a road win at Hofstra might be their best shot
at making noise.
In league play, only two big games with their toughest rivals is a great schedule.
***
11/ 4 w @74-66 v {Adelphi}
11/11 L 71-@89 @ Hofstra (NY)
- / bNLester(33p5r1a;12/14ft)
11/14 L 69-@77 @ Old Dominion (HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF)
11/16 L 68-@77 @ Penn St (HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF)
11/19 W 81-59 v Radford (HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF @ Uncasville, CT)
11/20 W 80-75 v # Vermont (HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF @ Uncasville, CT)
11/28 L 84-@100 @ # Iona (NY)
- 21TO;tJOlasewere(20p8r6to),pCJGarner(18p6a)
12/ 1 W @78-73 v .Wagner (NY)
12/ 3 W 85-@76 @ .Mt St Mary's
12/ 5 W 82-@80 @ Lafayette
12/10 L 53-@63 @ Columbia (NY)
12/14 L 62-@73 @ # Norfolk St
- 2DF,34%FG,5/21 3S,7A;[fJBoyd(13p9r)]
Three starters return from last year's losing team, led by cAntwan Carter; gJeremiah Bowman, and reserves gMartiz Washington
and fJan van der Kooij have experience as well for coach Mike Gillian's squad.
(Replacing fAaron Mitchell is the major task.)
The Independents (the Lancers,
Cal State-Bakersfield and Seattle) are all in about the same boat
with solid nuclei returning for everyone.
Don't expect any breakthroughs at CHICAGO (BYU, Nevada); they could make noise at DP (at Chattanooga, Hampton, Utah Valley);
road wins at Virginia and Vanderbilt aren't in the cards; neither a home win against Seton Hall.
In "league play", they play Seattle at home first.
***
11/11 L @70-78 v Navy
11/13 w @91-73 v {VA Intermont} (VA)
11/15 L @83-87 v Canisius
- pJBowman(27p5a;11/15fg),ACarter(21p15r) / CANIS: bHWashington(30p5r3a;13/21fg)
11/18 L 60-@92 @ # BYU (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE)
11/22 L 78-@80 @ # Nevada (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE)
11/25 W 70-67 v Prairie View A&M (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE @ Hoffman Estates, IL)
11/26 L 53-93 v MO-Kansas City (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE @ Hoffman Estates, IL)
12/ 2 W @92-81 v SC State
- / Riley(34p)
12/ 3 L 53-@86 @ # Virginia (VA)
12/12 W @110-89 v VMI (VA)
- Carey(30p)
12/19 L 71-@99 @ # Vanderbilt
- 20/20 3S,9/10FT;cACarter(20p10r),gTCarey(20p;6/8 3s)
Three starters return from last year's NCAA team, led by 5-11 pPeyton Siva; gChris Smith, and reserves gKyle Kuric
and fRakeem Buckles [if he's healthy] all have experience; fJared Swopshire [back from a medical redshirt]
and freshmen 6-7 fChane Behanan and 6-5 gWayne Blackshear should make an immediate impact; freshman 6-10 cZach Price
will be ready sooner rather than later; freshman 6-4 Kevin Ware will eventually make a contribution as well
for Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino's squad.
(Replacing gPreston Knowles and fTerrence Jennings is a major task, but easier in Pitino's shuttle system than most.)
GS-INVITATIONAL (Long Beach State) is just a showcase; beating Butler away is tough but doable, at Kentucky not so much;
beating Vanderbilt (BIG EAST/SEC) and Memphis at home are also more likely than not (but no cakewalks).
In league play, their double-ups (Syracuse, Pittsburgh, DePaul) are tougher than most; five to four tough games
home and away.
***
10/26 (#12) w @74-55 v {Pikeville}
11/ 3 (#12) w @62-54 v {Bellarmine}
11/11 (#12) W @83-48 v TN-Martin (GS-B INVITATIONAL)
11/13 (#12) W @68-48 v Lamar (GS-B INVITATIONAL)
- 3/11 3S / 1DF,23%FG,3/19 3S
11/19 (#9) W 69-@52 @ Butler (BG)
- 2DF;51%FG,5/18 3S;pPSiva(DNP/ankle),bKKuric(17p6r3a),pCSmith(15p)
The home rout of plunging Connecticut and the road win at West Virginia caps
a six-game win streak -- that's tough to pull off in a conference this tough. Give 'em their props.
2 /13 (#18) L @51-52 v #2 .Syracuse
- 5/19 3S,12/21FT
2 /18 (#18) @ .DePaul
2 /23 @ .Cincinnati
2 /26 v .Pittsburgh
2 /29 v .S Florida
3 / 3 @ # .Syracuse
3 / 6 v ?? (BIG EAST TOURNAMENT @ New York, NY /MSG/)
Beating Iona in the showdown for first place is their calling card trackability.
Four starters return from last year's .500 team, led by fShane Walker and fErik Etherly; reserves gJ'hared Hall
and gJustin Drummond have experience as well for still young coach Jimmy Pastos' squad.
In the weak Metro Atlantic ,
veteran Fairfield is the favorite to repeat
ahead of Iona and Rider; the Greyhounds may be good enough to spoil.
Winning at Kentucky wasn't going to happen; winning at St. Bonaventure or at Wake Forest weren't likely; winning at Bucknell
was a pleasant surprise.
In league play, getting Fairfield and Iona on the road first is tough, but a veteran squad can handle it.
Three starters return from last year's Sweet 16 team, led by gDarius Johnson-Odom and fJae Crowder;
freshman 6-6 fJuan Anderson should be ready to contribute sooner rather than later;
freshman 6-3 gTodd Mayo (brother of O.J.) hopes to make an impact for coach Buzz Williams' squad.
(Replacing star tJimmy Butler is a major task.)
Winning PARADISE (Mississippi, Virginia, Drexel) and at JIMMY V (Washington) are certainly possible;
winning this year's State Title showdown at Wisconsin is a tough ask; beating Vanderbilt won't be easy, even at home.
In league play, their double-up games (Villanova, Cincinnati, Georgetown) aren't as bad as some have it;
four of five big games in the first half come at home -- not bad.
***
11/11 W @91-37 v Mt St Mary's
- 6DF,4/19 3S / 1DF,29%FG,2/18 3S,3/6FT
11/14 (#23) W @99-68 v # Norfolk St (PARADISE JAM)
- cJCrowder(25p10r;10/15fg)
11/18 (#23) W @95-73 v Winthrop (PARADISE JAM @ St. Thomas, VI)
11/20 (#23) W 96-66 v Mississippi (PARADISE JAM @ St. Thomas, VI)
bJCrowder(25p7r)
It's not the quality of opponent so far, but the manner in which they have dominated that has been the most impressive --
relentless defensive pressure and a designated scorer in bJae Crowder; that can get you a long way down the road.
11/21 (#8) W 59-57 v # Norfolk St ([3:PARADISE] JAM @ St. Thomas, VI)
No one seems to be paying attention to what the Golden Eagles are doing. A solid win on the road against a Top-10
state-rival opponent -- it's hard to top that. Nothing they can do about their lack of height (but it doesn't seem
to hamper their rebounding prowess). Keep posting results until somebody gets the mesaage.
12/ 6 (#3) W 79-77 v # Washington (JIMMY V CLASSIC @ New York, NY /MSG/)
- 4DF,28-41R,20A;gDJohnsonOdom(23p),gJCrowder(18p6r;GW3)
12/10 (#3) W @79-61 v Green Bay (WI)
12/17 (#3) W @93-72 v No Colorado
- TMayo(22p) / bUnruh(25p5r)
12/19 (#3) L 59-@67 @ LSU
- tJCrowder(22p9r)
12/22 (#3) W @64-50 v Milwaukee (Milwaukee,WI)
12/29 (#8) L @57-74 v # Vanderbilt
- 32%FG,3/15 3S,16/30FT;cJCrowder(16p10r4a)
1 / 1 (#8) W @81-77 v .Villanova
1 / 4 (#12) L 70-@73 @ #9 .Georgetown
- led by 17 ; 4DF;gDJohnsonOdom(18p1a),fJCrowder(17p8r),gTMayo(16p6to)
Granted, having road games at Georgetown and at still undefeated Syracuse is
a tough week, but they're 2-4 the last three weeks. Things are heading in the wrong direction.
1 /11 W @84-63 v .St John's
- cGardner(22p15r)
1 /14 W @62-57 v .Pittsburgh
1 /16 (#25) W @74-63 v # .Louisville
- trailed 2-18(14);4DF,16/18FT,32-37R,11S;gDJohnsonOdom(19p),fDGardner(17p6r)
1 /21 (#25) W 79-@72 @ .Providence
- / Cotton(26p)
1 /24 (#22) W @64-47 v .S Florida
1 /28 (#22) W 82-@78 @ .Villanova
- pDJohnsonOdom(26p5a)
Beating Cincinnati on the road to win the GS-D CLASSIC is enough to warrant tracking the Herd.
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by the backcourt duo of 5-10 gDamier Pitts
and bDeAndre Kane; tDago Pena and cNigel Spikes have experience as well for young coach Tom Herrion's squad.
(Replacing fTirrell Baines as well as fJohnny Thomas is the main task.)
In Conference USA,
tourney champ Memphis' five returning starters will battle what's left at title champ UAB,
veterans at Tulsa and the talented Herd for the top spot;
five returning starters at Central Florida have the star power to spoil.
Winning GS-D (at Cincinnati) wasn't expected; winning at Syracuse won't happen; splitting with Belmont home-and-away is
doable; beating West Virginia should happen.
In league play, the big games are well spaced across the schedule.
11/30 (#24) L @68-70 v # Ohio U
12/ 6 L 56-@62 @ #10 Syracuse
- 2DF,34%FG,5/24 3S,7/10FT;cDTimmon(17p15r)
12/11 W @82-63 v # Iona
- 50%FG,34-16R;pDPitts(25p5a),pDKane(19p5a5s)
12/17 W @79-59 v High Pt
12/19 W @87-86 v # Belmont
- 20A;gDKane(29p;12/22fg),cDTinnon(24p10r),pDPitts(19p11a5r5to)
12/21 w @99-80 v {W Virginia Tech} (WV)
12/29 L 74-@79 @ # Belmont
- 4DF,5/19 3S,9A;bDKane(25p7r;11/16ft),[fRGoff(14p11r)]
1 / 1 L @51-67 v # Akron
1 / 4 W @76-60 v .UTEP
1 / 7 W 63-@61 @ .Rice
1 /11 W 61-@59 @ .UAB
1 /14 W @65-64 v # .C Florida
- 1DF,12/25FT;bDKane(16p7r;GWFTs)
1 /18 L @62-@78 @@ # W Virginia (WV) (@ Charleston, WV)
- 3/6FT
All five starters return from last year's conference tournament champ, led by bWill Barton; gJoe Jackson
and fTarik Black are solid contributors; tWesley Witherspoon has solid experience as well; JuCo transfer 6-10 cStan Simpson
and freshman 6-6 fAdonis Thomas should make an immediate impact for young coach Josh Pastner's squad.
(Replacing fWill Coleman won't be a difficult task.)
In Conference USA,
the tourney champ Tigers' five returning starters will battle what's left at title champ UAB, veterans at Tulsa
and talented Marshall for the top spot; five returning starters at Central Florida have
the star power to spoil.
Winning MAUI (Duke, UCLA, Michigan, Kansas, Georgetown, Belmont) isn't out of the question; winning at Louisville
and Georgetown-probably not, at Miami(Florida)-maybe; beating Xavier, Tennessee, Austin Peay and Murray State at home-yes.
In league play, they double-up on three tough opponents plus Tulsa is on the road -- about as tough as you could ask.
***
11/ 2 (#22) w @119-67 v {LeMoyne-Owen Col}
11/11 (#22) w @79-56 v {Christian Bros}
11/15 (#19) W @97-81 v # Belmont (TN) (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
They outranBelmont, a team that's built for speed -- that was might impressive.
A more defined sense of who the designated scorer is -- like Marquette already has down -- would help.
11/21 (#14) L 61-73 v #19 Michigan (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
11/22 (#14) W 99-97(2OT) v Tennessee (TN) (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
- 32-47R;cWBarton(25p11r),bABarton(21p6r;GWFG)
/ 30/37FT;cJMaymon(32p20r;16/17ft)
11/23 (#14) L 88-91(OT) v # Georgetown (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
- gWBarton(22p),fJJackson(20p6r)
The wheels came off in MAUI. The Tigers didn't play much defense in any of the games, and Michigan
took away their easy offense (three-pointers and fast breaks). There's still plenty of talent here, but it needs to be
refocused on defense first, halfcourt offense second, and fast-break points a distant third.
11/28 W @70-45 v Jackson St
12/ 3 W @91-60 v Austin Peay (TN)
12/ 6 W 71-@54 @ # Miami-FL
- 1DF,1/12 3S,10S,7TO;cWBarton(27p14r;12/20fg)
12/11 L @72-76 v # Murray St
- fWBarton(27p;10/13fg),gJJackson(20p)
12/17 L 87-@95 @ #20 Louisville (HALL OF FAME SHOOTOUT)
- 29/43FT,10S;cWBarton(28p16r;14/19ft),bJJackson(22p5r4a)
12/19 W @85-75 v Lipscomb (TN)
12/22 L 59-@70 @ #16 Georgetown
- Crawford(17p5a)
12/29 W @64-47 v Robert Morris
- 2DF,51%FG,20TO;xWBarton(27p13r;10/15fg,5/7 3s),gAThomas(15p)
They lost the showdown for first place at Southern Mississippi and wound up tied for second
(with Tulsa) at the break. The win over Xavier will stand them in good stead if they need an at-large
bid come Selection Sunday, though.
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by cReggie Johnson and gMalcolm Grant; gDurand Scott
and reserve gTrey McKinney Jones have experience as well for new coach Jim Larranaga (ex-George Mason).
(Replacing coach Frank Haith [who left to take over at Missouri] on the sidelines is the main task
for this squad who is poised to move up in the power vacuum below the Big Two.)
In the top-heavy ACC,
five returning starters at North Carolina are the favorite
guard-heavy "Plumlee U" (Duke); the veteran Hurricanes, Florida State
and Virginia Tech might contend (but probably only spoil).
Winning at Purdue (ACC/BIG 10) is a tough ask (but not unthinkable); same for beating Memphis at home, but Florida Atlantic
should be no problem.
In league play, they only play Duke was (but it's on the road); their tough games come on the road first,
but then they could get on a serious roll heading into the postseason.
***
11/ 3 w @88-78 v {Florida So} (FL)
11/11 W @69-58 v Tennessee Tech
11/15 W @72-57 v Rutgers
11/19 W @75-62 v N Florida (FL)
11/22 W @60-50 v FL Gulf Coast (FL)
11/25 L 61-@64(OT) @ Mississippi
- trailed 0-17(12)
Four starters return from last year's first-round splash team, led by gTim Hardaway Jr.; cJordan Morgan
and bZach Novak have experience as well; freshman 6-1 pTrey Burke will eventually contribute
for veteran coach John Beilein's squad.
(Replacing gDarius Morris is the main task.)
In the fortified, strong Big 10,
Tito champ Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to repeat;
retooling Wisconsin and Purdue still have the stars to contend;
the veteran Wolverines, revamped Michigan State and Illinois, as well as Minnesota and Northwestern
are spoilers at best.
Winning MAUI (Duke, UCLA, Memphis, Kansas, Georgetown) won't happen; winning at Virginia (BIG 10/ACC) will,
but winning against Oakland on a neutral floor and at Arkansas will be tougher than you'd think this year.
In league play, four of seven big games come at home (but the three tough road games are bunched together).
***
11/ 4 (#15) w @47-39 v {Wayne St}
11/11 (#15) w @59-33 v {Ferris St}
11/14 (#13) W @64-47 v Towson (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
- led 21-0
11/17 (#13) W @59-55 v We Illinois
11/21 (#19) W 73-61 v #14 Memphis (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
11/22 (#19) L 75-82 v #10 Duke (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
11/23 (#19) W 79-63 v UCLA (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
- 62%FG
11/29 (#20) L 58-@70 @ # Virginia (BIG 10/ACC CHALLENGE)
- 10/22 3S,4/7FT,8A
12/ 3 (#20) W @76-66 v # Iowa St
12/10 W @90-@80 @@ Oakland (MI) (@ Auburn Hills, MI /PALACE/)
- 4DF,57%FG,15/24 3S,13/32FT,21A;gTHardawayJr(21p;5/9 3s),pTBurke(20p9a6to),tESmotrycz(20p9r)
A squeak road loss at Indiana isn't a big deal. Not after the impressive home rout
of slumping Wisconsin. gTrey Burke has emerged as one of the best freshmen in the nation and is
a great complement to gTim Hardaway Jr. (Some beef up front would help.)
1 /11 (#22) W @66-64(OT) v .Northwestern
- 33%FG,7/30 3S,15/16FT,7TO
1 /14 (#22) L 59-@75 @ .Iowa
1 /17 W @60-59 v #7 .Michigan St (MI)
- 51%FG,6/21 3S,8/13FT,15-31R,8A,8TO;gTBurke(20p)
1 /21 L 64-@66 @ Arkansas
- 6/7FT
1 /24 W 66-@64 @ # .Purdue
1 /29 L 49-@64 @ #2 .Ohio St
- 3/4FT
2 / 1 W @68-56 v #19 .Indiana
- 5TO
2 / 5 L 54-@64 @ #4 .Michigan St (MI)
- 9/12FT;[gZNovak(14p)]
2 / 8 (#20) W 62-@46 @ .Nebraska
2 /12 (#20) W @70-61 v # .Illinois
2 /18 (#14) v #8 .Ohio St
2 /21 @ .Northwestern
2 /25? v # .Purdue
3 / 1 @ # .Illinois
3 / 4 @ .Penn St
3 / 8 v ?? (BIG 10 TOURNAMENT @ Indianapolis, IN /CONSECO/)
Only two starters return from last year's NCAA team, led by fDraymond Green; fDelvon Roe
and cAdreian Payne have experience as well; graduate transfer 6-2 fBrandon Wood (ex-Valparaiso)
and freshman 6-6 fBranden Dawson should make an immediate impact for Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo's squad.
(Replacing gKalin Lucas as well as gDurrell Summers and 5-11 gKorie Lucious is a total rebuild in the backcourt; fDelvon Roe
retired in the off-season due to chronic knee pain.)
In the fortified, strong Big 10,
Tito champ Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to repeat;
retooling Wisconsin and Purdue still have the stars to contend;
veteran Michigan, the revamped Spartans and Illinois, as well as Minnesota and Northwestern are
spoilers at best.
Winning CARRIER (North Carolina) or CHAMPIONS (Duke) won't happen this year; winning SPARTAN is just a showcase;
expect a home win over Florida State (BIG 10/ACC), but not a road win at Gonzaga.
In league play, their eight tough games are evenly split home and away, but five come in the second half.
***
10/30 w @85-58 v {Ferris St}
11/ 4 w @80-58 v {Hillsdale}
11/11 L 55-67 v #1 N Carolina (CARRIER CLASSIC @ San Diego, CA /U.S.S. CARL VINSON/)
- 2/20 3S
Things could have gone a lot worse against North Carolina. The kind of spirt they showed
at the CARRIER CLASSIC might even be good enough to spoil Coach K's coronation.
11/15(7Pet) L 69-74 v #11 Duke (CHAMPIONS CLASSIC @ New York, NY /MSG/) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
11/18 W @76-41 v Texas So (SPARTAN INVITATIONAL)
11/20 W @69-47 v AR-Litle Rock (SPARTAN INVITATIONAL)
11/23 W @68-55 v # Milwaukee ([rr4@SPARTAN] INVITATIONAL)
11/27 W 72-@40 @ Ea Michigan (MI) (SPARTAN INVITATIONAL)
Winning SPARTAN was just a round-robin showcase. There are bigger fish to fry than Milwaukee.
Their BIG 10/ACC home game is one of the key matchups that could keep the title in the hands of their league.
11/30 W @65-49 v # Florida St (BIG 10/ACC CHALLENGE)
- 10S;bKAppling(24p7r),xBWood(16p10r5a),tDGreen(16p8r)
12/ 4 w @110-68 v {NE-Omaha}
12/ 7 (#24) W @89-69 v C Connecticut St
12/10 (#24) W 74-@67 @ # Gonzaga
- 1DF,54%FG,20-27R,10S;gDGreen(34p;11/13fg)
Generally, a one-man show is a bad thing, but ... if they can't stop him, keep feeding him! gDraymond Green's
career-high 34 points sank Gonzaga's hopes of making a mark on the season. This team is working hard.
12/17 (#15) W @74-60 v Bowling Green
12/19 (#13) W @89-54 v MO-Kansas City
12/22 (#13) W @90-81 v Lehigh
- Appling(19p)
12/28 (#12) W @80-65 v #1 .Indiana
- pKAppling(25p7a6r)
Maybe they are blowing people out the way some other teams are, but I'll stack a rout
of overachieving Indiana against anything anyone else has to offer. The emergence of pKeith Appling
has eased the load off of tDraymond Green.
Don't expect them to stay this high among the Elites all year; but don't forget what they're capable of come tourney time.
They're not the prettiest team to watch play, but they're especially good on defense and are getting enough done on offense
to pull off a major road win at Ohio State.
2 /16 (#5) v #20 .Wisconsin
2 /19 (#5) @ # .Purdue
2 /22 @ .Minnesota
2 /25 v .Nebraska
2 /28 @ # .Indiana
3 / 4 v # .Ohio St
3 / 8 v ?? (BIG 10 TOURNAMENT @ Indianapolis, IN /CONSECO/)
Not quite sure if they're good enough to be publicly tracked.
Three starters return from last year's .500 team, led by tJason Jones; fJ.T. Sutton has experience as well;
transfer (ex-Iowa State) 6-9 cLaRon Dendy should make an immediate impact for coach Kermit Davis' squad.
(Replacing gJames Washington and fTervor Ottley is the main task.)
In the weak Sun Belt ,
veteran Florida Atlantic is the favorite in the East (and overall)
ahead of the Blue Raiders' returning nucleus; in the competitive West, Arkansas State and Louisiana will battle
five returning starters at Denver.
Winning at UCLA (MAUI) won't happen; winning MAUI Consolation (Belmont) won't come easy, either; winning at Vanderbilt-no;
winning at Austin Peay is a tough ask as welll; beating Belmont at home (twice) is hard to pull off.
In league play, two of three big games against the West are at home -- better than not.
11/15 W 86-@66 @ UCLA (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
- 10/11 3S
11/19 W @82-60 v UNC-Greensboro (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
11/20 L @84-87(2OT) v # Belmont (TN) (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
- 4DF,10/23 3S,16/30FT,25A;fLDendy(19p6r5to),gRClinton(18p;5/9 3s),xMKnight(17p11r5to)
11/22 w @88-48 v {Cumberland} (TN)
11/26 W 90-@70 @ Austin Peay (TN)
- 5DF,65%FG,38-22R,20TO;bMKnight(16p5r)
12/ 1 W 77-@62 @ Tennessee St (TN)
12/ 4 W @77-53 v # Akron
12/ 7 L 56-@66 @ UAB
12/10 W @78-62 v TN-Martin (TN)
12/13 W @65-62 v # Belmont (TN)
- 50%FG,3/12 3S,32-21R;fLDendy(20p9r4a;10/18fg)
One step back, and two steps forward! After the disheartening home loss to Arkon, the Bulldogs took full advantage
of the pre-set semifinal berth in 2KS/COACHES VS CANCER to knock off Texas A&M and Arizona.
Only two starters return from last year's winning team -- pDee Bost and fRenardo Sidney, a tough inside-outside tandem;
transfer 6-11 fArnett Moultrie (ex-UTEP) will be a solid contributor; freshman 6-8 fRodney Hood should be ready
sooner rather than later for coach Rick Stansbury's squad.
(Replacing gRaver Johnson and fKodi Augustus is a major task.)
In the new single-division alignment of the SEC,
reloaded tourney champ Kentucky is the favorite
ahead of five returning starters at Vanderbilt; retooled title champ Florida
and fortified Alabama will contend; new-look Arkansas, the retooling Bulldogs
and five returning starters at LSU can only hope to spoil.
Winning 2KS/COACHES VS CANCER (Arizona, Texas A&M, at St. John's) wasn't expected; winning on the road against Baylor
is tough but doable; beating West Virginia (SEC/BIG EAST) and Florida Atlantic at home should happen.
In league play, they get two of three big "East Division" games on the road -- tough, (but at least Kentucky is the one
at home).
11/21 (#12) W @78-63 v LA-Monroe
11/25 (#12) W @76-50 v TN-Martin
11/27 (#12) W @82-59 v N Texas
12/ 3 (#12) W @75-62 v # W Virginia (SEC/BIG EAST CHALLENGE)
- 5/17 3S,20/24FT,29-34R;xAMoultrie(21p13r),pDBost(17p5a5r5s)
12/10 (#13) W @106-68 v Troy
- pDBost(28p9a)
12/13 (#17) W @75-68 v FL Atlantic
12/17 (#17) W 80-@75 @ Detroit
12/22 (#14) W @82-67 v Northwestern St (@ Jackson, MS)
- xAMoultrie(24p14r4a)
12/28 (#17) L 52-@54 @ #11 Baylor (THE SHOWCASE @ Dallas, TX)
- 3/7FT
12/31 (#17) W @66-64 v Utah St
1 / 7 (#17) L 88-@98 @ .Arkansas
- 58%FG,25/31FT,9A;gDSmith(25p1a;10/11ft),gDBost(21p6to),bRHood(17p5r)
A road loss in conference play isn't that big of a deal, but it's a tough way to start. More consistent play
from their stars would go a long way. The good thing about this team is that it has talent up front and in the back
and it's a good defensive team. That can carry you a long way in the postseason; consistent steadiness gets it done
in the regular season.
1 /12 W @62-58 v .Tennessee
1 /14 W @56-52 v #24 .Alabama
- 2DF,3/17 3S,9/12FT,8A,9TO;cAMoultrie(25p13r;10/14fg),gDBost(17p4a)
Three starters return from last year's losing team, led by cPaul Crosby and gTerence Joyner; reserrve fJason Holmes has
experience as well for young coach Sean Woods' squad.
(Replacing gE'Angelo Jackson and fOrlando Smith is the main task.)
In the weak SWAC ,
the Delta Devils' solid nucleus will battle Alabama State and Alabama A&M for the top spot; Jackson State and Texas Southern
have the stars to spoil.
Their one chance to make any noise is a shot at 5th place at LAS VEGAS-THANX (@North Carolina, South Carolina);
road wins at Notre Dame, DePaul, Arkansas, Northwestern, Mississippi, Florida, Wisconsin and Iowa State are all
out of the question.
In league play, three of four big games come on the road in the first half -- tougher than you'd like.
***
11/ 3 w @116-76 v {Victory U}
11/ 8 v {Delta St}
11/12 L 67-@80 @ #18 Notre Dame
11/14 L 70-@80 @ DePaul
11/20 L 75-@101 @ #1 N Carolina (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL)
- 38%FG,9/11FT,21TO,11S;gBArrington(33p1a;12/18fg,6/8 3s)
11/22 L 57-@61 @ S Carolina (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL)
11/25 W 90-89(2OT) v Tennessee St (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
11/26 L 55-72 v Cal Poly-SLO (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
11/30 L 64-@97 @ Arkansas
12/ 2 L 67-@92 @ Northwestern
- 39%FG,8TO;xPCrosby(23p11r)
12/10 L 56-@80 @ Mississippi (MS)
12/19 L 54-@82 @ #15 Florida
- 2DF,31%FG,6/32 3S,8/8FT;tCJCox(16p9r),[gTJoyner(14p)]
12/23 L 45-@79 @ #8 Wisconsin
12/31 L 65-@67 @ # Iowa St
1 / 3 W @82-67 v .AR-Pine Bluff
- cJones(25p12r) / Townsend(21p)
1 / 7 W 67-@60 @ .Alabama St
1 / 9 W 81-@69 @ .Alabama A&M
1 /14 W @85-66 v .Alcorn St (MS)
1 /16 W @77-56 v .Southern
1 /21 W 81-@57 @ .Prairie View A&M
- Cox(26p)
1 /23 W 77-@69(OT) @ .Texas So
1 /28 W @60-54 v .Jackson St
1 /30 W @77-59 v .Grambling St
2 / 4 W @70-58 v .Alabama St
2 / 6 W @78-64 v .Alabama A&M
- Joyner(27p) / Cantey(20p)
All five starters return from last year's NCAA team, led by gMarcus Denmon, fLaurence Bowers and fRicardo Ratliffe;
gKim English and reserve gMichael Dixon are solid contributors as well for new coach Frank Haith (ex-Miami[Florida]).
(Maintaining the momentum of the program after coach Mike Anderson left for Arkansas is the main task on the sidelines.)
In the downsized Big 12,
it's up for grabs as veteran squads at Baylor (in Year After mode) and Texas A&M,
reloaded Texas and retooled Oklahoma State look to take advantage
of the new balanced schedule while the Tigers' five returning starters and rebuilding Kansas face
a tougher road this season; Kansas State will be spoilers at best.
Winning CBE (Notre Dame, California) is certainly doable, especially in Kansas City; beating Villanova (JIMMY)
and Illinois (BRAGGIN' RIGHTS) should happen; winning at Old Dominion is their toughest ask.
In league play, an easy start and easy finish means all their tough games are together in a long stretch that could wear
them down.
***
10/30 (#20) w @114-68 v {Missouri So} (MO)
11/ 2 (#20) w @87-48 v {Truman St} (MO)
11/ 7 (#20) w @88-70 v {C Missouri} (MO)
11/11 (#20) W @83-68 v SE Missouri (MO)
11/14 (#16) W @81-63 v Mercer (CBE CLASSIC)
11/17 (#16) W @83-52 v Niagara (CBE CLASSIC)
11/21 (#15) W @87-58 v #13 Notre Dame (CBE CLASSIC @ Kansas City, MO)
11/22 (#15) W @92-53 v #20 California ([2v2vCBE] CLASSIC @ Kansas City, MO)
- 6DF
Tremendously impressive routs of Notre Dame and California to win CBE.
Great physical defense and outstanding quickness on offense -- all with intensity. It's actually a disservice
that the games were in Kansas City, because it takes away from the value of the results had they been
at a purely neutral site.
12/ 2 (#10) W @90-56 v Northwestern St
- MDenmon(31p)
12/ 6 (#12) W 81-71 v Villanova (JIMMY V CLASSIC @ New York, NY /MSG/)
- 10/25 3S,33-36R,23A,8TO;bMDenmon(28p5r;10/16fg,6/10 3s),cRRatliffe(17p11r),gKEnglish(15p0a)
12/10 (#12) W @84-59 v Navy
- MDenmon(22p) / fAvila(26p8r)
12/15 (#14) W @104-67 v Kennesaw St
- 60%FG
12/18 (#14) W @94-56 v William & Mary
- gMDixon(30p)
12/22 (#12) W @78-@74 @@ # Illinois (BRAGGIN' RIGHTS @ St. Louis, MO)
12/30 (#9) W 75-@68 @ Old Dominion
1 / 3 (#11) W @87-49 v .Oklahoma
1 / 7 (#11) L 59-@75 @ #19 .Kansas St
- 33%FG,7/24 3S,20/25FT;bMDenmon(17p6r),gMDixon(16p)
The Tigers suffered their first loss of the season in spectacular fashion, getting blown out on the road
at Kansas State. Better that they get it out of the way early rather than having the spectre
of the "U"-word hanging over the season well into conference play. Now they can just focus on what weaknesses they have --
no consistent presence in the paint.
1 /11 (#14) W 76-@69 @ # .Iowa St
1 /14 (#14) W @84-73 v .Texas
- 4DF,54%FG,10/21 3S,24-29R,20A,9TO;RRatliffe(21p;10/12fg),pPPressey(18p10a),xMDenmon(18p11r)
1 /16 (#9) W @70-51 v .Texas A&M
1 /21 (#9) W 89-@88 @ #2 .Baylor
- 4DF,55%FG,11S;fRRatliffe(27p8r;11/14fg),pPPressey(18p7a5r6s),gMDenmon(15p1a5to)
1 /25 (#4) L 72-@79 @ .Oklahoma St
- cRRatliffe(25p12r)
1 /28 (#4) W @63-50 v .Texas Tech
1 /30 (#6) W 67-@66 @ .Texas
- gMDixon(21p;GWFG)
2 / 4 (#6) W @74-71 v #5 .Kansas
- 52%FG,10/22 3S,23-28R;tMDenmon(29p9r;10/16fg,6/9 3s),gKEnglish(18p1a)
Not quite sure if they're good enough to be publicly tracked.
Only one starter returns from last year's conference regular season champs, fKyle Weems, for new coach Paul Lusk.
(Replacing bJermaine Mallette and fWill Creekmoore as well as gAdam Leonard is a major overhaul.)
In the MVC,
tourney champ Indiana State is the favorite ahead of NIT champ Wichita State
and Creighton; the retooling title champ Bears may only be able to spoil.
Winning at Nevada was a surprise; winning at New Mexico (MVC/MWC) won't be easy; neither will beating Oklahoma State
at home; LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS (Baylor, St. Mary's, West Virginia) is a tough ask; they'll need their BRACKETBUSTERS home win
just to be in the conversation for the bubble.
In league play, two big road games come very early in the schedule -- tough to handle for a rebuilding squad.
11/15 W 77-@46 @ Arkansas St
11/19 w @71-45 v {Emporia St}
11/26 W @69-60(OT) v Tulsa
11/30 L 63-@68 @ # Oral Roberts
12/ 3 L 60-@76 @ # New Mexico (MVC/MWC CHALLENGE)
- 5/25 3S,3/5FT;fJGulley(17p8r)
12/ 7 L @67-72 v Oklahoma St
- 2DF,6/22 3S;cKWeems(24p12r),gJGulley(19p)
12/10 W 68-@60 @ AR-Little Rock
12/17 W @78-55 v Kennesaw St (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC)
- 2DF,60%FG,910FT,36-22R,24A,9TO;tKWeems(22p8r)
12/19 W @66-53 v Texas A&M-CC (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC)
12/22(5P) L 68-70(OT) v # W Virginia (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
- RM
12/23(8:30P) L 61-77 v # St Mary's (LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
- RM ; CPatterson(18p)
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by 7-0 fDerek Selvig and gWill Cherry; fKareem Jamar also
has experience for young coach Wayne Tinkle's squad.
(Replacing cBrian Qvale is a major task.)
In the weak Big Sky ,
the Year After veteran Grizzlies will battle fortified Weber State for the top spot.
(TiTo champ Northern Colorado is in a total rebuild.)
Don't expect any big wins out of conference on the road (BRACKETBUSTERS included); at home, Long Beach State and UT Valley
are possible, Nevada probably not.
In league play, their big game comes on the road in the first half -- tough, but a veteran squad can handle it.
***
11/ 3 w @64-52 v {Lewis-Clark St}
11/11 L 58-@64 @ Colorado St
- 1DF,26%FG,5/25 3S / 39-19R,4A
11/14 w @60-59 v {Great Falls}
11/17 W @57-52 v Idaho
- xWCherry(24p11r4a)
11/20 W 73-@60 @ San Diego
- / xManresa(19p11r4a)
11/23 L 81-@83(OT) @ {N Dakota}
11/26 W @73-71 v # Long Beach St
- 51%FG
12/ 1 L @62-65 v San Francisco
12/ 4 L 46-@71 @ Oregon St
- 1DF,32%FG,3/14 3S,9/15FT,8A
12/ 7 w @64-49 v {Montana Tech} (MT)
12/10 L @64-70 v # Nevada
- 4DF,37%FG,21/29FT;bWCherry(18p4a7r)
Winning GREAT ALASKA was ... , well, great! ... especially the thrilling double-OT final over Southern Missisisppi.
(New coach or not), this team knows what it means to make an NCAA splash. Better to track this one
rather than 0-7Austin Peay.
Only two starters return from last year's conference regular season champs, led by gIsaiah Canaan; fIvan Aska has experience
as well for new coach Steve Prohm's squad.
(Replacing gB.J. Jenkins and gIsacc Miles is the main task on the court; continuing the momentum after coach Billy Kennedy
left for Texas A&M is the main task off the court.)
In the weak OVC ,
Austin Peay will battle it out with other veterans at Tennessee Tech
and five returning starters at Tennessee State for the top spot; the retooling Racers can only hope to spoil.
Winning GREAT ALASKA (San Francisco, Southern Mississippi) wasn't expected; beating Dayton at home won't be easy;
beating Memphis away won't happen; the BRACKETBUSTERS home game could be important if they're high enough
to be a bubble team.
In league play, four of six big games come in the second half -- they could be on a serious roll by then.
12/ 1 W 70-@59 @ We Kentucky (KY)
12/ 4 W @75-58 v #25 Dayton
- 55%FG,20-23R;pICanaan(21p5a;5/8 3s)
12/11 W 76-@72 @ # Memphis
- 4DF,21/27FT,10S,29-32R;gDPoole(20p;6/8 3s),pICanaan(15p7a)
A solid road win at talented Memphis (plus their previous rout of Dayton)
is enough of a calling card to break into the national rankings. Solid contributions from the front court have complemented
the great start from the back court. Nice. This program knows what it's like to make a postseason splash as well.
At the midconference break, they're still undefeatedoverall (last team standing for the year),
not to mention in conference. A two-game gap over Southeast Missouri State isn't a worry.
1 /28 (#17) W @73-58 v .Ea Illinois
2 / 2 (#14) W @81-73 v .SE Missouri
- ICanaan(32p)
2 / 4 (#14) W 65-@58 @ .TN-Martin
2 / 9 (#14) L @68-72 v .Tennessee St
- last undefeated team on the season to lose; ICanaan(31p) / TNST: fCovington(17p8r)
The home loss to Tennessee State finally topples the last undefeated team of the season. (Too bad they couldn't last
until the BRACKETBUSTER showdown.)
All five starters return from last year's losing team -- cDario Hunt, gMalik Story, fOlek Czyz and gDeonte Burton
are all solid contributors for young coach David Carter's squad.
(With no one to replace, they should be able to hit the ground running as soon as the season starts.)
In the weak (and depleted) WAC ,
it's up for grabs among the Wolf Pack's five returning starters, the Year After veterans at New Mexico State
and the returning nucleus at Hawaii; rebuilding Tito champs Utah State will only spoil.
Winning CHICAGO (Wisconsin, BYU) won't happen; the state title game at UNLV and road wins at Arizona State or BRACKETBUSTERS
are tough asks; beating Missouri State or Washington at home may be beyond their reach as well.
In league play, two of three big games in the first half are on the road -- tough, but a veteran squad can handle it.
***
11/ 8 w @77-60 v {Chico St}
11/11 L @46-68 v Missouri St
11/14 L 67-@71 @ # UNLV (NV)
11/17 W @78-54 v Pacific
11/20 W @60-47 v Prairie View A&M (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE)
11/22 W @80-78 v Longwood (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE)
11/25 L 55-76 v # BYU (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE @ Hoffman Estates, IL)
11/26 W 64-@59 v @Bradley (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE @ Hoffman Estates, IL)
12/ 2 W @76-73(OT) v # Washington
- 27-38R;pDBurton(31p6a6r)
12/ 7 W 69-@61 @ Arizona St
12/10 W 70-@64 @ Montana
- 4DF;pDBurton(21p5a5r),fOCzyz(17p9r)
12/17 W @71-47 v UC-Riverside
12/22 W @78-60 v Portland
12/28 w @71-61 v {Cedarville}
1 / 5 W 73-@55 @ .Idaho
- pDBurton(26p6a)
1 / 7 W 78-@71 @ .Utah St
- pDBurton(25p5a) / BPane(21p6a)
1 /12 W @81-57 v .San Jose St
1 /14 W @77-74 v .Hawaii
- DBurton(25p) / fJoaquim(22p7r)
Decent enough preseason to warrant tracking them.
Three starters return from last year's winning team, led by fDrew Gordon; bPhillip McDonald is a solid contributor;
fA.J. Hardeman and gKendall Williams have experience; transfer (ex-Arizona State) 6-2 gDemetrius Walker should be ready
sooner rather than later for coach Steve Alford's squad.
(Replacing star pDairese Gary is a major task.)
In the depleted Mountain West,
veteran UNLV and the Lobos have league supremacy all to themselves.
(Title champ BYU has left the conference altogether.)
Winning 76/ANAHEIM (Villanova, Washington State, Boston College) was doable (but didn't happen); beating Missouri State (MWC/MVC)
was more likely than not; beating St. Louis at home should happen.
In leaguef play, the big games are bunched three-in-a-row in both halves of the schedule -- better be ready.
12/28 W 89-@69 @ New Mexico St (NM)
- Snell(24p) / cMcKines(25p15r)
12/31 W @64-60 v # St Louis
- 2DF,2/7 3S,24/35FT,7A;fDGordon(18p9r)
Only two starters return from last year's losing team, led by monster rebounder cKyle O'Quinn (11rpg);
tPendarvis Williams is a solid contributor as well for young coach Anthony Evans' squad.
(Replacing tRob Hampton is the main task.)
In the fortified (but still weak overall) MEAC ,
it's up for grabs between returning Hampton and title champ Bethune-Cookman
and veteran squads at Coppin State, Morgan State and North Carolina A&T.
(The Spartans were not expected to be a factor.)
Even one win in PARADISE was beyond expectation;
In league play, a tough stretch of road games at the start of the schedule could make or break them.
11/21 L 57-59 v #8 Marquette (PARADISE JAM @ St. Thomas, VI)
All five starters return from last year's conference regular season champ/Elite 8 team, led by cTyler Zeller,
fHarrison Barnes and cJohn Henson; pKendall Marshall is a solid contributor as well; freshmen 6-9 f James Michael McAdoo
(related to former star Bob) and 6-5 gP.J. Hairston should make an immediate impact for Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams'
squad.
In the top-heavy ACC,
the Tar Heels' five returning starters are the favorites over guard-heavy "Plumlee U" (Duke);
veteran Miami(Florida), Florida State
and Virginia Tech might contend (but probably only spoil).
Winning CARRIER (Michigan State), LAS VEGAS-THANX (UNLV, USC, Mississippi Valley State) should all happen;
beating Wisconsin (ACC/BIG 10), Texas and Long Beach State-yes; on the road, UNC-Asheville-yes; the only danger game
is at Kentucky.
In league play, they get Duke at home first and they only play Florida State once (but it's on the road).
***
10/28 (#1) w @100-58 v {UNC-Pembroke} (NC)
11/11 (#1) W 67-55 v # Michigan St (CARRIER CLASSIC @ San Diego, CA /U.S.S. CARL VINSON/)
A proper #1 team would have routed a rag-tag Michigan State squad at the CARRIER CLASSIC. Instead,
The New Boss is the same as the old one -- too clogged up in the lane, not enough ball movement
or outside shooting. To reach the championship level, they will need for gP.J. Hairston to emerge as a star shooting guard.
Coach Williams showed last year he was bold enough to make a big change midseason -- he may have to do so again this year
(With all due respect, gDexter Strickland isn't the answer.)
11/20 (#1) W @101-75 v # MS Valley St (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL)
- 6DF,5/19 3S,16/31FT,55-35R,27A;cJHenson(18p14r),fHBarnes(18p7r),cTZeller(16p10r)
11/22 (#1) W @102-69 v Tennessee St (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL)
11/25 (#1) W 87-62 v S Carolina (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
11/26 (#1) L 80-@90 @ # UNLV (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
- 4DF,4/9 3S;fHBarnes(15p5r),gPJHairston(15p0a)
Yes, the loss at LAS VEGAS-THANX was basically a home game for UNLV -- so what?
A No.1 team should have been able to handle that. Instead, the Tar Heels couldn't guard the 3, couldn't match
the Runnin' Rebels with enough 3s of their own, and they looked helpless and down right panicky
at being unable to turn the game around in the second half.
If they're going to make it to the Final Four, Roy Williams has to make some drastic changes -- cJohn Henson and cTyler Zeller
are too stiff of a duo in the paint (especially if they're not going to dominate the boards); instead, he needs to platoon
them at center and put both fJames Michael McAdoo and gP.J. Hairston on the floor together in order to improve
the overall athleticism out on the court ... and everybody needs to play much tougher individual defense.
Forget the dream of going undefeated. They have their toughest week of the season coming up right now,
and it's they who are one of the last obstacles standing in the way of an undefeated run for Kentucky.
Gotta regroup in a hurry.
11/30 (#12) W @60-57 v #6 Wisconsin (ACC/BIG 10 CHALLENGE)
- 2DF,3/9 3S,39-26R,9A;gHBarnes(20p3r),fTZeller(12p7r),cJHenson(8p17r5b)
Much improved. The Heels ground out a tough home win over Wisconsin and then played even better
in a sensational game at Kentucky. The missing pieces (outside shooting,
tough individual defending) were all there ... and yet it still wasn't quite enough against the mighty (young) Wildcats.
No matter. Time to show this adjustment wasn't a one-time thing -- show that same fortitude against the Have Nots
and they just might earn a rematch with UK in New Orleans.
12/ 6 (#4) W @97-48 v Evansville
12/10 (#4) W @84-78 v # Long Beach St
- 4DF,52%FG,8/10FT,33-33R,28A;cJHenson(24p10r;12/17fg),gHBarnes(20p),fTZeller(17p9r),gRBullock(15p),pKMarshall(2p16a)
12/17 (#4) W @97-82 v Appalachian St (NC)
- cTZeller(31p10r / fCarter(21p7r)
12/19 (#4) W @99-49 v Nicholls St
12/21 (#4) W @82-63 v #25 Texas
- HBarnes(26p)
12/29 (#3) W @100-62 v Elon (NC)
1 / 1 (#3) W @102-65 v Monmouth
1 / 7 (#2) W @83-60 v .Boston Col
- HBarnes(25p)
1 /10 (#2) W @73-56 v # .Miami-FL
- 2/16 3S,9/14FT
1 /14 (#2) L 57-@90 @ # .Florida St
- 37%FG,4/21 3S,9/20FT,8A,22TO;bHBarnes(15p5r),[cTZeller(14p14r)]
You'd think the Tar Heels would have learned their lesson in their earlier road loss at UNLV. But this new humilation
at up-and-down Florida State is proof they are far from a can't miss elite squad. They can't win
games on their defense or their halfcourt offense -- and that's the name of the game come tournament time. It's more than
a case of not getting the message. It's now a question of whether they even have it in them. Now blowout over
a scrub opponent will fix what ails them, either.
1 /19 (#10) W 82-@68 @ .Virginia Tech
- HBarnes(27p)
1 /26 (#10) W @74-55 v .NC State (NC)
- cTZeller(21p17r)
The failure to close out the win at home vs Duke was disappointing, to be sure. Fortunately, they put
it behind them and ground down Virginia with a bruising performance in the paint.
2 /15 (#7) @ # .Miami-FL
2 /18 (#7) v .Clemson
- (55-0 and counting)
2 /21 @ .NC State (NC)
2 /25 @ # .Virginia
2 /29 v .Maryland
3 / 3 @ # .Duke (NC)
3 / 8 v ?? (ACC TOURNAMENT @ Atlanta, GA /PHILIPS/)
No major scalps, but winning a preseason tournament (plus having a legit star) makes them trackable at the least.
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by fJohn Shurna; bDrew Crawford is a solid contributor;
cLuka Mirkovic has experience as well for coach Bill Carmody's squad.
(Replacing 5-10 p(Michael) Juice Thompson is a major task.)
In the fortified, strong Big 10,
Tito champ Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to repeat;
retooling Wisconsin and Purdue still have the stars to contend;
veteran Michigan, revamped Michigan State and Illinois, as well as Minnesota
and the Wildcats are spoilers at best.
Winning CHARLESTON (VCU, LSU) was a surprise; winning at Georgia Tech (BIG 10/ACC) is tough but doable,
at Creighton-mabye not; beating Stony Brook and Mississippi Valley State at home should be no problem, Baylor will be.
In league play, the biggest of games comes right away and then a tough 3-game stretch in January, but the rest
of the schedule is well spaced.
11/25 W @63-58 v # Stony Brook
- 29-41R,9TO;bJShurna(20p6r),gDSobolewski(16p4a)
The Wildcats played two great games at Michigan
and vs Michigan State. This far in, they are what they are -- a finesse team
where perimeter players are doing more than their share of the rebounding. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.
Splashworthy if they can play consistently enough to get a bid.
They're not a bad team by any means, but they were a bust in the first half of conference play
(albeit in the toughest league in the land). Gotta make some cuts somewhere and they're the odd team out.
2 \ 2 v .Nebraska
2 / 5 W 74-@70 @ # .Illinois
2 \ 9 v .Iowa
2 /12 L 77-@87 @ # .Purdue
- gJShurna(30p4a)
2 /15 @ #15 .Indiana
2 /18 v .Minnesota
2 /21 v # .Michigan
2 \25 @ .Penn St
2 /29 v # .Ohio St
3 \ 3 @ .Iowa
3 / 8 v ?? (BIG 10 TOURNAMENT @ Indianapolis, IN /CONSECO/)
Only two starters return from last year's first-round splash team -- led by fTim Abromaitis and bScott Martin;
freshman 6-5 tPatrick Connaughton should contribute sooner rather than later for Mike Brey's squad.
(Replacing gBen Hansbrough, fCarleton Scott and fTyrone Nash is a major overhaul.)
Winning CBE (Missouri, California, Detroit) is tough but doable; winning at Gonzaga isn't in the cards, but BB&T (Maryland)
and CROSSROADS (Indiana) away should happen; beating Mississippi Valley State at home should be no problem.
In league play, their double-up games (Connecticut, West Virginia, Rutgers) aren't as tough as some have it;
and only eight tough games overall ain't bad at all.
***
11/ 1 (#18) w @90-72 v {St Xavier}
11/ 7 (#18) w @92-70 v {Stonehill Col}
11/12 (#18) W @80-67 v # MS Valley St
- pEAtkins(27p6a;12/12ft)
Three starters return from last year's conference regular season and tournament (TiTo) champs, led by 5-11 pReggie Hamilton;
gTravis Bader is a solid contributor and fDrew Valentine has experience as well;
transfer 6-2 gLaval Lucas-Perry (ex-Michigan) should make an immediate impact for veteran coach Greg Kampe's squad.
(Replacing star cKeith Benson [not to mention fWill Hudson] is quite a major task.)
In the weak Summit League ,
the Golden Grizzlies will battle it out with veteran Oral Roberts for the top spot; what's left at IUPUI
and South Dakota State will spoil at best.
Winning SOUTHWEST (Arkansas, Houston, Utah Valley) is too much to ask; winning at Alabama or Arizona won't happen;
neither will beating Michigan; winning at Valparaiso, on the road in BRACKETBUSTERS and at home against Tennessee
and Western Michigan are all possible.
In league play, two of three big games come at home in the first half -- better than not.
With Houston, the Grizzlies and Arkansas all going 3-1 (and splitting 1-1 among each other) at the SOUTHWEST CLASSIC,
give them each a 1/3 share of the crown. Nice job, especially winning on the road at UH.
11/28 W @89-81 v Tennessee
- gRHamilton(35p3a) / McRae(25p)
12/ 1 w @101-83 v .{S Dakota}
12/ 3 W @86-73 v .MO-Kansas City
12/ 7 L @82-84 v # Ohio U
-- 52%FG,19/23FT,21TO;cCPetros(23p16r;10/12fg),pRHamilton(23p7a7to),gTBader(21p)
12/10 L @80-@90 @@ # Michigan (MI) (@ Auburn Hills, MI /PALACE/)
- 5DF,20/26FT;gRHamilton(28p12/12ft),[bTBader(14p5r),gLLucasPerry(14p1a)]
12/13 w @77-62 v {Rochester Col} (Rochester,MI)
12/17 W 82-@80 @ # Valparaiso
- gRHamilton(41p3a;14/24fg,5/10 3s)
12/20 L 73-@85 @ # Arizona
- 9/32 3S;pRHamilton(31p6a7to;12/21fg),bTBader(17p5r;3/14 3s)
12/23 L @76-91 v We Michigan (MI)
- pRHamilton(27p7a) / WMICH: Richie(22p)
Earning a share of SOUTHWEST was nice; so was beating Tennessee and Valparaiso on the road. I guess
it's a measure of the strength of the league that it still seems
like South Dakota State should be the standard-bearer for the league. (If not,
we'll find out otherwise this week, anyway.)
12\28 @ .ND State
12/30 L 64-@76 @ .SD State
- 4DF,5/19 3S;pRHamilton(20p5a),cDValentine(15p10r)
1 / 3 L @80-89 v # .Oral Roberts
- RHamilton(28p)
1 \ 5 v .We Illinois
1 \ 7 v .IUPUI
1 \14 @ .IPFW
1 \19 @ .So Utah
1 /21 L 86-@93 @ # .Oral Roberts
- pRHamilton(30p7a)
Only two starters return from last year's conference regular season and tournament (TiTo) champ/Sweet 16 team,
led by All-America cJared Sullinger; gWilliam Buford and sixth man pAaron Craft are solid contributors as well;
freshmen 6-8 fLaQuinton Ross [if he's eligible], 6-6 fDeshaun Thomas and 6-2 gShannon Scott should all make
an immediate impact; freshmen 6-10 cAmir Williams and 6-7 fSam Thompson will be ready sooner rather than later
for coach Thad Matta's squad.
(Replacing gJon Diebler, tDavid Lighty and fDallas Lauderdale is a major task, but at least there's plenty of talent
coming in to try to accomplish it.)
In the fortified, strong Big 10,
the Tito champ Buckeyes are the overwhelming favorites to repeat;
retooling Wisconsin and Purdue still have the stars to contend;
veteran Michigan, revamped Michigan State and Illinois, as well as Minnesota
and Northwestern are spoilers at best.
Beating Florida (GS-A) and Duke (BIG 10/ACC) at home should both happen; winning at Kansas isn't as tough as you'd think
this year.
In league play, an easy first half means they've got it rough in the second half of the schedule.
(Don't be surprised if they make another serious run at an undefeated season.)
***
11/ 6 (#2) w @95-49 v {Walsh}
11/11 (#2) W @73-42 v Wright St (OH) (GS-A SHOOTOUT)
11/15 (#2) W @81-74 v #8 Florida ([rr4vGS-A] SHOOTOUT) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
- 4/15 3S,27/34FT,27-34R
A solid win over retooling Florida in the GS-A feature matchup. Still, there aren't
as many offensive weapons as last year, so bWilliam Buford has more on his shoulders than ever before --
(but there's no reason he can't handle it).
11/21 (#2) W @85-50 v N Florida (GS-A SHOOTOUT)
11/23 (#2) W @107-74 v VMI
11/25 (#2) W @80-47 v # Valparaiso (BG)
11/29 (#1) W @85-63 v #4 Duke (BIG 10/ACC CHALLENGE)
- 4DF,59%FG,7/10FT;fJSullinger(21p8r),bWBuford(20p5r),bDThomas(18p5r),pACraft(17p8a5r)
The Buckeyes couldn't have been more impressive in their total domination of Duke ... and yet
they drop to No. 2!!?? (How is that possible? That's just how good Kentucky's win
over North Carolina turned out to be.)
12/10 (#2) L 67-@78 @ #6 Kansas
- 39%FG,5/17 3S;cJSullinger(DNP/back),bWBuford(21p5r),bDThomas(19p5r)
cJared Sullinger has sat out the past two games (including the loss at Kansas) due to back spasms.
It explains away the loss in the short run, but it's a major worry over the long run.
12/14 (#7) W @82-58 v SC Upstate
12/17 (#7) W 74-@66 @ S Carolina
- DThomas(30p) / gCooke(21p3a)
Yikes. cJared Sullinger injured his foot in the South Carolina game and missed most of it ... and the Buckeyes struggled
without him. If his able-bodiedness becomes a chronic issue, this isn't a Top-10 team anymore.
12/20 (#7) W @70-50 v Lamar
12/22 (#7) W @69-40 v Miami-OH (OH)
12/28 (#4) W @87-54 v .Northwestern
- 48-28R;tWBuford(28p9r4a)
At the break, they're in first place (but Michigan State is right on their heels).
They're a little less devastating from the outside and from the inside this year, but the midseason emergence
of xLenzelle Smith has given them an added dimension (and some more depth).
The home loss vs Michigan State was disappointing. When the shots aren't falling from outside,
not even cJared Sullinger could do enough inside to make it matter.
2 /14 (#8) W 78-@68 @ .Minnesota
2 /18 (#8) @ #14 .Michigan
2 /21 v # .Illinois
2 /25? v # .Wisconsin
2 /29 @ .Northwestern
3 / 4 @ # .Michigan St
3 / 8 v ?? (BIG 10 TOURNAMENT @ Indianapolis, IN /CONSECO/)
The road wins at Marshall and Oakland are nice enough;
but their only loss is a well fought game at Louisville. That's plenty good enough to warrant
tracking this team.
Three starters return from last year's winning team, led by star 5-11 pD.J. Cooper; fIvo Baltic is a solid contributor;
gNick Kellogg and reserve cReggie Keely also have experience for young coach John Groce's squad.
(Replacing fDeVaughn Washington as well as fTommy Freeman is the main task.)
In the weak Mid-American ,
veteran Kent State is the favorite to repeat in the East (and overall) ahead of what's left
at tourney champ Akron, Miami(Ohio), the Bobcats -- even Buffalo and Bowling Green have veteran teams that could spoil;
in the West, five returning starters at Western Michigan only have a veteran squad at Ball State to battle.
Winning GS-B (at Louisville) was never in the cards; winning at Marshall and at Oakland was a pleasant surprise;
wining BRACKETBUSTERS at home is a must for this 1BC-only team.
In league play, their biggest games come three in a row in the first half and in the second half -- talk about running
the gauntlet -- Yikes!
12/20 W 76-@59 @ No Iowa
- 4DF,52%FG,11/21 3S,5/9FT;gIBaltic(22p;10/14fg)
/ 35%FG,9TO;fJKoch(15p6r)
12/23 W @82-66 v NC A&T
12/30 W @71-63 v Kennesaw St
1 / 2 L @67-70 v Robert Morris
- 35%FG,3/26 3S,15S;[fRKeely(14p5r),tIBaltic(14p)]
Only two starters return from last year's winning team -- 5-9 gKeiton Page and tJean-Paul Olukemi; fDarrell Williams has
experience as well; freshman 6-7 tLeBryan Nash and JuCo transfer 6-11 cPhilip Jurick should make an immediate impact;
freshman 6-0 pC.J. Guerrero will contribute sooner rather than later for coach Travis Ford's squad.
(Replacing fMarshall Moses and fMatt Pilgrim is the main task.)
In the downsized Big 12,
it's up for grabs as veteran squads at Baylor (in Year After mode) and Texas A&M,
reloaded Texas and the retooled Cowboys look to take advantage of the new balanced schedule
while five returning starters at Missouri and rebuilding Kansas face
a tougher road this season; Kansas State will be spoilers at best.
Winning NIT TIP-OFF (at Syracuse, George Mason, Virginia Tech, Stanford) won't happen; neither will winning at Alabama;
winning at Alabama-no, at Missouri State and New Mexico (ALL-COLLEGE)-yes.
In league play, a couple of early big road games could make or break their season in the conference race.
***
11/ 2 w @105-56 v {Panhandle St}
11/ 6 w @66-53 v {OK Baptist} (OK)
11/11 W @71-39 v Texas A&M-CC
1DF,1/15 3S,6/14FT
11/15(8Pet) (2m) W @73-46 v AR-Pine Bluff (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Stillwater, OK) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
11/16 (2m) W @90-85(OT) v TX-San Antonio(8m) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Stillwater, OK)
11/23 (2m) L 67-82 v Stanford(3w) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ New York, NY /MSG/)
11/25 (2m) L 57-59 v Virginia Tech(4e) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ New York, NY /MSG/)
It was too much to ask to expect a breakthrough in New York at the NIT TIP-OFF. No matter. This young team still has a lot
to learn in order to improve.
11/30 W @59-56 v Tulsa (OK)
12/ 4 w @80-58 v {Langston}
12/ 7 W 72-@67 @ Missouri St
- 4DF,3/11 3S,31/41FT,30-32FT,7A,8TO;fLNash(19p8r),gKPage(15p1a)
12/10 L 68-74 v Pittsburgh (CQAP/MSG CLASSIC @ New York, NY /MSG/)
- 4DF,8/11FT;gLNash(20p0a)
12/17 L @56-66 v # New Mexico (ALL-COLLEGE CLASSIC @ Oklahoma City, OK)
The 6-0 start to conference play (including wins over South Dakota State
and Oakland) more than establishes this as the standard-bearer for the league.
(The earlier road rout at Xavier was mostly about the struggling state of the Musketeers,
but maybe it was also a ltttle bit about the can-do Golden Eagles as well after all.)
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by star fDominique Morrison; cDamen Bell-Holter
and fSteven Roundtree and reserve fMichael Craion are all solid contributors; gWarren Niles has experience as well
for coach Scott Sutton's squad.
In the weak Summit League ,
Oakland will battle it out with the veteran Golden Eagles for the top spot;
what's left at IUPUI and South Dakota State will spoil at best.
Making noise at the NIT TIP-OFF (at Okalhoma State, Texas-San Antonio) wasn't out of the question; beating Missouri State
at home and Xavier on the road was unexpected; winning at West Virginia and Gonzaga wasn't likely; beating Texas Tech
at home was nice.
In league play, they start league play with two big games in a three-day week -- ouch.
1 /12 W 71-@70(2OT) @ .We Illinois
- Morrison(27p)
Three starters return from last year's CBI champs, led by fE.J. Singler (brother of Kyle);
transfers 6-7 fOlu Asholu (ex-Louisiana Tech) and 6-4 gDevoe Joseph (ex-Minnesota) have experience;
JuCo transfer 6-7 fCarlos Emory and freshman 6-4 gJabari Brown should make an immediate impact; freshman 6-1 gBrett Kingma
will eventually make a contribution as well for veteran coach Dana Altman's squad.
(Replacing fJoevan Catron is the main task.)
In the fortified and renamed Pac-12, it's up for grabs
among front-loaded UCLA, retooling title champ Arizona,
guard-happy tourney champ Washington, veteran California
and the upwardly mobile Ducks.
Winning GS-C is just a showcase; winning at Vanderbilt won't happen.
In league play, they only play UCLA (home) and Arizona (away) once each -- nobody has it any easier than this.
The home rout of Washington was great. But an at-large bid is a stretch for this squad --
nothing less than winning out and a run to the tourney final will do.
2 /16 @ # .California
2 /19 @ .Stanford
2 /26 @ # .Oregon St (OR)
3 / 1 v # .Colorado
3 / 3 v .Utah
3 / 7 v ?? (PAC-12 TOURNAMENT @ Los Angeles, CA /STAPLES/)
The surprise win over young-but-talented Texas lifts the Beavers into the national rankings
(but they'll have to beat Vanderbilt next time out in order to stay).
No starters return from last year's losing team; reserve gJared Cunningham is a solid contributor;
cJoe Burton has experience as well for young coach Craig Robinson's squad.
(On the one hand, it's a total rebuild; on the other hand, there's nowhere to go but up.)
In the fortified and renamed Pac-12, it's up for grabs
among front-loaded UCLA, retooling title champ Arizona,
guard-happy tourney champ Washington, veteran California
and upwardly mobile Oregon.
(The depleted Beavers were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning LEGENDS (Vanderbilt, Texas) still isn't expected; handling Montana at home is no problem.
In league play, they only get Arizona (away) and UCLA (home) once each -- easier than some have it.
11/21 (#22) L 62-64 v #23 Vanderbilt (LEGENDS CLASSIC @ East Rutherford, NJ)
11/26 (#22) W 66-@46 @ Towson
12/ 4 W @71-46 v Montana
- 4DF,39%FG;gAStarkes(16p1a),[gJCunningham(14p)]
12/ 9 L @60-74 v Idaho
- / Geiger(27p)
12/13 W @95-53 v IL-Chicago
- /0DF
12/15 W @93-72 v Howard
12/18 W @101-68 v Portland St (OR)
12/21 (#24) W 92-@66 @ Chicago St
12/29 L 80-@95 @ # .Washington
- 4DF,50%FG,5/17 3S,9/17FT;fJBurton(18p7r3a),ABrandt(16p4r),gJCunningham(15p),[gAStarks(14p)]
12/31 L 76-@81 @ .Washington St
- JCunningham(21p) / WASHST: tMotum(26p8r)
1 / 5 W @92-85 v # .California
- 4DF,63%FG,11/18 3S,19-19R;pJCunningham(24p5a;10/12ft),gAStarks(24p;5/8 3s),[ABrandt(14p)]
1 / 7 L @101-103(4OT) v .Stanford
- 6DF,27/37FT,21A,13S,11B;pJCunningham(19p6a6r;10/13ft),gRNelson(19p),cJBurton(18p10r),cDCollier(16p11r)
1 /12 L 73-@81(OT) @ # .Arizona
- 20/28FT;gJCunningham(22p),[gAStarks(14p)]
1 /14 L 66-@76 @ .Arizona St
1 /19 W @87-84 v .UCLA
1 /21 W @78-59 v .USC
1 /29 W 76-@71 @ # .Oregon (OR)
- 29-40R;bJCunningham(27p7r;12/15ft)
Only two starters return from last year's conference regular season champ/first-round splash team,
led by gAshton Gibbs; fNasir Robinson and fDante Taylor have experience as well; freshman 6-9 fKhem Birch should make
an immediate impact while freshman 6-1 gJohn Johnson will contribute sooner rather than later
for still young coach Jamie Dixon.
(Replacing bBrad Wanamaker as well as fGilbert Brown and cGary McGhee is a big task, and a lot to ask from a large crop
of freshmen.)
Winning PHILLY (La Salle), BIG EAST/SEC (at Tennessee) and MSG (Oklahoma State) should all happen; beating Long Beach State
at home won't be a problem.
In league play, their double-up games (Louisville, West Virginia, South Florida) aren't as bad as some have it;
but three of five big games are on the road.
***
10/29 (#9) w @101-33 v {La Roche Col}
11/ 7 (#9) w @76-67 v {KY Wesleyan}
11/11 (#9) W @89-56 v Albany
- pTWoodall(25p10a6r;5/7 3s)
11/13 (#9) W @86-78 v Rider (PHILLY CLASSIC)
- 40-16R;fNRobinson(27p6r),pTWoodall(17p10a7r)
A shocker. Time to regroup after the home upset loss to veteran, talented Long Beach State.
It'll be a slow climb back into the rankings, though, since there aren't any major scalps on the schedule to claim
before conference play begins.
11/22 W @73-69 v # La Salle (PA) (PHILLY CLASSIC)
11/25 W 78-@58 @ Penn (PA) (PHILLY CLASSIC @ Philadelphia, PA /PALESTRA/)
11/27 W @81-71 v # Robert Morris (PA) ([rr4@PHILLY] CLASSIC)
Winning PHILLY was a bit more than just a round-robin showcase with a road win at Penn at the Palestra. Still, there are
much bigger fish to fry than Robert Morris.
Four starters return from last year's NCAA squad, led by fIan Hummer and 5-11 gDouglas Davis. Freshmen 6-10 cBob Garbade,
6-7 fDenton Koon, 6-3 gClay Wilson and 6-11 cBrian Fabrizius will eventually make a contribution
for new head coach (and former star) Mitch Henderson (who takes over
after Sydney Johnson left for Fairfield).
(Replacing gDan Mavraides and reserve fKareem Maddox is a major task.)
In the Ivy League, five returning starters at Harvard
are the favorites; veteran squads at Yale as well as the Tigers will contend.
Winning the LEGENDS-PA (@Bucknell, Morehead State) is doable; road wins at N.C. State (LEGENDS), Drexel and Florida State
will be tougher.
In league play, five straight road games to start conference play is a tough schedule (even for a veteran squad).
Yikes. What a disastrous debut; and it doesn't get any easier with LEGENDS on tap the next couple of weeks.
They really need to regroup in a hurry in order to set the right tone for the season.
Losing two key players and adjusting to a new coach as well has clearly been too much of a transition. Falling to
both host Bucknell and to Morehead State at the LEGENDS Consolation A round-robin
is rough. NCAA bubble is out of the question; NIT is doubtful; and maybe even CBI at this point
unless they get dramatically better than this.
11/30 W @69-54 v Lafayette
12/ 7 W 59-@57 @ Rutgers (NJ)
- pIHummer(21p5a;GWFG)
12/10 L 60-@64 @ # Drexel
12/14 W 72-@71(OT) @ Rider (NJ)
- tIHummer(21p12r7a)
12/18 W 71-@62 @ Northeastern
12/22 L 59-@63 @ Siena
12/30 W 75-@73(3OT) @ # Florida St (@ Tallahassee, FL)
- cIHummer(25p15r6to;10/19fg),gDDavis(25p0a;5/15 3s)
Some unexpected toughness -- just in time for Reading Period. Who knows what form they'll have after exams. At least,
they finally showed some signs of life this season with the wild road win
at disappointing Florida State.
The upset win over Harvard is nice (but it doesn't begin to get them back in the conference race).
It's the first win over a ranked team since 1977 [over #2 Notre Dame - RM]. They can't win the league title.
Nothing less than winning out (including a sweep of the Crimson) would even get them a sniff at CIT, frankly.
Three starters return from last year's first-round splash team. 5-9 gLewis Jackson has plenty of experience;
the return of star fRobbie Hummel (who has missed more than a year due to knee injuries) is the main reason for optimism
for still young coach Matt Painter.
(Replacing stars gJuJuan Johnson and bE'Twaun Moore is a major overhaul.)
In the fortified, strong Big 10,
Tito champ Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to repeat;
retooling Wisconsin and the Boilermakers still have the stars to contend;
veteran Michigan, revamped Michigan State and Illinois, as well as Minnesota
and Northwestern are spoilers at best.
Winning PUERTO RICO (Temple) is certainly possible as is beating Miami(Florida) (BIG 10/ACC); don't expect a road win
at Xavier; beating Butler (CROSSROADS) is a toss-up at a neutral site.
In league play, they only have six tough games -- about as easy as anyone has it.
***
11/ 1 (#17) w @78-46 v {Northern St}
11/ 6 (#17) w @65-49 v {So Indiana} (IN)
11/11 (#17) W @96-34 v No Illinois
- / 1DF,25%FG,3/18 3S,3/5FT
11/14 (#15) W @67-65 v High Pt
11/17 (#15) W 91-90 v # Iona (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
11/18 (#15) W 85-77 v #14 Temple (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
- 27/33FT,27-29R;gLJackson(26p3a;10/11ft)
11/20 (#15) L 56-65 v # Alabama (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
- 2DF,35%FG,5/22 3S,11/19FT,8TO;gRHummel(17p4r1a)
11/23 W @80-37 v We Michigan
- / 0DF
11/26 W @78-57 v Coppin St
11/29 W @76-65 v # Miami-FL (BIG 10/ACC CHALLENGE)
- 55%FG,4/16 3S,20/29FT;bRHummel(17p5r),gLJackson(15p)
Don't expect a long stay in the rankings; but give the Boilermakers their due for regrouping from a so-so preseason
with two solid wins to open up conference play, including a nice spanking of Illinois (and they did it
without much help from fRobbie Hummel -- that's a good thing in the long run).
A strong preseason makes the Colonials the better choice as the standard-bearers for the league
in place of Long Island.
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by gVelton Jones; reserve fRussell Johnson is
a solid contributor as well for young coach Andrew Toole's squad.
(Replacing 5-9 gKaron Abraham is the main task.)
In the weak Northeast ,
the nucleus at Long Island will battle it out to repeat against veteran squads
at Central Connecticut State and the Colonials.
Winning PHILLY (at Pittsburgh, La Salle) was too much to ask; winning at Memphis, Ohio University as well; beating Duquesne
and James Madison on the road was a nice surprise.
In league play, tough road games at the start give way to more favorable home matchups in the second half.
12/29 L 47-@64 @ # Memphis
- 1DF,23%FG
1 / 2 W 70-@67 @ # Ohio U
- 53%FG,38-21R,31TO;pVJones(17p6a),[tCWilliams(14p8r5to)]
1 / 5 w 84-@53 @ .{Bryant}
1 / 7 L 53-@68 @ .C Connecticut St
1 /12 L @76-78 v .Quinnipiac
1 /14 W @70-67 v .Sacred Heart
- Williams(20p) / Gibson(29p)
1 /19 W 67-@55 @ .Fairleigh Dickinson
- tVJones(22p9r6a)
1 /21 W 81-@73(OT) @ .Monmouth
- xVJones(35p14r6a) / Nesmith(22p)
At the break, it's Long Island in first, undefeated with a two-game gap.
Wagner, Central Connecticut State, the Colonels and St. Francis(New York) were all tied for second.
No starters return from last year's NCAA team. Between player eligibility and the coach's health
[out indefinitely after off-season surgery], so much is up in the air this season for the Red Storm.
JuCo transfer 6-9 fGod's Gift Achiuwa should make an immediate impact; freshmen 6-3 gD'Angelo Harrison
and 6-8 tMaurice Harkless should be ready to contribute sooner rather than later; freshmen 6-7 fJakarr Sampson
[if he's eligible], 6-6 fAmir Garrett [if he's eligible], 6-10 cNorvel Pelle [if he's eligible]
and 6-6 tSir'Dominic Pointer will all eventually be solid contributors for still young coach Steve Lavin's squad.
(It's a complete rebuild from scratch after the departure of gDwight Hardy, fJustin Brownlee, tD.J. Kennedy
and fJustin Burrell.)
Winning 2KS/COACHES VS CANCER (Arizona) is too much to soon for a brand new squad; so too wins at Kentucky (BIG EAST/SEC)
and at Duke, but at Detroit is doable; even at home, beating UCLA won't be a cakewalk.
In league play, their double-games (Cincinnati, Georgetown, DePaul) are as good as anyone has; four home and three away
in the toughest games is the best of any of the trackable teams.
***
10/25 w @110-80 v {C.W. Post}
11/ 1 w @77-70 v {St Mary's-MD}
11/ 7 W @74-59 v William & Mary (2KS/COACHES VS CANCER CLASSIC)
- SLavin(DNC/surgery)
11/ 9 W @78-73 v Lehigh (2KS/COACHES VS CANCER CLASSIC)
Unfortunately, Steve Lavin has had to step away from the sidelines to better focus on his recovery. Unless he can return
at full strength, this isn't really a trackable squad.
12/ 5 L 63-@69 @ Detroit
- / court named after commentator/former UDM coach Dick Vitale
12/17 W @56-@50 @@ Fordham (NewYork,NY) (MSG HOLIDAY FESTIVAL @ New York, NY /MSG/)
12\21 v TX Pan American
12\27 v .Providence
12/31 L 69-@83 @ #16 .Connecticut
1 / 3 L @58-73 v #15 .Louisville
1 \ 7 @ .Cincinnati
1 /11 L 63-@84 @ # .Marquette
1 /15 L @49-69 v # .Georgetown
1 \18 @ .S Florida
1 \21 v .Villanova
1 /25 W @78-62 v #25 .W Virginia
- cHarkless(23p13r)
1 /28 L 76-@83 @ #8 Duke
- cHarkless(30p13r)
2 \ 1 @ .DePaul
2 / 4 L @70-95 v #3 .Syracuse (NY)
2 / 8 L @54-76 v .Cincinnati
2 /12 L 61-@71 @ #13 .Georgetown
2 \14 @ .Seton Hall
2 /18 v UCLA
2 \20 v .DePaul
2 \25 v # .Notre Dame
2 \29 @ .Pittsburgh
3 \ 3 @ .Rutgers
3 / 6 v ?? (BIG EAST TOURNAMENT @ New York, NY /MSG/)
Winning 76/ANAHEIM (and taking out Villanova to boot) was a pleasant surprise.
Here's to veteran experience!
All five starters return from last year's losing team, led by 5-10 gKwamain Mitchell; bMike McCall and fDwayne Evans
have experience as well; transfer (ex-Toledo) 6-8 fJake Barnett should make an immediate impact
for veteran coach Rick Majerus' squad.
In the competitive Atlantic 10, they've finished 1-2
for four straight years already -- what's one more? This time, title champ Xavier is
the favorite to repeat ahead of veteran Temple; veteran squads at George Washington and St. Bonaventure
can only hope to spoil; (tourney champ Richmond has to rebuild from scratch).
(Even with all five starters returning, the Billikens were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning 76/ANAHEIM (Villanova, Washington State, Oklahoma, Boston College, Santa Clara, New Mexico) was not expected at all;
beating Washington either; winning at New Mexico won't be easy.
In league play, their double-up games (Xavier, Dayton, Duquesne) about as tough as anyone has it.
11/29 (#19) L 68-@75 @ Loyola Marymount
12/ 3 (#19) W @73-53 v Portland
12/ 7 W @62-43 v # Vermont
12/10 w @72-62 v {IL-Springfield}
12/17 W @65-35 v Alabama St
12/22 W @70-46 v Arkansas St
12/27 W @71-39 v Texas So
- / 0DF
12/31 L 60-@64 @ # New Mexico
- 3/18 3S,8TO;fBConklin(20p9r)
1 / 4 L 72-@79(OT) @ .Dayton
- 5DF,39%FG,5/19 3S;[gBConklin(14p0a)]
1 / 7 W @78-56 v .Geo Washington
1 /11 L @67-72 v # .Temple
- 4DF,9/14FT;gKMitchell(16p3a),[fDEvans(14p8r)]
1 /14 W 68-@67 @ .Charlotte
1 /21 W @68-41 v .Duquesne
1 /25 W 73-@68 @ # .Xavier
- 4DF,22/28FT,26-26R,10S;BConklin(19p),[tRLoe(14p8r)]
1 /28 L 59-@72 @ .Massachusetts
2 / 1 W @86-62 v .St Bonaventure
2 / 4 W @58-50 v .Dayton
- 4/17 3S,31-36R;fBConklin(16p8r)
The preseason has been good enough to take a look at the Gaels.
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season co-champs, led by fRob Jones
and bMatthew Dellavedova; reserve fMitchell Young is a solid contributor as well; transfer (ex-SMU) 5-11 gPaul McCoy
will eventually be ready for still young coach Randy Bennett's squad.
(Replacing star pMickey McConnell is a major task.)
In the fortified, competitive WCC,
Tito champ Gonzaga is the favorite ahead of the title champ veteran Gaels and what's left
at new conferencemate BYU; five returning starters at San Francisco and CIT champ Santa Clara are both good enough
to spoil.
Winning SOS (Weber State) was slightly more than your average showcase; winning LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS (Baylor, West Virginia,
Missouri State) was too much to ask; winning at Denver was doable (but didn't happen); beating BYU at home should happen;
winning BRACKETBUSTERS away may be a must-win if they're on the bubble.
In league play, the two biggest games are at home first -- better than not.
12/29 W @98-82 v # .BYU
- cRJones(24p15r)
12/31 W 74-@45 @ .Pepperdine (CA)
1 / 5 W 78-@72 @ .San Diego (CA)
- cRJones(31p12r) / Dee(22p)
1 / 9 W @87-72 v .San Francisco (CA)
- MDellavedova(27p) / Caloiaro(20p)
1 /12 W @83-62 v #19 .Gonzaga
- 4DF,54%FG,21A,5TO;pMDellavedova(26p6a;10/16fg,5/10 3s),cBWaldow(17p10r),[cRJones(1p11r8a)]
The blowout of Gonzaga is exactly what they need to put themselves on the map. Now, they'll be playing
with House money when they face the Big Boys on the road in the second half. Steal one on the road and you're golden.
The emergence of freshman 6-9 fBrad Waldow as a viable scoring option could mean a lot as the season goes on.
1 /19 (#19) W @61-47 v .Pepperdine (CA)
1 /21 (#19) W 93-@77 @ .Santa Clara (CA)
- pMDellavedova(26p7a) / fHanson(23p9r)
1 /26 (#18) W 71-@64 @ .Loyola Marymount (CA)
1 /28 (#18) W 80-@66 @ # .BYU
2 / 2 (#15) W @84-73 v .San Diego (CA)
- fRJones(28p8r) / Manresa(25p)
A surprisingly solid start considering how much talent they lost from last year; but give them credit for retaining
the winning mentality that has carried through to last year's understudies who are now this year's leads.
Only one starter returns fro last year's conference regular season and conference (TiTo) champ/Sweet 16 team,
gChase Tapley, for veteran coach Steve Fisher's squad.
(Replacing the likes of star fKawhi Leonard, as well as fMalcolm Thomas, and gD.J. Gay and f Billy White to boot, is
literally starting over from scratch.)
In the depleted Mountain West,
veteran UNLV and New Mexico have league supremacy all to themselves.
(The Tito champ Aztecs are in a total rebuild and title champ BYU has left the conference altogether.)
Winning BT was merely a home showcase; winning at Baylor was a tough ask (but so was at Arizona-nice);
beating Creighton (MWC/MVC) and California at home are tough but doable.
In league play, the big games come back-to-back in the first half and the second half -- easy to peak for.
11/26 W 76-@75(OT) @ UC-Santa Barbara (CA)
- xThames(20p10r6a) / gJohnson(26p4a)
11/30 L @83-85 v #23 Creighton (MWC/MVC CHALLENGE)
- led by 17; 4DF,9TO;pXThames(21p6a),tJFranklin(19p8r),gCTapley(151a)
12/ 4 W @64-63 v # California (CA)
- 1DF,4/10 3S,9A;bCTapley(25p5r)
12/ 7 W 74-@62 @ San Diego (SanDiego,CA)
12/19 W @80-55 v UC-Riverside (CA)
12/22 W @81-55 v Elon
12/30 w @94-43 v {Redlands}
1 / 5 w @83-52 v {San Diego-Christian} (SanDiego,CA)
1 /10 W @73-65 v Chicago St
1 /14 W @69-67 v #10 .UNLV
- 31-41R;xJFranklin(24p10r;GWFG),gJRahon(22p)
It's only a last-possession win at home, and it's only the first game of conference play, but it's still a big win
for the Aztecs to knock off the likes of UNLV. Give them full credit for now, but there's a long way
to go yet.
1 /18 (#14) W 75-@70 @ # .New Mexico
1 /21 (#14) W @57-44 v .Air Force
1 /24 (#15) W 52-@42 @ # .Wyoming
1 /28 (#15) L 60-@77 @ .Colorado St
2 / 1 (#20) W @58-56 v .Boise St
2 / 4 (#20) W @83-73 v .TCU
2 /11 (#18) L 63-@65 @ #12 .UNLV
- 2DF,6/11FT;gCTapley(22p1a),tJFranklin(15p8r)
It's the 3-1 start to conference play more than the so-so preseason that gets them a look (and a ranking on this
mark down week.
Three starters return from last year's losing team, led by fHerb Pope; pJordan Theodore has experience as well
for young coach Kevin Willard's squad.
(Replacing star bJeremy Hazell not to mention fJeff Robinson is a major task.)
Winning CHARLESTON (VCU, LSU, Northwestern) was a tough ask; beating Auburn (BIG EAST/SEC) was to be expected; winning
at Dayton was a surprise, winning at Longwood wasn't.
In league play, their double-up games (Connecticut, Rutgers, DePaul) aren't as tough as some others have it.
The rout win on the road at Washington is certainly worth taking notice;
and it gives more cred to their Unwelcome Guest win at CBE Consolation B in Macon.
Three starters return from last year's winning team, led by star bNate Wolters; bGriffan Callahan has experience;
reserve fJordan Dykstra is a solid contributor as well for coach Scott Nagy's squad.
(Replacing gClint Sargent as well as pDale Moss is a major task.)
In the weak Summit League ,
Oakland will battle it out with veteran Oral Roberts for the top spot; what's left
at IUPUI and the Jackrabbits will spoil at best.
Winning CBE Consolation B (at Mercer) and at Washington was a nice surprise; road wins at the likes of Minnesota, Georgia
and Nebraska weren't to be expected.
In league play, an early December road game is trouble, but two January home games could set them up for the second half.
It's a close call, but it seems that the Jackrabbits are slightly the better choice as standard-bearers for the league
than Oakland. (But we'll see if it's otherwise this week, anyway.)
12/28 W @94-58 v .IPFW
12/30 W @76-64 v .Oakland
- 4DF,51%FG,25-25R,9TO;pNWolters(19p7a),gBCarlton(18p5s),bJDykstra(17p5r)
No particular calling card, but no gaffes is at least worth a look at this point.
Three starters return from last year's winning team; gAngelo Johnson and gD.J. Newbill have experience
for veteran coach Larry Eustachy's squad.
(Replacing star fGary Flowers, not to mention gR.L. Horton is a major overhaul.)
In Conference USA,
tourney champ Memphis' five returning starters will battle what's left at title champ UAB,
veterans at Tulsa and talented Marshall for the top spot; five returning starters
at Central Florida have the star power to spoil.
(The Golden Eagles were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning GREAT ALASKA (San Francisco, New Mexico State, Murray State) was doable (but didn't happen); winning
at Arizona State was nice; beating state-rival Mississippi at home was good.
In league play, they double-up with Memphis, Marshall and Central Florida -- about as tough as you could have.
1 /11 L 58-@60 @ # .Memphis
1 /14 W @59-55 v .UAB
1 /21 W @67-63 v # .Marshall
1 /25 W 72-@60 @ .E Carolina
1 /28 W 78-@65 @ # .C Florida
- pNWatson(23p6a),fDDodson(22p8r)
Four starters return from last year's losing team, led by cJosh Owens; fDwight Powell has experience as well.
Freshman 6-1 gChasson Randle should contribute right away for young coach Johnny Dawkins' squad.
(Replacing gJeremy Green is the main task.)
In the fortified and renamed Pac-12, it's up for grabs
among front-loaded UCLA, retooling title champ Arizona,
guard-happy tourney champ Washington, veteran California
and upwardly mobile Oregon.
(The veteran Cardinal can only hope to spoil.)
Winning the NIT TIP-OFF (Oklahoma State) won't happen (but they should make it to NYC); N.C. State at home-yes,
Butler at home-maybe.
In league play, they skip Arizona away and Washington at home -- an easier schedule than some have it.
11/ 5 w @100-47 v {Ryerson}
11/11 W @91-52 v C Arkansas
- 46-24R / 1/15 3S,5A
11/14 (3w) W @75-59 v Fresno St (CA) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Stanford, CA)
11/15(11Pet) (3w) W @64-52 v Colorado St(7w) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Stanford, CA) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
11/23 (3w) W 82-67 v Oklahoma St(2m) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ New York, NY /MSG/)
11/25 (3w) L 63-@69 v #5 @Syracuse(1n) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ New York, NY /MSG/)
A very respectable showing in New York for the NIT TIP-OFF final rounds. They're not physical, but this team is
very athletic. Worth tracking (for more than sentimental reasons) this year.
11/18 W 70-@49 @ UC-Davis (CA)
11/28 W @79-37 v Pacific (CA)
12/ 1 w 72-@49 @ {Seattle}
12/ 4 W @76-72 v NC State
12/17 W @75-55 v San Diego (CA)
12/19 W @75-56 v Bethune-Cookman
12/22 L @66-71 v Butler
12/29 W @60-59 v .UCLA (CA)
12/31 W @51-43 v .USC (CA)
1 / 5 L 67-@78 @ # .Oregon
- JOwens(18p)
1 / 7 W 103-@101(4OT) @ .Oregon St
- 6DF,13/28 3S,16/28FT,47-52R,20A;gCRandle(24p),pABright(18p6a),cJOwens(16p11r)
All five starters return from last year's losing squad, led by gBryan Dougher; cDallis Joyner
and reserve cTommy Brenton also have experience for still young coach Steve Pikiell's squad.
(With no one to replace, they should have a leg up to start the season.)
In the weak America East ,
it's up for grabs between the Seawolves' five returning starters against veteran squads in Year After mode
at Vermont, Boston University and Albany.
A HOLIDAY (Rutgers) is probably out of their reach; road wins at Indiana, Northwestern and Boston College are, for sure,
but maybe a veteran team could steal a BRACKETBUSTERS away win.
In league play, two of three big games in the first half are at home -- that should help them get a jump start on the pack.
***
11/11 L 66-@96 @ # Indiana
11/13 w @93-39 v {Mt Ida}
11/15 L 63-@74 @ Sacred Heart
11/22 W @67-53 v Columbia (NY)
11/25 L 58-@63 @ Northwestern
- 3/5FT
12/ 3 L 69-@72 @ Ea Illinois
- / pGranger(25p6a
12/ 7 W @70-46 v Fairleigh Dickinson
12/11 L 51-@66 @ Boston Col
12/17 L @58-67 v Rutgers (MSG HOLIDAY FESTIVAL @ New York, NY /MSG/)
The rout loss at Vermont drops them back into a virtual tie for first place.
BRACKETBUSTERS is just for show in 1BC-land. There's only one way into the NCAAs.
2 /18 @ # Northeastern (BRACKETBUSTERS)
2 /21 @ .Hartford
2 /26 v .Maine
3 / 1 v ?? (AMERICA EAST TOURNAMENT @ West Hartford, CT/Hartford//on-campus)
Four starters return from last year's first-round splash team, led fKris Joseph and gScoop Jardine;
gBrandon Triche is a solid contributor as well; freshmen 6-5 gMichael Carter-Williams, 6-9 cRakeem Christmas
and 6-4 gTrevor Cooney should make an impact sooner rather than later for Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim's squad.
(Replacing cRick Jackson is a major task on the inside.)
Winning NIT TIP-OFF (Oklahoma State, George Mason, Virginia Tech) should be no problem; so too BIG EAST/SEC (Florida)
at home; N.C. State on the road and Bucknell at home don't scare you, either.
In league play, their double-up games (Connecticut, Louisville, Providence) are tougher than most; plus more big games
are on the road than at home.
***
11/ 1 (#8) w @79-49 v {Cal St-Los Angeles}
11/ 8 (#8) w @87-69 v {Col of St Rose}
11/12 (#8) W @78-53 v Fordham (NY)
11/14 (#6) (1n) W @92-56 v Manhattan (NY) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Syracuse, NY)
11/15(7Pet) (#6) (1n) W @98-74 v Albany(NY) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Syracuse, NY) (TIP-OFF MARATHON)
- 43-23R
11/19 (#6) W @92-47 v Colgate (NY)
11/23 (#5) (1n) W @69-58 v Virginia Tech(4e) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ New York, NY /MSG/)
11/25 (#5) (1n) W @69-63 v # Stanford(3w) ([2v2vNIT T-O] SEASON TIP-OFF @ New York, NY /MSG/)
The off-court firestorm gets worse by the day -- [the associate head coach was fired over a sexual abuse scandal,
very coincident and similar to the one surrounding the Penn State football program].
On court, the Orange once again took full advantage of home state crowd to win the NIT TIP-OFF
over Stanford and Virginia Tech. Solid, but not dominant.
11/29 (#11) W @84-48 v Ea Michigan
12/ 2 (#11) W @72-68 v #14 Florida (BIG EAST/SEC CHALLENGE)
- 3/17 3S,10S;gBTriche(20p),pSJardine(16p7a),bKJoseph(14p5r)
12/ 6 (#10) W @62-56 v # Marshall
- 3/11 3S,32-40R,12S,10B;gDWaiters(15p)
12/10 (#10) W @85-50 v Geo Washington
12/17 (#10) W 88-@72 @ NC State
- DWaiters(22p)
12/20 (#9) W @80-61 v # Bucknell
- 53%FG,35-23R,10S;gKJoseph(17p),[gSJardine(14p4a)]
12/22 (#9) W @80-61 v Tulane
12/28 (#6) W @75-49 v .Seton Hall
1 / 1 (#6) W 87-@68 @ .DePaul
1 / 4 (#8) W 87-@73 @ .Providence
1 / 7 (#8) W @73-66 v #12 .Marquette
- 4DF,39%FG;gKJoseph(17p),bBTriche(16p7r)
The loss at Notre Dame isn't a big deal (other than being their first loss of the season).
They had trouble executing in the halfcourt offense, though. cFab Melo is out indefinitely. That's a bigger problem.
1 /23 (#6) W 60-@53 @ .Cincinnati
1 /28 (#6) W @63-61 v #25 .W Virginia
- 4/20 3S;gBTriche(18p;GWFG)
Getting severely outrebounded against Georgetown is a worry, but they still managed to pull out the win
in OT. There are only three teams who've had their acts together all season long -- and they're one of them
(along with Kentucky and Missouri).
Four starters return from last year's first-round splash team, led by gRamone Moore and fScootie Randall;
gJuan Fernandez and gKhalif Wyatt are solid contributors as well; cMicheal Eric and fRahlir Jefferson also have experience
for veteran coach Fran Dunphy's squad.
(Replacing fLavoy Allen is a major task.)
In the competitive Atlantic 10, they've finished 1-2
for four straight years already -- what's one more? This time, title champ Xavier is
the favorite to repeat ahead of the veteran Owls; veteran squads at George Washington and St. Bonaventure
can only hope to spoil; (tourney champ Richmond has to rebuild from scratch).
In the Big 5, they've won or tied
for the past eight years now -- WHAT'S ONE MORE!? Once again, the Owls
and city champ Villanova are a step above the rest.
Winning PUERTO RICO (Purdue, Western Michigan) is definitely possible; winning at Texas or at home against Duke-not so much;
beating Villanova (BIG 5) and Maryland at home are all well within their reach.
In league play, they double-up with both city rivals and their big games come right together in the second half,
but the Game of the Year is at home.
In the city series, that Game of the Year is at home as well.
***
11/14 (#14) W @73-@67(OT) @@ Penn (Philadelphia,PA) (BIG 5) (/PALESTRA/)
- / pZRosen(27p6a6r;7/10 3s)
11/17 (#14) W 69-55 v We Michigan (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
11/18 (#14) L 77-85 v #15 Purdue (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
- 3/12 3S;gRMoore(27p3a;10/15ft)
11/20 (#14) W 78-74(OT) v # Wichita St (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF @ San Juan, PR)
11/27 L 64-@67 @ Bowling Green
12/ 3 W @86-74 v C Michigan
12/ 7 W 77-@58 @ Toledo
12/10 W @78-67 v # Villanova (Philadelphia,PA) (BIG 5)
- 4/17 3S;bRMoore(32p6r;8/21fg;14/15ft)
A huge win over Villanova
in the BIG 5 Game of the Year puts them in prime position to claim
this year's title -- (but two true road games still remain, though).
12/17 L 65-@77 @ Texas
- 2DF,10/20FT;gKWyatt(24p1a)
12/19 W 77-@70 @ Rice
12/28 W @87-85(OT) v Buffalo
- RMoore(24p),ALee(2p;GWFG)
12/30 W 66-@63 @ Delaware
1 / 4 W @78-73 v #3 Duke (/WELLS FARGO/)
- 5DF,56%FG,11S;gKWyatt(22p5s),fRHollisJefferson(17p6r)
1 / 7 L @77-87 v .Dayton
- 11/23 3S,8/12FT;gKWyatt(28p;5/10 3s),gRMoore(17p1a),gJFernandez(15p4a)
The win over Xavier didn't quite have the national import it looked like at the start of the season,
but they've taken control of the league race (and there's some solid play going on here).
No starters return from last year's first-round splash team; reserve gJ'Covan Brown is a solid contributor;
freshman 6-2 gMyck Kabongo should make an immediate impact; freshman 6-5 gSheldon McClellan will contribute
sooner rather than later; freshmen 6-8 fJonathan Holmes and 6-1 gSterling Gibbs will eventually be ready as well
for veteran coach Rick Barnes' squad.
(Replacing star tJordan Hamilton, GC fTristan Thompson and fGary Johnson, as well as gCory Joseph represents
a complete rebuild from scratch.)
In the downsized Big 12,
it's up for grabs as veteran squads at Baylor (in Year After mode) and Texas A&M,
the reloaded Longhorns and retooled Oklahoma State look to take advantage
of the new balanced schedule while five returning starters at Missouri
and rebuilding Kansas face a tougher road this season; Kansas State will be
spoilers at best.
Winning LEGENDS (Vanderbilt, N.C. State) is too much too soon for such a young team; same for winning at UCLA
and at North Carolina; beating Temple at home won't be easy.
In league play, the big games are will spaced out across the schedule.
***
11/13 (#23) W @82-46 v Boston U (LEGENDS CLASSIC)
- pJBrown(28p8a;10/19fg) / 4/25 3S,8/13FT,5A
11/15 (#20) W @100-90 v Rhode Island (LEGENDS CLASSIC)
- 35/44FT;bJBrown(35p6a6r;10/22fg,5/10 3s,10/12/ft)
11/19 (#20) L 95-100(OT) v Oregon St (LEGENDS CLASSIC @ East Rutherford, NJ)
- 5DF,55%FG,23TO;pJBrown(25p9a6r6to;5/8 3s)
Chalk it up to growing pains. The shocking loss to unheralded Oregon State knocks
them out of their expected LEGENDS showdown with Vanderbilt. bJ'Covan Brown is doing his best
gKemba Walker imitation so far -- it's great to see him raise his level, but you also want to see some of the newcomers
make an impact as well.
11/21 L 74-77 v NC State (LEGENDS CLASSIC @ East Rutherford, NJ)
11/26 W @56-40 v Sam Houston St (TX)
11/29 W @73-57 v N Texas (TX)
12/ 3 W 69-@59 @ UCLA
12/ 6 W @80-62 v # TX-Arlington (TX)
12/10 W @86-52 v Texas St (TX)
12/13 W @93-40 v Nicholls St
- / 0DF
12/17 W @77-65 v # Temple
- 2/17 3S,23/35FT,46-20R,7A;gJBrown(23p6to;10/21fg),bMKabongo(18p5r3a)
21 shots from the floor from one player isn't a good stat, no matter who it is; neither is 2-for-17
on three-pointers. Still, gJ'Covan Brown has held the team together while the youngsters got their feet wet.
(Now comes the baptism by fire.)
12/21 (#25) L 63-@82 @ #4 N Carolina
12/31 W @73-59 v Rice (TX)
1 / 4 L 71-@77 @ # .Iowa St
1 / 7 W @58-49 v .Oklahoma St
- pMKabongo(15p6a)
1 /11 W @61-51 v .Texas A&M (TX)
1 /14 L 75-@84 @ #14 .Missouri
- gJBrown(34p;10/16fg,6/7 3s)
1 /18 L 80-@84 @ #13 .Kansas St
1 /21 L @66-69 v #6 .Kansas
- pJBrown(24p7a6r;7/26fg)
1 /24 W @62-55 v # .Iowa St
1 /28 L 71-@76 @ #9 .Baylor (TX)
- pJBrown(32p5a;11/22fg)
Three starters return from last year's NCAA team, led by fKhris Middleton and fDavid Loubeau; freshman 6-3 gJamal Branch
should contribute sooner rather than later for new coach Billy Kennedy (ex-Murray State).
(Replacing 5-11 gB.J. Holmes and fNathan Walkup is the task on court; keeping the program's momentum going
after coach Mark Turgeon left for Maryland is the task on the sidelines.)
In the downsized Big 12,
it's up for grabs as veteran squads at Baylor (in Year After mode) and the Aggies,
reloaded Texas and retooled Oklahoma State look to take advantage
of the new balanced schedule while five returning starters at Missouri
and rebuilding Kansas face a tougher road this season; Kansas State will be
spoilers at best.
Winning 2KS/COACHES VS CANCER (Arizona, at St. John's, Mississippi State) is possible; winning at Florida (ORANGE BOWL) is
a tough ask.
In league play, the first four big games are all on the road -- if they can survive that, then they can get on a serious roll.
***
11/ 3 w @91-55 v {Dallas Baptist} (TX)
11/ 9 W @81-59 v Liberty (2KS/COACHES VS CANCER CLASSIC)
First chance to measure themselves at full strength didn't turn out so well on the road against Florida.
Once conference play comes along, there'll be no time for second chances.
The road win at Lamar (and their undefeated start to conference play overall) says
that this team is really the proper standard-bearer for the league.
All five starters return from last year's losing team, led by fLaMarcus Reed III and fBo Ingram; fJordan Reves
and reserve fBrandon Edwards have experience as well; 6-5 fKevin Butler should contribute sooner rather than later
for young coach Scott Cross' squad.
In the weak Southland ,
veteran Texas-San Antonio is the favorite in the West (and overall)
ahead of the Mavericks' five returning starters and Stephen F. Austin; in the East,
Lamar has the most solid nucleus returning, with McNeese State, Northwestern State
and Southeast Louisiana all retooling around returning stars.
Winning AIA (Kent State, at Utah State) was a tough ask; road wins at Baylor and Texas weren't going to happen; winning
BRACKETBUSTERS on the road won't be easy.
In league play, road games at Lamar and McNeese make it tougher than you'd want.
***
1 /18 W 77-@73 @ .Texas A&M-CC (TX)
- LReedIII(26p)
1 /21 W @63-54 v .Stephen F Austin (TX)
1 /24 w 79-@74 @ {Houston Baptist}
1 /28 W 82-@79 @ .Texas St (TX)
2 / 1 W @67-66 v .TX-San Antonio (TX)
- LReedIII(24p)
Four starters return from last year's conference tournament champs, led by fJeromie Hill and gMelvin Johnson III.
(Replacing pDevin Gibson is the main task for young coach Brooks Thompson's squad.)
In the weak Southland ,
the veteran Roadrunners are the favorites in the West (and overall)
ahead of five returning starters at Texas-Arlington and Stephen F. Austin; in the East,
Lamar has the most solid nucleus returning, with McNeese State, Northwestern State
and Southeast Louisiana all retooling around returning stars.
Don't expect any noise at the NIT TIP-OFF (@Oklahoma State, Stanford); road wins at UTEP or BRACKETBUSTERS will be tough;
beating Pepperdine at home may be the most noise they make all season.
In league play, their in the easier West and the tough East games are evenly split home and away -- pretty good.
***
11/ 4 w @68-59 v {SE Oklahoma St}
11/11 W 73-@64 @ UTEP (TX)
11/15 (8m) W 78-@77 v # @Oral Roberts(6m) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Stillwater, OK)
11/16 (8m) L 85-@90(OT) @ Oklahoma St(2m) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Stillwater, OK)
11/21 (8m) L 75-@85 @ Colorado St(7w) (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Ft. Collins, CO)
11/22 (8m) W 83-79 v Fresno St (NIT SEASON TIP-OFF @ Ft. Collins, CO)
- / bWills(26p7r)
Three starters return from last year's first-round splash team, led by fReeves Nelson and cJoshua Smith;
twin transfers 6-10 fDavid Wear and 6-10 fTravis Wear (both ex-North Carolina) have experience;
JuCo transfer 6-6 gDe'End Parker and freshman 6-3 gNorman Powell should make an immediate impact
for coach Ben Howland's squad.
(Replacing fTyler Honeycutt and gMalcolm Lee is a major task.)
In the fortified and renamed Pac-12, it's up for grabs
among the front-loaded Bruins, retooling title champ Arizona,
guard-happy tourney champ Washington, veteran California
and upwardly mobile Oregon.
Winning MAUI (Duke, Kansas, Michigan, Memphis, Georgetown) is a tough ask; beating Texas at home won't be easy, either;
winnint on the road against St. John's is doable.
In league play, they only play Oregon once (but it's on the road).
***
(Due to the renovation of Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins' home games will be held
either at the Honda Center [in Anaheim] or at Los Angeles Sports Arena.)
11/ 6 (#6) w @80-72 v {Cal St-San Bernardino} (CA)
11/11 (#6) L @58-69 v Loyola Marymount (CA)
- 2/15 3S
Yikes! Horrendous guard play not only has them unranked, but nearly has them untracked, it was so bad.
But the front line is the envy of most schools out there, so there must be eventually some light at the end
of the tunnel -- just not any time soon, most likely.
11/15 L @66-86 v # Mid Tennessee (MAUI INVITATIONAL)
- 4/20 3S
11/21 w (92-@60) @ {{Chaminade}} (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
11/22 L 55-72 v #25 Kansas (MAUI INVITATIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
11/23 L 63-79 v #19 Michigan (MAUI INVITAIONAL @ Lahaina, HI)
Four starters return from last year's conference tournament champs, led by the backcourt of pJ.P. Primm
and gMatt Dickey; athletic reserve cD.J. Cunningham(OUT/knee) has experience as well
for coach Eddie Biedenbach's squad.
(Replacing fJohn Williams shouldn't be a difficult task.)
In the weak Big South ,
veteran squads (the Bulldogs and Liberty) will battle it out for the top spot; what's left
at Coastal Carolina and veteran VMI will be spoilers at least,
contenders at best.
Don't expect a breakthrough at ATLANTIS (Connecticut, Florida State, Central Florida, Harvard); a road win at N.C. State is
unlikely, but Tennessee and BRACKETBUSTERS could be had; not even at home do they have a shot at North Carolina.
In league play, all the big games come at home in the first half -- great way to get a leg up on the rest of the pack.
***
11/ 7 w @98-67 v {Lees-McRae}
11/11 L 75-@84 @ NC State (NC)
11/13 L @75-91 v #1 N Carolina (NC)
11/16 w @126-75 v {Mars Hill}
11/21 w @89-48 v {Brevard Col}
11/24 L 63-73 v #4 Connecticut (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
11/25 L 66-68 v Col of Charleston (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
11/26 W 87-65 v Utah (BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS @ Paradise Island, BAHAMAS)
Hats off to the Bulldogs -- they're the first team in the nation to clinch their conference title --
a FOUR-GAME GAP with only three left to play. But this is still 1BC-land -- despite the outcome of BRACKETBUSTERS,
there's only one win into the NCAAs.
2 /14 L 69-@74 @ .Co Carolina
2 /18 @ # Ohio U (BRACKETBUSTERS)
2 /23 v .Gardner-Webb (NC)
2 /25 v .Winthrop
2 /27 v ?? (BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT on-campus/@ #1-seed/on-campus)
Four stareters return from last year's NCAA team, led by fChace Stanback; gOscar Bellfield, gAnthony Marshall
and fQuintrell Thomas all have experience as well for new coach (former assistant) Dave Rice.
(Replacing gTre'Von Willis is the main task, as well as managing the transition after Lon Kruger left for Oklahoma.)
In the depleted Mountain West,
the veteran Rebels and New Mexico have league supremacy all to themselves.
(Tito champ San Diego St is in a total rebuild and title champ BYU has left the conference altogether.)
Winning LAS VEGAS-THANX (North Carolina) is too much to ask; beating Nevada and California are quite possible;
winning MWC/MVC (at Wichita State), at Wisconsin and Illinois aren't in the cards, either.
In league play, the big showdown comes at home in the first half -- better than not.
***
11/ 1 w @58-50 v {Washburn}
11/11 w @83-66 v {Grand Canyon}
11/14 W @71-67 v # Nevada ([vNV])
11/17 W @95-70 v Canisius
11/20 W @92-55 v Morgan St (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL)
- cMMoser(23p17r)
11/22 W @75-52 v Cal Poly-SLO (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL)
11/25 W @66-55 v USC (LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
11/26 W @90-80 v #1 N Carolina ([2v2vLVI-T] LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL @ Las Vegas, NV /ORLEANS/)
- 4DF,13/32 3S,22A;xCStanback(28p10r;10/19fg),xMMoser(16p18r6a),pOBellfield(16p9a)
Yes, it was basically a home game playing at Orleans Arena, but give the Runnin' Rebels full credit
for their decisive win over top-ranked North Carolina. Not only did they bury outside shots
(and stymie the Tar Heels at trying to match them), but xChace Stanback and xMike Moser were both all over the floor,
quicker to the ball than stunned UNC. And besides the statement win, the rest of the resume is solid as well.
Great job!!!
11/30 (#3) W 94-@88(2OT) @ UC-Santa Barbara
- cMMoses(34p10r) / cJohnson(36p10r)
12/ 4 (#3) L 70-@89 @ # Wichita St (MWC/MVC CHALLENGE)
- 4DF,5/20 3S,7TO;gCStanback(16p)
/ 4DF,59%FG,12/23 3S,20A,6TO;bJRagland(31p5r;8/9 3s),CHall(17p)
12/ 7 (#23) w @94-50 v {Cal St-San Marcos} (/ORLEANS/)
12/10 (#23) L 51-@62 @ #17 Wisconsin
- 1DF,39%FG,8A;gCStanback(16p)
12/14 (#25) W @65-54 v UTEP
12/17 (#25) W 64-@48 @ #21 Illinois (@ Chicago, IL /UNITED/)
- 2DF,3/11 3S,10S;xMMoser(17p11r6to)
The road rout of Illinois in Chicago more than makes up for getting blown out
at Wichita State. Still more work to do, though, to build the resume before conference play.
12/19 (#21) W @81-63 v LA-Monroe
- CStanback(29p)
12/23 (#21) W @85-68 v # California
- fMarshall(22p9r)
12/28 (#19) W @124-75 v C Arkansas
- CStanback(29p) / gMiles(21p3a)
12/31 (#19) W 74-@69 @ Hawaii
1 / 5 (#14) W 89-@57 @ # Cal St-Bakersfield
1 /14 (#10) L 67-@69 @ # .San Diego St
- 1DF,35%FG,11/21FT,9A;tAMarshall(26p8r)
1 /18 (#15) W @101-78 v .TCU
- pAMarshall(27p9a)
1 /21 (#15) W @80-63 v # .New Mexico
1 /25 (#16) W 77-@72(OT) @ .Boise St
- cMMoser(18p21r)
1 /28 (#16) W 65-@63(OT) @ .Air Force
- cMMoser(27p12r) / Lyons(25p)
At the break, they're tied for second with New Mexico, behind first-place San Diego State.
Their two league losses were both two-point endplays on the road -- nothing to worry about.
They held off San Diego State's late rally to forge a three-way tie for the league lead
(along with SDSU and New Mexico). Great job (but still more work to do).
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season champs, led by gIsiah Williams and cBen Aird;
fGeddes Robinson and gHolton Hunsaker (the coach's son) also have experience for coach Dick Hunsaker's squad.
(Replacing gJordan Swarbrick is the only task.)
In the weak (uncertified) Great West ,
the Wolverines' nucleus is the favorite to repeat ahead of NJIT and {North Dakota}.
Winning SOUTHWEST (Arkansas, Houston, Oakland) is too much to ask; don't expect road wins at Wyoming, Utah State
or Montana; even a home win over Wyoming or St. Mary's is a stretch, much less any noise
at DP (@Chattanooga).
In league play, they get the big games at home first -- that should give them a leg up in the standings.
***
11/11 w @80-53 v {Simpson U}
11/14 L 71-@84 @ Houston (SOUTHWEST CLASSIC)
11/16 W @64-34 v Grambling St (SOUTHWEST CLASSIC)
11/19 W @58-54 v MO-Kansas City
11/22 L 59-@67 @ Arkansas (SOUTHWEST CLASSIC)
11/25 L 83-@89 @ Oakland (SOUTHWEST CLASSIC)
- 25/34FT;gIWilliams(35p3a5to;11/21fg,5/11 3s)
11/28 W @58-47 v No Illinois
11/30 L 41-@74 @ # Wyoming
12/ 2 w @84-49 v {Haskell U}
12/ 6 L 54-@63 @ Utah St (UT)
12/10 W @93-87 v Portland St
12/17 L @68-71 v Georgia St
- 39%FG;cGRobinson(16p17r),[gHHunsaker(14p)]
12/19 L 60-@77 @ Maine
12/22 L 52-@65 @ Montana
12/29 W 42-40 v Hampton (DP CLASSIC @ Chattanooga, TN)
12/30 L 59-@74 @ Chattanooga (DP CLASSIC @ Chattanooga, TN)
1 / 3 L @70-76 v # Wyoming
- 4DF,17/18FT;gIWilliams(23p1a;5/7 3s)
1 / 7 w @77-72 v {Seattle}
1 /13 w 84-@74 @ {Seattle}
1 /16 w @98-72 v {St Mary's-IN}
1 /21 w @72-64 v .{N Dakota}
1 /26 W @65-56 v .Chicago St
1 /28 W @81-58 v .NJIT
- Williams(26p) / gWilkerson(19p3a)
Sweeping Cleveland State and moving into a tie for first place is the best calling card
you could ask for.
Only two starters return from last year's winning team, led by bRyan Broekhoff, for brand new coach (and star alum)
Bryce Drew's squad.
(Replacing graduated gBrandon Wood [immediately eligible at Michigan State as well as fCory Johnson,
not to mention bHoward Little is a major rebuild.)
In the competitive Horizon,
depleted Butler is no longer a "can't-miss" Anti-Spoiler prospect; they'll have
their hands full staying ahead Year After veteran Cleveland State and what's left at Milwaukee;
five returning starters at Detroit might jump from spoilers to contenders as well.
(The Crusaders were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning at Arizona (2KS/CVC) or at Ohio State wasn't going to happen; winning 2KS/CVC Consolation (Akron, Duquesne) was nice;
losing at home to Oakland was a disappointment; winning on the road in BRACKETBUSTERS won't get them in
(but losing could knock them out).
In league play, facing Butler on the road in December is rough, but at least Milwaukee and Cleveland State come
at home first.
2 /14 W @74-65 v .IL-Chicago
2 /17 @ # Loyola Marymount (BRACKETBUSTERS)
2 /21 v .Loyola-IL
2 /24 v .Butler (IN)
2 /28 v ?? (HORIZON TOURNAMENT on-campus/@ #1-seed/on-campus)
All five starters return from last year's NCAA team, led by the duo of gJohn Jenkins and fJeffery Taylor;
cFestus Ezeli and pBrad Tinsley are solid contributors as well; fLance Goulbourne also has experience;
freshman 6-3 gDai-Jon Parker will eventually be ready as well for coach Kevin Stalling's squad.
In the new single-division alignment of the SEC,
reloaded tourney champ Kentucky is the favorite ahead of the 'Dores' five returning starters;
retooled title champ Florida and fortified Alabama will contend; new-look Arkansas,
retooling Mississippi State and five returning starters at LSU can only hope to spoil.
Winning LEGENDS (Texas, Bucknell) should happen; winning at Louisville (SEC/BIG EAST)-no, at Marquette-maybe,
at Davidson-yes; at home, beating Oregon, Indiana State and Longwood-yes, Xavier-maybe.
In league play, the "East Division" schedule does them no favors, and they get Alabama and Arkansas on the road to boot.
***
11/ 7 (#7) w @102-62 v {Xavier-LA}
11/11 (#7) W @78-64 v # Oregon
11/13 (#7) L @58-71 v # Cleveland St (LEGENDS CLASSIC)
- 2DF,35%FG,4/17 3S,6A,10S,20TO,gJJenkins(17p0a)
Ouch. Just when you wanted to bump them up for their solid home win
over a good Oregon team, they take their eyes of the road and were handled
wire-to-wire
by a Year AfterCleveland State squad.
Better regroup in a hurry with LEGENDS up next.
11/15(5Pet) (#22) W @80-68 v # Bucknell (LEGENDS CLASSIC)
- 8/15FT;5TO
11/19 (#22) W 86-79 v NC State (LEGENDS CLASSIC @ East Rutherford, NJ)
- gJJenkins(28p0a;10/16fg)
11/21 (#23) W 64-62 v #22 Oregon St ([2v2:LEGENDS] CLASSIC @ East Rutherford, NJ)
11/25 (#23) W @95-73 v Monmouth
- / pSteele(25p5a)
It didn't come easy, but give the Commodores credit for coming through to win LEGENDS over stubborn N.C. State
and upstart Oregon State. Still, something is missing from this team
that is not allowing it to dominate as much as it should given how much individual talent is on hand.
Rough week on tap.
11/28 (#18) L @70-82(OT) v #16 Xavier
- 9/12FT,10B;bJJenkins(20p7r;8/18fg),bLGoulbourne(18p7f),fJTaylor(18p5r)
12/ 2 (#18) L 60-@62(OT) @ #15 Louisville (SEC/BIG EAST CHALLENGE)
- 10/26 3S,14/24FT;gJJenkins(27p;5/11 3s)
12/ 7 W 87-@83 @ # Davidson
- 20/26FT,8A;gJTaylor(30p;12/17fg),gJJenkins(22p),fFEzeli(15p6r)
12/17 L @55-61 v Indiana St
- 38%FG,6/22 3S,9A;bJTaylor(21p6r)
Three losses out of the last four, and three losses at home already is a terrible performance for such
a promising season. No matter. There's still time and opporturnity to salvage something substantial from
a tough December schedule.
12/19 W @99-71 v Longwood
- 4DF,51%FG,12/29 3S,11S;bJTaylor(29p5r;12/14fg),gJJackson(19p),cLGoulbourne(15p10r)
12/21 W @89-58 v Lafayette
- JJenkins(27p)
12/29 W 74-@57 @ #8 Marquette
- 4DF,10/22 3S;gJTaylor(19p1a),[gJJenkins(14p1a),cLGoulbourne(13p16r)]
Looking through a crystal ball at the start of the season out to see the road rout at Marquette
wouldn't have been surprising; but the disappointing preseason (and the Golden Eagles' overachieving start) makes this
a shocking result in the here and now. Here's hoping that they've finally put things together to play the kind of ball
that should have been there from the start.
1 / 2 (#23) W @69-62 v Miami-OH
- JJenkins(26p) / Sullivan(24p)
1 / 7 (#23) W @65-35 v .Auburn
- / 0DF
1 /10 (#18) W 67-@57 @ .S Carolina
1 /14 (#18) W @77-66 v .Georgia
1 /19 (#16) W 69-@59 @ # .Alabama
1 /21 (#16) L @77-78(OT) v #20 .Mississippi St
- 4DF,14/27 3S,5/9FT;gJJenkins(21p;5/11 3s),bJTaylor(19p5r)
1 /24 (#20) W @65-47 v .Tennessee (TN)
1 /28 (#20) W @84-77 v # Mid Tennessee (TN)
- 24/30FT;gJJenkins(26p;10/18fg),FEzeli(21p;11/13ft)
The road loss at Florida pushes them back into a tie for third place
along with Mississippi State, behind first-place Kentucky
and a gap behind second-place UF.
2 / 8 W @76-61 v .LSU
2 /11 L @63-69 v #1 .Kentucky
- 9/14FT
2 /16 (#25) @ .Mississippi
2 /19(1P) (#25) @ .Georgia
2 /22 v .S Carolina
2 /25 @ # .Kentucky
2 /28 v # .Florida
3 / 3 @ .Tennessee (TN)
3 / 8 v ?? (SEC TOURNAMENT @ New Orleans, LA /NEW ORLEANS/)
The rout win over Stony Brook moves them into a virtual tie for first place -- plenty good enough
to track them.
Four starters return from last year's conference regular season champs, led by cBrian Voelkel and gBrendan Bald,
for new young coach John Becker.
(Replacing fEvan Field is the main task on the court; but following coach Mike Lonergan [who left for George Washington]
on the sidelines is the bigger challenge.)
In the weak America East ,
it's up for grabs between Stony Brook's five returning starters
against veteran squads in Year After mode: the Catamounts, Boston University
and Albany.
Winning HALL OF FAME (Kentucky, South Florida, Penn State, Old Dominion, Long Island) wasn't going to happen;
beating Harvard was a tough ask, beating Iona was possible but didn't happen; winning at St. Louis wasn't likely;
winning BRACKETBUSTERS at home won't get them in.
In league play, a tough double to start things off could make or break the season.
2 /15 @ .Albany
2 /18 v # Niagara (BRACKETBUSTERS)
2 /21 @ .SUNY-B
2 /25 v .MD-Baltimore Co
3 / 1 v ?? (AMERICA EAST TOURNAMENT @ West Hartford, CT/Hartford//on-campus)
Only two starters return from last year's NCAA team, led by gMaalik Wayns; cMouphtaou Yarou has experience as well;
freshman pTyrone Johnson should contribute sooner rather than later for coach Jay Wright's squad.
(Replacing star gCorey Fisher, gCorey Stokes and fAntonio Peña is a major overhaul.)
In the Big East,
veteran tourney champ Connecticut, veteran Syracuse,
title champ Pittsburgh and Louisville will all battle for the top spot;
Notre Dame, Marquette and the Wildcats will contend;
revamped St. John's, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Georgetown
are all spoilers in the league race.
In the Big 5, they've won or tied
for the past eight years now -- WHAT'S ONE MORE!? Once again, Temple and the city champ Wildcats
are a step above the rest.
Winning 76/ANAHEIM (Santa Clara, New Mexico) should be doable; winning on the road at Temple (BIG 5) and Missouri (JIMMY V) are tough asks.
In league play, their double-up games (Marquette, Cincinnati, South Florida) are about as good as anyone has it;
only eight tough games overall is all you can ask.
In the city series, the Game of the Year is on the road.
***
11/ 8 w @91-58 v {NYIT}
11/11 W @106-70 v Monmouth
- bDCheek(27p6r;5/8 3s),cMYarou(24p10r)
The home win over Michigan in ACC/BIG 10 was quite nice. A veteran team came through.
Four starters return from last year's winning team, led by fMike Scott and gJoe Harris; 7-0 cAssame Sene has
experience as well for young coach Tony Bennett's squad.
(Replacing bMustapha Farrakhan is the main task.)
In the top-heavy ACC,
five returning starters at North Carolina are the favorite
over guard-heavy Duke; veteran Miami(Florida),
Florida State and Virginia Tech might contend (but probably only spoil).
(The young Cavaliers were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning PARADISE (Marquette, Mississippi, Drexel) was always a tough ask; beating Michigan (ACC/BIG 10) was unexpected
even at home; beating George Mason should happen; winning at Oregon probably won't, but at LSU might.
In league play, they only have to play Duke once (away), but there's a tough closing stretch at the end of February.
12/ 6 (#25) W @68-48 v # Geo Mason (VA)
- 4DF,9/17FT,10S;gSZeglinski(18p1a)
12/18 (#24) W 67-@54 @ # Oregon
- 38-25R,8TO;cMScott(17p13r),bJHarris(15p5r)
A solid road win against a decent Oregon team. OK, so it's not
the most challenging preseason schedule, but they're two points away from being undefeated.
This Little Team That Could is set to be a major spoiler somewhere down the road.
12/21 (#22) w 83-@77 @ {Seattle}
- cMScott(33p14r) / fBroussard(29p8r)
12/27 (#24) W @69-42 v MD-Ea Shore
12/30 (#24) W @57-50 v Towson
1 / 2 (#22) W 57-@52 @ LSU
1 / 7 (#22) W @52-51 v # .Miami-FL
- 1DF,38%FG,4/13 3S,6/10FT,30-36R,7TO;fMScott(23p8r)
Not quite sure if they're good enough to be publicly tracked.
Only two starters return from last year's Final Four team, led by tBradford Burgess; fJuvonte Reddic has experiencs
as well for young coach Shaka Smart's squad.
(Replacing stars fJamie Skeen and 5-10 pJoey Rodriguez as well as gBrandon Rozzell is a major task.)
In the competitive Colonial,
veteran squads (Drexel, George Mason and James Madison) will have
the early jump on retooling Old Dominion and the Rams in a wide open race.
Winning CHARLESTON (LSU, Northwestern, Seton Hall) is doable; winning at Alabama is a tough ask; beating George Washington
(BB&T) and Richmond (BLACK & BLUE) should both happen; winning BRACKETBUSTERS at home may be crucial for an at-large bid.
In league play, the toughest games come in the second half -- good news for a team that's retooling.
11/17 L 54-69 v Seton Hall (CHARLESTON CLASSIC @ Charleston, SC)
11/18 L 60-73 v Georgia Tech (CHARLESTON CLASSIC @ Charleston, SC)
11/20 W 69-64 v We Kentucky (CHARLESTON CLASSIC @ Charleston, SC)
11/23 W 68-@45 @ We Kentucky
11/27 L 64-@72 @ #11 Alabama
11/30 W @69-46 v S Florida
12/ 4 W 75-@60 v @Geo Washington (BB&T CLASSIC @ Washington, DC)
12/ 9 W @73-51 v Richmond (Richmond,VA) (BLACK & BLUE CLASSIC)
12/17 W @87-64 v .UNC-Wilmington
12/20 W @68-49 v UAB
12/22 W 80-@68 @ UNC-Greensboro
12/29 W 76-@75(OT) @ # Akron
1 / 2 W 80-@63 @ .Hofstra
1 / 4 L @53-55 v .Georgia St
- 1DF,27%FG,6/22 3S,7A,10S;gTDaniels(15p0a)
1 / 8 L 58-@64 @ # .Drexel
- bRBurgess(19p7r)
1 /12 W @65-45 v .James Madison (VA)
1 /14 W 68-@55 @ .Delaware
1 /19 W @69-68(OT) v .William & Mary (VA)
- Reddic(28p)
1 /21 W @61-48 v .Old Dominion (VA)
1 /23 W @61-49 v .Hofstra
1 /25 W 67-@42 @ .Towson
1 /28(2P) W 59-@58 @ .Georgia St
- 7/14FT;tTDaniels(15p8r;5/12 3s)
2 / 1 W 87-@78 @ .William & Mary (VA)
- Reddic(20p) / Thornton(28p)
Only two starters return from last year's conference tournament champ/first-round splash team; gAbdul Gaddy
and reserves gTerrence Ross, gScott Suggs and 7-0 cAziz N'Diaye all have experience; freshman 6-5 gTony Wroten Jr.
should contribute sooner rather than later; freshman 6-2 gHikeem Stewart will eventually be ready
for coach Lorenzo Romar's squad.
(Replacing 5-8 gIsaiah Thomas, cMatthew Bryan-Amaning and fJustin Holiday is a major overhaul.)
In the fortified and renamed Pac-12, it's up for grabs
among front-loaded UCLA, retooling title champ Arizona,
the guard-happy tourney champ Huskies, veteran California
and upwardly mobile Oregon.
Winning WV (Florida Atlantic) is just a showcase; winning at Nevada is doable; beating Marquette (JIMMY V)-maybe,
Duke (CQAP)-no.
In league play, they only play California once (at home, to boot) -- pretty good schedule.
***
11/ 4 w @77-60 v {Seattle Pacific} (WA)
11/12 W @91-74 v Georgia St (WV CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
11/13 W @77-71 v FL Atlantic (WV CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
11/14 W @93-63 v Portland ([rr3vWV] CLASSIC @ Seattle, WA)
11/20 L 64-@77 @ # St Louis
- 4/12 3S;xTRoss(17p10r3a)
Two tough games against Top-5 opponents, but they still came away from NYC 0-2. (Nobody else in conference has made much
national noise, either, though.)
12/16 W @87-80 v UC-Santa Barbara
- tWroten(27p) / cJohnson(24p10r)
12/18 L @73-92 v SD State
- TWroten(23p) / SDAKST: pWolters(34p7a)
Getting blown out at home by the likes of South Dakota State!!??
What is going on here? They've got the talent to hang in with the best teams, as they did in New York; but this team
is obviously only good for spoilerhood.
The Wildcats' preseason was stronger than Montana's. Track these ones
as the standard-bearers for the league, instead.
Three starters return from last year's winning team, led by fKyle Bullinger; fKyle Bullinger is a solid contributor;
fDarin Mahoney and reserve fByron Fulton have experience as well; star gDamian Lillard, back from a medical redshirt,
will make an immediate impact for young coach Randy Rahe's squad.
(Replacing gLindsey Hughey and cTrevor Morris is the main task. gLillard makes the first part no problem at all.)
In the weak Big Sky ,
the Year After veteran Grizzlies will battle fortified Weber State for the top spot.
(TiTo champ Northern Colorado is in a total rebuild.)
Winning SOS (at St. Mary's) was a tough ask; winning at BYU or at California weren't likely, either; beating Utah looks
better on paper than in actuality this year.
In league play, they get Montana at home first -- that helps.
12/29 W @78-64 v .Idaho St
- DLillard(26p) / Grabau(31p)
12/31 W @74-63 v .Sacramento St
1 / 5 W 76-@69 @ .Ea Washington
- pDLillard(30p5a) / fEderaine(20p9r)
1 / 7 W 88-@81 @ .Portland St
- pDLillard(38p5a) / fTapscott(26p8r)
Going 3-1 in conference play to back up a good preseason is enough to warrant tracking (and even a ranking
on this mark down week.
Only two starters return from last year's first-round splash team, led by fKevin Jones; gDarryl "Truck" Bryant has
experience as well; freshman 5-11 pJabarie Hinds will eventually be ready for veteran coach Bob Huggins' squad.
(Replacing gCasey Mitchell, fJohn Flowers and gJoe Mazzulla is a major task.)
Winning at Mississippi State (BIG EAST/SEC) was a tough ask, beating Kansas State at WICHITA was a nice result;
winning LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS (Baylor, St. Mary's, Missouri State) wasn't out of the question; losing at Kent State was
disappointing; beating Miami(Florida) wasn't a given; beating Marshall isn't automatic this year.
In league play, their double-up games (Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Rutgers) looked tougher on paper at the start of the season.
The, well, shocking drubbing of UNLV makes up for the failure to make any noise in PUERTO RICO.
Welcome to the party!
Only two starters return from last year's NIT champs, led by bToure' Murry; 7-0 cGarrett Stutz has experience as well;
JuCo transfer 6-8 fCarl Hall should make an immediate impact for for coach Gregg Marshall's squad.
(Replacing fJ.T. Durley as well as fGabe Blair is the main task.)
In the MVC,
the tourney champ Indiana State is the favorite ahead of the NIT champ 'Shockers
and Creighton; retooling title champ Missouri State may only be able to spoil.
Winning PUERTO RICO (Purdue, Temple, Alabama) was always a tough ask; beating UNLV (MVC/MWC) wasn't expected by any means.
In league play, a big one in the first week and then a rough five-game stretch in February -- brutal.
12/ 7 (#22) W 77-@67 @ Tulsa
12/10 (#22) W @83-76 v Utah St
12/14 (#23) W @94-44 v Chicago St
12/19 (#20) w @102-53 v {Newman}
12/28 (#18) W 90-@51 @ .Bradley
12/31 (#18) L @61-68 v #25 .Creighton
- 33%FG,5/26 3S,9A;cCHall(17p13r)
The comprehensive road rout at Creighton came even without a big game from cGarrett Stutz --
mighty impressive. An at-large bid isn't an issue here -- only seeding is at stake in their BRACKETBUSTERS game.
Only two starters return from last year's Sweet 16 team, led by All-America pJordan Taylor. (Thanks to coach Bo Ryan's
short bench, almost no one else has much experience.) Six freshmen, including 6-2 gTraevon Jackson
(son of former OhSU star Jimmy), must learn the system in a hurry.
(Replacing fJon Leuer and fKeaton Nankivil is a major task; but at least, if you only have one player to rebuild your team
around, a scoring point guard is the best place to start.)
In the fortified, strong Big 10,
Tito champ Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to repeat;
the retooling Badgers and Purdue still have the stars to contend;
veteran Michigan, revamped Michigan State and Illinois, as well as Minnesota
and Northwestern are spoilers at best.
Winning CHICAGO (BYU, @Bradley, Nevada) is doable; winning at North Carolina (BIG 10/ACC) isn't; beating Marquette
and UNLV at home won't be as easy as you'd think, but Mississippi Valley State shout be.
In league play, they only have six tough games (but four are on the road).
***
11/ 5 (#13) w @80-54 v {WI-Stevens Pt} (WI)
11/12 (#13) W @85-31 v Kennesaw St
- 15/25 3S,40-17R
11/16 (#10) W @68-41 v Colgate
11/19 (#10) W @69-33 v Wofford (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE)
11/22 (#9) W @77-31 v MO-Kansas City (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE)
11/25 (#9) W 66-@43 v @Bradley (CHICAGO INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE @ Hoffman Estates, IL)
11/26 (#9) W 73-56 v # BYU ([2v2:CHICAGO] INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE @ Hoffman Estates, IL)
- 4DF,51%FG,13/24 3S,6/7FT;gBBrust(21p1a;7/10 3s),pJTaylor(18p8a5r)
The Badgers won CHICAGO in dominant fashion -- that's what you want to see against the no-name likes of BYU and Bradley.
No rest for the weary -- it's the toughest week of the season so far on tap.
11/30 (#6) L 57-@60 @ #12 N Carolina (BIG 10/ACC CHALLENGE)
- 36%FG,8/28 3S,3/6FT,6A,4TO;gJTaylor(18p4a;6/20fg),bJBerggren(14p5r)
12/ 3 (#6) L @54-61 v #5 Marquette (WI)
- 1DF,32%FG,5/19 3S,8A;[bJTaylor(13p5r5to)
12/ 7 (#17) W @70-42 v Green Bay (WI)
12/10 (#17) W @62-51 v #23 UNLV
- 1DF,37%FG,10/26 3S;gBBrust(25p;7/7 3s)
12/13 (#9) W 60-@54 @ Milwaukee (WI)
12/15 (#9) W @66-33 v Savannah St
- / 0DF
12/23 (#8) W @79-45 v # MS Valley St
- JTaylor(17p)
12/27 (#10) W 64-@40 @ .Nebraska
12/31 (#10) L @65-72 v .Iowa
- 3/28 3S
1 / 3 (#13) L @60-63(OT) v #4 .Michigan St
- 1DF,33%FG,5/22 3S,5A,8TO;bJTaylor(28p5r;12/16ft)
The wheels have come off the Badger Bus. No teammates have emerged with consistency to make this any more
than a one-man team . . . and pJordan Taylor is suffering under the weight of it. He thrived last year
as the complementary scorer playing off of frontcourt talent; he hasn't been able to make it work in reverse this year.
1 /12 W 67-@62 @ # .Purdue
- 5DF,20/24FT
1 /15 W @50-45 v .Nebraska
1 /18 W @77-57 v .Northwestern
1 /22 W 67-@63 @ #22 .Illinois
1 /26 (#24) W @57-50 v #11 .Indiana
- 4/17 3S,24-24R,4TO
1 /31 (#18) W 52-@46 @ .Penn St
2 / 4 (#18) L @52-58 v #2 .Ohio St
- 4DF,5/27 3S,3/3FT,9TO;[fREvans(14p5r),pJTaylor(12p6a)]
2 / 9 W 68-@61(OT) @ .Minnesota
- JTaylor(27p)
2 /16 (#20) @ #5 .Michigan St
2 /19 (#20) v .Penn St
2 /23 @ .Iowa
2 /25? @ # .Ohio St
2 /28 v .Minnesota
3 / 4 v # .Illinois
3 / 8 v ?? (BIG 10 TOURNAMENT @ Indianapolis, IN /CONSECO/)
A solid enough preseason to warrant giving them a look, at the least.
Only two starters return from last year's losing team; fFrancisco Cruz and cAdam Waddell have experience;
freshman 6-7 tLarry Nance, Jr. will eventually be ready for still young coach Larry Shyatt's squad.
(Replacing star bDesmar Jackson as well as fAmath M'Baye and fDjibril Thiam is a total rebuild.)
In the depleted Mountain West,
veteran UNLV and New Mexico have league supremacy all to themselves.
(Title champ BYU has left the conference altogether.)
(The Cowboys were not expected to be a factor.)
Winning JIM THORPE was just a showcase; beating Bradley (MWC/MVC) was a solid win; winning at Colorado, Denver
and Green Bay where tough asks; beating Utah Valley was/is to be expected.
In league play, the big games are all at home first and well spaced -- can't ask for more.
1 / 3 W 76-@70 @ # UT Valley
- 4DF,50%FG,11/24 3S,20-29R,7TO;pFCruz(21p5a),gLMartinez(17p),[LWashington(14p4r)]
1 / 9 W @73-49 v Idaho St
1 /14 L @62-72 v # .New Mexico
1 /18 W 64-@53 @ .Air Force
1 /21 W @70-51 v .Colorado St
- cLWashington(32p14r)
1 /24 L @42-52 v #15 .San Diego St
1 /28 W 75-@64 @ .Boise St
2 / 1 L 52-@58 @ .TCU
2 / 4 W @68-66 v #10 .UNLV
- 4DF,21-28R,8TO;pECruz(16p5a),fLWashington(16p7r),gLMartinez(15p),[AWaddell(14p)]
Three starters return from last year's conference regular season champs, led by All-America p(Terrell) Tu Holloway;
7-0 cKenny Frease is a solid contributor; gMark Lyons has experience as well; freshman 6-4 tDezmine Wells should make
an immediate impact for young coach Chris Mack's squad.
(Replacing fJamel McLean may be tougher than you'd think on this guard-heavy roster.)
In the competitive Atlantic 10, they've finished 1-2
for four straight years already -- what's one more? This time, the title champ Musketeers are the favorites
to repeat ahead of veteran Temple; veteran squads at George Washington and St. Bonaventure
can only hope to spoil; (tourney champ Richmond has to rebuild from scratch).
DIAMOND HEAD (Kansas State, Long Beach State, UTEP, at Hawaii) is theirs for the taking; road wins at Vanderbilt, Purdue
and Memphis are tough asks (but possible); home wins over Purdue, Gonzaga and Oral Roberts should all happen.
In league play, their double-up games don't scare you, but the Game of the Year is away at Temple.
***
11/ 5 (#10) w @76-73 v {Bellarmine}
11/11 (#10) W @74-63 v Morgan St
- pMLyons(22p6a7r) / 2/15 3S
pHolloway and pLyons look like the best backcourt in the country. Only problem is they aren't getting much help. They had
to come back from way down both at Vanderbilt and at home against Purdue;
and the low assist totals means that they're doing it by the guards' going one-on-one. A great asset in the short run;
but a problem over the long run if that's all you've got.
12/ 7 (#8) W 73-@61 @ Butler (BG)
12/10 (#8) W @76-53 v Cincinnati (Cincinnati,OH) (CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT)
- 4DF,52%FG;gMLyons(19p),pTHolloway(17p6a),[fDWells(14p6r)]
multi-player brawl at the end of the game
An ugly brawl at the end of the CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT win over Cincinnati (instigated in part by a Twitter war,
of all things) will result in huge consequences (multiple suspensions at the least) from the NCAA, both the Atlantic-10
and the Big East, as well as each individual school for both schools . . . Twits.
12/18 (#11) L @42-64 v # Oral Roberts
- pTHolloway,pMLyons,bDWells(DNP/susp)
pTu Holloway, pMark Lyons and bDezmine Wells all sat suspended for the home rout loss
to Oral Roberts.
bWells will miss the entire Hawaii road trip; pLyons will miss the first game; but pHolloway is now reinstated
for the full DIAMOND HEAD tournament. It'd be surprising to see these ones become instantly mature
after such a brief penalty; but here's hoping they don't just turn this into an even greater "Us vs Them" mentality.
12/22 (#23) L 58-68 v # Long Beach St (DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
- pMLyons,bDWells(DNP/susp);gTHolloway(17p4a)
12/23 (#23) L 82-@84(OT) @ Hawaii (DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
- bDWells(DNP/susp);pTHolloway(26p6a) / HI: fThomas(24p9r)
12/25 (#23) W 87-77 v So Illinois (DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC @ Honolulu, HI)
12/31 L @65-72 v # Gonzaga
- 3/18 3S,9A;gTHolloway(15p5to),gMLyons(15p1a)
1 / 4 L 70-@80 @ # .La Salle
1 / 7 W 67-@59 @ .Fordham
1 /11 W @78-50 v .Duquesne
1 /14 W @77-64 v .St Bonaventure
1 /18 W @68-55 v .St Joseph's
1 /21 L 72-@87 @ .Dayton (OH)
1 /25 L @68-73 v # .St Louis
- 29/32FT;gMLyons(27p1a;5/6 3s),pTHolloway(22p5a;14/14ft)
1 /28 W 74-@70 @ .Charlotte
- pTHolloway(17p7a) / Bennett(27p)
2 / 1 W 59-@58 @ .Geo Washington
- pTHolloway(21p7a;GWFG) / pTaylor(20p5a)
2 / 4 L 68-@72 @ # Memphis
- 4DF,fDWells(19p5r),[gMLyons(14p),pTHolloway(12p7a)]