15 Dec21 - Mountain Low, Valley Lower
Volume XX, No. 7 - 15 Dec21 - [] Top 25 Ballot
Mountain Low, Valley Lower
The MOUNTAIN WEST/MISSOURI VALLEY CHALLENGE concluded with two games: Evansville won on the road at Fresno State (85-@77) and Boise State routed Bradley (@90-70 behind 31p8r from cJames Webb). The MWC won 8-6 overall in the resumption of the CHALLENGE (which wasn't played the past two years). After losing the first time out in the 2009-10 season, the MWC hasn't lost since, leading 3-1;1 all-time. In the Big Picture, though, it's been a down preseason for both conferences.
The MWC (37-26 in high-profile interconference matchups) has a couple of home wins over Oregon (by Boise State and UNLV) and a neutral-site win over highly rated Indiana (also by UNLV) to show for itself all preseason; but no team is sure-thing splashworthy. UNLV dropped two games: at home to Arizona State (@56-66 as no Rebel reached double-figures) and on the road at Arizona (70-@82 as the Wildcats sank 29-of-39 free throws). San Diego State fell at home to still reclassifying {Grand Canyon} (@45-52). New Mexico swept its State Title series with New Mexico State (@79-61), but then tripped at home against Rice (@89-90 as tEgor Koulechov(32p) starrred).
The MVC (a disastrous 22-32) has more noteworthy wins over Iowa State and North Carolina (both by Northern Iowa) as well as over Utah (by Wichita State). 5-5 WichSt, however, stumbled again, falling in overtime at talented Seton Hall (76-@80[OT]). 6-5 Loyola(Illinois) fell at home to Cleveland State (@54-60).
At the (IOWA) BIG FOUR CLASSIC in Des Moines, MVC/Northern Iowa got its second elite win of the season, @81-@79, over Iowa State as pWes Washpun(28p11a7r) outdueled gGeorges Niang(30p). The 6-3 Panthers are doing just fine in their Year After(superstar cSeth Tuttle) Year. Meanwhile, Iowa beat host Drake (70-@64 despite 25p5a from pReed Timmer).
At the SPORTS CLASSIC at the BARCLAYS CENTER, 6-5 Ohio State stunned home-away-from-home Kentucky (74-@67, despite 33p from Jamal Murray) -- the Buckeyes' 'tweeners hit from outside and the Wildcat big men (who have already shown a vulnerability defensively in the paint) couldn't extend out to the perimeter, either, to stop them. Meanwhile, home-away-from-home North Carolina rallied to beat UCLA (@89-76) as fBrice Johnson[27p9r;11/12fg] starred and, more importantly, bJoel Berry[17p6r] provided some much needed outside shooting). The 9-2 Tar Heels' only blemishes are two (squeak) road losses (at Northern Iowa and at Texas).
At the AI/NEW YORK-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, Utah edged home-away-from-home Duke (77-@75[OT]), controlling the boards [48-30] as the Blue Devils played without cAmile Jefferson[broken foot]) -- more disturbing, DU's gGrayson Allen(7p;3/18fg) had another no-show against a top-shelf opponent.
At the CROSSROADS CLASSIC in Indianapolis, Butler handed highly rated Purdue its first loss (@74-@68 despite 25p11r from freshman cCaleb Swanigan). Also, Indiana rallied to beat Notre Dame (@80-@73).
In the feature match of the GOTHAM CLASSIC (also at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN), Pittsburgh certified its high rating with a 94-69 rout of disappointing Davidson. At the FAR WEST CLASSIC, host Oregon State edged Tulsa (@76-71). In the hoops half of WINTER SHOWDOWN basketball/hockey double-header, Michigan State raced past host Northeastern (78-@58). South Carolina beat arch-/state-rival host Clemson (65-@59) in Greenville (where the Tigers are playing their home games this year while Littlejohn Coliseum is being renovated). West Virginia routed Marshall (@86-@68) in the CAPITAL CLASSIC State Title game in Charleston, WV.
Texas A&M claimed another big win, thumping Baylor (@80-61). Virginia has more than overcome its earlier (squeak) road loss at George Washington -- the Cavaliers handled highly rated Villanova (@86-75 thanks to 26-for-30 free-throw shooting).
Georgetown fell twice at home, (@68-83) against surprising 1BC/Monmouth and then (@73-79) to lowly UNC-Asheville. UTEP was routed at home (@53-73) as 1BC/New Mexico State completed the sweep of their Border War series. Disappointing Louisiana fell at UCLA (80-@89 as 26p16r from xShawn Long was trumped by 27p7a6r;10/15fg from pBryce Alford).
Oklahoma handled Creighton (@87-74 as gBuddy Hield[33p0a] starred). At the BATTLE IN SEATTLE, home-away-from-home Gonzaga beat Tennessee (@86-79 as cDomantas Sabonis[36p16r] had a superstar performance).
- - - - - -
Northern Iowa hopes to add yet another elite win to its resume (Oklahoma), but BYU and New Mexico are also good enough to pull a surprise at the DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC in Honolulu (Tuesday through Friday). It's all-defense versus all-offense when Cincinnati hosts Iowa State (Tuesday). Young California hopes to join the conversation when it visits Virginia (Tuesday). Louisville will need the best performance of the season from its interior talent to pull of the road win at arch-/state-rival Kentucky (Saturday). 5-5 San Diego State will have its hands full when Kansas comes to town (Tuesday). One team is sure to get its best win of the season when Purdue hosts Vanderbilt (Tuesday). Disappointing Stephen F. Austin has another tough road game at Arizona State (Tuesday).
-- Ron
P.S. Happy Holidays, everybody! Hope you're having a Merry Christmas.
Top 25 - 15 Dec21 - [] Column
Mountain Low, Valley Lower
The MOUNTAIN WEST/MISSOURI VALLEY CHALLENGE concluded with two games: Evansville won on the road at Fresno State (85-@77) and Boise State routed Bradley (@90-70 behind 31p8r from cJames Webb). The MWC won 8-6 overall in the resumption of the CHALLENGE (which wasn't played the past two years). After losing the first time out in the 2009-10 season, the MWC hasn't lost since, leading 3-1;1 all-time. In the Big Picture, though, it's been a down preseason for both conferences.
The MWC (37-26 in high-profile interconference matchups) has a couple of home wins over Oregon (by Boise State and UNLV) and a neutral-site win over highly rated Indiana (also by UNLV) to show for itself all preseason; but no team is sure-thing splashworthy. UNLV dropped two games: at home to Arizona State (@56-66 as no Rebel reached double-figures) and on the road at Arizona (70-@82 as the Wildcats sank 29-of-39 free throws). San Diego State fell at home to still reclassifying {Grand Canyon} (@45-52). New Mexico swept its State Title series with New Mexico State (@79-61), but then tripped at home against Rice (@89-90 as tEgor Koulechov(32p) starrred).
The MVC (a disastrous 22-32) has more noteworthy wins over Iowa State and North Carolina (both by Northern Iowa) as well as over Utah (by Wichita State). 5-5 WichSt, however, stumbled again, falling in overtime at talented Seton Hall (76-@80[OT]). 6-5 Loyola(Illinois) fell at home to Cleveland State (@54-60).
At the (IOWA) BIG FOUR CLASSIC in Des Moines, MVC/Northern Iowa got its second elite win of the season, @81-@79, over Iowa State as pWes Washpun(28p11a7r) outdueled gGeorges Niang(30p). The 6-3 Panthers are doing just fine in their Year After(superstar cSeth Tuttle) Year. Meanwhile, Iowa beat host Drake (70-@64 despite 25p5a from pReed Timmer).
At the SPORTS CLASSIC at the BARCLAYS CENTER, 6-5 Ohio State stunned home-away-from-home Kentucky (74-@67, despite 33p from Jamal Murray) -- the Buckeyes' 'tweeners hit from outside and the Wildcat big men (who have already shown a vulnerability defensively in the paint) couldn't extend out to the perimeter, either, to stop them. Meanwhile, home-away-from-home North Carolina rallied to beat UCLA (@89-76) as fBrice Johnson[27p9r;11/12fg] starred and, more importantly, bJoel Berry[17p6r] provided some much needed outside shooting). The 9-2 Tar Heels' only blemishes are two (squeak) road losses (at Northern Iowa and at Texas).
At the AI/NEW YORK-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, Utah edged home-away-from-home Duke (77-@75[OT]), controlling the boards [48-30] as the Blue Devils played without cAmile Jefferson[broken foot]) -- more disturbing, DU's gGrayson Allen(7p;3/18fg) had another no-show against a top-shelf opponent.
At the CROSSROADS CLASSIC in Indianapolis, Butler handed highly rated Purdue its first loss (@74-@68 despite 25p11r from freshman cCaleb Swanigan). Also, Indiana rallied to beat Notre Dame (@80-@73).
In the feature match of the GOTHAM CLASSIC (also at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN), Pittsburgh certified its high rating with a 94-69 rout of disappointing Davidson. At the FAR WEST CLASSIC, host Oregon State edged Tulsa (@76-71). In the hoops half of WINTER SHOWDOWN basketball/hockey double-header, Michigan State raced past host Northeastern (78-@58). South Carolina beat arch-/state-rival host Clemson (65-@59) in Greenville (where the Tigers are playing their home games this year while Littlejohn Coliseum is being renovated). West Virginia routed Marshall (@86-@68) in the CAPITAL CLASSIC State Title game in Charleston, WV.
Texas A&M claimed another big win, thumping Baylor (@80-61). Virginia has more than overcome its earlier (squeak) road loss at George Washington -- the Cavaliers handled highly rated Villanova (@86-75 thanks to 26-for-30 free-throw shooting).
Georgetown fell twice at home, (@68-83) against surprising 1BC/Monmouth and then (@73-79) to lowly UNC-Asheville. UTEP was routed at home (@53-73) as 1BC/New Mexico State completed the sweep of their Border War series. Disappointing Louisiana fell at UCLA (80-@89 as 26p16r from xShawn Long was trumped by 27p7a6r;10/15fg from pBryce Alford).
Oklahoma handled Creighton (@87-74 as gBuddy Hield[33p0a] starred). At the BATTLE IN SEATTLE, home-away-from-home Gonzaga beat Tennessee (@86-79 as cDomantas Sabonis[36p16r] had a superstar performance).
- - - - - -
Northern Iowa hopes to add yet another elite win to its resume (Oklahoma), but BYU and New Mexico are also good enough to pull a surprise at the DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC in Honolulu (Tuesday through Friday). It's all-defense versus all-offense when Cincinnati hosts Iowa State (Tuesday). Young California hopes to join the conversation when it visits Virginia (Tuesday). Louisville will need the best performance of the season from its interior talent to pull of the road win at arch-/state-rival Kentucky (Saturday). 5-5 San Diego State will have its hands full when Kansas comes to town (Tuesday). One team is sure to get its best win of the season when Purdue hosts Vanderbilt (Tuesday). Disappointing Stephen F. Austin has another tough road game at Arizona State (Tuesday).
-- Ron
P.S. Happy Holidays, everybody! Hope you're having a Merry Christmas.
- Key games this week:
- Monday:
- Monday:
- @Gonzaga-Pepperdine,
- Monday-Tuesday:
- DON HASKINS/SUN BOWL INVITATIONAL 1st/Semis @ ElPasoTX/UTEP/
-(@UTEP-NorfolkSt,UCIrvine-@SamHoustonSt),
GS-B CLASSIC 2x4 3rd/Semis @ LasVegasNV/UNLV/
-(Semis: Houston-{GrandCanyon}, Wyoming-Marshall;
Cons: Omaha-Southern, EaIllinois-NCCentral),
- Monday-Wednesday:
- GF/GS-C SHOWCASE RndRob3 @ LoganUT/UtahSt/
-(@UtahSt, NDState, TXRGValley, IdahoSt),
LAS VEGAS-HOLIDAY CLASSIC RndRob2 @ LasVegasNV/S.POINT/
-(UCSantaBarbara, Akron,Iona),
- Tuesday:
- @Cincinnati-IowaSt, @Virginia-California, Kansas-@SanDiegoSt, @Purdue-Vanderbilt, @ArizonaSt-StephenFAustin, @CMichigan-
Howard, @Washington-Seattle(SeattleWA), @WeberSt-SDState, @Drexel-Penn(PhiladelphiaPA), @Princeton-Bucknell,
SKIP PROSSER CLASSIC @ WinstonSalemNC/WakeForest/
-(Xavier-@WakeForest),
HALL OF FAME-C SHOOTOUT DblHdr @ UncasvilleCT/MOHEGAN/
-(SCarolina-StJohns, Marist-Brown),
(new)BROOKLYN-CHRISTMAS A-10[0-0]/ACC[0-0] CHALLENGE DblHdr @ BrooklynNY/BARCLAYS/
-(StJosephs-VirginiaTech, @Fordham-BostonCol),
- Tuesday-Wednesday:
- LAS VEGAS-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC 2x4 3rd/Semis @ LasVegasNV/ORLEANS/
-(Semis: SMU-KentSt, Colorado-PennSt;
Cons: Canisius-LAMonroe, NichollsSt-Hampton),
BILLY MINARDI CLASSIC RndRob2 @ LouisvilleKY/Louisville/
-(@Louisville, MOKansasCity, UNCWilmington, UTValley),
- Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday:
- DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC 2nd/Qtrs @ HonoluluHI/Hawaii/
-(Oklahoma-WashingtonSt, @Hawaii-NoIowa, BYU-Harvard, Auburn-NewMexico),
- Wednesday:
- @Connecticut-CConnecticutSt(CT), @Baylor-
NewMexicoSt, @Wisconsin-GreenBay(WI), @Towson-MDBaltimoreCo(BaltimoreMD),
GOTHAM CLASSIC RndRob4/4 on-campus
-(@Pittsburgh-WeCarolina, @Davidson-MoreheadSt),
BRAGGIN' RIGHTS 1Off @ StLouisMO
-(@Illinois-@Missouri),
- Thursday:
- Friday (CHRISTMAS):
- Saturday:
- @Kentucky-Louisville(KY),
- Sunday:
- @Syracuse-
TexasSo, @SDState-MidTennessee(@SiouxFallsSD/PENTAGON/),
- - - - - - - -
- Monday week:
- Monday week:
- @Villanova-Penn(PhiladelphiaPA)(BIG5), @
Belmont-Valparaiso, @California-Davidson, @WichitaSt-NewMexicoSt.
Top 25 - 15 Dec21 - [] Column
- Michigan State (12-0) [v3:WL/ANAHEIM] (@@CHAMPS) (@WINTER)
- Oklahoma (7-0) (:PEARL)
- Miami(Florida) (9-1) [3:P.RICO] (@BIG10)
- Butler (9-1) (@@XROADS)
- Providence (11-1)
- Arizona (11-1)
- Xavier (10-0) [3:A/ORLANDO] (vXTOWN)
- Cincinnati (10-2) [2v2:BRK-T-A]
- George Washington (10-1)
- Virginia (9-1) [3:CHARLESTON] (@BIG10) (:JIMMY.V)
- Kentucky (9-2) [4rrvHOF-A] (@@CHAMPS)
- Iowa State (9-1) [2v2:EMERALD] (vCY-HAWK)
- Kansas (8-1) [3:MAUI]
- North Carolina (9-2) [2v:@CBE] (vBIG10)
- Utah (9-2) (@AI/NYC-X)
- Duke (9-2) [2v2:2K] (vBIG10)
- Maryland (10-1) [2v2:CANCUN] (vBIGE) (@JIMMY.V)
- Texas A&M (9-2)
- Oregon (9-2) [rr4vGS-A] (@PEARL)
- Little Rock (8-0)
- SMU (9-0) (@DFW)
- South Carolina (10-0) [3:PARADISE] (@SC)
- Louisville (8-1) [rr3v:BRK-T-B]
- Iowa (7-3) (@BIGE) (vACC) (@BIG4)
- Marquette (8-2) [2v2:LEGENDS]
- Honorable Mention:
- Northern Iowa (6-3) (@@BIG4), Ohio State (6-5).
posted by Ron @ Tuesday, January 19, 2016
