17 Jan 2 - Game Ducks
Volume XXI, No. 9 - 17 Jan 2 - [] Top 25 Ballot
Game Ducks
With four starters returning from last year's Elite Eight squad, Oregon entered the preseason as the top-rated team. A rout road loss at Baylor in November was shocking then, but doesn't look as bad now; but an ordinary effort at the MAUI INVITATIONAL was a disappointment. Not to worry. The Ducks took full advantage of the reset of conference play with their biggest home stand coming right out of the blocks. Handing the first loss of the season to, not one, but two teams; Ore ran with UCLA (but still needed two big three pointers late, including the game-winner from tDillon Brooks[23p9r]) to win @89-87 and then fully outran USC (@84-61 as tBrooks had 28p) to take the early lead in the PAC-12 race.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, it was visiting Villanova who stopped host Creighton's perfect run (80-@70 led by pJalen Brunson[27p5a]). The Wildcats have the nation's best three-man back court with pBrunson, xJosh Hart and Final Four-hero bKris Jenkins and in this game they were also able to control the boards 34-19. Many of the top teams this year are also guard-heavy and whichever one can hold its own in the paint the best may well be the national champion come March.
Indiana had a tough week, tripping at home in-conference against mediocre Nebraska (@83-87) and then getting thoroughly shut down by Bluegrass-rival Louisville (@62-77 as Donovan Mitchell[25p] led the way) at the COUNTDOWN CLASSIC in Indianapolis. But it was only a 1-1 week for Lville as Virginia quieted the Cardinals on the road (61-@53 as no UofL player reached double-figures). And yet the Cavaliers also only split on the week after upstart Florida State surprised them in Charlottesville with a 60-@58 in-conference road win of its own. Before its loss to Villanova ended the week 1-1, Creighton had started the week with a solid (home) win over Seton Hall (@89-75 as pMaurice Watson[21p10a5r] dueled 27p3a from gKhadeen Carrington). Virginia Tech handled undermanned Duke (@89-75 as six players posted double-figures to counter 34p7r from bLuke Kennard, who did his best to make up for the absence of suspended gGrayson Allen) -- as talented as the Blue Devis are, they aren't the most athletic individually on the defensive end. West Virginia showed itself to be well built for the 30-second clock era with its depth and conditioning that allows it to press all game long as the Mountaineers road-routed host Oklahoma State (92-@75). Upstart Minnesota split overtime results on the week, falling at home (@74-75[OT]) to Michigan State but bouncing back on the road at Purdue (91-@82[OT] led by pNate Mason[26p9a6r]'s star turn). Butler tripped at home against 7-7 St. John's. North Carolina fell at Georgia Tech (63-@75 as the Yellow Jackets were led by freshman bJosh Okogie[26p5r]). South Carolina tanked out-of-conference at Memphis (54-@70 as Markel Crawford[28p] led the way).
Iowa State beat Texas Tech (@63-56 despite being badly outrebounded 25-41). Florida won on the road at upstart Arkansas (81-@72). Visiting Georgia outran host Auburn (96-@84 led by the inside-outside duo of fYante Maten[31p8r] and pJ.J. Frazier[27p5a5s]). Iowa edged Michigan in overtime (@86-83[OT] as Peter Jok[25p] had more help than 28p14r6a from xD.J. Wilson). Seton Hall salvaged a split on the week with a (squeak) home win over guard-rich Marquette (@69-66).
Several splashworthy conference favorites got off to bad starts in league play. MAAC/Monmouth tripped at home in overtime against Rider (@90-93[OT] despite 28p7a from pJustin Robinson). In the MOUNTAIN WEST, Nevada tripped on the road at Fresno State (76-@77) while San Diego State's postseason prospects are nearly over before they started thanks to a home loss to New Mexico (@62-68) -- (if the disappointing Aztecs can't pull off the road win at Nevada this week, say goodbye to their NCAA hopes). SUMMIT/Fort Wayne tripped at home to 4-8 Western Illinois.
Several teams knocking on the door of relevance couldn't pull off the upset wins that would have been cause to take notice. TCU couldn't knock off Kansas, even at home, falling @80-86 (depsite 28p9r from fVladimir Brodziansky). Maryland was the second victim of the week of mediocre Nebraska, tripping at home (@65-67). Providence couldn't hang on the road in two big games, falling to Xavier (56-@82 yielding 64 percent shooting) and to Butler (61-@78 allowing 62 percent from the floor). Temple fell at home to Cincinnai (@50-56 only shooting 27 percent on field goals) and tanked at UCF (53-@77).
SLAND/Sam Houston State fell at home to contender Houston Baptist (@65-79) and then tripped as well at lowly Central Arkansas. BIG.S/Winthrop tripped at home to Radford. NEC/Wagner tripped at Mount St. Mary's. SKY/Portland State was a flop, tanking at North Dakota and falling at home to Northern Colorado.
In remaining out-of-conference results, Clemson handled UNC-Wilmington (@87-73). North Carolina throttled darling Monmouth (@102-74 on 33-for-46 free throws, dominating the boards 57-36 and led by pJustin Jackson[28p5a5r;6/9 3s]'s fantastic all-around performance). New Mexico State completed the sweep of border-rival UTEP with a @79-70 home win. Dartmouth edged New Hampshire (@63-62) in their annual State Title game.
- - - - - -
Not satisfied with showcasing its teams in league markets (as with the CHICAGO-DECEMBER LEGENDS double-header at the UNITED CENTER hosted by Northwestern and Illinois); the BIG 10 has scheduled two league games to take place at neutral sites in non-league cities. First up is Michigan State-Penn State at the PALESTRA in Philadelphia (Saturday). Then, in three weeks time, it will be Wisconsin-Rutgers at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN in New York City
(Sat 28 Jan).
Villanova won't have it easy on the road at Butler (Wednesday), but should handle Marquette at home (Saturday). Baylor should be too tough inside for visitors Iowa State (Wednesday) and Oklahoma State (Saturday). West Virginia should keep it rolling at Texas Tech (Tuesday) and at home against TCU (Saturday). Kansas should handle visiting Texas Tech (Saturday). Kentucky won't have any problem with upstart Arkansas (Saturday). Host Florida State and visitor Virginia Tech get to sort out which one is a real ACC contender (Saturday). Louisville will have its hands full on the road at Bluegrass-rival Notre Dame (Wednesday). Wisconsin has a tough week on the road at slumping Indiana (Tuesday) and stumbling Purdue (Sunday). Cincinnati has a tough road game at Houston (Saturday).
Neither host St. Mary's nor visitor BYU can afford to lose (Thursday) if they want to stay in contact with mighty Gonzaga inside the WCC. Rhode Island has a tough ask visiting Dayton (Friday). Neither host Nevada nor visitor San Diego State can afford a second MWC conference loss this early (Wednesday). MVC/Illinois State won't have it easy when upstart Missouri State visits (Wednesday). HORIZ/Valparaiso has a must win at home against Oakland (Friday). MAAC/Monmouth gets the first showdown with Iona at home (Friday).
-- Ron
Top 25 - 17 Jan 2 - [] Column
Game Ducks
With four starters returning from last year's Elite Eight squad, Oregon entered the preseason as the top-rated team. A rout road loss at Baylor in November was shocking then, but doesn't look as bad now; but an ordinary effort at the MAUI INVITATIONAL was a disappointment. Not to worry. The Ducks took full advantage of the reset of conference play with their biggest home stand coming right out of the blocks. Handing the first loss of the season to, not one, but two teams; Ore ran with UCLA (but still needed two big three pointers late, including the game-winner from tDillon Brooks[23p9r]) to win @89-87 and then fully outran USC (@84-61 as tBrooks had 28p) to take the early lead in the PAC-12 race.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, it was visiting Villanova who stopped host Creighton's perfect run (80-@70 led by pJalen Brunson[27p5a]). The Wildcats have the nation's best three-man back court with pBrunson, xJosh Hart and Final Four-hero bKris Jenkins and in this game they were also able to control the boards 34-19. Many of the top teams this year are also guard-heavy and whichever one can hold its own in the paint the best may well be the national champion come March.
Indiana had a tough week, tripping at home in-conference against mediocre Nebraska (@83-87) and then getting thoroughly shut down by Bluegrass-rival Louisville (@62-77 as Donovan Mitchell[25p] led the way) at the COUNTDOWN CLASSIC in Indianapolis. But it was only a 1-1 week for Lville as Virginia quieted the Cardinals on the road (61-@53 as no UofL player reached double-figures). And yet the Cavaliers also only split on the week after upstart Florida State surprised them in Charlottesville with a 60-@58 in-conference road win of its own. Before its loss to Villanova ended the week 1-1, Creighton had started the week with a solid (home) win over Seton Hall (@89-75 as pMaurice Watson[21p10a5r] dueled 27p3a from gKhadeen Carrington). Virginia Tech handled undermanned Duke (@89-75 as six players posted double-figures to counter 34p7r from bLuke Kennard, who did his best to make up for the absence of suspended gGrayson Allen) -- as talented as the Blue Devis are, they aren't the most athletic individually on the defensive end. West Virginia showed itself to be well built for the 30-second clock era with its depth and conditioning that allows it to press all game long as the Mountaineers road-routed host Oklahoma State (92-@75). Upstart Minnesota split overtime results on the week, falling at home (@74-75[OT]) to Michigan State but bouncing back on the road at Purdue (91-@82[OT] led by pNate Mason[26p9a6r]'s star turn). Butler tripped at home against 7-7 St. John's. North Carolina fell at Georgia Tech (63-@75 as the Yellow Jackets were led by freshman bJosh Okogie[26p5r]). South Carolina tanked out-of-conference at Memphis (54-@70 as Markel Crawford[28p] led the way).
Iowa State beat Texas Tech (@63-56 despite being badly outrebounded 25-41). Florida won on the road at upstart Arkansas (81-@72). Visiting Georgia outran host Auburn (96-@84 led by the inside-outside duo of fYante Maten[31p8r] and pJ.J. Frazier[27p5a5s]). Iowa edged Michigan in overtime (@86-83[OT] as Peter Jok[25p] had more help than 28p14r6a from xD.J. Wilson). Seton Hall salvaged a split on the week with a (squeak) home win over guard-rich Marquette (@69-66).
Several splashworthy conference favorites got off to bad starts in league play. MAAC/Monmouth tripped at home in overtime against Rider (@90-93[OT] despite 28p7a from pJustin Robinson). In the MOUNTAIN WEST, Nevada tripped on the road at Fresno State (76-@77) while San Diego State's postseason prospects are nearly over before they started thanks to a home loss to New Mexico (@62-68) -- (if the disappointing Aztecs can't pull off the road win at Nevada this week, say goodbye to their NCAA hopes). SUMMIT/Fort Wayne tripped at home to 4-8 Western Illinois.
Several teams knocking on the door of relevance couldn't pull off the upset wins that would have been cause to take notice. TCU couldn't knock off Kansas, even at home, falling @80-86 (depsite 28p9r from fVladimir Brodziansky). Maryland was the second victim of the week of mediocre Nebraska, tripping at home (@65-67). Providence couldn't hang on the road in two big games, falling to Xavier (56-@82 yielding 64 percent shooting) and to Butler (61-@78 allowing 62 percent from the floor). Temple fell at home to Cincinnai (@50-56 only shooting 27 percent on field goals) and tanked at UCF (53-@77).
SLAND/Sam Houston State fell at home to contender Houston Baptist (@65-79) and then tripped as well at lowly Central Arkansas. BIG.S/Winthrop tripped at home to Radford. NEC/Wagner tripped at Mount St. Mary's. SKY/Portland State was a flop, tanking at North Dakota and falling at home to Northern Colorado.
In remaining out-of-conference results, Clemson handled UNC-Wilmington (@87-73). North Carolina throttled darling Monmouth (@102-74 on 33-for-46 free throws, dominating the boards 57-36 and led by pJustin Jackson[28p5a5r;6/9 3s]'s fantastic all-around performance). New Mexico State completed the sweep of border-rival UTEP with a @79-70 home win. Dartmouth edged New Hampshire (@63-62) in their annual State Title game.
- - - - - -
Not satisfied with showcasing its teams in league markets (as with the CHICAGO-DECEMBER LEGENDS double-header at the UNITED CENTER hosted by Northwestern and Illinois); the BIG 10 has scheduled two league games to take place at neutral sites in non-league cities. First up is Michigan State-Penn State at the PALESTRA in Philadelphia (Saturday). Then, in three weeks time, it will be Wisconsin-Rutgers at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN in New York City
(Sat 28 Jan).
Villanova won't have it easy on the road at Butler (Wednesday), but should handle Marquette at home (Saturday). Baylor should be too tough inside for visitors Iowa State (Wednesday) and Oklahoma State (Saturday). West Virginia should keep it rolling at Texas Tech (Tuesday) and at home against TCU (Saturday). Kansas should handle visiting Texas Tech (Saturday). Kentucky won't have any problem with upstart Arkansas (Saturday). Host Florida State and visitor Virginia Tech get to sort out which one is a real ACC contender (Saturday). Louisville will have its hands full on the road at Bluegrass-rival Notre Dame (Wednesday). Wisconsin has a tough week on the road at slumping Indiana (Tuesday) and stumbling Purdue (Sunday). Cincinnati has a tough road game at Houston (Saturday).
Neither host St. Mary's nor visitor BYU can afford to lose (Thursday) if they want to stay in contact with mighty Gonzaga inside the WCC. Rhode Island has a tough ask visiting Dayton (Friday). Neither host Nevada nor visitor San Diego State can afford a second MWC conference loss this early (Wednesday). MVC/Illinois State won't have it easy when upstart Missouri State visits (Wednesday). HORIZ/Valparaiso has a must win at home against Oakland (Friday). MAAC/Monmouth gets the first showdown with Iona at home (Friday).
-- Ron
- Key games this week:
- Monday:
- @UNCGreensboro-Chattanooga, @BostonU-
Lehigh,
- Tuesday:
- WVirginia-@TexasTech, Wisconsin-@Indiana,
- Wednesday:
- Villanova-@Butler, @Baylor-IowaSt, Louisville-@NotreDame(BG), @Duke-
GeorgiaTech, @Nevada-SanDiegoSt, @IllinoisSt-MissouriSt, @Omaha-FtWayne, @FresnoSt-Wyoming, @HighPt-Winthrop, @Southern-TexasSo, @AlabamaSt-JacksonSt, @CoppinSt-SCState,
- Thursday:
- @StMarys-BYU, @Rice-MidTennessee, @TheCitadel-VMI(MIL), @Marshall-OldDominion, @
Belmont-TNMartin, @Idaho-Montana,
- Friday:
- @Dayton-RhodeIsland, @Valparaiso-Oakland, @Monmouth-Iona,
- Saturday:
- @Villanova-Marquette, @Baylor-OklahomaSt, @WVirginia-TCU, @Kansas-TexasTech, @Kentucky-Arkansas, @FloridaSt-VirginiaTech, Louisville-@
GeorgiaTech, Cincinnati-@Houston, @IowaSt-Texas, @Michigan-Maryland, @SDState-Omaha, @Rice-UAB, @TennesseeSt-TNMartin(TN), @UNCAsheville-HighPt(NC), @Princeton-Penn, @Jacksonville-NFlorida(JacksonvilleFL),
(new)BIG 10 PALESTRA SHOWCASE @ PhiladelphiaPA/PALESTRA/
-(@MichiganSt-@PennSt),
- Sunday:
- Wisconsin-@Purdue, @HolyCross-Bucknell,
- - - - - - -
- Monday week (CFP CHAMPIONSHIP):
- Monday week (CFP CHAMPIONSHIP):
- @
JacksonSt-Southern.
Top 25 - 17 Jan 2 - [] Column
- Villanova (14-0) [BIG5]
- Baylor (12-0)
- Gonzaga (14-0)
- West Virginia (12-1)
- Oregon (12-2)
- Kansas (12-1)
- Kentucky (12-2)
- UCLA (14-1)
- Florida State (14-1)
- Virginia Tech (12-1)
- Virginia (11-2)
- Louisville (11-1) (@@COUNTDWN)
- Creighton (13-1)
- Wisconsin (12-2)
- Arizona (13-2)
- Cincinnati (12-2)
- St. Mary's (12-1)
- Duke (12-2)
- Minnesota (13-2)
- Purdue (12-3)
- Butler (12-2)
- Indiana (9-4)
- North Carolina (11-3)
- Florida (10-3)
- Notre Dame (12-2)
- Honorable Mention:
St. John's (8-7), Nebraska (8-6),Georgia Tech(9-4), Memphis (10-4).
posted by Ron @ Tuesday, January 17, 2017
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