17 Jan16 - The More MVC Changes, The More WCC Stays The Same
Volume XXI, No. 11 - 17 Jan16 - [] Top 25 Ballot
The More MVC Changes, The More WCC Stays The Same
Some leagues have already had their major first-half showdowns. In the WEST COAST, it's "Same As It Ever Was". Even though this year's St. Mary's team (led by fJock Landale) appears to be stronger than last year's version (which was snubbed by the NCAA Selection Committee), it was the same old story when the Gaels visited Gonzaga. fLandale got in early foul trouble and wasn't much of a factor as the Bulldogs rolled to a @79-56 win (thanks to 65 percent shooting) to take control of the conference race yet again (and thrive as the last remaining unbeaten team).
In the MISSOURI VALLEY, however, there may be a changing of the guard as Illinois State handled perennial favorite Wichita State (@76-62), giving the Redbirds sole possession of first place. This year's Wheatshockers don't have the veteran leadership they've been able to rely on in the past; WichSt's three-year run of league titles looks to be in jeopardy.
In the WAC, New Mexico State took control of the first half of the race after sweeping {Grand Canyon} (@81-69) and Cal State-Bakersfield (@63-58). The league isn't rated highly enough (and there are no splashworthy preseason wins) for the Aggies to ever get to true Anti-Spoiler status (that is, certain of an at-large bid even if they fail in the conference tournament), but this team will be dangerous if it makes the NCAAs.
Baylor suffered its first loss of the season in a big way -- the road trip to play West Virginia was a flop as the Mountaineers ran away from the Bears (@89-68 on 15 steals led by pJevon Carter[17p7a5s] and forcing 29 turnovers). North Carolina outran Florida State (@96-83 controlling the boards 51-34 led by Joel Berry[26p1a] and fIsaiah Hicks[22p7r3a;12/14ft]). Creighton handled Butler (@75-64 allowing only one player in double-figures). Iowa edged Purdue (@83-78 led by Peter Jok[29p]). Minnesota had a tough week on the road, tanking at Michigan State (47-@65) and tripping at Penn State (50-@52). Likewise, undermanned (without cAmile Jefferson) and lesser-led (with Jeff Capel stepping in as interim coach while Mike Krzyzewski will be out as much as a month due to back surgery), Duke dropped two on the road, unable to stay with Florida State (72-@88) and falling at Louisville (69-@78). Massachusetts ensured that Dayton's stay in the rankings was short-lived, winning (@67-55). Similarly, TCU turned Iowa State around with an @84-77 win (notching 27 assists as cVladmir Brodziansky[25p14r] starred).
Cincinnati edged SMU (@66-64 led by pTroy Caupain[16p6a7r]) to stay on top of the AMERICAN standings. Maryland edged Indiana (@75-72). Xavier, which has yet to earn a quality win, dropped two on the road, tanking at Villanova (54-@79, shooting only 29 percent as pJosh Hart[20p5a6r] led the Wildcats) and tripping at Butler (78-@83 in an ugly game where both teams combined for 77 free throws). La Salle won on the road at Rhode Island (87-@75). Rising Mississippi State won on the road at Arkansas (84-@78 behind Quinndary Weatherspoon[25p]). Oklahoma State fell to 0-5 in the BIG 12 after falling twice, first at home against Iowa State (@86-96 as pMonte Morris[30p5a5r] starred) and then at Kansas (80-@87). Texas Tech fell at mediocre Oklahoma (75-@84 as Jordan Woodard[27p] led the way). Seton Hall couldn't break through on the road, falling in overtime at Marquette (86-@89[OT] despite 30p9r from tDesi Rodriguez) and then tripping at Providence (61-@65). Unheralded Utah dumped USC (@86-64). ACC-leader Notre Dame edged on the road at tough Virginia Tech (76-@71 despite 21p9r5a from tChris Clarke). VCU fell at Davidson. Rising UCF beat Houston (@77-70). BYU fell back in the WCC race, losing at mediocre San Diego. Oakland slipped in the HORIZON, tripping at home against Detroit. Texas-Arlington hasn't been able to dominate the deep SUN BELT, tanking at mediocre Troy.
- - - - - -
Kansas visits Iowa State (Monday). South Carolina has a big week, hosting Florida (Wednesday) and visiting Kentucky (Saturday). Villanova hosts Seton Hall (Monday). Creighton visits Xavier (Monday) and hosts Marquette (Saturday). Butler hosts Marquette (Monday). TCU travels to Texas Tech (Wednesday) and hosts Baylor (Saturday). Florida State could take over the ACC race with a big week, hosting Notre Dame (Wednesday) and Louisville (Saturday). Arizona faces the L.A. gauntlet at USC (Thursday) and at UCLA (Saturday). Wisconsin hosts Michigan (Tuesday) and visits Minnesota (Saturday). SMU hosts Houston (Saturday).
It's the first COLONIAL showdown (Thursday) when UNC-Wilmington visits College of Charleston. Akron can take control of the MAC if it beats host Ohio University (Tuesday). The first PATRIOT showdown comes (Saturday) when Bucknell hosts Boston University. BIGS/Winthrop hosts UNC-Asheville (Thursday).
-- Ron
P.S. Congratulations to this year's PIGSKIN POOL PARTY champion:
The picks by Danny Kanell from the ESPN College Bowl Mania TV Special!
Top 25 - 17 Jan16 - [] Column
The More MVC Changes, The More WCC Stays The Same
Some leagues have already had their major first-half showdowns. In the WEST COAST, it's "Same As It Ever Was". Even though this year's St. Mary's team (led by fJock Landale) appears to be stronger than last year's version (which was snubbed by the NCAA Selection Committee), it was the same old story when the Gaels visited Gonzaga. fLandale got in early foul trouble and wasn't much of a factor as the Bulldogs rolled to a @79-56 win (thanks to 65 percent shooting) to take control of the conference race yet again (and thrive as the last remaining unbeaten team).
In the MISSOURI VALLEY, however, there may be a changing of the guard as Illinois State handled perennial favorite Wichita State (@76-62), giving the Redbirds sole possession of first place. This year's Wheatshockers don't have the veteran leadership they've been able to rely on in the past; WichSt's three-year run of league titles looks to be in jeopardy.
In the WAC, New Mexico State took control of the first half of the race after sweeping {Grand Canyon} (@81-69) and Cal State-Bakersfield (@63-58). The league isn't rated highly enough (and there are no splashworthy preseason wins) for the Aggies to ever get to true Anti-Spoiler status (that is, certain of an at-large bid even if they fail in the conference tournament), but this team will be dangerous if it makes the NCAAs.
Baylor suffered its first loss of the season in a big way -- the road trip to play West Virginia was a flop as the Mountaineers ran away from the Bears (@89-68 on 15 steals led by pJevon Carter[17p7a5s] and forcing 29 turnovers). North Carolina outran Florida State (@96-83 controlling the boards 51-34 led by Joel Berry[26p1a] and fIsaiah Hicks[22p7r3a;12/14ft]). Creighton handled Butler (@75-64 allowing only one player in double-figures). Iowa edged Purdue (@83-78 led by Peter Jok[29p]). Minnesota had a tough week on the road, tanking at Michigan State (47-@65) and tripping at Penn State (50-@52). Likewise, undermanned (without cAmile Jefferson) and lesser-led (with Jeff Capel stepping in as interim coach while Mike Krzyzewski will be out as much as a month due to back surgery), Duke dropped two on the road, unable to stay with Florida State (72-@88) and falling at Louisville (69-@78). Massachusetts ensured that Dayton's stay in the rankings was short-lived, winning (@67-55). Similarly, TCU turned Iowa State around with an @84-77 win (notching 27 assists as cVladmir Brodziansky[25p14r] starred).
Cincinnati edged SMU (@66-64 led by pTroy Caupain[16p6a7r]) to stay on top of the AMERICAN standings. Maryland edged Indiana (@75-72). Xavier, which has yet to earn a quality win, dropped two on the road, tanking at Villanova (54-@79, shooting only 29 percent as pJosh Hart[20p5a6r] led the Wildcats) and tripping at Butler (78-@83 in an ugly game where both teams combined for 77 free throws). La Salle won on the road at Rhode Island (87-@75). Rising Mississippi State won on the road at Arkansas (84-@78 behind Quinndary Weatherspoon[25p]). Oklahoma State fell to 0-5 in the BIG 12 after falling twice, first at home against Iowa State (@86-96 as pMonte Morris[30p5a5r] starred) and then at Kansas (80-@87). Texas Tech fell at mediocre Oklahoma (75-@84 as Jordan Woodard[27p] led the way). Seton Hall couldn't break through on the road, falling in overtime at Marquette (86-@89[OT] despite 30p9r from tDesi Rodriguez) and then tripping at Providence (61-@65). Unheralded Utah dumped USC (@86-64). ACC-leader Notre Dame edged on the road at tough Virginia Tech (76-@71 despite 21p9r5a from tChris Clarke). VCU fell at Davidson. Rising UCF beat Houston (@77-70). BYU fell back in the WCC race, losing at mediocre San Diego. Oakland slipped in the HORIZON, tripping at home against Detroit. Texas-Arlington hasn't been able to dominate the deep SUN BELT, tanking at mediocre Troy.
- - - - - -
Kansas visits Iowa State (Monday). South Carolina has a big week, hosting Florida (Wednesday) and visiting Kentucky (Saturday). Villanova hosts Seton Hall (Monday). Creighton visits Xavier (Monday) and hosts Marquette (Saturday). Butler hosts Marquette (Monday). TCU travels to Texas Tech (Wednesday) and hosts Baylor (Saturday). Florida State could take over the ACC race with a big week, hosting Notre Dame (Wednesday) and Louisville (Saturday). Arizona faces the L.A. gauntlet at USC (Thursday) and at UCLA (Saturday). Wisconsin hosts Michigan (Tuesday) and visits Minnesota (Saturday). SMU hosts Houston (Saturday).
It's the first COLONIAL showdown (Thursday) when UNC-Wilmington visits College of Charleston. Akron can take control of the MAC if it beats host Ohio University (Tuesday). The first PATRIOT showdown comes (Saturday) when Bucknell hosts Boston University. BIGS/Winthrop hosts UNC-Asheville (Thursday).
-- Ron
P.S. Congratulations to this year's PIGSKIN POOL PARTY champion:
The picks by Danny Kanell from the ESPN College Bowl Mania TV Special!
- Key games this week:
- Monday:
- Kansas-@IowaSt, @Villanova-SetonHall, Creighton-@Xavier, @Butler-Marquette, @Valparaiso-GreenBay, @
NewHampshire-Vermont, @TexasSo-JacksonSt,
- Tuesday:
- Kentucky-@MississippiSt, @Wisconsin-Michigan, @Akron-OhioU(OH),
- Wednesday:
- NotreDame-@FloridaSt, Florida-@SCarolina, TCU-@TexasTech(TX), @VirginiaTech-
GeorgiaTech,
- Thursday:
- Arizona-@USC, @ColofCharleston-UNCWilmington, @Houston-Memphis, @LouisianaTech-Rice, @
Winthrop-UNCAsheville, @Vermont-{MALowell}, @LongIsland-Wagner(NewYorkNY), @PortlandSt-Montana, @NDakota-WeberSt,
- Friday (INAUGURATION DAY):
- (None.)
- Saturday:
- @Kentucky-SCarolina, @UCLA-Arizona, @Creighton-Marquette, Baylor-@TCU(TX), @NotreDame-
Syracuse, Louisville-@FloridaSt, Wisconsin-@Minnesota, @Virginia-GeorgiaTech, @SMU-Houston(TX), @Indiana-MichiganSt, @Nevada-FresnoSt, @Chattanooga-Samford, @Akron-EaMichigan, @Penn-@StJosephs(PhiladelphiaPA)(BIG5)(/PALESTRA/), @NoIllinois-OhioU, @Bucknell-BostonU, @TennesseeSt-JacksonvilleSt, @FLGulfCoast-NJIT, @FairleighDickinson-LongIsland, @GramblingSt-JacksonSt,
STAR GAME on-campus
-(@ArmyWP-Navy[MIL]),
- Sunday:
- (None.)
- - - - - - -
- Monday week:
- Monday week:
- @TXArlington-Louisiana, @Niagara-Canisius(NY)(BIG4), @AlabamaSt-Southern, @
NCCentral-Howard.
Top 25 - 17 Jan16 - [] Column
- Gonzaga (17-0)
- Oregon (15-2)
- Kansas (16-1)
- Kentucky (15-2)
- UCLA (18-1)
- Villanova (17-1) [BIG5]
- West Virginia (15-2)
- Creighton (16-1)
- Butler (15-3)
- Baylor (15-1)
- Cincinnati (15-2)
- Notre Dame (16-2)
- Arizona (16-2)
- Louisville (15-3)
- Purdue (14-4)
- North Carolina (15-3)
- Wisconsin (14-3)
- Florida State (16-2)
- Virginia (13-3)
- Duke (14-4)
- Florida (14-3)
- Maryland (15-2)
- SMU (15-4)
- TCU (13-3)
- St. Mary's (15-2)
- Honorable Mention:
- Iowa (11-8),
Michigan State(12-7), Penn State (11-7), Massachusetts (11-7).
Illinois State (13-4), New Mexico State (15-2).
posted by Ron @ Sunday, January 29, 2017
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