17 Dec 4 - Reclining Ten ... (Well, Nine, Anyway)
Volume XXII, No. 5 - 17 Dec 4 - [] Top 25 Ballot
Reclining Ten ... (Well, Nine, Anyway)
With the very notable exception of Michigan State, the BIG 10 was a mess in its head-to-head CHALLENGE with the ACC, dropping 11, winning only 3. The Spartans, in fact, are starting to look like the best team anywhere (or at least this side of Durham NC) with yet another spectacular defensive effort in their @81-63 pounding of Notre Dame (dominating the boards 42-21 as pCassius Winston[17p7a5r] countered 17p6r5s from fBonzie Colson). Purdue did have a solid win (@66-57) over slumping Louisville; and Nebraska won at home against lowly Boston College ... but that was it.
Miami(Florida) edged on the road at physical Minnesota (86-@81 as tBruce Brown[16p5a9r] is starting to make his name on the national stage). Georgia Tech scraped out a home win over disappointing Northwestern (@52-51 on Tadric Jackson's game-winning layup at the buzzer despite 18p5a6r from pBryant McIntosh). Nobody looked good as Virginia handled Wisconsin (@49-37; the Cavaliers shot no free throws; both teams combined to shoot 6-for-34 on threes). North Carolina routed Michigan (@86-71 behind fLuke Maye[27p6r]). Duke handled host Indiana (91-@81 despite going 3-for-17 on threes). Clemson handled host Ohio State; Virginia Tech dumped Iowa.
The MVC/MWC CHALLENGE wound up in a 5-5 tie as all 10 home teams held serve. Northern Iowa had the best win, edging UNLV in overtime (@77-68[OT] as fBennett Kock[30p7r] starred). Missouri State handled Colorado State (@77-67 shutting the Rams down from three: 4-for-23). Boise State had a surprisingly easy time with Loyola(Illinois), routing the Ramblers (@87-53). New MVC member Valparaiso has handled the upgrade well so far, beating Utah State (@72-65). Nevada pounded Illinois State (@98-68 dishing out 25 assists). New Mexico dumped Evansville (@78-59). San Diego State dumped Bradley (@75-52 dominating the boards 47-26).
In grudge matches, Gonzaga hosted Creighton in the new JESUIT BASKETBALL CLASSIC with the Bulldogs dominating the Bluejays (@91-74 as Creigh only shot 8 free throws the entire game). The CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT between host Xavier and visiting Cincinnati had its usual share of ugliness: on the court, the Musketeers handled the Bearcats (@89-76 behind gTrevon Bluiett[28p]); off the court, Xav fJ.P. Macura jawed at and cursed Cincy coach Mick Cronin during and after the game and honorless Xav coach Chris Mack covered for his player's behavior). Rhode Island won its State Title matchup against sputtering Providence (@75-68).
Western Kentucky dumped cross-state rival Eastern Kentucky (@83-51 thanks to seven players posting double-figures). San Diego State won on the road at arch-/city-rival San Diego (66-@57 led by Devin Watson[26p]).
In specialty events, in the NEW YORK CITY-C UA/REUNION double-header at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, it was Seton Hall handling Texas Tech (@89-79 led by bDesi Rodriguez[24p4a7r]) while Temple thumped South Carolina (76-60 led by versatile bObi Enechionyia[15p3a5r6b]). At the BILLY MINARDI CLASSIC, again it was Seton Hall taking names, edging host Louisville (79-@77 as this time tRodriguez[29p8r;GWFG] outdueled
20p2a5r from bDeng Adel).
In tournaments, Towson won its second of the year (after already claiming the GULF COAST SHOWCASE) claiming the inaugural HALL OF FAME-E BELFAST CLASSIC in NORTHERN IRELAND (knocking off La Salle [67-60] in the semis; and edging Manhattan [56-55] in the final controlling the boards 42-13 on Mike Morsell's game-winner). Mississippi State won the 4-round-robin MABC-A HOOPS IN THE HEARTLAND SHOWCASE all at home. Meanwhile, Army-West Point was an Unwelcome Guest, winning the 2-round C/BULLDOG BASH (beating both Maryland-Baltimore County [81-70] and beating Marist [82-75 despite 19p3a4r from Brian Parker; all past host The Citadel).
Elsewhere, Baylor had a rough week, falling at Xavier (63-@76) and then losing at home to Wichita State (@62-69). Washington State laid an egg, losing at home to UC-Davis (67-@81 as 5-10 pT.J. Shorts[20p5a5r5s] starred despite 32p8r from tRobert Franks). Arizona bounced back with a big overtime road win at young UNLV (91-@88[OT] in a battle of two of the best GC Big Men anywhere this season -- cDeAndre Ayton[28p10r] and cBrandon McCoy[33p10r] cancelled each other out;
so bAllonzo Trier[29p5r] was the difference). The PACIFIC-12 continued to disappoint otherwise as USC tanked at SMU (55-@72) and Oregon tripped at home against Boise State (@70-73 on Lexus Williams' game-winning three-pointer from half-court despite 28p from Payton Pritchard).
In a battle of two of the few quality 1BCs, Bucknell edged Vermont (@81-77 as tZach Thomas[24p5a9r] cancelled bTrae Bell-Haynes[15p2a5r]).
Georgia Tech (still without tJosh Okogie, who is missing time because of improper benefits) managed to lose at home to lowly Grambling State (@63-64 on an "own-goal" tip-in; but was still the official winner of its own RAMBLIN' WRECK home showcase at 3-1) and then fell at home to no-nonsense Tennessee (@77-70).
Western Michigan tripped at home against Oakland (@73-78 as Martez Walker[32p] starred).
Missouri State "road"-dumped disappointing South Dakota State (73-@53 totally shutting down Mike Daum[7p3r;3/14fg]) at the SANFORD PENTAGON in Sioux Falls SD. Louisiana Tech tripped at young Alabama (74-@77). TCU dumped Yale (@92-66 posting six players with double-figures despite 16p3a5r from bAlex Copeland). Nevada won at UC-Irvine (76-@65 behind xJordan Caroline[24p13r4a]). Morgan State won on the road at Mount St. Mary's (69-@63), but also fell at George Washington and at Navy besides.
- - - - - -
A scary moment in the North Carolina State/South Carolina State game: 5-10 gTy Solomon collapsed on the bench when his heart stopped beating. Quick on-court aid resuscitated him and he was rushed to the hospital where he recovered. (NCSt won @103-71.)
- - - - - -
In early conference play, Purdue edged disappointing Northwestern (@74-69 led by fIsaac Haas[26p9r] despite 20p8r4a from tDererk Pardon).
- - - - - -
There might not be a better one-day ticket all year than the HALL OF FAME-A LOS ANGELES CLASSIC triple-header (Friday) as Arizona State "hosts" St. John's, impressive Nevada (featuring the 'tweener Martin twins) meets expectant TCU and actual host USC meets leftover Oklahoma.
Elsewhere, Villanova can claim its best win of the season if it can get past surprising Gonzaga at the JIMMY V CLASSIC (Tuesday). Florida looks to keep Cincinnati in a funk at the NEVER FORGET TRIBUTE CLASSIC (Saturday). Kansas won't have it easy even at home against the backcourt firepower of Arizona State (Sunday). Unexpected Titans meet when Texas Tech hosts Nevada (Tuesday). West Virginia has a week of border rivalry on its plate: tough (Tuesday vs Virginia) and easy (Saturday at Pittsburgh in their annual BACKYARD BRAWL).
Arizona gets another chance to earn back its ranking when it meets tough Texas A&M at the new VALLEY OF THE SUN SHOOTOUT at Phoenix AZ (Tuesday).
-- Ron
P.S. Don't forget: the deadline for this year's Pigskin Pool Party (Ron's free College Football Bowl Season Pool) is
SATURDAY, 16-DECEMBER (12Net).
Top 25 - 17 Dec 4 - [] Column
Reclining Ten ... (Well, Nine, Anyway)
With the very notable exception of Michigan State, the BIG 10 was a mess in its head-to-head CHALLENGE with the ACC, dropping 11, winning only 3. The Spartans, in fact, are starting to look like the best team anywhere (or at least this side of Durham NC) with yet another spectacular defensive effort in their @81-63 pounding of Notre Dame (dominating the boards 42-21 as pCassius Winston[17p7a5r] countered 17p6r5s from fBonzie Colson). Purdue did have a solid win (@66-57) over slumping Louisville; and Nebraska won at home against lowly Boston College ... but that was it.
Miami(Florida) edged on the road at physical Minnesota (86-@81 as tBruce Brown[16p5a9r] is starting to make his name on the national stage). Georgia Tech scraped out a home win over disappointing Northwestern (@52-51 on Tadric Jackson's game-winning layup at the buzzer despite 18p5a6r from pBryant McIntosh). Nobody looked good as Virginia handled Wisconsin (@49-37; the Cavaliers shot no free throws; both teams combined to shoot 6-for-34 on threes). North Carolina routed Michigan (@86-71 behind fLuke Maye[27p6r]). Duke handled host Indiana (91-@81 despite going 3-for-17 on threes). Clemson handled host Ohio State; Virginia Tech dumped Iowa.
The MVC/MWC CHALLENGE wound up in a 5-5 tie as all 10 home teams held serve. Northern Iowa had the best win, edging UNLV in overtime (@77-68[OT] as fBennett Kock[30p7r] starred). Missouri State handled Colorado State (@77-67 shutting the Rams down from three: 4-for-23). Boise State had a surprisingly easy time with Loyola(Illinois), routing the Ramblers (@87-53). New MVC member Valparaiso has handled the upgrade well so far, beating Utah State (@72-65). Nevada pounded Illinois State (@98-68 dishing out 25 assists). New Mexico dumped Evansville (@78-59). San Diego State dumped Bradley (@75-52 dominating the boards 47-26).
In grudge matches, Gonzaga hosted Creighton in the new JESUIT BASKETBALL CLASSIC with the Bulldogs dominating the Bluejays (@91-74 as Creigh only shot 8 free throws the entire game). The CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT between host Xavier and visiting Cincinnati had its usual share of ugliness: on the court, the Musketeers handled the Bearcats (@89-76 behind gTrevon Bluiett[28p]); off the court, Xav fJ.P. Macura jawed at and cursed Cincy coach Mick Cronin during and after the game and honorless Xav coach Chris Mack covered for his player's behavior). Rhode Island won its State Title matchup against sputtering Providence (@75-68).
Western Kentucky dumped cross-state rival Eastern Kentucky (@83-51 thanks to seven players posting double-figures). San Diego State won on the road at arch-/city-rival San Diego (66-@57 led by Devin Watson[26p]).
In specialty events, in the NEW YORK CITY-C UA/REUNION double-header at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, it was Seton Hall handling Texas Tech (@89-79 led by bDesi Rodriguez[24p4a7r]) while Temple thumped South Carolina (76-60 led by versatile bObi Enechionyia[15p3a5r6b]). At the BILLY MINARDI CLASSIC, again it was Seton Hall taking names, edging host Louisville (79-@77 as this time tRodriguez[29p8r;GWFG] outdueled
20p2a5r from bDeng Adel).
In tournaments, Towson won its second of the year (after already claiming the GULF COAST SHOWCASE) claiming the inaugural HALL OF FAME-E BELFAST CLASSIC in NORTHERN IRELAND (knocking off La Salle [67-60] in the semis; and edging Manhattan [56-55] in the final controlling the boards 42-13 on Mike Morsell's game-winner). Mississippi State won the 4-round-robin MABC-A HOOPS IN THE HEARTLAND SHOWCASE all at home. Meanwhile, Army-West Point was an Unwelcome Guest, winning the 2-round C/BULLDOG BASH (beating both Maryland-Baltimore County [81-70] and beating Marist [82-75 despite 19p3a4r from Brian Parker; all past host The Citadel).
Elsewhere, Baylor had a rough week, falling at Xavier (63-@76) and then losing at home to Wichita State (@62-69). Washington State laid an egg, losing at home to UC-Davis (67-@81 as 5-10 pT.J. Shorts[20p5a5r5s] starred despite 32p8r from tRobert Franks). Arizona bounced back with a big overtime road win at young UNLV (91-@88[OT] in a battle of two of the best GC Big Men anywhere this season -- cDeAndre Ayton[28p10r] and cBrandon McCoy[33p10r] cancelled each other out;
so bAllonzo Trier[29p5r] was the difference). The PACIFIC-12 continued to disappoint otherwise as USC tanked at SMU (55-@72) and Oregon tripped at home against Boise State (@70-73 on Lexus Williams' game-winning three-pointer from half-court despite 28p from Payton Pritchard).
In a battle of two of the few quality 1BCs, Bucknell edged Vermont (@81-77 as tZach Thomas[24p5a9r] cancelled bTrae Bell-Haynes[15p2a5r]).
Georgia Tech (still without tJosh Okogie, who is missing time because of improper benefits) managed to lose at home to lowly Grambling State (@63-64 on an "own-goal" tip-in; but was still the official winner of its own RAMBLIN' WRECK home showcase at 3-1) and then fell at home to no-nonsense Tennessee (@77-70).
Western Michigan tripped at home against Oakland (@73-78 as Martez Walker[32p] starred).
Missouri State "road"-dumped disappointing South Dakota State (73-@53 totally shutting down Mike Daum[7p3r;3/14fg]) at the SANFORD PENTAGON in Sioux Falls SD. Louisiana Tech tripped at young Alabama (74-@77). TCU dumped Yale (@92-66 posting six players with double-figures despite 16p3a5r from bAlex Copeland). Nevada won at UC-Irvine (76-@65 behind xJordan Caroline[24p13r4a]). Morgan State won on the road at Mount St. Mary's (69-@63), but also fell at George Washington and at Navy besides.
- - - - - -
A scary moment in the North Carolina State/South Carolina State game: 5-10 gTy Solomon collapsed on the bench when his heart stopped beating. Quick on-court aid resuscitated him and he was rushed to the hospital where he recovered. (NCSt won @103-71.)
- - - - - -
In early conference play, Purdue edged disappointing Northwestern (@74-69 led by fIsaac Haas[26p9r] despite 20p8r4a from tDererk Pardon).
- - - - - -
There might not be a better one-day ticket all year than the HALL OF FAME-A LOS ANGELES CLASSIC triple-header (Friday) as Arizona State "hosts" St. John's, impressive Nevada (featuring the 'tweener Martin twins) meets expectant TCU and actual host USC meets leftover Oklahoma.
Elsewhere, Villanova can claim its best win of the season if it can get past surprising Gonzaga at the JIMMY V CLASSIC (Tuesday). Florida looks to keep Cincinnati in a funk at the NEVER FORGET TRIBUTE CLASSIC (Saturday). Kansas won't have it easy even at home against the backcourt firepower of Arizona State (Sunday). Unexpected Titans meet when Texas Tech hosts Nevada (Tuesday). West Virginia has a week of border rivalry on its plate: tough (Tuesday vs Virginia) and easy (Saturday at Pittsburgh in their annual BACKYARD BRAWL).
Arizona gets another chance to earn back its ranking when it meets tough Texas A&M at the new VALLEY OF THE SUN SHOOTOUT at Phoenix AZ (Tuesday).
-- Ron
P.S. Don't forget: the deadline for this year's Pigskin Pool Party (Ron's free College Football Bowl Season Pool) is
SATURDAY, 16-DECEMBER (12Net).
- Key games this week:
- Monday:
- @Florida-FloridaSt(FL), @NDState-
MissouriSt,
WOODEN LEGACY/ANAHEIM CLASSIC CoolDown1 on-campus
-(WashingtonSt; @StMarys-SacramentoSt[CA]),
BATTLE OF THE BOULEVARD HomeAway2 on-campus
-(@Lipscomb-Belmont[NashvilleTN]),
- Tuesday:
- Virginia-@WVirginia, Nevada-@TexasTech, @WichitaSt-
SDState, @TCU-SMU(Dallas/FtWorthTX), @UNLV-OralRoberts(@LasVegasNV/MGM/), @Troy-UAB(AL), @Furman-UNCAsheville,
(new)VALLEY OF THE SUN SHOOTOUT DblHdr @ PhoenixAZ/GrandCanyon/
-(TexasA&M-@Arizona, @GrandCanyon-StJohns),
JIMMY V CLASSIC DblHdr @ NewYorkNY/MSG/
-(Villanova-Gonzaga, @Syracuse-Connecticut),
- Wednesday;
- @Towson-MorganSt(BaltimoreMD), @Providence-Brown(ProvidenceRI), @
Idaho-WashingtonSt, @Canisius-StBonaventure(NY)(BIG4), @UTValley-WeberSt(UT), @LouisianaTech-StephenFAustin, @ETennesseeSt-NoKentucky,
JAYHAWK SHOOTOUT 1Off @ KansasCityMO
-(@Kansas-Washington),
SOUTH TEXAS SHOWDOWN HomeAway2 on-campus
-(@TXRGValley-TexasA&MCC),
- Wednesday-Wed 20 Dec:
- GOTHAM CLASSIC RndRob4 on-campus, Feature @ NewYorkNY/MSG/
-(Feature Sat week: Louisville-Memphis; Albany, Siena, Bryant),
- Thursday:
- @LaSalle-Drexel(PhiladelphiaPA), @Hartford-Quinnipiac(CT)(CT6)
CY-HAWK SERIES on-campus
-(@IowaSt-Iowa[IA][BIG4]),
- Friday:
- HALL OF FAME-A-LA CLASSIC TrplHdr @ LosAngelesCA
-(@ArizonaSt-StJohns, Nevada-TCU, @USC-Oklahoma),
- Saturday:
- @Creighton-Nebraska(NE), @Tennessee-
Lipscomb(TN), @UNLV-Illinoi(@LasVegasNV/MGM/), @Towson-MDBaltimoreCo(BaltimoreMD), @Auburn-UAB(AL), @Wisconsin-Marquette(WI), @ILChicago-DePaul(ChicagoIL), @Temple-StJosephs(PhiladelphiaPA)(BIG5), @NewMexico-NewMexicoSt(NM), @CArkansas-LittleRock(AR), @NDakota-NDState(ND),
NEVER FORGET TRIBUTE CLASSIC DblHdr @ NewarkNJ
-(Florida-Cincinnati, @SetonHall-VCU),
NEW YORK-B C/HOOPS CLASSIC 1Off @ New YorkNY/MSG/
-(@Kentucky-Monmouth),
FORT HOOD SHOWCASE 1Off @ FtHoodTX
-(@Baylor-{Randall}),
BACKYARD BRAWL on-campus
-(WVirginia-@Pittsburgh),
COUNTDOWN CLASSIC on-campus
-(@Louisville-Indiana[BG](ACC/BIG10_CHALLENGE)),
WICHITA WILDCAST CLASSIC 1Off @ WichitaKS
-(@KansasSt-Tulsa),
(new)BEEHIVE CLASSIC DblHdr @ SaltLakeCityUT/Utah/
-(@Utah-@UtahSt[UT], @BYU-@WeberSt[UT]),
CENLA SHOWDOWN 1Off on-campus
-(@{LouisianaCol}-NorthwesternSt[LA]),
- Sunday:
- ArizonaSt-@Kansas, @Villanova-LaSalle(PhiladelphiaPA)(BIG5), Gonzaga-@Washington(WA), @LongIsland-@StonyBrook(NY)(@BrooklynNY/BARCLAYS/,
HI CLASSIC 1Off @ TampaFL
-(@FloridaSt-Tulane),
- - - - - - -
- Monday week:
- Monday week:
- @Northwestern-ChicagoSt(ChicagoIL), @Hartford-SacredHeart(CT)(CT6).
Top 25 - 17 Dec 4 - [] Column
- Duke (10-0) [v3:PK80-A] (@@CHAMPS) (@BIG10)
- Michigan State (7-1) [v3:PK80-B] (vACC)
- Arizona State (7-0) [2v2:LVA-THANX]
- Texas A&M (7-0) [2v2:LEGENDS]
- Villanova (8-0) [v3:ATLANTIS]
- Florida (5-1)
- Miami(Florida) (7-0) (@BIG10)
- Gonzaga (7-1) (vJESUIT)
- Kansas (7-0) [3v:HOF-D MIAMI] (@@CHAMPS)
- Virginia (9-0) [2v2:NIT.T-O] (vBIG10)
- Nevada (8-0) (vMVC)
- Kentucky (7-1) [rr4vRUPP]
- Rhode Island (5-2) (vRI)
- Seton Hall (7-1) (:UA/REUNION) (@MINARDI) (vBIG10)
- Notre Dame (6-1) [v3:MAUI]
- Wichita State (6-1)
- Xavier (8-1) (@BIG10) (vXTOWN)
- Baylor (5-2) [2v2:CBE]
- Minnesota (8-1) (@BIG.E) [2v2:BROOK-T]
- Creighton (5-2) (@BIG10)
- Tennessee (7-1)
- North Carolina (8-1) (vBIG10)
- TCU (8-0) [2v2:EMERALD]
- Texas Tech (6-1) [2v2:HOF-C TO]
- West Virginia (7-1) [v3:A/ORLANDO]
- Honorable Mention:
- UC-Davis (5-2), Arizona (5-3)/Northern Iowa (5-2) (vMWC).
Towson (6-1) [v3:GULF.CST] [2:HOF-E BELFAST],
Mississippi State (7-0) [rr4vMABC-A]
Georgia Tech(4-3) [rr4vR.WRECK] (vBIG10),
Army-West Point (4-2) [2:C/BULLDOG].
posted by Ron @ Tuesday, January 02, 2018
