18 Jan15 - Three Top
Volume XXII, No. 11 - 18 Jan15 - [] Top 25 Ballot
Three Top
The BIG 12 Wars continued to rage (and thirteen-time-defending title champ Kansas is almost an afterthought). For the second straight week, the league featured a top-ranked (#1 vs #2) matchup, this time between Texas Tech and West Virginia and by the time the week was done, it claimed the top three spots in the rankings. First, Oklahoma handled Texas Tech (@75-65 led by pTrae Young[27p10a] only allowing one player in double-figures) so that by the time Texas Tech hosted Oklahoma later in the week, it was "#1 vs #2" in name only. Still, TxT edged WVa (@72-71 sinking 24-for-28 free throws despite 28p from Jevon Carter). Two "contenders" dropped down to "spoiler" status with bad weeks: TCU lost twice in overtime, first at Texas (98-@99[OT] on Jericho Sims' game-winning free throw despite 26p8r from tKenrich Williams) and then at OK (97-@102[OT] as the Sooners shot 19-for-33 on threes led [again] by xYoung[43p7a11r;10/18 3s]). Baylor also dropped two, tripping at WVa (54-@57 in a defensive struggle for both teams) and falling at Iowa State (65-@75 as the Cylcones' Lindell Wigginton[30p] countered 16p15r from cTristan Clark). Also, Kansas state edged Oklahoma State (@86-82 on Barry Brown[38p]'s star turn).
Lopsided results were the order in the BIG EAST. Marquette brought Seton Hall back to the pack with a rout win (@84-64 behind gAndrew Rowsey[31p3a]). Xavier split routs, uber-tanking at Villanova (65-@89) but then bouncing back to thump Creighton (@92-70 posting six players in double-figures); Creighton at least salvaged its own split, having earlier beaten Butler (@85-74).
Clemson fell off the pace in the ACC, tripping at North Carolina Statte (77-@78 as 7-0 cOmer Yurtseven[29p] led the Wolfpack) but then beat Miami(Florida) (@72-63 limiting the Hurricanes to only 5 total assists). Depleted Notre Dame couldn't stay in the race either, falling at Georgia Tech (53-@60) and tripping at home against North Carolina (@68-69 on Joel Berry II's game-winning free-throws despite 19p6a5r from bT.J. Gibbs). Louisville had a strong week with two impressive wins, edging on the road at Florida State (73-@69 led by pDeng Adel[16p5a6r] despite 25p8r from fTerance Mann) and then outpacing Virginia Tech (@94-86 as xAdel[27p11r] starred once again).
In the SEC, Florida fell back at the hands of Mississippi (72-@78). Surprising LSU road-dumped Arkansas (75-@54). Depleted Texas A&M continued to sink, dropping to 0-5 with two more losses, tripping at Kentucky (73-@74 as the Wildcats' pShai Gilgeous-Alexander[16p5a7r] led the way) and falling at Tennessee (62-@75 as the Volunteers sank 20-for-23 free throws).
In the top-heavy BIG 10, surprising Michigan knocked arch-rival Michigan State out of contention with a road win (82-@72 as Moritz Wagner[27p4r] countered 19p5a6r from bMiles Bridges). Depleted Minnesota (without suspended cReggie Lynch and injured tAmir Coffey) is in a tailspin that may see the Golden Gophers fail to make the NCAA tournament all together, tanking at already-disappointing Northwestern (60-@83 as pBryant McIntosh[11p16a5r] led the way) and completely failing to post at home against Purdue (@47-81 as the Boilermakers controlled the boards 46-29 led by bVince Edwards[25p5r]).
SMU fell out of the AMERICAN race all together, tripping at home against Temple (@64-66 on Josh Brown's game-winner).
Several PACIFIC-12 teams couldn't come through at home. Arizona State hasn't been able to translate its strong preseason into conference play in the PAC-12; the Aztecs dropped to 2-3 after tripping at home against disappointing Oregon (@72-76). UCLA fell at home against Colorado (@59-68 as CU's xGeorge King[26p10r] starred). Surprising Stanford won on the road at Washington (73-@64 dominating the boards 48-28 led by xDaejon Davis[16p5a10r]).
Boise State stayed in the MOUNTAIN WEST race edging San Diego State in a knockout matchup (@83-80 on xChandler Hutchinson[44p8r;15/21fg]'s star turn).
Missouri State fell back in the MISSOURI VALLEY race, losing at Evansville (55-@64).
Rhode Island stayed on top in the ATLANTIC 10, handling St. Bonaventure (@78-73).
New Mexico State handled Grand Canyon on the road (70-@59 dominating the boards 50-25 led by bZach Lofton[29p5r]) to take command of the WAC and keep itself (along with A-10/URI) in Anti-Spoiler territory (i.e., on track for a lock NCAA bid win or lose in the conference tourney).
OHIO VALLEY/Jacksonville State edged Murray State (@76-71 despite 29p from Jonathan Stark) to keep things in a jumble at the top. SOUTHERN/Wofford kept Furman in contact with the rest of the league with a @79-70 win. Central Michigan fell off the pace in the mad scramble of the MID-AMERICAN with two losses, first tripping at Eastern Michigan (74-@79 led by Elijah Minnie[25p]) and then falling at home against Toledo (@82-93 despite 29p from Shawn Roundtree). CONFERENCE USA/Western Kentucky won on the road at Old Dominion (75-@58 on cJustin Johnson[25p14r]'s star turn) while UAB handled Louisiana Tech (@74-62). Both favorites stumbled in the COLONIAL as Towson tripped at home against Hofstra (@73-76 on Jalen Ray's game-winning three as Justin Wright-Foreman[35p] starred) while College of Charleston tripped at league-leader Elon (58-@63). The BIG WEST has started in a scramble as California State-Fullerton thumped UC-Davis (@85-70 as gKyle Allman[27p4a] dueled 29p12 from cChimezie Moneke) while Hawaii edged UC-Santa Barbara (@77-76).
Fairfield has already fallen out of contention in the METRO ATLANTIC thanks to two more losses, falling at home against Manhattan (@53-59) and then tripping in overtime at Marist (89-@95[OT] despite 35p from Tyler Nelson). HORIZON/Wright State took over control of the race, edging Northern Kentucky on the road (84-@81 led by Grant Benzinger[31p]). Lipscomb fell out of contention in the ATLANTIC SUN with two losses, falling at North Florida (96-@102 as the Ospreys' pIvan Gardia-Rosa[26p5a] dueled 32p12r from xGarrison Mathews) and tanking at Jacksonville (69-@87). Wagner fell off the pace in the NORTHEAST, tripping at Long Island (67-@69) while Mount St. Mary's tried to stay in contact with two wins, beating Sacred Heart (@81-75) and then edging St. Francis(Pennsylvania) in overtime on the road (81-@80[OT] on Justin Robinson's game-winner despite 31p4a from gJamaal King). MEAC/North Carolina A&T edged Morgan State (@69-67). SWAC/Jackson State edged Southern on the road (65-@61).
- - - - - -
West Virginia can seriously damage the prospects of visiting Kansas' extending its thirteen-year hold on the BIG 12 title if it can win (Monday). Surprising Ohio State gets a break as the BIG 10 SUPER (SATURDAY) showcase game at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN against depleted Minnesota counts as a "road" game. Wichita State has handled the AMERICAN with hardly a problem so far; but a big week ahead will tell whether the Wheatshockers can really contend for a B-Major Carpetbagger title, hosting SMU (Wednesday) and visiting Houston (Saturday). It's been years since Clemson has had this good of a chance to end its 0-for-58 losing streak in Chapel Hill when it visits the North Carolina (Tuesday). Nevada can take control of the MOUNTAIN WEST Wars with a home win against Boise State (Saturday) (and go well on its way to securing a Top-16 NCAA seed [and full B-Major status for the league]). WEST COAST favorite St. Mary's gets the chance to make a statement if it can come up with a big road win at supposedly rebuilding Gonzaga (Thursday). Florida has a big week, hosting slumping Arkansas (Wednesday) and then visiting Kentucky (Saturday). Seton Hall is on the block in the BIG EAST Wars, visiting Creighton (Wednesday) and hosting Xavier (Saturday).
WAC/New Mexico State's Anti-Spoiler status gets a test when it hosts second-place Utah Valley (Saturday). Neither team can afford another loss if it wants to stay in the ACC race when Miami(Florida) hosts Duke (Monday). Depleted Notre Dame can't afford to lose at home to Louisville (Tuesday) if it wants to keep any NCAA hopes alive for March. Virginia Tech needs a home win against Florida State (Saturday) so as not to get lost in the shuffle in the ACC Wars (and the NCAA Bubble). Baylor hosts Oklahoma State (Monday) in what could later be a knockout game for an NCAA bid looking back.
Surprising Stanford has another big week to maintain "contender" status when it hosts Arizona State (Wednesday) and Arizona (Saturday).
Western Kentucky can take control of the C-USA race with a home win over UAB (Thursday). Furman can take control of the SOCON race with a home win over East Tennessee State (Thursday).
Lipscomb's only shot to get back in the A-SUN race is to win at home against Florida Gulf Coast (Thursday).
-- Ron
P.S. Congratulations to this year's PIGSKIN POOL PARTY champion:
The picks based on the COMPUTER RATINGS by Jeff Sagarin from USA Today!
(MACHINE over MAN ... Ugh!)
Top 25 - 18 Jan15 - [] Column
Three Top
The BIG 12 Wars continued to rage (and thirteen-time-defending title champ Kansas is almost an afterthought). For the second straight week, the league featured a top-ranked (#1 vs #2) matchup, this time between Texas Tech and West Virginia and by the time the week was done, it claimed the top three spots in the rankings. First, Oklahoma handled Texas Tech (@75-65 led by pTrae Young[27p10a] only allowing one player in double-figures) so that by the time Texas Tech hosted Oklahoma later in the week, it was "#1 vs #2" in name only. Still, TxT edged WVa (@72-71 sinking 24-for-28 free throws despite 28p from Jevon Carter). Two "contenders" dropped down to "spoiler" status with bad weeks: TCU lost twice in overtime, first at Texas (98-@99[OT] on Jericho Sims' game-winning free throw despite 26p8r from tKenrich Williams) and then at OK (97-@102[OT] as the Sooners shot 19-for-33 on threes led [again] by xYoung[43p7a11r;10/18 3s]). Baylor also dropped two, tripping at WVa (54-@57 in a defensive struggle for both teams) and falling at Iowa State (65-@75 as the Cylcones' Lindell Wigginton[30p] countered 16p15r from cTristan Clark). Also, Kansas state edged Oklahoma State (@86-82 on Barry Brown[38p]'s star turn).
Lopsided results were the order in the BIG EAST. Marquette brought Seton Hall back to the pack with a rout win (@84-64 behind gAndrew Rowsey[31p3a]). Xavier split routs, uber-tanking at Villanova (65-@89) but then bouncing back to thump Creighton (@92-70 posting six players in double-figures); Creighton at least salvaged its own split, having earlier beaten Butler (@85-74).
Clemson fell off the pace in the ACC, tripping at North Carolina Statte (77-@78 as 7-0 cOmer Yurtseven[29p] led the Wolfpack) but then beat Miami(Florida) (@72-63 limiting the Hurricanes to only 5 total assists). Depleted Notre Dame couldn't stay in the race either, falling at Georgia Tech (53-@60) and tripping at home against North Carolina (@68-69 on Joel Berry II's game-winning free-throws despite 19p6a5r from bT.J. Gibbs). Louisville had a strong week with two impressive wins, edging on the road at Florida State (73-@69 led by pDeng Adel[16p5a6r] despite 25p8r from fTerance Mann) and then outpacing Virginia Tech (@94-86 as xAdel[27p11r] starred once again).
In the SEC, Florida fell back at the hands of Mississippi (72-@78). Surprising LSU road-dumped Arkansas (75-@54). Depleted Texas A&M continued to sink, dropping to 0-5 with two more losses, tripping at Kentucky (73-@74 as the Wildcats' pShai Gilgeous-Alexander[16p5a7r] led the way) and falling at Tennessee (62-@75 as the Volunteers sank 20-for-23 free throws).
In the top-heavy BIG 10, surprising Michigan knocked arch-rival Michigan State out of contention with a road win (82-@72 as Moritz Wagner[27p4r] countered 19p5a6r from bMiles Bridges). Depleted Minnesota (without suspended cReggie Lynch and injured tAmir Coffey) is in a tailspin that may see the Golden Gophers fail to make the NCAA tournament all together, tanking at already-disappointing Northwestern (60-@83 as pBryant McIntosh[11p16a5r] led the way) and completely failing to post at home against Purdue (@47-81 as the Boilermakers controlled the boards 46-29 led by bVince Edwards[25p5r]).
SMU fell out of the AMERICAN race all together, tripping at home against Temple (@64-66 on Josh Brown's game-winner).
Several PACIFIC-12 teams couldn't come through at home. Arizona State hasn't been able to translate its strong preseason into conference play in the PAC-12; the Aztecs dropped to 2-3 after tripping at home against disappointing Oregon (@72-76). UCLA fell at home against Colorado (@59-68 as CU's xGeorge King[26p10r] starred). Surprising Stanford won on the road at Washington (73-@64 dominating the boards 48-28 led by xDaejon Davis[16p5a10r]).
Boise State stayed in the MOUNTAIN WEST race edging San Diego State in a knockout matchup (@83-80 on xChandler Hutchinson[44p8r;15/21fg]'s star turn).
Missouri State fell back in the MISSOURI VALLEY race, losing at Evansville (55-@64).
Rhode Island stayed on top in the ATLANTIC 10, handling St. Bonaventure (@78-73).
New Mexico State handled Grand Canyon on the road (70-@59 dominating the boards 50-25 led by bZach Lofton[29p5r]) to take command of the WAC and keep itself (along with A-10/URI) in Anti-Spoiler territory (i.e., on track for a lock NCAA bid win or lose in the conference tourney).
OHIO VALLEY/Jacksonville State edged Murray State (@76-71 despite 29p from Jonathan Stark) to keep things in a jumble at the top. SOUTHERN/Wofford kept Furman in contact with the rest of the league with a @79-70 win. Central Michigan fell off the pace in the mad scramble of the MID-AMERICAN with two losses, first tripping at Eastern Michigan (74-@79 led by Elijah Minnie[25p]) and then falling at home against Toledo (@82-93 despite 29p from Shawn Roundtree). CONFERENCE USA/Western Kentucky won on the road at Old Dominion (75-@58 on cJustin Johnson[25p14r]'s star turn) while UAB handled Louisiana Tech (@74-62). Both favorites stumbled in the COLONIAL as Towson tripped at home against Hofstra (@73-76 on Jalen Ray's game-winning three as Justin Wright-Foreman[35p] starred) while College of Charleston tripped at league-leader Elon (58-@63). The BIG WEST has started in a scramble as California State-Fullerton thumped UC-Davis (@85-70 as gKyle Allman[27p4a] dueled 29p12 from cChimezie Moneke) while Hawaii edged UC-Santa Barbara (@77-76).
Fairfield has already fallen out of contention in the METRO ATLANTIC thanks to two more losses, falling at home against Manhattan (@53-59) and then tripping in overtime at Marist (89-@95[OT] despite 35p from Tyler Nelson). HORIZON/Wright State took over control of the race, edging Northern Kentucky on the road (84-@81 led by Grant Benzinger[31p]). Lipscomb fell out of contention in the ATLANTIC SUN with two losses, falling at North Florida (96-@102 as the Ospreys' pIvan Gardia-Rosa[26p5a] dueled 32p12r from xGarrison Mathews) and tanking at Jacksonville (69-@87). Wagner fell off the pace in the NORTHEAST, tripping at Long Island (67-@69) while Mount St. Mary's tried to stay in contact with two wins, beating Sacred Heart (@81-75) and then edging St. Francis(Pennsylvania) in overtime on the road (81-@80[OT] on Justin Robinson's game-winner despite 31p4a from gJamaal King). MEAC/North Carolina A&T edged Morgan State (@69-67). SWAC/Jackson State edged Southern on the road (65-@61).
- - - - - -
West Virginia can seriously damage the prospects of visiting Kansas' extending its thirteen-year hold on the BIG 12 title if it can win (Monday). Surprising Ohio State gets a break as the BIG 10 SUPER (SATURDAY) showcase game at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN against depleted Minnesota counts as a "road" game. Wichita State has handled the AMERICAN with hardly a problem so far; but a big week ahead will tell whether the Wheatshockers can really contend for a B-Major Carpetbagger title, hosting SMU (Wednesday) and visiting Houston (Saturday). It's been years since Clemson has had this good of a chance to end its 0-for-58 losing streak in Chapel Hill when it visits the North Carolina (Tuesday). Nevada can take control of the MOUNTAIN WEST Wars with a home win against Boise State (Saturday) (and go well on its way to securing a Top-16 NCAA seed [and full B-Major status for the league]). WEST COAST favorite St. Mary's gets the chance to make a statement if it can come up with a big road win at supposedly rebuilding Gonzaga (Thursday). Florida has a big week, hosting slumping Arkansas (Wednesday) and then visiting Kentucky (Saturday). Seton Hall is on the block in the BIG EAST Wars, visiting Creighton (Wednesday) and hosting Xavier (Saturday).
WAC/New Mexico State's Anti-Spoiler status gets a test when it hosts second-place Utah Valley (Saturday). Neither team can afford another loss if it wants to stay in the ACC race when Miami(Florida) hosts Duke (Monday). Depleted Notre Dame can't afford to lose at home to Louisville (Tuesday) if it wants to keep any NCAA hopes alive for March. Virginia Tech needs a home win against Florida State (Saturday) so as not to get lost in the shuffle in the ACC Wars (and the NCAA Bubble). Baylor hosts Oklahoma State (Monday) in what could later be a knockout game for an NCAA bid looking back.
Surprising Stanford has another big week to maintain "contender" status when it hosts Arizona State (Wednesday) and Arizona (Saturday).
Western Kentucky can take control of the C-USA race with a home win over UAB (Thursday). Furman can take control of the SOCON race with a home win over East Tennessee State (Thursday).
Lipscomb's only shot to get back in the A-SUN race is to win at home against Florida Gulf Coast (Thursday).
-- Ron
P.S. Congratulations to this year's PIGSKIN POOL PARTY champion:
The picks based on the COMPUTER RATINGS by Jeff Sagarin from USA Today!
(MACHINE over MAN ... Ugh!)
- Key games this week:
- Monday:
- @WVirginia-Kansas, @MiamiFL-Duke, @Baylor-OklahomaSt, @ILChicago-Oakland, @
JacksonSt-PrairieViewA&M,
- Tuesday:
- Clemson-@NCarolina, Louisville-@NotreDame(BG), @NoIowa-Drake(IA)(BIG4), @BallSt-
CMichigan,
- Wednesday:
- @WichitaSt-SMU, @Florida-Arkansas, SetonHall-@Creighton, @
Stanford-ArizonaSt, @LoyolaIL-SoIllinois(IL), @UCSantaBarbara-CalStFullerton(CA), @AbileneChristian-StephenFAustin(TX),
- Wednesday, Wed 7 Feb:
- CAPITAL CITY/BLACK & BLUE CLASSIC HomeAway2 on-campus
-(Wed: @VCU-Richmond[RichmondVA];
Wed 7 Feb: @Richmond-VCU[RichmondVA]),
- Thursday:
- Virginia-@
GeorgiaTech, @Gonzaga-StMarys, @TXArlington-Louisiana, @Furman-ETennesseeSt, @WeKentucky-UAB, @Winthrop-UNCAsheville, @Lipscomb-FLGulfCoast,
- Friday:
- (None).
- Saturday:
- WichitaSt-@Houston, @Nevada-BoiseSt, Arizona-@
Stanford, Florida-@Kentucky, @SetonHall-Xavier, @NCarolina-GeorgiaTech, @VirginiaTech-FloridaSt, @NewMexicoSt-UTValley, @Penn-Temple(PhiladelphiaPA)(BIG5)(/PALESTRA/), @BYU-SanDiego, @GeorgiaSt-GeorgiaSo(GA), @VMI-TheCitadel(MIL), @CoppinSt-MorganSt(BaltimoreMD), @EaShore-NCA&T, @JacksonSt-GramblingSt,
BIG 10 SUPER SATURDAY 1Off @ NewYorkNY/MSG/
-(@OhioSt-@Minnesota),
- Sunday:
- @SoIllinois-NoIowa, @Liberty-
UNCAsheville,
- - - - - - -
- Monday week:
- Monday week:
- @TCU-WVirginia, @VirginiaTech-NCarolina,
Top 25 - 18 Jan15 - [] Column
- West Virginia (15-2)
- Oklahoma (14-2)
- Texas Tech (15-2)
- Auburn (16-1)
- Virginia (16-1)
- Ohio State (15-4)
- Villanova (16-1) 5-PEATBIG5u
- Wichita State (15-2)
- Cincinnati (15-2)
- Purdue (17-2)
- Clemson (15-2)
- Gonzaga (16-3)
- Nevada (16-3)
- St. Mary's (17-2)
- Boise State (14-3)
- Rhode Island (13-3)
- Arizona (14-4)
- Kansas (14-3)
- Florida (12-5)
- Kentucky (14-3)
- Louisville (13-4)
- Seton Hall (15-3)
- North Carolina (14-4)
- Tennessee (12-4)
- Michigan (15-4)
- Honorable Mention:
- Mississippi (10-7), Marquette (12-6), North Carolina State (12-6),
Georgia Tech(10-7), Xavier (17-3).
New Mexico State (13-3),Western Kentucky(12-5), Wright State (11-5),Jackson State(6-10).
posted by Ron @ Monday, February 12, 2018
