18 Feb19 - To Live And Die (By The Three)
Volume XXII, No. 16 - 18 Feb19 - [] Top 25 Ballot
To Live And Die (By The Three)
Villanova's week rose and fell depending on its fortunes from the three-point line: First, the VU/Wildcats fell out of first place in the BIG EAST with a (squeak) road loss at mediocre Providence (71-@76 shooting only 3-for-20 from deep); then, in the first-place showdown at Xavier, they bombed the Musketeers (95-@79 shooting 60 percent [including sinking 16 threes] despite 26p5r from bTrevon Bluiett) ... (that's on the road against one of the NCAA Seeding Committee's No.1 Pre-Seeds ... WOW!!!) Elsewhere, Creighton tripped at home against lowly Marquette (@86-90 as gSacar Anim[26p] countered 26p from gKhyri Thomas); Butler tripped at home against flop Georgetown (@83-87 as fMarcus Derrickson[27p7r] starred) but bounced back to dump PROV (@69-54). Earlier, XAV outran Seton Hall (@102-90 as bBluiett[37p7r;8/11 3s] dueled
30p from gMyles Powell).
Unbeaten Cincinnati had the chance to put away the AMERICAN race but dropped two (squeak) results: First, Houston handed the Bearcats their first loss edging at home (@67-62 despite 16p2a5r from bJacob Evans); then, Wichita State did them one better edging on the road (76-@72 despite 16p3a7r from bEvans).
In the BIG 12, Texas Tech tripped at mediocre Baylor (57-@59) to lose the outright lead in the race. Meanwhile, Kansas tied things up after beating West Virginia (@77-69 as the Jayhawks made 26-for-35 free throws while the Mountaineers were just 1-for-2). Earlier, WVA thumped TCU (@82-66). Slumping Oklahoma made it five-straight losses after falling at TXT (@88-78 as gKeenan Evans[26p] led the way while pTrae Young[19p7a6to] struggled shooting only 4-for-16 from the floor) and then fell at home to Texas (@69-77 despite 26p7a5r from pYoung). TX had already tripped at home itself in double-overtime against BAYL (@73-74[2OT] as fTerry Maston[16p6r] starred despite 16p16r from cMohamed Bamba).
In the BIG 10, Ohio State dropped two games to fall out of first place: First, Penn State dumped the Buckeyes (@79-56 as bTony Carr[30p5r] starred); then, Michigan handled OSU (@74-62 despite 20p15r from cJae'Sean Tate). Purdue couldn't step up, tripping at Wisconsin (53-@57) before edging PENNST (@76-73 as pCarr[19p5a5r] countered 27p from gCarsen Edwards). Meanwhile, 2-0 Michigan State took sole possession of the top spot.
In the ATLANTIC 10, unbeaten Rhode Island had the chance to clinch the regular season title but St. Bonaventure handed the Rams their first loss edging (@77-74 as tMatt Mobley[26p9r] starred) snapping URI's 16-game win streak.
In the SEC, Auburn gave one back with a loss at lowly South Carolina (75-@84 led by bFrank Booker[19p3a5r]). Tennessee couldn't take advantage, though, fall at lowly Georgia (62-@73). Texas A&M fell twice: edged at Missouri (58-@62 despite MIZZOU's being controlled on the boards 30-46) and tanking at Arkansas (75-@94 as pJaylen Barford[21p5a5r] countered 15p7r4a from fTyler Davis). Likewise, Florida went 0-2 on the week: tripping at home in overtime at UGA (@69-72[OT]) and tripping at doormat Vanderbilt (68-@71 as bJeff Roberson[26p7r] starred). Kentucky lost at AUB (66-@76 as the UK/Wildcats shot only 3-for-14 on three pointers) but bounced back to handle Alabama (@81-71 controlling the boards 44-27).
St. Mary's fell out of first place in the WEST COAST with a sorry road loss at lowly San Francisco (63-@70).
Clemson fell out of what's left of the ACC race to catch Virginia with an 0-2 week: First, the CU/Tigers tripped in overtime at Florida State (79-@81[OT]) and fell at home to Duke (@57-66). Duke moved into second place after previously dumping Virginia Tech (@74-52 sinking 15-for-33 threes led by pGrayson Allen[25p6a;7/13 3s]) ... it was the third-straight win by the Blue Devils without cMarvin Bagley III (sideline with a sore knee). Miami(Florida) fell back as well with an 0-2 week: First, being shut down at home against UVA (@50-59 as MU only managed one double-figure scorer); then, falling at home as well to Syracuse (@55-62). North Carolina thumped Louisville on the road (93-@76 as tJoel Berry II[23p5a8r] starred). N.C. State edged CUSE on the road (74-@70 despite 25p7r from bOshae Brissett).
Unbeaten New Mexico State had a chance to put away the WAC title race but dropped two results: First, Utah Valley handed the Aggies their first loss (@86-79); then, Seattle followed suit edging NMST in overtime (@73-63[OT] despite 26p5a12r from xZach Lofton).
Vermont dropped its first AMERICA EAST game in two years when it tripped at Hartford (@68-69 as bJason Dunne[26p5r] starred).
In the PACIFIC-12, first-place Arizona beat talented state-rival Arizona State on the road (77-@70 controlling the boards 44-28 as cDeAndre Ayton[25p16r] starred). (USC's postseason hopes took a huge hit now that fBennie Boatright is out for season with a leg injury.)
Nevada opened a gap in its showdown for first place in the MOUNTAIN WEST, edging on the road at Boise State (77-@72).
Inside the Red Swirl, MAC/Ball State pulled back West-leader Toledo thumping the Rockets (@99-71 led by bIshmael El-Amin[18p4a7r]). SKY/Unbeaten Montana dropped two: First, falling at Eastern Washington (65-@74 as pBogdan Bliznyuk[19p5a6r5to] led EWU); then, Idaho edged UM in overtime (@79-77[OT] as xBrayon Blake[27p11r] starred). SOCON/Unbeaten East Tennessee State tanked at second-place UNC-Greensboro (56-@74 as only one Buccaneer posted double-figures). The BIG WEST Wars intensified as UC-Davis pulled UC-Santa Barbara back to the pack dumping the Gauchos on the road (71-@54 led by pT.J. Shorts[20p6a5r]). In the SOUTHLAND Wars, Southeast Louisiana beat New Orleans (@71-64) to hang in the mix.
In the Flop Region of 1BC-land, MAAC/Rider edged Canisius (@83-82 despite 23p3a12r from xIsaiah Reese) to take sole possession of first place. HORIZ/Wright State edged Northern Kentucky (@69-67) to tie things up at the top. BIGS/UNC-Asheville tripped at home in overtime against also-ran Liberty (@69-82[OT] as cScottie James[23p15r] dueled 30p7r from fAhmad Thomas). (After already having clinched last week, ASUN/Florida Gulf Coast dropped two: First, tripping at home to also-ran Kennesaw State (@93-97 as bJames Scott[27p5r] dueled 28p4a8to from bBrandon Goodwin); then, tripping at home also against second-place Lipscomb (@87-90 despite 28p5a5s from gGoodwin). Two more losses made it FOUR-STRAIGHT for SWAC/AR-Pine Bluff which went from a two-game lead at MidConference to two games out of first place after tanking at flop Alcorn State (52-@84 despite 29p from Martavis McKnight) and tripping at home in overtime against also-ran Prairie View A&M (@71-76[OT]). MEAC/Savannah State opened a gap winning the shootout for first place against North Carolina A&T (@108-106 despite 28p13r from cDenzel Keyes).
- - - - - -
MISSOURI VALLEY/Loyola(Illinois) clinched its FIRST CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON TITLE IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS!!! after opening a FOUR-GAME GAP with a week left in the regular season.
PATRIOT/Bucknell edged Colgate (@65-64) and went 3-0 on the week to clinch its FOURTH-STRAIGHT REGULAR SEASON TITLE (and SEVENTH IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS!!!) with a three-game gap with a week to go. NORTHEAST/Wagner went 2-0 to clinch its second regular season title in three years!
- - - - - -
Kansas hosts Oklahoma (Monday) and visits Texas Tech (Saturday) with first place in the BIG 12 on the line. Duke hosts Louisville (Wednesday). Auburn hosts Alabama (Wednesday) and visits Florida (Saturday). Tennessee hosts Florida (Wednesday).
Creighton has a big week: hosting Butler (Tuesday) and Villanova (Saturday). Virginia Tech has two big ones at home: hosting Clemson (Wednesday) and Louisville (Saturday). Belmont visits Jacksonville State (Thursday). Kansas State hosts Texas (Wednesday) and visits Oklahoma (Saturday). Arkansas hosts Kentucky (Tuesday) and visits Alabama (Saturday) while UK hosts Missouri (Saturday). N.C. State hosts Florida State (Sunday).
C-USA/Western Kentucky hosts Old Dominion (Saturday) as both try to stay in contact with league-leader Middle Tennessee. Host South Dakota State looks for payback against visiting South Dakota in the SUMMIT Game Of The Year-Part II (Wednesday). COLON/College of Charleston visits William & Mary (Saturday). In the SOUTHLAND Wars, Nicholls hosts in-state New Orleans (Saturday).
HORIZ/Illinois(Chicago) hopes to spoil the party for visiting co-leaders Northern Kentucky (Friday) and Wright State (Sunday). Penn looks for payback against visiting Harvard in the IVY LEAGUE Game Of The Year-Part II (Saturday). Host UNC-Asheville hopes to lock up the BIG SOUTH title with a payback win over visiting Winthrop (Thursday). In the MEAC Wars, Savannah State visits Hampton (Monday) and Bethune-Cookman (Saturday).
-- Ron
Top 25 - 18 Feb19 - [] Column
To Live And Die (By The Three)
Villanova's week rose and fell depending on its fortunes from the three-point line: First, the VU/Wildcats fell out of first place in the BIG EAST with a (squeak) road loss at mediocre Providence (71-@76 shooting only 3-for-20 from deep); then, in the first-place showdown at Xavier, they bombed the Musketeers (95-@79 shooting 60 percent [including sinking 16 threes] despite 26p5r from bTrevon Bluiett) ... (that's on the road against one of the NCAA Seeding Committee's No.1 Pre-Seeds ... WOW!!!) Elsewhere, Creighton tripped at home against lowly Marquette (@86-90 as gSacar Anim[26p] countered 26p from gKhyri Thomas); Butler tripped at home against flop Georgetown (@83-87 as fMarcus Derrickson[27p7r] starred) but bounced back to dump PROV (@69-54). Earlier, XAV outran Seton Hall (@102-90 as bBluiett[37p7r;8/11 3s] dueled
30p from gMyles Powell).
Unbeaten Cincinnati had the chance to put away the AMERICAN race but dropped two (squeak) results: First, Houston handed the Bearcats their first loss edging at home (@67-62 despite 16p2a5r from bJacob Evans); then, Wichita State did them one better edging on the road (76-@72 despite 16p3a7r from bEvans).
In the BIG 12, Texas Tech tripped at mediocre Baylor (57-@59) to lose the outright lead in the race. Meanwhile, Kansas tied things up after beating West Virginia (@77-69 as the Jayhawks made 26-for-35 free throws while the Mountaineers were just 1-for-2). Earlier, WVA thumped TCU (@82-66). Slumping Oklahoma made it five-straight losses after falling at TXT (@88-78 as gKeenan Evans[26p] led the way while pTrae Young[19p7a6to] struggled shooting only 4-for-16 from the floor) and then fell at home to Texas (@69-77 despite 26p7a5r from pYoung). TX had already tripped at home itself in double-overtime against BAYL (@73-74[2OT] as fTerry Maston[16p6r] starred despite 16p16r from cMohamed Bamba).
In the BIG 10, Ohio State dropped two games to fall out of first place: First, Penn State dumped the Buckeyes (@79-56 as bTony Carr[30p5r] starred); then, Michigan handled OSU (@74-62 despite 20p15r from cJae'Sean Tate). Purdue couldn't step up, tripping at Wisconsin (53-@57) before edging PENNST (@76-73 as pCarr[19p5a5r] countered 27p from gCarsen Edwards). Meanwhile, 2-0 Michigan State took sole possession of the top spot.
In the ATLANTIC 10, unbeaten Rhode Island had the chance to clinch the regular season title but St. Bonaventure handed the Rams their first loss edging (@77-74 as tMatt Mobley[26p9r] starred) snapping URI's 16-game win streak.
In the SEC, Auburn gave one back with a loss at lowly South Carolina (75-@84 led by bFrank Booker[19p3a5r]). Tennessee couldn't take advantage, though, fall at lowly Georgia (62-@73). Texas A&M fell twice: edged at Missouri (58-@62 despite MIZZOU's being controlled on the boards 30-46) and tanking at Arkansas (75-@94 as pJaylen Barford[21p5a5r] countered 15p7r4a from fTyler Davis). Likewise, Florida went 0-2 on the week: tripping at home in overtime at UGA (@69-72[OT]) and tripping at doormat Vanderbilt (68-@71 as bJeff Roberson[26p7r] starred). Kentucky lost at AUB (66-@76 as the UK/Wildcats shot only 3-for-14 on three pointers) but bounced back to handle Alabama (@81-71 controlling the boards 44-27).
St. Mary's fell out of first place in the WEST COAST with a sorry road loss at lowly San Francisco (63-@70).
Clemson fell out of what's left of the ACC race to catch Virginia with an 0-2 week: First, the CU/Tigers tripped in overtime at Florida State (79-@81[OT]) and fell at home to Duke (@57-66). Duke moved into second place after previously dumping Virginia Tech (@74-52 sinking 15-for-33 threes led by pGrayson Allen[25p6a;7/13 3s]) ... it was the third-straight win by the Blue Devils without cMarvin Bagley III (sideline with a sore knee). Miami(Florida) fell back as well with an 0-2 week: First, being shut down at home against UVA (@50-59 as MU only managed one double-figure scorer); then, falling at home as well to Syracuse (@55-62). North Carolina thumped Louisville on the road (93-@76 as tJoel Berry II[23p5a8r] starred). N.C. State edged CUSE on the road (74-@70 despite 25p7r from bOshae Brissett).
Unbeaten New Mexico State had a chance to put away the WAC title race but dropped two results: First, Utah Valley handed the Aggies their first loss (@86-79); then, Seattle followed suit edging NMST in overtime (@73-63[OT] despite 26p5a12r from xZach Lofton).
Vermont dropped its first AMERICA EAST game in two years when it tripped at Hartford (@68-69 as bJason Dunne[26p5r] starred).
In the PACIFIC-12, first-place Arizona beat talented state-rival Arizona State on the road (77-@70 controlling the boards 44-28 as cDeAndre Ayton[25p16r] starred). (USC's postseason hopes took a huge hit now that fBennie Boatright is out for season with a leg injury.)
Nevada opened a gap in its showdown for first place in the MOUNTAIN WEST, edging on the road at Boise State (77-@72).
Inside the Red Swirl, MAC/Ball State pulled back West-leader Toledo thumping the Rockets (@99-71 led by bIshmael El-Amin[18p4a7r]). SKY/Unbeaten Montana dropped two: First, falling at Eastern Washington (65-@74 as pBogdan Bliznyuk[19p5a6r5to] led EWU); then, Idaho edged UM in overtime (@79-77[OT] as xBrayon Blake[27p11r] starred). SOCON/Unbeaten East Tennessee State tanked at second-place UNC-Greensboro (56-@74 as only one Buccaneer posted double-figures). The BIG WEST Wars intensified as UC-Davis pulled UC-Santa Barbara back to the pack dumping the Gauchos on the road (71-@54 led by pT.J. Shorts[20p6a5r]). In the SOUTHLAND Wars, Southeast Louisiana beat New Orleans (@71-64) to hang in the mix.
In the Flop Region of 1BC-land, MAAC/Rider edged Canisius (@83-82 despite 23p3a12r from xIsaiah Reese) to take sole possession of first place. HORIZ/Wright State edged Northern Kentucky (@69-67) to tie things up at the top. BIGS/UNC-Asheville tripped at home in overtime against also-ran Liberty (@69-82[OT] as cScottie James[23p15r] dueled 30p7r from fAhmad Thomas). (After already having clinched last week, ASUN/Florida Gulf Coast dropped two: First, tripping at home to also-ran Kennesaw State (@93-97 as bJames Scott[27p5r] dueled 28p4a8to from bBrandon Goodwin); then, tripping at home also against second-place Lipscomb (@87-90 despite 28p5a5s from gGoodwin). Two more losses made it FOUR-STRAIGHT for SWAC/AR-Pine Bluff which went from a two-game lead at MidConference to two games out of first place after tanking at flop Alcorn State (52-@84 despite 29p from Martavis McKnight) and tripping at home in overtime against also-ran Prairie View A&M (@71-76[OT]). MEAC/Savannah State opened a gap winning the shootout for first place against North Carolina A&T (@108-106 despite 28p13r from cDenzel Keyes).
- - - - - -
MISSOURI VALLEY/Loyola(Illinois) clinched its FIRST CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON TITLE IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS!!! after opening a FOUR-GAME GAP with a week left in the regular season.
PATRIOT/Bucknell edged Colgate (@65-64) and went 3-0 on the week to clinch its FOURTH-STRAIGHT REGULAR SEASON TITLE (and SEVENTH IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS!!!) with a three-game gap with a week to go. NORTHEAST/Wagner went 2-0 to clinch its second regular season title in three years!
- - - - - -
Kansas hosts Oklahoma (Monday) and visits Texas Tech (Saturday) with first place in the BIG 12 on the line. Duke hosts Louisville (Wednesday). Auburn hosts Alabama (Wednesday) and visits Florida (Saturday). Tennessee hosts Florida (Wednesday).
Creighton has a big week: hosting Butler (Tuesday) and Villanova (Saturday). Virginia Tech has two big ones at home: hosting Clemson (Wednesday) and Louisville (Saturday). Belmont visits Jacksonville State (Thursday). Kansas State hosts Texas (Wednesday) and visits Oklahoma (Saturday). Arkansas hosts Kentucky (Tuesday) and visits Alabama (Saturday) while UK hosts Missouri (Saturday). N.C. State hosts Florida State (Sunday).
C-USA/Western Kentucky hosts Old Dominion (Saturday) as both try to stay in contact with league-leader Middle Tennessee. Host South Dakota State looks for payback against visiting South Dakota in the SUMMIT Game Of The Year-Part II (Wednesday). COLON/College of Charleston visits William & Mary (Saturday). In the SOUTHLAND Wars, Nicholls hosts in-state New Orleans (Saturday).
HORIZ/Illinois(Chicago) hopes to spoil the party for visiting co-leaders Northern Kentucky (Friday) and Wright State (Sunday). Penn looks for payback against visiting Harvard in the IVY LEAGUE Game Of The Year-Part II (Saturday). Host UNC-Asheville hopes to lock up the BIG SOUTH title with a payback win over visiting Winthrop (Thursday). In the MEAC Wars, Savannah State visits Hampton (Monday) and Bethune-Cookman (Saturday).
-- Ron
- Key games this week:
- Monday:
- @Kansas-Oklahoma, @Hampton-
SavannahSt,
- Tuesday:
- @Creighton-Butler, @Arkansas-Kentucky, @Wofford-
UNCGreensboro,
- Wednesday:
- @Duke-Louisville, @Auburn-Alabama(AL), Clemson-@VirginiaTech, @Tennessee-Florida, LoyolaIL-@SoIllinois(IL), @KansasSt-Texas, @
SDState-SDakota(SD), @Niagara-Canisius(NY)(BIG4),
- Thursday:
- @JacksonvilleSt-Belmont, @
UNCAsheville-Winthrop,
- Friday:
- @ETennesseeSt-Wofford, @ILChicago-
NoKentucky,
- Saturday:
- Villanova-@Creighton, @TexasTech-Kansas, Auburn-@Florida, @Oklahoma-KansasSt, @VirginiaTech-Louisville, @WeKentucky-OldDominion, @Alabama-Arkansas, @Kentucky-Missouri, @William&Mary-
ColofCharleston, @Nicholls-NewOrleans(LA), @YoungstownSt-ClevelandSt(OH)(NEO), @Penn-Harvard, @BethuneCookman-SavannahSt,
- Sunday:
- @NCState-FloridaSt, @ILChicago-
WrightSt,
- - - - - - -
- Monday week:
- Monday week:
- @VirginiaTech-Duke, @WVirginia-TexasTech, @BethuneCookman-
NCA&T, @MorganSt-CoppinSt(BaltimoreMD),
- Monday week, Thursday week, Sunday week:
- ATLANTIC SUN TOURNAMENT on-campus
-([1]FLGulfCoast, [2]Lipscomb).
Top 25 - 18 Feb19 - [] Column
- Villanova (24-3) 5-PEATBIG5u
- Virginia (24-2)
- Michigan State (26-3)
- Gonzaga (25-4)
- Texas Tech (22-5) (@SEC)
- Kansas (21-6) (vSEC)
- Arizona (21-6)
- North Carolina (21-7)
- Duke (22-5)
- Xavier (24-4)
- Ohio State (22-7)
- Purdue (24-5)
- Wichita State (21-5)
- Cincinnati (23-4)
- Nevada (23-5)
- Auburn (23-4)
- Rhode Island (21-4)
- West Virginia (19-8)
- Clemson (20-6)
- Tennessee (19-7) (@BIG12)
- Houston (21-5)
- St. Mary's (25-4)
- St. Bonaventure (20-6)
- Middle Tennessee (21-5)
- Loyola(Illinois) (22-5) MVC+4
- Honorable Mention:
Providence(17-10),Baylor(17-10), Penn State (19-10)/Michigan (21-7), South Carolina (14-13), Wisconsin (12-16), San Francisco (16-13), Florida State (19-8),Georgia(15-11), Utah Valley (19-8)/Seattle (18-9), Hartford (16-11).
Bucknell(20-9) 4-PEAT;7TH/8PAT+3,
Rider(21-7),
Wright State(18-8),
Wagner(18-7) 2nd/3NEC+2,
Savannah State(11-14).
posted by Ron @ Wednesday, September 05, 2018
