19 Jan 7 - Con-tense
Volume XXIII, No. 10 - 19 Jan 7 - [] Top 25 Ballot
Con-tense
With the Preseason "Pretense" now past, it's time for the Regular Season "Con-tense". Thanks to some early games in December, some leagues races are already starting to take shape.
At 4-0, Michigan State and Michigan are only one-fifth of the way through the BIG 10's new 20-game regular season schedule. The MS/Spartans won on the road at Ohio State (86-@77 as pCassius Winston[25p5a] dueled 25p8r from tKaleb Wesson) while the Wolverines beat Indiana (@74-63 committing only 3 turnovers despite 28p8r from tJuwan Morgan). Minnesota came through on the road at Wisconsin (59-@52 despite 17p8r3a from tEthan Happ). Purdue thumped 1-3 Iowa (@86-70). Meanwhile, "Pretense" gave way to "Con-tense" as 1-3 Nebraska fell twice: tripping at Maryland (72-@74 on Jalen Smith's game-winner despite 26p4a7r5s from bJames Palmer Jr.) and falling at Iowa (84-@93 as pJordan Bohannon[25p5a] starred).
Despite beating Oklahoma (@70-63), Kansas was dealt a big blow to its hopes of extending its record-setting BIG 12 title streak when cUdoka Azubuike injured his wrist in practice (and is out indefintely). Subsequently, the Jayhawks tanked at Iowa State (60-@77). Kansas State got off to an even worse start, dropping two: tanking at home to un-"Pretense"-ive Texas (@47-67) and falling at soaring Texas Tech (57-@63).
In the BIG EAST, St. John's bounced back with a huge road-rout at Marquette (89-@69 as pShamorie Ponds[26p5a7r5to] starred while Markus Howard[8p1a;2/15fg] was totally shut down]). Meanwhile, Seton Hall gave back its edge, tripping at DePaul (74-@75). Also, Butler routed Creighton (@84-69 led by Kamar Baldwin[28p]).
Not much doing in the SEC except for young Kentucky stumbling on the road at Alabama (75-@77).
In early ACC play, both Virginia and Duke made statements. The Cavaliers shut down Florida State (@65-52 allowing no double-figure scorers) while the D/Blue Devils thumped Clemson (@87-68 as cZion Williamson[25p10r] starred).
Cincinnati put itself in a hole in the AMERICAN, tripping at mediocre East Carolina (71-@73).
In the MOUNTAIN WEST, Nevada managed to be spectacularly great and awful in the same week. First, (two-word) N/Wolf_Pack dumped upstart Utah State (@72-49 led by xJordan Caroline[15p12r7a6to]); but then, they took the next game off, tanking at unheralded New Mexico (58-@85 as pAnthony Mathis[27p5a6r] and xVance Jackson[18p7a10r] both starred).
In the PAC-12, both Arizona State and Oregon stumbled to start the race. The Sun Devils fell at home to an ordinary Utah team (@86-96 led by pDonnie Tillman[22p5a6r]) while the Beavers tripped at home against arch-rival Oregon State (@72-77 as Tres Tinkle[28p] led the way).
In the MID-AMERICAN, "Pretense" became "Con-tense" as highly touted Toledo tanked at home against a good Ball State team (@64-79).
In the MISSOURI VALLEY, order was restored right out of the blocks as Drake and Bradley both started 0-2. The D/Bulldogs tripped in double-overtime at mediocre Evansville (77-@82[2OT] led by tK.J. Riley[25p8r]) and then fell at home to favorite Loyola(Illinois) (@74-85 as the Ramblers shot 63 percent from the floor led by pMarques Townes[28p5a5r] and gClayton Custer[28p]). Meanwhile, the Braves tanked at home against lowly Northern Iowa (@47-65) and then tripped at solid Indiana State (60-@65) as well.
In the OHIO VALLEY, Belmont fell at home to solid Jacksonville State (@73-83 as xJason Burnell[19p8a12r] starred).
In the WAC, highly touted New Mexico State managed to lose at still reclassifying {California Baptist} (76-@82 as Milan Acquaah[36p] starred).
Old Dominion was up and down in CONFERENCE USA play: first, tripping at Marshall (@67-70 as the Thundering Herd's pJon Elmore[20p10a] outdueled 27p0a from B.J. Stith); but then, bouncing back to edge Western Kentucky (@69-66 again led by xStith[19p12r]).
Penn stubbed its toe to start the IVY season, tripping in overtime at arch-rival Princeton (65-@68[OT] despite 18p15r from cA.J. Brodeur).
Texas State could only manage a tough home split to start in the SUN BELT: first, edging Georgia Southern (@73-70); but then tripping at home against Georgia State (@69-73).
Nowhere has "Con-tense" overcome "Pretense" than in the COLONIAL. Surprising College of Charleston (unsurprisingly) lost at mediocre James Madison (58-@69). Meanwhile, Hofstra announced itself, edging preseason favorite Northeastern (@75-72 on bJustin Wright-Foreman[42p6r;15/30fg]'s star turn).
In the HORIZON, Northern Kentucky muddied up what had looked like a clear picture by tripping at Oakland (74-@76 as gXavier Hill-Mais[32p] starred).
Upstart Purdue-Fort Wayne got the jump on South Dakota State with a thumping win (@104-88) to take the early lead in the SUMMIT race.
In the SOUTHLAND, Abilene Christian muddied up what had looked like a clear picture by tripping at Sam Houston State (68-@71 as gJosh Delaney[30p3a] starred).
In the competitive BIG SOUTH, Radford got off on the right foot beating Longwood (@71-64 led by pCarlik Jones[24p6a7r]).
In the NORTHEASTERN, "Pretense" St. Francis(New York) muddied up what had looked like a clear picture with a "Con-tense" road loss at Bryant (66-@76 as Sabastian Townes[28p] led the way).
In the BIG SKY, Montana's expected dominance hit a snag. After (expectedly) dumping disappointing Sacramento State (@87-56 as cJamar Akoh[21p18r] starred), the M/Grizzlies (unexpectedly) tripped at home in overtime against lowly Portland State (@74-77[OT] as gHolland Woods[28p] led the way).
In the MEAC, North Carolina Central beat Bethune-Cookman (@68-59 despite 15p20r from cCletrell Pope).
- - - - - -
Texas Tech has a big week: hosting Oklahoma (Tuesday) and visiting Texas (Saturday). Iowa State hosts reeling Kansas State (Saturday). Marquette needs a bounce-back week: visiting Creighton (Wednesday) and hosting Seton Hall (Saturday). North Carolina has a big week: visiting North Carolina State (Tuesday) and hosting Louisville (Saturday). Florida State needs a home win against Duke (Saturday).
Maryland has a tough week: at Minnesota (Tuesday) and vs Indiana (Friday). TCU's schedule gets tougher when it visits Kansas (Wednesday) and Oklahoma (Saturday). Mississippi gets a baptism of fire: hosting Auburn (Wednesday) and visiting arch-rival Mississippi State (Saturday). Iowa hosts Ohio State (Saturday). Purdue has a tough week on the road: at Michigan State (Tuesday) and at Wisconsin (Friday). Villanova has a big week: hosting St. John's (Tuesday) and visiting Creighton (Sunday). Clemson will need a big home effort against Virginia (Saturday).
UNC-Greensboro hosts Furman in a SOUTHERN showdown (Saturday).
Penn looks for immediate payback when it hosts arch-rival Princeton (Saturday).
-- Ron
Top 25 - 19 Jan 7 - [] Column
Con-tense
With the Preseason "Pretense" now past, it's time for the Regular Season "Con-tense". Thanks to some early games in December, some leagues races are already starting to take shape.
At 4-0, Michigan State and Michigan are only one-fifth of the way through the BIG 10's new 20-game regular season schedule. The MS/Spartans won on the road at Ohio State (86-@77 as pCassius Winston[25p5a] dueled 25p8r from tKaleb Wesson) while the Wolverines beat Indiana (@74-63 committing only 3 turnovers despite 28p8r from tJuwan Morgan). Minnesota came through on the road at Wisconsin (59-@52 despite 17p8r3a from tEthan Happ). Purdue thumped 1-3 Iowa (@86-70). Meanwhile, "Pretense" gave way to "Con-tense" as 1-3 Nebraska fell twice: tripping at Maryland (72-@74 on Jalen Smith's game-winner despite 26p4a7r5s from bJames Palmer Jr.) and falling at Iowa (84-@93 as pJordan Bohannon[25p5a] starred).
Despite beating Oklahoma (@70-63), Kansas was dealt a big blow to its hopes of extending its record-setting BIG 12 title streak when cUdoka Azubuike injured his wrist in practice (and is out indefintely). Subsequently, the Jayhawks tanked at Iowa State (60-@77). Kansas State got off to an even worse start, dropping two: tanking at home to un-"Pretense"-ive Texas (@47-67) and falling at soaring Texas Tech (57-@63).
In the BIG EAST, St. John's bounced back with a huge road-rout at Marquette (89-@69 as pShamorie Ponds[26p5a7r5to] starred while Markus Howard[8p1a;2/15fg] was totally shut down]). Meanwhile, Seton Hall gave back its edge, tripping at DePaul (74-@75). Also, Butler routed Creighton (@84-69 led by Kamar Baldwin[28p]).
Not much doing in the SEC except for young Kentucky stumbling on the road at Alabama (75-@77).
In early ACC play, both Virginia and Duke made statements. The Cavaliers shut down Florida State (@65-52 allowing no double-figure scorers) while the D/Blue Devils thumped Clemson (@87-68 as cZion Williamson[25p10r] starred).
Cincinnati put itself in a hole in the AMERICAN, tripping at mediocre East Carolina (71-@73).
In the MOUNTAIN WEST, Nevada managed to be spectacularly great and awful in the same week. First, (two-word) N/Wolf_Pack dumped upstart Utah State (@72-49 led by xJordan Caroline[15p12r7a6to]); but then, they took the next game off, tanking at unheralded New Mexico (58-@85 as pAnthony Mathis[27p5a6r] and xVance Jackson[18p7a10r] both starred).
In the PAC-12, both Arizona State and Oregon stumbled to start the race. The Sun Devils fell at home to an ordinary Utah team (@86-96 led by pDonnie Tillman[22p5a6r]) while the Beavers tripped at home against arch-rival Oregon State (@72-77 as Tres Tinkle[28p] led the way).
In the MID-AMERICAN, "Pretense" became "Con-tense" as highly touted Toledo tanked at home against a good Ball State team (@64-79).
In the MISSOURI VALLEY, order was restored right out of the blocks as Drake and Bradley both started 0-2. The D/Bulldogs tripped in double-overtime at mediocre Evansville (77-@82[2OT] led by tK.J. Riley[25p8r]) and then fell at home to favorite Loyola(Illinois) (@74-85 as the Ramblers shot 63 percent from the floor led by pMarques Townes[28p5a5r] and gClayton Custer[28p]). Meanwhile, the Braves tanked at home against lowly Northern Iowa (@47-65) and then tripped at solid Indiana State (60-@65) as well.
In the OHIO VALLEY, Belmont fell at home to solid Jacksonville State (@73-83 as xJason Burnell[19p8a12r] starred).
In the WAC, highly touted New Mexico State managed to lose at still reclassifying {California Baptist} (76-@82 as Milan Acquaah[36p] starred).
Old Dominion was up and down in CONFERENCE USA play: first, tripping at Marshall (@67-70 as the Thundering Herd's pJon Elmore[20p10a] outdueled 27p0a from B.J. Stith); but then, bouncing back to edge Western Kentucky (@69-66 again led by xStith[19p12r]).
Penn stubbed its toe to start the IVY season, tripping in overtime at arch-rival Princeton (65-@68[OT] despite 18p15r from cA.J. Brodeur).
Texas State could only manage a tough home split to start in the SUN BELT: first, edging Georgia Southern (@73-70); but then tripping at home against Georgia State (@69-73).
Nowhere has "Con-tense" overcome "Pretense" than in the COLONIAL. Surprising College of Charleston (unsurprisingly) lost at mediocre James Madison (58-@69). Meanwhile, Hofstra announced itself, edging preseason favorite Northeastern (@75-72 on bJustin Wright-Foreman[42p6r;15/30fg]'s star turn).
In the HORIZON, Northern Kentucky muddied up what had looked like a clear picture by tripping at Oakland (74-@76 as gXavier Hill-Mais[32p] starred).
Upstart Purdue-Fort Wayne got the jump on South Dakota State with a thumping win (@104-88) to take the early lead in the SUMMIT race.
In the SOUTHLAND, Abilene Christian muddied up what had looked like a clear picture by tripping at Sam Houston State (68-@71 as gJosh Delaney[30p3a] starred).
In the competitive BIG SOUTH, Radford got off on the right foot beating Longwood (@71-64 led by pCarlik Jones[24p6a7r]).
In the NORTHEASTERN, "Pretense" St. Francis(New York) muddied up what had looked like a clear picture with a "Con-tense" road loss at Bryant (66-@76 as Sabastian Townes[28p] led the way).
In the BIG SKY, Montana's expected dominance hit a snag. After (expectedly) dumping disappointing Sacramento State (@87-56 as cJamar Akoh[21p18r] starred), the M/Grizzlies (unexpectedly) tripped at home in overtime against lowly Portland State (@74-77[OT] as gHolland Woods[28p] led the way).
In the MEAC, North Carolina Central beat Bethune-Cookman (@68-59 despite 15p20r from cCletrell Pope).
- - - - - -
Texas Tech has a big week: hosting Oklahoma (Tuesday) and visiting Texas (Saturday). Iowa State hosts reeling Kansas State (Saturday). Marquette needs a bounce-back week: visiting Creighton (Wednesday) and hosting Seton Hall (Saturday). North Carolina has a big week: visiting North Carolina State (Tuesday) and hosting Louisville (Saturday). Florida State needs a home win against Duke (Saturday).
Maryland has a tough week: at Minnesota (Tuesday) and vs Indiana (Friday). TCU's schedule gets tougher when it visits Kansas (Wednesday) and Oklahoma (Saturday). Mississippi gets a baptism of fire: hosting Auburn (Wednesday) and visiting arch-rival Mississippi State (Saturday). Iowa hosts Ohio State (Saturday). Purdue has a tough week on the road: at Michigan State (Tuesday) and at Wisconsin (Friday). Villanova has a big week: hosting St. John's (Tuesday) and visiting Creighton (Sunday). Clemson will need a big home effort against Virginia (Saturday).
UNC-Greensboro hosts Furman in a SOUTHERN showdown (Saturday).
Penn looks for immediate payback when it hosts arch-rival Princeton (Saturday).
-- Ron
- Key games this week:
- Monday (CFP CHAMPIONSHIP):
- (None.)
- Tuesday:
- @MichiganSt-Purdue, @TexasTech-Oklahoma, @NCState-NCarolina(NC), @Buffalo-Toledo, StJohns-@Villanova, @Minnesota-Maryland,
- Wednesday:
- @Kansas-TCU, Marquette-@Creighton, Auburn-@Mississippi, @Syracuse-Clemson, @HolyCross-
Lehigh, @Hartford-MDBaltimoreCo,
- Thursday:
- @
GeorgiaSt-Louisiana, @FLAtlantic-OldDominion, @LongIsland-StFrancisPA,
- Friday:
- Indiana-@Maryland, @Wisconsin-Purdue, @
No Kentucky-WrightSt(BG), @Canisius-Rider,
- Saturday:
- Duke-@FloridaSt, Gonzaga-@SanFrancisco, Virginia-@Clemson, TexasTech-@Texas(TX), @MississippiSt-Mississippi(MS), @IowaSt-KansasSt, @Marquette-SetonHall, OhioSt-@Iowa, @@NCarolina-Louisville, @Oklahoma-TCU,
UNCGreensboro-Furman, @Davidson-VCU, @UTValley-Seattle, @Penn-Princeton, @GeorgiaSo-Louisiana, @Marshall-We Kentucky, @Winthrop-HighPt, @StFrancisNY-StFrancisPA, @Vermont-Hartford, @NoColorado-Montana, @Howard-BethuneCookman, @PrairieViewA&M-TexasSo(HoustonTX),
LIGHTHOUSE CONFERENCE CLASSIC 1Off @ RochesterNY
-(@StBonaventure-@Fordham),
- Sunday:
- @Creighton-Villanova, @NoIowa-Drake(IA)(BIG4), @Niagara-
Rider, @Quinnipiac-Fairfield(CT)(CT6),
- - - - - - -
- Monday week:
- Monday week:
- @Duke-Syracuse, @Kansas-Texas, @Indiana-Nebraska, @Maryland-Wisconsin.
Top 25 - 19 Jan 7 - [] Column
- Duke (12-1)
- Tennessee (11-1)
- Gonzaga (13-2)
- Virginia (13-0)
- Michigan State (13-2)
- Michigan (15-0)
- Texas Tech (13-1)
- Mississippi State (12-1)
- North Carolina State (13-1)
- Iowa State (12-2)
- Kansas (12-2)
- Marquette (12-3)
- Indiana (12-3)
- Ohio State (12-2)
- Houston (15-0)
- North Carolina (11-3)
- Buffalo (12-1)
- Auburn (10-2)
- Louisiana State (10-3)
- Florida State (12-2)
- Kentucky (10-3)
- Cincinnati (12-3)
- Seton Hall (11-4)
- St. John's (14-1)
- Minnesota (12-2)
- Honorable Mention:
Alabama(10-3), East Carolina (8-6), New Mexico (8-6), Utah (7-7), DePaul (9-5),
Loyola(Illinois) (8-6), Jacksonville State (9-5),Georgia State(10-4),Hofstra(12-3), Purdue-Fort Wayne (11-7).
posted by Ron @ Tuesday, July 23, 2019
