So let's start this update by finishing up on THE GAME:
Duke 79 - UNC 73 = The Heels had this one most of the way, but the greater experience of the Blue Devils allowed them to edge it out late. The final is deceptive, as the game was much closer than that 2-possession margin. A very good win for Duke, and not a bad loss for the Heels, since they were expected to lose, and since I feared they may take a step backwards. Though they did not take one forward, they did show they could play with anyone, and if they keep this up and continue to improve, UNC is one team you won't want to see in your bracket come March.
Though this game was no surprise, and was exactly what I thought it might be, there were some shocks last night, the biggest being:
Rutgers 77 - Villanova 76 = I would say this is a huge win for the Scarlet Knights, and give them much credit, but from what I understand they did not win as much as 'Nova lost. The Wildcats blew a comfortable lead in the last few minutes, then fouled the shooter on a game-tying trey with 8/10th left, putting him on the line for the W. Jeez.
Wisconsin 64 - Iowa 59 (OT) = And this was nearly a big a shock, with the Badgers needing the extra 5 to take care of business.
Idaho 64 - Utah State 56 = And this was no surprise to me at all, at least in one regard. Hey, I flat-out told you yesterday the Aggies were over-rated. But dropping one to the Spuds . . . uh, I mean Vandals, who pretty much reek? Don't tell me it was in Moscow, as I don't care if it was played in Red Square! Their winning streak of 17 would have ended long ago, had they the guts to schedule some better competition.
VCU 84 - Delaware 74 (2OT) = This one's also a surprise to me, since I figured the Rams would have less trouble plucking the Blue Hens. Give Delaware some props for hanging tough, and VCU for hanging just a bit tougher to remain tied atop the CAC.
Marquette 59 - South Florida 58 = Much like the 'Nova loss, the Bulls gave this away. Much UNLIKE it however, is the fact that Marquette should not have had this much trouble in the first damn place.
Memphis 63 - UCF 62 = And the Knights came that close to breaking their long losing streak, against a CUSA-contending team that should have chased them out of the gym. You just can't figure college hoops.
Georgetown 64 - Syracuse 56 = And not to beat a dead horse here, but I still can't figure how the supposed # 12 Orange can be 7th in the Big Mouth at the same time. One or the other has to give. This is a good win for the Hoyas in the Dome. As for the 'Cuse . . . I've said their problem is their zone, but I'm beginning to believe a bigger one is their inability to shoot the ball.
Notre Dame 89 - Louisville 79 (OT) = Another nice win for the Irish, and another heart-attack night for Rick Pitino. Maybe he should consider going back to the NBA, where the money is better, and the stress is less.
Baylor 74 - Nebraska 70 = I figured on a good game here, and that's just what they gave us.
Bowling Green 65 - Ball State 64 = And did I not tell you this one would be tight?
Texas A&M 73 - Colorado 70 (OT) = Here again, did I not call for a high-altitude dogfight? Sometimes I scare myself, I'm so damn good.
Miami 74 - Wake Forest 73 = Well, give the Deacs some credit for giving it the old college try, and just barely missing their 2nd conference win last night. It took 2 'Cane FTs with 4 ticks left to get the lead, and a rimmed-out 3 at the buzzer to save it. Well, Wake still gets to host NCSU and Ga. Tech, so it ain't their final chance.
There are some pretty decent games tonight, though mostly small potatoes compared to last evening's:
U. Conn vs. St. John's = Both teams have shown that they can beat the best, and both have shown they can spit the bit. I really don't think the Red Storm can steal another stunner in the Garden, so expect the Huskies to take it fairly easily.
Vanderbilt vs. Alabama = Vandy is ranked nationally, and are 4-4 in the SEC East. The Tide is unranked, and 7-1 in the SEC West. 'Bama looks for its first win in Nashville in 20 years. Can they get one? Judging by the conference history so far this year . . . I have no clue.
Illinois vs. Minnesota = Both of these teams have been ranked at some point this season. Both are at best .500 in the Big Ten so far. Both need the win. Both can't get it. Flip a coin.
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech = The Semiholes got chased out of Chapel Hill Sunday, yet with a win tonight can get within a 1/2-game of the Heels for 2nd place in the ACC, with plenty of games left . . . including a home rematch with UNC. The Jackets have played some good games in Atlanta, but may have trouble scoring against FSU's D. I figure the 'Noles by 3 possessions, unless they pull another stinker like they did on the road at Clemson.
Penn State vs. Michigan State = Tom Izzo seems to believe his Spartans can still earn a bid to the NCAAs, despite their present 13-10 record. Well, I've looked at their schedule. With 7 games left, and with Ohio State, Illinois, Minnesota, and Purdue amongst them, they had better start their push tonight. The Nittany Lions have shocked better teams already this year, so don't expect them to just roll over. This one could be a lot of fun, and much too "questionable" to call.
Oregon vs. UCLA = Believe it or not, the Bruins are 2nd in the Pac-10, behind the 'Zona Wildcats. They feel at least as dissed as those desert 'Cats, and with even more historical justification. They think they deserve to Dance. Me, I do too. But they had best press the Ducks tonight, or face my wrath tomorrow.
Washington vs. California = And believe it or not, the Huskies have gotten almost all the Pac-10 props so far, yet their 7-4 conference records is a scarce improvement over Cal's 6-5 mark. It is in The Emerald City, where they very rarely lose . . . as opposed to the yellow-brick road, where they've now lost 3 in a row. Must be all the caffeine. I figure they won't make that 4 tonight, but who knows?
Wright State vs. Butler = And now to the mid-majors, with a vital game for both teams in the Horizon race . . . which is also the case for . . .
Detroit vs. Valparaiso = So here four of the top six Horizon clubs face off against each other. You don't think there will be some scoreboard watching this evening? Speaking of important mid-major matchups . . .
Murray State vs. Tennessee Tech = Joe's Racers hold the slimmest of leads for first in the OVC with their 10-3 record. How slim? Well, the TT Golden Eagles at 9-5 are tied for 3rd with Austin Peay, with Morehead State just ahead at 9-4 (and who play bottom-feeder Eastern Illinois tonight, so figure they'll hit 10-4). You don't think this is one big game in one small conference?
That will do it for me tonight. As always, enjoy. And as recently, Screw Drew.