[The Poet]

No surprises in last night's games, with status quo holding form. So as there are much too many games today, lemme get to the more important ones:


Miami vs. Florida State = The 'Noles are safely off the bubble, in a good way, while in a bad one so's the 'Canes. Still, they are not totally hopeless as a team, having beaten a few decent teams this year, and FSU has lost one of their best players to injury. I don't expect UM to win on the road, but they do have a chance.

Temple vs. George Washington = The Colonials may be first in war and peace, but they are 6th in the A-10. The Owls are 2nd, a game behind Xavier. But though they are the better team, they could get tested by GW in the Smith Center . . . that's the CHARLES Smith Center in DC, not the Dean Dome in CH. I figure on a 3-possession Owl victory, yet it could be closer.

Hofstra vs. Delaware = If the Pride wants to stat tied for 2nd in the CAC with ODU, they need to take care of the Fightin' Blue Hens in Hempstead. I think they will. However, they only lost to them by 3 in their 1st meeting, so give them a shot.

BYU vs. San Diego State = Here's the rematch for the Aztecs to avenge their only loss, and to grab the lead in the Mountain West. And despite the fact that, as you know, I think they are both over-ranked, this one should be a total war start to finish.

St. John's vs Villanova = So should this one. The Johnnies have shown they can win on the road, and the Philly 'Cats have also shown they can lose at home. Neither team needs the win to get an at-large, so the only thing at stake aside from pride is seeding in the Big East Tourney. This should be a lot of fun.

Memphis vs. UTEP = Do you think YOUR conference race is tight? Consider the CUSA then. The Tigers are 1 of 3 teams tied at the top with 9-4 records, with the Miners in another 3-way for 4th at 8-5. And just to make things interesting . . .

UAB vs. Houston = The Blazers are another one at 9-4, and although the Cougars are not in that hunt they can hoop a bit themselves. But we're still not done here, what with . . .

Southern Mississippi vs. UCF = Although the Mickeys have fallen on their bulbous snouts, the Golden Eagles are that other 9-4 team, and cannot afford to let UCF regain some of their early Magic Kingdom. And if that's not enough for you . . .

SMU vs. Marshall = The Mustangs are the 2nd of those 8-5 aspirants, and the Thundering Herd's not too shabby themselves, and will give SMU one heck of a game. Finally, just to put the cap on it . . .

Tulsa vs. Tulane = The Golden Hurricanes round out the round-robin as that last team in the mix. Luckily for them, they face the Green Wave, and I'd expect then to go all Katrina on Tulane. If you put all that together, you realize what this means? We COULD end the day with a 6-way tie for 1st place in the CUSA!! Wow.

Arizona vs. UCLA = There won't be a 6-way in the Pac-10, but this one in Pauley might jam up that race. The Wildcats are a game ahead of the Bruins, so here's their shot to catch them. Flip a coin.

Alabama vs. Mississippi = The Tide is trying to earn a little respect, for their 19-8 overall and 11-2 SEC West records seems to mean very little to the Selection Committee. Me, I don't think they're all that good, yet I also don't see how you can keep them out either. Still, they can help their cause with a few more Ws, and as they haven't many shots left, they'd best make hay.

Florida vs. Kentucky = Now these two, in the MUCH better SEC East, are safe no matter what happens the rest of the season. But the 'Cats, at 7-6 in league play, do not want to fall to .500, especially in front of their home crowd. It would not surprise me if this one goes down to the final few seconds.

Texas vs. Colorado = The Longhorns have shown they can beat anyone, and have shown they can struggle. Hey, that's the 'Horns for you, every year. As this is in Boulder, I give the Buffaloes a decent shot at making this a game.

Kansas vs. Oklahoma = And if the Jayhawks lose to the Sooners, Bill Self should make the team walk from Norman back to Lawrence.

Charleston vs. Western Carolina = On most days, especially one as crowded as this one, I'd skip this as a mis-match and move on. But here's the thing: Although I think the CoC Cougars are the class of the Southern Conference (they lead the South division there), and they are the only team in that league with 20+ wins, the Catamounts lead the North, and can actually play some themselves. Furthermore, Charleston visited Boone a few days ago, and lost to "meh" App. State, and today they visit Cullowhee. So maybe the Great Smokies gets in their eyes again.

Michigan vs. Minnesota = Both these teams have 17 wins (a good thing) and both are under .500 in the Big Ten (a not-so-good one). I have no votes, but both are on MY bubble, big time. It is possible they both will get at-large bids, and it is also possible both will NOT. One or the other really needs to step up today. I think the Logans have more young talent, and I know the Gophers have more experience, on the court and on the bench. Keep an eye on this one.

Iowa vs. Illinois = Barring a miracle in the conference tourney, the Hawkeyes are done, and just playing out the string. But the Illini are in the exact same position as those two just above, and need some wins to get over the hump. They are in Champaign, and are playing a crappy team, so if they don't get one today it's their own damn fault.

Harvard vs. Yale // Princeton vs. Columbia = Both these Ivy leaders won last night, both are playing back-to-backs, and both are playing a tougher opponent than their last one was. There's not all that much more there there in the Ivy, and they are one of the few with no second shot for the automatic via a tourney. If you care at all about this league, pay attention here.

Richmond vs. Charlotte = I like the Spiders, and think they deserve an at-large already. Still, a loss to the bottom-feeding 49ers in the Queen City today won't help their cause one bit. I can't see that happening, but you never know.

Notre Dame vs. Seton Hall = And I can't see the Irish losing in South Bend to the Pirates either. But that Hazell kid can pop for 30-40 points on any given night, so give SHU a puncher's shot.

South Carolina vs. Georgia = The Bulldogs are most likely on the safe side of any bubble already, while the 'Cocks are screwed. Yet to be honest, there's really not all that much difference between these two, aside from their records. Georgia may be a bit better, and the game's in Athens, so give them the edge. But don't give them a huge one.

Murray State vs. Eastern Kentucky = The Racers have the OVC season in their own hands, being one game up with only this one to play. Win it, at home, and your student body can rush the court and celebrate. The Colonels are a tougher opponent than Morehead faces in Tenn-Martin, but that should be no excuse. Just win, baby!

Texas A&M vs. Baylor = The Aggies have had a very quiet great season, and very few people have noticed that. The Bears started off on fire, but now have put themselves in dangerous bubble consideration. They need this one in Waco more than A&M, and they'd best realize that and show up to play.

Duke vs. Virginia Tech = I am pretty sure that Duke will get a bid, and I'm pretty sure the Hokies will also. They could clinch that in Blackburg tonight by sending the Blue Devils home with their spiked tails between their legs. I'm not at all sure than can manage that, but you have to give them a slim chance anyway.

St. Mary's vs. Portland = I really don't know what has happened to the Gaels of late. They were rolling along like a locomotive, then hit a wall with three Ls in succession. Portland's a decent team, and that could get to 4 late tonight, unless St. Mary's gets back on track. And they'd better due that too. They have not only given up sole possession of the WCC, but . . .

Gonzaga vs. San Diego = The 'Zags are the ones who caught them, and who also caught a break by facing a much worse opponent. You have to figure they will beat the Toreros (like the Gaels should have done), so could claim the league for their own if the Gaels lose that 4th one.


Lunchtime for me now. I'll be back in a bit with some early finals, and some Sunday games too.