Hey, whaddaya know? Again I managed to call a few:
# 9 UNC 87 - Albany 70 = Once more this game was not this close, yet closer than Roy Williams wanted. The most significant note is that both teams scored 41 points in the second half - which is totally unacceptable. Were I Roy I'd bench the whole damn team.
Cincinnati 71 - # 10 U. Conn. 69 = Jim Calhoun has no beef. If you fall behind, catch up and tie with 9 ticks left, then foul a freshman at the horn to give him two shots for the win, you've only your own team to blame. I don't wanna hear no whining about the zebras.
# 18 Temple 70 - Northern Illinois 60 = Here's another one of those "bad" wins. Ten points ain't squat.
Virginia 72 - # 24 UAB 63 = And here's a good win, for the Cavs.
Illinois 89 - # 25 Northwestern 83 (OT) = Did I not say they'd likely make a quick departure from those ranked?
William & Mary 83 - Maryland 77 = Like I predicted, closer than Gary Williams would prefer.
ODU 63 - Duquesne 54 = Yeah, a decent matchup, though not as decent as . . .
Central Conn. State 89 - UMBC 86 (2 OT) = Hey, if anybody cared about either of these two teams, this would have been the game of the week.
A good percentage of today's action is already over, even if the clock's still running:
# 23 Wisconsin 65 - # 15 Ohio State 43 = Yeah, I know this was in Madison, and I know the Buckeyes miss Evan Turner, but that's just pitiful.
Indiana 71 - Michigan 65 = Does anyone but me and the Wolverine fans remember that UM was once ranked, whereas the Hoosiers are - well, just rank?
IUPUI 79 - IPFW 69 = OMG, WTF?
With time still left, # 14 Tennessee has an OK lead over Memphis, while # 22 Florida State is spanking Alabama A&M. Also, UCLA has a healthy margin over Arizona State early in the second half. Later games tonight include:
# 7 Duke vs. Penn = Were this a science fair, Penn would have the edge. But it ain't, and they don't.
# 13 Georgetown vs. St. John's = I am really interested in seeing if the Johnnies can hold their own against the Hoyas.
# 17 Washington vs. Oregon State = Any conference game, especially early, can be a test.
Oregon vs. Washington State = And no, I'm not suffering from dyslexia here, nor am I repeating myself.
Richmond vs. Wake Forest = This I see as one hell of a non-conference contest.
Oklahoma vs. Gonzaga = This, not so much, though the Sooners might shock me and show up.
Arizona vs. USC = The Trojans have started to play better, while the Wildcats have not.
Wisc. Green Bay vs. Butler = Green Bay is almost always well-coached and a tough out, so Butler's rollercoaster could continue.
And as for action to kick off the New Year tomorrow, there's not a lot to choose from - though part of it might be "cherch":
# 4 Purdue vs. # 6 West Virginia = I personally believe both teams are a bit over-ranked, so this one is truly of interest to me.
# 19 New Mexico vs. Dayton = Can the Flyers top the Lobos? There's a chance.
# 20 Texas Tech vs. McNeese State = OK, there's a clinker in every bunch. Regardless, enjoy.