Last night's games went pretty much as I anticipated, with one minor surprise:
# 16 Arizona 67 - Duquesne 59 = The Desert 'Cats had about all they wanted from the Dukes, and maybe a bit more. I'll stick with their 16th rank for now (though it may NOT stick with them
) because I think they will improve. Still, it gives one pause.
# 20 Texas A&M 81 - Liberty 59 = And like I thought, the Flames went down in them, lacking the size and talent to bring a cropper to the Aggies.
St. John's 78 - Lehigh 73 = It took a late run by the Red(men)Storm to edge the Mountain Hawks, even with the inspiration (or distraction) of Steve Lavin's return to courtside following his prostate-cancer surgery. I said Lehigh would not win, but would acquit themselves respectfully. They did so.
Akron 68 - Mississippi State 58 = Had I the stones, and had it been later in the season, giving me more info to go on, I may have called for the "upset" here. I hedged my bet by saying it would be no cakewalk, yet felt that the homecourt should give the Bulldogs a boost over the Zips. And maybe it did, though not enough of one. Nobody expected MSU to be amongst the class of the SEC, yet this could be a sign that the conference is very top-heavy . . . again.
There are no games this evening, but with all the action slated for Friday I might be back with some early previews, just to get a jump on it. Either way, I'll be back soon.