Huge opening day in ACC and SEC

[Plebe]

In addition to the UConn-Baylor heavyweight showdown, there's a massive slate of games today, mainly in the ACC and SEC.

ACC:

• Virginia Tech @ Miami (2p ET). The Hokies are undefeated so far against a relatively soft schedule. This figures to be their biggest test so far.
• Pitt @ #2 Notre Dame (7p ET). This should be a major blowout.
• North Carolina @ #3 Louisville (7p ET). Probably another blowout.
• Duke @ #9 NC State (7p ET). One of the more intriguing games. NC State is certainly the favorite, but Duke can pose some problems.
• #14 Syracuse @ Clemson (7p ET). Amanda Butler has Clemson playing its best ball in quite a while, and they've played some ranked teams close.
• Georgia Tech @ Boston College (7p ET). Boston College, like Clemson, also has a new coach and also looks better than the cellar-dweller of years past.
• Florida State @ Virginia (7p ET). Virginia has disappointed so far. Can Tina Thompson get some traction with this team?

SEC:

• #7 Mississippi State @ Arkansas (7p ET). This shouldn't be close, but Arkansas has shown improvement over last year.
• #10 Tennessee @ Auburn (7p ET). Auburn just lost a key starter to an ACL injury. Their pressure defense has given Tennessee fits in years past, but Tennessee has shown better ball security this year.
• Vanderbilt @ #16 Kentucky (7p ET). Vandy has been decimated by injuries. This one could get ugly.
• LSU @ Georgia (7p ET). Two teams from the large mushy middle of the SEC.
• Florida @ Alabama (8p ET). The Toilet Bowl of today's lineup.
• Ole Miss @ Missouri (8p ET). Missouri hasn't looked great this year, but this should be an easy win.
• #23 South Carolina @ #21 Texas A&M (9p ET). Probably the most evenly matched game of the day. (Unfortunately, starts at the same time as the UConn-Baylor game.)

Big Ten:

• Wisconsin @ Penn State (7p ET). Can Wisconsin build on the momentum from their win over Purdue?
• #15 Michigan State @ Northwestern (8p ET). After the big home win over Iowa, could this be a trap game for the Spartans?
• Nebraska @ #19 Iowa (8p ET). Iowa tries to right the ship after losing decisively at Michigan State.

 

[Jim R]

In addition to the UConn-Baylor heavyweight showdown, there's a massive slate of games today, mainly in the ACC and SEC.
Winners in Italics

ACC:

• Virginia Tech @ Miami (2p ET). The Hokies are undefeated so far against a relatively soft schedule. This figures to be their biggest test so far. Agreed, but will take Kenny Brooks whose Hokies get better each year
• Pitt @ #2 Notre Dame (7p ET). This should be a major blowout. Agreed
• North Carolina @ #3 Louisville (7p ET). Probably another blowout. Agreed
• Duke @ #9 NC State (7p ET). One of the more intriguing games. NC State is certainly the favorite, but Duke can pose some problems. Wes Moore the difference
• #14 Syracuse @ Clemson (7p ET). Amanda Butler has Clemson playing its best ball in quite a while, and they've played some ranked teams close. Don't think it'll be close
• Georgia Tech @ Boston College (7p ET). Boston College, like Clemson, also has a new coach and also looks better than the cellar-dweller of years past. Bernabei-McNamee a promising coach whose rebuilding BC
• Florida State @ Virginia (7p ET). Virginia has disappointed so far. Can Tina Thompson get some traction with this team? Thompson's not shown much yet

SEC:

• #7 Mississippi State @ Arkansas (7p ET). This shouldn't be close, but Arkansas has shown improvement over last year. Bulldogs with way too much power
• #10 Tennessee @ Auburn (7p ET). Auburn just lost a key starter to an ACL injury. Their pressure defense has given Tennessee fits in years past, but Tennessee has shown better ball security this year. Home Team may surprise the mercurial LVs
• Vanderbilt @ #16 Kentucky (7p ET). Vandy has been decimated by injuries. This one could get ugly. Agreed
• LSU @ Georgia (7p ET). Two teams from the large mushy middle of the SEC. Home Team advantage
• Florida @ Alabama (8p ET). The Toilet Bowl of today's lineup. Home Team Advantage
• Ole Miss @ Missouri (8p ET). Missouri hasn't looked great this year, but this should be an easy win. Agreed
• #23 South Carolina @ #21 Texas A&M (9p ET). Probably the most evenly matched game of the day. (Unfortunately, starts at the same time as the UConn-Baylor game.) Without bigs, haven't seen much from USC

Big Ten:

• Wisconsin @ Penn State (7p ET). Can Wisconsin build on the momentum from their win over Purdue? Believe they will
• #15 Michigan State @ Northwestern (8p ET). After the big home win over Iowa, could this be a trap game for the Spartans? Spartans have been consistent this year, and look like the class of the B10.
• Nebraska @ #19 Iowa (8p ET). Iowa tries to right the ship after losing decisively at Michigan State. Too much Gustafson

 

[Plebe]

I like your hot takes.

Regarding Michigan State, I would add that they've proven how formidable they are at home. On a neutral court, they did play NC State close. But they've only played 2 true road games, one of which they needed overtime to win at Hartford. I do expect them to win at Northwestern, but we'll see how convincing they are.

 

[Orangutan]

Per warrennolan.com - Virginia Tech's schedule to-date ranks #235 in strength of schedule. "Relatively soft" is putting it mildly. Here's their next 5 games (the numbers next to the teams names are RPI):

We're going to find out how good they really are real quick.

 

[Plebe]

Per warrennolan.com - Virginia Tech's schedule to-date ranks #235 in strength of schedule. "Relatively soft" is putting it mildly. Here's their next 5 games (the numbers next to the teams names are RPI):

View attachment 37901

We're going to find out how good they really are real quick.

Yes, their ACC schedule is very front-loaded. Their only top-100 opponents so far have been Villanova, Rutgers and Dayton. And their only true road game has been at Liberty. This road game at Miami will be revealing.

 

[triaddukefan]

VPI and Miami all tied up at the half at 34. Little Mabrey with 12 pts

 

[Orangutan]

Mabrey3 is 5/6 from downtown. Yeah, that'll work.

 

[UCBaller2012]

VA Tech takes a 9 point third quarter lead.

 

[DefenseBB]

Mabrey3 is 5/6 from downtown. Yeah, that'll work.

What the heck happened that Mabry3 is really Mabry1 at VPI vs. ND?

 

[eebmg]

Mabrey3 is 5/6 from downtown. Yeah, that'll work.

But making some high risk plays for TO at the point. 1 Assist and 5 TO so far helping Miami to come back from 9 down to take a 52-47 lead into the 4th (16-2 run)

 

[Jim R]

But making some high risk plays for TO at the point. 1 Assist and 5 TO so far helping Miami to come back from 9 down to take a 52-47 lead into the 4th (16-2 run)

Hard to teach composure...comes with experience and good coaching.

 

[Plebe]

Defense of the 3-point line seems to be a weakness for Miami. It's also what lost them the game vs. Central Michigan. But they recovered well in 3Q to answer Virginia Tech's initial run with a huge one of their own.

Miami definitely has the advantage inside. Hof and Mompremier have combined for 38 points so far. Taylor Emery has been huge for VaTech, so far with 18 points (though she's 0-5 from 3).

Close game. Miami's up 3 in the final media timeout. It feels like anyone's game.

 

[eebmg]

Mabrey not in for the last 4 minutes. Oh, just coming back in.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

The Duke v. N.C.State game will be on NESN+ for those who get that channel. Should be
interesting to see how long the Dookies can hang with the Wolfpack.

 

[eebmg]

Mabrey became totally passive down the stretch. Not even looking for her shot and nothing set up for her to shoot from 3. Very strange. I guess Brooks put some clamps on her.

 

[Jim R]

Looking at the free throw disparity - how were the officials?

 

[Plebe]

Looking at the free throw disparity - how were the officials?

I thought the officiating was fine overall. Six of those FT attempts by Miami were in the final minute when VT was fouling intentionally. But aside from that, a disparity is rather typical when a strong inside/slashing team goes up against a jump shooting team.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Are the Notre Dame women mad that their football team got thumped? They are putting a serious hurting on Pitt. 32-10 after Q1 and the lead just keeps ballooning in Q2.

 

[Vowelguy]

Are the Notre Dame women mad that their football team got thumped? They are putting a serious hurting on Pitt. 32-10 after Q1 and the lead just keeps ballooning in Q2.

51-12 now

 

[Vowelguy]

Double digit half time leads everywhere except Duke-NCS tied at 29 at intermission and Aub -Tenn tied with a minute to go in 1st half

 

[DefenseBB]

Double digit half time leads everywhere except Duke-NCS tied at 29 at intermission and Aub -Tenn tied with a minute to go in 1st half

Any word from our colleague @triaddukefan about this game?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Notre Dame up 46 at the half.

 

[SECbbfan24]

I recommend no one watch LSU Georgia

Turnover festival

 

[Plebe]

I recommend no one watch LSU Georgia

Turnover festival

Just looking at box score, Mitchell has 3 points, 2 rebounds and 4 turnovers. Khayla Pointer with 4 points and 5 turnovers. Yikes, those are supposed to be LSU's two best players, right? But I see good contributions from Mercedes Brooks coming off the bench. I've been impressed by her.

 

[Vowelguy]

Any word from our colleague @triaddukefan about this game?

Since he & @CamrnCrz1974 want McCallie gone, I imagine they're both wearing bright red and yelling 'Go Pack!'