Week 15 games (Mar. 1-7)

[LETTERL]

Stephen F. Austin only leading Abilene Christian by a 36-33 score at halftime.

 

[FridaFriend]

Is either Michigan or Maryland playing more games before the Big 10 tournament? I heard announcers talk about scheduled make up games, but I don't see any on a posted schedule.

 

[LETTERL]

Halftime at historic Stopher Gymnasium finds McNeese leading the Lady Colonels of Nicholls, 32-28.

 

[LETTERL]

Oh no! McNeese has gone on a tear and leads Nicholls 55-45, nearing the end of the 3rd.

 

[DefenseBB]

UCF is a kindred program to the ASU Sun Devils. Both programs have developed a culture around defense that is focused on intensity, fundamentals, and a physical style of play.

Some here on the BY have characterized this as ugly basketball. I don't think that does justice to the dedication of a program to 40 minutes of strong physical defense.

Defense well played as a thing of beauty. Think of the turnover generated by team defense, quick hands, in your face physicality. BYers cheer Niki Muhl or Paige as they turn that kind of defense into points.

Think of the block that robs an opponent of not only a hoop but self-respect and dignity. What BYer hasn't cheered Liv imposing her will in this way. A thing of beauty.

Who doesn't admire the defensive player beating their opponent to the spot and taking the charge. BYers love Muhl for her hard nosed play and an ability to do just that. A thing of beauty.

How often have I heard praise for her physical hard nose defense exactly what CTT and Coach Abe coach.

And think about all the bricks those offenses toss up on a regular basis...

 

[azfan]

And think about all the bricks those offenses toss up on a regular basis...

Ikr..... On the ASU game thread today I speculated that ASU must lead the nation in single digit offensive quarters

 

[LETTERL]

Nicholls came back to beat McNeese in a thriller, 71-68. The Lady Colonels finish the regular season 9-13 overall, 9-7 in the Southland.

They now await the Southland Conference Tournament, where they will be either the 4th seed or 5th seed, depending on what happens in conference action on Saturday.

 

[UCFKnights]

As far as UCF's defensive style I'll contend that the only time I've seen them push the envelope was against UCONN. I haven't been able to watch all their games but generally it is just high intensity defense. I imagine that the reason for this is they have similar talent or more than the other conference foes but UCONN is obviously many steps above so it was probably an attempt to even the playing field. Does that make it right or ok? Probably not if I'm being honest.

 

[Vowelguy]

LSU d Miss St, so even more disappointment in Starkvegas

MD pounded Michigan 88-63 (led by 20 at half), so Wolverines ending up in top 16 not looking good

UNC bubble probably popped with loss to Wake

 

[nwhoopfan]

If all the bubble teams lose their first conference tourney game, then they all are back on the bubble again, right?

 

[Plebe]

LSU d Miss St, so even more disappointment in Starkvegas

MD pounded Michigan 88-63 (led by 20 at half), so Wolverines ending up in top 16 not looking good

UNC bubble probably popped with loss to Wake

I haven't studied the bubble picture closely (yet), but I would basically like to see as few teams as possible selected from the indistinct mosh pit of mediocrity that is teams 3 through 11 or 12 of the ACC.

 

[LETTERL]

I haven't studied the bubble picture closely (yet), but I would basically like to see as few teams as possible selected from the indistinct mosh pit of mediocrity that is teams 3 through 11 or 12 of the ACC.

Compared to the pile of mush that is all but the top two teams in the Big East?

 

[Plebe]

Compared to the pile of mush that is all but the top two teams in the Big East?

Well, at least DePaul actually has a good nonconference win. And I'd rather see Marquette make the tournament than any of those other fat-on-the-hog over-budgeted teams.

 

[LETTERL]

Well, at least DePaul actually has a good nonconference win. And I'd rather see Marquette make the tournament than any of those other fat-on-the-hog over-budgeted teams.

Marquette definitely is an NCAAT team. They held their own against UCONN and seemed worthy of the top 25 position I awarded them in my last BY ballot. Depaul seems to be going in the wrong direction here of late, but I think I read in some other thread that they have a key player out with injury.

The rest of the Big East doesn't seem worthy of NCAAT consideration.

Maybe the WNIT, if there is one, will be a showdown of mediocre Big East and ACC teams.

 

[azfan]

March, here we come.

All times are Eastern time zone.
My subjective picks for games of the week are in bold.
Rankings listed are per the latest BY25 poll.


Thu., Mar. 4

Mississippi State vs. LSU (11a, SECN)
#5 Maryland at #13 Michigan (12p, ESPN/ESPN2?)
Wake Forest vs. North Carolina (12p, ACCNX)
Florida vs. #23 Kentucky (1p, SECN)
Oregon State vs. #20 Oregon (2p, P12N)
Boston College vs. Syracuse (2:30p, ACCNX).

USC vs. #3 Stanford (5p, P12N)
#18 South Florida at UCF (5p, ESPNU)
Missouri vs. Alabama (6p, SECN)
Miami vs. Virginia Tech (6p, ACCNX)
TCU at Oklahoma (6p, FSOK)

Washington State vs. #11 Arizona (8p, P12N)
Ole Miss vs. #12 Arkansas (8p, SECN)
Rice at North Texas (8p, CUSA)
Clemson vs. Notre Dame (8:30p, ACCNX)
Washington vs. #9 UCLA (11p, P12N)

===

Games for the remainder of the week to be posted soon.


== == ==


Mon., Mar. 1

Colorado State at Air Force (4:30p, MWN)
Butler at #18 DePaul (5p, BEDN)
#9 Baylor at Texas (7p, ESPN2)
Texas Tech at Oklahoma (7p, FSOK)
Seton Hall at St. John’s (7p, BEDN)
TCU at Kansas State (7:30p, ESPN+)
Marquette at #1 UConn (8p, CBSSN)


Tues., Mar. 2

Northern Kentucky at Wright State (2p, ESPN+). Horizon League tournament quarterfinal.
IUPUI at Oakland (3p, ESPN+). Horizon quarterfinal.

UCF at #18 South Florida (5:30p, ESPN+). UCF needs at least a split with USF.
Penn State at #24 Rutgers (5:30p, BTN)
Cincinnati at Houston (7p, ESPN+)
East Carolina at Tulane (7p, ESPN+)

Cleveland State at Green Bay (8p, ESPN+). Horizon quarterfinal.
Youngstown State at Milwaukee (8p, ESPN+). Horizon quarterfinal.


Wed., Mar. 3

Cal vs. Oregon State (2p, P12N). Pac-12 1st round.
Boston College vs. Pitt (2p, ACCNX). ACC 1st round.
Eastern Illinois vs. UT Martin (2p, ESPN+). OVC 1st round.

Auburn vs. Florida (4p, SECN). SEC first round.
Iowa at #10 Indiana (4:30p, BTN)
Austin Peay vs. Belmont (4:30p, ESPN+). OVC first round.
Arizona State vs. USC (5p, P12N). Pac-12 1st round.

Abilene Christian at Stephen F. Austin (6:30p, ESPN+)
Central Michigan at Ball State (7p, ESPN3)
#21 West Virginia at Kansas State (7:30p, ESPN+)
Kansas at Iowa State (7:30p, ESPN+)
Utah vs. Washington State (8p, P12N). Pac-12 1st round; WSU needs this win badly.
Washington vs. Colorado (11p, P12N). Pac-12 1st round.

15-3 CSU Rams travel to NM to face the 13 - 3 wandering Lobos, home at last with first place in the Mountain West at stake.

This afternoon's game is at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on the Mountain West network. Tomorrow's regular season finale and perhaps deciding game for the regular season championship will also be at 5:00 p.m.

Mountain West Network

golobos.com

 

[Plebe]

Marquette definitely is an NCAAT team. They held their own against UCONN and seemed worthy of the top 25 position I awarded them in my last BY ballot. Depaul seems to be going in the wrong direction here of late, but I think I read in some other thread that they have a key player out with injury.

The rest of the Big East doesn't seem worthy of NCAAT consideration.

Maybe the WNIT, if there is one, will be a showdown of mediocre Big East and ACC teams.

If those wayward wannabes from northern Indiana are considered on the bubble, then Seton Hall should be too

 

[Plebe]

As far as UCF's defensive style I'll contend that the only time I've seen them push the envelope was against UCONN. I haven't been able to watch all their games but generally it is just high intensity defense. I imagine that the reason for this is they have similar talent or more than the other conference foes but UCONN is obviously many steps above so it was probably an attempt to even the playing field. Does that make it right or ok? Probably not if I'm being honest.

I agree with this 100%. I've watched UCF against quite a few other opponents and have never seen those same dubious actions that have gained them a special place in UConn fans' hearts.

 

[LETTERL]

If those wayward wannabes from northern Indiana are considered on the bubble, then Seton Hall should be too

Wouldn't bother me if neither they or UNC get a bid; I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep.

 

[Plebe]

Wouldn't bother me if neither they or UNC get a bid; I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep.

It just occurred to me that those two teams account for 2 of the 3 national championships ever won by the ACC, and now they're both begging for crumbs from the committee. And the 3rd (Maryland) jumped ship.

 

[Vowelguy]

KY in a battle with Fla and Ore trailing OreSt again

 

[Plebe]

KY in a battle with Fla and Ore trailing OreSt again

Oregon, after seeming to start the season very strong (some people saw them as a potential Final Four team), has been fading hard.

Kentucky never can beat the scrubs easily.

 

[triaddukefan]

In what will be one of the biggest upsets in the Conference tournament season...... in the SoCon... Last Place ETSU (1-10) defeats First Place and defending Conference Champs Samford (11-2) 68-61

In the second SoCon game of the day Wofford is leading UNC-G (my spartans) 41-21 at the half.

 

[triaddukefan]

I'm under the impression that Plebe doesn't think much of the ACC... I could be wrong.

Well, at least DePaul actually has a good nonconference win. And I'd rather see Marquette make the tournament than any of those other fat-on-the-hog over-budgeted teams.

Which is better.... Depaul's victory over Kentucky... or Wake's victory over Missouri State?

 

[MSGRET]

In what will be one of the biggest upsets in the Conference tournament season...... in the SoCon... Last Place ETSU (1-10) defeats First Place and defending Conference Champs Samford (11-2) 68-61

In the second SoCon game of the day Wofford is leading UNC-G (my spartans) 41-21 at the half.

Just goes to show you can't overlook anyone when it comes to a one and done tournament.

 

[Plebe]

I'm under the impression that Plebe doesn't think much of the ACC... I could be wrong.



Which is better.... Depaul's victory over Kentucky... or Wake's victory over Missouri State?

Ha, somehow I forgot about Wake Forest. Funny how that seems to always happen

But I'm glad someone's passing the attention test

Edit to add: But given a choice I would much rather see Wake make the tourney than Notre Dame.

 

[MSGRET]

I'm under the impression that Plebe doesn't think much of the ACC... I could be wrong.



Which is better.... Depaul's victory over Kentucky... or Wake's victory over Missouri State?

Seeing that Wake is from a P5 Conference and beats a Mid Major, I would say the Mid Major over a ranked P5 is better. So I say DePaul over Kentucky is better.

 

[triaddukefan]

Going back and watching the last few minutes of the ETSU-Samford game... ETSU's roster consists of a Mykia, a Kaia, a Shynia, a Amaya, and a Jakhyia

Just goes to show you can't overlook anyone when it comes to a one and done tournament.

That's one of the reasons I prefer watching these one bid league mid-major tournaments, the #1 seed in a bigger conference is still assured of a NCAA bid if they get upset... but in this type of tournament.. the whole season is on the line as a #1 seed. The Samford team/bench looked stunned at the end as they retreated back to the locker room. They had beat ETSU by 20 just a few weeks ago. Pure joy and jubilation on the other end of the court.

 

[LETTERL]

In what will be one of the biggest upsets in the Conference tournament season...... in the SoCon... Last Place ETSU (1-10) defeats First Place and defending Conference Champs Samford (11-2) 68-61

In the second SoCon game of the day Wofford is leading UNC-G (my spartans) 41-21 at the half.

There is a reason this time of year is referred to as March Madness.

 

[LETTERL]

I guess that means Mercer now the heavy favorite to win the Southern Conference. Would be good to see Suzy Gardner get another chance at an NCAAT.

 

[MSGRET]

Going back and watching the last few minutes of the ETSU-Samford game... ETSU's roster consists of a Mykia, a Kaia, a Shynia, a Amaya, and a Jakhyia




That's one of the reasons I prefer watching these one bid league mid-major tournaments, the #1 seed in a bigger conference is still assured of a NCAA bid if they get upset... but in this type of tournament.. the whole season is on the line as a #1 seed. The Samford team/bench looked stunned at the end as they retreated back to the locker room. They had beat ETSU by 20 just a few weeks ago.

I would rather see a mid major who won their regular season conference get in the tourney over a team that finished eighth or ninth in their conference. The NCAA only cares about the P5 conference when it comes to seeding. I believe that in any conference the max that can go to the tournament is 6 or 7 no more, and no team can participate if they have a losing record in conference play, unless they win the conference tournament.