Daily rants and opinions...because we're THAT bored.
by Spaen - Thursday, February 2
(1) Connecticut Huskies (19-1) @ (22) Indiana Hoosiers (13-5)
12:00 PM, CBS
(9) Pittsburgh Panthers (17-2) @ (17) Georgetown Hoyas (15-4)
11:00AM, ESPN Full Court / YES Network
Minnesota (10-8) @ 20)Ohio State (15-3) - 2:00PM, KDSM (local) / ESPN Full Court
The Golden Gophers are coming off of their very first win in the Big Ten (now 1-6) hosting a horrible Indiana road team. OSU will need to shake off the upsetting loss to Iowa, and it looks on paper that they should roll. However, don't underestimate the kind of momentum this creates for the Gophers. That kind of dominating win could propel them to play even greater at Ohio State.
Arizona (13-8) @ 14)UCLA (18-4) - 3:00PM, FSN (most networks)
The Wildcats' struggles continue, and also go on the road again after an upsetting loss at USC. We knew that Arizona would falter a bit without Stoudamire, but not this bad. Ugh, just chalk it up as another horrible team from a very, very low conference. UCLA will look to stay on top of the only other team capable of challenging them, Washington.
21)Michigan (16-3) @ 23)Iowa (17-5) - 4:00PM, KDSM (local) / CSN West / ESPN Full Court
Didn't expect to see Iowa tied in first place. Neither did I see Michigan either. But as it turns out, they tie for a total of 3 teams at 6-2 in the Big 10. Simply put, Carver Arena for the Hawkeyes has been a hell hole for all opponents offensive wise. Somehow they can just totally shut down any type of offense that goes on the floor, and held Ohio State pretty well last week. Iowa is finally showing us why many polls had them in the Top 15. As for Michigan, they've been quite a surprise. Many people wrote them off after their performance against UCLA, but they've been incredible. Certainly the game of the day in the Big 10.
California (13-6) @ Oregon (10-12) - 7:00PM, CSN West
Oregon has been a disappointment through and through, and now their starting to lose a lot of home games. California will try and add another win into their tourney resume, but they can in no way falter if they want it as a legit road game. The Ducks have to feel like shit after what they've accomplished after the past few weeks. Don't you just think they're due for a big win?
Southern Illinois (16-6) @ Wichita State (18-5) - 11:00AM, ESPN2
The Valley game of the day. Both teams are trying to keep up with now-ranked Northern Iowa, and it will be a huge game along the way. Don't expect a lot of scoring because these two teams are ranked very high in defense. It will be a hard-fought game that will defy whether basketball really is a non-contact sport.
Akron (15-4) @ Kent State (15-6) - 1:00PM, FSN Ohio / CSN Chicago
The two best teams in the Eastern division, if not the entire conference, go head-to-head in a solid matchup for the MAC. Both teams are at a commanding 9-1, and it would be a huge win in case the committee wants to select two teams from this conference.
Long Beach State (10-9) @ Pacific (15-6) - 7:00PM, FSN West 2
Out in the "Big" West, LBSU was one of those teams last year that had a lot of talent, but couldn't use it efficiently. It seems that the talent has been more effective and more balanced. For years, Pacific has been known as that dominate team in the Big West, but there could be a changing of the guard...unless UC Irvine begins to run away with the title.
Crummy Game: Missouri (10-9) @ Texas Tech (11-10) - 12:45PM
Both teams will eventually find themselves along the bottomfeeders (with Baylor) in the Big XII conference. Missouri has been too erratic on offense to really show that they have any signs of true talent there. Texas Tech has had a couple close calls, and honestly things could be a lot worse there record-wise. Both teams, along with the 10 other teams in this conference, are very young...and expect a very error-prone game tonight.
OTHER SUNDAY GAMES
Rutgers (13-8) @ Seton Hall (13-6) - 11:00AM, Altitude (Alt) / ESPN Full Court
Seton Hall has been amazing as of late, and trying to make a second-half run in the big east. Rutgers has had their fair share of heartbreaks and almosts this season, adding the game at Syracuse to the chapter. The Scarlet Knights might not even reach the NIT if they continue to lose like this.
19)Oklahoma (14-4) @ Kansas (14-6) - 12:00PM, CBS (local)
The obvious Big XII spotlight game of the weekend. Kansas has been looking pretty damn good as of late...so has Oklahoma. It's the usual suspects (excluding Colorado) at the top in the standings, and a win from either of these dudes will significantly enhance your seed in the tourney.
Maryland (14-6) @ 18)North Carolina State (17-4) - 1:00PM, FSN (most networks)
The Terapins really are a mysterious team. They have had their fair share of big ups-and-downs...one of them even happened during a ball game. Chalk it up to a humongous win and a very good chance of entering contention for the NCAA tourney. NC State continues to work on their seed, however, and the Terapins certainly have the potential to be a very good team.
Colorado (15-3) @ Iowa State (13-7) - 1:00PM, ESPNU / Altitude / ESPN Full Court
Richard Roby and the Buffaloes have been great in the Big XII thus far. The Cylones had a little more than a week to recooperate after ANOTHER upsetting loss at home, and I'm sure they will be fired up to take on a very un-appealing Colorado team. Any more losses could spell NIT for the Cyclones if they don't get the win.
Crummy Game: Navy (7-12) @ Army (3-15) - 12:00PM
Who gives a shit if this is a rivalry. This game will be slow-paced, and everyone will miss more than over half their shots. That score will be low because..well they only have 10 wins between them on the SEASON. Will it be entertaining? Yah, if you like junior high school basketball.