Daily rants and opinions...because we're THAT bored.
by Spaen - 1/24/08
Because frankly, I don't give a shit what you think.
So, why should you give a shit what I think about the world of sports? Because I know it better than you, and you're here to learn about sports and to look cool when you're around a group of peeps at a party who are talking about that one game last night that went into 5 overtimes.
Boy, I'm glad to be back. Here's the Throwdown!
College Basketball Style
Speaking of 5 overtimes, how about that Baylor vicotry over Texas A&M last night? The Aggies, who were looking good going into Big 12 play, have lost their last 3 games, and losing a home game is a cardinal sin when you're in the Big 12. Baylor, on the other hand, is looking with only 2 total losses on the season, one two a decent Washington State team, and the other against SEC West favorite Arkansas. Seeing the last game, I thought Baylor played an excellent game against them, and in fact was in it until the end in both games. I don't have any facts to back it up, but I really thought Baylor could finish in the top 4. With Texas and Texas A&M reeling, Baylor now controls their destiny...even if they just win out at home, they should be a lock for a first-round bye in the Big 12 Tournament.
Top 5 Watch (Based on the AP Poll)
1. Memphis (18-0, 5-0 C-USA 1st)
Saturday vs Gonzaga (11a, ESPN)
You've heard the same shit from everybody. Memphis is in a loser conference with no talent, and only have 4 tough games left (vs Gonzaga, two games against Houston, at Tennessee). Well...it's true. Memphis has a had a few tough games this season (including a great win against Georgetown), but not enough to justify this team as a the number 1 team overall. C-USA is a bad conference, and I don't even think Houston should be much of a challenge. This game against Gonzaga will be tough, however. It may not be your...well...your Gonzaga team from a few years ago, but Mark Few is one of the greatest coaches in the NCAA, and should be able to keep it close. Expect Memphis to pull it out, and we shouldn't hear about them having much trouble until that doozy of a game against Bruce Pearl and the Volunteers.
2. Kansas (19-0, 4-0 Big 12 1st)
Saturday vs Nebraska (12:45p, WOI-TV5/Altitude/YES/ESPN Full Court)
It's unfortunate that Kansas is not the #1 team in the nation right now. This team has had absolutely 0 slip-ups, and have looked awesome since the beginning of the season. An obvious favorite to win the entire Big 12, expect no problems against Nebraska. Remember that basketball-like football score between these two this season, something like 76-39? Yeah...we might see that again. Speaking of football irony, guess the game that some people think Kansas could really lose their first game? At Kansas State next Wednesday.
3. Tennessee (16-2, 3-1 SEC East 2nd)
Saturday vs Georgia (6p, ESPN Full Court)
Some people call it a bad loss at Kentucky on Tuesday. But let's really think about this...Kentucky is a school with pride, and when the SEC season began, it was like starting the season all over again. Billy Gillespie is not a bad coach, and he will prove that he can coach in the SEC. Since when the SEC become tougher to coach in than the Big 12? Never, and Billy Gillespie will be the Kentucky head coach for a long time, and will be extremely sucessful. With that being said, Tennessee is still one of my favorite teams to have a chance at winning it all, and they will want to bounce back against Georgia this Saturday. It won't be too hard to do so.
4. Duke (16-1, 4-0 ACC 1st)
Sunday at Maryland (5:30p, FSN)
Where is the love for Duke? This team is finally back into greatness after a (in their standards) mediocre season last year. This team is being overshadowed by many other teams, and to be honest, I think their playing just as good of ball as Kansas in. When your only loss is to a good Pitt team, you're doing things right. However, remember that if you're one of the top teams in the nation, and you go on the road, that home team you're facing will give everything they got, and the crowd will be yelling and screaming in your ear, wanting every part of them for you to lose. Maryland didn't even need that against UNC...they beat them in their house. Maryland may be a middle-of-the-pack team, but when you enter conference play, you can throw that out the window. We'll either see a Maryland team become even stronger against this Maryland team, or Duke emerging as the stand-alone ACC favorite.
5. North Carolina (19-1, 4-1 ACC 2nd)
No game this weekend; next game: vs BC
It's not the end of the world to lose at home. However, it might have ended the hopes of UNC getting a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. I believe it's going to be a tough year to get one of the four top spots, and UNC is going to have to almost win out (including an ACC tourney final berth at least) to be in contention. The Tar Heels really have been struggling since that close victory against Clemson weeks back, and finally got a convincing win against Miami (FL) on the road. They're going to have a near complete-week off, and will be back on the court next Thursday against BC.
5 Other Big Games to Watch This Weekend
9)Georgetown at West Virginia (Saturday - 6p, ESPN)
Bob Huggins has done a good job so far with a Mountaineers team that we had no clue really what to expect. After struggling against an awful Marshall team last night, WVU looks to regain some power in the Big East by beating the Big East favorite Georgetown. This should be the best Big East game so far of the season, but look for Hoyas to have a better half-court offensive game and power a win against a rabbid home crowd.
Northern Iowa at 22)Drake (Saturday - 5p, KDSM-FOX17/ESPN Full Court)
How about those freakin' Bulldogs? Even though the Missouri Valley Conference is suffering its worst overall season in the new millenium, this is Drake's opportunity to finally get on TV that everyone can see (well, all of us in Iowa and people that have ESPN Full Court around the nation). This rivalry game should be extremely entertaining to watch, but UNI has been struggling to get points on the board. Expect the Bulldogs to win in the double-digits and continue to have 1 blemish on their record.
UNLV at San Diego St (Saturday - 3p, Versus)
With the exception of Big 10 basketball, the Mountain West Conference is home to some of the most horribly slow-paced basketball on the face of this earth. After watching an extremely awful BYU/Utah matchup last week, once can only hope that the top two teams in the MWC can put up a good showing. Seriously, the MWC needs one good game to watch this season...this could be that one and only all season long. As for the analysis on this matchup? Fuck, I don't know one person who plays on either of these teams. I just want to see if MWC basketball can prove me wrong for once.
Texas Tech at 12)Texas (Saturday - 7p, SNY/Altitude/ESPN Full Court)
Alright, Texas. This is finally going to be your time to wake up. Since the game against Oral Roberts last month, Texas has not had a convincing win since beating St. Mary's (CA). They have struggled against Big 12 play all season, including a near scare from Colorado (is that Richard Roby dude still on that fucking team?). Rick Barnes has not been happy with how his team has been playing. Well, how long is it going to take to turn things around? He may be calling out his players, but I'm calling out this whole team. The Red Raiders are starting to get some momentum after getting blasted by Okie State by 30 in the Big 12 opener. The Longhorns should not lose to this team, but don't be shocked if it happens...this ain't your typical Longhorns team this season.
17)Mississippi at Mississippi St (Saturday - 4p, ESPN Full Court)
What is up with all these Bulldogs being so good? Mississippi State is undefeated in SEC West play so far, and will take on an Ole Miss team that was one of the last 5 undefeated teams remaining this season before losing at Tennessee. This has been the best basketball that I've seen from this state in...well, ever, and combine the fact that this is a rivalry game...there's no reason not to watch.
Sorry kids, but due to time constraints and a late-start on this article, I have to wrap things up. No NBA this week.