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ND is just tough at home....not so much on the road.
Haranguatang is needing a lot of shots now to get his points..
Haranguatang is needing a lot of shots now to get his points..
The College Basketball Post
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by allen3xis,
- Start date
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Umass big win
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ASU and wazzu in a tight game at half time. 30-26
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Oregon up 9 on USC at the half
UofA down one to UW
UofA down one to UW
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Budinger is so inconsistent. He goes on these game where its like he isn't playing.
Bayless stays hot. Keep boostin that stock.
Bayless stays hot. Keep boostin that stock.
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Malik Hairston younger than Davon Jefferson
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South Alabama beat WKU tonight...they're both very good for Sun Belt teams.
[h2]Brackbuster Games..
[/h2]
• DAVIDSON (20-6, 18-0 SoCon) at WINTHROP (18-9, 9-3 Big South), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 7 p.m. ET
What it means: Charlotte-area mid-major bragging rights. The visiting Wildcats have won 16 straight games and boast a perfect SoCon record,but their at-large candidacy was likely erased by a 2-6 nonconference record and close-but-no-cigar losses to Duke, UNC and NC State. Bob McKillop's team,which streaked to a perfect 16-0 SoCon record in 2004-05 but was denied an at-large bid after a semifinal loss in the league tourney, knows its job. TheWildcats have beaten SoCon opponents by an average 17 points. In the first season of the post-Greg Marshall era in Rock Hill, S.C., Winthrop is leading but notdominating the Big South, a conference the Eagles have practically owned since 1999.
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AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Stephen Curry is a star in the SoCon, but can he lead Davidson to a BracketBusters victory?
Key player: Stephen Curry, Davidson. The 6-foot sophomore, son offormer NBA sharpshooter Dell, was tabbed as a special player in his first season but has evolved into a magical one. The fifth-leading scorer in the nation(25.8 ppg) has earned three SoCon player of the month nods this season, and he is amassing a growing list of "where-were-you-when" games thatDavidson fans will remember for a long time. Like, for instance, his 38-point effort in Davidson's conference opener at Appalachian State or the 41-pointoutburst that helped the Wildcats dig out of an early 20-point hole at UNC Greensboro on Feb. 13.
Key stat: Before leaving for Wichita State last summer, Marshall coached Winthrop to seven Big South tournament championships. But none ofhis NCAA teams beat two ACC squads in the same year, a feat accomplished with wins over Miami and Georgia Tech under Randy Peele this season. And none ofMarshall's teams played defense quite like this first Peele-led version. The Eagles have held conference opponents to 54.6 points per game, have only givenup 70 or more once in league play and haven't allowed more than 75 since a 76-71 loss to Ole Miss on Dec. 13.
• UC SANTA BARBARA (20-6, 9-4 Big West) at UTAH STATE (18-9, 8-4 WAC), ESPNU, 9 p.m. ET
What it means: With both teams hovering in the 80s and 90s of the RPI table, it's a chance for old Big West buddies to catch up. Bothteams were perennial BWC contenders until two seasons ago when Utah State moved into the WAC. But the Gauchos and Aggies, picked to finish high in theirrespective leagues, have hit simultaneous swoons. USU has dropped three straight to fall out of first place after a 5-0 conference start, and UCSB languishesbehind Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge in the Big West race.
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AP Photo/Tony Ding
Utah State's Jaycee Carroll is a sweet shooter and big-time scorer.
Key player: Jaycee Carroll, Utah State. The All-American seniorguard is a 2,000-point career scorer, and he currently leads the WAC with a 22.3 ppg average. He's on track to end his Utah State career by hitting 50percent or more shots in three of his four years in Logan, and he's already assured of hitting at least 40 percent of his 3s in all four of his collegiateseasons. Yet this season is his best shooting campaign yet. He's shooting nearly as well from 3 (51.7 percent) as he is overall (52.8 percent).
Key stat: Look for a lot of flying rubber in this one. USU and UCSB love shooting the 3, and both teams are remarkably proficient frombeyond the arc. Led by Carroll, Utah State makes 40.1 percent of its attempts (18th in the country), while 20.4 ppg scoring machine Alex Harris and the Gauchos convert on 41.5 percent of their tries (No. 4 nationally). Whenit comes to stopping the long bomb, however, the Aggies are in the bottom 50 in 3-point field goal defense (37.6 percent), while UCSB is No. 18 with 30.6percent allowed.
[h2]Saturday BracketBusters games[/h2]
• VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH (20-6, 13-3 CAA) at AKRON (19-7, 9-4 MAC), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 11 a.m. ET
What it means: A must-win for VCU and the CAA if the league is to have its third straight two-bid year. The Rams lost a one-point stunner athome on Feb. 16 to in-state rival Old Dominion, their first home loss of the season, and have dropped to an RPI of 63. Akron's NCAA hopes suffered aserious blow two weeks ago when the Zips' leading scorer and rebounder JeremiahWood went down with a knee injury. He's not expected to return until at least the conference tournament.
Key player: Eric Maynor, VCU. You probably remember him from hislast-minute heroics last March, when the then-sophomore hit clutch shots to defeat George Mason in the CAA title game and sank Duke in the first round of theNCAA Tournament. As a junior, he's taken full control of the offense, scoring 17.9 ppg and leading the conference in assists with 5.3 per game. OnWednesday night, he scored 13 of the team's final 17 points to overcome Northeastern on the road. And earlier this month, he was named to the 16-man shortlist for the Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard.
Key stat: VCU's defense, a second thought last year, has become the program's calling card. In Anthony Grant's second year,he's transformed a defense that allowed 68 points in CAA contests into a tight crew that's trimmed that average by 10 points. And no team in Americalocks down the perimeter as well as the Rams do, with a paltry 27.2 percent shooting allowed from long distance. Unfortunately for suddenly undersized Akron,the 3 is its primary weapon.
• GEORGE MASON (19-8, 11-5 CAA) at OHIO (17-9, 8-5 MAC), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 1 p.m. ET
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AP Photo/Kevin Wolf
Will Thomas, a member of George Mason's Final Four team, is now a leading candidate for CAA player of the year.
What it means: Not quite as much as it did two weeks ago. The Patriots and the Bobcats have seen their at-large chances diminish sincethis game was announced. Ohio Both have lost two of their last four contests to drop back into the 60s in the RPI. Ohio had a two-loss road trip at Toledo andleague front-runner Kent State, while George Mason dropped its first home game of the season last Saturday on a buzzer-beating 3 by UNC Wilmington'sT.J. Carter. Both teams, however, remain strong contenders to claim the auto-bid fromtheir respective conferences.
Key player: Will Thomas, George Mason. The 6-7 Baltimore nativewas a sophomore during Mason's 2006 Final Four run, and he had that memorable 19-point, 12-rebound game in the regional final shocker against Connecticut.Now a senior, he's leading the Patriots in scoring (16.2 ppg) and rebounding (10.5 rpg), has 13 double-doubles in 26 games and shoots a blistering 63.2percent from the floor. He's a strong candidate for CAA player of the year.
Key stat: Ohio has a double-doubling Charm City senior of its own. Leon Williams is a key holdover from the 2005 MAC championship team that pushed Florida towithin five points in the NCAA first round. Nearly averaging a double-double (15.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg), the 6-8 wide-body played key roles in Ohio's wins overSt. John's and Maryland in December, and he often holds the key to an Ohio victory. When Williams attempts 10 or more shots, the Bobcats are 7-2.
• CREIGHTON (18-8, 9-7 MVC) at ORAL ROBERTS (19-6, 14-1 Summit League), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 3 p.m. ET
What it means: A chance for the two-time champions of the Summit (formerly known as the Mid-Continent Conference) to show off its facility,fans and the Golden Eagles' new generation of productive players on national TV. ORU began the conference season perfect at 13-0, the best start in leaguehistory, before falling at second-place IUPUI on Saturday. For Creighton, it's the opportunity to showcase its seven underclassmen, a group that may wellreturn the Bluejays to the top of the Missouri Valley in coming years.
Key player: Robert Jarvis, Oral Roberts. He's short instature (5-11) and hails from Humble, Texas, but there's nothing diminutive about this junior guard's numbers (or his long, flying, braided hair).Jarvis leads the Golden Eagles in points (15.7 ppg) and is hitting 42.1 percent of his 3-point tries. He's also a fantastic free-throw shooter, nailing85.4 percent of his shots from the stripe.
Key stats: Expect a defensive battle. Creighton's young bunch excels in forcing turnovers, averaging 24 caused cough-ups per ballgame.Oral Roberts is extremely good at stopping shots -- its 40 percent field-goal defense is best in the Summit and ranks 26th nationwide.
• NEVADA (17-9, 9-4 WAC) at SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (15-12, 10-6 MVC), ESPNU, 4:30 p.m. ET
What it means: Sweet 16 nostalgia. Nevada has enjoyed four straight trips to the Big Dance (and four NCAA wins during that stretch), but ayouth movement forced by graduation and early NBA draft exits has put the streak at risk. Southern Illinois struck deep into March last season with a Sweet 16run, but the 2007-08 team's road troubles have kept it at mid-table in the Valley behind Drake and Illinois State. But with proven NCAA-caliber coaches inSIU's Chris Lowery and Nevada's Mark Fox, either or both teams could find a way to win three in a row at their conference tournaments to return to thebig bracket.
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AP Photo/Kevin Clifford
Nevada's JaVale McGee is a blossoming star and shot-blocking extraordinaire.
Key player: JaVale McGee, Nevada. The Wolf Pack's 6-11sophomore sensation will likely be the face of the program until the next decade, unless he fulfills his pro-ball destiny early. McGee is second on the team inscoring (13.2 ppg) behind stalwart senior Marcelus Kemp's 20.4, and he hasalready emerged as the true heir to Nick Fazekas' rebounding throne with 7.5 rebounds per contest. Not only does he provide superior glass-cleaningservices, he smudges it up pretty good too. He averaging 2.8 blocks per game and adjusts countless other attempts.
Key stat: Opponents who enter SIU Arena often find themselves vastly outnumbered. A rabid crowd of 5,700 Salukis fans serves as themetaphorical "sixth man" on the court, as well as the seventh, eighth and ninth too. And with a 10-2 record at home (including the first 2007-08Valley defeat of front-running Drake), Southern Illinois is just as nails-tough as it's ever been. It has been the road that's been the reason for theteam's struggles. The Salukis are just 2-9 and scoring just 58 points per game (10 less than at home) away from the raucous confines.
• No. 18 DRAKE (23-3, 14-2 MVC) at No. 8 BUTLER (25-2, 14-2 Horizon), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 5 p.m. ET
What it means: It's a battle between two nationally ranked mids that are very nearly mirror images of each other. Both packs of Bulldogsdo it with hustle, sweat and grit, and they have impressed with their ability to cover up on-court shortcomings with excellence in other areas. Drake hasalready clinched its first Valley title in 37 years but needs this win to feel safe on the bubble after two losses -- to Southern Illinois and Bradley -- inthree games. Butler heads into the game on an nine-game tear and has much more margin for error with its superior strength of schedule.
Key player: Matt Howard, Butler. The 6-8 freshman has made aninstant impact in the B-Bulldogs' frontcourt and has brought new dimension to a team that built a reputation for the sterling guard play of A.J. Graves and MikeGreen. During January, Howard (13.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 60 percent shooting) bullied his way inside to become the team's leading scorer in seven consecutivegames.
Key stat: "Drake" is the new slang for "unselfish." Josh Young, the D-Bulldogs' primary point-getter at 16.2 ppg, has led Drake in points inonly eight of the team's 26 games. The second-leading scorer, Leonard Houston(14.0 ppg), has only topped the points parade in four games. All told, six Drake players have been the team's leading scorer in a game.
• MIAMI (OHIO) (13-12, 7-6 MAC) at VALPARAISO (15-12, 6-9 Horizon), ESPN Classic, 6 p.m. ET
What it means: A classic chance to see Valpo's Athletics-Recreation Center (ARC) filled to golden-shirted capacity again, just like it wastwo weeks ago for the Butler game on ESPN2. The Crusaders have stumbled, losing seven of their last nine. The MAC reigning champion Redhawks have been wildlyinconsistent, with matching five-game winning and losing streaks in the past two months.
Key player: Michael Bramos, Miami. After spending most of the2006-07 season as the team's fourth offensive option, the 6-5 Michigan native exploded on the conference scene during last March's MAC tourney inCleveland, scoring in double figures in each of the Redhawks' three wins there. This season, he leads the team in scoring with 15.3 ppg, and is one of theleague's most reliable workhorses, averaging 35.2 minutes per game.
Key stat: This will be the first-ever BracketBusters game to be shown live on ESPN Classic.
• MARIST (15-12, 9-7 MAAC) at CLEVELAND STATE (18-11, 11-6 Horizon), ESPNU, 6:30 p.m. ET
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AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Junior J'Nathan Bullock gives Cleveland State a go-to scorer on the perimeter.
What it means: An opportunity for an up-and-down Cleveland State to maintain its positive momentum heading into its conferencetournament. The Vikings won seven straight to jump out in front of the Horizon League but took on a five-game losing streak to go 7-5. Now, however, the teamis on the upswing, winning four of five to climb back into third place behind Butler and Wright State. Marist, for its part, has lost five of its past six tofade out of a hotly contested MAAC race.
Key players: J'Nathan Bullock and Cedric Jackson, Cleveland State. The Vikings have established a nice inside-outside combo,with slashing guard Jackson and bullish forward Bullock averaging a combined 28.7 points and 10.9 rebounds. And since they're both juniors, they stand tokeep CSU in contention in 2008-09, after Butler's senior guards graduate.
Key stat: The Red Foxes miss Jared Jordan, the point guard who led the team to a 2007 NIT victory and went on to be drafted 45th by the LosAngeles Clippers. Last season, Jordan's 8.7 assists helped Marist lead the MAAC with a 1.34-to-1 team assist-to-turnover ratio. This year, the teamaverages more turnovers than assists (.86-to-1).
• RIDER (18-9, 11-5 MAAC) at CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (18-6, 10-2 Big West), ESPNU, 9 p.m. ET
What it means: Both teams will take a few days off from heated conference races to take a Buster break. Rider was in the lead for the MAACone-seed but has lost three straight to fall into a four-way tie for first. Northridge, a school with only two winning seasons since joining the Big West in2001, finds itself in a virtual tie with Fullerton for first on the strength of hot offense (78 points in league games) and flash-freeze defense (65 pointsallowed).
Key player: Jason Thompson, Rider. A sure-fire selection in theNBA draft, the 6-11 senior was named to the Wooden Award's midseason top 30 list. Accumulating the numbers necessary to attract scouts' attention hasbeen no problem for Thompson -- he's averaging 20.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, and he recently became the first player since Wake Forest'sTim Duncan to achieve three 20-point, 20-rebound games in a season.
Key stat: The Broncs will travel the 2,756 miles between Lawrenceville, N.J., and Northridge, Calif. The Matadors will repay the favorsometime in the next two seasons by playing at Rider's Alumni Gym, thanks to the rules of the BracketBusters event, which mandate a return game.
• UW MILWAUKEE (13-12, 8-7 Horizon) at BRADLEY (16-12, 9-7 MVC), ESPN360.com, 9 p.m. ET
What it means: It's a pair of Sweet 16 teams from 2005 (Milwaukee) and 2006 (Bradley) that have made recent statements against 2008'scrop of hot mid-majors. Tuesday, UWM pushed Butler to overtime at home. Earlier this week, Bradley did what no other team has done this year -- defeat Drake inDes Moines.
Key player: Daniel Ruffin, Bradley. The Braves struggled during amonth while their star senior guard recovered from a sports hernia, and they played their way off the at-large board. But since the nation's active leaderin assists returned in late January, Bradley is 7-2. The 5-10 spark plug is all the way back. He's averaging 14.5 points in those nine games, which is alsohis season average.
Key stat: Since the mid-December dismissal of leading scorer and rebounder Torre Johnson (17.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg) in the wake of assaultcharges, the Panthers are 10-5. They were 3-7 with Johnson on the roster.
• SIENA (16-10, 11-5 MAAC) at BOISE STATE (20-6, 10-3 WAC), ESPN360.com, 10 p.m. ET
What it means: Two leaders from far-flung leagues, together for the first time since a 82-80 Boise win that opened the 1993-94 season.Fourteen years later, Siena is one of four 11-5 MAAC teams and offers the most athletic squad in the conference. Boise State remains the best-shooting team inthe nation (51.6 percent), has won eight of nine games and recently became the WAC's first 10-win team.
Key stat: With its speed and depth, Siena has been able to simply run a lot of teams off the court. However, the Saints have had theirstruggles matching up with athletic forwards, outrebounded by double-digit margins in four of their past six games. Boise State will provide a tough testindeed with the WAC's premier frontcourt pair -- seniors Reggie Larry andMatt Nelson combine for 34.6 points and 16.5 rebounds.
• KENT STATE (22-5, 11-2 MAC) at No. 20 SAINT MARY'S (23-3, 10-1 WCC), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 11:59 p.m. ET
What it means: Perhaps the BracketBusters contest with the most on the line. With an RPI in the 40s and a five-game winning streak, Kent Statecould pick up a gigantic road win over a team with an RPI of 26, which would put Kent squarely on the bubble and perhaps lead to the MAC's first at-largebid since 1999. SMC has won six in a row, but a loss at home could put a serious dent in the résumé of a team that's attempting to shore up at-largestatus. It's a distant replay of the championship from Saint Mary's holiday tournament in December 2005, a last-minute 61-59 Gael win.
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AP Photo/Gus Ruelas
Freshman Patty Mills has been a breakout star at Saint Mary's.
Key player: Patrick Mills, Saint Mary's. The Gaels'freshman phenom has a world of experience -- he's played and excelled for Australia's national team -- that your average prep newcomer can't match.The lightning-fast Mills made his initial splash in America with a 37-point explosion in a December upset of Oregon, and he currently leads the team with 15.2ppg and 3.6 apg.
Key stat: Saint Mary's has better rebounding and defense, and Kent State offers better overall shooting. However, the winner of thisgame will likely come down to tempo. The Gaels love to get out and run, using very little clock, and Kent will try to keep things slow. If you're watchingthe game, keep a scratch pad and count Saint Mary's possessions. When the Gaels are held to below 64, they're 1-2.
[h2]Sunday BracketBusters game[/h2]
• WRIGHT STATE (20-6, 12-4 Horizon) at ILLINOIS STATE (19-8, 11-5 MVC), ESPNU, 6:30 p.m. ET
What it means: A chance to see the second-place teams in two conferences that will likely be two-bid candidates should Drake and/or Butlerfalls in the MVC and Horizon tourneys, respectively. It also means an extra day of BracketBusters fun -- the Illinois state girl's basketball championshipsare being held Friday and Saturday at Redbird Arena, necessitating a schedule change.
Key player: Osiris Eldridge, Illinois State. As a sophomore, No.0 is averaging a MVC-leading 16.7 ppg and is shooting 49.7 percent from the floor, many of his baskets coming off picture-perfect dribble-drives from theperimeter. The 6-3 Chicago product is a strong front-runner to be named 2008 Valley Player of the Year. It would look great on his mantle next to his 2007freshman of the year award.
Key stat: Wright State, the 2007 champions of the Horizon, must believe that blowouts are overrated. During its current 10-game conferencewinning streak, the Raiders have won by an average of 3.2 points. Four of those victories were by a single point.
Kyle Whelliston is the national mid-major reporter for Basketball Times a
[h2]Brackbuster Games..
[/h2]
• DAVIDSON (20-6, 18-0 SoCon) at WINTHROP (18-9, 9-3 Big South), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 7 p.m. ET
What it means: Charlotte-area mid-major bragging rights. The visiting Wildcats have won 16 straight games and boast a perfect SoCon record,but their at-large candidacy was likely erased by a 2-6 nonconference record and close-but-no-cigar losses to Duke, UNC and NC State. Bob McKillop's team,which streaked to a perfect 16-0 SoCon record in 2004-05 but was denied an at-large bid after a semifinal loss in the league tourney, knows its job. TheWildcats have beaten SoCon opponents by an average 17 points. In the first season of the post-Greg Marshall era in Rock Hill, S.C., Winthrop is leading but notdominating the Big South, a conference the Eagles have practically owned since 1999.
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AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Stephen Curry is a star in the SoCon, but can he lead Davidson to a BracketBusters victory?
Key player: Stephen Curry, Davidson. The 6-foot sophomore, son offormer NBA sharpshooter Dell, was tabbed as a special player in his first season but has evolved into a magical one. The fifth-leading scorer in the nation(25.8 ppg) has earned three SoCon player of the month nods this season, and he is amassing a growing list of "where-were-you-when" games thatDavidson fans will remember for a long time. Like, for instance, his 38-point effort in Davidson's conference opener at Appalachian State or the 41-pointoutburst that helped the Wildcats dig out of an early 20-point hole at UNC Greensboro on Feb. 13.
Key stat: Before leaving for Wichita State last summer, Marshall coached Winthrop to seven Big South tournament championships. But none ofhis NCAA teams beat two ACC squads in the same year, a feat accomplished with wins over Miami and Georgia Tech under Randy Peele this season. And none ofMarshall's teams played defense quite like this first Peele-led version. The Eagles have held conference opponents to 54.6 points per game, have only givenup 70 or more once in league play and haven't allowed more than 75 since a 76-71 loss to Ole Miss on Dec. 13.
• UC SANTA BARBARA (20-6, 9-4 Big West) at UTAH STATE (18-9, 8-4 WAC), ESPNU, 9 p.m. ET
What it means: With both teams hovering in the 80s and 90s of the RPI table, it's a chance for old Big West buddies to catch up. Bothteams were perennial BWC contenders until two seasons ago when Utah State moved into the WAC. But the Gauchos and Aggies, picked to finish high in theirrespective leagues, have hit simultaneous swoons. USU has dropped three straight to fall out of first place after a 5-0 conference start, and UCSB languishesbehind Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge in the Big West race.
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AP Photo/Tony Ding
Utah State's Jaycee Carroll is a sweet shooter and big-time scorer.
Key player: Jaycee Carroll, Utah State. The All-American seniorguard is a 2,000-point career scorer, and he currently leads the WAC with a 22.3 ppg average. He's on track to end his Utah State career by hitting 50percent or more shots in three of his four years in Logan, and he's already assured of hitting at least 40 percent of his 3s in all four of his collegiateseasons. Yet this season is his best shooting campaign yet. He's shooting nearly as well from 3 (51.7 percent) as he is overall (52.8 percent).
Key stat: Look for a lot of flying rubber in this one. USU and UCSB love shooting the 3, and both teams are remarkably proficient frombeyond the arc. Led by Carroll, Utah State makes 40.1 percent of its attempts (18th in the country), while 20.4 ppg scoring machine Alex Harris and the Gauchos convert on 41.5 percent of their tries (No. 4 nationally). Whenit comes to stopping the long bomb, however, the Aggies are in the bottom 50 in 3-point field goal defense (37.6 percent), while UCSB is No. 18 with 30.6percent allowed.
[h2]Saturday BracketBusters games[/h2]
• VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH (20-6, 13-3 CAA) at AKRON (19-7, 9-4 MAC), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 11 a.m. ET
What it means: A must-win for VCU and the CAA if the league is to have its third straight two-bid year. The Rams lost a one-point stunner athome on Feb. 16 to in-state rival Old Dominion, their first home loss of the season, and have dropped to an RPI of 63. Akron's NCAA hopes suffered aserious blow two weeks ago when the Zips' leading scorer and rebounder JeremiahWood went down with a knee injury. He's not expected to return until at least the conference tournament.
Key player: Eric Maynor, VCU. You probably remember him from hislast-minute heroics last March, when the then-sophomore hit clutch shots to defeat George Mason in the CAA title game and sank Duke in the first round of theNCAA Tournament. As a junior, he's taken full control of the offense, scoring 17.9 ppg and leading the conference in assists with 5.3 per game. OnWednesday night, he scored 13 of the team's final 17 points to overcome Northeastern on the road. And earlier this month, he was named to the 16-man shortlist for the Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard.
Key stat: VCU's defense, a second thought last year, has become the program's calling card. In Anthony Grant's second year,he's transformed a defense that allowed 68 points in CAA contests into a tight crew that's trimmed that average by 10 points. And no team in Americalocks down the perimeter as well as the Rams do, with a paltry 27.2 percent shooting allowed from long distance. Unfortunately for suddenly undersized Akron,the 3 is its primary weapon.
• GEORGE MASON (19-8, 11-5 CAA) at OHIO (17-9, 8-5 MAC), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 1 p.m. ET
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AP Photo/Kevin Wolf
Will Thomas, a member of George Mason's Final Four team, is now a leading candidate for CAA player of the year.
What it means: Not quite as much as it did two weeks ago. The Patriots and the Bobcats have seen their at-large chances diminish sincethis game was announced. Ohio Both have lost two of their last four contests to drop back into the 60s in the RPI. Ohio had a two-loss road trip at Toledo andleague front-runner Kent State, while George Mason dropped its first home game of the season last Saturday on a buzzer-beating 3 by UNC Wilmington'sT.J. Carter. Both teams, however, remain strong contenders to claim the auto-bid fromtheir respective conferences.
Key player: Will Thomas, George Mason. The 6-7 Baltimore nativewas a sophomore during Mason's 2006 Final Four run, and he had that memorable 19-point, 12-rebound game in the regional final shocker against Connecticut.Now a senior, he's leading the Patriots in scoring (16.2 ppg) and rebounding (10.5 rpg), has 13 double-doubles in 26 games and shoots a blistering 63.2percent from the floor. He's a strong candidate for CAA player of the year.
Key stat: Ohio has a double-doubling Charm City senior of its own. Leon Williams is a key holdover from the 2005 MAC championship team that pushed Florida towithin five points in the NCAA first round. Nearly averaging a double-double (15.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg), the 6-8 wide-body played key roles in Ohio's wins overSt. John's and Maryland in December, and he often holds the key to an Ohio victory. When Williams attempts 10 or more shots, the Bobcats are 7-2.
• CREIGHTON (18-8, 9-7 MVC) at ORAL ROBERTS (19-6, 14-1 Summit League), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 3 p.m. ET
What it means: A chance for the two-time champions of the Summit (formerly known as the Mid-Continent Conference) to show off its facility,fans and the Golden Eagles' new generation of productive players on national TV. ORU began the conference season perfect at 13-0, the best start in leaguehistory, before falling at second-place IUPUI on Saturday. For Creighton, it's the opportunity to showcase its seven underclassmen, a group that may wellreturn the Bluejays to the top of the Missouri Valley in coming years.
Key player: Robert Jarvis, Oral Roberts. He's short instature (5-11) and hails from Humble, Texas, but there's nothing diminutive about this junior guard's numbers (or his long, flying, braided hair).Jarvis leads the Golden Eagles in points (15.7 ppg) and is hitting 42.1 percent of his 3-point tries. He's also a fantastic free-throw shooter, nailing85.4 percent of his shots from the stripe.
Key stats: Expect a defensive battle. Creighton's young bunch excels in forcing turnovers, averaging 24 caused cough-ups per ballgame.Oral Roberts is extremely good at stopping shots -- its 40 percent field-goal defense is best in the Summit and ranks 26th nationwide.
• NEVADA (17-9, 9-4 WAC) at SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (15-12, 10-6 MVC), ESPNU, 4:30 p.m. ET
What it means: Sweet 16 nostalgia. Nevada has enjoyed four straight trips to the Big Dance (and four NCAA wins during that stretch), but ayouth movement forced by graduation and early NBA draft exits has put the streak at risk. Southern Illinois struck deep into March last season with a Sweet 16run, but the 2007-08 team's road troubles have kept it at mid-table in the Valley behind Drake and Illinois State. But with proven NCAA-caliber coaches inSIU's Chris Lowery and Nevada's Mark Fox, either or both teams could find a way to win three in a row at their conference tournaments to return to thebig bracket.
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AP Photo/Kevin Clifford
Nevada's JaVale McGee is a blossoming star and shot-blocking extraordinaire.
Key player: JaVale McGee, Nevada. The Wolf Pack's 6-11sophomore sensation will likely be the face of the program until the next decade, unless he fulfills his pro-ball destiny early. McGee is second on the team inscoring (13.2 ppg) behind stalwart senior Marcelus Kemp's 20.4, and he hasalready emerged as the true heir to Nick Fazekas' rebounding throne with 7.5 rebounds per contest. Not only does he provide superior glass-cleaningservices, he smudges it up pretty good too. He averaging 2.8 blocks per game and adjusts countless other attempts.
Key stat: Opponents who enter SIU Arena often find themselves vastly outnumbered. A rabid crowd of 5,700 Salukis fans serves as themetaphorical "sixth man" on the court, as well as the seventh, eighth and ninth too. And with a 10-2 record at home (including the first 2007-08Valley defeat of front-running Drake), Southern Illinois is just as nails-tough as it's ever been. It has been the road that's been the reason for theteam's struggles. The Salukis are just 2-9 and scoring just 58 points per game (10 less than at home) away from the raucous confines.
• No. 18 DRAKE (23-3, 14-2 MVC) at No. 8 BUTLER (25-2, 14-2 Horizon), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 5 p.m. ET
What it means: It's a battle between two nationally ranked mids that are very nearly mirror images of each other. Both packs of Bulldogsdo it with hustle, sweat and grit, and they have impressed with their ability to cover up on-court shortcomings with excellence in other areas. Drake hasalready clinched its first Valley title in 37 years but needs this win to feel safe on the bubble after two losses -- to Southern Illinois and Bradley -- inthree games. Butler heads into the game on an nine-game tear and has much more margin for error with its superior strength of schedule.
Key player: Matt Howard, Butler. The 6-8 freshman has made aninstant impact in the B-Bulldogs' frontcourt and has brought new dimension to a team that built a reputation for the sterling guard play of A.J. Graves and MikeGreen. During January, Howard (13.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 60 percent shooting) bullied his way inside to become the team's leading scorer in seven consecutivegames.
Key stat: "Drake" is the new slang for "unselfish." Josh Young, the D-Bulldogs' primary point-getter at 16.2 ppg, has led Drake in points inonly eight of the team's 26 games. The second-leading scorer, Leonard Houston(14.0 ppg), has only topped the points parade in four games. All told, six Drake players have been the team's leading scorer in a game.
• MIAMI (OHIO) (13-12, 7-6 MAC) at VALPARAISO (15-12, 6-9 Horizon), ESPN Classic, 6 p.m. ET
What it means: A classic chance to see Valpo's Athletics-Recreation Center (ARC) filled to golden-shirted capacity again, just like it wastwo weeks ago for the Butler game on ESPN2. The Crusaders have stumbled, losing seven of their last nine. The MAC reigning champion Redhawks have been wildlyinconsistent, with matching five-game winning and losing streaks in the past two months.
Key player: Michael Bramos, Miami. After spending most of the2006-07 season as the team's fourth offensive option, the 6-5 Michigan native exploded on the conference scene during last March's MAC tourney inCleveland, scoring in double figures in each of the Redhawks' three wins there. This season, he leads the team in scoring with 15.3 ppg, and is one of theleague's most reliable workhorses, averaging 35.2 minutes per game.
Key stat: This will be the first-ever BracketBusters game to be shown live on ESPN Classic.
• MARIST (15-12, 9-7 MAAC) at CLEVELAND STATE (18-11, 11-6 Horizon), ESPNU, 6:30 p.m. ET
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AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Junior J'Nathan Bullock gives Cleveland State a go-to scorer on the perimeter.
What it means: An opportunity for an up-and-down Cleveland State to maintain its positive momentum heading into its conferencetournament. The Vikings won seven straight to jump out in front of the Horizon League but took on a five-game losing streak to go 7-5. Now, however, the teamis on the upswing, winning four of five to climb back into third place behind Butler and Wright State. Marist, for its part, has lost five of its past six tofade out of a hotly contested MAAC race.
Key players: J'Nathan Bullock and Cedric Jackson, Cleveland State. The Vikings have established a nice inside-outside combo,with slashing guard Jackson and bullish forward Bullock averaging a combined 28.7 points and 10.9 rebounds. And since they're both juniors, they stand tokeep CSU in contention in 2008-09, after Butler's senior guards graduate.
Key stat: The Red Foxes miss Jared Jordan, the point guard who led the team to a 2007 NIT victory and went on to be drafted 45th by the LosAngeles Clippers. Last season, Jordan's 8.7 assists helped Marist lead the MAAC with a 1.34-to-1 team assist-to-turnover ratio. This year, the teamaverages more turnovers than assists (.86-to-1).
• RIDER (18-9, 11-5 MAAC) at CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (18-6, 10-2 Big West), ESPNU, 9 p.m. ET
What it means: Both teams will take a few days off from heated conference races to take a Buster break. Rider was in the lead for the MAACone-seed but has lost three straight to fall into a four-way tie for first. Northridge, a school with only two winning seasons since joining the Big West in2001, finds itself in a virtual tie with Fullerton for first on the strength of hot offense (78 points in league games) and flash-freeze defense (65 pointsallowed).
Key player: Jason Thompson, Rider. A sure-fire selection in theNBA draft, the 6-11 senior was named to the Wooden Award's midseason top 30 list. Accumulating the numbers necessary to attract scouts' attention hasbeen no problem for Thompson -- he's averaging 20.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, and he recently became the first player since Wake Forest'sTim Duncan to achieve three 20-point, 20-rebound games in a season.
Key stat: The Broncs will travel the 2,756 miles between Lawrenceville, N.J., and Northridge, Calif. The Matadors will repay the favorsometime in the next two seasons by playing at Rider's Alumni Gym, thanks to the rules of the BracketBusters event, which mandate a return game.
• UW MILWAUKEE (13-12, 8-7 Horizon) at BRADLEY (16-12, 9-7 MVC), ESPN360.com, 9 p.m. ET
What it means: It's a pair of Sweet 16 teams from 2005 (Milwaukee) and 2006 (Bradley) that have made recent statements against 2008'scrop of hot mid-majors. Tuesday, UWM pushed Butler to overtime at home. Earlier this week, Bradley did what no other team has done this year -- defeat Drake inDes Moines.
Key player: Daniel Ruffin, Bradley. The Braves struggled during amonth while their star senior guard recovered from a sports hernia, and they played their way off the at-large board. But since the nation's active leaderin assists returned in late January, Bradley is 7-2. The 5-10 spark plug is all the way back. He's averaging 14.5 points in those nine games, which is alsohis season average.
Key stat: Since the mid-December dismissal of leading scorer and rebounder Torre Johnson (17.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg) in the wake of assaultcharges, the Panthers are 10-5. They were 3-7 with Johnson on the roster.
• SIENA (16-10, 11-5 MAAC) at BOISE STATE (20-6, 10-3 WAC), ESPN360.com, 10 p.m. ET
What it means: Two leaders from far-flung leagues, together for the first time since a 82-80 Boise win that opened the 1993-94 season.Fourteen years later, Siena is one of four 11-5 MAAC teams and offers the most athletic squad in the conference. Boise State remains the best-shooting team inthe nation (51.6 percent), has won eight of nine games and recently became the WAC's first 10-win team.
Key stat: With its speed and depth, Siena has been able to simply run a lot of teams off the court. However, the Saints have had theirstruggles matching up with athletic forwards, outrebounded by double-digit margins in four of their past six games. Boise State will provide a tough testindeed with the WAC's premier frontcourt pair -- seniors Reggie Larry andMatt Nelson combine for 34.6 points and 16.5 rebounds.
• KENT STATE (22-5, 11-2 MAC) at No. 20 SAINT MARY'S (23-3, 10-1 WCC), ESPN2, ESPN360.com, 11:59 p.m. ET
What it means: Perhaps the BracketBusters contest with the most on the line. With an RPI in the 40s and a five-game winning streak, Kent Statecould pick up a gigantic road win over a team with an RPI of 26, which would put Kent squarely on the bubble and perhaps lead to the MAC's first at-largebid since 1999. SMC has won six in a row, but a loss at home could put a serious dent in the résumé of a team that's attempting to shore up at-largestatus. It's a distant replay of the championship from Saint Mary's holiday tournament in December 2005, a last-minute 61-59 Gael win.
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AP Photo/Gus Ruelas
Freshman Patty Mills has been a breakout star at Saint Mary's.
Key player: Patrick Mills, Saint Mary's. The Gaels'freshman phenom has a world of experience -- he's played and excelled for Australia's national team -- that your average prep newcomer can't match.The lightning-fast Mills made his initial splash in America with a 37-point explosion in a December upset of Oregon, and he currently leads the team with 15.2ppg and 3.6 apg.
Key stat: Saint Mary's has better rebounding and defense, and Kent State offers better overall shooting. However, the winner of thisgame will likely come down to tempo. The Gaels love to get out and run, using very little clock, and Kent will try to keep things slow. If you're watchingthe game, keep a scratch pad and count Saint Mary's possessions. When the Gaels are held to below 64, they're 1-2.
[h2]Sunday BracketBusters game[/h2]
• WRIGHT STATE (20-6, 12-4 Horizon) at ILLINOIS STATE (19-8, 11-5 MVC), ESPNU, 6:30 p.m. ET
What it means: A chance to see the second-place teams in two conferences that will likely be two-bid candidates should Drake and/or Butlerfalls in the MVC and Horizon tourneys, respectively. It also means an extra day of BracketBusters fun -- the Illinois state girl's basketball championshipsare being held Friday and Saturday at Redbird Arena, necessitating a schedule change.
Key player: Osiris Eldridge, Illinois State. As a sophomore, No.0 is averaging a MVC-leading 16.7 ppg and is shooting 49.7 percent from the floor, many of his baskets coming off picture-perfect dribble-drives from theperimeter. The 6-3 Chicago product is a strong front-runner to be named 2008 Valley Player of the Year. It would look great on his mantle next to his 2007freshman of the year award.
Key stat: Wright State, the 2007 champions of the Horizon, must believe that blowouts are overrated. During its current 10-game conferencewinning streak, the Raiders have won by an average of 3.2 points. Four of those victories were by a single point.
Kyle Whelliston is the national mid-major reporter for Basketball Times a
Key player: Jason Thompson, Rider. A sure-fire selection in the NBA draft, the 6-11 senior was named to the Wooden Award's midseason top 30 list. Accumulating the numbers necessary to attract scouts' attention has been no problem for Thompson -- he's averaging 20.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, and he recently became the first player since Wake Forest's Tim Duncan to achieve three 20-point, 20-rebound games in a season.
Key player: Edwin Ubiles, Siena. This explosive 6-6 forward can run the break as well as anyone at this level, and was named co-Rookie of the Year in the MAAC in 2006-07. Now, the sophomore Saint averages 17.2 points per contest, has nine 20-plus games this season and recently dropped 37 on Loyola (Md.) in a losing cause.
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Zona really wants to make things difficult huh?
Next 3 games
@ Wash St
USC
UCLA
Next 3 games
@ Wash St
USC
UCLA
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Big game from OJ...he's still tough to figure out, at least to me
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Nice performance from Chase
It's actually kind of sad...I always liked UofA hoops..
It's actually kind of sad...I always liked UofA hoops..
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Those new Oregon jerseys are downright ugly.
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Jordan Classic rosters released:
| 2008 Jordan Brand All-American Team | ||||
| Al-Farouq Aminu | F | Norcross, GA | Wake Forest |  |
| William Buford | W | Toledo, OH | Ohio State | |
| Ed Davis | PF | Richmond, VA | North Carolina | |
| Demar DeRozan | W | Compton, CA | Southern Cal | |
| Michael Dunigan | PF | Chicago, IL | Oregon | |
| Devin Ebanks | SF | Oakdale, CT | Indiana | |
| Tyreke Evans | SG | Aston, PA | Undecided | |
| Drew Gordon | PF | San Jose, CA | UCLA | |
| JaMychal Green | PF | Montgomery, AL | Alabama | |
| Jrue Holidayt | G | N. Hollywood, CA | UCLA | |
| Scotty Hopson | G/F | Hopkinsville, KY | Undecided | |
| Brandon Jennings | PG | M. of Wilson, VA | Arizona | |
| Malcolm Lee | PG | Riverside, CA | UCLA | |
| Greg Monroe | PF | Harvey, LA | Georgetown | |
| B.J. Mullens | C | C. Winchester, OH | Ohio State | |
| Delvon Roe | SF | Lakewood, OH | Michigan State | |
| Samardo Samuels | PF | Newark, NJ | Louisville | |
| Iman Shumpert | PG | Oak Park, IL | Georgia Tech | |
| Kemba Walker | PG | New York, NY | Connecticut | |
| Willie Warren | PG | North Crowley, TX | Oklahoma | |
| Tony Woods | PF | Rome, GA | Wake Forest | |
On a night where ice has overtaken the central part of Kentucky (and made people go running to the grocery for milk and bread….why do people do that by the way? Is it the case that if you are stuck in a storm, you need milk and bread more than other foods? Besides 4 year old pre-school kids, I know no-one that drinks milk in large amounts, but it is always emptied on the shelves the moment a storm is predicted), the word around UK basketball circles is of our traveling coach, Billy Clyde Gillispe. After giving the team off on Wednesday as he traveled the country to North Carolina and Illinois, Gillispie found himself in Hopkinsville tonight watcing Scotty Hopson as he poured in 37 points on Senior night to delight the UHA faithful (both of them). Gillispie joined a host of other coaches, including Rick Stansbury and Tennessee assistants, at the game as the world goes after the hottest recruit left in the continental United States. Hopson, who was recently named a McDonalds All American and a participant in the Jordan Classic, now can certainly be said to be on Kentucky's radar as Gillispie has made multiple trips to watch the phenom play. Where Kentucky ranks on Hopson's radar is up for debate. Those close to Scotty continue to tell me that the Cats are behind the original leaders (Miss St, Tenn, UL) but that UK can make up that ground if they express interest. It is clear that there is some interest by the fact of Gillispie's appearance, but if it will be enough remains to be seen.
Whatever happens however, it is clear that the Scotty Hopson recruitment has been a bit bizarre. Back in the fall, I was told by someone close to the coaching staff that there was very little interest in Hopson and the Cats were happy with Miller and Liggins in that position. But over the last couple of months that has changed, and some recruiting followers insist that contact has occurred between the staff and Hopson. However the Hopsons continue to deny this and claim they have been told that Gillispie would call, only to never hear from him (a similar charge was made by Brad Tinsley, the Oregon guard that all are drooling over). Yet Gillispie has now taken in multiple Hopson games and has said that he is still looking for a dynamic wing scorer in this class….a role that really only Hopson can fill. It is safe to say that UK now wants Scotty in blue….but the courtship process is interesting to say the least.
Scotty is shifting into tournament mode and the news on Hopson may be scarce for a few weeks. He says he will take a couple more visits after the season is over, and may expect that Kentucky will be one of those. If the Cats can somehow land Hopson in Lexington and squeeze out a JUCO big guy, watch out…..that would put this class shooting up the rankings and into Top 10 land….and give the Cats what they REALLY need for next year….another scoring option. The Cats need a big man…but with the development of Perry Stevenson, they can squeeze out a year without another low post scoring machine. But Crawford and Bradley are leaving and taking 40 points a game with them. Miller and Liggins may bring 15-20 of those points with them, but someone else needs to find another 15 or so if the Cats are going to improve. That man may be Hopson and it looks as if Gillispie's decision to go visit him in Hoptown shows that Billy Clyde is hoping to make it a reality.
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Zona's RPI and SOS are so good, they get in even at 8-10...
With Dayton losing, RIU losing and UMass winning....those 3 and St joes are all so right on the bubble it's not even funny. At this point, Dayton reallyneeds to try and knock off Xavier on Sunday.
With Dayton losing, RIU losing and UMass winning....those 3 and St joes are all so right on the bubble it's not even funny. At this point, Dayton reallyneeds to try and knock off Xavier on Sunday.
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seeing as how we've been "spoiled" with great freshman the last two years (Oden, Durant, Rose, Beasley, etc.,) anyone else think that we'regoing to be somewhat disappointed with next year's freshman class? i just don't see any dudes who are on those guys' level.
maybe not disappointed, buy you know what i mean.
maybe not disappointed, buy you know what i mean.
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Maaannnnnn
*!+! Sports Illustrated.....
Coach K > SI
*!+! Sports Illustrated.....
Coach K > SI
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i forgot ebanks didn't make the mcd's game. weird.
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Yea is there one player in that class close to the guys you mentioned? It seems like there is not one sure fire pick for best player.
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seeing as how we've been "spoiled" with great freshman the last two years (Oden, Durant, Rose, Beasley, etc.,) anyone else think that we're going to be somewhat disappointed with next year's freshman class? i just don't see any dudes who are on those guys' level.
maybe not disappointed, buy you know what i mean.
yeah, i feel the same way...but honestly i dont think we will see another freshman class like '07 for awhile..but for '08 i do expectDemar Derozan and Brandon Jennings to show out next year
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It does seem like it will be a slightly down year - but look at all the guys this season who have shined when people kinda slept on them... I'm surethere's a lot of hidden gems out there that will do big things.
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Word to James Harden.
Yea i agree we will have some guys who no one really knows about do big things, but i defiantly do not see a Mike Beasley or Derrick Rose.
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Ty Walker is getting no love in these HS All-American games. You'd think Jordan would select a 5-star kid from Wilmington.
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It's not as good as last years at all....I honestly don't know who could be 1 and done out of the group...?
Greg Monroe surrounded with talent is gona be great....everyone started that overrated talk after the ESPN game..but he's a perfect fit.
Kevin Jones from Mt. Vernon headed to WVU is gona be very, very good playing for Huggins...if you want a 'sleeper' ranked around #50 or so
Greg Monroe surrounded with talent is gona be great....everyone started that overrated talk after the ESPN game..but he's a perfect fit.
Kevin Jones from Mt. Vernon headed to WVU is gona be very, very good playing for Huggins...if you want a 'sleeper' ranked around #50 or so
