Here’s a quick recap of some of the big games over the college basketball weekend.
West Virginia 70 #2 UCLA 65
As predicted by yours truly early last week, John Beilein’s Mountaineers outworked the normally gritty Bruins. The Mountaineers used their suffocating 1-3-1 zone defense to force the Bruins into errant 3 point shots (6-23 26%). It’s the third consecutive win over UCLA for West Virginia. Despite losing four starters from last year’s sweet 16 team, WVU has continued to shoot a ton of threes and win the close games. It should be noted that the Bruins were without starting PG Darin Collison who sprained his shoulder in the Bruins win over USC Wednesday night. Up next for WVU is a crucial Big East tilt @Georgetown Tuesday night, while the Bruins head to the desert to face the Arizona schools.
West Virginia 70 #2 UCLA 65
As predicted by yours truly early last week, John Beilein’s Mountaineers outworked the normally gritty Bruins. The Mountaineers used their suffocating 1-3-1 zone defense to force the Bruins into errant 3 point shots (6-23 26%). It’s the third consecutive win over UCLA for West Virginia. Despite losing four starters from last year’s sweet 16 team, WVU has continued to shoot a ton of threes and win the close games. It should be noted that the Bruins were without starting PG Darin Collison who sprained his shoulder in the Bruins win over USC Wednesday night. Up next for WVU is a crucial Big East tilt @Georgetown Tuesday night, while the Bruins head to the desert to face the Arizona schools.
#1 Florida 64 #18 Kentucky 61
The defending champion Gators moved to an unconscious 10-0 in the SEC with a narrow victory at Lexington. Corey Brewer led the Gators with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals. Tubby Smith is doing a heck of a coaching job this year at UK. The Wildcats don’t have anything resembling a dynamic scorer, but they defend like crazy. Randolph Morris was wise to go back to school. His 18 points and 9 rebounds kept the Wildcats close. Kentucky will be heard from come march, but the Gators appear poised to be the 1st post expansion SEC team to go unbeaten in league play.
#23 Georgetown 76 #12 Marquette 58
This was a game dominated by Hoya big man Roy Hibbert. The 7’2 junior scored 23 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots to lead the Hoyas to the blowout victory. The Eagles were held to 33% shooting from the field including a nightmarish 2-17 from All-Big East PG Dominic James.
Arizona 77 #15 Oregon 74
Lute Olson’s crew appears to have righted their ship in the great northwest. Freshman jumping jack Chase Budinger scored 30 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as the Wildcats won their 3rd straight Pac 10 contest. With winnable road games remaining versus Arizona State, Cal, and Stanford, the Wildcats can focus on their two remaining home tilts against USC and UCLA. Arizona will be heard from come march.
#17 Oklahoma State 93 Texas Tech 91 2OT
Mario Boggans scored 35 points and added 14 rebounds as the Cowboys sent the Red Raiders to their 5th consecutive defeat. It was the 3rd double overtime victory of the season for Okie State. Bob Knight’s crew has only one road victory in conference play this season. At 15-10 the Red Raiders appear headed for the NIT (again) barring an upset @Texas or @ Texas A&M. The Cowboys don’t impress me much. They don’t have a PG and are not a very good defensive team. Don’t be surprised to see them bounced in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney.
Mario Boggans scored 35 points and added 14 rebounds as the Cowboys sent the Red Raiders to their 5th consecutive defeat. It was the 3rd double overtime victory of the season for Okie State. Bob Knight’s crew has only one road victory in conference play this season. At 15-10 the Red Raiders appear headed for the NIT (again) barring an upset @Texas or @ Texas A&M. The Cowboys don’t impress me much. They don’t have a PG and are not a very good defensive team. Don’t be surprised to see them bounced in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney.
Other College Notes
-Washington State won their 21st game of the season on Saturday 59-46 over Cal. The Cougars are poised for their 1st NCAA tournament selection since 1994. The Cougars are in the AP Top 25 for the 1st time since 1983.
- Texas A&M‘s Josh Carter is shooting 51% from 3point land. Acie Law IV’s best supporting actor stroked 8 from long range in a win over Nebraska Saturday.
- CUSA is truly Memphis and the 11 dwarves. The Tigers have won their 11 conference games by an average of 17 points a contest.
-Washington State won their 21st game of the season on Saturday 59-46 over Cal. The Cougars are poised for their 1st NCAA tournament selection since 1994. The Cougars are in the AP Top 25 for the 1st time since 1983.
- Texas A&M‘s Josh Carter is shooting 51% from 3point land. Acie Law IV’s best supporting actor stroked 8 from long range in a win over Nebraska Saturday.
- CUSA is truly Memphis and the 11 dwarves. The Tigers have won their 11 conference games by an average of 17 points a contest.
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It's never too early to project the field of 65. Selection sunday is less than a month away. Here is an early projection of who's in, out, or on the bubble.
NCAA Tourney Field of 65
Big Conference Locks 38
ACC-7
Duke
Boston College
UNC
Virginia Tech
Virginia
Florida State
Clemson
Atlantic 10-1
Xavier
Big 12-3
Texas A&M
Kansas
Oklahoma State
Bubble: Kansas State, Texas, Texas Tech
Big East-5
Pitt
West Virginia
Georgetown
Marquette
Villanova
Bubble:Notre Dame, Louisville,
Big 10-3
Ohio State
Wisconnsin
Indiana
Bubble: Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue
Colonial-1
Bubble: Virginia Commonwealth/Hofstra
Conference USA-1
Memphis
Horizon League-1
Butler
Missouri Valley-3
Creighton
Southern Illinois
Missouri State
Bubble: Wichita St. Northern Iowa, Bradley,
Mountain West-3
Air Force
BYU
UNLV
Bubble: San Diego State
PAC 10 –4
UCLA
Washington State
Arizona
Oregon
Bubble: USC, Stanford,
SEC-4
Florida
Tennessee
Kentucky
Alabama
Bubble: Vanderbilt, Arkansas
WCC-1
Gonzaga
WAC-1
Nevada
Bubble: Utah St., La Tech
One Bid Conferences-17
America East(Vermont), Atlantic Sun(East Tennessee State), Big Sky(Weber State), Big South(Winthrop), Big West(Long Beach State), Ivy(Penn), MAAC(Marist), Mid-Continent(Oral Roberts), MAC(Akron), MEAC(Delaware St.), Patriot League (Holy Cross), NEC(Central Conneticut St.), OVC(Austin Peay), Southern Conference(Davidson.), Southland(A&M-Corpus Christi.), SWAC(Mississippi Valley State), Sunbelt(South Alabama) ,
Bubble Bids-10
Big Conference Locks 38
ACC-7
Duke
Boston College
UNC
Virginia Tech
Virginia
Florida State
Clemson
Atlantic 10-1
Xavier
Big 12-3
Texas A&M
Kansas
Oklahoma State
Bubble: Kansas State, Texas, Texas Tech
Big East-5
Pitt
West Virginia
Georgetown
Marquette
Villanova
Bubble:Notre Dame, Louisville,
Big 10-3
Ohio State
Wisconnsin
Indiana
Bubble: Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue
Colonial-1
Bubble: Virginia Commonwealth/Hofstra
Conference USA-1
Memphis
Horizon League-1
Butler
Missouri Valley-3
Creighton
Southern Illinois
Missouri State
Bubble: Wichita St. Northern Iowa, Bradley,
Mountain West-3
Air Force
BYU
UNLV
Bubble: San Diego State
PAC 10 –4
UCLA
Washington State
Arizona
Oregon
Bubble: USC, Stanford,
SEC-4
Florida
Tennessee
Kentucky
Alabama
Bubble: Vanderbilt, Arkansas
WCC-1
Gonzaga
WAC-1
Nevada
Bubble: Utah St., La Tech
One Bid Conferences-17
America East(Vermont), Atlantic Sun(East Tennessee State), Big Sky(Weber State), Big South(Winthrop), Big West(Long Beach State), Ivy(Penn), MAAC(Marist), Mid-Continent(Oral Roberts), MAC(Akron), MEAC(Delaware St.), Patriot League (Holy Cross), NEC(Central Conneticut St.), OVC(Austin Peay), Southern Conference(Davidson.), Southland(A&M-Corpus Christi.), SWAC(Mississippi Valley State), Sunbelt(South Alabama) ,
Bubble Bids-10
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