Notes in the Scorebook
The Gold Sheet
We’re getting closer to Selection Sunday, and for the next few days, a lot of attention is going to be focused on the “off” conferences that will be sending their league tournament champions into the Big Dance, as well as a few others to the NIT, CBI, and new CollegeInsider.com tourneys. By the end of the weekend, we’ll know the NCAA Tourney reps from the Atlantic Sun, Big South, and Ohio Valley, with other lower-echelon conferences determining their champs throughout the following “tournament week” on ESPN.
These various “off” teams have long proven an intriguing component for handicappers when analyzing first-round NCAA Tourney action. That’s because their pointspread fortunes in the Big Dance have often risen, and receded, collectively. Last year was another good example of this pointspread phenomenon, as the lower-echelon league reps (with the glaring exception of the SoCon’s Davidson, as well as the Metro Atlantic’s Siena) did not fare all that well in 2008 first-round Big Dance action. Excluding Davidson and Siena, reps from lower-echelon leagues were 3-7 vs. the line in the first NCAA round last season, which followed on the heels of a worse 3-8-1 overall spread mark in first-round action in 2007. But backing up to 2006, it’s worth noting that the reps from the lower-echelon leagues recorded a 9-3 mark vs. the number in the first round of the Big Dance, which followed an even better 10-2 mark in 2005. Feast or famine indeed!
Following are straight-up and pointspread results for all of the “off” conferences in NCAA Tournament play since 1994. Straight-up wins are certainly not common for these lower-echelon conference reps in NCAA action, but it’s worth remembering that the best of these teams have also been winning first-round games in recent years, as Davidson & Siena proved last season, as did Winthrop, Montana, Northwestern State, Bucknell, Vermont, and Manhattan in preceding campaigns.
Some of these lower-rung leagues have definitely done better than others vs. the pointspread in NCAA play. Excluding “play-in” games, MEAC reps have covered their last nine (!) first-round games, although there has been one problem the past three seasons...MEAC entries have lost in the play-in game each year. We suspect that will change later in March, especially if Todd Bozeman’s league-leading Morgan State wins the conference tournament (the Bears, a winner over Maryland and a few other “board” teams this campaign, would not come close to projecting into this year’s play-in game). Meanwhile, Southern Conference reps have covered their first-round NCAA games in six of the last seven seasons, with Stephen Curry and Davidson beginning their wild ride to the Elite 8 last season when rallying for a first-round win over Gonzaga.
Big South entries have covered five of their last six first-round games, with Winthrop accounting for four of those pointspread successes. On the other hand, Summit League (new Mid-Continent Conference) reps have dropped their last six against the number in first-round action, and Ohio Valley reps are winless straight up in the Dance since 1994 (and indeed haven’t won in the first round at all since Steve Newton’s Murray State pulled a 78-75 shocker over Jim Valvano’s NC State way back in 1988), although the OVC reps have never had the “luxury” of competing in the play-in game, which have been the only path a league such as the Northeast has taken to win its only two NCAA games since ‘94. SWAC teams are also wearing the straight-up donut (0-15) since ‘94, but the SWAC has lost in three different play-in games.
“Ws” and “Ls” below reflect the pointspread result for the “off” team in the matchup.
AMERICA EAST (Straight-up record 2-15 since 1994, pointspread record 5-12): 1994-Drexel (+9½) 39-61 L vs. Temple 39-61; 1995-Drexel (+16) 49-73 L vs. Ok. State; 1996-Drexel (+6) 75-63 W vs. Memphis; Drexel (+6) 58-69 L vs. Syracuse; 1997-Bucknell (+7½) 52-81 L vs. Tulsa; 1998-Delaware (+16) 56-95 L vs. Purdue; 1999-Delaware (+10½) 52-62 W vs. Tennessee; 2000-Hofstra (+12½) 66-86 L vs. Ok. State; 2001-Hofstra (+7) 48-61 L vs. UCLA; 2002-Boston U. (+24) 52-90 L vs. Cincinnati; 2003-Vermont (+25½) 51-80 L vs. Arizona; 2004-Vermont (+20) 53-70 W vs. UConn; 2005-Vermont (+20) 60-57 (OT) W vs. Syracuse; Vermont (+8½) 61-72 L vs. Michigan State; 2006-Albany (+21½) 59-72 W vs. UConn; 2007-Albany (+8½) 57-84 L vs. Virginia; 2008-UM-Baltimore County (+16½) 47-66 L vs. Georgetown.
ATLANTIC SUN (SUR 2-16, PSR 9-8-1): 1994-Charleston (+9) 58-68 L vs. Wake Forest; Central Florida (+23½) 67-98 L vs. Purdue 67-98; 1995-Florida International (+31) 56-92 L vs. UCLA; 1996-Central Florida (+30) 70-92 W vs. UMass; 1997-Charleston (+6½) 75-66 W vs. Maryland, Charleston (+5½) 69-73 W vs. Arizona; 1998-Charleston (+14) 57-67 W vs. Stanford; 1999 Samford (+15½) 43-69 L vs. St. John’s; 2000-Samford (+13½) 65-79 L vs. Syracuse; 2001-Georgia State (+7½) 50-49 W vs. Wisconsin, Georgia State (+14) 60-79 L vs. Maryland; 2002-Florida Atlantic (+18) 78-86 W vs. Alabama; 2003-Troy State (+12) 59-71 N vs. Xavier; 2004-Central Florida (+14) 44-53 W Pittsburgh; 2005-Central Florida (+18) 71-77 W vs. UConn; 2006-Belmont (+24) 44-78 L vs. UCLA; 2007-Belmont (+16½) 55-80 L vs. Georgetown; 2008-Belmont (+20) W 70-71 W vs. Duke. Note: known as Trans-America Conference until 2001.
BIG SKY (SUR 3-15, PSR 9-8-1): 1994-Boise State (+18) 58-67 W vs. Louisville; 1995-Weber State (+15) 79-72 W vs. Michigan State, Weber State (+7½) 51-53 W vs. Georgetown; 1996-Montana St. (+9) 55-88 L vs. Syracuse; 1997 Montana (+20½) 54-92 L vs. Kentucky; 1998-Northern Arizona (+14½) 62-65 W vs. Cincinnati; 1999-Weber State (+13) 76-74 W vs. North Carolina, Weber State (+8) 72-80 OT N vs. Florida; 2000-Northern Arizona (+14) 56-61 W vs. St. John’s; 2001-CS Northridge 75-99 L (+12½) vs. Kansas; 2002-Montana (+20½) 62-81 W vs. Oregon; 2003-Weber State (+6½) 74-81 L vs. Wisconsin; 2004-Eastern Washington (+16½) 56-75 L vs. Oklahoma; 2005-Montana (+20½) 77-88 W vs. Washington; 2006-Montana +7) 87-79 W vs. Nevada, Montana (+10½) 56-69 L vs. Boston College; 2007-Weber State (+20) 42-70 L vs. UCLA; 2008-Portland State (+22) 61-85 L vs. Kansas.
BIG SOUTH: (SUR 2-13, PSR 7-8): 1996-UNC Greensboro (+18) 61-66 W vs. Cincinnati; 1997-Charleston Southern (+18) 75-109 L vs. UCLA; 1998-Radford (+31) 63-99 L vs. Duke 63-99; 1999-Winthrop (+28) 41-80 L vs. Auburn; 2000-Winthrop (+16½) 50-74 L vs. Oklahoma; 2001-Winthrop (-2½) 67-71 L play-in vs. Northwestern State; 2002-Winthrop (+33½) 37-84 L vs. Duke; 2003-UNC Asheville (+1) 82-74 W play-in vs. Texas Southern, UNC Asheville (+27½) 61-82 W vs. Texas; 2004-Liberty (+24) 63-82 W vs. Saint Joseph’s; 2005-Winthrop (+13½) 64-74 W vs. Gonzaga; 2006-Winthrop (+7) 61-63 W vs. Tennessee; 2007-Winthrop (-3½) 74-64 W vs. Notre Dame, Winthrop (+3) 61-75 L vs. Oregon; 2008-Winthrop (+9½) 40-71 L vs. Washington State. No reps ‘94-95.
METRO-ATLANTIC (SUR 5-16, PSR 10-11): 1994-Loyola Md. (+24½) 55-81 L vs. Arizona; 1995-St. Peter’s (+22) 51-68 W vs. UMass, Manhattan (+7½) 77-67 W vs. Oklahoma, Manhattan (+6½) 54-64 L vs. Arizona; 1996-Canisius (+13) 43-72 L vs. Utah; 1997-Fairfield (+27) 74-82 W vs. North Carolina; 1998-Iona (+5½) 61-63 W vs. Syracuse 61-63 W; 1999-Siena (+7) 80-94 L Arkansas; 2001-Iona (+14½) 59-74 L vs. Maryland; 2001-Iona (+10½) 70-72 W vs. Ole Miss; 2002-Siena (-4½) 81-77 L play-in vs. Alcorn State; Siena (+28½) 70-85 W vs. Maryland; 2003-Manhattan (+7½) 65-76 L vs. Syracuse; 2004-Manhattan (+5) 75-60 W vs. Florida, Manhattan (+7) 80-84 W vs. Wake Forest; 2005-Niagara (+12) L 67-84 vs. Oklahoma; 2006-Iona (+7½) 64-80 L vs. LSU; 2007-Niagara (-2½) 77-69 W play-in vs. Florida A&M, Niagara (+19) 67-107 L vs. Kansas; 2008-Siena (+6½) 83-62 W vs. Vanderbilt, Siena (+5½) 72-84 L vs. Villanova.
MEAC (SUR 3-15, PSR 12-6): 1994-NC A&T (+29) 79-94 W vs. Arkansas; 1995-NC A&T (+23) 47-79 L vs. Wake Forest; 1996-S.C. State (+30½) 54-92 L vs. Kansas; 1997-Coppin State (+18½) 78-65 W vs. South Carolina, Coppin State (+11') 81-82 W vs. Texas; 1998-S.C. State (+26½) 67-82 W vs. Kentucky; 1999-Florida A&M (+46) 58-99 W vs. Duke; 2000-S.C. State (+31½) 65-84 W vs. Stanford; 2001-Hampton (+17½) 58-57 W vs. Iowa State, Hampton (+13) 57-76 L vs. Georgetown; 2002-Hampton (+12½) 67-78 W vs. UConn; 2003-S.C. State (+27) 54-71 W vs. Oklahoma; 2004-Florida A&M (+4) 72-57 W play-in vs. Lehigh, Florida A&M (+28) 76-96 W vs. Kentucky; 2005-Delaware State (+26½) W 46-57 vs. Duke; 2006-Hampton (+3½) 49-71 L play-in game vs. Monmouth; 2007-Florida A&M (+2½) 69-77 L play-in vs. Niagara; 2008-Coppin State (+3) 60-69 L play-in vs. Mount Saint Mary’s.
NORTHEAST (SUR 2-15, PSR 9-7-1): 1994-Rider (+19) 46-64 W vs. UConn; 1995-Mt. St, Mary’s (+31) 67-113 L vs. Kentucky; 1996-Monmouth (+14) 44-68 L vs. Marquette; 1997-Long Island (+13½) 91-101 W vs. Villanova; 1998-FDU (+14½) 85-93 W vs. UConn; 1999-Mt. St. Mary’s (+26) 53-76 W vs. Michigan State; 2000-Central Connecticut (+18) 78-88 W vs. Iowa State; 2001-Monmouth (+35½) 52-95 L vs. Duke; 2002-Central Connecticut (+15) 54-71 L vs. Pittsburgh; 2003-Wagner (+20½) 61-87 L vs. Pittsburgh; 2004-Monmouth (+20½) 52-85 L vs. Mississippi State; 2005-Fairleigh Dickinson (+26) 55-67 W vs. Illinois; 2006-Monmouth (-3½) 71-49 W play-in vs. Hampton, Monmouth (+19½) 45-58 W vs. Villanova; 2007-Central Connecticut (+21) 57-78 N vs. Ohio State; 2008-Mount Saint Mary’s (-3) 69-60 W play-in vs. Coppin State; Mount Saint Mary’s (+25) 74-113 L vs. North Carolina.
OHIO VALLEY (SUR 0-15, PSR 8-7): 1994-Tennessee State (+18½) 70-83 W vs. Kentucky; 1995-Murray State (+20) 70-80 W vs. North Carolina; 1996-Austin Peay (+15) 79-90 W vs. Georgia Tech; 1997-Murray State (+23½) 68-71 W vs. Duke; 1998-Murray State (+12½) 74-97 L vs. Rhode Island; 1999-Murray State (+8) 58-72 L vs. Ohio State; 2000-SE Missouri State (+12½) 61-64 W vs. LSU; 2001-Eastern Illinois (+21½) 76-101 L vs. Arizona; 2002-Murray State (+9) 68-85 L vs. Georgia; 2003-Austin Peay (+16) 64-86 L vs. Louisville; 2004-Murray State (+9) 53-72 L vs. Illinois; 2005-Eastern Kentucky (+16½) W 64-72 vs. Kentucky; 2006-Murray State (+11½) 65-69 W vs. North Carolina; 2007-Eastern Kentucky (+27½) 65-86 W vs. North Carolina; 2008-Austin Peay (+15½) 54-74 L vs. Texas.
PATRIOT (SUR 2-15, PSR 9-8): 1994-Navy (+20½) 53-76 L vs. Missouri; 1995-Colgate (+27) 68-82 W vs. Kansas; 1996-Colgate (+28) 59-68 W vs. UConn; 1997-Navy (+19½) 61-75 W vs. Utah; 1998-Navy (+28) 52-88 L vs. North Carolina; 1999-Lafayette (+17½) 54-75 L vs. Miami Florida; 2000-Lafayette (+21½) 47-73 L vs. Temple; Holy Cross (+20) 68-72 W vs. Kentucky; 2002-Holy Cross (+28½) 59-70 W vs. Kansas; 2003-Holy Cross (+10) 68-72 W vs. Marquette; 2004-Lehigh (-4) 57-72 L play-in vs. Florida A&M; 2005-Bucknell (+13½) 64-63 W vs. Kansas, Bucknell (+8) 62-71 L vs. Wisconsin; 2006-Bucknell (+5) 59-55 W vs. Arkansas, Bucknell (+8) 56-72 L vs. Memphis; 2007-Holy Cross (+7½) 51-61 L vs. Southern Illinois; 2008-American (+19½) 57-72 W vs. Tennessee.
SOUTHERN (SUR 5-15, PSR 14-6): 1994-UT Chattanooga (+12) 73-102 L vs. Kansas; 1995-UT Chattanooga (+16) 71-100 L vs. UConn; 1996-Western Carolina (+20) 71-73 W vs. Purdue; 1997-UT Chattanooga (+9) 73-70 W vs. Georgia, UT Chattanooga (+10) 75-63 W vs. Illinois, UT Chattanooga (+8) 65-71 W vs. Purdue; 1998-Davidson (+15) 61-80 L vs. Michigan; 1999-Charleston (-2) 53-62 L vs. Tulsa; 2000-Appalachian State (+13½) 61-87 L vs. Ohio State; 2001-UNC Greensboro (+30) 60-89 W vs. Stanford; 2002-Davidson (+12½) 64-69 W vs. Ohio State; 2003-East Tennessee State (+12½) 73-76 W vs. Wake Forest; 2004-East Tennessee State (+9) 77-80 W vs. Cincinnati; 2005-Chattanooga (+17½) 54-70 W vs. Wake Forest; 2006-Davidson (+10½) 62-70 W vs. Ohio State; 2007-Davidson (+7) 70-82 L vs. Maryland; 2008-Davidson (-2) 82-76 W vs. Gonzaga, Davidson (+5) 74-70 W vs. Georgetown, Davidson (+4½) 73-56 W vs. Wisconsin, Davidson (+9½) 57-59 W vs. Kansas.
SOUTHLAND (SUR 2-15, PSR 7-9-1): 1994-SW Texas State (+16) 60-78 L vs. UMass; 1995-Nicholls State (+13') 72-96 L vs. Virginia; 1996-NE Louisiana (+19½) 50-62 W vs. Wake Forest; 1997-SW Texas State (+22) 46-78 L vs. Minnesota; 1998-Nicholls State (+26) 60-99 L vs. Arizona; 1999-UT San Antonio (+26½) 66-91 W vs. UConn; 2000-Lamar (+32') 55-82 W vs. Duke; 2001-Northwestern State (+2') 71-67 W play-in vs. Winthrop, Northwestern State (+26½) 54-96 L vs. Illinois; 2002-McNeese State (+10½) 58-70 L vs. Mississippi State; 2003-Sam Houston (+19) 55-85 L vs. Florida; 2004-UT San Antonio (+24) 45-71 L vs. Stanford; 2005-SE Louisiana (+18½) 50-63 W vs. Oklahoma State; 2006-Northwestern State (+6½) 64-63 W vs. Iowa, Northwestern State (+8) 54-67 L vs. West Virginia; 2007-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (+13) 63-76 N vs. Wisconsin; 2008-UT-Arlington (+25) W 63-87 vs. Memphis.
SUMMIT (SUR 3-13, PSR 6-10): 1996-Valparaiso (+18) 51-90 L vs. Arizona; 1997-Valparaiso (+10) 66-73 W vs. Boston College; 1998-Valparaiso (+12) 70-69 W vs. Ole Miss, Valparaiso (+7½) 83-77 OT W vs. Florida State, Valparaiso (+8) 68-74 W vs. Rhode Island; 1999-Valparaiso (+20) 60-82 L vs. Maryland; 2000-Valparaiso (+25½) 38-65 L vs. Michigan State; 2001-Southern Utah (+14) 65-68 W vs. Boston College; 2002-Valparaiso (+7½) 68-83 L vs. Kentucky; 2003-IUPUI (+26½) 64-95 L vs. Kentucky; 2004-Valparaiso (+18½) 49-76 L vs. Gonzaga 49-76 L; 2005-Oakland (-6) W 79-69 play-in vs. Alabama A&M; Oakland (+27½) L 68-96 vs. North Carolina; 2006-Oral Roberts (+12) 78-94 L vs. Memphis; 2007-Oral Roberts (+6½) 54-70 L vs. Washington State; 2008-Oral Roberts (+8½) 63-82 L vs. Pittsburgh. No reps ‘94-95. Note: known as Mid-Continent Conference until 2007.
SWAC (SUR 0-15, PSR 7-8): 1994-Texas Southern (+20) 70-82 W vs. Duke; 1995-Texas Southern (+18) 78-79 W vs. Arkansas; 1996-Miss. Valley St. (+26) 56-93 L vs. Georgetown; 1997-Jackson State (+35') 64-78 W vs. Kansas; 1998-Prairie View (+36½) 52-110 L vs. Kansas; 1999-Alcorn State (+22) 57-69 W vs. Stanford; 2000-Jackson State (+27½) 47-71 W vs. Arizona; 2001-Alabama State (+28½) 35-69 L vs. Michigan State; 2002-Alcorn State (+4½) 77-81 W play-in vs. Siena; 2003-Texas Southern (-1) 74-82 L play-in vs. UNC Asheville; 2004-Alabama State (+34) 61-96 L vs. Duke; 2005-Alabama A&M (+6) 69-79 L play-in vs. Oakland; 2006-Southern U (+24½) 54-70 W vs. Duke; 2007-Jackson State (+28) 69-112 L vs. Florida; 2008-Mississippi Valley State (+31½) 29-70 L vs. UCLA.
MIDWEEK BUBBLE TROUBLE
Of all of the days and nights of the 2008-09 college hoop campaign, we’re not sure we witnessed a stranger one than Wednesday night, which also happened to be a tough night on “the bubble” for several NCAA hopefuls.
Certainly, there were some upsets of note Wednesday night, but first a look at those teams that really hurt their NCAA at-large chances with losses on Wednesday night.
Kentucky...After losing vs. South Carolina and LSU last week to slip back to the edge of the bubble, the last thing the Wildcats needed was to lose another regular-season game just a week-and-a-half before Selection Sunday. But dropping one vs. woeful Georgia (which hadn’t won an SEC road game all season and had been plastered in its most-recent adventures on the conference trail, losing its last 3 by a whopping 25 ppg), at Rupp Arena, no less, is a blow that might ticket UK for the NIT instead of the Big Dance. Billy Gillispie is probably wondering what happened to his defense in the 90-85 setback, one in which the Bulldogs’ Terrance Woodbury, who had tallied 15 points total in his previous two games, erupted for 30. Not to mention the Wildcats’ perimeter defense taking the night off while allowing Georgia to connect on 11 of 16 treys (which many SEC scouts believed was impossible for Georgia to accomplish even if no defenders were on the floor). After the setback vs. the Dawgs, even the most-ardent Big Blue supporters now concede that UK probably has to win the SEC Tourney to make it back to the Dance.
Florida...A bit of unwanted deja vu for the Gators? Billy Donovan sure hopes not, but it’s beginning to look a lot like 2008 for Florida, which missed out on the Big Dance after fading down the stretch a year ago and might be doing the same this season, especially after dropping its third straight game, this one an 80-71 loss at Mississippi State Wednesday night. Remember, Erin Andrews’ alma mater lost its last 3 regular-season games a year ago, and was then upset in the first round of the SEC Tourney by Alabama, before being bypassed by the Selection Committee and ticketed for the NIT instead. The Gators could only wish they were Georgia for a night after the Gainesville bunch missed on 18 of its 25 triples at Starkville (whereas UGa hit on 11 of 16 at Kentucky), and Florida’s flimsy perimeter defense (a recurring problem for Donovan all season) came back to haunt it as the Bulldogs canned 10 of their 20 from beyond the arc. Now, Florida faces an absolute at-large must-win game Sunday vs. none other than...Kentucky.
Miami-Florida...Many pundits were wondering if Miami could possibly emerge as a real test case for the Selection Committee, especially if the Canes finished sub-.500 in ACC play. Well, that sub-.500 thing is now a given after Miami took one on the chin, 78-68, at Georgia Tech Wednesday night. The Jackets’ Lewis Clinch picked his final home game for his career scoring night (30 points) that included a staggering 9 triples in 16 attempts beyond the arc, while the Canes’ normal deadeye, Jack McClinton, picked a bad night to go cold (just 1 of 7 from the floor). It’s now either win the ACC Tourney in Atlanta, or the NIT for Frank Haith’s squad.
Virginia Tech...Well, no one can say that the Hokies haven’t had their opportunities to make a splash in the past few days. But balding HC Seth Greenberg is reaching for the Rogaine after home losses vs. Duke (last Saturday) & North Carolina (Wednesday) have knocked VT down to 17-12, as the Hokies have been unable to capitalize upon the momentum they seemed to gain last week in that 80-77 win at Clemson last Wednesday. Now, it’s 5 losses in the last 6 for VT, with one more regular-season toughie (Sunday at Florida State) on deck before the ACC Tourney, which we think the Hokies must now win in order to get to the Dance.
UAB...The Blazers were very much a borderline bubble team entering the week, and certainly didn’t need any more regular-season losses before the C-USA Tourney (or, in other words, the Memphis Invitational). But Wednesday night’s 70-52 beating administered at the hands of UTEP effectively likely takes Mike Davis’ Blazers out of the at-large mix, especially since the Committee has already proven it has no trouble inviting just one C-USA team (none other than Memphis made the Dance last year). A bigger question is what has happened to usual sharpshooter Robert Vaden, only 4 of 15 beyond the arc against the Miners and now just 7 of 38 (18%!) from 3-point land his last 3 games.
Meanwhile, a couple of other teams didn’t see defeats inflict mortal blows on their NCAA at-large hopes, but sure didn’t help themselves Wednesday night.
Boston College...The Eagles’ NCAA hopes were looking pretty good entering the week, when most analysts agreed that the only thing that might keep BC out of the Dance would be losses vs. NC State & Georgia Tech to end the regular season. Well, the first half of the Eagles’ nightmare scenario has come true, with the Wolfpack stealing a 74-69 win Wednesday night. Now, the Eagles had better not slip on the Yellow Jacket banana peel Saturday afternoon, or they’ll be sweating things out on Selection Sunday.
Wisconsin...As we’ve said on these pages the past few weeks, we can’t see the NCAA Selection Committee going more than 6-deep in the Big Ten. With Michigan State, Purdue, & Illinois all secure, that means that at least two from among Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Minnesota, & Wisconsin might not be getting the call. And the Badgers did nothing to help their Big Dance prospects with a 51-46 road loss at The Barn vs. Tubby Smith’s Gophers, who completed a season sweep of Wisconsin with the win. Should Bo Ryan’s team be fighting Minnesota for one of the last at-large spots, those two losses to the Gophers could really come back to haunt Wisconsin, which has now lost 11 times this season and needs to beat Indiana this weekend to stay above .500 in Big Ten play. We think the Badgers are going to be a borderline call on Selection Sunday, and those losses vs. Minnesota could come back to haunt Wiscy.
UPSET WEDNESDAY!
It was also a tough night for several Big Dance-bound squads that could have seen their seeding prospects take a hit Wednesday night.
Oklahoma...The consensus seemed to be that with Blake Griffin now back in the lineup, the Selection Committee would likely discount the Sooners’ recent losses in his absence and still probably keep OU on the top line. But Wednesday’s 73-64 loss at Missouri (which won despite Griffin hauling in 21 rebounds) might be enough to knock OU out of a top seed altogether, especially with hot Memphis continuing to win. And the result probably secured a protected seed for the Tigers, who were in need of a boost after getting flattened by Kansas in their last outing.
Purdue...The Boilermakers were starting to think about a protected seed in the first round (and more-desirable sub-regional assignments in Dayton or Minneapolis) after Saturday’s big home success over Ohio State. Someone, however, forgot to tell Northwestern that it was supposed to be roadkill at Mackey Arena, where the Wildcats scored a stunning 64-61 win. We’re not sure Bill Carmody’s crew has the wherewithal to make it through four games in as many days in the Big Ten Tourney (at our favorite arena, Indianapolis’ Conseco Fieldhouse), but NU could certainly make a lot of noise in the NIT or CBI or CollegeInsider.com tourneys. And the Cats can be excused for playing a game of “What if?” as they recall blowing late leads in painful, last-second home losses vs. these same Boilermakers, as well as Illinois, earlier this season. Wins in those games, along with the success at Michigan State, would have made NU at-large worthy.
Kansas...The shocker of the night, however, belonged to Texas Tech, which not only beat red-hot Kansas, but drilled the Jayhawks by an 84-65 count at the United Spirit Arena. Remember, the Jayhawks had laid a 58-point beating on Tech a year ago. Red Raider sr. G Alan Voskuil, in his final home game, exploded for 35 points (including 9 of 14 triples, eclipsing Georgia Tech’s Lewis Clinch for the best long-range shooting display Wednesday night) in what was definitely the biggest win of Pat Knight’s still-nascent head coaching career. It’s also a result that might keep some of the Lubbock wolves, recently howling at young Knight, at bay in the offseason. As for the Jayhawks, they seemed strangely listless on the night, acknowledged by HC Bill Self, who was quick to praise the Red Raiders as the main reason KU didn’t fire as usual. But we suppose we can grant the Jayhawks a mulligan after so many quality efforts preceding the loss in Lubbock.
LSU...Riding a 10-game win streak and spawning talk of earning protected seed status in the Big Dance, LSU seemed to be in high gear as it prepared to host Vanderbilt Wednesday night in Baton Rouge. But the Tigers weren’t ready for Commodore soph C A.J. Ogilvy. And neither, perhaps, is the rest of the SEC after Ogilvy poured in a career-high 33 points in Vandy’s 75-67 upset win. Ogilvy also set a career-high of 28 points in his previous game vs. South Carolina. And now healthy, Ogilvy could prove a real force in next week’s SEC Tourney in Atlanta, which is suddenly shaping up as an extremely wide-open event, one in which the young and fast-maturing Commodores (now 18-11) might even have a chance.
OTHER WEDNESDAY NOTES...
Sun Belt underdogs...It was opening night of Sun Belt Tourney action on Wednesday, and the underdogs covered all five first-round games (though only one of them, Florida International, managed to win outright). Action now shifts from campus sites to the Summit Arena in Hot Springs, Arkansas, beginning with quarterfinal action Sunday afternoon.
Ugly half of the year?...We’ve seen some ugly basketball displays this season, but we’re not sure we’ve seen a worse half than Central Arkansas’ performance in the first 20 minutes of a Southland Conference game at Nacogdoches against Stephen F. Austin, when the Bears scored all of 7 points and trailed the host Lumberjacks, 33-7, at the break. Things got marginally better for Central Arkansas in the second half of a 61-39 loss, but the Bears’ boxscore was still pretty horrific (including connecting on only 13 of 58 FG tries for a ice-cold 22% shooting night that also included 1 of 15 beyond the arc. Moreover, only one Bear starter (jr. F Mitch Reuter, who had 7 points) scored more than 2 all night. Ouch!
Wednesday Player of the night: Alan Voskuil, Texas Tech...It would be hard to end a college home career much better than Voskuil, who (as mentioned above) canned an astounding 9 of 14 triples en route to scoring a career-high 35 points in the Red Raiders’ stunning 84-66 upset over high-flying Kansas.