A Quick Overview

After a brief hiatus, we have a lot to catch up with in the world of college hoops so let's get right to it.

Interesting Developments

Wichita St over N Iowa - Stimpy took a significant blow to the solar plexus in the battle for the underrated Missouri Valley Conference last night as Wichita State ambushed 20th ranked N Iowa 60-51 at home.  The Shockers playing before a raucous crowd draped in Wichita yellow, led from the start and raced to a double digit lead at halftime.  N Iowa struggled all night with Wichita's perimeter defense as they shot a woeful 2 for 13 from three point range.  The Panthers still are atop the conference but Wichita's upset kept the race close.  More importantly for Wichita, the win provides more ammo to the selection committee in terms of gaining an at-large bid.  Outside of a win on the road against Texas Tech, the Shockers resume is still quite thin but this was a step in the right direction.  A rematch on Feb 3 at N Iowa looms very large for the Shockers tournament hopes.

Falls from Grace: UNC, U Conn, Purdue -  The defending champion Tar Heels look anything but a contender to repeat these days.  After back to back thrashings at the hands of Clemson and Georgia Tech., the Tarheels slipped to 1-2 in the ACC and are now behind also-rans Boston College and Virginia Tech in the ACC standings.  Roy Williams' crew just isn't getting it done especially in the backcourt where turnovers are killing this team.  The loss of forward Tyler Zeller to a foot injury further hinders a team that relies on its frontcourt strength.  As for U Conn, coach Jim Calhoun announced this week that he will be taking a medical leave of absence for the foreseeable future.  The Huskies already have lost three straight and fallen out of the top 25 for the first time this season.  They will have to find a way to balance the emotional roller coaster of losing their coach and trying to stay afloat with the Beasts of the East. Things don't get an easier for U Conn as they'll host former #1 Texas on Saturday.  As for Purdue, they righted the ship a bit last night with a win over Illinois in Champaign.  Prior to last night's victory, the Boilermakers had lost three straight and ceded control of the Big 10 to Michigan St.  Purdue's once stingy perimeter defense has taken a beating in the last three games against Wisconsin, Ohio St, and Northwestern - all resulting in losses.

Perennial powers on the bubble - A quick list of teams who are anything but guaranteed an at large bid this season.  Granted, there's a ton of hoopage to be played but these teams better pick it up if they hope to reach the Big Dance in March.

1. Louisville(draft pick #20)
   
2. Washington (draft pick #15)
   
3. Texas Tech (draft pick #21)
   
4. Cincinnati (draft pick #22)
   
5. Northwestern (draft pick #29)
   
6. Cal (draft pick #30)
   
7. Florida (draft pick #32)
   
8. Oklahoma St (draft pick #34)
   
9. Miami FL (draft pick #41)
10. Texas A and M (draft pick #36)
    Today's games 
    
    Xavier at Temple - Two of the Atlantic 10's perennial powers will square off in Philadelphia tonight in a huge game for conference supremacy.  Temple, winners of the past two conference titles boasts one of the best defenses in all of college basketball.  The Owls hold opponents to a conference best 37.5% field goal percentage.  On the other hand, Xavier is averaging over 78 points per game so something will have to give in this game.  Xavier's proficiency from long distance will be tested against the Owls who limit opponents to 26% from beyond the arc, 2nd best in the conference. 
    
    Willaim and Mary at VCU - A key matchup for William and Mary in the ultra-competitive Colonial Athletic Conference.  Along with George Mason, Old Dominion, and Northeastern, the Tribe have just one conference setback making this tough road test all the more important.  For VCU, it's a chance to gain some ground on the fabulous four mentioned above.  William and Mary won the previous meeting in December 75-74. 
    

Wake Forest at UNC - Will the Tar Heels continue to slide or can they bounce back against a formidable Demon Deacon club??


Teams that can't afford to lose games they should win at home:

1. Iowa St at Texas Tech
2. George Washington at Dayton
3. Duquesne at Rhode Island
4. South Florida at Cincinnati
5. St. John's at U Conn
6. Colorado at Oklahoma St

An Early Look at the Candidates for the Team with the Worst Record in the Draft:

Penn St 8-9 (draft pick #121)

UC Riverside 7-10 (draft pick #87)

UC Irvine 8-10 (draft pick #85)

Long Beach St 8-10 (draft pick #102)

Hofstra 9-11 (draft pick #101)

UCLA 7-10  (draft pick #119)

Davidson 8-10 (draft pick #125)

Texas Southern 8-9 (draft pick #123)

A quick reminder that the owner of the worst team of the draft takes a $5.00 penalty (in the ass)...