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Weekend Warm-Up | 2/6 - 2/7

Doug McKinney — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:01:00 GMT

Saturday
Noon - Villanova @ Georgetown
>Game of the weekend in my book ... I like Villanova to sweep season series w/ Georgetown

Noon - Xavier @ Dayton
>One of the best rivalries in all of college basketball, Xavier will edge Dayton

1:30 pm - Mississippi State @ Florida
>Both bubble teams needs this one

4 pm - Wisconsin @ Michigan
>Michigan needs this to improve their postseason profile

4 pm - Baylor @ Texas A&M
>Two pretty solid Big 12 teams getting together ... should be fun to watch

4 pm - BYU @ UNLV
>1st place of Mountain West on the line

9 pm - Michigan State @ Illinois
>ESPN Gameday is @ Illinois, should be a tough road game for Spartans

Sunday
2 pm - North Carolina @ Maryland
>Terps have chance to stay pace with Duke and Virginia atop ACC

2 pm - Syracuse @ Cincinnati
>Cincinnati could improve tourney resume if they beat the Orange

Weekend Wrap-Up | 1/23-1/24

Doug McKinney — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:17:00 GMT

The Good: U-Conn (no Calhoun, no problem), Wake Forest (playing the best hoops in the ACC?), Michigan State (rallied back against Minnesota, to stay undefeated in Big 10 play), Oklahoma State (knocked off Kansas State), Old Dominion (improving tourney profile for at-large bid), Northeastern (since 15-point loss to Western Michigan, reeled off 11 straight wins).

The Bad: North Carolina (not your father's Tar Heels), Texas (back-to-back losses after being #1 ranked team), Alcorn St (still have yet to win a game).

The Skinny: What an exciting weekend of college hoops ... arguably the best one yet. Duke bounced back to knock off Clemson in what was a relatively boring game, Florida won yet another game on a buzzer beater and highly ranked Villanova and Michigan State had huge comebacks to pick up road conference wins. Looking forward to next week's action.

Live Blogging | 1/23/2010 - 3:30

Doug McKinney — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:23:00 GMT

Noon Round-Up
Big props to Tom Izzo/Michigan State and Jay Wright/Villanova for coming up with big road conference wins today. Both the Spartans and Wildcats were down big in the first half, before rallying back to hold on and win. Leading the way for Michigan State was once again one of the nation's best guard/forward tandem in Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan. The combo combined for 39 of Michigan State's 65 points. You have to feel for Tubby Smith's Gophers, who led for over 38 minutes in the contest. In New York, St. John's stormed out to a big lead before Villanova shot their way back into the game and eventually pulled off a 81-71 victory.

In other games, Georgetown had no problem with Rutgers, winning 88-63 in our Nation's Capital. Temple, outlasted Fordham, 62-45, as the Owls continue to lead the A-10. Mississippi State fell to Alabama by five.

Sweet 16 Picks

Doug McKinney — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:46:00 GMT

Thursday

7:07 - (1) U-Conn vs. (5) Purdue

Breakdown: Recruiting scandal aside, U-Conn will come out ready to play to cool off a red hot Purdue squad.

Advance in the Dance: U-Conn

7:27 - (1) Pitt vs. (4) Xavier

Breakdown: One of my dream match-ups in the tourney field, Xavier has looked good thus far in the tourney, but the lack of a true point guard will doom them against Pitt.

Advance in the Dance:Pittsburgh

9:37 - (2) Memphis vs. (3) Missouri

Breakdown:Memphis bounced back nicely against Maryland, but the magic runs out against Missouri. The Tigers are arguably the hottest team in the nation.

Advance in the Dance:Missouri

9:57 - (2) Duke vs. (3) Villanova

Breakdown: Quick science project ... write Duke on one sheet paper and Villanova on the other ... crumble both pieces of paper up in a ball ... throw them up in the air ... catch one of them ... open up the paper ... there's your winner.

Advance in the Dance: Duke

Friday

7:07 - (1) Louisville vs. (12) Arizona

Breakdown: A lot of pundits didn't even have Arizona in the dance; now they are a Sweet 16 participant ... the dream ends there.

Advance in the Dance:Louisville

7:27 - (2) Oklahoma vs. (3) Syracuse

Breakdown: Huge fan of the Griffin brothers, but this is when the tag team champs are dethroned. The Orangemen are just too balanced for the Sooners to stop.

Advance in the Dance:Syracuse

9:37 - (2) Michigan State vs. (3) Kansas

Breakdown: Final Four in Detroit is in the Spartans reach and you better believe Tom Izzo will get MichiganState there.

Advance in the Dance:Michigan St.

9:57 - (1) UNC vs. (4) Gonzaga

Breakdown: Gonzaga has not impressed thus far in the tourney, while on the other hand, UNC has ... like the Tar Heels big.

Advance in the Dance: UNC

ACC Tournament First Round Predictions

Doug McKinney — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:14:00 GMT

ACC Tournament First Round
@ Georgia Dome | Thursday, March 12

Game 1: No. 8 Virginia Tech vs. No. 9 Miami, noon
What's On the Line: Possible at-large bid for both teams
Leader On the Stat Line: Jack McClinton, Miami, 26 points
The Bottom Line: In this elimination game, the loser is headed to the NIT, while the winner probably has a tad more work to do (a win next round vs. UNC would help). Virginia Tech got the win the first time these teams met, second time will be the charm for Miami. McClinton is too good. Miami 88, VT 83 (OT).

Game 2: No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 Georgia Tech, 2:30 p.m.
What's On the Line: Better NCAA tourney seeding for Clemson
Leader On the Stat Line: Trevor Booker, Clemson, 17 points/11 rebounds
The Bottom Line: The Tigers have defeated the Jackets by an average of 11 points in the two match-ups earlier this year ... expect something similiar to that. Clemson 76, Georgia Tech 65.

Game 3: No. 7 Maryland vs. No. 10 NC State, ESPN2, 7 p.m.
What's On the Line: Possible at-large bid for Maryland
Leader On the Stat Line: Greivis Vasquez, Maryland, 23 points/8 assists/7 rebounds
The Bottom Line: While game one will provide plenty of fireworks, don't sleep on the 7-10 match-up. NC State is looking for revenge on Vasquez and Maryland, from the Terps road victory two weeks ago. MD needs a win to keep their bubble hopes alive and never count out Gary Williams. Maryland 74-67.

Game 4: No. 6 Boston College vs. No. 11 Virginia, 9:30 p.m.
What's On the Line: Better NCAA tourney seeding for BC
Leader On the Stat Line: Tyrese Rice, Boston College, 30 points, 5 assists
The Bottom Line: Virginia has been playing better as of late, but their run will stop here. Keep an eye on freshman Sylven Landesberg (UVA) vs. Rice (BC), and expect the senior Rice to lead his team to the next round. Boston College 76, Virginia 69.

Conference Tournament Previews (March 3-6 starting dates)

Doug McKinney — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:54:00 GMT

America East
March 6-8, 14
Albany, NY
Favorite: Vermont
Run for Favorite's Money: Boston
Championship Game: Vermont vs. Binghamton
And the Winner Is: Vermont ... The Catamounts have good size, solid guards, great coaching, 7 wins in a row and they played George Mason and Maryland close in the early part of the season.

Atlantic Sun
March 4-7
Nashville, TN
Favorite: Jacksonville
Run for Favorite's Money: Belmont
Championship Game: Jacksonville vs. ETSU
And the Winner Is: ETSU ... Bucs split w/ Jacksonville earlier this season, including an OT loss at Jacksonville. Tough to stop the combo of Kevin Tiggs/Courtney Pigram.

Big South
March 3, 5, 7
Radford, VA (campus)
Favorite: Radford
Run for Favorite's Money: Liberty
Championship Game: Radford vs. VMI
And the Winner Is: Radford ... The Highlanders have too much size, home court advantage, three-point marksmen and not to mention they are winners of 15 of their last 17. Remember the name Art Parakhouski come NCAA tournament, us alum just like to call him Big Art.

Colonial
March 6-9
Richmond, VA
Favorite: VCU
Run for Favorite's Money: Old Dominion
Championship Game: VCU vs. George Mason
And the Winner Is: VCU ... After last year's early exit, it's hard to imagine the Rams would be sent home packing and not getting to the championship game. Larry Sanders-Eric Maynor present one of the best inside-outside combinations on the East Coast. Oh and with the game on the line, Maynor is clutch.

Horizon
March 3, 6-7, 10
Indianapolis, IN (campus)
Favorite: Butler
Run for Favorite's Money: Green Bay
Championship Game: Butler vs. Cleveland St.
And the Winner Is: Butler ... They are the best team in the conference and maybe in the state. If you haven't seen Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack play together, you're missing out. Every bubble team in their right mind is rooting for the Bulldogs.

MAAC
March 3, 5, 7
Albany, NY
Favorite: Siena
Run for Favorite's Money: Niagara
Championship Game: Siena vs. Niagara
And the Winner Is: Siena ... Too much talent, to be frank. The Saints have seven guys that score in bunches - with Kenny Hasbrough, Edwin Ubiles and Alex Franklin leading the way - and their tourney profile is good, but they are determined to lock up the automatic bid instead of sweating it out for an at-large. Other bubble teams would like to see them win the MAAC tourney as well.

Missouri Valley
March 5-8
St. Louis
Favorite: Creighton
Run for Favorite's Money: Illinois State
Championship Game: Creighton vs. Northern Iowa
And the Winner Is: Creighton ... Head Coach Dana Altman is very much a reason why Creighton has had so much success and why they should be the favorites to win the MVC. That and the Bluejays have a backcourt of Booker Woodfox and P'Allen Stinnett.

Northeast
March 5, 8, 11
Coraopolis, PA (campus)
Favorite: Robert Morris
Run for Favorite's Money: Sacred Heart
Championship Game: Robert Morris vs. Mount St. Mary's
And the Winner Is: Mt. St. Mary's ... Yes, Robert Morris are the heavy favorites, but the Mount is fresh off an NCAA tourney appearance last season and 12-3 in its last 15 games. I'm smelling upset city.

Ohio Valley
March 3, 6-7
Nashville, TN
Favorite: Tennessee-Martin
Run for Favorite's Money: Murray State
Championship Game: Tennessee-Martin vs. Austin Peay
And the Winner Is: Tennessee-Martin ... Lester Hudson is the best player in the country you have never heard of. As he - and his 27.1 PPG (2nd in nation) go - so do the Bayhawks.

Patriot
March 4, 8, 13
Washington, DC (campus)
Favorite: American
Run for Favorite's Money: Holy Cross
Championship Game: American vs. Holy Cross
And the Winner Is: American ... Since the championship game will be held at American, Jeff Jones and his Eagles have a very good chance at dancing for a second year in a row, thanks to their 11-1 home record.

Southern
March 6-9
Chattanooga, TN
Favorite: Davidson
Run for Favorite's Money: College of Charleston
Championship Game: Davidson vs. College of Charleston
And the Winner Is: Davidson ... Seth Curry ring a bell? What's an NCAA tournament without Curry and the Wildcats? Winning the conference tourney is the only way of the 'Cats getting in.

Sun Belt
March 4, 7-10
Hot Springs, AR
Favorite: Western Kentucky
Run for Favorite's Money: Troy
Championship Game: Western Kentucky vs. Arkansas-Little Rock
And the Winner Is: Western Kentucky ... The Hilltoppers have beaten Arkansas-Little Rock by a combined 42 points in two games earlier this season. WKU has NCAA tourney experience and have had a solid season, despite losing Courtney Lee (last year's stud). Keep your eye on junior guard A.J. Slaughter, arguably the best player in the conference.

West Coast
March 6-9
Las Vegas
Favorite: Gonzaga
Run for Favorite's Money: St. Mary's
Championship Game: Gonzaga vs. St. Mary's
And the Winner Is: St. Mary's ... While Gonzaga has all the momentum in the world, St. Mary's has Patty Mills coming back. With a healthy Mills, St. Mary's can, well, give a run for the favorite's money.

Louisville @ Georgetown | 2/23 @ The Half

Doug McKinney — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:11:00 GMT

At the break, Louisville leads 41-31, in what is essentially a must-win game for the Hoyas. Right now they are out of the tourney and desperately needs this game to keep their slim at-large bid hopes alive. As for Louisville, they are a lock and can use this game to improve their profile. For now I have them penciled in as a 2 seed facing my alma mater, Radford.

My @ The Half Prediction:
Louisville 79
Georgetown 74