NCAA Tournament Times & Announcers (Regional Semifinals)

                                 Thursday 3/26

7:07 #1 UConn vs #5 Purdue @ Glendale: Enberg/Bilas

7:27 #1 Pitt vs #4 Xavier @ Boston: Verne/Raftery

9:37 #2 Memphis vs #3 Missouri @ Glendale: Enberg/Bilas

9:57 #2 Duke vs #3 Villanova @ Boston: Verne/Raftery

                                   Friday 3/27

7:07 #1 Louisville vs #12 Arizona @ Indianapolis: Gus/Elmore

7:27 #2 Oklahoma vs #3 Syracuse @ Memphis: Nantz/Kellogg

9:37 #2 Michigan State vs #3 Kansas @ Indianapolis: Gus/Elmore

9:57 #1 North Carolina vs #4 Gonzaga @ Memphis: Nantz/Kellogg

Games in bold will be seen in the Detroit area. 

NCAA Tournament Times & Announcers

THURSDAY

12:20 #8 LSU vs #9 Butler: Nantz/Kellogg

12:25 #2 Memphis vs #15 Cal St Northridge: Brando/Gminski

12:30 #8 BYU vs #9 Texas A & M: Enberg/Bilas

2:30 #5 Purdue vs #12 Northern Iowa: Harlan/Bonner

2:50 #1 UNC vs #16 Radford: Nantz/Kellogg

2:55 #7 Cal vs #10 Maryland: Brando/Gminski

3:00 #1 UConn vs #16 Chattanooga: Blackburn/Bilas

5:00 #4 Washington vs #13 Mississippi State: Harlan/Bonner

7:10 #7 Texas vs #10 Minnesota: Nantz/Kellogg

7:10 #7 Clemson vs #10 Michigan: Brando/Gminski

7:20 #3 Villanova vs #14 American: Enberg/Bilas

7:25 #4 Gonzaga vs #13 Akron: Harlan/Bonner

9:40 #2 Duke vs #15 Binghamton: Nantz/Kellogg

9:40 #2 Oklahoma vs #15 Morgan State: Brando/Gminski

9:50 #6 UCLA vs #11 VCU: Enberg/Bilas

9:55 #5 Illinois vs #12 Western Kentucky: Harlan/Bonner

FRIDAY

12:15 #3 Syracuse vs #14 Stephen F Austin: Eagle/Spanarkel

12:25 #8 Oklahoma St vs #9 Tennessee: Verne/Raftery

12:30 #3 Kansas vs #14 North Dakota State: Gus/Elmore

12:30 #6 Marquette vs #11 Utah State: Bolerjack/Wenzel

2:45 #6 Arizona State vs #11 Temple: Eagle/Spanarkel

2:55 #1 Pitt vs #16 East Tennessee St: Verne/Raftery

3:00 #6 West Virginia vs #11 Dayton: Gus/Elmore

3:00 #3 Missouri vs #14 Cornell: Bolerjack/Wenzel

7:10 #5 Utah vs #12 Arizona: Eagle/Spanarkel

7:10 #1 Louisville vs #16 Alabama St or Morehead St: Verne/Raftery

7:20 #7 Boston College vs #10 USC: Gus/Elmore

7:25 #4 Xavier vs #13 Portland St: Bolerjack/Wenzel

9:40 #4 Wake Forest vs #13 Cleveland St: Eagle/Spanarkel

9:40 #8 Ohio State vs #9 Siena: Verne/Raftery

9:50 #2 Michigan St vs #15 Robert Morris: Gus/Elmore

9:55 #5 Florida St vs #12 Wisconsin: Bolerjack/Wenzel

IF MICHIGAN WINS ON THURSDAY, THEY WILL PLAY OKLAHOMA AT 5:50 SATURDAY

Conference Tournament Schedules

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT @ Conseco Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)

Thursday 3/12: Opening Round

#8 Minnesota vs. #9 Northwestern- 12:00 on BTN

#7 Michigan vs. #10 Iowa- 2:30 on ESPN2 

#6 Penn State vs. #11 Indiana- 5:00 on ESPN2

Friday 3/13: Quarterfinals

#1 Michigan State vs. #8 Minnesota/#9 Northwestern- 12:00 on ESPN 

#4 Wisconsin vs. #5 Ohio State- 2:30 on ESPN

#2 Illinois vs. #7 Michigan/#10 Iowa- 6:30 on BTN

#3 Purdue vs. #6 Penn State/#11 Indiana- 9:00 on BTN

Saturday 3/14: Semifinals

Games at 1:40 and 4:00 on CBS

Sunday 3/15: Finals

3:30 on CBS

BIG EAST TOURNAMENT @ MSG (New York City) 

Tuesday 3/10: Opening Round

#9 Cincinnati vs. #16 Depaul- 12:00 on BigEast.tv

#12 Georgetown vs. #13 St. Johns- 2:30 on BigEast.tv

#10 Notre Dame vs. #15 Rutgers- 7:00 on BigEast.tv

#11 Seton Hall vs. #14 South Florida- 9:30 on BigEast.tv

Wednesday 3/11: Second Round

#8 Providence vs. #9 Cincinnati/#16 Depaul- 12:00 on ESPN

#5 Marquette vs. #12 Georgetown/#13 St. Johns- 2:30 on ESPN

#7 West Virginia vs. #10 Notre Dame/#15 Rutgers- 7:00 on ESPN

#6 Syracuse vs. #11 Seton Hall/#14 South Florida- 9:30 on ESPN

Thursday 3/12: Quarterfinals

#1 Louisville vs. TBD- 12:00 on ESPN

#4 Villanova vs. TBD- 2:30 on ESPN

#2 Pittsburgh vs. TBD- 7:00 on ESPN

#3 UConn vs. TBD- 9:30 on ESPN

Friday 3/13: Semifinals

Games at 7 and 9:30 on ESPN

Saturday 3/14: Finals

9:00 on ESPN

ACC TOURNAMENT @ Georgia Dome (Atlanta)

Thursday 3/12: Opening Round

#8 Virginia Tech vs. #9 Miami- 12:00 on Raycom

#5 Clemson vs. #12 Georgia Tech- 2:30 on Raycom

#7 Maryland vs. #10 NC State- 7:00 on ESPN2

#6 Boston College vs. #11 Virginia- 9:30 on Raycom

Friday 3/13: Quarterfinals

#1 North Carolina vs. #8 Virginia Tech/#9 Miami- 12:00 on ESPN2

#4 Florida State vs. #5 Clemson/#12 Georgia Tech- 2:30 on ESPN2

#2 Wake Forest vs. #7 Maryland/#10 NC State- 7:00 on ESPN2

#3 Duke vs. #6 Boston College/#11 Virginia- 9:30 on ESPN2

Saturday 3/14: Semifinals

Games at 1:30 and 4 on ESPN

Sunday 3/15: Finals

1:00 on ESPN

PAC 10 TOURNAMENT @ Staples Center (LA)

Wednesday 3/11: Opening Round

#8 Oregon State vs. #9 Stanford- 9:00 on FSN

#7 Washington State vs. #10 Oregon- 11:30 on FSN

Thursday 3/12: Quarterfinals

#4 Arizona State vs. #5 Arizona- 3:00 on FSN

#1 Washington vs. #8 Oregon State/#9 Stanford- 5:30 on FSN

#3 Cal vs. #6 USC- 9:00 on FSN

#2 UCLA vs. #7 Washington State/#10 Oregon- 11:30 on FSN

Friday 3/13: Semifinals

Games at 9 and 11:30 on FSN

Saturday 3/14: Finals

6:00 on CBS

BIG 12 TOURNAMENT @ Ford Center (Oklahoma City)

Wednesday 3/11: Opening Round

Nebraska vs. Baylor- 12:30 on Big 12 Network

Texas vs. Colorado- 3:00 on Big 12 Network

Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State- 7:00 on Big 12 Network

Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech- 9:30 on Big 12 Network

Thursday 3/12: Quarterfinals

Kansas vs. Nebraska/Baylor- 12:30 on ESPN2

Kansas State vs. Texas/Colorado- 3:00 on ESPN2

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State/Iowa State- 7:00 on Big 12 Network

Missouri vs. Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech- 9:30 on Big 12 Network

Friday 3/13: Semifinals

Games at 7 and 9:30 on Big 12 Network

Saturday 3/14: Finals

6:00 on ESPN

SEC TOURNAMENT @ St. Pete Times Forum (Tampa)

Thursday 3/12: Opening Round

Kentucky vs. Ole Miss- 1:00 on Raycom

Mississippi State vs. Georgia- 3:15 on Raycom

Alabama vs. Vanderbilt- 7:30 on Raycom

Florida vs. Arkansas- 9:45 on Raycom

Friday 3/13: Quarterfinals

LSU vs. Kentucky/Ole Miss- 1:00 on Raycom

South Carolina vs. Mississippi State/Georgia- 3:15 on Raycom

Tennessee vs. Alabama/Vanderbilt- 7:30 on Raycom

Auburn vs. Florida/Arkansas- 9:45 on Raycom

Saturday 3/14: Semifinals

Games at 1 and 3:30 on ESPN2

Sunday 3/15: Finals

1:00 on CBS

NCAA Bubble Talk: Who's In, Who's Out?

We have made our way into March, the best month in sports. Now, less than 2 weeks from Selection Sunday, let's delve into the field of 65. Below is a conference-by-conference breakdown (as of 3/3). Note: I only included wins against Division I opponents.

Big Ten 

Locks (4): Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin

On the Bubble: Ohio State, Penn State, Minnesota, Michigan

Minnesota: 19-8 (8-8), RPI-37, SOS-46, 4-6 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Louisville, Wisconsin, Notable Losses: @ Northwestern, Remaining Games: Wisconsin, Michigan

Ohio State: 18-9 (8-8), RPI-43, SOS-27, 6-8 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Butler, Notre Dame, Miami, Purdue, Notable Losses: @ Minnesota, Remaining Games : @ Iowa, Northwestern

Michigan: 17-12 (8-9), RPI-47, SOS-9, 5-9 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Duke, UCLA, Purdue, Illinois, Notable Losses: Ohio State (x2), Iowa, Remaining Games : @ Minnesota

Penn State: 20-9 (9-7), RPI-65, SOS-90, 5-8 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: @ MSU, @ Illinois, Notable Losses: Rhode Island, Remaining Games: Illinois, @ Iowa

Big East

Locks (7): UConn, Pitt, Louisville, Marquette, Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia

On the Bubble: Cincinnati, Providence, Notre Dame, Georgetown

Georgetown: 15-12 (6-10), RPI-40, SOS-1, 4-8 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: @ Villanova, @ UConn, Maryland, Notable Losses: Cincinnati (x2), Remaining Games: @ St. Johns, DePaul

Cincinnati: 17-11 (8-8), RPI-54, SOS-19, 4-9 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Georgetown (x2), UNLV, Notable Losses: Providence (x2), Remaining Games: @ South Florida, Seton Hall

Providence: 18-11 (10-7), RPI-68, SOS-47, 2-7 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Cincinnati (x2), Notable Losses: St. Mary's, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Remaining Games: @ Villanova

Notre Dame: 15-13 (7-10), RPI-73, SOS-32, 3-11 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Texas, Louisville, Georgetown, Notable Losses: St Johns, Remaining Games: St. Johns

Big 12

Locks (4): Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas

On the Bubble: Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Kansas State

Oklahoma State: 19-9 (8-6), RPI-31, SOS-12, 3-8 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Texas, Siena, Notable Losses: @ Texas A&M, Remaining Games: Kansas State, @ Oklahoma

Texas A&M: 20-8 (7-7), RPI-35, SOS-38, 4-5 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Arizona, LSU, Texas, Notable Losses: Kansas State, @ Oklahoma State, Remaining Games: @ Colorado, Missouri

Kansas State: 19-9 (8-6), RPI-71, SOS-88, 3-4 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: @ Texas, Notable Losses: Iowa, @ Oregon, Remaining Games: @ Oklahoma State, Colorado

SEC

Locks (3): LSU, Tennessee, South Carolina

On the Bubble: Florida, Kentucky

Florida: 21-8 (8-6), RPI-50, SOS-91, 2-6 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Washington, South Carolina, Notable Losses: Tennessee (x2), Remaining Games: @ Mississippi State, Kentucky

Kentucky: 19-10 (8-6), RPI-66, SOS-61, 4-6 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: West Virginia, Tennessee (x2), Notable Losses: @ Ole Miss, Remaining Games: Georgia, @ Florida

ACC

Locks (6): North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson, Florida State, Boston College

On the Bubble: Miami, Maryland, Virginia Tech

Miami: 16-10 (6-8), RPI-44, SOS-10, 4-7 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Wake Forest, @ Kentucky, Notable Losses: @ NC State, Remaining Games: @ Georgia Tech, NC State

Maryland: 18-10 (7-7), RPI-52, SOS-22, 4-9 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: UNC, MSU, Michigan, Notable Losses: Morgan State, Remaining Games: Wake Forest, @ Virginia

Virginia Tech: 17-11 (7-7), RPI-60, SOS-37, 4-7 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: @ Clemson, @ Wake Forest, @ Miami, Notable Losses: @ Maryland, Remaining Games: North Carolina, @ Florida State

PAC 10

Locks (4): Washington, UCLA, Arizona State, Cal

On the Bubble: Arizona, USC

Arizona: 18-11 (8-8), RPI-48, SOS-34, 5-7 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Gonzaga, Kansas, UCLA, Notable Losses: @ Texas A&M, Remaining Games: Cal, Stanford

USC: 16-12 (7-9), RPI-58, SOS-15, 3-9 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Cal, Notable Losses: UCLA (x2), Remaining Games: Oregon, Oregon State

MID-MAJORS

Locks (6): Memphis, Gonzaga, Butler, Utah, BYU, Xavier, Dayton

On the Bubble: Creighton, Siena, San Diego State, UNLV, Davidson, Utah State, St. Mary's

Creighton: 25-6 (14-4), RPI-39, SOS-105, 1-0 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Dayton, Notable Losses: Northern Iowa, Remaining Games: MVC Tournament

Siena: 23-7 (16-2), RPI-29, SOS-73, 0-4 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Northern Iowa, Notable Losses: Niagara, Wichita St, Remaining Games: MAAC Tournament

San Diego State: 17-8 (9-5), RPI-46, SOS-62, 1-5 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Utah, Notable Losses: @ Arizona, Remaining Games: Colorado State, UNLV

UNLV: 20-8 (8-6), RPI-51, SOS-78, 5-3 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Arizona, @ Louisville, Notable Losses: Cincinnati, Remaining Games: Air Force, @ San Diego State

Davidson: 24-6 (18-2), RPI-67, SOS-165, 1-4 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: West Virginia, Notable Losses: Butler, Remaining Games: Southern Conference Tournament

Utah State: 25-4 (13-2), RPI-32, SOS-130, 1-1 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Utah, Notable Losses: @ St. Mary's, Remaining Games: San Jose State

UAB: 20-9 (10-4), RPI-41, SOS-64, 1-6 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: @ Arizona, Notable Losses: @ Cincinnati, Remaining Games: @ UTEP, Marshall

St. Mary's: 22-5 (10-4), RPI-55, SOS-167, 2-2 vs Top 50, Notable Wins: Providence, San Diego St, Utah St, Notable Losses: UTEP, Gonzaga (x2), Remaining Games: WCC Tournament

Overall, 24 locks along with an additional 31 automatic berths leaves open only 10 slots in the field of 65 among the bubble teams listed above. I imagine there will be a few surprises in the Conference tournaments, leaving open a few less spots (2 or 3).  We'll play it safe and say there are only 7 spots open for bubble teams.  In my opinion, Ohio State and Arizona are IN.  The schedule favors Miami and UNLV to be IN, leaving only 4 at-large bids. This leaves the Florida/Kentucky winner, the Michigan/Minnesota winner, the Oklahoma State/Kansas State winner, Texas A&M, Penn State, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Creighton, Georgetown, Cincy and Providence (11 teams for 4 spots).  At least 1 or even 2 teams from the Big East will get IN, probably Providence and Georgetown.  Yes, I think Georgetown will make the field. Their last two games are very winnable and due the unbalanced schedule in the BIG East, they should have an edge over Cincy and, for that matter, Providence. If that is the case, the ACC, BIG 12, SEC, and BIG TEN only have 2 slots to work with.  Frankly, I am not sure why Creighton is in Joe Lunardi's field.  Moreover, I don't think any of the mid-major bubble teams, outside of UNLV, will be selected as at-large teams. Yes, that includes Davidson. Here are the scenarios: #1: If Kentucky defeats Florida, they are IN. #2 If Florida defeats Kentucky, both need at least 2 wins in the SEC tournament to get IN. #3-If Penn State wins out, they are IN. If PSU splits, they need to win 2 at the Big Ten Tournament. If PSU loses out, they are done. #4- The Michigan/Minnesota winner must win at least 1 at the Big Ten Tournament; win 2 and you are a lock. #5- If Oklahoma State defeats Kansas State, they are in pretty good shape. If KSU wins, both teams are out, unless either makes a long run in the conference tournament. #6- Texas A&M must win vs. Missouri at home and then a few more in Kansas City. #7- Maryland and Virginia Tech have to win out and then do some damage in the ACC tournament to get in.

Confused yet.  Here's how I see things playing out: Kentucky defeats Florida to get IN, leaving only one spot for the ACC, BIG Ten and Big 12. Maryland and Virginia Tech will lose this week knocking them out of the conversation. Penn State will stumble down the stretch and not be in the field, while Texas A&M will lose to Missouri at the end of the season. This leaves Oklahoma State, who will defeat Kansas State, and the Michigan/Minnesota winner. Don't like our chances. Who would have thought that Big Ten may only get 5 teams? Again, this is a very fluid situation with a lot of different scenarios that will likely change on a nightly basis.  All I will say is that Michigan surely does not control its own destiny, as I thought last night. Even if Michigan wins at Minnesota and a game in Indianapolis, their going to need some additional help as well.  Granted, I put Miami and Georgetown into the field (both are under .500 in their conferences), but the road for Michigan is not easy; I'd put the odds at 25%.  Let the madness begin.

Nonstop Bias from Jay Bilas

In the UNC-Duke game last night, Kyle Singler threw an elbow to Tyler Hansbrough. No surprise that Jay Bilas, working in the studio for ESPN last night, didn't call for Coach K to get his program under control.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS HERE!!!

Michigan Ranked #24

It probably took a week or two longer than it should have, but Michigan is ranked 24th in the AP Poll that was released earlier this afternoon.  I continue to disregard the Coaches Poll, where Michigan is 28th, receiving 38 votes.  Believe it or not, five Big Ten teams are ranked: Purdue 10th, Michigan State 11th, Ohio State 15th, Minnesota 23rd and Michigan 24th.  With Wisconsin, Penn State, Northwestern and Illinois also off to good starts in non-conference play, the Big Ten will likely send 5 or 6 teams to the Tournament, an afterthought when the season began.  More importantly, UCLA and Duke (2 teams that Michigan beat) are playing very well right now.  Also, Michigan's RPI has been holding steady at #15 earlier today (12/22).  

Frankly, Michigan has played a pretty uninspired 2nd half tonight against Florida Gulf Coast. After leading by 20 at the half (a half in which DeShawn Sims had 13 rebounds), Michigan managed just 15 points in the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half.  A win is a win, I guess, but this was ugly.  To say Michigan relied on the three-point shot is quite an understatement, as they attempted 42 in the game. The Wolverines shot just 23-64 for 35.9% as a team from the field. DeShawn led the way with 20, Grady had 14, LLP 10 and Manny managed just 6 points.  In his much-anticipated return, Reed Baker was 4/12 from the field for 16 points for FGC. 

Final Score: Michigan 76 -Florida Gulf Coast 59

Next up: Michigan vs NC Central on December 29th at 7pm.  A great chance to start 10-2 in what is the final tune-up before Big Ten conference play. 

College Basketball Scores

Quick break from studying... 2 interesting scores from tonight.

(1) Georgetown 100-Savannah State 38.  Whoa.  Man, thank god Michigan won that game.

(2) Eastern Michigan 67-Wayne State 47.  Win #2 for EMU on the year.  Brandon Bowdry had 19 points and 7 rebounds.  I don't see win #3 coming Saturday at Crisler.

*** Thoughts on Michigan not being ranked: What's the big deal? Only 2 teams from 20-25 in the polls lost this past week. Even if polls mattered (which they don't), 64 teams make the tourney, not 25 right?  Unlike college football, where the polls make up two-thirds of the BCS, the college basketball polls (AP and Coaches) have no bearing... I repeat ZERO INFLUENCE on the NCAA tournament selections. The only ranking that matters is RPI, where Michigan is currently 15th.  Also, Michigan has a SOS of 5.  Warren Nolan explains well.  Finally, how is Evansville's RPI #4, with the #1 SOS?  They are 3-1 vs. division one teams and have played Austin Peay, Buffalo, Ball State and Butler.  Huh?

UPDATE: Michigan's RPI is now #13 and SOS is #3 (as of 12/11)

ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE THOUGHTS

Well, much closer than I thought.  The ACC wins it for a 10th straight year, 6-5... let's recap.

Game #1: Wisconsin 74 Virginia Tech 72

The only game on Monday night saw Virginia Tech make a valiant comeback that fell just short in the final few minutes at home versus the Badgers. Trevon Hughes made a floater in the lane with less than a second to go to break a 72-72 tie.  As usual, Wisconsin is very well-coached by Bo Ryan and should be a top 3 Big 10 team by the end of the season.  Va Tech, meanwhile, is likely the 6th or 7th best team in the ACC, putting itself squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble.  The favored Badgers gave the Big 10 a 1-0 lead in the challenge after night one.

Game #2: Boston College 57 Iowa 55

Wouldn't the Big Ten like to have the final few seconds of this game back? With Iowa down by 2 on the final possession of the game, Andrew Brommer of Iowa was fouled with 0.4 seconds remaining. However, Brommer, just a 21% free-throw shooter missed the front end of a one-and-one, allowing BC to secure the 2 point win. Both Iowa and BC will be non-factors this year and finish towards the bottom of their respective conferences.  We're now tied 1-1.

Game #3: Ohio State 73 Miami 68

This was the biggest surprise of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.  Miami's best player Jack McClinton was ejected from the game in the first half due to a questionable slap to the face.  In turn, Jon Diebler and Evan Turner led the Buckeyes back from a 14-point deficit to a 5 point win. Miami nearly took out Texas in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament last year and I expect them to return to the dance this season.  I'm still not quite sure what to make of the Buckeyes, probably a bubble team with about five other Big Ten schools. Big Ten 2- ACC 1.

Game #4: Clemson 76 Illinois 74

Stitt and Booker combined for 34 points to hold off Illinois by 2 points on the road.  In yet another game that went down to the final seconds, the Illini were unable to get a shot off as time expired. Like they showed in reaching the ACC tournament final a year ago, Clemson is very dangerous and is a NCAA tournament-lock.  Illinois, like Ohio State is young and more than likely a NIT team. Big Ten 2- ACC 2.

Game #5: Duke 76 Purdue 60

Man, was this game similar to the Michigan-Duke game at MSG or what?  Like Michigan 2 weeks ago, Purdue was down 8 at the half and anywhere from 10 to 20 in the 2nd half. In what was called the most important game at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette since the Glenn Robinson days, Purdue struggled to find any sort of offensive rhythm against the tough man-to-man defense of Duke. Purdue may really miss Scott Martin (transferred to Notre Dame) off their bench this year.  Still, Purdue will finish at the top of the league with MSU and Wisconsin, while Duke will likely be a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. ACC 3-Big Ten 2.

Game #6: Minnesota 66 Virginia 56

No surprises here, as this score was expected. Virginia is not very good and will finish towards the bottom of the ACC. Minnesota remains unbeaten, but still has not played a legitimate opponent. ACC 3-Big Ten 3.

Game #7: Wake Forest 83 Indiana 58

The largest mismatch on paper heading into the challenge. Indiana is, well, terrible... nothing more to say there.  They'll finish 11th in the Big Ten.  Wake Forest, meanwhile, is awfully dangerous, led by a big front-court and a terrific freshman guard Aminu. ACC 4- Big Ten 3.

Game #8: Maryland 75 Michigan 70

A game Michigan very easily could have (and probably needed to have) won. The Wolverines outplayed Maryland in the 1st half and should have had greater than a 5-point lead at halftime. Rebounding was a large story (as usual) in the 2nd half, as the Terps got an offensive rebound on half of their shots. Remember: Maryland came into the game ranked dead last (12th) in the ACC in rebounding. Unimpressive: Gibson and Wright.  Impressive: Sims (in 1st half), Shepherd and Novak. Both teams are very similar and will probably win about 16-19 games. With Duke (for a 2nd time) and UConn still on the horizon in non-conference play, the best Michigan can hope for is a 9-4 non-conference record. The most likely scenario: 9-9 in Big Ten play, puts you at 18-13. Add 1 Big Ten Conference tournament win and the Wolverines finish 19-13, probably just a little short of the Tournament.  Hopefully, LLP will make a huge difference starting on December 2oth. Perry really needs to be the 3rd option scoring-wise for Michigan, allowing Harris and Simis to get more rest and Novak, Douglass, etc. to be 4th and 5th options, where they should be more comfortable. ACC 5-Big Ten 3. 

Game #9: Penn State 85 Georgia Tech 83

Penn State may very well be the surprise team in the Big Ten this year. With 3 legitimate scorers, in Battle, Pringle and Cornley, Ed DeChellis may have himself a 18+ win NCAA/NIT team this season. For Georgia Tech, see comments on Virginia above. ACC 5- Big Ten 4.

Game #10: North Carolina 98 Michigan State 63

Seemed on TV at least that MSU would have had a better chance at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. A small crowd at Ford Field that became even smaller in the 2nd half, due to a Tuesday 9:15 start, cold weather, the bad economy, etc. Anyway, I actually thought MSU played decently in the 1st half, but still trailed by double digits. Dick Vitale on the ESPN broadcast said UNC could beat 5 NBA teams this year.  I'm not sure if I would go that far, but if the Heels stay healthy... they definitely are looking at a 1 or 2-loss season and the overall #1 seed. UNC does have 3 players, in Lawson, Ellington, and Hansbrough that will be top 10 picks in this year's draft. MSU definitely has a problem with outside shooting and was clearly missing Goran Suton. ACC 6- Big Ten 4.

Game #11: Northwestern 73 Florida State 59

I sure didn't see this one coming. Florida State was 7-0 heading into the game (who did they beat?). NW broke open a close game at halftime and led pretty comfortably for much of the 2nd half. NW head coach, Bill Carmody, formerly of Princeton, is said to be on the hot seat this season. I think he'll keep his job, but both NW and FSU are NIT (or CBI) bound. Did you known NW has never been to the NCAA tournament? FINAL: ACC 6-BIG Ten 5

NC State was the lone ACC team not to participate.  Overall, a much better showing than anticipated for the Big Ten, the closest since 2005.  The ACC has won in dominating fashion recently, 8-3 the last 2 years.  While the ACC is much more top-heavy, with 5 legitimate NCAA Tournament teams (UNC, Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson and Miami) and probably a 6th (either Va Tech or Maryland), the Big Ten is the much deeper league.  The ACC has some weak teams at the bottom of the conference, in Virginia, NC State, BC, Ga Tech and FSU, that UNC and Duke should defeat by 30+ points twice. The Big Ten has 9 teams, excluding Iowa and Indiana, who could find themselves in a postseason tournament (NCAA, NIT, or CBI).  Enjoy the Pac-10/Big 12 Hardwood Series and the BIG East-Sec challenge (yes, that really exists!).

2 Interesting Final Scores from this Weekend

Both from college basketball...

#1 Duke 82- Rhode Island 79

 -Duke really struggled and barely came back to defeat Rhode Island, out of the A-10, on Sunday night. Greg Paulus is now Duke's 6th man and plays off the ball as a 2 guard (interesting).  With Duke struggling vs Rhode Island, along with UCLA barely beating Miami (Ohio) earlier this week, you have to like Michigan's chances to be at least competitive in NYC on Thursday and Friday.

#2 Northeastern 70- Providence 66

 -Northeastern won on the road Saturday night at Providence.  The Friars are predicted to finish anywhere from 6th-11th in the always difficult 16 team Big East.  As expected, Matt Janing lead the way for Northeastern scoring-wise.  Eugene Spates broke a 66-66 tie with a game winning three-pointer.  This score makes Michigan's 20 point win over Northeastern from this past Wednesday look that much better.