Hopefully, none of you readers ate too much Valentine's chocolate and you still have room for some early helpings. You see, the Buffet has some extra time on its hands, and the beneficiaries? All of you.As the calendar starts peeling away towards March and the NCAA tournament, it dawned on the staff here -- why wait for the 12 days of conference tourneys when we can start the fun with 12 days until the 12 days of conference tourneys . Why don’t we get to know our teams a bit earlier? Why only celebrate the best of all for a few days of a tournament, when the regular season conference championship races are compelling and coming down to the wire.
The Buffet will span the NCAA, looking conference by conference – looking at the conference races, who's contending, who they play, what their profile looks like, and who are some of the players to watch as you track the games. A new feature? "Who to Foul/Who not to Foul" - after watching Rick Barnes, John Calipari and several others turn not practicing free throws to an art form, we decided to see who opponents should be putting on the line with the game on the line, or who they should avoid sending to the charity stripe. (*Note - we had to make a call, and made the foul/no foul cut off at 70%, if you were below by more than 1-2%, you became someone to foul, if you are at 70% or more, then you are someone not to foul*)
Also, "best" and "worst" is relates to wins/losses is a fluid, subjective designation. Some wins/losses are obvious as labeled. Beating the #1 team in RPI or losing to the 475th ranked team. Some has to do with how badly you were beaten by a team you are being compared against ... i.e. if you are the 56th ranked team and played the 42nd ranked team, and lost by 18, that is considered by the Buffet to be a "bad" loss because it becomes on of the several crucial criteria they will use to distinguish one team from another and decide whether a team is tournament worthy/can win a game. "Best" losses are typically close losses against good or comparable teams, where a bounce here or there might have made the outcome different. When there are 4 more teams making the tournament and so many resumes will start looking similar by the #s, "good" losses take on SOME weight, just to show that a team performed the equivalent of equal or competitive against good competition.
The profiles will also include those standing outside the title race, but who will factor In the Waiting Line... with an eye towards who is playing the best ball, who has shown the ability to hang with the big boys, and which players are to be watched as we close February and head into March.
(A couple of notes - the CBB season is fluid, in order to provide full 31 conference coverage, this report took a couple days to fill, therefore most information is super current (specifically records), but some RPI, KenPom or player stats will have adjusted slightly ... our apologies, even the Buffet is susceptible to be missing a desired item or two. But, you should get a good look at the teams to watch, the players to learn, and the races to follow... (as always, the Buffet still has not replaced their editing staff, so all grammatical/spelling errors are unintentionally-intentional, and give the Buffet flavor).
First Buffetology of the year should be released either this evening or tomorrow... but without further ado -
The weekend has intensified things in the Am East, Stony Brook who entered the weekend with a 1 game advantage, now sits just ½ game up, after a 68-49 loss to Vermont. Stony Brook finishes with their Bracketbuster matchup with former AmEast rival Northeastern, before traveling to Hartford and closing with Maine.
Vermont has three games left, traveling to Albany to face the fading Great Danes, to Binghamton and then closing at home versus UMBC.
BU, off a 3 game winning streat following a pair of losses to the top two teams, is just 1 game in the loss column behind, with UNH, @UMBC and Hartford to go. Their issue is no tiebreakers whatsoever, having been swept by Vermont and losing their only matchup with Stony Brook
Stony Brook Seawolves (17-8, 12-2)
Ken Pom: 140
ESPN BPI: 153
RPI: 161
SOS: 326
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-0
101-150: 0-0
151-200: 4-3
201+: 12-3
Best losses: @Northwestern (44) 58-63
Worst losses: @E.Illinois (273) 69-72; @Sacred Heart (236) 63-74; @Bos Coll (218) 51-66; @Indiana (15) 66-96
Players to watch
Bryan Dougher - 14.0 pts, 2.4 rebs, 41% 3pt
Tommy Brenton – 7.7 pts, 7.9 rebs, 3.2 ats, 1.6 steals,
Onlu one underclassman plays meaningful minutes – Dave Coley, 10 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.5 asts
Al Rapier – 8.7 pts, 5.5 rebs, 1.3 assists
Dallis Joyner – 8.3 pts, 6.4 rebs
Anthony Jackson – 6.0 pts, 1.4 rebs, 44% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Joyner - 54% Dougher - 82%
Brenton - 62% Coley - 77%
Ron Bracey – 40% Jackson - 78%
Marcus Rouse - 77%
Vermont Catamounts (17-10, 11-2)
Ken Pom: 126
ESPN BPI: 159
RPI: 151
SOS: 258
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-3
101-150: 1-1
151-200: 3-3
201+: 13-1
Best wins: Old Dominion (126) 65-63 ot; Stony Brook (161) 68-49; Boston U x2 (168) @68-67; 83-69
Best losses: Harvard (37) 48-55, Iona (55) 72-73, USF (63) 59-61; Long Island (98) 75-80
Worst losses: New Hampshire (305) 65-72; Quinnipiac (169) 58-62; Northeastern (180) 51-53
Players to Watch
Four McGlynn, York, PA native – 12.3 pts, 1.7 rebs, 1.0 assists, 42% 3pts
Matt Glass – 11.0 pts, 3.6 rebs
Luke Apfeld – 10.9 pts, 4.1 rebs, 46% 3pts
Brendan Bald – 8.3 pts, 1.8 rebs
Sandro Carissimo – 6.6 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals
Brian Voelkel – 5.1 pts, 7.9 rebs, 5.2 assists, 1.7 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Voelkel - 55% McGlynn - 88%
Ben Crenca - 60% Glass - 77%
Josh Elbaum – 54% Apfeld - 79%
Bald - 79%
Carissimo – 80%
Rugg – 85%
Boston U Terriers (14-13, 10-3)
Ken Pom: 169
ESPN BPI: 174
RPI: 168
SOS: 207
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-3
51-100: 0-4
101-150: 1-0
151-200: 1-6
201+: 12-0
Best wins: Stony Brook (161) 61-55; Delaware (144) 73-67
Best losses: @St Joe’s (48) 68-75; v Clev St (80) 62-63
Worst losses: @Quinn (169) 53-59; @Cornell (171) 66-71; Northeastern (180) 74-82 ot
Players to Watch
Darryl Partin – 19.6 pts, 4.2 rebs, 1.2 steals
DJ Irving – 12.1, 2.8 rebs, 5.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 40% 3pt
Patrick Hazel - 7.0 pts, 5.4 rebs, 1.8 blks
Dom Morris – 6.4 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.1 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Hazel - 55% Partin - 70%
Irving - 67% Matt Griffin - 80%
Morris - 64% Travis Robinson - 90% (17/18)
Malik Thomas – 64%
Albany Great Danes (16-12, 8-6)
Ken Pom: 209
ESPN BPI: 221
RPI: 219
SOS: 325
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 0-3
101-150: 0-0
151-200: 0-6
201+: 16-2
Best wins: @St Francis (207) 76-64; v. Monmouth (267) 85-49
Best losses: None
Worst losses: @Siena (223) 60-64; @New Hampshire (305) 64-69; @Cornell (171) 82-85
Players to Watch
Gerardo Suero – 21.6 pts, 5.5 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals
Logan Aronhalt – 15.2 pts, 4.7 rebs, 1.2 assists
Mike Black – 13.1 pts, 3.0 rebs, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Luke Devlin - 62% Suero - 83%
Blake Metcalf - 28% Aronhalt - 89%
Ralph Watts - 66% Black – 73%
John Puk - 62%
Atlantic Coast Conference
An interesting 7th week of the conference season has really shaken things up for all the regular seasontitle contenders - With 6 conference games left, the most realistic shot at the regular season crowns, belong to UNC (8-2), Florida St (8-2), Duke (8-2), NC State (7-3), Virginia (6-4) and Miami (6-4).
North Carolina after the last second loss pushing it down to a tie, still has its return gameswith Duke remaining, Virginia, 1 each at NC State and Miami (who they beat by an average of 15.5 point the first time through).
Florida St has a slightly easier road, having no more games with UNC this season except for the Jan 14, 90-57 win. The Seminoles have home games vs. Duke, Clemson and Virginia Tech, then road games at Miami, NC St and Virginia
Duke meanwhile has the return game at home versus UNC, home games against Va Tech & NC State, then a road game at Florida St (who beat them back on Jan 21 on the 3-point Mike Patrick deflating buzzer beater.
NC State, who got a little help from Duke (plausible) and BC (really Florida St?) to pull within one game, has a road game versus Duke, and Virginia Tech, but then North Carolina & Florida St at home. Their 3 game back-to-back-to-back slate against the 3 teams at the top of the ACC standings will tell us a lot about this team.
Virginia, is a curious case and in a bit of trouble. First, they lost imposing 7 footer man in the middle Assane Sene to a broken ankle, and now second leading scorer Joe Harris is trying to play through a broken non-shooting hand, and it showed last night in a 60-48 road loss to Clemson – they faces UNC again on February 25, a road game at Virginia Tech and then the equalizer opportunity against Florida Sst.
Miami, meanwhile, has to go to Raleigh, and also has NC State, North Carolina and Florida State at home.
North Carolina Tar Heels (21-4, 8-2)
Ken Pom: 8
ESPN BPI: 6
RPI: 8
SOS: 9
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-3
26-50: 4-1
51-100: 3-0
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 3-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: v.Michigan St (4) 67-55, Wisconsin (24) 60-57, Long Beach (42) 84-78, Miami (FL) (35) (73-56); Texas (49) 82-63; NC State (51) 74-55
Best losses: Duke (2) 84-85; @Kentucky (3) 72-73
Worst Loss: @Florida St (18) 57-90; v.UNLV (9) 80-90
Players to Watch
Harrison Barnes – 17.3 pts, 4.8 rebs, 44% 3p
Tyler Zeller – 15.3 pts, 9.6 rebs, 1.3 blocks
John Henson – 14.3 pts, 10.0 rebs, 3.2 blocks
Kendall Marshall – 6.5 pts, 2.7 rebs, 9.8 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Henson – 44% Barnes – 72%
Marshall – 68% Zeller – 79%
James Michael McAdoo – 60% Reggie Bullock – 80%
P.J. Hairston – 86%
Florida State Seminoles (17-7, 8-2)
Ken Pom: 26
ESPN BPI: 35
RPI: 28
SOS: 21
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-2
26-50: 2-2
51-100: 4-0
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 2-1
201+: 3-1
Best wins: Duke (2) 76-73; UNC (8) 90-57; Virginia (34) 58-55; Miami FL (35) 64-59; UCF (59) 73-50
Best losses: UConn (21) 76-78 OT; Harvard (37) 41-46
Worst Losses: @Boston College (218) 60-64; Princeton (101) 73-75 3ot; Clemson (173) 59-79
Players to Watch
Michael Snaer – 13.8 pts, 3.5 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 41% 3p
Bernard James – 10.2 pts, 8.6 rebs
Ian Miller – 9.9 pts, 1.8 rebs, 1.7 steals
Okaro White – 8.0 pts, 4.6 rebs
Xavier Gibson – 7.5 pts, 4.8 rebs
Deividas Dulkys – 7.3 pts, 2.3 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.5 steals
Luke Loucks – 7.2 pts, 3.0 rebs, 4 assists, 1.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
James – 51% Snaer – 84%
Jeff Peterson – 65% Miller – 87%
Loucks – 57% White – 81%
Gibson 67% Dulkys – 82%
Duke Blue Devils (21-4, 8-2)
Ken Pom: 14
ESPN BPI: 7
RPI: 2
SOS: 2
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 4-2
26-50: 2-2
51-100: 6-0
101-150: 5-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 2-0
Best wins: @UNC (8) 85-84; Michigan St (4) 74-69; v.Kansas (5) 68-61; Michigan (14) 82-75; Colorado St (30) 87-64; UVA (32) 61-58; v.Washington (62) 86-80; Davidson (72) 82-69
Best losses: Florida St (28) 73-76; Temple (18) 73-78; Miami Fl (35) 74-78ot
Worst Losses: @Ohio St (10) 63-85
Players to watch
Austin Rivers – 14.5 pts, 3.1 rebs, 2.0 assists
Seth Curry – 12.6 pts, 2.5 rebs, 2.6 assists
Ryan Kelly – 12.6 pts, 5.4 rebs,
Mason Plumlee 11.6 pts, 9.7 rebs, 2.0 assists 1.6 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Rivers – 67% Curry – 87%
Plumlee – 49% Kelly– 80%
Miles Plumlee– 67% Dawkins – 77%
North Carolina St Wolfpack (18-7, 7-3)
Ken Pom: 53
ESPN BPI: 53
RPI: 51
SOS: 56
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 2-2
51-100: 2-0
101-150: 5-2
151-200: 3-0
201+: 8-2
Best wins: @Miami FL (35) 78-73; Texas (49) 77-74
Best losses: Virginia (34) 61-60; Vandy (29) 79-86
Worst Losses: Stanford (105) 72-76; Georgia Tech (147) 71-82; @UNC (8) 55-74
Players to Watch
Scott Wood – 13.5 pts, 2.0 rebs, 54/54 FTs, 44% 3p
CJ Leslie – 13.0 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.3 steals, 1.8 blocks
CJ Williams – 12.1 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.0 assist
Lorenzo Brown – 11.9 pts, 4.3 rebs, 6.8 assists
Richard Howell – 11.6 pts, 9.4 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
C.J. Leslie – 63% Wood – 100%
Williams – 81%
Brown – 76%
Howell 72%
DeShawn Painter – 73%
Alex Johnson – 74%
Virginia Cavaliers (19-6, 6-5)
Ken Pom: 24
ESPN BPI: 24
RPI: 41
SOS: 98
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 2-1
51-100: 4-1
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 2-1
201+: 7-0
Best wins: Michigan (14) 70-58; Miami FL (35) 52-51; North Carolina St (51) 61-60; @Oregon (67) 67-54
Best losses: @Duke (2) 58-61; @ @Florida St (28) 55-58
Worst losses: TCU (109) 55-57; Virginia Tech (96) 45-47; @UNC (8) 52-70; @Clemson (155) 48-60 (without Sene
Players to watch
Mike Scott – 17.0 pts, 8.5 rebs,
Joe Harris – 12.7 pts, 4.1 rebs, 40% 3p
Sammy Zeglinski – 8.7 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.7 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Jontel Evans – 58% Scott – 82%
Akil Mitchell – 52% Harris– 79%
Assane Sene – 69% Zeglisnki – 78%
Malcolm Brogdon – 81%
Miami FL Hurricanes (15-8, 6-4)
Ken Pom: 41
ESPN BPI: 42
RPI: 35
SOS: 34
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 0-4
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 5-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Duke (2) 78-74OT
Best losses: @Virginia (34) 51-52; @Mississippi (50) 61-64OT; No Carolina St (51) 73-78
Worst losses: Purdue (56) 65-76; @UNC (8) 56-73; Memphis (19) 54-71
Players to watch
Durand Scott – 13.1 pts, 5.0 rebs, 3.5 assists
Malcolm Grant – 12.7 pts, 2.5 rebs, 49% 3p
Kenny Kadji – 12.6 pts, 5.8 rebs
Reggie Johnson – 11.8 pts, 7.0 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Kadji - 64% Scott – 81%
DeQuan Jones – 58% Grant – 76%
Johnnson – 71%
Reggie Larkin – 92%
Trey McKinney Jones – 85%
Maryland Terrapins (14-10, 4-6)
Ken Pom: 130
ESPN BPI: 117
RPI: 90
SOS: 50
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-4
26-50: 1-4
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 7-0
Best wins: Notre Dame (40) 78-71; Colorado (74) 78-71
Best losses: Miami FL (35) 86-90 2OT; @No Carolina St (51) 74-79
Worst losses: Iona (55) 63-89; Alabama (32) 42-62; @North Carolina St (51) 74-79; Duke x2 (2) @55-73, 61-74; @Florida St (28) 70-84
Players to watch
Terrell Stoglin – 21.7 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2.1 assists
Sean Mosley – 10.1 pts, 5.3 rebs
James Padgett – 9.0 pts, 5.8 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Padgett - 58% Stoglin - 75%
Alex Len – 60% Mosley – 82%
Nick Faust – 59% Pe’Shon Howard – 70%
Virginia Tech Hokies (14-11, 3-7)
Ken Pom: 81
ESPN BPI: 61
RPI: 100
SOS: 52
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 1-3
51-100: 1-3
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 3-0
201+: 6-1
Best wins: Virginia (34) 47-45; St. Bonnie (89) 73-64
Best losses: Florida St (27) 59-63; BYU (46) 68-70; Minnesota (60) 55-58
Worst losses: Boston Coll (219) 59-61; Wake Forest (147) 55-58
Players to watch
Erick Green – 15.7 pts, 3.4 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals
Dorenzo Hudson – 11.4 pts, 2.7 rebs
Jarell Eddie – 10.0 pts, 5.4 rebs
Dorian Finney-Smith – 5.7 pts, 7.0 rebs, 2.0 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Victor Davila - 65% Green - 86%
Robert Brown – 65% Hudson – 87%
Finney-Smith – 64% Eddie – 85%
Cadarian Raines - 52%
Atlantic 10
6 games remain, but we’ll call this a 5 team race –
Temple, currently in the driver’s seat with wins over 2 of their closest competitors, stand in first at 6-2 with games @St. Bonaventure, @La Salle, @St. Joe’s and UMass. The good news for them is Micheal Eric is back, having recovered from his right patella injury, the 6’11 center has been back for 5 games, and is just rounding into shape.
St Louis, who started the season very promisingly, but then his a rough stretch to kick off 2012, are just ½ game back of Temple. They still have Xavier left, but other than that, their schedule is pretty light down the stretch.
UMass’ loss at St. Joe’s dropped them to 2 games back in the loss column - they have done nothing of tournament qualifying note otherwise, but at 6-4, are in competition for the conference title. Games with La Salle, Xavier and Temple make them an interesting darkhorse, if they can avoid any more conference losses.
The Explorers of La Salle, were once right in the race at 6-2; but a 3 game losing streak has really left them behind and they have squandered some opportunities to really build a resume for themselves (narrow losses to Nova, Pitt, and Temple – they are really just in this from an A-10 standpoint, and even that is tenuous at best, but with games versus UMass, Temple, and St. Bonaventure, they are still in the discussion for the regular season crown, although the convo has quieted to a whisper
Xavier, Xavier, Xavier, Xavier, Xavier. Hours and pages could be spent analyzing the 2011/12 Musketeer season. From the incredibly hot start, to the seemingly season altering fight, to the bizarre attempt by the school’s administration to have all students attend a sensitivity seminar because of their unfortunate decision to accidentally be somewhere when a bunch of basketball players lost their minds and, we guess, because they buy books at the same place as Tu Holloway, and if he acts like that, they all must. BIZ. ZARE. In any event, Despite the 5losses in 6 games swoon after Cincy, Xavier has bounced back to 7-4 in conference, but their path takes them on the road to UMass, and St. Louis. Their loss on Feb 11 to Temple was hurtful, as that could have had them at 8-3 and tied for the A10 lead. The team who was 8-0 with a road OT win versus Vandy, a nice win over Purdue, pasting of Butler and then stomping (pun intended?) of Cincy could handle this closing stretch just fine… we’ll see which team shows.
St. Bonaventure. Nice little turnaround here. Pretty irrelevant for some time, this team has now turned themselves into a 6-4 conference team with something to play for in February. They really needed to win @Mass, but with a roadie at La Salle then home against Temple, means they and the contenders will lock up some down the stretch.
Temple Owls (19-5, 8-2)
Ken Pom: 36
ESPN BPI: 30
RPI: 18
SOS: 57
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 3-0
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 5-2
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 3-1
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Duke (2) 78-73; Wichita St (17) 78-74ot; @St Louis (22) 72-67; St Joseph’s (48) 78-60
Best losses:
Worst Losses: @Richmond (137) 65-76; @Bowling Green (155) 64-67
Players to watch
Ramone Moore – 18.0 pts, 4.2 rebs, 3.2 assists
Khalif Wyatt – 16.4 pts, 3.2 rebs, 3.3 assists, 2.2 steals
Juan Fernandez – 11.5 pts, 2.8 rebs, 4.0 assists
Rahir Hollis-Jefferson – 8.9 pts, 6.4 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Micheal Eric – 7.2 pts, 7.1 rebs (was averaging 11 rebs at time of injury)
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Hollis-Jefferson - 62% Moore - 75%
Aaron Brown – 63% Wyatt – 83%
Eric – 45% Fernandez – 75%
Saint Louis Billikens (20-5, 8-3)
Ken Pom: 10
ESPN BPI: 10
RPI: 22
SOS: 70
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 7-2
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 2-0
201+: 6-0
Best Wins: @Saint Joseph’s (48) 72-60; Xavier (56) 73-68; Washington (61) 77-64
Best Losses: Temple (18) 67-72; @New Mexico (33) 60-64
Worst Losses: @Loyola Marymount (107) 68-75; @UMass (73) 59-72
Players to watch
Brian Conklin – 14.9 pts, 5.4 rebs
Kwamain Mitchell – 11.8 pts, 2.4 rebs, 3.8 assists
Cody Ellis – 10.5 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.4 steals
Dwayne Evans – 7.3 pts, 6.7 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Mitchell - 62% Conklin - 80%
Evans – 64% Ellis – 80%
Jordair Jett– 60%
Massachusetts Minutemen (18-7, 7-4)
Ken Pom: 75
ESPN BPI: 76
RPI: 73
SOS: 138
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-0
26-50: 1-3
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 2-1
151-200: 4-0
201+: 8-1
Best wins: St Louis (22) 72-59; St. Joseph’s (48) 71-62; Davidson (72) 73-65
Best losses: @Miami FL (35) 75-83
Worst losses: @Rhode Island (254) 78-81ot; Coll of Charleston (115) 61-85
Players to watch
Chaz Williams – 15.8 pts, 3.8 rebs, 5.9 assists, 2.1 steals
Raphiael Putney – 10.5 pts, 5.8 rebs, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks
Sean Carter (Jay-Z?) 8.1 pts, 6.4 rebs, 1.1 blocks
Terrell Vinson – 9.2 pts, 5.6 rebs
Cady Lalanne – 6.7 pts, 5.6 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Putney - 60% Williams - 79%
Vinson – 68% Morgan – 74%
Carter– 51% Carter – 72%
Riley – 50%
Lalanne – 60%
La Salle Explorers (17-9, 6-5)
Ken Pom: 48
ESPN BPI: 51
RPI: 84
SOS: 122
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 4-3
101-150: 2-3
151-200: 3-0
201+: 8-0
Best wins: Xavier (56) 80-70; Bucknell (70) 78-52; UMass (73) 82-75
Best losses: Temple (18) 70-76; St. Joseph’s (48) 66-70
Worst losses: @Delaware (144) 66-70; @Richmond (137) 76-78; v.Robert Morris (113) 44-51
Players to watch
Ramon Galloway – 15.1 pts, 4.5 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 47% 3p
Earl Pettis – 15.0 pts, 4.2 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.7stls
Tyreek Duren – 13.7 pts, 3.8 rebs, 4.3 asts, 1.8 steals
Sam Mills – 11.4 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 42% 3ps
Jerrell Wright – 8.8 pts, 6.0 rebs, 1.2 blocks
Devon White – 6.4 pts, 4.5 rebs, 1.0 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Wright - 57% Galloway - 77%
White – 66% Pettis – 78%
Duren – 82%
Mills – 76%
Xavier Musketeers (16-9, 7-4)
Ken Pom: 57
ESPN BPI: 52
RPI: 56
SOS: 53
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-4
26-50: 2-2
51-100: 5-2
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 1-0
201+: 6-1
Best wins: @Vanderbilt (30) 82-70ot; St Joseph’s (48) 68-55; Purdue 66-63 (54)
Best losses: @Memphis (19) 68-72; Gonzaga (16) 65-72
Worst losses: @Dayton (71) 72-87; @La Salle (84) 70-80; @Hawai’I (201) 82-84 ot
Player to watch
Tu Holloway – 16.1 pts, 3.2 rebs, 5.8 assists, 1.7 steals
Mark Lyons – 16.1 pts, 3.4 rebs, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 42% 3pts
Dezmine Wells – 9.8 pts, 5.4 rebs
Kenny Frease – 9.0 pts, 5.8 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Wells - 66% Holloway - 85%
Frease - 45% Lyons – 75%
Travis Taylor – 58%
Andre Walker – 53%
St. Joseph’s Hawks (16-10, 6-5)
Ken Pom: 63
ESPN BPI: 59
RPI: 48
SOS: 26
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 1-2
51-100: 6-3
101-150: 4-3
151-200: 1-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Creighton (29) 80-71; Dayton (71) 77-64; UMass (73) 73-62; Drexel (82) 62-49
Best losses: @Harvard (37) 69-74; Iona (53) 99-104 2ot
Worst losses: @American (134) 60-66; Charlotte (133) 52-57; @Penn (112) 80-84
Players to watch
Carl Jones – 16.0 pts, 3.6 rebs, 3.4 assists, 1.5 steals
Langston Galloway – 15.5 pts, 4.5 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals
C.J. Aiken – 11.4 pts, 5.3 rebs
Ronald Roberts, Jr. – 11.0 pts, 5.9 rebs
Halil Kanacevic – 8.0 pts, 7.4 rebs, 3.4 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Roberts Jr. - 54% Jones - 79%
Kanacevic - 50% Galloway – 77%
Aiken – 73%
Daryus Quarles – 76%
Atlantic Sun
Two team race in the A-Sun, with a looming SC Upstate. Belmont and Mercer are tied, although Belmont holds the current tiebreaker, having a victory over Mercer back in early December – but they have both a road game at Mercer and the rematch with SC Upstate. Upstate is just 2 games back – they won a great one against Belmont, but have been swept by Mercer. Will need to take out Belmont on February 20, but then get a little help.
Belmont Bruins (20-7, 12-2)
Ken Pom: 27
ESPN BPI: 38
RPI: 79
SOS: 186
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 2-1
151-200: 4-0
201+: 11-2
Best wins: @Middle Tenn St (39) 87-84 2ot; Marshall (64) 79-74
Best losses: @Duke (2) 76-77; @Mid Tenn St (39) 62-65; @Marshall (64) 86-87
Worst losses: @Miami OH (244) 61-66; Lipscomb (214) 74-85
Players to watch
Kerron Johnson – 14.4 pts, 3.2 rebs, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals
Ian Clark – 12.0 pts, 2.5 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals
Drew Hanlen – 10.3, 3.3 rebs, 3.9 assistsm 48% 3pts
Mick Hedgepeth – 9.6 pts, 5.9 rebs
Scott Saunders – 9.7 pts, 5.1 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Hedgepeth - 59% Johnson - 77%
Blake Jenkins - 60% Clark – 79%
Hanlen – 79%
J.J. Mann – 82%
Saunders – 75%
Mercer Bears (20-7, 12-2)
Ken Pom: 82
ESPN BPI: 98
RPI: 102
SOS: 247
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-3
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 2-0
201+: 14-1
Best wins: @Georgia Tech (146) 65-59
Best losses: @Seton Hall (31) 77-80ot; @Belmont (79) 78-82
Worst losses: @E. Tenn State (209) 61-76; @Georgia (95) 58-72; @Tulsa (111) 62-68
Players to watch
Justin Cecil – 11.7 pts, 3.9 rebounds
Langston Hall – 10.9 pts, 3.1 rebs, 4.3 assist, 1.3 steals
Jakob Gollon – 10.6 pts, 5.4 rebs, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Bud Thomas - 59% Cecil - 80%
Daniel Coursey - 57% Hall – 70%
Gollon – 84%
Travis Smith – 82%
USC Upstate Spartans (17-10, 10-4)
Ken Pom: 142
ESPN BPI: 176
RPI: 149
SOS: 272
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 1-2
101-150: 0-3
151-200: 2-1
201+: 12-3
Best wins: Belmont (79) 79-78
Best losses: @Dayton (71) 68-72
Worst losses: @J’Ville (271) 74-77ot; Toledo (268) 70-75; @E.Tenn St (209) 73-88
Players to watch
Torrey Craig – 17.2 pts, 7.7 rebs, 1.4 steals
Ty Greene – 10.4 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals
Ricardo Glenn – 9.0 pts, 6.6 rebs, 1.5 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Glenn - 56% Craig - 71%
Jodd Maxey - 67% Green – 79%
Adrian Rodgers – 52%
Babtunde Olumuyiwa – 50%
Big East
Yes, there are 4 games left, which means *technically* many teams are still eligible for the regular season title, but given the trajectories of some teams, talent levels, and really the fact that Syracuse doesn’t have much of an equal in the league, pretty much going to only preview the schedules for the top 5 teams – while breaking down all 11 teams vying for a spot in the tournament.
Syracuse is just better than most teams, lost their defensive anchor, and only lost a road game to the mysteriously resurgent Notre Dame team and won a pair of games (although, Huggy Bear is still not a happy camper about the West Virginia loss). At 13-1, Syracuse pretty much it seems like the BE regular season crown was sewn against Georgetown. We can discuss Marquette and having road games v. Cincy, UConn & UWV and a game versus Georgetown. Or G’Town having @Marquette and Notre Dame down the stretch. But truthfully, Georgetown failing to win in the dome pretty much sealed it - the Buffet doesn’t see 2-3 additional losses on the schedule for the Cuse.
But a quick pause to mention the coaching brilliance of Mike Brey. Has for years taken undermanned Notre Dame teams beyond where their talent should have taken them, but lost his best player, Tim Abromitis after 2 games, and they’re competing for the BE title and climbing their way up the NCAA tournament seed ladder.
Syracuse Orange (26-1, 13-1)
Ken Pom: 6
ESPN BPI: 2
RPI: 1
SOS: 9
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 4-0
26-50: 4-1
51-100: 6-0
101-150: 3-0
151-200: 5-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Marquette (12) 73-66; Georgetown (13) 64-61 ot; Connecticut (20) 85-67; @Louisville (23) 52-51; Florida (26) 72-68; West Virginia (41) 63-61; Seton Hall (31) 75-49; NC St (50) 88-72
Best losses:
Worst loss: @Notre Dame (40) 58-67
Players to watch
Kris Joseph – 13.7 pts, 4.9 rebs, 1.3 steals
Dion Waiters – 12.3 pts, 2.6 assists, 2.2 steals
Brandon Triche – 10.0 pts, 2.4 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals
Scoop Jardine – 8.5 pts, 2.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists
C.J. Fair – 8.5 pts, 5.0 rebs
Fab Melo – 7.5 pts, 5.5 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Jardine - 51% Joseph - 77%
James Southerland - 67% Waiters – 70%
Melo – 60% Fair – 72%
Rakeem Christmas – 62%
Marquette Golden Eagles (21-5, 10-3)
Ken Pom: 19
ESPN BPI: 19
RPI: 12
SOS: 24
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-2
26-50: 1-2
51-100: 7-1
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 3-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Louisville (23) 74-63; @Wisconsin (24) 61-54; Seton Hall (31) 66-59; Mississippi (51) 96-66; v.Washington (61) 79-77; South Florida (62) 67-47
Best losses: @Syracuse (1) 66-73; @Georgetown (13) 70-73
Worst losses: @LSU (75) 59-67; @Notre Dame (40) 59-76; Vanderbilt (30) 57-74
Players to watch
Darius Johnson-Odom – 18.2 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals
Jae Crowder – 16.0 pts, 7.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.0 blocks
Davante Gardner – 9.8 pts, 5.3 rebounds,
Junior Cadougan – 6.5 pts, 5.6 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Vander Blue - 65% Johnson-Odom - 77%
Crowder – 72%
Gardner – 74%
Todd Mayo – 82%
Cadougan – 73%
Jamil Wilson – 74%
Georgetown Hoyas (19-5, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 13
ESPN BPI: 15
RPI: 13
SOS: 16
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 5-2
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 1-2
101-150: 3-0
151-200: 4-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Marquette (12) 73-70; Memphis x2 (19) 70-59 & 91-88ot; @Louisville (23) 71-68; UConn (20) 58-44; @Alabama (32) 57-55; So Florida (62) 75-45
Best losses: Kansas (5) 63-67
Worst losses: Cincinnati (94) 64-68; @Pittsburgh (77) 60-72
Players to watch
Jason Clark – 15.2 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.8 steals
Hollis Thompson – 13.7 pts, 5.1 rebs, 48% 3pt
Henry Sims – 11.9 pts, 5.5 rebs, 3.6 assists
Otto Porter – 8.4 pts, 6.6 rebs, 1.2 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Nate Lubick - 50% Clark - 73%
Porter – 68% Sims – 73%
Thompson – 69% Markel Starks – 78%
Jabril Trawick – 76%
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (17-8, 9-3)
Ken Pom: 43
ESPN BPI: 58
RPI: 40
SOS: 33
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 4-4
26-50: 2-0
51-100: 2-3
101-150: 1-0
151-200: 2-1
201+: 6-0
Best wins: Syracuse (1*no Melo*) 67-58; Marquette (12) 76-59; @Louisville (23) 67-65 2ot; @UConn (20) 50-48; @Seton Hall (31) 55-42; @West Virginia (41) 55-51; So Florida (62) 60-49
Best losses:
Worst loss: @Rutgers (154) 58-65; v.Georgia (95) 57-61; v.Missou (8) 58-87; @Gonzaga (16) 53-73
Players to watch
Eric Atkins – 13.1 pts, 3.2 rebs, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 43% 3pt
Jerian Grant – 12.7 pts, 3.2 rebs, 4.9 assists, 1.3 steals
Jack Cooley – 10.6 pts, 8.4 rebs, 1.5 blocks
Scott Martin – 9.0 pts, 6.1 rebs, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Scott Martin - 67% Atkins - 77%
Grant – 79%
Cooley – 72%
Alex Dragicevich – 71%
Louisville Cardinals (20-6, 8-5)
Ken Pom: 23
ESPN BPI: 13
RPI: 23
SOS: 28
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-4
26-50: 4-1
51-100: 2-0
101-150: 5-0
151-200: 2-1
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Memphis (19) 95-87; Connecticut (20) 80-59; Vanderbilt (30) 62-60 ot; @Seton Hall (31) 60-51; @West Virginia (41) 77-74; Long Beach (43) 79-66
Best losses: Syracuse (1) 51-52; @Kentucky (3) 62-69; Georgetown (13) 68-71; Notre Dame (40) 65-67 2ot
Worst losses: @Providence (156) 59-90
Players to watch
Kyle Kuric – 13.0 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.4 steals
Russ Smith - 12.1 pts, 2.2 assists, 2.3 steals
Chris Smith – 10.4 pts, 3.9 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 42% 3pt
Gorgui Dieng – 10.4 pts, 9.3 rebs, 1.1 steals, 3.4 blocks
Peyton Siva – 8.4 pts, 2.5 rebs, 5.7 assists, 1.9 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Dieng - 68% Kuric -81%
Behanan – 61% R.Smith – 73%
C.Smith – 74%
Siva – 74%
Cincinnati Bearcats (17-8, 7-5)
Ken Pom: 41
ESPN BPI: 56
RPI: 93
SOS: 124
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-2
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 2-1
151-200: 1-1
201+: 8-1
Best wins: @Georgetown (13) 68-64; @UConn (20) 70-67; Notre Dame (40) 71-55
Best losses: Syracuse (1) 53-60; @WVirginia (41) 74-77ot;
Worst losses: Presbyterian (264) 54-56; @Rutgers (154) 54-61; St. John’s (142) 55-57
Players to watch
Sean Kilpatrick – 15.4 pts, 4.8 rebs, 1.4 steals, 40% 3pts
Dion Dixon – 13.7 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.7 steals
Yancy Gates – 12.6 pts, 9.2 rebs
Cashmere Wright – 10.7 pts, 3.4 rebs, 4.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 40% 3pts
Jaquon Parker – 8.5 pts, 4.7 rebs, 46% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Gates - 55% Kilpatrick -73%
Wright – 68% Dixon – 71%
Justin Jackson – 52% Parker – 77%
South Florida Bulls (15-10, 8-4)
Ken Pom: 99
ESPN BPI: 89
RPI: 62
SOS: 38
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-5
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 3-1
101-150: 1-3
151-200: 7-0
201+: 2-0
Best wins: Seton Hall (31) 56-55
Best losses: @SoMiss (10) 51-53
Worst losses: Penn St (130) 49-53; @Auburn (132) 40-52; Old Dominion (126) 66-68; @Kansas (5) 42-70; @Marquette (12) 47-67; @Georgetown (13) 45-75
Players to watch
Augustus Gilchrist – 11.0 pts, 5.2 rebs, 1.4 blocks
Jawanza Poland – 9.8 pts, 3.4 rebs
Victor Rudd – 8.9 pts, 4.1 rebs
Toarlyn Fitzpatrick – 8.9 pts, 6.9 rebs, 1.0 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Fitzpatrick - 62% Gilchrist - 71%
Ron Anderson, Jr. – 53% Poland – 77%
Hugh Robertson – 67% Rudd – 76%
Collins – 82%
Nash – 81%
Noriega – 85%
West Virginia Mountaineers (16-10, 6-7)
Ken Pom: 40
ESPN BPI: 40
RPI: 41
SOS: 6
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-4
26-50: 2-3
51-100: 6-2
101-150: 0-1
151-200: 5-0
201+: 2-0
Best wins: Georgetown (13) 74-62; Miami FL (35) 77-66; Oral Roberts (45) 78-71; Kansas St (63) 85-80 2ot; Akron (59) 77-56
Best losses: @Syracuse (1) 61-63; v.Baylor (6) 81-83 ot;
Worst losses: St. John’s (142) 62-78; Kent St (91) 60-70
Players to watch
Kevin Jones – 20.8 pts, 11.2 rebs, 1.2 blocks
Darryl Bryant – 17.6 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals
Deniz Kilicli – 11.0 pts, 5.6 rebs
Gary Browne – 6.6 pts, 4.0 rebs, 3.0 assists
Aaron Brown 4.9 pts, 45% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Kilicli - 55% Jones - 76%
Jabari Hinds – 66% Bryant – 77%
Browne - 62%
Brown – 55%
Connecticut Huskies (15-9, 5-7)
Ken Pom: 38
ESPN BPI: 37
RPI: 20
SOS:1
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 5-2
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 2-1
201+: 2-0
Best wins: Florida St (27) 78-76 ot; West Virginia (41) 64-57; Seton Hall (31) 69-46; Harvard (37) 67-53; Notre Dame (40) 67-53; @South Florida (62) 60-57; Arkansas (67) 75-62
Best losses: Notre Dame (40) 48-50
Worst losses: @Tennessee (110) 57-60; @Rutgers (154) 60-67
Players to watch
Jeremy Lamb – 17.2 pts, 4.6 rebs, 1.4 steals
Shabazz Napier – 13.1 pts, 4.0 rebs, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals
Ryan Boatright – 10.4 pts, 3.1 pts, 3.6 assists, 1.3 assists
Andre Drummond – 9.7 pts, 7.5 rebs
Alex Oriakhi – 6.6 pts, 5.0 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Drummond - 34% Lamb - 84%
Oriakhi – 56% Napier – 75%
Boatright – 73%
Tyler Olander – 82%
Roscoe Smith – 74%
Seton Hall Pirates (18-8, 7-7)
Ken Pom: 59
ESPN BPI: 50
RPI: 31
SOS: 20
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-4
26-50: 2-2
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 3-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Connecticut (20) 75-63; West Virginia (41) 67-48; vSt Joseph’s (48) 78-70
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Villanova (96) 76-84; @Syracuse (1) 49-75; @UConn (20) 46-69
Players to watch
Herb Pope – 15.9 pts, 10.2 rebs, 1.2 steals, 1.6 blocks
Jordan Theodore – 15.4 pts, 3.2 rebs, 6.8 assists, 2.0 steals, 41% 3pt
Fuquan Edwin – 13.4 pts, 6.8 rebs, 3.1 steals
Patrik Auda – 6.7 pts, 3.9 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Pope - 60% Theodore - 81%
Edwin – 63%
Aaron Cosby – 50%
Patrik Auda – 61%
Brandon Mobley – 67%
Haralds Karlis – 67%
Pittsburgh Panthers (15-11, 4-9)
Ken Pom: 71
ESPN BPI: 62
RPI: 77
SOS: 32
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-3
26-50: 1-3
51-100: 3-3
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 1-2
201+: 5-0
Best win: Georgetown (13) 72-60; @West Virginia (41) 72-66; La Salle (84) 73-69
Best losses: @Marquette (12) 57-62
Worst losses: @DePaul (180) 81-84; Rutgers (154) 39-62; Cincy (93) 63-66
Players to watch
Ashton Gibbs – 16.8 pts, 2.4 rebs, 2.8 assists
Tray Woodall – 13.3 pts, 3.0 rebs, 6.8 assists, 44% 3pt
Nasir Robinson - 12.1 pts, 6.5 rebs, 2.2 assists
Lamar Patterson – 9.3 pts, 5.6 rebs, 3.7 assists, 40% 3pt
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Robinson - 52% Gibbs - 84%
Dante Taylor – 62% Woodall – 90%
Talib Zanna – 60% Patterson – 74%
J.J. Moore – 78%
Big Sky
We’re playing a two-man game up in Big Sky country, with Weber State and Montana running away with the regular season title at 12-1 apiece. Weber has the edge, for now, holding a 80-64 victory on January 14, but a disappointing 2 point loss to Idaho state 2 weeks later re-forged the tie, and sets us up for an epic game of February 28th between the two squads.
Weber St. Wildcats (20-4, 12-1)
Ken Pom: 124
ESPN BPI: 103
RPI: 86
SOS: 291
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 1-0
101-150: 1-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 14-1
Best wins: Montana (98) 80-64
Best losses: @St Mary’s 2524) 70-87
Worst losses: @Idaho St (249) 62-64; @BYU (46) 66-94; @California (36) 57-77
Players to watch
Damian Lillard – 25.5 pts, 5.4 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 46% 3pts (nation’s leading scorer)
Scott Bamforth – 15.7 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.5 assists, 42% 3pts
Kyle Tresnak – 10.0 pts, 3.5 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Tresnak - 63% Lillard - 88%
Frank Otis – 63% Bamforth– 90%
Kyle Bullinger – 58% Fulton – 70%
Montana Grizzlies (19-6, 12-1)
Ken Pom: 93
ESPN BPI: 104
RPI: 94
SOS: 222
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 0-2
101-150: 0-1
151-200: 3-1
201+: 13-1
Best wins: Long Beach (43) 73-71
Best losses: @Colorado St (28) 58-64; Nevada (57) 64-70
Worst losses: @North Dakota (286) 81-88 ot; San Francisco (151) 62-65; @Oregon St (143) 46-71
Players to watch
Will Cherry – 15.2 pts, 4.1 rebs, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals
Kareem Jamar – 13.4 pts, 5.3 rebs, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 44% 3pts
Mathias Ward – 10.1 pts, 4.0 rebs
Art Steward – 9.2 pts, 4.3 rebs, 1.0 steals, 41% 3pts
Derek Selvin – 8.3 pts, 6.0 rebs, 2.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, 43% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Billy Reader - 64% Cherry - 79%
Shawn Stockton – 65% Jamar – 72%
Ward – 72%
Steward – 70%
Selvig – 70%
Big South
This was once a two-team race, then Coastal Carolina went into the tank, and all of a suddent, UNC-Asheville has clinched the 2011/12 Big South regular season championship. The Buffet had a nice pun all tee up, as Valentine’s day was going to be the day to foretell which team has the heart of the this conference firmly in its grasp (see what I did there) (the teams have a rematch) but that’s now moot, and the Campbell Camels have quietly snuck up and taken 2nd place in the conference.
UNC Asheville Bulldogs (19-8, 14-2)
Ken Pom: 130
ESPN BPI: 134
RPI: 118
SOS: 223
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-0
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 3-2
201+: 12-1
Best wins: SC Upstate (149) 88-81
Best losses: @North Carolina St (50) 75-84
Worst losses: @W Carolina (255) 67-86; Charleston So. (177) 88-93; @Coastal Carolina (159) 69-74
Players to watch
Matt Dickey – 16.9 pts, 3.5 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals
J.P. Primm – 15.8 pts, 3.2 rebs, 4.2 assists, 1.8 steals
Chris Stephenson – 13.5 pts, 6.1 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals
Jaron Lane – 12.5 pts, 3.4 rebs
Jeremy Atkinson – 10.8 pts, 6.7 rebs, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Quinard Jackson - 41% Dickey - 85%
Keith Hornsby - 59% Primm - 84%
Stephenson – 73%
Lane – 78%
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (18-8, 11-5)
Ken Pom: 176
ESPN BPI: 195
RPI: 159
SOS: 284
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 1-0
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 3-3
201+: 9-3
Best wins: Louisiana State (66) 71-63
Best losses:
Worst losses: Florida Int’l (223) 62-64; High Point (280) 65-70; @Winthrop (273) 57-67
Players to watch
Anthony Raffa – 18.0 pts, 4.0 rebs, 2.0 assists, 2.2 steals
Chris Gradnigo – 15.6 pts, 6.0 rebs
Kierre Greenwood – 11.0 pts, 4.1 rebs, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals
San McLaurin – 9.9 pts, 8.0 rebs, 1.4 blocks
Jon Pack – 6.3 rebs, 6.5 rebs, 1.2 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
McLaurin - 55% Raffa - 75%
Pack - 50% Gradnigo - 82%
Danny Nieman – 40% Greenwood – 79%
Campbell Camels (17-11, 11-5)
Ken Pom: 188
ESPN BPI: 204
RPI: 172
SOS: 292
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 0-0
101-150: 1-3
151-200: 4-1
201+: 11-5
Best wins: @Iowa (131) 77-61
Best losses: @No Carolina St (50) 81-87
Worst losses: @Hou Baptist (310); @Gardner Webb (293) 72-78; Presbyterian (264) 67-69
Players to watch
Darren White – 17.0 pts, 5.5 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blks, 40% 3pts
Eric Griffin – 16.8 pts, 8.7 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.3 blks
Trey Freeman – 14.7 pts, 3.2 rebs, 4.1 assists, 1.1 steals
Lorne Merthie – 8.1 pts, 2.0 rebs, 2.0 assists, 40% 3pts
Rico Ferguson – 7.0 pts, 2.0 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals
Marvelle Harris – 5.3 pts, 5.9 rebs, 1.1 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
White - 68% Freeman - 88%
Griffin - 57% Merthie - 78%
Hrris - 55% Jihad Wright - 75%
Big Ten
Let’s be honest, the Big 10 gets rough treatment around the Buffet parts. Smaller portions, slow delivery of orders, and flavors that are so strong they foul the senses … that’s what we think of when we think of Big 10 hoops. But in 2011/12 – when the Pac-12 champion may not even be strong enough to get an at-large bid on their own, when Pittsburgh and UConn will have to affect a quick turnaround just to qualify … here is the Big 10. Now, they’re 12 and the Big 12 has 10 teams – but, that notwithstanding. There are currently 9 teams in the Big 10 with RPIs less than 100, and all 9 are projected at place or another as NCAA tournament bound. The regular season crown is mighty compelling as well. During production of this All You Can Eat, Ohio St and Michigan St, off the strength of the Spartans recent head2head victory were tied at 9-3, Michigan’s meteoric rise has them just ½ game back at 9-4 and Wisconsin is just one game back at 8-4. Indiana will likely not factor in the regular season championship race, but their return to IU-like basketball has been a nice storyline for Tom Creen and the Bloomington faithful.
However, Ohio St & Michigan St have their return match to play. In addition, Ohio St goes to Minnesota, Michigan and Northwestern, and hosts Wisconsin and Illinois. That is NOT going to be easy.
Michigan St has their last game with the Buckeyes, host Wisconsin, and travel to Purdue, Indiana & Minnesota.
Wisconsin just polished off Minnesota and now they travel to East Lansing and Columbus, while hosting Minnesota & Illinois.
February 18th is a big day for Michigan – a victory in Columbus gets them into a first place tie and then they go to Evanston, host Purdue and close with a pair of road games, the first notably in Champaign.
Ohio State Buckeyes (22-4, 10-3)
Ken Pom: 1
ESPN BPI: 3
RPI: 9
SOS: 25
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 5-3
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 3-0
101-150: 6-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Duke (2) 85-63; Florida (26) 81-74; Michigan (14) 64-49; Indiana (15) 80-63; @Wisco (24) 58-52; Northwestern (42) 87-54; Purdue (54) 87-84
Best losses: @Indiana (15) 70-74; @Illinois (47) 74-79
Worst losses: Michigan St (4) 48-55; @Kansas (5) 67-78
Players to watch
Jared Sullinger – 17.4 pts, 9.1 rebs, 1.5 steals, 42% 3pts
William Buford – 14.9 pts, 4.7 rebs, 3.2 assists
Deshaun Thomas – 14.7 pts, 4.4 rebs
Aaron Craft – 7.9 pts, 3.0 rebs, 4.9 assists, 2.3 steals
Lenzelle Smith Jr. – 6.2 pts, 4.7 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 45% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Craft - 66% Sullinger - 76%
Smith, Jr. - 55% Buford - 88%
J.D. Weatherspoon – 63% Thomas – 72%
Michigan State Spartans (20-5, 9-3)
Ken Pom: 4
ESPN BPI: 4
RPI: 4
SOS: 3
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 5-3
26-50: 1-2
51-100: 2-0
101-150: 5-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: @Ohio State (11) 55-48; Michigan (14) 64-54; Indiana (15) 80-65; Florida St (27) 65-49; @Gonzaga (16) 74-67; @Wisconsin (24) 63-60 ot; Minnesota (60) 68-52; Purdue (54) 83-58
Best losses: Duke (2) 69-74; @Michigan (14) 59-60; @Illinois (47) 41-42
Worst losses: vs. North Carolina (6) 55-67
Players to watch
Draymond Green – 14.8 pts, 10.5 rebs, 3.5 assist, 1.5 steals, 1.0 blocks
Keith Appling – 11.9 pts, 3.2 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals
Branden Dawson – 8.8 pts, 4.6 rebs, 1.0 steals, 1.0 assists
Derrick Nix – 7.8 pts, 4.2 rebs
Travis Trice – 5.5 pts, 2.0 assists, 43% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Nix - 56% Green - 71%
Dawson - 64% Appling - 81%
Adrien Payne - 64% Wood - 72%
Trice – 59%
Wisconsin Badgers (19-6, 8-4)
Ken Pom: 5
ESPN BPI: 9
RPI: 24
SOS: 23
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-5
26-50: 3-0
51-100: 2-0
101-150: 5-1
151-200: 3-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: UNLV (9) 62-51; Indiana (15) 57-50; Northwestern (42) 77-57; BYU (46) 73-56; @Illinois (47) 67-63; @Purdue (54) 67-62; @Minnesota (60) 68-61 ot
Best losses: Ohio St (11) 52-58; @North Carolina (7) 57-60; Michigan St (4) 60-63 ot
Worst losses: Iowa (131) 65-72; @Michigan (14) 41-59
Players to watch
Jordan Taylor – 14.0 pts, 4.1 rebs, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals
Jared Berggren – 10.5 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.0 steals, 1.6 blks
Ryan Evans – 8.9 pts, 2.5 rebs
John Gasser – 7.4 pts, 4.4 rebs, 47% 3pts
Mike Brusewitz – 6.7 pts, 5.2 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Rob Wilson - 68% Taylor - 74%
Frank Kaminsky - 50% Berggren - 74%
Evans - 71%
Ben Brust – 86%
Gasser – 73%
Brusewitz – 71%
Michigan Wolverines (18-7, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 25
ESPN BPI: 32
RPI: 14
SOS: 12
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 4-4
26-50: 3-1
51-100: 2-1
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 0-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Michigan St (4) 60-59; Indiana (15) 68-56; Memphis (19) 73-61; Wisconsin (24) 59-41; Iowa St (38) 76-66; Northwestern (42) 66-64 ot; Minnesota (60) 61-56; @Purdue (54) 66-64;
Best losses: v.Duke (3) 75-82; @Indiana (17) 71-73; @Arkansas (60) 64-66; Illinois (47) 70-61
Worst losses: @Iowa (131) 59-75
Players to watch
Tim Hardaway, Jr. – 14.7 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2.5 assists
Trey Burke – 14.1 pts, 3.5 rebs, 4.9 assists
Zack Novak – 9.4 pts, 4.7 rebs, 43% 3pts
Evan Smotrycz – 8.4 pts, 5.3 rebs, 41% 3pts
Jordan Morgan – 7.8 pts, 5.5 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Jordan Morgan - 54% Hardaway, Jr. - 73%
Burke - 72%
Novak – 83%
Smotrycz – 75%
Stu Douglass – 82%
Indiana Hoosiers (19-6, 7-6)
Ken Pom: 11
ESPN BPI: 14
RPI: 15
SOS: 27
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 3-4
26-50: 3-0
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 3-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Ohio St (11) 74-70; Kentucky (3) 73-72; Michigan (14) 73-71; @No Carolina St (50) 86-75; Notre Dame (40) 69-58; Illinois (47) 84-71
Best losses: Minnesota (60) 74-77; @Wisconsin (24) 50-57
Worst losses: @Nebraska (127) 69-70
Players to watch
Cody Zeller – 15.1 pts, 6.4 rebs, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blks
Christian Watford – 12.1 pts, 5.6 rebs, 44% 3pts
Jordan Hulls – 12.1 pts, 2.7 rebs, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 49% 3pts
Victor Oladipo – 10.5 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.5 steals
Verdell Jones III – 7.8 pts, 2.9 rebs, 3.5 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Derek Elston -51% Zeller - 77%
Watford - 75%
Hulls – 90%
Oladipo – 70%
Sheehey – 71%
Jones III – 74%
Illinois Fighting Illini (16-9, 5-7)
Ken Pom: 44
ESPN BPI: 45
RPI: 47
SOS: 15
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 3-6
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 0-1
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Ohio St (11) 79-74; Michigan St (4) 42-41; Gonzaga (16) 82-75; @Northwestern (42) 57-56; Minnesota (60) 81-72 2ot
Best losses: v.Missouri (8) 74-78; Wisconsin (24) 63-67; Northwestern (42) 70-74; @Minn (60) 72-77 ot
Worst losses: @Penn St (130) 52-54; @Purdue (54) 60-75
Players to watch
Brandon Paul – 15.1 pts, 5.0 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals
Meyers Leonard – 13.3 pts, 8.0 rebs, 2.1 blks
D.J. Richardson – 12.2 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.0 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Tracy Abrams - 58% Paul - 72%
Leonard – 70%
Richardson – 76%
Sam Maniscalco – 82%
Joseph Betrand – 77%
Purdue Boilermakers (16-9, 6-6)
Ken Pom: 33
ESPN BPI: 55
RPI: 54
SOS: 31
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-5
26-50: 4-1
51-100: 2-1
101-150: 2-2
151-200: 1-0
201+: 6-0
Best wins: Temple (18) 85-77; Northwestern x2 (42) @58-56, 87-77; Miami FL (35) 76-65; Illinois (47) 75-60; @Minn (60) 79-66; Iona (53) 91-90
Best losses: Michigan (14) 64-66; Wisconsin (24) 62-67; @Xavier (56) 63-66
Worst losses: Butler (114) 65-67; @Penn St (130) 45-65; @Michigan St (4) 58-83; Indiana (15) 61-77
Players to watch
Robbie Hummel – 15.2 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.3 blks
Lewis Jackson – 9.9 pts, 3.2 rebs, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals
Ryne Smith – 9.3 pts, 2.8 rebs, 41% 3pts
Kesley Barlow – 8.2 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.3 steals
D.J. Byrd – 6.5 pts, 1.5 rebs, 41% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Barlow - 69% Hummel - 80%
Terone Johnson – 33% Jackson - 72%
Anthony Johnson – 49% Smith - 85%
Jacob Lawson – 35% Byrd - 73%
Minnesota Golden Gophers (17-9, 5-8)
Ken Pom: 45
ESPN BPI: 48
RPI: 64
SOS: 50
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-4
26-50: 2-1
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 6-2
151-200: 1-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: @Indiana (15) 77-74; Northwestern (42) 75-52; Illinois (47) 77-72 ot; So Dakota St (69) 71-55
Best losses: @Michigan (14) 56-61; @Illinois (47) 72-81 2ot
Worst losses: Iowa x2 (131) @59-63; 62-64; Dayton (71) 70-86; Purdue (54) 66-79; @Mich St (4) 52-68
Players to watch
Rodney Williams – 10.5 pts, 5.3 rebs, 2 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blks, 40% 3pts
Julian Welch – 10.2 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.7 assists, 45% 3pts
Austin Hollins – 8.5 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.0 assists
Ralph Sampson – 8.4 pts, 4.7 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.3 blks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Williams – 55% Welch - 81%
Chip Armelin - 41% Hollins - 87%
Sampson - 88%
Joe Coleman - 75%
Northwestern Wildcats (15-9, 5-7)
Ken Pom: 60
ESPN BPI: 49
RPI: 42
SOS: 14
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-4
26-50: 2-2
51-100: 1-3
101-150: 6-0
151-200: 1-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Michigan St. (4) 81-74; v.Seton Hall (31) 80-73; @Illinois (47) 74-70
Best losses: @Michigan (14) 64-66 ot; Illinois (47) 56-57; Purdue (54) 56-58
Worst losses: Baylor (6) 41-69; @Ohio St (11) 54-87; @Wisco (24) 57-77; @Minn (60) 52-75
Players to watch
John Shurna – 19.6 pts, 5.7 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blks, 42% 3pts
Drew Crawford – 17.2 pts, 4.7 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 43% 3pts
Dave Sobolewski – 8.4 pts, 3.0 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals
Reggie Hearn – 6.8 pts, 3.4 rebs, 41% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
JerShon Cobb – 65% Shurna - 79%
Chip Armelin - 41% Sobolweski - 76%
Hearn – 83%
Big 12
Interesting race in the Big 12, Missouri trying for the crowning SEC send off, Kansas wondering why people are always so ready to label them as “rebuilding,” Baylor trying to announce their arrival in multiple sports but rapidly fading back, Kansas representing the old guard, and The Mayor’s merry band of transfers floating just on the periphery. Kansas/Missouri on Feb 25 will likely decide this race.
Frank Haith has clearly shown his best coaching comes with Mike Anderson’s players and when he’s in the Big 12. Bill Self’s work this year might be his best yet.
Kansas has a ½ game standings lead, but will need to win the rematch w/ Missouri as Missouri currently owns the tiebreaker over Kansas. Missou still has Kansas St, Iowa State at home plus a game in Lawrence ahead.
Baylor dropped a pair to Kansas and Missouri to establish just where they belong in the pecking order. Baylor has a home game against Kansas St, and still travel to Austin & Ames to close out their run.
Kansas, long away from “falling off” swept games in Waco and Manhattan, and still hosts Missou as the 2012 Big 12 showdown and close out against a desperaste Texas team who may need March 3 to make the tournament.
Missouri Tigers (23-2, 10-2)
Ken Pom: 7
ESPN BPI: 8
RPI: 8
SOS: 68
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 3-0
26-50: 6-0
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 2-0
201+: 7-0
Best wins: Baylor x2 (6) @89-88, 72-57; Kansas (5) 74-71; @Iowa St (38) 76-69; v.Illinois (47) 78-74; v.California (36) 92-53; vs.Notre Dame (40) 87-58; Texas x2 (49) @67-66; 84-73
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Oklahoma St (106) 72-79; @Kansas St (63) 59-75
Players to watch
Marcus Denmon – 18.0 pts, 5.3 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 40% 3pts
Ricardo Ratliff – 14.3 pts, 6.8 rebs
Kim English – 14.0 pts, 4.2 rebs, 1.3 steals, 47% 3pts
Michael Dixon – 12.3 pts, 2.1 rebs, 2.9 assists, 1.4 stls
Phil Pressey – 9.3 pts, 3.3 rebs, 6.0 assists, 2.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Ratliffe - 66% Denmon - 90%
English - 72%
Dixon - 89%
P.Pressey – 75%
M.Pressey – 70%
Baylor Bears (22-4, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 15
ESPN BPI: 16
RPI: 6
SOS: 8
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-4
26-50: 6-0
51-100: 1-0
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 6-0
Best wins: San Diego St (21) 77-67; v.St. Mary’s (25) 72-59; v.West Virginia (41) 83-81 ot; v.Miss St (44) 54-52; @Northwestern (42) 69-41; @BYU (46) 86-83; @Kansas St (63) 75-73; Texas (49) 76-71; Iowa St (38) 79-64
Best losses: Missouri (10) 88-89
Worst losses: @Kansas x2 (5) 74-92, 54-68; @Missouri (8) 57-72
Players to watch
Perry Jones III – 14.8 pts, 7.9 rebs
Pierre Jackson – 12.7 pts, 3.0 rebs, 5.9 assists, 47% 3pts
Quincy Acy – 12.4 pts, 7.0 rebs, 1.0 steals, 2.3 blks
Quincy Miller – 12.4 pts, 5.3 rebs, 42% 3pts
Brady Heslip – 9.6 pts, 1.4 rebs, 1.2 assists, 44% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Perry Jones - 63% Jackson - 84%
Anthony Jones – 65% Acy - 77%
Millers - 78%
Heslip - 92%
Kansas Jayhawks (21-5, 11-2)
Ken Pom: 3
ESPN BPI: 5
RPI: 5
SOS: 4
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 4-3
26-50: 3-1
51-100: 3-1
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Baylor x2 (6) 92-74, @68-54; Ohio St (11 – minus Sullinger) 78-67; v.G’Town (13) 67-63; Long Beach (42) 88-80; Iowa St (38) 82-73; Kansas St x2 (63) 67-49, @59-53; South Florida (62) 70-42; Texas (49) 69-66
Best losses: @Missou (8) 71-74; v.Duke (2) 61-68
Worst loss: Davidson (66) 74-80; v.Kentucky (3) 65-75
Players to watch
Thomas Robinson – 18 pts, 12 rebs, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blks
Tyshawn Taylor – 16.9 pts, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 44% 3pts
Travis Releford – 9.6 pts, 4.2 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals
Jeff Withey 8.1 pts, 5.8 rebs, 3 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Robinson - 67% Elijah Johnson - 70%
Taylor - 68% Withey – 87%
Releford – 65% Conner Teahan – 81%
Kevin Young – 66%
Justin Wesley – 50%
Iowa State Cyclones (18-8, 8-5)
Ken Pom: 34
ESPN BPI: 34
RPI: 38
SOS: 50
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-4
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 5-2
151-200: 4-0
201+: 6-0
Best wins: Kansas (5) 72-64; Kansas St (63) 72-70; Texas (49) 77-71
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Drake (128) 65-74; @Oklahoma St (106) 67-69
Players to watch
Royce White – 13.5 pts, 9.4 rebs, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blks
Chris Allen – 12.2 pts, 2.5 rebs, 2.3 assists
Scott Christopherson – 11.0 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.0 assists, 42% 3pts
Melvin Ejim – 8.8 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.0 steals
Tyrus McGee – 9.0 pts, 3.3 rebs, 44% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
White - 50% Allen - 82%
Babb - 63% Christopherson - 91%
Bubu Palo - 64% McGee - 87%
Percy Gibson – 40% Ejim – 75%
Kansas State Wildcats (17-8, 6-7)
Ken Pom: 28
ESPN BPI: 26
RPI: 63
SOS: 65
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-3
26-50: 3-3
51-100: 1-0
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 5-0
201+: 6-0
Best Wins: Missouri (8) 75-59; Alabama (32) 71-58; v.Long Beach (43) 77-60; Texas (49) 84-80
Best loss: Baylor (6) 73-75; v.West Virginia (41) 80-85 2ot; @Iowa St (38) 70-72; Kansas (5) 53-59
Worst loss: Oklahoma x2 (105) 60-63; @73-82
Players to watch
Rodney McGruder – 14.7 pts, 5.1 rebs, 1.3 steals
Will Spradling – 10.4 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.7 assists
Jamar Samuels – 9.9 pts, 6.2 rebs
Thomas Gipson – 8.4 pts, 5.4 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Gipson - 53% McGruder - 78%
Jordan Henriquez - 51% Spradling - 83%
Shane Southwell - 75%
Texas Longhorns (17-9, 7-6)
Ken Pom: 18
ESPN BPI: 22
RPI: 42
SOS: 19
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-5
26-50: 1-2
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 5-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Temple (18) 77-65; Iowa St (38) 62-55; Kansas St (63) 75-64
Best losses: @Baylor (6) 71-76; Missouri (8) 66-67; Kansas (5) 66-69; @KState (63) 80-84; v.No Carolina St (50) 74-77
Worst losses: v.Oregon State (143) 95-100 ot; @UNC (7) 63-82
Players to watch
J’Covan Brown – 19.6 pts, 3.3 rebs, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 38% 3pts
Sheldon McClellan – 11.0 pts, 3.2 rebs, 1.0 steals
Myck Kabongo – 9.6 pts, 3.3 rebs, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals
Jonathan Holmes – 7.8 pts, 5.1 rebs
Clint Chapman – 7.3 pts, 5.5 rebs, 1.8 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Kabongo - 65% Brown - 84%
Wagmene - 60% McLellan - 77%
Bond – 44% Holmes - 75%
Chapman – 83%
Lewis – 74%
Big West
When you have but one team in your conference who played Goliath after Goliath and stood to just about every test, slaying several giants in their path, you’re a one team show … but what a team. Dan Munson, trying to give the Gonzaga-like rub to Long Beach, has a roster stacked of players who could be playing anywhere, paced by Casper Ware. The Beach is 12-0, with closest competitors UCSB and CS Fullerton sitting 3 games back … Fullerton will get the Buffet breakdown, because their remaining game w/ LB is at home, so any sort of slip by LB could end up in a Fullerton Big West title or, at the least, tie.
Long Beach 49ers (19-6, 12-0)
Ken Pom: 47
ESPN BPI: 41
RPI: 43
SOS: 126 (#1 non-conference schedule)
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-4
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 5-0
201+: 8-0
Best wins: Xavier (56) 68-58; @Pittsburgh (77) 86-76
Best losses: @UNC (7) 78-84; @Kansas (5) 80-88; @SD State (21) 73-77 ot
Worst loss: @Montana (98) 71-73
Players to watch
Casper Ware - 16.3 pts, 2.4 rebs, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals
Larry Anderson - 15.2 pts, 5.0 rebs, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 45% 3pts
TJ Robinson – 12.1 pts, 10.3 rebs
James Ennis – 10.4 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.7 assists
Eugene Phelps – 9.1 pts, 5.6 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Phelps - 47% Ware - 80%
Anderson - 70%
Robinson – 71%
James Ennis – 71%
Mike Caffey – 71%
Cal-St Fullerton Titans (16-7, 8-3)
Ken Pom: 159
ESPN BPI: 161
RPI: 159
SOS: 314
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-0
101-150: 1-1
151-200: 3-1
201+: 10-3
Best wins: UC Santa Barbara (136) 99-85
Best losses:
Worst losses: v.Houston Baptist (310) 83-88; CS Bakersfield x2 (236) @65-67; 66-73
Players to watch
D.J. Seeley – 16.5 pts, 5.2 rebs, 1.6 steals, 45% 3pts
Kwame Vaughn – 16.2 pts, 4.6 rebs, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 41% 3pts
Isiah Umipig – 13.0 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.4 assists, 40% 3pts
Omondi Amoke – 12.2 pts, 8.8 rebs
Orane Chin – 9.1 pts, 4.9 rebs, 46% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Amoke - 55% Seeley - 72%
Chin – 62% Vaughn - 84%
Andre Hardy – 66% Umipig - 83%
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (13-8, 8-3)
Ken Pom: 144
ESPN BPI: 131
RPI: 141
SOS: 180
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-3
51-100: 0-1
101-150: 0-0
151-200: 2-1
201+: 9-1
Best wins: CS Fullerton (160) 77-64
Best losses: UNLV (12) 88-94 2ot; San Diego St (22) 75-76 ot; @Washington (59) 80-87
Worst losses: @UC Riverside (253) 70-79 ot; @CS Fullerton (160) 86-99; Long Beach (44) 48-71
Players to watch
Orlando Johnson – 19.7 pts, 5.8 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blks
James Nunnally – 15.0 pts, 5.9 rebs, 2.4 assists
Jamie Serna – 9.7 pts, 4.9 rebs, 1.0 blks
Kyle Boswell – 7.1 pts, 1.6 rebs, 1.7 assists, 40% 3pts
Alan Williams – 6.8 pts, 6.5 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Williams - 64% Nunnally - 75%
Keegan Hornbuckle – 54% Serna – 72%
Greg Somogyi - 60% Boswell - 70%
Nate Garth – 67% T.J. Taylor – 80%
Christian Peterson – 77%
Colonial Athletic Conference
The CAA has taken the college world by storm – introduced by Jim Larranaga’s George Mason team in 2006, the perennial multi-bid conference cemented its status with Shaka Smart’s VCU Rams’ miracle run to the final four last year (from the first four game on Wednesday in Dayton). This season’s prospects have gotten a bit murkier, the loss of Jamie Skeen, Joey Rodriguez, and Brandon Rozzell may have Shaka rethinking that whole, “turn down lucrative job offers to remain loyal” (See also: Stevens, Brad) decision-making process. VCU has remained among the cream of the Colonial crop, sitting just one game back (13-3) of Drexel, the conference’s best shot at an at-large bid outside of VCU, and George Mason who despite losing Jim Larranaga AND hiring Paul Hewitt, have overcome both of these things to rise to an 14-2 conference record. Just two games back, in case you thought the order might be shifted too far in the CAA, is Old Dominion.
The dial got turned up in this conference last night with George Mason’s thrilling 62-61 win, as Sherrod Wright drained a deep, running 3 as time expired to beat VCU, dropping the Rams to second place and moving Mason up to first. http://dc.sbnation.com/2012/2/15/2799305/video-george-mason-vcu-sherrod-wrights-buzzer-beater-from-every-conceivable-angle#storyjump/in/2562583
Now, Drexel holds the slight edge, by virtue of victories over both VCU & Mason already, they have one final game at Old Dominion and CAA strugglers remaining, but also have an interesting at-large victory requiring game versus Cleveland St. The problem with their profile, which is why they may end up falling short, is 3 bad losses, no opportunities for top 50 wins … the loss side of their ledger would need to look like Murray State’s to be secure.
VCU, similarly, has one less bad loss, but a road loss @Drexel and no opportunity to make that up, they do have a tough road after last night’s thriller (and loss) at George Mason. They still hostplus Bracket Buster versus Northern Iowa. The road win last weekend against Old Dominion was a nice start.
Mason has no at-large hopes, and their loss to Drexel puts them behind the eight ball because they lose that tie-breaker, they do get VCU once more, but would really need help from bottom standings teams to rise up against Drexel to snatch the regular season crown.
ODU needed that win at VCU but still faces Drexel, as well as an interesting BB game at Missouri St.
Drexel Dragons (22-5, 14-2)
Ken Pom: 63
ESPN BPI: 74
RPI: 86
SOS: 244
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 2-0
101-150: 4-3
151-200: 3-0
201+: 13-0
Best wins: VCU (83) 64-58; George Mason (99) 60-53;
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Delaware (144) 60-71; @Georgia State (138) 44-58; v.Norfolk St (125) 56-61
Players to watch
Frantz Massenat – 13.0 pts, 3.3 rebs, 4.3 assists, 47%
Damion Lee – 12.1 pts, 4.5 rebs
Samme Givens – 12.0 pts, 7.1 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Dartaye Ruffin - 60% Massenat - 80%
Daryl McCoy – 55% Lee - 76%
Givens - 73%
Derrick Thomas – 74%
Chris Fouch – 82%
Virginia Commonwealth Rams (22-6, 13-3)
Ken Pom: 51
ESPN BPI: 64
RPI: 81
SOS: 215
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 6-2
151-200: 2-0
201+: 12-0
Best wins: @Akron (59) 76-75ot; South Florida (62) 69-46
Best losses: @Drexel (82) 58-64; @George Mason (90) 61-62
Worst losses: v.Georgia Tech (146) 60-73; Georgia St (138) 53-55
Players to watch
Brandford Burgess – 12.2 pts, 5.4 rebs,
Juvonte Reddic – 10.9 pts, 7.0 rebs, 1.4 steals, 1.2 blocks
Troy Daniels – 10.2 pts, 3.4 rebs, 40% 3pts
Darius Theus – 8.6 pts, 2.4 rebs, 4.8 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Theus - 60% Burgess - 79%
Treveon Graham - 63% Briante Weber - 81%
Reddic – 69% Rob Brandenburg – 70%
Daniels – 78%
George Mason Patriots (22-6, 14-2)
Ken Pom: 106
ESPN BPI: 106
RPI: 90
SOS: 235
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 6-1
151-200: 0-1
201+: 14-1
Best wins: Bucknell (70) 61-57; VCU (81) 62-61
Best losses:
Worst losses: Florida International (226) 76-79ot; @Fla Atlantic (162) 75-80 ot; @Delaware (144) 60-65; @Virginia (34) 48-68
Players to watch
Ryan Pearson – 17.8 pts, 8.8 rebs, 1.4 steals
Mike Morrison – 9.6 pts, 7.0 rebs
Bryon Allen – 7.8 pts, 3.1 rebs, 3.4 assists, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Morrison - 52% Pearson - 71%
Vertrail Vaughns – 76%
Sherrod Wright – 85%
Allen – 74%
Andre Cornelius – 75%
Jonathan Arledge – 77%
Old Dominion Monarchs (17-11, 12-4)
Ken Pom: 101
ESPN BPI: 119
RPI: 128
SOS: 141
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 2-6
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 3-1
201+: 11-0
Best Wins: v.South Florida (62) 68-66; Long Island (97) 77-69
Best Losses: Missouri (8) 68-75
Worst Losses: Vermont (153) 63-65ot; v.Fairfield (137) 51-59; @Richmond (137) 82-90ot;
Players to watch
Kent Bazemore – 13.7 pts, 5.4 rebs, 3.0 assists, 2.1 steals
Chris Cooper – 11.1 pts, 10.5 rebs, 1.1 blocks
Trian Iliadis – 8.8 pts, 3.2 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals
Nick Wright – 7.7 pts, 5.0 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Bazemore - 64%
Cooper – 56%
Iliadis – 64%
Wright – 65%
Dimitri Batten – 65%
Donte Hill – 69%
Marquel de Lancey – 66%
Conference USA
Good for Larry Eustachy. Yes, he had a huge problem that social media exploited. Yes, he made mistakes. But he has turned his life around, and also turned around a one-time severely dormant program in Hattiesburg, pretty much only known for being a basketball program that was in the same athletic department as the football program that Brett Favre played for. But not this year - at 8-2, they are currently tied for 1st in C-USA, and poised for their first tournament berth in 21 years (provided they stop losing games to bad teams like UAB). Josh Pastner seems to get pummeled in the media. Not sure why. You are Memphis. Before John Calipari came in 2000, you were famous for Penny Hardway and Elliot “Socks” Perry. You got Calipari to Memphis because he washed out of the NBA and was dogged by the Marcus Canby controversy (he still, officially on the record, has only been to 1 Final Four), stop thinking you are Kentucky or Kansas because you had a nice 4 year run. Pastner has made the post season both seasons, nearly knocked off a UofA team that came with a hair’s breadth of the 2011 Final Four, and here they are back, competing for the CUSA title and a place in the tournament, tied with Southern Miss for the regular season conference title lead. Central Florida is also enjoying a unique season, siting 2 games back, a nice record (18-7) and strong RPI (58). Tulsa is a program that has been Bill Walsh-like in breeding coaches (Tubby Smith, Bill Self, Buzz Williams), but also hasn’t been heard from since 2002-2003 (CBI CHAMPIONS 2008!) … they also sit ½ game back at 8-3.
Southern Miss still has a game @Tulsa, as well as a potential trap game with a not nearly as bad as you think Marshall team. It’s possible they got caught in a post Memphis hangover against UAB, but that cannot continue.
Memphis has the same 3 teams to finish up with, and owe UCF one after losing at their place on January 18.
UCF lost a good chance to make up grond with their 78-74 home loss to So Miss, still has Memphs left on the road.
Tulsa travels to Southern Miss, faces Memphis at home, and otherwise has the bottom of the CUSA ladder ahead – but looking back at Tulsa’s non-conference work, the Buffet feels they are ripe for a bit of a dropoff.
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (21-4, 8-2)
Ken Pom: 54
ESPN BPI: 36
RPI: 10
SOS: 40
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-1
26-50: 1-0
51-100: 7-2
101-150: 1-1
151-200: 5-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Memphis (19) 75-72, Colorado State (28) 79-58; Mississippi (51) 86-82; UCF x2 (58) @78-74, 86-82; South Florida (62) 53-51; Marshall (64) 67-63
Best losses: @Memphis (19) 58-60; vs.Murray St (55) 81-90 2ot (without Darnell Dodson)
Worst losses: @UAB (122) 61-71; @Denver (94) 52-59 (without Darnell Dodson)
Players to watch
Darnell Dodson – 13.3 pts, 5.6 rebs
LaShay Page – 12.5 pts, 3.0 rebs
Neil Watson – 11.2 pts, 2.5 rebs, 4.5 assists, 41% 3pts
Maurice Bolden – 10.5 pts, 5.8 rebs, 1.3 blocks, 40% 3pts
Torye Pelham – 7.0 pts, 5.2 rebs, 1.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Jonathan Mills - 61% Dodson - 83%
Page - 77%
Watson – 88%
Bolden - 71%
Memphis Tigers (18-7, 8-2)
Ken Pom: 17
ESPN BPI: 17
RPI: 19
SOS: 13
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-5
26-50: 1-0
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 6-0
151-200: 3-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: Southern Miss (10) 60-58; @Miami FL (35) 71-54; Xavier (56) 72-68; Marshall (64) 83-76; Belmont (79) 97-81
Best losses: @Southern Miss (10) 72-75; vs. Georgetown (13) 88-91ot; Murray St (55) 72-76; @Louisville (23) 87-95
Worst losses: @G’town (13) 59-70; Michigan (14) 61-73
Players to watch
Will Barton – 18.2 pts, 8.1 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals
Joe Jackson – 10.2 pts, 2.0 rebs, 3.6 assists
Tarik Black – 9.6 pts, 4.9 rebs, 1.8 blocks
Chris Crawford – 9.3 pts, 3.0 rebs, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Black - 60% Barton - 72%
Jackson - 87%
Crawford - 81%
Antonio Barton - 72%
Central Florida Golden Knights (18-7, 7-4)
Ken Pom: 91
ESPN BPI: 70
RPI: 58
SOS: 96
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-2
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 2-1
201+: 8-0
Best wins: Memphis (19) 68-63; Connecticut (20) 68-63; Marshall (64) 67-60
Best losses:
Worst losses: @UL_Lafayette (164) 60-61; @Tulsa (111) 61-66; @Florida St (27) 50-73
Players to watch
Marcus Jordan – 15.5 pts, 2.8 rebs, 2.5 assists
Keith Clanton – 15.1 pts, 9.1 rebs, 2.0 assist, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks
Isaiah Sykes – 11.5 pts, 6.3 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals
Tristan Spurlock – 8.0 pts, 4.6 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Clanton - 61% Jordan - 72%
Sykes – 56% Josh Crittle - 75%
A.J. Rompza – 63%
Spurlock – 66%
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (15-10, 8-3)
Ken Pom: 90
ESPN BPI: 78
RPI: 111
SOS: 112
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-3
51-100: 2-1
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 5-0
201+: 5-3
Best wins: UCF (58) 66-61; Marshall (64) 79-70
Best losses: Northwestern (42) 65-69
Worst losses: @Houston (246) 69-70 ot; Arizona St (229) 64-67; SMU (203) 55-57; @UTEP (171) 55-64; @Oklahoma St (106) 56-59
Players to watch
Jordan Clarkson – 15.9 pts, 4.3 rebs, 2.8 assists
Scottie Haralson – 11.2 pts, 2.3 rebs, 41% 3pts
Steven Idlet – 9.5 pts, 5.2 rebs, 1.0 blocks
Kodi Maduka – 8.0 pts, 6.3 rebs, 1.7 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Maduka- 57% Clarkson - 75%
Tim Peete – 56%% Haralson - 79%
Joe Richard – 40% Idlet – 74%
Eric McClellan – 70%
Horizon League
Well, Brad Stevens, your loyalty is admirable – your 2011/12 team, however? Pretty lousy. Graduation means a lot of plucky, overachieving upstarts had to develop into team leading stars. That did not happen. So, what happens when Butler fades? Cleveland State, after years of boasting the man we call Norris, final gets some spotlight. Too bad Norris went to a place where being very good only gets your fourth mention. But at 10-2, and a top 60 RPI, Cleveland St is having a nice campaign. On their heels are the fighting Bryce Drews of Valparaiso, with several other teams looming, but mostly too far back to qualify.
**********************
*update* This gets written, and sure enough, Cleveland St drops three straight games, Valparaiso keeps winning, and suddenly Butler answered a 3 losses in 4 games stretch with a pair of road wins and then a win at home to give them three straight. So now what? Valpo is now 1 ½ game up, having won the extra conference game they’ve played, and they now hold the outright tiebreaker by virtue of a season sweep. They play last place Loyola (Chicago) and Butler to close. Cleveland St’s third straight loss was to a UW-Milwaukee team that will make life difficult in the tournament, but keeps dropping regular season games to ruin the credibility of that precition, now they go to Green Bay before finishing at home with Detroit and Wright St, and really need to win all three to hold any hope. Then comes Butler at 10-6, Detroit faces Wright St tonight with a chance to join them there and then UW-Milwaukee and Youngstown St at 9-7. And, seriously, Butler – who counts them out in clutch or tournament games?
Cleveland State Vikings (20-7, 10-5)
Ken Pom: 72
ESPN BPI: 86
RPI: 83
SOS: 167
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 1-0
51-100: 3-3
101-150: 4-2
151-200: 3-1
201+: 8-1
Best wins: @Vanderbilt (30) 71-58; Akron (59) 69-66; St. Bonaventure (89) 67-64
Best losses: @Valparaiso (92) 66-72
Worst losses: v.Hofstra (248) 53-63; Youngstown St. (164) 67-73; @Butler (120) 49-52; @UW-Milwaukee (129) 84-86
Players to watch
Trevor Harmon – 12.0 pts, 2.8 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals
D’Aundray Brown – 11.3 pts, 4.7 rebs, 2.4 assists, 2.7 steals
Jeremy Montgomery – 11.0 pts, 2.3 rebs, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals
Tim Kamczyc – 9.0 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 45% 3pts
Anton Grady – 8.3 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.3 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Aaron Pogue - 65% Harmon - 81%
Brown - 78%
Montgomery - 76%
Kamczyc – 79%
Valparaiso Crusaders (19-9, 12-4)
Ken Pom: 140
ESPN BPI: 126
RPI: 95
SOS: 159
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 4-1
101-150: 3-3
151-200: 5-1
201+: 5-3
Best wins: Akron (59) 62-59; Cleveland St. x2 (80) 72-66; @59-41
Best losses:
Worst losses: @IPFW (288) 76-85; @IUPUI (250) 88-97; @Wright St. (228) 55-73; @UW-Green Bay (174) 60-75; Oakland (135) 80-82; UW-Milwaukee (140) 55-57; Ohio State (11) 47-80; @Youngstown St (150) 53-71
Players to watch
Kevin Van Wijk – 15.1 pts, 5.3 rebs
Ryan Broekhoff – 15.0 pts, 8.6 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals
Jay Harris – 10.2 pts, 2.1 rebs, 3.0 assists
Matt Kenney – 8.0 pts, 4.5 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Van Wijk – 66% Broekhoff - 76%
Kenney – 63% Harris - 89%
Erik Buggs – 54% Edwards - 77%
Will Bogan - 83%
Ben Boggs – 91%
Butler Bulldogs (16-12, 10-6)
Ken Pom: 149
ESPN BPI: 151
RPI: 120
SOS: 121
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 2-3
101-150: 2-1
151-200: 4-4
201+: 7-1
Best wins: Purdue (55) 67-65; @Cleveland St. (83) 52-49
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Ball State (233) 55-58; Detroit x2 (183) @65-76,61-65; @UW-Green Bay (167) 68-80; @Evansville (158) 77-80 ot; @UW-Milwaukee (129) 42-53; @Indiana (15) 59-75; @Gonzaga (16) 55-71; Louisville (24) 53-69
Players to watch
Andrew Smith – 10.6 pts, 5.3 rebs
Khyle Marshall – 9.3 pts, 4.1 rebs
Chrishawn Hopkins – 8.2 pts, 2.1 rebs, 1.7 assists
Ronald Nored – 7.7 pts, 4.6 rebs, 4.9 assists, 1.9 steals
Roosevelt Jones – 7.5 pts, 6.1 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal
Chase Stigall – 5.7 pts, 2.1 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Smith - 64% Hopkins - 83%
Marshall - 53% Jackson Aldridge - 81%
Nored - 68%
Jones – 48%
Stigall – 62%
Kameron Woods – 59%
Ivy League
The Ivy League appears to be a very interesting race – but that’s just in the standings. Truthfully, Harvard has established themselves as clearly a cut above the rest of the league – and that was before Linsanity took over NY. The Crimson sit at 7-1, with Yale and Penn on their heels, but having blown an opportunity to forge a tie, each now with two losses each.
Harvard has already pummeled Yale by 30 in New Haven, and have two tilts with Penn upcoming and the Yale rematch in Cambridge.
Penn, who lost by 7 to Yale themselves, has a return game with the Elis and then a pair with Harvard.
Remember, winner of the regular season here, takes all.
Harvard Crimson (21-3, 7-1)
Ken Pom: 37
ESPN BPI: 47
RPI: 37
SOS: 194
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 2-0
51-100: 1-0
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 7-0
201+: 7-1
Best wins: v.Florida St (27) 46-41; St. Joseph’s (48) 74-69; UCF (58) 59-49
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Fordham (234) 54-60; @Princeton (101) 62-70
Players to watch
Laurent Rivard – 11.3 pts, 2.6 rebs, 41%
Kyle Casey – 10.8 pts, 5.6 rebs, 1.2 blocks
Keith Wright – 10.7 pts, 7.7 rebs, 1.6 blocks
Brandyn Curry – 7.3 pts, 2.1 rebs, 5.0 assists, 1.8 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Wright - 64% Rivard - 79%
Steve Moundou-Missi 61% Casey - 71%
Curry - 77%
McNally – 89%
Webster – 85%
Pennsylvania Quakers (13-11, 5-2)
Ken Pom: 133
ESPN BPI: 139
RPI: 112
SOS: 91
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 0-5
101-150: 4-2
151-200: 2-0
201+: 6-1
Best wins: Saint Joseph’s (48) 84-80
Best losses: Temple (18) 67-73 ot; Harvard (37) 50-56
Worst losses: James Madison (256) 58-60; @UCLA (124) 73-77; @Yale (108) 53-60
Players to watch
Zack Rosen: 18.3 pts, 3.2 rebs, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 41% 3pt
Tyler Bernardini – 14.9 pts, 5.4 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 42% 3pts
Miles Cartwright – 10.2 pts, 2.9 rebs, 1.7 assists
Rob Belcore – 7.2 pts, 5.1 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Henry Brooks - 62% Rosen - 88%
Fran Dougherty - 49% Bernardini - 76%
Cartwright - 72%
Belcore – 76%
Yale Ellis (16-6, 6-2)
Ken Pom: 170
ESPN BPI: 165
RPI: 108
SOS: 243
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-3
51-100: 0-0
101-150: 2-1
151-200: 3-2
201+: 9-0
Best wins: Princeton (101) 58-54
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Quinnipiac (168) 62-68; @Wake Forest (147) 71-72; @Cornell (170) 84-85 ot
Players to watch
Greg Mangano – 19.0 pts, 10.0 rebs, 2.5 blks
Reggie Willhite – 12.3 pts, 5.6 rebs, 3.8 assists, 2.1 steals
Austin Morgan – 12.0 pts, 2.2 rebs, 2.6 assists, 42% 3pts
Jeremiah Kreisberg – 7.6 pts, 5.1 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Mangano - 68% Morgan - 88%
Willhite - 61% Kreisberg - 81%
Brandon Sherrod – 61% Michael Grace - 81%
Isaiah Salafia – 50%
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
A compelling race here in the MAAC – Iona has been the standard this season, with an impressive non –conference run and a 12-3 conference record – but the job Jimmy Patsos has done cannot be underscored enough, and a 87-81 win on Feb 10th has forged a first place tie …. Looming closes are Manhattan with their 11-5 record and Fairfield, whose upset win over a let-down ripe Greyhound squad put them right there at 10-4, interestingly enough, it may be Rider, Jason Thompson’s alma mater, who decides this race, as they have a game against all Loyola MD, Iona & Fairfield left, and Manhattan still gets Loyola MD on Feb 26.
Iona Gaels (20-6, 12-3)
Ken Pom: 56
ESPN BPI: 54
RPI: 53
SOS: 153
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 1-0
51-100: 4-3
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 4-0
201+: 8-2
Best wins: Saint Joseph’s (48); Loyola MD (88) 74-63; v.Maryland (90) 89-63
Best losses: v.Purdue (54) 90-91; Loyola MD (88) 81-87
Worst losses: @Hofstra (248) 75-83; @Siena (222) 62-65; Manhattan (120) 72-75
Players to watch
Michael Glover – 18.9 pts, 9.3 rebs, 1.2 blks
Lamont Jones – 16.3 pts, 3.3 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals
Scott Machado – 13.2 pts, 5.3 rebs, 10.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 40% 3pts
SeanArmand – 8.7 pts, 1.8 rebs, 1.0 assists, 46% 3pts
Taaj Ridley – 7.1 pts, 4.3 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Ridley - 60% Jones - 81%
Machado - 81%
Armand - 84%
Kyle Smyth – 94%
Randy Dezouvre – 75%
Jermel Jenkins – 88%
Loyola (Maryland) Greyhounds (19-3, 12-3)
Ken Pom: 122
ESPN BPI: 108
RPI: 88
SOS: 220
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-3
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 2-2
151-200: 2-1
201+: 13-0
Best wins: Iona (53) 87-81; @Bucknell (70) 72-67
Best losses:
Worst losses: Niagara (197) 61-66; @Wake Forest (147) 63-75; Fairfield (117) 51-68
Players to watch
Dylon Cormier – 14.0 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals
Erik Etherly – 13.6 pts, 7.7 rebs, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.3 blks
Robert Olson – 11.9 pts, 3.5 rebs, 1.6 assists, 46% 3pts
Justin Drummond – 11.2 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.0 steals
Shane Walker – 8.8 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.4 blks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Cormier - 67% Etherly - 70%
Jordan Latham – 50% Olson - 74%
Drummond - 74%
Walker – 77%
R.J. Williams – 73%
Anthony Winbush – 76%
Manhattan Jaspers (18-10, 11-5)
Ken Pom: 100
ESPN BPI: 115
RPI: 120
SOS: 234
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 010
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 1-3
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 2-1
201+: 14-1
Best wins: @Iona (53) 75-72
Best losses: @Colorado St. (28) 86-91 ot; @Loyola MD (88) 60-61
Worst losses: Rider (221) 77-88; Columbia (160) 41-59; @Fairfield (117) 54-60; @Penn (112) 72-75
Players to watch
George Beamon – 17.8 pts, 5.6 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 41% 3pts
Michael Alvarado – 8.7 pts, 2.3 rebs, 3.3 assists, 1.6 steals
Emmy Andujar – 8.2 pts, 5.1 rebs, 3.1 assists
Kidani Brutus – 8.1 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.2 asists
Rhamel Brown – 7.6 pts, 5.1 rebs, 2.5 blks
Roberto Colonette – 6.3 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Brown - 61% Beamon - 81%
Colonette - 66% Alvarado - 77%
Liam McCabe-Moran - 63% Andujar - 74%
Brutus – 78%
Donovan Kates – 75%
Mohamed Koita – 83%
Fairfield Stags (15-10, 10-4)
Ken Pom: 112
ESPN BPI: 124
RPI: 117
SOS: 131
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 1-5
101-150: 2-2
151-200: 4-1
201+: 8-1
Best wins: @Loyola MD (88) 68-51
Best losses: @Connecticut (20) 71-79
Worst losses: @Siena (222) 60-73; Providence (156) 72-80; v.Indiana St (129) 66-72; @Manhattan (120) 51-53
Players to watch
Rakim Sanders – 16.6 pts, 8.2 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals
Derek Needham – 12.2 pts, 2.6 rebs, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals
Maurice Barrow – 9.0 pts, 5.4 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals
Ryan Olander – 8.9 pts, 4.9 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.9 blks
Desmond Wade – 6.7 pts, 2.6 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 41% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Sanders - 64% Wade - 73%
Olander - 59% Sean Crawford - 82%
Jamel Fields - 61%
Mid-American Conference
The continental East/West divide in the MAC makes the 90s hip-hop division seem like child’s play. Right now, the fifth place teams in the MAC East would be leading the MAC West. The dirty AD politics with respect to Jim Tressel, scooping writers getting fired from the department an hack writers taking pointless and erroneous cheap shots haven’t affected the results on the basketball court as Akron has been the standard this season, currently sitting 10-1, with an RPI of 59. Buffalo, no doubt due to the assistant coaching excellence of Turner Battle, is only 2 games back tied with Kent State - Ohio and Bowling Green, the aforementioned fifth place teams, at 7-4. Meanwhile, over in the west, Eastern Michigan its 11-15 overall record and 225 RPI ranking sits in first at 6-6. The Buffet refuses to reward mediocrity with an expanded look at their season, choosing to focus on the Eastern division only
All 5 contenders face off:
Akron finishes the season in a gauntlet: hosting Bowling Green, @Ohio, with the return game versus Buffalo (the Bulls won the first meeting back on January 18, in Buffalo, 82-70) and then traveling to Kent St.
Buffalo’s tilts are more spread out, after a competitive but close loss @Kent St, they host Ohio, off to Akron and home versus Bowling Green.
Ohio splits home/road among the four games.
Kent State knocked off Buffalo at home, and still hosts Ohio and Akron, and travels to Kentucky to face Bowling Green.
Meanwhile, Bowling Green’s home game vs Kent State is the only one against the top contenders, with road games versus Buffalo, Akron & Ohio.
Akron Zips (18-7, 10-1)
Ken Pom: 62
ESPN BPI: 57
RPI: 61
SOS: 121
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 1-2
51-100: 2-5
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 3-0
201+: 9-0
Best wins: @Mississippi St (44) 68-58; @Marshall (64) 67-51
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Valparaiso (92) 59-62; v.Duquesne (85) 76-81; @Buffalo (81) 70-82; VCU (83) 75-76ot; @Mid Tenn St (39) 53-77; @W.Virginia (41) 56-77
Players to watch
Zeke Marshall – 10.7 pts, 5.3 rebs, 3.2
Nikola Cvetinovic – 9.8 pts, 6.0 rebs, 1.6 assists
Quincy Diggs – 9.5 rebs, 3.0 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 40% 3pts
Alex Abreu – 8.6 pts, 2.8 rebs, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 44% 3pts
Demetrius Treadwell – 7.1 pts, 5.4 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Marshall - 68% Diggs - 70%
Cvetinovic – 62%% Harney - 70%
Treadwell - 46% Abreu - 72%
Walsh – 81%
Buffalo Bulls (15-7, 9-3)
Ken Pom: 90
ESPN BPI: 92
RPI: 61
SOS: 150
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 0-2
151-200: 5-0
201+: 7-1
Best wins: Akron (61) 82-70; @Dayton (74) 84-55; Kent St. (82) 66-65
Best losses: @Temple (18) 85-87ot
Worst losses: @Miami OH (246) 51-52; @Princeton (101) 53-61; @Ohio (105) 52-60
Players to watch
Javon McCrea – 15.9 pts, 7.6 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks
Mitchell Watt – 14.9 pts, 7.7 rebs, 2.3 assists, 2.6 blks
Zach Filzen – 11.9 pts, 2.8 rebs, 1.3 assists, 43%
Jarod Oldham – 4.6 pts, 4.5 rebs, 6.2 assists, 1.6 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
McCrea - 60% Watt - 72%
Dave Barnett - 55% Filzen - 74%
Oldham - 59% Titus Robinson - 71%
Tony Watson II – 89%
Ohio Bobcats (19-6, 9-3)
Ken Pom: 111
ESPN BPI: 101
RPI: 105
SOS: 249
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 4-1
101-150: 2-1
151-200: 1-1
201+: 11-2
Best wins: @Northern Iowa (52) 76-59; @Marshall (64) 70-68; Buffalo (81) 60-52; Kent St. (91) 87-65
Best losses: @Louisville (23) 54-59; @Akron (59) 63-68
Worst losses: @Toledo (268) 73-77; @Bowling Green (155) 57-67; Robert Morris (113) 67-70; Eastern Michigan (210) 55-68
Players to watch
D.J. Cooper – 13.5 pts, 4.1 rebs, 5.5 assists, 2.3 steals
Walter Offutt – 11.9 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.5 steals
Ivo Baltic – 10.5 pts, 4.9 rebs, 1.0 steals
Reggie Keely – 9.2 pts, 5.0 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Baltic - 51% Cooper - 71%
Reggie Keely - 67% Offutt - 71%
Ricardo Johnson – 61% Nick Kellogg - 87%
Stevie Taylor – 80%
Kent State Golden Flashes (19-6, 9-3)
Ken Pom: 102
ESPN BPI: 96
RPI: 82
SOS: 212
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 1-0
51-100: 1-3
101-150: 1-3
151-200: 4-0
201+: 11-0
Best wins: @West Virginia (41) 70-60; Buffalo (80) 76-71
Best losses: Cleveland St (80) 53-57; @Buffalo (81) 65-66
Worst losses: @Utah St (148) 62-81; v.UT-Arlington (116) 73-74; @Ohio (104) 65-87
Player to watch
Justin Greene – 13.3 pts, 6.3 rebs, 1.4 steals
Randal Holt – 12.7 pts, 2.4 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals
Michael Porrini – 9.2 pts, 4.9 rebs, 4.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 41% 3pts
Chris Evans – 10.1 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Justin Manns - 53% Greene - 75%
Eric Gaines - 54% Holt - 81%
Kris Brewer - 65% Evans – 74%
Carlton Guyton – 78%
Porrini – 74%
Bowling Green Green Falcons (13-11, 7-4)
Ken Pom: 118
ESPN BPI: 120
RPI: 156
SOS: 164
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 0-6
101-150: 1-0
151-200: 3-2
201+: 7-2
Best wins: Temple (18) 67-64; Ohio (104) 67-57
Best losses: Akron (59) 55-56
Worst losses: @Western Kentucky (247) 53-60; @Eastern Michigan (210) 50-55; @UTSA (198) 79-86ot; Geo Washington (163) 56-77; @Georgia (95) 54-63
Players to watch
A’uston Calhoun – 13.6 pts, 6.0 rebs
Scott Thomas – 11.5 pts, 6.7 rebs, 3.1 assists, 2.6 steals
Jordon Crawford – 10.9 pts, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals
Dee Brown – 9.9 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.4 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Torian Oglesby - 36% Calhoun - 74%
Craig Sealey - 53% Thomas - 71%
Cameron Black - 46% Crawford - 75%
Brown – 82%
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
When the MEAC has a leader in the top 150 of the RPI, it’s an excellent season, and Norfolk St, who has never seen the inside of the NCAA tournament, is having an excellent season. And since it’s the MEAC, which means some 7th place team will likely win the tournament, and therefore steal Norfolk’s spot, this regular season exam is a way to trumpet the strides they’ve taken this season. Their lead is 1 game, at 10-2, Savannah St has the same amount of losses, but sit 1 back in the W column at 9-2; next are Delaware State and Bethune Cookman at 8-3, with Coppin St floating peripherally at 8-4.
Norfolk won their only match up with Savannah St back in December, but they do still have Delaware State (who just crushed Norfolk 67-50), & B.Cookman left among the rest of their MEAC schedule. Norfolk split their matchups with Coppin.
Savannah State has 3 games versus NCCU & North Carolina A&T, and only B.Cookman among MEAC contenders. As mentioned, they lost to Norfolk, lost to B.Cookman the first time around, and beat Coppin by 12 in January. Curiously, they don’t play Delaware St.
Delaware St have lost their 3 MEAC games by a total of 11 points and an OT, losing to Bethune Cookman, but resoundly beating Norfolk St 67-50. They finally met and beat Coppin and have their return matchup with Norfolk on Feb 15.
Bethune Cookman beat Savannah St and Delaware State, have another game at Savannah and then close with 2 out of 3 versus Norfolk & Coppin.
Coppin State lost to both Savannah & Norfolk, and have upcoming games with Delaware St and Bethune Cookman.
Norfolk St Spartans (18-8, 10-2)
Ken Pom: 207
ESPN BPI: 169
RPI: 125
SOS: 274
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 2-1
101-150: 1-1
151-200: 1-1
201+: 13-2
Best wins: Drexel (82) 61-56; Long Island (97) 73-62
Best losses: v.Marquette (12) 57-59
Worst losses: @Delaware St (233) 50-67; Coppin St (227) 82-87; @Marquette (12) 68-99; @Illinois St (119) 36-68; Morehead St (181) 69-75
Players to watch
Kyle O’Quinn – 16.3 pts, 10.4 rebs, 2.5 blocks
Chris McEachin – 13.3 pts, 3.4 pts, 1.4 steals
Pendarvis Williams – 11.4 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.2 stls
Jamel Fuentes – 3.7 pts, 2.4 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
O’Quinn - 69% McEachin - 77%
Marcos Tamares - 67% Williams - 82%
Brandon Wheeless - 47% Rob Johnson - 88%
Fuentes – 45%
Savannah State Tigers (16-10, 9-2)
Ken Pom: 191
ESPN BPI: 211
RPI: 196
SOS: 329
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 0-1
101-150: 0-3
151-200: 0-1
201+: 14-2
Best wins: Coppin St (227) 72-60
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Chattanooga (292) 63-65; @Bethune Cookman (270) 62-68; @No Florida (184) 57-62
Players to watch
Rashad Hassan – 12.9 pts, 4.8 rebs
Deric Rudolph – 10.8 pts, 1.9 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals
Arnold Louis – 9.5 pts, 8.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals
Preston Blackmon – 8.5 pts, 2.0 rebs, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Hassan - 53% Rudolph - 74%
Louis - 51% Montgomery - 76%
Blackmon - 68%
Cedric Smith – 39%
Bethune Cookman Wildcats (12-14, 8-3)
Ken Pom: 280
ESPN BPI: 283
RPI: 270
SOS: 327
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 0-1
101-150: 0-3
151-200: 1-2
201+: 9-6
Best wins: Savannah St (196) 68-62
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Florida A&M (330) 62-68; @Houston Baptist (310) 74-76 ot; @Stetson (285) 60-65; Jacksonville (271) 55-65; NCCU x2 (263) @64-69, 79-81; v.Tennessee Tech (188) 59-67; @North Florida (184) 56-61
Players to watch
Kevin Dukes – 11.7 pts, 1.8 rebs, 2.2 assists,
Adrien Coleman – 11.5 pts, 4.0 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Anthony Breeze – 11.0 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.2 steals
Garrius Holloman – 10.0 pts, 6.3 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals
Stanley Elliot – 5.2 pts, 3.5 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Coleman - 57% Dukes - 80%
Anthony Breeze - 67% Johnson - 85%
Holloman - 49% Elliot – 70%
Bryant – 71%
Delaware St. Hornets (11-11, 8-3)
Ken Pom: 251
ESPN BPI: 248
RPI: 233
SOS: 290
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 0-2
101-150: 1-3
151-200: 0-1
201+: 8-3
Best wins: Norfolk St (125) 67-50
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Howard (305) 65-72; UM- Eastern Shore (303) 60-63 ot; Bethune Cookman (270) 59-60; @Geo Washington (163) 59-77
Players to watch
Tahj Tate – 16.4 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Casey Walker – 12.6 pts, 3.9 rebs, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals
Marques Oliver – 10.5 pts, 7.2 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.1 blks
Jay Threatt (how is he NOT related to Sedale?) – 8.6 pts, 3.8 rebs, 6.2 assists, 2.9 steals
Tyshawn Bell – 8.3 pts, 2.9 rebs, 42% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Oliver - 62% Tate - 77%
Amere May - 50% Walker - 71%
Threatt – 83%
Bell – 81%
Coppin State Eagles (13-12, 8-4)
Ken Pom: 249
ESPN BPI: 257
RPI: 227
SOS: 273
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 0-2
101-150: 1-3
151-200: 0-1
201+: 8-3
Best wins: Norfolk St (125) 87-82
Best losses: @St. Joseph’s (48) 72-81
Worst losses: v.San Jose St (284) 66-81; North Carolina A&T (276) 92-93 ot; Delaware St (233) 81-84; @Savannah St (196) 60-72; @Charlotte (133) 63-74
Players to watch
Tony Gallo – 17.3 pts, 2.9 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals
Akeem Ellis – 13.5 pts, 5.3 rebs, 3.6 assists, 41% 3pts
Michael Harper – 12.1 pts, 2.7 rebs, 1.6 assists, 44% 3pts
Logan Wiens – 9.9 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.6 assists, 44% 3pts
Antonio Williams – 7.8 pts, 8.0 rebs, 1.0 assists
Taariq Cephas – 5.7 pts, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 42% 3pts
Michael Murray – 5.4 pts, 3.9 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Ellis - 67% Gallo - 74%
Williams - 66% Wiens - 92%
Cephas – 64%
Murray – 46%
Jordan Lee – 64%
Missouri Valley Conference
When conference play started, it seemed that Arch Madness would be a 3 team race between Wichita St, Creighton & Northern Iowa. Creighton was 10-1, Wichita St was 9-2, and Northern Iowa was 10-2. But Northern Iowa just stumbled every where, losing 3 straight when they were 10-1, then dropping games to Bradley, Indiana St (who likewise were supposed to be better), and Missouri St (to go with losses v. Creighton & Wichita St (twice))
Creighton was cruising along, until apparently being very good was too much pressure, losing to UNI is no shame, despite the record, that’s a talented outfit. But falling to 11-12 Evansville was not as easy to explain. What they do boast is one of the absolute best players in the country, sophomore Doug McDermott, son of Creighton coach Greg McDermott, of Northern Iowa fame, also famous for leaving Iowa St (after accomplishing very little there, so questions abound if they would have shown him the door shortly anyway). The conference title may well have been decided on Feb 10 with their home blowout loss against Wichita St, but Creighton has three of MVC’s lower ranked teams left behind 2 games (and a season split with Wichita), plus an awesome Bracket Buster Casper Ware v. McDermott matchup against Long Beach
Wichita St meanwhile is moving along nicely in the MVC, losing to Creighton on New Year’s Eve and a 3OT loss at Drake (it happens on the road in the Missouri Valley) … they’ve also beaten UNLV, took Temple to OT and took out Colorado. Their win t Creighton puts them in the driver’s seat with games against Missou St, and end the season with the revenge game versus Drake. The Bracket Buster game against Kansas slayer Davidson should be fun.
Wichita State Shockers (22-4, 13-2)
Ken Pom: 9
ESPN BPI: 11
RPI: 17
SOS: 59
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-1
26-50: 1-2
51-100: 4-0
101-150: 6-1
151-200: 4-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: UNLV (9) 89-70; @Creighton (29) 89-68; Northern Iowa x2 (52) @71-68; 82-57; v.Colorado (74) 67-58
Best losses: v.Temple (18) 74-78ot; Creighton (29) 61-68
Worst losses: @Drake (128) 86-93 3ot
Players to watch
Garrett Stutz – 14.3 pts, 8.2 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.1 blocks
Joe Ragland 12.8 pts, 2.8 rebs, 3.4 assists, 47%
Toure’ (I will NEVER graduate, or so it seems) Murray – 12.4 pts, 4.8 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals
Carl Hall – 9.2 pts, 5.5 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Carl Hall - 66% Stutz - 83%
Ben Smith - 61% Ragland - 81%
Murry - 78%
David Kyles – 83%
Creighton Bluejays (22-5, 12-4)
Ken Pom: 33
ESPN BPI: 25
RPI: 30
SOS: 90
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-1
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 9-0
151-200: 1-1
201+: 7-0
Best wins: @Wichita St. (17) 68-61; @San Diego St (21) 85-83; Northwestern (42) 87-79; Northern Iowa (52) 63-60; @Missouri St (87) 66-65
Best losses: @Northern Iowa (52) 62-65
Worst losses: @Evansville (158) 57-65; Wichita St (17) 68-89
Players to watch
Doug McDermott – 23.3 pts, 8.4 rebs, 1.2 assists, 50% 3pt
Antoine Young – 11.4 pts, 2.0 rebs, 4.4 assists
Gregory Echenique – 9.5 pts, 7.4 rebs, 1.6 blocks
Grant Gibbs – 7.2 pts, 4.6 rebs, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals
Ethan Wragge – 6.4 pts, 2.7 rebs, 43% 3pts
Jahenns Manigat – 6.8 pts, 2.7 rebs, 1.5 assists, 48% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Echenique - 67% McDermott - 84%
Josh Jones - 56% Young - 72%
Gibbs – 71%
Manigat – 86%
Wragge – 100% (12/12)
Missouri State Bears (16-11, 9-6)
Ken Pom: 61
ESPN BPI: 67
RPI: 87
SOS: 69
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 1-4
51-100: 2-1
101-150: 4-3
151-200: 1-1
201+: 7-0
Best wins: @Creighton (29) 77-65; Northern Iowa (52) 63-51; @Nevada (57) 68-46)
Best losses: Creighton (29) 65-66; v.West Virginia (41) 68-70 ot; @Northern Iowa (52) 60-61
Worst losses: Evansville (158) 82-87 ot; Illinois St x2 (119) 60-68; @69-76 ot; Oklahoma St (106) 67-72
Players to watch
Kyle Weems – 16.2 pts, 7.4 rebs, 42% 3pts
Caleb Patterson – 13.0 pts, 2.9 rebs
Anthony Downing – 10.8 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.1 assists
Jarmar Gulley – 10.5 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.1 steals
Michael Bizoukas – 4.6 pts, 3.4 rebs, 5.9 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Gulley - 65% Weems - 80%
Bizoukas - 49% Patterson - 83%
Downing – 82%
Keith Pickens – 70%
Northern Iowa Panthers (17-10, 7-8)
Ken Pom: 73
ESPN BPI: 66
RPI: 52
SOS: 36
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 3-1
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 7-3
151-200: 2-1
201+: 3-1
Best wins: Creighton (29) 65-62; Colorado St (28) 83-77; @Iowa St (38) 69-62; Missouri St (87) 61-60
Best losses: Wichita St (17) 68-71; @Creighton (29) 60-63
Worst losses: @Bradley (225) 67-78; Evansville (158) 65-76; @Indiana St (129) 54-59; @Illinois St (119) 61-65; Ohio (104) 59-76; @Wichita St (17) 57-82; @St. Mary’s (25) 41-57
Players to watch
Anthony James – 13 pts, 4.3 rebs, 1.8 assists
Seth Tuttle – 9.3 pts, 5.2 rebs
Jake Koch – 9.3 pts, 5.3 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 bocks
Marc Sonnen – 8.7 ppg, 2.3 rebs, 1.9 assists, 46% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Tuttle - 68% James - 73%
Johnny Moran - 69% Koch - 81%
Austin Pehl – 58% Sonnen – 73%
Deon Mitchell – 71%
Chip Rank – 76%
Mountain West
Big, bright year on the cliffs of the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas – first UNLV caught the world’s attention with a convincing upset over North Carolina, meanwhile San Diego St, New Mexico and Colorado St have been playing solid ball all year, and even Wyoming is relevant for the first time since Mark Few complained for a week about his Zag’s seeding, and the Joshes Bailey & Davis powered the Cowboys to a big first round upset.
Now, let’s give some Buffet props to Steve Fisher & San Diego St. Kawhi Leonard, Malcolm Thomas, D.J. Gay & Billy White all departed. That’s the sort of exodus usually only the UNC, Kansas, Kentucky, etc.’s of the world can sustain and still be back in top 5 seed NCAA tourney contention – but Fisher has built a PROGRAM in eastern San Diego – and here they are 20-4, tied for the MWC lead and ranked 13th in the nation (and going up since Georgetown, Duke, Murray State, Baylor & Florida all lost in front of them).
There are 6 teams within 2 games of first place in this conferece –New Mexico & San Diego St are tied at 6-2; and fresh off Hank Thorns ridiculous performance, shocking UNLV, puts the rebels ½ game back at 6-3, TCU at 5-4 and Wyoming and Colorado St all at 4-4.
UNLV who has split with SD State, beat New Mexico, Colorado St & TCU (with return games left) and lost to Wyoming – plays at New Mexico next Friday, a couple game with 1-7 Boise & Air Force, before finishing @Colorado St and then the revenge game hosting Wyoming to close the regular season.
New Mexico who dropped a home matchup to San Diego St and at UNLV n back to back games, has beaten Wyoming twice, Colorado St and TCU, next travels to SD State to try and return the favor, then hosts UNLV, Colorado & TCU in their next four games, a rough stretch, before finishing at home with a pair versus Air Force & Boise tuning up for the MWC tourney.
San Diego St, fumbled away a chance at sweeping UNLV and putting a stranglehold on the conference on Feb 11, has also beaten TCU, won @New Mexico and Wyoming. Next they host New Mexico to try and sweep them, mixes in a game versus Air Force in Colorado, then hosts Wyoming & Colorado St (revenge game!) back to back, before closing at Boise and at TCU
Wyoming, who started the season 16-3, has dropped 2 of 3 when they started playing with the big kids in the conference, beating Colorado St, losing to San Diego St, losing at TCU, righting the ship briefly versus UNLV in a nice upset, before falling at New Mexico in an offensively starved Saturday tilt. Gets to get healthy versus Air Force, before a 2 game road trip versus Colorado St & San Diego St, takes a breather versus Boise St before closing hosting TCU & traveling to Vegas versus UNLV.
Colorado St, still in at-large territory, and holding out faint hopes of a regular season title, has lost 4 of 6 (all road games: Wyoming, New Mexico, UNLV & TCU) but has also a SD State upset mixed in – goes to Boise State next, trying to learn how to win on the MWC road, then a pair of home games versus Wyoming & New Mexico, travels to SD State, and hosts UNLV (before closing at home in a should-be gimme versus Air Force)
TCU’s fantastic OT win, what a game that way, has them right back in this discussion – they get what should (must) be gimme road games at Boise St & Air Force. Then come home for New Mexico & San Diego St with a road game in Laramie sandwiched in.
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (22-5, 6-3)
Ken Pom: 26
ESPN BPI: 20
RPI: 12
SOS: 45
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-3
26-50: 4-0
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 1-0
151-200: 4-0
201+: 7-0
Best wins: North Carolina (7) 90-80; San Diego St (21) 65-63; Colorado St. (28) 82-63; New Mexico (33) 80-63; California (36) 85-68; @Illinois (47) 64-48; Nevada (57) 71-67
Best losses: @San Diego St (21) 67-69; @Wyoming (65) 66-68
Worst losses: @Wichita St (17) 70-89; @Wisconsin (24) 51-62; @TCU (99) 97-102 ot
Players to watch
Mike Moser – 14.7 pts, 11.4 rebs, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals
Chace Stanback – 13.3 pts, 4.5 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 44% 3pts
Anthony Marshall – 11.6 pts, 4.8 rebs, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Oscar Bellfield – 10.0 pts, 2.3 rebs, 5.3 assists, 1.0 steals
Justin Hawkins – 8.6 pts, 3.0 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Hawkins - 66% Moser - 77%
Carlos Lopez - 60% Stanback - 85%
Brice Massamba - 53% Marshall - 71%
Bellfield – 79%
New Mexico Lobos (20-4, 6-2)
Ken Pom: 12
ESPN BPI: 23
RPI: 33
SOS: 100
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 1-0
51-100: 4-1
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 3-0
201+: 8-1
Best wins: Saint Louis (22) 64-60; Colorado St (28) 85-52; Wyoming x2 (65) 48-38, 72-62; @New Mexico St. (78) 89-67; Missouri St (87) 76-60
Best losses: San Diego St (21) 70-75
Worst losses: v.Santa Clara (279) 76-79 ot; @UNLV (9) 63-80
Players to watch
Tony Snell – 12.3 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.0 assists, 43% 3pts
Kendall Williams – 12.2 pts, 3.5 rebs, 4.3 assists, 1.4 steals
Drew Gordon – 11.9 pts, 10.5 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks
Jamal Fenton – 7.1 pts, 1.5 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 45% 3pts
Phillip McDonald – 6.9 pts, 47% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Jamal Fenton - 61% Snell - 81%
A.J. Hardeman – 48% Williams - 76%
Gordon - 72%
Walker – 73%
San Diego State Aztecs (20-4, 6-2)
Ken Pom: 55
ESPN BPI: 39
RPI: 21
SOS: 74
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 3-2
51-100: 2-0
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 8-0
Best wins: UNLV (9) 69-67; @New Mexico (33) 75-70; California (36) 64-63; Long Beach (43) 77-73 ot; @Wyoming (65) 52-42; @Arizona (68) 61-57
Best losses: @UNLV (9) 63-65; Creighton (29) 83-85
Worst losses: @Baylor (6) 67-77; @Colorado St (28) 60-77
Players to watch
Chase Tapley – 16.2 pts, 4.2 rebs, 2.2 assists, 2.0 steals, 44% 3pts
Jamaal Franklin – 16.0 pts, 7.3 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals
Xavier Thames – 10.2 pts, 3.1 rebs, 4.7 assists
James Rahon – 9.5 pts, 2.8 rebs
Garrett Green – 6.2 pts, 4.9 rebs
Deshawn Stephens – 5.3 pts, 4.9 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Rahon – 58% Tapley - 72%
Green - 50% Franklin- 78%
Stephen – 42% Thames - 80%
Colorado State Rams (15-8, 4-4)
Ken Pom: 108
ESPN BPI: 88
RPI: 28
SOS: 10
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-3
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 2-2
151-200: 4-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: San Diego St (21) 77-60; Colorado (74) 65-64
Best losses:
Worst losses: @TCU (109) 71-75; @Stanford (103) 52-64; @Duke (2) 64-87; @UNLV (9) 63-82; Southern Miss (10) 58-79; @New Mexico (33) 52-85; @Wyoming (65) 51-70
Players to watch
Wes Eikmeier – 15.6 pts, 1.8 rebs, 2.2 assists
Dorian Green – 13.5 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.5 assists, 48% 3pts
Greg Smith – 10.3 pts, 4.9 rebs, 40% 3pts
Pierce Hornung – 8.4 pts, 8.0 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Hornung - 57% Eikmeier - 89%
Green - 82%
Smith - 72%
Bell – 83%
Jesse Carr – 78%
Wyoming Cowboys (18-6, 4-4)
Ken Pom: 50
ESPN BPI: 60
RPI: 65
SOS: 118
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-1
26-50: 1-2
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 0-1
151-200: 3-1
201+: 10-0
Best wins: UNLV (9) 68-66; Colorado St (28) 70-51; @Colorado (74) 65-54
Best losses:
Worst losses: @UW-Green Bay (174) 44-52; @TCU (109) 52-58; @Denver (94) 46-57
Players to watch
Luke Martinez – 13.0 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.9 steals
Leonard Washington – 12.9 pts, 6.8 rebs, 1.4 steals, 1.1 blks
Francisco Cruz – 12.3 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.1 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
JayDee Luster - 66% Martinez - 83%
Washington - 77%
Cruz - 75%
Adam Waddell - 76%
Derrious Gilmore - 71%
Larry Nance, Jr. – 90%
TCU Horned Frogs (15-10, 5-4)
Ken Pom: 161
ESPN BPI: 158
RPI: 99
SOS: 74
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 2-2
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 1-3
151-200: 4-0
201+: 5-2
Best wins: UNLV (12) 102-97 ot; Colorado St (28) 75-71; v.Virginia (41) 57-55; Wyoming (65) 58-52
Best losses: @Colorado St (28) 89-85 2ot
Worst losses: @Southern Cal (232) 59-83; @SMU (203) 62-68; Nebraska (127) 57-69; v.Norfolk St (125) 53-66; Tulsa (111) 66-74; @UNLV (9) 78-101; @New Mexico (33) 54-71
Players to watch
Hank Thorns – 12.8 pts, 2.3 rebs, 4.6 assists, 1.5 steals
J.R. Cadot – 10.2 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.6 steals
Garlon Green – 10.1 pts, 3.2 rebs
Amric Fields – 10.3 pts, 2.2 assists, 1.0 assist, 41% 3pts
Kyan Anderson – 8.1 pts, 1.6 rebs, 2.5 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Adam McKinney - 45% Thorns - 75%
Cadot - 71%
Green - 83%
Fields - 76%
Anderson - 74%
Craig Williams - 75%
Northeast Conference
It’s been a treasure trove of returning talent in Brooklyn versus a remarkable turnaround story by some Hurleys in Staten Island – with St. Francis & Robert Morris hanging around. The Blackbirds, who really should have been better than they have been, has swept the upstart Seahawks to give themselves some breathing room. Wagner, one game back, is truly 2 games back due to the aforementioned sweep. Just 3 games back sits St. Francis (NY), with Robert Morris, they of the only loss put on Long Island in conference play, are 3 games back as well.
Long Island Blackbirds (19-7, 13-1)
Ken Pom: 163
ESPN BPI: 163
RPI: 97
SOS: 264
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 2-1
101-150: 0-4
151-200: 2-1
201+: 15-1
Best wins: Wagner x2 (76) @73-66, 78-73
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Hofstra (248) 71-89; @Columbia (160) 53-63; @Penn St (130) 68-77; @Old Dominion (126) 69-77; @Norfolk St (125) 62-73; @Rob Morris (113) 66-75; @Iona (53) 84-100
Players to watch
Jamal Olasewere – 16.7 pts, 7.6 rebs, 1.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 blocks
Julian Boyd – 16.7 pts, 9.3 rebs
C.J. Garner – 11.5 pts, 2.7 rebs, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals
Jason Brickman – 9.3 pts, 2.6 rebs, 6.4 assists, 48% 3pts
Michael Culpo – 9.2 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.1 assists
Kenny Onyechi – 5.6 pts, 3.1 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Onyechi - 52% Olasewere - 76%
Boyd - 75%
Garner - 77%
Brickman – 79%
Culpo – 80%
Wagner Seahawks (21-4, 12-2)
Ken Pom: 70
ESPN BPI: 82
RPI: 76
SOS: 231
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 1-2
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 2-10
201+: 15-0
Best wins: @Pittsburgh (77) 59-54
Best losses:
Worst losses: Lehigh (123) 69-70; Long Island x2 (97) 66-73; @73-78
Players to watch
Latif Rivers – 14.7 pts, 2.8 rebs, 2.2 assists
Jonathon Williams – 12.7 pts, 4.7 rebs
Tyler Murray – 12.4 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 52% 3pts
Kenneth Ortiz – 7.7 pts, 4.8 rebs, 3.9 assists, 1.9 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Ortiz - 63% Rivers - 89%
Williams - 73%
Murray - 81%
Chris Martin – 84%
St. Francis (NY) Terriers (13-12, 10-4)
Ken Pom: 203
ESPN BPI: 216
RPI: 207
SOS: 289
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-4
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 1-0
201+: 11-5
Best wins: @Robert Morris (113) 81-68
Best losses: @Seton Hall (31) 71-75
Worst losses: @Army (312) 70-79; @Colgate (291) 63-65; @Hofstra (248) 59-63; Albany (220) 64-76; @Lafayette (208) 73-79; @St. John’s (142) 48-63; Norfolk St (125) 75-84; Long Island x2 (97) 77-86, @78-81
Players to watch
Stefan Perunicic – 12.1 pts, 2.4 rebs, 1.3 assists, 44% 3pts
Ben Mockford – 12.0 pts, 1.9 rebs, 1.3 assists
Akeem Johnson – 11.2 pts, 5.3 rebs
Ravis Nichols – 9.1 pts, 4.1 rebs
Brent Jones – 7.5 pts, 2.9 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Perunicic - 66% Mockford - 80%
Jalen Cannon - 62% Johnson - 70%
Nichols – 79%
Jones - 74%
Robert Morris Colonials (19-8, 10-4)
Ken Pom: 151
ESPN BPI: 145
RPI: 113
SOS: 245
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 3-3
101-150: 2-1
151-200: 1-1
201+: 13-2
Best wins: vs.La Salle (84) 51-44; @Duquesne (85) 64-60; Long Island (97) 75-66
Best losses: Cleveland State (80) 58-62
Worst losses: @Central Connecticut (262) 53-68; St. Francis NY (207) 68-81; Quinnipiac (168) 76-78; @Pennsylvania (112) 60-66
Players to watch
Velton Jones – 16.3 pts, 2.9 rebs, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals
Coron Williams – 11.3 pts, 2.9 rebs, 1.2 assists, 40% 3pts
MikeMcFadden – 8.4 pts, 4.0 rebs, 1.1 steals
Russell Johnson – 8.4 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blks
Lucky Jones – 8.2 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
McFadden - 53% Jones - 75%
Williams - 91%
Johnson - 73%
Jones – 81%
Lijah Thompson – 77%
Anthony Myers – 78%
Ohio Valley Conference
In a name tailor made for news headlines, Isaiah has risen from Canaan in the Ohio Valley – Murray State has run out to a 24-1 start, a 12-1 conference start and can close out the regular championship with a win against SE Missouri St on Feb 15 – which isn’t the gimme records and RPI #s may indicate, SE Mo St gave Murray St a nice battle for about 30 minutes, before Isaiah took over, and with their undefeated season ending win on Feb 11, Tennessee St are still within striking distance, and in fact, if Murray St were to lose to SE Mo St, and then Tenn St finishes the reg season sweep on Feb 23, both teams would enter their last conference games w/ the regular season title on the line. Likely, no? Possible, yes.
Murray State Racers (24-1, 12-1)
Ken Pom: 68
ESPN BPI: 46
RPI: 55
SOS: 266
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 2-0
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 1-0
101-150: 1-1
151-200: 5-1
201+: 12-0
Best wins: v.Southern Miss (10) 90-81 2ot; @Memphis (19) 76-72; Dayton (71) 75-58
Worst losses: Tennessee State (139) 68-72
Players to watch
Isaiah Canaan – 19.6 pts, 3.3 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 48% 3pts
Donte Poole – 13.7 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.6 assists, 2.1 steals
Ivan Aska – 11.7 pts, 5.8 rebs
Jewuan Long – 8.9 pts, 3.1 , 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 49% 3pts
Ed Daniel – 6.8 pts, 5.4 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
McFadden - 53% Jones - 75%
Williams - 91%
Johnson - 73%
Jones – 81%
Tennessee State Tigers (18-10, 11-4)
Ken Pom: 187
ESPN BPI: 188
RPI: 137
SOS: 248
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 0-1
151-200: 4-2
201+: 11-3
Best wins: @Murray St (55) 72-68
Best losses:
Worst losses: @W.Kentucky (247) 49-52; @J’Ville St (239) 65-72; @E.Kentucky (205) 68-73; @Austin Peay (192) 63-69; @Tenn Tech (188) 86-92; v.Miss Valley St (145) 89-90 2ot; @Belmont (79) 62-75; @St Louis (22) 37-71; @UNC (7) 69-102
Players to watch
Robert Covington – 17.7 pts, 7.8 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, 45% 3pts
Patrick Miller – 11.6 pts, 3.5 rebs, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals
Jordan Cyphers – 8.7 pts, 1.7 rebs
Kellen Thornton – 8.6 pts, 4.1 rebs
Wil Peters – 7.9 pts, 3.0 rebs, 3.4 assists 1.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Miller - 65% Convington - 77%
Thornton – 62% Cyphers - 72%
M.J. Rhett – 51% Peterson - 79%
Jay Harris – 58% Moore – 70%
SE Missouri St Redhawks (14-11, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 212
ESPN BPI: 214
RPI: 240
SOS: 320
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 0-2
101-150: 0-1
151-200: 2-1
201+: 10-6
Best wins: Morehead St (181) 67-51; Austin Peay (192) 67-51
Best losses: @Murray St (55) 73-81
Worst losses: @Central Arkansas (302) 72-88; @Arkansas St (238) 63-79; @Bradley (225) 65-66; UMKC (223) 69-74; @E.Kentucky (205) 59-63; SMU (203) 65-84
Players to watch
Tyler Stone – 15.0 pts, 7.2 pts, 1.2 blks
Marland Smith – 12.8 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.7 assists, 41% 3pts
Leon Powell – 11.2 pts, 7.0 rebs, 1.4 blks
Nick Niemczyk – 9.1 pt, 2.7 rebs, 2.1 assists
Marcus Brister – 14.2 pts, 6.3 rebs, 1.2 rebs, 40%
Corey Wilford – 6.3 pts, 1.2 rebs, 40% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Stone - 62% Smith - 79%
Powell - 52% Niemczyk - 88%
Brister - 46% Wilford - 86%
Michael Porter - 58% Lucas Nutt - 86%
Pacific 12 Conference
The US economy, the quality of the U.S version of the Office, the career/life of Ashton Kutcher, and Pac 12 conference basketball – all participants in vicious downturns from which they have not yet recovered. The conference bounced back SOMEWHAT last year, but really it was Arizona, a Pac10 tourney run for Washington, a fortuitous committee evaluation of UCLA and miracles for Southern Cal that did it. It’ll take a similar effort this year. There are 5 teams in the discussion, but this is looking more and more like a 1-2, MAYBE 3 bid conference at best. The regular season race has become interesting. Cal, the conference’s best team most of the season sits in first, at 10-3, one game up on the 5 in the convo, (tied for first with Washington, 1 game up on the other 3 discussed teams).
California, benefitting from the new round robin-lite schedule, does not have to travel to Arizona (after losing to them at home) and holds the tiebreaker over Washington (winning in Seattle), but still faces upstart Oregon and travels to Colorado and arch-rival Stanford.
Washington will try to complete the sweep of Arizona at home, and other than that, should have nice cozy finish to their season (Arizona St, Washington St, So Calif & UCLA)
Arizona has the same schedule as Washington, really could use to repay that road favor v. Washington, and then revenge their inexplicable loss to UCLA.
Colorado has been a surprise thus far, losing in the Bay Area in mid-January, but otherwise taking care of business at home. They have a Bay Area rematch in Boulder, their “rivalry” matchup at Utah, and then travel to Oregon, before finishing w/ Oregon St.
Oregon’s 2 point win in Tucson really propelled them, because their “northern” division location meant 2 games with Washington and Cal. They have that second one with Cal on February 16, and also host Colorado to close the season.
California Golden Bears (20-6, 10-3)
Ken Pom: 16
ESPN BPI: 21
RPI: 36
SOS: 89
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 6-1
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 3-1
201+: 7-0
Best wins: @Washington (59) 69-66; @Oregon (68) 77-60; Colorado (75) 57-50; Weber St (87) 77-57
Best losses: @San Diego St (22) 63-64; Arizona (67) 74-78
Worst losses: @Washington St (153) 75-77; @Oregon St (145) 85-92
Players to watch
Allen Crabbe – 15.9 pts, 5.9 rebs, 2.3 assist, 43% 3pts
Jorge Guttierez – 13.7 pts, 5.3 rebs, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals
Justin Cobbs – 12.8 pts, 2.5 rebs, 4.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 47%
Harper Kamp – 10.3 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.6 assists
Richard Solomon – 6.0 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.2 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Solomon - 63% Crabbe - 84%
Robert Thurman - 53% Gutierrez - 80%
Cobbs - 80%
Hamp - 75%
Washington Huskies (17-8, 10-3)
Ken Pom: 68
ESPN BPI: 62
RPI: 59
SOS: 65
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 2-4
101-150: 6-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 7-0
Best wins: @Arizona (67) 69-67; Oregon (68) 76-60
Best losses: vs.Duke (2) 80-86; vs.Marquette (11) 77-79; California (36) 66-69; @Nevada (58) 73-76 ot
Worst losses: @Colorado (75) 69-87; So Dakota State (73) 73-92; @Oregon (68) 57-82
Players to watch
Tony Wroten – 16.6 pts, 4.6 rebs, 3.5 assists, 1.9 steals
Terrence Ross – 14.9 pts, 6.7 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.0 blks
C.J. Wilcox -13.7 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 41% 3pts
Aziz N’Diaye – 8.2 pts, 7.9 rebs
Abdul Gaddy – 7.9 pts, 2.5 rebs, 4.5 assists
Darnell Gant – 7.5 pts, 4.7 rebs
Desmond Simmons – 5.1 pts, 5.7 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Wroten - 56% Ross - 74%
N’Diaye - 35% Wilcox - 90%
Simmons - 59%
Gant – 67%
Gaddy – 67%
Arizona Wildcats (18-8, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 40
ESPN BPI: 31
RPI: 67
SOS: 85
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 4-3
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 2-0
201+: 7-0
Best wins: @California (36) 78-74; Colorado (75) 71-57; @New Mex St (78) 83-76
Best losses: San Diego St (22) 57-61; @Florida (20) 72-78
Worst losses: @UCLA (122) 58-65
Players to watch
Kyle Fogg – 12.8 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 46% 3pts
Solomon Hill – 12.5 pts, 8.2 rebs, 2.7 assists
Jesse Perry – 11.9 pts, 7.6 rebs, 1.3 assists
Nick Johnson – 9.6 pts, 3.1 rebs, 2.3 assists
Josiah Turner – 6.7 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Perry - 66% Fogg - 83%
Johnson - 67% Hill - 73%
Turner - 63% Mayes - 81%
Kevin Parrom - 60%
Oregon Ducks (18-7, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 87
ESPN BPI: 73
RPI: 68
SOS: 96
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-4
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 4-0
201+: 9-0
Best wins: @Arizona (67) 59-57; Washington (59) 82-57
Best losses: @Colorado (75) 71-72
Worst losses: Oregon St (145) 71-76; @Washington (59) 60-76; Virginia (41) 54-67; California (36) 60-77
Players to watch
Devoe Joseph – 15.7 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 45% 3pts
E.J. Singler – 13.4 pts, 5.6 rebs, 2.2 assists
Garret Sim – 12.0 pts, 2.4 rebs, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 47% 3pts
Olu Ashaolu – 8.1 pts, 4.8 rebs
Tony Woods – 6.5 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.6 blks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Ashaolu - 51% Joseph - 81%
Woods - 61% Singler - 89%
Jabari Brown - 42% Sim - 86%
Carlos Emory - 70%
Colorado Buffaloes (17-8, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 78
ESPN BPI: 85
RPI: 75
SOS: 86
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 4-3
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 3-0
201+: 7-0
Best wins: Arizona (67) 64-63; Oregon (68) 72-71; Washington (59) 87-69
Best losses: @Colorado St (28) 64-65
Worst losses: @UCLA (122) 60-77; @Stanford (104) 64-84; @Arizona (67) 57-71; Wyoming (65) 54-65
Players to watch
Carlon Brown – 12.8 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.3 assists
Austin Dufault – 11.3 pts, 4.6 rebs, 1.1 assists, 43% 3pts
Andre Roberson – 11.2 pts, 11.2 rebs, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.9 blks
Spencer Dinwiddie – 10.8 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.8 assists, 44% 3pts
Askia Booker – 9.1 pts, 3.1 rebs, 1.7 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Dufault - 67% Brown - 78%
Roberson - 68% Dinwiddie - 80%
Nate Tomlinson - 68% Booker - 77%
Shane Harris-Tunks - 58% Jeremy Adams - 71%
Patriot League
A bit under the radar, has been the run Bucknell has been on through the Patriot League, undefeated through 10 games, a three game lead on American and Lehigh with four to play … they haven’t gotten the publicity of other dominant conference teams.
Bucknell can virtually clinch the conference on February 16, when they host Lehigh(they won at the Mountain Hawks on Jan 18, 68-61), and then later travel to play American on February 23 (after winning earlier at home 67-61).
Lehigh needs to win out, starting w/ the game versus Bucknell, and then finishing against Lafayette, then going to Navy & Army.
American, with their loss to Bucknell and a split versus Lehigh, has Navy & Lafayette at home, host Bucknell also, with a road game at Army mixed in.
Bucknell Bison (20-6, 10-0)
Ken Pom: 93
ESPN BPI: 102
RPI: 72
SOS: 182
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-4
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 4-0
201+: 11-0
Best wins: Princeton (101) 62-56
Best losses: Loyola Maryland (88) 67-72
Worst losses: @George Mason (90) 57-61; @La Salle (84) 52-78; @Syracuse (1) 61-80; @Vanderbilt (29) 68-80; @Minnesota (64) 58-70
Players to watch
Mike Muscala – 16.4 pts, 8.9 rebs, 1.7 assists, 1.5 blks, 40% 3pts
Cameron Ayers – 11.3 pts, 2.3 rebs, 1.7 assists, 47% 3pts
Joe Willman – 10.4 pts, 4.7 rebs, 1.7 assists
Bryson Johnson – 9.3 pts, 2.5 rebs, 1.2 assists, 40% 3pts
Bryan Cohen – 7.6 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2.6 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Joshea Singleton - 55% Brown – Muscala - 84%
Steven Kaspar – 27% Ayers - 84%
Willman - 78%
Johnson - 75%
Cohen – 76%
Fitzpatrick – 81%
Ryan Hill – 76%
Lehigh Mountain Hawks (19-7, 7-3)
Ken Pom: 98
ESPN BPI: 109
RPI: 121
SOS: 308
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 1-1
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 2-2
201+: 14-0
Best wins: @Wagner (76) 70-69
Best losses: @Iowa State (37) 77-86; Bucknell (72) 61-68; @Michigan St (4) 81-90
Worst losses: @Holy Cross (193) 78-84; @Cornell (175) 79-81 ot; @St. John’s (143) 73-78; @American (136) 62-71
Players to watch
C.J. McCollum – 21.7 pts, 6.7 rebs, 3.4 assists, 2.6 steals
Gabe Knutson – 12.5 pts, 5.6 rebs, 1.4 assists, 42% 3pts
Holden Greiner – 11.6 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals
Mackey McKnight – 8.0 pts, 2.6 rebs, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals
Jordan Hamilton – 6.6 pts, 1.8 rebs, 1.1 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Anthony D’Orazio - 47% McCollum - 82%
Knutson - 81%
Greiner - 73%
McKnight - 80%
Hamilton – 78%
John Adams – 82%
American University Eagles (16-9, 7-3)
Ken Pom: 186
ESPN BPI: 193
RPI: 136
SOS: 299
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 1-0
51-100: 0-2
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 5-2
201+: 9-3
Best wins: St. Joseph’s (47) 66-60
Best losses: @Bucknell (72) 61-67
Worst losses: @St. Francis PA (303) 61-66; @UM Eastern Shore (305) 62-64 ot; @Mt. St Mary’s (277) 42-49; @Holy Cross (193) 52-59; @Richmond (140) 56-66; @Lehigh (121) 60-71; @Villanova (96) 52-73; @G’Town (13) 55-81
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Players to watch
Charles Hinkle – 19.2 pts, 5.5 rebs, 1.8 assists, 42% 3pts
Troy Brewer – 12.2 pts, 3.1 rebs, 1.5 assists, 43% 3pts
Daniel Munoz – 7.6 pts, 2.9 rebs, 4.1 assists
Tony Wroblicky – 5.6 pts, 5.8 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Wroblicky - 57% Hinkle - 83%
Simon McCormack - 22% Brewer - 80%
Munoz - 75%
Grafft - 74%
Southeastern Conference
(arguably) The best team in the country lives here, and their conference run epitomizes that, a conference with 7 teams on the tournament selection radar, and Kentucky sits 11-0.
Kentucky is 3 games up, with 5 to go. They do have a tough run to finish the season – Ole Miss, @Mississppi St, a pair of home games versus Vandy and Georgia, then finish @Florida, which will mean something, if Florida can win out and Kentucky drops 2 of their next 4 (enter sarcastic comment of likelihood here)
Florida, has had a nice season, but their hopes of a regular season crown were put on life support with their home loss to Tennessee over the weekend. After they balanced themselves with a win over the shorthanded Crimson Tide, they travel to an Alabama in upheaval then Arkansas, come home for Auburn, before a 2 game road trip to Georgia & Vanderbilt, before closing against Kentucky.
The question here is Alabama. 4 key players have been suspended in the last week, 2 of them (Releford and Steele came back for the home loss against Florida – but when will top 2 leading scorers JaMychal Green & Tony Mitchell be back, because, as evidenced by their 9 point loss to formerly 3-6 (SEC) LSU and the loss to Florida, without them this is not a tournament team…
Kentucky Wildcats (25-1, 11-0)
Ken Pom: 2
ESPN BPI: 1
RPI: 3
SOS: 58
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 4-1
26-50: 2-0
51-100: 4-0
101-150: 7-0
151-200: 3-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: v.Kansas (5) 73-65; North Carolina (8) 73-72; Louisville (24) 69-62; Florida (20) 78-58; @Vanderbilt (29) 69-63; Alabama (35) 77-71; Arkansas (69) 86-63; @LSU (66) 74-50; Loyola Maryland (88) 87-63
Best (only) losses: @Indiana (15) 72-73
Worst losses: None
Players to watch
Anthony Davis – 14.0 pts, 9.9 rebs, 1.5 steals, 4.9 blocks
Doron Lamb – 13.7 pts, 3.3 rebs, 1.7 assists, 48% 3pts
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – 12.3 pts, 7.7 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks
Terrence Jones – 12.2 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.0 blocks
Marquis Teague – 9.8 pts, 2.6 rebs, 4.7 assists, 1.0 steals
Darius Miller – 9.7 pts, 2.8 rebs, 2.2 assists
Kyle Wiltjer – 5.7 pts, 2.3 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Jones - 66% Davis - 71%
Lamb - 82%
Kidd-Gilchrist – 75%
Miller - 74%
Florida Gators (20-6, 8-3)
Ken Pom: 17
ESPN BPI: 12
RPI: 20
SOS: 53
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 4-0
51-100: 4-0
101-150: 4-2
151-200: 3-1
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Vanderbilt (29) 73-65; Florida St (27) 82-64; Mississippi St (48) 69-57; @Ole Miss (52) 64-60; Arizona (67) 78-72; LSU (66) 76-64
Best losses: @Syracuse (1) 68-72; @Ohio St (9) 74-81
Worst losses: @Rutgers (154) 83-85 2ot; @Tennessee x2 (111) 70-75; 56-67
Players to watch
Kenny Boynton – 17.5 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.7 assists, 44% 3pts
Bradley Beal – 14.4 pts, 6.2 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals
Erving Walker – 12.0 pts, 2.9 rebs, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals
Patric Young – 10.6 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.0 blocks
Erik Murphy – 10.1 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.1 blocks, 44% 3pts
Mike Rosario – 7.9 pts, 1.8 rebs, 1.2 assists
Will Yeguete – 4.5 pts, 6.1 rebs, 1.1 assists, 1.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Patric - 61% Boynton - 70%
Yeguete - 33% Beal - 75%
Walker – 80%
Murphy – 75%
Rosario – 75%
Mississippi State Bulldogs (19-7, 6-5)
Ken Pom: 69
ESPN BPI: 44
RPI: 48
SOS: 67
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 3-0
51-100: 3-5
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 4-0
201+: 5-0
Best wins: @Vanderbilt (29) 78-77 ot; Alabama (35) 56-52; West Virginia (40) 75-62; Mississippi (52) 70-60; LSU (66) 76-71; v.Arizona (67) 67-57
Best losses: v.Baylor (6) 52-54
Worst losses: Georgia (100) 68-70 ot; @Arkansas (69) 88-98; Akron (61) 58-68; @Florida (20) 57-69
Players to watch
Arnett Moultrie – 17.0 pts, 11.0 rebs, 1.1 assists
Dee Bost – 15.8 pts, 3.4 rebs, 5.1 assists, 2.1 steals
Rodney Hood – 11.3 pts, 5.0 rebs, 2.1 assists
Renardo Sidney – 10.3 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.0 steals, 45% 3pts
Jalen Steele – 8.0 pts, 40% 3pts
Brian Bryant – 6.9 pts, 4.7 rebs, 2.1 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Hood - 64% Moultrie - 76%
Sidney - 62% Bost - 76%
Bryant – 63% Steele – 86%
Deville Smith – 65%
Vanderbilt Commodores (17-8, 6-4)
Ken Pom: 30
ESPN BPI: 28
RPI: 29
SOS: 5
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-3
26-50: 3-1
51-100: 5-3
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 1-0
201+: 4-0
Best wins: @Marquette (11) 74-57; @Alabama (35) 69-59; Middle Tenn St (38) 84-77; v.No Carolina St. (50) 86-79; LSU (66) 76-61; Bucknell (72) 80-68; Oregon (68) 78-64; @Davidson (70) 87-83
Best losses: Kentucky (3) 63-69; @Louisville (24) 60-62 ot; Miss St (48) 77-78 ot; Xavier (56) 70-82 ot
Worst losses: Indiana St (124) 55-61; Cleveland St (83) 58-71
Players to watch
John Jenkins – 19.5 pts, 3.0 rebs, 1.1 assists, 44% 3pts
Jeffrey Taylor – 17.6 pts, 5.9 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 47% 3pts
Festus Ezeli – 10.2 pts, 5.9 rebs
Brad Tinsley – 9.3 pts, 2.7 rebs, 4.5 assists, 43% 3pts
Lance Goulbourne – 9.0 pts, 7.1 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Taylor - 66% Jenkins - 84%
Ezeli - 55% Tinsley - 82%
Goulbourne – 66% Steve Tchiengang – 79%
Arkansas Razorbacks (17-8, 5-5)
Ken Pom: 95
ESPN BPI: 80
RPI: 69
SOS: 77
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 2-1
51-100: 1-3
101-150: 5-1
151-200: 2-0
201+: 6-1
Best wins: Michigan (14) 66-64; Vanderbilt (29) 82-74; Miss St (48) 98-88
Best losses: @Alabama (35) 66-72; @Miss (52) 63-71
Worst losses: Houston (245) 78-87; @Oklahoma (109) 63-78; @Georgia (100) 59-81; @Kentucky (3) 63-86; @UConn (21) 62-75
Players to watch
B.J. Young – 14.4 pts, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 40% 3pts
Mardracus Wade – 10.8 pts, 2.0 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 49% 3pts
Rickey Scott – 9.7 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.5 assists
Julysses Nobles – 9.0 pts, 3.6 rebs, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals
Rashad Madden – 7.2 pts, 3.7 rebs, 1.9 assists
Devonta Abron – 5.7 pts, 4.6 rebs, 1.0 steals
Marvell Waithe – 5.7 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.0 blks
Hunter Mickelson – 5.2 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.5 blks
Michael Sanchez – 4.3 pts, 3.6 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Scott - 61% Young - 75%
Abron - 63% Wade - 82%
Mickelson – 56% Nobles – 75%
Sanchez – 56% Madden – 73%
Waite – 78%
Alabama Crimson Tide (16-9, 5-6)
Ken Pom: 28
ESPN BPI: 27
RPI: 35
SOS: 15
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-3
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 7-3
101-150: 4-0
151-200: 2-1
201+: 2-0
Best wins: Wichita St (17) 70-60; Mississippi (52) 69-67 2ot; v.Purdue (55) 65-56; LSU (66) 69-53; Arkansas (69) 72-66
Best losses: @Kentucky (3) 71-77; Georgetown (13) 55-57; @Miss St (48) 52-56
Worst losses: @So Carolina (177) 54-56; @Dayton (74) 62-74; @Kansas St (63) 58-71; Vanderbilt (29) 59-69
Players to watch
JayMychal Green – 14.1 pts, 7.2 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blks
Tony Mitchell – 13.1 pts, 7.0 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.4 blks
Trevor Releford – 12.4 pts, 3.1 rebs, 3.1 assists, 2.2 steals
Trevor Lacey – 6.6 pts, 3.2 rebs, 2.0 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Mitchell - 62% Releford – 86%
Levi Randolph - 58% Lacey - 80%
Nick Jacobs – 59% Steele – 79%
Cooper – 83%
Ole Miss Rebels (15-9, 5-5)
Ken Pom: 110
ESPN BPI: 81
RPI: 52
SOS: 52
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 2-3
51-100: 3-2
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 3-0
201+: 3-0
Best wins: Miami FL (33) 64-61 ot; Mississippi St (48) 75-68; Arkansas (69) 71-63
Best losses: @So Miss (10) 82-86; Florida (20) 60-64; @Alabama (35) 67-69 2ot
Worst losses: @Auburn (134) 68-69 ot; @LSU (66) 55-81; @Dayton (74) 50-62; v.Marquette (11) 66-96
Players to watch
Dundrecous Nelson – 11.6 pts, 1.9 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals
Terrance Henry – 11.6 pts, 4.8 rebs, 1.6 assists
Murphy Holloway – 10.7 pts, 9.2 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals
Nick Williams – 10.1 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.2 assists
Jarvis Summers – 10.0 pts, 2.3 rebs, 3.4 rebs, 42% 3pts
Reginald Buckner – 7.1 pts, 8.4 rebs, 2.5 blks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Nelson - 59% Henry - 70%
Holloway - 53% Williams - 77%
Summers – 65%
Buckner – 40%
Jelan Kendrick – 42%
Demarco Cox – 41%
Louisiana State Tigers (15-10, 5-6)
Ken Pom: 81
ESPN BPI: 93
RPI: 66
SOS: 42
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 2-5
51-100: 2-1
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 3-2
201+: 5-0
Best wins: Marquette (11) 67-59; Alabama (35) 67-58; Miss St (48) 69-67 ot, Ole Miss (52) 81-55; Arkansas (69) 71-65
Best losses: Virginia (41) 52-57; v.Northwestern (43) 82-88; @Miss St (48) 71-76
Worst losses: South Alabama (178) 75-79 ot; @Coastal Carolina (159) 63-71; Kentucky (3) 50-74; @Vandy (29) 61-76; @Alabama (35) 53-69
Players to watch
Justin Hamilton – 13.7 pts, 7.3 rebs, 1.4 blks
Andre Stringer – 10.2 pts, 2.1 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals
Anthony Hickey – 9.6 pts, 3.6 rebs, 3.8 assists, 2.1 steals
Ralston Turner – 9.1 pts, 2.9 rebs, 1.5 assists
Johnny O’Bryant – 8.1 pts, 6.5 rebs
Storm Warren – 8.1 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.2 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Hickey - 56% Hamilton - 77%
O’Bryant - 65% Stringer - 86%
Turner – 77%
Warren – 72%
Southwestern Athletic Conference
For some conferences, and this is no slight, losing to teams ranked in the top 150 is a bad loss that damages tournament chances. For the SWAC, having a team in the 150, means they have teams that have not only played a tougher schedule than usual, but also have been decently competitive and then just ran through the conference schedule. Hello Mississippi Valley St. A non-conference schedule only Don Munson could love, saw the Delta Devils play 13 games, and zero at home (11 road games and 2 neutral site games in Vegas for the LVI). It also saw results that never would have predicted a 13-0 start to the conference season, after MVS went 1-11 in said non-conference schedule. BUT, there were signs. A 4 point loss at South Carolina, a double OT win over Tennessee St (you might remember them from the OVC preview as the team who just knocked off Murray St, and then on New Year’s Eve took Iowa State to the limit in a 65-67 loss. This team is battle tested, and the SWAC is paying the price. With 6 conference games left, they hold a 3 game lead over Southern U & a 4 game lead over Texas Southern – so the reg season conference title is well within their grasp.
After winning on Scott’s Bluff versus Southern last weekend, they next host Texas Southern, so by Feb 20, this deal could be clinched. Jerry Rice would be very proud.
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (14-11, 13-1)
Ken Pom: 239
ESPN BPI: 215
RPI: 144
SOS: 259
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 0-3
51-100: 0-2
101-150: 1-0
151-200: 0-3
201+: 13-0
Best wins: v.Tennessee State (137) 90-89 2ot
Best losses: @Iowa St (37) 65-67
Worst losses: Cal Poly (194) 55-72; @DePaul (181) 70-80; @So Carolina (177) 57-61
Players to watch
Terrence Joyner – 14.3 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 42% 3pts
Paul Crosby – 13.3 pts, 6.9 rebs, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals
Cor-J Cox – 11.6 pts, 6.6 rebs
Falando Jones – 9.4 pts, 4.5 rebs, 2.2 assists, 40% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Joyner - 61% Crosby - 79%
Cox - 58% Kevin Burwell - 82%
Jones - 64% Brent Arrington – 71%
Southern University Jaguars (13-13, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 322
ESPN BPI: 313
RPI: 306
SOS: 344
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 0-1
101-150: 0-3
151-200: 0-4
201+: 10-5
Best wins: @Prairie View A&M (296) 73-65
Best losses:
Worst losses: UA Pine Bluff (324) 58-64; @SE Louisiana (320) 61-65 ot; @Texas Southern (251) 39-73
Players to watch
Derick Beltran – 12.6 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.6 assists
Quinton Doggett – 11.8 pts, 7.8 rebs, 1.8 blocks
Jameel Grace – 10.7 pts, 4.6 rebs, 4.6 assist, 1.8 steals
Michael Celestin – 8.9 pts, 2.1 rebs, 1.1 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Grace - 65% Beltran - 80%
Frederick Coleman - 33% Doggett - 71%
Celestin – 74%
Texas Southern (9-15, 8-4)
Ken Pom: 292
ESPN BPI: 270
RPI: 260
SOS: 286
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-3
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 0-3
101-150: 0-2
151-200: 0-0
201+: 9-5
Best wins: Eastern Michigan (225) 66-49
Best losses: @Colorado (75) 51-56
Worst losses: @Jackson St (313) 51-54; @Alabama St (307) 59-66 ot; @Prairie View A&M (297) 67-73
Players to watch
Omar Strong – 11.4 pts, 2.2 rebs, 1.7 assists
Fred Sturdivant – 8.8 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks
Lawrence Johnson-Danner – 7.7 pts, 2.3 rebs, 1.5 assists
Dexter Ellington – 6.8 pts, 1.7 rebs, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals
DaQuan Joyner – 5.8 pts, 3.5 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Sturdivant - 47% Strong - 77%
Madarious Gibbs - 62% Johnson-Danner - 84%
Aaron Clayborn - 54% Ellington – 76%
Joyner – 71%
Southern Conference
After slight slippage following the Stephen Curry 2008 run, Davidson finds themselves back in the SoCon driver’s seat. McKillop’s squads haven’t been bad (a 27-8 (18-2) follow-up year that saw them get upset in the semis of the SoCon tournament), but they haven’t quite been at the elite level that he seemed to be steering them towards. This year seems to be back on that track, a competitive loss in Cameron that the Wildcats led at halftime, a four point loss at Vandy, a win in KC against Kansas all show a Davidson team capable of hanging in with the big boys. This would have been an at-large worthy team, if not for their look-ahead loss versus Charlotte, and a pair of road conference losses to Samford & Coll of Charleston. The Buffet won’t really criticize a team for road conference losses, but when it comes to getting an at-large bid, Davidson’s room for error was just too slight for said losses. That said, their Bracket Buster game versus Wichita St might not be enough to get them an at-large bid, but it will certainly tell us where this team sits against likely tournament teams in February, as we already know how competitive they could be in November/December.
Following on their heels is Georgia Southern at 11-4 (Davidson sits at 13-2), with 3 conference games left, they are the only school who can catch them for the regular season title. Those teams play in Statesboro on February 25.
Davidson Wildcats (19-6, 13-2)
Ken Pom: 65
ESPN BPI: 87
RPI: 70
SOS: 169
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-1
101-150: 3-2
151-200: 3-0
201+: 11-1
Best wins: @Kansas (5) 80-74
Best losses: @Duke (2) 69-82 (led at halftime); Vanderbilt (29) 83-87
Worst losses: @Samford (258) 74-77; @Charlotte (134) 61-84; @Coll of Charleston (115) 78-86
Players to watch
De’Mon Brooks – 16.0 pts, 6.5 rebs, 40% 3pts
Jake Cohen – 13.4 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.2 assists
Nik Cochran – 11.4 pts, 2.7 rebs, 3.3 assists, 41% 3pts
J.P. Kuhlman – 11.3 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals
Chris Czerapowicz – 10.0 pts, 4.4 rebs
Tom Droney – 4.6 pts, 3.6 rebs, 2.6 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Clint Mann - 56% Brooks - 71%
Cohen - 89%
Cochran - 88%
Kuhlman - 80%
Droney – 70
Tyler Kalinoski – 82%
Georgia Southern Eagles (13-12, 11-4)
Ken Pom: 236
ESPN BPI: 265
RPI: 197
SOS: 274
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-3
51-100: 0-0
101-150: 1-3
151-200: 1-2
201+: 9-4
Best wins: College of Charleston (115) 64-58
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Samford (258) 55-57; @Furman (247) 54-64; @E.Kentucky (209) 59-63; @SMU (204) 49-55
Players to watch
Eric Ferguson – 15.4 pts, 7.2 rebs, 1.6 steals, 1.1 blks
Ben Drayton III – 11.9 pts, 2.0 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals
Willie Powers – 11.0 pts, 4.2 rebs, 5.6 assists, 1.0 steals
Jelani Hewitt – 10.7 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 41% 3pts
Tre’ Bussey – 5.5 pts, 1.5 rebs, 40% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Ferguson - 59% Powers - 76%
Drayton III - 63% Hewitt - 82%
Bussey - 63% Cameron Baskerville - 81%
Southland Conference
Maybe the Buffet is forgetful, maybe each year feels novel – sort of how we tried to compare every basketball player to Michael Jordan for about 15 years – BUT, this seems like an oddly dominant year for conference leaders. Peeking into the Southland, brings us to UT-Arlington and the 11-0 Mavericks. With 5 games remaining, Stephen F Austin (8-3) and McNeese St (8-2) are in position to make a run, provided the Mavericks remember how to lose Southland games.
McNeese has a leg up on SFA, having defeated them 66-56 on February 5, but the two teams do get cracks at UT-Arlington, SFA on February 15, and McNeese on Feb 22.
UT-Arlington Mavericks (19-5, 11-0)
Ken Pom: 97
ESPN BPI: 112
RPI: 114
SOS: 313
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 1-0
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 2-0
201+: 14-1
Best wins: v.Kent St (93) 74-73
Best losses: @Baylor (7) 65-85
Worst losses: @Samford (258) 69-71; @Utah St (146) 69-73; @Tulsa (111) 75-80 ot
Players to watch
LaMarcus Reed III – 16.8 pts, 4.0 rebs, 1.0 steals
Bo Ingram – 12.1 pts, 4.0 rebs
Kevin Butler – 10.8 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals
Jordan Reves – 8.2 pts, 7.1 rebs, 1.7 blocks
Jorge Redmon – 6.5 pts, 1.3 rebs, 1.8 assist, 1.0 steals, 43% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Redmon - 60% Reed III - 81%
Bradley Gay - 61% Butler - 73%
Cameron Catlett - 52% Reves - 76%
Shaquille White-Miller – 72%
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (14-10, 8-3)
Ken Pom: 196
ESPN BPI: 229
RPI: 250
SOS: 334
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 0-1
101-150: 0-1
151-200: 2-3
201+: 8-5
Best wins: UTEP (170) 53-35
Best losses:
Worst losses: v. Prairie View A&M (297) 50-53; v.NCCU (264) 57-65; Florida Int’l (227) 56-58
Players to watch
Jereal Scott – 13.5 pts, 5.6 rebs
Antonio Bostic – 11.2 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.3 assist
Taylor Smith – 7.9 pts, 5.7 rebs
Desmond Haymon – 7.2 pts, 3.9 rebs, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Smith - 33% Scott - 70%
Darius Garner - 60% Bostic - 77%
Haymon - 73%
King – 72%
Broussard – 71%
McNeese State Cowboys (13-10, 9-2)
Ken Pom: 223
ESPN BPI: 250
RPI: 184
SOS: 267
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 0-1
101-150: 1-2
151-200: 0-2
201+: 8-3
Best wins: Lamar (118) 57-54
Best losses: Southern Miss (11) 56-65
Worst losses: @Texas St (318) 73-82; @Louisiana Tech (206) 58-60; Northwestern St (202) 61-64; @UTEP (170) 54-69; @UL-Lafayette (166) 56-78; @Georgia St (138) 50-69
Players to watch
Patrick Richard – 17.5 pts, 6.0 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Jeremie Mitchell – 11.5 pts, 2.5 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals
Dontae Cannon – 10.2 pts, 4.1 rebs, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals
Rudy Turner – 8.7 pts, 6.7 rebs
Desharick Guidry – 4.2 pts, 4.2 rebs, 1.2 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Mitchell - 61% Richard - 80%
Turner - 67% Cannon - 79%
Guidry - 55% Fields - 74%
Craig McFerrin – 44%
Summit Conference
Before Keith Benson showed up, and after now-coach Drew graduated, this conference belonged to Oral Roberts. They ceded control a little bit over the last few weeks, but here they are, back on their perch, at 15-1 – and an RPI of 45, that should cause you start and pay attention. South Dakota St, who has never made an NCAA tournament, sits just behind them at 12-3. But with just 2 conference games left for Oral Roberts, the Jackrabbits will need the Golden Eagles to drop them both in order to have a shot at winning the conference or even sharing the regular season title. (the two split their regular season matchups)
It’s not IMPOSSIBLE, given the road/home schedules, Oral Roberts finishes with a pair of road games versus IPFW (7-15, 4-11) and Southern Utah (11-13, 8-8). While SD State has three home games - 2009 champion North Dakota St (14-9, 9-6) in what will be a very tough game (), Western Illinois (13-11, 7-8) and IUPUI (11-16, 5-10). South Dakota St beat all 3 of these teams on the road already this season.
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (23-5, 15-1)
Ken Pom: 80
ESPN BPI: 65
RPI: 45
SOS: 160
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 3-1
101-150: 4-1
151-200: 2-1
201+: 14-0
Best wins: Xavier (57) 64-42; So Dakota St (68) 97-75; Missouri St (87) 68-63
Best losses: @Gonzaga (16) 61-67; @West Virginia (41) 71-78
Worst losses: v.UT-San Antonio (197) 77-78; @Oklahoma (104) 59-73
Players to watch
Dominique Morrison – 20.5 pts, 4.3 rebs, 1.5 assists, 47% 3pts
Warren Niles – 11.6 pts, 3.6 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals
Michael Craion – 11.0 pts, 6.3 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals
Steven Roundtree – 10.6 pts, 5.5 rebs, 1.4 asssists, 1.0 steals
Damen Bell-Holter – 8.1 pts, 5.9 rebs, 1.3 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Morrison - 84%
Niles – 82%
Craion – 71%
Bell-Holter – 72%
Roderick Pearson Jr. – 72%
South Dakota State Jackrabbits (20-7, 12-3)
Ken Pom: 64
ESPN BPI: 100
RPI: 73
SOS: 186
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 1-2
101-150: 3-2
151-200: 2-0
201+: 11-2
Best wins: Oral Roberts (45) 75-60; @Washington (62) 92-73
Best losses:
Worst losses: @North Dakota (284) 70-89; @South Dakota (266) 68-72; @Oakland (135) 87-92; @Nebraska (127) 64-76
Players to watch
Nate Wolters – 21.5 pts, 5.0 rebs, 6.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Griffan Callahan – 11.2 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 41% 3pts
Jordan Dykstra – 10.8 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.3 assists, 42% 3pts
Chad White – 10.0 pts, 3.7 rebs, 1.6 assists, 46% 3pts
Brayden Carlson – 7.6 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.4 asssts, 1.3 steals, 47% 3pts
Tony Fiegen – 7.0 pts, 3.8 rebs
Taevaunn Prince – 6.5 pts, 3.7 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Carlson - 66% Wolters - 78%
Fiegen - 67% Callahan - 74%
Prince - 68% Dykstra - 71%
White - 71%
Sun Belt Conference
A legit at-large candidate has exploded out of the Sun Belt in the form of Middle Tennessee State, after a stellar 10-3 non-conference slate, MTSU has stormed the conference to the tune of 12-1. Hanging around are UA-Little Rock (9-3) who just lost their real shot at the reg season crown by losing to MTSU 60-68 in a fairly competitive matchup & UL-Lafayette (9-4), although neither distinguished themselves much in non-conference, Denver, on the periphery at 8-5, was 10-3 in nc games, but haven’t quite lived up to that in Sun Belt play.
With just three games to go, one against 2-22 UL-Monroe and a Western Kentucky team who not only sits at 8-17, but also fired their coach mid-season when he failed to count to 5 on a game deciding play, pretty much will equal an easy regular season title for Mid Tenn St.
UA-Little Rock has four games left, against middling competition, but would need MTSU to really start forgetting how to dominate the Sun Belt to have a shot.
Even less likely are the Cajuns’ hopes, sitting 3 games back with three to play.
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (23-4, 12-1)
Ken Pom: 43
ESPN BPI: 52
RPI: 38
SOS: 148
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-1
26-50: 1-0
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 3-1
151-200: 8-0
201+: 8-0
Best wins: v.Mississippi (50) 68-56; Akron (60) 77-53; Belmont (79) 65-62
Best losses: @Vanderbilt (29) 77-84; Belmont (79) 84-87 2ot
Worst losses: @UAB (123) 56-66; @Denver (94) 60-75
Players to watch
LeRon Dendy – 14.7 pts, 7.0 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.7 blks
Marcos Knight – 12.0 pts, 5.4 rebs, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals
JT Sulton – 10.8 pts, 5.7 rebs
Raymond Cintron – 7.7 pts, 1.5 rebs, 1.2 assists, 42% 3pts
Bruce Massey – 5.6 pts, 3.4 rebs, 3.9 assists, 1.7 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Dendy - 60% Sulton - 72%
Knight - 60% Cintron - 93%
Jones 55%
Massey – 57%
Arkansas - Little Rock Trojans (12-14, 9-3)
Ken Pom: 179
ESPN BPI: 199
RPI: 174
SOS: 128
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 1-2
101-150: 0-3
151-200: 4-1
201+: 5-5
Best wins: Denver x2 (94) 64-57; @66-59
Best losses: @Middle Tenn St (38) 60-68; Oral Roberts (45) 55-58; Missouri St (87) 60-68
Worst losses: @W.Kentucky (246) 53-65; @E.Michigan (213) 51-62; @Louisiana Tech (206) 68-71; SMU (204) 63-69 ot; @Northwestern St. (202) 65-80; UL-Lafayette (166) 49-68; UW-Milwaukee (140) 54-59; @Illinois St (65-72); @Tulsa (111) 49-65
Players to watch
D’Andre Williams – 12.7 pts, 3.8 rebs, 4.1 assists, 1.7 steals
Will Neighbour – 10.8 pts, 5.2 rebs, 43% 3pts
Chuck Gay – 10.1 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals
Courtney Jackson – 8.1 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.1 assists
Ben Dillard – 4.6 pts, 1.2 rebs, 44% 3pts
Michael Javes – 4.5 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.3 blocks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Jackson - 58% Williams - 76%
Javes - 51% Neighbour - 81%
Taggart Lockhart - 56% Guy - 74%
Tramar Sutherland – 56% Dillard - 86%
Louisiana – Lafayette Rajun Cajuns (15-12, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 183
ESPN BPI: 183
RPI: 168
SOS: 187
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-2
51-100: 2-2
101-150: 0-4
151-200: 4-3
201+: 8-1
Best wins: UCF (59) 61-60; Denver (94) 72-71 ot
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Arkansas St (237) 74-79; South Alabama (176) 65-70; UA Little Rock (167) 70-72 ot; CS Fullerton (160) 63-69; @San Francisco (149) 70-71; v.North Dakota St (139) 58-78; @Lamar (118) 63-80; @Robert Morris (113) 64-72
Players to watch
Josh Brown – 10.8 pts, 6.4 rebs
Kadeem Coleby – 10.2 pts, 5.1 rebs, 1.0 assists
J.J. Thomas – 9.4 pts, 5.6 rebs, 1.2 assists
Darshawn McClellan – 9.3 pts, 5.6 rebs, 1.7 assists, 41% 3pts
Bryant Mbamalu – 7.7 pts, 3.1 rebs, 1.1 assists, 45% 3pts
Elfird Payton – 7.1 pts, 3.3 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Brown - 66% Thomas - 74%
Coleby - 51% McClellan - 70%
Payton - 59% Mbamalu - 62%
Raymone Andres - 73%
Western Athletic Conference
You’d need a flow chart, PowerPoint presentation, and voice guided GPS to keep up with the comings and goings in the WAC. Right now, just remember Nevada and New Mexico St (and potentially Idaho, who upset Nevada so far during the conference season). And, a nice job put in by New Mexico St head coach Marvin Menzies after suspending and then granting a scholarship release of Christian Kabongo (cousin of Texas freshman PG Myck) after Kabongo kept taunting the UTEP home crowd with crotch grabs following 3pt baskets. Nevada who has put together its first truly dominant season season the days of Mark Fox (anyone heard from that guy lately?) & Nick Fazekas. At 10-1 with 3 conference games left, they are clearly in the driver’s seat. But Idaho, back 3 with 3 to go (all road games at Hawai’I, Utah State & San Jose St) holds the tie-breaker, should it come to that, and New Mexico State, 2 games back with 3 to play, does still travel to Reno before the season is out…
Nevada-Reno Wolf Pack (22-4, 10-1)
Ken Pom: 104
ESPN BPI: 72
RPI: 58
SOS: 161
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-2
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 3-1
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 1-1
201+: 13-0
Best wins: Washington (62) 76-73 ot; @New Mexico St (77) 68-60; @Montana (97) 70-64
Best losses: @UNLV (9) 67-71
Worst losses: Idaho (165) 68-72; Missouri St (87) 46-68; BYU (47) 55-76
Players to watch
Deonte Burton – 15.3 pts, 2.4 rebs, 4.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 40% 3pts
Malik Story – 15.0 pts, 2.6 rebs, 2.1 assists, 47% 3pts
Olek Czyz – 12.6 pts, 6.4 rebs, 1.0 assists
Dario Hunt – 9.7 pts, 9.4 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.1 blks
Jerry Evans – 6.8 pts, 4.8 rebs, 1.1 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Czyz - 58% Burton - 76%
Hunt - 47% Story - 75%
Kevin Panzer - 50% Evans - 75%
New Mexico State Aggies (19-8, 7-3)
Ken Pom: 85
ESPN BPI: 71
RPI: 78
SOS: 109
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-1
26-50: 1-1
51-100: 0-2
101-150: 0-3
151-200: 3-2
201+: 10-1
Best wins: @New Mexico (33) 62-53
Best losses: @Southern Miss (11) x2 @66-74; 72-80
Worst losses: @Hawai’I (201) 87-91; @UTEP (170) 69-73; @Idaho (165) 58-59
Players to watch
Wendell McKines – 18.1 pt, 10.3 rebs, 1.3 assists
Hernst Laroche – 14.6 pts, 3.0 rebs, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 41% 3pts
Hamidu Rahman – 10.2 pts, 6.0 rebs
Bandja Sy – 8.1 pts, 3.9 rebs, 1.1 assists
Daniel Mullings – 8.0 pts, 3.3 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals
Tyrone Watson – 6.1 pts, 4.0 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Rahman - 49% McKines - 74%
Sy - 61% McClellan - 82%
Mullings - 59% Mbamalu - 73%
Watson – 61% Tshilidzi Nephawe – 75%
Idaho Vandals (14-11, 7-4)
Ken Pom: 160
ESPN BPI: 154
RPI: 166
SOS: 176
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 0-0
26-50: 0-1
51-100: 2-3
101-150: 2-1
151-200: 0-2
201+: 9-4
Best wins: @Nevada (58) 72-68; New Mexico St. (77) 59-58
Best losses: @Long Beach (42) 61-69
Worst losses: @Wright St (228) 78-80; @Fresno St (214) 55-65; E.Washington (212) 66-73; Hawai’I (201) 70-76; v.Boise St (191) 73-76; @UW-Green Bay (174) 61-63; Washington St. (150) 64-66
Players to watch
Deremy Granger – 12.7 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.4 assists, 44% 3pts
Kyle Barone – 12.7 pts, 8.2 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.7 blks
Stephen Madison – 11.8 pts, 5.4 rebs, 2.2 assists
Djim Bandoumel – 9.0 pts, 4.6 rebs, 1.1 assists, 1.6 blks
Landon Tatum – 7.1 rebs, 2.5 rebs, 4.5 assists, 48% 3pts
Dazmond Starke – 4.5 pts, 3.5 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Barone - 63% Geiger - 79%
Bandoumel - 67% Madison - 74%
Starke - 63% Tatum - 70%
Mansa Habeeb – 62% Connor Hill – 83%
West Coast Conference
BYU joined the WCC on the heels of the graduation of Jimmer Fredette, and despite that, they are still a viable tournament team having a nice season – but what they learned is the play pretty good basketball on the coast, in a not well-kept secret (Gonzaga) and a decently kept secret (St. Mary’s)… St. Mary’s has been the standard, not quite ready to take the crown from Gonzaga (despite a 1-game conference lead, still have split the season series), but 3-1 against the two contenders. The Zags have had no slippage (2 conference losses to St Marys and BYU does not slippage consistute), but have needed the emergence of their backcourt, specifically Kevin Pangos, to emerge into a viable second weekend tournament team, and BYU, Brandon Davies apparently keeping it in his pants have survived without 100 shots a game from Fredette, have lost only to the top two teams, and only 6 times overall. Loyola Marymount is pretty much eliminated from the regular season title, back 3 with 3 to go (1 against St Mary’s keeps them mathematically alive), but they’ve had a nice season, and took out St. Louis when the Billikens were establishing themselves as a legit 2011/12 team.
St. Mary’s Gaels (23-3, 12-1)
Ken Pom: 32
ESPN BPI: 29
RPI: 26
SOS: 120
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 2-0
51-100: 3-1
101-150: 2-0
151-200: 1-0
201+: 12-0
Best wins: Gonzaga (16) 83-62; @BYU x2 (47) @80-66; 98-82; Northern Iowa (52) 57-41;
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Denver (94) 58-70; @Gonzaga (16) 59-73; v.Baylor (7) 59-72
Players to watch
Matthew Dellavedova – 15.7 pts, 3.3 rebs, 6.4 assists,
Rob Jones – 15.0 pts, 10.6 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals
Stephen Holt – 10.8 pts, 4.8 rebs, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals
Jorden Page – 8.3 pts, 1.1 rebs, 2.1 assists
Brad Waldow – 8.3 pts, 4.4 rebs, 1.1 blks
Clint Steindl – 6.8 pts, 2.5 rebs, 1.0 assists, 43% 3pts
Kenton Walker II – 4.5 pts, 3.6 rebs
Mitchell Young – 4.3 pts, 2.9 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Jones - 63% Dellavedova - 83%
Waldow – 50% Holt - 77%
Walker - 63% Page - 86%
Steindl - 100% (20 FTs)
Young – 73%
Gonzaga Bulldogs (20-4, 10-2)
Ken Pom: 29
ESPN BPI: 18
RPI: 16
SOS: 60
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-2
26-50: 2-2
51-100: 2-0
101-150: 5-0
151-200: 2-0
201+: 8-0
Best wins: St. Mary’s (25) 73-59; Notre Dame (40) 73-53; Oral Roberts (45) 67-61; @Xavier (57) 72-65; v.Arizona (66) 71-60
Best losses: Michigan St (4) 67-74; @Illinois (46) 75-82
Worst losses: @BYU (47) 73-83; @St. Mary’s (25) 62-83
Players to watch
Kevin Pangos – 13.9 pts, 2.8 rebs, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 41% 3pts
Elias Harris – 13.2 pts, 8.1 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals
Robert Sacre – 11.8 pts, 6.6 rebs, 1.5 blocks
Gary Bell – 9.7 pts, 2.3 rebs, 1.7 assists, 42% 3pts
Sam Dower – 8.8 pts, 3.8 rebs
Guy Landry edi – 5.2 pts, 2.7 rebs
David Stockton – 4.4 pts, 1.2 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Harris - 64% Pangos - 85%
Landry Edi - 40% Sacre - 77%
Stockton - 59% Bell - 75%
Dower - 76%
Brigham Young University Cougars (21-6, 9-3)
Ken Pom: 31
ESPN BPI: 33
RPI: 87
SOS: 46
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-4
26-50: 0-0
51-100: 5-0
101-150: 3-2
151-200: 0-2
201+: 10-0
Best wins: Gonzaga (16) 83-73; v.Nevada (58) 76-55; vs. Oregon (67) 79-65
Best losses: Baylor (7) 83-86;
Worst losses: @Utah St (146) 62-69; Loyola Marymount (107) 68-82; St. Mary’s (25) 66-80; v.Wisconsin (24) 56-73
Players to watch
Noah Hartsock – 17.3 pts, 5.6 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.7 blocks
Brandon Davies – 14.4 pts, 8.0 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blks
Matt Carlino – 12.6 pts, 3.3 rebs, 4.5 assists, 1.4 steals
Charles Abouo – 11.1 pts, 6.1 rebs, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals
Brocky Zylstra – 8.4 pts, 4.2 rebs, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals
Stephen Rogers – 7.2 pts, 1.9 rebs, 1.5 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Zylstra - 64% Hartsock - 85%
Rogers - 67% Davies - 71%
Anson Winder - 61% Carlino - 80%
Nate Austin - 49% Abouo - 75%
Loyola Marymount Lions (16-10, 9-4)
Ken Pom: 146
ESPN BPI: 132
RPI: 107
SOS: 97
Record v. RPI:
1-25: 1-3
26-50: 1-4
51-100: 0-0
101-150: 3-0
151-200: 0-2
201+: 9-1
Best wins: Saint Louis (23) 75-68; @BYU (47) 82-68
Best losses: Gonzaga (16) 58-62; St. Mary’s (25) 64-71; Middle Tenn St (38) 51-58; BYU (47) 65-73
Worst losses: @Morgan St. (298) 45-69; North Texas (199) 63-76; Columbia (159) 61-69; @Gonzaga (16) 59-78
Players to watch
Drew Viney – 16.3 pts, 5.4 rebs, 1.5 assists, 47% 3pts
Anthony Ireland – 15.4 pts, 3.7 rebs, 4.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Jarred DuBois – 10.4 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals
Ashley Hamilton – 10.4 pts, 5.2 rebs, 47% 3pts
LaRon Armstead – 8.7 pts, 2.7 rebs, 1.0 assists
C.J. Blackwell – 6.8 pts, 3.2 rebs
Ayodeji Egbeyemi – 4.3 pts, 3.2 reb
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Egbeyemi - 48% Viney - 81%
Godwin Okonji - 64% Ireland - 77%
Quincy Lawson - 54% DuBois - 86%
Alex Osborne - 49% Hamilton - 75%
Edgard Garibay – 67% Armstead – 86%
Blackwell – 74%
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