Tuesday, March 6, 2012

On the Tenth Day of Conference tourneys, the Buffet gave to me...

One bid for Pac12?
Bottom of B12
Big East Waiting Line action
Middle of the MAC pack
Cookies and Cream for all!
Can Marshall made a miracle?
Bucknell tries to chalk
Arlington tries to walk
And fun & games in the S. W. A. C.

Well boys and girls, hope you set your alarms and sat down to action in the Garden bright and early. Hope you turned off the Twitter feeds, where people overreacted to Pittsburgh beating a clearly packed up and ready for summer vacation St. John's team (sorry Panther fans) and proclaimed them "scary." If I offered you something that did some thing 6 times in 19 tries, just because the 6th happened most recently - would you bet on it?

Also, thank you Dick's Sporting Goods - because honestly, the Rudy soundtrack theme is Rocky & Hoosiers untouchably great.

Today's schedule
Big XII
4 teams who can't wait for Spring scrimmage , well, maybe A&M can, last place in the SEC isn't going to be look any better than this hoops season did

8 Oklahoma v. 9 Texas A&M, 7pm ET, Big 12 Network/ESPN3
10 Texas Tech v. 7 Oklahoma State, 930pm ET, Big 12 Network/ESPN3

Big East
8 West Virginia v. 9 Connecticut, 12pm ET, ESPN/ESPN3
5 Georgetown v. 13 Pittsburgh, 2pm ET, ESPN/ESPN3

7 Louisville v. 10 Seton Hall / 15 Providence 7pm ET, ESPN/ESPN3
6 South Florida v. 14 Villanova / 11 Rutgers 9pm ET, ESPN/ESPN3

Conference USA
7 Rice v. 10 East Carolina, 1pm ET, CSS
6 Marshall v. 11 Southern Methodist, 330pm ET, CSS

8 Texas El-Paso v. 9 Houston, 730pm ET CSS
5 Alabama-Birmingham v. 12 Tulane, 10pm ET, CSS

Mid-American
8 WesternMichigan v. 12 Northern Illinois, 7pm ET, Sports Time Ohio/ESPN3

7 Toledo v. 12. Central Michigan, 930pm ET, Sports Time Ohio/ESPN3

Northeast
3 Robert Morris @ 2 Long Island University-Brooklyn, 7pm ET, ESPN2/ESPN3

Pacific 12
8 Washington State v. 9 Oregon State, 3pm ET, Fox Sports Networks
5 UCLA v. 12 Southern California, 530pm ET, Fox Sports Networks

7 Stanford v. 10 Arizona State, 9pm ET, Fox Sports Networks
6 Colorado v. 11 Utah, 1130pm ET, Fox Sports Networks

Patriot League
CHAMPIONSHIP
2 Lehigh @ 1 Bucknell, 7pm ET, CBS College Sports

As previewed, Bucknell lost two conference games all season - 2 points at Holy Cross and by 3 to this very Lehigh Mountainhawk team. In an interesting reversal of the norm, the wins were posted on the other teams home floor. That means Lehigh has done one this season what it must do tonight - beat Bucknell on their court. Lehigh hasn't lost a tournament based game all year (4-0 in their CvC games, and even played both Michigan St & Iowa St close on their home floors). While Bucknell, not as fortunate in the scheduling department went 3 and 1 in their preseason tourney games, and have the much more impressive ooc win, over Princeton. CJ McCollum had a double-double in Lehigh's tourney semifinal game, while Muscala and Willman each had 18 in theirs, Willman added 7 assists and a pair of steals and a pair of blocks.

Southland
2 Stephen F. Austin v. 7 Sam Houston State, 1pm ET, Southland.org: FREE
3 Lamar v. 6 Northwestern State, 330pm , ET, Southland.org: FREE

1 UT-Arlington v. 8 Nicholls State, 7pm ET, Southland.org: FREE
4 McNeese State v. Texas-San Antonio, 930pm ET, Southland.org: FREE


Southwestern Athletic
2 Texas Southern v. 7 Alabama A&M, 130pm ET

1 Mississippi Valley State v 8 Jackson State, 9pm ET


LAST NIGHT IN...
Quick chat about last night's results
South Dakota St - congratulations to the Jackrabbits. The school that invented cookies and cream ice cream, yes this is true, made good on the Buffet's thoughts about them (albeit in a lot more thrilling fashion than Western Illinois' profile suggested), and left Alaska and Maine as the only states in the Union to not produce a NCAA tournament team.

Detroit. Ray McCallum Jr can ball. Detroit played at a level that they should have been at all season, but couldn't quite put it together, but given the formula for the NCAA tournament, and perhaps fueling the best non-football playoff argument out there (what was the regular season for, really?) - the Titans raced past Valpo and straight to the NCAAs

Waiting Line didn't get smaller, as all waiting line teams did their work; Seton Hall did it, and then some. UConn, West Virginia, Saint Joseph's all took care of the business they needed to.



2012 Philips 66 Big XII Men's Basketball Championship
March 7-10, Kansas City, MO, Sprint Center. capacity: 18,555

It was a two team duel, with Baylor trying to crash the party, but the Mayor's Municipality of Tranfers crashed theirs - and when the smoke cleared and the dust settled, and Texas Tech stopped losing games (i.e. the regular season ended), the old dog in the yard was still the big dog in the yard, and Missouri doesn't get to go to the SEC with the Big 12 title, thanks to a 19 point meltdown.

Other story lines: Fred Hoiberg rolling the dice playing the transfer game, and so far, so good. An impressive 22-9 season and a 3rd place finish. Usually, by this time in the season, Freshman are considered "Sophomore" - in Texas' case, the Buffet has watched extensive film, and is pretty sure they are back to being high school seniors. Frank Martin made the Frank Martin face up and down the BigXII schedule, and it paid off down the stretch, with two huge road wins that help erase the pain of a pair of losses to Oklahoma. And Baylor, if it could just get Perry Jones III to seem like the lottery pick he is OMG DESTINED TO BE! or so announcers make it seem, they just might be a real dangerous tournament team.

Buffet picks: Everyone wants it. For the last time, in relatively neutral ground, Kansas v Missouri, Border War, Round III. Truthfully, if this were Iowa State, the Buffet might be tempted to take Iowa State, just not positive the nearly guaranteed 1 seed will be motivating Kansas, but the presence of Missouri will tip the scales of motivation - and Kansas is the pick.

Upset special: From the world of reality, if Iowa State can get through Texas & Missouri would not be surprised to see them steal the Big XII title. From play-in game fantasy land, Oklahoma State. They upset Missouri, they upset Iowa State, Keiton Page free throw shot Texas into oblivion - the track record is there. The ability to win 4 games, 3 of which would be upsets... well, that's probably not.

Schedule
Big XII
Wednesday, March 7
Game 1: #8 Oklahoma v. #9 Texas A&M, 7pm ET, Big 12 Network/ESPN3
Game 2: #10 Texas Tech v. #7 Oklahoma State, 930pm ET, Big 12 Network/ESPN3

Thursday, March 8
Game 3: #5 Kansas State v. #4 Baylor, 1230pm ET, ESPN2/ESPN3
Game 4: #1 Kansas v. Game 1 winner, 3pm ET, ESPN2/ESPN3

Game 5: #2 Missouri v. Game 2 winner, 7pm ET, Big 12 Network/ESPN3
Game 6: #3 Iowa State v. #6 Texas, 930pm ET, Big 12 Network/ESPN3

Friday, March 9
Game 7: Game 3 winner v. Game 4 winner, 730pm ET, ESPNU/ESPN3

Game 8: Game 5 winner v. Game 6 winner, 10pm ET, ESPNU/ESPN3

Saturday, March 10
Championship Game, 6:00pm ET, ESPN/ESPN3






Kansas: With Duke's miserable loss, Michigan State & Ohio State dropping games in the final week, Kansas now is inside tracked for a top seed. It's amazing though, put up Kansas, Michigan St, Ohio St and North Carolina side by side by side by side and it is difficult to really distinguish it. You can bring up something for any of the 4 that highlights them as the should be #1. Right now though, Kansas has the inside track, but the Buffet believes they have to win the B12 tourney to keep it. Because of the B10's lofty conference RPI, the feeling is, the committee will be looking for way to reward, and we're not calling it unjustifiably so, just a reality.

Missouri: the road to #1 is not as clear for them. Yes, they are currently sitting at #5, but that's more a function of recent results than anything else. But with the Big10 chomping at the #1 bit, Missouri will need to win the BXII tourney and then see what happens between Ohio St and Michigan St, because it's hard to see Michigan St and/or Ohio State not getting there. Missouri just played a relatively uninspired non-conference schedule, and when we're splicing out close calls for a #1 seed - that's what it can come down to. *Buffet aside* While this does not play a role in future seeding, one of the most important players this March will be Missouri's Ricardo Ratliffe - the 6'8, 240 lb senior represents the beginning and end of the Tigers' inside presence, so his effectiveness, defense and ability to stay foul trouble free will be CRITICAL.

Baylor: Baylor has not lost to a team outside the RPI top 50 all year. Not 1. That's awesome and why Baylor, despite a bit of a hiccup in late Feb, should be solidly a #3, so long as they get to their semi final with Kansas. Lose to Kansas St, and the 3 is still in their grasp, but teams will be playing longer and more successfully to take it away. Wisconsin, Indiana and even Temple (or Florida/Louisville/Notre Dame if those teams make a run and beat the top ranked teams (Marquette, G'Town, Syracuse) in their conferences).

Iowa State: What a year for the Mayor. Iowa State was a semi Waiting Line team edging towards in, and then they showed the rest of the Waiting Line what you do - they win 4 of 5, including a road win Manhattan, Kansas and regular season close out win over Baylor to capture the Big12 3 seed, plus a real close game with Missouri. As the sleeper team in the BigXII, there's a chance for seed improvement from the 7 spot they sit in, especially because 5 of the 11 teams ahead of them are done playing, so they get to be on the minds of the committee closest to Sunday. Lose to Texas, and you're thinking 7/8, beat Texas and the 7 seems secure. Beat Missouri and get to championship game, a 6 is possible, beat Texas-Missou-Kansas, and the 5 could be theirs, but that's a bit cloudier as an option.

Kansas State: another team that needed to reassert themselves, and they did with huge road wins. With Baylor ahead, this is a team that can really only help themselves with no real penalty - a 6 seed is possible with a B12 title - that means wins v. Baylor - Kansas - Missouri - (even maybe 5, pending other results?), the 7 is very possible with a win over Baylor, if they lose to Baylor, very much looks like an 8/9 team, but the 7 could still be possible because of those great late road wins + wins over Alabama and Long Beach.

Texas: Things are dicey here and their current 12 game NCAA tournament streak is in serious peril (and would be all but over if not for the extra 4 teams). Now, first things first - if they lose to Iowa State, the NIT comes calling, and get ready for an empty Erwin Center while the fan base start analyzing the type of bagel David Ash eats in the morning. But if they win that game, that could seal it - depending on if other tournament hopefuls get tournament caliber wins or just flame out. Beat Missouri in the semis. Clinched. Punched. Plate awarded.

Kansas Jayhawks (26-5, 16-2)

Ken Pom: 4

ESPN BPI: 3

RPI: 6

SOS: 7

Best wins: Baylor x2 (9) 92-74, @68-54; Ohio St (8 – minus Sullinger) 78-67; v.G’Town (10) 67-63; Missouri (16) 87-86ot; Long Beach (35) 88-80; Iowa St (31) 82-73; Kansas St x2 (41) 67-49, @59-53; South Florida (44) 70-42; Texas x2 (52) @69-66, 73-63

Best losses: @Missou (16) 71-74; v.Duke (4) 61-68

Worst loss: Davidson (66) 74-80; v.Kentucky (2) 65-75

Players to watch

Thomas Robinson – 18 pts, 11.9 rebs, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blks

Tyshawn Taylor – 17.2 pts, 4.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 43% 3pts

Travis Releford – 8.6 pts, 4.3 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals

Jeff Withey 9.2 pts, 6.3 rebs, 3.2 blocks

Elijah Johnson 8.9 pts, 3.1 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals

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%

Missouri Tigers (27-4, 14-4)

Ken Pom: 9

ESPN BPI: 8

RPI: 16

SOS: 81

Best wins: Baylor x2 (9) @89-88, 72-57; Kansas (6) 74-71; Iowa St x2 (31) @76-69M 78-72; v.Illinois (83) 78-74; v.California (37) 92-53; vs.Notre Dame (39) 87-58; Texas x2 (52) @67-66; 84-73

Best losses:

Worst losses: @Oklahoma St (120) 72-79; @Kansas St (41) 59-75

Players to watch

Marcus Denmon – 18.0 pts, 5.1 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 42% 3pts

Kim English – 14.1 pts, 4.2 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 45% 3pts

Ricardo Ratliff – 13.8 pts, 7.5 rebs

Michael Dixon – 13.3 pts, 1.9 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.2 stls

Phil Pressey – 9.6 pts, 3.3 rebs, 6.2 assists, 2.1 steals

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Ratliffe - 66% Denmon - 90%

English - 72%

Dixon - 89%

P.Pressey – 75%

M.Pressey – 70%

Baylor Bears (25=6, 12-6)

Ken Pom: 15

ESPN BPI: 11

RPI: 9

SOS: 18

Best wins: San Diego St (26) 77-67; v.St. Mary’s (25) 72-59; v.West Virginia (45) 83-81 ot; v.Miss St (64) 54-52; @Northwestern (48) 69-41; @BYU (47) 86-83; @Kansas St (41) 75-73; Texas x2 (52) @77-72, 76-71; Iowa St (31) 79-64

Best losses: Missouri (16) 88-89

Worst losses: @Kansas x2 (6) 74-92, 54-68; @Missouri (16) 57-72

Players to watch

Pierre Jackson – 13.5 pts, 3.0 rebs, 5.6 assists, 45% 3pts

Perry Jones III – 13.1 pts, 7.5 rebs, 1.3 assists

Quincy Acy – 12.1 pts, 7.2 rebs, 1.0 steals, 2.0 blks

Quincy Miller – 11.5 pts, 5.0 rebs

Brady Heslip – 9.3 pts, 1.3 rebs, 1.0 assists, 43% 3pts

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Perry Jones - 63% Jackson - 84%

Anthony Jones – 65% Acy - 77%

Miller - 78%

Heslip - 92%

Iowa State Cyclones (22-9. 12-6)

Ken Pom: 27

ESPN BPI: 31

RPI: 31

SOS: 34

Best wins: Kansas (6) 72-64; Baylor (9) 80-72 Kansas St x2 (41) @65-61, 72-70; Texas (52) 77-71

Best losses:

Worst losses: @Drake (135) 65-74; @Oklahoma St (120) 67-69

Players to watch

Royce White – 12.9 pts, 9.2 rebs, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 blks,

Chris Allen – 12.0 pts, 2.3 rebs, 2.4 assists

Scott Christopherson – 12.6 pts, 3.1 rebs, 2.3 assists, 46% 3pts

Melvin Ejim – 9.4 pts, 6.7 rebs, 1.0 steals

Tyrus McGee – 8.2 pts, 3.4 rebs, 41% 3pts

Chris Babb - 8.3 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.6 assist, 1.1 steals

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 (21-9, 10-8)

Ken Pom: 19

ESPN BPI: 20

RPI: 41

SOS: 58

Best Wins: Missouri x2 (16) @78-68, 75-59; @Baylor (9) 57-56; Alabama (32) 71-58; v.Long Beach (35) 77-60; Texas (52) 84-80

Best loss: Baylor (9) 73-75; v.West Virginia (45) 80-85 2ot; Iowa St x2 (31) 61-65, @70-72; Kansas (6) 53-59

Worst loss: Oklahoma x2 (124) 60-63; @73-82

Players to watch

Rodney McGruder – 15.5 pts, 5.4 rebs, 1.1 steals

Jamar Samuels – 10.3 pts, 6.8 rebs, 1.3 assists

Will Spradling – 9.7 pts, 2.2 rebs, 2.8 assists

Thomas Gipson – 7.3 pts, 4.8 rebs

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Gipson - 53% McGruder - 78%

Jordan Henriquez - 51% Spradling - 83%

Shane Southwell - 75%

Texas Longhorns (19-12, 9-9)

Ken Pom: 26

ESPN BPI: 24

RPI: 52

SOS: 22

Best wins: Temple (13) 77-65; Iowa St (31) 62-55; Kansas St (41) 75-64

Best losses: Baylor x2 (9) 72-77, @71-76; Missouri (16) 66-67; Kansas (6) 66-69; @KState (41) 80-84; v.No Carolina St (53) 74-77

Worst losses: v.Oregon State (147) 95-100 ot; @Oklahoma St (120) 78-90; @UNC (3) 63-82

Players to watch

J’Covan Brown – 20.0 pts, 3.1 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 38% 3pts

Sheldon McClellan – 11.4 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.0 steals

Myck Kabongo – 9.8 pts, 3.0 rebs, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals

Jonathan Holmes – 7.1 pts, 4.9 rebs

Clint Chapman – 7.2 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.5 blocks

Julian Lewis - 7.7 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.0 steals

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Kabongo - 65% Brown - 84%

Wagmene - 60% McLellan - 77%

Bond – 44% Holmes - 75%

Chapman – 83%

Lewis – 74%



Other players to watch

Elston Turner, Jr, Texas A&M, 13.8 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 40% 3pts

Khris Middleton, Jr, Texas A&M, 12.4 pts, 5.0 rebs, 2.1 assists

David Loubeau, Sr, Texas A&M, 10.8 pts, 4.5 rebs

Jordan Tolbert, Fr, Texas Tech, 11.4 pts, 5.7 rebs

Steven Pledger, Jr, Oklahoma, 16.6 pts, 4.0 rebs, 1.6 assists, 43% 3pts

Calvin Newell, Jr., Jr, Oklahoma, 13.0 pts, 1.6 rebs

Rosmero Osby, Jr, Oklahoma, 12.7 pts, 7.4 rebs, 1.0 blks

Andrew Fitzgerald, Jr, Oklahoma, 12.2 pts, 5.1 rebs,

Keiton Page, Sr, Oklahoma St, 16.8 pts, 1.9 rebs, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals,

Le'Bryan Nash, Fr, Oklahoma St, 13.3 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.5 assists

Markel Brown, So, Oklahoma St, 10.5 pts, 5.2 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals

Big XII Conference Jack Leasure Award: Keiton Page, Oklahoma State, 95/249, 38%. I know we have a general 40%+ rule here, but when you are the only guy who is the scorer and you've launched nearly 250 threes and still make 38%, with apologies to Marcus Denmon and his 42% clip over 217 threes, Page is the guy. The Buffet's Editor has liked Texas too long not to absolutely annoyed at the thought of Keiton Page, but something tells us he likes it that way, and boy will he ever fired away from long range. Congratulations to the 2012 winner of the Big XII JLA.

Big XII Player of the Year: Thomas Robinson, Kansas, Jr.

Big XII Co-Coaches of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas & Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State

Big XII Co-Freshmen of the Year: Quincy Miller, Baylor and Le'Bryan Nash, Okla St

All-Big XII First Team:

Royce White, Iowa State, So
Thomas Robinson, Kansas, Jr
Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas, Sr
Marcus Denom, Missouri, Sr
J'Covan Brown, Texas, Jr

All-Big XII Second Team:
Quincy Acy, Baylor, Sr
Pierre Jackson, Baylor, Jr
Rodney McGruder, Kansas St, Jr
Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri, Sr
Keiton Page, Oklahoma St, Sr

Morsels from the Big XII...

2012 Conference USA Men's Basketball Championship
March 7-10, Memphis, TN, FedEx Forum. capacity: 18,119

Josh Pastner takes it on the chin a lot. For a guy who has only gone to the postseason, picking up the 1 and done pieces left by John Calipari, it seems slightly irrational. Yes, he's the dude who ran to center court after UofA won the 1997 title, and took off his warmups, so his name of his jersey could be seen by all. And, yes, he's a bit of a gnat. But, man, Memphis fans are unrelenting. No, he is NOT John Calipari. But, then again, John Calipari wasn't John Calipari before he became John Calipari. Digest that one for a moment, and don't forget, thanks the cleanliness with which he runs programs, last year's Kentucky Final Four was ACTUALLY the first Final Four Calipari actually still has on the record books. This whole season was spent touting the reclamation job at Southern Mississippi, both the demons of the coach and the basketball program itself, and justifiably so. But, in case you haven't noticed, in C-USA terms, Memphis hasn't gone anywhere, winning the conference regular season by a clear 2 games. Memphis is still in an 8 spot, they just couldn't get it done against the top 50 (3 point loss to G'Town, 4 points loss to Murray St, 8 point loss to Louisville), with only a home win versus Southern Miss on their ledger. That's what's preventing much upward mobility. They did decimate the 51-100, going 8-1 - beating Waiting Line hopefuls Miami FL, Xavier, UCF, Marshall, twice and Tennessee, twice. That's why they seem perfectly positioned as an 8 right now. A run through the tournament, including wins over UCF & Southern Miss, and we're thinking the 6/7 range, but a loss to UTEP/Houston in their first game, and a 9 spot might be their landing point. Most likely, they are perfectly suited for an 8/9 or 7/10 game as the favored seed.

Southern Miss: We've spoken a lot about the job Larry Eustachy has done to pick up the pieces of an alcohol spiraled life. A 20-3 start punctuate by a 3 point win over Memphis (derailed only slightly by a double-OT loss versus Murray State and a road loss to Denver (both game were without then-leading scorer Darnell Dodson), and a 2 point loss to Memphis) announced that Southern Miss was on the 2011/12 map. But the end of the season has brought ragged results - going .500, losing at Houston & UTEP along the way, and then giving Marshall some Waiting Line home, losing by 4 to them in the conference finale, took Southern Miss from leading the conference, to contending for the regular season championship, to 'wait a minute, let's take another look at that resume.' - not the way you want to be going in March. Three nice top 50 wins, 2 of which over Waiting Line sqauds, and one, a non-conference tilt on the road plus 6 more against the top 51-100, should put the Golden Eagles, in fine shape come selection Sunday. They were over .500 on the road, played a strong non-conference schedule (37) and their RPI is a bit of a vacuum, due to a lot of playing the equivalent of 6-13 seeds, and not a ton of 1-5s, but it's still 17. With 3 bad road losses weighing them down a bit, they'll be standing on their 9-4 record versus top 100 a lot, which should be safe. They are currently projecting at a 9, with an 8 possible with a C-USA win and an 11 possible if they fall to ECU/Rice. We think a 9/10 is the most likely spot.

Marshall: We're discussing the #6 seed? Yes, because Marshall has an interesting resume. Played the 10th toughest non-conference scheduling, winning 8 games. Beat Waiting Line squads Southern Miss, Iona, UCF, and Cincinnati. Lost by 6 at Syracuse, 4 at Southern Miss, 7 at Memphis. Beat Atlantic Sun champion Belmont. Now, they have 3 ugly losses, including @ East Carolina which are hard to ignore, and not erased by a home win over Iona (who couldn't even escape their conference tournament, or a team playing without a key component), and both the Belmont win an UCF wins were handed back with losses to them on their court ... but Marshall, with a win over Southern Miss and a close, tough loss to Memphis, has at least made it though you can't dismiss them, even if they are a LOOOOOOOOOONG shot. Those 17 wins versus the 30th overall best schedule, a solid (but unspectacular) R & B PI, and they are to be discussed. Currently sitting as the 9th team in Line, it would take some spectacular flameouts and a dominating run to get in, but weirder Championship Week things have happened.

Central Florida: This is an interesting examination, only a Buffetology could love. UCF versus Marshall. UCF has the MUCH non-conference better win - neutral court versus Connecticut, and have the conference win (Memphis) to trump Marshall's (So Miss). But then, you go a line down to 51-100, and all you have is a home and home split with Marshall. 3 bad 100+ road losses too (worst being UL-Lafayette), and UCF only 1 one more game against a schedule that was 175 spots worse. It's very close. A better non-conference win, a better conference win and record versus better computer numbers, a higher volume of top 100 wins, and played a tougher overall schedule. The UConn and Memphis wins probably edge UCF slightly in front, but it isn't by much UCF currently sits 7th in Line, with only Ole Miss in between the two. Again, there's not much in the way of resume improvement to leap frog those teams in front, unless they crash and burn. Especially since UCF only gets UAB/Tulane to start, BUT they do get another one with Memphis. A nice win there and a close loss to Southern Miss in the
finale? mmmmmmmMaybe?

Buffet picks: They're home, and they're better. Southern Miss is a nice story, and they'll be in the tournament, but this just feels like it's Memphis' tournament.

Upset special: Marshall. The Herd have been overlooked all year, including by the Buffet until recently, watch them make a run, especially with the forward momentum of getting SMU & Tulsa before facing USM, that could get them hot and believing long before Memphis lines up against them - and we all know Memphis, since announcing their Big East exodus, is playing with an even bigger target on their back.

Schedule
C-USA
Wednesday, March 7
Game 1: #7 Rice v. #10 East Carolina, 1 pm, CSS/http://www.conferenceusa.com/allaccess/?media=307551
Game 2: #6 Marshall v.#11 Southern Methodist, 330pm, CSS/http://www.conferenceusa.com/allaccess/?media=307551

Game 3: #8 Texas-El Paso v. #9 Houston, 730pm ET, CSS/http://www.conferenceusa.com/allaccess/?media=307551
Game 4: #5 Alabama-Birmingham v. #12 Tulane, 10pm ET, CSS/http://www.conferenceusa.com/allaccess/?media=307551

Thursday, March 8
Game 5: #2 Southern Miss v. Game 1 winner, 1pm ET, CBSSN
Game 6: #3 Tulsa v. Game 2 winner, 330pm ET, CBSSN

Game 7: #1 Memphis v. Game 3 winner, 730pm ET, CBSSN
Game 8: #4 Central Florida v. Game 4 winner, 10pm ET, CBSSN

Friday, March 9
Game 9: Game 5 winner v. Game 6 winner, 4pm ET, CBSSN
Game 10: Game 7 winner v. Game 8 winner, 630pm, ET, CBSSN

Saturday, March 10
CHAMPIONSHIP - 1130am ET, CBS

Memphis Tigers (23-8, 13-3)

Ken Pom: 11

ESPN BPI: 10

RPI: 18

SOS: 20

Best wins: Southern Miss (17) 60-58; @Miami FL (56) 71-54; Xavier (58) 72-68; Marshall x2 (61) @87-67, 83-76; Belmont (61) 97-81; Tennessee x2 (75) 69-51, 99-97 2ot

Best losses: @Southern Miss (17) 72-75; vs. Georgetown (10) 88-91ot; Murray St (19) 72-76; @Louisville (28) 87-95

Worst losses: @G’town (10) 59-70; Michigan (12) 61-73

Players to watch

Will Barton – 18.7 pts, 8.1 rebs, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals

Tarik Black – 10.7 pts, 4.8 rebs, 1.5 blocks

Joe Jackson – 10.7 pts, 2.1 rebs, 3.8 assists

Adonis Thomas - 9.7 pts, 3.6 rebs

Chris Crawford – 9.3 pts, 3.0 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 41% 3pts

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Black - 60% Barton - 72%

Jackson - 87%

Crawford - 81%

Antonio Barton - 72%

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (24-7, 11-5)

Ken Pom: 69

ESPN BPI: 44

RPI: 17

SOS: 52

Best wins: Memphis (18) 75-72, @Colorado State (22) 79-58; Mississippi (60) 86-82; UCF x2 (62) @78-74, 86-82; South Florida (44) 53-51; Marshall (67) 67-63

Best losses: @Memphis (18) 58-60; vs.Murray St (19) 81-90 2ot (without Darnell Dodson)

Worst losses: @UAB (155) 61-71; @Denver (93) 52-59 (without Darnell Dodson); @UTEP (155) 68-76 2ot; @Houston 71-73

Players to watch

Neil Watson – 12.1 pts, 2.8 rebs, 4.5 assists, 40% 3pts

LaShay Page – 11.8 pts, 3.3 rebs

Darnell Dodson – 10.9 pts, 4.7 rebs

Maurice Bolden – 10.0 pts, 5.4 rebs, 1.0 assists, 1.1 blocks

Jonathan Mills - 9.8 pts, 6.2 rebs

Torye Pelham – 6.7 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.2 steals

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Jonathan Mills - 61% Dodson - 83%

Page - 77%

Watson – 88%

Bolden - 71%

Central Florida Golden Knights (21-9, 10-6)

Ken Pom: 90

ESPN BPI: 69

RPI: 62

SOS: 92

Best wins: Memphis (18) 68-63; Connecticut (34) 68-63; Marshall (67) 67-60

Best losses: @Southern Miss (17) 74-78; @Marshall (67) 64-65

Worst losses: @UL_Lafayette (187) 60-61; @Tulsa (114) 61-66; @Florida St (23) 50-73

Players to watch

Keith Clanton – 15.0 pts, 8.4 rebs, 1.8 assist, 1.1 steals, 1.9 blocks

Marcus Jordan – 14.2 pts, 2.7 rebs, 2.4 assists

Isaiah Sykes – 12.6 pts, 6.6 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals

Tristan Spurlock – 7.4 pts, 4.4 rebs

A.J. Rompza - 7.0 pts, 2.3 rebs, 4.4 assists, 2.4 steals

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Clanton - 61% Jordan - 72%

Sykes – 56% Josh Crittle - 75%

A.J. Rompza – 63%

Spurlock – 66%

Memphis Thundering Herd (18-12, 9-7)

Ken Pom: 80

ESPN BPI: 67

RPI: 67

SOS: 30

Best wins: Southern Miss (17) 79-75; Iona (43) 82-63

Best losses: @Syracuse (1) 56-62; @Southern Miss (17) 63-67; @Memphis (18) 76-83;

Worst losses: @East Carolina (167) 68-69ot; @Tulsa (114) 70-79; UAB (109) 49-56; Memphis (18) 67-87; v.West Virginia (45) 62-78

Players to watch

DeAndre Kane - 15.8 pts, 5.5 rebs, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals

Damier Pitts - 14.4 pts, 2.2 rebs, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steals


Dennis Tinnon - 9.9 pts, 9.8 rebs

Shaquille Johnson - 8.4 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.8 assists

Robert Goff - 6.5 pts, 4.6 rebs, 1.1 blks

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Kane - 59% Pitts - 70%

Dago Pena - 50% Tinnon - 76%

Goff - 47% Johnson - 74%

Other players to watch

Jordan Clarkson, Tulsa, So, 16.6 pts, 3.9 rebs, 2.6 assists

Cameron Moore, UAB, Sr, 16.2 pts, 10.4 rebs, 1.2 assisrs, 2.5 blks

Ricky Tarrant, Tulane, Fr, 15.2 pts, 3.6 rebs, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals

Robert Nyakundi, SMU, Sr, 15.0 pts, 4.7 rebs, 1.1 steals, 43% 3pts

Miguel Paul, ECU, Jr, 15.0 pts, 2.0 rebs, 5.8 assists, 1.3 steals

Jonathon Simmons, Houston, Jr, 14.9 pts, 5.0 rebs, 2.1 assists

Darrius Morrow, ECU, Sr, 13.9 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blks

Alandise Harris, Houston, So, 12.9 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.3 blks

Arsalan Kazemi, Rice, Jr, 12.5 pts, 10.3 rebs, 2.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.0 blks

Jordan Callahan, Tulane, Jr, 11.8 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.2 assist, 1.3 steals

Julian Washburn, UTEP, Fr, 11.5 pts, 3.3 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals

Jordan Swing, UAB, So, 11.4 pts, 4.0 rebs, 1.8 assists

Joseph Young, Houston, Fr, 11.4 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2.4 assists, 40% 3pts

Gabriel McCulley, UTEP, Sr, 11.2 pts, 5.4 rebs, 2.0a ssists, 1.1 steals

John Bohannon, UTEP, So, 11.2 pts, 7.3 rebs, 1.7 assists

Michael Perez, UTEP, So, 11.0 pts, 2.5 rebs, 1.9 assists

Scottie Haralson, Tulsa, Jr, 11.0 pts, 2.3 rebs, 1.0 assists, 40% 3pts

Josh Davis, Tulane, So, 10.9 pts, 9.4 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.2 blks, 1.0 steals

Conference USA Conference Jack Leasure Award: Scottie Haralson, 86/214, 40%. A JLA Race to be proud of! Just behind Haralson is Robert Nyakundi of SMU with his 193 launches and 43% clip or Shamarr Bowden of ECU with his 145 and 40% and Joseph Young of Houston with his 136 and 40%. But crossing the 200 threshold is like 300 wins to JLA fans, and doing that combined with a .402 make percentage = JLA designation.

Conference USA Player of the Year: Will Barton, Memphis, So (from B-More, MD).

Conference USA Coach of the Year: Larry Eustachi, Southern Mississippi

Conference USA Freshman of the Year: Ricky Tarrant, Tulane

All- Conference USA First Team:

Will Barton, Memphis, So
Keith Clanton, UCF, Jr
Jordan Clarkson, Tulsa, So
Cameron Moore, UAB, Sr
Ricky Tarrant, Tulane, Fr

All- Conference USA Second Team:
Tarik Black, Memphis, So
DeAndre Kane, Marshall, So
Arsalan Kazemi, Rice, Jr
Miguel Paul, ECU, Jr
Neil Watson, So Miss, So

(*note* one senior on both teams)
Morsels from the USA...

2012 Pacific Life Pac-12 Basketball Tournament
March 7-10, Los Angeles, CA, Staples Center. capacity: 19,060
Oh Pac12, Pac12, Pac12. Sometimes a conference becomes the butt of a joke because its vogue, because most of the media is on the East coast - BUT NOT SPORTSCENTER: LIVE FROM LA. And it seems funny - the Big10 is slow. the BigEast is a foul fest. The Big 12 can't count. But this year, the Pac12 lived up to their negative hype. Punctuated by a disastrous last weekend of basketball that saw leading Waiting Line contenders Washington, California, and Arizona lost to teams UCLA, Stanford, and Arizona - obviously with varying degrees of horrific-ness (sorry Wildcats).

The back 10 has ONE, yes 1, si uno, da en - non-conference win against the RPI 50 as a CONFERENCE. That woudl be Stanford over Colorado State on November 15 in the NIT. That's it folks:
Mountain West has 7
Atlantic 10 has 7
Missouri Valley has 9
Conference USA has 4
West Coast Conference has 5
WAC has 2
Ivy League has 2
Horizon has 2
Colonial has 3
MAC has 2
Sun Belt has 2
OVC has 3

Other conferences with 1: MAAC, Southern, Big Sky, Southland, and Great West.

That's not exactly the company you strive to keep. But, let's be honest, in all likelihood this BCS conference is getting to teams - whomever wins this tournament and whomever plays the winner in the tournament final. It's not right, it's not fair, it doesn't even make selection sense. But it almost feels like a forgone conclusion. In case it isn't, let's look at the 4 contenders for at-large bids, and just where their wasteland of resumes might hold out some hope.

California: California probably has the strongest resume, and please, do not mistake the use of the adjective 'strongest' so suggest it is strong in any way. California, a dominant home team, has a strong RPI (37), a solid SOS (72) and won 5 game saway from home - including Oregon and Washington. They nearly got a good road win at San Diego St, but couldn't quite pull it off. 7-3 versus 51-100, their issue is nothing in non-conference to assists with nudging them past other Waiting Line teams not in the Pac12. As regular season conference champ, the argument would have been stronger, but now that is gone. You like them over a team like Texas because of all their mid-range work. We'll call the 51-100 wins, mid-range jumpers. And they sank them - going 7-3, with their only bad loss (as in margin) in that range to Colorado, away in the midst of Colorado ill-fated run. Cal opens with the Stanford/ASU winner (presumably Stanford, as Ariz St just won their national title on Sunday), and that would be a nice time to render last Saturday a fluke. Then they face Oregon, in what could very well be a Waiting Line elimination game, they win those 2, and it'll be hard to keep California out.

Washington: The Huskies won the Pac12 and have less bad losses (not even sure UCLA can be considered a bad loss the way they are playing), but not a single non-conference win to point to. (UCSB? Georgia State?) They were blown out at home by Summit tourney champ So Dakota St, crushed away from Oregon (82-57) and Colorado (82-69) and otherwise have 4 nice in conference wins and that's it. It is a truly empty resume with the Pac12 title and a decent non-conference SOS 56, but against which they went 7-5 and all 5 losses were against the only teams of note that they played. Washington opens with Ore St/Wash St winner, and with both Jared Cunninham and Brock Motum looming, that could be a trap. Although, they incredible Tony Wroten is just as dangerous, so we doubt it. Then comes the Arizona/UCLA winner, and if it is Arizona, that's virtually an elimination game too, as Arizona couldn't be UW in two tries, and this time could be the Huskie death knell. The thing is, Washington's run just isn't strong enough to build their resume, it is almost as if they are in now or not at all. Our guess is, Washington ends up in, but not if they lose that semifinal game.

Arizona: That loss to Arizona State was about as much of a disaster as you can incur. A 200+ RPI team, on a resume that was noteworthy for not much more than they had avoided bad losses all year. And now a road win at Cal, which is decently impressive, and the best collection of non-conference wins among P12 Waiting Line teams (@New Mexico St and Valparaiso (would've helped if they won last night) - for those of you who just read that parenthetical and thought, "that's the best?" - it is a good question, and the answer is still yes. But with a SOS of 119 and an RPI of 78, and a terrible loss when it counted and not much to point to above it. Arizona has a HUGE mountain to climb. Shame for them that neither Oregon nor Colorado lined up with them in the quarters, because we aren't sure a win over Washington is enough to push them back in from the Waiting Line. At a minimum, this team must make the Pac12 final.

Oregon: Oregon is the P12 team du jour. They are the hottest team in the conference, having won 4 straight and 6 of 7, but they too have no wins versus the top 50 (even conference wins). Wins over fellow waiting liners, Washington and Arizona are helpful, but their home loss to Oregon St is not - amazing how much the natural rivals have really screwed their counterparts this year - the good news for Oregon is that they get Colorado and California before the final. And, somehow, I think wins there and then a good showing versus Washington or Arizona (even UCLA, who by the time they hypothetically reached P12 final would drop below 100 RPI) and Oregon might just be that second team in.

Buffet picks: Oregon. Honestly, this conference feels like as much of as toss up as the MEAC or SWAC, but we like Oregon's streak, we really like Devoe Joseph, and as a result we like the Ducks. Now, this said - this is as wide open as the Pac12 could be. Washington beat Oregon at home and swept Arizona, who beat Colorado and Cal, who won at Washington and swept Oregon, who won at Arizona and beat UW at home. Picking Oregon is based on recent success and Devoe Joseph belief, that isn't to say any of the top 4 can't walk away with this thing and leave the at-large bid selection talk to the other 3...

Upset special: UCLA. It's not the most recent hatchet job, but it was out of SI's character. Kids are unruly? WOW. They sometimes experiment with drugs? Stop the presses. The top recruits and players get preferential treatment and force a coach to tolerate more? HOLY MOLY. Well, the good thing is, it seems to have really turned into a rallying point for UCLA. How far will that carry them? Well, they still aren't very good, so there's that. But as an Upset special, they fit just fine.

Schedule
P1c-12
Wednesday, March 7
Game 1: #8 Washington State v. #9 Oregon State, 3pm ET, FSN
Game 2: #5 UCLA v. #12 Southern California, 530pm ET, FSN

Game 3: #7 Stanford v. #10 Arizona State, 9pm ET, FSN
Game 4: #6 Colorado v. 11 Utah 1130pm ET, FSN

Thursday, March 8
Game 5: #1 Washington v. Game 1 winner, 3pm ET, FSN
Game 6: #4 Arizona v. Game 2 winner, 530pm ET, FSN

Game 7: #2 California v. Game 3 winner, 9pm ET, FSN
Game 8: #3 Oregon v. Game 4 winner, 1130pm ET, FSN

Friday, March 9
Game 9: Game 5 winner v. Game 6 winner, 9pm ET, FSN
Game 10: Game 7 winner v. Game 8 winner, 1130pm, ET, FSN

Saturday, March 10
CHAMPIONSHIP - 6pm ET, CBS

California Golden Bears (23-8, 13-5)

Ken Pom: 22

ESPN BPI: 21

RPI: 37

SOS: 94

Best wins: @Washington (54) 69-66; Oregon x2 (51) @77-60, 86-83; Colorado (85) 57-50; Weber St (69) 77-57

Best losses: @San Diego St (26) 63-64; Arizona (78) 74-78

Worst losses: @Washington St (174) 75-77; @Oregon St (147) 85-92

Players to watch

Allen Crabbe – 15.4 pts, 5.6 rebs, 2.1 assist, 41% 3pts

Jorge Guttierez – 12.9 pts, 5.3 rebs, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals

Justin Cobbs – 12.8 pts, 2.9 rebs, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 43%

Harper Kamp – 11.3 pts, 5.1 rebs, 1.7 assists

David Kravish - 7.0 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.2 blks

Richard Solomon – 6.0 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.2 blocks (academically ineligible, will not play)

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Crabbe - 84%

Robert Thurman - 53% Gutierrez - 80%

Cobbs - 80%

Hamp - 75%

Washington Huskies (21-9, 14-4)

Ken Pom: 63

ESPN BPI: 52

RPI: 54

SOS: 82

Best wins: Arizona x2 (78) @69-67, 76-60; Oregon (51) 76-60

Best losses: vs.Duke (4) 80-86; vs.Marquette (7) 77-79; California (37) 66-69; @Nevada (46) 73-76 ot

Worst losses: @Colorado (85) 69-87; So Dakota State (49) 73-92; @Oregon (51) 57-82

Players to watch

Tony Wroten – 16.3 pts, 4.9 rebs, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals

Terrence Ross – 15.3 pts, 6.6 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals

C.J. Wilcox -13.9 pts, 3.3 rebs, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 41% 3pts

Aziz N’Diaye – 8.2 pts, 7.6 rebs, 1.1 blks

Abdul Gaddy – 7.9 pts, 2.5 rebs, 4.9 assists

Darnell Gant – 7.1 pts, 5.0 rebs

Desmond Simmons – 4.5 pts, 5.3 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 (21-10, 12-6)

Ken Pom: 52

ESPN BPI: 32

RPI: 78

SOS: 119

Best wins: @California (37) 78-74; Colorado (85) 71-57; @New Mex St (70) 83-76

Best losses: San Diego St (26) 57-61; @Florida (29) 72-78

Worst losses: @UCLA (117) 58-65

Players to watch

Kyle Fogg – 13.5 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 43% 3pts

Solomon Hill – 12.5 pts, 7.8 rebs, 2.7 assists

Jesse Perry – 11.9 pts, 7.4 rebs, 1.3 assists

Nick Johnson – 9.3 pts, 3.3 rebs, 2.4 assists

Josiah Turner – 6.8 pts, 3.1 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1.1 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 (22-8, 13-5)

Ken Pom: 57

ESPN BPI: 59

RPI: 51

SOS: 91

Best wins: @Arizona (78) 59-57; Washington (54) 82-57; Colorado (85) 90-81

Best losses: @Colorado (81) 71-72

Worst losses: Oregon St (147) 71-76; @Washington (54) 60-76; Virginia (40) 54-67; California (37) 60-77

Players to watch

Devoe Joseph – 16.8 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 45% 3pts

E.J. Singler – 13.2 pts, 5.5 rebs, 2.2 assists

Garret Sim – 12.3 pts, 2.4 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 47% 3pts

Olu Ashaolu – 8.6 pts, 5.0 rebs

Carlos Emory - 6.1 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.0 assists

Tony Woods – 6.0 pts, 3.7 rebs, 1.5 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 (19-11, 11-7)

Ken Pom: 96

ESPN BPI: 94

RPI: 85

SOS: 84

Best wins: California (37) 70-57 Arizona (78) 64-63; Oregon (51) 72-71; Washington (54) 87-69

Best losses: @Colorado St (22) 64-65

Worst losses: @UCLA (122) 60-77; vs.Maryland (112) 71-78; @Arizona (78) 57-71; Wyoming (79) 54-65; @Oregon State (147) 69-83

Players to watch

Carlon Brown – 12.2 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2.1 assists

Andre Roberson – 11.2 pts, 11.2 rebs, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 blks

Austin Dufault – 11.1 pts, 4.5 rebs, 1.1 assists

Spencer Dinwiddie – 10.3 pts, 3.7 rebs, 1.9 assists, 43% 3pts

Askia Booker – 9.4 pts, 2.9 rebs, 1.5 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%

Other players to watch

Trent Lockett, Arizona St, Jr, 13.3 pts, 5.9 rebs, 2.2 assistss, 1.5 steals, 42% 3pts

Carrick Felix, Arizona St, Jr, 10.6 pts, 4.2 rebs, 1.0 steals

Josh Watkins, Utah, Sr, 15.6 pts, 3.3 rebs, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals

Jason Washburn, Utah, Jr, 11.4 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.3 blks

Brock Motum, Washington St, Jr, 18.1 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.7 assists

Faisal Aden, Washington St, Sr, 14.5 pts, 3.1 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals

Jared Cunningham, Oregon St, Jr, 18.2 pts, 3.7 rebs, 2.6 assists, 2.6 steals

Devon Collier, Oregon State, So, 12.8 pts, 5.1 rebs, 1.7 assist, 1.3 blks, 1.1 steals

Ahmad Starks, Oregon State, So, 12.5 pts, 2.2 rebs, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals

Lazeric Jones, UCLA, Sr, 13.4 pts, 3.6 rebs, 4.2 assists, 1.8 steals

Travis Wear, UCLA, So, 11.5 pts, 5.9 rebs, 1.1 blks, 43% 3pts

David Wear, UCLA, So, 10.4 pts, 6.1 rebs

Josh Smith, UCLA, So, 10.1 pts, 5.1 rebs

Maurice Jones, USC, So, 13.2 pts, 2.5 rebs, 3.4 assists, 1.8 steals

Aaron Fuller, USC, Jr, 10.6 pts, 5.9 rebs

Chasson Randle, Stanford, Fr, 13.1 pts, 3.2 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 43% 3pts

Josh Owens, Stanford, Sr, 12.1 pts, 5.8 rebs, 1.0 steals

Aaron Bright, Stanford, So, 11.0 pts, 1.7 rebs, 3.6 assists, 40% 3pts

Pacific 12 Conference Jack Leasure Award: Alan Crabbe, California, 77/186 41%. Pac12 is light on the volume, their leading bomber is Chris Hines of Utah with 188, but Crabbe at over 185 and hitting 41% is an outstanding selection. Kyle Foxx and his 43% on 155 3s and Randle with just 1 less and only .03% points off was probably his co-runner up.

Pacific 12 Player of the Year: Not yet announced.

Pacific 12 Coach of the Year: Not yet announced

Pacific 12 Freshman of the Year: Not yet announced

All- Pacific 12 First Team:

Not yet announced

All-Pacific 12 Second Team:
Not yet announced

Morsels from the Pac12...

2012 Southland Conference Basketball Tournament
Destination: KATY
March 7-10, Katy, TX, Leonard E. Merrell Center. capacity: 7,200

It was a UT Arlington world in the Southland this year, not only the only school with a sub-100 RPI (as UT-Austin, as they are THE 51-100 win for the Horns), but the only school under 120. They ran through the conference with ease, losing a last regular season game to UT San Antonio costing them their perfect season. And, as a non-auto bid contender, they have that much bigger of a chip on their shoulder as the conference tournament is their only way in. A win versus Kent State is the non-conference game that is their best, but their bracket buster showing in Ogden might be even more impressive.



UTSA makes for an interesting potential foil - giving UT-Arlington their only conference loss + a win over Oral Roberts in November (plus an OT loss to Oklahoma St in the same tournament), and we're looking at a team with some real questionable losses who has the ability to rise up when necessary.

Lamar & Stephen F. Austin are the #2 and 3 seeds in this tournament, with excellent conference season - SFA probably gets a position above them in the odds category, thanks to SFA's 10 point road win at Lamar + Pat Knight's pyrotechnics can only hurt, not help.

Buffet picks: UT Arlington. The dominance was there, and the UTSA loss was a wake up call not harbinger.

Upset special: UT-SA. When you undo the undefeated streak of the conference leader and beat Oral Roberts, you get Upset special designation.

Schedule
P1c-12
Wednesday, March 7
Game 1: #2 Stephen F. Austin v. #7 Sam Houston St, 1pm ET
Game 2: #3 Lamar v. #6 Northwestern St, 330pm ET

Game 3: #1 Texas-Arlington v. #8 Nicholls State, 7pm ET
Game 4: #4 McNeese State v. #5 Texas-San Antonio, 930pm ET

Thursday, March 8
Game 5: Game 1 winner v. Game 2 winner, 705pm ET, Southland TV/ESPN3
Game 6: Game 3 winner v. Game 4 winner, 933pm ET, Southland TV/ESPN3

Saturday, March 10
CHAMPIONSHIP - 305 pm ET, ESPN2

UT-Arlington Mavericks (23-7, 15-1)

Ken Pom: 104

ESPN BPI: 116

RPI: 97

SOS: 279

Best wins: v.Kent St (196) 74-73

Best losses: @Baylor (9) 65-85; @Weber State (69) 70-72

Worst losses: @Samford (267) 69-71; @Utah St (134) 69-73; @Tulsa (114) 75-80 ot; @UTSA (190) 88-97

Players to watch

LaMarcus Reed III – 17.6 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 40% 3pts

Bo Ingram – 12.5 pts, 4.1 rebs

Kevin Butler – 11.1 pts, 5.9 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.6 steals

Jordan Reves – 9.3 pts, 7.8 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%

Lamar Cardinals (20-11, 11-5)

Ken Pom: 115

ESPN BPI: 130

RPI: 128

SOS: 222

Best wins: @Tennessee Tech (140) 85-65

Best losses: @Ohio (71) 78-85ot

Worst losses: @Nicholls St (300) 63-72; @Northwestern St (217) 61-74; @McNeese St (202) 54-57; Stephen F. Austin (201) 52-62

Players to watch

Mike James - 16.8 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals
Anthony Miles - 14.6 pts, 4.5 rebs, 1.6 steals

Devon Lamb - 12.0 pts, 8.3 rebs, 1.8 assists, .18 steals

Brandon Davis - 9.5 pts, 3.1 rebs, 1.3 assists

Charlie Harper - 8.8 pts, 6.0 rebs, 1.0 steals

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (19-11, 12-4)

Ken Pom: 118

ESPN BPI: 186

RPI: 201

SOS: 315

Best wins: @Lamar (128) 62-52; @UTEP (155) 53-35

Best losses:

Worst losses: v. Prairie View A&M (291) 50-53; v.NCCU (227) 57-65; Florida Int’l (250) 56-58; @Texas Tech (228) 54-66; @McNeese St (202) 56-66

Players to watch

Jereal Scott – 12.7 pts, 5.4 rebs

Antonio Bostic – 11.5 pts, 3.9 rebs, 2.8 assist, 1.4 steals

Taylor Smith – 9.1 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.3 blks

Desmond Haymon – 8.1 pts, 4.3 rebs, 1.4 assists

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 (15-14, 10-6)

Ken Pom: 272

ESPN BPI: 237

RPI: 202

SOS: 245

Best wins: Lamar (128) 57-54

Best losses: Southern Miss (17) 56-65

Worst losses: @Texas St (287) 73-82; @Louisiana Tech (184) 58-60; Northwestern St (217) 61-64; @UTEP (155) 54-69; @UL-Lafayette (187) 56-78; @Georgia St (144) 50-69; @SE Louisiana (318) 57-64; Nicholls St (300) 75-78

Players to watch

Patrick Richard – 18.2 pts, 6.2 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals

Dontae Cannon – 11.1 pts, 4.4 rebs, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals

Jeremie Mitchell – 10.7 pts, 2.5 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals

Rudy Turner – 8.5 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.1 blks

Desharick Guidry – 5.9 pts, 5.1 rebs, 1.0 steals

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Mitchell - 61% Richard - 80%

Turner - 67% Cannon - 79%

Guidry - 55% Fields - 74%

Craig McFerrin – 44%

Other players to watch

Konner Tucker, Sam Houston St, Jr, 12.0 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.0 assists (Wake transfer)

Steven Warner, Sam Houston St, Jr, 10.8 pts, 6.2 rebs

Demarcus Gatlin, Sam Houston St, So, 10.5 pts, 4.3 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals

Marcus James, Sam Houston St, Sr, 9.7 pts, 7.2 rebs

Darius Gatson, Sam Houston St, 6.8 pts, 2.9 rebs, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steals

Shamir Davis, Northwestern St, 13.4 pts, 2.5 rebs, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals

William Mosley, Northwestern St, Sr, 11.3 pts, 9.5 rebs, 1.1 assists, 4.5 blocks, 1.5 steals

Louis Ellis, Northwestern St, Sr, 10.8 pts, 3.2 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals

Trevon Lewis, Nicholls St, Fr, 13.1 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals

Dantrell Thomas, Nicholls St, So, 11.5 pts, 3.3 rebs, 1.4 assists, 40% 3pts,

Kannon Burrage, Texas-San Antonio, Jr, 13.8 pts, 3.3 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals

Melvin Johnson, Texas-San Antonio, Jr, 12.8 pts, 3.3 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 43% 3pts

Jeromie Hill, Texas-San Antonio, So, 12.5 pts, 6.3 rebs, 1.5 assists, 42% 3pts

Michael Hale II, Texas-San Antonio, Jr, 10.0 pts, 2.8 rebs, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals

Southland Conference Jack Leasure Award: Melvin Johnson III, Texas-San Antonio, 67/155. A lot of higher volume guys, but Mel-J Three with his 43% and making only one less than the conference 3pm champion despite firing up 44 less, gets the JLA nod.

Southland Player of the Year: Patrick Richard, Sr, McNeese St

Southland Coach of the Year: Scott Cross, Texas-Arlington

Southland Freshman of the Year: Trevon Lewis, Nicholls State

All- Southland 12 First Team:

Patrick Richard, McNeese St, Sr
LaMarus Reed, UT-Arlington, Sr
William Mosley, Northwestern St, Sr
Mike James, Lamar, Sr
Antonio Bostic, Stephen F. Austin, Jr

All- Southland Second Team:
Devon Lamb, Lamar, Sr
Bo Ingram, UT-Arlington, Sr
Jereal Scott, Stephen F. Austin, Sr
Jeromie Hills, Texas-SA, So
Anthony Miles, Lamar, Sr

Morsels from the Southland...

The Farmers Insurance 2012 SWAC Basketball Tournament
Elevating the Game: Six Days In Texas, A Lifetime in their Hearts
March 7-10, Garland TX, Garland Special Events Center. capacity: 7,500
In a league often overlooked, Mississippi Valley St demanded attention. With a coaching style reflecting his college coach Rick Pitino, Sean Woods scheduled games at a frenetic pace: with a non-conference schedule that would make Don Munson blush, saw the Delta Devils play the 8th toughest schedule in the non-conference play (that they now sit with the 298th ranked schedule, tells you a thing or to about the SWAC_ - 13 games, zero at home (11 road games and 2 neutral site games in Vegas ). How did they do? Well, the D.Devils went 17-1 in conference, as Ark-Pine Bluff ruined their perfect conference season (seen that a lot in these previews, haven't we), but only 18-12 overall. BUT, there were signs off dominace. A 4 point loss at South Carolina, a double OT win over Tennessee St (you know, the team that beat Murray St and almost took them out again in the OVC championship?), 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 paid the price. Jerry Rice is psyched. Plus they feature a key contributor named Cor-J Cox.

We would talk about Southern being a a lock down defensive team, who cannot rebound (they are the 14th ranked team in the country in FG% defense, s0 there are a lot of rebounds to get). But their APR rate is so low, they are ineligible.

How about that Ark-Pine Bluff team that beat MVSU? Well, they feature this guy and the dude has hops.

Buffet picks: MVSU. No team is more road, battle, top team tested than this one, and we can't ignore dominance, we hope it gets rewarded and a great season isn't wasted.

Upset special: Ark-Pine Bluff. We just wouldn't mind seeing as much of Savalance Townsend as possible.

Schedule
SWAC
Wednesday, March 7
Game 1: #2 Texas Southern v. #7 Alabama A&M, 130pm ET, http://www.swac.org/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27400
Game 2: #1 Mississippi Valley St v. #8 Jackson St, 9pm ET, http://www.swac.org/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27400

Thursday, March 8
Game 3: #3 Prairie View A&M v. #6 Alcorn State, 130pm ET, http://www.swac.org/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27400
Game 4: #4 Alabama State v. #5 Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 9pm ET, http://www.swac.org/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27400

Friday, March 9

Saturday, March 10
CHAMPIONSHIP - 8pm ET, ESPNU/ESPN3

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (18-12, 17-1)

Ken Pom: 254

ESPN BPI: 226

RPI: 152

SOS: 298

Best wins: v.Tennessee State (110) 90-89 2ot

Best losses: @Iowa St (31) 65-67

Worst losses: Cal Poly (221) 55-72; @DePaul (195) 70-80; @So Carolina (193) 57-61; @UA Pine Bluff (306) 67-78

Players to watch

Terrence Joyner – 13.9 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 41% 3pts

Paul Crosby – 13.6 pts, 7.4 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals

Cor-J Cox – 11.2 pts, 6.4 rebs

Kevin Burwell - 9.2 pts, 3.5 rebs, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals

Falando Jones – 9.0 pts, 4.3 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 40% 3pts

Who to foul: Who not to foul:

Joyner - 61% Crosby - 79%

Cox - 58% Kevin Burwell - 82%

Jones - 64% Brent Arrington – 71%

Texas Southern (13-17, 8-12-6)

Ken Pom: 286

ESPN BPI: 271

RPI: 243

SOS: 304

Best wins: Eastern Michigan (244) 66-49

Best losses: @Colorado (85) 51-56

Worst losses: @Jackson St (321) 51-54; @Alabama St (304) 59-66 ot; @Prairie View A&M (291) 67-73; @Southern (283) 54-56; @Ball St (256) 53-64; @IUPUI (212) 55-74

Players to watch

Omar Strong – 12.7 pts, 2.3 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals

Fred Sturdivant – 9.3 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks

Lawrence Johnson-Danner – 6.3 pts, 2.0 rebs, 1.1 assists

Dexter Ellington – 6.4 pts, 1.5 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals

Madarious Gibbs - 6.4 pts, 2.5 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals

DaQuan Joyner – 4.8 pts, 3.4 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%

Prairie View A&M (14-17, 10-8)

Ken Pom: 324

ESPN BPI: 305

RPI: 291

SOS: 328

Best wins: Stephen v. Austin (201) 53-50

Best losses: @Oregon (51) 66-74

Worst losses: @Alabama A&M (324) 54-64; v.Longwood (334) 67-70; Jackson St (321) 48-62; @UA Pine Bluff (306) 58-61

Players to watch

Jourdan DeMuynck - 10.4 pts, 4.4 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals

RyanGesiakowski - 9.6 pts, 2.5 rebs, 1.0 assists

Louis Munks - 9.6 pts, 2.8 rebs


Demondre Chapman - 8.6 pts, 4.5 rebs

Jules Montgomery - 5.8 pts, 6.3 rebs

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (10-12, 9-9)

Ken Pom: 329

ESPN BPI: 321

RPI: 306

SOS: 331

Best wins: Miss Valley St (152) 78-67

Best losses:

Worst losses: @Alabama A&M (342) 62-65; Grambling (341) 55-60; @Alcorn St (338) 58-66; @Alabama St (304) 56-62; @Prairie View (291) 75-76; Southern (283) 68-69; @Texas Southern (243) 55-69

Players to watch

Savalace Townsend - 16.4 pts, 4.5 rebs, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals STUD

Mitchell Anderson - 11.1 pts, 6.3 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.6 blks

Daniel Broughton - 10.6 pts, 6.1 rebs, 48% 3pts

Lazabian Jackson - 9.8 pts, 3.1 rebs, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals

Other players to watch

Quincy Roberts, Grambling, Jr, 22.7 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, NOT IN TOURNEY

Kelsey Howard, Jackson St, So, 14.6 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.0 steals

Casey Cantey, Alabama A&M, Sr, 14.0 pts, 3.5 rebs, 1.4 steals

Tremaine Butler, Alabama St, Sr, 11.9 pts, 4.0 rebs, 1.5 assist, 1.2 steals

Demarquelle Tabb, Alabama A&M, So, 10.3 pts, 7.6 rebs, 1.9 blks, 1.2 assists

Ivory White, Alabama St, Sr, 9.9 pts, 6.1 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals

SWAC Conference Jack Leasure Award: Omar Strong, Texas Southern, 91/234, 39%. Another sub-40% qualifier, the next closet bomber and ONLY bomber above 40% from three among qualified is Terrence Joyner of MVSU, but he took 60 less 3s and made only 2 percent more per shot. Give us Omar and his marvelous volume.

SWAC Player of the Year: Paul Crosby, Mississippi Valley State

SWAC Coach of the Year: Sean Woods, Mississippi Valley State

SWAC Freshman of the Year: Kelsey Howard, Jackson State

All-SWAC 12 First Team:

Paul Crosby, Mississippi Valley State
Cor-J Cox, Mississippi Valley State
Quinton Doggett, Southern
Salvalance Townsend, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Quincy Roberts, Grambling

All-SWAC Second Team:
Terrence Joyner, Mississippi Valley State
Omar Strong, Texas Southern
Ivory White, Alabama State
Fred Sturdivant, Texas Southern
Daniel Broughton, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Morsels from the SWAC...

BUFFETOLOGY 3/7
1 Kentucky 1 Auto
Syracuse 2 Auto
Kansas 3 Auto
North Carolina 4 Auto
2 Missouri 5 Auto
Ohio State 6 At-Large
Michigan State 7 At-Large
Duke 8 At-Large
3 Marquette 9 At-large
Michigan 10 At-large
Georgetown 11 At-large
Baylor 12 At-large
4 Wisconsin 13 At-large
Indiana 14 At-large
Florida 15 At-large
Temple 16 Auto
5 Louisville 17 Auto
Wichita St 18 At-large
Florida St 19 At-large
UNLV 20 At-large
6 Murray St 21 At-large
Vanderbilt 22 At-large
Creighton 23 At-large
Notre Dame 24 At-large
7 New Mexico 25 At-large
St. Mary's 26 Auto
Gonzaga 27 Auto
Iowa St 28 At-large
8 San Diego St 29 At-large
Memphis 30 Auto
Purdue 31 At-large
Kansas St 32 At-large
9 Alabama 33 At-large
Virginia 34 At-large
Saint Louis 35 At-large
Connecticut 36 At-large
10 Southern Miss 37 At-large
Cincinnati 38 At-large Stuck in the Waiting Line
Harvard 39 Auto Stuck in the Waiting Line
West Virginia 40 At-large Stuck in the Waiting Line
11 BYU 41 At-large Stuck in the Waiting Line
Mississippi St 42 At-large Stuck in the Waiting Line
Colorado State 43 At-large Stuck in the Waiting Line
South Florida 44 At-large Stuck in the Waiting Line
12 California 45 At-large Stuck in the Waiting Line
VCU 46 Auto
Long Beach St. 47 Auto Stuck in the Waiting Line
Washington 48 Auto Stuck in the Waiting Line
13 Seton Hall 49 At-large/Play-in Stuck in the Waiting Line
Northwestern 50 At-large/Play-in Stuck in the Waiting Line
Xavier 51 At-large/Play-in Stuck in the Waiting Line
Drexel 52 At-large/Play-in Stuck in the Waiting Line
Nevada 64 Auto
Davidson 65 Auto
14 Belmont 65 Auto
Akron 73 Auto
Montana 74 Auto
Bucknell 75 Auto
15 South Dakota St 76 Auto
Detroit 77 Auto
Long Island 78 Auto
Loyola MD 79 Auto
16 Western Kentucky 80 Auto
UT Alrington 81 Auto
UNC Asheville 82 Auto/Play-in
Stony Brook 83 Auto/Play-in
Mississippi Valley St 84 Auto/Play-in
Savannah St 85 Auto/Play-in
Last Four Out: Texas 53 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Miami FL 54 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Tennessee 55 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Oregon 56 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Next Four Out: Arizona 57 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Saint Joseph's 58 Stuck in the Waiting Line
UCF 59 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Ole Miss 60 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Last 9 consider Marshall 61 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Dayton 62 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Colorado 66 Stuck in the Waiting Line
NC State 67 Stuck in the Waiting Line
New Mexico St 68 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Illinois 69 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Iowa 70 Stuck in the Waiting Line
Ohio 71 Stuck in the Waiting Line
LSU 72 Stuck in the Waiting Line
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