NEWS AND NOTES:
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-We here at Hoops HD love mythical conferences!! If you follow us, you already know that. The Big Five in Philadelphia, the Big Four in Western New York, and of course…the Front Range out in Colorado/Wyoming. I think we now have a new favorite mythical conference, and that is the Beehive!! I don’t know why we are just now getting in on this. Utah and BYU is a fantastic rivalry, but they both also regularly play (even on the road sometimes) Utah State, Weber State, and Utah Valley. Through Dixie State and Southern Utah, and you’ve got a mythical conference!!
Last night’s game between BYU and Utah Valley was incredible. It was at Utah Valley, which was this compact venue, and the atmosphere was as good as it gets in college basketball. That’s not hyperbole. It really is. Big teams who travel to under the radar schools and play in those venues is, in my opinion, the best atmosphere in all of college sports, especially if it’s against a regional opponent who is good. Utah Valley won the game in overtime. They appeared to have it won at the end of regulation, but BYU managed to tie it, but despite having the momentum going into the extra period, couldn’t pull it off. It was a fantastic win for Utah Valley against a nationally ranked in-state opponent. I would argue that nothing about this game was bad. BYU, while they lost, is hardly off the rails. They can still have a big season, and earn a protected seed, and none of their goals have changed. Virginia has played in these kinds of games, and lost them, and still ended up high in the rankings with a protected seed. Wisconsin has played Milwaukee and Green Bay on the road and the world didn’t end. I hate when people say “These schools have nothing to gain.” Well…that’s crap!! I admit that the alpha programs don’t “NEED” those games, but I still think something can be gained by playing them, and i don’t agree at all that they have “everything to lose.” BYU did not lose everything. They’re still in fantastic shape. And…hats off to them for scheduling it! And to the rest of the Bee Hive teams as well!
A note from Hoops HD historian John Stalica – there used to be a trophy called the Old Oquirrh Bucket that went to the team in Utah with the best record among intrastate games involving Utah, BYU, Utah State, Weber State and Southern Utah. They discontinued the trophy series after the 2010 season due to conference obligations for the then-five D1 programs in Utah. I have not heard any plans to revive the Bucket since Utah Valley and now Dixie State have joined the ranks of Division I.
It was a rather busy night…
-Oklahoma got a nice win at home against Florida. It was the first true road game of the season for the Gators, and they’ll have plenty more opportunities to get a notable road win between now and the end, so it’s hardly all that damaging a loss.
-Georgia had not looked good at all this season. Last night, they beat Memphis 82-79. It raises the question…is Memphis actually any good?
-North Carolina blew Michigan off the floor. It isn’t shocking that anyone would lose at North Carolina regardless of their ranking, but it was a little shocking to see Michigan just get absolutely blasted into the sun.
-Cincinnati barely held on to win at Miami OH 59-58 (and yes, it was a rare visit by UC to Millett Hall). It was an exciting game, but the last thirty seconds or so looked like the Keystone Cops were playing for both teams. Miami had just one loss coming into this game, and had at least a few decent wins on their profile, so they may be a team to watch in the MAC.
-WE HAD A QUADRUPLER!!!!!!! First of the year!!!!! NC State got by Nebraska 104-100 in four overtimes in their Big Teen/ACC Challenge game.
-Washington State improves to 6-1 on the year, and adds another road win to their resume, after knocking off Arizona State 51-29. If you like bad basketball, go back and watch the first half of this one!!
-Wichita State improved to 6-1 and picked up their second true road win of the season by knocking off Oklahoma State 60-51. We haven’t really been zeroed in on the Shockers yet, but it may be time to start paying attention.
-I think we can now STOP paying attention to Northern Iowa. They fell to Bradley in their conference opener 71-69. They have just one D1 win (albeit at St. Bonaventure) and have simply not looked like a tournament caliber team.
-Providence picked up a nice win at home against Texas Tech 72-68. Both teams came into this one with good records, but it was the first true road game and first big test for Texas Tech. Didn’t look bad, but didn’t quite get the win either. Not overly discouraging, though.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-MISSOURI AT LIBERTY. Both Missouri and Liberty have had their struggles this season, but Liberty is still a team that we think can emerge as the A-Sun frontrunner and one of the better UTR teams overall. Getting to host an SEC team is a good opportunity for them.
-ORAL ROBERTS AT TCU. TCU is off to a 5-1 start, but hasn’t really had any big tests. I still think Oral Roberts has the potential to have a big year, but they have come up short in some early season opportunities. Tonight is arguable another one for them.
-LIPSCOMB AT BELMONT (Battle of the Boulevard). We love this series!!! Unfortunately, this is the only time these two will play this year during the regular season. It’s normally a home and home. Belmont is a team that we think can land inside the bubble and who already has some notable wins. Lipscomb is another team that we think can make some noise in the A-Sun, so this is actually one of the better games of the night.
-OAKLAND AT UIC (Horizon League). Oakland has a pretty good resume and if they can hold serve in the Horizon League (which basically means coming close to running the table), they will probably land inside the bubble.
-SAINT MARY’S AT UTAH STATE. This is a game between what looks to be two tournament caliber teams who can add another notable win to their resume.
-NORTHERN ARIZONA AT WEBER STATE (Big Sky). Weber State can improve to 7-0.
-VALPARAISO AT DRAKE (Missouri Valley). Drake is off to a slow start and really needs to start stringing together some wins.
-DENVER AT WYOMING (Front Range). WE AT HOOPS HD LOVE THE FRONT RANGE!!!! Wyoming is looking to remain unbeaten on the season.