-Below is a rundown of today’s action, and a quick look back at yesterday
NEWS AND NOTES
-For Chad Sherwood’s Under the Radar Game of the Day between Middle Tennessee and UAB – CLICK HERE
-Yesterday was a very busy day in the Big East, Big Twelve, Big Ten, and ACC. Butler is in a bit of a hole after getting blown out at Xavier as they are now 0-2 in Big East play. North Carolina had a lot more trouble than expected, but held on to beat Georgia Tech. Florida State followed up their big road win at Florida with a somewhat surprising road loss at Clemson. Oklahoma trailed for much of the game against Iowa state, but held on to pick up a big win.
-The team that I noticed the most yesterday was Iowa. Other than a somewhat sluggish showing in their exempt tournament, they’ve been sensational. They built up (and blew) a 20 point lead at Iowa State, and I just kind of dismissed it as them blowing it. They then won at home against Michigan State, but against I just kind of dismissed it as them beating a team that wasn’t at full strength. You cannot simply dismiss winning at Purdue, and when you look at how well they’ve played in their other games, one has to conclude that the Hawkeyes appear to be for real.
-South Carolina had to sweat it out against Memphis, but the Gamecocks remain unbeaten.
-The game of the day was West Virginia at Kansas State. It went into double overtime, but WVU pulled out the big road win.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES
-ARIZONA AT ARIZONA STATE (Pac Twelve). Arizona has played just one true road win, but it was at Gonzaga when the Zags were at full strength, so they’ve proven they can win at hostile environments. Arizona State hasn’t lost at home since they’re season opener and they’re an impressive 10-3 on the season so far. To win their conference opener against their rival would give them even more momentum. This one should be fun. It’s a conference rivalry game between a protected seeded team who’d playing on the road against an underdog that’s trying to solidify themselves as an NCAA Tournament team.
-WICHITA STATE AT BRADLEY (Missouri Valley). It’s going to be the same ol’ story for Wichita for at least several weeks. They’re back at full strength, but they have a ton of catching up to do. This is a winnable conference road game that they need to pick up.
-USC AT WASHINGTON (Pac Twelve). I keep waiting for USC to taper off, but they’re still a very strong 12-2 and are looking very much like an NCAA Tournament team. They blew past Wazzu in their conference opener and will have a tougher test today, but it’s still a very winnable game.
-ILLINOIS AT OHIO STATE (Big Ten). Ohio State has won four straight since getting off to a sluggish start to the season, and continues to look better and better each week. They’ve still got work to do, but they appear to have turned it around.
-WESTERN ILLINOIS AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (Summit League). South Dakota State is good enough to blow through this league, and if they do they should be in the discussion for an at-large bid if they need it.
-FORDHAM AT GEORGE WASHINGTON (Atlantic Ten). Fordham is having one of their best years in recent memory, but they still have a very long way to go. I don’t think they’re good enough to where you can expect them to knock off a tournament caliber team in a true road game yet.
-OREGON AT OREGON STATE (Pac Twelve). This is a rivalry game between two teams that could really use this win. Oregon is 11-2, but they’ve played just one true road game and didn’t win it. Most of Oregon State’s wins have been against weaker teams as well. The Beavers are much improved, but this would be a hugely defining and satisfying moment for them if they’re able to knock off a rival that’s also a likely tournament caliber team.
-UTAH AT CALIFORNIA (Pac Twelve). Utah is still looking for their first true road win, and fell at Stanford earlier this week and that’s a part of their resume that could use some improvement. Cal had a big wig win against Colorado, but their resume could still use some improvement as well.
-WAKE FOREST AT LOUISVILLE (ACC). Louisville hasn’t beaten an NIT caliber team yet, but they’ve still looked very strong and can finally add a notable win to their resume if they’re able to beat Wake Forest today.
-BETHUNE COOKMAN AT GRAND CANYON. The Team of the People is looking to improve to 13-2 on the year! Keep the fight alive!! #LopesWaiver
-UCLA AT WASHINGTON STATE (Pac Twelve). UCLA lost a close one in their conference opener and really does need to rebound today.
-COLORADO AT STANDFORD (Pac Twelve). Colorado got absolutely waxed against Cal the other night, and needs to pick up a conference road win. I still think they’re a good team that will be there in the end, but they don’t have much in the way of notable wins at this point in time.