NEWS AND NOTES:
-For John Stalica’s UTR Game of the Day between Lipscomb and South Dakota – CLICK HERE
-Two Big East teams had very close calls last night as Providence had to come from behind to beat Rider 66-65, and Georgetown needed overtime to get by Coppin State 99-89, but both held on to win and avoided damaging losses at home. Granted , based on how they played, and how Georgetown in particular has been playing for the past several years, chances are there are many damaging losses to come this season.
-One more result of note is how Duquesne absolutely blasted Montana 91-63. I thought Duquesne was going to be very sucktacular this year, and while I wasn’t expecting Montana to be good, I thought they’d at least be decent. Duquesne just pounded them. Maybe the Dukes have a little more than what we thought this year
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-DAVIDSON AT WRIGHT STATE. Props to Davidson for scheduling a game, especially a game this early in the season, that many teams would be hesitant to play. It’s a road game against a good UTR team. Wright State will likely win a lot of games at home this year, and if the committee is paying attention like they say they are (and I think that they are) Davidson will get some credit for winning this. It’s the season opener for Wright State, and Davidson is looking to move to 2-0 and put a decent road win on their resume.
-SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT BOUSE STATE. South Dakota State had a tough road at Akron in Overtime just two nights ago, and they’ve got another really tough road assignment tonight. I still think South Dakota State can be a top level UTR team this year, and if they can pick this win up on the road it will really look good on their resume down the stretch.
-BELLARMINE AT LOUISVILLE. This is a buy game, but for the storyline alone it is worth watching. Bellarmine may be the best team in Louisville, and they can prove it by picking up this win on the road tonight. Granted, it’s just a few miles down the road, but it’s on the road nonetheless.
-FGCU @ SAN DIEGO. Both teams are 1-0, and FGCU is coming off an upset win at USC, which should end up looking really good on their resume. If they’re able to pick up a second win on the road tonight, the committee should set up and take notice. If it’s all about the results, then two road wins to start the season, and one of those coming against USC, is about as good of a start as any team can ask for regardless of their conference.
BUY GAMES:
-IUPUI @ Drake
-Kansas City @ LSU
-Monmouth @ Seton Hall – fun little New Jersey match up
-San Diego Christian (nonD1) @ Grand Canyon
-FAMU @ Portland