NEWS AND NOTES:
-UConn kept Michigan at arms length the entire way during last year’s national championship rematch last night and won 85-77. At no point did it really feel like they weren’t in control. It was an impressive showing by the Huskies.
-Valparaiso stunned Purdue in a double overtime thriller. Valpo hit a last second 3-pointer to force overtime, and then hit another buzzer beater at the end of the second OT to win 83-80. We had said that we thought Valpo had improved and that we liked their roster, but we didn’t think they were quite this good! In order for an Under the Radar team to land inside the bubble, these are the kinds of games they need to be able to win.
-Saint Louis pretty much controlled Missouri from tip to buzzer and picked up an impressive 90-84 win. This was a big one for SLU because they don’t get that many opportunities at solid P4 teams.
-UCF is 2-0 with a solid 87-75 win over Yale. UCF actually trailed at the half, but then totally controlled the game down the stretch.
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SPOTLIGHT GAMES:
-BETHESDA (nonD1) AT SOUTHERN UTAH – 8:30pm, est
-BETHESDA (nonD1) AT PEPPERDINE – 9pm est
-you are seeing that correctly. Here is a link to BETHESDA’S ACTUAL SCHEDULE. They actually played out in Hawaii yesterday!! They are splitting their team!!! Half is going to Southern Utah. The other half is going to Pepperdine. This is…well…a lot of things. But it is also a first. I also think it may be time for a new Hoops HD Award!! Now, you’re familiar with our awards!! You can read about the Centenary Award and the Stallings Award here. Is it now time to institute a third award?? It will be given to the program who schedules the most ridiculous game in all of D1 college basketball!! And we will call it..THE BEHESDA AWARD!!!
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-VCU AT MEMPHIS. I have been trashing Memphis for over a year now, but I had to stop doing this after Monday when they beat Iowa State. That is one of the single best wins that any team has managed this season, and Memphis will be tested again this afternoon (albeit at home). VCU is a team that we feel is good enough to land inside the bubble, but their opportunities for big wins are limited. This is one of the more important games on the Rams’s schedule. As for Memphis, it’s a chance to continue to build on the success of their big win in the season opener.
-PROVIDENCE VS NEBRASKA (Hall of Fame Tip-Off – Uncasville, CT). Nebraska was in the Sweet Sixteen last year and appears to have a very strong team again this year. Providence isn’t expected to be that good, but they can change that narrative in a hurry if they can win a game like this.
-MARYLAND AT GEORGETOWN. This rivalry finally resumed last year after a long absence!! The only problem was that the game wasn’t all that good and neither were any of hte two teams. That could very well be the case again this year. But, it’s a game that you pretty much have to highlight.
OTHER NOTABLE GAMES:
-San Diego State @ Colorado – San Diego State doesn’t appear to be quite as good as they’ve been in the past, but they won their opener and this should be a winnable road game for them.
-Samford @UNLV – this should be a fun one. I think Samford can compete for the SoCon this year and while this is a tough road game, it’s one they can win
-Northern Iowa @ Furman – Northern Iowa is rebuilding, but they did win their first game. Furman is one of the better teams in the SoCon and this should be a fun UTR matchup. This is the kind of OOC game you liked to see UTR teams play.
-Washington State @ High Point – High Point shoudln’t have too much trouble remaining unbeaten.
-Bellarmine @ Miami OH – this is likely a mismatch. Bellarmine hasn’t won a game yet and Miami OH is an NCAA Tournament caliber team, but I think Bellarmine will be one of the better teams in the ASun so this one is at least worth watching
–Pacific @ Bradley – both teams 1-0
-UNC Wilmington @ East Carolina – both teams 1-0
–Fresno State @ UC San Diego – both teams 1-0
-San Jose State @ UC Irvine – both teams 1-0
BUY GAMES:
-Morehead State @ Louisville
-Boyce (nonD1) @ Liberty
-Omaha @ Utah State – both teams 1-0
-New Mexico State @ Gonzaga – both teams 1-0
-Northern Arizona @ New Mexico
-Northern Illinois @ Dayton
-Northwestern State @ Murray State – may technically not be a buy game, but it practically is
-Bethune Cookman @ Grand Canyon
-Sacramento State – Santa Clara
-Portland State @ Seattle U
