News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Tuesday, Jan 4

Posted on January 4, 2022 by David Griggs

NEWS AND NOTES:

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-Wisconsin picked up what is arguably the singular best NCAA Tournament Resume win of the season yesterday when they won at Purdue.  Alabama’s win over Gonzaga in Seattle is in the running, but the difference is that this was on Purdue’s home court.  The atmosphere in Seattle was definitely with the Zags, but the familiarity of the home venue was with Purdue as well as the atmosphere last night.  With that win, you have to start looking at Wisconsin as a protected seed caliber team, at least for now.  Top five teams don’t lost at home.  They just don’t.  I mean if they did, they wouldn’t be ranked in the top five, so…  You can usually easily count the number of combined home losses on one hand in any given season.  So, that win was HUGE!

-Iowa had to sweat out Maryland, but held on for the win.

-An Under the Radar note, Southern held off Texas Southern 63-50 in the SWAC opener for both teams.  We mention this because we believe these are the two best teams in the SWAC, and it was interesting to see them go at it in the conference opener.  The two will face each other one more time during the regular season (COVID permitting) and perhaps a third time in the SWAC Tournament.

 

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:

-At the time I’m writing this, eight games have been either cancelled or postpoined.

-OHIO U AT AKRON (MAC).  Ohio would pretty much have to run the table in order to be solidly on the board, but they are really good and it’s not a complete impossibility.  This is a tough road game for them, though.

-AUBURN AT SOUTH CAROLINA (SEC).  Based on how Auburn has been playing they may make a push for a #1 seed.  South Carolina has had a better than expected season and comes into this one at 9-3.  A win tonight could help push them onto the national scene.

-OKLAHOMA AT BAYLOR (Big 12).  Oklahoma is good.  They look to be a Tournament caliber team.  And…based on how Baylor has been playing the Sooners seemingly have no shot.  Baylor seems to be putting together one of the strongest resumes of all time.

-TEXAS AT KANSAS STATE (Big 12).  Texas needs more notable wins on their resume, and a conference road win against a decent K State team will go a long way.  K State is a good team that’s in a fantastic conference, so any wins at all are going to be hard to come by.

-KENTUCKY AT LSU (SEC).  Both teams are good, both have had big wins, but both also have room to elevate their resumes and both are good enough to do so.  This is a resume boosting opportunity for both these teams.

-FLORIDA STATE AT WAKE FOREST (ACC).  This game has a real bubblicious feel to it seeing as how right now both teams seem to be right on the bubble and both have work to do.  That should give this game a sense of urgency for both teams.

-NC STATE AT VIRGINIA TECH (ACC).  VA Tech needs to string together some wins if they want to be solidly in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

-TEXAS A&M AT GEORGIA (SEC).  TAMU is off to a good 11-2 start, but their resume could still use some bolstering.  A conference road win would help them out.

-MICHIGAN AT RUTGERS (Big Ten).  Michigan has been disappointing this year and needs to start stringing together some wins just to establish themselves as belonging in the tournament at all.  Winning at Rutgers won’t be easy.  They are tough to beat at home.

-ILLINOIS AT MINNESOTA (Big Ten).  Both teams look like solid NCAA Tournament teams.  Minnesota has been a bit of a surprise this year, but comes into this one at 10-1 with a few nice wins.  This would be another one if they’re able to pull it off.

-SETON HALL AT BUTLER (Big East).  Seton Hall is still in good shape on paper, but after two straight losses and an 0-2 start in conference a road win like this could help them bounce back mentally and get some of their momentum back.

-VANDERBILT AT ARKANSAS (SEC).  Arkansas is outside the bubble and has a lot of work to do just to get back in the discussion.  They really need to hold serve tonight.

-GEORGIA TECH AT DUKE (ACC).  Duke should blow through the ACC, and if they do they should end up seeded no worse than the #2 line.

-KANSAS AT OKLHAOMA STATE (Big 12).  Kansas has a path to a #1 seed, but that includes winning road games like this one.

-PROVIDENCE AT MARQUETTE (Big East).  I love this Providence team and actually think they are putting together the kind of resume that should be considered for a #1 seed.  Now, a lot of their big wins came against shorthanded teams, so if they wanted to be put in that company they need to keep winning games like the one they’ll play tonight.  This team is for real, though!

-AIR FORCE AT COLORADO STATE (Mountain West) (Front Range).  We at Hoops HD Love the Front Range!!!  Colorado State looks to remain unbeaten on the year and stay solidly in the rankings.

-TULSA AT MEMPHIS (American).  Memphis has been hot and cold this year.  They still have some work to do and they need to be able to hold serve in games like this.

-VIRGINIA AT CLEMSON (ACC).  Neither team is inside the bubble right now, and both have a lot of work to do.  Winning tonight would be a nice start.

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Happy Anniversary!: HoopsHD interviews former Western Illinois star Joe Dykstra

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Jon Teitel

Joe Dykstra is the leading scorer in school history, a 2-time conference POY, and a 3-time All-American. However, what he is most known for is free throw shooting. Back in 1982 he scored 32 points in a win over Eastern Kentucky and broke the NCAA record for most consecutive FTs when he made his 64th in a row to break the record set by Bob Lloyd of Rutgers in 1967. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Joe about being a great FT shooter and playing pro basketball. Today marks the 40th anniversary of Joe’s record-breaking performance on January 4, 1982 so we take this time to celebrate his awesome accomplishment.

Why did you decide to attend Western Illinois? I am from Des Moines, IA, so I was interested in staying in the Midwest but my top 4-5 choices decided to offer scholarships to other players.

You got to play a few years with your older brother JD: what kind of relationship do you have with him, and who was the better player? My brother and I have remained close: we live only a couple of miles away from each other in California. We each say that the other 1 was better!

You were a 4-time 1st-team All Mid-Con performer: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start, and how were you able to continue to dominate throughout your college career? I had hoped to go to a Big 8/Big 10 school but it did not happen so I showed up at Western Illinois with a chip on my shoulder. I got to play right away and continued to work hard: some early success showed me that I should work even harder to become even better. We made the transition to D-1 and it ended up becoming a really good fit for me.

You were a 2-time conference POY/3-time All-American: what did it mean to you to win such outstanding honors? The best way for me to answer that question is to focus on the central theme of having a chip on my shoulder. Every college player thinks that he can end up in the NBA someday. Back in those days there was not a lot of AAU basketball so college was my 1st exposure to a lot of great players from around the country. The awards were irrelevant to me back then: I never viewed myself as 1 of the better players in the country. If I was POY in a league like the Big 10 then it would have meant a lot more to me.

In 1982 you set a then-D-1 record by making 64 consecutive FTs: how were you able to maintain your focus for such a long stretch of games, and what is your secret for FT shooting? I figured out that I could not easily measure up to the big-time teams in most categories, but FT shooting is more or less the same wherever you play so I decided that I would do something that I could compare favorably in. Other folks were more athletic than me but I practiced FTs a lot and would not leave until I made 100(!) in a row. It is just about practicing them as if it was a game situation and then lots of repetition. Broadcasters often complain about players who cannot make FTs: I think it is just because it is not exciting to stand in a gym and practice them enough.

In 1983 you scored a D-1-era-school-record 37 PTS vs. Eastern Illinois: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? In team sports when you have a big game you need a special type of game plan: EIU was an important game on our schedule. I was a little less bashful when we had those kinds of games and just tried to do whatever the team needed. I recall making a lot of FTs that night.

You graduated as a career 88.5 FT% shooter, which was 8th-best in D-1 history: did you realize at the time how prolific a shooter you were? There was some personal pleasure to end up so high on that list: when I look back on what I did it gives me some satisfaction. I liked to work (both now and as a kid) to make myself as good as I could be.

In the summer of 1983 you were drafted by Phoenix: were you thrilled to realize your dream of getting drafted, or disappointed that you did not make the team, or something else? Like a lot of things in life it was a big disappointment at the time…but as the years go by I think it was just cool to get drafted. The Suns blew up their team the following year after a scandal so I wish that I would have entered the draft the following year (in 1984). Everyone in the NBA is taller and more athletic so in hindsight it was a practical impossibility. I was actually lucky that I did not make it: the money was not good and my real estate business has become pretty successful. I have zero regrets but I do not watch a lot of basketball these days.

You played pro basketball abroad for several years: what did you learn from this experience, and how did it compare to college basketball? I played in France/Australia/England. With the exception of Italy/Spain there was no money for players in Europe but that has changed a lot. There were a bunch of good players in the French League and some of the Europeans were overlooked at that time. Our coach was Loyd King, who had played in the ABA. What you learn quickly is that there are not a lot of well-paying jobs so every extra day in Europe delays the launch of your post-basketball life. There were a couple of good teams in England but it was not a great league so I ran out of good reasons to play. My personal goal growing up was to play in the NBA so I did not just want to get paid to play in another league. I am glad that I did it and would encourage everyone to do it if they want to chase their dream.

When people look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered the most? I have been back to campus a few times and have always enjoyed that people remember me for my work ethic and getting as much out of my God-given talents as I possibly could. If I could make as many FTs in a row as I did, then I proved to myself that I could have played almost anywhere and contributed.

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The Hoops HD Report: January 3rd

Posted on January 3, 2022 by David Griggs

Chad and the panel look back at a week of college basketball that was busy, but not as busy as it should have been due to so many games being cancelled.  The Big Ten and Big 12 are both really strong with as many as 7 teams from each league that could get in on the first ballot.  The Big East is also blowing up with teams like Providence and Creighton continuing to look better and better.  The Pac 12 has been dealing with shutdowns, but still has three likely protected seeds in UCLA, USC, and Arizona, but the problem is that no one else in the league really even looks like an NIT team.  For the first time in over forty years, only one team in the ACC received any votes in the AP Poll.  We discuss all that, and much more…

And for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show…

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News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Monday, Jan 3rd

Posted on January 3, 2022 by David Griggs

NEWS AND NOTES:

CLICK HERE for Jon Teitel’s latest Bracket Projections.  He is one of the best Selection Committee Guessing Experts on the planet!!  

-Michigan State got a battle from Northwestern and had to come from behind, but they picked up another nice road win and remain well within the protected seed range.  It was a missed opportunity for a Northwestern team who could have made a splash on the national stage and put themselves well in the NCAA Tournament discussion had they picked up the win.  The silver lining for the Wildcats is that they’ll have plenty more chances.

-Houston had to sweat against Temple, but they did get the win.  Still, losing two key players looks like it will have a long term impact.

-Iona really had to sweat out Marist at home, but held on to win 69-66.  Any loss for the Gaels would be extremely costly, so it’s good they held on.

-For the second time this season I believe I am done with Richmond.  They needed the win at Saint Louis yesterday and couldn’t get it done.  SLU has had a good year despite being hurt by injuries, but they still have some work to do.

-Indiana could have really used a road win.  They appeared to have a winnable road game at Penn State.  Indiana did not get the win.  That’s the kind of road win tournament teams are expected to be able to win, so in that sense the loss hurts.

-Louisville has strung together a few wins and appears to be building themselves back up.  They still have a lot of building to do, which means they still have a lot of work to do, but beating Wake Forest at home and picking up a road win at Georgia Tech isn’t a bad week.

 

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:

-At the time I’m writing this, five games have been either cancelled or postponed.

-WISCONSIN AT PURDUE (Big Ten).  Purdue is on a path to a #1 seed, which means to stay on that path they basically need to win every game.  Wisconsin is having a good year, but could boost their resume through the roof if they’re able to pull off the upset tonight.

-WASHINGTON AT ARIZONA (Pac 12).  Arizona looks like a solid protected seed, and Washington looks like a team that would struggle in the Big Sky.  It’s a conference game, but it could end up looking a lot like a buy game.

-MARYLAND AT IOWA (Big Ten).  Iowa has some decent credentials, but has room to improve.  This is a game they should win, and their resume will take a bit of a hit if they don’t.

-COLORADO AT OREGON (Pac 12).  Oregon has a lot of potential, but they haven’t played up to it yet and still have a ton of work to do.  As for Colorado, this would be a nice road win for them if they’re able to pull it off.

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Bracketology 2022: March Madness Predictions (Version 1.0)

Posted on January 2, 2022 by Jon Teitel

Some teams have not even started conference play…yet we are only 10 weeks away from Selection Sunday as we begin to make our NCAA tourney predictions. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel correctly picked 67 of the 68 teams that made the 2021 tourney, 62 of which were within 1 spot of their actual seed, including 47 right on the money. He will spend the upcoming months predicting which 68 teams will hear their names called on March 13th. See below for his list of who would make the cut if they picked the field today and if you agree or disagree then feel free to tweet us. To see how we stack up with other websites (ranked 19th out of 135 entries over the past 5 years), check out: www.bracketmatrix.com

SEED: TEAM (CONFERENCE)
1: Baylor (Big 12)
1: Purdue (Big 10)
1: Duke (ACC)
1: Gonzaga (WCC)

2: Arizona (Pac-12)
2: Kansas (Big 12)
2: Auburn (SEC)
2: UCLA (Pac-12)

3: Michigan State (Big 10)
3: LSU (SEC)
3: Houston (AAC)
3: Ohio State (Big 10)

4: USC (Pac-12)
4: Alabama (SEC)
4: Villanova (Big East)
4: Tennessee (SEC)

5: Iowa State (Big 12)
5: Xavier (Big East)
5: Kentucky (SEC)
5: Seton Hall (Big East)

6: Providence (Big East)
6: Illinois (Big 10)
6: Connecticut (Big East)
6: Wisconsin (Big 10)

7: Colorado State (MWC)
7: Texas (Big 12)
7: Texas Tech (Big 12)
7: West Virginia (Big 12)

8: Oklahoma (Big 12)
8: Loyola-Chicago (MVC)
8: Iowa (Big 10)
8: BYU (WCC)

9: Michigan (Big 10)
9: San Francisco (WCC)
9: Minnesota (Big 10)
9: North Carolina (ACC)

10: Creighton (Big East)
10: Indiana (Big 10)
10: Florida (SEC)
10: Virginia Tech (ACC)

11: St. Mary’s (WCC)
11: Mississippi State (SEC)
11: UCF (AAC)
11: Wake Forest (ACC)
11: Belmont (OVC)
11: Davidson (A-10)

12: San Diego State (MWC)
12: Murray State (OVC)
12: Iona (MAAC)
12: UAB (C-USA)

13: Chattanooga (SoCon)
13: Ohio (MAC)
13: New Mexico State (WAC)
13: South Dakota State (Summit)

14: Oakland (Horizon)
14: Wagner (NEC)
14: Towson (CAA)
14: Vermont (America East)

15: UC Irvine (Big West)
15: Navy (Patriot)
15: Louisiana (Sun Belt)
15: Princeton (Ivy)

16: Liberty (Atlantic Sun)
16: Weber State (Big Sky)
16: Campbell (Big South)
16: Norfolk State (MEAC)
16: Nicholls State (Southland)
16: Texas Southern (SWAC)

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News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Sunday, Jan 2

Posted on January 2, 2022 by David Griggs

NEWS AND NOTES:

-I’m beginning to wonder if Baylor will ever lose again.  Iowa State was unbeaten, had some wins against some really good teams, ranked in the top ten, and at home.  That’s the kind of game that’s arguably tougher to win than a Final Four game.  Beating a top ten team in their building is harder to do than beating them on a neutral floor.  Baylor basically led tip to buzzer.  Iowa State played well enough to stay in it, and made some big plays down the stretch to make it closer, but Baylor was never not in control of this game.

-Villanova picked up what was arguably their biggest win of the season as they knocked off Seton Hall on the road.  Again, beating a top 15 team that is in the hunt for a protected seed on the road is not easy to do.  This was a very physical game and it was close throughout, but Nova was able to get the win.

-Texas picked up their biggest win of the season (so far) as they took care of West Virginia at home.  A home win against WVU isn’t anything to get too excited about, but up until this point Texas didn’t have any wins against anyone that’s likely to even make the NIT, so it was one that the Longhorns needed.

-Providence had no trouble winning at DePaul 70-53.  At 13-1 with a lot of big wins and some really good road wins, Providence really does deserve more respect.  Their ranked in the 20s, and based on their schedule and what they’ve done against it, they probably belong in the top ten right now.

-Memphis continues their schizophrenic season.  Some nights they’re incredible and other nights they’re awful.  I suppose that’s better than just being consistently bad.  Yesterday at the Round House against Wichita State, they were incredible.  They won handily on the road against a good team.

-Creighton’s double overtime win at Marquette was perhaps the game of the day.  Creighton built up what appeared to be a commanding lead, but Marquette battled back, got the lead, and then seemed to have control themselves until Creighton drained some 3s to force a second overtime and then finally pulled away.

-A few bubblicious results – Maimi FL got the win over Wake Forest 92-84, Florida State got a nice road win at NC State after some early season struggles, and Oregon got a win against Utah that they really needed.

-Louisiana Tech hung on to beat Western Kentucky.  This is an exciting team to watch, and while their path to land inside the bubble is extremely narrow, if they can blow through CUSA they should at least get a look.

 

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:

-At the time I’m writing this, 18 games have been cancelled or postponed.

-NORTH CAROLINA AT BOSTON COLLEGE (ACC).  This should be a winnable road game for the Tarheels.

-MICHIGAN STATE AT NORTHWESTERN (Big Ten).  Northwestern has an impressive 8-2 record and they have built up some momentum from their OOC games, but this is a really big challenge.  It won’t be a cakewalk for Michigan State, though.  It’ not easy to go on the road and beat a team that has a lot of momentum built up.

-MARIST AT IONA (Metro Atlantic).  If Iona can hold serve the rest of the way they they should end up inside the bubble.

-UCF AT SMU (American).  Both teams are good, both have good records, but both still have work to do and could use some more notable wins.  That makes this an important game for both teams.

-RICHMOND AT SAINT LOUIS (Atlantic Ten).  Both teams are outside the bubble, but both have potential.  Richmond looked like they had been playing better until their last game, where they were totally blown out by a weak opponent, so they’ve used up a lot of strikes and need a win today.

-SAINT XAVIER (nond1) AT LOYOLA CHICAGO.  Buy game

-INDIANA AT PENN STATE.  Indiana is a very respectable 10-2, but there isn’t much meat on their resume, which means they need to win some big games in conference play, and pick up some road wins.  To put it simply, this is the kind of road game Indiana needs to be able to win.

-HOUSTON AT TEMPLE (American).  Houston has been rocked with injuries and will need some guys to step up into bigger roles for the rest of the season.  They should still be able to pick this one up at Temple, though.

-LOUISVILLE AT GEORGIA TECH.  Louisville is showing signs that they might actually be turning things around.  This is a winnable conference road game for them, which would get them to 3-0 in ACC play, and be another small step forward.

-OHIO STATE AT NEBRASKA (Big Ten).  This is a winnable road game for the Buckeyes, which should keep them on pace to end up as a protected seed.

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