Under the Radar Game of the Day: Buffalo at Ball State

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Chad

Buffalo at Ball State, 9:00 PM Eastern, ESPNU

For our latest Bracket Rundown video podcast, CLICK HERE.

The Akron Zips are dominating the Mid-American Conference so far this season, sitting at a perfect 9-0 in league play and holding a 3 game lead in the overall conference standings (4 games in the East Division, though division standings are ignored in seeding the conference tournament).  As far as the rest of the MAC, 10 of the remaining 11 teams are within three games of each other in the battles for 2nd through 11th places, meaning that we could have a ton of fun competition down the stretch as teams try to grab a top four seed (which would avoid a first round game) or at least grab seeds 5-8 (which would provide a home game in the first round before the tournament heads to Cleveland starting with the quarterfinals).  Tonight, the team currently holding sole possession of second place overall and first place in the West Division, Ball State, hosts Buffalo in our Under the Radar Game of the Day.

Ball State enters play tonight at 15-7  overall and 6-3 in MAC play.  The Cardinals are one of the MAC’s hottest teams, having won 6 of their last 7 games after starting conference play 0-2.  They were able to pull out an 81-80 home win over Toledo on Tuesday night, thanks to 26 points and 8 assists from Tayler Persons, plus 19 points and 9 rebounds from Franko House.  Buffalo sits at 10-12 overall and 4-5 in league play.  The Bulls gave conference leader Akron one of their biggest scares of the season last weekend, losing 91-90 at Akron.  Blake Hamilton led the way for the Bulls in that loss with 33 points, though three other players also scored in double-digits including 19 from Willie Conner.  Ball State needs to make certain they do not overlook this Buffalo team tonight, especially with the Cardinals facing a road trip to Akron early next week, and their chance to de-throne the current kings of the MAC.

Posted in Under the Radar | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Under the Radar Game of the Day: Buffalo at Ball State

Hoops HD Bracket Rundown: February 2nd

Posted on February 2, 2017 by David Griggs

Chad is joined by the Hoops HD Staff as they build a seed list and run down the teams line by line.  Watch and listen as they debate, discuss, and assess all of the teams who they feel should be in the NCAA Tournament if today was Selection Sunday.  They are not trying to guess the actual Selection Committee, but rather rank the teams the way they feel they should be ranked.

The show was recorded Thursday, February 2nd at 9pm, est and does not reflect any games that were played after that

 

Here is what our seedlist looks like after it has been brackted

 

And for all you radio lovers, below is an mp3 version of the show…

Posted in Bracketology, News and Notes, Tim Miles, Videocasts | 1 Comment

News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Thursday, Feb 2nd

Posted on February 2, 2017 by David Griggs

NEWS AND NOTES

CLICK HERE for our latest Under the Radar Podcast

-For Chad Sherwood’s UTR Game of the Day, which features the top two teams in the Southland – CLICK HERE

-Kansas and Baylor sure put on a show last night.  Kansas has not lost a home game since January 5th, 2014.  If I counted correctly, they are now 60-1 in their last 61 games, and 108-4 in their last 112 games.  And, it’s not like they’ve been playing creampuffs.  Winning at Kansas is harder to do than winning any NCAA Tournament game that a team may play.  And, Baylor played a great game despite foul trouble and a couple of missed open looks.  So, what do I take away from it?  Kansas is great, but we knew that already.  Baylor is actually better than I thought, and I thought they were pretty damn good prior to last night’s game.  I know the result must sting a bit for the Bears, but in terms of the NCAA Tournament Kansas and Baylor really aren’t in each other’s way.  Both could wind up with #1 seeds, and if they do Baylor is most likely on their way to Memphis for the regionals and Kansas is most likely on their way to Kansas City.  Both are likely to end up in Tulsa for the first and second round, so it isn’t as if there is one spot that they’re both competing for.

-Cincinnati trailed for almost the entire game against Tulsa, but they kicked it into gear in the final minutes just as I was ready to write them off, and they somehow weren’t trailing when the horn went off.

-Indiana beat Penn State at home, which isn’t all that much of a surprise.  They needed three overtimes to do it, and a last second shot that was just within a millisecond of being in time.  That was a surprise.

-Clemson downed Georgia Tech at home and picked up another conference win that they desperately needed.

-Syracuse won their first road game of the year in an overtime thriller at NC State.  They still have a ways to go before reaching the bubble, but this certainly helps.

-Marquette went into Saint John’s and ended up getting beaten rather handily.  The Johnnies, who we all seemingly agreed were terrible coming into league play, are now a very modest 5-6 in one of the strongest leagues in the country.  Marquette has dropped two straight after winning their two biggest games of the year.

-TCU picked up what is probably their biggest win of the year as they took down Kansas State in overtime.  It’s a big win for a bubble team, and a rather disappointing loss for another bubble team.

-Texas Tech is another bubble team.  Or, was.  Losing to a non tournament team is never a good idea if you’re a bubble team, and they were unable to get it done at Texas last night.

-Xavier won a thriller against Seton Hall.  It was a game that both teams really needed to win and that seesawed back and forth.  Seton Hall missed what would have been a game winning three at the buzzer and is now just 3-6 in Big East play.

-Villanova, Virginia, UCLA, Florida State, South Carolina, and Purdue are all solid tournament teams that picked up wins last night.  Purdue’s was the most notable as they blew out Northwestern at home.

 

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-MISSOURI AT FLORIDA (SEC).  This is a conference game that will likely end up looking very much like a buy game.  Mizzou’s next SEC win will be their first.

-MICHIGAN STATE AT NEBRASKA (Big Ten).  Nebraska has an unimpressive record and profile, but they’re probably a little better than what it indicates given how close a lot of their games have been.  This would be a nice win for the Spartans, but it won’t be easy.

-MEMPHIS AT SOUTH FLORIDA (American).  Memphis has an outside shot at best.  In order to get it they basically have to win out.

-CHARLESTON AT UNC WILMINGTON (Colonial).  I cannot believe this was not Chad’s pick for the UTR Game of the Day.  It’s the top two teams in the Colonial, and it is basically the last big game before the conference tournament that UNCW plays, so it is essential to their at-large chances.  UNCW is coming off a decisive loss to William & Mary, but I still think they’re safe so long as that ends up being their only strike.  They’re at home tonight, and hopefully they will be refocused.  We must give a shout out to CofC as well, who’s program has undergone a drastic turnaround in recent years, and if they win tonight they’ll be tied at the top of the standings.

-VALPARAISO AT MILWAUKEE (Horizon).  If Valpo wins out I think the committee will at least look at them, but chances are they’ll need the auto bid.

-MIDDLE TENNESSEE AT UTSA (Conference USA).  Middle continues to dominate the league and will be safely inside the NCAA Tournament bubble if they win out.

-ARIZONA AT OREGON STATE (Pac Twelve).  This is probably the most winnable conference road game that any power conference team could possibly play.

-UTAH AT CALIFORNIA (Pac Twelve).  This is a bubblicous game between two teams who desperately need this win.

-GONZAGA AT BYU (West Coast).  Some think this will be a test for Gonzaga.  I really don’t think it will be, but I agree that it will come closer to being a test than any of their remaining games minus their trip to Saint Mary’s.

Posted in Daily Rundown, News and Notes | Comments Off on News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Thursday, Feb 2nd

Under the Radar Game of the Day: Stephen F Austin at Sam Houston State

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Chad

Stephen F. Austin at Sam Houston State, 9:00 PM Eastern, ASN/southlanddigitalnetwork.com

For our most recent Under the Radar Video podcast, CLICK HERE.

Despite a couple of huge games in other Under the Radar conferences (most notably the Colonial and Ohio Valley) tonight, the Under the Radar Game of the Day can never resist a chance to focus in on the Battle of the Piney Woods in Hunstville, Texas, as the Southland’s two most bitter rivals, Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State, square off for the first time this season tonight.  Tonight’s battle is even more notable as the host Bearkats have lost 13 straight games in the series and currently trail it overall 105-94.  Sam Houston State enters play tonight at 16-6 overall and 7-2 in Southland play, half a game ahead of surprising New Orleans and in first place.  After opening conference play 0-2, the Bearkats have won 7 in a row, including a picking up a win at New Orleans in mid-January and defeating Southeastern Louisiana 71-69 over the weekend.  Four players were in double figures for the ‘Kats in the win this weekend, led by 16 from Aurimas Majauskas.

Stephen F. Austin entered this season having won an amazing 59 of their last 60 games against SLC foes.  With many of the key players from those teams gone, and Brad Underwood now coaching at Oklahoma State, it did not shock us too much to see the Lumberjacks start league play 1-2.  It is almost more surprising that they have won 5 of 6 since then to improve to 6-3 in league play (11-10 overall) and move within one game of first place.  Ivan Canete led his team with 14 points in a big home win over the weekend against New Orleans.  If the Lumberjacks can take down their rival on the road tonight, they will send a message that just because the names on the roster and on the bench have changed, they are still ready to make a run at the conference title and a return trip to the Big Dance.

Posted in Under the Radar | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Under the Radar Game of the Day: Stephen F Austin at Sam Houston State

Under the Radar: February 2nd

Posted on February 2, 2017 by David Griggs

Chad, David, and John begin by highlighting the Big South Conference and the three way logjam at the top of the standings between Winthrop, UNC Asheville, and Liberty.  We’re heading into the second half of the season and the first place team gets to host the conference tournament.  After that, they run through the other 22 UTR conferences and discuss UNC Wilmington’s lost to William & Mary and how that effects their chances for an at-large, Akron’s dominance of the MAC, Middle Tennessee’s run through C-USA, a tight race in the Sun Belt, a big week in the SoCon, and this week’s UTR Top Ten.

 

And for all you radio lovers, below is an mp3 version of the show….

Posted in Podcasts, Under the Radar, Videocasts | 2 Comments

Queen of the Big 12: HoopsHD interviews Baylor coach Kim Mulkey

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Jon Teitel

There are great players who become terrible coaches, there are mediocre players who turn out to be championship coaches…and then there is Kim Mulkey, the first person in NCAA basketball history to win titles as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.  After winning 4 straight Louisiana high school titles, she won back-to-back national titles as a PG at Louisiana Tech in 1981/1982.  She won a gold medal with team USA at the 1984 Olympics, then became an assistant at her alma mater to Coach Leon Barmore while helping the Lady Techsters win another title in 1988.  She became head coach at Baylor in 2000, where she won a pair of titles in 2005/2012 and is favored to make her 4th straight trip to the Elite 8 next month.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach Mulkey about having a 4.0 GPA in high school and going 40-0 in 2012.

You won 4 state basketball titles at Hammond High School while receiving a 4.0 GPA: how did you balance your success on the court with your success in the classroom? It is really all I never knew: go to school and play ball. I knew my schedule every day and loved to compete both in the classroom and on the floor. I probably did not have the best study habits because I needed more sleep!

As a PG at Louisiana Tech you went 130-6, won a pair of national titles, lost another title game by 2 PTS, and lost a Final 4 game by 5 PTS: how was your team able to be so dominant, and how close did you come to winning 4 straight titles? We came very close as you can see by the close scores of those 2 losses. Our practices were more competitive than some of the games we played. We recruited the best players and got the best results: I do not know if there will ever be another era like that at Louisiana Tech.

In 1984 you were the 1st winner of the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (given to the nation’s top college senior under 5’6″): did you consider your size to be an advantage or a disadvantage on the court? I did not view it either way: I think size is overrated in all sports. You see some very successful players in the NBA/NFL who are short: it does not matter.

In the 1984 Olympics you played for team USA: what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? At that time it was the ultimate prize. When you stand for the anthem and they put the medal around your neck you realize how special it is, even more so because it was in Los Angeles.

In the 1988 NCAA tourney as an assistant to Coach Leon Barmore at your alma mater you had a 2-PT win over Auburn to clinch the title: what made Leon such a great coach, and what was the most important thing that you ever learned from him? He has always been able to make players better. He taught me to pay attention to detail and make sure that your team plays defense no matter how good they are on offense. He gave us everything he had so we wanted to give him everything we had in return

In 2000 you were inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame: where does that rank among the highlights of your career? I was humbled and honored but none of us enters sports with that as our goal. We love to compete and win championships: all the individual accolades will happen if your team is successful.

In 2005 you became the 1st person in college basketball history to win a national title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach: how does winning 1 as a player compare to winning 1 as a coach, and do you think that anyone else will ever accomplish that trifecta? I do not compare championships: they are all the same and all mean a lot. I am sure that someone else will do it in the future: why not? There are lots of great players who become great coaches so I think that it will eventually happen.

In 2012 you were named national COY, won your 2nd NCAA title as a head coach, and became the 1st coach to ever finish a season 40-0: how were you able to keep your team focused for every single game that year, and where does tourney MOP Brittney Griner rank among the best players that you have ever seen? It is very difficult to go undefeated: you have to stay hungry and make your players understand that practice is important. Brittney will go down as 1 of the best players in the history of women’s basketball.

Your son Kramer plays baseball at LSU and your daughter Makenzie played basketball/softball at Baylor: who is the best athlete in the family? They would each say that they are the best and they are certainly better than I am! We had a lot of competition around our house when they were growing up in all kinds of sports from ping pong to pool. They think the world of each other.

After inheriting a 7-20 team at Baylor you are on pace to win at least 21 games in each of your 17 seasons as a head coach: what makes you such a great coach, and how long do you plan on sticking around for? You are only as good as the players/coaches who take care of you. My assistants are loyal and have stuck with me for a long time. If I stay healthy then I think I will stay in it for a while. It is a tough business with a lot of demands on your time so I cannot put a time frame on it: I will just keep coaching as long as I am effective.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Queen of the Big 12: HoopsHD interviews Baylor coach Kim Mulkey