Notable Games & Discussion 1/26/2010

• Azubuike24

  

  Rhode Island at Dayton - Both teams are 2 games behind Temple, and if either has a legit chance to still win the A-10, this game is a must win. Not only is it a chance for a quality win, but it's big in the grand scheme of the conference race. The A-10 is going to get multiple bids this year, likely 3 if the cards are dealt right, but both of these teams are fighting to be in that discussion. Charlotte, Richmond, Xavier and Temple are the other possibilities.
  
  Miami (FL) at Maryland - Miami started off red hot playing absolutely nobody, but since then have dropped 4 of 5 in the ACC and are currently in last place. Maryland on the other hand has rebounded after some disappointing early losses and are currently tied with UVA for first. Now clearly this isn't the best against the worst in the ACC, but it's a big game in a league where every team outside of BC still has NCAA hopes.
  
  Tulsa at (25) UAB - The two lone remaining Conference USA unbeatens square off in Birmingham. Both teams have some legit wins, Tulsa over St. Mary's and Oklahoma State and UAB over Georgia, Cincinnati and Butler. Like the A-10, C-USA is poised to get 3 possible bids, and along with Marshall, Memphis and UTEP, these teams must keep winning, especially against each other.
  
  (11) Kansas State at (24) Baylor - Two very talented teams squaring off here and this game is pretty much to determine who is the 3rd team in the Big 12. It's a HUGE week for both, as a win in this would afford them a loss in their next game, and they might need it as Baylor goes to Austin to face the Horns on Saturday while K-State welcomes the Jayhawks to Manhattan.
  
  North Carolina at North Carolina State - Who would have thought this game would be between 2 bubble teams fighting for their spot in the ACC. This is the type of game that is very detrimental to the loser, as both have to view it as winnable at this point. This is especially true for Carolina who still has to play Duke twice, travel to Wake, to Maryland and to GT. I'm not sure they could get out of such a big hole if they fall to State. The Pack actually has an easier schedule remaining, and they have already beaten Duke and FSU, so a win over UNC (and then beating NC Central this weekend) would put them at 15-7 and firmly in bubble position as they face 2 tough road games next week at UVA and at GT.
  
  Minnesota at Northwestern - At this point, it's pretty clear that the Big Ten only has 4 guaranteed NCAA Tournament teams (MSU, Purdue, Wisky and OSU). Those teams are in unless there is an ultimate collapse. After that, there is a chance nobody else gets in, as Illinois and Minnesota have collapsed. Northwestern may very well be that 5th and final Big Ten team, and a win in this game would be a huge separator for them. Minny has lost 3 straight, lost their starting PG to suspension and plays at OSU on Sunday. A loss here would make it very tough for them to get back into the race.
  
  Some intriguing games tonight. Not the most high-profile, but some very meaningful games for the bubble and in conference races.
• dokken

  These are some intriguing match ups. UAB continues to impress me.
  
  I like Dayton, especially at home.
  
  I think UNC comes out and makes at statement tonight.
  
  Hard to believe Maryland and UVA are tied atop the ACC.
• Mulva

  

  Maryland is rolling Miami. Hurricanes were clearly all a product of an embarrassing schedule early.
  
  I expect Rhode Island to continue sliding a little bit, and would be surprised if they make the NCAA when it's all said and done. I think they'll end up 5th in the A-10 pecking order.
  
  Michigan is up 2 on Michigan State at half.
  
  And Clemson looks like an early NCAA exit to me again. They just can't play away from home.
• CinciX12

  

  Dayton is up by 9 at the half over URI.
• ohiotiger33

  

  Clemson looking terrible. Granted we are without our leader in stitt, but we should be killing BC (beat them by 20+ at home two weeks ago).
• ohiotiger33

  

  Clemson cuts it to 7 early in the second half, looking much better (knock on wood).
• FairwoodKing

  CinciX12 wrote: Dayton is up by 9 at the half over URI.

  My boys from Dayton do great at home. It's on the road where we have trouble.
• Azubuike24

  

  URI has stormed back and taken a 2-point lead.
• Mulva

  

  Rhode Island has come back to take a 1 point lead on Dayton with around 6 minutes left. Whoops. Little late on that one.
  
  UAB is handling Tulsa early.
• Mulva

  

  Michigan State survives again. Still unbeaten in conference.
• ohiotiger33

  

  Clemson about to go down. This is a low seed NCAA tourney/NIT team at this point.
• ironman02

  Carolina leads NC State at the half, 37-33.
  
  Carolina had opened up a nine point lead late in the half, but that damn Javi Gonzalez started drilling every shot he took.
  
  The Heels are taking much better care of the ball tonight with only three turnovers, but they're in a dog-fight on the road. Probably gonna go down to the wire.
• wildcats20

  

  Carolina has pretty much controlled the game, which has been nice to see.
  
  But Gonzalez is going all Greivis on us right now UGH.
• Azubuike24

  

  Huge win for Rhode Island at Dayton. Flyers in trouble.
  
  Miami, as someone said, proved to be a total fraud. Embarrassing performance tonight.
  
  UAB looks to be the team to be in C-USA, they dominated the game against Tulsa.
  
  Kansas State gets a huge win over Baylor, who quietly now has 4 Big 12 losses.
• ironman02

  NC State already with a 5 point lead on Carolina.
  
  They're hitting pretty much every shot they take.
• ironman02

  Heels with a 13-0 run to take a 51-43 lead with 10:01 remaining.
• wildcats20

  

  Henson is playing very well tonight. FINALLY
• ironman02

  Yeah, Henson's defensive presence has really given the Heels a boost in the 2nd half.
  
  Strickland is playing a great game as well.
  
  Heels lead it 54-45 at the under 8 TV timeout.
• ironman02

  Carolina up 66-49 with 3:51 to go.
  
  28-6 run after trailing 43-38.
• wildcats20

  

  As petty as it would be for most programs, I think dropping the Heels out of the top 25 might have lit a fire under their ass.
• wildcats20

  

  Drew and Strickland are also playing very well for the Heels tonight. Nice to see BOTH of them contributing like they should every night.
• ironman02

  Carolina snaps the three game losing streak with a 77-63 win over NC State.
  
  Any win on the road in the ACC is a good win, and I hope that this will allow the Heels to build some confidence. Next up is UVA.
• wildcats20

  

  Carolina wins 77-63 behind very balanced scoring. 4 guys in double figures, Deon leads the way with 20 and Davis with 12 and 12.
• CinciX12

  

  Dayton is a God Damn eyesore on the face of America. All there is to it.
• SportsAndLady

  

  CinciX12 wrote: Dayton is a God Damn eyesore on the face of America. All there is to it.

  Better not say that too loud, or my boy LW is gonna hunt down your preppy ass