One month…just one more month until the Madness arrives. Conference tournaments begin is about 5 weeks, Selection Sunday is exactly 39 days away, and the play-in game is merely two days later. How does one chart the course of this bizarre season thus far? Maybe by pointing out that we’ve come full circle at the top of the rankings. Kansas held the #1 spot for the first 8 weeks before getting knocked off. Then, Texas had a two-week stint in the captian’s chair before Kentucky occupied the spot with its one-week cup of coffee. Now, we’re back with Kansas on top and roughly 10 more regular season games for each team to work on its resume.
Similar to their opponents, we’ve beaten UConn and UNC to a bloody pulpy death, so we’re going to avoid them this week...like an episode of Ugly Betty! (/too soon?)
Louisville stands with these guys, but it’s way too early to write them off.
I heard a stat…that the last time Louisville, UNC, and UConn all missed the tourney at the same time was 1973. I don’t care to confirm that stat, so I’m gonna run with it.
Steve…Someone please recognize Devin Downey and Dominque Jones. Both are on teams with zilch in the talent department but are absolutely lighting up their opponents. Both should be in running for player of the year.
What am I missing about Ohio State? The Buckeyes are the only 6-loss team in either poll and they’re top 20 in both (top 15 according to the AP). On top of that, there are 30 teams with a higher RPI. Of those teams ranked below Ohio State in the AP, all but Ole Miss (#25) have a higher RPI. Seriously, what am I missing?
Evan Turner was missing for 3 of those 6 losses.
Maybe if you paid a little attention you wouldn’t miss that.
While rummaging through a garage sale…A lot can be made of the Big 12, they’re certainly making a case as the top conference in the country.
It’s like quantum physics…How the he’ll does Gonzaga lose to some terrible WCC team every year? San Fran had like 8 wins…8 freaking wins, and they beat ‘em!? Beats me.
We forget that the Zags are ultimately a mid-major team…they won a semi-close game over Santa Clara just two nights prior to the OT loss to San Francisco, for cripes sake! Of course, the elevated expectations are simply a product of the Zags’ perennial success. Gonzaga reaps the benefits of playing a weak conference schedule most sesaons, but like Memphis this season, the losses and close games to annually-inferior conference opponents may haunt them later on this season. By the way, those two square off in Memphis this coming Saturday afternoon. It’s a must-win for each program.
They are not a mid-major program. They may play in a mid-major conference, but the Zags recruit like a big time program. They have won plenty of regular season games in the past against big programs. However, the lack of talent in their conference does not get them ready for March.
It’s a tough place to play…respeck knuckles to Kansas for pulling one out in that absolute madhouse that was Kansas State. That place MIGHT give Cameron Indoor a run for their money when it’s rocking. THAT was intense.
Kalin Lucas injury is still in question. If you missed last nights ass-whooping the Spartans received in the Kohl Center, again, you missed the reigning Big Ten POY going down with what is being called high ankle sprain. Contrary to earlier reports, Lucas did not have it x-rays last night. There is a possibility that it is more than just a sprain. If that his the case, the Spartans season will pretty much be derailed.
Sparty & Friends College Basketball Polls Compilation:
Kansas is back atop the polls this week as the best of all the beatens.
TWTWCBB Contributors: GatorTrey, Sparty, and Mizerle06.




#1 by sae on February 3, 2010 - 10:07 am
any chance of having the entire NCAA tourney played at the Kohl Center? i like our chances
#2 by sparty on February 3, 2010 - 10:12 am
just amazes me. as soon as they hit their first 2 3 pointers, i knew it was over.
#3 by sparty on February 3, 2010 - 10:08 am
did i miss a theme with the posts?
#4 by knightro on February 3, 2010 - 10:20 am
The Weekly Caption: 4 Laughs Left
#5 by cbh49er on February 3, 2010 - 10:09 am
Why is it a must win for Gonzaga? They are going to the tournament regardless.
#6 by mizerle06 on February 3, 2010 - 10:22 am
both teams are basically shoe-ins into the Tournament (both will likely win their conference tournaments). the game is a must win for each for seeding.
#7 by Triston27 on February 3, 2010 - 10:19 am
Anyone watch EA interview Bo Ryan after the game last night? She asked him about his thoughts on Kalin Lucas getting injured. He said he didn’t know it happened. As the opposing coach, how do you not know an opposing player gets hurt and isn’t playing? I think he misunderstood a lot of the questions. It was a awkward interview. He was probably caught up in the win. Wisconsin is tough at home, but I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw they had almost 40 at half.
#8 by sparty on February 3, 2010 - 10:22 am
he also called kalin, korie. bo ryan loves beating msu. he was very much caught up in the moment. i hate playing there, hate it!
#9 by Triston27 on February 3, 2010 - 10:33 am
Saw that too. That’s when I shut the TV off.
#10 by john on February 3, 2010 - 10:24 am
Good to see Paul Pierce University back at the top.
#11 by mizerle06 on February 3, 2010 - 10:25 am
dude, you just made my argument and refuted your own. The Zags are mid-major. they play in a mid-major conference, their conference foes are weak, and they are good for a loss to a crappy conference team just about every season. how is that not the definition of a mid-major, albeit a good mid-major?
#12 by sparty on February 3, 2010 - 10:30 am
see the winner of the SEC.
#13 by mizerle06 on February 3, 2010 - 10:34 am
sorry, I’m an ocassional retard. you’re gonna have to come back with something stronger than this that actually makes sense.
#14 by sparty on February 3, 2010 - 10:40 am
it got a thumbs up.
#15 by cycledan on February 3, 2010 - 10:25 am
With Syracuse off to their best start in their history at 22-1, this has been a fun season for me. Most years I was hoping for upsets in the same bracket as Syracuse to give them an easier path in the NCAAs. This year, I really get the feeling that they are the best team. Sure, among the top 4 teams, they all are pretty good teams capable of beating each other but I just feel Syracuse is the best of them.
On another note, my undergraduate alma matter, Cornell, is having their best year probably ever. They challenged themselves OOC and their 3 losses are to Kansas (barely in the last seconds), Syracuse and Seton Hall. Not a single bad loss for a mid major. They also beat Alabama, St. Johns, and UMass which are decent wins. I am hoping they get a 9 seed and based upon their RPI, there is a good chance.
#16 by mizerle06 on February 3, 2010 - 10:29 am
ok. so, the guys that are actually playing aren’t good enough to justify the ranking but the fragile guy that could potentially play potentially makes the team a lot better and the ranking is based on potential. makes perfect sense.
#17 by sparty on February 3, 2010 - 10:31 am
those are rankings. they are subjective. deal with it.
#18 by GatorTrey on February 3, 2010 - 11:28 am
Bo Ryan looks like Jon Voight!
#19 by cabbage on February 3, 2010 - 12:21 pm
Ms. Palin would like a word with you.
#20 by mizerle06 on February 3, 2010 - 1:41 pm
I meant it literally, not as an insult. I’m really retarded.
#21 by mizerle06 on February 3, 2010 - 1:43 pm
for visual proof, see my gravatar.
#22 by cabbage on February 3, 2010 - 12:22 pm
Go Temple.