SelectionSunday
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By Buzz King (@Fieldof68Freak)
ROAD TO SELECTION SUNDAY -- A look back at the week in college basketball, as always starting with our weekly “Field of 68” projection. Projected automatic qualifiers (best conference record or – if a tie -- best NET ranking) in multiple-bid conferences are noted with a *
FIELD OF 68 PROJECTION (through games played 1/12/25)
America East (1): Bryant (174)
American (1): Memphis (36)
ACC (5): *Duke (2), Pitt (27), Louisville (35), North Carolina (37), Clemson (38)
ASUN (1): Lipscomb (86) replaces Queens (210); ineligible for NCAA Tournament
Atlantic 10 (2): Dayton (61), *Saint Louis (117)
Big East (4): *Marquette (12), UConn (25), Saint John’s (28), Creighton (54)
Big Sky (1): Northern Colorado (111)
Big South (1): High Point (99)
Big Ten (11): Illinois (9), *Michigan (11), Michigan State (14), Purdue (15), Oregon (21), Maryland (22), Wisconsin (24), Ohio State (30), UCLA (32), Nebraska (44), Iowa (45)
Big XII (7): *Houston (3), Iowa State (6), Kansas (8), Arizona (16), Texas Tech (19), Baylor (20), West Virginia (29)
Big West (1): UC-Irvine (43)
Coastal (1): William & Mary (182)
Conference USA (1): New Mexico State (128)
Horizon (1): Cleveland State (194)
Ivy (1): Yale (81)
MAAC (1): Merrimack (186)
MAC (1): Akron (118)
MEAC (1): Norfolk State (149)
Missouri Valley (1): Bradley (83)
Mountain West (3): *Utah State (31), San Diego State (40), New Mexico (57)
NEC (1): LIU (281)
OVC (1): Morehead State (267)
Patriot (1): Colgate (249)
SEC (11): *Auburn (1), Tennessee (4), Florida (5), Alabama (7), Kentucky (13), Texas A&M (17), Mississippi State (18), Ole Miss (23), Georgia (26), Missouri (34), Oklahoma (47)
SoCon (1): Samford (92)
Southland (1): McNeese (67)
SWAC (1): Southern U (208)
Summit (1): Omaha (226) replaces St. Thomas (100); ineligible for NCAA Tournament
Sun Belt (1): South Alabama (103)
WCC (2): *Gonzaga (10), Saint Mary’s (33)
WAC (1): Utah Valley (139)
--------------------------------------
Last 4 In: Texas Tech (19), Missouri (34), Iowa (45), Dayton (61)
First 4 Out: Vanderbilt (42), Villanova (50), Arizona State (55), Drake (65)
Last 4 Automatic Qualifiers: Omaha (226), Colgate (249), Morehead State (267), LIU (281)
On the Radar O’Reilly (8): Texas (39), Cincinnati (41), SMU (46), BYU (48), Arkansas (49), Penn State (51), Boise State (52), UC-San Diego (53)
Non-Power 5 At-Large Bids (4): Saint Mary’s (33), San Diego State (40), New Mexico (57), Dayton (61)
----------------------------------------
EARLY ALL-BIG TEN 1st TEAM (conference games only)
My early season First Team All-Big Ten squad (Player of the Year + 5). Fudging a bit with 6 to get an extra honoree. Listed in order of selection.
Player of the Year
Braden Smith (Purdue) – 16 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 10 apg, 41% 3PFG
1st Team
Danny Wolf (Michigan) – 15.4 ppg, 10 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 bpg, 58.8% FG, 38.9% 3PFG
Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois) – 19.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 6 apg, 50% 3PFG
Vlad Goldin (Michigan) – 22 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 67.9% FG
Jackson Shelstad (Oregon) – 18 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 56.7% 3PFG, 90% FT
Josh Dix (Iowa) – 19.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 58.1 3PFG
Special mention to my favorite Big Ten player, Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli (20.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg), who plays with all kinds of funk.
Out of the Abyss to At-Large Bid?
Teams currently well out of the at-large bid discussion, but candidates to make a run at it in the second half of the season. The three most significant games remaining on their schedules are noted in parentheses:
#63 VCU – 1/24 Saint Bonaventure, 2/7 @ Dayton, 3/7 Dayton
#66 Santa Clara – 1/18 @ Gonzaga, @ Saint Mary’s, 2/25 Gonzaga
#70 Georgetown – 1/14 @ Saint John’s, 2/26 @ UConn, 3/1 Marquette
#78 USC – 2/1 Michigan State, 2/7 @ Purdue, 3/1 @ Oregon
#79 Stanford – 1/18 @ North Carolina, 2/15 @ Duke, 3/8 @ Louisville
#80 Wake Forest – 1/25 Duke, 1/28 @ Louisville, 3/3 @ Duke
Andy Kennedy to the Power 5?
Here’s another name that would intrigue me if Minnesota decides to make a change. Kennedy is a sitting head coach (UAB) in a high-major conference (American). Previous head coaching experience (Ole Miss) in a Power 5 conference (SEC). Has had some measure of success at multiple programs. Certainly would seem “gettable”.
Ole Miss (2006-18) -- 2 NCAA appearances (remember Marshall Henderson?), 2 NIT semifinals, 9 20-win seasons.
UAB (2020-current) -- 2 NCAA appearances, 1 NIT runner-up, 4 straight seasons of 22+ wins.
Direction They Are Headed Is South
Sometimes I wonder why all the MAC directional Michigan schools have such bad basketball programs. You’d think at least one of ‘em would be decent. Current status (NET ranking & record vs. Division 1 opponents): #228 Central Michigan (2-9), #299 Western Michigan (2-12), #309 Eastern Michigan (6-8). Woof.
Whistles, (D)Raining 3s & Making FTs
Some crazy numbers from Saturday’s St. Thomas 119-104 win over South Dakota at Schoenecker Arena, which has the Tommies 4-0 in the Summit League and tied for first with surprising Omaha. Not sure I’ve ever seen another game like it.
From the Free-Throw Line: Teams combined to go 66 for 84 from the charity stripe (78.6%).
Behind the Arc: Both squads shot better than 50% from 3, the Yotes 13 for 23 (56.5%) and the Tommies 14 for 27 (51.9%). Overall, that’s 27 for 50 (54%). Scorching.
Personal Fouls: 58 (split right down the middle, 29 apiece).
Referees Crystal Hogan, Geoff Vejsicky, and Josh White loved to blow that pea, and apparently felt obligated to discuss every call amongst themselves or with the head coaches. There’s a reason the game took 2.5 hours. My ears are still ringing.
Heart of the Bubblicious (NET #45-55)
#45 Iowa (IN)
#46 SMU (OUT)
#47 Oklahoma (IN)
#48 BYU (OUT)
#49 Arkansas (OUT)
#50 Villanova (OUT)
#51 Penn State (OUT)
#52 Boise State (OUT)
#53 UC-San Diego (OUT)
#54 Creighton (IN)
#55 Arizona State (OUT)
THE LOCAL NET”ters”
#100 St. Thomas (14-5, 4-0 Summit League)
#147 Minnesota (8-8, 0-5 Big Ten)
St. Thomas Week Ahead
Saturday: Host #330 Denver
Tommies Stat Leaders
Miles Barnstable (14.9 points per game), Kendall Blue (3.9 rebounds per game), Drake Dobbs (3.9 assists per game), Ryan Dufault (1.1 steals per game), Ben Oosterbaan (50% 3PFG), Nolan Minessale (1.1 blocks per game)
Tommies (D1) Non-Conference D1 Opponents (#285 non-conference SOS)
Arizona State (10-5)
Northern Colorado (9-5)
Milwaukee (10-6)
Oklahoma State (9-6)
Portland State (7-6)
UC-Riverside (8-7)
Montana (7-7)
Wofford (6-8)
Bowling Green (4-9)
Western Michigan (2-12)
Green Bay (2-15)
Chicago State (1-17)
Totals: (75-103, 42.1%)
Minnesota Week Ahead
Monday: @ #22 Maryland
Thursday: #11 Michigan
Gophers Stat Leaders
Dawson Garcia (18.4 points per game), Garcia (7.3 rebounds per game), Lu’Cye Patterson (3.8 assists per game), Femi Odukale (1.6 steals per game), Caleb Williams (60% 3PFG), Parker Fox (1.3 blocks per game)
Gophers Non-Conference D1 Opponents (#350 non-conference SOS)
Wake Forest (12-4)
North Texas (9-4)
Cleveland State (9-6)
Wichita State (9-6)
Yale (7-6)
Omaha (8-9)
Bethune-Cookman (5-10)
Fairleigh Dickinson (3-12)
Morgan State (3-12)
Central Michigan (2-9)
Oral Roberts (2-10)
Totals: (69-88, 43.9%)
B1G3 Weakling Wednesday Dropouts – B1G Tournament no-shows?
The 3 Big Ten teams tracking toward an early end to their 2024-25 season with no invitation to Indianapolis:
#16 Rutgers (8-8, 1-4)
#17 Washington (10-7, 1-5)
#18 Minnesota (8-8, 0-5)
NET Kings
#1 Auburn (15-1)
Kinda’ Bubble Cutline
#50 Villanova (11-6)
Stuck in the Middle with You
#182 William & Mary (8-7)
Bottom of the Barrel
#364 Mississippi Valley State (0-14)
WEEKEND AHEAD (games to watch Saturday, Jan. 18 & Sunday, Jan. 19)
Saturday
Alabama @ Kentucky, 11 (ESPN)
Clemson @ Pitt, 11 (CWN)
Auburn @ Georgia, 12 (SECN)
Arizona @ Texas Tech
Purdue @ Oregon, 2 (NBC)
Tennessee @ Vanderbilt, 2:30 (SECN)
Iowa State @ West Virginia, 4 (ESPN+)
Lamar @ McNeese, 4 (ESPN+)
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State, 5
Denver @ St. Thomas, 7
Santa Clara @ Gonzaga, 8 (ESPN+)
Sunday
TCU @ Baylor, TBD
Illinois @ Michigan State, 11 (CBS)
Nebraska @ Maryland, 11 (BTN)
Northwestern @ Michigan, 1 (BTN)
Preseason Final 4: Alabama, Duke, Gonzaga, Iowa State (national champ = Gonzaga)
Next Road to Selection Sunday/Field of 68: Sunday night, January 19
ROAD TO SELECTION SUNDAY -- A look back at the week in college basketball, as always starting with our weekly “Field of 68” projection. Projected automatic qualifiers (best conference record or – if a tie -- best NET ranking) in multiple-bid conferences are noted with a *
FIELD OF 68 PROJECTION (through games played 1/12/25)
America East (1): Bryant (174)
American (1): Memphis (36)
ACC (5): *Duke (2), Pitt (27), Louisville (35), North Carolina (37), Clemson (38)
ASUN (1): Lipscomb (86) replaces Queens (210); ineligible for NCAA Tournament
Atlantic 10 (2): Dayton (61), *Saint Louis (117)
Big East (4): *Marquette (12), UConn (25), Saint John’s (28), Creighton (54)
Big Sky (1): Northern Colorado (111)
Big South (1): High Point (99)
Big Ten (11): Illinois (9), *Michigan (11), Michigan State (14), Purdue (15), Oregon (21), Maryland (22), Wisconsin (24), Ohio State (30), UCLA (32), Nebraska (44), Iowa (45)
Big XII (7): *Houston (3), Iowa State (6), Kansas (8), Arizona (16), Texas Tech (19), Baylor (20), West Virginia (29)
Big West (1): UC-Irvine (43)
Coastal (1): William & Mary (182)
Conference USA (1): New Mexico State (128)
Horizon (1): Cleveland State (194)
Ivy (1): Yale (81)
MAAC (1): Merrimack (186)
MAC (1): Akron (118)
MEAC (1): Norfolk State (149)
Missouri Valley (1): Bradley (83)
Mountain West (3): *Utah State (31), San Diego State (40), New Mexico (57)
NEC (1): LIU (281)
OVC (1): Morehead State (267)
Patriot (1): Colgate (249)
SEC (11): *Auburn (1), Tennessee (4), Florida (5), Alabama (7), Kentucky (13), Texas A&M (17), Mississippi State (18), Ole Miss (23), Georgia (26), Missouri (34), Oklahoma (47)
SoCon (1): Samford (92)
Southland (1): McNeese (67)
SWAC (1): Southern U (208)
Summit (1): Omaha (226) replaces St. Thomas (100); ineligible for NCAA Tournament
Sun Belt (1): South Alabama (103)
WCC (2): *Gonzaga (10), Saint Mary’s (33)
WAC (1): Utah Valley (139)
--------------------------------------
Last 4 In: Texas Tech (19), Missouri (34), Iowa (45), Dayton (61)
First 4 Out: Vanderbilt (42), Villanova (50), Arizona State (55), Drake (65)
Last 4 Automatic Qualifiers: Omaha (226), Colgate (249), Morehead State (267), LIU (281)
On the Radar O’Reilly (8): Texas (39), Cincinnati (41), SMU (46), BYU (48), Arkansas (49), Penn State (51), Boise State (52), UC-San Diego (53)
Non-Power 5 At-Large Bids (4): Saint Mary’s (33), San Diego State (40), New Mexico (57), Dayton (61)
----------------------------------------
EARLY ALL-BIG TEN 1st TEAM (conference games only)
My early season First Team All-Big Ten squad (Player of the Year + 5). Fudging a bit with 6 to get an extra honoree. Listed in order of selection.
Player of the Year
Braden Smith (Purdue) – 16 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 10 apg, 41% 3PFG
1st Team
Danny Wolf (Michigan) – 15.4 ppg, 10 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 bpg, 58.8% FG, 38.9% 3PFG
Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois) – 19.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 6 apg, 50% 3PFG
Vlad Goldin (Michigan) – 22 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 67.9% FG
Jackson Shelstad (Oregon) – 18 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 56.7% 3PFG, 90% FT
Josh Dix (Iowa) – 19.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 58.1 3PFG
Special mention to my favorite Big Ten player, Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli (20.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg), who plays with all kinds of funk.
Out of the Abyss to At-Large Bid?
Teams currently well out of the at-large bid discussion, but candidates to make a run at it in the second half of the season. The three most significant games remaining on their schedules are noted in parentheses:
#63 VCU – 1/24 Saint Bonaventure, 2/7 @ Dayton, 3/7 Dayton
#66 Santa Clara – 1/18 @ Gonzaga, @ Saint Mary’s, 2/25 Gonzaga
#70 Georgetown – 1/14 @ Saint John’s, 2/26 @ UConn, 3/1 Marquette
#78 USC – 2/1 Michigan State, 2/7 @ Purdue, 3/1 @ Oregon
#79 Stanford – 1/18 @ North Carolina, 2/15 @ Duke, 3/8 @ Louisville
#80 Wake Forest – 1/25 Duke, 1/28 @ Louisville, 3/3 @ Duke
Andy Kennedy to the Power 5?
Here’s another name that would intrigue me if Minnesota decides to make a change. Kennedy is a sitting head coach (UAB) in a high-major conference (American). Previous head coaching experience (Ole Miss) in a Power 5 conference (SEC). Has had some measure of success at multiple programs. Certainly would seem “gettable”.
Ole Miss (2006-18) -- 2 NCAA appearances (remember Marshall Henderson?), 2 NIT semifinals, 9 20-win seasons.
UAB (2020-current) -- 2 NCAA appearances, 1 NIT runner-up, 4 straight seasons of 22+ wins.
Direction They Are Headed Is South
Sometimes I wonder why all the MAC directional Michigan schools have such bad basketball programs. You’d think at least one of ‘em would be decent. Current status (NET ranking & record vs. Division 1 opponents): #228 Central Michigan (2-9), #299 Western Michigan (2-12), #309 Eastern Michigan (6-8). Woof.
Whistles, (D)Raining 3s & Making FTs
Some crazy numbers from Saturday’s St. Thomas 119-104 win over South Dakota at Schoenecker Arena, which has the Tommies 4-0 in the Summit League and tied for first with surprising Omaha. Not sure I’ve ever seen another game like it.
From the Free-Throw Line: Teams combined to go 66 for 84 from the charity stripe (78.6%).
Behind the Arc: Both squads shot better than 50% from 3, the Yotes 13 for 23 (56.5%) and the Tommies 14 for 27 (51.9%). Overall, that’s 27 for 50 (54%). Scorching.
Personal Fouls: 58 (split right down the middle, 29 apiece).
Referees Crystal Hogan, Geoff Vejsicky, and Josh White loved to blow that pea, and apparently felt obligated to discuss every call amongst themselves or with the head coaches. There’s a reason the game took 2.5 hours. My ears are still ringing.
Heart of the Bubblicious (NET #45-55)
#45 Iowa (IN)
#46 SMU (OUT)
#47 Oklahoma (IN)
#48 BYU (OUT)
#49 Arkansas (OUT)
#50 Villanova (OUT)
#51 Penn State (OUT)
#52 Boise State (OUT)
#53 UC-San Diego (OUT)
#54 Creighton (IN)
#55 Arizona State (OUT)
THE LOCAL NET”ters”
#100 St. Thomas (14-5, 4-0 Summit League)
#147 Minnesota (8-8, 0-5 Big Ten)
St. Thomas Week Ahead
Saturday: Host #330 Denver
Tommies Stat Leaders
Miles Barnstable (14.9 points per game), Kendall Blue (3.9 rebounds per game), Drake Dobbs (3.9 assists per game), Ryan Dufault (1.1 steals per game), Ben Oosterbaan (50% 3PFG), Nolan Minessale (1.1 blocks per game)
Tommies (D1) Non-Conference D1 Opponents (#285 non-conference SOS)
Arizona State (10-5)
Northern Colorado (9-5)
Milwaukee (10-6)
Oklahoma State (9-6)
Portland State (7-6)
UC-Riverside (8-7)
Montana (7-7)
Wofford (6-8)
Bowling Green (4-9)
Western Michigan (2-12)
Green Bay (2-15)
Chicago State (1-17)
Totals: (75-103, 42.1%)
Minnesota Week Ahead
Monday: @ #22 Maryland
Thursday: #11 Michigan
Gophers Stat Leaders
Dawson Garcia (18.4 points per game), Garcia (7.3 rebounds per game), Lu’Cye Patterson (3.8 assists per game), Femi Odukale (1.6 steals per game), Caleb Williams (60% 3PFG), Parker Fox (1.3 blocks per game)
Gophers Non-Conference D1 Opponents (#350 non-conference SOS)
Wake Forest (12-4)
North Texas (9-4)
Cleveland State (9-6)
Wichita State (9-6)
Yale (7-6)
Omaha (8-9)
Bethune-Cookman (5-10)
Fairleigh Dickinson (3-12)
Morgan State (3-12)
Central Michigan (2-9)
Oral Roberts (2-10)
Totals: (69-88, 43.9%)
B1G3 Weakling Wednesday Dropouts – B1G Tournament no-shows?
The 3 Big Ten teams tracking toward an early end to their 2024-25 season with no invitation to Indianapolis:
#16 Rutgers (8-8, 1-4)
#17 Washington (10-7, 1-5)
#18 Minnesota (8-8, 0-5)
NET Kings
#1 Auburn (15-1)
Kinda’ Bubble Cutline
#50 Villanova (11-6)
Stuck in the Middle with You
#182 William & Mary (8-7)
Bottom of the Barrel
#364 Mississippi Valley State (0-14)
WEEKEND AHEAD (games to watch Saturday, Jan. 18 & Sunday, Jan. 19)
Saturday
Alabama @ Kentucky, 11 (ESPN)
Clemson @ Pitt, 11 (CWN)
Auburn @ Georgia, 12 (SECN)
Arizona @ Texas Tech
Purdue @ Oregon, 2 (NBC)
Tennessee @ Vanderbilt, 2:30 (SECN)
Iowa State @ West Virginia, 4 (ESPN+)
Lamar @ McNeese, 4 (ESPN+)
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State, 5
Denver @ St. Thomas, 7
Santa Clara @ Gonzaga, 8 (ESPN+)
Sunday
TCU @ Baylor, TBD
Illinois @ Michigan State, 11 (CBS)
Nebraska @ Maryland, 11 (BTN)
Northwestern @ Michigan, 1 (BTN)
Preseason Final 4: Alabama, Duke, Gonzaga, Iowa State (national champ = Gonzaga)
Next Road to Selection Sunday/Field of 68: Sunday night, January 19