SelectionSunday
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RPI data (through Sunday's games) is courtesy of CollegeRPI.com.
BITS & PIECES
(1) The top 5 in the RPI heading into the new week. ... (1) Duke 7-1; (2) West Virginia (5-0); (3) Texas (6-0); (4) St. John's (6-1); and (5) Washington (6-1).
(2) It's been a tough year for the Big 10 with regards to injuries. First it was Northwestern's Kevin Coble and (to a lesser extent) Jeff Ryan; then it was Lewis Jackson (Purdue), and now it's Evan Turner (Ohio State). If Turner misses exactly 8 weeks, he'd be back just in time for the Buckeyes' second meeting with the Gophers in Columbus on January 31st. That would mean Turner, arguably the best player not only in the Big 10 but the country, would miss 13 games -- at Butler; Presbyterian; Delaware State; Cleveland State; at Wisconsin; at Michigan; Indiana; at Minnesota; at Purdue; Wisconsin; Northwestern; at West Virginia; and at Iowa. I figure if the Bucks can somehow win at least 6 or 7 of those games, they will have held the fort in good stead in Turner's absence.
(3) There are 15 remaining unbeaten teams, a pretty low number this early in the season. Does that speak to a year of parity in college basketball? The unblemished are: Florida (SEC); Georgetown (Big East); Illinois State (Missouri Valley); Kansas (Big 12); Kentucky (SEC); Missouri State (Missouri Valley); New Mexico (Mountain West): Purdue (Big 10); Seton Hall (Big East); Syracuse (Big East); Texas (Big 12); Texas Tech (Big 12); UNLV (Mountain West); Villanova (Big East); and West Virginia (Big East).
(4) Based on early results, here's one man's opinion on which teams appear to be the best each conference/league has to offer: Boston U (America East); Duke (ACC); Belmont (Atlantic Sun); Richmond (Atlantic 10); West Virginia (Big East); Montana (Big Sky); Coastal Carolina (Big South); Purdue (Big 10); Kansas (Big 12); Pacific (Big West); William & Mary (Colonial); Tulsa (Conference USA); Utah Valley (Great West); Butler (Horizon); Cornell (Ivy); Siena (Metro Atlantic); Ohio (MAC); Morgan State (MEAC); Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley); UNLV (Mountain West); Quinnipiac (Northeast); Murray State (Ohio Valley); Washington (Pac 10); Army (Patriot); Kentucky (SEC); Western Carolina (Southern); Texas-San Antonio (Southland); Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC); IUPUI (Summit); North Texas (Sun Belt); Gonzaga (West Coast); and Louisiana Tech (WAC).
(5) SWAC teams have combined to go 2-58 vs. Division I opponents.
(6) As Coolhand pointed out in another thread, the Gopher loss to Portland is looking worse & worse by the day. Let us hope the Pilots get their act together and still become a threat to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference. Problem is, the Pilots still have potential losses in their next four games. ... Denver, @ Washington, Idaho (again) and @ Nevada.
(7) It's a huge week for Butler. The Bulldogs play Georgetown at the Jimmy V Classic tomorrow tonight, then host Turner-less Ohio State on Saturday. With Butler sure to be the Gophers' only quality nonconference win, I'm going to make a rare exception and root for a Big 10 team to lose. I'd really like to see Butler win both these games, giving the Gophers' win over the Bulldogs as much "bounce" as possible (Turner injury notwithstanding).
(8) Tommy Amaker has a keeper at Harvard in 6-3 senior guard Jeremy Lin. Lin (30 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) and the Crimson played UConn tough in a 79-73 loss yesterday, and it appears they have the goods to compete with Cornell and Ryan Wittman for the Ivy League title.
(9) The West Coast Conference has received the lion's share of the "street cred" for beating major-conference opponents, but it's the Atlantic 10 (see below) that deserves the biggest pat on the back. While Gonzaga (no surprise there) has carried the load for the WCC, an array of A-10 teams has defeated the likes of Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Mississippi State, Mizzou, Providence and Virginia Tech.
THIS WEEK IN THE BIG 10
Monday
Michigan State at The Citadel
Tuesday
Vandy at Illinois
Indiana vs. Pitt
Morgan State at Minnesota
Iowa at Northern Iowa
UMBC at Penn State
Wednesday
Michigan at Utah
Valpo at Purdue
Wisconsin at Green Bay
Thursday
Oakland at Michigan State
Friday
Iowa at Iowa State
Saturday
Kentucky at Indiana
Purdue at Alabama
Saint Joseph's at Minnesota
Ohio State at Butler
Virginia Tech at Penn State
Marquette at Wisconsin
Sunday
Western Michigan at Illinois
Detroit at Michigan
North Carolina A&T at Northwestern
WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON (NON-BIG 10)
Tuesday
Arizona State at BYU
Butler vs. Georgetown
Xavier at Kansas State
Wednesday
Cal at Pacific
Duquesne at West Virginia
Kentucky vs. UConn
Thursday
Florida vs. Syracuse
Friday
Old Dominion at Dayton
Saturday
Arizona at San Diego State
Georgetown vs. Washington
Kansas vs. LaSalle
Kansas State at UNLV
New Mexico vs. Texas A&M
Richmond vs. VCU
Siena at Northern Iowa
Sunday
Cincinnati at Xavier
Niagara at Illinois State
Rhode Island at Boston College
Villanova at Temple
UPSET SPECIAL (2-2)
Vandy over Illinois (Tuesday). I get to .500 with New Mexico's 86-78 win over Cal last week.
THE "STAPLES"
Non-BCS Wins over the Big 6 (by team)
Gonzaga (4) -- Cincinnati, Colorado, Wazzu, Wisconsin
Portland (3) -- Minnesota, Oregon, UCLA
Butler (2) -- Northwestern, UCLA
Northern Iowa (2) -- Boston College, Iowa State
Richmond (2) -- Mississippi State, Mizzou
San Diego (2) -- Oklahoma, Stanford
UNLV (2) -- Arizona, Louisville
Boston U (1) -- Indiana
Bradley (1) -- Illinois
Cal State Fullerton (1) -- UCLA
Central Florida (1) -- Auburn
Charlotte (1) -- Louisville
Cornell (1) -- Alabama
Dayton (1) -- Georgia Tech
Duquesne (1) -- Iowa
East Tennessee State (1) -- Arkansas
George Mason (1) -- Indiana
Houston (1) -- Oklahoma
Long Beach State (1) -- UCLA
Loyola Marymount (1) -- USC
Missouri State (1) -- Auburn
Montana (1) -- Oregon
Morgan State (1) -- Arkansas
New Mexico (1) -- Cal
NC-Wilmington (1) -- Penn State
Oral Roberts (1) -- Stanford
Rhode Island (1) -- Providence
Rider (1) -- Mississippi State
Sacramento State (1) -- Oregon State
Saint Joseph's (1) -- Boston College
Saint Louis (1) -- Nebraska
South Alabama (1) -- Arkansas
Temple (1) -- Virginia Tech
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (1) -- Oregon State
Texas San-Antonio (1) -- Iowa
Troy (1) -- Auburn
Tulane (1) -- Penn State
Tulsa (1) -- Oklahoma State
UAB (1) -- Georgia
Utah (1) -- Illinois
Vermont (1) -- Rutgers
VCU (1) -- Oklahoma
Wichita State (1) -- Iowa
William & Mary (1) -- Wake Forest
Wofford (1) -- Georgia
WEEK 4 RESUME BUILDERS
1. Baylor over Arizona State
2. Boston College over Miami-Florida
3. Boston College over Michigan
4. Cal over Iowa State
5. Clemson over South Carolina
6. Georgia Tech over Siena
7. Illinois over Clemson
8. Kansas State over Wazzu
9. Miami-Florida over Minnesota
10. NC State over Marquette
11. Northwestern over NC State
12. Ohio State over Florida State
13. Pitt over Duquesne
14. Richmond over Old Dominion
15. St. Mary's over Utah State
16. Texas Tech over Washington
17. Utah State over BYU
18. Vandy over Mizzou
19. VCU over Rhode Island
20. Wake Forest over Gonzaga
21. William & Mary over VCU
22. Wisconsin over Duke
WEEK 4 MOST STUNNING RESULT
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 60, Drake 58 & Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 71, Texas-Arlington 67 -- It's not that Drake or UT-Arlington are particularly good this season, but nevertheless both programs were in the NCAA Tournament two years ago. Take it as a bad sign for those programs that previously winless SIU-Edwardsville was able to win the Drake Classic in its first "RPI-eligible" season.
MY FANTASTIC 5 (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
1. Kansas (holdover from last week)
2. Kentucky (there's no ignoring the win over the Heels)
3. Purdue (holdover)
4. Texas (holdover)
5. West Virginia (holdover)
MY BIG 10 POWER RANKINGS
1. Purdue (7-0)
2. Wisconsin (6-1)
3. Michigan State (6-2)
4. Illinois (6-2)
5. Ohio State (7-1)
6. Northwestern (6-1)
7. Minnesota (5-3)
8. Michigan (3-3)
9. Penn State (5-3)
10. Indiana (3-4)
11. Iowa (3-5)
BIG 10 IN THE RPI
8. Purdue
32. Northwestern
33. Wisconsin
44. Ohio State
78. Minnesota
104. Michigan State
129. Illinois
176. Penn State
207. Iowa
221. Michigan
276. Indiana
GOPHERS' NONCONFERENCE OPPONENTS IN THE RPI
20. Texas A&M (6-1)
61. Butler (6-2)
81. Saint Joseph's (3-4)
82. Portland (5-3)
89. Miami-Florida (7-1)
168. Morgan State (5-3)
175. South Dakota State (2-5)
209. Stephen F. Austin (4-2)
213. Brown (3-6)
217. Tennessee Tech (3-6)
244. Northern Illinois (1-5)
329. Utah Valley (2-4)
BCS CONFERENCES HEAD TO HEAD
Standings
1. Big 12 (14-8, 63.6%)
2. SEC (15-12, 55.6%)
3. ACC (18-15, 54.5%)
4. Big 10 (12-12, 50%)
5. Big East (11-12, 47.8%)
6. Pac 10 (5-16, 23.8%)
Week 4 Results (not listed among resume builders)
Duke 80, St. John's 71
Georgia Tech 79, USC 53
Kansas 73, UCLA 61
Kentucky 68, North Carolina 66
Maryland 80, Indiana 68
Mizzou 106, Oregon 69
North Carolina 89, Michigan State 82
Oklahoma 79, Arizona 62
Oklahoma 67, Arkansas 47
Oregon State 74, Colorado 69
Penn State 69, Virginia 66
Purdue 69, Wake Forest 58
Texas 69, USC 50
Vandy 67, DePaul 54
Villanova 95, Maryland 86
Virginia Tech 74, Georgia 62
Virginia Tech 70, Iowa 64
Next RTSS: Monday, December 14
BITS & PIECES
(1) The top 5 in the RPI heading into the new week. ... (1) Duke 7-1; (2) West Virginia (5-0); (3) Texas (6-0); (4) St. John's (6-1); and (5) Washington (6-1).
(2) It's been a tough year for the Big 10 with regards to injuries. First it was Northwestern's Kevin Coble and (to a lesser extent) Jeff Ryan; then it was Lewis Jackson (Purdue), and now it's Evan Turner (Ohio State). If Turner misses exactly 8 weeks, he'd be back just in time for the Buckeyes' second meeting with the Gophers in Columbus on January 31st. That would mean Turner, arguably the best player not only in the Big 10 but the country, would miss 13 games -- at Butler; Presbyterian; Delaware State; Cleveland State; at Wisconsin; at Michigan; Indiana; at Minnesota; at Purdue; Wisconsin; Northwestern; at West Virginia; and at Iowa. I figure if the Bucks can somehow win at least 6 or 7 of those games, they will have held the fort in good stead in Turner's absence.
(3) There are 15 remaining unbeaten teams, a pretty low number this early in the season. Does that speak to a year of parity in college basketball? The unblemished are: Florida (SEC); Georgetown (Big East); Illinois State (Missouri Valley); Kansas (Big 12); Kentucky (SEC); Missouri State (Missouri Valley); New Mexico (Mountain West): Purdue (Big 10); Seton Hall (Big East); Syracuse (Big East); Texas (Big 12); Texas Tech (Big 12); UNLV (Mountain West); Villanova (Big East); and West Virginia (Big East).
(4) Based on early results, here's one man's opinion on which teams appear to be the best each conference/league has to offer: Boston U (America East); Duke (ACC); Belmont (Atlantic Sun); Richmond (Atlantic 10); West Virginia (Big East); Montana (Big Sky); Coastal Carolina (Big South); Purdue (Big 10); Kansas (Big 12); Pacific (Big West); William & Mary (Colonial); Tulsa (Conference USA); Utah Valley (Great West); Butler (Horizon); Cornell (Ivy); Siena (Metro Atlantic); Ohio (MAC); Morgan State (MEAC); Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley); UNLV (Mountain West); Quinnipiac (Northeast); Murray State (Ohio Valley); Washington (Pac 10); Army (Patriot); Kentucky (SEC); Western Carolina (Southern); Texas-San Antonio (Southland); Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC); IUPUI (Summit); North Texas (Sun Belt); Gonzaga (West Coast); and Louisiana Tech (WAC).
(5) SWAC teams have combined to go 2-58 vs. Division I opponents.
(6) As Coolhand pointed out in another thread, the Gopher loss to Portland is looking worse & worse by the day. Let us hope the Pilots get their act together and still become a threat to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference. Problem is, the Pilots still have potential losses in their next four games. ... Denver, @ Washington, Idaho (again) and @ Nevada.
(7) It's a huge week for Butler. The Bulldogs play Georgetown at the Jimmy V Classic tomorrow tonight, then host Turner-less Ohio State on Saturday. With Butler sure to be the Gophers' only quality nonconference win, I'm going to make a rare exception and root for a Big 10 team to lose. I'd really like to see Butler win both these games, giving the Gophers' win over the Bulldogs as much "bounce" as possible (Turner injury notwithstanding).
(8) Tommy Amaker has a keeper at Harvard in 6-3 senior guard Jeremy Lin. Lin (30 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) and the Crimson played UConn tough in a 79-73 loss yesterday, and it appears they have the goods to compete with Cornell and Ryan Wittman for the Ivy League title.
(9) The West Coast Conference has received the lion's share of the "street cred" for beating major-conference opponents, but it's the Atlantic 10 (see below) that deserves the biggest pat on the back. While Gonzaga (no surprise there) has carried the load for the WCC, an array of A-10 teams has defeated the likes of Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Mississippi State, Mizzou, Providence and Virginia Tech.
THIS WEEK IN THE BIG 10
Monday
Michigan State at The Citadel
Tuesday
Vandy at Illinois
Indiana vs. Pitt
Morgan State at Minnesota
Iowa at Northern Iowa
UMBC at Penn State
Wednesday
Michigan at Utah
Valpo at Purdue
Wisconsin at Green Bay
Thursday
Oakland at Michigan State
Friday
Iowa at Iowa State
Saturday
Kentucky at Indiana
Purdue at Alabama
Saint Joseph's at Minnesota
Ohio State at Butler
Virginia Tech at Penn State
Marquette at Wisconsin
Sunday
Western Michigan at Illinois
Detroit at Michigan
North Carolina A&T at Northwestern
WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON (NON-BIG 10)
Tuesday
Arizona State at BYU
Butler vs. Georgetown
Xavier at Kansas State
Wednesday
Cal at Pacific
Duquesne at West Virginia
Kentucky vs. UConn
Thursday
Florida vs. Syracuse
Friday
Old Dominion at Dayton
Saturday
Arizona at San Diego State
Georgetown vs. Washington
Kansas vs. LaSalle
Kansas State at UNLV
New Mexico vs. Texas A&M
Richmond vs. VCU
Siena at Northern Iowa
Sunday
Cincinnati at Xavier
Niagara at Illinois State
Rhode Island at Boston College
Villanova at Temple
UPSET SPECIAL (2-2)
Vandy over Illinois (Tuesday). I get to .500 with New Mexico's 86-78 win over Cal last week.
THE "STAPLES"
Non-BCS Wins over the Big 6 (by team)
Gonzaga (4) -- Cincinnati, Colorado, Wazzu, Wisconsin
Portland (3) -- Minnesota, Oregon, UCLA
Butler (2) -- Northwestern, UCLA
Northern Iowa (2) -- Boston College, Iowa State
Richmond (2) -- Mississippi State, Mizzou
San Diego (2) -- Oklahoma, Stanford
UNLV (2) -- Arizona, Louisville
Boston U (1) -- Indiana
Bradley (1) -- Illinois
Cal State Fullerton (1) -- UCLA
Central Florida (1) -- Auburn
Charlotte (1) -- Louisville
Cornell (1) -- Alabama
Dayton (1) -- Georgia Tech
Duquesne (1) -- Iowa
East Tennessee State (1) -- Arkansas
George Mason (1) -- Indiana
Houston (1) -- Oklahoma
Long Beach State (1) -- UCLA
Loyola Marymount (1) -- USC
Missouri State (1) -- Auburn
Montana (1) -- Oregon
Morgan State (1) -- Arkansas
New Mexico (1) -- Cal
NC-Wilmington (1) -- Penn State
Oral Roberts (1) -- Stanford
Rhode Island (1) -- Providence
Rider (1) -- Mississippi State
Sacramento State (1) -- Oregon State
Saint Joseph's (1) -- Boston College
Saint Louis (1) -- Nebraska
South Alabama (1) -- Arkansas
Temple (1) -- Virginia Tech
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (1) -- Oregon State
Texas San-Antonio (1) -- Iowa
Troy (1) -- Auburn
Tulane (1) -- Penn State
Tulsa (1) -- Oklahoma State
UAB (1) -- Georgia
Utah (1) -- Illinois
Vermont (1) -- Rutgers
VCU (1) -- Oklahoma
Wichita State (1) -- Iowa
William & Mary (1) -- Wake Forest
Wofford (1) -- Georgia
WEEK 4 RESUME BUILDERS
1. Baylor over Arizona State
2. Boston College over Miami-Florida
3. Boston College over Michigan
4. Cal over Iowa State
5. Clemson over South Carolina
6. Georgia Tech over Siena
7. Illinois over Clemson
8. Kansas State over Wazzu
9. Miami-Florida over Minnesota
10. NC State over Marquette
11. Northwestern over NC State
12. Ohio State over Florida State
13. Pitt over Duquesne
14. Richmond over Old Dominion
15. St. Mary's over Utah State
16. Texas Tech over Washington
17. Utah State over BYU
18. Vandy over Mizzou
19. VCU over Rhode Island
20. Wake Forest over Gonzaga
21. William & Mary over VCU
22. Wisconsin over Duke
WEEK 4 MOST STUNNING RESULT
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 60, Drake 58 & Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 71, Texas-Arlington 67 -- It's not that Drake or UT-Arlington are particularly good this season, but nevertheless both programs were in the NCAA Tournament two years ago. Take it as a bad sign for those programs that previously winless SIU-Edwardsville was able to win the Drake Classic in its first "RPI-eligible" season.
MY FANTASTIC 5 (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
1. Kansas (holdover from last week)
2. Kentucky (there's no ignoring the win over the Heels)
3. Purdue (holdover)
4. Texas (holdover)
5. West Virginia (holdover)
MY BIG 10 POWER RANKINGS
1. Purdue (7-0)
2. Wisconsin (6-1)
3. Michigan State (6-2)
4. Illinois (6-2)
5. Ohio State (7-1)
6. Northwestern (6-1)
7. Minnesota (5-3)
8. Michigan (3-3)
9. Penn State (5-3)
10. Indiana (3-4)
11. Iowa (3-5)
BIG 10 IN THE RPI
8. Purdue
32. Northwestern
33. Wisconsin
44. Ohio State
78. Minnesota
104. Michigan State
129. Illinois
176. Penn State
207. Iowa
221. Michigan
276. Indiana
GOPHERS' NONCONFERENCE OPPONENTS IN THE RPI
20. Texas A&M (6-1)
61. Butler (6-2)
81. Saint Joseph's (3-4)
82. Portland (5-3)
89. Miami-Florida (7-1)
168. Morgan State (5-3)
175. South Dakota State (2-5)
209. Stephen F. Austin (4-2)
213. Brown (3-6)
217. Tennessee Tech (3-6)
244. Northern Illinois (1-5)
329. Utah Valley (2-4)
BCS CONFERENCES HEAD TO HEAD
Standings
1. Big 12 (14-8, 63.6%)
2. SEC (15-12, 55.6%)
3. ACC (18-15, 54.5%)
4. Big 10 (12-12, 50%)
5. Big East (11-12, 47.8%)
6. Pac 10 (5-16, 23.8%)
Week 4 Results (not listed among resume builders)
Duke 80, St. John's 71
Georgia Tech 79, USC 53
Kansas 73, UCLA 61
Kentucky 68, North Carolina 66
Maryland 80, Indiana 68
Mizzou 106, Oregon 69
North Carolina 89, Michigan State 82
Oklahoma 79, Arizona 62
Oklahoma 67, Arkansas 47
Oregon State 74, Colorado 69
Penn State 69, Virginia 66
Purdue 69, Wake Forest 58
Texas 69, USC 50
Vandy 67, DePaul 54
Villanova 95, Maryland 86
Virginia Tech 74, Georgia 62
Virginia Tech 70, Iowa 64
Next RTSS: Monday, December 14