76 Classic:
Despite a great run by an upstart Portland team, West Virginia took the title. Disappointing appearance for UCLA (0-3), and then #16 Minnesota (1-2).
Paradise Jam:
Championship game was between Purdue and Tennessee, and as expected, was an entertaining one. Purdue outlasted the Vols, and held on to their #6 ranking.
Maui Invitational:
Gonzaga got a slow start against Colorado, but rode Stephen Gray's shooting and Matt Bouldin's clutch hoops to the title in an OT thriller versus Cincy. The Bulldogs used the title to make their way into the top 25.
NIT Season Tip-off:
The Tip-Off gave us a great title game: UConn versus Duke. The Blue Devils outlasted the Huskies, taking the title.
Old Spice Classic:
Florida State won in a close one over Marquette to win the championship. Marquette knocked off a very good Michigan team to get to the championship.
CBE Classic:
Not much of a classic as Texas rolled - winning every game by 16 or more.
Legends Classic:
This tourney gave us our only major upset, as unranked Florida upset #2 Michigan State in the championship game.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
WTW (What to Watch): ESPN Feast Week
Plenty of good college hoops to watch this week, as holiday tournaments will pair up some of the top teams in the game. ESPN has most of the action covered, and here's a break-down of who to watch and when:
76 Classic (Nov. 26-29):
Easily the best field among the holiday tournaments, featuring #8 West Virginia, #11 Butler, #22 Clemson, and #24 Minnesota. Minnesota and Butler face-off in the first round - that's Thanksgiving Night at 8:30pm EST on ESPN2. Look for Portland, out of the WCC, to give UCLA all they can handle - the hot-shooting Pilots are a young but improving team catching some early season buzz.
Paradise Jam (Nov 20-23):
The championship game is Monday night - and it's going to be a dandy: #10 Tennessee vs #7 Purdue. The game is on Fox Sports Net (in most areas) at about 8:30pm EST (ESPN has incorrectly said this game starts at 9:30pm EST - but the tournament website says the game starts at 9:30 Atlantic time - an hour ahead of EST).
Maui Invitational (Nov. 23-25):
This field looked fairly strong when it was announced last year, but since - all of the teams have fallen out of the top 25 except Maryland at #25. Still, though, a solid field, featuring Maryland, Cincy, Vandy, Colorado, Gonzaga, Arizona and Wisconsin. The winner will come out of Maui with a lot of respect. The winner of the Arizona/Wisconsin game will be the early favorite.
NIT Season Tip-Off (Nov. 25-27):
Arizona State vs. Duke and LSU vs. UConn are your two semi-final match-ups which should lead to a UConn/Duke championship game. That game is Friday, Nov. 27th at 5pm EST on ESPN.
Old Spice Classic (Nov. 26-29):
#15 Michigan is the favorite in a field featuring Marquette, Xavier, Alabama, and Florida State. Championship game is Sunday, Nov. 29th at 7:30 EST on ESPN2.
CBE Classic (Nov. 23-24):
The field has been widdled down as all the regional hosts won out: Texas, Wichita State, Iowa, and Pitt. The championship game - which Texas is easily favored to win - is Tuesday, Nov. 24th at 10pm EST on ESPN2.
Legends Classic (Nov. 27-28):
Best game could take place in the semis as Michigan State vs Florida on the 27th 8pm EST on HDNet. Winner plays the winner of Rutgers vs. UMass.
76 Classic (Nov. 26-29):
Easily the best field among the holiday tournaments, featuring #8 West Virginia, #11 Butler, #22 Clemson, and #24 Minnesota. Minnesota and Butler face-off in the first round - that's Thanksgiving Night at 8:30pm EST on ESPN2. Look for Portland, out of the WCC, to give UCLA all they can handle - the hot-shooting Pilots are a young but improving team catching some early season buzz.
Paradise Jam (Nov 20-23):
The championship game is Monday night - and it's going to be a dandy: #10 Tennessee vs #7 Purdue. The game is on Fox Sports Net (in most areas) at about 8:30pm EST (ESPN has incorrectly said this game starts at 9:30pm EST - but the tournament website says the game starts at 9:30 Atlantic time - an hour ahead of EST).
Maui Invitational (Nov. 23-25):
This field looked fairly strong when it was announced last year, but since - all of the teams have fallen out of the top 25 except Maryland at #25. Still, though, a solid field, featuring Maryland, Cincy, Vandy, Colorado, Gonzaga, Arizona and Wisconsin. The winner will come out of Maui with a lot of respect. The winner of the Arizona/Wisconsin game will be the early favorite.
NIT Season Tip-Off (Nov. 25-27):
Arizona State vs. Duke and LSU vs. UConn are your two semi-final match-ups which should lead to a UConn/Duke championship game. That game is Friday, Nov. 27th at 5pm EST on ESPN.
Old Spice Classic (Nov. 26-29):
#15 Michigan is the favorite in a field featuring Marquette, Xavier, Alabama, and Florida State. Championship game is Sunday, Nov. 29th at 7:30 EST on ESPN2.
CBE Classic (Nov. 23-24):
The field has been widdled down as all the regional hosts won out: Texas, Wichita State, Iowa, and Pitt. The championship game - which Texas is easily favored to win - is Tuesday, Nov. 24th at 10pm EST on ESPN2.
Legends Classic (Nov. 27-28):
Best game could take place in the semis as Michigan State vs Florida on the 27th 8pm EST on HDNet. Winner plays the winner of Rutgers vs. UMass.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
WTW (What to Watch): Puerto Rico Tip-Off
The championship game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off should be a stellar one as a hot Mississippi squad takes on #6 Villanova. Nova is still without Redding, but have a strong backcourt led by Scottie Reynolds.
Game is at 8pm EST on ESPN2.
In a consolation game, Kansas State takes on #21 Dayton. Looking forward to seeing how Dayton bounces back after a close loss to Nova. The mid-major needs the win to keep the preseason ranking - otherwise, it will be a tough fight back into top-seed contention come March.
Game is at 8pm EST on ESPN2.
In a consolation game, Kansas State takes on #21 Dayton. Looking forward to seeing how Dayton bounces back after a close loss to Nova. The mid-major needs the win to keep the preseason ranking - otherwise, it will be a tough fight back into top-seed contention come March.
Orangemen Stun UNC
Syracuse owned the Tar Heels in the Coaches vs Cancer Championship game on Friday night. Led by Wesley Johnson's 25 points, Syracuse shot 54% from the field - holding UNC to just 38%.
I believe this is a sign of things to come for this highly touted Tar Heel squad. A lot of young, raw talent will prove to be legit down the line - but for now, a #6 ranking appears to be far too high.
Meanwhile, Syracuse looks like they will compete once again in the Big East, despite the loss of Johnny Flynn.
I believe this is a sign of things to come for this highly touted Tar Heel squad. A lot of young, raw talent will prove to be legit down the line - but for now, a #6 ranking appears to be far too high.
Meanwhile, Syracuse looks like they will compete once again in the Big East, despite the loss of Johnny Flynn.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Some good basketball in Puerto Rico this week as Dayton knocks off Georgia Tech 63-59, then gives Villanova all they can handle.
Nova barely beat George Mason, 69-68, needing a late three to prevail.
The wildcats - who are without Redding due to a suspension for a violation of team rules - will face off with the winner of the Mississippi/Kansas State game later tonight.
Either way, the Dayton Fliers are legit and George Mason looks like they will be a lot to handle come March. Meanwhile, it may be a long while until Indiana returns to form. They did not look good, losing to Ole Miss by 18 in the quarters.
You can catch the chamionship game Saturday at 8pm EST on ESPN2.
Nova barely beat George Mason, 69-68, needing a late three to prevail.
The wildcats - who are without Redding due to a suspension for a violation of team rules - will face off with the winner of the Mississippi/Kansas State game later tonight.
Either way, the Dayton Fliers are legit and George Mason looks like they will be a lot to handle come March. Meanwhile, it may be a long while until Indiana returns to form. They did not look good, losing to Ole Miss by 18 in the quarters.
You can catch the chamionship game Saturday at 8pm EST on ESPN2.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Live Blogging the ESPN Tip-Off Marathon
Monday - November 16th, 2009
10:45pm: All settled in and ready to tune into ESPN's unprecedented 24-Hour college basketball marathon... just glad that Baltimore/Cleveland game is over - UGLY!
11:15pm: UCLA is sluggish - but UC-Fullerton doesn't look much better - all even early on.
Tuesday - November 17th, 2009
12:58am: Wow... UC-Fullerton has made staying up late worthwhile: Overtime!
1:13am: Overtime #2. I'm loving how Fullerton is switching up defensively - UCLA is completely clueless on how to attack the 3-2, and they are broke from outside. Meanwhile, St. Mary's and San Diego State are underway - and the Gaels don't look like they miss Patty Mills one bit: they lead by 20 early.
1:22am: And we've got an Upset! Fullerton outlasts UCLA. First Fullerton win versus UCLA, and first home non-conference loss for UCLA in 7 years.
2:58: St. Mary's holds on for a 22 points win... they've got some shooters on that team. Look out Gonzaga.
3:07: On to Hawaii - Northern Colorado and Hawaii tip-off at 11pm local time... this could be the point I doze off for a few...
5:30am: Yup... fell asleep. Missed the end of Northern Colorado upsetting Hawaii. Looked like a pretty close battle as I nodded out. Checking in with the Monmouth/St. Peter's game - if I were a student, I'd be eating up this 6am game thing. Atleast as a one time thing.
10:54am: MAJOR POWER OUTAGE over. I'm pretty bummed. missed out watching the Monmouth game, Niagara game, and the beginning of the Clemson/Liberty game - but at least I got some sleep.
11:05am: Siena/Northeastern kicks off. Man, I love Bill Raftery - personally, my favorite color analyst in college hoops. ONIONS!
Wednesday - November 18th, 2009
12:14am: 26th hour of hoops. My Zags took a tough loss tonight at the hands of a physical Michigan State squad. Should pay dividends down the line. Great finish in the Kansas/Memphis game. Love Pastner - great story - wish he could have pulled off the upset. One game left - ASU/TCU... so tired....
10:45pm: All settled in and ready to tune into ESPN's unprecedented 24-Hour college basketball marathon... just glad that Baltimore/Cleveland game is over - UGLY!
11:15pm: UCLA is sluggish - but UC-Fullerton doesn't look much better - all even early on.
Tuesday - November 17th, 2009
12:58am: Wow... UC-Fullerton has made staying up late worthwhile: Overtime!
1:13am: Overtime #2. I'm loving how Fullerton is switching up defensively - UCLA is completely clueless on how to attack the 3-2, and they are broke from outside. Meanwhile, St. Mary's and San Diego State are underway - and the Gaels don't look like they miss Patty Mills one bit: they lead by 20 early.
1:22am: And we've got an Upset! Fullerton outlasts UCLA. First Fullerton win versus UCLA, and first home non-conference loss for UCLA in 7 years.
2:58: St. Mary's holds on for a 22 points win... they've got some shooters on that team. Look out Gonzaga.
3:07: On to Hawaii - Northern Colorado and Hawaii tip-off at 11pm local time... this could be the point I doze off for a few...
5:30am: Yup... fell asleep. Missed the end of Northern Colorado upsetting Hawaii. Looked like a pretty close battle as I nodded out. Checking in with the Monmouth/St. Peter's game - if I were a student, I'd be eating up this 6am game thing. Atleast as a one time thing.
10:54am: MAJOR POWER OUTAGE over. I'm pretty bummed. missed out watching the Monmouth game, Niagara game, and the beginning of the Clemson/Liberty game - but at least I got some sleep.
11:05am: Siena/Northeastern kicks off. Man, I love Bill Raftery - personally, my favorite color analyst in college hoops. ONIONS!
Wednesday - November 18th, 2009
12:14am: 26th hour of hoops. My Zags took a tough loss tonight at the hands of a physical Michigan State squad. Should pay dividends down the line. Great finish in the Kansas/Memphis game. Love Pastner - great story - wish he could have pulled off the upset. One game left - ASU/TCU... so tired....
Sunday, November 15, 2009
We're Back!
After a long hiatus, Bracketolitics is back for another college basketball season. On behalf of the entire staff, I'd like to apologize for for our severe gaps in coverage the NCAA Tournament. This was due to some unforeseen circumstances, and we can assure you that this will not happen again.
The 2009-2010 year brings a lot of excitment, particularly because there is no clear-cut #1 (as we saw last year in UNC). As I browse through the preseason rankings, I'm happy to see a fair number of mid-major teams getting Top 25 votes (Butler, Dayton, even Siena is getting votes - ranked 27 in the AP poll).
In the next few days, I will be previewing some best holiday tournaments and what to watch for during ESPN's Feast Week.
The 2009-2010 year brings a lot of excitment, particularly because there is no clear-cut #1 (as we saw last year in UNC). As I browse through the preseason rankings, I'm happy to see a fair number of mid-major teams getting Top 25 votes (Butler, Dayton, even Siena is getting votes - ranked 27 in the AP poll).
In the next few days, I will be previewing some best holiday tournaments and what to watch for during ESPN's Feast Week.
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