O5 bowl games three more in 2024

 I skipped a few score guesses lately. I'm thinking about tossing a nickel on the USF(AAC)/SJSU(MWC) game. Ok, SJSU beat Stanford,while USF lost to Rice in their respective final, regular season games. SJSU 24 USF 19

I'm taking BGSU(MAC) over Ark St(SBC)   because the Falcons have Fannin, who I consider the best TE in college football. BGSU 27 Ark St 24.

Not sure Toledo(MAC) has enough firepower to upset Pitt(ACC). Pitt 30 Toledo 23. Schools are about 3 hours apart if you're driving on I-80.

It took 5 OTs, Eget had a solid second half for the Spartans, but it wasn't enough. USF 41 SJSU 39

Wrong on pick 1

Dec 27 2024

Well,Toledo had enough firepower to outlast Pitt in six OTs  in a 48-46 win

Fannin 17rec , 213 yards, 1TD  wasn't enough for the Falcons.  Ark St 38 BGSU 31

0-3 this blog

Let's see if I can get one right. Oklahoma  31 Navy (AAC) 20

Dec 28, 2024

0-4 this blog. OK went for two the 2pt conversion with 14 seconds remaining in regulation and failed. Navy 21 OK 20 Nice win for the AAC squad.

Saturday hunches for better or worse on O5: ULL loses to TCU. Army beats LA Tech, MO beats CSU,  and ECU beat NC St in an intrastate matchup.

Dec 29, 2024

Finally made a few correct picks. Right on MO but surprised the RedHawks blew out CSU 43-17. Davis rushed for 148 yards and 2 TDs .

Rahjai Harris(ECU) rushed for an 86 yard touchdown, the game winning score. ECU 26 NC St 21

Army 27 LA Tech 6.  TCU 34 ULL 3 

O5 Bowl games 2024-25 early ones

 Kind of weird to see bowl games on the same day as the Army/Navy game.

Two seesaw teams . South Bama will eke out a 24-21 win over WMU. Lopez won't toss an INT for the Jags.

Memphis 31 WV 30. Henigan will have a big  passing game for the Tigers.

Is Rich Rod going back to WV for 2025? Will he Coach JVU in the bowl game?

Dec 14, 2024

 Dan Mullen is the new UNLV HC which suggests the Rebels O will remain in high gear.

Dec 15, 2024

K. Bullock RB, (USA) 130 YDS 1TD in a 30-23 win over WMU. correct on this one.

Jason Eck leaves Idaho(1AA) to become HC at New Mexico. 

Vandals program has danced between 1A and 1AA for a long time.

Dec 16, 2024

Next two picks are difficult. 

UNLV had a solid season in the MWC while Cal rode a seesaw  all season but made it to .500 overall. Cal 27 UNLV 26

JMU 30 WKU 20. Dukes will bounce back from Nov 30 SBC loss to the #herd 

Sac St  with Mike Vick as HC to either the MWC or Pac 2+. Who are  all these $$$ folks backing the investments in NIL etc?  Well Vick is going to be the HC at Norfolk St

Dec 18, 2024

Correct pick on Memphis who won 42-37. WV scored 21 of the last 28 points in the game.

Dec 19, 2024

wrong on UNLV  , correct on JMU

Early  in the game Williams completed a 49 yard TD pass to Kayden McGee, and I felt like the Rebels were going to win. UNLV D blanked Cal 10-0 in the second half.  UNLV 24 Cal 13

JMU  won the second half 20-3

JMU 27  WKU 17

Sam Houston hires Phil Longo, former OC  at Wisky, to be the new HC. He worked at SHSU a few years ago.

SHSU beat GASO last night 31-26. French tossed 4 INTs  and the Eagles did not make it all the way back. I got it wrong on Bowl Mania

O5 title games -2024

Jacksonville State 24 Western Kentucky 21: Stewart  rushes for over 100 yards for Jax St.

Tulane 17 Army 16:  Just a gut feeling the Green Wave D recovers from the Memphis game.

Boise St  31 UNLV 20: Jeanty rides on!

Miami(OH) 34 Ohio 24:  Gabbert tosses a few TDs in the Red Hawks win.

Marshall 28 ULL 27: Coach Huff has rounded the Herd into shape.

Dec 7, 2024

Big games for RBs

Wrong on TUL as Udoh of Army rushed for 158 yards and a TD

Right about JVU and Boise St. Jeanty(BSU) and Stewart JVU each rushed for over 200 yards.

Dec 8 2024

Split yesterday. Correct on the Herd who rolled the Cajuns 31-3. Wrong on MO who were handled by Ohio.  Ohio's HC Tim Albin is likely headed to Charlotte(AAC).

Appy is hiring Loggains, the South Carolina OC, to be its next HC. 

Dec 10, 2024

O5 hires: Huff stays in Sunbelt, leaves Marshall for USM. Tony Gibson (NC St DC) replaces Huff.

Willie Simmos(Duke RB  coach) takes over at FIU.

Mendenhall stays in MWC, leaves UNM for USU

Jerry Mack (Jacksonville Jaguars RB coach) takes Kennesaw St  HC job.

Week 14 Turkey and more

Over the years, TX/TAMU or MissSt/ Ole Miss have been in the Thanksgiving night time slot. Tonight it's Tulane/Memphis in an AAC matchup. If Tulane wins tonight then beats Army in the title game, I doubt if it will be enough to get them in the F12.

Each team has decent QBs and starting RBs. Green Wave is on a roll. TUL 31 Mem 27

CUSA: Liberty wins and they're in the CUSA title game  against JVST. Cooley rushed for 100+ yards for the Flames in 24-13 win over SHSU.

MAC: Four teams left in the MAC title race. Buffalo won Tuesday but needs a ton of scenarios to occur to get in. Ohio has a shot  (Miami OH) and Bowling Green , the other two teams vying for a title game chance, will play Friday at Noon.

Fannin, the BG TE, is a game time decision to play. I'll roll the dice . BG 27 Miami(OH) 21.

MWC: UNLV wins and they're in cuz they have a higher CFP metric than Col St. They did not play H2H this season.

UNLV plays Nevada.  CSU  plays an improving USU.

CSU wins 17-14 with a late TD pass from Nicosi.

SBC: Ton of title game  scenarios  in a conference with divisions.South Alabama clinches with a win AND a loss by ULL.

USA will beat TX St  24-23 to keep the pressure on ULL who faces ULM. Bothwell rushes for 100 yards for the USA Jags.

Nov 29 2024

Wrong on Tulane who didn't score in the 2nd &3rd quarters. Mario Anderson rushed for 177 yards for Memphis. MEM 34 TUL 24

Continue to be wrong: Liberty lost to SHSU. BG lost to Miami (OH), and South Bama lost to TX St

Red Hawks were focused on slowing down Fanin 8 REC , 47 yards

CSU was my sole correct pick. Nicosi threw 4 TD passes and ran for the game winning TD late in the 4th. I predicted a game winning toss. CSU 42 USU 37

Dec 1, 2024

Tip my hat to the #herd on its big 35-33 OT win over JMU. In the second OT MU converted a two point play, JUM did not. MU has won 6 straight and faces ULL in the SBC title game.

Other  notes:  Aztecs(MWC) lost 6 in a row to finish 3-9 for the season.

MAC title game in Detroit feature Ohio teams: Miami(OH) /Ohio.

WKU upset JVU  to gain the chance to play them again next week for the CUSA title. JVU hosts the game.

Dec 3 2024

Kittley, a year as the WKU OC , then 3 at Texas Tech  , is the new HC at FAU (AAC). TT's O was eighth in scoring in 2024.

Appy fires Shawn Clark, Rough season not sure this is the answer.

Week 13 early Mackin

 NIU has been up and down since beating Notre Dame  earlier in the season, and Miami (OH) is on a roll. Gabbert will toss two TD passes for MOH in a narrow 24-21 win over NIU.

Other 4 picks later this week.

Correct on MOH. Gabbert only tossed one TD but that was enough in the 20-9 win over NIU.

11/21/24

Nice methodical win by Ohio U over Toledo last night.

Now to the other 4 picks:

AAC: Rolling with ECU 24 NTX 20. Pirates are hot, NTX is not.

CUSA:  JAX St 28 SHSU 19. Stewart  rushes for 150 yards for the Gamecocks.

MWC:   Rams are hot , Bulldogs are struggling. CSU 21 Fresno St 17

SBC: Herd are galloping. ODU has had some close losses.  Nailbiter: MU 24 ODU 23

11/24/24

ECU roared back to beat NTX. Big games from two Pirates, Harris and Smith

SHSU slowed Stewart somewhat but the Cocks QB Huff TCOB

Braxton was great by air and land for the Herd in a 42-35 win over ODU

Wrong on CSU who blanked Fresno in the second half but couldn't come all the way back in a 28-22 loss.

11/25/24

Tulsa canned HC Kevin Wilson so that makes 6 AAC HC  vacancies to fill in the off-season.  Charlotte, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Rice, and Temple are the other openings. 

Ryan Switzer is the interim HC.at Tulsa.  Charleston, West Virginia kid.  Played at UNC and then a few years in the NFL.

Week 12 MAC on Tuesday, then more O5

 MAC: BGSU and WMU, two of the four teams tied for 1st place, play tonight. I'll go with the Bazelak to Fannin connection for the W.  BGSU 28 WMU 20.

Other four O5 picks  by Thursday.

Nov 13, 2024

Fannin Jr (10 REC 137YDS 2TD) for BGSU in 31-13 win over CMU. One correct.

How about that game in Buffalo? BUFF 51  Ball St 48

Nov 14, 2024

Ok, time for the other four picks:

AAC: Hughes has rushed for 1200 yards for Tulane, a hot team. TUL 31 Navy 21

CUSA: La Tech has been making strides, but they won't stop the WKU aerial show  led by Veltkamp. WKU 41 La Tech 30

MWC:  Cowboys O has showed signs of life,  and they 'll give  the Rams a scare but won't upset them. CSU 27 WYO 24

SBC:  ODU is a roller coaster ride, but this is an intrastate matchup with JMU. Barnett tosses two TDs for the Dukes. JMU 28 ODU 24.

Nov 16, 2024

CSU didn't have too much difficulty with Wyoming in a 24-10 win . J.Marshall rushed for 104 yards for the Rams.  Two for two, so far.

Nov 18, 2024

So wrong on WKU. LA Tech outkicks WKU 12-7

Tulane blanked Navy 35-0 and will face Army in the AAC title game.

JMU survived ODU 35-32. 

4-1 for the weekend

UNM over Wazoo and LIberty narrowly escaping  UMass  caught my attention.

Mendenhall has done a decent job with the Lobos.

ULL lost to USA. Jags were outscored 16-0 in the 4th but held on for 24-22 win

Temple fired Drayton after a win over FAU. You could see it coming after three bad seasons but it's still strange timing.

Nov 19, 2024

Associate HC Tim Brewster will serve as IC after  Biff Poggi was canned at Charlotte.His last HC  Job was Minnesota Gophers 2007–2010

Week 11 MAC on Tuesday

 I'm going to roll  with Fannin Jr., the TE for BGSU(66REC 947YDS 6TD), to catch two TD passes on the road. BGSU 28 CMU 24. 

Rest of the picks later in the week.

Nov 7, 2024

Fanin didn't find the end zone, but BGSU beat CMU so I nailed that one. BGSU 23 CMU 13

In other MAC news Ohio blanked Kent St 41-0.

Now to the other four picks:

AAC: AFA held Army to 20 points  and NTX can  score plenty of points. I'll go with Morris tossing a few TD passes. NTX 35 Army 31.

CUSA:  Cooley & Salter do enough for the Flames. LIB 24 MTSU 16

MWC: UNLV stayed close in a loss to Boise. Hawaii edged Fresno. Rebs will slow down Schager's aerial show enough for a 24-21 win.

SBC:  Interstate battle. CCU is coming off a bad loss to Troy and Appy looks like they've made some repairs. Aguilar  will toss two TD passes for Appy. APP 28 CCU 20

Nov 8, 2024

Wrong on Appy. CCU came out hot and rolled to a 38-24 win with Bennett rushing for 3 TDs.

Nov 10, 2024

Wrong on Army losing and the game being a high scoring one . Army 14 NTX 3

Correct on the Flames. Another big game for Cooley 14 CAR 138 yards, 1TD LIB 37 MTSU 17

Correct on Boise. More of the usual from Jeanty. I was damn close on the final score -28-21.

2-3 for the weekend.

 MWC: UNM beat  the slumping SDSU Aztecs. 

AAC: Tulane crushed Temple and is 6-0 in conference play.

SBC conference  ULL remains undefeated at 5-0 in the West. Marshall and GASO are tied at 4-1 in the East. Herd crushed USM and GASO was idle.

Nov 11, 2024

Four MAC teams tied at 4-1  Miami O, WMU, BGSU, and Ohio

WKU and Jax St tied at 5-0 in the CUSA. Is Rich Rod back?

Non P6 hoops- stumbling into 2024/25

 GCU never made it to the WCC, took the off ramp to MWC, maybe as soon as 2025. No Zags, no Antelopes will hurt the WCC. Plus WAC is stung.

Chicago St starts life in the NEC but has a rough game this month against TX(SEC)

USF(AAC) lost Coach Rahim , who died at he age of 43 due to a complication during surgery.Fletcher takes over. 

Lot of hype for St Louis(A10) , with former Indiana St HC Josh Shertz and a few of his player joining the team.

Coach Kampe(Oakland) stayed put  after beating Kentucky in 2024 Dance so the Golden Grizzlies will be a team to watch in the Horizon League.

Nov 9, 2024

Caught my attention: VCU(A10) blew out BC. CoC(CAA) beat USF(AAC). Brzovic 34 points  for the Cougars coached by Chris Mack.

South Dakota St (Summit) survived a late rally by LBSU(Big West) for a 79-73 win.

Nov 15, 2024

GCU(WAC) stayed with  Ariz St in the first half, but  went cold in the second half of a 76-87 loss. However, JaKobe Coles didn't miss a shot for the Lopes while scoring 17 points in the game.

Nov 18, 2024

St Mary's(WCC) beat Nebraska. 

William & Mary(CAA) scored 102 in a win over GASO(SBC). Where did that come from? Noah Collier scored 19 for the Tribe.

Boise St(MWC) beat Clemson.

Nov 23, 2024

Dorn (24pts) leads Elon(CAA) to an upset over Notre Dame (ACC)

Christmas  scored 15 points for Longwood(Big South) in an upset of UAB(AAC)

BTW, the late Jerome Kersey, ex NBAer, played for Longwood(1980-84).

Nov 26, 2024

Tyrese Hunter(AAC) scored 26 for Memphis in an upset of UConn.

KSt brings Longwood back to reality.

Chicago St (NEC)continues to struggle in a 63-48 loss to Radford(BigSouth)

Nov 27, 2024

Davis(18PTS9REB)(MWC) leads the Aztecs past Creighton (Big East). Memphis(AAC) keeps rolling with a win over Sparty. GCU(WAC) gives Stanford its first loss.

Dec 4, 2024

Maybe UTA hoops stays in the WAC this time. They were in the WAC (2012/13) then SBC (2013-22), then back to the WAC(2022-)

Mavs have been up and down this season and Ware(17 pts, 9reb) led them to an 84-70 win over ULM(SBC) last night

Dec 6, 2024

Dons top Billikens 78-61. Some  Sycamores fled Indiana St for SLU(A10) , but it ain't showing  positive results yet. Malik Thomas scored 22 for San Fran(WCC).

Drake(8-01-0 MVC) beat Valp. Stirtz scored 29 for the Bulldogs.

Dec 11, 2024

Nice 71-68 win for NDSU(Summit) over Butler(Big East) . J White (27pts) was a sharp-shooter for the Bison. 

COFC(CAA) 78 JOES(A10) 75  Good win for Coach Mack

Dec 16, 2024

Navy (Patriot) gave VTech a battle before losing 80-72

SF(WCC)  rides a big second half(52 points) to a 76-66 win over LOYCH(A10)

Todd scored 31 for Ark St(SBC) in a 98-89 OT win over UAB(AAC)

Chicago St  remains winless, and it's going to be a rough season when they get into  the NEC schedule. N. Crawford scored 20 in a loss to Mercer(Southern). Grand Canyon is the next game.

Dec 17, 2024

UTEP(AAC) 67 TARL(WAC) 62. Spirited comeback attempt by Gillispie's kids.

Weston scored 30 for MTSU(CUSA) in a win over  Cal Baptist(WAC)

Dec 20, 2024

G Crawford (17 P, 5 R , 3 A) for UNTD(North Texas -Dallas) in  a 69-68 upset of Rice (AAC). Ok, now I know NTX has as a Dallas campus.

Dec 22, 2024

Wichita St(AAC) fans are scratching their heads. After bad losses to DePaul and Kansas City(AKA- UMKC), X Bell scored 24 points to lead the Shockers to a 84-65 win over KST(Big12) 

Dec 26, 2024

Coach Chris Mack is having a nice early part of the season at CoC(CAA). After losing to Oregon St the Cougars beat LOYCH  and Charlotte. Brzovic  19.2 PPG this season

Chicago St is 0-14  this season. NEC play starts soon and I don't foresee a lot  of improvement.

Dec 31, 2024

End the year looking out west. WCC: Zags gets a tough game from Pepperdine and win 89-82. San Fran survives Santa Clara 97-94 in OT. 

Bent Leuchten (20 pts, 10 reb) for UCI(Big West) in a 71-63 win over Cal Baptist(WAC)

I was checking out the score of SFA(Southland) beating Abilene Christian(WAC) and noticed that UTRGV hoops left the WAC for the Southland. They paid a 2M exit fee. Biggest reason given was the cost of extensive travel and the need to maintain a footprint in TX and Louisiana.

Week 10 O5 it's Tuesday

 SHSU, with or w/o Hunter Watson , gets by La Tech . Bearkats will focus on stopping the Bulldogs' aerial show.  SHSU 20 LaTech 19

Oct 30, 2024

Score was lower than I thought. Not much O . Decker scored the only TD in the game. SHSU 9 LA Tech 3. Bearkats keep winning.

Oct 31, 2024

Rich Rod got a huge game from T Stewart 232 yards , 4 rushing TDs . Jax St 31 Liberty 14

Now to my picks:

AAC: Tulane is hot , 9ers gave Memphis a tough game last  week. Tulane wins a close one  at Charlotte 24-23.

MAC: Akron edged EMU last week and will win at home over BUFF by a score of 21-17.

MWC: Jeanty and the Broncos will be too tough at home. Boise St 28 SDSU 20.

SBC:  Herd rides A J  Turner to a home win over ULM. MU 27 ULM 20

Nov 1, 2024

Tulane woke up in the second half and rolled the 9ers.  TUL 34 CHA 3 Hughes rushed for 117 yards and 2 TDs

Nov 2, 2024

The Jeanty /Madsen show was way too much for the Aztecs.  BSU 56 SDSU 24

Nov 3, 2024

Marshall survived  Hardy rushing for 207 yards and beat ULM 28-23

Akron aborted their 4Q rally fumbling a punt return and lost despite Finley tossing 4TD passes.

4-1 for the weekend.Akron was the only incorrect pick

On games I didn't pick

AAC surprises: Kitna threw 6 TD passes leading UAB to its first conference win. UAB 59 Tulsa 21.

Rice beat Navy and I still think the Owls would be a nice addition to the Pac 12

Week 9 O5 Tuesday and more

 CUSA Tuesday time then the other 4 picks later this week.

SHSU stumbled against WKU, and FIU is having a rough season. Hunter Watson threw 2 TD passes in the loss to WKU but the rushing game was  weak.  Probably time to get McKinney 20 carries.  SHSU 24 FIU 16.

SHSU barely survived two missed FGs and being stuffed on 4th and goal at the end of the first half. SHSU 10 FIU 7. Bearkats need a healthy Watson back at QB ASAP.

Oct 24, 2024

Wow, Liberty loses to Kenn St. ODU blows out  GASO. SBC  is getting wild.

Ok on to the rest of my picks:

AAC: Navy has been sailing along nicely against team with weak defenses Notre Dame(Independent) will slow them down. ND 24 Navy 20

MAC: CMU has stumbled in  conference after beating  the Aztecs(MWC). Gabbert has put up some decent passing numbers for Miami(Ohio). MO 28 CMU 24.

MWC: Can the Rebels slow down Jeanty? Not enough to win! BSU 31 UNLV 27

SBC: SBC: South Bama got a much needed win over Troy last week ,but ULM will handle them. Hardy rushes for 100 yards ULM 34 USA 23

Oct 26, 2024

Got pretty close on the final score  guess . BSU missed a 2pt attempt after a Jeanty TD . BSU 29 UNLV 24

Jeanty rushed for a 128 yards.

Oct 27, 2024

Wrong on ULM who got 100 yards rushing from Hardy but were rolled by S.Bama 46-17.

Correct  on Navy losing to ND.

Correct on Miami (OH) winning. Mazee rushed for 120 of the Red Hawks 277 rushing yards in a 46-7 victory.

In other MAC news, Coleman Owen(WR- Ohio) ,Yds-Ru 22 TDRu 1

Yds-Rc 146 TD-Rc 2, has been putting up some numbers.  Ohio 47 Buff 16

Oct 28, 2024

You knew it was coming: Rice fires HC Mike Bloomgren after 2-6 start in his 7th season. Special teams coordinator Pete Alamar is the interim HC.

Week 8 in O5 conferences.

 WKU played well in 31-14 win over SHSU. Hunter Watson, SHSU QB, was hurt early in the game.

UTEP finally got a W with a win over FIU. CUSA is done for this week. Now to my picks.

AAC: Morris(NTX) has better stats  than Henigan(MEM) except in INTs.  NTX loses 28-24 @ Memphis.

MAC: Are the Buffalo Bulls back? I'm not sold. That 47-3 loss to UConn was bad.  WMU 30 BUFF 21

MWC: Both teams are hard to gauge. I'll go with S. Red rushing for over 100 yards for Nevada in a 31-30 win over Fresno. St.

SBC: Time to pay some attention to ULL, who beat Wake Forest and its only loss is to Tulane. Cajuns prevail at CCU 24-14.

Oct 19, 2024

Wrong on Nevada! S. Red rushed for 56 yards and a TD in the Wolf Pack's loss. FRES 24 NEV 21

In a game I didn't pick the Herd  stayed with Braxton at QB and got 177 yards rushing and 3 TDs from A.Turner in a 35-20 win over GA ST.

Oct 20, 2024

Wrong on NTX who lost a he!! of shootout to MEM. 

Right on WMU: Wolff  outduels Ogobanna  in another shootout. WMU 48-  Buff 41

Correct On ULL  who beat CCU34-24 and sit atop the SBCW.

2-2 this week.

Week 7 in O5 conferences

 CUSA: Veltkamp will toss 2TDs passes for WKU in a 28 to 20 win over UTEP. Hilltoppers need to keep pace with Liberty and Jax St who won this week. 

AAC: Coach Dilfer  needs a rapid improvement in his D. UAB will get a little better and stay close at Army. Army 24 UAB 19

MAC: Ohio loses a 17-16 nail-biter at CMU. 

MWC:  Both teams have  not impressed anyone this season. Cowboys win at home. WYO 20 SDSU 17.

SBC: Can the Herd contain French, the GASO QB?  Is Braxton, the Herd QB,  the answer . GASO 31 MU 27 in Statesboro, GA.

Oct 11, 2024

Veltkamp tossed 3TD passes for WKU in the 44-17 blowout. Jolly rushed for 119 yards for UTEP.

Oct 13, 2024

Army  rolled over UAB. Dilfer's program is not improving

MAC game was a nail biter, but I picked the wrong winner. CMU second  half comeback fell short  Ohio 27 CMU 25.

MWC: another close one that I predicted the wrong winner .Aztecs nipped the Cowboys 27-24

SBC: Dexter Williams came off the bench and sparked GASO to a 21-0 fourth quarter in a 24-23 win over the Herd. Two QB system backfired for MU. Earle's safety was costly. Braxton played well

3-2 this week.

Oct 14, 2024

They tossed an SBC game into the early week mix. Two struggling teams, Troy @ South Bama

Oct 16, 2024

Lopez , the USA QB, produced enough  O for South Bama(2-1 SBC) in a 25-9 win over Troy(0-3 SBC). MTSU beat  Kenn St 14-5 and NMSU survived La Tech 33-30 in CUSA action.

Week 6 in the O5 conferences

 MAC: We're heading into more conference games and I'm circling back to Bowling Green and their solid TE, Harold Fannin(37rec, 537 yards, 4 TDs). Falcons have struggled since giving Penn St a scare. BG 24 AKR 17

CUSA: Sam Houston St got spanked by UCF but have handled their other four opponents, UTEP hasn't won a game. SHSU 27 UTEP 20

AAC: Charlotte edged Rice last week , which may be just what Coach Biff needs to prevent another bad season. 9ers slow down Garcia, the ECU QB. CHAR 24 ECU 21

SBC:  ODU got it first win last week and CCU got spanked by UVA. CCU improves its weak rushing attack and  edges ODU 17-16.

MWC: Cooper rushes for 100 yards for the Aztecs to get a much needed win.  SDSU 23 Hawaii 17

Oct 4, 2024

D. McKinney,RB - SHSU 14CAR 138YDS 2TD in a 41-20 win over UTEP. First pick correct.  SHSU is 5-1.

Oct 5, 2024

No shortage of points for O5 teams last night .  UNLV scored 41 in OT loss to Cuse. Huff, the JVS QB, rushed for 176 yards and 3 TDS in a 63- 24 win over KENN

Oct 6, 2024

Wow Marshall scored over 50 in a win over Appy.  Braxton tossed 3 TD passes and rushed for two TDs for the Herd. 

ULM upset JMU, who failed ona 2PT conversion attempt to tie the game with four minutes left.

Now to the rest of my picks: went 5-0 for the weekend.

 CCU beat ODU. Charlotte pounded ECU. SDSU beat Hawaii.  Another big game for Fanin (9 rec, 135 yards) in  BG's 27-20 win over Akron.

Oct 8, 2024

Just noticed the CUSA is playing games on Tues &  Wednesday. Used to be just the MAC doing that. FIU/Liberty tonight.  NMSU/Jax St tomorrow night.

And Liberty got a scare from FIU . Cooley rushed for 174 yards for the Flames who won 31-24 OT

Week 5 nailbiters in the O5

 Temple's win last week over USU was its first  W this season. Army is undefeated. This will be an AAC nail-biter. Daily, the Army QB, kicks it into gear late. Army 19 Temple 13

Sunbelt intrastate battle: GASO looks to recover from an OL Miss' pounding. GAST beat Vandy last week. J. French tosses a late TD pass for an Eagles' win . GASO 20 GAST 17.

Herd gets a boost from its home crowd and its D saves the day against WMU. MRSH(SBC) 16 WMU(MAC) 13

Booth teams are struggling. Dampier tosses two TD passes for the Lobos in an intrastate match up against NMSU.   UNM(MWC) 27 NMSU(CUSA) 24

Sept 27, 2024

Right on Army, wrong on it being close. B. Daily, Army QB, 24 CAR 152YDS 3TD in a 42-14 win over Temple

Sept 28, 2024

App State's home football game scheduled for today, Sept. 28, against Liberty is canceled due to severe impacts to App State, the town of Boone and surrounding areas caused by Hurricane Helene.

It will not be rescheduled.

Sept 29, 2024

Correct on GASO, the Herd, and UNM

Rogers rushed for 122 yards for the Lobos 50-40 win over the Aggies.

Turned rushed for 124 yards for the Herd.

I didn't pick these games:

Fannin, the BG TE's ,stats in a surprising loss to ODU. Yds-Rc 188 TD-Rc 2

ULL stuns Wake Forest. 41-38

Sacramento business community is making a big push for a new stadium as part of an effort to get Sacramento St in the Pac12. Can that region support this?

Week 4 O5 close matchups

 Both teams have struggled , particularly running the ball. Tulsa(AAC) 24  ULL 17 . K. Francis will have a decent game passing for the Hurricane.

The No D special: Rich Rod finally finds a way to win this season . Jax St(CUSA) 42 USM 41(SBC)

The Limited O special : Colorado St(MWC) 16 UTEP(CUSA) 13. Perhaps J Marshall scores a rushing TD for the Rams.

Ball St is coming off a 62-0 loss to Miami(FLA). Is a MAC match up against CMU, the Cure? Nah, Labas throws 2 TD passes  for the Chippewas. CMU 23 Ball St 16 

Sept 21, 2024

Coach Ken has done a great job,  but I didn't foresee  his Spartans giving Wazoo a hell of a scare  before losing 54-52. Too bad Chip Kelly's late move  didn't give UCLA a chance to promote Coach Ken

Sept 22 2024

Right on  Tulsa, Jax St,  & Colorado St, and CMU

Hughes rushed for 166 yards and a TD for Tulsa. Tulsa 41 ULL 33

Jax St got plenty of O and found some D in a 44-7 rout of USM.

Morrow rushed for 156 yards and 2TDs  for Colorado St. in a 27-17 win over  

Labas threw a  TD with 16 seconds left on the clock to lead CMU to a 37-34 win.

Tough loss for NIU getting upset by Buffalo

Herd  were leading the Buckeyes  7-0 after one quarter, but then it ugly for them. Ohio St 49 MU 14.  A Turner, the Herd's leading rusher, gained 32 yards.

James Madison  70-50 win over UNC   was a nice shot at the Power boys but also showed the Dukes haven't missed a beat so far  by hiring Chesney, from Holy Cross, to replace Cignetti.

Sept 25, 2024

Chatter about Sacramento St, a 1AA team in the Big Sky, leaping to the  MWC or PAC12.

Sluka, , the UNLV starting QB, leaves the team to save his red-shirt season, because the Rebels did not  "honor" a promise.. $$$$$$

Miami (Ohio) started the season with high hopes  and played NW tough before losing 13-6. Then lost to Cincy and ND. I suspect Gabbert goes off on UMass this week.

Week 3 MWC /CUSA matchups

 Keene to Dalena gets Fresno a W. Fresno St 24 NMSU 20

Sam Houston has home field edge and pulls out a 17-13 win over Hawaii

I'm riding with the Spartans and Coach Ken at home. SJSU 27 Kennesaw St 16

Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno State are the four football targets of the re-formed Pac 12. Hope they stay west  of the Mississippi river in their pursuit of two more teams.

Will California consider coming back to the Pac12 or are they tied too much by $$$ to the ACC.

Aztecs  will give Cal a fight but fall 27 -17

Sept 15, 2024

4-0 on Fresno, SJSU,Cal, and SHSU, but none of the games were as close as I predicted. Definitely did not foresee Fresno shutting out NMSU 48-0. Keene threw two TD passes, and Sherrod rushed for 113 yards on 15 carries for the Bulldogs. Coach Ken's Spartans keep winning.

BTW, CSU contained Neon's Buffs for a little over a quarter and lost 28-9.

Toledo 42 Miss St 17. -Wow

Sept 16, 2024

O5 Wrap up: Cheers to Memphis who beat the Noles.  Butch Jones' Ark St squad kept it respectable at Ann Arbor. Helluva battle:Appy nipping ECU.

NIU and UNLV are getting some respect. How about Toledo? Kyirin Heath, the Southern Miss TE, is having a solid season.

Week 2 :some O5 close matchups

 Cooper of SDSU  and Griffin of Wazoo each had big rushing games in week 1.  Wazoo 24 SDSU 23

ODU is coming off a tough loss to South Carolina, and ECU cruised by Norfolk St ODU 27 ECU 20

Only second match up between these teams. CMU 20  FIU 17

I like how FAU played Sparty tough in a 16-10 loss. FAU 19 Army 17

Another one that intrigues me. Will Coach Ken Niumatalolo's experience coaching against the academy teams help him today. I say yes. SJSU 17 AFA 16

Sept 8 2024

My error SDSU lost to Oregon St., Wazoo played and beat Texas Tech.

Right on SJSU  and FIU

Wrong on ODU and FAU

MAC was a mixed bag yesterday but props to Bowling Green for giving Penn St a great battle before falling. Harold Fannin, the BG TE (Yds-Rc 137,TD-Rc 1), has NFL skills.

Then to NIU for edging Notre Dame 16-13

Sept 9, 2024

O5 surprises. ECU(AAC) at 2-0. Jake Garcia, decent so far. Ark St(SBC) at 2-0. Is Butch Jones back?

Sept 10, 2024

It's been a fun week at work ribbing the PennSt fans to beware of Kent St (MAC) next week. Flashes won't beat the Vols this week.

Week 1 O5 -four pack

 Vashko tossed for 249 yards and 2 TDs for CCU(SBC) in a 55-27 blowout of Jax St(CUSA).Time to pick a few O5 games this weekend.

Rice(AAC) handles a fiesty SHSU(CUSA) squad 23 -20. EJ Warner, Kurt's son and a transfer from Temple starts at QB for Rice

Feel like Helton's Panthers are ready to step up. GA Southern(SBC) 31 Boise St (MWC) 27

JMU, minus Coach Cignetti, survives Biff's boys. JMU(SBC) 24 Charlotte(AAC) 23

EMU(MAC) 22 UMass(I) 20. Big plays from Eagles D will make the difference.

Sept 1, 2024

Wrong on Rice and GA Southern. Correct on JMU and EMU.

Solid days for Hunter Watson , SHSU QB, in a win over the Owls.

I'm surprised at the high score: Boise St 56 GAS 45. Jeanty(BSU) rushed for 267 yards, he!l of jump in Heisman race

Sept 2, 2024

Chad Morris threw for 415 yards and 3 TDS, and also rushed for 2 TDS for North Texas in a win over South Bama.

SBC is the only 1A conference that kept divisions for football. I like it.

Mid summer 2024 football coaching moves in O5

 Utah St :Blake Anderson is near the exit door over alleged 2023 mishandling of sexual and domestic violence violations. DC Nate Dreiling(33) will likely be the interim HC. Dreiling was DC for Jerry Kill at NMSU the last two seasons. I wonder if Secondary coach Evan Cooper , who just left Nebraska is headed to USU.

 It appears this will be a $$$ battle over, what  if any payout USU gives Anderson.

Ags face USC and Utah after opening with Robert Morris.

July 7, 2024

Charlotte Catholic HS ,one of NC best programs, hired Keith Emery away from Biff Poggi's Charlotte 49ers(AAC) staff, to be its HC 

Kaidon Salter, QB, Liberty will he as successful as Malik Willis? LU does not play a P5 conference team this season.

Ashton Jeanty , RB Boise St, rushed for 1343 yards last season. Let's see how he does against Oregon in game 2.

July 11, 2024

O5 coaches on the hot seat: Drayton(Temple), Neu (Ball St), Will Hall(USM). Wild that Neu has lasted 8 years.

Georgia Southern HC Clay Helton- does he need to get above .500 this season? Ol Miss won't be a W, but getting a win or two over MWC teams, Boise St and Nevada is essential.

Joe Moorhead ,Akron HC, is 4-20 in two seasons. All of his acumen on O won't help w/o studs. TJ Finley at QB? Buckeyes are first up for the Zips.

July 16, 2024

Tim Skipper(AHC/LB) will be the Fresno St HC for the 2024 season. Tedford steps down due to health concerns.

Bronco Mendenhall, the New Mexico HC, spent more time in "financial management" sessions in six months with the Lobos than he did at BYU and Virginia combined.

July 21, 2024

Rich Rod(Jax State) spicing up future schedules: USM  this year.  UAB for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.  series with Buffalo for the 2028 and 2031 seasons. And an intrastate matchup at Auburn in 2026.

I missed this one: Major Applewhite became South Alabama HC after three seasons as the Jags OC. He took over for Wommack who joined Deboer's Bama staff. Gio Lopez likely to start at QB for the Jags.

Marquez Cooper, RB- San Diego State, find his way onto TOP 25 RB list. He transferred there after three 1k seasons at Kent St.

July 27, 2024

Victory Bell series record is tied 59-59-7 after Miami O snapped the Bearcats 16-game winning with an OT win at Nippert Stadium on 9/16/23

Two games left for Victory Bell . 2024 at Miami O. 2026 @ Paycor Stadium , Cincy Bengals Home field, in 2026.

If Memphis is going to live up to the hype, then Seth Hannigan needs to get near last year's stats (32TD, only 9 INT). Tigers face the Noles in week 3..

They also play North Alabama, Troy, and Navy in September.

August 6, 2024

MIami O gets replaced by Bowling Green on the 2025 schedule. Last BG/Cincy matchup was in 1994.

W. Michigan's first two games are Wisky and Ohio St. 

Is Dean Connors, Rice RB, going to to make to 1000 yards rushing this season. I say yes!

 Byrum Brown, USF QB,  will need a miracle or two with first month matchups against Bama and  Miami(FLA) .  Coach Alex Golesh's guys should be  tough enough for AAC action.

Looking at $$: Fresno State(MWC) will receive 1.85M for playing at Michigan on 8/31. Plus 150K for moving its game at UCLA from 9/14 to 11/30.

Aug 12, 2024

Antario Brown, NIU RB who rushed for 1296 yards last season, will get tested in September games against Notre Dame and NC St.

Eric Morris, HC North Texas, will need some of Mike Leach , his former mentor, plays to improve from last year's 5-7 record. Toughest OOC game is against Texas Tech.

Morris was WR coach for Leach at Wazoo in 2012 .

Aug 15, 2024

Boise St(MWC) is getting a lot of hype about making the playoff race. Shaky D and games against Oregon, Oregon St, and Wazoo are stumbling blocks.

Will K.Niumatalolo, the head coach at San Jose State, have success recruiting in his home state of Hawaii?

Is Jase Bauer, a transfer QB from CMU, the answer for Rich Rod at SHSU?

Is Barry Odom's solid D enough to keep UNLV in the MWC race? Rebels face Big 12 teams, Houston and Kansas,  before conference play starts?

Sumrall left Troy U for Tulane to replace Fritz who's in Houston. Green Wave face Ok and KSt in September. Not sure they belong in the pre-season top 50.

Keep your eyes open for Harold Fannin Jr (TE-Bowling Green), who's a a crisp route runner with good hands.

August 22, 2024

 Kennesaw State HC Bohannon served as an assistant coach under Paul Johnson at various places. Perhaps the  triple option flexbone O will be on display in CUSA action this season.

Aug 24, 2024

Curious about Derwin Burgess', WR  for Georgia Southern,  steady improvement each season. Eagles host Boise St next Saturday

Burgess caught 6 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown in a 41-21 defeat of Ohio in the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec 16, 2023.

Totally missed that Jerry Kill, ex-NMSU HC, will be chief consultant to Lea at Vandy this season. He'll be working with Tim Beck, the current Vandy OC, again

Pete Lembo, the Buffalo Bulls HC, is the only change in MAC head coaches from last season.

He was 35-22 in five seasons with Ball State(2011–2015).  He's been an assistant at a few schools including South Carolina last season.

September 1, 2024

Pavia paid instead dividends for Vandy with his arms and legs in the win over VTech.  Hey Las Cruces!

Odom's D TCOB  for the Rebels in a 27-7 win over Houston (Big12)

DI Baseball peek in April 2024

 UC Irvine 24-4 (10-2 Big West) Joichiro Oyama 5HR 28RBI 4SB

ULL 24-8 (11-1 Sun Belt) LP Langevin has four saves.

Eyes on WKU who just knocked off Dallas Baptist in CUSA play. 

April 11, 2024

La Tech beat ULL 7-2. How about top 10 ECU(AAC) who got 3 RBIs from Cowart in a win over ODU.

Herd beat WV. Maryland chatter: After losing 15 consecutive games to MD, UMBC(AEC) finally beat the Terps.

April 14, 2024

SBC: UL edged Marshall 1-0. Morgan pitched 8 strong innings and the Cajuns got the only run on a fielder's choice. Ga Southern upset CCU.

AFA(MWC) beat Dallas Baptist(CUSA) for its first win over a ranked team since 4/19/22. 

April 17, 2024

 Catching Carolinas: ECU beat W&M. CCU beat UNC. T. Thach (HR, 2rbi) for UNCW in a win over Wake Forest. 

Citadel lost to the Gamecocks. Charlotte lost to Clemson.

April 21, 2024

Coast to coast: ULL edged CCU. Bermudez(HR, 5 RBI) for UC-Irvine in a win over SDSU.

April 23, 2024

T. Holder went 4-5 with (3HR, 4RBI) for Nevada in a 21-13 win over Utah Tech

April 27, 2024

In AAC action ECU blanked Memphis 14-0. SIU 3 INS 2 in a mild MVC upset. Vallee(SIU) went 2-4 to lift his AVG to .348.

April 30, 2024

Dickinson and Garrett each had 5 RBIs for UVU in a 17-12 WAC win over Utah Tech.

May 4, 2024

Time to catch up on non- Power conference baseball. Trey Yesavage, (10-1) gets the W for top 10 Pirates (AAC): ECU 11 USF 1. Cal Poly upsets top 10 Cal-Irvine. MTSU(CUSA) beat Binghamton(America East) 7-4

May 6, 2024

ECU beat USF again. ULL needed the10th inning to get by Troy 14-13. Sears knocked in a run and scored a run in the 7th for INS in a 6-4 win over Belmont.

May 9, 2024

Marshall had 4 SBs in a win over Ohio. Vogel had 5 RBIs for Murray St in a win over Ol Miss. ETSU beat UNC Asheville for its 12th win in the last 13 games.

May 14, 2024

A Lopez(3-5,2 RBI) for LBSU(BigWest) in win over Cal Baptist(WAC). UCSB(Big West) lost 2 of 3 to Campbell(CAA). 

ECU(AAC) and ULL (SBC) slipped in the rankings.

May 18, 2024

Brethowr (2HR, 4rbi) for UCSB in 14-2 win over CSUN . ECU gets big win over Rice. South Bama blanks ULL 10-0, top team in SBCW.

May 21, 2024

USM(SBC) has been great this month with its only  loss to TX St on May 17. Slade Wilks (14HR,58RBI)

May 23, 2024

ECU returns to Power 10 and faces Wichita St next. USM continues to roll with a shutout of CCU. Dallas Baptist beat NMSU in CUSA action.

May 24, 2024

Wichita State pummeled ECU 14-4 in a winner's bracket AAC contest. ECU needs to beat Rice to stay alive. USM beat Troy in SBC action,

May 25, 2024

ECU squeaked by Rice and needs to beat Wichita St twice today to advance to the AAC final. UCSB 20 UCR 4 ,while UC Irvine lost to CSUN in Big West action

May 27, 2024

Automatic bids: Tulane found a way to get  the AAC bid.  USM , WMU, Dallas Baptist(CUSA) UCSB(Big West). T Marsh (3 rbi) for UNCW  in win over CofC for the CAA bid.

March 31, 2024

Can Tyler Wilson(16hr, 63rbi) and Grand Canyon(WAC) knock off Zona today in an intrastate Day1 matchup?

June 1, 2024

Tyler Wilson hit a home run,and Pelc (4 rbi) for GCU in its win over Zona. Evansville beat ECU, and VCU upset Wake Forest.

June 2, 2024

ECU eliminated Wake Forest which is a big deal in NC. Dallas Baptist eliminated Zona. Stetson eliminated Bama. Brent Widder had 4 RBIs  for Evansville in a 17-11 win over VCU

June 3, 2024

UC Irvine still hanging on continues suspended game vs Oregon St. ECU  at home plays Evansville.

June 4, 2024

Two non power teams left . Evansville(MVC) and UConn(Big East)

June 7, 2024

I drove down to Chapel Hill this morning to attend a wedding tomorrow. It was cool to see the JMU stadium from US-81 and about two  hours later , the Liberty Flames stadium along US-29S .  Bunch of last minute WVU and UNC fans were checking into my hotel this afternoon for the game. UNC won.

June 9, 2024

Evansville(3HRs) out-slugged the Vols to force a game 3 today. UConn was eliminated by Florida St in a 12th inning loss.

Vols handled Evansville in game 3. ACC/SEC   teams in the CWS.

July 1, 2024

RHP Trey Yesavage, ECU(AAC) make it to the first ten selected in the MLB 2024 draft? He was 11-1 .

Walker Janek, a catcher from Sam Houston. St , may get drafted in rd1 MLB draft.

Mike Sirota , OF from Northeastern(CAA), can get you 20sb and bats around .300, seems to be rising.

July 15, 2024

RD1: RHP Trey Yesavage, ECU(AAC) goes to Toronto.

Walker Janek, a catcher from Sam Houston. St ,goes to Houston

Cole Mathis, C of Charleston went to the Cubs in rd2. 14 HR 57 RBIs

My O's took Colin Tuft - C - Tulane(AAC) in rd8. He stole 13 bases last season and is now playing in the Cape Cod league.

Non-P6 NIT action

 J Kent (35pts,9reb) for INST in a 101-92 win over SMU. St Joe's gave Seton Hall a scare but fell, while VCU beat NOVA.  San Fran edged by Cincy(B12) and Appy lost to Wake Forest(ACC). 

Noteworthy to see LOYCH(A10) lose to Bradley, its one-time MVC foe.

UNLV beat Princeton.

March 24, 2024

Reigning NIT champion NTX(AAC) fell to Seton Hall(Big East) 72-58. The Pirates will host the winner of UNLV/Boston College next week. Bradley(MVC) lost to Cincy(Big12), 74-57.  Jizzle James(what a first name) scored 25 for Cincy.

Looks like Coach May is leaving FAU for Michigan

March 25, 2024

 Indiana St vs Cincy - great regional matchup in the NIT. also upcoming: Seton Hall vs. UNLV . 

VCU vs. Utah, Ohio State vs. Georgia

March 26, 2024

Utah St loses Sprinkle to UW. Last year Sprinkle left Montana St to replaced Odom who took the VCU job.

Marshall promotes Cornelius Jackson to replace Dant0ni who was given a nudge out the door.

Vanderbilt hires James Madison’s Mark Byington.

Drake loses DeVries to WV.

March 27, 2024

Avila(22pts, 6ast) for Sycamores in a win over Cincy.  GA edged Ohio St. It was only the second time GA and OSU met in hoops.

 Buckeyes beat the Bulldogs 84-80 in OT Dec. 28, 1997, in the Louisville Holiday Classic.

March 28 2024

P6 schools have three of the NIT F4 slots. Seton Hall pounded UNLV and Utah handled VCU. 

Georgia vs. Seton Hall, Indiana State(MVC) vs. Utah

Louisville agrees to 5-year deal to hire Pat Kelsey from Charleston(CAA), as men’s basketball coach. Long time ago he was on Chris Mack's Xavier staff.

March 30, 2024

Siena(MAAC) hires Gerry McNamara, former Cuse PG and assistant coach.  When he played on Orange title team, I was inundated with questions of is he your relative and I'd say no, McNamara is a fairly common last name in most countries with English as a first language.

FAU(AAC) gets Baylor assistant John Jakus

Rice (AAC) Out : Scott Pera | In : Rob Lanier (just canned by SMU)

April 2, 2024

Does USC raid Non P6 to replace Enfield(headed to SMU) for Medved of CSU or Terada of St Mary's?  Or Hart(G League) who was an assistant at USC from 2013-2021.

Apr 3, 2024

Enfield says SMU being in the ACC made the difference.

How about Indiana St getting 27 points from Conwell and advancing to the NIT final to face Seton Hall who beat GA?

April 4, 2024

Ben McCollum of Div II NW Missouri State, takes the Drake job and has recruited in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois.

April 5, 2024

Sycamores came back to take a 7 point lead late in the game, but Seton Hall finished with a 9 point run  SH 79 Ind St 77

J. Larry G - INST (18PTS 6AST)

April 6, 2024

Utah St replaces Sprinkle with Faukner from YSU(Horizon). JMU hires Spradlin from Morehead St. EWU loses Riley to Wazzoo. INDSU(MVC) is likely losing Shertz to St Louis(A10).

 Is Wade leaving McNeese St to return to SEC, this time at Arkansas?

April 13, 2024

Is the College Basketball Crown, the Fox Sports/AEG launch next year, going to squash the NIT? And will it ignore non-P6 teams?

Josh Loeffler, a Bearcats assistant, takes the Loyola -MD (MAAC)job.  He was the Johns Hopkins HC(2017-23). ODU(SBC) hired Mike Jones off the Terps staff -he has strong DC area ties.

April 16, 2024

Long Beach State: Chris Acker replaces Monson and will reunite with athletic director Bobby Smitheran, who was at SDSU until the summer of 2023. So, it's about getting your own guy?

April 18, 2024

Mark Montgomery, an Izzo assistant, replaces Mike Davis at Detroit(Horizon). Definitely looks like a good hire. Detroit was 1-31last season.

May 15, 2024

Doug Gottlieb gets the UW-Green Bay(Horizon) HC job. His only coaching experience is being on Bruce Pearl's staff at the Maccabiah Games. His dad coached at UW- Milwaukee in the mid 1970s.

Sundance Wicks left Green Bay to take the Wyoming job.

June 13, 2024

Coach Josh Schertz got Avila and Swope to follow him  from INST to St Louis, and now the Billikens  are getting ink as a pre-season fave to win the A!0, Big leap?

July 25, 2024

Chris Mack  (278-133) landed at Charleston(CAA). That bumpy ride in Louisville took its toll.

I was surprised when Isaiah Crawford went undrafted, but the former La Tech  player is having a nice summer for Sacramento.

Most NIL movement is to or among the P6. However, Memphis (AAC) got Tyrese Hunter from Texas and Dain Danja from Illinois. 

Aug 21, 2024

Michigan(B10), Oakland (Horizon) will play a Hoops. charity exhibition at Little Caesars Arena on 10/20. Oakland is 1-8  in the series.

Non P6 tourneys early days

ASUN: I like Lipscomb who opens against N Bama. Jacksonville and Queens won last night and face respectively, EKU and Stetson today. N.Florida faces APU.

HorizonT starts today with Oakland, the conference winner, on a bye. Northern Kentucky is notorious for good tourney runs.

March 6, 2024

ASUNT:  Lipscomb falls to UNA and EKU falls to JAC while Stetson and APU advance.

MAC: Akron falls to EMU and into a tie with Toledo for first.

MWC: UNLV beat SDSU, NEV knocked BSU, and both winners trail USU by a half game.

March 7, 2024

I. Milicic (26 PTS,10reb) for Charlotte(AAC) in a win over Rice to stay in 3rd behind FAU who beat UNT.

Richmond's win over JOES wasn't pretty but it kept them ahead of LOYCH who beat DAV(A10).

Wagner upset Sacred Heart in rd1 of the NECT.

March 8, 2024

ASUNT: Stetson & PEAY advance to the final. Swenson scored 29 for STET in a win over JAC.

Warrick scored 35 for NKU in an OT win over Wright St. Norse magic back for March.

MVC: UIC upset SIU. Murray St only scored 35 in a loss to MOSU.

March 9, 2024

Conwell scored 20 for the Sycamores in a win over MOSU and faces UNI(MVC) next. BRAD/Drake in the other semifinal game.

UALR and MHST advanced to the OVC final.

Sloppy Akron lost to WMU and is limping into the MACT.

Boise ST beats the Aztecs(5th in MWC)in OT

March 10, 2024

UNCG(Southern) went from upsetting UK to no shot at the Dance after losing to ETSU yesterday. Morehead St upset UARL to get OVC ticket.

FAU(AAC) put MEM nearly in the NIT, USF lost to Tulsa. Appy(SBC) needed OT to escape GASO.

Indiana St/Drake. Can goggle guy Avila keep it going?

Towson U beat W&M to advance in the CAAT.

March 11, 2024

 Williamson scored 18 for Towson U in a win over UNCW and faces Co C in a CAAT semi-final.

Drake gets the MVC ticket. Does INST get screwed? STET survived PEAY for the ASUN ticket.

Omaha upset NDak in a Summit semi. Will we see two Nebraska teams at the dance?

March 12, 2024

Zags beat SF and face SMC in the WCCT final. SF likely to the NIT. JMU wins SBCT, Appy likely NIT. 

Denver, with the nation’s leading scorer, Tommy Bruner, beat Omaha and faces SDAK St in the Summit final. Fidler scored 27 for Omaha.

 Towson fell to CoC, who faces Stony Brook in the CAAT final.

March 13, 2024

Mahaney (23pts) for SMC over the Zags in the WCCT final. Oakland won the HorizonT-big night for Townsend(38pts, 11reb) SDAK St won the Summitt. CofC struggled but survived Stony Brook in the CAAT final.

March 14, 2024

WACT: SFA beat AB. Tchoukuiengo (21pts, 10ast) for Cal Baptist in OT win over UVU.

CUSAT: one seed SHS beat FIU, two seed La Tech lost to MTSU

Big WestT: AMitchell(36pts,9reb, 5ast) for UCSB in a loss to CSN.

March 15, 2024.

UTA blew out SFA in the WAC. MEM and SMU are toast in the AAC. Akron won. Toledo upset by WMU in the MAC. I wonder how Nevada's loss to CSU affects Dance tickets.

March 16, 2024

Wilson scored 28 for UTA who edged Tarleton to face GCU in the WACT final.

Freeman(24pts, 21reb) for Akron who held off Ohio to face Kent St in the MACT final.

Aztecs handled Utah St 86-70. UTEP upset SHS in the CUSA. UAB,FAU, UAB, & Temple remain in the AACT.

March 17, 2024

Greg Tribble makes both free throw for Akron after getting fouled in the backcourt court with 4 seconds on the clock. AKR 62 Kent 61.

UAB and Temple in the AACT final today. Few foresaw that one.

Lobos win MWCT. GCU beat UTA in the WAC.WKU over UTEP in the CUSA.

L Traore and Thompson each scored 25 points for Long Beach St in a win over UC Davis in the Big West. Dan Monson, who was fired by LBST on Monday, gets to coach a little longer this season. 

March 18, 2024

USF(AAC) and Indiana St(MVC), regular season champs, got hosed by the Dance committee.

June 20, 2024

I'm late on this one

Eastern Washington hired Dan Monson, the coach who led Long Beach State to the Dance, to replace David Riley, who takes over at Wazzoo.

Monson's HC resume  Gonzaga, Minnesota,  & Long Beach St. LBS told him he was done after the season and he took them to the Dance.

He takes over an EWU program that has won the last two Big Sky Conference regular-season titles.

https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2024/02/non-p6-hoops-2024-part-3.html

Non P6 hoops 2024 part 3

 USF keeps its great season going with a win over Tulsa and extends it's AAC lead to 1.5 games over FAU.

UMASS upsets Richmond who falls a half game behind idle Dayton and LOYCH, a winner over JOES.

Utah St beat Wyoming to stay atop the MWC.

NKU upset Green Bay, Horizon Leader. Another late season run for the Norse? 

.

Feb 17, 2024

Ledee scored 23 for the Aztecs in an 81-70 win over the Lobos and now trail USU by a half game in the MWC.

VCU beat SLU to stay in the A10 race.

Appy is one game up on Troy and JMU in the SBC.

Feb 18, 2024

CSU handled USU easily which knocks the Ags into a tie with the Aztecs for first place(MWC). BSU and NEV won.

Akron beat Buff to remain atop the MAC.

Zags(WCC) beat Pacific and look like they're coming full force but trail St Mary's by 2 games.

Feb 19, 2024

S.Miguel scored 25 for USF in a 90 - 86 win over FAU. SMU blew out Memphis. Charlotte and UAB also won in AAC action.

Alston(21pts, 10reb) for LOYCH in a win over URI which moves them into a tie for first with Dayton(A10)

Feb 20, 2024

William & Mary is a nice campus to visit filled with history. Now to hoops: Policelli scored 15 for first - place Charleston in a CAA win over visiting W&M. UNCW & Drexel are each a half game behind.

Feb 21, 2024

S Wilson scored 18 points for Toledo in a win over Akron which leaves them tied for 1st in the MAC

MWC- USU beat SDSU and takes sole possession of first place. Boise and Nevada won, too.

Feb 22, 2024

AAC: USF keeps winning. Rice 96 UAB 71 wow. 

Freidel(19pts, 9reb) for JMU(SBC)in a blowout win over Marshall.

UNCG grinds out a tough win over W.Carolina to stay close to Samford.

Feb 23, 2024

Goldin scores 21 to lead FAU to an 80-70 win over SMU in AAC play.

TAR 77 GCU 74. Tarleton won its seventh straight game and moves to 1.5 gb of GCU in the WAC.

Feb 24, 2023

Akron(MAC) beat Kent St and moved a game up on Toledo who lost to Bowling Green. Freeman(24pts, 14reb) for the Zips.

Green Bay fell a game behind Oakland(Horizon) after losing to PFW.

Feb 25, 2024

MWC

10-4: Utah State, SDSU, Boise State beat CUSU

9-5: Nevada, UNLV beat CSU

9-6: New Mexico lost at home to AFA and is near the bubble. Pitino Jr - another late season slide.

AAC - Charlotte looked rough in a bad 81-79 loss to Tulsa.

WCC: looking like SMC, GONZ, and SF will be dancing.

SBC: Appy beat the # herd and stays one game ahead of JMU, a winner over GASO.

CUSA: SHSU and La Tech each won to remain tied for first.

Feb 26, 2024

AAC: USF beat SMU to maintain its 3game lead. Memphis beat FAU. Lendeborg(26pts, 12reb) for UAB in a win over Tulane.

Horizon: NKU beat IUPUI. Another Norse late season run?

Feb 27, 2024

Rough 2OT loss for UNCW who falls 1.5GB of COFC. Campbell 105 UNCW 100 Looks like CAA will be a one Dance ticket conference. A. Dell'Orso(34pts,11reb) for CAMP.

Feb 28, 2024

Top five in MWC are no more than a game apart. Boone (24pts, 12reb, 2ast) for UNLV in an OT win over WYO.

 MAC: Akron lost to Ohio, who've won 3 in a row.

Feb 29, 2024

Spillers (18pts, 16reb) for Appy in a 89-64 trouncing of ODU. Ark St, which hasn't lost in 3 weeks, beat CCU and is 4th in the SBC.

March 1, 2024

WCC: SMC crushed PEPP and still leads the Zags by 2 games. G. Ike scored 26 for the Zags in a win over 3rd place SF. WAC: Tarleton beat UTU for its 9th straight win and trails GCU by a half game.

March 2, 2024

Lipscomb(W4) may be the fave to win the ASUNT after beating EKU(L2) last night. APPY(W7) and JMU(W10) won last night and look impressive heading into the SBCT.

March 3, 2024

UNCW got back on track with a win over Towson but needs to win the CAAT to Dance.

WCC: Zags beat SMC - both teams will be dancing.

A10- VCU lost a close one to Richmond.

AAC: USF keeps rolling with a win over Charlotte and FAU gets a win over Tulane and moved into second place. What's going on with SMU(L3) lost to UTSA who got 33 points from Ivy-Curry.

Southern: Keeping my eyes on W. Carolina(W3) who beat CHAT last night.

March 4, 2024

Indiana St beat Murray St and won the MVC regular season. Conwell(24pts, 12reb)

June 10, 2024

Kennesaw St leaves the ASUN  for the CUSA formally this summer. Coach Pettway replaces Rahim, who took the USF job, and will face a more difficult path getting to the Dance

June 23 2024

Upcoming NBA draft: DaRon Holmes II, a center from  Dayton(A10), is stirring some rd1 chatter.  38.6% percent shooting treys last season.

Dillon Jones, G Weber State, Enrique Freeman, F Akron  Jonathan Mogbo, San Francisco 

Ajay Mitchell, G UCSB. Freeman did it all for the Zips. !8.6 ppg, 12.9 reb

June 27, 2024

Nuggets trade draft picks to the Suns to get  the 22nd pick and take  DaRon Holmes II from Dayton(A10). Hopefully he gives Jokic some support in the paint.

June 28, 2024

RD2: Freeman to the Pacers. Mitchell to OKC. I didn't see this one coming . Anton Watson(Gonzaga) to the Celtics. I guess they liked his D and passing ability.

UDFA: Alex Ducas, a guard from Saint Mary's, signed with OKC. Max Fiedler(Rice) signed with 76ers and could be Embid's backup.

https://busterother5.blogspot.com/

Non P6 hoops 2024 part 2

 Horizon: Robert Morris continues a slow climb out of basement. Hastings 31 pts , 15 reb led RMU to a 102 Detroit 99 (OT)win.

OAK 70  YSU 67, IUPUI 85 PFW 79

SunBelt: ULL 86 TXST 68, USM 69  ARST 66,  APP 76 GAST 68

Appy and Marshall are keeping pace with Troy.

MWC: San Diego St beat Nevada to keep pace with Utah St

 Jan 19, 2024

ODU gets its first SBC win, rolling over Marshall. Allete scored 27 for the Monarchs. Budding regional rivalry.

WCC: O'Neil scored 23 for Santa Clara in a win over Pacific. Zags won, too but both trail San Fran, a winner last night over LMU. 

Jan 21, 2024

MWC: Boise edges the Aztecs  67-66 . BSU, SDST , and UNM are nipping at USU's heels.

Summit: Fidler's PPG continues to decrease for Omaha. I guess more teams are focusing on him. UMKC 74 Omaha 72. UMKC made a wise regional move out of the WAC in 2020. HC Billy Donlon, who was 19-12 in the 2021-22 season, left UMKC to become the Associate HC at Clemson. Current HC Marvin Menzies has struggled since replacing Donlon. Menzies resume.

2007–2016 New Mexico State

2016–2019 UNLV

2019–2020 Grand Canyon (assoc. HC)

2022–present Kansas City

Jan 22, 2024

AAC: . UTSA forces FAU into OT but falls 112-103. Davis scored 34 for the victors and Ivy Curry scored 38 for UTSA.

Tulane(3-3 AAC) gets a big 81-79 win over Memphis to stay relevant.

USF gets by Wichita St 82-78.

Jan 24, 2024

MWC: Boise St beat Fresno while Aztecs handled Wyoming. 

Zips keep cruising in the MAC with a 67-58 win over Ohio. Freeman (19pts, 14 reb) for the winners.

Jan 25, 2024

Herd got 22 from Killen in a win over GA St, but Troy and JMU also won. Appy, the top dog in the SBC, plays GA Southern tonight.

Jan 26, 2024

 Ike scored 22 in a big win for the Zags over San Fran. Saint Mary's beat Pacific to remain atop the WCC. 

Appy beat GA Southern to remain atop the SBC.

Goodrick (14pts, 12reb) for Cal Baptist in a win over UTRGV which moves them into a three- way tie with SFA and Tarleton for second in the WAC. SFA lost to Grand Canyon, the conference leader. Tarleton lost to SUU.

Jan 28, 2024

Catching up with the MVC. Conwell scored 22 points for Indiana St in a 95-86 OT win over Bradley. Three ISU losses: Bama, Sparty, and Drake, which trails them by a game in the conference.

SBC: Appy, Troy, and the Herd won. CUSA: LA Tech and Sam Houston are tied for first. LT beat NMST and SHSU beat UTEP yesterday.

Jan 29, 2024

AAC: Lendeborg(23/16/4) for UAB over Memphis. FAU edged UNT and is tied with CHAR for1st. Wichita St over SMU. ECU needed OT to beat Temple.

Jan 31, 2024

Akron and Toledo won last night to remain tied for 1st in the MAC

Zags crush LMU in the WCC.

Dayton, SBON, LOYCH, won in the A10. Holmes(25/12/4) for the Flyers who trail Richmond by a half game.

Feb 1, 2024

UNCG beat VMI and sits a game behind Samford in the Southern Conference. They've been on a bumpy ride since upsetting Arkansas in December.

M. Rice scored 35 points for Boise St in a win over UNM to keep things tight in the MWC. Both teams trail Utah St.

Richmond beat Fordham and sits atop the A10 with an 8-0 record.

St Marys(17-6,8-0) beat Santa Clara and is a game ahead of the Zags in the WCC.

Feb 2, 2024

Appy(1st) and Troy(2nd) keep winning. JMU scores105 in a rout of CCU. Herd lose at home to cellar dweller ODU.

Feb 3, 2024

Akron(MAC) keeps rolling with a 77-70 win over Toledo. Holmes(34pts, 7reb) leads Dayton(A10) to a 76-71 win over the Bonnies. Sure looks like Nevada(MWC) is getting into gear with a 90-60 win over SJST.

Feb 4, 2024

San Diego St and FAU, half of the last season's F4, are playing like they want to be there again.

  LeDee(16pts,8reb) for San Diego St(7-3) in a big win over USU(8-2), who is tied for with Boise St for the MWC top spot.

Davis scored 24 points for FAU in 102-70 blowout of Tulsa in AAC action. They share first place in the AAC with Charlotte and USF.

Feb 5, 2024

Langley scored 30 for UNCG in a narrow 89-87win over Furman and trails Samford by a game in the Southern Conference.  

UNCG is an older section of Greensboro that intrigued me when I lived in that town briefly in 2005.

Feb 6, 2024

J Johnson scored 24 for New Orleans in a blowout of Houston Christian in a Southland Conference matchup of two teams not doing well.

McNesse St (20-3, 9-1) is in first place.

Feb 7, 2024

MWC: Utah St and Boise St lost.  Aztecs and Lobos won. All four are tied (7-3) for first.

A10: Santos scored 21 for Dayton in a 94-79 win over St Joseph. I heard some gambling geeks predicting an upset of Dayton yesterday afternoon, and I laughed at the TV screen.

AAC: USF edges Charlotte and takes a half game lead on FAU.

Feb 8, 2024

WCC BEWARE: Zags take the top spot with a 96-74 win over Portland, also San Diego beat LMU.

CUSA: McHenry(20pts, 3 ast) for WKU in a big win over LaTech

MVC: Avila (27pts,8reb) for Indiana St in a blowout win over VALP.

Feb 9, 2024

Wow, the AAC gets more interesting. Lendeborg(17pts, 21reb) for UAB in an OT win over FAU.

In the WAC, Cal Baptist edged UTA to stay in the race with Tarleton and Grand Canyon.

Feb 10, 2024

A10: VCU 49 DAY 47. Dayton falls out of first place.

MWC: NEV 70 SDSU 66.CSU won and these three teams are not in first place.

Feb 11, 2024

 G Ike scored 23 in a big win for the Zags over Kentucky(SEC). Zags are 2.5 games behind St Mary's and a half game behind San Fran in the WCC.

CUSA: Liberty beat La Tech and WKU beat JVST. WKU sits a half game behind LA Tech and Sam Houston, who are tied for first at 6-3.

SBC/MAC -Solid wins for JMU over Akron and Appy over Toledo. Only two MAC wins, CMU over ODU & BUFF over GASO.

Feb 12, 2024

MVC:  C: Jones scored 24 for UIC in a win N.Iowa.

AAC: Getting mighty crowded in AAC. USF remains in first.  FAU, SMU, UAB, Memphis, and Charlotte won.

Feb 13, 2024

T. Tejada scored 17 points for Towson in an 80-55 win over Elon in CAA play. TU(8-4) is a game behind UNCW and Charleston.

Feb 14, 2024

UNM holds off NEV 83-82.  SDSU cruises past CSU 71-55. Both winners trail Utah St in the MWC.

Kinzinger scored 31 points for ILL St in an upset of Indiana St, who now holds only a game lead on Drake in the MVC.

Non P6 hoops 1