Non power hoops, it's mid February

 Enis scored 27 for first place USF(AAC) who needed OT to get by FAU.

Wells scored 19 for RMU(HOR) in a win over OAK. Fourth straight win for the Colonials.

Smiley scored 21 for first place BEL(MVC) in a win over MUR.

Feb 17, 2026

Fricks scored 27 for the Herd in a win over USA that places them in a 3 way tie for second with Troy and USA behind first place Appy.

Coppin St edged SCSU in MEAC action for its third straight win.

Feb 18, 2026

MOH beat UMass but Akron beat WMU to remain 1GB.

Henley scored 21 for GC in a big MWC win over the Aztecs.

Feb 19, 2026

ASUN: C. Ark has won 10 straight to move within a game of APU. Last night QUE beat UNA to move into third.

T. Moore scored 27 for WKU(CUSA, 3rd) in an OT win over DEL.

Feb 20, 2026

J. King scored 24 pts for UMBC in a win over VER, that puts them atop the AM.East

Marshall knocked off APPYwith a strong second half and moved into a tie for first with Troy in the SBC. Speer scored 24 for the Herd

Non Power hoops -it's February

 WCC: Ike scored 30 for Gonz in a win over SMC and remains a game ahead of  of SCU who blew out LMU.

Yaloho scored 26 for Wazoo in a romp over PORT, and the Beavers survived SD

SF beat PAC

MOH(MAC) beat NIU to remain undefeated.

Feb 2, 2026

AAC:  T. Riley scored 30 for Tulsa, who's tied wth CHAR for first,  in a W over WICH   J. Riley scored 35 points for ECU in an upset of FAU. MEM lost to TUL and fell to 8th

Feb 3, 2026

P.Johnson scored 35 points for Sac St , who moves to middle of the Big Sky pack with a win over Weber St. 

This is the Hornets first year under Mike Bibby. Shaq is the GM.Next season they join the Big West.

Feb 4, 2026

Akron had a close one, surviving EMU to stay 1GB behind MOH who edged Buffalo. T . Johnson scored 17 for the Zips

I''m keeping my eye on UMass(6-6). M. Banks Jr 37PTS 5STL in  a win over CMU.  Frank Martin was an assistant for Huggy  at Cincy & Kansas ST

Feb 5, 2026

D. Green scored 27 for Tulsa in a W over  FAU and sits alone atop the AAC. USF, a winner over UTSA, and CHAR, a loser to WICH, are in second place.

Feb 8, 2026

SBC took 10 of 13 in the challenge with the MAC. 

Closest games were USM 66 KENT 65, CCU 94-91 win OT over UMass, & JMU 73 TOL 71.

The big attraction was undefeated MIOH 90  MRSH 74. E. Elmer (18pts, 9reb) for the Red Hawks

NIU and Ball St were the other two MAC winners.

Feb 9, 2026

I Nelson(25, 10) for USF in a W over Tulsa which leaves them tied for 1st in the AAC. MEM found a pulse and beat CHAR. WICH beat Tulane.

Feb 10, 2026

Periodic check -in on Chicago St. Cougars(3-9 NEC) beat St Francis. Tankersley and B. Bush each scored 19. LIU(10-1) sits atop the NEC

Attendance was 27 for a Monday afternoon game .

 Huibregtse scored 20 for Bradley(10-5) in a MVC upset of Belmont(12-3)

Feb 11, 2026

Gory scored 21 for the Utes in a win over FRES and sit atop the MWC

GM lost to RICH and fell to third in the A10. Zags blew out Wazoo in WCC action.

Feb 12, 2026

Herd are buzzing around APPY at the top of the SBC with a win over ODU. Fricks scored 24 in the win.

Santa Clara and SMC each won last night. SC is a half game up on the Zags and 1.5 games up on SMC

Feb 13, 2026

Daniels scored 32 for  first place Cal Baptist(WAC)  in a win over SUU. Lancers are a game up on UVU and UTU. UTU beat UVU.

Horizon: Wright St lost  but remains in first with Oakland's loss last night.  green Bay is lurking in 3rd place on a three game winning streak

Feb 14, 2026

MOH keeps rolling with a win over Ohio ,while Akron stays 1GB with the W over UMASS.T.Johnson scored 23 for the Zips.

SLU has one OOC loss to Stanford and a win over SantaClara, first in the WCC.

Feb 15, 2026

Zags knocks SCU out of  first in the WCC. Ike (21pts, 15reb).

JMU knocks APPY out of first, and USA beats Ark St in OT to take the top SBC spot.

USU(MWC) spanked MEM(AAC) M. Collins (24pts)

Non power hoops- conference play in January

 I thought UMass would start off better playing in the MAC , but they are 0-3 in MAC play with an OT loss to BGSU. J. Campbell scored 47 points for the Falcons

ORU/NDSU was a back and forth affair in Summit action , Strickland scored 15 for  the Bison in the double OT win.

CHAR beat WICH in OT in AAC action. Mingo scored 29 for the 49ers.

Herd move 2-1 in the SBC with a W over Appy. Speer scored 21 for MU.

Jan 6, 2026

Green Bay 8-8 ,3-2(HORIZON) edged MILW 79-76 in Horizon play. Gottlieb is having a better season than last year. J.Allen scored 21 points for the Phoenix

Jan 7, 2026

Definitely didn't expect  the Cowboys to squash the Rebels. WYO 98 UNLV 60. Walker scored 28 for WYO.

Dayton  played a sluggish first half against GW but  were only trailing  by 5 at halftime and outscored GW by 12 in the second half for  79-72 W. Bennett scored 20 for the Flyers.

Jan 9, 2026

Gonzaga outscored Santa Clara, 52-40 in the second half for an 89-77 win. Ike scored 34 for the Zags.

LMU outlasted SF in OT. R.Beasley of the Dons was the high scorer of the game with 32 points

Beavers beat the Redhawks

Ok, I still check in on Chicago St. They played decent  but went to 0-3 in the NEC with  a 70-63 loss to FDU. Attendance was 329 and, it was not snowing in Chitown yesterday.

Jan 10, 2026

MAC: Woolfolk scored 20 for MOH(17-0, 5-0)  in a W over Toledo, Lyles(18, 10) for Akron(12-4, 3-1) in a W over BGSU.

Jan 11, 2026

W. Fricks (21PTS10REB3ST) wasn't enough for Herd who fell to G St.  He!! of a matchup in  in VA. JMU out scored ODU 43 -25 in the second half for a home W.

Troy, CCU,USA, USM, Ark St won yessterday. USM is in first by a half game.

Jan 14, 2026

MOH(MAC) remains undefeated, pummels CMU

In MVC action UIC edged UNI Momoh scored 21 for the Flames.  J.Johnson scored 35 for BRAD in an OT win over EVAN.

Jan 15, 2026

It appears UAB is waking up. KLM (19, 12) for the Blazers in a win over TUL.

WTH happened to USM. Campbell scored 30 for the Trojans in a 91-65 W over USM . Troy is in first place in the SBC

Winthrop beat  High Point to move into a tie for first with them in the Big South.

Jan 17, 2026

MAC Friday: Zeigler(28 7 4) led Ball St to a W over Ohio. Kent St survived TOL and sits 1GB of MOH

Jan 18, 2026

Moore (20pts, 6ast) led GCU to a big win over USU . UNLV, NEV, & SDSU also won among theMWC top 6 teams.

Queens sit atop the ASUN after a win over  STET. Mann(20, 10, 6) for Royals

Jan 20, 2026

GMU (FT 49%, FT 65%) survived GW in a nip & tuck game and sit atop the A10 by a half game over SLU who 's ranked 24th in the  AP25

Jan 21, 2026

Suder(MOH) and Whaley(KENT) put up  solid numbers.  The Red Hawks survived in OT 107-101. AKR rolled BUFF and 1.5GB MOH in the MAC.  SLU beat DUQ to move into a tie for first with GMU in the A10.

Jan 22, 2026

It took 2OT for  Seng(34pts) & Troy U to beat ODU and remain atop the SBC. Tulsa handled MEM easily in AAC action. FAU sits atop the AAC

Jan 23, 2026

I have to mention the Herd hitting 26/52 treys in a 115-60 win over ULM. Duninsky and Hollenback each hit 5 treys.

MOSU is in the thick of the CUSA race. Palek score 26 in the Bears win over NMSU.

Hawaii and UCI remain tied atop the Big West. HAW beat CSB and UCI beat UCR.

Jan 24, 2026

Billikens spanked the Bonnies in A10 action

G. Emejuru (16reb) for ECU getting  its first AAC win. ECU 63 NTX 59

UMass is finding its way in the MAC up to 4-5 with a W over BUFF

Jan 25 2026

MEM loses again , this time to WICH. 

TEM and Tulsa each won and are 1GB FAU(AAC)

K.Williams scored 21 for MOSU(CUSA-2nd) in a win over UTEP

Jan 28, 2026

MAC: MOH edged UMass to remain undefeated.

A10: A. Williford, JOES guard had 17pts and 10 reb, in a blowout of LOYCH. T. Green scored 23 for 1st place SLU in a win over GW.

Jan 30, 2026 

Metheny scored 29 for the Flames (10-0, CUSA)in a W over MTSU

C.Davis scored 23 in JMU's upset of first place Troy(SBC)

Pierce(25pts, 10 reb) was not enough for PREB to knock of first place High Point(Big South)

Jan 31, 2026

Horizon: Detroit led by Spratt's 28 points beat NKU. Burch scored 18 in WRST win over MILW and lead Oakland  by a half game.

 Charlotte(AAC) beat Rice for its 4th win in a rowand takes over the top spot.

Last two O5 bowl games are today

 Cincy still has its O-Line, but some of the best Bearcats from other positions  ain't playing today.  Navy 24 Cincy 23

TX St finished the regular season well . I'll go with Bobcats in 27-24 W over Rice in this intrastate matchup

CCU scooped up Ryan Beard the Missouri St HC.

Ohio U promoted Hauser after the Smith mess

Jan 2, 2026

Bobcats crushed the Owls. Navy did the same to Cincy. Solid game from Horvath, the Navy QB. 2-0 this blog 2-0.

I was looking at conference moves and  was reminded that UTEP goes from the CUSA to the MWC on 7/1/26.

Jan 27, 2026

 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a safety from Toledo, did not try to the transfer portal and may possibly go in RD1 of the 2026 NFL draft. Forced fumbles  is one of his better stats.

Non-power after Xmas

 Lobos and Coach Eck are a good story but I think the Gopher rushing attack will  be too much for them. MINN 27 UNM 21

I wonder if CMU gives Flores some work and return to a two QB system,  Lapas has been a decent passer.  Gut pick here: CMU 20 NW 19

McCown and UTSA survived a nail-biter . UTSA 35 FIU 34

Wrong on my CMU hunch, correct on MINN but UNM gave them a scare,  Roadrunners owned the road in a blowout of FIU. 2 of 3

Today, ECU w/o Hauser will have a rough time. Pitt 30  ECU 17

MWC will keep having a rough bowl season.  MOH 27 FRES 20. NTX 28 SDSU 23

UConn with interim HC Sammis survives a scare from from Army.  UConn  17 Army 16

Dec 28, 2025

Army struggled in September, but they re-grouped the rest of the way this season.. Tulsa was their only bad loss after September. They put a whoopin on the Huskies yesterday

NTX was the only O5 game I picked correctly yesterday.. Impressed that SDSU  nearly came all the way back in a 49-47 game.

Gotta admire how ECU played and w/o Hauser. I think that kid made a mistake going into the portal. An ex- co-worker moved to Greenville  in August and told me the town nearly shuts down for football Saturdays during the season.

Kurt Warner's kid EJ did enough for FRES to beat MOH.

 1 for 4 yesterday,  3 for 7 in this blog.

Dec 29, 2025

Intra-conference SBC  bowl game. I'll go with GASO 28 APP 27

Dec 30, 2025

GASO handled Appy  in a 29-10 W. 4-7 this blog

In the last O5 game of 2025, LA Tech 20 CCU 13 CCU is in a state of flux

BTW, Grayson McCall will be calling plays for CCU. Not too long again he was the Chanticleers starting QB.

Dec 31, 2025

Ok, I made it 5-7 with LT making a big comeback  in the second  half to defeat CCU 23-14. Kukuk, the LT QB, was the top rusher with 121 yards.

Non Power bowling 1

 Troy needs to contain C.Cook, JVST RB, My gut says a close game .  Troy 17 JVST 16. Trojans will score a DTD. More picks tomorrow.

Wrong immediately on Troy who lost 17-13 to JVST .

Tonight, both starting QBs opted out of playing. ODU 20 USF 17

Davis/Perry backfield tandem will lead ULL to  27 24 W over DEL led by Minicucci 

Dec 18, 2025

Split last night, correct on ODU, wrong on ULL. Henicle did a fine job starting at QB for ODU. rushing for two TDs. 

I can't find the XBox bowl on Bowl Mania pickem

Dec 19, 2025

WMU 's D will contain Odom, the Owls QB.  WMU 20 KENN 16

Memphis lost its last 3 games of the regular season.   NCST 24 MEM 17. Bailey, the Wolfpack QB, has a solid game.

Dec 20, 2025

Easy wins for WMU & NC St yesterday. WMU 41- KENN 6. NCST 31 MEM 7

J. BuckleyRB, WMU 8CAR 174YDS 1 TD

C. Bailey tossed 2 TD passes for the Wolfpack

3-2 , so far 

Dec 22, 2025

Ok, going with Wazoo winning 28-27 over USU this afternoon. Eckhaus, the Cougars QB, will step up

Dec 23, 2025

Got that one right. Z. Eckhaus tossed for 334 YDS and 3 TD for WSU in a 34-21 win. 4-2

Today, I'll go with LOU,  WKU, and UNLV. Colandrea will have a solid game for the Rebels

Dec 24, 2025

Wrong on UNLV, correct on LOU & WKU.  McIvor ,replacing  Tisdale, turned the TOPS around in a 27-16 W over USM. I like CAL over HAW tonight.   6-3 now

Dec 25, 2025

MWC(1-3) finally gets a win and it's Hawaii 35 Cal 31. Alejado tossed 3 TD passes, but when he got hurt Luke Weaver tossed the winner.

6-4 now

Jan 29, 2025 

Chris O'Leary is now the ex DC at WMU, since the Chargers hired him for the same position vacated by Jesse Minter. I don't  recall a non power conference assistant making that jump often.

He got his start in coaching under Minter, as a graduate assistant at Georgia State in 2014.

2025 Non -P4 conference title games

 Four on Friday, MAC on Saturday

Kennesaw State 24  Jacksonville State 20: A. Odom, the KENN QB, is an explosive player.

JMU 27 Troy 19: Troy will have trouble slowing down Barnett, the Dukes QB.

UNLV 31 Boise St 24: BSU will focus on stopping the Rebs passing game led by Colandrea so J.Thomas will rush for 100 yards

NTX 24 Tulane 23: Retzlaff is the key for the Green Wave. and NTX will find a way to slow him down in a nailbiter.

WMU 20 MOH 17:  Broncos have won 4 in a row. Lowry will do enough to get them the W.

Dec 5, 2025

I get Neal Brown to NTX and not so sure on Napier to JMU-back in the SBC but not seeing the fit in Harrisonburg , VA

Mora has West coast connection so I get the CSU Rams' hiring.

I've seen Huff mentioned for Tulane. He fled Marshall and his USM squad wiltered at the end of the season.

UAB is  elevating Mortensen from IC to HC, probably the best move.

Dec 6, 2025

Split last night. Correct on KENN and JMU. Odom tossed the winning TD for KENN with 57 seconds remaining on the clock. W. Knight RB, JMU:21CAR,212YDS,1TD 

wrong on NTX and UNLV Retzlaff scored two TDs with his legs for TUL. Broncos slowed down the Colandrea aerial show.

Dec 7, 2025

Two 60+ yards TD runs for Jalen Buckley fueled WMU to 23 -13 win over MOH and the MAC title.  3-2 for the weekend.

JMU and Tulane have a chance for the CFP. Noteworthy that Retzlaff may make it as the TUL QB while BYU , may not. He left the Cougars after an honor code violation

Dec 8, 2025

First glance. KENN vs WMU  , looks like a solid bowl matchup of conference champs in Myrtle Beach. BSU/UW, and UNM/MINN look interesting.. 

Dec 12, 2025

I'll toss my first bowl pick in Mewe bowl Mania chat. UW 28 Boise St 24. Demond Williams , the Huskies QB, has a solid game.

Dec 13, 2025

I'm confused that Charles Huff's USM squad sputtered down the stretch in the SBC, and he got the Memphis HC gig. Blake Anderson, who has a decent resume from HC stints at Ark St  and USU. was elevated to HC.

Dec 14, 2025

Rough day for the Blue Turfers. UW 38 BSU 10.  It was 31-3 after 3Q. D. Williams tossed 4 TD passes.

Early December non power hoops

 Delaware may have moved to the CUSA but Iona , an AAC school in upstate NY gave them a lesson last night. C. Anthon scored 26 for the Gaels in an 89-66 win. 

T. Alston (19pts, 8reb) for MTSU(CUSA) in a 76-61 win over an erratic UAB(AAC) squad

Dec 4, 2025

I thought Cal Baptist(WAC) would do a little better BYU 91 CBU 60

Nice win for UNA(ASUN) over San Fran(WCC)  Bacchus scored 20 for UNA in the 65-63 win. 

BTW San Fran beat MINN who beat Indiana last night

Dec 6, 2025 

Ike ,28pts, 10reb, for the Zags in a 94-59 blowout of UK 

ETSU(Southern) rolls South Bama(SBC) 91-65. M.Johnson scored 29 for the Buccaneers

Dec 10, 2025

MAC: BUFF struggled with UMBC(AMEAST) and escaped with an 83-79 W.  Garry(15,7,8) for SDST(Summit) in a 68-64 W over Ball St.

It's been a long time since UMBC upset UVA at the Dance.

Dec 14, 2025

USM(SBC) gave Ole Miss a scare but fell 71-67. 

MACTION: MOH remains undefeated with a 79-69 W over EKY . Atlason scored 19 for the RedHawks. DHS (27pts, 10reb) for UMASS in a 103- 95 over  Florida St

Zags(WCC) beat UCLA.

Dec 19, 2025

LBSU(BIG WEST) edged PEPP(WCC) 81-78. Sykes scored 23 for the 49ers.

TEM(AAC) beat DAV(A10) 68-63.  D. Ford(23,9, 2) for the Owls.

Dec 21, 2025

Nice win by the Flames  Z. Cleveland (16 reb, 7ast)  was solid for LIB in a 64-61 W over Dayton. DAY blew out Florida St on the 16th.

Howard upset UNCW 67-66, B. Harris(18pts, 11reb) for the Bison.

Dec 28, 2025

Checking in on some hoops: Stanford needed a big second half to beat CSN(Big West) 88-80 in OT. L. Hughes scored 26 for the Matadors.

Dec 31, 2025

WSU falls to SEA in WCC action. Maldonado scored 15 for the Redhawks.

UMass falls to 0-2 in MACtion with a loss to EMU, who were led by C. Hart with 23pts,12 reb

I'll close the blog with a local CAA score. I visit extended family frequently in Hampton ,VA where last night's game was played.  Towson U(0-2), a short ride from my house,  got close but no cigar in a 63-62 loss to Hampton(2-0). Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt scored 15 points for the Pirates.

I've stayed at hotels not far from  the Hampton Coliseum

Feb 6, 2026

Last night 's CAA scores reminded me of  trips to Hampton, VA over the years.  W&M is in Williamsburg, not too far from Hampton.

J. Gaines-Wyatt scored 23 for Hampton in an OT W over Elon. 

R. Miller scored 23 for William & Mary in a W over UNCW

Week 14 is it Navy blue

 WMU will finish the regular season with a narrow road win over EMU to finish atop the MAC. Broncos will contain N. Kim who has tossed for 16TDs and 2490 yards for the Eagles. WMU 20 EMU 19

AAC: Navy is in a three way tie with TUL and NTX for first place and visits Memphis. B. Lewis will get his passing skills back into gear. MEM 28 Navy 24.

other three picks later this week.

Nov 26, 2025

N. Kim got his usual numbers for EMU, but Lowry and McMillan rushed for 203 yards for WMU. WMU 31- EMU 21. Broncos finish with best conference record in the MAC.

Nov 28, 2025

Navy was trailing 17-14 and fumbled away a scoring chance near the goal line  in the 3Q  Memphis went nowhere  after its recovery ,and Navy went on to outscore the Tigers 14-0 in the second half for a 28-17 W. I was wrong on this one and am  1-1 so far.

CUSA: WKU needs to beat Jax St to stay on pace with KENN. Tisdale will toss 2 TD passes  for the Tops win .  WKU 24 JAX 17

MWC: SDSU D has re-grouped since the blowout loss to HAW. Lobos are hot. and are at home for this  game.  UNM 24  SDSU 23

SBC: Troy 20 USM 17.  Goose Crowder is back for the Trojans. He'll be the difference for Troy to win the SBCW.

Nov 29, 2025

Up to 2-1. UNM 23 SDSU 17. Laubstein,  the backup UNM QB rushed for 70yards, 40 on a TD run in the 1Q.  Layne the starting QB , tossed the winning TD pass.

If UNLV wins today it's a four way tie for for 1st place and UNLV did not play SDSU  and lost to BSU and UNM.   Metrics will likely make it BSU/UNM

Nov 30, 2025

Wrong on the Tops, correct on Troy.  3-2 for the weekend

Some big stats in the KENN OT win over LIB.

E. Dickens 43 CAR 267 YDS, 4 TD for the Flames

A. Odom(KENN) 14/23, 240 YDS, 4 TD,  13 CAR 72YDS, TD

Random memos . I'm  impressed TXST became bowl eligible, JAX St didn't miss a beat losing Rich Rod to WV. Charles Kelly  has them in the CUSA title game against KENN.

Week 13 MAC time

 WMU needs this game to stay atop the MAC. NIU may want to exit the MAC winning.

Broc Lowry tosses a late TD pass for the Broncos to seal the W. WMU 17 NIU 16 

More picks later in the week.

Nov 19, 2025

WMU TCOB with NIU ast night in a 35-19 win. Broncos scored 5 rushing TDs, Lowry(3) and Buckley(2) 

WMU moves to 6-1 in MAC play. It's only conference loss was to MOH.

1-0 so far

Nov 20, 2025

MWC:  Friday night visit by the Rainbow  to Vegas. Mullen's Rebs in a nailbiter. UNLV 23 HAW 21

AAC: NTX travels from Denton to Houston to play Rice . Owls will hang tough for awhile. Hawkins has a good for rushing game for the Mean Green. NTX 30 Rice 20

CUSA: Jaz St is 6-0 in conference play. They'll make that 7-0.  Cook will rush for 100 yards for the Cocks. JAX 27 FIU 20

SBC: Must win for USM after the beatdown by TXST, Braxton may not play. I'll go with USA at home in a close one. USA 20 USM 17

Nov 22, 2025

I thought HAW would score more but UNLV found some D.  A. Colandrea tossed 3 TD passes for the Rebs. UNLV 38 HAW 10. 2-0 so far

Nov 23, 2025

Wrong on Jax St  despite Cook rushing for 138 yards. Owens rushed for 125 for FIU. FIU 27 JAX 21

Correct on:  NTX  who crushed Rice, and USA who beat USM thanks to K. Bullock(23 CAR 187 YDS, 3 TD). 4-1 for the week.

SBCW: Troy is tied with USM

Minor league baseball tales

 In the last two years I've been reading short books on the history of minor league baseball in the USA. I'm reading 

I came across some interesting first names:  

Judy Cline , a dude who hit a 457' homer out of Merchants Park in Denver, CO. His legal name was William Cline Jr

Ed (Bears Track) Green played in the Western Association.  While doing a deeper dig on this  the searchh engine kept taking to me Ed  Bearss, Chief Historian of the National Park Service.

So much information is not on the internet because it hasn't been entered into any data system.

I'll keep having fun.

Nov 17, 2025

Marty Marion, the Cards SS won 1944 NL MVP the award for the St. Louis Cardinals for mostly his  defense. He hit .267  with 6 HR , 63 rbi.

He played  his minor league baseball in Huntington, WV of the Middle Atlantic League, then a few seasons in the International League for Rochester,NY, before moving up to the Cards.

Nov 27, 2025

OKC Indians had purchased a pitcher named Collins for the 1927 season, but he was playing as FayThomas  for NY Giants(NL). Commish Landis punished him with fines and an MLB ban . He didn't return to the MLB until 1931.

Dec 20, 2025

I noticed Earl Weaver, a 2B, had some decent stats for  Omaha, the Cardinals A team in the Western League, and wondered why he never got a shot to play in the MLB. At that time A ball was the highest minor league level. The levels were A, B, C, & D. 

I did some research  and  the Cardinals new manager, Eddie Stanky, chose himself over Weaver for the final roster spot on the 1952 opening day roster.

Jan 7, 2026

Spades Wood was a left-handed pitcher for Wichita, Tulsa, and St Joseph in the Western League in the 1930s . I wonder if his nickname came from playing cards.

Jan 26, 2026

James Macullar holds the record in the Western League(Topeka) for hitting .464 in 1887, however there's an asterick due to walks being counted as base hits in 1887. It was still considered the minors

In the majors Tip O'Neill of the St. Louis Browns batted .485 that season, which was reduced to .435 in the record books. It still seems confusing how it's being handled by the record keepers.

Browns (American Association) lost to to the Detroit Wolverines (National League) in the 1887 WS.

Older blog disturbing july5

Week 12 Mackin early

 In 2026 the NIU football team will join the MWC, while all other sports will move to the Horizon League.  They 're going out on a weak note , but perhaps they can get their second MAC win of the season at UMass(0-9, 0-5). NIU's only win is vs Ball St.

 Chavon Wright and Telly Johnson Jr. combo will do enough rushing the ball to give NIU a road W tomorrow night at UMass. 

NIU 19 UMass 13. other four picks later in the week.

Nov 13, 2025

Correct on NIU,but UMass barely showed up. Late FG saved them from being shutout.  NIU 45 UMass 3

AAC: Houser has tossed  for 2469 yards and14 TD passes . I smell a home upset for ECU. ECU 28 MEM 27

CUSA: Odom avoids tossing INTs and leads KENN to road win over Jax St . KENN 24 JaxSt 20

MWC: Rebs eke out a 23-20 win over Utah St

SBC: CCU escapes with a 31 -27 win @ Georgia Southern. Collier ,once again , is the man for the Chanticleers.

Nov 16, 2025

L. Montgomery rushed for 102 yards and 2 TDs in ECU's upset of MEM

KENN lost 35-26 to Jax St

UNLV needed OT to defeat USU

GASO prevailed over CCU.

Wrong on KENN  & CCU. Correct on UNLV & ECU 3-2 for the weekend.

TXST  got its first conference win of the season in a 41-14 rout over USM.  B. Jackson  tossed for 192 YDS, 3 TDs for the Bobcats. 

Week 11 MAC Tuesday etc

 It's crowded atop the MAC. Two (5-3) teams, MOH & Ohio, meet tonight in Athens, OH. I'll go with Bangura having a good game running the ball for the Bobcats. Ohio 27 MOH 21.

Other 4 picks later in the week.

Nov 5, 2025

Ohio 24 MOH 20: Bongura rushed for 102 yards and a TD for the Bobcats.  1 for 1 this week. 

Nov 7, 2025

AAC: Retzlaff will put up good numbers  again, but it won't be enough at MEM. MEM 34 TUL 28

CUSA: LA Tech 24 DEL 20  Thevenin  gets 100 yards rushing for  the Bulldogs in a road win.

MWC: Aztecs slow down Alejado, the Hawaii QB , and win a road game. SDSU 21 HAW 16

SBC: USM goes on the road and wins a close one at Ark St. Another solid game for Braxtion, the Eagles QB. USM 31 Ark St 30

Nov 8, 2025

Wrong on Memphis. My gut  was screaming Tulane , but I didn't think Retzlaff was enough. He was. 4TDs, 3 passing. TUL 38 Memphis 32. 1 -1 for the week.

Nov 9, 2025

Wrong on La Tech, Wrong on SDSU, I thought Hawaii would give them a tough game and lose , but the Rainbows blew out the Aztecs 38-6, wow. Hawaii QB :M. Alejado 22/34, 256 YDS, 3 TD. MWC regular season title is wide open

Right on USM, but Ark St gave them a scare late.

2-3 for the week

November peek at non-power hoops 2025/26

Gonzaga: Graham Ike, 23, is the highest-ranked non power conference player. Zags are in their final season in the WCC  . Tough  November: Creighton, OK,  MD, and Bama.  Next season they play in the PAC12

Dayton of the A10 faces Cincy and Marquette this month. Flyers will need Nate Santos to score more than 14 points a game

Memphis is counting on 7'1  Aaron Bradshaw.  @ Ole Miss on Nov 11

NTX is counting on  Cahmal Crosby.  @ St Marys on Nov 14

St Marys will rely heavily on Paulius Murauskas . Gaels are in their last WCC season before joining the PAC12.

More to come

Nov 3, 2025

Ok, HC Billy G  can your Tarleton team start with an upset @ SMU(ACC). Is Chris Mpaka  progressing?

Nov 4, 2025

Tarleton(WAC) got crushed 96-76 by SMU. D. Johnson scored 23 for the losers.

UNO (Southland)Privateers upset Big12 member TCU, 78-74 

Nov 5, 2025

Only bad WCC loss so far is Wazoo losing to Idaho 

UNLV(MWC) lost to to UT Martin last night.

Nov 6, 2025

USC Upstate(Big South) upset FRES(MWC) 67-66. KGregory led the Spartans with 15 points. USCU lost its opener to Cal Baptist(WAC)

USCU is in South Carolina.

Nov 10, 2025

Close game MEM (AAC) 76 SF(WCC) 70 . M. Cook was solid for the Dons. Zags edged OK(SEC)

Boise St(MWC) blew out UVU on its road to recovery from  its loss to Howard Payne 

J Speer and the Herd outscored TOL 55 to 33 for an 85- 73 W in an SBC/MAC matchup.

Nov 12, 2025 

Wow, rough OT loss for UAB. Alabama St (SWAC) 77 UAB 73(AAC)  A.Anderson  20 pts 7 ast for the Hornets.

Nov 14, 2025

Olsen scored 21  for USA(SBC) in a 66-64  nail-biter over CMU(MAC). Wichita St(AAC) had no problem with LOYCH(A10).

Nov 17, 2025

UNLV handled MEM. Fleming (25 pts, 12 reb) for the Rebels.

D. Gillespie (26 pts, 17reb) for Kent St(MAC) in an OT win over Wright St(HOR)

Nov 21, 2025

Memphis hung close to Purdue but lost 80-71.

In the Trojan battle Troy(SBC) hung with USC but fell in OT-107-106. C. Campbell(32, 12,8) for Troy

Nov 25, 2025

Tulane(AAC) edged BC(ACC) C Williams scored 32 for TUL

USU(MWC) crushed DAV(A10) M Colins scored 40 for the Ags.

Nov 27, 2025

WCC yesterday. Zags were blown out by 40 by Michigan. WSU lost to Seton Hall. PEPP was rolled by Fresno(MWC)

SMC beat Wichita St(AAC). T. George(19pts, 6 reb) led Portland to a 93-73 win over LBSU(Big West)

Dec 1, 2025

MWC : L Walker (28pts) and the Cowboys gave TT quite a scare.  TT 76 WYO 72 .  D. Smith(30pts) led CSB(Big West )over Fresno St

USA routed UTSA 82-58. Jags are off to a 7-1 start. Only loss was to UAB

Week 10 Tuesday SBC etc

 TX St has stumbled  through a rough season with plenty of O and less D. Brad Jackson , the QB, (1,786 YDS 9 TD 2 INT) is capable of big games. I'm going to go with TXSt beating the odds and pulling out a squeaker at home .  TXST 31- JMU 30.

Other four guesses will be made later in the week.

Oct 29, 2025

When TXST closed to 28-20 to end the first half, I thought I had a shot, but JMU blanked them in the second half. JMU 52 TXST 20. Zero for 1

Oct 30, 2025

AAC: Memphis 28 Rice 24.  Owls will give the Tigers a scare  with Quentin Jackson rushing for 100 yards.

CUSA:  LIB 23 DEL 20. Flames have re-grouped after a shaky September.

MAC: Only two  games on the schedule. Tossup so I'll go with WMU the home team WMU 20 CMU 17

MWC:  UNLV gets back on track after the spanking by Boise St. J Glover , UNLV RB, is worth watching. UNLV 31 UNM 27

Nov 1

Correct on Memphis but wrong on Rice making it close.  QJack only rushed for 22 yards for the Owls.

Nov 2, 2025

1-1 going into yesterday.

Wrong on ULNV who lost to UNM 40-35. Both QBs tossed 3 TD passes. Lobos are hot ,but the Aztecs are hotter in the MWC.

Correct on LIB  & WMU. 3-2 for the week. 

E. Dickens ,22 CAR 217 YDS, 4 TD, for the Flames

Week 9 Tuesday O5 time and picks

 Ok I"m not going to ignore the CUSA this week.

Kennesaw St has been surprising and will  win at FIU. Dexter Williams will toss two TD passes for KENN  in a 27 to 20 win.

Other four O5 conferences will be picked on Thursday.

Oct 22, 2025

KENN couldn't stop Owens but  the Odom/William QB tag team were too much. for FIU D. 

KENN 45 FIU  26.  1 for 1, so far

Oct 23, 2025

Memphis is coming off a bad  loss to UAB. USF has been rolling since they lost to Miami(FLA). Another good game for B. Brown and the Bulls this week. USF 35 MEM 24

UMass has struggled , as expected in in the MAC, but showed some improvement in a 28-21 loss to BUFF last week.  CMU is 2-1 in conference play with a loss to Akron. CMU 20 UMass 17

SDSU is right there with BSU in the MWC standings. LUcky Sutton will have another solid rushing game for the Aztecs. SDSU 24 FRES 17

Troy is tied with USM in the SBCW.  Kilcrease will toss two TD passes for the Trojans. Troy 31 ULL 20

Oct 26, 2025

wrong  on  USF. MEM outscored USF 17-0 in the 4Q for a 34-31 W

right on CMU who handled UMass

right on SDSU who blanked Fresno

right on Troy. Kilcrease didn't toss any TD passes, but J Lovett led the Trojans in rushing:21 CAR 113 YDS, 2 TD in a 35-23 W over ULL

4 of 5 for the weekend

Oct 27, 2025

Blake Horvath, the Navy QB, makes the Campbell Trophy list and gets a little  Heisman chatter.

Week 8 already in the O5

 AAC: Temple is showing improvement . E. Simon has tossed 13 TD passes.  TEMP 24 @ CHAR 17

CUSA: Four games are over, rest of the league is on bye.

MAC: MOH is in the thick of  the conference race with BUFF and WMU and will edge EMU 20-19 at home this weekend.

MWC: I'll pick two games to make up for no CUSA pick.

Colandrea(UNLV) and Madsen(Boise St) should have a QB duel. Rebs win on the roadd. UNLV 35 BSU 34.

M Davis will  rush for 100 again this week for the Ags at home USU 27 SJSU 23.

SBC: CDRW is playing well for the Herd. TXST keeps falling short. Burrell rushed for 136 yards last week for the Bobcats. I smell a road upset TXST 34 MU 31.

10/18/25

M. Davis only rushed for 50yards, but USU beat SJSU. 1-0 , so far.

10/19/25

Temple romped over CHAR 49-14. Simon  threw 4 TD passes.

MOH  44 EMU. Brunson rushed for 122 yards and a TD for the Red

BSU kicked it into gear and rolled over UNLV

TX St is not looking good as it makes it way to the Pac12. MU 40 TXST 37

CDRW provided most of the O for the Herd.

3-2 Correct on TEMP, MOH, and USU. Wrong on UNLV & TXST

!0/20/25

Herd are 4-3, nearly bowl eligible. Never saw that coming. Barbie 2TDs in the OTs.

Doug Martin, ex NFLer and BSU RB, dead at 36 while in Oakland CA police custody Some reports claim there was a struggle.

Week 7 O5 picks

 I unaware two two CUSA games were being played until after they started.

CUSA: I'll go with SHSU, the home team , over Jax St tonight. SHSU 24  Jax St 23

AAC: NTX is home , but I think Bynum Brown leads USF to the W.  USF 27 NTX 24

MAC: Ball St is coming off a  solid win over Ohio. Lowry to Williams is a nice connection for WMU . I'll take the home team WMU 20 Ball St 17.

MWC: I haven't paid much attention to the Aztecs who will win on the road at Nevada. SDSU 21 Nev 17

SBC: JMU won a low scoring game last week vs GAST.  ULL survived the Herd. Dukes will survive at home JMU 24 ULL 20

Oct 10, 2025

Wrong on SHSU who couldn't hold the 21-17 lead in the 4Q in a 29-27 loss to Jax St.

C. Cook rushed for 218 yards for the Gamecocks.

Oct 11, 2025

Correct on USF. Tied at halftime then Bynum B and the Bulls stomped to a 63-36 win.

Oct 12, 2025

3-3 for to finish 4-1. JMUgot by ULL .  WMU, but I didn't foresee them blanking Ball St 42-0.  

Also correct on the Aztecs but surprised they whooped NEV 42-10

Herd handled ODU easily. 

UTSA 61 Rice 13-WTH

AFA found some O but fell in OT to UNLV 51-48. Starka, the AFA QB, tossed a TD pass and also rushed for 136 yards and 2 TDs

Digging the name  and the pick 6 . Boogie Trotter , Herd DB had a pick 6 in the win over ODU.

Oct 15, 2025

Haven't started  week 8 picks but I would've been wrong on picking  Liberty and FIU and correct on Ark St nwho out scored  USA 12-0 in the 4Q for a 15-14 W

Week 6 picks of O5

 CUSA: Friday night in Delaware. DEL gets a big game from rushing game from Silver . DEL 28 WKU 27

AAC: Roadrunners speed into Philly. Owls slow down Henry Jr. TEMP 24 UTSA 20

MAC: Home field gives BUFF the edge . BUFF 19 EMU 16

MWC: Lobos are on a bit of a roll and will win on the road. with a good rushing game from Humphrey UNM 28 SJSU 19

SBC: TXST only loss is to Arizona St. Pare has solid game for the Bobcats in a road in at Ark St. TXST 31 ARK ST 24.

Oct 4, 2025

Wrong on DEL. WKU scored 17 unanswered points, including a pick6, in the 3Q to go up 27-17. WKU 27 DEL 24. Neither team ran the ball well.

Oct  5 2025

Buff, TEMP-correct. wrong on UNM and TX St. 2 of 5 for the weekend.

Robertson threw 3 TD passes for Buffalo.

In other news : That kid Colton Joseph, the ODU QB, in a blowout of CCU.

YDS 315 TD 4 passing

YDS 66 TD 1 rushing

Week 5 in the O5

 AAC:  Tulane recovers from the Ol Miss thrashing, and Tulso doesn't get a bump from beating OK St. TUL 30 Tulsa 20.

CUSA: Kennesaw St may be a factor in CUSA race. MTSU won't contain Odom,  the Owls QB. KENN 31 MTSU 28

MAC: Navarro, the Bobcats QB, does enough for a W. Ohio 24 Bowling Green 21

MWC: Only one conference matchup so I'll roll the dice. AFA has found some O recently so I'lll take them winning a squeaker at home. AFA 20 HAW 19.

SBC: CDRW  is leading the Herd at QB  MU 34 ULL 31

Sept 28, 2025

wrong on Marshall, AFA

correct on Tulane, KENN, Ohio,

Gordon rushed for 3 TD for TUL in win over Tulsa

Odom tossed two TD passes for KENN in win over MTSU

M. Alejado 35/47, 457 YDS, 3 TD for HAW over AFA

Bangura rushed for 115 yards in Bobcats win over BG

RIO-Wilson  threw 3TDpasses for the Herd but Winfield tossed two TD passes and ran for 3 for ULL in a 54-51 OT win over MU.

Noticed Colorado St(1-3) lost to Wazoo, Liberty(1-4) lost to ODU

ULM has licked has their wounds from the 73-0 loss to Bama with wins over UTEP and  Ark St.