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.

O5 Bowl Games Saturday Dec 23

Arkansas State Red Wolves(SBC) vs Northern Illinois Huskies(MAC) Can you say erratic.? Ark St 28 NIU 27

Troy(SBC) vs Duke (ACC) Both teams head coaches have moved on. I'll take Troy in a 24-23 upset.

 Georgia St(SBC) vs Utah St(MWC). Georgis St hasn't won since October and that won't change. Utah St 23 GAST 16

James Madison(SBC) vs Air Force(MWC) McCloud, the JMU QB, will play despite entering the transfer portal. .JMU 30 AFA 22

South Alabama(SBC) vs Eastern Michigan(MAC). EMU doesn't have enough O. South Bama 20 EMU 13

Coastal Carolina(SBC) vs San Jose State(MWC). Ok, I'll ride with Cordero and the hot SJST Spartans

Dec 24, 2023 

1-5 yesterday.  South Bama pummeled EMU 59-10J. Pritchett WR - USA 8REC 127YDS 2TD

Now for my incorrect picks: Duke stymied Troy's O. NIU kicker scored a TD. 

F. Brock RB - GAST 24CAR 276YDS 1TD

E. Michel FB - AFA 35CAR 203YDS 2TD

Vasko tossed 3 TD passes for CCU.

Feb 15, 2024

Georgia State postponed the rest of its spring practices and its spring game on March 7. Panthers started spring practice on Tuesday Feb 13,  two days before coach Shawn Elliott stepped down to become an assistant at South Carolina. Flip side of the NIL portal!

Feb 24. 2024

Dell McGee  is the new G ST HC 

Auburn (2013) Analyst

Georgia Southern (2014) RB coach

Georgia Southern (2015)

Assistant HC & RB coach

Georgia Southern (2015)

Interim head coach

Georgia (2016–2018)

Assistant HC & running backs coach

Georgia (2019–2023)

Run game coordinator & RB coach

Georgia State (2024)Head coach

Week 3 O5 wacky style

 Lobos(MWC) host Ags(CUSA) in an intrastate battle:  Neither team has been impressive this season. UNM 20 NMST 19.

Utah St wins 21-17 on the road at AFA. Legas will be tossing a lot of passes for Utah St..

Cordeiro will be winging the ball around the Glass Bowl for San Jose St(MWC). SJST 30 Toledo(MAC) 23

Tulane(AAC) showed some mettle in its loss to OL Miss last week and will win 27-24 at USM(SBC). Makhi Willis rushed for 92 yards for Tulane in that loss.

Sept 16, 2023

Michel rushed for 3TDs in AFA's 39-21 win over Utah St. One wrong.

Army won at UTSA(AAC). The injured Frank Harris DNP for the home team.

NMST was in the WAC from 2005-12. NM left the WAC in 1998

Sept 17, 2023

I was wrong on both MWC picks, NM and SJST yesterday. Only correct pick was Tulane over USM. 

The sh^t talk from Little Miam fans is probably nuts on Twitter after the win over Cincy. The size of the OK St loss blows my mind, and Webb of USA ran all over them (151 yards,2TD). Ohio U has a stellar D. OHIO 10 Iowa St 7

Back to the MWC: UNLV beat Vandy, Fresno blanked Ariz St, and Col St took Deion's Buffs to OT before losing. 

NMST was in the WAC from 2005-12. NM left the WAC in 1998.

Sept 18, 2023

AAC took a beating, but NTX fought off La Tech rally for the W.

Late Dec 2022 O5 coaching hires and bowl games

  Kenni Burns (Minnesota running backs coach) takes over at Kent St for Sean Lewis, who joined Neon Deion's staff at Colorado. He was also at W.Michigan with Fleck so he's familiar with the MAC.

    Eric Morris (Washington State OC) takes over at North Texas and has plenty of experience as an assistant coach in the state of Texas, including at Houston (2010-11), Texas Tech (2013-17) and Incarnate Word (2018-21).

   Lance Taylor (Louisville OC) takes over at W.Michigan.

  I've had a rough picking season with the Bowl Games but will toss in a few words on the remaining O5.

TUE 12:00pmESPN

Ga. Southern/Buffalo: Former USC HC Todd Helton wins the Kyle Vantrease bowl. KV was the starting quarterback at Buffalo last season, and this year he starts for Georgia Southern against his former team. GS 34 Buff 24

Camellia Bowl, Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL

TUE 3:15pm ESPN

Memphis/Utah St: Ags hoops has been hot so maybe it will spread to the pigskin squad. Utah St 31 Memphis 28

First Responder Bowl, Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX

TUE 6:45pmESPN

C. Carolina/East Carolina: McCall/Ahlers QB battles. I'll go with Ahlers, the ECU lefty. ECU 35 CCU 31

Birmingham Bowl, Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama

WED 2:00pmESPN

UCF/Duke: I know Duke has exceed expectations, but I'll go with Malzahn. UCF 27 Duke 24

Military Bowl, Navy - Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD

Dec 30 4:30pm Barstool Sports

Ohio/Wyoming: Cowboys rope in the Bobcats with a final minute FG. WYO 19 Ohio16

Arizona Bowl @ Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ

Jan 2 @ 1:00pm ESPN

Tulane/ USC: Green Wave subsides against the Trojans. USC 38 TUL 31

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)

Dec 28, 2022

I finally got an assessment correct. Ahlers threw 5 TDs for ECU in a 53-29 win over Coastal Carolina. He's a gutsy QB and may find a place in the NFL as a backup

Wrong picks: Utah St and Georgia Southern!

Dec 29, 2022

Wrong on UCF who didn't score in the middle of the game. Coach Gus has some work to do with the Knights going to the Big 12. Duke 30 UCF 13

I missed this hire. GJ Kinne is the new HC at Texas St. His Incarnate Word squad averaged 52.9 ppg last season, but the Sunbelt is a big step up.

Dec 31, 2022

Wrong on the Cowboys who didn't have enough rope to slow down S. Bangura RB - OHIO 25CAR 138YDS 1TD.  Ohio 30 WYO 27

Jan 2, 2022

Well, folks guessed McCall, a well-liked player at CCU entered the portal, only to follow Coach Chadwell to Liberty U.   New CCU HC Tim Beck, formerly an asst at NCST, must've had a chat with him and he's exited the portal.

Wow. I thought the Trojans D was shaky but what a complete meltdown. Props to Tulane(AAC).  Has Lincoln Riley ever  been the HC of a team with a decent D. Tulane 46 USC 45. Spears ' stats for the Green Wave

Jan 4, 2022

Petrino's stint at UNLV (MWC) lasted a month. Texas A&M hired Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator today.

Jan 7, 2023

Steve Spurrier Jr. is the new Tulsa(AAC) offensive coordinator and will also coach QBs. He worked as an asst for Mike Leach at Wazzoo and Miss St.

Jan 27, 2023

Speaking of head coaches if SDST keeps Hoke for a few more years, he 'll be back in the P5. "There are more bars in that stadium(Snapdragon) than there are in most cities," said Aztecs coach Brady Hoke. 

There's an assumption  the Pac-12 has no choice but to plug up its Southern California hole with SDSU.

Feb 7, 2023

 Tulane defensive coordinator Lance Guidry is heading to Miami U to replace Kevin Steele, who is headed to Bama to take the DC job

Guidry spent the 2022 season at Marshall and took the Tulane job last month. Tulane is owed $500,000 in buyout money for Guidry's departure, and the payment is due to the school in the next 60 days

Feb 14, 2023

The U hired Houston U OC Shannon Dawson 

I'm torn on this. Kevin Sumlin, co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach for the Maryland Terrapins. Previous gigs: 

2008–2011 Houston

2012-2017 Texas A&M

2018-2020 Arizona

Feb 16 2023

Tulane raids the SunBelt and hires Troy's DC Shiel Wood as its new defensive coordinator.

March 4, 2023

San Diego St is looking for a new associate head coach/running backs coach again after the LA Rams hired Ron Gould.  

Maryland is planning to hire former Texas State DC Zac Spavital as its Safeties Coach.  Locksley has been raiding the southwest USA  for coaches, a lot lately.

April 2, 2023

I think Navy (AAC) should've kept HC Ken Niumatalolo, and he's moved on to be Director of Leadership for UCLA Football, a job title that baffles me.

MWC pigskin 2022 Utah St and more

 Utah State was picked to finish third in its division, behind Boise State and Air Force in pre-season media rankings. And on Thursday, the media voted no Aggies players into its preseason All-Mountain West football team

Same type of thing occurred last pre-season and the Ags pounded a one-loss San Diego State team 46-13 to win the MWC Championship and then coasted to a victory over Oregon State in the LA Bowl.

Realignment dominoes: You have to think San Diego St and Boise St are likely targets the Pac 12 pursues if the P5 doesn't become the P4

July 24, 2022

.Aztecs play Zona and Utah in September, and they don't face Utah St in the 2022 regular season. 

Ags face Bama on 9/3. Also, Utah State and BYU who have met 90 times since 1922 will discontinue their series but hope to schedule future meetings.

July 27, 2022

Boise State, who opens this season Sept. 3 at Oregon State(Pac12), is trying to recover from its worst season in a decade. Hank Bachmeier is the favorite to win the starting QB job for the fourth year in a row.

 He!! of an opener on 9/3 for Colorado St  @ The Big House in Ann Arbor. Two weeks later they in the wilderness @Wash St.

Hypothetical: if Klia can save the Pac 12, he'll need San Diego St(MWC) and Notre Dame(I)? Or who knows Newsom makes it too onerous for UCLA to exit for the Midwest.

August 28, 2022

I expected Wyoming to give ILL  a little better game. ILL 38 WYO 6

Utah St roared back from a 14-0 deficit to beat UConn 31-20 . It was HC Jim Mora first game coaching the Huskies.

Nevade beat New Mexico St

Hawaii got pummeled by Vandy 63-10

O5 post -op on March 15

 I'm rooting big time for the Cowboys to rope the Hoosiers in during a Dance play in game today because the Big 10 doesn't deserve 9 tickets. Wyoming had an erratic finish to the season and as usual will rely heavily on Hunter Maldonado and Ike Graham.

NIT games:

 Interesting intrastate battle in Texas for teams who thought they'd be Dancing. TX ST(Sunbelt) faces NTX(CUSA). Mean Green of NTX looked lean in CUSAT so I'll roll with  the Bobcats to scratch out a win in Denton.

I'll hang with former with UMBC Head coach Odom, who may remind his Utah St Ags that he was the coach who took  down the 1 seed UVA Cavs in the Dance a few years ago. USU(MWC) 67 Oregon 65 as the Ducks descent continues.

List of HC openings in the O5: Ball St, ECU, Western Michigan, and Tulsa. I've heard rumors that Mike Anderson will leave St Johns for Tulsa but not sure at this point if anyone can get SJU back to its glory days of Chris Mullen and Walter Berry.

March 16, 2022

Maldonado had a solid night but it wasn't enough for the Cowboys. IU 76 WYO 68

In the NIT ,NTX beat TX St and Oregon beat Utah St.. Tonight  Toledo(MAC) faces Dayon(A10) and SMU(AAC) faces Nichols(Southland)

march 17, 2022

Toledo got crushed by Dayton  and SMU beat Nichols in NIT play.

I like UAB upsetting Houston, Boise St beating Memphis, and Colorado St beating Michigan in rd1 of the Dance.

March 22, 2022

O5 has Houston left in the Dance and no teams remaining in the NIT.

Tulsa(AAC) hires La Tech's HC Eric Konkol.  ECU (AAC) hired Mike Schwartz, ex Associate HC at Tennessee. In the MAC, Ball St and WMU are looking for  new head coaches.

I didn't see this coming.  SMU's Tim Jankovich retires. Well, we know the next coach won't be Larry Brown.

MARCH  26, 2022

UCLA assistant coach Michael Lewis is the new HC at Ball St (MAC). He played for Bobby Knight at Indiana and coached under Brad Stevens at Butler.

March 27, 2022

Houston lost a low scoring game to Nova 50-44 so no F4 for the Cougars

Allegations of major violations have been levied against the Memphis. They stem from the recruitment and short stint(3 games) of former top recruit James Wiseman. It looks bad but how tough has the NCAA enforcement been recently so Penny may not be dropped from coaching quickly.

March 28, 2022

SMU named Rob Lanier as HC after he took Georgia State(Sunbelt) to the Dance this season.

He was 53-30 in his three seasons at Georgia State. He took Siena(MAAC) to the Dance in 2002 and had been an assistant for Billy Donovan and Rick Barnes. I recall his Sienna team giving Loyola of Baltimore fits in his MAAC days. I'm still a bit surprised at the hire.

March 31, 2022

Talvin Hester, an ex asst at Texas Tech, is the new HC at La Tech

April. 6, 2022

Jonas Hayes, interim coach who led Xavier to its first NIT championship in 64 years, is the new Georgia State's HC.

I thought WMU(MAC)  forgot they had an opening. After 19 seasons as an assistant at Michigan State, Dwayne Stephens is the new W. Michigan HC.

April 12, 2022

Transfer portal gets nuttier: SMU Mustangs guard Kendric Davis, AAC Player of the Year, is in the portal. He played at TCU before joining SMU.

 Lofton is leaving La Tech.

April 14, 2022

Nate Oats looks toward his former conference, the MAC, and signs Former Ohio U point guard Mark Sears, who averaged nearly 20 points a game last season. Sears is from Muscle Shoals, ALA

June 2, 2022

O5 guys leaving 2022 NBA draft pool: Sasser returns to Houston U. DeAndre Williams will return to Memphis U.

June 16, 2022

While reading a list of International players and others who removed themselves from  early entry in the 2022 NBA draft , I found  Dhieu Deing, who played for UTSA(CUSA)  last season  . Wise move ! He's a 6'5 guard with this stat line from last season     PTS13.6 ,REB  5.3, AST1.5, FG% 34.5 .

June 24, 2022

AAC (2) Memphis — (2): Jalen Duren (13), Josh Minott (45) both to the Hornets

Mountain West (1) Colorado State — 1:David Roddy (23)  to the 76ers

MAC (1)        Toledo — 1:Ryan Rollins (44)--to the Hawks

Duren got traded to Knicks then Detroit. Rollins was traded to GSW.

O5 hoops: who's rising from the middle of the pack on Feb 5

 About five weeks until Dance tickets are issued, and I'm focusing on teams looking to shake things up.

MWC: Utah St(14-9, 5-5) has won four straight conference games, and their head coach Odom was the UMBC HC who upset UVA at the Dance a few years ago. Justin Bean leads the Ags in points, rebounds, and steals.

CUSA: Yes, first place NTX is the hottest team with seven straight wins, but UTEP(13-8, 6-3) with five straight wins is climbing. Boum is averaging nearly 20 ppg.

SunBelt: No long streaks in conference play, but I'll roll the dice on TX St(14-6, 5-3). Asberry 14 ppg leads a balanced scoring Bobcats' squad.

MAC: If anyone can catch Ohio, it's Akron(14-6, 7-3) HC Cooper, who once coached at Ohio. Ali Ali leads the team with 13.8 ppg.

AAC: Houston and SMU look like locks now so I'll roll the dice on those hooting Owls  of Temple(12-7, 5-3). Damiam Dunn leads the team with a 15.9 PPG.

Feb 6, 2022

Did I curse anybody? Nope! Isiah Small had 15 points and nine rebounds for Texas State in a 69-64 win over Coastal Carolina 69-64.

Temple beat Tulsa, UTEP edged Rice, Utah St rolled UNLV.

Akron plays Miami (OH) today.

Feb 7, 2022

Ali Ali(AKR - F 21 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST) had his usual night for the Zips in a 71-59 win over MO.

BTW Houston pounded Cincy 80-58 in AAC play.

Feb 10, 2022

Houston started the game on fire and was up by 15 in the second half but couldn't stop SMU's rally and lost 85-83. Kendric Davis scored 22 points to lead SMU. In other AAC news Memphis beat Tulane and Cincy beat USF. 

San Diego St got a much needed MWC win over SJST

Feb 11, 2022

South Bama crush Ark-LR 77-46. Mason Harrell had 20 points as Texas State topped ULL 82-73 and inched closer to App St, the top team in the SunBelt.

Feb 13, 2022

AAC tightened up with Memphis beating Houston, SMU beating ECU, Temple losing to Tulane and Cincy falling to Tulsa.

TX St beat ULM to  take over first in the SunBelt from App St who lost to GA St.

                      

 How about those Cowboys of Wyoming(21-3, 10-1 Mountain West) who romped over SJST 74-52. Graham Ike had 25 points and 18 rebounds in the victory.

Feb 14, 2022

CUSA Sunday; ODU 81 UAB 72- Bad loss for the Blazers

MTSU 78 CHAR 63   Big game for Josh Jefferson (30 pts) for the Blue Raiders

Goran Miladinovic had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Herd in a road win. MU 88 UTEP 79

Feb 16, 2022

Akron lost in OT to WMU. 

The Wyoming Cowboys were gunned down by New Mexico. Did Pittino Jr figure something out?

Memphis keeps rolling, this time they beat Cincy. Tulane beat USF to stay relevant in the AAC.

How about this MAC score? 

Feb 17, 2022

Temple kept its small AAC hopes alive with a win over SMU , which also pushed the Mustangs back a game behind Houston.

Boise flew by Air Force, and Bryce Hamilton (
17 PTS 7 REB 4 AST ) led UNLV over Fresno St in MWC action.  Rebs are in the middle of the pack and may be a team to watch in the MWCT.

Feb 18

I scanned the Tv for some CUSA action and watched parts of WKU 77-67 won over Charlotte and noticed ALY KHALIFA Charlotte 49ers a 6'11" center from Egypt moves well for a big man. Elsewhere, Marshall beat ODU but remains in the East basement. MTSU(9-3) beat FIU and is two games up on FAU in the East.

NTX (12-1) edged FAU(8-5) to remain two games ahead in the West of UAB(10-3), who crushed Rice.

Feb 20, 2022

Khalifa scored for CHA in 99-84 win over the Herd. Tylor Perry made a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to lift North Texas to a 58-57 win over UAB in a matchup of top dogs.

Feb 21, 2022

Mustangs are charging hard to catch Houston in the AAC. Marcus Weathers(20 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST) led SMU to an impressive 73-57 win over Memphis, while Houston barely survived 2 OTs in a win over Wichita St. Temple beat Cincy and those Owls are hanging around to steal a Dance ticket.

Feb 23, 2022

Checking in with the MAC: Buffalo edged Miami O last night and have not lost this month.

In the MWC Boise St(13-2) edged SDST and has a slim lead over WYO(11-2) in the standings.

Feb 24, 2022

TX St edged South Bama 55-52 and remains ahead of second place App St, who beat Ark-LR last night in Sunbelt action.

Wyoming lost to Colorado St 61-55 in MWC action.

Feb 26, 2022

TX St Bobcats(12-3) keep winning in the Sunbelt. Ga St(9-5) beat ULL and may be the team with the best shot to slow down TX St in the SBCT. Other winners last night were App ST, USA, CCU, and Georgia Southern

Ali Ali scored 22 points for Akron in a 91-83 defeat of Ohio(14-4) who fell out of first place in the MAC. Toledo (14-3) plays Miami O today.

Feb 27, 2022

Toledo(14-3) beat M(O) and faces Buffalo(13-4), a winner over NIU yesterday, in Tuesday MAC action.

NTX, MTSU , and UAB, the top three CUSA teams, won, however UAB struggled to get by UTEP in a 69-66 win.

Boise State(14-2) and Wyoming(12-3) each won yesterday to keep things tight in the MWC entering the final week of regular season play.

Feb 28, 2022

There wasn't much Sunday O5 action except for the AAC. Houston handled SMU. Neither team looked sharp. Memphis held Wichita St to 17 points in the first half in an 81-57 win. Temple beat Tulane both of those teams a faint pulse for making the Dance.

O5 Title games 2021

CUSA: I'm taking the hot team WKU led by Zappe who has tossed 52 TD passes. WKU 37 UTSA 31

MAC:  Kent St has a stellar rushing attack led by Marquez Cooper.  Kent St 26 NIU 19

MWC: Tough one to call, but I'll go with Bonner tossing a few TD passes against a solid Aztecs D for the win. Utah St 27 SDST 22

SunBelt: App St has climbed out of a rough September and finished nicely. ULL lost Coach Napier to FLA. App 23 ULL 22

AAC: Cincy keeps the heat on the CFP voters and squeaks by a solid Houston team. 26-24. Bearcats rushing attack led by Ford will carry the day.

Dec 3, 2021

Wrong on pick 1. UTSA couldn't slow down Zappe who threw for 577 yards and 4 tds, so they outscored WKU 49-41 with a big day from SINCERE MCCORMICK (36 carries for 204 yards and 3 TDs).

Dec 4, 2021

I split on yesterday's games. Correct on Cincy and Utah St. and wrong on App St and Kent St.

Utah St and Bonner pierced the Aztecs D in a 46-13 blowout win.

 Cincy rode the Ford(18 carries, 187 yds, 2 TDs) to a 35-20 victory.

Appy couldn't stop Lewis in the first half and never got its own O into gear. ULL 24 App 16. BTW, Napier coached for ULL yesterday.

NIU blanked Kent St in the first half and won 41-23.

BTW, remember Joe Moorhead who Miss St fired as its HC in 2019 and Oregon made its OC in 2020? He's the new HC at Akron.

Dipping my toe into O5 hoops for 2021/22 season

 I've been consumed with Turkey weekend pigskin, but seeing that Georgia Southern(SunBelt) nearly upset GTech (ACC) yesterday gave me a jolt.

AAC: Mixed day: Big win by the Wichita St Shockers over Missouri(SEC). Tulsa beat Ark-LR, but ninth ranked Memphis got beat 78-59 by Iowa St (Big12).

MWC: New Mexico lost to little Towson U (Colonial), which is located a few miles from my home.

For new readers of this blog. O5 = non P5 football conferences: AAC, CUSA, MAC, MWC, and Sunbelt.

Nov 28, 2021

Andrew Taylor( MRSH - G 20 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST) had a solid game but the #herd couldn't keep up the pace and fell to Indiana(B10) 90-79.

Rough day for the AAC: ECU needed a last minute jumper to escape Coppin, a small MEAC school on the west side of Baltimore City. Cincy lost to Monmouth(MAAC), and Temple eked out a one point win over Delaware(COLONIAL). UCF gave OK (B12) a scare but lost by two points.

Dec 4, 2021

AAC woes continue: USF lost South Carolina St (MEAC) and Tulsa fell to Boise St (MWC).  Houston's AAC path looks easy at this moment.

 CUSA has a hard time with WAC with the UTEP loss to New Mexico St, and the UTSA loss to UTRGV.

Dec 9, 2021

I'm curious about how Buffalo(MAC) continues to move on after losing Coach Oats to Bama after the 2018/19 season. They made it to the NIT last season. Last night Josh Mballa had 19 points for Buffalo in a 77-67 win over Western Kentucky(CUSA).

Dec 11, 2021

 Memphis(AAC) is on a four game losing streak: Iowa St, Georgia, Ol Miss, and Murray St.  They face Bama next on Dec 14.

Dec 14, 2021

Houston (AAC) remains in the top 25. Pretty cool to see Colorado St(MWC) make an appearance after a recent win over Miss St(SEC) raised their record to 10-0.

Dec 15, 2021

What a way for Memphis(AAC) to snap its 4-game losing streak. Deandre Williams scored 20 points for the Tigers in a 92-78 win at Bama.

Dec 24, 2021

two games straight against a non-conference opponent is a rarity. South Bama (Sunbelt) split a series  against Tarleton St, coached by Billy Gillepsie, of the WAC. 

Dec 31, 2021

Covid has screwed with xmas hoops, but how about this: Darin Green Jr. scored a career-high 27 points, and Brandon Mahan added 26 to help UCF(AAC) beat Michigan 85-71. Johnny Dawkins got the best of Juwan Howard in the coaching battle.

In CUSA news, Cobe Williams scored 22 points for La Tech which extended its home win streak to eight games, beating Marshall 79-56.

Jan 11, 2022

Tyler Harris scored 20 points for Memphis in an 87-80 win over Cincinnati in AAC play. Their roller coaster season rides onward when they face UCF tomorrow.  Their only conference loss is to Tulane. Houston 3-0 - 14-2

Memphis 3-1 0.5 9-5

Tulane 3-1   0.5   6-7

Jan 13, 2022

Jaylen Forbes led Tulane (7-7, 4-1 AAC) scored 20 points to a 68-67 conference win over Wichita St. Ron Hunter is starting to turn the Green Wave program around in his third season since leaving Georgia St(Sunbelt).

UCF beat Memphis 74-64.

Jan 16, 2022

Reality checks in AAC with a USF blowout of UCF, and ECU edging Memphis. Houston remains undefeated in AAC play.

Odd to see Marshall, who lost to Rice yesterday, sitting in the CUSA cellar.

Coach Odom, who left my alma mater UMBC, for Utah St (MWC), is finding hoops life bumpier out West. Utah State (10-7, 1-3 MWC) lost Wyoming 71-69 yesterday.

Jan 19, 2022

I haven't looked at the MAC often this season. Ryan Rollins scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Toledo's 83-70 win over beat Ball State last night. The Rockets are 6-1 in the MAC and 14-4 overall including a win over Tulane. Their next game is against Ohio (5-0 MAC, 14-2). Ohio rolled Miami O by a score of 86-63 last night.

Jan 20, 2022

Hunter Maldonado had 20 points and 12 assists for Wyoming (3-0 MWC, 14-2 overall) in a 69-60 over San Jose State. I watched some of their win over Nevada on Monday night and was impressed with how hot they can get. Their two losses are to Zona and Stanford.

Jan 24, 2022

UTSA is also winless in CUSA play. Jamal Bieniemy had 18 points and 11 rebounds for UTEP in a 59-54 win over UTSA yesterday. 

Jan 28, 2022

UAB 7-1 in the CUSAW is and have won four in a row. They face the #herd tomorrow. The Blazers HC Andy Kennedy was an Asst with Huggy at Cincy before moving onto Ol Miss and UAB.

Feb 1, 2022

I checked on the Wyoming game on FS1 to see Maldonado who started slow but finished with 35 points for the Cowboys in an 84-78 win over Colorado St. 

Pitino Jr's move from Minnesota to New Mexico has been bumpy San Diego State(12-5, 4-2 MWC) 72 New Mexico(8-14, 1-8 MWC) 47

Feb 4, 2022

 I tuned into the ODU/MU game and was disappointed. ODU won mostly cuz the Herd were bad. A bit surprised that WKU blew out Charlotte.

Rest of O5 play in week 12

 AAC: It's sure looks like it will be a Cincy/Houston AAC final, so I'll take a look at Navy who's been playing better in conference during November. Perhaps Navy FB Carlinas Acie will have an 80 yard game against ECU this week like he did in the Tulsa win . It will still won't be enough. Ahlers will toss two TD passes for ECU in a 27-22 win over Navy.

CUSA: Frank Harris UTSA ( 190-284, 2306 YDS, 20 TD and Sincere McCormick UTSA

(230 CAR, 1150 YDS, 11 TD) will be too much for UAB  and win 31-23 to lock up the CUSAW

MWC: L. Bonner(193-315, 2749 YDS, 25 TD, 10 INT)  will lead Utah St  to a hard fought 26 22 win over pesky Wyoming and move closer to winning the MWCM.

SunBelt: Most of the conference is playing OOC games, so I'll go with Grainger leading Georgia St to a 20 17 win over Ark St.

nov 21, 2021

AAC: My totals were off, but I but my assessment was on target in in ECU's 38-35 win over Navy. Ahlers and Acie had big stats for their respective squads.

CUSA: UTSA outscored UAB 17-7 in the second half  for a 34-31 win. Another solid game for Harris, but the UTSA'D had difficulty stopping McBride who  rushed for 144 yards and a TD.

MWC: I blew this pick big time.  Titus Sven finished with 15 carries for 169 yards for Wyoming in a 44-17 win over Utah St.

Sunbelt: Ga St, RB Jamyest Williams rushed got 125 yards and 2 TDs in a 28-20 win over Ark St.

I was correct on 3 out of 4 this week.

Quick note on football in the Carolinas: CCU struggled a bit while beating Texas St, and Charlotte collapsed in a loss to Marshall.

Cincy's big win over SMU and Oregon's loss to Utah keeps the pressure on the CFP.

O5 vs Independents in week 5

 Coan is probable  for ND but Ridder is ready for Cincy (AAC). Bearcats  tear out a close one 27-25.

Utah St(MWC), who  barely avoided being shutout by Boise St last week in a 27-3 loss, will lose 30-16 to BYU,  who has beaten three Pac 12 teams this season.

UAB(CUSA) has played well except for the trouncing by Georgia, but I don't think they 'll be able to contain  Malik Willis, the Liberty QB. LIB 31 UAB 24

Ball St (MAC) will have trouble containing Army's QB Christian Anderson, their leading rusher. Army 26 Ball St 17.

Toledo(MAC) will win 33 28 at UMass.

San Jose St(MWC) will host New Mexico St and win 22 -19

Oct 2

BYU's running game made a big difference in last night 's 34-20 win over Utah St. Plus they have 6'6 TE - #IsaacRex

Oct 3

Ball St 28 Army 16.The only wrong pick  was Army. Ball St jumped out to an early 21-0 lead and Army never made it back. 

LIB 36 UAB 12 here's Wallis stat line :  Yds-Pa287 TD-Pa1 Yds-Ru144 TD-Ru2

Cincy 24 ND 13 : Big day  for Ridder plus the Bearcats D was stellar

Toldeo 45 UMass  7 

SJST 37 NMST 31. Spartans won  w/o   the injured Starkel at QB.

O5 UPSET chance vs P5 in weeks 0-1

 Does Chip Kelly have UCLA(Pac12) going  up or can Hawaii(MWC) sneak in to the Rose Bowl for an early upset? UCLA nearly upset Oregon in November 2020. Hawaii beat Houston  in the New Mexico Bowl, then lost its HC to Wash St. Todd Graham , who's bounced around the football map, is the Rainbows HC.

Houston (AAC) could make a big noise in Texas by upsetting Texas Tech (B12) in its home season opener.

Charlotte (CUSA) is a program that showed some promise in Will Healy first season in 2019 but has slipped a little. It has a solid chance at an upset in its home opener against Duke.

There are plenty of other O5/P5 matchups, but these caught my attention.

July 6, 2021

It's a game USC and Coach Helton better not lose. San Jose St(MWC) , who had a great 2020 season( 7-1 Overall | 6-0 MWC - 1st) travels to LA to face USC. USC is 4-0 in this series.

July 13, 2021

Speaking of being Leach-less. Washington St had a terrible, brief 2020 season and they open hosting Utah St(MWC) who has a new HC, former Arkansas State HC Blake Anderson . Nick Rolovich didn't fare well in first WSU season after leaving Hawaii. This game is so hard to guess so I'll say the Ags stumble at the end in Pullman, WA.

aug 7, 2021

Rich Rodriguez takes over as interim HC at ULM(Sunbelt) while  HC Terry Bowden leaves team to be with his dying father, Bobby Bowden. The Warhawks opener is at Kentucky on Sept 4.

aug 19, 2021

Here's a tough one to pick of two top  O5 teams . Boise St is on the road at UCF in a game with some Auburn flavor. Harsin left Boise St for Auburn to replace Malzahn who  moved on to UCF. A lot of hype about Boise St O vs UCF D, but I'm taking UCF in a 33-30 home win.

Aug 29, 2021

Hawaii never had a shot as UCLA rolled over them from the jump in a 44-10 win.

He!! of a day for UTEP QB to WR connection, Hardison  (11-16, 249 YDS, 1 TD)to Cowing(5 REC, 158 YDS, 1 TD) ,in a 30-3 win over New Mexico St.

Aug 31, 2021

 Tulane(AAC)  will be the designated as the home team and retain all net proceeds from ticket sales in a matchup against OK that will be played in Norman, OK due to Hurricane Ida. This is the second in a three game series and would have been the one Tulane hosted. 

Could the Boise St/UCF game be a matchup of two future Big 12 members?

Sept 2, 2021

Last season  ULL took down Iowa St as the Sunbelt beat three B12 teams on Sept 12. My hunch TX beats ULL by 10 on Saturday.

https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2020/09/will-sunbelt-shine-against-b12-on-sept.html

Sept 3, 2021

I got close on the score(33-30) and UCF made a comeback from a 14-0 first half deficit to beat BSU 36-31 . Dillon Gabriel threw for 318 YDS and  4 TDs for UCF.

Some tough O5 losses to AA teams. Tulsa lost to UC Davis and UNLV lost to Eastern Washington

Sept 4, 2021

How about Charlotte(CUSA) knocking off Duke(ACC) 31-28 . Some big stat numbers.

Chris Reynolds CHARLOTTE  19-30, 324 YDS, 3 TD

Mataeo Durant DUKE               29 CAR, 255 YDS, 3 TD

Sept 5,2021

I was wrong on Houston who got blanked in the second half and lost 38-21  to TT.

Noteworthy O5 items:  Tulane(AAC)  outscored OK 21-3 in the second half but lost 40-35. NIU(MAC) beat Ga Tech. MWC vs Pac12: Nevada beat Cal and Utah St beat Wash St ,while Fresno St gave Oregon  a scare and SJST crumbled against USC.

In the CUSA Marshall crushed Navy. UTSA shocked Illinois(B10) and La Tech gave Miss  St(SEC) a huge scare

Turkey Night in the MWC, and then four O5 games

 I would've predicted the Colorado St/AFA game but it was canceled, so it's role the dice on two 0-4 MWC teams, New Mexico and Utah St.  Jaylen Warren will bust a long run for a TD for the home Aggies in a low scoring win over the Lobos. Utah St 19 UNM 13. The game will televised on FS1.

Friday afternoon AAC game features UCF  led buy Dillon Gabriel (205-332, 3017 YDS,) 26 TD facing USF. UCF will be stoked after the tough loss to Cincy last week. UCF 49 USF 23.

Tighten your Sunbelt for a big intrastate battle between GA Southern Eagles and GA St Panthers .I'm not sure if Werts will be ready to start at QB for the Eagles, but  Brown IV should be going for  the Panthers. GA St 20 GA SO 17

MTSU has improved a great deal since the start of the season but O'Hara and crew will not be able to get a tough FAU squad. FAU 30 MTSU 27. FYI: WKU plays Charlotte on Tuesday morning at 10:30am.

I'm intrigued by the battle of running back in the Ball St (Huntley)/Toledo(Koback) matchup . They'll each post 100 plus yards and a TD, but Ball St will get a late FG  for a 24-22 victory

Nov 27

I was correct on Utah St but way off on the amount of scoring.Andrew Peasley, the Utah St QB, passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 118 yards another score  in the Aggies 41-27 win over the Lobos. 

Nov 28

Correct on UCF  O and it's win but wrong on its D which is more porous than I thought. UCF 58 USF 46

Nov 29

Brown IV had a huge day in the Panthers  30-24 win over GA Southern who got a big day
8 CAR, 143 YDS, 2 TD from Logan Wright.

Plitt, the Ball St QB, led his Cards to a 24-9 lead through three quarters  , but Toledo roared back with 15 points  in the 4th quarter before fumbling on a possible final winning drive. Ball St 27 Toledo 24.

I went 4-0. The CUSA matchup was canceled.

Special shout-outs to Coastal Carolina (9-0, 7-0 Sun Belt) who beat TX St 49-14 to remain undefeated, and Jaret Patterson who rushed for 409 yards and 8 TDs in Buffalo's win over Kent St.

 

 

 

MWC hoops enters 2020

I didn't do my annual MWC prognostication but I'll try to catch up. New Years day conference  games
R. Washington SJST (25 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST) had a big night in a mild (88-85) upset of New Mexico.
San Diego State ( 14-0,3-0) beat Fresno St 62-51
J. Jessup BOISE ( 20 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST) was the key in a 65-54 win over Wyoming.
B. Hamilton UNLV 20 PTS, 6 REB was the key in a 70-53 win over Utah St
Harris scores 20 to lead Nevada over Colorado St. 67-61. Steve Alford, who replaced Eric Musselman who took the Arkansas job, has Nevada  2-0 in MWC play and 9-5 overall
Air Force was idle.

Jan 10

 San Diego St(16-0, 5-0MWC) is 7th nationally. Malachi Flynn (16.1 PTS)(3.4 REB)(5 AST)

Jan 15

#MalachiFlynn (22 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST )  rolls on for SDST((18-0, 7-0 MWC) in a 64-55 win over Fresno St . Jalen Harris scored 20 points including the winning layup for Nevada with nine seconds left. NEV 68 WYO 67

jan 18

 A dash of NBA with MWC hoops: Kawhi Leonard will attend the Feb 1 game against Utah St and become the first San Diego State basketball player to have his jersey retired. SDST is 7-0 in conference play this season and has 1.5 game lead on UNLV(5-1).

jan 26:

While Boise St and the MWC battle over football TV $$, the Blue-turfers hoops team romped over Fresno St 87-63.  Zouzoua scored 20 for Nevada in a 76-74 win over New Mexico. San Jose St beat AFA, and Utah St beat Colorado St. San Diego St (9-0) and UNLV(6-2) were idle in MWC action yesterday.

jan27

 Flynn scored 21 points, Pulliam added a career-high 18 points and the fourth-ranked Aztecs (21-0, 10-0 MWC) held off  UNLV (11-11,6-3MWC) for 71-67 win. UNLV and Nevada are tied for second with 6-3 MWC records.

Jan 30

San Diego St  crushed New Mexico 85-57 to remain undefeated, and is four games up on Colorado St, a winner over Nevada, and Boise St, a winner over San Jose St. UNLV was idle and is 3GB .

Feb 13

San Diego St is a lock for the dance, but   Nevada (16-10, 9-5 Mountain West) has an outside shot and got a much needed win  over UNLV(12-14, 7-6 Mountain West). Jalen Harris had a solid night for Nevada ( 29 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST) In other action Fresno State (9-16, 5-9 Mountain West)  defeated San José St (7-18, 3-10 Mountain West) 84-78 in OT.

Feb15

San Diego St deserves a 1 seed at the Dance if they finish the season undefeated. They have OOC wins over Creighton, Iowa, and BYU.

feb 19

If MWC  gets a second dance ticket, it will likely be Nevada(17-10, 10-5) who won 88-74 at  New Mexico thanks to a big night from Jalen Harris(28 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST). Nevada is tied for second with Utah St..UNLV (9-6) blew out Col. St (9-6) 

feb 23

Nevada eked out a win over Fresno St to hang on to second place ahead of UNLV who handed SDST it's first loss of the season and Colorado St who defeated SJST. Nevada and Utah St are tied for second with 10-5 records.

Feb 26

Aztecs recovered from their first loss and beat CSU.  Nevada  and UTAH St, two 12-5 teams are around the bubble after wins respectively over  Wyoming and SJST.

March 6

MWCT Round1:Wyoming burst any bubble chances Nevada had .K. Marble II (24 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST) led WYO to a 74-71 win.  Boise St and Utah St kept their hopes alive with wins. SDST kept rolling. BSU 67 UNLV 61. Utah St 75 UNM 70. SDST 73 AFA 60

March 7

Utah St held off pesky Wyoming and Utah St  beat Boise St. to set up the MWCT final. Utah St should get the 2nd ticket  if they play the Aztecs close. Big night for Sam Merrill USU - G(27 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST)

March 8

 Sam Merrill (27 PTS, 6 REB, 1 STL) hit a trey with 2.5 seconds left on the clock  for Utah St in a 58-55 win over SDST  in the MWCT final. The Ags are going to the Dance, and the Aztecs won't be a 1 seed.

April 1

AFA brings back Joe Scott who coached them to the Dance in 2004 . Scott has been an asst at Georgia for the last two seasons.

Dec 20 O5 Bowl Games

Charlotte (CUSA) and Buffalo (MAC) hit the road for  Nassau. 49ers QB Reynolds has been a pass/run threat  during the their five game winning streak and Lemay has proven to be a solid rusher. Buffalo season has been a seesaw  but  Jaret Patterson has been amazing rushing for 1626 yards.  CHAR 29 Buff 20
Utah St (MWC) and Kent St (MAC) visit Frisco, TX for a Smoothie. Kent St finished the season winning three in a row with a solid rushing attack while Utah St stumbled a bit in November.  Jordan Love , the Utah St QB, will have a big bowl game. USU 34 Kent St 19

Dec 13:

 coaching note:  UNLV(MWC) new HC is  Marcus Arroyo, former Oregon OC

dec 21

I got Macked opening Bowl day. Buffalo's D and the excellent rushing of Patterson
(32 CAR, 173 YDS, 2 TD) were the main reasons for a 31-9 win over Charlotte.
Kent St won a wild one 51-41 over USU. Love put up big passing numbers  for USU (30-39, 317 YDS, 3 TD) in a losing effort, but Dustin Crum, the Flashes QB tossed for 289 yards and two TDs plus he rushed for 147 yards and a TD.

april 7, 2020

 Kent State(MAC) opened the 2019 season  with a 30-7 loss  at Ariz St, but they're not shying away from future Pac12 road trips. They scheduled a game against Washington in Seattle on   9/3/22. Then three weeks later they 'll travel to Georgia (SEC).

april 17

 Nebraska WR Jaron Woodyard moves on to #Marshall . He doesn't have great stats but he's fast. He's a native of Bethesda, MD, which is near DC, who went to Arizona Western Community College out of high school.

april 18

 Ty'Kieast Crawford, a four-star OL, ex-Arkansas commit, signed with Charlotte(CUSA), but they have to gets his academic status repaired quickly

Week 13 O5 picks- division time

MACW has two idle teams  tied at 5-2( WMU and CMU)  so I'll roll with a MAC East game .  Miami O owns H2H tiebreakers with the rest of the East including Ohio who will  get back on the winning track against Bowling Green tonight 27-19 behind  another solid all-around game game from their QB  O'Rourke.
AAC: I'm not sold on Temple's two QB, Russo and Centeio, system and don't think they have enough O to stay with Cincy who lock up the East with a win.   Cincy 34 Temple 22
CUSA: Chris Reynolds, Charlotte's QB, has been putting up big numbers, but the herd D will find a way to keep them in the game and get Marshall to a narrow 24-23 road win and keep them on pace with FAU in the East.
MWC: Utah St moves in to tie with Boise for the Mountain with a win.  Home field and Jordan Love's arm will be the keys in a 44-43 shootout win over Boise St.
Sunbelt: Ark St trails ULL by a game in the Wesr , and Georgia Southern trails App St by a game in the East. Hatcher's a hot QB and he'll the Red Wolves to a 30-29 over  another solid QB- led team  GSU Eagles who will get big numbers from Werts.

Nov 20

 Wow,  Ohio 66 BG 24. O’Shaan Allison rushed for 175 yards which included touchdown runs of 54, 7 and 53 yards, Nathan Rourke accounted for four TDs, three passing, one rushing.
Nov 24
Saturday split leaves me 3-2 for the week
Well, Reynolds was the man and the #herd went limp in the second half . Char 24 MU 10
Less than I expected, and a blocked extra-point attempt turned into Cincinnati's decisive points in 15-13 win over TU.
I was way off Boise.  Holani (16 CAR, 178 YDS, 2 TD) led the way in the BSU 56-21 blowout of USU.
 Ark St 38 Ga SO 33- Huge Game from Hatcher

Layne Hatcher ARST 19-24, 354 YDS, 4 TD
Shai Werts GASO 18 CAR, 151 YDS, 1 TD

• Hey how about Butch Davis' Panthers beating Miami FL. FIU (CUSA) 30 The u 24

2019 MWC Football hunches.

Fresno State-  Bulldogs will have to rely on their D until they break in a new QB.
 Hawaii- Cole Macdoald, the Rainbows QB, will  face three Pac12 teams to start the season but should recover when they get into conference play.

Nevada : Only returns ten starters.
San Diego State: Coach Long  will try stretch the O beyond it's major foucus on rushing. 
 UNLV: Promises, promises
San Jose State  Permanent t re-build mode
 

MWC Mountain

Utah State: It's difficult not to take QB #jordanlove and the Ags. Gary Anderson  has found his way baco to being the #USU HC.   He replaces Matt Wells who took the Texas Tech job.

Boise State : Replacing Mattison's numbers (1400 yards, 17 TDs ) will be tough
 Colorado State  Bobo's job is one theline
 New Mexico Same for Bob Davie
Wyoming  Big ? Maybe they'll get bowl eligible
Air Force remains grounded .

aug 8

In some future news: San Jose State adds future home-and-homes with Toledo(MAC), UTEP(CUSA). The 2023  gave with Toledo will be  their first regular season  matchup. They met in California Bowl in 1981, a 27-25 win for Toledo.

aug 10

Sappy or catch : #UtahSt promoted Love for the Heisman Trophy with candy hearts (“Vote Love”) at the media preview

Aug 13

Bob Davie(HC) returns to Notre Dame as an opponent. UNM at ND on Sept 14

Aug 23

 #fresnost opens the season at USC (p10) then hosts Minnesota (B10).

aug 27

McDonald(378 yds, 4tds) outgunned Tate(361 yards, 3 tds)  in Hawaii 45-38 OOC win over Zona (Pac12).

aug 31

Talton hit a 56yd FG at the end of regulation in Nevada's 38-35 upset of Purdue (B10). Utah St lost to Wake Forest(ACC)  despite a solid effort from Jordan Love (416 yards, 3 tds, 3ints)

sept 1

 Quarterback Sean Chambers rushed for 120 yards and a TD, and X.Valladay rushed for118 yards rushing and a TD to lead Wyoming to an upset of Mizzou(SEC). Fresno fell to USC(Pac12), and I'm not sure what to make of San Deigo St scoring just two FGs in a 6-0 win over Weber (1AA). Plus, Boise St  roared back to knock off FSU (ACC). Bachmeier threw for for 407 yards and Mahone rushed for 142 yards and two TDs

sept 19

#hawaii fell to Washington 52-20 in its first loss this season. They face Central Arkansas this week, then its MWC play.

aug 13:
Read more here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/college/mountain-west/boise-state-university/boise-state-football/article233349717.html#storylink=cpy

MWC 2018/19 Hoops hunches

Southwestern USA Journalists think highly of these kids:
Preseason PoY: G Caleb Martin, Sr., Nevada
Preseason Star Freshman: F/C Jordan Brown, Fr., Nevada
Preseason Newcomer  F Vance Jackson, So., New Mexico

Nevada Wolf Pack: Coach Musselman has the tools
UNLV Rebels- Rebs will surprise some folks.  Keep your eyes on Shakur Juiston
San Diego State Aztecs got into gear late last season so watch out in January.
New Mexico Lobos- Buckeye transfer JaQuan Lyle will give the Lobos a lift
Colorado State Rams_ Kendie Moore can score but coach Medved  will take some time getting  the Rams in gear
Utah State Aggies may rely too much on treys
Boise State Broncos iareusually solid but could slip a bit this season
Fresno State Bulldogs new coach will lean on guard play, defense
Wyoming Cowboys- Justin James is the key
Air Force Falcons will struggle to get to the middle of the MWC standings
San José St Spartans- Rough OOC start doesn't bode well.

Dec 8, 2018

#mussbus J Caroline scored 16 points for #6 Nevada  in a comeback win over #25 Ariz St last night, but it's way to early to talk about an undefeated season. They travel to Utah (Pac12) on Dec 29, and have to face tough conference  foes, Utah, St and Fresno St twice.
After a bad loss to NMST (WAC) .New mexico lost to St Mary's (WCC) 85-60 last night.

Jan 3, 2019

#nevada opened MWC conference play with Jordan Caroline  (15 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST) leading the Wolfpack over Utah St. UNM beat AFA, Boise beat Wyoming, UNLV edged Col.St and Fresno St beat SJST

Jan 10, 2019

#nevada took out it anger for getting crushed by New Mexico over the weekend and pounded SJST 92-53. Braxton Higgins scored 33 points for Fresno St in a 78-77 win over Utah St. 

jan 13, 2019

More jagged mountain hoops as UNM, who crushed Nevada a week ago, fell to Col St 91-76 yesterday. Meanwhile Nevada is back in stride getting a big win over Fresno St. Caleb Martin had 27 for the #mussbus. Boise St and Utah St won while SDST lost a headscratcher 62-48 to AFA.

jan 16, 2019

Caleb Martin hit a trey at the buzzer for Nevada to outlast Boise St 72-71. SDST recovered from the AFA loss by pounding UNM 97-77 

jan 17, 2019

AFA 106 INLV 88 . I never thought the airmen could find so much  firepower on the court. Ryan Swan scored 22 for AFA..
Utah St beat SJST

Jan 20, 2019

Nevada brought AFA down from its lofty scoring games with 67-52 win . Fresno keeps rolling with a big 63-53 win over Boise St.. Utah St got a big won over Col St.

Nevada 5-1

Fresno St 4-1

UNLV4-1

Utah St4-2

Boise St 3-2

Blowout I didn't expect: UNLV 94 SJST 56 . UNLV 83 Wyo 56

Jan 23, 2019 

Air Force surprised Boise St 74-60.  Fresno and UNLV  defeated respectively, SDST and New Nexico.
Nevada 5-1 Fresno St 5-1 UNLV 5-1
Utah St 4-2 Boise St 3-3

feb 3

Top dogs in MWC : Nevada (8-1)  blew out Boise St.  Utah St (7-2) Sam Merrill had 20 points and five assists in an easy win over UNLV. Fresno St (7-2) #NateGrimes matched  19 points, 19rebounds in a win over UNM.

FEB 7

#mussbus stayed on track with a 98-82 win over Colorado St last night. Jordan Caroline (40 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST) led Nevada (22-1, 9-1 MW) to the victory. AFA beat Wyoming and UNLV beat Boise St.

Nevada 9-1

Utah St 8-2   Fresno St 7-3

Feb 10

 #mussbus got revenge for it's only conference loss by pummeling UNM 91-62. #boise st took out some of its frustration for a mediocre season by clobbering San Jose St 105-57. Fresno St beat UNLV to move into a tie for second place with Utah St who lost to SDST.

feb 14

Fresno St  and Utah St gained a half game on idle Nevada with wins over respectively, Boise and Wyoming. UNM crushed SJSt.

feb 17

SDST(8-4) is making a late season rally and looked solid in a win over Boise St yesterday.   #DevinWatson paced San Diego State with 19 points. Fresno St and Utah St  each won and are tied for second with 10-3 records. #mussbus (11-1) roared past Wyoming 82-49 

feb 21

#mussbus gets diverted:  Devin Watson (15 PTS, 5 REB, 8 AST) led SDST(9-4) to a 65-57 win over nevada(11-2). Fresno St(10-4)  was upset by AFA and Utah St(11-3)moved to within a game of Nevad with a 71-55 win over UNM. Queta scored 23 for Utah St.

feb 24

#mussbus got back into gear holding off Fresno St(10-5). AFA(7-8) and  SDST(10-4) remained hot with wins respectively over SJST(0-14) and UNLV(9-6). Utah St(12-3) beat Boise St (6-8) and remains a half game behind Nevada (12-2)

feb 27

 Quinn Taylor(13 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST) helped Utah St cool down SDST  70-54 . Noah Bauman (26 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) helped SJST  defeat UNM 89-82 for its first MWC victory this season.

march 3

How about that? Utah St(14-3) beat Nevada(13-3) 81-76 to move into first place by half a game.  Tre'Shawn Thurman (Nevada) 21 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL . Sam Merrill(Utah St) 29 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST. Nevada  travels to AFA who moved to 8-8 in MWC play with a win over Wyoming  yesterday and hosts SDST(11-5) who beat SJST  yesterday.  USU is at Colorado St(7-9) who lost to UNM (6-10) yesterday.

march 6

 #SamMerrill scored 38 points for Utah St(15-3) in an OT win over Colorado St that guarantees them at least a tie for the MWC regular season title. Nevada(14-3) beat AFA and needs a win over SDST on Saturday for a share of the MWC title.

march 10

Caleb Martin (25 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST) led the #mussbus to an 81-53 win over SDST which gave  Nevada a tie for the MWC regular season title with Utah St at 15-3.

March 15

Boise put quite a scare into Nevada before the Wolfpack put them way in the final three minutes.. It took UTah St  about half a game to figure out the UNM press. Nev 77-Boise 69. Utah St 91 UNM 83. Fresno St  76 AFA 50. sdst 63 unlv 55.

March 16

#mussbus gets a flat and loses to SDST who faces Utah St , a winner over Fresno St, in the MWCT final. If SDST wins , I don't see the committee inviting UTah St and  giving three slots to the MWC.

March 17

 #samMerrill scored 24 points, hitting 11 of 12 from the charity stripe and earning MWCT MVP honors, in Utah State's 64-57 win over a pesky SDST Aztecs squad. Nevada will likely get an at large bid. I picked Utah st to finish second in my pre-season ratings,

april 7

 #MarvinMenzies three-year tenure as the head coach at UNLV is over, and South Dakota State head coach T.J. Otzelberger, who  led SDak  to multiple NCAA tournament appearances, is in.  That's some different turf to recruit.

april 8

#mussbus is leaving Nevada on its way to Arkansas

april 12

#stevealford will replace the #mussbus at Nevada. He coached at New Mexico (MWC) before his his UCLA gig.
May 30: good news for Utah St:  #Queta  , the 6'11 center (11.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game), is coming back  and will hook up with  #SamMerrill, the reigning MWC player of the year.

June 21 , 2019

A couple of MWC players were drafted in rd2 of the NBA draft. Cody Martin (Nevada ) and Jalen McDaniels (San Diego St) went to the Hornets. Justin James (Wyoming) went to the Kings.