Week 6 in the O5

 MWC: Hard to resist making a guess on Fresno St at Wyoming. Kenne, the Fresno QB, has nearly 1500 passing yards but Cowboys will slow him down and Waylee will rush for over 100 yards. WYO 25 FRES 24.

AAC: Long road trip for NTX to Navy, but they'll squeak out a win. NTX 17 Navy 16. I'm not sold on the new Navy HC Newberry.

MAC: Both teams have upset P5 teams. I'll roll with Gabbert and the Redhawks. Miami O 27 BG 22

CUSA: Sam Houston will remain winless after its visit to Liberty.  LIB 30 SHSU 13.  Liberty's win will move it to 3-0, the same record as surprising Jax St.

SunBelt: Marshall is 5-0 and looking strong, but NC St(ACC) held Louisville to 13 points last week. NCST  15 MU 13.

Oct 6, 2023

I thought SHSU was going to get its first W, but the Flames D stiffened. LIB 21 SHSU 16. Nice game for Q. Cooley RB - LIB 17CAR 106YDS 1TD

Tulane AD Troy Dannen is headed to UW.

Oct 8 2023

4 of 5:  Navy was my incorrect pick. Surprised that Miami O shutout Bowling Green, and how high scoring the NC State 49 /Herd 42 game was.

AAC action that surprised me by the score: UTSA 49 Temple 34.  UAB 56 USF 35
Week6 surprises: MiamiO 5-1 and SDST Aztecs(2-4) 

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.

Week 1 O5 matchups from the gut

It's early and I'm trying to get a feel for O5 ball so I'm going from my gut.

 Army marches south to visits ULM(SunBelt). Bowden's boys survive 20-19.

Cal visits Denton and loses 24 -20 to NTX(AAC)

Tulane (AAC) gets a rough test from South Bama. TUL 27 USA 23

Sept 1, 2023

UCF 56 Kent St(MAC) 6. The entire off-season folks discussed how Sean Lewis' exit from the Kent ST HC job to become Deion's OC at Colorado was going to sting. It sure does. Rough first game for HC Kenni Burns.

Ugly start for MAC continues. Miami FLA rolls Miami O. Sparty rolls CMU.

Sept 3, 2023

Right on ULM and Tulane, way off on NTX.

He!! of a comeback: ULM 20 Army17

I doubt if Mean Joe Green could've saved NTX yesterday. Cal 58 NTX 21

Tulane took care of Biz: TUL 37 USA 17

Powerful early season upsets: Wyoming(MWC) over Texas Tech. TX St(SunBelt) over Baylor. NIU(MAC) over BC (ACC)

If UTSA(AAC) came close but no cigar against Houston. That may have been too much sh^t talk for the State of Texas.. HOU 17 UTSA(AAC) 14

Sept 5, 2023

Charlotte (AAC) visits my Terps this Saturday. I'm on upset alert. Biff Poggi, the 9ers HC, was born in Baltimore, MD and coached at St Francis Academy High School in Baltimore City.

Sept 10, 2023

When I turned on the game, the Terps were down 14-0. They got in the gear and won 38-20. Glad I was wrong on Charlotte, but I still see think the 9ers will be worth keeping an eye on in AAC play this season.

J. Mack, WR - CLT 4REC 106YDS 1TD 

NIT-2023

 You knew it was coming UAB/ USM. He!! they played each other twice a year in the CUSA until USM jumped to the SunBelt this season, And, don't go claiming you're keeping it regional when you have Colorado playing Seton Hall.  I'm intrigued by YSU(Horizon)/OK St.(B12), Sam Houston(WAC)/Santa Clara(WCC), and Cincy (AAC)/VTech(ACC). All those B10 teams here saved us from seeing them at the Dance.

AAC: I get Cincy in the NIT but how did UCF get the nod over Tulane or Temple. BTW, Temple moved McKie from HC to adviser.

I hope the announcers don't ramble on about religion during the Liberty(ASUN) /Villanova(Big East) game.

March 15, 2023

K. Buffen(26PTS 12REB) led UAB to an 88-60 blowout of USM. Blazers have been a hot team except for the loss to FAU in the CUSAT.

Liberty beat Nova and Toledo lost to Michigan.

Ga. Southern: Brian Burg is out and Charlie Henry, a Bama asst , replaces him. I'm sure they'll let CH coach at the Dance

No. 1 Rutgers vs. Hofstra 

No. 3 Michigan vs. Toledo

No. 4 UAB vs. Southern Miss 

No. 3 Liberty vs. Villanova |

No. 2 Vanderbilt vs. Yale 

No. 2 Wisconsin vs. Bradley 

No. 4 Washington State vs. Eastern Washington

No. 3 Colorado vs. Seton Hall 

March 15

No. 1 Oklahoma State at Youngstown State

No. 4 Florida vs. UCF | 7 p.m. 

No. 1 Clemson vs. Morehead State 

No. 2 North Texas vs. Alcorn 

No. 3 Sam Houston at Santa Clara 

No. 4 Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech 

No. 2 New Mexico vs. Utah Valley

No. 1 Oregon vs. UC Irvine 

March 16, 2023

Clemson loses to Morehead St (OVC). What a rapid descent for the Tigers who were looking like a dance team a month ago. VTech, another ACC team, loses to Cincy (AAC).  WAC winners: Sam Houston edged Santa Clara(WCC), and Utah Valley beat New Mexico (MWC). Pitino Jr's Lobos have looked bad in the past six weeks.

March 19, 2023

I tip my hat to the CUSA in post-season. FAU is still Dancing, and UAB and NTX have rd2 NIT games today. North Texas hosts Sam Houston(WAC) at The Super Pit, Denton, TX.

UAB hosts Morehead St(OVC) at Bartow Arena, Birmingham, AL

WKU: Out: Rick Stansbury | In: Steve Lutz

Stansbury's had .610 winning percentage (139-89) over seven seasons but didn't get WKU to the Dance. I'll be surprised if he's unemployed for long. Lutz took TAMU-CC to the Dance this season.

March 20, 2023

Another good day for the CUSA: UAB 77 Morehead 59. NTX 75 Sam Houston 55.

Refs let Wisky charge over Liberty in the final seven minutes yesterday.  Contact initiated by Badgers O was called D foul on Liberty. 

North Texas/Oklahoma State

Wisconsin /Oregon

 Cincinnati /Utah Valley

UAB /Vanderbilt

March 22, 2023

I couldn't keep my eyes open for OT, but NTX outscored OK St 10-6 for a 65-59. Sissoko had 12 points/15 reb for the winners.  Badgers beat the Ducks in the other matchup.

March 23, 2023

Coach Kennedy made some adjustments on D, and UAB outscored Vandy 43-32 in the second of a 67-59 win. Blazers face Utah Valley(WAC) who beat Cincy(AAC) 74-68. Nice stat line A. Bandaogo-UVU:15PTS 12REB 4BLK.

I didn't pay much attention to the CBI tournament. EKU(ASUN) rally, last shot, fell short in its CBI final loss to Charlotte(CUSA) 71-68 . It's possible the CUSA could sweep three post-season tournaments

March 29, 2023

All CUSA NIT final. NTX 56- Wisky 54.  UAB 88 UVU 86.  Wisky was horrible in the 2nd half and were outscored 27-13.

March 31, 2023

NTX   takes the NIT with a 68-61 win over UAB.  CUSA is 18-2 this postseason. 

and Boom: Texas Tech hires Grant McCasland away from NTX to be its men's basketball HC.

June 4, 2023

So this is how FAU kept Dusty May: a 10-year contract worth well north of $1 million annually. I guess he likes it in Boca Raton. 

June 19, 2023

I wonder if WV raids Youngstown St to replace Huggy. Jerrod Calhoun, Youngstown State worked at WV previously and had an incredible year for YSU. I've seen Andy Kennedy's(UAB) name mentioned, but, I'm not sure they want to re-run all the Cincy era stories.

June  25, 2023

Josh Eilert, who been at WV since 2007, will take the WV head coaching job on an interim basis. AD Wren Baker didn't have much luck moving a good coach from a non P5 this close to basketball season's tip-off.

However, this didn't stop Charlotte basketball head coach Ron Sanchez from resigning this month after leading the 49ers to their first 20+ win season in a decade and joining Bennett's staff at UVA less than an hour later. Aaron Fearne was named interim head coach.

July 16, 2023

What a name! Sundance Wicks, the new HC at Green Bay(Horizon) will need to live up to his rep "Bring the Juice". His last gig was an asst at Wyoming.  

He helped launch the Arizona Power Basketball Academy in 2011. 

Oct 29, 2023

All CUSA NIT final. NTX 56- Wisky 54.  UAB 88 UVU 86. This must've really bugged the NIT.

NIT changed format: No automatic bids for regular-season champions, and power6 conferences to get first 12 spots.

And San Diego St made the final at the Dance.

Success breeds Revenge.

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.

O5 title games in 2022

 AAC: I'm tossing an imaginary coin on the UAB- Tulane game. Malazahn comes up with a trick play at the buzzer. UCF 23 Tulane 17.

CUSA- Frank Harris usually find a way to get the Roadrunners a W, plus they're at home in the AlamoDome. UTSA 27 NTX 23

MAC: Ohio replace it's injured QB Rourke last week and didn't miss a beat. Ohio 28 Toledo 20

MWC: Boise St is playing on its blue turf so I'll them to eke out a 21-20 win over Fresno St.

SunBelt- CCU got crushed by JMU last week and has been erratic all season. Troy 's solid D and home field will be the difference. Troy 20 CCU 17

Dec 3, 2022

Riding the Harris train pays dividends again. He threw for 341 yards and 4 TDs in the Roadrunners' victory. UTSA 48 NTX 27.

In AAC news: FAU hired Tom Herman, who made a pit stop with the Chicago Bears (2021)Offensive analyst after a rough, few seasons coaching the Texas Longhorns.

Dec 4, 2022

I was wrong on three(UCF,Ohio,Boise) of four yesterday: Tulane,Toledo, and Fresno were winners.  Man, that kid Spears(22 carries, 199 yards, 1TD) is something else for the Green Wave.

And, I guessed correctly on Troy, but it wasn't about their D. Troy 45 CCU 28.

Dec 5, 2022

North Texas fired coach Seth Littrell on Sunday, two days after the they lost in the CUSA championship game. He was 44-44 in seven seasons. 

Alex Golesh ( Tennessee offensive coordinator) takes over at USF, and Tim Beck (NC State OC) takes over at CCU.

I'm a bit stunned Cincinnati hired Louisville’s Scott Satterfield to be its next coach, and  coincidentally the Cards  will face Cincinnati  in the Fenway Bowl.

Dec 7, 2022

UNLV(MWC) is set to tap Arkansas DC Barry Odom to be their new head coach. He was Mizzou HC before that.

Week 8 O5 conference play

 AAC: I'll roll with Tyjae Spears(500 rushing yards, 8TDs) and the Green Wave(6-1, 3-0) in a close home win over Memphis. TUL 27 Mem 24

CUSA: It's hard to ignore Harris tossing for 2300 yards and 15 TDs so I like UTSA at home. UTSA 31 NTX 23

MAC: Most of the MAC has beaten up on each other while Toledo and Buffalo are each 3-0 in conference play. Buffalo wins at home. BUFF 20 TOL 19

MWC: Air Force host Boise St, and I think Roberts has a big game running the ball at home. AFA 38 BSU 35

SunBelt: I visit the Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach area once or twice a year and bet Virginians are wondering how JMU and ODU are getting all the sports ink. Well, I think Khalan Laborn, a Virginia Beach native who is having a great season running the ball for Marshall, will steal some of the ink from JMU this weekend. Marshall 24 JMU 23

Oct 22, 2022

UAB's D contained WKU QB Reed's passing so he rushed for two TDs in a 20-17 win. jury is out on whether Reed is another Zappe.

Oct 23, 2022

4-1 for the week and we'll start with the one incorrect pick. Boise kept Robert under 100 yards, and it was a low scoring game. BSU 19 AFA 14

Spears had a solid game for Tulane who led 35-0 at the half. TUL 38 MEM 28

Harris tossed the winning TD for UTSA with 15 seconds remaining. UTSA 31 NTX 27

Buffalo outscored Toledo 24-zip in the fourth quarter. BUFF 34 Tol 27

JMU was up 12-2 in the first quarter and stopped scoring. Laborn 30 car 151 yards and two TDs. MAR 26  JMU 12.

AAC nabbed my attention this week. Ahlers, the ECU QB, led ECU to a convincing 34-13 win over UCF, and Cincy had to stop a two -point conversion attempt by SMU for a 29-27 win.  UCF and Cincy need more work for they join the Big 12.

Week 4: O5 OOC 4-Pack

 Once upon a time Houston(AAC) and Rice(CUSA) were SWC members. Houston will get a much needed win but it won't be easy. McCaffrey will catch a lot of passes for the Owls, but it won't be enough. HOU 31 Rice 26.

Both QBs have decent numbers in the North Texas(CUSA)/Memphis(AAC) matchup, but Aune won't outduel Henigan. MEM 34 UNT 23

Both teams are off to rocky starts.  D. Finn will have a solid game carrying the ball for Toledo, but the Aztecs outkick them at home. SDST(MWC) 15 TOL(MAC) 13

I'm not seeing USM pulling a  Stunbelt-style upset against the surprising Green Wave(AAC) who are coming off a 17-10 win over Kansas St (Big12). Neither team has a player with incredible numbers. Perhaps a pick 6 turns the game around. TUL 19 USM 16.

Sept 23, 2022

Road party for Coastal: CCU 41-G State 24 

Air Force crushed Nevada, and Boise St lost to UTEP, who may be a threat in CUSA play this season.

Sept 25, 2022

Owls gave the Cougars a scare, but Houston prevailed 34-27.

NTX couldn't restrain the Tigers. MEM 44 NTX 34

I got darn close on picking the final score correctly on the SDST 17 Toledo 14

Zach Wilcke threw a pair of touchdown passes, and the USM D got a pick 6 in a 27-24 win over Tulane. I was correct on a pick 6 but wrong about which team got that and a win.

3-1 for the week.

App St got a taste of its own "stun" medicine and lost to James Madison, a new SunBelt member.

Big CUSA win by MTSU over Miami (FLA).

O5 Bowl games Dec 23-25

 Next set of games features a lot of even matchups.

Thursday, Dec. 23 

Frisco Football Classic:  Miami (Ohio) 34 North Texas 27. I'll ride with M-OH QB Gabbert (2418 YDS, 24 TD, 6 INT)

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl 

UCF 23 vs. Florida 21 Gus Malzahn gets a chance to beat an SEC team that's loss a lot of snap

Friday, Dec. 24

EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl 

Hawai'i 35 Memphis 31 Memphis got lucky against Miss St in September and stumbled like a drunk through the rest of the season. Rainbows win at home 

Saturday, Dec. 25

TaxAct Camellia Bowl

Georgia State 16 vs. Ball State 13 Panthers D has improved enough to beat the erratic Cards

Dec 24, 2021

Today's bowl was canceled. I went 2-0 yesterday.

M-O blanked NT in the second half for a 27-14 win. Sorenson, a 6' 190lb WR, had his usual solid game  (7 rec , 116 yards) for the victors and could be a nice  rd 4 or 5 selection the NFL draft. 

Stats this season: REC 69, YDS 1,290. TD 10 AVG 18.7.

UCF  29 FLA 17.  The Gators new HC needs to recruit a QB.  UCF ran a balanced attack.

Dec 26, 2021

D. Grainger (15-19, 203 YDS, 3 TD) (11 CAR, 122 YDS, 1 TD) did it all for Ga St in a 51-20 romp over Ball St. I picked the game right but am surprised at the Panthers O.

O5 Mixed Bag in week 6

 I'm focusing more on conference games this week but there remains some intriguing OOC games this week, too.

CUSA: UTSA (5-0, 1-0 CUSA) has impressive win over Illinois and Memphis and will squeak by Western Kentucky(1-3, 0-0 CUSA) led by B. Zappe (133-183, 1712 YDS, 16 TD, 2 INT). UTSA 36 WKU 32

CUSA: North Texas (1-3, 0-2 CUSA) has played poorly, but they 'll put a scare in Missouri(2-3, 0-2 SEC) who has stumbled in the past two weeks. Missouri 22 NT 19

MAC: Western Michigan (4-1, 1-0 MAC) has won four straight since losing to Michigan(B10) and will hold off Ball St(2-3, 0-1 MAC)    by a score of 24-22

AAC: East Carolina (3-2, 1-0 AAC) has surprised a few folks this season and QB Holton Ahlers 

(101-170, 1266 YDS, 7 TD) has been a major reason.  UCF(2-2, 0-1 AAC) has lost two in a row and Coach Gus will pull out some new tricks to get back on track at home . UCF 37 ECU 27

Oct 10, 2021

CUSA: Harris(6 TD passes) and Zappe(5 TD passes) put on a show as  expected. UTSA got by WKU 52-46. Austin Aune (16-26, 305 YDS, 4 TD) did his best for UNT, but their slow start hurt them in a 48-35 loss to Missouri. (2-0) for me

MAC: Wrong on WMU. Plitt threw four TD passes for Ball St in a 45-20 win over WMU.

AAC: Johnny Richardson (16 CAR, 104 YDS, 1 TD) had a solid day for UCF in a 20-16 win over ECU. Right on this one so 3-1 for the weekend.

O5 Side notes -Surprised that: Marshall needed OT to beat ODU. Boise St handled BYU.  Memphis lost again , this time to Tulsa.

Heading toward O5 conference tourney time in 2021

 Central Michigan( 7-15, 3-12 MAC) got 26 points from Caleb Huffman scored  and  then Meikkel Murray made a go-ahead put-back with 2.3 seconds left  for the 81-79 upset of Toledo(19-7, 14-4 MAC)

Buffalo(13-7, 11-5 MAC) edged Akron(14-7, 12-6 MAC) 80-78

It's looking like Memphis may be the team who could upend Houston and Wichita St in the AAC tourney. Memphis (15-6, 11-3 AAC ) defeated South Florida(8-11, 4-9 AAC) 73-52 for its sixth straight winand they'll face Houston on Sunday in the final regular season game.

March 4

Trey Wade scored a career-high 23 points on 9 of 12 shooting for Wichita State in a 78-70 AAC win over Tulane 78-70. That's 6 straight Ws for the Shockers.

In the MWC SDST got by UNLV in a so-so performance, while Colorado St  defeated  UNM and is the hottest MWC team heading into the conference tournament.

March 5

UTEP(12-11, 8-8 CUSA) accepted a call to play a game at # 13 Kansas(B12) and built an early 15 point lead before crumbling in the final 12  minutes of the game in a 67-62 loss. Bryson Williams led the Miners with 23 points and 13 rebounds. 

FAU crushed MTSU 80-50.

March 9

Michael Almonacy scored a career-high 32 points with six 3-pointers for App St in its 80-73 upset of Georgia State  to win the Sun Belt Conference championship and return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000. The Mountaineers were in the Southern Conference and coached by Buzz Petersen during the 1999/2000 season.

March 12, 2021

MWCT: Nevada popped Boise St bubble hopes and SDST barely survived Wyoming .

MACT:  Top seeds move forward: Akron, Buffalo, Ohio, and Toldeo

AACT-  Tulane got by Tulsa, and I bet their HC, Ron Hunter, thinks he can pull off one of those miracles  that his GA St squads pulled off in the SunBeltT for years.

mARCH  14, 2021

Cincy edged Wichita St  and if they beat Houston in  AACT, a bubble team possibly SMU will feel the pain. 

Jason Preston scored 22 points for Ohio in a 84-69 victory  over Buffalo, which was trying for a record third straight MAC title.

North Texas beat WKU 61-57 in overtime on Saturday night to win the CUSAT title game and earned its first Dance ticket since winning the Sun Belt tournament in 2010.

San Diego State beat Utah St 68-57 victory  to win the MWC title and secure the league's Dance ticket.

march 15,2021

Belmont, Furman,  and two CUSA teams, Marshall and UAB, are listed as replacement teams for the NIT.

March 18 2021

 NIT: Hollingsworth (21 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST)led Western Kentucky(CUSA) to a 67-63 win over St Marys while Toledo(MAC) lost to Richmond

March 21, 2021

NIT: La Tech does the CUSA right with a win over OL Miss. Buffalo (MAC) lost to Colorado St (MWC) and Memphis (AAC) beat Dayton.

March 23

NIT down to 8 teams.  Four matchups on 3/25 including  two CUSA teams LAtech vs WKU.  Thde only game w/o an O5 team is Richmond(A10) /Miss St(SEC). Colorado St(MWC) faces NC St(ACC) and Memphis(AAC) plays BoiseSt (MWC).

I was bit surprised to see the CBIT is going on in Florida and Coastal Carolina(SunBelt) plays Stetson today.

March 25,2021

Darryl Polk Jr. had 19 points and five steals for  Pepperdine in an 84-61 romp over Coastal Carolina in the CBI final.. Pepperdine finished fourth in the WCC, which Gonzaga ruled.

March 26, 2021

NIT down to four teams: In a battle of CUSA teams Kalob Ledoux scored 20 points, making 6 of 7 3-pointers for Louisiana Tech in a 72-65 win over Western Kentucky 72-65  and will play Mississippi State, a winner over Richmond, on Saturday in Texas.

Colorado ST (MWC) got by NC St and will play Memphis(AAC), a winner over Boise St(MWC).

March 28, 2021

The NIT final is set, and it will be Memphis(AAC) vs Mississippi State(SEC) on Sunday for the title. Memphis rolled Colorado State(MWC) 90-67 and  Mississippi State rolled  Louisiana Tech(CUSA) 84-62.   Ben Howland has a decent stint at Miss St since 2015(116–81 )(.589)

La Tech will face CSU in a matchup for third place.

March 29 , 2021

It wasn't a blowout but Memphis  was in control most of the game in a 77-64 win over Miss St  for the NIT title. Boogie Ellis MEM - G (23 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST)

La Tech  defeated  Col St 76-74 for 3rd place  on a buzzer beater by Kenneth Lofton Jr. LT - F(27 PTS, 13 REB, 3 AST)

April 1, 2021

Coaching news, no foolin: MAC:Akron Zips extend head coach John Groce through 2026 season. He's had more success in the MAC with Ohio and Akron, then the seesaw years at Illinois(Big 10). Ariz St assistant Rashon Burno is on his way to NIU

MWC news: New Mexico hired Richard Pittino quickly after Minnesota fired him, but I don't see it as a good fit. UNLV promoted Kevin Kruger, Lon's son, to HC.

April 7, 2021

This happens from time to time. UTEP(CUSA) head coach Rodney Terry is stepping down and will join Beard's staff at TX. He was a Texas assistant under former head coach Rick Barnes from 2002–11.

April 8, 2021

San Jose State(MWC) replaced Jean Prioleau with  Tim Miles who had some success  at Nebraska(2012-19), a hard gig.

In the MAC Central Michigan fired Keno Davis and Eastern Michigan fired Rob Murphy .

April 13, 2021

E. Michigan(MAC) hired Stan Heath as its new men's basketball coach.

He's an an EMU alum and has previously the coach at Kent State, leading that program to the Elite Eight in 2002. He also guided Arkansas to the NCAA tournament in 2006 and 2007. And did the same at USF in 2012 when they were in the Big East.

April 15, 2021

For years I saw a concrete slab with the Marshall Thundering Herd logo on it standing  in the side yard of a house I'd walk by every two weeks, then a few months ago it was gone. Today, it was back up but in the front yard.  It looks something like this but with more color  and a bull. 

O5 OOC tight ones for Sept 19

 GA Tech(ACC) D was impressive  against the Noles last week and should contain UCF(AAC) QB Dillon Gabriel. If GT finds a way to prevent kicks from being blocked, they 'll win a nailbiter 24-22.

Is there enough "Tiger" in the tank with ex -Auburn QB , Malik Willis  leading Liberty in a matchup against WKU(CUSA)? Ex Terp QB Pagrome struggled against Louisville last week. LU 20 WKU 17.

Will a defense show up in the SMU(AAC) /North Texas (CUSA) matchup. Buechele will lead SMU to a 38-35 win over Jason Bean and the not so Mean Green. Both QBs will toss at least three TD passes.

I couldn't ignore this matchup of former Southwest Conference rivals Baylor(Big12) and Houston(AAC)  meeting for the first time since 1995 . Plus, Aranda(Baylor) and Holgorsen(HU) were members of Mike Leach's staff at Texas Tech in 2000. Brewer will toss two TD passes for Bayor in in 21-16 win over the Cougars, who will need to develop a strong rushing attack.

Sept 20

BAY/HOU was canceled. I was wrong big time on UCF who obliterated the GT D 49-21. No D showed up  as the Mustangs ran wild across the not so Mean Green. SMU 65 -NT 35. I got the winner the 35 right.. Willis played a solid game at QB and  the Flames rushing attack was in gear in a 30-24 win over WKU. 2-1 for the weekend.

Special shout-out to the Marshall fans. Herd 17 Appy 7

CUSA 2019.20 Hoops predictions

1) Western Kentucky are shaping up well for the CUSA conference play. Hollignsworth led the way with 22 points in a nice win over Arkansas(SEC) yesterday
2) North Texas Mean Green hit 19 treys in win over Ark-LR. Mohamed and Draper are over 50% in 3P%
3) Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Harper-Baker has played well. Eagles will be hanging around the CUSA  top 4
4) Charlotte 49ers upset Wake Forest. Freshman guard Jahmir Young led the way with 24 points.
5) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Amorie Archibald and  the Bulldogs are going to be in the hunt. Nice win over Miss St.
6) Florida International Golden Panthers: Andrews will be top scorer
7) Marshall Thundering Herd played FLA tough in a loss on Xmas eve but have looked ragged in most games. Kinsey and West are averaging 14 PPG
8) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders has had a rough start. They'll need a ton of  treys from Antonio Green the rest of the season.
9) UAB Blazers played UK, Memphis, and Texas tough in losses. They'll need more points from Jalen Benjamin in CUSA play
10) UTEP Miners: Bryson Williams has played well and they look a little better than last season
11) Old Dominion Monarchs-Xavier Green will need to get to a 20 PPG for them to get in to the middle of the CUSA pack. Stith graduated.
12)  UTSA Roadrunners- J Jackson will need to hit a lot of treys again this season
13)  Florida Atlantic Owls- Scoring has been low. Maybe Cornelius Taylor will get into gear
14) Rice Owls will be hanging on a cellar limb again. TJ Atwood  score about 20 PPG

Jan 10, 2020

#usm (0-3) stands out as my worst prediction so far . Eagles lost 76-64 to UTEP (1-2) last night. Iran Bennett (17 points , 11 rebounds) led Marshall(2-1) to a 79-75 win over MTSU(0-3). Tavin Lovan scored 16 points for UAB(1-2) in a 72-62 mild upset of WKU(2-1).
UTSA (1-2) blew out La Tech (2-1). Fau(3-0) beat Rice(0-3) 81-76 NTX(2-1) blew out FIU(2-1) 74-56.

Jan 17

It's getting crowded at the top. Charlotte (4-0) edged Marshall 77-75. Taevion Kinsey had  29 points and 11 rebounds for the losing Herd.  FAU(4-1) beat MTSU. La Tech (4-1) beat Rice. WKU (4-1) beat ODU. NTX(4-1) beat USM.

Jan 21

In rare Monday night CUSA action Charlotte(4-2) fell to ODU(3-3) led by  Jason Wade's 23 points, and Javion Hamlet  scored 24 for NTX in a win over Rice, That's NTX sixth win in a row  and puts them alone atop the CUSA with half game lead on WKU(5-1)

Jan 24

I thought MTSU, a loser to La Tech(5-2) last night, would struggle but  not still be winless in CUSA play.   NTX is up to 7-1 with its 98-73 blowout of UTSA(3-4).  #JamirYoung scored 24 points for Charlotte(5-2) in its 70-68 win over FAU. .Eric Lovett hit six treys  for FIU(5-2) in its narrow win over ODU.

Jan 28

I'm not doing too bad on my pre-season top 4 in the CUSA.
1)NTX(8-1) I picked them second. 2)WKU (7-1) I had them first.  La Tech and Charlotte are tied for 3rd at 6-2. I had Charlotte fourth and La Tech fifth. NTX has won eight in a row and it's last defeat was to WKU who has a five game winning streak and it's last loss was to UAB.

Jan 31-

LaTech got a big win over Charlotte while WKU lost  to FIU and the #herd (4-5) is hanging around after a win over FIU . NTX 8-1, WKU and La Tech are 7-2. Charlotte is 8-3

Feb 9

Hamlet and Gibson each scored 13 points for NTX(10-2) in a win over UAB   that kept them in first place, one game ahead of WKU(9-3) a winner over USM.

 Feb 16

The top three teams NTX(12-2) , WKU(11-3), and La Tech(10-4) won yesterday. I was stunned to see Rice(5-9) beat Charlotte(8-6) and took note of Marshall(7-7) reaching .500 with it's win over UTEP(4-10).

feb 24

 The top three teams NTX(12-3) , WKU(11-4), and La Tech(11-4). La Tech's narrow win over NTX tightened up the standings and #wku  's loss to Charlotte  added to the tension. WKU faces La Tech on Thursday.

feb 28

Taveion Hollingsworth  (43 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST) led WKU to a big win over LATech to keep them within a game of NTX who beat FIU. NTX(13-3) , WKU(12-4), and La Tech(11-5).

March 2

 Javion Hamlet (25 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST) led NTX(14-3) to a win over WKU(12-5) and the CUSA regular season crown with one CUSA game left.

March 8

 Mikel Beyers  (20 PTS, 5 REB, 1 BLK) helped Marshall(16-15, 10-8 C-USA) to an 82-77 win over UTSA while Charlotte(10-8) lost to LA Tech which leaves  them tied with Marshall for fourth in the CUSA after NTX,WKU, and La tech. Top four get a round 1 bye.

March 12

 Taevion Kinsey had 26 points as sixth-seeded Marshall beat No. 11 seed UTEP 86-78 in the first round of the CUSAT and will play third-seeded Louisiana Tech on Thursday. FAU beat ODU. UAB beat UTSA. FIU beat Rice
 

Week 14 O5 picks -divsions at stake

MAC: WMU and CMU are tied for first  at 5-2 in the MACW. Central Michigan barely survived Ball St last week while Toledo got crushed by Buffalo. Koback rushed for 99 yards and 1TD and looks to be getting back in gear and will lead Toledo to an upset of CMU 26 -22.
AAC: Navy is tied with Memphis in the West after upsetting  SMU last week and faces a Houston team that found some D   last week in a win over Tulsa and will  contain Malcom Perry, the Navy QB, enough to  win 20-19.
CUSA: Three way tie  in CUSAW with UAB, La Tech, and USM at 5-2. UAB D was strong in a big win over La Tech last week and will handle North Texas who fell to Rice last week.
MWC: Air Force(6-1) will get a narrow 27-26 win thanks to 2 TD passes from DJ Hammond at home over Wyoming ,but that won't be enough for them to catch  the MWC Mountail leader Boise St (7-0) who will beat Colorado St.
SunBelt: Layne Hatcher will have huge day in a 33 -19 Arkansas St (5-2) win over South Bama and hope for ULM to upset ULL (6-1) the  West leader.

Nov 28

I'll stick with my Toledo pick despite  CMU's opportunity the West with a win since WMU lost to NIU in the fierce wind and  the rain on Tuesday night.

nov 30

Off to a rough (0-2) start with my picks. Koback scored the lone TD for Toledo and only rushed for 22 yards in a 49-7 loss to Central Michigan, the winner of the West who faces the East champ, Miami (Ohio), next week. Kobe Lewis rushed for 131 yards and 2 TDS for CMU.
In the SunBelt , Hatcher(23-38, 342 YDS, 2 TD )  had another big day  for Ark St, but it wasn't enough to prevent Desmond Trotter(20-31, 279 yards , 4TDs) and Jaguars of South Bama from getting  their first conference win this season. USA 34 Ark St 30

dec 1

I was wrong on Houston's D and ended up 2-3 this week. Navy 56 HOU 41 .

• Jamale Carothers NAVY 18 CAR, 188 YDS, 5 TD and Perry rushed for 144 yards and a TD

And here's my two correct picks: TD Marshall provided  a pick 6 and Spencer Brown carried the ball 19 times for 111 yards and a TD for UAB in a 26-21winover North texas
Donald Hammond scored both of AFA's TDs, on the ground, one by air, in 20-6 win over Wyoming.

Early CUSA 2019 football chatter,well knows names

#KaiLocksley  #UTEP s likely starting QB, and son of Terps HC Mike Locksley has been suspending for the off the field violations.  Rahsaan Lewis, Ray's son , is transferring  from UCF to FAU, and Frank Gore Jr is a part of FAU's 2020 recruiting class. More updates coming.
June 15: Beer sales at college football games is a hot topic, and #MTSU of the CUSA has interesting approach.  It is  setting up a beer garden in the south end zone of the stadium and partnering with students at the school to help come up with specific microbrews for each opponent that comes to Murfreesboro, TN

June 16

How is this for week 1 toughies?  FAU at Ohio St,  MTSU at Michigan, and Louisiana Tech at Texas?

June 17

#herd visit Boise St (MWC) on Sept 6 . That's not a regular OOC matchup

June 19

 #herd got some  short yardage WR help with TavinRichardson , a grad transfer from Kentucky.

June 27

  Louisville adds Marshall’s leading sacker,Ty Tyler, as grad transfer. Derrek Pitts , a WVU safety, is joining the #herd.

july 15

 CUSA athletic directors have reportedly discussed trading schools with other leagues. It's mostly chatters about the Sun Belt and probably ties into cutting down on the trips from the east coast to west Texas. It could be just chatter.

july 18

  #CUSA league media picked   #Marshall  to win the East and #northtexas to win the West
july 23: Kiffin confirmed ex-FSU QB Deondre Francois won’t be transferring to FAU
july 26:  #brentStocksill ,  former #MTSU QB and the son of the head coach, was hired as the FAU Owls’ offensive player personnel assistant.
july 30:  UCF,  #FIU (CUSA) reportedly agree to home-and-home series in 2020 and 2022.
july31:   #QuardraizWadley , UTEP's leading rusher, is out for the 2019 season with a toe injury.
aug 2:  Georgia and Charlotte (CUSA) reached an agreement on a matchup that will be played in Athens,GA in 2025.
aug 5: UTEP QB #KaiLocksley back with the team despite his legal casse not being resolved.
aug 7- USC transfer WR Keyshawn Young moves on to #Marshall. Doubt if the #herd get a lot of Trojan transfers.
aug 31- Rice played  decent D but fell at Army 14-7

CUSA 2018/19 Hoop predictions

1) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, with scorers like Jared Savage, may win the CUSA
2) North Texas Mean Green- A couple of dudes named Simmons  and a CBI 2018 title. Mean Green will be in the CUSA top five.
3) Marshall Thundering Herd- I was going to take the #herd higher, but they crumbled against the Terps last night. I suspect  #jonelmore will get "hawked" until the Herd adjust.
4) Charlotte 49ers upset OK ST. I'm bumping them up.
5) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Amorie Archibald and  the Bulldogs are going to be in the hunt.
6) Florida International Golden Panthers: Andrews and beard are their top scorers.
7) Southern Miss Golden Eagles. T Griffin and crew  continue the slow climb out of the CUSA cellar
8) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders have lost to some good teams, UVA and Stanford, in pre-conference play and should finish in the middle of the CUSA.
9) Florida Atlantic Owls- Seabrees is a freshman to watch
10) UAB Blazers- Zack Bryant has been solid, so far
11) Old Dominion Monarchs- BJ Stith will need a lot of 20+ nights
12) UTEP Miners got a way to go to see the light
13) UTSA Roadrunners- J Jackson will need to hit a lot of treys
14) Rice Owls will be hanging on a cellar limb

Dec 6, 2018: Checking in the CUSA OOC play last night: Taveion Hollingsworth 
WKU (24 PTS, 1 REB, 4 AST) lost 84-78 to  Missouri St (MVC)led by 
Tulio Da Silva (18 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST). Ryan Woolridge's triple-double led North Texas past Indiana St (MVC) 80-69. CJ Burks scored 26 but that wasn't enough for the #herd in a 93-82 loss to Duquesne (A-10). MTSU got crushed by Vandy (SEC). FAU edged Mercer (Southern).

dec 16, 2018

BJ Stith (18pts, 10reb)  led ODU to a big  road win over Cuse. Maybe I under-estimated the Monarchs? #JonElmore totaled 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the Marshall road  75-74  win at Akron . #herd was0-2 against MAC schools with recent loss to Ohio and Toledo.
dec 30
 Hollingsworth (22 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST)  and Banton with a triple double led #wku (7-6) over Wisconsin (B10) 83-76. It's been a strange first two months for the Hilltoppers including losses to Missouri St and Indiana St

jan 4, 2019

#usm hoops had a rough #Cusa start in a loss to Rice.  #herd get 20 points and 10 assists  from  Elmore in  a win over ODU.  NTX beat La Tech and is now 2-0 in the CUSA and 14-1 overall. #wku rolled charlotte. UTSA beat UTEP. UAB beat FAU. Beard and Jacob combined to hit eleven treys and score 48 points in #FIU 's win over MTSU.

jan 6, 2019

 Wow, Rice won again- this time over LA Tech. Herd squeak by Charlotte thanks to Burks. #wku fell to ODU. FAU over mtsu, ntx edged usm, uab over fiu. And this is some goofy scheduling: #JhivvanJackson scored 24 points to help UTSA beat UTEP for the second time in three days.

jan 11, 2019

NTX beat Utep moving to 4-0 in CUSA play. Rice cooled off in a loss to UTSA. MTSU  stumbled further in a loss to USM. FAU, FIU, and LA tech beat respectively, ODU, Charlotte, and UAB. 
jan13: How about the #herd knocking off #wku  70-69. Nice night from Hollingsworth ( 20 PTS, 4 REB, 1 STL). Also NTX lost to UTSA) ???

jan 18, 2019

Burks and Elmore led the #herd by FAU 96-84  last night, and MTSU edged UTSA for it's first CUSA win. Other winners: ODU, uab, fiu, and usm.
JAN 20 , 2019

Herd 105 FIU 97 Burks scored 30. WKU got back in the win column 72-66 over FAU. NTX survived Rice 76-75

jan 22, 2019 

Josh Anderson(25 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST) was a big factor in WKU 68-59 victory over the #herd. B.J. Stith scored 22 points and Ahmad Caver added 20 in ODU's second half comeback win over Charlotte.

 Jan 25, 2019 

A lot of shake up in the standings in a week . Last night WKU survived a big second half from USM. UAB nipped NTX. ODU struggled but won over UTEP, and the #herd  fell to La Tech despite a big effort from Burks. ODU (6-2). At 5-2 - Marshall, UAB, UTSA, NTX.. At 4-3: WKU , FIU

jan 27, 2019

 I did a double take when I saw the #herd score USM 101 MU 51 scroll across the bottom of my TV screen.The 31-6 USM run at the start was a killer . UAB, UTSA, NTX are tied for first after win over respectively Rice,  ODU,  & MTSU
feb 1
 What a night for Elmore(44 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST) in the #herd win over UTEP. Leonard Harper-Baker scored a career-high 21 points on 10-of-11 shooting for streaking USM in a win over FIU. FAU, ODU, and WKU defeated respectively LT, NTX, and UTSA.

feb 10

Great Saturday for the Texas  CUSA schools. UTSA(9-3), UTEP, and Rice beat respectively, Fau, Marshall and FIU. USM, WKU (8-4), Charlotte, and ODU(10-3) were the other winners. 

feb 15

Jared Savage tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds for #wku  (9-4) in a win over MTSU.
Cortez Edwards had 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists for USM(8-5) in its win over UTSA(9-4). NTX (8-5) lost to FAU.  #herd lost to UAB.

feb17

wku(9-5)  and utsa(9-5) losses to respectively La Tech and UAB helped the hot  ODU(11-3) and USM(9-5) squads who won last night. #herd beat mtsu 98-93 in the no D special last night.

  Feb 24

while the #herd (7-7) waits to play, ODU(12-3) beat wku (9-6) and and UAB(9-6) beat USM). NTX fell to 8-7 with a loss to La Tech (8-7)

March 1

 Elmore had 34 in the #herd win over La Tech. I caught the end of the #odu hanging on at UTSA in a fierce final four minutes to clinch the regular season title. WKU beat UAB.  ODU, WKU, UTSA, and USM are getting the rd1 byes at this moment.

March 4

 C.J. Burks scored 21 points in Marshall's 85-82 win over NTX and has a slim chance to get a rd1 bye . WKU beat USM to take a half game lead over UTSA, a winner over UAB,  for second  place.

Old Dominion	13-3
Western Kentucky	11-6
UTSA	10-6
Florida International	9-7
Southern Miss	9-7
Marshall	9-7

March 7

Another great night for Burks(21 points) in the #herd win over FIU. USM beat ODU while WKU lost to UTSA who got 29 points from J.Jackson. After ODU(13-4) UTSA is 11-6 and a win guarantees them a rd1 bye. USM and Marshall are 10-7 with a game to go.WKU finished at 11-7. FIU and UAB are 9-8.

march 10

USM beat UTSA and Marshall beat FAU moving to 11-7 creating a four way tie with WKU and UTSA for the three remaining byes after ODU (13-5). I'm not sure how this shakes out . Is it pod play?

march 14

Big game for Elmore (32 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST) in the #herd 82-65 win over Rice. La Tech in a squeaker over FAU.NTX beat FIU and UAB handled MTSU.

March 15

 ODU needed a last second trey from Ahmad Carver's  to eke out a 57-56 win over La Tech. Elmore had another solid game for Marshall but they fell to USM. UAB beat UTSA and WKU beat NTX.

March 17

#xaviergreen  scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to lead ODU to a 62-56 victory over #wku in the CUSAT, and will likely be the only CUSA team at the Dance. My pre-season rating of  Old Dominion finishing 11th in the CUSA was pretty bad.

March 21

 USM lost to Longwood and UAB fell to Brown in CBI action.

March 22

ODU only scored 19 in the first half and lost to Purdue 61-48 at the Dance.

April 5

I've been remiss in my #CUSA coverage. #herd got (28 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST) from  C.J. Burks to win the #CIT . Elmore added  17 points and 6 rebounds for Marshall in the 90-70 victory over Green Bay (Horizon Conference).

april 14

#docsadler , stepped down as USM HC after a 20-13 season and will become an assistant for Hoiberg at Nebraska

june 25

 Ryan Woolridge, a grad transfer from #NorthTexas, announced he will play his final season of eligibility for #gonzaga.  He was injured all of last season.

CUSA 2017-18 hoop predictions

CUSA has no one in the current top 25 and will likely need a miracle to get two teams in the Dance.
East
Middle Tenn-  King 23 PPG 6 rbg
Marshall- Elmore returned and looks sharp with 28PPG and 92 FT%
Old Dominion- Stith and Carver lead in stats on a team that has no current star.
Charlotte- Davis 15 ppg 6 rbg 6 apg
W Kentucky- Beardsen 17.5 ppg 3 APG
Fla Atlantic- Troutman 13 PPG 62.5 ft%
Florida Intl- Lockett 16.9 ppg 9 rbg
West

UAB- Cokely  is leading the Blazers with 19 ppg & 11.7 rbg3 

LA Tech- Harris isaveraging 25 ppg and Jean has a 57.1 - 3p%

TX El Paso- Off to a slow start . Frazier  14 PPG 

S Mississippi -Griffin leads in nearly every stat category

North Texas- Woolridge 17 ppg  2.3apg

TX-San Ant- Jackson is the man from three point land

Rice- Cashaw 17.3 PPg 8.3 rbg
dec 23: How about the #herd (9-4) hanging with Xavier before falling 81-77. Also noticed that #jonelmore passed #halgrier on the Marshall  history scoring list in the win over EKU.
Jan 12: #mtsu and #wku are 4-0 in CUSA play.  C.J. Burks scored a career-high 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting helping the #herd recover from big loss to #wku with a win over Charlotte.
Jan 21: #herd  beat #mtsu and #uab this week.. MTSU recovered from that loss with a win over  #wku yesterday. #odu led by #AhmadCaver (17 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST) beat  #FAU and moved into a tie for first with WKU and MTSU.
Jan 28: #herd run over late by #wku (7-1).#brandonwaters (17 pts 12 reb) led #mtsu (8-1) to an easy win UTEP. #utsa hit 15 treys in a win over UAB. Is the NTX  Mean Green revving up with wins over FAU and FIU.
Feb 11: Elmore and Paneva had solid night  in the #herd win FAU.  #Nickyoung 32points helped MTSU get by NTU. #ODU and #wku won to keep the race tight.  UTSA 63 UTEP 59 #deonlyle hit five of eight trays  to keep a surprising #utsa in  the picture.
Middle Tennessee 12-1
Old Dominion         10-2
Western Kentucky 10-2
Marshall                  8-4
North Texas          7-5
UT San Antonio 7-5
feb 18 CUSA update- Wow, I had to look at this score #odu 82 #utep 33 a few times.
#herd get a big win at the buzzer over #ntx . UTSA needed OT to beat Charlotte. #wku and #mtsu. Top 4
remains the same. UTSA is in fifth now.
feb25 update : How about the #herd Offense scoring 103 in a win over Charlotte. led by #jonelmore 's
38 points which includednine treys. CUSA leaders #MTSU and #wku won. #utsa led by #donlyle beat
La Tech to remain one game behind Marshall for the 4th seed and rd1 CUSAT bye
march 4- Huge #herd upset of #mtsu gets them the final bye slot. WTH happened to #wku ?
#uab led by Nate Darling rolled WKU 101-73. UAB or USTA , fifth and sixth in the CUSA are in gear and
may pull some CUSAT upsets. MTSU, ODU, WKU, & Marshall have rd1 byes.
march 16: It didn't take long. Kermit Davis is leaving #mtsu for Ol Miss (SEC) job. #Buffalo surprised
me . I liked them all season but didn't think Zona was going to toss in the towel in the second half.
SCORING LEADERS W. Clark BUFF 25 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST
march 19 update : Ajdin Penava MRSH - F (18 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST) had a decent game but Jevon Carter WVU - G (28 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST)and his teammates were too much in the
intrastate matchup. #wvu 94 #herd 71

march 24 update: Western Kentucky is in the NIT F4. #WKU freshman Taveion Hollingsworth scored  30 points (4 of 7 treys, and 8 of 9 free throws)  in a 92-84 win @ #OKst and faces #utah next.  Penn St/ Miss St is the other semi. In the CIT, #Utsa was outscored 48-32 in the second  half and lost to Sam Houston St . 76-69

march 28 update: Justin Johnson's (24 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST) solid game was not enough for #wku in the 69-64 loss to Utah , who will face Penn St in #NIT final.
March 31 update: I tuned in to the end of the #northtexas 88-77 win over #usf in the CBI. NTX hit their free throws down the stretch.Roosevelt Smart scored 25 points and made all 14 of his free throws.   The champion is determined  by the a two out of three series.
NTX #CBI  results

• 
  @ SDAK
  W

  90-77
• 
  vs MER
  W

  96-67
• 
  vs JVST
  W

  90-68
• 
  @ SF
  L

  72-62
• 
  vs SF
  W

  69-55
• 
  vs SF
  W

  88-77

REGULAR SEASON

May 30, 2018 : I'm not digging the #Cusa hoop scheduling change in which the top five teams in the league will play each other for the final four conference games, as will teams seeded 6-10 and teams seeded 11-14. Yes, I think the #cusa get shorted on dance tickets, but gearing everything toward the RPI metrics and having some teams face each other three times in the reular season  borders on bizarre.
June 22, 2018
#mitchell robinson of #wku went to the Knicks in rd2. Only #cusa player taken.
July 1, 2018
#UAB- #ChrisCokely averaged 17 pts, 9 reb in his senior and the #charlottehornets signed him as a UFA

2017 CUSA football snap hunches

Weak #CUSAEast and room for regime change in #CUSAWest
Ganes to watch: Oct 7 #usm /#utsa . Nov 18 #fau /#fiu  Nov 25 #utsa /#louisianatech


EAST
W. Kentucky-  A ton of changes but the East appears weak
M. Tenn. St.- If Stocksill stays healthy , they topple #wku.
Old Dominion- Monarchs slide back a little
FIU-Butch Davis will rile these lads up
FAU- Kiffin has ex FSU QB Singletary
Marshall- #herd lines need shoring up
Charlotte- 49ers need to find a little gold.

WEST
Louisiana Tech- Holtz' guys should prevail but #utsa may turn the tables this season
UTSA- Solid recruiting will finally reap some rewards
Southern Miss- Consistency ?????
North Texas- #meangreen did go bowling last season-keep your eyes on them
UTEP opens at #oklahoma- brutal
Rice- new logo
UAB- slow recovery from no football in two years

Aug 17, 2017 : #DaltonSturm - #utsa is betting a lot on his improvement. just six interceptions over his 13 starts last season.
Aug 25, 2017:#kiffin  hired #briles son, and #butchdavis wants #jimmyjohnson to visit his squad. #FAU and #FIU are getting plenty of ink

CUSA Hoops 2016/17

CUSA Prognostication
1. UAB- The Blazers have four starters including William Lee back from a 26-7 NIT team but let's see how new coach Ehsan handles them.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article112870173.html#storylink=cpy

2. WKU- New coach Stansbury will make the most of a  Pancake Thomas anchoring a six deep rotation.
3. Marshall- Small ball rules and Dantoni's tempo is blazing . Maybe a sprinkle of D and a great season from Ryan Taylor will do the trick.
4. La Tech- Erik McCree is a star on the rise on a solid squad
5. MTSU- Potts and Upshaw Jr return  from the squad thnat upset Sparty in the 2016 Dance
6. North Texas- Jeremy Combs are Mean Green crew are solid but will Coach Benford get consistent play.
7. Charlotte- Look for Coach Price to accelerate freshman Quentin Jackson  to starting shooting guard
8. Rice- I made the mistakes of over-rating Rice football so I'm leary about Owls' hoops.  Props to #Marcusevans, but I ain't buying a CUSA title run
9. UTEP- Six freshmen won't make a dent quick enough.
10  FAU- Coach Curry recruited three freshman, two transfers, and three JUCOs which should propel the Owls to the 8 spot.
11. ODU will have a tough time replacing scorer Trey Freeman
12. UTSA: New coach Steve Henson will rely big man, Lucas O'Brien to keep the Roadrunners from stumbling to the basement.
13. Southern Miss.- Coach Doc Sadler has four returning starters and are ceeeping upward from sanctions -era.
14 FIU- No incoming freshmen and rolling the dice on transfers. I see basement but they could land around 7th

May 24,2017

Post season bashing of the CUSA bugs me. JUCO reference to the CUSA and more:
Found this cheap comment about the Rice hoops which hasn't made the NCAA Dance since 1970. An anonymous coach texted: "They have Ivy League admission standards in a JUCO league. MTSU, WKU, UAB, UTEP all can get ANYONE in school.