P5 pigskin on the hardwood January 2020

ACC: Louisville and FSU sit atop the ACC with 6-1 records. Duke(5-2) looks ragged and UNC is as bad as their head coach says they are. A bunch of teams with 4-3  conference records including Cuse.
B10: Terps(4-3) woke up yesterday and beat Purdue, but the Buckeyes(2-5) descent continues with a loss to a much improved PennSt (4-3) squad. Here's the top three. MSU (6-1) Illinois(5-2) Rutgers(4-2)
B12: Baylor is 5-0 and Kansas is 4-1 while Texas Tech(4-2) is hanging around. I thought Huggy had WVU(4-2) turned around but they lost to a so-so KSt squad yesterday and haven't looked sharp lately.
Pac12: Another wild week  out west.  WSU loses its football coach , Mike Leach, and its hoops squad knocks off Oregon then Oregon St to move to 3-3 in conference play. #OnyekaOkongwu scored 22 for USC in an overtime win over Stanford which left both teams tied for first with 4-1 records.
SEC: I loved South Carolina knocking off Kentucky at the buzzer, but the Gamecocks weren't done as they headed west and beat TAMU. Rough week for Auburn who lost to Bama and Auburn. Madness tickets are up for grabs to everyone but Ol Miss and Vandy who are 0-4. Georgia is 1-3 but they have Anthony Edwards

Jan 22

 Illinois remained in second with a win over Purdue who 's headed toward the B10 cellar. Bane led TCU to an upset of TT in B12 play. #Lsu (6-0) held off the Gators 84-82 to remain a game ahead of UK in the SEC.

Jan 24

Topsy-turvy action continues. Indiana upset Sparty(6-2) 67-63 in B10 play., which knocked Sparty into a tie for first with Illinois(6-2) . OhioSt (2-7)lost to Minnesota and is only one game out of the cellar. In the Pac 12 Oregon inched closer to Stanford with a win over USC, and Washington stumbled closer to the basement with a loss to Utah

Jan 26

Pac 12:  #remymartin (24 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST) played a key role in ASU comeback victory over #22 Arizona. #23 Colorado beat fading Washington.
ACC:  Wyatt Wilkes scored 19 points for# 5 Florida State in a narrow win over Notre dame. # 6 Louisville rolled over Clemson.
B10: #21 Illinois survived Michigan and #24 Rutgers edged Nebraska.
SEC / B12 showdown ended in a 5-5 tie yesterday. SEC winners: Kentucky won at Texas Tech in OT. LSU beat Texas. Auburn beat Iowa St. Arkansas beat TCU. Alabama beat Kansas St .
B12 winners. Baylor over FLA. Kansas over Tenn. OK over Miss St. OK ST over TAMU. West Virginia over Missouri

Jan 27

 I've heard way too much chatter about how 11 of the 14 B10 teams may get Dance tickets, that's goofy. Illinois and MSU are tied at the top at 7-2. Terps squeaked out a big win over Indiana yesterday and are tied for second with with Rutgers at 6-3. 

Jan 29

Rutgers beat Purdue(11-10, 4-6) last night which should put the Boilermakers on the bubble. In the SEC Miss St got a big win over FLA, Auburn survived last place Ol Miss, and TAMU beat Tenn. Missouri beat GA but both those teams, Ol Miss and Vandy need big winning streaks just to get on the Dance bubble.
In the ACC VTech loss to Miami hurt, while VA got a big win over FSU which gives Louisville sole possession of 1st.. Duke beat Pitt.

Jan 31-

Cowan led my Terps to a win over Iowa, and Illinois beat Minnesota to keep things tight at the top of the B10. The Pac 10 is growing a big middle. Pritchard led Oregon(18-4, 7-2 Pac-12) to a win over Cal(9-11, 3-4 Pac-12). Chris Smith scored 30 for UCLA(11-10, 4-4 Pac-12) in a win over Colorado
(16-5, 5-3 Pac-12). Zona(14-6, 4-3 Pac-12) squeaked by Wash(12-10, 2-7 Pac-12).
USC (17-4, 6-2 Pac-12) beat Utah(12-8, 3-5 Pac-12) and Oreg St (13-8, 3-6 Pac-12) beat Stanford 
( 15-5, 4-3 Pac-12) 

feb 2

Wacky Pac 12  results continue with Washington's  descent remaining a constant . Stanford upset Oregon. Cal edged Oreg St.. Zona beat Wash St. ASU beat Wash

feb 4

Big dogs kept rolling in the B12 last night.  Baylor (20-1, 9-0) beat KSt , and Kansas(19-3, 8-1) got a solid game from Azubuike(17 PTS, 12 REB, 2 BLK) in a 69-58 win over Texas. 

feb 5

Terps(8-3) take over first  in the B10 with their win over Rutgers(7-5) and Mich St(8-4) loss to Penn St (7-4). Auburn(7-2) survived Arkansas in OT while UK(7-2) beat Miss St  which moved them into a tie for second in the SEC behind LSU(8-0)

feb 6

In the SEC Florida handled Georgia, while Vandy stunned LSU thanks to a big night from Saban Lee
(33 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST). And SEC cellar dweller Ol Miss got (38 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST ) from Breein Tyreee in an upset of South Carolina. Wake Forest collapsed in the second half against Louisville who outscored them 52-30  for a 86-76 ACC win.Another wacky big 10 final score Purdue 104 Iowa 68. West Virginia stayed in the B12 race with a 76-61 win over Iowa St.

feb 7

Maybe the Pac 12 is filtering out the decent from the mediocre? ASU(5-4) made fourteen treys in a win over UCLA(5-5). Zona(6-3) beat USC(6-4) 85-80. Colorado(7-3) beat Cal(4-5). Utah(4-6) beat Stanford(5-4). Or maybe not? 

feb 8

Big win for the Terps with the D holding Illinois to 24 points in the second half of 75-66 win. Anthony Cowan Jr. MD - G (20 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST)

feb 9

 Sparty loss to Michigan yesterday was great for the Terps. Minnesota fell off the bubble in its loss to Penn St yesterday. Zona's loss to UCLA makes the P12 messier. Auburn looked ragged at the beginning but managed to beat LSU in OT and move in to a three way tie for first place in the SEC with UK and LSU

feb 11

Tre Jones did a great job of  helping Duke overcome a ton of turnovers to beat Florida St 65-60. T. Forrest led FSU with.18 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST. In B12 play Texas Tech crushed TCU and Baylor got by Texas.

feb 12

SEC basement kids are shaking things up. Ol Miss(4-7) beat Miss St(6-5) 83-58 and Mizzou(3-8) gave LSU(9-2) a battle before losing 82-78.

feb 16

Terps blew a big lead then came back behind Cowan in the final two minutes to knock off Sparty. I'm proud they didn't choke. PennSt  beat Northwestern to stay 1GB of the Terps in the B10.
SEC: The basement kids are at it again. Mizzou knocked off Auburn and OL Miss gave UK quite a scare before losing 67-62. Meanwhile Bama stayed on the  bubble  by beating LSU.
 In the B12 Baylor beat WVU and  Kansas handled OK, while Texas Tech was upset by OK St. In the ACC, Louisville  was upset by Clemson while FSU survived Cuse and Duke rolled Notre Dame.
It's getting mighty crowded near the top of the PAC. Colorado(9-4) beat Oregon St, USC (8-5) handled Wash St, UCLA(8-5) beat WASH, and Zona(8-4) beat Stanford. Oregon(8-4) and ASU(7-4) were idle.
feb 19

Why is Ohio St 25. Do conferences records matter?

feb 20

SEC:Georgia(3-10) upset Auburn(9-4) and TAMU(7-6) moved up while knocking Bama(6-7) down the basement steps .Miss St(8-5) edged South Carolina(8-5) which creates more havoc for the Dance Committee.
ACC: NCSt(8-7) upset Duke(12-3) while Louisville(13-3) got back in gear with a manhandling of Cuse(7-8). UVA(10-5) may be off the bubble with a win over BC. 
Texas Tech(17-9, 8-5 Big 12)got a much needed win over KST

feb 21

PAC12: Oregon(9-5) fell out of first in a  77-72 loss to ASU(9-4).Rob Edwards ASU - G(24 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST) had a solid night.Colorado(10-4) edged USC(8-6) to take over first place. Zona(9-4) beat Oregon St and UCLA(9-5) beat Utah.

feb 23

B12: Baylor missed too many free throws and easy shots in a loss to Kansas. The B12 has become a more physical conference and the refs  are allowing it . Texas tech  should be off the bubble while WVU's loss to TCU hurt.
Pac12: Buckle up! Here come the Bruins(10-5) who knocked off first place Colorado(10-5). ASU survive Oreg St to remain  alone in first place.Oregon (10-5) survive Zona.
SEC: TAMU  kept rolling with a win over Miss St. Kentucky and Auburn did enough to survive, respectively, Florida,,and Tenn.

feb 24

 Terps lost to the Buckeyes and Penn St lost to Indiana . Sorry to say that means the B10 may get ten tickets to the Dance.

feb 25

FSU took over first place in the Acc with an impressive come from behind win over Louisville. WVU is on the bubble after back to back B12 losses to TCU and Texas.

feb 27

He!! of a comeback for the Terps last night over Minnesota. The74-73 loss nails the coffin on any Dance tickets for the Gophers(13-14, 7-10 Big10). Rutgers' 65-64 loss to Penn St moved the Knights(18-11, 9-9 Big Ten) closer to the bubble
SEC: FLA spanked LSU. South Carolina survived GA in OT. Big night for Anthony Edwards UGA - G(36 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST)

feb 28

 Good luck to the Dance committee sorting out the Pac 12 tickets. Last night Colorado lost Cal. USC beat Zona. UCLA beat ASU. Oregon beat Oreg St.

mARCH 1

 UCLA beat Zona taking sole possession of first place in the P12 pending the outcome of the Ducks game today. Terps, Duke, FSU, and Baylor lost yesterday, too.

march 3

Baylor pushed Texas Tech(18-12, 9-8 Big 12) closer to the bubble with an OT win and Duke did the same to NC St(18-12, 9-10 ACC) via a potent second half .

March 5

ACC: UVA has been hot but barely beating Miami 43-41 puts their O in doubt again. FSU survived Notre Dame . SEC: Tenn upset UK on Monday, and last night TAMU upset Auburn and Arkansas upset LSU.  Dance committee will have some tough decisions.

March 6

ASU lost to the basement Huskies- it appears the Pac12 T would sort out the Dance tickets. 

March 8

 Oregon took the opening of UCLA's loss to USC and the Pac12 crown with a win over Stanford. Zona and Colorado had bad losses to respectively, Washington and Utah. West Virginia got a big win over Baylor in the B12 and TX got rolled by OK St.

March 21

 Sometimes the one and done guys don't improve their draft value. It's no surprise #AnthonyEdwards is leaving Georgia for the NBA, but I think his season was decent not great, and it may hurt him a little during the draft. In his final three college games, he shot 11-for-55 from the field.

March 29

 Shaka stays: Smart is 90-78 (40-50 Big 12) in five seasons and has led Texas to two Dance appearances. Horns were right on the bubble before Covid short circuited the season.

april 30,  2020

 #DaishenNix became the third high school prospect to agree to enter the G League’s professional pathway program, agreeing to turn pro instead of attending UCLA. It appears the Gatorade group will reduce the number of  one-and-doners.

May1, 2020

 Steve Forbes, the new Wake Forest HC, and Currie, the WF AD, worked together when they were both at Tennessee. ETSU (Southern Conference) replaced Forbes with assistant Jason Shay who will be the interim HC for now.

May 24, 2020

When I saw the news that #EddieSutton , HoF coach , died , I thought about the Terps loss in rd2 of the 1988 Dance to his Kentucky team. That was a great season for Terps Coach #BobWade , a one-time legendary HS coach at Baltimore Dunbar High School, who would be forced out at MD by the end of the 1989 season.

June 2

Jason Terry is returning to Arizona his alma mater as an Asst Coach on Sean Miller's staff. He played on six NBA teams including the Mavs 2011 title team.

June 12

 A 10-year NCAA-mandated disassociation with the USC program ended on June 10 for Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo. Both players were subject of a huge probe into USC's athletic programs.

June 27,2020

In his first full recruiting cycle since taking over Arkansas(SEC) in 2019, Musselman signed four freshmen in the nation's No. 7 recruiting class and reeled in Indiana (B10) transfer Justin Smith.

7/4/20

Musselman keeps busy: David Patrick, the HC at UC Riverside(Big West), will be the Razorbacks' new associate head coach. Patrick was a major factor in LSU recruiting Ben Simmons. Highlanders elevated Mike Magpayo to replace Patrick.

7/24/20

#stanleyjohnson , who played for  UConn from 2006-10, was found dead in his home. No cause of death but foul play was ruled out. He was a former Mr Alabama of high school hoops.

03/27/21

I  blog from time to time  about the power conferences, and I'm starting to wonder if Austin is the blues capital for men's football and hoops. Or is Shaka not so Smart? Marquette  hired #ShakaSmart as its new head coach. He's a Wisconsin native and was 109-86 overall at Texas with a 52-56 mark in the Big 12 and no NCAAT victories. The rd1 Dance upset to Abilene Christian. may have been the final straw.

 He replaces Steve Wojciechowski, who may be on DePaul's wish list. He certainly has the Catholic background which includes playing basketball at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Baltimore City, but I'm not sure if he'll recruit  well in the Chicago area.

3/29/21

Heavy LA  flavor in the Elite 8 with USC beating Oregon  and UCLA beating Bama yesterday.

Three of the four teams playing today are former  SWC  schools.. Arkansas plays Baylor and Houston plays Oregon St, which wasn't a SWC member.

3/30/21

One former SWC team, the winner of Hou/BAY, will be in the final.  And, how about this in Hoosierland : They hired former Ohio State coach Thad Matta as an associate AD for basketball to serve in an advisory role to Mike Woodson , IU alum and new HC.  

4/1/21

TX hired Chris Beard(UT class of 95) from Texas Tech to be their new hoops HC, but will owe TT a $4 million buyout payment since he is leaving for another school within the state.It would have been 5m but dropped to $4m today under terms of his contract .

Vic Shaefer, who TX hired away from Miss St, got the Horns gals to the Elite 8, while his replacement, Nikki McCray-Penson in Starkville, had a rough season with a talented Dawgs squad. She's on the hot seat after her first SEC season, and maybe thinking it was nicer at Old Dominion.

Hating the Tar Heels is in my Terp blood, but props to Roy Smith who retired today claiming he was no longer the right man for the job.

4/15/21

Tommy Lloyd, a longtime Gonzaga assistant , takes over the Arizona program, despite former Zona players lobbying for Zona guy which included Gilbert Arenas' silly comment that it's an error to hire an assistant coach to be a head coach.

5/15/21

Pac-12 hires MGM Resorts executive #GeorgeKliavkoff as commissioner to replace Larry Scott as Commish. So there were no other qualified candidates with NCAA resumes? I heard Oliver Luck was in the running.

5/16/21

Gonzaga and UCLA hoops have been working to run back Final Four classic in the 2021/22 regular season, which is a great move.

june 22, 2021

Love this hoops matchup: Colorado will play Tennessee in Nashville on Dec . 4, 2021

Jan 14, 2023

By the skin of his teeth, Kevin Warren avoided hurting the Big 10 by deciding to at least play a shortened football schedule in 2020. Jury remains out on how much acquiring USC and UCLA will help the conference. Now he's off to run the hapless Chicago Bears. I don't think he's the answer for Chi-town.

MACkin into 2020 hoops

Coach Groce rode his success with Ohio to a B10 job at Illinois which didn't go well ,and now it appears he has #Akron on the rise. #XeriusWilliams scored 23 to lead Akron(13-3, 3-0) past Ball St(9-7,2-1). 75-60 just when I thought the Cards were playing well. Akron's OOC losses were close ones to Louisville, West Virginia, and by 13 to Liberty. Kent St(12-3,2-0) and Central Michigan(9-6,2-0) are the other MAC teams undefeated  in conference play. 
Buffalo(10-6, 1-2 )  beat Miami (OH)(7-9, 0-3 ) 83-78 for its first MAC win this season.

Jayvon Graves BUFF (25 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST) . Dalonte Brown M-OH (18 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST)

jan 19

 Marreon Jackson hit seven 3-pointers and scored a career-high 36 points for Toledo in a 99-89 win over Akron(4-1), which is the Zips first MAC loss. Bowling Green(4-1) nipped NIU 66-64 to  move into a tie with Akron atop the MAC East
  Ball State(4-1) used balanced scoring in its defeat of Miami (Ohio) 71-62 to remain atop the MACW.

Jan 25

 #DannyPippen had 20 points for Kent State(4-3) in a 70-66 win over Buffalo(4-3) which ended their three game losing streak . Akron and Bowling Green  sit atop the East with 5-1 records while Ball St(4-1) leads the West.

Jan 29

  Gabe Grant's blocked a shot with ten seconds to go  to preserve  Buffalo(5-3) 77-74 win over Akron(6-2). Troy Simons scored 21 points in Kent St(6-3) win over Toledo. Troy Diggs scored 25 point for Bowling Green (7-1) in a win over Ball St  to take sole possession of first in the East.

Feb 1

  Justin Turner scored 23 points and Dylan Frye added 17  for Bowling Green(8-1) in a 78-77 win over Buffalo(5-4) while Kent St(6-3) edged Akron(6-3). CMU(4-2) and NIU(5-3) are tied for the first in the West.

Feb 6

 Dallas Morgan scored  29 points for  Central Michigan(6-2) in a 92-82 win over Bowling Green(8-2), the East leader,  and moved into a tie for first in the West with NIU(7-3), a winner over Toledo. Ball St (6-3)is a half game back in the West.

Feb 8

Buffalo's win over CMU(6-3) gave NIU(8-3) the chance to gain ground in the West and they did with a narrow 57-54 win over Kent St.  Eugene German NIU - G (27 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST)

feb 12

Akron(8-3) got a big win over Bowling Green(9-3)  in the East battle while Ball St(7-4) gained ground in the West its win over NIU(8-4) . Loren Cristian Jackson scored 28 points for Akron.

feb 15

 Loren Cristian Jackson scored 31 points for his third 30-plus for Akron(19-6, 9-3 MAC)in a 80-67  win over CMU(13-11, 6-5 MAC) . Buffalo(16-9, 7-5 MAC) who defeated Toledo last night. Akron is tied with Bowling Green for first in the East while Buffalo is 2GB. CMU fell  further behind  NIU(8-4) and Ball St (7-4) in the West.

feb 22

Buffalo (7-5) got a big win over Kent St in a wild OT game last night to stay within striking distance of East leaders Akron , and Ball St  who are tied at 10-3.

feb 29

 Loren Cristian Jackson scored 35 points for Akron(12-4) in an 85-73 win over Buffalo which mioves them into a tie for first with Bowling Green in the East.

march 7

Akron hung on against feisty Kent St while Buffalo beat Bowling Green,  which enabled the Zips to win the East and also nab the the 1 slot in the MACT. Ball St trounced NIU to tie for first in the West and get the three seed. BG is the 2 and NIU is the four. Top 4 earned round 1 byes.

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.

What's left of O5 bowl games

SERVPRO FIRST RESPONDER BOWL:  WKU(CUSA) has a knack  for pulling games out thanks to a solid D. WMU (MAC) has plenty of O Jon Wassink WMU (222-371, 2904 YDS, 19 TD), LeVante Bellamy WMU (248 CAR, 1412 YDS, 23 TD) . I'll roll with the Hilltoppers D.
WKU 19 WMU 17
AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL: #23 Navy(AAC) will get rushing TDs, but Kansas State QB Skylar Thompson will get in gear for a KSU 30-28 win
NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL: Wyoming(MWC) takes advantage Georgia State's (Sunbelt) weak D in a 26 -13 win . Valladay rushes for a 100+ for the Cowboys.
TICKETSMARTER BIRMINGHAM BOWL: Boston College vs #21 Cincinnati(AAC). I love Cincy in this onewith Michael Warren rushing for 125+ in  a 33-20 win.
FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL: Ohio(MAC) Nevada(MWC) Rourke by ground and air leads the Bobcats to a 27-23 win.
LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL: Southern Mississippi(CUSA) Tulane(AAC)  He!! of a regional matchup being played in Fort Worth, TX. McMillan lifts the Green Wave to a 31 -29 win over USM
LENDINGTREE BOWL: ULL(Sunbelt) Miami (OH)(MAC) The Redhawks flying pattern is erratic so I'm banking on the the Cajuns QB, Levi Lewis to lead ULL to a 37 -20 win.
dec 30- Correct on WKU but just barely. The Hilltoppers  were given the final play after a five-yard defensive substitution penalty by WMU and made a FG with no time on the clock. Before that they made a FG with 1:36 on the clock. WKU 23 WMU 20
Jan 1- I was wrong on Navy who got a last second FG to beat KSt 20-17. Valladay did better than I guessed with 204 yards rushing and 2 TDS against GaSt. Freshman QB Levi Williams was a bit wild but was involved in four TDS. Props to Ellington , the Ga St QB, who accounted for 236 yards and two touchdowns despite playing with a torn right ACL. WYO 38 GA St 17

jan 3

I'm not sure why BC was there. Cincy dominated the entire game in a 38-6 win. 

jan 4

 They dumped fries on Ohio Coach Solich after the Potato Bowl win over Nevada and he ate one. LOL

jan 4 afternoon

On a roll lately as the bowl season winds down. Green Wave started slow but crested by the 3rd quarter.  J. McMillan(13-18, 215 YDS, 3 TD)had a great game for Tulane in the 31-13 win over USM

Jan 7

I went 6-1 in this bunch of games . Levi Lewis, ULL QB, tossed for 246 yards and 2TDs in a 27-17 win over Miami O.
Final O5 conference bowl standings. AAC(4-3) cusa(3-5), mac(3-4) MWC(4-3) SUNBELT(3-2)

March 30

 Not much news but I saw this: Georgia State lands Noel Ruiz, a grad transfer and FCS All-American kicker from NC A&T .

May 29, 2020

   Wyoming (MWC) will square off Sept.  25, 2021, at UConn. And this came about because of the Georgia/Clemson game announced earlier this year.  While I try to figure out why, I noticed that UConn has scheduled some big $$ future games, UNC, Michigan, and Ohio St, in its Independent future.

June 20, 2020

For you southern boys: Duke’s Mayo replaces Belk as a Bowl sponsor of the annual game in Charlotte which features an ACC team versus a team from either the Big Ten or SEC. Kentucky(SEC) beat Virginia Tech(ACC) 37-30 in the Belk Bowl on 12/31/19.

July 6, 2020

Here's the final payout for the MWC schools allowing Clemson & UGA to play in the "Kickoff" game. Clemson will pay Wyoming $1.1 million, and Georgia will cut San Jose State a $1.8 million check

Dec 27- 30 O5 bowl games

Military Bowl: Two erratic teams. Temple (AAC) VS UNC(ACC). UNC got within a point of Clemson in a loss but fell to AppST. I suspect the ground game with Carter and two guys named Williams will do enough for a Heels  24-20 win over Temple, who lost to Buffalo but upset Memphis this season. I get the feeling the Owls aren't completely confident in their QB Russo.
Cheez-It Bowl: Air Force ground attack against Wazzoo aerial show in the first ever metting of these squads on the football field. Maybe Easop Winston , WSU WR, kicks it in gear. Washing St(PAC12) 41 AFA(MWC) 35
Cotton Bowl: Memphis(AAC) has some solid tools on Offense led by the passing of Brady White and running of Gainwell, but the don't see them getting by the tough Nittany Lions. Penn St (B10) 37 Memphis 27

dec 28

A Friday split: wrong on AFA, right on UNC.
AFA rushed for 378 yards with Remsberg getting 178 and Birdow 108. WSU rolled  the dice and lost on a few 4th and short attempts. AFA 31 WSU 21
Howell (25-34, 294 YDS, 3 TD) , UNC QB,  and the rest of the Tar Heels O had a great day in a 55-13 romp over Temple.

dec 29

Roy Patterson, the Memphis kicker , hit six FGs including a 51 yarder, to keep the Tigers close, but the Lions D scored a key TD at a crucial point in the 2nd half and Journey Brown rushed for 202yards  and 2 TDs on 16 carries in a 53-39 Penn St win.
I finished 2-1 in this set.

april 21, 2020

Both Memphis RBs, Gibson and TaylorJr, are getting a lot of consideration in mock drafts, but don't forget Darrell Henderson, a rd3 pick from Memphis in 2019  fell flat for the Rams last season. My favorite O5 RB in this draft is I, #ElijahMitchell from Louisiana Tech(CUSA) averaged 5.8 yards per carry for 1,092 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Chi-town area pre xmas 2019 hoops

Sometimes reading a print edition of the paper wakes me up to items I've missed.
The Coppin St Eagles , a Baltimore City university, who've been floundering in the MEAC for a few seasons beat Loyola of Chicago (MVC) early in November and just as I thought the Ramblers had stumbled in to a ditch, they upset Vandy(SEC)  76-72 last night .Krutwig  (22 pts, 10 assists)
DePaul (BIG East) has done well in pre conference play with wins over Iowa, Cincy, and Minnesota. Their sole loss was to Buffalo (MAC).
UIC Horizon) and Chicago St(WAC) have struggled big time.
Northwestern(Big10) had a nice win over Providence in November and came close against Sparty last night.

dec 21

It never fails:  I mentioned UIC's struggles and they go out out and beat UC Irvine(BIG West) 76-67. Ottey scored 18 for #UIC .

dec 25

On Sunday Dec 22 Chicago St Cougars lost to Indiana St(MVC) 85-64.Xavier Johnson and Isaiah Lewis led each scored  17 points in the defeat. Cougars head to Missouri(SEC) for a game on Dec 30
Loyola of Chicago lost to Davidson (A10). Marquise Kennedy scored 16 points off the bench for the Ramblers in  the loss.

DEC 29

#GodrenBoahen scored 21 points off the UIC bench in a 71-66 win over Cleveland St

jan 5, 2020

#depaul is missing those pre Xmas days. They're 0-2 in the Big East. Paul Reed had 24 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks for the Blue Demons in a 66-65 loss to Providence who won when Nate Watson sank a free throw with a second left. Depaul lost to Seton hall 74-63 on Dec 30.

jan 19

DePaul got its first Big East win this season by knocking off # 5 Butler . #paulreed was the top Blue Deacon (23 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST) 79-66. Northwestern(B10) hung close but lost to Illinois 75-71. Tarkus Ferguson(16 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST) led UIC to a 75-66 win in Horizon Conference action.

feb 6

Loyola of Chicago only scored 16 points in the second half of  68-39 loss  to Indiana St in MVC game . Both teams are tied for third with 7-4  records. NIU (9-2) SIU( 8-3) are ahead of them in the MVC

feb 15

My occasional interest in Chicago area teams caused me to check in on the UIC((12-15, 7-7)/Wright St(22-5, 12-2) game last night. Tarkus Ferguson scored 18 points  for UIC in its 75-58 loss. Wright St has a one game lead over Northern Kentucky(19-7,11-3) , who hasn't appeared to be miss  a beat since Coach Brannen moved on to Cincy,  in Horizon League.

March 10

 Tarkus Ferguson scored 25 points for Illinois-Chicago in 73-56 win over Wright St to  advance to its first Horizon League title game since 2004. They'll face Northern Kentucky. Wright St finished first in Horizon in regular season play but may miss the Dance.

March 11

UIC made a run at NKU late and their press did some damage , but NKY punched the Horizon Dance ticket with a 71-62 win. 

T. Ferguson (ILLCH)I15 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST

T. Sharpe (NKY)16 PTS, 3 AST March 26 UIC has been talking a lot about getting to the Dance since they haven't punched a Dance ticket since 2004. They hired LukeYaklich, an assistant coach at Texas and a native of Illinois, to replace Steve McLain, who had three consecutive winning seasons. I bet McLain gets another HC gig soon. april 3  #DaveLeitao received a contract extension through 2023-24. I guess Depaul ADMIN saw signs of improvement, but after starting 12-1 last season they  finished16-16 overall. The Blue Demons  had solid victories against Iowa, Texas Tech and Butler but collapsed during the Big East Conference season. may 19, 2020  I was reading through my blog to see if I missed any hints that  Green Bay would fire Linc Darner who had a winning record in three of the past four seasons and took them to Dance in 2016, his first season. He was 96-80 in five seasons and  had Amari Davis,  Horizon League Freshman of the Year, returning this season.The "Zoom" coach search begins. June 9, 2020

Green Bay(Horizon) announced Will Ryan , the son of former Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, as its next HC. He was HC at Div II Wheeling U in West Virginia last season. I'm still looking for published reasons as to why Darner was canned.

June 17, 2020

Robert Morris(NEC) is joining the Horizon League beginning in the 2020-21 academic year for everything except football. The school is  located in  Moon Township, Pennsylvania and most of the Horizon League is located in the Midwest. RMU will join Fort Wayne as the conference’s 11th and 12th members this fall.

July 15, 2020

Robert Morris stays in the news. They will replace Fordham on Hawaii's 2020 football schedule. The football team is a 1AA Independent this season before moving to the Big South.

Nov 22, 2020

 #carmitacoleman , a former Chicago State University professor, faces federal charges for allegedly embezzling over $650,000 from Student National Pharmaceutical Association, a national organization geared toward providing opportunities to minority students.  Perhaps this is one of many reasons Chicago St, a WAC member, has so many financial problems.

Feb 14, 2021

Checking back in with Chi-town hoops. It's appears  those Catholics at Loyola-Chicago are getting into Dance mode. Aher Uguak sparked the Ramblers (18-3, 13-1 MVC) scoring eight points in a two-minute span and finishing with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting in 81-54 win over Drake (19-2, 10-2 MVC).

UIC  was swept by IUPUI, a Horizon League foe.

DePaul Blue Demons (3-9 Overall | 1-9 Big East - 11th) lost to Providence and sits alone in the Big East cellar.

Chicago St (0-9) hasn't played since just before Xmas 2020 and did play a WAC opponent. It sure appears as if  its sports program is nearly dead.

Feb 15, 2021

In the season of back to back matchups, Tremell Murphy scored 17 points, for Drake who rallied past No. 22 Loyola Chicago 51-50 on Sunday.

Aug 1, 2023

Appears NW football is setting up Skip Holtz, now a special assistant, to be the HFC in 2024. Somehow NW hoops HC Chris Collins has escaped the "hazing " storm?

Loretta Lynch will likely try to emasculate football at NW. Big 10 may need to raid another conference.

She stayed loyal to the Clintons during email scandal etc.

Aug 4, 2023

Here come the lawyers: Packers CEO Mark Murphy, the NW AD from 2003-07, is a defendant in a lawsuit by two former players, who both filed under "John Doe," were at Northwestern from 2004 to 2008.

Aug 10, 2023

'Cats Against the World' t-shirts," worn by players. NW AD says tone deaf. HC says I don't censor.

Sept 4, 2023

Rutgers 24 NW 7. It going to be a long season in Chicago. UTEP(CUSA) comes to NW- Cats looking at (0-2)?

Also, NW plays Chicago St in hoops this December.

Dec 23-26 O5 bowl games

BAD BOY MOWERS GASPARILLA BOWL- #herd  has a  decent D and Knox, a solid RB, but they won't keep pace with the Black Knights O. UCF(AAC) 38 Marshall (CUSA) 27
SOFI HAWAI'I BOWL- Zach Wilson will get back in gear and toss a few TD passes against Hawaii in a squeaker. BYU 27 Hawaii(MAC) 26
WALK-ON'S INDEPENDENCE BOWL Which Canes squad blows into Shrevport? The one that lost to FIU(CUSA) or the one who beat ACC opponents, UVA and Louisville? I suspect the Canes D will contain J'Mar Smith and beat Louisiana Tech (CUSA) 26 -17
QUICK LANE BOWL: I don't underrate the ACC as most of the national pundits do and like Pitt to roll over Eastern Michigan(MAC) 31-16. Kenny Pickett will toss two TD passes for the Panthers and the Pitt D will contain EMU QB, Mike Glass III.

dec 24

I got close on the Herd's point total and picked the game correctly. UCF 48 Marshall 25 . Knights controlled this game except for the 3rd quarter.

dec 25

BYU fought back from Hawaii's fast start to to only trail 31-24 at halftime and fell 38-34. Big game for  Cole McDonald HAW (28-46, 493 YDS, 4 TD) Incorrect pick on this one .

dec 27

I end up with a 2-2 split in this batch of picks
Canes get blanked by La Tech 14-0. The U has issues and J'Mar smith did enough for the Bulldogs on O. 
Pitt 34 EMU 31. Glass tossed for 311 yards with two touchdowns and ran for 83 yards and a TD for EMU, but he also threw punches at the end, too. Pickett completed 27 of 39 passes for 361 yards and 3 TDs, including the game winner to Taysin Mack with 47 seconds to go.

Jan 14, 2020

 Washington St  names Hawaii's Nick Rolovich head coach. Rolovich runs an Air Raid type offense similar to the one runby Mike Leach, the man he's replacing.
Feb 4: Here's a rare move: #ObiObialo , #herd Wr, transfers to Oklahoma.

feb 13, 2020

The first ever BYU football game in the state of Illinois will not come in DeKalb. NIU has scheduled it for SeatGeek Stadium, a soccer venue is in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview.

feb 22, 2020

 Marshall's(CUSA) game vs. East Carolina(AAC), originally scheduled for Sept. 5 in Greenville, NC, has been moved to Aug. 29 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium(ECU home field) as a feature game in Week Zero. The game will honor the the 50th anniversary of the airplane crash on Nov. 14, 1970,when so many #herd players and coaches died on a return trip from playing ECU.

march 19

Marshall(CUSA) and UNLV(MWC) will be on Notre Dame's 2022 schedule.  Rare matchups

april 22, 2020

All the doom and gloom from Covid 19 and  the Independence Bowl  lands Radiance Technologies as its new title sponsor.

June 18, 2020

I'm pretty sure this is a first:  University of Kentucky moved its  2020 opener against Eastern Michigan(MAC) from Sept 5 to Sept 3 to avoid a conflict with the Kentucky Derby.