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 tourney time in March 2022

 Sunbelt tournament tipped off in Pensacola, FLA last night with some mild upsets. Ark-LR(3-11) knocked off South Bama(9-7) 75-71 and Georgia Southern (5-11) knocked off CCU(8-8) 70-64.  In other action ULL beat UTA and Ark St beat ULM.

No upsets in AAC action as its tourney nears Memphis, Houston, SMU, and Tulane won last night.

NTX beat UTSA and should be the 1 seed in the CUSAT.

San Diego St needed two OTs to edge Fresno St 65-64 and will not catch Boise St for the top seed in the MWCT.

March 5, 2022

Heading toward the MACT: I was impressed at how Kent St held off a hot Buffalo squad. Toledo rolled Bowling Green, and I haven't forgotten Akron who edged CMU last night.

March 6, 2022

And just like that, TX St ain't Dancin. Jordan Brown scored 31 to lead ULL to an upset of TX St. The other SBCT winners yesterday were: Troy over Ark-LR, App St over Georgia Southern, and GA St over Ark St. Today's matchups Ga St/ULL, App St/Troy.

In the CUSA North Texas was upset by UTEP yesterday, but they 'll still be the top seed in the CUSAT ahead of UAB.

March 7, 2022

Penny has the Memphis Tigers in high gear. They owned Houston yesterday and their only loss in the last eleven games is to SMU who now sits on the bubble.

March 8, 2022

Georgia St is the Sunbelt Dance ticket holder. Corey Allen scored 29 points for GA St in an 80-71 win over ULL.

March 11, 2022

MACT: I'm surprised that CMU(7-23) took Toledo to the brink before losing 72-71. Others advancing: Ohio, Akron, and Kent St

CUSA: LA Tech beat WKU which is a minor upset. NTX, UAB, and MTSU advance.

MWCT:  Boise St survived a battle with Nevada(13-17). Colorado st, Wyoming, SDST keep playing.

March 12, 2022

CUSA: What a difference in games. UAB 102 MTSU 98 in 3OTs. NTX only scored 13 points in the 1st half and lost 42-36 to LA Tech.

MAC:  I've been tracking Akron who beat Toledo and thought it would be interesting to see Coach Cooper face his former team Ohio in the MACT final, but Kent St knocked off Ohio.

MWC: SDST knocked off # 23 Colorado St and Boise St beat Wyoming. I don't see the MWC getting four Dance tickets.

AAC:  Houston vs Tulane. Memphis vs SMU. I think Memphis and Houston are Dancing, but Tulane and SMU need to win the AACT for a Dance ticket.

March 13, 2022

"Jelly'' Walker sunk 11 of 11 from the free-throw line and scored 27 points for UAB in an 82-73  win over La Tech  in the CUSAT final

Freeman (23 PTS 8 REB 2 AST) led Akron to a 76-55 win over Toledo in the MACT final and a Dance ticket.

Boise St edged SDST 53-52 in the MWCT final

In the AACT Houston rolled Tulane and Memphis beat SMU 72-63 setting up a Houston/Memphis game today. SMU hung tough and may be on the bubble but  it depends on how deep the Dance Committee goes in the SEC and Big 12. Plus Va Tech upset Duke in the ACC final. 

Frank Haith resigned from Tulsa and Dooley is out at ECU.

March 14, 2022

Jax St (future CUSA) gets Auburn in an intrastate matchup. UAB(CUSA) gets Houston(AAC).

March 25, 2022

The chip is getting bigger for Houston who beat Zona last night. Man was I wrong on them in the Dance. Picking UAB over HOU in rd1 haunts me.

Hovering over Chi-town area college hoops

 Impotent Evansville scored 12 +19 in an 82-31 MVC loss at Loyola of Chicago. L of C is tied with NIU for the MVC lead and I'm sure they'd like another MVC title before they join the Atlantic 10 next season. SIu rolled Illinois St 90-69 in other MVC action.

Earlier blog on Chicago hoops: https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2021/02/chicago-hoops-weak-depaul-and-more.html

Feb 25, 2022

Zion Griffin had 21 points as UIC turned back Green Bay 81-77 in Horizon action , and Clev St fell to Detroit Mercy, which used to be the U of Detroit when Spencer Haywood and Dick Vitale were there. 

Feb 27, 2022

NIU outscored LoC 15-9 in OT for a 102-96 win and the MVC regular season title.

Feb 28, 2022

Javon Freeman-Liberty scored 39 points as DePaul(14-14, 5-13 Big East) turned back St. John's 99-94  while UConn kept GTown winless in the Big East. 

March 2, 2022

 Kevin Johnson scored 21 points for UIC in an 80-69 win over Milwaukee in the first round of the Horizon League Tourney. Flames won their final three regular season games in the Horizon and could be a spoiler.

March 3, 2022

That Liberty kid went off again for DePaul again last night in a win over Marquette. If they beat UConn, a loser to Creighton last night, on Saturday, you can expect the Blue Demons(15-14, 6-13) to upset someone in the Big East T.

Chicago St(WAC) follows up its upset of NMST with a 62-53 loss to Cal Baptist in conference play.

MARCH 4, 2022

UIC lost to Purdue- Fort Wayne in the HorizonT

Ill St beat Indiana St to advance in the MVCT

March 5, 2022

MVCT: Loyola of Chicago cruised by Bradley so we may see the nuns in the stands at Dance again. Ill St lost to UNI and SIU lost to Drake.

LoC faces UNI, and Drake faces Missouri State today.

March 6, 2022

DePaul gave UConn a tough game but could not stop Sanogo (26 PTS 11 REB 1 AST) under the basket.. UConn 75 DEP 68

Lookout for the nuns : Loyola of Chicago handled UNI easily and will face Drake in the MVCT final.

March 8, 2022

 WAC tournament tips of at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV.  B. Betson(14.3 ppg)  and his Chicago St(7-24, 3-15) teammates face UVU in what  may be one of its last one WACT s as they look for a conference closer to Chicago.

Wright State(20-13, 15-7) faces Northern Kentucky(20-11, 14-6) in the HorizonT final

March 20, 2022

Wright St won the play in game over Bryant and gave Arizona a hard time in the first half before  getting rolled.

Loyola of Chicago lost to Ohio St.

Illinois played a ragged game and was lucky to survive Tenn-Chattanooga

In the NIT, UNI got rolled by BYU

Sean Miller escaped the mess in Arizona and reportedly turned down South Carolina to return to Xavier(Big East)

March 21, 2022.

Houston rolled Illinois, who looked ragged.

Missouri is reportedly close to hiring Dennis Gates of Cleveland State(Horizon). He's had some solid seasons but not awesome for a smaller conference.

March 22, 2022

Ryan Pedon , ex Ohio State assistant coach, who was the No. 2 pick for the Cincinnati job a year ago, is the new Illinois State HC. I didn't recall him being that close to Cincy job last off-season.

May 23, 2022

After stumbling at Georgia, Tom Crean could be headed back to the state of Indiana. Evansville has him on its list. He compiled a 190–66 record at Marquette (.664) and 166–135 record at Indiana (.551). 

July 9, 2022

Chicago St remains in limbo since leaving the WAC. It won't survive in 1A hoops as an Independent.

Crean didn't get the Evansville gig. David Ragland joins Evansville following a 1-year stint as an assistant coach at Butler University.

Lewis and Clark hoops somewhat 021822

 East Coast guy catching up. Here's some older blogs:

https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2020/07/pacific-northwest-hoops-chatter-in.html

https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2020/01/p5-pigskin-on-hardwood-january-2020.html

I don't think anyone saw this quick of a turnaround for Zona(Pac12) after Tommy Lloyd was named its head coach last April after serving as an assistant coach at Gonzaga(WCC) for the last 22 seasons. Zags have remained top notch w/o Lloyd and Saint Mary trails them by 3 in the conference. 

Arizona is up by three games on USC and UCLA and by four games over Oregon ASU is 5-9 in P12action and I wonder if Hurley will be hurled out of town.

New Mexico St(11-2) remains a #WAC powerhouse, but the infusion of new teams has shaken up the top top tier. Seattle(11-2) is finally having some success, and newcomer Sam Houston (11-3) has been a revelation. Darrion Trammell leads with Seattle with a16.3 PPG, and Savion Flagg leads SHS with a 19.5 PPG. Exploration of small conferences forthcoming.

Feb 20, 2022

Bennedict Mathurin(24 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST) helped the Cats survive the Ducks AZ 84, OR 81. UCLA crushed UW 76-50

Zags beat Santa Clara to remain undefeated in WCC play, and St Mary's beat BYU, who have one more season to get in gear for a Big 12 schedule.

NMST, SHS, and Seattle won WAC games yesterday. Riley Grigsby(23 PTS, 5 REB, 1 STL) had a solid game for Seattle in 67-64 win over Cal Baptist.

In Big West action Ajay Mitchell scored 20 points for UC Santa Barbara in an 84-71 win that snapped Long Beach State's 11-game winning streak.

Feb 22, 2022

I don't know if it's good enough for the NCAA committee's NET tool but keep your eyes on San Fran in the WCC. Khalil Shabazz had 21 points as San Francisco(22-7,9-5) rolled past Pacific 104-71.

NMST beat Seattle and remains the WAC boss.

Feb 25, 2022

I tuned into the start of the Gonzaga/San Francisco, game and the Zags didn't miss a shot in the first few minutes and went on to a 89-73 win. St Mary's handled San Diego and will remain in the top 25.

In Pac 12 play Oregon upset UCLA, USC beat Oregon St, and Zona beat Utah to reach 15-1 in conference play.

Feb 27, 2022

St Mary's upset of Gonzaga kept them firmly in the bubble picture. San Fran, Santa Clara, and BYU won WCC matchups to maintain a pulse for Dance hopes.

I'm unsure what to make of Zona 's loss to Colorado, and USC survived Oregon in Pac 12 news.

Chicago St has been horrible for years, however yesterday's 61-59 win over NMST(WAC) on Brandon Betson's game-winning layup with 2.4 seconds fits into yesterday's pattern of big upsets. Some chatter about Chicago St joining the Summit Conference, which is a better geographical fit.

March 5, 2022

In the WCC, Zags and St Marys will be dancing but other teams need big wins and probably to win the WCC tourney. BYU rolled LMU and will face San Francisco while Portland beat San Diego and will face Santa Clara.

March 6, 2022

Shabazz (22 PTS 4 REB 2 AST) lead SANFRAN over BYU and faces the Zags next

Santa Clara rolled Portland 91-67 and plays St Marys

Ducks are sinking under water. They got crushed 91-71 by Wazzoo and are in a three way tie for 5th with Wazzoo and UW in the Pac 12.

March 8, 2022

WCC final at Orleans Arena in Vegas has its top two teams, Gonzaga/St Marys  which will likely mean these are its two Dance ticket teams.

March 9, 2022

Zags were ready to play last night and beat St Marys 82-69. 

Former WAC member Cal St Bakersfield beat CSU Northridge in rd1 of the Big West T. Both teams have had bad seasons. 

Cal Baptist beat UTRGV in rd1 of the WACT.

March 12, 2022

Big West: CSU Fullerton beat Hawaii and Long Beach St beat UCSB to make it the final tonight.

WAC: Well, we have an all southwest flavor to the WACT final. New Mexico St beat GC, and Abilene Christian beat Seattle last night. AC(Southland Conference) beat Texas in rd1 of the 2021 Dance , which was  the final straw for Shaka in Austin,TX, and also led to Joe Golding leaving AC for the UTEP HC job.

Pac12: Zona beat Colorado and UCLA beat USC to reach the Pac12 final. Both these teams are dancing, and USC will slide in and possibly CU, but I think the Ducks played their way out.

March 13, 2022

Before I get to tournament. title games, it appears that Grand Canyon(WAC) HC Bryce Drew is headed back to the SEC. He coached Vandy from 2016-19 and is high on the list to replace Will Wade at LSU.

Big West: E.J. Anosike scored 22 points for CSUF to escape with a 72-71 win over Long Beach in the title game.

Pac 12 : Zona beat UCLA 84-76

Big Sky: X. Bishop(19 pts, 8 assists) led Montana St to an easy 87-66 win over Northern Colorado.

March 18, 2022

WAC: I didn't pick them and good for NMST upsetting UConn. Allen NMST (37 PTS 6 REB 3 AST)

WCC: Zags  rolled Ga St. ,St Mary's crushed Indiana and  San Fran got close but fell in OT to Murray St.

Pac 12- UCLA got a scare from Akron but prevailed.

March 19, 2022

USC lost a tough one to Miami (FL). Trojans didn't have consistent go to guy on offense. Zona got a battle from Wright St before pulling away in the second half.

It didn't take long: Florida hired San Francisco's Todd Golden to be its men's basketball coach just hours after SF lost to Murray St 92-87 in OT of rd1. He was an assistant at Auburn (2014-16) 

March 20, 2022

 Tigers had no answer for Timme of Gonzaga. Arkansas contained New Mexico State's Teddy ''Buckets'' Allen and survived 53-48. NMST represented the WAC well in this Dance. UCLA beat Saint Marys 72-56 .

I forgot that Larry Brown was on the Memphis staff.

March 21, 2022

Zona survived OT and beat TCU. Two Pac 12 teams and a WCC team in the Sweet 16.

Jans leaves NMST for Miss St (SEC)

March 26, 2022

St Peters knocks out Purdue. Nine Dance tickets for the Big 10, zero spots in the E8.  ACC(3) , SEC (1), B12(1), MAAC (1), Big East(1) AAC(1)

March 29, 2022

Wazzoo(Pac12) is in the F4 of the NIT and will face TAMU(SEC) tonight, and that winner faces the Xavier(Big East)/St Bonaventure(A10) winner on Thursday.

New Mexico State(WAC) hired former Northwest Florida State coach Greg Heiar to replace Jans who took the Miss St job. Heiar led NFS to a NJCAA Division I national championship in 2021.

March 30, 2022 NIT

Xavier 84 St. Bonaventure 77

Texas A&M 72 Washington State 56

April 5, 2022

For the second year in a row, Dana Altman will need to replace one of his assistant coaches and top recruiters. Last season Stubblefield left for the Depaul HC gig. And now, Chris Crutchfield will be the next head coach at Nebraska- Omaha(Summit) after spending just one year in Eugene and recruiting Dior Johnson , a five star player, to Oregon for 2022. Johnson says he's staying with the Ducks. Hectic is a mild description of how it is to run a big time program.

April 7, 2022

I guess dusting off Fran Dunphy to take over as HC at Lasalle has started a trend. San Diego(WCC) hired  Steve Lavin who last coached at St Johns in 2015. Let's see if he can get the Toreros to compete with the Zags.

June 2, 2022

Timme pulled his name from the NBA draft pool and will be back with the Zags. Jules Bernard(UCLA) is rolling the dice  by staying in. Most folks see him in the G League. 

WAC news: Chicago St hasn't found a conference since it's WAC exit. Dixie St changed it's name to Utah Tech.

July 30, 2022

Gonzaga(WCC) will play Michigan State(Big10) on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln off the coast of San Diego for Veterans Day 2022. Humidity has forced cancellations in the past for some hoops games on carriers. 

Aug 3, 2022

Kentucky(SEC) and Gonzaga(WCC) agree to home-and-home series starting in Spokane. WA in 2022.

BTW, St Marys(WCC) will play Houston in Fort Worth TX and also has games versus San Diego St, and Vandy which could help its Dance resume.

Nov 3, 2022

 Gonzaga has been transparent with the WCC about its conversations to join the Big 12.

Bill Walton hopes UCLA's move to the Big 10 is rescinded.

Nov 8, 2022

Per Dan Patrick: San Diego St is Pac 12 bound.

Nov 10, 2022

A decade after Enfield coached Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16, his USC squad lost to his former team, 74-61, in LA on Monday night in the season opener for both teams. Enfield played hoops at Johns Hopkins U in Baltimore city.

Nov 11, 2022

I used to enjoy complaining about Tobacco Road hoops in North Carolina when Terps were in the ACC, now I just miss it.  Typical November FGCU loses to San Diego(WCC) after beating USC. UCLA hosts Illinois and visits MD in OOC play.

March 25, 2023

Jason Hooten joins New Mexico St after 13 seasons as the HC at Sam Houston State(WAC). He's got a tough task ahead after ex HC Heiar was fired in mid-season due to the numerous scandals on /off the court with the hoops squad. NMST and SHS will be in the CUSA in July 2023.

Circling back to Enfield, the USC HC who will soon be coaching regularly in the Big 10. He was an assistant at Maryland a long time ago.

April 8, 2023

Utah St(MWC) hires Montana State(Big Sky) HC Danny Sprinkle as Ryan Odom’s replacement.  Sprinkle led Montana State to back-to-back Big Sky tournament championships the past two seasons.

July 1, 2023

Pac12 stumbling and bumbling toward a media contract to save it's a^s has San Diego St stuck in limbo, and they will be a great addition, particularly for hoops to the Pac12. Yes, I think the Aztecs will land in the Pac12.

All the neon shining on Deion's football hopes has me wondering if Colorado basketball get some better players out of all the media attention.

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.

SEC Six Big12 Four in hoops challenge 012922 and onward

 How has Bama lost a game? Impressive win over Baylor. The Iron Bowl (ALA/AUB) is a big deal in hoops, too

Sooners' coach Moser may ask the nuns of Loyola-Chicago to pray for him.

You never know which LSU, Miss St, and OK St squads will show up.

TX HC Beard wins the "Barnes bowl", and his former team Texas Tech hasn't missed a beat since he left.

Calipari is back and Huggy(WV) is fading, despite giving Musselman's Razorbacks a battle.

More Self-analysis for the Jayhawks.

Since the B12 has four less teams than the SEC, Vandy beat Georgia were left out of yesterday events b

The Buzz has faded @ TAMU who lost to South Carolina.  I shook my head when the Ags hired Buzz Williams away from VTech a few years ago.

Feb 1, 2022

After Saturday games I thought Baylor would crush West Virginia, but Huggy's guys lost the lead after Taz Sherman(29 points) left the game due to a concussion.  BAY 81 WV 77.

Damion Baugh(20 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST) helped TCU pull away from the Sooners late. TCU 72  OK 63. Two teams headed in different directions.

Feb 2, 2022

"Iron Bowl" hoops started with some poor shooting and the refs swallowing their whistles for both sides, but Auburn played some D and pulled away late in the first half. AUB 100 Bama 81

Elsewhere in the SEC: Tennessee bounced back with a win over TAMU, and Ol Miss beat slumping LSU. Miss St got a much needed win, beating the Gamecocks 78-64.

In Big 12 action Texas Tech shaved the Beard in Austin. TT 77 TX 64, while Kansas bounced back well from the loss to Kentucky by beating Iowa St 70-61 despite a solid night for Izaiah Brockington(ISU - G  24 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST)

Feb 3, 2022

He!! of an effort from Scotty Pippen Jr.(VAN - G  33 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AS), but UK hung on . UK 77 VAN 70.

Nijel Pack (KSU - G 22 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST) was a key factor in the Wildcats win over OK St in this bubble matchup. K St 71 OK St 68

Feb 6, 2022

What a difference a week makes? Bama lost to UK and Baylor lost by a ton to Kansas. Auburn barely beat cellar dweller GA. LSU lost to Vandy again. Is Stackhouse's crew going to make a run?

Feb 8, 2022

 I couldn't keep my eyes open for the second half of TX win over Kansas. Nice move by Beard early in the game to feed the big men down low. Timmy Allen TEX - F

24 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST 

Feb 9, 2022

Arkansas won its 9th straight game, a huge OT win over Auburn last night.

Feb 10, 2022

Gibson scores 30 as Oklahoma(14-10, 4-7 CONF) upsets No. 9 Texas Tech 70-55. I'm sure Sooners' fans are still wondering about hiring Porter Moser from Loyola of Chicago as they remain on the bubble.

Feb 16, 2022

Vols are on a nice roll in February. Big upset of Kentucky last night. 

Ol Miss crumble continues with L to South Carolina.

Beard shaved off a two-point OT win in a Red River battle. TX 80 OK 78

Feb 23, 2022

Scotty's kid nearly rolled the Tide last night. Pippen Jr. VANDY 26 PTS 2 REB 6 AST. Ark beat FLA.  Moser continues to struggle at OK.  TT 66 OK 42

Feb 28, 2022

After what I saw yesterday in B10 action, the conference may be fifth among the power 5 conferences. I loved Ayala leading the Terps to a 75-60 win over the Buckeyes and was laughing at Nebraska killing PennSt a few days after Nebraska(8-21, 2-16) said they were keeping Coach Holberg. Every season the B10 gets more than their share of Dance tickets.

Illinois beat Michigan and Indiana beat Minnesota.

March 2, 2022

Two in a row for Nebraska. NEB 78 Ohio St 70. Plus, Wisky beat Purdue in B10 action.  In the B12 TCU knocked off Kansas.

March 3, 2022

Terps win again. This time it was Minnesota. I suspect Danny Manning wants the interim term removed. Manning's replacement at Wake Forest, Steve Forbes, has the Deacons in gear for the ACCT. They crushed NC St last night.

March 6, 2022

Another wild Saturday. SEC : LSU  beats Bama. Tenn  cools off Arkansas. TAMU beat Miss St and may have crept onto the bubble. That's what I get for criticizing Buzzcut.

Big 12:  OK St edged TT. Huggy's guys climb out of the cellar and beat Jamie Dixon's TCU squad. It takes me back to the Big East WVA/Pitt matchups when Dixon was the Pitt HC.

ACC: UNC spoils Coach K's day. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. BTW, it's difficult for me to root for any Tobacco Road team.

March 7, 2022

I noticed that Nebraska won again which hurt  Wisky. Funny how that vote of confidence for Hoiberg has sparked the Huskers.

March 10, 2022

Wake Forest loss to BC in the ACCT probably nixes its Dance chances. Deacons needed to win at least one game. Is Huggy going to stir the Big 12 pot. WV beat KST. Cuse  beat FSU by 39. Is Boeheim  going to be crying for another ticket? I suspect losing his son Buddy for one game for the punch will hurt him today against Duke.

March 13, 2022

Vols/Ags in the SECT final. Then VA Tech jumped off the bubble beating Duke in the ACCT. This will reverberate through the Dance committee this afternoon.

Plus, I hope they don't do their annual normal and selecting too many Big 10 teams.

March 21, 2022

Three ACC teams, Miami, UNC, and Duke, in the Sweet 16. Laranaga still has some magic left  from from 2006 when he took GW (Colonial, at the time) to to the F4.

March 25, 2022

''40 Minutes of Hell,'' returned for Arkansas in the win over the Zags . I have them in the F4. I had Texas Tech in the F4 but they lost to Duke. Also have Nova in the F4. The damn Auburn pick to win it all haunts me.

March 27,2022

Duke moves on to P4. I'm on the anybody but Duke train which may mean rooting for UNC. Tobacco road choices are so difficult for a life-long Terps' fan.

April 3, 2022

 LSU has no scholarship player remaining from its 2021/22 team.

Aug 12, 2022

St Peters upsets still haunts. I love a Cats-fight . Stoops/Calipari

# 4straightpostseasonwins.  UK's football program winning the Citrus Bowl in 2018, Belk Bowl in 2019, Gator Bowl in 2020 and Citrus Bowl again in 2021. What is also highlights is how UK's basketball program hasn't won a postseason game since 2019, most recently losing to Saint Peter's in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament after going 9-16 in the 2020-21 season and missing the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

Sunbelt 2023 or 2022 expansion reverberates

 Ark-Little Rock, a non-football member of the Sun Belt since 1991, is going to the Ohio Valley Conference on July 1st, 2022.

 UT Arlington, another non-football member is is a candidate to join the Missouri Valley Conference.

James Madison HC Curt Cignetti announced the hire of Matt Transue as the new Senior Director of Football Operations.

 Transue joins the Dukes with five-plus years of experience at the FBS level as it relates to the day-to-day operations of a football program. He spent five years in various positions at Va Tech from 2017-21 then was the DFO at Ga Southern last season. I'm sure Helton, the HC at Georgia Southern, ain't digging losing him to a future SBC opponent.

Division travel shouldn't be bad in the Sunbelt East: Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Marshall, Old Dominion and James Madison.

Jan 15, 2022

Sunbelt will let #herd, USM, and ODU, know on Jan 26 if they can join for 2022 instead of 2023.

Jan 22, 2022

UTA is set to join the WAC, not the MVC, on July 1, in time for the 2022-23 athletic season. The WAC is getting Texas-heavy. 

Feb 2, 2022

Various news outlets reports that JMU will be joining the Sunbelt in all sports starting in the fall of 2022, and the Dukes are slated to open their football season against MTSU on September 3.

Feb 5, 2022

America East bans Stony Brook Seawolves from conference tournaments because it's moving to the CAA, who did the same thing to James Madison for their move to the Sunbelt. Both schools will need to get at large bids to NCAA tournaments.

Feb 23, 2022

Marshall is suing C-USA in Cabell County, WV in a bid to exit early for Sun Belt and are claiming that the current bylaws on arbitration were not in effect when they joined the conference in 2003.

CUSA may want to move Liberty(Independent in football) in earlier than the planned 2023 date.

March 30, 2022

#herd, USM, and ODU got their wish and will join the SunBelt for 2022 football season. Conference USA will play with 11 members next season and has petitioned the NCAA for health and safety reasons, a lack of bye weeks, to play two football games in Week 0 in 2022.

April 23, 2022

Well, if the Sunbelt schedules more games against division opponents than travel should be reduced.

May 4, 2022

Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF are negotiating a settlement with the AAC to leave the league early and make their Big 12 membership official on July 1, 2023 . And watch the AAC try to speed up bringing in these CUSA teams: Florida Atlantic, Charlotte, North Texas, UTSA, Rice and UAB.

May 21, 2022

Sad news for Jax St , who's transitioning to 1A while it on its way to the CUSA in 2023. Assistant head football coach Calvin Magee(59) died after suffering a heart attack. He was an assistant to HC Rich Rod at several schools over the years and played four seasons at TE for TBay Buccaneers.

May 31, 2022

Georgia Southern (40-18) of the Sun Belt Conference will host a Baseball regional for the first time. East Carolina(AAC) and S.Miss (CUSA) are also hosting. BTW, ECU opens against Coppin St (MEAC), a small inner-city schooi in Baltimore, my home town.

June 10, 2022

It's official on July 1, 2023 :Cincinnati, Houston, UCF will join the Big 12 The Big 12 will field 14 teams in 2023 . The three schools will each pay the AAC $18 million over a 14-year period to leave the conference early. As an FBS independent, BYU will only have to pay $500,000 to leave the WCC for other sports, Six CUSA schools six schools will now officially join the AAC :Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB. and UTSA CUSA will also add four schools: Jacksonville State, Liberty, New Mexico State. and Sam Houston State.

July 21, 2022

I took a nap on the Sunbelt. JMU's Homecoming Weekend October 22: The Dukes will face Marshall, a team they’ve only played to twice in the 1990s. Marshall won both matchups.

July 29, 2022

Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall signed an NIL deal with Darlington Raceway( “Too Tough To Tame”). I can see this one working out well.

When I went to a few Nascar races at Dover around from 1998-2000, a lot of the long- time fans told me that Darlington was a track I should visit.