http://jblfl.com/cjbl/article?id=2404
This took too long.
The Quad got home from a Boston Crusaders game last night, couldn't sleep, and compiled the list. Today, still exhausted, the notes were compiled. That part was simply too long. So this will change...to what, who knows. But for today, enjoy an elongated weekend edition of The Quad.
Top 25
1. Duke (2-0, #1 Last Poll)
Day 1: Win vs Butler (88-57)
Day 3: Win vs Gonzaga (83-69)
Duke handled their business in two easy wins; five players are currently averaging between 10 and 12.5 points per game. The freshmen Travon Easley and Nate Dorsey look the part so far.
2. Indiana (2-0, 3)
Day 2: Win vs Seton Hall (60-45)
Day 4: Win vs Notre Dame (88-66)
The Notre Dame win is notable not because it's Notre Dame, but how Indiana responded when Notre Dame closed to within 4 (50-46) with 16:18 left. The Hoosiers won the rest of the game, 38-20, and did it with eleven players playing at least 12 minutes.
3. Kansas (2-0, 4)
Day 1: Win vs Virginia Tech (68-55)
Day 3: Win vs Texas A&M (76-52)
Easy wins, but we get treated to the fruits of their labor on Day 5,when the Jayhawks face Arizona. Ashton Carr is shooting 64% on 11 FGA in his first two games this year.
4. Arizona (2-0, 5)
Day 1: Win vs Xavier (62-52)
Day 3: Win vs Iowa (84-76)
The Iowa win was tough, but Jeremy Jawvell saw them through. He was 13-14 from the field, finishing wth 32 points and nine boards.
5. North Carolina (2-0, 6)
Day 1: Win vs Pacific (88-56)
Day 3: Win vs USC (83-73)
The Tar Heels were all over USC on Day 3, getting out to a 50-35 halftime lead; they led by 21 with 15:34 left, before holding off a furious Trojan rally. Dan Hargrove had 17-4-3 with two stelas in the win. The Tar Heels were 35-for-41 from the line (USC was 29-33); there were 51 calls between the two teams.
6. Michigan State (2-0, 7)
Day 2: Win vs West Virignia (70-54)
Day 4: Win vs UCLA (89-87)
They almost blew it against UCLA; they held a 61-51 lead with 1:22 left, only to see UCLA storm back to tie it. Cal Jones missed two free throws in the final 27 seconds, that helped the Bruins make up seven points in that span. Still, they got the win in overtime.
7. USC (1-1, 2)
Day 1: Win vs Wisconsin (76-62)
Day 3: Loss vs North Carolina (83-73)
The growing pains of Jordan Loose: 5-8, 15 points in win vs Wisconsin, but 3-13 (0-6 from 3), 18 points against UNC. The big bright spot: 12-12 from the line against UNC, 16-16 for the season.
8. Arkansas (2-0, 9)
Day 1: Win vs Maryland (77-75)
Day 3: Win vs Georgetown (74-73)
Lightning struck twice, as the Razorbacks have walked it off in both their games this year. These things come in threes...is UConn next? Arkansas has had some growing pains...their most-used lineup is -9, with a -12.5 Net, over their first two games. (Small Sample Size Theater)
9. Connecticut (2-0, 10)
Day 1: Win vs Utah (59-49)
Day 3: Win vs Iowa State (79-63)
Neither win has been particularly impressive, as the team has seemingly shifted to a more defensive approach this season. Sure, it's two games, and one was against Utah. They are averaging 46 ppg in the paint, eighth in the nation, which is a major surprise, given their slant towards offensive players on the perimeter.
10. Texas (2-0, 11)
Day 2: Win vs Georgia Tech (68-59)
Day 4: Win vs Purdue (69-68)
Texas iced their win against Purdue with five points in the final 1:03, the final bucket coming with :18 left. Purdue simply could not get a bucket to fall. Raijon Ward had 18 points and seven reboards to pace the Longhorns, while Wade Reeves posted 16 off the bench.
11. Washington (2-0, 12)
Day 2: Win vs Florida (84-71)
Day 4: Win vs George Washington (78-74)
The easy Florida win was a surprise, given what some are saying about the Gators. Freshman Daryl Mills has posted 24.5 ppg to start his season, including a ridiculous 5.5/6.0 (91.7%) rate from deep. Washington trailed GW by 17 late in the first half before zipping back into the game early in the second half.
12. Georgetown (1-1, 13)
Day 1: Win vs Wake Forest (88-69)
Day 3: Loss vs Arkansas (74-73)
The Hoyas aren't punished much for a close loss to a top-ten team. Demajeo Baker was solid against Wake, but they need more from him in the big moments. He had just nine against the Razorbacks.
13. Michigan (2-0, 14)
Day 2: Win vs Texas Tech (89-68)
Day 4: Win vs Clemson (76-68)
The good: Michigan rolled over a good team in Clemson, shooting 50% from the field. They have five players averaging double figures.
The bad: They were 2-11 from deep.
14. UCLA (1-1, 16)
Day 2: Win vs Marquette (68-57)
Day 4: Loss vs Michigan State (89-87)
The Bruins won't be punished for nearly pulling off an amazing comeback against Sparty. They also took care of a solid Marquette team. Bryson Sloan (maybe the most UCLA-named player ever) and Brachen Morrissey (or this is) are both averaging 16 ppg, though Sloan's is more sustainable.
15. Memphis (1-1, 8)
Day 2: Win vs Minnesota (62-52)
Day 4: Loss vs Virginia (72-61)
The Quad doesn't know whether to hammer Memphis for losing handedly to Virginia. In the end, it is the worst loss from a big team, and the teams above them lost to teams higher on this list. The culprit against the Cavaliers: 14-41 as a team from the field. Virginia shot 59% on 39 attempts. They simply ran cold in the second half, scoring 13 points in the final 12 minutes.
16. NC State (2-0, 17)
Day 2: Win vs Tulane (71-61)
Day 4: Win vs Pepperdine (75-68)
Just taking care of business...freshman PG Justin Noel is off to a nice start, averaging 21.5 ppg and 5.5 apg. Oddly enough, the 6'2 PG has had 24% of his places as the pick-and-roll man. That one is really curious.
17. Colorado (2-0, 18)
Day 2: Win vs Canisius (71-62)
Day 4: Win vs Louisville (79-68)
Another major SSST (Small Size Sample Theater) nugget: Colorado's main lineup is +4 in 22:11, but has a -5.9 Net. The offense was the issue (97.3 ORtg), though it's unsure where the breakdown is right now. PG Tevin Carr may be the one to investigate at the moment; he's shooting 29%, though with a 10-1 A/T ratio.
19. Kentucky (2-0, 19)
Day 2: Win vs Santa Clara (63-52)
Day 4: Win vs Stanford (66-53)
The Stanford faithful were crowing about a lack of respect after beating...ahem, Temple...97-70. Then came Kentucky. After spotting the Fightin Trees a 35-27 halftime lead, Kentucky dominated the second twenty, and won 66-63. Sam Meeking (17 pts) and senior stalwart guard Cedrick Cyrus (16) paced the Wildcats.
20. Virginia (2-0, NR)
Day 2: Win vs DePaul (58-45)
Day 4: Win vs Memphis (72-61)
The Memphis win is the most impressive one this week, and earned Virginia their place here. The Hoos won despite 25 fouls. Tony Eyles put up 26 off the bench in the win.
21. Florida (0-1, 15)
Day 2: Loss vs Washington (84-71)
The silver lining in Florida's loss to Washington: Freshman guard David Francois posted 19 points, including 7-7 from the line.
22. Purdue (1-1, 20)
Day 2: Win vs Houston (76-65)
Day 4: Loss vs Texas (69-68)
Purdue losing to Texas is nothing to feel bad about. Mo Carter at the point, though, has. The three lineups with him in there: -24.0, -19.1, -71.4 Net.
23. Missouri (2-0, NR)
Day 2: Win vs Loyola-Chicago (65-46)
Day 4: Win vs San Diego (75-66)
One has to wonder if there is any merit to 6'7 PG Derek Gibson's offensive explosion to start the year. But explosion, we mean more of a quasar, supernova situation. Yeah, he's posting 21 ppg...but supernovas turn into black holes. Will his 40.6% shooting (31% from inide the arc) be something to worry about?
24. Ohio State (2-0, NR)
Day 1: Win vs South Florida (71-68)
Day 3: Win vs Oklahoma (75-63)
Oklahoma wasn't what they were last year. And while Gilbert Hart won't be what Kyron Not Kerry Kittles was last year, he has acquitted himself okay so far: 50% shooting on seven attempts per game, 13.5 ppg. Ohio State has started this year at a 78.8 Pace, which is far slower than last year's team.
25. Cincinnati (1-1, 21)
Day 1: Win vs Auburn (66-53)
Day 3: Loss vs Kansas State (81-80)
After Glenn Harris hit two free throws with :20 left to put Cincinnati up one, he fouled BJ Stanley at the rim, with a second left. Stanley completed the bucket, then sank the bucket, to sink the Bearcats, 81-80. Harris was the main reason Cincinnati was in the game, with 23-11-4-2-1, including 10-11 from the line. So Cincy fans, be gentle on him, please.
Next: Kansas State (2-0), Stanford (1-1), Gonzaga (1-1), Minnesota (1-1), Villanova (0-1)