Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Top-25 Media Poll

#1 Vanderbilt (12-0)
“Once again the Commadores make their way to #1 with a perfect record with big wins over #15 Cincinnati as well as #20 Oregon, USC and Arizona State all at home. They still have 4 non-conference games left before starting SEC play vs #13 (10-0) Tennessee including a game on the road @(8-4) Memphis. Their current RPI is #3”

#2 Maryland (10-1)
“The Terps lone loss of the year was vs Iowa (85-74). Their current RPI is #12.” They beat Pitt on the road and beat Providence and Iowa at home"

#3 Notre Dame (11-0)
“The Irish are perfect but have played a pretty week non-conference schedule with their biggest win's being road wins over Arkansas and FIU. They have the #43 RPI”

#4 Clemson (11-0)
“Why the Tigers are not ranked head of the Irish is beyond me. Clemson owns a home win over #16 W. Virginia (81-72) and their RPI ranks #20”

#5 Indiana (11-1)
“The Hoosiers lone loss came to Oregon State at home but their biggest win is #7 Duke at home giving them the #17 RPI in the nation”

#6 NC State (11-0)
“Another team who wonders why they are not #3. The Wolfpack have the #16 RPI in the nation currently with 1 more game vs (9-6) Wyoming before starting ACC play”

#7 Duke (11-2)
“Another mystery is how Duke gets into the Top-10 with 2 “L’s”. Their RPI ranks #26, with their biggest “W” being on the road over (12-1) Arkansas (92-80). Their 2 loss’s were @ #6 Indiana and a road loss to (8-4) South Florida (65-64).

#8 UTEP (10-0)
“The Miners were labeled this year’s Cal Bears (meaning the team that could shock the nation and add another chip to the school trophy case). However their current RPI of #126 is nothing to be proud off”

#9 Boston College (9-1)
“The Eagles go into ACC play having won 4 straight since losing to South Carolina at home (85-78). Their current RPI is #23”

#10 Louisville (12-0)
“The Cardinals might be perfect, but 11 of those “W’s” came at home with only 1 road win over Texas A&M. Despite it all their RPI does rank #28”

#11 Florida State (14-1)
14!! Non-Conference games and now they have to play an ACC schedule. FSU’s only loss of the year was vs #21 Northwestern (94-72). Their current RPI is #32”

#12 Texas (8-1)
“Lost to Georgetown at home (70-57) and current RPI is #73”

#13 Tennessee (10-0)
“They opened the year with a 117-72 win over Memphis on the road and beat UConn (83-82) on the road. Their current RPI is #9”

#14 Minnesota (10-1)
“The Coaches love the Gophers and have them #6. They lost #2 South Carolina (84-73) but also have a big win over (10-2) Pitt giving them the #15 RPI”

#15 Cincinnati (8-2)
“The Bearkats won 5 in a row, before back to back “L’s” vs #1 Vandy and @ (9-3) Charlotte. Their current RPI is #4 in the nation”

#16 West Virginia (9-2)
“Coach Frizzell won 4 in row to kick off the year before falling @ #4 Clemson and vs Iona (65-62) but has since won 5 straight including a win over Virginia Tech as he heads into Big East play with the #27 RPI”

#17 Oregon State (12-1)
“With 3 Top-25 wins and the #1 RPI in the nation, Coach Deuce wants to know what it’s going to take to get a Top-5 ranking. Honestly I think he has something to gripe about with these current rankings. What’s worse is the coaches have the Beavers #18”

#18 Washington (9-2)
“The Huskies can be thankful they started the year ranked so high and that’s the reason why they are still in the Top-25. They go into Pac-10 play with the #42 RPI”

#19 Florida (10-3)
“The Gators started out 3-0 before losing to SMU at home and then to Colorado on the road, they then won 6 straight before falling to (11-2) Oklahoma 75-69. Florida’s RPI is currently #69.”

#20 Oregon (10-2)
“The Ducks #14 RPI say’s they should be ranked higher especially consider 1 of their loss’s was @ #1 Vandy and chances are had they not lost at home to Idaho they would be a Top-10 team.”

#21 Northwestern (10-1)
“The Wildcats opened the season with a (64-62) loss vs Leigh, but have since won 10 in a row matching the Beavers win streak including a win over #11 FSU on the road. They have scored 100+ 3 times including a 120-65 win over Mercer on the road and go into Big Ten play having just beaten (10-3) UNLV on the road (76-73). Their current RPI is #5”

#22 Kansas State (11-3)
“ They have win’s over Richmond, Michigan State, Georgia Tech at home and a road win over (8-5) Kentucky but have lost 3 of their past 5 games @ #18 Washington, vs Wisconsin and vs Purdue. Their RPI ranks #44”

#23 Alabama (10-2)
“The Tide are looking to prove they are not just a football school. They go into SEC play having won 8 straight and have the #53 RPI”

#24 Oklahoma State (8-2)
“The Cowboys have the #25 RPI with wins over San Diego State, Kentucky and UConn. Their 2 “L’s” came vs (12-2) Florida International and a home loss to Santa Clara (75-73)”

#25 UCLA (9-3)
“How and why they are in the Top-25 is beyond me. Their #78 RPI and 3 Loss’s doesn’t impress me”

“Who Should Be In”

(10-0) Eastern Michigan is currently #1 in the Mid-Majors Poll with a perfect record and #39 RPI. They deserve a Top-25 ranking

(8-3)Northern Colorado is currently #4 in the Mid-Majors Poll with 3 “L’s” but they were @ Texas A&M @ Oregon State in Overtime (83-82) and vs LMU (73-71). They beat Arizona, Washington State and UCLA on the road and their RPI is #54. If anything they deserve to at least be ranked ahead of UCLA.

(9-2) UW-Green Bay currently has the #18 RPI in the nation and is ranked #8 in the Mid-Majors Poll

(10-2) Pitt. Both “L’s are to Top-15 programs and their RPI is #37 which is much higher than at least 5 teams in the Polls.

(11-3) Wisconsin. I don’t get it, their RPI is #10, with their only bad loss being vs (5-7) Bradley

(11-2) Oklahoma. Another one. RPI is #22 and both “L’s are to solid programs (#21 NW and vs Wichita State.

(10-3) UNLV. Their RPI is #35. They lost to Gonzaga, #17 OSU and #21 Northwestern.

(12-2) Arkansas. Their RPI is #7. They lost to #3 Notre Dame and #7 Duke. What are voters thinking..

(12-2) FIU. Their RPI is #8, they have wins over #24 Oklahoma State and both loss’s came against Top-15 teams (#3 Notre Dame and #14 Minnesota). To me that record say's Top-10..

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS MOVE UP TO #11 IN MEDIA POLL!!!

Despite having their 10 game win streak snapped on the road @ Arizona (78-66) to start Pac-10 play and having their 6 game home streak ended by Arizona State (66-64), the Beavers came away with a 3-2 record in their first 5 Pac-10 games picking up a road win over Washington (74-72) well also beating Stanford (97-71) and Cal (100-45) at home.

Coach Deuce

"When we lost W. Ray to foul trouble in the Arizona game I knew we were in trouble. Arizona's 7'0 SR T. Emerson is one of the best bigmen in the country and he showed it tonight scoring 36 points and grabbing 8 boards"

Coach Deuce

" For me the Washington win was huge, because the Huskies starting 5 is one of the best in the conference. Samuels got his points (19), and Williams put up a double double (11 pts 11 reb), but Ray came back with a good game (19 pts) and the backcourt of Spears/Gerlach gave us 20 pts and 7 assists combined"

Coach Deuce

"Being down by 10 points at the half, we never gave up and it showed holding them to just 26 2nd half points, but you can't win them all. Ray played great (17 pts 13 reb), but 3-18 from downtown won't win you alot of close games and it showed tonight"

Coach Deuce

"Another big game from Ray (22 pts) bu Gillingham (23 pts 3/5 3pt) and Gerlach (18 pts 4/5 3pt) really where the big reason why we dominated tonight. We lost SR D. Garner tonight and it looks like he will miss then next 10 games, so it will be interesting to see how we do with a 9 man rotation. It most likely means more minutes for Popoola"

Coach Deuce

"Wow talk about a good old fashion butt kicking.. Always nice to beat the defending National Champs by 55!!. We hit are 3's (7/14) and they didn't (4/25). Having Wyatt only play 10 minutes with 4 fouls really hurt them. Ray continues to shine as he puts up 23 points and Conroy gave us a great game with 16 pts and 8 boards but it was the Freshman who shined tonight. Gerlach (14 pts 5 reb), Laws (11 pts 11 reb) and Popoola (12 pts 2/2 3pt)"

Well the Media loves the Beavers at #11, the Coaches are still not as impressed ranking OSU at #17.

Next up (15-3) OSU will travel to California to take on #24 (13-5) UCLAand (13-5) USC on the road before returning home to face #13 (14-3) Oregon and (7-8) Washington State

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

VANDERBILT STAYS PERFECT!!

#1 Vanderbilt improved to 18-0 this past week with a huge win over instate rival Tennnessee (97-65) well also beating #16 Miss State (100-78). The Commadores are currently averaging a NCAA best 96.2 PPG well shooting 46% FG and 41% 3PT.

AND THEN THEIR WAS 3!!

Joining Vanderbilt with perfect records are #2 NC State at (15-0) and #10 UTEP at (14-0).

However the Wolfpack will face a tough challenge this week as they take on #21 BC on the road and #22 Clemson at home.

UTEP will face their toughest challenge on the road @ (9-8) Memphis and still has 2 games vs (13-4) Houston but they still have the best chance at a perfect season.

NORTHERN COLORADO STILL FINDS SUCCESS!!

Despite playing for their 3rd Head Coach in the past 3 years, the foundation of success that Coach Deuce put in place in Greeley is holding firm.

The Bears improved to 6-0 in Big Sky play and are currently 14-3 Overall as they are riding a 10 game winning streak.


Coach Deuce

"I am proud of the way the guy's are playing. SR PF H. Schafer (17.2 PPG) has turned into the star player I thought he would be. Well I love being at OSU, NC will always be in my heart for giving me the chance to start my coaching career"

[southernmetalhead]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Kind of a mixed bag there, being #11 in the media poll, but only starting 3-2 in Pac-10 play. You've got some big games coming up against UCLA, USC, and Oregon. Probably can't drop too many more if you want to win the regular season title.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Kind of a mixed bag there, being #11 in the media poll, but only starting 3-2 in Pac-10 play. You've got some big games coming up against UCLA, USC, and Oregon. Probably can't drop too many more if you want to win the regular season title.

Hard to say what it's going to take to win the Pac-10 title. I think this is the most balanced I have seen it in the 3 years at OSU. In Year 1 and against last year it was pretty much USC and then 3 or 4 teams fighting for #2.

With the way everyone is playing, it could be one of those year's where everyone beats up on each other and a team that goes 14-4 or 13-5 ends up winning it all, but you are correct the next 4 games will really tell where I am going to finish.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS MOVING ON UP!

The Oregon State Beavers picked up their 5th win of the season vs a ranked Top-25 team as they beat UCLA with their best offensive effort in the Coach Deuce era.

OSU went into the locker room up (62-44) after hitting 18/22 FT's in the 1st half. Then in the 2nd half the Beavers continued their hot shooting from the charity stripe as they hit 15/16 cruising to the 30+ point victory. FINAL SCORE #11 OSU-108 #24 UCLA-77

7'0 Wallace Ray did the bulk of the damage as he scores a season/career high 30 points including 11/11 from the line. Joining him in double digits were 5 other Beavers including 3 from the bench.

The starting backcourt of Spears (11 pts 8 ast) and Gerlach (14 pts 2/4 3pt) combined to play a great game, well E. Taft (12 1/4 3pt), E. Laws (10 pts 6 reb 4 blks) and S. Chavez (10 pts) led the way for the 2nd Unit.

UCLA's SR SG D. Wiedmann had 25 pts (3/4 3pt) in the loss, well JR A. Benton added 18 points from the post.

Additional Game Note-

Despite OSU shooting 38 F.T.'s not a single Bruin fouled out. Also this has to be the tightest game I have ever seen called because UCLA shot 21 F.T.'s and made 17, so the difference there was actually only 16 points.

BEAVERS HOLD OFF USC IN THE CALI SWEEP

Coming off their largest victory of the season, Coach Deuce wondered how his team would play vs USC who would be looking for revenge from their Round of 32 loss to the Beavers last year. Well this one came down to the wire as buzzer beating 3's ended each half.

Tied (39-39) with 12 seconds to play, SR C. Gillingham would nail the buzzer beater to give OSU the lead going into the locker room (42-39) Then tied again (67-67) with 20 seconds to play, OSU would hold for the last second shot again as it was E. Taft coming up big with his 3rd 3pt of the game as he gives OSU the victory in regulation. FINAL SCORE OSU-70 USC-67

Coach Deuce

"It was a team decision. Everyone felt good about overtime if we didn't come up with the basket, but I felt like we drew up a play that gave us a couple of pretty good looks and one of those was a getting Taft open for the 3"

Taft was named POG as he finished with a game high 17 pts (3/3 3pt 8/8 FT). R. Conroy added 15 pts and 6 reb well R. Spears added 14 pts and 7 assists.

NEXT UP #9 OSU HOST INSTATE RIVAL #7 OREGON IN A TOP-10 SHOWDOWN!!

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVER'S SHOOT DOWN #7 DUCKS!

Oregon State improved to 6-0 against Top-25 programs this week as they shoot down #7 Oregon at home for their 5th straight win and 18th Overall win of the season (18-3).

The Beavers went into the locker room up (50-37) led by JR R. Spears (15) 1st half points including 4/6 from 3pt. Spears continued his career game in the 2nd half scoring 8 more including another 3pt shot as he finished with 23 pts as he was named POG in the double digit win. FINAL SCORE #9 OSU-89 #7 OREGON-78

Joining Spears in double digits was W. Ray (15 pts) and S. Chavez (13 pts) well R. Conroy finished with 8 pts 7 reb and 6 assists.

Well Spears was 5/8 from 3pt, the rest of the Beavers went just 1/9 including a 0/4 performance from FR A. Gerlach.

Oregon was led by SR PG E. Miller in the loss (19 pts but just 3/10 3pt) and as a team shot 9/31 from 3pt.

Coach Deuce

"Had the Ducks hit a few more 3's then we might be talking about a completely different game and score. I guess I should be happy they were more then willing to just keep chucking it up "

BEAVERS WIN STREAK MOVES TO 7

Oregon State improved their win streak to 7 games and their Overall record to 19-3 with a victory over Washington State on Friday night.

OSU led (48-45) at the half, and limited the Cougars to just 21 points in the 2nd half as they cruised to the 15 point victory. FINAL SCORE OSU-81 WSU-66


W. Ray led the way with 17 pts 7 reb and 3 blks and was named POG, well S. Chavez (12 pts) led the bench unit. R. Spears coming off his 5/8 performance from downtown vs Oregon went just 1/5 but did manage to score 10 points and led the team with 8 assists.


NEXT UP OSU GOES FOR WIN #20 @ STANFORD

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS WIN #20!!

The #8 Oregon State Beavers improved to 20-3 on the season with a road victory over Stanford on Wednesday night. FINAL SCORE OSU-98 STANFORD-89

With starting PF R. Conroy on the bench with early foul trouble, JR S. Chavez made the most of his extra minutes by scoring a career/season high 20 pts as he was named POG. FR E. Laws also got extra P.T. and added 12 pts and 4 boards.

R. Spears showed why he was a 5* AA coming out of High School, as he finished with 12 pts 7 reb 10 assists and had 4 steals.

By winning #20 with 8 regular season games left, plus tournament play, there is a chance that OSU could beat Coach Deuce's record of 34 wins at Northern Colorado in the 2011-2012 season. This marks the 7th straight year Coach Deuce has guided his team to 20 or more wins.

SUN DEVILS END WIN STREAK!!

The Arizona State Sun Devils snapped the Beavers 7 game win streak on Friday night. The victory give's ASU the sweep of OSU this season and hands Oregon State it's 3rd loss in the Pac-10.


Trailing (47-42) at the half, the Beavers would cut the lead to within 3 points with less then a minute to play, but that was as close as it would get as ASU seals the victory at the line. FINAL SCORE ASU-86 OSU-83

ASU's JR PG D. Jolly and SR SF D. Moran both scored 20 points in the win. SR SG R. Locklier added 17 pts and the trio shot 7/14 from 3pt.

Conroy led the Beavers in the loss with 17 pts and 8 rebs, well W. Ray added 16 pts and 4 blks. Gillingham (12), Spears (11) and Laws (10) also scored double digits.

DESPITE THE LOSS OSU STAYS AT #8 IN THE MEDIA POLL AT 20-4, AND WILL PLAY (10-11) CAL NEXT SUNDAY IN THEIR ONLY GAME OF THE WEEK.

[southernmetalhead]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Nice sweep of the LA schools and Oregon. Tough luck against ASU. Maybe you will avoid them in the conference tournament as they seem to have your number.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Nice sweep of the LA schools and Oregon. Tough luck against ASU. Maybe you will avoid them in the conference tournament as they seem to have your number.

Yeah I am surprised out how well I have been able to play against USC this year. Their roster is still loaded with talent and its going to get even better next year. With Oregon they just don't have the size to compete with Ray, but do have some good 3pt shooters so it just depends if they are on or not. Lucky for me they were not.

ASU roster also has alot of talent in both size and shooters, and for some reason has my # this year. At this point my hope is for a Pac-10 regular season title, I don't really care if I win the tournament, because with my record and RPI I should still be able to get a 1-5 seed in the tournament granted I win a few more games.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS WIN 5 IN A ROW!!

Coming off a disappointing loss to Arizona State, Oregon State took to the road for a game vs Cal defeating the defending National Champs (85-61) in what would start a 5 game win streak for the Beavers.

6th man E. Taft led the way with 21 pts despite hitting just 2/6 from downtown.

R. Spears added 11 pts and 8 assists well W. Ray had 16 pts and 7 rebs.

Returning home, OSU then picked up 2 more Top-25 victories defeating #23 USC (89-88) on Wednesday night and then took down #11 UCLA (69-54).

Against the Trojans it was R. Spears picking up POG honors as he finished with a team high 19 pts (3/4 3pt) well also dishing out 6 assists. SR C. Gillingham also had a solid night hitting 3/5 from 3pt to finish with 14 pts.

FR A. Gerlach (10 pts) and W. Ray (12 pts) also scored in double digits, well FR E. Laws finished with a team high 10 rebounds.

Against the Bruins, it was R. Conroy lead the team with 14 pts well W. Ray added 11 pts and blocked 4 shots in what turned into a defensive battle.

38 of UCLA's 54 points came from 2 players, the SR backcourt of B. Mills (18 pts) and D. Wiedmann (20 pts 3/7 3pt).


Oregon State then took to the road as they head to Eugene Oregon and the "Pit" home of the hated rival #17 Ducks.

OSU would take a (48-38) lead at the half and cruise to victory beating the Ducks (83-69)

5 players scored in double digits in the win, led by SR C. Gillingham's 17 pts (3/4 3pt) and 8 rebs.

FR E. Laws (10 pts 7 reb) and C. Popoola (10 pts 1/7 3pt) led the bench.


Following the Oregon win, OSU head North to Pullman Washington for a rematch with the WSU Cougars where they would finish off the 5 game win streak with a (82-69) victory.

R. Spears led the way with 16 pts (3/4 3pt) well FR A. Gerlach (14 pts) and W. Ray (10 pts 4 reb) also hit double digits among the starting unit.

E. Laws led the bench unit with 13 pts (11/14 FT) and 7 rebs.


Oregon State is now 25-4 on the season and is currently in 1st Place in the Pac-10 Standings with a 1 game lead on USC and UCLA with 2 games to play.

With the 3 Top-25 victories, OSU is now 9-1 vs Top-25 programs this season and currently has the #1 RPI in the nation.

Despite Oregon State's Overall record and record vs the Top-25, the Media Poll currently still has the Beavers #7 well the Coaches Poll is showing no love putting OSU at #15.


OSU will return home for their final 2 regular season games first hosting (18-9) Washington and then finishing up Senior night vs (14-15) Arizona.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

HUSKIES SNAP BEAVERS WIN STREAK

Riding a 5 game win streak, Oregon State returned home for their final 2 games of the season. Ranked #7 in the nation OSU was looking not only to improve their chances at a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament but were first trying to win their first ever Pac-10/12 title. Washington however wasn't ready to just roll over and die.

The Huskies led by reigning Pac-10 POY PG C. Samuels dominated the first half as they took a double digit lead into the locker room (61-44).

The 2nd half didn't fair much better for Oregon State, as UW continued to knock down shots no matter where they took them (12/27 from 3pt and 25/31 FT). With most of the starting unit battling foul trouble throughout the game, the 2nd Unit would come through with 3 players hitting double digits to keep OSU within striking distance but in the end the Huskies combo of Samuels and Williams was just to much. FINAL SCORE UW-105 OSU-94

Samuels was named POG as he finished with a game high 23 pts despite hitting just 2/11 from 3pt. He also had a team high 5 assists.

JR PF Joe Ross Williams (Pre-Season All-American) added 20 pts and a team high 8 rebs well also blocking 3 shots.

In the loss 5 Beavers scored in double digits, led by E. Taft's (17 pts 3/6).

S. Chavez and W. Ray each had (16 pts), SR C. Gillingham had 14 and FR E. Laws had 11 pts.

OREGON STATE CLINCHES PAC-10 TITLE

Coach Deuce has done it!!! In just 3 seasons at Oregon State, he has brought home a Pac-10 regular season title to Corvallis, as the Beavers defeat Arizona (102-94) on senior night.

With a (47-34) lead at the half, celebration started early in the stands only to see the Wildcats make a strong 2nd half push as they scored 60 points, but the Beavers withstood the comeback as they hit the century mark for their 5th time this season..

JR PG/SG R. Spears led the way scoring a career best 25 points including 4/5 from 3pt and 7/7 from the line. Spears also added 7 reb and 5 assists as he was named POG.

7'0 W. Ray also came big with 17 pts well SR C. Gillingham playing in his last home game of the season scored 15 and grabbed 7 rebounds.

The Bench unit again played great as FR C. Poopola matches his career best with 12 pts including 3/6 from 3pt. Fellow FR E. Laws added 12 points as well well E. Taft scored 10 hitting 2/5 from 3pt.

As a team OSU was 11/24 from downtown and 39/50 from the Free throw line.

Arizona's 7'0 SR T. Emerson had 27 points in the loss..

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

With a Pac-10 regular season title fresh in hand after finishing (13-5) and (26-5) Overall, the #7 Oregon State Beavers will go into the Pac-10 tourney as the #1 seed and await the winner of (14-16/6-12) Arizona vs (11-17/5-13) Washington State.


#11 UCLA is named the #2 seed after finishing 1 game behind the Beavers at (13-5 and 22-8 Overall). The Bruins will await the winner of (11-17/2-16) Cal vs (14-15/6-12) Stanford

#20 USC (22-8/13-5) is named the #3 seed and will open up against Arizona State (20-11/10-8) the #6 seed.

#21 Washington finishes the season as the #4 seed (20-9/11-7) and will play Oregon (20-10/10-8). The winner will face the winner of OSU vs the play in game winner.


Coach Deuce

"As excited as I am about winning the regular season title, I honestly don't like our chances in the Pac-10 tourney. We just finished against Arizona in a high scoring 2nd half shootout and odds are that's who we will face in Game 1. UW just beat us and played us tough earlier in the year (won by 2) and we know Oregon is looking for revenge (Coach Deuce is 6-0 against the Ducks), and who knows what the title game could be with Arizona State, USC and UCLA all capable of winning their bracket."

[vicebeliever42]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Congrats on the regular season title! I think it's time to party [emoji41] but good luck in the tournament. I think you can beat the odds [emoji16]

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Going into conference tournaments, several teams are looking to improve their resumes in the eyes of the NCAA Selection Committee, including the Pac-10's Oregon Ducks who currently boast a #35 RPI and 20 win record. Last year Oregon didn't do enough and instead ended up in the NIT where they made a Final 4 run. They were also joined by UCLA and Washington. This year the Pac-10 however is hoping to get 6 teams into the Big Dance and if that happens that means someone else doesn't get invited. Here is a look at the current Bubble list.

Pitt (21-10 #37 RPI)
Miami FL (16-11 #32 RPI)
Louisville (21-9 #41 RPI)
Iowa State (17-10 #44 RPI)
South Carolina (18-11, #40 RPI)
Duquesne (20-9 #48 RPI)
Texas A&M (17-11 #38 RPI)
Kent State (20-6, #58 RPI)
N. Colorado (24-4, #89 RPI)
Xavier (20-9, #54 RPI)
UW-Green Bay (23-5 #63 RPI)
Houston (20-9, #55 RPI)
James Madison (23-10, #50 RPI)
New Mexico State (19-8, #66 RPI)
FIU (23-10, #52 RPI)


Could Northern Colorado's run of NCAA appearances come to a end? The Bears did manage to win the Big Sky regular season title going 15-1, but Montana (17-9) would love nothing more then playing the role of the wicked step sister in the Big Sky tourney.

New Mexico State won WAC regular season title going 12-4, but will have to face a very tough Utah State team (21-8) in order to secure the auto bid.

The WCC is wide open this year. Santa Clara won the regular season title going 10-4 and 19-14 Overall, but 4 other teams finished with 18 or more wins, (Gonzaga-18, Saint Mary's-19, Pepperdine-18) including Portland (22) who would like to make it back to back seasons.

Arkansas State (14-4, 22-11) won the Sun Belt regular season, but will face some tough competition come tourney time as Denver (19-9), Troy (18-12) and FIU (23-10) all would like to grab that auto bid.

The Ohio Valley looks to be a 2 team race. Murray State and Samford both went 16-4 in conference play and both finished with 20 wins.

The Northeast also appers to have 2 teams hoping to secure that auto bid. Monmouth (14-4, 19-11) won the regular season title, but Sacred Heart (13-5, 18-13) would love to secure just their 2nd NCAA bid in school history.

BYU will need to win the MWC tournament if the Cougars have a chance at a NCAA invite. Despite winning 20 games, BYU finished 3rd in conference play going 9-7, behind New Mexico (champs 13-3, 25-7) and #23 UNLV (12-4, 22-7).

Missouri State won the Missouri Valley going (21-8, 15-3), but will face some tough competition come tourney time from Witchita State (19-10), N. Iowa (17-10) and Bradley (16-14).

Bethune-Cookman won the Mid-Eastern gong (20-10, 17-1) but in order to secure their 1st ever NCAA appearance they will need to get by Florida A&M (19-10) and Delaware State (20-9) to get there.

Eastern Michigan (23-4) and Kent State (20-6) tied with a 13-3 record in conference play. The Golden Flash will need to beat the Eagles to win the auto bid for the MAC to get 2 invites this year. However keep a eye on Akron (19-11) who might try and play spoiler.

Marist (26-4, 15-13) is a favorite in the Metro-Atlantic, but Loyola MD (20-10) and Rider (18-14) are hoping to play spoiler.

UW-Green Bay's record (23-5) and regular season title (16-2) looks great on paper until you look at their #63 RPI. They will need to probably win the Horizon or chances are they will be headed to the NIT.

UTEP (23-4, 12-4) won CUSA, but will face a challenge from Houston (20-9) as the Cougars are looking to improve their bubble resume.

The Colonial has 6 teams who hope to secure the auto bid. Northeastern (21-9), James Madison (23-10) and Towson (21-9) all tied going 13-5 in the regular season standings, well Delware (24-9) and George Mason (21-10) are 20 game winners. However don't count out Drexel who finished (18-11) with the #65 RPI.

Pacific won the Big West going 12-4, but finished just 14-11 Overall. At this point whoever secures the auto bid can pencil themselves in for a #16 seed and most likely the play in game.

The Big 12 is stacked from Top to bottom. #17 Oklahoma State (21-7) #18 Texas (21-7) and Colorado (18-10) all finished 11-5 in the regular season, well Kansas (21-9) and Oklahoma (20-10) both finished with 20 wins, but the reality is anyone could win the conference tourney and secure the automatic bid.

Every team in the Big Ten finished with double digit wins but it was #4 Indiana who won the title going (26-5 and 15-3). With #13 Minnesota (22-7), #15 Northwestern (22-7) and #22 Wisconsin (21-11) all locks to make the tourney, teams like Ohio State (16-14) Michigan State (18-12) and Michigan (15-15) will need that Auto bid if they are going to go dancing.

(Michigan hasn't made the NCAA tourney since 1998, and has not been a factor in the Big Ten this entire legacy yet they still have the same HC)

The Big East typically sends 5+ teams to the NCAA tourney yet this year only 2 teams finished among the Top-25 with #6 West Virginia winning the regular season title going (24-6, 14-4) and #9 Cincinnati (21-8, 13-5) finishing second. However like the Big 10 every team won double digit games and 11 of the 16 teams had more then 16 wins.

The A-10 has in years past sent as many as 5 teams to the NCAA tourney. #8 Charlotte (25-5, 14-2) won the regular season title and appears to be a lock, well #25 Rhode Island (24-8, 11-5) also appears to have no worries, but Xavier (24-8, 11-5), George Washington (18-12, 10-6), and Duquesne (20-9, 10-6) will need to at least make the semi finals to improve their RPI standings.

The ACC for many years has battled the Big East for the Best/Toughest College Basketball Conference Title. This year they took the crown as the Top-6 teams finished in the Top-25 polls including #1 Duke (27-4) who won the regular season title going 14-2. Maryland is #2 after going (23-5, 12-4), Boston College (20-8, 11-50 is #10, Florida State (22-9, 9-7) is #14, NC State (20-7, 9-7) is #16 and Georgia Tech (21-10, 8-8) is #25.