College Basketball Open Thread
Long day of college basketball on ESPN2 today as they have 10 straight hours of games with some good games on tap.
Currently: #8 Cincinnati @ #24 Pittsburgh
2 PM: #19 Michigan State @ #11 Minnesota
4 PM: #5 Indiana @ Iowa
6 PM: #13 Gonzaga @ #22 Oklahoma State
8 PM: Harvard @ Saint Mary's
December 31st, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 2:40 PM ^
If MSU wins today, I think they move into the inside track, but a loss wouldn't be devastating for them. The top teams aren't going to win too often on each others' courts. I see this as a must-win for Minn and more of an opportunity for MSU than anything.
December 31st, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
I am so happy I am at work with the rest of no one at all. Fucking hell.
December 31st, 2012 at 1:49 PM ^
No work for 4 days and then 3 twelve-hour days in a row. NYD bowl season is GO but next weekend suuuucks.
December 31st, 2012 at 1:00 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 1:05 PM ^
This Pitt Cinci game has just been ugly. Pitt is up 34-26 at the half, but it's just been a foul fest. Go Pitt though, make our win over them look even better.
December 31st, 2012 at 1:14 PM ^
Indeed. I just looked at who Pitt's 12 wins have come against so far...
Mount St. Mary's, Fordham, Lehigh, Oakland, Delaware, Howard, Detroit, Duqesne, North Florida, Bethune-Cookman, Delaware State and Kennesaw State.
That's about as an embarrassing of a schedule as a team could have. They need this game.
December 31st, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^
Are new polls not coming out today because of NYE?
Edit: no, well at least coaches is out. still 2 obvs. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaab/polls/coaches-poll/
December 31st, 2012 at 1:27 PM ^
LETS GO PITT!!!!
December 31st, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^
Pitt had a chance when they went to the line down three, but Woodall's miss and then Cincy's subsequent two FTs iced the game.
The Panthers are not a bad team but they are certainly nowhere near as good as their 12-1 record coming into this one. They'll lose 8-9 games in BE play and make the tournament, but I don't think they are going to make Michigan's victory over them a "marquee" win.
December 31st, 2012 at 2:17 PM ^
Cinci wins the first game against Pitt 70-61, which is fairly disappointing. Oh well, time for Minni vs State. Go Gophers!
December 31st, 2012 at 2:36 PM ^
Headed to the Iowa-Indiana game here in about an hour...pretty stoked to see Indiana. This will be the big test to see how far the Hawkeyes have really come in their quest to be relevant again.
December 31st, 2012 at 2:38 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 3:30 PM ^
I think you may have jinxed them - they've looked like crap for the last 10-15 minutes (going back to the first half).
December 31st, 2012 at 2:41 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 2:50 PM ^
But in the sport they arguably care the most about (hockey) they've been very successful.
December 31st, 2012 at 2:51 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 3:07 PM ^
MSU has a nice starting 5. Denzel Valentine is the consumate team player. Easy to see why Beilein was after him. Gary Harris could be a one and done, but I think he will probably be back.
December 31st, 2012 at 3:22 PM ^
Turnovers are keeping State afloat.
December 31st, 2012 at 3:23 PM ^
And just like that, Minnesota wastes about five possessions in a row and suddenly we're tied at 51.
December 31st, 2012 at 3:33 PM ^
Not impressed by Sparty. Applying wont do squat against Trey.
December 31st, 2012 at 3:36 PM ^
Nix and Payne together could spell a Gopher run
December 31st, 2012 at 3:45 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 3:45 PM ^
Turnover fiesta continues for Minnesota.
December 31st, 2012 at 3:49 PM ^
Weren't referees supposed to start enforcing the coaching box rule this season? Izzo went way beyond the line.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:19 PM ^
triggered the crowd getting into the game and the Gophers sailed on from there. That one's on the Angry Elf. Now to RCMB to hear how bad the refs were. Ha Ha Sparty!
December 31st, 2012 at 3:52 PM ^
Minnesota looks much better when they play good D and get out in transition. Gopher half court offense is hard to watch
December 31st, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^
Yeah, I think we may need to slow the tempo when we play them - they've got a lot of great athletes. That one fast break where they never dribbled was a thing of beauty.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:02 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^
but seeing it live makes quite clear that the B10 is going to be a really tough row to hoe this year. Minn/MSU likely the two most physical teams this year, and are both very good teams. It will take very good performances to beat either one of them.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:07 PM ^
I know we are supposed to root for the home State team, but I'm pulling for the Gophers. Hope you guys can forgive me.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:10 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 4:38 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 4:15 PM ^
I'm just sad that Minnesota no longer has the McDonald's arches on all the steps going up anymore. It was hilarious to see that level of corporate whoredom.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:21 PM ^
Agreed. The DQ basket supports just aren't the same.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^
Let us agree to disagree :)
December 31st, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^
At least they still have DQ and TCF Bank logos on their hoops.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:39 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 4:21 PM ^
GRIII reminds me a lot of his father, but Roy Devyn Marble and Tim Hardaway Jr. remind me nothing of their fathers.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:28 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 4:29 PM ^
Iowa with an early 4pt lead over the Hoooooosiers. It can't last but who knows?
December 31st, 2012 at 4:44 PM ^
I expect Indiana to pull away, but outside of PSU and nebraska, I think you will have to work veryt hard to get a road win the way things look now.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:24 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 9:37 PM ^
Northwestern's gym (it really is more a gym than an arena) is a weird place to play. Some teams don't shoot well there. They may yet pull an upset or two there.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:53 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 5:00 PM ^
We need a "backhanded compliment +2" moderation option!
December 31st, 2012 at 5:05 PM ^
December 31st, 2012 at 5:23 PM ^