Gentlemen:
As you know, I don not cap much other than to add some local knowledge to teams I follow. I'm a big UC fan. Like Huggins recruiting ability, conditioning his players, but a so-so bench coach.
This year the Bearcats have no superstar. Record is 14-1, currently ranked 10th in the nation, having not lost since at Oklahoma State in the first game of the year (69-62). By the way Oklahoma State has an ungodly home record against non-conference opponents, something like 70-3 making it one of the most difficult gyms for opponents to play in.
UC spreads the ball around a lot. #1 ranked defense in the country in field goal percentage (.359). Houston averages 17.2 turnovers. Logan is the scorer (21.9) and senior team leader. Very balanced team with a deep bench. Currently have the nations longest winning streak (14). But I like Houston. Heres why.
Cupcake schedule: Other than Oklahoma State, the Bearcats have played the likes of Coppin State, Richmond, UL Monroe, Wright State, Duquesne, Purdue. They have quality road wins at Mississippi State and Xavier (heated crosstown rivalry), however they have a bunny schedule.
New kid on the block in C-USA, Mr. Pitino and the Cardinals come to town next Saturday, with a home game against Depaul squeezed in on Wednesday. May be looking ahead to playing against Pitino. UC is 2-0 in confernce play beating UNCC at home on January 8 71-58 and winning at East Carolina on January 5th 72-62.
Houston on the other hand has a 7-6 record under second year coach Ray McCallum (126-76 at Ball State). They have th 54th ranked schedule according to the RPI. They have lost to the likes of UCLA, Kansas, LSU and St. Louis all on the road. They lost to NC State by 1 at home in December and lost to Texas Tech, 71-64 at home on December 14. Last game they beat Tulane by 3 on January 8. They are 1-1 in conference play.
9 of Houstons 13 games have been decided by seven points or less. Early on, UCLA beat them by 11 and Kansas beat them by 17. They had two blow out wins against Tennessee State and SW Texas State. They are 4-1 at home and lead C-USA in field goal percentage (.498).
Houston has 5 players averaging in double figures. Forwards Williams and Okafor are said to be NBA bound. Houston will cause match up problems for UC because they are bigger and UC plays a three guard offense. Houston's starting 5 are tough but they do not have much of a bench.
I think the Bearcats are ripe for a letdown. I think 10 points is very generous and I'm going with the home dog. Even thinking about the money line. By the way, this is a "Beaver" game for me. Others have their strong plays, etc. Well here's my ranking system, based upon who I can beat up and the order in which I can beat them up:
1. Beaver (= big)
2. June (= strong play)
3. Wally (= regular play)
4. Ward (=lightly)
By the way, its also alphabetical order.
Houston +10 "Beaver game"
Good luck,
Eddie
As you know, I don not cap much other than to add some local knowledge to teams I follow. I'm a big UC fan. Like Huggins recruiting ability, conditioning his players, but a so-so bench coach.
This year the Bearcats have no superstar. Record is 14-1, currently ranked 10th in the nation, having not lost since at Oklahoma State in the first game of the year (69-62). By the way Oklahoma State has an ungodly home record against non-conference opponents, something like 70-3 making it one of the most difficult gyms for opponents to play in.
UC spreads the ball around a lot. #1 ranked defense in the country in field goal percentage (.359). Houston averages 17.2 turnovers. Logan is the scorer (21.9) and senior team leader. Very balanced team with a deep bench. Currently have the nations longest winning streak (14). But I like Houston. Heres why.
Cupcake schedule: Other than Oklahoma State, the Bearcats have played the likes of Coppin State, Richmond, UL Monroe, Wright State, Duquesne, Purdue. They have quality road wins at Mississippi State and Xavier (heated crosstown rivalry), however they have a bunny schedule.
New kid on the block in C-USA, Mr. Pitino and the Cardinals come to town next Saturday, with a home game against Depaul squeezed in on Wednesday. May be looking ahead to playing against Pitino. UC is 2-0 in confernce play beating UNCC at home on January 8 71-58 and winning at East Carolina on January 5th 72-62.
Houston on the other hand has a 7-6 record under second year coach Ray McCallum (126-76 at Ball State). They have th 54th ranked schedule according to the RPI. They have lost to the likes of UCLA, Kansas, LSU and St. Louis all on the road. They lost to NC State by 1 at home in December and lost to Texas Tech, 71-64 at home on December 14. Last game they beat Tulane by 3 on January 8. They are 1-1 in conference play.
9 of Houstons 13 games have been decided by seven points or less. Early on, UCLA beat them by 11 and Kansas beat them by 17. They had two blow out wins against Tennessee State and SW Texas State. They are 4-1 at home and lead C-USA in field goal percentage (.498).
Houston has 5 players averaging in double figures. Forwards Williams and Okafor are said to be NBA bound. Houston will cause match up problems for UC because they are bigger and UC plays a three guard offense. Houston's starting 5 are tough but they do not have much of a bench.
I think the Bearcats are ripe for a letdown. I think 10 points is very generous and I'm going with the home dog. Even thinking about the money line. By the way, this is a "Beaver" game for me. Others have their strong plays, etc. Well here's my ranking system, based upon who I can beat up and the order in which I can beat them up:
1. Beaver (= big)
2. June (= strong play)
3. Wally (= regular play)
4. Ward (=lightly)
By the way, its also alphabetical order.
Houston +10 "Beaver game"
Good luck,
Eddie
