NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Wednesday, December 18
Tennessee is 7-2 vs schedule #188; Vols split four top 100 games, losing to Florida State/Memphis by total of 7 points? this is their first true road game. Tennessee have #4 eFG% defense in country; teams are shooting only 38% inside arc vs Vols (#3)- their best wins are over VCU, Washington. Cincinnati has new coach, is 6-4 vs schedule #147; five of their last seven games were decided other by one point or in OT. Bearcats are turning ball over 21.6% of time (#281)- they lost last game at home to Colgate. Cincy hasn?t missed NCAA?s since 2010.
East Tennessee State is 7-2 vs schedule #268, losing only top 150 game by 12 at Kansas; Bucs are experience team #42 that is 109-41 last 4+ years- they?ve made 37.6% of their 3?s (#60), have #15 eFG% in country. ETSU?s best two wins are over Sun Belt teams (App State/Little Rock). LSU won its last four games, is 7-2 vs schedule #49; Tigers are experience team #327 that plays USC at Staples Center Saturday. LSU lost two of three top 100 games, losing to Utah State/VCU- their best win is over #81 Rhode Island. Tigers are shooting 61.9% inside arc (#2).
Buffalo won four of last five games with Canisius, beating them last two years by 5-15 points; Griffins lost last three visits to UB, by 35-2-5 points. Buffalo got upset by 15-point underdog Army Saturday; they?re 5-4 vs schedule #97, forcing turnovers 21.9% of time (#69) while playing 3rd-fastest tempo in country. Canisius is coached by former Buffalo coach Witherspoon; they?re 5-4 vs schedule #279, turning ball over 22.6% of time (#308), shooting 29.7% (#278) on arc. Bulls split their two top 200 games, beating St Bonaventure by 4, losing to Hofstra by 7.
St Bonaventure lost to Niagara last two years, by 2-8 points, after winning previous six series games. Bonnies won last four games after a 1-4 start; they?re experience team #329 that has struggled on offense, with #244 eFG% while playing pace #339- they?re 4-0 when they score more than 65 points. Niagara changed coaches during preseason; they?re 2-6 vs schedule #186- they beat Colgate in OT, before Colgate won at Cincinnati. Purple Eagles are 1-2 vs top 200 foes, losing by 47 at Rutgers, by 9 at a SF Austin team that won at Duke.
Home side won both Illinois State-UIC games last two years; Flames lost by point in Normal two years ago, Redbirds lost by 19 in Chicago LY. Ill-Chicago is 3-7 vs schedule #187, turning ball over 24.7% of time (#339)- they?re 2-3 vs teams ranked outside top 200- their best win was by 6 over #184 San Diego. Illinois State lost six of last seven games; they?re 3-6 vs schedule #82, 1-1 vs teams ranked outside top 200. Redbirds are continuity team #309 that is making 40.4% of its 3?s (#16), getting 37.4% of their points on arc (#57).
Richmond lost its last three games with Old Dominion, by 3-19-9 points. Spiders won their last four games, are 9-1 vs schedule #250, with only true road game an 80-63 win at #292 Hampton. Richmond is making 41.5% of their 3?s (#8), are getting 39.7% of their points on arc (#24)- they have #6 eFG% in country. ODU lost its last seven games, is 3-8 vs schedule #74; they?ve won 51 games last two years. Monarchs lost their three top 100 games, by 5-12-14 points; their eFG% is #324. ODU is shooting 28.4% on arc (#314), 43.6% inside arc (#316), 64.6% on line (#306).
South Florida won its last three games, is 6-4 vs schedule #292; Bulls won their only top 100 game, by 10 over Furman. Bulls are forcing turnovers 26.8% of time (#3) but are also turning ball over 23.4% of time (#326); they?re a top 20 rebounding team in country. USF is #345 in country on foul line (59%). Utah State is 10-2 vs schedule #282 after losing by 4 to BYU in last game; their only two losses are to top 50 teams (Saint Mary?s/BYU). Aggies are experience team #133 that gets 23.4% of its points on foul line (#23).
Michigan State won its last ten games with Northwestern, winning last four visits to Evanston, by 14-24-31-5 points. Spartans won last two games, are disappointing 7-3 vs schedule #20; they won their only true road game, by 3 at Seton Hall. MSU is experience team #265 that that has #33 eFG% defense, but they?re only shooting 31.3% on arc (#224). Northwestern is 5-4 vs #206 schedule; Wildcats are experience team #303- one of their best players was a lacrosse player in the Patriot League the last few years. NWern is 1-2 in top 100 games, wth losses by 13-14 points.
Louisiana won nine of last 13 games with Arkansas State , winning last two visits to Jonesboro, by 10-3 points; Ragin? Cajuns lost three of last four games overall, are 0-4 in true road games, losing three times by 12+ points with an OT loss at Wyoming mixed in. Louisiana won four of five games vs teams ranked outside top 200. ASU is 6-3 vs schedule #264; they?re 4-0 vs teams ranked outside top 200, with three wins by 13+ points. Red Wolves are 3-0 in games decided by 5 or fewer points; their eFG% defense is #308 in country.
North Carolina is without freshman star Anthony (knee) who is out 4-6 weeks; Tar Heels lost last three games, scoring 49-47-64 points. UNC players (other than Anthony) are shooting 25% on arc for season. Tar Heels have #309 eFG% in country; worst they?ve been in last five years was #124. Gonzaga won its last three games, winning AT Washington/Arizona in last two; they are 11-1 vs schedule #215. Zags are #331 continuity team that won its three top 100 games, by 1-7-4 points; they?re shooting 38.3% on arc (#29), 55.5% inside arc (#20).
Saint Mary?s is 10-2 vs schedule #91; they?re 2-1 vs top 100 teams, beating Wisconsin/Utah State, losing by 10 to Dayton. Gaels are experience team #91 that is making 43.8% of its 3?s (#1)- they?ve got #22 eFG% while playing pace #334- they beat Cal of Pac-12 in last game. Arizona State won its last five games, is 8-2 vs schedule #137; they?re forcing turnovers 24% of time (#26), are 3-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 10 to Colorado in China, by 3 at Virginia. Sun Devils won by 4 at San Francisco in their only WCC game this season.
UNLV is 4-7 vs schedule #141; they haven?t played in 11 days. Rebels are 1-7 vs top 200 teams, with only win in double OT at Fresno State. UNLV is turning ball over 22.4% of time (#304); three of their losses came in OT. Rebels beat Pacific the last two years by 5-26 points; they?re not a deep team (bench minutes #288) which has hurt them in close games. Pacific won its last five games, is 9-3 vs schedule #349; Tigers are 0-3 vs top 200 teams though, losing by 10-5-6 points- their last loss was in triple OT to Boise State. Pacific plays slow (#345) pace.
Kentucky won its last six games, is 8-1, albeit vs schedule #339; Wildcats are in Las Vegas for the week- they play Ohio State Saturday, but better not look past this game. Kentucky won both its top 100 games, beating Kentucky by 7, Ga Tech by 14; this is their first game outside of Lexington since Nov 5. Utah is experience team #352 that won its last four games, is 8-2 vs schedule #277, winning all three of their top 100 games. Utes beat rival BYU in OT after trailing by 16 with 13:44 left; they?re shooting 59.8% inside arc (#4), have #13 eFG% in country.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Wednesday, December 18
Tennessee is 7-2 vs schedule #188; Vols split four top 100 games, losing to Florida State/Memphis by total of 7 points? this is their first true road game. Tennessee have #4 eFG% defense in country; teams are shooting only 38% inside arc vs Vols (#3)- their best wins are over VCU, Washington. Cincinnati has new coach, is 6-4 vs schedule #147; five of their last seven games were decided other by one point or in OT. Bearcats are turning ball over 21.6% of time (#281)- they lost last game at home to Colgate. Cincy hasn?t missed NCAA?s since 2010.
East Tennessee State is 7-2 vs schedule #268, losing only top 150 game by 12 at Kansas; Bucs are experience team #42 that is 109-41 last 4+ years- they?ve made 37.6% of their 3?s (#60), have #15 eFG% in country. ETSU?s best two wins are over Sun Belt teams (App State/Little Rock). LSU won its last four games, is 7-2 vs schedule #49; Tigers are experience team #327 that plays USC at Staples Center Saturday. LSU lost two of three top 100 games, losing to Utah State/VCU- their best win is over #81 Rhode Island. Tigers are shooting 61.9% inside arc (#2).
Buffalo won four of last five games with Canisius, beating them last two years by 5-15 points; Griffins lost last three visits to UB, by 35-2-5 points. Buffalo got upset by 15-point underdog Army Saturday; they?re 5-4 vs schedule #97, forcing turnovers 21.9% of time (#69) while playing 3rd-fastest tempo in country. Canisius is coached by former Buffalo coach Witherspoon; they?re 5-4 vs schedule #279, turning ball over 22.6% of time (#308), shooting 29.7% (#278) on arc. Bulls split their two top 200 games, beating St Bonaventure by 4, losing to Hofstra by 7.
St Bonaventure lost to Niagara last two years, by 2-8 points, after winning previous six series games. Bonnies won last four games after a 1-4 start; they?re experience team #329 that has struggled on offense, with #244 eFG% while playing pace #339- they?re 4-0 when they score more than 65 points. Niagara changed coaches during preseason; they?re 2-6 vs schedule #186- they beat Colgate in OT, before Colgate won at Cincinnati. Purple Eagles are 1-2 vs top 200 foes, losing by 47 at Rutgers, by 9 at a SF Austin team that won at Duke.
Home side won both Illinois State-UIC games last two years; Flames lost by point in Normal two years ago, Redbirds lost by 19 in Chicago LY. Ill-Chicago is 3-7 vs schedule #187, turning ball over 24.7% of time (#339)- they?re 2-3 vs teams ranked outside top 200- their best win was by 6 over #184 San Diego. Illinois State lost six of last seven games; they?re 3-6 vs schedule #82, 1-1 vs teams ranked outside top 200. Redbirds are continuity team #309 that is making 40.4% of its 3?s (#16), getting 37.4% of their points on arc (#57).
Richmond lost its last three games with Old Dominion, by 3-19-9 points. Spiders won their last four games, are 9-1 vs schedule #250, with only true road game an 80-63 win at #292 Hampton. Richmond is making 41.5% of their 3?s (#8), are getting 39.7% of their points on arc (#24)- they have #6 eFG% in country. ODU lost its last seven games, is 3-8 vs schedule #74; they?ve won 51 games last two years. Monarchs lost their three top 100 games, by 5-12-14 points; their eFG% is #324. ODU is shooting 28.4% on arc (#314), 43.6% inside arc (#316), 64.6% on line (#306).
South Florida won its last three games, is 6-4 vs schedule #292; Bulls won their only top 100 game, by 10 over Furman. Bulls are forcing turnovers 26.8% of time (#3) but are also turning ball over 23.4% of time (#326); they?re a top 20 rebounding team in country. USF is #345 in country on foul line (59%). Utah State is 10-2 vs schedule #282 after losing by 4 to BYU in last game; their only two losses are to top 50 teams (Saint Mary?s/BYU). Aggies are experience team #133 that gets 23.4% of its points on foul line (#23).
Michigan State won its last ten games with Northwestern, winning last four visits to Evanston, by 14-24-31-5 points. Spartans won last two games, are disappointing 7-3 vs schedule #20; they won their only true road game, by 3 at Seton Hall. MSU is experience team #265 that that has #33 eFG% defense, but they?re only shooting 31.3% on arc (#224). Northwestern is 5-4 vs #206 schedule; Wildcats are experience team #303- one of their best players was a lacrosse player in the Patriot League the last few years. NWern is 1-2 in top 100 games, wth losses by 13-14 points.
Louisiana won nine of last 13 games with Arkansas State , winning last two visits to Jonesboro, by 10-3 points; Ragin? Cajuns lost three of last four games overall, are 0-4 in true road games, losing three times by 12+ points with an OT loss at Wyoming mixed in. Louisiana won four of five games vs teams ranked outside top 200. ASU is 6-3 vs schedule #264; they?re 4-0 vs teams ranked outside top 200, with three wins by 13+ points. Red Wolves are 3-0 in games decided by 5 or fewer points; their eFG% defense is #308 in country.
North Carolina is without freshman star Anthony (knee) who is out 4-6 weeks; Tar Heels lost last three games, scoring 49-47-64 points. UNC players (other than Anthony) are shooting 25% on arc for season. Tar Heels have #309 eFG% in country; worst they?ve been in last five years was #124. Gonzaga won its last three games, winning AT Washington/Arizona in last two; they are 11-1 vs schedule #215. Zags are #331 continuity team that won its three top 100 games, by 1-7-4 points; they?re shooting 38.3% on arc (#29), 55.5% inside arc (#20).
Saint Mary?s is 10-2 vs schedule #91; they?re 2-1 vs top 100 teams, beating Wisconsin/Utah State, losing by 10 to Dayton. Gaels are experience team #91 that is making 43.8% of its 3?s (#1)- they?ve got #22 eFG% while playing pace #334- they beat Cal of Pac-12 in last game. Arizona State won its last five games, is 8-2 vs schedule #137; they?re forcing turnovers 24% of time (#26), are 3-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 10 to Colorado in China, by 3 at Virginia. Sun Devils won by 4 at San Francisco in their only WCC game this season.
UNLV is 4-7 vs schedule #141; they haven?t played in 11 days. Rebels are 1-7 vs top 200 teams, with only win in double OT at Fresno State. UNLV is turning ball over 22.4% of time (#304); three of their losses came in OT. Rebels beat Pacific the last two years by 5-26 points; they?re not a deep team (bench minutes #288) which has hurt them in close games. Pacific won its last five games, is 9-3 vs schedule #349; Tigers are 0-3 vs top 200 teams though, losing by 10-5-6 points- their last loss was in triple OT to Boise State. Pacific plays slow (#345) pace.
Kentucky won its last six games, is 8-1, albeit vs schedule #339; Wildcats are in Las Vegas for the week- they play Ohio State Saturday, but better not look past this game. Kentucky won both its top 100 games, beating Kentucky by 7, Ga Tech by 14; this is their first game outside of Lexington since Nov 5. Utah is experience team #352 that won its last four games, is 8-2 vs schedule #277, winning all three of their top 100 games. Utes beat rival BYU in OT after trailing by 16 with 13:44 left; they?re shooting 59.8% inside arc (#4), have #13 eFG% in country.