Saturday Open Thread

[Toledo Prophet]

Dare we start one......some of us are, uh, getting flat out snowed in today and there's not much to do other watch and gamble on all the hoops today.....well, if you are Spang, you also get to watch your wife shovel snow!

Watching the Big South right now. Watched the semi's on Thursday. This George kid is a freak, everyone else looks so small, even the court. UNCA brought him into the game about four minutes earlier than they did thursday night.

So far he has not had much impact and Winthrop has a couple of early treys for a 9-4 lead.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

Wow.....Pat Kennedy coaches Towson......had I somehow been able to remember yesterday afternoon, I would have been all over Hofstra......score one for my short term memory.

Interesting start for Towson, up 12-5. I know its early, but VCU, imo, needs this game. Yes, they have a nice resume, but losing in your first round game here might allow other teams to pass them in the next eight days. I doubt Eric Maynor will let them lose this game.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

Dear Georgetown and Louisville,

You guys do know the point of the game is to put the ball through the hoop, right?

Sheesh, 12-9 at the under 8 TO......not a thing of beauty, but its has been intense and the guys are going at it.

We see the home court difference right before that break. GTown has real physical stop on D and on their ensuing possession, though, a real ticky tack touch foul was whistled on Caracter trying to guard Hibbert. Hibbert did not even have the ball. Those calls were going the opposite way four weeks ago when they played.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

2nd Half of the Big South beginning.

UNCA played horrible in the first half, yet a three at the buzzer by Smithson put them down only four at half.

What impact will Goerge have? He does have six points, but I dont think UNCA has been all that special with him in the lineup, yet. He was only 2-5, which is notable since he is a 71% shooters; he fumbled some passes for turnovers, let a rebound slip through his hands. Being harsh, yes, but their game on Thursday was completely turned around every time he was on the court. He played in real short bursts and Winthrop did a good job playing an up tempo game right as he came in.

Winthrop just hit a three and their lead bulges to 9. Never should have bet against this bunch who expects to win this game. UNCA will have to dig deep these last 18 minutes to advance.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

Winthrop had built a 16-point lead, but a 9-0 run by UNCA, with George powering his way for six of those points, have cut the led to 44-37 with 7 1/2 to go.

UNCA is on the line for a 1 and 1 when the comercial break ends, so they could cut into the margin even more.

Could be an exciting finish!

 

[Toledo Prophet]

Winthrop looks like they will be the ones advancing. The Jenkins kid has been on fire. Hit a couple big jumpers that just re-established the double digit lead when it looked like UNCA was going to get back into the game.

Their experience, defense and backcourt will make Winthrop a very tough out in a couple of weeks when the NCAAs start.

They were a #11 last year. Cant see them much better than a #13 this year.

But, if a 4/13 game was to be say IU vs Winthrop, this IU alum would be very nervous, especially the way IU has been playing D the last couple of weeks. But thats just me.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

VCU has gone up double digits and Gtown has established control of their game as well. They are hitting the three ball here in the second half.

Louisville will make a run.

Towson will not.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

Georgetown/Lousville. Each team has a slug fest win against the other to their credit. Will be interesting to see if they can play to a rubber match in the BE Tourney.

Watching Miami-FSU right now. Overtimw. Noles have a 3-point lead with 1 to play. I dont want to over the top and say the Canes bid is at stake in this game. But, I would not want to them if they lose today and then in next week's 4/5 game in the ACC tourney. If that happens, their bid could go either way.

If they can pull out this win, they probably winn make the field even if they lose the 4/5 game. Canes are locked into either the 4 or 5 seed depending on what happens this weekend.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

I thought that was a gutty effort by Standford to get back into the game after being down big early. But, USC got the last 5 points of the half and are still up eight. Cardinal could have mailed it in, a la the Hoosiers last Sunday, but they got off the mat to show some fight.

I'll be locked into viewing the final 16 minutes here of the Baylor-TT game. I have TT. Baylor's at large bid is losing steam. The game has been fun, fast paced. Dunn for Baylor has been scoring here in the second half after making only one shot all game vs Tamu on Wednesday.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

It will be interesting to see just how Syracuse blows this game. :0corn

Ok, so maybe I am still a little bitter about losing on them last week when they took the tailpipe thoae final minutes against Pitt.

 

[Toledo Prophet]

I have Duke tonight and its always weird to cheer for the. Like I am killing a puppy somewhere every time I fist pump after they score.

Of course, figures the night I double up on them, they come out ice ice ice cold from behind the arc. Their shots aren't even looking good coming out of their hands. Its ugly now and an early UNC rout midway through the first.