College Hoops Thursday

Obviously, the CH world is abuzz over Gardner-Webb's shocking triumph over Kentucky last night. I'll go through that game with Andy Katz of ESPN, and talk about the other games from last night (yes, there were other games) and tonight's games as the wild Coaches vs Cancer Classic continues.

-First in football it was Appy State over Michigan, now just 109 miles away the Gardner-Webb Runnin Bulldogs win at Rupp Arena, and did it in convincing fashion. G-Webb got off to a jaw dropping 14-0 lead, and that advantage was never less than 7 points the rest of the way. Webb got 22 points from Grayson Flittner, and 21 and 10 from Thomas Sanders in this enormous upset. Ramel Bradley scored 24 for UK, but it wasn't enough as Gardner-Webb stormed into Rupp Arena and just flat out attacked Billy Gillispie's defense. Andy Katz has more of the factors that went into this upset:
"I saw the second half and I concur with GWebb coach Rick Scruggs. The Bulldogs attacked, attacked and attacked. The backdoor cuts they put in were perfect. This was a classic case of a team that had been together for at least a year, playing a team in Kentucky that was still figuring itself out under its new coach. Also, Kentucky is still limited in numbers with Derrick Jasper out."
So even if a team was bad the previous year, just that experience together coupled with great coaching can lead to a shocker like this. So the Bulldogs will be at MSG next week.
-At the first game in Storrs, Greg Gamble scored 25 points as Buffalo escaped with an 89-82 win over DII Ohio Valley. It'll be UConn next for the Bulls, who struggled to a 69-65 win over Morgan State. Jerome Dyson had 20 for the Huskies, and Curtis Kelly chipped in with 13 and 9 off the bench. Reggie Holmes scored 18 off the bench for the Golden Bears. In the consolation game in Lexington, Durrell Nevels had 13 points and got 20 boards as Central Arkansas came up with a 69-59 win over Alabama A&M. Defensive freak Mickell Gladness had 8 boards and 9 blocks in the loss.
-Today, the CvsC begins in Norman with East Central (who?) taking on Denver at 5:30. The Pioneers went 4-25 in the Sun Belt last year, and returns Soph Guard Tyler Bullock who averaged 11 points last year. At 6 in Storrs, Morgan State takes on Ohio Valley, which also happens to be a conference (confusing no?). The at 8, the Dons of San Francisco battle Oklahoma. The Dons went 13-18 in the WCC last year, and are led by combo Guard Manny Quezeda, who averaged just over 13 points per game last season. The Sooners were a disappointing 16-15 last season, and are led by Freshman sensation Blake Griffin. UConn and Buffalo will finish off the night at 9pm on ESPNU.

College Hoops Wednesday

Recaps from yesterday, and a preview for today as the Coaches vs Cancer Classic continues its regional phase.

In Lexington, Gardner-Webb got off to a 34-23 halftime lead and won the game over Alabama A&M 69-55 in the first round. Mickell Gladness had 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 blocks in the loss. Aaron Linn had 24 in the win for G-W.
In the consolation game in Memphis, Tennessee-Martin edged Maine 66-62 behind 31 points and 6 rebounds from Lester Hudson. Two other players reached double figures for the Skyhawks. The Black Bears had 4 players in double figures, led by 14 and 6 from Brian Andre.
In the main attraction at Rupp Arena, Joe Crawford scored 20 off the bench to lead Kentucky to a big 67-40 win over Central Arkansas in the UK coaching debut for Billy Gillispie. The Wildcats still need some work.
Richmond hung really tough with Memphis in the first half, but fabulous freshman Derrick Rose rose to the occassion and scored 21 points and had 5 points as the Tigers pulled away from the Spiders 80-63 to capture the Memphis regional. Chris Douglas-Roberts had 19 and 9 in the win. David Gonzalvez had 25 in the loss for Richmond.

The Storrs regional opens up today at 4pm as DII Ohio Valley battles Buffalo. The Bulls of the MAC went 12-19 last year, but were 12th in the nation in rebounding margin. SG Andy Robinson averaged 10 points last year, and is their best returning player.
Next up is the consolation game in Lexington as Alabama A&M faces Central Arkansas.
The main event in Storrs has Morgan State playing the hosts the UConn Huskies at 7pm on ESPNU. The Golden Bears went 13-18 but competed for the MEAC title last year. 6'3 senior Guard Jamar Smith averaged 13 and 5 last year and shot 36% from beyond the arc. UConn missed the tournament last year in a rebuilding year, but coach Jim Calhoun has high hopes for this season. They went 17-14, and are once again led by Jeff Adrien and Andre Dyson.
The Lexington final is at 9pm on ESPNU as Kentucky battles Gardner-Webb.

College Hoops Tuesday

Analysis from last night's games and a preview of today's action as the Coaches vs Cancer Classic continues.
Memphis was in trouble a bit early, but they pulled away bigtime in the 2nd half against Tennessee-Martin. SOS College Hoops analyst Ilan Katz has the recap of the Tigers triumph:

The Memphis Tigers opened their season tonight with a 102-71 victory over Tennessee-Martin. Playing without their top big man Joey Dorsey, Memphis looked sloppy in the 1st half. They didn't have too many turnovers, but they let up a lot of threes and were down at one point by as many as 7. On the offensive end they couldn't hit a 3 as they shot 31% from long range and missing 24 treys. Highly touted freshman Derrick Rose was as good as advertised. He finished with 17 points on 8-16 shooting to go with 6 rebounds and 5 assists (he would have had at least 10 had his teammates hit some shots). He also had 2 blocks, one of them on the fast break after his lone turnover of the came. he caught up from behind and swatted it off the backboard and then led the fast break. This kid is really special. But Memphis as a whole had me a little worried. Their outside shooting has got to improve for them to be a national title contender. Other than that, this team showed tonight why it is ranked #3 in the nation in both major polls.

Memphis will battle the Richmond Spiders in the 2nd round as David Gonzalvez sunk two free throws with 3.6 seconds left in a 44-42 win over Maine. He led all scorers with 15 along with 4 rebounds. Black Bears Guard Mark Scobey had 14 points and 10 boards in the loss. Maine will play Tennessee-Martin in round two. Texas State beat DII Concordia 131-96 in exhibition play.

Today at 4pm from Lexington, Gardner-Webb takes on Alabama A&M in more CVC round one play. The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs of the A-Sun went 9-21 last year and are led by 6'3 senior Thomas Sanders, who averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds last season. The Alabama A&M Bulldogs of the SWAC went 10-20 last year, but feature one of the nation's best defensive players. 6'11 senior Mickell Gladness averaged 7.6 points and 7.6 rebounds, but led the nation in blocks per game with an astounding 6.3 per contest. A&M returns all five of their starters.
At 6pm from Memphis, Maine will face Tennessee-Martin in the consolation game. The Skyhawks got 35 points and 10 rebounds from Guard Lester Hudson last night. At 7pm on ESPNU, Kentucky has their season opener at home against Central Arkansas. The Wildcats went 22-12 last season and are now led by head coach Billy Gillispie. They have the players to compete for the SEC title. They battle Central Arkansas Bears of the Southland conference. Clemson hosts Augusta tonight in exhibition action. Memphis hosts Richmond at 9pm tonight on ESPNU

College Hoops Today

3 weeks are left until the College Basketball season starts when highly touted Memphis hosts Tennessee-Martin on ESPNU. They had their first practice on Friday with one of the top teams in the nation led by a returning starting 5 with Joey Dorsey and Chris Douglas-Roberts. Oh, and they have Derrick Rose, one of the best freshmen in the country. The Tigers schedule includes a December 4th home game against USC, who had their first workouts of the OJ Mayo era in Los Angeles.
23,313 fans showed up at Rupp Arena for the first Kentucky practice under Billy Gillispie. Gillispie already did what former coach Tubby Smith couldn't, land the big recruit in Patrick Patterson. The Wildcats will likely run a more fast paced style than his predecessor which is a huge shot in the arm for the UK faithful. Their season starts on November 6th, but their first big game is on December 1st when they host North Carolina.
More College Hoops before the season begins, this is just a little taste of what's to come.

College Football Fallout

Conference play has started with more colossal upsets, and the men are starting to separate themselves from the boys, especially in the SEC.

- Just when you thought Miami was down and out, they come up with a gigantic home win against rankes A&M. Maybe this will turn it around for the 'Canes.
- I thought that Tulsa would give Oklahoma a run, but the Sooners just exploded to the tune of 62 points in a nice noncon road win.
- South Florida continues to assert itself as a rising power as they destroyed UNC and are now probably the 2nd best team in the Big East behind West Virginia. That's right Rutgers, play someone good outside of your conference and maybe you'll be in this discussion one day.
- Illinois is 3-1 and could easily reach a bowl game this year.
- I never thought that Syracuse would beat anyone this year, but Louisville on the road? They scored 38 when it seemed like they were averaging 4.8 points per game? Needless to say, I'm ecstatic, but also shocked at how bad the Cardinals defense was. They got lit by a good Kentucky team, but giving up big play after big play against the Orange. That'll have any defense feeling green with embarrassment. It seems like they only have talent on one side of the ball
- Clemson is an impressive 4-0, but is this just one of those fast starting Tiger teams that will fade in mid October and November? Only time will tell, because there will always be doubters 'till you do it.
- Virginia's 3-0 in ACC play after a big home win over Georgia Tech, who have had a rough start to conference play after falling to BC last week. West Virginia keeps rollin.
- Any road game in the SEC is tough, and Florida realized that but pulled it together and barely squeaked by Ole Miss. The Gators may have escaped this time, but there will be road tests much tougher then this.
- Nebraska may have still been playing on a hangover from their pasting at the hands of USC, but they barely beat Ball State. They need to get it together and win the Big 12 North.
- Another Heisman effort for Matt Ryan as BC blitzed Army. They may just come out of the ACC if they beat VaTech later in the year.
- Missouri's 4-0 and they're cracking the top 25. Props to the Tigers.
- Air Force looked completely grounded at BYU as the Cougars come up with a big home win over the Falcons.
- What can you say about Notre Dame? You almost feel bad for them until you realize that they're the Irish.
- South Carolina gave LSU a little scare, but the Tigers showed why they're tops in the SEC by beating a very good Gamecock team. Spurrier may have lost this time, but he's building quite a program down there.
- There may not have been a bigger win for Michigan in a long time, as they asserted themselves in the Big House with an even larger win over Penn State. Don't be surprised if the Wolverines reel off a few wins here in a row.
- If you haven't believed in Kentucky until now, you should probably start. They went on the road and knocked off McFadden and Arkansas by double digits in Little Rock. Has UK Football surpassed its Basketball program? Say it 'aint so!!
- Willie Tuitama had a good game for Arizona, but Cal was too much for them, putting up 45 in the win.
- UConn is 4-0 and rattled off a big win at Pitt, the Huskies look like they'll be going bowling.
- After struggling against inferior noncon opponents, Colt McCoy finally shined as Texas obliterated Rice and will go into conference play on a high.
- Kansas is 4-0, watch out for them in the Big 12 North.
- Cincinnati is 4-0 after they routed Marshall. The Herd is winless since that awful movie came out.
- Game of the day in Tuscaloosa, as Georgia rising star QB Matthew Stafford threw a TD pass on the first play of their OT possession to seal a 26-23 win over 'Bama who had to come back from several defecits. Kudos to the Tide for coming back, but Mark Richt and co may have just taken the next step.
- Wazzu is a good team, but John David Booty and USC make it look so easy at home. I want to see them go on the road in conference play.
- Iowa's offense may not be up to speed yet, but there defense looked great in their loss at Wisconsin. PJ Hill looks legit, folks.
- Don't look now, but Purdue is 4-0 and host Notre Dame this week. Watch out for the Boilermakers.
- Arizona State is 4-0, as is Oregon who actually trailed Stanford at halftime before outscoring the Cardinal on the road 31-0 in the 2nd half. Watch out for these two teams to spoil the USC and Cal party in the Pac 10.
- UCLA needed a win in a major way after getting blasted by Utah, so they put up 44 on a talented Washington team.
- Hawaii scored 66, I'd want to see a top 10 defense stop this team, 'cause I don't think that they'd be able to.

College Football Fallout

Another week, another big upset, another loss for a marquee program. The Pac 10 leads the SEC 1-0 in the showdown, let's see who came out on tap as it all falls out right now.
- 3 TD's for Steve Slaton, and a big road win for West Virginia on Thursday. That was the non-con test the Mountaineers needed to boost their computer standing.
- Air Force looks like a force after the beat TCU in OT. The team once thought of as BCS busters seems busted at 1-2.
- OK State fell at Troy. Ouch.
- Indiana is 3-0 and could sneak into a bowl game.
- Michigan State is 3-0 with a nice win over Pitt. Purdue is 3-0.
- Big road win for the hot seated Al Groh in North Carolina.
- Syracuse is the worst major conference team, and that includes Duke.
- Cincy went to Miami of Ohio and smashed 'em 47-10. The Bearcats are 3-0.
- Penn State ramped up the offense against Buffalo, and seems like the team to beat in the Big 10 after Wisconsin struggles in their win over The Citadel.
- What's going on at Auburn? A home loss to Mississippi State? That win may save Sly Croom his job. Minus 1 for the SEC, 0 to -1 Pac 10.
- Clemson could be a dark horse for the ACC title.
- Minnesota lost at Florida Atlantic. That's pretty bad.
- Florida and Tim Tebow proved it's still among the SEC elite by putting up 59 against Tennessee. That was an enourmous statement for the Gators.
- It keeps getting worse for Notre Dame as 0-2 Michigan punished them 38-0. Notre Dame is sure living up to its name, the Dame part that is. They're playing like women. Charlie Weis is going back to training camp, and they may need a whole lot more than that.
- Rutgers and Oklahoma go to 3-0 with cupcake killings.
- Very good win for Ohio State at Washington. The Huskies are tougher then they look.
- First Arkansas State, and now UCF gives Texas a bigtime scare. I don't think that the Longhorns can win the Big 12 this year if they could barely hold off these teams.
- Miami beat Florida International on the field, not off of it.
- UCLA was absolutely shocked by Utah, and it wasn't even close. They were thoroughly dominated by the Utes, minus one for the Pac 10. -1 to -1.
- Big C-USA win for Southern Miss on the road at East Carolina.
- Easy win for Cal over LaTech, who almost beat Hawaii last week.
- Alabama and Nick Saban are nack on the national radar after a huge upset of Arkansas. The Tide are back as a threat in the SEC, add one point for the southeast. 0 to -1 SEC.
- Baylor only beat Texas State by a TD, that's trouble for the Bears.
- Kansas is 3-0. they're a program on the rise.
- Spurr Dog is bringing South Carolina to prominence, he has to be one of the best college coaches of our generation.
- Everyone talks about Cal, USC, and UCLA but nobody talks about Oregon. The Ducks have cemented themselves as a top 3 Pac 10 team.
- Matt Ryan will be an NFL star. 435 yards in the air as BC blitzed GT 24-10. The Eagles are for real, and Ryan is the reason.
- Upset of the week and a huge blow to the Big East as Kentucky scored a TD in the last minute to shock Louisville. Score one for the SEC, 1 to -1 SEC. Andre' Woodson may have outplayed Brian Brohm in this one, and it was a sensational matchup for QB's. I hope they play this game more often if they don't do already.
- Even Duke can win, and Northwestern is pathetic as ever.
- Good bounce back win for Boise State against a good Wyoming team.
- USC easily made the statement of the week when they absolutely spanked Nebraska in Lincoln. 1 point for the Pac 10, 1-0 SEC.
- Arizona State is quietly 3-0 going into conference play.
- Colt Brennan made quick work of UNLV as Hawaii romped over the Runnin Rebs.