Broseph's Bits And The Wednesday Gospel

I'd like to think I'm not subject to the east coast bias that the left side of the country swears that we have. The amazing thing is that they probably have the better brand of basketball right now. One of the most captivating games of the early season was San Diego State @ Brigham Young which showed us the great talents of Jimmer Fredette. Utah State is ruling the roost in the WAC and will bring a stellar record into the field of 68. They are ranked as of right now and rightfully deserve to be. Jump to the West Coast Conference which is no longer Gonzaga's playground. St. Mary's lost Omar Samhan from last year's tourney team, but they haven't lost a beat. The Gaels are 20-4 and have proven themselves to be a tough out. Oh yeah, Gonzaga's not going to go away quietly. I smell a run for the Zags in the future. We may not have heard the last of them yet.

The PAC 10 features Arizona, UCLA, Washington and Washington State who each will be threats in the tournament. The Wildcats are the only team ranked right now, but that's because Washington has yet to figure out how to win away from home. The Huskies are one of the most exciting teams in the land to watch with their up and down style. This is conducive to high-scoring affairs. UCLA and Washington State have the talent to upset a team or two. We mentioned the Aztecs and Cougars above as one of the better games of the season. The Mountain West also features UNLV and New Mexico who each have also stepped up with nice wins this season. The Running Rebels may need some help to get in, but Tre'Von Willis and Chace Stanback are pretty tough on opponents. They need to improve on the 0-4 record against the three teams ahead of them on the standings. Heck, Colorado State is 16-7 this season and playing good basketball.

With the ACC and SEC having down years, the balance of power in this country may actually finally be balanced. Granted the Big East's 17 team conference still has the most power overall, but the balance of the PAC 10, Mountain West and WCC helps out. The Big 12 represents the Midwest nicely with Texas, Kansas, Texas A&M and Missouri all playing good ball right now. Point is, no matter what part of the country you currently live in, chances are you are near some good basketball. Now that the NFL is over, go support the local school...whether they are Kansas or Centenary who is still looking for their first win.

It's on to the picks now. Yesterday we went 1-1 with the Clemson total going way over and Wichita State losing outright. That was a shock. Here's a few more winners.

Kent State -13.5 -- The Golden Flashes hope to continue their streak of double digit conference home victories on Wednesday night when they host woeful Eastern Michigan. KSU is 15-7, 6-2 in the MAC and currently on a four game win streak during which they've won every game by at least 13. The team scores 68.5 points per game while giving up 63.5 which is good for 40th in the country. Kent State has a multitude of scoring weapons beginning with Justin Greene (15.7 ppg), Rodriquez Sherman (12.1 ppg) and Carlton Guyton (11.5 ppg). Eastern Michigan doesn't have that luxury. They are led by Brandon Bowdry who averages 20 points per contest. The next highest scorer is Derek Thompson at 9.9 ppg then Darrell Lampley 6.6 ppg. They score only 61.6 points per game as a team which is 147th in the nation. The Eagles have won just one road game against woeful Toledo. They fell by 14 at Ohio and 17 at Western Michigan in conference. Overall, EMU is 6-16, 3-6 in the MAC. They have played "better" at home which is not where they will be Wednesday night.

Richmond -5.5 -- The Spiders play their rematch with George Washington on Wednesday. Richmond defeated GW 68-58 at home on January 19th in a rugged type of game. The Spiders have actually played better on the road this season winning seven straight. Five of the seven victories away from home during that streak were by double digits. Richmond is led by Justin Harper (17.7 ppg) and Kevin Anderson (16.4 ppg). They also get contributions from Dan Geriot and Darien Brothers. GW is 12-11, 5-4 in the Atlantic 10. They are led by Tony Taylor and his 14.8 points per game. The Colonials score only 65.4 points per game while giving up 66.4. They are a hard team to figure as they've won at Oregon State, but also lost to Harvard and St. Bonaventure at home. The Colonials have lost five of their last seven games and are entering this one off a 73-67 win at Charlotte. The Spiders have what it takes to win on the road in this one.

Missouri State -15 -- We've been fading Bradley as of late and unfortunately without much luck. The Braves hit the road for the 2nd straight game to play Missouri State. Bradley has won two straight games knocking off Creighton and Southern Illinois. They had lost 11 straight contests in conference including the first meeting with the Bears. On January 16th, Bradley fell 78-67 at home. It's been chronicled that the team relies on Andrew Warren (19.3 ppg) and Dodie Dunson (10 ppg). BU scores only 63.7 points per game while giving up 68.5. Missouri State is 18-6, 10-3 in the Missouri Valley. They score 70.5 points per game while giving up only 62.7. This is a balanced attack with Kyle Weems (16.4 ppg), Will Creekmore (11.7 ppg) and Jermaine Mallett (11.4 ppg) leading the way. At home, this team takes out the trash when it comes to bad teams. They beat SIU by 13, Evansville by 15, Illinois State by 11, St. Louis by 16 and Arkansas Little Rock by 34. I will continue to fade Bradley especially on the road against the cream of the MVC crop.

OSG Buzzer Beater: Indiana State Plays Beat The Clock

The last time we heard anything about Indiana State basketball Larry Bird was suiting up for the Sycamores.

Sunday Indiana State hosted Creighton in an important Missouri Valley Conference match-up and Junior forward Carl Richard became a hero banking in a buzzer beater to shoot down the Blue Jays 61-59.

(Thanks Creighton Athletics/Youtube.com)

TWTW: Sycamores Snap 33-Game Losing Streak

((HT: WTHI-TV/Terre Haute))

Indiana State University's football team snaps a 33 game losing streak. They defeated Western Illinois, 17 to 14.

It was the longest losing streak in the country for college football.

Quarterback Ryan Roberts led the charge for ISU, scoring both of the Sycamores’ touchdowns, including a 91 yard rushing touchdown that would give ISU a 10-7 lead at the half.

He would add another touchdown in the fourth quarter to reclaim the lead...

Rick Semmler, from WTHI-TV, has your highlights...


Bully for you guys this week...

More March March: The MVC

With all apologies to Brother Lee, an alum of Illinois State, we post the next story...

Ali Farokhmanesh scored eight of Northern Iowa's 12 points in overtime, helping the top seed overcome a big finish from Osiris Eldridge in a 60-57 victory over Illinois State in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game Sunday.

Kwadzo Ahelegbe had 17 points and hit two free throws with 16 seconds left in OT for Northern Iowa (23-10), which earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Panthers,who tied for the regular-season title, matched a school record for victories while earning their first NCAA bid since 2004.

((Jordan Eglseder pictured, thanks Tom Gannum/AP))

Eldridge had 21 points and hit five 3-pointers after a scoreless first half, but he missed a long 3-point attempt at the end of regulation and another at the end of overtime.Northern Iowa was 3-0 against Illinois State (24-9) this season,with another victory in double-overtime and all three decided by a total of nine points.

We sincerely hope Lee's better half, Karen, is only giving him plastic ware to eat with and an electric razor to shave when he heads to work.

Your really, professional looking wrap-up with Bob Wenzel is below...

Hey, any time you can get Dick Enberg to help out- it's a plus...

((HT: CBS Sports))

Watch CBS Videos Online

Support UNI Baseball

Remember a while back how we told you about this year's first athletic screwjob...?
The University of Northern Iowa baseball team...


They had just lost to Arkansas-Little Rock and then, Happy Monday!!! You're done at the end of the season... unless you can fill an incredibly tough demand from your Athletic Director...

The University was claiming the economic climate was "forcing" cuts in the program, so they decided on baseball. It was the only way to keep the integrity of their Title IX percentage and save money at the same time...

Right...

So the demand...???
Raise $1.2-million by April 5th...

That $1.2 gets them a three-year reprieve, but in that three years they have to raise $10-million to permanently endow the program.


Gee, thanks...


Well, here's the website they've set up for the cause... supportunibaseball.com


So, go ahead...
Support UNI Baseball... and thumb your nose at the Athletic Department as a whole...

College Basketball: Missouri Valley Conference Predictions

Yes I know, we are in the middle of college football season but it’s time to start to look toward college hoops. Our college football predictions proved to be popular (and many of you are viewing them to this day) let’s forecast college basketball. We begin with the Mid-Majors and the Missouri Valley Conference.

Best Team In The MVC: Creighton Blue Jays
Though the Blue Jays are very young they are very good. Creighton returns the Valley’s reigning Newcomer & Freshman of the Year in P’Allen Stinnett and the reigning 6th man of the year in Booker Woodfox. Creighton has the best depth in the Valley and should win their first title since 2002.

Best Player In The MVC: Osiris Eldridge – Illinois State
Eldridge has size and skill, probably the best of that combo in the MVC. He led the league is scoring last year (17.1) and elevating his team to the most conference wins in 10 years and a post season berth (NIT)

Team That Could Surprise: Bradley: The Braves got valuable extra practice time playing in the College Basketball Invitational (remember that). Bradley lost their starting backcourt from last year but the extra practice time may pay dividends. If so the Braves might sneak in the post season picture.

Who Goes Dancing: Creighton & Southern Illinois

Who Plays For Number 66: Illinois State & Drake

Missouri Valley Views: Bradley finished 2nd in the first College Basketball Invitational. I’m sure that banner will have a prime spot in the rafters. As a proud graduate of Missouri State University it hurts to see the Bears at the cellar of the MVC. Cuonzo Martin has a rebuilding job in Springfield but with a brand new facility, the 11,000 seat JQH Arena, and a tremendous fan base, the Bears won’t be down long. I for one will miss the old Hammons Student Center.

Missouri Valley Conference Pre-Season Prediction:

1. Creighton
2. Southern Illinois
3. Illinois State
4. Drake
5. Bradley
6. Northern Iowa
7. Indiana State
8. Evansville
9. Wichita State
10. Missouri State

Photo Courtesy: Illinois State University/goredbirds.com