There will be a ton of articles and posts about the performance Jimmer Fredette had last night. It was a spectacular showing by BYU in what could be their biggest game of the season...at least until they play at San Diego State in February. The atmosphere in that building was electric and it made me think about why it's so much easier to accept the cinderella in college basketball then in it's college counterpart football. All of the talking heads told people to watch this game tonight and have alerted the fans about the Butlers and Gonzagas of the world. We embraced George Mason during their run to the Final Four adopting them as our team of choice for that season. We all remember where we were when Bryce Drew hit that shot for Valpo. I was at school watching the game with a few others who were rooting for the other team.
Let's contrast that to college football who had their own version of cinderella in TCU and Boise State. Now the Horned Frogs got the royal treatment especially after they knocked off Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. The problem was that everyone tried to cut them down beforehand pointing out that they couldn't play with the big boys because of their weak schedule. Boise State got even worse treatment from the fans and many of the pundits who said that they couldn't handle the spotlight either. Putting these two against each other in the bowl games was an injustice. The BCS officials said that we should be happy that they were even in a BCS bowl game. They didn't want us to see Boise knock off another Oklahoma. Fast forward to this season and the HUGE sigh of relief that came up when Kyle Brotzman missed those kicks.
I don't think there are those sigh's of relief in college basketball. Sure there are those who say every conference shouldn't have a representative in the field of 68. Those people are quickly quieted down by the mere mention of the Butlers, George Masons and Hampton who knocked off Iowa State. I really wonder why college football can't embrace their cinderellas. You don't see Coach K complaining that they have to play Butler in the title game. This is another reason the NCAA Tournament is the most pure sporting event in America. One and done is the way to go. I don't need a five or seven game series to determine who is good enough to win the championship.
The gospel went 1-1 yesterday with the La Salle game being postponed to Thursday. La Salle is still a pick especially if they are at 3.5 again. For those who need their reasons, please see my column before this.
Furman -2 -- The Paladins hit the road to take on Western Carolina on Thursday. Furman is 15-5, 7-2 in the Southern Conference. They have won four straight and five of their last six games entering this one. They score 72.9 points per game while allowing a mere 64.5. The Paladins are led by Amu Saaka (17.2 ppg), Jordan Miller (12 ppg) and Noah States (11.9 ppg). Western Carolina is 8-12, 4-4 in the conference. They are scoring only 67.5 points per game while allowing just under 70 per game. The Catamounts are led by Mike Williams (14.7 ppg) and Trey Sumler (11.5 ppg). They got waxed by Charleston and Citadel last week losing by a combined 51 points to those two teams. Furman is 7-1 ATS as a favorite this season and 14-4 ATS the past three seasons. They are a covering machine this season and will do so once again.
Idaho -2 -- We're going back to the Vandals even though they let us down in the Boise State game. Idaho hits the road where they've won five straight games to take on woeful Louisiana Tech. The Vandals had a six game win streak snapped in a three point home loss to Boise State. Idaho has been mighty impressive though especially for a team that was picked to finish towards the bottom of the WAC standings in the preseason. They are led by Kyle Barone (11.2 ppg), Jeff Ledbetter (10.2 ppg), Deremy Geiger (10.1 ppg), Luiz Toledo (9.8 ppg) and Shawn Henderson (9.7 ppg). Louisiana Tech is still looking for their first conference win. The team struggles to score putting up only 66.6 points per contest. They are led by DeAndre Brown (16 ppg) and Olu Ashaolu (14.5 ppg). The first time these two teams played this season, the Vandals won 77-47. La Tech lost three straight home conference games to Fresno State, San Jose State and Hawaii from 1/6 to 1/15. The Bulldogs are shooting 38.2 percent in conference play. This has Idaho win written all over it.
Nevada -6.5 -- The Fresno State Bulldogs hope their last outing awakened a terrible offense. Fresno scored 39, 57 and 52 points in three straight conference losses before putting up 86 at home against Seattle. Fresno is at Nevada on Thursday. The two teams played a close in in Fresno on January 3rd with the Bulldogs winning 80-74. The Dogs have put up just 65.1 points per game this season which is 128th overall. Greg Smith (10.7 ppg) and Kevin Olekaibe (10.6 ppg) lead the way. Nevada is 7-13, 4-3 in the WAC. They put up almost 70 points per game, but allow 71.4. The team has multiple options on offense with Olek Czyz (13.8 ppg), Deonte Burton (13.4 ppg), Malik Story (13.4 ppg) and Dario Hunt (13.2 ppg) doing most of the grunt work. The Wolf Pack has won four of their last five at home winning the first two games of the homestand by 19 and eight points. They have won three straight overall and are playing better basketball then the last time these two met.
Showing posts with label University of Idaho. Show all posts
Showing posts with label University of Idaho. Show all posts
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Broseph's Bits And The Weekend Gospel
The gospel was bored on Friday night so he turned on some NBA basketball and was reminded why it just doesn't show up much on his radar. I'm a college basketball junkie and the thought of a midnight WAC or West Coast Conference game makes me so happy. I still don't understand why ESPN took away my beloved midnight game on Big Monday done by Stephen Bardo and Terry Gannon. It was a rare joy of mine to watch Gonzaga and Santa Clara do battle and have those two gentlemen call the game. I can watch a MAC conference game between the directional Michigan schools. I just can't say the same about a random NBA game.
Back to the NBA though, I just can't get into it. Watching the Lakers and Nuggets, there's so much I find missing in my basketball experience. First off, there's no juice in the stands. College games are littered with high powered alums and drunk college students screaming just because. NBA games are littered with celebrities and college students looking for study hall. The NBA also has a major competition issue with so few teams able to compete with the elite of the Celtics, Heat, Spurs, Lakers etc. College basketball also has their elite and their teams that don't have a chance, but there still isn't this helpless feeling it seems. These kids are playing for their futures while the NBA stars are playing for their next contract. It's easier to identify with a Jimmer Fredette and a Kemba Walker then a Kenyon Martin and an Andre Iguodala.
We move to the grand finale of each sport. In the NBA you get potentially seven matchups between the same two teams and the same stars doing the same things over and over again. Where's the fun in that? In college, you get a tournament with 68 teams and one chance to move on or not. It's that one chance that allows us to crown Cinderella's which are rarely found in the NBA. When's the last time a 6 seed made it to the NBA Finals? When's the last time an NBA team captured the heart of the casual fan like Butler did last year? I'd like to think those answers are close to never.
Finally, let's talk about TV coverage. To the common person, the NBA is filled with 12 teams or so because that's all you see on TV. How many times can I watch the Heat or Lakers without getting bored out of my mind? I realize the true NBA fan has no problem with this, but c'mon there's got to be some variety. The Clippers and T-Wolves aren't too good, but they have players worth watching so put them on TV. There are at least 26 college basketball games on Saturday for the fan. Yes, Duke and Ohio State and Connecticut are pretty much always on too, but there's enough channels with games on to get around them. I fully expect the hate mail from the NBA fan, but it's not going to change my mind. Give me Utah State-New Mexico State over Lakers-Nuggets any day of the week.
The gospel took the night off after another winning day on Thursday night. Saturday's are always difficult as I came up with at least 15 leans. These I feel are the best of that bunch so enjoy.
UCLA -6.5 -- UCLA welcomes a wounded Stanford Cardinal team to Pauley on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinal lost last time out 65-42 at Southern Cal. They had a lot of issues trying to contain the size of the Trojans with Nikola Vucevic and Alex Stepheson doing a lot of the damage in Thursday's loss. UCLA has Joshua Smith, Reeves Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt to throw at the undersized Cardinal. Stanford has lost by 33 at Butler, 11 at Oklahoma State and 10 at Arizona. Jeremy Green (14.9 ppg) and Josh Owens (11.7 ppg) are Stanford's main threats. That's not saying much considering they score only 63.8 points per game. The Bruins average more then that at 72.1 points per contest. They are led by Reeves Nelson (14.5 ppg), Tyler Honeycutt (13.5 ppg), Malcolm Lee (12.2 ppg) and Lazeric Jones (11.2 ppg). UCLA has won three straight and has been real tough at home for the most part. They'll triumph in this one as well.
Kansas/Texas Over 143 -- Arguably, the two top teams in the Big 12 hit the court in Kansas on Saturday. The Jayhawks are one of the few unbeatens so far this season. They do it with an offense that averages 83.2 points per game while giving up only 61.1. This is a DEEP team with six guys averaging at least eight points per game. They've gotten even better since adding Josh Selby who has played nine games and averaged 12.1 points per game. They've scored at least 80 points in five of their last seven contests. The Longhorns are no slouch either offensively. They put up 78.2 points per game and have five players who average at least nine points per game. Texas has scored 83, 67 and 78 in their last three road games. This series has produced 10 overs in their last 15 matchups including five straight at Kansas. We think this will go over the total as well.
North Texas -8 -- We faded Arkansas State in their last road game against Denver and came up a winner so why not do it again. ASU lost 74-36 to a Denver team that is talented, but nowhere near as good as North Texas. They are now 1-10 on the road which is not a good number for a team that averages just below 70 points per game. Martavius Adams (12.6 ppg) and Donald Boone (10.2 ppg) are the Red Wolves main threats. The Mean Green put up 79.1 points per game this season. They are led by Tristan Thompson (18.1 ppg), Josh White (13.8 ppg), George Odufuwa (11.3 ppg) and Dominique Johnson (10.4 ppg). The Mean Green have lost four games this season and all came on the road. They have pounded each of their home Sun Belt opponents by 10 points or more. They won by 17 last time out at woeful Louisiana Monroe and can be a handful when they are running and gunning. Arkansas State will be in for a long evening on Saturday.
Idaho +1.5 -- The Vandals have won six straight contests and are alone in 2nd place of the WAC entering this home game against Boise State. Idaho is 3-1 against Boise under coach Don Verlin. The team has the conference's 2nd best defense and six players averaging between seven and 11 points per game. The best part of this win streak is that four of the games came on the road. They've used the 74-69 home loss to New Mexico State as motivation and have played great basketball since then. Boise State is 11-7 having lost two straight contests. They are led by Robert Arnold's 15.5 points per game. Boise's losses the last two games have come at home to Utah State and Nevada. They lost at Portland, Utah, Drake and UNLV on the road. Idaho's the better team so we'll take the points and the outright win in this one.
Back to the NBA though, I just can't get into it. Watching the Lakers and Nuggets, there's so much I find missing in my basketball experience. First off, there's no juice in the stands. College games are littered with high powered alums and drunk college students screaming just because. NBA games are littered with celebrities and college students looking for study hall. The NBA also has a major competition issue with so few teams able to compete with the elite of the Celtics, Heat, Spurs, Lakers etc. College basketball also has their elite and their teams that don't have a chance, but there still isn't this helpless feeling it seems. These kids are playing for their futures while the NBA stars are playing for their next contract. It's easier to identify with a Jimmer Fredette and a Kemba Walker then a Kenyon Martin and an Andre Iguodala.
We move to the grand finale of each sport. In the NBA you get potentially seven matchups between the same two teams and the same stars doing the same things over and over again. Where's the fun in that? In college, you get a tournament with 68 teams and one chance to move on or not. It's that one chance that allows us to crown Cinderella's which are rarely found in the NBA. When's the last time a 6 seed made it to the NBA Finals? When's the last time an NBA team captured the heart of the casual fan like Butler did last year? I'd like to think those answers are close to never.
Finally, let's talk about TV coverage. To the common person, the NBA is filled with 12 teams or so because that's all you see on TV. How many times can I watch the Heat or Lakers without getting bored out of my mind? I realize the true NBA fan has no problem with this, but c'mon there's got to be some variety. The Clippers and T-Wolves aren't too good, but they have players worth watching so put them on TV. There are at least 26 college basketball games on Saturday for the fan. Yes, Duke and Ohio State and Connecticut are pretty much always on too, but there's enough channels with games on to get around them. I fully expect the hate mail from the NBA fan, but it's not going to change my mind. Give me Utah State-New Mexico State over Lakers-Nuggets any day of the week.
The gospel took the night off after another winning day on Thursday night. Saturday's are always difficult as I came up with at least 15 leans. These I feel are the best of that bunch so enjoy.
UCLA -6.5 -- UCLA welcomes a wounded Stanford Cardinal team to Pauley on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinal lost last time out 65-42 at Southern Cal. They had a lot of issues trying to contain the size of the Trojans with Nikola Vucevic and Alex Stepheson doing a lot of the damage in Thursday's loss. UCLA has Joshua Smith, Reeves Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt to throw at the undersized Cardinal. Stanford has lost by 33 at Butler, 11 at Oklahoma State and 10 at Arizona. Jeremy Green (14.9 ppg) and Josh Owens (11.7 ppg) are Stanford's main threats. That's not saying much considering they score only 63.8 points per game. The Bruins average more then that at 72.1 points per contest. They are led by Reeves Nelson (14.5 ppg), Tyler Honeycutt (13.5 ppg), Malcolm Lee (12.2 ppg) and Lazeric Jones (11.2 ppg). UCLA has won three straight and has been real tough at home for the most part. They'll triumph in this one as well.
Kansas/Texas Over 143 -- Arguably, the two top teams in the Big 12 hit the court in Kansas on Saturday. The Jayhawks are one of the few unbeatens so far this season. They do it with an offense that averages 83.2 points per game while giving up only 61.1. This is a DEEP team with six guys averaging at least eight points per game. They've gotten even better since adding Josh Selby who has played nine games and averaged 12.1 points per game. They've scored at least 80 points in five of their last seven contests. The Longhorns are no slouch either offensively. They put up 78.2 points per game and have five players who average at least nine points per game. Texas has scored 83, 67 and 78 in their last three road games. This series has produced 10 overs in their last 15 matchups including five straight at Kansas. We think this will go over the total as well.
North Texas -8 -- We faded Arkansas State in their last road game against Denver and came up a winner so why not do it again. ASU lost 74-36 to a Denver team that is talented, but nowhere near as good as North Texas. They are now 1-10 on the road which is not a good number for a team that averages just below 70 points per game. Martavius Adams (12.6 ppg) and Donald Boone (10.2 ppg) are the Red Wolves main threats. The Mean Green put up 79.1 points per game this season. They are led by Tristan Thompson (18.1 ppg), Josh White (13.8 ppg), George Odufuwa (11.3 ppg) and Dominique Johnson (10.4 ppg). The Mean Green have lost four games this season and all came on the road. They have pounded each of their home Sun Belt opponents by 10 points or more. They won by 17 last time out at woeful Louisiana Monroe and can be a handful when they are running and gunning. Arkansas State will be in for a long evening on Saturday.
Idaho +1.5 -- The Vandals have won six straight contests and are alone in 2nd place of the WAC entering this home game against Boise State. Idaho is 3-1 against Boise under coach Don Verlin. The team has the conference's 2nd best defense and six players averaging between seven and 11 points per game. The best part of this win streak is that four of the games came on the road. They've used the 74-69 home loss to New Mexico State as motivation and have played great basketball since then. Boise State is 11-7 having lost two straight contests. They are led by Robert Arnold's 15.5 points per game. Boise's losses the last two games have come at home to Utah State and Nevada. They lost at Portland, Utah, Drake and UNLV on the road. Idaho's the better team so we'll take the points and the outright win in this one.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Broseph's Bits And The Monday Gospel
Kansas/Baylor Over 139.5 -- A stiff test for Kansas on Monday when they head into Texas to take on Baylor. The Jayhawks are 17-0 and are averaging 83.1 points per game. Kansas has shown that when a team wants to play at an uptempo pace, they will do so as well. KU has scored at least 80 points in 10 of their 17 games this season. Marcus Morris (16.7 ppg) and Markieff Morris (12.8 ppg) patrol the inside while Josh Selby (12.1 ppg in 8 games) and Tyrel Reed (9.3 ppg) take care of business on the outside. Baylor is no slouch. They are 12-4, 2-1 in the Big 12. The Bears score 73.4 points per game which is 56th overall. They are led by LaceDarius Dunn (22.3 ppg), Quincy Acy (13.6 ppg) and Perry Jones (13.1 ppg). Baylor has scored at least 70 points in 10 of their 16 games. Last year, Kansas won 81-75 at home on January 20th. Five of the last eight games in this series have gone over the total since 1997. Baylor is shooting nearly 50% at home this season where they are 10-1. Kansas is putting up an average of 81.6 points on the road. This one could be a shootout.
Idaho +5 -- The Vandals hit the road to take on Fresno State Monday night. Idaho has been a surprise this season going 11-6, 4-1 in the WAC. They have won five straight with three of them coming on the road. As a matter of fact, they have won four straight road games and five of their last six. Idaho can beat you in multiple ways. They have three players averaging over 10 points per game with two others chipping in at least nine. Fresno State meanwhile is 7-8 and scoring only 65.1 points per game. They have two players averaging at least 10 points per game with two others chipping in at least eight. Fresno has lost two straight and is coming off a game where they put in only 39 points at home. They are 5-3 at home losing also to Washington State and Pacific. Offensively this team is too inconsistent playing many games in the 50's and 60's. Idaho has won two straight at Fresno and four straight in the series. I like the Vandals to keep it close and potentially win this game outright.
Idaho +5 -- The Vandals hit the road to take on Fresno State Monday night. Idaho has been a surprise this season going 11-6, 4-1 in the WAC. They have won five straight with three of them coming on the road. As a matter of fact, they have won four straight road games and five of their last six. Idaho can beat you in multiple ways. They have three players averaging over 10 points per game with two others chipping in at least nine. Fresno State meanwhile is 7-8 and scoring only 65.1 points per game. They have two players averaging at least 10 points per game with two others chipping in at least eight. Fresno has lost two straight and is coming off a game where they put in only 39 points at home. They are 5-3 at home losing also to Washington State and Pacific. Offensively this team is too inconsistent playing many games in the 50's and 60's. Idaho has won two straight at Fresno and four straight in the series. I like the Vandals to keep it close and potentially win this game outright.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
TWTW: Best Bowl Finish In Boise...???
Yup...
We all know what you're thinking...
That Humanitarian Bowl between Bowling Green and Idaho will surely be one worth watching... it's WAC versus MAC...
Yep. We're tied down for that one...
Clock us in... check us out...
Well, the HQ hates to break it to you, but it was BY FAR the best finish in this bowl season to date.
For those of you who don't know, Bowling Green WR Freddie Barnes set the Division I record for receptions in a season- finishing the day with 155 on the year. He caught 17 for 219 yards and 3 scores during the day.
In a game that featured 46 first downs and 990 yards of total offense, Barnes caught his third TD pass with 32 seconds left from 51 yards out to give the Falcons a 42-35 lead.
That's where we pick up Eric Collins and Brock Huard...
((HT: ESPN))
Idaho won only two games last year...
They wouldn't dress in Boise State's home dressing room, either...
Awesome...
We all know what you're thinking...
That Humanitarian Bowl between Bowling Green and Idaho will surely be one worth watching... it's WAC versus MAC...
Yep. We're tied down for that one...
Clock us in... check us out...
Well, the HQ hates to break it to you, but it was BY FAR the best finish in this bowl season to date.
For those of you who don't know, Bowling Green WR Freddie Barnes set the Division I record for receptions in a season- finishing the day with 155 on the year. He caught 17 for 219 yards and 3 scores during the day.
In a game that featured 46 first downs and 990 yards of total offense, Barnes caught his third TD pass with 32 seconds left from 51 yards out to give the Falcons a 42-35 lead.
That's where we pick up Eric Collins and Brock Huard...
((HT: ESPN))
Idaho won only two games last year...
They wouldn't dress in Boise State's home dressing room, either...
Awesome...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
TWTW: Is This A Rivalry...???
((HT: KTVB-TV/Boise))
Especially when one team has won 11 straight in the series...???
Boise blows out Idaho, which they needed to, 63-25...
The Broncos came in averaging 59.4 points per home game against Idaho in five games this decade. The last three times the Broncos have played the Vandals in Boise, they've won 58-14, 70-35, 65-7 — and now Saturday's runaway.
Boise State has the nation's best home winning percentage this decade at .968 (61-2).
Boise QB Kellen Moore threw for three scores, and Idaho committed seven turnovers...
And the U, who was broadcasting the game to the rest of us, had technical difficulties early on and was having issues getting power to a generator...
The problem was eventually fixed...
Justin Corr got to stay indoors for this one...
Especially when one team has won 11 straight in the series...???
Boise blows out Idaho, which they needed to, 63-25...
The Broncos came in averaging 59.4 points per home game against Idaho in five games this decade. The last three times the Broncos have played the Vandals in Boise, they've won 58-14, 70-35, 65-7 — and now Saturday's runaway.
Boise State has the nation's best home winning percentage this decade at .968 (61-2).
Boise QB Kellen Moore threw for three scores, and Idaho committed seven turnovers...
And the U, who was broadcasting the game to the rest of us, had technical difficulties early on and was having issues getting power to a generator...
The problem was eventually fixed...
Justin Corr got to stay indoors for this one...
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