The real conference tournaments kick off this week as teams make their last second push to glory and a chance to be one of 68 in the NCAA tournament or one of seemingly hundreds who will play in a tournament that only gamblers will care about. With that, let's take a look and see who is going to make some noise.
ACC (3/10 - 3/13) -- It's a down year for the conference despite what their fans want to tell you. North Carolina and Duke are the cream of the crop with Florida State being the 3rd seed by default. They are a shell of themselves without Chris Singleton. It would be a major upset if Carolina and Duke didn't meet again this season for the 3rd time in the title game. If you are looking for a sleeper, it could be the winner of UVA and Miami. The Hoos grind it out and force you to play at a pace you just aren't used to while the Canes are the head scratching team with a ton of talent that just hasn't been put together. CHAMPION: North Carolina
Atlantic 10 (3/8 - 3/13) -- This is a conference that always seems to have upsets and intrigue. Xavier and Temple are the cream of the crop and definite tournament teams. The Spiders have the talent to knock off anyone in the conference. The Musketeers haven't exactly treated the tournament as life or death and that strategy has paid off in the NCAA Tournament. Temple should heed that and look to bow out gracefully as the Owls don't have the depth they had in past years. If Richmond can get past Rhode Island, a team they lost to at home this season, the Spiders will be your conference champion. CHAMP: Richmond
Big 12 (3/9 - 3/12) -- Plenty of intrigue with Texas sliding and Kansas State seemingly hitting their stride. The Wildcats are a dangerous team and a quarterfinal matchup against the Jayhawks will light up the Sprint Center. On the other half of the bracket, Baylor and Missouri will present problems for the two and three seeded squads from Texas. This conference is a tough one to call so I'm going to go chalk and take the Jayhawks. Their road isn't tough until the title game. CHAMP: Kansas
Big East (3/8 - 3/12) -- The best tournament in America gets underway this week in the historic Madison Square Garden. This one is WIDE open with a whole host of teams who could take it. We've seen the squads with the double bye fail last season so those teams aren't a guarantee to take it. The best matchup could be the eventual 4/5 game with St. Johns looking to wrest away the title "New York's team" from Syracuse. Ninth seeded UConn would win a lot of conferences, but they are playing in the first round in this monster. I don't think the double byes will be an issue this year. CHAMP: Pittsburgh
Big 10 (3/10 - 3/13) -- Yawn. I'll admit it...this conference is about as intriguing as paint drying in my eyes. I keep waiting for Michigan State to wake up and play like Tom Izzo teams do. They'll have to roll thru Iowa, Purdue and Wisconsin before getting to the title game. I don't see much intrigue out of this conference. Give me the chalk. CHAMP: Ohio State
Conference USA (3/9 - 3/12) -- This one is on UTEP's campus as the Miners get the benefit that Memphis had all those years it was in their town. The one seed is UAB. This conference is a one big league barring one of the bubble teams making an uber run. Remember UCF? Yeah, they fell down big time after their undefeated start. Homecourt rules in this one. CHAMP: UTEP
MAC Conference (3/8 - 3/12) -- Some may be asking why this is here. This conference has always provided excitement and fun as the teams battle on campus sites and then Cleveland. Kent State is the class of the conference, but Ohio may be the hottest team in there. Buffalo is about as dangerous an eight seed as there is in ANY conference in the country. They've had some good wins this season and could upset Kent State in the second round. We're going to take the team playing some of the best basketball right now. CHAMP: Ohio
Mountain West Conference: (3/8 - 3/12) -- It's Jimmer's world vs. UNLV's home court. This tournament will be intriguing to see if BYU can handle the step up in talent without Brandon Davies. UNLV gets a tough first matchup with Air Force who makes you work for every basket and takes time running their offense. Should they win that, they'll most likely face the Aztecs and their balanced attack. This is an underrated conference with Jimmer vs. the Running Rebs my final. CHAMP: UNLV
PAC-10 (3/9 - 3/12) -- The Staples Center will host this spectacular tournament as the PAC 10 tries to get more teams into the tournament. Washington and USC are on the bubble as well as UCLA. Arizona held on for dear life at home against the Huskies. U-Dub has way too much talent, but a first matchup with Wazzu could prevent any sort of run and a postseason bid. Still, I think Washington puts it together and gets help from USC who will knock off Arizona. CHAMP: Washington
SEC (3/10 - 3/13) -- Underwhelming. Outside of Florida and Kentucky, this conference has a lot of teams that you can mix and match. The one squad to keep a look out for is Mississippi State who has been a thru a ton with the problems of talented Renardo Sidney and Ravern Johnson. Still, when they want to play, they are going to beat a lot of teams. Mississippi State may have the most talent outside of UK and Florida. Tennessee and Georgia are also intriguing if they get past their first round matchups. Who knows what Volunteers team will show up on a day-to-day basis. CHAMP: Mississippi State
Showing posts with label Ohio University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ohio University. Show all posts
Monday, March 7, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Broseph's Bits And The Mid-Week Gospel
This has been a wild college basketball season. Outside of undefeated Ohio State, can you really say there is a dominant team. Heck, the Buckeyes have played multiple one possession games as of late pulling them all out. Yesterday helped me reaffirm a few of my basic gambling tenets. First, the road favorite is like kryptonite at times for me. If you've followed these picks, you'd probably notice I'm on mostly home teams. Something about the fans being behind the team makes me want to take the home squad. Ideally, I'd like them to be favored, but that's not a must as in college basketball, the home underdog is money. I feel more confident when the team I bet on is at home.
Tenet number two is that I rarely take the under. Ironically, I have no problem doing so in college football, but for some reason in basketball I just can't do it. It doesn't feel right rooting against baskets. It's like rooting for the Russians during the Cold War or throwing money on the "don't pass" in a craps game. It's hard to watch a game and root for ugliness. I'm not saying that the under is a bad bet because there are some with the stomachs and non-white hair to make bets like this. I stick to the overs.
Tenet number three is to NEVER say "this looks good" or "that's a guaranteed winner." You might as well rip up that ticket if someone tells you that. I guarantee Mark Buerhle doesn't throw a perfect game if someone told him about it. You just don't jinx someone in a situation like that. There's so much that can happen especially in a short period of time. Let's take the case of the over in the Houston/Marshall game on Tuesday night. After the first 25 mins or so, these two teams were on a great pace for the over when it suddenly turned into a defensive struggle. Not making excuses, but you'll also hear the consummate gambler say this..."I was on the right side, with the wrong result."
Basically, the above exercise was a way for me to apologize to the reader for the poor day. It happens in gambling. It's why the Yankees, Lakers and Flyers don't win all of their games. Yes, I put the Flyers in there, because I love hockey and I love my Flyers. We'll bounce back with these winners.
Providence -6.5 -- The Friars return home after losing at Seton Hall. They'll host South Florida who has yet to win on the road this season. In five conference road games, they have put up 66 points or less in each contest. The team has lost nine of their last 11 games. One of the wins in that stretch was at home against Providence who has equal issues on the road. The Bulls average just 63 points per contest which is good for 133rd overall. They lean on Augustus Gilchrist (12.9 ppg), Jawanza Poland (10.3 ppg) and Hugh Robertson (9.2 ppg). Meanwhile, Providence is averaging almost 78 points per game. They are giving up over 72 per contest which is why they are 13-9, 2-7 in the Big East. The Friars are led by Marshon Brooks (23.3 ppg), Vincent Council (14.5 ppg) and Gerard Coleman (10.9 ppg). They have won two straight at home knocking off Louisville and Villanova. The Friars have the edge at guard in this one and should be able to make up for the lack of forward depth.
Ohio -2 -- The Bobcats hit the road for the 2nd straight time as they take on Central Michigan on Wednesday night. Ohio has won two straight and is almost at .500 for the season. The team is playing better basketball as of late coming off a win at Ball State last time out. Ohio has won at Akron, at Ball State, at Illinois State and at Santa Clara. The Bobcats score 73.5 points per game while also allowing nearly that much. D.J. Cooper (17 ppg), DeVaughn Washington (11.7 ppg) and Tommy Freeman (10.6 ppg) join two others who average nine points per contest on this balanced Bobcat squad. Central Michigan is in the midst of a lost season. The Chippewas are 5-15, 2-5 in the MAC conference. They score just 57.8 points per contest with the majority of them coming from Trey Zeigler (17 ppg) and Jalin Thomas (15.2 ppg). CMU has scored over 60 points in just four games since December 20th. Their five wins have come against Illinois Chicago, Cal State Fullerton, Cornerstone University, Toledo and Northern Illinois. Most good teams with a pulse that have come to their building have walked away with an easy victory. We think Ohio will do the same.
Tenet number two is that I rarely take the under. Ironically, I have no problem doing so in college football, but for some reason in basketball I just can't do it. It doesn't feel right rooting against baskets. It's like rooting for the Russians during the Cold War or throwing money on the "don't pass" in a craps game. It's hard to watch a game and root for ugliness. I'm not saying that the under is a bad bet because there are some with the stomachs and non-white hair to make bets like this. I stick to the overs.
Tenet number three is to NEVER say "this looks good" or "that's a guaranteed winner." You might as well rip up that ticket if someone tells you that. I guarantee Mark Buerhle doesn't throw a perfect game if someone told him about it. You just don't jinx someone in a situation like that. There's so much that can happen especially in a short period of time. Let's take the case of the over in the Houston/Marshall game on Tuesday night. After the first 25 mins or so, these two teams were on a great pace for the over when it suddenly turned into a defensive struggle. Not making excuses, but you'll also hear the consummate gambler say this..."I was on the right side, with the wrong result."
Basically, the above exercise was a way for me to apologize to the reader for the poor day. It happens in gambling. It's why the Yankees, Lakers and Flyers don't win all of their games. Yes, I put the Flyers in there, because I love hockey and I love my Flyers. We'll bounce back with these winners.
Providence -6.5 -- The Friars return home after losing at Seton Hall. They'll host South Florida who has yet to win on the road this season. In five conference road games, they have put up 66 points or less in each contest. The team has lost nine of their last 11 games. One of the wins in that stretch was at home against Providence who has equal issues on the road. The Bulls average just 63 points per contest which is good for 133rd overall. They lean on Augustus Gilchrist (12.9 ppg), Jawanza Poland (10.3 ppg) and Hugh Robertson (9.2 ppg). Meanwhile, Providence is averaging almost 78 points per game. They are giving up over 72 per contest which is why they are 13-9, 2-7 in the Big East. The Friars are led by Marshon Brooks (23.3 ppg), Vincent Council (14.5 ppg) and Gerard Coleman (10.9 ppg). They have won two straight at home knocking off Louisville and Villanova. The Friars have the edge at guard in this one and should be able to make up for the lack of forward depth.
Ohio -2 -- The Bobcats hit the road for the 2nd straight time as they take on Central Michigan on Wednesday night. Ohio has won two straight and is almost at .500 for the season. The team is playing better basketball as of late coming off a win at Ball State last time out. Ohio has won at Akron, at Ball State, at Illinois State and at Santa Clara. The Bobcats score 73.5 points per game while also allowing nearly that much. D.J. Cooper (17 ppg), DeVaughn Washington (11.7 ppg) and Tommy Freeman (10.6 ppg) join two others who average nine points per contest on this balanced Bobcat squad. Central Michigan is in the midst of a lost season. The Chippewas are 5-15, 2-5 in the MAC conference. They score just 57.8 points per contest with the majority of them coming from Trey Zeigler (17 ppg) and Jalin Thomas (15.2 ppg). CMU has scored over 60 points in just four games since December 20th. Their five wins have come against Illinois Chicago, Cal State Fullerton, Cornerstone University, Toledo and Northern Illinois. Most good teams with a pulse that have come to their building have walked away with an easy victory. We think Ohio will do the same.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Broseph's Bits And The Wednesday Gospel
The gospel went 1-0 yesterday picking up a close victory in Toledo by Bowling Green. I had my "pushes are like kissing your sister" blog post ready, but the Falcons made their FT's and made me stash that away for another day. We don't have picks in the best games of the evening. I know I'll be watching San Diego State - Brigham Young. I think it'll be an outstanding test for the Aztecs and if they somehow pull thru this, then they may finish the regular season undefeated.
Anyways, here's Wednesday's winners.
Ohio -10.5 -- The Bobcats host Eastern Michigan on Wednesday. EMU has struggled this season going 5-13, 2-3 in the MAC. They are scoring a woeful 61.7 points per game and have been unable to crack the 55 point mark in their last three contests. Outside of a road win at equally woeful Toledo, EMU has lost by 30 at Michigan State, 20 at Canisius, 15 at Idaho and 17 at Western Michigan. The Eagles lean heavily on Brandon Bowdry (20.3 ppg) and Derek Thompson (10.5 ppg) for their offense. Ohio is struggling this season as well going only 8-11, 1-4 in the MAC. They are scoring 73.8 points per game this season. D.J. Cooper (18 ppg), Tommy Freeman (11.1 ppg), DeVaughn Washington (11 ppg) and Ivo Baltic (9.1 ppg) are Ohio's biggest threats. The Bobcats have lost three straight, but will enjoy being home. They have feasted on weaker foes beating each of them by at least 10 points.
La Salle -4 -- It's a battle of Philadelphia schools on Wednesday when La Salle takes on St. Joseph's at the Palestra. The Hawks are mired in a terrible season going 5-14, 0-5 in the Atlantic 10 and are coming off a loss to Penn just a few days ago. They are scoring just 64.3 points per game while giving up over 70. The Hawks have scored over 70 just once since December 21st when they put up 79 in a loss to Boston University. Carl Jones (17.5 ppg) and Langston Galloway (11.3 ppg) lead the team in scoring. The Explorers aren't doing much better, but they have a lot more weapons and are putting up a lot more points. La Salle averages 77.5 points per contest getting a lot of contributions from Aaric Murray (15.1 ppg), Jerrell Williams (14.8 ppg) and Ruben Guillandeaux (13.1 ppg). The team is coming off a one point win at Rhode Island and has put up at least 70 in four straight contests. If La Salle ever learned to play defense, they'd be real dangerous.
TCU/New Mexico Over 141 -- New Mexico can snap their three game losing streak on Wednesday when they host TCU. The Lobos have a potent offense as evidenced by the fact they put up over 70 in two of those three losses. The problem was that their defense let them down especially in Utah where they gave up 82 to the Utes. New Mexico has scored less then 70 just twice this season at home. Four players average at least 10 points per contest with Dairese Gary (13.8 ppg) and Kendall Williams (11.6 ppg) leading the way. The other two scorers are Drew Gordon (11.4 ppg) and Philip McDonald (11.4 ppg). TCU's defensive struggles place them 107th overall giving up 70.3 points per contest. Luckily for them, they are able to put up 70.9. Ronnie Moss (15.7 ppg) and Garlon Green (11.7 ppg) lead the way for the Horned Frogs. They also get help from Hank Thorns (9.6 ppg) and Sammy Yeager (9.3 ppg). TCU has given up at least 75 points in four of their last five games and are allowing teams to shoot 50.8% in conference games this season. New Mexico has gone over in four of their seven games against teams with losing records.
Anyways, here's Wednesday's winners.
Ohio -10.5 -- The Bobcats host Eastern Michigan on Wednesday. EMU has struggled this season going 5-13, 2-3 in the MAC. They are scoring a woeful 61.7 points per game and have been unable to crack the 55 point mark in their last three contests. Outside of a road win at equally woeful Toledo, EMU has lost by 30 at Michigan State, 20 at Canisius, 15 at Idaho and 17 at Western Michigan. The Eagles lean heavily on Brandon Bowdry (20.3 ppg) and Derek Thompson (10.5 ppg) for their offense. Ohio is struggling this season as well going only 8-11, 1-4 in the MAC. They are scoring 73.8 points per game this season. D.J. Cooper (18 ppg), Tommy Freeman (11.1 ppg), DeVaughn Washington (11 ppg) and Ivo Baltic (9.1 ppg) are Ohio's biggest threats. The Bobcats have lost three straight, but will enjoy being home. They have feasted on weaker foes beating each of them by at least 10 points.
La Salle -4 -- It's a battle of Philadelphia schools on Wednesday when La Salle takes on St. Joseph's at the Palestra. The Hawks are mired in a terrible season going 5-14, 0-5 in the Atlantic 10 and are coming off a loss to Penn just a few days ago. They are scoring just 64.3 points per game while giving up over 70. The Hawks have scored over 70 just once since December 21st when they put up 79 in a loss to Boston University. Carl Jones (17.5 ppg) and Langston Galloway (11.3 ppg) lead the team in scoring. The Explorers aren't doing much better, but they have a lot more weapons and are putting up a lot more points. La Salle averages 77.5 points per contest getting a lot of contributions from Aaric Murray (15.1 ppg), Jerrell Williams (14.8 ppg) and Ruben Guillandeaux (13.1 ppg). The team is coming off a one point win at Rhode Island and has put up at least 70 in four straight contests. If La Salle ever learned to play defense, they'd be real dangerous.
TCU/New Mexico Over 141 -- New Mexico can snap their three game losing streak on Wednesday when they host TCU. The Lobos have a potent offense as evidenced by the fact they put up over 70 in two of those three losses. The problem was that their defense let them down especially in Utah where they gave up 82 to the Utes. New Mexico has scored less then 70 just twice this season at home. Four players average at least 10 points per contest with Dairese Gary (13.8 ppg) and Kendall Williams (11.6 ppg) leading the way. The other two scorers are Drew Gordon (11.4 ppg) and Philip McDonald (11.4 ppg). TCU's defensive struggles place them 107th overall giving up 70.3 points per contest. Luckily for them, they are able to put up 70.9. Ronnie Moss (15.7 ppg) and Garlon Green (11.7 ppg) lead the way for the Horned Frogs. They also get help from Hank Thorns (9.6 ppg) and Sammy Yeager (9.3 ppg). TCU has given up at least 75 points in four of their last five games and are allowing teams to shoot 50.8% in conference games this season. New Mexico has gone over in four of their seven games against teams with losing records.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Ohio U's Hail Mary Answered...But The Two Point Conversion Dooms The Bobcats Against Marshall
The Marshall - Ohio U. rivalry is known as the Battle of the Bell and I give the 2010edition a ringing endorsement as the most exciting in the series.
Down 24-17 Ohio U. had one more shot at the end zone. Bobcat quarterback Boo Jackson found receiver Terrence McCrae in the end zone completing a 'Hail Mary" touchdown to pull Ohio U. within an extra point of tying.
Instead of kicking an extra point Ohio head coach Frank Solich, a Tom Osbourne diciple, goes for two the win. Remember when Osbourne did that against Miami in the 1984 Orange Bowl? Same result for Solich.
The two piont conversion failed and Marshall escaped by the hair of their chinny-chin-chin 24-23.
Kyle Scott of WOWK-TV in Huntington/Charleston, WV fills you in. (Thanks WOWK-TV)
Down 24-17 Ohio U. had one more shot at the end zone. Bobcat quarterback Boo Jackson found receiver Terrence McCrae in the end zone completing a 'Hail Mary" touchdown to pull Ohio U. within an extra point of tying.
Instead of kicking an extra point Ohio head coach Frank Solich, a Tom Osbourne diciple, goes for two the win. Remember when Osbourne did that against Miami in the 1984 Orange Bowl? Same result for Solich.
The two piont conversion failed and Marshall escaped by the hair of their chinny-chin-chin 24-23.
Kyle Scott of WOWK-TV in Huntington/Charleston, WV fills you in. (Thanks WOWK-TV)
Sunday, December 27, 2009
TWTW: Marshall, Marshall, Pizza, Pizza...
((HT: WSAZ-TV, Charleston WV))
Martin Ward ran for two touchdowns in the first half Saturday, and Marshall held off Ohio 21-17 in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
DeQuan Bembry's interception with 40 seconds left sealed the victory for the Thundering Herd (7-6), who led by three touchdowns midway through the second quarter.
It was a pleasant experience for the HQ to see a dozen players from the state of Georgia starting for both teams in Detroit. Darius Marshall and Bembry played for central Georgia powerhouses- Baldwin and Hawkinsville. The HQ also noticed south, central, and metro Atlanta also represented in Camden County, Mary Persons, and Stephenson.
Props... but the HQ also recognized the Ohio U. QB from his days at Long Beach Poly.
WSAZ's John Mulvaney was standing outside Ford Field for his live shot. He has your highlights...
Martin Ward ran for two touchdowns in the first half Saturday, and Marshall held off Ohio 21-17 in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
DeQuan Bembry's interception with 40 seconds left sealed the victory for the Thundering Herd (7-6), who led by three touchdowns midway through the second quarter.
It was a pleasant experience for the HQ to see a dozen players from the state of Georgia starting for both teams in Detroit. Darius Marshall and Bembry played for central Georgia powerhouses- Baldwin and Hawkinsville. The HQ also noticed south, central, and metro Atlanta also represented in Camden County, Mary Persons, and Stephenson.
Props... but the HQ also recognized the Ohio U. QB from his days at Long Beach Poly.
WSAZ's John Mulvaney was standing outside Ford Field for his live shot. He has your highlights...
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