Conference road games can really be tough. Coulda built a new arena with all the bricks that were laid by both teams.
That was a nice win last night, over Memphis in a close one kp! (91-88) I like the way the Tide plays together as a team, unselfish and driving to the basket on almost every play.
Yeah Oates, has changed the whole tenor of the team it seems. We were living or dying by the 3's now like you say they are playing like a team.
Really good game going on in Birmingham; Gonzaga and Alabama. late in the 2nd half and the Zags are up about 8, but the Tide isn't going away. Their freshman, Brandon MIller is having a great game.
Zags win 100-90, the young Tide team just had too many turnovers. But they are talented and should be a final four threat if they avoid injuries. Next up is an interesting matchup between Ohio State and North Carolina who was the pre-season #1 but hit the skids and fell out of the top 25.
Tough loss to North Carolina in OT 87-at MSG. Maybe this was payback for beating Rutgers on a missed official's call.
After that tough loss to Alabama last week, the Houston Cougars had a chance at redemption by going to Charlottesville to take on #2 Virginia and beat them 69 - 61. Against the Tide the Cougars couldn't hit their foul shots down the stretch and couldn't hit 3's, that all changed and they were 85% from FT and almost 40% from 3 point land. Very big win for the Cougars, won't get them back to #1 but with the Tide losing today it should get them back to #3.
Gonzaga has had a really ambitious non-conference schedule as well. Michigan State, Texas, Kentucky, Purdue, Xavier, Baylor, Washington and of course Alabama. Of course they play in the WCC and pretty much dominate it every year, so they need to challenge themselves in the non-conference schedule.
Purdue is 12-0 and ranked #1 (for now). Team avg GPA is 3.09. Nine players have GPA over 3.0. Nine of 16 players have grades and enrollment time to qualify for Academic All B1G...and 4 others don't qualify because they haven't been enrolled for 12 months yet. I'm sure some other schools have even better records, and I don't know what these guy's majors are...but the program must be doing some things right.
Yeah...just got familiar with my old winter coat. Gonna do a little traveling though. Going to the Citrus Bowl to see LSU wack Purdue...along with my LSU buddy who lives in New Orleans and Fla Bucks and my grandson. Hope the place is habitable by next winter...one guy said we won't be getting the parts for the elevators for 18 months or so.
I think Chris Beard is done at Texas. His girlfriend/fiancé' came out and said it was all her fault and he did nothing wrong and was just protecting himself from her asault. I think when she sobered up and realized that the meal ticket was in jeopardy that she changed her story. Problem is that there is a police report that shows evidence of her being injured by Beard. I just don't think the University of Texas can continue employment at such a high profile position where the employee and a woman ended up in a fight no matter who started it. He won't work again anywhere for a couple of years, somebody will give him a chance but it won't be a job like UT. He's clearly a very good coach, but he's either going to fight and get fired or negotiate a resignation.
Buckeye Ladies are 14-0 as I post this info. Now the men on the other hand have a number of ways to improve. Everyone is healthy for the first time this season and that should help. Coach Holtmann has been experimenting with numerous starting units. Still looking forward conference play which should be brutal this season. What in the world happened to Michigan loosing to Central Michigan??(Bobda)