ACC / Big 10 Challenge: Who wins?

Maybe this is normal.  There sure has been great interest in the 2009 ACC/Big 10 Challenge.  So the question is, who wins?  Before you answer, consider that the Big 10 has never won this event.  There are 11 games and the ACC has managed to win at least six every year since the series began.  Is 2009 different?  I’d have to say … yes.

Here is a matchup of each pairing and who has the EDGE:

• Virginia @ Penn State  |  EDGE: Penn State (slight)
• Maryland @ Indiana    |  EDGE: Maryland (moderate)
• Michigan State @ North Carolina  |  EDGE: Michigan State (slight)
• Northwestern @ NC State  |  EDGE: NC State (slight)
• Virginia Tech @ Iowa  | EDGE: Va. Tech (slight)
• Wake Forest @ Purdue  |  EDGE: Purdue (moderate)
• Boston College @ Michigan  |  EDGE: Michigan (moderate)
• Duke @ Wisconsin  |  EDGE: Duke (moderate)
• Florida State @ Ohio State  |  EDGE:  Ohio State (moderate)
• Illinois @ Clemson  |  EDGE: Clemson (slight)
• Minnesota @ Miami-FL  |  EDGE:  Minnesota (slight)

Syracuse vaults to No. 11 in Power 24

The latest Power 24 is now updated here at Bracketville.  Welcome to the Syracuse Orangemen who vault to No. 11 after a stellar run through Madison Square Garden – beating Ohio State and North Carolina.  We also welcome Gonzaga (No. 21) after a tough showing in East Lansing.  This week, they’re in Maui.  Not a lot of changes at the top … Kansas remains No. 1, followed by Michigan State and Texas.  The two teams just missing this week: Mississippi State (after losing at home to Rider – and some overall uncertainty) and Oklahoma (losing at VCU).   As a side note, UNC falls only a little – to No. 7.  As the new guards learn how to take advantage of Carolina’s front line, look for the Heels to be a force.  Let’s  don’t overreact to a single win or loss.

Obviously, the Power 24 becomes more accurate as the season progresses.  There will also be less manuevering.  Check back for weekly updates.  And as always, send a rebound!

ATR: Orange steal New York …

Around the Rim (ATR): Here’s an interesting – and telling – stat from Syracuse’s two-day title run at the Coaches vs. Cancer finale in New York:  24 steals.  The Orange garnered 14 thefts vs. Ohio State and another 10 vs. Carolina.  It helped SU shoot close to 55 percent during their trip to Madison Square Garden.  Opponents shot just 39 percent.  Two impressive wins for ‘Cuse, no doubt.  At the same time, this is November and the Buckeyes and Tar Heels don’t often see a well-played 2-3 zone.  It’s also worth noting that the Heels, in particular, are breaking in a new point guard - not named Ty Lawson.  Take away: If Syracuse puts together a solid Big East campaign, these two wins will boost seeding in March.  Additional notes …

California has to be disappointed with their showing in the Big Apple.  The Bears missed both chances to score an important non-league win.  Then again, they played without a couple of key players – namely Theo Robertson.  At this point, Cal relies heavily on perimeter shots.

San Juan: Mississippi and Villanova play for the title.  Dayton and Kansas State square off in the consolation.  Indiana got outrebounded 52-32 by Boston University Friday night and lost to the Terriers.  IU coach Tom Crean talked about his team’s lack of physical play.  That would pretty much explain a minus-20 rebound margin.   

It hasn’t been a great start for the Missouri Valley.  Northern Iowa lost to DePaul Friday.  The MVC is now 0-2 in notable non-league matchups – Creighton lost at Dayton.  The Blue Jays upcoming game with Michigan suddenly looms large as a resume builder.

Strong start for the Atlantic 10.  Dayton has wins over Dayton and Georgia Tech.  St. Joseph’s beat Boston College on Friday.

Breaking 80 again?  Illinois has scored at least 80 points in its first two wins – something they did just twice last year.  Freshman guard Brandon Paul has made the biggest splash – averaging 21 points per game in his first two college outings.

Keep track of key wins and losses throughout the season under Team Capsules.  And as always, have a thought?  Send a rebound.  In closing … seems to be quite an interest in the Big-10/ACC challenge; a more current preview will arrive soon.

Hoops Marathon: Early-season Madness

It’s not March, but it had that feel.  Games all day and all night.  Credit ESPN with the idea and execution for a 24-hour hoops marathon.   Madness, you ask?  Well, the event tipped off at midnight and promptly rewarded those willing and able to watch with a double-overtime upset at Pauley Pavillion: Cal-State Fullerton 68, UCLA 65.  Next in line …. St. Mary’s dominated San Diego State 80-58.   Mark those down as potentially noteworthy wins for the Big West and West Coast Conferences.

Best for Last …

What a way to finish 24 hours of hoops!  Michigan State and Gonzaga traded blows as the Spartans won their 41st straight non-conference game at the Breslin Center, 75-71.  The Zags – who led much of the game – presented a stronger-than-expected challenge and showed why they’re favored to win the West Coast Conference again – and likely earn a seed in the top half of the bracket come March.  Meanwhile, the cupboard certainly isn’t bare at Memphis.  The Tigers took Kansas to the wire in St. Louis, missing a late 3-pointer.  KU did help Memphis a bit with 21 turnovers.  We can never read too much into November games, but here’s a takeaway: Don’t be surprised if Memphis challenges Tulsa in Conference USA and the league earns two bids to the Dance.

Afternoon | Evening observations …

Good win posted by Siena (59-53 over Northeastern).  Not spectacular, but one that won’t reflect negatively on the Saints in February or March … Georgetown escaped Temple 46-45 in what can only be described as something Big 10ish from last season.  A win’s a win, but the Hoyas still have plenty of work to do if they are going to bounce back as everyone expects.  Heard Doug Gottlieb of ESPN say he thinks G’Town may be running short on recruiting talent because of the Princeton-style offense run by John Thompson III.  Hard to say.  This same system took the Hoyas to the Final 4 in 2007 … Louisville played sloppy at times but has a lot of talent and potential.  They blew past a depleted Arkansas team 96-66 in St. Louis.  The Cards need to create a hectic pace.  Hofstra showed why the Pride figure to challenge in the Colonial, fighting Connecticut until the final moments.

ATR: Upsets welcome Bulldogs, Beavers …

Around the Rim (ATR) … this wasn’t the way Mississippi State or Oregon State imagined their season openers: Rider rode into Starkville on Friday night (the 13th no less) and rode out with an 88-74 upset of Top 25-ranked Mississippi State.  Meanwhile on the islands - actually the Duel in the Desert – the Islanders of Texas A&M CC stuck a few cactus needles in the Beavers and beat OSU 67-43.   Wake-up call anyone?  Remember, Syracuse lost a preseason home game to Le Moyne (Division II) and has since breezed past Albany and Robert Morris.

The good news?  It’s a long season.  Every team hits its bumps and takes its lumps.  Much better to be in November than February.  Consider too that Rider is a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) – the same league as Siena and Niagara: two teams easily capable of making the NCAAs.  Siena is the favorite and anyone who watched the Saints last March knows how dangerous they’ll be again.  They are a projected 8-seed in our preseason bracket.  The bad news?  Oregon State plays a suspect non-conference schedule.  Other than Texas Tech, there’s little substance before the Pac-10 opener at Washington on December 31.  How the Beavers perform in league play will ultimately determine their NCAA hopes.  But they don’t want to make a habit of acquiring questionable losses – particularly by 24 points.   Then again, maybe TAM-CC will be the next Cinderella.

Thoughts from opening Friday … Seton Hall needed a 28-foot three-pointer from Eugene Harvey at the buzzer to overtake St. Peters 53-51.  Pittsburgh survived Wofford 63-60 and Pac-10 favorite Washington nipped Wright State 74-69.  By the way, the Wright State Raiders are solid and should challenge Butler in the Horizon League.  BU is the heavy favorite, but WSU won’t go away quietly and an upset in the league tourney could easily open the door for the Horizon to put two teams in the Field of 65 again.   Some NCAA heavyweights start bumping into each other next week.   More to come then.   Remember to check the Schedule page for noteworthy games.  As always, send a rebound.