Author: Coach Z (Page 35 of 38)

In one of them ost unbelievable comebacks in years, Bobby Cremins led his College of Charleston team back from a 50-25 halftime deficit to beat Temple 79-76. The comeback flew under the radar because it was played over in Puerto Rico…Leading one to seriously wonder if Coach Fran Dunphy can regain the glory years of Temple basketball… I certainly hope he does as he is one of the classiest guys in the business.

When Georgetown played Ball State this past week it was the return of the Thompson family to the campus of Ball State. After the tumultuous tenure of his brother Ronny, John Thompson II showed what a class act he is. Instead of trying to get out of the game, he played it and was a true professional in every sense of the word. One could understand his wanting to cancel the game after his brother resigned under a cloud of NCAA allegations and racial charges…. With that game in the rear view mirror I hope new Coach Billy Taylor can get the Cardinals back to the top of the MAC… Also, look for Georgetown to make another serious run at a national championship..

Coach Jimmy Patsos has the Loyola (MD) Greyhounds off to a 3-0 start for the first time in school history and is on the verge of putting together back to back winning seasons since the early 80’s. Providence transfer Gerald Brown leads a deep roster that has a chance to get back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since former coach Skip Prosser’s magical run… Hats off to creating a great atmosphere in the middle of lacrosse heavan…New coach Tim Miles has pulled off the hat trick by winning the Top of the World Classic. Look for his Colorado State program to knock off some of the big boys just the way his North Dakota State team arocked Marquette and Wisconsin in previous years.

Six more BCS schools were put to bed by an upstart mid major team and even a Division II team. Alaska Fairbanks pulled off the biggest win with a victory over Oregon State in the Top of World Tournament. I guess the Beavers were a little frostbitten. Congrats also go out to Belmont for continuing the role for the Atlantic Sun with a win over Alabama. First year coach Randy Peele got a signature win with the road victory against Georgia Tech. Also, rookie coach Joe Pasternak’s Privateers from New Orleans beat North Carolina State.

The home court blues continued for Matt Doherty at SMU as Centenary from the Summit League came in and beat the Mustangs…. The last upset was actually a home game for Siena as they beat Stanford by double digits….Going on the road to Albany New York is either the nicest thing Coach Trent Johnson has ever done or the dumbest…

Thanksgiving week is when the college basketball season starts to jump on the radar screen as the college football season winds down. This is a week when mid major teams give thanks for the opportunity to play a big time opponent on a neutral court. Many of the tournaments have been going on for years and some are in their infancy. Last year I had an opportunity to coach in the Grandaddy of the them all, The Great Alaskan Shootout. It was a great experienc for the players and Iam happy to say that we came away with a win against a Conference USA team. Let’s take a closer look and break them down.

Great Alaskan Shootout
Michigan vs. Butler/E. Washington vs. Virginia Tech/Texas Tech vs. Alaska-Anchorage/Western Kentucky vs. Gonzaga
This may be the stongest field for any of the tourneys taking place this week. Unbelievable as it sounds but Michigan will be an underdog to a Butler team that returns three starters from a Sweet 16 team. (Edge Butler) With first round pick Rodney Stuckey leaveing E. Washington a year early Virginia Tech should have it’s way with them. (Edge Va. Tech) Look for Alaska Anchorage to pull off an upset here as they have won at least one game the last couple of years. (Upset Alaska Anchorage) Western Kentucky has the makings of a Cinderella run this year and I think it starts against Gonzage in the Great White North. (Edge W. Kentucky)
Look for a Western Kentucky – Butler final and a mid-major dream match up.

CBE Classic
Four blue blood teams get together in Kansas City (where more college basketball championships have been played).
Missouri vs. Michigan State / Maryland vs. UCLA
Listening to all four coaches last night at the press conference nobody will win this tournament. However, with UCLA banged up and without three starters I look for Maryland to win the first night and play Missouri in the finals. I am going to go out on the limb here, but I think that you could see two of the four teams in the real Final Four come March.

Maui Classic
Warm weather did not attract the type of field that this tournament usudally gets. With only two teams currently ranked it has lost some of it’s luster, but don’t go to sleep just yet. There are some terrific coaches in this field and the fans will get an opportunity to see a variety of coaching styles.
Chaminade vs. Marquette (Edge Marquette) / LSU vs. Oklahoma State (Pick em) / Princeton vs. Duke (Edge Duke) / Arizona State vs. Illinois (Edge Illinois).
Marquette’s guards should propel them to the championship game. On the other side I like Illinois to get by Arizona State and Duke. Bruce Webber is one of the best at getting his players to play above their capablities.

PreSeason NIT
Four heavyweights made it to Madison Square Garden unlike a year ago when Butler surprised everybody and won the title.
Syracuse vs. Ohio State (Edge Syracuse) / Washington vs. Texas A&M (Edge Tesas A&M)
The Cuse are playing on their home away from home and with their zone defense it could be a long night for the Buckeyes. In the other games Texas A&M is loaded for a title run. Look for Mark Turgeon’s Aggies to cut down the nets.

Old Spice Classic
A new torunament on the scene, but one with a solid field.
Kansas State vs. George Mason (Edge G Mason) / South Carolina vs. Penn State (Pick em) / North Carolina State vs. Rider (Upset Rider)
Villanova vs. Central Florida (Upset Central Florida)
This tournament will showcase some mid major teams. Two of the most under rated coaches in college basketball in Jim Larranage (George Mason) and Kirk Speraw (Central Florida). All they do is win and it should prove to b e a great semi final match up. O the other side look for Rider to pull off the upset with the outstanding play of 6’11 Jason Thompson (he will be a first round pick in the Spring). In the end my money is on Jim Larranaga and the Patriots.

So as you are feasting on Turkey this week take a look at some good college basketball. I can’t wait….