Don’t worry – I have no plans for drifting into a discussion about mathematical equations and a possible exploration of relativity, quantum theory, or atomic transition. Instead I hope to stay with the season.
And ‘tis the season to debate the impact that inter-conference basketball games will have come March when the NCAA’s selection committee structures its brackets.
Take for instance Thursday night’s tussle in Texas. Rick Barnes and his Longhorns sent the Bruins back to Westwood with a 68-64 loss.
Sure, many can allude to what the Bruins would be like with Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook in the lineup. Those two combined for 30 points and 14 boards a game last season as UCLA advanced to the national semi-final.
I can’t help but imagine what Texas would be like with D.J. Augustin and Kevin Durrant in the starting five.
For Ben Howland and his Bruins the loss was the second of the young season, and one has to wonder what 
the sixth-year coach will have to do to right the Shipp. Darren Collison and Josh Shipp are looking for their fourth appearance in the Final Four. But do they have enough support?
Texas has already knocked off two Pac-10 foes. Earlier this season the Longhorns topped Oregon 70-57.
And thus far the Big 12 has a three-to one advantage in the Pac 10 – Big 12 Hardwood Series with Texas A&M dropping the Lute-less Wildcats of Arizona 67-66, and Oklahoma beating USC 73-72.
Speaking of USC – I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Leonard Washington. After nominating Miami’s Jack McClinton for the brainless-act –of-the-week, along comes Washington who decided to play below the belt with Blake Griffin. Fortunately, game officials did the right thing and reviewed the play on tape and gave Washington the heave-ho.
The Pac-10’s only undefeated team? None other than Stanford.
USC and Washington have dropped three a piece. The Trojans have also lost to Missouri and Seton Hall.
The Huskies have fallen to Portland, Kansas, and Florida. Wait a minute – didn’t Florida lose to Syracuse? They did. They did.
Of course the Big East looks pretty powerful this year. As stated above, Seton Hall, who probably won’t make it out the first round of the conference tourney, did beat the Trojans who were mentioned in several pre-season Top 25 lists, and Notre Dame beat Texas on a neutral court. Actually ND probably matches up better against the Bruins than they do the Longhorns. Texas’s ability to press and turn the game into a battle of 94 feet neutralizes the effect Luke Harangody can have, and Kyle McAlarney is forced to spend more time handling the ball rather than shooting. UCLA isn’t ready to do that yet.
But are some Big East teams believing the hype? Louisville lost earlier this week to Western Kentucky, 68-54. Dayton dropped Marquette 89-75, and UConn escaped with a 68-64 victory over Buffalo. One can only imagine what the Amherst campus would have been like considering Turner Gill’s Bulls beating Ball State last night.
The Texas – Villanova matchup next week should be interesting.
Before I forget – the Hilltoppers from Western Kentucky? Yeah they beat Louisville, but they also took down Georgia. I know the SEC is down this year (is it possible for a major conference to get only one team in the field of 65?), but Western Kentucky showed zero letdown after their upset of the Cardinals.
The Hilltoppers’ record? 4-2. Their two losses: Houston and Murray State. Watch for the Cougars to give Memphis a hard time in Conference-USA, and Murray State will tangle in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Another mid-major to keep in mind is Miami of Ohio. Kinda like Davidson last year the Red Hawks have quietly built a competitive schedule. If you remember the Wildcats lost close games to UNC, Duke, and UCLA last year. Miami has lost to UCLA 64-59 and Xavier 60-53. Kenny Hayes is not exactly Stephen Curry, but the senior point guard can play. He is not on most people’s radars, but he can take over a game.
Maybe I should attend to my other priority and trimma’ the tree.
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