Due to exam schedules and the holidays, not much action is taking place in college basketball. Therefore, my weekly updates will be Spartan efforts until league action heats up after the New Year.
I’m still stunned by the Duke – Texas outcome. Not that Duke was victorious, but the margin of the rout was shocking. As a final footnote, I thought Duke was much better prepared to perform in a game of that magnitude. Is Duke that much better than Texas? Probably not. But Texas must recover emotionally to compete in the Big-12 and have a chance for a revenge match in Indianapolis.
One result of the past week that got my attention was DePaul’s victory over Wake in Winston-Salem. One way to get the Deacons' bile to rise is to ask about their defensive shortcomings. This game illustrated that Wake still has a way to go before being considered stoppers. DePaul came in averaging 65 points a game and laid 85 on the Deacs in the upset.
Game of the Week- Miami vs. N.C. St. – In the most self-serving of ways, I’ll pick the game I’m calling for Fox this weekend. State leads the nation in opponent’s field goal percentage at 34.3%. Miami is also a very solid defensive team, so this is a game that could be won by the team scoring the easiest points. Health of the point guards will also be critical. Anthony Harris missed the first six games with a hairline fracture in his foot, but has returned to action in the last two wins. Tony Bethel for the Pack continues to recover from a torn groin muscle, but his minutes continue to increase as he was returned to the starting lineup two games ago.
Happy Holidays to All and don't miss the next live chat on Tuesday!
I’m still stunned by the Duke – Texas outcome. Not that Duke was victorious, but the margin of the rout was shocking. As a final footnote, I thought Duke was much better prepared to perform in a game of that magnitude. Is Duke that much better than Texas? Probably not. But Texas must recover emotionally to compete in the Big-12 and have a chance for a revenge match in Indianapolis.
One result of the past week that got my attention was DePaul’s victory over Wake in Winston-Salem. One way to get the Deacons' bile to rise is to ask about their defensive shortcomings. This game illustrated that Wake still has a way to go before being considered stoppers. DePaul came in averaging 65 points a game and laid 85 on the Deacs in the upset. 
Game of the Week- Miami vs. N.C. St. – In the most self-serving of ways, I’ll pick the game I’m calling for Fox this weekend. State leads the nation in opponent’s field goal percentage at 34.3%. Miami is also a very solid defensive team, so this is a game that could be won by the team scoring the easiest points. Health of the point guards will also be critical. Anthony Harris missed the first six games with a hairline fracture in his foot, but has returned to action in the last two wins. Tony Bethel for the Pack continues to recover from a torn groin muscle, but his minutes continue to increase as he was returned to the starting lineup two games ago.