Higher Post: Introduce a little anarchy
...and the 'eyes' have it!!
Congregation, please stand up….
…because its beginning to look a-lot like Mad-ness. Every-game we play!!
We are taking that last turn through March Eve and on to March itself. It’s that point in the season where teams are trying to lock things up.
If you are a lock for the Dance, you are working to get the best seed or win your conference.
If you are likely, but not a lock, you are trying to get a bye in the conference tournament to have an easier path to the automatic qualifier.
If you are on the bubble, you still have work to do and just want to avoid any slip ups that will pop your bubble.
if you are out of it, you are like the Joker, an agent of chaos. “Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos.” Introducing a little anarchy will knock a few rivals down a peg. Don’t give it to them. Make them earn it.
And the best part about chaos, it's free.
This past week, we saw some chaos and it was glorious. We have talked about the SEC this season - more than usual - simply because they are amazingly good this year. Current projections from both “The Godfather” Joe Lunardi and CBS’s Jerry Palm, have 3 of the 4 top seeds going to teams in the Grand Ole’ Conference (Auburn, Alabama, Florida) with another 3 round off the top 16 (Tennessee, Texas A&M, Kentucky). The bottom has Texas fighting for one of the last byes with Vandy, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Georgia all in the battle for the last 4 in (Vandy, Arkansas are in, OK and Georgia are out currently)
Texas over #15 Kentucky - 82-78: Remember when we were excited about Kentucky after running an 11-2 non-conference slate with wins over then #6 Duke and #7 Gonzaga? Well, the reformed Wildcats have gone 7-6 in conference with losses to Georgia, Vanderbilt and Arkansas as well as Texas, all teams fighting for a date to dance with.
#15 Mizzou over #4 Alabama - 110-98: This is not as much of a big upset as it seems except for the surprise run that Mizzou coach Dennis Gates has made with this team after being winless in conference last season. The surprise is that this was Alabama’s come back game after losing a scorcher to in-state, in-conference rival Auburn, after starting SEC play 10-1, they have dropped 2 straight. Incidentally, as they play the aforementioned Kentucky Wildcats today, they might drop 3. For those scoring at home, the Crimson Tide’s record against ‘Tigers’? 1-2.
Utah over #17 Kansas - 74-67 / BYU over #23 Kansas - 91-57: Meanwhile, over in the BigXII, Thomas Frank would be proud as folks are finally asking, “What’s the matter with Kansas?” This has been a strange season for the Jayhawks, who at many times don’t seem to have the go of the usual Bill Self coached team. Lackluster energy, dumb plays, crazy postgame pressers - all have confused Kansas’ fans as they watch this team compile a 17-9 (8-7 in conference) record. Former players have called out current players for “playing for the name on the back over the name on the front.” Others have actually have called for Self’s replacement, which is absolutely ludicrous. If that did happen, I’m sure there are another 350+ D-1 teams who would be happy to bring in a guy with those struggles.
TCU over #9 Texas Tech - 69-66: These next two are interesting because both winning teams have pretty terrible records. TCU is the more respectable hovering around .500. But for 20-6 Texas Tech, this is ‘Red Raiders of the Lost Chalk’ and therefore they should not get buried with the Horned reptiles in their Well of Doldrums.
Wichita State over #14 Memphis - 84-79: Meanwhile, #14 Memphis has been rolling, only losing two in conference so far. With wins over UConn, Michigan State, San Fran, Clemson, Ole Miss, and Mizzou, those odd losses from Arkansas State, Temple, and now Wichita are, in one word, ‘shocking’
Seton Hall over UConn - 69-68: This one is just fun. Seton Hall is bad. Really bad. And, yes, I’m being nice. They are 7-18 on the season and only 2-13 in a weaker Big East. The fact that Danny Hurley is the self-proclaimed “best coach in the f*uckin sport” makes this one all the more fun. Especially after some pundits said to look out for the turn on these Huskies after beating Marquette and Creighton. Oops.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s game, the big story is:
#7 UConn over #4 South Carolina - 87-58: In contrast to the Men’s Huskies, this is a hell of a win. This would not be a big upset since these are both top-ten powerhouses, but this one just felt different. After the Fighting Staley’s dropped their first conference game since 2022 at Texas on Super Bowl Sunday, this seemed to look like a sure thing given that the Huskies have been struggling this season (or not up to expectation) and it was a home game for the Gamecocks. UConn went in there like it was a home game against Central Connecticut. Paige Bueckers was down (for her standards) with her an Azzi Fudd virtually non-existent in the first half. Fudd came out for the 3rd and dropped 18pts of her 28 total points in the 3rd alone. South Carolina had no answers for the surging Huskies, which is strange from a Dawn Staley team. Knowing her, she is turning that into serious motivation for March.
BYU over #20 Oklahoma State - 68-64: BYU is having a hell of a week with the Men’s team beating Kansas by 34pts, but also their 4-11 in conference women’s team lassoing #20 Oklahoma State. The Cowgirls were only 1 game off the top of the BigXII, behind TCU and Baylor who are tied for first. This loss so late in the season all but solidified not winning the conference going into the last week of the regular season.
Indiana over #8 Ohio State - 71-61: The Hoosiers are down a bit from usual with a young team. That said, they have only one bad loss (Butler) which didn’t seem bad at the time. Even losing to Harvard at home at the start of the season we learned is quite respectable. But, they just cannot get that win in conference to pull them up, until now. THEE Ohio State just came off a powerful Q1 win in over time against a scrappy Iowa team (more below) so to turn and drop this one is a shock.
Louisville over #11 Duke - 70-62: And, lastly, it’s all about the context. Losing to Louisville is not a bad loss. This Cards team has played one of the hardest schedules on both sides of the game. They have been flirting with the Top-25 all season and would be there if they had a couple more of those big close games turn to wins. This says more about Duke who only had 2 losses going into last week and after dropping an eye-opener in South Bend (more below) to return home and succumb to Louisville should scare coach Kara Lawson as March approaches. Such is life in the ACC though.
This week there are many top games happening as we get ready to close out the season. I expect more upsets to come. Keep your eyes on those Bracketology updates and enjoy some games! Conference tourneys are almost here!
Week Reset
The upsets keep on coming down the stretch and not just in the SEC.
Blakes scores over 50…again! Vanderbilt’s freshman phenom Mikayla Blakes is her own show. Last Sunday, Blakes breaks her season high of 53pts by scoring 55 against Auburn. Incidentally, her new high also breaks a 2010 record of 54pts by a freshman set by Elena Delle Donne.
Dunphy Checks Out: LaSalle’s head coach Fran Dunphy announces retirement effective at end of the season. Dunphy was a head coach for 30 seasons, all of which were at Big 5 schools (Penn, Temple, LaSalle) and holds the record for total wins in Philadelphia at 623.
Speaking of Philly - Villanova spoils again! The Wildcats pull off another victory against a ranked team in the revenge game against #16 Marquette 81-66!
Westwood Block Party: UCLA’s center star Lauren Betts sets the Bruins’ single-season blocks record, breaking the 66 by Monique Billings in the 2016-17 season.
University of No Classes: During halftime of Thursday’s NC State/UNC game, UNC Chancellor Lee H. Roberts took the court to announce that classes were cancelled on Friday due to snowfall. That was the loudest cheering heard in the Dean Dome all season and helped UNC earn the victory over their in-state rival.
We Got Next: Games to watch this week! (all times EST)
Down the stretch of conference play, matchups get more brutal! Who wins? We do!
CoB Men’s Games of note:
#6 Tennessee at #7 Texas A&M (Saturday, Noon, ESPN)
#8 Iowa State at #5 Houston (Saturday, 2p, ESPN)
#6 Houston at #13 Arizona (Saturday, 2p, ESPN)
George Mason at VCU (Saturday, 4p, ESPN+)
#17 Kentucky at #4 Alabama (Saturday, 6p, ESPN)
Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga (Saturday, 8p, ESPN2)
UConn at #10 St. John’s (Sunday, Noon, Fox)
#5 Houston at #9 Texas Tech (Monday, 9p, ESPN)
#21 Mississippi State at #4 Alabama (Tuesday, 9p, ESPN2)
#14 Michigan State at #20 Maryland (Wednesday, 6:30p, BTN)
#24 Old Miss at #1 Auburn (Wednesday, 7p, ESPN2)
WCoB’s Women’s Games of note:
Huge Matchups this weekend as we go down the stretch.
#1 Notre Dame at #13 NC State (Sunday, 12p, ESPN)
#17 West Virginia at #10 TCU (Sunday, Noon ESPN2)
Rhode Island at Massachusetts (Sunday, 1p, ESPN+)
#3 UCLA at Iowa (Sunday, 2p, Peacock)
#9 North Carolina at Louisville (Sunday, 2p, ESPN)
#6 South Carolina at Vanderbilt (Sunday, 3p, SEC)
#25 Illinois at #4 USC (Sunday, 4p, FS1)
#7 LSU at #14 Kentucky (Sunday, 4p, ESPN)
Florida State at #20 Georgia Tech (Sunday, 9:30p. CW)
#10 NC State at #19 Georgia Tech (Thursday, 7p, SEC)
#19 Baylor at #12 Kansas State (Monday, 7p, ESPN2)
#22 Michigan State at #9 Ohio State (Wednesday, 7p. B1G+)
#23 Creighton at #5 UConn (Thursday, 7p, CBSSN)
#9 North Carolina at #11 Duke (Thursday, 7p, ESPN)
#15 Tennessee at #14 Kentucky (Thursday, 7p. SEC)
Florida State at #1 Notre Dame (Thursday, 8p, ACCNet)
#7 LSU at #18 Alabama (Thursday, 9p, ESPN or SEC)
Keeping up with the Hannahs
Two of my favorite players are not only incredibly fun to watch…but are both named Hannah! I dedicate this section to them. We try and keep up with them during a pivotal season!
Hannah Stuelke (Junior / Forward / Iowa):
Hannah Stuelke and the Iowa Hawkeyes only had one game this week, but it was a good one.
Iowa 78 - #8 THEE Ohio State 86 (OT):
Last Monday, Presidents Day, we were treated to a true ‘EYE’ test in every sense of the word, as the Iowa HawkEYEs traveled to Columbus to take on the #9 THEE Ohio State BuckEYEs! That said, this game was to be seen as the box score does not tell the story, because this game was a gem.
Hannah Stuelke scored the first Hawkeye points off a layup with an assist from Sydney Affolter. Ohio State was able to build a 14 point lead from the hot shooting of freshman guard Jaloni Cambridge, holding it until early in the 3rd when the Hawkeyes just chipped away at it point by point.
All seemed to be over as the Buckeyes had a 9pt lead with 31secs left in regulation when Lucy Olsen hit a crucial 3 that sparked an 11-2 run to tie the game and force overtime.
The comeback run was a perfect combo of rebounds, free throws, shooting, and a critical steal by Hannah off a faulty inbounds pass, which Lucy Olsen converted into a 3.
Everyone loves free basketball. Well, unless of course your team is winning and you lose the lead to your opponent allowing them to extend the game.
Unfortunately, with late game intensive play comes heavy foul counts which hit the Hawkeyes in OT as Kylie Feuerbach, Sydney Affolter and Hannah Stuelke all fouled out giving OSU the advantage to the end. Hannah even lost a shoe at one point, asked the ref for a moment and was denied and told to play on! That didn’t stop her for getting back on defense. She just wore it like a slipper and still almost created a steal. The slipper still fits.
This run shows these Hawkeyes are clicking and don’t give up, which will be vital as they welcome #3 UCLA to Carver-Hawkeye on Sunday.
Up Next (all times EST):
Sunday 2/23 - #3 UCLA at Iowa (2p, Peacock)
Wednesday 2/26 - Iowa at Michigan (7p, B1G+)
Sunday 3/2 - Wisconsin at Iowa (4p, Peacock) - Regular Season Finale!
Hannah Hidalgo (Sophomore / Guard / Notre Dame):
With a current 19 game win streak, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are now the #1 team in the nation - and with that, new targets.
#13 Duke 49 - #1 Notre Dame 64:
I have used the analogy a lot about ‘Tale of Two Halves’ but it’s usually true as teams adjust at halftime. This could not have been more true for now #1 Notre Dame against #13 Duke. The match up was about who would control tempo. Duke likes to slow down and play a more controlled game opposed to the Irish who will kill you on transition.
The first half was all Duke-controlled, not letting Olivia Miles or Hannah Hidalgo get into any offensive rhythm. That is when the loaded Irish squad can rely on the silent assassin Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld to hold court. The Irish only led 29-27 at halftime with their new top ranking and undefeated conference record at risk of blemish.
- 15 minutes later -
The ole Notre Dame squad we have watched all season took the floor with new intensity, turned up the defense and the tempo to a 17-1 run and before you know it the score was 46-28. They outscored the Blue Devils 35-22 in the second half with 22 of those points coming in transition after forcing 11 Duke turnovers.
Hannah was the high scorer with 19pts along with 3 steals and 4 assists. Neeeeeext!
#1 Notre Dame 82 - Miami 42:
“Notre Dame is really taking the suspense out of this game” - Miami broadcaster Joe Zagacki during the second quarter.
So, its turns out even two Cavinder sisters could not save this game. Even though, Miami are the Hurricanes, it was the Irish that came to Coral Gables with a category 5 blowout.
At the 3:38 mark in the first, Notre Dame led Miami 10-6….six minutes later, they led 26-6. And, by halftime it was 38-13. After that, the second half was just a roadshow.
Hannah scored 18pts with 2 steals, none of which were luxury cars. She also racked up an uncharacteristic 4 fouls giving her some extra time on the pine, but with a 34pt lead late in the 4th, Coach Ivey was able to pull Hannah making an early call for Cenugel Time!
As we turn the corner on the regular season, the Irish face a mini gauntlet on route to the undefeated ACC season. This Sunday, they go to Raleigh to face the #13 NC State Wolfpack where a win can clinch them a regular season title. Then it’s back to Purcells on Thursday to take on Florida State where we can finally see the Hannah Hidalgo - Ta’Niya Latson matchup we have been waiting for.
Up Next (all times EST):
Sunday 2/23 - #1 Notre Dame at #13 NC State (Noon, ESPN)
Thursday 2/27 - Florida State at #1 Notre Dame (8p, ACCN)
Sunday 3/2 - Louisville at #1 Notre Dame (Noon, ACCN) - Regular Season Finale!
Five Touches: Passing around the hoops world
Coach, your seat is on fire! It's hot seat season! The Athletic lists out who they think is on the hot seat as this regular season starts to wrap.
Believeland: Speculation is that Cleveland will be the next city to be awarded a WNBA team.
New Kids in the Gahden: Former ‘New Kid’ and Boston Royalty Donny Wahlberg and former Cuse star Michael Carter-Williams are teaming to bid to bring a WNBA team to Boston. First, I love how the article identifies Donny as Mark’s older brother for those who don’t know he was a major star first. Also, this brings my dream of a basketball team in Boston called The Boston Dunks’ one step closer to a reality. Come on! This writes itself.
Despicable Cavs: The Cavs blow out the Knicks for the worst loss in the Coach Gru era. I’m telling you, you have to draft Megan McConnell so you can have your own McConnell. Yes, that solved the Pacers, and this is the Cavs I understand, but start somewhere.
Another Conference Committee: UNC AD Bubba Cunningham addressed code-named conference realignment initiative. This is the first public comments since The Athletic broke the news that UNC spent $600K on ‘realignment-related legal expenses’. It’s not really about the money. They are just tired of sleepovers at Duke Cameron’s house.
Final Seconds
Ok, folks! Enjoy the hoops. I will be traveling next week, so there will be a guest host for the sermon! I’ll see you in March!
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Always live One Shining Moment at a time. Never be boring.