Sweet Tea in the Big South
Monday, February 16, 8:00PM Coastal Carolina @ Radford
We have spent a lot of time covering the Big South race, which is probably the best mid-major conference race out there right now. Every week, seemingly every day, there is another game that will impact the top tier of the standings in this league. Monday night's game between Coastal Carolina and Radford is just another example. Radford lost three straight in late December and early January, but they have won 10 out of 11 since then. Their only loss in that stretch was to Charleston Southern, who is also tied for first place in the Big South. Coastal Carolina is a game behind those two teams. At one point they lost 4 out of 5 but have since won 3 of 4 to get back into the race. Coastal Carolina plays the bottom-feeders of the Big South in their last three games, so this is their last test before the conference tournament. Radford, on the other hand, plays two teams who are in the top three in the league in their last three games.
Wednesday, February 18, 7:00PM Gardner-Webb @ High Point
Wednesday night brings us two more games of meaning in the Big South. Gardner-Webb plays High Point in a game that probably means more to Bulldogs than it does to the Panthers because they are now 2 games behind first place. High Point has 2 games against top-Big South teams remaining, so they control their destiny a bit more. Gardner-Webb, at 2 games behind, cannot afford to drop another game to a team ahead of them in the standings. That is going to mean a big winning streak for Gardner-Webb because 3 of their last 4 games are against teams tied for first place in the Big South. They need to get their game going now because they have lost 2 in a row coming into the game.
Wednesday night brings us two more games of meaning in the Big South. Gardner-Webb plays High Point in a game that probably means more to Bulldogs than it does to the Panthers because they are now 2 games behind first place. High Point has 2 games against top-Big South teams remaining, so they control their destiny a bit more. Gardner-Webb, at 2 games behind, cannot afford to drop another game to a team ahead of them in the standings. That is going to mean a big winning streak for Gardner-Webb because 3 of their last 4 games are against teams tied for first place in the Big South. They need to get their game going now because they have lost 2 in a row coming into the game.
Wednesday, February 18, 7:00PM UNC Asheville @ Winthrop
This game does not involve a team in first place in the Big South, but they are both one of three teams currently tied for second. The winner of this game could easily end the week in prime position for the Big South tournament. The loser, on the other hand, could fall to 6th place. UNC Asheville got a big win over Gardner-Webb, but then dropped a surprising game to Presbyterian. They also face a gauntlet down the stretch: Winthrop, Radford, High Point, Liberty. Winthrop has now won 3 of 4 and faces a much easier schedule the rest of the way. In fact, UNC Asheville is their biggest test left.
This game does not involve a team in first place in the Big South, but they are both one of three teams currently tied for second. The winner of this game could easily end the week in prime position for the Big South tournament. The loser, on the other hand, could fall to 6th place. UNC Asheville got a big win over Gardner-Webb, but then dropped a surprising game to Presbyterian. They also face a gauntlet down the stretch: Winthrop, Radford, High Point, Liberty. Winthrop has now won 3 of 4 and faces a much easier schedule the rest of the way. In fact, UNC Asheville is their biggest test left.
Return of the MAC
Wednesday, February 18, 7:00PM Toledo @ Akron
Toledo had won 6 in a row before their loss to Kent St. They are still tied for first place in the MAC West and have a two game cushion over third place Western Michigan. Akron is tied for 2nd in the MAC East. This game will be a test for the Zips to see if they can slow down Toledo's offense, which scores 75.4 points per game, good enough for 28th in the country.
Toledo had won 6 in a row before their loss to Kent St. They are still tied for first place in the MAC West and have a two game cushion over third place Western Michigan. Akron is tied for 2nd in the MAC East. This game will be a test for the Zips to see if they can slow down Toledo's offense, which scores 75.4 points per game, good enough for 28th in the country.
A-10 Out of 10
Wednesday, February 18, 7:00PM Davidson @ George Washington
Both teams still harbor hopes of an at-large to the NCAA Tournament. Both cannot afford a loss in this game. George Washington is reeling after having lost their 4th game in 5 tries to VCU last weekend. They have a great win over Wichita St., but they also have a bad loss to Duquesne and a not-so-good loss to LaSalle. Losing 5 of 6 and falling to 7-6 in A-10 play would be a death sentence for their at-large hopes. Davidson is a game ahead of George Washington in the standings right now and have won 3 in a row. All those wins are over inferior competition, though, and the signature win for the Wildcats is, well, there isn't one. Dayton or UMass are probably the two best wins here, which isn't going to amaze anyone on the committee. They need to have a solid finish. It starts on Wednesday night.
Both teams still harbor hopes of an at-large to the NCAA Tournament. Both cannot afford a loss in this game. George Washington is reeling after having lost their 4th game in 5 tries to VCU last weekend. They have a great win over Wichita St., but they also have a bad loss to Duquesne and a not-so-good loss to LaSalle. Losing 5 of 6 and falling to 7-6 in A-10 play would be a death sentence for their at-large hopes. Davidson is a game ahead of George Washington in the standings right now and have won 3 in a row. All those wins are over inferior competition, though, and the signature win for the Wildcats is, well, there isn't one. Dayton or UMass are probably the two best wins here, which isn't going to amaze anyone on the committee. They need to have a solid finish. It starts on Wednesday night.
Wednesday, February 18, 7:00PM UMass @ Rhode Island
Joe Lunardi has both of these teams out of the tournament at this point. UMass is on the Next Four Out list, at least, but Rhode Island is nowhere to be seen. The Rams are trending in the right direction, though. They have won 6 out of 7. The loss was a bad one, though, to St. Joe's. They have chances to get a few quality wins down the stretch. The still play UMass, Davidson, and Dayton. They probably need all three to improve their at-large hopes. UMass has won 6 in a row and is looking more and more like a potential at-large team. If they can beat Rhode Island, they set up a big game at VCU on Saturday. The A-10 should be a fun ride down the stretch.
Joe Lunardi has both of these teams out of the tournament at this point. UMass is on the Next Four Out list, at least, but Rhode Island is nowhere to be seen. The Rams are trending in the right direction, though. They have won 6 out of 7. The loss was a bad one, though, to St. Joe's. They have chances to get a few quality wins down the stretch. The still play UMass, Davidson, and Dayton. They probably need all three to improve their at-large hopes. UMass has won 6 in a row and is looking more and more like a potential at-large team. If they can beat Rhode Island, they set up a big game at VCU on Saturday. The A-10 should be a fun ride down the stretch.
I'm Feeling Very Colonial Today. Powdered Wigs for All!
Wednesday, February 18, 7:00PM William & Mary @ Northeastern
William & Mary lost a bit of a shocker at home to Delaware on Saturday, which dropped them into a tie in first place in the Colonial. Half of their losses in the CAA this season are to Delaware. Northeastern is just a game behind, but the Huskies lost by 16 the last time the two teams met. Northeastern is also just 4-5 in their last 9 games. If they want to win the regular season title, they need to start getting Ws again. A win over William & Mary would be a good start.
William & Mary lost a bit of a shocker at home to Delaware on Saturday, which dropped them into a tie in first place in the Colonial. Half of their losses in the CAA this season are to Delaware. Northeastern is just a game behind, but the Huskies lost by 16 the last time the two teams met. Northeastern is also just 4-5 in their last 9 games. If they want to win the regular season title, they need to start getting Ws again. A win over William & Mary would be a good start.
Southern Basketballin'
Thursday, February 19, 7:00PM Mercer @ Chattanooga
These are the only two teams who can catch Wofford in the Southern standings. Chattanooga is a game ahead of Mercer, but the Mocs do not play Wofford again this season. They will need help if they are going to win the regular season title. Mercer is 2 games behind Wofford but still plays them once. If either team is to catch Wofford, though, they have to win this game. It will be a case of offense versus defense. Chattanooga scores 73 points per game, while Mercer only gives up 61.7 points per game.
These are the only two teams who can catch Wofford in the Southern standings. Chattanooga is a game ahead of Mercer, but the Mocs do not play Wofford again this season. They will need help if they are going to win the regular season title. Mercer is 2 games behind Wofford but still plays them once. If either team is to catch Wofford, though, they have to win this game. It will be a case of offense versus defense. Chattanooga scores 73 points per game, while Mercer only gives up 61.7 points per game.
C-USA: From Sea to Shining Texas
Thursday, February 19, 8:00PM Western Kentucky @ UAB
The C-USA race is probably the second most appealing race behind the Big South. Old Dominion, the league's best chance for an at-large bid, sits in 5th place. Western Kentucky and UAB are in 3rd and 4th respectively. Western Kentucky is coming off back-to-back losses, both to teams at or below .500 in conference play. They need to right the ship or they risk missing out on a bye in the first round of C-USA Tournament. UAB is nursing a 2-game losing streak of their own and is already behind Western Kentucky by a game in the loss column. It's a must-win for both teams if they want to hold out any hope for a regular season championship.
The C-USA race is probably the second most appealing race behind the Big South. Old Dominion, the league's best chance for an at-large bid, sits in 5th place. Western Kentucky and UAB are in 3rd and 4th respectively. Western Kentucky is coming off back-to-back losses, both to teams at or below .500 in conference play. They need to right the ship or they risk missing out on a bye in the first round of C-USA Tournament. UAB is nursing a 2-game losing streak of their own and is already behind Western Kentucky by a game in the loss column. It's a must-win for both teams if they want to hold out any hope for a regular season championship.
Howdy, Partner, Welcome to the Big West
Thursday, February 19, 10:00PM UC Davis @ Long Beach St.
This game was probably more appealing a few weeks ago before Long Beach St. started their 3 game losing streak. Still, a win by the 49ers gets them trending in the right direction leading up to the Big West Tournament. UC Davis has won 10 of 11 and is already trending in the right direction. They have a 2 game lead over second place in the Big West and are looking like the team to beat.
This game was probably more appealing a few weeks ago before Long Beach St. started their 3 game losing streak. Still, a win by the 49ers gets them trending in the right direction leading up to the Big West Tournament. UC Davis has won 10 of 11 and is already trending in the right direction. They have a 2 game lead over second place in the Big West and are looking like the team to beat.
Weekend Games We're Keeping Our Eye On:
- Cleveland St. @ Green Bay
- UMass @ VCU
- IPFW @ North Dakota St.
- Northeastern @ Drexel
- Radford @ UNC Asheville
- Princeton @ Harvard
- Louisiana Tech @ Old Dominion
- New Mexico St. @ Grand Canyon
- Gonzaga @ St. Mary's
- Monmouth @ Iona
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