2023-24 Around the WCC and the NCAA

Dean Murdoch wrote:Is Santa Clara for real? 6-0 now after tonight's win over Oregon.

SCU fell to earth the next night, losing to Ohio State by 30.

USD replaced UP in a tourney in Palm Desert (UP elected to play in Honolulu in December), and split a pair, beating Arkansas St. and losing to UP's first opponent in the Diamond Head Classic, Hawaii, 77-66.

UOP has won two in row after losing to future UP opponent, North Dakota, they beat Le Moyne and Mississippi Valley St., while LMU has won two in a row by knocking off Florida International by 1 point and UTEP by 20.

Finally, a totally different looking USF team crushed Minnesota tonight, 76-58.

The Air Force Falcons, the team that appeared to be #1 in the nation when the left the Chiles Center six days ago, returned home tonight only to be taken down by the Eagles from EWU.

In one of the best games this season, the real NET #1 BYU, fell to Utah in front of over 15,000 fans in Salt Lake City.

SMC, a very physical team on defense, got the season back on track by beating NET #7 Colorado St. in Ft. Collins.

In another barn burner in Lynchburg, UP's upcoming opponent, a very muscular #48 Grand Canyon, downed #39 Liberty.

After starting the season 6-0, Santa Clara has now lost three in a row to Ohio St., Cal, and tonight they were blown out by New Mexico, 93-76.

Pepperdine beat UC San Diego in Malibu.

Pacific was drubbed in Fresno.

LMU edged UNLV by 3 points in LA.

Arizona St. had won four in a row before losing 89-83 to a very fun and young San Diego team in the Slim Gym tonight.   USD, picked to come in last in the WCC with something like 9 freshmen on the team, looked very, very good tonight.

Finally, in a much-anticipated contest in Seattle, that was close throughout, UW beat Gonzaga, 78-73. Moses had 12 points and 6 rebounds.

One thing seemed obvious me in all these games I watched this weekend, if you do not play good defense against the 3-point shot, you'd better have a bunch of really, really good 3-point shooters on your team in order to win.

up7587 wrote:You didn't watch Army-Navy?

I did, up until Army ran back the fumble for a touchdown...so I missed seeing Navy's 11 points.  

USAFA had an excellent season, but they and Navy lose to Army and Army wins the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.  

The best game yesterday was Long Beach State's upset of USC.

The place was packed to see the collegiate debut of LeBron's son Bronny, but the star of the game was Portland Jefferson High School's, Marcus Tsohonis with 28 points.

After losing to the Pilots on November 6, The Beach has now had two season changing wins, yesterday over USC in LA and earlier over Michigan on the road.

West Coast Conference Imposes Fine On Santa Clara For Violation of Court Storming Policy after win over Gonzaga...

https://wccsports.com/news/2024/1/12/general-west-coast-conference-imposes-fine-on-santa-clara-for-violation-of-court-storming-policy.aspx



It was Steve Nash night, and everyone was wearing Nash's throwback #11 jersey.

Tomorrow's UP game (1/18) against USD has been postponed until Tuesday 1/23 at 6pm.

This bracket projection is awesome.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/bracketology/

BYU and SMC in the Round of 64 in Salt Lake City. Sign me up.

Here's a fun site for you college hoops nerds.

https://bboilercbb.github.io/conferences/WCC/index.html

Pilots are currently given a 78% chance of ending up with the 8 seed. USD still gets to play Pacific twice, which means Pepperdine is likely the easier one to catch.

I know it's not healthy, but.... I just love seeing Gonzaga lose.

up7587 wrote:SMC wins 64-62, and students throw more trash on the floor.

Although I do not condone the behavior of a few students that were no doubt spurred on by alcohol, wouldn't it be nice if the UP students had just a little of what I will call, "Zag Spirit," on game day!

Dean Murdoch wrote:I know it's not healthy, but.... I just love seeing Gonzaga lose.

Come on, how healthy does a head-banger need to be?

DoubleDipper wrote:

up7587 wrote:SMC wins 64-62, and students throw more trash on the floor.

Although I do not condone the behavior of a few students that were no doubt spurred on by alcohol, wouldn't it be nice if the UP students had just a little of what I will call, "Zag Spirit," on game day!

Will Maupin was calling for the school to ban the entire student section from the next game at the Kennel to show that sort of behavior won't be tolerated...which is against us.

If that were to happen and if the Pilots were to somehow win because they're used to low turnout atmospheres, I'll be convinced
it was a secret psy-op all along.

It will be interesting to see of throwing debris on the court merits as large a fine as the recent fine forcstorming the courts or if it will be ignored by Stu Jackson becas. ..you know…. Its the Zags.

up7587 wrote:And only a 16% chance of attaining the #7 seed and avoiding the Thursday play-in game, which is at 2:30pm, before the few fans even get to LV.

https://bboilercbb.github.io/conferences/WCC/index.html

Up to 40% chance of getting the 7 seed!