The loss was Notre Dame’s seventh straight as it dropped to 12-10 overall and 3-7 in the Big East. The Irish is now somewhere in 25th place in the Big East (honestly, just how many teams can be in one conference?).

Before the game, the local hacks out here were saying how big of a game this was for UCLA against this mighty Big East team. A win would be oh so important to the Bruins and the entire Pac-10 conference in general.

In today’s papers the same hacks are saying how much of a statement UCLA made by defeating the Irish.

Huh!?

This used to be a great rivalry in years past when Notre Dame was good.

But since when did a win by a top 15 team against a conference bottom feeder become such a statement game?

Are the hacks out here so enamored by the mighty Big East that even a slob like Notre Dame sends shivers up their spines?

Utah State’s win against 9-15 Louisiana Tech last night laughs at that game!

One of the Sunday morning talking heads on ESPN got it right when he said that if it weren’t for Notre Dame’s name, they wouldn’t be in anyone’s conversation regarding post-season play or anything else for that matter.

I’m not going to declare UCLA national champs with this win, because this game didn’t mean anything. A win against team like number one Connecticut or Marquette or Louisville or Pittsburgh might.

The Big East is no doubt a great conference. They have the championship banners at places like Connecticut, Georgetown, Villanova (and yes) Syracuse to prove it. It is very likely that one or two teams could end up in the Final Four this year.

But to call this UCLA/Notre Dame game a “statement game” for the Bruins is either an insult to how good UCLA (or anyone who plays Notre Dame) is, or the Big East and Notre Dame are getting just way to much credit.

Post from: EveryJoe

UCLA gets a little win against a Big East team

The Hoyas (10-1) never trailed in the game.

Who will be the next undefeated team to fall?

Post from: EveryJoe

It’s UConn That Flinches and Loses

– Boston College guard Tyrese Rice scored 24 on 7-9 shooting (5-5 from downtown) in a 6 point win over UAB.

– Wake Forest super sophomore James Johnson scored 18 on 8-13 shooting in a victory against UTEP. Star guard from UTEP, Stefon Jackson, scored 31 and pulled down 9 boards in the loss.

– Tennessee forward Tyler Smith shot 50% from the field and 90% from the line en route to a 21 point effort in a win over Georgetown.

– Syracuse shifty sophomore guard Jonny Flynn scored 15 to go along with 6 feeds in a 3 point in over Virginia.

– Pittsburgh big man DeJuan Blair notched his 4th double-double of the season with 15 and 11 in a 13 point beat down of Texas Tech. Forward Sam Young scored 24, but it he took 25 shots in doing so.

– Michigan State foward Raymar Morgan scored 29 points on 9-11 from the floor and 11-13 from the charity stripe in a 15 point victory over Oklahoma State.

– Oklahoma brute Blake Griffin did not have a compelling performance from the field (5-13) but he did have 21 rebounds and 3 blocks in an overtime win over Purdue. Although Blake’s brother Taylor was not a Wooden Preseason Top 50 player, he scored 19 on 8-11 shooting.

Mind-boggling STAT of the DAY

Oklahoma shot 46 free throws compared to only 5 for Purdue. Oklahoma connected on 4 three pointers compared to 12 three pointers for Purdue.

The difference…

Sooners had 7 more offensive rebounds and 7 more steals than the Boilermakers, plus 5 less turnovers.

Post from: EveryJoe

Friday’s solid performances

You think that it’s time for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions to stop playing on Thanksgiving Day (especially Detroit! They’re awful!).

And college football doesn’t float your boat? Please! It doesn’t even have a playoff system (at least Division I doesn’t).

The NBA and NHL? Talk to me after their all-star breaks.

There’s is hope for all of us with plenty of college basketball on television to fall asleep to after that big dinner.

There are three tournaments on Thanksgiving Day featuring top 25 teams.

The Old Spice Classic runs tomorrow through Nov. 30 in Orlando near Disneyworld.

It features No. 12 Tennessee vs. Sienna, Wichita State vs. No. 21 Georgetown, Maryland vs. No. 5 Michigan State, and Oklahoma State vs. No. 9 Gonzaga.

The 76 Classic also begins tomomrrow through the Nov. 30 in Anaheim and is (you guessed it) right next to Disneyland.

Saint Mary’s takes on UTEP, No. 19 Wake Forest plays host Cal State Fullerton, No. 14 Arizona State plays Charlotte, and Providence faces Baylor.

The Great Alaska Shootout at the University of Alaska continues tomorrow through the 29th with San Diego State playing Western Kentucky, and Seattle taking on Louisana Tech.

Check your local listings for start times.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Post from: EveryJoe

Thanksgiving Day Hoops

After all, Packer has been covering college basketball for CBS and NBC since 1975 and was on board for 34 consecutive Final Fours.

The 68-year-old Packer, who without a doubt was one of the smartest people to ever cover college basketball, he was opinionated and could break down a team or game like no one else in the business. Put him alongside with Dick Enberg, Jim Nance or the late Al McGuire and you were in for a great show.

But my second reaction was – good riddance!

As entertaining as his shtick was, Packer was a smarmy, arrogant know-it-all. He belittled any team not from a major conference such as the Pacific 10, the Big East, Big 10, or Big 12, and he never met a team from the ACC that he didn’t like no matter how bad they were (he did play basketball for Wake Forest in the early 1960’s).

As the years went on, Packer started losing some of his arrogant swagger (and sometimes his mind) and became older, bitter, way off base in some of his analysis and just plain annoying.

He was old grump who practically had a hissy fit one year when too many “mid-major” teams were let into the NCAA tournament. As far as he was concerned no mid-major teams belonged in the tournament – Ever! I thought he was going to walk out of the room!

During the 2000 season, Packer insulted and belittled a Duke University female student after the student asked for his press credential telling her, “You need to get a life. Since when do we let women control who gets into a college basketball game? Why don’t you go find a women’s game to let people into.”

There was also the famous incident in 1996 where Packer referred to then Georgetown star Alan Iverson as a “tough money” during a nationally televised game. Packer later apologized for the remark.

It’s been reported that Packer will pursue “other basketball projects.” What that means I don’t know, but I’ll bet it will have something to do with the ACC.

Kellogg, the former Ohio State and Indiana Pacers star in the 1980’s went to broadcasting after his playing career was cut short due to knee injuries. He’s been a studio analyst for CBS College Basketball for 16 years.

Kellogg will be a breath of fresh air. I certainly wish him the best of luck in his new role alongside Nance next season.

Post from: EveryJoe

Billy Packer Will Not Be Missed

ESPN’s Dick Vitale gives his Top 5 teams for the 2008-2009 season.

Post from: EveryJoe

Dickie V gives his Top 5 teams for next season

I love it when my gut instinct is right.

Onto more thoughts from today’s action:

- If anybody doubted that North Carolina was the prohibitive favorite to win the championship, they shouldn’t doubt that now. All of the other top seeds have struggled, and in some cases, barely escaped. Not UNC. The Tar Heels are in full demolition mode.

- Memphis received a big time scare today from Mississippi State, and it is close games like that where I don’t trust Memphis because of their poor foul shooting. One of these days, they are going to be in a tight game, and their poor free throw shooting is going to cost them big time.

- Besides Carolina, the most impressive team of the tournament very well may be Louisville. A rock solid performance today against a good Oklahoma team.

- Don’t think that Davidson’s victory over Georgetown was a fluke, because it wasn’t. As long as Stephen Curry is shooting the ball well, Davidson can be very dangerous.

What a great first weekend it has been.

Post from: EveryJoe

NCAA tourney Day 4 – late thoughts

Now, on to the early thoughts from Day 4 of the NCAA tournament.

- Anybody who doesn’t think that Texas is vulnerable should think again. Yes, they are a #2 seed, but they are definitely beatable. Same goes for #2 seed Tennessee, and their game with Butler isn’t even over yet. Both “UT” schools have some deficiencies that you can’t overlook.

- While I’m hammering the #2 seeds, I might as well hammer Georgetown as well. Davidson is giving the Hoyas all they want right now. When the Hoyas are on, they are good. When they are not on, they are average at best, and average at best will not get you far in the tourney.

- Villanova may very well be the best #12 seed in the history of the NCAA tournament. Having gone through the Big East wars, the Wildcats are for real.

- I wish that both Western Kentucky and San Diego could advance to the Sweet 16. It is a shame that one of them is going home today.

More thoughts coming later tonight…

Post from: EveryJoe

NCAA tourney Day 4 – early thoughts

Dyson was suspended for nine games after he was cited by campus police for possession of alcohol by a minor. Following the citation, Dyson failed a drug test and was suspended.

Dyson was averaging 14 points per game before his suspension, and his presence will give the Huskies another weapon on the offensive end of the court. Connecticut currently sits fourth in the Big East standings, but they are only one game behind leaders Georgetown and Louisville in the loss column.

Post from: EveryJoe

F Dyson reinstated by UConn

Wednesday February 6th: #2 Duke at #3 North Carolina – Tar Heels versus Blue Devils. Dean Dome. Nothing more needs to be said.

Thursday February 7th: #4 UCLA at #17 Washington State – terrific Pac 10 contest. Can Kevin Love and the Bruins overcome Derrick Low and the Cougars?

Saturday February 9th:#6 Georgetown at Louisville – Roy Hibbert and the Hoyas face a tough road challenge against the Cardinals at Freedom Hall.

Post from: EveryJoe

Games to watch this week – February 6th