Weekend Wrap-Up: Golden Eagles Still Soaring

Penn State (17-5) v. 9 Michigan State (17-4)

The big surprise this Sunday was dealt to Michigan State after falling to PSU 72-68. This is the Nittany Lions’ first win ever in East Lansing. This also gives PSU a quality road victory to put on their resume for their surprise run at a birth in the NCAA Tourney. Poor shooting at the line almost cost PSU the game as they went from trailing by 13 to pulling out a 12-point lead that they were barely able to hold onto. The Spartans still look like a top squad as they are 7-1 against the RPI Top 50. I think that is something worth repeating...7-1 against the top 50! Come tourney time, watch out for Izzo’s Spartans. This upset also sparks another debate as well...

4 Wake Forest (17-2) v. Georgia Tech (10-10)

What is with Wake Forest? They fell into what could be considered a trap game and overlooked a very resilient Yellow Jacket squad. The buzzer beater victory (76-74) was Georgia Tech’s first ACC win this season. Wake has two wins over #1 squads this season, but has two disappointing losses on their resume that will hurt them if they want a #1 seed. Things should be interesting in the top-heavy Atlantic Coast Conference. Brothers Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest) and Alade Aminu (Georgia Tech) each had double-doubles in the contest with Al-Farouq dropping in 17 points and snagging 11 rebounds. Older brother Alade had 10 points and 13 boards, but got the most important stat of the night, a W.

23 Georgetown (12-8) v. 8 Marquette (19-2)

Fans of the Hoyas have to be worried after Georgetown dropped its 5^th straight on Saturday. However, Marquette fans couldn’t be happier as their team sits on top of the deepest conference in college basketball, the Big East. The Golden Eagles have received stellar guard play all season from Wesley Matthews, Jerel McNeal, and Dominic James. Add in the versatile Lazar Hayward and the experience all these players bring to the court and it’s no wonder that they are finding such success. Team chemistry is something that is highly underrated and overlooked in the college game, but this team has it and it defines their winning success. The Golden Eagles could conceivably start 14-0 in conference play with only one game (@ Villanova) in its next six against a team in the top half of the Big East standings. Every game is a battle in the Big East so they could easily drop any one of them, but I feel that this team has the perseverance and experience to make it through this tough conference season without too many hiccups. Georgetown can say goodbye to the top 25, and if this play continues, goodbye to the NCAA Tournament. They face two must-win games at home against Rutgers and Cincinnati.

22 Notre Dame (12-8) v. 3 Pittsburgh (19-2)

The old adage “Live by the Three, Die by the Three” has never been more appropriate than with the Fighting Irish in their match up against the Panthers. I understand that this game took a backseat to Super Bowl (Congrats Steelers) but every Big East win is a big deal. After shooting 50% (11-22) from long range in the first half, Notre Dame hit just one in the final twenty minutes. Just like Georgetown, ND has dropped five straight in the daunting Big East, but I think the Irish are still in good shape for making the tournament because they have the hardest working man in college hoops, Luke Harangody. They need to turn it around quick before they dig themselves a hole too deep for even the luck of the Irish to help them come Selection Sunday. Pitt is hanging with the leaders of the B-East behind their dominant force in the middle, DeJaun Blair, who had 23 points and a career-high 22 rebounds in the 93-80 victory. The Panthers are a legitimate title contender come March.

18 Saint Mary’s (18-3) v. Portland (15-7)

The mid-majors took a serious blow to their chances with the injury of Gales superstar, Patty Mills. Saint Mary’s couldn’t handle conference foe, Portland, without Patty (this kid doesn’t have an Australian name, they really should check his visa) running the show. Mills is reportedly out for a month due to injury, and if the Gales can’t handle a team like the Portland Pilots (maybe the third best team in the WCC, but still a team St. Mary’s should take care of) they could be staring at the NIT in March. Gonzaga is up again in less than two weeks and I just don’t think the Gales have a chance in this must-win game without Mills running the offense. They still don’t have a win against the RPI top 50 (not many chances, 0-1 this season) but I like their style of play. I think they would be a great “unknown” team to spice up the brackets in March, but their entry might have to be through the WCC tourney and Gonzaga.

On a Side Note: There has been a lot of talk about not letting teams with a sub-.500 conference record into the NCAA tournament. I have to say I strongly disagree with this. I think you might see a team like Georgetown or Notre Dame finish under that threshold in the overloaded Big East. I don’t think that a team like Saint Mary’s, who will have no problem finishing well over that barrier in their conference, should be getting in over these teams. Maybe the Big East is the exception to this rule, I’m not sure, but what I am sure of is that when Selection Sunday arrives, Georgetown and Notre Dame will have more quality wins than Saint Mary’s and similar squads. I’m just glad I’m not on that committee come selection time.

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