Higher Post: Let's Start the Second Season
...and look out for those Atlantic 10 teams!
Congregation, please stand up….
…because it’s an all new season!
One of the most fun things about the college basketball season is that it is divided in two parts: non-conference play and conference play. There are a couple of games that may overlap due to scheduling complications and MTEs, but for the most part, it’s non-con play first and through the holidays and conference play in the new year. It is truly like two different seasons.
The non-conference schedule allows us to see how teams do against unfamiliar opponents, and the opportunity for a squad, to learn how to play against adversity. Sometimes, they play top teams with a chance for the upset. Sometimes, it’s a cupcake for an easy win and to pad that NET ranking, but also to get more players off the bench gaining experience for the dog days ahead. It’s always a valuable run.
Conference play, on the other hand, is where the cream rises to the top - you know the opponents, but more importantly, they know you.
Even with the transfer portal creating new rosters each year, the coaches know their foes systems and tendencies through scouting and experience. From ancient grudges to new mutinies, even the most favorited teams in a conference are at risk of being upset by the smallest of underdogs.
However, while we are watching the major conferences fight for seedings of at large bids, there are those mid-major conferences that have strong teams at the top, but if they don’t win their conference tournaments, they steal at-large bids from the big boys.
Let’s look some of these teams/conference as we go into conference plays:
West Coast Conference: Of course, we all know about Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s as the leaders of the conference, but this year’s WCC have 5 teams in the top-70 NET ranking: Gonzaga (7), Saint Mary’s (56) and San Fran (62) are the usuals, but now add in Oregon State (58) and Washington State (69) which means as they play each other, the games will be Quad 1 or Quad 2 ops. Now, the WCC will not get 5 teams in, and currently Joe Lunardi is predicting 2 (which is par for them) but if any of these lower NET teams (or even Santa Clara who is coming up next) wins the automatic qualifier, an additional at-large bid they would steal one from
the ACCanother power conference.Atlantic 10: The A10 has had its ups and downs over almost 50 years of its existence. But, the ‘not as sexy sister’ to the Big East has averaged around 3 bids each year until the introduction of the NET ranking, which has pushed them more towards a one-bid conference. Most of that has to do with the lack of quality non-conference opportunities AND not striking on those opportunities when they happen. Both A10 Commissioner Bernadette McGlade (formally of the ACC) and UMass coach Frank Martin (formally of South Carolina) has stated publicly that they were told from their old conference officials not to book A10 opponents because those schools were strong enough to upset you, but with not enough prestige to add weight to your resume when you win. Joe Lunardi currently has the A10 as a single-bid conference again, but there are currently 2 teams hovering around the top-50 NET: Dayton (45) and Saint Bonaventure (53). Both teams had strong non-conference runs and look to do damage as they run through the conference. However, Rhode Island also started the season strong (11-2) and with Archie Miller turning this program around, it’s only a matter of time before they start doing their own damage. The Rams are currently 87 in NET but expect them to make a run in conference play and the conference tourney. If they can snag the AQ from Dayton or the Bonnies, they could be the bid stealer.
Missouri Valley: Right now there are two teams who are basically running the conference, Drake (46) and Bradley (74) with both teams projected in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracket. However, because Lunardi predicts a conference AQ going to who is top the leader board at the time, Bradley (at 3-0) are in as the AQ. As it stands, Bradley does not have the credentials to get a ticket to the Dance hall as is, and with a lack of Q1/Q2 opportunities in conference, it will be hard for them to gain that ground. This means, if Bradley or even Northern Iowa, also at 3-0 in conference, manages to win the AQ from Drake, there is your bid stealer, provided Drake remains strong enough to get an at-large.
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, it is so much harder to make the tourney as an at-large if you are not a member of a power conference. Currently, in Charlie Creme’s latest bracket, he has NO at-large teams from non-power conferences. Other than Harvard (33) and Richmond (38), there are no non-power conference teams ranked above 40.
However, speaking of Richmond, there something happening in the Atlantic 10 this season.
The A10 has been a 1-bid conference for quite some time, with the exception of getting 2 in 2022 (Massachusetts & Dayton). However, this season 3 schools are all hovering around the 40 NET mark: Richmond (38), Saint Joe’s (40) and George Mason (44). This makes for some fun matchups.
And with 2 games in, the battles have already begun, with 4 teams undefeated in A10 play (Saint Joe’s, Massachusetts, Davidson, and Rhode Island)
George Mason (1-1) lost to Saint Joe’s, while…
…Richmond (1-1) lost to Fordham, who….
…was fresh off a loss against a surging Massachusetts Minutewomen squad.
I admit, I love a good upset, but I have to say, I’m rooting more for the A10 to get multiple bids. To break 3, they would need their top teams to roll up the coast. But also keep your eyes on the Minutewomen of Massachusetts who started the year 2-5 but are 5-1 in their last six. Four of those losses were by single digits, the only one being a loss at Harvard where the Minutewomen were only down 3 with just under 2mins. Harvard is a tough team who is currently getting top-25 votes.
Full disclaimer, yes, I am a UMass guy and I love this Minutewomen squad. That also means I watch almost all of their games so I have watched them grow and see where they are trending. That said, I also try to be fair in my assessments. If you asked me two weeks ago if Massachusetts was a sleeper team, I would say not yet, but they are showing much growth after a tough start. Ask me that now? Yes, Mass is the sleeper of a stronger Atlantic 10 conference that will get multiple bids in March. Go Defense.
Week Reset
The Another Coach Conference: Miami head coach Jim Larranaga steps down sighting NIL and the Transfer Portal as the main reasons. Larranaga is the 6th long time ACC coach to step down since the start of the decade.
And, speaking of ACC coaches: 6 former Florida State players are suing coach Leonard Hamilton for unpaid NLI promises. They are not suing the school, but the coach directly. Would this cause to Hamilton to decide to join the above ACC coaches in retirement? I would assume this gets us one step closer to player contracts.
Cuz You Gotta Have Faith: Watch Seton Hall’s Faith Masonius score a buzzer-beating shot backwards over her head while quadruple-teamed to beat Big East rival Villanova.
We Got Next: Games to watch this week! (all times EST)
This is a fantastic Saturday Services with a few teams playing hard to build a resume for March. But the fun is not just today!
Men’s Games: Welcome to conference play!!
#6 Florida at #10 Kentucky (Saturday, 11a, ESPN)
Dayton at George Washington (Saturday, Noon, USA/Peacock)
#23 Arkansas at #1 Tennessee (Saturday. 1p. ESPN)
#25 Baylor at #3 Iowa State (Saturday, 2p CBS)
BYU at #14 Houston (Saturday, 2p, ESPN+)
Saint Bonaventure at Fordham (Saturday, 2p ESPN+) Honestly, if you are in NYC Metro, just go to Rose Hill to watch this LIVE. Then, dine on Arthur Ave. Trust me.
#4 Duke at SMU (Saturday, 2:15p, CW) SMU is one of those ACC teams really playing to make the bracket after a strong non-con campaign. A win over Duke will help.
#12 Oklahoma at #5 Alabama (Saturday, 6p, SEC) Yes, this is a conference game now. As is…
Texas at #13 Texas A&M (Saturday, 8p, SEC) Like a XII matchup but with more Buzz.
#1 Tennessee at #6 Florida (Tuesday, 7p, ESPN2) The Vols take their undefeated record to The Swamp to meet some hungry hungry Gators.
#16 Cincinnati at #25 Baylor (Tuesday, 8p, ESPN+)
#13 Texas A&M at #12 Oklahoma (Weds. 8p, SEC) Coach Porter’s seat is cooling off this season. Beating a ranked TA&M would be all … the… Buzz (sorry, its just to easy)
Women’s Games: A whole new B1G!
#1 UCLA at Indiana (Saturday, Noon, FOX) Indiana is a ‘little’ down this season, but that #1 ranking and undefeated records on the Bruins make a nice target for rebound.
#3 Notre Dame at #17 UNC (Sunday, 1p, ESPN) A whole new semester for the Irish as ACC play begins.
Boston College at #22 NC State (Sunday, 2p, ACCNet) BC is one of those teams who won’t make the Dance, but will scare all their opponents and ding up their resumes.
#9 Oklahoma at #15 Tennessee (Sunday, 3p. ESPN) The Lady Vols are still undefeated and ready for some real tests in Coach Caldwell’s first season.
#8 Maryland at #23 Iowa (Sunday, 6p, BTN)
George Mason at Richmond (Weds. 6p, ESPN+)
#10 Ohio State at #24 Michigan (Weds, 7p, B1G+) New ‘Swords’ fight w/ an old rival.
#4 USC at #8 Maryland (Weds, 8:30p, FS1) The new look B1G has some real gems.
#6 LSU at #15 Tennessee (Thurs, 6:30p, SEC)
#14 Duke at #17 UNC (Thurs, 7p, ACCNet) It might not be as loud, but its just as vicious.
#19 Alabama at #5 Texas (Thurs, 8p, SEC)
#22 NC State at #20 California (Thurs, 10p, ACCNet) Time for the Pack to see the west coast of the Atlantic. Nope, still sounds weird.
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):
Purdue 63 - Iowa 84: With conference play underway in the B1G, the Iowa Hawkeyes looked to bounce back after the opening loss at Michigan State by welcoming a struggling Purdue team to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This actually was not a big game for Hannah Stuelke as she was only on the court for 19 mins. But, not for any bad reason. It was the night for head coach Jan Jensen’s highly touted freshman class, including ‘The Taylors’ (McCabe & Stemlow), Aaliyah Guyton, Teagan Mallegni and Ava Heiden to run their stuff. Tonight, they were clicking together and Jensen let them just run over Purdue. As a result, veterans Lucy Olsen, Addy O’Grady and Stuelke were on the court for just over half of the game.
In the end, it was a beautiful team effort with strong ball distribution and not one specific player taking control. Iowa led by 18 at the half and didn’t look back, despite a 3rd quarter run by the Boilermakers to get as close as 7 before the Hawkeyes turned it up to finish them off.
Incidentally, this is the second time I wrote about Purdue losing in this column, since they also lost to Notre Dame at the start of the seasons.
So for those of you counting at home, the count is: Hannahs 2 - Purdue 0
Iowa 80 - Penn State 68: There are certain opponents that bring out that something special. It was this Penn State game last season that world saw The Incredible Stuelk as she dropped 47 points on the Nittany Lions. So, I was ready for ‘The Hannah Stuelke Show’ - or as I like to shorten things - ‘The Showlke!’
It was a good night for Hannah as she earned a double-double over 28 mins of play (13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists). Just like last time, Penn State did not go away easy and stayed neck and neck with the Hawkeyes until went on a 19-5 run midway through the 4th to put the game out of reach for the Lions.
As next year will be Stuelke’s last year, I’m excited to see what that challenge brings.
Conference play thickens for Iowa as they welcome #8 Maryland to Carver.
Up Next (all times EST):
Sunday - #8 Maryland at #23 Iowa (6p, BTN)
Thursday - #23 Iowa at Illinois (7p, B1G+)
Hannah Hidalgo (Sophomore / Guard / Notre Dame):
Virginia 54 - Notre Dame 95: It was close for a little bit. About 5 minutes.
The Cavs entered the court with a good ole’ fashioned 2-3 zone that stifled the Irish. At the 5 minute mark, the score was tied at 9 all.
Then, the Irish broke the zone and stepped on the gas and went on a 28-0 run.
At the end of the first, the score was 25-9. The lead ballooned to 37-9 before Virginia slowed the bleeding by getting to the line and making ‘a’ free throw. At this point, the Irish were in their rhythm and we all know the rhythm’s gonna get you. Virginia’s scoring drought actually lasted for 11 minutes and 44 seconds, which is literally over one quarter of the game.
Fast stats:
Hannah Hidalgo was the high scorer with 28 points, followed by Sonia Citron with 25 more.
Olivia Miles earned her third triple-double of the season with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists.
Miles entered the game as the NCAA’s assist leader, while Hidalgo was the NCAA’s steals leader.
This was coach Niele Ivey’s 100th career win, all in South Bend.
I have been saying it all season, but there is something about this team. They are not all like this, but a lot have been. However, as we jump into ACC play, there are some major challenges ahead starting with this Sunday’s match up with a trip to Carmichael Hall in Chapel Hill, NC and a date with #17 UNC. I cannot wait!
Up Next (all times EST):
Sunday - #3 Notre Dame at #17 North Carolina (Noon, ESPN)
Thursday - Wake Forest at #3 Notre Dame (7p, ACCNet)
Five Touches: Passing around the hoops world
No Longer Loserville: 5-Star PG Mikel Brown Jr. Commits to Louisville over Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Texas and more. This is a major win for 1-year Cardinal coach pat Kelsey as he turns around this program.
Reporting to Lakers Pre-Camp Camp: LeBron James’ younger son, Brice, commits to Arizona…for his pre-Lakers Draft development year.
Per Matt Norlander: Big East communication director John Paquette tells CBSSports: "For this weekend, many, if not all, of our head coaches will be wearing sweaters to honor Lou Carnesecca who would have been 100 this Sunday." That will really be a sight to see. If you are Big East fan, you should join in and make this an annual event.
Kim Mulkey gets emotional over NOLA attack, saying it ‘hit too close to home.’: LSU coach Kim Mulkey used her presser time to display her personal emotion over the New Years terroist attack on New Orleans.
10 years after coming out, Derrick Gordon still stands alone: App.com does a nice write with former UMass/Seton Hall guard Derrick Gordon 10 years after being the first openly gay men’s college basketball player.
Extracurricular Reading: Sometimes we all need a T.O.
Esquire’s ‘44 Best Martinis in America’: I didn’t see the ‘Kate Martin Fan Club’ listed anywhere.
How files the accident police report?: A Waymo robotaxi collided with a delivery bot. Eeeeeevaaaaa!
Not looking forward to those Popeye slashers!: Happy public domain week! Check out the list of materials that have now joined the public domain.
Final Seconds:
Ok, folks! Time to get away from the desk and so watch some of these hoops today!
Remember to do these three things, please Like, Share and Subscribe. Also, feel free to join the conversation - just keep it upbeat!
Always live One Shining Moment at a time. Never be boring.