College Hoops Thoughts Some college hoops thoughts:
Kentucky can't hit from outside. Will struggle against teams with strong interior defenses, like UNC today. First road game for UK and while UNC sometimes have lame crowds, that won't be the case today. Game in Dallas last week actually saw UK with 3-1 fan advantage as ice storm kept Baylor fans from driving up from Waco.
Loyola Marymount has beaten some weak teams, and now head to Valpo. What are these Californians doing in Indiana? On the other hand, some make a case for LMU: [url]https://www.midmajormadness.com/2013/12/13/5206008/valparaiso-vs-loyola-marymount-statistical-analysis-lions-have-edge[/url]
Louisville's starting PG Chris Jones is out vs. Western Kentucky today. Probably will miss two games. [url]https://www.courier-journal.com/article/20131213/SPORTS02/312130085/Louisville-expected-start-Rush-Smith-point-guard-vs-WKU-Chris-Jones-ailing[/url]
Speaking of "what are they doing here?" do the Jacksonville State kids playing Dartmouth in Hanover, NH today even have winter coats to bring with them.
Dartmouth is off an arduous road trip that should leave them more prepared for the challenging Friday/Saturday bus trips in the Ivy League.
Utah will be motivated today and play a slowdown style that rival BYU doesn't thrive in. Cougars should prove to be the better team over the course of the year, but no upset if small dog Utah gets the win today.
Boise lost at Kentucky the other night in a game where the refs favored UK (surprise, surprise). Boise had to bus 8 hours from Chicago when weather canceled their connecting flight. They appear no worse for the wear as Coach Rice reported they had their best practice of the year on Thursday. St. Mary's has played a lot of home games and a the trip to Boise may be a shock to their system.
Princeton and Penn State should be interesting today. Both seem to be up and coming teams. Princeton's win over Rutgers no big surprise, as Rutgers is a mess. The fact that Rutgers covered at UAB in November still sticks in my craw.
Some Hatfield vs. McCoy action today with West Virginia vs. Marshall and Xavier vs. Cincy. WVU really wanted the Gonzaga game and this might be tough for them to get up for today.
