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Games happened yesterday...
...and today we must suffer their consequences.
(Really the only of those consequences is “wisconsin in a championship game,” but it’s such an unappealing championship that it’s being played in the afternoon, which is hilarious.)
Michigan State Spartans vs. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
11am | ESPN | MSU -2.5 | O/U 142
Battle 4 Atlantis (Nassau, BS) — Round 1
The Bracket: Pretty fun one here, with this one’s winners/losers getting #22 UConn (4-0, KP 22) or #19 Auburn (3-0, KP 30) in the next round. Across the bracket there’s the “meh” of VCU (2-2, KP 110) and Syracuse’s (2-1, KP 48) army of Boeheims, while Arizona State (2-2, KP 62)-#6 Baylor (4-0, KP 4) should produce the finals contender from that half.
The Ramblers are led by Drew Valentine—yes, brother to Denzel, friend to all. Cam Krutwig is gone, but the rest of Loyola’s depth is still around—G Lucas Williamson is a defensive-minded, big-shot-making guard, while a pair of 6’7” forwards, Aher Uguak and Ryan Schwieger, have done the bulk of the scoring for Loyola so far.
Curious to see how that Spartans respond to that defensive-minded culture that Valentine has said he plans to continue imposing in Rogers Park.
Poll
You have, like, 20 minutes to pick this game.
Poll
How does Sparty finish overall?
This poll is closed
-
16%
First
(8 votes) -
8%
Second
(4 votes) -
24%
Third
(12 votes) -
8%
Fourth
(4 votes) -
2%
Fifth
(1 vote) -
2%
Sixth
(1 vote) -
38%
Like MNW’s basketball career, no one cares who’s in the "Friendship Game"
(19 votes)
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels
4pm | ESPN | wisc -2.5 | O/U 118.5
Maui Invitational (Las Vegas, NV) — Championship
Johnny Davis, it turns out, is pretty damn good at basketball.
This game will be unwatchable.
Poll
Who wins?
This poll is closed
-
46%
badgers
(22 votes) -
8%
gaels
(4 votes) -
44%
no one when bennett-ball is being played
(21 votes)
Poll
The total is 118.5.
Tarleton State Texans at Michigan Wolverines
6pm | BTN | Mich -22 | O/U 128
It’s Tarleton’s second year in D-I. Stephenville’s a weird place, man.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Florida Gators
7:30pm | FS1 | Florida -1.5 | O/U 137.5
Fort Myers Tip-Off — Championship
Here’s hoping MaximumSam or BoilerUp or someone can help us out here, because I didn’t watch the first Ohio State game and have no interest in the second.
MaximumSam: Another day, another solid veteran group. Florida is up to 13th on Torvik, and has double digit wins in every game, including one against A Good Team in Florida State. Their top six guys are seniors, led by old foes Colin Castleton (transfer from Michigan) and Myreon Jones (transfer from Penn State). OSU still missing Sueing, Towns, and Brown, so they are missing some flexibility. Here’s hoping for another hot shooting game. At least it is doubtful Florida fans will be chanting “Oral Roberts.”
Jacksonville Dolphins at Minnesota Gophers
8pm | BTN | Minn -15 | O/U 131
Dolphins trying to make it a clean sweep against the Gophers basketball program.
Here’s your thread for the day’s hoops. Go nuts, behave, and give a few other things a read in the meantime. Be safe on Blackout Wednesday to all who celebrate.