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No... this isn't my car. I don't have a license, remember? I'm not a fan of the Corvette C6's looks, remember? This Corvette C6 drop-top is an indication that we're motoring towards March Madness. Welcome to February. It is a pretty good month, isn't it? You got Valentine's Day. You got Black History Month. Presidents' Day is there. However, February takes on much greater meaning in college basketball. The end of February marks the eye of the storm. It's time to think about what teams will make the dance. Lots of positions are up for grabs en route to Selection Sunday. Will your favorite team make it (granted your favorite isn't an Independent)? GTPlanet, it's time to get serious now. There are an estimated 320 to 330 Division 1 schools eligible for March Madness consideration. Only 65 will be selected. Meaning that somewhere around 250 or 260 schools will either have to settle for the NIT or just look forward to next season WAY in November 2007. Here are the ways to make the tourney:
(1) win your conference's title
(2) get an at-large berth (need to convince America and the NCAA selection committee that you deserve a title shot)
This is a month where we will see the Bracketbusters in about two or three weeks from now. College football fans, think of Bracketbusters as BCS busters in FBS/1-A. Like when Boise State went unbeaten and took down Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. It's that time of year. Your team needs to succeed if they want to make Selection Sunday. So let's do February!
But first, let's begin with an extra.
Who's Your Player of the Year?
The latest edition of Sports Illustrated has six players on Page 78. They include the following:
* Alando Tucker (Wisconsin)
* Nick Fazekas (Nevada)
* Aaron Brooks (Oregon)
* Greg Oden (Ohio State)
* Kevin Durant (Texas)
* A.J. Graves (Butler)
Most of the talk this season has been about Greg Oden. Alando Tucker and Kevin Durant have helped their teams greatly. A rant would be that Durant helped save Texas from being upset at Texas Tech. Meanwhile, Alando Tucker and his boys didn't get it done in Bloomington, IN against the Hoosiers. Oregon's (they play UCLA tonight) Aaron Brooks helped sink UCLA's battleship earlier this season. Nick Fazekas hasn't been talked about all that much from some of the media I've been watching and reading.
Let's start with the women. What? Is there a rule that states that I have to start with guys? Keep in mind, players. I started these daily college basketball discussions. I've made these discussions, so I can do almost anything I want as long as it's within the rules. We'll get to the men in a moment. But let's start with the ladies. We got trouble early.
(Women's Hoops) Lady Bulldogs Ready to Challenge Lady Tigers
* #7 LSU at #14 Georgia
You know how girls like to say that whatever boys can do, girls can do better? Well, that's probably true... in the SEC, at least. A number of teams are #25 rock-solid women's teams.
Buzzer-beating shot knocks off LSU in an upset. Thank Ashley Houts for knocking off the game-winning shot. She was the gamebreaker who have LSU their second SEC loss and third overall loss. BIG win for the Athens, GA girls. (53-51; #14 GEORGIA) *upset!*
Yellow Jackets Look to Sting a Top 5 Team
* #4 Maryland at Georgia Tech
Maryland is certainly stumbling. My GTP buddy, JTSnooks is likely loving to see his Georgia Tech Lady Yellow Jackets(77-72; GEORGIA TECH) *upset!*
(Women's Hoops)
* South Carolina at #?? Tennessee
Allow me to be brief. This was simply a beatdown. Something like this is more like when a girl steals another girl's boyfriend, and this scorned girl wants to confront the boyfriend-stealing girl. In the end, Tennessee's Lady Volunteers basically handed the South Carolina Lady Gamecocks a new set of teeth. No contest! (72-36; #?? TENNESSEE) *OWNAGE!!!*
(Women's Hoops) Bluegrass Divas Want to Put Nashville on Notice
* #15Vanderbilt at Kentucky
Vanderbilt University meets the University of Kentucky. No Tubby Smith this time. Are Kentucky's girls just as good as their guys? Is Vandy for real? Let's find out. Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, Tennessee. You may remember that Vanderbilt's men's team knocked off Kentucky in Kentucky. The Lady Commodores will look to show Kentucky that they aren't the class of SEC women's basketball. Looking to take exception was Kentucky. You already know about the guys. So what about the ladies? I'm a "Ladies First" kind of guy. I'm usually humble and kind. So are Kentucky's ladies... except when Rupp Arena has some UK fans and Kentucky are in their outfits. The Lady Wildcats are actually the (no pun intended) underdogs in this match. I usually see Tennessee and LSU as the conference powers of SEC women's hoops. But fear not. While Kentucky isn't a conference power in women's hoops, they are still a sensational team to watch if you love UK hoops. Time for some girl power! Oh... so close, yet so far. Kentucky loses by a nose as Vanderbilt survives a scare. Wow... first the men beat Kentucy's boys... now they've beaten Kentucky's girls. Coincidentally- at Rupp Arena. Ouch. (63-62; #15 Vanderbilt)
(Women's Hoops) (Extra) History Made in Division 2
Herb Magee of non-football school, Philadelphia University, has made history by winning his 829th game
We seen some talented girls. Now let's see some boys throw down the rock.
* #?? Duke at Virginia
Durham, North Carolina is quiet. That's because Duke isn't in town. Sad news? Depends on who you are. Duke's making a business trip to Charlottesville, VA to meet Virginia's boys. This is a battle between two teams that had sorry ACC campaigns in football (what do you expect from Duke?). Duke University is closely connected to Hell. That's because these teams are devilish at both ends of the court. But these boys wear blue because blue is cool. And that's what makes the Blue Devils the Blue Devils. The Virginia Cavaliers are one of over 300+ teams that want to shut Duke up for good. UVA did just that in a stunning upset. If you hate Duke, make some noise up in this place! (68-66; VIRGINIA) *upset!*
--- Washington/Arizona Challenge ---
Cool Cats Clash Crazily
* #17 Washington State at #22 Arizona
Last season, it was Gonzaga that was the talk of the state of Washington. Now, it's Washington State. Why WSU? It's because Washington has struggled so far. Hell, even Washington State knocked Washington's teeth out in a blowout some time back. Now Washington State needs to teach some felines some respect. But it won't be easy. They are facing Arizona- a team that has something Washington State doesn't- a National Championship. Arizona hasn't been dominant as more people care about Arizona basketball than their pathetic football team. This, even though their football team shocked California and prevented them from a possible BCS berth. The Wildcats of Tuscon, Arizona are ready to make a statement to the boys of the Pacific Northwest. Washington State is likely in North Central Washington in the city of Pullman. Washington State seen their rivals in Seattle struggle. It's safe to say that Washington State has the best Cougars in the nation (no Houston jokes) this season. Coogs and 'Cats. Who takes it? Washington State takes top honors in this one. (72-66; Washington State)
* Washington at Arizona State
The Washington Huskies knocked off the worst Pac-10 men's basketball team- the Arizona State Sun Devils. (66-61; Washington)
So the state of Washington wins this one.
-end "Washington/Arizona Challenge"
Detroit RAPID FIRE
--- Men ---
* Wisconsin-Green Bay at Detroit (76-72; DETROIT) <<< big win over the best Horizon League team that isn't Butler
--- Women ---
* Detroit at Wisconsin-Milwaukee (63-54; WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE)
The War of the Saints
* Saint Louis at Saint Joseph's
Two more big cities are ready to go at it. The Atlantic 10 is the conference for this matchup as this match takes center stage in Philadelphia. You better know your schools when you talk Philadelphia. Over six schools comprise schools playing Division 1 basketball in Philadelphia. They are usually known as the "Philadelphia Five." Add Drexel, and you have the "City Six." It's Saint Louis University heading to Saint Joseph's for a little throwdown action. And in the end, the Billikens handed the Saint Joseph's Hawks a hard loss. (73-62; Saint Louis)
STFU SHSU?
* Texas-San Antonio at Sam Houston State
I know you all love coming to Texas with my Texas reports. ^_^ I'm going to spoil you with Lone Star love. Doing the honors are San Antonio's UTSA, and Hunstville's SHSU. Let's meet these two players. Sam Houston State University is named for the man who helped name my hometown. You can visit Herman Park here in Houston and see an arch that bears the likeness of Sam Houston. The Bearkats (the way they spell it) have actually done quite well. They have a very nice fight song. So does Texas-San Antonio. The University of Texas-San Antonio is America's largest-size school that doesn't have a football team (at least not yet according to UTSA). (76-64; SAM HOUSTON STATE)
Madison Square Garden is Ready to Meet Washington, D.C.'s Finest
* Georgetown at St. John's
I've taken you to Texas. Now I'm taking you to New York City. Take a look at the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium, Times Square, "Ground Zero," the United Nations Building... you're enjoying the New York City lifestyle for this report. Something you may not be enjoying is St. John's fall apart in Big East basketball. Their fight song is featured in 2K Sports' "College Hoops 2K7." The Red Storm have kind of a fight song that's more like one of those extra songs played by the band. Maybe it has an Indian tone to it since St. John's used to be known as the Redmen. One of their more classical teams in their illustrious history was the 1985 St. John's (then) Redmen. Let's go from a team that has no known championships to a team that has at least a title. Georgetown University is based in Washington, D.C. MANY proud alum come from Georgetown including (but not limited to) Dikembe Mutumbo, Patrick Ewing, and R&B star Amerie. Read Wikipedia's entry on all the famous alums of Georgetown. It will drive you crazy. So will Hoyas' basketball. The battle ground is Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are terrible, but are St. John's? Georgetown whitewashed St. John's from one side of New York City to the other. Turn away, kids. This was ugly OWNAGE. (72-48; Georgetown)
(Extra) Is St. John's Still the Premier Basketball School in New York City?
St. John's hasn't been at their best in a while now. The way I came into learning about college basketball, St. John's was one of the best teams in the Big East, much less the nation. Their offical city is Jamaica, NY. They are no doubt still the finest team in New York City or any of its boroughs or suburbs. It's just that St. John's has yet to really find their stride and actually come up as the kings of not only New York, but the Big East. It isn't going to get any easier with teams like Pittsburgh, Marquette, Louisville, Notre Dame, and Georgetown making waves in the Big East. It's going to take some time for St. John's to really explode and return to their former glory.
You can get more scores here:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/scoreboard?d=2007-02-01&c=all&refresh=0
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/scoreboard?d=2007-02-01&c=all&refresh=0
The Road to March Madness is on!
And all respect just went away. That, sir, is unforgiveable. You may give NC all the respect you wish (God knows their marketing department has done a wonderful job of giving them a national fanbase), but Duke is the devil, son! The devil ----> 
I only saw the highlights and UCLA didn't look like a number 2 team to me. Kind of shocking really.
