I want to welcome you all to today's score report brought to you by me and continued by you. We can work together to talk college basketball. Teams are enhancing their tournament resumés as well as making ready to go to the Dance. So we must see how all the teams do. I want to begin with Florida as they go down to Baton Rouge to meet the Bayou Bengals.
--- Florida is Looking Good, But LSU Wants to Play Speed Bump on Florida's Highway to March ---
* Florida at LSU
Like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (TomKat), the hottest power school is Florida. They won the title in football, won last year's men's basketball championship, and hope to maybe win the baseball title as college baseball season is underway. We have a battle between two SEC schools who are usually high-class competitors in just about every sport. The Florida Gators are slithering their way into Baton Rouge, LA. But look out- you're playing in LSU's house!
(66-56; LOUSIANA STATE) *upset!*
Let me show you some basketball action from the fairer sex.
--- (Women) Bowling Green Meets a Women's Team From the Same State ---
* Ohio at #1? Bowling Green - women's hoops -
The Bowling Green State University Lady Falcons flown majestically in all of their games... except this one against Ohio's Lady Bobcats. (70-67; Ohio)
Now back to the men by going out west.
--- California Pack ---
I want to give California some love. I don't usually get to talk about West Coast action because I normally have to go to bed during the Sunday-Wednesday swing. Then too, I don't get to talk much about West Coast games because I normally am not able to get to West Coast teams unless they play at earlier times. So let me do the honors.
--- California Polytechnical Institute Could Possibly Remember the Titans ---
* Cal Poly at California State-Fullerton
This is a game between California Polytechnical Institute and California State University in Fullerton. They comprise two of over nine teams that play in the Big West Conference. This is not to be confused with the football-only Great West Conference. California Polytechnical University can be found in the city of San Luis Obispo, CA. The city is more commonly abbreviated as "SLO." Cal Poly certainly isn't SLO-w. The Mustangs have their 351 Windsors ready to outrun any stocker that dare comes their way. Cal Poly brought their Detroit Iron into Fullerton to meet some jive turkeys. I had to check a map for this one. Fullerton, CA is actually a suburb of Los Angeles. It is a suburb of eastern Los Angeles. Fullerton is north of Anaheim, CA. You'll probably see California State-Fullerton if you're riding on Highway 57. This team sports a grayish blue color and gold. They are known as the Titans. They have titanic ability. But we all know what happened to the Titanic. That was the same result that Cal Poly gave California State-Fullerton. NBA-like scoring here. (90-80; California Polytechnical)
--- Gonzaga Heads Into Beautiful San Francisco Looking in Building Tourney Resumé ---
* Gonzaga at San Francisco
There may not be a city I love in California more than San Francisco. And why not? It's such a beautiful place. You have stuff like the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, the Transamerica Pyramid, Candlestick Park (San Francisco Giants' baseball), the Cow Palace, and more. There is also one other beautiful attraction- the University of San Francisco. And if San Francisco State University was in Divsion 1, they would EASILY be crosstown rivals. USaFr gets Gonzaga. This is a battle between two schools rich in Jesuit religious tradition. Let's meet the 'Zags. Gonzaga University is in Spokane, WA. Under Adam Morrison's wing last season, Gonzaga became an Elite Eight team. They haven't been as hot this season as they were last season. The Bulldogs still remain a formidable force regardless. Those Bulldogs made the long travel to San Francisco. They even took a cable car ride to USaFr. Now let's meet San Francisco. Most people who wear Hollister clothing normally say that they love SoCal. NoCal can be lovely as well. It must be very exciting to have San Francisco, California as your classroom. One is only a few blocks away from San Francisco's Golden Gate Park when at the University of San Francisco. This Catholic Jesuit school had its best years when Bill Russell was playing for them. The University of San Francisco won back-to-back National Championships in the mid-1950s. In fact, I think this year marks the 50th Anniversary of their National Championship triumph in 1957. The Dons sadly don't have football anymore. So you football fans into college hoops may have to look elsewhere for some pigskin love (like California or Stanford). The Dons are hopeful in taking down Gonzaga in War Memorial Gym. This game needed Overtime to be resolved. And in the end, the boys from the state of Washington returned home with a win on the road. (86-79, OT; Gonzaga)
--- California Heads Into Los Angeles to Beat USCal After Arizona Softened Them Up ---
* California at USCal
I normally thought California was a tough-as-nails team in almost every sport. Apparently not basketball since the Trojans blew away the Golden Bears of California. (84-66; SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA)
--- Stockton and Northridge Settle Which is the Better California City ---
* Pacific at California State-Northridge
California State University at Northridge is usually abbreivated as CSUN. Hopefully the sun will shine on Northridge's chances of winning this game against Pacific. The University of Pacific Tigers are in the city of Stockton, CA. The Northridge boys want some business taken care of. And that's what the Matadors did in captivity. (76-73; CALIFORNIA STATE-NORTHRIDGE)
--- Moraga Meets Los Angeles ---
* Santa Clara at Loyola Marymount
The city of Los Angeles has seen a number of their teams compete. It's the home of the Clippers and Lakers vs. a city that will host San Francisco 49ers sometime in 2012. The Loyola Marymount Lions came roaring into this one. But so did the Santa Clara Broncos. The home side won the game in a super-close way. Great job by a school that used to be known as Loyola University of Los Angeles. (67-66; LOYOLA MARYMOUNT)
--- More Los Angeles Action as Stanford Comes to L.A. ---
* Stanford at #4 UCLA
StReEtWaLkEr must be watching intently as his beloved UCLA squad meet Stanford. The Stanford Cardinal logo is a big pine tree. If Stanford's a tree, then the UCLA Bruins smoked that tree. Fourteen was the margin of victory. (75-61; #4 UCLA)
--- The Rose City Rose to the Occasion of Wanting to Beat San Diego ---
* Portland at San Diego
The University of San Diego has a great football team. The University of Portland has a considerate basketball team. The Portland Pilots couldn't hammer home a victory as the San Diego Toreros got her done in perhaps Division 1's southernmost California school (besides San Diego State). (82-76; SAN DIEGO)
--- Davis, California Isn't Smiling After This ---
* California-Davis at Long Beach State
California State University of Long Beach is ready for some action in SoCal. The California-Davis Mustangs were blown right out of Long Beach as the 49ers struck rich. This was not even close. (102-77; LONG BEACH STATE)
...which brings me to my Feature School.
John's Feature School: Long Beach State University (also known as California State University-Long Beach)
Racing fans are very familiar with the city of Long Beach. It is the city that hosts the annual Long Beach Grand Prix. The American Le Mans Series will debut at this track later this year. But what happens when Long Beach isn't (legally) racing on the streets? It's full of students hitting the books. Meet Long Beach State University. There was football at Long Beach State that originated in the 1980s and ended in 1992. Their sports team is known as the 49ers. They are crazy enough to call their baseball team as the Dirtbags. This is a public and urban four-year institution in wonderful Long Beach, California. Their team logo looks as much like a baseball logo as Alabama's logo (the letter "A" enclosed in a circle. Speaking of Alabama, their game against Auburn is next!). Their sports teams aren't the only teams making waves. In fact, they have a Formula SAE program at Long Beach State. And anytime you want to visit western Los Angeles for all the glitz and glam, you're about 20-50 minutes away going northwest of LBSU.
For more information on Long Beach State University, visit these websites:
http://www.csulb.edu/ (Home)
http://www.csulb.edu/sports/ (Athletics)
-end "California Pack"
Now let's return to the SEC.
--- Iron Bowl Match Pits David vs. Goliath ---
* Auburn at #?? Alabama (RIVALRY GAME: Iron Bowl -football-; "Battle for Alabama" -basketball-)
The Iron Bowl is on tap... but in basketball. Some of you probably know that I love Alabama's fight song called "Hey Alabama!" As good as that fight song sounds, it's a song people in Auburn hate. So Auburn's going to shut up Alabama by all means. The Tigers are the most terrible team in SEC men's basketball. They are heading into Alabama with a purpose- to wash away the Crimson Tide. People think Alabama is overrated. This game's result gives people reason to prove 'Bama is overrated. (86-77; Auburn) *upset!*
--- Tennessee Meets Florida ---
* Belmont at North Florida
Vanderbilt isn't the only great basketball team in Nashville. The Belmont Bruins shown North Florida no mercy as they shot the Ospreys out of the sky. (74-54; Belmont)
Let's slow it down for a moment. I got some extras.
--- (Extra) Duke Picks Up Their Biggest Win in Almost a Year ---
Duke University. They can play every sport except football. The big win I'm talking about is an extra. And it has nothing to do with Coach K, Cameron Indoor Stadium, or anything like that. I'm talking about their Men's Lacrosse team. The game of lacrosse is an interesting hybrid of four different sports. Think football meets basketball meets hockey meets soccer. The goal of lacrosse is to carry a lacrosse ball into a net as you pass the ball to other players. You must then attack a net by which is protected by a goalie. Duke took on Dartmouth College of the Ivy League. By the end of the First Half, the #6 Duke Blue Devils led Dartmouth 8-5. By the end of the game and with great execution, Duke motored along to pick up a big win. This win was big because this helps show that Duke Men's Lacrosse is back to normal after having to cancel the 2006 season. Duke won 17-10 over Dartmouth. They get the Pioneers of Denver University tomorrow.
--- (Extra) Is Philadelphia the Best Major City for College Sports? ---
The city of Philadelphia has six area universities in Division 1 basketball. Those schools are Villanova University, Saint Joseph's University, Temple University, La Salle University, Drexel University, and the University of Pennsylvania. You can play football at Villanova (1-AA/FCS), La Salle (1-AA/FCS), Pennsylvania (1-AA/FCS), and Temple (1-A/FBS). Every school except Drexel in Philadelphia comprise Philadelphia's Big Five. The inclusion of Drexel makes it the City Six. Only Villanova and La Salle have won National Championships out of these six schools. On the Division 2 level, the women's team at the University of Philadelphia (non-football) is having a great season with a history-making coach. There's also Holy Family, USP (University of the Sciences in Philadelphia), and Philadelphia Biblical where you can attend class and play college sports in the City of Brotherly Love. So is Philadelphia the most involved city in college sports? That's for you to debate.
Hope you've gathered up your breath. We got more scores for you.
--- Is Oklahoma State Done for Good for a March Bid? Texas Tech Thinks So ---
* Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
There's still life in Stillwater... albeit not very much life. They didn't have much life anyways as the Cowboys lost a tight fit to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (59-57; TEXAS TECH)
--- The Catholic Jesuit University of Milwaukee Meets the Golden Dome Boys in Indiana ---
* #16 Marquette at Notre Dame
Milwaukee was looking for sunshine and happiness, but the Fighting Irish sent the Marquette Golden Eagles back to Milwaukee for rain and sadness. (85-76; NOTRE DAME) *upset!*
--- Red River Rampage ---
* #1? Texas at Oklahoma (RIVALRY GAME: Red River Shootout)
Texas and Oklahoma plain HATE each other. (68-58; Texas)
--- Syracuse's NCAA Tourney Bid is on the Line at Providence ---
* Syracuse at Providence
In the face of danger, the Syracuse Orange brought plenty of color over the black and white Providence Friars. (71-67; Syracuse)
--- Washington, D.C. is Ready to Lay Down the Law on Pittsburgh ---
* #8 Pittsburgh at #12 Georgetown
Pittsburgh picks up their first road loss in conference play. Tough time to get it as the Panthers fell at the Verizon Center with about 13K Georgetown Hoyas fans. (-; GEORGETOWN)
--- Texas Christian University Looks to Intercept Air Force Out of the Fort Worth Aerospace ---
* #1? Air Force at TCU
(71-66; TEXAS CHRISTIAN) *upset!*
--- Southland Conference Pack ---
Let's check in with the Southland Conference and some of the games played.
--- Louisiana Goes West to Meet a Texas ---
* McNeese State at Lamar
The only Division 1 university I have attended and enrolled in was Lamar University. The game is at the Montagne Center- a building I attended just to attend classes. I had only a small peek at their basketball arena when I was a student there in 2002. Had I lasted longer, I would have been a Lamar graduate. You can hear their fight song if you have "College Hoops 2K7" and play as Lamar University at home. They'll meet some boys from Louisiana with McNeese State (75-71; LAMAR)
DID YOU KNOW...
...that Lamar is 4th in the Southland Conference in 3-point field goals? They have about 215.
--- Staying in Texas, Meet the Hottest Southland Team There is ---
* Texas-San Antonio at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Texas A&M is having a great season. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is having their own great season. These boys reside on an island and are miles... lightyears away from ordinary. This is a battle of two teams thinking about starting football. The University of Texas-San Antonio is the largest school in America without a football program. UTSA is ready to tackle Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with everything they got. They'll need all of their talent when they go and meet TAMU-CC. The Roadrunners went southeast to meet the hottest team in South Texas. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is looking for their first-ever NCAA tournament bid. Let me tell you how impressive this team is. They have had consecutive 20-win seasons. They have one more right now. I know Butler has been the surprise team nobody saw coming, but look down here in Texas. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is slowly becoming its own powerhouse. The Islanders are prospective of glory and are willing to have the inside track on the Southland Western Division come Southland tournament time. That inside track remains intact as this blowout is complete. (75-59; TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI)
--- RAPID FIRE SOUTHLAND RESULTS (Men Only) ---
* Sam Houston State at Texas State (97-83; Sam Houston State)
* Stephen F. Austin at Texas-Arlington (69-62; ARLINGTON)
* Central Arkansas at Nicholls State (70-66; Central Arkanas)
-end "Southland Conference Pack"
That's all for today. Get more scores and other results here:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/scoreboard?d=2007-02-24&c=all&refresh=0 (Men)
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/scoreboard?d=2007-02-24&c=all&refresh=0 (Women)
http://www.d3hoops.com/schedule.php?date=2007-02-24&team=mens (Division 3 - Men)
http://www.d3hoops.com/schedule.php?date=2007-02-24&team=womens (Division 3 - Women)
I believe this Sunday will be Selection Sunday for Division 3. So I'll update my tournament thread with more information. Until then, more interesting games are coming up this Sunday. My hometown Houston Cougars will have to play the game of their lives against Memphis. Kentucky's going to Nashville to get revenge over Vanderbilt. And let's not forget an epic matchup between Wisconsin and Ohio State.
Again, Feb. 25 marks Selection Sunday for Division 3 basketball teams. I'll be sure to come back with tournament updates for Division 3. Meanwhile, thank you for reading. Come back again for my next report! And if you like, you may click on the "My Other Home Page" link. You may add me as a buddy if you like from that page. Thanks for your cooperation. Take care.
