MWC
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. BYU
4. Air Force
5. Wyoming
6. San Diego State
7. UNLV
8. New Mexico
9. Colorado State
Most improved: Wyoming
Biggest drop-off: BYU
Coach on the hot seat: Steve Fairchild, Colorado State
Biggest Stories of the Year: TCU goes unbeaten, will they get into the BCS Championship game? How will the conference respond to the loss of one, two or perhaps all three of it's marquee programs?
WAC
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Idaho
4. Utah State
5. Fresno State
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Hawaii
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Most Improved: Utah State
Biggest Drop-off: Fresno State
Coach on the hot seat: Greg McMackin, Hawaii
Biggest Stories of the Year: Utah State is this year's Idaho. Who will take Boise State's place at the top of the conference?
Big Sky
1. Montana
2. Eastern Washington
3. Weber State
4. Montana State
5. Northern Colorado
6. Northern Arizona
7. Sacramento State
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
Most Improved: Northern Colorado
Biggest Drop-off: Weber State
Coach on the hot seat: Jon Zamberlin, Idaho State
Biggest Story of the Year: Will a threatened FCS conference make a proactive move?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Weber State 2010 Schedule Initial Reaction
September 4, @ Boston College
September 11, Northern Colorado
September 18, @ Sacramento State
September 25, UC Davis
October 2, Eastern Washington
October 9, BYE
October 16, @ Idaho State
October 23, Portland State
October 30, Montana
November 6, @ Montana State
November 13, @ Northern Arizona
November 20, @ Texas Tech
Almost Certain Losses (2)--Anything can happen, but...
@Boston College, @Texas Tech
Probable Losses (0)--Do not count them out, but...
Likely Losses (1)--Winnable, but the other guy will be favored
Montana
Toss Up (1)--Too close to call at this point
@Montana State
Likely Wins (4)--Cats will be favored, but could end up as losses
Northern Colorado, UC Davis, Eastern Washington, @Northern Arizona
Probable Wins (3)--Anything can happen, but should be a Wildcat win
@Sacramento State, @Idaho State, Portland State
Almost Certain Wins (0)
Most Optimistic Projection--9-2
High-end Realistic Projection--8-3
Low-end Realistic Projection--7-4
Pessimistic Projection--3-8
Wanna make the playoff this year? Better win in Bozeman.
September 11, Northern Colorado
September 18, @ Sacramento State
September 25, UC Davis
October 2, Eastern Washington
October 9, BYE
October 16, @ Idaho State
October 23, Portland State
October 30, Montana
November 6, @ Montana State
November 13, @ Northern Arizona
November 20, @ Texas Tech
Almost Certain Losses (2)--Anything can happen, but...
@Boston College, @Texas Tech
Probable Losses (0)--Do not count them out, but...
Likely Losses (1)--Winnable, but the other guy will be favored
Montana
Toss Up (1)--Too close to call at this point
@Montana State
Likely Wins (4)--Cats will be favored, but could end up as losses
Northern Colorado, UC Davis, Eastern Washington, @Northern Arizona
Probable Wins (3)--Anything can happen, but should be a Wildcat win
@Sacramento State, @Idaho State, Portland State
Almost Certain Wins (0)
Most Optimistic Projection--9-2
High-end Realistic Projection--8-3
Low-end Realistic Projection--7-4
Pessimistic Projection--3-8
Wanna make the playoff this year? Better win in Bozeman.
BYU Cougars initial impression on 2010 schedule
September 4--Washington
September 11--@Air Force
September 18--@Florida State
September 24--Nevada
October 1--@Utah State
October 9--San Diego State
October 15--@TCU
October 23--Wyoming
October 30--BYE
November 6--UNLV
November 13--@Colorado State
November 20--New Mexico
November 27--@Utah
Almost Certain Losses (0)--Anything can happen, but...
None
Probable Losses (2)--Games where BYU will likely lose, but are still winnable.
@Florida State, @ TCU
Likely Losses (1)--The opponent will be favored, but give the Cougars a chance
@Utah
Likely Wins (2)--Cougars are the favorites, but don't count the other guys out
@Air Force, Nevada
Probable Wins (7)--Don't take these games for granted
Washington, @Utah State, San Diego State, Wyoming, UNLV, @Colorado State, New Mexico
Almost Certain Wins (0)
Optimistic -- 12-0
Likely High -- 10-2
Likely Medium -- 9-3
Likely Low -- 7-5
Pessimistic --0-12
September 11--@Air Force
September 18--@Florida State
September 24--Nevada
October 1--@Utah State
October 9--San Diego State
October 15--@TCU
October 23--Wyoming
October 30--BYE
November 6--UNLV
November 13--@Colorado State
November 20--New Mexico
November 27--@Utah
Almost Certain Losses (0)--Anything can happen, but...
None
Probable Losses (2)--Games where BYU will likely lose, but are still winnable.
@Florida State, @ TCU
Likely Losses (1)--The opponent will be favored, but give the Cougars a chance
@Utah
Likely Wins (2)--Cougars are the favorites, but don't count the other guys out
@Air Force, Nevada
Probable Wins (7)--Don't take these games for granted
Washington, @Utah State, San Diego State, Wyoming, UNLV, @Colorado State, New Mexico
Almost Certain Wins (0)
Optimistic -- 12-0
Likely High -- 10-2
Likely Medium -- 9-3
Likely Low -- 7-5
Pessimistic --0-12
Utah Utes Schedule and Initial Knee Jerk Reaction
September 2, Pittsburgh
September 11, UNLV
September 18, @ New Mexico
September 25, San Jose State
October 2, BYE
October 9, @ Iowa State
October 16, @ Wyoming
October 23, Colorado State
October 30, @ Air Force
November 6, TCU
November 13, @ Notre Dame
November 20, @ San Diego State
November 27, BYU
Certain Losses (0)--Little Chance of Winning
None
Probable Losses (1)--Winnable, but odds are they will lose
@ Notre Dame
Likely Losses (1)--Winnable, but the Utes will not be favored
TCU
Likely Wins (3)--Utes will be favored, but will not be easy
BYU, @ Iowa State, Pittsburgh
Probable Wins (3)--Take these games seriously, but the Utes should win them
@ New Mexico, @ Air Force, @ San Diego State
Almost Certain Wins (4)--Anything can happen, but...
UNLV, San Jose State, @ Wyoming, Colorado State
Optimist or Complete Optimist outcome 12-0
Most likely--high end 10-2
Most likely--low end 7-5
Pessimist--4-8
Likely conference finish 2 or 3.
September 11, UNLV
September 18, @ New Mexico
September 25, San Jose State
October 2, BYE
October 9, @ Iowa State
October 16, @ Wyoming
October 23, Colorado State
October 30, @ Air Force
November 6, TCU
November 13, @ Notre Dame
November 20, @ San Diego State
November 27, BYU
Certain Losses (0)--Little Chance of Winning
None
Probable Losses (1)--Winnable, but odds are they will lose
@ Notre Dame
Likely Losses (1)--Winnable, but the Utes will not be favored
TCU
Likely Wins (3)--Utes will be favored, but will not be easy
BYU, @ Iowa State, Pittsburgh
Probable Wins (3)--Take these games seriously, but the Utes should win them
@ New Mexico, @ Air Force, @ San Diego State
Almost Certain Wins (4)--Anything can happen, but...
UNLV, San Jose State, @ Wyoming, Colorado State
Optimist or Complete Optimist outcome 12-0
Most likely--high end 10-2
Most likely--low end 7-5
Pessimist--4-8
Likely conference finish 2 or 3.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Spring Drill for the Swagger
I had to take a couple weeks off to focus on my bi-annual caucus. Like many other Wildcat fans, I am pleased to see Randy Rhae stay in Ogden for a while.
The season is over for all schools from the Big Sky Conference, Mountain West and WAC. Expect for the WNIT where BYU and Wyoming will play in Laramie later this week.
Spring practice is underway for schools in the west. There are a lot of things to decide as teams have some holes to fill. It will be fun to follow.
Now one comment about the NCAA sweet 16 and quarterfinals at the ESA this weekend. The NCAA is denying the athletes the complete thrill of playing at one of the premiere NBA arenas this weekend. All of the Jazz-branded items on the floor are covered up. I think that this is a little overboard.
The season is over for all schools from the Big Sky Conference, Mountain West and WAC. Expect for the WNIT where BYU and Wyoming will play in Laramie later this week.
Spring practice is underway for schools in the west. There are a lot of things to decide as teams have some holes to fill. It will be fun to follow.
Now one comment about the NCAA sweet 16 and quarterfinals at the ESA this weekend. The NCAA is denying the athletes the complete thrill of playing at one of the premiere NBA arenas this weekend. All of the Jazz-branded items on the floor are covered up. I think that this is a little overboard.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Aggie Football Schedule this Fall.
Here are my initial thoughts on Utah State's 2010 Football Schedule:
Sept. 4, at Oklahoma
Sept. 11, Idaho State
Sept. 18, Fresno State*
Sept. 25, at San Diego State
Oct. 1, BYU
Oct. 9, at Louisiana Tech*
Oct. 23, Hawaii*^
Oct. 30, at Nevada*
Nov. 6, New Mexico State*
Nov. 13, at San Jose State*
Nov. 20, Idaho*
Dec. 4 at Boise State*
* WAC game
^ Homecoming
Likely losses 3: @ Oklahoma, BYU, @ Boise State
Probable losses 2: @ San Diego State, @ Nevada
Probable wins 4: Fresno State (Because this game is in Logan and Ryan Matthews will be in the NFL), Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, Idaho
Likely wins 3: Idaho State, New Mexico State and @ San Jose State
Pessimist prediction: 3-9
Low Realist prediction: 4-8
High Realist prediction: 7-5
Optimist prediction: 9-3
USU can get permanently out of NCAA relegation Hell by getting a good crowd for home games against Idaho State due to their proximity to Logan. And Merlin Olsen Field will see a large crowd and perhaps even a sell out against BYU.
Sept. 4, at Oklahoma
Sept. 11, Idaho State
Sept. 18, Fresno State*
Sept. 25, at San Diego State
Oct. 1, BYU
Oct. 9, at Louisiana Tech*
Oct. 23, Hawaii*^
Oct. 30, at Nevada*
Nov. 6, New Mexico State*
Nov. 13, at San Jose State*
Nov. 20, Idaho*
Dec. 4 at Boise State*
* WAC game
^ Homecoming
Likely losses 3: @ Oklahoma, BYU, @ Boise State
Probable losses 2: @ San Diego State, @ Nevada
Probable wins 4: Fresno State (Because this game is in Logan and Ryan Matthews will be in the NFL), Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, Idaho
Likely wins 3: Idaho State, New Mexico State and @ San Jose State
Pessimist prediction: 3-9
Low Realist prediction: 4-8
High Realist prediction: 7-5
Optimist prediction: 9-3
USU can get permanently out of NCAA relegation Hell by getting a good crowd for home games against Idaho State due to their proximity to Logan. And Merlin Olsen Field will see a large crowd and perhaps even a sell out against BYU.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Big Sky Teams in the Post Season
Northern Colorado. If you have been a reader of this blog, you know that I feel that the Bears deserved an NIT bid. For their fans, perhaps a CBIT bid is a better reward. As a #7 seed, Weber State can only get a home game if both they and the #8 seed win out. With a home game against Portland, who lost to Portland State this year, the Bears have a nice winnable game for their fans.
Weber State draws Cincinnati on the road. The Cats have the #7 seed, with the Bearcats holding the #2 seed. What makes the NIT unpredictable is that you never know which team is going to take the game seriously and which team will blow it off. Therefore, it is possible the WSU will earn the right to be the called the #66 team in the country.
Montana is the #14 seed taking on #3 New Mexico. The Lobos are deep and won the MWC by having the ability to answer every threat made to them by their opponents. Anthony Johnson may be able to have a big game, but it will be difficult for Montana to provide enough questions to that New Mexico can not answer.
Weber State draws Cincinnati on the road. The Cats have the #7 seed, with the Bearcats holding the #2 seed. What makes the NIT unpredictable is that you never know which team is going to take the game seriously and which team will blow it off. Therefore, it is possible the WSU will earn the right to be the called the #66 team in the country.
Montana is the #14 seed taking on #3 New Mexico. The Lobos are deep and won the MWC by having the ability to answer every threat made to them by their opponents. Anthony Johnson may be able to have a big game, but it will be difficult for Montana to provide enough questions to that New Mexico can not answer.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Big Sky--Who is going to the NIT
Montana is going to the big dance, so is there going to be a post season for any of the Big Sky's other teams?
For Montana State, Northern Arizona, Portland State, Idaho State, Eastern Washington and Sacramento State it is time to begin dreaming of next year.
The Bobcats are the only team out of these six over .500. And the Bobcats failed in their chances to impress any selection committees. They have losses to Nevada, San Francisco, Oregon, Memphis and San Jose State. They have a win over UCSB, the Big West regular season champion. But a loss in the conference tournament at home to Portland State as well as conference loses to Eastern Washington twice likely seal the fate for the Bobcats. Montana State has two too many losses.
Weber State--Once again the Wildcats failed in a chance to make the NCAA at home when they blew a twenty point lead to Montana. Selection committees tend to look at how well a team finishes. In spite of 20 wins, losing two of your last three does not bode well. But the Wildcats have a win against Utah, and played will in close losses to BYU, Utah State, UCSB and UNLV. Weber State will need to count on teams like Utah State winning their conference tournament games to keep the NIT field open. Otherwise, I suspect you will see the Wildcats in CBIT. The solid crowds at the Big Sky tourney can't hurt.
Northern Colorado--It helps to go 3-1 against a four-team NCAA conference like the Mountain West. Trouble is that TCU, Air Force and Wyoming are the bottom three in that conference. And the one loss was against the MWC's last place team. The Bears, however, did beat Colorado State. They also have wins against San Jose State and Denver. And a one-point loss to Oklahoma helps, even if the Sooners had the unusual sub-par season. A 24-7 record should put the Bears in the NIT.
For Montana State, Northern Arizona, Portland State, Idaho State, Eastern Washington and Sacramento State it is time to begin dreaming of next year.
The Bobcats are the only team out of these six over .500. And the Bobcats failed in their chances to impress any selection committees. They have losses to Nevada, San Francisco, Oregon, Memphis and San Jose State. They have a win over UCSB, the Big West regular season champion. But a loss in the conference tournament at home to Portland State as well as conference loses to Eastern Washington twice likely seal the fate for the Bobcats. Montana State has two too many losses.
Weber State--Once again the Wildcats failed in a chance to make the NCAA at home when they blew a twenty point lead to Montana. Selection committees tend to look at how well a team finishes. In spite of 20 wins, losing two of your last three does not bode well. But the Wildcats have a win against Utah, and played will in close losses to BYU, Utah State, UCSB and UNLV. Weber State will need to count on teams like Utah State winning their conference tournament games to keep the NIT field open. Otherwise, I suspect you will see the Wildcats in CBIT. The solid crowds at the Big Sky tourney can't hurt.
Northern Colorado--It helps to go 3-1 against a four-team NCAA conference like the Mountain West. Trouble is that TCU, Air Force and Wyoming are the bottom three in that conference. And the one loss was against the MWC's last place team. The Bears, however, did beat Colorado State. They also have wins against San Jose State and Denver. And a one-point loss to Oklahoma helps, even if the Sooners had the unusual sub-par season. A 24-7 record should put the Bears in the NIT.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Big Sky Championship Game Tonight
Montana at Weber State.
TV: Altitude
In last night's action, Weber State did not shoot very well against Portland State last night. And there were times when the game got a little sloppy on both sides, but Weber State managed to get a nine point win against Portland State anyway. The difference in the game was a big run about half-way through the first half where WSU turned a six point deficit into an eight point lead. Meanwhile, Montana gave up a big lead late in the second half, saw NCU take a brief lead. But the Grizzlies rallied in the last two minutes to get a six point lead.
Tonight, don't expect either of these trends to continue.
PSU put enough of a scare into Weber State to give them motivation to improve tonight. Montana now has a chance to ensure that they will be in the post season. Expect that Anthony Johnson will have a big game. Same for Damien Lillard. The key match-up is Steve Panos vs Brian Qvale. The center with the best game will lead his team to victory.
TV: Altitude
In last night's action, Weber State did not shoot very well against Portland State last night. And there were times when the game got a little sloppy on both sides, but Weber State managed to get a nine point win against Portland State anyway. The difference in the game was a big run about half-way through the first half where WSU turned a six point deficit into an eight point lead. Meanwhile, Montana gave up a big lead late in the second half, saw NCU take a brief lead. But the Grizzlies rallied in the last two minutes to get a six point lead.
Tonight, don't expect either of these trends to continue.
PSU put enough of a scare into Weber State to give them motivation to improve tonight. Montana now has a chance to ensure that they will be in the post season. Expect that Anthony Johnson will have a big game. Same for Damien Lillard. The key match-up is Steve Panos vs Brian Qvale. The center with the best game will lead his team to victory.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Big Sky Tourney Update
Here is what will happen on Tuesday evening in Ogden...
First, Northern Colorado and Montana get a rubber match on a neutral court. The Grizzlies made easy work of of the Lumberjacks in Missoula. Anthony Johnson led the way with 20 for Montana who jumped out to an early lead and never trailed. The Grizzlies now have 20 wins and are hoping to make the NIT or CBI selection committees forget about some late season lapses. This game tips off at 4:35.
The the late match: Weber State will get the chance to avenge their last loss of the season. Portland State went to Bozeman and upset the Bobcats in a close one. With three seconds left, Melvin Jones sank the game-winning three point shot. Looks like a good start to March Madness. If PSU wins the conference, they will still be 3 games under .500. This game will begin no sooner than 7:00 and no later than 20 minutes after the end of the NCU/Montana game.
First, Northern Colorado and Montana get a rubber match on a neutral court. The Grizzlies made easy work of of the Lumberjacks in Missoula. Anthony Johnson led the way with 20 for Montana who jumped out to an early lead and never trailed. The Grizzlies now have 20 wins and are hoping to make the NIT or CBI selection committees forget about some late season lapses. This game tips off at 4:35.
The the late match: Weber State will get the chance to avenge their last loss of the season. Portland State went to Bozeman and upset the Bobcats in a close one. With three seconds left, Melvin Jones sank the game-winning three point shot. Looks like a good start to March Madness. If PSU wins the conference, they will still be 3 games under .500. This game will begin no sooner than 7:00 and no later than 20 minutes after the end of the NCU/Montana game.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)