FAIL. (Half the time.)

The Game Everyone is Talking About (sort of)

So much for the lucky blazer
#14 Vanderbilt 72, #1 Tennessee 69:

Bruce Pearl seems to enjoy looking like a Creamsicle for the Vanderbilt and Kentucky games each year. But after last night’s game, Pearl’s record in the neon blazer is only 6-5 since taking over as Vols’ head coach in 2005-06. His desire to honor Ray Mears is admirable, but he’s not paid to honor history, so maybe a normal suit is in order for the UK game next week.

The keys to the win for the red-headed stepnerds of the SEC – hot shooting from senior star Shan Foster (32pts, 9/13 shooting, moderate and justified ballhogging) and cold shooting from the Vols (33% from the field). Vandy has now won four straight games against top-ranked teams, which is … wow.

My one question – does Vandy’s win mean that we have to listen to SEC chest-thumpers brag about how deep the conference is? Yes? DAMMIT. Don’t we get basketball season off from that shit?

The Game You Should Have Watched

Mormons reluctantly accept charity
#25 Brigham Young 70, New Mexico 69

The Cougars didn’t play their best game – they committed twice as many turnovers, let the Lobos grab 12 offensive rebounds, and floor leader Lee Cummard fouled out with a minute to go in a tight game. Fortunately, the Lobos were feeling grabby all over – and BYU’s squad reacted in exactly the understated, socially-neutral (read: boring) way you would expect – nailing their free throws down the stretch to clinch a hard conference win. Still, it was an overtime game, and overtime basketball kicks ass.

Two More Storylines, Just for Kicks

Losing becomes a habit for some – #12 Indiana 72, Ohio State 69

This story probably would have ran first if it weren’t for the Vandy-UT game – but then again, the Buckeyes know something about getting upstaged by the Esseesee. (oooooo buuuuurrrrrnnn) Unfortunately, they are also getting upstaged in conference this year. The good news? Both this loss and their loss Sunday to Wisconsin were only by three points. The bad news? Close losses only count in hockey, which isn’t a real sport. Maybe they can make the Canadian version of March Madness, ay?

Not exactly a demand for respect – Missouri State 86, #20 Drake 83

Even good teams rarely go undefeated in anything but the most pathetic conferences, but still, a poor performance by the squad from … somewhere. (I know, I know – Des Moines. It’s a point, folks.) Bad news for them is great news for Illinois State, Southern Illinois, and Creighton, all of whom likely need to beat the Bulldogs in the Valley tournament to make the field, and will watch this film religiously over the next two weeks.

On the other end, this was a cool symbolic win for Missouri State in their last game at the Hammons Student Center before their new corporate-licious arena opens this fall. (But really? Storming the floor against a non-rival conference opponent? I love rushing the court, but act like you’ve been there, guys.)