Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Another Week More Curioser than the Last

OK, so Silvio DeSousa, already viewed by the NC2A powers that be with jaundiced eye, gets in touch with his inner Ron Artest, and ignites a literally last second brawl in a 21 point beatdown of K State in the Phog, that spills over into the handicapped seating area.

Louisville, a team that couldn’t close the door behind them previously, was named NABC Team o’ the Week after closing three league games in a row in strong fashion on the road.

Gonzaga won a couple of conference games by 50 and 33, and lost the top spot in the AP poll to a school, where it was not so long ago when one player murdered a teammate.

Ohio State just a few weeks ago was poised to take over the top spot in the polls, and has proceeded to lose 5 of its last six.

Rutgers and Illinois are in the Top 25.

San Diego State is the last school in the land without a loss.

Leonard Hamilton is the coach of the current best team in the ACC.

Four Ivy League teams are still undefeated in conference play in what might be a multi-bid league.

John Calipari got kicked out of game from which he’d already thought he’d been ejected.

The PAC 12 has three Top 25 teams, but two that aren’t — Stanford and Southern Cal — are atop the conference standings.

Vandy played a game without making a three for the first time in forever. As in it never happened before in the Era of the Trey.

Clemson beat Duke and North Carolina back to back. And the Tar Heels were swept by Pitt this season already.

Shaka Smart, formerly known as the Coach Whose Name Was on Every School’s List of Next Coach, is now sitting on the hottest seat in hoopdom.

Tell me, Mr. Wizard, what does it all mean?

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By its very definition, the Flavor of the Month has a short half life.

More so, Flavor of the Week.

But, ya know, when Graeter’s took Chocolate Almond out of its annual F o’ M rotation, I could still buy the chocolate and mix in slivered almonds on my own.

But how’s a hoopaholic to decipher Butler, last week’s inexplicable surprising contingent, who lost their last three, including one in Hinkle?

It’s enough to drive a basketball addict to the therapist’s office.

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So let me briefly talk about the two schools this guy thinks are playing the best in the country right now.

As in 3:42 EST, 01/22/20. Subject to change before I finish this blog, being written in figurative pencil, and get it posted.

Seton Hall is the team that took down Butler in Hinkle last Saturday in a scintillating ballgame.

At one juncture, they were down 14, came back and prevailed 82-79.

They’ve got Myles Powell, a legit POY candidate. But also have a great second guard, shut down defender, strong with the ball Quincy McKnight.

There’s a double headed monster in the post. Former Juco 7-2 Romaro Gill and Florida State transfer 7-2 Ike Obiague. Oh, their PF is 6-10 240. That would be formidable Sandro Mamukelashvili. (Don’t ask me to spell it again.)

Kevin Willard can coach. The Pirates can play. They’ve won 7 in a row, are the only team without a Big East loss.

So, for me, they’re this writing’s Team of the Whatever. Moment? Minute? Nanosecond?

They host Providence Wednesday night.

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Baylor’s got a lot going against them in my book.

Art Briles. Ken Starr. Dave Bliss.

But I must admit, that prejudice notwithstanding, this year’s Bears can ball.

They were 12 down to Okie State last Saturday, came back and pushed away by 7, 75-68.

Their only L was a three point setback to UDub in the campaign’s second game. They have conquered Villanova, Arizona, Texas Tech, Butler and Kansas in the Phog.

Scott Drew’s squad faces a big test Saturday, when they head to Gainesville to take on the surging Florida Gators.

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Have I mentioned how much I looooooooove college hoops?

— c d kaplan