Fantasy Basketball articles - Sports Grumblings.com

March is wide open...

And then there were none. In case you were stranded somewhere over the weekend, the last undefeated team, Memphis, lost a game. Like an Agatha Christie novel, all the suspect have been killed, so we have to decide which death was the fake. Also like the novel, there is a list of candidates.

Top 5

Tennessee is number one, this week, after defeating Memphis 66-62. They bought the privilege the old fashioned way, with sweat, rebounding, defense, and more than a little luck. As sometimes happens when two very athletic teams meet, neither was able to sustain a running game. Instead it was a gritty defensive struggle, in which neither team ever led by more than seven, and which had Memphis up by three points with just over two minutes to play. When all was said, and done, Tennessee outrebounded Memphis 46 - 32, behind 10 by guard JaJuan Smith. As Memphis' best rebounder, Robert Dozier, put it, "They just out-toughed us." It spoiled a star performance by Derrick Rose, 23 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Also critical in the game was Memphis 47% free throw shooting. All would not stay well with the Vols. After they were named number one, for the first time in school history, Vanderbilt upset them in their next game, 72 - 69. Ironically, Vanderbilt also upset then nummber one Florida last season. Leading the way for Vanderbilt was Shan Foster, with 32 points. Chris Loften had 25 points for Tennessee and Tyler Smith added 17 rebounds. However, the two were only 11 of 29 from the field and 6 of 17 from the 3pt line.North Carolina had a light week, cruising to a win over Wake Forest, 89 – 73. Tyler Hansbrough had 29 points, and the Tar Heels as a team shot 56%.

The next two teams are new to the Top 5, Texas and UCLA, as Duke and Kansas both lost games to fall out. UCLA crushed Oregon State, 84 – 49, and defeated Oregon, 75 – 65. In the Oregon State game, UCLA led by 22 points at the half, and for the first time, no player topped 30 minutes. Russell Westbrook led with 17 points, and Darren Collison had 9 assists. In contrast, Oregon led by eleven points in the second half, but UCLA's defense limited the Ducks to only one point in a five minute stretch, as the Bruins moved ahead. Collison led with 17 points, and Kevin Love added 11 rebounds. Texas is on a serious roll. They have eight in a row, including wins over Kansas, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Baylor twice. All are well positioned for NCAA bids. This week they dusted Oklahoma 62 – 45, and dropped Kansas State 74 – 65. Against Oklahoma, they were led by 19 points from D.J Augustin and eleven rebounds from Damion James. Against Kansas State the Longhorns overcame a 30 point, 15 rebound performance by Michael Beasley.

Top 25

If you could not find a game you liked Saturday, there is no hope for you as a basketball fan. Even leaving off the Tennessee vs. Memphis showdown, there was the one point upset of Kansas by Oklahoma State, Villanova's 67 – 65 win over Connecticut, Indiana's 85 – 82 comeback against Northwestern, or the Bracket buster's feature game: Drake's 71 – 64 win over the Butler. The big mover of the week is Louisville, with a significant win over Pittsburgh, 75 – 73, behind 21 points from David Padgett. The Cardinals have won seven straight, and are challanging Georgetown for the Big East Conference title. Notre Dame also moved up by defeating Pitt, 82 – 70, as well as Syracuse, 94 – 87. Luke Harangody strengthened his bid for Big East Player of the Year, with 37 points and 26 rebounds in the two games. The battle of the Mid Major Bulldogs, Drake and Butler, went to Drake. High scorer was Josh Young with 25. Moving back into the Top 25 are Gonzaga and Kent State. Gonzaga defeated Portland, 73 – 51, in a game that was very close for 30 minutes. This sets up a rematch with conference coleader Saint Mary's. Kent State, in another Bracketbuster game, had a statement win against that same Saint Mary's team, 65 – 57. The biggest winner of Bracketbuster may have been the Missouri Valley Conference. Already #8 in the RPI, the conference's five representives, Drake, Creighton, Southern Illinois, Illinois State and Bradley swept their games.

Bubble Watch

With March beginning this week, here is a quick look at teams with a shot at, but no lock on, an at large bid. In order of Conference strength.

Pac 10 – The toughest league is a bit top heavy with 3 solid teams. Well placed teams are Arizona, Arizona State, Southern Cal. Oregon and Cal might play in with strong runs.

Big XII – There are two locks, but Baylor, Kansas State and Texas A&M are well placed. Oklahoma could play in.

ACC – Oddly only Miami and Clemson seem to be contending, after the big two. Virginia Tech and Maryland are possible.

Big East – This is the opposite of the ACC. No team is an absolute lock, but Connecticut, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh would have to collapse to not make the cut. Villanova and West Virginia could win in.

SEC – One team is in, and Vanderbilt would have to collapse to miss. Mississippi State, Florida and Arkansas are well situated. Kentucky is the long odds horse.

Big 10 – Again, there is no lock, but Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsinare very strong. Then nothing. Ohio State is a longshot, and that is the list.

Atlantic 10 – For a conference with a lot of ink, only Xavier is set, or even with a spot to lose. Dayton, UMass, Rhode Island, Duquesne and Saint Joseph could conceivably make it in.

Missouri Valley – Drake is close to a lock. Southern Illinois, Creighton, Illinois State have decent shots. Bradley a long shot.

West Coast – Neither Gonzaga or St. Mary's are locked in, but both have a spot to lose.

Conference USA – One obvious lock and maybe Houston.