I. TOPS FALL AT BRADLEY, 78-76
For the third game in a row, WKU dug a massive hole from whence it could not emerge. Actually, the Toppers did emerge briefly when they executed a monster 22-6 run from the 15-minute mark to the 7-minute mark in the second half. That spurt erased a deficit that had been as large as 15 and gave WKU a 62-60 lead. The Braves answered with an 11-0 run of their own to put the Tops away late, 78-76.
The Braves' Zach Andrews was the difference maker, as the forward went for 19 points and 15 rebounds, eleven of them on the offensive end. That's right...eleven offensive rebounds. Bradley (4-2) grabbed 32 O-rebs as a team. I bet I know what the Tops (5-3) are working on in practice before their match up with Central Florida on Monday. Read more here.
II. Last Night's GOI
--at South Carolina 68, Winthrop 54. The Gamecocks took care of the Eagles in Columbia. The SEC East is shaping up to be VERY interesting. Florida looks tough, and they you can throw a blanket over everyone else. Kentucky is down, Vandy looks solid, and SC, UGA, and Tennessee all look to be better than last season.
--at Cincinnati 86, Ohio 58. Oy. The Bobcats were throttled by a Bearcat team that is finding their footing after Huggie-gate.
III. Tonight's GOI
--Missouri State at Arkansas. Two teams looking to secure at-large bids this season will face off in Fayetteville tonight. The Bears have looked strong to this point. The Hogs have won the games they are supposed to and this would be a nice resume-builder for them as well.
--UW-Milwaukee at Wisconsin. In-state match up alert! Last year's darling Panthers are learning to live without Ed McCants. The Badgers have been solid once again under Bo Ryan.
Ah, what the heck. Let's do a bracket tomorrow. It's still too early, but it will be fun to see Bucknell and Missouri State with such high seeds (especially if the Bears win tonight).
