Around the American: 2021-22

[Lobot]

This is pretty scathing from DeCourcy:

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa...v1gq4xzgwcipbw

[swilsonsp4]

Tulsa took a 15-point lead early in the 2nd half at home over Memphis, then came unglued. They fell behind by 7, then battled back and had a chance to tie or win at the end, but completely botched the final 27 seconds, throwing the ball mindlessly around, then not getting a shot off. UM 82-80.

[RedDog]

This is pretty scathing from DeCourcy:

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa...v1gq4xzgwcipbw

Well that sure puts this discussion in perspective.

[GoBearcats31]

Through January 12:
- Houston (NET ranking = #4) 3-0
- Tulane (#124) 4-1
- SMU (#77) 3-1
- Memphis (#58) 3-2
- Temple (#118) 3-2
- UC (#67) 2-2
- UCF (#55) 2-2
- ECU (#150) 1-2
- Wichita State (#87) 0-3
- Tulsa (#188) 0-3
- USF (#256) 0-3

Houston 6-0 (#3 NET)
SMU 5-1 (#59)
Cincinnati 4-2 (#64)
Temple 3-2 (#124)
UCF 4-3 (#78)
Tulane 4-3 (#128)
Memphis 4-4 (#75)
ECU 2-4 (#165)
USF 1-4 (#203)
Wichita State 0-4 (#82)
Tulsa 0-6 (#173)

UC goes to Temple and ECU this week (can't lose either) before coming home next week for Memphis and Houston at home (need at least one of them, but huge to get both)

[Chewbacca2099]

I don't understand why UCF is on the bubble but we aren't. Just because they beat Memphis? Their win against Michigan (also on the bubble) isn't as good as ours vs. Illinois and they lost to Temple and USF recently. I'm not saying we deserve to be on the bubble yet but I don't understand why UCF is ahead of us.

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/st...ness-men-field

[GoBearcats31]

I don't understand why UCF is on the bubble but we aren't. Just because they beat Memphis? Their win against Michigan (also on the bubble) isn't as good as ours vs. Illinois and they lost to Temple and USF recently. I'm not saying we deserve to be on the bubble yet but I don't understand why UCF is ahead of us.

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/st...ness-men-field

That is really odd. I looked at Bart Torvik, KenPom, and Sagarin ratings and all of them -- plus the NET -- have UC ahead of UCF. Sure, the bracketology you sent was a few days old, so it's possible those #s have shifted, but unlikely since UC hasn't played since. Also, UCF losing by 24 at USF is far worse than UC's home losses to Monmouth and Tulane. Of course, this is one person's bracket in mid-to-late January, but for discussion purposes that doesn't make sense.

[swilsonsp4]

WSU came completely unglued, blowing a late 9-point lead and were beaten at Tulane on a stupid foul of a 3-point shooter with seconds remaining. He buried all 3 and the Wave ran off 67-66 winners.

Tulane are now 6-3, while the Shockers fell to 1-5.

After that, SMU broke free of Temple in Dallas late and won, 69-61. The Owls played it stupidly down the stretch. They had committed only 3 fouls, but made no attempt to foul to keep the Mustangs from running out the clock until there were 0:29 left. Way too late for that to work.

[GoBearcats31]

Houston 6-0 (#3 NET)
SMU 5-1 (#59)
Cincinnati 4-2 (#64)
Temple 3-2 (#124)
UCF 4-3 (#78)
Tulane 4-3 (#128)
Memphis 4-4 (#75)
ECU 2-4 (#165)
USF 1-4 (#203)
Wichita State 0-4 (#82)
Tulsa 0-6 (#173)

UC goes to Temple and ECU this week (can't lose either) before coming home next week for Memphis and Houston at home (need at least one of them, but huge to get both)

An update one week later

Houston 7-0 (#2 in the NET, up 1 spot)
SMU 7-1 (#55, up 4 spots)
Tulane 6-3 (#110, up 18 spots)
Cincinnati 5-3 (#69, down 5 spots)
Temple 4-3 (#120, up 4 spots)
Memphis 5-4 (#71 (up 4 spots)
UCF 4-5 (#83, down 5 spots)
ECU 2-6 (#172, down 7 spots)
Wichita State 1-5 (#82, same)
USF 1-6 (#236, down 33 spots)
Tulsa 1-7 (#173, same)

UC: 1-3 Q1, 2-1 Q2, 2-2 Q3, 9-0 Q4, 1-0 vs non-D1

[GoBearcats31]

Wichita State hands SMU its only AAC loss other than UC (won by 15)
Tulane is 7-4 in the AAC, Temple is 6-3
Memphis looks like it will take care of UCF

[swilsonsp4]

Wichita State hands SMU its only AAC loss other than UC (won by 15)
Tulane is 7-4 in the AAC, Temple is 6-3
Memphis looks like it will take care of UCF

The Tigers rolled all over the Knights in Memphis, 88-60.

[bearcatbret]

And as a side note, X lost to DePaul at home tonight.

[GoBearcats31]

SMU rallied from a 15-point second half deficit to upset Houston last night

Houston (9-4) is a game up on SMU in the standings, with Memphis (7-4) perhaps quietly in third place. UC and Temple (6-4) and Tulane (7-5) are right behind, all 2 games over .500.

UC's next six games include Memphis, Temple and four teams below them in the standings -- before wrapping with Houston and SMU.

[GoBearcats31]

Memphis wins 69-59 at Houston. Houston looked fantastic versus UC but lost 2 this week. Memphis will probably be popping back up on the bubble.

Tulane moves to 8-5 after topping Temple.

[swilsonsp4]

After topping UC the other night, Tulsa fell behind early @ UCF & fell, 76-67.

[Lobot]

Tyler Harris, ex-Memphis has committed to USF(?)