Welcome to Wednesday, the first of May… it’s officially grilling season (unless you live in California, where it’s always that time). Here’s today’s soundtrack; if you don’t know why, then… well… keep reading.

Buckeye 411

• Is The Right Time- The ABC/ESPN/Disney schedule for college football came out on Monday, the the Buckeyes will get to show their stuff in prime time on at least three occasions this upcoming season: Against Wisconsin, at Northwestern, and again when Penn State comes to town. Some interesting history with those teams- Obviously, the Badgers and Buckeyes have loads of fun under the lights, and I think Jim Tressel is still trying to run up the score for the last night game in Evanston. The Lions were gracious hosts last year for a late game, certainly a payback for the darkness in the ‘Shoe back in 2008. While it hasn’t been announced as of yet, there’s also the possibility that the Cal game could end up as a 7:30 or so kick off on the East Coast.
• Why? Recruiting. Urban Meyer loves the big game atmosphere, and having the Buckeyes on TV with the eyes of the nation’s top recruits on them cannot be a bad thing. Also- With Ohio State’s “questionable” schedule strength next season, the more exposure they can build will certainly help toward addressing any rankings situations for the end of the season.  C’mon, Pasadena…
• Congrats- To all the 2013 graduates from THE Ohio State University, particularly the bros who got Heisman Bombed above.
• The Future- With top QB recruit Deshaun Watson sticking with his commitment to Clemson, it seems that Ohio State has started to look more closely at Louisiana’s Brandon Harris.  Worth keeping an eye on.
• Hoops Updates- Our friends over at The Buckeye Room are hosting Evan Ravenel for autograph sessions; and your Aaron Craft adorable meter needs recalibration.
• Also? Evan Turner doesn’t like geese. So there’s that.
• Design Du Jour- From the mind and computer of Ohio State’s graphics guru: Read More

Tags: 21013 Season, Archie Griffin, B1G, Brandon Harris, Duke, ESPN, Evan Turner, Mark Emmert, Mike Krzyzewski, NCAA, Northwestern, Oregon State, Penn State, Sammy Silverman, SBP, The Buckeye Room, Wisconsin
Categories: NCAA Investigations, Ohio State Basketball, Ohio State Football, Recruiting

Heading into the final week of the season we still do not have a clear cut favorite to win the National Championship.  That, my friends, is exciting news! This past week continued to be just like the many weeks before. There were more Top 25 losses, more new additions, and more shocking developments. This week’s “biggest loser” award goes to the Michigan Wolverines.  Apparently, they thought because Penn State had not won in the Big Ten yet, that this would be a cakewalk! Well, after blowing a huge lead, they left Happy Valley losers and the Nittany Lions celebrated their first conference win.  If a season like this has not heightened your love for college basketball, nothing will.  Well, enough of me of me celebrating a Michigan loss……..lets’ dive in shall we?

Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review:

1.       Indiana (25-4, 13-3) Previous Rank: 1

Past Week: 2/26 @ Minnesota, L 73-77 & 3/2 Iowa, W 73-60

Upcoming: 3/5 (16) Ohio State

Apparently Indiana thought a couple of weeks at Number One were long enough so they decided to lose on the road to Minnesota.  This week they will host Ohio State in a late season battle.

2.       Gonzaga (29-2, 16-0) Previous Rank: 3

Past Week: 2/28 @ BYU, W 70-65 & 3/2 Portland, W 81-52

Upcoming: Regular Season is complete

As much as I think the voters hate this, I don’t think they have a choice at putting Gonzaga number one after this week’s shenanigans.  The Bulldogs finished their regular season with two more wins and will now wait for their conference tournament.

3.       Duke (25-4, 12-4) Previous Rank: 6

Past Week: 2/24 Boston College, W 89-68 & 2/28 @ Virginia, L 68-73 & 3/2 (5) Miami (FL),W 79-76

Upcoming: 3/9 Virginia Tech

The Blue Devils most likely lost their shot at the top spot this week by losing to Virginia.  A strong win against Miami (FL) helped them rebound though.  They host the Hokies in their final regular season game.

4.       Michigan (23-5, 10-5) Previous Rank: 7

Past Week: 2/24 Illinois, W 71-58 & 2/27 @ Penn State, L 78-84

Upcoming: 3/3 (9) Michigan State & 3/6 @ Purdue

Someone forgot to tell Michigan that just because you are up by 15+ points the game isn’t over.  A huge comeback by Penn State shocked the Wolverines.  Michigan is now 3-4 in their last 7 games.  They don’t have time to think about that though as Michigan State comes to town.

5.       Miami (FL) (23-5, 14-2) Previous Rank: 2

Past Week: 2/27 Virginia Tech, W 76-58 & 3/2 @ (3) Duke, L 76-79

Upcoming: 3/6 Georgia Tech & 3/9 Clemson

After embarrassing Duke in the first game, the Hurricanes fell to them in the rematch.  Two home games to close out the regular season before the ACC tournament starts. Read More

Tags: Duke, Gonzaga, Indiana, Miami, Michigan, Top 25 Review
Categories: College Basketball

The college basketball season is winding down but that doesn’t mean that the excitement is too.  More over time games, more losses, and more surprises continue to be story of the season.  Duke kept the streak of Top 5 teams losing by dropping their game to Maryland.  The Miami Hurricanes continue to turn heads and move up the polls and will most likely do the same this week after beating Florida State.  The Big East and Big Ten are proving to be the two best conferences in the nation as they continue to beat up on each other.  The week of games are becoming too much for me to wrap up in a paragraph so I will stop rambling so you can see how everyone did last week.

Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review:

1.       Indiana (23-3, 11-2) Previous Rank: 1

Past Week: 2/10 @ (13) Ohio State, W 81-68 & 2/13 Nebraska, W 76-47 & 2/16 Purdue, W 83-55

Upcoming: 2/19 @ (8) Michigan State

So the Hoosiers lose and stayed number one this past week……No love to the Hurricanes.  After knocking off Ohio State in Columbus they now travel to East Lansing to face a scorching hot Michigan State team.

 

2.       Duke (22-3, 9-3) Previous Rank: 4

Past Week: 2/10 @ Boston College, W 62-61 & 2/13 North Carolina, W 73-68 & 2/16 @ Maryland, L 81-83

Upcoming: 2/21 @ Virginia Tech

Duke held their own on home court in college basketball’s biggest rivalry after beating North Carolina.  They followed it up with a disappointing loss at Maryland.  They hope to bounce back when they face Virginia Tech on the road. Read More

Tags: Duke, Indiana, Maryland, Miami, Miami Hurricanes, Syracuse, Top 25 Review
Categories: Analysis, Basketball Analysis, College Basketball

Another amazing week of college basketball is in the books and the season just keeps getting crazier.  There were a total of 18 losses among the Top 25 teams.  Some teams lost multiple times this week and there were some stunning upsets.  The Miami Hurricanes absolutely embarrassed top ranked Duke 90-63, VCU spent a couple of weeks in the rankings only to lose both of their games week, and Syracuse and Louisville both lost to unranked opponents.  All of this and we haven’t even talked about Louisville losing three in a row and Minnesota losing 4 consecutive games.  Although nothing is certain in college basketball this year, one thing is for certain…….if it’s this crazy now, just wait to see what March Madness brings.  Let’s breakdown this past week and look ahead to the future.

Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review

1.       Duke (17-2, 4-2) Previous Rank: 3

Past Week:  1/23 @ (25) Miami (FL), L 63-90 & 1/26 Maryland, W 84-64

Upcoming:  1/30 @ Wake Forest & 2/2 @ Florida State

Duke was handed one of its worst losses in many years by Miami (FL).  It doesn’t get easier for the Blue Devils as they face two road games this in Wake Forest and Florida State. Read More

Tags: Blue Devils, buckeyes, Duke, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tom Izzo, Top 25 Hoops, Wolverines
Categories: Analysis, College Basketball

When it comes to the rankings this year I am reminded of a famous Beatles song.  That song…..”Hello, Goodbye”.  Teams that gain a specific ranking or jump into the Top 25 say “hello” to it just as quickly as they say “goodbye” to it.  This week was no exception as I am still trying to catch my breath after it was all over.  The remaining three undefeateds are no longer undefeated.  North Carolina State picked up their signature win in handing Duke their first loss and should move up pretty nicely in the polls.  Arizona lost their second……oops……their first game in a close game at Oregon. And, last but not least, the Buckeyes took care of business against Michigan at home. All in all, 9 of the Top 25 teams lost games this week, with a certain Big Ten Team (see below) not winning all week! When it’s all said and done there should be changes a plenty in the rankings but for now let’s see what happened with all the teams.

Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review

1.       Duke (15-1, 2-1) Previous Rank: 1

Past Week:  1/8 Clemson, W 68-40 & 1/12 @ (20) N.C. State, L 76-84

Upcoming:  1/17 Georgia Tech

Duke received its first ACC test and failed in losing to a good North Carolina State.  Depending on how the injury to Curry is, this could only be the beginning.  The Blue Devils hope to bounce back in hosting Georgia Tech this week. Read More

Tags: Blue Devils, buckeyes, Bulldogs, Duke, Gonzaga, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Top 25 Hoops, Wolfpack
Categories: Analysis, College Basketball

Last week when I said we can get this party started, I had no idea the party would be quite like this.  Most conferences opened up conference play (the SEC is a week behind) this past week and it was total mayhem!   The Top 25 teams were all over the place this week.  New Mexico was welcomed back in the rankings after beating Cincinnati only to work their way back out after losing to St. Louis.  Two Top 25 teams failed to win a game this week.  Arizona lost their first game of the year only to have the refs controversially waive off Colorado’s game winning basket. And we haven’t even spoken of the Big Ten yet.  If the first week of the B1G schedule is any indication of what this season will be, all I can say it “we are in for bumpy ride”.  I’m done ranting for now so let’s jump into this week’s report.

Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review

1.       Duke (14-0, 1-0) Previous Rank: 1

Past Week:  1/2 @ Davidson, W 67-50 & 1/5 Wake Forest, W 80-62

Upcoming:  1/8 Clemson & 1/12 @ (23) N.C. State

After being tied at halftime with Davidson, Duke pulled away to stay unbeaten.  This week a trip to N.C. State will prove to be their first test in the ACC. Read More

Tags: Arizona, Blue Devils, buckeyes, Duke, Fighting Irish, Golden Gophers, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Top 25 Review, Wildcats
Categories: Analysis, College Basketball

Just because there wasn’t a bunch of action this week on the hardwood, doesn’t mean that there wasn’t anything interesting that happened.  Two Top 10 teams fell, one undefeated team dropped their first game, and two new teams were welcomed to the party (Sorry New Mexico, your fall from the Top 25 will keep me from giving you any attention for beating someone….finally!). This week will feature the opening of conference schedules which include Top 25 matchups as well.  With the conference play starting we can finally get this party started.

Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review.

1.       Duke (12-0) Previous Rank: 1

Past Week:  12/29 Santa Clara, W 90-77

Upcoming:  1/2 @ Davidson & 1/5 Wake Forest

The Blue Devils pulled away from Santa Clara late and will open up ACC play this week against Wake Forest. Read More

Tags: ACC, Big Ten, Blue Devils, Duke, Fightin Illini, Illinois, Michigan, Panthers, Pittsburgh, SEC, Top 25 Review, Wolverines
Categories: Analysis, Basketball Analysis, College Basketball

Even though the week featured many blowouts and easy wins, this week’s Top 25 has many changes to it from the previous week. Two teams dropped out of the polls, including a Top 10 team disappearing from the nation’s top teams. This week’s action also only featured one loss to any of the current Top 25 teams (it would have been two if Colorado decided to get off the plane in Kansas). The upcoming week only features one Top 25 matchup when (6) Florida travels to (8) Arizona but does feature some possible upset alerts (We’re looking at you Purdue and West Virginia).

Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review.

1. Indiana (9-0) Previous Rank: 1
Past Week: 12/8 Central Connecticut State, W 100-69
Upcoming: 12/15 Butler
Indiana cruised to a victory over Central Connecticut State but this week’s Butler team will be a tougher challenge for the Hoosiers

2. Duke (9-0) Previous Rank: 2
Past Week: 12/8 Temple, W 90-67
Upcoming: No Games This Week
The Blue Devils didn’t have any let downs after an emotional win against Ohio State in walloping Temple. This week they look to rest a little bit with an off week

3. Michigan (9-0) Previous Rank: 3
Past Week: 12/4 Western Michigan, W 73-41 & 12/8 Arkansas, W 80-67
Upcoming: 12/11 Binghamton & 12/15 @West Virginia
The Wolverines were challenged from time by Arkansas but pulled away in the end to defeat the Razorbacks. They travel to Morgantown to meet upset-minded West Virginia.

4. Syracuse (8-0) Previous Rank: 6
Past Week: 12/3 Eastern Michigan, W 84-48 & 12/6 Long Beach State, W 84-53 & 12/8 Monmouth, W 108-56
Upcoming: 12/15 Canisius
Syracuse continues the cream puff part of their schedule as Jim Boeheim works toward becoming the third coach in history with 900 wins.

5. Louisville (8-1) Previous Rank: 6
Past Week: 12/4 @Charleston, W 80-38 & 12/8 Missouri-Kansas City, W 99-47
Upcoming: 12/15 @Memphis
Not much to speak of with Louisville either, as they breezed past their two opponents this past week and Memphis probably won’t be much different.

6. Florida (7-0) Previous Rank: 7 Read More

Tags: Arizona, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan, Ohio State, Syracuse, Top 25 Hoops
Categories: College Basketball