Game Predictions

[swok34]

from www.womenscollegehoops.com (http://www.womenscollegehoops.com)

Colorado at Colorado State- Good game here and should be fun to watch-lots of points, lots of shots. No love lost between these two with CSU wining last two. CU backcourt may have the edge, but in front, CSU height may cause problems for Hartshorn and Co. Still, Ashley better bring her shooting eyes because Jenny and Mandy can light it up. Home court worth a few points to CSU, but Buffs in revenge mode- Colorado 78-74

LSU at Texas- Good game as one of these two looks bound for top 10 with a win. LSU roster remains razor thin as Tigers rely heavily on first 5-still talent wise this group can get them lots of wins. UT's Stephen coming off Big 12 player of the week honors will get test against mobile, but strong Tiger post Smith. Backcourt favors Tigers combo of Hodges and James, but Texas always tough in Austin and a bit deeper. LSU still missing White, two Hall of fame coaches collide, Texas 68-66.

[elfdenmom]

Colorado 72 CSU 74
Texas 69 LSU 61

[kate dawg]

elfdenmom, i'm offended. where is the Big 12 love?

[swok34]

I think it's a Big 12 sweep, hmmmmm....last time I said that I ate my words.

Colorado 85 Colorado State 81
Texas 75 LSU 63

[ChipperF1]

What the heck...some ChipperSports Organisation picks...

Colorado-Colorado State: The Battle of the Colorado People's Republic.

This is the womens basketball equilvalent of former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm. Explosive, with plenty of twists and turns. CSU has won the last two, but I see the difference being CU's ability inside. Tera Bjorklund will begin to earn one-name designation just like Isabelle, Erin and Reagan with a big game tonight.

As much as this pick gives me a rash, Boulder-Hanoi will win this one...VietColorado 73, Colorado State 71

Texas-LSU: Baby Longhorns meet the Bayou Shrimp.

Another test for Jody's Domination Day Care Center. Against an aggressive LSU team. Texas got a trial by fire against USC.

I'll take Texas, as long as DON'T turn the ball over more than 25 times....Texas 69, LSU 68

[elfdenmom]

No offesence meant, kate dawg, just think the home court advantage will make the difference.

[elfdenmom]

Come to that, I'm not too thrilled about the coming Tech match up with New Mexico in "The Pit". We usually clean their plows here and go down to last minute nail biters there.

[Bevo]

[QUOTE] LSU at Texas- Good game as one of these two looks bound for top 10 with a win.

Top 10? Wow! I think it will take a few more wins like this to get the Horns to that level, but it does have an enticing ring to it.

By the way, I say UT 81, LSU 77 http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[carolann]

From Chipper
I'll take Texas, as long as DON'T turn the ball over more than 25 times....Texas 69, LSU 68
I'm with you about the turnovers but a score of 69 to 68? Do you know how hard these kind of games are on a true fan's heart? As a true homer, I'm going to pick a little more comfy score -- Texas 75, LSU 64. And I'll pick CU 80, CSU 75. These 'mid-major' conference upstarts are really getting out of hand all over the country! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[RoughRaider]

I always look for the BIG XII to dominate in the preseason in order to prove that we are the toughest conference from top to bottom. BUT we must get somebody(s) in the Final Four in San Antonio.

The games played up to November 28, the BIG XII is 42-14 overall. That's a 75% winning percentage and that's awesome!

Looking at the schedules for everyone, I noticed that some teams decided on a much harder schedule this year. I'm interesting in the official polls for strength of schedule, but here's my opinion of the hardest preseason schedules:

1. Texas Tech (Duke, Oregon, Oregon State, New Mexico, Vanderbilt, Rutgers and Wisconsin)

2. Texas - very close to Tech though (LSU, New Mexico, Penn State and Wisconsin)

3. Colorado (New Mexico, Vanderbilt, LSU, Colorado State and Florida)

4. OU - not impressed by their schedule (Purdue - great game by the way - and UConn - tough game)

5. Iowa State - pitiful preseason schedule (Mississippi State and Iowa - maybe)

What do ya'll think?

[Bevo]

While its not preseason (or shall we say preconference), the Longhorns do play Tennessee in the middle of the conference race, which I believe puts their non-conference schedule on par with Tech's. (BTW, the Tech/Wisconsin matchup is during conference play as well).

The Lady Raiders have done a good job in upgrading the overall schedule this year.

[CyRox98]

I'll be the first one to admit that Iowa State didn't schedule the toughest teams in the country this year. But we've been down this road before and it's rather tired. For those complaining about the quality of teams in the C vs C tourney, do you really think those three were the first choices of the planning committee? And if you do, why don't you write to them to complain instead of doing so here. Water under the bridge now.

DePaul and Mississippi State were both good, hard games for us. Creighton played ISU as hard as anyone we will face this year. Maybe some people out there don't think Valley teams play with much intensity, but those people would be wrong. CU plays us harder than anyone else on their schedule. If only they held that intensity during their conference season, they would win the MVC running away. Guess a win against us is more important to Connie Yori than winning in her own league.

Our upcoming games against Drake and Iowa won't be easy either. Neither one is a guaranteed win. We lost at Drake two years ago, 90-86 (the game Stacy Frese sank 10 3-pointers). We also have a game against Auburn coming up. I wouldn't want to say an SEC team isn't going to give us a tough game.

I've also noticed that our RPI is reasonably high for having a "pitiful" non-conference schedule. Just goes to show that you can schedule the toughest teams in the country, but if you don't win them, it merely proves you've lost to those teams.

Go ahead and rip me for voicing my opinion. Doesn't really bother me if it makes you feel better. But I'm just getting really tired of a few southern fans raking on Iowa State and the north in general. (Most people in here leave interesting, thoughtful messages. Those who don't fall into that category seem to want to make this site like all the others: a place to tear down every team but your own.)

"If you don't have something nice to say, come sit by me." -Olympia Dukakis, 'Steel Magnolias'

[This message has been edited by CyRox98 (edited 12-01-2001).]

[dem]

One of the constraints on ISU's pre-conference schedule is that it plays Creighton, Iowa, Drake, and Northern Iowa every year, and two of those are always on the road. Those are all quality teams that play ISU extremely hard, and none is a guaranteed win. Add in a couple of games against dangerous (although unranked) opponents such as Mississippi State and Auburn, and you can kind of sympathize with a possible lack of eagerness to schedule UConn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, or Louisiana Tech in the remaining open spots. As a fan I would love to see it, but there's little doubt that too many early losses can lead to real trouble when it comes time for NCAA seeding.

[schooner2]

Well, I'm definitely not among the "few southerns" that doesn't like ISU's schedule. I think the schedule is just fine. Plus, those 4 schools listed, Creighton, Drake, Iowa, and Northern Iowa, will all be very good for ISU's RPI. No RPI busters there. In fact, they may all help the RPI.

I'm very tired of "Easterners" ragging on the Big 12 saying we play noone in non-conference. I've seen absolutely no analysis to prove you have to play 5 Top 10 teams to be able to make the Final Four. Again, SMSU proved that last season.

[CyRox98]

Thanks, Schooner, for understanding what I was trying to say. Glad to see that there are definitely people who understand the teams ISU plays really are good and do beat us once in a while.

Something I think people need to keep in mind also is that most of our better non-conference opponents see us every year. They know our program and how we play, so it's easier for them to come up with a gameplan against us. If these teams played most other prominent Big 12 schools, they'd probably get stomped more often than not simply because they are not familiar with the style of play they would be facing. I believe parity comes partly from familiarity, not just a distribution of talent. It really makes a huge difference.

[swok34]

predictions from www.womenscollegehoops.com (http://www.womenscollegehoops.com)

Says Big 12 2-2 on Dec 5.

Iowa State at Drake- No one can accuse Coach Fennelly of not playing tough out of conference games and this is no exception. Bulldogs 3-1 with only loss to NC State and 3 high quality wins, including at Iowa. No doubt this is one Drake gets up for each year and they will be anxious to atone for blowout loss last season. ISU undefeated at 4-0, though just by the skin of their teeth- OT win at Creighton. Neither team lacking leadership or talent and although ISU a bit deeper, Drake at home is tough- it should be close, but revenge rules, Molly, you are they key, Drake 75-71.

Oklahoma at SMU- OU should win this one, as Mustangs do not have horses (sorry) to run with Sooners. Still, how can you figure a SMU team that has beaten Utah, almost lost to Western Illinois and did lose to South Florida? OU 88-66.

Air Force at Colorado- Falcons playing better ball last few games, but they will stay winless after a Buffalo stampede. Colorado 94-53.

Rice at Texas Tech- Red Raiders showed no sign of distractions in beating a quality North Texas squad last time out-and just after Pierson's suspension. Still, this has upset written all over it as undefeated Owls defense has been very impressive and Tech has had just enough time to let the turmoil set in. You heard it here first, Rice 60-58.

[carolann]

Hmmm. I'm picking a Big 12 sweep. ISU will gut it out. Texas Tech will circle the wagons and repel the invaders. Colorado over SMU and Colorado over Air Force should be business as usual. If had to pick a Big 12 loss, I'd guess Drake over the banged up Cyclones. Of the top teams in the Big 12, the Cyclones seem to have the smallest margin of error. They also have three of the most consistent performers in Gahan, Welle, and Wilson.

[CyFanRick]

Well, Rough Raider,
In spite of ISU's "pitifull" pre-season schedule, they just finished beating a top 25 team by 30 points on the road. But I guess top 25 teams are kind of pitiful?!?!?! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
Go http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/isu.gif