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| | Sunday, February 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| After uncovering the ESPN.com supercomputers from the deluge of Cinderella Watch email, we've skimmed off the best responses for your enjoyment and edification.
The most vocal complaints came on behalf of Oregon and Virginia. Here's our explanation: We already think they're contenders, even if the national polls haven't caught on yet. And don't forget -- we have no way of influencing the ESPN/USA Today Top 25. That's the coaches' poll, and ESPN doesn't have anything to do with the actual votes.
Heading into our third week, expect to see some promotions off the list come Sunday. With that being said, on to the masses!
Enough with Vanderbilt already! Barring an asteroid hitting the Earth, the Commodores will be there in March. They don't have to wait for a fairy godmother, they already have their invite to the ball. I know you need a big conference school in their somewhere, so look no further than the Pirates of Seton Hall. They've spent the whole season shining up those slippers. If any team needs some magic to break down the door to the ballroom, it's the Pirates.
John Sherwood When Dayton beats Xavier on Wednesday, you better be prepared to give them a graduation party. Cinderella just got her ride to the dance.
Jason Engel
Andy Harris
Let me congratulate you on finding a way to generate different opinions on the subject! It`s hard to pick the eight teams that could make an impact, but I would like to see better criteria; for example: how can Vanderbilt and Iowa State be listed but Virginia, Oregon and LSU are not in the list? Or how can you pick Kent and not Akron or Bowling Green, if they`re pretty much tied for first in the MAC? (By the way, I like a MAC team in the Sweet 16.)
Mario Koo
You have Indiana State on the watch, but their strength of schedule and RPI rankings are lower than Southern Illinois'. SIU has had a rough schedule and continues to roll along. The Salukis are a definite Cinderella team to watch and should be on this list. If they do win their two road games this week you have to put them on the list! It's the least amount of respect you can show them.
Scott Hoiby
I really can't believe that you still haven't put Hofstra Flying Dutchmen on your Cinderella Watch yet. Behind the play of our point guard "Speedy" Claxton, Hofstra is in first place in the America East ahead of Delaware, who everyone picked to win the conference. Let's start to recognize the teams that should be on this list!
Stephen Gorchov
All the Cinderella votes by the fans continues to show the nation the tremendous bias the country has against West Coast teams. Last week's victim was Pepperdine and it looks like Long Beach is about to get dropped as well. Hey fans, are there any Cinderella teams on the West Coast? West Coast basketball will get its revenge come March when teams like Oregon, USC, Pepperdine, Long Beach and Gonzaga all pull "stunning upsets" in the opening rounds of the tournament. Just wait and see, this year there will be another Cinderella story in the Big Dance (see Gonzaga, 1999) and you can bet it will be one of the underrated West Coast teams listed above.
Stephen Smythe
The list looks really good so far, especially putting Dayton in there, but where's Bowling Green? The Falcons are one of the best shooting teams in the nation, and they have a lot of different guys that can put up some big numbers on any given night.
Aaron Troyer
Ok, you have Dayton, you have Vandy, you have Indiana State -- those are about the only three real Cinderella teams you got on there! The rest are jokes! And your forgetting one big-time team that I guarantee the slipper will fit...the LSU Tigers!
Michael Walburn
Don't put your New Mexico State file away, the Aggies will be back on the Watch.
Dale Perros
That was rough to see Pepperdine leave the Cinderella Watch after another two strong wins in the talented WCC. Hopefully, with a victory at Gonzaga this Thursday and a No. 27 ranking in the RPI, you might throw them back in the mix next week.
Josh Harrold
There is a team that had six scholarship players last year that is in second place in a powerhouse conference. There's something Majestic going on in Charlottesville, and Donald definitely has a Hand in it.
Micah McMillan
Iowa State shouldn't even be included in this Cinderella Watch! The Cyclones are 6-1 in the Big 12, their only loss being to a tough Oklahoma team on the road in double overtime. They are a real contender, not a Cinderella team!
Ben Roberson
Hey, East Coast, pull your head out of the snow. Long Beach State has really put a solid team on the floor this year with Antrone Lee getting respect for his defensive play and Mate Milisa for being the big guy with a nice touch from the outside. You better hope one of your precious East Coast teams does not get match up with The Beach in the first round.
Robert Orwat
March on, march on you Fighting Sycamores, Sycamores...anyone know the rest of Indiana State's fight song? If you do, I'll buy you a ticket to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament where you can see Indiana State take their first step toward an NCAA Championship, well...uh...OK, make that an MVC championship.
Richard Templeton
Must be something in that corn! What a year to be a Cyclone. First a promising football season and now great performances by men's and women's basketball. We are for real and it doesn't take a national poll to tell us fans that either. Coach Larry Eustachy is poised to take us to a fine showing in tourney play. I can't wait until K.C.!
David W. Lyon
Can we say good bye to St. Bonaventure already? I think dropping three out of the last four is good enough grounds, don't you? Not to mention they will soon be chalking up losses to Dayton and Xavier, and Temple will take out its revenge. Try again next year Bonnies, it just isn't going to happen this year.
Jon Small
Now that Siena doesn't have the national press talking about what a Cinderella it is (see last year's Watch), the Saints will come out and surprise you all at this year's dance.
Bill Clarke | ALSO SEE Cinderella Watch  | ||||||||||||||||||
