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| Friday, February 8 Updated: February 11, 10:40 AM ET Those who also should be Watched ESPN.com |
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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.
"Democracy sucks. The lowest vote-getters in the poll are Penn and Central Connecticut State, two teams from less powerful conferences with a good chance. The Ivies have pulled off quite a few upsets and have come close quite a few times to boot. CCSU is a talented team mired in the obscurity of central Connecticut. (Sorry, ESPN) I think the populace is too uninformed to make such choices about the decimation of the ranks."
"What about the Hampton University Pirates? How can you deny the team that had the biggest upset in last year's tournament. They beat No. 2 seed Iowa State last year and turn around this year and defeat UNC at home. Any team beating UNC at home is a reoccurring thing now, but still it is a large accomplishment for a small DI university that moved from Division II five years ago. Hampton University is currently 17-5 with a 9-game win streak and 12-0 in their conference. They have the chance to go undefeated in their conference. Yes, I know the MEAC is not the strongest conference in the land, but whose fault is that. Not Hampton's. They are beating teams comfortably by a margin of 10-15 points while averaging 80 points a game. They are shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from behind the arch. They are doing all of this with no player taller that 6-8! Amazing. And this guy is leading the nation in field goal percentage at 74 percent. Hampton U. is a small Historically Black University that is putting the small schools on the map. Give them some respect. Especially coach Steve Merfeld for leading and directly this team to perfection. They are a team to watch. They are a Diamond in the Rough that is ready to be polished for the big time. Please add them to your Cinderella Watch!"
"It's nice to see the Warriors getting some much deserved recognition for a very impressive season. I recall a few weeks ago reading an article about how Fresno was all set to turn it around and take control of the WAC. Yet there they are floundering in mediocrity, while UH has continued to impress, stumbling only to SJS before winning the last two games on a three-game, 5,000-mile plus, road trip. As long as the Warriors finish strong, not falling more than once or twice the rest of the way, and a strong tourney showing, they deserve to be in the Big Dance regardless of whether they win the WAC tourney. The football Warriors (9-3) were already snubbed big time this year, and the absence of the basketball Bows from the Dance would only show how truly biased college sports are against Hawaii, just because you're all sleeping while the Bows are ringing up their wins."
"Where are the Mountain West teams? I saw the on ESPN that the Mountain West has a conference RPI of 7, but not one team in the top 25. This conference had the nation's best 3-point shooting club until Wyoming shut them down. I think Wyoming should get some serious consideration by beating the team with the longest winning streak (Utah) and a 48-game home conference winning streak (Utah). Wyoming is 15-5 and 6-1 conference. Granted, they lost to Texas Tech (almost won after being down 16) on the road and lost to USC on a neutral court.They are winning conference games on the road and I think they are top 25 and a definite Cinderella. Shouldn't Utah be ranked too?"
"Are you kidding? Where in the world did Southern Illinois University go from your list? Are you aware that the Salukis beat Indiana by double digits, came within 3 points of Illinois, and beat Creighton on the road to tie for the lead in the Missouri Valley Conference? If we beat Wichita State tonight, we will have 20 wins and only 4 losses, this, in a year with one of the toughest schedules SIU has ever had! Come on, get on the Saluki bandwagon!"
"Pepperdine, P-Dine, Peppertones, that is what I am talking about. They are the team to watch, with a 9-0 conference record including a victory over No. 9 Gonzaga. Not to mention two huge wins over the OTHER L.A. teams (UCLA & USC) both on the road. Another factor is that Glen McGowan is back from suspension and playing strong. One gripe I have is that everyone keeps talking about how weak the WCC is when they talk about Pepperdine, but they seem to forget that Gonzaga is playing the same teams. Watch out Westphal is got some magic brewing in Malibu, not only this year but for the next couple years to come. Just wait until the tournament, when I will have to write in again and say I told you so. P.S. Can someone from ESPN please let the LA TIMES know that Pepperdine is legit and they need to respect that."
"First of all, how can Texas Tech even be considered a Cinderella team? Second, UVM is for real. Any guy who goes out and hits 11 trey bombs in one game en route to a 45 point performance (T.J. Sorrentine) is a legitimate Division I player. He's not the only strong presence on this team either. The Catamounts belong on your list and we'll see everyone at the dance!"
"Western Kentucky has won 11 games in a row, have a 21-3 record, and now have back from injury the best true center in college basketball, Chris Marcus, from a 17-game layoff. The Toppers went 15-2 without the big man, contrary to what the Cinderella Watch description might say, and they should be poised to make a run in the big dance. The Sun Belt Conference championship should be a lock, and so long as they don't get shafted with another 14 seed, I can see them 'Gonzagaing' their way through the tournament."
"Keep it up! Keep putting Western Kentucky University on a 'Cinderella List.' Last thing we want is lots of media attention brought to our should-be-ranked program. It is easier win games when no one expects us to do anything. Isn't that what happen to Kentucky Nov 15th? Watch out for Western Kentucky, it's a 'mid-major' that's going to cause MAJOR havoc in March!"
"When does Northwestern get on the Watch? They have won 5 of 7, with the only losses being two points at Purdue and one point at Ohio State, both games where they had leads that were not held in the end. With Big Ten basketball going the way of Big Ten football (i.e., down), the Wildcats may get into the Big Dance, something that has NEVER happened in the history of the program. Seems like Cinderella material."
"The teams on the Cinderella Watch are teams that are poised to get into the NCAAs and possible of upsetting some teams. All the teams on the watch are Cinderellas but I think you're watch is missing a team that is surprising people right now. The Minnesota Golden Gophers are not on your Watch and I believe they should be as they are 3rd in the Big 10, and have knocked off Conference leaders Indiana, and Ohio State."
"I think that the Davidson Wildcats definitely deserve to be considered for the Cinderella Watch.
1) The 'Cats are 77 in the most recent RPI, one of their highest rankings ever, and 23rd in this week's College Insider Mid-Major Poll.
"Hampton, without a doubt, should now have Cinderella status. They're currently doing better than last year's team from which we lost three starters and which upset Iowa State in the tourney. They're currently 18-5 (12-0 MEAC) and have a strong chance of ending the season at 24-5. Once again another star has popped out of the woodwork -- Tommy Adams -- who, reportedly, could play at the next level next year. If Hampton makes the tourney again this year and makes some noise, they may be establishing itself as a feared DI opponent (similar to Gonzaga and Valparaiso)."
" Whether Texas Tech should be considered a Cinderella or not is debatable, but mark my words: They will NOT go very far in the NCAAs. Bob Knight, the great coach that he is, has not been to the Sweet Sixteen in 7 years, and lost in the first round to teams like Pepperdine, Colorado, Boston College, Missouri, none of whom we very good in those respective seasons. Throughout the '90s, Indiana has teased its fans by starting the season on fire but cooling very quickly and failing to make a run at the conference title and ultimately losing when it mattered most. I don't really know why this is, but Knight teams get tired sooner or later and become frequent victims of Cinderellas, not Cinderellas themselves. Out of the teams on your current list, I like Creighton and Kent State, because the Midwest always has a bunch of good mid-majors."
"Kent State has proven that they are the best team in the MAC. They clobbered Ball State 81-54 and Ohio University 71-56. They also beat Bowling Green twice this year. Their inside game has gotten a lot better since the beginning of the season with Nate Gerwig proving that he is a force inside. Also, the addition of Antonio Gates has helped the Golden Flashes' inside game. They lead the MAC in rebounding after being last in rebounding last year. Kent has proven that it does not need Trevor Huffman to score a ton of points to win, but when he is hot he just makes the team even better. Andrew Mitchell and Huffman are the best backcourt in the MAC and when both are clicking they are hard to stop. ... Kent State has beaten all of the teams that everyone is talking about, but still you do not give them the credit they deserve. Yeah, Ball State beat Kansas and UCLA, but that was at the beginning of the season. That is when mid-major schools can catch the bigger schools off guard. Look at what they have done since. Kent has come together as a team and has proven that they are the best team in the MAC. It is time that everyone gives them the credit that they deserve."
"I love the column and look forward to it every year as a small college basketball fan, but I am going to make a small request. Consider Davidson. The tiny academically-minded institution is putting on a great run down in North Carolina. At 16-6, they have swept the series with last year's 2001 NCAA tournament participant UNC-Greensboro and they have beaten Pennsylvania, a current member of the Cinderella Watch. Not to mention, a four-point victory at North Carolina. True, the Tar Heels are down, but that win propelled Davidson to their current success. The Wildcats are currently 9-2 in conference, winning eight of their last nine with an injury to arguably their best player, Emeka Erege. Bob McKillop and his staff have turned Davidson into a consistent winner and they deserve the consideration."
"Southern Illinois University needs to be kept in the Cinderella Watch due to the fact that they just defeated the conference leader, Creighton, on their home floor. The Salukis defeated Indiana by 12 earlier in the season and nearly beat Illinois, losing only by three. SIU's record is now 20-4 and is the team to beat the Missouri Valley Conference. With the combination of Rolan Roberts and Jermaine Dearman on the inside, and the outside scoring threat of Kent Williams the Salukis are going to be a stiff challenge to whoever they play. The Salukis showed the type of character they have as a team as they trailed by 16 at one-point to Creighton, but battled back to claim that road victory. This type of intensity and determination will propel them to the Valley championship. "
"I love how you give reasons for removing Vermont and Tulsa from the Cinderella Watch. No such respect was given to SIU. Just removal and replacement by Creighton. ... then SIU goes on to whip Creighton AT CREIGHTON and move to 20-4, as of Thursday. Once again, the MID Majors get the shaft ... and it will happen again this year. There are at least two teams from the MVC, if not three, who could play and win in many of the big 5 conferences. Respect is due, sooner or later ... hopefully sooner rather than later."
"I believe you should consider adding a team to your Cinderella Watch: Tennessee Tech. Coach Jeff Lebo (UNC fame) has this team unbeaten in league play and all four losses have been on the road at traditional powers (by 4 at Louisville and by a couple at Tennessee, who just beat Kentucky). A big-time announcer said you have to have good guards in win in college and Tech has them. Give them some thought."
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