College Ballin. 1-24-10

 

With conference schedules rolling around and teams having their core lineups in place, it can only mean one thing...March Madness is that much closer. Teams will knock out teams, and rankings will change, however the stars will shine and Cinderellas will still still have the slipper. Welcome to week 12 of the college basketball season.

Tough 2 Game Stretch?

According to the Associated Press rankings, the Wisconsin Badgers of 2010 have gone from unranked in the beginning of the season, to ten weeks later appearing in the top 25. At 15-4, Bo Ryan's club maintains the same philosophy, and that is disciplined basketball. The Badgers, who rank #1 in the country at 82% from the free throw line, will be put to the tests against what could have arguably been one of the best stories of 2010 in the Penn State Nittany Lions on the 29th in University Park, and a showdown on the 1st of February with Purdue. In a 4 day stretch, Penn State nearly knocked off Ohio State, the unanimous number 1, and the Boilermakers, both at home.

                                                    Game of the Week?

Jimmer Fredette

Hands-down, it has to be Brigham Young University(#9 AP/#9 ESPN) vs. San Diego State(#4 AP/#4 ESPN). Wednesday, January 26th, 10:00 PM (Eastern Time), at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.

The kid who many call "The Jimmer," has shown unlimited range, an ability to create off the dribble, a pure shooter, and just a knack for putting the ball in the hole. Fredette, a 6'2 senior from Glens Falls, New York, currently averages 26.7 points per game, the nation's #1 scorer. However, while all is going well for the Cougars, they face a team that, as of week 12, is 1 of only 2 teams remaining in college basketball with an undefeated record. The other? Unanimous #1 Ohio State. The Aztecs from San Diego State University may be able to keep up with the high-octane Cougars, ranking 7th in field goal percentage (49.2%) and will try just about anything to slow down Jimmer. In a year where the surprises are coming and mid-majors could fight off their power conference foes in March, here is a preview of what two mid-major schools can do and display that there is nothing "mid-major" about them. Get your popcorn ready folks.