Sixth Year Seniors

Nothing went quite right this week. A new post-season tournament seems to challenge the NIT, a jersey retirement went awry, Kansas is faltering in a new Big 12, and Cinderella's lose traction in the Summit and Big Sky. Even the commercial is questionable.

Auburn and Duke both lose this week, but that may just make them more dangerous come March. Fellow conference unbeatens St. Mary's and Bryant also suffer first losses. Sun Belt and Atlantic Sun have a pile-up at the top. Game-winning shots from Greedy and Money Williams; now we need a feel-good movie. Plus, thoughts on Dick Vitale returning to the announce desk for the Clemson game. 

Auburn, Houston and Duke are separating from the field. It's rarely easy, and when it's easy the criticism is hard. Calipari wins in his return to Rupp Arena. St. Mary's closes the door on Gonzaga. St. John's has the New York vibe. Mississippi Valley State gets a W! Plus, thoughts on the Luca/Anthony Davis trade and the Super Bowl.

Johni Broome returns in two weeks from a 6-8 week ankle injury and leads Auburn to victory. Three other SEC games finish with late miracles. Houston steals a win at Kansas, and San Diego's victory at Air Force wasn't shabby either. Michigan State could be the savior to stop SEC dominance, or is it just their schedule? Plus, we look at all the remaining conference unbeaten and winless teams.

Auburn immediately sees a Ewing Effect off the Johni Broome injury. At the bottom of the SEC, Oklahoma finally wins, but not Arkansas. Temple storms the court after beating Memphis, and Oregon State does the same after knocking off Gonzaga. Cal and Stanford win on Tobacco Road. The best game you didn't see was at Fordham. And the Doug Gottlieb Watch becomes a regular podcast item.

If college football can do anything right this year, let Notre Dame beat Ohio State. The best team in college hoops loses its best player to an ankle injury. The previous best team suffers one of the worst #1 defeats ever. UConn finally loses on the mainland. And the West Coast offers some fantastic late night get back finishes.

Somehow Notre Dame is the fan favorite with four teams left in the football playoffs. In hoops, Tennessee is the last unbeaten standing. Drake goes from unbeaten to must-win in three games. Arizona posts resume-building wins to sit atop the Big 12. Illinois goes West and defeats the Big 10 Time Machine. And UConn is still unbeaten on the mainland.

NIL takes down another ACC coach, but it can make the CIT watchable. Norfolk and McNeese are not your normal small conference fodder. The MAC needs a total rebuild. Sedele Threat's son drags the show off the rails. The WCC might out-bid the ACC. The SEC is deep and talented, but don't forget the Big 12.

From the Northeast to the Big 10, 364 teams (except for a few ineligibles) are working their way to March Madness. UMass-Lowell and High Point are small conference threats. Drake and Bradley make the Mo Valley strong. The ACC has slipped. Connecticut is still unbeaten--on the mainland. The Big 10 may have a Pac-12 leader again.

A historically unnecessary first round of the football playoffs brings us to what should now be the start of the real playoffs. We need more bowl moments like Memphis and Florida offered. At least basketball saved the week, where the SEC shined and double-digit comebacks were common. And NAIA school North Texas-Dallas now holds a transitive win over Connecticut. Thanks, Memphis!