2024-25 Basketball

[Laker]

The Field of 68 launching new opening day showcase event (beehiiv.com) (https://fieldof68.beehiiv.com/p/field-68-launching-new-opening-day-showcase-event)

The Sioux Falls Pentagon is hosting three men's basketball games on Monday, November 4th.
St Louis v Santa Clara, College of Charleston v Southern Illinois, and South Dakota State v McNeese State.
I hope that I am healthy enough and that the weather allows me to make the over three hour trip to watch. I've been to a number of events there and always enjoyed them!

[McNeese75]

I would love to make that trip. Probably won't be able to but will be checking on flights, etc

[Laker]

I know that Oregon is changing conferences, but are they changing their nickname too? They redid their forest fire of a basketball court, but instead of putting ducks on the new one they have geese. Don't they know the difference?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GQ2m0FoXkAA9d0B?format=jpg&name=large

[Laker]

Big game for the Mavericks. I'd love to go.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GTGWG2oW8AARwkW?format=jpg&name=medium

[bonarae]

Harvard's schedule (https://gocrimson.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule) released for quite some time:

Opening with Marist (first D-I opponent as an opener in a while)
at Navy for the Veterans' Classic
at American U
at Boston Huskies
at Colorado
vs. 'Gate
vs. UMass
at St. John's
at Holy Cross
at UNH
Finals Break
vs. Furman
at Iona
Bowdoin
Ivy round-robin (ends March 8)
Ivy Madness at Brown (March 15 and 16)

[bonarae]

Tony Bennett is finally retiring.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/tony-bennett-retires-virginia-coach-national-title-winner-abruptly-steps-away-prior-to-2024-25-season/

[bonarae]

There is a sudden change in USF, as its HC suddenly passes on.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-10-24/south-florida-head-mens-basketball-coach-amir-abdur-rahim-passes-away

[Laker]

Anyone going to the Sanford Pentagon on Monday, November 4th for men's basketball? As of now I plan on being there.

11 AM- College of Charleston vs Southern Illinois
2 PM- Saint Louis v Santa Clara
5 PM- South Dakota State v McNeese State

https://www.sanfordsports.com/events/field-of-68

[bonarae]

Wow, a 7-round conference tournament?!

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/look-sun-belt-unveils-seven-round-conference-tournament-bracket-heavily-incentivizing-regular-season-success/

[bonarae]

More or less intriguing...

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-10-31/realignment-coaching-moves-and-key-contenders-bring-intrigue-mens-basketball

[bonarae]

A new team evaluation process is in place, with daily publicly-available team sheets starting December 2.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-11-01/ncaa-division-i-mens-basketball-committee-discusses-team-evaluation-process

[JacksFan40]

Jacks won the opener against McNeese at the Pentagon. Great game that provides optimism for the season. Freshman Joe Sayler from White River led the Jacks with 18 points, followed by Washington State transfer Oscar Cluff and freshman Owen Larson at 14 points each.

[Laker]

Jacks won the opener against McNeese at the Pentagon. Great game that provides optimism for the season. Freshman Joe Sayler from White River led the Jacks with 18 points, followed by Washington State transfer Oscar Cluff and freshman Owen Larson at 14 points each.

I was there for all three games. Pretty exciting. Sayler got things going from the get go. Cluff was a monster on the boards. Two pretty good teams, nice crowd, great atmosphere.

[bonarae]

Harvard wins its season-opener against Marist at Lavietes, 79-66. Next up: at Navy in the Veteran's Classic, Friday 8:30 PM EST.

[bonarae]

Harvard lost a close game to Navy in Annapolis 85-80. American U is next on Sunday.

[bonarae]

Harvard lost handily at American U, 67-55. Back in town to face the Boston Huskies (Northeastern) on Wednesday.

[McNeese75]

I was there for all three games. Pretty exciting. Sayler got things going from the get go. Cluff was a monster on the boards. Two pretty good teams, nice crowd, great atmosphere.

I was there as well and those freshmen guards were impressive. McNeese did lose to #2 Alabama last night by 8 points and had a chance to cut it to 3 in the last minute (after a 21 point deficit in the first half). Pokes are looking pretty good for a 1-2 team (that 1 don't count) On to the next game against North Texas.

[JacksFan40]

I was there for all three games. Pretty exciting. Sayler got things going from the get go. Cluff was a monster on the boards. Two pretty good teams, nice crowd, great atmosphere.
Jacks have the potential to be something special this year, beating McNeese and Long Beach State to open the year is no joke as both were tournament teams last year.

Jacks head out to Rapid City tomorrow to play a solid Northern Colorado team, so another opportunity to see how legit this team is.

Here’s hoping the investments made into this program (specifically First Bank & Trust Arena) will yield great results like it did for the football program.

[bonarae]

Harvard lost big to Northeastern 78-56. The Crimson will go west to Boulder to play against the Buffaloes on Sunday.

[McNeese75]

Jacks have the potential to be something special this year, beating McNeese and Long Beach State to open the year is no joke as both were tournament teams last year.

Jacks head out to Rapid City tomorrow to play a solid Northern Colorado team, so another opportunity to see how legit this team is.

Here’s hoping the investments made into this program (specifically First Bank & Trust Arena) will yield great results like it did for the football program.

Well, I put my money on the Jacks against Northern Colorado and it appears they were never in the game. Either the NCO team has a tremendous defense or the Jacks were stone cold last night from the field. (I am guessing it was the latter)

[bonarae]

Harvard's season is looking lost. We lost to the Buffaloes 88-66. Colgate is next on Friday.

[McNeese75]

McNeese takes down 3-0 North Texas tonight. Next up is Illinois State in the "Paradise Jam" in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands on the 22nd.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/66302c07fbbbca25b9b2b492/t/670849ff2c8dda5ff4fcd373/1728596479784/Men%27s+Bracket+2024.pdf

[JacksFan40]

Well, I put my money on the Jacks against Northern Colorado and it appears they were never in the game. Either the NCO team has a tremendous defense or the Jacks were stone cold last night from the field. (I am guessing it was the latter)
The Northern Colorado game was definitely not great, but Jacks have bounced back nicely with back to back wins. Granted one was against Mount Marty (tiny catholic school in SE SD), but they also rolled Southern Miss last night.

Jacks play in the Cayman Islands Classic against Duquesne on Sunday so hoping for a strong showing out there.

[McNeese75]

That was a nice win agains Southern Miss. Damn, seems everyone is in the Caribbean this weekend to play basketball, LOL Are the CI Classic games on ESPN+?

[JacksFan40]

That was a nice win agains Southern Miss. Damn, seems everyone is in the Caribbean this weekend to play basketball, LOL Are the CI Classic games on ESPN+?
From what I’m seeing all games are on FloCollege which is part of FloSports. Looks like I won’t be watching.

[POD Knows]

Somebody needs to be fired at NDSU. another dog**** performance against a terrible D2 team, MN Crookston. Won by 7, completely embarrassing. Heads need to roll, this program is a disgrace right now when you look at how the finished last year and this horrendous start of 2024.

[bonarae]

Harvard beat perennial PL Dance representative Colgate 78-67.

[JacksFan40]

Jacks open up with a W in the Cayman Islands. 71-60 over Duquesne. Big one tomorrow against Boise State.

[POD Knows]

Somebody needs to be fired at NDSU. another dog**** performance against a terrible D2 team, MN Crookston. Won by 7, completely embarrassing. Heads need to roll, this program is a disgrace right now when you look at how the finished last year and this horrendous start of 2024.
And after this ****show with the Men's basketball team, NDSU had a complete flop of a weekend in virtually all sports, Women's BB gets smoked, Wrestling, don't ask, 39-0 how is that even possible, and the football game in Vermintown. The stink and stain of the Mens BB program infected the entire athletic program over the past few days
. :pumpuke:

[McNeese75]

McNeese moves on to the finals of the Paradise Jam against either K-State or Liberty who are playing now.

[JacksFan40]

Jacks drop a tough one to a very good Boise State team 83-82. Broncos made 12 threes and the Jacks were horrible at the free throw line. Jacks will finish out the classic by playing the loser of Missouri State/Boston College.

[dbackjon]

NAU has started 5-1 - granted 3 against lower division teams, but nice wins against UIW and Pacific.

Only loss is to Stanford

[bonarae]

On the women's side...

Harvard is led by this former 5-star recruit who chose to go the obscure route and play for the Crimson. We are currently 7-1 with the only L to Quinnipiac.

https://www.cbssports.com/womens-college-basketball/news/harvards-harmoni-turner-proud-to-be-trailblazer-after-overcoming-abuse-starting-nonprofit-for-young-girls/

[JacksFan40]

Jacks finish out strong in the Cayman Islands, 75-55 over Missouri State. Next game will be next Monday against Dakota Wesleyan. Currently planning to go, will be the first time seeing the new arena.

[bonarae]

Some praise for Columbia.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2024-11-26/how-columbia-football-and-basketball-are-rewriting-history

[bonarae]

Harvard lost to UMass Amherst, 62-54, at Lavietes. St. John's up next on Saturday.

[caribbeanhen]

Yale losses to Delaware

[bonarae]

Harvard lost to St. John's NY 77-64. Two more games before finals break: Holy Cross and UNH.

[bonarae]

Harvard lost a nail-biter to Holy Cross 68-67. Season's lost now.

[bonarae]

Harvard beats UNH in our last game before finals break. Score was 72-62.

[bonarae]

For NCAA.com's World Basketball Day article, they discussed about the international players in men's D-I basketball.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-12-20/ut-martin-leads-charge-international-college-basketball-players

[bonarae]

Harvard lost to Furman at Lavietes, 77-63. Iona on the road next Sunday.

[bonarae]

Harvard beats Iona on the road 67-61. We face Bowdoin to close out OOC on January 5.

[bonarae]

Harvard closes out OOC with a win over Bowdoin, 71-65.

[bonarae]

Harvard lost its Ivy opener to Princeton, 68-64.

[bonarae]

Harvard beats Brown 80-67 on the road.

[bonarae]

Harvard was stopped by the Quackers, 82-67. Next game: at Yale on Saturday.

[bonarae]

Harvard lost big to Yale 84-55. Next game: at Columbia on Friday.

[bonarae]

Harvard beats free-falling Columbia 90-82.

[bulldog10jw]

Yale over Princeton 77-70

[bonarae]

Harvard was stopped by Cornell, 75-60. Next game: at Dartmouth on Saturday.

[bonarae]

Harvard was flushed deeper into the cellar by Dartmouth, 76-56.

[bonarae]

Harvard snapped a losing streak by beating Cornell at Lavietes, 75-73.

[bonarae]

Harvard beat Columbia, 87-75.

[bonarae]

Harvard falls at Princeton, 76-71.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile... on the women's side, can the Ivy League potentially send THREE teams on the Road to Tampa? (Harvard is included)

https://www.cbssports.com/womens-college-basketball/news/womens-bracketology-can-the-ivy-league-receive-three-ncaa-tournament-bids/

Harvard's men, however, collapsed in the second half but recovered in OT to beat the Quackers 79-78.

[Laker]

@Brett_McMurphy
(https://x.com/Brett_McMurphy)Breaking: Northern Illinois’ non-football sports will join Horizon League in 2026 pending NIU board’s approval on Thursday, sources said. Only exceptions are wrestling & gymnastics, not offered by Horizon. NIU also joins Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026

[bonarae]

Harvard did not qualify for the men's Ivy Madness while the women qualified, as #3.

Dartmouth was named #3 seed in the men after posting its first winning record since 1998-1999.

[McNeese75]

McNeese punches their ticket to the dance. Probably a 12 seed at Denver, Seattle or Rhode Island.

[McNeese75]

Bayou Bandits will face Clemson (Will Wade's alma mater) Thursday in Providence.

[bonarae]

The Ivies get three teams in the women's Big Dance: Harvard as autobid (#10), and Columbia and Princeton in the First Four (both as #11).

Yale is the lone men's autobid, #13.

[bonarae]

FCS representatives:

NCAA
Drake (#11)
McNeese (#12)
Yale (#13)
Montana (#14)
Bryant (#15)
Wofford (#15)
RMU (#15)
Norfolk State (#16)
Alabama State vs. St Francis PA (#16)

NIT
UNI at SMU
Dayton #1 vs FAU
UNC at UC Irvine
Furman at UNT
Chattanooga at MTSU
UNA at Bradley
Samford at George Mason


CBI
Illinois State vs. Presbyterian
UIW (facing Manhattan)
Elon (facing Army)
NAU (facing Queens)

CIT has been discontinued.

[Professor Chaos]

A little chicken soup for the soul from Dickie V:

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1901107134651089380

Been great to have him back behind the mic for a few games over the past few weeks - hopefully his health allows him to keep doing it next season.

[bonarae]

WV Governor planning to investigate the committee determining March Madness. Can 2024-2025 Mountaineers be the 'BIGGEST snub of all-time'?

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/west-virginia-governor-calls-for-investigation-over-ncaa-tournament-snub-robbery-at-the-highest-levels/

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/cbs-sports-matt-norlander-says-its-insane-that-west-virginia-didnt-make-ncaa-tournament-field/

Also, UC Riverside was confused on which postseason tournament they would play in.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/how-nit-mix-up-left-uc-riverside-in-two-postseason-tournaments-while-another-team-got-burned/

[bonarae]

Alabama State advances to face Auburn. They beat the Red Flash 70-68.

Chattanooga advances in the NIT, beating MTSU 109-103 in OT.

[bonarae]

UCR has aired its side, saying that the committee messed up, this time involving the NIT selection committee...

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/uc-riverside-ad-lays-blame-at-feet-of-ncaa-understands-south-alabamas-outrage-after-nitcbi-mess/

[bonarae]

Dayton beats FAU 86-79.

Samford lost to George Mason 86-69.

More updates to come.

[Laker]

Princeton women lose to Iowa State 68-63.

[bonarae]

UNA lost to Bradley 71-62.

Furman lost to UNT 75-64.

[bonarae]

UNI briefly led but SMU had a monster comeback to stun them, 73-63.

[bonarae]

Same thing happened to UNC against UC Irvine. The Bears lost 82-72.

[bonarae]

McNeese survives a big second half from Clumpson and upsets the Bulldogs 69-67.

[McNeese75]

McNeese takes down Clemson for the first ever win in March Madness.

[bonarae]

Other FCS-participating teams' games:

Griz lost easily to UW Madison 85-66; Alabama State lost to in-state foe Auburn 83-63.

[OhioHen]

I have learned (via repetition) that Wofford is representing the "SoCon Conference" in the tournament. Oddly, the same announcers aren't using the term "SEC Conference" when talking about Tennessee.

[bonarae]

Wofford lost big to the Vols, 77-62. Yale currently down ATM to aTm.

[bonarae]

Yale downed by aTm 80-71. Drake up on Mizzou in the 2nd half.

[FUBeAR]

Yale downed by aTm 80-71. Drake up on Mizzou in the 2nd half.
Refs got the call from Indy though…and immediately enable Mizzou to cut the Drake lead to only 4. Bulldogs gonna have to beat the Tigers and the Zebras to pull off this upset…and making Free Throws would help also.

[bonarae]

Women's front:

Columbia takes down UDub, 63-60.

[bonarae]

Drake shoots down Mizzou, 67-57.

[OhioHen]

Thanks to Westwood One Radio coverage today, I learned that Robert Morris guard Kam Woods previously played at "North Carolina AT&T." How do they justify paying these people?

On a side note, good job by RMU to keep it competitive with Alabama, losing just 90-81.

[bonarae]

Only one FCS-participating team yet to play today: Bryant.

[bonarae]

Lehigh's women only scored single digits in each of the 4 quarters against Dook. Final score for them was just 25. xembarrassedx

[bonarae]

All men's FCS-participating teams who played the round of 64 today lost.

[bonarae]

Chattanooga beat Dayton to advance to the NIT quarterfinals, 87-72.

McNeese lost to Purdont, 76-62.

[Laker]

It was fun to watch the Jackrabbit women come from behind to beat Oklahoma State today. Next up- UConn.

[bonarae]

Harvard women’s season ended with a blowout L to Sparty, 64-50

[WestCoastAggie]

Thanks to Westwood One Radio coverage today, I learned that Robert Morris guard Kam Woods previously played at "North Carolina AT&T." How do they justify paying these people?

On a side note, good job by RMU to keep it competitive with Alabama, losing just 90-81.I can’t stand when they pull that. By this point, AT&T needs to be our school’s biggest corporate sponsor.

[bonarae]

CBI:

UIW advances to face Jacksonville U
ISU red receives a bye by beating Presby

NAU lost to Queens U.
Elon lost to Army.

[bonarae]

Ooh, I missed out on a NEW pay to play tournament, the College Basketball Crown...

Teams FCS participating:
Butler vs Utah Utes
Georgetown vs Wazzu
Villanova vs Colorado Buffs

Won't play until March 31 or April 1.

[bonarae]

UIW beats Jacksonville U handily 87-71 to face ISU red in the CBI Semifinals.

Games involving FCS tomorrow:

Chattanooga at Bradley, 7 PM (NIT quarterfinals)
UIW vs. ISU red, 7 PM (CBI semifinals)

[bonarae]

ISU red now to the CBI finals.

Chattanooga now to the NIT semifinals.

[bonarae]

Illinois State - 2025 CBI champions! Hopefully they play better next season.

[bonarae]

All four #1 seeds are in the F4, first time in a while.

[Chalupa Batman]

All four #1 seeds are in the F4, first time in a while.

Just the second time ever, first time it happened was 2008. The Final Four was in San Antonio that year just like it is this year.

There wasn't a single upset by seed in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8. Don't know if that's ever happened before.

[FUBeAR]

Just the second time ever, first time it happened was 2008. The Final Four was in San Antonio that year just like it is this year.

There wasn't a single upset by seed in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8. Don't know if that's ever happened before.
Imagine, if you can, how much more frequently such seeded dominance would occur if the top seeds had a week off (or really, often 2 weeks off, due to the much-less-than quality of their 1st round(s) opponents) before their tournaments really started, while all but the top seeded Teams were chewing each other up, playing an additional game (or really 2 “extra” competitive games) and, possibly losing key Players due to injuries…and then the top seeds also got to play all but the Final Four on their Home Courts!

Nah…just too hard to imagine.

No tournament would ever be set up giving that much of an advantage to subjectively selected “top seeds.”

…oh, wait…

[bonarae]

College Basketball Crown:

Butler and Georgetown win their respective games today.

[McNeese75]

Christian Shumate selected to compete in the slam dunk contest in San Antonio on Thursday night. He is one of six contestents.


https://mcneesesports.com/news/2025/3/31/mens-basketball-shumate-to-participate-in-slam-dunk-contest-at-final-four.aspx (https://mcneesesports.com/news/2025/3/31/mens-basketball-shumate-to-participate-in-slam-dunk-contest-at-final-four.aspx)

[bonarae]

Villanova beats CU Boulder in the College Basketball Crown. 85-64.

Chattanooga and the Ramblers played a close game in Indy, with the Mocs facing UC Irvine in the NIT finals on Thursday. Final score: 80-73.

[FUBeAR]

Villanova beats CU Boulder in the College Basketball Crown. 85-64.

Chattanooga and the Ramblers played a close game in Indy, with the Mocs facing UC Irvine in the NIT finals on Thursday. Final score: 80-73.
Let’s go Mocs!!

https://i.postimg.cc/Gp1gYQJr/IMG-0997.jpg