+ another 7,000+As Jekyll and Hyde as Sparty has been this year, they've at least had the Hyde part at home and have been hammering opponents so far. That's an immensely impressive win out of the Lions to go into EL after Sparty hiccuped against Wisky and give them a 2nd straight loss. These guys seem to be really putting it together and doing something that not many teams have done in the conference -- win 3 straight road games.
As for the rest of the country, it's all kinds of topsy-turvy. We're looking at a first where the the 4 #1 seeds could all come from west of the Mississippi. I don't see Gonzaga or SD State losing more than 2 games between them the rest of the way so they'll lock up a pair of 1's. Baylor has been really impressive in the first half of the conference season, including whipping KU at the Phog back in mid-January. East of the Mississippi, it's a mishmash of above average to mediocrity. Anyone could win the Big Ten. Anyone could win the Big East. Anyone could win the AAC. The ACC is a lot of blah outside of Duke, Louisville, and Florida State. Down in the mid-major world, keep an eye on Northern Iowa and if they can make it thru their conference tournaments -- Liberty, Yale, East Tennessee State, and Loyola-Chicago (Sister Jean is still kicking). As for your player of the year, I have to agree with the Athletic in giving the midseason award to Dayton's Obi Toppin. He lit up Maui and nearly willed them to that championship. Dayton's only two losses are in overtime (Kansas & Colorado). I know I'll be spending the next month trying to catch a few of their games.
First game of the basketball trip goes to overtime. I'll take three more just like that. And hearing the calling of the Hogs in a 12,000-seat arena after the home team has hit a couple of 3's going into a timeout is pretty impressive.
