Good Morning Hoops Nation: November 26

INDIANAPOLIS -- Lots of housekeeping today. For starters, Feast Week will only be a three-course meal here on The Mid-Majority. There will be no posts on Turkey Day or Black Friday, but we'll be camped out at the Chicago Challenge watching eight games in two days so the Twitter feed will be very active. Stop by, say hello, and remember to use the @ sign. This is The Future, and you have to know the rules.

Speaking of rules, about that contest. After an overwhelming response to the Week 1 Bally giveaway, which included a ball-busting trivia question that required a trip to the New York Public Library or whatever, our theoretical and conceptual U'u contest has only three entries so far. I can't figure it out. I'm re-evaluating everything. I mean, do people want stuffed Ballys, or are they really seeking opportunities to torture themselves with arcane mid-major trivia? Please prove me wrong (or right), the contest ends on Friday.

Red Line Upsets

Liberty 86, at Virginia 82 -- After a near-miss against Radford last Friday, the Cavaliers were finally taken down by the Big South. And guess who helped? Seth Curry, younger brother of Mr. MMBOW, poured in 26 points in his third college game -- I'm sensing that we might be seeing the beginning of a "Manning situation" in college basketball, exacerbated by Stephen's shock zero-point performance last night. (Side note: the tri-and-two didn't work against him in previous attempts. Side note two: I heart Jimmy Patsos.) This Liberty winning in Charlottesville thing has happened before, though, as recently as a decade ago... the Flames beat Virginia 69-64 in 1998, when Jerry Falwell was still alive.

at Hawaii 60, Iowa State 59; Saint Joseph's 80, Indiana 54 -- It's official, the 50th state is once again the "Upset Islands." While you were sleeping (or while I was driving a Chevy HHR over a mountain), the WAC's Warriors rallied to take out a struggling ISU team that stole Northern Iowa's coach a couple years back. During the daylight portion of Tuesday, the Hawks struck a blow for Philadelphia, hawks and people who don't like candy-stripe pants everywhere by destroying the rebuilding Hoosiers.

They Came Close

Arizona 69, Santa Clara 66 -- One of the stories we'll be following all year is the Broncos' (Steve Nash's school!) quest to bridge the yawning gap between the WCC's bottom five and bid-happy top three. Santa Clara looks strong enough to do it, especially if John Bryant is fully recovered from that unfortunate stabbing incident over the summer. He sure seems to be, going 24 and 8 against Arizona in a neutral-site NIT schedule-padder in Georgia. The Broncos led for the entire second half until two key turnovers cost them the game.

This is a couple days overdue, but speaking of the WCC... get well soon, Bill Bayno.

Resources

Bally Club Signup/Activate
Bally Club Message Board
Basketball State
Women's Basketball State
TMM9 Summer Camp
Mid-Merchandise Shoppe
Mid-Major Radio
Contact TMM via The Form™

The Game

				Pts
			Hickory Picket Fences	27629

			The Hopping Cats	21526

			Ballyfest Destiny	18919

			Under a Blood Red Line	10379

			Jen Folds Five	6895

			Prestige Worldwide	1614