Dribblings 2/3/2005 (Non-D1 Edition)

Colonial: North Carolina-Wilmington 71, George Mason 67 (story) - The Seahawks won a rock-'em-sock-'em game of runs, and as the announcers like to say, the last run was theirs. On a night when UNCW retired Brett Blizzard's jersey, sophomore guard T.J. Carter pulled a "Blizz" and scored 12 points in the final seven minutes - including a run of nine unanswered. Wilmington has won seven of eight, and will face Old Dominion for first place on Saturday. The Monarchs remain on top of the league and a game up (for now) after beating two-left-footed Towson at home, 70-59.

Shootaround!

Missouri Valley: We love those adjustments to the Ratings Percentage Index, which may or may not be the 1 crucial tool in the Selection Committee's determination of at-large Tournament teams. But you still have to win games - just ask Bradley (11-8, 4-7 MVC), who lost 57 standings points in a single two-loss week. Southern Illinois, a key beneficiary of the RPI changes (theirs went up after losing to Wichita State), likely put another dent in the Braves' index last night, a 89-73 decision in Peoria that took the Salukis' record to 8-2. Grant Stout's 24 points helped Northern Iowa (15-7, 6-5 MVC) thrash Evansville 79-61 in the UNI-Dome.

America East: Vermont (16-3, 11-0 AE), a team that Ken Pomeroy's Basketball Shrink™ likens to streaky Boston College, keeps it poppin' with an 80-70 win at Maryland-Baltimore County, and four Catamounts scored in double digits. That's their 13th straight, sports fans. The pair of 9-2 dog packs scrapping over the tourney two-seed, Boston University and Northeastern, won their light roadies as well.

Southland: Southeastern Louisiana (15-6, 7-1 SLC) keeps their roll going; they gain a half-game on the field after beating Nicholls State on the road 60-49. The Lions' hot defense held the Colonels to 23% first-half shooting, and senior guard Jonathan Patton led the building with 14.

Game! Of! The! Night!

We haven't given the OVC much G!O!T!N! love, so let's head to a first-place showdown in the Ohio Valley. Tennessee Tech (12-7, 7-1 OVC) has led the league for most of the season, and their only slipup was their come-from-ahead overtime loss at Austin Peay last week. Tonight they travel down to Birmingham to play Samford (11-8, 6-2 OVC) - the Bulldogs have lost two straight after a streaky start, but still hold the second-place tiebreaker over Murray State. The Golden Eagles are led by a baller who can shoot a little - 6'6" Massachusetts transfer Willie Jenkins was the preseason O.V.C. P.O.Y. and averages 18.7 points a game. And guess what? Some dude from "The Bachelorette" is going to be there! (His two brothers play for Samford.) 7:00 Eastern, webcast here.

Today's "What's a mid-major and can I make perfect Julienne fries with it" column brought to you by ESPN's Andy Katz. Like I always say, a mid-major is something in the "middle" between the "major" conferences and Division II, and the term exists solely to provide self-esteem boosts to teams from the NEC and SWAC. What, you have a better definition? (At least one that doesn't have to use double-standard numbering systems and takes 30 paragraphs to explain?)

Who will blink first, aforementioned Boston College, or nearby Division II powerhouse Bentley? The Falcons' win streak is at 19 after beating Southern Connecticut State last night.

Programming note: if you like to get freaky, and you know what I'm talking about, watch ESPN2 tonight. The Grinnell College (Ia.) Pioneers may be 5-13 in the Division III Midwest Conference, but they play some crazy basketball. Shoot a lot, press a lot, substitute a lot, score 120 points per game. As you can see by a recent box score against Monmouth (no, not that Monmouth), they aren't hemmed in by anything resembling restraint, or 12-man roster rules. Tip to the opposing Beloit Buccaneers: baseball passes.

Additional note to anybody who is expecting something that is not here, or is wondering about why something TMM-related has not been properly followed up on: I am currently as sick as a dog, that's why.

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