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| | Monday, February 21 | ||||||||||||||||||
| So much for trying to please everyone.
In the Watch's attempt to make some new friends on the West Coast last week, we apparently alienated some people back east. So now do we have a West Coast bias to go with our East Coast bias from two weeks ago? Folks, you can't have it both ways!
With that being said, on to the masses!
Hey, how about looking on the East Coast a little bit? The Mountaineers of Appalachian State University have a 17-6 record and are 11-1 in the conference. They have beaten teams such as Clemson, and lost to now ninth-ranked Oklahoma State by 10. Led by coach Buzz Peterson, these guys are one you should not overlook. They have potential to be a sleeper and a Cinderella.
Matt McKenzie
I'm not sure why all these small conference fans think there can't be Cinderellas from bigger conferences. Tulane was picked by almost everyone to finish last in the C-USA National Division and had a preseason ranking of No. 233 in the country by one publication. The fact that it is leading its division now after a big win at UAB is one of the more surprising stories of the year. Vandy is another nice story. Gonzaga? Their success is getting boring.
Jonathan Williams
Oh when the Saints go Marchin 'in...oh when the Saints go Marchin' in...oh how "The Watch" will wish it called their number, cuz the Siena Saints will go Marchin' in! How about a little recognition for the third-highest scoring team in the country. You're killing me!
Michael Atkins
Though it lacks a lot of respect, you've got to love the Big West. The game on Saturday between Long Beach and Utah State was definitely a good one and most likely a preview of the Big West Championship game. The Aggies aren't going to be stopped and probably not Long Beach for that matter. If these teams keep playing like they have been, they both deserve a shot in the NCAA Tournament. The early season previews for Utah State were a bit discouraging, but it's nice to see The Watch has come around. For the Aggie D to be able to shut down a high scoring attack like Long Beach's, that deserves some credit. Hopefully in a couple of weeks when these two teams win their divisions they'll finally have earned a bit of the respect they deserve.
Logan, Utah
Sure give the WCC its props, but let's not forget about the lack of respect programs like SMU are getting because it's in the WAC. Tulsa, SMU and Fresno State should all be getting a good look by the NCAA selection committee. SMU has won 15 straight now at home and have two of the most underated players in Jeryl Sasser and Willie Davis. Their coach, former Duke assistant Mike Dement, has brought this team together to make a run for their first NCAA since '93 after a dismal season last year. Once again, SMU is left out in the cold because of their conference, not being on the East Coast and lack of TV games. With the WAC not getting an automatic bid this year, I hope the NCAA committee gives the Mustangs serious consideration.
Jeff Starling
If Dayton manages to get a win against Temple on Thursday, I don't think it can be considered a Cinderella anymore. Plan on moving the Flyers up to contender status.
Colin Cusack
The Aggies have shown a truism in sports: A true team can defeat better talent. These guys play tough defense and aren't afraid to give up shots to help a teammate get a better one. They will be heard from at NCAA Tournament time!
Vic Saunders
Kudos for bringing the Waves back. It takes a brave group to bring back a team that was wrongly banished by the politburo a few weeks ago. Listen to this America: The Waves are for real! The WCC is not just the most beautiful conference in the nation, it can play hoops too. It is about time that Pepperdine and the rest of the WCC gets respect.
Thomas Rice
I think that if West Virginia can put together a 19-win season then it should be in the tournament. Come on, the Mountaineers haven't played a home game all year. They have really turned their season around and if Dick Vitale thinks so, then I think they should be considered.
Jon Blake
Watch out for the Toledo Rockets, this is a team that has caught fire of late and has the longest winning streak in the MAC this season. This is also the same team that beat Ohio State, Xavier, and Dayton last year, and lost a heart breaker to OSU earlier this year. With the beating of Kent at Kent, and a few other good wins Toledo is on a roll and deserves a shot on the Cinderella Watch.
Scott Ribich
For the love of all things holy, please take Vanderbilt off the Cinderella Watch! We've been ranked for a month, and after we beat Auburn and Tennessee this week, we'll again be in the SEC east hunt with Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee. Show some respect! If Seton Hall can be considered a legitimate contender with only one win over a ranked team, why is Vanderbilt still a Cinderella with three wins over ranked teams. If you're in the hunt for first place in the toughest division of the toughest conference in the country, you're not a Cinderella. This is truly insulting.
Lee Craft
Well, I have to give you guys at Cinderella Watch some props. Not only are you finally giving some Western teams some respect, but you predicted a Utah State win a week before it happened. How, you ask? By removing Long Beach and putting USU where it rightfully belongs. This team has surprised even those of us most hardcore Aggie fans. If you want to see depth, hustle, and just good old-fashioned offense, watch the Aggies take a squad apart and leave them sitting there with their shorts around their ankles when the final buzzer sounds. We don't have a team of stars, we just have a group of guys who collectively understand, and apply the age old adage that there is no "I" in team.
Dallin Young
Everyone on the West Coast should chill out. I mean LBSU, NMSU, UCLA, and USC. These guys are no good, and the only way they will surprise anyone is if they decide to forfeit come tournament time. The reason these teams are known by initials is that no one would show up if they actually knew who was playing. Keep them off the watch. The only team West of the Mississippi that deserves to be on the watch is Pepperdine.
Josh DeFoor
I've been keeping an eye on your Cinderella Watch for a while now, and I keep noticing the same glaring omission. Where are the Penn Quakers? They are a virtual lock to get to the tournament, now that Princeton pulled that massive choke against Yale, and they are a veteran team that no one wants to face. With four senior starters returning from a team that nearly upset Florida last year, and the addition of quality frosh Ugonna Onyekwe, Koko Archibong, and Dave Klatsky, they are a truly dangerous team. Anyway, can you think of anyone you'd rather have leading your team than the legendary No. 23 Michael Jordan? OK, maybe that other Jordan guy, but you get the idea. Watch out for the Quakers come March!
Philadelphia
The way I see it, people need to just chill out before making such a fuss about how their team isn't on the Cinderella Watch. The only time a team proves they are a Cinderella is when it counts -- in the Big Dance. Until then, as stated by a great sports figure, "To be the man, you need to beat the man." Half of theses teams haven't even played the man. So we'll just have to wait to see before we start complaining.
Mike Nimmo
Perhaps you just don't want to make them a "Cinderella" every year, or maybe they are just beyond that particular stage, but the College of Charleston is once again enjoying an outstanding season. The Cougars are not nearly as good as they were last year, but with nine freshman, what would one expect? John Kresse is proving again that he is clearly one of the top ten coaches in America. All he does every year is win 20-plus games. I realize they struggled this year early on with UNC and Princeton, but they seem to have matured and are poised to make another run at the Southern Conference title. Yes, the College of Charleston has built up an incredible reputation over the past few years, but because they are so young, I still believe that they should be considered a Cinderella once again. Chris EvansHarlingen, Texas
Tulane is still on the list. No offense to the guys in green (I grew up there), but that win over N.C. State was hardly the stuff Cinderellas are made of. In fact, we walked away from the game over the holidays thinking we'd seen two so-so teams play a pretty decent game. If a Notre Dame, Utah State or Indiana State is hovering on the bubble because a spot went to Tulane, that would be a shame.
Scott Held
That glass slipper better come in poultry sizes. Watch out for the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens. The preseason conference champ has struggled during the conference play, but come tourney time, and mix in a little home court cookin', the Hens will be flexin' their wings.
Joe Eichler
I predict that Tulane will not survive the rest of their schedule. Besides, all those weirdos in the French Quarter are going to be too busy partying at the Mardi Gras to support their team.
Bevan Buchanan
I'm glad to see someone is watching how things are going on the West Coast. Bringing back Pepperdine to the "Watch" was smart and surprising. With the lack of local media attention for schools other than UCLA and USC, it's no wonder that schools like Pepperdine and LBSU get no national recognition. Good job ESPN.com!
Stefan Oh | ALSO SEE Cinderella Watch  | ||||||||||||||||||
