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A while back, I mentioned a plan to try to visit two games selected at random per year in order to stoke my journalistic integrity, as well as my interest in pretty much all sports. I also mentioned that the games that were randomly picked for next year were Valparaiso at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and St. Bonaventure at Temple, both college basketball games. Well, assuming that you, my lovely readers, had forgotten this plan and/or don’t know anything about any of the teams involved, so I’m reminding you of this plan and introduce you to the teams/games I will be attending.
Valparaiso : Located in Valparaiso, Indiana, Valpo boasts a historically talented basketball team that dominates the Mid-Continent conference. This year is not the case. Valpo has struggled thus far in it’s non conference schedule, amassing a 3-6 record, with wins over Calumet College, IPFW and Niagara. Unfortunately, after starting with those three wins, they lost to three ranked teams (Marquette, Butler and Ohio State) and some less impressive teams like Evansville and Ball State. The other loss was to North Carolina State. The Crusaders’ biggest problem is that they are undersized, as five of their top players in terms of minutes are guards, leaving them to rely heavily on perimeter shooting, which can be flukey for anyone.The leading scorers are Shawn Huff and Urule Igbavboa of the exotic St. Paul, Minnesota. This is a young team, so they promise to get better as time passes.
Missouri-Kansas City : The Kangaroos (really!) of Kansas City have been mostly dreadful this season, and their four wins look a lot better than they actually are. UMKC has been a perennial doormat, but this season seems even worse somehow. The D-1 opponents they have defeated are a combined 11-20 and aren’t exactly marquee basketball teams. Their best win is over 3-7 Marshall. Their worst losses are to D-2 Alaska-Anchorage and then to Independents South Dakota State and Utah Valley State. They do have a little more size and a star in Quinton Day, but they have little else going for them
On appearance, UMKC seems to match up favorably against Valparaiso, but on paper, the Crusaders look as though they should crush the Kangaroos. I’m going with that thought. I’m taking the Crusaders to win in Kansas City in January.
St. Bonaventure : The Bonnies, from Olean, New York, have had a historically decent team in the A-10 conference, but a scandal brought down the progaram a few years ago and they are still struggling to bounce back. This season, they have a 3-8 record (better only than even more troubled Duquesne in the A-10), and they have wins against Central Arkansas, Central Connecticut State and Alcorn State. The rule here, is that the Bonnies can only beat you if you have a Central or a State in their name. Preferably both. They have lost to the incredibly pathetic Chicago State, Wright State and Niagara. They may not win a game in the A-10 this year, if Duquesne comes to play against them. Their leading scorer is a fellow named Zarryon Fereti, who I believe was a character from Star Wars. He is, in fact, from Australia. Another fun fact: St. Bonaventure is the patron saint of bowel disorders. No, really.
Temple : Located in Philadelphia, the Owls are playing under a new coach for the first time in decades after the retirement of John Chaney and his man-zone. The Owls started off like they had a new coach, losing to Kent State and Buffalo. Since then, the only blight on their record is a loss to Cincinnati. The leading scorer is the seasonably named Dionte Christmas, and the rest of the roster is an announcers worst nightmare. DaShone Kirkendoll. Sergio Olmos. Semaj Inge. Brian Shanahan. Wait… How did he get in there? Probably lost on a tour of campus. In any case, this a team with a wealth of talent, especially since most were recruited by Chaney.
It’s a case of the mediocre verses the terrible, and since mediocre is at home, I have to go with Temple here in February.
I’m pretty stoked about these games now. How about you? – Ryan
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