We’re back from a busy weekend and heading into a really light week, but that doesn’t mean our correspondents are taking a break!
ACC – Steve Moore (READ MORE)
UNDER THE BIG TOP: Much has already been written about the UNC-Texas shootout/circus at The-House-That-Jerry-Built. The 103-90 Texas win proved that Roy Williams’ Tar Heels still have plenty to do on the defensive end, as UNC gave up 100 points in regulation for the first time in Williams’ tenure there. Does this mean that UNC is not good enough to reach the Final Four? Absolutely not. If there’s any team that needs time to find its identity, it’s this one, considering all the new faces. I may have bumped UNC out of the top spot this week (and I may think Roy Williams is a crybaby), but I still expect the Heels to rise back to the top of the ACC (notice how I’m already backing off my crazy Maryland prediction from earlier in the year). (…)
Missouri Valley – Patrick Marshall of White & Blue Review (READ MORE)
MVC-MWC Challenge winding down—The Valley continues to lead the challenge against the Mountain West Conference 4-3 heading into the final weekend of games. Illinois State went on the road to defeat Utah and Creighton had a chance to close out the conference’s victory but lost a huge lead on New Mexico and left Albuquerque with a loss. Now it is up to Drake and Northern Iowa this coming weekend to close out the first year of a several year agreement for each conference to play one another. In the coming years all of the Challenge games will be played in a one-week time period instead of throughout the non-conference season. (…)