Non-conference play is almost over, and we’ve learned something about a lot of teams and conferences although some are still a mystery. With that in mind, we take a look at how every conference in America looks as the new calendar year approaches.
Author: Phil Kasiecki
Cornell is trying to find consistency before Ivy League play
Non-league play is starting to wind down for Cornell, and the Big Red are still trying to find some consistency. That’s not a good place to be, but that’s where they stand after a loss at Boston University that showed some of their issues.
Now would be a good time for Northeastern to turn a corner
Northeastern may be in a position to turn a corner at a good time. That might seem like an odd proclamation about a team that just snapped a five-game losing streak on Friday night, but looking beyond the box score shows things could be looking up for the Huskies with CAA play right around the corner.
If Ohio shores up their defense, watch out in March
Ohio University at first glance would seem like an obvious pick to win the Mid-American Conference this season. But if their 85-76 loss at UMass on Wednesday night is any indication, there are things that could derail a championship and an attempt to make another run in the NCAA Tournament.
Providence gets reinforcements at a good time
For once, on Tuesday night Providence was not a team badly in need of more bodies, and they hope it’s the beginning of a trend. The result of the game is a hopeful sign, but what led to it is bigger.
Quinnipiac’s non-conference time is running out
Time is running out for Quinnipiac in non-conference play. After Sunday’s 69-62 overtime loss at Boston University, the Bobcats are now 3-6 and have struggled offensively to the point where the confidence seems shaken, especially with turnovers emerging as a major issue.
Rhode Island’s win over SMU not all that shocking
Saturday’s 72-50 Rhode Island win over SMU might surprise some who saw only the score and knew only the records of the respective teams coming into the game. Look beneath the surface, and Saturday’s result might be a little surprising but certainly shouldn’t be a shocker save perhaps for the margin of victory.
Boston University isn’t the defensive team they have been for years
For years, you could bank on one thing about Boston University: they would be a defensive-oriented team. This season, that doesn’t appear to be the case at first glance, although for a while on Tuesday the Terriers looked like they were ready to turn a corner before the second half of their 65-64 loss at Harvard.
La Salle’s non-conference run could get them into the Atlantic 10 conversation
La Salle is one team that wants to be in the conversation in the Atlantic 10, and after pulling out a 66-64 road win at Northeastern on Saturday night, the Explorers go into final exams looking like a team that could be in that mix.
St. Francis Brooklyn suddenly a place of potential
St. Francis College is not a school that might naturally jump out at the casual fan as a place of potential. But now in his third season, Glenn Braica is trying to change all of that, and with some early results, can see potential perhaps even better than when he took the job.
