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Trev Rogers
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Ben Burns
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Tom Stryker
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Dirty Dozen by the Gaming Todays Mark Mayer
When I compile the Dirty Dozen each week, basically the column writes itself. Translation: It’s always spontaneous.
For example, I saw that Butler, last year’s almost national champs, won a season-high fifth straight game. So in the spirit of giving this holiday season, Gordon Hayward receives my Dirty Dozen “Hindsight Is 20-20 Award.”
See, Haywood decided to leave school after his sophomore year like so many do when the NBA comes calling with first round money you can’t refuse. So the 6-foot-9 swingman is now averaging two points a game in roughly nine minutes for Utah when he could have remained the star for college basketball’s Cinderella story of the past 25 years.
Schools like Butler, Gonzaga and Siena are my favorites. They are the ones often considered not good enough to play with the big boys even though they continue to rack up victories.
In particular Butler, which struggled to a 3-2 start but is now playing its best ball of the season. The Bulldogs have covered five straight games, which is sure to keep them out of the Dirty Dozen as conference play begins en force after New Year’s.
Meanwhile, another set of Bulldogs, the ones at Mississippi State, were among the few that played on Christmas Day. And, they lived down to last week’s No. 2 ranking.
As for this week’s Terrible Twelve, holiday exams pretty much kept everyone in the same classroom.
12. Xavier (2-6-1): Whoever “covers” the Xavier-Florida battle in Cincy gets shore leave from the Dozen.
11. Florida (2-6 ATS): Finally a board game Dec. 31 at Xavier. As we said, nice way for us to close 2010.
10. VCU (3-7 ATS): Hosts Wofford (that’s WAH-FORD, not WOE-FORD) for those unfamiliar with the Spartanburg (S.C.) giant.
9. G. Washington (2-7 ATS): It’s the gospel truth, Holy Cross at home New Year’s Eve. Happy 2011, Colonials!
8. St. Louis (2-7 ATS): “Billikants” host Bowling Green on New Year’s Day before beginning Atlantic 10 play against Dayton.
7. Alabama (1-7 ATS): Beat Lipscomb in a Witness Protection Program matchup. Back on radar screen tonight against Pepperdine.
6. Santa Clara (2-7ATS): Beat Cal-Northridge by 20. Next up: Delaware and Bethany. Now that’s a Murderer’s Row.
5. Niagara (2-7) ATS: The Purple Eagles may become ineligible for Dozen consideration for too many games off the board.
4. Miami, Ohio (2-9 ATS): This week’s menu: Belmont and Kansas, both on the road. Think we’ll be betting Kansas? Yep!
3. Denver (2-9 ATS): Will have nine days to think about Louisiana Lafayette coming to Denver on Dec. 30.
2. Miss St (1-8 ATS): Lost 68-57 on Christmas Day at Hawaii, which wasn’t a cover but not a bad way to spend the holiday.
1. Texas Tech (1-8 ATS): Big game coming Dec. 29 against New Mexico in Lubbock.
