Republic of Open Threads: December 30th Basketball

Yesterday

Michigan Wolverines 112, McNeese Cowboys 71

BoilerUp89: McNeese isnt a bad team. Probably somewhere between Northwestern and Oregon levels of quality. Michigan continues their demolition of their schedule.

Purdue Boilermakers 101, Kent State Golden Flashes 60

HoustonBoiler: In their final non-conference game, Purdue did what they should against a very overmatched opponent, who was without their starting point guard, and the bench players received plenty of run. It's now back to B1G play.

BoilerUp89: Jack Benter has made his last ten 3 point attempts after going 6 of 6 in this game. Purdue controlled the game from start to finish.

I'm starting to think the Iowa State loss might have been the best thing that could have happened to this team. The defense has been much better ever since. Now, I still dont know how Purdue guards a roster of Iowa State's caliber but the intensive focus on that side of the court pairs well with the nation's number 1 offense.

Michigan State Spartans 114, Cornell Big Red 97

BoilerUp89: Not a ton of defense played in this one which is a small concern despite the 17 point victory.

Illinois Fighting Illini 90, Southern Jaguars 55

Iowa Hawkeyes 90, Umass Lowell River Hawks 62

Penn State Nittany Lions 90, North Carolina Central Eagles 67

Rutgers Scarlet Knights 65, Delaware State Hornets 50

Minnesota Golden Gophers 60, Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 43

Washington Huskies 74, Utah Utes 65

Today

#283 Howard Bison at #62 Northwestern Wildcats

5 pm, BTN

MaximumSam: We are now solely a mascot judging website. The Bison at first sound a bit generic and weird, since Howard is a HBCU in Washington D.C, neither of which make you think of bison. But, it was inspired by the all black regiments of the U.S. Army in the 1800s, popularly known as the Buffalo Soldiers. So, not bad as far as mascots go. Also, Bryce Harris is pretty good - the Detective had better look at locking him up.

#183 Milwaukee Panthers at 49 Wisconsin Badgers

7 pm, BTN

MaximumSam: Ah, the Panther. Little did you know that you would form the backbone of generic mascots all over the country. I did look at Milwaukee's website to find their athletics are built on four pillars: United, Ambition, Moxie, and Milwaukee. I hope that pillar means cheap beer is plentiful.

BoilerUp89: I sort of assumed Milwaukee's players will get up for this game... but just five in-state players for the Panthers. Of those, 2 are walk-ons so they are unlikely to see minutes, 1 is injured, and the final two transferred down from P5 programs. Not a ton of manufactured rage for being under recruited by the big instate program.

#317 New Hampshire Wildcats at #25 Nebraska Cornhuskers

9 pm, BTN

MaximumSam: Ah, the Wildcat. Perhaps the most generic mascot of all time. Actually disappointed in New Hampshire here. The state motto is "Live Free or Die," which is actually pretty awesome. You would think they could come up with something better.