Denver Post college basketball writer Tom Kensler’s hoops report:
COLORADO CONNECTION
Connor Osborne, sophomore center, Northern Colorado
The 6-foot-9, 270-pound former Columbine High School standout has become a full-time starter at UNC this season. Entering the weekend, he was averaging 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 53.5 percent from the field. His 11 blocked shots led the Bears.
SEED GAMES
Projecting the top 16 teams in the men’s NCAA Tournament
No. 1 seeds: Kentucky, Syracuse, Ohio State, Duke
No. 2 seeds: Missouri, Michigan State, Kansas, North Carolina
No. 3 seeds: Baylor, Georgetown, Florida, UNLV
No. 4 seeds: Marquette, Michigan, Florida State, San Diego State
ON THE BUBBLE
Illinois: Slip-sliding away? It seems to happen every year at this time. Illinois bags some impressive early wins and slumps to the finish. The Illini (16-8, 5-6 Big Ten entering today’s game at Michigan) appeared to be a shoo-in for the NCAA Tournament after sitting 15-3 with a Jan. 10 win over then-No. 5 Ohio State. Illinois, No. 46 in the NCAA’s RPI computer power ranking last week, also has defeated Michigan State. There’s still time to recover, but the Illini had better turn things around quickly. They can start by playing disciplined ball. The Illini committed 30 fouls Thursday in their 84-71 loss at Indiana. The Hoosiers made 35-of-42 free throws.
ON THE RISE
Iowa State: “The Mayor” has things in order. Don’t look now, but Iowa State men’s basketball is relevant again — thanks to a familiar face. The Cyclones (18-7, 8-4 Big 12) had won five of six before falling 69-67 on Tuesday at Oklahoma State, which is one of the league’s toughest places to play. They bounced back in a big way Saturday, pounding Texas A&M 69-46. Coach Fred Hoiberg, a Cyclones great nicknamed “The Mayor” because he’s from Ames and is so popular, has patched together a potent roster of talented transfers, led by forward Royce White (Minnesota) and guards Chris Allen (Michigan State) and Chris Babb (Penn State). Iowa State, which has a home victory over Kansas, was ranked a strong 35th in the NCAA’s RPI last week.
