Denver Post college basketball writer Tom Kensler’s hoops report:
COLORADO CONNECTION
Taylor Broekhuis, Air Force, 6-foot-10, junior, center
The former prep standout at Colorado Springs Christian is a full-time starter for the Falcons. He is winding up his best college season with averages of 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. A member of Cadet Squadron 39, Broekhuis is majoring in systems engineering management. The former Denver Post Class 3A all-state selection has a sister, Morgan, who is a sophomore volleyball player at Nebraska. Morgan was regarded as the nation’s top-rated high- school volleyball player during her senior year at C.S. Christian.
SEED GAMES
Projecting the top 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament
No. 1 seeds: Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke, Michigan State
No. 2 seeds: North Carolina, Ohio State, Kansas, Missouri
No. 3 seeds: Michigan, Baylor, Marquette, Notre Dame
No. 4 seeds: Georgetown, Florida, Wichita State, New Mexico
ON THE BUBBLE
Miami. Is it feasible for the NCAA Tournament selection committee to chose a team for an at-large bid based on one shining moment? The Hurricanes pulled one of the nation’s biggest surprises Feb. 5, going on the road to defeat Duke 78-74 in overtime. Other than that, Miami (16-10 entering today’s home game against Florida State) has a rather pedestrian ledger. The Hurricanes entered the weekend with an estimated RPI of 50 and stood just 2-3 against teams with RPIs in the 51 to 100 slots. Miami needs to make some noise in the ACC Tournament to guarantee a spot in the NCAA field.
ON THE RISE
Oregon. Among Pac-12 teams, California appears to be the only cinch bet for an NCAA Tournament bid. But the Ducks are beginning to make a case. They began the weekend with an estimated 51 RPI. That’s a significant jump from their 67 RPI of two weeks ago. The Ducks (19-8, 10-5 Pac-12) will be big favorites in their final three regular-season games: today at Oregon State and next week vs. Colorado and Utah. Oregon stands 0-5 against top 50 RPI teams but at least is 4-2 against 51-100 and 6-1 vs. 101-200. At least reaching the title game of the Pac-12 Tournament is recommended.
