Official 2007-2008 College Basketball Thread

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The season quickly approaches. Most of the teams have at least one exhibition game schedule in the next week with pre-season tournaments starting in less than two weeks. Here's the USA Today Top 25.......

1. North Carolina (10) 0-0 739
2. UCLA (12) 0-0 734
3. Memphis (8) 0-0 731
4. Kansas (1) 0-0 669
5. Georgetown 0-0 625
6. Louisville 0-0 620
7. Tennessee 0-0 598
8. Michigan State 0-0 503
9. Indiana 0-0 479
10. Washington State 0-0 464
11. Duke 0-0 390
12. Marquette 0-0 381
13. Oregon 0-0 360
14. Gonzaga 0-0 252
14. Texas A&M 0-0 252
16. Texas 0-0 216
17. Arizona 0-0 205
18. USC 0-0 189
19. Arkansas 0-0 173
20. Pittsburgh 0-0 160
21. Stanford 0-0 158
22. Kentucky 0-0 155
23. Southern Illinois 0-0 137
24. North Carolina State 0-0 119
25. Villanova 0-0 111

Others Recieving Votes
Kansas State 94, Syracuse 69, Ohio State 65, Clemson 56, Connecticut 55, Butler 42, Davidson 39, Xavier 38, Alabama 31, Mississippi State 30, Florida 26, Wisconsin 21, Illinois 16, Washington 12, Brigham Young 12, Nevada 8, Bradley 7, Virginia 7, Virginia Commonwealth 5, Utah 4, Baylor 3, Old Dominion 3, Saint Joseph's 3, Fresno State 2, George Mason 2, Utah State 2, Notre Dame 1, California 1, Maryland 1.

[MrBug708]

PAC-10 got some major preseason love

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

PAC-10 got some major preseason love

I'm going to get a look at UCLA on November 19th and 20th. They're in the preseason tournament with Maryland, Michigan State and Missouri at the new Sprint Center in KC. Of course, they each have to pass their sub-regionals to get there, but they should all be able to beat those teams.

Mizzou will play Michigan State and UCLA will play Maryland the first night. The next night, the two winners will face off for the championship with the losing teams playing for 3rd place. Should be a lot of fun.

[Radii]

I think its very likely that North Carolina will be better this year than last, but there are definitely questions. Wright going pro means that Hansbrough better step it up this year more than he did last year, and that some of the backup big men, who showed some skills on occasion, better be ready for the big time. The backcourt has the potential to be very, very good, the big question to me will be whether Wayne Ellington can be a consistent scoring threat, or if he's going to turn into Joe Forte with 35 points one night and 0 the next.


I'm interested to see how Memphis does with a very good non-conference schedule this year. I always look down on Memphis b/c of their weak conference schedule, I feel like it hurts them come tournament time, when UCLA, Kansas, and North Carolina are facing major tests on the road vs other top 10 teams, Memphis is playing Tulane, SMU, UTEP, etc... but Memphis looks to have really stepped up their scheduling this year.


It looks like the ACC is expected to have another down year, with only 3 teams in the preseason top 25. I haven't followed recruiting like I normally do, and have little idea what to expect there.

[JeeberD]

Memphis is going DOWN this year! ;)

Miners open preseason against Western New Mexico tomorrow. We have a ton of new faces, including six freshmen. Should be fun to see who steps up this year...

[Groundhog]

I'll be rooting for all the Aussies playing Div 1 ball this year. Got a couple of good freshmen this year too with bigman Andrew Ogilvy at Vanderbilt and PG Patrick Mills at St. Mary's, both future olympians. Ogilvy might be a pro prospect based on what he's show in u/19s international tournaments.

Aaron Bruce at Baylor and Luke Neville at Utah, both iffy pro prospects, also look set for good seasons.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Aaron Bruce at Baylor and Luke Neville at Utah, both iffy pro prospects, also look set for good seasons.

I've been able to watch Aaron Bruce play in person a few times. He's a scrappy little player and a great leader on that team. Although not at the same level of play, he reminds me a lot of Steve Nash. Just a player who does nothing but hustle.

[DeToxRox]

Can't wait to see Michigan this year with John Bieline at the helm. They'll be lucky to get in the tournament but I expect a much improved, more hard working team this season. The talent just isn't up to snuff yet.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I think ND is underrated. I'd expect the Irish to finish the season in the top 25, and finish somewhere around 4th to 6th in the Big East. We're going to get hammered in tournament selection and seeding because our non-conference schedule is Boeheim-esque in its cupcakeness. Basically, I bought my ticket book for the Big East games... I'm not going to make a huge effort to get to the bodybag nonconference games (which is all of them).

[JeeberD]

The Miners opened up the exhibition season with a meaningless 97-46 win over Western New Mexico. PT was spread out, no one played more than 20 minutes. Two freshman (PG Randy Culpepper from Memphis and G Julyan Stone from Georgia) tied for the scoring lead with 15...

[wade moore]

I follow two totally different teams in NCAA Basketball.

1. Tennessee (High Major). Ok. It's VERY strange to see them in the pre-season top 10. I understand why, but it just seems unnatural. That being said, I have to think they slip out of the top 10 for a portion of the season. I just don't know that they have the depth needed to be that consistent.

2. College of William and Mary/CAA Basketball (Mid-Major). The CAA has been very strong the last few years with great showings in the NCAA's by George Mason and VCU. W&M has been a bottom feeder for years but finally moved towards the middle of the pack last year. I paid for my season tickets a couple of weeks ago and I'm excited about the team. It has gotten stronger, but so has the rest of the CAA. I think there is a potential for another CAA team to make some noise in the NCAA's.

[lordscarlet]

I follow two totally different teams in NCAA Basketball.

1. Tennessee (High Major). Ok. It's VERY strange to see them in the pre-season top 10. I understand why, but it just seems unnatural. That being said, I have to think they slip out of the top 10 for a portion of the season. I just don't know that they have the depth needed to be that consistent.

2. College of William and Mary/CAA Basketball (Mid-Major). The CAA has been very strong the last few years with great showings in the NCAA's by George Mason and VCU. W&M has been a bottom feeder for years but finally moved towards the middle of the pack last year. I paid for my season tickets a couple of weeks ago and I'm excited about the team. It has gotten stronger, but so has the rest of the CAA. I think there is a potential for another CAA team to make some noise in the NCAA's.

That reminds me. Are you (or Subby??) going to the G'town game? Email me. I want to buy tickets today if you have a definite answer. Right now I'm flying solo.

[Warhammer]

I'm interested to see how Memphis does with a very good non-conference schedule this year. I always look down on Memphis b/c of their weak conference schedule, I feel like it hurts them come tournament time, when UCLA, Kansas, and North Carolina are facing major tests on the road vs other top 10 teams, Memphis is playing Tulane, SMU, UTEP, etc... but Memphis looks to have really stepped up their scheduling this year.

Memphis was hurt last year by someone canceling them on the schedule late and Gonzaga was down quite a bit last year. The year before that they had a pretty good non-conference schedule as well.

[MrBug708]

Football, Basketball, the Big-11 is not very good these days

[Balldog]

I think the Big 10 will actually be pretty competitive this year, Michigan State and Indiana should both be very good. Illinois, Ohio State, and Wisconsin should give teams a good fight every game.

Ohio State could be a Top 15 team by the end of the season, they've got some good players returning and another good recruiting class. It all depends on Jamar Butler, does he play like he did two years ago or like last year? If he plays like he did two years ago they will be very good.

[JeeberD]

I'm interested to see how Memphis does with a very good non-conference schedule this year. I always look down on Memphis b/c of their weak conference schedule, I feel like it hurts them come tournament time, when UCLA, Kansas, and North Carolina are facing major tests on the road vs other top 10 teams, Memphis is playing Tulane, SMU, UTEP, etc... but Memphis looks to have really stepped up their scheduling this year.


I missed this slight the first time through the thread. I thought we were boyz, Radii?!? :mad:

[Radii]

I missed this slight the first time through the thread. I thought we were boyz, Radii?!? :mad:

I'm a big conference asshole when it comes to college basketball, i can't help it!

[JeeberD]

Nothing but another BCS bully... ;)

[sterlingice]

I wish KU had a bit more of a non-conference schedule. USC and Arizona are the only ranked ones on the list, after a quick glance. Considering Final Four or more is the goal for this year, we need more on that schedule.

SI

[DeToxRox]

Michigan with a brutal OOC schedule, perhaps the toughest in the Nation? (Especially considering their talent compared to top tier teams) Here it is

Radford
Brown
@ #4 Georgetown
Butler (Great Alaskan Shootout)
Eastern Washington or #10 Washington State (Great Alaskan Shootout)
Boston College (Big 10/ACC Challenge)
@ Harvard
@ #11 Duke
Oakland University
Central Michigan
@ #2 UCLA

[MJ4H]

Very excited about Arkansas this year with new coach John Pelphrey. Not exactly proven, but he sure looks to be one of those up and coming young coaches. Players and fans around here seem to like him, and he is returning to a 40 minutes of hell style. Blasted some D2 team last night (west florida or something) by 74 points. Whee. I'm really looking for good things this season. Most excited I've been since the 90s.

[MrBug708]

Season started today with Memphis winning

[k0ruptr]

Hawaii will go .500 this year. lol thats optimistic too.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Players and fans around here seem to like him, and he is returning to a 40 minutes of hell style.

If they do return to that system, the MU/Arkansas game is going to be a track meet.

[MJ4H]

They already have.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

They already have.

I understand that they're switching to that style, but it takes awhile to fully implement the system. You have to get the pieces in place to get it going as a well-oiled machine. Ask Mizzou and Tennessee fans.

[MJ4H]

No, no. They pressed all 40 minutes in their opener. Trust me, it is in place.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

No, no. They pressed all 40 minutes in their opener. Trust me, it is in place.

There's a big difference between pressing a team in an exhibition/cupcake game for 40 minutes and pressing a good D-I team for 40 minutes. There's always a lot of holes in the press in that first season when you meet the better teams.

[Butter]

It was fun watching Michigan State eat it at home in preseason to D-II Grand Valley State. And that was with Neitzel playing down the stretch and in OT. Neitzel is so streaky, it's hilarious to watch him when he's off.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

It was fun watching Michigan State eat it at home in preseason to D-II Grand Valley State. And that was with Neitzel playing down the stretch and in OT. Neitzel is so streaky, it's hilarious to watch him when he's off.

Yeah, I didn't think Mizzou would be able to beat Michigan State in the preseason matchup on October 19th in KC. Now I'm thinking we might have a pretty good shot. What the hell happened in that game?

[Butter]

Yeah, I didn't think Mizzou would be able to beat Michigan State in the preseason matchup on October 19th in KC. Now I'm thinking we might have a pretty good shot. What the hell happened in that game?

Michigan State's defense, especially on the inside, was pretty bad. They were letting guys drive and no one would help over... and GVSU's big man was pretty much their go to guy late. GVSU was just tough, they wouldn't go away. Couple that with some whistle happy refereeing, and Neitzel's complete inability to hit shots down the stretch, and that was it. I was probably one of about 50 people who watched it on the Big Ten Network. I came away thinking "this is the #8 team in preseason polling?" Probably just an aberration.

[MrBug708]

UCLA will be without All American Darren Collison for their opener. They are in fact down two guards and only have two guard on their roster right now

[MJ4H]

There's a big difference between pressing a team in an exhibition/cupcake game for 40 minutes and pressing a good D-I team for 40 minutes. There's always a lot of holes in the press in that first season when you meet the better teams.

I'm aware of the differences. I'm telling you what the philosophy is planned to be for the season and that the first exhibition game was consistent with that plan.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

UCLA will be without All American Darren Collison for their opener. They are in fact down two guards and only have two guard on their roster right now

Will those guards be back for the games in KC November 19th and 20th?

[Groundhog]

Interestingly enough (for me, at least) on the 24th of November when Nicholls State visit St. Mary's, there will be 8 Australians in total suited up, 5 for Nicholls State and 3 for St. Mary's.

[MrBug708]

Will those guards be back for the games in KC November 19th and 20th?

Mike Roll will not be. Neither will James Keefe (A PF). But Collison should be back by then

[DeToxRox]

Ohio State lost to Findlay.

Michigan looking good in exhibition!

[MrBug708]

The Big-11 is not going to be very pretty this year.

[Chief Rum]

UCLA will be without All American Darren Collison for their opener. They are in fact down two guards and only have two guard on their roster right now

Are you counting Abdul-Hamid? He and Westbrook are available, and Shipp is going to play the 2 this year anyway. Luc can swing to the 2, also, although that's not ideal. Dragovic and Stanback can put in some minutes there, although they will be a little too tall and will struggle guarding quick twos.

Point guards, certainly. It's pretty much only Abdul-Hamid and Westbrook there right now.

[Johnny93g]

I'm very excited for this season to begin. My football teams are a combined 1-16 this season, so I need Indiana to give me something to cheer about. Eric Gordon, Jamarcus Ellis, Jordan Crawford and Eli Holman make up a crazy good freshman class. All of them should play significant minutes this season. DJ White is back as a Big 10 player of the year candidate. Sophomore Armon Bassett will run the show after a very promising freshman season. I got high hopes this year.

[MrBug708]

Are you counting Abdul-Hamid? He and Westbrook are available, and Shipp is going to play the 2 this year anyway. Luc can swing to the 2, also, although that's not ideal. Dragovic and Stanback can put in some minutes there, although they will be a little too tall and will struggle guarding quick twos.

Point guards, certainly. It's pretty much only Abdul-Hamid and Westbrook there right now.

Tracy seems thinks that we'll see Luc and Shipp at PG for more minutes then we will Abdul. *shrugs*

[Balldog]

Ohio State lost to Findlay.

As a Ohio State fan but an alum of Findlay. I'm not all that shocked, Findlay has been one of the premiere programs in D2 for some time now. They should've beaten Dayton last week but got hosed at the end of the game.

This should be a good wake up call to the OSU team.

[Butter]

As a Ohio State fan but an alum of Findlay. I'm not all that shocked, Findlay has been one of the premiere programs in D2 for some time now. They should've beaten Dayton last week but got hosed at the end of the game.

This should be a good wake up call to the OSU team.

As a Dayton alum, the Ohio State result makes me feel a lot better about how UD played them last week. Findlay is a tough team. This whole preseason should earn the GLIAC a lot of respect.

[hoopsguy]

I'm very excited for this season to begin. My football teams are a combined 1-16 this season, so I need Indiana to give me something to cheer about. Eric Gordon, Jamarcus Ellis, Jordan Crawford and Eli Holman make up a crazy good freshman class. All of them should play significant minutes this season. DJ White is back as a Big 10 player of the year candidate. Sophomore Armon Bassett will run the show after a very promising freshman season. I got high hopes this year.

Wait a minute - you are a ND football fan and an Indiana basketball fan?

Ugh. What a disturbing combination.

Seriously, that sounds like being a Michigan football fan and an MSU basketball fan. Do you have ties to both programs, or just pick the best ones in your state to root for?

[Dr. Sak]

As a Ohio State fan but an alum of Findlay. I'm not all that shocked, Findlay has been one of the premiere programs in D2 for some time now. They should've beaten Dayton last week but got hosed at the end of the game.

The GLIAC has some damn good basketball for D2. I went to Gannon and I remember watching a lot of basketball games (both mens and womens) and being surprised with how good these teams were.

We had a kid get drafted in the second round by the Indiana Pacers, I think it was in 1998.

[sterlingice]

Ohio State lost to Findlay.

Michigan looking good in exhibition!

So can you OSU and Michigan guys now yell "Appalachian State" "Findlay" back and forth at each other?

SI

[Butter]

So can you OSU and Michigan guys now yell "Appalachian State" "Findlay" back and forth at each other?

SI

Findlay was only an exhibition game... thank goodness.

[Johnny93g]

Wait a minute - you are a ND football fan and an Indiana basketball fan?

Ugh. What a disturbing combination.

Seriously, that sounds like being a Michigan football fan and an MSU basketball fan. Do you have ties to both programs, or just pick the best ones in your state to root for?

It's not like they are rival's or anything. There is a tiny bit of a rivalry in basketball, but not enough that i care. I live in Toronto. Notre Dame football was and is on every week. So I grew attached to them because I always saw them play. Growing up in the late 80's and early 90's, Indiana was the most common team to play on TV. That and Bob Knight got me attached to IU basketball. I do hope IU football and ND basketball are succesful, but not enough to actually watch and cheer for them. BTW, IU's main rival is Purdue.

[hoopsguy]

It wasn't so much the "rivalry" as it was picking the good program in football and basketball in the same state. Had a frontrunner feel to it, and I was surprised by this as I had you pegged as a hardcore ND fan like Mr. Wednesday.

[sooner333]

Gardner Webb with the lead at the half over Kentucky in the 2k Sports Classic second round in Lexington.

OU is also in this tournament, though the Sooners play their first round tomorrow against San Francisco. Should be an interesting and better year for OU who has a pretty good freshman in Blake Griffin.

[Johnny93g]

It wasn't so much the "rivalry" as it was picking the good program in football and basketball in the same state. Had a frontrunner feel to it, and I was surprised by this as I had you pegged as a hardcore ND fan like Mr. Wednesday.

Ya, except i havent seen either team ever win anything. I am definatly a hardcore ND football fan. Although i was cheering for Indiana basketball before I knew Notre Dame existed!!! Calbert Cheaney is my alltime favourite basketball player, followed by AJ Guyton, and Tom Coverdale.

Next to the NHL, college basketball is my favourite of all sports, hands down.

[TargetPractice6]

Wow! Gardner Webb blows UK out of the water 84-68. Didn't see that one coming.

[MrBug708]

Eh, Tubby Smith left Kentucky a mess. Think Bob Davie mess

[WSUCougar]

Wow! Gardner Webb blows UK out of the water 84-68. Didn't see that one coming.
Wow. Just wow.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Heh.

Snippet from the Andy Katz article about Gardner-Webb's coach
This is from a man who sent Dick Vitale cupcakes a few years ago after Vitale called out Colorado State's schedule for playing a "cupcake" like Gardner-Webb. Now, Vitale is scheduled to call a Gardner-Webb game next week at Madison Square Garden.

"I may bring him more cupcakes," Scruggs said. "He seemed to like them."
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=3086328

[cartman]

Wonder if Gillespie is having any second thoughts about taking the job...

:)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Wonder if Gillespie is having any second thoughts about taking the job...

:)

The beauty of college basketball is that they can still win a national championship. It's obvoiusly a terribly embarrassing loss, but they have plenty of games in front of them to improve.

[TargetPractice6]

Wonder if Gillespie is having any second thoughts about taking the job...

:)I almost get the feeling Gillespie was using this game to send a message. He never made any in-game adjustments and was playing freshman walk-ons in the second half when there was still time to make a comeback. I'm not ready to freak out about this game just yet.

[Atocep]

Gillespie is a great coach and as Bug pointed out, Tubby left Kentucky in horrible shape. Probably going to be more bumps along the way this year, but they're in good shape for the future now, which is more than could be said under Tubby.

[TargetPractice6]

I would agree that. Tubby left the roster in shambles. We have two me-first seniors that really haven't improved since the day they arrived on campus. No juniors (that's right, zero). The sophomore class comprises half of the team and the only real player in that group is Jodie Meeks. Last night two freshmen that Gillespie brought in (Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion) looked like the best players on our team.

Still you would think there's more talent here that Gardner-Webb.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Still you would think there's more talent here that Gardner-Webb.

I'm guessing that getting the players' attention in practice won't be a problem for the next few weeks. :)

[BishopMVP]

Serves Gillespie right for backing out of the return trip to UMass.

[TargetPractice6]

After reneging on the UMass game and coaching his way out of a trip to New York, maybe it can be concluded that Gillespie just doesn't like the Northeast. ;)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Georgia Tech loses home opener to UNC-Greensboro 83-74.

First season opening loss for GT since 1993, first home opener since 1980.
To put that in some perspective, that led to a 4-23 season that ended the tenure of Dwayne Morrison and prompted the hiring of Bobby Cremins.

For UNC-G, it's their first win over an ACC team after 24 losses.

[MrBug708]

The loss was not a good one for GT. Of course, I've never liked Paul Hewitt as a coach. Seems to go big or miss completely on recruiting

[JonInMiddleGA]

Meanwhile, today it's time to meet the Mercer Bears, from Macon, GA.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- James Florence scored 30 points and tiny Mercer stunned No. 18 Southern California 96-81 Saturday, spoiling the college debut of O.J. Mayo.

Mayo, one of the nation's most prized recruits, led the Trojans with 32 points, but he couldn't help them overcome 19 turnovers and going 18-of-32 from the line.

The small-school Bears from Macon, Ga., had the Trojans in trouble early. Mercer shot 59 percent in the first half, when it led by 21 points.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273140030

[Chief Rum]

Floyd's decision making with respect to scheduling is almost Dorrell-esque.

He doesn't schedule any exhibition games before going for real. And the one exhibition game he schedules? December 8. December 8? You mean, like a month into the season?

[MrBug708]

Not exactly an earth shattering surprise. Apparently Floyd is going to let Mayo play and shoot as much as he pleases. Who is the coach here Mayo or Floyd? 40 minutes, 32 points, 12-27 FG's, 4-11 3FG's, 7 REB, 4 AST, 8 TO's, and most importantly a loss to Mercer.

It's going to be a fun basketball season

[SFL Cat]

Embarrassing loss for UK, but as others have said, nothing like getting a cold slap across your face to make you focus on the situation.

They'll still be a good team...and if they stay focused and build on this loss...perhaps a great one.

[LloydLungs]

Not exactly an earth shattering surprise. Apparently Floyd is going to let Mayo play and shoot as much as he pleases. Who is the coach here Mayo or Floyd? 40 minutes, 32 points, 12-27 FG's, 4-11 3FG's, 7 REB, 4 AST, 8 TO's, and most importantly a loss to Mercer.

It's going to be a fun basketball season

Floyd is an outstanding coach when he has complete control over who is on his roster. But he has never been able to handle the supertalented athlete. OJ Mayo/Baron Davis types walk all over him. In the NBA, the roster is chosen by the front office. Here, Mayo invited himself onto the roster. In both situations, Tim Floyd has and will struggle. Mayo is obviously masturbating all over the program and we're not even to mid-November yet. One 27-shot outburst and one punched teammate so far. I still believe he will be a net positive in terms of exposure and future recruiting, but this season itself is going to be disappointing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Then again, Mayo shooting might be the best thing for them (at least today)
Mayo 12-27 44.4% vs Rest of team 16-43 37.2%
He also led them in assists with 4.

[Atocep]

The guy took 27 shots (shooting the 2nd highest percentage on the team) on a team that has 2, maybe 3 other players that are D-1 talent and that is somehow confirmation that he's masturbating all over the program?

[LloydLungs]

The guy took 27 shots (shooting the 2nd highest percentage on the team) on a team that has 2, maybe 3 other players that are D-1 talent and that is somehow confirmation that he's masturbating all over the program?

You really think USC is that bereft of talent? Floyd's recruited very well since he got there. That's absurd.

Tim's offense is a very motion-intense, team oriented system. I don't think it's really designed to run through one guy all the time, especially when that guy is turning the ball over with regularity as Mayo did in this game. And again, he evidently punched Daniel Hackett in a practice a couple weeks ago. So yeah, I think it's going pretty badly so far for USC, though I think it's going fine for OJ Mayo's stats.

Regardless, this is a bit off point, as 81 points should be enough to win anyway. A Tim Floyd defense giving up 59% to Mercer is extraordinary. I'd love to know what was going on there.

[LloydLungs]

dola

I will say I didn't realize how many people USC was missing today (although one of them was obviously Hackett). Still doesn't excuse a loss to Mercer but does help explain why Mayo was taking so many shots.

[Atocep]

You really think USC is that bereft of talent? Floyd's recruited very well since he got there. That's absurd.

Tim's offense is a very motion-intense, team oriented system. I don't think it's really designed to run through one guy all the time, especially when that guy is turning the ball over with regularity as Mayo did in this game. And again, he evidently punched Daniel Hackett in a practice a couple weeks ago. So yeah, I think it's going pretty badly so far for USC, though I think it's going fine for OJ Mayo's stats.

Regardless, this is a bit off point, as 81 points should be enough to win anyway. A Tim Floyd defense giving up 59% to Mercer is extraordinary. I'd love to know what was going on there.


Everything I've read and know about Mayo (which is admittedly 2nd hand from people I know in the Charleston/Huntington area which is where I'm originally from) is he's immature, but very coachable. If Floyd lets Mayo walk all over him off the court, then thats on him, but on the court Mayo is pretty responsive to what he's told.

The "punch" from everything that's come from USC is that it was an unintentional elbow. Thats from Hackett, Mayo, and Floyd.

I just don't see the reason to condemn a kid based on his first college game. Turnovers happen for young point guards. Mayo is no different.

[Chief Rum]

The guy took 27 shots (shooting the 2nd highest percentage on the team) on a team that has 2, maybe 3 other players that are D-1 talent and that is somehow confirmation that he's masturbating all over the program?

Wow, you really think USC only has 2-3 other D1 level players? You need to study up. Hackett and Gibson just off of last year's team alone, form two not only D1, but high quality D1 players, much less Angelo Johnson and Davon Jefferson coming in with Mayo on one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.

USC has a lot of talent. Not sure if it will coalesce into a team, but you should look closer at that roster before shooting off. And this is coming from a UCLA fan.

[LloydLungs]

The "punch" from everything that's come from USC is that it was an unintentional elbow. Thats from Hackett, Mayo, and Floyd.

Maybe, but I wouldn't think any of them would admit it publically if it was a punch. It would be a media circus.

[Atocep]

Wow, you really think USC only has 2-3 other D1 level players? You need to study up. Hackett and Gibson just off of last year's team alone, form two not only D1, but high quality D1 players, much less Angelo Johnson and Davon Jefferson coming in with Mayo on one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.

USC has a lot of talent. Not sure if it will coalesce into a team, but you should look closer at that roster before shooting off. And this is coming from a UCLA fan.

Of the guys playing yesterday, there were 2-3 D1 talents and I was mainly talking about the holdovers from last year's team, which consists of Gibson and Hackett and maybe Dwight Lewis. Thats about it.

Johnson didn't play yesterday, Hackett didn't play yesterday, and Mayo gets ripped for taking 27 shots.

I'm not an OJ Mayo fan, but making him out to be everything thats wrong with college basketball after 1 game is a bit too much.

[MrBug708]

DOnt worry, Lil Romeo is coming soon enough!

[MrBug708]

Everything I've read and know about Mayo (which is admittedly 2nd hand from people I know in the Charleston/Huntington area which is where I'm originally from) is he's immature, but very coachable. If Floyd lets Mayo walk all over him off the court, then thats on him, but on the court Mayo is pretty responsive to what he's told.

The "punch" from everything that's come from USC is that it was an unintentional elbow. Thats from Hackett, Mayo, and Floyd.

I just don't see the reason to condemn a kid based on his first college game. Turnovers happen for young point guards. Mayo is no different.

Actually there have been more then a few places that have said that it's an elbow to basically keep some sort of order but there have been plenty of reports that it was a fist, not an elbow.

Either way, the more media USC attracts the better for UCLA it becomes. I just hope LSU doesn't can Brady anytime soon....

[Chief Rum]

Of the guys playing yesterday, there were 2-3 D1 talents and I was mainly talking about the holdovers from last year's team, which consists of Gibson and Hackett and maybe Dwight Lewis. Thats about it.

Johnson didn't play yesterday, Hackett didn't play yesterday, and Mayo gets ripped for taking 27 shots.

I'm not an OJ Mayo fan, but making him out to be everything thats wrong with college basketball after 1 game is a bit too much.

I agree with your thinking on Mayo, and you should have been more clear about what you meant (players playing yesterday, for instance) before you denigrate the whole team. That said, there is more talent there than you suggest, or hundreds of basketball experts are seemingly wrong while you're right.

[JeeberD]

Big early season test for the Miners tomorrow when they take on 15th ranked Texas A$M in College Station in the second round of the Preseason NIT.. The Miners have looked solid so far, but we have troubles down low (gave up 30 points to A&M-CC's center tonight and got outrebounded) and A$M has some size in Joseph Jones and DeAndre Jordan. If our guards can force some turnover and hit their shots jumpers, we have a shot at going to Madison Square Garden. It almost has to be a perfect game for us, though...

[MrBug708]

UCLA goes to 3-0 on the season and has been playing without Darren Collison. Hopefully he can make it back for the game on Friday. UCLA is also missing a key reserve in Mike Roll so far but Kevin Love has been as good as advertised

[Chief Rum]

UCLA goes to 3-0 on the season and has been playing without Darren Collison. Hopefully he can make it back for the game on Friday. UCLA is also missing a key reserve in Mike Roll so far but Kevin Love has been as good as advertised

Man, no love for Keefe?

[MrBug708]

Keefe hasn't shown me much yet and it's sad that he's hurt because these games are the ones he'd be playing a lot in. But no one that is playing is behind Keefe on the depth chart

[Chief Rum]

Keefe hasn't shown me much yet and it's sad that he's hurt because these games are the ones he'd be playing a lot in. But no one that is playing is behind Keefe on the depth chart

Actually, he was playing much more strongly at the end of the year last year. He's clearly in the four big man rotation, and with Aboya will spell Mata and Love. And we'll need four big men against the bigger teams. His presence has also allowed Coach Howland to move Luc to the 3 more permanently. I'm not quite ready to toss a McDonald's American aside just because he didn't get much playing time last year on a deep Final Four team.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Mizzou and UCLA took care of business last night and are heading to KC along with Maryland. Assuming Michigan State wins their next game, we should have a great set of 4 teams playing in KC next week.

[MrBug708]

Actually, he was playing much more strongly at the end of the year last year. He's clearly in the four big man rotation, and with Aboya will spell Mata and Love. And we'll need four big men against the bigger teams. His presence has also allowed Coach Howland to move Luc to the 3 more permanently. I'm not quite ready to toss a McDonald's American aside just because he didn't get much playing time last year on a deep Final Four team.

Maybe so, but I'd much rather see Luc get time at the four and only play at the three when Howland is going with a big lineup

[Swaggs]

If I am not mistaken, today is the first day of the early signing period for college hoops.

Bobby Huggins appears to have pulled together the best class (as far as ratings go) in WVU history, dipping into New York for two pretty highly touted kids and grabbing a 4-star PF, as well.

Exciting time to be a Mountaineer, with two successful alums heading the football and basketball teams.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If I am not mistaken, today is the first day of the early signing period for college hoops.

Bobby Huggins appears to have pulled together the best class (as far as ratings go) in WVU history, dipping into New York for two pretty highly touted kids and grabbing a 4-star PF, as well.

Exciting time to be a Mountaineer, with two successful alums heading the football and basketball teams.

You are correct. It is signing day. Mizzou's class is pretty interesting as all of them are 3-star players, but they all are athletic freaks. Coach Anderson loves to run the '40 minutes of hell' style and we're obviously lacking the speed on our current roster to run it well. This class (7 players total) should help our team speed quite a bit.

[Swaggs]

You are correct. It is signing day. Mizzou's class is pretty interesting as all of them are 3-star players, but they all are athletic freaks. Coach Anderson loves to run the '40 minutes of hell' style and we're obviously lacking the speed on our current roster to run it well. This class (7 players total) should help our team speed quite a bit.

I have a good friend that is a UAB fanatic and I got to see Anderson quite a bit over the past few years. I think he will be a good fit there at Mizzou, once he gets those guys conditioned for his style of defense (which, I'd imagine will be this season). With Big 12 calibre of athletes, I think you all should be pretty successful.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I have a good friend that is a UAB fanatic and I got to see Anderson quite a bit over the past few years. I think he will be a good fit there at Mizzou, once he gets those guys conditioned for his style of defense (which, I'd imagine will be this season). With Big 12 calibre of athletes, I think you all should be pretty successful.

Watching the team now under Coach Anderson is like night and day compared to Quin Snyder's teams. The team now flies all over the court and you can see the opposing guards getting more and more flustered as the game goes along. The effort expended is unbelievable. They still make some mistakes, but even the mistakes are mostly effort mistakes at this point. I'm not sure how we even put up with the sloppy play of previous teams. Watching these guys play the game at a high pace with discipline is a load of fun as a fan.

[MrBug708]

UCLA pulled in a great haul today with kids as well. Brought in two 5 stars and two 4 stars and didn't leave California to do it.

[BishopMVP]

If I am not mistaken, today is the first day of the early signing period for college hoops.

Bobby Huggins appears to have pulled together the best class (as far as ratings go) in WVU history, dipping into New York for two pretty highly touted kids and grabbing a 4-star PF, as well.

Exciting time to be a Mountaineer, with two successful alums heading the football and basketball teams.I heard he gave Kevin Jones' parents a house.

[Radii]

I didn't get to see the game, but I guess i should be happy that UNC avoided the upset, I know Davidson isn't a bad team by any stretch. UNC's standards need to be much, much higher than they were tonight though if they want to be #1.

[miami_fan]

Lawson really struggled yesterday. Not just by the numbers, but in the second half he could not get the team to run any sort of half court offense.

[JeeberD]

Big early season test for the Miners tomorrow when they take on 15th ranked Texas A$M in College Station in the second round of the Preseason NIT.. The Miners have looked solid so far, but we have troubles down low (gave up 30 points to A&M-CC's center tonight and got outrebounded) and A$M has some size in Joseph Jones and DeAndre Jordan. If our guards can force some turnover and hit their shots jumpers, we have a shot at going to Madison Square Garden. It almost has to be a perfect game for us, though...

Dammit, we gave A$M all they could handle but couldn't finish it off. We led probably 80% of the game and were up by as much as ten points in the second half, but our big men (who were surprisingly doing a decent job on defense) got in foul trouble which made our defense start to have to sag down low a bit more, and A$M started making their threes.

Overall, I was really impressed with how the Miners played. A bit three pointer happy, but after starting out on fire I can see how they fell in love with the shot. If we can get better on the boards I think we have a shot of being a top three team in CUSA...

[BishopMVP]

Sedems like UNC is really going to struggle if Ellington is off from outside against a good team.

(Then again, Davidson is a good team.)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Wow, a few embarrasing results for the B12 last night.

--OSU loses to North Texas.
--Iowa State loses to Bradley.
--Texas Tech loses to Sam Houston State.

Not that I thought any of these teams would be any better than bottom half of the conference, but it's still not good. Makes me feel more confident about MU's chances in the league.

[miami_fan]

Wow, a few embarrasing results for the B12 last night.

--OSU loses to North Texas.
--Iowa State loses to Bradley.
--Texas Tech loses to Sam Houston State.

Not that I thought any of these teams would be any better than bottom half of the conference, but it's still not good. Makes me feel more confident about MU's chances in the league.

Is the Bradley-Iowa State game that embarrassing? Bradley have been in the tourney the last three years and had a pretty good recruiting class last year. If the Cyclones are not supposed to be any than the bottom of the conference, it may have been embarrassing if ISU won.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Is the Bradley-Iowa State game that embarrassing? Bradley have been in the tourney the last three years and had a pretty good recruiting class last year. If the Cyclones are not supposed to be any than the bottom of the conference, it may have been embarrassing if ISU won.

I agree that the better team likely won, but as a big conference, you never want one of your teams to lose to a team that's perceived to be a mid-major conference.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

FYI......for those that are interested in daily RPI updates, here's a free website with an RPI ranking that updates every 5 minutes. Obviously, the rankings are a bit out of whack right now due to the lack of games played (Bucknell is #1), but it will even out as the season moves along........

http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.html

[Scarecrow]

...Obviously, the rankings are a bit out of whack right now due to the lack of games played (Bucknell is #1), but it will even out as the season moves along........


And you call yourself a Mizzou fan; can't think of a KU joke somewhere in that sentance?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

And you call yourself a Mizzou fan; can't think of a KU joke somewhere in that sentance?

Oh, it crossed my mind, but I decided to pass on it. I'm hoping for some pretty nice bragging rights in about a week and a half that involve Mizzou rather than another team making Kansas look bad.

[MrBug708]

Darren Collison, UCLA's speedy PG All American, will be out another ten days missing the tournament action this weekend and likely their game vs Yale next week

[BishopMVP]

Memphis looks to be the same as past couple years - ridiculous athletes who struggle finishing against a good defensive team if the 3's aren't falling.

If they do pull this out (Up 45-40 on OU 2nd half) it'll set up a Calipari vs. Calhoun matchup. There is some bad blood there to put it lightly.

Also, for recruiting, I saw the Rucker game. Some bad news for UCLA fans - Jrue Holiday looked good, but Brandon Jennings, who's going to Arizona, looks to be the best offensive point guard since Jason Kidd. That kid is unbelievable.

[bhlloy]

Also, for recruiting, I saw the Rucker game. Some bad news for UCLA fans - Jrue Holiday looked good, but Brandon Jennings, who's going to Arizona, looks to be the best offensive point guard since Jason Kidd. That kid is unbelievable.

Worse news for USC fans seeing as Jennings was actually committed to us for a while. If Demar DeRozen doesn't sign his LOI this week (was expected to fax it in yesterday I think), a lot of people are going to be suicidal.

At least we got lil' Romeo :rolleyes:

[JonInMiddleGA]

Nice road win tonight for the #1 Lady Vols, 70-67 over top 10 Oklahoma in one of those early season tournaments down in St. Petersburg.

Darned good ball game too, tied in the final minute, in the first ever matchup of reigning women's player of the year winners (Courtney Paris won the AP award while Candace Parker won the Wade Trophy).

[Butter]

Fierce game for 2 teams bubbling under the top-25 radar last night, as Clemson beats Mississippi State 84-82. Clemson's typically poor free throw shooting was put to bed last night by a freshman named Demontez Stitt, who overcomes an 0-9 shooting night by nailing 6 straight free throws down the stretch, helping Clemson win despite shooting just 34% for the game. Clemson's typically laughable pre-conference scheduling gets a boost with this win, should help them inch closer to being ranked in the next top-25 that comes out.

[wade moore]

Well, W&M has played two BCS teams very tight.. In both games we were within 5 around 30 minutes into the game, but just lost it down the stretch. Georgetown just started feeding it down low letting their big man dominate and NC State did the same with their shooter.

[wade moore]

And sweet, VCU is #1 now in that RPI!

CAA! CAA! CAA! ;)

[Wolfpack]

Well, W&M has played two BCS teams very tight.. In both games we were within 5 around 30 minutes into the game, but just lost it down the stretch. Georgetown just started feeding it down low letting their big man dominate and NC State did the same with their shooter.

That shooter would be JJ Hickson, who went 12-12 from the floor to set a school record for shots without a miss in a game (which is amazing to think about considering all the players State has had over the years). Expectations were pretty high on him before the season started but I think he's increased them even more after last night.

However, even with the monster frontcourt State has (and I can't even remember the last time I've had that thought about a State team), it'll come down to getting servicable play from the point guards, none of whom have any experience at this level of competition.

[wade moore]

That shooter would be JJ Hickson, who went 12-12 from the floor to set a school record for shots without a miss in a game (which is amazing to think about considering all the players State has had over the years). Expectations were pretty high on him before the season started but I think he's increased them even more after last night.

However, even with the monster frontcourt State has (and I can't even remember the last time I've had that thought about a State team), it'll come down to getting servicable play from the point guards, none of whom have any experience at this level of competition.
I was hoping you'd post - any chance you were at the game or saw it? Any unbiased opinion on how W&M looked for a team hoping to pull themselves from the bottom of a very good mid-major conference to the upper-middle of a very good mid-major conference?

[Wolfpack]

I was hoping you'd post - any chance you were at the game or saw it? Any unbiased opinion on how W&M looked for a team hoping to pull themselves from the bottom of a very good mid-major conference to the upper-middle of a very good mid-major conference?

Nope, can't say as I did. It's become the story of my life in some respects now having moved back to Raleigh. I really, really, really want to go to some State or Hurricanes games, but just about all of them start in that witching hour when we're starting to get the kids to bed after dinner.

However, I'm sure W&M have picked up some good experience in these two games against heavyweights with huge frontcourts. I don't think the CAA can offer up such size on a regular basis so your inside players should definitely be better for it. Whether that translates into any improvement at all in wins and losses is something else.

[GoldenEagle]

Memphis looks to be the same as past couple years - ridiculous athletes who struggle finishing against a good defensive team if the 3's aren't falling.

That is going to be the downfall of Memphis. Teams will pack it in against them and force them to hit the outside shot. But, the 2k classic is using a different type of ball. It is called "The Rock". Supposedly, it is lighter and makes it more difficult to shoot. Mack and Kemp have been banging down 3's in practice with the regular ball. But we are going to need someone who can hit the three on a regular basis are we struggle against excellent defensive teams.

Rose looked a little out of control last night. He would just drive and play a little selfish at times. Good player though.

[CU Tiger]

Fierce game for 2 teams bubbling under the top-25 radar last night, as Clemson beats Mississippi State 84-82. Clemson's typically poor free throw shooting was put to bed last night by a freshman named Demontez Stitt, who overcomes an 0-9 shooting night by nailing 6 straight free throws down the stretch, helping Clemson win despite shooting just 34% for the game. Clemson's typically laughable pre-conference scheduling gets a boost with this win, should help them inch closer to being ranked in the next top-25 that comes out.

Stitz will be good, but what is this Basketball of which you speak?


We don't play basketball in Clemson..

[wade moore]

Nope, can't say as I did. It's become the story of my life in some respects now having moved back to Raleigh. I really, really, really want to go to some State or Hurricanes games, but just about all of them start in that witching hour when we're starting to get the kids to bed after dinner.

However, I'm sure W&M have picked up some good experience in these two games against heavyweights with huge frontcourts. I don't think the CAA can offer up such size on a regular basis so your inside players should definitely be better for it. Whether that translates into any improvement at all in wins and losses is something else.
Yeah, the CAA is very much a Guard driven league. I think we can still claim the tallest player in Division I in our league, but in his first 3 years he was a complete stiff (supposedly he's a bit better this year).

Anyway - definitely good experience. The fact that we were competitive is even better. VCU beat Houston yesterday and has another shot at a BCS team tonight (I forget who at the moment), so the league is still very good. To be able to be in say the top 5 of the league would be a pretty big accomplishment for a school that has rarely had a .500 record in the last 20 years.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Arkansas got whipped by an average Providence team last night. Likely their stay in the top 25 will end.

[LloydLungs]

Wow. Wow wow. My UNO Privateers go to Raleigh and stun #21 NC State 65-63. This is with Bo McCalebb playing a subpar game and senior three-point specialist James Parlow being completely invisible. They came from 11 down in the second half and 7 down with two minutes to go. I think we finally got a coach, Pumpy!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Georgia Tech did it again, blowing a 10 point second half lead to lose to Winthrop 79-73. Coming into the game, the Eagles were 1-29 vs ACC teams.

This was supposed to be the easy part of non-conference play -- still to come, starting tonight vs Notre Dame, a Nov. 27 game at Indiana, a Dec. 1 contest at Vanderbilt, a Dec. 18 game against Kansas, a Jan. 9 game at Georgia and a Feb. 9 game at Connecticut.

This ain't exactly encouraging.

[dawgfan]

...looks to be the best offensive point guard since Jason Kidd.
Offensive point guard? IIRC, Kidd hasn't ever been much of a shooter, even at Cal.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Georgia Tech did it again, blowing a 10 point second half lead to lose to Winthrop 79-73. Coming into the game, the Eagles were 1-29 vs ACC teams.

This was supposed to be the easy part of non-conference play -- still to come, starting tonight vs Notre Dame...........

Baylor beat Notre Dame by 4 points over the weekend. I'll be interested to see how GT fares against them.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm heading down for the big double-header tonight in KC. Maryland vs. UCLA in the early game followed by Michigan State vs. Missouri. Winners and losers face each other tomorrow night.

[BishopMVP]

Offensive point guard? IIRC, Kidd hasn't ever been much of a shooter, even at Cal.Yeah, but you don't need a shooter at PG - you need someone who can penetrate and distribute the ball. Maybe Nash qualifies as a great shooter, but the other top PG's like Kidd, Chris Paul and Deron Williams aren't great shooters either. I threw in the offensive label to distinguish Jennings from a Gary Payton who is alos good defensively. (Although Jennings might be good at defense, the game I saw was basically a street game, and there wasn't much of it going on.)

[Pumpy Tudors]

Wow. Wow wow. My UNO Privateers go to Raleigh and stun #21 NC State 65-63. This is with Bo McCalebb playing a subpar game and senior three-point specialist James Parlow being completely invisible. They came from 11 down in the second half and 7 down with two minutes to go. I think we finally got a coach, Pumpy!
This is a huge win for the Privateers, obviously. Those kids down in New Orleans have a lot of heart, and there's actually some talent there, too. You know, I liked Monte Towe, and he seems like a good guy. I can't blame him for wanting to go back to NC State, given his history there and Hurricane Katrina on top of that. Still, I'm positive that these two teams never would've played each other if he hadn't left UNO for NC State, so...

THANKS, MONTE! :D

[LloydLungs]

You know, I liked Monte Towe, and he seems like a good guy. I can't blame him for wanting to go back to NC State, given his history there and Hurricane Katrina on top of that.

I don't blame him either (though I wish for nothing but horrible things for Buzz Williams). I think Monte is a good guy, albeit with occasionally terrible temper problems (I have some stories). That said, I think he was only an average coach at best. It's too early to say on this new 30-year-old coaching the team now, but boy UNO looks different so far. I know that Monte took his best UNO team to Raleigh in 2003-04 and got beat by 34 in a game that might have been LESS of a mismatch than this one.

[MrBug708]

Memphis looks to be the same as past couple years - ridiculous athletes who struggle finishing against a good defensive team if the 3's aren't falling.

If they do pull this out (Up 45-40 on OU 2nd half) it'll set up a Calipari vs. Calhoun matchup. There is some bad blood there to put it lightly.

Also, for recruiting, I saw the Rucker game. Some bad news for UCLA fans - Jrue Holiday looked good, but Brandon Jennings, who's going to Arizona, looks to be the best offensive point guard since Jason Kidd. That kid is unbelievable.

I'll take a Ben Howland disciplined team over Arizona next year. And if he can be as good as Baron Davis was in college, I'll be impressed.

[dawgfan]

Yeah, but you don't need a shooter at PG - you need someone who can penetrate and distribute the ball. Maybe Nash qualifies as a great shooter, but the other top PG's like Kidd, Chris Paul and Deron Williams aren't great shooters either. I threw in the offensive label to distinguish Jennings from a Gary Payton who is alos good defensively. (Although Jennings might be good at defense, the game I saw was basically a street game, and there wasn't much of it going on.)
OK. I'm just used to "offensive point guard" used as a synonym for "scoring point guard", and that's obviously not Kidd's strong point (not that he can't score, just that it's not his strength).

IIRC, Kidd was also a pretty good defensive player before injuries slowed him down.

[Wolfpack]

As the UNO fans cheer (and rightfully so), some State fans (at least the slightly moronic ones that inhabit the internet it seems) are castigating the team and each other already. Speculation's been picking up, particularly given some postgame comments by Gavin Grant, that there is already a bit of a rift on the team because of the arrival of McD's AA JJ Hickson, which has consumed a fair amount of playing time that other players had last year. Hickson can't be at fault, really. He's been superb in both games so far, so he deserves whatever time he's getting, but it looks like there have been some egos bruised in the process.

Still, game two and some parts of the fanbase are ready to call it a failure and have adjusted their expectations accordingly (i.e. "Duke will hang 150 on us..."). I've never seen such schizophrenia in a fanbase like ours. Even so, I was afraid there was going to be a problem with the hype and living up to it for this team. Yes, they had a tremendous run to finish the year last year, but they were 5-11 in conference last year and not all of it had to do with the absence of Engin Atsur for some of the season. Trendy picks like us almost always fail to pan out in most respects because the surprise factor that lead to the pick in the first place is gone. We're now the hunted and everyone's going to take their best shot at us. I don't think we'll end up 17-12 and 5-11 or anything like that, but clearly I don't think we're quite in the heavyweight division with Duke and Carolina yet, which is something of an implication that comes with being picked third in the conference. We can finish third still, but I think we are closer to the middle than to the two at the top.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Baylor beat Notre Dame by 4 points over the weekend. I'll be interested to see how GT fares against them.
ND didn't seem to have anyone who could hit an outside shot in the second half, some of which was Baylor denying open looks but at least as much was players being ice cold. The Irish won't win too many games where as many people have a bad night at once as happened last night.

Baylor may surprise this year, they've got some nice players.

[Chief Rum]

I haven't seen either Jennings or Holiday play yet, so who knows? But I'll say this--there is little doubt both of them will be terrific, game-changing players the way scouts and experts go gaga over them. I am not too worried about whether Holiday is better than Jennings. Only thing I care about is does Holiday make UCLA better. And everyone seems to agree he will have a huge impact.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Baylor beat Notre Dame by 4 points over the weekend. I'll be interested to see how GT fares against them.

Irish by 2 at the half.

[MrBug708]

UCLA - Maryland has been a poor shooting, turnover fest thus far. Can't wait til Collison can come back

[JonInMiddleGA]

Georgia Tech survived a buzzer beater that rimmed around & out, rallies to beat Notre Dame 70-69, in spite of more than 20 turnovers and playing without three injured regulars.

Pressed into service, PG Matt Causey hits three treys, including the game winner with :02 left. He's a former walk-on who redshirted last year after playing two seasons at little North Georgia College & State University, where he landed after playing one season at Georgetown (03-04).

[sterlingice]

I'm just glad KU is sitting around under the radar this year. Considering the Big XII isn't the greatest this year (maybe only 4 teams in the tourney), they'll probably fatten up and get some run. But I'm just happy everyone is focusing in on the Memphis's, UCLA's, and UNC's of the world

SI

[MrBug708]

Under the radar?

[sterlingice]

I know, #4 in the country isn't "under the radar" but whenever someone is talking about the "couple of best teams in the country" we're never in that discussion and I like that.

SI

[MrBug708]

Hmmm, not sure where you got that info that you aren't talked about...

[Neuqua]

Kansas still has Bill $elf as coach so I am not too worried about them come tournament time.

[Butter]

I know, #4 in the country isn't "under the radar" but whenever someone is talking about the "couple of best teams in the country" we're never in that discussion and I like that.

SI

Yeah, boy, you never hear about Kansas basketball. :rolleyes:

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Damn. Mizzou should have beat Michigan State last night. MSU shot 53% from the field and had 31 FT attempts, yet they still had to survive a last-second shot to win the game. Tough loss.

I watched the UCLA-Maryland game as well. Neither were very impressive (though I know that UCLA is missing an All-American PG right now). Mizzou should beat Maryland tonight. Wouldn't be surprised to see MSU beat UCLA either.

[MrBug708]

It'll be interesting to see how UCLA fares tonight. They have a rotation of 8 scholarship players right now with a walkon playing a few minutes at PG to spell Westbrook. One of the other injured players is UCLA's first guy off the bench. I think Love will struggle tonight because he hasnt seemed to pace himself very well and gets winded in the second half. If UCLA can slow Neitzel, they should win going away, but this might be a game where lack of guard depth might spell the end of them

[Chief Rum]

I'm more worried about that Raymar Morgan than I am Nietzel.

[MrBug708]

Well, Morgan is almost as bad as Aboya in picking up fouls so if Luc can get him into foul trouble, it'll bode well for UCLA

[Chief Rum]

If Luc were agressive, I would say he could get him in foul trouble, but he's not, so I'm not anticipating that. Maybe Morgan will pick up some helping out on Love or bumping underneath with Mata.

[MrBug708]

Drew Neitzel has the flu and might not play. I'm assuming they'll just have a bucket near the bench for him

[MrBug708]

Suck

[Chief Rum]

And that, folks, is a team missing three of its top eight players, including its Preseason All-Amercian PG.

[Groundhog]

St. Mary's, led by freshman Aboriginal Australian PG Pat Mills, upset Oregon 99-87. Mills, who has been playing great for our Aussie team despite being like 19 years old, had 37 points - the highest ever for a freshman in school history - in just his 4th division 1 game. This kid is going to be special.

[Chief Rum]

Yeah, I saw that. St. Mary's is playing San Diego State at the Wooden Classic (will that be shown national, or just UCLA-Davidson?). I have been thinking about getting tickets.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Drew Neitzel has the flu and might not play. I'm assuming they'll just have a bucket near the bench for him

Mizzou had similar issues last night. Must be something in the water. Stephon Hannah and one other player had a flu bug as well. Thankfully, they managed to beat Maryland.

[MrBug708]

How the hell did UCLA win that game? Stats be damned, there is no freshmen in the nation I'd take over Love...

UCLA basically played an 6 man rotation last night...

[DeToxRox]

Michigan vs Butler tonight in Alaska. We got served vs G'Town as I figured but this could be a nice win vs a solid top 25 team. Big games needed from Sims and Harris though.

[sterlingice]

Ok, I'll rescind the previous KU comment as it just must be something I'm missing.

SI

[Atocep]

How the hell did UCLA win that game? Stats be damned, there is no freshmen in the nation I'd take over Love...

UCLA basically played an 6 man rotation last night...

Love is amazing. Watched him play on TV a couple times last year and it was just ridiculous how much better he was than anyone else. Such a skilled big man, he somehow makes outlet passes look cool.

I was reading something a few days ago where a recruiting service said that this is easily the best freshman class in NCAA history. Next year's class is supposed to be fairly strong and they said the best player in the class (greg monroe) would have ranked 8th in this class.

[Chief Rum]

Figures. Aboya could be out for a while with a fracture of his orbital bone under his right eye. I swear, UCLA can never escape injuries. It has been three years now that we have been just killed by injuries.

Love also sprained his foot (of course), but it appears he'll be okay.

[MrBug708]

7 scholarship players! Well, Collison should be back for the next game

[miami_fan]

Figures. Aboya could be out for a while with a fracture of his orbital bone under his right eye. I swear, UCLA can never escape injuries. It has been three years now that we have been just killed by injuries.

Love also sprained his foot (of course), but it appears he'll be okay.

Better now than during conference play or in March, no?

[miami_fan]

UNC is down one to BYU with just over 7 mins left. Game is on ESPN2

[Radii]

I only watched the last 10 minutes of the UNC game, but I was not impressed. Lawson only played 2 minutes before missing the rest of the game with an ankle injury, but Frasor is a capable point guard. I'm getting frustrated at UNC's inability to carry a lead vs a subpar opponent throughout a game.

[miami_fan]

I only watched the last 10 minutes of the UNC game, but I was not impressed. Lawson only played 2 minutes before missing the rest of the game with an ankle injury, but Frasor is a capable point guard. I'm getting frustrated at UNC's inability to carry a lead vs a subpar opponent throughout a game.

I am sure you have watched more of their games then I have so you will know better than me. Tyler Hansbrough just seems a little bit off so far this year. I mean the numbers are there but it just seems like he just disappears for too many minutes during the game.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like the suicide watch in Lawrence may be averted. KU is probably going to survive against Arizona in overtime.

[Chief Rum]

Looks like the suicide watch in Lawrence may be averted. KU is probably going to survive against Arizona in overtime.

If suicide watch was ever a serious consideration for KU fans, memo to them: Arizona is still a very good program and probably has just as many McD's AA as KU does.

[sterlingice]

I don't think anyone in Lawrence was on suicide watch, contrary to MBBF's absurd claims.

Arizona now has 2 losses, both to ranked teams. Wouldn't have been a bad loss. Glad we got the win. As I've said before, I wish we had more good non-conference games like it on the schedule this season.

SI

[Radii]

I am sure you have watched more of their games then I have so you will know better than me. Tyler Hansbrough just seems a little bit off so far this year. I mean the numbers are there but it just seems like he just disappears for too many minutes during the game.


I actually haven't gotten to watch them much yet, I don't get ESPNU and have been vacationing for much of the last two weeks. But the impression I've gotten is the same as yours. Also, UNC is too quick to fall into a "Ellington or Green go 1 on 1" 5 seconds into the shot clock, especially if Lawson isn't on the court.

I think they'll be fine by the time ACC play gets going, but they don't feel like a #1 team right now at all.

[MrBug708]

Kansas was bailed out by the refs near the end of the game, but it still was a good win for them.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I don't think anyone in Lawrence was on suicide watch, contrary to MBBF's absurd claims.

It was a joke given the loss to MU and the possibility of the BB team going down. Lighten up, Francis.

Arizona isn't as good as your making them out to be. Having losses only to ranked teams just means that it's an average team. KU should have beaten them handily at home. The officials certainly didn't help Arizona's cause either.

[MrBug708]

Bill Self is a coach in the John Calpri mold

[Atocep]

It was a joke given the loss to MU and the possibility of the BB team going down. Lighten up, Francis.

Arizona isn't as good as your making them out to be. Having losses only to ranked teams just means that it's an average team. KU should have beaten them handily at home. The officials certainly didn't help Arizona's cause either.

What the hell?

A loss by 3 to the #23 team in the country and a loss by 4 on the road to the #4 team in the country in december means you're an average team?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

What the hell?

A loss by 3 to the #23 team in the country and a loss by 4 on the road to the #4 team in the country in december means you're an average team?

I've always been of the opinion that you're an average team unless you prove otherwise by beating a quality opponent. Mizzou is 5-1 with a 3 point loss to #10 Michigan State, but I'm not going to trumpet any moral victories from that game. UA lost those games. Good teams pull them out. I watched the KU-UA game last night. KU looked horrible last night. UA should have taken advantage of that. Instead, they made several crucial turnovers down the stretch that killed their chances. That's what an average big conference team does.

[Chief Rum]

UA will get further in the NCAA this year than Mizzu.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

UA will get further in the NCAA this year than Mizzu.

You'd be hard pressed to make that point stick right now. Both of them are roughly the same seed in the latest Bracketology. My guess is that they both are first round winners and then out given their current position. I don't see Arizona upsetting a 1 or 2 seed any more than I see Mizzou pulling off a similar feat.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

[miami_fan]

In case anyone missed it, Wake Forest beat Iowa last night 56-47. Tonight, the action really gets going.

Northwestern/Virgina
Georgia Tech/Indiana
Minnesota/Florida State
Wisconsin/Duke
Purdue/Clemson

I am really looking forward to seeing IU's Eric Gordon play for the first time.

[Radii]

One of the very, very few times I feel I can actively root for Duke. GO ACC!

[mckerney]

In case anyone missed it, Wake Forest beat Iowa last night 56-47. Tonight, the action really gets going.

Northwestern/Virgina
Georgia Tech/Indiana
Minnesota/Florida State
Wisconsin/Duke
Purdue/Clemson

I am really looking forward to seeing IU's Eric Gordon play for the first time.

Go Gophers. I'll be watching hoping Tubby can have a good opener in the challenge.

[mckerney]

One of the very, very few times I feel I can actively root for Duke. GO ACC!

It will be one of the few times I cheer for Duke also. Go Blue Devils!

[miami_fan]

BTW Big 12 and Pac 10 WTF?

The Big 12 and Pac 10 challenge is going on later this week. Not only have I heard very little about it, but I have to hope my local FSN affiliate shows most of the higher profile games? I know they have a deal with FSN but damn. Couldn't you have given ESPN one of the following games?

Oklahoma/USC
Mizzou/Cal
Kansas/USC
Texas A&M/Arizona
Texas/UCLA

All on FSN.

[BishopMVP]

Bill Self is a coach in the John Calpri moldHow so?

[miami_fan]

There is something funny about Sampson suspending a player for violating the rules.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Indiana 83-79 over GT (final)
Virginia 94-52 over Northwestern (final)
FSU 71-56 over Minnesota (3 mins left)
Duke 19-12 over Wisconsin (13 mins left 1st half)

[Dr. Sak]

It's the Dookies baby :)

[Scarecrow]

BTW Big 12 and Pac 10 WTF?

The Big 12 and Pac 10 challenge is going on later this week. Not only have I heard very little about it, but I have to hope my local FSN affiliate shows most of the higher profile games? I know they have a deal with FSN but damn. Couldn't you have given ESPN one of the following games?

Oklahoma/USC
Mizzou/Cal
Kansas/USC
Texas A&M/Arizona
Texas/UCLA

All on FSN.

Glad you didn't mention #17 Oregon vs #25 Kansas State (which will be on ESPN2)

[GoldenEagle]

Memphis beats Austin Peay tonight. Next up is USC. It is a week from today in the Garden. Rose vs. Mayo.

[miami_fan]

Glad you didn't mention #17 Oregon vs #25 Kansas State (which will be on ESPN2)

That is the one that prevented me from saying ALL the high profile games. ;)

I am not sure how it is being marketed in the Midwest and on the Left Coast, but I have not seen anything about on the local FSN stations. The only reason I knew about the series at all is by catching the Kansas/Arizona game on Sunday. It has more to do with the Pac 10 than the Big 12 for me. In the past, I have not gotten to see a great deal of Pac-10 basketball due to contract with FSN. Here is an opportunity to show off the league's better teams to a larger national audience and I don't think they are taking full advantage of it.

[Radii]

the ACC goes up 4 to 1 with the Duke win. Purdue has a small lead on Clemson midway through the 2nd half in the last game of the night. ACC is hopefully on its way to winning this challenge for the 9th year in a row.

[Radii]

5-1 ACC as Clemson holds off Purdue.

[MrBug708]

How so?

Hell of a recruiter

[Chief Rum]

You'd be hard pressed to make that point stick right now. Both of them are roughly the same seed in the latest Bracketology. My guess is that they both are first round winners and then out given their current position. I don't see Arizona upsetting a 1 or 2 seed any more than I see Mizzou pulling off a similar feat.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

I don't have to make the point. I just have to wait for time to pass.

[Chief Rum]

That is the one that prevented me from saying ALL the high profile games. ;)

I am not sure how it is being marketed in the Midwest and on the Left Coast, but I have not seen anything about on the local FSN stations. The only reason I knew about the series at all is by catching the Kansas/Arizona game on Sunday. It has more to do with the Pac 10 than the Big 12 for me. In the past, I have not gotten to see a great deal of Pac-10 basketball due to contract with FSN. Here is an opportunity to show off the league's better teams to a larger national audience and I don't think they are taking full advantage of it.

Yeah, well, welcome to the Pac 10, which is managed by morons (witness our football officials for further proof). If it wasn't for the schools themselves stepping up and making things happen, this league would have been run into the ground a long time ago.

[MrBug708]

Dont like Hansen eh?

[Chief Rum]

Dont like Hansen eh?

Do you like Hansen? The lack of repute this league gets is as much the conference's fault as it is the East Coast's bias. Playing on regional networks for your key basketball games? Most of your football games also played only on regional broadcasts? Only one bowl tie in to January 1 or later? Didn't get a postseason bball tourney until three years ago or whatever? That's all on top of awful officials on the field. And no effort yet to add two more teams and get the Pac 10 a championship game.

It's a phenomenally poorly run conference.

[MrBug708]

Maybe so but hasn't hurt UCLA yet :)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Good game tonight for those with ADD. Mizzou/Arkansas in Fayetteville tonight. Pelphrey has installed an up-tempo game at Arkansas. With Mizzou running a press defense and up-tempo offense as well, they might as well just shut off the shot clocks and the game clock tonight. They should just play first one to 90 wins the game.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Scary stuff from overseas concerning a former OU player........

http://newsok.com/article/3174403/1196250635

Former Sooner Price attacked
From staff reports

Former Oklahoma basketball star Hollis Price, now playing with a pro team in Lithuania, was attacked by skinheads following a game Friday night, according to reports on the web.

Price wasn't hurt seriously and played the next day.

According to ballineurope.com, Price, who played point guard for Lietuvos Rytas was attacked by three men after a game in Vilnius. Witnesses, including some journalists and students, stopped the fight.

According to the web site, the Lietuvos Rytas team "is known for having an ‘Ultras' fan club that is carrying flags with racist symbols.”

He previously played for ALBA Berlin in Germany, Le Mans in France and CB Sevilla in Spain.

Price played at OU from 1999 to 2003, leading the Sooners to the 2002 Final Four.

[Pumpy Tudors]

You'd be hard pressed to make that point stick right now. Both of them are roughly the same seed in the latest Bracketology. My guess is that they both are first round winners and then out given their current position. I don't see Arizona upsetting a 1 or 2 seed any more than I see Mizzou pulling off a similar feat.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology
Whoa, are they doing that Bracketology shit already? In November? If Bracketology means anything in November, then I want to see the media talking about the New Orleans Privateers, considering that UNO is #2 in the entire country in RPI.

http://teamrankings.com/ncb/8powerratings.php3

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Whoa, are they doing that Bracketology shit already? In November? If Bracketology means anything in November, then I want to see the media talking about the New Orleans Privateers, considering that UNO is #2 in the entire country in RPI.

http://teamrankings.com/ncb/8powerratings.php3

Yeah, the small teams do extremely well this time of the year in the RPI. :)

Here's another site similar to the one you cited that updates every 5 minutes........

http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.html

[Pumpy Tudors]

Yeah, the small teams do extremely well this time of the year in the RPI. :)

Here's another site similar to the one you cited that updates every 5 minutes........

http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.html
Hmm. I don't know how the Bracketology works (although I'm sure it has a lot of substance to it later in the year), but how could UNO not be mentioned in the bracket at all? It's not like they just jumped up into the top chunk of the RPI in the past day or two. They were #3 last week. It drives me up a wall that he has Western Kentucky as the Sun Belt's representative, but WKU and Louisiana-Lafayette have a way of breaking a UNO fan's heart every year. I guess I'm just mad about that. :)

[wade moore]

Scary stuff from overseas concerning a former OU player........

http://newsok.com/article/3174403/1196250635
Wow, crazy stuff... especially weird for me since one of W&M's best players is from Vilnius.

[wade moore]

Yeah, the small teams do extremely well this time of the year in the RPI. :)

Here's another site similar to the one you cited that updates every 5 minutes........

http://www.realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.htmlWeird on bracketology.. for all of the 1 bid conferences it has a team and then /CONFERENCE...

Except George Mason... I'm guessing they're saying Mason get's an At-Large bid if they lose the conference tourney?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Weird on bracketology.. for all of the 1 bid conferences it has a team and then /CONFERENCE...

Except George Mason... I'm guessing they're saying Mason get's an At-Large bid if they lose the conference tourney?
It's not just George Mason. They also did it for Western Kentucky and the Sun Belt. I can't figure out why they did it either.

[LloydLungs]

Yeah, the small teams do extremely well this time of the year in the RPI. :)

Obviously the RPI is meaningless this time of year, but UNO's high ranking actually has some basis for it, since they won at NC State and NC State has otherwise looked really good and scored some early quality wins. Where's our #1 seed, dammit?!? Bracketology is a fraud!!

Unfortunately our top 5 bubble should burst tonight, win or lose, vs. #297 Lamar. But it was fun while it lasted.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Obviously the RPI is meaningless this time of year, but UNO's high ranking actually has some basis for it, since they won at NC State and NC State has otherwise looked really good and scored some early quality wins. Where's our #1 seed, dammit?!? Bracketology is a fraud!!

Unfortunately our top 5 bubble should burst tonight, win or lose, vs. #297 Lamar. But it was fun while it lasted.

Yeah, those early season cupcakes will send you plummeting early in the season.

[Butter]

Dayton at Miami (OH) tonight... Miami fresh off its upset of Indiana and good showing over the weekend.

Let's go Flyers!!!!

[Wolfpack]

Obviously the RPI is meaningless this time of year, but UNO's high ranking actually has some basis for it, since they won at NC State and NC State has otherwise looked really good and scored some early quality wins. Where's our #1 seed, dammit?!? Bracketology is a fraud!!

Unfortunately our top 5 bubble should burst tonight, win or lose, vs. #297 Lamar. But it was fun while it lasted.

Sorry, Lloyd, but you get two hits for the price of one tonight. What a spectacular way to get slaughtered on national television. Pretty much wiped out any rebuild we made after the loss to NO. I'm not sure what to think of this team right now.

[LloydLungs]

Sorry, Lloyd, but you get two hits for the price of one tonight. What a spectacular way to get slaughtered on national television. Pretty much wiped out any rebuild we made after the loss to NO. I'm not sure what to think of this team right now.

Yeah, something is obviously amiss in Raleigh. Too bad. I'm rooting for em, and there's no shame in losing at Michigan State, but yikes. There's still a lot of time to get it corrected, but I'm not sure about Sidney Lowe either.

The Privateers did take care of Lamar pretty easily tonight, but the RPI falls to #24. As the Buffalo Bills' secondary once said in NFL This Week In Pictures... Lamentations!

[BishopMVP]

UMass goes into the Carrier Dome and puts up a Carrier Dome-record 107 points in a win over Syracuse, 107-100. If we can avoid a letdown next 2 games, we play at BC in 2 weeks with a lot at stake.

[Butter]

Dayton at Miami (OH) tonight... Miami fresh off its upset of Indiana and good showing over the weekend.

Let's go Flyers!!!!

Apparently, I was high saying Miami (OH) upset Indiana. But they did beat Xavier earlier this year, who beat Indiana this weekend. Miami (OH) has also beaten Mississippi State, and lost to Southern Cal by 4.

Let me tell this story...

Dayton falls down early in the game 20-2. Miami guard Michael Bramos hit 5 straight 3-pointers early to give Miami a huge early lead. The Redhawks are one of the best defensive teams in the country, so I wasn't optimistic. The lead was 30-9 Miami with about 6 minutes left in the first half, and was 33-18 at halftime.

Dayton hovered around for a while, and finally cut the lead to 10 with 10 minutes left. Then Miami went cold. Dayton cut it to 45-44 with about 5 minutes to go. Then UD goes cold, and Miami stretches their lead back to 7 with 1:13 left, 51-44. Then all of a sudden, Dayton's star guard (and one of the best players in the country you've never heard of) Brian Roberts just goes completely off. He is making great assists, jumpers, and dribble drives. Miami is missing their free throws. Come down to the end, and it is 61-60 Miami with 13.8 seconds left, and Bramos going to the line, already a holder of a careeer high 35 points.

Bramos misses the first free throw, but hits the second. Roberts takes the inbounds, runs up the floor, dribbles right... then behind a screen... Miami sags momentarily, and Roberts shoots a 22 footer at the top of the arc that goes in. Dayton takes their first lead of the game with 4.8 seconds to play, 63-62, and win in one of the more amazing comebacks I've ever seen a Dayton team make.

I'm still a little fired up! This was a huge road win, only the second time Dayton has won at Miami in 20 years (10 games).

Dayton has 2 more tough road games coming up, Holy Cross on Saturday night, and Louisville on Sat. Dec. 8th (2 PM on ESPN2!). Hopefully we can keep up the momentum and beat HC and keep it reasonable with U of L.

[Dr. Sak]

At least Penn State did its job and won in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. That might be the first time I can ever say that for their basketball team.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Crazy game between the Hogs and Mizzou last night. 94-91, Hogs win. Frustrating that Mizzou failed to pull it out, but it was a fun game to watch.

[Pumpy Tudors]

The Privateers did take care of Lamar pretty easily tonight, but the RPI falls to #24. As the Buffalo Bills' secondary once said in NFL This Week In Pictures... Lamentations!
Down to #24. :( :( :( We are so done.

Edit: Wait! Make that #22! We're back, baby!

[miami_fan]

Sorry, Lloyd, but you get two hits for the price of one tonight. What a spectacular way to get slaughtered on national television. Pretty much wiped out any rebuild we made after the loss to NO. I'm not sure what to think of this team right now.

That was a brutal game. MSU was just about pefect yesterday so I would not take too much negative from the game if I am a Wolfpack fan. One thing I would not be happy with is the idea that they were so tired after the Villanova game. It is not like they played last night and MSU had a week off.

[kurtism]

Full disclosure - IU grad and fan here. At what point will the ACC petition to change the name from "Big Ten-ACC Challenge" to "ACC RPI Building Exercise"? IU won its first game in the history of the "Challenge" Tuesday, but the Big Ten continues its woeful run...

[MJ4H]

It was great to see Mike Anderson back in Bud Walton Arena last night. The Arkansas crowd gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced before the game. You could tell he appreciated it, too. Very cool.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

It was great to see Mike Anderson back in Bud Walton Arena last night. The Arkansas gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced before the game. You could tell he appreciated it, too. Very cool.

Agreed. It was a really nice gesture by the fans. Lots of good memories for him at that school.

[Radii]

Full disclosure - IU grad and fan here. At what point will the ACC petition to change the name from "Big Ten-ACC Challenge" to "ACC RPI Building Exercise"? IU won its first game in the history of the "Challenge" Tuesday, but the Big Ten continues its woeful run...


:D

[Wolfpack]

Full disclosure - IU grad and fan here. At what point will the ACC petition to change the name from "Big Ten-ACC Challenge" to "ACC RPI Building Exercise"? IU won its first game in the history of the "Challenge" Tuesday, but the Big Ten continues its woeful run...

True, true, but the matchups were all kind of ungainly this year, it seemed. Duke-Wisconsin wasn't a fair matchup at Cameron (but, hey, K doesn't ever play out-of-state in the Challenge, so someone's gotta take the axe for Dickie V's enjoyment...) and Carolina-OSU was probably decided on before Oden, et al, bolted. State-State seemed to be a good matchup but that didn't work out either. It did seem to be tilted to the ACC, though, as two bottom-feeders from the B10 (NW, Minnesota) got wiped by ACC mid-tier teams and the ACC got to leave out its consensus bottom team in Miami. I do wish they'd make matchups more on team similarities rather than TV pull.

Actually that does make me curious. I'd like to see how well the "matchups" the Challenge has constructed over the years has agreed with the season standings for that year (perhaps preseason rankings, since the matchups are made in the offseason).

[Radii]

Actually that does make me curious. I'd like to see how well the "matchups" the Challenge has constructed over the years has agreed with the season standings for that year (perhaps preseason rankings, since the matchups are made in the offseason).


I would too. I'm fairly sure that UNC has regularly alternated home/road games, and the matchups at the top usually are the preseason favorites against each other, but i have not usually paid attention to the middle/lower matchups.

Also, this year the ACC got to keep Miami out, but until the last few years, it was the Big 10+1 getting to leave out two bottom feeders.

[Malificent]

True, true, but the matchups were all kind of ungainly this year, it seemed. Duke-Wisconsin wasn't a fair matchup at Cameron (but, hey, K doesn't ever play out-of-state in the Challenge, so someone's gotta take the axe for Dickie V's enjoyment...)

Not to interject facts in this discussion or anything, but..

Duke's play location in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge:

Out of state: '99, '01, '03, '05
In-state: Greensboro ('00, '02), Home ('04, '06, '07)

So roughly equal and if Duke plays away in '08, it will be exactly equal.

[miami_fan]

The matchups were announced back in April. Here is how it broke down by the final regular season conference standings last year

(11) Wake Forest over (6) Iowa
(8) Clemson over (5) Purdue
(6) Duke over (2) Wisconsin
(9) FSU over (9) Minnesota
(3) Indiana over (7) Georgia Tech
(2) Virginia over (10) Northwestern
(3) Maryland over (4) Illinois
(5) BC over (8) Michigan
(7) Michigan St. over (10) NC State
(1) North Carolina over (1) Ohio State
(11) Penn State over (4) Virginia Tech

[sooner333]

Battle tonight between two top freshman players in the Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series. Oklahoma goes to LA to face the Trojans. 10 PM, Central on FSN. O.J. Mayo is obviously the top freshman for the Trojans, while Blake Griffin leads OU in rebounds and points. Should be an interesting game in the first year of this series between the two conferences.

[vex]

Hate these late games.

[Chief Rum]

Hate these late games.

Naw, they're on at the right time. :D

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Kansas State put a good scare into Oregon. A bit disappointed with OU's performance. I thought they'd put up a bit more of a fight.

[Wolfpack]

Kansas State put a good scare into Oregon. A bit disappointed with OU's performance. I thought they'd put up a bit more of a fight.

Yes, but that was one truly spectacular brain fart the K-State guy had at the end there. "Hey, an easy basket...."

[Wolfpack]

Not to interject facts in this discussion or anything, but..

Duke's play location in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge:

Out of state: '99, '01, '03, '05
In-state: Greensboro ('00, '02), Home ('04, '06, '07)

So roughly equal and if Duke plays away in '08, it will be exactly equal.

Well, somewhat corrected, I suppose. I guess what I'm remembering was that it was a big deal for Duke to visit Indiana at Bloomington because of the other three roadies Duke took, two I think ended up in Chicago with the remaining game at MSU where they blitzed the Spartans that one year. IOW, Duke has spent less time facing the really hostile environments of other campus gyms than others have. (edit to add: may not be Duke's control necessarily as ESPN may influnce locations for the top-scale matchups)

[Chief Rum]

Interesting factoid from Sunday's Texas-UCLA showdown. The admin has granted 39 scouting credentials, and 29 of the 30 NBA teams will have scouts there.

My first thought was, WOW, that's a lot of scouts! My second thought was, Okay, which is the black sheep NBA team that decided it didn't have any interest in a Kevin Love or a D.J. Augustin? :)

[miami_fan]

Interesting factoid from Sunday's Texas-UCLA showdown. The admin has granted 39 scouting credentials, and 29 of the 30 NBA teams will have scouts there.

My first thought was, WOW, that's a lot of scouts! My second thought was, Okay, which is the black sheep NBA team that decided it didn't have any interest in a Kevin Love or a D.J. Augustin? :)

Didn't a certain L.A. based owner with the initials D.S. have a reputation for being a cheapskate when it comes to the scouting. ;)

[MrBug708]

The Nuggets are the lone team without a Scout I believe

[Chief Rum]

Didn't a certain L.A. based owner with the initials D.S. have a reputation for being a cheapskate when it comes to the scouting. ;)

He had a reputation for being a cheapskate about everything. :)

But then he agreed to match Brand's offer, and signed Maggette, Kaman, Thomas and Mobley for big money. He's also building a huge team athletic center from scratch at Dunleavy's urging. So he's a little more willing now to spend.

Heh...Nuggets. What's that about? Do they not have any draft picks for the next three years? :)

[Radii]

UNC is handling Kentucky on the road pretty easily, which is always good to see even with Kentucky being down this year. Lawson is playing today and looks as fast as always, looks to be healthy which is very good.


I can't wait to see Texas/UCLA tomorrow.

[JonInMiddleGA]

GT goes to Vandy & gets blown out.

[Klinglerware]

Looks like Tommy Amaker's Harvard team goes out and beats Michigan.

BTW, why on earth would Michigan play Harvard at Harvard?

[miami_fan]

Looks like Tommy Amaker's Harvard team goes out and beats Michigan.

BTW, why on earth would Michigan play Harvard at Harvard?

My guess would be a gentleman's agreement with Amaker. Expecting an easy win on the road against a possible tournement team.

[Balldog]

Looks like Tommy Amaker's Harvard team goes out and beats Michigan.

BTW, why on earth would Michigan play Harvard at Harvard?

Looks like several Big Ten teams went on the road to non-power teams this weekend. Ohio State got hammered at Butler, after leading by 10 at halftime. They got outscored something like 45-16 in the 2nd half.

[miami_fan]

More bad news for the folks in Columbia, MO

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

More bad news for the folks in Columbia, MO

No kidding. Blew a 13 point lead and lost by 12. Last weekend was as good as it gets. This weekend, not so much.

[digamma]

Looks like Tommy Amaker's Harvard team goes out and beats Michigan.

BTW, why on earth would Michigan play Harvard at Harvard?

It was scheduled before this year as a home and home (don't know how we got them to agree to that). Harvard went to Michigan last year.

I was pretty impressed watching the Crimson yesterday. Played very tough on both ends of the court. Very early, but the Ivy League looks to be pretty open this year. Of course, the Crimson have never won an Ivy League title and this team had a losing record last season.

[Johnny93g]

Eric Gordon looked sick against S. Illinois last night. He looked like he was playing with an edge. 22 points, which lowers his scoring average. Hoosiers hand S. Illinois their 4th home loss in 6 years.

[digamma]

dola...

After the game last night, I sent Coach Amaker an e-mail congratulating him on the win. Just got a non-form letter response from him. This could be a really good fit.

[Klinglerware]

It was scheduled before this year as a home and home (don't know how we got them to agree to that). Harvard went to Michigan last year.

I was pretty impressed watching the Crimson yesterday. Played very tough on both ends of the court. Very early, but the Ivy League looks to be pretty open this year. Of course, the Crimson have never won an Ivy League title and this team had a losing record last season.

Yeah, it looks to be pretty wide-open this year, especially with Princeton being down recently.

Amaker is assembling a fantastic recruiting class, and with his name-recognition and credentials, could potentially build a lasting program, if he decides to stay. He's gotten some pretty intriguing transfers as well.

[henry296]

To continue the Ivy conversation... Penn is also rebuilding this year starting 3 freshman and a sophomore. I'm not looking forward to Tuesday vs. UNC. However, the future is bright for 2009 and 2010

[Radii]

After the game last night, I sent Coach Amaker an e-mail congratulating him on the win. Just got a non-form letter response from him. This could be a really good fit.


That's extremely cool, especially after previously being involved in such high profile programs, that he'd think to personally handle his own e-mail now is neat.

[Klinglerware]

To continue the Ivy conversation... Penn is also rebuilding this year starting 3 freshman and a sophomore. I'm not looking forward to Tuesday vs. UNC. However, the future is bright for 2009 and 2010

Cornell, Yale, Brown, and Columbia have all made strides in the past few years too. I think the league will be more fun to watch now that it isn't Penn, Princeton, and the six dwarves anymore...

[cartman]

Texas-UCLA is off to a fast start.

[cartman]

I wouldn't expect the score at the half. Texas 37 UCLA 25. The Horns have been great on D, and the Bruins have been ice cold from outside. Should be a great second half!

[MrBug708]

UCLA went on a 10 minute run scoring just two points. UCLA is a much better second half so we'll see

[MrBug708]

UCLA needs to be able to bust the zone but Shipp and Collison aren't hitting much

[cartman]

I think there is something wrong with the basket at that end of the court. :D
Texas can't seem to do anything this half.

[MrBug708]

Love ha sthree fouls and Texas finally stopped the onslaught. Almost went 8 minutes with three points

[MrBug708]

The scouts are getting to the Bruin's heads. They are shooting three's at a much higher then normal clip