College Basketball!

[Radii]

Hopefully I haven't missed a thread on the games the past couple days. The Preseason NIT has been great today with Butler upsetting Tennessee earlier and UNC/Gonzaga are playing a very enertaining game now, UNC jumped out early 10-0, Gonzaga came back and led by 16 at one point, UNC just cut the lead down to 2 with about 4 minutes left.


I think UNC will end up being a top team by the end of the year but they have a lot of youth and I think will struggle for awhile vs quality opponents. Also, this is the worst I've ever seen Hansbrough play. Gonzaga is doing a great job on him but it seems also to be a probelm with the UNC Freshmen being a bit selfish at times and not getting him involved more.

[miami_fan]

Somebody has to tell Mark Few to name his price at some point, don't they? This guys has built a program that reloads every year as opposed to rebuilding.

[Radii]

Carolina doesn't quite have it in them to come back. A young team like this losing doesn't really bother me too much, the one thing that kills me though is seeing UNC shoot 60% from the FT line. Shoot 75% or better and its a totally different finish.

[wbatl1]

As a Carolina fan, I can't help but feel that we should have stuck with our guns early in the first half. Roy ran the entire bench onto the floor after our hot start, and it just killed us...

Also, somebody needs to help Brandan with his free throws.

[Radii]

Somebody has to tell Mark Few to name his price at some point, don't they? This guys has built a program that reloads every year as opposed to rebuilding.

I would think so. It's truly amazing what he's done with Gonzaga but the fact that they have to spend January and February playing against subpar conference competition every year really holds them back IMO, it'd be great to see what he could do with a major conference program.

[Radii]

UCLA is destroying Georgia Tech as well. That's two west coast teams beating two ACC teams in one night. I predict a MrBug sighting any minute now! :D

[miami_fan]

I would think so. It's truly amazing what he's done with Gonzaga but the fact that they have to spend January and February playing against subpar conference competition every year really holds them back IMO, it'd be great to see what he could do with a major conference program.

I think Few recognized this since he has scheduled Memphis (who recovered nicely from yesterday's second half collapse) in February. I am not sure that one game is enough but one is better than none.

[wbatl1]

I would think so. It's truly amazing what he's done with Gonzaga but the fact that they have to spend January and February playing against subpar conference competition every year really holds them back IMO, it'd be great to see what he could do with a major conference program.

I think Few recognized this since he has scheduled Memphis (who recovered nicely from yesterday's second half collapse) in February. I am not sure that one game is enough but one is better than none.

Well, and the WCC is getting better as well. They are not a bottom-feeder conference, even though Gonzaga clearly dominates...

[hoopsguy]

I'm pretty sure programs have asked about Few in the past, but he hasn't budged yet. Is he looking for the Arizona job when Lute goes or something along those lines? Or does he legitimately want to stay at Gonzaga for the duration?

[LloydLungs]

Mark Few is a very good coach but I believe his teams lack toughness and killer instinct in March -- always have, even compared to the one Elite Eight Gonzaga team that Dan Monson coached. As to why he hasn't moved on, maybe it's Arizona -- though he also has a "what not to do" path laid out already for him by Monson, who went to the "big time" Big 10 and hasn't been heard from since, while Gonzaga continues to be in the top 10 every year.

[Buccaneer]

In honor of this thread and the new season (which I don't follow much), I'm into playing the great FBCB this weekend.

[MJ4H]

In honor of this thread and the new season (which I don't follow much), I'm into playing the great FBCB this weekend.

Arkansas being on tv this morning inspired me to bust out tcb. Forgot how much I like this game.

[MrBug708]

Does anyone teach defense better then Ben Howland?

[miami_fan]

A few mid majors (or whatever is the politically correct term for them is this year;) ) have begun staking their claims to spots in the Tourney. Butler in the finals of the NIT, Wichita State beat George Mason in a game that could decide which one of those teams get in and which one gets left out, and Old Dominion had a big one over Georgetown earlier this week.

[Recoil]

I've been pleasantly surprised with Ga Tech's strong play (excluding the UCLA game) early with such a young team. The future is looking good.

[timmynausea]

West Virginia has looked surprisingly good so far considering they lost pretty much everyone. I imagine they'll get knocked around a bit in conference play, but this team appears to have way more potential than Pittsnogle and co. did at this stage.

[cartman]

The Freshman Fab 5 for Texas look to be pretty awesome. Kevin Durant is going to be a beast. He's gotten at least 20 points in each game so far for the 'Horns.

[korme]

UC's demise is the most depressing sports story of my life. :(

[kingnebwsu]

Butler also beat Indiana in this year's Hoosier classic.

As a fan of a Horizon League school (Wright State), it appears that Butler is going to be the class of the league this year, and is back as a mid-major power after being absent for several years.

[Gary Gorski]

Arkansas being on tv this morning inspired me to bust out tcb. Forgot how much I like this game.

Thanks MJ4H - BTW just in case anyone is interested we just re-released the game over at Wolverine Studios. Prior owners of TCB don't need to do anything - your licenses will still work just fine even though you got the game from Grey Dog and the "re-release" is the same version as the last patched version (1.5). This is just for people who don't have TCB yet and are looking to purchase it now since it is no longer sold anywhere else.

[miami_fan]

Score another one for the Missouri Valley Conference. Missouri State pulls the upset over Wisconsin today 66-64.

[Radii]

UNC came out and played a wonderful first half against Tennessee, wasn't as good in the second half but held it together more than well enough to put up 100 and win by double digits. This team has incredible potential, and two more early tests with Ohio State and Kentucky in the next 7 days, I am hoping for the team that showed up in the first half tonight to be the one that goes after Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.


Butler owned Gonzaga. A mid-major getting a few upset wins early on doesn't suprise me so much anymore, but Butler was picked to be a middle of the road Horizon League team so this seems to be from completely out of nowhere... consecutive wins over Notre Dame, Indiana, Tennessee and Gonzaga is astounding.

[miami_fan]

A couple of intriguing matchups tomorrow. Wichta State heads to Baton Rouge to play the Tigers at 4 et. This game is key not only for the Shockers but for the whole Missouri Valley Conference when it comes to the team and the conference RPI rankings. Then in Vegas, Florida faces Kansas tomorrow night.

[mckerney]

Score another one for the Missouri Valley Conference. Missouri State pulls the upset over Wisconsin today 66-64.

Also in Missouri Valley vs. Big Ten play, Southern Illinois avoided being upset by Minnesota beating them 69-53. The Gophers will try to avoid being out rebounded too badly by Montana tomorrow while playing for 7th place in the Old Spice Classic.

[Neuqua]

Go MVC.

[hoopsguy]

More MVC action today, as Bradley plays the Illini in Hoffman Estates (Chicago suburb). I will not be pulling for the MVC in this one.

[miami_fan]

A couple of intriguing matchups tomorrow. Wichta State heads to Baton Rouge to play the Tigers at 4 et. This game is key not only for the Shockers but for the whole Missouri Valley Conference when it comes to the team and the conference RPI rankings. Then in Vegas, Florida faces Kansas tomorrow night.

WSU-57
LSU-53

[HerRealName]

More MVC action today, as Bradley plays the Illini in Hoffman Estates (Chicago suburb). I will not be pulling for the MVC in this one.


I'm flipping back and forth from the Notre Dame - USC game and the Illinois - Bradley game and I think the basketball game is more physical.

[kcchief19]

Missouri State falls in the finals of the South Padre Classic to Oklahoma State in overtime 73-70 but Creighton joins Wichita State among MVC teams who have beaten Final Four Cinderella George Mason so far this year. In addition to WSU knocking off LSU today, Illinois State is leading St. John's and Bradley is up on Illinois late in the first half.

If last year didn't erase any doubts, the start of this season should -- the MVC is no longer a mid-major.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Florida & Kansas are playing a dandy back & forth game in Vegas right now.
54-51 Jayhakws with 9 minutes left.

[JonInMiddleGA]

It's Overtime Baby.

[cartman]

I don't know what it is about him, but every time I see Joachim Noah I just want to punch him in the face. It's completely irrational and makes no sense, but the urge is overwhelming.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Jayhawks win by 2 in OT, as Florida misses a good look at a 3 at the buzzer.

[Mr. Sparkle]

I don't know what it is about him, but every time I see Joachim Noah I just want to punch him in the face. It's completely irrational and makes no sense, but the urge is overwhelming.

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.

[Radii]

It's Overtime Baby.

That was some of the worst clock management I've ever seen by the team trying to hold on to a small lead... Kansas never should have let that game get to OT. Kudos to Kansas for being fundamentally sound on the FT line, but dear god stop fouling the other team when you're ahead in the final minute!

[mckerney]

Gophers only lose by 7 to Montana. Time to give Monson an extension, 'cause I think this team could finish second in the Big Sky within 3 years.

[timmynausea]

Usually I don't get too into college basketball until closer to the tournament. I am really looking forward to WVU-Arkansas in the Old Spice Classic championship game tonight, though. I have no idea what to expect. Vegas has it Arkansas -1.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just got home from #8 UGA vs #11 Stanford women's hoops.

Say what you will about the women's college game, for less than $5 per game and only 20 minutes from my garage to my seat a few rows behind the visitors bench, it a pretty darned good bang for the entertainment dollar.

[MJ4H]

Usually I don't get too into college basketball until closer to the tournament. I am really looking forward to WVU-Arkansas in the Old Spice Classic championship game tonight, though. I have no idea what to expect. Vegas has it Arkansas -1.

expect sloppy as hell. if not arkansas loses by 20.

[sooner333]

Just got home from #8 UGA vs #11 Stanford women's hoops.

Say what you will about the women's college game, for less than $5 per game and only 20 minutes from my garage to my seat a few rows behind the visitors bench, it a pretty darned good bang for the entertainment dollar.

I went to an OU game last year and sat with my friend at his parents' seats courtside. Pretty cool. I need to start going more. My parents have OU mens and womens tickets for basketball and both my mom and dad enjoy the women more (of course, having an average men's team and a top 5 women's team may be part of it).

[MJ4H]

Color me suprised, pleasantly. Arkansas has come out and actually looks comfortable for the first time in this tournament. Obviously the athleticism and size is bothering West Virginia a lot, but I think they will adjust. I'm very pleased with what I have seen so far, though (24-16 Arkansas with about 7:30 left in the first half).

[MJ4H]

71-64 Arkansas wins. I'm very pleased with the showing. Offense looked much more comfortable than the previous two games. I suspect it has as much to do with West Virginia not playing as good of defense as Marist and Southern Illinois did, but it was encouraging anyway.

[timmynausea]

71-64 Arkansas wins. I'm very pleased with the showing. Offense looked much more comfortable than the previous two games. I suspect it has as much to do with West Virginia not playing as good of defense as Marist and Southern Illinois did, but it was encouraging anyway.

Yikes. I haven't watched Marist or Southern Illinois yet this year, but I hope we play better D than them.

WVU had an off-day shooting, and the young guys starting playing impatiently once they were down some. Arkansas's D was definitely the best they've seen so far this year, and they deserve credit for getting West Virginia away from their gameplan offensively.

All things considered, WVU came out of the tournament looking a little better than I thought they'd be, and they got some valuable experience against a good, athletic team in Arkansas that should help them prepare for Big East play.

[Swaggs]

Yikes. I haven't watched Marist or Southern Illinois yet this year, but I hope we play better D than them.

WVU had an off-day shooting, and the young guys starting playing impatiently once they were down some. Arkansas's D was definitely the best they've seen so far this year, and they deserve credit for getting West Virginia away from their gameplan offensively.

All things considered, WVU came out of the tournament looking a little better than I thought they'd be, and they got some valuable experience against a good, athletic team in Arkansas that should help them prepare for Big East play.


Agreed about WVU playing much better than expected. Arkansas' defense was really tough and they did a good job of stretching us out.

This tournament really raised my interest in their season, as I am liking their athleticism on defense and their shooting, although not great vs Arkansas, is better than I expected. I think we'll still struggle against bigger teams, but I'll be surprised if we don't pull off a few "upsets" in the BE this season.

[miami_fan]

I missed this yesterday but the Challenge has begun with NC State remaining undefeated under Sidney Lowe by beating Michigan 74-67. Tonight, there are five games.

Maryland at Illinois
FSU at WIsconsin
Penn St at Georgia Tech
Indiana at Duke
Miami at Northwestern

[INDalltheway]

Can't forget Virginia at Purdue right? That game is Wednesday.

[miami_fan]

Of course not! But we will worry about tomorrow night...... tomorrow night;)

[Wolfpack]

Maryland, Duke, and Georgia Tech win for the ACC, while Northwestern and Wisconsin carry the water for the Big 10. ACC leads 4-2 with five games to go, meaning the Big 10 will need a near sweep tomorrow to avoid yet another overall loss in the series.

[miami_fan]

Wisconsin impressed me yesterday. It was the first time I saw them play this year and I have liked the way FSU has played so far this season. I like Tucker's game a lot. As far the Canes, once again they get absolutely nothing from anyone else on the team besides McClinton. They are a young team with only three seniors but I expected a bit more from Anthony Harris.

[INDalltheway]

Penn State gave Georgia Tech a game.. That was a bigtime surprise along with Northwestern winning. I will be at the Purdue/Virginia game tonight. Should be a decent game.

[Kodos]

I thought IU played Duke pretty well. Once the players get used to our new coach, I think the Hoosiers will be a force.

[Wolfpack]

It also points to Duke being over-ranked by reputation. They're clearly suffering offensively without Reddick and Sheldon Williams.

I also agree that the only impressive performance so far was Wisconsin's demolition of FSU, who had been considered something of a darkhorse contender this year in the ACC and considered to be an NCAA team at last. Second most impressive had to be State's ownage of the Wolverines for much of Monday's game (aside from the start and the finish). So far, no one has really presented themselves as an unbeatable foe, which seems to be a national trend as we've watched a lot of "top" teams get beat in the early going this year, much more than I can recall in prior years.

[spleen1015]

It is definitely a down year for Duke. They're young, so they have some time to grow. It is sad watching them without Redick and Williams.

I'm starting to think that McRoberts may not be as good as everything thinks he is/will be. It was definitely a smart decision on his part to stay in school. There's no way he'd be productive at the NBA level at this point.

[sooner333]

I thought IU played Duke pretty well. Once the players get used to our new coach, I think the Hoosiers will be a force.

Get used to minutes at a time without field goals...no lead is safe under Kelvin.

[Joker]

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.
On NOAH(Florida)
Every time he's called for a foul he stamps his feet and screams
like a 3 yr old at ToysRus.

Im going to the WSU - UKMC game tonight.
LUCKY me
I get to sit with the Assistant Athletic Director.
Do you think he'd mind if I wear my KU hat?

Ya ok...Im gonna dress all in BLACK!

GO SHOCKS!

[Kodos]

Get used to minutes at a time without field goals...no lead is safe under Kelvin.

Heh. We never led. ;)

We're used to prolonged droughts with Mike Davis. So far, I think Sampson is an upgrade, although personally I would have preferred someone who has kept their nose clean over Sampson.

[sooner333]

Heh. We never led. ;)

We're used to prolonged droughts with Mike Davis. So far, I think Sampson is an upgrade, although personally I would have preferred someone who has kept their nose clean over Sampson.

I know...but see Butler game. Anyway, he's probably an upgrade over Davis for sure. And yeah, the phone thing wasn't very good...I think it was somewhat blown out of proportion, but still not a good thing to do as a coach and he deserves the punishment he got (and got for OU too).

It was interesting on OU message boards...usually half of the board really liked Sampson and the other half wanted to have him skip town because they didn't like the style...whether it was pointless sets on offense or because they preferred the style of play under Billy Tubbs.

[digamma]

Penn State gave Georgia Tech a game.. That was a bigtime surprise along with Northwestern winning. I will be at the Purdue/Virginia game tonight. Should be a decent game.

It was without Thad Young for GT, but PSU definitely played well. I think GT also showed some tired legs from Maui, as there was little, if any, movement without the ball. I suppose that's how it goes with a young, but talented team. PSU was effective getting the ball inside and shot the ball very well. They'll beat some teams in the Big Ten.

[Recoil]

It was without Thad Young for GT, but PSU definitely played well. I think GT also showed some tired legs from Maui, as there was little, if any, movement without the ball. I suppose that's how it goes with a young, but talented team. PSU was effective getting the ball inside and shot the ball very well. They'll beat some teams in the Big Ten.

PSU out played us (GT). They out rebounded us, shot better, better FT %, etc. We really didn't deserve to win, but I'm glad we did. I can't believe this is the same PSU team that lost to Stoney Brook. They'll definitely surprise some teams this year.

[miami_fan]

Can we get some of the other conferences involved in challenges? Pac 10 vs Big East? SEC vs Big East? MVC vs MWC?

[INDalltheway]

The Purdue/Virginia game was a sweet game. Great finish, pretty exciting second half.

[Radii]

HUUUUGE win for UNC over Ohio State!! OSU is damn good, with Oden... they're going to be awesome. I am really loving Carolina's freshmen, Ellington, Lawson, Wright all could be incredible players by the end of the year. These are definitely two final four caliber teams.


The ACC dominates the ACC/Big Ten challenge. :D

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Alright, my turn to get involved in this thread. Big rivalry game in Columbia, Missouri tonight. Mizzou vs. Arkansas. Coach Anderson goes against the school where he won a National Championship with Nolan Richardson. Mizzou is 7-0 and Arkansas is 5-0. Should be a dandy, pressure defense battle. With these two teams, you better not turn your head or you'll miss 2-3 possessions.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Can we get some of the other conferences involved in challenges? Pac 10 vs Big East? SEC vs Big East? MVC vs MWC?

Pac 10 vs. Big 12 is one that has been thrown around quite a bit by the conference execs of both conferences, but no final agreements have come together at this point.

[Butter]

Clemson dominated Minnesota last night in the wrap-up to the ACC/Big Ten challenge. Is Minnesota that bad, or is Clemson actually improving?

I knew it was curtains for Minnesota when they shot something like 75% in the first half and still trailed by 4 at halftime.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Clemson dominated Minnesota last night in the wrap-up to the ACC/Big Ten challenge. Is Minnesota that bad, or is Clemson actually improving?

I knew it was curtains for Minnesota when they shot something like 75% in the first half and still trailed by 4 at halftime.

Minnesota is not very good. They're picked as being in the cellar in their conference. I've seen them play twice and they haven't looked good either time.

[Butter]

I guess Dan Monson needs to start prepping his resume, then... because Minnesota hasn't been good for a few years now.

[Joker]

SHOCKERS VS UMKC
FUN GAME
Shox 4pt lead at HALF.
It seemed like 3min went by and BOOM the Shox were up by 30.
Shox looked better than last years team...We shall SEE.

[miami_fan]

I guess Dan Monson needs to start prepping his resume, then... because Minnesota hasn't been good for a few years now.


Resume is prepared I guess

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2681321

MINNEAPOLIS -- Dan Monson resigned as men's basketball coach at Minnesota on Thursday, one day after his team's fifth straight loss.

Monson and athletic director Joel Maturi said they agreed it was in the "best interests" of the program that he step aside.

"The program's not in the position we want it to be in," Maturi said.

Assistant coach Jim Molinari will act as interim head coach of the Gophers (2-5).


"Wow," Monson said to a roomful of reporters at a news conference to announce his resignation. "We need this interest at the games. I guess that's why I'm here."


ESPN.com's Andy Katz reported that Monson was told earlier this week he was likely going to be out, and either he could be fired or he could resign in an attempt to get a better financial settlement.


The Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Sid Hartman was the first to report Thursday that Monson was out as head coach after taking over the scandal-ridden program in 1999.


Wednesday night's 90-68 loss to Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge may have been inconsequential after sources said Thursday that Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi told Monson that either he had to go or there would be pressure they both may be out.


As the hours ticked toward Thursday's news conference, Monson and his representation were negotiating a settlement. A source close to Monson said he was seeking $1.2 million. If he had been fired, then he reportedly would have received $1 million.


Molinari, a former Bradley head coach, is the successor. The naming of Molinari was a bit of a surprise considering that Bill Walker had been the assistant at Minnesota since 1999.


Minnesota was off to a 2-5 start, which included going winless at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando with losses to Marist and Montana. The Gophers are on a five-game losing streak and play Arizona State on Saturday.


Monson was the hot young head coach in 1999 when he led Gonzaga to the Elite Eight, which started the Zags' run to college basketball's elite. The Zags beat Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament that year in Seattle in what would be Clem Haskins' last run with the Gophers. An academic scandal hit the program and Monson was brought in to clean it up, which he did. But the Gophers struggled to keep elite players with Rick Rickert, Joel Pryzbilla and Kris Humphries all leaving early for the NBA draft. Monson took the Gophers to four NITs and one NCAA, that coming in 2005.


Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[mckerney]

Clemson dominated Minnesota last night in the wrap-up to the ACC/Big Ten challenge. Is Minnesota that bad, or is Clemson actually improving?

I knew it was curtains for Minnesota when they shot something like 75% in the first half and still trailed by 4 at halftime.

They're a terrible team. In addition to their losses to Montana and Marist, they lost to division 2 Winona State in an exhibition. They don't seem to be able to run a half court offense, and the guy starting at point transfered here because it was the only place that would let him run the point (and Kris Humphries showed that Monson would let players run the show). Monson often looked well over his head and didn't look capable of coaching major college basketball.



A coaching change definitely needed to be made, though should have been made last year. The decision was made to fire him but AD Joel Maturi couldn't go through with it. Maturi has no business as a major conference athletic director and him being the guy in charge of hiring a new coach is troublesome.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Big shout-out to my Missouri Tigers. They laid a 22 point beating on an undefeated Arkansas team that already beat West Virginia and Southern Illinois. 8-0 under Coach Anderson. Next test will be against Purdue on the road.

[cartman]

The Texas-Gonzaga game has been awesome so far.

Rick Barnes need to tell his guys that shooting from behind the NBA 3 point line doesn't get any extra points over shooting from the college 3 point line.

[mauchow]

kansas loses again....

[kingfc22]

The Texas-Gonzaga game has been awesome so far.

Rick Barnes need to tell his guys that shooting from behind the NBA 3 point line doesn't get any extra points over shooting from the college 3 point line.

Zags are now wiping the floor with the Longhorns.

[cartman]

Zags are now wiping the floor with the Longhorns.

Yep, that was an impressive run by Gonzaga. Just as Texas pulls back within 4, wham, they take a 20 point lead.

[terpkristin]

It's DIII, but still kinda crazy: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2683783&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Lincoln sets D-III record for points in game, half

<!-- end pagetitle --> <!-- begin bylinebox --> ESPN.com news services

<!-- begin presby2 --><!-- end presby2 -->
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<!-- begin text11 div --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"> <!-- begin leftcol --> <!-- template inline -->SALEM, W.Va. -- The Lincoln University men's basketball team had a record-breaking performance Saturday.
The Lions beat Ohio State-Marion 201-78, setting several Division III scoring records in the process.
Lincoln (5-1) set the D-III record for points in a game and points in a half with 104 in the second.
Senior guard Sami Wylie set the school record with 69 points and the D-III record with 21 3-pointers. Six other Lions hit double figures in scoring.
Lincoln, ranked No. 11 in D-III, shot 79-for-141 in the game.
Troy Briggs netted 31 points and Mark Sisler added 24 for OSU-Marion, a non-NCAA school that competes in the Ohio Regional Campus Conference.

<!-- begin sponsored links --> <!-- content story sport ncb--> <script type="text/javascript">adsonar_placementId=1267948;adsonar_pid=580761;adsonar_ps=-1;adsonar_zw=420;adsonar_zh=300;adsonar_jv='ads.espn.adsonar.com';</script><script language="JavaScript" src="http://js.adsonar.com/js/adsonar.js"></script>
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[miami_fan]

Wisconsin impressed me yesterday. It was the first time I saw them play this year and I have liked the way FSU has played so far this season. I like Tucker's game a lot. As far the Canes, once again they get absolutely nothing from anyone else on the team besides McClinton. They are a young team with only three seniors but I expected a bit more from Anthony Harris.

Well what do you know. Anthony Harris puts up 21 points to help out McClinton and the Canes beat the Yellow Jackets.

[MylesKnight]

Wichita!!! Seriously, can the Shox do what George Mason did a year ago..... and maybe even more??

[cartman]

Wichita!!! Seriously, can the Shox do what George Mason did a year ago..... and maybe even more??

Not if they are getting a lot of scrutiny at this point in the season. George Mason pretty much flew under the radar all season, and people didn't talk about them until tourney time, when people questioned why they got an at-large bid. If the Shockers already are getting a bullseye on them with 3 months to go, that can't be good for them.

[JonInMiddleGA]

FSU just knocked off Florida by 4.

[Karlifornia]

Prediction: Stanford will make a Final Four in the next 4 years. The Lopez twins are gonna be unstoppable. I finally got to see Brook in serious action tonight, scoring 18 points I believe while Robin rode the pine because of foul trouble. I'm loving what I'm seeing out of them, but then again, I'm an optimist

[dawgfan]

Washington has some impressive freshmen - Hawes, Pondexter and Oliver are looking particularly good, and Nelson has the potential to be a good zone-busting shooter - but they are currently over rated. I would not be at all surprised to see Gonzaga hand them their first loss, and with LSU, Pitt and the Pac-10 schedule left, they're likely to drop quite a bit in the polls.

That said, this could be a dangerous team come tourney time...

[Karlifornia]

Washington has some impressive freshmen - Hawes, Pondexter and Oliver are looking particularly good, and Nelson has the potential to be a good zone-busting shooter - but they are currently over rated. I would not be at all surprised to see Gonzaga hand them their first loss, and with LSU, Pitt and the Pac-10 schedule left, they're likely to drop quite a bit in the polls.

That said, this could be a dangerous team come tourney time...

Yeah, U-Dub is in good shape. I was hoping Stanford could somehow manage to get Hawes, despite being lower on his list than UNC and you guys. Oh well...Coach Romar is building quite a program up in Seattle. I expect some awesome battles the next four years.

[miami_fan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/seth_davis/12/07/hoop.thoughts/index.html

Dick Vitale is easy to knock, but when he's right, he's right. During the second half of Tuesday night's Arizona-Louisville game, Vitale said that in his 28 years of broadcasting, he could never remember so many quality games taking place this early in the season. Even by Dickie V's hyperbolic standards, this was quite a statement.

I had been sensing the same thing, but I don't have quite as many years covering this sport under my belt as Vitale . So I called him on Wednesday to ask him to elaborate. "I remember years ago, coaches would load up on what I used to call bargain basement goodies," Vitale said. "I was just as guilty when I coached. I wanted those W's, baby. But now guys realize that you hurt your teams in the long run."

Vitale attributed the trend to the contractual security of high-powered coaches as well as the steady media pressure not to schedule so many "cupcakes." But we both agreed the main reason is the consistent emphasis the men's basketball committee has placed during the last decade on teams' non-conference schedules when deciding who should get at-large bids to the NCAA tournament.

Remember in 2001, when Georgia got a bid with a 16-14 overall record while 21-10 Alabama was left out? That's because Georgia's overall strength of schedule was ranked No. 1 in the country while the Tide was 81st. Alabama coach Mark Gottfried got the message and immediately upgraded his schedule. This year his team has already played Iowa and Xavier and still has non-conference games at Notre Dame and NC State and at home against Oklahoma -- all before the start of SEC play.

The current team with a similar change in its scheduling philosophy is Florida State, which last year went 9-7 in the ACC but was left out of the Dance with a non-conference schedule that ranked 316th out of 330 teams. After the snub, Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton called NCAA tournament committee chairman Craig Littlepage and got the same message that former chairman Mike Tranghese once delivered to Gottfried: Go out and play good teams. That's why Florida State has already played at Pittsburgh and Wisconsin (though the latter was part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge) and hosted Florida, which the Seminoles defeated Sunday night in Tallahassee. Florida State will play Providence at home on Dec. 29 before beginning ACC play against Clemson five days later.

"I still don't totally understand why we were left out last year, but you have to go to the beat of the drum," Hamilton told me. Hamilton also acknowledged the added benefit of the upgrade: "I have no question we were better prepared for Florida after playing two good teams on the road like we did."

You also have to give credit to the TV networks for putting together sexy inter-conference games to spice up what would otherwise be a dull part of the year. So with all the great games already played (Kansas-Florida, Ohio State-UNC, UCLA-Memphis), we still get to look forward to UCLA vs. Texas A&M on Saturday, Pittsburgh at Wisconsin Dec. 16, Duke vs. Gonzaga Dec. 21 and Ohio State-Florida on Dec. 23. Even Connecticut, which has played a conspicuously soft early slate, has three quality non-league games scheduled in January against LSU, Indiana and Georgia Tech.

"I think it's phenomenal for the game," Vitale said. "The kids want to play tough competition." And the fans love to watch. So enjoy the next few weeks, Hoopheads. 'Tis our season.



I am glad most of the coaches have gotten the message about scheduling strong out of conference opponents.

[Chief Rum]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/seth_davis/12/07/hoop.thoughts/index.html



I am glad most of the coaches have gotten the message about scheduling strong out of conference opponents.

Yeah, but Seth needs to do his homework. UCLA hasn't played Memphis. They could have in the Maui Classic, but Memphis lost to Tech.

We have played Kentucky, Georgia Tech and now Texas A&M, though, so I am sure those all qualify as big games as Davis is talking about here.

Good game from the Aggies today, BTW. We got away with a win, but that's a very good team there.

[dawgfan]

I am glad most of the coaches have gotten the message about scheduling strong out of conference opponents.
Not mentioned in that article are 3 good OOC matchups featuring #8 Washington - tonight at #18 Gonzaga, December 20th vs. #11 LSU and February 17th at #2 Pittsburgh

[k0ruptr]

Greg Oden's first start went awesome today.

8-8 for 16 points, 4 boards, 3 blocks, 2 assists,and a steal in 23 minutes.

[Chief Rum]

Four boards for a man child? What was he doing, releasing on the break when the shot goes up?

[k0ruptr]

I think foul trouble had somethin to do with it...

[Chief Rum]

I think foul trouble had somethin to do with it...

He did get 23 mins, though. This guy struck me as a double digit rebounder with ease in 30 mins or so of play, from everything I have read. Maybe foul trouble took him out of rhythm.

[INDalltheway]

He had 10 boards in 23 minutes in his first game.. 5 blocks too, I am pretty sure he is a man child.

[Chief Rum]

He had 10 boards in 23 minutes in his first game.. 5 blocks too, I am pretty sure he is a man child.

Yeah, I'm just nitpicking. He was probably off his game a little in this one (on the boards, at least).

[mckerney]

Yeah, I'm just nitpicking. He was probably off his game a little in this one (on the boards, at least).

Wait until he plays Minnesota. The Gophers were out rebounded by a margin of 43-16 against Arkansas Little Rock today. He should have a career day against Spencer Tollackson.

[HerRealName]

Teams have a tendency not to get many shots off close to the basket when Oden is in the game. Long shots = long rebounds. Oden is very, very good. He's already better than I hoped and he still isn't 100% yet.

[kingfc22]

Hey cartman, heck of a game tonight for Texas.

Still not sure what that LSU player was thinking jacking up a 3 with that much time left.

[cartman]

Hey cartman, heck of a game tonight for Texas.

Still not sure what that LSU player was thinking jacking up a 3 with that much time left.

Too bad that wasn't the Elite 8 game last season... :D

With 4 Frosh in the starting lineup each night, UT is gonna be hella erratic. But I like their chances against any team in the country. Kevin Durant is going to challenge for Player of the Year, not just Frosh of the Year. He is simply awesome.

[miami_fan]

Nice day of hoops today. #2 Pitt at #7 Wisconsin is going on now.

[-Mojo Jojo-]

Bye bye Pitt, thanks for playing. Nobody messes with Bucky in Madison.

[Cork]

Bye bye Pitt, thanks for playing. Nobody messes with Bucky in Madison.

Awesome win for the Badgers!!! Tucker and Butch were magnificent. I will also say that Pitts center looks to be one heck of a player as well.

Go, Badgers!!!

-Cork

[cartman]

Great game between Arkansas and Texas. The 'Horns pulled out the win, 80-76. It's good to see these two teams agree to play a 4 game series. A great rivalry is reborn!

[MJ4H]

die

[MJ4H]

i mean good game

[Groundhog]

I finally got to see Oden play thanks to a torrent of the Cinci-Ohio State game from the 15th. Man, not only does he look about 15 years older than everyone else on the court, but it was almost embarassing any time he got it within a few feet of the basket, with the sheer ease he just threw it down with. I had to stop watching at half time because it was just an absolute slaughter.

I don't recall seeing a big guy as dominant as him in college since... Duncan maybe? He is so clearly on another level compared to the (admittedly undersized) other guys on the court that it's hard to fathom. There's no garauntee that he'll be able to translate it over to the NBA against other 7-footers, but he's got to be the best big guy prospect since Duncan.

[k0ruptr]

or shaq even.

[Groundhog]

Yeah, Shaq was the first guy that came to mind while watching him. It reminded me of seeing Shaq as a rookie in Orlando. I never did see Shaq play college though, where as I did see a bit of Duncan at Wake.

[dawgfan]

Washington rebounded nicely from the Gonzaga loss with a big win over LSU tonight 88-72. Spencer Hawes and Jon Brockman dominated the middle as Hawes went for 23 & 12 and Brockman went 19 & 14 while limiting "Big Baby" Glenn Davis to 8 & 9.

[miami_fan]

I did not get to see any of the games today due to an emergency flight to Germany. So I am looking for some impressions for those that did watch these games.

Ohio State v Florida- Reading the recaps, it seems like the Gators dominated the paint by having more quality big men than the Buckeyes. Maybe Oden is not so ready for the pros.

Michigan v UCLA- Is this the year that Tommy Ammaker gets fired? UCLA is the #1 in the country but come on. This is supposed to be a better program than this.

USC v Wichita State- Have the Shockers been exposed?

[Wolfpack]

Michigan v UCLA- Is this the year that Tommy Ammaker gets fired? UCLA is the #1 in the country but come on. This is supposed to be a better program than this.

Mebbe so. His team got trashed by a very undermanned NC State squad in the ACC-B10 Challenge and the Wolverines just don't have any real quality wins on the schedule so far.

My impression of things is that Michigan is now about where NC State was four or five years ago, perenially making the NIT and just missing the NCAA every year. Everyone says that Amaker is a great guy who runs the program with class and has successfully resurrected a moribund-but-once-proud program, but he just can't get over that hump. Same things were said about Sendek circa 2001 or so before he finally broke through with NCAA berths five years running. Problem was, Sendek went from just barely missing the NCAAs to just barely making them, not a substantive improvement aside from one Sweet 16 appearance and that was as a #10 seed (in other words, skirting in by the skin of his teeth). So, if the arc follows at Michigan, Amaker should finally break through this year or next, but he may not get much further before fanbase impatience pushes him out. Listening to sports talk in SE Michigan is very much deja vu for me whenever they're talking Michigan basketball these days.

[stevew]

What the hell happened in the FLA-tOSU game? It was tied at 35ish, I got busy at work, checked again and FLA was up by like 35. Crazyness. Oden already has primetime NBA defense, at least in my opinion.

[hoopsguy]

I think it was tied 40-40 when Oden picked up his 3rd foul. He went to the bench for about 3 minutes and Florida opened up a 7 point lead. Then he came back in but Florida was rolling. Their passing was very good. They ran a couple of pick and pop plays with Horford sticking jumpers and all of a sudden they were up fifteen with about 12 minutes left in the game. At that point it seemed like Ohio State pretty much decided to warm up the bus.

Anytime Matta wants to tell his guys to defend Humphrey coming out of a timeout, that would probably be a good idea as well.

[Radii]

UNLV is leading Texas Tech right now, but of course its inevitable, in the next week or two Bob Knight will become the winningest mens college basketball coach.

Of course I knew Dean Smith's record wouldn't last forever, but I was really, really hoping it would hold for another 5-10 years before being broken by Coach K at Duke. And if it did have to be broken before Coach K, *anyone* but Knight, my least favorite coach in America. :(

I still have the News and Observer from the day after Dean broke Rupp's record with a win over Colorado in the NCAA Tournament. As someone who grew up a short drive from Chapel Hill worshipping UNC basketball and Dean Smith, that day and that record are up there near the top of the list of moments I've experienced as a sports fan.

Seeing the record go down, espicially to Bob Knight, is a sad, sad moment for me.

[MrBug708]

UCLA looked scary good today....

[Chief Rum]

UCLA looked scary good today....

And yet they really struggled on Thursday.

I'll take what we're getting, because you can't complain too hard about a team that is #1 several weeks in a row now, and one of three undefeated teams going into January, but I have seen signs this team is bound to lose one pretty soon if they keep playing around before putting things away.

Oregon is a tough place to play anyway, and this year's UO squad is actually pretty good. We go there next weekend.

[dawgfan]

Ugh. My Huskies need to learn how to play on the road - blowing the game to USC and then getting hammered by UCLA (much like they got hammered by Gonzaga) isn't going to cut it.

A ton of talent on this team, but they really miss the veteran play of guys like Brandon Roy and Bobby Jones.

[Radii]

Virginia Tech wins at Duke in overtime! WOOHOO.

[MJ4H]

Arkansas pounding #8 Alabama 44-20 at halftime. Finally something good happening in Arkansas sports. Let's see if we can keep this up.

[spleen1015]

Virginia Tech wins at Duke in overtime! WOOHOO.

Paulus played like absolutel crap today. He turned the ball over on their first 4 possessions.

[k0ruptr]

Come on ducks

[MJ4H]

Arkansas wins over #8 Alabama 88-61.

[k0ruptr]

YEA BABY. Ducks beat Ucla by 2 68-66

[Toddzilla]

Hokies pwn Duke...isn't that like 2 of 3 with the one loss a miracle last-second shot victory by Duke. Phsaw, this ACC stuff is easy....

[dime]

Paulus played like absolutel crap today. He turned the ball over on their first 4 possessions.

paulus, like steve wojocieowski before him, is just not a good player. he is, however, apparently coach k's favorite and so he'll be getting plenty of undeserved minutes anyway.

[Radii]

wow, go Oregon! UNC will be #1 assuming they can hold off Florida State tomorrow then.

[dawgfan]

YEA BABY. Ducks beat Ucla by 2 68-66
Pac-10 is a bitch this year.

[VPI97]

Hokies pwn Duke

http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/VPI97/ncgb11201062038.jpg

[Radii]

http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/VPI97/ncgb11201062038.jpg

:D That was a great highlight.

[Radii]

Arkansas wins over #8 Alabama 88-61.

Is Arkansas any good? It looks like they've lost to good teams and beaten bad teams so far, at least until today with the big win over Alabama.

[spleen1015]

paulus, like steve wojocieowski before him, is just not a good player. he is, however, apparently coach k's favorite and so he'll be getting plenty of undeserved minutes anyway.

Yeah, anyone who leads the ACC in assists when they're a freshmen isn't any good.

[MJ4H]

Is Arkansas any good? It looks like they've lost to good teams and beaten bad teams so far, at least until today with the big win over Alabama.

At this stage I have to say yes, though it is still somewhat difficult to discern. Pretty inconsistent. Today was probably the best performance I've seen from an Arkansas basketball team since 95. I've also seen some pretty bad stuff from them this season.

Overall, they have a chance to be very, very solid this season. The incosistency has me worried, though.

[WSUCougar]

Cougars take down #7 Arizona in OT, 77-73. We're now 13-2. WOOT!

[Craptacular]

Cougars take down #7 Arizona in OT, 77-73. We're now 13-2. WOOT!

I'm amazed that any team coached by a Bennett can score more than 70, even in OT. ;)

[Chief Rum]

I'm a homer (so be warned), but I think early evidence suggests the Pac 10 might be the strongest league this year. UCLA, Arizona and UDub are all top squads, and Oregon, Wazzu and USC have all been very good this year.

Stanford may not do much this year, but they have soome good, young talent with those twin towers they recruited. Considering a solid coach like Sendek is at ASU, they may not be down long either. But that's for the future.

This year, the league just looks brutally good.

[HerRealName]

Ugh. My Huskies need to learn how to play on the road - blowing the game to USC and then getting hammered by UCLA (much like they got hammered by Gonzaga) isn't going to cut it.

A ton of talent on this team, but they really miss the veteran play of guys like Brandon Roy and Bobby Jones.

Washington is probably my favoirite non-Ohio State team to watch this year. The offensive talent is impressive but their lack of attention on defense and turnovers just kill them in tight games. I'm not a big Dentmon fan.

Not only does the Pac 10 look to be the strongest league, there isn't even a close second.

[miami_fan]

I'm a homer (so be warned), but I think early evidence suggests the Pac 10 might be the strongest league this year. UCLA, Arizona and UDub are all top squads, and Oregon, Wazzu and USC have all been very good this year.

Stanford may not do much this year, but they have soome good, young talent with those twin towers they recruited. Considering a solid coach like Sendek is at ASU, they may not be down long either. But that's for the future.

This year, the league just looks brutally good.

EAST COAST BIAS!!!!!



But I agree with you. :)

[dawgfan]

Washington is probably my favoirite non-Ohio State team to watch this year. The offensive talent is impressive but their lack of attention on defense and turnovers just kill them in tight games. I'm not a big Dentmon fan.

Not only does the Pac 10 look to be the strongest league, there isn't even a close second.
Yep. Dentmon was being counted on heavily this year to carry the ball-handling load, but he's struggled. And they desperately miss the defensive intensity of Bobby Jones and Brandon Roy - both guy who you could stick on a hot opponent and be comfortable they'd cool them off in a hurry.

What's tantalizing about this group is imagining where they could be if Hawes decides to stick around for another year - there's nobody graduating from this team outside of a walk-on in Brandon Burmeister, and there's another 7-footer waiting in the wings rehabbing an injury in Joe Wolfinger and an athletic wing in Joel Smith who should be back in 2-3 weeks.

Romar has done a phenomenal job of turning around Husky basketball and getting the program to the point where it's knocking on the door of elite status. As disappointed as I was with the 0-3 Pac-10 start and the whipping at Gonzaga, it's light years from the last years of Bob Bender and the days when Lynn Nance or Andy Russo was coach.

[dime]

Yeah, anyone who leads the ACC in assists when they're a freshmen isn't any good.

you're kidding, right? please tell me you're kidding. even dookies don't try and defend paulus.

[Radii]

Florida State hangs with North Carolina for a half, but UNC is just too deep and ran away with it, 84-58. UNC will be the new #1, hopefully they can hang on to it for awhile.

I haven't seen Florida play enough to really make a good comparasion, but Hansbrough and Wright are just an incredible frontcourt duo, if they're not the best frontcourt in the nation, they're damn close behind Noah/Horford.

[Radii]

I'm a homer (so be warned), but I think early evidence suggests the Pac 10 might be the strongest league this year. UCLA, Arizona and UDub are all top squads, and Oregon, Wazzu and USC have all been very good this year.


I agree with you too. Stanford's upset of Virginia at Virginia today only adds to the argument. The ACC is good this year, but this is one of those "UNC, Duke, then everyone else" years, where the ACC has two national title contenders, but top to bottom probably isn't going to be the strongest conference. The years where there are four or five teams in the ACC that are considered capable of a final four run are more fun, but eh, as a UNC fan, I'm not complaining :)

The potential is still there for the ACC to end up on top, with Virginia Tech, Florida State, Maryland, Boston College, Clemson, and Georgia Tech all having talent... but yeah, its the Pac 10 right now.

[Chief Rum]

I agree with you too. Stanford's upset of Virginia at Virginia today only adds to the argument. The ACC is good this year, but this is one of those "UNC, Duke, then everyone else" years, where the ACC has two national title contenders, but top to bottom probably isn't going to be the strongest conference. The years where there are four or five teams in the ACC that are considered capable of a final four run are more fun, but eh, as a UNC fan, I'm not complaining :)

The potential is still there for the ACC to end up on top, with Virginia Tech, Florida State, Maryland, Boston College, Clemson, and Georgia Tech all having talent... but yeah, its the Pac 10 right now.

I have a lot of respect for the ACC--I know they won't be down long, and UNC looks very good. And the Big East is so damn huge and full of great coaches, it's not hard to guess they will be adding a few top teams to the lists before the end of the year (although the lack of a dominant team like UConn or Villanova from years past probably means they beat each other up this year).

But the Pac 10 has had some very strong up turns to kickstart what is happening this year. It started four years ago when Howland and Bennett were hired, or maybe a little further back when Romar got started at UDub. There have been a string of strong hires in the league's coaching ranks. Johnson replacing Montgomery meant there wasn't as much drop off at Stanford as you would expect, Kent is a great recruiter at UO (if questionable gameday coach), and Papa taught son everything he knows at Wazzu. Howland and Romar are two of the most respected "in their prime" coaches in basketball, and Lute is still the dean. Now add Sendek and a vet coach like Floyd at USC, and you are looking at one of the best groups of league coaches around.

Kansas, UNC, Duke, etc. can still go west and pick up talent, but not like they used to. Duke is getting Singler and King next year, UNC got Thompson, etc., but some of the best recruits out west like Hawes, Brockman and Webster (ended up going pro) to UDub; Love, Afflalo and Farmar to UCLA; Budinger to UA; the Lopez twins to Stanford, are all staying out west. And we're bringing in top players from the east like Mayo at USC and Hairston on Oregon. And Lute's been recruiting nationally for well over a decade now.

It's a shame most of the country back east won't get many opportunities to watch the ball out here before tourney time (stupid conference heads).

[Wolfpack]

I agree with you too. Stanford's upset of Virginia at Virginia today only adds to the argument. The ACC is good this year, but this is one of those "UNC, Duke, then everyone else" years, where the ACC has two national title contenders, but top to bottom probably isn't going to be the strongest conference. The years where there are four or five teams in the ACC that are considered capable of a final four run are more fun, but eh, as a UNC fan, I'm not complaining :)

The potential is still there for the ACC to end up on top, with Virginia Tech, Florida State, Maryland, Boston College, Clemson, and Georgia Tech all having talent... but yeah, its the Pac 10 right now.

Actually, I think this year is more "UNC and everyone else" rather than "UNC, Duke, and everyone else". Duke has been considerably overrated all year and generally has only moved up because of attrition ahead of them in the polls. What I've seen of Duke so far (granted it's limited here in Michigan) has not impressed me at all. I think they're much closer to #3 in the ACC than #1, given how Carolina's been destroying opponents this year.

(God, that whole paragraph was painful to type.)

And, whodathunkit? Clemson is the last unbeaten team in all of D-I basketball. After Wake's winning of the football championship, Hell must be experiencing what Denver did on those back-to-back blizzards. I expect the seventh seal to be broken any time now. :D

[Butter]

Ohio State - Wisconsin Tuesday night. By far the 2 best teams in the Big Ten going at it. Should be a good game if OSU can shake the demons of their road losses at Florida and UNC.

[Radii]

http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/VPI97/ncgb11201062038.jpg

hxxp://youtube.com/watch?v=DVuo7UJ7Rus

:D

[Radii]

And, whodathunkit? Clemson is the last unbeaten team in all of D-I basketball. After Wake's winning of the football championship, Hell must be experiencing what Denver did on those back-to-back blizzards. I expect the seventh seal to be broken any time now. :D


I haven't gotten to see Clemson play yet. UNC at Clemson Jan 17th, if Clemson is still undefeated then they will have won at NC State and at Maryland. I don't expect that to happen.

[timmynausea]

It may not have seemed like a very big deal at the time, but Arkansas's win over West Virginia was a pretty impressive victory. WVU is 13-1 and 3-0 in the Big East with double digit wins over UConn, Villanova and most recently St. Johns, whom they destroyed by 27 on Saturday. They're now 21st in the Coaches' poll.

[Mustang]

A new dunking move... "The Flying Teabag"




http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/VPI97/ncgb11201062038.jpg

[wade moore]

w00t, my W&M Tribe getting some national press...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2723839

William & Mary wins at George Mason: Don't look now, but Bill and Mary may just be one of the top three or four teams in the CAA. Meanwhile, Mason obviously is struggling, losing again to Old Dominion on the weekend. Drexel is the class of the league so far, with Hofstra, VCU, ODU and now William & Mary in hot pursuit.

And we just got done completing a 14 point win on the road in the conference. Keep in mind we were 8-20 and 3-15 in the conference last season. We've won 10 games already and are 3-1 in the conference.

Now, I recognize that almost no one in the nation could give two craps about our team, but as a fan that goes to every single home game and listens to many away games on the radio - this is a great feeling.

[RedKingGold]

w00t, my W&M Tribe getting some national press...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2723839



And we just got done completing a 14 point win on the road in the conference. Keep in mind we were 8-20 and 3-15 in the conference last season. We've won 10 games already and are 3-1 in the conference.

Now, I recognize that almost no one in the nation could give two craps about our team, but as a fan that goes to every single home game and listens to many away games on the radio - this is a great feeling.

Drexel is better. :p

In all seriousness, I saw Drexel beat up 'Nova and was surprised with how athletic they are. They could be a team that does some damage in the tourney (Sweet 16?)

[LloydLungs]

Now, I recognize that almost no one in the nation could give two craps about our team, but as a fan that goes to every single home game and listens to many away games on the radio - this is a great feeling.

After what happened last year, I would say that anybody claiming to enjoy college basketball should be interested in the CAA. But I'm just a mid-major shill. Plus I have a W&M t-shirt with the feather, so I guess it's a collector's item now.

[wade moore]

Drexel is better. :p

In all seriousness, I saw Drexel beat up 'Nova and was surprised with how athletic they are. They could be a team that does some damage in the tourney (Sweet 16?)

Drexel is certainly better. But I'm happy with W&M after them having not one a CAA Tourney game in the 10 years I've been here, one winning season in that time, and dramatically losing seasons since I graduated, etc... Basically, they're actually competitive.

I too believe Drexel has the chance to make some noise. The honest hope from the CAA fans is that they lose in the conference tourney giving us our one honest shot at being a two-bid league two seasons in a row (for those that don't know, GMU lost in the CAA tourney and were actually an at-large bid)...

After what happened last year, I would say that anybody claiming to enjoy college basketball should be interested in the CAA. But I'm just a mid-major shill. Plus I have a W&M t-shirt with the feather, so I guess it's a collector's item now.

I'm not just a mid-major shill, but a CAA shill ;)... I think it's a great, up-and-coming conference.. unfortunately much of the major talent is young this year so we're probably not quite as good as last year, but we have been recruiting well as a conference for several years now and GMU's final four performance (and their persistent mentions in the media afterwards - i.e. in relation to Boise St.) have certainly helped us.. it helps when people say, "oh, you play George Mason?!"...

Anyway, the CAA is very entertaining and it's nice to be able to go to a game and actually get tickets, have a seat, etc...

Edit: And yeah, this year at homecoming the local shops were cleaned out of all of their feather gear...

[LloydLungs]

Anyway, the CAA is very entertaining and it's nice to be able to go to a game and actually get tickets, have a seat, etc...

Which reminds me... The CAA game carried on Full Court tonight was UNCW at George Mason. I know GMU has struggled this season, and it's a lousy opponent on a Monday night, but it just surprised me how empty their place looked on TV. They went to the flippin' Final Four! I would've thought that would have been a tough ticket this year even on nights like these.

[wade moore]

Which reminds me... The CAA game carried on Full Court tonight was UNCW at George Mason. I know GMU has struggled this season, and it's a lousy opponent on a Monday night, but it just surprised me how empty their place looked on TV. They went to the flippin' Final Four! I would've thought that would have been a tough ticket this year even on nights like these.

I can speak to that, at least some...

Mason has struggled.. including that loss to W&M followed up by a loss to their heated rival, ODU.. They were 0-3 in the conference this season..

But that doesn't tell the whole story of their attendance issues...

I think the biggest problem is that they're a commuter school. And they have a pretty big arena that is used for concerts and the like in Northern Virginia. The attendance numbers are posted for the W&M @ GMU game and it was 4500. I'd argue that's somewhat respectable for a commuter school when school is not yet in session.

So anyway, the W&M @ GMU game last year that was just after students got back, was 4300. So, I think they are getting a bump. I think I read they sold like 500 or so more season tickets, which as far as % is a huge jump.

They're just going to have a hard time when they're a commuter school competing in a market for college basketball with Maryland, Georgetown, and George Washington - so it's going to be difficult to get casual fans.

[wade moore]

Dola: I've been to several games at GMU, including an NIT game a few years ago.

Even when it's a packed house, that has to be about the quietest crowds I have ever seen - it's very disturbing.

[LloydLungs]

I think the biggest problem is that they're a commuter school.

Ahhh, okay. That's kind of what I figured. As a fan of the horribly supported UNO Privateers, another mid-major commuter school, I've always wondered if we would get a really significant attendance bump if we made an insane Mason-esque run to the F4. Now that GMU actually did it and we have a live guinea pig for this experiment, the answer seems to be somewhere in the area of "kinda sorta not really."

[wade moore]

Ahhh, okay. That's kind of what I figured. As a fan of the horribly supported UNO Privateers, another mid-major commuter school, I've always wondered if we would get a really significant attendance bump if we made an insane Mason-esque run to the F4. Now that GMU actually did it and we have a live guinea pig for this experiment, the answer seems to be somewhere in the area of "kinda sorta not really."

Yeah.. I'm curious to see what their attendance numbers for conference games will be when students come back. That will be the true test imo... of course, if they keep losing, it will be harder to judge...

[wade moore]

Ahhh, okay. That's kind of what I figured. As a fan of the horribly supported UNO Privateers, another mid-major commuter school, I've always wondered if we would get a really significant attendance bump if we made an insane Mason-esque run to the F4. Now that GMU actually did it and we have a live guinea pig for this experiment, the answer seems to be somewhere in the area of "kinda sorta not really."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Center

10,000 seat capacity and thy had 9,800 for the Wichita St. game where they raised the banner.

So, that shows something to me.. you have to wonder if they started hot how different their numbers would be right now.

[JonInMiddleGA]

GT 74
Duke 63

[Recoil]

GT 74
Duke 63

That's even with the refs in Coach K's pocket all night. First solid game I've seen from GT in awhile.

[spleen1015]

Too many turnovers and too many 3 pointers.

I'm starting to dislike Paulus.

[Galaril]

Air Force is looking strong at 16 -1 (12 staright wins) and looks at least to have a great shot at earning their bid to the tournament this year.

[cartman]

Texas has a strong game, defeating Mizzou 88-68. Kevin Durant is bona fide.

[digamma]

That's even with the refs in Coach K's pocket all night. First solid game I've seen from GT in awhile.

Just finished watching the game on Tivo. It really is amazing how many close calls Duke gets. Of course, there were the obvious ones too, namely the shot to Dickey's face from McRoberts and the brutal charge on Mario.

Still, GT has to move better without the ball and cut down on the turnovers.

[Radii]

UNC beats Virginia 79-69, surely this wasn't the same Virginia team that just lost at home to Stanford. UNC is starting very slowly and just eventually wearing teams down, they'll lose a few games along the way in the ACC when they get too far behind early I imagine. I love their offensive rebounding, watching them dominate second chance points is my favorite part about this team right now I believe.

UNC at an undefeated Clemson a week from now is looking like a *big* game.

Go Georgia Tech :D Looks like a number of top 25 teams fell tonight, including Duke. Marquette beat UConn, Vandy took down Tennessee, Illinois-Chicago over Butler.

[Butter]

UNC at an undefeated Clemson a week from now is looking like a *big* game.

Goooooo Tigers!

[CU Tiger]

Goooooo Tigers!

I'll second that....

Then again, it is time for our once a decade run...

[Radii]

So Kansas barely beats Iowa State in overtime, Clemson is no longer undefeated(lost at Maryland) and Virginia Tech is playing another great game and has a 10 point lead on UNC at the half.

[timmynausea]

WVU looks like a different team on the road. They got destroyed by Marquette today.

[Radii]

Virginia Tech is looking good. Carolina is struggling to get shots at all, much less good ones. Va Tech has some seriously good athletes.

[cartman]

Texas beats Oklahoma 80-69, in a game that wasn't as close as the final score indicated. Kevin Durant is a man playing among boys.

[cartman]

Brent Musburger is a freaking moron. 16.7 seconds left, Va Tech with a 3 point lead: "North Carolina has to be careful now, because the Hokies can run out the clock".

W...T...F... Is he really that stupid?

[Radii]

Brent Musburger is a freaking moron. 16.7 seconds left, Va Tech with a 3 point lead: "North Carolina has to be careful now, because the Hokies can run out the clock".


Yes, yes he is.


Virginia Tech played a great game, they outhustled and outworked UNC for 36 minutes. I gave up on the game and turned the channel until a friend IM'd me and asked if I was watching the comeback.

I feel a LOT better seeing that UNC didn't roll over and die. Not many teams can limit their turnovers against UNC and not many can shut down the inside game, but if you can do either, it exposes the youth that UNC has. Congrats to Virginia Tech, very very good win for you guys.

[Toddzilla]

UNC at an undefeated Clemson a week from now is looking like a *big* game.Oops - sorry to spoil that for you :D

[Radii]

Oops - sorry to spoil that for you :D

Clemson already lost earlier in the day! But it will still be a big game to see if UNC can play a better game on the road, and how Clemson does against another top 25 team.

[sooner333]

Durant really was among boys today...noone above 6-7 on the team today with Longar out, plus OU just doesn't have the offensive power this year. I like what Capel is doing recruiting and getting out of the team on defense...but I really don't feel that Durant can be stopped by anyone.

Longar's suspension was total bullshit and Knight can go suck it. I can't wait until they come and we beat their fucking asses in Norman.

[Galaril]

Air Force beats Wyoming (11-4) with a shot at the buzzer and goes to a AF record 17-1. Ther RPI is 5th with a 39th SOS which is better than Ohio St.,Butler,Clemson,Wshington St.,Kansas or Wisconsin to name but a few:).

[wade moore]

So...

Do we have to consider VT to be a legit title contender now?

[Radii]

Do we have to consider VT to be a legit title contender now?

ACC or NCAA? I'd say they now have the potential to become a legit NCAA Tournament threat and they're certainly a team you can't take lightly, but in the end, I still expect them to be a team that, while capable of beating anybody, suffers way too many losses to inferior teams to be taken as a serious contender for anything.

Perhaps I'll be proven wrong, 3 of their next 4 ACC games are on the road, and the home game is vs Maryland, they need to win 2 or 3 of those I think.

[wade moore]

ACC or NCAA? I'd say they now have the potential to become a legit NCAA Tournament threat and they're certainly a team you can't take lightly, but in the end, I still expect them to be a team that, while capable of beating anybody, suffers way too many losses to inferior teams to be taken as a serious contender for anything.

Perhaps I'll be proven wrong, 3 of their next 4 ACC games are on the road, and the home game is vs Maryland, they need to win 2 or 3 of those I think.

I meant both I guess.

I know that VT played @WM I think 2 seasons ago and some of the Freshmen they had I thought would really be great ACC players as they amtured. I'll have to check, but I imagine some of those are their stars now. You could tell that that season they really made a commitment to have a real ACC basketball program.

[stevew]

I'm really developing a man crush on Greg Oden. And that shot that OSU hit to beat Tennessee was just stone cold. I wish I could watch more games, but I'm always seemingly working when the Buckeyes are on.

[Groundhog]

I'm really developing a man crush on Greg Oden.

You and me both. I wish he'd stay in college 3 more seasons. Imagine the kind of numbers he'd put up as a senior? It would be an awesome sight to watch.

[miami_fan]

Oden was a beast yesterday. I think Bruce Pearl was impressed.

He's a dominant player," Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said of Oden, last year's national high school player of the year who was highly recruited. "He's got a chance to be Bill Russell at 7-foot. He's got a chance to be a real impact player."

[miami_fan]

Dola,
Folks may want to keep an eye on the Oregon Ducks. Aaron Brooks (not the QB) won another game for them tonight.

[Z²+]

Is there really anything more entertaining in all of college basketball than watching Jim Calhoun wildly gesticulate as he chases a referee down the sideline every 10 to 15 seconds? I almost missed most of Pitt's dominating victory over UConn because I was too busy laughing at Calhoun.

[cartman]

Oklahoma State just put up a candidate for "shot of the year". It'll definitely be on SportsCenter tonight.

The Cowboys' guard mishandled a pass as the shot clock was at 2. He ran towards the sidelines, dove, and threw the ball up hoping to hit the rim, and it went in.

[cartman]

Candidate for game of the year as well. Triple OT, Oklahoma State gets a 3 at the buzzer to beat Texas 105-103.

[DeToxRox]

That was the best game I've seen. Period. Unreal.

[MylesKnight]

Kevin Durant is dead on what KG would've looked like if he attended college.

[LoneStarGirl]

That was an awesome game last night. I picked it up at the second half and could not turn it off. Cartman, what do you think about the freshman staying and playing another year? Texas is starting 4 freshman and a sophomore, if those five stick around next year, that team is going to be incredible

[cartman]

That was an awesome game last night. I picked it up at the second half and could not turn it off. Cartman, what do you think about the freshman staying and playing another year? Texas is starting 4 freshman and a sophomore, if those five stick around next year, that team is going to be incredible

I'd be stunned if Durant stuck around another year. If they didn't change the age restriction, he would have been in the NBA this season. As for the other freshman, if a couple of them finish strong and Texas goes deep in the tourney, they are probably gone as well. I'd be surprised to see more than 3 of them back next season. But this is going to be a solid and scary team once March rolls around.

[MrBug708]

Is there really anything more entertaining in all of college basketball than watching Jim Calhoun wildly gesticulate as he chases a referee down the sideline every 10 to 15 seconds? I almost missed most of Pitt's dominating victory over UConn because I was too busy laughing at Calhoun.

Tim Floyd and Lute Olson are two of the more entertaining coaches who like to yell at refs

[Huckleberry]

I'd be stunned if Durant stuck around another year. If they didn't change the age restriction, he would have been in the NBA this season. As for the other freshman, if a couple of them finish strong and Texas goes deep in the tourney, they are probably gone as well. I'd be surprised to see more than 3 of them back next season. But this is going to be a solid and scary team once March rolls around.

No way anyone but Durant leaves. Augustin is a great college point guard but doesn't translate to an early entry. Damion James is the only other realistic threat to ever leave early but he fancies himself a wing player and will stay a year to play that position after Durant.

No way Durant doesn't leave.

At this point.

[LloydLungs]

Tim Floyd and Lute Olson are two of the more entertaining coaches who like to yell at refs

Tim has done his "run out onto the court" routine about once a season dating all the way back to his UNO days. I can pretty much predict when it's coming at this point.

[Toddzilla]

Way to go VT! One-and-done as a ranked team. Raise your hand if you thought VT was actually going to go an the road and win this game? Didn't think so. At least I made a few bucks on it.

[lungs]

The Wisconsin Badgers keep rolling. I don't see anybody stopping them in the Big Ten.

[Karlifornia]

Damn you, Aaron Brooks! I hate clutch guards who shoot 90%+ from the FT line.

[st.cronin]

How does Alondo Tucker still have eligibility??? Isn't he like 30????

[Johnny93g]

The Wisconsin Badgers keep rolling. I don't see anybody stopping them in the Big Ten.

Indiana, we have them at Assembly Hall this year, while we do not make the trip to Wisconsin. ****


****The above statement is not an objective opinion:p

[SuperGrover]

Indiana will beat Wisconsin at home. Indiana is a very good basketball team.

[Johnny93g]

Indiana will beat Wisconsin at home. Indiana is a very good basketball team.

I've seen 16 of our 18 games this season, and i have not enjoyed the team this much in 5 years!!

I do believe the Hoosiers should be included with Ohio St and Wisconsin when talking about the top of the Big 10. Today's win at UCONN is HUGE!!! It's validation that we can win against a talented(yet young) team, in a hostile, away environment. DJ White is playing to his potential, Basset is playing like a senior, and everyone is defending like their life is on the line. Looking forward to Tuesday night when we visit Illinois. I'm sure the fans will let Coach Sampson know how displeased they were about the Eric Gordon situation

[SuperGrover]

It's validation that we can win against a talented(yet young) team, in a hostile, away environment.

I know you already are aware of this fact, but you've lost 4 games on the road against top 30 competition by a total of 20 points (dook, Ohio St., Butler, UK). Tonight might have been validation that you can WIN these games, but it's been clear you belong all season.

IU is flying below the radar and will continue to do so. However, as a UNC fan, they are a team I do not want to see on our side of the bracket come March.

[Butter]

So, UConn is good this year? Since when?

[SuperGrover]

So, UConn is good this year? Since when?

The jury is still out because they haven't beaten anyone who can play, but Pomeroy and Sagaring love them. They do have 5 losses but they're against tough competition with three of them being on the road. They'll have plenty of chances to prove whether they are a quality team or not.

[cartman]

Both Texas and Oklahoma State suffered hangovers from their epic 3OT game last week. Texas and, more importantly, Kevin Durant, simply ran out of gas in the second half on the road against Villanova and lost 76-69. Oklahoma State never got on track, and was blown out at Texas A&M, losing 67-49. The Aggies are looking tough this season.

[SuperGrover]

Both Texas and Oklahoma State suffered hangovers from their epic 3OT game last week. Texas and, more importantly, Kevin Durant, simply ran out of gas in the second half on the road against Villanova and lost 76-69. Oklahoma State never got on track, and was blown out at Texas A&M, losing 67-49. The Aggies are looking tough this season.

Actually, Oklahoma State just sucks.

[cartman]

Wild night in the Big 12. Bobby Knight gets his second straight win over a Top 10 team, beating A&M 70-68 in Lubbock after beating Kansas on Saturday. Texas has a hard fought win in Lincoln, beating Nebraska 62-61 when the Huskers missed their last shot with 2 seconds left.

[Wolfpack]

Evidence continues to mount that Coach K has clearly signed a pact with the devil (or the ACC office, one or the other). Tonight Duke wins the game against Clemson a second-and-a-half after the game should have ended and gone to overtime.

Basically, what happened was, with five seconds to go and Clemson trailing by three, McBob and Ron...er...Greg Paulus have simultanous brain-farts that results in McBob throwing an inbound pass directly to a Clemson player at the three-point line. Said Clemson player buries the three-pointer and ties the game and the game seemingly is headed to OT with 1.8 on the clock. Problem is the clock operator totally f'ed up and didn't run the clock until the ball was into the net and then didn't stop it until it reached 1.8. How the officials arrive at the resulting time remaining is beyond comprehension as they put the clock to 4.4 seconds left. Naturally, it took 4.3 of those seconds to run through Clemson's (admittedly) matador defense to get a lay-up in just before the horn. However, unless that three-pointer by Clemson occurred in some strange time-warp, there's no physical way for that ball to have been caught, squared-up, and shot through from a 20-foot distance in just .6 seconds. But, it's Duke in Cameron on ESPN and K of course gets his way on it.

*sigh*

EDIT to add--someone out there has produced this little video for evidence: Does this look like it took six-tenths of a second to anyone (http://www.shoelessworks.com/films/dukefinish.wmv)?

[bhlloy]

It sucks that Clemson got jobbed, but somebody should get benched for allowing the basket at the end. Basic basketball 101 right there. At least 2 of the team looked like they were heading off the court for overtime.

Greg Paulus might make the worst decisions of any point guard I have ever seen. The bounce pass he tried to make under his own basket and the two times he ran out of the way of passes that were straight at him were priceless. He also takes a lot of very bad running shots. It almost seems like he is trying to do too much and be too clever and it very rarely pays off.

[Butter]

As a Clemson fan (thank goodness my wife was at class last night or she might've lost it... as it was I refused to show her the end of the game)... what a bunch of BS.

Granted, Clemson was gifted their way back into the game, but they didn't deserve to have the game taken away from them.

It really didn't take the end of the game to show that the refs were, are, and always will be in K's back pocket... Duke has always gotten away with bumping and slapping on defense, and McRoberts threw about 3-4 elbows straight into people's chests to create the space for himself that he needs to score. I can't believe he's being touted as a legitimate NBA prospect. You have got to be kidding me. Nelson's not a bad player, but McRoberts is Tyler Hansbrough without the quick feet or agile moves.

[CU Tiger]

Clemson was robbed, but you should never let a game come down to officiating.

This team is coming along nicely, and Oliver Purnell is a talented coach that many just arent aware of...

Besides just stay .500 and make a tourny once every 5-7 years and we are happy

[Butter]

When a game is consistently slanted away from you in terms of officiating, I don't think there was a choice in letting the game come down to officiating. The whole game came down to officiating.

I am a big Univ. of Dayton fan as well, which is where Purnell coached prior to Clemson, so we know about his quality up here. He was a good coach here and a very nice guy, so I hope he gets Clemson back to some Rick Barnes-era type success and sticks around a while. Seems like they are on the verge of being very, very good.

[dawgfan]

Washington gets a much-needed confidence boost by taking down the hated Ducks of Oregon. We'll see if that jump starts the rest of their season, as they'll need a very strong finish to return to the NCAA tourney for a 4th consecutive season.

[MylesKnight]

Now this would be sweet to see... Duck Fuke!!


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2743071

Arenas says he'd score '84 or 85' against Duke

WASHINGTON -- Gilbert Arenas would like to go back to school and teach Coach K a lesson.

The Washington Wizards All-Star figures he could score "84 or 85" points if he got a chance to play Duke and coach Mike Krzyzewski, who cut Arenas from the U.S. national team last summer.

Arenas has promised this season to take out his frustrations about the national team on Krzyzewski's Team USA assistants, Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni and Portland coach Nate McMillan.

Arenas scored 54 points against the Suns last month and has said his next 50-point game will come against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 11, prompting D'Antoni to say: "I can't wait to see what he does against Duke. He's gonna kill Duke."

"He'd like to see what I'm going to do against Duke," Arenas wrote in a posting this week on his nba.com blog. "I thought it was funny because if I have the chance to go back to college, I'll give up one NBA season to play against Duke.

"One college game that's five fouls, right? ... 40-minute game at Duke, they got soft rims I'd probably score 84 or 85. I wouldn't pass the ball. I wouldn't even think about passing it. It would be like a NBA Live or an NBA 2K7 game, you just shoot with one person," he wrote.

Arenas was one of the final cuts from Team USA before last year's world championships. The team announced he was released because of a strained groin, but Arenas said the injury was minor and a convenient excuse to cut a player who was getting little playing time.

Arenas, who has made a career out of using snubs as motivation, made a late surge in the All-Star fan voting to pass Vince Carter and earn a spot in the starting lineup, announced Thursday.

Arenas trailed Carter by more than 200,000 votes as of Jan. 11, but he nipped Carter by 3,010 -- the fourth-closest margin ever -- to gain the spot alongside Dwyane Wade for the East in next month's game at Las Vegas.

"Dreams do come true, no matter what people say," Arenas said. "Just work hard and things come to life. I am a living truth of it."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[Wolfpack]

Except he's already played Duke. Lost the title to them some years back with Arizona and he played like crap in the game.

[CU Tiger]

"Just work hard and things come to life. I am a living truth of it."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press


What better Living Truth or Living Proof?

[Karlifornia]

Stanford freshman Brook Lopez notches a triple-double against USC: 18 pts., 11 rebounds, and 12 blocks.

Too bad the game started at 11 eastern time. If his name were Greg Oden, Josh McRoberts, or Kevin Durant, he'd be getting major pub. Oh, well.

Prediction for Sunday: Stanford 66, UCLA 63

[miami_fan]

Stanford freshman Brook Lopez notches a triple-double against USC: 18 pts., 11 rebounds, and 12 blocks.

Too bad the game started at 11 eastern time. If his name were Greg Oden, Josh McRoberts, or Kevin Durant, he'd be getting major pub. Oh, well.

Prediction for Sunday: Stanford 66, UCLA 63

I was very impressed by both of the Lopez's defense. USC were intimidated the entire night. I actually watched the LA doubleheader last night, having watched UCLA beat Cal before hand. UCLA looked a bit off yesterday but still controlled most of the game. Should be a good game in Sunday. Hopefully it is televised locally.

[digamma]

The ACC has admitted they had a "timing error" at the end of the Duke-Clemson game.

[miami_fan]

A few pretty good games throughout the day with more to come. A few thoughts so far.

1) WTF Arizona? No disrespect to Carolina, they did play a great game but 28 points? In a game where the Heels shot 5-22 from behind the arc? Something is not right in Tucson.

2) After seeing the teams put on the court by Quinn Snyder and Tommy Amaker, I think Johnny Dawkins is making a wise decision to not leave Coach K's side. On the other hand, Mike Brey is doing a good job with the Irish.

3) How good is Texas A&M really? I saw them for the first time today and I was not really impressed with the #6 team in the country. However, Jeff Capel is a guy who is going to do good things in Norman.

[Chief Rum]

A few pretty good games throughout the day with more to come. A few thoughts so far.

1) WTF Arizona? No disrespect to Carolina, they did play a great game but 28 points? In a game where the Heels shot 5-22 from behind the arc? Something is not right in Tucson.

Arizona was exactly the wrong team to play the Heels. Zona is weakest in the middle, and their main guy there (Radmenovich or however you spell his name) is soft for an inside guy and plays more of a finesse style. On top of that, they have very little depth, and are missing their "toughest" inside guy Kirk Walters. Not exactly a team you want to go against Hansbrough and cohorts underneath.

This is the worst Arizona team I have seen in, maybe, 20 years. They'll still be in the tourney, though.

[Radii]

Arizona was exactly the wrong team to play the Heels. Zona is weakest in the middle, and their main guy there (Radmenovich or however you spell his name) is soft for an inside guy and plays more of a finesse style. On top of that, they have very little depth, and are missing their "toughest" inside guy Kirk Walters. Not exactly a team you want to go against Hansbrough and cohorts underneath.

This is the worst Arizona team I have seen in, maybe, 20 years. They'll still be in the tourney, though.


A couple of things stood out to me and made me very happy with UNC's play and very suprised with Arizona's play. UNC didn't have Wright, and Hansbrough was totally shut down in the first half, but Lawson is really progressing well at PG and the other big men were solid giving UNC a nice sized first half lead, and all around solid game on the road.

Arizona really, really seemed mentally weak. They, as CR said, aren't all that deep, but they fell into the trap that UNC sets by playing the pace that they do. There was a stretch in the first half where UNC was only leading by 5-10 or so, and Arizona was just coming downcourt, passing once or twice and launching 3s. They showed no patience and were taking lots of bad shots, and never looked to try to slow the game down when they still had a chance to keep it close.


Even if Arizona is a bit down, I'm really happy to see UNC play so well on the road.

[Wolfpack]

A couple of things stood out to me and made me very happy with UNC's play and very suprised with Arizona's play. UNC didn't have Wright, and Hansbrough was totally shut down in the first half, but Lawson is really progressing well at PG and the other big men were solid giving UNC a nice sized first half lead, and all around solid game on the road.

Arizona really, really seemed mentally weak. They, as CR said, aren't all that deep, but they fell into the trap that UNC sets by playing the pace that they do. There was a stretch in the first half where UNC was only leading by 5-10 or so, and Arizona was just coming downcourt, passing once or twice and launching 3s. They showed no patience and were taking lots of bad shots, and never looked to try to slow the game down when they still had a chance to keep it close.


Even if Arizona is a bit down, I'm really happy to see UNC play so well on the road.

After seeing parts of that demolition, I just have a few words regarding our upcoming meeting: be gentle. Please. (If this team could get crushed at home by Duke's worst team in a decade, I think Carolina can name their score against the Pack this year.)

[Karlifornia]

Stanford rallies from down 17 to knock off UCLA. They should be ranked on Monday, and I think they've punched their ticket to the dance. UCLA'll be ok, though.

[SuperGrover]

Stanford rallies from down 17 to knock off UCLA. They should be ranked on Monday, and I think they've punched their ticket to the dance. UCLA'll be ok, though.

Still a long way to go. Stanford has a tough schedule the rest of the way and could easily 5-5 which would make for a nervous Selection Sunday for the Cardinal.

[dawgfan]

Still a long way to go. Stanford has a tough schedule the rest of the way and could easily 5-5 which would make for a nervous Selection Sunday for the Cardinal.
Pac-10 has a high enough RPI that I think any .500 or better (conference record) team could make it this year.

[stevew]

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This missed dunk was hilarious.

[wade moore]

This missed dunk was hilarious.

You complete me.

[Johnny93g]

Indiana 71, #2 Wisconsin 66

:D :D :D :D :D :D

[miami_fan]

I was hoping the Tar Heels were going to be gentle.


Canes- 64
Tar Heels- 105


I guess not:(

[wbatl1]

I was hoping the Tar Heels were going to be gentle.


Canes- 64
Tar Heels- 105


I guess not:(

Yeah, we put in the end of the benchers for the last 1.5 minutes, and they scored 7 points. Thats rough...

[GoldenEagle]

Myles, sorry about tonight. Memphis was too talented. I hope UCF can continue to improve.

[miami_fan]

This kid Durant from Texas. He is pretty good.

Texas may want to have some sort of ceremony for him near the end of the year. He won't be around for his Senior Night. Or Junior Night.

[kingfc22]

Durant >>> Oden

[cartman]

Very impressive game by the Horns. Tech has been damn near unbeatable at home.

At the risk of sounding like a Texas homer, Durant reminds me a bit of Magic Johnson in the way he plays. He can play all 5 positions without any drop off. He can post up down low, and he can hit the 3 at will. Simply a dominating performance for him tonight. 37 points/23 rebounds.

[kingnebwsu]

I thought that was a misprint...37 pts and 23 boards? Good lord.

With a player like that on your team, your tournament run can last a pretty long time.

[Kodos]

Indiana 71, #2 Wisconsin 66

:D :D :D :D :D :D

The Hoosiers are on their way back to being an elite program. Maybe not this year, but soon... :)

[st.cronin]

Very impressive game by the Horns. Tech has been damn near unbeatable at home.

At the risk of sounding like a Texas homer, Durant reminds me a bit of Magic Johnson in the way he plays. He can play all 5 positions without any drop off. He can post up down low, and he can hit the 3 at will. Simply a dominating performance for him tonight. 37 points/23 rebounds.

Plus he's what, 12 years younger than Greg Oden?

[SuperGrover]

At the risk of sounding like a Texas homer, Durant reminds me a bit of Magic Johnson in the way he plays. He can play all 5 positions without any drop off. He can post up down low, and he can hit the 3 at will. Simply a dominating performance for him tonight. 37 points/23 rebounds.

I would say Durant reminds me of a combination of Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady. A bigger, much more physical Vince Carter. A more athletic Magic.

Basically, I'm saying the kid is one of a kind.

Texas still is going to struggle against the upper echelon. However, Durant is something special. I will be shocked if he is not an All-Star within 4 years.

I'd still take Oden #1 however.

Oh and Gonzaga and Stanford going down to the wire. Would not be a great loss for the Pac 10.

[Huckleberry]

I heard it was the first 35/20 performance in a non-OT game in 3 years. That is for the entire nation.

I may have to make it to Austin for one of our home games. It's not like I'll have a chance to make it to one next year to watch him.

[Radii]

After seeing parts of that demolition, I just have a few words regarding our upcoming meeting: be gentle. Please. (If this team could get crushed at home by Duke's worst team in a decade, I think Carolina can name their score against the Pack this year.)


ummmm. Uhoh.

[Radii]

Congrats to NC State.

[cartman]

Texas ran into a K-State team that was on fire from 3 point range. Durant still scored over 30 points, but K-State, which for the season was around 30% from 3 point range, knocked down 14 of 27 threes. K-State ends Texas' 22 game home win streak 73-72

[SuperGrover]

Congrats to NC State.

I haven't been this upset after a regular season loss in quite some time. Just a terrible loss.

this team needs to find a way to exert their will on the opposition. We simply set back and let NC State play Princeton-ball for about 37 of the 40 minutes of the game. They shot 60 f*(king percent. Unbelievable.

F*(k. I'm gonna be pissed until at least Monday.

[miami_fan]

They finally won a game this season. They are now 1-22 for the year and 1-12 in the Metro Atlantic.

[LoneStarGirl]

The Big 12 is having some awesome games this year. Texas A&M beat Kansas for the first time EVER. It is also the first time a Big 12 South team has ever won at Kansas. I really think the Aggies can make it to the final 4 this year if they keep this up.

[timmynausea]

West Virginia has won 4 in a row to make it an impressive 18-4 for the year. They've been a huge and pleasant surprise for WVU fans who expected a tough rebuilding year. I really probably shouldn't even post about it as they have immediately lost after every time I've mentioned them in this thread.

We're about to find out what they're really made of as they play Pitt, UCLA and Georgetown over the next 9 days.

[Chief Rum]

dawgfan, what's your take on the Huskies' issues right now?

I know they lost a ton last year, and I have a lot of respect for what Roy meant to them, but losing so badly to a poor Arizona team (for them, I mean) really makes me wonder. I was thinking UDub would pull out of its funk as the kids got more seasoning, but it doesn't seem to be happening yet.

Arizona needs to turn things around, too, to be sure they don't become a late decline victim for the selection committee. I seriously wonder if both UDub and UA will miss out on the tourney this year, despite all that talent. I have been hoping they would both get it together and perhaps get us in as much as seven teams, but I know seven is probably a pipe dream for a ten team league.

[dawgfan]

Well, it's still not out of the question for the UW to win 20 and finish .500 in the Pac-10, and given the strength of the conference this year, that could be enough to get them in. But even if they do, I don't have much confidence they'll do anything.

I think there are a number of issues with this team. Youth is obviously one issue; Hawes is a man-child and is very good already, but the rest of the heralded freshman class is going through major growing pains. Pondexter started off great, but he's regressed - not enough confidence in his outside shooting, not enough skill yet to create off the dribble. Nelson's forte was supposed to be his long-distance shooting, but he's struggled with his shot so far, and while he's game defensively, he doesn't have the skillset for it. Oliver shows potential, but he's not the point guard many of us figured and he hasn't developed the rest of his game enough yet to be a difference-maker.

A bigger issue is that this team lacks enough good defensive players. Romar's system will always be geared more towards run and gun, but in the past he's had enough gritty defensive players (Conroy, Robinson, Roy, Jones) to throw at opponents to get critical stops. Right now, there isn't that player on the Huskies - Hawes has the height to block shots, but he's a freshman that finds himself out of position too much and doesn't yet have the lower-body strength to handle burly post players. Brockman is a willing physical player, but he gets into foul trouble too easily and doesn't have the lateral quickness for more agile 4's. Pondexter has the physical potential to be a Bobby Jones type defender, but he's not there yet.

Another issue is ball-handling and distribution - we were hoping Dentmon would build on a promising freshman season, but he's been wildly inconsistent as a floor-general, and Appleby hasn't improved enough to be a reliable point. Oliver hasn't really shown the moxie for the position yet either. Too often, the Huskies face packed zones and just fire away from 3-point range rather than exploit their advantages in the post with Hawes and Brockman, and Pondexter isn't driving to the hoop like he was earlier in the season.

Having Hawes playing through a lengthy bout of the flu and an ankle sprain has also slowed the development of the team - the guards need all the experience they can get playing with a full-strength Hawes to learn how to feed the post, something the Huskies haven't had before under Romar.

I also think that they've developed a mental block about playing on the road this year - they didn't have a road game until Gonzaga, got whupped, got whupped again by UCLA and dropped some other close games in-conference on the road and now it's gotten into their heads.

If Hawes comes back next year this team could be scary-good. I think they just need more seasoning and they'll be fine, but it may be too late for this season.

What's funny and depressing at the same time is how many Husky fans are now turning on Romar and bitching about his coaching. Funny how raising expectations dramatically can turn around and bite a coach in the ass. I wouldn't trade Romar for any of the guys before him going back to when Harshman was unceremoniously forced into retirement. While I know Romar has some flaws, I'll take those few bad points along with all of the tremendous good he's brought to the program.

[SuperGrover]

The biggest issue with UW is they play no defense. None at all. THAT is their issue.

[JeeberD]

I really think the Aggies can make it to the final 4 this year if they keep this up.

If they do I think I will likely vomit...

[bhlloy]

Actually, the biggest problem with UW is that they were on the cover of SI's season preview (in the west anyway). I also believe that LSU were on the cover of the southeast edition. The curse is alive and well.

[dawgfan]

The biggest issue with UW is they play no defense. None at all. THAT is their issue.
I think I addressed that in my post, and yes, that is a major problem for this team - but not the only one.