Unofficial Official 2012-13 College Basketball Thread

[MrBug708]

Good. Coach K deserves it

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Good. Coach K deserves it

Yeah because he had something to do with it.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by britrock88

I think if we took a good look at the rigors of the coursework that football and men's basketball players handle at top universities nationwide, we'd find something akin to doping in cycling.

The NCAA already said it's fine to have no-attendance / minor workload classes that award A's to athletes and are only made available too late for regular students to attend, as long they are on the books at the university as a class. It's payment and students having trouble in real classes that the NCAA is worried about...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

No place like home: UK's new gold standard in housing - CoachCal.com

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by cartman

This is an interesting story. Will be interesting to see where this investigation goes.

Will lawsuit set off a Duke firestorm with the NCAA? -- men's college basketball - ESPN

It'll go about as far as their interest in the UNC scandals. Meanwhile, I expect Rodney Purvis to get banned from playing for State by the NCAA because they'll somehow find something wrong with his high school work that merits it (why else could it be taking so long?).

[MrBug708]

If he's ruled ineligible...

I doubt the NCAA rules him ineligible. I wonder if Howland ratted him out...haha

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

Yeah because he had something to do with it.

As much as Howland had to do with Shabazz taking a paid flight to visit the state of North Carolina

[digamma]

News trickled out last night that Kyle Casey will voluntarily take a year off from Harvard. He is implicated in the "academic integrity" scandal affecting an undergraduate government class. Apparently at least one other basketball player (a starter) is also implicated, but he has not decided what to do yet.

By taking a year off, Casey preserves a year of eligibility. Under Ivy rules, if he started the school year, he would have lost the year of eligibility had he later been suspended or disciplined by the University.

Difficult situation, and I don't think the news over the next few days will be good. We'll see how many starters are lost for the first football game versus San Diego Saturday.

[miami_fan]

This ought to be cool. Has anyone heard any gripes from either fanbase about taking a game from the States?

Spartans-Huskies game gets go-ahead for Ramstein Air Base - Sports - Stripes

WIESBADEN, Germany — Two perennial NCAA Division-I basketball powerhouses have been cleared for tip-off at Ramstein Air Base on Nov. 9, according to U.S. Air Forces in Europe spokesman Juan Melendez.

The Armed Forces Classic matchup between the Michigan State Spartans and the University of Connecticut Huskies was announced earlier this year by ESPN, but it was dependent upon Defense Department approval.

“It will happen,” Melendez said Friday, adding that “it is a Ramstein Air Base event.”

The game, slated to air on ESPN, begins at 11:30 p.m. Central European Time.

Base officials say they have not determined how admission and tickets will be handled.

Last season, the Spartans opened the college basketball season against North Carolina on the deck of an active aircraft carrier.

“I’m looking forward to this,” UConn coach Jim Calhoun told ESPN. “We both consider ourselves national programs and we’re going across the sea to Germany. It’s a special thing for our [servicemen and women], a special game for our kids. We get to play a good team. There is an awful lot of good in this for all sides.”

[digamma]

Originally Posted by digamma

News trickled out last night that Kyle Casey will voluntarily take a year off from Harvard. He is implicated in the "academic integrity" scandal affecting an undergraduate government class. Apparently at least one other basketball player (a starter) is also implicated, but he has not decided what to do yet.

By taking a year off, Casey preserves a year of eligibility. Under Ivy rules, if he started the school year, he would have lost the year of eligibility had he later been suspended or disciplined by the University.

Difficult situation, and I don't think the news over the next few days will be good. We'll see how many starters are lost for the first football game versus San Diego Saturday.

Now looks to be confirmed that the second player mentioned above will take a year off as well. Brandyn Curry, starting point guard.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by digamma

Now looks to be confirmed that the second player mentioned above will take a year off as well. Brandyn Curry, starting point guard.

The numbers I heard were like 125 of 280 students in a class, mostly sharing notes and collaborating on take-home tests. Kind of interesting timing to come out now, instead of early in the summer when all the appeals etc could have been handled before the fall semester started.

Takes some of the luster off the Harvard @ UMass opener, but we could use an easier win before heading down to Puerto Rico, especially considering our injury situation.

[Butter]

Shaping up to be a rough year for Xavier. After losing last year's starting SG Mark Lyons to transfer to Arizona, then losing the best remaining returning player in Dezmine Wells to an as-yet-unknown "sexual issue" (he transferred to Maryland), word comes today that 2 incoming freshmen may not have passed their SATs and may be ineligible for the coming season, which would leave X with 8 scholarship players, and only 3 guards for this season.

Not completely substantiated yet on the 2 freshmen thing, but it is lighting up the X message boards right now.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

The numbers I heard were like 125 of 280 students in a class, mostly sharing notes and collaborating on take-home tests. Kind of interesting timing to come out now, instead of early in the summer when all the appeals etc could have been handled before the fall semester started.

Takes some of the luster off the Harvard @ UMass opener, but we could use an easier win before heading down to Puerto Rico, especially considering our injury situation.

Reading between the lines, my take on what happened is that there was a pretty robust form file of past tests and either the students in this class got sloppy about how they used the file or the professor finally woke up to the fact that people were using the same file of answers. Or some combination of both.

Casey is the "name" loss, but Curry could be more detrimental to the team. Wes Saunders is probably a better player than Casey and can step in to fill the role he leaves. The criticism on Casey is that he looks the part but hasn't quite figured out how to put it all together. There's really no one to replace Curry. A frosh from Minnesota will be handed the ball and we'll see what happens.

But if Casey and Curry come back in 2013, and Zena Edosomwan comes from his post grad high school year as expected, look out.

[digamma]

Dola.

And not to downplay the cheating or punishment, but a hoops player I knew in college got caught red handed, cheat sheet under the blue book in an exam in college. He was suspended for a year.

[cartman]

It appears that Jim Calhoun is stepping down at UConn.

Calhoun Leaving UConn - Courant.com

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by cartman

It appears that Jim Calhoun is stepping down at UConn.

Calhoun Leaving UConn - Courant.com

What a shame...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like some info starting to come out about the 2013 'Carrier' event. Going to be an eight team event.

Kentucky ‘Highly Unlikely’ to Participate in 2013 Carrier Classic (UPDATED) | ZagsBlog.com

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The fall was frighteningly quick.......

Billy Gillispie resigns at Texas Tech, likely ending his head coaching career | The Dagger - Yahoo! Sports

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Less than three weeks away.........

ESPNU Midnight Madness Tips off NCAA Basketball Season with 14 Team Debuts on Oct. 12 « ESPN MediaZone

[molson]

There's this "private high school" in my home town that has about 40 students attending it any one time, about half of whom are always talented basketball players from all over the country. I don't know how a common a thing this is, but it was always assumed there was very little actual non-basketball schooling going on there. The NCAA just noticed this apparently, a few decades in.

NCAA investigating Massachusetts basketball powerhouse prep school - Yahoo! Sports

[CraigSca]

Harrison twins to announce Thursday at 5pm on ESPNU. Probably not going to happen, but "Go Terps!" anyway.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Harrison twins to announce Thursday at 5pm on ESPNU. Probably not going to happen, but "Go Terps!" anyway.

I haven't been following their recruitment closely but from what I have read, actually, it likely is going to happen. I believe they are currently thought to be leaning to Maryland.

But like I said, I haven't been following closely and don't know if anything has changed or gone abck and forth with that in the past few days.

[spleen1015]

I really hope they go to Maryland, but you can't turn now the turd that is Calipari.

[CraigSca]

So, "surprisingly" they pick Kentucky. Can't really blame them - they seem like stand-up kids.

I never really disliked Kentucky before - until now. To me, they're turning into the Yankees of college basketball. Come tourney time my fave team will be Maryland and whoever plays Kentucky. Still, I wish nothing but success for the twins.

[Chief Rum]

Yup, looks like KY made up whatever ground they were short when I first started hearing the twins were going to Maryland. That's a shame for Maryland.

[sterlingice]

Briefcases full of cash do wonders

SI

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Briefcases full of cash do wonders

SI

Never bet again$t Calipari...

[cartman]

It is obvious to anyone who was paying attention that they were going to Kentucky. They clearly wanted to be schooled two times a year by Mizzou, so that they could learn and grow their game. Frankly, I'm surprised that anyone would think otherwise...............

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by cartman

It is obvious to anyone who was paying attention that they were going to Kentucky. They clearly wanted to be schooled two times a year by Mizzou, so that they could learn and grow their game. Frankly, I'm surprised that anyone would think otherwise...............

I read an article today that was positive they were going to MD because Under Armor sponsors their AAU team and MD. The article was all about how the shoe companies control NCAA basketball.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

I read an article today that was positive they were going to MD because Under Armor sponsors their AAU team and MD. The article was all about how the shoe companies control NCAA basketball.

You don't have to look much further than Kentucky to prove that out.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Midnight Madness is one week away. Getting excited to see the boys hit the hardwood.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Briefcases full of cash do wonders

SI

I get that many hate Calipari and what he stands for, but does anyone think he's really paying recruits and not just selling them on his track record of showcasing one and done players for the NBA lottery? In the last 5 NBA drafts, he's had 3 #1 overall picks, 7 players go in the top 8, 13 1st-rounders, and 19 players drafted (I'm not including Enes Kanter). A lot of people find it sleazy, but imo he's looked at the landscape, realized (and accepted) that for a few top players each class it's a pure financial business decision and sold them on his system and Kentucky being the perfect place to A) get drafted highly by an NBA team and B) get the hype and exposure so the player is a valuable commodity for his first shoe deal (and other endorsements) once he enters the NBA.

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Shaping up to be a rough year for Xavier. After losing last year's starting SG Mark Lyons to transfer to Arizona, then losing the best remaining returning player in Dezmine Wells to an as-yet-unknown "sexual issue" (he transferred to Maryland), word comes today that 2 incoming freshmen may not have passed their SATs and may be ineligible for the coming season, which would leave X with 8 scholarship players, and only 3 guards for this season.

Sounds like Wells got kind of railroaded there, probably partially because the government was looking into accusations the school hadn't acted fast enough in previous situations, bad for Xavier either way.

A-10 media poll came out yesterday. UMass basically tied with Temple for 4th behind St. Joe's, SLU* and VCU. All 5 teams, plus Butler in 6th, received 1st place votes, and LaSalle/Dayton/Xavier/Richmond all have some talent too - should be a fun season. If UMass (and specifically C Cady Lalanne) stays healthy, I really think we'll make a lot of noise and make the NCAA's for the first time since 1998. Have some chances for statement wins early, with games vs. Providence and potentially NC State or Tennessee in Puerto Rico and home games vs. Harvard, Miami and Ohio in the first month. Chaz Williams (5'6 JR PG, averaged 17/4.5/6 per game last year) is one of the most exciting players in the country - get on the bandwagon now before it's cool.

* - my pick for overhyped fringe top 25 team that could implode this season. I didn't think they were all that good last season (that I saw them lose by 20 live to UMass didn't help), they lose their top scorer to graduation and Rick Majerus for the season.

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

I get that many hate Calipari and what he stands for, but does anyone think he's really paying recruits and not just selling them on his track record of showcasing one and done players for the NBA lottery? In the last 5 NBA drafts, he's had 3 #1 overall picks, 7 players go in the top 8, 13 1st-rounders, and 19 players drafted (I'm not including Enes Kanter). A lot of people find it sleazy, but imo he's looked at the landscape, realized (and accepted) that for a few top players each class it's a pure financial business decision and sold them on his system and Kentucky being the perfect place to A) get drafted highly by an NBA team and B) get the hype and exposure so the player is a valuable commodity for his first shoe deal (and other endorsements) once he enters the NBA.

The whole cash thing is over the top, true, but Cal doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation considering that UMass and Memphis both had seasons vacated on his watch. Kentucky as a basketball program hasn't exactly had a clean past, either. Irrational we-should-be-champs-its-our-God-given-right fanbases leads to that. Two and two, it's certainly possible. Shoot, I'm up close and personal with a potentially destructive unmasking of one of the most sanctimoni--er, sanctified--programs in the country down the road at Chapel Hill and if that bastion of what is supposedly right about college athletics is going up in flames, it's much more likely there are skeletons floating around the Kentucky campus.

Even if Cal's on the level, the cynicism of his recruiting pretty much makes a mockery of the NCAA and the whole student-athlete ethos. May as well make Kentucky an NBDL team for all school matters in the equation.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Early All-American teams. Muhammad pick for first team is a bit ridiculous. He's a talent, but he's done nothing to warrant that pick.

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

Edit: And a top 100 list.......

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

Conference and Final Four pics..........

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

[RainMaker]

Cal has a bad reputation, but I also think he can walk into a recruits home with a list of NBA players over the last few years and tell them this is where he will get them.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

No place like home: UK's new gold standard in housing - CoachCal.com

Not an expert on the rules, but at some point, when does special treatment cross a line? Could a school rent out a mansion for their athletes and hire a full time wait staff?

[Kodos]

Nice to see Cody Zeller and the Hoosiers getting some love. Can't wait for the season to begin.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Cal has a bad reputation, but I also think he can walk into a recruits home with a list of NBA players over the last few years and tell them this is where he will get them.

I think that's only been true the last season or two. Yes, he won a title last year with his all blue chip team but until then, I don't think it was nearly that easy. He didn't get to Kentucky until 3 years ago in 2009. And 2009 was the same year he had to vacate his previous title at Memphis. You think recruits were jumping all over themselves to go to Memphis? Without a little SAT help, maybe? And that first year at Kentucky, with the cloud of penalties hanging over him? Never mind that he then choked in the tourney in 2009 and then in the regular season in 2010 (#4 seed).

I'm not saying that this year he can't go in there now and recruit whoever he wants after winning a national title and putting a truckload of players into the NBA in the process. But let's not get too revisionist and paint him as John Wooden the last 10 years. If you had to make a bet as to which major college coach did the most illegal and immoral stuff to get players the last 10 years to build their success, it isn't Coach K, Tom Izzo, Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams, or Bill Self.

SI

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Early All-American teams. Muhammad pick for first team is a bit ridiculous. He's a talent, but he's done nothing to warrant that pick.

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

Of the first and second team, there are 5 non-major conference players. I have to think that's pretty uncommon.

SI

[sterlingice]

Lastly, all the KU love has me worried. In the past, if KU had a down season, KState or Mizzou or Texas or Baylor or whoever would be picked above them in the Big XII. The cupboard is pretty much bare with Withey (defensively dominant but not much offensive game) and Johnson (better suited as a role player) the only major returning players. But everyone is doing this "Self is a miracle worker" thing after last year but I don't see the facts to back it up.

Then again, last year I was worried that beyond Robinson we didn't know what we had except a headcase in Taylor and a bunch of role players.

SI

[cartman]

I have no clue about Texas. No upperclassmen at all on the team, the entire roster is freshmen and sophomores.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Not an expert on the rules, but at some point, when does special treatment cross a line? Could a school rent out a mansion for their athletes and hire a full time wait staff?

This palace is pushing the rules; I think there's a requirement that "normal" students need to also be living there, but what percentage is required I'm not sure. And who wants to bet the "normal" kids living there are involved with the athletic department in some capacity?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

This palace is pushing the rules; I think there's a requirement that "normal" students need to also be living there, but what percentage is required I'm not sure. And who wants to bet the "normal" kids living there are involved with the athletic department in some capacity?

The requirement is at least 50/50 athlete/non-athlete.

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Early All-American teams. Muhammad pick for first team is a bit ridiculous. He's a talent, but he's done nothing to warrant that pick.

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

Edit: And a top 100 list.......

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

Conference and Final Four pics..........

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

Almost mystifying. State's been the absolute trendy (heck, not even trendy at the rate things are going, but justifiable) pick to win the ACC this year and are widely expected to actually open the season in the top 10 of most polls. Yet four of five experts here deadlock on the UNC/Duke hegemony, leave CJ Leslie and Lorenzo Brown off any All-American teams and Rodney Purvis off the freshman teams. Hell, CJ Leslie was easily one of the top 20 players in the country at the end of last year and he doesn't show up here? WTF?

[MrBug708]

Where should Shabazz be ranked? He has #1 draft pick talent, why not put him at 3rd?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

If you had to make a bet as to which major college coach did the most illegal and immoral stuff to get players the last 10 years to build their success, it isn't Coach K, Tom Izzo, Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams, or Bill Self.

SI

With Calhoun gone I think Calipari has this locked up nicely moving foward.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

You think recruits were jumping all over themselves to go to Memphis? Without a little SAT help, maybe? And that first year at Kentucky, with the cloud of penalties hanging over him? Never mind that he then choked in the tourney in 2009 and then in the regular season in 2010 (#4 seed).

I'm not saying that this year he can't go in there now and recruit whoever he wants after winning a national title and putting a truckload of players into the NBA in the process. But let's not get too revisionist and paint him as John Wooden the last 10 years. If you had to make a bet as to which major college coach did the most illegal and immoral stuff to get players the last 10 years to build their success, it isn't Coach K, Tom Izzo, Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams, or Bill Self.

I believe that he has put his head in the sand in the past (Marcus Camby was flashing money all around campus in 1996), but that's nothing unusual for top college coaches considering out of the group of six you mentioned at least four are tied to shady things around them (Lance Thomas, Bernie Fine, the UNC academic scandal, and Sam Gilbert). I think you underestimate the charisma of the man, the connections (like Worldwide Wes) he has, and the draw of Memphis basketball to a minor extent.

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

The whole cash thing is over the top, true, but Cal doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation considering that UMass and Memphis both had seasons vacated on his watch.

Even if Cal's on the level, the cynicism of his recruiting pretty much makes a mockery of the NCAA and the whole student-athlete ethos. May as well make Kentucky an NBDL team for all school matters in the equation.

I think your first paragraph is actually a point in his favor - he's been hated by other coaches for 20 years, had two major NCAA investigations, and all they could ever find was a player being paid by an agent without Cal's knowledge, and a player who probably cheated on his SAT.

I agree with your second paragraph, but I don't think that means he has to be dirty, like most opposing fans believe. And I believe that if the NBA changed the age limit or the NCAA adjusted the APR he'd change how he recruits.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Where should Shabazz be ranked? He has #1 draft pick talent, why not put him at 3rd?

It reminds me of Harrison Barnes getting hyped before stepping on campus - even if he is that good, why not wait to see how it translates to college and the system he is playing in. That's without even touching the likely suspension.

Originally Posted by Atocep

With Calhoun gone I think Calipari has this locked up nicely moving foward.

Fans of Bob Huggins-coached teams probably shouldn't throw stones (although I certainly agree with you on Calhoun).

[Radii]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Where should Shabazz be ranked? He has #1 draft pick talent, why not put him at 3rd?

Harrison Barnes says be careful.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Early All-American teams. Muhammad pick for first team is a bit ridiculous. He's a talent, but he's done nothing to warrant that pick.

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

Edit: And a top 100 list.......

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

Conference and Final Four pics..........

2012-13 College Basketball Previews - CBSSports.com

I'm so excited for this season. Best team UNLV has had in a long, long time, maybe even since the championship Tark years.