2008/2009 Big East Thread

[countryboy]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

lol @ saying UofL got away with fouls. The game became close in the 2nd half due to 2 things:

*complacency by UofL(no intensity)

* careless turnovers by UofL

Both teams were called for 19 fouls, UofL shot 24 free throws and WVU shot 22. The refs let the guys play on both ends of the floor. UofL shot 56% from the floor to WVU's 36%, but WVU had 16 more field goal attempts. Also, UofL shot poorly at the free throw line, 15-24(62%).

UofL needs to learn to keep the intensity up when they have a team either on the ropes or out of it and not "back off".

[NYJets]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

#1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[countryboy]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I cannot wait until Monday's game. A chance to knock off two number ones this season.

[ehh]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

Screw the Superbowl, I can't wait for Big Monday.

[crques]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

lol @ saying UofL got away with fouls. The game became close in the 2nd half due to 2 things:

*complacency by UofL(no intensity)

* careless turnovers by UofL

Both teams were called for 19 fouls, UofL shot 24 free throws and WVU shot 22. The refs let the guys play on both ends of the floor. UofL shot 56% from the floor to WVU's 36%, but WVU had 16 more field goal attempts. Also, UofL shot poorly at the free throw line, 15-24(62%).

UofL needs to learn to keep the intensity up when they have a team either on the ropes or out of it and not "back off".

Oh I agree that Louisville got complacent and sloppy, which I've seen them do in other games this season, and WVU kept battling, although they had several careless turnovers themselves. The last 10 minutes of the 1st half were brutal for WVU. Without Mazzulla, they were struggling bringing the ball up the floor against Louisville's press with Truck playing like a true freshman at times, which he is. They did a much better job with Butler & Ruoff bringing the ball up in the 2nd half.

As far as fouls go, the game was physical and both teams got away with some pushing and shoving. That's typical Big East basketball. All I'm saying is that in the 1st half, I noticed at least 3 or 4 times that WVU turned the ball over against the press or the traps and arms were being held as they were trying to pass. That's all I'm saying. That doesn't mean that there weren't steals and turnovers caused without fouls because they definitely was. I'm just saying that Louisville was being more physical in the 1st half and the refs were letting them play. I saw a lot of pushing and pulling going on with their defense.

Also WVU did the same thing they always manage to do whenever they lose. They made stars out of role players. Smith and Jennings both had games that they just don't have. I think Smith had 20 points, while Jennings had 12, which is way above both of their averages. In the end, Louisville's athleticism was just too much and WVU couldn't capitalize on Louisville's mistakes. Once again, WVU missed too many open looks, which has haunted them all season long. I think the game will be much different when they play in Morgantown and it wouldn't surprise me if WVU doesn't win by 6 or more there. Now, on to the Carrier Dome Wednesday night.

[emalloy3]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I'm a G'town fan and I can't for the life of me understand what the hell is wrong with this team. They have to get it together or there going to the NIT.

[countryboy]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

Oh I agree that Louisville got complacent and sloppy, which I've seen them do in other games this season, and WVU kept battling, although they had several careless turnovers themselves. The last 10 minutes of the 1st half were brutal for WVU. Without Mazzulla, they were struggling bringing the ball up the floor against Louisville's press with Truck playing like a true freshman at times, which he is. They did a much better job with Butler & Ruoff bringing the ball up in the 2nd half.

As far as fouls go, the game was physical and both teams got away with some pushing and shoving. That's typical Big East basketball. All I'm saying is that in the 1st half, I noticed at least 3 or 4 times that WVU turned the ball over against the press or the traps and arms were being held as they were trying to pass. That's all I'm saying. That doesn't mean that there weren't steals and turnovers caused without fouls because they definitely was. I'm just saying that Louisville was being more physical in the 1st half and the refs were letting them play. I saw a lot of pushing and pulling going on with their defense.

Also WVU did the same thing they always manage to do whenever they lose. They made stars out of role players. Smith and Jennings both had games that they just don't have. I think Smith had 20 points, while Jennings had 12, which is way above both of their averages. In the end, Louisville's athleticism was just too much and WVU couldn't capitalize on Louisville's mistakes. Once again, WVU missed too many open looks, which has haunted them all season long. I think the game will be much different when they play in Morgantown and it wouldn't surprise me if WVU doesn't win by 6 or more there. Now, on to the Carrier Dome Wednesday night.

We'll have to agree to disagree about the officiating. The game was physical on both ends of the floor and the refs let them play. Clark got hammered twice that I can recall without a call.

And it may be different in Morgantown, but I'm an estatic that we won a game when we got $hit from Clark and T-Will. Clark had 4pts and T-Will had 8. Thats not going to happen that often. Couple that with the fact that UofL had 26 turnovers, just shows how good of a defensive team and how balanced UofL is this year.

And lets not forget that Smith has been underperforming thus far this season. He should be averaging double figures with his outside shooting ability, but he's lazy without the ball. And TJ is probably the Freshman with the most upside for UofL. He's a beast thats only going to get better as the year goes on. I can't wait to see him in his Junior season.

Its also good to see that Sosa played his 3rd straight game without a turnover. McGee, Clark, and T-Will combined for 16 of UofL's 26 turnovers. You won't see that very often either.

[crques]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

We'll have to agree to disagree about the officiating. The game was physical on both ends of the floor and the refs let them play. Clark got hammered twice that I can recall without a call.

And it may be different in Morgantown, but I'm an estatic that we won a game when we got $hit from Clark and T-Will. Clark had 4pts and T-Will had 8. Thats not going to happen that often. Couple that with the fact that UofL had 26 turnovers, just shows how good of a defensive team and how balanced UofL is this year.

And lets not forget that Smith has been underperforming thus far this season. He should be averaging double figures with his outside shooting ability, but he's lazy without the ball. And TJ is probably the Freshman with the most upside for UofL. He's a beast thats only going to get better as the year goes on. I can't wait to see him in his Junior season.

Its also good to see that Sosa played his 3rd straight game without a turnover. McGee, Clark, and T-Will combined for 16 of UofL's 26 turnovers. You won't see that very often either.

Clark definitely was underwhelming. I was expecting him to have a good game but I hardly noticed him on the floor. I can handle agreeing to disagree on the officiating. That's going to happen most of the time when fans from opposing teams talk about a game. LOL I was impressed with Sosa's play yesterday. I was expecting him to turn the ball over against WVU's defense at least 2 or 3 times but he handled the pressure very well. I nearly fired a pillow through the tv on that one 3 Smith hit right in front of the WVU bench about 4 feet behind the line. It was almost like he didn't want to shoot it but did anyway and it was nothing but net. I'm looking forward to the UConn game tomorrow night. I have the think that a #1 team is going to fall for the 3rd week in a row.

[countryboy]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

Big time game tonight in Freedom Hall as UConn comes to visit. I am so fired up for this game. Big game for both teams. UofL to keep pace with Marquette and for UConn to stay within a game of Marquette should the Huskies win.

Hopefully Earl and T-Will play better than they did against WVU as we got crap from them Saturday. Also, no careless turnovers, no quick shots, and hit the offensive glass hard. Thats what I feel UofL has to do to win tonight. Thabeet in foul trouble early and often would be nice as well.

Man, is it 7pm yet?

[fishepa]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I'm already getting nervous. I have to be honest, I think our Big East run has ended tonight.

[countryboy]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I've got butterflies. We keep talking about it here at work. I feel confident though about this game. I think the WVU comeback humbled us in a way. Patience is the key for us tonight, no quick shots. We don't want to run with UConn, imo.

Oh how huge this game is for both squads. And I'm confident in saying, no offense to Marquette, but tonight you'll be seeing the 2 best teams in the Big East.

[crques]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I'm already getting nervous. I have to be honest, I think our Big East run has ended tonight.

I honestly think you guys are going to pull this one out and the curse of #1 will live on. WVU only lost by 6 to UConn in Morgantown and didn't even have a great offensive game, but played good defense. Ruoff was ice cold that night. I can see UConn's guards having the same problems that WVU did against the press on Saturday. I think that guard play is definitely not the strong point for the Huskies.

[NYJets]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I think that guard play is definitely not the strong point for the Huskies.

What?

You must have only watched them play WVU this year then.

AJ Price, Jerome Dyson, with Kemba Walker and Craig Austrie off the bench. Not many teams out there who beat that group.

[ehh]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I think the game is gonna be decided at the charity stripe tonight. It's gonna be physical as hell and I'm sure both teams are gonna be taking a good amount of a FT's - whoever hits at a higher clip is probably gonna get the W.

Outside of that I think the guard-play is gonna be huge, I assume Clark/Williams/Samuels vs Adrien/Thabeet/Robinson is basically gonna be a draw. AJ has had his best games this year against the best teams, hopefully that continues. He could do pretty much whatever he wanted in their game last year.

What?

You must have only watched them play WVU this year then.

True, both Price and Calhoun agreed that the WVU game was the worst of Price's career.

[nickb]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I've got butterflies. We keep talking about it here at work. I feel confident though about this game. I think the WVU comeback humbled us in a way. Patience is the key for us tonight, no quick shots. We don't want to run with UConn, imo.

Oh how huge this game is for both squads. And I'm confident in saying, no offense to Marquette, but tonight you'll be seeing the 2 best teams in the Big East.

Ill take offense to that...No one else respects this team though, so what the hell right?