Who should I root for?

[TheMatrix31]

I've posed this question to some friends on Twitter but figured I'd ask it here.

Most of you know I'm a massive Suns fan, and most of you know that I've kinda soured on the NBA in recent years. With the NBA season in jeopardy, I figured I might need to pick up college basketball to get my basketball fix. I'm not very big on college sports, but its probably going to be the only game in town.

I'm originally from Fresno so I root for Fresno State. Unfortunately, nationally, they don't get much play or TV coverage so that pretty much goes by the wayside. I went to UCLA for school, so obviously there's that tie, and while I root for them to do well, ultimately I can't stand their playing style and don't know if I can exactly be "a fan", considering they're pretty much the antithesis of Phoenix Suns basketball.

So there it is. I want a team with a great PG who is somewhat Nash-like, an energetic big man in the mold of Gortat, some support shooters and perimeter D guys, a team that's generally classy (i.e. not full of thugs and idiots and not corrupted Calipari-style), plays quickly with an emphasis on offense, etc. Would prefer a team that isn't always a championship contender but is good enough to not be worthless, lol.

I know it's a lot to ask since the college game is so much different than the NBA game, but I hope maybe you guys can help me out.

Thanks!

[Husker_OS]

Re: Who should I root for?

I'll be honest, I didn't read a word of that post other than the subject because of the following..


I know you went to undergrad at UCLA. That's a slam dunk, cheesy pun intended, to me. They have a good coach, good recruiting base, best tradition in all of basketball, and are on TV all the time.


Or join me and be a Utah State fan.

[TheBrothers24]

Michigan State Spartans sounds like a perfect fit. Izzo is a great no nonsense coach. Most of his players stay at least 3 years so you can expect them to grow and learn the fundamentals. They are never short on talent but are not a contender every year.

Izzo gets the most out of his players with last year being an exception. They are always a good defensive team and are more substance than style. They aren't a "run n gun" like the sun's but their style is perfect for the players they recruit.

If I wasn't a Tar Heel fan, MSU would definitely be the program I would follow. They recruit well enough to be competitive with other top programs year in and year out but don't "the top 5" classes all the time to be a "favorite" every year.

Other Schools you could look at would be Gonzaga or Washington. Both uptempo teams with strong perimeter play and skilled bigs.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: Who should I root for?

Since you're a Suns fan, how about Arizona? Don't know much about them, but they could be a good choice.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Who should I root for?

UCLA's a proper option due to ease of viewing and ties but its just the playing style. I can't really get down with games in the 40s and 50s. Might suck it up. Too bad their games arent at Pauley this year. I live like 5 miles away from campus. Would have been a piece of cake to attend games.

MSU, ehh. Properly run but I don't know. I know Gonzaga and Washington generally have uptempo programs. Might have to give shot.

Doesn't Arizona have a star PG?

[Marino]

Re: Who should I root for?

I know how much your sports teams let you down and disappoint you, so NC State would be the perfect fit for you.

We do have a new coach and a top 3 recruiting class coming in next year though.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Who should I root for?

You could come support Maryland.

Got a new Coach and basically rebuilding from the ground up again so it's probably going to be rough couple of years but considering the area they're located at(in terms of talent and is probably the best in the country)the rebuild might not take as long.

Only downside is considering where you're at, you probably won't be able to see them more than maybe 2-3 times a year or unless you watch them online, which is the route I have to go unfortunately.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Who should I root for?

Matrix, Gonzaga. It's gotta be your team.

Either that or UCLA.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Who should I root for?

I know how much your sports teams let you down and disappoint you, so NC State would be the perfect fit for you.

We do have a new coach and a top 3 recruiting class coming in next year though.

You could come support Maryland.

Got a new Coach and basically rebuilding from the ground up again so it's probably going to be rough couple of years but considering the area they're located at(in terms of talent and is probably the best in the country)the rebuild might not take as long.

Only downside is considering where you're at, you probably won't be able to see them more than maybe 2-3 times a year or unless you watch them online, which is the route I have to go unfortunately.

Maryland is on TV relatively often it seems. NC State too. I guess those ACC teams are always somewhere, lol. Not sure I want a rebuild project but these college sports teams undergo so much turnover anyway, it seems like the norm. Part of the reason I don't really care for college sports as much as I probably should.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Who should I root for?

Matrix, Gonzaga. It's gotta be your team.

Either that or UCLA.

Yeah, Gonzaga would be a nice choice as well.

[ehh]

Re: Who should I root for?

You need to get off the west coast if you're looking for a star PG to root for.

Arizona probably makes the most sense, I don't watch a ton of Pac-10 basketball because it's so hard to find the damn stuff on TV on the east coast but Zona has always been the most entertaining west coast team IMO. In general they have very good PG's, though none at the moment.

UCLA is painful to watch and every other Pac-10 team is just painful period. I guess Washington could be an option but they'd drive me crazy. Too many athletes, not enough basketball players and so-so coaching. They're like the homeless man's version of UConn and they almost always underachieve.

[gofresno]

Re: Who should I root for?

I've posed this question to some friends on Twitter but figured I'd ask it here.

Most of you know I'm a massive Suns fan, and most of you know that I've kinda soured on the NBA in recent years. With the NBA season in jeopardy, I figured I might need to pick up college basketball to get my basketball fix. I'm not very big on college sports, but its probably going to be the only game in town.

I'm originally from Fresno so I root for Fresno State. Unfortunately, nationally, they don't get much play or TV coverage so that pretty much goes by the wayside. I went to UCLA for school, so obviously there's that tie, and while I root for them to do well, ultimately I can't stand their playing style and don't know if I can exactly be "a fan", considering they're pretty much the antithesis of Phoenix Suns basketball.

So there it is. I want a team with a great PG who is somewhat Nash-like, an energetic big man in the mold of Gortat, some support shooters and perimeter D guys, a team that's generally classy (i.e. not full of thugs and idiots and not corrupted Calipari-style), plays quickly with an emphasis on offense, etc. Would prefer a team that isn't always a championship contender but is good enough to not be worthless, lol.

I know it's a lot to ask since the college game is so much different than the NBA game, but I hope maybe you guys can help me out.

Thanks!

Hey! A Fresno guy! Don't give up on the 'Dogs yet. You can probably pass this year but the future is bright. Fresno State just hired Texas's Rick Barne's right hand man for 9 years Rodney Terry. The team is small now, so they're running a real up-tempo offense. The current PG is an exciting player, but not much of a scorer. They have a 6-1 sophomore 2 guard who was the leading scorer last year, had 29 points in the season opener on 7 3's. He may make the transition to PG to help his NBA prospect status.

You say they aren't on TV but you may have some help now. Next year FS makes the move to the Mountain West. Most cable services on the west coast have the MTN channel, which airs most if not all Mountain West basketball games. So you would be able to watch the Bulldogs all the time.

They're lacking depth right now, but a freshman transfer from Kansas, Braeden Anderson, a leading scorer from UOP are waiting for next season, and 4 star recruit 7-footer Robert Upshaw has the Bulldogs in his top 4.
Coach Terry has been a big time recruiter, and has people believing he can revive the program in a short amount of time.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Who should I root for?

Gonzaga is definitely an option. I've kept a distant eye on them for years, always offensive and such.

I'm watching a recording of this Arizona/Valparaiso game and Arizona is not too shabby.

Good to see another Fresno State guy, man. I know about Rodney Terry. That's an exciting move for sure. I wonder if I get the Mountain West Channel on DirecTV somewhere. That would definitely help me get back to my roots.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: Who should I root for?

Oklahoma State could be an option as well. They're relatively up-tempo, but I'm not familiar with their players, so I don't know if they have a star PG.

[PhantomPain]

Re: Who should I root for?

For the record, Calipari does not have any idiots or thug players. In fact, the closest thing he had to a thug player was Cousins in his first year. Last year UK had the highest APR in the SEC, yes even over Vandy.

This year they have some of the highest character guys with tons of skills that a team could ask for. Most scouts/analysts talk about the immense talent the frosh have but they rave about their character just as much.

Not trying to get you to follow UK, although they nearly fit your description to a tee, just wanted to point out some facts.