The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

I think it may take 5 to 10 years for people to really appreciate how good Kentucky was. They were a shot at the buzzer in Indiana and the last 2 minutes of the SEC Title game from going perfect, pretty damn impressive.

One of the best teams in the past 5-10 years ish I would think. At the end of the day though, the talent has really dropped off from years past with all these one and dones.

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

I thought the talent this year was much better than the previous 2 years and that there were better teams at the top. But this tournament was average, the only real memories were the 2 comebacks in the play-in, the 2 15 seeds and just how good Kentucky was. In fact, championship week was really the same way too; no buzzer beaters and a lot of missed shots at the end.

I think it may take 5 to 10 years for people to really appreciate how good Kentucky was. They were a shot at the buzzer in Indiana and the last 2 minutes of the SEC Title game from going perfect, pretty damn impressive.

I think UNC and UK were head and shoulders above the rest but besides that it was still a mess talent-wise.

UK gelled and improved as a team from Oct-April better than any other Calipari team in the "one-n-done" era. They were a smart team, played very well together, actually had a real offense (that they were able to execute very well) and were not selfish at all. This was the first team Cal has had since Camby's that was known for their defense more than their offense. Going into the season I didn't expect much from UK but they really put things together to become one of the better teams of the last five years.

That being said, we didn't really get to see them against much talent.

• UNC just needs to stop hogging all the talent and underachieving.
• Syracuse was better than I thought they'd be because of Melo's development. A solid, well-rounded team but not historically special.
• Kansas had their least-talented roster since probably the 80's. Robinson is a nice player but struggled against good, big teams. Taylor makes your eyes bleed watching him attempt to play the point and they really don't have a single scorer on the team.
• Louisville probably doesn't have an NBA player on the roster
• Ohio State was a solid team but flawed.

The powerhouse, "holy ****!" teams just aren't in college basketball anymore. UK still has teams loaded with lottery picks year in and year out but this was the first year it materialized to success in the college game.

2001 Duke was just a silly roster.
2004 UConn had six future 1st round picks
2005 UNC was a loaded college team, granted busts in the pros
2007 Florida was a great college team
2008 Kansas didn't have a dominant college player but had NBA guys all over the roster
2009 UNC is the same as 2008 Kansas.

And that's just the start of it, look at some of the Final Four teams from 1998-2006 that didn't win a title. Many of those teams were frighteningly loaded.

And since then things fell off a cliff. 2010 Duke was a shell of vintage Duke basketball. 2011 UConn probably isn't in their programs Top 7-8 teams of all-time yet they won a title. 2012 Kansas making the Finals this year after all their underachieving since the mid-90's is kinda comical. 2012 UK obviously has Davis and MKG will probably be a very good pro but Jones, Teague, Miller etc won't make it IMO. They'll probably fall into the 08 Kansas/09 UNC category a few years down the line.

Just look at what happened to the Pac-10 the last couple of years. They aren't even one of the six-best conferences in the nation anymore. The SEC isn't much better, at least Florida is there to coincide with UK. And it just seems like we're really lacking from great scorers in the major conferences. No JJ Reddicks, Durants, etc.


College basketball lost a step in the 2000's compared to the 1990's but I'll take that back over the 2010's thus far any day of the week. I just want the "wow" factor back in college basketball. I guess Kemba provided it last year and Davis did this year but it was more widespread in the past.

/rant.

[lonewolf371]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

One of the best teams in the past 5-10 years ish I would think. At the end of the day though, the talent has really dropped off from years past with all these one and dones.

Eh, I think they may be an all-time great. Seems like every starter for Kentucky has the potential to be a good pro player.

I think UNC and UK were head and shoulders above the rest but besides that it was still a mess talent-wise.

UK gelled and improved as a team from Oct-April better than any other Calipari team in the "one-n-done" era. They were a smart team, played very well together, actually had a real offense (that they were able to execute very well) and were not selfish at all. This was the first team Cal has had since Camby's that was known for their defense more than their offense. Going into the season I didn't expect much from UK but they really put things together to become one of the better teams of the last five years.

That being said, we didn't really get to see them against much talent.

• UNC just needs to stop hogging all the talent and underachieving.
• Syracuse was better than I thought they'd be because of Melo's development. A solid, well-rounded team but not historically special.
• Kansas had their least-talented roster since probably the 80's. Robinson is a nice player but struggled against good, big teams. Taylor makes your eyes bleed watching him attempt to play the point and they really don't have a single scorer on the team.
• Louisville probably doesn't have an NBA player on the roster
• Ohio State was a solid team but flawed.

The powerhouse, "holy ****!" teams just aren't in college basketball anymore. UK still has teams loaded with lottery picks year in and year out but this was the first year it materialized to success in the college game.

2001 Duke was just a silly roster.
2004 UConn had six future 1st round picks
2005 UNC was a loaded college team, granted busts in the pros
2007 Florida was a great college team
2008 Kansas didn't have a dominant college player but had NBA guys all over the roster
2009 UNC is the same as 2008 Kansas.

And that's just the start of it, look at some of the Final Four teams from 1998-2006 that didn't win a title. Many of those teams were frighteningly loaded.

And since then things fell off a cliff. 2010 Duke was a shell of vintage Duke basketball. 2011 UConn probably isn't in their programs Top 7-8 teams of all-time yet they won a title. 2012 Kansas making the Finals this year after all their underachieving since the mid-90's is kinda comical. 2012 UK obviously has Davis and MKG will probably be a very good pro but Jones, Teague, Miller etc won't make it IMO. They'll probably fall into the 08 Kansas/09 UNC category a few years down the line.

Just look at what happened to the Pac-10 the last couple of years. They aren't even one of the six-best conferences in the nation anymore. The SEC isn't much better, at least Florida is there to coincide with UK. And it just seems like we're really lacking from great scorers in the major conferences. No JJ Reddicks, Durants, etc.


College basketball lost a step in the 2000's compared to the 1990's but I'll take that back over the 2010's thus far any day of the week. I just want the "wow" factor back in college basketball. I guess Kemba provided it last year and Davis did this year but it was more widespread in the past.

/rant.

Talent definitely took a nose-dive the last few years, and it's largely Kentucky that's also hogging all the good players. I don't think you can blame it on the one-and-dones, I just think the players coming out of high school weren't as good the past few years.

However, the quality of the tournament definitely made a bounce-back this year. Say what you want about Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State, and Kansas, but this was easily the most talented Final Four we've had since 2008. Kentucky could very well crack UConn's mark of 1st round draft picks with this team, as well.

[phenom1990]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

I think UNC and UK were head and shoulders above the rest but besides that it was still a mess talent-wise.

UK gelled and improved as a team from Oct-April better than any other Calipari team in the "one-n-done" era. They were a smart team, played very well together, actually had a real offense (that they were able to execute very well) and were not selfish at all. This was the first team Cal has had since Camby's that was known for their defense more than their offense. Going into the season I didn't expect much from UK but they really put things together to become one of the better teams of the last five years.

That being said, we didn't really get to see them against much talent.

• UNC just needs to stop hogging all the talent and underachieving.
• Syracuse was better than I thought they'd be because of Melo's development. A solid, well-rounded team but not historically special.
• Kansas had their least-talented roster since probably the 80's. Robinson is a nice player but struggled against good, big teams. Taylor makes your eyes bleed watching him attempt to play the point and they really don't have a single scorer on the team.
• Louisville probably doesn't have an NBA player on the roster
• Ohio State was a solid team but flawed.

The powerhouse, "holy ****!" teams just aren't in college basketball anymore. UK still has teams loaded with lottery picks year in and year out but this was the first year it materialized to success in the college game.

2001 Duke was just a silly roster.
2004 UConn had six future 1st round picks
2005 UNC was a loaded college team, granted busts in the pros
2007 Florida was a great college team
2008 Kansas didn't have a dominant college player but had NBA guys all over the roster
2009 UNC is the same as 2008 Kansas.

And that's just the start of it, look at some of the Final Four teams from 1998-2006 that didn't win a title. Many of those teams were frighteningly loaded.

And since then things fell off a cliff. 2010 Duke was a shell of vintage Duke basketball. 2011 UConn probably isn't in their programs Top 7-8 teams of all-time yet they won a title. 2012 Kansas making the Finals this year after all their underachieving since the mid-90's is kinda comical. 2012 UK obviously has Davis and MKG will probably be a very good pro but Jones, Teague, Miller etc won't make it IMO. They'll probably fall into the 08 Kansas/09 UNC category a few years down the line.

Just look at what happened to the Pac-10 the last couple of years. They aren't even one of the six-best conferences in the nation anymore. The SEC isn't much better, at least Florida is there to coincide with UK. And it just seems like we're really lacking from great scorers in the major conferences. No JJ Reddicks, Durants, etc.


College basketball lost a step in the 2000's compared to the 1990's but I'll take that back over the 2010's thus far any day of the week. I just want the "wow" factor back in college basketball. I guess Kemba provided it last year and Davis did this year but it was more widespread in the past.

/rant.

I couldn't agree more and the decline of the Pac-10/12 has been surprising to me, I remember how much I enjoyed watching that my senior year of high school ( 07-08 season).

[rspencer86]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

Also don't get me started on the College charge call. Ugh, was it always this bad? (Officiating)

Seems like everyone thought putting the restricted arc on the floor underneath the basket was a good idea, but officials have started to only look to see if the defender's feet are outside the arc and neglect to determine whether the defender is set and in good position.

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

However, the quality of the tournament definitely made a bounce-back this year. Say what you want about Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State, and Kansas, but this was easily the most talented Final Four we've had since 2008. Kentucky could very well crack UConn's mark of 1st round draft picks with this team, as well.

I think 2009 was more talented with UNC, Michigan State, UConn and Villanova.

Hansbrough
Ty Lawson
Ellington
Ed Davis
Thabeet
AJ Price
Kemba
Jeff Adrien
Kalin Lucas
Scottie Reynolds

There wasn't a singular star like Davis but after that I think 2009 had a big edge of 2012 in terms of how good they were as college players. Neither will probably produce a great pro outside of Davis.

[XFactah416]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

Maybe I'm just deluded but I don't think this tournament was THAT bad.

I enjoyed last year's tournament except for the title game. The title game absolutely stunk but the rest of the games were outstanding IMO.

This year's tournament didn't have the buzzer beating type of games, but I thought there was good games. Maybe not "memorable" because of lack of buzzer beaters and what not and that feeling that UK was just better then everyone else. There were close games though, just not memorable moments that make you go "oh damn".

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketb...l_title_040312

Anthony Davis was charging right into the still delirious Kentucky section of the Superdome, where friends and family sit, after the Wildcats’ 67-59 victory over Kansas in the national title game. He was searching for his family. First he found the program’s friends.

He came across William Wesley, the basketball power broker who’s befriended stars from Michael Jordan to LeBron James. The two locked in a long embrace, rocking back and forth in celebration. When Worldwide Wes let go, Davis moved on to Lynn Merritt, Nike Basketball’s senior director and a man of immense influence in the game.

Later in the locker room, Davis and the rest of the Wildcats would hug it out with Phil Knight, the Nike founder and freshly minted Hall of Famer who was wearing the same “No 1 Greater” championship hat they were. Soon Knight and Wes were locked in joy themselves.

@ the "gray area" stuff that Calipari gets away with. Do you, though.

[Bighoff]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketb...l_title_040312



@ the "gray area" stuff that Calipari gets away with. Do you, though.

There are pics of UK players hugging WWW, it's all very interesting.

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

And the NCAA won't even raise an eyebrow.

[lonewolf371]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

I think 2009 was more talented with UNC, Michigan State, UConn and Villanova.

Hansbrough
Ty Lawson
Ellington
Ed Davis
Thabeet
AJ Price
Kemba
Jeff Adrien
Kalin Lucas
Scottie Reynolds

There wasn't a singular star like Davis but after that I think 2009 had a big edge of 2012 in terms of how good they were as college players. Neither will probably produce a great pro outside of Davis.

I'm sorry I don't agree at all, not only about the great pro part but also the great college player part. 2008 was definitely better than 2009, as well. They really don't compare.

Also you can't even really claim Kemba for that year. He averaged less than 10 pts a game and basically shared even time with three other players.

[PhantomPain]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

And the NCAA won't even raise an eyebrow.

Ehh, I like you as you are usually very sensible with your posts. but come on, is there a new rule that says WWW cannot attend a game? There is absolutely nothing shady about him being there. He is friends with Cal and has been a long time. If Self had won, he would have been hugging him since they are friends too.

But hey, at least Calhoun is clean...right?

[NYJets]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

Ehh, I like you as you are usually very sensible with your posts. but come on, is there a new rule that says WWW cannot attend a game? There is absolutely nothing shady about him being there. He is friends with Cal and has been a long time. If Self had won, he would have been hugging him since they are friends too.

But hey, at least Calhoun is clean...right?

Yes, that's it, they are friends.

[PhantomPain]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

Yes, that's it, they are friends.

Thanks for acknowledging it

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

I'm sorry I don't agree at all, not only about the great pro part but also the great college player part. 2008 was definitely better than 2009, as well. They really don't compare.

Also you can't even really claim Kemba for that year. He averaged less than 10 pts a game and basically shared even time with three other players.

I never said 2009 was better than 2008.

College-wise I wouldn't put a single player from Louisville over any of the guys I listed. Robinson is the only guy from Kansas and I'd put him in the middle of the pack. I'd take Hansbrough and Thabeet over him easily as a college player. Hansbrough is a no brainer, Thabeet had a way bigger impact on games thanks to his defense. OSU, you have Sullinger, who I'm not a fan of, he's lower than Robinson.

All four 2009 point guards were better than anyone playing in this year's Final Four. There weren't many perimeter scorers in either Final Four, Ellington was the best probably. It also doesn't help that each team besides UK this year had no depth at all.