The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

[Knickerbocker91]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Win the NIT or get fired? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

2018 Field Announced

With not nearly as much press or fanfare as the NCAA Tournament, the NIT released its tournament schedule on its website and via press release. As the tournament is a mixture of teams that missed out on at-large bids and conference champions, the mix of teams usually results in some surprising results. This year should be no different.

Bracket #1

Kansas State vs Texas-Pan American

Richmond vs Fresno State

IPFW vs Arkansas

Cal Poly vs Virginia Tech

The Kansas State Wildcats earn the top spot in the tournament field and can carry home court advantage all the way to New York if they can hold on. However, Arkansas and Richmond are both teams with superior talent and experience, and with the Wildcats on a downward slide they are going to have to figure out how to right the ship in a hurry.

Bracket #2

Toldo vs Southern

Valparaiso vs Texas A&M

South Alabama vs Air Force

Lehigh vs Southern Mississippi

Toledo likely won't make it past either Valparaiso or Texas A&M. Meanwhile, Air Force has an opportunity to show how their program has grown outside of the Mountain West shadows. The Falcons are a dark horse to make it to New York, as their size should match up favorably against other teams in this bracket.

Bracket #3

Texas Tech vs Coastal Carolina

Brigham Young vs Gonzaga

Stetson vs Marquette

Long Island vs St. John’s

It may not come as a surprise, but this bracket probably has the most talent from top to bottom of any in this year's field. Long Island already has a few quality upsets this year, and Gonzaga and Brigham Young regularly are able to hang with the big boys. Still, the pick here has to be Marquette. The Golden Eagles' season was derailed by some injuries at the start of Big East play, but now they're back and hotter than most other teams in the country.

Bracket #4

Ohio State vs Norfolk State

Fairfield vs Xavier

Stephen F. Austin vs Oklahoma

College of Charleston vs Loyola Marymount

We can only hope that Ohio State and Norfolk State can repeat their last minute clash from the NCAA tournament a few years ago. But that may be unrealistic with roster turnover. Let's be clear, this bracket is Ohio State versus everybody else. Maybe Oklahoma or Xavier can pull off the upset, but if they do it will be because of the Buckeyes faltering. Considering Ohio State's inconsistent play got them to the NIT, maybe it would be better to go with the field.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Preview: Kansas State vs Texas-Pan American

Conference Champion versus Conference Also-Ran. So goes the opening round of the NIT, where top seeded Kansas State plays host to the Texas-Pan American Broncos. Is an upset on the horizon? Who knows. The Wildcats are still picking up the pieces from the end of the season and a very dubious snub by the NCAA selection committee. There is a large talent gap between these two squads, but if the Wildcats come out flat the Broncos could run away with this one.

On the other hand, Coach West's squad could come out angry after the tournament snub. Don't expect a chip on their shoulder. Expect a boulder -- and that could spell a long night for the Broncos.

Keys to the Game

1) Control the Floor: The Wildcats are bigger, stronger, longer, and faster than the Broncos. West allows a lot of player freedom in his system, and hopefully his players can use that on both end of the floor to fill up spaces in the court and outrun the opposition.
2) Find the Spark: Surely fans in Manhattan have heard more than enough talk about how the home team's season ended, but if this game stays close for too long panic could set in. The Wildcats need their mojo back. They need someone to step up and help them build a big lead early to restore the team's confidence.

Keys to the Game

1) Embrace the Underdog Role: Texas-Pan American should come out in this game loose. All of the pressure is on Kansas State, and no one is expecting the Broncos to make any noise in this tournament. But if they can stick around and get in the heads of their opponent, anything is possible. In the closing minutes of a game, all the underdog wants is a shot at victory.

2) Attack the Paint: The Broncos may not have big men who can match up with Kansas State, but those big men become irrelevant if they're on the bench. The Wildcats' young front court has shown a tendency to be too aggressive, and if Texas-Pan American can get them in foul trouble it could even the odds.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

NIT First Round

vs.

Games like these allow plenty of time for reflection for what might have been or how things would have worked out differently. The NIT opening round often matches up smaller schools who automatically qualify by winning their conference against larger powers who were not up to snuff to get an at large bid. This game had the added story line of the host team looking vulnerable at the end of the season. The Texas-Pan American Broncos were primed for a story book upset.

But the night would not belong to the Broncos, but instead to Branduinn Gatling.

Branduinn Gatling showed no ill effects from his injured ankle.

The standout freshman small forward was back in old form, and Gatling's 24 points, including 4-9 shooting from beyond the arc, helped Kansas State overwhelm the Broncos by a final score of 106-65.

Texas-Pan American put up a valiant fight. They tried to stay physical early, and Sophomore PG Emmanuel Devonish, standing at 6'6", overwhelmed 5'9" Justin Guzman and was able to single handedly keep in contention for awhile.

But eventually the talent level was too much. DeMarcus Ross may have had to sit with foul trouble for much of the game, but not before collecting four blocks. And while Ross sat, Dana Worthington Roger Guzman helped control the middle. Meanwhile, the Broncos could not keep up with the Wildcats in transition, and what started as a physical game became a collection of turnstile baskets for the home team.

And if Kansas State's opening half performance was not enough, they started the second half with a 37-6 run to balloon their lead to 50. That sound wasn't the fat lady singing, but a sigh of relief from a city that has not experienced victory in weeks.

There won't be too much time to savor that victory with the Richmond Spiders will put a far stiffer test next week. Just the same, the Wildcats will be happy to move to the next round.

Texas-Pan American Broncs at Kansas State Wildcats
Mar 18, 2018	1ST	2ND	SCORE
Texas-Pan American (15-10)	34	31	65
Kansas State (17-11)	53	53	106

Texas-Pan American Broncs (68 OVR)
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
E. Devonish	28	6-9	2-3	4-4	3	6	0	0	4	18
H. Gastel	20	1-13	0-5	3-4	1	2	1	0	1	5
N. Dizdarevic	21	3-8	0-1	0-0	4	2	0	0	0	6
W. Midgley	22	1-7	0-2	0-0	7	1	1	0	0	2
S. Herrera	13	3-3	1-1	0-0	3	0	1	0	0	7
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
C. Snow	9	1-4	0-1	0-0	3	0	0	1	0	2
M. Peters	14	7-9	3-5	2-2	0	1	1	0	3	19
J. Witherspoon	4	1-3	1-3	0-0	0	1	0	0	0	3
G. Olaiya	11	1-4	0-2	1-2	0	3	0	0	0	3
J. Christensen	4	0-1	0-0	0-0	2	0	0	0	1	0
A. Outlaw	4	0-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
J. Pleiness	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		24-62	7-23	10-12	24	16	4	1	9	65

Kansas State Wildcats (85 OVR)
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J. Guzman	18	0-6	0-4	0-0	1	2	0	0	1	0
E. Kummer	19	3-6	3-6	0-0	4	9	0	0	0	9
B. Gatling	18	9-14	4-9	2-2	9	5	1	0	0	24
D. Walls	16	5-9	0-0	1-2	7	3	0	0	0	11
D. Ross	9	5-7	0-0	3-5	2	1	0	4	0	13
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D. Worthington	9	5-6	0-0	2-4	3	3	0	1	0	12
M. Mathis	12	1-2	0-0	2-2	1	1	0	0	0	4
R. Guzman	15	7-11	0-0	2-2	6	1	0	1	2	16
M. Martin	13	4-5	1-2	1-1	0	3	2	0	1	10
C. Geiger	11	0-2	0-0	0-0	3	2	1	0	0	0
J. Hayes	7	1-2	0-0	2-2	0	2	1	0	0	4
K. Mendoza	4	1-1	0-0	1-2	0	0	2	0	0	3
TEAM TOTALS		41-70	8-21	16-22	36	32	7	6	4	106

[mpejkrm]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Wow! What a blowout. They are independent, after all...

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

First Round Results

The first slate of games in this year's NIT are in the books, and as usual there were some surprises and some dominating performances. But with a week layoff before the next games, there will be plenty of time to prepare for some great match ups.

Bracket #1

Kansas State 106 UT-Pan American 65

Richmond 71 Fresno State 64

IPFW 58 Arkansas 78

Cal Poly 57 Virginia Tech 76

Every team who was expected to advance did so, but none in grander style than the Kansas State Wildcats -- who toyed with their opponent. The only competetive game from this field saw Fresno State blow a double digit first half lead. Richmond ended up escaping thanks to good shooting from the free throw line at the end.

Bracket #2

Toledo 76 Southern 68

Valparaiso 77 Texas A&M 72

South Alabama 62 Air Force 67

Lehigh 74 Southern Miss 73

It is unclear whether they can be characterized as a major upset, but Texas A&M will have to be disappointed to be exiting the tournament so quickly at the hands of the Horizon League winner. However, Lehigh's upset of Southern Miss is raised plenty of eyebrows, but the Golden Eagles had plenty of opportunities to win the game before handing it away with too many turnovers.

Bracket #3

Texas Tech 83 Coastal Carolina 54

Brigham Young 80 Gonzaga 63

Stetson 63 Marquette 96

Long Island 76 St. John’s 83

No surprises here. Every team that was expected to carry the day did. Marquette and Texas Tech were especially dominant. Otherwise, it was business as usual.

Bracket #4

Ohio State 77 Norfolk State 65

Fairfield 53 Xavier 76

Stephen F. Austin 55 Oklahoma 66

College of Charleston 59 Loyola Marymount 69

Loyola Marymount took its time before putting away College of Charleston, but otherwise the smaller conference oppoenents were overmatched by the power conference rivals. Of course, the real fireworks will start in the next round.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Wow! What a blowout. They are independent, after all...

Oops, need to edit that in. I forgot to write down what conference they were in.

But yeah, I think the margin would have been bigger if I didn't sim the last 10 minutes just to end the inevitable.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

2018 First Week Results

First Round

East Regional
#1 Arizona State 86 #16 Coppin State 46
#8 Wake Forest 58 #9 Colorado 81
#5 Cincinnati 68 #12 Murray State 55
#4 Villanova 89 #13 Towson 59
#6 Iowa State 77 #11 Drake 69
#3 Louisville 93 #14 Army 75
#7 USC 96 #10 UNLV 98
#2 Georgia Tech 84 #15 Harvard 83

West Regional
#1 NC State 82 #16 Ark Pine Bluff 56
#8 San Francisco 65 #9 Oregon 81
#5 Arizona 80 #12 Wisconsin 84
#4 Dayton 84 #13 Charleston Southern 41
#6 Memphis 69 #11 Miami (OH) 70
#3 Texas 78 #14 N. Arizona 64
#7 Baylor 89 #10 Iowa 90
#2 Charlotte 112 #15 Cal State Northridge 58

South Regional
#1 Connecticut 95 #16 Monmouth 50
#8 Pittsburgh 67 #9 Boston College 73
#5 Stanford 71 #12 Wright State 63
#4 Utah State 84 #13 San Diego State 85
#6 Drexel 56 #11 Temple 79
#3 Utah 106 #14 Lipscomb 64
#7 Saint Louis 48 #10 Kentucky 64
#2 Illinois 93 #15 TXAM-CC 66

Midwest Regional
#1 Maryland 84 #16 Illinois State 54
#8 Indiana 86 #9 Clemson 72
#5 South Carolina 73 #12 Rider 72
#4 Missouri 90 #13 North Texas 78
#6 UCLA 90 #11 Hartford 84
#3 Alabama 90 #14 Portland 89
#7 UAB 85 #10 W. Virginia 72
#2 Syracuse 81 #15 IUPUI 48

Second Round

East Regional
#1 Arizona State 86 #9 Colorado 46
#5 Cincinnati 77 #4 Villanova 71
#6 Iowa State 62 #3 Louisville 80
#10 UNLV 77 #2 Georgia Tech 62

West Regional
#1 NC State 96 #9 Oregon State 65
#12 Wisconsin 76 #4 Dayton 51
#11 Miami (OH) 58 #3 Texas 82
#10 Iowa 102 #2 Charlotte 84

South Regional
#1 Connecticut 98 #9 Boston College 90
#5 Stanford 74 #13 San Diego State 69
#11 Temple 66 #3 Utah 75
#10 Kentucky 79 #2 Illinois 68

Midwest Regional
#1 Maryland 84 #8 Indiana 92
#5 South Carolina 51 #4 Missouri 94
#6 UCLA 85 #3 Alabama 73
#7 UAB 54 #2 Syracuse 71

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Preview: Kansas State vs Richmond

Don't be deceived by how this match-up looks just based on conference. The Atlantic 10 has been steadily growing the past few years, and this season it surpassed a few power conferences in the number of tournament bids. But one team left out of the field is looking to take care of business here. The Richmond Spiders are as complete of a squad as any other team in the country. They have shooters, size, and experience. They execute their half court sets flawlessly and constantly beat their opponents to loose balls.

However, Kansas State has home court advantage, and the young Wildcats will need to take advantage of the energy of the home crowd to overcome the Spiders. Richmond is a better team than most of the Big 12 -- Kansas State included. But in a one-and-done tournament, it's all about being better for that one night on the court.

Keys to the Game

1) Stay Disciplined: Last game the Wildcats, especially DeMarcus Ross, had problems staying out of foul trouble. That may be okay against an opponent from the Great West, but that will not cut it against a team as talented as Richmond. The Wildcats need to avoid ticky-tack fouls to keep their best players on the floor. That means staying home on defense and not leaving one's feet to challenge shots.

2) Make the Extra Pass: Guy West's squad gets more assists per game than any team in the country, but what is amazing is that everyone is involved in the passing game. That will be key in finding good shots against a tough Richmond 2-3 match-up zone. Yes, there will be outside shots available, but sometimes effective passing can move the zone and allow a cutter to get a quick layup on a backdoor pass. Richmond showed vulnerability to this attack in the Atlantic Ten tournament, and the Wildcats have the personnel to employ a similar strategy.

Keys to the Game

1) Attack the Glass: Unlike many teams in the country, Richmond can match Kansas State in size. All year, the Spiders were very effective in gathering offensive rebounds. Grabbing loose balls means extra possessions, and as a road team that can be a huge difference between winning big or losing by a few baskets.

2) Tempo Control: This is a classic style-vs-style match-up. Kansas State will try and run the ball as hard as feasible, while Richmond will slow down the game to take out possessions. The Spiders need to control the tempo instead of getting into a running match. Kansas State is a team built on speed, but speed doesn't matter as much if Richmond gets to make this a game of half court sets.

[peeegz]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Bummer on the NCAA Bid. Good luck in the NIT! You are the odds on favorite to win it all in my book!

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Bummer on the NCAA Bid. Good luck in the NIT! You are the odds on favorite to win it all in my book!

I'm glad you have faith, but I'm "only" rated 85 OVR. There are some far superior teams in this field, including Richmond.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

NIT Second Round

vs.

The Wildcats have struggled all year with perimeter defense, and no matter how much Guy West urged his team to get in position, there was nothing to stop the offensive barrage unleashed by Marshall Ford and Tremmell Larmond.

As a result, the Wildcats had to unleash a salvo of their own.

Kansas State managed to work the ball in half court effectively

Richmond entered the game being known for their defense, but Guy West's plan was simple: take the fast breaks when they were available, and pass the ball early and often when they were not. Many possessions would see anywhere between 3 and 5 members of the Wildcats' squad touch the ball.

It was Kansas State's cold efficiency that would put them in the lead in the first half. But the second? They needed to step it into another gear.

Branduinn Gatling beats the entire Richmond defense in the second half

After the opening stanza of basketball felt like two fighters trying to land the quick knock-out blow, the Wildcats furiously attacked the paint and worked the fast break. As a result, they got a roaring ovation from the Bramlage Coliseum crowd as they broke open the game to take an 18 point lead. Branduinn Gatling starred in the run, hitting shots from everywhere on the court and showing an aggressiveness that could not be matched by the Spiders.

But that isn't to say the Spiders were out of it. Just as West's squad began to get comfortable and start to slow down the game, the Spiders' vaunted defense kicked into gear. Suddenly baskets weren't so easy, and Richmond began to take momentum by hitting threes on three straight possessions. They would whittle the Wildcats' lead all the way down to five as the final minutes ticked away, and Kansas State helped Richmond stay in the game by missing free throws. Tremmell Larmond shot daggers in the second half, constantly calling his own number and keeping pressure on the Wildcats.

But eventually, the clock ran out and Kansas State escaped with a win they could have easily let slip away 79-69.

Richmond Spiders at Kansas State Wildcats
Mar 24, 2018	1ST	2ND	SCORE
Richmond (20-10)	39	30	69
Kansas State (18-11)	46	33	79

Richmond Spiders (90 OVR)
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
T. Larmond	24	3-10	0-2	4-5	4	2	0	0	1	10
P. Caporn	19	3-9	3-4	0-0	1	1	0	0	1	9
M. Ford	24	6-11	2-4	2-2	4	5	2	0	1	16
U. DeJesus	21	0-4	0-1	1-2	4	2	2	2	1	1
B. Higgins	23	1-3	0-1	1-2	5	0	2	1	1	3
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
K. Davisson	8	3-6	1-4	1-2	1	1	0	0	0	8
A. Alexander	13	5-6	0-0	1-2	2	0	1	0	1	11
B. Martinez	11	5-6	0-1	1-2	1	4	0	0	1	11
C. Burns	4	0-1	0-0	0-0	2	1	0	0	0	0
V. Byrd	2	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
H. Hart	-- DID NOT PLAY --
A. Dooley	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		26-57	6-17	11-17	24	16	7	3	7	69

Kansas State Wildcats (85 OVR)
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J. Guzman	19	2-4	2-3	0-0	3	3	1	0	2	6
E. Kummer	16	2-4	1-2	1-2	3	2	0	0	0	6
B. Gatling	23	8-21	4-11	0-2	10	3	0	1	1	20
D. Walls	16	1-3	0-0	4-4	5	0	2	1	0	6
D. Ross	14	4-6	0-0	0-0	5	3	1	0	3	8
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D. Worthington	16	6-9	0-0	1-2	4	0	1	2	1	13
M. Mathis	11	0-2	0-1	2-2	2	3	0	0	0	2
R. Guzman	16	6-9	0-0	1-2	4	0	1	2	1	13
M. Martin	12	1-2	0-1	0-2	0	6	0	0	1	2
C. Geiger	7	1-2	0-0	0-0	1	4	2	0	0	2
J. Hayes	2	1-1	0-0	0-0	0	1	0	0	0	2
K. mendoza	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		32-61	7-18	8-14	35	26	8	5	8	79

[southernmetalhead]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Nice win vs. Richmond.

Now either Arkansas or Virginia Tech. Good luck.

[Knickerbocker91]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

How has Branduinn not been dubbed "The Gatling Gun" yet? Lol he is blowing by defenders.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Second Round Results

As the NIT field begins to separate the wheat from the chaff, so far the field has broken almost as expected. But expect the competition to heat up significantly later this week with a trip to New York on the line.

Bracket #1

Kansas State 79 Richmond 69

Arkansas 63 Virginia Tech 90

The Kansas State Wildcats managed to push back Richmond just enough to get the victory. Perhaps that should make the Virginia Tech the favorite to win the field. They were very impressive in dispatching a spirited Arkansas squad.

Bracket #2

Toledo 72 Valparaiso 84

Air Force 79 Lehigh 89

In what can only be called the "also-ran" bracket, no one knows for sure what they're getting. It's up to Lehigh and Valparaiso to see who gets a trip to the NIT Championship -- not quite the usual suspects.

Bracket #3

Texas Tech 80 Brigham Young 76

Marquette 87 St. John’s 54

Marquette continues to storm the field, this time by slapping around a Big East opponent. Who knows what kind of damage the Golden Eagles could have done in the NCAAs. Texas Tech gets the unenviable task of trying to stop them next.

Bracket #4

Ohio State 88 Xavier 91

Oklahoma 89 Loyola Marymount 68

Oklahoma concludes what has been a very good round for the Big 12, with three teams advancing. The Sooners will take on Xavier, who stunned everyone not by beating Ohio State, but by outplaying them while the Buckeyes gave 100%.