Preseason NCAA Basketball Poll is released

[UNC41]

Coach K is pure class. :thumbsup

In that instance, yes. Overall, not so much.

[GavMan33]

What I said would happen Saturday basically did in Amherst. Ricky Harris and Gary Forbes, both 20ppg scorers, were held to 23 between the two of them. UMass, interestingly enough, is the only team in the country that has 2 guys averaging over 20ppg. Go figure huh? But the balance of Xavier again was excellent. D.Lavender led 4 players in doubles with 19, and hold your breath...............9 rebounds! Go figure, a 5'7" guy leading the team in rebounds. Make of it what you will. UMass made it interesting late, cutting what was an 18-point Xavier lead down to 5 with 90 seconds left, but a couple of run-out layups doused the run, and X emerged with a huge win on the road, leading to their highest ranking in the polls this season, checking in at #15. How's that for a run-on sentence? :lol

[GavMan33]

What I said would happen Saturday basically did in Amherst. Ricky Harris and Gary Forbes, both 20ppg scorers, were held to 23 between the two of them. UMass, interestingly enough, is the only team in the country that has 2 guys averaging over 20ppg. Go figure huh? But the balance of Xavier again was excellent. D.Lavender led 4 players in doubles with 19, and hold your breath...............9 rebounds! Go figure, a 5'7" guy leading the team in rebounds. Make of it what you will. UMass made it interesting late, cutting what was an 18-point Xavier lead down to 5 with 90 seconds left, but a couple of run-out layups doused the run, and X emerged with a huge win on the road, leading to their highest ranking in the polls this season, checking in at #15. How's that for a run-on sentence? :lol

Arizona State just lost to Washington St. over the weekend. I'm still all over the Sun Devils, and I'm still not with Washington St., I want them to prove something to me. They lost to a bipolar Arizona team last Thursday. In the end the Wildcats will be NCAA-bound, they've sure had a crazy ride thus far.

Anybody else besides me find it interesting how the ACC has only 2 teams in the Top 25? And the next team to be found in the rankings is Clemson, getting a whopping 20 votes in the AP Poll? Hm.

And to the University of Dayton: My suspicions have been confirmed. You were imposters. Pretenders they may say on ESPN. False promises. I will give them they have two contributors out for the next month, but they are done, to me, for all intensive purposes. They have a daunting next few games by A-10 standards, could feasibly lose 6 of 7 games, and be completely out of it.

It seems like Bob's a prophet....

EDIT: And that's a double post. I hate when that happens....

[BreakFree27]

i'll give my props to Xavier, but just know that that's is the worst game we've played all year. terrible foul shooting, no boxing out or rebounding, and piss poor defending. X was the better team by far, i just hope we get another shot at them in the A10 tourney. this loss hurts our chances of NCAA tourney badly.

[HolyCow]

Big Bedlam win tonight. The Griffin brothers are turning into a serious force in the Big 12.

[clayj41]

Big Bedlam win tonight. The Griffin brothers are turning into a serious force in the Big 12.

It was a very good game.


BTW, congratulations on the engagement Royce! I haven't talked to you in a long while. This may not be the best thread to congratulate you in, but I did it anyways.:lol

[snow1868]

My Cowboys are really, really bad. :BANG :BANG :BANG

[seekupig]

"I'm not scared to say it. I'm saying we'll beat them." -Bill Walker, Kansas State

"We're going to beat Kansas at home. We're going to beat them in their house. We're going to beat them in Africa. Wherever we play, we're going to beat them" -Michael Beasley, Kansas State

[unccrombie]

"I'm not scared to say it. I'm saying we'll beat them." -Bill Walker, Kansas State

"We're going to beat Kansas at home. We're going to beat them in their house. We're going to beat them in Africa. Wherever we play, we're going to beat them" -Michael Beasley, Kansas State
africa, eh? maybe if kansas all contracted malaria

[HolyCow]

It was a very good game.


BTW, congratulations on the engagement Royce! I haven't talked to you in a long while. This may not be the best thread to congratulate you in, but I did it anyways.:lol
Thanks Clay. I'm pretty pumped about it.


And OSU played hard that's for sure. Not much to be ashamed about. The Cowboys just have zero post presence. How long's it been since OSU had a good post player? Ivan McFarlin? And he wasn't really a "post" player in the sense of the word.

And it didn't help OSU that the officiating seemed to be a little slanted in OU's favor last night.

[snow1868]

Thanks Clay. I'm pretty pumped about it.


And OSU played hard that's for sure. Not much to be ashamed about. The Cowboys just have zero post presence. How long's it been since OSU had a good post player? Ivan McFarlin? And he wasn't really a "post" player in the sense of the word.

And it didn't help OSU that the officiating seemed to be a little slanted in OU's favor last night.

You're right, it's been since I-Mac and Andre Williams since we've had a "post" player. Too be fair, OSU hasn't had a dominant post player since Big Country.

I saw that they played hard last night, and some calls were bad, but this is tough to watch. Three straight years with no NCAA. :BANG :BANG Now I know how you all felt during the Gibbs/Schnelly/Blake errors.

[UNC41]

jimmy ashland, ky: Who do you think is the better Pro prospect Tyler Hanburough or Patrick Patterson?

Jay Bilas: (2:19 PM ET ) Patrick Patterson. But, Hansbrough is the better college player. And, if the two were locked in a room and only one could come out, Hansbrough would walk out of there. That is one tough dude. And, Patterson is pretty tough, too.

[seekupig]

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2008/jan/28/17012/

:lol

"if we go to Africa he'll be playing by himself.... 'cause i ain't goin'" - Darnell Jackson

[UNC41]

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2008/jan/28/17012/

:lol

"if we go to Africa he'll be playing by himself.... 'cause i ain't goin'" - Darnell Jackson

:lol :lol

Kansas St. is becoming way too trendy of an upset pick for me to think it's actually going to happen now.

[smeritt]

Go Jerryd Bayless!

[HolyCow]

Now I know how you all felt during the Gibbs/Schnelly/Blake errors.
Well, it's not quite the same as those OU football eras...

[willthethrill]

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2008/jan/28/17012/

:lol

"if we go to Africa he'll be playing by himself.... 'cause i ain't goin'" - Darnell Jackson

Haha, good stuff. Beasley must have been reading the Gavin Grant Book of Humility before he ran his mouth.

Should be interesting.

[UNLTrpt]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3221003

yay! we actually could get that 1st conference win now!

:multi

[justinandimcool]

Wow, Tennessee was on fire tonight. They miss one of those 3's, Bama has a shot at the win.

In two days I see my first NCAA game live. I miss UNC/BC and IU/Wisconsin though. :(

[unccrombie]

Wow, Tennessee was on fire tonight. They miss one of those 3's, Bama has a shot at the win.

In two days I see my first NCAA game live. I miss UNC/BC and IU/Wisconsin though. :(
iu/uw will be boring. both over rated. live is much better ;)

[willthethrill]

Wow, Tennessee was on fire tonight. They miss one of those 3's, Bama has a shot at the win.

In two days I see my first NCAA game live. I miss UNC/BC and IU/Wisconsin though. :(

Going to see USC/Zona?

This is a pretty interesting look at how teams are doing in their conferences. I don't like to put too much stock in these stats though. Miss. St., Ohio State, Wisconsin and Indiana are rated more highly than UNC in overall efficiency...but Duke has put up some good numbers. Next Wednesday is going to be insane. And I'll be there (Gerald :devil ).

[GavMan33]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3221003

yay! we actually could get that 1st conference win now!

:multi

This post is gonna be a moderately sized book, so stay with me.

First, Kansas St. I have Michael Beasley on my fantasy team, so of course I root for him. But I don't particularly like his style, or the team's style for that matter. I don't know, they're just a little rough for me. That said, the better KState does, the better Xavier looks after pasting them. I think it's good to be confident, and of course they expect to go to Lawrence and win. But that's not something you go to the media with. That's like what teams have done all year long with the Patriots (and I hate the Patriots for the record). But the week before the game, every team seems to have some shit-talking for the Patriots. Then the Pats go and beat the hell out of them on Sunday. I expect the Jayhawks to come out ready to go....

Now the post I quoted. I voted for Missouri in one of my Top 25s this season (I think I was the only one), and I thought they might be able to make some unexpected noise. But I'm reading through this article. This is not the first time this has happened? What the hell is that about? A kid got shot outside a night club fellas. And you're going back? Personally, I think it's selfish for some of these guys to go out and party. You have a responsibility and a duty to your teammates, to your family, to act a certain way. I'm not saying a kid can't go out and have fun, but heed to your curfew. And don't go out and drink alcohol, please. You're very public people, you need to act according when out in public.

Tennessee is good. Real good. Like I've said, that's a game Xavier will sure wish they had come Selection Sunday, that's worth another seed, at least. They are very good, I can see them getting that 2-seed again. And as long as they don't run into an upstart Winthrop again, they will go a long way....

Will, overall efficiency? I don't know what the hell that is. But I can't see how those teams can rank ahead of UNC in ANYTHING.

So I'm in the shower last night. Now I don't know about you guys, but I do my best thinking in the shower. So I'm going to walk you through my thoughts step by step.

So I started to think about that yahoo came in here claiming how Syracuse/Georgetown is the biggest rivalry in the country. So I was thinking about the game I was at, and how sweet it was. So I think, Game of the Year? I said no way, Game of the Year is Baylor vs. Texas A&M, the 5OT game. Too bad only one tiny corner of Texas saw it. Our boy from College Station, can you verify that not much of Texas saw the game?

Then I started thinking about Baylor's NCAA Tourney chances. Got me thinking, has any team ever ranked in the Top 25 not made the tournament? I don't know, but my guess is probably not. So what about teams that are getting votes for the Top 25? That's an interesting one. Any takers?

That's all for now in the interest of hoping that you guys read this post :lol

[seekupig]

Houston beats Memphis tonite. :thumbsup

[41ravens]

Wow, Tennessee was on fire tonight. They miss one of those 3's, Bama has a shot at the win.

In two days I see my first NCAA game live. I miss UNC/BC and IU/Wisconsin though. :(

you picked the wrong first game to go to. usc is goin down! :twenty4

[GavMan33]

Houston beats Memphis tonite. :thumbsup

A win like this would really help them move C-USA toward a 2-bid league. A 2-bid league???? :eek

[justinandimcool]

you picked the wrong first game to go to. usc is goin down! :twenty4

;) We'll see. I'm sure you'll give us a game, but lately I wouldn't wanna run into us.












Oh and GUYS. I realized the greatest thing today.

Spring Break is between March 15-22 this year. Which means FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, I'LL BE ABLE TO STAY HOME AND WATCH THE 1ST ROUND :multi

[unccrombie]

nancy grace is on instead of ku/ksu. the audacity of cable tv...

[unccrombie]

Going to see USC/Zona?

This is a pretty interesting look at how teams are doing in their conferences. I don't like to put too much stock in these stats though. Miss. St., Ohio State, Wisconsin and Indiana are rated more highly than UNC in overall efficiency...but Duke has put up some good numbers. Next Wednesday is going to be insane. And I'll be there (Gerald :devil ).
how about you get me tickets next year, eh, eh, eh?

[JamesM]

Wow Villanova, wow.

[seekupig]

Houston beats Memphis tonite. :thumbsup

and this is why i don't like to bet on sports...... :lol

[unccrombie]

Houston beats Memphis tonite. :thumbsup
:thumbsdow ballsy, but alas, no

[unccrombie]

and this is why i don't like to bet on sports...... :lol
college sports betting is stupid, if you do it you're asking for trouble. at least pro sports the teams that are supposed to win generally do

[justinandimcool]

I just installed ESPN360 on my computer, so I'm watching KU/KSU online, the TX/A&M and Memphis/Houston game on picture and picture on TV. I'm so not passing my Economics final :lol

[unccrombie]

I just installed ESPN360 on my computer, so I'm watching KU/KSU online, the TX/A&M and Memphis/Houston game on picture and picture on TV. I'm so not passing my Economics final :lol
i wish i had the balls to pay for 360

[seekupig]

it's killing me waiting 30 seconds watching ESPN Gamecast of the KU vs. KSU game. ESPN really dropped the ball on this one... :BANG

[justinandimcool]

i wish i had the balls to pay for 360

...it's free?

Unless it's not, then I think I just majorly fucked up :lol

[unccrombie]

...it's free?

Unless it's not, then I think I just majorly fucked up :lol
its free through verizon internet i think, i know RR doesn't pick it up. you could throw me your user/pass though ;)

[JamesM]

360 is free

[seekupig]

i've tried it before... my cable company doesn't get it for some stupid reason.... it redirects me to some petition to get it in my area when i try to log on..... :BANG

[JamesM]

Things heading Kansas State's way already....

[justinandimcool]

They're all falling in for Kansas St. right now. Wow.

Houston cut it to 8, now it's 12.

Texas = :lol right now.

TOO MUCH TO KEEP UP WITH.

[UNC41]

it's killing me waiting 30 seconds watching ESPN Gamecast of the KU vs. KSU game. ESPN really dropped the ball on this one... :BANG

No. Shit.

[unccrombie]

i've tried it before... my cable company doesn't get it for some stupid reason.... it redirects me to some petition to get it in my area when i try to log on..... :BANG
ditto

[justinandimcool]

KSU by 10. They're raining 3's right now.

[JamesM]

K State running away

[justinandimcool]

And KU's gone cold.

Fucking CDR.

[seekupig]

not much you can do when a team is 10-20 (50%) from 3 point range with ten minutes to go in the game...... one of those nights. :mad

[unccrombie]

And KU's gone cold.

Fucking CDR.
i cant wait till memphis gets rocked by real competition

[justinandimcool]

Wow, KU is being HARRASSED right now. Collison can barely move the ball, mainly because he's backing himself into a corner. Lucky he still got fouled.

[seekupig]

on a positive note..... K-State has played 7 players tonite.... three of those players have 3 fouls, one of them has 4 fouls. KU needs to stop shooting 3's and take the ball at them....

[JamesM]

i cant wait till memphis gets rocked by real competition
Like Georgetown?

[justinandimcool]

They're doubling well on Darrell too.

[justinandimcool]

Shit, they're not getting ANYTHING down there with Beasley manning the paint. Nothing. Can't even run the floor the way they want to.

[justinandimcool]

Houston looks so lost. No one wants to make the big defensive stop, no one wants to rotate, and no one wants to take the shot. Shit man.

[unccrombie]

Like Georgetown?
georgetown is about as consitent as villanova

[justinandimcool]

KU can't defend any better, they're just busting it in their face, finding the seams. Just one of those nights.

[seekupig]

the KU game is on ESPN News right now..... FYI

[JamesM]

georgetown is about as consitent as villanova :lorraine:lorraine:lorraine:lorraine Fuck you..........

[unccrombie]

the KU game is on ESPN News right now..... FYI
nope, we got su/depaul :(

[unccrombie]

:lorraine:lorraine:lorraine:lorraine Fuck you..........
;) too easy

[justinandimcool]

So, umm where did everyone go?

Let's talk about Kansas!

I'm not sure what to think, it really looks like everything fell for the Wildcats and KU just went cold, but let's face it, they were shut down for the majority of the 2nd half.

[JamesM]

thats up there with Rutgers charging after the Louisville win in football

[UNC41]

So, umm where did everyone go?

Let's talk about Kansas!

I'm not sure what to think, it really looks like everything fell for the Wildcats and KU just went cold, but let's face it, they were shut down for the majority of the 2nd half.

Didn't see the game. Fucking ESPN for not showing it and fucking no 360.

Did Walker step up down low defensively or did Beasley patrol the paint by himself?

[seekupig]

So, umm where did everyone go?

Let's talk about Kansas!

I'm not sure what to think, it really looks like everything fell for the Wildcats and KU just went cold, but let's face it, they were shut down for the majority of the 2nd half.

K-State hit 12 3-pointers, had 13 offensive rebounds and got to nearly every loose ball..... they deserved to win.

good game by the Wildcats.... i guess 24 consecutive losses on your home court to your in-state rival has to end at some point..... now they have one game at Allen Fieldhouse, one game in the Big XII tournament and one game in Africa to complete the Beasley Sweep....

[willthethrill]

Wow, who knew the Big 12 had such entertaining basketball? This Texas/A&M game has already had two technical fouls and an ejection. A&M is absolutely throttling Texas.

[clayj41]

K-State hit 12 3-pointers, had 13 offensive rebounds and got to nearly every loose ball..... they deserved to win.

good game by the Wildcats.... i guess 24 consecutive losses on your home court to your in-state rival has to end at some point..... now they have one game at Allen Fieldhouse, one game in the Big XII tournament and one game in Africa to complete the Beasley Sweep....

I like their chances in Africa.

[UNC41]

Wow, who knew the Big 12 had such entertaining basketball? This Texas/A&M game has already had two technical fouls and an ejection. A&M is absolutely throttling Texas.

:lol :lol

Did you see Adams hammer Taylor Griffin on Monday?

[chiznaz]

rick barnes,

Watermelon, watermelon, watermelon rind. Look at the scoreboard see who's behind!

[bubba40]

Like Georgetown?

:lol no

[UNLTrpt]

Can you imagine the party in the little apple right now?

And of all the games to lose...you lose this one Kansas?

Serious...its Kansas State.

[chiznaz]

K-State is going dancing and will give people fits.

[HolyCow]

The Big 12 is just going to get nastier and nastier this year. There are so many solid teams it's sick. Not a ton of top tier teams, but top to bottom, it's got to be the best.

[willthethrill]

The Big 12 is just going to get nastier and nastier this year. There are so many solid teams it's sick. Not a ton of top tier teams, but top to bottom, it's got to be the best.

I think I might have to agree with you. There's a WHOLE lot of talent in that league.

[RJ2kWJ]

Well K-State just won me $1,000. :bounce

Loved their confidence. Might even bet on them playing in Africa. ;)

Might lose that 1000 though, I bet 4 weeks ago that the Jayhawks were NOT a final 4 team.

[UNC41]

The Big 12 is just going to get nastier and nastier this year. There are so many solid teams it's sick. Not a ton of top tier teams, but top to bottom, it's got to be the best.

The Pac 10 is better than the Big 12. Some will make the argument the Big East is too, but that's just a bunch mediocre teams.

[seekupig]

The Pac 10 is better than the Big 12. Some will make the argument the Big East is too, but that's just a bunch mediocre teams.

with Texas winning @ UCLA, and Kansas beating Arizona and USC, that's debatable at this point....

[UNC41]

with Texas winning @ UCLA, and Kansas beating Arizona and USC, that's debatable at this point....

I was as high as anyone on Texas earlier this year, but I don't think they're a better team than UCLA. They won by 2 and it was just Collison's second game back from injury. A healthy Collison and UCLA is the better team.

The botton of the Pac 10 is definitely stronger IMO as well.

[seekupig]

I was as high as anyone on Texas earlier this year, but I don't think they're a better team than UCLA. They won by 2 and it was just Collison's second game back from injury. A healthy Collison and UCLA is the better team.

The botton of the Pac 10 is definitely stronger IMO as well.

there's a pretty substantial difference when comparing the bottom of a ten team league to the bottom of a twelve team league.

i think it's pretty fair to say that our #9/#10 teams (Mizzou/Nebraska) are better than theirs (Cal/Oregon St.). my opinion of course.... :D

[justinandimcool]

Wish I could join in all the Pac-10/Big XII conversation, but I'm off to USC/Zona. First game ever. Adam, prepare to die.

[JamesM]

That was a ridiculous block in the Indiana/Wisconsin game

[seekupig]

the Duke students all wearing green shirts looks stupid.....

[JamesM]

whats that for?

[seekupig]

some tree hugger benefit from what i can gather..... they say "bleed blue, live green"

[JamesM]

some tree hugger benefit from what i can gather..... they say "bleed blue, live green" Oh ok.

[seekupig]

still early, but it looks like the Wolfpack might have decided to show up tonite.... at this point in the UNC game, they were down 30 already.... :lol

[JamesM]

NC State beat my beloved Wildcats earlier in the year.

[seekupig]

NC State beat my beloved Wildcats earlier in the year.

was that in that Thanksgiving tournament in Orlando? vaguely remember watching it.....

[JamesM]

was that in that Thanksgiving tournament in Orlando? vaguely remember watching it.....
Yeah... Beat UCF > George Mason. Then lost by one to NC State

[seekupig]

NC State 46, Duke 37 at halftime.

[UNC41]

there's a pretty substantial difference when comparing the bottom of a ten team league to the bottom of a twelve team league.

i think it's pretty fair to say that our #9/#10 teams (Mizzou/Nebraska) are better than theirs (Cal/Oregon St.). my opinion of course.... :D

The flaw in your argument is cutting out the bottom two teams in the Big 12 when taking two out of the equation. It'd be more accurate to take out one really good team and one really bad team or two average ones.

Oh, and nice win for UNC tonight. There was a little lull in the first half, but for the most part outstanding basketball.

[seekupig]

make the world a better place, punch Greg Paulus in the face.

[UNC41]

I wanted to puke when he did his best Wojo impression.

[seekupig]

I wanted to puke when he did his best Wojo impression.

i wanted to start shooting flares in my living room when he pulled that sweet soccer move on that "steal". wasn't aware that you could trap the ball with your foot on defense and pick the ball up and take it down the court....

[UNC41]

i wanted to start shooting flares in my living room when he pulled that sweet soccer move on that "steal". wasn't aware that you could trap the ball with your foot on defense and pick the ball up and take it down the court....

The kid can shoot, but he's not great at running the show. Duke is lucky Nelson, Henderson, Smith, Singler and Scheyer can all handle the ball adequately.

[seekupig]

I don't think IU is underrated,The next couple of weeks will prove how good they can be. Personally, I feel like they have a very realistic chance at being #1 at some point this season.

I'll take "#5 seeds in the tournament" for $200, Alex. ;)

[UNC41]

North Carolina looked fantastic tonight. Ty Lawson has 20 assists and 1 turnover in the past two games. The Heels are going to be tough to beat if he plays at that level.

Duke looked fantastic for a half tonight. They shot the hell out of the ball and defended well. Next Wednesday should be fantastic.

It looks like Justin picked a hell of a game to pop his cherry at. I think this is going to be one of those games where both teams continually throw their best punches until the end.

[seekupig]

It looks like Justin picked a hell of a game to pop his cherry at. I think this is going to be one of those games where both teams continually throw their best punches until the end.

and every time OJ Mayo scores the PA announcer sounds like the fat dude with the mic walking on the court during the AND1 Mixtape Tour..... "OH, BABY!!!"

[41ravens]

good win tonight. arizona is looking tough right now. looking forward to saturday night against ucla.

[GavMan33]

I'll take "#5 seeds in the tournament" for $200, Alex. ;)

:lol :thumbsup

[RJ2kWJ]

Lets be a little more anal about Duke tonight becuase the Jayhawks lost...

It would be like me criticizing KU if we lost to NC State tonight. GET OVER IT!!

Lets joke Greg and crew out of jealousy. :lorraine

And lets joke a good cause the students were doing because it makes me feel better. :lol :lol :lol

I wanna thank K-State again for winning me a grand. Beasley owns KU.

[seekupig]

Lets be a little more anal about Duke tonight becuase the Jayhawks lost...

It would be like me criticizing KU if we lost to NC State tonight. GET OVER IT!!

Lets joke Greg and crew out of jealousy. :lorraine

And lets joke a good cause the students were doing because it makes me feel better. :lol :lol :lol

I wanna thank K-State again for winning me a grand. Beasley owns KU.

this post reeks of booze. if you still feel this way when you sober up, let me know and i'll reply. :rolleyes

[SmoothD41]

I'll take "#5 seeds in the tournament" for $200, Alex. ;)

they'll turn it around....obviously not going to be a 1 seed in the tourney, but I don't think a 3 is out of the question. They've got way too much talent on that team to be playing as bad as they have the past couple of games, I think they'll figure it out. Two of their players are going to be 1st team Big 10, and I think DJ has a very solid chance of being 1st team All American. I really think it's a piss poor coaching job right now. Sampson does not know how to make in-game adjustments, and he really has to figure out what their offense needs to look like.

Anyways, they need to split with Wisconsin and Michigan State and they'll be fine.

[seekupig]

they'll turn it around....obviously not going to be a 1 seed in the tourney, but I don't think a 3 is out of the question. They've got way too much talent on that team to be playing as bad as they have the past couple of games, I think they'll figure it out. Two of their players are going to be 1st team Big 10, and I think DJ has a very solid chance of being 1st team All American. I really think it's a piss poor coaching job right now. Sampson does not know how to make in-game adjustments, and he really has to figure out what their offense needs to look like.

Anyways, they need to split with Wisconsin and Michigan State and they'll be fine.
:lol i know, i was just giving you shit..... it's hard to win road games in any major conference, and the Big 10 may be the hardest.

[UNC41]

Lets be a little more anal about Duke tonight becuase the Jayhawks lost...

It would be like me criticizing KU if we lost to NC State tonight. GET OVER IT!!

Lets joke Greg and crew out of jealousy. :lorraine

And lets joke a good cause the students were doing because it makes me feel better. :lol :lol :lol

I wanna thank K-State again for winning me a grand. Beasley owns KU.

Duke looked great in the second half. Still can't stand Paulus though.

they'll turn it around....obviously not going to be a 1 seed in the tourney, but I don't think a 3 is out of the question. They've got way too much talent on that team to be playing as bad as they have the past couple of games, I think they'll figure it out. Two of their players are going to be 1st team Big 10, and I think DJ has a very solid chance of being 1st team All American. I really think it's a piss poor coaching job right now. Sampson does not know how to make in-game adjustments, and he really has to figure out what their offense needs to look like.

Anyways, they need to split with Wisconsin and Michigan State and they'll be fine.

DJ White has been good this year, but I don't think he has much of a shot at First Team All-American. I just don't see him leaping Hansbrough, Beasley or Love.

[willthethrill]

Lets joke Greg and crew out of jealousy. :lorraine
I'm sorry, but the guy can't play defense. Unless you want to compare his defensive prowess to that of Duke big man coach Wojo.

Or maybe you haven't seen this clip?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPBJ_6y_5A

Between football NSD and the game it's gonna be a fun Wednesday. ;)

[GavMan33]

Lets be a little more anal about Duke tonight becuase the Jayhawks lost...

It would be like me criticizing KU if we lost to NC State tonight. GET OVER IT!!

Lets joke Greg and crew out of jealousy. :lorraine

And lets joke a good cause the students were doing because it makes me feel better. :lol :lol :lol

I wanna thank K-State again for winning me a grand. Beasley owns KU.

this post reeks of booze. if you still feel this way when you sober up, let me know and i'll reply. :rolleyes

:lol

Congrats on winning your grand brotherman :rolleyes

I'm with Dustin on that one, there sure is plenty of alcoholic beverage in that one.

Hey Dustin, "next." :thumbsup

[bubba40]

Solid win by GU today.

I really, really hope UTEP can pull it off against Memphis.

[paris72]

Gutsy performance by UK today against terrible calls, a ridiculous flashing scorers table, thug play by UGA. Serves you right Dawgs...

[justinandimcool]

Kansas State follows the big win with a loss to Missouri, awesome.

[JamesM]

Wow Nova...wow.

[GavMan33]

Wow Nova...wow.

I don't think you're the only one saying that. Villanova is in very dangerous territory. It is very possible that they will not be making the trip to New York for the Big East Tournament....

[HolyCow]

Playing against Texas A&M is like playing a football game. If officials let A&M bruise and push and bump like they did today, they can beat anybody.

[chiznaz]

Playing against Texas A&M is like playing a football game. If officials let A&M bruise and push and bump like they did today, they can beat anybody.

kinda like how they let blake griffin grab the rim on defense, ou set moving screens, and the pg to plow through people;) it was a good game today. All the way down to the end. That dunk griffin had on deandre was nasty.

[41ravens]

arizona's getting smoked. if this game is a measure of where they stand, they've got a long way to go.

[GavMan33]

Michigan St. goes down to Penn St. today....

I hate Michigan St. And I hate them even more come NCAA Tourney time. I hope they lose the rest of their games....

[GavMan33]

So I heard one of those douchebag analysts yesterday say that they think at this point Syracuse is "In". How are you gonna tell me that Syracuse is in at this point? They are 16-7, 6-4 in the Big East. So they have 6 Big East wins. Let's examine:

They have wins against St. John's, South Florida, Rutgers, Providence, @ DePaul, and @ Villanova. These team's combined records in the Big East? 15-40. Are you kidding?

What about nonconference? 10-3 in the nonconference. And for once, they finally played a halfway decent nonconference schedule. Congrats :rolleyes

Good wins in the Preseason NIT vs. St. Joe's. They beat an 11-10, 3-6 PAC-10 Washington team. And they played a true road game! Can you believe it???? You read it right! Syracuse, in the nonconference, played a true road game! They won @ Virginia. Incidentally, that same Cavalier team, who they beat by 2 points, is currently 11-9, and 1-6 in the ACC. Not exactly stellar.

That's it. They don't have any bad losses; their nonconference losses vs. Ohio State in New York City, Rhode Island, and UMass aren't bad. They probably should've beat both A-10 teams being they were at home, but I'll be easy on them. I guess bad losses, if you want to call them that, would be @ Cincinnati, and at home to said Villanova team.

So tell me, how are you gonna tell me with a straight face that at this point in the season, this team is "In." You can't. That's ridiculous. The dude who said that should be fired.

[paris72]

yeah, well, I'm a believer that half the analysts on ESPN are incompetent. Take Seth Davis for instance. Yesterday, he says Ramel Bradley needs to step up his play in the second half for UK to win the game. Bradley was knocked out of the game ( literally) at about the 8 min. mark in the first half. Seth is a douche-nozzle.

[willthethrill]

If you can talk at length using cliches and the prevailing stereotypes and fads in college basketball, that qualifies you to be an analyst.

[justinandimcool]

Ty Lawson went down...

[UNC41]

Ty Lawson went down...

:BANG :BANG :BANG

UNC cannot win it all without Ty.

[clayj41]

:BANG :BANG :BANG

UNC cannot win it all without Ty.

:thumbsup That was such a nerve racking game. UNC is a totally different team without Lawson. The timing is horrible too with the Duke game on the horizon. :(

[UNC41]

:thumbsup That was such a nerve racking game. UNC is a totally different team without Lawson. The timing is horrible too with the Duke game on the horizon. :(

They are a completely different team offensively with Q at point, and Ty is so much better than him at stopping dribble penetration.

Football time.

[RJ2kWJ]

Just thought this thread shouldnt drop to the 2nd page...Out of respect for the greatest game out... :)

Front page is flooded with Super Bowl stuff.... I contributed.... But one of the single greatest rivalries in sports is about to occur in a few days.

[justinandimcool]

^ Thanks dude :) Nice to see this topped after a night of madness.

You're right Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga will be epic.

[RJ2kWJ]

While Im here...

Dustin (SeekUp) I apologize. Big time. You were 100% correct with your post and I was hammered when I posted that.

Hope to meet the Jayhawks in the dance...

[clayj41]

Just thought this thread shouldnt drop to the 2nd page...Out of respect for the greatest game out... :)

Front page is flooded with Super Bowl stuff.... I contributed.... But one of the single greatest rivalries in sports is about to occur in a few days.

:thumbsup And your guys chance of winning just raised substantially after today.:o

[justinandimcool]

Hope to meet the Jayhawks in the dance...

I don't. :lol

[justinandimcool]

:thumbsup And your guys chance of winning just raised substantially after today.:o

And it's a damn shame, would be great to see these two going at it full strength.

[clayj41]

And it's a damn shame, would be great to see these two going at it full strength.

:thumbsup Like I said, I hate the timing. High ankle sprains are nagging injuries and you have to think that if Ty is at even 50% we'll need him to play. If Duke takes this one they're in the driver seat for the ACC.

[GavMan33]

:thumbsup Like I said, I hate the timing. High ankle sprains are nagging injuries and you have to think that if Ty is at even 50% we'll need him to play. If Duke takes this one they're in the driver seat for the ACC.

And what's the problem with Duke being in the driver's seat for the ACC? Really, it doesn't matter if Duke wins the ACC. UNC will still be a 1 or a 2-seed in the NCAA. And UNC will be very good come March. As long as Ty Lawson gets a few games under his belt beforehand. No need to panic at this point....

[clayj41]

And what's the problem with Duke being in the driver's seat for the ACC? Really, it doesn't matter if Duke wins the ACC. UNC will still be a 1 or a 2-seed in the NCAA. And UNC will be very good come March. As long as Ty Lawson gets a few games under his belt beforehand. No need to panic at this point....

Oh I know and the big picture and Ty's well being are way more important. That doesn't mean I want Duke to win another ACC title.

[UNC41]

And what's the problem with Duke being in the driver's seat for the ACC? Really, it doesn't matter if Duke wins the ACC. UNC will still be a 1 or a 2-seed in the NCAA. And UNC will be very good come March. As long as Ty Lawson gets a few games under his belt beforehand. No need to panic at this point....

I'd rather not have to leave North Carolina to reach the Final Four.

[justinandimcool]

BRACKET BUSTERS!

Friday, Feb. 22
UC Santa Barbara at Utah State
Davidson at Winthrop

Saturday, Feb. 23
VCU at Akron
Siena at Boise State
UW-Milwaukee at Bradley
Drake at Butler
Rider at Cal State Northridge
Marist at Cleveland State
George Mason at Ohio
Creighton at Oral Roberts
Kent State at Saint Mary's
Nevada at Southern Illinois
Miami (OH) at Valparaiso

Sunday, Feb. 24
Wright State at Illinois State




Cal State Northridge has been awesome this year for the Big West. And it's awesome, because it's only 5 minutes from my house :)

But yeah, Drake vs Butler...sounds exciting enough!

[OneSwtWld34]

BRACKET BUSTERS!

Friday, Feb. 22
UC Santa Barbara at Utah State
Davidson at Winthrop

Saturday, Feb. 23
VCU at Akron
Siena at Boise State
UW-Milwaukee at Bradley
Drake at Butler
Rider at Cal State Northridge
Marist at Cleveland State
George Mason at Ohio
Creighton at Oral Roberts
Kent State at Saint Mary's
Nevada at Southern Illinois
Miami (OH) at Valparaiso

Sunday, Feb. 24
Wright State at Illinois State




Cal State Northridge has been awesome this year for the Big West. And it's awesome, because it's only 5 minutes from my house :)

But yeah, Drake vs Butler...sounds exciting enough!

I live about 15-20 minutes from Butler. I'll be picking up my tickets for this game sometime during the week.

I like these games.... I went to the Southern Illinois vs Butler game last year which was a great game and a great atmosphere.

[JamesM]

St Mary's gym is so dark

[clayj41]

This is one hell of a game!

[dreamingtreeIU]

st marys gym looks like a crypt....or a gradeschool gym

[dreamingtreeIU]

I live about 15-20 minutes from Butler. I'll be picking up my tickets for this game sometime during the week.

I like these games.... I went to the Southern Illinois vs Butler game last year which was a great game and a great atmosphere.

whens this game? i live about 20 min away as well

[willthethrill]

Hey Jayshon, Tim Floyd's on the phone.

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-kid-will-be-able-to-do-this-before.html

[UNC41]

THIS is the Chris Lofton who has been my favorite non-Heel the past two years.

[smeritt]

So what does everyone like of Arizona even after the ass whipping UCLA handed us?

When is the UNC/Duke game? Time and night please?

And seeing as Bryan brought it up who is your favorite NCAA basketball athlete not on your team?

I love Paulus and Lofton but my favorite has got to be Sean Singletary

[justinandimcool]

So what does everyone like of Arizona even after the ass whipping UCLA handed us?

When is the UNC/Duke game? Time and night please?

And seeing as Bryan brought it up who is your favorite NCAA basketball athlete not on your team?




Arizona is solid, they just need more production from Hill and McLellan. Bayless is the catalyst, Budinger is the closer, but the rest of the team needs to be able to rebound and defend in order to survive in this league. I say Sweet 16, should they avoid being paired with any physical teams.


Wednesday, tomorrow at 9 ET.



Tyler Hansbrough.

[smeritt]

Arizona is solid, they just need more production from Hill and McLellan. Bayless is the catalyst, Budinger is the closer, but the rest of the team needs to be able to rebound and defend in order to survive in this league.


Wednesday, tomorrow at 9 ET.



Tyler Hansbrough.God damn it I'm going to miss it. I'm sorry but those are probably the best games in college basketball to watch, no matter if you like the teams or not.

[justinandimcool]

God damn it I'm going to miss it. I'm sorry but those are probably the best games in college basketball to watch, no matter if you like the teams or not.


Can't imagine a college basketball fan who wouldn't wanna see it.



Record it :)




I think UNC takes it in a tight game. I'm sure they'll be able to initialize the inside game effectively, and they've got enough to counter Duke's perimeter shooting.

[smeritt]

Can't imagine a college basketball fan who wouldn't wanna see it.



Record it :)




I think UNC takes it in a tight game. I'm sure they'll be able to initialize the inside game effectively, and they've got enough to counter Duke's perimeter shooting.
I'm at school fool. No tivo in the dorms lol

[UNC41]

Arizona is solid, they just need more production from Hill and McLellan. Bayless is the catalyst, Budinger is the closer, but the rest of the team needs to be able to rebound and defend in order to survive in this league. I say Sweet 16, should they avoid being paired with any physical teams.

Hill just needs to clean the glass and get his putbacks and bunnies. McLellan is the guy who needs to step up offensively.

God damn it I'm going to miss it. I'm sorry but those are probably the best games in college basketball to watch, no matter if you like the teams or not.

You know it!

I think UNC takes it in a tight game. I'm sure they'll be able to initialize the inside game effectively, and they've got enough to counter Duke's perimeter shooting.

Are you talking with Lawson or without? Just curious.

If Ty doesn't play Duke would be best suited to drive rather than rely on threes. Q isn't great at stopping dribble penetration, so whenever he's not on Paulus anyone else, especially Smith, should be able to get by him. It'll also neutralize Carolina's transition game if Lawson doesn't play. Their best opportunities will come from long rebounds, and Q can't push it like Ty, so if UNC isn't getting those rebounds they'll have to play more halfcourt offense.

Hansbrough will abuse anything Duke tries to put on him though.

[smeritt]

Hill just needs to clean the glass and get his putbacks and bunnies. McLellan is the guy who needs to step up offensively.

Hill is a big pussy and gets pushed around too much. The team also has no depth which is depressing zane, and daniel dillion are no viable options off the bench to keep the team in the game. It sucks to watch because bayless and buddinger are so talented they jsut dont have the pieces around them. I don't want them to leave early before they have a chance ot be really good.

[UNC41]

Hill is a big pussy and gets pushed around too much. The team also has no depth which is depressing zane, and daniel dillion are no viable options off the bench to keep the team in the game. It sucks to watch because bayless and buddinger are so talented they jsut dont have the pieces around them. I don't want them to leave early before they have a chance ot be really good.

I disagree about Hill. He's not the toughest guy in the world, but teams get two bodies on him on the glass as there is nobody else to worry about getting boards. Budinger is the guy I'd like to see step up on the glass. The guy has got huge hops, but is soft and doesn't hit the glass.

[unccrombie]

i too will miss the unc game. i got work till 11 :(

[smeritt]

I disagree about Hill. He's not the toughest guy in the world, but teams get two bodies on him on the glass as there is nobody else to worry about getting boards. Budinger is the guy I'd like to see step up on the glass. The guy has got huge hops, but is soft and doesn't hit the glass.Like I said no depth. Breilmeheir just isnt the anwser either.

[RJ2kWJ]

LETS Go BLUE DEVILS!!!!

Wow Im amped. Huge UNC/Duke party at my house tomorrow night.

[justinandimcool]

Are you talking with Lawson or without? Just curious.

If Ty doesn't play Duke would be best suited to drive rather than rely on threes. Q isn't great at stopping dribble penetration, so whenever he's not on Paulus anyone else, especially Smith, should be able to get by him. It'll also neutralize Carolina's transition game if Lawson doesn't play. Their best opportunities will come from long rebounds, and Q can't push it like Ty, so if UNC isn't getting those rebounds they'll have to play more halfcourt offense.

Hansbrough will abuse anything Duke tries to put on him though.


I was talking without Lawson, but I guess you have all the analysis covered :lol

I'm at school fool. No tivo in the dorms lol


VCR :)

[justinandimcool]

I'm not really Anti-Duke, but I figured this fit the occasion. :lol

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fYOgC2Qbqh4

[darbini]

Well the Gators vs Tenn game turned out pretty crappy. It was a pretty damn good game until about 5 minutes left, and UT just turned it up on the Gators. You can't stop the 3's from raining, even with guys right in their faces. UF was capable of winning last night, but they have too many loose ends. Once again, UF was able to get good looks at the basket, but the shots just weren't going in. The youth and experience is starting to show itself, and it's definitely a hit or miss situation. They need to step it up if they want to make to the NCAA Tourn, and I have faith that they will. As long as they progressively get better, which they have been, then I can't be too upset.

[UNC41]

Well the Gators vs Tenn game turned out pretty crappy. It was a pretty damn good game until about 5 minutes left, and UT just turned it up on the Gators. You can't stop the 3's from raining, even with guys right in their faces. UF was capable of winning last night, but they have too many loose ends. Once again, UF was able to get good looks at the basket, but the shots just weren't going in. The youth and experience is starting to show itself, and it's definitely a hit or miss situation. They need to step it up if they want to make to the NCAA Tourn, and I have faith that they will. As long as they progressively get better, which they have been, then I can't be too upset.

Calathesis is fantastic and flying under the radar with all of the hyped freshmen this year and I like Speights, but no one else on Florida's roster really jumps out at me. Florida just does not have the depth to keep up with a Tennessee team running at that pace for 40 minutes, and if Lofton keeps shooting the way he has of late the Vols are going to be a tough out.

I absolutely cannot wait for tonight, with or without Ty. College basketball does not get any better than this before March ...

[darbini]

In addition to averaging 16pts, 5reb, and almost 2 steals a game, Calathes leads the SEC in assists/gm. This team could be absolutely ridiculous in two years, if not next year. I'm still holding onto Sweet 16 this year, but we'll see.

[BreakFree27]

Let's Go Duke!

rebounding will be key tonight in addition to the level of play we get out of our big men against TH.

[irishluck314]

Blue Devils in a blowout??

[dacat]

In addition to averaging 16pts, 5reb, and almost 2 steals a game, Calathes leads the SEC in assists/gm. This team could be absolutely ridiculous in two years, if not next year. I'm still holding onto Sweet 16 this year, but we'll see.

Speights is gone after this year and Calathes won't stay more than 2, but you do have some good big men coming in next year.

[darbini]

I don't see Speights going anywhere quite yet. He played a very limited role last year, and still has some work to do experience wise. He has some great moves, can hit those 17 footers, and can pass quite well, but he needs more size and experience before he goes anywhere. Also, I think the 04's set a good example by staying through their junior year. One extra year under Donovan can make a world of difference. Calathes can only get better, and Parsons has an amazing upside to him, in fact every freshman can do some major damage. Jai Lucas, Adam Allen, Alex Tyus, they all are pretty badass.

[UNC41]

Noah's draft stock took a huge hit by staying through his junior year. Horford probably would have been a top 5 pick either way. Brewer increased his stock by staying.

It's not like the extra year did wonders for them ...

[clayj41]

I will be ecstatic if the Heels can pull one out tonight without Lawson. If they lose however, I won't be surprised.

[waywayNCSU]

NC State put together a decent win last night to get to .500 in the ACC. If they can bust their balls and finish at 9-7 in the league, pull a win or two out of the ACC tourney, they could still make the dance.

I think UNC will fall just short tonight, playing with their 3rd PG.

[clayj41]

I think UNC will fall just short tonight, playing with their 3rd PG.

Unfortunately I agree with you.:(

[UNC41]

Unfortunately I agree with you.:(

Have a little faith. If Q can control the ball against Duke's pressure defense they have a decent chance, and he's been doing that well lately. Since he struggled mightly in the Clemson game he's had a 6:1 assist to turnover ratio. :)

[clayj41]

Have a little faith. If Q can control the ball against Duke's pressure defense they have a decent chance, and he's been doing that well lately. Since he struggled mightly in the Clemson game he's had a 6:1 assist to turnover ratio. :)

I still have little confidence with him running the ship...especially on such a grand stage. On the other hand, what hope I do have rest of the fact that this is Duke and someone always seems to step up in these games. I expect a good game, I just expect Duke to win. That way when UNC does pull it out, no one will be happier than me!:)

[UNC41]

I still have little confidence with him running the ship...especially on such a grand stage. On the other hand, what hope I do have rest of the fact that this is Duke and someone always seems to step up in these games. I expect a good game, I just expect Duke to win. That way when UNC does pull it out, no one will be happier than me!:)

He's a senior with a national championship under his belt. I'm confident he we'll be fine. Whether or not that is good enough is what the question is.

Looking for somebody to step up? You don't have to look that hard. UNC has got one the best players in the nation, who also happens to be the most intense player in the nation and had his nose broken the last time these two teams played. Plus, Duke's frontcourt is it's weakness.

I expect a hell of a game.

[nolan8or]

Blue Devils in a blowout??

this would make me very happy :D

[unccrombie]

He's a senior with a national championship under his belt. I'm confident he we'll be fine. Whether or not that is good enough is what the question is.

Looking for somebody to step up? You don't have to look that hard. UNC has got one the best players in the nation, who also happens to be the most intense player in the nation and had his nose broken the last time these two teams played. Plus, Duke's frontcourt is it's weakness.

I expect a hell of a game.
still, their offense takes a new life under him, its such a halfcourt game then. the key is going to ty dominant. somehow i think zubek may have a good game for the devils offensively, so if we can get him out, we should be solid

[UNC41]

still, their offense takes a new life under him, its such a halfcourt game then. the key is going to ty dominant. somehow i think zubek may have a good game for the devils offensively, so if we can get him out, we should be solid

Agreed. The break isn't going to be in full force tonight if Ty doesn't play. Zoubek has a fracture foot and hasn't played in a month, so no need to worry there. Hansbrough should just abuse Thomas and Singler. If Singler is forced to guard Hansbrough I wouldn't be surprised to see him in foul trouble, which would be a blow to Duke offensively.

[nhl123_2000]

GO TO HELL DOOK!

just got back from class, gonna start the partying then heading down to the Dean Dome (a true arena, unlike the shitty one down the road).

Got a pretty good seat for tonights game and think it will be a close one, with UNC emerging victoriously. Dookies are lucky though - with Ty in the lineup we would RUN all over you. No way dooks the second best team in the nation.

GO HEELS!

[dacat]

I don't see Speights going anywhere quite yet. He played a very limited role last year, and still has some work to do experience wise. He has some great moves, can hit those 17 footers, and can pass quite well, but he needs more size and experience before he goes anywhere. Also, I think the 04's set a good example by staying through their junior year. One extra year under Donovan can make a world of difference. Calathes can only get better, and Parsons has an amazing upside to him, in fact every freshman can do some major damage. Jai Lucas, Adam Allen, Alex Tyus, they all are pretty badass.

Speights is projected in the top 10 of the draft this year, he has also told people this is his last year. Calathes would be a late first round pick, so he'll probably stay one more year.

[willthethrill]

Well guys, I'm about off to witness my 3rd UNC/dook game in person. I can't tell you the type of vitriol I've got stored up for the krzythead and G, the victim. Oh boy, if Lawson plays...

I still have mad faith in Q though. He's really stepped his game up of late (midrange J's???).

[GavMan33]

In addition to averaging 16pts, 5reb, and almost 2 steals a game, Calathes leads the SEC in assists/gm. This team could be absolutely ridiculous in two years, if not next year. I'm still holding onto Sweet 16 this year, but we'll see.

Must be nice to be a big school like Florida or the like. Little Calethes was following big brother to St. Joseph's until Billy the Kid jumped in late to get him. As said, must be nice to be one of the big boys :shrug

[unccrombie]

doesnt look good right now, just got home from work early and we're down 7 with 7 to play

[unccrombie]

lance thomas just won duke the game

[justinandimcool]

Duke isn't undisputedly the better team, but they have more consistent weapons and are more difficult to guard. ACC teams have proven that if you swarm Hansbrough he'll go cold eventually, and the cast he has around him (Wayne, Greene, Ginyard) is just way too inconsistent. Paulus, Scheyer, and Singler seem to have big games every time I watch them. And I watch them alot.

But then again, we'll find more clarity once Lawson comes back.

[SmoothD41]

duke is just getting big play after big play, and they are lights freaking out from 3

[unccrombie]

duke is just getting big play after big play, and they are lights freaking out from 3
agreed, the 2 big blocks on ty sealed the game

[unccrombie]

carolina looks like theyve given up, even around the last 10 minutes ive watched. no effort on rebounds at all

[SmoothD41]

carolina could be doing such a better job defending the 3...duke is obviously lights out, but many of their shots are uncontested.

I like defense, this game is starting to annoy me. And Paulus is a fucking flopper.

[unccrombie]

carolina could be doing such a better job defending the 3...duke is obviously lights out, but many of their shots are uncontested.

I like defense, this game is starting to annoy me.
eh, i havent seen the whole game, but if paulus is going to hit fade away 3's then they deserve to win

[SmoothD41]

yikes, Hansbrough is struggling from the line tonight.

[unccrombie]

yikes, Hansbrough is struggling from the line tonight.
just everything going wrong for unc tonight, and duke is taking advantage. its how you win games

[secretlysmiling]

Yay! Dayton beat Charlotte. :)

Kinda sucks when two of your main guys have foot injuries and the rest have the flu. They announced on TV tonight that over the span of a few days over 1,000 (out of 6,000-some) students went to the campus health center and were diagnosed with the flu.

[GavMan33]

Well believe it or not, Dickie V made a valid point early in the broadcast, and it negates something I said earlier....

This game goes a long way in determining who wins the ACC. Winning the ACC is important, because whoever does that plays the first two games of the NCAAs in Raleigh. Then after that, they regional is in Charlotte. So winning the ACC is important in that respect....

[justinandimcool]

Well this just got interesting.

[SmoothD41]

Well this just got interesting.

not anymore, scheyer just clinched it.

[GavMan33]

Yay! Dayton beat Charlotte. :)

Kinda sucks when two of your main guys have foot injuries and the rest have the flu. They announced on TV tonight that over the span of a few days over 1,000 (out of 6,000-some) students went to the campus health center and were diagnosed with the flu.

:lol

I'm sorry my friend, I hate Dayton. You'll be OK in terms of the tournament I think. But BRob has got to be over the flu by now. Charles Little is back, I saw he had 16 tonight. Chris Wright, yeah he makes a difference. But he's not a difference maker. Bottom line is there's just not enough balance, enough scoring there to make it....

[justinandimcool]

Jesus, Lawson or not, Duke is the hungrier team, the more prepared team. I don't see how they can lose if they show up like this every night. Jeez.

[unccrombie]

Jesus, Lawson or not, Duke is the hungrier team, the more prepared team. I don't see how they can lose if they show up like this every night. Jeez.
unc was just way too off their game to make this competitive

[UNC41]

Congrats to Duke. They shot amazing and Lance Thomas played hands down the best I've ever seen him play. Paulus, although I still don't think he's a very good point guard, was absolutely fantastic shooting the ball tonight. You've got to give them credit.

That being said, I'm still not convinced Duke is the better basketball team. The point guard is the catalyst of North Carolina's offense, and Quentin played like the third string point guard he is. He settled down in the second half a bit, but made horrid decisions in the first. His biggest weakness, however, is he is a very bad defender. He absolutely cannot stop dribble penetration, and Ty has been very good there.

Ellington's three with less than three minutes to go seemed to symbolize the game. North Carolina got essentially zero production from three of its four best offensive players, and still kept it a game. I can't wait for the rematch in Durham.

[justinandimcool]

If Duke/UNC play 3 times this season, what's the rule on that? Is it a must that they be put on opposite sides of the bracket and can't meet again until a potential National Title game? Or is a Final 4 matchup possible as well?

[UNC41]

Don't quote me, but I think the only thing the NCAA can do is prevent teams from playing in the first two rounds.

[clayj41]

Extremely disappointing...and that's coming from a guy who had low expectations for this game. Ginyard was huge and Hansbrough had a typically great game despite missing so many free throws. Quentin Thomas once again showed his true colors, the 2 best shooters on the team couldn't hit shit, and Alex Stepheson is the most unproductive player ever! The perimeter D was once again horrendous and Dickie V was right...UNC does not defend off the screen. Granted Duke was shooting lights out, but the majority of those shots were uncontested. Very frustrating performance.

[GavMan33]

If Duke/UNC play 3 times this season, what's the rule on that? Is it a must that they be put on opposite sides of the bracket and can't meet again until a potential National Title game? Or is a Final 4 matchup possible as well?

Justin I've never heard any rule about that, although there may be one. I do know they will not allow teams from the same conference to meet in the first or second round, and I think they do their best to keep those meetings as far away as possible. But I've never heard it as a rule....

[GavMan33]

Don't quote me, but I think the only thing the NCAA can do is prevent teams from playing in the first two rounds.

+1 Bryan :thumbsup

[justinandimcool]

Don't quote me, but I think the only thing the NCAA can do is prevent teams from playing in the first two rounds.

I thought so, but I don't know. I'm sure they also purposely prevent a repeat National Title game. I don't know about conference title rematches or teams meeting 4 times in a year. I assumed they made the matchup as difficult as possible to occur.

[RJ2kWJ]

:bounce

Always a joy taking UNC down... Hopefully the sweep occurs. My player of the game has to go between Greg or Lance. Unbelievable showing by both. Greg made some horrible passes though, but shot lights out to make up for it.

Either way I am SO excited right now.

[UNC41]

Extremely disappointing...and that's coming from a guy who had low expectations for this game. Ginyard was huge and Hansbrough had a typically great game despite missing so many free throws. Quentin Thomas once again showed his true colors, the 2 best shooters on the team couldn't hit shit, and Alex Stepheson is the most unproductive player ever! The perimeter D was once again horrendous and Dickie V was right...UNC does not defend off the screen. Granted Duke was shooting lights out, but the majority of those shots were uncontested. Very frustrating performance.

Quentin played like the third point guard on a very good ball club. I was too optimistic about him coming into today. I actually thought he was more detrimental defensively than offensively. There were stretches when Ginyard was on Paulus because Thomas couldn't keep up with a average moving white guy. Ty is so much better on the ball and off it. Putting Ginyard on Paulus let other Dulce players drive at will on Thomas and kick it out for open 3s.

:bounce

Always a joy taking UNC down... Hopefully the sweep occurs. My player of the game has to go between Greg or Lance. Unbelievable showing by both. Greg made some horrible passes though, but shot lights out to make up for it.

Either way I am SO excited right now.

Greg shot lights out, but I'm hesitant to give the game ball to anyone better than Thomas. Hansbrough was able to have a lot of success, but not all of it was against Lance. He played much better than I have ever seen him over the past two years and had a couple of key blocks.

Agree with you about Paulus and passing. Duke has enough guys that can handle the ball that hides the fact he is a great shooter, but not a great point guard.

[UNLTrpt]

Don't quote me, but I think the only thing the NCAA can do is prevent teams from playing in the first two rounds.

:thumbsup

I think that's right. They try and space out the conference teams so they won't meet before the Sweet 16. Of course that wouldn't be possible if 9 teams made it from the same conference. I don't think that's ever happened before.

[clayj41]

Quentin played like the third point guard on a very good ball club. I was too optimistic about him coming into today. I actually thought he was more detrimental defensively than offensively. There were stretches when Ginyard was on Paulus because Thomas couldn't keep up with a average moving white guy. Ty is so much better on the ball and off it. Putting Ginyard on Paulus let other Dulce players drive at will on Thomas and kick it out for open 3s.

:thumbsup He played decent in the second half, offensively that is. I agree with you though about his D. I can't tell you how many times I was literally yelling at the TV when Paulus would make him look bad. I'd rather have the ball in his hands than Stepheson though...that's almost a guaranteed turnover. Obviously though its totally different being that Thomas is the PG. Thompson's foul trouble was really frustrating since he was one of only 3 guys really producing and it gave Stepheson more playing time. If UNC would've found a way to win it would've been in spite of those two...and Green and Ellington's poor shooting obviously. Duke was in total control.

[unccrombie]

i think greg is better than Q, that count for anything?

[clayj41]

i think greg is better than Q, that count for anything?

I think I'm better than Q!:lol :rolleyes

[seekupig]

Lawson being out definately was the difference in the game tonite..... that and nobody besides Hansbrough being able to score.

Duke looked good and will be a tough out in the tourney if they can knock down 13 three-pointers for six games in a row..... :thumbsup

[willthethrill]

- Poor, poor FT shooting, something that hasn't happened to us all year. Gotta hit your FTs, especially at home, guys.

- Since the Clemson game Wayne has been invisible and Danny has been gone longer than that. Is this going to be the case every year?

- Q just isn't Ty Lawson. Our offense is completely centered on PG skills, and Q is second-rate in every facet of the game. Don't even get me started on his D.

- How many fouls can they call on Deon for hedging a screen?

- We can kick their ass in Durham. I'm predicting Tyler will put up around 35 and 25.

[secretlysmiling]

:lol

I'm sorry my friend, I hate Dayton. You'll be OK in terms of the tournament I think. But BRob has got to be over the flu by now. Charles Little is back, I saw he had 16 tonight. Chris Wright, yeah he makes a difference. But he's not a difference maker. Bottom line is there's just not enough balance, enough scoring there to make it....

Oh I agree with you. Trust me, I'm one of Dayton's biggest critics. There's no reason they should have been so dependent on Wright, Little and Roberts. I understand that they are three awesome players, but the Xavier game was just embarrassing. And why didn't Roberts score much last night? What was his problem? They weren't double-teaming him that much! And if they were, that left another Flyer wide-open! So why were we not leading until the very end?

And yes, Little is back, but his ankle is still broken. Supposedly it's a no-weight fracture. Whatever that means.

I'm just glad they won. And hopefully can beat GW on Saturday, too. I hear they just lost to LaSalle. And Duquesne beat up on St. Joe's. That's always fun.

[chiznaz]

Oh my goodness that pitt-wvu was amazing.

what a shot.

[GavMan33]

This is a good read, albeit a bit long. From Dustin Dow's blog, the Xavier beat writer. He was in attendence of a mock NCAA Tourney committee meeting last night in Indianapolis....

Last night here in Indy, however, I saw all of this come together in a selection, seeding and bracketing process. In a word, it’s complicated. You’ve read before that the myths about putting X amount of teams in from a specific conference aren’t true, and I can confirm that. I will say, though, that relative conference strength is quite important and could really hamper the Big Ten this season. In the end, I was very surprised that we ended up putting five teams into the bracket from the Big Ten, including Ohio State, which was one of the last at-large teams to get in (against my vote). The soft bottom of the league is going to prevent teams such as Purdue and Ohio State from having those necessary 51-100 RPI wins come Selection Sunday.

That’s another thing; the RPI. The process lasted from 1:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and it seemed even longer. Endless comparing of teams and voting and ranking them. It was a very redundant process but necessary it seemed to weed out unworthiness. Very rarely, if at all, when the 20 of us (two sportswriters represented one of the 10 committee members) were comparing and discussing teams, did anyone mention a team’s RPI rank. That surprised me. Instead, the RPI came more into focus when evaluating the relative strength of who a team beat and who it lost to. How’d a team do against the Top 100? The setup that the NCAA has makes it quite easy to compare two, three, or four teams at once, and oftentimes, those are the things you’re looking at. The actual RPI number is almost irrelevant because it’s simply a product of the results that are already being scrutinized.

The first thing each of us did was to file an initial ballot listing the slam-dunk, no-brainer teams we figured had to be in the tournament as at-large teams (not including Butler and St. Mary’s, which had already won simulated conference tourneys). Of those ballots, we were in agreement on 18 teams, which were fast-tracked as at-large teams. It’s reasonable to assume that those teams – if they’re slam dunks now – have a very good shot of getting in on Selection Sunday. Those teams were: Arizona, Connecticut, Duke, Drake, Georgetown, Indiana, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan State, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, Washington State, Wisconsin and Xavier.

For the rest of the night, it struck me as notable how many teams I hesitated to vote for. But the process requires several rounds of selecting and then ranking eight teams from a pool of teams and then doing that over and over until 34 at-large teams are picked. Quite frankly, I didn’t feel bad at all about leaving any teams out. Rather, I felt bad about including Florida, which ended up winning mock SEC Tournament but had also been voted as an at-large team. I wasn’t entirely convinced that Ohio State deserved to be in. In the end, though, the voting is done by secret ballots. So when there are three spots left to fill and 10 people are ranking eight teams to take up those three spots, the resultant vote determines who gets in and who doesn’t. There is plenty of discussion before the vote, but everyone is free to vote however they want. Before it won the SEC, Florida was one of the last at-large teams, along with OSU and Davidson if I remember correctly.

This post is getting long so I’ll wrap it up by listing our seed list 1-65. This is basically an S-curve list from the best to worst team in the field. It does not, however, guarantee that the No. 12 team is going to get a No. 3 seed. Because of restrictions and considerations for bracketing teams (travel, multiple teams in one conference, etc.) teams moved up or down a relative seed many times when we transferred them from the seed list to the bracket. That was interesting to see and I’ll get into it more when I write this up for the Enquirer.

Seed list (if the season ended last night)
1. Memphis 2. UCLA 3. Kansas 4. Duke
5. UNC 6. Tennessee 7. G’town 8. Stanford
9. Wisconsin 10. Texas 11. Xavier 12. Arizona
13. Pittsburgh 14. Mich. St. 15. Butler 16. Washington State
17. UConn 18. Kan. St. 19. L’ville 20. Drake
21. T A&M 22. Indiana 23. USC 24. St. Mary’s
25. Okla. 26. Ole Miss 27. Marquette 28. Notre Dame
29. Gonzaga 30. Arkansas 31. Purdue 32. St. Joseph’s
33. Rhody 34. Clemson 35. Baylor 36. Vandy
37. UMass 38. Dayton 39. UNLV 40. Maryland
41. Ohio State 42. BYU 43. Kent State 44. Oregon
45. Florida 46. Davidson 47. Nevada 48. Creighton
49. SmHState 50. App State 51. Cornell 52. UNC Ashe
53. Siena 54. Hampton 55. UMBC 56. IUPUI
57. Belmont 58. Austin P. 59. Pacific 60. N. Arizona
61. UNCW 62. Ark. LR 63. Colgate 64. Quinnipiac
65. Jackson State

That reflects two of the three stages, selection and seeding. Bracketing takes another two hours, and the actual selection committee doesn’t even begin bracketing until around 3:30 p.m. on Selection Sunday or later. So it gets intense. You don’t realize until the end how it actually breaks down by conference.

Among the multiple-bid conferences, ours broke down like this
ACC: 4
A-10: 5
Big Ten: 5
Big East: 6
SEC: 4
PAC-10: 6 (5 in the top 23)
Big 12: 6
West Coast: 2
MWC: 2 (BYU automatic)
Southern: 2 (App State automatic)
MVC: 2 (Creighton automatic)

[justinandimcool]

Oh my goodness that pitt-wvu was amazing.

what a shot.

:thumbsup


What do you guys think of Illinois' pregame handshake/shove on Eric Gordon?

[justinandimcool]

Seed list (if the season ended last night)
1. Memphis 2. UCLA 3. Kansas 4. Duke
5. UNC 6. Tennessee 7. G’town 8. Stanford
9. Wisconsin 10. Texas 11. Xavier 12. Arizona
13. Pittsburgh 14. Mich. St. 15. Butler 16. Washington State
17. UConn 18. Kan. St. 19. L’ville 20. Drake
21. T A&M 22. Indiana 23. USC 24. St. Mary’s
25. Okla. 26. Ole Miss 27. Marquette 28. Notre Dame
29. Gonzaga 30. Arkansas 31. Purdue 32. St. Joseph’s
33. Rhody 34. Clemson 35. Baylor 36. Vandy
37. UMass 38. Dayton 39. UNLV 40. Maryland
41. Ohio State 42. BYU 43. Kent State 44. Oregon
45. Florida 46. Davidson 47. Nevada 48. Creighton
49. SmHState 50. App State 51. Cornell 52. UNC Ashe
53. Siena 54. Hampton 55. UMBC 56. IUPUI
57. Belmont 58. Austin P. 59. Pacific 60. N. Arizona
61. UNCW 62. Ark. LR 63. Colgate 64. Quinnipiac
65. Jackson State

That reflects two of the three stages, selection and seeding. Bracketing takes another two hours, and the actual selection committee doesn’t even begin bracketing until around 3:30 p.m. on Selection Sunday or later. So it gets intense. You don’t realize until the end how it actually breaks down by conference.

Among the multiple-bid conferences, ours broke down like this
ACC: 4
A-10: 5
Big Ten: 5
Big East: 6
SEC: 4
PAC-10: 6 (5 in the top 23)
Big 12: 6
West Coast: 2
MWC: 2 (BYU automatic)
Southern: 2 (App State automatic)
MVC: 2 (Creighton automatic)

That's awesome. I think there'll be 4 Big Ten teams, and 3 ACC teams in the tournament, and 7 Pac-10 teams. I'm also not sure about that many A-10 teams, but what do I know.

I'm upset that CSU-Northridge didn't win the simulated Big West though :lol

I wish I had more to say, I'm not really good at all with bracketology. I'm still a rookie when it comes to which bubble team deserves to be in and who doesn't.

[justinandimcool]

Xavier at the buzzer. Lucky sumbitches. Entertianing win :thumbsup

[GavMan33]

Xavier at the buzzer. Lucky sumbitches. Entertianing win :thumbsup

As we say, a win away from home is a great win. St. Louis did a fantastic job of hanging in that game. The lead kept fluctuating by 6 and 13 points, but we could not close the door. Kevin Lisch score 12 points in what seemed about 45 seconds. Oh buddy. Great awareness by DBrown. DLav goes to the hoop, get on the other side to get the tip. Way to crash the boards :thumbsup

[justinandimcool]

Yeah, that string of 3's was pretty crazy. I wish I had seen more of the game (I've been flipping thru the USC game, the UCLA game and the IU game), I totally missed an opportunity to research on XU. How's their inside presence doing? And their defense?



I never understood all the Big Ten hate. This IU/UofI game has been entertaining since the get-go.

[clayj41]

I never understood all the Big Ten hate. This IU/UofI game has been entertaining since the get-go.

:thumbsup Its been a great game.

[clayj41]

It may not be kosher to call a foul on a full court shot, but a foul's a foul.

[UNC41]

It may not be kosher to call a foul on a full court shot, but a foul's a foul.

The refs have missed a lot. Gordon's travel, Gordon's offensive foul and that.

[smeritt]

What a shot

[SmoothD41]

whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

huge win in an unbelievbly hostile environment

[kydmb99]

God damnit, fuck Indiana.

Bruce Weber is destroying Illinois.

Sad. :shrug

[clayj41]

The refs have missed a lot. Gordon's travel, Gordon's offensive foul and that.

Oh I agree. I think that no call just symbolized how lax the officials were all night.

[UNC41]

God damnit, fuck Indiana.

Bruce Weber is destroying Illinois.

Sad. :shrug

Fuck that. After that shit Illinois pulled before the game and after regulation I'm so glad Indiana won.

[smeritt]

Fuck that. After that shit Illinois pulled before the game and after regulation I'm so glad Indiana won.
I didn't watch the whole game what happened?

[chr35919]

Fuck that. After that shit Illinois pulled before the game and after regulation I'm so glad Indiana won.i was there. what'd we do?

[kydmb99]

Fuck that. After that shit Illinois pulled before the game and after regulation I'm so glad Indiana won.

Yes, but I'm a UK fan who has hated IU with a passion since I was 5.. :)

But yeah....

[chr35919]

The refs have missed a lot. Gordon's travel, Gordon's offensive foul and that.

whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

huge win in an unbelievbly hostile environmentit was a great game so close.

if pruit could make a free throw to save his life, we win. :BANG

[UNC41]

I didn't watch the whole game what happened?

Guy threw his shoulder into Gordon when they went to shake hands during introductions and then another guy did something similar as they were walking to the bench after regulation.

I don't blame Gordon for wanting to get away from Illinois. That program is a sinking ship ...

[seekupig]

I don't blame Gordon for wanting to get away from Illinois. That program is a sinking ship ...

i love it. i still remember the ignorant Illinois fanbase screaming and yelling from the top of the hills how they were glad Bill Self was gone and that Weber was a MUCH better coach because he was taking them to the final four.... (with the players that he inherited from Self, but they don't recall that). fast forward a few years, Kansas is still Kansas, and Illiniois is back to being a middle of the pack team in a middle of the pack conference.....

i wonder if Weber would take back that "funeral" he had for Bill Self when he took over the program.... asshole. :lol :lol

[willthethrill]

Good stuff. He's got to be one of the worst recruiters in the biz.

[UNC41]

Good stuff. He's got to be one of the worst recruiters in the biz.

Makes Tubby look like Roy. :lol

[BreakFree27]

big win for my Minutemen last night against URI. it was blackout night for the student sections, and the place was rockin' from the beginning. Forbes came up huge for us, as always. But Brower was the real key to the game, energizing the crowd and playing with lots of intensity. this was a big step towards the big dance....please, just no more let downs!

[willthethrill]

big win for my Minutemen last night against URI. it was blackout night for the student sections, and the place was rockin' from the beginning. Forbes came up huge for us, as always. But Brower was the real key to the game, energizing the crowd and playing with lots of intensity. this was a big step towards the big dance....please, just no more let downs!

Sounds dangerous. So EVERYBODY was blackout drunk?

[clayj41]

Sounds