**NCAA Basketball Thread**

[vaxarado]

I'm obviously an OSU fan but I think UNC will be number 1. UK number 2. And OSU number 3.

[dmbbearcat]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

I agree with you. However, a Duke fan has to frame today in terms of failure for UNC, so it's certainly not surprising.

Anyway, it appears to me that Carolina will have two extremely difficult road games early next year. Of course the yearly matchup with Kentucky is in Lexington next year, so that's already definitely on the slate. Further, I think that ESPN will match up the Heels and Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge; given that the Big Ten has already announced that OSU is hosting their Challenge game this year, that means (if you accept the premise that UNC and OSU will play in the Challenge) Carolina will have road games against 2 of the top 3 teams in the preseason poll, and possibly the top two if Carolina winds up third in the 'race' for preseason #1.

Come on. It's not a disappointment if UNC doesn't win it all? I talked to relatives of mine in Chapel Hill today and they agreed with me.

[clayj41]

Originally Posted by dmbbearcat

Come on. It's not a disappointment if UNC doesn't win it all? I talked to relatives of mine in Chapel Hill today and they agreed with me.

Again, it certainly will be. The problem is that Kentucky and Ohio State feel the same way. Somebody is going to be unhappy.

[YouNeverKnow25]

Of course I would be disappointed. There is also a huge difference between "disappointment" and "massive failure."

[dmbbearcat]

Originally Posted by clayj41

Again, it certainly will be. The problem is that Kentucky and Ohio State feel the same way. Somebody is going to be unhappy.

True.

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

Of course I would be disappointed. There is also a huge difference between "disappointment" and "massive failure."

Good point. I guess I should have re-worded it differently.

[whygohome?]

Hopefully knight or jones agree with the "fuck the millions of dollars, let's win a championship" philosophy they preach in chapel hill

[dmbbearcat]

Yeah, I have to give Roy credit. He gets a lot of his guys to stay a couple of years for how good they are.

[thebridge15]

Originally Posted by whygohome?

Hopefully knight or jones agree with the "fuck the millions of dollars, let's win a championship" philosophy they preach in chapel hill

Not giving up the millions, delaying the millions.

[UNC41]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

I agree with you. However, a Duke fan has to frame today in terms of failure for UNC, so it's certainly not surprising.

Anyway, it appears to me that Carolina will have two extremely difficult road games early next year. Of course the yearly matchup with Kentucky is in Lexington next year, so that's already definitely on the slate. Further, I think that ESPN will match up the Heels and Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge; given that the Big Ten has already announced that OSU is hosting their Challenge game this year, that means (if you accept the premise that UNC and OSU will play in the Challenge) Carolina will have road games against 2 of the top 3 teams in the preseason poll, and possibly the top two if Carolina winds up third in the 'race' for preseason #1.

There's no way North Carolina ends up any lower than second, and I think they'd be likely to get the edge over Kentucky even if everybody returns. The Heels are going to be tested though, that is for sure. They've also got the game against Michigan St. on the aircraft carrier.

Originally Posted by dmbbearcat

Yeah, I have to give Roy credit. He gets a lot of his guys to stay a couple of years for how good they are.

I think a big part of that is the type of kids Roy tends to recruit. I'm not saying Selby is a bad person, but if you read that article that was posted earlier in here, he grew up in a completely different type of situation than someone like Barnes. I don't have any hard evidence to back this up, but am pretty comfortable saying that an elite talent who was raised in Iowa and entered college as a sophomore is more likely to stick around for a second year than someone who spent a lot of time growing up around the drug game in Baltimore.

Coach K isn't too bad at that either. He convinced Singler to come back and fall out of the first round, and Smith to do the same only to have his stock hold steady in a draft that is weaker than last year.

[kydmb99]

If Knight and Jones return, UK could easily challenge North Carolina IMO.. I don't think that will happen, but it's possible. If not, UNC is clearly #1.. And yes, it will be a colossal failure if they don't win a championship.

[DMBfreak41]

Whenever Iowa is mentioned now I can only think of two things: Harrison Barnes and Flava Flav and his chicken joint.

[dmbbearcat]

Originally Posted by UNC41

There's no way North Carolina ends up any lower than second, and I think they'd be likely to get the edge over Kentucky even if everybody returns. The Heels are going to be tested though, that is for sure. They've also got the game against Michigan St. on the aircraft carrier.



I think a big part of that is the type of kids Roy tends to recruit. I'm not saying Selby is a bad person, but if you read that article that was posted earlier in here, he grew up in a completely different type of situation than someone like Barnes. I don't have any hard evidence to back this up, but am pretty comfortable saying that an elite talent who was raised in Iowa and entered college as a sophomore is more likely to stick around for a second year than someone who spent a lot of time growing up around the drug game in Baltimore.

Coach K isn't too bad at that either. He convinced Singler to come back and fall out of the first round, and Smith to do the same only to have his stock hold steady in a draft that is weaker than last year.

Unless I read it wrong, I like the back-handed compliment toward K

[emu513]

Man I just cannot comprehend. I loved college and my university as much as anyone but damn if someone said to me "emu513 we will gladly pay you millions of dollars to play basketball right now" I'd be outta Ohio State in a flash.

Sure college is fun but I'd bet making it rain with dollar dollar bills is a tad bit more fun.

[dmbbearcat]

Yeah, I would care a lot more about money than I do playing basketball for a scholarship.

[YouNeverKnow25]

Does anybody buy the argument that CBB has "so much to gain" with the NFL and NBA possibly locking out? I read an article yesterday positing that. I'd love to see it, but I don't know that anybody is going to completely change their perspective on sports because of a temporary labor stoppage in either league. It doesn't seem to me that people who don't watch CBB fail to do so because of any lack of knowledge about the sport, just a personal preference for other sports. Of course, if NBA/NFL aren't playing there will need to be something to fill that void, but I don't think that there will be anything other than a fleeting positive effect for CBB.

[seekupig]

Originally Posted by UNC41

I think a big part of that is the type of kids Roy tends to recruit. I'm not saying Selby is a bad person, but if you read that article that was posted earlier in here, he grew up in a completely different type of situation than someone like Barnes. I don't have any hard evidence to back this up, but am pretty comfortable saying that an elite talent who was raised in Iowa and entered college as a sophomore is more likely to stick around for a second year than someone who spent a lot of time growing up around the drug game in Baltimore.

Selby is the first type of player that fits that mold that Bill Self has ever recruited. i think it's safe to say that it's his last too. We'll just chalk that up to a learning experience and move on.

[seekupig]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

Does anybody buy the argument that CBB has "so much to gain" with the NFL and NBA possibly locking out? I read an article yesterday positing that. I'd love to see it, but I don't know that anybody is going to completely change their perspective on sports because of a temporary labor stoppage in either league. It doesn't seem to me that people who don't watch CBB fail to do so because of any lack of knowledge about the sport, just a personal preference for other sports. Of course, if NBA/NFL aren't playing there will need to be something to fill that void, but I don't think that there will be anything other than a fleeting positive effect for CBB.

agree 100%. you may grab the casual fan because nothing else is on, but as soon as those leagues resume play their fans will go back to being bracket fans.

[YouNeverKnow25]

Originally Posted by seekupig

agree 100%. you may grab the casual fan because nothing else is on, but as soon as those leagues resume play their fans will go back to being bracket fans.

To the author's credit and in full disclosure, he did say that this particular year is a good one (from CBB's perspective) for the labor stoppages because there are supposed to be stronger teams. I still don't think it will make much of a difference

[seekupig]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

To the author's credit and in full disclosure, he did say that this particular year is a good one (from CBB's perspective) for the labor stoppages because there are supposed to be stronger teams. I still don't think it will make much of a difference

yeah, it won't matter. even if the NFL does have a work stoppage, it'll be resolved before college basketball starts. football (NFL & college) rule the ratings and with games on nearly every night i don't see college basketball getting too much of a bump because of it. i do think there will be an increased interest in early season CBB, but because of the scheduling more than anything else. notable non-conference matchups (off the top of my head)...

UNC @ Kentucky
UNC vs. Michigan St. (Aircraft Carrier game)
UNC @ Ohio St. (not scheduled yet, but seems likely)
Kansas vs. Kentucky (Legends classic or whatever they're calling it)
Duke vs. Michigan St. (same as above)
Kansas vs. Duke (possible. both playing in Maui)

I can't remember a non-conference schedule that had that many games between all of the traditional powers of CBB. making me wish the Morris Twins had stuck around for their senior year.

[Rebecca De Mornay]

Are you referring to Ohio St. as a traditional power of CBB - or are they the exception in that group?

[seekupig]

Originally Posted by schreiber89

Are you referring to Ohio St. as a traditional power of CBB - or are they the exception in that group?

they are the exception. they're good and have a pretty good history, but it's hard for me to consider a football power among the historically elite CBB programs.

[Rebecca De Mornay]

Originally Posted by dmbbearcat

Yeah, I have to give Roy credit. He gets a lot of his guys to stay a couple of years for how good they are.

He probably pays them more to stay than they would get paid in the NBA

[Rebecca De Mornay]

Originally Posted by seekupig

they are the exception. they're good and have a pretty good history, but it's hard for me to consider a football power among the historically elite CBB programs.

either way I cant wait to watch Sully rain hate down on the tarheels

[YouNeverKnow25]

Originally Posted by schreiber89

He probably pays them more to stay than they would get paid in the NBA

Hilarious, and original.

[Rebecca De Mornay]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

Hilarious, and original.

actually if we were talking about coach Cal I'd be serious. I would imageine Roy is pretty clean actually

[YouNeverKnow25]

I'll say that I think he's clean, but I don't think that any fan of any program wants the NCAA snooping around and asking questions.

[UNC41]

Originally Posted by seekupig

Selby is the first type of player that fits that mold that Bill Self has ever recruited. i think it's safe to say that it's his last too. We'll just chalk that up to a learning experience and move on.

Yeah, my comment wasn't meant to be a Roy vs. Self thing, but rather a Barnes vs. Selby thing. Either way, you're probably right about Self and guys like Selby.

Originally Posted by schreiber89

He probably pays them more to stay than they would get paid in the NBA

Huh? With the money ol' Roy spends on Cokes, he can't afford that.

[Rebecca De Mornay]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

I'll say that I think he's clean, but I don't think that any fan of any program wants the NCAA snooping around and asking questions.

indeed - I obviously feel that way too considering my location

I'm not really sure how Thad Matta does it to be honest - the basketball culture here is terrible - how does he get a Deshaun Thomas to come here from Indiana?

[YouNeverKnow25]

Originally Posted by schreiber89

indeed - I obviously feel that way too considering my location

I'm not really sure how Thad Matta does it to be honest - the basketball culture here is terrible - how does he get a Deshaun Thomas to come here from Indiana?

I think that's a question that's best left pondered but not actually answered.

[seekupig]

Originally Posted by UNC41

Yeah, my comment wasn't meant to be a Roy vs. Self thing, but rather a Barnes vs. Selby thing. Either way, you're probably right about Self and guys like Selby.

yeah, sometimes getting guys out of situations like that and bringing them to Lawrence where there aren't as many ways to get in trouble works out. Roy took Paul Pierce out of a similar situation and it worked out well. Self recruited Selby and it didn't. there's really no way to know how a person is going to react until it happens.