2014-2015 Observation Deck

[Burgz V2]

It's almost preseason y'all. Thought I'd start this back up.

kNickz, congrats on the chip last year. That's the last time I'll say it :D

who's looking good? who's looking like a contender? Who's going to have the biggest drop off?

[kNicKz]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Burgz V2 again.

Hard to tell who is a contender right now. I'll have to see how the frosh pan out. Tyus-Okafor at Duke could be a problem in March. Biggest drop off OSU

[IGotACoolStory]

UK has to be the favorites. The argument against the UK one and done approach is that all you had was one season. It's a one time thing and you have to get chemistry down, hope all of your top recruits are truly instant impact, depth is usually going to be an issue, and what not.

Well their one and done backcourt is now two and done, they have NBA players like Poythress and WCS as upperclassman, and they still have the Karl Towns of the world headlining their freshman class. Their post rotation is 5 deep of probable first round picks.

Then I would have Arizona. I prefer Arizona's starting 5 over any in the country, assuming Johnson is the real deal and Ashley doesn't have a setback from his injury. Another team with upperclassmen NBA players and good amount of depth. Although I would be a bit worried about their shooting. Not sure how good of a perimeter shooter Johnson is, but I know McConnell is average and Hollis-Jefferson isn't a good one.

I think it's UK and Arizona on top with a little separation over the rest of the country going into the season.

[qrich]

CSUN will win the Big West!!!

Also, UCLA will upset UoA and win the Pac-12. Kevin Looney is no joke.

[Burgz V2]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Burgz V2 again.

Hard to tell who is a contender right now. I'll have to see how the frosh pan out. Tyus-Okafor at Duke could be a problem in March. Biggest drop off OSU

:lol I can't rep anyone who posts in this forum, apparently you folk are the only ones I give green out to.

I'll be pulling for my Spartans again, but I'm really interested in how Coach K uses Okafor, and I really think the Oubre/Mykhailiuk combination works for KU.

IGotACoolStory I agree, UK will start off as one of the preseason favourites. But I think they will lose a road game or two in the preseason and people will stop talking about them. IMO that's the best situation for them, it's worked in the past for them.

Qrich, I don't know anything about Looney but in the old thread I think beer and you wouldnt stop talking about him. I'll watch out for him.

[qrich]

Looney has real talent, and think he the "it" factor as well. Sucks that Jonah Bolden is ineligible though, but Looney/Welsh up front, with improvements from Parker can hold it down for us up front, I'll be fairly confident in winning the conference and making the Elite 8.

[chips93]

michigan looks a little underrated, i havent seen them in any preseason top 25s, that backcourt should be really good.

[Burgz V2]

can you post a bigger pic?

[InspiredLebowski]

Yeah nobody cares but me but whatever, Purdue's going to play 7'2 true frosh Isaac Haas at the 5 with 7' (think that's generous, but he's definitely big) at the 4 at times and play a zone when that happens.

Guys that follow the Big Ten know Purdue playing a zone is wild.

[Burgz V2]

Yeah nobody cares but me but whatever, Purdue's going to play 7'2 true frosh Isaac Haas at the 5 with 7' (think that's generous, but he's definitely big) at the 4 at times and play a zone when that happens.

Guys that follow the Big Ten know Purdue playing a zone is wild.

MSU fan. Follow Big 10 ball religiously. So Hammons is at the 4 this year? That is a big front line. Don't know if I would want him on the outside of the zone though, unless they play a 3-2. Still gonna be tough during conference play, most teams press the shit out of the ball and create a ton of turnovers, not sure if they can get away with not doing the same.

[PerfectCell]

Isaiah Whitehead will have a great season and Seton Hall could not only make it back to the dance but win some games in March. He won't have the best season out of all top freshman recruits but he has that look and feel that makes you feel like he'll be an nba star not too far down the road.

[qrich]

Can't wait, CSUN's women will definitely be dancing in March, hoping the men's team does the same.

[PerfectCell]

Can't wait, CSUN's women will definitely be dancing in March, hoping the men's team does the same.
With the way the current selection process works, that'll be tough unless they win the conference.

[qrich]

With the way the current selection process works, that'll be tough unless they win the conference.

Which is what I'm thinking they should do. NIT is the least of my expectations. Okay, fine, maybe a CBI "title". Returning Hicks, Maxwell, THE & Parks, with Elliot (Nevada) & Johnson (Seton Hall) being eligible, we have some experience to go with the youth of Webb, Warren, Willbut, Dawson, etc. The OoC is pretty solidly set up as well for Reggie (@ SDSU, @ UoA, @ Louisville, @ Oregon, @ Pepperdine) is five road games that should get us ready for conference play, and, ultimately, the tournament, which we were one play from winning.

Also, Long Beach State should be up for an at-large if they fair well during OoC. @ BYU, @ Xavier, vs Kansas State, @ UCLA, vs Nevada, @ San Diego State, @ Texas, @ St John's, @ Louisville, @ Syracuse. Has to be the toughest OoC schedule in the nation.

[JohnnyBravo5]

Look for Georgia State to be Cinderella this season. RJ Hunter, Ryan Harrow and Kevin Ware are going to be hard to stop.

[PerfectCell]

Which is what I'm thinking they should do. NIT is the least of my expectations. Okay, fine, maybe a CBI "title". Returning Hicks, Maxwell, THE & Parks, with Elliot (Nevada) & Johnson (Seton Hall) being eligible, we have some experience to go with the youth of Webb, Warren, Willbut, Dawson, etc. The OoC is pretty solidly set up as well for Reggie (@ SDSU, @ UoA, @ Louisville, @ Oregon, @ Pepperdine) is five road games that should get us ready for conference play, and, ultimately, the tournament, which we were one play from winning.

Also, Long Beach State should be up for an at-large if they fair well during OoC. @ BYU, @ Xavier, vs Kansas State, @ UCLA, vs Nevada, @ San Diego State, @ Texas, @ St John's, @ Louisville, @ Syracuse. Has to be the toughest OoC schedule in the nation.

Oooh didn't know Elliot transfered and how strong the rest of the roster was. Good luck to LBSU too, hoping i will attend there to play volleyball in 2 years.

[DeuceWallaces]

Man, I was looking at UK's schedule and the SECN-ESPN shit is such an unfair recruiting advantage for them. I'd be pissed if I was one of the ACC old-timers.

Kentucky has just 1 game not on national TV. ONE!

[Charlie Sheen]

Keep an eye out for WVU especially Holton and Macon coming off redshirt years. Team is deeper than last season even tho all you probly heard til now was about the transfers of Harris and Henderson. Everyone already knows about Staten

[qrich]

We will knock off the 'Cats in Tucson...book it!!

[Burgz V2]

Minnesota vs. Louisville in 20 mins for anyone interested.

Father and son coaching against each other, not sure I've seen that in my time watching basketball.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

So creepy how the son looks exactly like his father and the son's girl looks like his mom.

[Burgz V2]

i had to actually google this to confirm :lol

[qrich]

SDSU raped us, but Max & Hicks played real well. UCSB only losing by 10 @ #5 Kansas and The Beach (Long Beach) by 5 @ BYU are good results to start.




UCLA raped Montana State :D

[PerfectCell]

We will knock off the 'Cats in Tucson...book it!!
so close

[qrich]

so close

We were :D

The loss of Josh Green is huge, but Hicks &Maxwell are gonna kill the conference though

[StateProperty]

Young Sabonis on Gonzaga can hoop. Blessed with basketball genes.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Walton sure dances on that mentally crazy/quirky line. Still love him for some reason, tho.

[Burgz V2]

Walton sure dances on that mentally crazy/quirky line. Still love him for some reason, tho.

him and Bill Raferty, love listening to them.

[DeuceWallaces]

Well, sure looks like UK could go 30-0 scoring just 45 ppg.

[GetBuckets]

I am a Hoosier.... Indiana has done really really good so far this season, even with the problems they have had and the suspenstions. 2-0 so far, and honestly I think they could be a huge sleeper this year.

[west_tip]

I am a Hoosier.... Indiana has done really really good so far this season, even with the problems they have had and the suspenstions. 2-0 so far, and honestly I think they could be a huge sleeper this year.

James Blackmon Jr, balling thus far I see. With all the heat Crean was getting before the season started I hope Indiana do well this year.

[qrich]

Bryce is balling, UCLA steamrolling the cupcakes.

CSUN gets our first win, should take the next one as well, get back to .500. In Theus I Trust.

[Charlie Sheen]

Keep an eye out for WVU especially Holton and Macon coming off redshirt years. Team is deeper than last season even tho all you probly heard til now was about the transfers of Harris and Henderson. Everyone already knows about Staten

never too early to toot my own horn :rockon:

[KG215]

Butler is handing UNC their ass. Looks like another season where UNC is severely over-ranked to start the season. Roy seems to always get them going by conference play, but right now UNC is nowhere close to a top 5, 10, 15, or 20 team.

[KG215]

Unless this game was an anomaly, UNC f***ing sucks...again. Well, at least "sucks" relative to normal UNC standards. It'd be nice if Roy would recruit a f***ing shooter or two. Enough of this bullshit where we've only got one 3P threat. Gave up 29 f***ing offensive rebounds to a much less athletic, talented, and smaller Butler team. Bunch of f***ing entitled softies wearing Carolina blue right now.

[IGotACoolStory]

I'm so tired of a team that can't shoot. It's been how long? 2009 was our last above average shooting team (they were great). 2013 was decent in the latter half, but we played a gimmick small-ball lineup with PJ at the 4, and that lineup had no chance of doing damage in the tournament.

Overall disappointing loss, although not surprising. The blueprint has always been there on how to beat the recent UNC teams: hope the only shooter on the squad is off/box and one or zone/make him work all game, play very physical, keep UNC off the glass, and try like hell to dictate tempo. Usually the physicality, rebounding, and tempo go hand in hand... in hand.

It's not a coincidence that Barnes' Texas teams and Larranaga, wherever he's been, has always given us trouble. Said it before when Stevens was there and it remains true with Butler's new coach. They really play the dook foul 250 times and get called for 25 type of defense. And in particular, that seems to frustrate the heck out of our bigs.

And let's be real. Zeller and Henson were my guys. Hubert, Hicks, and the rest of them all seem like nice guys and talented players. But we recruit soft big men. Even our NBA talent, and they get called out about in once they reach the pros. The last starter-quality, non-soft, big we had was Hansbrough, and he was recruited in 2005.

But even after that butt-whopping Butler gave us, we still had the ball, down 4, with about 30 seconds left in the game. A game in which the best free throw shooter in school history was 5-9 from the line.

This team has a lot of work to do. I still think the ceiling this year is an Elite 8. Overall, however, there's a championship core in here. Just need a few pieces to come together (another consistent shooter, Brice to mature or Hicks to play well enough to bench him, and the freshman to improve like they should).

[qrich]

I'm really liking this Powell-Bryce duo, need to keep this going and blow out Oklahoma and run the table in the OoC until the Kentucky game. Zaga is the only real challenge.


As far as the 'Dors go, a double overtime loss, on the road, with four guys fouling out sucked, but think we should take care of the 3-0 Portland State squad at the Matadome tonight.

[Burgz V2]

I'm so tired of a team that can't shoot. It's been how long? 2009 was our last above average shooting team (they were great). 2013 was decent in the latter half, but we played a gimmick small-ball lineup with PJ at the 4, and that lineup had no chance of doing damage in the tournament.

Overall disappointing loss, although not surprising. The blueprint has always been there on how to beat the recent UNC teams: hope the only shooter on the squad is off/box and one or zone/make him work all game, play very physical, keep UNC off the glass, and try like hell to dictate tempo. Usually the physicality, rebounding, and tempo go hand in hand... in hand.

It's not a coincidence that Barnes' Texas teams and Larranaga, wherever he's been, has always given us trouble. Said it before when Stevens was there and it remains true with Butler's new coach. They really play the dook foul 250 times and get called for 25 type of defense. And in particular, that seems to frustrate the heck out of our bigs.

And let's be real. Zeller and Henson were my guys. Hubert, Hicks, and the rest of them all seem like nice guys and talented players. But we recruit soft big men. Even our NBA talent, and they get called out about in once they reach the pros. The last starter-quality, non-soft, big we had was Hansbrough, and he was recruited in 2005.

But even after that butt-whopping Butler gave us, we still had the ball, down 4, with about 30 seconds left in the game. A game in which the best free throw shooter in school history was 5-9 from the line.

This team has a lot of work to do. I still think the ceiling this year is an Elite 8. Overall, however, there's a championship core in here. Just need a few pieces to come together (another consistent shooter, Brice to mature or Hicks to play well enough to bench him, and the freshman to improve like they should).

people calling this one an upset but I really don't see it that way. Butler is a damn good team and they work their asses off in every game. If I didn't know any better I would have thought Kelan Martin was an upperclassman, the way he played last night.

29 offensive boards for Butler. +17 rebounding differential. If either of those numbers are single digits, UNC takes this one, but it seemed every time Butler got an offensive board they hit a three or got an easy layup or something. As a player that's extremely deflating and they just didn't respond well. It happens, these guys are barely men after all.

It's early. Better to go through growing pains than crush every team from the outset and not know what your weaknesses are going into conference play.

[KG215]

people calling this one an upset but I really don't see it that way. Butler is a damn good team and they work their asses off in every game. If I didn't know any better I would have thought Kelan Martin was an upperclassman, the way he played last night.

29 offensive boards for Butler. +17 rebounding differential. If either of those numbers are single digits, UNC takes this one, but it seemed every time Butler got an offensive board they hit a three or got an easy layup or something. As a player that's extremely deflating and they just didn't respond well. It happens, these guys are barely men after all.

It's early. Better to go through growing pains than crush every team from the outset and not know what your weaknesses are going into conference play.
UNC knows their weaknesses. This is the 6th straight season they've been the same: no/terrible shooters and really soft bigs. I'm hoping this game was an anomaly, but it's really worrisome that we're still a TERRIBLE FT shooting team and our bigs can be extremely soft. I thought Elite 8 was probably our ceiling going into the season, Final Four with a favorable draw or some upsets in early rounds to set up favorable matchups; now I'm not sure if our ceiling is anything more than Sweet 16 or Round of 32.

Of course I generally way, way overreact after losses, but seeing the same discouraging bullshit that cost us games the last few years again today, when I thought we might finally have a team that would be a little bit different than the last 5 UNC teams, is pretty disheartening.

[KG215]

people calling this one an upset but I really don't see it that way. Butler is a damn good team and they work their asses off in every game. If I didn't know any better I would have thought Kelan Martin was an upperclassman, the way he played last night.

29 offensive boards for Butler. +17 rebounding differential. If either of those numbers are single digits, UNC takes this one, but it seemed every time Butler got an offensive board they hit a three or got an easy layup or something. As a player that's extremely deflating and they just didn't respond well. It happens, these guys are barely men after all.

It's early. Better to go through growing pains than crush every team from the outset and not know what your weaknesses are going into conference play.
UNC knows their weaknesses. This is the 6th straight season they've been the same: no/terrible shooters and really soft bigs. I'm hoping this game was an anomaly, but it's really worrisome that we're still a TERRIBLE FT shooting team and our bigs can be extremely soft. I thought Elite 8 was probably our ceiling going into the season, Final Four with a favorable draw or some upsets in early rounds to set up favorable matchups; now I'm not sure if our ceiling is anything more than Sweet 16 or Round of 32.

Of course I generally way, way overreact after losses, but seeing the same discouraging bullshit that cost us games the last few years again today, when I thought we might finally have a team that would be a little bit different than the last 5 UNC teams, is pretty disheartening.

[IGotACoolStory]

And a nice response with a 20+ beatdown on UCLA.

Don't think they can win it all this year unless we get a little luck in the bracket and Paige goes Kemba Walker during March, but this team is fine.

The only major question mark I have is Brice Johnson. I don't think he has the motor, nor basketball IQ to be what we need from him. Hicks isn't near the offense talent, but at least he plays hard. He's certainly not lacking talent either, just a little raw right now.

It's really concerning how Brice played poorly again, after getting benched for this game. Most of his problems are mental mistakes. He doesn't get it, yet.

[KG215]

Unless UCLA just completely tanks the rest of the season, UNC still ended up leaving the Battle for Atlantis with two solid resume wins. I know Florida doesn't have some healthy players, but come March all it's going to say on UNC's resume under key wins is "Florida" if Florida goes on to be a top 10ish team once they get everyone back. Still frustrated they came out flat and just got outworked for 40 minutes against an inferior Butler squad, but it is what it is. Wish we could've gotten a Wisconsin/UNC final. Maybe a more focused UNC comes out and we get a Final Four-esque game in November.

[Jailblazers7]

This feels like the beginning of the end for Pitt. Pretty soon we will be buried in the ACC and become irrelevant like Virginia Tech.

[Jailblazers7]

I really like D'Angelo Russell on Ohio State. His game seems really poised and in control which is fun to watch.

[IGotACoolStory]

And I thought the 2010 team couldn't shoot the ball. It's staggering how bad these recent teams are at making open shots. The earlier teams of this decade set records (school RECRODS!) for how bad their shooting was. This team is somehow looking worse right now.

Between that, the wine and cheese crowd, the Wainstein report getting misreported again, and those hideous recycling green shirts, kind of wishing this wasn't on national tv.


re: D'Angelo Russell

He was my favorite recruit in this last class. Smooth, but real herky jerky type game. He reminded me a lot of Ginobili in high school, although I haven't seen him play for Ohio State yet. Love his game.


Good lord, that was one of the worst games I have ever watched. Horrible basketball. That looked less like a wakeup call (like they needed one after Butler) and more like "you suck". Assuming this team can manage to beat ECU at home, UK is up next and they will beat us by about 50. So bad about to become worse.

I still have hope for this season, but that was 8-20 season bad.

[KG215]

That was depressing. It's baffling how UNC has become whatever the hell this is under Roy Williams. I can't believe how unskilled this team is. I'm sure we'll get our act together by ACC play, get into the tournament as an 8 or 9 seed, and get bounced in the 1st or 2nd round.

That's what North Carolina basketball has become and it's embarrassing.

[KG215]

To look back at the preseason rankings and see that UNC was ranked #5 and Duke was ranked #4 is comical at this point. Duke is 25 points better than UNC at a neutral site and 30 points better than UNC at Cameron right now. At this point I think Duke is pretty clearly the second best team in the nation and the only other team I've seen who could compete with and beat Kentucky. Meanwhile, there might be 40 or 50 teams better than UNC.

[IGotACoolStory]

Well, since I was melting down on the UNC board the last couple hours, I will end it with this on here. Knowing full well that I might read this post in a few months and laugh at how much of an idiot I was. I hope so. However, I need to type this because I am not one to keep things pent-up. Prepare for a long, melodramatic, post.


It's come to that; using the program down the road, and to a lesser extent UK, to gauge where we stand. Not here we stand not as a team this season, but as a program in college basketball

[PerfectCell]

Isiah Whitehead having a true breakout game tonight

[Jailblazers7]

Refs sucked in that Gonzaga/Arizona game but nobody can complain really. Gonzaga choked and Zona made plays. Sabonis was ****ing terrible tho. He looked lost almost all game.

[qrich]

NJIT >>> Michigan. Didn't NJIT go like three years with one win the late 00s?

Okay night in the Big West. CSUN & Cal Poly took care of DII> programs, though the 'Dors let Vanguard stick too close. We need our "suspended" players back.

Irvine & Riverside recorded solid wins, while Hawaii lost by 20 to BYU,. UC Davis losing @ Idaho was a shock, as the Aggies were 6-0.

11 Days off for the "Dors before we play in Oregon.

LBSU losing last night to Stephen F. Austin sucked, though they already have solid wins vs Kansas State & Xavier. Big tests @ San Diego St, @ Texas, @ St John's, @ Syracuse & @ Louisville coming up. A 2-3 trip would be great.

[GOBB]

Kentuckys length is so blatant vs unc.

[Burgz V2]

Kentuckys length is so blatant vs unc.

yeah, and that was without Poythress. good win for UK. UNC needs to pull it together before the ACC season starts.

[qrich]

Theus needs to unsuspend all those that are suspended, I mean, c'mon.


The Beach doing well though, with the toughest OoC sched in the nation. Lost by 5 at 9-3 BYU (43rd RPI), beat 7-4 Kansas State (128 RPI) by 9, beat 8-3 Xavier (77th RPI) by 3, lost by 1 vs #19 San Diego State (21st RPI), lost by 10 at 8th Texas (10th RPI).

Still got three road games vs St. John's, Syracuse & Louisville. :eek:

[InspiredLebowski]

I ****ing hate basketball

[GOBB]

No one cares KU lost to Temple? :oldlol:

[InspiredLebowski]

On paper, Big Ten job, program w/ 0 national titles (depending how old the person you ask is), but plenty of conference titles, plenty of success. Pays their coach a top 15 national salary. Nike school. In Indiana, about an hour straight down the interstate from Indianapolis which continues to be the Mecca of prep talent (set up a tourney any of you East Coast claimers, would love it. you'll lose.).

WHY THE **** ARE WE TERRIBLE

[Burgz V2]

On paper, Big Ten job, program w/ 0 national titles (depending how old the person you ask is), but plenty of conference titles, plenty of success. Pays their coach a top 15 national salary. Nike school. In Indiana, about an hour straight down the interstate from Indianapolis which continues to be the Mecca of prep talent (set up a tourney any of you East Coast claimers, would love it. you'll lose.).

WHY THE **** ARE WE TERRIBLE

Purdue will be back. I think the growth of Butler made things a little more complicated for the recruitment of players looking to stay in state.

Not sure what's going on with Hammons/Haas though. Seems like Hammons hasn't put it all together, and Haas looks like he is just as good as Hammons has ever been.

Can't say I expected a loss at home to Gardner-Webb. They need the game against Minnesota to turn it around. To be real they'll need to win the conference or at least go deep and make a little more buzz around the team around selection Sunday to make the tournament.

IMO the conference realignment has a lot to do with it. Like you said, no shortage of quality local talent. I think they can turn it around once Hammons is out of the picture.

[Charlie Sheen]

Keep an eye out for WVU especially Holton and Macon coming off redshirt years. Team is deeper than last season even tho all you probly heard til now was about the transfers of Harris and Henderson. Everyone already knows about Staten

Gonna find out a lot about the mountaineers over the next week.

[qrich]

Reggie Theus is a douche

[Charlie Sheen]

Gonna find out a lot about the mountaineers over the next week.

WVU can't compete if Holton can't stay on the floor. Longhorns took it to them and they had no answer all night long.

[qrich]

Kevon Looney is sick.

Beta mindset though

[KG215]

Good for K and all for getting 1,000 wins, but I've always wondered how many wins coaches like Wooden, Dean Smith, Knight, and Rupp would've racked up in the era of 35+ game seasons.

For comparison's sake:

- Coach K has coached an average of 33 games per season in his 40 year head coaching career. He's won 76.5% of his games.

- John Wooden coached an average of 26 games per season in his 29 year head coaching career. He finished with 620 wins and won 82.5% of his games.

- Dean Smith coached an average of 31 games per season in his 36 year head coaching career. He finished with 879 wins and won 77.6% of his games.

- Bob Knight coached an average of 30 games per season in his 42 year head coaching career. He finished with 902 wins and won 70.9% of his games.

- Adolph Rupp coached an average of 25 games per season in his 42 year head coaching career. He finished with 876 wins and won 82.2% of his games.

[Goliath Uterus]

Good for K and all for getting 1,000 wins, but I've always wondered how many wins coaches like Wooden, Dean Smith, Knight, and Rupp would've racked up in the era of 35+ game seasons.

For comparison's sake:

- Coach K has coached an average of 33 games per season in his 40 year head coaching career. He's won 76.5% of his games.

- John Wooden coached an average of 26 games per season in his 29 year head coaching career. He finished with 620 wins and won 82.5% of his games.

- Dean Smith coached an average of 31 games per season in his 36 year head coaching career. He finished with 879 wins and won 77.6% of his games.

- Bob Knight coached an average of 30 games per season in his 42 year head coaching career. He finished with 902 wins and won 70.9% of his games.

- Adolph Rupp coached an average of 25 games per season in his 42 year head coaching career. He finished with 876 wins and won 82.2% of his games.


Bill Self winning 82.5% at KU....

[Burgz V2]

Sulaimon dismissed? anyone in NC know what's going on? had no previous punishments, seems a bit strange...

[ace23]

Sulaimon dismissed? anyone in NC know what's going on? had no previous punishments, seems a bit strange...
Just saw this. Bet he's wishing he'd come out after his freshman year now.

[Burgz V2]

During Ohio State’s current three game win streak, D'Angelo Russell is averaging 24.3 ppg (61.4% FG, 50% 3PT), 9 rpg and 7.3 apg, with the last two wins coming against ranked teams.

kid is nice.

[chips93]

bryce dejean jones looked like a great addition for iowa state early on in the season, but the dude is terrible. he talented but takes the worst shots. the cyclones really fell apart last night, no fluidity in the offense in the second half.

oklahoma did a good job on niang, and he got frustrated and started forcing things, that really took thier offense out of rhythm.

[qrich]

Reggie Theus is an idiot.

[qrich]

Norman Powell Da Gawd (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtmfSk-nbw)

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Xavier Rathan-Mayes of FSU just scored 30 points in the last 5 minutes of a game. 30 in 4:39... His team still lost.

4:39 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Three Point Jumper.
4:03 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Free Throw.
4:03 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Free Throw.
4:03 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Free Throw.
3:38 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Devon Bookert.
3:28 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Robbie Berwick.
3:05 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Layup.
2:11 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Three Point Jumper.
1:32 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Layup.
1:24 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Three Point Jumper.
1:03 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Three Point Jumper.
1:03 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Free Throw.
0:09 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Free Throw.
0:09 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Free Throw.
0:09 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Free Throw.
0:02 Xavier Rathan-Mayes made Free Throw.
And then he missed the second (down 2 after the first) trying to get a putback to tie the game.

He dropped 35 on UNC earlier this season. Freshman. Kind of old for his class tho. I think he's already 20.

[ace23]

Lol man Belmont is choking this game away smh. Murray St.'s probably in regardless, but Belmont needs this to get in.

Actually just checked Murray St's profile. 66 RPI, 200+ SOS, 1-1 vs RPI top 50. They're probably out.

Clutch shot

[Burgz V2]

Looking forward to the next few weeks of basketball. Looking forward to some good action in the conference tournaments as well.

[KG215]

The more I watch this year, the more I think the game is slowly passing Roy Williams by. I know the whole scandal thing has played a part in it, but he's really slipped quite a bit recruiting over the last 3-5 years, and now I'm starting to think he's losing whatever talent he had as an in-game coach. His substitution patterns for this year and the last few years have always left a lot to be desired. UNC had a 49-42 lead and he puts in Pinson and Berry, two freshmen, and UNC loses the lead in less than 2 minutes.

[qrich]

Wow, this Washington chokejob.

Marcus Allen is the shit, and Randle is ice man

[Burgz V2]

good luck to InspiredLebowski's boilermakers, I never thought they would make it to the conference semis, hopefully they take out Wisconsin.

[ILLsmak]

The Illini are shit.

-Smak

[the mesiah]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2015/0326/image2_400x600.jpg
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12563125/former-north-carolina-tar-heels-coach-dean-smith-leaves-200-letterman

Usually the saying goes, _(fill in the blank)_was a great player or great coach but a better person , none could be greater than Dean Smith.Just incredible.

[the mesiah]

Mully looking to be next coach at st Johns,should add some pep to that program and maybe he can channel some lou carnaseca magic soon.

[IGotACoolStory]

Shaka Smart to Texas. (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25133700/shaka-smart-leaves-vcu-for-texas)

That's potentially very scary. Texas is a sleeping giant with their bottomless pit of money, Longhorn Network, and the current upswing of talent coming through that state. Look at the talent in Texas recently:

-Emmanuel Mudiay (rsci 2), Myles Turner (rsci 6), Justin Jackson (rsci 9), Justice Winslow (rsci 13)
-Julius Randle (rsci 2), Andrew Harrison (rsci 5), Aaron Harrison (rsci 6), Keith Frazer (rsci 27)
-Isaiah Austin (rsci 3), Marcus Smart (rsci 9), Rasheed Sulaimon (rsci 12), Cameron Ridley (rsci 14), and Danuel House (rsci 29).

In only the last 3 recruiting classes, Texas has had 13 top 30 players, 8 of which were top 10 in their class. Rick Barnes only managed to land 2 (Ridley and Turner).

Additionally how Texas is a football school should actually help. I know Carolina basketball helps with the football recruiting and it takes some of the pressure off giving Shaka time to build. Also Austin is a great city, both to lure college kids and raise a family (he has a 4 year old daughter and he's openly spoken about growing up without a father and the impact it had).


It's sobering because Shaka was at the top of my list after Roy retired in the near future. He reminds me a lot of a young Dean Smith. He's been outspoken about non-basketball issues, he has a good deal of personal academic achievement, I believe his wife is a socially active, Harvard and Northwestern graduate, political writer, and he's even butt heads with Coach K already. I'm a curious how HAVOC translates with NBA talent, but his style is fun to watch and his success on the court speaks for itself.

I don't see how Shaka leaves Texas if he builds something. Texas could match any offer any college could feasibly throw at him. Heck, they could triple the offer without sweating. And if he fails? Well no one wants a guy who couldn't cut it with the big boys.

That's disappointing, although I do hope he does well. He's easy to cheer for. Here is a nice article which has stuck with me comparing Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens from a few years ago.
http://grantland.com/features/shaka-smart-brad-stevens-butler-vcu/

[Jailblazers7]

What's your short list for UNC coaches after Roy? I always thought Buzz Williams went to VT to prove that he could recruit and coach in ACC country before jumping to UNC.

[the mesiah]

All key players for North Carolina are returning for 2015-16 season and I can't wait.Mite already make plans for Houston final four trip as long as they stay healthy.