The ONE and Only College Basketball...

[cabbageboy 0]

Dude, U of L already beat 2 #1 teams this year in FL and UK. I know Maryland beat em before we did but still.

 

And my god, how glorious was it to see U of L just open the unmitigated can all over Cincy? I'm in heaven right now. Can't have the letdown in Knoxville Sunday however....UK barely escaped with the win there the other night.

[Guest Choken One]

I feel sorry for whatever shitty team has to play against a pissed off Bob Huggins next

[Damaramu 0]

*begins to pray the Bobby Knight won't win in the tournament.....AT ALL*

[cabbageboy 0]

That would be So. Miss that plays Cincy tomorrow. They've actually been doing well after the ass kicking U of L put on them so Cincy might have a game there. In Hattiesburg too.

[Damaramu 0]

Yes we beat Kansas State! The losing streak has been snapped!

 

And looks like Oklahoma State snapped the big Texas 25 game home winning streak.

[Guest Jimbo]

Anyone else see the Duke/G'Town game?

 

Did you see how Duke knew the basic fundementals of basketball, and how G'Town looked like a bunch of bums?

 

Did anyone notice Darrel Owens, the only person on G'Town with the slightest bit of talent, who was leading the Hoyas in scoring, had 2 steals, 2 3's, and a big dunk that got the crowd intoa frenzy was taken out of the game and never returned?

 

That is why Craig "I deserve a contract extension, despite the fak that I am killing one of the premier college basketball program o f the 80's and 90's" Esherick, should be fired.

[Bored 0]

In case anyone missed it, Rick Pitino is taking an indefenite leave of absence from Louisville for a urological related problem but prostate cancer has been ruled out.

 

Here's ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi's latest bracket projections:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

 

And here is the Top 25 teams in the RPI from collegerpi.com, through Sunday's games.

 

1. Louisville 15-1

2. Saint Joseph's 17-0

3. Kentucky 13-2

4. Duke 16-1

5. Florida 12-4

6. Providence 13-3

7. Stanford 16-0

8. Arizona 13-3

9. Mississippi State 16-1

10. North Carolina 12-4

11. Wisconsin 13-3

12. Cincinnati 14-1

13. Texas Tech 16-2

14. Georgia Tech 15-3

15. Connecticut 15-3

16. Pittsburgh 18-1

17. Gonzaga 15-2

18. Kansas 11-3

19. Alabama 11-5

20. N.C. State 11-4

21. Boston College 13-5

22. Texas 12-3

23. Seton Hall 12-4

24. Syracuse 13-3

25. Oklahoma State 13-2

[Guest Redhawk]

Anyone else see the Duke/G'Town game?

 

Did you see how Duke knew the basic fundementals of basketball, and how G'Town looked like a bunch of bums?

 

Did anyone notice Darrel Owens, the only person on G'Town with the slightest bit of talent, who was leading the Hoyas in scoring, had 2 steals, 2 3's, and a big dunk that got the crowd intoa frenzy was taken out of the game and never returned?

 

That is why Craig "I deserve a contract extension, despite the fak that I am killing one of the premier college basketball program o f the 80's and 90's" Esherick, should be fired.

Brandan Bowman's pretty good, and Gerald Riley is decent. But you're right, ever since Esherick took over, the Hoyas have gone way downhill. Here's something very telling about Coach Esherick: All during the preseason and the nonconference games, he was going on about how this team's strength was outside shooting now that Mike Sweetney was gone. So after the West Virginia loss, in which G'Town only scored 15 pts in the first half and shot like 30 percent or less (and like their 3rd poor shooting night in a row) Esherick said in one of the D.C. papers, "I still think we're a good shooting team. If after 10 games like this we're still shooting 30 percent, I might re-evaluate that statement." Not an exact quote, but pretty accurate. TEN GAMES!! He admitted that it would take him ONE-THIRD of the season to figure out that his team can't shoot when they're putting up 30% every night? I couldn't believe that. Ten games. (By the way, the Hoyas are shooting 36% FGs in Big East games, and "top shooter" Riley is hitting 27% on threes.)

[Guest Jimbo]

Well, Riley is in a bit of a slump, he just doesn't have it right now.

 

When Bowman gets the ball, he automatically knows that he's going to shoot, even if it means driving to the basket in 4-on-1 coverage.

 

And what can I say? Esherick's a clueless moron, simply put. He has installed neither an offense, nor a defense.

 

The offense consist of htem passing the ball around for 15 seoncds, then someone drives...the kick it back out..they drive again and someone throws up an idiotic shot in the paint, or they kick it out for a 3.

 

^That worked against Duke because they shot very well, but once Coach K noticed they did the same thing every play, without any variation, he told his players to go outside to the 3 point arc and the Hoyas' "offense" was killed!

 

The "pressure" defense featuers a 6'8 center witha temper and two left feet and a bunch of gaurds that don't exert any presure on the ball handlers. Darrel Owens is seemingly the only with a clue, because although he doesn't pressure the ball or man he's covering, he's atleast getting into passing lanes and trying to get steals.

 

These Hoyas fucking suck and it's painful to watch. Should be fun to sit in the alumni section with my big "FIRE ESHERICK" sign though...

 

P.S. This is my last G'Town post...seems that the only reason why I come in this thread is to vent, LOL. I'll try and get back to the talking about the other 364 Division I teams

[Guest Jimbo]

And here is the Top 25 teams in the RPI from collegerpi.com, through Sunday's games.

 

1. Louisville 15-1

2. Saint Joseph's 17-0

3. Kentucky 13-2

4. Duke 16-1

5. Florida 12-4

6. Providence 13-3

7. Stanford 16-0

8. Arizona 13-3

9. Mississippi State 16-1

10. North Carolina 12-4

11. Wisconsin 13-3

12. Cincinnati 14-1

13. Texas Tech 16-2

14. Georgia Tech 15-3

15. Connecticut 15-3

16. Pittsburgh 18-1

17. Gonzaga 15-2

18. Kansas 11-3

19. Alabama 11-5

20. N.C. State 11-4

21. Boston College 13-5

22. Texas 12-3

23. Seton Hall 12-4

24. Syracuse 13-3

25. Oklahoma State 13-2

Damn those RPI lists are misleading.

 

Pittsburg (16) is definitely > Floida, Providence, MSU, Cincy, Texas Tech.

 

Boston College must have REALLY lucked out or been playing amazingly well lately because they are extremely overrated according to this poll. I am pretty sure they lost to Clemson, and they have played no one else worthy of mentioning besides Temple out of conference. Maybe I'm missing something, but that ranking is soo messed up.

[Bored 0]

Boston College is #13 in strength of schedule so that probably has something to do with it and they do have wins over two Top 25 RPI teams in Seton Hall and N.C. State. Pittsburgh has only the #76 strongest schedule and have seven wins against teams not even ranked in the Top 200 and only one win against a team in the Top 25, Alabama. I'm just posting them to bring some content to the thread and since the rankings to do play a part in the seedings of the NCAA Tournament.

 

Edit 2: Pittsburgh has two top 25 wins as they beat Syracuse but their weak non-conference schedule hurts them.

[Guest Jimbo]

Bah, a win over Seton Hall is just a normal Big East win for them, that shouldn't be counted nearly as much as the NC State one, which I'll give 'em credit for.

 

When they play Seton hall next and possibly lose, will that be a "good loss" because they are in the Top 25? no, it'll look like crap in the long run as the NCAA Committee likes good conference records.

[Guest Redhawk]

Oh, c'mon Jimbo, it was nice having another G'Town fan on board. On a positive G'Town note, I went 25-3 with the Hoyas on ESPN College Hoops (I lost to Oklahoma State in the Sweet Sixteen).

[Guest Jimbo]

25-3? How was your strength of schedule?

 

And, to pose a question: Andy Kazt on ESPN.com suggests that Stanford, Duke, and UConn are locks for the Final Four, so who would you predict to be the 4th?

 

Personally, the trends in the recent years in just about every playoff situation have leaned towards defensive teams geting into and winning Championships. So, I'd have to say Pittsburg would be my favorite. They lost a close game in Storrs to UConn and I think that when the Huskies come to Pitt to play, Pitt will soundly defeat them.

 

I'd say Kentucky, another fine defensive team, but somtimes they just don't play well. When they're on, they're terrific, but they just don't show up sometimes.

 

St. Joe's is great, but they aren't getting to the Final Four.

 

Louisville certainly has a shot. Suppose Cincy might as well, but I just haven't seen enough of them to say yet. Arizona is a bit inexperienced as well...

 

So whatcha think?

[Stephen Joseph 0]

I'll save answering that for when my alma mater takes on Duke this Saturday. First time in awhile I can say GaTech's got a chance...like 30%. It'll be a good game that's for sure...

[Guest Redhawk]

I wouldn't even say Stanford's a lock, actually. My Final Four right now would be Duke, UConn, Louisville and, since there's usually a surprise team....North Carolina. That's just my gut feeling.

[Guest Choken One]

I'll say we'll get teh two usual suspects...UConn and Duke along with the expirenced and well coached Louisville team and Let's go for the unusual dance partner of Pittsburgh

[Vern Gagne 0]

UNC needs to play better defense if they want to make the Final Four.

 

Kentucky goes like 7 deep, not enough depth to make the Final Four.

[NoCalMike 0]

Go Maryland, beat those damn demon deacons........*crosses fingers*

[Guest Jimbo]

I'd root for Maryland if I didn't go to school just outside College Park, MD, where all these fairweather Terp's fans heckle me for being a diehard G'town fan. I mean, I love Gary Williams, but I just can't stand them and their Maryland 'Herpie's'.

[Guest Redhawk]

U of Washington just upset No. 9 Arizona in Seattle. Nate Robinson, all 5-foot-7 inches of him, scored 31 points and had a sick-ass two-handed alley-oop slam. Check for it on Sportscenter.

[Bored 0]

God damn what is up with Arizona? Considering how Arizona is underachieving and how bad the rest of the Pac-10 is, Stanford actually has a shot at going...well I won't say it. No one has ever gone undefeated in conference play since it became a ten team conference back in 1978. Still have ten games left in conference and then the pointless conference tournament.

[2GOLD 0]

I'm surprised Florida St played so well defensively with Duke. The Noles have been horrid on the road this year but they played solid defense. Offense was off the mark but it's very good to see the young defense stepping up against the Devil in Cameron.

 

If they can play a little better offensively on the road and match the defensive intensity, they may just seek into the tournament this year. I figured Top 25 and tournament NEXT season but they are surprising me.

[Vern Gagne 0]

God damn what is up with Arizona? Considering how Arizona is underachieving and how bad the rest of the Pac-10 is, Stanford actually has a shot at going...well I won't say it. No one has ever gone undefeated in conference play since it became a ten team conference back in 1978. Still have ten games left in conference and then the pointless conference tournament.

I'll say it. Undefeated. Reguardless they still win the conference with 1 or 2 losses.

 

The Pac 10 has more dogs than the local kennel.

[Bored 0]

Down 19 points with 16 minutes left you figure its over...BUT NOT FOR STANFORD! Huge comeback win at Oregon, 83-80. 18-0!

[Vern Gagne 0]

Retro Night at Michigan St. The old video of Vitale was pretty funny. If only Wright could of worn the afro, and Mike Davis would of broke out a Bobby Knight plaid coat.

[Bored 0]

They should have made the players wear the old school short-shorts...or maybe not.

[Guest Redhawk]

If they REALLY wanted to go old-school, tell both teams that they to pass the ball around the horn at least once before a shot is attempted, no dunking, and you have to wear Chuck Taylors.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I've got a pair of Chuck Taylor's

 

I was actually thinking of how boring college basketball must of been when there was no shot clock. North Carolina with all their talent holds the ball for 3 minutes. Teams like North Carolina St., and Villanova win the National Championship.

[Bored 0]

Here is Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

 

And here is the current Top 25 RPI ratings from collegerpi.com:

 

1. Duke 18-1

2. Saint Joseph's 18-0

3. Kentucky 14-3

4. Louisville 16-2

5. Mississippi State 18-1

6. Connecticut 17-3

7. Stanford 18-0

8. Florida 13-5

9. Providence 14-4

10. Pittsburgh 19-1

11. Wisconsin 14-3

12. Georgia Tech 16-4

13. Kansas 12-4

14. Texas Tech 16-4

15. Oklahoma State 14-2

16. Cincinnati 15-2

17. Texas 14-3

18. North Carolina 13-5

19. Gonzaga 17-2

20. Seton Hall 13-4

21. Arizona 14-4

22. Wake Forest 13-4

23. LSU 14-4

24. Alabama 11-7

25. Vanderbilt 14-4