A New College Hoops Thread.....

[iggymcfly 0]

Last year, they started out great, and then when Bynum joined the team they hit a slump until they figured out how to work him into the offense. Then, when they did, they were even better and made their tourney run.

 

This year, they again started out great until they lost BJ Elder. Just because they're not quite back in synch his first couple games back doesn't mean they don't still have an elite team.

 

Talk to me in March about whether I should "give up" on this team. I can't wait until the day Carolina gets eliminated and GT's still in the tourney. It will be so satisfying that I'll probably cum myself.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Pitt-'Cuse is looking good at the half.

[iggymcfly 0]

Since we all know that I know college hoops better than the coaches and media, here's my Top 25:

 

1. Illinois 25-0

2. Kansas 20-1

3. Wake Forest 21-3

4. North Carolina 20-3

5. Boston College 20-1

6. Duke 18-3

7. Kentucky 19-2

8. Oklahoma State 19-3

9. Syracuse 22-3

10. Washington 20-4

11. Michigan State 17-4

12. Connecticut 15-6

13. Gonzaga 19-4

14. Louisville 21-4

15. Villanova 14-6

16. Arizona 21-4

17. Oklahoma 17-6

18. Alabama 19-4

19. Wisconsin 16-6

20. Texas A&M 15-6

21. Utah 21-3

22. Pittsburgh 17-4

23. Maryland 15-7

24. Georgetown 16-6

25. Pacific 20-2

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

9. Syracuse 22-3

...

12. Connecticut 15-6

...

22. Pittsburgh 17-4

 

ROFL. Good call.

[iggymcfly 0]

You do realize that Pittsburgh didn't play anywhere near the caliber of North Carolina or Oklahoma in their non-conference schedule, and that their conference record is pretty much the same as UConn's. Obviously, after the big road win over Syracuse, I'd move them up quite a few spots, but coming into tonight, they were 3-2 on the road, and there was plenty of reason to think that they weren't for real.

 

Oh, and if you wanted to go through all the Big East teams I put ahead of Pittsburgh, you missed Villanova. They're at #15 with a 14-6 record.

[Damaramu 0]

You do realize that Pittsburgh didn't play anywhere near the caliber of North Carolina or Oklahoma in their non-conference schedule,

Yeah but Oklahoma is just playing pitiful right now. They look lost and they stubbornly stick to a shitty game plan when it doesn't work(wow just like the damn football team) b/c they say "that's what got us here and we aren't changing!" even though it's not working!

People have figured out the Gray/Bookout combo Sampson! It's time to make your guards step it up!

Seriously though they lose to bad teams but beat good teams. It's just confusing.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Beating Syracuse twice and UConn at UConn probably means they're a little better than 23.

 

I didn't name Villanova because they haven't played yet, but HEY! LOOK WHO'S NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE!

 

Honestly, Pitt's a perfect example of why RPI means dick when it comes to judging a team.

[iggymcfly 0]

First off, I had them ranked 22, not 23, and I agree that they're at least Top 20, probably Top 15 after beating Syracuse twice, but I did the rankings before that happened.

 

Before tonight, they had one good road win (at UConn) and one good home win (Syracuse) balanced out by losses to St. Johns, Bucknell, and West Virginia.

[Damaramu 0]

Igg give me your analysis on why OU pisses me off. I mean give me your analysis on why they're so damned inconsistent and they beat good teams but lose to shitty ones.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

If you watch this team, you realize that while they're tremendously talented, they're inconsistent. They have runs where they look like they could beat anyone (see: last five minutes of this game, where Krauser just took over), and then they look uninspired sometimes (see: Bucknell).

 

I just can't see Syracuse THAT much ahead of Pitt, especially after beating them twice.

[iggymcfly 0]

A lot of teams have letdowns on the road against teams they think they should beat easily. Especially when they're a young team that's not quite sure how to handle their success yet.

 

Missouri's a dangerous squad, (they beat Gonzaga and played Illinois as close as anyone has this year), so if OU gets a little bit too loose, they're more than capable of taking advantage.

 

I actually think the Sooners are still as talented as anyone in the Big XII save Kansas, and they'll probably make a decent run in the tournament.

[Damaramu 0]

A lot of teams have letdowns on the road against teams they think they should beat easily. Especially when they're a young team that's not quite sure how to handle their success yet.

 

Missouri's a dangerous squad, (they beat Gonzaga and played Illinois as close as anyone has this year), so if OU gets a little bit too loose, they're more than capable of taking advantage.

 

I actually think the Sooners are still as talented as anyone in the Big XII save Kansas, and they'll probably make a decent run in the tournament.

Yeah well our guard play really really needs to improve.

They'll be better next year with everyone returned with more experience.

[iggymcfly 0]

If you watch this team, you realize that while they're tremendously talented, they're inconsistent. They have runs where they look like they could beat anyone (see: last five minutes of this game, where Krauser just took over), and then they look uninspired sometimes (see: Bucknell).

 

I just can't see Syracuse THAT much ahead of Pitt, especially after beating them twice.

I told you, I did the rankings this afternoon, before the game. At the time, Syracuse was in full possession of second in the Big East, and Pittsburgh hadn't done enough to prove themselves yet.

 

If Pittsburgh beats Villanova, they might even pass Syracuse, but in all honesty, I think they'll be too proud of themselves for the Syracuse win still, and probably blow the game in Philly.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Considering they played horrible for about three quarters of this 'Cuse game, I doubt Dixon will let them get their heads in the sky. But, to each his own, I guess. You've been underrating the fuck out of this team all year, primarily because of a low RPI and SoS, presumably.

[iggymcfly 0]

Double Post.

[iggymcfly 0]

Actually, I couldn't even tell you what their RPI is; I have no idea. What I tend to do with mid-level teams is look through their schedule and look for good wins and bad losses.

 

When a team doesn't beat anybody decent all through the non-conference slate and then they lose to Bucknell and St. Johns, it seems only fair to lower them until they prove themselves.

 

Anyway, I think we've talked about Pitt enough. How about that Texas Tech/Kansas game?

[iggymcfly 0]

This Kansas squad is pretty clutch. That's twice they've needed a shot to tie it in the last five seconds and they got it both times. There's no way Texas Tech wins the game now.

[Damaramu 0]

Everyone says Kansas is overrated and will choke it. Well they seem to be able to win the close ones. And they are able to go into hostile environments and win it too. Though this game isn't over.

[iggymcfly 0]

Traveling? WOW!

[iggymcfly 0]

Holy shit. That's a crazy three. Kansas could still do it, but it's gonna be awfully tough now.

[Damaramu 0]

OH MY FUCKING GOD! Kansas may lose it's first game decided by 7 or less.

[Damaramu 0]

TECH WINS! Oh my god what a game!

 

Kansas moves up to #2 and then they get knocked off by the Red Raiders. And WHAT a job Bob Knight is doing in the latter half of the season. What a job. Tech is a tourney team at this point.

[iggymcfly 0]

Wow. What an upset and what a basketball game.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Savannah St just finished the season 0-28. First team to go winless since Prairie View.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

I still say 11 is too high for MSU iggy, they have yet to show (in the past 4 years) that they can beat a good-great team. Until they do so they don't belong in the top 15.

[iggymcfly 0]

The Spartans aren't a great team, but they take care of business. They aren't losing to teams like Memphis (Louisville this week), Oregon State (Washington this week), Washington State (Arizona), UMass (UConn), or San Francisco (Gonzaga).

 

The thing is there are a lot of teams out there that haven't fully proven themselves, but Michigan State's the only four-loss team that hasn't embarrassed themselves yet. They're not ready for the Top Ten yet, but you can't justify dropping them below a team like Louisville or Gonzaga either.

 

If Michigan State doesn't belong in the Top 15, neither does Louisville, and Utah doesn't even belong in the Top 25.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

The Spartans aren't a great team, but they take care of business. They aren't losing to teams like Memphis (Louisville this week), Oregon State (Washington this week), Washington State (Arizona), UMass (UConn), or San Francisco (Gonzaga).

 

The thing is there are a lot of teams out there that haven't fully proven themselves, but Michigan State's the only four-loss team that hasn't embarrassed themselves yet. They're not ready for the Top Ten yet, but you can't justify dropping them below a team like Louisville or Gonzaga either.

 

If Michigan State doesn't belong in the Top 15, neither does Louisville, and Utah doesn't even belong in the Top 25.

I do agree that they don't usually lose to teams that they shouldn't, but I do think that Louisville would trounce them if they were to play.

[lomasmoney 0]

of course Utah doesnt belong in the top 25 with that 22-3 record and unbeaten in conference play. They might just be one of the hottest teams in the nation with arguably the best player in America right now, Andrew Bogut. Their three losses have come to on the road to a top 15 Arizona team by 5, on the road to a top 15 team in Washington by 7, and the one bad loss is to a pretty damn good Utah State team on the road as well. So I would say its absurd to say Utah shouldnt be in the top 25. I think they should be at worst a 5 seed right now. As for MSU, they have lost to Illnois, Duke, Wisconsin, and a George Washington team that was really hot when they played MSU at a neutral site or maybe even on the road. So basically Michigan States four losses have been at arguably the top two toughest places to win a road game in the nation (at Duke, at Wisconsin), against the undefeated #1 team in the nation and against GW when they were hot

[Damaramu 0]

I think Kansas is going to the national title game. They have the intensity to do it and they are that good.

I think a lot of people discount Kansas because they just plain do not like them. But they are a good enough team.

Yeah they lost last night but that was an awesome game and a close game in which both teams played hard and that final shot just fell for Texas Tech. Don't discount the fact that Kansas worked magic to send it into 2 OT's.

 

I dunno about OSU in the Final Four but I know Kansas will be there.

[iggymcfly 0]

of course Utah doesnt belong in the top 25 with that 22-3 record and unbeaten in conference play. They might just be one of the hottest teams in the nation with arguably the best player in America right now, Andrew Bogut. Their three losses have come to on the road to a top 15 Arizona team by 5, on the road to a top 15 team in Washington by 7, and the one bad loss is to a pretty damn good Utah State team on the road as well. So I would say its absurd to say Utah shouldnt be in the top 25. I think they should be at worst a 5 seed right now. As for MSU, they have lost to Illnois, Duke, Wisconsin, and a George Washington team that was really hot when they played MSU at a neutral site or maybe even on the road. So basically Michigan States four losses have been at arguably the top two toughest places to win a road game in the nation (at Duke, at Wisconsin), against the undefeated #1 team in the nation and against GW when they were hot

I have Utah in the Top 25, at number 21 in fact.

 

I was just saying that by Crimson's logic that MSU shouldn't be in the Top 15 because their best win was at Minnesota, then Utah wouldn't deserve to be in the Top 25 because their best win was home against Air Force, and they lost by 26 to Utah State.