Official College Hoops 2012-2013!!!!!!

[never_enough]

:noon:noon:noon

Season starts tonight for UK! GO BIG BLUE!!!!:banger

Unfortunately we could lose our first two games. Yikes.

Who does everyone root for and what are you expectations for the season?

[The Poet]

Thank God somebody else started this, though I wonder if Robert knows how much work it can be to keep it going.

Me, I root for the REAL Blue, my Tar Heels, as I'm one born, bred, matriculated, and graduated. I expect them to contend with NCSU, Dook, and FSU for the ACC, and make the NCAAs as a 3-to-5 seed. Considering how much they lost to graduation and the NBA, how much they will depend upon underclassmen, and how they shall likely change from an interior to a perimeter team, that's all I can reasonably ask.

And since I'm a Tar Heel, I am reasonable . . . unlike the typical UK fan. :r

[never_enough]

I am very reasonable thank you.

And I probably don't have a clue how much work it is to keep the thread going. Guess I will find out soon!

P.S. No one will depend on underclassmen as much as UK :r:r:r

[never_enough]

Well, didn't take long to get an upset! We had two tonight! MSU goes down to UCONN in Germany. However, I don't think its time for MSU fans to panic. Izzo is a tournament man so no worries.

I was unable to watch the other upset, so I don't have a clue what happened yet. South Alabama took down (soon to be former)#25 FSU.

UK. Soft as charmin? I realize some of the offensive rebounds were because of long rebounds, but they straight up out hustled UK on the boards. And UK played like a bunch of....you guessed it.....freshman! Most important player of the game for UK.....Jarrod Polson! Unbelievable! No one saw that coming. Coach Cal said he had no worries if Polson had to log PG minutes, but no one really believed it. The Terps gave them a good fight, but couldn't close out the third upset of the night. Go Cats!!!

Alabama, Alabama, Alabama.......slightly excessive celebration for beating South Dakota State at the buzzer.

Your #1 Hoosiers spanked Bryant U. Who? Exactly.:r

Good night of basketball so far. So glad the season is back:banger

[never_enough]

Almost forgot Shabazz is currently ineligble for UCLA. Wonder what the final game count will be?

[MajorCaptSilly]

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/c0.0.624.298.30604982206/p843x403/155189_492671740756738_1313660161_n.jpg

MCS

[never_enough]

Hmmm, pretty sure IU is the one with NCAA issues right now.

[MajorCaptSilly]

Hmmm, pretty sure IU is the one with NCAA issues right now.

Yeah, that bumper sticker was a bad choice. I mean, they should have known they would be adopting 2 future IU players 21 years ago.


MCS

[never_enough]

You want to crack jokes about violations, when your team is the one with ineligible players, the latest one coming off probation and your coach knowingly committed a recruiting violation last year or something I think? I don't understand some people.

Coach Cal have a checkered past? Yep
Been in trouble at UK? Nope

Let me guess, the other shoe will drop soon :r
Or do you prefer, where there is smoke, there is fire?

[never_enough]

Anyways, had to turn the UCLA game off. Was too boring.

[The Poet]

My Heels got past a pesky and experienced Gardner-Webb 76-59, but it would have been a blowout without their 18 TOs, 1-12 from 3, and 9-19 from the stripe. I imagine Roy will have them running two-a-days. :r

Had the Terps been able to shoot a little in the 1st half, Robert's 'Cats would have gone down . . . and not in a good way. It's funny that the little bit of experience on UK's bench saved the day for the hyper-hyped freshmen. If nothing else, maybe this one will make Cal shut his face about his boys going 40-0 . . . for a week or two anyway. :D

I feel no sympathy for UCLA about losing Shabazz Muhammad. Every school was warned beforehand to be wary of recruiting that guy. Can anybody say (or spell) "Enes Kanter"? :r

[The Poet]

Princeton takes Buffalo in a close one, 57-53. I see a few more games that could be good too:

Portland vs. Ohio U
Evansville vs. Notre Dame
UCF vs. South Florida
Northern Arizona vs. Oregon


Re the U. Conn win over the Spartans, that situation in Storrs is one of the stories I'll find interesting this year; namely, what will the Huskies do post-Calhoun?

[never_enough]

Did you see the blatant 10 second violation towards the end of the game that they didn't call against UK? Pretty big miss.

And Cal never said specifically this team would go 40-0. Just that he wants one of his teams to do it. I don't see it happening but who knows.

Speaking of uconn, anyone else find it odd they gave the new coach such a short contract?

[The Poet]

Did you see the blatant 10 second violation towards the end of the game that they didn't call against UK? Pretty big miss.

And Cal never said specifically this team would go 40-0. Just that he wants one of his teams to do it. I don't see it happening but who knows.

Speaking of uconn, anyone else find it odd they gave the new coach such a short contract?

Sorry, didn't see the 10-sec non-call. Hey, $#!+ happens, and they need to remember this when a call goes the other way . . . as will happen.

Me, I can't see ANY team going unbeaten these days. Murray State came close during their regular season last year, but you had to know that, even if they'd manage that, they wouldn't run the table in the NCAAs.

U Conn? I found the whole situation odd. What coach leaving under a cloud (or even not) is granted the power to name his successor, no matter how short a contract?

[The Poet]

My Heels take care of Florida Atlantic, as expected, in their last home game this month. They owned the boards, but still shot poorly from the field and stripe. This could be a big problem as they fly off to Maui for the Invitational, and WILL be one if not corrected before they go to Bloomington to face #1 Indiana.

[never_enough]

Haven't been able to watch the games for a couple of days. Anyone going to watch most of the tip off marathon? Starts at midnight.

[The Poet]

Haven't been able to watch the games for a couple of days.

Gonna watch any hoops tonight? I understand Duke's gonna be playin' some lame-@$$ team from Kentuck.

[never_enough]

Damn no good Kanetuck team :r:r

KU vs MSU game was good.

[never_enough]

Thats about what I expected. Saw some promise, but I can't believe how bad the D would sag into the paint. You can't do that against Duke and everyone knows it. Good to see Poythress get his head into the game. Guys got a lot of talent, he just needs more desire/drive.

Wiljier has no business playing if he isn't scoring. Watching him on D is incredibly frustrating. Mays was a disappointment for being the oldest guy on the team. And Goodwin can not be the answer to a PG right now, maybe ever. The man just wants to score. And thats completely fine if Harrow ends up panning out at PG.

Anyways, rebounding was better. They played with more energy. Slowly learning how they will need to play.

Duke still floppin like a fish out of water :r:r They definitely played better than UK though.

[The Poet]

Duke still floppin like a fish out of water :r:r


I did not see the game, but I have rarely seen a "flop" which did not come with some contact from the other guy. Hey, you survive against a "meh" Maryland team, possibly with the help of a bad non-whistle to your benefit (according to your own admission), and now you object - laughingly or not - when the whistle's blown? No offense, but that's karma baby.

Hopefully, you won't pull a Calipari, who complained about the "flops" at halftime, then denied he remembered saying anything about that 30 minutes later. :r


Possible good games tonight include Wisconsin @ Florida, Santa Clara @ Saint Louis, and UAB @ Creighton.

[never_enough]

I do think Duke flops more than most. Thats my opinion and I will stick to it. Wiltjier for UK started flopping last year and I couldn't stand it. Some people call it savvy play if you can get the foul. Good for them.

The whistles are NOT why UK lost that game. They were out played. Duke was the better team. How many UK fans do you know who will admit that? :r:r

Watching the Florida game. Don't know if I will catch any others.

[The Poet]

Duke is well-known for winning by their defense, and some of that is based upon hustling and helping on switches to draw the charge. If you want to consider that flopping, feel free. (And remember, this comes from a Tar Heel, who's seen a damn sight more of this than any UK fan, so if I can accept it I don't see why Calipari can't.)

Of course, the best way to avoid this in the future would be to stop playing in Cameron . . . much like he refused to play in Freedom Hall after Indiana beat them LAST year. :r

Florida handled Wisconsin easily, 74-56. Other interesting scores last night:

Georgetown 68 - Liberty 59 = Not a very strong statement from a Big East team here.

Fresno State 39 - UC Riverside 30 = Which type of field goals was this won/lost by? :D

Already today Oklahoma State escaped the Akron Zips 69-65 in OT, while Tennessee did much the same against NC-Asheville 75-68. Parity, or poor performance by the big conferences? Other action coming:

Baylor vs. Boston College = The last score I saw, the Eagles were up a deuce over the Bears 43-41 at the break.

N. C. State vs. Penn State = Is the Wolfpack as good as predictions? This may not tell us "yes", yet could tell us "no".

St. John's vs. Charleston = In Charleston, and between teams that should be fairly closely matched. May be fun.

Alabama vs. Oregon State = Also has potential.

Providence vs. U Mass = Here too.

Chattanooga vs. Kansas = Can the Jayhawks bounce back after their loss to the Spartans? I'd bet on it, even were it NOT in Allen Fieldhouse . . . which it is.

SMU vs. TCU = Op. cit.

Murray State vs. Auburn = Will the Racers have the same dash as last year? As with NCSU/PSU, the Tigers may not be able to tell us much.

Southern Miss vs. Georgia = I just got me a feeling on this one.

Valparaiso vs. Nebraska = And I don't think either one of these are all that good . . . which may give us a good contest.

Villanova vs. Purdue = Both teams disappointed fans last year. Neither wants to do so again.

[The Poet]

Heels make a stop at Long Beach State tonight on their way to Maui. They had to struggle to beat them the last two times, both in Chapel Hill. However, this is NOT the same Long Beach team as then. However however, this is ALSO not the same UNC team as then then either . . . either.

[The Poet]

Just as I figured, the 49ers gave my Heels all they wanted and more, at least in the first half. But UNC wore them down and pulled away after the break for a 78-63 win to start their long roadtrip. A decent W against a scrappy team which broke their 23-game home winning streak, and hopefully was a good learning process for the young Heels.

A few things about the game NOT on the court. Seeing as how this was one of the biggest "names" to ever play on their court, LBSU raised ticket prices to $70, yet even though they added 2000 extra seats with temporary bleachers (thus shattering their attendance record), they still could not fulfill demand. More significantly for me, and one of the reasons I'm such a Tar Heel, is the fact that 49er coach Don Monson didn't expect the game to even happen. See, Roy adopted and continues a policy begun by Dean Smith, one of scheduling an away game close to a player's hometown, as a reward to the player and to more easily allow friends and family to see him play live in Carolina blue. Well, this one was planned to be the "homecoming" for the Wear twins, who left UNC to play for UCLA instead after their freshman year. Because of this, Monson just assumed Roy would not be showing up in Long Beach, and was thus shocked when a signed contract appeared in his mailbox. He call Roy to ask him if he was certain he still wanted to uphold this verbal committment, to which Roy replied he of course did, since if he didn't he would feel as if he'd done much the same thing the Wear boys did when THEY left, and he did not want to be that guy.

You don't like Roy Williams' "aww shucks" demeanor? OK, so screw you . . . you just don't get it. Realize this: The state motto of North Carolina is Esse Quam Videri . . . To be, rather than to seem. If we all lived by this, it would be a better world.

[never_enough]

That was cool of him to do :tu

I haven't been able to catch a UNC game yet. Curious to see how they look this year.

I'm really slacking in here already. :r Been a little busy and watching an unusually low amount of games. Time to get back on the horse

[The Poet]

Two scores I found of interest over the weekend:


Okla. State 76 - N. C. State 56 = The Wolfpack was projected by the "experts" to be the favorite in the ACC this year, supplanting more traditional powers like UNC and Duke. Yet not only did the Cowboys beat them, they ran them off the court. Not a great sign for the long-suffering faithful in Raleigh.

U Conn 89 - Quinnipiac 83 (2OT) = When the Huskies pulled off the upset to start their season, people thought they might be much better than expected. Two weeks later, it takes them an extra 10 minutes to dispatch a perennial cupcake by a few buckets only. As I said earlier, I'm very intrigued by what will happen in Storrs this year.


My Heels open up in the Maui Invitational tonight against Mississippi State. Being a young team as they are, I'd normally expect a challenge here, so far away from home. But reports are that, due to injuries and suspensions, MSU will have only 6 scholarship players available. However, their coach says that he knows the Heels will want to run, and he intends to run with them. Well, maybe they can do that for 40 minutes, and maybe not. We shall see.

[never_enough]

Going to be switching between IU vs. UGA and UNC vs. MSU :tu

[The Poet]

My Heels had no problem at all with an undermanned Miss. State team, taking them to school 95-49. And no, Roy didn't run up the score. He played 16 guys, and McAdoo got the most minutes, with only 23 of them. Next, after dispatching the Bulldogs, they face . . . the Bulldogs, as they face Butler tonight, who beat Marquette at the buzzer.


Other scores of interest, at least to me:


Georgetown 78 - UCLA 70 = Shabazz Muhammad was finally cleared to play for the Bruins, and started his college career with a decent showing. But it wasn't enough to prevent the Hoyas from smacking them down. Of further interest to me as a Tar Heel is the fact that, though I do not hate UCLA, neither the Wear twins nor He Who Shall Remain Nameless had very productive nights. Serves them right. :r

New Mexico 66 - U. Conn 60 = Hey, I told you the Huskies showing against Quinnipiac gave me pause. The Lobos take the championship of the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands, and thus prevent U Conn from winning the only trophy they are eligible to compete for this season. :D

Chaminade 86 - Texas 73 = The D-II Silverswords improve their record in the Maui Invitational to 7-76 by sticking it to the Longhorns with this upset. And they actually beat them too. They owned the boards 43-35, while the 'Horns collected 18 TOs to only 10 assists. This was NOT as huge an upset as was their 77-72 victory over Ralph Sampson's #1 Virginia team 30 years ago, when Chaminade was merely a NAIA squad facing the best in the nation, but it was still a pretty big deal for them. :tu

[Whee]

Crazy Carolina comeback tonight, Can't wait for our meeting next Tuesday.:D

[Ismith75]

Lets go Buffs!!!

[The Poet]

UCLA Bruins lose to Cal Poly 70-68, in Pauley no less. Guess it's not as embarrassing as losing to Cal Tech, but it's pretty damn close.

[never_enough]

Thats a pathetic loss, but I can't say much. UK had its fair share of embarrassing losses with Billy at the helm.

I'm totally slacking on the basketball viewing/coverage. Still reeling from the Duke loss :r:r I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

Time to get back on the wagon. Cant wait for the UNC vs IU matchup tomorrow.

[The Poet]

Cant wait for the UNC vs IU matchup tomorrow.

I can. :r

Don't much like my Heels' chances in Bloomington. They've been inconsistent, and won't have P.J. Hairston available due to a "slight" knee strain sustained in practice Sunday. Yet the Hoosiers won't have a few key freshmen available either, as they were deemed ineligible by the NCAA, plus they won't have backup forward Derek Elston, out with a torn meniscus.

I'm just hoping it's a good game.

[jcruse64]

Happy 2013-2013 season, guys!!

Well, Murray State got the undefeated monkey off their back for the season:-) . it was a good tournament for them, and I really thought we'd play Baylor in the final if we got past St Johns, but the Buffaloes came to play, and we were not very good in the final. One plus was taking some vacation time to drive to Charleston to watch the tourney and get to see the area for the first time. We barely got past Old Dominion the other night.

Going to be an interesting season watching UK and the new frosh crop. Still ill at Barnhart and Cal for cancelling the IU series; REALLY lame on their part.

Cook has beaten 2 top KY teams now; the Mayans may be right!!! -(P

[timj219]

Always happy to see the college BBall season get under way. I'm looking for a good season for Syracuse despite losing so many starters to the NBA after last season. A sophomore PG (Carter-Williams) with great moves and court smarts and amazing defense. Senior 2 guard (Triche) who is a good scorer and can play the point. A couple small forwards who came through big last year (Fair and Southerland). Freshman PF (Coleman) who already looks powerful enough to hold his own. Sophomore C (Christmas) is slightly undersized but showed promise last year after the 7 footer fab melo washed out. Team has a few promising role players like Trevor Cooney redshirt freshman guard who should stretch any zone they face and fresham forward Jerami Grant (son of Harvey) who was highly regarded coming out of DeMatha.

Only bad thing is this is the last year of SU in the big east. Boo.

[Whee]

I can. :r

Don't much like my Heels' chances in Bloomington. They've been inconsistent, and won't have P.J. Hairston available due to a "slight" knee strain sustained in practice Sunday. Yet the Hoosiers won't have a few key freshmen available either, as they were deemed ineligible by the NCAA, plus they won't have backup forward Derek Elston, out with a torn meniscus.

I'm just hoping it's a good game.

Me too. But for the Hoosiers.:D

Big test for us, tonight. Hoping for a good show.

[SD Beerman]

UCLA Bruins lose to Cal Poly 70-68, in Pauley no less. Guess it's not as embarrassing as losing to Cal Tech, but it's pretty damn close.

SDSU gets to play them next, wonder what they will look like this week....
Good to see you Thomas...

[never_enough]

Indiana might be one of the best teams at home. I will be keeping an eye on them when conference play starts.

[The Poet]

Only bad thing is this is the last year of SU in the big east. Boo.

Yeah, but next year will be their first one in a TRUE conference. :r

[MajorCaptSilly]

And..... Notre Dame beats Kentucky. I like this season.

MCS

[The Poet]

Whoa. Kentucky's 54-game winning streak at Rupp Arena comes to a screeching halt this afternoon, as Baylor takes them down 64-55, for their 2nd loss inna row, and their 3rd of 7 games.

I guess Dook is STILL flopping on them. :r

[jcruse64]

I guess Dook is STILL flopping on them. :r

I'll call the flop!!! :D:D

Cal, and we, the UK Faithful, are now receiving the not-so-fantastic benefits of recruiting highly tauted high school one-and-doners; they may be fantastic, but they may not come together as a team. This is not much of a team, yet. Been a while since UK lost 2 in a row, too. As bad as the Irish loss was, this Baylor game was horrible to watch. Hope there were no recruiting violations to get this class. It's going to be interesting to see how well Cal will be able to coach these freshmen up by tourney time.

Worked on a duck blind yesterday, so I didn't see much ball, except for the SEC Fball championship last night-great game. I DID note that Baylor's football team complimented the UK win with a win over OK State, a ranked opponent.

Finally, a pox on dook!!! :banger

[MajorCaptSilly]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/300067_512244132132832_830065094_n.jpg

;s

MCS

[The Poet]

It's going to be interesting to see how well Cal will be able to coach these freshmen up by tourney time.

There's every reason to believe Cal might be able to turn them around, eventually. There is also reason for the 'Cat fans to fear the worst. Lemme espound:

I cannot help but think of UNC's 1983 season, the year after Dean Smith finally won his first championship. The Heels came into the pre-season ranked #1, despite the fact they'd lost PF James Worthy and PG Jimmy Black from that team. They lost three of their first 6 games, and fell from #1 all the way out of the Top 25. But they did gel into a very good team, regaining that #1 spot again in about 2 months, and finished with a highly-respectable 28-8 record.

Of course, THAT team had future NBA players Sam Perkins and Brad Daugherty, future coaches Matt Doherty, Buzz Peterson, and Steve Hale, some guy named Jordan, and a coach named Smith. UK doesn't have anything like that. :r

[The Poet]

The college basketball community lost legendary coach (and jovial trencherman) Rick Majerus on Saturday night. He got his start in coaching as an assistant under the equally-cheerful Al McGuire at Marquette. In 25 seasons as a head coach at Marquette, Ball State, Utah, and Saint Louis he had a winning season in all but one of those, with 15 20-win and 2 30-win, led teams to the NCAA 12 times and the NIT 4 times, and finished his career with a most-respectable 517-216 record.

One thing you probably do not know about Rick, as it was pretty much an "inside, under-the-radar" story. When Dean Smith retired at UNC, leaving the reins in Bill Guthridge's hands as interim head coach (in reward for decades as assistant and to allow a search committe ample time to acquire a suitable long-term candidate), he lobbied strongly for Carolina to hire Rick Majerus. But somebody else, who should NOT have had more sway but DID with said committe, convinced them to hire his old teammate instead . . . which is how Michael Jordan pulled a backdoor on Dean and got Matt Doherty the job.

Rest in peace, Rick.

[never_enough]

I'm in hiding. I will come back out of my room in January.:al:lv:o

[The Poet]

I'm in hiding. I will come back out of my room in January.:al:lv:o

What year? :r

[never_enough]

:r

I'm not going anywhere. I have missed back to back UK games for the first time I can remember. Life is crazy. Maybe thats why UK lost the last two games? Its all my fault.

I'm having sports withdrawal. Haven't been able to watch much of anything lately.

UK has an easy stretch. Perfect time to figure a few things out and get some confidence. Half the team deleted their twitter accounts. I'm sure they were hearing some not so nice things from the crazies. Lord knows there are plenty.

[The Poet]

:Half the team deleted their twitter accounts. I'm sure they were hearing some not so nice things from the crazies. Lord knows there are plenty.

That's funny to me. Last year a number of coaches banned Twitter for their entire team, fearing it would only lead to problems, and were praised for their foresight and decisiveness. The prevoius year, Roy Williams had banned the Heels from keeping Twitter accounts, and was loudly derided for being paranoid and overly controlling. :r

[never_enough]

College athletes and fans on twitter is just a bad idea. Hell twitter is a bad idea. People can't control themselves

[never_enough]

If I was a coach, I would ban twitter during the season too. But maybe I'm biased because I don't and will never have a twitter account.:sh

[The Poet]

You can't spell Twitter without "Twit". :D

[Whee]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/300067_512244132132832_830065094_n.jpg

;s

MCS

This is why I love you, MCS. :D You are the wind beneath my wings.

[never_enough]

Get another room for your circle jerk you two. :r

[Whee]

Get another room for your circle jerk you two. :r
:hf

Poll came out today. Something was missing. Hmmmmm, I wonder what it was...:D

[never_enough]

A team that doesn't deserve to be there. Talk to me January first. if they aren't ranked by then again, then I will worry :r

[jcruse64]

Did not know that about Majerus and UNC, Poet. I knew he was in bad shape, but did not realize he was beyond medical help. I was a fan, and enjoyed seeing him work his stuff at St. Louis when they hired him. He definitely loved the game and his students.

[The Poet]

Did not know that about Majerus and UNC, Poet. I knew he was in bad shape, but did not realize he was beyond medical help. I was a fan, and enjoyed seeing him work his stuff at St. Louis when they hired him. He definitely loved the game and his students.

I wouldn't expect many to know that story, Joe, though some may have known what friends Dean and Rick had been. Fact is, though Dean loved Matt Doherty and Michael Jordan, as he did all his players, this diss p!$$ed him off so much that, before the first game of the season Coach Smith visited the lockerroom to wish good luck . . . to the opponent, Winthrop. :r

Funny coincidence here. While googling for that game to confirm the opponent, I saw that Matt Doherty confessed he made some early errors that doomed him at his alma mater in a radio interview a few days ago. One of them I could have told him at the time. Coming in as a replacement for a loved legend, he already had one strike against him. His second, before he even held his first practice, was to bring his coaching staff with him from Notre Dame, which meant firing the assistants already in place . . . which included Phil Ford. You don't start a job by firing a guy who's jersey is hanging in the rafters! Strike two! :sl

[The Poet]

Man, I just love how crazy college hoops can be. Last week the Baylor Bears got a huge victory by beating the Wildcats in Rupp Arena, snapping a 54-game W streak. Last night the Bears lost to the Wildcats, of Northwestern, on their home court in Waco.

You'd think you couldn't make this stuff up, but it happens alla time. :tu

[The Poet]

15th-ranked Georgetown crushes Towson 46-40.

I guess "Hoyas" stands for "Hell-O? You! Anybody! Score!!" :r

[The Poet]

My Heels finished off their final exams break, then finished off East Tennessee State Saturday, in what was no test at all. They were up 42-12 at the half, then cruised to a 78-55 final. Nothing especially shocking here, but this stat was . . . even to an old Heel like me. UNC had 31 baskets in the game, and 30 assists. The sole hoop that wasn't off a key pass came on a stickback after a blown dunk.

Damn, that's some team ball there. :tu

[The Poet]

It has become rather too common for schools to leave their old conferences for greener fields, but now it seems a conference may be leaving its schools. The Big East was founded as a baskteball conference, and those members who competed (or tried to compete anyway) in football have felt they got short shrift in the matter. It's been a long time since BC and Miami left for the ACC in an attempt to rectify this slight, and Syracuse, Pitt, and Notre Dame are soon to follow in their footsteps. Well, with the Big East bringing in MORE football schools in an attempt to redress this imbalance, it is now the basketball schools who are feeing dissed.

Original members Georgetown, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, and Villanova, plus newer members DePaul and Marquette, none of which either do or wish to play D1 football, are contemplating a vote to DISSOLVE THE BIG EAST CONFERENCE COMPLETELY! They feel that the true focus of the Big East is being diluted, and they question whether or not they wish to remain a part of this. As the schools leaving get no vote, and the newest schools being added yet possess the right to vote, these seven alone constitute the needed 2/3rds majority necessary to break up the Big East.

Is this about money, or principles, or simple spite? I dunno, but it does leave the OTHER Big East teams hoping they receive offers from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC . . . SOMEBODY, PLEASE!! :r

[The Poet]

Carolina spoils Jeff Lebo's homecoming to Chapel Hill by holding on to defeat the scrappy East Carolina Pirates 93-87. The Heels built a comfortable double-digit lead by the half, but a late flurry of scores cut the margin to 4 with 30 seconds left. The win lifts UNC to 8-2, and drops EeeSeeTeeCee to 6-2.

Those Pirates are a tough and well-coached squad (as you'd expect from one of Dean Smith's students), and will give others problems for the rest of the season. Best of luck to them, and to Jeff. :tu

[Whee]

Well that sucked.:gary

[The Poet]

Well that sucked.:gary

I assume you mean the Hoosiers getting hosed by Butler's Bulldogs. Hey, you don't come to play, you go home with a loss.

Did you really think they'd go 40-0? :r

Console yourself with the fact that, not all that long ago, IU couldn't BUY a ranking, even with UK money. :D

[never_enough]

I assume you mean the Hoosiers getting hosed by Butler's Bulldogs. Hey, you don't come to play, you go home with a loss.

Did you really think they'd go 40-0? :r

Console yourself with the fact that, not all that long ago, IU couldn't BUY a ranking, even with UK money. :D

Man speaks the truth.

Sorry I vanished. Only will be back for a few days.

UK should stay unranked for now. If they beat UL, I say rank them 20-25 at best. Still don't deserve anything better. Pretty frustrating team to watch right now. Even when they beat some shitty team by almost 40, they still don't "look" good. :r

IU will be fine, still don't think they will win the championship, but who knows. Pretty weak year.

I need to watch more basketball.

And damn does the SEC suck this year or what? Pathetic.

[The Poet]

And damn does the SEC suck this year or what? Pathetic.


Maybe you should add some of those basketball schools what just broke up the Big East. I mean, it works to strengthen hoops in the SEC, where they ALSO don't play football, right?

Sorry, I meant "don't play it at Kentucky". :r

[The Poet]

Twelve of the Top 25 are in action tonight, though none in head-to-head action. Still, there's a few shots at "upsets", like with Xavier/Cincy, Tulsa/Creighton, and UNC/Texas.

[jcruse64]

UK wins BIG today!!! :r I'll be glad when they get to the SEC schedule and quit playing stocking stuffers. They still are not playing well together yet.

My MSU Racers took loss #2 on the chin today, being beaten by a good Dayton Flyers team. They have a great home crowd, and props to 'em. We play Valporaiso next weekend before hitting the OVC schedule.

Watching a good Missou vs Illini game right now. The Tigers are going to be fun to see in the SEC.

[qwerty1500]

Watching a good Missou vs Illini game right now. The Tigers are going to be fun to see in the SEC.

A true "bragging rights" game in this part of the world. I'm a Mizzou alum living in Illini country. A big win . . . will make it more fun at work.

Sure hope the Tigers do better against the SEC than they did in football. A bit worried about that away game at UK.

[jcruse64]

I wouldn't worry just yet. The Tigers looked a whole lot better in that game than what I'm seeing in my Cats, so far. The Cats have already shown that they are beatable at home, for this team.

UK UL up next!

[jcruse64]

Well, 2 losses in a row for my Racers, and we did not defend home court against a non-com Valparaiso.

UK-UL game was MUCH tighter than I thought it would be. The Cats finally begin to have a team look about them, and played a much improved game,especially in H2.

[The Poet]

While your Racers and 'Cats were falling, Joe, my Heels finally got a good win over a ranked team. The # 20 Runnin' Rebels fought back from a double-digit deficit to take a one-point lead halfway through the 2nd, but UNC regained the edge and held on for a 79-73 win . . . to make up somewhat for their early-season loss LAST year to UNLV on a "neutral" court in Vegas. :D

Roy said his boys at last played a decent game. Don't know if these youngsters have turned the corner or not, but I'll take every W we can get this year.

[Whee]

Big Ten season kicks off today. Gonna be a tough, long season.

[jcruse64]

Just watched KU slap the Longhorns goodbye on the rump- now that's the kind of collapse I've come to expect from Rick's teams.

Missed the SEC matchup of the day, and really expected a closer match from Mizzou. I have not watched the Gators at all; are they that good?

Watching UL take over 'Cuse, after a slow start, but lots of game left.

[jcruse64]

Well, this poor thread is in as bad a shape as a team that has just been given the 1 spot in the polls this season. Any of you guys remember the last time #1 was such a carousel?
Got back to the house from the Murray State/Tennessee State game to see H2 and OT bonanza that was UL vs ND. Wow!

Miami #1 on Monday???

[The Poet]

It has indeed been one of the strangest years in college hoops in decades. The last I can recall that even came close to this insanity was 1983. That was the year after NC won Dean's first ring, and began the preseason #1. Starting off 3-3, they fell out of the Top 25 altogether, then managed (with a lot of help from others, of course) to regain the top spot before the end of the season. NC also managed to win the championship that year . . . even though it was Valvano's Cardiac Kids of NCSU. :r

[dman4505]

Can't believe they're still #1 in the AP but I'll take it go Hoosiers

AP Poll:

1 Indiana
2 Duke
3 Miami (FL)
4 Michigan
5 Gonzaga
6 Syracuse
7 Florida
8 Michigan State
9 Arizona
10 Kansas State

Coaches Poll:

1 Duke
2 Indiana
3 Gonzaga
4 Miami (FL)
5 Michigan
6 Florida
7 Syracuse
8 Michigan State
9 Arizona
10 Butler

[The Poet]

Can't believe they're still #1 in the AP but I'll take it go Hoosiers


Good for them. It used to be that this and a nickel would get you a cup of coffee. Now, it's this and three bucks. :D

[DaBear]

Are you and your boys ready for another whoopin Thomas?

Listening to this to get myself ready for game time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH98EBwDkTM

:r

[The Poet]

Whuppin'? Your Pack built a huge lead at home, then tried their best to p!$$ it away. Yeah, the Heels have been struggling (for UNC, anyway) this year, but even you damn farmers shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch.

Good luck, regardless . . . and good luck to the state in collecting the back taxes from that deadbeat millionaire Sidney Lowe. :r

[DaBear]

and good luck to the state in collecting the back taxes from that deadbeat millionaire Sidney Lowe. :r

Amen brotha!

[The Poet]

Yo, Bear! Got anything ELSE you wanna say today? :D

[jcruse64]

If UK trickles out of the SEC tourney early, and STILL gets a bid to The Dance this year.... Though I'd be surprised if John C has built that much good will. I love the Cats, but this has been a rough season to watch. On the plus side, no one in the top 25 is over-the-top consistent this season.

Freaking Racers; lock up the top west OVC spot and they go on auto pilot. Beaten at home by 2 teams they should own. At least they won their Bracket-Buster.

[The Poet]

My Heels looked pretty dang good against the Semiholes yesterday. If they can keep improving they could become a scary team to face come Madness.

[The Poet]

I saw an interesting article yesterday, about the 10 most-hated players in NCAA basketball history. They cheated a bit, as they named The Fab Five as being one of them, but otherwise the thing I found most notable was that 4 of the 10 were Dookies . . . Art Heyman, Wojo, J.J. Reddick, and at the top of the list, Christian Laettner (who, to this day, says he does not feel safe visiting the state of Kentucky).


Too bad coaches weren't eligible, as I feel Coach K could have gotten some votes. :r

[The Poet]

Some key games today to end the regular season, with big potential NCAA implications. At the half, UK is holding its own at Florida, and may need the win to even get an at-large bid. Meanwhile, tonight in Chapel Hill is THE GAME, as my Heels host Duke. Both teams are safely in already, but UNC can certainly improve its seeding with a victory.

Any others you guys care about?

[The Poet]

Any others you guys care about?


OK, I found one with possible #1-seed implications. #5 Georgetown has a double-digit lead over #17 Syracuse at home, and with Gonzaga's questionable RPI ranking this could give the Hoyas a seat on the top line . . . especially if Carolina takes Dook.

[The Poet]

Hoyas are crushing the Orange, but with 4 minutes left Gators and Cats tied at 57.

[The Poet]

Kentucky may have moved itself off the bubble by edging Florida 61-57 in an ugly, ugly, ugly game. How ugly? Well, only 2 of those 4 points scored BY EITHER TEAM in the last 4 minutes actually mattered. See, they were tied at 57-all, and while both squads kept missing shot after shot after shot after shot, the Cats did manage to hit the back half of a pair of one-plus-ones. Those other two points? After the Gators AGAIN missed, down 2 with 10 seconds left, and UK got the rebound, they were forced to foul the only Wildcat who could actually hit a pair from the stripe. :r

Ugly or not, it still counts. Congratulations to the Wildcats for finally getting a big win.

[jcruse64]

Cats REALLY needed that win. I still think they will need to get past the Quarters to get the bid, but the rep may still get them in.

Spent the weekend watching the OVC Tourney down in Nashville. Got to watch several games at BB Kings, waiting on MSU's games to start. Good food, good music, good games. Was not really expecting MSU to win out, given the way we played our last 4 home games, but they played pretty tough. Saturday's championship game was a hot game, with Belmont winning on a running shot with 1.6s left in OT. Murray blew it with some lapses in D, some horrible turnovers at critical times, and....poor free throw shooting. 5 or 6 points left on the floor in the last 2 minutes of regulation by missing freebies by the Racers, so no excuses for blown calls or any of that. Belmont is a good team with some good players and a very good coach. Murray has a great conference foe with the Bruins. I'm hoping they continue the trend of the last 4 years with an OVC team winning their 1st round Dance Card.

Missou Valley final today saw Creighton win a heck of a finish. Some really great ball being played this weekend and through next week. Love this time of year!!!!

[jcruse64]

Just watched Western KY win the Sun Belt final, and punch their ticket to the Dance in a tough game. Also just read that we have a 20 game loser in the dance from the Big South Conference-Liberty.

Watching Gonzaga play St. Mary's right now-tough knee injury just happened; OUCH!

So, what was the little exchange with Crean all about?????

[dman4505]

Here's a link to the Fox Sports report on the incident:

http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/03/11/13/Crean-apologizes-for-verbal-brush-with-U/landing_um.html?blockID=877253&feedID=3701

[The Poet]

Had I been Crean, I'd have had the opposite attitude, and thanked the guy for giving me the opportunity to become hailed in Bloomington as the savior of the Hoosiers. But that's just me.

[jcruse64]

Yup, that was about as classless as the Sampson period. I like what Crean has done for their program, and hope he really does take what he did to heart.

[E.J.]

Quick congrats to the Utah Utes, who are still alive in the PAC12 tourney! For this once proud program that was virtually gutted by 2 BAD hires by Chris Hill(Ray Giacoletti & Jim Boylen), looks like Chris got it right with Krystkowiak. He has them competing every night and can actually recruit(fairly important part of college basketball, Ray and Jim could take notes)….. The program is moving in the right direction, which is all a fan can ask for….& it has been a while since I could say that.

I assume the Utes will lose today(would have said that yesterday as well though), but coming into the tourney, I said it would be a successful year of they won one tournament game, now they have 2 in the bag. Last nights game was amazingly fun, hope it continues!

[The Poet]

Yeah, I'd expect the Ducks to quack your streak and send the Utes runnin' outta Vegas tonight. Then again, I barely gave them a shot against the Bears, so ya never know.

Me, I'm hopin' my Heels can handle the Semiholes down in Greensboro in tonight's nightcap to open their quest in The Granddaddy conference tourny (60th annual, as if all the newcomers who claim THEIRS is the best give a damn :D ), and don't lay a stinker like they did against Dook last week.

[E.J.]

Yea, wouldn't bet the Runnin' Utes tonight, but with their current confidence, not to mention their beating the Ducks by 10 last Saturday to cost them a share of the PAC12 title....you never know... GO UTES!

[The Poet]

3 minutes left down in Greensboro, and BC/Miami tied at 55. What an upset this would be for the Eagles!

[The Poet]

So BC just choked down the stretch, which means there has been only one "upset" so far today. # 22 Wisconsin beat # 6 Michigan by 9 in the Big Seventy-Eight tourney, and THIS means the Wolverines can kiss goodbye their hopes of snaking a #1-seed from somebody in The Dance.

[DaBear]

This UMd-Dook game is giving me mixed emotions. I can't decide who I want to lose this game more. I think the best solution would be the Dean Dome and Cameron Indoor burning to the ground. :tu

[The Poet]

This UMd-Dook game is giving me mixed emotions. I can't decide who I want to lose this game more. I think the best solution would be the Dean Dome and Cameron Indoor burning to the ground. :tu

I've yet to be in the Smith Center, but I was in Cameron often back in the day . . . said day being four decades past. From what I recall of that old barn, it had ALREADY burned down. :r

Good luck against Miami in . . . well, it's tipping off right about now, and maybe we will "see" you tomorrow, if my Heels can do to the Terps what they did to Dook. ;)

[The Poet]

Midway through the first in Greensboro, Bear, as so far it ain't looking so good for your Pack.

[The Poet]

State making a run at it, and have it down to minus-6 with 12 minutes to play.


Oh, and Hoosiers down 3 to the Badgers at the break . . . which doesn't mean much, yet.

[The Poet]

Miami beats NCSU by 10, and Wisconsin still up 3 over IU with 6 to play . . . which STILL doesn't mean all that much.

[The Poet]

Well, the Badgers did it, beating Indiana 68-56. Said margin was somewhat inflated due to late freethrows after Hoosiers were forced to foul, but they hit 'em, and they counted. Losses for IU and Duke likely will NOT cost them #1-seeds tomorrow, but I do imagine there are a lot of happy Zagnuts on the Left Coast today.

I wonder if they will be happy tomorrow evening also. I am PRETTY sure they won't be happy much longer, regardless. :r

[Stevez]

Congrats to my Cardinals!!! I love them and now have to try and find tickets for either Lexington or hopefully Indy. Go Cards!

[Col. Kurtz]

State gets Indy if they can get past temple. Ouch.

[hotreds]

Join our bracket challenge!

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=61079

[The Poet]

State gets Indy if they can get past temple. Ouch.


Tough draw, Jerry, but I can't risk much sympathy for your 'Pack, considering how my Heels got screwed into an 8-seed against 'Nova, with Kansas (hopefully?) next.

[Col. Kurtz]

Think they were reaching for in interesting story Thomas?

[The Poet]

Think they were reaching for in interesting story Thomas?

Regardless, they may get one. Kansas should have little problem in their first game, so if the Heels get past Villanova they'll pit Ol' Roy against his former team. Though I understand the animosity in Lawrence has cooled a lot (which I never understood, as who could blame Roy for going home to Chapel Hill), it will still give the pundits tons to talk about.

Me, I don't like the prospect of facing the Jayhawks that first weekend. On the other hand, a wise Jayhawk probably is not looking forward to facing the Heels that early either, considering how they've improved in the last month.

[The Poet]

OK, so here's a story I found interesting:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/facebook-fun-duke-fans-more-likely-friends-north-230118793--ncaab.html


My conclusion? If you want to please the greatest number of fans, pull for Carolina to win it all. ;)

[DaBear]

Tough draw, Jerry, but I can't risk much sympathy for your 'Pack, considering how my Heels got screwed into an 8-seed against 'Nova, with Kansas (hopefully?) next.

Actually, I'd call that a good draw. You get a Nova team that can't beat anybody on the road, followed by an super overrated Kansas team. I'd much rather be in that spot than ours, stuck against a hot Temple team coming outta the A-10, who is honestly the fourth best conference this year in my book, and then an Indiana team who's pissed after losing to Wisconsin for a SECOND time this year

[The Poet]

Actually, I'd call that a good draw. You get a Nova team that can't beat anybody on the road, followed by an super overrated Kansas team. I'd much rather be in that spot than ours, stuck against a hot Temple team coming outta the A-10, who is honestly the fourth best conference this year in my book, and then an Indiana team who's pissed after losing to Wisconsin for a SECOND time this year

To me, the "diss" is not so much about the matchups, since you still gotta play who you gotta play and beat who you gotta beat. My problem is Carolina's better RPI and SoS rating than numerous at-large teams seeded ahead of them. I felt a 5-seed was possible, considering how much better they had played, and that a 6-seed was fair.

But hell, it's only bragging rights anyway, right? Anybody who know their college hoops knows that.

And yeah, your 'Pack's gonna hafta play like they were supposed to play all year to survive for long this March. Good luck to you.

[The Poet]

Wow, I missed this news last night. In the first round of the NIT, mighty Robert Morris knocked off Kentucky, sending the Wildcats back to Lexington as what they've been all year . . . road non-warriors who never jelled.

And speaking of never, where did Robert (never enough) go? No offense, brother, but you started this thread, and my assumption is you were moved to do so because UK won last year and was expected to do well this one also. Now, I've no reason to brag on my Heels either, who were in EXACTLY UK's situation following their championship in 2009, but I didn't climb under my blanket and hide either.

Hey, if you show up for the coronation, you should also be there for the funeral.

[jcruse64]

I ain't Robert, but I'm a UK homer who is SEVERELY disappointed in a team that never really found their focus and could/would not find a way to work together. The NIT loss to Robert Morris was just the capper. I know it's not quite fair that they could not play on home floor, but if you are really the better team, you ought to be able to give a better game than that. It took a hard foul just to get them interested for 2 minutes. Lots of homers around here are just mad that the Cats didn't rate an at-large bid, with the reasoning that the defending champs should have a shot at defending that championship. 2 things there; this is NOT the tourney for LAST year, it's the tourney for the 2012-2013 season, and they didn't play like a defending champ this season. 2-would they say the same thing if Duke were inserted into this situation? Doubt it.

We LOVED it the last couple of seasons when Johny C poured the one-and-done Koolaid, and we looked good and then great. One-and-done for your starting roster is ALWAYS going to be a gamble, and this year, Johny C and we the UK Faithful lost that gamble. With what we have coming next season, looks like lightning will strike again for us, but there's always the chance the chemistry is not there and the kids will not want to work for it.

Anyway, some great games so far. Your Heels are looking pretty good, and so was UofL. Wish I could have seen the VCU win today. Hahhhvahd?!?!? Lehigh?!?!?!? March Madness!!!

[DaBear]

I have no damn idea what the hell is going on anymore in this tournament. My bracket is completely and utterly shot after the first damn round. I've been calling uncle since that Harvard game last night, apparently the madness just doesn't care.

[kelmac07]

Mine too Bear. Loved seeing FGCU beat G-Town. And I had Wisconsin in the Final Four...so much for that. :bh :bh

[The Poet]

Joe, you gave your usual honest assessment of UK, and I appreciate it. As I said earlier, the 'Cats were in exactly the same boat as my Heel after their 2009 championship, who also made the finals in 2010 . . . of the NIT, that is. :r

Actually, I am not surprised that UK's one-and-done policy bit them in the butts, though I was somewhat pleasantly surprised they accepted an invite to the NIT . . . perhaps now to their regret. ;)

And yeah, Bear and Mac, I suspect NOBODY has a perfect bracket left this morning. Considering what this year's been like, that's not a shock to me.

Oh, and my Heels looked GREAT last night against Villanova . . . for the first 10 minutes anyway. :D

[DaBear]

Mine too Bear. Loved seeing FGCU beat G-Town. And I had Wisconsin in the Final Four...so much for that. :bh :bh

I had G'town beating UNM for the title. My bracket is in full conflagration mode since it started spontaneously combusting last night

[The Poet]

Hey fellas, the people who think they can predict the brackets are the same ones I'm selling Powerball tickets to today. :r

[jcruse64]

Guys, I didn't even bother with a bracket this time. It would have been blown anyway. Definitely some good games though. Watching Florida GC playing a very good game against SDSU. These kids got game!!! I love these first 4 days. After getting to see 2 rounds last year at the Yum Center, I really would like to go watch some 1st round stuff live again soon. It's good watching it all in your recliner, but getting to see them live, with all the excitement, really is fun.

Very surprised to see UNC go so cold in H2, when it looked like they were going to fry some Jayhawk. Tough loss for your team, Poet. Rooting for dook to flame out tonight!!!

[The Poet]

Joe, my Heels played like crap in the first half, but the Jayhawks played even worse . . . somehow. KU played somewhat better in the 2nd, while Carolina never made it out of the lockerroom. :sh

Hey, if you go back and read my first post on this thread, you'll see I didn't expect a lot from them this season. I got about what I thought I'd get, so I really can't complain. For about anybody else except the Tar Heels, it was a good year. :tu

Certainly better than Kentucky's, right? :r

[jcruse64]

Ouch!!

Well, Miami did not look good at all tonight, though I thought they had a run at one point that would turn the tide. Not to be though.

OSU survives another tight final minute. If the Wildcats had a TO or 2 in the last minute or so, it could have helped. Credit to OSU; I thought they were toast in H1, and went to the other game.

The Hoosiers are not off to a particularly good start.

[shark]

Michigan is looking good so far against Syracuse. I guess Louisville won. GO BLUE!

[BHalbrooks]

I can't even bear to watch it, Ron. I'm following on ESPN though.

[shark]

Michigan Vs Louisville for the championship! Syracuse played a fine game, but that last hoop did it...

[BHalbrooks]

That was awesome. Watched the last 5 minutes or so. I don't follow Basketball, so I had no idea what was really happening haha. Still really pumped we're going to the big game.

[yourchoice]

College basketball seems to be more a combination of boxing, wrestling and basketball.

[BHalbrooks]

It was looking a bit like Football I must admit. Congrats to the Cards. Hail to the Victors, next year :tu

[Stevez]

Congratulations to my Cards for a great game and a magical season. Louisville's Women play for the championship tonight. Wishing them much success too. Go CARDS!

[The Poet]

Congratulations to Louisville indeed. I'm not a fan of theirs, but I'm even less one of the Wolverines. And the best thing is that the Cardinals started this run in Rupp Arena. :r

[BigCat]

That was one hell of a game between two very talented teams, and the better team last night won. I've seen nothing but classy, respectful comments out of both teams since the game ended. I admire that - it doesn't seem to happen very often.

[jcruse64]

It was a very good Final Four, and a REALLY good Final, I thought. Got to watch a lot of it in a really nice cigar lounge in St. Louis, with one of our sales guys. Ricky P the first with a championship at 2 different schools. There was even a Joanna sighting at the Final Four, which hasn't happened since Ashley Judd would sit with her in the 90's.

Waiting for '13-'14 to start, and for the letter on season tickets for my MSU Racers.

[jcruse64]

Isaiah Caanan goes early in Round 2 to the Rockets!!!!! They were saying around here that he would likely be a late 1st round pick, and possible mid-1st round, but I thought that was just wishful, local thinking, which it was. I was happy to see him go early in the 2nd round, as his last game was not in the Big Dance, but in a not-so-great OVC championship game. I was afraid it would push his stock out of the 2nd round, but he got picked. Good luck Isaiah!!

Rumor is that his MSU running mate on the inside, Ed Daniels, will be going there as a practice squad player trying to go full time. Hope he and the Fro get picked up.

[The Poet]

I don't really know this kid, Joe, but good luck to him and his teammates in tryouts. All in all, this was one of the oddest drafts I've seen in a while, with some picks being totally off the wall while other "quality" players (C.J. Leslie from NCSU, for instance) were left out altogether.

Well, what do I know . . . or care, actually. That's the NBA, and I'm a college hoops guy. :D