College Hoops Thread 2011-2012

[kelmac07]

If Roy Williams get UNC playing like they were at the end of the season right out the gate...I don't see anyone touching them.

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

If Roy Williams get UNC playing like they were at the end of the season right out the gate...I don't see anyone touching them.

My first reaction is to say "From your lips to God's ear, Mac." But I'll refrain, and merely say that I don't care if they get touched a bit, as long as they don't get slapped around.

I'm a bit fuzzy from two days without power, but I'll try to get a few more pre-season rankings in, beginning with:


# 7 - Vanderbilt = It's good to see some other SEC team foreseen to give UK a challenge, and it's even better as far as I'm concerned that it is a "quality" program like the Commodores. But I'm not yet convinced their frontcourt talent will be enough to carry them, at least on the road. In Nashville, however, on that funky elevated court of theirs, they will be tough.

# 8 - Florida = Though the Gators are not expected to be as good as their back-to-back team was, keep in mind that THAT team was not supposed to be as good as they turned out either. We know Donovan will have them ready to play . . . even though he didn't get them ready last year, at least early in the season. I don't expect he'll make the same mistake again.

# 9 - Louisville = Despite what Calipari believes, there's more than one team in Kentucky. I'm not much better a Pitino fan than I'm Cal's, but one must admit Rick knows his hoops. He likely won't be as distracted this year by off-the-court (or more precisely, in-court) issues, so I won't be surprised if they can make a little noise in the KFC/Yumi Crum Bucket.

# 10 - Pittsburgh = Every year we seem to hear about how good the Panthers are, and how far they will go. Every year they have a nice season, then fall off the face of the earth when the chips are down. If they want to make their place in Big East history, they'd better do it soon, since they'll be moving to the ACC once they get all their bags packed and tickets punched. Me, I'll believe it when I see it, because I haven't seen it yet.

# 11 - Memphis = It is remarkable what a good job young Josh Pastner has done for the Tigers. Calipari robbed the cupboard bare when he fled to UK, yet Pastner managed to get his team back into the CUSA hunt by the end of last season. This year, they should be able to do what they are used to doing in conference play, and rule the roost.

# 12 - Baylor = Much like Vandy above, the Bears are supposed to have a superior frontcourt, which leads to this relatively high regard. Again, I have to say I want to see it first. It's not easy for a team that has little history of competing at a top level to be able to actually do so on the court night after night, and this is precisely the situation I see here. If I'm wrong, I'll admit it, but they will have to prove me wrong first.


This brings us about halfway through the Top 25, yet there are still some interesting teams to notice . . . including a few big names. I'll get back to those ASAP, but for now the fuzz in my brain has bugun to leak out my ears. Later, brothers.

[jcruse64]

Good reviews!!!!!

As much as I despise the "off-color" shades of blue, I agree with the rankings, and the Heels look to be VERY tough this season. And whether or not Dook has an off year, the Tobacco Road battles are NEVER settled merely on paper.

Looking forward to a good OVS season. Murray State has a new coach; it will be interesting to see how we do. Morehead should still be a VERY tough opponent, as will the Peay.

I'm also looking forward to SEC play, and how UK will stand against the Vols, Gators, Razorbacks, and Commodores. Nice on Vandy for the high, early ranking.


Toss it up, ref!!!!!!!

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by jcruse64

Good reviews!!!!!

As much as I despise the "off-color" shades of blue, I agree with the rankings, and the Heels look to be VERY tough this season. And whether or not Dook has an off year, the Tobacco Road battles are NEVER settled merely on paper.

Looking forward to a good OVS season. Murray State has a new coach; it will be interesting to see how we do. Morehead should still be a VERY tough opponent, as will the Peay.

I'm also looking forward to SEC play, and how UK will stand against the Vols, Gators, Razorbacks, and Commodores. Nice on Vandy for the high, early ranking.


Toss it up, ref!!!!!!!

Though the Tar Heel bandwagon is sizable, I really don't want so many hopping on the tailgate that the front end loses steering. And you're of course right that the Blue Devils won't roll over when they see those North Carolina jerseys on the opposing bench.

As with most mid-majors, the OVC will be both interesting and unpredictable. In these leagues, the addition of one good player on one decent team can change the whole season, for everyone. Good luck to your Racers. I took a quick look at their schedule, and aside from the conference rivals you mention, I see four tough games outside the league: UAB, Dayton, Memphis, and Lipscomb. If MSU can take one or two of them, it will help their post-season odds.

The SEC should be dominated by UK, but they won't go unscathed. You can also throw The Tide into that mix. Lucky for the 'Cats, they only face them once, and that in Rupp.

More rankings to follow.

[jcruse64]

Originally Posted by The Poet

Though the Tar Heel bandwagon is sizable, I really don't want so many hopping on the tailgate that the front end loses steering. And you're of course right that the Blue Devils won't roll over when they see those North Carolina jerseys on the opposing bench.

Don't worry, I'll be out on the road in front, digging potholes for the powder-blue bandwagon to get lost in...


Also looking forward to see what happens in the Big East, and am wondering just how Big it will be in the near future.

Saw on FoxSports.com that the NCAA has been compared to the mafia. The next story noted that it was a bad comparison, as the mafia did not mind getting their hands dirty when needed, which is quite the opposite of the NCAA. I think I can't get more disgusted with the NCAA, and then I see the story on the stipends. The kids ought to have their own "Occupy" movement, lay down the gameball, and organize their own league.

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by jcruse64

Don't worry, I'll be out on the road in front, digging potholes for the powder-blue bandwagon to get lost in...


Also looking forward to see what happens in the Big East, and am wondering just how Big it will be in the near future.

Saw on FoxSports.com that the NCAA has been compared to the mafia. The next story noted that it was a bad comparison, as the mafia did not mind getting their hands dirty when needed, which is quite the opposite of the NCAA. I think I can't get more disgusted with the NCAA, and then I see the story on the stipends. The kids ought to have their own "Occupy" movement, lay down the gameball, and organize their own league.

Do what you need to do, Joe, but remember we have enough tar to patch most holes you'll dig. And if you don't want to call it what it is, Carolina-blue, you could at least call it what inspired it . . . sky-blue. I'll not bore you with the legend unless you ask for it.

Though I have some sympathy for the Big East fans, I have none for the league. They formed themselves by robbing other leagues in order to grab a slice of newly-minted (read ESPN) basketball money, and signed their own DNR papers when they gave short-shrift to football, baseball, track, fencing, tennis, whatever other sports constitute a REAL conference. I think they will survive in some way or another by again robbing other leagues . . . which would bother me less if they did not whine so much about their OWN league being robbed. Live by the sword, etc.

I saw that report about some politician (from Indiana, I believe) calling the NCAA a Mafia, but as it was a politician I did what I normally do . . . I ignored it. I have no interest in what any of them think, and no faith in their ability to hold a valid opinion on any topic. I also am reluctant to get into any long discussion about the pros and cons of the NCAA, and shall limit myself to confessing I am NOT one of those who hate the organization, and admitting I prefer rules to the lawlessness of the Wild Wild Midwest.