1. Kansas-I think Selby is awesome but have some doubts about the Morris brothers composure. That said I called Kansas and OSU the best teams in the country in January, so no reason to back off now.
2. Notre Dame-They shoot the lights out. Tyler's little brother is a player. Let's see if they can guard Purdue.
3. Purdue-Johnson and Moore are one of the best two man tandems in the country. The suspension of Barlow will definitely hurt but they'll play into the second week.
4. Louisville-Fast paced frenetic style. They'll press you in the last minute of the game, Vandy has good enough guards that the second game will be a fun one to watch.
5. Vanderbilt-Jenkins and Taylor get 19.5 ppg and 15.1 ppg, respectively. They can shoot the lights out as a team.
6. Georgetown-Chris Wright is definitely the key to this team. VCU certainly didn't impress me enough last night to think the Hoyas are 1 and done but I don't see them playing next week. If Wright plays like this guy, then they'll be around for a while.
7. Texas A&M-Lost three out of their last five. They were hot in February but I'm not buying the Aggies in March.
8. UNLV-They've played good teams and lost three times by a total of 14 points to SDSU. No chance against Bill Self, if they get that far.
9. Illinois-Why the heck am I picking them today? 6-10 in their last 16. Big Ten over Mountain West.
10. Florida State-Singleton has been practicing and he is their best player. His return could be key but they probably won't beat Notre Dame with or without him.
11. VCU-I'm gonna give them credit for a solid win last night. Good defense, but an ugly game. They aren't as good as Georgetown.
12. Richmond-27 wins and they are hot, probably played their way into the tourney even if they lost the A10 final.
13. Morehead State-Kenneth Faried 17.6 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 2.4 bpg. Should be the best player on the floor so watch him if you have the chance. First, they'll need to break the Louisville press to get him the ball in the offense.
14. St. Peter's-Four...Fourth place in the MAAC regular season. Four scorers getting 10 ppg.
15. Akron-Unless Lebron takes his talents to Akron, they're in trouble. And he isn't very clutch anyways.
16. Boston University-I repeatedly heard ESPN announce they were "partying on Comm. Ave" last weekend. He was right they were partying, but I doubt it had anything to do with Wild Bill MacDonald's alma mater making the tournament on the shoulders of America East POY John Holland.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Magic/Bucks
The Magic beat the Bucks in OT. Now lets talk about dumb fouls. With under 5 seconds left and up 3, Jameer Nelson fouled Brandon Jennings as he was shooting a three pointer. He made all 3 and the game went to OT. With about 1:45 left in OT and Orlando up 4, Jennings was fouled as he MADE a 3 pointer. Orlando won, but come on! As if Stan Van's cholestrol doesn't bring him close to a heart attack, I'm sure he doesn't need plays like these to bring him even closer.
My Favorite Highlight
So far my favorite highlight is the Jim Calhoun and Donnell Beverly hug at the end of Uconn's 7th Big East Tournament Championship. Beverly is literally hitting his coach on the chest to get his attention, before Calhoun gives him the best bear hug I've seen in a long time. I love how much JC cares. See the 1:40 second mark in the Uconn video in the previous post.
West
1. Duke-Nolan Smith is a top 5 candidate for National POY. If Irving comes back playing at the level he left at they are the favorite to make it out of the West.
2. San Diego State-Yes Kawhi can play, but I am not buying them as a very good team. Watched the first BYU/SDSU matchup and came away thinking, very entertaining lets wait until these "top 10" teams face a physical "top 20" team. Prediction, Roscoe Smith shuts down Kawhi, if Kawhi gets that far.
3. Uconn-Everybody loves another National POY candidate in Kemba but the play of big man Alex Oriakhi and frosh Jeremy Lamb were integral to their Big East Tournament Championship. No reason they can't win it all if they play like they did last week. If they play like they did 3 weeks ago this dance could end abruptly.
4. Texas-Definitely had a lull in late February, and Rick Barnes has never made the Final Four. Love Tristan Thompson's upside and Hamilton has great numbers but I have yet to see his great games. Not a 'Zona fan though so here's to hoping the Horns hook the Dukies.
5. Arizona-I think Williams has the unfortunate ability to disappear/shrink when Arizona truly needs him. Not the deepest team offensively so if DW throws up a 12 point game he won't get another one to redeem himself.
6. Cincinnati-Played average to above average in the Big East. I see them as a big time threat to be upset, and if they do win their first round game Uconn will take care of business on Saturday.
7. Temple-I'm not terribly in love with the A10 but they have won 12 of their last 14. Good PA matchup, but I don't see Temple prevailing.
8. Michigan-I love how tall and lanky Tim Hardaway Jr. is, but he's only going to improve in coming years not the coming hours.
9. Tennessee-I don't like anything about their players, their coach, their university, their sports programs, their female sports programs, or their team colors. I don't think they shoot well enough to truly take advantage of their size. They should win 1 and have a fun game against Duke, a definite must watch on Sunday.
10. Penn State-Played their way into the tourney by winning 3 games in the Big 10 Tourney. Led by Talor Battle's 20.1 ppg I see a 1 and done but if they win the PA battle, no chance against Steve Fisher, Kawhi, and Co.
11. Missouri-I really like, really really like, junior 6'8" Laurence Bowers. Five players average double digits ppg. Denmon and Kemba matched up in a fast-paced battle during the Elite Eight in 2009. Kemba got the W and after a win against the Bearcats tomorrow, I see Kemba getting another W over Marcus Denmon on Saturday.
12. Memphis-Won their way into the tournament but finished 4th in the C-USA regular season. Leading scorer is Will Barton at 12.3 ppg. 1 and done.
13. Oakland-No one I know will tell you the Summit League is any good. They will tell you 6'11" senior Keith Benson can play 18 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.6 bpg. Very popular upset pick but I'm gonna give Rick Barnes some credit, Benson isn't the first 6'11" guy Texas has played this year.
14. Bucknell-Led by a 6'11" player of their own, Mike Muscala is a sophomore who can shoot from 15 feet and goes for 14.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2 bpg. That said, the Bison will be looking for a return ticket to PA by 9:30 tomorrow, but I'm sure we will see Muscala again.
15. Northern Colorado-Devon Beitzel gets 21.4 ppg. The Big Sky isn't any good and Northern Colorado is no contest for SDSU.
16. Hampton-They want to see what Kyrie Irving is able to do in his comeback just as much as I do.
2. San Diego State-Yes Kawhi can play, but I am not buying them as a very good team. Watched the first BYU/SDSU matchup and came away thinking, very entertaining lets wait until these "top 10" teams face a physical "top 20" team. Prediction, Roscoe Smith shuts down Kawhi, if Kawhi gets that far.
3. Uconn-Everybody loves another National POY candidate in Kemba but the play of big man Alex Oriakhi and frosh Jeremy Lamb were integral to their Big East Tournament Championship. No reason they can't win it all if they play like they did last week. If they play like they did 3 weeks ago this dance could end abruptly.
4. Texas-Definitely had a lull in late February, and Rick Barnes has never made the Final Four. Love Tristan Thompson's upside and Hamilton has great numbers but I have yet to see his great games. Not a 'Zona fan though so here's to hoping the Horns hook the Dukies.
5. Arizona-I think Williams has the unfortunate ability to disappear/shrink when Arizona truly needs him. Not the deepest team offensively so if DW throws up a 12 point game he won't get another one to redeem himself.
6. Cincinnati-Played average to above average in the Big East. I see them as a big time threat to be upset, and if they do win their first round game Uconn will take care of business on Saturday.
7. Temple-I'm not terribly in love with the A10 but they have won 12 of their last 14. Good PA matchup, but I don't see Temple prevailing.
8. Michigan-I love how tall and lanky Tim Hardaway Jr. is, but he's only going to improve in coming years not the coming hours.
9. Tennessee-I don't like anything about their players, their coach, their university, their sports programs, their female sports programs, or their team colors. I don't think they shoot well enough to truly take advantage of their size. They should win 1 and have a fun game against Duke, a definite must watch on Sunday.
10. Penn State-Played their way into the tourney by winning 3 games in the Big 10 Tourney. Led by Talor Battle's 20.1 ppg I see a 1 and done but if they win the PA battle, no chance against Steve Fisher, Kawhi, and Co.
11. Missouri-I really like, really really like, junior 6'8" Laurence Bowers. Five players average double digits ppg. Denmon and Kemba matched up in a fast-paced battle during the Elite Eight in 2009. Kemba got the W and after a win against the Bearcats tomorrow, I see Kemba getting another W over Marcus Denmon on Saturday.
12. Memphis-Won their way into the tournament but finished 4th in the C-USA regular season. Leading scorer is Will Barton at 12.3 ppg. 1 and done.
13. Oakland-No one I know will tell you the Summit League is any good. They will tell you 6'11" senior Keith Benson can play 18 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.6 bpg. Very popular upset pick but I'm gonna give Rick Barnes some credit, Benson isn't the first 6'11" guy Texas has played this year.
14. Bucknell-Led by a 6'11" player of their own, Mike Muscala is a sophomore who can shoot from 15 feet and goes for 14.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2 bpg. That said, the Bison will be looking for a return ticket to PA by 9:30 tomorrow, but I'm sure we will see Muscala again.
15. Northern Colorado-Devon Beitzel gets 21.4 ppg. The Big Sky isn't any good and Northern Colorado is no contest for SDSU.
16. Hampton-They want to see what Kyrie Irving is able to do in his comeback just as much as I do.
Screamin Eagles
I hear that at least some portion of the 101st Airborne Division stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky will have the day off tomorrow. NCAA Tournament and St. Patty's Day...They must have great officers down there.
East
Two sentences or less...unless I have a lot to say.
1. Ohio State-Experience=Yes. Inside/Outside Game=Yes. Absolute force in Sullinger=Yes. Final Four=Yes.
2. UNC-Great surge in the 2nd half of the season. Barnes came on strong and the loss of Larry Drew II (transfer) allowed Kendall Marshall to blossom. Could have trouble with Washington.
3. Syracuse-Rick Jackson impressed me and if you read this blog you know I love Triche. Dislike Scoop and see them winning 2 at most.
4. Kentucky-TJ, Knight, Lamb, now I'm just naming people. Tons of talent and I do like them a lot. Probably loses to Ohio State but if somehow Sullinger gets in foul trouble I see a Final Four for Calipari.
5. West Virginia-I could see them losing to Clemson but they had a good year in a tough league. Mitchell and Jones should get them to the weekend.
6. Xavier-Dominate the A 10 and Tu Holloway is going to be fun to watch. If they can contain Rick Jackson I see a trip to the Sweet 16.
7. Washington-So they won the PAC 10 without Overton, how will they gel with him coming back after missing the league tourney? Thomas is a very good guard and did hit the GW shot in the PAC 10 final. Expect a good matchup between them and NC and definitely a chance to make some noise in the second week.
8. George Mason-Ran through the Colonial with minimal difficulty until they lost to VCU in the tourney. I expect 1 and done, unless 'Nova's shooting or lack thereof cooperates.
9. Villanova-Talk about Up and Down. Fisher and Stokes can score with just about anybody but even a win against George Mason won't help them when it comes to checking Sullinger.
10. Georgia-Went 9-7 in a down year for the SEC and then lost to Alabama in the tourney yet they made the dance and Alabama won their first game of the NIT last night. Best player is junior Trey Thompkins 16.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.7 bpg. They'll play one game.
11. Marquette-They've got a lotta pieces and Darius Johnson-Odom can definitely play. Crowder hits the boards pretty well so lets see how the Big East rebounding translates against the A10. An upset is possible but I'm not seeing it.
12. Clemson-A dominant performance last night, especially inside. Seniors Jerai Grant and Demontez Stitt will definitely try to keep this thing going tomorrow.
13. Princeton-Douglas Davis brought them into the tourney with a GW jumper in the last few seconds against Harvard in the Ivy League playoff on Saturday. No match physically for Kentucky.
14. Indiana State-Larry Bird's not walking through that door. I'm rooting for them especially out of my recent love for the Missouri Valley Conference (Missouri State) but their leading scorer, Dwayne Lathan, gets 11 ppg. 1 and done.
15. Long Island University-Four players average double digits in points. Good story in Julian Boyd who has a malformed heart but has been able to return to action this year and even made SC for his missed dunk and the alley-oop that he did convert in the Northeast Conference Tournament.
16. Texas-San Antonio-Really dominated Alabama State tonight, the 70-61 final wasn't indicative of the game. Melvin Johnson III had 29 with 25 in the first half and "swish" written on each of his shoes. No chance against Ohio State.
1. Ohio State-Experience=Yes. Inside/Outside Game=Yes. Absolute force in Sullinger=Yes. Final Four=Yes.
2. UNC-Great surge in the 2nd half of the season. Barnes came on strong and the loss of Larry Drew II (transfer) allowed Kendall Marshall to blossom. Could have trouble with Washington.
3. Syracuse-Rick Jackson impressed me and if you read this blog you know I love Triche. Dislike Scoop and see them winning 2 at most.
4. Kentucky-TJ, Knight, Lamb, now I'm just naming people. Tons of talent and I do like them a lot. Probably loses to Ohio State but if somehow Sullinger gets in foul trouble I see a Final Four for Calipari.
5. West Virginia-I could see them losing to Clemson but they had a good year in a tough league. Mitchell and Jones should get them to the weekend.
6. Xavier-Dominate the A 10 and Tu Holloway is going to be fun to watch. If they can contain Rick Jackson I see a trip to the Sweet 16.
7. Washington-So they won the PAC 10 without Overton, how will they gel with him coming back after missing the league tourney? Thomas is a very good guard and did hit the GW shot in the PAC 10 final. Expect a good matchup between them and NC and definitely a chance to make some noise in the second week.
9. Villanova-Talk about Up and Down. Fisher and Stokes can score with just about anybody but even a win against George Mason won't help them when it comes to checking Sullinger.
10. Georgia-Went 9-7 in a down year for the SEC and then lost to Alabama in the tourney yet they made the dance and Alabama won their first game of the NIT last night. Best player is junior Trey Thompkins 16.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.7 bpg. They'll play one game.
11. Marquette-They've got a lotta pieces and Darius Johnson-Odom can definitely play. Crowder hits the boards pretty well so lets see how the Big East rebounding translates against the A10. An upset is possible but I'm not seeing it.
12. Clemson-A dominant performance last night, especially inside. Seniors Jerai Grant and Demontez Stitt will definitely try to keep this thing going tomorrow.
13. Princeton-Douglas Davis brought them into the tourney with a GW jumper in the last few seconds against Harvard in the Ivy League playoff on Saturday. No match physically for Kentucky.
14. Indiana State-Larry Bird's not walking through that door. I'm rooting for them especially out of my recent love for the Missouri Valley Conference (Missouri State) but their leading scorer, Dwayne Lathan, gets 11 ppg. 1 and done.
15. Long Island University-Four players average double digits in points. Good story in Julian Boyd who has a malformed heart but has been able to return to action this year and even made SC for his missed dunk and the alley-oop that he did convert in the Northeast Conference Tournament.
16. Texas-San Antonio-Really dominated Alabama State tonight, the 70-61 final wasn't indicative of the game. Melvin Johnson III had 29 with 25 in the first half and "swish" written on each of his shoes. No chance against Ohio State.
My Role Is To Take The Ball Deep Take the Top of the Defense
I definitely should've bought that discounted jersey when I was in Hyannis for my birthday.
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=6224277
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=6224277
Scal's Alma Mater
USC is going off as a 4 point favorite.
http://notadimeback.blogspot.com/2011/03/whos-in-whos-out.html
The critical team stats are @ the above link from my very own blog.
USC Nikola Vucevic 17.3 ppg 10.2 rpg.
VCU four players get over 10 ppg. Jamie Skeen 15.3 ppg 7.5 rpg, Bradford Burgess 14 ppg 6.1 rpg.
I will make no bones about this. I don't think VCU deserved a tourney bid and I'm blatantly rooting against them because of this. Even if they did beat Duke in '07. However, I'm also not a big fan of USC making it over Colorado and 'Bama. On that note I bet Rick Neuheisel was also upset about the Buff's not making it into one of his infamous brackets.
USC 72 VCU 57
BoSox
Will give Jon Lester the ball on opening day.
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=6223637
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=6223637
Day 2
Texas-San Antonio vs Alabama State, Dayton Arena @630 truTv.
A ST fourth place regular season, SWAC Tourney Champs.
UTSA tied for 6th regular season, Southland Tourney Champs.
A ST 17-17 (15 D1 wins) RPI 257 SS 329
UTSA 19-13 (16 D1 wins) RPI 194 SS 293
UTSA-Devin Gibson, Melvin Johnson, Jeromie Hill are scoring 17, 14.8, and 13.6 ppg respectively.
Alabama State-Tramayne Moorer is their leading scorer at 12.5 ppg.
UTSA is a 3.5 point favorite.
After coming close with the Clemson score and blowing my Arkansas Little Rock lead I was 1-1 yesterday.
UTSA 75 Alabama St. 65
A ST fourth place regular season, SWAC Tourney Champs.
UTSA tied for 6th regular season, Southland Tourney Champs.
A ST 17-17 (15 D1 wins) RPI 257 SS 329
UTSA 19-13 (16 D1 wins) RPI 194 SS 293
UTSA-Devin Gibson, Melvin Johnson, Jeromie Hill are scoring 17, 14.8, and 13.6 ppg respectively.
Alabama State-Tramayne Moorer is their leading scorer at 12.5 ppg.
UTSA is a 3.5 point favorite.
After coming close with the Clemson score and blowing my Arkansas Little Rock lead I was 1-1 yesterday.
UTSA 75 Alabama St. 65
NBA East
Stating the obvious here, but I really want the Celtics to finish in 1st place in the Conference. After going 6-4 in the last 10 while the Bulls were 9-1, the two teams are tied in the loss column, Boston has 17 games left and Chicago 16. They play each other 1 more time, April 7 in Chicago. Continuing to preach on the obvious I'd really like to play Orlando in the second round (probable 4 seed) and see Miami/Chicago in the the conference finals after they beat each other up a little bit.
NBA
Joe Johnson scored 36, 28 in the second half, in a 110-85 win over the Bucks.
The Knicks lost 119-117 to Indiana. So, lets chill out about their 'Melo trade. They can't cover anybody. Defense wins championships and they don't play it. They don't even coach it.
The Knicks lost 119-117 to Indiana. So, lets chill out about their 'Melo trade. They can't cover anybody. Defense wins championships and they don't play it. They don't even coach it.
Yes
I just gave meaning to over 90% of the games played tonight, spread across 4 tournaments, two of which I don't know what their acronym's stand for.
Recapping The Games
NCAA
UNC-Asheville made a big comeback and beat Arkansas-Little Rock in OT. UNCA will lose to Pitt Thursday.
Clemson trounced UAB 70-52, making me happy because I didn't think UAB deserved a bid.
NIT
Bad news. St. Mary's blew a double digit lead and lost at home in the NIT to Kent State, 71-70. That certainly doesn't help the case I tried to make for them and Mickey McConnell, WCC POY, scored 5 points and missed a GW layup as time expired. And extra note about St. Mary's, coach Randy Bennett must have a great Australian connection as he has two sophomores (soon to be juniors) Matthew Dellavedova (6'4" two guard/swingman in the WCC, I expect all league honors the next two years) and Mitchell Young, both double digit per game scorers from Australia.
Alabama crushed Coastal Carolina 68-44.
BC (who really didn't deserve an NCAA bid) crushed McNeese State 82-64.
Harvard, who probably wanted an at-large but really didn't have a chance certainly didn't improve the reputation (at least athletically) of the Ivy League, with their 71-54 loss to Oklahoma State. Note on OK State, good call by Greg almost 3 weeks ago giving them some credit as a decent team, when they were beating a Baylor team that still had a very good chance to make the NCAA Tournament.
Cole Norris (27 points) once again led Cleveland State to victory, 63-60 over Vermont.
Not to be shown-up by Norris, Charleston beat Dayton 94-84 behind their phenomenal senior PG, Andrew Goudelock's 39 points.
Fairfield represented the MAAC nicely with a 62-60 road win at Colorado State.
NCAA At Large Bids...
A few more games with implications for the last teams in and the last teams out of the Big Dance.
Missouri State beat Murray State, 89-76. Obviously helps their case.
New Mexico beat UTEP, 69-57. Another C-USA team losing. Why did UAB make the tourney again?
In the CIT Tournament...
East Carolina (beat UAB in C-USA Tournament) lost to Jacksonville 71-66.
Northern Iowa, Missouri Valley Conference (same as Missouri State) crushed Rider 84-50.
Ohio beat Marshall, C-USA, 65-64.
Santa Clara, WCC, beat Northern Arizona 68-63.
In the CBI Tournament...
Davidson 85 James Madison (CAA) 65.
Evansville (MVC) 77 Hofstra (CAA) 70.
Creighton 85 (MVC) San Jose St. 74.
MVC Regular Season Champion-Missouri State...NIT
CAA 4th Place Team VCU...NCAA Tournament.
UNC-Asheville made a big comeback and beat Arkansas-Little Rock in OT. UNCA will lose to Pitt Thursday.
Clemson trounced UAB 70-52, making me happy because I didn't think UAB deserved a bid.
NIT
Bad news. St. Mary's blew a double digit lead and lost at home in the NIT to Kent State, 71-70. That certainly doesn't help the case I tried to make for them and Mickey McConnell, WCC POY, scored 5 points and missed a GW layup as time expired. And extra note about St. Mary's, coach Randy Bennett must have a great Australian connection as he has two sophomores (soon to be juniors) Matthew Dellavedova (6'4" two guard/swingman in the WCC, I expect all league honors the next two years) and Mitchell Young, both double digit per game scorers from Australia.
Alabama crushed Coastal Carolina 68-44.
BC (who really didn't deserve an NCAA bid) crushed McNeese State 82-64.
Harvard, who probably wanted an at-large but really didn't have a chance certainly didn't improve the reputation (at least athletically) of the Ivy League, with their 71-54 loss to Oklahoma State. Note on OK State, good call by Greg almost 3 weeks ago giving them some credit as a decent team, when they were beating a Baylor team that still had a very good chance to make the NCAA Tournament.
Cole Norris (27 points) once again led Cleveland State to victory, 63-60 over Vermont.
Not to be shown-up by Norris, Charleston beat Dayton 94-84 behind their phenomenal senior PG, Andrew Goudelock's 39 points.
Fairfield represented the MAAC nicely with a 62-60 road win at Colorado State.
NCAA At Large Bids...
A few more games with implications for the last teams in and the last teams out of the Big Dance.
Missouri State beat Murray State, 89-76. Obviously helps their case.
New Mexico beat UTEP, 69-57. Another C-USA team losing. Why did UAB make the tourney again?
In the CIT Tournament...
East Carolina (beat UAB in C-USA Tournament) lost to Jacksonville 71-66.
Northern Iowa, Missouri Valley Conference (same as Missouri State) crushed Rider 84-50.
Ohio beat Marshall, C-USA, 65-64.
Santa Clara, WCC, beat Northern Arizona 68-63.
In the CBI Tournament...
Davidson 85 James Madison (CAA) 65.
Evansville (MVC) 77 Hofstra (CAA) 70.
Creighton 85 (MVC) San Jose St. 74.
MVC Regular Season Champion-Missouri State...NIT
CAA 4th Place Team VCU...NCAA Tournament.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
UAB
Really proving the NCAA Selection Committee did a great job with that pick. Clemson 39 UAB 27 @ Halftime.
Southeast
Lots of teams out there. Lets give each two sentences or less.
1. Pitt-Tons of experience Gibbs, Wanamaker, McGhee. Good D and fundamentals, toughest test will be in Sweet 16, probably playing 5 games.
2. Florida-Improved all year as team matured, good guards with Walker and Boynton. Could play 4, could play 2, but not seeing a Final Four.
3. BYU-Jimmer. I see a loss to Gonzaga in their 2nd game and if they get past that Pitt's team D is too good to let Jimmer's friends beat them even if he scores 60.
4. Wisconsin-Taylor (27 points 21 in the 2nd half) may have put on the shooting performance of the year, from a player not named Kemba or Jimmer, when they beat Ohio State. Then they scored 33 as a team against Penn State in the Big 10 Tourney, I see a loss my man Jacob Pullen.
5. Kansas State-Fear the Beard. Yes they miss Denis Clemente but I'm sure every team misses a player that was on them last year. If Pullen plays under control he can pick you apart and I see a great matchup when he takes on Pitt in the Round of 16. Watch McGruder (I must like K.St. they got way more than 2 sentences).
6. St. John's-Bad break with big man DJ Kennedy tearing his ACL in the Big East Tournament. Hardy has the ability to go off and he better in order to win even one game, as i see them losing to Gonzaga on Thursday.
7. UCLA-I'm a big fan of the BIG MAN, freshman Josh Smith. They won't survive the first weekend thus allowing Reeves Nelson, 13.9 ppg, more time to get inked up in Cali.
8. Butler-They do have experience from last year's title run, but it's gonna take a mighty performance for Howard, Mack, and Nored to get past first weekend and #1 seed Pitt.
9. ODU-Lots of seniors carrying this team will benefit them against Butler, but I have an anti-CAA bias and hope they're done before I eat my second lunch (I eat a lot) on St. Patty's Day.
10. Michigan State-I think 25% of the posts on this site mentioned how good MSU could become this year, then Korie Lucious was kicked off the team. Then they decided to go on a run in the Big 10 tourney and Kalin Lucas found his jump shot. They could, I say could, beat Florida and if that happens watch out as I already said I think Jimmer will be out of the way. Common sense tells me that Florida will lock them up and send them home.
11. Gonzaga-Obviously I like them. Sacre is a force inside, Gray and Harris are experienced and Marquise Carter was the WCC Newcomer of the Year. They'll beat both the Johnnies and Jimmer then lose to a better Florida team.
12. Utah State-30 wins is a heckuva lotta W's. I don't foresee them getting to 31. Tai Wesley 14.7 ppg, 8 rpg, is their best player.
13. Belmont-Another 30 win team with 6'10" Scott Saunders in the middle. Yes, if Wisconsin scores in the 30's Belmont could advance easily, I see a close game in the low 50's and a 5 point loss.
14. Wofford-Noah Dahlman gets 20 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Unfortunately for Wofford, and fortunately for those of us that like ridiculous scoring outputs, they are playing Jimmer.
15. UCSB-Fourth place in the league before they got hot and won the Big West conference tournament. Orlando Johnson 21.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg and James Nunnally 16.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg should lead the Gauchos in their one and only NCAA Tournament game this year.
16. UNC-Asheville-I think they will count their game against Arkansas-Little Rock tonight as a tournament win. Good for them, because they won't get any more. Matt Dickey 15.3 ppg hit a game tying 3 with 10 seconds left to send their game, against Arkansas-Little Rock, into OT.
1. Pitt-Tons of experience Gibbs, Wanamaker, McGhee. Good D and fundamentals, toughest test will be in Sweet 16, probably playing 5 games.
2. Florida-Improved all year as team matured, good guards with Walker and Boynton. Could play 4, could play 2, but not seeing a Final Four.
3. BYU-Jimmer. I see a loss to Gonzaga in their 2nd game and if they get past that Pitt's team D is too good to let Jimmer's friends beat them even if he scores 60.
4. Wisconsin-Taylor (27 points 21 in the 2nd half) may have put on the shooting performance of the year, from a player not named Kemba or Jimmer, when they beat Ohio State. Then they scored 33 as a team against Penn State in the Big 10 Tourney, I see a loss my man Jacob Pullen.
5. Kansas State-Fear the Beard. Yes they miss Denis Clemente but I'm sure every team misses a player that was on them last year. If Pullen plays under control he can pick you apart and I see a great matchup when he takes on Pitt in the Round of 16. Watch McGruder (I must like K.St. they got way more than 2 sentences).
6. St. John's-Bad break with big man DJ Kennedy tearing his ACL in the Big East Tournament. Hardy has the ability to go off and he better in order to win even one game, as i see them losing to Gonzaga on Thursday.
7. UCLA-I'm a big fan of the BIG MAN, freshman Josh Smith. They won't survive the first weekend thus allowing Reeves Nelson, 13.9 ppg, more time to get inked up in Cali.
9. ODU-Lots of seniors carrying this team will benefit them against Butler, but I have an anti-CAA bias and hope they're done before I eat my second lunch (I eat a lot) on St. Patty's Day.
10. Michigan State-I think 25% of the posts on this site mentioned how good MSU could become this year, then Korie Lucious was kicked off the team. Then they decided to go on a run in the Big 10 tourney and Kalin Lucas found his jump shot. They could, I say could, beat Florida and if that happens watch out as I already said I think Jimmer will be out of the way. Common sense tells me that Florida will lock them up and send them home.
11. Gonzaga-Obviously I like them. Sacre is a force inside, Gray and Harris are experienced and Marquise Carter was the WCC Newcomer of the Year. They'll beat both the Johnnies and Jimmer then lose to a better Florida team.
12. Utah State-30 wins is a heckuva lotta W's. I don't foresee them getting to 31. Tai Wesley 14.7 ppg, 8 rpg, is their best player.
13. Belmont-Another 30 win team with 6'10" Scott Saunders in the middle. Yes, if Wisconsin scores in the 30's Belmont could advance easily, I see a close game in the low 50's and a 5 point loss.
14. Wofford-Noah Dahlman gets 20 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Unfortunately for Wofford, and fortunately for those of us that like ridiculous scoring outputs, they are playing Jimmer.
15. UCSB-Fourth place in the league before they got hot and won the Big West conference tournament. Orlando Johnson 21.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg and James Nunnally 16.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg should lead the Gauchos in their one and only NCAA Tournament game this year.
16. UNC-Asheville-I think they will count their game against Arkansas-Little Rock tonight as a tournament win. Good for them, because they won't get any more. Matt Dickey 15.3 ppg hit a game tying 3 with 10 seconds left to send their game, against Arkansas-Little Rock, into OT.
truTV
Has funny commercials. The NCAA Tourney has to be their own version of the Super Bowl yet the only product they need to hawk is their own network.
Game 1
UNCA 81 ALR 77 OT. Good comeback by UNCA, especially holding a pretty solid advantage after ALR's Solomon Bozeman fouled out. UNCA will play #1 seed Pitt in Washington D.C. Thursday @ 3:10 on truTV. Huge game tying 3 with 10 seconds left in regulation by UNCA's Matt Dickey, 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists.
UAB/Clemson
Live from Dayton Arena @ 9 pm, on truTV.
Clemson comes in as a 4.5 point favorite representing the ACC with a 21-11 record and RPI 56 SS 71.
UAB CUSA regular season champs 22-8 RPI 31 SS 74. I don't think UAB deserved a bid and I expect a grinding win from Clemson representing a stronger league (even if the ACC is down this year) and a better brand of basketball.
Clemson is led by Demontez Stitt 14.7 ppg/4.4 rpg/3.4 apg,and Jerai Grant 12.1 ppg/6.7 rpg.
UAB is led by the trio of Aaron Johnson, Jamarr Sanders, and Cameron Moore.
Sanders 17.7 ppg/4.6 rpg. Moore 14.3 ppg/9.4 rpg. Johnson 12 ppg/2.8 rpg/7.7 apg/1.4 spg.
I'm gonna be bold. ACC over the pretenders. I don't think UAB deserved to make the tournament.
Clemson 74 UAB 61
Clemson comes in as a 4.5 point favorite representing the ACC with a 21-11 record and RPI 56 SS 71.
UAB CUSA regular season champs 22-8 RPI 31 SS 74. I don't think UAB deserved a bid and I expect a grinding win from Clemson representing a stronger league (even if the ACC is down this year) and a better brand of basketball.
Clemson is led by Demontez Stitt 14.7 ppg/4.4 rpg/3.4 apg,and Jerai Grant 12.1 ppg/6.7 rpg.
UAB is led by the trio of Aaron Johnson, Jamarr Sanders, and Cameron Moore.
Sanders 17.7 ppg/4.6 rpg. Moore 14.3 ppg/9.4 rpg. Johnson 12 ppg/2.8 rpg/7.7 apg/1.4 spg.
I'm gonna be bold. ACC over the pretenders. I don't think UAB deserved to make the tournament.
Clemson 74 UAB 61
Who Should Be In
So, lets break this down. Clemson's bid was essentially an ACC bid. So bye bye BC and VT. BC you shouldn't of lost to Clemson 70-47.
VT can only ride their Duke win for so long. Clemson beat VT and had a better RPI and SS with the same record. I could see a case for VT over Clemson but have no problem especially since I think they should have lost to FSU in the ACC Tourney. I wouldn't change the call on the floor. Watch for yourself.
Wichita State really had no chance but I wanted to put their stats up their since I think they were comparable to VCU. However VCU did beat them.
Gonzaga receiving an 11 seed really makes you wonder if they would have made the tournament as an at large team, had St. Mary's won the WCC Tourney.
Colorado, terrible out of league SS but they did beat KST x 3 and Texas. I put them in the tourney, absolutely.
So where am I going with this...
WCC, got no respect. I see that changing when Gonzaga beats a St. Johns team sans DJ Kennedy and then sends Jimmer home. Yes I said sends Jimmer home.
CAA, got some ridiculous amount of undeserved respect and VCU a 4th place team in that league made the tourney. I hope USC beats them by 30 tomorrow night.
UAB gets credit for winning the CUSA regular season title even though their best non conference win was VCU. Come on!
Although I previously posted that Richmond "snuck in" with their A10 Tourney win, I realize that had they lost the final they had already played their way into the tournament.
Gonzaga, like I said, I don't know. Maybe the selection committee looked at the WCC as a 1 bid league regardless of who won their tournament. But, I don't agree with the last four that made it.
I'll make this simple.
VCU a mid-major at best gets replaced by St. Mary's, tied for WCC regular season title, also a mid-major.
UAB gets replaced by Colorado.
Alabama from the SEC takes USC's spot. And hey if you wanna go out on a limb with some mid major love give 25 win Missouri State and their regular season Missouri Valley Conference Title some respect and take them instead of both Alabama and USC.
VT can only ride their Duke win for so long. Clemson beat VT and had a better RPI and SS with the same record. I could see a case for VT over Clemson but have no problem especially since I think they should have lost to FSU in the ACC Tourney. I wouldn't change the call on the floor. Watch for yourself.
Wichita State really had no chance but I wanted to put their stats up their since I think they were comparable to VCU. However VCU did beat them.
Gonzaga receiving an 11 seed really makes you wonder if they would have made the tournament as an at large team, had St. Mary's won the WCC Tourney.
Colorado, terrible out of league SS but they did beat KST x 3 and Texas. I put them in the tourney, absolutely.
So where am I going with this...
WCC, got no respect. I see that changing when Gonzaga beats a St. Johns team sans DJ Kennedy and then sends Jimmer home. Yes I said sends Jimmer home.
CAA, got some ridiculous amount of undeserved respect and VCU a 4th place team in that league made the tourney. I hope USC beats them by 30 tomorrow night.
UAB gets credit for winning the CUSA regular season title even though their best non conference win was VCU. Come on!
Although I previously posted that Richmond "snuck in" with their A10 Tourney win, I realize that had they lost the final they had already played their way into the tournament.
Gonzaga, like I said, I don't know. Maybe the selection committee looked at the WCC as a 1 bid league regardless of who won their tournament. But, I don't agree with the last four that made it.
I'll make this simple.
VCU a mid-major at best gets replaced by St. Mary's, tied for WCC regular season title, also a mid-major.
UAB gets replaced by Colorado.
Alabama from the SEC takes USC's spot. And hey if you wanna go out on a limb with some mid major love give 25 win Missouri State and their regular season Missouri Valley Conference Title some respect and take them instead of both Alabama and USC.
Suspension
Purdue suspended sophomore guard Kelsey Barlow for the NCAA Tournament, conduct detrimental to the team.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/2509/purdue-boilermakers
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/2509/purdue-boilermakers
All Americans
Yes, their are many lists of All Americans and many teams that players will make. Here's one of them, courtesy of the USBWA (US Basketball Writers Association)
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2011/03/kemba-walker-named-usbwa-allam.html
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2011/03/kemba-walker-named-usbwa-allam.html
Corey Fisher Can Score
Are you kidding me?
What do you do after a game where you score 105 points? Do you go to McDonald's?
http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/2010/08/villanovas-corey-fisher-drops-105-points-in-nyc-summer-league-game/
What do you do after a game where you score 105 points? Do you go to McDonald's?
http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/2010/08/villanovas-corey-fisher-drops-105-points-in-nyc-summer-league-game/
Day 1
UNC-Asheville vs Arkansas-Little Rock @ 630, Dayton Arena, truTV.
UNCA is going off as around a 4 point favorite. UNCA is 19-13 and won the Big South Tournament, but finished 3rd in the league in the regular season.
Arkansas-Little Rock is 19-16 and won the Sun Belt Tournament, but finished fifth in their division and eighth overall in the regular season.
Matt Dickey and J.P. Primm lead UNCA with 15 and 14 ppg, respectively.
For ALR, Solomon Bozeman leads the team with 16 ppg, including a game winning three in the final seconds of the Sun Belt championship game and taking home the Sun Belt Player of the Year award.
League RPI. Big South 22, Sun Belt 23.
UNCA RPI 147 SS 198.
ALR RPI 188 SS 209.
I'll take ALR 68-62.
UNCA is going off as around a 4 point favorite. UNCA is 19-13 and won the Big South Tournament, but finished 3rd in the league in the regular season.
Arkansas-Little Rock is 19-16 and won the Sun Belt Tournament, but finished fifth in their division and eighth overall in the regular season.
Matt Dickey and J.P. Primm lead UNCA with 15 and 14 ppg, respectively.
For ALR, Solomon Bozeman leads the team with 16 ppg, including a game winning three in the final seconds of the Sun Belt championship game and taking home the Sun Belt Player of the Year award.
League RPI. Big South 22, Sun Belt 23.
UNCA RPI 147 SS 198.
ALR RPI 188 SS 209.
I'll take ALR 68-62.
Who's In, Who's Out
IN-UAB (Conference USA) Clemson (ACC) USC (PAC 10) VCU (Colonial Athletic Association)
UAB and Clemson match up as 12 seeds @9 PM Tuesday, truTV. USC and VCU will play each other as 11 seeds @9 PM Wednesday, truTV.
Snuck In-Richmond (Won Atlantic 10 Tournament)
Probably Snuck In-Gonzaga (Won West Coast Conference Tournament)
At Large
UAB CUSA 22-8 RPI 31 SS 74. Beat VCU.
Clemson ACC 21-11 RPI 56 SS 71. Beat Seton Hall. League wins, Miami 2 Times, BC 2 Times, FSU, Va. Tech.
USC Pac 10 19-14 RPI 67 SS 41. Beat Texas, Tennessee. League wins, UCLA, Arizona, Washington.
VCU Colonial 23-11 RPI 49 SS 78. League wins, ODU, Hofstra, George Mason.
Automatic Bids
Richmond A10 27-7 RPI 41 SS 141. Beat Purdue, VCU. League wins, Temple (Conference Semifinals).
Gonzaga WCC 24-9 (23 D1 wins) RPI 55 SS 100. Beat Marquette, Baylor, Xavier. League wins, St. Mary's 2 Times, University of San Francisco 2 Times.
OUT
St. Mary's WCC 25-8 (23 D1 wins) RPI 46 SS 99. Beat St. Johns and Mississippi State. Lost to BYU by 1 point. Beat Gonzaga (League Opponent)
Colorado Big 12 21-13 (20 D1 wins) RPI 65 SS 60. Beat Oregon State, Indiana. League wins, beat Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas State 3 TIMES.
Alabama SEC 21-11 RPI 80 SS 130. Beat Pepperdine. League wins, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia 2 Times.
Boston College ACC 20-12 RPI 59 SS 40. Beat Indiana. League wins, Maryland 2 Times, Virginia Tech 2 Times. Lost to Clemson 70-47 in ACC tournament.
Virginia Tech ACC 21-11 RPI 62 SS 82. Beat Penn State, Mississippi State. League wins, Duke, Maryland 2 Times, Florida State 2 Times, Miami.
Missouri State Missouri Valley Conference 25-8 RPI 43 SS 128. Beat Pepperdine. League wins, Wichita State 2 Times, Indiana State.
Wichita State Missouri Valley Conference 24-8 (23 D1 wins) RPI 60 SS 101. League wins, Indiana State 2 Times. Lost to VCU.
League RPI
Big 12...3
ACC...5
SEC...6
Pac 10...7
C USA...8
A 10...9
Colonial...10
Missouri Valley...12
WCC...14
UAB and Clemson match up as 12 seeds @9 PM Tuesday, truTV. USC and VCU will play each other as 11 seeds @9 PM Wednesday, truTV.
Snuck In-Richmond (Won Atlantic 10 Tournament)
Probably Snuck In-Gonzaga (Won West Coast Conference Tournament)
At Large
UAB CUSA 22-8 RPI 31 SS 74. Beat VCU.
Clemson ACC 21-11 RPI 56 SS 71. Beat Seton Hall. League wins, Miami 2 Times, BC 2 Times, FSU, Va. Tech.
USC Pac 10 19-14 RPI 67 SS 41. Beat Texas, Tennessee. League wins, UCLA, Arizona, Washington.
VCU Colonial 23-11 RPI 49 SS 78. League wins, ODU, Hofstra, George Mason.
Automatic Bids
Richmond A10 27-7 RPI 41 SS 141. Beat Purdue, VCU. League wins, Temple (Conference Semifinals).
Gonzaga WCC 24-9 (23 D1 wins) RPI 55 SS 100. Beat Marquette, Baylor, Xavier. League wins, St. Mary's 2 Times, University of San Francisco 2 Times.
OUT
St. Mary's WCC 25-8 (23 D1 wins) RPI 46 SS 99. Beat St. Johns and Mississippi State. Lost to BYU by 1 point. Beat Gonzaga (League Opponent)
Colorado Big 12 21-13 (20 D1 wins) RPI 65 SS 60. Beat Oregon State, Indiana. League wins, beat Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas State 3 TIMES.
Alabama SEC 21-11 RPI 80 SS 130. Beat Pepperdine. League wins, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia 2 Times.
Boston College ACC 20-12 RPI 59 SS 40. Beat Indiana. League wins, Maryland 2 Times, Virginia Tech 2 Times. Lost to Clemson 70-47 in ACC tournament.
Virginia Tech ACC 21-11 RPI 62 SS 82. Beat Penn State, Mississippi State. League wins, Duke, Maryland 2 Times, Florida State 2 Times, Miami.
Missouri State Missouri Valley Conference 25-8 RPI 43 SS 128. Beat Pepperdine. League wins, Wichita State 2 Times, Indiana State.
Wichita State Missouri Valley Conference 24-8 (23 D1 wins) RPI 60 SS 101. League wins, Indiana State 2 Times. Lost to VCU.
League RPI
Big 12...3
ACC...5
SEC...6
Pac 10...7
C USA...8
A 10...9
Colonial...10
Missouri Valley...12
WCC...14
Monday, March 14, 2011
News Dump
I am playing catch up. And it does suck. No opinions just some facts.
Here they are...
Loyola Chicago fired Jim Whitesell. 109-107 four years. 16-15 this year.
Oklahoma fired Jeff Capel. Five seasons 96-69. 14-18 this year.
Texas Tech fired Pat Knight. Three full seasons and half a year in the 2007-2008 season. 50-61 overall. 13-19 this year.
Georgia Tech fired Paul Hewitt. 11 years, 189-160. 13-18 this year.
Here they are...
Loyola Chicago fired Jim Whitesell. 109-107 four years. 16-15 this year.
Oklahoma fired Jeff Capel. Five seasons 96-69. 14-18 this year.
Texas Tech fired Pat Knight. Three full seasons and half a year in the 2007-2008 season. 50-61 overall. 13-19 this year.
Georgia Tech fired Paul Hewitt. 11 years, 189-160. 13-18 this year.
Baseball
A's closer Andrew Bailey injured his elbow and is going to see Dr. James Andrews. For being an amazing doctor, do you think anyone ever wants to see Dr. Andrews? He is probably the last person in the world every one of his patients wants to see.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2011/news/story?id=6217487
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2011/news/story?id=6217487
Ketchup
Not a good weekend to fall behind on the blogging and definitely missed a bit of hoops Sunday. All that said, I do not regret falling behind and UCONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN did win 5 straight days to bring big Jim Calhoun his 7th Big East Tournament Championship!!!Wooo-freakin-hoooo baby. So as I'm currently doing an exhaustive breakdown of the last teams in and last teams out I feel the need to put a few things on here for my ardent followers. Check out these links. One for Kemba. One from the selection committee chairman Gene Smith. And for those of you still trying to figure out the seeding and who deserved a bid I'll put the RPI up there for you. A note on the RPI if you see less wins than you think a team had, the RPI only accounts for Division 1 wins. For example, if you went to Maui (who won that tournament?) your win over Chaminade doesn't count for the RPI.
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/26014/kemba-walker-caps-marathon-with-title-win
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/2011/news/story?id=6214265
http://www.rpiratings.com/mensrpi.html
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/26014/kemba-walker-caps-marathon-with-title-win
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/2011/news/story?id=6214265
http://www.rpiratings.com/mensrpi.html
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