February Game Discussion Thread

[MalReyn]

What's the deal with Blake Griffin and his injury? Did anyone see it? I still do not understand how he received a concussion. It was one of the more oddball moments I have seen.....

From the SportsCenter highlights, it was one of the most mild hits I've ever seen causing a concussion. He took a little jump hook from near the right baseline, and the Texas defender brought his elbow down across Blake's head as he was turning around.

In replays, it looked like nothing. But it was right after that he started acting all dazed. Earlier in the game he was running under the basket trying to fight through a defender, and he ran pretty hard hitting his head into the defenders arm. I suspect that may have actually caused it, but haven't seen any replays of that in any highlights, so I haven't had the chance to see it again.

[MalReyn]

Pittsburgh had probably their worst half of the season at Providence just now. Worth keeping an eye on in the 2nd half to see if they can pull it together, or they might have their 2nd one-week stint at #1.

[jman3134]

Does anyone believe that Providence is an NCAA tournament team? They have some quality, underrated wins in the Big East. Victories over Pitt, Syracuse, and twice against Cincy are pretty darn good. I really believe that if they can win their next two games or a game or two in the Big East tournament, they should be the 8th team in for the Big East.

In other news, the Texas A&M game was ridiculous. I made some nice calls today on LSU, A&M, and BYU.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Does anyone believe that Providence is an NCAA tournament team?

It's starting to look that way. Too bad they blew that Marquette game at home a few weeks back though. That along with the Pitt victory would've definitely sealed it.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Marquette falls to UConn and Dominic James is likely out for the year with a broken foot. Double whammy. A.J. Price and Stanley Robinson were huge for the Huskies and Thabeet was his usual dominant self on the boards and blocking shots. And congrats to Calhoun on career win #800.

[MalReyn]

Marquette falls to UConn and Dominic James is likely out for the year with a broken foot. Double whammy. A.J. Price and Stanley Robinson were huge for the Huskies and Thabeet was his usual dominant self on the boards and blocking shots. And congrats to Calhoun on career win #800.

Well sadly James is out for the year, and faces "100 days of rehabilitation" following the surgery according to ESPN. That'll run right up against draft workouts, and make it much tougher for him to get in shape in time. Difficult for a player who's on the borderline of getting drafted.

Thabeet had about the quietest 14/15/5 I've ever seen. It felt like most of his rebounds weren't even contested, offensively he disappeared quite a bit. That being said, it was an incredibly efficient day for him, with only 2 fouls, 1 TO, and 4/4 from the field and 6/7 FT shooting.

Price had a career day, but more important is the play of Stanley Robinson. Anyone who has watched UConn regularly knows this guy has physical gifts on par with a player like Rudy Gay. However, his game disappears when his confidence does. He played outstanding, aggressive ball today, something he will need to do more of with Dyson out if UConn wants to have a title shot.

[jman3134]

On the bright side, maybe this will give him some time to work on his free throws.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Robert Vaden 0-for-17 vs. Memphis. And Washington beats Arizona State in overtime to sweep the season series. Great game. Huskies now in control of the Pac 10.

[2stupid2]

Sweet G Town/ Villanova game - 35 seconds left, GTown up 3

[MalReyn]

Sweet G Town/ Villanova game - 35 seconds left, GTown up 3

Georgetown wins but they're still on the wrong side of the bubble. Even if they win their last two, they are only 17-12, which probably wouldn't do it even with their good wins.

They'll need to win their last two, and minimum of 3 wins in the Big East tournament to have a solid chance (that 20-win plateau and finishing strong would give them a good case).

Good game going on between UConn and Notre Dame right now. UConn definitely misses having the extra shooter in Dyson. Oh and Notre Dame's defense, while still not great, is head and shoulders above where they were earlier this season.

[jman3134]

Am I the only one who feels that that UConn victory was complete bs. You sub in Austrie to shoot FTs for Thabeet? That rule just seems completely unfair to me.

[MalReyn]

Am I the only one who feels that that UConn victory was complete bs. You sub in Austrie to shoot FTs for Thabeet? That rule just seems completely unfair to me.

UConn isn't the first and won't be the last to take advantage of it, and my sense is they would've won anyway (though obviously the game was closer at that time then the final score).

They really should adjust the rule, so if a player comes out for "injury" when they would be shooting foul shots, they can't come back in for 5 minutes of game time (or something along those lines). That being said, I can never fault a team for taking advantage of the rules.

[2stupid2]

Blake Griffon, please come to the Miami Heat

[Polynice4Pippen]

Am I the only one who feels that that UConn victory was complete bs. You sub in Austrie to shoot FTs for Thabeet? That rule just seems completely unfair to me.

Perhaps. But Thabeet was also out of the game on defense for Notre Dame's very next possession. And yet Harangody doesn't even get a touch as McElerny just chucks a 27 footer down 3 with 30 seconds to play. Poor recognition on the part of the Irish there.

[jman3134]

I'm not trying to be overly biased against UConn. I just agree that that is a terrible rule. They may have won anyway though with that terrible shot selection by McAlarney.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Kansas 45, Missouri 19, halftime. Total Jayhawk domination.

[jman3134]

I really could have called that game.