College Basketball/March Madness Thread

atribecalledrch · Post #41 » by **atribecalledrch** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 7:45 am

Brownsville's Finest wrote:red storm all day

They look good actually. I might go to some games this season.

knickabocker88 · Post #42 » by **knickabocker88** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 7:49 am

They play some real good defense ... Did you see that Foul by Burruell? Oakley would have been proud. I havent seen a Knick send someone hard like that in years

Polee looks amazing, What an Athlete

St. Marys playing like Dumbtoni's Knicks Chucking 3's

ezmoney707 · Post #43 » by **ezmoney707** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:09 am

Flaming Mo wrote:Spartans once again have a great team this year. They finally added a great athlete inside (Payne) and another stud guard (Appling) for Izzo to work with...

Mo i always see you big up the team. Are you a MSU fan or just an admirer from a far :lol:

Post #44 » by **Flaming Mo** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:49 am

ezmoney707 wrote:
Flaming Mo wrote:Spartans once again have a great team this year. They finally added a great athlete inside (Payne) and another stud guard (Appling) for Izzo to work with...

Mo i always see you big up the team. Are you a MSU fan or just an admirer from a far

A fan from a far.

I love Tom Izzo and his approach to the game, I think they are a team that represents the things that are right about college basketball and I just like the team/program.

Post #45 » by **Flaming Mo** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:54 am

hobojoe2131 wrote:I'm obviously biased, but I really don't see Mich St. or Ohio St. going far this year in the tourney. Sparty didn't scare me last year and didn't add any true impact players if I'm not mistaken, and Ohio St. lost the best player in the big 10, and is relying too much on a freshman to have a big impact. I think Wisconsin is going to be bad this year too which sucks. Hopefully Gasser or Rob Wilson really steps up, because without either of them we have 0 scoring at the 2 or the 3.

Jon Leuer for Big Ten POY

And FWIW, here's how I see the standings (at least at the top)

Mich St.
Ohio St.
Illinois
Wisconsin
Purdue

who cares.

I had Purdue winning the conference before Hummel went down, but I think now it'll be Mich St almost by default. It's a down year for the conference.

As of now nobody can say what happens but the bolded statement doesnt make much sense. So they didnt scare you last year but still reached the Final Four without their best player. This season they actually added 3 impact players. Kalin Lucas is back with the team and is arguably one of the best point guards in the country. Keith Appling might very well be the next big time combo guard for Izzo and was highly recruited. Adreian Payne was a five star recruit and finally gives Sparty an athletic inside presence.

In recent years I would have been with you that the team from a talent standpoint really didnt scare people. Yet we saw what Izzo did with marginal talent and how well he prepares his teams. Now this seasons team is loaded, still has Mr Izzo on the bench and are by far the most experienced team in the country. Gotta like their chances a lot.

hobojoe2131 · Post #46 » by **hobojoe2131** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 5:21 pm

I think Izzo is a great coach and great recruiter, he's one of the few guys I would rather have on the Wisconsin bench than Bo Ryan. I'm just saying last year when they came to Wisconsin not once did I think, "this is a top team in the nation." Their run to the Final Four was a matter of circumstance, and they were gifted good matchups throughout. Once again, I have them winning the Big 10, but I feel that people who see them as the 2nd best team in the country are going to be disappointed.

Post #47 » by **Flaming Mo** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 6:57 pm

hobojoe2131 wrote:I think Izzo is a great coach and great recruiter, he's one of the few guys I would rather have on the Wisconsin bench than Bo Ryan. I'm just saying last year when they came to Wisconsin not once did I think, "this is a top team in the nation." Their run to the Final Four was a matter of circumstance, and they were gifted good matchups throughout. Once again, I have them winning the Big 10, but I feel that people who see them as the 2nd best team in the country are going to be disappointed.

I see what you are saying but one thing you also have to notice about Izzo's team, he always manages to have them peak at the right time. He doesnt care about the ranking or if they lose a game here and there during the season. Of course here the definition of the ranking has to be taken into consideration. I always look at it as showing us who right now has the best chance at a national title. And I would clearly put Sparty in the top two here, especially since they got tremendous upgrades in an area where they usually and that is athletisism. They are also very deep upfront which hasnt been a case recently either. Nix will be a big time contributor later in the year as will Payne. Sherman and Roe are servicable and you can always play Draymond Green at the four. On offense they have a lot of firepower in the backcourt as Summers and Lucious grew a ton last year without Lucas. Now Kalin is back and Appling has the potential to be a star at either guard position.

The teams they struggle with are usually fast and athletic teams with big guards (that's why North Carolina was a horrible matchup for them in the national championship game a couple of years ago). This season most top teams arent really that big or athletic or just not that talented as usual. I'm talking about the big time teams like Kansas, UNC, Kentucky etc.

I just think that MSU has everything that usually helps teams to go deep in the Tourney and win it all in the end. They are experienced, have great size and depth, they are tough and wont back down from anyone, they play great defense and of course they have a great coach. Now they might not have as much talent as some teams but they more than make up for that with their grit, their experience and their toughness which has only grown in recent years with the long tourney runs.

hobojoe2131 · Post #48 » by **hobojoe2131** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:38 pm

Flaming Mo wrote:
hobojoe2131 wrote:I think Izzo is a great coach and great recruiter, he's one of the few guys I would rather have on the Wisconsin bench than Bo Ryan. I'm just saying last year when they came to Wisconsin not once did I think, "this is a top team in the nation." Their run to the Final Four was a matter of circumstance, and they were gifted good matchups throughout. Once again, I have them winning the Big 10, but I feel that people who see them as the 2nd best team in the country are going to be disappointed.

I see what you are saying but one thing you also have to notice about Izzo's team, he always manages to have them peak at the right time. He doesnt care about the ranking or if they lose a game here and there during the season. Of course here the definition of the ranking has to be taken into consideration. I always look at it as showing us who right now has the best chance at a national title. And I would clearly put Sparty in the top two here, especially since they got tremendous upgrades in an area where they usually and that is athletisism. They are also very deep upfront which hasnt been a case recently either. Nix will be a big time contributor later in the year as will Payne. Sherman and Roe are servicable and you can always play Draymond Green at the four. On offense they have a lot of firepower in the backcourt as Summers and Lucious grew a ton last year without Lucas. Now Kalin is back and Appling has the potential to be a star at either guard position.

The teams they struggle with are usually fast and athletic teams with big guards (that's why North Carolina was a horrible matchup for them in the national championship game a couple of years ago). This season most top teams arent really that big or athletic or just not that talented as usual. I'm talking about the big time teams like Kansas, UNC, Kentucky etc.

I just think that MSU has everything that usually helps teams to go deep in the Tourney and win it all in the end. They are experienced, have great size and depth, they are tough and wont back down from anyone, they play great defense and of course they have a great coach. Now they might not have as much talent as some teams but they more than make up for that with their grit, their experience and their toughness which has only grown in recent years with the long tourney runs.

I agree with you on the experience part. Having a senior guard who just happens to be one of the best in the country is a huge asset. I would rather have someone like Lucas than someone like Irving (although I think he's going to be a fantastic player) just because Lucas has experience with the collegiate system and march madness in particular.

MSU just to me doesn't seem to have the talent to put them as a top 2 team in the country. Top 10 definitely, top 5 even, but top 2? I don't think so.

Marty McFly · Post #49 » by **Marty McFly** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:14 pm

anyone see the baylor game? how did perry jones look?

Post #50 » by **Manhattan Project** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:33 pm

REVOLVER wrote:anyone see the baylor game? how did perry jones look?

Didn't see the game but looking at the box score I think he had a great opening game considering the hype around him. 12-11-4 is a very solid stat line. A guy like Jones is going to make or break that Baylor team, they will go as far as he can carry them. When motivated he is a sure fire top ten pick, though he has those red flags surrounding him.

Post #51 » by **Manhattan Project** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:33 pm

Another thing that I'm wondering, why does everyone have Irving over Knight in terms of their rankings?

Buckeye-NBAFan · Post #52 » by **Buckeye-NBAFan** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 1:48 am

hobojoe2131 wrote:I'm obviously biased, but I really don't see Mich St. or Ohio St. going far this year in the tourney. Sparty didn't scare me last year and didn't add any true impact players if I'm not mistaken, and Ohio St. lost the best player in the big 10, and is relying too much on a freshman to have a big impact. I think Wisconsin is going to be bad this year too which sucks. Hopefully Gasser or Rob Wilson really steps up, because without either of them we have 0 scoring at the 2 or the 3.

Michigan State adds an All-American candidate (Lucas missed the 2nd half of their tournament run), the #27 and #34 freshman in the country, and returns most of their team from a Final Four run. You're not biased, you just don't watch college basketball.

The Big Ten is probably the #2 conference in the country, maybe #1 top to bottom if you adjust for the Big East having 4 more teams, and had 3 Final Four contenders before Hummel went down.

hobojoe2131 · Post #53 » by **hobojoe2131** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 2:51 am

Buckeye-NBAFan wrote:
hobojoe2131 wrote:I'm obviously biased, but I really don't see Mich St. or Ohio St. going far this year in the tourney. Sparty didn't scare me last year and didn't add any true impact players if I'm not mistaken, and Ohio St. lost the best player in the big 10, and is relying too much on a freshman to have a big impact. I think Wisconsin is going to be bad this year too which sucks. Hopefully Gasser or Rob Wilson really steps up, because without either of them we have 0 scoring at the 2 or the 3.

Michigan State adds an All-American candidate (Lucas missed the 2nd half of their tournament run), the #27 and #34 freshman in the country, and returns most of their team from a Final Four run. You're not biased, you just don't watch college basketball.

The Big Ten is probably the #2 conference in the country, maybe #1 top to bottom if you adjust for the Big East having 4 more teams, and had 3 Final Four contenders before Hummel went down.

I watch plenty of college ball. I am well aware that they are returning Lucas and most of their starters. However, that is a team that was a 5 seed going into the tourney for a reason. Their semi-improbable run aside, what exactly shows you that they are the 2nd best team in the country?

poeman · Post #54 » by **poeman** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:04 am

BREAKING NEWS

St Johns now has the best recruiting class OF ALL TIME in its history.

Amir Garret picked SJU tonight and that makes 6 top 100 kids going to St Johns.
http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/1022715.html

WOW...This class in time will be best in the nation in the LONG RUN. Kentucky has the best, but they are all one-and-done.

Post #55 » by **Manhattan Project** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:24 am

Another small forward? Jeez. Still hard to argue the talent that Lavin is bringing in.

hobojoe2131 · Post #56 » by **hobojoe2131** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:27 am

What Lavin has done is nothing short of amazing.

Buckeye-NBAFan · Post #57 » by **Buckeye-NBAFan** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:53 am

hobojoe2131 wrote:
Buckeye-NBAFan wrote:
hobojoe2131 wrote:I'm obviously biased, but I really don't see Mich St. or Ohio St. going far this year in the tourney. Sparty didn't scare me last year and didn't add any true impact players if I'm not mistaken, and Ohio St. lost the best player in the big 10, and is relying too much on a freshman to have a big impact. I think Wisconsin is going to be bad this year too which sucks. Hopefully Gasser or Rob Wilson really steps up, because without either of them we have 0 scoring at the 2 or the 3.

Michigan State adds an All-American candidate (Lucas missed the 2nd half of their tournament run), the #27 and #34 freshman in the country, and returns most of their team from a Final Four run. You're not biased, you just don't watch college basketball.

The Big Ten is probably the #2 conference in the country, maybe #1 top to bottom if you adjust for the Big East having 4 more teams, and had 3 Final Four contenders before Hummel went down.

I watch plenty of college ball. I am well aware that they are returning Lucas and most of their starters. However, that is a team that was a 5 seed going into the tourney for a reason. Their semi-improbable run aside, what exactly shows you that they are the 2nd best team in the country?

What has Izzo going to 6 Final Fours in the last 12 years, including a current streak of two in a row, shown me? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Tom Izzo and Kalin Lucas are completely unproven.

When has Michigan State ever been ranked close to the top 5 going into the tournament in the last 9 years? Yet they have 3 Final Fours... you must be confused with college football, because you're too caught up with rankings, as they're meaningless in college basketball. If you can't see that this Michigan State team is primed for another Final Four run just by looking at their talent and head coach, then I'm certainly not going to be able to convince you.

bringinhinkie · Post #58 » by **bringinhinkie** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:36 am

hobojoe2131 wrote:What Lavin has done is nothing short of amazing.

ya i picked a nice time to enroll at stj haha.. the team atm looks like us with isiah.. 6 assists for the TEAM the entire game? st marys is nice but 6 assists?!?!?!?

hobojoe2131 · Post #59 » by **hobojoe2131** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:39 am

Buckeye-NBAFan wrote:What has Izzo going to 6 Final Fours in the last 12 years, including a current streak of two in a row, shown me? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Tom Izzo and Kalin Lucas are completely unproven.

When has Michigan State ever been ranked close to the top 5 going into the tournament in the last 9 years? Yet they have 3 Final Fours... you must be confused with college football, because you're too caught up with rankings, as they're meaningless in college basketball. If you can't see that this Michigan State team is primed for another Final Four run just by looking at their talent and head coach, then I'm certainly not going to be able to convince you.

You can untangle your panties from the bunch they are in. Having them ranked as the no. 2 team in the country means that they should be in the final, and I just don't see them having enough talent to get there. Yes they are a good team with a great coach, but I think they lack the talent that most championship teams need. That is the only point I was making, so you can chill with the holier than thou attitude.

Post #60 » by **Flaming Mo** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 2:16 pm

hobojoe2131 wrote:
Buckeye-NBAFan wrote:What has Izzo going to 6 Final Fours in the last 12 years, including a current streak of two in a row, shown me? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Tom Izzo and Kalin Lucas are completely unproven.

When has Michigan State ever been ranked close to the top 5 going into the tournament in the last 9 years? Yet they have 3 Final Fours... you must be confused with college football, because you're too caught up with rankings, as they're meaningless in college basketball. If you can't see that this Michigan State team is primed for another Final Four run just by looking at their talent and head coach, then I'm certainly not going to be able to convince you.

You can untangle your panties from the bunch they are in. Having them ranked as the no. 2 team in the country means that they should be in the final, and I just don't see them having enough talent to get there. Yes they are a good team with a great coach, but I think they lack the talent that most championship teams need. That is the only point I was making, so you can chill with the holier than thou attitude.

No offense but the last two years clearly prove otherwise. The last two Spartans teams were less talented and had serious injury issues (Roe, Lucas, Morgan). I think you admit that this years team is more talented than last year's team and the one the year before, right? So since they played in the Final in 2008 and were like a minute away last year without Kalin Lucas, so the logical conclusion would be that this years definitely is talented enough to make it to the championship game. If they make it, well, so many things have to be taken into account and we dont call the tourney march MADNESS for nothing. In the end though, you really have to deliver a bit more why they wont win in March but you cant just say they arent talented enough...