College Basketball 2014-15

[Assembly Hall]

Yeah, that's kinda crazy.


Isn't though? Geez, I think I just jumped back in time to the early 80's.

[Razor Shines]

A UK fan thinks Duke got an easy path? I'm shocked.

[WVRed]

Personally, I think the Cats got hosed. And I still scratch my head about Duke.

Kansas is wildly inconsistent and Kentucky beat them by 32 earlier this season.

Notre Dame and Maryland could be possible tough match ups and I think WVU gets knocked out in the first round against Buffalo.

[WVRed]

A UK fan thinks Duke got an easy path? I'm shocked.

I said that but I have Iowa State coming out of that region. Gonzaga I think will get picked off early, whether its second round or sweet 16. All in all, Kentucky is the only one seed I have advancing

[Assembly Hall]

Kansas is wildly inconsistent and Kentucky beat them by 32 earlier this season.

Notre Dame and Maryland could be possible tough match ups and I think WVU gets knocked out in the first round against Buffalo.

They are by far in the toughest region. BTW, don't look past the Boilers. They got two big guys and if their guards are hitting threes, they are very dangerous.

[Razor Shines]

I said that but I have Iowa State coming out of that region. Gonzaga I think will get picked off early, whether its second round or sweet 16. All in all, Kentucky is the only one seed I have advancing

I do too, I'd rather have to play Kansas than Iowa St.

[Razor Shines]

I really expected to see IU in one of the play in games or not in at all.

[reds1869]

I live upstairs from the Holy Grail. It is going to be crazy down there if UK plays UC.

[WVRed]

They are by far in the toughest region. BTW, don't look past the Boilers. They got two big guys and if their guards are hitting threes, they are very dangerous.

Possibly but do they have the depth and length? Not discounting anybody at this point but this bracket could have been MUCH worse.

[Todd Gack]

This is one of the worst draws I've seen from the selection committee. I'm not even complaining about who got in and who is out. . . . they pitted some of the most storied programs against some teams that could've easily made runs in the tourney. OR they pitted 2 very well-coached/teams that could make runs and have them play each other so they're knocked out.

Just some really awful seeding.

Oh, and Huggins gets another horrible draw. He's never received a good draw in his life as a coach.

[Assembly Hall]

Possibly but do they have the depth and length? Not discounting anybody at this point but this bracket could have been MUCH worse.


They have no depth. But Purdue has a big guy that is tough. If his head is in the game they are dang good. If their guards are draining 3's will be the question. Coming down the stretch, I feel Purdue is the second best team in the B1G.

[WVRed]

They have no depth. But Purdue has a big guy that is tough. If his head is in the game they are dang good. If their guards are draining 3's will be the question. Coming down the stretch, I feel Purdue is the second best team in the B1G.

Over Maryland?

I only ask because Maryland was the two seed in the Big Ten tournament and in Kentuckys bracket as well.

[WVRed]

This is one of the worst draws I've seen from the selection committee. I'm not even complaining about who got in and who is out. . . . they pitted some of the most storied programs against some teams that could've easily made runs in the tourney. OR they pitted 2 very well-coached/teams that could make runs and have them play each other so they're knocked out.

Just some really awful seeding.

Oh, and Huggins gets another horrible draw. He's never received a good draw in his life as a coach.

I've already seen the WVU fans coming out talking smack. This isn't 2010 and this team plays eerily similar to Arkansas, who Kentucky beat by 15 today. That's not even counting on their top player (Staten) being 100%. I don't see them getting past Buffalo, let alone Maryland.

[Razor Shines]

They have no depth. But Purdue has a big guy that is tough. If his head is in the game they are dang good. If their guards are draining 3's will be the question. Coming down the stretch, I feel Purdue is the second best team in the B1G.

I can't get on board with that. Purdue beat up on Indiana because they are about the worst match up for IU but I think Wisconsin, Maryland, Ohio St. and Mich. St. are all better than Purdue.

Ohio St. and Purdue are close for me but in the tournament I would rather have a guard like D. Russell than big men.

[Assembly Hall]

Over Maryland?

I only ask because Maryland was the two seed in the Big Ten tournament and in Kentuckys bracket as well.

The Terps have not impressed me at all.

[Razor Shines]

I'd put Iowa probably over Purdue as well.

[Assembly Hall]

I can't get on board with that. Purdue beat up on Indiana because they are about the worst match up for IU but I think Wisconsin, Maryland, Ohio St. and Mich. St. are all better than Purdue.

Ohio St. and Purdue are close for me but in the tournament I would rather have a guard like D. Russell than big men.

I understand. Purdue creates match-up problems for everyone. It appears to me their problem this year has been focus. Their heads were out of the game yesterday in the 2nd half........but then again it was Whiskey.

[Stray]

Wild guesses at first round upsets...

Eastern Washington over Georgetown
Buffalo over West Virginia
And because I just don't trust Virginia's terrible offense at all I'll swing for the fences and take Belmont.

[Sea Ray]

This is one of the worst draws I've seen from the selection committee. I'm not even complaining about who got in and who is out. . . . they pitted some of the most storied programs against some teams that could've easily made runs in the tourney. OR they pitted 2 very well-coached/teams that could make runs and have them play each other so they're knocked out.

Just some really awful seeding.

Oh, and Huggins gets another horrible draw. He's never received a good draw in his life as a coach.

He got a good draw the yr he went to the Final Four in the early 90s. Most if not all of the teams he played in the tournament in order to get to the Final Four he'd already beaten earlier in the yr. That's a nice draw...

[Mutaman]

Wild guesses at first round upsets...


And because I just don't trust Virginia's terrible offense at all I'll swing for the fences and take Belmont.

If I'm looking for an early upset,
I don't think betting against Tony Bennett is the way to go.

[Todd Gack]

I've already seen the WVU fans coming out talking smack. This isn't 2010 and this team plays eerily similar to Arkansas, who Kentucky beat by 15 today. That's not even counting on their top player (Staten) being 100%. I don't see them getting past Buffalo, let alone Maryland.

Arkansas. Let's start there. That's a team how I wonder received a 5 seed. Their resume is extremely weak for a 5 seed. The entire SEC was weak outside of UK. So how can the committee help out the big boys? Let's put an over-seeded (worst) 5 seed against in the same bracket as UNC so they have an easy walk into the Sweet 16.

[Chip R]

If anyone is interested, we are doing a pool here.

https://yho.com/tourney?g=49007&k=7b3a9039eb1f1c0f

[Stray]

If I'm looking for an early upset,
I don't think betting against Tony Bennett is the way to go.

It's not so much picking against Tony Bennett as it is not trusting a team that averages 65 points per game. And not that I really expect Belmont to win, but if a crazy upset happens I wouldn't be surprised if it's there. There are games where they go long stretches with just a few points.

Very good defense, but if you can't score you let inferior teams hang around.

[RedTeamGo!]

This entire bracket is complete horse crap.

Dayton being the 68th team in and playing in the "first four" is shameful. An obvious money grab by the NCAA.

Someone will have to explain to me how UCLA got in, and I do not understand for the life of me why Kentucky got the most difficult bracket.

[Stray]

and I do not understand for the life of me why Kentucky got the most difficult bracket.


Really? I thought Kentucky's region was fair.

Kansas is not a very good 2 seed and has already been blown out by UK, ND is a pretty good 3 seed (but completely undersized to play UK), Maryland is a meh 4 seed, and WVU isn't a great 5 seed. Wichita State is a strong 7, and then Purdue and UC can't score.

Arizona is the scary 2, Iowa State the scary 3, and the 4s are all about equal imo.

[RedTeamGo!]

Really? I thought Kentucky's region was fair.

Kansas is not a very good 2 seed and has already been blown out by UK, ND is a pretty good 3 seed (but completely undersized to play UK), Maryland is a meh 4 seed, and WVU isn't a great 5 seed. Wichita State is a strong 7, and then Purdue and UC can't score.

Arizona is the scary 2, Iowa State the scary 3, and the 4s are all about equal imo.

I think Duke got the easiest road the final four by far. Georgetown as a 4 seed is a complete joke. I am a Gonzaga fan, but they are the weakest 2, by a large margin.

[Assembly Hall]

This entire bracket is complete horse crap.

Dayton being the 68th team in and playing in the "first four" is shameful. An obvious money grab by the NCAA.

Someone will have to explain to me how UCLA got in, and I do not understand for the life of me why Kentucky got the most difficult bracket.

Yeah that Dayton thing has me still scratching my head. And I think you are dead on as to the reasons why.

UCLA was a shocker. As were some other ones including my Hoosiers.

I am also with you on UK.

And I am still baffled by all 5 Indiana schools being in the same region.

[Stray]

I think Duke got the easiest road the final four by far. Georgetown as a 4 seed is a complete joke. I am a Gonzaga fan, but they are the weakest 2, by a large margin.

I don't think this is your average Gonzaga team, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they lost early.

I actually have Iowa State coming out of that region.

[RedTeamGo!]

I don't think this is your average Gonzaga team, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they lost early.

I actually have Iowa State coming out of that region.

I agree about Gonzaga, but if I were a 1 seed I would rather play Gonzaga over any of the other 3, and it would be an easy choice.

[Razor Shines]

I don't think this is your average Gonzaga team, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they lost early.

I actually have Iowa State coming out of that region.

I think Iowa State is one of the teams I'd least like to play in the entire tournament.

[Boston Red]

I agree about Gonzaga, but if I were a 1 seed I would rather play Gonzaga over any of the other 3, and it would be an easy choice.

Gonzaga is definitely superior to Kansas (who has had as many or more embarrassing early exits as the Zags over the years).

[RedTeamGo!]

Gonzaga is definitely superior to Kansas (who has had as many or more embarrassing early exits as the Zags over the years).

Kansas also was runner up in 2012 and won the national championship in 2008 while having multiple NBA talents every year.

[Boston Red]

Kansas also was runner up in 2012 and won the national championship in 2008 while having multiple NBA talents every year.

Great. This is 2015.

But they DO have a history of bad early round losses. Just like Gonzaga. It's actually happened to Kansas MORE often.

[Revering4Blue]

Great. This is 2015.

But they DO have a history of bad early round losses. Just like Gonzaga. It's actually happened to Kansas MORE often.

That's true. Roy Williams' Kansas teams stubbed their figurative toes often in early NCAA play, too. Without Alexander, I don't see Kansas lasting long in this tourney. New Mexico State is no walk in the part by any means.

As for Gonzaga, IMO, this is a better all around team than the #1 seeded '13 edition.

[Todd Gack]

This entire bracket is complete horse crap.

Dayton being the 68th team in and playing in the "first four" is shameful. An obvious money grab by the NCAA.

Someone will have to explain to me how UCLA got in, and I do not understand for the life of me why Kentucky got the most difficult bracket.

I think the worst mis-seeding was Okie State as an 8 while OSU received a 10. Look at Okie State's resume and let me know if they deserve and 8 especially after losing 6 of their last 7.

[RedTeamGo!]

I think the worst mis-seeding was Okie State as an 8 while OSU received a 10. Look at Okie State's resume and let me know if they deserve and 8 especially after losing 6 of their last 7.

Completely agree. Ok State did not deserve to get in, and honestly, I am not sure if Ohio State did either.

The main saving grace for the committee is the fact this will go down as one of the weakest seasons of college bball in history.

[RedTeamGo!]

Great. This is 2015.

But they DO have a history of bad early round losses. Just like Gonzaga. It's actually happened to Kansas MORE often.

You brought up the past first...I am aware it is 2015. My point is that, while Kansas and Gonzaga both have a history of early exits, Kansas has actually gone the distance.

I am a Gonzaga fan. I do not trust them at all.

[Boston Red]

You brought up the past first

Yes, because KU also has a history of early exits. And they do.

And they're worse than Gonzaga this year.

[bucksfan2]

I think the worst mis-seeding was Okie State as an 8 while OSU received a 10. Look at Okie State's resume and let me know if they deserve and 8 especially after losing 6 of their last 7.

This has probably been my least favorite OSU season since the year they were banned from the tournament. This senior group of players have for the most part been lackluster for all the hype that came along with them. It took Shannon Scott almost 4 years to finally start playing like OSU fans thought he was capable of. I don't want to get into Sam Thompson, Amir Williams, or Sam McDonald. They are what they are, played in a lot of big games, and had decent careers. The only bright spot for this team has been Russell, who has been an absolute joy to watch. That said I was shocked when they drew a 10 seed. I thought they were heading towards a #8 or #9 with the hopes of slipping to a 7 if all broke right. I don't know how accurate KenPom rankings are, but according to those they were a #5 seed. I am not all that upset with them falling to a #10, getting off the 8/9 line is a good things. I just don't get how in their composite rankings, supposed bubble teams like Purdue and IU were rated higher.

UD playing a playin game in Dayton should never happen. I do think they deserved a better seed, but I also think the playin game should never include a home team. You had two other 11 seeds not playing in the playin game, they should have switched UD. Texas getting in is laughable, as is UCLA. I am of the thinking when you are getting to the last few in the tournament it should go to the smaller schools. A team like Murray St has to be nearly perfect with only a few games to cement their resume, a team like Texas has a full conference season worth of time to cement that resume.

[RedTeamGo!]

Dayton is in the play-in game for ticket sales, and ticket sales only. That game will be a sell-out. 29th RPI, 25-8 record, good OOC wins, played VCU down to the wire in the conference ship, etc. Absolutely shameful UD was the last team in to the tourney. A disgrace.

Also - Amir Williams is terrible. The worst big man I have ever watched at a major school. He is soooo soft and lazy. I have no idea why Matta plays him. Oh yeah, it's because Matta cannot make adjustments.

[cumberlandreds]

If anyone is interested, we are doing a pool here.

https://yho.com/tourney?g=49007&k=7b3a9039eb1f1c0f

Thanks I just joined. Easy to pick my team name out.

[Chip R]

Boeheim to retire in 3 years.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12506613/jim-boeheim-retire-3-years-syracuse-orange-daryl-gross-athletic-director

[Boston Red]

The Ospreys were looking good, but things are tight now. Good game.

The Beech kid for UNF is really good.

[dabvu2498]

This is a really nice game.

[cumberlandreds]

I was happy to see Robert Morris win. During the game the announcers mentioned that Lucky Jones of RM had Hirschsprungs disease when he was a baby. I had the same disease when I was a baby and can relate to him. Apparently Jones was given that nickname by his mother because she felt like he was lucky to be alive. Below is an article about him. I'll be rooting for RM in the next round not just because they are playing Duke but for Lucky Jones and the small connection I have with him.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/rmu/2015/03/04/Robert-Morris-star-Jones-doesn-t-consider-himself-Lucky/stories/201503040031

[bucksfan2]

Boeheim to retire in 3 years.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12506613/jim-boeheim-retire-3-years-syracuse-orange-daryl-gross-athletic-director

Couldn't come a day sooner. I will be happy when the old guard leaves basketball and is replaced by the new guys.

[Chip R]

Couldn't come a day sooner. I will be happy when the old guard leaves basketball and is replaced by the new guys.

Anyone want to bet he'll be gone before then?

[cumberlandreds]

I just threw my bracket into the trash. Iowa State loses to UAB. ND barely pulls out a close one against Northeastern.

[Sea Ray]

I just threw my bracket into the trash. Iowa State loses to UAB. ND barely pulls out a close one against Northeastern.

I don't think I've ever lost a Final Four team before 3pm on Thurs. Damn

[Stray]

I had Iowa State losing to Kentucky in the championship game...

[Sea Ray]

I had Iowa State losing to Kentucky in the championship game...

Somebody must have bragged about Iowa St and swayed us Rzers around here...who was it? :eek:

[Ohayou]

I had Iowa State losing to SMU in the next round.

[bucksfan2]

I didn't fill out a bracket this year, probably the first time in 15 years. I would have had Iowa St advancing pretty far, I liked them in this tournament.

[Reds Fanatic]

A rough afternoon for the Big 12. Two 3 seeds go out in the first set of games.

[RedTeamGo!]

You know how everyone was saying the big 12 was the best conference in the country this year? Yeah...about that...

[Tom Servo]

UAB and Georgia State weren't the upsets I expected, but I also didn't have Iowa State and Baylor going far so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Revering4Blue]

You know how everyone was saying the big 12 was the best conference in the country this year? Yeah...about that...

Add Texas to the list. Even though they were the lower-seeded team, they were favored against Butler, who played a good chunk of the game without a key player.

Has Rick Barnes coached his last game at Texas?

[dabvu2498]

Ron Hunter is easily one of my favorite humans. So happy for him.

[15fan]

RJ Hunter: Cold-blooded assassin.

Go Panthers!

[Revering4Blue]

UCLA doesn't belong in the tournament, eh?

[dabvu2498]

So naturally UCLA wins and Colorado St. gets smacked in the first round of the NIT. Of course.

[WVRed]

Is it safe to say the Texas Ten is the new Big East? Beat up on each other during conference play and drop like flies in the early rounds of the big dance.

[Stray]

That Alford shot wasn't going to go in, but it looked like it was gonna go off the side of the rim. I think it was a good call by the ref, but wow that's a brutal way to lose.

[Stray]

UCLA doesn't belong in the tournament, eh?

They didn't deserve to get invited, that doesn't mean they can't win when they're here tho. Anything can and usually does happen in this tournament.

[Razor Shines]

That Alford shot wasn't going to go in, but it looked like it was gonna go off the side of the rim. I think it was a good call by the ref, but wow that's a brutal way to lose.

Totally agree. Not gonna go in but I still think it was goal tending. Dumb play.

[Razor Shines]

Somebody must have bragged about Iowa St and swayed us Rzers around here...who was it? :eek:


I think Iowa State is one of the teams I'd least like to play in the entire tournament.

What?

[Razor Shines]

Duke's path certainly is easier now. However, I could see them getting knocked off in the second round. I think SDSU is the toughest 8 seed in the tournament.

[Revering4Blue]

Duke's path certainly is easier now. However, I could see them getting knocked off in the second round. I think SDSU is the toughest 8 seed in the tournament.

Yeah, SDSU's defense, should the match-up actually take place, should keep SDSU within striking distance throughout the game. However, the Aztecs don't shoot free throws particularly well, which could play a factor. But, if the Blue Devils aren't shooting well that day and the Aztecs are shooting relatively well...

[Boston Red]

Nice to see Xavier spank someone in the first round. The road to Sean Miller opened up, too.

[Kingspoint]

The tickets are so expensive. I'd love to go, but I can't justify spending $120 for general admission plus fees.

[Stray]

This Bearcats/Purdue game is insanity.

[Revering4Blue]

The award for team which displayed the lowest basketball IQ down the stretch is a crowded one tonight. For a minute there, it appeared as though Georgetown would join Baylor, Purdue and LSU as contenders for the crown.

[Assembly Hall]

The award for team which displayed the lowest basketball IQ down the stretch is a crowded one tonight. For a minute there, it appeared as though Georgetown would join Baylor, Purdue and LSU as contenders for the crown.


What a day..........Hopefully today holds some more insanity for us.

[Slyder]

What a day..........Hopefully today holds some more insanity for us.

As long as WVU moves on, I want to see complete chaos... I want to see a 16 beat a 1, I want dogs and cats lieing down together, I want complete anarchy in this tournment!

[Sea Ray]

As long as WVU moves on, I want to see complete chaos... I want to see a 16 beat a 1, I want dogs and cats lieing down together, I want complete anarchy in this tournment!

The way my bracket went yesterday that's about all that's left to cheer for. Bring it on!

[Assembly Hall]

As long as WVU moves on, I want to see complete chaos... I want to see a 16 beat a 1, I want dogs and cats lieing down together, I want complete anarchy in this tournment!


LOL.......that is some funny stuff. I agree with one exception. I want IU to move on!!!!!!!!!!

[Razor Shines]

Purdue played so terrible down the stretch, they didn't deserve overtime. They were lucky Cincy missed so many shots in regulation to allow Purdue to extend their season just a few more minutes.

[Stray]

Just a great day of basketball. In about an hour and a half we get to do it all over again haha.

Proud of the Bearcats, they played hard and never quit. Ellis lost his composure and made a stupid selfish play, but I still felt bad seeing him leave the floor like that. Now they get Kentucky, good luck with that lol.

[Revering4Blue]

As long as WVU moves on, I want to see complete chaos... I want to see a 16 beat a 1, I want dogs and cats lieing down together, I want complete anarchy in this tournment!

Just as Eastern Washington and Stephen F. Austin were yesterday, I see Buffalo as another trendy upset pick that fails to materialize, mainly, because the Mountaineers will likely own the boards. IMO, Wyoming over Northern Iowa, which is likely to be a brick fest, is the much safer 12 over 5 pick.

Also, every year, an anticipated third round or sweet 16 match-up never occurs. This year, the anticipated Wichita State / Kansas and Michigan State / Virginia match-ups appear to be the ones likely to be derailed. As for the first one, IMO, it is just as likely that Kansas falls to New Mexico State as WSU falling to IU. Despite the fact that this may well be Bill Self's best coaching job, this year's Kansas team has done it with mirrors and the loss of Alexander hurts. Georgia topping Michigan State wouldn't surprise me, either, though I'm not betting against a Tom Izzo coached team in an early round. Belmont is no gimme for Virginia, either.

[Assembly Hall]

On a side note.........nobody is happy around here in "Irishville". They want to play a team they can dislike.......Butler aint it in this state.

[bucksfan2]

Just as Eastern Washington and Stephen F. Austin were yesterday, I see Buffalo as another trendy upset pick that fails to materialize, mainly, because the Mountaineers will likely own the boards. IMO, Wyoming over Northern Iowa, which is likely to be a brick fest, is the much safer 12 over 5 pick.

Also, every year, an anticipated third round or sweet 16 match-up never occurs. This year, the anticipated Wichita State / Kansas and Michigan State / Virginia match-ups appear to be the ones likely to be derailed. As for the first one, IMO, it is just as likely that Kansas falls to New Mexico State as WSU falling to IU. Despite the fact that this may well be Bill Self's best coaching job, this year's Kansas team has done it with mirrors and the loss of Alexander hurts. Georgia topping Michigan State wouldn't surprise me, either, though I'm not betting against a Tom Izzo coached team in an early round. Belmont is no gimme for Virginia, either.

I am not a huge fan of Sparty this year. What is different this year than in the past is they don't have any pros on the roster. Dawson may be a guy who spends some time in the NBA, but he isn't a great scorer. They have had a problem letting teams hang around in games which is disastrous in the tournament. They have been a trendy "higher" seed projected to go far, but I don't see them getting by Virginia, and Georgia may be a challenge for them.

[Sea Ray]

Purdue played so terrible down the stretch, they didn't deserve overtime. They were lucky Cincy missed so many shots in regulation to allow Purdue to extend their season just a few more minutes.

Up until the last minute of regulation Purdue made 4 of 5 shots and were playing very well

[Boston Red]

Georgia may be a challenge for them.

I just assume Georgia is atrocious because they're in the SEC. Pretty safe system for rating teams not named Kentucky.

[Revering4Blue]

Up until the last minute of regulation Purdue made 4 of 5 shots and were playing very well

You're got A.J Hammons, whom his teammates seemed to forget was on the court, with Ellis disqualified. It's an inexcusable loss for the Boilers, there's just no getting around it.

[RedTeamGo!]

I just assume Georgia is atrocious because they're in the SEC. Pretty safe system for rating teams not named Kentucky.

Don't tell that to someone people on here. The SEC was solid this year, just look at sagarin.

[Chip R]

Huggins is looking quite Majeriusian these days.

[Boston Red]

Don't tell that to someone people on here. The SEC was solid this year, just look at sagarin.

The SEC is great except when it comes to winning. Is that important?

[Razor Shines]

It's not enough I have to watch IU lose, but I also have to listen to Chris Webber's idiocy?

[KronoRed]

Don't tell that to someone people on here. The SEC was solid this year, just look at sagarin.

The SEC was hot garbage this year.

[RedTeamGo!]

The SEC was hot garbage this year.

I was being sarcastic.

[WVRed]

After today, I'm starting to think a UK-WVU rematch is inevitable.

I don't see Melo Trimble being able to handle the press. Not exactly a desirable matchup for a freshman PG.

UK playing Cincinnati while playing Arkansas earlier this season should be a pretty good test for the Mountaineers. If the matchup happens, UK by 15.

[Boston Red]

Dayton bailed us out of the first "all-chalk" first round day in the history of the expanded Tournament. So good job on that Flyers.

[RedTeamGo!]

Dayton bailed us out of the first "all-chalk" first round day in the history of the expanded Tournament. So good job on that Flyers.

I honestly don't consider that an upset. Dayton was a better team with a better coach.

[Boston Red]

UD was the 11 seed and 3 point dogs. It was an upset. Not a major one, but an upset.

[RedTeamGo!]

UD was the 11 seed and 3 point dogs. It was an upset. Not a major one, but an upset.

Yeah I get that the media and Vegas said it was but I personally disagree.

[Sea Ray]

Dayton bailed us out of the first "all-chalk" first round day in the history of the expanded Tournament. So good job on that Flyers.

Have we never had a first rd day where all higher seeds won? That's interesting

[Assembly Hall]

It's not enough I have to watch IU lose, but I also have to listen to Chris Webber's idiocy?

Did he say stupid things about the IU Pacers? LOL

[jimbo]

It was an upset. Not a major one, but an upset.

Only in the eyes of the odds makers. I think the vast majority of Flyer fans considered Providence the better matchup.

[Stray]

Bearcats need to hope Kentucky gets lost on their way to the arena and has to forfeit lol.

Nah but really, they're playing with house money. It may be a tiny chance but at least it's a chance.

[dabvu2498]

After watching two entire NIT games and parts of a couple others, I'm 100% in favor of taking the shot clock to 30 seconds. Pace of play is better. End of game situations are better. And I think it will put a bit more of a premium on better offensive play and players in the long run.

I'm not sold on the 4' charge circle. Still seeing iffy calls both ways. I'd like to see less contact on drives too, but I think we're close to rewarding guys who are out of control on their drives.

[Revering4Blue]

After watching two entire NIT games and parts of a couple others, I'm 100% in favor of taking the shot clock to 30 seconds. Pace of play is better. End of game situations are better. And I think it will put a bit more of a premium on better offensive play and players in the long run.

I'm not sold on the 4' charge circle. Still seeing iffy calls both ways. I'd like to see less contact on drives too, but I think we're close to rewarding guys who are out of control on their drives.

Agreed.

A 30 second shot clock seems a win-win for everyone. In addition to the points that you presented, a reduction of the shot clock wouldn't preclude defensive-oriented teams, like Virginia, from dominating - After all, an opposing team would have 5 fewer seconds to get a shot off against a suffocating defense - it simply creates more possessions for each team, which, IMO, is a good thing.

The cries of "no, it will be too much like the NBA" from opponents of a reduction of the shot clock are likely from those who don't watch the NBA, and have preconceived notions about the league, such as "they don't play defense," which are disingenuous.

[Boston Red]

Only in the eyes of the odds makers

Well, given that they're the ones who decide who's the favorite and who's the underdog, those are some pretty important eyes for these purposes.

[Razor Shines]

UCLA thought they already made the shot clock rule change and they thought it was only 12 seconds.

[Joseph]

If the University of Cincinnati screws up this season for the greatest program in college basketball I may just join Jake Arrieta and dislike all things Cincinnati.

[Boston Red]

If the University of Cincinnati screws up this season for the greatest program in college basketball I may just join Jake Arrieta and dislike all things Cincinnati.

Barf. Go UC!

[Joseph]

Barf. Go UC!

Oh you just earned yourself a spot on the ignore list!

;)

[Stray]

Great effort by the Bearcats. They're outclassed but not playing scared.

Gonna need a few more Deberry teardrops and a whole buncha 3s in the 2nd half.

[Razor Shines]

I'm just glad IU is out so I can enjoy the games now. This game is fun. I have to say I kinda want to see an undefeated season but it would also be cool if UC knocks them off.

[Joseph]

Ellis is a goon.

[Stray]

Ellis is a goon.

For a little bump after a whistle? Maybe, but UK's players took the bait so idk what that says about them.

[Stray]

UC has played the perfect game. Their physical play got under Kentucky's skin, Kentucky's shooters have had an off game, and they're doing well on the boards.

But then it comes back to not scoring enough. Like it seemingly always does with the Bearcats.

[RedTeamGo!]

If the University of Cincinnati screws up this season for the greatest program in college basketball I may just join Jake Arrieta and dislike all things Cincinnati.

I didn't know UC was playing UCLA today...

[wolfboy]

Ellis is a goon.

:rolleyes: It's been a physical game for both sides.

[Roy Tucker]

If only UC could shoot.

[RedTeamGo!]

If UC had anything resembling an offense this would be really close. I swear UC has had the same team since 1994

[Stray]

Seeing a whole lot of irrational anger from UK fans on Twitter lol. I don't understand why that fanbase would be so angry with a great unbeaten team but whatev.

Of course teams are going to be physical with you. Of course they're going to try to get under your skin, or get you in foul trouble, or do whatever they can to get any edge they can. That's because you're better than everyone so people have to try different ways to get you off your game.

Words like thug, prison, criminals, etc. getting tossed around pretty loosely. Sad.

[Stray]

UC's defense did their job. Held the best team in the country in the low 60s.

Not gonna beat anyone noteworthy with 45 points.

[RedTeamGo!]

Seeing a whole lot of irrational anger from UK fans on Twitter lol. I don't understand why that fanbase would be so angry with a great unbeaten team but whatev.

Of course teams are going to be physical with you. Of course they're going to try to get under your skin, or get you in foul trouble, or do whatever they can to get any edge they can. That's because you're better than everyone so people have to try different ways to get you off your game.

Words like thug, prison, criminals, etc. getting tossed around pretty loosely. Sad.

It's the Kentucky fanbase - not even remotely surprising.

[Stray]

It's the Kentucky fanbase - not even remotely surprising.

Yeah not really surprising, but still sad.

Halfway racism aside, I'd be a lot happier if my team was undefeated and going to the Sweet 16.

[Razor Shines]

I didn't much care for him during the Big 10 season but I think Russell is the play I most enjoy watching right now.

[cumberlandreds]

Ellis is a goon.

Correction, the entire team is.

[Stray]

Correction, the entire team is.

Because they played hard?

[SunDeck]

Stainbrook looks like he belongs in a rec league. His quality on the court couldn't be more out of sync with his appearance.

[Razor Shines]

Stainbrook looks like he belongs in a rec league. His quality on the court couldn't be more out of sync with his appearance.

If I saw him walk in to play for a rec league team I was playing against I would assume we were about to have an easy game.

[Stray]

Wisconsin is gonna have their hands full with Arizona.

[Razor Shines]

Georgia St. doesn't have much to feel bad about. 66% from the field for an entire team is just silly.

[SunDeck]

Wisconsin is gonna have their hands full with Arizona.


I'd like that to read Xavier. Not that I'll think it happens, but I would love to see the assistant beat his former boss.

[reds1869]

Wisconsin is gonna have their hands full with Arizona.

Correction: they are going to have their hands full with Xavier.

[Joseph]

I intentionally used the word goon, not thug or anything else. A goon is a goon. Do NOT project any semblance of racism on me.

[IslandRed]

Agreed.

A 30 second shot clock seems a win-win for everyone. In addition to the points that you presented, a reduction of the shot clock wouldn't preclude defensive-oriented teams, like Virginia, from dominating - After all, an opposing team would have 5 fewer seconds to get a shot off against a suffocating defense - it simply creates more possessions for each team, which, IMO, is a good thing.

The cries of "no, it will be too much like the NBA" from opponents of a reduction of the shot clock are likely from those who don't watch the NBA, and have preconceived notions about the league, such as "they don't play defense," which are disingenuous.

I'm just old enough to remember NCAA games from the mid-1970s on, when Indiana and Kentucky and Louisville were often winning or getting deep into the tournament. Like 1975 -- these were the scores of the four games at the Final Four (with the consolation game):

92-85, 96-88, 95-79, 75-74

... and that was with no shot clock, no 3-point line.

But a decade later, the game had ground to a halt to the point where the shot clock was initially introduced. At some point, the coaches took over and it became about getting a great shot instead of a good shot. Even with 35 seconds on the clock, there's still plenty of time to pass up shooting opportunities to try and get a better shot. I'd like to get back to the days where the players played the game, and the first guy with a good shot took it.

[Tom Servo]

Take that, Villanova, I dislike you for no particular reason.

[Joseph]

I didn't know UC was playing UCLA today...

They weren't, that'd be the second greatest. 60's and 70's were amazing for UCLA, but UK has the most wins all time, and the best winning percentage. Nice try though.

[Stray]

That was the saddest girl to ever play the flute.

[wolfboy]

Correction, the entire team is.

This is why your fan base has such a terrible reputation. Classless.

[paintmered]

If only UC could shoot.

They lost their legs in the second half. Just too much depth on that Kentucky team.

I'm proud of my fellow Bearcats. They didn't back down from the challenge.

[dabvu2498]

Seeing a whole lot of irrational anger from UK fans on Twitter lol. I don't understand why that fanbase would be so angry with a great unbeaten team but whatev.

Of course teams are going to be physical with you. Of course they're going to try to get under your skin, or get you in foul trouble, or do whatever they can to get any edge they can. That's because you're better than everyone so people have to try different ways to get you off your game.

Words like thug, prison, criminals, etc. getting tossed around pretty loosely. Sad.

You'd think they'd have learned their lesson on that stuff from a few years ago when everyone was saying that about Cousins.

[dabvu2498]

Take that, Villanova, I dislike you for no particular reason.

Jay Wright's hair is reason enough.

[paintmered]

Correction, the entire team is.

Keep it classy, Kentucky. :rolleyes:

[WVRed]

Keep it classy, Kentucky. :rolleyes:

Glad to see Huggs Thuggs and Druggs still exists in Clifton, except Huggins is no longer there. :)

Sarcasm aside, I actually am kinda glad we played Cincinnati if WVU advances. Should Kentucky advance, they will have likely played three of the most physical teams in the tournament.

[Revering4Blue]

Two HC job openings in the SEC now with Mississippi State canning Ray today. Was he really expected to turn around that dumpster fire of a program in three seasons?

[WVRed]

Correction, the entire team is.

Ellis was the only one IMO. This is someone who played a role in the Xavier brawl a couple years ago and punched a player to draw an ejection in the first game. I can't imagine going through something like what he went through off the court, but the guy has some serious anger issues and it's been coming out on the court.

On a side note, Sporting News had an article on the last time UK and Cincinnati played a regular season game. UK won 24-11 and Cincinnatis coach played stall ball. This game was instrumental in the shot clock and Kentucky has refused to schedule Cincinnati since.

[dabvu2498]

Two HC job openings in the SEC now with Mississippi State canning Ray today. Was he really expected to turn around that dumpster fire of a program in three seasons?

Who are they going to get that's better than Ray??? Terrible decision.

[dabvu2498]

On a side note, Sporting News had an article on the last time UK and Cincinnati played a regular season game. UK won 24-11 and Cincinnatis coach played stall ball. This game was instrumental in the shot clock and Kentucky has refused to schedule Cincinnati since.

That's actually 100% untrue, given that UK and UC played in 84, 85, 87, and 90.

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Cincinnati.html

[paintmered]

Ellis was the only one IMO. This is someone who played a role in the Xavier brawl a couple years ago and punched a player to draw an ejection in the first game. I can't imagine going through something like what he went through off the court, but the guy has some serious anger issues and it's been coming out on the court.

On a side note, Sporting News had an article on the last time UK and Cincinnati played a regular season game. UK won 24-11 and Cincinnatis coach played stall ball. This game was instrumental in the shot clock and Kentucky has refused to schedule Cincinnati since.

UC fans see him as a liability as he's unable to control his emotions. Opposing teams know this and "needle" him to get a reaction (he got bloodied up twice in the Purdue game prior to his ejection), and the refs have a target on him for the same reasons. He's a decent player, but he's too prone to give up a technical or flagrant for UC to continue to rely on him for more than 20 minutes a game.

That said, he didn't act out today.

[Stray]

Ellis was the only one IMO. This is someone who played a role in the Xavier brawl a couple years ago and punched a player to draw an ejection in the first game. I can't imagine going through something like what he went through off the court, but the guy has some serious anger issues and it's been coming out on the court.

On a side note, Sporting News had an article on the last time UK and Cincinnati played a regular season game. UK won 24-11 and Cincinnatis coach played stall ball. This game was instrumental in the shot clock and Kentucky has refused to schedule Cincinnati since.

He made a stupid play against Purdue and it doesn't matter if it were intentional or not.

He didn't do anything out of the ordinary against UK other than play hard. The minor bump was right after the whistle when the UK player was making a move to score. If anything, he showed restraint when the UK guys responded.

Not sure either is a sign of ongoing serious anger issues, since he didn't appear to be angry either time.

[WVRed]

That's actually 100% untrue, given that UK and UC played in 84, 85, 87, and 90.

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Cincinnati.html

I stand corrected. UK did have a series scheduled but that was the reason it wasn't renewed.

[RedTeamGo!]

They weren't, that'd be the second greatest. 60's and 70's were amazing for UCLA, but UK has the most wins all time, and the best winning percentage. Nice try though.

Who has the most championships?

Kentucky has been playing basketball for 13 more years than UCLA so of course they have more overall wins.

I suppose you think Michigan is the best football program in history too, then?

Nice try though.

[Razor Shines]

What an incredible and ballsy block.

[Kingspoint]

With about the same chances Ohio State had against Arizona today, the Oregon Ducks are going to try to be the 4th Pac-12 Conference team to get into the Sweet-16 tomorrow. The Conference only received four invitations, obviously all deserved, based on their 7-0 showing in the tournament so far.

Oregon should have been rewarded with a higher than #8 seed, given that they finished 2nd in the Conference regular season, ahead of 5th-seeded Utah, and beat Utah in the conference championships to finish 2nd in that, also. An 8-seed isn't too far off from what they deserved, but 2nd in both the regular season and championship tourney to Arizona should have gotten no worse than a #7 seed, and probably a #6 seed. They shouldn't have to be facing a #1 seed in the 2nd game. They could have done them a favor by making them a #10 or #11 seed instead of a #8 seed. Be that as it may, best of luck against Wisconsin.

[SunDeck]

Take that, Villanova, I dislike you for no particular reason.

Because their coach looks like Darrell Issa.
That's all I got.

[Assembly Hall]

Who has the most championships?

Kentucky has been playing basketball for 13 more years than UCLA so of course they have more overall wins.

I suppose you think Michigan is the best football program in history too, then?

Nice try though.

I don't think those 13 years or whatever it was has anything to do with it. UCLA just sucked before Wooden got there which I think was around 1950. Also keep in mind that back in the early days teams didn't play that many games. But I understand what you are saying about the championships and one could definitely feel that way or lean that way. But you take 20 years out of UCLA's history('55-'75) and they are just another good school out there, not a great one. You take 20 years out of UK's history(take your pick) and they still have been great. UCLA aint been the same since Wooden left, UK hasn't missed a beat since Rupp left.

[RedTeamGo!]

http://http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2404707-kentucky-male-cheerleader-clings-onto-octavius-ellis-wont-let-him-get-up?utm_campaign=tsiphone&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com?is_shared=true

Kentucky male cheerleader grabs Octavius Ellis after he falls down and won't let him get up.

Dude should be kicked off the squad immediately.

[Stray]

Yea I remember seeing that in game. Agree he should be kicked off the cheerleading squad. Can't have non players interacting with players like that, it can lead to very bad situations.

Glad Ellis didn't shove or kick the guy off him.

[SunDeck]

Yea I remember seeing that in game. Agree he should be kicked off the cheerleading squad. Can't have non players interacting with players like that, it can lead to very bad situations.

Glad Ellis didn't shove or kick the guy off him.

Had he done so, we know what kind of outrage it would have caused. I understand the kid has a temper, and maybe it would have been better it he'd have not attended a school that has been associated with the word thug, but I think he did a pretty good job of being restrained against KY. You know those guys were trying to get in his head the entire game (as Purdue was doing as well), and then it appears a cheerleader tries to get in on the action, too? And I'm not saying other teams shouldn't; his reputation is known enough.

But here's the thing, let's just say his exposure to college basketball changes his life. Where was he headed as a teenager? The profile of his upbringing is pretty bleak. I know this kid is a hot head, but I'm trying to give a little credit to him for having the discipline to play at this level. It's not like you can transfer everything you do on a playground into a D1 program; he's got some talent and he's using it. I don't know him, or really much about him. But I won't call him a goon because of what I see on the basketball floor.

[Stray]

Virginia has made something like 1 FG over the last 12 mins of this game. Truly awful offensive basketball.

[RedTeamGo!]

Virginia and Villanova continue to be regular season heroes and postseason zeroes.

[dabvu2498]

Izzo may be the best tournament coach of his era.

[Revering4Blue]

Ben Howland emerges as serious candidate at Mississippi State.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/22/ben-howland-emerges-as-serious-candidate-at-mississippi-state/

[Boston Red]

Ben Howland emerges as serious candidate at Mississippi State.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/22/ben-howland-emerges-as-serious-candidate-at-mississippi-state/

I thought Howland was a lock for DePaul. I guess he decided he doesn't want that gig. Can't say I blame him.

[Revering4Blue]

I thought Howland was a lock for DePaul. I guess he decided he doesn't want that gig. Can't say I blame him.

Nah, Tom Crean's a lock for DePaul. All kidding aside, IMO, Marvin Menzies would be a great hire for DePaul. Heck, as Pitino disciples go, IMO, Menzies is light years ahead of Pitino Jr. as a coach and I question why Minnesota didn't hire Menzies ahead of Jr. Just my .02.

As for Howland, Alabama's a much better job than Miss. State. You'd think Howland could do better than the most difficult job in the conference. Then again, who would have thought that Buzz Williams would go to Virginia Tech.

[Revering4Blue]

Crean, Bryce Drew and Kenny Payne among candidates for DePaul job.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/03/17/emma-depaul-job-could-attract-prime-candidates/

[dabvu2498]

Nah, Tom Crean's a lock for DePaul. All kidding aside, IMO, Marvin Menzies would be a great hire for DePaul. Heck, as Pitino disciples go, IMO, Menzies is light years ahead of Pitino Jr. as a coach and I question why Minnesota didn't hire Menzies ahead of Jr. Just my .02.

As for Howland, Alabama's a much better job than Miss. State. You'd think Howland could do better than the most difficult job in the conference. Then again, who would have thought that Buzz Williams would go to Virginia Tech.

Allegedly it's Greg Marshall full court press for Bama. Like $3.5 mil a year full court press. If not, Prohm (a Bama alum) is second pick.

[Assembly Hall]

Izzo may be the best tournament coach of his era.

He is simply amazing in the tournament. That guy can flat out coach.

[Assembly Hall]

Crean, Bryce Drew and Kenny Payne among candidates for DePaul job.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/03/17/emma-depaul-job-could-attract-prime-candidates/

I read that article Rev. It got me to thinking since I seem to get stuck in the 70's and 80's. How good has DePaul been since basketball was invented? Dang, it seemed like they were there all the time "in the day". I actually thought Joey ran the program in the ground after taking over for his father. That aint the case, Joey's record is quite respectable there. However, DePaul aint the power house or former power house that the Chi-town media would like to believe. Tradition? Perhaps, but they really haven't done nothing in the NCAA era.

[Assembly Hall]

Allegedly it's Greg Marshall full court press for Bama. Like $3.5 mil a year full court press. If not, Prohm (a Bama alum) is second pick.


I saw today where they were interested in Smart as well. Rumors, I suppose.

[WVRed]

Looks like Wichita is doing well in the Dream Game. Hopefully they can pull it out.

[Roy Tucker]

Dayton starts out tired and sluggish but a 15-0 run gets them back in the game.

[dabvu2498]

I read that article Rev. It got me to thinking since I seem to get stuck in the 70's and 80's. How good has DePaul been since basketball was invented? Dang, it seemed like they were there all the time "in the day". I actually thought Joey ran the program in the ground after taking over for his father. That aint the case, Joey's record is quite respectable there. However, DePaul aint the power house or former power house that the Chi-town media would like to believe. Tradition? Perhaps, but they really haven't done nothing in the NCAA era.

There were always rumors that they were cheating to beat the band at the end of the Ray/beginning of Joey eras.

[Boston Red]

Allegedly it's Greg Marshall full court press for Bama. Like $3.5 mil a year full court press. If not, Prohm (a Bama alum) is second pick.

Alabama has zero chance at landing Gregg Marshall. Get real Bama.

[Revering4Blue]

Gregg Marshall and WSU = Gonzaga of the plains.

Archie Miller and Dayton = Gonzaga of the Midwest.

There is zero evidence that:

1)Marshall and Miller have taken their respective programs as far as they can take them.

2)Marshall and Miller need to head to "greener pastures" in order to win a National Championship, let alone, be in a position to compete for one on an annual basis.

[Revering4Blue]

I read that article Rev. It got me to thinking since I seem to get stuck in the 70's and 80's. How good has DePaul been since basketball was invented? Dang, it seemed like they were there all the time "in the day". I actually thought Joey ran the program in the ground after taking over for his father. That aint the case, Joey's record is quite respectable there. However, DePaul aint the power house or former power house that the Chi-town media would like to believe. Tradition? Perhaps, but they really haven't done nothing in the NCAA era.

Joey, by all accounts, was basically railroaded by his own administration. The two coaches that followed Joey Meyer, Pat Kennedy and Dave Leitao, had fleeting success, but couldn't sustain it. It's hard to believe that the Blue Demons haven't qualified for the NCAAs since winning a game in the '04 tourney under Leitao. Jerry Wainwright succeeded Leitao and it's been all downhill since.

[Boston Red]

Gregg Marshall and WSU = Gonzaga of the plains.

Archie Miller and Dayton = Gonzaga of the Midwest.


Miller has a long way to go to deserve being in the same conversation as Marshall.

[Revering4Blue]

Miller has a long way to go to deserve being in the same conversation as Marshall.

What Miller did this year with no player taller than 6'6" and with a short bench has gone a long way in narrowing the gap. Should any major job open nationwide, you can bet that Miller will be highly pursued, as will Marshall, obviously. Miller most definitely deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Marshall and Smart.

[dabvu2498]

Alabama has zero chance at landing Gregg Marshall. Get real Bama.

I agree. However, they're still going to throw all their (considerable) resources at him.

[Kingspoint]

I was so glad to see Oregon lose to Wisconsin after watching Joe Young play selfish basketball the entire second half. The guy is completely clueless in understanding how "good" teams win games. One-on-one dribble-til-you-puke basketball doesn't win titles. It's also terrible basketball to watch. Then there's the off-campus stuff that the program under Dana Altman produced and it makes it pretty hard to not root for these guys.

Congratulations to Wisconsin, who though they missed wide-open after wide-open shot all night long, did a great job in getting themselves the wide-open shots through patience, while at the same time, attacking the Offensive boards. They shoot like that again and they're going to lose their next game. But, shoot half-way decently and they get to the Elite-8.

[cumberlandreds]

Ellis was the only one IMO. This is someone who played a role in the Xavier brawl a couple years ago and punched a player to draw an ejection in the first game. I can't imagine going through something like what he went through off the court, but the guy has some serious anger issues and it's been coming out on the court.

On a side note, Sporting News had an article on the last time UK and Cincinnati played a regular season game. UK won 24-11 and Cincinnatis coach played stall ball. This game was instrumental in the shot clock and Kentucky has refused to schedule Cincinnati since.

They did play a few other times after that mainly because they had just entered a contract to play a series. UC was in the UKIT a couple of times in the mid 80's too. They met UK one time in that and didn't in another one I attended. The last time they met in the regular season was in 1990.

[cumberlandreds]

Should be a great sweet sixteen. Only one double digit seed left,UCLA. A couple of 7's,6's and an eight. The west in shaping up for that mega battle Arizona/Wisconsin.

[Stray]

UC was definitely able to bother Kentucky a little in the first half of that game with their physical defense. It was never going to work because UC can't score, but I wonder how WVU's physical style will affect the Wildcats, they're a lot more physical than Cincy is. The WVU defense isn't really all that great once you break their press, but the way they play is so different than everyone else. Looks like they're fouling on every possession tbh.

Since WVU wants to run I think they will prolly lose by 30. But the uglier you make a game the better chance you have to beat a team that's better than you. Ugly pretty much describes the way the Mountaineers play.

[Stray]

Rooting for Duke vs Zags and Wisconsin vs Arizona next weekend. Would be two great games.

[WVRed]

UC was definitely able to bother Kentucky a little in the first half of that game with their physical defense. It was never going to work because UC can't score, but I wonder how WVU's physical style will affect the Wildcats, they're a lot more physical than Cincy is. The WVU defense isn't really all that great once you break their press, but the way they play is so different than everyone else. Looks like they're fouling on every possession tbh.

Since WVU wants to run I think they will prolly lose by 30. But the uglier you make a game the better chance you have to beat a team that's better than you. Ugly pretty much describes the way the Mountaineers play.

I'll post my thoughts later on tonight but theres a lot of factors to consider. This is the time of year I absolutely HATE living in West Virginia.

[Boston Red]

It's only right that Wichita State gets by Notre Dame and has their shot at Kentucky. Kentucky ruined their perfect season last year, so the Shockers should have the opportunity to return the favor. Not liking their chances of winning that game, of course, but I would love to see them get the shot.

[Assembly Hall]

There were always rumors that they were cheating to beat the band at the end of the Ray/beginning of Joey eras.

I don't remember them...but then again I live pretty close to Chicago! LOL That kind of info might have been censored.

[Assembly Hall]

Joey, by all accounts, was basically railroaded by his own administration. The two coaches that followed Joey Meyer, Pat Kennedy and Dave Leitao, had fleeting success, but couldn't sustain it. It's hard to believe that the Blue Demons haven't qualified for the NCAAs since winning a game in the '04 tourney under Leitao. Jerry Wainwright succeeded Leitao and it's been all downhill since.

Isn't Pat Kennedy the one that got Florida St. on the map? That was a great career decision.

[Revering4Blue]

Looks like it's official..

Ben Howland will be the next head coach at Mississippi State, sources told NBCSports.com.

Interesting...


The interesting aspect will be whether Howland can do what he’s done in the south, a region that he’s never coached. He is reportedly expected to hire Korey McCray, an assistant he hired while at UCLA that has strong ties in the south; he used to coach the Atlanta Celtics, a powerhouse AAU program.

The key for Howland will be tapping into the talent-rich recruiting pool in the area, which is likely a major reason he’s bringing McCray aboard. McCray helped the Bruins land (Jordan)Adams and (Tony)Parker.

“There is a lot of talent to recruit in the 2017 class in the Deep South,” said Justin Young, who runs HoopSeen.com, a website dedicated to covering recruiting in the region. “It’s an attractive job with the in-state and regional talent.”



http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/23/ben-howland-to-become-the-next-mississippi-state-head-coach/

[Boston Red]

What Miller did this year with no player taller than 6'6" and with a short bench has gone a long way in narrowing the gap. Should any major job open nationwide, you can bet that Miller will be highly pursued, as will Marshall, obviously. Miller most definitely deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Marshall and Smart.

Man, I just don't see it. Two nice NCAA Tournament runs after earning 11 seeds in back to back years? Pretty impressive. Marshall won six conference championships in nine years at Winthrop. Now he's gone to Wichita State, rebuilt their program into an NIT champion five years ago (not a huge deal but a sign of things to come) followed by a four year run with a combined 122-20 record, a Final Four, at least another Sweet Sixteen, a #1 seed last year and single digit seeds all four years. I'm not sure Archie Miller has won even one conference title, and Marshall has nine of them.

Archie has made a nice start, but I renew my objection to bringing him into the same conversation as Marshall (unless that conversation is "We can't get Marshall, so let's talk about a backup plan like Miller").

[RedTeamGo!]

Man, I just don't see it. Two nice NCAA Tournament runs after earning 11 seeds in back to back years? Pretty impressive. Marshall won six conference championships in nine years at Winthrop. Now he's gone to Wichita State, rebuilt their program into an NIT champion five years ago (not a huge deal but a sign of things to come) followed by a four year run with a combined 122-20 record, a Final Four, at least another Sweet Sixteen, a #1 seed last year and single digit seeds all four years. I'm not sure Archie Miller has won even one conference title, and Marshall has nine of them.

Archie has made a nice start, but I renew my objection to bringing him into the same conversation as Marshall (unless that conversation is "We can't get Marshall, so let's talk about a backup plan like Miller").

Archie is also significantly younger than Marshall and just starting out. Marshall started at Winthrop when he was 35, which is close to the age Archie started at Dayton (Archie is currently 36).

Archie at age 35 led his team to the Elite 8.

Also, the Atlantic 10 is a much more difficult conference to navigate than the Big South. Marshall is a great coach, and I respect he won all those conference titles at Winthrop, but comparing conference titles in the Big South to conference titles in the Atlantic 10 is, to put it lightly, ridiculous.

Archie Miller and Shaka Smart are probably the two best young coaches in the country. The only difference is Archie comes with a pedigree. If/When a big conference school makes a run at Archie they are doing so for not only his notable success at UD, but also for his pedigree and potential.

Honestly, I hope everyone underrates Archie like you are doing right now, but I do not think that that is reality.

[Revering4Blue]

Man, I just don't see it. Two nice NCAA Tournament runs after earning 11 seeds in back to back years? Pretty impressive. Marshall won six conference championships in nine years at Winthrop. Now he's gone to Wichita State, rebuilt their program into an NIT champion five years ago (not a huge deal but a sign of things to come) followed by a four year run with a combined 122-20 record, a Final Four, at least another Sweet Sixteen, a #1 seed last year and single digit seeds all four years. I'm not sure Archie Miller has won even one conference title, and Marshall has nine of them.

Archie has made a nice start, but I renew my objection to bringing him into the same conversation as Marshall (unless that conversation is "We can't get Marshall, so let's talk about a backup plan like Miller").

Eh, if your program is underachieving *cough* Indiana *cough* you'll gladly take either coach. Perhaps, that's clouded my judgement. :bang:

[Boston Red]

Honestly, I hope everyone underrates Archie like you are doing right now, but I do not think that that is reality.

I'm not underestimating Archie so much as saying that he has a LOT of work to do to bridge the gap between himself and Marshall. He has the POTENTIAL to someday be in the same category as Marshall. But Marshall has fulfilled that potential, and Archie still has to go out and prove it.

[bucksfan2]

Archie is also significantly younger than Marshall and just starting out. Marshall started at Winthrop when he was 35, which is close to the age Archie started at Dayton (Archie is currently 36).

Archie at age 35 led his team to the Elite 8.

Also, the Atlantic 10 is a much more difficult conference to navigate than the Big South. Marshall is a great coach, and I respect he won all those conference titles at Winthrop, but comparing conference titles in the Big South to conference titles in the Atlantic 10 is, to put it lightly, ridiculous.

Archie Miller and Shaka Smart are probably the two best young coaches in the country. The only difference is Archie comes with a pedigree. If/When a big conference school makes a run at Archie they are doing so for not only his notable success at UD, but also for his pedigree and potential.

Honestly, I hope everyone underrates Archie like you are doing right now, but I do not think that that is reality.

Your undying love for Archie is cute!!! I do think he is a good coach, if I had a choice I would choose Marshall in a heartbeat over Miller. I don't know if Marshall would leave after this season knowing Van Vleet and Baker would both be back. The time to get out of town is when you now the cupboard is bare.

Be careful about success in one NCAA tournament and how that translates into a bigger program. While the A10 isn't a one bid league, it isn't the old A10, and it still has quite a few dregs. I guy like John Groce did something much more impressive with OU in the tournament than Archie did last season. The same can be said about Andy Enfield with FGCU. Both of whom has had little success at the next level. Although I do think Archie will be going somewhere bigger and better, UD is a unique situation. I don't know if he is ready for the big time just yet, and I don't now enough about recruiting circles to know if he would be successful at a bigger school.

[RedTeamGo!]

Your undying love for Archie is cute!!! I do think he is a good coach, if I had a choice I would choose Marshall in a heartbeat over Miller. I don't know if Marshall would leave after this season knowing Van Vleet and Baker would both be back. The time to get out of town is when you now the cupboard is bare.

Be careful about success in one NCAA tournament and how that translates into a bigger program. While the A10 isn't a one bid league, it isn't the old A10, and it still has quite a few dregs. I guy like John Groce did something much more impressive with OU in the tournament than Archie did last season. The same can be said about Andy Enfield with FGCU. Both of whom has had little success at the next level. Although I do think Archie will be going somewhere bigger and better, UD is a unique situation. I don't know if he is ready for the big time just yet, and I don't now enough about recruiting circles to know if he would be successful at a bigger school.

I'm just hoping OSU doesn't wake up to the fact Matta is an awful coach and go after Archie.

[bucksfan2]

I'm just hoping OSU doesn't wake up to the fact Matta is an awful coach and go after Archie.

I hope OSU sticks with Thad and doesn't go after Archie as well.

[Stray]

If all is right in the world, Kentucky will be playing Duke with 40-0 and a national championship on the line. That would be a championship game worthy of their historic run.

Would also get insane ratings I'm sure.

[WVRed]

If all is right in the world, Kentucky will be playing Duke with 40-0 and a national championship on the line. That would be a championship game worthy of their historic run.

Would also get insane ratings I'm sure.

I'm more worried about getting past West Virginia. One game at a time.

That said, Duke this year is almost the microcosm of past Kentucky teams. Freshman led.

[SunDeck]

I'm just hoping OSU doesn't wake up to the fact Matta is an awful coach and go after Archie.

I've never really thought that, but I don't follow him much since he moved to OSU. His overall record is .726, which is in the same territory of some pretty accomplished coaches, better than Izzo's even. And his Big Ten record doesn't jump out at me as really mediocre. So, what is it with Matta? And I ask out of curiosity, not in defense of him.

[Assembly Hall]

I hope OSU sticks with Thad and doesn't go after Archie as well.

Is Thad on the "hot seat" in Columbus?

[Boston Red]

I hope OSU sticks with Thad and doesn't go after Archie as well.

Win/win

[bucksfan2]

Is Thad on the "hot seat" in Columbus?

No or at least not that I know of. To me Thad is coach who doesn't get the respect he deserves. He wins, recruits well, has taken OSU from the O'Brien tenure into a top tier B1G team. His biggest fault has been that he whiffed on the recruiting class that just graduated. The 5 guys (Ross left after his Jr year) never really developed into the players they were projected to. Other than that he has gotten criticism about being a poor bench coach. which at times I think is right and at times overblown. He isn't a guy who makes snap in game decisions, he often lets his assistants draw up plays, but for the most part he has been very successful at OSU.

[Assembly Hall]

No or at least not that I know of. To me Thad is coach who doesn't get the respect he deserves. He wins, recruits well, has taken OSU from the O'Brien tenure into a top tier B1G team. His biggest fault has been that he whiffed on the recruiting class that just graduated. The 5 guys (Ross left after his Jr year) never really developed into the players they were projected to. Other than that he has gotten criticism about being a poor bench coach. which at times I think is right and at times overblown. He isn't a guy who makes snap in game decisions, he often lets his assistants draw up plays, but for the most part he has been very successful at OSU.

Interesting points.

A buddy and me were talking about Matta the other day. Basically he took over a Butler program that was semi-successful and took them to the next level. He then took over a Xavier program that was successful, but took them to the next level. He then ends up at tOSU. A program that in my lifetime has been all over the spectrum as far as success. Thad has made them a perennial force. I, IMHO, think he is a great coach.

[bucksfan2]

Interesting points.

A buddy and me were talking about Matta the other day. Basically he took over a Butler program that was semi-successful and took them to the next level. He then took over a Xavier program that was successful, but took them to the next level. He then ends up at tOSU. A program that in my lifetime has been all over the spectrum as far as success. Thad has made them a perennial force. I, IMHO, think he is a great coach.

I have come around on this quite a bit recently. Truth be told it started with John Calipari and expanded from there. The idea of a great game coach is kind of lost on me anymore. I don't think Cal is a great X's and O's coach and also think that he relies on a talent differential. But here is where I have come around, Cal is responsible for that talent differential. Part of building a great program is getting the right types of players into the school. Should it be held against a guy that he is a great recruiter and wins because he has more talent? What top notch coach does it with less talent? There are players who I think Thad did a somewhat poor job in developing, but think a lot of that can be placed on the player. I think at times he places too much of an emphasis on defense when scoring is an issue.

I was OSU during the O'Brien era, just after his Final 4 run. On my school visit I remember seeing Scoony Penn in the hall. I never went to a single OSU basketball game, my roommates and I would make more of an effort to catch the UC games than the OSU games. I don't want to go back to a time when it was Ken Johnson as your best player and that was it. I hear former players and think "who" or "huh." Could OSU do better than Thad, probably but only marginally. Am I happy with Thad, absolutely.

[Hoosier Red]

I have come around on this quite a bit recently. Truth be told it started with John Calipari and expanded from there. The idea of a great game coach is kind of lost on me anymore. I don't think Cal is a great X's and O's coach and also think that he relies on a talent differential. But here is where I have come around, Cal is responsible for that talent differential. Part of building a great program is getting the right types of players into the school. Should it be held against a guy that he is a great recruiter and wins because he has more talent? What top notch coach does it with less talent? There are players who I think Thad did a somewhat poor job in developing, but think a lot of that can be placed on the player. I think at times he places too much of an emphasis on defense when scoring is an issue.

I was OSU during the O'Brien era, just after his Final 4 run. On my school visit I remember seeing Scoony Penn in the hall. I never went to a single OSU basketball game, my roommates and I would make more of an effort to catch the UC games than the OSU games. I don't want to go back to a time when it was Ken Johnson as your best player and that was it. I hear former players and think "who" or "huh." Could OSU do better than Thad, probably but only marginally. Am I happy with Thad, absolutely.

I agree 100% with this. I've started saying Cal recruits offense, and then coaches defense and rebounding. The players he's recruiting are so talented offensively that if he gets them to put effort into the defense and rebounding, they'll simply overwhelm opponents eventually.

[Revering4Blue]

The Cal is suspect from the Xs and Os standpoint argument will continue to fall on deaf ears to me. His '92 UMass team, which gave Kentucky all they could handle in a sweet 16 matchup, illustrates this. At the time, Cal resembled a young Bob Knight out there, coaching a non-star-studded team of players that collectively meshed well together, by making sound adjustments the entire time. Cal only had one Mickey D's all-american at UMass and it wasn't Marcus Camby, it was Donta Bright. Remember him?

Sure, Cal has talent now, and had talent at Memphis - though, not to the extent that he has now - But Kentucky isn't UMass. It doesn't matter, you still need to coach the guys - see: Wooden, John. I used to hear the same "can't game coach" about Tark and Guy Lewis at Houston. You don't win as many games as Cal has by simply rolling out the balls in practice and relying on talent alone to win games for you.

[RedTeamGo!]

I hope OSU sticks with Thad and doesn't go after Archie as well.

I guess you like a complete lack of player development once they are at OSU and poor in-game coaching.

Somehow Amir Williams and Marc Loving (A McDonalds All American) have gotten worse after playing at OSU.

Have fun with that!

[Revering4Blue]

Speaking of Archie Miller, his former coach at NC State, Herb Sendek, has just been fired from Arizona State, which, IMO, should be a destination job, but hasn't become one.

[Boston Red]

Romain Sato from Dayton Christian certainly developed into a fine player under one Mr. Matta.

[bucksfan2]

I guess you like a complete lack of player development once they are at OSU and poor in-game coaching.

Somehow Amir Williams and Marc Loving (A McDonalds All American) have gotten worse after playing at OSU.

Have fun with that!

Amir Williams was bad, never developed, but I could bring up a number of big men who had high ceilings but never developed. Heck here at UC there is a long list

Marc Loving was on his way to a very productive season this year but was derailed by a suspension. He wasn't the same guy when he came back, looked gun shy and often refused to shoot.

For ever Amir Williams there is a Evan Turner.

[Revering4Blue]

Interesting recruiting rumor to pass along here: Apparently, center Caleb Swanigan, a Top Ten rated recruit who almost literally plays in my backyard - Fort Wayne Homestead - has grown more-and-more interested in - are you ready for this? Georgia State, due largely to his friendship with R.J Hunter and admiration for Coach Hunter. Plus, former Hoosier, Jeremy Hollowell is eligible to play at GSU next year. I'll believe it when I see it, but I thought I'd share this with you.

Also, in case you are curious, IU was never a factor with Swanigan to begin with, as his guardian, Roosevelt Barnes, a former Purdue star and NFL player, and AAU handlers don't want Caleb anywhere near IU.

[RedTeamGo!]

The 5 guys (Ross left after his Jr year) never really developed into the players they were projected to.

Last time I checked it is the coaches job to develop players.

[Boston Red]

Interesting recruiting rumor to pass along here: Apparently, center Caleb Swanigan, a Top Ten rated recruit who almost literally plays in my backyard - Fort Wayne Homestead - has grown more-and-more interested in - are you ready for this? Georgia State, due largely to his friendship with R.J Hunter and admiration for Coach Hunter. Plus, former Hoosier, Jeremy Hollowell is eligible to play at GSU next year. I'll believe it when I see it, but I thought I'd share this with you.

Also, in case you are curious, IU was never a factor with Swanigan to begin with, as his guardian, Roosevelt Barnes, a former Purdue star and NFL player, and AAU handlers don't want Caleb anywhere near IU.

I think this actually makes sense for a one and done. Why not go somewhere like Georgia State where you've got a talented cast of guys to play with and will probably get more freedom than you would at a Kentucky. Plus, he would get to live in Atlanta and not some college town (I love college towns, but they're not for everyone). Exposure? If he went to Georgia State, they'd probably get a couple of ESPN made for TV games, but why does a guy like that need exposure anyway? The NBA knows where to find him.

In a similar situation, I think Andrew Wiggins would have been better off going to Wichita State last year to play with his brother than going to KU. He'd have been on an undefeated #1 team and would have received PLENTY of publicity.

[bucksfan2]

Last time I checked it is the coaches job to develop players.

I get it. You don't like Thad. No matter what he does at OSU during his tenure you are going to find his faults. Understood.

[RedTeamGo!]

I get it. You don't like Thad. No matter what he does at OSU during his tenure you are going to find his faults. Understood.

I just think with the talent he has recruited the results have been underwhelming. It is astounding he did not win with Greg Oden and Mike Conley. He also wasted Jared Sullinger.

[Boston Red]

It is astounding he did not win with Greg Oden and Mike Conley. He also wasted Jared Sullinger.

Didn't win? They made it to the national title game. Florida was pretty good that year, you know.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I just think with the talent he has recruited the results have been underwhelming. It is astounding he did not win with Greg Oden and Mike Conley. He also wasted Jared Sullinger.

It's astounding he didn't win with Oden and Conley? I think you might have forgotten how good that Florida team was. Unlucky they didn't win, but not astounding.

Matta has won the Big 10 and to at advanced to at least the Sweet Sixteen in 6 of the 11 years he has been at OSU. In the crap shoot that is college basketball that is pretty good.

[Razor Shines]

Interesting recruiting rumor to pass along here: Apparently, center Caleb Swanigan, a Top Ten rated recruit who almost literally plays in my backyard - Fort Wayne Homestead - has grown more-and-more interested in - are you ready for this? Georgia State, due largely to his friendship with R.J Hunter and admiration for Coach Hunter. Plus, former Hoosier, Jeremy Hollowell is eligible to play at GSU next year. I'll believe it when I see it, but I thought I'd share this with you.

Also, in case you are curious, IU was never a factor with Swanigan to begin with, as his guardian, Roosevelt Barnes, a former Purdue star and NFL player, and AAU handlers don't want Caleb anywhere near IU.

That's pretty cool, I hope he goes there. Hunter is just as awesome in person as you think he'd be. I may have played for him at IUPUI had I not destroyed my knee my senior year of high school. I don't know anyone that doesn't like him.

[bucksfan2]

That's pretty cool, I hope he goes there. Hunter is just as awesome in person as you think he'd be. I may have played for him at IUPUI had I not destroyed my knee my senior year of high school. I don't know anyone that doesn't like him.

Is he the guy who started coaching without shoes for charity?

[Razor Shines]

Is he the guy who started coaching without shoes for charity?

Yes, he is.

[dabvu2498]

That's pretty cool, I hope he goes there. Hunter is just as awesome in person as you think he'd be. I may have played for him at IUPUI had I not destroyed my knee my senior year of high school. I don't know anyone that doesn't like him.

He's quite literally the nicest human I've come across in the coaching profession.

[dabvu2498]

Is he the guy who started coaching without shoes for charity?

Great article on his involvement: http://magazine.gsu.edu/article/missions-statement/

[Assembly Hall]

He's quite literally the nicest human I've come across in the coaching profession.

He IS something else. The guy is almost like heaven sent. His rays of sunshine touch so many people. I wish he was still in this state, but I will always be rooting for him. But make no mistake about it, nobody has heard the last from Georgia St. I would take him as the IU coach in a heartbeat.

[bucksfan2]

He IS something else. The guy is almost like heaven sent. His rays of sunshine touch so many people. I wish he was still in this state, but I will always be rooting for him. But make no mistake about it, nobody has heard the last from Georgia St. I would take him as the IU coach in a heartbeat.

I don't mean this in anyway negative, but I wonder if his style would play in big time college basketball? It is great March theater having him rupture his achilles coaching celebrating a berth into the tournament. Then falling out of his chair when his son hitting a game winning 3 in the tournament to pull a massive upset is what makes March so special. Its a heartwarming story, coaching his son who could have gone to a bigger school but stayed at home, pulling a big upset, etc. I know Crean's antics already rub some the wrong way, would people feel the same about Hunter? It would be a breath of refreshing air to see a guy like Hunter become a big time coach with all the old curmudgeons in the game today, I just wonder if it would work.

[Assembly Hall]

I don't mean this in anyway negative, but I wonder if his style would play in big time college basketball? It is great March theater having him rupture his achilles coaching celebrating a berth into the tournament. Then falling out of his chair when his son hitting a game winning 3 in the tournament to pull a massive upset is what makes March so special. Its a heartwarming story, coaching his son who could have gone to a bigger school but stayed at home, pulling a big upset, etc. I know Crean's antics already rub some the wrong way, would people feel the same about Hunter? It would be a breath of refreshing air to see a guy like Hunter become a big time coach with all the old curmudgeons in the game today, I just wonder if it would work.

Not taken negative in any way. Hunter did great at IUPUI. If I remember right when he got that gig it was a NAIA school and he transitioned them to D-1. I do believe he is about 50. So the clock is ticking for him. If he can land the Swanigan kid, Ga. St. is gonna be tough.........Top 25 tough. I dont know if he will ever be a "big time" coach but if he has a couple more great years at a small school, there will be suitors. I dont know at what level, but they will come knocking.

[Revering4Blue]

I don't mean this in anyway negative, but I wonder if his style would play in big time college basketball? It is great March theater having him rupture his achilles coaching celebrating a berth into the tournament. Then falling out of his chair when his son hitting a game winning 3 in the tournament to pull a massive upset is what makes March so special. Its a heartwarming story, coaching his son who could have gone to a bigger school but stayed at home, pulling a big upset, etc. I know Crean's antics already rub some the wrong way, would people feel the same about Hunter? It would be a breath of refreshing air to see a guy like Hunter become a big time coach with all the old curmudgeons in the game today, I just wonder if it would work.

IMO, it would depend on the situation. Georgia Tech, for example could, and already have, do worse than Hunter, and he wouldn't have to move. I like Hunter, always have, but Hunter, wouldn't yet be on my radar were I Fred Glass and Crean decided to leave IU, as he still needs to prove more to me. As I stated before, any top-flight or decent coach should be able to recruit in the state of Indiana, so the Indiana ties mean zilch to me.

That stated, Hunter's Indiana pipeline, coupled with the talent around the Atlanta area will serve him well at Georgia State, or wherever (if) he chooses to go elsewhere. It's not at all out of the question for Hunter to create a Butler/VCU type of situation in the Sun Belt. Even as a fan of major college program, IMO, the more mid-major powers, the better college basketball as whole is to me.

[Revering4Blue]

Former Georgia Tech and NBA star and current Hornets assistant, Mark Price, one of my all time favorites, has accepted the (UNC)Charlotte job. Good luck, Mark!

[Assembly Hall]

IMO, it would depend on the situation. Georgia Tech, for example could, and already have, do worse than Hunter, and he wouldn't have to move. I like Hunter, always have, but Hunter, wouldn't yet be on my radar were I Fred Glass and Crean decided to leave IU, as he still needs to prove more to me. As I stated before, any top-flight or decent coach should be able to recruit in the state of Indiana, so the Indiana ties mean zilch to me.

That stated, Hunter's Indiana pipeline, coupled with the talent around the Atlanta area will serve him well at Georgia State, or wherever (if) he chooses to go elsewhere. It's not at all out of the question for Hunter to create a Butler/VCU type of situation in the Sun Belt. Even as a fan of major college program, IMO, the more mid-major powers, the better college basketball as whole is to me.


Great post Rev. And I agree with everything you said. The kicker in all this is....what does Ron want to do or where does he see himself 20 years from now. I see him into building G St. into a small school power. Is he comfy with that or do dollar signs mean a lot to him? What are his aspirations about life and the goals he wants to achieve? I don't know anything about that stuff nor do I presume to speculate. One might say that he could be in a Mark Few situation...time will tell.

[Assembly Hall]

Former Georgia Tech and NBA star and current Hornets assistant, Mark Price, one of my all time favorites, has accepted the (UNC)Charlotte job. Good luck, Mark!


Man, I loved him too. That guy could shoot on the fly, and more often than not they found the bottom of the net. Best of luck Mark.

[dabvu2498]

Former Georgia Tech and NBA star and current Hornets assistant, Mark Price, one of my all time favorites, has accepted the (UNC)Charlotte job. Good luck, Mark!

I saw Bobby Lutz (the anti-Ron Hunter, btw) on the bench for NC St. the other day. I wonder if Charlotte misses him.

[Revering4Blue]

I saw Bobby Lutz (the anti-Ron Hunter, btw) on the bench for NC St. the other day. I wonder if Charlotte misses him.
No doubt. He's an excellent coach, IMO. Apparently, Lutz had opportunities to move elsewhere and stayed with his Alma Mater, only to be canned after a season in which Charlotte won 19 games. How'd that turn out?

[Revering4Blue]

Nevada hires LSU assistant Eric Musselman as new head coach.

Interesting hire for a program that's fallen off the map since the departures of Trent Johnson (speaking of falling off the map) and Mark Fox. Heck, given that Johny Jones, though he can recruit, is possibly the worst bench coach in the SEC, Musselman, perhaps, should have been named head coach at LSU.

[Revering4Blue]

Following up on the Herb Sendek firing at Arizona State, the job, reportedly, belongs to Jeff Capel - insert laugh track here - if he wants it. Way to set your sights high, ASU. May as well have kept Sendek if that's the case, especially after his best coaching job at ASU this past season.

[RedTeamGo!]

I wonder if Coach K gets royalties every time Jeff Capel gets a job.

[Assembly Hall]

Following up on the Herb Sendek firing at Arizona State, the job, reportedly, belongs to Jeff Capel - insert laugh track here - if he wants it. Way to set your sights high, ASU. May as well have kept Sendek if that's the case, especially after his best coaching job at ASU this past season.

I had quit following Herb once he headed west. To be honest I bet NC State fans wish he would have never left. But anyway I started taking notice of him when he was at Miami(OH). I pulled him up and was/am amazed at quite the coaching tree he has. Among some of his former assistants are John Groce, Thad Matta, Archie Miller, and Sean Miller. Very impressive.

[15fan]

He's quite literally the nicest human I've come across in the coaching profession.

As a WFU grad and GSU grad (x 2), there are a lot of similarities between Ron Hunter and Skip Prosser.

Infectious enthusiasm not only for basketball, but for so many other things in life.

What Hunter has done at GSU is remarkable. If you're a dreamer, he's only just scratched the surface.

[Revering4Blue]

I had quit following Herb once he headed west. To be honest I bet NC State fans wish he would have never left. But anyway I started taking notice of him when he was at Miami(OH). I pulled him up and was/am amazed at quite the coaching tree he has. Among some of his former assistants are John Groce, Thad Matta, Archie Miller, and Sean Miller. Very impressive.
The irony is that NC State fans and alumni turned on him, even after leading them to the NCAAs five years in a row - losing in the first round only once - which is why he fled to Tempe in '06.

Let's face it, NC State got hammered by the NCAA for violations that dwarf what has been going on for years up the road in Chapel Hill and Durham, but they didn't help themselves after Valvano was canned by rushing too fast to bring in one of their own - Les Robinson in '90 and Sidney Lowe after Sendek - and have paid dearly each time. The program is certainly in great shape now.

[dabvu2498]

I had quit following Herb once he headed west. To be honest I bet NC State fans wish he would have never left. But anyway I started taking notice of him when he was at Miami(OH). I pulled him up and was/am amazed at quite the coaching tree he has. Among some of his former assistants are John Groce, Thad Matta, Archie Miller, and Sean Miller. Very impressive.

Charlie Coles too.

I may be mistaken, but at one point, I believe he had Matta, Sean Miller and Coles on the same staff. That's strong.

[Assembly Hall]

The irony is that NC State fans and alumni turned on him, even after leading them to the NCAAs five years in a row - losing in the first round only once - which is why he fled to Tempe in '06.

Let's face it, NC State got hammered by the NCAA for violations that dwarf what has been going on for years up the road in Chapel Hill and Durham, but they didn't help themselves after Valvano was canned by rushing too fast to bring in one of their own - Les Robinson in '90 and Sidney Lowe after Sendek - and have paid dearly each time. The program is certainly in great shape now.

I agree. Herb did an outstanding job there.....and was shown the door. I hope the management in Tempe is reading this stuff.

[Assembly Hall]

Charlie Coles too.

I may be mistaken, but at one point, I believe he had Matta, Sean Miller and Coles on the same staff. That's strong.

I am pretty sure you are correct. And that is a coaching clinic right there.

[Razor Shines]

Oh no! Those kids in yellow entering the stadium think they're walking into a Dane Cook show.

[Falls City Beer]

If UK believes it can simply swat away WVU, then they should suffer no delusions about ND. That team WILL dent UKs defense.

[Assembly Hall]

Let's go Irish!!!!!!!!

[dabvu2498]

I'm just going to throw this out there, because the comparison is so glaring... UC looks like a much better coached team than WVU has.

[Assembly Hall]

I'm just going to throw this out there, because the comparison is so glaring... UC looks like a much better coached team than WVU has.

That aint fair. The bad officiating makes a difference........about 26 points worth I would say! WVU needs to beg the officials to turn the shot clock off in the 2nd half, so they don't get beat by 60.

[Stray]

If UK is really dialed in like they are tonight, whoever the 2nd best team in the country is loses by 15+.

[dabvu2498]

That aint fair. The bad officiating makes a difference........about 26 points worth I would say! WVU needs to beg the officials to turn the shot clock off in the 2nd half, so they don't get beat by 60.

I still can believe Huggs didn't catch a T. He almost looks detached. And he did 5 seconds into the game.

[Revering4Blue]

That aint fair. The bad officiating makes a difference........about 26 points worth I would say! WVU needs to beg the officials to turn the shot clock off in the 2nd half, so they don't get beat by 60.

I doubt it'd make a difference. At this point, the Wildcats could all exit the court, leaving the Mountaineers out there themselves, and it still would take them at least three possessions before they'd score one point.

[WVRed]

I still can believe Huggs didn't catch a T. He almost looks detached. And he did 5 seconds into the game.

I was going to say the same thing about Devin Williams.

[dabvu2498]

As an aside, an actual NCAA Tournament game is being played in LA.

[Assembly Hall]

I doubt it'd make a difference. At this point, the Wildcats could all exit the court, leaving the Mountaineers out there themselves, and it still would take them at least three possessions before they'd score one point.

And that made beer come through my nose!!!!!!!!!!!

[Assembly Hall]

As an aside, an actual NCAA Tournament game is being played in LA.

And beer comes through my nose again!!!!!! Go 'neers!!!!!!!!!!

[Stray]

12 mins left in the game and West Virginia sitting on 5 field goals for the game, and shooting a cool 0% from the field in the 2nd half.

Solid strategy lets see how it works out.

[Razor Shines]

12 mins left in the game and West Virginia sitting on 5 field goals for the game, and shooting a cool 0% from the field in the 2nd half.

Solid strategy lets see how it works out.

I was extremely confused to see them start the second half by walking the ball up the court and then working through their offense.

[dabvu2498]

Did I hear this correctly about WVU? 34% of their points were from dunks or lay-ups and they only shot 41% from the field for the year?

Huh?