The 2015-2016 Season Thread!!

[Lloyd Braun]

If that scenario involves Valpo getting beaten 3 times by Wright State, forget it.

Would that help or hurt it? They'd be 26-6(?) with an OOC RPI of 19, only other losses @Oregon, @Belmont, @Ball St. Best OOC win was at Oregon St. It's not a fantastic resume but the bubble teams aren't exactly lighting it up.

[X-band '01]

Belmont is a sub-100 RPI team at the moment; they are far from assured of being a lock to win the Ohio Valley. Just beating Oregon State on the road isn't enough to offset 4 sub-100 losses right now, much less 5+ if they fail to win out.

[xubrew]

Would that help or hurt it? They'd be 26-6(?) with an OOC RPI of 19, only other losses @Oregon, @Belmont, @Ball St. Best OOC win was at Oregon St. It's not a fantastic resume but the bubble teams aren't exactly lighting it up.

Are you asking whether or not three losses to Wright State would help or hurt Valpo?? It would hurt. It would hurt a lot. It would really really really hurt.

I like Valpo's team. I've liked them since before the season started, and to be honest they've not been as good as I thought they would be, but I still think they're good. They're capable of making it out of the Round of 64. They really are. But, they now have to get there first, and to do that they'll have to win the conference tournament, which unfortunately for them won't be on their home court like it should be. And, they'll have to play up to their ceiling and not down to their basement once they are there.

[Lloyd Braun]

Are you asking whether or not three losses to Wright State would help or hurt Valpo?? It would hurt. It would hurt a lot. It would really really really hurt.

I like Valpo's team. I've liked them since before the season started, and to be honest they've not been as good as I thought they would be, but I still think they're good. They're capable of making it out of the Round of 64. They really are. But, they now have to get there first, and to do that they'll have to win the conference tournament, which unfortunately for them won't be on their home court like it should be. And, they'll have to play up to their ceiling and not down to their basement once they are there.

Obviously another loss to wsu would hurt. But would it hurt less than a loss to Oakland, assuming Oakland is a better team than WSU? I just wonder if the committee looks at a résumé and takes a bad matchup into effect. Did they for Georgetown last year? They got a 4 seed, and lost to X three times. I think that topic comes up in the selection process.

Again I agree they likely need to win their tournament to make it but they would promote an interesting discussion.

[XUFan09]

Obviously another loss to wsu would hurt. But would it hurt less than a loss to Oakland, assuming Oakland is a better team than WSU? I just wonder if the committee looks at a résumé and takes a bad matchup into effect. Did they for Georgetown last year? They got a 4 seed, and lost to X three times. I think that topic comes up in the selection process.

Again I agree they likely need to win their tournament to make it but they would promote an interesting discussion.
Because of how subjective the evaluations can get, I don't doubt that matchup issues come into play.

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[xubrew]

Whoever's idea it was to have the camera man sit on the floor at the Ohio State v Michigan game and to broadcast the entire game that way needs to be banned from ever making any suggestions ever again.

[zanesxu]

Whoever's idea it was to have the camera man sit on the floor at the Ohio State v Michigan game and to broadcast the entire game that way needs to be banned from ever making any suggestions ever again.

thought that was like the spider cam on mnf... STOP TRYING TO MAKE NEW CAMERA ANGLES WORK...

[GoMuskies]

Thought you guys would enjoy this random thread from the Louisville board. No idea what prompted this.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=17&f=2755&t=14552751

[Masterofreality]

Thought you guys would enjoy this random thread from the Louisville board. No idea what prompted this.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=17&f=2755&t=14552751

Whatever. It's stupid.

[GoMuskies]

Oh yeah, it's full of stupid.

[LadyMuskie]

There is stupid there, but also valid points about Nova in the tournament. Let's not sugar coat the fact that this conference, save Xavier, looked like crap last March. If Nova craps out again in the first weekend it's not going to help the perception people have of the Big East.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not sure why one shit performance in the NCAA Tournament by Villanova negates anything they've done. Yeah, it looked like two shit performances, but it turned out losing to UCONN want exactly something to be ashamed of.

[xubrew]

I'm not sure why one shit performance in the NCAA Tournament by Villanova negates anything they've done. Yeah, it looked like two shit performances, but it turned out losing to UCONN want exactly something to be ashamed of.

Joe's lost to that UConn team in overtime in the Round of 64, and they kind of blew it at the end of regulation from what I remember. If Joe's wins that game, I think Nova goes at least as deep as the Elite Eight. Iowa State was good that year, but remember that their post player had been injured.

Butler lost in overtime to Notre Dame last year. If they win that game then they probably go into the Elite Eight, because I think they would have matched up well with, and beaten, Wichita.

I think that most of the people in the thread are talking all kinds of stupid, but regardless, the morons do have some ammunition. In order for the Big East to get the kind of respect it wants, the teams have to start doing well in the NCAA Tournament. We've put ten teams in over the past two years. Only one has made it to the Sweet Sixteen. None have won a game against a single digit seed. Now, I agree that I think that the regular season is too undervalued when it comes to respecting how good a team/program is. But, nevertheless, we have collectively stunk in the NCAA Tournament. I realize that any thing can happen on any given day and teams could have an off day, or get a bad match up, or just be unlucky, or whatever. But, to have ten teams in the field in two years, and to still not have a single win against a single digit seeded team, that's not just a bad loss on a given day. That's a pattern. If we want to take the ammo away from the morons, that has to change.

[LadyMuskie]

I'm not sure why one shit performance in the NCAA Tournament by Villanova negates anything they've done. Yeah, it looked like two shit performances, but it turned out losing to UCONN want exactly something to be ashamed of.

That was 2 years ago. Last year they lost to NC State in the second round, and haven't been out of the first weekend since 2009, I think. That's not one crappy tournament performance.

When a team keeps winning the regular season but can't follow through to even just the second weekend of the tournament, there are bound to be questions raised.


Joe's lost to that UConn team in overtime in the Round of 64, and they kind of blew it at the end of regulation from what I remember. If Joe's wins that game, I think Nova goes at least as deep as the Elite Eight. Iowa State was good that year, but remember that their post player had been injured.

Butler lost in overtime to Notre Dame last year. If they win that game then they probably go into the Elite Eight, because I think they would have matched up well with, and beaten, Wichita.

I think that most of the people in the thread are talking all kinds of stupid, but regardless, the morons do have some ammunition. In order for the Big East to get the kind of respect it wants, the teams have to start doing well in the NCAA Tournament. We've put ten teams in over the past two years. Only one has made it to the Sweet Sixteen. None have won a game against a single digit seed. Now, I agree that I think that the regular season is too undervalued when it comes to respecting how good a team/program is. But, nevertheless, we have collectively stunk in the NCAA Tournament. I realize that any thing can happen on any given day and teams could have an off day, or get a bad match up, or just be unlucky, or whatever. But, to have ten teams in the field in two years, and to still not have a single win against a single digit seeded team, that's not just a bad loss on a given day. That's a pattern. If we want to take the ammo away from the morons, that has to change.

Totally agree - especially with the last paragraph. We were the first fans to point out the old Big East's ability to get 7 teams in, but have only one left standing after the first weekend.

[xubrew]

So, it's Rivalry Week. There are so few rivalries left anymore that I almost didn't notice. I like how ESPN describes a rivalry as any game that's being played on an ESPN network on the same week that Duke plays UNC, even if it's not a rivalry.

Duke v UNC is probably the biggest rivalry, but that depends on how you define biggest. It is perhaps the most storied. Both teams are typically ranked high, and first place is often on the line. As far as how bitter it is, I don't want to say that it's NOT bitter, but I will say that there are rivalries that are far more venomous than that. Or, there were. Most are gone now.

I think both Duke and UNC both hate NC State more than they hate each other. NC State isn't nearly as good, but Duke and UNC do respect each other. NC State...not so much. When they played, Duke and Maryland hated each other a lot more than Duke and UNC did.

Kansas v Missouri was great. And heated. Probably a lot more heated than UNC v Duke. That's what everyone who ever experienced both of them has said, and I agree with them. But it's gone now. And, to be fair, so is Mizzou's program since Frank Haith crashed it into a mountain.

West Virginia v Pitt was so incredibly bitter that the atmosphere could actually make you feel somewhat uneasy. It's gone now too.

BYU v Utah was way up there as well. It's gone too.

Every team who has a rival probably thinks their rivalry is the biggest, and I guess in a way every rivalry has something unique about it that makes it special in a way that others aren't. Duke v UNC is NOT the most heated or most bitter, though. It's not even close. Up until Maryland left, I don't think they both hated NC State and Maryland more than they hated each other. Especially Duke. But, it's a good one. And, we'll get to hear at least ten times how they're eight miles apart, and how they've never met in the NCAA Tournament.

But, truth be told, if I had my choice of having BYU v Utah, Kansas v Missouri, West Virginia v Pitt, and Duke v Maryland back instead of Duke v UNC, I'd rank those others ahead of it. To me, it's all about bitterness, and Duke v UNC really doesn't measure up to some of the other schools that REALLLY hate each other.

[xubrew]

Iowa is drunk. They're losing at Penn State.

[GoMuskies]

Iowa is drunk. They're losing at Penn State.

It's early. Dayton is in trouble, though. Getting late.

[xubrew]

It's early. Dayton is in trouble, though. Getting late.

I'm surprised by the former. Not the latter. Joe's is a good team when they're at home.

[GoMuskies]

So this is Martelli's once every five years squad? They'll be 22-4, 11-2 and tied with Dayton in first in few minutes.

[bjf123]

Dayton hasn't won at St. Joe's since 2000.


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[GoMuskies]

Dayton hasn't won at St. Joe's since 2000.


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William Jefferson Clinton?

[X Factor]

Iowa down 6 to Penn State with under 3 to go.

[D-West & PO-Z]

So, it's Rivalry Week. There are so few rivalries left anymore that I almost didn't notice. I like how ESPN describes a rivalry as any game that's being played on an ESPN network on the same week that Duke plays UNC, even if it's not a rivalry.

Duke v UNC is probably the biggest rivalry, but that depends on how you define biggest. It is perhaps the most storied. Both teams are typically ranked high, and first place is often on the line. As far as how bitter it is, I don't want to say that it's NOT bitter, but I will say that there are rivalries that are far more venomous than that. Or, there were. Most are gone now.

I think both Duke and UNC both hate NC State more than they hate each other. NC State isn't nearly as good, but Duke and UNC do respect each other. NC State...not so much. When they played, Duke and Maryland hated each other a lot more than Duke and UNC did.

Kansas v Missouri was great. And heated. Probably a lot more heated than UNC v Duke. That's what everyone who ever experienced both of them has said, and I agree with them. But it's gone now. And, to be fair, so is Mizzou's program since Frank Haith crashed it into a mountain.

West Virginia v Pitt was so incredibly bitter that the atmosphere could actually make you feel somewhat uneasy. It's gone now too.

BYU v Utah was way up there as well. It's gone too.

Every team who has a rival probably thinks their rivalry is the biggest, and I guess in a way every rivalry has something unique about it that makes it special in a way that others aren't. Duke v UNC is NOT the most heated or most bitter, though. It's not even close. Up until Maryland left, I don't think they both hated NC State and Maryland more than they hated each other. Especially Duke. But, it's a good one. And, we'll get to hear at least ten times how they're eight miles apart, and how they've never met in the NCAA Tournament.

But, truth be told, if I had my choice of having BYU v Utah, Kansas v Missouri, West Virginia v Pitt, and Duke v Maryland back instead of Duke v UNC, I'd rank those others ahead of it. To me, it's all about bitterness, and Duke v UNC really doesn't measure up to some of the other schools that REALLLY hate each other.

Mizzou/Illinois has to be a more heated rivalry than Mizzou/KU from what I have seen in my time in St. Louis.

[Xville]

Mizzou/Illinois has to be a more heated rivalry than Mizzou/KU from what I have seen in my time in St. Louis.

Having grown up in Saint louis and both parents having gone to mizzou....mizzou/Kansas is way more heated. Honestly it's not even close.

[X Factor]

That should do it for the #1 seed talk for Iowa. Penn State with the big upset!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Having grown up in Saint louis and both parents having gone to mizzou....mizzou/Kansas is way more heated. Honestly it's not even close.

Hmm interesting. I would have never known that.

[D-West & PO-Z]

That should do it for the #1 seed talk for Iowa. Penn State with the big upset!

Lets go Penn State!

There have been some big losses to teams competing with seeding for X recently, good times. Obviously our loss to Creighton helped those teams though.

[xubrew]

Mizzou/Illinois has to be a more heated rivalry than Mizzou/KU from what I have seen in my time in St. Louis.

No


Having grown up in Saint louis and both parents having gone to mizzou....mizzou/Kansas is way more heated. Honestly it's not even close.

Yes.

The Kansas v Mizzou rivalry was one of about four or five rivalries that will make what you think is a big and heated rivalry seem friendly.

[Xville]

Hmm interesting. I would have never known that.

Well with the braggin rights game in St Louis every year, I can understand where you were coming from.

[XUFan09]

Having grown up in Saint louis and both parents having gone to mizzou....mizzou/Kansas is way more heated. Honestly it's not even close.
Same. I respected Illinois but really wanted to beat them. I HATED KU.

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[GoMuskies]

Missouri and Kansas's rivalry dates back to people actually killing each other. It's no shit.

[paulxu]

Watching UNC/Duke. I guess it's the recruiting difference, but those guys can flat run...and their team ball movement can be a thing of beauty.

We're just not quite in that stratosphere yet. Sometimes we flash that coordinated, fast pace, pushing up the court/finishing...but these guys are using another gear.

Can't wait for the tournament to see how good we can really be.

[X Factor]

Watching UNC/Duke. I guess it's the recruiting difference, but those guys can flat run...and their team ball movement can be a thing of beauty.

We're just not quite in that stratosphere yet. Sometimes we flash that coordinated, fast pace, pushing up the court/finishing...but these guys are using another gear.

Can't wait for the tournament to see how good we can really be.


I wouldn't go that far. Duke is not a great team. UNC lost to Northern Iowa.

Xavier can beat either of those teams if they play to their ability.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Duke wins @UNC

Two top 5 teams go down tonight.

Edit: 3 teams, Oklahoma loses too!

[X Factor]

Oklahoma is now 8-5 in conference.

With a strong finish, Xavier could get a #1 seed.

[XMuskieFTW]

In the past 2 minutes, we may have just catapulted back to the 1 seed line.

[xu82]

Duke wins @UNC

Two top 5 teams go down tonight.

Edit: 3 teams, Oklahoma loses too!

MUCH better. Keep up the good work!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Oklahoma is now 8-5 in conference.

With a strong finish, Xavier could get a #1 seed.


In the past 2 minutes, we may have just catapulted back to the 1 seed line.

At the very least our hold on a 2 seed has tightened immensely.

[GoMuskies]

Wow, what a day for us.

[D-West & PO-Z]

MUCH better. Keep up the good work!

Look at the other thread, some more good news!

[X Factor]

OU has lost 3 of their last 4 games. If we win Saturday, will we jump them in the polls?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Wow, what a day for us.

Huge!

I need to go back and look but since we lost to Creighton I want to say something like 7-9 teams have lost that we would be fighting for seeding with.

[xubrew]

Watching UNC/Duke. I guess it's the recruiting difference, but those guys can flat run...and their team ball movement can be a thing of beauty.

We're just not quite in that stratosphere yet. Sometimes we flash that coordinated, fast pace, pushing up the court/finishing...but these guys are using another gear.

Can't wait for the tournament to see how good we can really be.

I actually think we're better than both of them. North Carolina's next road win against a team who's going to be wearing white in the round of 64 will be their first. Well, maybe Syracuse.

North Carolina does like to run the floor, but the kinds of teams they've struggled against are teams that don't like playing that style. Even Boston College slowed them down. If BC can slow them down, then anyone who wants to will probably be able to do it.

[X-band '01]

I actually think we're better than both of them. North Carolina's next road win against a team who's going to be wearing white in the round of 64 will be their first. Well, maybe Syracuse.

North Carolina does like to run the floor, but the kinds of teams they've struggled against are teams that don't like playing that style. Even Boston College slowed them down. If BC can slow them down, then anyone who wants to will probably be able to do it.

There is no maybe in regards to Syracuse. Florida State is in freefall right now.

[American X]

Watching UNC/Duke. I guess it's the recruiting difference, but those guys can flat run...and their team ball movement can be a thing of beauty.

We're just not quite in that stratosphere yet. Sometimes we flash that coordinated, fast pace, pushing up the court/finishing...but these guys are using another gear.

We waste a ton of transition opportunities. If we are going to have a successful late March, fast break execution is an area to tighten up.

[xubrew]

If Oklahoma wins at West Virginia, it will be a top ten road win and everyone will say they're still a clear #1 seed.

If they lose, everyone will say they're overrated because they've lost four out of five.

The game has a pivotal feel to it, even though they're in the top ten.

[xubrew]

Chattanooga has crashed into the mountain.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Kentucky loses at the buzzer to Texas A&M

[X Factor]

That was a crazy ending. UK was up 1 and got a defensive rebound, then got fouled. The UK player who got fouled spiked the ball and got T'd up! He also fouled out cause he was called for a technical. Never seen anything like that before.

[LadyMuskie]

That was a crazy ending. UK was up 1 and got a defensive rebound, then got fouled. The UK player who got fouled spiked the ball and got T'd up! He also fouled out cause he was called for a technical. Never seen anything like that before.

It was a crazy ending. As soon as that UK player spiked the ball he said "oh, shit". He knew what was coming.

[UCGRAD4X]

So, he got to shoot his FF and then had to leave? What if he misses the second - they can't play on. Did someone else have to shoot (other coach chooses)?

Very interesting.

[X-band '01]

In this case, Calipari was allowed to choose a sub to shoot the FTs for Kentucky (after A&M hit the technical FTs at the point of interruption); the referee clarified to Jay Bilas on-air that this wasn't like an injury situation as it related to FTs.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Doesnt bother me because it was KY but the refs clearly blew it there by nor showing restraint and letting that one go. We have now on two occasions (in our games) seen them do that and not call one. I think this should have been one of those times.

[X-band '01]

They did call it on Messini/St. John's, though.

[XUFan09]

They did call it on Messini/St. John's, though.
Some St. John's fans are sure they would have won the game if it weren't for that. Never mind that Xavier was still leading by one and was about to go to the line for two free throws. Or that Myles Davis probably still would have done some good work in thar last minute and a half.

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[D-West & PO-Z]

They did call it on Messini/St. John's, though.

Yes they did, but there were 2 others they didnt call it on, including one of our guys. (Was it Jalen?)

[X-band '01]

Wake Forest finally comes out guns ablaze - started their game with a 29-2 binge. Too bad it was at home against Boston College.

41-14 Deacons at the half.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Wake Forest finally comes out guns ablaze - started their game with a 29-2 binge. Too bad it was at home against Boston College.

41-14 Deacons at the half.

I think I read Wake's 2 best players are suspended too.

Edit, nvm just one, their top scorer.

[paulxu]

There are only 3 games left in the regular season.

This baby has flown by like it was on steroids. Good times.

[xumuskies08]

Missouri and Kansas's rivalry dates back to people actually killing each other. It's no shit.

Several days later (I don't generally peruse this subforum)...

Yeah, losing the Border War was a big loss. That was an incredible rivalry where there was no political "sportsmanship" BS. We hate Mizzou and Mizzou hates us. It's one of the few sports rivalries that has history outside of sports. Look up "Bleeding Kansas" and read about Quantrill's raid and John Brown and the Jayhawkers. Also, Kansas City was home to the largest Civil War battle west of the Mississippi (Battle of Westport).

They'd play this video before each KU/MU game and the fans would go absolutely bananas.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWtUL5Rx364

[xubrew]

Several days later (I don't generally peruse this subforum)...

Yeah, losing the Border War was a big loss. That was an incredible rivalry where there was no political "sportsmanship" BS. We hate Mizzou and Mizzou hates us. It's one of the few sports rivalries that has history outside of sports. Look up "Bleeding Kansas" and read about Quantrill's raid and John Brown and the Jayhawkers. Also, Kansas City was home to the largest Civil War battle west of the Mississippi (Battle of Westport).

They'd play this video before each KU/MU game and the fans would go absolutely bananas.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWtUL5Rx364

Agreed. The thing about the Border War Rivalry is that it got its name from the actual Border War. And, two of the key players in that war were the Jayhawks and the Tigers. The first football game was in 1891. It's crazy to think that at that first football game, there were likely former Jayhawks and Tigers in the stands. Think about that. There were people at that game that had actually tried to kill each other just 25 years before. That's amazing. No other rivalry has that. I have no rooting interest in either team, but I do think it was the most unique rivalry out of all the rivalries. It was also probably the most intense. If it wasn't, then it was certainly very high on the list. It sucks that it's gone.

[xumuskies08]

Agreed. The thing about the Border War Rivalry is that it got its name from the actual Border War. And, two of the key players in that war were the Jayhawks and the Tigers. The first football game was in 1891. It's crazy to think that at that first football game, there were likely former Jayhawks and Tigers in the stands. Think about that. There were people at that game that had actually tried to kill each other just 25 years before. That's amazing. No other rivalry has that. I have no rooting interest in either team, but I do think it was the most unique rivalry out of all the rivalries. It was also probably the most intense. If it wasn't, then it was certainly very high on the list. It sucks that it's gone.

I was used to the XU/UC dynamic and even though that's a fantastic rivalry, it's got nothing on what the Border War was. I remember the first Border War event when I went out to school at KU. It was a women's soccer match and there was a Mizzou fan there swinging rubber chickens hanging from nooses and openly taunting KU fans. KU fans would respond by calling him a "slaver". At that point I knew this was a different animal of a rivalry. Just take that same hatred and infuse it into something a tad more high profile than women's soccer and you might get an idea of what it was like.

[xubrew]

I was used to the XU/UC dynamic and even though that's a fantastic rivalry, it's got nothing on what the Border War was. I remember the first Border War event when I went out to school at KU. It was a women's soccer match and there was a Mizzou fan there swinging rubber chickens hanging from nooses and openly taunting KU fans. KU fans would respond by calling him a "slaver". At that point I knew this was a different animal of a rivalry. Just take that same hatred and infuse it into something a tad more high profile than women's soccer and you might get an idea of what it was like.

Again, I agree. Everyone thinks their rivalry is the biggest and everyone thinks the fans of their rival are the worst.

I think there are four that pretty much blow all the other ones away when it comes to the level of hatred, and the Border War is (or was) certainly one of them. It may be the most heated of them all. West Virginia v Pitt, BYU v Utah, and Louisville v Kentucky would be my other ones.

You could easily argue that those aren't the four biggest rivalries depending on how you define "big." But, speaking strictly in terms of the level of hatred, even "big" rivals don't hate each other anywhere close to as much as those teams did. Duke v UNC is big. But, I don't think they really hate each other to the degree that a lot of rivals do. In fact I think they both hated Maryland and NC State more than they hated each other even though neither of those is as "big."

That's not to say that there aren't other great rivalries or other heated rivalries, but it's NOTHING like those were. Unfortunately three of those four rivalries no longer exist.

[GoMuskies]

Coming out of a Xavier/UC and Louisville/UK background, I didn't even recognize Duke/Carolina. Hatred? Hardly. Those people think they hate each other, but they clearly don't know what hate is. Great basketball, but not nearly the intensity of some others.

[GoMuskies]

Can ESPN finally stop talking about LSU now? I guess ESPN covers the NIT, so probably not.

[xubrew]

Jim Crews is to coaching what Schlitz is to beer.

[xubrew]

Alabama got blasted by Kentucky, but that really doesn't set them back. Losing to Mississippi State really hurt. Still, they have a good chance to make the NCAA Tournament. I'm surprised they've been as good as they are, especially after they lost Ingram for the season. If Avery Johnson did this well with this level of talent, especially after losing their starting point guard early on, then they're going to be a top 25 basketball program once he gets more talent in. Whether they make the tournament or not, that program is a year or two away from being really good.

[X-band '01]

Can ESPN finally stop talking about LSU now? I guess ESPN covers the NIT, so probably not.

Now they're going to pitch Vanderbilt nonstop instead. I'd rather have Tulsa in the field and gargle a bottle of bleach before Vandy makes the field.

[GoMuskies]

With their apparently very efficient performance against F$U, Duke passed us in Ken Pom. We're back to 11. Providence fell to 60.

[X-band '01]

Grayson Allen really needs to stop tripping opposing players. Just because it's not a referee doesn't make it right, you know.

[smileyy]

He gets suspended, right?

[xubrew]

A friend of mine pointed this out, but for the first time this season we have a game that means absolutely nothing on any level.

Dartmouth v Brown. It is mathematically impossible for either team to finish first in the Ivy, so they can't make the NCAA Tournament. It is also mathematically impossible for either of them to finish at .500 so they cannot make themselves eligible for any other postseason tournament such as the CIT or Vegas 16.

Because of that, I expect all true college hoops fans to tune in and watch this game!!!

[XUMIOH12]

He gets suspended, right?

No, he's Duke's best player, can't let anything bad happen to him.

[smileyy]

A friend of mine pointed this out, but for the first time this season we have a game that means absolutely nothing on any level.

Dartmouth v Brown. It is mathematically impossible for either team to finish first in the Ivy, so they can't make the NCAA Tournament. It is also mathematically impossible for either of them to finish at .500 so they cannot make themselves eligible for any other postseason tournament such as the CIT or Vegas 16.

Because of that, I expect all true college hoops fans to tune in and watch this game!!!

I doubt either of them can move anyone's RPI needle either?

[XU-PA]

Google it
Grayson duke douchebag

[X-band '01]

Dayton is getting spanked at home against Rhody.

[Masterofreality]

Dayton is getting spanked at home against Rhody.

Those gray uniforms with the red VD logo on them are hideous. Truly hideous.

[xu82]

Those gray uniforms with the red VD logo on them are hideous. Truly hideous.



But they go nicely with the giant red VD at center court.

[X-band '01]

Dayton fans will demand those unis get burned if this result holds up.

[GoMuskies]

Saw that the NCAA won't suspend Grayson Allen. Complete joke. Maybe Coach K will suspend him anyway.

Ha, just kidding. Coach K has about as much integrity as Bob Huggins.

[X-band '01]

Think you meant ACC should have suspended him.

Someone's going to have to order a code red on him like Louisville did last week. What did the Cards have to lose?

[paulxu]

Somebody sent him a reprimand letter...whatever the hell that is, or good it does.

[XUFan09]

Saw that the NCAA won't suspend Grayson Allen. Complete joke. Maybe Coach K will suspend him anyway.

Ha, just kidding. Coach K has about as much integrity as Bob Huggins.
Someone on this forum told me Coach K is the epitome of class, so it must be true.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[LA Muskie]

The ACC shouldn't have had to suspend him. It was an intentional trip. AGAIN. If Coach K had any "class" or "integrity" (and he does not) -- or if Grayson played any other sport at Duke -- he would have been suspended by his own school. But it's nice that K called and apologized to the FSU coach. Pathetic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[paulxu]

This season has flown by too fast.

[Snipe]

Saw that the NCAA won't suspend Grayson Allen. Complete joke. Maybe Coach K will suspend him anyway.

Ha, just kidding. Coach K has about as much integrity as Bob Huggins.

I just wanna say for the record:

BOB HUGGINS HAS NO INTEGRITY

I am Snipe, and I endorse this message.

[xudash]

This season has flown by too fast.

As does life.

Two more games then the BET then the show.

WE ARE GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR! But get ready for the week between the first and second weekends to feel like an eternity.

[xu82]

As does life.

Two more games then the BET then the show.

WE ARE GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR! But get ready for the week between the first and second weekends to feel like an eternity.

This entire season could go by faster than the hangover we'd have from winning it all. Einstein was right, time is relative!

[bobbiemcgee]

This season has flown by too fast.

Huh? Still 11 games to go.

[paulxu]

It seems to me that a narrative is building this year in the media.

The general outline is that, this season, is not like most because there are no clear "great" teams as in years past. (overlooking that despite their greatness, often those teams didn't win it all...see Kentucky)

In a way it is set up to take away from whatever team rises to win the crown. (conspiracy mode in full operation here on my part?)

But a longer view is one I favor. I want our conference to become what the Big12 is today. Multiple teams ranked throughout the season, and at least one FF participant...and occasional trophy for winning it all.

The old BE which went large in 1991, only had 2 years with a FF participant in the first 12 years of that lineup, with Conn winning it all in 1999.
Yet during that time it was considered a juggernaut because of starting earlier with the ESPN hype. But 2 FF participants in all that time from such a large league isn't necessarily tearing it up.

That's the beauty to me of the Fox deal. We've got the time and resources to build a basketball league equivalent to the Big12. Can we do it? We'll see.
A great start would be to get somebody in the FF this year, and of course win it all. Sure, we'll hear all about this was a down year, yada, yada, yada...
But it would be a great start.

Let's kick the damn door down.

[GoMuskies]

If the Big East becomes the Big XII, we're totally going to be Kansas.

[X-Fan]

It seems to me that a narrative is building this year in the media.

The general outline is that, this season, is not like most because there are no clear "great" teams as in years past. (overlooking that despite their greatness, often those teams didn't win it all...see Kentucky)

In a way it is set up to take away from whatever team rises to win the crown. (conspiracy mode in full operation here on my part?)

But a longer view is one I favor. I want our conference to become what the Big12 is today. Multiple teams ranked throughout the season, and at least one FF participant...and occasional trophy for winning it all.

The old BE which went large in 1991, only had 2 years with a FF participant in the first 12 years of that lineup, with Conn winning it all in 1999.
Yet during that time it was considered a juggernaut because of starting earlier with the ESPN hype. But 2 FF participants in all that time from such a large league isn't necessarily tearing it up.

That's the beauty to me of the Fox deal. We've got the time and resources to build a basketball league equivalent to the Big12. Can we do it? We'll see.
A great start would be to get somebody in the FF this year, and of course win it all. Sure, we'll hear all about this was a down year, yada, yada, yada...
But it would be a great start.

Let's kick the damn door down.
This x 1000!

And, I'm right on board with you on the conspiracy theory. ESPN is totally setting themselves up to downplay any success from any team not from the ACC, B12, B1G, and SEC.

I'll add that this type of behavior is a HUGE opportunity for FS1. Both in that they can feature the Big East, but also they can be what ESPN now refuses to be anymore...a sports network that simply tells it how it is. Don't know if they have this in mind, especially with the whole TMZ Sports stuff, but at least they are going away from Jay and Dan.

[xubrew]

Today is a great day!! Today, we have the first college basketball game (sort of) of any kind that is open to the public. There will be at least one college basketball game every day between now and the day after Selection Sunday!! (with the exception of Christmas Eve, which probably means we need to seriously examine cancelling Christmas, but that's another story).

Yes, it's a game that means absolutely nothing, and it's a game that would be of very little intrigue if the game actually did mean something. But, it is a game between two college basketball teams that we can actually watch!! LSU Alexandria, who I think is div2, travels to Southeast Louisiana, who is a middle of the pack team at best in the Southland!! HUGE GAME!!!

Okay, in all seriousness, the only thing I really like about the exhibition part of the season is that it is the first semblance of college basketball of any kind since the national championship game. Other than that, it's div1 teams stomping all over div2 and div3 teams. Even if the lower division teams do manage to make it competitive, that's generally because the div1 team has done something to make it a harder game for them to win. Instead of going to their strengths to try and win a game, a lot of teams will work on their weaknesses and try to improve those. Some teams run all practice long before a game so the players will be tired. I'm convinced that some coaches actually WANT to lose these games so they can yell and scream at their teams about how they need to get better.

I liked it better when you had the option of scheduling a non-college team. I'd like it better still if you had the option of scheduling another div1 team in a game that is open to the public rather than just a closed scrimmages. If coaches want a closed scrimmage, then fine. But, if they want an open exhibition against another div1 team, that should be fine too. Most other sports do this, and it's no problem.

In a nutshell, until the second Friday in November, college basketball's exhibition season is like being in a five star restaurant where you're hungry is hell, but only being served crackers until the real food comes out. It's food, but it's not what you want and it's not nearly as good as what is to come.

But, it is basketball!! And we've got the biggest game of the season so far tonight!!! I know everyone is pumped up!!! What are everyone's thoughts on tonight's big game??!!? Who's going to be watching it, and where will they be watching??

Holy Shit where has the season gone??

[GoMuskies]

Holy Shit where has the season gone??

Atlantic Sun Tournament tomorrow!

[xubrew]

Atlantic Sun Tournament tomorrow!

Yep! Thursday night was a pretty crazy night because the tournment is at campus sites, and as many as five teams could have finished either first or second going in to the final night.

See, the Horizon League used to be like that, but they ruined it.

[xu82]

If the Big East becomes the Big XII, we're totally going to be Kansas.

You just want home games!

[xubrew]

The Big Twelve can't seem to get teams past the Sweet Sixteen these past few years. Let's not be like the Big Twelve.

[GIMMFD]

The Big Twelve can't seem to get teams past the Sweet Sixteen these past few years. Let's not be like the Big Twelve.

Do you think it's because they have so many quality teams and just beat the hell out of each other during conference play, that they get tired in the tournament setting? Not being a smartass, just general discussion.

[X-Fan]

Someone help me understand this. The Big East is somehow perceived as weak this year because it's somewhat top heavy, and various rating systems (like KenPom) do not favor them.
--------
I don't get it. The Big East did VERY well in the Non-Conf. Here are some highlights before league play started:
The Big East accounted for one-fourth of the top 16. No. 6 Xavier, No. 9/10 Butler, No. 12/13 Providence and No. 16 Villanova.

Four teams with a combined record of 45-4.

RPI: Xavier was No. 1. Villanova was No. 5.

Results. Xavier over Dayton by 29 points, Cincinnati by 10, and Michigan by 16 in Ann Arbor. Butler over Purdue and Cincinnati, neither game at home. Providence over Arizona. Marquette over Wisconsin in Madison. Seton Hall over Wichita State.

Also: St. John’s might be 7-6 but beat Syracuse by 12. DePaul whipped ranked George Washington by 21. Creighton was seventh in the nation in scoring. Georgetown lost at home to Radford, Monmouth and UNC Asheville, but beat Syracuse and Wisconsin.

Big East teams won four early-season tournaments and finished second in two others.

All together, the league went 94-29.
--------
So with all that said, why are many "dogging" on the Big East for beating up on each other?? I realize that Prov & Butler are .500 in league play, but shouldn't that say more about the quality if the league than the opposite? Thats what people surmise about the B12. I know part of this is the bias toward the "Power 5" but I'm surprised still that so many fall for it. Comparing the standings of the Big East to the Big 12, the main difference is the bottom 3 B12 teams have gotten abused in conference vs the bottom 2 getting abused in the Big East. Essentially, the Big East is getting punished for having 8 talented teams.

Am I crazy? Someone explain this to me.

Note: I post this as Kansas is absolutely punishing Texas in Austin.

[GoMuskies]

St. Bonny fans would tell you if we just let them join the league to be our collective punching bag it would make the league much better.

[xubrew]

Do you think it's because they have so many quality teams and just beat the hell out of each other during conference play, that they get tired in the tournament setting? Not being a smartass, just general discussion.

Not really. This isn't football. I think it's just been a combination of bad games, bad match ups, and some bad luck.

[GIMMFD]

Not really. This isn't football. I think it's just been a combination of bad games, bad match ups, and some bad luck.

I don't know, I kind of think it's a little of both, I think Kansas is pretty good this year, and can make a run, but we all remember Wichita State last year. I'm just curious what it is that flames teams from good conferences out early. Because it's an occurring trend relatively often.

[Masterofreality]

Indiana will win the Big 10 regular season championship-with Tom Crean as coach. That's all you need to know about the quality of that league.

By the way. Greg Gard is doing all of this "great" coaching, and bringing Wisconsin"back", against an in-conference schedule. As X-Fan so correctly pointed out, Wisconsin lost to two non- NCAA Big East teams.

For Doug Gottlieb to pontificate that that league is better than the Big East ignores reality....and is abjectly ridiculous. I can't wait for all those B1G teams to get shown the door in the first weekend.

[X-Fan]

Bump. I'm not going to put this much effort into a post to not get any feedback. ;-)


Someone help me understand this. The Big East is somehow perceived as weak this year because it's somewhat top heavy, and various rating systems (like KenPom) do not favor them.
--------
I don't get it. The Big East did VERY well in the Non-Conf. Here are some highlights before league play started:
The Big East accounted for one-fourth of the top 16. No. 6 Xavier, No. 9/10 Butler, No. 12/13 Providence and No. 16 Villanova.

Four teams with a combined record of 45-4.

RPI: Xavier was No. 1. Villanova was No. 5.

Results. Xavier over Dayton by 29 points, Cincinnati by 10, and Michigan by 16 in Ann Arbor. Butler over Purdue and Cincinnati, neither game at home. Providence over Arizona. Marquette over Wisconsin in Madison. Seton Hall over Wichita State.

Also: St. John’s might be 7-6 but beat Syracuse by 12. DePaul whipped ranked George Washington by 21. Creighton was seventh in the nation in scoring. Georgetown lost at home to Radford, Monmouth and UNC Asheville, but beat Syracuse and Wisconsin.

Big East teams won four early-season tournaments and finished second in two others.

All together, the league went 94-29.
--------
So with all that said, why are many "dogging" on the Big East for beating up on each other?? I realize that Prov & Butler are .500 in league play, but shouldn't that say more about the quality if the league than the opposite? Thats what people surmise about the B12. I know part of this is the bias toward the "Power 5" but I'm surprised still that so many fall for it. Comparing the standings of the Big East to the Big 12, the main difference is the bottom 3 B12 teams have gotten abused in conference vs the bottom 2 getting abused in the Big East. Essentially, the Big East is getting punished for having 8 talented teams.

Am I crazy? Someone explain this to me.

Note: I post this as Kansas is absolutely punishing Texas in Austin.

[XUMIOH12]

Bump. I'm not going to put this much effort into a post to not get any feedback. ;-)

some people are dogging the BE because there arent any big name state schools, or "blue blood" programs and because none of the BE teams have made it past the sweet 16. Bottom line is, once there is major success in the tournament, there will be major respect for the league.

[XUFan09]

I don't know, I kind of think it's a little of both, I think Kansas is pretty good this year, and can make a run, but we all remember Wichita State last year. I'm just curious what it is that flames teams from good conferences out early. Because it's an occurring trend relatively often.
It's a single-elimination tournament. The higher seeds still win a good majority of the time. This is a case of selective perception, like when some people were scared of 8/9 seeds. Never mind that the 1 seed wins that matchup 7 out of every 8 times; people perceive that 12.5% as being much greater.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[paulxu]

There aren't any small name state schools either.
I agree we need "major" success in the tournament.
I would suggest we do have "blue blood" programs.

Nova, Georgetown and Marquette have been to more NCAA's than Michigan State
Xavier has been to more NCAA's than Maryland or Michigan.

So yes, we do need deeper runs to get the respect. But we are headed in the right direction

[GoMuskies]

I think Wichita State was actually favored over Kansas by gametime last year. KU just wasn't that good.

[GoMuskies]

but we all remember Wichita State last year

Also, the year before last it was Stanford.

[XUMIOH12]

as speculated earlier, it looks like Caris LeVert is done

[xubrew]

I don't know, I kind of think it's a little of both, I think Kansas is pretty good this year, and can make a run, but we all remember Wichita State last year. I'm just curious what it is that flames teams from good conferences out early. Because it's an occurring trend relatively often.

Well, when five of the top twelve teams fail to make the Sweet Sixteen, and three of those five are from the Big Twelve, one can't help but sit up and notice. You also notice that I think it's been three years since they put a team in the Elite Eight.

My personal opinion is that the reason is not that the league is just too strong and that they beat themselves up. But, I have no way of really quantifying that.

In the case of Baylor, I don't think they realized how good Georgia State could play. That Georgia State team was honestly talented enough to be solidly in the field, but they crapped the bed too many times and ended up on the #14 line.

In the case of Kansas, it's not like Wichita State wasn't good last year. And, they year before, they just couldn't hit the ocean in that game against Stanford.

To me, the only genuine surprise last year was Iowa State losing to UAB, and not only that but being outrebounded by UAB. That literally made no sense.

Oklahoma was a #3 seed, and they made the Sweet Sixteen, so the chalk held. I think everyone else went as far as their seed indicated they should go.

[xubrew]

Bump. I'm not going to put this much effort into a post to not get any feedback. ;-)

Who is it that's "dogging" the Big East??

Providence has hit the skids and is 2-6 in their last eight (or something like that), yet they're still being projected into the field. Half of the league is expected to make the NCAA Tournament by virtually everyone, and two teams are expected to end up as #1 or #2 seeds by virtually everyone.

If someone is shitting on the league, then I must be missing it.

[XUMIOH12]

Who is it that's "dogging" the Big East??

Providence has hit the skids and is 2-6 in their last eight (or something like that), yet they're still being projected into the field. Half of the league is expected to make the NCAA Tournament by virtually everyone, and two teams are expected to end up as #1 or #2 seeds by virtually everyone.

If someone is shitting on the league, then I must be missing it.

i think Bilas was shitting on the league, last saturday, when he picked Xavier to lose in the finals.

[X-Fan]

Who is it that's "dogging" the Big East??

Providence has hit the skids and is 2-6 in their last eight (or something like that), yet they're still being projected into the field. Half of the league is expected to make the NCAA Tournament by virtually everyone, and two teams are expected to end up as #1 or #2 seeds by virtually everyone.

If someone is shitting on the league, then I must be missing it.
I keep hearing people like Gottlieb talking about how X and Nova would finish 4th in the B12. Certainly X and Nova are getting respect for the most part, but going back to my main point, it annoys me that the Big East is doing exactly what the Big 12 is (beating each other in league play) and yet the projected seeds are lower with less teams getting in.

I'll admit, I could be listening to random morons on Twitter too much.

I know. I know. Just kick the darn door in.

[xubrew]

I keep hearing people like Gottlieb talking about how X and Nova would finish 4th in the B12. Certainly X and Nova are getting respect for the most part, but going back to my main point, it annoys me that the Big East is doing exactly what the Big 12 is (beating each other in league play) and yet the projected seeds are lower with less teams getting in.

I'll admit, I could be listening to random morons on Twitter too much.

I know. I know. Just kick the darn door in.

Aha!

I have identified the issue. I don't need to read any further.

Stop listening to Doug Gottlieb.

To be fair, I think he may have been right about something once. But, it doesn't happen often.

[XUMIOH12]

Aha!

I have identified the issue. I don't need to read any further.

Stop listening to Doug Gottlieb.

To be fair, I think he may have been right about something once. But, it doesn't happen often.

Yeah Gottlieb is one of the biggest idiots around. Just dont listen to anything he says and you will be better off for it. I cant stand when he announces the occasional CBS sports network game.

[GoMuskies]

Go Clempson! Even paul should be rooting for the Tigers tonight!

[Xville]

Remember when Iowa was good? Lost 4 in a row and 5 of 6. Yikes

[xubrew]

Yeah. I also remember when Indiana was pathetic.

[Masterofreality]

Yeah. I also remember when Indiana was pathetic.

When they were playing out of B1G competition.

[smileyy]

I blinked and there were 14 teams in the Big 10. I guess that's why they're the B1G now.

I hate tournaments with two levels of byes. Just...kick the bottom teams out of the tournament.

[xubrew]

I blinked and there were 14 teams in the Big 10. I guess that's why they're the B1G now.

I hate tournaments with two levels of byes. Just...kick the bottom teams out of the tournament.

I agree. I'd support a rule that said conferences were only allowed four rounds for their tournament. You're only allowed four exempt games, and conference tournaments are kind of like exempt events since they only count as one game on the schedule.

Having said that, I have no real strong arguments to make as to why that should be a rule. I just think tournaments should be four rounds or less.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Is there a nerdier student section in America than Duke?

[GoMuskies]

Is there a nerdier student section in America than Duke?

No

[xu82]

They appear proud of their lack of rhythm on the group jump thing. Like their local whiner club camp, but with less stamina.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Put this in wrong thread:

Carolina just hit their first shot to start 1 for 11 in the 2nd half against Duke. Luckily for them Duke has been almost as bad. UNC up 5 14 mins to go.

Then:

Duke all of a sudden on fire from deep. Ties it up. They were down double digits.

[D-West & PO-Z]

24 to 4 offensive rebounds in favor of UNC.

54 to 21 total.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Brice Johnson
18pts
21rebounds

[D-West & PO-Z]

Puke loses

[paulxu]

If this is Louisville's Super Bowl, they're playing like the damn Panthers.

[xubrew]

The Vegas 16, which only has eight teams in it, appears to have fewer than eight people in the stands right now.

[Masterofreality]

The Vegas 16, which only has eight teams in it, appears to have fewer than eight people in the stands right now.

Is that even a legal tournament? Is there a deadline for when the "season" has to end?

[X-band '01]

It was originally supposed to start last Saturday night with 16 teams, but with only 8 teams they shortened the time period from yesterday to Wednesday to play all the games. It looks like a low-level D-I conference tournament, minus the carrot of getting a ticket to the Big Dance with a championship.