The 2015-2016 Season Thread!!

[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??

[xubrew]

For those that are interested, and I realize it's probably not many of you, here is a list of all the open exhibition games....

http://hoopshd.com/exhibition-games-2015-2016/

[X-band '01]

Sign me up for Ned Ryerson v. Canisius on Friday.

[MADXSTER]

I'm taking LSU Alexandria to win by 3

[GoMuskies]

Other than that, it's div1 teams stomping all over div2 and div3 teams.

Unless that Division II team is Bellarmine

[paulxu]

I like Grubby the Miner over the Jackrabbits.

[xubrew]

Unless that Division II team is Bellarmine

I was trying to figure out what the hell you were talking about because I couldn't ever remember them beating Louisville, although they did come close once. I think.

Then....I remembered and realized what you were talking about.

I've got nothin'.

[xu82]

CRACKERS!!!!

It's a start.....

[xubrew]

I'm taking LSU Alexandria to win by 3

It's late in the first half, and SELA is getting their ass kicked. I think LSU Alexandria should take their place in the Southland if they win.

[xubrew]

Not many people at UC's exhibition game. Maybe a couple thousand. So, they're already in midseason form!!

[xubrew]

The Johnnies are down by 22. To Saint Thomas Acquinas. It's an amazingly sucktacular performance.

[xubrew]

Wow!! Great game johnnies!!

[xubrew]

Kentucky State is at Kentucky tonight on ESPN U. As most of you know Darnell Williams is coaching Kentucky State.

[GoMuskies]

Kentucky State is at Kentucky tonight on ESPN U. As most of you know Darnell Williams is coaching Kentucky State.

Good luck in THAT debut.

[xubrew]

Good luck in THAT debut.

I don't know man, these in state rivalries can get pretty crazy. You never know what's going to hap........

Okay, by the end of the game chances are he'll be questioning his career choice. It's going to be awful.

[Xville]

In recruiting news...Duke just picked up a commitment from Harry Giles next year. That means they have #1,#2 and #14 per ESPN coming in next year and I don't think they are done. Rich get richer.

[D-West & PO-Z]

He just tore his ACL again, different knee this time.

[GoMuskies]

Better Duke than Kentucky

[Xville]

He just tore his ACL again, different knee this time.

yeah saw that...i hope for the kid that he will come back from it ok even if he is going to Duke.

[muskiefan82]

Good luck in THAT debut.

If they can keep it close until the first 4 minutes have passed, I would call it a victory.

[xubrew]

WOW!!! My initial thoughts are that this is very surprising, very ill advised for the player, and very damaging for Utah State. They have gone from looking like a tournament team to maybe being an NIT team.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25370743/utah-state-forward-david-collette-leaving-team-likely-to-seek-transfer

[XMuskieFTW]

WOW!!! My initial thoughts are that this is very surprising, very ill advised for the player, and very damaging for Utah State. They have gone from looking like a tournament team to maybe being an NIT team.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25370743/utah-state-forward-david-collette-leaving-team-likely-to-seek-transfer

Seeing that he'll now start next season as a 23.5 year old sophomore putting him on track to finish his college career when he's 26 this seems a bit silly unless there are some very strong factors involved.

[MADXSTER]

I know some who finish their college career at 50 and that doesn't seem silly. He shouldn't care if he's 26 if someone is paying for his college IMO. Too much is placed on age IMO.

[XMuskieFTW]

I know some who finish their college career at 50 and that doesn't seem silly. He shouldn't care if he's 26 if someone is paying for his college IMO. Too much is placed on age IMO.

Normally I'd agree, but he sounds like he's good enough that he'll at least be able to make money overseas if not the NBA. He's already on the older side, so another year wasted when he probably only has 10-15 years of basketball left to earn a paycheck seems silly. When guys enter the draft at 19-22 and you're the 25-26 year old, you're not going to look attractive to teams.

[MADXSTER]

Normally I'd agree, but he sounds like he's good enough that he'll at least be able to make money overseas if not the NBA. He's already on the older side, so another year wasted when he probably only has 10-15 years of basketball left to earn a paycheck seems silly. When guys enter the draft at 19-22 and you're the 25-26 year old, you're not going to look attractive to teams.

Assuming he wants to play oversees. Don't get me wrong, I think this is a shit move and he should have his first semester scholly taken away. He left his team and teammates in a bad position. But the age thing, to me anyway is not an issue.

[xubrew]

Your div1 clock runs out once you're 25 unless you've served in the military or something like that. He MAY get an exception since he participated in an LDS Mission, but I don't know exactly how that works. Had he been able to play four seasons before turning 25, then he may be SOL.

But, still, transferring mid year means that you're not eligible to play at your new school until the Spring of the following season. In other words, he'll miss all of 2015-2016, and half of 2016-2017. He's a good player on a good team. Or...he WAS. This is....strange. The timing is strange. Their first game is tomorrow.

[Masterofreality]

HAVOC apparently doesn't play well in Texas. 0-1. Time will tell.

UCLA loses. All the Ben Howland Howlers can now turn their ire on to Steve Alford.

Wiscy and NC State also lose their "guarantee games" and Marquette screws it up.

Pretty interesting first night of games.

[X-band '01]

Belmont is better than your garden variety buy game, although that's still a game that Marquette ought to be able to win. Not as surprising as Western Illinois going into Wisconsin and getting a W.

[xubrew]

William & Mary is really good too. I think the Colonial is pretty strong this year. I realize most disagree with me, but Northeastern, James Madison and William & Mary are all three really good. I don't think it's a one bid league this year.

[xubrew]

Okay, if Radford beats Georgetown THAT would be shocking!! Just for context, Belmont and Bill & Mary are at-large caliber teams, so those upsets aren't that surprising. It's just that people aren't familiar with them. Radford is a crappy team by Big South standards. Well, that's what most thought anyway.

[Masterofreality]

Okay, if Radford beats Georgetown THAT would be shocking!! Just for context, Belmont and Bill & Mary are at-large caliber teams, so those upsets aren't that surprising. It's just that people aren't familiar with them. Radford is a crappy team by Big South standards. Well, that's what most thought anyway.

Or maybe JT III really sucks as a coach. Just maybe.

[xubrew]

Butler had 71 pts in the first half. I know the Citadel is dogshit, but still. Butler appears to be slightly more offensive oriented under Holtmann.

[bobbiemcgee]

Citadel is 345 rpi out of 351, slightly better than your pickup game.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Buzz Williams and Va Tech lose at home to Alabama State.

[xubrew]

Western Michigan is pretty good. When DePaul fell behind I didn't think they'd have a chance, but they've come back and look halfway decent.

[xu82]

Citadel is 345 rpi out of 351, slightly better than your pickup game.

Sounds like you could beat them by a billion, and it could hurt you.

[waggy]

I think Citadel is going to drop in the rankings.


edit: Considering 82's point though, they may actually rise.

[xubrew]

Valpo absolutely blasted a pretty good Iona team. Most people aren't able to see past the value of the brand name, but that was really freakin' impressive.

[GoMuskies]

Valpo absolutely blasted a pretty good Iona team. Most people aren't able to see past the value of the brand name, but that was really freakin' impressive.

I had Valpo -7.5, so I greatly appreciated the effort!

[xubrew]

This is the first night where there's a smattering of games that actually appear to be good. College basketball has an annoyingly unceremonious beginning. Ninety percent of the games over opening weekend are huge mismatches played in front of half empty arenas. It's the only major sport that's like that. The second Friday in November is never a huge day on the sports calendar. All the big football games are the next day, and baseball is over. College basketball has the entire night to itself, and they piss it away with a bunch of blah games.

[XUFan09]

I saw the listings for today, and yeah, it is pretty good. Living in Richmond, I'm just watching the VCU game.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[xubrew]

I saw the listings for today, and yeah, it is pretty good. Living in Richmond, I'm just watching the VCU game.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

It'd be great if SNY would put the damned score and clock on the screen.

[XUFan09]

It'd be great if SNY would put the damned score and clock on the screen.
Seemingly technical issues all game.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[xubrew]

If Virginia doesn't win, their season is over and their program may not recover. Playing on the road against a regional opponent that's successful at a lower level is how good programs vanish from the face of the Earth!!! Why would UVA play a game where they have everything lose?? EVERYTHING!! If they lose, it's all over!!

[X-band '01]

It's a 7-pt game with 5 minutes to play and GW fans are already chanting "Overrated." I hope they get bitten in the ass for chanting that early.

#Imissthetricornerhats

[MADXSTER]

GW wins and deserved to win. Good for them.

[Masterofreality]

If Virginia doesn't win, their season is over and their program may not recover. Playing on the road against a regional opponent that's successful at a lower level is how good programs vanish from the face of the Earth!!! Why would UVA play a game where they have everything lose?? EVERYTHING!! If they lose, it's all over!!

FIRE TONY BENNETT!!!! The guy obviously can't coach! No poise or discipline under pressure, horrible defense, and losing to a second rate bottom feeder who has the worst scoreboard horn and fight song in collegiate basketball. What a disgrace!!!!

[GoMuskies]

I assume Dayton beat Alabama since I haven't seen a post about the game yet.

[GoMuskies]

Yikes, we'd better not lose to Alabama next week.

[muskiefan82]

I assume Dayton beat Alabama since I haven't seen a post about the game yet.

Yep. 80-48. Valpo beat URI-Nation too. I thought URI was supposed to be good this year. Valpo must be the real deal again.

[XUglow]

Yikes, we'd better not lose to Alabama next week.

No chance.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yep. 80-48. Valpo beat URI-Nation too. I thought URI was supposed to be good this year. Valpo must be the real deal again.

I randomly saw they lost someone good on their team for the year to injury.

[XMuskieFTW]

I randomly saw they lost someone good on their team for the year to injury.

Yea they lost by far their best player. They should still be pretty good though. They got grad transfer Four Mcglynn who will fill in nicely for him and average 12-15 a game.

[X-band '01]

Foul shooting ultimately cost Rhody a victory, but they actually had drawn up a nice play on their final sequence. The shooter (McGlynn) did a brilliant fake on a Valpo defender and got a wide-open look but couldn't cash it in.

[xubrew]

Yep. 80-48. Valpo beat URI-Nation too. I thought URI was supposed to be good this year. Valpo must be the real deal again.

Valpo is VERY good this year.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Wichita State loses to Tulsa by 10 tonight.

[GoMuskies]

Our path to the finals in Orlando isn't looking too bad....which means we'll probably lose our first two down there given our history in these events.

[xubrew]

In the last 24 hours, we've had Virginia at George Washington and Georgetown at Maryland. Both games were great, and both atmospheres were great. Can we all agree that OOC games against regional opponents are a good thing, and that teams don't have everything to lose and nothing to gain by playing them?? UVA didn't lose a damn thing. It didn't set their program back. It won't even set their season back. If anything, they're more acclimated to hostile environments now.

I think college basketball really needs more games like that, especially at this point in the year. The vast majority of OOC games are boring mismatches. Those are really the only games where teams truly do have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Wichita State and Kansas Should play. Kentucky and Indiana need to get that series restarted. Georgetown and George Washington would be a great series. Hell, if UVA can do it, who currently has a much better basketball brand name than Georgetown, then Georgetown can also do it. Texas v Texas A&M and Gonzaga v Washington are happening, but in an exempt tournament, and that won't generate the electricity or fan interest that a campus site would.

[xubrew]

Wichita State loses to Tulsa by 10 tonight.

Tulsa is pretty good this year. Frank Haith is in year #2 as head coach. It isn't until his third year that his teams crash into the mountain.

[XUMIOH12]

I randomly saw they lost someone good on their team for the year to injury.

EC Matthews was probably the best player in the A10

[casualfan]

In the last 24 hours, we've had Virginia at George Washington and Georgetown at Maryland. Both games were great, and both atmospheres were great. Can we all agree that OOC games against regional opponents are a good thing, and that teams don't have everything to lose and nothing to gain by playing them?? UVA didn't lose a damn thing. It didn't set their program back. It won't even set their season back. If anything, they're more acclimated to hostile environments now.

I think college basketball really needs more games like that, especially at this point in the year. The vast majority of OOC games are boring mismatches. Those are really the only games where teams truly do have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Wichita State and Kansas Should play. Kentucky and Indiana need to get that series restarted. Georgetown and George Washington would be a great series. Hell, if UVA can do it, who currently has a much better basketball brand name than Georgetown, then Georgetown can also do it. Texas v Texas A&M and Gonzaga v Washington are happening, but in an exempt tournament, and that won't generate the electricity or fan interest that a campus site would.

This smells an awful lot like you angling for a discussion about playing UD lol.

[XUMIOH12]

Valpo is VERY good this year.

I would be surprised if they lost more than 1 game in conference, even one game really. Horizon league is bad this year.

[xubrew]

They shouldn't lose any conference games. Valpo is an at-large NCAA Tournament caliber team. No one else in the HL is even an NIT team this year.

[muskiefan82]

After all of the offseason and all the waiting, we now have two games gone already. The season is already going by quickly.

[xubrew]

When practice starts, it seems like the exhibition games will never get here. Then when you get the exhibition games going, they seem to drag on forever because you want real games. Then when the real games get here, the season is over before you know it.

Christmas is next week, and the Final Four is in three weeks. It definitely goes fast.

[paulxu]

Good lord. Rider (?) with a 12-0 run to open the second half at Maryland to lead by 14.

[bobbiemcgee]

VCU giving the dukies all they can handle.

[xubrew]

UT Arlington is giving Ohio State more than they can handle.

This is why buy games are toxic. You gain nothing when you win, and you may even lose a little bit even with a win. And if you lose, you have a really bad loss on your profile. Nicely done Buckeyes!!!

[xubrew]

Miami FL is REALLY good this year, BTW.

[Masterofreality]

UT Arlington is giving Ohio State more than they can handle.

This is why buy games are toxic. You gain nothing when you win, and you may even lose a little bit even with a win. And if you lose, you have a really bad loss on your profile. Nicely done Buckeyes!!!

Yeah, Arlington gave Toucan way more than he bargained for.....a LOSS!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah, Arlington gave Toucan way more than he bargained for.....a LOSS!

Ha, awesome!

[xubrew]

Meanwhile, this happened on the Front Range yesterday....

http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400817203

The mythical Front Range conference of Colorado, Colorado State, Wyoming, Air Force, Denver, and Northern Colorado isn't as nationally noticeable or as intense as the Big Five in Philadelphia, but there is some heat out there.

He bit a member of the United States Air Force. Sometimes we forget this when watching the games, but those guys really are commissioned in the USAFA. You should NEVER bite a serviceman/servicewoman, ESPECIALLY if their friends are nearby! It could ruin your whole day!

[X Factor]

Miami FL is REALLY good this year, BTW.

...and they just lost to Northeastern at HOME.


The other Miami, Miami (OH) beat Northeastern.

[X Factor]

#14 Cal lost for the second straight night; this time to Richmond.

[xubrew]

...and they just lost to Northeastern at HOME.


The other Miami, Miami (OH) beat Northeastern.

I happen to think Northeastern is really good this year as well, although I wasn't expecting them to win that game, and they had played poorly prior to this game, but they have their top six players back from a team that had a very strong finish and almost beat Notre Dame in the NCAAs. I realize that others won't start noticing them until January. Miami FL is still really good. They lost at home to a good team that they should have beaten, but that doesn't mean they're not good.

[xavierj]

I happen to think Northeastern is really good this year as well, although I wasn't expecting them to win that game, and they had played poorly prior to this game, but they have their top six players back from a team that had a very strong finish and almost beat Notre Dame in the NCAAs. I realize that others won't start noticing them until January. Miami FL is still really good. They lost at home to a good team that they should have beaten, but that doesn't mean they're not good.

Not sure a team can lose to Miami OH and get lucky to beat Florida Atlantic and Boston U and be considered really good.

[xubrew]

Not sure a team can lose to Miami OH and get lucky to beat Florida Atlantic and Boston U and be considered really good.

They've sucked this year until today. I'm basing it off of how they finished last year and that they have all their starters and key bench players back. Hopefully for them today's win will give them a jump start

[Blue Blobs Bro]

Brew your prayers have been answered

[XMuskieFTW]

Get the Bodybags ready. Zip the &$/-ers up.

[xubrew]

Brew your prayers have been answered

Not really. I was for Monmouth. I want the series back, but playing them one time in an exempt tournament in a children's theme park that's 900 miles away isn't really the same. It's not even close. Exempt tournaments are great, and it's been great to see games like Gonzaga v Washington, Syracuse v UConn, and Texas v TAMU, but those games don't come close to reaching their potential when they're in exempt events in resort ball rooms. They belong on campus, or at least at an accessible neutral site. Maryland v Georgetown was awesome. So was UVA v GW. We need more games like that at this time of year.

[xubrew]

Valpo is having tons more trouble with Ball State than they had with Oregon. This would be a very damaging loss.

[X-band '01]

This would by far be the biggest win in James Whitford's short tenure at BSU.

[xubrew]

Oh no William & Mary. This is why you can't have nice things. Losing to Howard is not a good thing.

[waggy]

Mary says it's all Wiliam's fault.

And is looking to hook up with Howard.

[X-band '01]

Wichita had better start winning when Fred VanVleet comes back from his hamstring injury. Iowa is blasting the Shockers right now.

[GoMuskies]

They get Frankamp in a couple of weeks, too.

[LA Muskie]

What a MISERABLE week for Wichita State. It's going to be very tough for them to dig their way out of this hole, even if the Committee gives them "credit" for missing Van Vleet.

[X-band '01]

But it's been a great week for Monmouth. Jeremy Robinson had 77 points in the tournament - could he be the MVP without even playing in the championship game?

Their bench was also entertaining to watch.

[X-band '01]

Alabama's off to a good start against Notre Dame in the Advocare finale. Could they come up with a pair of decent wins this weekend?

[xu82]

But it's been a great week for Monmouth. Jeremy Robinson had 77 points in the tournament - could he be the MVP without even playing in the championship game?

Their bench was also entertaining to watch.


That works for me. I hope we avoid individual awards (or even thoughts!). Great showing by him!

[X Factor]

Bama beats Notre Dame! With the win, Alabama moves into Top 100 of RPI.

[Masterofreality]

Bama beats Notre Dame! With the win, Alabama moves into Top 100 of RPI.

Alabama coming out of that Tournament winning 2 games is incredible. They looked like total garbage against us, but maybe it was our defense!!

[GoMuskies]

Dayton beat Alabama by 34 points. Color me confused by Bama.

[xubrew]

LSU is down 18. To College of Charleston. In case you were wondering, CofC is terrible.

GO HOME LSU!! YOU'RE DRUNK!!

[Masterofreality]

LSU is down 18. To College of Charleston. In case you were wondering, CofC is terrible.

GO HOME LSU!! YOU'RE DRUNK!!

But Ben Simmons....Ben Simmons.....ESPN's designated pimped player...Ben Simmons!!!!

[xubrew]

But Ben Simmons....Ben Simmons.....ESPN's designated pimped player...Ben Simmons!!!!

He may be better off without his teammates.

[xu82]

Don'tt hey have another 5 star frosh? What network? I think the other kid went to my kids HS, but the name is eluding me.

Edit: Antonio Blakeney. The coach started taking credit with "the kids have started buying into the program and what we've been teaching". No..... you have a 5 Star freshman guard who's dunking over everyone in town and can nail a 3 is his sleep. Blakeney transfereed. Coach was a complete idiot, and my son (the incumbent PG a few years ahead of Blakeney) elected to play soccer instead as a senior. Now he had a kid who got a scholarship to Loiusville, and he thinks he's a genius again. Go figure.

[Xville]

But Ben Simmons....Ben Simmons.....ESPN's designated pimped player...Ben Simmons!!!!

Ben Simmons is a complete stud...and might be better than Okafor or towns last year. The problem is that lsu is still coached by a complete moron.

[GoMuskies]

NKU lost to NC A&T tonight. A&T entered the night 0-7.

[D-West & PO-Z]

NKU lost to NC A&T tonight. A&T entered the night 0-7.

There goes that #58 RPI for NKU!

[XUOHTX]

NKU lost to NC A&T tonight. A&T entered the night 0-7.

How does one happen to even accidentally see this score anywhere?

[GoMuskies]

I read through ESPN's scores with the filter "NCAA Division I". I don't do that every day, but I do see a lot of scores.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I read through ESPN's scores with the filter "NCAA Division I". I don't do that every day, but I do see a lot of scores.

Same. I saw Wake beat Rutgers by 1, that is good.

[xubrew]

Nova is doing unspeakably horrible things to Saint Joe's right now.

[xubrew]

Joe's is coming back!!

Really big game going on between Old Dominion and William & Mary right now. I thought both could end up inside the bubble by the end of the year, but ODU stunk in their exempt tournament, and William & Mary shot themselves in the foot in their last game against Howard. It's still early in the year, but this is a very important game. And...of course...the place is half empty. Well, a third empty, but still.

[xubrew]

Texas Arlington, who virtually no one was expecting to finish in the top eight of the Sun Belt, has won at Ohio State, at Memphis, and now at Texas at the half. I've seen UTA play more this season than I have in the previous thirty seasons combined.

Nice win for W&M in a very ugly game.

[gladdenguy]

Michigan did what they had to do and that was get a win at NC State without Walton in the 2nd half.

[Masterofreality]

Michigan did what they had to do and that was get a win at NC State without Walton in the 2nd half.

Good. Hope the B1G shuts those ACC honks up.

[xubrew]

Arlington is starting to fade.

[xubrew]

Fordham is 5-1. If they beat Saint John's tonight, should we just go ahead and give Jeff Neubauer the national coach of the year?? Even if they lose all the rest of their games, it's still a drastic improvement.

[GoMuskies]

Morehead State 38, SLU 15 at the half in St. Louis.

[Xville]

Morehead State 38, SLU 15 at the half in St. Louis.

The dumbest thing that slu ever did was hire jim crews....he is single handily destroying everything that majerus built there

[xu82]

Ummm, 15 at the half? Are they playing shorthanded? Powerplays are more of a hockey thing...

[muskiefan82]

The ends is near! Dick Vitale, during the Duke-Indiana tilt, was talking about Trevon Blue it and how great Xavier is.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Ummm, 15 at the half? Are they playing shorthanded? Powerplays are more of a hockey thing...

SLU has record for least amount of points in shot clock era. Happened when I was either a JR or Soph there, @GW. 20 points, the whole game.

SLU is still very young, they had so much in the one recruiting class when the got to #10 in the country and its been downhill since. Jim Crews needs to get it together over there. Majerus did so much to change that program.

[waggy]

Jim Crews should be fired.

[GoMuskies]

Jim Crews should be fired.

And then shot

[bleedXblue]

IU getting drilled by Duke. Crean is done and deservedly so.

[xavierj]

The ends is near! Dick Vitale, during the Duke-Indiana tilt, was talking about Trevon Blue it and how great Xavier is.

Yeah i caught that. Then said xavier can play with anyone in the country, including Duke and Kentucky. Hope he is right. I do think xavier has more potential NBA talent than ever which is supposed to be a recipe for success.

[xubrew]

Chris Mullin was complaining to Jeff Neubauer about how Fordham left their starters in the game. When you're bitching about how Fordham ran the score up on you, it's not a good sign. I think this is the lowest moment in the history of Saint John's basketball. It's probably the lowest moment in the history of the Big East Conference.

[Masterofreality]

Chris Mullin was complaining to Jeff Neubauer about how Fordham left their starters in the game. When you're bitching about how Fordham ran the score up on you, it's not a good sign. I think this is the lowest moment in the history of Saint John's basketball. It's probably the lowest moment in the history of the Big East Conference.

This may be the truest statement ever made.

[xubrew]

UCLA beat Kentucky!

Monmouth won at UCLA!

CAN MONMOUTH GET A #1 SEED!!??

[muskiefan82]

UCLA beat Kentucky!

Monmouth won at UCLA!

CAN MONMOUTH GET A #1 SEED!!??

Believe in the Hawks.

[xubrew]

Everyone stop what they're doing so they can point and laugh at Boston College.

[xubrew]

Baseball parks are great for baseball. As interesting as the USD v San Siego State game is, I can't help but think how great it would be in an arena.

[xubrew]

The court out at Pearl Harbor isn't shiny enough.

[xubrew]

Northeastern should really be better. They returned six of their top players from last year's team, and they won at Miami so they CAN be good. That's the only game where they've played up to their ability, though. They should be good enough to land inside the bubble, but they keep crapping themselves.

[xubrew]

West Virginia is DAMN good!!

[GoMuskies]

West Virginia is DAMN good!!

Almost as good as G-Dub?

[GIMMFD]

West Virginia is DAMN good!!

Blew the damn lead, typical WVU fashion. It's painful watching them as a fan, but the press is going to be good with a 30 second shot clock now. Just have to break it and force them into jump shots.

[xubrew]

West Virginia is DAMN good!!

West Virginia is AWFUL!!

[X Factor]

A couple of undefeateds look to be going down tonight; WVU and Houston both losing late second half.

[X Factor]

How long until Richard Pitino gets ran off at Minnesota? Is he even on the hotseat?

They're 5-3 this year and getting pounded at home tonight by South Dakota St.

[Masterofreality]

How long until Richard Pitino gets ran off at Minnesota? Is he even on the hotseat?

They're 5-3 this year and getting pounded at home tonight by South Dakota St.

Remember when JP Macure was choosing between X and Minny?

Remember when that writer from the St. Paul Press asked Chris Mack about being a mid major?

Good times.

[xubrew]

Fordham has won seven straight. Fordham.

I know they're playing awful teams, but Fordham hasn't even been able to beat anyone who was awful in the past.

[Masterofreality]

Fordham has won seven straight. Fordham.

I know they're playing awful teams, but Fordham hasn't even been able to beat anyone who was awful in the past.

Well, they did beat the Johnnies.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gonzaga edges out 3-4 Montana at home 61 to 58.

[Cheesehead]

Remember when JP Macure was choosing between X and Minny?

Remember when that writer from the St. Paul Press asked Chris Mack about being a mid major?

Good times.

I think JP is thanking his lucky stars on that decision.

[waggy]

JP looks about 15 pounds heavier this year.

[XUFan09]

Fordham has won seven straight. Fordham.

I know they're playing awful teams, but Fordham hasn't even been able to beat anyone who was awful in the past.

Good Lord, how is this happening? If Fordham were to join the Big East right now, they would slot in ahead of two other teams per Kenpom rankings. This is perhaps the only time you could ever say that.

[X Factor]

Fordham's SOS is 306.

[GoMuskies]

I hadn't seen that SMU beat Michigan like a rented mule. Yikes.

[xubrew]

Fordham's SOS is 306.

Exactly! It's amazing they've won seven in a row against a schedule that tough! A handful of wins came against top 300 teams!!

[Masterofreality]

Gotta tell ya.

Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interested in udump vs the Commode-dors tonight.

[GoMuskies]

I hadn't seen that SMU beat Michigan like a rented mule. Yikes.

SMU is in the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC. Just thought MOR would like to know.

[xubrew]

Gotta tell ya.

Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interested in udump vs the Commode-dors tonight.

Dayton may end up having just a little bit of trouble with Vandy's front court. It'll probably be more ugly than interesting.

[Masterofreality]

Dayton may end up having just a little bit of trouble with Vandy's front court. It'll probably be more ugly than interesting.

And it is becoming that way. The Cryers are missing Jordan Sibert much more than they ever thought. That guy held that program together for the last 2 years.

Archie should have bolted when the bolting was good.

[Masterofreality]

SMU is in the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC. Just thought MOR would like to know.

Really? Do they even have a program this year since they aren't NCAA eligible? They're just playing practice games right?

SMU is nowhere, nil, nada.

[GoMuskies]

So Wichita State is up 31-22 on UNLV at halftime. VanVleet has 14 points for them. He seems to make quite a difference for them. Too bad he got hurt, because it would have bben fun to beat them at full strength in Orlando.

[xu82]

Dayton may end up having just a little bit of trouble with Vandy's front court. It'll probably be more ugly than interesting.

Dayton within 1 with about 15 minutes left in the 2nd. It seems unnatural to root for them, but I'm more pro-XU than anti-VD (though come to think of it, I am VERY anti-VD!). My son lives only a few hundred yards from that gym. I love visiting there! .

[Masterofreality]

And VD has the lead!

[Masterofreality]

What the hell is Vanderbilt doing? I swear that Kevin Stallings gets less out of his players than any coach I know.

[Masterofreality]

Meanwhile, on the PAC 12 network, Fresno is ahead of The Desert Raccoons by 1 with 12 to go in the second half.

I'm doubling down on Millers right now!

[xu82]

Meanwhile, on the PAC 12 network, Fresno is ahead of The Desert Raccoons by 1 with 12 to go in the second half.

I'm doubling down on Millers right now!

Two fisted with the Miller High Life?

[xu82]

VD is making me hate them even more as I try to root for them. It''s so conflicting! Try this..... DON"T BE STUPID. Apparently a charge is against the rules. Every time.

[Masterofreality]

VD is making me hate them even more as I try to root for them. It''s so conflicting! Try this..... DON"T BE STUPID. Apparently a charge is against the rules. Every time.

Scoochie is not the smartest player.

[xu82]

Scoochie is not the smartest player.

Well, he is a Scoochie. Expectations should be adjusted.

[xu82]

That sounds like a loud "Let's Go Flyers" on D at Vanderbilt. Anyone else hearing that? I found it a bit shocking. I recall they traveled well to Orlando (not that it helped anything other than their tan).

[D-West & PO-Z]

Dagger.

[Masterofreality]

Dagger.

Pollard makes a side spin 3. Not exactly classic form.

[KC4X]

I hear that too.

Looks like a VD win... up 5 with less than a minute to go. Dammit! Er, I mean, WooHoo?

[xu82]

I'd move to Nashville, if it wasn't going north instead of south.

[xu82]

Missing FT's is what makes losers.

[xu82]

Drain two!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Dayton made it more interesting than it should have been at the end.

[Masterofreality]

F VD......but good for Xavier's RPI.

And Kevin Stallings blows.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Vandy had a big guy out they said, anyone know how good he was? Was he a starter? Is he newly injured?

[xubrew]

Vandy had a big guy out they said, anyone know how good he was? Was he a starter? Is he newly injured?


Dayton may end up having just a little bit of trouble with Vandy's front court. It'll probably be more ugly than interesting.

They're going to be without Luke Kornet for 4-6 weeks. I didn't realize that before the game. I think he's pretty good and that Vandy would have rolled if they had him. Having said that UD is also without a key player, so I guess that makes it even

[Masterofreality]

Yeah Kornet could have made a difference. He's 7 feet, he averages about 10 ppg and 6 rebounds, plus besides being able to score inside, he also shot 40% from 3 last year.

But that being said, Vandy was alarmingly cavalier with the ball last night. They were a turnover machine and basically gave the game away. I don't think that having Kornet would have changed that, plus, they did have another effective big- Damian Jones- who is another 7 footer and scored 18. They just seemed to forget about him in the second half.

[XUMIOH12]

They're going to be without Luke Kornet for 4-6 weeks. I didn't realize that before the game. I think he's pretty good and that Vandy would have rolled if they had him. Having said that UD is also without a key player, so I guess that makes it even

Missing a player because of injury and missing a player because of misconduct are two different things in my book.

[xubrew]

Iowa State v Iowa has always been heated. It's been a lot more fun since both teams became nationally relevant at the same time.

Wazzu has just one loss against a crapola schedule, but they've still looked a lot better than what we've seen in recent years. They play Idaho tonight. I believe the schools are just eight miles apart. I don't think they do this anymore, but it used to be that the students at the visiting team's school would actually walk to the game. Sort of like a "march to the match" in soccer, or something.

[xubrew]

The overrated #4th ranked team, that was on pace to be the overrated #2 ranked team on Monday if they won tonight, is getting blown out by their unranked rivals at home right now.

[xubrew]

The overrated #4th ranked team, that was on pace to be the overrated #2 ranked team on Monday if they won tonight, is getting blown out by their unranked rivals at home right now.

My mistake. They're already ranked #2 in the coaches poll.

[Blue Blobs Bro]

Iowa state lacks a true center, I think if they had that they could be serious contenders, but without that, they are getting beat pretty handily inside by a very average center on Iowa .

[xubrew]

This game is incredible!

[gladdenguy]

Iowa shit the bed. That was an epic collapse. Turnover under Iowa St. basket then a 5 second call. Terrible down the stretch.

[paulxu]

Iowa shit the bed. That was an epic collapse. Turnover under Iowa St. basket then a 5 second call. Terrible down the stretch.

Didn't get to see it...but I thought they did away with the 5 second call in the new rule changes?

[XUFan09]

Didn't get to see it...but I thought they did away with the 5 second call in the new rule changes?

They did away with it when a player is dribbling the ball. The five-second rule still applies when a player is closely guarded while holding the ball, and then this instance was actually five seconds on the inbounds.

[paulxu]

Txs.

[D-West & PO-Z]

They did away with it when a player is dribbling the ball. The five-second rule still applies when a player is closely guarded while holding the ball


This is interesting, I did not know they only got rid of part of it.

When we were discussing this in the offseason people were talking about how a player could hold the ball and just waste time towards end of game, and were upset by that, but that doesnt seem to be allowed base off what you are saying.

[xubrew]

The #2 team in the country stormed the court after barely beating an unranked team that many were expecting them to clobber. That may be a first.

[Masterofreality]

The #2 team in the country stormed the court after barely beating an unranked team that many were expecting them to clobber. That may be a first.

I believe that this occurrence was abjectly hilarious. Court storming rules no longer apply.

[XUFan09]

This is interesting, I did not know they only got rid of part of it.

When we were discussing this in the offseason people were talking about how a player could hold the ball and just waste time towards end of game, and were upset by that, but that doesnt seem to be allowed base off what you are saying.
Yup.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[D-West & PO-Z]

The #2 team in the country stormed the court after barely beating an unranked team that many were expecting them to clobber. That may be a first.


I believe that this occurrence was abjectly hilarious. Court storming rules no longer apply.



Columnist for one of the Iowa papers was injured during the court storming. Tib-fib fracture in one of his legs.

Ouch.

Not sure the circumstances behind his injury.

[XUMIOH12]

The #2 team in the country stormed the court after barely beating an unranked team that many were expecting them to clobber. That may be a first.

so stupid haha, what a joke. No reason to storm the court after beating a big underdog.

[D-West & PO-Z]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14342305/michigan-wolverines-guard-spike-albrecht-ends-career-nagging-hip-injury

[XUFan09]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14342305/michigan-wolverines-guard-spike-albrecht-ends-career-nagging-hip-injury
Our signature road win is becoming less and less signature as the season goes. Luckily, the Selection Committee doesn't just look at the team's RPI. They actually know the circumstances of the game when it was played in detail.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[Xville]

Michigan will be fine....most likely they are going to be 10-3 entering conference play and outside of the top 3 in the big ten, the rest of the league is just meh....so they can very easily be the fourth team in the big ten which is a tournament team.

[GoMuskies]

Our signature road win is becoming less and less signature as the season goes. Luckily, the Selection Committee doesn't just look at the team's RPI. They actually know the circumstances of the game when it was played in detail.


Well, if it turns out that Michigan blows goats (which has so far been the case), then it really won't matter. I mean, we're not going to get credit from the Selection Committee for beating them with Albrecht when they've kinda sucked in the time Albrecht was playing for them.

[xu82]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14342305/michigan-wolverines-guard-spike-albrecht-ends-career-nagging-hip-injury

Well, that really blows for him. Far too young to have such serious issues. Glad he seems to have the proper perspective.

[xubrew]

I just realized this. Navy played VMI and Army played Air Force. Both games overlapped the Army v Navy football game.

Am I alone in thinking that should have been avoided??

[GoMuskies]

Why? To assist the dozens of people who care about Army and Navy basketball?

[Xville]

No one has done less with more than Roy williams...he blows. Shaka can run circles around him.

[xubrew]

Why? To assist the dozens of people who care about Army and Navy basketball?

Well...yeah. If you don't have many fans, then take care of the few that you do have. Plus, they're trying to build up that series. It makes no sense from a basketball standpoint to put it up against the Army v Navy football game. They found a way to make people care even less about it.

[xubrew]

No one has done less with more than Roy williams...he blows. Shaka can run circles around him.

They've lost both their road games, and neither were against teams that were really good. Northern Iowa and Texas are decent, but a top ten team should at least beat one of them, and probably both of them. UNC beat neither of htem.

[xubrew]

Chattanooga is up at the half, but Casey Jones isn't playing, which really sucks. I just now realized that he was out for this game. I guess he hurt his ankle in practice on Friday. Again, for Chattanooga who has some good wins already, if they get this one it may make the difference of them needing the automatic bid or not.

[X-band '01]

Must be a parallel universe tonight - Chattanooga gets a late foul call in their favor and win up in the Decibel Dungeon.

[xubrew]

MOCS!!!!!!!!

Okay, interesting case. Chattanooga has won at Georgia, at Illinois (which may turn out to be nothing giving how the Illini have been looking) and at Dayton.

They have a loss to a UL Monroe team that doesn't suck, but isn't good either.

But, the problem is their best player may be out for the year. If Casey Jones were healthy and still with them, I'd say Chattanooga is good enough to run over the SoCon and make the NCAAs whether they win the conference tournament or not.

Again, there are no "one bid leagues." If teams from smaller conferences get out there and win, they can get in without the automatic bid. I REALLY like this Chattanooga team. I hate that Jones is hurt. I didn't realize he was hurt until about an hour ago. I hope he's not out the rest of the year. But, a good win for them.

[xubrew]

Must be a parallel universe tonight - Chattanooga gets a late foul call in their favor and win up in the Decibel Dungeon.

Chattanooga is good! If Casey Jones plays it probably doesn't even come down to the wire the way that it did.

[Masterofreality]

They've lost both their road games, and neither were against teams that were really good. Northern Iowa and Texas are decent, but a top ten team should at least beat one of them, and probably both of them. UNC beat neither of htem.

But ESPN will rank them 3rd next week in their ridiculous, fake BPI, because, you know, ESPN has the ACC contract.

[GoMuskies]

UNC remains #1 in live RPI. X is #3.

[Masterofreality]

UNC remains #1 in live RPI. X is #3.

X's ranking in RPI is because the Borecats, despite their poll ranking, were about 80 in the RPI rating.

I have NO idea, how UNC is rated 1.

[xubrew]

X's ranking in RPI is because the Borecats, despite their poll ranking, were about 80 in the RPI rating.

I have NO idea, how UNC is rated 1.

It's the opponent's record that bloats out the second level of hte RPI. Davidson, K State (at least for now), Northwestern, and Maryland all have really good records. That's why.

[xubrew]

Gonzaga is nowhere close to as good as I thought they would be. UCLA is a decent team, but on the road they're terrible. They won just two road games last year, and haven't been all that good in their neutral floor games this year. Yet, they're right in there with Gonzaga at Gonzaga. Now granted, it's just halftime, but if you're playing UCLA at home and you're any good at all, you should absolutely clobber them.

They had to sweat out Montana earlier this week too. They're still NCAA Tournament good, but I don't think they're anywhere close to top ten good like I did when the season started.

[GoMuskies]

Wiltjer and Sabonis are great. Not liking the rest of their team.

[xu82]

X's ranking in RPI is because the Borecats, despite their poll ranking, were about 80 in the RPI rating.

I have NO idea, how UNC is rated 1.
Do the losses help? haha

[xudash]

Did I see correctly that UD lost to Chattanooga! At home.

[xubrew]

Chattanooga's best player was also hurt and didn't play.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Down go the Zags!

[xubrew]

Syracuse plays their best basketball when they're in another country

[xubrew]

Alabama wins their first game on the road against Clemson since losing Ingram. I know Clemson isn't great, but it's still somewhat encouraging that they can go on the road and win a game against a decent team after losing a key player. Props to Avery Johnson and co.

[xubrew]

This is such a boring week of games. Teams take it easy because a lot of them are taking exams. I think this is why we need to do away with exams.

[xu82]

This is such a boring week of games. Teams take it easy because a lot of them are taking exams. I think this is why we need to do away with exams.

Is that the Kentucky Method? I mean, they'll never graduate anyway....

[xubrew]

Marshall and West Virginia go at it tonight. I've always been compelled by this game. the bitterness is right up there with most rivalries, which is funny because when you look at the status of the two programs they're not rivals at all. It would be like Kentucky having a strong hatred for Eastern Kentucky. The gap may even be larger than that. At least Eastern KY has been somewhat successful at the OVC level. In basketball, Marshall hasn't achieved anything at any point in recent memory. They normally play tough in this game, and then go away for the rest of the year. I know in football when Marshall transitioned up to 1A/FBS, they had a four game series with WVU where all four games were at WVU. Then, Marshall wanted to alter the deal so they would get a home game. When WVU wouldn't change the deal, Marshall backed out of the remaining games. A few years later when Marshall wanted the series to resume, WVU said no. The state legislature ended up getting involved. So, I guess I can see why WVU would be annoyed. But, I don't see why they would be anything more than that. There is no rivalry here in terms of the two programs. But, they still hate each other, and you gotta love that!

[xubrew]

Is that the Kentucky Method? I mean, they'll never graduate anyway....

Well, there is always the Louisville method. Schedule every out of conference game as if it were exam week.

[xubrew]

Grand Canyon won at San Diego State last night. They are in year #3 of their transition up to div1, and I think it is safe to decree them the greatest transitional program EVER! All their home games are sold out, or close to it. They are hands down the best team in the WAC this year and would likely win it and go to the NCAAs if they were allowed to, they have just two losses on the year, and they just won at San Diego State! It was amazing. San Diego State is one of the most hostile environments in the country, so much so that opponents and opposing fans have actually complained about "The Show." Last night, the GCU fans were out yelling the SDSU fans by the end of the game, and running around the crowd, and doing all kinds of stuff.

I know there is no way in hell the NCAA will change the rules, but DAMN it would be awesome if they did. I mean, there are 350 div1 teams, and I'd say 300 of them don't have as good of an atmosphere as GCU does.

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

[GoMuskies]

Louisville beat Grand Canyon by about 50 points. Maybe Louisville actually is good. Sadly, that's Louisville's best win, so it's hard to know.

Shockingly, though, Louisville is scheduled to play AT Grand Canyon next year.

[X-band '01]

Anyone on Louisville's roster from Arizona? It could be a homecoming game; it could be that Louisville wants a road test to pad their RPI for next season.

It will be fascinating to monitor Grand Canyon since they're the only for-profit Division I school right now. The Pac-12 in particular is hellbent on ensuring that none of their members schedule Grand Canyon in basketball.

[xubrew]

Louisville beat Grand Canyon by about 50 points. Maybe Louisville actually is good. Sadly, that's Louisville's best win, so it's hard to know.

Shockingly, though, Louisville is scheduled to play AT Grand Canyon next year.

Is it actually on their campus or is it in the NBA Arena?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Saw this:

Top-10 teams from Duke and Kentucky had never lost to unranked opponents on the same day.

[xubrew]

Samford may have been one of the biggest trainwrecks in college basketball two years ago. They are very much improved.

Nebraska is...well....not.

[GoMuskies]

So my high school classmate Scott Padgett is getting it done there?

[xubrew]

So my high school classmate Scott Padgett is getting it done there?

Yes he is. I didn't think he would. The man that hired him was a moron, and the man who hired the man who hired him was a moron. But, Padgett has gotten them completely turned around in less than two years.

[Masterofreality]

So my high school classmate Scott Padgett is getting it done there?

Always have to pimp those St. Xavier Tigers don't you? :wink:

By the way. I just realized that the two most prolific posters on this board are from Louisville originally.

Coincidence? I think......so.

[Masterofreality]

Ok, this is too funny.

Our boy, who is still around, ATL/Music City Muskie posted this on Facebook:

"Welcome to the Big East..........Dayton Flyers!!!!"
1881

[X-band '01]

Ok, this is too funny.

Our boy, who is still around, ATL/Music City Muskie posted this on Facebook:

"Welcome to the Big East..........Dayton Flyers!!!!"
1881

I'm sorry, the first runner-up is the Dayton Flyers.

Welcome to the Big East...........the Creighton Bluejays!

[Muskie]

Jim Crews should be fired.

I was mocked roundly on the A10 website and at Billikens.com when they hired him. Seems I was correct. He was just so-so at Evansville. Another Knight assistant who didn't quite make that next leap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Masterofreality]

I was mocked roundly on the A10 website and at Billikens.com when they hired him. Seems I was correct. He was just so-so at Evansville. Another Knight assistant who didn't quite make that next leap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

St. Louis. Another example of a "Coach", not a program. Majerus put them back on the map, temporarily. Now they stink again.

[Xville]

St. Louis. Another example of a "Coach", not a program. Majerus put them back on the map, temporarily. Now they stink again.

they could have turned into a program had they not hired Crews, and actually did a good search. Saint Louis should be able to do what Xavier has done. They have a new, very nice on campus arena, some decent alumni support, in a decent basketball area. While growing up there, I never understood why they couldn't get their stuff together. I think it says a lot about how Xavier has been able to hire good coach after good coach, while SLU will hire a good one once every 20 years with 2-3 bad coaches in between.

[GoMuskies]

SLU was good a number of years with Spoon, and Lorenzo Romar did okay work there as well (though I thought he was a bit overrated at SLU). They have plenty of the infrastructure necessary to be an excellent program. They just made an idiotic hiring decision that anyone with a lick of sense knew wouldn't work out.

[Xville]

SLU just never seemed to be able to parlay their success very well. Around 1990, they had Anthony Bonner who was a first round NBA draft pick, 1995ish they had Erwin Claggett who is a member of the saint louis university hall of fame, they then had Larry Hughes (though it was for just one season) a couple of years later...then they had about 7-8 years of pretty medicore basketball until Majerus came along, had a couple of kids who grew up to be pretty darn good basketball players by the time they were juniors and seniors, and now they have nothing again.

[xubrew]

Always have to pimp those St. Xavier Tigers don't you? :wink:

By the way. I just realized that the two most prolific posters on this board are from Louisville originally.

Coincidence? I think......so.

Apparently we also went to the same high school, although we were there at different times. It kind of sucks when you realize kids are being recruited from your high school that were born after you graduated high school.

[xubrew]

they could have turned into a program had they not hired Crews, and actually did a good search. Saint Louis should be able to do what Xavier has done. They have a new, very nice on campus arena, some decent alumni support, in a decent basketball area. While growing up there, I never understood why they couldn't get their stuff together. I think it says a lot about how Xavier has been able to hire good coach after good coach, while SLU will hire a good one once every 20 years with 2-3 bad coaches in between.

Had they hired virtually anyone else, things would have been much better. Had they promoted the guy who sweeps the floor instead of hiring Crews, they'd probably be better off.

[D-West & PO-Z]

SLU just never seemed to be able to parlay their success very well. Around 1990, they had Anthony Bonner who was a first round NBA draft pick, 1995ish they had Erwin Claggett who is a member of the saint louis university hall of fame, they then had Larry Hughes (though it was for just one season) a couple of years later...then they had about 7-8 years of pretty medicore basketball until Majerus came along, had a couple of kids who grew up to be pretty darn good basketball players by the time they were juniors and seniors, and now they have nothing again.

They should have been much much better than they were with Tommy Liddell and Kevin Lisch. Those guys were very good and 4 year starters. They beat XU several times with those guys but Soderberg was a horrendous coach.

On a side note Willie Reed (one of Majerus' recruits) who was at SLU before leaving under some suspicious claims by a student on campus (same that cost Kwamain Mitchell a season) just made his NBA debut last week for the Brooklyn Nets. I had no idea he was even in the NBA, guess he got called up from the D league. He did pretty well in his debut. Majerus was a hell of a coach and had a knack for finding talent where others couldnt.

[Masterofreality]

SLU was good a number of years with Spoon, and Lorenzo Romar did okay work there as well (though I thought he was a bit overrated at SLU). They have plenty of the infrastructure necessary to be an excellent program. They just made an idiotic hiring decision that anyone with a lick of sense knew wouldn't work out.

Let's give Crews some credit. For two years, he taught Chris Mack what NOT to do as a Head College Basketball Coach.

[xubrew]

If you're not awake watching the Diamond Head Classic right now then you're not a true hoops fan!!

[X Factor]

Northern Iowa down 8 to Hawaii in the second half...

[X Factor]

UNI down 17 under a minute to go. Crazy they just won at Iowa St. a few days ago.

Always hard to travel that far and play well.

[xubrew]

This was very predictable. UNI is a very young team. They can get way up for big games, but also overlook good teams. Hawaii hasn't lost at home yet, and may not lose at home all year. Hawaii is also on probation for the next three years. They lost a lot more than they won yesterday.

[X-band '01]

On probation, yes. But unlike SMU, their postseason ban doesn't kick in until next season.

[xubrew]

On probation, yes. But unlike SMU, their postseason ban doesn't kick in until next season.

Thanks. Didn't realize that didn't start until next year.

[xubrew]

Another Louisville v Kentucky game in the books!! And, another extreme fallout is underway!!

No one has ever lost this game where the refs weren't paid off to cheat them out of it. Louisville fans are certain this happened, and that World Wide Wes had something to do with it.

Pitino was complaining about the officiating and the abusive fans.

Kentucky fans are claiming that Pitino flicked them off, and that's spreading all over the internet.

And, had Louisville won, it would have been the same extreme reaction on the other side.

Nothing like Christmastime in the Blue Grass State!!

This rivalry is totally nuts. I don't mean that in an entirely good way. It's at a completely irrational level. Auburn v Alabama isn't this bitter, and even if it was at least that's a conference game that has conference title stakes on the line. This is just an ordinary OOC game. Kansas v Missouri, and West Virginia v Pitt might be worse, but I doubt it. If you go to this game, it's one of the nastiest and most hostile environments you will ever walk into. I don't know how many different arenas I've been to. I don't think it's quite 200, but I'd say it's easily more than 100. I've never seen anything else that was quite as bitter as this. There are certainly bigger and more important rivalries. I don't think there are any that are more bitter, though. Maybe Kansas v Missouri or West Virginia v Pitt, but those rivalries are currently dormant.

It's usually an ugly game that's barely watchable, but yesterday it was actually somewhat well played and it came down to the very end. Now, both teams need to get over it and get ready for the more important (at least on paper) conference games that are coming up.

[xubrew]

Cincinnati just lost at home to a piece of shit Temple team that probably won't end up anywhere close to the NIT.

WELL DONE UC!!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Cincinnati just lost at home to a piece of shit Temple team that probably won't end up anywhere close to the NIT.

WELL DONE UC!!

Awesome!

[xumuskies08]

Temple was 118 in the RPI and 111 in KenPom. What a horrid loss. Nice one, Bearcats.

Edit. Temple now at 78 in the RPI. That is a freaking massive jump.

[xubrew]

Temple was 118 in the RPI and 111 in KenPom. What a horrid loss. Nice one, Bearcats.

Edit. Temple now at 78 in the RPI. That is a freaking massive jump.

It's still a pretty bad loss. I was actually hoping the UC win would be one that we'd get quite a bit of credit for. How is it they lose at home to a team that sucks a hell of a lot worse than Iowa State and Butler?

[X-band '01]

Ask Mick Cronin on UC postgame (http://www.iheart.com/live/700wlw-1713/?autoplay=true&pname=1209&campid=play_bar&cid=index.html)

[xubrew]

Gonzaga will play the rest of the year without Karnowski, who needs to have back surgery. They weren't as good as everyone thought they were with him. They're even less good without him.

[Masterofreality]

Gonzaga will play the rest of the year without Karnowski, who needs to have back surgery. They weren't as good as everyone thought they were with him. They're even less good without him.

Question with Karnowski is whether he even comes back. He could very easily go pro either here or in Europe (most probably).

[xubrew]

Chattanooga barely survives what would have been a kneecap cracking loss at The Citadel.