College Basketball Season Thread 2016-2017

[GoMuskies]

This is dated, and admittedly most people don't find it as funny as I do, but I think it's hilarious.

This was posted by a local radio station a couple of years after Herb Sendek had been fired. Herb Sendek is far from being a great coach, but I do think he's at least a decent coach and he's done better at NC State than probably anyone since Jimmy V. Wittenberg arrived, and the program went into a tailspin by year two (which is when I think this was posted). That same year, Sendek had Arizona State, who had been a dumpster fire (and is once again) in the NCAA Tournament.

So, that's the backstory. Enjoy...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwOou2hDhQo

In fairness to NC State, Sendek really did suck, and was fired by Arizona State, too.

[xubrew]

In fairness to NC State, Sendek really did suck, and was fired by Arizona State, too.

The year they fired him, he had made his fifth straight tournament, and he made it out of the first round four of those five years. I wouldn't call that sucking. I wouldn't call it as good as Duke or UNC, but if you were to compile a list of teams who have been to five straight tournaments and been past the first round in at least four of them, you'd have a rather short list. And it's not like they were good when he took them over. They were coming off of four straight years of finishing in either 8th or 9th place and had been nowhere close to the NIT, much less the NCAA. I wouldn't call that sucking. I'd call it at least decent. They really haven't done any better since then.

And speaking of suck, it appears as though Gottfried will actually coach the rest of this season. Yeah, NC State is once again handling things very well!!!

[GoMuskies]

Oh, I think Sendek was fine at NC State. But based on his results at Arizona State, firing him was no big loss. Neither side really got the last laugh there.

[xubrew]

I'm hearing that Debbie Yow will be retiring in a year. That makes the NC State job seem a little better.

[GoMuskies]

Pat Kelsey gets a passing mention for NC State.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/gottfried-coaches-nc-state-pursue/story?id=45545054

[chico]

The real reason Miller isn't going to take the job isn't the current administration or the fact that it's a tier below the elite in the conference. He's waiting for Matta to retire, and with his back issues it could be this season.

[xubrew]

I wouldn't go there because of Yow and because of the fans. Well, that and I don't have the slightest idea of how to be a basketball coach.

But with half of those things changing the job doesn't seem quite as bad.

NC State is still a brutal job even without Yow. It's like taking the job of Purdue's head football coach and being expected to perform at the level of Ohio State and Michigan, and then even if you manage to be that good for one or two seasons you get run through the ringer whenever you fall short of that. NC State just isn't Duke or UNC, yet they think that they are and they dump on whoever the coach is when they fall short of that.

But, as Go pointed out, they haven't had the best coaches either.

I like Pat Kelsey. I hope he doesn't end up at NC State. I want someone who I don't really like to end up there.

[xubrew]

The real reason Miller isn't going to take the job isn't the current administration or the fact that it's a tier below the elite in the conference. He's waiting for Matta to retire, and with his back issues it could be this season.

Ohio State is interesting. The boosters, especially the top level boosters, have a ton of pull there. I understand that they want Archie. But I've also heard that the athletic department would rather have Christ Holtmann. But, they ultimately be overruled.

Full disclosure, this is all hearsay, but it's hearsay from people that I personally think would know.

[paulxu]

Brew, maybe someone like Miller would take the long view on NCState.
He's young. In the not too distant future, Williams and K will be gone. Their programs might not hold the same high ground they do now.
Maybe Miller could be there to change the ACC dynamic.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The real reason Miller isn't going to take the job isn't the current administration or the fact that it's a tier below the elite in the conference. He's waiting for Matta to retire, and with his back issues it could be this season.

Or be fired which could also be this season.

[xubrew]

Brew, maybe someone like Miller would take the long view on NCState.
He's young. In the not too distant future, Williams and K will be gone. Their programs might not hold the same high ground they do now.
Maybe Miller could be there to change the ACC dynamic.

Oh I think he'll probably take it if they offer it to him. I'm just saying that it's a rough job and that he may be better off waiting for the next one

[XUMIOH12]

i'm a fan of the Richmond - VCU rivalry, it's one of those under the radar rivalry games that is actually legit. And has been a pretty entertaining first half tonight.

[xubrew]

i'm a fan of the Richmond - VCU rivalry, it's one of those under the radar rivalry games that is actually legit. And has been a pretty entertaining first half tonight.

Akron v Kent State was really good tonight as well.

VCU v Richmond is a good rivalry. So is VCU vs Old Dominion. Will Wade actually gets a bonus if he beats Old Dominion. It's not the same now that it's not a conference game but it's still a good rivalry.

I'm anxiously awaiting to see if VCU will be behind with less than half a second left but somehow still find a way to win.

[XUFan09]

Currently in a PhD program at VCU bar. I was at bar just off campus where they put big games on a projector, and my response was, "Oh, that's on." It wasn't exactly a packed crowd, but maybe some of the other VCU bars get most of the fans.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[XUMIOH12]

Akron v Kent State was really good tonight as well.

VCU v Richmond is a good rivalry. So is VCU vs Old Dominion. Will Wade actually gets a bonus if he beats Old Dominion. It's not the same now that it's not a conference game but it's still a good rivalry.

I'm anxiously awaiting to see if VCU will be behind with less than half a second left but somehow still find a way to win.

Yeah the Akron v Kent St game tonight was really good. Unfortunately I only watched parts of it, as I was watching the Detroit vs UIC game (which was sloppy, per usual).

[GoMuskies]

Mizzou trails Kentucky by one at the half! Mizzou trails Kentucky by one at the half! MIZZOU TRAILS KENTUCKY BY ONE AT THE HALF!

[paulxu]

What's the score at the half in the Mizzou/Ky game?

[GoMuskies]

What's the score at the half in the Mizzou/Ky game?

Let's ask Snipe if he happens by.

[bobbiemcgee]

Currently in a PhD program at VCU bar.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Sounds likes an excellent program. We need one @ Dana's.

[paulxu]

Sounds likes an excellent program. We need one @ Dana's.

I put in hours of post-doctoral work at Dana's.

[Masterofreality]

Texas is 10-18 with Baylor and Kansas still to play. Shaka is on his way to a 20 loss season. Glad he went for the bucks when he did.

Havoc isn't exactly working well in a tougher league, with better opposition. As I've said all along, Carny Basketball doesn't hold up and the flavor of the month eventually goes sour. At the same time, his former place of employment, VCU, is lucky, via two ridiculously miracle finishes, to be second in the crappy A10 behind similar poseur udump. What a garbage league this year.

How long before Shaka gets run and gets hired at, say South Alabama? Over under, I say 2 years.

[GoMuskies]

San Diego managed to stay within 60 of Gonzaga at home. Moral victory.

[xubrew]

San Diego managed to stay within 60 of Gonzaga at home. Moral victory.

This isn't aimed at you. I'm merely using your quote as a platform.

Gonzaga is interesting. A normal assessment on them goes something like this....

"They're playing against weaker teams, so it's going to be harder for them to go deep in the NCAA Tournament because they're not used to the strong competition. When they get to the Sweet Sixteen and the Elite Eight, it's gonna be hard for them."

Okay, the first part of that actually makes some sense. The second part of that is borderlined laughable. They're going to struggle in the Elite Eight. WOW!! REALLY?? All eight teams that make the Elite Eight are typically very good. Generally all eight of them struggle. Hell, half of them lose.

Gonzaga has this label as being underachievers. I have to admit that I'm kind of under this impression as well. But, the label really isn't fair. In their 18 consecutive years of making the NCAA Tournament, they've lost as the better seeded team five times, they've won as the better seeded team 14 times, they've won as lower (poorer) seeded team 12 times, and lost as the poorer seeded team (meaning they went as for or farther than their seeded predicted they would go) 13 times.

I mean, that's meeting expectations, isn't it?? I wouldn't call that hugely overachieving, but you can't look at that and say they're consistently underachieving. So, why is everyone (including myself) under this impression that Gonzaga always chokes in March??

I know they lost as a #1 seed in the Round of 32 to Wichita State, and I think that may have something to do with everyone's perception. But, maybe that game said more about Wichita than it did about Gonzaga. That Wichita State team advanced to the Final Four and lost to the eventual national champion by just 3 points, which was the closest game Louisville was in throughout the entire Big East and NCAA Tournament. Furthermore, that Wichita State team was in the midst of a 40 game stretch where the only two games they lost were to the eventual 2013 national champion in the Final Four by just 3 points, and the eventual 2014 national runner up in the NCAA Tournament on a missed last second shot. It's not like that Wichita State team was a bad team. They had three NBA players.

But, yeah, I suppose Gonzaga will struggle when they get to the Elite. Unlike everyone else who simply breezes through it.

[GoMuskies]

Gonzaga has won 5 NCAA Tournament games the last two years. I hear MOR is jelly.

[outsideobserver11]

Gonzaga has won 5 NCAA Tournament games the last two years. I hear MOR is jelly.

As a UC fan, I know I am. :pissedoff:

[xubrew]

Technically it starts Monday. Practically it's already underway because we have already had some elimination games. There are currently 336 teams still left who could make the NCAA Tournament, and in theory win the national title, but could see as many as ten teams eliminated today.

http://hoopshd.com/2017/02/25/news-notes-highlighted-games-and-a-utr-tourney-reset-saturday-feb-25th/

[xubrew]

Clemson = Greek Tragedy.

[xubrew]

Fun story line...

New Hampshire and UMBC are in double overtime for the second time this season. They're tied for fourth place in the standings, and this is the last game. They'll play each other in the quarterfinals next week, but whoever wins this gets to host it.

[X-band '01]

If Albany loses to Hartford, wouldn't that put New Hampshire as the #3 seed?

[X-band '01]

Clemson = American Comedy.

Fixed that for you.

[xubrew]

If Albany loses to Hartford, wouldn't that put New Hampshire as the #3 seed?

Yes, you're right.

[xubrew]

That too.

I think Vanderbilt is getting in. They're blowing out Mississippi State, which in and of itself doesn't mean a whole lot, but this will make them 7-2 in their last nine games with wins at Florida, at Arkansas, and at Tennessee. Florida is a protected seed, Arkansas is a solid tournament team, and Tennessee is (or was) a bubble team.

Even if that's not enough, given how they've been playing I think they will do enough by the time the season's over. Their last two games are at Kentucky, and at home against Florida. If they get one of those, and they've already beaten Florida on the road, and then avoid an early loss to a crap team in the SEC Tournament, I think they're fine. Hell, the way they're playing it wouldn't surprise me if they got to the semis or even the finals of the SEC Tourney.

Now they did lose to Missouri, which may be an automatic disqualifier, but even with that I think they get in. They also have a top fifty RPI, the #2 overall SOS, and five true road wins.

[xubrew]

As good as Baylor is, Iowa State will pull even with them in the conference standings if they hold on . It's a balanced conference schedule, so it isn't as if Iowa State had an easier road.

[xubrew]

I think the Big East has a really good chance of getting seven teams in. Things would have to fall right, but it's very possible.

[X Factor]

Miami beat #10 Duke today. Miami is now 20-8 and 10-6 in conference. Duke is now 22-7 and 10-6 in conference. How is Duke ranked #10 and Miami unranked?

[GIMMFD]

Miami beat #10 Duke today. Miami is now 20-8 and 10-6 in conference. Duke is now 22-7 and 10-6 in conference. How is Duke ranked #10 and Miami unranked?

Was curious and looked this up..

Duke has beaten (at the time): #21 Rhode Island, #21 Florida, #20 Notre Dame, #8 UNC, and #14 UVA
Miami has beaten (at the time): #9 UNC, #18 UVA, and #10 Duke

Granted the last two wins were in the last 5 days, I think Miami will be ranked again soon, but yeah, before the last 5 days I think it was because they hadn't really beaten anyone??


PS: Caught a little of that UCLA game and they look like they're pretty damn good.

[xubrew]

UCLA's offense is fantastic! Defensively, well, their offense is fantastic!!

[xubrew]

I am utterly stupefied. How in the hell did BYU win at Gonzaga??

It was 16-2 Gonzaga, or something like that. They outscored them by 23 points from the under 16 TO on.

[X Factor]

UCLA's offense is fantastic! Defensively, well, their offense is fantastic!!

A great offense is more important than great defense.

[X Factor]

I am utterly stupefied. How in the hell did BYU win at Gonzaga??

It was 16-2 Gonzaga, or something like that. They outscored them by 23 points from the under 16 TO on.

I think Gonzaga was a 20 point favorite tonight. Shocking.

[X-band '01]

I am utterly stupefied. How in the hell did BYU win at Gonzaga??

It was 16-2 Gonzaga, or something like that. They outscored them by 23 points from the under 16 TO on.


I think Gonzaga was a 20 point favorite tonight. Shocking.

What's even more stunning is that was the 3rd straight time BYU won at the Kennel. They're just so fun to watch.

[GoMuskies]

Hell, it's probably for the best for Gonzaga. Takes a bit of the pressure off. They'll probably be a 2 seed now, but if they're really good enough to be a Final Four team that won't matter either.

[GIMMFD]

Hell, it's probably for the best for Gonzaga. Takes a bit of the pressure off. They'll probably be a 2 seed now, but if they're really good enough to be a Final Four team that won't matter either.

I 100% agree, I think that's what got Kentucky a couple years back, when everybody expects perfection, it's tough on you mentally. This might let them play a little more relaxed now, and maybe even piss them off. I haven't really watched them play so I don't know if they are the Final Four quality that people seem to think this year.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Man I disagree, I don't think losing helps you at all. I am pretty sure zags are 2 and done. I have nothing to back up my projection itsbjust what I feel.
https://youtu.be/6J84sOTsMUI

[xubrew]

I don't think it HELPS, but I think Gonzaga is one of those teams that's played themselves into a situation to where it doesn't really hurt. Whether they lose early in the tournament, or go on a deep run, losing to BYU will fade away into insignificance. They didn't really need it to get onto the #1 or #2 line, which they'll still most likely get if they win the conference tournament.

I just can't believe they lost. To BYU. At home. For the third time in a row.

[THRILLHOUSE]

My NKU fightin' Norse ending the regular season on fire. 21 wins and currently in 3rd place in the Horizon after beating Valpo. Oakland and Valpo will be the favorites to win the conference tourney, but the way NKU is playing right now, they might be peaking at the right time. Great job by John Brannen in their first year of tournament eligibility.

[X-band '01]

They get the #3 seed in the Horizon if Green Bay loses to Detroit. It's more likely they'll get the #4 seed and match up with Wright State in the Horizon quarters.

But to your point, I think John Brannen will be the Horizon Coach of the Year for the job he's done. Young team that's only going to get tougher in future seasons.

[THRILLHOUSE]

They get the #3 seed in the Horizon if Green Bay loses to Detroit. It's more likely they'll get the #4 seed and match up with Wright State in the Horizon quarters.

But to your point, I think John Brannen will be the Horizon Coach of the Year for the job he's done. Young team that's only going to get tougher in future seasons.

Yeah, I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if they win the Horizon tourney, but with their youth next year they might end up being the year.

[GIMMFD]

I feel like things in the tournament get more open each year as the 1 and done era continues on, too much talent spread out, and really confusing results that you don't know what to make much of.

UVA ends up topping UNC by 10 today, stopping their skid, and it looks like Baylor (gag me, I hate that University) is going to top WVU today, though it's still close. This is why I love college basketball compared to the NBA, in the NBA you basically know who's going to the finals before the season even starts. This year I have a guess at a final 4, but it's a crap shoot.

[AviatorX]

Wisconsin won't even let X have this sucking down the stretch thing. They've lost 5 of 6 all to unranked teams.

I know they're a lock but take a peek at their resume. It is not so great.

[paulxu]

I'm watching the UNC/Duke game.
It's really strange, but I don't see one tattoo on either team (so far).
Is that a requirement to play for those schools?

[AviatorX]

I'm watching the UNC/Duke game.
It's really strange, but I don't see one tattoo on either team (so far).
Is that a requirement to play for those schools?

Duke hit their quota last year with Brandon Ingram.

[xubrew]

And, the regular season ends with Michigan blowing out Nebraska.

I love March Madness and all the tournaments, but a big part of me has that feeling of your favorite band playing their biggest hit after about two hours. It's great, but at the same time you know the show's almost over.

[drudy23]

And, the regular season ends with Michigan blowing out Nebraska.

I love March Madness and all the tournaments, but a big part of me has that feeling of your favorite band playing their biggest hit after about two hours. It's great, but at the same time you know the show's almost over.

Still ALOT of hoops to be played.

[xu82]

I just want IN. (If I have to I'll accept play IN.)

[bobbiemcgee]

Congrats to Coach Kelsey. Dancin'