2012-2013 College Basketball

[wonderfulman]

Thanks to Yim Yodd for bringing this thread to me attention. Appears that he won't be the only one basking in the greatness of Hoosier Hysteria this year. After looking over this thread I am quite glad that we all agree on one thing. Fuck UK! Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than watching that cheater struggle.

Tomorrow is going to be a very interesting day with the rankings. With Arizona, Duke, and Michigan all falling this week, the Top 5 is a real shake up. As an avid Indiana fan, I obviously want IU to be #2, but something makes me think we won't. After all Duke lost to a VERY solid NC State and Michigan lost to #15 OSU. Although Butler is ranked, they were not ranked when they beat Indiana. With that being said I would not be surprised if Duke remains ahead of Indiana in the polls.

1) Louisville
2) Duke
3) Indiana
4) Kansas
5) Michigan
6) Syracuse
7) Gonzaga
8) Arizona
9) Missouri
10) Florida

[iLikeBeer]

I see IU moving to #2 because of their solid win over #8 Minny yesterday.  And, while I don't put much stock in the rankings in college hoops, I'll be pissed if Kansas jumps Michigan and not Duke.  Michigan lost a rivalry game on the road to a team higher ranked than the NC St. team that beat Duke and it was only a 3 point loss for Michigan after trailing by 22 points in the first half.  Hardly what I would call a bad loss. 

My top 5 would look like this:

1. Louisville (congrats ewind!   )
2. IU
3. Duke
4. Michigan
5. Kansas

Things don't get any easier for Michigan as they now have to make the trip to Minnesota Thursday night.  Amazing to think that one of these 2 teams will be walking away from that game with a two game losing streak.  Hopefully it's the Gophers!   

[wonderfulman]

Although Minnesota and Michigan lost, they both showed a lot of heart and fight. They both had horrible first halves but found ways to make comebacks. Good for the Big 10 teams, all of these tough games will make these teams stronger come tournament time. For instance, as great as Indiana is, they still have many things to work on. These tough games will bring out their problems, and come tournament time it will have all the wrinkles ironed out.

[wonderfulman]

Thanks to Yim Yodd for bringing this thread to me attention. Appears that he won't be the only one basking in the greatness of Hoosier Hysteria this year. After looking over this thread I am quite glad that we all agree on one thing. Fuck UK! Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than watching that cheater struggle.

Tomorrow is going to be a very interesting day with the rankings. With Arizona, Duke, and Michigan all falling this week, the Top 5 is a real shake up. As an avid Indiana fan, I obviously want IU to be #2, but something makes me think we won't. After all Duke lost to a VERY solid NC State and Michigan lost to #15 OSU. Although Butler is ranked, they were not ranked when they beat Indiana. With that being said I would not be surprised if Duke remains ahead of Indiana in the polls.

1) Louisville
2) Duke
3) Indiana
4) Kansas
5) Michigan
6) Syracuse
7) Gonzaga
8) Arizona
9) Missouri
10) Florida

Not all of us agree.
I am still (and always will be) a die-hard, true-blue Kentucky Wildcats fan.
After all, we are still the defending National Champions!
Go Big Blue!
Go Big Blue!
Go Big Blue!

My apologies Mr. White, I don't want to come across as that jerk sports fan. Talking a little trash is good fun, but no one wants to be that jerk sports fan. 

[YimYodd]

You are not that jerk - you're wonderful, man!
I'm sure mr. white understands your sentiment... just used 1 wrong word.
Growing up in Indiana - my dislike for UK goes way back to the annual border-war matchups, usually between ranked teams. Most likely, with Tracy too & his SEC Ole boys. I think what really brings the over the top hate for UK on this thread is Callipari & the cheating  from his previous stops.
As long as mr. white mentioned the past, I gotta tell y'all that I've popped the proverbial cork as no unbeaten teams remain. Celebrating the last UNDEFEATED NCAA National Champions - the '76 INDIANA HOOSIERS!!! Did I mention they beat Michigan 3 times that year? 

[YimYodd]

Speaking of UM...
Inexperience seemed to show at Columbus against a " bit overated" team...Robinson pretty quiet, Canuck scoreless, others ineffective.
Hardaway shoots 5-15.
Burkes' D,.... or lack of.
Craft seemed to have pretty "good luck"  "staying in front" of Burke for most of the game.
Crap! Now I may have to root for them as the Gophers are soooo tuff @ the Barn & have also already' stole one ' @ Champaign.
As the saying goes, "Life's A Bitch In the B1G".

[YimYodd]

I agree that rankings don't mean anything in Jan. It's nice for the students' school spirit, but I wanna see it at the end of March Madness!
Duke slips because of injuries, IU up to #2 because of Gophers strength and Butler (played like a ranked team vs. Hoosiers, became ranked after that game and now up to #13 w/14-2 record).
Pitino said earlier today that he thinks others will be ranked #1 sometime later this season.
Doesn't get any easier in the B1G this week.... Wisconsin @ IU, UM @ the Barn among others.

[iLikeBeer]

Speaking of UM...
Inexperience seemed to show at Columbus against a " bit overated" team...Robinson pretty quiet, Canuck scoreless, others ineffective.
Hardaway shoots 5-15.
Burkes' D,.... or lack of.
Craft seemed to have pretty "good luck"  "staying in front" of Burke for most of the game.
Crap! Now I may have to root for them as the Gophers are soooo tuff @ the Barn & have also already' stole one ' @ Champaign.
As the saying goes, "Life's A Bitch In the B1G".

Yeah yeah.  Like I said, I should have saved the overrated comments until after the game.  I knew that would bite me in the ass!     The inexperience definitely showed early in that game as it took Michigan 10 minutes to show up and by that time they were down 22.  But what I DID like is the fact that this young team didn't fold on the road in a very hostile and excited environment.  They dug in and slowly chipped away at OSU's lead getting it down to 12 at the half and eventually tying the game with under 5 to go and were within a Trey Burke rattle out trey of possibly pulling out the improbable comeback.  All in all, this wasn't a 'bad' loss for Michigan if they can take it and learn from it.  Things aren't getting any easier on Thurdsay in Minneapolis so it will be interesting to see how this young team responds to their first adversity of the season.

As for Craft's defense on Burke, I will give Craft credit and acknowledge he is a good defender.  But, with that said, I think part of why he is such a good defender is because he gets away with a TON of fouls!  Personally, I think he's one of the dirtiest players in college basketball.  I've even heard him admit to the fact that he basically fouls on every possession because he knows the refs aren't going to call him on every foul. 

I will also say, the Bucks will be lucky to stay within 10 of Michigan when they play again in Ann Arbor.  They built a 22 point lead and still had to cling on for dear life to hold Michigan off in their gym, and I don't think OSU is going to find Michigan as generous as to spot them a 22 point lead 10 minutes into the game at the Crisler Center... 

[iLikeBeer]

I agree that rankings don't mean anything in Jan. It's nice for the students' school spirit, but I wanna see it at the end of March Madness!
Duke slips because of injuries, IU up to #2 because of Gophers strength and Butler (played like a ranked team vs. Hoosiers, became ranked after that game and now up to #13 w/14-2 record).
Pitino said earlier today that he thinks others will be ranked #1 sometime later this season.
Doesn't get any easier in the B1G this week.... Wisconsin @ IU, UM @ the Barn among others.

OSU is at MooU as well...

I will say, I don't think anyone in their right mind could make an argument against the B1G being far and away the best conference in college basketball.  Six teams in the top 25 with Wisky receiving votes???  If you look at the top 6, I think KU and Duke can pretty much pencil in their #1 seeds already due to the weakness of the ACC and Big12 this year.  Duke's only remaining ranked opponent is NC St. at Cameron and KU's only remaining ranked opponent is KSU who they still play home and away.    

Michigan and IU, on the other hand, have EIGHT remaining games vs. ranked opponents?!     And the Big East isn't too shabby either as Louisville has 5 remaining games vs. ranked opponents and the Cuse has 4.  IMO, the brutality of the B1G should be factored in when seedings are announced.  Whoever comes out on top of the B1G should get a #1 seed and, in reality, depending on how things play out, the B1G could be deserving of two #1 seeds...

[Penny Lane]

I agree that rankings don't mean anything in Jan. It's nice for the students' school spirit, but I wanna see it at the end of March Madness!
Duke slips because of injuries, IU up to #2 because of Gophers strength and Butler (played like a ranked team vs. Hoosiers, became ranked after that game and now up to #13 w/14-2 record).
Pitino said earlier today that he thinks others will be ranked #1 sometime later this season.
Doesn't get any easier in the B1G this week.... Wisconsin @ IU, UM @ the Barn among others.

OSU is at MooU as well...

I will say, I don't think anyone in their right mind could make an argument against the B1G being far and away the best conference in college basketball.  Six teams in the top 25 with Wisky receiving votes???  If you look at the top 6, I think KU and Duke can pretty much pencil in their #1 seeds already due to the weakness of the ACC and Big12 this year.  Duke's only remaining ranked opponent is NC St. at Cameron and KU's only remaining ranked opponent is KSU who they still play home and away.    

Michigan and IU, on the other hand, have EIGHT remaining games vs. ranked opponents?!     And the Big East isn't too shabby either as Louisville has 5 remaining games vs. ranked opponents and the Cuse has 4.  IMO, the brutality of the B1G should be factored in when seedings are announced.  Whoever comes out on top of the B1G should get a #1 seed and, in reality, depending on how things play out, the B1G could be deserving of two #1 seeds...

agreed. what we lack in football, we make up for in hoops! (Go Bucks!)

[wonderfulman]

Another big game tonight for the Hoosiers. Squaring up against a hot Wisconsin team. Indiana, being the highest scoring team, plays avery high pace style of basketball. If they push the tempo then the game will be a blow out. But, if Indiana decides to play Wisconsin's game (hold the ball for 34.9 seconds and then throw up a lucky 3 pt shot), it will be a much closer. Indiana needs to stick with what they do best: force turnovers, run the fast break, and get shots in the open floor.

[YimYodd]

Hoosiers looking to end a 10 - game L streak vs. Badgers, who will look to keep the score in the 60s.
I look for IU to come out  and really push the tempo and press on D to force UW to play their style of game.
UW leads league in turnover ratio (+4.25 in their favor) so IU needs to get some easy baskets from their pressure and take care of the ball on the offensive end.

ILikeBeer,
I agree w/ your assessment of Craft, he's been doing it for years.
But it is the B1G and they are not gonna call alot of stuff. If he played for IU or UM we would admire his 'Craft-iness' 
Rooting for Oladipo to earn defensive POY in the B1G.....hopefully even bigger honors nationally.
MSU is coming on strong, gonna have to pull for OSU again this week - but that will soon come to an end.
Who ya got in this one?

[iLikeBeer]

Well, it looks like we will be adding yet another B1G team to the top 25 in the next poll.  This league is BRUTAL!  I'd be surprised it the winner doesn't come with at least 4 conference losses when it's all said and done...

I gotta say, I didn't see that coming.  Could Bo Ryan be the most under-rated basketball coach in the country?  I read a stat that since he took over at Wisky in 2002, his teams have never finished worse than 4th in the B1G!    And I really thought this would be the year that streak ended, but now...  Forget about a top 4 finish, I'm wondering if Wisky might not be positioning themselves as the team to beat?!

I feel bad for Northwestern this weekend.  They're going to be seeing a very angry IU team showing up in Evanston on Sunday.

Does Moo U has what one might consider a trap game tonight @ PSU?  I mean, Sparty is hosting OSU on Saturday so might they be looking ahead a bit to that game and maybe overlook lowly PSU?  I doubt it, but it won't stop me from putting Sparty on upset alert.

[wonderfulman]

Good thing Indiana is in the Big10. They need to learn how to lose a little bit. Come tournament time NOTHING comes easy.

The one thing that really aggrevates me about IU is their second half play. In the past two games they find a strategy that works. Last night they were getting Zeller looks. Where was he in the 2nd half? Only 2 points after coming out with a blazing 18 point start. The commentators have been saying it best, Zeller needs to demand the ball. The best college big men of all time (Ewing, Alcindor, Olajuwon) were able to demand the ball and make plays. Even Plumlee on Duke finds a way to make plays on his own! Bottom line, Crean needs to start drawing up plays for Zeller and finding ways to give him the ball down the stretch. 

[iLikeBeer]

Good thing Indiana is in the Big10. They need to learn how to lose a little bit. Come tournament time NOTHING comes easy.

The one thing that really aggrevates me about IU is their second half play. In the past two games they find a strategy that works. Last night they were getting Zeller looks. Where was he in the 2nd half? Only 2 points after coming out with a blazing 18 point start. The commentators have been saying it best, Zeller needs to demand the ball. The best college big men of all time (Ewing, Alcindor, Olajuwon) were able to demand the ball and make plays. Even Plumlee on Duke finds a way to make plays on his own! Bottom line, Crean needs to start drawing up plays for Zeller and finding ways to give him the ball down the stretch.

Yeah, I was shocked at how Zeller just completely disappeared in teh 2nd half of that game.  How can a Naismith finalist score 18 in the 1st half and then almost get shut out in the most important time of the game? 

[Tracy 2112]

Whenever you Big 10 homers stop jerking each other off, you should check out this article on Ole Miss junior Marshall Henderson who leads the SEC in scoring for the 14-2 Rebels

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/47647/marshall-henderson-is-college-basketballs-newest-madman

[BH]

Whenever you Big 10 homers stop jerking each other off, you should check out this article on Ole Miss junior Marshall Henderson who leads the SEC in scoring for the 14-2 Rebels

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/47647/marshall-henderson-is-college-basketballs-newest-madman

Do you like my new avatar Tracy?

Marshall Henderson is an amazing basketball player.   And also, an extremely huge prick.   He will get punched before the year is over I promise.

[Tracy 2112]

Whenever you Big 10 homers stop jerking each other off, you should check out this article on Ole Miss junior Marshall Henderson who leads the SEC in scoring for the 14-2 Rebels

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/47647/marshall-henderson-is-college-basketballs-newest-madman

Do you like my new avatar Tracy?

Marshall Henderson is an amazing basketball player.   And also, an extremely huge prick.   He will get punched before the year is over I promise.

Wow, thanks for showing me your new avatar!

Henderson is def one of those guys I would hate if he played for someone else, I think.

[wonderfulman]

Whenever you Big 10 homers stop jerking each other off, you should check out this article on Ole Miss junior Marshall Henderson who leads the SEC in scoring for the 14-2 Rebels

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/47647/marshall-henderson-is-college-basketballs-newest-madman

Nice shot from 40 ft away to send the game into OT yesterday. But how does it feel to pick up IU's scrubs who can't handle playing with the big boys? coughNick Williamscough.

[Tracy 2112]

Whenever you Big 10 homers stop jerking each other off, you should check out this article on Ole Miss junior Marshall Henderson who leads the SEC in scoring for the 14-2 Rebels

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/47647/marshall-henderson-is-college-basketballs-newest-madman

Nice shot from 40 ft away to send the game into OT yesterday. But how does it feel to pick up IU's scrubs who can't handle playing with the big boys? coughNick Williamscough.

Big Boys?

Trivia time:

How many NCAA Championships in the past 20 years for the Big 10? (Hint: less than 2, more than 0)

How many NCAA championships in the past 20 years for the SEC?

Ole Miss has as many NCAA basketball championships as IU does in the past 30 years. We'll take your scrubs any day.