Re: College Basketball 2008-2009

[bukie]

If we were to put together a collaborative "top 50" of teams that had decent at-large chances, I'd say only really the top 10 of that list is a "lock" at this point.

 

In the Big East, Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Louisville are in for sure unless they completely fall apart. Marquette is in unless they can't beat any of the top teams at the end of the year (really, their schedule has been pretty easy to this point, and the last 6 games for them could determine whether they're a 1 seed or a 10 seed)

 

In the ACC, all of the top 4 of UNC, Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson are in barring disaster.

 

In the Big Ten, Purdue (getting a likely discount for games played without Hummel) and MSU (getting a likely discount for games played without Suton and/or Morgan) are in barring disaster.

 

In the Big 12, Oklahoma is for sure in. Next team in line, believe it or not, is probably Kansas.

 

In the Pac-10, I have a hard time saying for sure that any team is in, as nobody's played well enough in the league to warrant that. UCLA is probably closest, more on name than anything.

 

In the SEC, nobody's in for sure except the team that wins the conference tournament.

 

Outside the "Big 6", Xavier is a lock. Memphis and Butler are right there (Butler lost a game in league, but the Horizon is arguably tougher than CUSA this year).

 

So, I guess if I had to break it down, my locks are:

 

UConn

UNC

Duke

Pitt

Oklahoma

Wake Forest

MSU

Louisville

Xavier

Clemson

Purdue

Marquette

 

...in that order.

[CubbieBum]

Well Purdue lost a game they should have won but considering Hummel was out I can live with it. That was a bad no call at the end of regulation, especially with Hightower being one of the refs.

[illiniguy]

I don't know how legit RPI is to evaluate teams--I haven't trusted it since that '05 KU team was #1 in the RPI when they were clearly not that great. And it's unclear to me how it's really used in the eval process by the committee. That said, KU is ranked one slot higher than UI, and our SOS is twelve points higher.

 

We're also 3-2 against RPI top 25, whereas UI is 0-3. (Purdue falls in at 26.)

Against RPI top 50, we're 6-2 and you're 4-3.

 

We have one terrible loss (UMass), you have none.

 

Kenpom also rates us higher by 7 spots. Our SOS is higher by 21.

 

Personally, I think SSR left UI off the list to avoid being called a homer. Assuming they don't collapse, they're gonna be in. Kenpom predicts 24-7 before the BTT, and there's no way they leaves them out in the cold.

 

I also have no confidence we would beat UI in a head to head matchup, but that's because I don't know what to expect when this KU team walks on the court.

 

And for the record, I don't think KU would necessarily deserve a bid over UI; I'm just providing some possible rationale as to why SSR thinks they might be a lock. Additionally, considering we play in the Big 12, you have to figure we have a better shot getting to the end of the season with fewer losses.

I think your a lock anyways. The damn anti homer should have just put us on the list. As an aside we are totally playing in round 2 this year.

[Guest]

I've got 16 teams as locks barring nuclear holocaust.

 

Duke

Wake

UNC

UConn

Pitt

Louisville

Marquette

Gonzaga

Memphis

UCLA

Oklahoma

Xavier

Kansas

Clemson

Butler

Davidson

 

This isn't to say they're in unless they lose every game the rest of the way, but they aren't missing the tourney unless they lose a hell of a lot of games that they shouldn't.

 

18-27 at large bids remain.

This has to be a joke. Who the hell has KU beaten to make them a lock at this point? Washington. If they are a lock, Illinois with the same record and a wins ove Purdue at Purdue would make them a lock as well. Also what the hell has Davidson done but lose to a bunch of good teams before their conference started?

 

Saying that Davidson is a lock isn't speaking on how good of a team they are but how likely they are to get into the tournament. I thought I heard something last night on SportsCenter saying that Davidson had won 40-something straight conference games. If they don't lose in conference ever (and that includes the conference tournament) they're going to the NCAA tournament.

[hawkeyecub]

That was a bad no call at the end of regulation, especially with Hightower being one of the refs.

 

Come on. The other team self-destructs and gives you a chance ton win and the best you can do is throw it to Lewis Jackson with 6 seconds left and tell him to create?

 

I used to think Chris Kramer was the most annoying person in the Big Ten. Now I can't decide if it's him or his mom. Either way, I wish she would stay and watch the next game in her trailer so I don't have to see her screaming like a lunatic every game.

[TruffleShuffle]

That was a bad no call at the end of regulation, especially with Hightower being one of the refs.

 

Come on. The other team self-destructs and gives you a chance ton win and the best you can do is throw it to Lewis Jackson with 6 seconds left and tell him to create?

 

I used to think Chris Kramer was the most annoying person in the Big Ten. Now I can't decide if it's him or his mom. Either way, I wish she would stay and watch the next game in her trailer so I don't have to see her screaming like a lunatic every game.

 

i didn't see the play but generally they aren't going to call something at the end of regulation and a tie score unless the guy really got mugged.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

I used to think Chris Kramer was the most annoying person in the Big Ten. Now I can't decide if it's him or his mom. Either way, I wish she would stay and watch the next game in her trailer so I don't have to see her screaming like a lunatic every game.

 

I keep telling you people, it's Daniel Moore.

[CubbieBum]

That was a bad no call at the end of regulation, especially with Hightower being one of the refs.

 

Come on. The other team self-destructs and gives you a chance ton win and the best you can do is throw it to Lewis Jackson with 6 seconds left and tell him to create?

 

I used to think Chris Kramer was the most annoying person in the Big Ten. Now I can't decide if it's him or his mom. Either way, I wish she would stay and watch the next game in her trailer so I don't have to see her screaming like a lunatic every game.

 

Oh believe me I'm mad Painter didn't use a timeout to actually set something up. Jackson was still able to get in the lane and was fouled but it wasn't called. Purdue could have and should have won it and that play didn't account for the crappy defense.

 

For those that didn't see it Jackson got past his man who grabbed his arm as he went by. It threw Jackson way off balance, hence why his layup bounced off the glass three feet to the side of the hoop.

 

I just wish Hummel doesn't miss any more games. We're now 0-2 in the Big Ten without him.

[ConstableRabbit]

Northwestern in the tourney? Believe it.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11233762

[illiniguy]

That was a bad no call at the end of regulation, especially with Hightower being one of the refs.

 

Come on. The other team self-destructs and gives you a chance ton win and the best you can do is throw it to Lewis Jackson with 6 seconds left and tell him to create?

 

I used to think Chris Kramer was the most annoying person in the Big Ten. Now I can't decide if it's him or his mom. Either way, I wish she would stay and watch the next game in her trailer so I don't have to see her screaming like a lunatic every game.

 

Oh believe me I'm mad Painter didn't use a timeout to actually set something up. Jackson was still able to get in the lane and was fouled but it wasn't called. Purdue could have and should have won it and that play didn't account for the crappy defense.

 

For those that didn't see it Jackson got past his man who grabbed his arm as he went by. It threw Jackson way off balance, hence why his layup bounced off the glass three feet to the side of the hoop.

 

I just wish Hummel doesn't miss any more games. We're now 0-2 in the Big Ten without him.

If Lewis Jackson wasn't so small that wouldn't have effected him so much. That stuff happens all the time at the ends of games and it isn't ever called. The referees let the players decide the outcome.

[hawkeyecub]

 

I used to think Chris Kramer was the most annoying person in the Big Ten. Now I can't decide if it's him or his mom. Either way, I wish she would stay and watch the next game in her trailer so I don't have to see her screaming like a lunatic every game.

 

I keep telling you people, it's Daniel Moore.

 

I don't know that I'm willing to concede that. They both have annoying styles of play but Moore definitely gets the edge there.

 

Announcers love to praise Moore for his little white guy scrappiness (still waiting for Lavin to do an IU game so we can hear him called a pepperpot 83 times) but Kramer gets all of the tough guy, leads the league in floor burn, scrappiness love.

 

Kramer fouls on every possession, yet has never once been called for a foul without whining. Yet on offense he is a total flopper. If he played a game against himself, every possession would end with offensive Kramer falling down with theatrics and defensive Kramer whining about the call.

On top of that we're forced to see his mom at least 15 times every game, often screaming like a lunatic. And you know she's going after the refs for not calling fouls committed against her baby.

[CubbieBum]

 

I used to think Chris Kramer was the most annoying person in the Big Ten. Now I can't decide if it's him or his mom. Either way, I wish she would stay and watch the next game in her trailer so I don't have to see her screaming like a lunatic every game.

 

I keep telling you people, it's Daniel Moore.

 

I don't know that I'm willing to concede that. They both have annoying styles of play but Moore definitely gets the edge there.

 

Announcers love to praise Moore for his little white guy scrappiness (still waiting for Lavin to do an IU game so we can hear him called a pepperpot 83 times) but Kramer gets all of the tough guy, leads the league in floor burn, scrappiness love.

 

Kramer fouls on every possession, yet has never once been called for a foul without whining. Yet on offense he is a total flopper. If he played a game against himself, every possession would end with offensive Kramer falling down with theatrics and defensive Kramer whining about the call.

On top of that we're forced to see his mom at least 15 times every game, often screaming like a lunatic. And you know she's going after the refs for not calling fouls committed against her baby.

 

So you do you hate Curry's mom too?

[fromthestretch]

Announcers love to praise Moore for his little white guy scrappiness (still waiting for Lavin to do an IU game so we can hear him called a pepperpot 83 times) but Kramer gets all of the tough guy, leads the league in floor burn, scrappiness love.

Kramer gets a little too much attention from the announcers.

 

Kramer fouls on every possession

That's a load of crap. It's understandable that fans of other teams can't stand the guy. It's another thing to let your hatred blind you to the fact that he's a very good defensive player.

 

yet has never once been called for a foul without whining. Yet on offense he is a total flopper.

I can't really argue this. He does whine a lot, and he does flop on offense. Pretty much every one of his layups ends up with him on the ground.

[Derwood]

glad to see Purdue come back to the pack. At this point, just about anyone could win the BTT (outside of IU). Fun year.

[SouthSideRyan]

glad to see Purdue come back to the pack. At this point, just about anyone could win the BTT (outside of IU). Fun year.

 

Iowa can not win the tournament, and Wisconsin and Northwestern are only winning if some other teams make their road easier.

[rchap24]

We lost to probably 3rd or 4th best team in the Big Ten in my eyes. We did that without Hummel, on the road, and in OT....I'm not to worried about it hurting our chances, but Hummel needs to get healthy

[bcl412]

Is everybody else ready for what should be a legendary match up tonight? Iowa vs Indiana pt 2.

[SouthSideRyan]

Is everybody else ready for what should be a legendary match up tonight? Iowa vs Indiana pt 2.

 

Go Hawkeyes

 

*shudder*

[SouthSideRyan]

Big 10 Top 6 vs. each other (OSU cracks the upper echelon, just 1.5 back of MSU)

 

MSU: 5-1(2-1 home, 3-0 road) 2 home, 2 away remaining

Purdue: 1-3(0-1 home, 1-2 road) 3 home, 2 away remaining

Illinois: 2-2(1-0 home, 1-2 road) 4 home, 2 away remaining

Minnesota: 3-2(3-2 home, 0-0 road) 0 home, 4 away remaining

PSU: 2-2(1-1 home, 1-1 road) 2 home, 3 away remaining

OSU: 1-4(1-1 home, 0-3 road) 3 home, 1 away remaining)

 

Basically, the only thing to take out of this is Minnesota is overrated and OSU is probably underrated. MSU and Illinois have the toughest schedules(for the season) of the 6 playing each of the others twice.

[soapy]

well, tonight is probably IU's best shot at avoiding an 0-18 big ten season. i won't get my hopes up though.

 

 

on the most annoying player stuff, even as an IU fan i have to throw Daniel Moore into the mix. i still give it to Kramer (probably because he plays for PU), but Moore is really annoying to watch. i can't tell if it's because i'm and IU fan (i.e. he's terrible) or despite being an IU fan. the problem is they are pretty much forced to run him out there for substantial minutes at this point.

 

guys like Moore are annoying becuase they get an irrational amount of praise from announcers/fans/etc. for making a couple of nice passes or taking a charge, but then their mistakes are just glossed over because, "Hey, what do you expect? He's a walk-on."

[Exile on Waveland]

well, tonight is probably IU's best shot at avoiding an 0-18 big ten season. i won't get my hopes up though.

 

 

on the most annoying player stuff, even as an IU fan i have to throw Daniel Moore into the mix. i still give it to Kramer (probably because he plays for PU), but Moore is really annoying to watch. i can't tell if it's because i'm and IU fan (i.e. he's terrible) or despite being an IU fan. the problem is they are pretty much forced to run him out there for substantial minutes at this point.

 

guys like Moore are annoying becuase they get an irrational amount of praise from announcers/fans/etc. for making a couple of nice passes or taking a charge, but then their mistakes are just glossed over because, "Hey, what do you expect? He's a walk-on."

 

Moore annoys the hell out of me.

[SouthSideRyan]

Hummel has a small fracture in his back. Up in the air from game to game whether he'll play.

[Derwood]

Hummel has a small fracture in his back. Up in the air from game to game whether he'll play.

 

POY for sure now. Just think of all the practices he'll miss!

[fromthestretch]

Hummel has a small fracture in his back. Up in the air from game to game whether he'll play.

 

Veterans Committee.

 

Well, at least Purdue only loses Calasan and Green after this season.

[SouthSideRyan]

Hummel has a small fracture in his back. Up in the air from game to game whether he'll play.

 

Veterans Committee.

 

Well, at least Purdue only loses Calasan and Green after this season.

 

Scott Martin would be a big help right about now.