College Basketball 2009-10

[RedFlash]

Alabama just lost to Cornell (at home), so.....

 

Bama's 2nd best sports program is their women's gymnastic team. If that tells you anything...As of right now Bama basketball is basically non-existent.

[Flames24Rulz]

SIU scored over 90 in the season opener tonight against UT-Martin.

 

Nice to see us actually pushing the ball this year with the talented, athletic players that we have. Lowery should have realized after last year's debacle that talented players don't mesh well with the half-court offense that we've employed for so many years.

[Guest]

UCD can't play defense (just like last year) and they can't rebound (just like last year) which is why they were ripped by Colorado State and Oregon yesterday and today.

 

Fortunately Winston Salem State has looked even worse than UCD so hopefully they can win tomorrow.

[Magnetic Curses]

the illini freshmen look amazing. yeah, i know that they played siue, but the aggressive mentality on offense is real. paul showed his ability to slash, shoot, and dish and richardson looked rock-solid.

 

ps-watch out for bill cole.

 

He can't defend. For a team likely to struggle with defense more than scoring, there's no place for Cole on the court.

 

i think the zone defense is designed to get him on the court. but watching him out there, he's not terrible, at least any more than tisdale.

[illiniguy]

Pretty cool Ben Wilson story. Hard to believe he's been dead 25 years. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-15-ben-wilson-nov15,0,4585224.story

[E.J.]

Manny Harris is really good. He scored only the 2nd triple-double in Mich history last night. I'm excited to watch Michigan bball this season. They have some quality depth and some exciting freshman, as well as Harris and Sims. Should be very exciting.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

the illini freshmen look amazing. yeah, i know that they played siue, but the aggressive mentality on offense is real. paul showed his ability to slash, shoot, and dish and richardson looked rock-solid.

 

ps-watch out for bill cole.

 

He can't defend. For a team likely to struggle with defense more than scoring, there's no place for Cole on the court.

 

i think the zone defense is designed to get him on the court. but watching him out there, he's not terrible, at least any more than tisdale.

 

I like Cole's shooting ability a lot, but I just can't see Weber sticking with the zone idea. He is one of the most stubborn coaches in the country, and if it does not start to mesh soon it would not surprise me to see him trash the idea all together.

 

The defense will improve a lot within the next month, and I don't think it is anything we need to be too concerned with yet.

 

I only saw a little bit of the game, but D-Mac has a quicker burst this year with the weight loss. I like the attacking mentality of the freshmen, and I think Paul will be able to create offense off of the dribble come Big Ten season. I'm still not a huge Tisdale fan, but I am hoping he can hold up this year, and average somewhere around 11 and 7.

[snoodmonger]

Nobody's defense is good at this point in the season. That usually doesn't start to come together until December or Jan, especially if the team has a bunch of new parts.

[illiniguy]

the illini freshmen look amazing. yeah, i know that they played siue, but the aggressive mentality on offense is real. paul showed his ability to slash, shoot, and dish and richardson looked rock-solid.

 

ps-watch out for bill cole.

 

He can't defend. For a team likely to struggle with defense more than scoring, there's no place for Cole on the court.

 

i think the zone defense is designed to get him on the court. but watching him out there, he's not terrible, at least any more than tisdale.

 

I like Cole's shooting ability a lot, but I just can't see Weber sticking with the zone idea. He is one of the most stubborn coaches in the country, and if it does not start to mesh soon it would not surprise me to see him trash the idea all together.

 

The defense will improve a lot within the next month, and I don't think it is anything we need to be too concerned with yet.

 

I only saw a little bit of the game, but D-Mac has a quicker burst this year with the weight loss. I like the attacking mentality of the freshmen, and I think Paul will be able to create offense off of the dribble come Big Ten season. I'm still not a huge Tisdale fan, but I am hoping he can hold up this year, and average somewhere around 11 and 7.

DMac almost banged on the one kid, just missed the dunk. The talented freshman pushing him is the best thing that could have happened to him.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

the illini freshmen look amazing. yeah, i know that they played siue, but the aggressive mentality on offense is real. paul showed his ability to slash, shoot, and dish and richardson looked rock-solid.

 

ps-watch out for bill cole.

 

He can't defend. For a team likely to struggle with defense more than scoring, there's no place for Cole on the court.

 

i think the zone defense is designed to get him on the court. but watching him out there, he's not terrible, at least any more than tisdale.

 

I like Cole's shooting ability a lot, but I just can't see Weber sticking with the zone idea. He is one of the most stubborn coaches in the country, and if it does not start to mesh soon it would not surprise me to see him trash the idea all together.

 

The defense will improve a lot within the next month, and I don't think it is anything we need to be too concerned with yet.

 

I only saw a little bit of the game, but D-Mac has a quicker burst this year with the weight loss. I like the attacking mentality of the freshmen, and I think Paul will be able to create offense off of the dribble come Big Ten season. I'm still not a huge Tisdale fan, but I am hoping he can hold up this year, and average somewhere around 11 and 7.

DMac almost banged on the one kid, just missed the dunk. The talented freshman pushing him is the best thing that could have happened to him.

 

I totally agree. Competition is what D-Mac needed. He was clearly the most talented player on the team last year, and I believe he got complacent because of it. Now he is actually being forced to compete with someone who can take his minutes. Weber has much more leverage over him, which I am hoping will help D-Mac reach his true potential.

[illiniguy]

 

I totally agree. Competition is what D-Mac needed. He was clearly the most talented player on the team last year, and I believe he got complacent because of it. Now he is actually being forced to compete with someone who can take his minutes. Weber has much more leverage over him, which I am hoping will help D-Mac reach his true potential.

Yep, I thought he was ok last year, but could have been better. But the announcers on ESPN360 said he lead the Big 10 in assists. Am I the only one who did not know that?

[Exile on Waveland]

I assume the 2 prospects are Selby and Kendrick? I don't know much about Kendrick, but haven't heard much regarding Selby and IU, any estimate on your chances?

 

Dubious on Selby, more optimistic on Kendrick. As CCP said, IU has a nice foundation, but an elite player could be a revelation (true for most programs, obviously).

 

Kendrick to Memphis. :(

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

 

I totally agree. Competition is what D-Mac needed. He was clearly the most talented player on the team last year, and I believe he got complacent because of it. Now he is actually being forced to compete with someone who can take his minutes. Weber has much more leverage over him, which I am hoping will help D-Mac reach his true potential.

Yep, I thought he was ok last year, but could have been better. But the announcers on ESPN360 said he lead the Big 10 in assists. Am I the only one who did not know that?

 

That caught me off guard as well, although I think they qualified by saying that he did it within league play.

[Bruno7481]

I assume the 2 prospects are Selby and Kendrick? I don't know much about Kendrick, but haven't heard much regarding Selby and IU, any estimate on your chances?

 

Dubious on Selby, more optimistic on Kendrick. As CCP said, IU has a nice foundation, but an elite player could be a revelation (true for most programs, obviously).

 

Kendrick to Memphis. :(

 

Pretty odd timing for a kid that everyone assumed was waiting until the spring to sign. I don't see IU having a realistic shot at Selby. I like this year's class quite a bit. It would a miracle for Crean to bring in a 5 star kid like that coming off a 6-25 year. I think if IU could have a .500 season that would be a huge step forward.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

IU has a very tough non conference schedule. I just can't foresee a .500 year for them this season. They are too young, and I do not think they have a prayer of beating Pitt, Maryland, Kentucky. I can't comment on the quality of the Ole Miss basketball program, but I am assuming that will be a good test for IU. They will take a step forward, but I only see 6 gimme's on the non-conference schedule, and with the quality of the Big 10 this year I just can't see them posting a .500 record.

[Exile on Waveland]

I assume the 2 prospects are Selby and Kendrick? I don't know much about Kendrick, but haven't heard much regarding Selby and IU, any estimate on your chances?

 

Dubious on Selby, more optimistic on Kendrick. As CCP said, IU has a nice foundation, but an elite player could be a revelation (true for most programs, obviously).

 

Kendrick to Memphis. :(

 

Pretty odd timing for a kid that everyone assumed was waiting until the spring to sign. I don't see IU having a realistic shot at Selby. I like this year's class quite a bit. It would a miracle for Crean to bring in a 5 star kid like that coming off a 6-25 year. I think if IU could have a .500 season that would be a huge step forward.

 

I didn't expect Kendrick or Selby (I agree, don't think Selby is realistic at all). I did think Kendrick was a realistic -- if not a very probable -- potential recruit. I am not stunned he didn't pick IU; I am stunned that he announced now instead of the late signing period.

 

This year's class is outstanding, in my opinion, especially considering the program being at a nadir. It may not have immediate superstars, but it's an outstanding foundation to build from. I've always considered it similar -- though a step behind, especially with no comparable player to Johnson -- to Purdue's 2007 class (which I had a hard time convincing most IU fans that their class was better than IU's that year . . . I'd much prefer three or four long-term players than one elite one-year player). It isn't necessary to add 5-star players for this group to be rather good, though an elite player would certainly expedite the process and obviously increase the potential ceiling. An out-of-state 5-star is probably even less likely; I'd expect the first 5-star to come from Indiana (I do expect one to come, at some point unknown).

[SouthSideRyan]

Ole Miss returns everyone from a 500 team last year. They should beat IU.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU has a very tough non conference schedule. I just can't foresee a .500 year for them this season. They are too young, and I do not think they have a prayer of beating Pitt, Maryland, Kentucky. I can't comment on the quality of the Ole Miss basketball program, but I am assuming that will be a good test for IU. They will take a step forward, but I only see 6 gimme's on the non-conference schedule, and with the quality of the Big 10 this year I just can't see them posting a .500 record.

 

I don't envision .500 either. If this was the Big Ten of a few years ago, certainly/possibly. As expected, the influx of coaching talent has greatly enhanced the conference though.

 

Ole Miss is better and should defeat IU. The Puerto Rico Tip-Off will likely add another likely win, if not a gimme, to your six (considering IU will be relegated to the loser's bracket). Specifically, I think IU beats Boston U. in the second game.

 

While they have an outstanding program and coach, and are sure to be better than IU this year, Pitt lost a ton and has two key players injured currently. They are going to have a near brand new team. I think IU has at least a prayer of winning that game -- though a loss is expected. (Regardless, if 8-4 is absolutely best-case, IU would still have to go 7-11 in the Big Ten and win a tournament game. I envision no realistic scenario where IU wins eight league games.)

[Sosa21MVP]

Ole Miss returns everyone from a 500 team last year. They should beat IU.

 

7-9 in a bad basketball conference too. Meh. Not impressed.

[Bruno7481]

My point about reaching .500 was I think that is the ceiling, I agree it is not likely. I'l enjoy watching the improvement form last year though, that is for sure. At least this year, the talent disparity between IU and their opponents will not be as big as it was last year. There will still be a disparity, just not as big. There were several games last year when IU didn't even belong on the same floor as their opponent.

[SouthSideRyan]

Ole Miss returns everyone from a 500 team last year. They should beat IU.

 

7-9 in a bad basketball conference too. Meh. Not impressed.

 

Oh, I don't think they're anything special, probably an NCAA bubbler at best, but they should beat IU. Either way, it looks like IU is leaving Puerto Rico 1-2.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Tony Mitchell commits to Mizzou *backflips*

 

http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/1571554.html

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Tony Mitchell commits to Mizzou *backflips*

 

http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/1571554.html

 

YESYESYESYES

 

 

It may be more hope than actual speculation, but I've heard Mitchell and Pressey on board make us players for Beal next year.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Tony Mitchell commits to Mizzou *backflips*

 

http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/1571554.html

 

YESYESYESYES

 

 

It may be more hope than actual speculation, but I've heard Mitchell and Pressey on board make us players for Beal next year.

 

Well, I think the fact that talent wants to play with talent definitely keeps us in the running, but we're going against some big time programs for Beal. We'll see what happens.

[SouthSideRyan]

Tony Mitchell commits to Mizzou *backflips*

 

http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/1571554.html

 

YESYESYESYES

 

 

It may be more hope than actual speculation, but I've heard Mitchell and Pressey on board make us players for Beal next year.

 

Back the [expletive] off.