College Basketball 2009-10

[Exile on Waveland]

Oh, and it's official: Indiana has one of the Big Ten's top-3 out-of-conference wins. And the best neutral/road out-of-conference win of the entire conference. Just sayin'.

 

How is that better than beating Tennessee on a neutral floor?

 

Because it is.*

 

Using the Pomeroy rankings I just dismissed, Pitt is No. 20 and Tennessee is No. 27. Tennessee has the huge win over Kansas (No. 2), but outside of that their best win is Ole Miss (No. 48). Tennessee is just 8-4 in the SEC. Color me underwhelmed. Pitt, on the other hand, has beat West Virginia (No. 3), won at Syracuse (No. 4), beat Villanova (No. 14), won at Marquette (No. 22), beat Louisville (No. 30), and won at UConn (No. 43). They're 10-4 in a much stronger league than the SEC.

 

 

 

*Now, obviously, there are some issues with who played in either game due to suspensions/injuries. So it's not a perfect analysis.

[circlecitycub]

Oh, and it's official: Indiana has one of the Big Ten's top-3 out-of-conference wins. And the best neutral/road out-of-conference win of the entire conference. Just sayin'.

 

How is that better than beating Tennessee on a neutral floor?

 

Because it is.*

 

Using the Pomeroy rankings I just dismissed, Pitt is No. 20 and Tennessee is No. 27. Tennessee has the huge win over Kansas (No. 2), but outside of that their best win is Ole Miss (No. 48). Tennessee is just 8-4 in the SEC. Color me underwhelmed. Pitt, on the other hand, has beat West Virginia (No. 3), won at Syracuse (No. 4), beat Villanova (No. 14), won at Marquette (No. 22), beat Louisville (No. 30), and won at UConn (No. 43). They're 10-4 in a much stronger league than the SEC.

 

 

 

*Now, obviously, there are some issues with who played in either game due to suspensions/injuries. So it's not a perfect analysis.

 

Valid argument.

[CubbieBum]

Tennessee is living off their preseason ranking. I'm not complaining because it makes Purdue look better but I would say they are in truth a 5 or 6 seed. They'll end up with a 3 or 4 though.

[circlecitycub]

Tennessee is living off their preseason ranking. I'm not complaining because it makes Purdue look better but I would say they are in truth a 5 or 6 seed. They'll end up with a 3 or 4 though.

 

That and they are the only team to beat Kansas.

[TruffleShuffle]

tennessee will not get a 3 or 4 seed unless they do really well in the sec tournament and/or beat kentucky.

[Smack]

Today's Bracketology has Tennessee as a #6 seed.

 

Also:

Purdue #1

Ohio St. #3

Michigan St. (down to) #4

Wisconsin #5

Illinois (down to) #10

[SouthSideRyan]

Some guy from San Jose voted Illinois 12th in this week's poll. It was the only vote we received

[mul21]

I don't care where it is, I'd much rather have a 10 seed than an 8 or 9, regardless of who a 2nd round opponent might be.

[Exile on Waveland]

I'm guessing Illinois ends up in the dreaded 8-9 game.

[Exile on Waveland]

Today's Bracketology has Tennessee as a #6 seed.

 

Also:

Purdue #1

Ohio St. #3

Michigan St. (down to) #4

Wisconsin #5

Illinois (down to) #10

 

OK, someone convince me why Michigan State deserves a higher seed than Wisconsin. Green Bay? That can't seriously be enough.

[SouthSideRyan]

Today's Bracketology has Tennessee as a #6 seed.

 

Also:

Purdue #1

Ohio St. #3

Michigan St. (down to) #4

Wisconsin #5

Illinois (down to) #10

 

OK, someone convince me why Michigan State deserves a higher seed than Wisconsin. Green Bay? That can't seriously be enough.

 

MSU is getting off easy because nobody realized how bad their losses to Florida and UNC were. At the time, they looked respectable.

[Andy]

My favorite matchup of the Bracketology bracket is Butler drawing the 5 seed in Spokane opposite 4-seed Gonzaga, a school located in...Spokane.

 

Yeah, that's fair.

[Smack]

Today's Bracketology has Tennessee as a #6 seed.

 

Also:

Purdue #1

Ohio St. #3

Michigan St. (down to) #4

Wisconsin #5

Illinois (down to) #10

 

OK, someone convince me why Michigan State deserves a higher seed than Wisconsin. Green Bay? That can't seriously be enough.

 

I think they're living on that 9-0 conference start. Wisconsin did get a beatdown on the road at Minnesota recently, but State has lost 4 out of their last 6 now and they're 2-4 against conference teams (both wins were at home) that should make the tourney. With a tough game, at Purdue this weekend, State could end up 2-5 against Big Ten tourney teams. Also, State's only good out of conference win was against Gonzaga. Yeah, they really shouldn't be a #4.

[Exile on Waveland]

Today's Bracketology has Tennessee as a #6 seed.

 

Also:

Purdue #1

Ohio St. #3

Michigan St. (down to) #4

Wisconsin #5

Illinois (down to) #10

 

OK, someone convince me why Michigan State deserves a higher seed than Wisconsin. Green Bay? That can't seriously be enough.

 

MSU is getting off easy because nobody realized how bad their losses to Florida and UNC were. At the time, they looked respectable.

 

I don't think their resume is all that great. Sure, they're ahead of Wisconsin in the Big Ten right now by one game (though Jon Leuer missed a number of games). The Spartans best non-conference win is Gonzaga. Wisconsin arguably has three better wins -- though did lose to the same Gonzaga team. Michigan State also is only 1-3 against the Big Ten's top four. Wisconsin is 3-3, having beat each.

 

I think it has a lot to do with (i) they're named "Michigan State"; and (ii) what you said.

[SouthSideRyan]

Maybe a little Lucas injury credit as well. He's the returning BTPOY and Leuer is just another goofy interchangable Wisconsin white guy.

[Exile on Waveland]

Maybe a little Lucas injury credit as well. He's the returning BTPOY and Leuer is just another goofy interchangable Wisconsin white guy.

 

Fair. But Leuer was actually missing in action for nine games and is now back presumably healthy (and coming off a good game). Lucas missed one game and hasn't played noticeably worse (he may not look fully healthy, but his numbers are certainly comparable). We don't know if Lucas will be any healthier by the tournament -- and that's what is important. If he's the same as he is now, they won't get any benefit of the doubt for playing with him banged up.

 

You're also being too rough on Leuer. He's averaging 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He was a four-star recruit.

[SouthSideRyan]

Maybe a little Lucas injury credit as well. He's the returning BTPOY and Leuer is just another goofy interchangable Wisconsin white guy.

 

Fair. But Leuer was actually missing in action for nine games and is now back presumably healthy (and coming off a good game). Lucas missed one game and hasn't played noticeably worse (he may not look fully healthy, but his numbers are certainly comparable). We don't know if Lucas will be any healthier by the tournament -- and that's what is important. If he's the same as he is now, they won't get any benefit of the doubt for playing with him banged up.

 

You're also being too rough on Leuer. He's averaging 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He was a four-star recruit.

 

Sorry, shoulda made it clear I was talking about the media's perception. Wisconsin seems to always be talked about having no talent just because it's a bunch of goofy looking white guys. People would say that stuff about Brian Butch and he a McDs All-American.

[Exile on Waveland]

Maybe a little Lucas injury credit as well. He's the returning BTPOY and Leuer is just another goofy interchangable Wisconsin white guy.

 

Fair. But Leuer was actually missing in action for nine games and is now back presumably healthy (and coming off a good game). Lucas missed one game and hasn't played noticeably worse (he may not look fully healthy, but his numbers are certainly comparable). We don't know if Lucas will be any healthier by the tournament -- and that's what is important. If he's the same as he is now, they won't get any benefit of the doubt for playing with him banged up.

 

You're also being too rough on Leuer. He's averaging 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He was a four-star recruit.

 

Sorry, shoulda made it clear I was talking about the media's perception. Wisconsin seems to always be talked about having no talent just because it's a bunch of goofy looking white guys. People would say that stuff about Brian Butch and he a McDs All-American.

 

Gotcha. I misunderstood. You stayed on point while I digressed. I would agree with you then.

[SouthSideRyan]

Some great lip reading to be done from all the West Virginia coaches regarding that ref. Then you get Calhoun calling him an a-hole as he shakes the WV coach. Great stuff

[Andy]

That UConn win goes a long way towards putting 8 Big East teams in the tourney. Which means nothing except that it gives me slightly more of a rooting interest.

 

Luke Harangody will be out for Wednesday's game against Pitt, which means they will either get run out of the gym or suffer a heartbreaking loss (though those were the two most likely occurrences even if he did play).

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

Turner is going to win BTPOY, but I found some great stats to support McCamey's candidacy.

 

He has accounted for 51% of the Illini's offense in Big Ten Play.

 

He is averaging 9.6 assists over the last seven games.

 

McCamey is averaging 8.1 assists in conference play. He has totaled 114 assists in Big Ten games, 38 more than the next closest assists leader. McCamey is on pace to break the Big Ten single-season assists record of 7.8 apg set by Eric Snow of Michigan State in 1995.

 

I really hope he comes back next year.

[scarey]

this has been discussed before, but with UI at 9 conference wins, has anyone with 10 ever not gotten into tourny?

 

safe to say we are all rooting for vandy!

Syracuse missed the tournament once with 10 Big East wins and I believe Penn State or someone else missed the tourney last year with 10 Big Ten wins.

 

Syracuse doesn't ever count when they're on the bubble because they play 14 D2 teams in non-conference every year. I really think they'll get in at 11-7. Whether they beat Minny and Michigan or lose one of those and beat UW I don't think matters.

 

Also, possibly one of the most homer reffed games I've ever seen today. Absolutely awful.

 

The scout board had a breakdown on shot types, Purdue shot 6 more layup/dunks and went to the line something like 20 more times. Awful.

 

I hadn't seen the comments made here, and maybe I shouldn't be bringing this back up, but really? Are you implying that Purdue went to the line on jump shot fouls?

 

I think some of you Illini fans saw Kramer flopping on two calls, looked at the free throw desparity, and automatically assumed the refs gave it away. 6 of the free throws that Purdue shot were from intentional fouls at the end and 2 free throws were from Weber's T. That's a 5-20 free throw differential which is understandable seeing as Purdue had a huge differential in points in the paint (and is a reason I don't believe the breakdown on shot types you referenced).

 

Also, Illinois got plenty of calls in that game. Kramer got nailed in the nose on that drive and didn't get a call. That foul on Jackson when he clearly tied up Tisdale for a jump ball. The tipped pass that McCamey deflected out of bounds that went to Illinois. Sometimes calls are gonna go your way, sometimes they don't.

 

Not to mention that the flops by Kramer were in fact fouls! Davis slid into that screen. I agree, it's not going to get called all the time, but it's not Kramers fault for flopping, it's Davis' fault for not positioning himself well in the first place. Kramer's feet were set on the Cole charge and the blocking foul by Cole, he was still moving up to his spot. They were all fouls! If Kramer flops to emphasize a fould and try to give his team the advantage, how can you blame him for that? As a Purdue fan, I don't care if people think he's a [expletive] for it, he's giving my team an advantage.

 

What sucks is I was thoroughly impressed by the Illini, but you guys are overshadowing it by the complaints about the refs. I didn't realize your guys spaced the floor and shot so well. The defense was excellent as well. Your bigs had their feet on Johnson't neck all game long. If you get to the tourney, you have a great chance to upset a few higher seeds. Best of luck going forward except if Purdue and Illinois meet in the conference tourney.

[SouthSideRyan]

That's a 5-20 free throw differential which is understandable seeing as Purdue had a huge differential in points in the paint (and is a reason I don't believe the breakdown on shot types you referenced).

 

The breakdown was from a neutral game recap IIRC. Purdue and Illinois play the same jump shooting offense. Robbie Hummel played like dog [expletive] but got bailed out time and time again.

[SouthSideRyan]

If Kramer flops to emphasize a fould and try to give his team the advantage, how can you blame him for that? As a Purdue fan, I don't care if people think he's a [expletive] for it, he's giving my team an advantage.

 

Because it's not basketball it's Wojo slap the ground bull [expletive]. It's not emphasizing a foul, it's acting like a clown

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

If Kramer flops to emphasize a fould and try to give his team the advantage, how can you blame him for that? As a Purdue fan, I don't care if people think he's a [expletive] for it, he's giving my team an advantage.

 

Because it's not basketball it's Wojo slap the ground bull [expletive]. It's not emphasizing a foul, it's acting like a clown

 

As much as I hate Kramer, I'm pretty sure there have been plenty of floppers in every program.