College Basketball 2009-10

[MPrior]

I'd just like to throw in my two cents with regards to UNC's ranking, as it seems to have upset some people. I'm an avid UNC fan, and I still generally agree that both polls rank us too highly. While we do have what's probably both the best and deepest frontcourt in the country, we have very little going for us in the backcourt. Larry Drew WAS terrible last year (more turnovers than assists, if memory serves), his ceiling is limited even if he can learn to take better care of the ball, and he's demonstrated himself to be a pretty poor shooter. Marcus Ginyard is a good perimeter defender, and can even run the point a little, so it'll be good to have him around, but he isn't a scoring threat, especially from outside. Will Graves has some potential as a shooter, but he was abysmal from beyond the arc last year. I have high hopes for Strickland, but who knows how he's going to turn out - heck, no one even knows if he'll play SG as planned or switch to PG and take over for Drew.

 

Basically, we have no sure things in our backcourt - everyone is, at best, a question mark. And with Roy Williams' system, a good point guard is key to success (and a reliable scoring threat from outside is pretty critical too). Final analysis: if enough of our question marks come through for us in a positive way, I could see us contending for the national championship again. But ranking us that high before the season starts is giving too much credit to our unproven guards.

[Guest]

MPrior, you think Drew's ceiling isn't that great? I really liked him coming out of HS; I would have preferred UCLA get him over Jerime Anderson. Both of them struggled with their outside shot in HS but neither of them needed to use it a lot at that level. Just get a lot of reps on that shot in the offseason and there's a chance it improves. I didn't watch much of Drew last season but turnover issues for a sparingly-used freshman can easily be improved upon.

[MPrior]

Raisin, I should probably simply defer to your greater knowledge of prospects here - and you're probably right. But I'm gonna try to explain myself anyway:

 

It's not that Drew can't or won't be a good PG; I just have doubts about his ability to be the type of point guard I've been spoiled with the past few years, or even close. Coming out of high school, he was considered a marginal 4-star prospect, if I remember correctly, and his performance so far has failed to live up to what you'd expect out of that type of freshman. I just don't think he has the raw talent necessary to be much more than adequate.

 

I think our team could probably be pretty dominant with an adequate PG, though, so here's hoping. Mostly, I'll be happy if he just stops turning the ball over so much. I've heard that he took 800-1000 shots/day all summer long, so hopefully his shot will be improved, too.

[illiniguy]

Raisin, I should probably simply defer to your greater knowledge of prospects here - and you're probably right. But I'm gonna try to explain myself anyway:

 

It's not that Drew can't or won't be a good PG; I just have doubts about his ability to be the type of point guard I've been spoiled with the past few years, or even close. Coming out of high school, he was considered a marginal 4-star prospect, if I remember correctly, and his performance so far has failed to live up to what you'd expect out of that type of freshman. I just don't think he has the raw talent necessary to be much more than adequate.

 

I think our team could probably be pretty dominant with an adequate PG, though, so here's hoping. Mostly, I'll be happy if he just stops turning the ball over so much. I've heard that he took 800-1000 shots/day all summer long, so hopefully his shot will be improved, too.

I would throw the rating away when looing at a prospect as it seems the gurus hit on the top 10 to 25 guys pretty often, but after that it is a crap shoot. There are plenty of examples of players who were rated lower that still have went on to become great college and pros. Deron Williams and Brandon Roy both come to mind. While Drew had a bad frosh year, I don't think it is crazy to think that he can still become a productive player. Especially when you take into consideration that he will be surrounded by a lot of talent the entire time he is at UNC. It might be foolish to expect Lawson or Felton level performance, but you still should be able to compete for a national title with him running the show. an example I would think of for Drew would be Steve Blake, although not blessed with an enormous level of raw talent, he nonetheless has both won an NCAA title, but also carved out a nice career in the NBA.

[bukie]

This isn't quite college basketball related, but I'm sure there are a number of people who are familiar with Kyle Whelliston and the Mid-Majority blog, and the work Kyle does every year to cover non-big-6 schools like nobody else ever has or ever probably will.

 

Well, it would appear that Kyle has had a bit of a rough year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Mizzou is a finalist for 5-star forward Tony Mitchell from Texas. Adding Mitchell would give Anderson a couple Top-50 recruits for next year, a huge plus with Tiller, Taylor, and Ramsey departing. Anderson's rep as a recruiter has already taken a step forward the last year or so, but combining two elite guys with the team's success might be what's needed to start getting talent needed to make Mizzou a year in, year out Big 12 contender.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Mizzou is a finalist for 5-star forward Tony Mitchell from Texas. Adding Mitchell would give Anderson a couple Top-50 recruits for next year, a huge plus with Tiller, Taylor, and Ramsey departing. Anderson's rep as a recruiter has already taken a step forward the last year or so, but combining two elite guys with the team's success might be what's needed to start getting talent needed to make Mizzou a year in, year out Big 12 contender.

 

So how good are our chances? Who else is considered a finalist for him? Any idea when he's planning on deciding? I really like our class so far, and adding a 5-star F to it would make it pretty amazing, imo.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Mizzou is a finalist for 5-star forward Tony Mitchell from Texas. Adding Mitchell would give Anderson a couple Top-50 recruits for next year, a huge plus with Tiller, Taylor, and Ramsey departing. Anderson's rep as a recruiter has already taken a step forward the last year or so, but combining two elite guys with the team's success might be what's needed to start getting talent needed to make Mizzou a year in, year out Big 12 contender.

 

So how good are our chances? Who else is considered a finalist for him? Any idea when he's planning on deciding? I really like our class so far, and adding a 5-star F to it would make it pretty amazing, imo.

 

http://www.rockmnation.com/2009/11/2/1110888/a-breakthrough-class

 

In today's Mizzou Links, I linked to an article on Dallas forward Tony Mitchell and the status of his recruitment. I know we've mentioned him before, but just to reiterate: that's the #15 player in the 2010 basketball recruiting class. He committed to K-State earlier in the process, but his mom said no. Mike Anderson swooped in, wooed Mama, and now she and Mizzou commit Phil Pressey are both hammering Mitchell to come to Mizzou.

 

Mitchell does not yet have any official visits set up, but is ironing out dates in the next few days. Missouri is joined by Cincinnati, Georgetown, Florida International, Marquette and North Texas in Mitchell's final six. That list is unlikely to change. Our source said that Mitchell would like to visit all six and make a commitment "by late fall or early winter." Mitchell said that he is going to talk over the visits with his mother and admitted it may take him fewer than a half dozen to reach a decision.

 

"I think I'm gonna say less," he said. "But I'm going to wait and see."

 

...

 

The Tigers, though, may have one advantage that the other schools don't: An extra recruiter. Missouri pledge Phil Pressey is also a Dallas native and is in Mitchell's ear.

 

"Phil, that's my boy. We play each other during the summer," Mitchell said. "Phil has been recruiting me harder than Missouri."

[Butterscup1679666578]

Sounds pretty awesome, thanks for the link (which I somehow missed while perusing Rock M earlier). After reading that, I feel pretty good about our chances. We'll see what happens.

[Magnetic Curses]

no one cares, freaks.

[Butterscup1679666578]

come on guy let us enjoy it for a change. you don't have to talk trash until you beat us again in a few months

[SouthSideRyan]

How embarrassing is it to be Frank Martin. The kids mother won't let him play for him, but is willing to allow Isiah Thomas.

[Butterscup1679666578]

She's just doing him a favor. What kind of parent wants their child to live in Manhattan, KS?

[Vanilla Ice]

Singler makes preseason All-American first team. A tad surprised, but oh well. :)

[da bears]

Found this on another site. I am speechless.

 

http://kansas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1010364

[Transmogrified Tiger]

How embarrassing is it to be Frank Martin. The kids mother won't let him play for him, but is willing to allow Isiah Thomas.

 

I imagine a recruiting visit from Frank Martin involves promises of broken kneecaps if he doesn't come, lots of talk about "family" atmosphere, etc. Either that or he hulks out and smashes furniture in the recruit's home to impress them.

[SouthSideRyan]

Sherron Collins has formed a tight bond with Cole Aldrich

"It's almost like he is the girlfriend and I am the guy," Aldrich said. "If you tell Sherron that he'll tell you the opposite."

 

So does that mean Cole rubs his penis on Sherron in elevators?

[Andy]

08-09 RPIs of ND's non-conference opponents (out of 343):

 

North Florida - 326

St. Francis (PA) - 322

Long Beach St - 156

Liberty - 151

Kennesaw St - 337

Northwestern - 78

Iowa St - 167 OR St Louis - 123

Idaho St - 207

Central Florida - 165

IUPUI - 241

Loyola Marymount - 320

UCLA - 33

Bucknell - 295

 

That's right kids - ND will play FIVE teams with RPI's of 295 or worse last season, and two others with worse than 205. Exactly two teams in the top 100. One in the top 50. No true road games (all games at home except for NW and Iowa St/St Louis, in Chicago).

 

Absolutely embarrassing and infuriating. With that ridiculous schedule we might need 11-7 or better in the league just to make the tournament. I hate our athletic department and their 'play no one anywhere but here' approach to sports scheduling.

[CubbieBum]

08-09 RPIs of ND's non-conference opponents (out of 343):

 

North Florida - 326

St. Francis (PA) - 322

Long Beach St - 156

Liberty - 151

Kennesaw St - 337

Northwestern - 78

Iowa St - 167 OR St Louis - 123

Idaho St - 207

Central Florida - 165

IUPUI - 241

Loyola Marymount - 320

UCLA - 33

Bucknell - 295

 

That's right kids - ND will play FIVE teams with RPI's of 295 or worse last season, and two others with worse than 205. Exactly two teams in the top 100. One in the top 50. No true road games (all games at home except for NW and Iowa St/St Louis, in Chicago).

 

Absolutely embarrassing and infuriating. With that ridiculous schedule we might need 11-7 or better in the league just to make the tournament. I hate our athletic department and their 'play no one anywhere but here' approach to sports scheduling.

 

I would say they do it because they need the money but this is ND they don't need money.

 

Purdue has one like last year. Couple real good teams, handful of bad teams, and handful of awful teams.

 

Cal State Nothridge (127)

South Dakota St (283)

Central Michigan (297)

Wake Forest (16)

Buffalo (89)

Valparaiso (260)

@ Alabama (108)

Ball State (262)

SIU-Edwardsville (???)

West Virginia (21)

 

Also in Paradise Jam we will play winner of Boston College (60) and Saint Joseph's (105) assuming we beat South Dakota St. Then likely Tennessee (25) in the championship.

 

So that's three top 25 and another two top 100.

[bukie]

Another must read Whelliston article: Sportz make you stupid

[shnsajax]

Texas plays some cupcakes, but they also play Iowa, USC, Arkansas, North Carolina, Michigan State, UConn, and of course Kansas and Oklahoma. Barnes might not be the best coach, but he is a great recruiter and puts one of the toughest schedules out every year.

[bukie]

Illinois definitely has a good mix of cupcakes (SIU-E, Presbyterian, Wofford), low-end mid-major teams (Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Boise State), high end mid-majors (Utah and possibly Bradley in Vegas, Gonzaga in Chicago), and big six conference teams (Vandy, at Georgia, at Clemson, Missouri in St. Louis, and possibly Oklahoma State in Vegas). I just hope the freshmen are ready by game 5 (open against SIU-E, Northern Illinois, Presbyterian, and Wofford before heading off to Vegas and Clemson).

[Keener98]

Texas plays some cupcakes, but they also play Iowa, USC, Arkansas, North Carolina, Michigan State, UConn, and of course Kansas and Oklahoma. Barnes might not be the best coach, but he is a great recruiter and puts one of the toughest schedules out every year.

 

When you say Texas plays some cupcakes, why did you list Iowa with those other teams? Iowa should be listed in the cupcake part of your schedule :D

[SouthSideRyan]

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_13702493?nclick_check=1

 

Bostick and White suspended indefinitely for Minnesota for team rules. I'm sure they'll be back for the games of importance. Tubby says 2 to 6, though says could be 20 if they don't take care of it. I'm guess they'll be there for the Challenege.

[shnsajax]

Texas plays some cupcakes, but they also play Iowa, USC, Arkansas, North Carolina, Michigan State, UConn, and of course Kansas and Oklahoma. Barnes might not be the best coach, but he is a great recruiter and puts one of the toughest schedules out every year.

 

When you say Texas plays some cupcakes, why did you list Iowa with those other teams? Iowa should be listed in the cupcake part of your schedule :D

 

Are they that bad this year? I had no idea, figured would at least be decent and put up a fight. I was thinking more like Texas A&M - Pan AM for cupcakes :-).