College Basketball 2009-10

[SouthSideRyan]

Am I the only one that thinks a Coble-less Northwestern still finishes ahead of IU and Iowa? Of course I have NU pegged for 7th in the conference with him.

[Flames24Rulz]

Am I the only one that thinks a Coble-less Northwestern still finishes ahead of IU and Iowa? Of course I have NU pegged for 7th in the conference with him.

 

No you're not. I think they're still better than those two.

 

That's a horrible break for the Cats.

[Vanilla Ice]

Cautiously optimistic about Barnes..

[SouthSideRyan]

Straight from my ass Big Ten predictions:

 

MSU

Purdue

Ohio St.

Illinois

Minnesota

Michigan

Wisconsin

Northwestern

Penn St.

Iowa

Indiana

 

I'm assuming about a half-season from Coble to split the difference. That Coble injury could help Wisconsin sneak into the tourney and keep Bo's streak alive. I feel bad for Talor Battle. Michigan St. is a scary scary team.

[ISUCubsFan]

Cautiously optimistic about Barnes..

 

I'm far more optimistic about ISU's chances than I was a few weeks ago. I still think UNC and Duke are the favorites, but there's a realistic shot he stays in Ames. Barnes has been very secretive though, so nothing would surprise me.

[hawkeyecub]

Straight from my ass Big Ten predictions:

 

MSU

Purdue

Ohio St.

Illinois

Minnesota

Michigan

Wisconsin

Northwestern

Penn St.

Iowa

Indiana

 

I'm assuming about a half-season from Coble to split the difference. That Coble injury could help Wisconsin sneak into the tourney and keep Bo's streak alive. I feel bad for Talor Battle. Michigan St. is a scary scary team.

 

Iowa over Indiana?

[Sosa21MVP]

Yeah Indiana will at least finish ahead of Iowa this season. Woohoo 10th place or bust! \:D/

[CubColtPacer]

Straight from my ass Big Ten predictions:

 

MSU

Purdue

Ohio St.

Illinois

Minnesota

Michigan

Wisconsin

Northwestern

Penn St.

Iowa

Indiana

 

I'm assuming about a half-season from Coble to split the difference. That Coble injury could help Wisconsin sneak into the tourney and keep Bo's streak alive. I feel bad for Talor Battle. Michigan St. is a scary scary team.

 

How many games do you have IU winning in the Big 10 this year to finish last again?

 

I have absolutely no idea what to expect out of IU this year. They have a decently talented squad. Rivers was not what I expected whatsoever. Watford and Creek both look like they will quietly score a good amount of points. Miniru actually surprised me..he is raw, but he moves better on the court than I would expect. He can actually provide a few meaningful minutes this year and I didn't expect him to get much on the court at all. It's not all good..I'm not sure Hulls is quite ready for the speed of the Big 10 yet, but we'll see. But having a full squad will definitely help quite a bit.

 

In the exhibition games though, I saw no evidence that they really knew how to work together to be as efficient as possible. Part of that may have been the frequent substitutions, but that will be interesting to watch as the season goes along to see if they get an identity. And they were so much worse than everybody else in the Big 10 last year that improving quite a bit might not move them up very far in the standings. But I really don't see how they are worse than Iowa, unless you feel that Iowa's strange system guarantees them a few wins every year.

[SouthSideRyan]

Straight from my ass Big Ten predictions:

 

MSU

Purdue

Ohio St.

Illinois

Minnesota

Michigan

Wisconsin

Northwestern

Penn St.

Iowa

Indiana

 

I'm assuming about a half-season from Coble to split the difference. That Coble injury could help Wisconsin sneak into the tourney and keep Bo's streak alive. I feel bad for Talor Battle. Michigan St. is a scary scary team.

 

Iowa over Indiana?

 

Yes. Indiana's more talented, but I think Iowa's system is more conducive to knocking off teams that outclass them.

[CubColtPacer]

Indiana's also deciding to do a very risky strategy in the recruiting game by saving places for 2 top 10 recruits that won't decide until the spring. It would be a huge boost if they can get one of them. I can't even decide if they want the program to show progress or if they want IU to have another miserable season where they can try to ride in and save the day.

 

I think it's the right strategy because Indiana will have plenty of depth by that point but could use an elite player. But it definitely is going to make for a tense month or two in the spring.

[SouthSideRyan]

To answer CCP's other question, I have a hard time seeing more than 4 wins for either Iowa or Indiana. Let's say 4for Iowa, 3 for Indiana.

 

What do you mean by surprised by Rivers? As in better or worse than you thought? Or just different?

[CubColtPacer]

To answer CCP's other question, I have a hard time seeing more than 4 wins for either Iowa or Indiana. Let's say 4for Iowa, 3 for Indiana.

 

What do you mean by surprised by Rivers? As in better or worse than you thought? Or just different?

 

People tended to describe him as the tall point guard that protected the ball, wasn't really a scorer, and played great defense.

 

He's actually much better at driving the ball than I expected but he is probably only a little above average for a point guard at protecting the ball. He is not only long but athletic and is willing to take chances when he sees an opening. I can understand why Crean wants to start him because Rivers wants to push the ball up the court quickly as much as Crean does.

 

I still have no idea what level of effectiveness he will have when playing against better players, but his philosophy out there is much different than I expected.

[SouthSideRyan]

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?

[Exile on Waveland]

To answer CCP's other question, I have a hard time seeing more than 4 wins for either Iowa or Indiana. Let's say 4for Iowa, 3 for Indiana.

 

What do you mean by surprised by Rivers? As in better or worse than you thought? Or just different?

 

Different for me. I expected a steady/solid/average offensive player -- not many points, nor too many assists, but not much negative -- and a very strong defensive player. At least that's what I remember from his Georgetown days. However, and with the huge caveat that real competition hasn't started, his speed up the court with the ball has been most impressive. Early play indicates he will be quite effective at pushing the ball up the court for fast break opportunities, and, subsequently, penetrating in the halfcourt. I never really expected him to be able to create much offense at all. I'm not sure his defense has met my expectations, from what I've seen though.

 

I think IU's backcourt will end up being a strength. I'm more bullish* on Hulls than CCP, I think. He will obviously have an adjustment period with the athleticism/size he'll see in the Big Ten; hopefully that successful transition will come sooner (i.e., this year) rather than later (I have utmost confidence that it will come).

 

I'm concerned about the frontcourt. The way I see it, Crean will have to choose between being (i) small and completely inexperienced; or (ii) incredibly slow, unathletic and poor defensively. The best look may be two 6-foot-8 freshman (Watford and Elston) who are really combo forwards, or 3.5's if you will. Both are going to be real nice players, and Watford has a chance at Newcomer of the Year (based extensive on-the-ball opportunities and the most heralded conference newcomer, Royce White, evidently being a dunce). Pritchard looks worse than last year and Capobianco looks even slower and less athletic than Pritchard. Muniru had a promising showing the other night, and it would help immensely if he is capable of giving minutes. I'm still dubious, at least for the present.

 

I will be very surprised if Indiana finishes in last place in the Big Ten. You said three wins, I'm not much more aggressive (e.g., 4-5 wins?). Anomalous system or no, I just don't see Iowa winning more than that.

 

 

 

*Edit because I evidently don't know the difference between bullish/bearish. Duh.

Edited November 12, 2009 by Exile on Waveland

[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).

[CubColtPacer]

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?

 

Indiana came on late for Selby, but it appears they've made up ground fast (they made his cut down list after only recruiting him for 2 weeks). We'll know more after this weekend when Selby visits (although he won't be there in time for the game on Friday). His former teammate Oladipo might help sway him to Indiana as well.

 

I would say the chances are still no better than 1 in 5 for Selby, but I don't think any fanbase is feeling real comfortable right now in that recruitment.

 

Kendrick is the other one they are after. He visited IU a couple of weeks ago. IU's best connection to him is that he is A.J. Moye's cousin who was of course beloved in Bloomington so that should help. He has a lot of schools still on his list so I have no idea what Indiana's chances are. He has been pretty quiet about all his visits so far, at least from what I have seen.

[hawkeyecub]

Straight from my ass Big Ten predictions:

 

MSU

Purdue

Ohio St.

Illinois

Minnesota

Michigan

Wisconsin

Northwestern

Penn St.

Iowa

Indiana

 

I'm assuming about a half-season from Coble to split the difference. That Coble injury could help Wisconsin sneak into the tourney and keep Bo's streak alive. I feel bad for Talor Battle. Michigan St. is a scary scary team.

 

Iowa over Indiana?

 

Yes. Indiana's more talented, but I think Iowa's system is more conducive to knocking off teams that outclass them.

 

Yeah that's fair. Iowa will be a better shooting team this year and physically much stronger. They're dangerous against anyone at home when their shots are going down. Well maybe not MSU.

 

There is zero depth at PG which could turn them into a dreadfully bad team if Payne goes down. He looks pretty solid and is the best fit at PG Lickliter has had. But he's a true freshman and can't get hurt. The other two freshman look much better than I thought and will at least be able to contribute.

[illiniguy]

What happened between IU, its fanbase, and David Williams just isn't right.

[CubColtPacer]

What happened between IU, its fanbase, and David Williams just isn't right.

 

I don't think anybody has a good idea of what has happened in the David Williams situation. I don't know why he would be explaining his decision soon if it was something like Indiana chased him off, so it seems like many people are leaning towards personal problems or wanting to stay closer to home for some reason. However, he might not have wanted to come into what seemed like to him to be a hostile environment either. I think it's way too early to make any kind of good guess though.

[illiniguy]

What happened between IU, its fanbase, and David Williams just isn't right.

 

I don't think anybody has a good idea of what has happened in the David Williams situation. I don't know why he would be explaining his decision soon if it was something like Indiana chased him off, so it seems like many people are leaning towards personal problems or wanting to stay closer to home for some reason. However, he might not have wanted to come into what seemed like to him to be a hostile environment either. I think it's way too early to make any kind of good guess though.

Could be, just reminds me of the way David Palmer didn't end up at Illinois. If you offer the guy, you should have to honor that offer as much as the players should honor their commitment. IMO.

[CubColtPacer]

What happened between IU, its fanbase, and David Williams just isn't right.

 

I don't think anybody has a good idea of what has happened in the David Williams situation. I don't know why he would be explaining his decision soon if it was something like Indiana chased him off, so it seems like many people are leaning towards personal problems or wanting to stay closer to home for some reason. However, he might not have wanted to come into what seemed like to him to be a hostile environment either. I think it's way too early to make any kind of good guess though.

 

Could be, just reminds me of the way David Palmer didn't end up at Illinois. If you offer the guy, you should have to honor that offer as much as the players should honor their commitment. IMO.

 

I agree. I think an offer should always be honored unless the player has legal troubles or something like that.

 

This is just a strange situation. Some say that Williams never really was offered. He also might be backing out on his own. But I agree, it's not a good situation and reflects badly on the university if it ends up coming out that the offer was made and then was later pulled.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Tony Mitchell apparently taking a visit to Mizzou on Friday. Dear god, please let him sign.

[illiniguy]

Tony Mitchell apparently taking a visit to Mizzou on Friday. Dear god, please let him sign.

I really like what Mike Anderson is doing. I think you guys are going to be pretty good. Pressy was a good get.

[hawkeyecub]

Could be, just reminds me of the way David Palmer didn't end up at Illinois. If you offer the guy, you should have to honor that offer as much as the players should honor their commitment. IMO.

 

Poor Dave caught bad breaks like 4 years in a row and his situation kept getting worse.

[nick23]

Memphis getting a commitment from Hippolyte Tsafack was nice. Josh Pastner already has a really good class for 2010. We're another 4 star player away form possibly a number 1 ranked class.