College Basketball 2009-10

[Smack]

It's also a little amusing to see who's missing from the top 25, as that indicates that at this time, they haven't been overly impressive in their wins or their schedule *cough* Kentucky *cough*. That isn't to say they're not good, just that they haven't done much yet.

 

Kentucky is #65 in the Pomeroy Ratings.

[CubColtPacer]

I don't know how many games they will win, but watching this year's IU team it is obvious they are a lot more talented. Again, it probably wont show much in the W/L record, but they at least look they belong on the floor this year.

 

I think they'll steal a few more games than people think. They've really looked pretty good tonight and have been much more competitive this year than last. It helps when you don't have an unathletic midget playing a bunch of minutes at PG.

 

Jeremiah Rivers isn't much better.

 

Whoa? Rivers isn't a world beater by any means, but Daniel Moore can't even carry his jock. Of course, that's much more of a slight against Moore than a compliment to Rivers. Thank God Moore didn't see the court last night. Hopefully that trend continues.

 

It was a really nice win for this team. I was impressed with their rebounding and physical play underneath. I will say, Pitt looked really bad.

 

 

Well Rivers is a way better defender, but the 2 of them just seem to have the same offensive gameplan of drive into the lane head down and then realize they can't shoot. Last year Indiana wouldn't have been close to Pitt, and it's not so much that the talent level is so much higher than last year, it's that sucking vortexes like Moore don't have to see the court due to lack of depth. I still don't think they'll do much in Big Ten season(though I may need to bump them ahead of Iowa), but they have the bodies where a loss won't be a foregone conclusion before they take the court.

 

I would agree that in many ways Rivers is just a better version of Moore.

 

Both of their strengths are intensity on defense and ability to get the ball up the court. They also are both good at getting into the lane. They are both weak at shooting from beyond 10 feet. They also both try to do too much with passes that lead to turnovers.

 

Rivers is much better on both ends though. Moore could never finish the play after he got into the lane. By the end of the year, teams were actually not even rotating over knowing that he'd have to pass or have the guy who he just beat block his shot from behind. Rivers can score when he gets into the paint which makes the pass more of a weapon. Also of course Rivers doesn't get beat on defense nearly as much because he can close so quickly on people.

 

I'm hoping that Jones steps up more like he did last night. Right now IU desperately needs Rivers on the floor because he is the only one that causes mismatch problems for other teams. If they put Jones as a ball handler a little more he can also cause those problems. I like Hulls a little better than the start of the season but he's not going to be the guy who is going to beat his man off the dribble.

 

I've been impressed with both Creek and Watford's defense. They both have an ability to be lockdown defenders and they both have really quick hands.

 

I've been disappointed with Watford's play at times (he is learning more than anybody else how fast and how athletic players are at the college level), but with his great ability to shoot free throws for a 6 foot 9 player and his athleticism if he learns how to draw fouls he could be a scary player to guard. I just can't see that being this year.

[Exile on Waveland]

I don't know how many games they will win, but watching this year's IU team it is obvious they are a lot more talented. Again, it probably wont show much in the W/L record, but they at least look they belong on the floor this year.

 

I think they'll steal a few more games than people think. They've really looked pretty good tonight and have been much more competitive this year than last. It helps when you don't have an unathletic midget playing a bunch of minutes at PG.

 

Jeremiah Rivers isn't much better.

 

Whoa? Rivers isn't a world beater by any means, but Daniel Moore can't even carry his jock. Of course, that's much more of a slight against Moore than a compliment to Rivers. Thank God Moore didn't see the court last night. Hopefully that trend continues.

 

It was a really nice win for this team. I was impressed with their rebounding and physical play underneath. I will say, Pitt looked really bad.

 

 

Well Rivers is a way better defender, but the 2 of them just seem to have the same offensive gameplan of drive into the lane head down and then realize they can't shoot. Last year Indiana wouldn't have been close to Pitt, and it's not so much that the talent level is so much higher than last year, it's that sucking vortexes like Moore don't have to see the court due to lack of depth. I still don't think they'll do much in Big Ten season(though I may need to bump them ahead of Iowa), but they have the bodies where a loss won't be a foregone conclusion before they take the court.

 

May? That was always a rather absurd anti-homer pick. I feel pretty comfortable Indiana will be closer to Penn State than Iowa. Iowa is god awful and doesn't really have the talent-base to improve as much as Indiana.

[radarluv1]

We probably would be complaining about shot selection if they weren't on fire in the first half. I know about the pressure, but does Mizzou have any shot blockers?

[soapy]

Last year Indiana wouldn't have been close to Pitt, and it's not so much that the talent level is so much higher than last year, it's that sucking vortexes like Moore don't have to see the court due to lack of depth. I still don't think they'll do much in Big Ten season(though I may need to bump them ahead of Iowa), but they have the bodies where a loss won't be a foregone conclusion before they take the court.

 

Agreed with you on most points here, particularly about them not doing much in conference. I do think their talent level is higher than last year, but mainly their improved depth is the key (i.e. keeping guys like Moore and Finklemeier off the court).

 

Also, solid win for Illinois. I only saw pieces but they looked sharp.

[tadowdaddy]

Kansas St. lost to Ole Miss and is still coached by Frank Martin.

You mean Frank Martin, who has led them to 3rd in the Big 12 in 07-08, and 4th last year? You mean Frank Martin who has a 50-25 (.666) career record as a head coach? Yeah, he's horrible. Also, Ole Miss is getting 27 votes in the coaches poll and is #25 in the AP. KSU has beaten Dayton and Wazzu, plays Xavier tonight and UNLV on Saturday. Hell, Louisville lost to Charlotte this year. What's your point on Ole Miss?

 

My point is, Ole Miss isn't very good at basketball and Frank Martin is a boob.

 

And opinions are like a**holes.

[SouthSideRyan]

May? That was always a rather absurd anti-homer pick. I feel pretty comfortable Indiana will be closer to Penn State than Iowa. Iowa is god awful and doesn't really have the talent-base to improve as much as Indiana.

 

I explained myself when I made that pick. Iowa has an offense that's more conducive to a out of nowhere upset. Penn St. is a lot closer to the bottom then I thought when I made those picks, but Northwestern and Wisconsin are a lot farther away.

 

Looking at the schedules, IU only gets PSU once (away), and MSU once (home). Iowa gets PSU once (home), and Wisconsin once (away)

 

Iowa isn't going winless with that system, and IU isn't going to beat the top teams so it could come down to the head to head. An IU sweep isn't out of the question. I'd be stunned to see Iowa sweep IU.

[SouthSideRyan]

Last year Indiana wouldn't have been close to Pitt, and it's not so much that the talent level is so much higher than last year, it's that sucking vortexes like Moore don't have to see the court due to lack of depth. I still don't think they'll do much in Big Ten season(though I may need to bump them ahead of Iowa), but they have the bodies where a loss won't be a foregone conclusion before they take the court.

 

Agreed with you on most points here, particularly about them not doing much in conference. I do think their talent level is higher than last year, but mainly their improved depth is the key (i.e. keeping guys like Moore and Finklemeier off the court).

 

Also, solid win for Illinois. I only saw pieces but they looked sharp.

 

Didn't meant to imply the talent level isn't higher, it clearly is, 4 of their top 5 scorers weren't on the team last year. (Though Story and Williams left, the incoming freshmen + Rivers obviously make up for that)

[Exile on Waveland]

May? That was always a rather absurd anti-homer pick. I feel pretty comfortable Indiana will be closer to Penn State than Iowa. Iowa is god awful and doesn't really have the talent-base to improve as much as Indiana.

 

I explained myself when I made that pick. Iowa has an offense that's more conducive to a out of nowhere upset. Penn St. is a lot closer to the bottom then I thought when I made those picks, but Northwestern and Wisconsin are a lot farther away.

 

Looking at the schedules, IU only gets PSU once (away), and MSU once (home). Iowa gets PSU once (home), and Wisconsin once (away)

 

Iowa isn't going winless with that system, and IU isn't going to beat the top teams so it could come down to the head to head. An IU sweep isn't out of the question. I'd be stunned to see Iowa sweep IU.

 

I really, really wish IU had two games with Penn State. I've heard people say it equals out since IU only plays Michigan State once, but that's irrelevant in my book. Be it Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State (probably with or without Turner), etc., it doesn't matter. IU won't beat any of them.

 

I seemed to be by far the most skeptical on Penn State among posters here, and, really, among anyone I know of. I just never thought they'd be very good. Never figured Wisconsin was in this discussion -- they have a solid group of experienced players and Bo Ryan. I did, however, think Northwestern could be (especially sans Coble). They're looking good even without him, though.

 

I'm complaining about your picks, so I'll post mine (only fair). Of course, they may be easily dismissed as I didn't do it preseason (at least I don't think I did . . . definitely intended to).

 

Purdue

Michigan State

Ohio State

Illinois

Minnesota

Michigan

Wisconsin

Northwestern

Penn State

Indiana

Iowa

 

A few things have obviously changed. Purdue's depth was a concern, now they're without Jackson. Ohio State won't finish third with the conference's best player in street clothes. I would have had Minnesota higher, but White was kicked off the team before the season. I really, really wanted to pick IU ahead of Penn State, but couldn't do it.

[bukie]

Who does Illinois get once this year? Minnesota and Wisconsin?

 

EDIT: N/M, I looked it up. Minnesota home, Michigan on the road.

[SouthSideRyan]

Who does Illinois get once this year? Minnesota and Wisconsin?

 

EDIT: N/M, I looked it up. Minnesota home, Michigan on the road.

 

Not a bad draw, though I think I'd rather take Michigan twice, and only play Iowa once. I like having only one of Minnesota or Wisconsin at home, cause their gyms are rough to play in, and it's not like a win there is going to be a huge boost to our resume(it helps, but it's not like we'd be knocking off a top 10 team in Purdue or MSU)

[Butterscup1679666578]

god, Missouri is bad. They can't make a shot to save their lives.

[CubInOK]

god, Missouri is bad. They can't make a shot to save their lives.

Oral Roberts has only 7 healthy players on scholarship right now.

 

On another note. Tony Crocker has 27 points and the 1st half has 3 minutes left. Ohh and Centenary is failtastic.

[Butterscup1679666578]

god, Missouri is bad. They can't make a shot to save their lives.

Oral Roberts has only 7 healthy players on scholarship right now.

 

On another note. Tony Crocker has 27 points and the 1st half has 3 minutes left. Ohh and Centenary is failtastic.

 

Well when I said that Mizzou was down 24-14, then we went on a 12-0 run to end the half. We still suck though.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Yeah, Mizzou is a joke right now. Hope we can get it together but there's no one on this team that can step up and make a shot and we're getting embarrassed on the boards. Pathetic.

[SpongeWorthy]

So Wall = Rondo with a jumper?

[Old Style]

Wall is filthy.

[Magnetic Curses]

So Wall = Rondo with a jumper?

 

rondo was never the player in college that all is right now.

[E.J.]

Michigan is horrible. I was looking forward to the season too after the disaster of a football season. Ugh.

[hawkeyecub]

If I ever win the Powerball I'm going to set aside like $15M to donate to bring Calipari to Iowa. They can come up with the rest. Then I'll show up drunk at every game and marvel at the talent he illegally lures to Iowa City. Then I'll ensure Miami of Ohio gets on the schedule and get a reporter to ask how he let the game get away.

[CubbieBum]

If I ever win the Powerball I'm going to set aside like $15M to donate to bring Calipari to Iowa. They can come up with the rest. Then I'll show up drunk at every game and marvel at the talent he illegally lures to Iowa City. Then I'll ensure Miami of Ohio gets on the schedule and get a reporter to ask how he let the game get away.

 

Not to burst your bubble but I'm pretty sure Calipari can't get a John Wall to Iowa. Wall would choose slightly less money to go to a team more in the spotlight.

[snoodmonger]

Thanks for bringing some reality to that hypothetical situation, 'Bum.

[CubbieBum]

Thanks for bringing some reality to that hypothetical situation, 'Bum.

 

I didn't want him to donate 15 million for nothing.

[UK1679666180]

Rondo and Wall are different players, especially when Rondo was a Freshman. As mentioned, Rondo didn't have a jumper and slightly quicker than Wall while Wall is less of a traditional PG than Rondo as far as looking to score. Despite being the less traditional PG, Wall has better ball-handling skills.

 

Wall is definitely the most gifted college player in the country and unless there's an injury, he'll go #1.

[CubbieBum]

Rondo and Wall are different players, especially when Rondo was a Freshman. As mentioned, Rondo didn't have a jumper and slightly quicker than Wall while Wall is less of a traditional PG than Rondo as far as looking to score. Despite being the less traditional PG, Wall has better ball-handling skills.

 

Wall is definitely the most gifted college player in the country and unless there's an injury, he'll go #1.

 

Don't see how you can say Wall has better ball-handling skills when he is averaging nearly 5 turnovers a game. Rondo didn't get as many assists, probably has a lot to do with the talent he had with him and playing 10 minutes less a game, but he had a better assist ratio.

 

That said Wall is in a different class of play level than what Rondo was. Rondo was a very good pass first PG while Wall is a POY candidate.