And it begins.

I’m all in.

But I will definitely be catching some games today, and hoping Cuse actually plays Friday.

Lots of games getting cancelled. This season is going to be a mess of cancellations IMO.

And there’s no way I can be convinced that none of the “golden boy” programs have had any cases. They’re just cheating and lying like they do with everything else.

Terps play today and a bunch of my kids.

>But I will definitely be catching some games today, and
>hoping Cuse actually plays Friday.
>
>Lots of games getting cancelled. This season is going to be a
>mess of cancellations IMO.
>
>And there’s no way I can be convinced that none of the
>“golden boy” programs have had any cases. They’re just
>cheating and lying like they do with everything else.

Illini’s year. Feel the Crush!

He put up numbers in the PT he got for Illinois last year.

NY kid. Great three point shooter, good defender. 3-D guy ,will go high in the draft.

Wanted to be closer to home I guess. At least he kept it orange.

I like Ayo and Miller, caught both of them in high school when they played here.

Illini’s year. Feel the Crush!

including their Jimmy V match-up against Gonzaga after Rick Barnes tested positive for covid.

Roy gotta tell these guards to make it a track meet to the rim
More vertical outlet passes.

Y’all front court is solid.

Gonna be real interesting to see how Roy does with this zig-while-everyone-zags roster.

My fighting Illini okayplayer alumni brethren was an all-around fan. I only
fucks with our basketball team, all the way back to when I was a student at
the school and when I was a kid. I grew up in a Notre Dame football household.

Our three point shooting with Miller ain’t no focking joke....

From the the 89 squad, to the 2005 squad, to this 2020 squad , we are
here to knock motherfockers out.

This is how shit rolls when kids stay in school to become more polished. Hopefully, Miller stays after his freshman year.

Also, I know we haven’t played a good team yet...but let me talk my piece.

Delete

I’ll take it tho

WVU was just too big for us but this VCU team looks scrappy.

I know Penny has upside as a coach due to his team defense, but it's impossible to watch Memphis on offense right now without shaking your head several times a game. Little to no ball movement or cohesion on the offensive end, lots of bad jump shot selection. Problem was the same last year. The only way to beat a team like VCU is to have strong ball movement.

I agree that the A10 will be tough this year. Definitely a multi-bid league imo, with 4-5 teams that could take the conference title.

I'd honestly peg Richmond vs. Saint Louis as the A10 title fight with VCU and Dayton right below, but yeah, it's all dangerous.

Got Cal and them out of there easily. and Francis for Richmond had a off shooting night.

Good grief

Can’t recruit or coach for shit

I hate how our basketball program is run

>And it begins.
>
>I’m all in.

I’m here

you gotta ease us into that man. we got to know you bald lmao

.

this dude don’t do shit well
can’t guard
Can’t drive
Doesn’t bang on anyone ever
Can’t shoot

Get this dude tf out of here

And 1. Dunk of the year potential.

Kentucky vs Kansas.

I’ll ride Kansas for the straight up W.

Polished as hell...They run like golden state.

Watching this duke vs MSU game is making my eyes bleed. Terrible basketball by both. Too many ISOs and terrible shooting.

Took MSU +9.5 points though. They jack up threes, so they should hit sooner or later.

Illinois plays Baylor and Duke later this week...can’t wait. As long as we get 1 of them, the Duke one of course.

>And it begins.
>
>I’m all in.

How the hell were they favorite by Vegas? That MSU +9.5 was a cake walk. MSU was up by 20 at one point, the fouling and bank in threes made it closer than what the score says.

Hopefully Kansas vs UK will be more competitive...I like Kansas, but UK got that length that can make inside scoring hard.

These dudes are playing worse than MSU vs Duke.

21-9 UK 7 mins left in the first half. Yuck. UK length is a problem for KU.

I know it’s early early in the season. ...no wonder both these teams struggled in their previous games.

Over looks dead. ...see what the second half does.

This season might be bad for UK, KU and Duke from what I’m seeing so far.

But yeah, I took MSU moneyline and MSU 1H moneyline. It's not even the freshmen that I have issue with-- it's the returning sophomores. They haven't improved, and we have no leadership.

when Duke was up 13-3 in the first, which is what I took. So the line I took was a cakewalk.

+3.5 was the opening line. Spread changes when the game starts and as the game plays.

And Duke was still the favorite. The point is Duke should have never been the favorite at all. It was a shit Vegas line.

MSU lost their two best players and didn’t replace them with big name guys, and K historically owns Izzo. That’s why Duke was favored.

But I saw that first game and saw how Moore and Hurt simply haven’t improved as expected (Moore in particular). I knew all it’d take is something throwing off Jalen Johnson and we’d be fucked. Sure enough, he gets two fouls early, K auto benched him (dumb), and Duke goes from winning easily in the first 10 minutes to down at the half. Duke came into this game thinking they’d look to Moore and Hurt when down against a tough opponent, and they learned what I suspected they’d learn— these guys can’t do it like that.

Gonna be a frustrating year for Duke unless the freshmen figure it out quickly, because I don’t think the returning talent can be counted on to lead. Jeremy Roach had an abysmal game, worst I’ve ever seen him look (I watched him a *lot* in HS)— maybe because it’s the first time he’s faced a guy like Rocket Watts who’s as fast or faster than him. But we need him to come alive badly.

Decent first half score 35-29. On pace for 130. Let’s see if they can shoot and score
better in the second half. Over is 144.

I like the fact that both teams do like to play defense. But the shooting has got to get better ..missing too many wide open shots.

and illness that caused labored breathing during practice.

tested negative, but it doesn't take advanced googling to find legit stories of people with symptoms testing negative one day and then testing positive a day or two later.

like, they can't just sit this kid out and play it super safe? fucking shit man.

KU 1-12 from 3

It’s been brick city, but the game is still close. It will take OT to get the over

dudes are going to fock up my perfect day.

These teams will be future auto fades for the over.

Game is 35-38 with 14 mins in the 2nd half.

Cal and Self got major work to do. Both teams are trash as fock when it comes to shooting.

UK: 22-61 fg / 3-21 3pt

KU: 20-67 / 5-21 3pt

A lot of freshmen, so stop jacking threes and go with closer shots.

Not only were they missing shots, shit wasn’t even hitting iron.

None of them have the upside ceiling that they usually do.

That’s my early season hot take.

Kansas is top two in the Big 12, UK is top two in the SEC, Duke and UNC are realistically top three in the ACC. So out of seven teams to win three major conferences, four of them are blue bloods.

None of them are unbeatable obviously, and you’re right that none of them has talent that is next level right from the jump— there’s no Cade or Suggs here—but I think you’re underselling the upside of the freshmen. There are probably at worst four and at most eight first rounders between the blue bloods, and there are 2-3 lotto picks at worst— just most of them haven’t played well in the early losses and/or struggles. Guys like Boston, Clarke, Johnson, Love— they’ll be more than fine by January.

Big Ten alone might get like 3 of them. That league is loaded this year. Virginia would seem to be the ACC favorite IMO, and there’s a legit shot someone like FSU could actually be right there above UNC and/or Duke this year. Then you got the Gonzaga, Villanova, Creighton, Houston teams - seems to be more non P5 powers this year. Teams like Baylor and Tenn. could win their leagues.

Will also be interesting to see if teams like Kansas and Duke still have the enormous home court advantages they usually do, with no fans in the stands.

Seems like if it’s going to happen, this year would be a good candidate: while all 4 of them will be good and possibly very good - none of them seem to be a lock to just be a top 5 team all year long. Usually at the very least, 1 of them is like that. No fans to pack their arenas. Lots of non P5 teams to steal spots. A legit shot that UK and KU don’t win their leagues for once. If only the Pac-12 had someone, then it would get even tougher.

just curious, from a non-big 10 perspective... i'd argue that only Indiana really is (8 final fours, 5 chips) but they fell off HARD


michigan state and TOSU have 10 final four appearances each,
msu has 2 chips
TOSU has 1 (60 years ago smh)

michigan has 8 final fours
1 title


wisconsin has 4 final fours
0 titles

>Big Ten alone might get like 3 of them. That league is
>loaded this year. Virginia would seem to be the ACC favorite
>IMO, and there’s a legit shot someone like FSU could
>actually be right there above UNC and/or Duke this year. Then
>you got the Gonzaga, Villanova, Creighton, Houston teams -
>seems to be more non P5 powers this year. Teams like Baylor
>and Tenn. could win their leagues.
>
>Will also be interesting to see if teams like Kansas and Duke
>still have the enormous home court advantages they usually do,
>with no fans in the stands.
>
>Seems like if it’s going to happen, this year would be a
>good candidate: while all 4 of them will be good and possibly
>very good - none of them seem to be a lock to just be a top 5
>team all year long. Usually at the very least, 1 of them is
>like that. No fans to pack their arenas. Lots of non P5
>teams to steal spots. A legit shot that UK and KU don’t win
>their leagues for once. If only the Pac-12 had someone, then
>it would get even tougher.

Baylor and Illinois are so evenly matched, it’s crazy

They are both top 30 in a lot of categories.

Illinois’s defensive rating is a lot higher though.

Illinois +5.5. Let’s go.

UNC down now, but showing life. I just don't trust Texas in a close game.

I don't love how high the Zags' line is, but until they miss ATS, I feel compelled to keep hammering them. They're just so so good.

Good picks. Those are decent. However, 80 percent of the public is on the Zags, but they might be too strong for WV.

UNC inside is just too big for Texas, but they can’t hit from the outside. I think Unc +1 is the spread, basically a pick em game.

UNC just needs to keep pounding inside and hit their FT.

Why are these blue blood teams so bad from the outside this year?

So any shooters coming in are freshmen who are gonna experience freshmen struggles early. I think Duke and Kansas should end up shooting okay, and UK has some potential there. I’m... not convinced UNC will find shooting.

And UNC money line... I mean, it took a buzzer beater. It is what it is. Plus, I'm happy when UNC loses, so I don't mind losing that money, lol.

Still, sucks to lose most of the money I won on the Duke loss.

The footwork has been insane....nba shit

They never make it as good pro big men, really, but so many get drafted or get contracts because UNC is just fucking elite with big men.

What a shot.

UNC guards can’t shoot for shit..should have just kept feeding inside. Bad jump shots st the end.

Dex at least was an athlete Caleb looks ordinary out here.

Zags in mad trouble.

He really made them a truly special squad. Now they're definitely more vulnerable to other top teams like WVU and Baylor-- and unsurprisingly the Zags are just stunned after seeing their best player in such pain. Oof.

What a shitty thing. Really wanted a full season of Suggs. It was going to be so special.

Hope it’s not too bad. They had him walking. Could just be a high sprain.

He's limping, but it looked pretty good. Maybe just a scary tweak? Fingers crossed. Love this kid. A special, special talent.

>

Good ass games though.

Texas vs NC was good and WVU vs Zags was good.

Took the over in zags vs WVU.

Fockers over at draft kings took the Illinois game down..they probably were getting killed..can’t bet the game. Fock it.

Loving these college games. ..calm and composed.

We getting some bangers early.

The last time they weren't top 50 in the country in sending opponents to the foul line was 2014, lmao. Just comes with the territory with Huggy's physical pressure style.

Both benches are hyped!

Good ass game.

Shvili killing these bears in the paint. 13 first half points.

Ayo has to get going as well as Miller.

Cockburn can’t even get a run without them calling a foul.

7-0 run from Baylor with that shit!

Fock

Shit fell apart in the 7th min of the second half. Going without Cockburn for long stretches killed us, Baylor was able to eat on the glass and hit threes.

Ayo and Miller totally disappeared. Credit Baylor with the defense in the second halF

Duke up next. Gotta rebound and come back strong.

Fock I hate losing this game.

Booknight was sloppy towards the end, but was very solid throughout the game.

Next year’s draft is going to be ridiculous, all the way down to end of the second round.
I’m seeing a lot of talent.

even if its the fake version. LOL.

Hurley got a squad this year. We'll see what he can do.

16 points, 7 boards, 6 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks.

Yeah, it was against Niagara. But the kid’s a player.

He moves like an NBA vet, and he looks damn near 25.

We are going to have some fun tonight!

Illinois vs Duke
Creighton vs Kansas.

Creighton is the truth...and of course Illini til I die.

Let’s go!

>We are going to have some fun tonight!
>
>Illinois vs Duke
>Creighton vs Kansas.
>
>Creighton is the truth...and of course Illini til I die.
>
>Let’s go!

I think both teams keep their ranking.

Duke’s talent is too raw right now to be playing a team with talent, experience, and a good coach. We could maybe overcome two of those three things— not all three.

Smart man.

Worst shot selection I’ve ever seen.

Benny Williams putting his ass on the bench next year. He’s auditioning for the pros like shit.

Hahahaha! Lol

Sorry, dog. He didn’t play like that last year.

20 and 9, but good God he’s frustrating. Talented kid - athletic and can shoot and gets after it on the boards. But man he can’t pass and his decision making is bad.

Oh...I have not been keeping up with Cuse.

I see. But that’s his game. He is a scorer.. a bucket getter. He will put it up. He just needs more coaching. He has the talent.

He probably thinks he needs to be the big dog.

Wes could shoot, defend, was athletic as hell, and had no handle or playmaking skills - and nobody cared because he didn’t try to do things he couldn’t ......he was 1st team All American and got picked 4th. Because he did what he was good at. Shot 50%, 40% from 3....because he took good shots.

Griffin has similar abilities but he’s out there trying to do things that he can’t. Spot up and take good shots, hit the boards, defend and hustle (he does that) and he’ll be fine.

Hopefully he’ll find his role, and it’s very early in a weird ass season and time, but he’s maddening right now.

Very much under control and taking good shots today! 7-11 from the field. 22 and 10. Can’t do much better than that.

He was horrific Northeastern the other day and sat the last 15 minutes.

horrible in the first half today. Kept jacking step back 3’s, and other than that was invisible.

Second half - best player on the floor. Finished with 24 and 10. Clutch 3’s, an incredible tip dunk. And a game saving LBJ type block from behind to send the game to OT.

I’m baffled by this kid.

http://youtu.be/qVLHxK_EDEE

foul trouble on our bigs is going to do us in down the stretch but i feel better about what we can do

White boys out there giving the business...

NC need three point shooting. Iowa just bombing from deep.

That Iowa game was entertaining.

Illinois let’s go..we eating!!

.

God damn this coach knows how to recruit.

Freshman out of Puerto Rico putting Duke’s backcourt in a blender...

The way he changes speed is crazy.

I don’t think Ayo is ready for the pros. He is having a nice game, but he rarely gets by people. Everything seems forced. Miller is ready, though. His shot reminds me of OJ Mayo.

... was how well Goldwire did on Ayo. Goldy is a DPOY candidate in the ACC, and he lived up to that expectation last night.

It might be crazy to feel this way, but I wasn't *that* discouraged last night. We got off to a dreadful start, thanks to an awful starting lineup choice-- so we were down 12 in the first five minutes... and we were only a -3 the entire rest of the game from there. If we hadn't started with that ill-advised big lineup and given Illinois that immediate burst, maybe the game is a little closer. I still think we lose, but it could've been less ugly.

I liked what Jeremy Roach showed last night, and DJ Steward started finding his shot again. Both guys are still pretty raw, but playing in a loss against a talented team should help them come along more quickly-- they both acquitted themselves fairly well last night on the whole.

Duke's three biggest problems are:
1. Johnson and Hurt play the same position, and they're easily our two most talented scorers, so it's hard to find a good rotation. If we play them both, we can't play a true 5, so the defense suffers. But neither of them can play the 3. So what does K do? We still don't have a solution there. (I'd put Johnson at the 5, but what do I know?)
2. If Hurt's shots aren't falling, we have no consistent shooting beyond that. (Brakefield's actually been a good shooter, and I'm hoping he plays more/starts going forward.)
3. Wendell Moore is supposed to be a captain and a leader, and he's absolutely terrible. He's been one of the worst Duke players in memory these first four games.

Illinois is just a much better team right now, which wasn't a surprise to me. I've been very, very high on Underwood since he arrived, as some people here may remember. Hopefully the young Duke guys figure it out.

Yeah, I mean he got his buckets. But duke did really well on the ISOs

You get him out in open court, he is good. But in half court sets, man to man, he is not all that explosive. I’m not saying he is slow. I just need to see more quickness

If his assist rate and 3P% stay as high as they are *all season long*-- or if he leads Illinois to a title run-- then I'd be really stunned if he falls out of the top 20. But I bet his numbers will settle a bit, and he'll likely be a 25-35 guy. I really like him, though. High character player, hard worker. If I'm a contender end of the first, no brainer I take a shot on him.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30483429/coach-mike-krzyzewski-questions-playing-games-pandemic

We lost two games to Top 20 teams with more experience than us and good coaching. I knew we'd lose one of those two. Would've preferred not losing both, but it's what it is, because our young guys are still figuring it out.

This won't even 2007. Worst case scenario, this is 2016 imo. The talent is there, it's just not ready for games like the ones we lost yet.

Whichever reporter asked K "another coach said it doesn't feel right to play basketball during COVID. does it feel right to be playing basketball during COVID?" directly after a loss deserves a raise. Perfect setup for the headlines it generated.

http://twitter.com/cecilhurt/status/1337124098984587271?s=21

https://twitter.com/bomani_jones/status/1337194630643912708?s=20
https://twitter.com/bomani_jones/status/1337173736995385344?s=20

(It still *amazes* me how this story somehow became Coach K saying we should cancel college basketball, when he never said anything like that, lol. And now they have other coaches talking about a talking point that was manufactured. Incredible.)

I’m enjoying all of this.

He's asked "does it feel right to be playing right now?" K said "it doesn't feel right to anyone"-- which is of course the right thing to say-- and he then criticizes the lack of leadership in the NCAA on this issue-- which is also the right thing to say.

He then says instead of plowing ahead like the NCAA did, we should've assessed how to proceed with the vaccine seemingly so near-- which, again, is also the right thing to say.

But we just lost, so everyone's busting out the usual memes. Which is expected.

of a “bubble” should be going on but money trumps everything

Like, it's a trending topic on Twitter that Coach K wants to cancel the season, shut down college basketball, etc... even though he didn't say it.

And they released that crazy NBA list same day?

It's the death of good sports media, obviously, but y'know. Pay them corporate bills!

This crew needs to get their shit together, Stix and Cowan aren’t there to save you.
Rutgers up next.

Man that shit made no focking sense.

How the fock you get blasted by a football school? From
Beginning to end, blasted.

I’m going to just chalk it up to the pandemic ..weird settings.

All it comes down to, really.

Maryland should be thanking their lucky stars that last year's tourney was cancelled, because a Turgeon Sweet 16 run might have bought him more time. Maybe now Maryland can move on from this dude a little sooner.

Or they can keep him as long as they'd like. I think that'd be great/hilarious.

I don’t trust that Turg can get the best out of this team with no bonafide go to guy.
Folks have been calling for him to be fired for years.

Yes,Texas is solid.

They beat Indiana and NC for the Maui title. The big test will be against number 2
Baylor this weekend.

But, hell, Shaka Smart is doing the damn thing right now. Texas is a big time football school, and he got people interested in watching Texas basketball. Maybe he can do what Billy Donovan did at Florida.

As Coleman goes, the team goes.
If he’s on, the team is on
If he’s off, so many other people need to be on and they aren’t nearly as consistent as him.

This is, imo, Shaka's most talented roster in a totally make-or-break year for him. And there have been, per usual, games and sequences where the team looks unbeatable. It's all about consistency with them.

And Coleman's been really good in what I've seen, doing the necessary things to get the job done. The Villanova loss was tough down the stretch, and Coleman made at least one forced drive that was ill-advised IIRC, but Nova's also a top 3 team in the country in all likelihood, so I won't hold a close loss to them against them.

They have the pieces for a Final Four run-- but they've consistently underperformed for their talent under Shaka. I hope he gets it done this year-- I've always liked Shaka the guy, even as Shaka the coach has made some super fucking baffling choices in the past.

dude ain't won enough to me popping off like that

“For some young coach, who should know better but didn’t, to suggest that Mike Krzyzewski doesn’t want to play because he lost a couple of games? He’s only won 1,100”

stretchered off
https://twitter.com/JeffHsuMD/status/1337835084963930113?s=20

1st it was dire enough for the pac 10 medical director to liken it to the titanic iceberg and for a big 10 uni medical official to cite it as a reason they voted to postpone the season.

and each successive study or data dump only got worse and worse.

then it just got buried and teams were just plowing through their schedule.

Damn.

I would be terrified if I was a player or parent right now

.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-hurricanes/fl-sp-um-football-wednesday-main-20201209-eg6wqakyx5hxtgvw7kzxbnt6n4-story.html

He moves like he's playing against children and trying to take it easy on them.

On my Jay Biilas shit.

17/28. That is how Illinois lost against Mizzou, and Illinois hasn’t beaten Mizzou on the road in like 5 years I believe.

Miller has to do more than just shooting 3s. If he is not hitting 3s, he isn’t doing anything else.


It was a very close loss to a good 5-0 Mizzou team. Probably drop to #8.

21 years old. I really hope he comes out of this.

.

https://twitter.com/gatorsmbk/status/1338949071416012804?s=21

I saw that MD -2 on my Twitter feed and my eyes got big. By the time I logged into the online bookie, though, it'd tipped already. Easy money gone.

Pikiell is one of the best coaches in the country.

That shit is the worst.

But I took the over in MNF, and pushed on cover( Browns)!

Lately though I’ve been winning on these huge ass underdog spreads...like some wack ass team +33 against LSU. Too many points, this ain’t college football.

This dude is a swagless no charisma BUM. No wonder he can’t recruit for shit with his glass of milk with supper Puritan Mr Rogers demeanor

A ranked Ohio State team losing in West Lafayette to an unranked Purdue team?

Life is returning to normal.

>A ranked Ohio State team losing in West Lafayette to an
>unranked Purdue team?

Not that I would ever defend Frank but I would think that would have to be a factor

>>A ranked Ohio State team losing in West Lafayette to an
>>unranked Purdue team?
>
>Not that I would ever defend Frank but I would think that
>would have to be a factor


I have no idea what he saw in this bum ass cornball. He should have gone to Illinois for his own career sake.

They were up 8 and were doing well until Duane Washington went full JR Smith mode. That dude SUCKS.

the proof is in the pudding.

hes lost multiple recruits from his last class, and this one is shaping up to be a dud too

you were dead wrong about this bum.

Just beat Iowa at Iowa. Two seed in the Big Dance absolutely in play.

freshmen Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson from that top 5 recruiting class have impressed early. both are showing maturity on offense and most importantly, defend like upperclassmen.

very undersized and thin frontcourt, but Yves Pons is one of the best defenders in the country.

too bad the Gonzaga game didn't happen. would've been a good test.

This isn’t a slam against Tennessee, as they look very good right now. Gonzaga is just much better than every team in the country. Outside of *maybe* Baylor, I’d take them by double digits against everyone in the NCAA. They’re on that 2015 UK/2018 Villanova tier.

I tried to find a place that had a prop bet for a Zags undefeated season before the year started and failed. I’m really regretting now not trying harder.

annual hiccup against bama aside.

I'm not sure what he looks like at the next level, but he's a hooper right now.

Per... Cal's own Twitter thread.

Never seen a coach toss a player under the bus via Twitter thread before. Usually they just said "family issues" or whatever.

aint gonna lie this kid must be doing terrible in practice because from what i saw, Cal should've pulled some of them dudes off the oak to see what they can contribute

Kicking him off and tweeting about it, that's tough.
Team is getting smacked around so I know all of those kids are venting to some extent.

Not gonna be “all in the video” on that kid’s draft night, trying to make it all about himself is he?

Clown. I hope they go 1-30.

as mentioned, he almost never rides the bus over his players in public

the freshman reload method was going to be really difficult in a pandemic, although this act makes me think he's worn out in general

That is all.

big get for 2021, that recruiting class is key because Georgetown's current team is NOT GOOD. Honestly, next year's five frosh could beat any lineup assembled from this year's squad, I'd bet*.

I have never disliked watching a player as much as I do Chudier Bile. Just bad decisions and bad plays every second he's on the floor. so glad he's only a one-year transfer.

*ok, exaggeration, but only because Mutombo isn't ready at C from what I've seen and Wahab is one of the only bright spots on this team
-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

him Leaky and RJ built a fucking house tonight but my god Caleb is one of the worst shooters to don the carolina blue in my life

Brick city

also roy need to sit brooks. idk what happened to him but he's been sorry this year. ride Dayron and Bacot

ultimately we gonna have to switch to the 4 out 1 in at some point if were going to do anything this year.

https://twitter.com/usatodaysports/status/1341556921044766720

Is this going to start happening in the men’s game with major conference teams too?

No money in women’s hoop. So they can’t afford the postponements. Several Men’s College games have been postponed over the past few weeks, but they just keep on going.

The Big Ten is hard ..very hard from top to bottom.

That conference championship tourney is going to be brutal...like the old big east days.

There are no nights off.

I haven't cursed so much during a victory in decades.

https://twitter.com/finalfour/status/1346128571450929154?s=21

Michigan is looking good this year, stomped out two solid teams back-to-back. Lots of weapons, playing good D, they've got veterans, guard-play, shooting, length, decent depth, I'm feeling good.

the games have been CLUTCH...I definitely didn't expect that level after Beilein left.

Then looking at the recruiting class coming in? We could have something special here...

>Michigan is looking good this year, stomped out two solid
>teams back-to-back. Lots of weapons, playing good D, they've
>got veterans, guard-play, shooting, length, decent depth, I'm
>feeling good.

I hate Michigan, but Juan is from Chicago, so he gets my acknowledgment. He is still somewhat considered a traitor for being an Illinois guy to play for Michigan. That’s a no-no in Illinois. But that team is flying.

However, the big test is , can they beat the top non-big ten teams? They have yet to face a Baylor or Gonzaga.

Illinois sees them next month.

The end.

http://www.bracketmatrix.com

But I'm glad your focus is on Duke. It's important to have an outlet to get through the pain.

Duke loses ACC road games every January. I'll save the panic for February. If Jeremy Roach keeps improving like he has, we'll be fine. Not a contender this year, not a top 4 seed realistically, but a tournament team-- and one with enough raw talent that if it clicks could be dangerous. Stop taking stupid jump shots, and we'll start winning games.

And if we don't, then whatever, it's Gonzaga or Baylor this year anyway, lol. Hard for me to care about first round vs. elite eight exits in a year when I think we have zero chance to beat the best teams in the country. Is what it is. Focus on developing the young guys, bring a bunch back to play with Griffin, Banchero, and Baldwin (and Keels, maybe), and have a fucking incredibly dangerous squad in a hopefully normal and vaccinated season next year.

But hey, maybe Maryland can get hot and win the NIT this year? Anything is possible!

.
>
>And if we don't, then whatever, it's Gonzaga or Baylor this
>year anyway, lol.

Michigan's been incredible. I'm not underselling that. But they're nearly five AdjEM points behind Gonzaga and Baylor on KenPom. Like, the divide between Kansas and Michigan is the divide between Michigan and Zags/Baylor.

Do I think Michigan is one of a couple teams that could get hot at the right time and knock one of these two giants off? Sure. Anything can happen. 2015 UK is one of the best teams of the last two decades, and they didn't win the title. Iowa, Michigan, Villanova, Texas, *maybe* Illinois-- they've got the pieces if everything falls their way.

But I'd potentially put Gonzaga and Baylor this year right in the mix of my top 10 best teams of the 2000s. And I think the Zags have a talent-experience combo advantage over basically every team in the country this year. Baylor has played limited competition, so maybe they seem better than they are right now, I'm open to them falling off... but the Zags? Nah. They smooshed Kansas, smooshed Iowa, smooshed UVA. Went against full strength WVU, lost Suggs for a half... and still won.

So... yeah. If you gave me Zags vs. the field? Look, I *always* take the field, because anything can happen. Especially with COVID. But, like... I'd think about it this year way longer than most years. Full health Zags are *monsters* this year. One of the most fun teams in ages-- since 2018 Villanova at least, and maybe since 2015 UK.

But I'll re-emphasize in an edit: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, LONG SEASON, ETC. So me being flip about "give Gonzaga the title" isn't indicative of "Michigan cannot win the title." They were in the list of teams above mentioned. Putting this in the edit to avoid jinxing my ability to watch a full season of the healthy Zags, lol.

and im not sure Gonzaga's experience would count for much against UM

2 of UMs starters played in a national championship game, and another played in the Eurocup at 16/17

and regarding the KP numbers, their raw EM isnt special compared to other years. besides that, UM is top 10 both offensively and defensively (Gonzaga is not), and #1 in 2pt Def so im not seeing those numbers making a definitive case.

and got better this year...

Timme is notably better than Petrusev (it's why Petrusev went pro overseas, he knew his minutes would be gone, lol), and they added both a Top 3 NBA pick and a very capable experienced backup ballhandler. They're just... loaded.

Like, tomorrow is realistically the only challenge they have left this regular season-- and they'll be a fifteen point favorite on the road, lol. I think their numbers by season's end will be gaudy.

And I'm not gonna pretend it's a definitive case. My eyes are playing a big part here. I think Gonzaga is better than every other team. I think if the Baylor game had happened, tbh, they'd have won by three+ possessions. And I think if they fail to win it all this year, it's gonna be a 2015 UK/1999 Duke level letdown.

So again, this has nothing to do with Michigan, who's been very good and is one of the only realistic teams that *could* upset Gonzaga on their title run, because anything can happen in March. Howard will easily win Big Ten COY and, if the Zags happen to lose a game, will be the favorite on a national level.

I'm just way way enamored with this Gonzaga team. There is a hell of a lot to love. I only really threw Baylor in because they're 9-2 against the spread and have that very convincing win against Illinois. I don't think they're on Gonzaga's level.

... then there's not really much to discuss here, lol.

and thats your fandom creeping thru

not nearly the same thing as "a great team that fell short vs the team that was #1 in the majority of weekly polls who also arguably had the best player in the country"

"letdown" says something about UConn that isnt true regardless of the betting odds

That was a case of the two best teams all year long meeting up, and somebody had to lose.

Whoever lost would be mentioned as one of the better all time teams that didn’t win it all.

He's hung up on my word choice, I guess, but I thought the point I was making was pretty clear: some of the great college teams of the modern era don't win the title.

And that'd be the case if Gonzaga lost this year imo. Still a lot of season left... but I strongly suspect that'll be the convo.

Don't mind me!

Duke on the other hand, out there ducking bump and looking like trash when they do bump.

I know no one cares, but that's just sad. Lil Archie just ain't it.

so Archie can’t even go be an extra in that, when he gets canned.

That said, I was advocating at the time for IU to hire Gregg Marshall, so, lol.

https://youtu.be/z_2ifFbEYRc

one of my favorite internet "things" for almost 20 years, seems appropriate today

He provided me so much entertainment growing up. The Bob Knight show in late 80's early 90's was a must watch weekly and peak comedic sports television. Like inside the NBA, just mostly unintentionally funny. Also though plenty of intentional comedy from RMK as well.

That's why it took me so long to accept just what a piece of shit, psycho he was. That Neal Reed doc really drive it home again a couple years ago.

What's funny about this clip, he actually finished with a losing record to Keady 😂

>What's funny about this clip, he actually finished with a
>losing record to Keady 😂

you dont have this sort of eruption if youve won 5 of the last 7 lmao

and i cant even imagine how awesome his weekly coach's show must have been. i liked watching Bo Schembechler's and Lloyd Carr's but those were more informative than anything else. they were never "on stage" really.

So much for that number 1 talk and being up there with the Zags and Baylor.

Getting blown out by 20?

This is the big ten, any given night... there is no number 1 ten in the big ten.

They falling out of the top ten. That’s for sure.

Your team got its vagina stretched.

I should be asking you that.

So, Ceej, are you okay?

KNUCK IF YOU BUCK

From Evan Turner to Sam Slam Thompson to EJ Lidell...we always get gems from the state of Illinois

(still not impressed with Holtmann though)


>And it begins.
>
>I’m all in.

We will say what you’re on then.

I'm annually a Scott Drew skeptic for the most part... but man, this team is harder and harder to deny.

I think it’s time to move Baylor closer to the Gonzaga tier. They’re the clear #2 in the country, and they have the resume to back it up.

Manhandled Kansas and beat Illinois.

Kansas will not win the Big 12 this year. That’s for sure.

I like.

He took a program that just had a 0 win ACC season and lost nearly everyone... and turned it into a likely NCAA caliber team in only three seasons. That's awesome.

Duke just isn't good enough right now to win close games like this. Much like Kentucky and UNC, we need young players to carry us to victory in these situations, and our young players just aren't ready to deliver. Jalen Johnson was a monster tonight, so that's good going forward, and Wendell Moore looked ready to play tonight, so that's also a good sign for our future hopes... but yeah, unless some of these guys can close close games, we just won't make the tournament. Not terribly complicated. Win and we're in. Don't and we aren't.

And man I have the camera angles at Columbus; almost unwatchable

Not expecting a win Friday VS. UM but feel good about this teams getting in the dance at this point

>And man I have the camera angles at Columbus; almost
>unwatchable

I hate that fucking soulless sterile arena that we play in, it’s so bad

>
>Not expecting a win Friday VS. UM but feel good about this
>teams getting in the dance at this point

Very weird

the camera angle at the football stadium is too vertical for my tastes too

.

Duke's bad.
Kentucky's bad.
UNC's bad.
Memphis is bad.
Auburn's near .500.
LSU and Louisville have good records but no real impressive wins.

The best is probably Oklahoma State, but it obviously helps to have the clear #1 pick in the draft, lol.

edit: reckon I should include Purdue, clearly the best listed team here imo-- forgot about them since they start three juniors, and none of these other teams have that, but their experience ranking is still around UNC and Memphis, so they should be listed here

No preseason workouts and time to gel are killing teams with these so called one and dones and young rosters.

4/8-deep are freshmen. Basically juniors and freshman nothing else

i just cannot watch this dude lay brick after brick after brick man

edit: i do check the box scores now and then and he did play well at wake according to that. but im still out rn. i'll see where he's at next season cause he ain't going league this year

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=8&topic_id=2726223&mesg_id=2726223&page=#2726672

Kansas is the only one that may still have a prayer, and it’d require Baylor falling off a cliff.

smh; gonna kill out momentum

But first time watching them, really impressive

.

No team is safe. They could very well get smacked the next game.

Can’t practice or play consistently. Illinois vs MSU postponed.

But they are a good team

Good luck to yall the rest of the way though

>And it begins.
>
>I’m all in.

We play ugly basketball under Holtmann but Wisconsin has always been unbearable

I thought they’d change after bo retired but nope

Nvm

Gonzaga and Baylor are both now at a whopping 6+ AdjEM over the next best team. They are also both sitting presently in the Top 4 AdjEM in the KenPom era (2002-present). To my knowledge, there's never been a 6+ AdjEM margin difference at the top in the KenPom era either. So those two things combined? They're the heavy favorites at the moment.

Baylor's is unlikely to stay rising like this, because it's super unlikely they go undefeated-- the Big 12 is just too tough, they'll stumble somewhere in there... but Gonzaga is currently at a 67% chance on KenPom to finish the regular season undefeated. Considering their pre-conference play opponents, that's pretty wild. Their AdjEM at season's end has a very strong chance of being the highest in the history of KenPom.

Also, all projection shit aside, Gonzaga is just absolutely fun as hell to watch. One of the best offenses I've ever seen. It's like taking Villanova's 2018 offense and cranking it up to the fastest tempo imaginable. Beyond exciting.

Not sure if either will win it all. Baylor will dumb it’s way to a loss. Gonzaga looks damn good but they’ll get thugged at some point.

fucking crybaby. ever since that lucky ass flintstones run when i was a freshman in high school

enjoy your 1 bball win in how every many tries.
We know it doesnt come often.

It’s a joke he’s not starting and playing 30 mpg. Best guard on the Orange. Bigtime potential too, he’s just getting started.

But the kid should be playing more than he is.

Kadary and Benny Williams will lead us back to glory next year.

this team doesn't click without Jaden Springer.

Longo send me a DM w/ the results or something idk if i can watch these teams play for 2 hours lol

That’s what we do

Everybody in the place, say Hooo!

Hooo!

And you don’t stop / the Illini with the sure shot!
( end shout out)

We up in this piece, and pulling rank on the big ten.
Step up if you want to get wrecked.
Them Indiana/Iowa boys got crushed.

Michigan you better stay quarantined...you don’t want any of this.

Native American stomping on your whole squad.

Should be top 5 by Monday


>
>Everybody in the place, say Hooo!
>
>Hooo!
>
>And you don’t stop / the Illini with the sure shot!
>( end shout out)
>
>We up in this piece, and pulling rank on the big ten.
>Step up if you want to get wrecked.
>Them Indiana/Iowa boys got crushed.
>
>Michigan you better stay quarantined...you don’t want any of
>this.
>
>Native American stomping on your whole squad.
>
>

"You were dead wrong about this bum."

- you to me, six weeks ago

lol

>"You were dead wrong about this bum."
>
>- you to me, six weeks ago
>
>lol

and he still can't recruit for shit. none of the top HS talents have us in their top 5. cant win NCAA championships with players who have dazzling scholarship offers from powerhouses like from Duquesne, bowling green and marshall.


The last two seasons were abysmal. go and look up our record in january under his tenure.

edit, I want to win the NCAA tournament. I'm tired of Big 10 championships and final fours, they're meaningless. Ask michigan fans what it's like to make the final four and not win the whole thing. it fucking sucks.

I never understood hanging final four banners anyway. . all it says is you came up short and couldn't win the whole thing

Ask
>michigan fans what it's like to make the final four and not
>win the whole thing. it fucking sucks.
>
>I never understood hanging final four banners anyway. . all it
>says is you came up short and couldn't win the whole thing
>
>
>
>
>
>

I honestly checked out of football season once The Game was cancelled

this would be a nice consolation prize of both teams are top 5 and fully healthy



> Ask
>>michigan fans what it's like to make the final four and not
>>win the whole thing. it fucking sucks.
>>
>>I never understood hanging final four banners anyway. . all
>it
>>says is you came up short and couldn't win the whole thing
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

Michigan has been to two in the last 9, and hunting for a 3rd

its not getting old in the least

when it matters the most.

and you also get the shit kicked out of you by Ohio State year in and year out, you really have no ground to stand on when it comes to talking shit.

dont make me pull up the head to head record


>Michigan has been to two in the last 9, and hunting for a
>3rd
>
>its not getting old in the least


get to the big stage and then get the shit kicked out of you by a school with a smaller budget and athletic program

the michigan difference indeed..


man gtfoh

and allow me some dignity

thats the ticket lmao

>when it matters the most.
>
>and you also get the shit kicked out of you by Ohio State year
>in and year out, you really have no ground to stand on when it
>comes to talking shit.
>
>dont make me pull up the head to head record
>
>
>>Michigan has been to two in the last 9, and hunting for a
>>3rd
>>
>>its not getting old in the least
>
>
>get to the big stage and then get the shit kicked out of you
>by a school with a smaller budget and athletic program
>
>the michigan difference indeed..
>
>
>man gtfoh

>Michigan has been to two in the last 9, and hunting for a
>3rd
>
>its not getting old in the least

he didn’t get you a title, so what good was he?

lol

I think Michigan fans, while disappointed in the lack of banners, are okay with how close they’ve come compared to the alternative. OSU’s made three Final Fours in the last 50 years, so if you have a coach that you think can get you even close to a Final Four in the next 5-10 years, you hang onto him like grim death. If OSU had some long history of basketball success, that’d be one thing. But they don’t.

If OSU doesn’t want Chris Holtmann, I’d GLADLY put him in the K replacement candidate list.

>he didn’t get you a title, so what good was he?
>
>lol

matta was better than holtmann at butler, at xavier and tosu. he got us elite players and took us two final fours...and the 2011 team should have also gone further than it did but Brandon Knight and Calipari had other plans. he was great up until after Dangelo left, and thats when I wanted change. I just did not want this boring gee golly oh shucks swagless quaker.


>I think Michigan fans, while disappointed in the lack of
>banners, are okay with how close they’ve come compared to
>the alternative. OSU’s made three Final Fours in the last 50
>years, so if you have a coach that you think can get you even
>close to a Final Four in the next 5-10 years, you hang onto
>him like grim death. If OSU had some long history of
>basketball success, that’d be one thing. But they don’t.

michigan fans are fucking stupid and used to losing. end of discussion. that is why they are happy with final four banners. um bsaketball just a distraction from their dogshit football program so they're happy with just being in the mix.

edit, I know TOSU isnt a "basketball school" but neither is michigan lol no matter how hard they try to spin that..


>If OSU doesn’t want Chris Holtmann, I’d GLADLY put him in
>the K replacement candidate list.


lol, please take him NOW

and go to a final four.

Cut beat.

We coming to split yall’s Peninsula.

Are you planning to split the upper peninsula longitudinally or latitudinally?

Come get this work. We give out equal opportunity.
We are not impartial when it comes to giving out beatdowns.

It’s cold as hell outside. We don’t give a Fock. We
will come to your crib goose the fock down and give you this work

Big Ten is ours. Go sit at the little table.

>Come get this work. We give out equal opportunity.
>We are not impartial when it comes to giving out beatdowns.
>
>It’s cold as hell outside. We don’t give a Fock. We
>will come to your crib goose the fock down and give you this
>work
>
>Big Ten is ours. Go sit at the little table.


but I cant wait for the Big 10 tournament now

Yes. Indeed.

It’s going to be brutal.

Shame.

Both are garbage.

>Both are garbage.

Won a lot of money tonight, and got my COVID vaccine. All in all, a great fucking night.

VOLS

And Mark damn sure doesn't put them in the best position to be successful

.

The team will be better without him.

>The team will be better without him.

That’s twice we were supposed to play them and find out hours before the game that they’re out.

I would've *dreaded* it earlier this season, but we've been shooting 41% from 3 over the past three weeks, and the ball movement has been *far* better without Jalen Johnson on the floor/team.

We're also just desperately in need of games against even bubble-ish teams if we want to have a prayer of finding a bullshit path into the tournament, lol. So I'm happy our last five games will all be viewed as "quality" by the committee. We need these games to happen.

If we can somehow go 4-1 in that span, I think the committee would give Duke a play-in game. And everyone would be mad except me, lol.

If not, should be a good game.

Cuse badly needs chances at good wins too, and Louisville has been cancelled twice, but now I see LVille is playing UNC Saturday? This is some BS.

A home loss to ND would’ve pretty much ended any tourney hopes, so I’m thrilled we’re going to Duke with something to play for.

That said our starting 5 combo is horrific defensively and we’re generally down 6-10 points, 10 minutes into the game 75% of the time, but nothing will change there.

Baylor got on Illinois in the 4th quarter because of the Refs.

But now? Refs ain’t saving them.

This Illinois teams ain’t no joke.

We launching 3s from the logo! Just holler if you want this work...

.

Yeah, okay.

7 game win streak.

Big ten is competitive from top to bottom. Every win is huge.

Illinois is on an incredible run. You want this work just holler. If not, step aside.

blown out at home by Kentucky. Pons and Fulkerson have been really disappointing lately; they are the senior veterans but have disappeared in every one of these bad losses.

Best athlete at the guard position I've ever seen in a Purdue uni and I go back a long ways.

Slowly clicking for him as the season goes on. Had 4 monster dunks last night. Relentless Rim attacker. Fearless. A consistent 3 away from behind a lotto pick. Just hope it's fully there next year, as I have final 4 aspirations for this team in the next couple of years.

This team is a couple of dumb last minute losses from being in the conference title hunt- incredible considering preseason expectations and youth. One of painter's best coaching jobs, but also the kids are really good!

Purdue is a tough team...can definitely hang with the big boys of the big ten.

I underestimate no big ten team, even if it’s Nebraska!

i said michigan was the best team in this conference...and they proved it.

Dickinson or whatever is a god damn tree. His legs are roots. It was ridiculous

as great as Duane Washington is on offense, he is a complete defensive liability

EJ Lidell is just a double double machine. too bad he's undersized at his position for the NBA. He can definitely produce for an NBA team off the bench though,


edit Juwon Howard is SO much more likable than John Beilein I'm gonna almost feel bad when michigan loses in the title game again.

I definitely feel good about this team. OSU played well also - back and forth punches the entire game.

Was Beilein really a hated coach? I though he was pretty well liked/respected even by rivals. Howard is definitely legit. I’ve been enjoying seeing some of my Spartan friends back pedal after saying he was a terrible hire with no experience.

I felt you guys relied on the 3 way too much and it caught up but maybe you wouldn’t have got that far in the tourney without jackin 3s who knows

I loved the juwon howard hire . I’m a college sports sucker I love watching guys get hired and succeeding at their alma maters (and I was a fab five fan long before I ever thought about going to college)

Hopefully one day the Buckeyes hire Conley or another ex player to come
back and coach

>I definitely feel good about this team. OSU played well also
>- back and forth punches the entire game.
>
>Was Beilein really a hated coach? I though he was pretty well
>liked/respected even by rivals. Howard is definitely legit.
>I’ve been enjoying seeing some of my Spartan friends back
>pedal after saying he was a terrible hire with no experience.
>

a fan also because if the reliance on the 3, along with the 1-3-1 zone that he used to be a stickler for using. But he reinvented himself a couple times while at Michigan with bringing in different assistants that ended up changing things up.

Step aside and let a real live big ten squad do it.

Can’t let Michigan win shit!

>Step aside and let a real live big ten squad do it.
>
>Can’t let Michigan win shit!
>
>


Disappointing loss but they’re just bigger in the front court. Kyle young basura

Dickinson was EATIN, very bad match up for you guys. His 2 offensive fouls were eh, too

>Dickinson was EATIN, very bad match up for you guys. His 2
>offensive fouls were eh, too
>

those two teams were pretty evenly matched which is why it went down to the wire, but you have a deeper squad

& had a clear advantage with that big doofy "can I pet the rabbits george can i" motherfucker in the paint.


hopefully we get to run it back in the conf tournament.

We coming

nothing positive can happen for Gonz/Baylor/UM between now and then, and we know what they are

now it feels like we're just sitting around waiting for Jalen Suggs or Isaiah Livers to test positive for Covid

this goes against everything ive stood for my whole life but...i dont actually care about winning the Big 10 at all this year.

just make it to the fucking tournament healthy

Naw, son. Y’all not escaping again.

Illinois will be seeing y’all. Masked or unmasked.

Fight for a number 1 seed.

It's all about the tourney at this point.

At all.

lmao

of importance in basketball, for me it’s beating MSU, then Wisconsin, then OSU, then Indiana or Minnesota, and after that the rest of the Big Ten just runs together depending on the year...

>of importance in basketball, for me it’s beating MSU, then
>Wisconsin, then OSU,

was while Aaron Craft was there. Couldn’t stand him. Any other heat in that rivalry for me is residual from the football rivalry.

Again this is just for me. It’s probably because I never hated OSU coaches - I always had respect for Jim O’Brien while I was in school during our wack Brian Ellerbe years, as well as Thad. Meanwhile I HATE Izzo, along with that insufferable fan base that I live around and work with, I always hated Bo Ryan, always hated Tom Crean, etc. Then the coaches I hate tend to recruit the type of players I hate, so it ends up going beyond their tenure.

although players like Craft/Brad Davison/etc can have their say

>was while Aaron Craft was there. Couldn’t stand him. Any
>other heat in that rivalry for me is residual from the
>football rivalry.
>
>Again this is just for me. It’s probably because I never
>hated OSU coaches - I always had respect for Jim O’Brien
>while I was in school during our wack Brian Ellerbe years, as
>well as Thad. Meanwhile I HATE Izzo, along with that
>insufferable fan base that I live around and work with, I
>always hated Bo Ryan, always hated Tom Crean, etc. Then the
>coaches I hate tend to recruit the type of players I hate, so
>it ends up going beyond their tenure.

Top high school players come out of Illinois.

Not Michigan...what top players are matching the Mecca of basketball?

Ain’t no top players coming out of Wisconsin, Michigan or Ohio.

And you got a former high school Illinois great coaching your squad. Lol

Isaiah Thomas
Derrick Rose
Quentin Richardson
Anthony Davis
Mark Aguirre
Tim Hardaway
Kendall Gill
Dwayne Wade
Michael Finley
Antoine Walker
Quinn Buckner
Maurice Cheeks
Doc Rivers
George Mikan
Terry Cummings
Hersey Hawkins
Eddie Johnson
Jeff Hornacek
YOUR COACH

Bye, bye.

*if youre already gonna be dancing in March

the only thing that counts is the NCAA tournament.


edit I stopped caring about conference tournaments back when Kenyon Martin broke his leg in the Conference USA tournament and Cinci was fucked for hte Big Dance


nothing positive can happen for Gonz/Baylor/UM between now
>and then, and we know what they are
>
>now it feels like we're just sitting around waiting for Jalen
>Suggs or Isaiah Livers to test positive for Covid
>
>this goes against everything ive stood for my whole life
>but...i dont actually care about winning the Big 10 at all
>this year.
>
>just make it to the fucking tournament healthy

but idc even about that this year

At this point, the regular season stuff only matters for the tourney seeding. I want to get to a Final Four, and win a chip. It’s honestly embarrassing that no Big Ten team has won it since MSU in 2000. At some point, gotta get the job done.

its a single elimination tournament for one thing. series play in the final 4 would make for a more valid champ, but also kill what makes the tournament fun, so it is what it is.

also, its not like they haven't gotten there. 20 years of continually knocking on the door means more than 1 title imo. keep making runs, and it will break right eventually. its just a statistical anomaly at this point.

Love to see it.

Because if they win 2 of their next 3, the committee’s got enough to sneak them in.

Probably refs

Game was lost at the FT line

19-34 FT.

It’s a L. That is Illinois only weakness. It’s is a bad one.

We still good and will be ready for Michigan. Believe that.

>We still good and will be ready for Michigan. Believe that.

We could lose 2 and still win the conference even if you win out. Only matters for us locking down a 1 seed at this point.

when Mich St was running out the clock.

Mad because Henry locked his shit down most of the night

you’re more than welcome to go back to the ACC.

So he was just suppose to walk off with the L and not
play hard to the final whistle?

Dude. Stop.

He is out tonight. It happened during the MSU game. Makes sense now.

Also He will have to wear a mask. It is what is.

He is our best player, but no excuses. Hopefully, we will all he set
for Michigan and OSU.

Shit happens.

just a smidge more depth is the only thing they lack

but they just out-hoop people with execution on both ends

first half was the first time they'd ever been held under 30 in a half

and then the second half was the first time they'd ever been held under 29 😂

Along with playing him straight up (even while Dickinson was on the bench with foul trouble) so he couldn't kick out to open shooters...

what a home run hire lol. the second one in a row no less.

You’re not tough enough in March.

Is Mich St. back?

Wins over the #5 and #4 teams in the country this week, and they have back to back games against the #3 team coming up. We'll absolutely lose at least one of those. Might even be resting starters for the second game if the conference is locked up by that point.

Honestly while Michigan has looked great, this stretch run is gonna be TOUGH...classic trap game at Indiana next, followed by Illinois, then back to back games against a red hot MSU team.

Not nearly as bad as Izzo and Crean though


>You’re not tough enough in March.

...that makes 61 years of not doing anything remotely relevant at all.
*smh*

We talk mad crap....no holding back.

Ceeejjjj!

We will be there.

So to everyone saying "it's Gonzaga's or Baylor's to lose"? Yeah, I don't need to see more. If you're mentioning Baylor, you're mentioning Michigan. They can't be left out.

Now, should either Baylor or Michigan be mentioned with Gonzaga? I argued no above, and I'm not necessarily inclined to say those two teams belong on the Zags' tier... that said, Michigan is definitely now a team I'd like to see play the Zags. Would I still take the Zags? Yes. But I think Michigan is one of a very small number of teams that could do something with the opportunity.

It's honestly looking a lot like 2015, imo. Gonzaga is this year's Kentucky, Baylor and Michigan are this year's Wisconsin and Duke, and then there's a big gap before the next team. The Zags should be favored for a reason, buuuuuut that doesn't mean Baylor or Michigan don't have the tools to win it all.

(This is also why I'd love for Duke to get a 10 seed instead of a 9 seed. The 2 seeds would be *maybe* a 6 point favorite over Duke right now neutral floor. Three of the 1 seeds would be closer to a 13-14 point favorite, with the Zags like an 18 point favorite, lmao.)

there could be like $5M real world dollars on the line

id love another year but i dont think that's happening

Drew complaining about a covid pause (cry me a fuckin river) while Bill Self says that other than a bad 3 weeks (lmao) KU was great!

Oh and Ku's 12-6 record in "the toughest conference in the country" is a real accomplishment allegedly

F
O
H

Here’s all the teams that lost at least once this week - since the last AP rankings (Feb 22):

#2 Baylor
#4 Ohio State (x2)
#5 Illinois
#6 Alabama (x2)
#7 Oklahoma (x2)
#8 Villanova
#9 Iowa
#11 Florida State
#13 Creighton
#14 Texas
#15 Virginia
#16 Virginia Tech
#17 Kansas
#18 Texas Tech
#19 USC (x2)
#23 Wisconsin
#24 Missouri
#25 Tennessee

and the teams that lost to MSU only to watch Maryland chew them up...bummer lol

if the Big Ten actually is as good as we thought or if everyone is just beating up on everyone else.

without parsing out every single matchup, on its face it seems like the answer is yes

AND the top 16 opponent efficiency margins on kenpom include all 14 B1G teams

>without parsing out every single matchup, on its face it
>seems like the answer is yes
>
>AND the top 16 opponent efficiency margins on kenpom include
>all 14 B1G teams

>AND the top 16 opponent efficiency margins on kenpom include all 14 B1G teams

Because I don’t know of any efficiency margin that includes Nebraska in the top 16. But maybe there’s a word choice that’s confusing me, I don’t know. Or maybe I’m just not looking at the right place.

The Big Ten is obviously the best conference, I just don’t know where to find that stat or what to do with it.

>>AND the top 16 opponent efficiency margins on kenpom include
>all 14 B1G teams

i may have miscounted and it may not be that today, but it was just to indicate strength of competition. not that Nebraska's good, but that everyone they play is.

>And it begins.
>
>I’m all in.

In addition to recruiting and developing players

That first win against Iowa was lucky as hell

lol

And I've seen more complete 1 seeded TOSU teams and lower seeded TOSU teams. Maybe you did too if you watched non ACC college basketball in 2007 2009 (a 2 seed but a way more complete team) or 2012, or 2013 (a 7 seed but still way more complete than this team)

I get it , you run Duke podcast lol but you should brush up on your Big 10 hoops history.

And even the team w Dangelo was better than this bunch

And the podcast wasn’t a Duke podcast— we sort of made it a point to talk about them as minimally as possible. I know you didn’t listen, but trust, I watch a *lot* of Big 10. And I watch OSU every year, because I went there and have good friends who are massive die-hard OSU guys (the same way I’m a diehard Duke guy).

I’m not saying I’d bet on this team to win a title. But in a weird season, getting a 1 seed (or the top 2 seed) is not easy. I know you don’t like Holtmann. That’s fine. I do.

And since Illinois has at Michigan and at Ohio State left (a game where OSU will be favored, in all likelihood), I like Ohio State’s chances at still snagging the #1. And even if they don’t, they’d get the top 2 seed. Life could be a lot worse, lol.

>I’m not saying I’d bet on this team to win a title.

This is all that matters. Why is it so hard for you to grasp lol. I don’t know how much simpler I can make it . Final four banners are meaningless. There’s 10 of them hanging in the Schott/VCA and no one cares.

> I know you don’t like Holtmann. That’s fine. I do.

HE CANT RECRUIT. College sports is 85% recruiting and this guy is picking up players with dogshit offer sheets from struggling Mid Majors .

when we played yall in the second round

couldnt get a shot to fall and Favors/Lawal combined for 9 fouls in 45 total minutes

>when we played yall in the second round
>
>couldnt get a shot to fall and Favors/Lawal combined for 9
>fouls in 45 total minutes

blame the heavy drug use

Evan shot terribly that game but he was such an all around beast for us that it didn’t matter

nm

How do you think the tournament bubble in Indy will work out?

I have no idea what they're doing though.

I'm so proud of the career Smooge has carved out; I'm sure you are too


What's your take on Jaden Ivey? Future 1st rounder, right?

nm

I think the last time you posted Thad Matta was still coach

nm

He has been officially ruled out.

SMH

minutes of basketball I've ever watched. At any level.

I don't watch a lot of college ball. I assume this isn't the norm but holy shit this is laughable at the moment.

One of the usual suspects.

But I’m thinking about that today and how hilarious that was.

Curbelo put Michigan in a blender! He set the tone. No Ayo.
And was up by 30 points at one point!

We are more athletic and have better pure guard play. Our guards
Controlled the entire game!

That’s twice Michigan has been blown out this season! Twice!

Your bigs wanted no part of Cockburn. None!

We are the best team in the BIG and are a number 1 seed.

CEEJ show yourself!

Just a freshman too.

He is so old school. Look and everything.

entire game. That was ugly.

I ain’t going to get to cocky.

I’m just here for CEEJ!! Lol. Me and him have a destiny.

Duke trash, you have time.

Hahahahaha

I was gonna be mad that they fouled out Hurt on some absolute horseshit... but when Georgia Tech hands you like 6 or 7 butt-naked, wide open chances to tie or take the lead, and you literally miss *all of them*? You can't even be mad anymore. Can't shoot, can't win. Pretty simple.

That said, I'm glad you're still thinking about us. Because when we sneak into the tournament on some absolute First Four bullshit, everyone's gonna be mad, and I'm just gonna post ":)". We don't deserve to make the tournament. But I still feel fairly confident they're gonna find a way to get us in there, just because. lol.

regarding Michigan - all points have been proven, get a taste of your own blood in your mouth before single-elimination play. nothing changes for their prognosis going forward.

OTOH GT just put Duke's season to bed and pretty much confirmed their own tourney invite, so today is an overall W. Duke is not good despite incredibly well regarded talent, and they dont look very well coached. Like, at all. Theyve also likely just equalled their longest Final 4 drought and are on a 10 year ACC title drought with a 74 year old head coach. Just saying.

six years? including one cancelled tourney? and two Elite Eights in that span? lol. I mean, it's not ideal, but it's hard for me to be too mad considering how 2015 ended. Titles have a way of washing away the failures.

He clearly committed in 2012ish to "we're gonna do this OAD thing." And it got us a title and a few Elite Eights. More early exits and more subpar ACC finishes than I'd have liked... but K's clearly punted some of that in favor of ring chasing and getting talented young kids ready for March by letting them twist in the wind in January. Is that good? Is that bad? I don't fucking know. It's annoying at times... but I tell you this, if they win a title in 2022 before K retires, then it'll all have been worth it. And if they don't win a title?... well, they won one this way, so... maybe? Ask me again in a year or two how I feel about all this, lol.

And don't get me wrong, I will be the *first in line* to talk about how shitty a job K did this year. And while half of me wants to write it off as "well, lowest experience ranking of all the high majors, no real off season, no real pre-conference play against cupcakes, etc."... there's definitely the half of me that just thinks K is washed at this point. The problems he's had in several of our previous seasons (less effective defense than Duke had 86-04, tendency to not feed talented big men) have definitely REALLY bitten us in the ass this year. If Duke didn't have Matt Hurt, we'd be an eight win team, max. He's having a Corey Kispert level season, and no one will care, because the rest of Duke, including K, has sucked so hard.

That said, Roach and Steward will both be back next year, and our freshman to sophomore leaps for five stars tend to be crazy (Hurt, Tre, Kennard, Grayson, to name a few). And we'll be returning more five star talent than ever next season. So I don't want to write K off entirely, cuz next year's shaping up to be a monster balance of incoming and returning talent the likes of which we haven't seen in the OAD era. (Especially if we get Baldwin. Which... I don't think we will. But sometimes K drops a bag and lands a stud out of the blue. So who knows?)

But... yes. The coaching this year has been flat out bad. And losing to Georgia Tech in a game that Georgia Tech was clearly *desperately* trying to lose both at the end of regulation and overtime is testament to... well, either Duke's bad coaching, or Duke's terrible freshman backcourt play, or both. Hard to tell. Time will reveal the answer, I reckon.

https://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=8&topic_id=2599599&mesg_id=2599599&listing_type=search

Of course, Illinois was a lock for the tournament Year 3 and has now overtaken Ohio State to take the last 1 seed in Year 4.

But yes, I, the person who watched a ton of Brad Underwood at SFA and Oklahoma State, didn't know what I was talking about when I said he was a hell of a hire.

lol

.

I don’t pay attention to recruiting that much anymore but I gotta know how Juwon Howard let a kid 8 minutes away get lured to Lansing by corny ass Izzo?

>And it begins.
>
>I’m all in.

work on that recruitment for long before Juwan was hired. Also Beilein had a policy of not offering players until after their sophomore year. Then we had a coaching change, And Juwan wasn't a known commodity as a coach at the time while MSU had Izzo. Proximity to home doesn't really matter - 10 minute drive vs. 45 minute drive.

All that being said, I'll still be surprised if he ever plays any college ball.

And then Howard probably just didn't think it was worth the hassle. He's a coin flip at best to play college ball-- and since guys like Green, Kuminga, and even Todd are getting a LOT of buzz playing for G-League Ignite, we'll definitely see more elite prospects take that route in the next year or two. I wouldn't bet on Bates staying at MSU.

going to the G League.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2934297-report-emoni-bates-expected-to-skip-michigan-state-join-g-league-after-hs?fbclid=IwAR0tlvvoKCZOisxreMlhXD08u5QJYYsWnwrMTM9fHR5cRFDypDu7ra2qhfk

So at the end of the day, it’s kind of irrelevant.

should be a good sign for his recruiting ability.

>should be a good sign for his recruiting ability.

...and borderline psychotic.
how do you let someone that you dont know live rent free in your brain?

>corny ass Izzo?

>...and borderline psychotic.
>how do you let someone that you dont know live rent free in
>your brain?


I only think about him during CBB season

I hate that we’re now a perennially mediocre team the last 6 years or so, but two enormous wins in a row when it looked like we were done, puts us right back in the mix

Amazing the difference in home/road performance this year too. Completely different team at home.

Tough break for Nova

Nope!

Give us that number 1 seed now. OSU up by 4, 2 mins left. They shot
nothing but threes the rest of the way. This allowed Illinois to take the game back
over.

Man, if this team were better at hitting FTs, they would be undefeated.
We suck at free throws

Curbelo led the way again.

Btw. DUKE is getting shitted on as I speak. Trash.

>Nope!
>
>Give us that number 1 seed now. OSU up by 4, 2 mins left. They
>shot
>nothing but threes the rest of the way. This allowed Illinois
>to take the game back
>over.
>
>Man, if this team were better at hitting FTs, they would be
>undefeated.
>We suck at free throws
>
>Curbelo led the way again.
>
>Btw. DUKE is getting shitted on as I speak. Trash.
>
>

Going half a century without missing the tournament, and only being below a 4 seed something like once or twice in that time... there was gonna be a dud year. This is the dud year.

Banchero’s coming. Next year will be back to the usual. Sucks it had to be this way, but maybe this will wake the coaching staff up.

Excited to see how it is. This will be our first time there since I was born.

(Also, I've made over 5K betting against Duke this year. So it could be a lot worse, lol.)

>Excited to see how it is. This will be our first time there
>since I was born.
>
>(Also, I've made over 5K betting against Duke this year. So it
>could be a lot worse, lol.)

Smart man, bet with your head not your heart.

Over reliance on 3s
no presence on the boards
Zero scoring depth behind Ej and Duane
No halftime adjustments
Shitty substituting

The real Chris Holtmann is back

2 more losses in conference, same overall record and we swept you.

The excuses for 5 straight losses coming agsinst tough teams is dumb anyway. We play 18 conference games, your record at the end is what matters; regardless of order.

I’ll never root for us to lose but as long as Holtmann strings along a bullshit smoke and mirrors season like this it extends his lifespan in Columbus . I’ll be STUNNED if we make the sweet 16 (the absolute minimum yearly expectation of a school like ours with our athletic budget and facilities)


I love EJ but the rest are slow, unathletic , make poor decisions and are just not Big Ten caliber players. He should have gone to a coach that can make him better . There isn’t a single NBA player besides EJ in the roster or incoming *sigh*


>2 more losses in conference, same overall record and we swept
>you.
>
>The excuses for 5 straight losses coming agsinst tough teams
>is dumb anyway. We play 18 conference games, your record at
>the end is what matters; regardless of order.

>The excuses for 5 straight losses coming agsinst tough teams
>is dumb anyway. We play 18 conference games, your record at
>the end is what matters; regardless of order.

If you lose 5 straight at the end of the season that’s a bad trend for how well the team is playing, regardless of opponents.

We went 4 minutes without a single point.

Atrocious

the offensive sets he draws up are straight garbage

All ahrens did was stand in a corner and hope for a pass.




>>The excuses for 5 straight losses coming agsinst tough
>teams
>>is dumb anyway. We play 18 conference games, your record at
>>the end is what matters; regardless of order.
>
>If you lose 5 straight at the end of the season that’s a bad
>trend for how well the team is playing, regardless of
>opponents.

There are those who ride for Northwestern. However, I got
to give love to Loyola. They get forgotten about on the athletic level,
but they have had some memorable tournament moments.

Shit ass colors, but go ahead and represent the North of the Chi.

Lol my cousin went there after he flunked out of northwestern

Lol. They don’t get talked about at all...

some of those teams with Martell Bailey and Cedric Banks had the city semi-buzzing.

UIC never did their thing. Never won a single tournament game in NIT or NCAA.

UIC was never a big deal in Chicago compared to Illinois, DePaul, Northwestern
or Loyola.

ive still been watching the odd game here and there
we still suck but i feel like Roy at least got the most out of this team. they are a world better than what i saw before the first Duke game

Lumping up duke..lol

That tickles me for some reason.

I’ll put this one on Turge. Senior night, I get it but why the hell is walk on Reese Mona playing 12 minutes in a conference game with seeding implications?? Why??..messed up the flow of the rotations and some guys never got going. Got Mich St. in the first round of the Big 10 tournament, no easy task.

That’s it. That’s the message.

Whatever actually went down, we beat them for the third time this year...

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2021/03/12/michigan-basketball-juwan-howard-ejection-maryland-big-ten-tournament-mark-turgeon/4668870001/

Michigan coach Juwan Howard explains what set him off in exchange with Mark Turgeon

What led to Juwan Howard's surprising sideline confrontation with Maryland coach Mark Turgeon during Michigan basketball's win over Maryland on Friday afternoon?

According to the Wolverines' head coach, it all began with an out-of-bounds call.

After the Wolverines' 79-66 win, Howard — who was ejected with double technical fouls at the 10:44 mark of the second half because of the sideline incident — explained:

"I noticed that (Galin) Smith went for an offensive rebound and it went off his hands last but the referees called the ball out of bounds and I think it was their possession. I’m like, 'No, that’s not how I saw it.' So I was out of the coaching box and I went down to explain exactly, no, it’s off of Smith, I mean, it’s tough to communicate when it’s loud and also you have a mask on.

"(Mark) Turgeon saw that I was out of the box, he tells the referee to look at my feet, I’m out of the box, I’m like, come on man, this is what we’re doing today? You’re worried about my feet being out of the box? So he said to me, ‘ Juwan, I’m not gonna let you talk to me. You don’t talk to me ever again.’ And he charged at me."

As words were exchanged, Howard had to be held back by Jay Smith, Michigan's director of player personnel and development (and a former assistant coach during Howard's playing career at Michigan), and Chris Hunter, the director of basketball operations.

"I don’t know how you guys were raised but how I was raised by my grandmother and also by Chicago. I was raised by Chicago, I grew up on the South Side, when guys charge you, it’s time to defend yourself," Howard continued. "And especially when a grown man charges you. That right there, I went into defense mode forgetting exactly where I’m at. That’s not the right way to handle the situation when you come and charge someone. I didn’t charge him. So when he charged me, I reacted.

"And I reacted out of defense. So that’s it. Words were exchanged. And then I got tossed. So that’s the story. Like I said, you’re gonna hear his side, you’re gonna hear my side and you guys can write the narrative.”

In Turgeon's postgame comments, he confirmed that he did say, "Don't talk to me," to Howard during the confrontation while also providing context for the tensions between the two teams, who played twice earlier this season.

"This has been going on for three games," Turgeon told reporters after the game. "I've been doing this for 34 years and I've called the conference office, I've called the commissioner about what transpired in the first two games and I said I wasn't gonna take it the third game. So I stood up for my team, I stood up for me. And there's a rumor out there I said something about the banner. All I said is don't talk to me. Don't talk to me. Nothing about a banner. Never backed down. I just stood there and said, 'Don't talk to me.' That's it.

"So commissioner of the league, the league was well aware of what's transpired the first two games and they'll handle it from here. But I thought I was as professional as I could try to be in the moment, standing up for myself, 34 years of doing it the right way, and for Maryland basketball. So that's all I did, just stood up for myself and my program and said, 'Don't talk to me.' And that escalated."

When asked if he had heard of Turgeon's calls to the league office, Howard said, "No, I have not." He had the same response when asked if he noticed any tensions between the teams during the first two contests. And he made clear to publicly apologize to his players for what happened.

"At the end of the day, I want to first apologize to my team, which I did in the locker room for my actions," Howard said. "That’s not the way how you handle situations like that in adverse moments, can’t let your emotions get the best of you. I love how our guys stepped up and supported their coach. Because they know that I’ll always support them. But I’m always going to take ownership when I’m wrong and admit when I’m wrong. So that’s not the right way how to handle that situation."

Howard was replaced by assistant coach Phil Martelli, a longtime head coach at Saint Joseph's. The Wolverines led by 10 at the time of Howard's ejection and held off two separate Maryland runs, eventually closing out the game with a 11-2 run between the 5:40 mark and the 2:08 mark.

Omar Payne just MMA elbow'd John Fulkerson

So fucking pumped for Pat and his guys.

Pat has those boys playing. Been a slow burn for the program, but really happy for the way they are progressing. Hopefully Ewing will have better success than JTIII over the long term.

Right now, I'm just going to enjoy the ride this season. Win or lose, it's been fun in a craptacular year for everything.

How bout them apples Calm?


>And it begins.
>
>I’m all in.

Was really impressed that OSU avoided letting it slip away and successfully reset themselves for OT.

Purdue is going to be a daaaaangerous 4 seed.

I kept telling myself not to get emotionally attached but it didn’t work



>Purdue is going to be a daaaaangerous 4 seed.

Facts . I feel sorry for whoever plays them

Until 2 min to go in regulation. I blame myself for OT!

This is the most lovable Purdue team since the baby boilers though. Jaden Ivey; Edy’s so fun. That OT cemented is just how much of a defensive liability Sasha is; is a fair trade off when he’s hitting 4-5 threes a game, but he just got ate up in OT.

Still hate that in this season, 2 losses to Miami and Clemson in December, with multiple key starters out, are the reason we are a 4 seed vs a 3 seed. Which this year is a huge huge difference.

If there was a season to throw out the December stuff it is this one.

Let's hope for their sake it isn't true.

Really terrible news.

order has been restored

Bow down

#JustLikeFootball


>And it begins.
>
>I’m all in.

In the hardest conference in college basketball. Without a single All-American or realistic pro prospect.

Holtmann is killing it this year. Gonna be tough to beat Illinois without Kyle Young, but they’ve locked up a 2 seed imo.

Btw as someone who put 100 bucks on the Ohio State moneyline, I was... very sweaty but very happy after those last three minutes, lol.

>In the hardest conference in college basketball. Without a
>single All-American or realistic pro prospect.
>
>Holtmann is killing it this year. Gonna be tough to beat
>Illinois without Kyle Young, but they’ve locked up a 2 seed
>imo.



We are engaged in an arms race with michigan and right now they got better weapons coming in ...

Even when he was at Butler, the teams were so much less stacked than Stevens's teams... and yet they still performed incredibly. Dude just knows how to coach defense, how to run sets, how to get the most out of players.

And if he can do that consistently, all he'll need is that *one* recruit.

He can’t keep recruiting scrubs

>Even when he was at Butler, the teams were so much less
>stacked than Stevens's teams... and yet they still performed
>incredibly. Dude just knows how to coach defense, how to run
>sets, how to get the most out of players.

>And if he can do that consistently, all he'll need is that
>*one* recruit.

This is the case for any d1 coach lol . But the chances of one guy leading you to an ncaa title is very slim . Carmelo Anthony’s and Kemba Walkers don’t grow on trees .

Yuck.