College basketball season is here! (2009-10)

[bishop]

I'm not ignoring football, but college basketball is upon us! Discuss here.

I'm a Clemson Tiger. Oliver Purnell's Posse (the "OPP"...that campaign actually won a marketing award) looks pretty good this year. Not as great as last year, but that's what happens when you lose talented seniors. The raw talent on the team, and the honed talent, need some time to come together & mature. I think we're going to do well. The Anaheim tournament really showed what needs work.

[Swampfox]

I'm not ignoring football, but college basketball is upon us! Discuss here.

I'm a Clemson Tiger. Oliver Purnell's Posse (the "OPP"...that campaign actually won a marketing award) looks pretty good this year. Not as great as last year, but that's what happens when you lose talented seniors. The raw talent on the team, and the honed talent, need some time to come together & mature. I think we're going to do well. The Anaheim tournament really showed what needs work.

I normally don't pay attention to College Basketball until tourney time, unless Clemson is winning. So, the Tigers look pretty good this year?

[GFlanagan3]

I'm not ignoring football, but college basketball is upon us! Discuss here.

I'm a Clemson Tiger. Oliver Purnell's Posse (the "OPP"...that campaign actually won a marketing award) looks pretty good this year. Not as great as last year, but that's what happens when you lose talented seniors. The raw talent on the team, and the honed talent, need some time to come together & mature. I think we're going to do well. The Anaheim tournament really showed what needs work.

I am hoping Wake Forest does well..at any rate ACC basketball is exciting:a29::taz::clap:

[mr_economy]

The most wonderful time of the year to be a Jayhawk :) I was on Mass St with the other 60,000 fans when we won the championship in 2008, and we ought to make a good run at it again this year. We are unbelievably talented with nearly unlimited depth, now it's just a matter of keeping the feet on the ground and playing one game at a time.

I'm sad to say I've seen talented KU teams like this go down in flames before (those darn schools with 'b' names), but hopefully with team leaders like Collins and Aldrich we'll have what it takes for a spot in the Final 4.

[MoJoe]

My Marquette Warriors are looking good this season after losing like 65% of our scoring, rebounding and experience. We were 1 point from going 7-0 and winning the Old Spice Classic in Orland.

[kwk285]

My WSU cougars have to do better than the football team. They are young but I can have some hope until they start playing Pac 10 games.

[john.crissman]

Coach Cal, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins... It is gonna be a great year!
http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/03/KentuckyWildcats.jpg

[flatstick96]

Watch out for the 'Cuse this year. So far, they're smoking everybody.

Come tournament time, my sentimental dark horse will of course be my Alma Mater (assuming they get the expected autobid for winning their weak conference). Using the ever flawed "common opponent" logic, it would seem like they've got the talent to surprise some people - they played Syracuse to a tighter score than anyone else has this year (including UNC). Go Big Red.

[Phog Allen]

The most wonderful time of the year to be a Jayhawk :) I was on Mass St with the other 60,000 fans when we won the championship in 2008, and we ought to make a good run at it again this year. We are unbelievably talented with nearly unlimited depth, now it's just a matter of keeping the feet on the ground and playing one game at a time.

I'm sad to say I've seen talented KU teams like this go down in flames before (those darn schools with 'b' names), but hopefully with team leaders like Collins and Aldrich we'll have what it takes for a spot in the Final 4.

You beat me to it Kyle! After the horrid showing by the football squad, this should bring some Jayhawk medicare relief. I don't know if you are back in town for classes this semester but these guys look so grown up from last year. I saw Cole Aldrich at the Towers a few months ago and he looked more serious than ever. All the big men I have spotted around campus look like they have bulked up considerably from last year. The twins look much more competent and confident this year. And Xavier Henry? Well, if he keeps up this way, we'll hang number four in Allen Field House. Well, you could say number six if you count the Helms foundation awards for 1933/23. The only team that will beat KU this year is KU. And that is not bragging or being silly. Sure, they could lose to Tejas in conference but the honest truth is, this squad is so well coached and loaded with both senior and freshman phenom talent they will be hard to beat. A team had better bring their A+ game to do it. Coach Self has the team coached up to the point that even with star sub Brady Morningstar out, he can sub five at a time if he wants. You may remember the "B" teams but I hearken back to the A and S teams. Arizona and Syracuse. Those were SHOULDA won games. Of course I was raised on the lore of the '66 team that was robbed of a FF appearance by the Texas Western team led by Don Haskins. I have seen the footage. Jo Jo White and the 'Hawks were ROBBED of a FF that year. Plain and simple. See there folks? Jayhawk blood runs deep and long. Tangle with us and get a chump call 43 years ago and we still don't let up. It is the way of things in college basketball heaven.

Regards, Todd

[Gruder]

Coach Cal, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins... It is gonna be a great year!
http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/03/KentuckyWildcats.jpg

John beat me to it! Big game Saturday night against UNC!

[john.crissman]

John beat me to it! Big game tomorrow night against UNC!

I saw them at Rupp two Saturdays ago against Ryder. Chad, believe the hype. John Wall is truly amazing to watch play. He will surely go pro next year.

[Gruder]

I saw them at Rupp two Saturdays ago against Ryder. Chad, believe the hype. John Wall is truly amazing to watch play. He will surely go pro next year.

Now you're just making me jealous. :001_tongu I've liked what I've seen out of Wall on TV/ESPN360 thus far. The team still has miles to go, but Wall is definitely impressive. And a clutch player, at that. I need to try to get to Rupp this year, that's all there is to it.

[Randy Watson]

Can't wait for the UNC game Saturday (might have tickets) and UCONN Wednesday, we'll see how good the Cats really are-and hopefully we'll still be undefeated.http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/kty/graphics/wallpapers/2009_10/mbb0910_1024.jpg

[CJayhawk]

Rock Chalk baby, Rock Chalk!

Much like Mr_Economy, I spent a certain night in 2008 celebrating with 60,000 members of my Jayhawk family. I love the NFL, but I don't have a favorite team. I love Major League Baseball, but I live in Kansas City, so I never expect to win. There is only ONE team that I will support win, lose, blowout, or decimation. I'm such a Jayhawk that my blood is crimson on the outside, and blue on the inside.

[bigmo]

coach cal, john wall, demarcus cousins... It is gonna be a great year!
http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/03/kentuckywildcats.jpg
+1000

[bishop]

I normally don't pay attention to College Basketball until tourney time, unless Clemson is winning. So, the Tigers look pretty good this year?

Pretty good, but not as great as last year. We lost talented seniors and so we have a young team with a lot of raw talent. That issue has reared its ugly head in the A&M and Illinois losses. However, Purnell is on his way to building a solid program.

[Swampfox]

Pretty good, but not as great as last year. We lost talented seniors and so we have a young team with a lot of raw talent. That issue has reared its ugly head in the A&M and Illinois losses. However, Purnell is on his way to building a solid program.

I like him. He has done a good job in his tenure at Clemson.

[john.crissman]

Now you're just making me jealous. :001_tongu I've liked what I've seen out of Wall on TV/ESPN360 thus far. The team still has miles to go, but Wall is definitely impressive. And a clutch player, at that. I need to try to get to Rupp this year, that's all there is to it.

If you get a chance listen to WLAP's <www.wlap.com> post game show with interviews with the players and Coach Cal. His candid comments are really insightful and funny. Unless he pulls a Billy G he will be here for a loooong time.

Seeing a game at Rupp this year is worth it. As Wall's defensive skills improve I am sure the tix will be harder to come by.

[john.crissman]

can't wait for the unc game saturday (might have tickets) and uconn wednesday, we'll see how good the cats really are-and hopefully we'll still be undefeated.

go. Big. Blue!

[TonyH]

Rock Chalk baby, Rock Chalk!

Much like Mr_Economy, I spent a certain night in 2008 celebrating with 60,000 members of my Jayhawk family. I love the NFL, but I don't have a favorite team. I love Major League Baseball, but I live in Kansas City, so I never expect to win. There is only ONE team that I will support win, lose, blowout, or decimation. I'm such a Jayhawk that my blood is crimson on the outside, and blue on the inside.

I almost remember being one of those 60,000 friends. :lol:

[CJayhawk]

I almost remember being one of those 60,000 friends. :lol:
We just LOST Wade that night. LOST HIM. One second he was there, the next second he was gone. It was an awesome night.

[Gruder]

UK beats UNC for the first time in way too long. Awesome. That explosion in the first half was a joy to see. This team still needs work, but they're gonna be fun to watch all year. :thumbup1:

[sol92258]

UK beats UNC for the first time in way too long. Awesome. That explosion in the first half was a joy to see. This team still needs work, but they're gonna be fun to watch all year. :thumbup1:

2 more spots to go.... (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4741555)
:thumbup1: :thumbup:

[mr_economy]

2 more spots to go.... (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4741555)
:thumbup1: :thumbup:

Those are very good Texas and Kansas teams you'll have to climb over to get there.

[flatstick96]

Again, don't sleep on Syracuse - they're smoking everybody, and there have been some runaway wins against some pretty decent teams mixed in there (UNC by 16, Cal by 20+, Florida by 12).

After coaching his previously-unbeaten Gators to a 12-point loss in a game where they trailed for all but 2 minutes, Billy Donovan said something to the effect of: "I can't imagine there are three teams in the country better than the one that beat us tonight."

[airplanedoc]

In Illinois, college basketball season started the 2nd week of Football season. At Least Notre Dame fired their coach and he had a better record

[flatstick96]

Granted it's only halftime, but I think the Alma mater is representing itself well so far...

[Swampfox]

Nice to see UNC getting kicked around. :lol:

[wilsonent]

Was able to attend the Louisville game last weekend. Never seen a game so hard to get started what with all the technical fouls in the first minute. I have been around UK-UL since the series first restarted and I have never seen such rivalry and animosity between the two schools. Should be fun to watch these 2 play while the current coaches are there.

[Phog Allen]

Well, my Jayhawks scared the pants off of everyone in Lawrence last night. They completely overlooked/let down against the Big Red of Cornell last night. Those guys are WELL coached and it shows. Anyone who fools around with these guys in the tournament will get a nasty surprise. Coach Bill Self was pretty livid at our squad most of the night. Lackadaisical passing, poor offensive execution, sloppy ball handling, you name it, it happened at one point or another in last night's game. If not for Sherron Collins taking the whole team on his back during most of the game, they would have been beaten BADLY. Wise up Jayhawks. It is a long season and you have that number one target on your backsides.

Regards, Todd

[Gruder]

Was able to attend the Louisville game last weekend. Never seen a game so hard to get started what with all the technical fouls in the first minute. I have been around UK-UL since the series first restarted and I have never seen such rivalry and animosity between the two schools. Should be fun to watch these 2 play while the current coaches are there.

+1, though I must admit that I was ashamed to see the Cousins forearm shot. I'm as rabid a fan as anyone, but that's not Kentucky basketball -- or at least it shouldn't be.

Still, wish I could've been there, too. My wife and I were at the first UK/UL game in Rupp after Pitino started at UL. Talk about an electric atmosphere!

[mr_economy]

Well, my Jayhawks scared the pants off of everyone in Lawrence last night. They completely overlooked/let down against the Big Red of Cornell last night. Those guys are WELL coached and it shows. Anyone who fools around with these guys in the tournament will get a nasty surprise. Coach Bill Self was pretty livid at our squad most of the night. Lackadaisical passing, poor offensive execution, sloppy ball handling, you name it, it happened at one point or another in last night's game. If not for Sherron Collins taking the whole team on his back during most of the game, they would have been beaten BADLY. Wise up Jayhawks. It is a long season and you have that number one target on your backsides.

Regards, Todd

Indeed the 'Hawks tried to give me a heart attack. Sherron proved why he is the best point guard in the country, and unfortunately the rest of the team more or less decided to take the night off. Xavier needs to learn to shoot with his right hand - it's painful seeing him miss layups from the right side of the basket (in last night's case from every side of the basket) simply because he's forced to shoot with only his left hand. The Morris twins reverted to last year's tentative play style. Cole has lacked aggressiveness most of the season. But they did win a grind-it-out game, and that says something about this team. Last year's team would not have come back like this.

[KarthVader]

http://beaspartan.com/_images/slider/large-45.jpg

http://www.msualum.com/saf/shop/images/saf/sa_poster.jpg

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/8489/izzo1ch2.jpg

[Phog Allen]

Well my Jayhawks finally laid the egg I had been waiting for this afternoon. The y went up against a somewhat crippled roster at Tennessee and just stunk the place up. I am not taking a thing from the Vols. They deserved to win. PERIOD. What I am mad about is how a 6'11" all American, first round NBA draft pick type manage nearly 15 rebounds and maybe 4 points? The entire team was just manhandled by Tennessee. A team that had a number of its players suspended and was starting backups. And had two of those main backups with four fouls at the THIRTEEN minute mark of the second half! Sorry, no disrespect to the Vols but this is where Kansas should have eaten them alive. Instead, they played scared and let the Vols keep a small but relentless lead all the way. It just stinks to see these guys underachieve like that. Coach Bill Self had been warning of this all week. A team with wounded pride, playing at home for face and maybe their season (mentally). So lets go over some of the details in list form shall we?

First up Tennessee

Ready to play, determined. Check.

WANTED it more. Check.

Listened to their coach and did not become distracted or intimidated. Check.

Did not let the loss of certain main players foul up their game plan/fed off the controversy/came together. Check.

Made shots, particularly from the outside when they needed a couple of scores to keep a lead or regain it. Check.

The only real fault you could lay on the Vols was free throw shooting. If not for missing about fifteen of those it would have been a twenty five point blow out.

Now lets look at Kansas.

After the first six minutes failed to feed the ball inside to the best big man in the NCAA right now. Check.

Same big man failed to kick arse verbally/mentally with his team and demand it correct itself. Check.

Turned the ball over more times than Saint Mary's Sisters of the Blind. Check. (This one really ticked me off. Two of those were a result of chucking the ball directly into the hands of a Vol defender.)

Missed a number of clutch free throws that would have tied the game possibly helping to change momentum. Check.

Missed more layups and jams than Tim Conway's "Dorf" character. Check.

Passed erratically/sloppily enabling more turnovers. Check.

Missed a ton of wide open treys from normally dead shooters. Check.

All in all a lackluster performance. Congratulations to Tennessee. They deserved to wins this game. I can't even really hammer the coach. He warned of this stuff all week long and evidently they just didn't get over the Christmas break take-it-easy mode. I knew after that close game at home last week against Cornell it could happen and it did. Gee, on the road at a wounded, number sixteen in the nation team. What could happen? Get it together Hawks. For those who don't get to see these guys very often, you would know exactly why I am dogging them right now. They are better than this. Much better.

Regards, Todd