Some random college basketball thoughts

I just wanted to drop some things off here at the blog. I've had a lot of things on my mind, especially from the weekend, that I can't really get on my show that I've been meaning to talk about, so I'll use the blog to air them.

1. Greg Oden is a very good player, and the best player on the best team (especially after Wisconsin loses Brian Butch) in the Big Ten. And in the 12 or so games I've seen of Oden, I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE game where he's taken over, or shown me some sort of NBA-like performance.

Now, don't read into that the wrong way. Anyone who knows anything about basketball knows that Greg Oden has NBA talent. Consistent as all get out? Absolutely. But has he taken over one game this year? Not that I'm aware of.

2. In fact, let me stay in the Big Ten. Before Brian Butch's season-threatening injury, I thought Wisconsin was the best team in the Big Ten, and behind only Florida as the best team in the country. Experience is a factor that I CANNOT ignore. Alando Tucker is one of the best players in all of the country, and Kammron Taylor as the "supporting actor" (guiltfree Oscar analogy) give this team something that few teams do, a veteran backcourt.

3. The Big East is not great, but is still good. There are many national analysts that aren't real high on the Big East. I can understand why. But, there are many cases I will make for the Big East.

• Rick Pitino gets Louisville healthy, adds "The President", Derrick Caracter and wins on the road at Pitt AND Marquette IN MID-FEBRUARY.
• John Beilein takes a West Virginia team who lost nearly everything last year and makes a crazy run, including a out-of-conference February win over the then-number one team UCLA.
• In January, Syracuse was collapsing in games much like Kentucky is now. Something has changed. Jim Boeheim has found a way to look past all of Eric Devendorf's tattoos, and win big games late, including a win over Georgetown (and say what you will, Georgetown is one of the best teams in the country).

We live in a place that verbally kills coaches for lackluster performances. Let's take the time to credit them in times like this, when teams are starting to shine. Yes, the Big East has a LOT of teams. But there are so many great coaches in this league--Hall of Fame caliber--that will probably make this a 7+ NCAA-team league year-in and year-out.

4. You know how we LOVE to watch "train wrecks", like American Idol auditions and plastic surgery shows like Dr. 90210. Well, here's another one. I've had two pretty horrific knee injuries and subsequent surgeries, and I feel the pain shoot right through my knee when I see this train wreck, Los Angeles Clippers' Shaun Livingston dislocating his kneecap on a seemingly innocent play. And now, there's news that it may be career-threatening. Very sad.

5. I received this from an e-mailer, and never got to it. It deserves a little pub. Pretty funny.

"Tubby's Mantra"

One game winning streak!

Thank God for LSU

Too bad Vandy

didn't let it be two.

I'm trying anything to appease this fan base.

I guess I just need Ricky P.

to set me up

for another title chase.

Spot 'em double digits,

on the road or at Rupp.

Maybe it'll be more exciting

if we're down before we're up.

These fans hate my

slow it down style.

I'd mention my Final Four,

but that's been a while.

They want Pitino, Donovan, or even Ford.

Always saying,

"At least with their style,

we're not quite as bored"

Thanks EZ,

Jody in Jeffersonville

GO CARDS!!!!

6. Now on to the NBA. Do you want to know how I will automatically become a Dallas Maverick fan? I mean, I already like Mark Cuban. The only thing left to do is for my all-time favorite player to go play there as well. And that would mean he'd have to come out of retirement.

Reggie Miller a Maverick? Please, Dallas Morning News. You wouldn't kid, would you? That would be freaking AWESOME!

Pat Summitt's turn... Could you imagine if Rick Pitino did this?

There's no doubt that Bruce Pearl turned some heads when he became head cheerleader for a game at Thompson-Boling Arena between Tennessee's women and the Duke Blue Devils.

Now the tables will be turned, as Pat Summitt will do the cheering when Florida travels to Tennessee tonight.

Any chance that Pat Summitt will look better than Bruce Pearl? The jury is still out.

Furthermore, will Rick Pitino ever dress up for Tom Collen at Freedom Hall? No doubt I would PAY to go to a Louisville women's game then.

USA Basketball is still impressive to others

Yes, fundamentally, we might not be the most sound basketball country in the world anymore, but just listen to the fans in Korea when Team USA came there this past summer.

And this was just lay-up lines.

Kentucky student section has always been original

I've always enjoyed pictures of the UK student section. Doesn't matter what game, they are always one of the most creative in coming up with something that will make SportsCenter OR (the next best thing) my blog.


Thanks to DeadSpin.com for finding this.

Offensive to some? Maybe.

Funny. Uhhh... yeah!

Court storming, I hate to say, must stop

When court storming isn't spontaneous (and no, court storming after a 13 POINT Vanderbilt win would NOT be considered spontaneous) it can turn violent far too quickly.

I can't make out the Florida player, but follow the THIN WHITE ARROW when this piece of footage pans out to the balcony view.

The FLorida player punches a Vandy fan and sends him to the floor. And can you blame him? It's got to be considered self-defense in these situations.

Top 5 teams you DO NOT want to face as of Feb. 19, 2007

Jam-packed show today as we talked about MANY THINGS and had one of our bigger caller output.

One of the things we discussed was how Louisville is obviously one of the teams that NO ONE would like to play right now. I then made a claim that they may be one of the top five teams opposing teams would rather not play right now.

After further review, I'd have to say that's correct in my opinion.

Top five teams you don't want to face as of Feb. 19
1. Florida - most talented, coming off a loss-LOOK OUT!
2. Wisconsin - playing best ball in country in my opinion, and serious experience factor comes into play right about now.
3. Vanderbilt - you gotta be afraid of a team whose coach isn't afraid to stand up to Joakim Noah.
4. Louisville - not many teams go from no votes in Top 25 one week, to 20th in the country the next.
5. Georgetown - in my opinion, best team in Big East. Winners of nine straight... last four wins: @ UL, MARQ, WVU, @ NOVA.

HONORABLE MENTION: Southern Illinois - won nine straight... last three wins: Creighton (lock for tourney), @ Missouri State (on bubble), and @ Butler (obvious lock for tourney... and bonus: on BracketBuster Saturday)

SIDENOTE: Watching the Kansas @ Kansas State game right now. Boy, has "Huggy-Bear" turned KSU into a basketball school. Student section filled up at 7:15 PM Eastern for a 9 PM start. I doubt that happened before "Huggy-Bear". What a college basketball atmostphere in Manhattan (boy that feels weird to type).

UPDATED EZ MONEY

Interesting weekend of college basketball. Don't you just LOVE this time of year?

Didn't make any of the three games from our "big Three" part of our EZ Money. Good thing. I probably would've missed on all of them.

Here's an updated record of EZ Money.

EZ MONEY: COLLEGE BASKETBALL

12/6 - Villanova (-1) vs. OKLAHOMA ** WIN ** (NOVA, 67-51) [1-0]

12/7 - NOTRE DAME (-2) vs. # 5 Alabama ** WIN ** (ND, 99-85) [2-0]

12/7 - Florida State (-10) vs. GEORGIA STATE ** WIN ** (FSU, 87-55) [3-0]

12/9 - Indiana (+5) vs. KENTUCKY ** PUSH ** (UK, 59-54) [3-0-1]

12/11 - Mississippi State (+1.5) vs. MIAMI (Fla.) ** WIN ** (MISS ST, 70-52) [4-0-1]

12/12 - Central Florida (+4) vs. MINNESOTA ** LOSS ** (MINN, 73-64) [4-1-1]

12/13 - Louisiana-Lafayette (+5.5) vs. NEW ORLEANS ** WIN ** (NO, 70-66) [5-1-1]

12/14 - Chattanooga (+7) vs. CHARLESTON ** WIN ** (CHAR, 62-60) [6-1-1]

12/20 - UC Irvine (+17) vs. DEPAUL ** WIN ** (DEP, 65-53) [7-1-1]
12/22 - KENTUCKY (-7.5) vs. Massachusetts ** WIN ** (UK, 82-68) [8-1-1]
12/22 - BUTLER (-10) vs. Evansville ** WIN ** (BUT, 76-65) [9-1-1]
12/23 - Miami (+9) vs. LOUISVILLE ** LOSS ** (UL, 82-59) [9-2-1]
12/23 - Dayton (+13) vs. PITTSBURGH ** LOSS ** (PITT, 84-54) [9-3-1]
12/28 - CLEMSON (-6.5) vs. Georgia ** WIN ** (CLEM, 75-60) [10-3-1]
12/28 - NORTH CAROLINA STATE (-12.5) vs. East Carolina ** LOSS ** (NC ST, 64-57) [10-4-1]
12/28 - UCLA (-12) vs. Washington State ** LOSS ** (UCLA, 55-52) [10-5-1]
1/11 - Nevada (-8) vs. SAN JOSE STATE ** WIN ** (NEV, 74-65) [11-5-1]
1/23 - Indiana vs. ILLINOIS (UNDER 133.5) ** WIN ** (ILL, 51-43) [12-5-1]
1/31 - Connecticut (+4) vs. DEPAUL ** LOSS ** (DEP, 66-58) [12-6-1]
1/31 - Ohio State (-3) vs. PURDUE ** WIN ** (OHIO ST, 78-60) [13-6-1]
2/5 - Syracuse (+4) vs. CONNECTICUT ** LOSS ** (SYR, 67-60) [13-7-1]
2/5 - Wisconsin-Milwaukee (+11) vs. WRIGHT STATE ** LOSS ** (WRIGHT ST, 76-50) [13-8-1]
2/7 - Illinois vs. NORTHWESTERN (OVER 108) ** LOSS ** (ILL, 58-43) [13-9-1]
2/14 - Ohio State (-11) vs. PENN STATE ** LOSS ** (OSU, 64-62) [13-10-1]
2/14 - Duke (+2) vs. BOSTON COLLEGE ** WIN ** (DUKE, 78-70) [14-10-1]
2/15 - PURDUE (-2.5) vs. Indiana ** WIN ** (PUR, 81-68) [15-10-1]

15-10-1

Indiana loses to Purdue

Indiana fans weren't happy with me today about my "bad feeling" I had about the Hoosiers in West Lafayette. Indiana loses by double digits to Purdue. Not right often, but I'll gloat when I am.

Let's be honest. That game was going to be super tough to win. First off, it was postponed, which would certainly hurt the road team in a situation like that.

Rivalry game... Purdue hasn't won since 2003 in the series. They were due.

Teams in rivalry games don't take kindly to ass-kickings liek the one the Boilers took in Bloomington in early January, 85-58.

It was time.

Now, for IU, it's probably straight on up to Ann Arbor, I would think. That's got to be tough on a team whose been dismal on the road thus far this season.

This Indiana game at Michigan this weekend should give you a really good gauge of what kind of tournament team this will be. Two straight games on away from home, one off day in between. We'll see if the Hoosiers can bounce back.

But count me in the group of people that think this game on Saturday is THE most important regular season game of the year for the Hoosiers.

Big East Prognosticator

Thanks a lot to Card Chronicle for posting this very interesting link that will let YOU pick the winners of the remaining games for all Big East teams and then spit out the final Big East standings using your predictions.

This is what I came up with.

		Current						Projected
		Conference Games			All Games			Conference Games			All Games
		W	L	%	W	L	%	W	L	%	W	L	%
1	Pittsburgh	10	1	.909	22	3	.880	13	3	.813	26	5	.839
2	Georgetown	8	2	.800	18	5	.783	12	4	.750	22	7	.759
2	Marquette	8	3	.727	21	5	.808	12	4	.750	25	6	.806
4	Notre Dame	6	5	.545	18	6	.750	11	5	.688	23	6	.793
5	Providence	5	5	.500	15	8	.652	10	6	.625	20	9	.690
6	Connecticut	4	6	.400	15	9	.625	9	7	.563	20	10	.667
6	Villanova	5	5	.500	17	7	.708	9	7	.563	21	9	.700
6	West Virginia	7	4	.636	19	5	.792	9	7	.563	21	8	.724
6	Louisville	7	4	.636	17	8	.680	9	7	.563	19	11	.633
10	Syracuse	5	5	.500	16	8	.667	8	8	.500	19	11	.633
10	DePaul	5	6	.455	14	11	.560	8	8	.500	17	13	.567
12	St. John's	5	6	.455	14	10	.583	6	10	.375	15	15	.500
13	Seton Hall	3	7	.300	12	11	.522	4	12	.250	13	16	.448
14	South Florida	3	8	.273	12	13	.480	3	13	.188	12	18	.400
14	Rutgers	3	9	.250	10	15	.400	3	13	.188	10	19	.345
16	Cincinnati	1	9	.100	10	14	.417	2	14	.125	11	19	.367

Looks like it's not in the Cards for the Cards.

A win tonight over Pitt would change everything obviously. Here's to hoping they do!

UH-OH MATT SIMMS

I don't know what he's got in front of him, besides the Grey Goose and OJ (I think quarterbacks should drink whiskey). Not a good way to start as a Cardinal. That's for sure.

Remember the legend of Kragthorpe, Matt. Kragthopre will look you square in the eye and make you cry!

SHAPE UP!

COLTS WIN and yours truly hits the streets!

I was in Downtown Indy to truly take in what may have been a once-in-a-lifetime event... my favorite team in the Super Bowl.

So I thought it would be great for me and my lady to go up there and take it all in. So we went downtown, to the Hooters just across the street from the RCA Dome.

And when the clock ran out on a Colts World Championship, we hit the streets. And just about 60 seconds after the clock ran out, this is what we witnessed.

It's kind of fun watching the crowd get a little bigger, and the scene gettinga little louder with each second.

My Super Bowl pick

I'm up in Indy to take in the Super Bowl from downtown. I'll be ready to riot when the Colts beat the Bears.

I want this one bad for the Colts. I want this for Peyton, who has been criticized his entire career for not winning the big one, even though he's the best QB this era has seen. I want this one for Reggie Wayne, who lost his brother during the middle of a season in a car accident. And I want it for Tony Dungy, whose one of the most caring men the NFL has ever seen... To think about what Dungy went through with his son just one short year ago. I hope a win today will help with the healing.

And now for my prediction...
COLTS 23, BEARS 20

It's back to the beer and wings here in downtown Indy.

Enjoy yourself today, and talk to you tomorrow.

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