The College Basketball Post

[philballa09]

some recruiting news, i heard UCLA

and UDUB

are Josh Smith's top 2 schools.

 

[winstondon]

Does John Wall go to that paper mill prep school in raleigh?

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

Originally Posted by WinstonDon

Does John Wall go to that paper mill prep school in raleigh?

He goes to Word of God/ That's what you were thinking of?

Or were you talking about Bonner Academy?

 

[allen3xis]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The non-BCS leagues tend to get the shaft on a national level.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]I can think of three reasons why.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]1. They're typically not on TV or as well known as their BCS counterparts.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]2. They're typically not as talented or as good in general as their BCS counterparts.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]3. They're typically not as competitive or balanced from top-to-middle as their BCScounterparts.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica][/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Sure, Gonzaga is always really good -- as is Memphis and Xavier. But those programs aren't consistently pushed bytheir league brethren in an ideal way, which is why discussing any of those leagues in depth can become a redundant conversation about why Memphis or Gonzagamight really slip this season. Then five months pass and both win another conference championship. Happens every year, at which time themaybe-this-is-the-time-Gonzaga-and-Memphis-go-down previews end up looking just silly.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]So I'm done with those things.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]What I've done instead is combined the best of all the non-BCS teams and ranked them accordingly, handed outaccolades and realized that if we could put the top 15 non-BCS schools together we'd have a league that is -- ready for this? -- better than most (if notall) of the BCS leagues. Imagine a basketball conference with Gonzaga, Memphis, Xavier, UNLV, Davidson, Nevada and ... you get the point. Obviously, travelwould be a headache. But could it be any worse than the WAC, where playing in Hawaii and Louisiana can be required?[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]I think not (even though I know this concept isn't realistic).[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]But either way, here are the best of the non-BCS.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]All 15 listed schools are expected to make the NCAA tournament.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]1. Gonzaga[/font]

Jeremy Pargo's Zags are a tad ahead of Stephen Curry and Davidson. (Getty Images)

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Zags have one of the nation's best rosters featuring as many as four possible future NBA Draft picks.Jeremy Pargo (12.1 ppg and 6.0 apg) and Austin Daye (10.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg) are the headliners, but just half of the four double-digit scorers back from a25-win team. The other two are Matt Bouldin (12.6 ppg) and Josh Heytvelt (10.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg), the latter of whom could be the key to a Final Four run ifhe's healthy and back to performing the way he did as a sophomore in the 2006-07 season. If that's the case, the Zags will be a serious nationalcontender.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]2. Memphis[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Tigers lost three players who are now on NBA rosters -- namely Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts and JoeyDorsey -- and will consequently take a step backwards from the 38-win campaign that had them within seconds of a national title. Such is unavoidable. But withAntonio Anderson (8.6 ppg) and Robert Dozier (9.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg) still around to form a veteran core that'll be aided by impact freshman Tyreke Evans,there's little doubt that John Calipari will again have his Tigers in position to A) win Conference USA, B) earn a high seed in the NCAA tournament and C)try to make their fourth consecutive Elite Eight.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]3. UNLV[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Lon Kruger has done a magnificent job returning the UNLV program to relevance, and this season should only enhancethe excitement that has season-ticket sales at their highest point since Jerry Tarkanian's glory days. Wink Adams (16.9 ppg), Joe Darger (11.3 ppg) andRene Rougeau (9.0 ppg) are back after combining to average 37.2 points last season. They'll be joined by a pair of elite-level newcomers in Tre'VonWillis (transfer from Memphis) and Beas Hamga (redshirt freshman), both of whom should help UNLV end BYU's reign as kings of the Mountain WestConference.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]4. Davidson[/font]

Patrick Mills returns to Saint Mary's with experience from Beijing. (Getty Images)

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Though Kansas won the national title, the real story of last season's NCAA tournament was Davidson and itssweet-shooting guard Stephen Curry (25.9 ppg). In a span of two weeks the Wildcats became the team everybody loved and Curry the player everybody envied. Itwas a magical time for the Southern Conference institution, and now it's time to see whether Davidson can live up to its lofty preseason expectations thathave come as a result. Jason Richards (12.7 ppg and 8.1 apg) being gone is a concern, no question. But Curry has the tools to play more minutes at the point,meaning the Wildcats' 36-game winning streak against league opponents could easily extend above 50 this season.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]5. SaintMary's[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Gaels return four starters from a 25-win team, including heralded point guard Patrick Mills. The Australiannative averaged 14.8 points for SMC last season, then 14.2 for Australia in the Olympics. Not bad. But this isn't a one-man show. Diamon Simpson (13.6 ppgand 9.5 rpg) and Omar Samham (10.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg) are also back, which is why the WCC should be exciting at the top, just like last season.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]6. Xavier[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Sean Miller has developed into one of the nation's steadiest coaches in charge of one of the steadiest programs.He's won 93 games through four seasons at the helm and led the Musketeers to three consecutive NCAA tournaments. This season will be more of a challengethan last because he's replacing Stanley Burrell (9.7 ppg), Drew Lavender (10.8 ppg and 4.5 apg) and Josh Duncan (12.4 ppg). But with Derrick Brown (10.7ppg) and C.J. Anderson (10.7) back in the frontcourt -- and a strong recruiting class led by Kenny Frease and Terrell Holloway -- you'd be wise to expectXavier to win the A-10 again.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]7. UAB[/font]

With Paul Delaney healthy again, UAB might be going places. (Getty Images)

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Paul Delaney averaged 15.5 points two seasons ago but missed nearly all of last season with a torn ACL. Whenthat ligament snapped, so too did UAB's realistic hopes at returning to the NCAA tournament. But now Delaney is healthy and ready to team with Robert Vaden(21.1 ppg) and form a backcourt capable of standing toe-to-toe in C-USA with what Memphis will put on the floor. That's improvement. So if the Blazers canget anything from the interior they'll be a force good enough to ensure C-USA gets at least two bids to the NCAA tournament.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]8. Siena[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Kenny Hasbrouck (16.1 ppg), Edwin Ubiles (17.0) and Alex Franklin (15.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg) return from a 23-win teamthat routed Vanderbilt in the NCAA tournament. Throw Ronald Moore (8.6 ppg and 4.1 rpg) into the equation, and the top four scorers are back, which is why theSaints have high expectations that will either be validated or squashed Thanksgiving weekend when they travel to Orlando for the Old Spice Classic. First up isTennessee, then either Georgetown or Wichita State, then either Gonzaga, Michigan State, Oklahoma State or Maryland. Simply put, Siena needs to exitDisney's Wide World of Sports Complex with a 2-1 record to ensure it enters December with its at-large credentials still intact.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]9. Temple[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Temple went from 6-8 in January to the NCAA tournament, and that's not the easiest route to take. It had the Owlsin a position where winning the A-10 tournament was necessary, but they did it and made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001. Now Dionte Christmas(19.7 ppg) is back to try to do it again, and he'll have some help in Lavoy Allen (8.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg) and Ryan Brooks (8.6 ppg). So even though the lossof Mark Tyndale (15.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg) will leave an obvious hole, the Owls should be capable of challenging Xavier and positioning themselves for another A-10tournament championship.[/font]

Non-BCS conference honors

First Team​

G - Patrick Mills, Saint Mary's

G - Stephen Curry, Davidson

G - Tyreke Evans, Memphis

F - Austin Daye, Gonzaga

F - Derrick Brown, Xavier

Second Team​

G - Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga

G - Lester Hudson, UT-Martin

G - Robert Vaden, UAB

F - Lee Cummard, BYU

F - Jerome Jordan, Tulsa

Third Team​

G - Eric Maynor, Virginia Commonwealth

G - Stefon Jackson, UTEP

G - Dionte Christmas, Temple

F - Luke Babbitt, Nevada

F - Robert Dozier, Memphis

Player of the Year​

Stephen Curry, Davidson

Newcomer of the Year​

Tyreke Evans, Memphis

Breakthrough player​

Austin Daye, Gonzaga

Click here for more season previews & primers​

[font=Arial, Helvetica]10. Creighton[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]There's no reason to think Creighton won't win at least 20 games for the 11th consecutive season, not withthree players who averaged at least nine points last season back in the fold. The best of the bunch is P'Allen Stinnett, a 6-3 guard who was good for 12.6points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season while sweeping the MVC's Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards. He's the centerpiece thathas Creighton as the easy pick to win the Missouri Valley Conference and return to the NCAA tournament after missing the event last season.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]11. BYU[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Cougars would be the MWC favorites if Trent Plaisted (15.6 ppg and 7.7 rpg) had returned for his senior season.But he didn't. So UNLV gets the nod. But with Lee Cummard (15.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg) and Jonathan Tavernari (13.1 points and 5.1 rpg) back it's hard toimagine BYU not making the NCAA tournament for the sixth time in nine years, especially when you consider Dave Rose is never bad. In three years at BYU, he's won 20, 25 and 27 games and gone 38-9 in the Mountain West.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]12. VirginiaCommonwealth[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]That Anthony Grant remains in charge has VCU fans optimistic, and for good reason. The Billy Donovan protégé has won54 games in his first two years on the job and established himself as perhaps the hottest young coach in the country. Meantime, Eric Maynor has developed intoan All-American candidate after hitting a game winner against Duke in the 2007 NCAA tournament and then averaging 17.9 points last season. So even though JamalShuler (15.5 ppg) and Michael Anderson (7.2 ppg) are no longer around, the Rams are the clear favorite in the CAA and a threat to do some damage comeMarch.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]13. Dayton[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Gone is Brian Roberts and his 18.4 points per game, which is a huge loss. But a healthy Chris Wright could be whatlaunches the Flyers back to the NCAA tournament given how they were on their way there last season until Wright's fractured ankle sidelined him. Dayton was12-1 in games where Wright played but 11-10 without him. That's not a coincidence. But now Wright is healthy and expected to do big things, and if heimproves on the 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds he averaged last season the Flyers could challenge Xavier and Temple at the top of the A-10.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]14. Nevada[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]A petty larceny charge against Brandon Fields (12.4 ppg) was dropped this week, and assuming his suspension is liftedthat'll give the Wolf Pack one good guard on which to rely. Armon Johnson (11.5 ppg) is another. And those two combined with the addition of localstar/McDonald's All-American Luke Babbitt should be enough to help Mark Fox overcome the early departure of JaVale McGee (14.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg). As forBabbitt, he'll be a star from the outset. He's good enough to lead Nevada to a WAC title and eventually join McGee in the NBA.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]15. UTEP[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Tony Barbee has done a nice job accumulating talent, and now is the time to make a move in Conference USA. The Minersreturn their top two scorers -- namely Stefon Jackson (23.6 ppg) and Randy Culpepper (12.8 ppg) -- and add Memphis transfer Kareem Cooper, a 7-foot center whonever tapped into his potential under Calipari but is obviously gifted enough to be a difference-maker in C-USA. Remember, Cooper played for the sameLaurinburg Prep team that finished 40-0 with Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and Shawne Williams, and if the Washington D.C. native can keep his head togetherboth on and off the court it's possible Barbee could reach the NCAA tournament in just his third season in El Paso.[/font]

 

[bigmike23]

UCLA Head Coach Ben Howland and a couple of other Pac-10 coaches discussed their thoughts on moving the three-point line this season, Howland provided anupdate on some Bruin personnel, including the status of injured Nikola Dragovic...


The three-point line was moved back one foot for this season, to 20 feet, 9 inches.


Here are some comments about the three-point line from head coaches at Pac-10 Media Day:


Ernie Kent, Oregon


"I didn't feel like we needed to move it. I feel like we do too much with our game. We have a great, great game. But the fact that they moved the linemeans two things. It will take your average three-point shooting team and make them a poor one. If you can shoot it, it doesn't matter. It will bring backthe mid-range game. Rather than shooting the long two, why not bring the ball in to 15 or 18 feet? It doesn't matter if it's a three or a two, it willstill come down to who can make the shots. The guys who can make a two or a three will take the shots and those who can't shouldn't shoot."


Tony Bennett, Washington State


"Players have their feet all over the line when they're shooting. I didn't think at first it would matter, but I noticed it in practice, how manyshots are being taken on the line. It will definitely separate the men from the boys in terms of outside shooting. Big guys who think they can shoot, this willmake them more shot selective, maybe take it inside more. There will be a difference in the game."


Ben Howland, UCLA


"I think you'll see more teams nationally using a zone and packing things in, and that makes the game boring. When you play against zones, you have tobe more patient on offense, so you're going to see slower-paced games because it takes time to break down a zone.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nikola Dragovic has had two seemingly unrelated issues with his foot.

He had a cyst, which was aerated and apparently resolved.

But he also complained of pain in his foot. UCLA has conducted many tests, including many bone scans, and nothing was found.

Dragovic then practiced twice last week, but complained about the pain again. So, he went back in the boot and hasn't practiced since.

So, UCLA injected the foot with cortisone. Dragovic, who is still in a boot, said he now has some pain where the injection was done, but the original pain inhis foot is felt better.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Howland made a few points about personnel at Pac-10 media day yesterday:

-- He again said the starters, as of now, are Darren Collison, Jrue Holiday, Josh Shipp, James Keefe and Alfred Aboya.

-- J'mison Morgan and Drew Gordon will be used as fives. Howland said he didn't want to overwhelm Gordon by making him learn two positions -- the 4 andthe 5 -- at this time, but he could still do it sometime this season.

-- When Aboya is on the court with either Morgan or Gordon, Aboya will play the four.

-- When Dragovic returns he'll be exclusively a four.

-- It's unlikely Shipp will play the four. Howland cited that Shipp is now just 209 pounds and would struggle physically at the four.

-- Aboya twisted his ankle Wednesday (we don't know if he practiced Thursday). With Dragovic and Malcolm Lee (groin) sitting right now, Howland thought hecould be down to 8 scholarship players for practice, while he also cited that Jerime Anderson just returned from his groin injury, too.

 

[winstondon]

Originally Posted by dreClark

Originally Posted by WinstonDon

Does John Wall go to that paper mill prep school in raleigh?

He goes to Word of God/ That's what you were thinking of?

Or were you talking about Bonner Academy?

yea Word of God is it......whats the name of the one Tracy McGrady went to?

 

[juicy j 32]

Originally Posted by JND1

Hansbrough Has Shin Stress Reaction
		CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- ­ University of North Carolina senior forward Tyler Hansbrough, the 2008 national college basketball player of the year, has a stress reaction condition in his right shin and will sit out practice indefinitely, head coach Roy Williams announced Thursday evening.
Hansbrough did not practice today, but had an MRI that revealed the stress reaction. There is no timetable for his return and no further information is available at this time. Coach Williams will not have a statement until Friday after he meets with the UNC medical staff and Hansbrough. Hansbrough averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds last year and was the National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, ACC Male Athlete of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP and NCAA East Regional MVP. The Poplar Bluff, Mo., native has played in all 108 games in his first three years as a Tar Heel.

I thought the board we be going crazy to Hansbrough being out indefinitely...

That sucks though. Hopefully he can get well soon and at least it it's still preseason.

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

Originally Posted by WinstonDon

Originally Posted by dreClark

Originally Posted by WinstonDon

Does John Wall go to that paper mill prep school in raleigh?

He goes to Word of God/ That's what you were thinking of?

Or were you talking about Bonner Academy?

yea Word of God is it......whats the name of the one Tracy McGrady went to?

Mt. Zion, that @!@% is lierally down the street from NCCU.

 

[winstondon]

you serious? all the times i be down there....i never knew that...its on Fayetteville street?

 

[ricardo malta]

I thought the board we be going crazy to Hansbrough being out indefinitely...
Meh.

Tyler Hansbrough farted and cured cancer. He gives Freddy Kruger nightmares, remember?

I don't expect the injury to keep him out too long, hence the non-existent jump for joy.

 

[worldbeefreeg]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Malta

I thought the board we be going crazy to Hansbrough being out indefinitely...

Meh.

Tyler Hansbrough farted and cured cancer. He gives Freddy Kruger nightmares, remember?

I don't expect the injury to keep him out too long, hence the non-existent jump for joy.


Dude just got a shin boo boo.

 

[airant23]

YO! And he'll be back in time to open up a can.

DF!!!

 

[kiddin like jason]

Random thought (don't mind the avatar): I feel like people sleep on Matt Bouldin a little bit. I'd venture to say he's one of the most completeguards in the country. I see something like 15, 6, 4 and 2 out of him this season.

 

[shannonscrooks]

Bouldin needs to improve on his consistency. The talent is there but sometimes he seems to disappear.

 

[worldbeefreeg]

I feel like people have bee hyping Bouldin for ever saying this year he really breaks out but I have never been impressed by dude.

 

[seymore cake]

Originally Posted by dreClark

Originally Posted by allen3xis

boynton to uf

Originally Posted by PhilBalla09


some recruiting news, i heard UCLA

and UDUB

are Josh Smith's top 2 schools.

read through the last 3 pages and those two statement got me depressed

 

[allen3xis]

Preseason tournament schedule
Tournament	Dates	Championship Site	Teams
Coaches vs. Cancer	Nov. 10-14, 20-21	New York	Arkansas-Monticello, California (Pa.), Duke, Georgia Southern, Houston, IUPUI, Massachusetts, Miami (Ohio), Michigan, Michigan Tech, Northeastern, Prairie View A&M, Presbyterian, Southern Illinois, UCLA, Weber State
Puerto Rico Tip-Off	Nov. 20-23	Puerto Rico	Fairfield, Memphis, Missouri, Seton Hall, Xavier, USC, UT-Chattanooga, Virginia Tech
Paradise Jam	Nov. 21-24	U.S. Virgin Islands	Connecticut, Iona, La Salle, Miami (Fla.), San Diego, Southern Miss, Valparaiso, Wisconsin
CBE Classic	Nov. 14-20, 24-25	Kansas City, Mo.	Bradley, Cleveland State, Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida International, LeMoyne, Kansas, Richmond, Saint Leo, Syracuse, Toledo, UMKC, Washington, West Georgia
Maui Invitational	Nov. 24-26	Maui, Hawaii	Alabama, Chaminade, Indiana, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oregon, Saint Joseph's, Texas
NIT Season Tip-Off	Nov. 17-18, 26, 28	New York	Arizona, Boston College, Cornell, Davidson, Eastern Michigan, FAU, Georgia, James Madison, Loyola (Chicago), Loyola (Md.), Mississippi Valley State, Oklahoma, Purdue, Santa Clara, St. John's, UAB
Great Alaska Shootout	Nov. 25-29	Anchorage, Alaska	Hampton, Louisiana Tech, Northern Illinois, Portland State, San Diego State, Seattle, Western Carolina, Alaska Anchorage
Legends Classic	Nov. 20-23, 28-29	Newark, N.J.	Akron, East Central Oklahoma, Eastern Kentucky, Fairleigh Dickinson, Indiana (Pa.), Mississippi State, North Alabama, Pittsburgh, Texas Tech, Thiel College, Urbana, Washington State
Cancun Challenge	Nov. 16-30	Cancun, Mexico	Central Arkansas, The Citadel, Drake, Grambling, Morehead State, New Mexico, South Dakota State, UCF, Vanderbilt, VCU
Anaheim Classic	Nov. 27-30	Anaheim, Calif.	Arizona State, Baylor, Cal State Fullerton, Charlotte, Providence, St. Mary's, UTEP, Wake Forest
Old Spice Classic	Nov. 27-30	Orlando, Fla.	Georgetown, Gonzaga, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Siena, Tennessee, Wichita State

 

[kingzarus1]

^^^ Matt Bouldin is pretty good, but like somebody said earlier...he's just too inconsistent. but when march madness 09 drops, i will me playing as theZags, Uconn, UNC and Tulane (my team)

 

[bigmike23]

its going to be epic beating down duke in the garden

 

[craftsy21]

Bouldin is one of my favorite Zags - but i gotta agree, he's been a tad inconsistent. And I wouldn't call him one of the more "complete"guards in the country because I feel like he still struggles to get his own shot against top flight competition. He's great as a 3rd or 4th option in theoffense - like Lee Humphries great but less of a spot of guy, more of an all over guys.. but you can trust him out there with the ball and he's a smartplayer, so he's got more to his game than Humphries does.

Still I wouldn't call him complete until he proves he can score at will against a one on one situation - which consistently, he hasn't shown to me.

Still - I look for big things out of him.. upperclassmen Zags guards are usually sick.

 

[tmay407]

The South Padre Invitational isn't near as big or prestigious as those other tournaments, but the field looks pretty good. It's a small tournament, butthere's Texas A&M vs. Tulsa and Illinois vs. Kent State.

Does anyone know anything about Tulsa? I was trying to predict the OOC wins and losses, but had to put a question mark for Tulsa. I know they have that oneforward that's pretty good, but nothing else.

I put losses for Alabama and LSU, and potentially against Kent State should we play them in the finals of the South Padre Invitational.

 

[allen3xis]

the Umass kids are tough in the Garden...

and on Duke side of the bracket...just somethin to watch..

 

[dacomeup]

Waiting List For Wall To Get Longer? Premium Story
John Wall
John Wall

By Dave Telep
National Recruiting Director
Posted Oct 31, 2008


John Wall's likely impending decision to let the early period pass without a commitment may mean a new player or two in his recruitment.

John Wall, the nation's top point guard, is likely to wait until the spring signing period to reach his decision. Should that happen, it's not out of the question another school or two jumps into the fray.

According to a source, Wall and the Duke Blue Devils have opened up the lines of communication. There is mutual interest from both parties though a source cautioned the relationship is "in its infancy stages."

To the best of our knowledge, Mike Krzyzewski and Wall have never spoken, at least not face to face. However, persons close to Wall and Duke have communicated as recently as this week.

Wall is considering Baylor, Kansas, Memphis, Kentucky, Oregon and North Carolina State. Earlier in the week Miami head coach Frank Haith dropped by Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God to let it be known that if Scout.com's No. 2 prospect waits until the spring, the Hurricanes would like to be considered.

Wall was in the news two weeks ago when he, along with Derrick Favors, spent time on N.C. State's campus giving the Pack an historic recruiting moment as the top two players in the class shared time together during Favors' official visit.

 

[seymore cake]

What is with this Duke... You can't always send knights and bishops to get it done... You have to put that Queen out there

 

[allen3xis]

I just don't see it..

Duke doesn't play the game the same way as the majority of schools on his list.