Here Today... Gone To Hell!

The new season is here!  Summer is gone and college hoops is back.

Who's gonna do it this year?

Pitino got UL off to a great start against Butler

Kentucky will be good but losing Kanter will kill our shot at final four imo. Calipari put too much faith in Kanter. Shoulda had a backup plan. Not a lot of faith in Elroy Vargas

we do have a much better shooting team. Terrence Jones, Brandon knight, Darius Miller, Deron Lamb..... we got a lot of talent. not as much size. we will see.

The CUSE is back!!!   8) :beer:

UK 3 of the top 6 recruits signed for next year PLUS the 25th!

Kentucky's a factory for Lottery/1st Round picks.  It's kind of like Duke for the players who aren't academically sound.   :o

D, what's it like to be a fan of a team that has ONE year players year in and year out?  And I don't mean that as a slight.  What I mean is, isn't it hard to get used to a certain team and players when there's so much turnover? 

I suppose, as long as they win, it really doesn't matter.  Personally though, I like to see players grow and mature, even if it's only for 2-4 years.

Doesn't bother me for these reasons:

1. Can still follow them in the NBA
2. NBA makes our program look great now we have one superstar *Rondo* and 2 future superstars *Wall* *Cousins* People use to use that argument against me.. well who from KY is good in the NBA? I use to have to say well..... Tayshaun Prince isn't bad.... now I got some legit top tier players to fire back at them with.

3.I got to see how bad it sucked for 8 years NOT having any one and dones. Those last couple Tubby teams and then Billy Gillispie.... I'll take one and dones over that shit show Gillispie put on the court any night of the week.


However, it isn't 100 percent loved, reasons why:

1. is hard to get super attached, knowing they are gone after one season.
2. One and Dones scare the shit out of me. They have no incentive to play by the rules. why do they care if the team down the road gets put on probation or stripped of wins? As long as it is the proper bridge to get them to their multi million dollar NBA deal, why do they care about not taking money, or going to class? So yeah, that certainly worries me big time.

UK actually have one of the best medical programs in the country ;)

Just having some fun with ya...Syracuse's athletes aren't rocket scientists either.  Both schools are excellent, but as we all know, most of these athletes have no business being anywhere near the real classrooms on their respective campuses...except for the Duke guys, Ivy League schools, and Stanford. 

Kentucky's an NBA factory. 
I like how Boeheim does things up in Syracuse.  Of course, our talent level isn't near KU's, our good guys usually play 3 years...BUUUT, Carmello did give us a glorious one and done back in '02-'03!
...and we have more fans pack our house than everybody else. ;)

anybody know anything about Michigan State?  That'll be our first big game of the season.  Just curious.

Don't know much about the Spartans except I already have them penciled in for the final four on my bracket, since they ALWAYS seem to make it.  UConn could get a shot at them if they can knock off the Shockers in Maui on Monday.  Otherwise, it's a date with Chaminade.  Hopefully they can avoid that though.  The Huskies have an extremely young team this season.  Led by Kemba Walker, who scored a career high 42 points last game, tying the Hartford Civic Center record for a collegiate basketball game.  But overall they're loaded with freshmen and sophomores.  They appear to have more shooters this year, which they severely lacked in recent years.  Not as strong in the front court though.  There will probably be plenty of growing pains, but hopefully they improve as the season goes along.  They were picked to finish 10th in the Big East, so obviously not much is expected of them.  But maybe they can surprise some like Syracuse did last year.

And the top rated high school player for 2012, Andre Drummond, goes to school IN Connecticut, so hopefully the Huskies can get their shot at a one and done player.  UConn is supposedly at the top of his list.  So this team may be a few years away.  Unfortunately Kemba probably will leave after this year, but they've got a few freshman guards who look to have some promise and have another coming in next year.

Kentucky is a powder keg waiting to explode w/Calipari and all his shady dealings.  After UMass and Memphis, the NCAA are watching him like famished hawks.  The aftermath will be very Kelvin Sampson-like if not worse IMO.  Sucks for UK.  All they've wanted since Pitino left is to get a coach in there who could win and be a constant threat to take a National Title year in and year out (lofty wishlist, but admirable if not condoned).  Now, what they have is a guy who will very likely put them right back in the spot they were in with Sutton right before Pitino came in.

I agree Kayoss. I make a lot of my friends mad bringing that up constantly, but I don't trust Calipari at all. Give it 3 years.

I love watching Louisville. Rick Pitino gets every drop of talent and then some out of his players. I couldn't imagine what he'd do with Calipari's talent.

Cal had 5 first rd picks and got to the elite 8? Thats ridiculous.

You said it.

Everything was going great last season until that group ran into a veteran team (West Virginia) with a great coach (Bob Huggins).  When WV started draining three's (as they LOVE to do in Elite Eight games i.e. 2005 vs. Louisville) and got up in Kentucky's faces defensively, those freshmen got rattled and began to unravel.  A great coach would've intervened and settled them down, gotten them refocused, and dealt them a plan to take back the game and win.  I didn't see Calipari make one single adjustment in that game, especially down the stretch as Kentucky's play got worse and worse.  Contrast that to Rick Pitino's squad in 2005, comprised of players no one ever heard of until they blossomed under Rick's tutelage.  West Virginia were draining three's on Louisville all night long and were up by 20 at one point.  Rick threw his entire scouting report out the window and changed everything.  Cards came out in the 2nd half, clawed their way back, and won.

Louisville's 2011 recruiting class is easily the best Rick has netted since he's been here.  I can hardly wait to see what he does with those kids.  I'm thinking 2008-09 all over again, but with an extended depth of talent (and no Karen Sypher around to spoil the party).

I saw Kentucky take Washington down in the Maui earlier tonight.  They look pretty good.  Knight is a star for sure.  But will he stay longer than one season?

Rick Pitino is my hero. I said after Smith left and then Gillispie that I'd give 5 years of my life if he'd come back and coach the rest of his career at UK again.

Outside of the Cyphers debacle, there aren't many better,genuine people/coaches than Rick Pitino. I'll be a fan and also cheer for Louisville as long as he is there.


This Kentucky team is better than last years. I hated John Wall and Demarcus Cousins to be honest. I still think Wall is one of the more overrated college players of all time. He may end up having a fantastic NBA career, but at Kentucky he was a turnover machine, couldn't shoot, couldn't play defense. Cousins was sulky and lazy and bad attitude.

Fast forward to THIS year's Kentucky team. We got up huge against Washington, 20-8, Washington went on a big run and took a 3 point lead. This is an inexperienced team but they kept fighting and won.

This year's team play tough defense, they are scrappy and hustle and can shoot. Terrence Jones is a freak athlete like we've never had at UK. Brandon Knight is a better College PG than John Wall. He can shoot the lights out! is under control, can play D.

We got UConn tomorrow night thought for the Maui title. Should be a great game.

Doesn't matter if Knight leaves. Cal already has the number 1 point guard, last name Teague signed up for next year. : ok: :D

I have to say, I'm a little shocked at how my UConn Huskies have played so far this season.  More precisely, how WELL Kemba Walker has played.  I watched their first game against Stony Brook, which he struggled in, and one of the commentators was saying how he could be in the running for National Player of the Year.  I scoffed at the comment.  Since then, he's put up 42, 31, and 30.  Right now he certainly would be in the conversation.  Of course, it's mighty early.  But he has been magnificent so far.  UConn has had their share of great players, but I don't remember any of them having a 3 game run like this.  And it's not like he's jacking up an obscene amount of shots to score the points.  He's shooting over 50%. 

Also, during the Stony Brook game the same commentator said how Alex Oriakhi could average a double double this season.  Again, I chuckled and protested that comment as well.  Well, he had one that night, and last night again, and is currently averaging 12.3/12.3.  He looks determined to rebound the basketball this year.  The scoring will be a work in progress, as he's not a go to guy down on the blocks.

I will admit, UConn has gotten their fair share of calls and bounces to go their way these last 2 games.  But they've capitalized.  They were clearly the more hungry and aggressive team last night.  They were the younger team by far, but they played smarter and more disciplined basketball than Michigan St. down the stretch.  Tonight against Kentucky should be fun.  In a way, the playing field is even in the experience factor.  Both are extremely young teams.  However, I think a big advantage for UConn against MSU was their athleticism.  They won't have that advantage over the Wildcats.  I'd expect Kentucky to prevail, as I think they are the more talented team.  But regardless of what happens, 2 quality wins early in the season and some major signs of growth give me some much needed optimism for the rest of the season.

U also have to factor in this is a HOME game virtually for my Cats.

Do u see all the blue there? WOW! and people think KY is a poor state. we travel better than anybody.

Right, but he'll probably leave after one year too.  Calipari has turned UK into a revolving door of freshmen.  I'm not saying they could never win it all, but odds are more against it than in favor.

Whew, UConn just handed it to UK.  Something tells me the Huskies will be ranked after their showing in the Maui.  Taking down #2 and #9 -- not bad.

Yeah that was ugly.

not too upset with the loss though.I think its good for young teams to be humbled a bit early so they keep working hard and improving.

Kinda felt with last year's Kentucky team, where we rarely lost, they never really got humbled and improved.

Yeah I would think so.  That was just a good old fashioned beatdown administered by the Huskies.  That was by far the easiest game UConn had in Maui.  Kemba failed to score 30 tonight, he was held to 29.  Oriakhi had another great game.  Napier's defense was fantastic again.  Giffey made some heady plays.  Overall, just a fantastic showing for UConn.  It is early, but I couldn't have asked for a better start to the season.  I just hope they don't let this early season success get to their heads.  There will be road blocks along the way, playing in the ultra tough Big East conference.  But to date, they've shown that they can play with the big boys.

I would predict a top 15 ranking next week, or somewhere in that range.  Rankings really mean nothing at this time of year, so it really doesn't matter.  But you'd have to think they warrant a huge upswing after their impressive performance.

A couple of side notes.  D, you're right about Kentucky fans, they travel real well.  They packed the house in Maui.  I had tickets to the East Regional in Syracuse years back when Maryland won the title, which included UConn, Maryland, Kentucky, and Southern Illinois.  I took notice of lots of Kentucky fans made that trip as well.  Maryland fans too, not so much with the Salukis. 

And that Terrence Jones is the real deal.  He was a beast when he was in the game.  It probably would've been a closer game if he hadn't gotten into foul trouble, but once he did, it was lights out.

Props to my Louisville Cardinals for topping #5 UConn in double-OT yesterday.  We never seem to beat the Huskies when they have a good team, so to get this win on the road with all our injuries is sweetness.

Peyton Siva is starting to turn it on.  Couldn't have come at a better time.

Yeah that was a tough loss for UConn.  They pretty much controlled the first 35 minutes of the game.  Then Louisville turned it on down the stretch.  They played some great defense the whole time though, the Huskies could never get into a flow on offense.  I do think UConn is a better team, especially with Louisville undermanned, but they just didn't show it yesterday.  I was just getting excited about this UConn team too.  Not that this is a sign of bad things to come or anything.  Louisville is obviously a really good team and any game in the Big East is going to be a battle.  Kemba Walker has hit a bit of a snag the last few games.  His shooting has gone cold.  Luckily the freshman have picked it up.  Roscoe Smith has been solid, though he was a bit absent yesterday.  Jeremy Lamb has been real good of late, though he disappeared in the second half yesterday.  And Shabazz Napier was great yesterday, but he'll still throw up shots that make you scream at the TV.  I'm hoping for an 11-7 or hopefully 12-6 finish in league play.  The Huskies have an impressive non-conference resume, so they just have to do well enough in league play to secure a decent seed in March.

I only got to see highlights of the game, so I'm mostly unaware of either side's performance aside from what little I saw.  But, UConn is a great team.  Kemba Walker is a beast this year.  I believe they'll be a tough team to deal with in March, ala the Maui.

As for Louisville, I just hope we get our guys back by then.  These injuries are getting ridiculous.  The bug needs to attack another team, like DePaul for instance.  : ok:

im having these hilarious huge arguments with fellow UK fans, cause they get completely pissed at me when i tell them how much better of a coach Rick is then calipari.

is it even a debate?

look what Rick is doing this season? This could be his finest coaching job.

I agree.

An ESPN writer said he needs to be in serious consideration for Coach of the Year.  If things keep going the way they're going, I completely agree.

After losing Sosa, Smith, Samuels, and Delk -- the team left behind were presumed roadkill for this season.  And although I was one of the few who said we'd be better after getting rid of the aforementioned, I never thought we'd be sitting alone at #2 in the Big East at this point of the season.

Lots of time for things to change and others to get injured(ed), but these kids are focused and playing hard right now.

Viva Siva  :beer:

Louisville nets it's 7th straight win over Syracuse.  Wow.

Great win.  Now the OT heartbreaker to Notre Dame doesn't sting so bad.

This year's Big East tournament is absolutely nuts.  Cannot wait for the Championship game tonight.

 :peace:

Should be a good one.  UConn's run has been amazing and completely unexpected, to me at least.  When they finished 9-9 in conference play and dropped 3 of their last 4 in the regular season I was thinking they'd be a 7 seed and get bounced in the first round of the NCAA tourney.  Now they've beaten the #4 and #11 team in back to back days.  I think they've played themselves into a 3 seed regardless of what happens tonight.  I worry a little about the effect of playing 5 games in 5 days going into next week, but this run has been worth it so far.  Hopefully they've got a little more magic left in them.  Louisville has had our number this year and in the past few years as well.  UConn has yet to lose a true "tournament" game so far this season, for whatever that's worth.  And it goes without saying, but Kemba has been fantastic the past 4 days.  Louisville did a number on Hansbrough last night, we'll see if they can do the same to Kemba tonight. 

U-Connnnnn!!!
Hus-kieeees!!!

Yea, its gonna be interesting, no doubt.  Seeing how the last two games between the two teams have gone, and seeing the Huskies playing 5 games in 5 days, if they beat us tonight they definitely deserve the title.

Good luck to both teams.  Hope my Cards can pull this one out.  What a sweet ending it would be to what was supposed to be a bridge year.

True, both team exceeded expectations this year.  UConn was picked to finish 10th in the Big East.  And I realize they DID finish 9th, but I don't think anyone expected the Big East to be as good as it was or for the Huskies to have such an impressive out of conference showing.  Kemba is a special player and gives them a legit shot this year, but I think the team will be better in 2 years when the current freshmen/sophomores are upper classmen.  Napier, Lamb, R. Smith, Oriakhi, Coombs-McDaniel, plus Ryan Boatright coming in next year and possibly Andre Drummond the year after that.  THAT team could be special.

Edit - Looks like Louisville is in the mix for Drummond as well, the #1 rated player for the 2012 class.

Had to snap out of the memorization I was stuck in on your thumbnail.

Good luck tonight.  I think we'll see a great game.

Same to your Cardinals.  Let's hope for another great one.  The 2 semi-final games from last night will be tough to top.

I know the REAL tournament starts next week, but there's just something special about the Big East tournament, more than with other conference tourneys in my opinion.

I agree.  This tournament is second only to the NCAA.

Congratulations, Faldor.  Your team deserves this Championship.  What an unbelievable run to pull this off.  UConn are the Big East Kings.

: ok:

damn exciting game last night. Uconn pulled it out though. Congrats Fador.


UK took home SEC title today!!!


I created back our NCAA Tourney bracket for those interested in taking back on GNRevolution

yahoo.com
LeagueID: 71561
Password: axlrose

Yeah that was a nice win.  What an exciting run by UConn.  I just hope the 5 games in 5 days doesn't take its toll on them next week in the tourney.  Another great game.  This was some Championship Week.  Great games all around, lots of buzzer beaters.  Hopefully a sign of things to come.

Hey D, how does Florida get a 2 seed and UK get a 4?  Am I missing something?  I haven't really looked closely at the numbers, but that doesn't seem right to me.

oh trust me, we are all pissed off UK fans. we beat  Florida twice

I guess where we had such a shitty road record. only thing i can think of. i thoguht we shoulda go a 3.

im more pissed Louisville got a 4 seed. finished top 4 in big East, made it to conference final......


Ohio St got the shaft. nice reward for winning the number 1 overall seed meanwhile fucking PUKE get another easy bracket.

conspiracy.

Hey, I'm a Virginia Tech alum. At least UK got in the damn tournament.  ???

Possibly the most difficult job in sports = being a committee member that has to seed the March madness field! 

But...San Diego St. a #2?  They were 1-3 vs. ranked teams.  (1-2 vs. BYU)  (also lost to Gonzaga)

The Big East is the best conference hands-down bar-none.

I can't wait for the madness!!!   :yes:

I was thinking of picking San Diego St. as a "surprise" final four pick before the brackets were announced.  Then they ended up in UConn's path.  Though I still might.  I'm not certain how UConn will play after last week, and San Diego St. would be playing pretty close to home.  I hate picking against my team when they're good, but they could lose the first game or win it all.  Which can be said, for many teams this year.

Ridiculously good first day of the tourney, yesterday.  SOOO many good games (even if many of the winners were chalk).

Go Moorehead St!

You "blew" the spelling on that one.
I believe that's spelled More Head State.   8)

Go 'Cuse!

My bracket is pretty much busted right now, thanks to Pitt losing last night.  I wavered back and forth on them.  I actually had Florida going to the final four the first time I filled out my bracket but then changed it to Pitt the next morning.  I hated that region and really couldn't find a team worthy of placing in the final 4.  Didn't think Florida was all that great, and Pitt always underachieves in the tournament.  I guess I should have stuck with the Gators though.  I still have my other 3 Final Four teams, but I'm not holding out much hope.

From here on out, it's UConn or bust.  Could be a tough one against San Diego St. IN Anaheim on Thursday.

Hey Faldor, get your fill of Kemba now.  He's gonna be a lottery pick, right?  Are UConn fans gonna chant for him to stay like we did with Carmello back in '03?
My Orange are a flawed team, but hell, anything can happen!
...and yes, Pitt busted my bracket up big time!  Can't say I'm disappointed though.  Something about Butler and Matt Howard winning makes me happy.  :)

Sorry about your Orange.  There goes ANOTHER final four team of mine.  Unfortunately they had to take on fellow Big East foe, Marquette.  I had them playing Xavier.  It's tough going against a team that's so familiar with what you do. 

I would certainly think this would be Kemba's last year.  He's actually on schedule to graduate this year, after 3 years.  A fact that goes unnoticed and doesn't get enough attention in my mind.  He should be commended for that.  So I don't think he'd have much of a reason to come back next year, especially after all he's done this season.  I don't think his stock could ever get any higher.  I would think he'd be a lottery pick, though his slight frame might hurt him.  I think he's got a lot of Allen Iverson in him though, I wouldn't be too worried about him succeeding at the next level.

I'm sure all those guys ARE getting "more head"!

Ridiculously good weekend of basketball.  SO many close games!

Big East did a whole lot of flaming out with only Marquette (REALLY??!!) and my Huskies still playing games.

WTF happened to PITT???!!! 

I gotta tell you...I'm not an SDSU believer.  Granted, they're practically playing a home game against Kemba and da' boys, but they haven't exactly looked sharp so far.   During the season, they beat BYU (who's suspect) and Gonzaga (also suspect).  And neither of THOSE teams beat anyone, either.

To me, SDSU looks like a classic BCS paper tiger from a mid-major conference:  They had a great record...but didn't beat much of anyone.  And watching them play...they aren't much of a #1 seed.  Having Temple (who isn't all that great this year) take them to 2 OT's, and seeing Northern Colorado hang around for a LONG time in that game....I think UCONN's got a pretty good shot at knocking them off.

Then, the question is, can they stop the juggernaut that is Duke.

Kemba's gone.  He participated in UCONN's Senior day, for cripes sake.  From what I've read, the guy is on pace to graduate this Summer, and has been told he can walk with the grads in May at commencement.  There's NO WAY he's coming back...and there's no reason he should.  Just like with Emeka.....

Been saying the same thing all year: Kemba reminds me SOOO much of AI, it's uncanny.  Little less attitude and penchant for trouble (and only a little), but their game's look so similar.  Kemba might be a quater step slower, and a better jump shooter (as of this year, anyway), than AI was coming out of college.  But that "slash and burn" type game.....perfect fit for the NBA.

Once Syracuse was gone, it's been all "rooting for the underdog" week for me.  :)
Virginia Fucking Commonwealth!!!!!!!!!  8) :o :yes: :yes: :yes: :beer:
How great is that?
How great for Butler too?
March Madness.  Fucking great!!!

At least one (Butler or VCU) will have a spot in the finals.  Amazing.

Uconn vs UK or UNC in the other matchup. 

Right now, I'm a HUGE UK fan.  Do NOT want UNC for UCONN.  BAD matchups.

Well there ya go Pilferk!  I'll pull for UConn to represent the Big East.  Some 'cuse fan buddies of mine see UConn as similar to our Carmello-led '03 Championship team. 
VCU and Butler...wow, just WOW!  LOVE IT!!!  8)

How bout them Wildcats???????

C-A-T-S CATS CATS CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just hoping this Final Four doesn't get stripped in a year or so!

possible sanctions D?  What's the inside scoop?

HAHA no, but with Cal... u can never be too confident!

Really?  I was kind of pulling for UNC.  I thought Kentucky was the better team, and they sure played like it today.  It also worries me a little that we whooped up on Kentucky in Maui back in November.  Obviously both teams are a lot different and better than they were then.  I'd expect a MUCH closer game this time around.  It's never easy to beat a good team twice in one season.  I'm sure Kentucky will make any necessary adjustments needed.

This tournament has been crazy though.  I knew it was going to be wide open, but I think it's even crazier than I could've imagined.  I honestly don't feel there's a favorite at this point.  Any one of the final four teams could hoist the trophy next Monday night.  Seeding doesn't matter at this point.  When George Mason made the final four as an 11 seed it was a nice story, but I don't think many truly believed they could win.  VCU has a legit shot, as does Butler.  Even though Kentucky and Connecticut are the "premier" teams, that won't make any difference once the ball is tipped.

UNC is inconsistent, BUT, player to player matchups for UCONN are BAD.  They're too big inside, and they have REALLY quick guards who defend well.  I suspect UCONN's bigs would have spent a lot of the time in foul trouble AND Walker would have had issues with the his bread and butter dribble/drive.

UK is good, but the matchups are better (still not great, just better than the ones with UNC).  We also beat them once (granted, this I doubt we see "that" game from UK again) this year, in the finals of the Maui.  UK ALSO can be inconsistent, they're less polished overall than UNC...and god help me, they don't get the calls like UNC seems to.  Jeesh.....it seemed like, at the end of the UNC/UK game that UNC had a 6th man on the court.  I watched LOTS of UNC games this year, and that's seemed a typical theme.  And that's coming from a guy who typically roots for UNC in the ACC because I HATE DUKE!  UK also plays a style that's more comfortable for UCONN...and I don't expect them to hit 3s like they did against UNC.

UK is going to be motivated..they want to avenge that horrible loss at the Maui.  Calhoun and Calipari legit don't like each other (dating back from Calipari's days at UMASS and Camby choosing UMASS over UCONN).  There's LOTS of backstory to this one that the guys calling the game can have a field day with. Should add some drama. 

I expect a very good game from both teams that probably turns into a squeaker at the end.  I HOPE UCONN wins...but if I'm being honest I think UK will win the game.  UCONN has achieved VASTLY over reasonable expectations this tourney....and while I'd love to see them win it all, I just can't pick 'em to do it.

I think whoever wins the UCONN/UK game ends up winning the championship.

This has been the BEST tourney I can remember.  SO many exciting/close games.  Hopefully the final 4 upholds that.

Yeah, no doubt UConn has WAY exceeded my expectations for this season.  This is a year where a final four appearance is truly a great accomplishment.  Unlike 2 years ago, when they were a #1 seed.  In those situations, you want to win it all, or at least not get blown out in the National Semi-final.  Obviously any final four appearance is a great thing, but this one was just so unexpected coming into the season and even as the season progressed.  They had their struggles mid-season, but they started out great and are ending the same way.  After that improbable run in the Big East tourney, I wasn't sure they'd make it out of the first weekend, yet here they are headed to Houston.

I think UConn does have some advantages over UK, but both teams are probably playing their best basketball at this time.  UConn has been able to get key players in foul trouble the last 2 games and that has had a huge impact on the outcomes.  If they can do that again to Kentucky, it'd obviously be a big deal.  Kentucky's not the deepest team.  It should be a good one.  I'd expect another nail biter.  I certainly will be upset if the Huskies lose, but regardless of the outcome, this season can't be viewed as anything less than a HUGE success.

One more game.  I thought UConn clearly outplayed Kentucky tonight, yet they didn't play great.  It was actually a pretty ugly game.  The Butler/VCU game had a lot more flow to it.  But UConn's defense prevailed in the end.  Now that the game is done, I have to say, I LOVED when the one reporter asked Calipari how it was to be in his FIRST final four.  Referencing the previous two final fours that were stricken from the books.  That was pure genius.  We got the matchup everyone wanted anyway.  Three years from now, this would've been taken away from UK anyway.

Not that Calhoun is flawless, but hey, he's no Calipari.

Soooooo glad to see Calipari go down.  :yes:

Butler-UCONN.  That's a can't lose right there!  If Butler wins, the cinderella story comes true.
If UConn wins, they're representin' the Big East.
 :beer:

I expect another tight game that goes down to the wire.  I know Butler is technically a cinderella story, but in reality they're every bit as good as UConn, so it's a tossup.  There was obviously no dominant team in college basketball this year and this tournament has proven that and then some.

2 things killed us last night

1. freshmen panicked. Brandon Knight played absolutely terrible. way too fast, made way too many mistakes, took bad shots etc

2. As I've stated for years, calipari is a great recruiter, not a very good X's and O's guy. U can't shoot a 25ft three pointer out of a timeout. cal has to have a better play in the book for that situation. U gotta attack the rim. kick out for a 3 or try and draw the foul or make the layup/floater.

What a ride!

It wasn't great basketball, at times, last night (and I INSIST that had something to do with the venue, as an aside....look at the way all 3 games were played), but it was the best outcome I could hope for.

GO UCONN!! (And I NEED one of those No. 1 hats)

Yeah that game was far from pretty, and you may be onto something about the venue.  It's always tougher shooting in domes, and none of the 3 games featured good shooting.  Although, UConn's and Butler's D may have had more to do with it.  I mean, Butler was missing point blank shots.  That has to have more to do with UConn's length, than difficulty shooting in a dome.

Anyhow, it may have been the ugliest Championship game in history, but I LOVED IT!  What an improbable run to finish off the season.  Undefeated outside of the Big East.  Pretty impressive.  I thought this team was a few years away, but they did the unthinkable and won it all THIS year.  Thanks in large part to Kemba Walker, who will be exiting stage right to the NBA (if there's even an NBA season next year).  And the way Jeremy Lamb played down the stretch, he could be leaving after his sophomore year next season. 

What a great time to be a UConn fan though.  4 final 4's and 3 championships in the last 12 years.  Not too shabby.  I don't know if they're quite at the level of all time elite college basketball programs yet, but they're certainly there in the modern (Calhoun) era.

Unfortunately, you will always have that problem with Cal as coach out there.  His one-and-done freshmen are capable of playing great, but just like last year, they ran into a team that wasn't intimidated and took it to them hard.  The freshmen got rattled and fell apart.  Harrelson is a senior and didn't have a clue what to do with UConn's D draped all over him.  As you said, Calipari isn't a good coach.  Look at his record at Memphis before he met World Wide Wes and got the hook up on the big time recruits.  He struggled to keep them out of the NIT and rarely got out of the 2nd round of the NCAA.  And this was in C-USA which was always a sub-par league even before the Big East expansion.

Any coach would have a great chance to succeed if they could bring in a flood of top 10 recruits every year.  Talent wins games......most of the time.  But, at some point, talent is going to meet hard work and determination and will need some good coaching to make the necessary adjustments.  This is what UK's super teams are lacking and will likely always lack with Cal is the coach.  The man is bad news.  I know UK had a drug-like need to get back to relevancy, but they should've emptied the bank on a proven winner instead of a hype man.  "We will be UNNNNNNN-BEATABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Seriously!!??  With that kind of jaw-jackin' you better bring home a title every single year.

Congrats to UConn on a magical run to the championship.  They earned this title.  Their fans' pride level for this team should be off the page.

I heard on ESPN 27 people were arrested in the UConn celebration.
I hope Faldor and Pilferk weren't amongst the ne'er-do-wellers! 

U can both thank me for NOT telling you ahead of time I thought UConn would win!  I'm the kiss of death when it comes to predictions!  :)

Yeah, this years UConn team was a breath of fresh air.  They were easy to root for, easy to love.  You could see the hard work and determination they put into this season.  Last years team was SO hard to like, it seemed as if Kemba was the only one going all out.  And that's why last years team underachieved and failed to make the tournament.  This years team is the least talented of their 3 championship teams and probably not even in the top 5 UConn teams of all time.  But they were one of the hardest working teams ever, led by Kemba of course.  The freshmen were great and the future is bright, but Kemba will be impossible to replace.

And Axl4Prez, I'm happy to report I wasn't one of the 27 arrested.  And thank you for not giving your pick for the game.

Defense was definitely part of it.  Butler couldn't get a good shot inside the paint, for sure.  But I think both the dome AND the rims (which, if you watch the bounces, were REALLY tight and unforgiving) played a part, too....especially on jumpers. The balls were bouncing like Superballs when they they hit the rims.  If it wasn't all net....chances of getting it to bounce in were slim.


If Walker stays, he's not as smart as that little piece of paper he's going to get in a few months says he is (ie: his degree...in THREE years).  There's nothing left for him to do at UCONN.  Heck, they put his number in the rafters, yesterday, at Gampel.  Go and take the money.

Lamb....we'll see.  I suspect you're right, but it will be a different story next year when he's not getting the benefit of everyone known to man doubling up Walker.  They're going to need to run a lot more ball screens, and a lot less drive and kickouts, for him next year.  We'll see if he can become Ray Allen.


NOBODY (amongst the coaches who have won 3 or more titles) has take an program from, basically, nothing to what Calhoun has built.  NOBODY.  You look at the other guys on "the list" in Wooden, Coach K, Knight and Rupp...they all (at least) inherited established programs who had fallen on tough times but still had huge name recognition. 

Calhoun had to convince these kids to come to an unknown school in the cow pastures of CT, to a school who had zero sports acumen (or real history), and get them to buy into his system.

Un-freaking-real.

Nope...not me. I'd be kicked out of any college party as a "dirty old man", now.

I did my celebrating from the privacy of my own home....and then got up 6 hours later to go to work.

Pilferk, where do you rank this UConn team in terms of all time Husky teams?  Do they crack the top 5?  I'd say 2004 with Gordon, Okafor was the best.  Then the 1999 team with Rip Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin.  The 1995 or 1996 teams led by Ray Allen that lost in the sweet 16 and elite 8 respectively were pretty darn good.  The 1994 team led by Donyell Marshall that lost to Florida IN Florida in the sweet 16 when Donyell missed 2 FT's down the stretch deserves some consideration.

You could certainly argue though, as good as those Marshall and Allen teams were, they never won.  This group got it done, so maybe they deserve the #3 ranking after all.

Forgot to mention the 2006 team that was the consensus #1 with an All NBA starting 5 that lost to George Mason in the elite 8.

They wouldn't crack my top 5...but they'd probably make the top 10.  I, too, think the best team was the 2004 team with Gordon and Okafor.  Second would be the 2006 team that lost to George Mason.  Third would be the 1999 team.  Fourth would be the 95/96 team (yes, I'm cheating and lumping them all together).  Fifth would be the 1994 team.

This team would trump all of them in terms of heart.  In fact, I think the only team that might "out heart" them would be the 1990 team (Scott Burrell, Tate George, Nadav Henefeld, Chris Smith)....and it would be close.  The Dream Season, back in '90, was really the official "launching pad" of the current Husky program.  Sure, the Cliff Robinson NIT championship team was part of it...but the Dream Season was the Husky coming out party. 

And I'd rank this team right up there with them.  On top of that, I suspect THIS championship might be remembered longer, and taste a bit sweeter, simply because it was so out of left field.  NOBODY expected this.  In 1999, there were a LOT of "insiders" who warned that CT was dangerous and could win the title (even if a lot of them discounted their ability to beat Duke until El Amin exclaimed "We shocked the world").  In 2004...everyone EXPECTED the Huskies to win the title.  In 2011....I defy you to find one person (who knew anything about college basketball) who thought, at the beginning of the season, that the Huskies would be cutting down the nets in Texas.....just like nobody picked the 1990 Huskies to do anything of note.

If February (and the Big East) hadn't been so unkind to the Champs...I'd call this "Dream Season II".  Instead, I'll just call it "Championship Season III". I can live with that. :)

Im gonna be a sore loser for a minute and say Uconn shouldn't even have been allowed in the tournament with the violations Calhoun committed.

Maybe hypocritical seeing as we have Calipari BUT...........

Have you actually looked at the violations (and not just the mentions the media has been hyping the past couple days)?  HIS involvement with the Miles kid is debatable at best. 

Take a peek. 

Granted, the buck has to stop somewhere...and he's the head of the program.  But banning the Huskies from tournament play is NOT what you would have wanted to happen.  Because the precedent it would have set would have killed the sport.

These were "major" violations like I've been in a "major" motion picture.  Thus why you saw Calhoun only suspended for 3 games (and even that was harsh in comparison to others who have done the same thing).

The fact is...you don't REALLY want to hold any teams to that kind of standard.  Because with the history of the NCAA's witch hunts, you know your school (and I don't, specifically, mean YOU D..."your" in general) is just as likely to be next as any.

As an aside....read up on some of the shenanigans Wooden and Rupp were involved in during their coaching years...specifically in relation to how they handled booster/athlete interactions.  It's amusing (and, IMHO, irrelevant to their greatness).

This seems like the best place to post this.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Pat Summitt has early onset dementia
ESPN.com news services

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Pat Summitt plans to coach the Tennessee women's basketball team "as long as the good Lord is willing," despite recently being diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

"There's not going to be any pity party and I'll make sure of that," she told the Knoxville News Sentinel Monday evening. The News Sentinel and Washington Post first reported Summitt's condition.

Pat Summitt Pat Summitt once again finds herself fighting an uphill battle. But standing up when you most feel like falling down is the lesson she has been teaching her players all along, writes Mechelle Voepel. Story

In a statement from Summitt released by the university Tuesday, the Hall of Fame coach said she visited with doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after the end of the 2010-11 basketball season and was diagnosed with the condition during the summer.

"I plan to continue to be your coach," Summitt said. "Obviously, I realize I may have some limitations with this condition since there will be some good days and some bad days."

The 59-year-old Summitt told the newspaper she had been feeling erratic earlier this year, and plans to rely on medication and mental exercises to manage the progressive condition that could lead to Alzheimer's, which her grandmother had.

"I just felt something was different," Summitt said in an interview with The Post's Sally Jenkins. "And at the time I didn't know what I was dealing with. Until I went to Mayo, I couldn't know for sure. But I can remember trying to coach and trying to figure out schemes and whatever and it just wasn't coming to me, like, I would typically say, 'We're gonna do this, and run that.' And it probably caused me to second-guess."

Tennessee athletic director Joan Cronan told The Associated Press that Summitt first thought her symptoms were side effects from medicine she was taking to treat rheumatoid arthritis. She said Summitt appears to be feeling better after starting treatment for the dementia condition and speaking publicly about it.

"She's ready to fight this and move on," Cronan said. "She had to come to grips with how she wanted to face it."

   Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt cuts down the net after Tennessee beat Stanford in 2008 for the Lady Vols' eighth NCAA title.

Summitt said longtime assistants Holly Warlick, Dean Lockwood and Mickie DeMoss will take on more responsibilities with the team going forward.

Summitt met with the Lady Volunteers Tuesday afternoon to discuss her diagnosis with them. Junior guard Taber Spani said the meeting was businesslike, with Summitt telling the Lady Vols nothing would get in the way this season of their quest for a ninth national title.

"More than anything, she just emphasized that she's our coach and that she wanted us to have complete confidence in her, and we do," Spani told the AP.

Summitt said she met with local doctors after becoming concerned about her health, and those physicians recommended she undergo a more extensive evaluation.

"Nobody accepts this," her son, Tyler, told the News Sentinel. "And there was anger. 'Why me?' was a question she asked more than once. But then, once she came to terms with it, she treated it like every other challenge she ever had, and is going to do everything she possibly can to keep her mind right and stay to coach."

As college basketball's winningest coach, Summitt has spent 37 seasons at Tennessee and has 1,071 career victories and eight national championships, but the Lady Vols have failed to reach the Final Four since they last won the national championship in 2008.

She also coached the United States to the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics, and won silver as a player in 1976.

"I think it's important to remember that while Pat is a basketball coach, the architect of one of the most storied programs in the history of our sport, she is also a mother, and she's a daughter, and she's a friend," Oklahoma women's basketball coach Sherri Coale said. "Pat's willingness to share this private battle speaks volumes about her strength and her character.

"She's modeled tenacity and endurance and optimism and faith for generations of athletes on the court. I know those athletes, we coaches, women's basketball fans, and sports fans in general will join in returning those gifts to her during this time of need."

Both UT-Knoxville chancellor Jimmy Cheek and Cronan pledged their support of Summitt's decision to continue coaching.

"Pat Summitt is our head coach and she will continue to be," Cronan said. "She is an icon not only for women's basketball but for all of women's athletics. For Pat to stand up and share her health news is just a continuing example of her courage.

"Life is an unknown and none of us have a crystal ball. But I do have a record of knowing what Pat Summitt stands for; excellence, strength, honesty and courage."

Former Tennessee men's coach Bruce Pearl said Summitt called him last night and left him a message, telling him the news. Pearl coached Summitt's son, a walk-on, last season.

"She's been incredibly supportive to me," Pearl told ESPN.com Tuesday. "I had a chance to work with her. I had a chance to coach her son. And we're friends for life."

"I was shocked and saddened to hear about the news regarding Pat Summitt's diagnosis," UConn coach Geno Auriemma, a longtime adversary, said Tuesday afternoon. "There is no doubt in my mind that Pat will take on this challenge as she has all others during her Hall of Fame career -- head-on. I wish her all the best."

Current Los Angeles Sparks star and former Lady Vol Candace Parker offered words of support through Twitter.

"Coach Summitt you never cease to amaze me with your strength and courage," Parker tweeted. "Whenever you face adversity you tackle it head on! True inspiration for me and one of the strongest women I know. I love you and we will handle this together as the Lady Vols always have, like FAMILY."

Summitt is the second widely known basketball coach to have a mental disorder of this nature. Former North Carolina men's basketball coach Dean Smith is battling what his family termed a "progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects his memory."

The 80-year old Hall of Fame coach has kept a relatively private existence recently, making only cameo appearances around the program.

Information from ESPN.com's Andy Katz and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Very sad.

I've admired and respected Pat Summit for many years.  I know she'll fight and continue to move forward, but still, very sad when I heard the news.

I wish her and her family the best.

Reallignment is wreaking havoc again.  And the poor Big East looks like it's going to be decimated this time around.  Syracuse and Pitt are off to the ACC, and UConn could be following them soon.  It's a shame, but money and football rule the roost these days.  Schools have to do what they gotta do.

Jim Boeheim said it best:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Jim-Boeheim-doesn-8217-t-like-Greensboro-or-sup;_ylt=AqOvWD7h18xTkZg8q6.rCPc5nYcB?urn=ncaab-wp4900

 :beer:

I agree with Jim.  They are so money-hungry-stupid about TV and football they aren't really considering anything else.  That, and of course every basketball conference has been jealous of the Big East since the expansion in 2005.

Being a Louisville fan, it'll be good for our football program if we wind up in the SEC (doubtful because of UK's veto power) or the Big 12.  But, aside from that, nothing going there that excites me.  I wish they'd just leave things alone.  But, money talks.

Boeheim said some more stuff that made a lot of sense.  He basically said that leaving the Big East to go to the ACC is not as bad as it would have been years ago.  Summed up, the Big East used to be so friggin cool when teams played each team twice, both home and away...real heated rivalries existed and people loved it.  All the conferences are so bloated with so many teams now, what's the difference going to the ACC?
Money talks unfortunately.
The rivalries with Georgetown and Villanova and Connecticut...all gone.  What a shame.   :'(
Just a couple more years to enjoy the Big East.   :(

True but new rivalries with Duke,UNC would be pretty good tradeoff.

The only problem is that the likely format (from what I'd guess) would be the ACC splitting into 2 divisions, North and South.
Typically when that happens, North plays North twice (rivalries develop playing 2 reg. season games/year) and South would play South twice.
Yeah, it would still be  a huge game vs. either UNC or Duke, but damn...I guess I'm a traditionalist.
Fuck!  I can't even get used to the damn Angels calling themselves the Los Angeles Angels!  It's sacrilege if you ask me!  They are the California Angels dammit!  The only Los Angeles team is the Los Angeles Dodgers!!  Now all you damn kids get off my lawn!!!
 :hihi:

Guess Syracuse got tired of my Louisville Cardinals whipping their ass in the Big East every year and had to run from Mr. Pitino. :hihi:

Louisville did fare well against my Cuse...but we owned Pitino when he coached @ Providence.   :P
The whole super-conference shit is just that...shit.
It's really souring my outlook on college b-ball.

Honestly, its why I am one of the minority that loves the BCS

March Madness makes College basketball damn near meaningless until March

Yeah but March Madness puts the BCS system to shame.  There's a reason people ALWAYS complain the day after the BCS championship, but never do when March Madness comes to an end.

I'll agree the regular season has been somewhat diminished, just reference UConn last year.  But NOTHING in sports compares to the NCAA tournament.  NOTHING!

Unfortunately, it's all about football.  B-ball is an afterthought (and the other sports are less than that).

The superconferences are a huge money maker in football.  So much so that most of the big schools make their entire athletic budget back just from the TV money they get/split.

The B-ball money pales in comparison.

I'm sure Jimmy B wasn't jumping for joy when he heard the 'cuse was leaving the Big East.  That conference is a B-ball DREAM (and a nice recruiting tool).  But I'll also bet the AD listened to his objections, saw the truckloads of money being backed up to his office, and promptly ignored the objections.

Besides, it's not like the ACC is chopped liver.  But I know I would NOT want to be the new guy on the block in NC/Duke territory.  No thank you.

I remember hearing somewhere that only about 25-30 schools in the entire country turn a profit or break even from b-ball. So yeah, it's all about the football money at this point.