Men's College Basketball 2003-2004 (NO SMACK)

[Cweedchop]

Originally posted by NNCRed
Decent night of hoops last night. Duke holds on vs. FSU, Wake comes back over Maryland, and Arizona loses at Washington.

I didn't get to see much of any of those games. Wathced maybe 5 minutes of the Duke before I had to leave for soccer. Watched the first half of Maryland at WF. Then I only saw the final minute of the Arizona game after I got home from soccer. I didn't know if anybody had thoughts on any of these games at all.

I can't speak for the other games but I can speak for the Maryland debacle..

The first half (MD 53 - Wake 43) was about as near perfect a half a very young team can play.. They kept the turnovers down (5) and moved the ball well in their half court sets..

Second half was an unmitigated disaster.. Nik Caner-Medley and John Gilchrist were human turnover machines (11 combined turnovers in the second half alone).. As good as they played in the first half, Maryland was equally dreadful in the second half and Wake took full advantage of it..

Maryland has now lost three games that they have led into the second half (at Fla. St.; at GaTech and now at Wake) with absoltuely mind numbing turnovers and scoreless droughts that reach epic proportions.. All these of course are signs of a very young team.. However, the entire ACC is chock full of young teams and they don't seem to have much problem finishing these games..


I'm still holding fast to my pre-ACC prediction that the Terps will go 6-10 for the year.. They are right on pace for that record.. If Maryland continues to turn the ball over at this alarming rate, it could get a lot worse..

With all that being said though, MD probably has played the toughest ACC schedule to date.. They do have 6 of their 10 remaining games left to play at home and that is a plus..

Two road games at Carolina and Duke will most probably be losses.. The rest of the games are toss-ups except for Clemson at home, which in all honesty, they can't lose that game..

[gsterp]

Arizona might be inconsistent from game to game, but we can top that; we can go from world-beaters to pure crap in the blink of an eye, or vice versa.

Cweed, there's still no reason to think we'll go 6-10. That would mean we'd drop at least two games at home, and everyone's seen that outside Duke, every team struggles on the road in the league. I also disagree that the team is on pace to finish 6-10. They are clearly on pace to finish 8-8. Six home games and four away the rest of the way projects to a 6-4 record. I don't see any reason we can't take at least one win on the road against NCSU, UVA, or UNC anyway, so getting one there would provide more margin for error.

Right now if I had to guess, the team would get in the NCAA's as an 8/9 seed and some #1 would be crapping themselves about the prospect of potentially playing us in the second round. For as bad as they can look at times, this team can beat anyone when they have their shite together.

[Cweedchop]

Originally posted by gsterp

Cweed, there's still no reason to think we'll go 6-10. That would mean we'd drop at least two games at home, and everyone's seen that outside Duke, every team struggles on the road in the league. I also disagree that the team is on pace to finish 6-10. They are clearly on pace to finish 8-8. Six home games and four away the rest of the way projects to a 6-4 record. I don't see any reason we can't take at least one win on the road against NCSU, UVA, or UNC anyway, so getting one there would provide more margin for error.

Right now if I had to guess, the team would get in the NCAA's as an 8/9 seed and some #1 would be crapping themselves about the prospect of potentially playing us in the second round. For as bad as they can look at times, this team can beat anyone when they have their shite together.





Well, obviously I hope I'm wrong in picking 6-10.. But there is one major reason why I think they won't go 6-10..

Turnovers...

That is the X factor right now and they can't stop turning the ball over which in turn gives the opposition the ability to win the game..

You simply can't say that Maryland will win these home games against teams they should beat because they are losing games now (regardless of whether there at home or not) because of sloppyness on their part.. You do remember of course that we lost to an awful Virginia team twice last year don't you? Anything can happen, I just don't feel that this team is capable right now of putting together 40 minutes of play night in and night out..

I don't disagree with the pundits who say "Maryland will be awfully good in March" but if we don't take care of business now, winning the NIT tournament doesn't do much for me..

[NNCRed]

Maryland: Interesting to see that Caner-Medley and Gilchrist played poorly in the 2nd half of the WF game. Those two played well in the 1st half. It's gotta be a frustrating year for Terp fans not knowing which team will show up not only each game, but after each timeout.

Arizona: I still think that they'll go into Maples and upset Stanford. It looks like UW is playing a bit better right now than at the start of the year (BTW, Nate Robinson is such an athlete. He made a couple huge plays in the Apple Cup in 2002 as a DB when UW upsest #3 WSU in Pullman). And Narmec, I'm playing indoor soccer right now.

Duke: At GT today. Big game. First real big road test since Michigan State (don't get mad at me Terp fans. While going to College Park is always tough, GT is a better team this year, and MSU was top 10 when we went there and we were coming off of the Purdue loss).

[Foosinho]

Sweet Mary mother of Jesus - Ohio State plays 35 pretty good minutes of basketball against Wisconsin on Wednesday, and then turns around and play 40 excellent minutes against Purdue (at Purdue) to win. Maybe Ohio State is turning a corner, and starting to play like they should have been from the beginning of the season.

[Cweedchop]

Originally posted by gsterp
Cweed, there's still no reason to think we'll go 6-10. That would mean we'd drop at least two games at home, and everyone's seen that outside Duke, every team struggles on the road in the league. I also disagree that the team is on pace to finish 6-10. They are clearly on pace to finish 8-8. Six home games and four away the rest of the way projects to a 6-4 record. I don't see any reason we can't take at least one win on the road against NCSU, UVA, or UNC anyway, so getting one there would provide more margin for error.

Right now if I had to guess, the team would get in the NCAA's as an 8/9 seed and some #1 would be crapping themselves about the prospect of potentially playing us in the second round. For as bad as they can look at times, this team can beat anyone when they have their shite together.

What's that you say?

Maryland gets manhandled at home by a very pedestrian N.C. State team..

Terps now 2-5 in the ACC and looking absolutely dreadful doing it..

Turnovers
Terrible free throw shooting
Terrible defense (Caner-Medley is absolutely horrific in one-v-one defense - Julius Hodge made him his personal bitch today)
Terrrible 3-point shooting (2-15 while State goes 8-11 from 3)


Keep thinking we will snap out of this run soon..

NIT here we come....

[gsterp]

Yeah, I'm worried now. Does that make you happy, seeing us fail so you can say you were right?

Worst performance of the year by far. If any team needs a boost to their three point shooting, hope that we show up on the schedule because that'll snap you right out of it.

I'm hoping for a win in Charlottesville on Wednesday. Also hoping that the strength of the league this year will help us come March.

Good job by NC State. They played far better than I could have ever expected.

[Cweedchop]

Originally posted by gsterp
Yeah, I'm worried now. Does that make you happy, seeing us fail so you can say you were right?

Worst performance of the year by far. If any team needs a boost to their three point shooting, hope that we show up on the schedule because that'll snap you right out of it.



Sorry about that.. Just another fellow frustrated Terps fan..

No kidding about the 3-point shooting from opposing teams..

Gonzaga
West Virginia
Florida State
Georgia Tech
Wake Forest
N.C. State

I want to say that each and every one of those teams made at least 10 3-pointers against the Terps this season...

Teams just seem to shoot lights out against us for some reason.. The most depressing thing about that is Maryland is so deep and athletic that you would think they could at least bring that number down by the time the season starts to close, but it seemingly is getting worse by the game..

Tough times for the Terps.. They have a very winnable game at UVA on Wednesday night, but they have dropped two straight to the Wahoo's who, of course, only beat us last season on lights out shooting from long range.....

[DamonEsquire]

If I may, fanatical University of Maryland looks high and low for quest. Their underminds should ceases! Expectation endows greatness and defense is upto accession by staff. My forecasts currently didn't include record but gotta play role. There is better play book than youth. Yes, scary 8-9 seed lurks. I aint forgot soccer game from 2 years ago in tournment at beginning of season. Kentucky lost 2-1 in added time.

What a weekend from The Big Three (Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky). This sounds like a good book title. It beknow of auto industry. Louisville takes stunner along with Cincinnatti.

Which youthfully happens in soccer! It is hard to pay attention in paractice e.g.

Now attempts in revitalization of Univesity of Kentucky. They deserve a shocker in 2-4 round. Team loses 4 seniors but replenishes nicely. We have a Westren Kentucky transfer by the name of Patrick Sparks. He has 40 inch verticle, while race is of majority. Point Guard filled after the loss of Hawkins, Fitch, Daniels and Barbour (whom played at rival high school). Sparks averges just shy of 10 assist. Other kentuckians are Brandon Stockdon and Josh Carrier at point. Stockdon is small and Carrier can shot. Carrier typically is white and five times scored 40 points in high school. Coach Smith proclaimes pureness of shot by Carrier but to date decides only 1 game with ten Points or so. Minor race issue with Coach Tubby Smith but band-aid needs to apply. It fixes alot by chatterer from guru in coffee shop.

[gsterp]

Cweed, no worries about it. I was quite upset at the time too, so I was a bit testy.

Worst part about getting rained 3's on is that other than Redick, it seems like its always some nobody that kills us, even going back to last year (Goldsberry, Davis, Devin Smith, that senior from UVA, Melvin Scott, etc.) Today it was freakin Engin Atsur that killed us. The only consolation was that it wasn't Mike "Frodo" O'Donnell that clocked us one. The players have good intentions on the defense, dropping down to help the big men, they just aren't quick enough to get back to the guy they leave.

Oh well, at least Carolina is in the same craphole we are right now.

[TheWakeUpBomb]

Originally posted by DamonEsquire
If I may, fanatical University of Maryland looks high and low for quest. Their underminds should ceases! Expectation endows greatness and defense is upto accession by staff. My forecasts currently didn't include record but gotta play role. There is better play book than youth. Yes, scary 8-9 seed lurks. I aint forgot soccer game from 2 years ago in tournment at beginning of season. Kentucky lost 2-1 in added time.

What a weekend from The Big Three (Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky). This sounds like a good book title. It beknow of auto industry. Louisville takes stunner along with Cincinnatti.

Which youthfully happens in soccer! It is hard to pay attention in paractice e.g.

Now attempts in revitalization of Univesity of Kentucky. They deserve a shocker in 2-4 round. Team loses 4 seniors but replenishes nicely. We have a Westren Kentucky transfer by the name of Patrick Sparks. He has 40 inch verticle, while race is of majority. Point Guard filled after the loss of Hawkins, Fitch, Daniels and Barbour (whom played at rival high school). Sparks averges just shy of 10 assist. Other kentuckians are Brandon Stockdon and Josh Carrier at point. Stockdon is small and Carrier can shot. Carrier typically is white and five times scored 40 points in high school. Coach Smith proclaimes pureness of shot by Carrier but to date decides only 1 game with ten Points or so. Minor race issue with Coach Tubby Smith but band-aid needs to apply. It fixes alot by chatterer from guru in coffee shop. What the hell is the matter with you? What's with all the discussion of race? Sparks has "40 inch verticle, while race is of majority"?

Seriously, what is this crap?

Carrier's a disappointment. About the only thing he managed to accomplish against Vanderbilt was a massive uncalled travel down the lane in the first half.

My God, it's always great to see Kentucky lose. Especially in Memorial.

[NNCRed]

I can't make any sense out of what he was saying. None.

Duke showed some character at Tech on Saturday. JJ sits most of the 1st half but Duke found other weapons to go to. While it would've been nice to have JJ have a great game, it was satisfying to see Duke find a way to win a big road game with JJ playing a limited role. Next up is NC at Chapel Hill. I really hope the rivalry is back strong with Roy there now.

[WarrenWallace]

http://www.jsonline.com/badger/bkb/feb04/204455.asp

Madison - After consulting with team doctors, sophomore Alando Tucker will sit out the remainder of the season because of a foot injury.

The 6-foot-5 forward has played in just four of Wisconsin's 17 games this season. Under NCAA rules, Tucker, who made his decision after doctors tested the foot Friday, will be able to apply for a medical redshirt following the season.

He averaged 14 points and 4.5 rebounds in four games.

[WarrenWallace]

Interesting article

http://espn.go.com/ncaa/news/2004/0202/1725708.html

[NNCRed]

Originally posted by CityIceMan
Interesting article

http://espn.go.com/ncaa/news/2004/0202/1725708.html

As good of a coach Dean Smith was, I don't agree with him about making Freshman sit out a year and have them only eligible to play on freshman teams. Look at some of the impact freshman over the last few years that have lead their temas to a nat'l title like Melo and G-Mac and to a lesser extent Duhon (he was the starting point guard). I think we would see more kids that are borderline NBA quality test their luck in the draft straight out of HS instead of going to college. That's not what the NCAA nor the NBA need.

[WarrenWallace]

Wisconsin's Devin Harris is on a role. This last three games he has scored: 30, 29, and 38 points. He has got to be the Big 10 player of the year.

The announcers are all comparing him to Michael Finley.

Another UW starter is lost, Boo Wade, due to domestic battery.

[odg78]

Hey Skip,

One of Carolina's recruits, JamesOn Curry was arrested for marijuana posession and intent to sell.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/7873161.htm

[skipshady]

Originally posted by odg78
Hey Skip,

One of Carolina's recruits, JamesOn Curry was arrested for marijuana posession and intent to sell.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/7873161.htm Not exactly Dean Smith's type of player. I hate to pass judgment but an "intent to distribute" amount doesn't just show up accidentally.

Also, wouldn't ParsleyOn Curry or GingerOn Curry be a better name?

[gsterp]

Looks like Roy has found how to take care of his more players than scholarships problem for next year.

[NNCRed]

Not a good deal at all with Curry.

Big game tonight though, Duke at NC. I'm nervous already. If Carolina plays perimeter defense like it did against Clemson, Duke should win. Should be a very good game. Carolina really needs this win. Going 3-5 in conference would be bad. If (this is a big if) Duke blows NC out, it could really break their season.