PAC-10 Basketball 2004 Conference Play

[microbrew]

To make use of this nice new forum...

Cal has been underwhelming. Midgely and Amit Tamir were big threats on offense last year, and neither of them are producing this year. Leon Powe is an awesome player.

As for the rest of the PAC-10:
Arizona wins game number 700 for Lute Olsen. Stanford stay undefeated. And how's Ben Howland doing at UCLA?

[SportBoy333]

Arizona, Stanford and UCLA seem to be the only programs who win consistantly. Oregon the past few years but how long will that last. Pac-10 needs schools like Washington and USC to become better.

[Narmec]

Originally posted by microbrew
To make use of this nice new forum...

Cal has been underwhelming. Midgely and Amit Tamir were big threats on offense last year, and neither of them are producing this year. Leon Powe is an awesome player.

As for the rest of the PAC-10:
Arizona wins game number 700 for Lute Olsen. Stanford stay undefeated. And how's Ben Howland doing at UCLA?

Can't wait to see Powe on Thursday. But, yeah, I expected a little more from Cal this year. Maybe they'll wake up in league play (just so it's not Thursday).

UCLA has started out 2-0. I think 6-3 overall?They've got some talent, but you never seem to know with them.

As usual, it will be between Stanford and the U of A for the title.

P.S. Did I hear Midgely lost his job? He did pretty well last year.

[el mofles]

I've always wondered what keeps USC from being any good at basketball. Sure they've good their share of good players every so often, but it seems in terms of sports it's the school's ugly duckling. It seems like every other sports team is doing their share putting up decent numbers consistently while the men's basketball team stays in the same place. Sure they had their little bubble team hopes from last season, but thats about it. I don't see how they can fail in enticing top recruits to come to their school (well maybe playing in the Sports Arena has something to do with it) with all their resources, location, and school history.

[microbrew]

USC did well two years ago, with Sam Clancy, etc. But I guess they haven't replenished the talent. I guess USC has problems recruiting. Arizona, UCLA, Stanford, and to a lesser extent Oregon and Cal are more attractive to recruits. Those schools have great facilities and name coaches.

Cal has several problems. They lost two seniors who averaged about 20 and 14 points a game. Amit Tamir is playing out of position, and his points and assists are down. And three freshmen are starting.

Right now, it looks like only three PAC-10 teams are NCAA tournament bound (as opposed to normally five).

[rokstedy]

Incredible! UCLA is 5-0 and in first place by 1/2 game. Will they be able to pull an upset over Arizona like USC did?

[trmbrasil]

Originally posted by el mofles
I've always wondered what keeps USC from being any good at basketball.

The answer you are seeking is Henry Bibby. The man can recruit good athletes but is an ass who doesn't know what to do with them.

I'm a Stanford guy myself and pretty pleased with the way the season is going so far. The win over Cal was closer than I would have liked, but that's to be expected in those games. As much as I would like to see it, I don't think we'll make it through the league undefeated. There are likely to be a couple of losses, I just hope it's not another one to UCLA in Maples.

[microbrew]

Stanford is still undefeated.

And is AZ struggling, as Cal beat AZ for the first time in years and moves into third place in the PAC-10. Looks like Amit Tamir has found his shooting touch (5-8 in three-pointers).

[rokstedy]

What an awesome game between Arizona and Stanford! After being down for most of the game, the Wildcats catch up and it's back & forth. I was watching as a neutral observer but watching Stanford win it at the buzzer made me jump out of my seat. Definitely a classic to be shown again.

[trmbrasil]

I listened to the game over the internet and am having heart palpitations, with a huge smile on my face. At least it was on ABC, so I can expect ESPN to post some video highlights.

Microbrew, where did you go? Cal is coming up, and they are arguably playing their best ball of the year. Stanford hasn't won at Haas in two years, but Hernandez just said on the post game interview that they have been looking forward to the game in Berkeley all year. Should be a good one.

[microbrew]

Watched the game live. The last three possessions were something else. And that buzzer-beating half court heave to win the game... what a thriller.

I still haven't counted Cal in yet, but with Stanford coming in with an unbeaten record, the Berkeley stands will be rocking. Normally, Cal is invincible at Haas Pavillion but that hasn't been the case this year. Beating Stanford will also be a huge help in getting Cal a NCAA tournament berth.

[microbrew]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=1734338

The highlight game (of course, I can hardly be accused of being impartial) is Stanford at Cal.

And who is Nate Robinson of Washington? Thirty-one points vs. Arizona and an alley-oop. "Gary Coleman", LOL.

[NNCRed]

Originally posted by microbrew
And who is Nate Robinson of Washington? Thirty-one points vs. Arizona and an alley-oop. "Gary Coleman", LOL.

Nate Robinson is a bundle of athleticism. Played for the UW football team in 2002, and started at DB as a freshman (had a huge pick in the Apple Cup). He brings excitement to the Huskies. The kid can flat out jump too. Last night he flew in down the lane for a two handed put-back jam. Then he dunked at the 2nd half buzzer with the game already decided in UW's favor to piss off a lot of people. Said he did it to get back at the Oregon student's for their "Gary Coleman" chants.

[Chizzy]

Originally posted by NNCRed
Nate Robinson is a bundle of athleticism. Played for the UW football team in 2002, and started at DB as a freshman (had a huge pick in the Apple Cup). He brings excitement to the Huskies. The kid can flat out jump too. Last night he flew in down the lane for a two handed put-back jam.

I saw that game live in Seattle. It was awesome!. He reminded me of both Khalid El-Amin and Spud Webb.

Then he dunked at the 2nd half buzzer with the game already decided in UW's favor to piss off a lot of people. Said he did it to get back at the Oregon student's for their "Gary Coleman" chants.

Oregon students/fans probably deserved what they got in Seattle. They are pretty much the Pac-10's middle finger, even in football. :)

[microbrew]

Originally posted by Elizabeth III
Oregon students/fans probably deserved what they got in Seattle. They are pretty much the Pac-10's middle finger, even in football. :)

And what does that make Stanford's marching band?

The question is: will there be a third team from the PAC-10 to the NCAA tourney? Cal looked good for a while, then they reverted to the young, inexperienced team they are. And they had a good strength of schedule. As for the others: Washington? Oregon? The RPI's look pretty bad for all of them.

[Chizzy]

Originally posted by microbrew


The question is: will there be a third team from the PAC-10 to the NCAA tourney? Cal looked good for a while, then they reverted to the young, inexperienced team they are. And they had a good strength of schedule. As for the others: Washington? Oregon? The RPI's look pretty bad for all of them.


Their RPI ratings should improve as the season winds down. They have a lot of competitive games left to play, as Washington travels to Arizona and Arizona State this week, and set to play Stanford and California at home next week. And same goes to Oregon.

[trmbrasil]

Originally posted by microbrew
And what does that make Stanford's marching band?



Why, only the coolest bunch of geeks in the Pac-10. The just need to improve their tackling.

[Chizzy]

Originally posted by microbrew
Washington? Oregon? The RPI's look pretty bad for all of them.

#1 Stanford 62
Washington 75
Final


Washington have beaten Arizona twice, and just defeated the previously unbeaten Stanford Cardinals. The Huskies have won 12 of 13 Pac-10 games and 12 of 14 games overall.


Does the RPI is going to favor Washington for the NCAA Tournament? They don't look bad anymore.

[soccernutter]

Originally posted by Elizabeth18
#1 Stanford 62
Washington 75
Final


Washington have beaten Arizona twice, and just defeated the previously unbeaten Stanford Cardinals. The Huskies have won 12 of 13 Pac-10 games and 12 of 14 games overall.


Does the RPI is going to favor Washington for the NCAA Tournament? They don't look bad anymore.

The comments I have been seeing is that Washington needed to beat Stanford to make the tourny. IMO, they no only got a good win, but by beating the #1 team, who was also undefeated, they have that inferred bonus. If they do well in the Pac10 tounry, I think they are in - probably an 11

[microbrew]

From what research I've done (ESPN):

Washington has an ESPN projected RPI of 76, probably because it's strength of schedule is 89.
That's not good. But, because of the recent games, including wins over AZ and Stanford, the pundits say they're on the bubble, and ESPN projects a 12 seed.

Still, I'd say they'd have to get past UCLA in the PAC-10 tournament, or maybe the committee will just pity the PAC-10.

Tourney starts this Thursday. Eight out of ten teams; it's like MLS.