NCAA 19-20

[Deleted User 289]

I didn't realize Seton Hall played back to back (out of conference games) against Iowa State.

[pdub]

Bracketology!

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... ration/162

But in the West as Ohio State has the 1 seed in Indy.

[NewtonHawk11]

Ohio State has been damn impressive this year.

Still think over the long run, Kansas is the best team.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Sparty as the 4. No fucking thank you.

[PhDhawk]

Sparty as the 4. No fucking thank you.

roiboi

[CrimsonNBlue]

No good reason to want anything but the easiest road possible.

[pdub]

Yea, give me Zona or Florida State as my 4.
Could be moot b/c I think MSU gets better and healthier this season, improving their seed.

[pdub]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ndervalued

Texas Tech: Assuming Chris Beard would find a way again

At Big 12 media day in Kansas City, Texas Tech's head coach admitted his team had endured some challenging moments in early practices following last year's run to the national title. Still, Beard had won at every level and is known as a master at reloading, thanks in part to his ties to the junior college ranks. But we probably should have expected a bit less from a Texas Tech team that lost four starters, including lottery pick Jarrett Culver.

Last year's team was praised for owning the best defense in America, but it also ended the year possessing one of the nation's most reliable offenses. The latter has become a concern for a Texas Tech team that has scored 61, 76 and 60 points during its current three-game losing streak. The Red Raiders do not own a win over a top-200 team on KenPom. Yes, the defense is still legit, but Beard's crew will need time to find any semblance of the cohesive offense that helped Texas Tech last season.

Baylor: Bears' overall depth was overlooked

The news of Mario Kegler's suspension and subsequent departure (he turned pro after averaging 10.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 2018-19) seemed like season-altering news in September, even for a Baylor team welcoming back Tristan Clark from last year's knee injury.

Scott Drew weathered tough times a year ago, however, when injuries plagued his starting backcourt. He's a proven overachiever who finished 10-8 in the Big 12 with the league's most efficient offense, even though Makai Mason and King McClure missed eight conference games combined and Clark missed all but two Big 12 matchups. With the addition of transfers MaCio Teague and Davion Mitchell, Baylor had the manpower to progress. The Bears probably deserved more praise as a possible Big 12 contender entering the season.

[PhDhawk]

No good reason to want anything but the easiest road possible.

In a fictional world (i.e. bracketology), false bravado becomes just bravado.

[twocoach]

Yea, give me Zona or Florida State as my 4.
Could be moot b/c I think MSU gets better and healthier this season, improving their seed.

Feels more like a year where Sparty gets a 7 or 8 seed and then goes on a deep run.

[Deleted User 289]

Sorry if this is/was posted somewhere else. I didn't see it - if so.

[jfish26]

This...is hard to explain.

https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com ... he-decade/

I get it, Northern Iowa and all that, but Jesus Christ.

[CrimsonNBlue]

300 wins in a decade. 300.

[InfiniteJ]

Top 25 college players (a month in) according to John Gassaway/ESPN:

1.) Markus Howard
2.) Jordan Nwora
3.) Myles Powell
4.) Udoka Azubuike

At the risk of being overly analytical, Azubuike is just too huge to stop when he gets the ball anywhere near the basket. The senior is a career 75% shooter inside the arc, and this season he's recording (what a coincidence) fully 75% of his 2-point attempts at the rim. Note additionally that Azubuike's block rate is higher than it has ever been, and his 29-point outburst against Dayton in the title game of the Maui Invitational marked a career high. With Isaiah Moss healthy and Devon Dotson, Marcus Garrett and Ochai Agbaji being their usual selves, KU's "small ball" attack now looks fully armed and operational at last. Just keep in mind it's a version of small ball that thrives with a 7-foot, 270-pound star as its motor.

5.) Obi Toppin
6.) Cassius Winston
7.) Kaleb Wesson
8.) Payton Pritchard
9.) Tre Jones
10.) Devon Dotson

Dotson turned in what is likely to stand as the best six-turnover game of 2019-20 with his 31-point, five steal effort in KU's overtime win against Dayton in Maui. He's playing a much more prominent role in the Jayhawk offense as a sophomore, as well he should. While his perimeter shot has yet to cooperate this season, Dotson has been deadly inside the arc and has connected on better than 85% of his frequent free throw attempts. Best of all, the sophomore and his similarly versatile teammates give Bill Self the luxury of "going small" on offense with little or no penalty on defense.

11.) Kamar Baldwin
12.) Tyrese Haliburton
13.) Anthony Edwards
14.) Zeke Nnaji
15.) Vernon Carey
16.) Anthony Cowan
17.) Aaron Nesmith
18.) Cole Anthony
19.) Zavier Simpson
20.) Jared Butler
21.) Nico Mannion
22.) Luka Garza
23.) Onyeka Okongwu
24.) Jay Huff
25.) Jordan Roland

[Deleted User 289]

So far this week #1, #4, and #5 lost - and it's only Thursday.
There are only 5 unbeaten teams left.

[Sparko]

300 wins in a decade. 300.

Thanks to the NCAA expeditiously clearing our student athletes and taking only a few dollars of operating expenses away from needy players.

[PhDhawk]

Top 25 college players (a month in) according to John Gassaway/ESPN:

1.) Markus Howard
2.) Jordan Nwora
3.) Myles Powell
4.) Udoka Azubuike

At the risk of being overly analytical, Azubuike is just too huge to stop when he gets the ball anywhere near the basket. The senior is a career 75% shooter inside the arc, and this season he's recording (what a coincidence) fully 75% of his 2-point attempts at the rim. Note additionally that Azubuike's block rate is higher than it has ever been, and his 29-point outburst against Dayton in the title game of the Maui Invitational marked a career high. With Isaiah Moss healthy and Devon Dotson, Marcus Garrett and Ochai Agbaji being their usual selves, KU's "small ball" attack now looks fully armed and operational at last. Just keep in mind it's a version of small ball that thrives with a 7-foot, 270-pound star as its motor.

5.) Obi Toppin
6.) Cassius Winston
7.) Kaleb Wesson
8.) Payton Pritchard
9.) Tre Jones
10.) Devon Dotson

Dotson turned in what is likely to stand as the best six-turnover game of 2019-20 with his 31-point, five steal effort in KU's overtime win against Dayton in Maui. He's playing a much more prominent role in the Jayhawk offense as a sophomore, as well he should. While his perimeter shot has yet to cooperate this season, Dotson has been deadly inside the arc and has connected on better than 85% of his frequent free throw attempts. Best of all, the sophomore and his similarly versatile teammates give Bill Self the luxury of "going small" on offense with little or no penalty on defense.

11.) Kamar Baldwin
12.) Tyrese Haliburton
13.) Anthony Edwards
14.) Zeke Nnaji
15.) Vernon Carey
16.) Anthony Cowan
17.) Aaron Nesmith
18.) Cole Anthony
19.) Zavier Simpson
20.) Jared Butler
21.) Nico Mannion
22.) Luka Garza
23.) Onyeka Okongwu
24.) Jay Huff
25.) Jordan Roland

Thanks for posting.

I'd have Dotson ahead of both Winston and Jones.

[twocoach]

Seeing all these early season ACC and Big 10 conference games has me hoping that the Big 12 never moves to this type of schedule. With all of the additional roster turnover and role changing that happens at KU compared to other Big 12 teams, I think Big 12 opponents would have a better chance to beat us early in the season than they do in February/March.

I mean, are Penn State and Illinois really that good or are they just closer to their ceiling now than the Maryland and Michigan teams they beat?

Thoughts?

[pdub]

100% agree.
Give me conference games when we've gotten a chance to gel.
January through March in the trenches.

[twocoach]

Iowa State got waxed at home by Iowa last night. Their fans are melting down and it is delicious.