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Posted by Trips Right on January 23rd, 2010 under Basketball
I counted 96 games. That’s what you do during 2:00 am baby feedings. You count shit. Sometimes literally. Anyway, with that many games there’s always going to be a few that catch your interest and here are some games that have caught mine.
Minnesota vs. Michigan State 11 central.
These two clubs squared off a little over a week ago and the Gophers lost a close one 60-53. But if you watched the game, it looked like Minnesota outplayed MSU on their home floor. The Gophers outrebounded Sparty and had one more field goal, but only shot 7 free throws to the fighting Izzo’s 21. If you’re expecting Michigan State to get the same sorts of calls today, you’re probably mistaken. It’s not dissimilar to The General pulling a stripper’s phone number. It’s fool’s gold brother. Look for the Gophers to get the outright win.
Iowa State vs. Kansas 1 pm.
This is a trap game for the Jayhawks and I’d be concerned as a Hawk fan because Iowa State has some athletes in their front court. Gilstrap, Brackins, and Laron Dendy are solid glass eaters that won’t be overwhelmed on the backboards. Justin Hamilton gives the Cyclones five 6-11 fouls and Jamie Vanderbeken is another 7 foot type body that showed well in the Dawson Creek charity game. The question for ISU is how to contain Sheron Collins. If it were me I’d roll the dice and try to make him a jumpshooter and hope Craig Brackins’ better is better than Collins’ better. An off the court issue for KU is Tyshawn Taylor’s winter of discontent , and it might be a distraction the kings of the sunflower state. The Oread Boom Kings have their own take about the state of Kansas basketball here. ISU has a shooters chance in this one especially if Collins has an off night.
Texas @ UCONN 3 pm.
If this game is played like a typical Big East game circa 1985, Texas will get beat while Chris Mullin, Walter Berry, and Pearl Washington do just enough on offense to win a 63 to 60 tilt. If Texas can channel its inner Tom Penders, BMW gets it done in convincing fashion.
Virginia @ Wake Forest.
Virginia and more importantly Tony Bennett, Jr., college basketball’s Will Muschamp, has been laying in the weeds for about a week while preparing for the Deacs. WFU, on the other hand, was blown out by Duke and got a huge upset in Chapel Hill knocking off a wildly overrated Heel’s club. It was a rollercoaster week and I’m not sure the Demon Deacons will be ready physically or emotionally for this one. As for X’s and O’s, if Virginia can control Wake point guard Ish Smith, they’ll win. I suspect Bennett will have something for him today, and the Wahoos will roll.
Duke @ Clemson 7 pm.
After blowing out the Tigers a couple weeks ago at Cameron Indoor, the Devils are about to find out that the Clemson press is an entirely different animal at home. Duke doesn’t have the type of guards that strike fear in a fullcourt pressure team, but the Devil’s Kyle Singler and his ball handling at the 4 spot is an interesting weapon too unleash in your press offense. Look for the Tigers to account for this press breaking nuance this week and get the W at home against Duke.
What games will you be watching today and why?
dick said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:45 am
Fading Las Vegas is going to have a big day today money making wise. I’m fighting through a hangover right now to get the picks up over there.
They are up now. More will be added.
Trips Right said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:56 am
Cool, lets get that paper, dick.
Ag_in_TX said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:08 am
Several intriguing Big XII games.
Of course, I’m set up to TiVO the A&M-CU game (I am at work – blah). A&M had better blow ‘em out.
I am intrigued to see if KSU is really that good – OSU ought to be a nice test.
Baylor sure could make a splash for the Big XII against UMass. Seriously, what kind of culture shock is Waco for those kids?
John123 said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:24 am
1. Ed Davis did not play in the Carolina/Wake Forest game. Ed Davis is, basically, Carolina’s best player. Due diligence is your friend.
2. How is Tony Bennett college basketball’s answer to Will Muschamp? What does that even mean?
Fading Las Vegas — Blog — FLV College BBall Bets – 1/23/10 said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:39 am
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Trips Right said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:55 am
John, I’m trying to figure out what the Ed Davis comment has to do with my statement about the Wake/UVA matchup.
As for Tony Bennett, if you’ve followed his coaching career, you would know. Remember, due diligence is your friend.
John123 said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:23 am
WFU, on the other hand, was blown out by Duke and got a huge upset in Chapel Hill knocking off a wildly overrated Heel’s club.
Is it a huge upset if Carolina’s best player does not play?
Regarding Bennett, he screams at people. A lot of coaches scream at players, get excited, etc. I will give you the benefit of the doubt, but sit behind a bench some time.
Trips Right said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:45 am
So you’d be happy if I typed mild upset?
Are you that old 76′er fan that sits behind the opposing team’s bench and heckles the whole game? :)
Seriously, your thoughts on Bennett , in my humble opinion, are off. He’s a defensive coaching wizard. Screaming has nothing to do with it.
That typed, what games are you interested in today and why? Sounds like you know your hoops and take it seriously.
John123 said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:15 am
Ah, so Muschamp is a defensive guru now? Well I will certainly buy that more than Bennett’s defensive coaching prowess. Like his Pops, he merely takes the air out of the ball. Nobody scores 80 on them because every one of their opponents gets about 75% of their average possessions per game.
Their lumbering, plodding style is conducive at places like Wisconsin and Washington State, but it will not fly, long term, at UVa.
And, if someone says something about UVa leading the ACC, I will remind them that Leito (sp?) finished in a tie for 1st, or 2nd I forget, in the ACC in UVa Leito’s first season, and now he no longer is employed at UVa.
Bennett will have to upgrade his talent, and his athleticism, because he will always run into a Carolina type squad, like he did in 2008, in conference play, every year.
If you checked the IP, you have already ascertained that I am in Charlotte, so I have an interest in ACC basketball, clearly.
Anyway, watching the UT game, then the Clemson/Duke game.
dick said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:24 am
“Ah, so Muschamp is a defensive guru now?”
where the hell do you live in ACC country that you just figured that out?
We don’t need Bennet to beat UNC 2008 type teams or win the ACC, just cover the 7 against Wake tonight. I agree with his style of play helps his defensive stats #s but he worked miracles at Wazu and is a young guy that a school like UVA should be thrilled to have as their coach. They’ll never be better than Duke or UNC consistently but that should not be the standard.
John123 said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Why can’t UVa compete with Carolina and Duke? UVa certainly competed with Carolina for ACC supremacy in the early 80s. Granted, Ralph Sampson was a once in a decade type player, but let’s not go too far in his adoration. The only Final Four appearance UVa made was in the year after Sampson left.
UVa is in a great geographical location for recruiting, and as long as you can meet NCAA requirements, they will take you for basketball. They also have an almost new arena and great practice facilities. Paul Tudor Jones has given them a ton of money for said purposes.
However, by hiring Bennett, UVa admitted that they cannot compete with Carolina and Duke, and have decided to go the route of least resistance. Hiring the unorthodox coach who will not be able to sign the 5 star kids, but does not necessarily need to, given his style of play.
And, before some dumbarse compares Bennett to Paul Johnson, I will respond that this is ACC basketball, i.e. SEC football, not ACC football.
Sailor Ripley said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:19 pm
John123 – Are you a ‘hoo?
dick said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Duke and UNC basketball programs have changed a little bit since the days Ralph Sampson was at UVA. Things could change again but it’ll be hard. Who did you want UVA to hire?
dick said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Man, Ohio St has been playing great ever since Turner came back.
Trips Right said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I wish Pittman would get as many calls as Aldrich.
Sailor Ripley said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
He will but it will be a result of Aldrich getting fewer at the next level.
dick said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:44 pm
ATM wins by 2 at home vs Colorado. It pisses me off that we probably won’t win in college station again. There’s no reason not to this year.
dick said:
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
“Man, Ohio St has been playing great ever since Turner came back.”
Nevermind, getting outscored by 20 points in the 2nd half alone.
Barking Carnival — Blog — Interesting College Basketball Saturday | Sports News said:
February 5th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
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