2010 NCAA Tournament Open Thread
by Mike Prada on Mar 18, 2010 9:51 AM EDT
102 comments
Use this space to comment on the NCAA Tournament this month. Pretty much anything goes here, whether you want to talk about the games, the NBA prospects or a combination of both.
I'm going to be watching a lot of these games because I'm breaking down some of the NBA prospects for SBNation.com, so I'll be commenting in here too.
GO TERPS!
This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.
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Robert Morris!
Scottie Reynolds looks awful by the way.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Close call
Grevious has had games like this.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I like Parsons more than Ferdette as a pro
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
If Robert Morris put in Earl Boykins
would anyone notice?
How did CBS not switch to the Robert Morris game sooner?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I thought Morris got jobbed
There were a couple really bad calls on them when Reynolds drove and threw his body into them. There was also the obvious travel and jump ball in OT.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Old Dominion FTW
I never liked Harangody…or Notre Dame. Nice to see them receive an early exit.
Samhan
Omar Samhan is beasting against Richmond – 24 and 10 midway through the second half (and he sat out the last six minutes of the first half because of foul trouble). Interesting second-round prospect.
Seems a little slow, but that's hella efficient
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
The Hoyas and Richmond
did a nice number on my brackets.
"I say he does have to shoot me now! So shoot me now!" --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Mar 18, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
meh....
He played well in the game… but couldn’t dominate… I was concerned with his 7 turn overs, most coming when he was doubled… He’s shown a tendency to turn the ball over all year…
He did show that hes one of the best passing bigs in the Lottery with 6 assists…
I thought he should have dominated more inside against van Kempen and Keely…
He also confirmed what I’ve seen in other games… and that’s the fact that he’s not nearly as athletic as some of the other bigs in the draft (Patterson, Favors, etc…)… I’d say he has only “average” athleticism.
Being left-handed helps him…. (but not being able to use his right hand hurts)…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I think he needs the right team
That understand he’s a role player. Someone like Philly would be a great fit. Smart player, but not a superstar.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Philly would be perfect for him
as long as Eddie Jordan and his Princeton Offense are still there ……
Georgetown runs a variation of the Princeton, and Monroe would fit right in with Eddie’s motion, and high post passing game….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Detroit would be good too
Because they could run all their guards off him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I admit I'm a longtime Hoya fanatic
Seems like he’s frequently projected to be picked by Utah (via NY’s pick).
I agree with Rook’s assessment that his athleticism isn’t elite by any stretch of the imagination. He does have some incredible intangibles like his passing and court vision that can go a long way for him. He has taken over some games, others not so much, but you have to wonder how much that’s a product of GU’s system and how much it’s him. It was the exact same criticism of Hibbert and Green before Monroe. I don’t know though.
I’m not sure any of this matters because at the pace the Wizards are going there probably will be better players available when they pick. I think the question becomes a little more interesting if they had to pick in the bottom half of the top 10, and the Wizards had to decide between players like Aldrich, Whiteside or Monroe. One thing about Monroe’s game that you have to appreciate is there’s been a nice gradual incline in performance. He’s a better basketball player than last season, and even as this season has progressed you’ve seen him perform better more consistently. What you don’t want to see in a prospect is a ceiling, and it’s hard to know what Monroe’s is partly because he has continued to get better.
I hope he sticks around GU for another season anyways. The guy’s only played one NCAA tournament basketball in two seasons. Talk about a dissappointment.
by Johnnie Futbol on Mar 19, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
It looks like he
he is leaning towards returning to Georgetown next year, though JTIII isn’t so sure.
I like Pondexter
Not sure how much, since I missed a lot of the first half. Gotta rewatch this baby.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Pondexter is a Senior
so he’s got a lot of experience…. I’d love to see him move to Shooting Guard… at 6’6" and 220 pounds, he’s got the ideal size… He’s quick, and he’s got a nice stroke from outside….. and he’s an 83% FT shooter (always a nice indication of a player’s shot)…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
If he slipped to the late first round
he might be a good pick for Washington using that Cleveland pick……
Oh yeah, he’s a pretty good defender too… I like defensive guys.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
His stats are really good
63% TS% and just a 12% turnover rate. Plus, there’s the defensive potential, though Washington has pretty crappy team D.
This was a good writeup by Draft Express on him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Seems really thin for a SF in the NBA
that’s why I thought he’d be better at SG ….and I love the fact that he seems to want to take shots down the stretch….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
That was a huge shot there
I agree, he’s a shooting guard. Couldn’t you see him fitting in great somewhere like Utah?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Actually
I could see him fitting in right here in Washington
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
But yeah...
Utah….. Detroit (how long do you suppose Rip Hamilton can keep going?)… or maybe New Orleans (as an eventual replacement for Mo Pete)…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
So Mike
Did you see any of the Kentucky game?
Your thoughts on Cousins?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Didn't watch it
Gonna check him out more against better competition. I’ve liked him all season.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Well, when you do watch...
Keep an eye on how he runs the court… specifically getting back on defense….
Watch is activity level on D… and his body language (court attitude)…
There’s no doubt he’s a tremendous physical presence – but I have doubts about his “intangibles” (Heart…. work ethic… activity level, especially on defense…. attitude…. etc…)
He’s got Eddy Curry written all over him………
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Eddy Curry couldn't rebound
Cousins has one of the highest rebound rates in college basketball this decade.
Zach Randolph might be a better comparison.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Watch him rebound...
It’s like watching a grown man rebound against 6th graders….
He’s simply bigger than everyone else. No technique. He doesn’t block out. Rarely puts a body on anyone. Uses one hand frequently.
Rebounding is one skill that usually transfers well to the NBA, but in Cousins case, there are big guys in the NBA – he won’t be able to rebound simply by being bigger than everyone else.
I’ve watched 5 games (including tonight) , and I am more and more convinced he’ll be a bust in the NBA…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
A different spin
when it comes to cousins. It is not his fault that his physical gifts allow him to dominate the competition. If anything when I see Cousins I see a fat kid who is out of shape playing at a much elevated basketball level than he has ever seen.
You question his heart but it is really hard to display that when you are so much better than anybody else you face. I really feel like this is one guy that the one and done rule does nothing for. He is going to develop some really bad habits if he stays in college another year.
I will give you this Cousins seems to be a bit of a headcase. The talent is there but its going to take the proper coach/situation to bring it out. Just like our boy 7 Day.
Plus, he'll get on an NBA program and lose the body fat
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
It is not his fault that his physical gifts allow him to dominate the competition.
You are absolutely right…. MOST players, when they are simply that much better, bigger or faster than everyone else – MOST players just get by on their physical gifts.
Then there are players who start out with those incredible physical gifts – but then work their asses off – those are the ones that become truly GREAT players.
So – Will Cousins become the next great NBA Center? Will he become like Dwight Howard? Or will he be just another in the line of physically gifted players that pass through the NBA and are gone after 4 or 5 years…?
The indications so far are leaning more towards the latter.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Concerned about Michigan State
The Spartans may be hobbled by injuries…but Maryland crushed Houston in the rebounding battle…and we suck at rebounding. The Terps are supposed to win by doing everything else. Winning by twelve points when getting twenty more rebounds is a big problem.
We're from the city with the highest murder rate in the country. Why WOULDN'T they call us the Bullets?
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Mar 20, 2010 3:01 AM EDT up reply actions
True they can't shoot that bad
and win against MSU. This team hasn’t shot well since the Duke victory. Hopefully they get the stroke together by Sunday.
on the bright side
Vasquez had an off game and should be better next time. Maybe he was distracted by that thing on Coleman’s neck. Jordan Williams was a beast though.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
Good - Wake Forest
We get to see Aminu for Wake and Damion James, Avery Bradley, and Dexter Pittman for Texas
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Pittman is an especially compelling story
He, at one time, was over 400 pounds… He went on a stringent weight and strength training program – now he’s at about 300 lbs -
Nice story – but he could just as easily balloon back up again…..
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Kentucky the best assembly of star players in College since the Fab 5?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
It's really hard to watch two games at once....
Watching the Wake / Texas game on my big screen, and the Kansas / Lehigh game on the computer
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
the Wake Forest vs. Kentucky game tomorrow is a must-watch for Wizards fans
There are four legit NBA big men going at it:
Demarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson of Kentucky and Al-Farouq Aminu and the very raw Tony Woods for Wake Forest.
Aminu and Woods lack skill, but they are big, long, and athletic. It is about as great a matchup to judge NBA-caliber big men as I can imagine. If Cousins dominates the inside, then I think he has to be a Top-3 pick. If he struggles against their quickness and leaping ability, then his ceiling is not nearly as high.
by John Park Williams on Mar 19, 2010 10:51 AM EDT reply actions
Wait a minute
LaDell Eackles’ son plays for Oakland?
How did I not know this?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I can't wait until 2012
When Shawn Kemp Jr. plays against Shawn Kemp III in a Regional Final.
I have seen an Elston Turner Jr. (former NBA player, long-time assistant for Rick Adelman) and Ralph Sampson Jr. so far.
by John Park Williams on Mar 19, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
It took me all of five minutes to fall in love with James Anderson
As for Favors – his guards are so bad and he’s being doubled before he even touches the ball. I feel like I can’t evaluate him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
That's why his numbers are so low
With a decent PG, he’d be averaging over 20 ppg…. Put Favors on that Kentucky team (instead of Cousins), and people would be discussing whether Favors or Wall should be picked #1
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I don't know if I'd go that far
There’s a huge difference in the stats that can’t just be explained by poor guard play. Favors doesn’t have refined post moves, nor does he finish as well as I expected around the rim.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
For example, Cousins wouldn't be weak with the ball like that
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Concerning the stats
don’t forget that Lawal was playing low early and Favors was bascially out of position. If Lawal had stayed in the draft Favors’ numbers would be much better.
That's true
But again, there’s a drastic difference in their per-minute numbers. Some of it can be explained by situation, but not all of it.
For example, Favors has to finish that play.
I will say that I love (and I mean love) Favors’ defensive potential. He’s done a great job switching out on guards and defending the pick and roll. He needs that on the next level.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Favors also has to work on passing out of the double
He sees the guy closest to him, but not the guys on the weakside.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Definitely
Favors’ forte is defense right now and he does need work on the offensive end, as opposed to Cousins who is the opposite. But his defense is why I think Favors has more value for the Wiz than someone like Cousins.
Consider how much his development has been retarded...
Coming out of High School, he was ranked as the #1 recruit… over Wall… over Cousins…. over everyone. He has the prototypical body for an NBA Power Forward…. and he played Center and PF in High School… Low post player in HS…
He chose GT – probably a mistake, given his skill level and the kind of offense they play (half court, slug it out)… and then Gani Lawal pulled his name out of last year’s draft and returned to Georgia Tech for his Junior year. Lawal plays the same position (PF) as Favors. And both players like to operate in the low post.
So, they put Favors at the high post – and Lawal at the Low post…. Now Favors cannot develop his low post game, his stats suffer… He’s playing out of position…. He’s never played the high post before…. not only that, but Georgia Tech’s guards suck, and cannot shoot (hell, they couldn’t hit the side of a horse barn with a cow turd)…. giving defenses the perfect opportunity to double Favors and Lawal… further diminishing Favor’s stats. He’s not a player that can create his own shot, so when he tries, he turns the ball over….. He becomes a turn over prone player (something he NEVER was in High School playing the low post)…
Now – for the last 8 games …. for some reason the GT Coach (Paul Hewitt ?) decided to put Favors in the low post…. Now he’s averaging 17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks…. and STILL getting double teamed.
His per 40 minute numbers over the last 8 games (21.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.7 blocks) compare better than his overall numbers to Cousins numbers (27 points , 17 rebounds , 3.0 blocks)…
Now, add the fact that Cousins doesn’t get double teamed (Wall, Patterson and Eric Bledsoe would just drain wide open shot after shot)…. and the fact that Wall (6.2 assists) and Bledsoe (3.1 assists) both are better facilitators, and are usually getting Cousins 3-4 easy buckets a game…. Something that Favors just DOES NOT GET from his guards (Mfon Udofia PG for Georgia Tech = 2.2 assists per game)
I’d love to see some assisted FG numbers for each player…. see how many of their Field Goals were Assisted.
I’d also love to see a stat that shows how many times Cousins left early on the break (before his team had even secured the basketball) – to go down court for a blue bird break away dunk…. versus how many times Derrick Favors battled under the boards to secure the rebound for his team.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I hope that my posts haven't given anything away
as to who I think is the better prospect…..
I am trying very hard to be balanced…. (grin)
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I agree
that he is undervalued due to the situation he is in, which I hope becomes a boon for the Wiz so that we can “steal” this kid…assuming we don’t luck out with the ping pong balls.
I'm afraid of the opposite....
These GM’s are really smart – they’re gonna see a hard working, terrific kid with a great attitude – that has excellent low post skills and an unlimited upside – - – and as a result, Favors may go high (3rd?) in the Draft…
Whereas, Cousins, who is putting up MONSTER numbers, and is by far one of the best players in the draft with one of the best PER’s (36.8) in the last 8 years………. but who DraftExpress says: Doesn’t always play hard, and has poor Defensive fundamentals. They have questions about his maturity, intelligence, and mental toughness. And this is a player consider has a High bust potential
Cousins may slip – to 5th ,or 6th, or 7th – - – right into the Wizards slot…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Your assuming that the Wiz
haven’t grabbed Evan Turner with the second overall and some other mug team has to roll the dice on Cousins
i want favors or wes johnson or evan turner
any of the three could be nba all stars within three seasons (or sooner)
I don't have much interest in Johnson
Can’t handle the ball, and he’s already 22. I think it speaks volumes that he only succeeded in college when he got older than everyone else. Very much like Al Thornton.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Gotta give it up for Jay Wright
he plays that guard heavy line up year in and year out and Nova drops the ball every year.
Except last year, when they went to the Final Four
They really missed Cunningham down the stretch of the season IMO. Reynolds is good but needs more interior help.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Well nevermind
Now I can just enjoy the tourney instead of freaking out about my bracket.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
my bracket is completely done now
cant be mad though, cause like 80% of all brackets in america right now are irrelevant now
Kentucky
Still have them to win, though Kansas did wreck havoc.
Wow how dumb is the Wake Forest coach
Why did he try to run with UK. I guess that first tourney win had him thinking he had a world beater.
well, in his defense, Wake's best offense this year has been
to clear out for Ish Smith and just let him break down the defense and find cutters and shooters.
It did not work tonight because of Kentucky’s interior defense and Kentucky shot the lights out.
by John Park Williams on Mar 21, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
This is Dino Gaudio you are talking about right?
Poor doesn’t even begin to cover him.
"I say he does have to shoot me now! So shoot me now!" --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Mar 22, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
CBS' insistence on showing the under-the-backboard baseline camera angle
Sometime long ago, when basketball on television was just starting to evolve, someone came up with the radical idea that a great camera angle would be under the backboard, at ground level. It is a terrible idea, and the person who came up with it clearly had never been to a basketball game before in his life. But, the idea caught on, and for twenty years now, all networks, TNT, NBC, ABC, and CBS have used the under-the-basket camera angle for breakaway dunks and fastbreaks. Obviously, the producers who handle these games for the networks know nothing about basketball.
Anyone who has ever been to a basketball game knows that the best place to observe a dunk is not from underneath the backboard, but from the side, where you can gauge the distance and height of the dunk. But for years now, the networks insist on switching to the under-basket-angle for dunks. I can just imagine a television producer saying “The American public loves to feel like lEbron James is coming into their living room, that is why we switch to it.”
Anyway, CBS does this more than any other network I can remember. Yesterday during the Wake/Kentucky game, they did it for every single possession in transition. Very few ended in dunks, and so we wound up having no idea what happened on the play.
I dont know, but this infuriates me to no end. Why does CBS insist on doing it that way?
by John Park Williams on Mar 21, 2010 10:42 AM EDT reply actions
The MMOD player lets you watch
all the all ready completed games as well. The only problem is you have to sit through sooooo many commercials.
To be precise
you have to sit through the same four commercials sooooo many damn times. I hate Intel, Coke zero, Exxon, and the Ivan Brothers so much right now.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Mar 21, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I just looked up Lauderdale's height
because he looks a couple inches taller than Favors. He’s listed at 6’8". Not good. I’m not saying Favors is 6’7", but he’s not 6’10" either.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Mar 21, 2010 2:30 PM EDT reply actions
Fortunately,
even if Favors measures out at 6’7", or 6’8" in the Pre-Draft measurements – he’s quick enough, athletic enough, and smart enough to play BOTH Power Forward and Small Forward in the NBA
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
One of the things we've noticed though
is that he only seems comfortable offensively in the low post. I really wanted to like Favors, but the more I see, the less I like (from the Wiz’s perspective anyway). The only way I think he would fit is if he can push Blatche to C, but I don’t like that idea.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Mar 21, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
There's no way Favors can play small forward Rook
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Someone want to get out on Summers?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Nice D on that last possession guys
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
My hatred for Duke
Is likely going to cost me a chance at winning the BF pool. I don’t regret a thing.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Mar 21, 2010 6:01 PM EDT reply actions
MSU shot
Tough loss for the Terps, but the Michigan State last shot is one reason that I dislike the NBA rule that allows you to take the ball at half court following a timeout in the last 2 minutes. You rarely get to see full court plays as time is expiring.
The other main reason is that there’s no good reason for it. Why change the rules just because there is little time left?
I disagree, I much prefer the NBA rule
I get so tired of seeing half-court heaves to try and win the game. If one team scores with less than 2 seconds left in college, the game is over (unless LAetnerr or Bryce Drew are on your team).
by John Park Williams on Mar 21, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
If one team scores with less than 2 seconds left in college, the game is over (unless LAetnerr or Bryce Drew are on your team).
As it should be! 2 seconds should mean 2 seconds!
And its telling that you remember the Laetner and Drew plays. Thats because they are rare because of their difficulty. Thus they become the stuff of legend.
And any time under 1 second should be allowed to run off rather than the silly charade of 5 minutes of replay watching by the official to determine point 4 versus point 6 seconds left. I have a theory that whoever is running the clock cannot even start the clock in under a second (especially if the home team has the ball), so .4 actually means 1.4. I’m still steaming that Texas got to kick that field goal against Nebraska in the Big 12 football championship game and I don’t even follow either team.
A little off-topic
but I’m wondering if we’re overlooking the Euro players like Jan Vesely and Donatas Motiejunas. Here’s a stat-heavy article on Vesely with some video.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Mar 22, 2010 9:01 PM EDT reply actions
Anyone watching this xavier kstate game?
by purpleonblack86 on Mar 26, 2010 12:28 AM EDT reply actions
Incredible game
I picked Xavier too, dammit. Go Butler!
"I say he does have to shoot me now! So shoot me now!" --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Mar 26, 2010 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Evan Turner's shot is way too mechanical
This game versus Tennessee is the first I have seen of him all year. I am very, very impressed. But that shot of his is just so deliberate that he can’t get the shot off quickly. On the last play, he had 2 open looks, but since the Defense knew it was going up, they had time to react and alter the shot.
It will be very hard for him to get off that shot in the NBA I think. Athletic wing players will just time his release so that he will constantly have to double-clutch, just like tonight.
by John Park Williams on Mar 26, 2010 10:08 PM EDT reply actions
Ekpe Udoh
Now I see what all the fuss is about. No wonder he’s been flying up the draft boards. Pretty tremendous athlete and he has some game too.
"I say he does have to shoot me now! So shoot me now!" --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Mar 29, 2010 1:31 PM EDT reply actions
I just worry that he's already 23 and he's got a lot of issues
But definitely would rather have him than Aldrich.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
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