2011-2012 NCAA Basketball Thread

[Rex Hudler]

Can't wait for basketball season! IU is going to finish 35-0 this year!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I'm awake now. What did I miss?

[Rowand44]

Heh, go Subway: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballn...iet-was-no-joke

[RockRaines]

Heh, go Subway: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballn...iet-was-no-joke

He had a well documented addiction to Wendys. Apparently he hit the weight room hard and also dragged Even Ravenal with him as well and he put on 25 pounds of muscle.

 

11-11-11 cant wait

[Brian]

Chicken breast on wheat bread for me.

[RockRaines]

Chicken breast on wheat bread for me.

I'm a spicy italian guy myself, not toasted.

[LittleHurt05]

This is the least excited I have been about Illini basketball since I can remember. The last few years have just been so disappointing, I don't want to get my hopes up before they fail once again. (Although who am I kidding, I'm sure I will be all in once the first ball tips off)

[IlliniKrush]

This is the least excited I have been about Illini basketball since I can remember. The last few years have just been so disappointing, I don't want to get my hopes up before they fail once again. (Although who am I kidding, I'm sure I will be all in once the first ball tips off)

How can you not be excited to see a new wave of, in theory, hard working guys who listen? It's exciting to know the disappointing class is now gone and we have something else to look forward to. I don't know how good they'll actually be, but it will be fun to watch them grow. The result may be close to the same, but how we get there will be far less maddening, it appears.

[LittleHurt05]

How can you not be excited to see a new wave of, in theory, hard working guys who listen? It's exciting to know the disappointing class is now gone and we have something else to look forward to. I don't know how good they'll actually be, but it will be fun to watch them grow. The result may be close to the same, but how we get there will be far less maddening, it appears.

 

That's true, the McCamey/Davis/Tisdale dictatorship is finally over. I guess it's just that I am tempering my expectations so much this season as compared to the past. They may be fun to watch, but I am preparing myself for an NIT berth, nothing more.

[Boogua]

That's true, the McCamey/Davis/Tisdale dictatorship is finally over. I guess it's just that I am tempering my expectations so much this season as compared to the past. They may be fun to watch, but I am preparing myself for an NIT berth, nothing more.

 

If the Illini don't make the NCAA tourney with a lineup of 5th year SR, 4* Jr (Paul), 4* Jr (DJ), high 3* Jr (Griffey), and 5* So (Leonard) I will be very disappointed in Weber. Even if there are lots of question marks (Maniscalo's ankle along with the others having a lack of experience) the illini should make the tournament based on pure talent alone.

 

The B10 will get at least 4 teams in and it is iffy years for many teams. Purdue lost Johnson and Moore and Wisconsin lost Leuer among others. I think it's 1.tOSU and then it's wide open. The illini SHOULD make the tournament.

[Jenksismyhero]

That's true, the McCamey/Davis/Tisdale dictatorship is finally over. I guess it's just that I am tempering my expectations so much this season as compared to the past. They may be fun to watch, but I am preparing myself for an NIT berth, nothing more.

 

I'm in the same boat, trying to justify believing in this team. But really, it's the same s*** every year since Dee left. Every 2-3 years I keep saying "oh well, when this guy leaves they'll be so much better!" Randle, Pruitt, Tisdale/Davis/McCamey. Terrible for a program that went about 6-7 years as one of the best in the country. He's getting talent every year, which is obviously good. But until they start winning i'm not getting my hopes up.

[RockRaines]

If the Illini don't make the NCAA tourney with a lineup of 5th year SR, 4* Jr (Paul), 4* Jr (DJ), high 3* Jr (Griffey), and 5* So (Leonard) I will be very disappointed in Weber. Even if there are lots of question marks (Maniscalo's ankle along with the others having a lack of experience) the illini should make the tournament based on pure talent alone.

 

The B10 will get at least 4 teams in and it is iffy years for many teams. Purdue lost Johnson and Moore and Wisconsin lost Leuer among others. I think it's 1.tOSU and then it's wide open. The illini SHOULD make the tournament.

You cant sleep on Wisconsin even though they lost Leuer. Jordan Taylor is enough for them to make a run and they actually have some talented underclassmen.

 

I see OSU, MSU, Wis, ILL and Pur all locks to make the tourney.

Edited October 20, 2011 by RockRaines

[clyons]

You cant sleep on Wisconsin even though they lost Leuer. Jordan Taylor is enough for them to make a run and they actually have some talented underclassmen.

 

I see OSU, MSU, Wis, ILL and Pur all locks to make the tourney.

 

I'm a pretty big Illini homer, but although I think they will make it, they are far from a lock. I've seen a couple projected NCAA brackets already (worthless, I know) that have them out.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Illinois not making the tourney would have to be a massive failjob. They're the second most talented team in the conference.

[bigruss]

Illinois not making the tourney would have to be a massive failjob. They're the second most talented team in the conference.

I personally think they are going to surprise in a good way, I'm thinking a 4-5 seed when it's all said and done. The talent and what should be a well motivated team could be a great mix, I think Weber will be refreshed after losing those guys too.

[Buehrle>Wood]

RK TEAM RECORD PTS

1 North Carolina (30) 0-0 774

2 Kentucky (1) 0-0 721

3 Ohio State 0-0 702

4 Connecticut 0-0 655

5 Syracuse 0-0 649

6 Duke 0-0 635

7 Vanderbilt 0-0 567

8 Louisville 0-0 514

9 Memphis 0-0 482

10 Florida 0-0 474

11 Pittsburgh 0-0 471

12 Baylor 0-0 358

13 Kansas 0-0 331

14 Wisconsin 0-0 313

15 Xavier 0-0 277

16 Arizona 0-0 269

17 Alabama 0-0 194

18 Michigan 0-0 187

19 Texas A&M 0-0 161

20 UCLA 0-0 147

21 Marquette 0-0 145

22 Cincinnati 0-0 141

23 Gonzaga 0-0 125

24 California 0-0 111

25 Missouri 0-0 110

Others receiving votes: Florida State 108, Texas 107, Michigan State 73, Temple 59, Washington 29, Butler 25, New Mexico 22, Creighton 19, Villanova 18, Purdue 17, UNLV 16, West Virginia 13, George Mason 12, Mississippi State 11, St. John's 11, Saint Mary's 5, Virginia 5, Virginia Commonwealth 4, Drexel 2, Kansas State 2, Long Beach State 2, Notre Dame 1, Brigham Young 1

[RockRaines]

I'm a pretty big Illini homer, but although I think they will make it, they are far from a lock. I've seen a couple projected NCAA brackets already (worthless, I know) that have them out.

I think they are a lock because I think the bottom half of the Big Ten is weak this year and the top tier will have impressive conference records when its all said and done.

 

I also think the conference will do fairly well in OOC play to add a boost.

[Jenksismyhero]

For Illinois it all comes down to Leonard. If he can play 30-35 minutes of productive basketball, they'll be a pretty good team. They have enough athletes to run and toughness to play good D. Half-court offense could be a challenge without a facilitator though, and that's my concern.

[fathom]

For Illinois it all comes down to Leonard. If he can play 30-35 minutes of productive basketball, they'll be a pretty good team. They have enough athletes to run and toughness to play good D. Half-court offense could be a challenge without a facilitator though, and that's my concern.

 

If he plays 21-24 minutes, that's a big improvement. His big issues is fouls.

[RockRaines]

For Illinois it all comes down to Leonard. If he can play 30-35 minutes of productive basketball, they'll be a pretty good team. They have enough athletes to run and toughness to play good D. Half-court offense could be a challenge without a facilitator though, and that's my concern.

I think depth is a bit of a concern for them as well, though they have some talent behind the starters. I still think without the egos of the guys that left, Weber's offense will be alot more fluid and effective this season.

[Brian]

Can't wait for basketball season! SIU is going to finish 35-0 this year!!!

Edited October 20, 2011 by Brian

[farmteam]

Wayman Tisdale Award (Best Freshman) Watch List

 

Bradley Beal, Florida (G, 6-3, 207, Fr., St. Louis, Mo.)

Chane Behanan, Louisville (F, 6-6, 245, Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio)

Khem Birch, Pittsburgh (F, 6-9, 220, Fr., Montreal, Quebec)

Anthony Davis, Kentucky (F, 6-10, 220, Fr., Chicago, Ill.)

Andre Drummond, Connecticut (C, 6-10, 270, Fr., Middletown, Conn.)

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky (F, 6-7, 232, Fr., Somerdale, N.J.)

Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State (G/F, 6-7, 230, Fr., Dallas, Texas)

Austin Rivers, Duke (G, 6-4, 200, Fr., Winter Park, Fla.)

Marquis Teague, Kentucky (G, 6-2, 189, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind.)

Adonis Thomas, Memphis (F/G, 6-6, 222, Fr., Memphis, Tenn.)

Josiah Turner, Arizona (G, 6-3, 192, Fr., Sacramento, Calif.)

Cody Zeller, Indiana (F, 6-11, 230, Fr., Washington, Ind.)

 

 

I'd assume Zeller has a chance to be high up in the voting at the end of the year, simply because he's going to be the best player and focal point of his team. Admittedly, I don't know enough about the teams of the other players on this list to know if that's true for others as well. Also, the fact that he's the best player on the team could possibly hurt him, since teams will focus on him more.

 

While Zeller is likely the best player on IU this year, Watford is probably the better scorer right now. Two more years experience, and he'll be able to take a more natural role (out on the wing, instead almost exclusively playing the 4/5) with Zeller here.

 

Of course, I could care less what individual awards Zeller (or any other Hoosier) wins, as long as the team plays well and improves significantly over last year.

[Heads22]

Interested to see LeBryan Nash play.

 

Big 12 will be interesting as a whole.

[Rex Hudler]

You cant sleep on Wisconsin even though they lost Leuer. Jordan Taylor is enough for them to make a run and they actually have some talented underclassmen.

 

I see OSU, MSU, Wis, ILL and Pur all locks to make the tourney.

 

I'm going to ask because as much as I should be in tune with Purdue, I'm not. Would Purdue's chances rest mostly on Robbie Hummel's health and effectiveness? Do they have enough behind him if he isn't the player he once was.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

Wayman Tisdale Award (Best Freshman) Watch List

 

Bradley Beal, Florida (G, 6-3, 207, Fr., St. Louis, Mo.)

Chane Behanan, Louisville (F, 6-6, 245, Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio)

Khem Birch, Pittsburgh (F, 6-9, 220, Fr., Montreal, Quebec)

Anthony Davis, Kentucky (F, 6-10, 220, Fr., Chicago, Ill.)

Andre Drummond, Connecticut (C, 6-10, 270, Fr., Middletown, Conn.)

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky (F, 6-7, 232, Fr., Somerdale, N.J.)

Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State (G/F, 6-7, 230, Fr., Dallas, Texas)

Austin Rivers, Duke (G, 6-4, 200, Fr., Winter Park, Fla.)

Marquis Teague, Kentucky (G, 6-2, 189, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind.)

Adonis Thomas, Memphis (F/G, 6-6, 222, Fr., Memphis, Tenn.)

Josiah Turner, Arizona (G, 6-3, 192, Fr., Sacramento, Calif.)

Cody Zeller, Indiana (F, 6-11, 230, Fr., Washington, Ind.)

 

 

I'd assume Zeller has a chance to be high up in the voting at the end of the year, simply because he's going to be the best player and focal point of his team. Admittedly, I don't know enough about the teams of the other players on this list to know if that's true for others as well. Also, the fact that he's the best player on the team could possibly hurt him, since teams will focus on him more.

 

While Zeller is likely the best player on IU this year, Watford is probably the better scorer right now. Two more years experience, and he'll be able to take a more natural role (out on the wing, instead almost exclusively playing the 4/5) with Zeller here.

 

Of course, I could care less what individual awards Zeller (or any other Hoosier) wins, as long as the team plays well and improves significantly over last year.

 

It'll be Rivers or Drummond IMO

[He_Gawn]

I'm going to ask because as much as I should be in tune with Purdue, I'm not. Would Purdue's chances rest mostly on Robbie Hummel's health and effectiveness? Do they have enough behind him if he isn't the player he once was.

 

I would definitely say yes. I've heard he looks pretty good in practice already though. The question will be can he get his own shot after injury and with the double teams he's going to face without EM and JJ.