Hawaii Tournament

[MustangIcon]

USC is still a quality team. I saw them play here in Austin a week ago vs UT and they played well. The first half was a tight game. They were undersized, had not near the depth UT did, and were just not quite as talented. But thats what you expect against the #2 team in the nation.

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

Right, that's why they're 2-4 now, and picked to finish ninth in the Pac-10 this year.

http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-baskbl/s ... 09aac.html

I know they've been a quality team in the past, but you do remember that the team basically blew up this past spring, dont you? OJ Mayo scandal. Coach resigned, recruits backed out, most of their starters graduated or turned pro early? This is their year at the bottom, they even lost to Loyola-Marymount, a team that went 3-28 last year, and isnt looking much better this year. Our old buddy Jared Dubois had 17 on them.

They lost to Texas by 19.

So, what then is a quality team? If they finish near the bottom of the Pac-10, with a losing record, will that be a "quality" team? They're 2-4 now, with games against UNLV and Tennessee coming up, and the whole Pac-10 schedule. They'll be fortunate to win 10 games.

[PonyDoh]

I'd think Hawaii would be a pretty solid measuring stick. A high major and several high mids in that field.

I see UNLV, and 4 teams with losing records. Charleston got over .500 by beating UNC-Greensboro last night, but they're only 4-3. Who are the high mids?

Well, USC is a high major, and UNLV and SMU hail from high mid conferences. St Mary's, the last few years, has been a borderline NCAA team, in a solid mid conference. I don't care much about their records this year, more the perception of the programs, and from that angle, it's a solid field.

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

St. Mary's is a nice team, but they're on the opposite side of the bracket and I doubt we're going to see them. I see it going UNLV, then the loser of Hawaii/Charleston, then Northeastern or Western Michigan.

[PonyDoh]

St. Mary's is a nice team, but they're on the opposite side of the bracket and I doubt we're going to see them. I see it going UNLV, then the loser of Hawaii/Charleston, then Northeastern or Western Michigan.

Northeastern has been pretty reputable as well, recently. They had some real athletes last year, although I don't know what this year's squad looks like.

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

St. Mary's is a nice team, but they're on the opposite side of the bracket and I doubt we're going to see them. I see it going UNLV, then the loser of Hawaii/Charleston, then Northeastern or Western Michigan.

Northeastern has been pretty reputable as well, recently. They had some real athletes last year, although I don't know what this year's squad looks like.

Last year they did, including one who originally committed to SMU. They went 19-13 last year and lost to UTEP in the CBI tournament. I think they have 3 starters and a bunch of contributors back from last year, but they're only 2-4 so far.

[PonyDoh]

St. Mary's is a nice team, but they're on the opposite side of the bracket and I doubt we're going to see them. I see it going UNLV, then the loser of Hawaii/Charleston, then Northeastern or Western Michigan.

Northeastern has been pretty reputable as well, recently. They had some real athletes last year, although I don't know what this year's squad looks like.

Last year they did, including one who originally committed to SMU. They went 19-13 last year and lost to UTEP in the CBI tournament. I think they have 3 starters and a bunch of contributors back from last year, but they're only 2-4 so far.

who was the SMU kid?

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

Eugene Spates

[RGV Pony]

Eugene Spates

Hillcrest HS, Collin Co CC

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

Eugene Spates

Hillcrest HS, Collin Co CC

That would be him.

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

While we're all chatting, here, did anyone else watch the TCU-Tech game?

[George S. Patton]

No. I just saw Tech won. Red Raiders may have something. That win over Washington was pretty impressive.

[MustangIcon]

Right, that's why they're 2-4 now, and picked to finish ninth in the Pac-10 this year.

http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-baskbl/s ... 09aac.html

I know they've been a quality team in the past, but you do remember that the team basically blew up this past spring, dont you? OJ Mayo scandal. Coach resigned, recruits backed out, most of their starters graduated or turned pro early? This is their year at the bottom, they even lost to Loyola-Marymount, a team that went 3-28 last year, and isnt looking much better this year. Our old buddy Jared Dubois had 17 on them.

They lost to Texas by 19.

So, what then is a quality team? If they finish near the bottom of the Pac-10, with a losing record, will that be a "quality" team? They're 2-4 now, with games against UNLV and Tennessee coming up, and the whole Pac-10 schedule. They'll be fortunate to win 10 games.

They played UT within 5 at the end of the first half. Problem is they have no depth (they basically played 7 guys) and were facing the #2 team in the nation (which also happens to be insanely deep) on the road. If they are healthy, which is key since they are so thin, they should be competitive against most any Pac10 team when at home, even in a down year for them.

They did have a lot of losses but there is still a good deal of talent on that team and I think they are still a quality team for this tournament. They returned their leading scorer from last year (Lewis), a transfer from North Carolina (Stephenson), a transfer from UConn, and a soph named Nicola Vucavic (not sure on spelling) that is maybe their best player- he played a hell of a game against Texas. Good talent, no depth.

[MustangIcon]

Tech beat TCU 80-70 in Fort Worth. I didn't get to see the game.

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

they should be competitive against most any Pac10 team when at home, even in a down year for them.

They lost at home to Loyola Marymount, and their wins over Sacramento State and UC-Riverside didnt give me any confidence that they could do the same against Pac-10 teams, even in down year for that league. They'll be in the Pac-10 basement, unless UCLA gets there first.

I brought up the TCU-Tech game because it was an interesting game to watch. TCU blew out to an early lead, and lead the entire first half, up by 14 at one point. Tech steadily fought their way back in, but didnt pull away until the last few minutes. It was a good game. Bonkers (my new nickname for Zvonko Buljan) had 24 points.