I love cbball and our Tigers. However, I haven't started game threads or participated in them due to the obvious bitching that would ensue. I really like Kansas. They have a balanced team that can score from any position and are hard to defend. Also, Memphis is better to me than most think. Dorsey is one of the most underrated players in the country. They have done a great job with their OOC schedule and it should benefit them down the road. With that being said, it will be interesting to see in the Sweet 16 or down the line how they produce in a half court set with a limited three point threat and poor three free throw shooting. They will need luck, as most team do to make it all the way. UCLA is also a great team, especially defensively, and more so when they are healthy. However, they seem to focus more in that side and I wonder when a big defensive team matches up with them and Love if they can score enough points. Duke can score but they wont cut it in the tournament because the lack of a post presence and the fact they live behind the arc. Carolina will do well if they are committed to the defensive end every game. Williams teaches defense more than anything, including the secondary break in his high powered offense, but they aren't skilled laterally and aren't that strong with the ball. They will need Thompson or Ginyard to give them free points down the road, especially in the tournament I have been around the Tar Heels my whole life and been to a few games in my day on Franklin St. Tonight they face Duke and it will be interesting to see how they compete without Ty Lawson. Lawson alone would abuse Paulus and negate Duke's perimeter defense. However, with Thomas in it is the opposite effect, as he is TO prone and does not get the easy transition points the Heels are accustomed to. If Ty can't play it will be tough to see a Tar Heel victory tonight. BTW, Dickie V is back tonight. Enjoy. Will bump for future hoops games to fill the offseason.
Duke wins mainly due to Carolina's obvious PG problems. For those that dont know LSU has UT at home this weekend. Making fun of Pearl the first time he came here was quite a night. Lets do it again.:thumb:
That Duke/NC game last night was good. Refs were awful and Tyler Hansbrough reminds me of Raef Lafrentz for some reason.
Memphis looks solid and a championship contender with all their athletes and depth along with Kansas. I think NC will have a better season overall than Duke. I predict Duke to make it to the sweet16/elite8 but sputter at the end because that usually happens with teams that live and die by the three. Look for Georgetown to make it deep and possibly to the Championship game with their big man in the middle. He proved to make them a stable half court team last year in the tourny. As for the SEC, watch out for Tenn. They are explosive and poised to make a deep run this year.
I've been rooting for Vandy when not playing LSU this year. They were/are a little overrated but I need some team to root for come tournament time with LSU out.
I like Vandy and Stallings and hate playing them. They are one of those frustrating teams that you can play perfect defense against and they throw up a three 30 seconds into the shot clock and drain it. I wouldn't mine Stallings being here.
