Around the Big East

[redstorm80]

 Georgetown beats Savannah St, 83-54

Providence beats FDU 72-61

3 more big east teams play today, no one in the conference has lost yet

 

[Class of 72]

 Duke barely squeaked by Belmont at home. Took a 3 by Dawkins to put them up by 4 or 5 with 16 seconds or so on the clock. don't kowmthe final but guess they won. Duke didn't impress me at all. They are minus lots of the big talent they have had in prior years. Austin Rivers in the second half was out of control often from what I saw. Talented but not yet under control.

 

FWIW Belmont was a 30-5 tourney team last year that only lost one of their top 5.

And re crowds at the UCLA game the Sports Arena is probably equidistant to LMU and UCLA. The fact that the sports arena is essentially on USC's Campus will make going to UCLA games this year kind of odd.

 

I have to agree re. Belmont, they are one of the most experienced teams in D1 this year and having a front line that includes 6'9 and 6'11 talented players that neutralized Duke up front. SJ could have lost to Belmont by 20 at home.

Re. UCLA, not having your fans show up is sad when you are a nationally ranked team playing just a few miles from campus. SJ had more fans showing up at MSG when we sucked with a capital "S". UCLA fans are prima donnas! Sorry CR, but Pauley does not come close to Cameron

 

Mason Plumlee actually had a pretty good game on last night. So, he wasn't exactly neutralized. Overall, Duke's frontline is big, but are they very good? I expect one of their bigs (probably, one of the Plumlee's) to be consistent, but I'm not sure I can say that for the entire lot. 

 

Yes, Mason had his usual game, but Dook has three McDonald AA up front that are 6'11 while the Belmont bigs were an after-thought in high school. They played the Dook AA's even and that, in my book, neutralized their superior skills up front so it became a game of guards making the difference. Without the Bruin bigs holding their own down low, Duke would have won easily.

 

Neil Fingleton and Joey Beard were also Mickey D's AA's, so that doesn't necessarily mean anything. We already know it can sometimes be a headscratcher when it comes to some Duke players ending up in the McDonald's game.

What superior skill does Duke's frontline presents? It seems you're using AA too loosely.... Many of those guys (especially, Ryan Kelly) haven't shown much. They are big, but what have they really shown other than Mason Plumlee?

 

A popular myth is that Duke gets slow white kids that are overrated McAA's. I dare say I would love to have just one on our St. John's team. Somehow, through a mirage orchestrated by coach rat face, these over-rated players seem to play their roles perfectly and get Dook to the sweet sixteen every year.

Yes, definitely a headscratcher!

 

[redmen1969]

 Duke barely squeaked by Belmont at home. Took a 3 by Dawkins to put them up by 4 or 5 with 16 seconds or so on the clock. don't kowmthe final but guess they won. Duke didn't impress me at all. They are minus lots of the big talent they have had in prior years. Austin Rivers in the second half was out of control often from what I saw. Talented but not yet under control.

 

FWIW Belmont was a 30-5 tourney team last year that only lost one of their top 5.

.

 

I'm surpised Duke put them on their schedule B)

 

[MJDinkins]

A popular myth is that Duke gets slow white kids that are overrated McAA's. I dare say I would love to have just one on our St. John's team. Somehow, through a mirage orchestrated by coach rat face, these over-rated players seem to play their roles perfectly and get Dook to the sweet sixteen every year.

Yes, definitely a headscratcher!

Most occasions they play their role well, but as I stated.... They are usually initiated with good guard play and they will have one particular big who can also score; board and do whatever else needs to be done. More times than not their other bigs aren't that good. Good guard play and one big who can also perform can be enough to get you through March. Not to mention, the refs occasionally swallowing their whistle on Duke's hand checks.  

Honestly, speaking.... Other than Mason Plumlee who else does Duke have on their current frontline that is superior in skills?  

 

[MCNPA]

 I agree hat Belmont was quite good. Just wasn't real impressed with Duke and their overall talent level co pared to prior years.

 

[austour]

 Duke barely squeaked by Belmont at home. Took a 3 by Dawkins to put them up by 4 or 5 with 16 seconds or so on the clock. don't kowmthe final but guess they won. Duke didn't impress me at all. They are minus lots of the big talent they have had in prior years. Austin Rivers in the second half was out of control often from what I saw. Talented but not yet under control.

 

FWIW Belmont was a 30-5 tourney team last year that only lost one of their top 5.

.

 

I'm surpised Duke put them on their schedule B)

 

Not sure what that smiley represents but Duke always has a very competitive non conference schedule.

 

[Class of 72]

 I agree hat Belmont was quite good. Just wasn't real impressed with Duke and their overall talent level co pared to prior years.

 

LOL! Your comment is made every year by 100,000 fans that hate Duke and then have to watch helplessly as they go to another Final Four.

 

[MCNPA]

 I agree hat Belmont was quite good. Just wasn't real impressed with Duke and their overall talent level co pared to prior years.

 

LOL! Your comment is made every year by 100,000 fans that hate Duke and then have to watch helplessly as they go to another Final Four.

 

Maybe you're right. Didn't see the usual big point scorers and shooters that's all. The Plumlee looked decent, but as some pointed out, the Belmont big guys were not that good.

 

[Class of 72]

 I agree hat Belmont was quite good. Just wasn't real impressed with Duke and their overall talent level co pared to prior years.

 

LOL! Your comment is made every year by 100,000 fans that hate Duke and then have to watch helplessly as they go to another Final Four.

 

Maybe you're right. Didn't see the usual big point scorers and shooters that's all. The Plumlee looked decent, but as some pointed out, the Belmont big guys were not that good.

 

The Belmont kids played smart BB and their bigs matched the Duke bigs in this game. Belmont is a very well coached team with kids with high BB IQ. They played like a Davidson team with a lot of NCAA experience.

 

[redstorm80]

Syracuse blew out Fordham, USF just got by Vermont and Seton Hall beat St Francis NY in overtime


Everyone in the big east is 1-0 except Cincy who hasn't played and STJ at 2-0 

 

[MCNPA]

Syracuse blew out Fordham, USF just got by Vermont and Seton Hall beat St Francis NY in overtime


Everyone in the big east is 1-0 except Cincy who hasn't played and STJ at 2-0 

 

All these wins regardless of the level of play, help the big east come tourney time when looking at big east vs OOC.

 

[redstorm80]

Syracuse blew out Fordham, USF just got by Vermont and Seton Hall beat St Francis NY in overtime


Everyone in the big east is 1-0 except Cincy who hasn't played and STJ at 2-0 

 

All these wins regardless of the level of play, help the big east come tourney time when looking at big east vs OOC.

 

No doubt i'm still rooting against Syracuse though

 

[MCNPA]

Syracuse blew out Fordham, USF just got by Vermont and Seton Hall beat St Francis NY in overtime


Everyone in the big east is 1-0 except Cincy who hasn't played and STJ at 2-0 

 

All these wins regardless of the level of play, help the big east come tourney time when looking at big east vs OOC.

 

No doubt i'm still rooting against Syracuse though

 

Agree, although they are as talented as ever this season.

 

[Moose]

Syracuse blew out Fordham, USF just got by Vermont and Seton Hall beat St Francis NY in overtime


Everyone in the big east is 1-0 except Cincy who hasn't played and STJ at 2-0 

 

All these wins regardless of the level of play, help the big east come tourney time when looking at big east vs OOC.

 

No doubt i'm still rooting against Syracuse though

 

Agree, although they are as talented as ever this season.

 

They are without question the deepest Cuse team I've ever seen. Usually they run 7 out there. Not this year.

 

[Class of 72]

Syracuse blew out Fordham, USF just got by Vermont and Seton Hall beat St Francis NY in overtime


Everyone in the big east is 1-0 except Cincy who hasn't played and STJ at 2-0 

 

All these wins regardless of the level of play, help the big east come tourney time when looking at big east vs OOC.

 

No doubt i'm still rooting against Syracuse though

 

I don't even consider Cuse, Pitt and WV Big East teams any longer! I do not give a crap what OOC stats are used! I will root for whatever teams they play against, even if it were the University of Islamabad!

 

[simplyred]

Syracuse blew out Fordham, USF just got by Vermont and Seton Hall beat St Francis NY in overtime


Everyone in the big east is 1-0 except Cincy who hasn't played and STJ at 2-0 

 

All these wins regardless of the level of play, help the big east come tourney time when looking at big east vs OOC.

 

No doubt i'm still rooting against Syracuse though

 

I don't even consider Cuse, Pitt and WV Big East teams any longer! I do not give a crap what OOC stats are used! I will root for whatever teams they play against, even if it were the University of Islamabad!

 

LOL, I agree. I saw Huggy talking about the strength of the Big East and I felt like kicking my tv screen.

 

[MJDinkins]

Arizona down by 10 (25-15) to Ball State with about 6 and a half minutes 'til halftime. 

 

[MJDinkins]

Arizona down by 10 (25-15) to Ball State with about 6 and a half minutes 'til halftime. 

 

38-29, Ball State at the half.

 

[Moose]

Arizona down by 10 (25-15) to Ball State with about 6 and a half minutes 'til halftime. 

 

38-29, Ball State at the half.

 

Not what I want to see.
Rather Zona win the game. Don't want them coming in off a loss.

 

[MJDinkins]

Arizona down by 10 (25-15) to Ball State with about 6 and a half minutes 'til halftime. 

 

38-29, Ball State at the half.

 

Not what I want to see.
Rather Zona win the game. Don't want them coming in off a loss.

LOL Honestly, it doesn't matter to me (whether, they come in with or without a loss).

By the way, 'Zona has now trimmed Ball State's lead to four (44-40).