Nothing as inherently earth-shaking as the Rockets. And nothing near as funny as the Clippers getting a back-up and an expiring contract for Marcus Camby. But there was some interesting value culled.
The deal with the Sixers can break interesting. In most aspects, it's really a challenge trade in terms of Meek for a #2. I know Skiles is going to like Ivey's inherent Royal Ivey. But the gangsta Primoz Brezec is not going to be around next seaon. And as for the Bucks? They can get both a ninja rebounder like a Kenneth Faried as well as an upside play like an Alexy Shved.
Or a reverse. General Greivous and Latavious Williams? It can only help.
Then again? Meeks could become a killer with a change of scenery. Many people called that pick a sleeper. My first instinct is to like this deal. But it could change quickly.
Salmons for the expiring contracts of Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander? It depends. Salmons is a very versatile piece. He can play the two, three, and even the four if you want to run a small ball. His offensive game is a between a three and a four. The only thing is? His defense is average on its best day. Skiles may not use him as much as he should.
But a line-up of Jennings-Ridnour-Salmons-Ilyasova-Bogut? It most definitely seems like it could be worth som running as well as some gunning.
Showing posts with label Basketball is played by tall guys.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basketball is played by tall guys.. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2010
This could be an interesting Trade Deadline.
The Rockets apparently just traded for Kevin Martin. At least according to Marc Stein.
I'm gonna wait to learn more, but you know what? Until further notice, Morey did something masterful. Martin is good enough to be deemed a superstar. And Sacramento wants to get in the 2010 lotteratorium?
LOL What?
Portland picks up Camby. Like it.
I'm gonna wait to learn more, but you know what? Until further notice, Morey did something masterful. Martin is good enough to be deemed a superstar. And Sacramento wants to get in the 2010 lotteratorium?
LOL What?
Portland picks up Camby. Like it.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Knockout Saturday...
Now this weekend, you have to watch the majestry of the mid-majors. Illinois State and Niagra fighting to get on the outside looking in of the bubble and whatnot. But while you look and notice that Siena is really kind of awesome, there are eleven major teams playing for their tournament lives. Now sure, some are on the super periphery, but if they pull the upset? The bracketologists have to consider them.
It is a list post, I will order them according to the bracketological implications.
10) Providence vs. Notre Dame
Why even list this game? Notre Dame is an NIT team, Providence's computer numbers are marginal at best. They still would need to steal one of at home vs. Pittsburgh or at Villanova to even be considered. So why list the fighting Keno Davis' as a knockout game? Because a win here likely gets Providence to ten conference wins. And if they can swing eleven? There's a definite chance of Keno Davis winning a coach of the year.
9) Nebraska at Kansas
Now sure, asking for Nebraska to take down Kansas on the road is a tall task. But the fact of the matter? If they can get it done, it's a top notch win in their last ten games over a potential two seed that was on a 38 game home winning streak. Put it this way. If Abe Dagundro and Paul Velander can get that done? Of all the potential 19 win teams, they have to climb the ladder of contention.
8) Kentucky vs. Tennessee
Patrick Patterson's limited play is something that makes this game not as much of a gimme as it could have been. The Vols are strong like Bull in the low post, and you saw what Vanderbilt did with a team that couldn't be at full strength down low. With only one guaranteed win from here on out, Kentucky could find themselves in some trouble if the Vols come out fired up. Remember, Meeks kicked their ass the last time they played.
7) USC vs. Washington
Southern California needs to win one of their next two. Otherwise? They will find themselves in the morass. It would be a resume too similar to Baylor, Georgetown, Miami, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin. Now maybe they get in, and maybe they stay out. But if they can get to 19 off of a quality win? Then if they go into Stanford and win? That equals twenty.
6) UNLV vs. BYU
Losing at Wyoming just might be a killshot for the Rebels chances. Sure, they will get 20 wins. But beating Air Force is an RPI killer for marginal computer numbers. (Check how Kansas State's RPI fell off the cliff after they beat North Carolina Central.) And they have to beat the top three in conference. BYU does come to Vegas, but they have to go to San Diego State and Utah. (I will say this now. They need to beat BYU to stay alive.)
5) New Mexico vs. San Diego State
New Mexico has a very razor thin margin to work with. But that being said? They have a better chance to get any potential fourth berth for your Mountain West Conference than the aforementioned UNLV. They do play the top two teams. But they have to come to Las Cruces. And that is worth at least five points for the Lobos. Win out? It's 21-10, 12-4 and an RPI that isn't indefensible with an 8-2 record in their last 10 games. But they have to steal two.
4) Georgetown vs. Marquette
Georgetown has a chance of winning four out of his last five. Now this and Louisville will be tough games, but Georgetown is a young team. Losing seven of eight was bound to happen. The thing is? If they can get past that and find a way to use their low post to dominate Marquette? It's a quality win in their last ten. It may only mean a stay of execution, but they thread the needle, it's an 18-win team with good computer numbers (37/3) and a lot of quality wins (UConn, Memphis, Syracuse, Marquette and Louisville).
3) Vanderbilt at Florida
I know, the computer numbers for the Commodores should belie them from any real consideration at this point (91/107), but they also have they eye of the tiger for this game. They got dropped by 25 at home versus the Gators. So yeah, a win here means upset city.
That being said? They steal it and hold serve the rest of the way? They will be on the cutline come selection Sunday. And as for Florida? They still are on the safe line right now. And a loss here doesn't mean death, but their last four are a strong challenge. (@ LSU, Tennessee, @ Mississippi State, Kentucky), so they need this one to feel safe.
2) Boston College at Miami
Why I kept Miami in the Tournament teams bracket is the fact that this game starts a run of four consecutive games for the Hurricanes that they should win. (After this it's @ Virginia, @ Georgia Tech and vs. North Carolina State). But Boston College has their swagger back after they beat Duke last Sunday. And a win here clinches 20 wins overall and a .500 record in conference play. And it would knock out Miami from any real tournament consideration.
1) Baylor at Oklahoma State
The winner of this game has an excellent shot of running themselves back to at least .500 in conference, the loser is very likely going to have to steal one if they want to get there. (Though Baylor's needle is a lot easier to thread than Oklahoma State's. Winning at Texas looks a lot easier than winning at Oklahoma, even if Baylor has a minimal low-post presence.) My gut says that Baylor is going to win this game, but it should be very fun to watch. Tournament atmosphere, two teams that run and gun, and a game that promises to be in the 80's.
So you see? This is going to be one of the truly great weekends of college basketball. The Mid-Majors are shining, teams are fighting for their lives. God love it kids.
Get ready for March.
Drew!
It is a list post, I will order them according to the bracketological implications.
10) Providence vs. Notre Dame
Why even list this game? Notre Dame is an NIT team, Providence's computer numbers are marginal at best. They still would need to steal one of at home vs. Pittsburgh or at Villanova to even be considered. So why list the fighting Keno Davis' as a knockout game? Because a win here likely gets Providence to ten conference wins. And if they can swing eleven? There's a definite chance of Keno Davis winning a coach of the year.
9) Nebraska at Kansas
Now sure, asking for Nebraska to take down Kansas on the road is a tall task. But the fact of the matter? If they can get it done, it's a top notch win in their last ten games over a potential two seed that was on a 38 game home winning streak. Put it this way. If Abe Dagundro and Paul Velander can get that done? Of all the potential 19 win teams, they have to climb the ladder of contention.
8) Kentucky vs. Tennessee
Patrick Patterson's limited play is something that makes this game not as much of a gimme as it could have been. The Vols are strong like Bull in the low post, and you saw what Vanderbilt did with a team that couldn't be at full strength down low. With only one guaranteed win from here on out, Kentucky could find themselves in some trouble if the Vols come out fired up. Remember, Meeks kicked their ass the last time they played.
7) USC vs. Washington
Southern California needs to win one of their next two. Otherwise? They will find themselves in the morass. It would be a resume too similar to Baylor, Georgetown, Miami, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin. Now maybe they get in, and maybe they stay out. But if they can get to 19 off of a quality win? Then if they go into Stanford and win? That equals twenty.
6) UNLV vs. BYU
Losing at Wyoming just might be a killshot for the Rebels chances. Sure, they will get 20 wins. But beating Air Force is an RPI killer for marginal computer numbers. (Check how Kansas State's RPI fell off the cliff after they beat North Carolina Central.) And they have to beat the top three in conference. BYU does come to Vegas, but they have to go to San Diego State and Utah. (I will say this now. They need to beat BYU to stay alive.)
5) New Mexico vs. San Diego State
New Mexico has a very razor thin margin to work with. But that being said? They have a better chance to get any potential fourth berth for your Mountain West Conference than the aforementioned UNLV. They do play the top two teams. But they have to come to Las Cruces. And that is worth at least five points for the Lobos. Win out? It's 21-10, 12-4 and an RPI that isn't indefensible with an 8-2 record in their last 10 games. But they have to steal two.
4) Georgetown vs. Marquette
Georgetown has a chance of winning four out of his last five. Now this and Louisville will be tough games, but Georgetown is a young team. Losing seven of eight was bound to happen. The thing is? If they can get past that and find a way to use their low post to dominate Marquette? It's a quality win in their last ten. It may only mean a stay of execution, but they thread the needle, it's an 18-win team with good computer numbers (37/3) and a lot of quality wins (UConn, Memphis, Syracuse, Marquette and Louisville).
3) Vanderbilt at Florida
I know, the computer numbers for the Commodores should belie them from any real consideration at this point (91/107), but they also have they eye of the tiger for this game. They got dropped by 25 at home versus the Gators. So yeah, a win here means upset city.
That being said? They steal it and hold serve the rest of the way? They will be on the cutline come selection Sunday. And as for Florida? They still are on the safe line right now. And a loss here doesn't mean death, but their last four are a strong challenge. (@ LSU, Tennessee, @ Mississippi State, Kentucky), so they need this one to feel safe.
2) Boston College at Miami
Why I kept Miami in the Tournament teams bracket is the fact that this game starts a run of four consecutive games for the Hurricanes that they should win. (After this it's @ Virginia, @ Georgia Tech and vs. North Carolina State). But Boston College has their swagger back after they beat Duke last Sunday. And a win here clinches 20 wins overall and a .500 record in conference play. And it would knock out Miami from any real tournament consideration.
1) Baylor at Oklahoma State
The winner of this game has an excellent shot of running themselves back to at least .500 in conference, the loser is very likely going to have to steal one if they want to get there. (Though Baylor's needle is a lot easier to thread than Oklahoma State's. Winning at Texas looks a lot easier than winning at Oklahoma, even if Baylor has a minimal low-post presence.) My gut says that Baylor is going to win this game, but it should be very fun to watch. Tournament atmosphere, two teams that run and gun, and a game that promises to be in the 80's.
So you see? This is going to be one of the truly great weekends of college basketball. The Mid-Majors are shining, teams are fighting for their lives. God love it kids.
Get ready for March.
Drew!
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Under the Radar Games of the Week
Why? Because ESPN has a stranglehold on the good styled games.
This week has a couple of very interesting match-ups for teams that fall into the mid-major and below. There will be a slow day or two as well. But that kind of goes without saying.
Today (1/26) Morgan State vs. Hampton
Hampton is an excellent defensive team. But they are really bad on offense. They chuck up a lot of threes for a team that's 28 percent from beyond the arc. But that's not their strength. Their strength is using steals to generate second chance opportunities. And they have to try and take down the Todd Bozeman-led Morgan State Grievis killers. They can stop the three with style and aplomb.
(Slow news day, Morgan State will be the first to 60. They will win.)
Tuesday (1/27) Virginia Commonwealth vs. Northeastern
It's the battle of Eric Maynor versus Matt Janning. The CAA tradition versus the CAA sleeper. Fast hands versus faster hands. The keys to this game will be Chaisson Allen and Matt Janning's ability to generate turnovers. Northeastern will need a good showing in the turnover column to take down an excellent shooting team like VCU.
(But I don't think they can.)
Wednesday (1/28) Texas State vs. Texas San Antonio
This one may be more for me? But here you have two teams that can push the ball up the court like nobody's business. Why this game may be something more for me is the fact that both teams have their struggle bugs on defense. Pomeroy lists UTSA as one of the worst teams at forcing bad shots. But why UTSA will win is the fact that at least they can generate some stops.
Also? NJIT has another win in them versus Maryland Eastern Shore. I can feel it.
Thursday (1/29) Chicago St. vs. Utah Valley State
This is aiming to be quite the one-on-one scoring duel. For Chicago State you have mighty mite scoring point guard David Holston. He has averaged a staggering 11 three attempts per game. For UVS you have Ryan Toolson, a little less of a pure gunner than Holston, but do not deny the man his scoring chops. So clearly, John Cantrell is going to decide the fate of this game.
Friday (1/30) Jacksonville vs. East Tennessee St.
First place is up for grabs in Florida. Behind Ben Smith's shoint guardery and Marcus Allen's defense, the veteran Bulls have a one game lead on Belmont and a big tiebreaker game on a dead zone for College Hoops. Why? Pigram and Tiggs. If you believe in the magic of steady veteran guardplay. This is a team to watch.
Saturday (1/31) Cleveland St. vs. Wright St.
This could be a game of two ships passing in the night. Few teams have been as hot as Wright State in the past two months, going 12-2 (with losses at Wake Forest and Butler). On the other hand? Cleveland State just went through a road trip from hell, getting beat by UWGB, UWM, and inexplicably Youngstown State. But they have homecourt. And they can split the series.
Sunday (2/1) Dayton vs. St. Joesph's
It was at about this point last season Dayton fell off the cliff. There were injuries to blame, that's for sure. But this team still has swagger that belies a neutralish loss to UMass. But St. Joe's is unbeaten in conference. They have lost some inexplicable games, and they run Ahmad Nivins into the ground, but this is a must win for your Flyers to get an at-large Berth.
This week has a couple of very interesting match-ups for teams that fall into the mid-major and below. There will be a slow day or two as well. But that kind of goes without saying.
Today (1/26) Morgan State vs. Hampton
Hampton is an excellent defensive team. But they are really bad on offense. They chuck up a lot of threes for a team that's 28 percent from beyond the arc. But that's not their strength. Their strength is using steals to generate second chance opportunities. And they have to try and take down the Todd Bozeman-led Morgan State Grievis killers. They can stop the three with style and aplomb.
(Slow news day, Morgan State will be the first to 60. They will win.)
Tuesday (1/27) Virginia Commonwealth vs. Northeastern
It's the battle of Eric Maynor versus Matt Janning. The CAA tradition versus the CAA sleeper. Fast hands versus faster hands. The keys to this game will be Chaisson Allen and Matt Janning's ability to generate turnovers. Northeastern will need a good showing in the turnover column to take down an excellent shooting team like VCU.
(But I don't think they can.)
Wednesday (1/28) Texas State vs. Texas San Antonio
This one may be more for me? But here you have two teams that can push the ball up the court like nobody's business. Why this game may be something more for me is the fact that both teams have their struggle bugs on defense. Pomeroy lists UTSA as one of the worst teams at forcing bad shots. But why UTSA will win is the fact that at least they can generate some stops.
Also? NJIT has another win in them versus Maryland Eastern Shore. I can feel it.
Thursday (1/29) Chicago St. vs. Utah Valley State
This is aiming to be quite the one-on-one scoring duel. For Chicago State you have mighty mite scoring point guard David Holston. He has averaged a staggering 11 three attempts per game. For UVS you have Ryan Toolson, a little less of a pure gunner than Holston, but do not deny the man his scoring chops. So clearly, John Cantrell is going to decide the fate of this game.
Friday (1/30) Jacksonville vs. East Tennessee St.
First place is up for grabs in Florida. Behind Ben Smith's shoint guardery and Marcus Allen's defense, the veteran Bulls have a one game lead on Belmont and a big tiebreaker game on a dead zone for College Hoops. Why? Pigram and Tiggs. If you believe in the magic of steady veteran guardplay. This is a team to watch.
Saturday (1/31) Cleveland St. vs. Wright St.
This could be a game of two ships passing in the night. Few teams have been as hot as Wright State in the past two months, going 12-2 (with losses at Wake Forest and Butler). On the other hand? Cleveland State just went through a road trip from hell, getting beat by UWGB, UWM, and inexplicably Youngstown State. But they have homecourt. And they can split the series.
Sunday (2/1) Dayton vs. St. Joesph's
It was at about this point last season Dayton fell off the cliff. There were injuries to blame, that's for sure. But this team still has swagger that belies a neutralish loss to UMass. But St. Joe's is unbeaten in conference. They have lost some inexplicable games, and they run Ahmad Nivins into the ground, but this is a must win for your Flyers to get an at-large Berth.
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