2009 College Basketball Thread

[ORS]

How big of a Duke fan are you? Did you go to school there, or just generally root for them as a second team or something? I know I wouldn't give a damn about the feel good Butler story if Mississippi State was involved. I would root 100% for my team and not feel bad for one second.

 

But wow, that was a clinic by Duke tonight. Their most complete game of the tournament by far.

Pretty much all of my dad's side of the family live in the Greensboro, Thomasville, High Point area of North Carolina. Seriously, I think my grandparents (and their kids, my dad and his brothers) were the only group that left the area. As is commonly reported, college basketball is pretty big in NC. As I reached my fandom coming of age in the mid-80's, I liked the upstart Duke teams. Grandpa was Tarheel blue through and through, dad like Valvano at NC State. Those were the three factions in the family.

 

Then, some of the bigger name regional stars from Northern VA went on to play at Duke. I used to go to Red Jenkins' basketball camp at WT Woodson High School, and Tommy Amaker was my coach one year. I was in a younger bracket, but I played in the same AAU organization as Grant Hill, got to watch him play in AAU and then when he was at South Lakes High School.

 

As far as my level of passion, I don't really get too upset when any of the teams I root for lose. Therefore, it's easy for me to transition into actually wanting the opposition to win in a special set of circumstances.

[msubulldogs21]

I could sure use the extra money if Butler is able to win, but I'm going Duke by 7.

[yankees228]

If Zoubek can stay out of foul trouble, he might have a huge night. And what a play by Scheyer, can't get enough of watching him play.

[yankees228]

Butler would be smart to feature the pick and roll all night against Zoubek. He is very slow footed, and when he hedges on the screen, he is almost never able to properly recover.

[msubulldogs21]

I know it's the popular thing to do to hate on Duke, and I'm no fan of them by any means, but this is a good group of guys. I'm definitely pulling for Butler but if Duke wins I really have no problem with anyone on their team. Classy guys who play the game extremely well.

[yankees228]

It really is no secret why Matt Howard is always in foul trouble. He's incredibly reckless on the offensive glass.

[ORS]

Hayward's a bit of a chucker. Looks like he could use a little basketball IQ and quit jacking up all those awful shot attempts.

[ORS]

It really is no secret why Matt Howard is always in foul trouble. He's incredibly reckless on the offensive glass.

Not just the offensive, he's pretty reckless on both ends.

[yankees228]

Hayward's a bit of a chucker. Looks like he could use a little basketball IQ and quit jacking up all those awful shot attempts.

 

He can be very patient, as the announcers have discussed, but on the other hand I see your point. He seems like a guy who is all about rhythm and fluidity, without a ton of regard for the shot clock, the situation, and the defenders.

[ORS]

He can be very patient' date=' as the announcers have discussed, but on the other hand I see your point. He seems like a guy who is all about rhythm and fluidity, without a ton of regard for the shot clock, the situation, and the defenders.[/quote']

I think he commits to shooting, and regardless of where the play takes him, no matter how off balance he has to go to get the shot off, he pulls the trigger.

[italstallianion]

Damn it. If I had to choose one team that I'd never want to win a title, it'd be Duke. (Then Syracuse and Florida)

[ORS]

Smart TO by Stevens. Duke is a run/momentum team.

[yankees228]

Butler has to continue to pull Zoubek away from the basket on the pick and roll if they want to be successful around the basket, in the half court.

[yankees228]

Excellent first half. Very entertaining.

[yankees228]

Butler looks fantastically defensively coming out of the half.

[See Red]

Not impressed by Matt Howard at all.

[bsox0407]

That last duke basket looked like offensive interference.

[See Red]

That last duke basket looked like offensive interference.

 

I thought so too. Haven't seen an instant replay or anything, though.

[See Red]

That's a terrible call on the charge.

[msubulldogs21]

Damn it. If I had to choose one team that I'd never want to win a title' date=' it'd be Duke. (Then Syracuse and Florida)[/quote']

 

Kentucky?

[italstallianion]

Kentucky?

 

 

 

I don't mind Kentucky. I just really hate Duke, Syracuse, and Florida. I have nothing in the world against Kentucky.

[yankees228]

I think Stevens feels that Duke is on the edge of taking control, evidenced by him bringing Howard back into the game so early with four fouls.

[bsox0407]

Good no flagrant foul call.

[yankees228]

Long way to go, but Singler has played a final four that is certainly worthy of MOP honors.

[VA Sox Fan]

Great game! GO DUKE!!

[yankees228]

Two schools of thought here. Does Coach K run time, and try to make sure he gets a quality shot, or does he design a quick play to go two for one? Big time decision for a big time coach.

[See Red]

My goodness what a game!

 

Just when it looked like the game was slipping away from Butler. I was going to post earlier that Butler was too prone to long stretches without making FG's for me to like their chances against a team like Duke, and they just had another long stretch, but are back within one!

[yankees228]

Such a well designed play, and Singler couldn't convert.

[italstallianion]

Damn it. This is next to the Yankees winning the WS in my book of least desireable events.

[suns]

The refs gave them the game tonight like always.