College Hoops, December 17-23

[Red Dog]

After last week's light schedule, it's time to throw away the books, exams are over and tune into this weeks action. I usually say that the beginning of January and the start of conference play is when college hoops season really kicks in, but this week features some huge intersectional matchups that could go a long way to determining seeding positions among the top teams.

National TV Schedule:

Monday, Dec. 17
Albany at Duke, ESPN2, 7
Texas Southern at Purdue, ESPNU, 7
Western Carolina at Illinois, BTN, 8 HD
Navy at San Diego State, CSTV, 10

Tuesday, Dec. 18
Kansas at Georgia Tech, ESPN, 7
Kentucky at Houston, ESPN, 9

Wednesday, Dec. 19
Memphis at Cincinnati, ESPN2, 7
Wofford at Purdue, ESPNU, 7
San Jose State at Michigan State, BTN, 8 HD
Nicholls State at North Carolina, ESPNU, 9
Arizona at UNLV, CSTV, 10

Thursday, Dec. 20
Miami (Ohio) at Illinois, BTN, 7 HD
Duke vs. Pittsburgh (at New York), ESPN, 7 HD
All-College Classic at Oklahoma City:
• Oklahoma State vs. Oral Roberts, ESPN2, 7
• Oklahoma vs. Gonzaga, ESPN2, 9
Howard at Northwestern, BTN, 9 HD

Saturday, Dec. 22
Coppin State at Indiana, BTN, noon HD
Georgetown at Memphis, ESPN, noon
UCLA at Michigan, CBS, 2 HD
Tennessee at Xavier, ESPN, 2
Florida at Ohio State, CBS, 4 HD
Stanford vs. Texas Tech (at Dallas), ESPN2, 4:30
Texas vs. Michigan State (at Auburn Hills, Mich.), ESPN2, 6:30
Santa Clara at Minnesota, ESPNU, 7
Valparaiso at Wisconsin, BTN, 8:30 HD
Illinois vs. Missouri at St. Louis, ESPN2, 8:30
Oakland (Mich.) vs. Oregon (at Auburn Hills, Mich.), ESPNU, 9

Sunday, Dec. 23
Virginia Tech at Wake Forest, FSN, 5:30 HD
Cincinnati at N.C. State, FSN, 7:30 HD


Complete TV Schedule:
http://mattsarz44017.tripod.com/bask...007/week7.html


Even Bucknell gets a televised game this week, although this is a time where Comcast has DirecTV beat since it's on CN8.

[kneijst1]

Duke vs. Pittsburgh (at New York), ESPN, 7 HD

I might actually watch this one.

In other Big East news, Syracuse's Eric Devendorf tore his ACL and is out for the season. Add this to the only senior team member (Josh Wright) leaving and their starting shooting guard (Andy Rautins) who tore his ACL playing for Canada last summer, and the Orange have a big mess on their hands. Knowing Boeheim, they will be using a 7 man rotation with 2 sophomores, 1 JUCO transfer and 4 freshmen.

[Red Dog]

Updated 12/17
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

[Canadian Bacon]

ESPN's coverage just got less obnoxious
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3159983

[brizz]

Tickets to See UCLA demolish Michigan are quite affordable....down to $1

http://www.stubhub.com/university-of...vent_id=503493

[WallyOPD]

Fucking CSTV. I have it in Colorado and assumed I'd have no problem seeing tonights Arizona game now that I'm visiting my Mom in Phoenix, but Cox doesn't carry the channel and the first 3 sports bars I've called don't get it either. It figures that I've had no trouble seeing every game while in Colorado but as soon as I get here nobody seems to want to show it.

[Red Dog]

If the sports bar has DirecTV, they should get it. Ch. 610. They may just not realize they have it since they probably rarely tune to it.

Are you sure Cox doesn't have a sports pack that offers it. It's on the Comcast sports pack.

[WallyOPD]

Yeah I've triple checked the channel lineup and even called Cox and asked. Judging by how the Cox support woman was talking I gather they have been receiving quite a few calls. She immediately knew what I was talking about and said Cox hadn't been able to work anything out to carry the game. I have found a bar that carries it though that's not too far away.

[brizz]

MSU destroyed SJSU tonight....but bigger B10 news is that Purdue lost to WOFFORD at home

Outside of MSU and Indiana, the B10 is really bad this year. Michigan is atrocious....Iowa is even worse...and it looks like Purdue is not far behind. OSU, Wisky, and Illinois are mediocre....i bet only 2 of them make the tourney in the end.

[WallyOPD]

What an ugly ugly ugly game for Arizona. UNLV gave them a different look defensively and the traps really exposed the ball-handling issues Arizona has suffered from. It's nice to see a team that has toughness and can pick up wins in tight games but it would be nicer to see them really come out and control the game against a decent team instead of needing to scrap for a win.

On a side note, congrats to Michigan for picking up Laval Lucas-Perry. From what little I saw of him he can do a little bit of everything, and do them all pretty well.

[brizz]

Alex Legion is transferring after all...to Notre Dame - that ought to appease mama jesus

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by brizz

MSU destroyed SJSU tonight....but bigger B10 news is that Purdue lost to WOFFORD at home

Outside of MSU and Indiana, the B10 is really bad this year. Michigan is atrocious....Iowa is even worse...and it looks like Purdue is not far behind. OSU, Wisky, and Illinois are mediocre....i bet only 2 of them make the tourney in the end.

Somebody will probably scrape up 10 wins in the league and get in based on that.

[Red Dog]

Duke/Pitt should be interesting, but again I must ask, as I do on a frequent basis - would it kill Duke to play a real road game outside of the conference?

[B.A.]

Yesterday, I had to turn down several tickets to a party suite for this weekend's Braggin' Rights game, because I have to go out of town for my in-law's stupid Xmas party.

[SuperBatMan]

HAHAHAH, Fuck you Duke and your POS fans!

[Quake1028]

Fields

[slateef]

LOL @ dook.

Scheyer should have scored 11 points in the last 4 secs...isn't that what he does??

[Red Dog]

I'm glad that Dook lost simply for the fact that I don't have to see that ridiculous consecutive December wins stat anymore. Yes, Dook, that was mighty impressive - let's break down that streak:

33 games
21 home
9 neutral
3 road

And here were the road games: at perenial powerhouse UNC-Greensboro, a matchup (out of their control) at Michigan State, and at Michigan.

I won't even get into the ratio of cupcakes to serious competition that streak included.

[B.A.]

I still don't know how Greg Paulus is wearing that uniform, let alone starting.

[WallyOPD]

Spending time with my Mom in the evenings has meant I haven't had the chance to enjoy many of the good matchups this week, but it's always great to read about Duke losing.

And it's easy to see why they schedule all the cupcakes, Red Dog. With their reputation all they need to do is rack up a big record (and it usually helps to work in a couple of victories over "name" teams who aren't actually good). Rise in the rankings to the top 5 and then let the media do it's magic by glossing over any loss in the ACC with the "any team on any night can win in this conference!" mantra. Cruise to a protected seed and get to play somewhere in the Carolinas until the Sweet 16. Rinse and repeat.

[wildcatlh]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

I'm glad that Dook lost simply for the fact that I don't have to see that ridiculous consecutive December wins stat anymore. Yes, Dook, that was mighty impressive - let's break down that streak:

33 games
21 home
9 neutral
3 road

And here were the road games: at perenial powerhouse UNC-Greensboro, a matchup (out of their control) at Michigan State, and at Michigan.

I won't even get into the ratio of cupcakes to serious competition that streak included.

Hey! We used to be great before we went to Division I!

(UNC-Greensboro undegrad)
(and that's not an away game for Duke. They don't even play it at UNCG's home arena, though to be fair it's at the Greensboro Coliseum, which is only a couple of miles from campus. But it's less than an hour from Durham, and it's a Duke home crowd)

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by WallyOPD

(and it usually helps to work in a couple of victories over "name" teams who aren't actually good).

They do have a knack for scheduling road matchups with 'name' programs that are years removed from glory. Here are the home & homes (or continuing series) they've scheduled since 2000:

St. John's
Temple
Michigan
Georgetown

It should be noted that with the Georgetown matchups, they scheduled that when Georgetown was slumping under the helm of Escherick. They did not anticipate Georgetown becoming a national power again.


Yeah - I wondered about that Greensboro game, wildcat. I wondered if it was played at UNC-G's on-campus arena (I assume they have one) or if it was at the huge Greensboro Coliseum (to essentially make it a Duke home game). It came up 'away' on the kenpom schedule. It really should be neutral.

[Kdogg]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

They do have a knack for scheduling road matchups with 'name' programs that are years removed from glory. Here are the home & homes (or continuing series) they've scheduled since 2000:

St. John's
Temple
Michigan
Georgetown

It should be noted that with the Georgetown matchups, they scheduled that when Georgetown was slumping under the helm of Escherick. They did not anticipate Georgetown becoming a national power again.

Yeah - I wondered about that Greensboro game, wildcat. I wondered if it was played at UNC-G's on-campus arena (I assume they have one) or if it was at the huge Greensboro Coliseum (to essentially make it a Duke home game). It came up 'away' on the kenpom schedule. It really should be neutral.

You look at Duke's first 11 games and you'll see they played 8 NCAA 2007 teams. Now look at the rest of the top ten.
Carolina - 5
Memphis - 2
Kansas - 3
Georgetown - 1
Washington State - 1
Texas - 4
UCLA - 5
Pitt - 1
MSU - 2
Real weak schedule there. Duke has no incentive to schedule true road games. The players get tested with hostile environments in the ACC. It does not matter if it's @ Carolina or FSU the crowds are intense. It's better for the program financially to rent out MSG or the Meadowlands. The University handles all the logistics and ticket sales. The building is just rented and gives them a chance to sell 20,000 game tickets. It's not a big thing for a UK, or a Carolina or any other big time program, but it's a good chunk of change for Duke. It's money and exposure they can not get at Cameron or from a true away game.

From a fans point I'd like to see UCLA back on the schedule. I loved that series. Lavin got tired of K recruiting out of California and canceled the series in 1999. (Duke responded by putting up the most point on UCLA in its history - a fond memory.) That's why St. John's was added to the schedule. The St. John's contract was signed when they were good and Mike Jarvis was coaching. Michigan was a long running series through the 90's and produced some great games. The only reason that series was canceled was because of Amaker. It's back because of the history - same with Temple. If anything Coach K likes his tradition and he is a stubborn guy. Plus Duke schedules these series with an eye on recruiting grounds - Mich, NY, DC, Cal, Phil etc.

I think people should concentrate less on Duke losing and more on Pitt winning. They played a strong second half and OT. I was worried about playing a tough, physical team and Duke got outplayed. Congrats to the Panthers.

[Red Dog]

Duke has no incentive to schedule true road games.

You're right - they don't - financially. Neither do a lot of big programs, yet they do so. Look at Arizona for example. However, I don't think giving up one home/neutral to play a real road test isn't going to significantly hurt Duke financially. Plus if the neutral games are so important from a money-making standpoint, then give up a Cameron game for a real road game.

As for playing 8 tournament teams from a year ago - that's a misleading statistic as many of those squads have changed dramatically - Wisconsin (which they didn't schedule themselves) and Illinois are big conference examples. Albany is clearly not the same team it was a year ago as America East champs. EKU was a low seed last year and is currently 4-5 and likely to be around 200 in the RPI this year.

I think Duke has done itself a disservice over the last half-decade or so come tournament time by not playing 1-2 really tough road contests outside the conference. I also think relying on the ACC to be your ultimate test can be risky because the ACC is not always going to be strong every year. In fact, this year, it isn't shaping up to be strong at all. Not from what I've seen anyhow. Plus Duke knows those ACC teams, coaches, and style of play inside and out. Whereas a non-confernence game presents a far different test and is invaluable preparation for the March environment.

And don't think I single out Duke for abuse. At least they have the stones to play a team like Pitt in a neutral venue. There are some real scaredy-cats out there: Jim Boeheim doesn't seem to know that there is a world outside NY until January. I do focus on Duke a lot because of how much unwarranted praise is lavished upon Duke by the media - mainly ESPN.

[Kdogg]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

You're right - they don't - financially. Neither do a lot of big programs, yet they do so. Look at Arizona for example. However, I don't think giving up one home/neutral to play a real road test isn't going to significantly hurt Duke financially. Plus if the neutral games are so important from a money-making standpoint, then give up a Cameron game for a real road game.

As for playing 8 tournament teams from a year ago - that's a misleading statistic as many of those squads have changed dramatically - Wisconsin (which they didn't schedule themselves) and Illinois are big conference examples. Albany is clearly not the same team it was a year ago as America East champs. EKU was a low seed last year and is currently 4-5 and likely to be around 200 in the RPI this year.

I think Duke has done itself a disservice over the last half-decade or so come tournament time by not playing 1-2 really tough road contests outside the conference. I also think relying on the ACC to be your ultimate test can be risky because the ACC is not always going to be strong every year. In fact, this year, it isn't shaping up to be strong at all. Not from what I've seen anyhow. Plus Duke knows those ACC teams, coaches, and style of play inside and out. Whereas a non-confernence game presents a far different test and is invaluable preparation for the March environment.

And don't think I single out Duke for abuse. At least they have the stones to play a team like Pitt in a neutral venue. There are some real scaredy-cats out there: Jim Boeheim doesn't seem to know that there is a world outside NY until January. I do focus on Duke a lot because of how much unwarranted praise is lavished upon Duke by the media - mainly ESPN.

When other big name programs schedule home & away it's about preparing the team first and also filling seats. Duke doesn't get that secondary benefit because they can't sell tickets. So, they design the schedule to prepare the team for March.
Lower tier yet NCAA caliber teams - first round games.
Middle tier BCS teams - second round and sweat sixteen
MSG/Meadowland/United Center - Elite eight (course that hasn't panned out as of late)
The whole point of the neutral site game is to prepare for the tournament atmosphere (shooting site lines, practices away from home, meals, etc...) It's not that Duke's afraid to play a road game. It's that they think they gain more from a neutral site game. Which is better is basically what we're are discussing. Really I don't care were they play but I'd like to see more teams like Pitt on the schedule. Strong, tough, physical teams are Duke's biggest weakness. This year's ACC doesn't have anything quiet like them.

Of course you are right about Syracuse but again it comes back to money and filling seats. They fill the Carrier Dome against cupcakes RPI be damned. It's never really hurt them until last year. If the Big East didn't expand it might not have ever hurt them.

I give Zona credit for their scheduling but it's also out of necessity. Without a ESPN contract the Pac10 lacks true national exposure. Sure Fox Sport carries games but it's not the same as ESPN. Plus those games start around 10 pm EST. They need to play big non-conference to remind the people right of the Mississippi that they are there. Duke actually tried to schedule Arizona but Lute wanted to play in Tuscon/Durham. K wanted Phoniex/Greensboro for the above stated reasons.

I hope you don't think I'm calling you out personally. Duke's my team and I'm getting weary of the criticism. Duke's not the media darling anymore either. Outside of Vitale, no one goes out of their way to praise Duke. And people don't remember that Vitale, through his career, has done it with other programs too. Hell as a kid I thought Dean Smith painted the Sistine Chapel.

Anyway, it looks like this weekend's games will be interesting. Probably the last set of really good games for awhile. I think Georgetown is going to run into a buzz saw but I hope I am wrong.