Offical CollegeBasketBall Thread .....

[Patrick]

OK Guys & Gals - we have well established that college basketball season has started. Couple of major upsets (sorry Mike) and some outstanding tournaments play. .........So what do you say we use this thread for next several weeks to talk about match-ups (even including conference play), outcomes, rankings ....... etc - UNTIL we get to conference tournament time.

I'll be the first to start by giving my Congrats to the Tar Heels for and outstanding tournament in Hawaii. I very impressed with the way they regained their composure after being upset. Just goes to show you, the ACC (top six – seven teams anyway) may stubble every once in a while but they will be the conference to beat this year.

BUT there are some others to watch out for ............ The Orangemen (sorry, old habits hard to break) - WOW, they look like a real powerhouse. ............ The Illini, another one just looks flat out awesome. ........ Could this be the year that Flordia holds onto a top 25 ranking (at least until Feb.) ..........

Oh Yeah - and how about them TERPS, ..... #23 Memphis WHAT?????

[IMALILTEAPOT]

Terps are gonna be REALLY dangerous in the acc

[Gibbskin]

Carolina is the best team in the country, there is no doubt about that in my mind. This year is going to be a lot of fun!

[Patrick]

Tar Heels have a easy one over USC last night - 97-65. :sleeping:

[IowaSkinsFan]

Go Illini!

#4 team in the nation put a hurtin' on Gonzaga. John Wooden said it was the best team performance he had seen in awhile.

[Patrick]

Go Illini!

#4 team in the nation put a hurtin' on Gonzaga. John Wooden said it was the best team performance he had seen in awhile.

yeah - they look like a Powerhouse - I'm glad we didn't draw them this early in the season for the ACC/Big10 Challedge - Wisc. will be tough enough.

[CarMike]

yeah - they look like a Powerhouse - I'm glad we didn't draw them this early in the season for the ACC/Big10 Challedge - Wisc. will be tough enough.

:D

[SkinsKY]

Carolina is the best team in the country, there is no doubt about that in my mind. This year is going to be a lot of fun!

Wait till Big Blue comes to town on the 4th. Tubby will have something for them. Not that it will be a cakewalk, but our whole team has looked really solid so far all the way down to our 10-11th man. We haven't had depth for a while, but we can bang down low, run the floor and shoot from outside. We'd only had any two of the three last year. Should be a good game to watch.

[CarMike]

yep, should be a great game Brandon....we have a little pay back for the past two years.....;)

[nyjunc]

yep, should be a great game Brandon....we have a little pay back for the past two years.....;)

Alot of payback! The Heels owe the Cats bigtime and revenge will come on Saturday.

[nyjunc]

Is anyone excited about the ACC/Big 10 (no)Challenge? The ACC went 7-2 last year and at worst it doesn't look like it will get much better for the big 10. Click the link for the matchups:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/feature/featureStory?page=bigaccchallenge&nocache

[tommahawk]

AP) - Virginia moved into The Associated Press' men's college basketball Top 25 Monday, giving the Atlantic Coast Conference a record-tying seven teams in the poll. Wake Forest extended its lead at No. 1, the Cavaliers were No. 24, and there were five other conference schools in between, matching the feat accomplished twice by the Big Ten and once by the ACC. The Demon Deacons (5-0) used their Preseason NIT championship to pull away from No. 2 Kansas (2-0). Wake Forest had 40 first-place votes and 1,737 points from the national media panel. The other ranked ACC teams were No. 4 Georgia Tech, No. 9 North Carolina, No. 10 Duke, No. 12 Maryland and No. 16 North Carolina State.


source (http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=178&sid=19426)


Go Wahoos.

[NCskinsfanatic]

PACK POWER!

[Patrick]

Is anyone excited about the ACC/Big 10 (no)Challenge? The ACC went 7-2 last year and at worst it doesn't look like it will get much better for the big 10. Click the link for the matchups:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/feature/featureStory?page=bigaccchallenge&nocache


What would excite me is a ACC sweep - and if there was ever a year it could happen this would be it.

[GibbsRules!]

What would excite me is a ACC sweep - and if there was ever a year it could happen this would be it.


I hope the cable channel Animal Planet is in Wisconsin tonight, they will witness a Turtle devouring a Badger!

FEAR THE TURTLE!!!

[Gibbskin]

What would excite me is a ACC sweep - and if there was ever a year it could happen this would be it.

I'm an ACC fan for the most part but that wouldn't exactly thrill me, that would mean I'd have to pull for Duke and I just can't bring myself to do that.

[GibbsRules!]

Georgia Tech just destroyed Michigan. The Jackets can play with anyone, they look scary as well...

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

well, it looks like the terps are about to be the first ACC team to go down....caner-medley gets stripped on the game tying possesion.......:banghead:.

not a horrible loss but one they should've had. its early yet and they are definitely a much better team than they were last year......

[GibbsRules!]

well, it looks like the terps are about to be the first ACC team to go down....caner-medley gets stripped on the game tying possesion.......:banghead:.

not a horrible loss but one they should've had. its early yet and they are definitely a much better team than they were last year......
I caught the 1st half and Caner-Medley was forcing everything...I'll be hearing it at work today...

[RedskinRyan]

at least terps fans have one comforting thought.....atleast it wasnt to santa barbara

[CarMike]

at least terps fans have one comforting thought.....atleast it wasnt to santa barbara

Ryan, since you're following me around correcting my every mistake, let me have a chance.....UNC lost to Santa Clara....not Santa Barbara....

A loss is a loss in my book.

[Patrick]

A loss is a loss in my book.

I agree 100% ......... I thought the Terps had mature this year and with a summer in Italy they would have gotten passed these subpar performances like last night. Looks like I'll have to rethink it. ........ They played down to Wisc.'s level and let themselves be taken out of their game. And now this weekend there's a good chance of them facing Mich St. - a far better team than Wisc.

[CarMike]

I agree 100% ......... I thought the Terps had mature this year and with a summer in Italy they would have gotten passed these subpar performances like last night. Looks like I'll have to rethink it. ........ They played down to Wisc.'s level and let themselves be taken out of their game. And now this weekend there's a good chance of them facing Mich St. - a far better team than Wisc.

Patrick, there was no way MD was going to go thru the season undefeated. Should they have beaten Wisc? I'm not so sure. Wisc does have a 37 or 38 winning streak at home. So they are a very good team.

Just like UNC, they had an off night. It happens to the best of teams. Whats important is for Md. to bounce back in their next game. Just like UNC bounced back and won the Maui tournament.....

[Patrick]

Patrick, there was no way MD was going to go thru the season undefeated. Should they have beaten Wisc? I'm not so sure. Wisc does have a 37 or 38 winning streak at home. So they are a very good team.

Just like UNC, they had an off night. It happens to the best of teams. Whats important is for Md. to bounce back in their next game. Just like UNC bounced back and won the Maui tournament.....

Agree Mike - but I did think that their only loses would be in the ACC. Wisc is not as good a team as it was last year and MD should be better. In college, you can't afford too many "Off Nights" - NOT this year playing in the ACC.

[CarMike]

Understand.....but I'd rather have an off night outside of the ACC than in the ACC....

[SkinsKY]

Understand.....but I'd rather have an off night outside of the ACC than in the ACC....

How would you feel about Saturday for an off night? :bsmile: We have three big non-SEC games this year: The Tar Babies, the Jayhawks and Louisville. I would be quite happy pulling two of the three of these, but the first two look to be quite tough. Louisville seems to have slipped from where they were last year and I think we're better than last year. We lack a lot of experience, which will probably be our downfall against the better teams in the country.

[CarMike]

I'm not one to talk a lot of smack. So, it should be a great game Saturday....

Karma isn't going to come back and bite me in the arse.....

[RedskinRyan]

Ryan, since you're following me around correcting my every mistake, let me have a chance.....UNC lost to Santa Clara....not Santa Barbara....


awww man i knew that was gonna come back to bite ME in the arse. i get confused with all those schools, especially since i read an article about santa cruz, and i always mix that with santa clara, and trust me, you dont wanna be a school that loses to santa cruz.

[nyjunc]

I'm not one to talk a lot of smack. So, it should be a great game Saturday....

Karma isn't going to come back and bite me in the arse.....

I'm not talking junk BUT I am supremely confident we will see some payback on Saturday. Of course I have been saying that for 3 years but this year I really feel it :D

[IowaSkinsFan]

Does anyone want to talk about the new #1 team in the nation? University of Illinois Fighting Illini?

Wake Who?

[CarMike]

ISF ISF ISF.....first of all, congrats. But where was this confidence before the game? :D

[IowaSkinsFan]

ISF ISF ISF.....first of all, congrats. But where was this confidence before the game? :D

I wasn't able to get to the board to express that confidence before game time. I was detained.....but rest assured, it was there!

[GibbsRules!]

I wasn't able to get to the board to express that confidence before game time. I was detained.....but rest assured, it was there!

ISF, that was quite a clinic your boys put on the Deacs last night, don't know if your coach is superstitious but it looks like the orange blazer is here to stay! :rolleyes:

[IowaSkinsFan]

ISF, that was quite a clinic your boys put on the Deacs last night, don't know if your coach is superstitious but it looks like the orange blazer is here to stay! :rolleyes:

The orange Uni's are even better.

Here is a link to a pretty impressive article about a pretty impressive team.

Link (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3210762)

If anyone ever gets a chance to go to Assembly Hall for a game, I highly recommend it. The Hall is pretty septic, and the inside is pedestrian, but the crowd is right on the floor!

[GibbsRules!]

The orange Uni's are even better.

Here is a link to a pretty impressive article about a pretty impressive team.

Link (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3210762)

If anyone ever gets a chance to go to Assembly Hall for a game, I highly recommend it. The Hall is pretty septic, and the inside is pedestrian, but the crowd is right on the floor!

Mike D from FoxSports feels pretty strongly about the Illini...If they keep that level of performance up all year they should definately get a number one seed. It'll be interesting to see how they perform as a #1 team. You don't want to peak too early...

[CarMike]

I don't think its a certain they will leap frog Kansas into the #1 spot. Could happen but I don't know if they will.

It'll be interesting to see if the Illinois can play that well in a hostile enviroment. Don't get me wrong, they looked fantastic last night.

[IowaSkinsFan]

It'll be interesting to see how they perform as a #1 team. You don't want to peak too early...

That is paramount on my mind.

[IowaSkinsFan]

When do the new rankings come out?

[GibbsRules!]

When do the new rankings come out?

I think the ESPN/USA TODAY polls come out Monday and the AP/UPI come out on Tuesday.

[tommahawk]

Guess who is #1 in the ACC right now.
Virginia---6-0
It was a wild game against the previously unbeaten Auburn Tigers.
Whew......

[GibbsRules!]

Kentucky has a good team, young like Maryland but very talented. UNC is one of the senior teams in the ACC and it showed. Oh, and the Heels are quite talented, too! Good job Heels!

[nyjunc]

UK played admirably yesterday but they were never in it and it was about time we beat those guys. UK is young and talented and they will be ALOT better come March and beyond. They have been a good reg season team the past few years and have been upset early in the Tourney as a high seed but this year i could see them being a 5 seed and upsetting a team or to by making a Sweet 16 run or longer depending upon how long it takes the young players to develop. You can easily see the talent and they could have given up early yesterday but they didn't and that's a great sign for UK. As for the Heels, outside of Illinois I ahven't seen a team yet as good as the Heels. It's only early Dec but I am supremely confident in this team. Unfortunately the sched takes a break w/ no big games until ACC play gets going in full swing(the Heels play Va Tech in 2 weeks but the ACC season gets goin in full swing in january). The ACC is going to be brutally tough this year and I think the Heels will emerge as the best team.

How about the ACC? our 10th or 11th team Miami went on the road to defeat #19 Florida.

[GibbsRules!]

How about the ACC? our 10th or 11th team Miami went on the road to defeat #19 Florida.

That was impressive indeed. On a side note Va Tech lost to the VMI Keydets 72-68. :banghead:

[nyjunc]

That was impressive indeed. On a side note Va Tech lost to the VMI Keydets 72-68. :banghead:


There goes Va tech's hopes for an undefeated season :lol1:

[suppitty]

GW beat michigan state easily. GW is probably the most fun team to watch in the country that isnt named UAB. The ACC is too good. We should get 7 teams in, and who knows maybe maimi or fsu can make that 8.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Let's get back on the Illini. We beat Arkansas yesterday, by 12. I think 1 thing we have going for us is that we have a pretty decent non conference schedule in the early going.

So far, so good.

[suppitty]

GW 101 UMD 92. GW on its way to the tourney.

[Patrick]

Without a doubt - GW should be in the top 25. ...... and you can take the young Terps out. Hopefully they'll learn from these games. So far though, I'm VERY disappointed in their performace. Seems they haven't learn anything about composure.

[suppitty]

Without a doubt - GW should be in the top 25. ...... and you can take the young Terps out. Hopefully they'll learn from these games. So far though, I'm VERY disappointed in their performace. Seems they haven't learn anything about composure.
I agree, but i dont think you can really call them young anymore. All the young players got A LOT of experience last year, and Gist is the only one getting significant playing time, who didnt play much last year. 4 starters are juniors. That is not young in a sport where half the good players are gone by their sophomore year.

[CarMike]

didn't see the MD game today. but you guys should have lost to Wisconsin at their house. They have a 38 game winning streak there.

Now giving up 101 seems alarming....

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois is number 1!

They played leap frog with Kansas, which was ironic because Bill Self left Illinois last year to go to Kansas for a chance to win a National Championship. Man I hope this lasts. That would be sweet vindication!

[lakewinola]

Big game tonight Syracuse Vs Ok State. Chance for the Cuse to start the season with 3 wins over ranked non-conference teams.

[IowaSkinsFan]

I am sensing a general lack of enthusiasm over Illinois lofty ranking in the polls.

Where is IllinoiSkinFan when you need him?

[nyjunc]

Big game tonight Syracuse Vs Ok State. Chance for the Cuse to start the season with 3 wins over ranked non-conference teams.

Memphis isn't ranked and they lost again last night but either way 'Cuse lost to Ok State so it doesn't matter.

[Patrick]

Look like an easy weekend for all the top teams.

[GibbsRules!]

I don't know if I'd call it an upset, they did the same thing to Maryland last year. The Zags have to prove themselves every year and they never fail to do so.

They weren't intimidated at all in the 1st half. That's all I watched since it was a 9:30 West Coast start. They have a guard named Derek Raivio who was lights out. He reminded me of Dan Dickau out there.

Mark Few has another talented team and they will be ready come Tourney time.

[Patrick]

I don't know if I'd call it an upset, they did the same thing to Maryland last year. The Zags have to prove themselves every year and they never fail to do so.

They weren't intimidated at all in the 1st half. That's all I watched since it was a 9:30 West Coast start. They have a guard named Derek Raivio who was lights out. He reminded me of Dan Dickau out there.

Mark Few has another talented team and they will be ready come Tourney time.

I agree - don't see this as an upset.

[CarMike]

I disagree guys. Its an upset whenever a unranked team beats the #3 team in the nation. Should Gonzaga be ranked? Probably. But an upset is an upset. Just like if Louisville had beaten UK yesturday. That would have been an upset.

JMHO....;)

[IowaSkinsFan]

I disagree guys. Its an upset whenever a unranked team beats the #3 team in the nation. Should Gonzaga be ranked? Probably. But an upset is an upset. Just like if Louisville had beaten UK yesturday. That would have been an upset.

JMHO....;)

Illinois beat Gonzaga pretty soundly..........

[Patrick]

Very close one for MD last night - TOO FRICKEN CLOSE.

[NCskinsfanatic]

My Pack lost to the Huskies last night we were 12th, they were 18th...68-64.
We played decent, didnt shoot well ,Hodge was controled , hey it was at Washington and is our first loss.....Next please.

[GibbsRules!]

Very close one for MD last night - TOO FRICKEN CLOSE.
Caner Medley looked pathetic out there. Airballs and terrible defense. On the other hand Gist is a high flyer who is really showing he will be a force!

[CarMike]

1. Illinois

2. Kansas

3. Oklahoma State

4. Wake Forest

5. North Carolina

6. Duke

7. Pittsburgh

8. Syracuse

9. Georgia Tech

10. Kentucky

11. Connecticut

12. Texas

13. N.C. State

14. Alabama

15. Arizona

16. Cincinnati

17. Washington

18. Louisville

19. Iowa

20. Michigan State

21. Maryland

22. Geo Washington

23. Gonzaga

24. Mississippi St.

25. Virginia
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

There ya go ACC fans. This weeks top 25 from the AP polls. I even highlighted Illinois for ISF...:D

[SkinsKY]

ahem...

[IowaSkinsFan]

1. Illinois

I even highlighted Illinois for ISF...:D

Excellent! {Rubs hands together}

[tommahawk]

It looks like Virginia could drop from the rankings. Because of lack of games. they are going to play a total of one game over last week and this week.

[CarMike]

ahem...

Sorry....:D

[Chief Seeway]

Terps rule; all others drool.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Terps rule; all others drool.

Illinois is drooling........at the prospect of facing the Terps........

[IowaSkinsFan]

Border battle tonight. #1 Illinois vs Missouri. On at 7pm on ESPN2 if anyone is interested.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Wayne Simien of Kansas is going to be out for a month or so. That might hurt Kansas overall rankings, but likely will make them a stronger tournament team as a few more players will be getting some much needed experience. What remains to be seen is how rusty Simien is when he returns.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois won by 6 last night. Led by as many as 17 I think, but didn't really shoot the ball very well. That was a good game for them last night. Prior to last night, they had won every game by double digits. So it will be good for them, I think, to win a close one, give the coaches something to look for in the film and then in turn give the players something to work on in practice.

[Skins57]

5. North Carolina

6. Duke


The way it should be :D

[GibbsRules!]

American U is giving Maryland all they can handle. Terps are finally pulling away with a little over 5 minutes to play. Lead is up to 20 now.

American U. is gonna be tough in the Patriot League. Jeff Jones is a good coach.

Gist is a skywalker!

[suppitty]

GW is the best team between north carolina and syracuse but they aren't getting any love. That team will be even scarier next year.

[SkinsKY]

Sorry....:D

It's all good.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois beat Longwood last night 105-79, but I have to admit, I have never heard of Longwood before last night, so they probably don't fall into the powerhouse category.

[Patrick]

LOVE IT ......... #3 OKSt falls to Gonzaga 78-75.
Better watch out for them bulldogs - they got a mean bite!!!!

[GibbsRules!]

LOVE IT ......... #3 OKSt falls to Gonzaga 78-75.
Better watch out for them bulldogs - they got a mean bite!!!!
The Zags are a team to be reckoned with. I can't see how they were'nt top 25 material earlier. Mark Few gets it done...

[IowaSkinsFan]

Ahem,

I would interject that Illinois handled Gonzaga rather easily a few weeks ago!

[CarMike]

So much for that top 5 ranking for Gonzaga. They just lost to unranked Missouri by 2 points.

[nyjunc]

So much for that top 5 ranking for Gonzaga. They just lost to unranked Missouri by 2 points.


Strange night as NC State lost to St. John's as well.

[CarMike]

Strange night as NC State lost to St. John's as well.

And may I add that they only scored 10 points in the entire first half! :D

embarrassing

[nyjunc]

And may I add that they only scored 10 points in the entire first half! :D

embarrassing

Although the ACC is still the best conference I do think it was a bit overrated coming into the season and for State to lose to a team as bad as St. John's is just embarrassing. I know the Heels lost to Santa Clara but that was w/o Raymond and was only a few hrs from boarding a plane to hawaii. They still should have won but since that game they have been a top 2 team and right now UNC and Illinois are head and shoulders above the rest of the Country.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois beat Northwestern State last night, moves to 13-0. Last time they started this good was 88-89, also their last final four trip. I think we play Cincinnati tonight.

[GibbsRules!]

I remember that Illinois team. They, along with Michigan, were loaded that year. Nick Anderson, Kendall Gill on the Illini and Rumeal Robinson, Glen Rice and I believe Sean Higgins was on that U of M team. That Michigan - Seton Hall final was a great game...

[nyjunc]

I remember that Illinois team. They, along with Michigan, were loaded that year. Nick Anderson, Kendall Gill on the Illini and Rumeal Robinson, Glen Rice and I believe Sean Higgins was on that U of M team. That Michigan - Seton Hall final was a great game...

That damn Michigan team upset the Tar Heels in the sweet 16, Glen Rice basically single handedly beat the Heels after the Heels had eliminated Michigan the previous 2 years.

[GibbsRules!]

That damn Michigan team upset the Tar Heels in the sweet 16, Glen Rice basically single handedly beat the Heels after the Heels had eliminated Michigan the previous 2 years.

I guess the Heels got the last laugh in '93 :) ...Revenge must have been sweet for Dean Smith.

[IowaSkinsFan]

That damn Michigan team upset the Tar Heels in the sweet 16, Glen Rice basically single handedly beat the Heels after the Heels had eliminated Michigan the previous 2 years.

Tell me about it. We took them twice in the regular season that year and we got stung in the tourney. That was our last great chance. Bill Self's teams have been underachieving these past few years. I hope Bruce Weber can get better results come tourney time. He will need to have his coaching hat on. We are not very tough in the paint.

[IowaSkinsFan]

FYI,

Illinois beat Cincinnati last night by 22, 67-45, to remain unbeaten.

[Ramsey2Moss]

Mwhahahaha, my Jayhawks came back from being down 16 to beat GT in OT. Great game!

[CarMike]

As I stated in the MooU thread, I expect that the ACC will have two teams fall out of the top 25. nc state lost to WVa by 13 at home. And UVa was losing to Wake by 17 at home in the 2nd half.

I knew that nc state wasn't a top 10 team when they were #8. They hadn't played anyone at the time. They lost to the first tough team they played, UW. Then that embarrassing loss to St. Johns. Now they lose at home to another unranked team.

[CarMike]

Big upsets last night.

Bucknell beating #7 Pitt

F$U beating UF. Billy Donovan may be on the hot seat in UF after losing to Miami and F$U in the same season.

[split3clemente]

West Va is doing really well latley

[Patrick]

West Va is doing really well latley

They are on a good run, wonder how long they can keep it up ..... probably till they play Syracuse

[CarMike]

I reeeeealy hate the Big East. But it did my heart good to see WVa beat nc state last night.

[GibbsRules!]

Couple of "Upsets" in the Big East tonight:

BC 75, UConn 70 (BC is undefeated still)

Georgetown 67, Pitt 64

West Virginia is getting thumped by Nova right now...

[CarMike]

Wow! I haven't watched ESPN tonight. dook was playing another cup cake at home.

I wonder why they'll never play anybody on their home court outside of the ACC?

Even when they do play a good team from another conference, its at MSG. Rumor has it that Lute Olsen wanted to schedule a home and home series against dook. But K wouldn't do it. He wanted to play Arizona at dook and at MSG. Lute told him to stick it. [not really, but you get the picture]

[GibbsRules!]

Wow! I haven't watched ESPN tonight. dook was playing another cup cake at home.

I wonder why they'll never play anybody on their home court outside of the ACC?

Even when they do play a good team from another conference, its at MSG. Rumor has it that Lute Olsen wanted to schedule a home and home series against dook. But K wouldn't do it. He wanted to play Arizona at dook and at MSG. Lute told him to stick it. [not really, but you get the picture]

I don't doubt it Mike...I think Coach K knows his team isn't what it was the last couple years and he might be trying to salvage its image in a down year.

I like it when the ACC plays a tough out of conference schedule, it kind of lets you know where everyone stands on a National level...

[IowaSkinsFan]

Big 10 league action started tonight. Illinois is playing Ohio State and only up by 2. This is their closest game of the season by far.

[Jimreaper007]

GW beat michigan state easily. GW is probably the most fun team to watch in the country that isnt named UAB. The ACC is too good. We should get 7 teams in, and who knows maybe miami or fsu can make that 8.


Amen Brother!!!!!!!!!!

Go Colonials!

[Dre-The-Great]

The ACC is very overrated i hate that conference...god bless the big east and Hoyas....but all that said i think that it should be a ACC-Big East Challenge instead of a ACC-Big Ten challenge because the big 10 is a joke....an that was a spankin that West VA took :sfight:

[nyjunc]

The ACC is very overrated i hate that conference...god bless the big east and Hoyas....but all that said i think that it should be a ACC-Big East Challenge instead of a ACC-Big Ten challenge because the big 10 is a joke....an that was a spankin that West VA took :sfight:

I agree the ACC is overrated BUT it is still the best conf and the BE is nowhere near the ACC right now.

[Dre-The-Great]

I agree the ACC is overrated BUT it is still the best conf and the BE is nowhere near the ACC right now.

You right the Acc is the best conference but next year i think the Big East will be right there with Louisville, Cincinnati and crew coming in....North Carolina and Wake Forest are as legit as they come but the rest of the teams in the ACC are suspect especially Duke and it pissed me off to see espn nationally televise Duke vs Princeton over a better game such as UConn and Boston College...but thats the ACC bias

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois won by 19 last night over Ohio State. Game was close at half, 3 points I think.

[Dre-The-Great]

Illinois won by 19 last night over Ohio State. Game was close at half, 3 points I think.

Illinois is THE best team in the country hands down

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois is THE best team in the country hands down

I personally don't know how they would do against Duke, Kansas and the other traditional powerhouses. We don't really have a true inside game. A dominant center would abuse us.

[smoak]

How would you feel about Saturday for an off night? :bsmile: We have three big non-SEC games this year: The Tar Babies, the Jayhawks and Louisville. I would be quite happy pulling two of the three of these, but the first two look to be quite tough. Louisville seems to have slipped from where they were last year and I think we're better than last year. We lack a lot of experience, which will probably be our downfall against the better teams in the country.

Wow, my coworker (a BYU guy) also calls us the Tar Babies. We bet that if the Heel won he couldn't say anything negaive about UNC for the season...

So how did that UNC/KY game go again? :Peace:

All kidding aside, I was impressed with KY... there was a kid I really liked, but his name escapes me now? My wife and I wanted to go to that game but we had a wedding... ARGH! Stupid marriages.

[Jero]

2/9/05
and
3/6/05

The only regular season dates that matter. For the love of Jordan, Tarheels-it took ya long enough get far enough up in the polls to make this an intriguing matchup again! I kid, i kid...:D

One request though. No "Fuke Duck" shirts this year please. I mean, those are just so cliche!

Reddick/Ewing/Williams-The fantastic 3hree. :sfight:

[IowaSkinsFan]

One request though. No "Fuke Duck" shirts this year please. I mean, those are just so cliche!

Man, you made me do a double take on that one. I was getting ready to edit!

[Jero]

Man, you made me do a double take on that one. I was getting ready to edit!

Well, ISF my good man, if you ever see someone wearing those t-shirts, you be sure and "edit" them for me, will ya? Unless, they are an hR member and fellow Skins fan-then they're off the hook. :)

[nyjunc]

2/9/05
and
3/6/05

The only regular season dates that matter. For the love of Jordan, Tarheels-it took ya long enough get far enough up in the polls to make this an intriguing matchup again! I kid, i kid...:D

One request though. No "Fuke Duck" shirts this year please. I mean, those are just so cliche!

Reddick/Ewing/Williams-The fantastic 3hree. :sfight:

It took way too long but the good old days are back.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois plays Purdue tonight. Mentor vs. Student. Bruce Weber was an assistant under Gene Keady for 18 seasons before going to Southern Illinois in 1998.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois plays Purdue tonight. Mentor vs. Student. Bruce Weber was an assistant under Gene Keady for 18 seasons before going to Southern Illinois in 1998.

Illinois had a tough contest against the Boilermakers. First time they have trailed at halftime this season. We were down by 7 at half before pulling away in the 2nd half to win.

[smoak]

It took way too long but the good old days are back.

I agree!!!

The frustratating thing IMO is that Dougherty gets the label of lame duck coach when he brough in McCants, Felton, and May... I love Gutheridge, but he was awful as a recruiter and the cubbard was bare when Matt took over...

Maybe the team needed a change of leadership but the University should have spoken out in support of Matt a little more.

[smoak]

2/9/05
and
3/6/05

The only regular season dates that matter. For the love of Jordan, Tarheels-it took ya long enough get far enough up in the polls to make this an intriguing matchup again! I kid, i kid...:D


It is the game(s) I am salivating to see. We owe a lot of ACC teams a little payback, but none more than Duke.

[CarMike]

I personally don't know how they would do against Duke, Kansas and the other traditional powerhouses. We don't really have a true inside game. A dominant center would abuse us.

Don't think I didn't notice you left off UNC. Thats alright though. I wouldn't want to play UNC either.

dook? Your team would kill dook this year. Kansas too.

[Patrick]

Saw this coming ................ Maryland has been pushed out of the Top25.
They surely need to find themselves ....just way too much talent on that team to play as poorly as they have been. Maybe it can start tonight with Wake - I sure hope so - otherwise this basketball season (for me) is going to be similar to the football season........VERY PAINFUL!.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Don't think I didn't notice you left off UNC. Thats alright though. I wouldn't want to play UNC either.

dook? Your team would kill dook this year. Kansas too.

UNC fell under the "other traditional powerhouses".

I think Illinois is good, I just don't think we are on the level of the teams UNC plays and I think we will be exposed come tourney time.

Sorry about misspelling dook. My apologies.

[smoak]

We'll see Wednesday and Saturday how good UNC is... I'm confident but still a little nervous. I also truly believe that if Felton goes down we're cooked where as we would survive losing any other one person.

[GibbsRules!]

We'll see Wednesday and Saturday how good UNC is... I'm confident but still a little nervous. I also truly believe that if Felton goes down we're cooked where as we would survive losing any other one person.

You guys will be alright Smoak, if Ga. Tech lost Jack or Wake lost Chris Paul, they would be in a world of hurt, too.

By the end of this week, we'll know alot about the powerhouses in the ACC.

On a side note, did anyone catch Oklahoma beating up on UConn last night?

[CarMike]

I missed that GR. What was the final score? Hadn't had a chance to watch ESPN

[SkinsKY]

You heels have a great team. I came away very impressed with your squad when you played us. I was down on them until that point. Kansas shouldn't be long to hold the two spot. We played terrible against them on Saturday and still almost won with four freshmen and a walk-on seeing serious time. Granted, Simien was out, but they seemed to get flustered failry easily. I think Illinois and UNC would certainly make easy work of them. If they run into a discipline, the Jayhawks will go down.

I've been satisfied for the most part with our performance. We've lost two, but to the #2 and #3 teams. I think we should have won Sunday, but were outclassed by the Heels. I think we'll be ready by March, but I think anything more than a sweet 16 out of us is overachieving this year.

[GibbsRules!]

I missed that GR. What was the final score? Hadn't had a chance to watch ESPN

77-65 Sooners. That's the 3rd time in four years they have beaten the Huskies...

[smoak]

I'll admit I don't watch many games outside of the ACC and even then I usually watch in PIP (I have really bad ADD). That said I thought from the get go that UConn was a tad overrated given the players that left for the NBA?

Wednesday night at 7:00 will be one to watch.

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

the terps are taking on wake right now and gilchrist isnt starting. can someone feel me in as to why he isnt? i didnt catch the opening of the game.....

[Patrick]

the terps are taking on wake right now and gilchrist isnt starting. can someone feel me in as to why he isnt? i didnt catch the opening of the game.....

Gary put him there because of missing academic assignment. Also he was suppose to have back and wrist injuries and that's why he didn't see much playing time either. .........Now he's in Gary's DH - IMO.

[GibbsRules!]

What a game! It's ashame they only play once (unless they meet in the ACC Tourney or the Big Dance). Watching arguably the two best point guards go head to head is some of the most entertaining basketball you will want to see.

Paul and Felton are special. Although it looks like Paul dominated in the Box Score, Felton wasn't the same after running into Danelius.

Wake shot 32-32 from the free throw line and needed every one of them. They match up very well. Some questionable calls by the refs, especially the double fouls early on, took McCants out of the game for awhile. He can score anytime he wants it seems.

I can see them meeting again for the ACC Tourney Championship later on. They'll both be very tough to beat.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois beats Northwestern to move to 18-0 for the first time in school history.

[GibbsRules!]

Vitale went out on a limb and said his final four is UNC, Wake, Illinois and Kansas...

Somewhere some Dook fans are cursing him right now...

[lakeskin]

Vitale went out on a limb and said his final four is UNC, Wake, Illinois and Kansas...

Somewhere some Dook fans are cursing him right now...

Vitale picked two ACC schools wat a shock.

[GibbsRules!]

Vitale picked two ACC schools wat a shock.
And one of them wasn't Dook, that's what shocked me :)

[lakeskin]

And one of them wasn't Dook, that's what shocked me :)

:lol1:
Im sure coach K has already left him a message.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois squeaked that one out against Iowa on Thursday. Iowa was shooting around 50% for the game, compared to 35% for Illinois. It was a very good game to watch.

[GibbsRules!]

Illini are in Wisconsin tonight and from the early looks it'll be a barnburner. This is gonna be a shootout.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illini are in Wisconsin tonight and from the early looks it'll be a barnburner. This is gonna be a shootout.

The game was a lot closer than the 10 point margin Illinois won by. This was the game I thought we would lose, on the road in Madison. Wisconsin can flat out play D.

Maybe Illinois is better than I thought.

[Patrick]

Terps seem to be back on track - great win over GT last night!!!!

[skinsfan44]

Terps Take Down No. 22 Georgia Tech
John Gilchrist scored 15 points, Ekene Ibekwe had 14 and Travis Garrison grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds.


Jan. 30, 2005


COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - A stellar defensive effort and a balanced attack enabled rejuvenated Maryland to sustain the momentum created by its upset win over second-ranked Duke.

Nik Caner-Medley scored 19 points and Chris McCray had 16 to lead four Terrapins in double figures Sunday in a 79-71 victory over No. 22 Georgia Tech. The Terrapins (13-5, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) let a 10-point halftime lead dwindle to three before holding the Yellow Jackets scoreless for nearly 6 minutes.

"We won the game with our defense," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "We were shaky at times offensively in running some plays, but at the same time we didn't give Georgia Tech too many good looks."

The Yellow Jackets (12-6, 3-4) shot 33 percent from the field in the second half and finished 4-for-20 from 3-point range. Georgia Tech, which was seeking to build on a 102-101 overtime win over No. 5 Wake Forest on Thursday, instead lost for the fourth time in five games and fell to 0-3 on the road in the ACC.

"It's OK not to shoot the ball well sometimes," Tech coach Paul Hewitt said, "but I think we had too many breakdowns defensively in the second half." Maryland recorded its second win over a ranked opponent in a five-day span. The Terrapins lost three of five before upsetting the Blue Devils on the road Wednesday.

"We weren't thinking at all about the Duke game," Caner-Medley insisted. "The Duke game, tonight, was irrelevant." Point guard John Gilchrist scored 15 points and had only one turnover in 40 minutes; Ekene Ibekwe had 14 points and nine rebounds; and Travis Garrison grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds for the Terrapins.

"You know, it's nice if Nik can get 25 every game, but in college basketball you can take one guy out of the game," Williams said. "Some guys stepped up and came through, and Nik still had a good night offensively."

Said Caner-Medley: "I think if you can get a lot of guys on the board scoring, it makes everybody feel good. And we played good defense." After a jumper by Gilchrist put Maryland up 63-52 with 9:30 left, Jarrett Jack made two foul shots and a 10-footer to ignite an 8-0 run that got Georgia Tech to 63-60. Ibekwe then made a three-point play, and the Yellow Jackets came up empty on four straight possessions before Caner-Medley hit a jumper off the glass for a 68-60 lead with 3:31 left.

Georgia Tech went 5:46 without scoring after cutting the deficit to three.

"I thought we going to be able to pull it out," Jack said. "We were in some foul trouble though, and struggled from the field." Jack shot 3-for-14 and Will Bynum, who totaled 58 points in his previous two games, scored 10 on 3-for-12 shooting. Isma'il Muhammad led the Yellow Jackets with 15 points and Luke Schenscher had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Tech played a seventh straight game without leading scorer B.J. Elder, who has a strained left hamstring.

Maryland built a 27-15 rebounding edge and limited the Yellow Jackets to 1-for-9 shooting from beyond the arc in taking a 44-34 halftime lead. After Caner-Medley scored 11 of Maryland's first 18 points, a three-point play by Gilchrist and a free throw by James Gist made it 22-14. It was 31-25 before a driving layup by Sterling Ledbetter and two foul shots by Gilchrist put the Terrapins up by 10.

"We just took some shots out of character early in the game," Hewitt said. "That gave them a chance to get ahead of us."
--------------------------------

Great win last night.

The Terps should be back in the top 25 now.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois has a real tough game tonight in East Lansing against State. I will give those State fans credit, they know how to harrass the opposing team. At the end of their blowout win over Michigan, they were chanting 'NIT.'

This could be the game where we stumble.

[skinsfan44]

No. 22 Maryland Shocked By Clemson, 88-73
John Gilchrist leads Maryland with 18 points.


Feb. 1, 2005

By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer


CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - Sharrod Ford tied his career high with 25 points and Clemson snapped a 13-game losing streak against No. 22 Maryland with an 88-73 victory on Tuesday night.

The Tigers (11-10, 2-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) hadn't beaten the Terps since a 78-65 overtime win at Littlejohn Coliseum on Dec. 4, 1997. And this figured to end like the others with Maryland back in the Top 25 after victories over Duke and Georgia Tech last week.

But the Terrapins (13-6, 4-4) started the game cold and stayed that way.

They fell behind 13-2 and, after briefly moving in front 23-22 midway through the opening half, missed their final 13 shots of the half to fall behind 45-29.

Ford and the Tigers, who had lost five straight and seven of eight, made sure Maryland wouldn't recover.

Ford scored nine points during the Tigers' run to close the first half, then made four straight inside baskets as Clemson pushed the lead to 62-42.

Maryland never got closer than 15 points the rest of the way.

Nothing the Terps did worked. Forwards Travis Garrison and Ekene Ibekwe, who average just under 20 points and 14 rebounds combined, both ran into foul problems trying to stop Ford. They managed only 10 points and six boards before each fouled out early in the second half.

Nik Caner-Medley, Maryland's leading scorer coming in, never found his rhythm, going 4-of-14 from the field (1-of-6 on 3s) and had nine points

All Maryland coach Gary Williams could do was stomp, scream and watch as Clemson finished with its most points in an ACC game this season.

When it was over, Clemson fans rushed the court and danced on the tiger paw logo to celebrate.

Ford's layup with 7:21 to go tied his best-ever output, set against Wofford last season. He also added 10 rebounds, his third straight double-double. Ford, a senior, had two blocks and two steals.

Shawan Robinson had five of Clemson's seven 3-pointers and ended with 22 points. Freshman Sam Perry, who made his first start of the season, had a career-high 14 points for the Tigers.

John Gilchrist led Maryland with 18 points, 12 on free throws.
-----------------------------------

WOW!!!!

The Terps looked like they were on fire the last 2 games against Duke and GT, but looked so cold last night against Clemson.

Maybe it was a let down after those last 2 HUGE wins.

Looking at the ACC schedule at the begining of the season, I had this game as an automatic win for the Terps, but in the ACC, there is no such thing anymore.

[Patrick]

The TERPS have got me sooooooo frustrated - I could spit $#%)@#%&.
This team just does not know if it wants to be good or bad and does a great job of portraying both! .........drive me to drinking, I swear!!!!! :banghead:

[IowaSkinsFan]

Illinois has a real tough game tonight in East Lansing against State. I will give those State fans credit, they know how to harrass the opposing team. At the end of their blowout win over Michigan, they were chanting 'NIT.'

This could be the game where we stumble.

Well, another one down. 22-0. MS rallied late, cut the lead to 7, but we got it back up over double digits before the end.

[IowaSkinsFan]

I get the feeling I am the only one talking about Illinois......anyhoo, beat up on Indiana on Sunday, Michigan up next.

[nyjunc]

I get the feeling I am the only one talking about Illinois......anyhoo, beat up on Indiana on Sunday, Michigan up next.

2 reasons for that, I don't think there are alot of Illini fans on the East Coast and since this is a Skins board it's to be expected most of the teams people follow are Schools close to DC and secondly people now expect illinois to go unbeaten b/c they have no challengs in a down year for the Big 10. It will be a surprise if illinois loses before the NCAAs.

[IowaSkinsFan]

2 reasons for that, I don't think there are alot of Illini fans on the East Coast and since this is a Skins board it's to be expected most of the teams people follow are Schools close to DC and secondly people now expect illinois to go unbeaten b/c they have no challengs in a down year for the Big 10. It will be a surprise if illinois loses before the NCAAs.

Yeah, I know...it was more or less a rhetorical statement. A covert way of bringing up their latest game.....

[nyjunc]

Yeah, I know...it was more or less a rhetorical statement. A covert way of bringing up their latest game.....

I didn't see it bt it appeared Indiana hung around a bit, that's a game where I expected a 20-30 point win for Illinois but it always seemed to be w/in 10 or so every time I saw a score update.

[Patrick]

And the Terps wacked out season is back on a high note. Nice win over VaTech last night and we were VERY thin.

[IowaSkinsFan]

I didn't see it bt it appeared Indiana hung around a bit, that's a game where I expected a 20-30 point win for Illinois but it always seemed to be w/in 10 or so every time I saw a score update.

Illinois was up by as much as 19 in that game at one point. Weber rotates a lot of players so score could have been much worse had he left in the starting 5 for more minutes.

As for the Michigan game, we had a big scare. We were trailing by 4 in the second half before rallying to win by 6.

[Patrick]

Illinois was up by as much as 19 in that game at one point. Weber rotates a lot of players so score could have been much worse had he left in the starting 5 for more minutes.

As for the Michigan game, we had a big scare. We were trailing by 4 in the second half before rallying to win by 6.


AND THEN THERE WAS ONE

The only thing Illinois has to worry about now is round 2 (upset round) of the NCAA's - get by that and they are a lock for the F4.

[IowaSkinsFan]

AND THEN THERE WAS ONE

The only thing Illinois has to worry about now is round 2 (upset round) of the NCAA's - get by that and they are a lock for the F4.

They nearly blew it last night. They went 12 minutes without a FG at one point and were down by as many as 8.

[Patrick]

They nearly blew it last night. They went 12 minutes without a FG at one point and were done by as many as 8.

That's just show's how good of a team this is - kept their calm and got by the rough spot. ............ I'd still put my money on this team to run the table all the way to the F4.

[RedskinRyan]

im a little surprised how va tech beat some of the teams they did because of how last night they seemed to lack team work/chemistry. they passed to a spot after the player had left.

and how bout the fighting irish :p .

[Patrick]

There is MARYLAND and there is maryland ......... Last night against NCSt, the terps played like a bunch of Marilyns........ :banghead:

[skinsfan44]

There is MARYLAND and there is maryland ......... Last night against NCSt, the terps played like a bunch of Marilyns........ :banghead:

Just like last night against Clemson. :banghead:

Would the real Maryland Terps please stand (or show) up!!!!!!

[Patrick]

Just like last night against Clemson. :banghead:

Would the real Maryland Terps please stand (or show) up!!!!!!

Dave - I think we've witness the REAL MD team that will be playing out the year. It seems that this team is now ready to come apart. ...... Well, it's been awhile since we've been to the NIT ... :(

[Patrick]

DID ANYONE see the end of that Clemson/VaTech game??? That had to be one of the wildest ending to a game I've see in a while.

[funnyperson1]

DID ANYONE see the end of that Clemson/VaTech game??? That had to be one of the wildest ending to a game I've see in a while.
Very, very disheartening, but exciting nonetheless.

[Patrick]

Very, very disheartening, but exciting nonetheless.

I can understand your disappointment - been going through that all year with the Terps ........ This Saturday though, OUR teams are going to have to leave it all out on the court. VERY BIG GAME!!!!

[IowaSkinsFan]

29-0 for the Illini, 1 more to go before the conference tourney.

[funnyperson1]

I can understand your disappointment - been going through that all year with the Terps ........ This Saturday though, OUR teams are going to have to leave it all out on the court. VERY BIG GAME!!!!
I guess this means neither Tech nor UMD will be going to the tourney, barring a miracle ACC championship run.

[Gump84]

They are probably undeserving, but as of now, the Terps will most likely still be slotted as an 11 or 12 seed in the tournament. If you look at the other bubble teams, a lot of them lost today and are just as worthy. If the Terps beat Clemson in the first round of the tournament, they're in. If they lose to Clemson, there is no doubt that they are out.

[hockeygoalie29]

They are probably undeserving, but as of now, the Terps will most likely still be slotted as an 11 or 12 seed in the tournament. If you look at the other bubble teams, a lot of them lost today and are just as worthy. If the Terps beat Clemson in the first round of the tournament, they're in. If they lose to Clemson, there is no doubt that they are out.

If Maryland loses to Clemson 3 times in one season I think Gary Williams would hang himself from the nets in the Comcast Center! :banghead:

[Ramsey2Moss]

I guess this means neither Tech nor UMD will be going to the tourney, barring a miracle ACC championship run.
I think our Hokes still got a chance...
If we make it to the Semis (maybe even the Quarterfinals) of the ACC tournament, we should get over the bubble and with like a 14 or 15th seed.

So Tech DOES get that first round bye in the ACC tourny, right? Seeing as we beat Ga Tech head to head...or does it depend on NC State tomorrow?

[funnyperson1]

I think our Hokes still got a chance...
If we make it to the Semis (maybe even the Quarterfinals) of the ACC tournament, we should get over the bubble and with like a 14 or 15th seed.

So Tech DOES get that first round bye in the ACC tourny, right? Seeing as we beat Ga Tech head to head...or does it depend on NC State tomorrow?
Tech getting in would depend on how highly the judges regard the RPI rankings, this years rankings are based largely on road wins and we are ranked behind Georgia Tech(32, we beat them in Atlanta), Maryland(33, they have a worse ACC record, but have played better against good teams on the road, but still no way they deserve 33), Miami(46, we beat them twice?), UVA(53, umm they have 4 ACC wins, UVA sucks), NC State(62), Clemson(66, we have a better record and better ACC record). So in summary, the RPI ratings are full of crap and I think we would have to be VERY impressive in the ACC tourney to be considered.

We do have a bye though, so we only need one win to go semis.

[Patrick]

As much as I love the Terps - they are not playing like one on the top 65 teams in the nation. Unless they get some wins in a ACC Tour./ is week - I don't see them in the big dance - nor do I really want them to go. AND IF they don't make it to the NCAA, I wouldn't be surprised to see Gary Williams retire - this team has really put him threw an emotional ringer..

[Gump84]

The Terps ARE one of the best 65 teams in the country. I would argue that every ACC team except Virginia, Florida State, and Clemson are probably among the best 65.

Virginia Tech has a horrible RPI and some absolutely horrible losses, so I don't think anything less than winning their first 2 rounds (1st round could be vs Georgia Tech or vs NC State, 2nd round would be against UNC or UVA/Clemson or Maryland (1 vs 8/9 game winner)). Otherwise, losses like the one against VMI give VTech no chance.

Miami needs a lot of help as well.


As of right now, NC State and Maryland are probably in as very low seeds (11 or 12). If they win their first round games in the tournament (Maryland will be playing either Clemson or Virginia) and NC State will be playing either Florida State or Virginia Tech).

You might think that the 8-8 and 7-9 teams aren't among the top 65 teams, but you'd have to look at the other teams to determine that. There are a lot of bad bubble teams this year, and it helps ACC teams tremendously that they are in such a strong conference.

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

the terps BETTER turn it on during the ACC tourney, or they are out of there. i would be really, really disappointed if they didnt make the field of 65.