B1G 2012

• Laley23

  

  reclegend22;1387648 wrote:DUKE: Louisville (RPI #9), Minnesota (RPI #13), N.C. State (RPI #17), Ohio State (RPI #23), VCU (RPI #39), Temple (RPI #39), Kentucky (RPI #45)
  
  The Blue Devils have more wins versus the Top 50 RPI than any other team mentioned here (might be more than anyone in the country, but not sure)

  Not trying to disparage Dukes resume. I think it is still right there as one of best in the country. But damn, early on I was really impressed. Those teams have really fallen off since Duke played them. Mainly UK (who is coming back)...but LVille and Minny have looked less than impressive recently and Temple hasnt been the studly Mid-Major I expected.
  
  That said, all are top 50 RPI for a reason, they are still good. Just not juggernauts like we might have thought early on.
• thavoice

  Laley23;1387684 wrote:Oladipo is graduating this semester. He is all but gone, and good for him. I dont think anyone thinks its a bad decision. If he keeps going the way he is, he will be a Dwayne Wade type recruit going op 5.
  
  Zeller I think a lot of people have at about 50-50. His family is so high on academics, and while his brothers were really good enough to leave early, like Cody is, they all stayed 4 years. Personally, I think he stays, but I wont be upset or surprised by him leaving.

  Damn. Him graduating this semester pretty much assures he is gone. Thanks..i didnt know that. The kid has worked his ass off and I hope he does well.
  If I was a betting man I bet Zeller stays one more season especially if they do not win it all.
  
  One thing tho..it is fun again being a hoosier fan! I was bored the other day and got out the tapes of the '87 season to watch, only to find we dont have a working VCR anymore!
• reclegend22

  

  ytownfootball;1387660 wrote:Lol...wrong thread

  Yeah, it doesn't really fit. But, this exact topic was being discussed above. So I thought I would add to it. Ironman92 asked if any team had five better wins than Illinois, and I think Duke has a very strong argument -- as good as anybody -- for best cumulative wins in the country. Seven victories against the Top 50 RPI is decent.
• reclegend22

  

  Laley23;1387688 wrote:Not trying to disparage Dukes resume. I think it is still right there as one of best in the country. But damn, early on I was really impressed. Those teams have really fallen off since Duke played them. Mainly UK (who is coming back)...but LVille and Minny have looked less than impressive recently and Temple hasnt been the studly Mid-Major I expected.
  
  That said, all are top 50 RPI for a reason, they are still good. Just not juggernauts like we might have thought early on.

  You added Minnesota to Indiana's list of wins, so you can't really consider it impressive for IU to beat them but not Duke. I know that's not what you mean, but I do find it funny that you pointed that out for Duke. Also, Michigan State and Georgetown have not played like NCAA title contenders over the course of much of the year. Notably Georgetown. At around the time Indiana beat Georgtown in 2OT, the Hoyas were struggling to break 20 on some nights. They got pounded by Pitt by almost 30 at HOME. Lost to 10-13 South Florida. Granted, they have improved vastly in the past three weeks.
  
  I do agree that UK and Temple have looked shaky at times throughout the year. I think both are NCAA teams, though, and Temple has been competitive with and beaten some great teams this year (win over Syracuse, took KU to the wire in Allen, etc.)
  
  I am in no way trying to strike up an argument. I think Duke and Indiana probably have pretty similar wins, with IU having the most impressive with the defeat of Michigan.
• reclegend22

  

  Note: I edited my post, but I wanted to indicate that I only highlighted Georgetown losing to Pitt by 30 becauese it occurred at Georgetown. That is something that cannot happen to a truly elite team at home. It did happen to Duke on the road, though, so I didn't want to sound overly hypocritical (if it did).
  
  With that said, Georgetown and Michigan State are playing really well right now. I think MSU will be in Atlanta.
• vball10set

  For me, Oladipo and Gus Johnson will forever be linked. After hearing this call, how can they not be?
  
  [video=youtube;b_-DgMDsstI][/video]
• Laley23

  

  reclegend22;1387709 wrote:You added Minnesota to Indiana's list of wins, so you can't really consider it impressive for IU to beat them but not Duke. I know that's not what you mean, but I do find it funny that you pointed that out for Duke. Also, Michigan State and Georgetown have not played like NCAA title contenders over the course of much of the year. Notably Georgetown. At around the time Indiana beat Georgtown in 2OT, the Hoyas were struggling to break 20 on some nights. They got pounded by Pitt by almost 30 at HOME. Lost to 10-13 South Florida. Granted, they have improved vastly in the past three weeks.
  
  I do agree that UK and Temple have looked shaky at times throughout the year. I think both are NCAA teams, though, and Temple has been competitive with and beaten some great teams this year (win over Syracuse, took KU to the wire in Allen, etc.)
  
  I am in no way trying to strike up an argument. I think Duke and Indiana probably have pretty similar wins, with IU having the most impressive with the defeat of Michigan.

  Oh I know. I would say the same about Indiana with Minny. I would include it as a good win, just like I do for Duke. Im just pointing out that at one time, they really DID look like a top 10 team. Now, more like top 35, which is still solid...but as I said, not top 4 seed good. It really wasnt a comparison at all. I just found it kind of odd that Dukes big wins early all have looked really shaky since. Doesnt make them bad wins, but no denying that UK and LV preseason were top 5 teams who arent close to that. And Temple, who I thought could be a top 5 mid-major (after Zags, UNLV and Butler) pre-season are sitting at T7 in the A-10.
• Laley23

  

  vball10set;1387722 wrote:For me, Oladipo and Gus Johnson will forever be linked. After hearing this call, how can they not be?
  
  [video=youtube;b_-DgMDsstI][/video]

  This video, inadvertently by you lol, shows why EVERY Hoosier fan is in love with this team. They were terrible that year, but look on the court and you see Watford, Sheehey, Hulls, Oladipo, Creek and Elston. Its essentially the same core group with 2 studs added in. What they have gone through, to be able to be #1 in the country this year is a true testament to hard work.
  
  Hoosier fans lived through the pain of these young men and that makes it so much more rewarding that THEY are the ones who are bringing IU back (with the help of Yogi and Zeller lol).
• reclegend22

  

  Laley23;1387724 wrote:Oh I know. I would say the same about Indiana with Minny. I would include it as a good win, just like I do for Duke. Im just pointing out that at one time, they really DID look like a top 10 team. Now, more like top 35, which is still solid...but as I said, not top 4 seed good. It really wasnt a comparison at all. I just found it kind of odd that Dukes big wins early all have looked really shaky since. Doesnt make them bad wins, but no denying that UK and LV preseason were top 5 teams who arent close to that. And Temple, who I thought could be a top 5 mid-major (after Zags, UNLV and Butler) pre-season are sitting at T7 in the A-10.

  I guess I just look at it the other way. I don't think you can't criticize a team's victory over a team that WAS playing like a top ten caliber club at the time you beat them (i.e. Duke's wins over Minnesota and Louisville). Don't forget that Louisville actually rose to number one AFTER losing to Duke. The Cardinals were playing great ball back then, as was Tubby's Gophers.
  
  The opposite would be you giving Indiana credit for beating Georgetown, who is playing Top 10 basketball right now, but was looking like an NIT team early in the season (or least on the bubble) when the Hoosiers beat them.
• Laley23

  

  reclegend22;1387734 wrote:I guess I just look at it the other way. I don't think you can't criticize a team's victory over a team that WAS playing like a top ten caliber club at the time you beat them (i.e. Duke's wins over Minnesota and Louisville). Don't forget that Louisville actually rose to number one AFTER losing to Duke. The Cardinals were playing great ball back then, as was Tubby's Gophers.
  
  The opposite would be you giving Indiana credit for beating Georgetown, who is playing Top 10 basketball right now, but was looking like an NIT team early in the season (or least on the bubble) when the Hoosiers beat them.

  I agree, it was just an observation, really, lol.
  
  Thankfully, neither of us are on the bubble, so what our opponents do impacts seeding and not entry to the NCAAs. I like that a lot more after the past few seasons lol.
• thavoice

  reclegend22;1387734 wrote:I guess I just look at it the other way. I don't think you can't criticize a team's victory over a team that WAS playing like a top ten caliber club at the time you beat them (i.e. Duke's wins over Minnesota and Louisville). Don't forget that Louisville actually rose to number one AFTER losing to Duke. The Cardinals were playing great ball back then, as was Tubby's Gophers.
  
  The opposite would be you giving Indiana credit for beating Georgetown, who is playing Top 10 basketball right now, but was looking like an NIT team early in the season (or least on the bubble) when the Hoosiers beat them.

  Not sure saying the Hoyas were looking ike an NIT team when IU played them. Theyw ere 3-0 and just beat UCLA and then won 7 more. Opponants werent great, but then again not many teams are that early on. They werent ranked but recall thinking theylooked very solid and the talking heads doing the game commented on how they expect them to be ranked soon.
• reclegend22

  

  thavoice;1387740 wrote:Not sure saying the Hoyas were looking ike an NIT team when IU played them. Theyw ere 3-0 and just beat UCLA and then won 7 more. Opponants werent great, but then again not many teams are that early on. They werent ranked but recall thinking theylooked very solid and the talking heads doing the game commented on how they expect them to be ranked soon.

  I can't argue against a 3-0 record at the time for the Hoyas (although after losing to Georgetown, the Bruins would also lose to Cal-Poly and beat UC-Irvine in OT), but Georgetown definitely was putting up very lackluster performances early on. They beat Tennessee 37-36 and Towson 46-40, barely escaping.
  
  Looking back, you are right, saying Georgetown looked like an NIT team was probably way overstating their troubles. I do remember a thread here, though, (the best coaches without a title thread) containing a lot of John Thompson should be fired posts. (Although they might have mostly been from me after the Hoyas cost me a parylay by losing to Pitt by 30 lol).
• Classyposter58

  

  MSU handling them early on, seems like everyone big in the state of Michigan there as well tonight
• WebFire

  Michigan looks like shit in the first half...AGAIN. Defense is horrid.
• reclegend22

  

  Tom Izzo is doinggg ittttt again... This guy never disappoints in February and March. Or if he does, it is pretty much a rarity. If the Spartans are not playing in April, I will be in utter dismay. Just a gut feeling.
• WebFire

  I know this is a tough B1G and a tough stretch for Michigan, but they are really looking like they are overrated right now.
• reclegend22

  

  I think I'd chalk this game up to a mixture of Michigan playing below par and Michigan State demonstrating to the country that they are now one of the elite -- adding their name to the "super six" this season that have played just a step above the rest most of the way. That being Indiana, Miami, Duke, Michigan, Syracuse and Florida.
• WebFire

  Michigan has been playing below par too often lately. No fire, no intensity. If you can't get up for MSU, wtf? Like one of the announcers said, this time of year, your stars need to come to play.
• Ironman92

  

  Goodness at this game.
  
  62-36???
• Laley23

  

  I expected a double digit win, but I was expecting more like 14 pts...not 30.
• WebFire

  I am real concerned about Robinson. He seems to have lost confidence and is a non-factor the last few games.
• Ghmothwdwhso

  Michigan hasn't been right since IU slapped them around.
  
  Yes they beat Ohio, but I thought they would easily win that game.
  
  Someone needs to stand up and lead that team. I hate to say it, but I think their youth is being exposed, I don't say that in a demeaning way, just a fact.
• Midstate01

  

  My Michigan friends say this team has a lot of talent but is mentally and physically soft.
  
  What you think web?
• vball10set

  Ghmothwdwhso;1388117 wrote:Michigan hasn't been right since IU slapped them around.

  Getting beat 81-73 in Bloomington being "slapped around"?
  

  Yes they beat Ohio State, but I thought they would easily win that game.

  76-74 in OT "easy"?
  

  Someone needs to stand up and lead that team. I hate to say it, but I think their youth is being exposed, I don't say that in a demeaning way, just a fact.

  I think Burke is doing a tremendous job leading this team, and IMO he gets the rap of "trying to do too much" 'cause at times he has to. As Webbie said, Robinson (and IMO, Horford as well) has been non-existent, and even though Hardaway has been on fire of late, he's been up and down all season. I do agree with you that their youth is hurting them right now, especially during this brutal 4-game stretch. They're a scary team, and will be a force in March...unfortunately
• Hb31187

  

  He said thought they would easily beat them, Not that it was easy.
  
  
  But I agree watching Robinson last night, he seems to of lost all confidence he had earlier in the year, not sure why. And Hardaway was ICE cold last night, hard to overcome that especially when MSU was firing on all cylinders