College Hoops Thread '09-'10

[The Poet]

To follow up on that report 2 days ago: Paul Hewitt has declined St. John's offer to become their new head coach, and will stay with Georgia Tech . . . this week, anyway.

Maybe you didn't realize it, but there are a few basketball games scheduled for tonight. In order of tip-offs, we have:

Syracuse vs. Butler = I have less faith in the efficacy of the zone defense than does the loyal Orange fans, as I can name a handful of ways it can be beaten. I have even less faith that Butler can manage to accomplish this, however, and see the 'Cuse advancing with relative ease.

West Virginia vs. Washington = The loss of Darryl Bryant has put a crimp in the Mountaineers' game plan, though they do have a capable back-up at the point in Joe Mazzulla. However, he is more a ballhandler and passer than a scorer, so WVA will need more points from someone else . . . like Da'Sean Butler, for instance. As for the Huskies, they have played better in the Tourney than they have all year, and have looked nearly as good as they were suppsed to be. This one's a tough call, both because of the injury and because I don't know which Washington team will show up tonight. But since Butler's the best player on the court, I'll give WVA the nod.

Kansas State vs. Xavier = And this one's not easy for me either. Imprimis, I have not seen K-State too much, and by general impression and history have little faith in their ability to win big games. That's my prejudice, admittedly, but that's what I'm dealt, so tough. As for the X-Men, they have been as consistent as lumpy gravy all season, with smooth creamy play full of "Nots". So, as I must pick one, I'll give K-State one more win this year . . . but only one.

Kentucky vs. Cornell = A no-brainer, you say? Well, OK, I'll grant you that. Yet I've been told I have no brain so many times that once more ain't gonna hurt. The Wildcats have as much talent and athletic ability on their bench as Big Red has had, in toto, in the last 50 years . . . and then there is the UK starters! For many of these kids, their next loss will be their last college game, so they may not want to end their brief visit to Lexington tonight. But the next loss for Cornell will also be the last in their careers, for entirely different reasons . . . they are loaded with seniors. We know the advantage Kentucky has. Cornell, on the other hand, is a much more experienced, more disciplined, and more controlled team, due to their age, their time together, their intellect, and their coach's own abilities. Will that be enough? I can't see it. However, if they can keep it within a few baskets until the final 5 minutes or so, there is the possibility that UK will blink first. Kentucky can win by a ton. Cornell can hold on and edge them at the end. Will they? No.

[gettysburgfreak]

LETS GO 'CUSE!

Would really like to see another NY school in Cornell win tonight. Should be two good games to enjoy tonight.

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by gettysburgfreak

Should be two good games to enjoy tonight.

Could even be four, or at least three.

[jcruse64]

'Cuse/Butler has had an interesting start. Butler is not laying down by any means, and this could be pretty good.

I'm very interested to see which UK shows up tonight...I only hope I can stay awake, as I usually am in bed by 9:30 .

I really hate to see these young guys get hit with injuries and miss such an awesome opportunity. I like to see a team's best play, even if against the team I root for.