257 replies to this topic

[AssKickingBoots]

chiefsfaninky, on 22 January 2012 - 10:16 AM, said:

I think Mizzou will be #2, 'cuse #3, KU #4 and MURRAY STATE #5( ) Realistically no, but they will move up from 10.

Yeah, you might be right. I guess I was figuring #1 Kentucky, #2 Syracuse, #3 Mizzou, #4 Ohio State, #5 Kansas, but MU/'Cuse could be turned around and same with OSU/KU. Ohio State didn't lose, but KU did beat a top 5 opponent.

Don't know how I feel about Murray State. They beat a not great Memphis team and a decent Southern Miss team, but that's about it. The Ohio Valley isn't exactly the Missouri Valley or A10 as far as mid-major conferences go. But hey, undefeated is undefeated.

Are you an alum or are you rooting for them because they're in Kentucky?

[chiefsfaninky]

AssKickingBoots, on 22 January 2012 - 10:53 AM, said:

Yeah, you might be right. I guess I was figuring #1 Kentucky, #2 Syracuse, #3 Mizzou, #4 Ohio State, #5 Kansas, but MU/'Cuse could be turned around and same with OSU/KU. Ohio State didn't lose, but KU did beat a top 5 opponent.

Don't know how I feel about Murray State. They beat a not great Memphis team and a decent Southern Miss team, but that's about it. The Ohio Valley isn't exactly the Missouri Valley or A10 as far as mid-major conferences go. But hey, undefeated is undefeated.

Are you an alum or are you rooting for them because they're in Kentucky?

Not an alum, my sister and many friends/exclassmates are. MSU is less than 45 mins away, and is followed on the local TV. They also have beat UAB, on the road, and Dayton. They are slated to get a home BracketBuster game, so is Creighton so the 2 won't play each other, and there is talk of that team being Wichita St. That would be a nice matchup.

[Dom]

chiefsfaninky, on 22 January 2012 - 12:29 PM, said:

Not an alum, my sister and many friends/exclassmates are. MSU is less than 45 mins away, and is followed on the local TV. They also have beat UAB, on the road, and Dayton. They are slated to get a home BracketBuster game, so is Creighton so the 2 won't play each other, and there is talk of that team being Wichita St. That would be a nice matchup.

Being a MVC Buff Wichita St/Murray State would be phenomenal.

[AssKickingBoots]

chiefsfaninky, on 22 January 2012 - 12:29 PM, said:

Not an alum, my sister and many friends/exclassmates are. MSU is less than 45 mins away, and is followed on the local TV. They also have beat UAB, on the road, and Dayton. They are slated to get a home BracketBuster game, so is Creighton so the 2 won't play each other, and there is talk of that team being Wichita St. That would be a nice matchup.

I overlooked that Murray State beat Dayton. That is a pretty good win. I knew they beat UAB, but I wasn't including them because, honestly, they suck (6-12 record, 1-4 in Conference USA play). Beating other mid-major schools that have more name recognition than them only goes so far in my book.

I guess it all hinges on that bracket buster game. I think it's all but a given Murray State will be in the tournament at this point, but they could drop several seeds if they lost that game to Wichita State or Nothern Iowa or something. If they won it, though, they'd legitimize their season. That could be a really good game.

[chiefsfaninky]

AssKickingBoots, on 23 January 2012 - 06:41 AM, said:

I overlooked that Murray State beat Dayton. That is a pretty good win. I knew they beat UAB, but I wasn't including them because, honestly, they suck (6-12 record, 1-4 in Conference USA play). Beating other mid-major schools that have more name recognition than them only goes so far in my book.

I guess it all hinges on that bracket buster game. I think it's all but a given Murray State will be in the tournament at this point, but they could drop several seeds if they lost that game to Wichita State or Nothern Iowa or something. If they won it, though, they'd legitimize their season. That could be a really good game.

Well. I don't really call ConUSA a mid-major, but can understand.
Also, not many teams, reguardless of their conference, can win 5-6 games without one of their top performers. Murray State has played without Sr PF/C Ivan Aska for 3 weeks. IIRC he was averaging 12 pts/6+ Rebs. One thing that has helped, is that they are 4th in the nation, beyond the arc. They are not big, but go all out for 40 mins.
Sorry to hack the Mizzou thread...........looking forward to next season, when you all get to run with the Big Dogs......er....CATS.

[AssKickingBoots]

chiefsfaninky, on 23 January 2012 - 05:38 PM, said:

Well. I don't really call ConUSA a mid-major, but can understand.

I'm not sure, but I thought mid-major referred to all non-BCS football conferences and schools in basketball. Maybe not. C-USA is a pretty good basketball conference though.

Quote

Also, not many teams, reguardless of their conference, can win 5-6 games without one of their top performers. Murray State has played without Sr PF/C Ivan Aska for 3 weeks. IIRC he was averaging 12 pts/6+ Rebs.

You mean like Mizzou having to go all season without Laurence Bowers.

Actually, it's a pretty good comparison since Bowers averaged 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds a game last year. That's the whole reason Mizzou is using a 4 guard starting lineup. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Quote

One thing that has helped, is that they are 4th in the nation, beyond the arc. They are not big, but go all out for 40 mins.
Sorry to hack the Mizzou thread...........looking forward to next season, when you all get to run with the Big Dogs......er....CATS.

I'm excited about the SEC. I will miss the tradition and rapport we had worked out with the Big XII teams, especially Kansas. I hope we get to continue our rivalry with them and Illinois while further establishing rivalries with Texas A&M (since they're our protected rivalry in football) and the rest of the SEC. It'll be hard to start hating on UK instead of KU though.

While Kentucky is a great basketball school, the SEC conference has been relatively weak (more like average to be fair). Mizzou needs to seize on this. I think we're a better team than Vandy or Florida. I'm not going to kid myself that Mizzou historically belongs in the conversation with Kentucky, but we should by all means expect to fight you guys for championships in basketball. Not just compete with you guys... fight you for them.

The first year or so could be kind of strange though. Our team will be Transfer U the next couple seasons to say the least.

[chiefsfaninky]

AssKickingBoots, on 23 January 2012 - 06:42 PM, said:

I'm not sure, but I thought mid-major referred to all non-BCS football conferences and schools in basketball. Maybe not. C-USA is a pretty good basketball conference though.


You mean like Mizzou having to go all season without Laurence Bowers.

Actually, it's a pretty good comparison since Bowers averaged 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds a game last year. That's the whole reason Mizzou is using a 4 guard starting lineup. Necessity is the mother of invention.


I'm excited about the SEC. I will miss the tradition and rapport we had worked out with the Big XII teams, especially Kansas. I hope we get to continue our rivalry with them and Illinois while further establishing rivalries with Texas A&M (since they're our protected rivalry in football) and the rest of the SEC. It'll be hard to start hating on UK instead of KU though.

While Kentucky is a great basketball school, the SEC conference has been relatively weak (more like average to be fair). Mizzou needs to seize on this. I think we're a better team than Vandy or Florida. I'm not going to kid myself that Mizzou historically belongs in the conversation with Kentucky, but we should by all means expect to fight you guys for championships in basketball. Not just compete with you guys... fight you for them.

The first year or so could be kind of strange though. Our team will be Transfer U the next couple seasons to say the least.

To address the mid major issue, I viewed it as the schools in ConUSA are larger than schools in the OVC or the Valley, but I understand, that, on a yearly basis, other than Memphis, they haven't really stood out,as a conference, in comparison.
As to Bowers..Yeah,,,,maybe, but..not really. Not having followed Mizzou, you stated he has been out all year....thus giving the current players time to jell with each other. Bowers woulda been a difference maker for sure, but (i am presuming here), that the Tigers knew he wasn't gonna be available? Aska did start the season, and was a key factor during their noncon run. The team had to adjust, midseason, to playing without him. ( I hate for UK to lose AD, or MKG, for 3-4 wks) I have heard Mizzou only goes 6 deep? IF so, losing someone else, could be very devestating.
Yes, Mizzou in the SEC brings a lot to the table. The Tigers should become instant contenders, thus making the league better. All I will say is don't eva sleep on Vandy. They are playing much better with Ezili(sp) back, and it is always a tough place to play. Florida's guards can lightem up with the best of'em too.
The SEC may be down.....BUT..unranked Tennessee did beat #11 UConn and unranked Arkansas beat #19 Michigan, on Saturday....I say it is tougher than most believe.(and not just because of 2 games)

[AssKickingBoots]

chiefsfaninky, on 23 January 2012 - 08:08 PM, said:

To address the mid major issue, I viewed it as the schools in ConUSA are larger than schools in the OVC or the Valley, but I understand, that, on a yearly basis, other than Memphis, they haven't really stood out,as a conference, in comparison.
As to Bowers..Yeah,,,,maybe, but..not really. Not having followed Mizzou, you stated he has been out all year....thus giving the current players time to jell with each other. Bowers woulda been a difference maker for sure, but (i am presuming here), that the Tigers knew he wasn't gonna be available? Aska did start the season, and was a key factor during their noncon run. The team had to adjust, midseason, to playing without him. ( I hate for UK to lose AD, or MKG, for 3-4 wks) I have heard Mizzou only goes 6 deep? IF so, losing someone else, could be very devestating.
Yes, Mizzou in the SEC brings a lot to the table. The Tigers should become instant contenders, thus making the league better. All I will say is don't eva sleep on Vandy. They are playing much better with Ezili(sp) back, and it is always a tough place to play. Florida's guards can lightem up with the best of'em too.
The SEC may be down.....BUT..unranked Tennessee did beat #11 UConn and unranked Arkansas beat #19 Michigan, on Saturday....I say it is tougher than most believe.(and not just because of 2 games)

Mizzou really goes 7 deep and only have 7 scholarship players. 5 solid guards and 2 big men. One of those guards is basically a 6th starter. One of those big men (Steve Moore) is basically a defensive substitute that has surprised people a couple times this year.

Bowers tore his ACL in the beginning of October. I get your 'time to gel" argument, but this was a team that was clearly thin at the bigs already. It wasn't just a matter of losing quality, it greatly affected the bench.

It forced Kim English, who has nice size for a Guard (6'6") to play sort of a Small Forward/Power Forward role without giving him time to bulk up heading into the season. It's not like they had time to recruit to replace him. Add to that their only other big guy, Freshman Kadeem Green, transferred shortly before conference season (not that he would have figured prominently this year).

I'm not talking down about the SEC, It effectively has the #1 and #2 schools in the country right now. Still, I'm more or less going off of a combination of conference RPI and perception. Traditionally, the SEC has been a top heavy league. There's clear haves and have nots. That's true of any conference, it clearly is for the Big XII this year. They're very similar conferences this year actually.

Arkansas is a style matchup problem for some teams, same as Missouri was under Mike Anderson. They'll win some games they shouldn't and lose some they shouldn't (after he gets his players in place anyway).

Florida and Vandy can just plain knock down some threes. Teams that can do that, if they get hot, they can beat better teams and I know we're not going to go into those buildings and out-talent them for a win anyway. Heck, I wouldn't sleep on Texas A&M for that matter. I'd expect them to be in the top half of the league.

I'm actually not expecting too much from Mizzou out of the gate when they join the SEC, but that's mostly because I don't know what to expect. Mizzou will lose alot of seniors, but should come back with their Point Guard Flip Pressey and Dixon who can play some point as well. Bowers will also return. Everyone else that figures prominently will be transfers and/or are unknowns.

[chiefsfaninky]

I have tried keeping up with A&M, because of Billy Kennedy(he came from Murray State), just to see how his team would do, and because they are coming to SEC next year.I hope that coming to/ being in. the SEC will/would help those teams in recruitment. Playing with/against the top players, should be what any player should strive for, so hopefully Mizzou can garner a few recruits. As for the unknowns, they can be diamonds in the ruff, ala DWade.(he wasn't even in the top 50, in his own state) FWIW, I know it has helped Kentucky obtain elite status, but I despise one-and-dones, but until the NBA does something about their rule, it is what it is. Some come in, and you can see, that yeah, they can go right to the NBA(Griffin, Durant, Wall, Cousins), but some really need an extra year, or two, to develop/mature.

[AssKickingBoots]

chiefsfaninky, on 24 January 2012 - 05:29 PM, said:

I have tried keeping up with A&M, because of Billy Kennedy(he came from Murray State), just to see how his team would do, and because they are coming to SEC next year.I hope that coming to/ being in. the SEC will/would help those teams in recruitment. Playing with/against the top players, should be what any player should strive for, so hopefully Mizzou can garner a few recruits. As for the unknowns, they can be diamonds in the ruff, ala DWade.(he wasn't even in the top 50, in his own state) FWIW, I know it has helped Kentucky obtain elite status, but I despise one-and-dones, but until the NBA does something about their rule, it is what it is. Some come in, and you can see, that yeah, they can go right to the NBA(Griffin, Durant, Wall, Cousins), but some really need an extra year, or two, to develop/mature.

Amen! I never liked one and dones. Either let them come straight from high school or make them stay at least 2 years. I'd favor more time in college personally.

I think it actually benefits the NBA to have the kids go to college if from no other standpoint than marketing. Very few people ever waltzed straight from high school to the NBA and dominated. Most of the time even the most talented guys would go to the NBA and barely play a year or two while they were developed. Now, more fans know who these guys are because they played in college, so they actually have a reason to get excited about them.

Of course, your coach just seems to love one and dones. Can't get enough of them.

A&M has been a massive dissapointment this year. Many going into the year picked them to actually win the league. I had my doubts about that, but they're definitely better than their record. Traditionally they've been a middle of the pack team, but they always seem to give Mizzou fits.

[Chi-town_Chief]

God f**king Dammit

[warthog]

Well, that's the old 'bullseye on the back' theory. The OSU arena has been dead for all games this year and they come out in droves for this one and get into it. That team got energized by the crowd that wanted their team to beat the #2 team in the country and spur their team to a shot at the bubble. We have totally lost the conference now of course.

[chiefsfaninky]

warthog, on 25 January 2012 - 09:53 PM, said:

Well, that's the old 'bullseye on the back' theory. The OSU arena has been dead for all games this year and they come out in droves for this one and get into it. That team got energized by the crowd that wanted their team to beat the #2 team in the country and spur their team to a shot at the bubble. We have totally lost the conference now of course.

YYYUUUPPP on the bullseye. OSU sure didn't look like a 9-10 team, but when you're ranked high, teams are gunning for ya.
That arena didn't look full, maybe more than they usually draw, , but the upper section looked almost empty.

[Dom]

chiefsfaninky, on 23 January 2012 - 08:08 PM, said:

To address the mid major issue, I viewed it as the schools in ConUSA are larger than schools in the OVC or the Valley, but I understand, that, on a yearly basis, other than Memphis, they haven't really stood out,as a conference, in comparison.

Referring to the size of a school is interesting, the Valley has Southern Illinois, Missouri State, and Illinois State that are all larger than 8 of the 12 schools in the C-USA. The OVC is actually quite a bit smaller with their largest school (Eastern Kentucky) having an enrollment of 16K. Some consider the MWC, A-10 and C-USA in the major conference section, but I go to data.

Over the last 10 years here are the conference rankings for the 3 conferences, starting with 2003.

C-USA: 7, 7, 9, 13, 9, 10, 8, 10, 8, 10 = 9.1
MVC: 13, 11, 8, 7, 7, 7, 10, 9, 10, 7 = 8.9
OVC: 21, 22, 22, 26, 27, 29, 23, 20, 22, 25= 23.7

With the last number being the current season.

For this year the Non-BCS rankings are very interesting.
TEAM
6. MWC
7. Missouri Valley
8. A-10
9. PAC-12
10. Conference USA

with the PAC-12 being a BCS conference

[AssKickingBoots]

The PAC-12 is terrible this year, and typically hasn't been the best basketball conference anyway. The best they could hope for is 3 schools in the tourney, and I wouldn't be surprised if there is only one.

I haven't yet thought of Mizzou as a legit top 5 school this year. A top 10 school? Probably. There's no way they should have dropped that game against OK State though. There's just too little depth and too few big guys to think they'll make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

As far as the conference championship, Kansas did their part by losing to Iowa State today (a great game to watch by the way). This conference is still very much up for grabs, but Mizzou missed a golden opportunity by not taking care of business.

[warthog]

What was funner today, the MU win or the kU loss?

[AssKickingBoots]

warthog, on 28 January 2012 - 08:46 PM, said:

What was funner today, the MU win or the kU loss?

Probably the KU loss.

Even after unexpectedly dropping a game earlier in the week, the Texas Tech game is one we should win. Also, K-State lost to OU, their 4th conference loss, giving us a little more breathing room. There's just 3 teams with a realistic chance to win this league now (KU, MU, Baylor) with Iowa State close behind with 3 conference losses. Don't know who I'd favor to win it at this point.

[warthog]

Yeah, I think that kU losing in Ames and the fact that we had already went there and won, made that so much better. I was a little dissapointed that we did not spread Tech by more. And oh yeah, the KSU loss to Okie, AGAIN, was fun too. Sorry DallasChief and Coach.

[AssKickingBoots]

F*ck Yeah!!!

[warthog]

It was a glorious win.

http://www.twitvid.com/SF3OZ