27 replies to this topic

[The BeastFan]

Seeing as how popular the thread was for the tourney last year, I thought I'd try to try a topic this year (probably culminating in another tournament contest come March). I'm also impatient as I was going to wait for November to start this.

Anyways, this is the thread for NCAA hoops for this season. As with the other sports threads, come here to talk all things NCAA basketball, like updating everyone on how awesome your followed team is to just talk on anything else that goes on and any awesome attached.

I'll go over the two teams I follow closely. First up, some talk on the UC Bearcats. We came off an impressive run last year, making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. A lot of our best players are coming back (many in their last year unfortunately). The schedule looks pretty easy going until conference play (which, if anyone knows how Big East hoops go, you know that is a battle on its own). Some neat games to look forward to are @ Georgia, the annual Crosstown Shootout with Xavier, and hosting Oklahoma. Should be a fun season overall.

The other team I follow is the aforementioned Xavier Musketeers. They're also coming off a great season ending in the NCAA Tournament's first round. Because they're in the Atlantic 10, they're often granted with an impressive non-conference schedule. This year is no different, while of course they play Cincy, there are also games vs. Georgia, Vanderbilt, the always surprising Butler, Purdue, Memphis and Gonzaga. This team I can predict a bit more so than UC as the A-10 is a very winnable conference for Xavier. Yeah, you got Temple, Dayton and Richmond in there, but Xavier's consistency every year is enough for me to believe they can pull it out.

Edited by The BeastFan, 17 October 2011 - 07:29 PM.

[sethdawg17]

Finally its that time of year again! I absolutely love NCAA Basketball and of course its in my blood. Living in Lexington, KY you have to be a fan, its what we are known for in college athletics. I am very excited for this year's team with a lot of really good freshman with the #1 recruiting class once again this year. The schedule is pretty good with some early non-conference fights with Kansas, UNC, and Louisville. SEC should be a fight as well.

Overall really excited for the season to start and hopefully another Final Four!

[The BeastFan]

W00T! Cincy made it to 22 in the pre-season coaches' poll! Xavier made it to 15!

[Tyler Carlton]

Michigan at 18! I think we may be a bit overrated right now since we have a freshman replacing the departed Darius Morris, but if he can step up this team can do some things.

[The BeastFan]

I have to bring up a bit of nonsensical hilarity to the proceedings. I know its pre-season, but there is a game I'd like to mention. West Virginia played a local college by me, Northern Kentucky University, a Division II school (who, btw, are also trying to go Division I). To give you an example, when we play them in exhibition, we (UC) always smoke them. However, it seems West Virginia couldn't do so, and lost to the Norse of NKU 77-74 (yes, a Div II school put 77 pts up on WV mens basketball and won no less).

We do play them next, so if we lose, I'll rebut this post, but until then, I'll sit back and enjoying some LOL-ing!

Edited by The BeastFan, 04 November 2011 - 08:35 PM.

[The BeastFan]

Sorry to double post, but I can't help but mention the rocky start a few Big East teams are having. West Virginia loses both to a Division II school and Kent State by 10, Pitt (ranked 9th) loses by 10 to Long Beach State at home, and even Cincy had a horrible 2nd half playing Jacksonville State with 20 turnovers for the game. Villanova and Seton Hall have had OT games as well. Most of the rest of the conference are dominating their non-conference schedules so far (at least when playing the easier teams). Louisville and Georgetown look to have the best non-conference schedules L'ville's in particular looks to be a brutal to say the least, especially with Butler and Kentucky on the road though Georgetown isn't too far away with games vs Kansas, Memphis, and away at Alabama. Sad to say that Cincy's hardest non-conference game is the Crosstown Shootout rivalry with Xavier.

EDIT: Now UC has fallen victim to a mid-major school, losing to Presbyderian. Its going to be a long December at UC I feel (I have to go to most of the games in December due to subbing for those that leave campus for X-mas break). The good news is that our women's team is much, much better than last year.

Edited by The BeastFan, 20 November 2011 - 11:33 AM.

[Tyler Carlton]

Michigan has started out a cool 2-0 with wins over two horrible opponents. I managed to get 2 free tickets to their game against Western Illinois tomorrow, but I'm spending the night in with my girlfriend instead. Luckily I don't think I'll miss much since Michigan should win easily. However, after that the schedule really heats up (literally and symbolically) as the team heads out to Maui for the Maui Invitational. The first game is against Memphis with the second being against either Duke or Tennessee depending on the winners/losers of both games.

[The BeastFan]

As much as it's a sacrilege for me to do so, I may have to switch from following UC this year and root more for Xavier instead if the Bearcats lose one more pre-conference game (excluding the shootout with Xavier as they'd be a legit team in our early schedule to lose to). Our early season has been horrendous. Its getting harder and harder for me to watch. Speaking of that, UConn was recently added to the teams in the Big East who've blown it to a mid-major. 'Cuse also had a bit of trouble vs. Stanford as well. Its going to be a LONG season in the Big East.

[Tyler Carlton]

After looking shaky against a couple bad opponents Michigan has pulled it together. They took home third place in Maui losing to Duke but taking home victories against UCLA and Memphis.

[The BeastFan]

There is some hope to the teams I follow. Xavier has started off in an impressive fashion. Along with being undefeated so far, they've knocked off 2 SEC teams including a 19th ranked Vanderbilt. Their next 3 games consist of Purdue, a trip to Butler, and hosting then the Crosstown Shootout with UC. In other news in the A-10, Dayton and St Louis have been impressive as well.

[The BeastFan]

Both UC and XU came off with impressive wins this weekend, both major come-from-behind fashioned as both teams were down double-digits to Georgia and Purdue respectively (X was down nearly 20 to Purdue, UC down by a dozen to the Bulldogs). However, whats best about this is that it sets up a heck of a match up for the annual Crosstown Shootout on Saturday. For this game, don't look at the rankings either. This game is always fun to watch in that it could go either way (I unfortunately recall Xavier beating the Cats when they were #1 in the nation back in 1999 [insert cringe here]). The Cats especially look better after the Georgia win and a win at the Shootout would be a HUGE boost from the mid-major losses. I'm also looking forward to conference play a little more as I've seen quite a few other BE schools struggle early on. Louisville and Syracuse, however, look like the teams to beat this year.

Edited by The BeastFan, 04 December 2011 - 01:02 AM.

[The BeastFan]

Well, in a surprise game, the Crosstown Shootout played out by the numbers. Xavier made a statement to show they're a top 10 team (should get close to top 5 after this).

UC on the other hand got good looks through the game, but shots simply didn't go in. They were also a bit sloppy in the last 5 minutes in the 1st half, which gave Xavier a double digit lead, which UC couldn't recover from.

And in the end, there was a nasty fight which won't be good for either team. There will definitely be a bunch of suspensions and penalties for both teams as a result. Probably the ugliest Shootout there's been through its history, both in score and in off the court antics. SMH.

On the flip side, Mick Cronin, UC's head coach, was very classy and said the right things during the post-game press conference. Hopefully, he'll stick to his words and kick Yancy Gates off the team.

Xavier on the other hand let players into the press conference and handled it a whole lot worse. Tu Holloways' comments were a mockery of what the rivalry is about and to the city of Cincinnati. I don't think I'll be able to root for Xavier as long as he's on the team.

From what I'm gathering from Mick after his words, it sounds like UC's season may be over. He eluded to players (plural) being kicked off the team which, with that kind of kick in the teeth to the team knowing pretty well who's gone, we won't stand a chance in the Big East.

So, now I find the challenge of finding a new team to root for, preferably a local team that isn't from Columbus. Miami, Kentucky or Louisville are probably where my cheers will be heading this season.

Edited by The BeastFan, 11 December 2011 - 01:37 AM.

[The BeastFan]

Sorry to double post, but here's an update on the Crosstown Shootout incident.

4 UC players have been suspended. Surprisingly, Yancy Gates is still a Bearcat, and he along with Octavius Ellis and Cheikh Mbodj will get a 6 game suspension. Ge'Lawn Guyn gets a single game suspension. I'm sure there will be more on top of that coming from the Big East and the NCAA (on top of the automatic 1 game suspension for fighting). Mick also added there may be more coming. I'll update later after Xavier holds their press conference.

As for UC, its not as bad as I thought, but I'm sure the fan backlash for keeping Yancy on the team will be something fierce. They'll certainly need some sort of miracle if they hope to gain confidence prior to Big East play.

EDIT: Xavier is really dropping the ball on this fiasco. It was bad enough that they had that piss poor excuse of a post-game press conference, but now they hand out FAR less in penalties to their own players. The maximum suspension is for 4 games, but the main instigators get 1 game via the NCAA automatic suspension for fighting. They've all but lost me and my respect I had to their school and athletics. I hope the A-10 adds to that. At least Cincinnati had a sense of urgency about the situation and the magnitude which would be felt by both schools. Xavier on the other hand has been very nonchalant through this and they've handled this very poorly.

EDIT 2: Turns out there is a reason for Yancy being on the team. He along with the other 3 suspendees will be issuing a public apology to the entire city for their part of the brawl.

EDIT 3: Now it turns out that the fighters may be brought up on charges.

Edited by The BeastFan, 12 December 2011 - 11:40 AM.

[The BeastFan]

Sorry to quintuple post, but no one else is posting. Anyhow, we are now 3 games post brawl, and somehow, UC found an offense that works. Two 100 point games coming from a team with 3 guys on suspensions, one of which is a key starter. Yeah, they've been against nobody teams, but before the Xavier games we were having trouble getting to 70. Hopefully, this will equate to a prolific offense come Big East play.

[Tyler Carlton]

Michigan has rolled to 10-2, but they haven't really played many teams of notable quality. Their losses have come at the hands of Duke and Virginia and their only high quality wins are over Memphis, UCLA, and Oakland.

[The BeastFan]

I'm kind of in shock with UC right now. They're riding a nice 6 game winning streak including 2 impressive wins over Oklahoma and away over 22nd ranked Pitt!

EDIT: Make that 7 in a row with a solid win over the Fighting Irish! The suspended players making their return were implemented in the fast paced play were decent additions.

Also...in stark contrast, Xavier is in free fall mode, 1-5 since they beat us. The difference between UC and XU is like light and day since the Shootout brawl.

EDIT 2: Well, UC's win streak finally came to an end in a close one vs. St Johns.

Edited by The BeastFan, 07 January 2012 - 04:07 PM.

[The BeastFan]

I'm calling shenanigans in the Big East right now. Aside from Syracuse, the better teams (at least ones we thought were better), are faltering and a few of the mid-ranked teams are starting to show signs of life. Pitt and ND are really starting to fall apart right now. UConn struggled a bit early, but have regrouped. Louisville definitely doesn't look like the Louisville that was ranked in the top 5 earlier this season, and you have Cincy and Seton Hall of all teams starting to climb the ranks. 'Nova has been a huge dissapointment as well. All in all it feels like a wierd year for the BE. I'm looking forward to what happens as we get closer towards March and how the BE tourney will turn out.

UC now has their hardest stretch before things get a tad easier. Two road games vs. UConn and WV and home with Syracuse. After that, we get teams currently underperforming or mediocre teams.

Edited by The BeastFan, 14 January 2012 - 06:34 PM.

[The BeastFan]

Sorry for double posting, but if BJ is snooping around this thread, I will be going to the UC game vs Syracuse next Monday in hopes of an epic upset! GO CATS!

[BJ KoasterKooK]

Sorry for double posting, but if BJ is snooping around this thread, I will be going to the UC game vs Syracuse next Monday in hopes of an epic upset! GO CATS!

Ha, i'm always "snooping" around here, or "hovering", "lurking", whatever term you like, even though i'm not posting much anymore, i'm still following a number of threads.

I'm sure this game will be a "Big Monday" game on ESPN so i'll be watching for sure...i'll be be looking for you Mike, but in the student section or the band??

Personally, I don't view a very good team like Cincy beating the Orange on their home court as an upset. Although it's been sweet to see the 20-0 start, it's rather meaningless if they lose in the 2nd round of the tournament this year again. They've had pretty gaudy records the past two years also before the NCAA Tournament, sooo, we'll see.

Also, as far as their starting "5", they're not the best in the land, but depth, top 10 players, wow...

It should be a fun night and a close game, i'll bet.

[The BeastFan]

I'll be with the band as the game was sold out quite a while ago. I usually make it an effort to stand near the aisle as that's the best view of the game from the band area (the drum major/conductor blocks a bit of the view).

Depending on how this road stretch at UConn and WV go, I think UC will be a surprise for the Orange. I don't expect a dominant game as UC will be battle tested at that point, with wins @ Pitt and @ Georgetown (both teams were ranked at the time we played them). The way the team has played since the brawl with Xavier has been nothing short of extraordinary, so far having gone 9-1 in that stretch. The 4 guard pay has been key in getting lots of shots off from the perimeter, and Justin Jackson and/or Yancy Gates in the interior are a force to be reckoned with (as long as they keep their fouls down). I think it'll be a good match up for 'Cuse along with the fact our arena will be rockin'.

EDIT: Make that 10-1 since the Shootout with an excellent win over UConn on the road!

EDIT 2: UC just lost to WV on the road, albiet after an intense 2nd half and OT. UC got good looks, but they just didn't go in. A well played game by UC none the less.

In other news, holy cow! 'Cuse being blasted by the Fighting Irish came out of nowhere! Looks like there won't be a 1 in front of their name when they come to Cincy...

Edited by The BeastFan, 21 January 2012 - 08:13 PM.

[The BeastFan]

Well, the game vs the Orange certainly went differently than I expected. The difference between the close score it ended by and the possiblity of a shut out was those early 3's we kept sinking early in the first half. The place was quite gitty when we were up 13-6 early. Even though Cuse took the lead at the half, I still considered us to have a legit shot at a win. However, the 2-3 defense of Syracuse made it hard to get it in the paint, and our reliance on the 3 kind of did us in as Syracuse made a late run which I knew we wouldn't recover from. Still, the way this season has went and to do that well against the #1 team in the country is a nice surprise. I hope UC bounces back soon and they look well enough to string together quite a few wins as the season dwindles down. Hopefully, it'll be enough to get us back in the big dance in March as that loss to Presbyderian and the Xavier blow out are still a thorn in our side. A nice run in the BE tourney would help, too.

Hope to see Syracuse again in NYC! GO BEARCATS!

[The BeastFan]

Its getting kind of irritating being a UC fan. Dropping 3 in a row, the third being at Rutgers, isn't doing us any favors. At this point, I feel we'd have to win the Big East tournament for any hopes of getting into the big dance in March. We still have some decent résumé builders coming up, including @ Villanova, 2 vs Marquette, Seton Hall, USF (who's been impressive this year) and Louisville.

Those early losses to Presbyterian and Marshall, not to mention the pounding we got by Xavier, are a real pain in all of this as well...

Edited by The BeastFan, 31 January 2012 - 09:57 PM.

[The BeastFan]

Sorry for quadruple posting. Anyhow, UC, as of this post, is guaranteed 7th in the Big East and a spot in NYC for the Big East tournament. UC will probably end up with at least 11 wins (a top 10 Marquette at home and @ Villanova are all that remain) in the Big East. I'm hoping for at least 2 wins in the BE Tournament, hopefully one against a ranked team. I think we are just in right now for the big dance (I've seen projections that have us as a 11 or 12 seed).

[The BeastFan]

If that awesome win over Marquette isn't a punched ticket to the dance in March, I don't know what is. Great to see the seniors go out with a bang at home!

EDIT: This is so I don't sextuple post. Anyways, UC finishes the season 22-9 (12-6 in the BE, a school record since joining). We also earned a double by in the BE tournament with USF and Georgetown losing (better overall record than USF and a win over Georgetown to break the ties). This is definitely a good thing as we need to rest Cashmere Wright and Justin Jackson from their minor injury issues. At least 1 win in NYC would definitely cement a ticket to March if there is any doubt still left (I feel we're in as of this post edit).

EDIT 2: Just saw the BE bracket. The worst we get in our first game is Georgetown whom we stack well against. However, there is the potential we'll hit a rather orange wall the next game as Syracuse is a team slated to be in the bracket that we would play next (along with either WV, UConn or Depaul, all of which Syracuse will beat).

EDIT 3: This isn't deserving of a separate post, but UC will indeed be facing Georgetown in the quarterfinals of the BE tourney. Syracuse will be getting UConn. (please not another UConn run, I want to play 'Cuse!)

EDIT 4: Well, UC barely beat Georgetown despite stats of a losing team in said case. Lots of resiliency there. Obviouly big momentum for game 2. I wanted Cuse, I got Cuse, and UC came out BIG. Up 17 at one point and knocked off the Orange. Now waiting for a classic C-USA showdown as 2 add-ins from said conference go head to head for the BE title (UC and UL). Epic might be a bit of an understatement. I would definitely see us at least making the Sweet 16 or Elite 8 this year. If we play like we have been, aside from UK and UNC, there isn't a team we can't hang with.

Edited by The BeastFan, 10 March 2012 - 03:43 PM.

[Tyler Carlton]

Big Ten Champions!
If you had asked me before the season if I thought it was possible I would have laughed, but the team defied odds and brought it home. This was their first B1G championship in 26 years, but they aren't about to stop now with the B1G tournament and NCAA tournament right around the corner.