My thinking that UCONN is safely a tourney team is based on Boatright and Brimah, not the incoming unknowns.

(10-14-2014 12:29 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  Tier 1 Top 25 contender
SMU

Tier 2 NCAA bubblish / NIT
UConn
Memphis
Tulsa
Cincinnati

Tier 3
Houston
Temple
ECU
Tulane

Tier 4
UCF
USF

I haven't seen one preseason poll where UConn isn't ranked in the top 25 so I'm not sure where you're getting "bubblish" from? You are clearly just looking to troll and get reactions from UConn fans so congrats you succeeded. But still, you won't win many arguments putting down the Defending National Champions who are bringing in two 5 star recruits in Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Sam Cassell Jr. a Juco All-American. If there is a better backcourt in the country please let me know who it is.

These are my rankings.

1) UConn (defending champs, loaded backcourt and bringing in great new guys)
2) SMU (I have no problem with some fans thinking they will win the league. Very talented bunch that beat us twice and should be a top 15 team)
3) Memphis (very talented. loaded with 4/5 star guys. Pastner could have his moment.)
4) Cincy (always tough always compete)
5) Temple (don't know why but they have a solid program. Can't see them down again)
6) Tulsa (probably will pass some teams ahead of them on my list)

Wild Card: Houston. I know there were some transfers but a few nice additions and I like the front court. I think Houston is on the rise with Sampson.

Well At least he didn't have ECU in the same Tier as Uconn. But that would be too obvious. As defending Champions Uconn will get the benefit of the doubt no matter what there RPI is this year. They shouldn't lose more the 3 games in conference and will hopefully win against Duke and a few of there ooc games. They will get a 3/4 seed and will be in the East.

Here you go Ponies:

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein · 1h 1 hour ago
Really like UConn's perimeter pieces but saying the Huskies are AAC favorites ahead of SMU is like saying Godfather 3 was on par with 1 + 2.

(10-14-2014 12:29 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  Tier 1 Top 25 contender
SMU

Tier 2 NCAA bubblish / NIT
UConn
Memphis
Tulsa
Cincinnati

Tier 3
Houston
Temple
ECU
Tulane

Tier 4
UCF
USF

I don't know how you could put a defending nation champion as a Bubble team with a straight face. UCONN and SMU are the clear favorites in pre-season, both should be in the top 15 or 20 and are loaded.

You think he's actually ever watched college basketball before?

(10-14-2014 02:44 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 01:51 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 01:24 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 01:12 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  I guess we'll revisit this thread down the road, where someone will be eating crow.

No need to. This is basketball. Crazy $hit like the 7 seed running to the championship obviously happen in this sport, and you should know. I'm just telling what it looks like on paper in October and you are kidding yourself if you think UConn is this slam dunk favorite to repeat/ or a sure bet contender/ or even a no doubt top 4 seed etc at this point.

Maybe if everything comes together but it could just as easily go the other way and I'd think that's the more likely at this point with so many new pieces. Look at SMU one of their McDonalds AA's did nothing as a freshman if you are counting on Hamilton to be a superstar, and I've seen Purvis in college, hopefully he's got better. Again just look at the previous two years. You had Drummond and Nappier one year and were a 9 seed and would have been bubble the year after if you were eligible. You don't look as sure a bet as SMU to me at this point to be in the top 25, no one does and a 10 type seed could be entirely possible for your team and that's nothing to frown at in a rebuilding year.

Of course you will always have the escape clause of what the definition of "go the other way" is; but from a common sense perspective, if you're saying that UConn is just as likely to fall to NIT status as make the NCAA tourney; I fail to see your logic.

Where did I say they were an NIT team? I haven't said that, but if they were it actually would be no less shocking IMO than them being top 5 or back in the final 4.

I picked a group of schools I expect to be around 35-70ish that are some of the last teams to get in the NCAA's at large or first in the NIT's. I actually would UConn and Memphis them at the top of that group if I had to order them. Pretty much exactly what I did in the original post meaning the would likely be one of the NCAA ones.

You were both 7 seeds last year, with senior laden teams that had been together for years. Good grief, is saying they are probably like a 9 or 10 type seed this year in a rebuilding year on paper that controversial. Seriously.

I'd say that it's a safe assumption that I based my comment..... "if you're saying that UConn is just as likely to fall to NIT status as make the NCAA tourney; I fail to see your logic."....... on the below post from you earlier in this thread. Your quote is about as clear as it gets; and I just picked out the defending national champion and ignored the others in your "tier 2".

Look, you can confound a lot of folks with your array of efficiency stats and repeated rhetoric, and that will work sometimes; however direct quotes are pretty hard to misunderstand.

I just don't "get" why you have to consistently argue with most folks over so many basketball topics. There are better ways to deal with other people, even those that you don't agree with at all times.

(10-14-2014 12:29 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  Tier 1 Top 25 contender
SMU

Tier 2 NCAA bubblish / NIT
UConn
Memphis
Tulsa
Cincinnati

Tier 3
Houston
Temple
ECU
Tulane

Tier 4
UCF
USF

This dude with no dog in the fight had no problem getting it.

(10-14-2014 02:52 PM)Niner National Wrote:  I don't think SJ is being unreasonable at all. Saying SMU is a lock for the NCAA tournament and then saying several of these other schools will make the NCAA tournament, but probably not all, is completely reasonable.

All the teams he has in tier 2 have NCAA potential, but I doubt ALL of them make it.

(10-15-2014 05:59 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 02:44 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 01:51 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 01:24 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 01:12 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  I guess we'll revisit this thread down the road, where someone will be eating crow.

No need to. This is basketball. Crazy $hit like the 7 seed running to the championship obviously happen in this sport, and you should know. I'm just telling what it looks like on paper in October and you are kidding yourself if you think UConn is this slam dunk favorite to repeat/ or a sure bet contender/ or even a no doubt top 4 seed etc at this point.

Maybe if everything comes together but it could just as easily go the other way and I'd think that's the more likely at this point with so many new pieces. Look at SMU one of their McDonalds AA's did nothing as a freshman if you are counting on Hamilton to be a superstar, and I've seen Purvis in college, hopefully he's got better. Again just look at the previous two years. You had Drummond and Nappier one year and were a 9 seed and would have been bubble the year after if you were eligible. You don't look as sure a bet as SMU to me at this point to be in the top 25, no one does and a 10 type seed could be entirely possible for your team and that's nothing to frown at in a rebuilding year.

Of course you will always have the escape clause of what the definition of "go the other way" is; but from a common sense perspective, if you're saying that UConn is just as likely to fall to NIT status as make the NCAA tourney; I fail to see your logic.

Where did I say they were an NIT team? I haven't said that, but if they were it actually would be no less shocking IMO than them being top 5 or back in the final 4.

I picked a group of schools I expect to be around 35-70ish that are some of the last teams to get in the NCAA's at large or first in the NIT's. I actually would UConn and Memphis them at the top of that group if I had to order them. Pretty much exactly what I did in the original post meaning the would likely be one of the NCAA ones.

You were both 7 seeds last year, with senior laden teams that had been together for years. Good grief, is saying they are probably like a 9 or 10 type seed this year in a rebuilding year on paper that controversial. Seriously.

I'd say that it's a safe assumption that I based my comment..... "if you're saying that UConn is just as likely to fall to NIT status as make the NCAA tourney; I fail to see your logic."....... on the below post from you earlier in this thread. Your quote is about as clear as it gets; and I just picked out the defending national champion and ignored the others in your "tier 2".

Look, you can confound a lot of folks with your array of efficiency stats and repeated rhetoric, and that will work sometimes; however direct quotes are pretty hard to misunderstand.

I just don't "get" why you have to consistently argue with most folks over so many basketball topics. There are better ways to deal with other people, even those that you don't agree with at all times.

(10-14-2014 12:29 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  Tier 1 Top 25 contender
SMU

Tier 2 NCAA bubblish / NIT
UConn
Memphis
Tulsa
Cincinnati

Tier 3
Houston
Temple
ECU
Tulane

Tier 4
UCF
USF

(10-15-2014 06:19 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  This dude with no dog in the fight had no problem getting it.

(10-14-2014 02:52 PM)Niner National Wrote:  I don't think SJ is being unreasonable at all. Saying SMU is a lock for the NCAA tournament and then saying several of these other schools will make the NCAA tournament, but probably not all, is completely reasonable.

All the teams he has in tier 2 have NCAA potential, but I doubt ALL of them make it.

So, when your own words haunt you, the best solution is to just find someone (who may or may not know anything at all about the AAC) to quote and hope the topic goes away?

I've clearly made my point and you've chosen to ignore it.

Enjoy the thread and whatever you want to make of it.

Hopefully, sometime you'll be able to see (or choose to open your mind to) others' points of view and we'll be able to have serious and meaningful discussions about AAC basketball. However, based on years in another conference and this preseason, it's obvious that's not going to happen now.

Good luck to the Pirates this basketball season.

Maybe I'm wrong but the AAC seems to be a big mans league. If you don't have a physical back court and a solid PG, then you will get beat.

Memphis last year played thru the guards but this year we will play thru the bigs.

(10-15-2014 07:16 PM)tnzazz Wrote:  Maybe I'm wrong but the AAC seems to be a big mans league. If you don't have a physical back court and a solid PG, then you will get beat.

Memphis last year played thru the guards but this year we will play thru the bigs.

UConn was smaller and skinny last year driven to the championship by a couple of 6' guards in the backcourt and a skinny 6-9 wing that played 4 for them. Grify or whatever his name was played a lot of center for them in crunch time too and he was about 6-7. The one 7' guy I remember was slim as well and didn't do much but block shots. Obviously plenty of ways to win but I'd rather have a great backcourt myself in college basketball.

(10-15-2014 06:37 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  So, when your own words haunt you, the best solution is to just find someone (who may or may not know anything at all about the AAC) to quote and hope the topic goes away?

You've been around the CUSA boards enough you know Niner National is one of the most grounded and knowledgeable fans on any of these boards.

Quote:I've clearly made my point and you've chosen to ignore it.

Hopefully, sometime you'll be able to see (or choose to open your mind to) others' points of view and we'll be able to have serious and meaningful discussions about AAC basketball. However, based on years in another conference and this preseason, it's obvious that's not going to happen now.

I honestly don't even know what your point is or care. See Niner National's assessment of mine if you need it broken down and explained for you. I honestly can't belelive it's so controversial to have SMU as the only the only team that looks like a sure fire top 25 and have 4 others in the NCAA/NIT. You people seriously just want to ***** to ***** sometimes.

Quote:Of course you will always have the escape clause of what the definition of "go the other way" is; but from a common sense perspective, if you're saying that UConn is just as likely to fall to NIT status as make the NCAA tourney; I fail to see your logic.

I said it wouldn't shock me if they were as likely to fall to the NIT as go back to the final 4 if you want extreams. I EXPECT them to get to the NCAA but be one of the later at larges. Get it right if you are going to attribute it to me and it wouldn't with so many new pieces. The margin between a 8-11 seed and the top NIT seed isn't that much either. Look at SMU last year.

Quote:I'd say that it's a safe assumption that I based my comment..... "if you're saying that UConn is just as likely to fall to NIT status as make the NCAA tourney; I fail to see your logic."....... on the below post from you earlier in this thread. Your quote is about as clear as it gets; and I just picked out the defending national champion and ignored the others in your "tier 2".

Wrong, and I've clarified several times after I thought they look like they looked like an 8-11 seed. That's where I would put them at this point. I think SMU is a top 4 or 6 seed.

(10-15-2014 05:11 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  You think he's actually ever watched college basketball before?

I don't think you have honestly. Not with all the pinning of your hopes on freshman like the one you got. Obviously you've never seen tons of them struggle or be flat out bust before even though it happens every year. Maybe the guy will be good, but there is a good chance he won't be nearly as good as you think in his first year either.

(10-14-2014 05:46 PM)huskiesnyc Wrote:  I haven't seen one preseason poll where UConn isn't ranked in the top 25 so I'm not sure where you're getting "bubblish" from? You are clearly just looking to troll and get reactions from UConn fans so congrats you succeeded. But still, you won't win many arguments putting down the Defending National Champions who are bringing in two 5 star recruits in Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Sam Cassell Jr. a Juco All-American. If there is a better backcourt in the country please let me know who it is.

You can say 5 star but Purvis was nothing special at NC State. The rest of those guys you have yet to actually see on a D1 court. Everyone said the McDonalds AA at SMU was going to dominate last year as well, and that didn't happen and there are plenty of examples of guys that struggle or teams that struggle breaking in so many new key players . It's fair to give you the benefit of doubt in the preseason to some degree and I think you will get it being the defending champs, but the reality is most of the key players are gone and you don't know for sure what you got at this point.


Last year you had a senior laden team and should have known a lot more what to expect and you still got a 7 seed last year before you made a great run no one expected. You lose the two most talented players on that team to the NBA as well and the driving force behind it in Nappier. If you can't agree that it's possible you are only an 8-11 seed than I don't know what to tell you when you were just about that last year.

You were just a #9 seed the year after you won your last national title and had friggen Andre Drummond who was on team USA just a couple years later and Nappier and other good and established players with national championship experience. If you were eligible in Ollie's first year you very well would have likely been one of the last teams in or out as well even with experienced players like Nappier.

(10-14-2014 05:46 PM)huskiesnyc Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 12:29 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  Tier 1 Top 25 contender
SMU

Tier 2 NCAA bubblish / NIT
UConn
Memphis
Tulsa
Cincinnati

Tier 3
Houston
Temple
ECU
Tulane

Tier 4
UCF
USF

I haven't seen one preseason poll where UConn isn't ranked in the top 25 so I'm not sure where you're getting "bubblish" from? You are clearly just looking to troll and get reactions from UConn fans so congrats you succeeded. But still, you won't win many arguments putting down the Defending National Champions who are bringing in two 5 star recruits in Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Sam Cassell Jr. a Juco All-American. If there is a better backcourt in the country please let me know who it is.

These are my rankings.

1) UConn (defending champs, loaded backcourt and bringing in great new guys)
2) SMU (I have no problem with some fans thinking they will win the league. Very talented bunch that beat us twice and should be a top 15 team)
3) Memphis (very talented. loaded with 4/5 star guys. Pastner could have his moment.)
4) Cincy (always tough always compete)
5) Temple (don't know why but they have a solid program. Can't see them down again)
6) Tulsa (probably will pass some teams ahead of them on my list)

Wild Card: Houston. I know there were some transfers but a few nice additions and I like the front court. I think Houston is on the rise with Sampson.

Memphis only has 1 5* on the roster. Everybody else is a 4* and 3*

(10-16-2014 08:57 AM)Ramen_Tiger Wrote:  Memphis only has 1 5* on the roster. Everybody else is a 4* and 3*

Yeah and Kentucky had 6 ***** and probably the greatest class on paper ever with 6 of the top 18 players in the nation. They didn't get it together until the end of the season and even needed heroic efforts to advance past an early round exit as well and several other times before being one of the lowest seeds ever in the championship game if not the lowest. Up until that point they were having a fairly pedestrian 8 seed season most considered a major failure relative to expectations.

You don't get any better on paper than they had coming in and that's a great example of just how close that season was to being a relative failure and how sometimes it doesn't come together like you expect with these young/new players. They certainly didn't dominate most of the season like people in the preseason predicted.

SJ you are still not addressing the most important point. Team's with experience, leadership and talent at the point guard position tend not to underachieve. It's the same as the QB position in football. The 2012 Uconn reference is a flawed analogy because the team was run by a Sophomore. He became Bazz, but that year he was as much a hindrance by way of turnovers as a help (he almost single handedly brought us back against Cinci that year, Bearcat fans might remember his back to back to back threes before we got Kilpatrick'ed).

Boatright's performance in the tournament last year showed an evolution of maturity. He has played national championship minutes, on the ball, and effectively run a team on both ends of the floor. That alone is enough to trust in continuity. The perfect example of this is Kemba Walker's 2011 run. Junior Leader/Scorer Point guard was able to win a NC surrounded by a primarily freshman (Bazz, Lamb, Roscoe) cast.

And while we did lose a lot of our offensive capability to the pros (both NBA and Germany) we have every bit of our defense back and reason to believe that it will take a leap forward with Brimah improving his defensive positioning through experience, decreasing his foul rate, and allowing us to leverage his D1 leading block rate.

When you have a harassing defensive guard at the point of attack and an elite rim protector you can make up for a lot of deficiencies.

If you let me start a team with top talent defense and a senior leader/scorer at point guard, the rest of the unknowns can fill in to varying degrees and at varying rates and I still have a high degree of confidence that this team will not be on the bubble.

I already addressed how you continue to undersell UConn's regular season performance last year.

P.S. "Na(p)ier"

(10-16-2014 08:38 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(10-15-2014 05:11 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  You think he's actually ever watched college basketball before?

I don't think you have honestly. Not with all the pinning of your hopes on freshman like the one you got. Obviously you've never seen tons of them struggle or be flat out bust before even though it happens every year. Maybe the guy will be good, but there is a good chance he won't be nearly as good as you think in his first year either.

I've been to more NCAA Tournaments than ECU.