College Basketball Thread 2013-14

[patrickgpe]

2 weeks until the season tips off. Tonight is the Big East Kickoff Special on Fox Sports 1, so I figured we should get this started.

 

By the way, saw Vander Blue was released from the sixers last night, it was too bad he came out early, Marquette is the preseason favorite and ranked 17th in the preseason without him, only could imagine where they could be with him.

[fondybrewfan]

Marquette would certainly be a Top #10 team with Blue this year. I will wait and see on this team; is the New Big East really down that much that Gardner get on the 1st team. He is a solid player but I would hardly consider him a 1st team type of talent. Duane Wilson is out for a while now too; I don't think they have a whole lot of depth.

 

UW is really deep on the guard side and really thin on big men. It should be interesting to see how much time the freshman bigs get. Bo might not have a choice but to play them a ton. I am looking forward to Dekker in his 2nd year here; a lot of people are expecting big things from him. UW is probably another Top #25 team and maybe a run at the Big Ten title if things go there way. A lot will depend on those big guys.

[hawing]

UW is having a free scrimmage Saturday at 5:00. I'm hoping to get there and have a look.

[patrickgpe]

Marquette would certainly be a Top #10 team with Blue this year. I will wait and see on this team; is the New Big East really down that much that Gardner get on the 1st team. He is a solid player but I would hardly consider him a 1st team type of talent. Duane Wilson is out for a while now too; I don't think they have a whole lot of depth.

 

 

I think it is safe to say the new big east is pretty weak this season. Marquette is the only team ranked. I only see 2 nba picks this season (McDermott and Christon if he comes out). It will be a good league, but i don't think it will be as good the first year as was thought when this came together earlier this year. Still a better option than staying in the AAC.

 

If Wilson can be back for conference play i think they will be OK, i am really looking forward to seeing the other Wilson get to start at the point this season. i agree that depth / size is going to be an issue this season though.

[thebruce44]

Marquette would certainly be a Top #10 team with Blue this year. I will wait and see on this team; is the New Big East really down that much that Gardner get on the 1st team. He is a solid player but I would hardly consider him a 1st team type of talent. Duane Wilson is out for a while now too; I don't think they have a whole lot of depth.

 

UW is really deep on the guard side and really thin on big men. It should be interesting to see how much time the freshman bigs get. Bo might not have a choice but to play them a ton. I am looking forward to Dekker in his 2nd year here; a lot of people are expecting big things from him. UW is probably another Top #25 team and maybe a run at the Big Ten title if things go there way. A lot will depend on those big guys.

 

Value Add has Gardner as the #55 player in the country.

 

I agree, with Blue this is a top 10 team the majority of the season.

[paul253]

Gardner is a very good offensive player. Almost unstoppable when he's on his game due to his size. His biggest problems are lack of conditioning and foul trouble. Hopefully Buzz sticks with playing him and OTule at the same time like he started to do last season instead of only substituting one for the other. This year may be the last time they are able to play "big" in a long time as Buzz is absolutely pathetic and recruiting and developing size.

 

I think Marquette's success depends on how the freshmen progress. Wilson's injury is really too bad. I saw him play in HS a bunch of times and the kid was amazing. Granted he wasn't always playing against the toughest competition but he could basically do whatever he wanted. Even Germantown couldn't stop him. He can nail the 3's too. Last year long range shooting was a huge flaw so hopefully Wilson, along with JaJuan Johnson, can help improve that. Burton is a freak but is a bit undersized. It'll be interesting to see how much PT he gets behind Mayo and Juan Anderson.

 

This is easily their most talented freshmen class since the James/McNeal/Matthews class. Hopefully they can enjoy the same amount of success.

[jjfanec]

UW season really depends on if they have guys who can back up the 4 and 5. Their guard play will be very good with Gasser, Brust, Jackson, Marshall and Koenig this team is deep at guard. Dekker is going to have a big year. The offense will flow much better this year. Will the Badgers be able to defend the post and get rebounds? Not the normal questions the Badgers have going into the season.

 

Which is funny because Marquette's questions are at guard. Derrick Wilson and Mayo have been incredibly inconsistent in their time at Marquette, but Wilson, Gardner, and Otule provide a lot of experience and depth. I question whether Gardner can guard the more athletic fours but he can score that is for sure

[patrickgpe]

 

This is easily their most talented freshmen class since the James/McNeal/Matthews class. Hopefully they can enjoy the same amount of success.

 

Even with Wilson's injury Johnson and Burton will be very interesting to see what they can do their freshman year. James, McNeal, and Matthews class was able to contribute right away, not sure how buzz will use these 2 at first. I know he was a juco transfer but loosing McKay really hurts, marquette was OK size wise this season with Otule and Gardner, but they are gone next season and they really don't have front court players to replace him.

[jjfanec]

 

This is easily their most talented freshmen class since the James/McNeal/Matthews class. Hopefully they can enjoy the same amount of success.

 

Even with Wilson's injury Johnson and Burton will be very interesting to see what they can do their freshman year. James, McNeal, and Matthews class was able to contribute right away, not sure how buzz will use these 2 at first. I know he was a juco transfer but loosing McKay really hurts, marquette was OK size wise this season with Otule and Gardner, but they are gone next season and they really don't have front court players to replace him.

 

I have no idea what Marquette is going to do at the 4 and 5 next year. They will probably get a big or two in this upcoming class but bigs who are not elite dont often play early. Steve Taylor is their only big guy next year. I guess maybe Burton could play the 4 but he is just 6'4. Am I missing anyone else that can play big on the roster?

[homer]

I feel like Marquette never has bigs. They seem to sign more 6'5" - 6'6" swingmen than any team in the country.

[jjfanec]

I feel like Marquette never has bigs. They seem to sign more 6'5" - 6'6" swingmen than any team in the country.

 

Buzz loves his guards and swing guys. The 2013-2015 classes are already full of them.

[LouisEly]

By my estimates this leaves Marquette with six scholarships open next year. They have four signed as of this point (one SG, two SFs, and one 6'7" PF), and depending on who you believe they have offers out to a couple of 3-star HS centers and a prep-school 6'9" PF. Not sure I'd want six freshman on the team; a senior graduate transfer (a la Lockett) C or PF next year would be ideal, or at least a Juco transfer. But juco transfers are always a risk with grades as there's a reason they went juco to begin with. But in the "new" Big East I don't think they will have to contend with as many opposing true centers as if they were still in a conference with Syracuse, UConn, Louisville, and Pitt (although Providence is bringing in some height).

 

I think UW will be OK. They will likely run more of a 3-guard set (Marshall/Jackson with Brust & Gasser as off-guards) with Dekker as the 4 and Kaminski as the 5. They just need two of Anderson, Dukan, Hayes, and Brown to step up and provide backup minutes at the 4/5. Hopefully one of Anderson/Dukan can make as big of a jump from his sophomore to junior year as Berggren did. The two freshmen (Hayes, Brown) are beasts; might be the first time they've had guys who can bang down low with the type of PFs that Michigan State throws at you.

[LouisEly]

Judging by last night, it looks like Dukan might be the guy who makes the jump. Was really impressed with how he looked. The redshirt year last year may have done him wonders.

[jjkoestler]

I missed the UW game last night. How did they look?

[trwi7]

I thought they looked good. Gasser looked good, Dekker is obviously good. Dukan was a surprise. Comfortable lead pretty much the entire game.

[fondybrewfan]

Dukan actually played over Kaminsky down the stretch. He played really well and caught me completely by suprise.

 

It sure looks like this team will struggle to rebound though. This team will really struggle when they play against some size; such as Michigan State.

 

As always the team is going to live and die by the three. The good news is that they have a ton of shooters this year. I think that 15-20 ranking is probably about right for this team. The game against Florida this week should be interesting. That could be two really solid wins right out of the gate.

[Baldkin]

Dukan actually played over Kaminsky down the stretch. He played really well and caught me completely by suprise.

 

It sure looks like this team will struggle to rebound though. This team will really struggle when they play against some size; such as Michigan State.

 

As always the team is going to live and die by the three. The good news is that they have a ton of shooters this year. I think that 15-20 ranking is probably about right for this team. The game against Florida this week should be interesting. That could be two really solid wins right out of the gate.

 

I think against teams with size you will see a lot less of Dekker at the 4 and 3-guard lineups without Gasser (who is a great rebounder), so rebounding will be less of a problem.

[FVBrewerFan]

Badgers looked good. Jackson's jumper looks nice, and he shot with a lot of confidence. Someone always steps up every year, looks like it's Dukan this year.

 

Question about MU. Why does Buzz play everybody in these early games? It must be hard to evaluate guys when they come in for 2 or 3 minutes at a time. Just seems to be that he would be better off taking turns playing each freshman and older role players. For example, give Burton a ton of minutes one game, then Juan Anderson the next. That's just one example, but he always has guys coming in and out constantly.

 

Still waiting to see if any returning MU players step up their game. I didn't see any improvement from Derrick Wilson, Anderson, Steve Taylor, or Jake Thomas. One game, I know.

[rwa12]

I think Buzz does that just to get them some game experience, not necessarily to evaluate. Wisconsin looks decent, I would agree with those who say they are properly ranked. I didn't get a chance to see Marquette. Watched the Duke-Davidson game, I've never seen a Duke team like this. I can't believe that there is more than 1 prospect better than Jabari Parker. That kid is pretty amazing.

[fondybrewfan]

An amazing slate of games tonight; Michigan State vs Kentucky, Kansas vs. Duke, and Wisconsin vs Florida are all must see games. I am going to go ahead and pick Michigan State, Kansas, and UW.

[brwrsfan]

I got tickets to the UW-Florida game a long time ago so I'll be seeing that one in person - almost wish I hadn't as I'd love to watch the MSU/Kentucky and Kansas/Duke games. Should be an exciting night!!

 

I love it when the top teams schedule each other.

[RobDeer 45]

Ya big game tonight for UW. Can't wait to tune in!

[nate82]

BA is a horrible basketball play by play guy. My ears are bleeding from listening to this broadcast.

[fondybrewfan]

The games did not disappoint last night. I was much more impressed with Parker than Randle or Wiggings but it is pretty obvious that those guys have a ton of talent. The Top Tier talent will be legitimately 5-7 guys deep in the draft next year.

 

UW played a pretty solid game all the way around. Florida was missing some guys but that should still be considered a really nice win. Nigel Hayes looks like he has got some potential; he can be pretty physical down low. Too bad he isn't 2 inches taller.

 

It looks like there are a ton of really good teams in CBB this year; 2013-2014 will be one of the more entertaining seasons that I can remember

[hawing]

I know I wasn't the only bf.netter at the UW/Florida game, and if you were there too, I'd like to know what you thought of the revved-up player introductions. The SO and I both thought the bursts of steam/dry ice smoke/whatever as each UW starter ran onto the court was over the top.

 

The student section certainly brought it last night, which was nice. It helped drown out the couple who sits behind us and usually spends every game constantly complaining and picking apart every UW mistake. One of these days I might give in to the temptation to turn around and ask how much better they'd do on the court. (They look old enough to be my parents, and I'm probably now old enough to be the parents of at least some of the players.)