MBB: USA South Conference

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I disagree with a lot of things said about this team.  The difference in this year and last is now they are the hunted.  I think they surprised a lot of folks last year; the expectations were much lower—this year MUCH higher.  If anything I think they are having a bit of identity crisis and have to realize they must bring their “A” game every night, because it’s a huge knotch in the opposition’s belt when they knock off the Captains.  While I think the CNU guards are very good, I believe our real strength is our inside three.  It seems we work outside in—very seldom inside out.  From what I’ve seen our post players are pretty darn smart about kicking it back out.  Anyway, the next few games will be an indicator of where this team is going.  Personally I think they will go up, much like last year.  Good luck guys, this CNU fan believes in you. 

i agree wholeheartedly with most of this, especially the "must bring their “A” game every night" part. but i dont think that our strength is our inside three. you have to admit that these three havent been the most consistent. i think that our guards are absolutely spectacular. one perhaps has skills beyond what we should be seeing at the d3 level and the other has the heart of a lion, with a killer instinct to match. the inside three are very good, and when the entire team plays to their potential i believe we can beat anyone.

I haven't really been following this and won't after what I say.  I think top to bottom the conference is much better than some may have anticipated. I don't think teams that finished last, last year will finish first this year.  I am not saying that at all.  I think every team will need to bring"A" games when they come to play when conference play starts soon.  I don't know what it is like throughout the conference and CNU.  There are alot of teams from what I am hearing have moderate to drastic changes in starting lineups from last year to last year.  At least that is what it feels like. massey ratings have USASouth 5th amongst all d3 conferences. (ODAC in 6th)

and Narch-
I think the same can apply for my rankings as does massey's
(From the massey website)

"Early season ratings will fluctuate significantly until a sufficient number of games have been played. "

[cnufella1]

Notsa....if you're not familiar with the play....lol....you NEED basketball 101!!!

And your analogy is....hmmm...interesting to say the least....if not somewhat misguided.   So we have 5.7 seconds left the in the game against Fisk.....we are taking in the ball on the sideline almost at half court.  The "play" calls for the ball to be inbounded to the top of the key and you would have Davon our best passer, penetrator, leading scorer make the inbounds pass....makes sense to me...not.  Again, as stated earlier...it's situational.

You will find that in D-III and throughout the USA South most teams strong point are their guards.  That is in no way to slight our guards who are outstanding.  I just believe what can and will set us apart are our three big guys upfront.   

[notamensa]

Notsa....if you're not familiar with the play....lol....you NEED basketball 101!!!

so, i guess the answer to my "was it a loooong inbounds pass leading to a turnaround jumper?" question was "no". if not, then i dont know what play youre talking about. how many college basketball plays do you remember from when you were  years old? since i am not a duke or kansas fan there is no reason for me to remember it, assuming i might have seen it in a 'greatest play' segment on espn in subsequent years. since it wasnt a long inbounds pass leading to a turnaround jumper, describe it to me and jog my memory a little bit.

[notamensa]

as to the inbounds pass strategy, we will just have to agree to disagree. ill be watching what coach woolum does when we play nc wes on 1/16. since you get to see way more games than i do, ill have to rely on you to let me know what happens in the games before then. having you recap the last game was great, keep it up.

[cnufella1]

Notsa....it's really not important and you can find a "zillion" replays via the internet.  The "point" was (and admitted by Pitino--the KY coach) that he should have put someone on the inbounds passer and not given the inbound passer a free field of view. 

As a sidebar....Duke's point guard finished as the NCAA D-I all-time assist leader, you'd probably agree a pretty good quarterback?  Did he make the inbound pass?  That fell to another pretty famous Duke alum.   And now for the rest of the story....have a happy new year.  CNUfella1 is back to watching basketball 

[hasanova]

as to the inbounds pass strategy, we will just have to agree to disagree. ill be watching what coach woolum does when we play nc wes on 1/16. since you get to see way more games than i do, ill have to rely on you to let me know what happens in the games before then. having you recap the last game was great, keep it up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY-iq58_oz4

notamensa, I was in a restaurant with friends watching on TV that night, so all the details are firmly etched in my mind.  I fully understand, however, how it was "before your time."  Here's the situation, Duke down in OT to Kentucky with about 2.1 seconds to go.  Grant Hill throws an uncontested 3/4 court pass to Laettner who catches, fakes right, turns left and shoots.  Swish!  Buzzer sounds!  Duke wins 104-103 to go to the Final Four!  "The Shot" won the 1993 ESPY and is regularly replayed on ESPN's Top 25 and other such shows.    This shot is simply indicative of the "do's and don't's" of inbounds strategy, but it is also fun to watch!    Peace

[notamensa]

that IS the play i was thinking about. i dont know why cnufella1 is being so reticent about it. sure looked like a long pass with a turnaround jumper to me. i definitely remember the other duke player falling to the floor. now my basketball education can continue. one thing that struck me watching the link you provided was that once laetner caught the pass, the two guys defending him stopped doing so. one even backed away to let him take the shot unimpeded. that guy must love his own little part in this historic play.

[notamensa]

two things, hasanova:

thanks for the link, and WELCOME BACK

[scottiedoug]

Here are links to today's Maryville Daily Times articles on D3 athletics.  These are about the big-small/public-private issues in D3 (1st link) and D3 schools preparation of grads for life's challenges.

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/SPORTS/612270318

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/SPORTS/612270317

[cnufella1]

Nota (my better half pointed out it's not notsa--sorry)...."reticent"...lol...interesting choice of words..and a interesting judgement made on my behalf.  Actually, I didn't think and wasn't trying to make a big deal at all....all the best and good luck with your future posts.   Like I said I'll go back to doing what I do best....watching and enjoying CNU basketball....and trust me I don't take it "that" serious at all  .  Happy New Year.   

[notamensa]

i didnt make a judgement at all, i just dont understand why, when i had correctly identified the historic play you were referring to, you didnt just say so, instead of sending me off to find it on the internet. i have no reason to judge you. in fact, i think that the last comment i made directly to you was one of gratitude for posting your recap of the games that ive been unable to attend. i hope you continue to do so. like my favorite poster on this board says... peace.

[hasanova]

two things, hasanova:

thanks for the link, and WELCOME BACK

yw & ty

[notamensa]

hey, i just noticed something. capt-schemer; are you related to justin kraut?.

[notamensa]

are you, in fact, justin kraut himself?! we have vays of making you talk!

[Rikki_Tikki_Tavi]

Papa Kraut I believe, nota....