Comments on: Summer Bracketology: 07.12.10

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:40:09 +0000

To follow up on Herb Pope, I’m hearing he has been or will soon be cleared to play.

By: WakeFan

WakeFan — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:53:39 +0000

To follow-up on my comment earlier. I agree that Brownell is an upgrade. But I think this year might be a difficult one as he adjusts to coaching in a ‘real conference’. Purnell could get them into the tournament, but once there he couldn’t win (I still can’t figure out why DePaul thinks he’s worth $3m/year). I think Brownell will be able to win in the tournament; I just don’t feel like he’s going to get them there this year. I think this year is going to be a very interesting year in the ACC with 3 new coaches and 2 coaches with their jobs in jeopardy. GT’s AD is just looking for Hewitt to do badly enough that he can convince boosters to pay that massive buy out, and Lowe will be out of excuses if NC State doesn’t do well this year. Plus, I feel like Greenberg is carefully awaiting the right opportunity to bolt out of Blacksburg.

Can hardly wait. (BTW: I am predicting a 7-9 ACC record for WFU. In my mind, whether or not we make the tournament will be determined by our OOC performance since we have a tough schedule and a young team).

By: rtmsf

rtmsf — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:41:35 +0000

In reply to JR. Which is part of the reason I was so shocked with UCLA and UNC's collapses last year. Those are coaches who have traditionally gotten it done no matter who they had on the floor. Most years, though, a good rule of thumb is to overrate the progamrs with the consistently good coaches and underrate the bad ones.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:38:48 +0000

Not 5, 4 months!

By: JR

JR — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:09:27 +0000

Yeah, I agree Zach and Brian. It looks bleak right now but Brian makes a good point about the coaches. I had Pitt in mind as my example from last year as a team that nobody thought was going to be good but turned out to be a tournament team. I don’t know who that is this year (right now) but I am sure there is going to be at least one. That is why I got a little discouraged seeing some teams on the projection.

Nice job Zach. Let’s get this party started. It’s too bad its 5 months away.

By: zhayes9

zhayes9 — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:09:34 +0000

Thanks Andrew, appreciate it. I’m already anxious for November as well. This got the juices flowing.

Agree with everything you said Brian. Gary loves being the underdog.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:53:22 +0000

I think Maryland, Florida State, Clemson, BC and even Wake are all in a tier of teams in the ACC, a couple or three tiers back of Duke (with UNC, Va Tech and NC State making up those second and third tiers), where a couple of those teams are gonna get in. If I had to guess right now, I’d say Maryland and Florida State, but each of those teams is going to need somebody (or -bodies) to step up.

And, I didn’t say it before, so I’ll say it now, nice work Zach… I’ve got a few minor quibbles but I more or less agree with what you’ve got there, and I’m pretty much ready to skip ahead to November and see how it shakes out….

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:50:47 +0000

Maybe I’m nuts but I think a weaker talent pool can be good. I like seeing more than a select few teams having a chance to win it all. The games may not be filled with top talent but they have the potential to be more competitive across the board.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:47:56 +0000

JR: Good point on Maryland but Gary Williams can probably get it done. College basketball seems to be one of the few sports where a great coach can make a huge difference. Did anyone think last year’s Pittsburgh team would be any good? Jamie Dixon turned them into a 3 seed in the tournament. I know I won’t be making that mistake again. I wouldn’t guarantee a bid for Maryland but I also wouldn’t put it past Gary to get the job done.

By: zhayes9

zhayes9 — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:26:53 +0000

I think you’re spot on, JR. The departure of an accomplished senior class + the growing # of early entries because of a looming lockout really ravaged college hoops next season. I was worried someone would bring up Maryland. I’m basically banking on 1 or 2 of their role players to make a big leap. Believe me, I didn’t think going into this they’d even be considered. The talent level will be a step down from 2009-10.

By: JR

JR — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:47:37 +0000

Yeah I think you have some interesting sleepers. A lot of teams that can make you look smart but won’t make you look stupid if they don’t pan out (mainly looking at the Hall, Colorado and Northwestern. I do think the Hall has the chance to put it together though).

Looking at some of the teams on the bracket, it is leaving me a little concerned about the talent level this year. How you can justify putting a team like Maryland in your preseason bracket this season is kind of scary. I know (hope) some teams will exceed expectations and some teams off this list will be better than we thought but the quality of play might leave something to be desired this year (after some of the teams near the top). Here’s to hoping I am wrong.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:28:45 +0000

As the resident Seton Hall fan, I have to agree with Andrew. If Pope is healthy, I have no doubt we’ll be a tournament team. The improvement in coaching skills from Gonzalez to Willard will be the difference, plus another year of experience for the key players.

By: rtmsf

rtmsf — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:31:42 +0000

In reply to zhayes9. I'll have to read more on this, as I'm just now catching up.

By: zhayes9

zhayes9 — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:03:54 +0000

Andrew-

UNLV as a 5 seed is under the assumption that Willis will be cleared to play. Obviously that’s in serious jeopardy and his loss would drop them down quite a few notches. But with Willis, Bellfield, Stanback, Wallace and Jasper all back, that’s a good enough squad to take that conference IMO.

Leonard is a beast. I had him as one of my breakout players. Not as in love with the supporting cast as UNLV’s but there’s tons of talent there with White, Thomas and Gay. BYU also has a nice core back. Gonna be a strong conference again.

Colorado is a product of Burks + Higgins, plus an overall down Big 12. Texas A&M and Oklahoma State were depleted. Tech has returning pieces but they’re more NIT level. Oklahoma is clearly rebuilding and Nebraska is terrible. The Buffs were my last team in this thing.

Hall has the talent. How they adjust to Willard is a question. And the health of Pope as you mentioned. They’ll be a bubble team for sure, likely dancing when it’s all said and done.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:13:20 +0000

My picking of nits:

I can’t imagine UNLV as a 5 seed under the best of circumstances. With the Willis legal questions, they’re even shakier.

And SDSU is gonna win the MWC. They’re basically the same team as last year, with a year of experience under their belts, while everyone else in the conference has taken a step or two back. And watch Leonard average like 18/12 or better this season, with a handful of 30/20 games sprinkled in…

Colorado? Hmmmm…

I think Seton Hall, assuming Pope is healthy (huge assumption, I know), is a tournament team and one that won’t even need to sweat things out on Selection Sunday.