fathom

QUOTE (Boogua @ Feb 2, 2012 -> 03:39 AM) I think it's because basketball, in general, has deteriorated. The fundamentals of the game are lost and the NBA game (iso's) has younger players molding their game to be like a Derrick Rose, LeBron James, or Dwayne Wade. In college they seem to allow more contact than in the NBA, which makes it harder for those types of players to succeed. Shooting is more important, which is why guys like Morrison and Redick were able to pretty much dominate college basketball. The NBA changed their rules (no handcheck, crazy superstar calls, continuation) to add more offense to the game as current players just weren't skilled enough to score at a high level anymore.. I wonder if the NCAA will eventually go that way. To me, it's cause the point guards in college basketball freaking suck. Jordan Taylor has been underwhelming this year, and two of the top freshman pg coming in (Teague and Kbongo) have been very disappointing. I said it earlier this year, but if I had to draft a pg for my college team, it would be Pierre Jackson.

I'm sure I'll get blasted by the hyperbole police, but I truly think this is the worst level of talent I've ever seen in college basketball. Hell, there's only two players in the power conferences averaging over 20 points, and I doubt many on here could guess who they are (Kevin Jones and T. Stoglin). The UCONN/Gtown game tonight was awful, and there are a handful of potential pros in that game.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 1, 2012 -> 10:19 PM) Except for the first 2 months of the year, when Sale couldn't find a reliable release point. Huh? I was just saying that I was happy with Santos' parting gift, which was a higher draft spot.

One of the reasons it seems college basketball sucks the last few years, in my opinion, is due to Kentucky signing so many of the top recruits. Thus, you basically have a revolving door with that program instead of the top recruits being spread throughout the country.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 1, 2012 -> 06:27 PM) Santos excelled early in the season but he wore down late again, had a terrible september. He was also somewhat inconsistent, had a really bad june. Greg isn't lying when he says Serg blew more saves than you'd like out of a closer, especially one who didn't have the job the full year. But man oh man did him and Sale combine on a great blown save to end the season.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 1, 2012 -> 03:26 AM) Fathom, Vitale is terrible with any blue blood program (UNC, Duke, etc) Or maybe Vitale is just terrible because now that I think about it he also loves underdogs or any other reason to scream. UNC is NOTHING compared to Duke when it comes to Vitale's annoying announcing. Of course, I'm also of the opinion that anyone who dislikes watching a game that Gus Johnson is announcing should quit watching sports.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 1, 2012 -> 03:25 AM) I always theorized that Vitale's voice would always go out because he sucked on Coach K's dick too much during the game. It's seriously awful. I'm sure chimpy, zen and palehose would agree with me.

I like almost all the Illini fans on here, FWIW

QUOTE (Boogua @ Feb 1, 2012 -> 03:21 AM) I missed most of the game, but caught the last 5 minutes or so and he called the Henry carry violation "a great call". I mean, it's a carry violation. I don't know what was so special about it. And when Brandon Paul got fouled at the end he said Paul was lucky to get the call as it was happening. Maybe it's true, but I didn't hear him say things about the Spartans. And how is it paranoia? It was just a question/observation. It's not you Boogua, it's just that so man Illini fan seems to think every ref and announcer hates them. Heck, Bardo has done some of their games in the past, and when Lavin used to do games, he couldn't have praised Weber more. I feel bad for Big 10 fans who haven't had the pleasure of having their team face Duke with Vitale doing the game.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Feb 1, 2012 -> 03:18 AM) Dammit fathom, I was trying to give 'em enough rope! Just ironic cause Tirico could not have been a big supporter of Illinois in the game against Ohio St.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 1, 2012 -> 03:15 AM) Illinois did everything they could to try to let MSU win, fortunately that layup came up short. Weber, you live another day. Spartans better hope Draymond is ok. They won't win many games the rest of the way if he's out.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Feb 1, 2012 -> 03:10 AM) In what way? I haven't gotten that at all. Just another Illini fan being paranoid. Notice only one comment about the refs tonight? They've been awful against the Spartans.

How fitting, another Michigan State miss right at the bucket.

I'm rooting for Illinois to win. I don't want to see what happens to the program if Shaka Smart takes over and brings new energy to the team. This is just a terrible game, and Draymond having an all-time awful game.

I'd be surprised if Illinois doesn't win. They always seem to play MSU tough at home

Thanks for the recap balta

So what happened on Alcatraz relating to the overall story? I lost interest in the weekly manhunt aspect of the show.

I thought Raw was awesome tonight

Goodness, Lucas is not an NBA player

Just a foul Rose cannot make there. This game is about to get ugly.

Ralph Sampson could not be playing worse tonight

Nice FT shooting Gophers.

As much as I love the tone of this article, I kinda agree that it would have been a lot more powerful with more specific examples of Ozzie quitting.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Jan 24, 2012 -> 09:31 PM) Speculation that Detroit isn't done and want a pitcher. Garza next? They'll be much more willing to trade Castellanos (sp?) now, it would seem

Kenny should never, ever be blamed for signing Dunn. It filled a serious need while not breaking the bank. The move just didn't work out, but it was totally justified.