College Hoops Around The Country [TN opponents, RPI, others]

[cncchris33]

All of this for four losses down the stretch instead of “maybe three.” I’ve watched Alabama play four games since then and changed my prediction. Good enough?

Yeah, I guess. I don't understand why asking you about "all of this" is so irritating for you to discuss. You publicly said something with a good deal of confidence, quickly changed course, and I was just curious what caused you to do so.

 

[VolCalls]

Yeah, I guess. I don't understand why asking you about "all of this" is so irritating for you to discuss. You publicly said something with a good deal of confidence, quickly changed course, and I was just curious what caused you to do so.

Probably because of the condescending way you chose to remind some of us we were wrong. Not a big deal, but then you chose to directly call me out as being one of those. Here is your initial statement:

There was quite a bit of shilling for Alabama by a few folks in this very thread a couple weeks ago, many of whom believed they would manage this gauntlet of a schedule with only 2 losses. 5 games to go and they've already met that threshold.
Wonder how many of you think they are going 5-0 to finish? UK, MSU, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn.

I told you why I changed my mind and owe you nothing more. If they now go 4-1 or better in their last five I fully expect you to backtrack.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

Probably because of the condescending way you chose to remind some of us we were wrong. Not a big deal, but then you chose to directly call me out as being one of those. Here is your initial statement:

There was quite a bit of shilling for Alabama by a few folks in this very thread a couple weeks ago, many of whom believed they would manage this gauntlet of a schedule with only 2 losses. 5 games to go and they've already met that threshold.
Wonder how many of you think they are going 5-0 to finish? UK, MSU, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn.

I told you why I changed my mind and owe you nothing more. If they now go 4-1 or better in their last five I fully expect you to backtrack.

I told you man, no matter how wrong or stupid a post is you're supposed stick to what you originally said. Never give ground on the internet like that.
What you should have done was talk about Missouri getting lucky and Auburn getting help from the refs. Then you should've doubled down on your prediction, so if Alabama was to win out you can come back and gloat.
If Bama happens to lose another one or two, just find another excuse and tell him " let's see what happens in the tournament".
There's always the chance they make it to the final 4 again and Flordia gets rolled by someone before they even get to the sweet sixteen.
Then you're a genius again.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

Auburn has a legit shot at 20 Quad 1 wins. That’s insane!

As dominate as they have been they do look beatable to me. I could definitely see someone taking them out before the final 4. Don't get me wrong, they could aslo win it it all! It's just they aren't as dominant as I have seen some #1 1-2 loss teams in year's past.

 

[cncchris33]

As dominate as they have been they do look beatable to me. I could definitely see someone taking them out before the final 4. Don't get me wrong, they could aslo win it it all! It's just they aren't as dominant as I have seen some #1 1-2 loss teams in year's past.

It is odd how many times they have escaped an almost loss. Some would say that's the mark of a great team, but others would say the law of averages will catch them at some point. I'd hate to be on the razors edge come tourney time when it's one and done.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

It is odd how many times they have escaped an almost loss. Some would say that's the mark of a great team, but others would say the law of averages will catch them at some point. I'd hate to be on the razors edge come tourney time when it's one and done.

Yeah, I guess you can look at it either way.
I go on my own eye test. To me they just let teams hang around too long. If that's because they just playing down to competition, then they probably turn it up come Tourney time and will get them a Natty. If it's because they just can't get and keep a lead or aren't actually that much better than a lot of the top teams, they have a real chance of getting bounced.
Guess we'll find out soon enough.
I do know they looked like a better team against Bama. They were in control of that game the whole way.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

He has a weakness…











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For Co-eds

This Don Rickles side of you is really coming out the last couple of weeks.

 

[auburnnyc94]

It is odd how many times they have escaped an almost loss. Some would say that's the mark of a great team, but others would say the law of averages will catch them at some point. I'd hate to be on the razors edge come tourney time when it's one and done.

Per the KenPom luck rating we have 0.70 more wins than expected based on our performance this season. So flip one result if it makes you feel better, and we would still be the number one overall seed.

Now we are far from an inevitability, I certainly agree with that. But we have as good chance as anybody of winning it all, and probably better.

 

[omghulkhands]

This Don Rickles side of you is really coming out the last couple of weeks.

 

[Vfl2407]

Golden? The guy who took over a mediocre program and has turned it into a contender and analytical beast?

They are actually showering Golden with praise in Gainesville.
He’s been proud to show everyone on campus what a standup guy he is.

 

[cncchris33]

Per the KenPom luck rating we have 0.70 more wins than expected based on our performance this season. So flip one result if it makes you feel better, and we would still be the number one overall seed.

Now we are far from an inevitability, I certainly agree with that. But we have as good chance as anybody of winning it all, and probably better.

By no means am I suggesting that Auburn has simply gotten to where they are by pure luck/chance. So, flipping one result won't "make me feel better". It's not about me feeling better. I'm just stating that they haven't dominated in several of their wins, and have let some teams, both good and bad, hang around. Yet, they always find a way to win those close games in the final few possessions.

Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. All of those were 1 possession games inside 1:00 to play if I'm remembering correctly, and Auburn found a way to win all 5 of them.

Maybe that's attributable to playing in the best conference the sport has perhaps ever seen, and the mark of a great team is finding ways to win those games. Tennessee, in contrast, has lost several of those type games (at Vandy, UK, and at Auburn).

I think Auburn has better than a "good a chance as any" to win it all. It's amazing that they've managed to slip by unscathed in these close ones. Strictly speaking as an observer, I just think it's fair to ask how many times they can fly close to the sun, especially when they get to March and there are no mulligans. And yet, they may skate thru and brush off any and all adversity all the way to a title. The talent certainly isn't in question.

 

[VolCalls]

They are actually showering Golden with praise in Gainesville.
He’s been proud to show everyone on campus what a standup guy he is.

He's a stiff competitor.

 

[orangemadam]

By no means am I suggesting that Auburn has simply gotten to where they are by pure luck/chance. So, flipping one result won't "make me feel better". It's not about me feeling better. I'm just stating that they haven't dominated in several of their wins, and have let some teams, both good and bad, hang around. Yet, they always find a way to win those close games in the final few possessions.

Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. All of those were 1 possession games inside 1:00 to play if I'm remembering correctly, and Auburn found a way to win all 5 of them.

Maybe that's attributable to playing in the best conference the sport has perhaps ever seen, and the mark of a great team is finding ways to win those games. Tennessee, in contrast, has lost several of those type games (at Vandy, UK, and at Auburn).

I think Auburn has better than a "good a chance as any" to win it all. It's amazing that they've managed to slip by unscathed in these close ones. Strictly speaking as an observer, I just think it's fair to ask how many times they can fly close to the sun, especially when they get to March and there are no mulligans. And yet, they may skate thru and brush off any and all adversity all the way to a title. The talent certainly isn't in question.

sign of a good coach utilizing his time outs to his advantage and motivating
his players to perform at a higher level when they need it?

 

[cncchris33]

sign of a good coach utilizing his time outs to his advantage and motivating
his players to perform at a higher level when they need it?

Possibly. It also doesn't hurt that they are older, more experienced, and more talented than almost every team they face. They have five players who are 23+ years old. Baker-Mazara is 25. Denver Jones is 24. Chris Moore is 23. Ja'heim Hudson is 23. Dylan Cardwell is 23.
In addition to those five, Broome, Kelly, Pegues, and Johnson are all 22.

 

[Vfl2407]

He's a stiff competitor.

Awfully hard to beat.

 

[omghulkhands]

Possibly. It also doesn't hurt that they are older, more experienced, and more talented than almost every team they face. They have five players who are 23+ years old. Baker-Mazara is 25. Denver Jones is 24. Chris Moore is 23. Ja'heim Hudson is 23. Dylan Cardwell is 23.
In addition to those five, Broome, Kelly, Pegues, and Johnson are all 22.

That’s crazy. There are 5 nba teams whose average age is 24.

Auburn isn’t far off lol

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

Possibly. It also doesn't hurt that they are older, more experienced, and more talented than almost every team they face. They have five players who are 23+ years old. Baker-Mazara is 25. Denver Jones is 24. Chris Moore is 23. Ja'heim Hudson is 23. Dylan Cardwell is 23.
In addition to those five, Broome, Kelly, Pegues, and Johnson are all 22.

Add on top of that ... they have 10 returning players ... 6 of the 10 are getting double digit minutes. The other 4 are also getting minutes (limited number). So, they have a team that has lots of team chemistry baked into the product.
For sure they have some new guys that they have integrated into the team. But having 6 returning players that are ALL older and more experience ... particularly at the SEC level has given them a distinct advantage.
4 of their 5 starters have been playing together for a couple of years and ALL their starters are seniors or Graduate students ... their experience and team chemistry are extremely tough to match.

 

[Vol49er]

Add on top of that ... they have 10 returning players ... 6 of the 10 are getting double digit minutes. The other 4 are also getting minutes (limited number). So, they have a team that has lots of team chemistry baked into the product.
For sure they have some new guys that they have integrated into the team. But having 6 returning players that are ALL older and more experience ... particularly at the SEC level has given them a distinct advantage.
4 of their 5 starters have been playing together for a couple of years and ALL their starters are seniors or Graduate students ... their experience and team chemistry are extremely tough to match.

Given all this, it was very bizarre to me in the preseason when Auburn began outside the top ten. I bet if it was the same roster but they’d lost in the R32 last year instead of right way they’d have been several spots higher. Which isn’t an intelligent way to rank teams but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[hUTch2002]

As dominate as they have been they do look beatable to me. I could definitely see someone taking them out before the final 4. Don't get me wrong, they could aslo win it it all! It's just they aren't as dominant as I have seen some #1 1-2 loss teams in year's past.

I definitely agree they won’t win it. They could but they do flirt with losses a fair amount. I think they pull them out because of having 5 5th year seniors. Experience matters, especially in March.

 

[hUTch2002]

I think Golden is a very good coach. Certainly an upgrade over what they had.

I assume he meant morally but maybe not.

 

[hUTch2002]

Per the KenPom luck rating we have 0.70 more wins than expected based on our performance this season. So flip one result if it makes you feel better, and we would still be the number one overall seed.

Now we are far from an inevitability, I certainly agree with that. But we have as good chance as anybody of winning it all, and probably better.

I’ll be cussing about Pettiford for a few years. That kid can play. Outside of him you have a TON of quality experience.

 

[hUTch2002]

Possibly. It also doesn't hurt that they are older, more experienced, and more talented than almost every team they face. They have five players who are 23+ years old. Baker-Mazara is 25. Denver Jones is 24. Chris Moore is 23. Ja'heim Hudson is 23. Dylan Cardwell is 23.
In addition to those five, Broome, Kelly, Pegues, and Johnson are all 22.

Bingo

 

[auburnnyc94]

By no means am I suggesting that Auburn has simply gotten to where they are by pure luck/chance. So, flipping one result won't "make me feel better". It's not about me feeling better. I'm just stating that they haven't dominated in several of their wins, and have let some teams, both good and bad, hang around. Yet, they always find a way to win those close games in the final few possessions.

Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. All of those were 1 possession games inside 1:00 to play if I'm remembering correctly, and Auburn found a way to win all 5 of them.

Maybe that's attributable to playing in the best conference the sport has perhaps ever seen, and the mark of a great team is finding ways to win those games. Tennessee, in contrast, has lost several of those type games (at Vandy, UK, and at Auburn).

I think Auburn has better than a "good a chance as any" to win it all. It's amazing that they've managed to slip by unscathed in these close ones. Strictly speaking as an observer, I just think it's fair to ask how many times they can fly close to the sun, especially when they get to March and there are no mulligans. And yet, they may skate thru and brush off any and all adversity all the way to a title. The talent certainly isn't in question.

Yeah I think with the exception of South Carolina, the SEC just has a bunch of good teams and we certainly don’t bring our A game every time out. That being said, of the close wins you listed, the UT and and South Carolina games are the only 2 I feel we truly escaped with the win

 

[walkenvol]

I’ll be cussing about Pettiford for a few years. That kid can play. Outside of him you have a TON of quality experience.

He seems like a pro talent to me?

 

[hUTch2002]

Given all this, it was very bizarre to me in the preseason when Auburn began outside the top ten. I bet if it was the same roster but they’d lost in the R32 last year instead of right way they’d have been several spots higher. Which isn’t an intelligent way to rank teams but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Had that super freshman come back they have been number 1 I bet. Smith, I think?