Game... set... match

not over yet...uconn needs a big defensive stop here. but adrien is the only post player left...

Conn is done...unbelievable that Pitt and Conn are knocked off in the same night, but then again this is the Big East Tourney. Epic is the only word for this one

That was draining man. Im so tired I cant swallow.

Posted by BRIGGS:

That was draining man. Im so tired I cant swallow.

Tough game Briggs.

If you can believe Flynn's interview after the game, most of the credit goes to God, so I hope folks are not too analytical about the game...

As soon as I hear an interviewed player say something like "First, I'd like to...," I turn off the interview.

You would think that God, knowing that He was going to allow Syracuse to win after 6 overtimes, would have spared us and done something with the clock at the end of regulation so that shot at the buzzer wold have counted.


Exciting game, nonetheless.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by Paladin55:

If you can believe Flynn's interview after the game, most of the credit goes to God, so I hope folks are not too analytical about the game...

As soon as I hear an interviewed player say something like "First, I'd like to...," I turn off the interview.

You would think that God, knowing that He was going to allow Syracuse to win after 6 overtimes, would have spared us and done something with the clock at the end of regulation so that shot at the buzzer wold have counted.


Exciting game, nonetheless.

Now you don't see the value of Thabeet? He didnt even play that well--especially for the first 15 minutes but still had 19-16-7 and was able to shut down the penetration of the Syracuse guards. The second he fouled out we were on our heels. Yeah he still needs to get stronger and continue working on his skills but there are few players like him. He'll benefit greatly from an intense work program from pro trainers--he's got the frame to put on 20 pounds of muscle. And for no heart--the guy is 7-3 and went 52 minutes and was diving and doing anything he could to help win the game. If he had better hands in the first half it wouldnt have been a game. The thing about Hasheem is he will do whatever a team tells him to do in terms of working hard and he just finished his degree in 3 years. He's a smart guy and a worker.

He played better than against Pitt, I could see that. I still saw him get pushed around at times. I liked the dive he made to pick up the loose ball, and he also seemed more aggressive on the boards. I also think that at the pro level he will make more use of his jumper.

I rooted for Syracuse yesterday, just because of the David vs Goliath nature of the matchup, but I almost always root for Connecticut in the NCAA tournament.

I still see a VERY raw player, without superior BB instincts in some cases. I still don't see him as a franchise player, but I realize that at least one NBA team will take him early in the lottery. I don't think he will be as good of a pro as B. Lopez, though. My opinion, or course.

As a teacher, I would also commend him for getting his degree so soon. The use of college as simply a springboard for entering the NBA is something that is upsetting to me.

I was surprised that they usually seemed to neglect him when he had established post position and was ready for the ball. Was this by design or because of poor guard play?

I just don't understand how a guy like Thabeet has not been coached enough/worked hard enough to develop a couple of unstoppable inside moves taking advantage of his size. A better hook shot, a short turnaround jumper making use of the glass, some go to move that is his signature shot. That is the point of staying in college for 3 years- getting your degree and working on your game against superior college competition.

Posted by djsunyc:

thabeet won't be able to get away with that in the nba. he has to get alot stronger. guards/forwards are going to go right at him. i think he's a nice player but i don't see him dominating the pro game.

I agree. He looks like a big kid that can dominate at times at the college level but he needs to get a hell of a lot stronger and develop something of an offensive game.

Briggs, I watched the postgame interview and Calhoun was ripping his team. That dude's a jerk. How does he recruit these guys?

He was talking about how they had 27 turnovers... yeah, in 70 minutes of play coach!

Dude probably lost a couple of recruits with that press conference. Price is sitting next to him having had the game of his life and his coach is ripping their effort.

Nice.

Posted by djsunyc:

thabeet won't be able to get away with that in the nba. he has to get alot stronger. guards/forwards are going to go right at him. i think he's a nice player but i don't see him dominating the pro game.

I don't think anyone sees that. I think he will be a good piece for the right team. The right teams consists of good structure a good PF a a good PG and a team that will put the steps in place for him to climb--pro trainer high level NBA big man coach. LIke I said before I see him at peak as a 14/15-13-4 block guy. He'll be better offensively in the pros--especially as he continues to get stronger. I can see him as a very solid player--piece. I don't see any of kind of a superstar at all. But can he be a fringe all star caliber NBA 7-3 C at some point--YES. So teams have to evaluate if they want that and I think he is more of a Detroit Piston Miami Heat Boston Celtic type piece than say a Knicks or a Warriors etc..


Just to kind of classify


Andrew Bynum---NBA superstar type qualities on the level of Tim Duncan etc... At his peak assuming he stays healthy he could be a top 5 player in the game

Brook Lopez Solid NBA C who can easily be a 18-20-10-3 C and a solid all star level player

Thabeet--imho Fringe all star level player at peak. More emphasis on defense and rebounding from this player but has offensive skills and upside but I think that at a certain level they will be certainly capped. I think he has upside surprise if he follows a strict strength regimen and puts a solid 20 pounds on with a great emphasis on hand and base strength. he's smart and a worker--never once in 3 years has he been called lazy and it shows as his stats have gone up 100% since his first year. He's bigger and longer than people think he is and will be disruptive and tough to deal with once he adds the strength. His frame can easily hold 20 pounds of muscle. Also he has very good stamina. he may have some awkward times in the NBA as he has in college but if he works hard he'll be a very very solid piece.

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 03-13-2009 12:25 PM]

Posted by JohnWallace44:

Posted by Bippity10:

Posted by JohnWallace44:

Briggs, I watched the postgame interview and Calhoun was ripping his team. That dude's a jerk. How does he recruit these guys?

He was talking about how they had 27 turnovers... yeah, in 70 minutes of play coach!

Dude probably lost a couple of recruits with that press conference. Price is sitting next to him having had the game of his life and his coach is ripping their effort.

Nice.

If you know anything about Calhoun he rips all his players and is rarely happy after games. He's said some brutal things after nearly every game, this is just the first time you are exposed to it.To the outside world he is a mean oaf. To the inside world:

We have more alumni return to campus then any school in the country by a long shot. Every player that has ever played for him loves him. Every year we get top recruites, because he is a great coach.

I've seen him do it before, but jeeze when you're sitting next to Price and Robinson who clearly laid it all out there... that's tough.

What did he say about their effort? I didn't hear them question effort. I heard him question turnovers and their inability to closeout the game. Maybe I didn't hear everything. I understand it's tough after 6 overtimes to hear that stuff, but that is what is so great about Calhoun and why Uconn is perennially great. He isn't going to lower his standards just because guys played a long game.