NCAA 2011-2012 Season

[GoingFor17]

I just thought that I'd jump on here to see whether anyone was as keen of a college basketball fan as I am seeing as I couldn't really see a thread for the upcoming NCAA season? I watch it religiously (almost 200 games a year - no life, I know) and obviously cannot wait until the start of the season which isn't far away. I'd love to be able to discuss it with someone if anyone is interested?

 

[djrossie16]

I watch as many Saint Mary's games as I can! Hoping for a return to the NCAA Tournament this season. In one preview publication I saw we were ranked 39 so we're doing alright.
I'm also jumping on the Hugh Greenwood New Mexico bandwagon this upcoming season.

 

[GoingFor17]

Yeah, I definitely love watching the Gaels play although ironically my favourite player was Mickey Mcconnell, until he graduated of course.

We did have a very sloppy end of the season which wasn't too good. Just about had the WCC title sewn up before it all came crashing down with a series of terrible losses. None worse than that loss to I think it was Portland??? Could be wrong. Can't quite remember. Should be able to reclaim some of our 2009-10 form even without Mickey.

Pretty keen for the 2011-12 College Ball Prospectus to hit amazon. That's the ultimate preview publication IMO.

 

[Spriteftw3]

Going back to back led by Jeremy Lamb

 

[djrossie16]

Going back to back led by Jeremy Lamb

Yep always liked Uconn out of the top dogs. I actually predicted they'd have a good season (although winning a National Championship probably exceeded my expectations). They just seemed to have a lot of quality bigs they could send out their to physically dominate teams on the glass.
Also how ironic is it Ator Majok got drafted?

"Going for 17" the Gaels late season slump was probably (oddly enough) partly attributed to McConnell who looked to be out of form and/or carrying a knee injury depending on who you ask late in the season. After the famous Gonzaga gamewinning layup he made if I can remember correctly there were two other game winning oppotunities (a particularly painful one against Kent State in the NIT) he missed out on. Nevertheless he will go down as a Gael great!

It was a bad fade out and we should have won the WCC conference outright and been an at large bid to the dance but we never recovered after that shocking loss to San Diego (still hurts that one!)

I like our chances to have another successful season. We have only lost McConnell (I know only lost the WCC POY) but have three talented guys in Jorden Page, Paul McCoy and Stephen Holt ready to pick up the slack and a couple of bigs coming in to improve our front court which was our weakness last season. I think we have what it takes to keep out Gonzaga and BYU.

 

[GoingFor17]

Yeah, was not expecting Majok to get drafted at all, especially considering some of the names that missed out that I believe earned a spot but there you go.

Ooh, you just brought back the tingles after mentioning that Mickey layup. What a magic moment that was. It was unfortunate that Dellavedova couldn't step up as much as I think he could have when Mickey's form trailed off but oh well. He's in for a massive season IMO.

Those young guys I think should be ready to go hard too this season and the inclusion of the bigs should definitely help. It's not the best sign when you're watching Rob Jones try and play centre. He's a gun of a player but just not quite big enough. Hopefully the new Aussie Hodgson prove that he's a worthy transfer.

Looking forward to playing BYU actually. Should be good to have another genuine challenger other than the Zags. It's probably good that we managed to catch em post-Jimmer too.

 

[CrackerJack]

Cant wait to see North Carolina in action, they are unbelievably loaded!! It's good to see seriously strong college teams for the first time in a while thanks to the nba lockout and big names staying in school but UNC's names are ridiculous. Cant see too many teams knocking off a team with Zeller, McAdoo, Henson, Barnes, Hairston, Strickland, Marshall, Bullock!!!

Also very excited to see Andre Drummond play against some serious competition. Combo with him and Jeremy Lamb is gonna be very exciting.

Other teams I'm excited to watch are Baylor, Duke, Kentucky and OSU. Lots of players as well to look out for, not only big names who returned but incoming freshman like Drummond, Adonis Thomas, Myck Kabongo, Michael Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, Brad Beal, Tony Wroten Jr, Rakeem Christmas, THE LIST GOES ON!!!

if you havent noticed I am well beyond excited!!

 

[GoingFor17]

I've loved watching North Carolina ever since Tyler Hansbrough was tearing it up for them. Would certainly not be disappointed to see them go all the way this season and, like you said CrackerJack, that doesn't seem to be too unrealistic either.

 

[Primetime Pricey]

Really worried about my Blue Devils. They have some exciting kids coming through like Curry and Rivers but i think they are going to get monstered. The Plumlee boys are going to have be big this year

 

[GoingFor17]

Saw Rivers play in the Friendship games in China and IMO seemed to be a little bit out of his depth unfortunately. He's a skinny lad and doesn't play too much dee at all, which I think is strange considering who his dad is but hey. Saying that though, I don't think he could be at a better place then under the guidance of Coach K because he will make sure the kid earns his place well and truly.

 

[WALL-e]

Really worried about my Blue Devils. They have some exciting kids coming through like Curry and Rivers but i think they are going to get monstered. The Plumlee boys are going to have be big this year

Plumlee's? What is it with duke's big men? Mcroberts, Plumlee's......Williams (dear lord).

 

[jonesy86]

Paul McCoy done for the season with an ACL, after having done one previously at SMU... not a good start for SMC.

There are a few SMC alumni now in the NBL, Walker and Mills at Melbourne and Diamon Simpson at Adelaide.

 

[djrossie16]

Paul McCoy done for the season with an ACL, after having done one previously at SMU... not a good start for SMC.

There are a few SMC alumni now in the NBL, Walker and Mills at Melbourne and Diamon Simpson at Adelaide.

Not good yet not really bad considering he wasn't projected to be a starter because of his injury issues.

This gives Jorden Page a better opportunity to get minutes which is a positive for Australian basketball.

Just to let Goingfor17 know that Matt Hodgson is only eligible to play next season as he is a redshirt transfer.

 

[GoingFor17]

Just posted a brief review for the upcoming season. Check it out on the Blogs page and let me know what you think. I haven't done a whole lot of sports journalism at all but I thought I'd just have a bit of a crack.

 

[borgo]

Arguably the most fierce rivalry in the NCAA will come to an end this year. Sad day for Kansas and Missouri fans.

 

[arkie]

Well, it's officially underway! I'm loving all of this! NCAAB, NCAAF and NFL!

 

[PP34]

^ Too bad there's no NBA lol. Where can I watch NCAAB online?

 

[djrossie16]

Ryan Broekoff is an impressive player. Another one i'll keep a stat watch on this year.

St Johns looking pretty good with their highly touted new class.

 

[GoingFor17]

Ryan Broekoff is an impressive player. Another one i'll keep a stat watch on this year.

St Johns looking pretty good with their highly touted new class.

Too right. I love the look of their new guys. Harkless, Lindsey and my man God'sGift Achiuwa all did more than I think anyone could have predicted for their first NCAA appearance and were arguably St John's top three players for the game. Don't know how they'll go against a quality opposition but they certainly looked the goods today.

As for the second game, obviously Arizona got the job done pretty easily. Nice job by Jesse Perry with his first career dbl-dbl. Their new recruits Turner and Chol performed alright. The only real highlight for Valpo I think was the impressive return of Van Wijk and also Broekoff like you said djrossie.

College Ball is back and I'm loving it!

 

[Wizard]

Anyone here that can point me in the right direction for a list of televised games in Australia?

 

[GoingFor17]

ESPN is your best bet, Wizard. Just hit up their website and check it out from there.

 

[nufan]

178 games over the weekend, Delish

 

[sblack]

Arguably the most fierce rivalry in the NCAA will come to an end this year. Sad day for Kansas and Missouri fans.

Not to mention Georgetown v Syracuse.

#1 UNC getting found out by MSUs hustle on the offensive glass.

Every other ranked team doing it easy atm.

 

[Dirty Bird]

2011 Australian u19s squad members Anthony Drmic (8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist) and Iggy Hedziomerovic (6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal) help Boise State to a 95-44 win

 

[djrossie16]

LMU knock off UCLA