cardsinindy2010

So yeah, the ND loss was heartbreaking, but at this point, I have also reached the point where I can laugh about it. As in, "That really happened? Really?" We're #8 in the Mark Titus power rankings this week, and his 5-stages recap of the ND game provides a good laugh.

Think we miss his shooting? 5 for his first 9 from NBA 3-pt range in the D-League.

Ok, I know that we're all questioning whether we're really a Top-10 team at this point too. But are we really more worthy of being singled out for this distinction (least-trusted Top-15 team) than, say, Pitt? Missouri? Baylor? Wisconsin? How many NBA-caliber players do the Badgers have on their roster? (I've seen Peyton listed ahead of Jordan Taylor in draft rankings). I suppose I just get tired of hearing that we have a home-heavy non-conference schedule (true of most of the Top 15, and we're not the worst offenders), that we don't have enough bona fide NBA players (remains to be seen, and we have a number of borderline guys), or that we don't have enough quality wins (sorry, but @ Butler, Vandy, LBSU, and Ohio all look pretty decent to me). So if they want to make a new argument, fine. Say that we've had too many injuries (particularly the Blackshear injury) and that our offensive ability is too limited. Point out that we've been pretty lucky with FT% defense so far. But I'm tired of hearing the same arguments (home-heavy schedule, lack of quality wins, NBA talent) that are not applied consistently to other teams in the Top 15.

I know this is a highlight video, and all the usual disclaimers apply, but most highlight videos don't feature this many jumpers. Looks like he can handle, penetrate, and shoot off the dribble or off the catch. He seems like a perfect fit for PG in Rick's system. And it sounds like we're in the lead for this guy. I would be happy to have him.

Yup, recruiting is creepy. And the scary thing is that most of this stuff never, ever sees the light of day.

And yeah, Anthony Davis is also on the first team. Gilchrist and Teague (ahem) were named to the fourth team.

Because when you pair him (putting aside the rest of the class) with what we have coming back, you've got a whole new dynamic that wasn't even possible this year. Putting a guy like this on the court with Peyton and Kyle on the perimeter -- lethal.

Good stuff. Rick loves this team as much as we do. Nobody wants it to end.

Because, um, you know, 42 of those wins were vacated. Oops.

Per Bozich's blog. Never been much of a Pitt fan. This seals the deal for me. SMH, Mr. Gibbs. SMH.

Only averaged 25.5 ppg on 18-29 shooting, including 9-14 on threes (holy crap). Also averaged 5.5 rpg and 2.0 apg. Throw in the NCAA Dunk of the Year, and I'd say Kyle is fit for another crown.

If this means we lost the battle at Providence but won the Ledo war, I think I can live with that loss a little better.

Austin Peay is currently 168 in the Kenpom ratings. No, they didn't lose, but it still makes me feel a little better about the Drexel loss. Good (but not great) teams can still have losses to teams like this on a given night.

And where does this quote appear? That's right - Jeff Goodman's blog. My theory -- he is trying his hardest to win the Least Cool Person Tournament, and now he is pulling out the heavy artillery.

From his twitter account: Now we can all admit that Louisville is still a fringe NCAA tournament team. Beat Butler and UNLV, but schedule has been favorable. In other words -- you get zero credit for beating Butler and UNLV, because the other teams you blew out were weak, and now you've had one bad loss. Of course Jeff's explanation for why the same logic doesn't apply to UT essentially amounts to, "Because I said so." Right. Makes perfect sense. I assume Mike is still waiting for that prize.

It is way too early for this, but I can't help getting a little excited. I do not expect to finish anywhere near #6, but even being around the edges of the top 25 this year would be great.

I know that this compromises his amateur status, but I don't know that the NCAA has consistent penalties for amateurism violations. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I don't particularly wish UK or Kanter any ill will on this, but I will be amused when I start hearing the explanations for why the Turkish team fabricated this story. "They were mad that he left them! They admitted it!" Right.

Because I'm bored and thinking about the 10-11' basketball season, which is now barely 3 months away. It is time to remind TJ that this is what he should do all year with his big minutes. Throw it down. If anyone wants to relive the shock, awe, and sheer ridiculousness of our '03 NCAA tournament game against Butler, see below. How do you spell lucky? A-R-C-H-E-Y. I will never like that guy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmaKlYpIHHY

I think the consensus opinion here is that DC is far more talented than Samardo, and I am left to wonder what might have been in 08-09 if the Pitino-DC saga had worked out differently. No way Suton forces DC into an oh-fer -- in fact, he would probably foul out trying to guard him. Anyway, DC may find himself in a very good situation next year. Edgar played very well Saturday, and the reference to Wesley Mathews in this article should give him some hope -- from undrafted a year ago to $34 million over 5 years. Pretty remarkable. I don't expect Edgar to pull that off, but maybe he could catch on somewhere. I hear Miami is looking for a few good league-minimum guys (and this should not be read as in any way endorsing anything about that team or LeEgo). Edgar link: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100710/SPORTS0102/7100409/1127/Pistons-youngsters-looking-good-in-summer-league

So this sucks. I saw the link elsewhere, but it was on a for-pay site. Anyway, Davis didn't show up for his scheduled visit this weekend, and now we suddenly have word from a family member that he has cut his list to 3, and we're not on it. Whatever.

How awesome would it be if Davis committed? Awesome enough to put us back in top-5 recruiting class territory. This would be an enormous recruiting score.

Sounds like he has had some strong workouts, and he is now projected as a mid-second round pick on some boards. Good luck to Samardo. I hope TJ is somewhere working on his jump hook right about now.

Congrats to T-Will.

Interesting. Is this Demling's April Fool's joke? Is Calipari trying to force Rick to use a scholarship so that he will have one less available for the 2011 class? What the hell is this?

We all knew it was only a matter of time. I really miss this guy.

If this helps to quell the annual Pitino-to-wherever rumors, then great, but I doubt that will happen. If this really does signal that he wants to retire here, I'm down with that.