DaimondD

https://kentsterling.com/2011/03/16/bruce-pearls-job-in-serious-doubt-after-season-ends/

there is a link in this article to an interview Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton did today with a local radio station in knoxville.  this is a complete turnaround from the stance hamilton has shown since everything came out in regards to the violations committed by Pearl.  apparently, this was all everyone talked about today in tennessee rather than the matchup with michigan.  this is exremely poor timing by Mike Hamilton, only 2 days before their first round game.  how can this NOT be a distraction to this team? i know they have dealt with it all year, but the writing appears to be on the wall for Pearl. it seems as if  he is going to out for sure after the tournament.

perhaps the team rallies around him, but the timing of this is awful for the basketball team.  just thought id share.....

except for the rebounding angle, which i already pointed out, i respectfully disagree with everything you just said.  not sure how you think they dont get the ball inside...do you think they are one of the best in the country when it comes to free throw attempts because they shoot jumpers all day?

please tell me why you think they are poorly coached?  and then tell me why they are "soft"?  they are one of the most aggresive teams in the country, which is why they get to the foul line as much as any team in the country.

as for what they have done this year, they have wins over north carolina, belmont, marquette, st marys, alabama, kentucky,and georgia. lost by 3 on a nuetral court agains west virgina, 3 at missouri, 2 at kentucky, 4 at florida, 3 at tennessee. not really sure why you think they are soft, but im guessing you probably havent seen them play and you basing your statement on some pre concieved notion that makes absolutely no sense.

the purpose of the thread is to discuss the matchup. if you disagree with the play, thats fine, but tell me why you think richmond matches up with them. 

marquette is the only one i have questions about.  on the surface, i reallly dont like their matchup against X. 

can see the other 11's winning however

Quote Originally Posted by TRAIN69:

I agree. Great writeup

thanks train, this was just one that immediately stuck out when i saw the matchup.  bol this weekend

as everyone knows, the tourney is all about matchups...so i really like this one for Vanderbilt

Vandy's weakness is rebounding, giving up offensive rebounds has really hurt them in all their losses..i.e Tennessee twice.  statistically, Vandy is close to the bottom in the country in rebounding.  I dont think Richmond is a team that can exploit this.  alot of matchup zone from the spiders doesnt help their cause in regards to this weakness of Vandy.

i love Harper and Anderson, but i think Vandy can match up with them both very well.  i expect Jeffrey Taylor to match up on Anderson.  Taylor size and particularly his length will give him problems i believe.  Taylor's athleticism should frustrate him for the duration. i also expect Ghoulbourne, not Ezeli, to check Harper.  one, this will keep Ezeli out of foul trouble and two, ghoulbourne will be more effective when Harper steps out away from the basket.

Richmond runs the Princeton/Princeton modified offense.  remember, vandy ran this same offense a couple of years ago.  Coach Stallings is very familiar with all the ins and outs of it.  While Vandy doesnt run it now, their coaching staff will have them prepared to face it. 

everyone remembers Vandy getting bounced early the last couple of years by Murray St and Siena.  those were much tougher matchups for Vandy imo.  those past results should also give Vandy a little extra motivation to perform well early in the tourney.

would love to hear what some others have to say about this matchup.  i just think this line is a little short in vandy's favor imo.

bol to everyone

Quote Originally Posted by RJSizzle:

Fade em. They just won one without the kid. Letdown city.

Full disclosure - The dead guy angle has failed miserably in the past.

not as much your attempt to find humor in a kid's death

what class

i agree with Professional1.  the word is out on these guys.  everyone will be picking them to pull the upset.  i was hoping they would somehow remain under the radar but they've gotten so much play the last few days, there will not be any value with them.

that being said, i would love the see them as a 12 or 13 matched up against a 4 or 5 Kentucky team.

too late for that, i already put it in...so ill be back to bash if it loses

in all seriousness, i rarely tail.  hell, i rarely play more than 2 units a nite, so no big deal throwing one more out there.  my better half is out of town and i have a night of basketball planned out to go with my bottle of macallan 25 yr old single malt.  so im a winner either way.  bol tonite bro...

Cavs +4

Adding

Cavs + 4 -spaz convinced me, and yes,  im gonna bash in all his threads from now on if this is a loser

good stuff...my trigger finger is starting to itch

quite a few im sure

i dont know if everything ive heard about deron williams is true or not, but imagine how he is going to be feeling tonite...a little pressure ya think?

those are solid numbers, but i feel playing a team like the knicks that will get out in transition and force the pace is going to be tough on them.  especially  when its the second half of a b2b.  kobe always looks to shine at MSG but i think he wanted last nights game more.  there is also the nationally televised game with orlando on deck this weekend.  you cant really argue with the numbers you posted though. this is just more of a situational play for me.  bol which ever way you go tonite

you may be right here regarding the mindset of the players tonite.  may not be your typical first game with a new coach.  i was still looking to play utah before i saw the line come out.  coaching change or not, 6 is just too much for this jazz team right now.  had to lay off the side and go with my gut which says that there will be zero defense played tonite. bol

na, i dont think so at all

but hopefully, alot of square money will be lining up with the same reasoning

what the hell

add

Suns/Jazz Over 209 - wanted to play Utah -6, but i just think the line is inflated.  feel much more comfortable with the over as i just dont see too many possessions for either squad that dont result in points.

bol everyone

love the knicks tonite...was close to playing philly.  they have been at home against quality competition. 

bol tonite