Date(s) With Our Bruins In New York City
by Nestor on Nov 17, 2010 4:47 PM PST
in Basketball
Email
PrintUPDATE (N): Villanova won tonight. So our first game is officially set with a matchup against Wildcats in NYC. This is going to be a huge challenge going up against the number 6 team in the country on what will essentially be their home (Big East) Court. GO BRUINS.
Thought folks would be interested in this information. Here is the updated bracket breakdown (pdf) of the 2010 preseason NIT tournament. As you can see our next game is going to be on November 24 (next Wednesday) at 6 pm PST (on ESPN2). We are going to take on the winner between Villanova and Boston University, who are facing off this evening at 5 pm PST (ESPN3.com). The final and consolation game is going to be on November 26 on ESPN/ESPN2. Check the pdf link for times.
I know many have talked about taking on Villanova but we cannot assume that the Wildcats are going to be our next opponent until they are done with BU. On the other side of the bracket VCU is already in the semis. They are going to take on the winner between Tennessee and Missouri State. As I am blogging this the Vols are up by 4 points with around 3 mins left in first half. You can track today's scores here.
Bruins are going to have a huge challenge next week (especially as Malcolm Lee's status remains uncertain). However, they should also embrace the trip as a huge opportunity to get a quality win that would help their chances to punch out the dance tickets for March. So, anyway, if you are online tonight and are planning to track the game between 'Nova and BU, please consider sharing your thoughts and commentary here. Consider it an open thread.
GO BRUINS.
32 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Lane Vs. Nelson
Just curious what your thoughts are after the first three games. Lane has been solid coming off the bench, but Nelson brings a confidence, toughness and swagger that is sorely needed (especially with how Lee & Honeycutt are the opposite). Clearly, Nelson had made improvements in his game, but even with his defensive miscues last year, he was still the better option. Unless they have a big man to contend with, the Lane and Nelson combo to finish off games seems to be coming into form nicely.
by rocket rod forever on Nov 17, 2010 5:15 PM PST reply actions
I would personally
Always have Smith in the lineup to finish games. Lane is effective and coming into his own as a shot blocker (like he was in high school) but I believe Smith looks more poised whenever he’s on the court, and provides an upgrade in length and alters shots in the paint. On the offensive end, he’s going to likely get fouled and is a solid free-throw shooter. I think Lane is the ideal post sub and is playing like Keefe should have played.
Joshua looks ok at the line
But if the Bruins are up by a couple of possessions and the other team is going to press and foul, I’d prefer to see Lane in at the end because he looks adept at passing over the press and seems dependable at the line.
by insomniacslounge on Nov 17, 2010 6:21 PM PST up reply actions
Why "vs"?
I don’t really think there needs to be a competition between the two, especially since Lane seems competant as a backup 5 for stretches. As it stands, I don’t think we can expect Smith to go more than 26-28 minutes even if he does manage to stay out of foul trouble. So if RN is playing about 28-32 and JS is going 20-28, that leaves at least 20 minutes for BL.
Well, I know CBH will tell
his players not to forget their winter jackets, heavy sweaters etc. because at this time of the year, NYC can be blustery, bone chillingly cold for our mostly Californian squad.
The minute their charter jet lands at JFK, they will know the difference between winter in NYC and even the coldest day of the year in Southern California.
That said, I also like the Lane / Nelson tandem of our frontline. Nelson fastbreaks like Trevor Wilson ( remember him ? ) and scores with consistency. His overall game really has developed with flair, in and around the perimeter. Wait till he puts it all together, he will be a devastatingly effective scoring machine this side of the Rockies.
Lane’s mobility pleasantly surprised me. He is really starting to come into his own. Aside from his defensive skills, Lane’s outside shooting touch also befuddles opponents guarding him.
These two players hopefully will dazzle Pauley crowds for manny games yet before their time to go. I might also add that the way Lane plays, he does remind me of those tall, white Duke players coach K recruits.
What is even more interesting?
St Johns was down by 4 points against Columbia at home during half time. Looks like they are scrambling back for a pathetic win. Not over yet.
For any Lavin coached game
It’s always OVER even before it’s over, before any fat lady can sing yet.
dammit...totally forgot to get my bet in on Columbia
spread was 19, IIRC.
missed my chance for Lavin to start paying me back for all of my pain and suffering over the years.
btw, whoever did their scheduling didn’t do the team in favors- @St. Mary’s (CA), home vs Columbia within 48 hrs of each other. Then next week they play at 1:45 am eastern time in Alaska.
Get your bets in now!*
*for educational/recreational purposes only, of course.
by insomniacslounge on Nov 17, 2010 7:47 PM PST up reply actions
Possible games on the 26th
If we play in the Consolation game our basketball team will be playing at the same time as our football team. Same goes for if we play in the Championship game but the overlap isn’t as dramatic. I can’t remember the last time this happened.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
maybe a 3 way split
Not only is basketball in NY and football in Arizona, but it’s senior night for women’s volleyball vs $c. (Yes, cheer/dance goes to w. volleyball, tho it’s a reduced squad.)
by insomniacslounge on Nov 17, 2010 7:51 PM PST up reply actions
More scouting
Oregon State is playing at Cameron Dollar’s Seattle U on Fox Sports NW. OSU is waring orange and Seattle is wearing red. It’s a bit disorienting. Surprised they didn’t make one of the teams wear white.
As for the game, OSU looks a little more athletic than in year’s past. And of course, they’re still playing that dreaded 1-3-1 on defense.
by insomniacslounge on Nov 17, 2010 7:55 PM PST reply actions
Serves the right
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
by bruin8uclap on Nov 17, 2010 10:17 PM PST up reply actions
Whoops
This was supposed to be in reply to your post below.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
by bruin8uclap on Nov 17, 2010 10:50 PM PST up reply actions
i'll be there (i hope)
still need to get my tickets but im already working on getting tickets to the games.
Elsewhere in college hoops today
Rider 77, Southern Cal 57
by insomniacslounge on Nov 17, 2010 9:54 PM PST reply actions
Rider led for the entire game.
$c has a freshman named Maurice Jones. That’s just wrong.
Roses are red, violets are blue...f*** $C.
I believe you actually meant
a riderless horse led the procession of the Trojans.
KLove vs. JSmith
was going to write a long-winded post on the nature of basketball recruit rankings and the inherent foolishness of comparing Joshua Smith and Kevin Love but I got sidetracked. So instead, I’ll put up a couple of brief notes here for lack of a better spot.
Per Scout, KLove was the #3 player in his class and JSmith was the #30 player in his class. Here’s a list of the #3 and #30 players from each of the last six graduating classes:
2010 Enes Kanter / Josh Smith
2009 DeMarcus Cousins / Jamil Wilson
2008 BJ Mullens / Anthony Jones
2007 Kevin Love / Jamelle Horne
2006 Brendan Wright / James Keefe
2005 Monta Ellis / Courtney Fells
For those of you who don’t follow the NBA, the #3s are averaging 12.42 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 3.56 assists per game this year, while the #30s are averaging 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg and 0.0 apg.
That being said, Smith’s main issue thus far this year has been staying on the court. Here are Smith and Love’s numbers per 40 minutes through their first five games (I included exhibition games for both players):
PTS___REB___AST__ STL ____ BLK___ TO___ PF
31.4__ 16.64__ 3.77__ 0.94___ 1.26___ 2.83__ 1.26 Love
21.0__ 10.52__ 2.63__ 2.63___ 1.58___ 4.23__ 8.94 Smith
Sorry about the formatting, it was the best I could do.
I don't think Smith is really the #30 player.
He was ranked much higher before he got hurt and bulked up.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Nov 18, 2010 9:40 AM PST up reply actions
Love could score and rebound but he couldn't play defense
Smith I think could become a force on the defensive end of the court. His offensive
skills will come over time. Go Bruins Go Bruins
On balance
Love was way ahead of Smith as a player. None of this is a surprise. People continually bringing up these comparisons is a disservice to Smith, and places unfair expectations on him. And seriously, saying that Love couldn’t play defense is flat out BS considering the defensive “efforts” we’ve seen since he left. He picked it up quickly enough by midseason. We’ve had players go four years without ever getting it.
So knock it off with the comparisons knock it off with the comparisons.
Love was a superstar at UCLA and is fast becoming a superstar in the NBA
I personally think the comparisons should be seen as flattering to Smith so long as people are respectful about it.
by DoubleTroubleBruin on Nov 18, 2010 1:51 PM PST up reply actions
But it's not a comparison right now
What good does it serve to remind Smith that he’s not Love, even if it’s the truth? Let him work hard and develop his own game. He’ll have plenty of chances to make contributions in due time without being in KLove’s massive shadow.
I think it's fallacy
To discuss numbered rankings between classes. The whole point of the ranking system is to rank players in THEIR class. Comparing classes is much more difficult. However, Kevin Love’s 2006 class was widely regarded as the best of the last 15 years. Think of the talent in that class: OJ Mayo, KLove, DRose, Eric Gordon, Kyle Single, Michael Beasley, Jerryd Bayless, Bill Walker, DeAndre Jordan, J.J. Hickson, Johnny Flynn, Dejaun Blair, James Harden, Blake Griffin, Anthony Randolph, Corey Fischer, Cole Aldrich, Jeff Teague, Robbie Hummel, Evan Turner, Isaiah Thomas… are you KIDDING me? That is an absurd list of talent. Klove was in the top 5 of those players. There is no comparison between him and Josh Smith. None.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bruins Nation
Related FanShots on Bruins Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
