Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament Thread

Syracuse and Florida both brought their stuff to the court, in particular the defensive end. Flordia and Syracuse both showed that they can play great defense which both of the teams will need if they want to go far this season in the Tourny. I agree with UK on this and I'm going to say Florida is getting other looked at this point...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Showtyme:</div><div class="quote_post">Syracuse 87, Flordia 59 tonight


Gerry McNamara will prove all the HATERS wrong tonight. Watch as a lot of the younger guys, (Wright, Devendorf, and mabey Rautins) have a big game. I loved the defense Josh Wright brings to the Syracuse zone.</div>

I doubt the Orangeman have 2 straight blowouts. Don't overlook the Gators, because we are a good team. We played a very bad game yesterday against WF and still dominated them(I say dominated because we outplayed them bigger than 5 pts, they were fortunate to even be in the game. At the beginning of the game we dropped 5 easy passes out of bounds with opportunities to score) . I can't see Syracuse playing 2 amazing games and the Gators 2 bad games in a row. My biased prediction is Gators 66 Syracuse 62. I'm going against my original prediction of Syracuse winning. Our balance is very good, IMO. Our #5 scoring option led us last night. We have 6 guys that can lead us in scoring and 5 out of the 6 had bad games last night, so I'm expecting at least 1 of our low post guys and Humphrey/Brewer to have solid offensive games if we can stay out of foul trouble. Taureen Green will be the key, he has to put pressure on McNamara like he did Gray last night.

 

Wake in another double OT, Gray tied it as time ran out in the 1st OT!

 

Gray - 9 turnovers.

Ouch.

He's not a point guard, though. But, 9 turnovers is unacceptable.

Just as I say that, he hits a huge step-back fade away.

 

This Florida vs. Syracuse game is off to a great start. Fast paced, up-and-down action. A real shootout.

It's awesome, baby!

 

Texas Tech's team is innexperienced for a Bobby Knight team. Overall their game was lost because of the poor decisions they made in the final minutes of the regulation periods. You had guys jogging the ball up the court with the game on the line, guys taking illadvised jumpers with a hand in their face when the game was on the line, and guys making stupid fouls at inconvenient times. They also couldn't hit a freethrow to save their lives. I'd almost call the team poorly coached. On a side note, how about Kyle Visser? He really stepped up like he's never done before (16 pts, 16 rbs, 5 blks). He took a lot of pressure off of Williams in the paint.

 

THe Gators win the tourney! Wow, I am shocked at how this started. So are the Gators for real or are Wake and Syracuse just a little overrated. The scary thing is that our rotation involves 2 freshmen, 4 sophmores(all 4 start), 2 juniors(1 starts), 1 senior. We are rolling.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">THe Gators win the tourney! Wow, I am shocked at how this started. So are the Gators for real or are Wake and Syracuse just a little overrated. The scary thing is that our rotation involves 2 freshmen, 4 sophmores(all 4 start), 2 juniors(1 starts), 1 senior. We are rolling.</div>

Not sure, but I do know one thing. I hate Joakim Noah.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">THe Gators win the tourney! Wow, I am shocked at how this started. So are the Gators for real or are Wake and Syracuse just a little overrated. The scary thing is that our rotation involves 2 freshmen, 4 sophmores(all 4 start), 2 juniors(1 starts), 1 senior. We are rolling.</div>

Wake Forest is a decent team, and Syracuse is an inexperienced team.

I don't think either are contenders, but still may be good teams.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">THe Gators win the tourney! Wow, I am shocked at how this started. So are the Gators for real or are Wake and Syracuse just a little overrated. The scary thing is that our rotation involves 2 freshmen, 4 sophmores(all 4 start), 2 juniors(1 starts), 1 senior. We are rolling.</div>

Neither Wake Forest or Syracuse should have been ranked, especially #16 and #18. Still, Florida impressed the hell out of me. Guys like Cory Brewer and Al Horford who were big question marks in the preseason have really been able to handle their new roles, especially Brewer, who's playing like one of the best players in the NCAA right now. Taurean Green also impressed the hell out of me in this tournament, averaging 23.0 ppg and 5.5 apg. If he keeps playing like he did in New York, then the Gators could be the #2, maybe even #1, team in the SEC.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">Not sure, but I do know one thing. I hate Joakim Noah.</div>
Noah actually looked much better tonight. He managed to stay out of foul trouble and put up 12 pts and 6 boards. I don't know why you hate him, but I really do admire his style of play...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Neither Wake Forest or Syracuse should have been ranked, especially #16 and #18. Still, Florida impressed the hell out of me. Guys like Cory Brewer and Al Horford who were big question marks in the preseason have really been able to handle their new roles, especially Brewer, who's playing like one of the best players in the NCAA right now. Taurean Green also impressed the hell out of me in this tournament, averaging 23.0 ppg and 5.5 apg. If he keeps playing like he did in New York, then the Gators could be the #2, maybe even #1, team in the SEC.</div>
I am still not sold on Brewer. Something about his game. He's good, but, not one of the best in the NCAA.

No way the Gators take the #1 spot in the SEC from UK.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting UKOwnstheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">Noah actually looked much better tonight. He managed to stay out of foul trouble and put up 12 pts and 6 boards. I don't know why you hate him, but I really do admire his style of play...</div>

I hate him because he shoots with two hands, I hate him because he is cocky for no reason, I hate him because he is ugly, etc.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">I am still not sold on Brewer. Something about his game just doesn't. He's good, but, not one of the best in the NCAA.

No way the Gators take the #1 spot in the SEC from UK.</div>

I love Brewer's game, especially his defense. His length really created a lot of problems for Syracuse tonight. Did you see that block he had on Devendorf towards the end of the game? Amazing. I know that his offense is criticized a lot, but he looked really good scoring the ball in New York.

Kentucky is incredibly talented, but Florida showed flashes of greatness in this tournament. They've got two or three future lottery picks on that team and a bunch of other pro caliber talent. The only thing is that they're young and incredibly inexperienced. That didn't really effect them in the tournament though. I think that a lot of people were expecting them to fall off the map when Lee, Walsh, and Roberson left, because guys like Green and Horford were young and didn't get much playing time last season, so their talents were underrated heading into the season. If they continue to play to their potential though, why can't they take the #1 spot?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">I love Brewer's game, especially his defense. His length really created a lot of problems for Syracuse tonight. Did you see that block he had on Devendorf towards the end of the game? Amazing. I know that his offense is criticized a lot, but he looked really good scoring the ball in New York.

Kentucky is incredibly talented, but Florida showed flashes of greatness in this tournament. They've got two or three future lottery picks on that team and a bunch of other pro caliber talent. The only thing is that they're young and incredibly inexperienced. That didn't really effect them in the tournament though. I think that a lot of people were expecting them to fall off the map when Lee, Walsh, and Roberson left, because guys like Green and Horford were young and didn't get much playing time last season, so their talents were underrated heading into the season. If they continue to play to their potential though, why can't they take the #1 spot?</div>

I should have said I was talking about his offensive game.

Who are the 3 lottery picks on this team? I don't see them.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">

Who are the 3 lottery picks on this team? I don't see them.</div>

I said two or three lottery picks. In my book, Horford and Brewer are both currently lottery picks in the 2007 season. I can also see Taurean Green reaching that level if he continues to play the way he did tonight. In a tournament that featured players like Gerry McNamara, Jarrius Jackson, Justin Gray, and Eric Williams, he had hands down the best performances, and there's no way Florida would have won it without him.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">I said two or three lottery picks. In my book, Horford and Brewer are both currently lottery picks in the 2007 season. I can also see Taurean Green reaching that level if he continues to play the way he did tonight. In a tournament that featured players like Gerry McNamara, Jarrius Jackson, Justin Gray, and Eric Williams, he had hands down the best performances, and there's no way Florida would have won it without him.</div>

Green had a great performance. He's jut not a lottery pick talent.

Brewer has alot of work to do, and yeah, in two years he could be a lottery picktop 20 pick.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">Green had a great performance. He's jut not a lottery pick talent.

Brewer has alot of work to do, and yeah, in two years he could be a lottery picktop 20 pick.</div>

If he played like he did in the tournament all season, then yes, he'd be a lottery pick. I know it's a big "if", and that's why I put the "or" in there.

Every player who gets drafted has a lot of work to do. I think that if Brewer declared this season he'd be a first rounder, and the following season he'd go somewhere in between #8-14. With his length, athleticism, and defensive prowess, scouts will fall in love with him in workouts, and his numbers should take a great leap this season with no Lee, Roberson, or Walsh.

 

Here's my reactions to the players in the tourney...

Taureen Green-where did he come from. He scored a combined 12 pts in the first 2 games of the tourney and comes to New York and avgs 23 and barely turns the ball over. He showed great maturity and did a very good job defensively against Gray and McNamara. He is a much better fit on the team then Roberson was last year, he is a big reason that we have such great ball movement this year.

Al Horford-He showed his defensive skills. He had a bunch of key defensive plays. His offensive game is still very raw, but he showed good signs. He actually is a very good passer, he struggled a little today, but overall he's not bad. He showed a nice jumper today, it surprised me, I didn't know he had that kind of range.

Corey Brewer- I will disagree with you Voodoo, I was disappointed with his offensive game these last 2 days. I know he's still so raw, but he has a pretty decent jump shot and has very good slashing ability. We just didn't really see it. I think it was mainly because of our great ball movement, no one really penetrated that much, it was just the passing that freed everything up. This kid is a freak on defense though. He's amazing. He will be a very good player once he develops more of an offensive game.

Joakim Noah-He's probably my favorite player on the team(sorry STC). He goes absolutely crazy on every play and just completely energizes the team and the fans. He has surprisingly nice touch around the basket. His D is pretty solid, he still isn't bulky enough to really be as good under the basket, but he has some clutch rebounds and a clutch block tonight. This kid is also gonna be a good player down the road for us, he just needs to bulk up a little more and learn the game a little bit better.

Lee Humphrey-This kid can flat out shoot. After shooting a dismal 7-16 from 3 pt range in the 2 games. (he was 9-14 heading in ). He did a good job running the point when Green came out. I was worried about how he would be against good competition. His D is still a little weak, but he held his own for the most part. He's one of the best 3 pt shooters in the nation. I just don't understand how he can't hit free throws though.

Chris Richard-He's a big body downlow, very good rebounder, decent defender, decent inside game. He's gotten a lot better finishing around the basket, but he can't really create shots for himself. He'll improve and be a force off of the bench.

Walter Hodge-He struggled a lot shooting, but he ran the offense good for the most part when he was in. He is going to be good in a couple of years when he gets his shot. He is very very quick and gets into the passing lanes.

David Huertas-He's a pretty good shooter. Very weak defensively though and is very slow compared to the others. I don't see him doing too much in the near future, maybe being a good shooter off of the bench.

Adrian Moss-He hustles a lot and is a pretty good defender/rebounder, but his offensive game is missing and I guess someone told him that he could shoot 3's. Not very smart when he gets the ball in his hands, but he is the lone senior and the leader on this team.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">After shooting a dismal 7-16 from 3 pt range in the 2 games. (he was 9-14 heading in )</div>

How is 7-16 dismal?