ESPN on ACC/Big 10 Challenge

[NJCat]

I didn't realize the ACC hasn't won since 2008. Looks like they get the win this season given the match-ups. In their Good, Bad and Ugly analysis the Cats end up in the Good column for the Big 10:

"Northwestern's strides
The Wildcats secured their first nonconference victory over a Top 25 team in the Chris Collins era when they defeated then-No. 22 Texas in last week's Legends Classic. They lost to No. 18 Butler by just two points in the same tournament.

Under Collins, Northwestern has never finished among KenPom.com's top 50 in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency in the same season, but right now the Wildcats are 44th and 51st, respectively. They've connected on 44 percent of their 3-pointers and 77 percent of their free throw attempts. And Vic Law (17.7 PPG, 54.5 percent from the 3-point line) could earn an all-Big Ten first-team slot at this pace. Only a fool would suggest Northwestern has no shot at its first NCAA tournament berth."

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/18162926/good-bad-ugly-acc-big-ten-challenge

 

[hdhntr1]

I didn't realize the ACC hasn't won since 2008. Looks like they get the win this season given the match-ups. In their Good, Bad and Ugly analysis the Cats end up in the Good column for the Big 10:

"Northwestern's strides
The Wildcats secured their first nonconference victory over a Top 25 team in the Chris Collins era when they defeated then-No. 22 Texas in last week's Legends Classic. They lost to No. 18 Butler by just two points in the same tournament.

Under Collins, Northwestern has never finished among KenPom.com's top 50 in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency in the same season, but right now the Wildcats are 44th and 51st, respectively. They've connected on 44 percent of their 3-pointers and 77 percent of their free throw attempts. And Vic Law (17.7 PPG, 54.5 percent from the 3-point line) could earn an all-Big Ten first-team slot at this pace. Only a fool would suggest Northwestern has no shot at its first NCAA tournament berth."

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/18162926/good-bad-ugly-acc-big-ten-challenge

Was Butler in the same tourney? I thought that was separate.

 

[NJCat]

Was Butler in the same tourney? I thought that was separate.

Must have been. ESPN is the Sports Authority, right?

 

[FloridAlum]

Was Butler in the same tourney? I thought that was separate.

Yes, it was separate. In that tournament we play Texas and Notre Dame

 

[rwhitney014]

Yes, it was separate. In that tournament we play Texas and Notre Dame

And Eastern Washington and Bryant, for those wondering how those games came to be.

It was a scheduling quirk (brought on by a conflict with the Gavitt Games, which was why we played Butler) that we played Bryant after the Brooklyn leg of the tournament, and also probably why it was the strange Friday 1 p.m. start.

 

[Hungry Jack]

So the Cats, Badgers (Cuse), Nitwit Lions (GA Tech), and the Illini (NC St) uphold the honor of the B1G, while Iowa succumbs to the Irish, Maryland gets waxed by Pitt, and Minny lost to Florida St. The Spartans trail Duke.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Only a fool would suggest Northwestern has no shot at its first NCAA tournament berth."

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/18162926/good-bad-ugly-acc-big-ten-challenge

Yep. They are right about that. Mystic, you're famous!

 

[Hungry Jack]

So, is the B1G as bad as it looked vs the ACC?

 

[NJCat]

So, is the B1G as bad as it looked vs the ACC?

Seems like the bottom half have improved, but the top ain't as strong as in previous years. Wisconsin looks liek they are in a bit of a funk, not playing as well as I thought with all the returning experience. IU is playing great (Ft Wayne not withstanding), but PU spit the bit last night and MSU is rebuilding/injured. Michigan choked big time against Tech. Rutgers, Minny and PSU are improved (although PSU is very inexperienced).

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

Ohio state choked too

 

[NJCat]

Ohio state choked too

Good point. Forgot that one.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Ohio state choked too

That Virginia team looked pretty good. The ACC in general looks big and athletic--more so than the B1G.

 

[Catreporter]

Watching the ending of Michigan-Va Tech, they just had Irvin dribble for 10 seconds and then take a (contested) shot. Had a better look with a desperation inbounds play. Coaches, including ours, seem to be in love with iso plays at the end of games with their best player, a la Michael Jordan. Not sure there are that many Jordans out there and I remember even him passing to Steve Kerr for a wide open game winner to win an NBA championship.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We need to get rested and healthy next couple weeks

 

[pawildcat]

The B1G is down this year as much as I've seen it in recent years. A loss of talent, injuries, and the fact that some teams don't seem to be living up to expectations are all contributing factors. Of course even when the B1G was winning the challenge the past few years, all you heard about was the ACC was still better, blah, blah. And actually the ACC should be a better league most years since they basically combined some of the best teams from the old Big East with the teams they already had.
On the other hand, I think the B1G can do better considering the tremendous fan followings its teams have. And unlike in football, the B1G conference footprint covers an area of basketball talent that can hold its own with any. Some coaches aren't justifying their big salaries at the moment. The Illini are probably exhibit 1 in the ranks of B1G underachievers in recent years. Minny has been a trainwreck for several years. Purdue and Michigan State both seem to have been overrated this year, and now MSU is losing their hotshot freshman for a few weeks. Penn State is finally showing some signs of moving off the snide. Northwestern might get there if we can ever stop losing players.

 

[hdhntr1]

And Eastern Washington and Bryant, for those wondering how those games came to be.

It was a scheduling quirk (brought on by a conflict with the Gavitt Games, which was why we played Butler) that we played Bryant after the Brooklyn leg of the tournament, and also probably why it was the strange Friday 1 p.m. start.

In tourneys, the whole tourney counts as one game on the schedule regardless of how many are actually played allowing teams to play more than the number allowed by the NCAA making it easier to get to 20 wins. So if that tourney was 4 games....

 

[spartcat]

I think people are making too much of this loss. If the two 2 point games go the other way we tie. Last year we won and the ACC had two teams in the final four. And for what it's worth it is very cool that NU basketball is 2/0 in the men's and women's challenge. The women must have had a heck of a 2nd half last night since they were down double digits at the half.

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

The B1G is down this year as much as I've seen it in recent years. A loss of talent, injuries, and the fact that some teams don't seem to be living up to expectations are all contributing factors. Of course even when the B1G was winning the challenge the past few years, all you heard about was the ACC was still better, blah, blah. And actually the ACC should be a better league most years since they basically combined some of the best teams from the old Big East with the teams they already had.
On the other hand, I think the B1G can do better considering the tremendous fan followings its teams have. And unlike in football, the B1G conference footprint covers an area of basketball talent that can hold its own with any. Some coaches aren't justifying their big salaries at the moment. The Illini are probably exhibit 1 in the ranks of B1G underachievers in recent years. Minny has been a trainwreck for several years. Purdue and Michigan State both seem to have been overrated this year, and now MSU is losing their hotshot freshman for a few weeks. Penn State is finally showing some signs of moving off the snide. Northwestern might get there if we can ever stop losing players.

What is a selling point of Illinois or Minnesota to lure top talent? Basically every game of every power 5 team in the country is on TV now, so Illinois can't say to the kids from Peoria or Chicago, come to u of I and your family can make the relatively quick trip to watch you play. These kids instead are going to duke, Kentucky, uconn etc. and their parents can subscribe to a package and watch all their games. The days of thinking Illinois is or should be a 'basketball school' are over in my opinion.

 

[pawildcat]

What is a selling point of Illinois or Minnesota to lure top talent? Basically every game of every power 5 team in the country is on TV now, so Illinois can't say to the kids from Peoria or Chicago, come to u of I and your family can make the relatively quick trip to watch you play. These kids instead are going to duke, Kentucky, uconn etc. and their parents can subscribe to a package and watch all their games. The days of thinking Illinois is or should be a 'basketball school' are over in my opinion.

Well, if I were a parent I think I'd rather be watching my kid's games and supporting him in person rather than watching him play at a school 1,000 miles away on TV, but maybe that's just me. Selling points for Illinois include being a team with an excellent fan following in a conference that leads the nation in attendance year after year and is certainly one of the most-watched in the country. You really think Villanova, which won the national championship last year, has much going for it that Illinois doesn't? I don't see it.

 

[NJCat]

\You really think Villanova, which won the national championship last year, has much going for it that Illinois doesn't? I don't see it.

Good point. I think the coaching staff is a critical selling feature. Villanova is a medium sized school (10,700 undergrads) without a national or even statewide following, yet can be very successful in hoops. Rolly and now Jay Wright seem to be able to attract very good players and get them to gel.

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

Well, if I were a parent I think I'd rather be watching my kid's games and supporting him in person rather than watching him play at a school 1,000 miles away on TV, but maybe that's just me. Selling points for Illinois include being a team with an excellent fan following in a conference that leads the nation in attendance year after year and is certainly one of the most-watched in the country. You really think Villanova, which won the national championship last year, has much going for it that Illinois doesn't? I don't see it.

Have you been to champaign?