Comments for Hoopraker

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by PB

PB — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:22:14 +0000

My boys were bringing the pain!!! What a fantastic feeling, knowing Danny and Tyler have gone undefeated in the Outhouse.

Comment on Loose Balls: Final Four by Trashtalk Superstar

Trashtalk Superstar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:05:21 +0000

Nice coverage. Didn’t know about Lima’s hoops resume. Northern Ohio produces a lot of good basketball players, but it rarely gets mentioned as a haven for basketball.

Too bad Michigan State lost. I have a contingent of UNC alumni in my family; Heels fans can be insufferable. To give credit where it’s due: UNC fans tend to be very basketball literate, sophisticated college hoops fans. But insufferable nonetheless.

Tom Izzo is probably my favorite coach in college basketball. I’ve always admired the way his teams play (and always admired the way Izzo has been able to a build national powerhouse program without having much access to the kind of elite national-level recruits that UNC/Duke/Kansas regularly sign). But last night MSU didn’t look like a Tom Izzo-coached team. It was pretty ugly.

Michigan State had a hell of a run though. Never really thought they’d get to the Final Four, much less play for the National Championship. MSU played horribly, but North Carolina was clearly the superior team. The Tar Heels had three future NBA first round draft picks in their starting lineup. Mich. St. may not even have a future NBA player on its roster (Lucas/Roe best prospects).

Tom Izzo and his team deserve all the credit in the world for getting as far as they did. But something tells me that the national media will spin MSU’s loss as further evidence that the Big Ten is the most ungodly awful conference in the history of college hoops.

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by 85heel

85heel — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:57:55 +0000

ok this is fucking ridiculous. guys i’m chapel hill fan and i know the exact play your talking about. approach this with a level head. looking back on the henderson ‘bow, i gotta admit that the action looked malicious, however, the singler play is different. singler’s hand looked like it slipped off and hit T. The sequence went like this: T drops down for the ball and singler is across his lap (no homo). Tyler has his hands on the ball so singler tries to strip, Tyler lets go of the ball and lifts his hands in the air but squeezes the ball with his legs so singler tries to stip again except tries harder. his hand slips off and his elbow goes into hansbrough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUFeSOjYfdU look at like 1:30 is the angle that gives u everything.

Comment on The Tweener Factory: State College, PA by pennstateproud

pennstateproud — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:38:24 +0000

Been following PSU hoops since 1988 (what can I say, I’m a masochist?) and ‘Melle is my favorite player of all time by a country mile. Nobody will ever play with the amount of heart and intensity that he brought to every single game he played in. He’s tougher, stronger and quicker than (almost) every post player he goes up against. I am so happy for him and proud that he represents my alma mater. The only sad thing on a day like today is knowing that I will likely never get to see him play again. He’s laid the groundwork for a (hopefully) bright future for the program with his blue-collar work ethic and team-first attitude.

I speak for PSU alums and fans everywhere when I say, “Thanks for everything, Jamelle.”

He is Penn State.

Comment on A Beautiful Spartan Effort by junior

junior — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:30:03 +0000

Agree completely! MSU played with no fear of the media darling Pitino and his group of showboats. Sosa is a punk. Go Spartans and win the whole thing!

Comment on Devin Ebanks, Memphis & Article 9 by John Calipari-Kentucky Rumors Persist, Mutual Interest Reported | Calipari Bio

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:11:20 +0000

[...] is that he would not be a good choice for Kentucky, but a great choice. Say what you will about Calipari’s recruiting tactics or his academic standards or his less than sterling reputation with some of his peers, but the guy [...]

Comment on A Beautiful Spartan Effort by Pappy Elsaw

Pappy Elsaw — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:08:35 +0000

As you stated, it was a great win and again put the TV Analysts back on their heels as they have continued to under estimate the Big Ten throughout the Tournament, particularly Tom Izzo and the Spartans. Win it all and let’s hear it for the high quality of basketball played in the Big Ten. Defense always is a part of the Big Ten game plan and it yielded a big result today, holding the high scoring Cardinals to 52 points.

Comment on Let Them Be Heard: Lions Roar by TD Lawlor

TD Lawlor — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:16:19 +0000

My Columbus boy Jamelle has heart. The dude’s shoulder is ready to fall off and he dominates Florida. They flat out couldn’t stop him.

Notre Dame will be a test for DeChellis. Focus on Luke and let the other chumps, including Randy Ayers son, try to beat you. The recipe worked for most of the Big East. Go Lions!

Comment on Let Them Be Heard: Lions Roar by Pappy Elsaw

Pappy Elsaw — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:49:34 +0000

Cornley plays in a style of another Penn St. favorite, the younger Cline/Heard. Loved his power moves in the paint. He was a bit taller but did not have the power of Cornley, but their games are similar.

Comment on Let Them Be Heard: Lions Roar by CrispinandCream

CrispinandCream — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:18:41 +0000

<3 Jamelle CornLEy

Can’t wait to go to MSG! Nothing quite like a classic gridiron rivalry on the Hardwood. Both teams will be represented very well fan-wise at the Garden. I will love watching Cornley outwork that Harangody.

Comment on Buckeyes Blow It by J. Elsass

J. Elsass — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:12:15 +0000

Hey, my comments should not be interpreted as an endorsement for Matta. I have not been impressed with his coaching. He has had great difficulty figuring out how to use big men- first Oden who often was forgotten in a talent loaded team, Koufos who wanted to play power forward rather than playing in the paint, and this year Mullens who has not made great strides as a freshman. Mullens was once thought to be a top draft pick, but his stock has slipped substantially by a lackluster year. One could argue that he should stay another year and improve his standing among draft pick ranking, but then one looks at how Matta fails to develop big men and you certainly would say: “Take the money and learn on the job at the NBA level!” While not a big Matta fan, he seems to be a good recruiter though I do not believe he is particularly effective in recruiting selectively to build an effective team. His approach seems to recruit high school stars and try to fit them into his team. Turner probably was an exception in that he was not widely recognized as a possible star. I was able to watch him at Westchester St. Joe’s and would have gone after him in a nanosecond. So credit goes to Matta in selling Turner on Columbus and the Buckeyes.

Comment on Buckeyes Blow It by Bucky Love

Bucky Love — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 11:32:37 +0000

I’m not drinking the Matta kool-aid. He’s been coaching Ohio State for years and we’re not even the best team in the State. Schedule Xavier and Dayton.

Comment on Buckeyes Blow It by Pappy Elsaw

Pappy Elsaw — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:59:37 +0000

Could not agree more with your points. With Turner back, they could be a force particularly with a healthy Lighty and Buford back. With Turner, one really does not need a point guard though it would be nice to free Evan for scoring foward duties. However, Evan likes to have the ball in his hands and good things happen. Another factor for next year is the continued development of Lauderdale. If he continues to improve, he will be a force in the middle. It appears that Matta realizes that Mullens was one and done so he was patient in letting Dallas progress. With some freethrow shooting practice, Lauderdale uses up a lot of paint. But I do not believe the one and done approach to recruiting will work as it did with the Oden, Conley, and Cook group. They were special and ready to play, plus do not forget that Butler was on that team and he provided a lot of stability and maturity. Without his citizenship, they probably would not have advanced to the final game against Florida.

Comment on Save It For A Rainy Day by Mr. Hessler

Mr. Hessler — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:11:17 +0000

Michigan has two legit stars with Manny and DeShawn plus they’ve got X-factors: two tough three point shooters who could get hot (douglass and novak) and Beilein’s quirky 1-3-1 defense.

Wisconsin’s in trouble and Illinois needs McCamey to score more than 0 points. The dude needs to show up!

Comment on Save It For A Rainy Day by WestNinth

WestNinth — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:27:57 +0000

I have a hard time seeing Michigan making a run. It’s about as likely as the Buckeyes getting past Louisville in the second round. Possible, but a huge challenge nonetheless.

Comment on With Honors: All-Hoopraker Edition by Max

Max — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:01:28 +0000

Sparty, why would Suton be on the team? Sure he’s important to the Spartans but he didn’t have a better season than Cornley or Coble or Johnson…or even Landry for that matter.

Comment on With Honors: All-Hoopraker Edition by Bucky Love

Bucky Love — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:16:01 +0000

Nice post. Good selections as there are lots of deserving players out there other than Suton. I noticed you guys left Marcus Landry and Hughes off the list.

Comment on With Honors: All-Hoopraker Edition by Sparty

Sparty — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:33:31 +0000

What about Goran Suton?

Comment on Jake Kelly For Governor by Max

Max — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:01:39 +0000

Love that tatoo Kelly’s got on his delt. He’s a smart player. Typical for a product of Indiana High Schools.

Comment on Northwestern Wildcats Get Historic by TD Lawlor

TD Lawlor — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:37:43 +0000

A season sweep of Ohio State would put Northwestern firmly on the Big Dance Fence. The Buckeyes better be ready. This Northwestern team isn’t a fluke.

Comment on Jake Kelly For Governor by bucky love

bucky love — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:29:19 +0000

Nice to point out a guy like Kelly. He’s got a lot of weight to carry on his shoulders. Very good player and he’ll only get better.

Comment on Jake Kelly For Governor by Pappy Elsaw

Pappy Elsaw — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:33:44 +0000

Agree with your assessment of Kelly. He is very difficult to guard. He handles the ball extremely well for a guy of his length; his penetrating ability is very similar to Turner’s as you observe. Turner is slightly more athletic and stronger, but Kelly is another greatly underappreciated member of the Conference’s great sophomore class. Iowa lacks any inside strength and Coach Lickliter will have to address this limitation as he can not rely on three point shooting in the Big Ten without some bangers underneath.

Comment on Princeton Offense Yields Points by Jim Elsass

Jim Elsass — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:10:40 +0000

Sparty, what would you call the Michigan offense. It has all of the elements of the P.O.- 5 men in motion, recognition of opportunities to counter defensive reads- the backcuts, good outside shooting, all players should have dribbling skills, unshelfishness among all players to recognize shot opportunities for their teammates. Basically, the P.O. was developed many years ago by the Boston Celtics. Pete Carril adopted it as coach of Princeton and he has gotten credit for the scheme, but he simply used it to vault the Tigers into a NIT championship many years ago with a team of athletes who had all of the elements to make it work.

It is an offensive scheme that has a great deal of flexibility in it and quite a number of coaches use it and often add their own twists. Vanderbilt for example, and I believe Beilein too has adopted it as the core of his coaching framework. Obviously, Michigan’s version is somewhat different from the framework used by Northwestern primarily because Beilein has a squad of better athletes, but note that he has added some pretty good outside shooters (Novak and Douglas) who also can pass, dribble, and play decent defense. The version NU plays is labeled as a slowdown type of game, but this is only due to the limited athletic talent he has to work with. I think that is changing at NU as they begin to be able to recruit better athletes. Pete Carril employed the 1-3-1 zone with his offense to take advantage of transition baskets. NU is one of the leaders in steals in the Conference, but they do not get many transition baskets because they do not have sufficient team speed to make the conversions. So I am back to my question: What do you say the Michigan team runs? It is a different scheme from the motion offense that Illinois and Purdue run.

Comment on Zebras on Cialis: Redux by BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums

BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:28:56 +0000

[...] in this article from an MSU site which also calls for officiating oversight by the conference: http://hoopraker.com/2009/02/24/zebras-on-cialis-redux/#more-853 [...]

Hoopraker Note: So we’re an MSU site? Memphis fans thought the same thing last season when we discussed the Ebanks de-commitment from Indiana. Not exactly.

Comment on Princeton Offense Yields Points by Sparty Basketball

Sparty Basketball — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:47:11 +0000

I wouldn’t call what Michigan runs a Princeton Offense.

Comment on Zebras on Cialis: Redux by Pappy Elsaw

Pappy Elsaw — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:59:31 +0000

I agree with your assessment of the refs. I watch a fair amount of college basketball and often the refs we saw in person in a Big Ten game are doing a Big East or Horizon League game. A number of the regular Big Ten refs are getting quite old. Knee and hip replacements keep them from keeping up with the young guys. And the comparison to H.S. refs is valid. They call good games and do not strut around like they are professors of the sport, lecturing and scolding players and coaches too often.

Comment on Zebras on Cialis: Redux by Uncle Omar

Uncle Omar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:13:34 +0000

Ease up on these guys, please. They have to make the kale in the winter time so that they can spend their summers on the golf course hustling seventh graders out of their Pepsi money.

Comment on Zebras on Cialis: Redux by Tuesday Night Links | Spartans Weblog

Tuesday Night Links | Spartans Weblog — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:09:28 +0000

[...] Zebras on Cialis: Redux “Gesticulations and Agendas” would be an excellent name for a rock band. [...]

Comment on Zebras on Cialis: Redux by formerlyanonymous

formerlyanonymous — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:10:33 +0000

The high school ranks are kind of a different animal. Being one who calls high school baseball with guys that do basketball, at least in Texas, you have the same problem with refs over extending themselves, but the turnover rate is infinitely high. People general get started in it because they like the sport, but as soon as they have kids, they either coach, or they drop out until their kids are older. You end up with the same older refs being the only consistently large contingent.

Comment on The Role of Seniors by Big Ten Race Outlook « Crispin and Cream

Big Ten Race Outlook « Crispin and Cream — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:49:43 +0000

[...] Hoopraker’s all-senior BT squad, including some love for Jamelle and Coach DeChellis [...]

Comment on Ohio State’s Talented Mr. Turner by Bucky Love

Bucky Love — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:03:09 +0000

Turner’s the Man. Ohio State rolls.

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by Sparty Basketball

Sparty Basketball — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:13:57 +0000

I hate Duke as much as anyone else, but this really had nothing to do with the Blue Devils. The thing that pissed me off was the immediate ejection of Harris contrasted with the simple technical foul called on Singler. To me, it looked like Singler swung his elbow wildly towards Hansborough and Harris was within reasonable limits of the game. That’s just my opinion.

The number of comments on this post illustrates how great this article is.

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by JRose5

JRose5 — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:27:13 +0000

Bilas is Coach K’s puppet! Coach K is his pimp and Bilas does what ever he can to bash anyone who he feels has done Duke or a Dukie wrong. He is clearly biased and continues to loose credibility in hte sports world!

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by kj

kj — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:19:24 +0000

I liked Bilas’ response on the pregame show when he was asked if, underneath it all, he’d be rooting for Duke. He said something like, “If rooting made a difference, then I’d do.” I’d like to congratulate him for having achieved such a zen-like existence, in which one doesn’t care whether one’s alma mater wins a basketball game with huge conference and national implications.

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by Rod

Rod — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:45:07 +0000

If you think there’s a bias towards Duke regarding officiating, you clearly didn’t watch last night’s game. Singler’s elbow came after the whistle while Hansbrough was still struggling for the ball. Not to mention, he didn’t even hit him hard, Hansbrough is just a ~~pussy~~. Guy spends more time on his back than a ~~cheap whore~~.

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by Mr Hessler

Mr Hessler — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:26:22 +0000

Mike Patrick and Vitale basically swallowed their tounges when the saw the replay where Singler clearly threw an elbow. Then Vitale mentioned about Bilas’s article (which slammed UM). The NCAA, the officals and ESPN is more scared of Coach K than they ever were of Bobby Knight. Why? Money talks.

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by From the Barn

From the Barn — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:19:31 +0000

Trust an Indiana blogger to accurately describe an elbowing? HA! Two minutes into the second half is hardly “late game head hunting?” Really?

The elbow on Hansbrough was fine in the the context of the game, just like the Harris elbow was completely within the context of a basketball game. Just because the refs blew this Michigan call and ESPN blew it even more doesn’t mean Singler deserved anything more than a technical.

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by Thursday Links | UM Hoops.com

Thursday Links | UM Hoops.com — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:58:30 +0000

[...] A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias Two elbows to the face in four years for Hansbrough, Coach K needs to get his team under control. [...]

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by DecaturHeel

DecaturHeel — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:31:28 +0000

My boys were bringing the pain!!! What a fantastic feeling, knowing Danny and Tyler have gone undefeated in the Outhouse.

Comment on A Duke Elbow, An ESPN Bias by John M

John M — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:13:37 +0000

Bilas is a smart guy and usually does a nice job, but he is way too compromised by his friendships and grudges. Mgoblog has ably documented Bilas’s ridiculous grudge against Michigan for firing his painfully incompetent buddy Tommy Amaker (has any non-cheating, non-psycho coach ever so richly deserved the axe?). Last year, he spouted a bunch of nonsense about “due process” that was intended to fool non-lawyers into believing that IU was railroading Kelvin Sampson, when actually IU was carefully affording to Sampson the process he was due under the contract. This is the second time in three years that a Duke-UNC game has been marred by late-game headhunting by Duke. Does need to “get control of his program”?

With so many idiots on TV, it’s a shame to see one of the truly bright and insightful commentators go down this road.

Comment on Two Winners in Michigan by Take this data and call me on Monday | Spartans Weblog

Take this data and call me on Monday | Spartans Weblog — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:12 +0000

[...] Two Winners in Michigan Hoopraker. Not sure our Wolverine friends will agree. [...]

Comment on Loose Balls: February 3 by bukcy love

bukcy love — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:09:33 +0000

Give me Jerry Lucas

Comment on The Tweener That Roared by Hoopraker » Blog Archive » Two Winners in Michigan

Hoopraker » Blog Archive » Two Winners in Michigan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:45:07 +0000

[...] as the devastating injury last season to Penn State’s Geary Claxton fast-tracked Talor Battle’s development, the infirmity of Raymar Morgan has given freshman [...]

Comment on Understaffed Boilermakers Need Moore by Bucky Love

Bucky Love — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:34:06 +0000

You’re right, Purdue really needs Moore to step up and make some shots. Not sure what’s happened to him.

Comment on Tom Crean: Devan Dumes Suspended for “Few Instances” of Crossing Line by Max

Max — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:31:46 +0000

Nice scoop on the Northwestern thing with Craig Moore.

Comment on Random Big Ten Thoughts by Junior

Junior — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:29:40 +0000

Agree with Sparty. Michigan State and Izzo deserve lots of credit for playing through the Morgan illness. You don’t seriously think Lickliter is a contender for Coach of the Year?

Comment on Random Big Ten Thoughts by Sparty Basketball

Sparty Basketball — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:07:10 +0000

It’s nice to see someone acknowledge how MSU is winning without Raymar Morgan.

Everyone focuses on Robbie Hummel being out and how it impacts Purdue, but they don’t realize how good of a player Morgan is. Coming into the year, he was the Spartans’ best player and he is being sorely missed on the defensive end currently. If he is able to get back to 100% before the end of the year, the Spartans will be a hard out in the NCAA tournament.

Comment on Tom Crean: Devan Dumes Suspended for “Few Instances” of Crossing Line by Sparty Basketball

Sparty Basketball — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:03:08 +0000

Kudos to Coach Crean. He handled the situation appropriately and got Devan Dumes to give a genuine apology.

Comment on A Great Big Ten Game: Live from Evanston by Jim Elsass

Jim Elsass — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:19:23 +0000

Good post and comments. Having watched the Cats over 20 years, I think it is realistic to think about the NIT. A good run in the NIT is precisely what a good young team can learn from. One and out in the NCAA would not be of much value, but then again their offense and 1-3-1 could be a problem for a team that has never played them. But now the Cats have to finish the season by winning most of their home games and winning at Iowa and Indiana. I doubt they can beat OSU at home, but they will give them a fight. If they play good defense against the Illini at home, that could be a win.

We will see what happens.

Comment on The Buckeye Season by Sparty Basketball

Sparty Basketball — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:45:22 +0000

I’ve really only seen Turner play this year against Michigan State, but I have to say that I wasn’t that impressed.

I’m much more impressed with Mullens and I think they need to find a way to get him the ball more. He is money in the paint and he also has a great defensive presence.

I hope they can take care of home court tonight against the Boilermakers.