Conference tournament time: Games to watch today!

[bajaden]

Its not NCAA tournament time quite yet, but conference tournament games are usually played with the same kind of intensity. So here are some of the better one's I've picked based on who the top players are. I've put the teams current ranking next to the name. All times listed are Pacific time.

#1 Kentucky takes on #19 Florida. 10 AM, ABC. Kentucky's roster is a who's who list of first round picks. Featuring Anthony Davis, C/PF, 6'10", Michael Gilcrist, SF, 6'7.5", Terrence Jones, SF/PF, 6'9", Marquis Teague, PG, 6'2". While Florida has Bradley Beal, SG, 6'4", and Patrick Young, PF, 6'9"

#11 Baylor takes on #5 Missouri. 3 PM, ESPN. Missouri features Marcus Denmon, a SG, 6'3". While Baylor has Perry Jones III, SF/PF, 6'11", and Quincy Miller, SF, 6'9".

#7 Ohio St. takes on Michigan. 11:05 AM, CBS. Ohio St. features Jared Sullinger, PF, 6/9", and Aaron Craft, PG, 6'2", and William Buford, SG, 6'6". While Michigan has Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, 6'6" (son of Tim Hardaway)

#17 Florida St. takes on #6 Duke. 1 PM, ESPN. Duke features Austin Rivers, SG, 6'4", and Mason Plumlee, Center, 6'10", and Seth Curry, PG, 6'2". Florida St. has Michael Snaer, SG, 6'5", and Bernard James, Center/PF, 6'10".

#4 North Carolina takes on North Carolina St., 10 AM ESPN. North Carolina features Harrison Barnes, SF, 6'8", Kendall Marshall, PG, 6'3", Ty Zeller, Center, 7'0", and John Henson, C/PF, 6'10". ( Henson was injured in the game yesterday, so I'm not sure he'll play today)

Finally two unranked teams that will probably make the big show, but winning the conference tourney would guarantee it.

Vanderbilt takes on Ole Miss. 12:30 PM, ABC. Vanderbilt has Jeffery Taylor, SF, 6'7", John Jenkins, SG, 6'4", and Festus Ezeli, Center, 6'11".

Pick your poison, but I wouldn't miss the Kentucky game. However the game of the day could be Baylor/Missouri. Baylor has more talent, but Missouri is a great defensive team that plays like a team. I wouldn't bet against Missour in this one..

 

[CruzDude]

After the tournaments are done you will, of course, provide an input as to the top 10 potential draft choices from which the Kings will pick? and who you think would be at 4-6 where the Kings would draft? There was a SF who in the last 1-2 days had 15+ pts, 9 reb and 4 blks...... but forgot who it was.

 

[Uk kings fan]

kentucky game was great as was the carolina game

 

[bajaden]

kentucky game was great as was the carolina game

Yep, both were nail biters, especially the North Carolina game.. McAdoo finally got a chance to play, and he played fairly well. Tough road ahead for North Carolina without Henson.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Yep, both were nail biters, especially the North Carolina game.. McAdoo finally got a chance to play, and he played fairly well. Tough road ahead for North Carolina without Henson.

Is Henson out long term now? They seemed to think his wrist might be day-to-day when he hurt it.

 

[Uk kings fan]

Can somone please tell me what is going on <laugh> im not actually sure... there is loads of tournements atm but what are they for?? some of the tournements have finished and teams have won is that the end of the season for the teams who lost??

 

[bajaden]

Is Henson out long term now? They seemed to think his wrist might be day-to-day when he hurt it.

I think it is day to day, but in the tournament you have back to back games, so its a no play. I don't know just how severe it is, but he'll get a break now with no more games till either thursday or friday. So its possible he'll be ready to play by then. N. Carolina really needs him, and I don't see them making the final four without him. Still a lot of talent on that team though. They have their hands full with Florida St. today. Michael Snaer is having a great game, as is Harrison Barnes.

 

[bajaden]

Can somone please tell me what is going on <laugh> im not actually sure... there is loads of tournements atm but what are they for?? some of the tournements have finished and teams have won is that the end of the season for the teams who lost??

Conference tournaments are something decided by the individual conferences. Some have them, some don't, but most major one's do. My personal opinion is that it was something conceived to make more money for the conference, and for the networks. It does make for a cinderella story at times though. Last season UCONN went from possibly not being in the NCAA tournament, to winning the conference title and then winning the NCAA tournament. It made for good TV and great drama.

It can also affect the seeding of the tournament. For instance, if Florida St. beats N. Carolina today, I doubt N. Carolina is a number one seed, and Florida St., who is already in the tournament will improve its seeding. The question is, what do you gain from winning the conference title during the regular season?

 

[Uk kings fan]

Conference tournaments are something decided by the individual conferences. Some have them, some don't, but most major one's do. My personal opinion is that it was something conceived to make more money for the conference, and for the networks. It does make for a cinderella story at times though. Last season UCONN went from possibly not being in the NCAA tournament, to winning the conference title and then winning the NCAA tournament. It made for good TV and great drama.

It can also affect the seeding of the tournament. For instance, if Florida St. beats N. Carolina today, I doubt N. Carolina is a number one seed, and Florida St., who is already in the tournament will improve its seeding. The question is, what do you gain from winning the conference title during the regular season?

what is the point of the regular season then...

but the big teams dont actually need to win there tournement right? because none is going to exclude kentucky if they lose to vanderbilt today??

also whats so good about seeding??

 

[Glenn]

what is the point of the regular season then...

but the big teams dont actually need to win there tournement right? because none is going to exclude kentucky if they lose to vanderbilt today??

also whats so good about seeding??

College basketball has too many championships. They have a regular season championship, a conference championship and a NCAA championship. They have so many to make money by selling tickest and being on TV. Otherwise it makes no sense.

The seeding is a reward for a good year. The best teams get a high seed (placement) and as the tournament starts, get to play the lowest seeded team. Easy win usually. 2nd seed gets to play the 2nd lowest seed. As the championship procedes, the best team remaining always gets to play the worst team remaining. It gives the highest seeded teams the easiest games and the best chance of moving on in the tournament. This is a reward for good conference play.

Then comes the mega tournament that gets everyone excited, the NCAA tournament. The country is divided into 4 areas with the top 4 teams being placed as the #1 seed in the 4 areas. This gives the top 4 teams of the country the best chance of winning their area and advancing to, taa daah!, the Final Four where the winners of each area of the country meets for a week end to decide the national championship.

This gets mind boggling when you look at the entire season

• Preconference play where anyone can play anyone in the country
• Conference play where you are limited to playing teams from your own conference
• Conference tournaments - once not to so common but the money involved has encouraged them to play more games so they can now have a regular season champion and a tournament champion (makes no sense to me except for the money)
• NCAA tournament where the top 60+ some teams play a single elimination set of 4 tournaments artificially labeled as being in four areas of the country.
• Final Four - the winners of the four little tournaments spend a week end together to determine the national champions

 

[Bricklayer]

You know...Anthony Davis was just another guy today. Had a lot of trouble being bounced around by Vandy's center, who was full grown. Couldn't post him, had trouble holding positon on the glass. He's going to have to go on the Hassan diet when he hits the pros.

 

[Glenn]

You know...Anthony Davis was just another guy today. Had a lot of trouble being bounced around by Vandy's center, who was full grown. Couldn't post him, had trouble holding positon on the glass. He's going to have to go on the Hassan diet when he hits the pros.

A little over a year ago Davis was 6'2" and a guard. He has a lot of growing to do. I believe he was also bashed about by Tyler Zeller this year who is a 250 pound junior or senior. He will have trouble with strength for the time being. He's just a kid and any reasonable projection would add 20 pounds to his frame. If he works his butt off, probably more and it will be muscle. It's up to him. He needs weight and muscle in the NBA but given he has just gone through that 8" growth spurt, it's reasonable to think that his weight will catch up.

 

[UK_King]

Yeah he really didn't stand out at all there, except that he looked incredibly lightweight. Ezeli looked terrific posting up under the basket.

 

[Glenn]

Who won?

 

[Tetsujin]

A little over a year ago Davis was 6'2" and a guard. He has a lot of growing to do. I believe he was also bashed about by Tyler Zeller this year who is a 250 pound junior or senior. He will have trouble with strength for the time being. He's just a kid and any reasonable projection would add 20 pounds to his frame. If he works his butt off, probably more and it will be muscle. It's up to him. He needs weight and muscle in the NBA but given he has just gone through that 8" growth spurt, it's reasonable to think that his weight will catch up.

Was ctually two years ago but I tend to agree here. Hassan had a similar body before he apparently ate another person during the offseason. No reason Davis couldn't do the same

 

[Tetsujin]

Who won?

Vandy. 71-64

 

[Glenn]

Was actually two years ago but I tend to agree here. Hassan had a similar body before he apparently ate another person during the offseason. No reason Davis couldn't do the same

Hassan is still underweight.

Guess I should have watched the game as some mock drafts have Kidd-Gilchrist as the second pick with Davis #1. Must have been an unusual game.

 

[bajaden]

Vandy. 71-64

Third time was a charm for Vandy. Taylor finally had a good game today. I thought he was reverting back to last season the last couple of games. Despite not having one of his better games, Davis still put up decent numbers. Ezeli is a load, and also very athletic. He's made a lot of progress this year. The Whiteside comparison body wise is close. Davis has much wider shoulders, and is far more skilled than Whiteside. I think he's a better athlete than Whiteside as well. Especailly with his lateral quickness..

I see Davis at the PF position in the NBA, whereas I see Ezeli at the center position. About 25 pounds of muscle would certainly help Davis though. Least of my worries.

 

[UK_King]

MKD was pretty quiet bar one explosive move to the rim and a dunk. Darius Miller carried most of the offense for UK.

 

[Glenn]

I see Davis at the PF position in the NBA, whereas I see Ezeli at the center position. About 25 pounds of muscle would certainly help Davis though. Least of my worries.

What are your worries? Using my crystal ball, which is partially what I have left to me, I see him getting better and frankly, he'd fit next to Cousins today better than who we have right now. I tend to get excited about some players but in recent history the only players I have been excited about before they came into the NBA were Lebron, Cousins, and now Davis. I'm picky. No, not Griffen although he is fun to watch dunk. There were probably a few I never knew about but those are the three I can identify.

 

[bajaden]

What are your worries? Using my crystal ball, which is partially what I have left to me, I see him getting better and frankly, he'd fit next to Cousins today better than who we have right now. I tend to get excited about some players but in recent history the only players I have been excited about before they came into the NBA were Lebron, Cousins, and now Davis. I'm picky. No, not Griffen although he is fun to watch dunk. There were probably a few I never knew about but those are the three I can identify.

I think betting on Davis improving is a pretty safe bet. You list is small, but certainly a good one. I had Griffin on my list, and actually had to defend him against some of the posters on this board that said he wasn't athletic enough. James Harden was another player I was excited about.

Some of the guys that I really liked haven't quite made it yet, like Evan Turner, but I still think he'll be a very good player. I've seen most of the guys I like this year so many times, that my mind is already made up on them. Its just a matter of what order they fall, and sometimes that depends on a teams needs. In the case of Cousins, it worked out for us. I thought Cousins was good enough to be the first pick in the draft. With all due respect to John Wall. But you always take the big man over the little man if you think its a tie.