2014-15 Games of Interest

[Dave Stalwart]

Creighton getting smoked out of the gate by providence

[1972Shocker]

@ Memphis 99 - UCF 79

Green Bay 70 - @ Detroit 64

@ George Washington 63 - George Mason 53

[ShockerFever]

Creighton would be playing on Thursday night in the Valley. And that's with Valley talent that they're burdened with right now.

[ShockerFever]

Providence is bending Creighton over backwards and I'm loving every second of it.

[ripemupshocks]

Looks like you guys will have to settle for rooting against Kansas and Creighton for your fun today.

Uh.......We could still root for Coach Cal to slip on some ice and break a hip. That would be fun.

[ripemupshocks]

Bill Walton is a madman

Do you think Bill Walton asked his bosses to do all the games in Colorado and Washington?

[ShockTalk]

Couple of interesting lines for the Jays so far:

Starters 17 points (13 Milliken), Bench 28 points (7 a piece for 4 players).

Total rebounds 23: Forward/Center 3, Guards 20.

[proshox]

I think you're nuts if you don't foul. I read last week where someone did some research on the use of both strategies up to that point in this season. I don't remember the exact numbers but the team that fouled when up by three was undefeated. Something like 83-0. The team that didn't foul LOST THE GAME 12% off the time or something like that. That doesn't even count all the times they hit the three to send it to overtime but lost in OT. If you foul, they have to do three things perfectly: 1) make the first free throw, 2) rebound the second missed free throw and 3) make the putback with limited time, usually a second or two. If you don't foul they only need to make a three from the close college 3 line. Some coaches don't want to do it because they're afraid of being second guessed if fouling backfires. Still the numbers say fouling is by far the safer strategy. Teams need to practice this fouling strategy though. You can't do it too early or too late. Too early and you may give the other team an extra possession. Too late and you run the danger of fouling a three point shooter. Still, I'd almost rather make a typical college player make 3 clutch free throws than give him even a contested 3. Sure, you could lose the game by fouling when up by three. It's happened before. But you sure as hell aren't going to lose 12% of the time.
Here's a great article by a coach who got burned too many times by not fouling:

http://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/up3.pdf

http://thebiglead.com/2013/01/31/college-basketball-strategy-review-fouling-up-by-three-points-late-or-playing-defense/

Kenpom has plenty of data that refutes the fouling strategy. The biggest swing is caused by the ability to instantly lose.

[Shoxthemonkey]

Bluejays still suck. 74-65 Providence.

[HockeyShock]

Knock knock

[HenryMuto]

Pretty thin skin for somebody that decided to be a UK bball fan and a OSU fball fan.

Not at all just telling it like it is. I am shocked to see so many of you comment in a negative fashion toward me for stating the obvious. Still going to root for you guys anyway.

[HenryMuto]

Yet another 3 goes down and Iowa State extends there lead to 46-37 over Kansas. Now this is a result we all can agree on we are hoping for.

[60Shock]

I hope! I hope! I hope!

[Hurley]

There's nothing better than reading phagnet when KUs is getting curb stomped.

[HenryMuto]

Pretty shocking as Arkansas is projected by many to be in the 5/6 seed range right now and they usually don't lose at home.

Long way to go only at halftime but 52-40 is shocking right now.