The selection committee must have read the posts last night when we were slamming that conference.
25-3 and not in, don't know what to think.
25-3 and not in, don't know what to think.
No Utah St
- Thread starter Blackman
- Start date
whoa. holy shit. just noticed that. thats bad. REAL BAD in my opinion. they shoulda got in before southern illinois, who is incredibly overrated. thats a screwjob if siu made it and usu didnt
They are both pretty overrated, imo. Utah St. is a garbage team, and I can't really see them being better than any other team that got in this tournament.
In my opinion, UConn got the absolute best draw possible.
In my opinion, UConn got the absolute best draw possible.
I was pretty shocked to see BYU get at at large and Utah St did not.
Didn't even think of the Southern Illinois factor - there's too much info to process right now, my head is spinning.
Anyway Washington vs Kentucky round two - Wildcats might be in a lot of trouble!
Didn't even think of the Southern Illinois factor - there's too much info to process right now, my head is spinning.
Anyway Washington vs Kentucky round two - Wildcats might be in a lot of trouble!
Bombs said:
to me, southern illinois just does nothing particular well. they cant hang their hat on their D. they cant hang their hat on their guards. theyve got no identity.
utah state is a sound defensive team who (like air force) is dangerous in the early rounds.
by no means a fan of usu, just think in comparison to siu, its no contest
Bombs - I agree with you that Utah St is no prize of a team, but compared to some of the other at large bids given out I think that's a big oversight.
If they snubbed them for a team from a major conference I could at least understand the move, but not when looking at who got in.
If they snubbed them for a team from a major conference I could at least understand the move, but not when looking at who got in.
They certainly did get the shaft. Sucks to be in these smaller conferences, blow everybody out during the regular season, then get knocked out in your conference tourney sealing your fate. Talk about a potential fade in the NIT. This Utah State team had been getting use to appearing in the NCAA's, now put them in the NIT and where will the motivation to play come from? I know Stu Morrill is a great coach, but if he gets this team to play inspired basketball for this year's NIT, then he is a miracle worker.
-JC
-JC
they were ranked, had a very high rpi but to me only quality win was byu and that was at home... need to upgrade their schedule if they want respect nationally like zags or airforce. even if they lose their non-conferences game but at least its vs. stiffer competitiion.
i followed this conference closely all year and i didn't think 2 teams would go, but i wouldn't bash them like some you have. they are a good team that plays tough defense using jc ballers...
don't bash if you don't know, that ignorance! :moon:
i followed this conference closely all year and i didn't think 2 teams would go, but i wouldn't bash them like some you have. they are a good team that plays tough defense using jc ballers...
don't bash if you don't know, that ignorance! :moon:
Agreed, johnnyb. Very well coached team, fundamentally sound with a tough, hard-nosed style. It really is a shame they didn't get in. There are several other mid-major teams that got in before them that aren't nearly as scary of a draw for some of the bigger conference teams, IMO. Their defense alone could keep them close throughout against most any team in the field. They are usually an automatic play for me in the first round of the Dance. I remember one year they made a last second three to cover the 8 or 9 they were getting against UCONN, that was sure lucky. But, I also remember having them on the ML against Ohio St. a couple years ago when they pulled that upset. Too bad I won't have another opportunity with them again this year.
I brought it up earlier and I read in another thread that hellah also thought the same way. How in the world will this team be motivated for NIT? Sure, you can say that about alot of teams, but I just feel this program had gotten used to being in the NCAA over the last few years under Morrill. Depending on who they draw in the NIT, you have to think about fading them.
-JC
I brought it up earlier and I read in another thread that hellah also thought the same way. How in the world will this team be motivated for NIT? Sure, you can say that about alot of teams, but I just feel this program had gotten used to being in the NCAA over the last few years under Morrill. Depending on who they draw in the NIT, you have to think about fading them.
-JC
Agree that Utah St. got the shaft. Best team in their conference during the regular season, and in recent years, and no invite to the dance. I mean, St. Joe's gets crushed in the A-10 semis and retains the #1 seed, while USU loses by a bucket and is shown the door. Could be that letdown factor like mentioned earlier.
So look very carefully at HAWAII, the Aggies' 1st round NIT opponent. Sure, they faded down the stretch, but Hawaii often plays up/down to their level of competition.
In the 'Bows last several games, they've been content to play a more uptempo style, and less of their halfcourt motion offense, where they excel. Utah St. plays in the Big West, where points are more at a premium anyway. Aggies should force Hawaii to play halfcourt, allowing UH to run their offense.
Game is in Logan, a tough place to win. Both teams can play excellent defense. Of course, the wild card as always is how ready both teams will be with minimal time to prepare. But remember, Hawaii beat UNLV in Vegas last year in the NIT.
Might want to consider taking the 'Bows and the points in a potentially low-scoring affair.
on a side note: Utah St. is joining the WAC in 2005.
So look very carefully at HAWAII, the Aggies' 1st round NIT opponent. Sure, they faded down the stretch, but Hawaii often plays up/down to their level of competition.
In the 'Bows last several games, they've been content to play a more uptempo style, and less of their halfcourt motion offense, where they excel. Utah St. plays in the Big West, where points are more at a premium anyway. Aggies should force Hawaii to play halfcourt, allowing UH to run their offense.
Game is in Logan, a tough place to win. Both teams can play excellent defense. Of course, the wild card as always is how ready both teams will be with minimal time to prepare. But remember, Hawaii beat UNLV in Vegas last year in the NIT.
Might want to consider taking the 'Bows and the points in a potentially low-scoring affair.
on a side note: Utah St. is joining the WAC in 2005.
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Now that is a nice tidbit of information, Sun Tzu. Thanks for digging that one up. Definitely adds fuel to the collective fires. Might need to read some local press on both of these teams to determine their true motivation levels. On the outside it sure seems reasonable that Hawaii could relish the opportunity to have a chance to continue their season, albeit in the NIT. Utah State can't possibly bring their 'A' game to this, but then again they may not have to against a Hawaii team that tends to be Jeckyl and Hyde. Riley Wallace does have a history of post-season success, though. Maybe it takes the whole season to get these Euros he usually brings in to play as a cohesive unit, I don't know?? I think somebody already mentioned a victory over UNLV in the NIT last year. I also remember just a couple of years ago they went into the WAC tourney a middle of the pack team and blitzed through everyone, including host and heavy favorite Tulsa to earn their bid into the Dance. Still not convinced, but potentially could be a great spot for Hawaii. Any other opinions??
-JC
-JC
JCoverS said:
Last yr, UNLV lost in the MWC tourney final to Colorado St on a last second bucket. That sent them to the NIT. Hawaii went into Vegas and shockingly ran the Runnin' Rebels out of their own arena.
For Hawaii, I think it's safe to say that Coach Wallace has to instill in his players that this is the start of a brand new season. Quite frankly, until they lost 8 out of their last 11 games to end the yr (travel and fatigue set in), the Bows were generally regarded as having exceeded expectations, considering they lost their starting point guard to graduation and All-Conference shooting guard to the pros, and had 3 new starters.
The emergence of leading scorer and PG Michael Kuebler and fitting in of the new players into Riley's system took a while. This yr the new players were JC transfers, while the foreign ones were the returnees. But by mid season they hit their stride, including winning consecutive road games!
Think a lot depends on how Riley rotates his players. Over the years coach has been reluctant to give his bench players a lot of playing time. But this season a deeper bench has allowed a number of guys have come in and play very impressively.
Okay, now I see why Utah State didn't make the big dance....LOL. :tongue Smoked at home.....8 points were awfully generous, but an easy straight up win?!?!?! Congrats to Hawaii backers.
Warriors shot over 60% from the field and from 3-pt land. I'm sure Stu Morrill's game plan wasn't to run with Hawaii, but having watched the game, it's safe to say that UH completely outplayed and outhustled USU, leading by as much as 18 pts!
For the 'Bows, the parallels between how they won this game and last yr's road victory over UNLV are eerily similar. Next, UH faces either Nebraska or Niagara AT HOME on 3/22, and if they win, then it might be off to either Michigan or Oklahoma.
Congrats to Hawaii backers.Warriors shot over 60% from the field and from 3-pt land. I'm sure Stu Morrill's game plan wasn't to run with Hawaii, but having watched the game, it's safe to say that UH completely outplayed and outhustled USU, leading by as much as 18 pts!
For the 'Bows, the parallels between how they won this game and last yr's road victory over UNLV are eerily similar. Next, UH faces either Nebraska or Niagara AT HOME on 3/22, and if they win, then it might be off to either Michigan or Oklahoma.
utah state still deserved to make the ncaa tournament without a doubt.
result of their NIT game isnt surprising. they obviously werent into it.
they still got screwed by the committee.
but hawaii played well, so they do deserve some credit
result of their NIT game isnt surprising. they obviously werent into it.
they still got screwed by the committee.
but hawaii played well, so they do deserve some credit
gman2 said:
Of course I was being facetious in my comments regarding Utah St. I agree, they should have made the NCAA's in my book (based on their regular season accomplishments).
I agree that attitude meant alot. Hawaii was clearly happy with another chance to continue their season. If Utah State had any pride, and to show the committee they made a mistake, they would've attempted to make a game of it and play some defense. The score was 25-24 in favor of Hawaii at one point, so it wasn't like the Aggies weren't in it from the start. Hawaii's offense and frontcourt size advantage were too much for them to handle as the game wore on.
Call it what you want, but Coach Morrill and his team were seen holding their heads in their collective hands at the end of the game.
