Oregon - Taylor - in or out tonight?
- Thread starter Mr. Poon
- Start date
I'm very interested to know this, because I'm showing Kansas St at +2.5, and they're at home for a big game. It's gonna be on NAT'L TV too.
I think I'm gonna jump on board, but not sure if I can get it for a better line, what do you think?
I think I'm gonna jump on board, but not sure if I can get it for a better line, what do you think?
Beasley, Bramlage become the Ducks' toughest test so far
Maarty Leunen will guard Kansas State's freshman phenom
When No. 17 Oregon tips off at Bramlage Coliseum against No. 25 Kansas State tonight, 6 p.m. on ESPN2, it will mark the first time in Oregon men's basketball history that a ranked Ducks team has played a ranked non-conference opponent on the road.
Freshman phenomenon Michael Beasley and his teammates will certainly look to make things uncomfortable for Oregon (5-1), but the environment in Manhattan, Kan. might be the biggest obstacle for the Ducks to overcome.
"You can't get tickets to get into these buildings so it'll basically be just us back there in a very hostile environment," Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. "This is basketball country they're going into back there. There's not much going on but basketball right now. It's a big, big game for them having a Pac-10 team come in there."
The only Ducks that Kent expects to see in Kansas are the volleyball players, who Kent said will be a very positive presence in such a hostile environment.
"Maybe they can give us a little lift and hopefully we can play well and it gives them a little lift when they get ready to play their matches," he said.
Beasley is the most high profile of the Wildcats (5-1), after having Tajuan Porter-like breakout performances early in his freshman year. The 6-foot-10-inch forward is averaging 27.2 points and 15.5 rebounds per game through his first six college games.
"He's a load inside, with nice touch around the rim and out on the perimeter," Porter said. "For a guy his size he has a great gift."
Kent is equally impressed with Beasley.
"He has a Dennis Rodman mentality when it comes to rebounding the basketball, he goes and tries to get everything," he said. "Between Maarty (Leunen) and Joevan (Catron), they're going to have their hands full having to hold him down."
Porter said he thinks that Leunen will have to step up his game, but his experience will serve him well in matching up with Beasley.
"It's going to be a great matchup with him and Maarty Leunen, Maarty is an experienced player, he's a senior," Porter said. "Michael Beasley is still a freshman with a lot to learn. Although he's good, I think Maarty's going to do a good job on him, shutting him down and keeping him off the boards."
Kent called the game the biggest of the Ducks' pre-season schedule this year, and said the environment will be much more hostile than Georgetown, the toughest game on last year's pre-season schedule.
"This is the biggest game on (the pre-season schedule) in terms of the caliber of opponent and the environment and everything else," he said. "When it's all said and done it's going to force us to grow up one way or another ... and help get us ready for Pac-10 play."
"You need teams to challenge you to get ready for the Pac-10," Porter said. "The Pac-10 conference is one of the toughest conferences in the country right now, so I think Kansas State's going to be a good test for us and hopefully we can overcome."
Maarty Leunen will guard Kansas State's freshman phenom
When No. 17 Oregon tips off at Bramlage Coliseum against No. 25 Kansas State tonight, 6 p.m. on ESPN2, it will mark the first time in Oregon men's basketball history that a ranked Ducks team has played a ranked non-conference opponent on the road.
Freshman phenomenon Michael Beasley and his teammates will certainly look to make things uncomfortable for Oregon (5-1), but the environment in Manhattan, Kan. might be the biggest obstacle for the Ducks to overcome.
"You can't get tickets to get into these buildings so it'll basically be just us back there in a very hostile environment," Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. "This is basketball country they're going into back there. There's not much going on but basketball right now. It's a big, big game for them having a Pac-10 team come in there."
The only Ducks that Kent expects to see in Kansas are the volleyball players, who Kent said will be a very positive presence in such a hostile environment.
"Maybe they can give us a little lift and hopefully we can play well and it gives them a little lift when they get ready to play their matches," he said.
Beasley is the most high profile of the Wildcats (5-1), after having Tajuan Porter-like breakout performances early in his freshman year. The 6-foot-10-inch forward is averaging 27.2 points and 15.5 rebounds per game through his first six college games.
"He's a load inside, with nice touch around the rim and out on the perimeter," Porter said. "For a guy his size he has a great gift."
Kent is equally impressed with Beasley.
"He has a Dennis Rodman mentality when it comes to rebounding the basketball, he goes and tries to get everything," he said. "Between Maarty (Leunen) and Joevan (Catron), they're going to have their hands full having to hold him down."
Porter said he thinks that Leunen will have to step up his game, but his experience will serve him well in matching up with Beasley.
"It's going to be a great matchup with him and Maarty Leunen, Maarty is an experienced player, he's a senior," Porter said. "Michael Beasley is still a freshman with a lot to learn. Although he's good, I think Maarty's going to do a good job on him, shutting him down and keeping him off the boards."
Kent called the game the biggest of the Ducks' pre-season schedule this year, and said the environment will be much more hostile than Georgetown, the toughest game on last year's pre-season schedule.
"This is the biggest game on (the pre-season schedule) in terms of the caliber of opponent and the environment and everything else," he said. "When it's all said and done it's going to force us to grow up one way or another ... and help get us ready for Pac-10 play."
"You need teams to challenge you to get ready for the Pac-10," Porter said. "The Pac-10 conference is one of the toughest conferences in the country right now, so I think Kansas State's going to be a good test for us and hopefully we can overcome."
taylor is back, put up 13 vs don's
Oregon takes on another quality non-conference opponent in Manhattan, KS. Michael Beasley is tough for the Wildcats and they're waiting for Bill Walker to show up big time as well. Once they get both of them going they're going to be very very tough. But it's early and they haven't gotten it together as a duo just yet.
Beasley's capable of huge numbers and carrying the team on his back. The Western Illinois performance alone proved that. But he's averaging 27pts. and 15 boards and shooting over 50% when he steps back behind the arc. At 6' 9", 235. he's a load on the block and is, just a terrific player who's only getting better. Leunen's going to get him on the block I'd think. And Malik at times if he steps out a bit.
What I worry about most, is rebounding. The Ducks have plenty of quickness, the right defensive schemes, and enough offense to win tonight. But Beasley and Walker could destroy the Ducks on the glass if they don't make it a priority.
I'm interested to see if they play a matchup zone, or they put Malik, Joevan and Luenen on Beasley to slow him down. I can't believe it'll be one guy. It's more likely to be a combination of the three, a matchup zone, etc.
Jacob Pullen's another freshman who's playing well. He's likely to see the return of Bryce Taylor defending him. That's a really good match up to watch if it develops.
The leadership and stability for K-State comes from senior Blake Young, who's really more of a floor leader and a guy who plays good defense than a true playmaker or scorer. He might be the one guy the Ducks can try to force to beat them. If they play Porter on him, he has a chance to sag off a little and force Young to knock down shots and prove he can beat them with his shot.
The 'Cats will bring 6' 8", 260lb. Ron Anderson off the bench who's a very good rebounder as well. Dorsainvil, Catron, and the rest will have to body him a bit and keep him off the glass. He's averaging almost 9 rebounds a game and he's not even starting.
Oregon of course, poses a ton of problems for the Wildcats as well. A ton. If Oregon shoots the 3 well, they could have a great night. If K-State pounds the glass on the Ducks, Oregon could be in for a long night. If Leunen and Hairston can take it right at Walker and Beasley and force some early fouls, Oregon could be in really good shape. Oregon should have a slight quickness advantage overall, and an experience edge of course. But we're all still awaiting the arrival of the Malik Hairston show we know is out there somewhere. The game where he takes over in Luke Jackson (N.I.T. vs. Colorado) style. The sooner it happens, the better.
Should be a really good game to watch.
Home cookin'? This will be K-State's 6th home game out of 7 played.
Oregon takes on another quality non-conference opponent in Manhattan, KS. Michael Beasley is tough for the Wildcats and they're waiting for Bill Walker to show up big time as well. Once they get both of them going they're going to be very very tough. But it's early and they haven't gotten it together as a duo just yet.
Beasley's capable of huge numbers and carrying the team on his back. The Western Illinois performance alone proved that. But he's averaging 27pts. and 15 boards and shooting over 50% when he steps back behind the arc. At 6' 9", 235. he's a load on the block and is, just a terrific player who's only getting better. Leunen's going to get him on the block I'd think. And Malik at times if he steps out a bit.
What I worry about most, is rebounding. The Ducks have plenty of quickness, the right defensive schemes, and enough offense to win tonight. But Beasley and Walker could destroy the Ducks on the glass if they don't make it a priority.
I'm interested to see if they play a matchup zone, or they put Malik, Joevan and Luenen on Beasley to slow him down. I can't believe it'll be one guy. It's more likely to be a combination of the three, a matchup zone, etc.
Jacob Pullen's another freshman who's playing well. He's likely to see the return of Bryce Taylor defending him. That's a really good match up to watch if it develops.
The leadership and stability for K-State comes from senior Blake Young, who's really more of a floor leader and a guy who plays good defense than a true playmaker or scorer. He might be the one guy the Ducks can try to force to beat them. If they play Porter on him, he has a chance to sag off a little and force Young to knock down shots and prove he can beat them with his shot.
The 'Cats will bring 6' 8", 260lb. Ron Anderson off the bench who's a very good rebounder as well. Dorsainvil, Catron, and the rest will have to body him a bit and keep him off the glass. He's averaging almost 9 rebounds a game and he's not even starting.
Oregon of course, poses a ton of problems for the Wildcats as well. A ton. If Oregon shoots the 3 well, they could have a great night. If K-State pounds the glass on the Ducks, Oregon could be in for a long night. If Leunen and Hairston can take it right at Walker and Beasley and force some early fouls, Oregon could be in really good shape. Oregon should have a slight quickness advantage overall, and an experience edge of course. But we're all still awaiting the arrival of the Malik Hairston show we know is out there somewhere. The game where he takes over in Luke Jackson (N.I.T. vs. Colorado) style. The sooner it happens, the better.
Should be a really good game to watch.
Home cookin'? This will be K-State's 6th home game out of 7 played.
