Utes getting screwed left and right by the officials but still playing well

[fuegote]

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

Lawrence Borha looks like a completely different player under Boylen. Literally night and day. The difference is astounding.

If you want to know how important coaching is, look no further than Lawrence Borha.

[myboynoah]

Well, at least Boylen didn't RUTS. That's a good sign.

[mpfunk]

Originally Posted by HuskyFreeNorthwest

Nevill made Brockman look like the best big in the P10 instead of about the 9th or 10th. That was a battle of two average teams, it wouldn't be surprising to see them meet again in the postseason NIT.

Why do Utah's uniforms say Utah on the front and back?

Nevill is soft and a bad defensive player. My hope is for Washburn to come in as a freshman and take a lot of his minutes. I'm not really going to be that disappointed when Nevill is gone. He has a ton of potential, but he just doesn't get it.

As for Washington, that team is a lot better than you are giving them credit for. If Washington was in the MWC they would roll to a conference title with little opposition. They are a middle of the pack pac-10 team, but considering the PAC-10 is the best hoops conference this year that is saying a lot.

[Goatnapper'96]

Originally Posted by mpfunk

Nevill is soft and a bad defensive player. My hope is for Washburn to come in as a freshman and take a lot of his minutes. I'm not really going to be that disappointed when Nevill is gone. He has a ton of potential, but he just doesn't get it.

As for Washington, that team is a lot better than you are giving them credit for. If Washington was in the MWC they would roll to a conference title with little opposition. They are a middle of the pack pac-10 team, but considering the PAC-10 is the best hoops conference this year that is saying a lot.

They were preseason 8th in the Pac-10 and I understand they are missing one of their better players. I don't think Washington would roll to a MWC title this year. I don't think they are better than BYU, and perhaps UNM. I think they would beat most of the other teams.

I think the Utes are in the top tier of the MWC but I still think BYU and UNM will finish higher, so far as certainly there is a lot of time for things to improve.

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by mpfunk

As for Washington, that team is a lot better than you are giving them credit for. If Washington was in the MWC they would roll to a conference title with little opposition. They are a middle of the pack pac-10 team, but considering the PAC-10 is the best hoops conference this year that is saying a lot.

MP, you're sounding an awful lot like a homer yourself, which really isn't that big of a deal.

Washington had it's hands full at home with a Utah team that won only 11 games last year and had really no significant talent addition, aside from a new coach. I don't see how that translates into Washington being a lock to roll to an MWC title with little opposition. Makes the Huskies look more like a middle of the pack MWC and lower echelon PAC-10 team.

It's so early that I don't see how anyone can make any definitive predictions, other than by looking at how teams faired last year.

[mpfunk]

Originally Posted by Goatnapper'96

They were preseason 8th in the Pac-10 and I understand they are missing one of their better players. I don't think Washington would roll to a MWC title this year. I don't think they are better than BYU, and perhaps UNM. I think they would beat most of the other teams.

I think the Utes are in the top tier of the MWC but I still think BYU and UNM will finish higher, so far as certainly there is a lot of time for things to improve.

I would expect Washington to finish higher than 8th in the Pac-10. Looking at the Pac-10 this year though these teams are without a doubt better than anyone in the MWC.

USC
UCLA
Arizona
Washington St
Stanford

I tend to agree with basketballprospectus take on Washington.

"
Washington's offense should be good enough to get them to the tournament, especially if the point-guard play improves. Some questions linger on the defense, which finished with an adjusted defensive efficiency ranking of 82, third-worst in the conference. Once again, the loss of Hawes shouldn't be obsessed over. Hawes was a respectable defensive rebounder, but only a so-so shot blocker, and generally not thought of as a defensive presence considering his size.
Appleby brings the typical baggage of a one-dimensional player in that he is a poor defender. Whoever is on the floor at the point, be it the 5-11 Dentmon or 6-0 freshman Venoy Overton, will be on the short side. UW's Achilles' heel was forcing turnovers; they ranked 309th in forcing steals and 273rd in forcing turnovers. A slightly more athletic front line and a more aggressive defense in general should cause that figure to improve, but there's little to suggest it will recover to 2006 levels, when Washington was 30th in the nation in forcing turnovers.
Washington has enough talent to get back to the NCAA Tournament after a one year absence. Perhaps more importantly is that there are no one-and-dones on this roster. This season may be a rebound year, but it could also set the stage for a 2009 run at a Pac-10 title."
http://www.basketballprospectus.com/...p?articleid=15



Pac-10 unless there is a complete disaster should send at least 6 teams to the dance and probably will deserve 7.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by mpfunk

I would expect Washington to finish higher than 8th in the Pac-10. Looking at the Pac-10 this year though these teams are without a doubt better than anyone in the MWC.

USC
UCLA
Arizona
Washington St
Stanford

I tend to agree with basketballprospectus take on Washington.

"
Washington's offense should be good enough to get them to the tournament, especially if the point-guard play improves. Some questions linger on the defense, which finished with an adjusted defensive efficiency ranking of 82, third-worst in the conference. Once again, the loss of Hawes shouldn't be obsessed over. Hawes was a respectable defensive rebounder, but only a so-so shot blocker, and generally not thought of as a defensive presence considering his size.
Appleby brings the typical baggage of a one-dimensional player in that he is a poor defender. Whoever is on the floor at the point, be it the 5-11 Dentmon or 6-0 freshman Venoy Overton, will be on the short side. UW's Achilles' heel was forcing turnovers; they ranked 309th in forcing steals and 273rd in forcing turnovers. A slightly more athletic front line and a more aggressive defense in general should cause that figure to improve, but there's little to suggest it will recover to 2006 levels, when Washington was 30th in the nation in forcing turnovers.
Washington has enough talent to get back to the NCAA Tournament after a one year absence. Perhaps more importantly is that there are no one-and-dones on this roster. This season may be a rebound year, but it could also set the stage for a 2009 run at a Pac-10 title."
http://www.basketballprospectus.com/...p?articleid=15



Pac-10 unless there is a complete disaster should send at least 6 teams to the dance and probably will deserve 7.

I thought Washington got a lot of help from the refs. I also think they are better than the 8th they have been predicted at in the Pac-10 but they aren't in the top four in the Pac. I thought Utah looked very solid and will be a part of the depth that the MWC will surprise everyone with this year. I expect the U to be a top 4 MWC team and I have hopes that we put 4 in the dance. Utah, BYU, UNLV, UNM.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by myboynoah

MP, you're sounding an awful lot like a homer yourself, which really isn't that big of a deal.

Washington had it's hands full at home with a Utah team that won only 11 games last year and had really no significant talent addition, aside from a new coach. I don't see how that translates into Washington being a lock to roll to an MWC title with little opposition. Makes the Huskies look more like a middle of the pack MWC and lower echelon PAC-10 team.

It's so early that I don't see how anyone can make any definitive predictions, other than by looking at how teams faired last year.

Utah at Washington didn't resemble Utah of last year.

[Goatnapper'96]

Originally Posted by K-dog

I thought Washington got a lot of help from the refs. I also think they are better than the 8th they have been predicted at in the Pac-10 but they aren't in the top four in the Pac. I thought Utah looked very solid and will be a part of the depth that the MWC will surprise everyone with this year. I expect the U to be a top 4 MWC team and I have hopes that we put 4 in the dance. Utah, BYU, UNLV, UNM.

K-dog the MWC is not going to get more than 2 teams into the dance this year IMO. I do think Utah is a top 4 MWC club and maybee top 3. I don't think the Utes will be as good as UNM or BYU. Their lack of post depth will not as big an issue in conference play.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Originally Posted by mpfunk

I would expect Washington to finish higher than 8th in the Pac-10. Looking at the Pac-10 this year though these teams are without a doubt better than anyone in the MWC.

USC
UCLA
Arizona
Washington St
Stanford

Oregon is better than USC and Washington State. Arizona is a giant question mark. Cal is better than Washington.

P10 will probably finish
UCLA
Stanford
Oregon
WSU
Arizona
USC
Cal
Washington
ASU
OSU

I disagree that Washington would roll through the MWC. They barley won a close game with some hometown officiating against a middle of the road MWC team. Hard to say they would roll based on that performance. But I do have to thank the Utes, you gave Washington fans reason to piss and moan all year when Brockman gets locked up by the bigs in the P10. I can hear it now "He was so awesome the first few games, what happened?"