I'm guessing Memphis will be a few point favorite.
This is without any RPI or sagarin data.

Very important game to prepare for the conference.

The keys are HaHa coming to play, Coke not getting in foul trouble and Nick being 80% of what he was before the injury.

This three game stretch will tell us a lot about this team. I think Memphis will be favored by 3.

UAB -2

Home court; Blazers should have a chip on their shoulder after failing in the Caymans; finally a name opponent at home; UaB minus 7.

UAB -3

Memphis -2

Memphis -4.5

KenPom has it UAB 72 - Memphis 69.

I hesitantly say UAB -6.

(11-29-2017 12:14 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  finally a name opponent at home

Is Memphis really a name opponent anymore?

Name yes. Good no.

A win over Memphis is always a good thing. Doesn't hurt recruiting, either.

Ok the actual line is out. This is from sportsline.

UAB -4.5. Opened at -3.5.


Memphis @ UAB

UAB -4.5

OPEN: -3.5
-------------------
I don't wager on sports but I always like to compare what I guess to the actual line.

Those bookies have kenpom subscriptions and I don't.

I will be happy with a 1 point win with no time left on the clock from a free throw.

But, if this team plays to their potential, we can send tubbys boys home with a 15+ point loss.

(11-29-2017 02:49 PM)UABslant Wrote:  A win over Memphis is always a good thing. Doesn't hurt recruiting, either.

Especially with UAB maybe having a recruiting angle there with the signing of Ryan. Once and talk of renewing the series.

I just hope Ehsan is prepared to utilize big men, Makhtar Gueye and Thomas Smallwood, off of the bench, early, so that Cokley and Lee and Sullivan will not get into foul trouble in the first half. It just appears that our losses are a result of just seven players being delegated to carry the load, over the course of games, which has resulted in getting behind on the scoreboard especially towards the end of games and....has resulted in a three game losing streak. What I am saying is, midway through the second half, our starting big's are either all tuckered out or in foul trouble.

(11-29-2017 09:14 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(11-29-2017 02:49 PM)UABslant Wrote:  A win over Memphis is always a good thing. Doesn't hurt recruiting, either.

Especially with UAB maybe having a recruiting angle there with the signing of Ryan. Once and talk of renewing the series.

If anything, signing Boyce may hurt the talks.

This is what I think happened with Boyce and a lot of kids really.

He was recruited by a lot of schools who liked him but not as much as others at his position. So he didn't have offers from many of them.
A number of them may or may not have offered after the season depending on how he progressed and what other recruits they got or could get.

This does not mean he is a bad player, just that the other schools had higher priorities. Give our staff a ton of credit for recognizing this and swooping in for the steal.

I remember "he got game" where Kevin O'Neil was talking about recruiting point guards. I think he said they were on 3 guys and the first one to commit got the scholarship.

In the real world, you probably don't ever have 3 guys you consider equal but sometimes a bird in the hand...

(11-30-2017 01:11 AM)TheGORILLA Wrote:  I just hope Ehsan is prepared to utilize big men, Makhtar Gueye and Thomas Smallwood, off of the bench, early, so that Cokley and Lee and Sullivan will not get into foul trouble in the first half. It just appears that our losses are a result of just seven players being delegated to carry the load, over the course of games, which has resulted in getting behind on the scoreboard especially towards the end of games and....has resulted in a three game losing streak. What I am saying is, midway through the second half, our starting big's are either all tuckered out or in foul trouble.

Interesting. I'm not sure I agree with you. I don't think either guy has proven they deserve minutes in a close game.

And remember, Gene didn't always go very deep. A lot of times, he kept it pretty tight at 7-8 except in rare instances.

Andersons style allows you to play more guys. But I'm not convinced its "better" just because we had some good seasons.

I think Rob is going to be reluctant to use either unless foul trouble necessitates. (In close games)

I think our top 3 are a lot better than the next 2.

And, without foul trouble, you can go 33,30 and 17 minutes.(80 total)

Foul trouble is a reality though.

Despite Gueyes two 3 pointers in one game, I'm not convinced he makes us better at the 3 or the 4.

He has lots of upside so he was a great signee. And we will absolutely need him this year.
Smallwood, I'm just not sure. Seems to be a great kid with a great attitude but I have not seen even a hint of Allen Ogg in him.

I just find it funny that Tubby Smith finally has to step foot inside Bartow Arena.

(11-30-2017 06:28 AM)BandGrad Wrote:  I just find it funny that Tubby Smith finally has to step foot inside Bartow Arena.

Tubby has been inside Bartow before, when he was at Tulsa. I've never heard of him being resistant of playing at Bartow.

(11-30-2017 06:41 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 06:28 AM)BandGrad Wrote:  I just find it funny that Tubby Smith finally has to step foot inside Bartow Arena.

Tubby has been inside Bartow before, when he was at Tulsa. I've never heard of him being resistant of playing at Bartow.

Tubby was an assistant to JD Barnett. I yelled at JD to "sit down, JD" a lot. But, I have no recollection of the Tubster back then.

If you do, you are a better man than me.

For the tykes here, we used to OWN VCU. Way back when.

(11-30-2017 01:11 AM)TheGORILLA Wrote:  I just hope Ehsan is prepared to utilize big men, Makhtar Gueye and Thomas Smallwood, off of the bench, early, so that Cokley and Lee and Sullivan will not get into foul trouble in the first half. It just appears that our losses are a result of just seven players being delegated to carry the load, over the course of games, which has resulted in getting behind on the scoreboard especially towards the end of games and....has resulted in a three game losing streak. What I am saying is, midway through the second half, our starting big's are either all tuckered out or in foul trouble.

I don’t believe this is true at all about the rotation. Duke has 4 guys playin over 32 minutes, 1 at 25, and the rest are 13.1 minutes or below. Short rotations can work, it’s all about how you’ve built your team and the style you want to play.