TSR Wednesday Roundtable 11/20/19
TSR Wednesday Roundtable #1: 11/20/19
Hot/Not
Nick
Hot: Ohio State--The Buckeyes have been a pleasant surprise this season. They have two quality wins, having taken down Cincinnati and Villanova. With three manageable games on tap, they should be 7-0 when they take on North Carolina. DJ Carton and Kyle Young have played stellar, and they will continue to peak upon the return of Andre Wesson.
Not: The Big Ten teams that start with "N"--Nebraska and Northwestern had low expectations entering this season, but they haven't even reached those early in 2019-20. Each team has a pair of embarrassing losses early in the non-conference, with Nebraska losing to UC Riverside and Southern Utah while Northwestern fell to Merrimack and Radford. These two teams will find themselves in a dogfight for the Big Ten cellar, with a pair of games scheduled this season. The January 11th battle in Evanston and March 1st contest in Lincoln will decide who finish last in the league.
Sam
Hot: The Cole Anthony hype train-- North Carolina’s superstar freshman has lived up to the expectations set for him this year, and more. Through his first 3 games (which includes the opener against a very formidable Notre Dame), Anthony has averaged 27 points, 3 assists, and most impressively for a point guard, 7 rebounds. The competition level rises for Cole and the Tar Heels next week when they head to Atlantis for the loaded Battle 4 Atlantis.
Not: The Florida Gators-- The Gators were a trendy preseason Final Four pick and have come out of the gates incredibly flat. They were dominated by Florida State on their own floor, struggled to beat Towson at home, and lost on the road to a mediocre UCONN team. Florida brought back three guys who started last year as freshman, and added a pair of 5-star freshman and quite possibly the best grad transfer in Kerry Blackshear. This is a very long, athletic team. Thus why I am confused by their style of play. According to kenpom.com, the Gators have the 8th slowest tempo in the entire country. Mike White needs to figure something out with this young team, and fast. Otherwise this Florida team will not even come close to reaching its ceiling.
Zach
Hot: Northeastern’s Jordan Roland— averaging 30.4 ppg, he leads the nation in scoring. Going 39, 42, 14, 29, and 28 in the Huskies’ five games. The team is 3-2 but they have a nice win over Bradley
Not: Michigan State’s inconsistency from the 3-point line— shooting a hair under 30% for the season, this will be the only thing keeping them from playing at their true potential as the season goes on and into the postseason
Questions from the Audience
1. Do you think Joey Hauser deserves immediate eligibility this season?
Nick-- No. I do not think that he has a valid reason to get a waiver. The problem is that the NCAA has been an absolute disaster when it comes to these decisions, with zero consistency. While some people think they need to pay the players (another issue that I do not agree with whatsoever), the NCAA should create guidelines to make these waivers black and white. If Micah Potter can’t get approved, Hauser shouldn’t either.
Sam-- No. And I say that as a die hard MSU fan. Quite simply, I don’t understand what his reasoning would be. He and his brother clearly were not run out of town by Marquette and Marquette is closer to home than MSU is. I would absolutely love if he were to become eligible, but what I want and what I think is deserved are two very different things.
Zach-- No. There is no legitimate reason for him to get approved to play, but knowing the NCAA, anything can happen.
2. Iowa was demolished by DePaul last week. Is DePaul good, is Iowa bad, or is it all just a fluke?
Nick--I think DePaul is not as good as advertised, seeing that the other four opponents they have beaten are not good. They got out to a good start against Iowa before coasting toward the end. DePaul could make some noise in the Big East and get out of the cellar, but they are not an NCAA Tournament team. I do think Iowa is not very strong this year, though they are still trying to get Jordan Bohannon going still.
Sam-- I certainly think DePaul is better than they have been, but that really is not saying much. I also think some need to pump the brakes on this whole DePaul being a top 25 and NCAA tournament team thing. I also think Iowa is not nearly as strong as they’ve been in the past. But I’ll go fluke.
Zach--No need to worry for Iowa fans, Jordan Bohannon is still not yet at 100% and he should help with the 19 turnovers that they had against DePaul. I believe it was a fluke game.
3. Michigan State has Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman. Who do you think is the third option?
Nick--I think that the answer will be Gabe Brown. He has showed this season that he not only can provide a shooting threat, but last night’s dunk showed that he is explosive! If he can provide that dual threat action, Michigan State can legitimize their National Championship contention.
Sam-- Much as Zach said, I definitely think it is gonna be more by committee. I love Rocket Watts though, I think he can become a fantastic offensive player if his shots start to drop.
Zach--I do not think that they have only one number three, as someone different has stepped up in every game. Aaron Henry would probably be 3a but on any given night, Gabe Brown, Thomas Kithier, Malik Hall, Marcus Bingham can all put up numbers, and if Rocket Watts can find his offense, he has the ability to become an elite scorer.
Nick--As someone who didn’t like when others showed me up in high school basketball, I’m sure some of my biggest fans remember certain incidents in garbage time, I do not like this at all. Basketball has unwritten rules, don’t break them.
Sam-- Hate it. You’re losing by 55, let the opposing team who just drubbed you dribble the clock out. And then on top of that you talk trash, down 53? Get out of here.
Zach--Absolutely love it.
5. Which tournament are you most excited for during Feast Week next week?
Nick--I’m excited to watch the Maui Invitational. Of course, you have the big boys in Michigan State and Kansas, which would provide one of the better finals of Feast Week. There are a handful of teams that will provide roadblocks for these teams to get to the finals. I like Dayton and BYU in this tournament to provide possible upsets. I’m just hoping that Michigan State and Kansas don’t both end up in the third place game at 11:30 on Thanksgiving Eve.
Sam-- Battle 4 Atlantis-- Oregon and Seton Hall sounds like a second weekend NCAA tournament game. These two will meet in the first round at Atlantis.
Zach--Battle 4 Atlantis—This is the deepest tournament as far as teams go and there will be some very fun matchups to watch throughout
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