First Round Thoughts

[El Duderino]

Point well made, but I don't think his stock will drop at all even without a guy like Leuer there mainly because his stock still isn't high anyways. The guy even with a great year is projected to be a late 2nd round to undrafted pick. A majority of NBA teams see the guy as a lifelong backup PG, and the NBA would rather have a guy that could be great rather then a guy who's already proven to be a solid player. This is one of the biggest reasons NBA teams miss on so many guys. They draft almost completely based on potential and that's why you guys like Favors picked in the top 5.

If Taylor came out this year, i really doubt that he'd get picked late 2nd or go undrafted. I could easily see one of the winning and smart franchises buy an early 2nd round pick and grab Taylor.

Reason being is that even if Taylor only maxed out as a solid backup PG, a team is getting a backup PG on the cheap by paying only 2nd round money to Taylor.

Look at when the Spurs drafted Blair in the 2nd round. They likely didn't view him as a starting player material, but as a backup who is part of the rotation, they get a guy who contributes and only have to pay him 900,000 dollars a year vs a few million a year or more for a veteran backup PF. This not only saves them actual dollars, it saves millions on the cap to use on their key players.

If you're one of the bad teams though, those teams generally have to reach more for upside because they lack the talent to win.

[whodem]

If Taylor came out this year, i really doubt that he'd get picked late 2nd or go undrafted. I could easily see one of the winning and smart franchises buy an early 2nd round pick and grab Taylor.

Reason being is that even if Taylor only maxed out as a solid backup PG, a team is getting a backup PG on the cheap by paying only 2nd round money to Taylor.

Look at when the Spurs drafted Blair in the 2nd round. They likely didn't view him as a starting player material, but as a backup who is part of the rotation, they get a guy who contributes and only have to pay him 900,000 dollars a year vs a few million a year or more for a veteran backup PF. This not only saves them actual dollars, it saves millions on the cap to use on their key players.

If you're one of the bad teams though, those teams generally have to reach more for upside because they lack the talent to win.

I disagree completely. Look at all of the Mock Draft's and they have the guy not drafted or a late 2nd round pick. I disagree completely with Blair comparison. He was projected as a top 15 pick, but feel because of him having no ACL's, and I think they did view him as a potential starter. The problem for him is though that nearly every scout views him as life long backup PG which is why he won't be picked hard. Not to mention the fact that he wants to stay in school, and get his degree.

[brewcity77]

I disagree completely. Look at all of the Mock Draft's and they have the guy not drafted or a late 2nd round pick. I disagree completely with Blair comparison. He was projected as a top 15 pick, but feel because of him having no ACL's, and I think they did view him as a potential starter. The problem for him is though that nearly every scout views him as life long backup PG which is why he won't be picked hard. Not to mention the fact that he wants to stay in school, and get his degree.

I saw a couple tonight that had him second round, but most list him for 2012. Just glanced at four sites and all had him as a 2nd rounder, 3 had him in the first five picks. They keep him off 2011 lists strictly because they think he'll be back. I just don't see upside to him returning. He made All-American lists and was one of the best players in the Big Ten. I have to think he'll be a more appealing prospect at 21 than 22.

[El Duderino]

I disagree completely. Look at all of the Mock Draft's and they have the guy not drafted or a late 2nd round pick. I disagree completely with Blair comparison. He was projected as a top 15 pick, but feel because of him having no ACL's, and I think they did view him as a potential starter. The problem for him is though that nearly every scout views him as life long backup PG which is why he won't be picked hard. Not to mention the fact that he wants to stay in school, and get his degree.

First of all, i don't care what the mock draft sites say, they consistently are way off on numerous players in every draft once you get outside the top 5-10 picks.

Besides that, nobody before the season expected Taylor to play anywhere near as good as he has this year. That factors into these mock drafts and draft sites. Plus, most are assuming he'll return for his senior year.

These sites though don't draft the players, NBA GM's do and this is a very weak draft overall, especially at point guard.

This conversation is likely a waste of time anyways because i expect Taylor to return for his senior year. If he did declare for the draft though, i'd gladly make a friendly wager with you that the farthest he'd drop was say pick 40, upper half in the first round.

[BM1090]

Some great games today. Went 13/16 in my bracket (Louisville, Old Dominion, St John's). Overall a pretty good day, although I did have SJU and Ville in the sweet 16.

[MUMac]

I was stunned they didn't have the charge circle, and I said it at the beginning of the year.  That rule change that you refer to I don't think is really a rule change, it just gives the ref another excuse to make whatever call he wants to make. I didn't think the guy was close to under the basket.  It looks like Taylor is relying on the chicken wing and shoulder dip a lot more now.  After watching this year, I have no idea what contact a dribbler is allowed to make with his off arm.

I hope Pullen crushes him.

It was a change to the rule last year.  They did it to try and stop the collissions under the basket and protect the offensive player who is vulnerable and in the air. 

[[Mu]EngiNerd]

The big east went 4-2 on its first day in the tourney... overachieved, about right or under achieved?

W - UCONN, CINCY, WV and PIT

L - JOHNNIES, LOSERVILLE

What does you think the outcome of these games will be?

MU, CUSE, GT, ND, NOVA

[MUMac]

The big east went 4-2 on its first day in the tourney... overachieved, about right or under achieved?

W - UCONN, CINCY, WV and PIT

L - JOHNNIES, LOSERVILLE

What does you think the outcome of these games will be?

MU, CUSE, GT, ND, NOVA

The Johnnies losing can be explained by the loss of Kennedy.  The loss for Louisville, on the other hand, was not a good outcome.

Higher seeds in all instances, so it has to be underperforming to lose 2 of 6.

[brewcity77]

The big east went 4-2 on its first day in the tourney... overachieved, about right or under achieved?

W - UCONN, CINCY, WV and PIT

L - JOHNNIES, LOSERVILLE

What does you think the outcome of these games will be?

MU, CUSE, GT, ND, NOVA

It wouldn't surprise me to see us go 5-0, though I wouldn't be shocked to see 2-3. Syracuse and Notre Dame should both win. MU/X is a toss-up, but I really like our match-up. I have to imagine both Georgetown and Villanova want to salvage some pride. Watching VCU, they're just bad. Even without Chris Wright G'Town should really roll them. I see them going through a Marquette 2009 experience, winning in the first round, then coming close but ultimately falling short against Purdue. 'Nova will come down to pride. They are undoubtedly more talented, the question is will they sack up and get a chance to face tOSU or will they just write off the season? In their past 5 games, they probably only lost to one team that is worse than GMU. I'd contend that Syracuse, a healthy St. John's, Notre Dame, and Pitt are all clearly better teams. So in reality, 'Nova really only had one true hiccup against USF. Now they need to remember who they are.

I'm pulling for 5-0, expecting someone to botch things and go 4-1. Either way, I'll be pulling for the Big Ten to lose today. 1-3 would be great, 2-2 would be more likely. Anything to shut those smug jerks up.

[tower912]

SJU couldn't overcome the loss of Kennedy, Louisville couldn't overcome the loss of Knowles down the stretch.    The legend went out early.    First Izzo team in ages to not overachieve, but dismissing two good guards leads to walk ons playing too many minutes as well as a lack of team identity.  Belmont looked like a low major.   They missed way too many open 3's and let Wiscy take way too many open 3's.

[wojosdojo]

Just some of my thought of yesterday

Zags vs SJU Coming off a season not as strong I didnt expect Gonzaga to have a field day shooting. Watching SJ's all year I have never watched them play like yesterday. Even without Kennedy they played well vs Cuse.
MSU vs UCLA Reliving Louisville
USU vs KSU Really thought Utah St was going to pull this one off. They played a great 2nd half but the other was sloppy(x2). Stupid turnovers certainly lost them this one. However, I wish they played some more competition to ready for the tournament. Even just to help their RPI would be great for them. They are a ranked team at a 12 seed. Ouch. However, props to KSU for coming out stong, and (about to) beating Wis.
Bucknell vs Uconn I am tired of hearing how these young guys cant play 3+ consecutive days at MSG. If thats the case, I'd like to see the Huskies boot camp. They came out really strong and I was pulling for the Bison to put up a little fight. No one knew who they were and seeing them earlier this year got me thinking. Guess not.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Maymon has got to be really pissed about the decision he made last year. Dude hasn't even seen a minute in Tennessee's game today. Haha, that's what greedy bastards get.

Not to mention they are kicked their face kicked in. Down 30. Ouchhh.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Even without Chris Wright G'Town should really roll them.

Don't know if this has been posted yet but the ND announcers just said that Chris Wright was going to play today.

[brewcity77]

Don't know if this has been posted yet but the ND announcers just said that Chris Wright was going to play today.

Not sure yet how much, though. Will he be the Chris Wright of 6 weeks ago, or will it be like James coming back against Missouri?

[brewcity77]

Is 'Nova going to choke this away? Had a 6-point lead, then gave up an 8-0 run. Fisher at the line after being fouled on a 3 to potentially give them the lead.

[pbiflyer]

Maymon has got to be really pissed about the decision he made last year. Dude hasn't even seen a minute in Tennessee's game today. Haha, that's what greedy bastards get.

Not to mention they are kicked their face kicked in. Down 30. Ouchhh.

Actually, he got 1 minute. Grabbed 2 rebounds and missed 2 FTs. A lot of work in a short period of time.

[karavotsos]

It was a change to the rule last year.  They did it to try and stop the collissions under the basket and protect the offensive player who is vulnerable and in the air. 

If that was truly the case, then there would be a charge circle.  Instead, there's simply another out for a ref.  He can simply say, 'too far under the basket' without a clear reference point, unless someone is truly standing directly under the basket, which is generally not the case. 

Too much room for interpretation and not enough accountability makes for inconsistent reffing, which is the worst kind of reffing.  I blame the system.  Jimmer Burr is simply a symptom-a flaming hemorrhoid of a symptom-but still just a symptom.