Play The Game, Not The Name

[4everwarriors]

That was the driving motto that KO used to propel his team vs. Kentucky to reach the Sweet 16. Now, Buzz doesn't need our help in motivational speeches or slogans, but I couldn't help but thinking just how true these trite sayings really are. I'd be shocked if today's team was intimidated at all by UNC, however.

[NavinRJohnson]

When you have spent 4 months playing the likes of Duke, UConn, Georgetown, Syracuse, Pitt, UL etc., I don't think there is a uniform out there that could intimidate anyone. Could they get blinded by the bright lights a bit? Maybe, but going up against UNC should not be an issue for this group.

[Henry Sugar]

By the stats...

Teams MU has played that are better overall than UNC (2-3)
Duke, Wisconsin, Pitt, Syracuse

Teams with better offenses than UNC (6-7)
Wisconsin, ND, Duke, Pitt, UConn, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, West Virginia, Villanova

Teams we have played with better defenses (0-3)
Duke, Louisville

====

Teams UNC has played that are better than MU (6-3)
Kentucky, Texas, Duke, Clemson, Washington

Teams UNC has played with better offenses than MU (3-4)
Duke, Kentucky, Washington, Vanderbilt, Texas

Teams UNC has played with better defenses than MU (10-5)
FSU, Duke, Texas, Clemson, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Va Tech, GT, Washington

[CTWarrior]

The thing that worries me that I'm sure Roy is using for motivation is the constant media talk that nobody plays harder than Marquette.  He's going to be reminding his team of that constantly, I'll bet, and they will come out playing hard. 

[PGsHeroes32]

What in gods name makes Clemson a better team than us?

[Sir Lawrence]

What in gods name makes Clemson a better team than us?

Pomeroy ranking.

[leever]

What was Pomeroy's record this year?

How many teams in the top 50 did they beat?

Friday's game is not against Pomeroy or Clemson.

[Henry Sugar]

I said it was "by the stats...", and according to the Pomeroy rankings Clemson is #22 and we are #26.  Clemson had fewer losses and a top 10 defense.

Don't get all hung up on whether Clemson is better than us.  I mostly just thought it was interesting to see how UNC stacked up across all the teams we've played, and how we stacked up against all the teams UNC has played.  I'm not even sure I really had a point other than UNC isn't some special shakes.

For the record, three of UNC's wins were against Clemson.

[Benny B]

Friday's game is not against Pomeroy...

No, but they are talking to Pomeroy about a guarantee game next year.   His RPI is expected to be better than Longwood's.

[leever]

And Centenary, too?

[texaswarrior74]

I said it was "by the stats...", and according to the Pomeroy rankings Clemson is #22 and we are #26.  Clemson had fewer losses and a top 10 defense.

Don't get all hung up on whether Clemson is better than us.  I mostly just thought it was interesting to see how UNC stacked up across all the teams we've played, and how we stacked up against all the teams UNC has played.  I'm not even sure I really had a point other than UNC isn't some special shakes.

For the record, three of UNC's wins were against Clemson.

Also, for the record, look at UNC's record since Kendall Marshall was promoted to starting PG and Larry Drew II left the team: 18-2 and both losses were to Duke- one at Cameron and the other in the ACCT final.

[Benny B]

And Centenary, too?

Well of course... especially since Centenary isn't going to be D-I next year, right?