MU vs. Cuse

[MUWarrior11]

Yes, I am getting waaay ahead of myself.

But what will the combined ranking be of Cuse and MU when we play Jan 7 at the Carrier Dome? Looking at their schedule, it's likely that Cuse will be unbeaten and ranked #1 in both polls. If MU is somehow still unbeaten we are probably top 5-7, and a one loss MU team may still be top 12.

Just wanted to point out that this could be a huge matchup between two teams with lofty records and rankings. When's the last time we were part of a top 5 showdown? Outside (very long shot, IMO) chance of that happening next month...

[DiaperDandy]

And I already have my tickets   Cant wait.  Should be a good one at the Dome.

[NersEllenson]

This is a game where Otule's presence will really be missed.  Certainly we miss it in all games, but CUSE has some talented, big, BIGS - Chris is a very solid defender and can neutralize those guys.

CUSE will have the home court and revenge factor on their side.  Kind of sad, really, that what was a blossoming rivalry will no longer be - after their move to the ACC.  Really hope none of the Big East schools (including Georgetown - Cuse's biggest rival) agree to schedule any non conference games with Pitt and CUSE once they leave for the ACC.

Schedule quality non-conference matchups with the SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 - Frack the ACC.

[Golden Avalanche]

Yes, I am getting waaay ahead of myself.

But what will the combined ranking be of Cuse and MU when we play Jan 7 at the Carrier Dome? Looking at their schedule, it's likely that Cuse will be unbeaten and ranked #1 in both polls. If MU is somehow still unbeaten we are probably top 5-7, and a one loss MU team may still be top 12.

Just wanted to point out that this could be a huge matchup between two teams with lofty records and rankings. When's the last time we were part of a top 5 showdown? Outside (very long shot, IMO) chance of that happening next month...

Rankings won't matter much.

Considering the Norfolk State and Wisconsin-Green Bay zones totally confounded the Warriors, the Orange will likely suffocate them into submission early unless the corner is turned before the New Year.

[Skatastrophy]

Considering the Norfolk State and Wisconsin-Green Bay zones totally confounded the Warriors, the Orange will likely suffocate them into submission early unless the corner is turned before the New Year.

I agree about the 2nd Norfolk State game, but I thought the Warriors attacked the zone pretty well when Washington and UWGB threw them at us. 

[TallTitan34]

Considering the Norfolk State and Wisconsin-Green Bay zones totally confounded the Warriors, the Orange will likely suffocate them into submission early unless the corner is turned before the New Year.

Just like they did twice last year?

[dwaderoy2004]

I didn't see last night's game, but MU crushed washington's zone.  And Buzz took 2 against the cuse zone last year.  That does not concern me.  

[lab_warrior]

Rankings won't matter much.

Considering the Norfolk State and Wisconsin-Green Bay zones totally confounded the Warriors, the Orange will likely suffocate them into submission early unless the corner is turned before the New Year.

Yeah, Jae and DJO looked REAL SUFFOCATED and CONFOUNDED when they dropped those bombs on 'Cuse in the NCAA Tournament last year, the second time we'd beaten them. 

I'd also note that we beat Norfolk St. TWICE, once by completely blowing them out, and UWGB we beat by 20.  So yeah, zones really confound us?!

[brewcity77]

If we're unbeaten, it could be a top-5 match-up. But with Vandy and GTown, that's a big if.

[Silkk the Shaka]

The "zones confound us" is a holdover from the Crean regime. They have rarely worked against us since Buzz took over, and in fact have been largely ineffective. Anyone who still says this really makes me wonder what they've been watching.

[bilsu]

If the polsters are paying attention our ranking will fall this week. We are not near the team we were with Otule than we are now. Having said that the rankings revolve mostly on who wins or loses that week.

[NersEllenson]

I didn't see last night's game, but MU crushed washington's zone.  And Buzz took 2 against the cuse zone last year.  That does not concern me.  

Consider the source of the original poster...Golden Avalanche has a long history of trying to discredit the programs accomplishments under Buzz.  And as you point out - who cares that MU beat CUSE and their vaunted zone last year - yet the same coach is now so "confounded" by the Norfolk State and UWGB zones.  Comedy.

On another note - Golden Avalanche is always their to defend, champion and see the positive in any and all things Tom Crean.  (Which is fine, but why the double standard - and negativity toward our current coach??)

Here's a nice post by Lanche about IU's win yesterday - haven't seen anything close to this level of enthusiasm over an MU win:

7     MUScoop / The Superbar / Re: Indiana up by one at the half.    on: December 10, 2011, 06:36:37 PM
That was just fracking incredible. What an outstanding win for the kids first, and the program second.

College basketball needed an experience like this to make up for that Thug U-Xavier brawl earlier in the day.

[Golden Avalanche]

Just like they did twice last year?

Two wildly different teams.

Cuse is bigger, longer, more athletic then last year not to mention their inside guys are more developed in Melo and Keita.

UWGB stifled MU for a 4-5 minute stretch. Very well could have been due to boredom but it turned what looked to be a 30 point whipping into a game that hovered from 9-13 points until the end.

[dpucane]

I won't make any judgements about this team until this Syracuse game, because it will show what we can do against real size. It looks like the top 5 can all throw 2 actual "bigs" on the court at the same time, so our potential is extremely dependent on Jae & Jamils' abililty to match up with those big 4s. That Jae/Henson matchup last year got a little ugly (as did the whole game so maybe its wrong to make judgements just from that game. Forgive me if that's the case.) If they get abused by guys like Rakeem Christmas (whom I think will start playing more and more) and Alex Oriakhi then Im not sure how far we can go far in the tournament. If they can hold their own with those guys we have a real chance to do something

[MUMac]

The "zones confound us" is a holdover from the Crean regime. They have rarely worked against us since Buzz took over, and in fact have been largely ineffective. Anyone who still says this really makes me wonder what they've been watching.

I agree.  I like how Buzz  attacks a zone defense.

As to the comment about Norfolk State, Buzz admitted after the game that they had not put in a zone offense yet.  I am not concerned about MU's ability to attack a zone.  We have good outside shooters - DJO, Crowder, Mayo, J Wilson, Jones and Anderson (if he is back).  Plus, they attack the basket and get the ball into the paint against the zone fairly regularly.