Orlando Brackets- MU vs. Georgia Tech

[MUfan12]

Michigan State likely in the second round. Not a bad draw, IMO.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/99682/bracket-reveal-orlando-classic

[NersEllenson]

Got a laugh out of this quote from the article:

Maybe Marquette under Steve Wojciechowski has more talent waiting in the wings -- even with last week's departure of frequent Williams antagonist Todd Mayo -- than anyone expects.

[4everwarriors]

Well, at least this scribe knows his chit or at least reads this board, aina?

[jesmu84]

And this one:

Buzz Williams jolted for noted hoops powerhouse Virginia Tech

[Galway Eagle]

I know MSU is definitely a stronger program and better situated than us right now but if there was a year to play them I'd take the year they graduated what they did.  Not expecting a win in that game but nice to know that it likely won't be a blow out. 

[jsglow]

I'll predict a 2-1 3rd place finish W- Georgia Tech; L- Michigan St.; W- Tennessee.  If true, successful weekend.

[Aughnanure]

I'll predict a 2-1 3rd place finish W- Georgia Tech; L- Michigan St.; W- Tennessee.  If true, successful weekend.

I'd take that and run.

[Benny B]

And this one:
Buzz Williams jolted for noted hoops powerhouse Virginia Tech

I know he was being ironic, but I'm going to stick with the one philosophical belief I've stuck to all these years:  Eamonn Brennan is a moron.

[Slim]

Should be a happy Thanksgiving!

[WarriorInNYC]

I know he was being ironic, but I'm going to stick with the one philosophical belief I've stuck to all these years:  Eamonn Brennan is a moron.

He didn't use teal though....

[GGGG]

Georgia Tech lost most of their scoring from last year, but are filled with 6'8" to 6'10" guys who either don't have a great deal of experience, or who are experienced but transferred into the program.  They could legitimately play three guys taller than STJ out there.

[Benny B]

Georgia Tech lost most of their scoring from last year, but are filled with 6'8" to 6'10" guys who either don't have a great deal of experience, or who are experienced but transferred into the program.  They could legitimately play three guys taller than STJ out there.

I don't mind playing against taller competition, provided their names are some derivation of Mbao, McMorrow and Grimm.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'll predict a 2-1 3rd place finish W- Georgia Tech; L- Michigan St.; W- Tennessee.  If true, successful weekend.

I would love that result as well. Kansas will be great add they always are. GATech and Tennessee are going to be real down. Both got gutted last season. MSU is going to be down. Outside the top 25 I think. But still top 40. Santa Clara and rider will be blah. Rhode island could be really good. Kansas better but sleep on them.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Georgia Tech lost most of their scoring from last year, but are filled with 6'8" to 6'10" guys who either don't have a great deal of experience, or who are experienced but transferred into the program.  They could legitimately play three guys taller than STJ out there.

We'd get to face former Marquette target Ben "blammers" Lammers!

[jsglow]

Is it fair to suggest that the tourney committee gave us a #3 seed based on the bracket?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Is it fair to suggest that the tourney committee gave us a #3 seed based on the bracket?

I think a four or five seed is more likely. MSU, Kansas, and Tennessee have the perceived easiest games.

Personally, I'd seed the teams as:
Kansas
Michigan State
Rhode Island
Marquette
Tennessee
Georgia Tech
Santa Clara
Rider

[jsglow]

I guess the other interesting thing are the non-bracketed games for Kansas, Michigan State, Santa Clara and Rider.

If I'm not mistaken we're still one under the allowed max for the year.

[MUfan12]

If I'm not mistaken we're still one under the allowed max for the year.

We are, and it'll likely be a neutral floor game somewhere.

My wild guess, based on nothing but wishful thinking? Dec. 13, vs Notre Dame, at the United Center.

[GGGG]

We are, and it'll likely be a neutral floor game somewhere.

My wild guess, based on nothing but wishful thinking? Dec. 13, vs Notre Dame, at the United Center.

My wishful thinking is a doubleheader...

Illinois (or Northwestern) v. DePaul
Marquette v. Notre Dame

[wadesworld]

We are in just as bad of a position in this tournament (see: pre-Fischer eligibility...I don't expect the guy to go for 20 and 10, but I do expect him to make an impact more outside of the box score just based on pure size and the lack of that on the rest of the roster) as any other team who graduated a lot (GT, MSU, Tenn).  We were really bad last year, and we graduated or lost our top 3 players from last year, to go along with 2 others starters, and every bit of our size.  As exciting as some of the potential is on the roster, to this point it is just that...potential.  I wouldn't count on any games against any opponents if we have to beat someone else first to get to them, especially before December 14.

[wadesworld]

We are, and it'll likely be a neutral floor game somewhere.

My wild guess, based on nothing but wishful thinking? Dec. 13, vs Notre Dame, at the United Center.

Great people are born on that day.

[GoldenWarrior11]

I eat a bowl of Yellow Jackets for breakfast each morning.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I eat a bowl of Yellow Jackets for breakfast each morning.

Are you Chuck Norris?

[MU82]

We are in just as bad of a position in this tournament (see: pre-Fischer eligibility...I don't expect the guy to go for 20 and 10, but I do expect him to make an impact more outside of the box score just based on pure size and the lack of that on the rest of the roster) as any other team who graduated a lot (GT, MSU, Tenn).  We were really bad last year, and we graduated or lost our top 3 players from last year, to go along with 2 others starters, and every bit of our size.  As exciting as some of the potential is on the roster, to this point it is just that...potential.  I wouldn't count on any games against any opponents if we have to beat someone else first to get to them, especially before December 14.

Half empty but all true.

[NotAnAlum]

We are in just as bad of a position in this tournament (see: pre-Fischer eligibility...I don't expect the guy to go for 20 and 10, but I do expect him to make an impact more outside of the box score just based on pure size and the lack of that on the rest of the roster) as any other team who graduated a lot (GT, MSU, Tenn).  We were really bad last year, and we graduated or lost our top 3 players from last year, to go along with 2 others starters, and every bit of our size.  As exciting as some of the potential is on the roster, to this point it is just that...potential.  I wouldn't count on any games against any opponents if we have to beat someone else first to get to them, especially before December 14.

Sorry to say but I have to agree.  Steve Taylor and Burton are going to be required to play close to 30 minutes at the 5 and 4 with Juan the only guy who can sub for them.  Think about Juan or Burton having to guard a high major center regardless of how in experienced the guy is.  Any kind of foul trouble or just the fatigue of playing 3 games in a tournement format is going to be very difficult.  We will literally have to stall and slow the game down just to rest these guys on the court and that isn't a winning formula for a guard oriented team without a lot of great shooters.  I think if we are able to win a single game high major in Orlando we should be very proud.  I think you'll see games all year where we are close for most of the game but run out of gas.