FromGreeceWithLove

Being a Texan I can tell you that there are plenty of people talking about how much Durant enjoys the college life and playing for UT. They have a special freshmen class and could probably make a run at a National Championship as soon as next season with Durant and Augustin. I think when it comes down to it though, there is no chance he can make the decision to return for another year. The kid is a lock to be the number 1 or 2 pick in the draft and you can't do any better than that. The only thing is if for some reason he has such a bond with his teammates at UT that he decides he wants to return to make a run at a championship, but I just question that happening. We are talking about a kid who scouts are saying is the best player they have ever evaluated, I just don't see him returning for another season. He will be 1st team All-American and likely POY as a freshman, the kid is unreal.

Have you ever seen Duke and Scheyer play? I think Kevin is a fine player in the A-10, but to say he would be as productive in the ACC is ridiculous. What have Tommie and Kevin done against major competition? A&M - Tommie had 12 points and 5 turnovers while Kevin had 8 points and 2 turnovers. SIU - Tommie had 14 points and 5 turnovers while Kevin had 14 points, 1 assist, and 2 rebounds UNC - Tommie had 13 points and 1 assist while Kevin had 6 points, 1 assist, and 1 rebound. I just think it is impossible to compare a kid who plays for an average team in the A-10 with a kid who starts for a top 20 team that plays in the best conference in the country. Scheyer is a better all around player than Lisch without question. To say otherwise is being ignorant to the difference in the level these kids are competing at. I would say to Kevin and Tommie; prove me wrong, show me you are on those kids level. The numbers just don't support your thoughts.

I am not sure I would go that far. You have to realize the level of competition these kids are competing against. The ACC is at a level far above that of the A-10, you would have to question the numbers that both Lisch and Liddell would be able to put up in the top conference in the country. I am not sure how you could honestly take Lisch or Liddell over Jon Scheyer.

Wasn't the scholarship originally intended for Kern going to go to Taj Gray if Kern did not qualify? That does not sound like a bad Plan B.

Skip, I was very sorry to hear about your father and although we may only know eachother thru this message board and these screen names I hope you know you and your family were in our thoughts and prayers.

Yeah I noticed that, I was more curious to hear from those who do the number crunching where were stand as far as a NIT bid. How many teams likely will get into the NIT from the A-10?

At this point are we definitely an NIT team? Currently we are 7th in the A-10 with an overall record of 17-11 and 7-7 in conference play. I have not really don't much looking into this, but I would say we need to worry about making the NIT before we as fans worry about where we will be hosting a game.

I saw Relphorde at the Billiken game against LaSalle and I would say he is closer to 6'4 than 6'7. He has a pretty muscular build and looks the part, but he did not appear to be 6'7 (although I never stood directly next to him).

I agree. This season has been a disappointment to this point, but it seems like we are starting to put some things together and if we can play our best basketball come tournament time you never know. Hopefully Tommie will be 100% and we can head to Atlantic City with our big three ready to go. Ian has played a couple nice games in row here and if the big three are all clicking, we could do this. I would not bet on it, but I have seen stranger things.

Surprisingly a record of 9-21 does not get you into the NIT.

Unfortunately to win the National Championship you first have to make the NCAA tournament and that is something we have yet to do under your idol. Matter fact, we have not even gotten a sniff from the NIT the past two seasons. People will stop questioning Soderberg once he starts producing some results.

I thought the travel on Tommie was the right call and I do not think you can say we lost this game because of the refs. We battled tough and played an overall good game, we just did not come thru in crunch time. Lasme is a brick house, an absolute beast.

###### Liddell...you can't be loose with the ball at that point in the game.

Miss one for us....... Who do you go to if he makes both and we are down one?

Yes Vouyoukas!!!!!

Bad decision by Tommie, taking a step back that early in the shot clock.

Yeah, weak close outs has been one of the themes of the season.

Good work D-Nice. He has made some big plays tonight.

Huge fouls by UMass. Lets get this one. Do we not know how to react to a press or what?

What game of late do recall us playing the trasition basketball that we heard so much about in September? Brad said he felt opening it up and running was our best chance of winning and I just have not seen it since conference play.

Polk just is such a nonfactor on offense that I think it really hurts this team. We need a point guard that is going to make some plays and at least be somewhat of a threat to score the basketball. I see him as nothing more than a defensive specialist.

Yeah, where is the run and gun transition basketball we were promised. Remember when everything Brad said in the preseason was how we were going to open it up?

Polk really has not lived up to the hype at all. He just is not the answer at the point and we need to bring in someone who can get it done. Polk really does not bring anything to the table as far as I am concerned. He has essentially become a defensive specialist. Ian is playing a solid game tonight.

I heard a stat along the lines that in the last 5 minutes of the game Acie Law leads their opponent in scoring. I could see the POY going either way and for me I would give it to Law because of what he does come crunch time. What he did against KU was simply unbelievable, the kid just puts A&M on his back and carries them to victory. Durant is an absolute star, but I would give it to the senior that has done so much to put A&M basketball on the map. As far as Durant being a one man show, DJ Augustin is one of the better point guards in the country and AJ Abrams is a very fine player as well. Both kids deserve it, but I will take the savy senior.

I believe Earl Austin is sick and was unable to make the trip.