Champions Classic

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:06 am

If U of A wins the title this year, would U of A be invited to the Champions Classic next year or shortly after? Would love to see a matchup with a Kentucky Kansas Duke or Michigan State. Maybe two wins needed in a 3 or 4 year span?

Would be an amazing trip to Chicago to see those games even with winter coming.

Statfreak77 · Post by **Statfreak77** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:23 am

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:27 am

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champions_Classic" target="_blank

Games already setup through 2019

2018 in Indianapolis:
Michigan State vs Kansas
Duke vs Kentucky

2019 @ MSG:
Kansas vs Duke
Michigan State vs Kentucky

It's only been between these 4 schools since 2011, alternating matchups & venues every year.

btfd16 · Post by **btfd16** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:50 pm

Am I wrong to assume (and hope) Kansas is going to beat the brakes off of UK?

Big KU/MSU fan tonight.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:54 pm

NYCat wrote:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champions_Classic

Games already setup through 2019

2018 in Indianapolis:
Michigan State vs Kansas
Duke vs Kentucky

2019 @ MSG:
Kansas vs Duke
Michigan State vs Kentucky

It's only been between these 4 schools since 2011, alternating matchups & venues every year.

Win the title and create a similar event with UNC, Villanova and either Indiana or Florida or UCONN

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 2:20 pm

PHXCATS wrote:
NYCat wrote:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champions_Classic

Games already setup through 2019

2018 in Indianapolis:
Michigan State vs Kansas
Duke vs Kentucky

2019 @ MSG:
Kansas vs Duke
Michigan State vs Kentucky

It's only been between these 4 schools since 2011, alternating matchups & venues every year.
Win the title and create a similar event with UNC, Villanova and either Indiana or Florida or UCONN

There's always room for the Single Ring Showcase.

We can discuss it with Georgetown, Maryland and UNLV. Expand to all time and UTEP, Oregon, Marquette and Utah are in play too. The slogan should be "A single ring might not be enough for ESPN, but ESPN's mom didn't complain."

Edit: dang, I forgot Arkansas and Michigan.

YoDeFoe · Post by **YoDeFoe** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:13 pm

btfd16 wrote:Am I wrong to assume (and hope) Kansas is going to beat the brakes off of UK?

Big KU/MSU fan tonight.

Agreed on both.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:18 pm

YoDeFoe wrote:
btfd16 wrote:Am I wrong to assume (and hope) Kansas is going to beat the brakes off of UK?

Big KU/MSU fan tonight.
Agreed on both.

I don't root for Kansas and I kind of like Kentucky. Kentucky has not looked impressive, so in the actual game, KU is a favorite.

Duke/MSU is a tossup, I think. Duke has so many freshmen, you just don't know.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:25 pm

If Trier isn't the national POY, devonte'''''' Graham will be, thought he was better than Frank Mason

Main Event · Post by **Main Event** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:32 pm

I'd love to play either of these 2

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:34 pm

I don't root for Duke under any circumstances. Fuck the Rat and that punk-ass serial tripper. I generally hate KU as well, so I'll take UK. Too bad west coast teams suck these days, otherwise we could do a Pacific Coast Classic.

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:47 pm

Why was MSU ranked above us? They finished 20-15 last season and weren't even ranked in the final coaches poll after getting trounced by KU in the second round of the tourney. Jaren Jackson is a nice addition and a sophomore Miles Bridges make them the favorite to win the B1G but they are not a top 5 team right now.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:50 pm

Jaren Jackson is really good

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:59 pm

Puke was dominating before Bagley went to the locker room with the poked eye.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:01 pm

TatetheGreat wrote:I don't root for Duke under any circumstances. Fuck the Rat and that punk-ass serial tripper. I generally hate KU as well, so I'll take UK. Too bad west coast teams suck these days, otherwise we could do a Pacific Coast Classic.

The Pacific Coast Classic is our LA trip in Pac play. Potentially just the UCLA game, depending on whether SC is up or down.

This Duke/MSU game has been a showcase for the pros and cons of both teams. You can see the talent but it is way up, way down.

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:04 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
TatetheGreat wrote:I don't root for Duke under any circumstances. Fuck the Rat and that punk-ass serial tripper. I generally hate KU as well, so I'll take UK. Too bad west coast teams suck these days, otherwise we could do a Pacific Coast Classic.
The Pacific Coast Classic is our LA trip in Pac play. Potentially just the UCLA game, depending on whether SC is up or down.

This Duke/MSU game has been a showcase for the pros and cons of both teams. You can see the talent but it is way up, way down.

Yep, I'm grasping at straws. Other than Zaga, the best teams are in our conference.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:10 pm

TatetheGreat wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
TatetheGreat wrote:I don't root for Duke under any circumstances. Fuck the Rat and that punk-ass serial tripper. I generally hate KU as well, so I'll take UK. Too bad west coast teams suck these days, otherwise we could do a Pacific Coast Classic.
The Pacific Coast Classic is our LA trip in Pac play. Potentially just the UCLA game, depending on whether SC is up or down.

This Duke/MSU game has been a showcase for the pros and cons of both teams. You can see the talent but it is way up, way down.
Yep, I'm grasping at straws. Other than Zaga, the best teams are in our conference.

In the 80's-90's, UNLV would have qualified. Utah is Pac now, but they had the Majerus glory days in the late 90's. Now, the MWC is down and it's pretty slim pickings.

If we set something up, our natural partner is the Big 12. Pair off us, UCLA, Kansas and Texas/Oklahoma. That would be a legit series, especially if Shaka does well at UT. The Big 12 is our only semi-close conference to set something up with.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:34 pm

Duke dominating Michigan State with the zone defense

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:35 pm

Yeah, I wish UNLV were at least tourney worthy. We should crush them this year. They have totally fallen off, much like post-Alford UNM. I wouldn't mind home and homes against Gonzaga and St. Mary's for the next two years to spruce up our non-conference schedule.

prh · Post by **prh** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:41 pm

This is tough, watching this game I can't help but think MSU isn't that good. But they're only down 3. So I guess I don't really know.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:41 pm

NYCat wrote:Duke dominating Michigan State with the zone defense

Waiting for Bilas to say "Teams are going to show Sparty the zone until they prove they can beat it."

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:49 pm

Grayson Allen is the best player on the floor

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:53 pm

NYCat wrote:Grayson Allen is the best player on the floor

Well, he is 22 years old.

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:56 pm

prh wrote:This is tough, watching this game I can't help but think MSU isn't that good. But they're only down 3. So I guess I don't really know.

They aren't #2 good. Duke should pull away even without Bagley.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:58 pm

That foul cal on Ward looked like something out of the Pac-12.

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:03 pm

Duval is legit. He just needs to develop an outside shot.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:06 pm

Wendell Carter just took a huge cheap shot. That was borderline ejection, and I'm shocked he didn't get a flagrant.

Phylek · Post by **Phylek** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:10 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Wendell Carter just took a huge cheap shot. That was borderline ejection, and I'm shocked he didn't get a flagrant.

I can't imagine how the refs explained that it's okay for a Duke player to intentionally elbow someone in the face.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:12 pm

Phylek wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:Wendell Carter just took a huge cheap shot. That was borderline ejection, and I'm shocked he didn't get a flagrant.
I can't imagine how the refs explained that it's okay for a Duke player to intentionally elbow someone in the face.

So great to see you here, Phylek.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:17 pm

Phylek wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:Wendell Carter just took a huge cheap shot. That was borderline ejection, and I'm shocked he didn't get a flagrant.
I can't imagine how the refs explained that it's okay for a Duke player to intentionally elbow someone in the face.

Ref: Tom, did you catch the replay on the video board?
Izzo: No, I was talking over our next offensive possession.
Ref: Good. Um, we're calling a tech. Trust us, it's legit and you won't be needing to watch any replays after the game.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:17 pm

NYCat wrote:Grayson Allen is the best player on the floor

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:19 pm

Michigan State just doesn't have the guards to compete

Can't handle the zone either

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:20 pm

NYCat wrote:
NYCat wrote:Grayson Allen is the best player on the floor

Also the least likable player by a long, long shot. He might be the least likeable Dookie since Laettner.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:23 pm

Winning with a game-long 2-3 zone obviously equals another hate-inspiring Duke performance. But I'm a little taken aback that State was so ineffective.

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:49 pm

MSU is a solid top 10 team, probably top 5, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them in the FF.

But that Duke roster is just absolutely ridiculous. Somewhere along the way, Coach K went full Calipari and started offering scholarships to any elite recruit with a pulse. He's made his peace with winning at all costs, clearly.

Neither of these teams has a guy who can guard Ayton, btw.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:59 pm

Michigan State is usually slow starting. Hanging this close to Duke early is a good sign for them.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:02 pm

Billy Preston--DNP, free car

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:04 pm

Who do we put on Allen, assuming we meet in March/April? Rawle might be our best option. Zo needs to be able to help on Duval and Trent Jr. We have so much depth but I wish we had Kadeem or TJ for teams like Duke.

SCCats · Post by **SCCats** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:04 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Billy Preston--DNP, free car

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:07 pm

TatetheGreat wrote:Who do we put on Allen, assuming we meet in March/April? Rawle might be our best option. Zo needs to be able to help on Duval and Trent Jr. We have so much depth but I wish we had Kadeem or TJ for teams like Duke.

Rawle on Allen, fo sho. Maybe even Randolph or Akot.

You're right, though: a major challenge for Miller this will be figuring out his preferred defensive match-ups, given this year's roster.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:08 pm

TatetheGreat wrote:Who do we put on Allen, assuming we meet in March/April? Rawle might be our best option. Zo needs to be able to help on Duval and Trent Jr. We have so much depth but I wish we had Kadeem or TJ for teams like Duke.

Which one of our players gets tripped in the most noticeable fashion?

Right now I'd trust Rawle the most on perimeter D. Akot has the most raw ability, and Randolph has a lot of potential in that area too. Zo is decent but will probably never be a stopper.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:10 pm

Choose who's going to kill us, Duval, Allen, or Trent Jr - I'd say Duval because he can't shoot to save his life.

Then of course you have Carter & Bagley to worry about too

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:14 pm

NYCat wrote:Choose who's going to kill us, Duval, Allen, or Trent Jr - I'd say Duval because he can't shoot to save his life.

I feel like we have physical matchups for Allen and Trent. I do not think we match well with Duval. PJC is at a significant physical disadvantage, so we would just have to hope for bad shooting there.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:16 pm

Graham & Newman, really good backcourt.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:19 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
NYCat wrote:Choose who's going to kill us, Duval, Allen, or Trent Jr - I'd say Duval because he can't shoot to save his life.
I feel like we have physical matchups for Allen and Trent. I do not think we match well with Duval. PJC is at a significant physical disadvantage, so we would just have to hope for bad shooting there.

Think we'd have to go with Trier, Alkins, Akot, Ayton, Ristic to matchup w Duval, Allen, Trent jr, Bagley, Carter.

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:27 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
NYCat wrote:Choose who's going to kill us, Duval, Allen, or Trent Jr - I'd say Duval because he can't shoot to save his life.
I feel like we have physical matchups for Allen and Trent. I do not think we match well with Duval. PJC is at a significant physical disadvantage, so we would just have to hope for bad shooting there.

I really hate shitting on PJC because he gives it his all, but I hope Miller doesn't crowbar him into the lineup unless Zo is cold from outside or we need help moving the ball. We're probably fucked if that happens anyway.

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:29 pm

Looks like AAU All Stars vs. KU. Oh, wait.

prh · Post by **prh** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:53 pm

I don't know why anyone ever interviews Calipari on the way to halftime. It's always the same:

"Well our guys aren't playing hard."
"They're just a bunch of freshman"
"What can I do?"

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:55 pm

prh wrote:I don't know why anyone ever interviews Calipari on the way to halftime. It's always the same:

"Well our guys aren't playing hard."
"They're just a bunch of freshman"
"What can I do?"

"Am I grabbing your arm really hard?"

YoDeFoe · Post by **YoDeFoe** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 12:18 am

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
NYCat wrote:Choose who's going to kill us, Duval, Allen, or Trent Jr - I'd say Duval because he can't shoot to save his life.
I feel like we have physical matchups for Allen and Trent. I do not think we match well with Duval. PJC is at a significant physical disadvantage, so we would just have to hope for bad shooting there.

Another day, another “what Spiff said.”

To add: PJC got yanked from the UMBC game for not being able to guard Tre Lyles and for not being able to fight through the inbound trap (AGAIN). We’ve got to be prepared to play with a physically stronger lead guard instead (Akot, Barcello) and to compensate as a team for PJC’s short comings while on the court.

We’ll find out in Nassau if we play Jalen Brunson’s Nova team and we’ll definitely find out in early December when we host the young bull Colin Sexton.

If we can handle those two, we can handle anyone.

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