College Hoops Mailbag - Version 5
Guys, by the time you read this we’ll be less than 24 hours away from real college basketball. If that doesn’t make it move, I don’t know what does. Just whistling the NCAA on CBS theme song all week getting ready for Friday.
We’re back with our weekly Mailbag a day earlier as there will be a full preview for the main games tomorrow that you need to pay attention to and possibly bet on, if that’s your thing. There was more than enough questions submitted this week, so for those not on here they will be addressed either on the Storm the Court Podcast or in next week’s Mailbag. Again, you can submit your questions via Twitter @barstoolreags.
Let’s get do this shit.
I received a lot of questions about the injury to Dion Wiley from Maryland. For those of you who either live under a rock or don’t listen to Nate, Wiley tore his meniscus and is now out for the season. It sucks to hear about an injury especially for a kid who was making his way into the rotation and a possible starter this season. However, the injury isn’t a huge blow for the Terps, instead it helps them with their rotation. Turgeon can now set up a true-guard rotation with Melo Trimble, Sulaimon, Nickens and Brantley. It sucks to hear that because of an injury, but I do believe this helps Maryland simply from a rotation standpoint.
Shockingly, this isn’t the only person to ask about South Carolina. Good friend of the site @theballisorange also asked about Frank Martin and if he’d punch a player and/or make a run to the postseason. So, good work Daddy Dixie I guess on getting the South more excited about Barstool? Okay, Gamecocks. No, you guys aren’t going to make the Tournament. Yes, PJ Dozier is a McDonald’s All-American, but that roster, woof. They’re a middle of the road SEC team at best and unless they make a run at the SEC Tournament, it’s NIT for the ‘Cocks. Renaldo Balkman and Devan Downey ain’t walkin through that door.
Yes, it’s fair that James Blackmon and Yogi Ferrell are on the same team, simply because they aren’t national title contenders. There’s a lot of love for Indiana this year, but not from this guy. For all you fucks out there saying it’s because I graduated from Kentucky, it’s not at all. It’s simply because of two words. Tom fucking Crean. He might be the worst coach in the Power 5, dueling out a Rick Barnes for a suck off. There’s still no defense, even with the addition of Thomas Bryant for Indiana and I’m not sold on these guys to contend Maryland in the Big 10 or make a run to the Final Four. See ya, Crean.
Rico Bosco checking in here wanting to know about the mid-majors, something I’m more than happy to discuss. He states a smaller conference doesn’t include the Power 6, AAC, Conference-USA, MWC, MVC and A-10. If it did, the A-10 might be the most fun conference in America this year. But, in terms of an individual player to watch, Alec Peters from Valpo is a beast. The Crusaders run their offense through him and he’s got a lot of Seth Tuttle in him. Don’t be surprised to see him make some Second and Third Team All-Americans after the season. He put up 16.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg and over an assist a game as a sophomore. Not to mention he’s 6’9” and shot 47 percent from deep. For a team to watch, give me Stephen F. Austin. A pretty cliché answer, but they are a ton of fun to watch because of their fast pace and the fact they are simply good. They will win a NCAA Tournament again this year.
Alright, UConn and UConn stans. Time to discuss your team for a second thanks to Mike here. You guys like to chirp a lot so here’s my thoughts on your team. A realistic goal is the Sweet 16 and winning the American outright, not with the help of the NCAA banning SMU. On paper the team looks nice, but remember Sterling Gibbs is on his third team for a reason. He’s a lunatic and can mess up the locker room, I simply don’t trust him on the floor again. Daniel Hamilton is a helluva player, but there’s a lot of inconsistency with Purvis. I expect them to be a No. 5-6 seed in the NCAA Tournament and Sweet 16 should be realistic. If you think this team is a title team, I’ll give you the Huskies and you give me the field. Then give me all your money.
P.S. Here is episode 5 of Storm the Court Podcast. We discuss a couple quick previews for the games this weekend and what to expect. Check it out as I have a big guest lined up for next week.