College Basketball
Matt Rennie and Eric Prisbell
Washington Post College Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 13, 2005; Noon ET
Post College Sports editor Matt Rennie and Post staff writer Eric Prisbell took your questions online on the college basketball season.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Eric Prisbell: Hello, everyone. It is great to be here. Thanks for coming. We have to get started immediately because there are more questions than I have ever seen.
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Rockville, Md.:
How in the world did Santa Clara beat the Tar Heels? For that matter how did Virginia beat Arizona? Looks like the Wahoos will be lucky if they're even considered a bubble team this year. Does Pete even last the year? Eric Prisbell: Arizona is a team that I feel gets better as March approaches. I agree: UVA will be on the very outside cusp of the bubble.
Santa Clara is not a good team this year. But Santa Clara is a tough place to play because it’s a small place – I’ve covered games there – and it’s easy to take the opponent lightly. Raymond Felton did not play for Carolina. Another factor was that it was Santa Clara’s third or fourth game of the season and the first game for Roy Williams’ team.
The UNC loss reminded me of the 1998-99 season, when a star-studded Duke team lost to Cincy in Alaska, woke up and did not lose again until the national title game against UConn. We could see the same this season with UNC.
Matt Rennie: And I believe during Michigan's 1989 championship season (one of the few banners the Wolverines haven't had to take down at Crisler Arena), it lost in November to Alaska-Anchorage.
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Willow, Ark:
The OrangeCrush are 15-1 and yet in both polls, they're exactly at 7. Why?
Anti-BigEast bias in the sports bozos who file their rankings?
(I know the rankings haven't been updated but Texas and GT need to sit in the junior section, not in the Top10)
Hardwood Grits
cabin dweller Matt Rennie: Hello, Grits: Don't get too worked up about the polls. This isn't football. The 'Cuse will get more love if they keep rolling through the Big East portion of the schedule, but so far, the record is gaudy but the signature victory is absent. Beating Memphis doesn't mean much any more (sorry, Terps fans). Winning AT Miss. State is decent, but the past month and a half hasn't exactly been full of giants.
Eric Prisbell: Thanks for the question. I’ve never been to Willow, but I’m a big fan of Arkansas because last time I was there I could buy pig tongue and snout for less than a buck at a gas station in Little Rock. I opted against it, but I gave the snout to my brother and told him it was candy. Interesting state.
Anyway, I think Syracuse has all the pieces to win the national title. The rankings don’t matter much. Cuse has only one quality win so far – at Notre Dame – which is a good win. I sense another Boeheim tournament run this season, so it would be wise for teams not to draw Cuse or a certain team from Chapel Hill in March.
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New York, N.Y.:
Can the Hoyas survive on a six-man rotation and make the NCAAs? They look great so far. Matt Rennie: Unquestionably, the Hoyas are much improved, better organized and better poised -- all good signs for the JTIII administration. But let's not create unrealistic expectations: This team still needed overtime to beat Norfolk State at home. There have been highs and likely will be more this season -- but there will be lows too.
Eric Prisbell: I do not think Georgetown will make the NCAAs this year, but I have been surprised with how well they have played on occasion this season. JTIII is building something positive, but it will take time.
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Cloverly, Md.:
Didn't know if you had seen but GW apparently is the choice of LSU transfer Regis Koundjia, a Top 25 recruit a couple of years who left LSU in December because of lack of playing time. He'll be eligible 2nd semester next year and at 6-9 215 will provide another athletic body for the Colonials inside. What's most noteworthy is that GW beat out schools like Wake Forest, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, and Oklahoma State to get this kid. Definitely good times abound in Foggy Bottom!! Eric Prisbell: I heard that late last night. Regis was a top 35 recruit out of high school. That says a lot for Hobbs’ program that he can beat out ACC teams for a guy.
Top 10 next year? Tough to say because I want to see how many of the ACC’s elite players jump to the NBA draft. This year is a poor year for high school seniors, but it’s a great year for international talent. A lot depends on how many underclassmen feel they can be first-round picks and make the leap.
Another question is how many job offers Hobbs will get and whether he will take one. He will get offers.
Matt Rennie: The obvious key will be Hobbs' aspirations, but I would caution against taking a job in a bigger league, just because it's a bigger league. Oliver Purnell was a hot coach at Dayton when he took the Clemson job. It's too early to pass judgment but we may never hear from him again. Frankly, look at Mike Jarvis. He's wealthier for having left GW, but happier?
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Beached Terrapin:
Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong Eric but isn't Maryland still on winter break? Unless Gilchrest is taking one of those suicidal winter term classes where they cram a whole semester into three weeks, he doesn't have any academic assignments right now. And frankly I just don't think Gilchrest finds much of a need for a winter term class right now.
BTW, and I'm sorry for changing the subject here, but a few weeks back I heard UD's football coach on the radio here talking about how a bunch of players from a school that he all but came out and said was Maryland were coming to him and complaining about how the coach they played for was blaming them for the bad season they had, and how he'd never do that to his players. Do a lot of football players have a hard time with Friedgen? Did he alienate a lot of guys with how he handled the losing? Eric Prisbell: My understanding that Gilchrist’s assignment was for a winter session course. It was for a legit course, not some correspondence course at a school like Northeastern Oklahoma Quasi-College for Welders that I’ve reported about two players taking at a mid-major school out west.
Interesting question. Fridge is unique in how he handled the losing because he opened himself up emotionally, saying probably much more than he should about the effects of losing. Each time I sat with him it was an experience. I have not gotten the impression that it rubbed players the wrong way. It seemed like they appreciated his honesty and openness. While Fridge was open, he never criticized the play of Joel Statham until it got really, really bad and a change had to be made.
Matt Rennie: That would surprise me, also. Given how hard he takes losing and how thin a filter he has between what he's thinking and what he says, I was surprised Ralph wasn't MORE critical of his players publicly, at times.
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Washington, D.C.:
Interesting -- GW is ranked, Maryland is not. AWWW GW!!! GW is playing some usual opponents who are always tough competitors. Think they'll endure any more losses or are they headed for March Madness this year? Eric Prisbell: Do I think they will endure any more losses? Maybe not in the regular season. Seriously. They could lose Feb. 5 at Temple, though.
Are they headed to March Madness? No doubt. They have the talent to reach the Sweet 16. I’m very interested to see what seed they can get in the NCAA tournament because the Atlantic 10 is so poor this season and may not earn a second bid.
Matt Rennie: GW is probably the only A-10 team that could land an at-large bid at this point, thanks to its wins over Michigan State and Maryland. I don't think the Colonials are going to win out (it's just Jan. 13, folks), but I think they are going to have a gaudy record, with some quality December wins that will earn them a good seed.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
Fire Gillen! (clap, clap, clapclapclap!)
Fire Gillen! (clap, clap, clapclapclap!)
Fire Gillen! (clap, clap, clapclapclap!)
If Gillen survives this season, he will be been dead more times than Freddy and Jason combined! For $900k a year, Virginia deserves better than this. Then again, if they were dumb enough to pay it, was he supposed to say, "I'm sorry, I can't take this money. You're overpaying me?" Eric Prisbell: I prefer Michael Myers, The Blob and Jeepers Creepers to Friday the 13th and Nightmare.
I like Pete Gillen, but I think this might be it this season. The schedule is tougher for Virginia than it is for some other ACC teams, which means that UVA can not afford losses to Miami. The ‘Canes, meanwhile, have become an interesting story.
I am starting to think that the ACC is so top heavy that six teams will earn berths, not seven.
Matt Rennie: I think that's an interesting conclusion on the ACC, and while it's early, I'm starting to agree. As for Gillen, the end indeed may be near, especially with a new building on the horizon. The question is how attractive is the job. The ACC won't always be this brutal, and the new building should help recruiting, but going up against Duke, Carolina, et al, every year is a tough road.
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Dave from Washington, D.C.:
Who do you think is the top team in the nation right now? After watching UNC last night against GT, and blowing UMD the other day, I believe they are the best team in the nation. It really looks like when they have their full roster together, they have the strongest team. Eric Prisbell: Good question. Those who do not believe that North Carolina is the nation’s best team right now have not watched the past two games.
Carolina is the best team in the country right now.
Things could change come March, but the one team I would not want to play in the tournament is UNC.
At least that is one good thing for Maryland, the Terps would not have to play UNC until at least the final eight in the NCAAs because teams from the same conference can’t be put any closer in the brackets.
Matt Rennie: Not so fast, my friend. (Good Lord, I'm channeling Lee Corso). The Heels are on a roll, but my pick for the country's best team is the one Roy Williams walked away from, not walked away to.
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Nashville, Tenn.:
Wake or the Heels? Eric Prisbell: Heels, barely.
Matt Rennie: Agreed.
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Arlington, Va.:
Will Thursday's game at NC State be Duke's first loss, or will they survive a Wolfpack team coming off 3 straight losses themselves? Eric Prisbell: I think NC State will eke one out against Duke. Duke is not at 100 percent and is not quite as good as its record, in my opinion. NC State is better than how it has played recently.
I believe UNC, Wake and Georgia Tech are alone as the top teams in the ACC.
Matt Rennie: No question those three are a cut above, given Duke's health issues. But I'm not sure State's problems aren't more real than perhaps suspected. I think Duke will win, though they've struggled in that building with better teams.
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Bethesda, Md.:
How long before Maryland's fair weather basketball fans
decide the sky is falling? Eric Prisbell: I live in the College Park area and I thought Maryland fans had already reached that point. I say wait until after the three-game home stand to judge how much trouble the team is in.
That said, I was on a plane the other day and heard a bunch of Carolina fans preparing for a national title party. Not so fast. (See 1998-99 Duke)
Matt Rennie: Maryland fans run so hot and cold in both revenue sports, it's a bit ridiculous. In my mind, the bigger concern than the losses is the apparent friction between the head coach and the star player -- how serious that is, we don't know because of the current wall of silence in College Park.
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Washington, D.C.:
What do you think of Hoya Freshman Jeff Green winning Big East honors as Freshman of the Year? Rudy Gay was eveyrone's pick preseason -- but I think Jeff has to get some consideration now. Matt Rennie: I've never seen so much interest in a conference freshman of the year award. Green has been impressive, to be sure, and obviously U-Conn. doesn't ask as much of Gay as the Hoyas do of Green. Exposure is often an issue for postseason awards, which could hurt Green. Bottom line: Who cares? let's be happy that Georgetown has a player -- and a team -- worthy of discussion.
Eric Prisbell: Honestly, Gay has received all the hype, but there are a handful of good candidates in the Big East. I must say that, after watching Gay extensively last spring, I thought he would already be a star at this point. He will be one, but it will take more time than I had thought.
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St. Thomas, Virgin Islands:
Guys, GW has recently taken a hit in the RPI now that A-10 conference play has started. I'm wondering what you think the high-end chance for GW seeding-wise would be if we ran the table in A-10 (knock on wood) or went 15-1 in conference and took the A-10 tourney title. It appears that Temple is going to be the only highly regarded (top 50) RPI opponent we have left. Are we looking at another potential Gonzaga cira a few years ago when the team was highly ranked but the WCC season killed their RPI and they ended up with a 6 seed? Thanks Eric Prisbell: Good question. That’s exactly what I think will happen. The A-10 is so down that I feel the best George Washington can do is get a No. 6 seed like Gonzaga got a couple years ago. GW has to root for Michigan State and Maryland to have strong seasons so those victories look even more impressive.
I think GW deserves a 4 or 5 seed, but I don’t think Hobbs’ team will get it.
Matt Rennie: I don't see a 4, but I think a 5 is a possibility (what would help is if West Virginia made the tournament instead of losing to Marshall). The Gonzaga comparison is a good one, but I think the A-10 has a stronger reputation than the West Coast contest, especially after St. Joe's showing a year ago.
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Bossier City, La.:
Has Gary Williams lost this team or were they just over matched the last 2 games Eric Prisbell: They were overmatched the last two games. We’ll find out Saturday whether the team is still united.
Matt Rennie: And apparently the mercurial nature of Terps fans extends down to Louisiana. Take a valium, people. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
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Philadelphia, Pa.:
Have either of you heard of any potential lineup changes for Maryland basketball? I realize that Gary is very loyal to his veteran players, but I think it is quite obvious that MD's veteran players are not executing the way they should be. Also, in my mind, MD has never really been a great half court offense under Williams, but they always managed to create enough in the half court to compliment their aggressive defense and transition game. This year, MD's defensive effort has been poor (two games allowing over 100 pts and an average of around 75 points against!) and their transition game looks forced at times. What is Gary doing about this problem and, once again, would a lineup change help them out in this regard?
Really appreciate your insight. Thanks. Eric Prisbell: Thanks a lot for the question. There is potential for a lineup change. Gary Williams left the window open on that subject when asked about it after the Wake Forest loss. I will find out tomorrow from Gary. He also was asked if the veteran players disappointed him in the second half and he was adamant, saying something like, “I did not say that. I said some of the young players played well.”
I honestly think Maryland should not overreact regarding the two losses. Wake and UNC could be the two best teams in the country. That said, if Maryland losses one or more the next three games, then it should be time to make more significant moves, in my opinion. I can’t repeat this enough: Maryland still needs a quality victory.
Matt Rennie: Thanks, Philly, for a more reasoned Terps opinion. The biggest problem, to me, has been the poor defense. VERY few teams (the Showtime Lakers and the Harlem Globetrotters) can create any kind of transition offense when the possession starts after a made basket. It's not time to panic, but the change needs to start at the defensive end.
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Chantilly, Va.:
Guys: Is it my imagination or is there more of a really steep drop-off between the nation's top few teams and dozens of mediocre second-tier teams this year, far more than in years past?
The A-10 is way, way down, the SEC doesn't impress me (my Gators are in the mass of mediocre teams now), the Big East has a bunch of average teams, the ACC has a few great teams and a bunch of also-rans, etc, etc.
Does this mean more at-large berths for mid-majors, or more berths for undeserving majors? Eric Prisbell: I have not noticed any more of a drop-off than the past couple years, but I think it’s still taking shape. Right now, I say UNC, Kansas, Illinois and Wake are in the top group.
G-Tech, OK State, Syracuse are in another group.
After that, I see maybe 30 teams very close.
Right now, I would say more berths for middling major programs. I don’t see top mid-majors – I am not counting Gonzaga. Watch St. Mary’s and the top three teams from the Missouri Valley Conference, though.
Matt Rennie: I think that's something that's been true for a few years. The number of top-echelon teams perhaps fluctuates from as few as five to as many as nine, but there's always going to be some separation. And none of those top teams are so invulnerable that they can't be beat, especially on the road or on a neutral court.
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Las Vegas, Nev.:
Matt and Eric --- I didn't really expect Maryland to beat Carolina or Wake Forest at home but I am very concerned about the way the team lost. The team seems to have given up in both games at the first sign of adversity. Last years team lost some games but never in a blowout fashion. The Terps can't play it's running style against teams with superior athletes, but it can't play a half court game either since no one can make an outside shot. The next 3 games at home will a long way to determining if the Terps can come back or far down to NIT level don't you think? Eric Prisbell: I agree with you, the next three games are huge. I just wonder if Maryland finishes 7-9 in the conference whether a big stink will be made regarding which teams Maryland beat. Any in the top four? Or just bottom teams?
Matt Rennie: under that scenario, it would depend on where N.C. State (or perhaps Miami??) finished in the league. The ACC will get six teams, but a 7-9 team with no wins over the big boys that finished seventh in the conference is probably going to be playing to get to Madison Square Garden, rather than St. Louis.
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Jayhawk Embassy, Washington, D.C.:
Doesn't the UNC juggernaut look like every 29-3 KU team of the past decade... destined to lose in the final four to a team like Kansas circa 2005? Eric Prisbell: That’s a good point. We won’t know until the tournament, however. I think as long as Miles Simon doesn’t take the floor against Roy’s team in March, the Heels should be fine.
Matt Rennie: Perhaps we should ask Roy Williams this question, so he could respond, "I don't give a (blank) abotu Kansas right now." Or cry.
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Falls Church, VAa.
Hey cats -
Gary Williams has obviously been a fantastic coach for the Terps - national championship, ACC tournament champs, etc. Nevertheless, it seems that the Terps have not been nearly as successful in recruiting "cream of the crop" talent as other ACC teams have been these past few years -- Georgia Tech, UNC, Duke and Wake, for instance. Do you agree, and if so, why do you think this is? Matt Rennie: Hey, dog. Gary has two players on his current roster -- Travis Garrison and Mike Jones -- who were McDonald's All-Americans. He also won his national title behind the play of two guys few schools wanted: Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter. Tricky business, recruiting.
Eric Prisbell: It’s very tricky. Look at Memphis, which signed the best recruiting classes in history that never materialized because the players went pro. Look at Seton Hall’s recent great classes that didn’t amount to much. Look at Florida’s and DePaul’s recent run of great classes the past few years. Kansas State’s great class of JC guys… you could go on and on. It’s hard to predict.
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Arlington, Va.:
Which conference has the highest RPI ranking right now? ACC? Eric Prisbell: The Pac-10 has the highest RPI right now, according to guru Jerry Palm’s Web site. It’s close and it could go back and forth.
I thought Maryland, UVA, NC State and Florida State would all be a little better at this point, though Miami is better than I thought.
Matt Rennie: Now that the conference seasons have started, ti will be interesting to see if it helps conferences' RPIs to be top-heavy or more balanced.
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Arlington, Va.:
Given that the PAC-10 has the highest RPI ranking going into conference play (where the conference RPI ranking shouldn't change to much) why are people like SI's Davis saying the PAC-10 is having a down year? Eric Prisbell: I don't know why Seth Davis feels that way. I believe Washington could reach the Final Four, in fact I predicted it and expect to be held to that prediction.
Matt Rennie: You can count on being held to that predicition. I think part of it is that Stanford is down, and when the traditional powers are struggling, people rush to judgment. And yes, this is especially true in a conference that plays late at night and consequently doesn't get as much TV exposure.
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San Francisco, Calif.:
Looking into your magic ball... what is the future of the Big East Conference. With the incoming teams, will it emerge as the best college basketball conference (if it isn't already)? How long will it survive? What is in store for the non-IA football schools like Georgetown? Matt Rennie: Well, the league's obvious strategy after being raided for its football schools was to preserve its vitality through hoops. I think it will work because of all the cities now represented. As for the future in football, Division I-A football is so screwed up right now, a lot will depend on forces outside of the league.
Eric Prisbell: I agree with Matt.
I also think the Big East will be the best conference in the country next season for hoops. It will be fun.
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Arlington, Va.:
Is it possible that the seventh place preseason predictions for Maryland might actually have been optimistic at this point? Eric Prisbell: I don’t feel Maryland will finish any worse than seventh.
Matt Rennie: I expected the hysteria to be at peak levels today, and Terrapin Nation never fails to disappoint
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Marv from Germantown, Md.:
Why isn't Duke talked about when it comes to the best college basketball teams in the nation? All I hear is Illinois and North Carolina. Were we not in the final four last year? Yes, Luol Deng makes a difference but the best player in the nation has emerged in Riddick and the most underated player in the nation for two years now has been Ewing. Give us some props please! Eric Prisbell: With all due respect, I’m not sold yet. I want to see Duke against a top ACC team. Redick has been great, though I would not say he’s the best player in the country. Daniel Ewing and Jawad Williams might be the two most underrated players nationally. You have a good point there.
Matt Rennie: Who's this "we", Marv? Do you have a mouse in your pocket? Part of the problem is the health issues the Devils have experienced. And the other part is that while basketball is much better than football in this regard, preseason expectations tend to color judgments for a long time.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
Let me see if I can sum this up: Maryland can't shoot the ball; they have no inside game; they can't make Free Throws; they have no half court offense; they can't defend the 3-pt shot; they foul (or jump at ball fakes) anytime the ball gets inside. Seems to me like the team needs a full refresh, as in, lets dump schollies for bowers, jones, etc and try to find some real players. Eric Prisbell: The best solution is to cancel the program and start an open gym program in College Park that features a triple-elimination one-on-one tournament. Winner gets pez.
Matt Rennie: Perhaps we could flood Comcast Center, turning it into a giant natatorium and institute synchronized swimming as a scholarship sport. And I bet Duke would still get all the calls.
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Cape May Courthouse, N.J.:
Is Texas A&M for real? Please answer at length. Eric Prisbell: They played the weakest conference schedule ever compiled, or close to it. They have a good coach, played Kansas close and just beat Texas, so I am starting to believe more.
Matt Rennie: And they indeed have a smart coach in Billy Gillispie. I think A&M may be one of those teams that, its upset of Texas notwithstanding, stays beneath the radar and makes the tournament as the fifth or sixth team out the Big 12, then pulls a first-round upset.
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Phoenix, Ariz.:
Hey guys a couple weeks ago you talked about Mike Jones and that maybe he's ready to step up. Well after two games in which the Terps can't hit any outside shots to loosen up the defense, and the one guy who was supposed to be able to do this contributes nothing, is it time to consider Jones a bust? Eric Prisbell: If you go by the high school rankings, which ranked Jones as the second-best at his position behind some dude named LeBron (can’t remember the last name), then maybe.
Personally, I don’t like those rankings, some of which rate kids down to 8 years old. Justin Jenifer is the best 8-year-old in the country, no, make that the universe.
Matt Rennie: Part of the problem with Jones is that the Terps have been sluggish defensively, too, and he's not the answer there.
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Matt Rennie: Lots of questions, folks. Sorry we didn't get to all of them. Lots of big games this weekend. Enjoy them, and we'll talk next week.
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