Okay boys. Welcome to 2009. Let’s not rest on our 2008 results. Here is the deal. Find a fact, post it. Keep in mind, this is all about getting to know a teams strengths and weaknesses, trends and facts that we can gamble on. I will be distributing focus teams to everyone this year. I will also be sending you any videos that I have on that team so you can watch games at your convenience. Mow and I (possibly Wardo – havent tallked to him) will be splitting up written/web sources to look over (ESPN.com – all writers, SI, SportingNews, Gambling sites, so on).

Thanks and lets win some freakin money……

Folks,
It was fun, but the time has come to decommision this blog. Thanks for the memories…
Kirk

Injured guard Chester Frazier is a long shot to play in Illinois’ NCAA Tournament opener against Western Kentucky.

If the senior defensive workhorse does play on Thursday, it’ll only be a little—which coach Bruce Weber said he’d take against the Hilltoppers and their talented guards.

Western Kentucky (24-8), a 12 seed, relies heavily on its guards. Weber says the Illini could use Frazier’s perimeter defense.

Whether Frazier plays or not, Weber said he’ll lean heavily on his other starting guard, inconsistent sophomore Demetri McCamey, and a bench that was seldom tested this season.

McCamey was the leading Illinois scorer this season with 11.5 points a game. But he disappeared in many games, didn’t play as much defense as Weber would like and spent much of the season in the coach’s dog house.

Varnardo is such a great shot blocker – not good great – and he can now score. MSU starts 4 guards and they spread the floor and either drive or get up shots and let Varnardo clean up the mess. This wasnt South Carolina gunning either – seemed a little better coached. Play M2M and got aggressive in this game. They really pressured the ball and played an agressive 2-3 zone. Varnardo is bothered by Big bodied bigs.

I just really thought they sucked. I didnt see anything I liked except guard Brown who can dunk. Nevil is obviously large and does change shots, but he is kind of a stiff. He ONLY had 14 double doubles this year – which seems like a bold statement, but he had doubles in scoring every game and you would think a 7′2 dude could grab more rebounds. he plays solid D. Supposedly they can heit 3’s although I didnt see it. San Diego State out athleted them 2 to 1. They really like to play strong defense and they were solid. They liked to run.. but had zero points in transition in what was an pretty up and down game – just could do anything when they did get out. In the first half, shot 27% FG%, had 1 3 pointer, and had 18 points TOTAL. Again, from this game just was not impressed.

Rivera is a solid scoring guard for them. They start 4 guards and like up tempo. Can get careless with the ball. Their defense was agressive with doubles all over – controlled chaos, but did leave folks open. They really like to dribble drive – actually dont shoot that well from 3. They play loose and free – no issues – and Fuller is an athletic forward. I got the idea that they could score.

Repeat regular season champs with Reggie Holmes leading them Shot 151 more 3’s than any other team. They also have the best PG in the MEAC in Itchy Boldin and I thought he was legit solid. Robinson a real solid slasher . PLAy real solid M2M but refuse to switch on d – “Its your man cover him”. They really try to get the ball to the block. Bozeman is doing a good job with them although they only shot 42% for the season. Holmes can go off from 3 and had 21 pts in a half. Guard Bolden can also hit from 3. Thomsan is a very athletic big man. and they had a real nice 3 big man rotation. I really liked this team.

Up tempo team. PG Brooks was POY who likes to drive and kick. They do like to get out in transition. 1/2 court offense was weak – too much standing around. Good rebounding but did give up a lot of 3 pt looks. 7′ kickingstallionsims not bad, but didnt try to get ball to him? They scored only 23 in the first half.. yikes. They will get eaten alive by a good driving team. Brooks and Hayes decent 1-2 punch, but got killed on the boards. Not a terrible team, not a good team.

Will not panic as they are old and were 10-3 on road. Wilkenson plays a lot outside the 3.. interesting. They set a lot of back screens and cuts. Wesley is a nice compliment down low to Wilkenson.

One of best players sat out first 10 games, so dont judge them in those games. Big man is Robinson – big is subjective – typical small school big, but still a pretty athletic Forward. Team runs through Chappell but did try to get ball in post to keep other team honest. Chappell and Longhurst acn shoot the 3. Fransisco was Defensive POY and he was okay. Bench was decent, too. I did write down that they will not be able to score verse a really good D. I also wrote down that I thought Chappell was only decent. I also researched and found out that they do seem to excel in the 2nd half beating Miami FL in 2nd, tied Pitt in the 2nd, lost to X by 3 in 2nd, and in this game came out strong in 2nd.