One of the great things about college sports is that anyone that feels like it can give an award.
Today, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) felt like giving their player of the year award to Kevin Durant. I believe that means the over 5,000 members in the NABC wish Kevin Durant was on their team. But did not go to the lengths of Danny Ainge, and sit next to Durant's mom at the Big XII Tournament.
Now, I'm sure this award is extremely prestigious. I mean it's the National Association. Of Coaches. In Basketball. Yeah, we're waiting on the Naismith award too. But according to Texas Sports (the only mention I could find of the award, not that I actually looked hard.) we can win a 3rd award from Oscar Robertson too. And really, don't we all want the approval of the Big O?
In other news, several sources have reported that Kevin Durant is still enrolled at the University of Texas. That means we still have a chance, right?
Of note:
-Glen "Big Baby" Davis announced he was going to forgo his senior season and enter the NBA draft. I think Big Baby learned a lot coming back from his junior season. Namely, that he made a huge mistake coming back for his junior season. I don't think anyone is surprised at this since, well, LSU sucks.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/news/story?id=2805642
-In a surprise story today, reports are saying that New Mexico has about come to terms with Iowa head coach Steve Alford to take over for the Lobos. Wait, when did Steve Alford get fired from Iowa? He didn't get fired? He voluntarily left? Wow, what does it say about the stature of your program when your coach leaves to go to New Mexico? Better yet, what does it say about New Mexico? That they're committed to playing physical, ugly, slow, non-entertaining basketball, and want to show they're a program that is determined to make it to the NIT every year? Also, how does Iowa rebound from this loss...hire any of the 75% of available coaches across the country? Seriously though, a good hire for New Mexico, except that they're probably paying him 1.5 million a season, and Iowa is probably just getting a head start on what would've been taking place in two more years anyways.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2807516
Showing posts with label New Mexico State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Mexico State. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
vs. New Mexico State (25-8) - Friday, 7:25 pm ET, Spokane, WA
The dream begins Friday, and hopefully the legacy continues. Kevin Durant will lead the Texas Longhorns (24-9) into Spokane, Washington to take on the WAC champions, the New Mexico State Aggies (25-8).
New Mexico State earned an automatic birth into the tournament courtesy of their 72-70 win over Utah State. NMSU should have already put their thank you note to Utah State in the mail since the Aggies managed to avoid conference powerhouse Nevada thanks to Utah State's upset in the semifinals. The Aggies have won 7 of their last 9 and are lead by second year head coach Reggie Theus who has continued to improve each season. After a 3 game improvement to last year's 16-14 mark, the Aggies took the leap this season improving 9 games in the win column. Theus, an NBA veteran, spent 2 seasons at Louisville as an assistant to Rick Pitino before coming to New Mexico State. Much in the Pitino style, New Mexico State likes to push the tempo, which considering the Longhorns style could put this game in the upper 80s and low 90s in scoring.
New Mexico State is led by 1st team all WAC performer Justin Hawkins. The 6'7" junior led the team in scoring and rebounding (15.7 ppg/6.8 rpg) and is built much in the PJ Tucker mold. He could force Texas into more zone and larger lineups as Damion James should likely draw the assignment. The other front line threat for New Mexico State is 6'9" junior forward Tyrone Nelson who is averaging 11.8 ppg and 6.5 rpg. New Mexico State will rotate 6'9" junior center Hatlia Passos (8.5 ppg/6.5 rpg) and 7'0" junior Martin Iti (6.3 ppg/4.3 rpg). The Aggies back court is led by senior guard Elijiah Ingram (10.4 ppg/2.5 apg/42% 3P%).
New Mexico State will use 8 to 9 players in their rotation and Coach Theus does not hesitate to mix things up. Junior guard Fred Peete, a starter much of the season (9.7 ppg/4.1 rpg) did not play in the last three games of the regular season and has played sparingly since. He was replaced in the starting lineup by senior guard Ted Knauber (44 % 3P%), had only been averaged 12 minutes a game until his move into the starting lineup. Theus will call on his senior forward David Fisher and senior guard Shaun Davis off the bench along with Iti. Also, freshman guard Jonathan Gibson will see minutes off the bench.
Texas will be tested on the front line with the size and rebounding ability of New Mexico State. They are a team that is led by their front line and they attack inside and they attack the boards. Look for Texas to sit in a lot of zone to help combat their size and keep Texas out of foul trouble. If Texas is in man to man, look for New Mexico State to try and go at Durant to get him in foul trouble, since that is the only way they will be able to stop him. New Mexico State while not an outside shooting team by nature, has a few players who shoot well from the perimeter and NMSU as a team has been shooting well recently. New Mexico State should try to run several players at Durant to keep their top players out of foul trouble and to try and at least slow down Durant. Texas should be able to control the pace with superior back court play. Augustin and Abrams should be able to get free and wreak havoc on the back court of NMSU.
With Texas, you know what you are getting from Durant. He hasn't been in foul trouble all season, and Texas does a good job of putting him in a position where he will not pick up many fouls. Texas needs Abrams to be on-track from the get go. He's one of the few guys on this team who has played in a tournament game and his poise will be crucial. Most importantly, Texas needs DJ Augustin to get back on track. While his play has not been terrible, he hasn't been shooting the ball well and has been careless at times handling the ball. He is the key for Texas in this game and this tournament. He should be able to get to the rim a lot and get some of NMSU's front line in foul trouble.
Don't look for Justin Mason to get back on track in this game as his play down the stretch has been unimpressive and Craig Winder has been stealing his minutes and playing well in that role. Look for Texas to be in zone more often with Mason and Winder in the game since match ups defensively will be difficult with NMSU's size. Connor Atchely should play an important role if he can stay out of foul trouble and play effectively. He would allow Texas to match up with Damion James on Justin Hawkins. Also, look for Dexter Pittman and Matt Hill possibly stealing some minutes on the centers of the Aggies. Texas could see some extended time in the zone, and if that is the case, the rotation will need to significantly improve as teams got open looks from the perimeter during the tournament.
If Texas can at least stay close in the rebounding margin with New Mexico State and keep out of foul trouble, they should be able to dictate the pace of play, as New Mexico State will have trouble stopping the guards of Texas and that guy, Kevin Durant, he's kinda good. Look for Augustin and Durant to have a big day.
Prediction: Texas 87-79.
New Mexico State earned an automatic birth into the tournament courtesy of their 72-70 win over Utah State. NMSU should have already put their thank you note to Utah State in the mail since the Aggies managed to avoid conference powerhouse Nevada thanks to Utah State's upset in the semifinals. The Aggies have won 7 of their last 9 and are lead by second year head coach Reggie Theus who has continued to improve each season. After a 3 game improvement to last year's 16-14 mark, the Aggies took the leap this season improving 9 games in the win column. Theus, an NBA veteran, spent 2 seasons at Louisville as an assistant to Rick Pitino before coming to New Mexico State. Much in the Pitino style, New Mexico State likes to push the tempo, which considering the Longhorns style could put this game in the upper 80s and low 90s in scoring.
New Mexico State is led by 1st team all WAC performer Justin Hawkins. The 6'7" junior led the team in scoring and rebounding (15.7 ppg/6.8 rpg) and is built much in the PJ Tucker mold. He could force Texas into more zone and larger lineups as Damion James should likely draw the assignment. The other front line threat for New Mexico State is 6'9" junior forward Tyrone Nelson who is averaging 11.8 ppg and 6.5 rpg. New Mexico State will rotate 6'9" junior center Hatlia Passos (8.5 ppg/6.5 rpg) and 7'0" junior Martin Iti (6.3 ppg/4.3 rpg). The Aggies back court is led by senior guard Elijiah Ingram (10.4 ppg/2.5 apg/42% 3P%).
New Mexico State will use 8 to 9 players in their rotation and Coach Theus does not hesitate to mix things up. Junior guard Fred Peete, a starter much of the season (9.7 ppg/4.1 rpg) did not play in the last three games of the regular season and has played sparingly since. He was replaced in the starting lineup by senior guard Ted Knauber (44 % 3P%), had only been averaged 12 minutes a game until his move into the starting lineup. Theus will call on his senior forward David Fisher and senior guard Shaun Davis off the bench along with Iti. Also, freshman guard Jonathan Gibson will see minutes off the bench.
Texas will be tested on the front line with the size and rebounding ability of New Mexico State. They are a team that is led by their front line and they attack inside and they attack the boards. Look for Texas to sit in a lot of zone to help combat their size and keep Texas out of foul trouble. If Texas is in man to man, look for New Mexico State to try and go at Durant to get him in foul trouble, since that is the only way they will be able to stop him. New Mexico State while not an outside shooting team by nature, has a few players who shoot well from the perimeter and NMSU as a team has been shooting well recently. New Mexico State should try to run several players at Durant to keep their top players out of foul trouble and to try and at least slow down Durant. Texas should be able to control the pace with superior back court play. Augustin and Abrams should be able to get free and wreak havoc on the back court of NMSU.
With Texas, you know what you are getting from Durant. He hasn't been in foul trouble all season, and Texas does a good job of putting him in a position where he will not pick up many fouls. Texas needs Abrams to be on-track from the get go. He's one of the few guys on this team who has played in a tournament game and his poise will be crucial. Most importantly, Texas needs DJ Augustin to get back on track. While his play has not been terrible, he hasn't been shooting the ball well and has been careless at times handling the ball. He is the key for Texas in this game and this tournament. He should be able to get to the rim a lot and get some of NMSU's front line in foul trouble.
Don't look for Justin Mason to get back on track in this game as his play down the stretch has been unimpressive and Craig Winder has been stealing his minutes and playing well in that role. Look for Texas to be in zone more often with Mason and Winder in the game since match ups defensively will be difficult with NMSU's size. Connor Atchely should play an important role if he can stay out of foul trouble and play effectively. He would allow Texas to match up with Damion James on Justin Hawkins. Also, look for Dexter Pittman and Matt Hill possibly stealing some minutes on the centers of the Aggies. Texas could see some extended time in the zone, and if that is the case, the rotation will need to significantly improve as teams got open looks from the perimeter during the tournament.
If Texas can at least stay close in the rebounding margin with New Mexico State and keep out of foul trouble, they should be able to dictate the pace of play, as New Mexico State will have trouble stopping the guards of Texas and that guy, Kevin Durant, he's kinda good. Look for Augustin and Durant to have a big day.
Prediction: Texas 87-79.
Labels:
Men's Basketball,
NCAA Tournament,
New Mexico State
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