My name is Seedy K, and I’m a hoopaholic.
Wednesday was another night of compelling hoops, including a righteous effort in South Bend by those lads from Norris Place. For a junkie like me, it doesn’t take much.
And I shall weigh in on that and other matters of the sport that consume me.
But first, allow me a self indulgent vent.
* * * * *
I watch a lot of college basketball, a lot of sports actually.
Such that, to keep the blood and metabolism going, I’ll get out of my recliner periodically and watch while
standing and stretching. Which puts me closer to my telly.
The other night, I realized the images were getting a smidge fuzzy around the edges on my once state of the art flat screen. There was a hint of latency.
Such that, even though it was still fine, I found myself in the TV section of the appliance store, where I was purchasing a new dishwasher, my current one having cried out, “No Mas.”
So, of course, being as addicted to consumerizing as I am to hoops, I sprung for a top o’ the line Samsung.
Not necessary. But, given how much I watch, nice. I’m blessed I can afford it. It’s how I roll.
So, it is Thursday morning, now three hours after the text advised it would be delivered and installed.
An impatient sort, I called the customer service number awhile back to check on the status.
After being bumped up a level to someone whose English I could actually understand, I now await a call from that person’s supervisor with an update. Which is an hour after promised.
A first world “problem” for sure. And it allows me to address you all that are reading and care about basketball, even if you couldn’t give a shite about my vexation.
But still . . .
* * * * *
I’ll be honest, I don’t pay as much attention to the Bellarmine Knights as I should.
I was aware they were traveling to South Bend last night for a play for pay game, but only saw a score this morning.
Notre Dame 86, Bellarmine 79.
The Knights obviously played the Irish tough, thought I. So I delved deeper.
ND was up 7 at the half. Then started the 2d, scoring 13 of the first 14. The Irish’s lead ballooned to 22, and they were still up 16 with three and a half to play.
The Knights made a run, cutting the disadvantage to 5 at one point. Which included a +1 underneath when the zebras didn’t catch that the Knight took several steps during his pivot and hook shot release.
An L, the fourth in five tilts for rookie HC Doug Davenport’s squad. Yet a scrappy performance it would appear.
* * * * *
While I don’t understand the algorithmic underpinnings, I pay way more attention to the three analytical gurus than I do the human polls.
Bart Torvik. Evan Miya. And still the generally most revered, Ken Pomeroy.
Do I look for the Louisville Cardinals first?
What do you think?
Torvik has U of L at #5 heading off to the Queen City for Friday night’s battle with the Bearcats.
Miya has the Card at #11.
Pomeroy has Louisville in the #10 spot.
Of more interest are KP’s offensive and defensive efficiency rankings.
The Cards in the #2 spot at the O end, trailing only overall #4 Purdue.
U of L now sits #58 at the D end. Down nine spots after the UK smackaround. Those rankings are adjusted given how other teams perform, so a school can move up or down without playing.
Interesting Purdue has the #48 rated D.
Why interesting?
Because there is a general belief — and I haven’t researched to confirm it it’s actually true — that the national champ is always top 20 in both categories. Which generally most of Pomeroy’s current top 10 are with the exception of the two D outliers and Houston and Iowa State on offense.
What does it mean?
Not sure.
Cards gave up 80 to Ohio U., but still prevailed by 25.
88 to Kentucky, but still had the Cats measure by 8.
Good D is important. Tenacious D is preferred. I believe U of L’s numbers will improve.
But if you can score, it makes up for a lot of ills.
The Professor sayeth: You look good when you make your baskets.
The Cards are netting literally half their shots, 37% from long range, 74% from the line.
* * * * *
Not sure I’ve ever witnessed a postgame post mortem like Mark Pope’s after his Wildcats were smacked around by Sparty.
After the Louisville L, Pope implied there was something amiss with his team. Which he wouldn’t go into.
After the loss to Michigan State in MSG, he was despondent. Vacant eyes and disposition.
While taking the responsibility, he called his team “discombobulated.”
That’s the kind of out of the box adjective I use, not the coach of one of the premier programs in the land.
Do I feel sorry for the Big Blue Nation?
Pshaw.
But it does add another out of the Big Blue storyline for this wonderful basketball season.
* * * * *
Arizona beat UConn last night. In Storrs.
Dan Hurley was his usual calm self: “We blew a fucking chance to beat one of the best teams in the country.”
Tommy Lloyd’s squad has already conquered three ranked teams. Florida and UCLA in addition to UConn.
#1 so far????
Alabama has also been a fascinating watch.
Beat St. John’s in the Garden. Beat Illinois last night in Chicago. Lost at home to Purdue.
Nate Oats, like Pat Kelsey, is not avoiding the hard ones early.
* * * * *
In what has quickly become called the Year of Freshmen, Mikel Brown Jr. is ranked as the fourth best so far by ESPN.
Behind AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Booker and Caleb Wilson. Just ahead of Koa Peat.
Beat Cincy.
— c d kaplan
