February General CBB Discussion Thread

[RuffRuff]

I’m always shocked how Sampson wins so many games. His offense is really hard to watch and requires dominating the offensive glass and hitting long 3s. This year’s team is more reliant on freshmen than any of his other teams and I think it is showing on defense (relative to his high standards) while the offense misses Roberts badly inside. Flemings has been better than expected but can be a black hole and Cenac isn’t consistent or strong enough yet. Not a real final four contender.

Sampson is a great coach, but I get the sense to run what makes his system work, it will not be OADs. He needs to nurture the dog into these kids over a couple years, like Shead & Roberts, & Tugler. Tugler doesn't seem as intense without those guys around. I can see a bit of a drop off in his product after this group moves on.

 

[gsmooth]

I’m always shocked how Sampson wins so many games. His offense is really hard to watch and requires dominating the offensive glass and hitting long 3s. This year’s team is more reliant on freshmen than any of his other teams and I think it is showing on defense (relative to his high standards) while the offense misses Roberts badly inside. Flemings has been better than expected but can be a black hole and Cenac isn’t consistent or strong enough yet. Not a real final four contender.

Sampson is a great coach, but I get the sense to run what makes his system work, it will not be OADs. He needs to nurture the dog into these kids over a couple years, like Shead & Roberts, & Tugler. Tugler doesn't seem as intense without those guys around. I can see a bit of a drop off in his product after this group moves on.

Going back to your post about the 2023 Houston team losing to Miami, I have to give Seth Greenberg of ESPN a lot of credit. While everyone picked Houston to advance to the Final Four when the brackets came out and after the first 2 rounds were completed, he picked Miami to defeat Houston. He stated that the Houston's offense depends a lot on bullying and out toughing other teams for offensive rebounds and that Miami's Norchad Omier can take that away and Norchad did just that. Seth stated Miami has the offense to break down Houston's defense and boy did they ever in that game. They had a offensive rating of 126.7. When is the last time anyone has done that to a Houston defense. It's why I was very concerned when UConn had to play them in the Final Four. Miami was #6 in KenPom's offensive rating in 2023.

Sampson is an elite coach. That Houston program was a dead carcass since Phi Slamma Jamma in the early 80s. The turn around job he has done is masterful and Houston is has been consistently a title contender or Final Four contender for many consecutive years.

 

[NJHusky]

Going back to your post about the 2023 Houston team losing to Miami, I have to give Seth Greenberg of ESPN a lot of credit. While everyone picked Houston to advance to the Final Four when the brackets came out and after the first 2 rounds were completed, he picked Miami to defeat Houston. He stated that the Houston's offense depends a lot on bullying and out toughing other teams for offensive rebounds and that Miami's Norchad Omier can take that away and Norchad did just that. Seth stated Miami has the offense to break down Houston's defense and boy did they ever in that game. They had a offensive rating of 126.7. When is the last time anyone has done that to a Houston defense. It's why I was very concerned when UConn had to play them in the Final Four. Miami was #6 in KenPom's offensive rating in 2023.

Sampson is an elite coach. That Houston program was dead carcass for since Phi Slamma Jamma in the early 80s. The turn around job he has done is masterful and Houston is has been consistently a title contender or Final Four contender for many consecutive years.

And in the NIL era, they have a big money supporter in Tilman Fertitta

 

[RuffRuff]

And in the NIL era, they have a big money supporter in Tilman Fertitta

Yet he has three NC returners back and 3 McD AA's and he's claiming they're broke.

He's going to have a fairly mass exodus this year, with at least 4 starters gone. Tugler is a junior and I've seen him in second round mocks. I know they have a big coming in next year, but feels like a bit of a reset for him going into next year. I haven't noticed anyone on their bench really standing out. Harwell has been a disappointment this year. We'll see if he can keep his run going. He hasn't done a ton of portaling yet, this may be a year he has to.

 

[alphasigko]

This Houston d is nothing like past years, in part due to Roberts moving on. That guy was a menace. Him and Shead together were their version of Castle/Clingan in different ways. They'd harass the ball and always have hands in passing lanes, would impose will on the opponent defensively and on the boards. This squad just doesn't have that. Better offensively, but many steps backward defensively.

Their loss of Shead was devastating to their chances in '24. We probably would have played them had that not happened.

 

[Marat]

So apparently Houston did have a fanbase. I distinctly remember playing in their completely empty gym during the AAC days. After Sampson got them back into the top 25 they got their support back. But yeah would be better not to play them in the south regional.

 

[RuffRuff]

Their loss of Shead was devastating to their chances in '24. We probably would have played them had that not happened.

Crushed, they would have easily gotten through Duke and NCSt with him. He was the heart and soul of that team.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Them vs Purdue would have been a great National Semifinal.

 

[RuffRuff]

Not sure the 2's are any better than the 3's, and the not sure the 5's aren't better than the 4's. I see Alabama, Arkansas and StJ's better than any of the 4's.

 

[uconn_jack]

Illinois just lost to a dog poo ucla team almost giving up 100 points.

And one thing I’ll caution about Florida, yes they look strong now, once they got into league play. Personally I think the SEC sucks this year. Who is the 2nd best team in that league? Arkansas? Vanderbilt? Tennessee? Not exactly murderers row they are playing.

It’s why it’s so important to get that last 1 seed. Means we for sure avoid Duke Michigan Arizona who IMO are a cut above everyone else.

Or at least the first #2 to also have a chance at avoiding them.