RockyMTblue2
Don't Look Up!
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Nice get for the Ducks. They're going to need it because the Pac-12 is loaded. I still think their in-state rivals are going to hand them their butts this and next year, nonetheless Stanford. Cal, USC and the Washington's didn't get any worse either.
Is it a changing of the guard? Tennessee, Stanford, Rutgers, North Carolina down; Louisville, Oregon, Baylor, Texas, UCLA up?
It's the changing of the 1st place losers. UCONN>> Everyone elseIs it a changing of the guard? Tennessee, Stanford, Rutgers, North Carolina down; Louisville, Oregon, Baylor, Texas, UCLA up?
Don't forget to bring your umbrellas ladies....
On Friday, Oregon landed 6-foot-4 wing Satou Sabally, out of Berlin, Germany (How's that Daddy C?). She averaged 20.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game at the 2014 FIBA U16 European Championships.
@Carnac I'm not sure how you could go 4 paragraphs talking about the relative strength of the Pac 12 and no mention either of the two Final Four Teams from 2016.On Friday, Oregon landed 6-foot-4 wing Satou Sabally, out of Berlin, Germany (How's that Daddy C?). She averaged 20.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game at the 2014 FIBA U16 European Championships.
OK, that's fine. How'd she do the last two years in 2015 & 2016? "This class, from day one, was the class we wanted to crush," Oregon coach Kelly Graves told The Oregonian. "We focused on the 2016 recruiting class and knew it was the class that could define our program. It's great to see it come through."
The writer of the article (Andrew Nemec of the Oregonian) make's it sound like the 2017 Oregon squad will emerge as the new "neighborhood bully" of the Pac 12, and should be taken very seriously.
As mentioned by other posters, UCLA, Arizona St. and Stanford have not gotten any worse by the way. They've beefed up their respective rosters as have other other Pacific 12 schools.
Before the Ducks can climb the Empire State Building and beat their chests (King Kong), they must establish a league wide dominance first, then focus on the national scene.
Bringing in top rated/ranked talent is wonderful for the Duck program, but let's see if that roster can pass the "eye" test. Can they score when they want to, and make stops on the other end when they need to?
How effectively can they impose their will on others? That's the rub. Let's see if Coach Graves and his staff can blend all of them together into a cohesive unit that can run the floor, and dominate both ends nightly.
Remember, UCLA had the top ranked recruiting class in the country two years ago. How'd that work out for them? Not a blip on the national radar. Color me a bit skeptical at this point. Let's see how this "program defining class" finishes the 2016-2017 season. If they make it to the sweet 16, it would be fair to say that they had a successful year, and I'll tip my turban to them.
Yeah. Well, Dawn still takes them this year, improved or not.This is very true and that league gets better every year. Don't forget UCLA and Arizona State who's better than average more often than not.
Remember, UCLA had the top ranked recruiting class in the country two years ago. How'd that work out for them? Not a blip on the national radar. Color me a bit skeptical at this point. Let's see how this "program defining class" finishes the 2016-2017 season. If they make it to the sweet 16, it would be fair to say that they had a successful year, and I'll tip my turban to them.
@Carnac I'm not sure how you could go 4 paragraphs talking about the relative strength of the Pac 12 and no mention either of the two Final Four Teams from 2016.
Is it a changing of the guard? Tennessee, Stanford, Rutgers, North Carolina down; Louisville, Oregon, Baylor, Texas, UCLA up?
The CANDY man was probably the most all around musical talent ever; of a Puerto Rican Mother and State side father.Thanks DaddyC. Oddly enough, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Davis when I was in College in the early 70's. He came to our campus for a presentation, and I was assigned to assist him during his visit. I had the chance to chat with him briefly. He was a very gracious and personable man. I'll always remember that encounter.
I was able to because we EXPECT Washington and Oregon State to be great again this season. We don't expect them to fall out of the lime light in one season. I (we) expect them to be at the top of the Pac 12 standings all year, and go deep into the tournament. What we don't know is who (if any) of the other Pac 12 schools are going to show any improvement, flex their muscles, or draw attention to their program and the Pac 12.
We don't know IF UCLA, and their #1 class of 2 years ago will finally play up to the potential they were expected to when they were signed We don't know if USC (6-12 in conference) will stumble of the of blocks again this year, or come out like a team possessed, kicking a** and taking names.
The Trojans have 4 incoming freshmen this year: A 5 star - 6-1 wing - Valerie Higgins (Chaminade Prep, CA), 4 star 6-1 wing Ja'Tavia Tapley (University Christian, FL), 3 star 6-2 post Asiah Jones (Woodmont, SC) and 3 star 5-7 pg Minyon Moore (Salesian HS,CA). They lost their leading scorer Temi Fagbenle to graduation. They'll have UConn transfer Sadie Edwards available for the entire season this year. We'll see if this infusion of fresh new talent can make a difference in the Trojans fortunes this season.
Utah went virtually unseen last year, finishing 7th in conference (8-10) finishing 18-15, and failing to make the tournament. Arizona (3-15/13-19) was horrible last year, and Colorado (2-16/7-23 - worse record in the Pac 12), wasn't any better. Maybe I misread the article. It sounded little more than sabre rattling to me. I'll wait until the season starts, and Oregon has played 5 non exhibition games before I form an opinion on them.
I assumed (and maybe I should not have) that that was understood, and need not be mentioned. Thanks for the heads up. I''ll try and not make those assumptions in future posts.
Washington and Oregon State --what do they have returning that gives you so much confidence in them returning to the big stage again this year?? Few teams stay more than one or 2 years in a row. Getting there is hard--staying there is near impossible.
When you ASS-U ME --you know!!
I doIF UConn were to make it to the final four this year, I think they would be considered that dark horse, because no one at this point (Sept 18, 2016) expects them to be there.
Well kicker, I certainly hope your wish comes true!!I do
Not "wish" or "hope." Expectation!Well kicker, I certainly hope your wish comes true!!