Morning Coffee Is Game Day
by Peter Bean on Mar 28, 2008 6:47 AM CDT
in Basketball
30 comments
A few quick notes before I head out for the day.
Programming note. I'll be without computer access throughout much of the day. With AW heading to Houston, this may be it until game time. Many of you are heading to Reliant yourselves, but for those around a computer, there will be an Open Thread this evening. I'll personally be out at a sports bar, to avoid having to watch the game on MMOnDemand.
Did you know we're a football school? Just in case you weren't sure, Texas Sports reminds us on Sweet 16 morning by making its lead story the Spring Scrimmage tomorrow. You won't meet many bigger Texas football fans than I, but that's just sad...
Reliant is a large stadium. If you're in Houston, you can still go to the game, as a limited number of tickets remain available as of this morning. If you haven't seen yet, Reliant is expirimenting with an elevated playing floor set up. For the first time in one of these giant football fields, the basketball court will be at the 50-yard line, instead of down at one of the end zones. The playing floor will be elevated, with players taking stairs up to the court.
Quick Hits. ESPN's talking heads generally favor Texas... Statistically, there's hardly any separation between Texas and Stanford... The Chronicle on tonight's Houston crowd.
--PB--
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i don't like the idea of a raised floor
not right now
seems and looks like a really bad idea
i can already see dj going up for a layup and falling
across the back
by abcdmetrius on Mar 28, 2008 8:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yes
and i've watched big 10 games
they are very deliberate
not many bodies going at high speeds
by abcdmetrius on Mar 28, 2008 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Extend to accomodate players bench
I really don't understand why they didn't extend the elevated area further out to allow for the player's bench. I'm afraid someone is going to get hurt with this new set up.
I appreciate the fact that they are trying to make the game more accessible for the fans, but you have to be more considerate of the players' safety.
by UTAth on Mar 28, 2008 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
J Mase comes to mind
Flying to get a hand up on 3s in the corner on D. But they'll be ready and aware of the surface. Should be a good one. 6.5 hrs to tip.
by Horndogger on Mar 28, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont think it is that big of a saftey issue
Minnesota has been playing on a floor like this for years:
as you can see in this picture the area around the court before the dropoff is much larger at Reliant:
by Wells on Mar 28, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I've seen a few Minnesota games, but...
Many of these players have never played on a floor like this. I just think it could have a profound effect on the games. I hope you're right though. I don't want to see Texas holding back because of being tentative.
by UTAth on Mar 28, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thsi one looks smaller than the sota
one
by abcdmetrius on Mar 28, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
to me
the 'sota endline space looks shorter than Houston, but the sideline space wider.
by jimmer on Mar 28, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is from the picture
the shiny black part may be slightly shorter on the sidelines than the entire sota sideline, but there is a carpeted area that is almost as wide as the shiny part before the fall off.
by Wells on Mar 28, 2008 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Game on, baby!
Wow, I am way too invested in this team. I have butterflies in my tummy that flutter when I think of the game tonight.
Imagine how the players will feel in that gigantic stadium!
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Mar 28, 2008 8:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Heard about the setup on 1560AM this morning.
It sounds like it is going to be really nice. The representative from Reliant said that without a raised floor, you would only be able to see the players from the knees up. Looking forward to checking it out tonight.
by 16thLonghorn on Mar 28, 2008 9:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Statesman Article
Chappy and Pittman played the roles of the twins in practice.
"I was the one with the hair," Chapman said, referring to Robin Lopez, the more dominant shot-blocker of the two and the one with the curly, electric hair. "They made me wear a wig ... just kidding."
The other twin may be afraid of the dark:
Augustin knows Brook Lopez very well, having played with him on a USA national developmental team a couple of years ago. The two even roomed together.
"He always used to read at night and fall asleep with the light on," Augustin said. "I'd always have to get up and turn the light off."
What a p*ssy! Whatever, not that great an article.
If we get out in front by 15, we better keep the intensity high. Hopefully Rick learned that one. We should be able to run these guys out of the gym. Three point shooting may not be that good b/c of the depth perception. AJ play within the offense.
It's fucking game day. I got my BON shirt on and my Texas hat. Casual and a half day at the office. I am pumped for this game.
by jimmer on Mar 28, 2008 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
so liking to read is an insult?
I'm still worried about the size factor and the elevated court doesnt thrill me, but I think Abrams will be on for a close win.
by UTrumbo on Mar 28, 2008 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
just trying to build animosity
i read all the time, just looking for anyway to hate on Cardinal. and if you're 7' you should be able to reach the light switch from anywhere in the room.
by jimmer on Mar 28, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just wanted to brag...
I know you'll hate me, but I picked up two mid-court loge tickets for $138 total. Pretty sweet.
I'm pumped to see what Reliant looks like...I passed by there yesterday and I thought I still saw rodeo signs. My eyes may have been playing tricks on me.
by jc25 on Mar 28, 2008 10:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
By the by...
Assuming we win the first game, are yall going to be rooting for Memphis or Mich. St? I'm partial to the boys in green myself, having rooted for them during the Mateen Cleaves era, but they've given us fits the last two years. I can't decide. If we lose (ugh), though, I'll probably pull for State all the way.
by jc25 on Mar 28, 2008 10:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
State
I'd much rather see MSU for a few reasons. One, we get a shot at some revenge from earlier in the season. Second, Calipari is really playing the underdog card because of nobody giving them a shot to get out of Houston with two wins. Just about everyone is picking against them because of their poor FT shooting (which really hasn't been that bad as of late) and the fact that Texas has home-court advantage.
Is it just me, or do today's games seem a lot more interesting than yesterday's games? It could just be due to Texas playing, but the matchups seem so much more intriguing to me. I actually look forward to seeing all of these games.
Lastly, how good does Louisville look? Sure, they had a ton of turnovers, but Pitino is looking every bit the best coach in the tournament. Here's hoping that Barnes one ups him tonight.
by UTAth on Mar 28, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tennessee observance
So many turnovers! Absence of a true PG really did them in. I was surprised at how many times the guards would leave their feet to pass. They were trapped in mid-air and forced into poor passes way too much. Louisville looks great though. Excited to see the Padgett/Hansbrough matchup.
Good luck tonight Horns fans!
by Horndogger on Mar 28, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh
Tennessee laid a stink-bomb. Lofton shot them out of the ballgame just like we've seen AJ Abrams do in games past. He was absolutely terrible his senior season; I firmly believe ANY little development over the summer and Tennessee could've been a final four team...ball handling, defense, anything. Unfortunately, he decided that all he wanted to do was shoot three-pointers until the cows came home, and I firmly believe that cost a potentially great Tennessee team their season.
I may just be bitter because I hate Louisville so damn much.
by jc25 on Mar 28, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Were they even running offensive plays?
I didn't watch all of that game, but I rarely saw the Vols running anything resembling a play. I don't know if I've ever seen them that sloppy. I remember commenting that it looked like a pick-up game. They made a few behind-the-back/through-the-legs passes while they were down by double digits in the first half. I've never seen a team play that loose while down. I really thought they were going to come back and make that game interesting.
by UTAth on Mar 28, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Memphis
Only cuz they are the only team in the tournament with worse stats from the charity stripe.
The two top seeds in the South Division region both rank in the lower half of the country in team free-throw shooting. Texas is 186th. And Memphis ranks as the third-worst team in the nation, hitting 59.2 percent shots to rank 326th out of the 328 Division I teams.
by patienthornsfan on Mar 28, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to make a BOLD prediction.
No one is going to fall off of the floor.
by 16thLonghorn on Mar 28, 2008 12:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Connor projected to be drafted in 2009!
Take it for what's it worth, nbadraft 2009.
The list assumes that DJ will go pro this year, and James goes the next year. A year ago, who would have thought there is a chance in hell for Connor in pro bball. What an improvement. If he continues to improve, I think he has a good shot.
by Cyrus on Mar 28, 2008 2:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Craig Way's Broadcast?
I had a subscription to the Yahoo Sports online service so that I could listen to Craig Way during the year. Those broadcasts don't seem to be available for the tournament on Yahoo. Does anyone know where I can go online to listen to Craig Way for the game tonight. I'm not in Texas, so local radio is not an option. I remember seeing a link to a spanish station a while back that carried UT football games, but don't remember what the link was.
by FroggyBaby on Mar 28, 2008 3:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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