Tournament Thread Maui Invitational 2018

[douggie]

this post made me wake up and realize that Arizona isn't highly regarded this year

pretty weird since Sean Miller has had them near the top for about a decade now

And yet not a single Final Four, which the bad press, FBI, and NCAA scrutiny has been their biggest obstacle

 

[rmilia1]

1 .Duke
2. Zags
3. Auburn
4. ISU
5. Zona
6. SDSU
7. Xavier
8. Illinois

 

[douggie]

John Feinstein's article about Chaminade's absence at Maui:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...fa705927d54_story.html?utm_term=.78731b2aaa69

 

[tomcat1]

Meh, it's to get these kids their exposure to the NY press, (facetious font)

Just think about all of those one and done players that Coach K would have never signed if he not promised them a trip to MSG for that NY press exposure. The thing is Coach K keeps his promises, which is smart recruiting.

Doesn't Duke play a game in Chicago every season too or did I just dream that?

 

[douggie]

Just think about all of those one and done players that Coach K would have never signed if he not promised them a trip to MSG for that NY press exposure. The thing is Coach K keeps his promises, which is smart recruiting.

Doesn't Duke play a game in Chicago every season too or did I just dream that?

He has done that in the past, but he more recently tries to have a game in a prominent Senior's hometown or vicinity. He hasn't worried about that lately.

 

[podsox]

I think auburn beats duke in the semi’s. Auburn is extremely talented and has a lot experience. It usually matters in November

 

[tomcat1]

He has done that in the past, but he more recently tries to have a game in a prominent Senior's hometown or vicinity. He hasn't worried about that lately.

I guess behind the scenes Coach K gets opportunities to play anywhere he wants to.

 

[tomcat1]

I think auburn beats duke in the semi’s. Auburn is extremely talented and has a lot experience. It usually matters in November

I sure can't see this happening.

 

[Hitman Hart]

Just think about all of those one and done players that Coach K would have never signed if he not promised them a trip to MSG for that NY press exposure. The thing is Coach K keeps his promises, which is smart recruiting.

Doesn't Duke play a game in Chicago every season too or did I just dream that?

not sure if this is sarcasm or not.

the OAD players that Duke has signed over the years did not sign with Duke b/c of MSG

 

[tomcat1]

not sure if this is sarcasm or not.

the OAD players that Duke has signed over the years did not sign with Duke b/c of MSG

Actually it was a little bit of both. A game at MSG has nothing to do with the high school super stars that Coach K recruits. In fact Coach K doesn't really have to recruit since all he has to do is reload because many of these studs want to play for a legend whose total wins in college basketball as a head coach might never be touched.

 

[Hitman Hart]

Actually it was a little bit of both. A game at MSG has nothing to do with the high school super stars that Coach K recruits. In fact Coach K doesn't really have to recruit since all he has to do is reload because many of these studs want to play for a legend whose total wins in college basketball as a head coach might never be touched.

agreed. if MSG lands you big time recruits, then St. John's is clearly doing something wrong

 

[douggie]

I think auburn beats duke in the semi’s. Auburn is extremely talented and has a lot experience. It usually matters in November

Auburn better use that talent and experience to get by Xavier first before they start thinking about Duke

 

[ericd7633]

Auburn better use that talent and experience to get by Xavier first before they start thinking about Duke

Xavier looked pretty bad against Wisconsin the other night. I think Auburn wins pretty easily, probably by about 15-20 or so.

 

[douggie]

Xavier looked pretty bad against Wisconsin the other night. I think Auburn wins pretty easily, probably by about 15-20 or so.

Oh I see Xavier getting beaten by Auburn as well. I just think the projected 3rd best team in the SEC(behind Kentucky) had best get their order of games in place before they look ahead to take on a talented Duke team. Besides, @Great Dayne said Happ would be a POY monster.

 

[Yo Tee]

Duke's about to lay 130 points on San Diego State haha

I'll say Duke and Gonzaga but wouldn't be surprised at a Duke/Arizona final

One thing I'll be surprised at in this is if Duke doesn't make it to the final lol

 

[tomcat1]

agreed. if MSG lands you big time recruits, then St. John's is clearly doing something wrong

MSG doesn't land you big time recruits, it's just another perk that a big time recruit who has already been landed gets to showcase his skills to the NY media on basketball's biggest stage. I think the biggest problem that St. Johns has right now is that Mullen is not on the same level as a recruiter and coach as he was when he was a player.

When Billy Donovan was the head coach at Florida he was young enough with a lot of wins already in his back pocket to at least make a charge towards Coach K in all time wins but since he left Florida to coach in the NBA that's not going to happen. I can't think of any other active head coach in America who will ever coach long enough to get even close to Coach K's total wins when he decides to hang it up.

 

[tomcat1]

Xavier looked pretty bad against Wisconsin the other night. I think Auburn wins pretty easily, probably by about 15-20 or so.

And, Xavier was favored by 2 points at home against Wisky.

 

[tomcat1]

Duke's about to lay 130 points on San Diego State haha

I'll say Duke and Gonzaga but wouldn't be surprised at a Duke/Arizona final

One thing I'll be surprised at in this is if Duke doesn't make it to the final lol

I can't see corrupt Arizona even sniffing the finals but I can see Gonzaga possibly getting there.

 

[The Derski]

Pretty nervous about this tournament. Seems to be the perfect storm of a down season combined with a very very tough field. 3 top 10 teams? Jesus

 

[BoiseStateFan27]

Potentially 3 top 10 teams makes this an amazing field

San Diego State being in this is a huge opportunity for the MWC, problem is they're basically guaranteed regulation to the losers bracket thanks to playing Duke's ludicrous team