CBSSPORTSLINE TOP 20 PGs

[MR. E]

Jose Juan Berea Northeastern 6
Loren Stokes Hofstra 20

http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasket ... ry/8945596 (http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/8945596)

[geewiz]

Sweet!

Although I don't know if he's quite that high - but definitely Top Ten in my book.

[NU Hoop Fan]

Sports Illustrated has him as #10.

[gmusig03]

Not a single PG from the ACC, but two from CAA, not bad, not bad at all. Other then Loughton, anyone think anyone else has a shot at getting listed?

[Mr.BigBlue]

What about Drew Williamson ? He had one of the top assists to turnover ratio of any PG in the country last year. Also, he had a fairly high shooting percentage from beyond the arc. I really believe he is overlooked.

[masonfan]

Clearly CBS doesn't know what they are talking about, first your 12 seed in that tourney they air and now this :roll: Is it really possible ODU isn't as good as some of you think?

[monarchmac23507]

Williamson is the best PG in the country. Tony Skinn is number 2. Number 3 is maybe Dee Brown of Illinois.

[Mr. Jablomi]

Regardless of how good some may THINK ODU is, we KNOW ODU is better than GMU, which is all you should worry about.

[gmutom]

Regardless of how good some may THINK ODU is, we KNOW ODU is better than GMU, which is all you should worry about.

This is what we call deflecting. You know ODU and its players can't live up to your hype or expectations, so you try to change the subject by putting down other schools. The hilarious part is that you constantly pretend that you are too good for the CAA and among the nation's elite teams, yet you constantly find the need to use other CAA teams as a benchmark for your perceived greatness. You can't have it both ways.

The bottom line is that this will be a frustrating year to be an ODU fan. There is absolutely no way this team can meet your bloated expectations. Winning the conference in the regular season? Not good enough. Winning the CAA tournament? Not good enough? Playing well for three quarters only to lose in the first round? Simply not good enough. You have set the bar so damn high that the only thing that awaits you is failure. And the worst part is that the season has yet to even start.

Stop worrying about Mason and start thinking about what beverage you want to use to wash down that humble pie at the end of the season. Got milk?

[masonfan]

http://japanesecentral.com/Siryoo/pictureclips/drink/milk.jpg

[monarchmac23507]

Regardless of how good some may THINK ODU is, we KNOW ODU is better than GMU, which is all you should worry about.

This is what we call deflecting. You know ODU and its players can't live up to your hype or expectations, so you try to change the subject by putting down other schools. The hilarious part is that you constantly pretend that you are too good for the CAA and among the nation's elite teams, yet you constantly find the need to use other CAA teams as a benchmark for your perceived greatness. You can't have it both ways.

The bottom line is that this will be a frustrating year to be an ODU fan. There is absolutely no way this team can meet your bloated expectations. Winning the conference in the regular season? Not good enough. Winning the CAA tournament? Not good enough? Playing well for three quarters only to lose in the first round? Simply not good enough. You have set the bar so damn high that the only thing that awaits you is failure. And the worst part is that the season has yet to even start.

Stop worrying about Mason and start thinking about what beverage you want to use to wash down that humble pie at the end of the season. Got milk?

Certainly the post of the year... :lol: :lol: :lol:

[masonfan]

The Truth hurts

[dukaholic]

Not a single PG from the ACC, but two from CAA, not bad, not bad at all. Other then Loughton, anyone think anyone else has a shot at getting listed?

I'd have to think Shawn James would have a shot -- kid's shot blocking gets him all kinds of national pub.

[scottyward]

Thank God the season starts soon !!! 8)

I'm sorry that folks keep getting into pi**ing contests about ODU's ability to win the conference, the huge loss at GMU, NU's entry into the CAA etc etc etc :x

I've enjoyed posting with you all, but it is about time to let the season start and have the players determine who is the best in the CAA... then we'll drink milk and have actual facts to back up all this "sometimes shady" analysis !! :lol:

Best wishes to the entire CAA !!

[masonfan]

Great post Scotty and couldn't agree with you more

[Mr. Jablomi]

Actually, my post was not "deflecting" in any way, but rather a response to yet ANOTHER attempt by a fan from an also ran (re: GMU) program taking a shot at ODU.
How good ODU may or may not be is open for debate, but whether or not they are better than GMU is not. That's not deflecting, that's just stating a fact.
Now, ODU's season will not be a disappointment for most of the fans, as they will win 20+ games (something Larranaga has done how many times?), and make the NCAA tourney. From there, it's a crapshoot.
As for the comparison of ODU to any other CAA team, I'd say that only makes sense, as these are the programs we compete with for the CAA title. Now, I realize GMU has never been in a position to have it's team compared to the nation's elite, as this year's ODU squad is, so it might be tough for you guys to understand that:
A. We ARE among the nation's elite.
B. We SHOULD still be compared to the other CAA squads, since that is our competition for the auto bid.

[masonfan]

You wouldn't go .500 playing those "elite" teams you claim to be compared against. Those are facts, the last time, and only time last season you played one of those teams, you had the worst CAA showing in the NCAA tourney in a number of years.

Facts, just facts :wink:

[EverydayinVA]

You wouldn't go .500 playing those "elite" teams you claim to be compared against. Those are facts, the last time, and only time last season you played one of those teams, you had the worst CAA showing in the NCAA tourney in a number of years.

Facts, just facts :wink:

Wait a f*$%&* minute the worst showing in years? The lead LATE into that game against a FINAL FOUR team? Give me a freakin break. When was the last time GMU upset someone in the tourney? Keep livin through UNCW and Richmond etc there MF its pretty funny.

[Mr. Jablomi]

You mean that awful showing where we led with 4 minutes to play vs a Final Four team? Yeah, awful showing. :roll:

[masonfan]

The teams representing the CAA the prior few years, UNCW, Mason and VCU all came closer,( UNCW actually won one) to upseting there first round games then ODU did.

[Mr. Jablomi]

Ohhh, the "we lost by less" attitude. Very prevalent among losers.

[scottyward]

I'd guess a team would rather show up at the NCAA Tourney and lose than have the season end in Richmond. :wink:

Is it time for Midnight Madness yet ????? :lol:

[monarchmac23507]

I'd guess a team would rather show up at the NCAA Tourney and lose than have the season end in Richmond. :wink:

Is it time for Midnight Madness yet ????? :lol:
Just 78 hours, 6 minutes, and 52 seconds away :wink:

[masonfan]

ODU did have the worst showing last year then in years then any other CAA team. Those are just facts. Also, find it funny we are projected to be 14th this year as a league, lower I believe last year when VCU was the defending champs.

[monarchmac23507]

One of them has the conference ranked 10th. I'll find it...

[VRam2]

Yeah, I think it was that guy who has his own website. Uh, Tom knows which one I mean. I get him mixed up with the Muffin Man.

[bigblue1975]

Try Cheezedoodle!

[VRam2]

Yeah, that's it. Cheezedoody.

[TriRam]

Ohhh, the "we lost by less" attitude. Very prevalent among losers.

Almost as prevalent among losers as, "our team had the sniffles." :roll:

[VRam2]

Hey, come on. It was the flu.

[TJ Reaper]

I would say:

HIGH-MAJOR: Big East, ACC, Pac 10, Big XII, Big Ten, SEC
H-M CALIBER: C-USA, WCC, MAC, MVC, Mountain West <--high major caliber just means that they often field multiple teams who play on a high level.

I think it's the CAA/A-10/WAC/Mountain West for 11-14. If we were behind those 3, that's okay by me preseason. People would look at Charlotte in a better light PRESEASON than they would ODU, hence upping the A-10's rep. I wouldn't be surprised if those 4 are 11-14 on that list.

The CAA is definitely the most undeserving of the top 14, I must say. But we are, however, more deserving than the next (which probably is the Sun Belt or Horizon).


WE HAVE TO EARN THE RIGHT TO BE RANKED AHEAD OF CONFERENCES WHO RECENTLY HAD MULTIPLE-BIDS OR WON SOME GAMES IN THE TOURNAMENT.......WE HAVE TO EARN THAT. UNTIL THEN, WE WILL BE THE BEST OF THE WORST AND THE WORST OF THE BEST: DEAD MIDDLE.

[monarx]

I wonder what it will take for people to not accept CUSA as a major. Since the exodus of all of their good teams except Memphis, CUSA sucks. Plain and simple. Sucks. I think the CAA is easily better than CUSA outside of Memphis.

[VRam2]

I don't agree with that. Tulane, Southern Miss, SMU, Houston, UAB, Memphis, Tulsa, etc. They're still better than the CAA.

[s_curl]

Ohhh, the "we lost by less" attitude. Very prevalent among losers.

Almost as prevalent among losers as, "our team had the sniffles." :roll:

Sorry to drive this slightly off-topic....but ....

TriRam---is your avatar of the famous "snakefish" that made its return recently to the DC area :P :lol:

[TriRam]

Unfortunately, it is merely a trout.

[TJ Reaper]

Jablomi, I feel what you are saying, I really do. Trust me, I am NO fan of C-USA. But, next year, on paper, they still have Memphis and UAB....two programs who can recruit at a high level because of recent success and their coaches. UAB will always be at the top of that league because of the intensity they play with on the court. Memphis, with Calipari, will always get the talent to win THAT league.

Houston is a team that WILL be top 5 next year......UH is definitely a better program overall than any in the CAA (plus, they have major tradition to lure top coaches, recruits, and $$$$ to build those wonderful facilities).

VCU is playing at Houston this year. That is the "marquee" game on our schedule (I know, I know). But, UH will surprise; I personally will be surprised if they win 20 games next year.

Jab, man, bottom line is this:

Memphis, UAB, Houston, UTEP......those four teams, in the CAA....ODU would be a preseason 4/5 this season. They make C-USA better than the CAA......the resources in that league are just incredible (you're talking about schools in the south.....even Rice, SMU, Tulsa get more respect when they are good than the CAA schools).

C-USA is not sinking.....won't be nearly as good, but it is still better than the CAA...even this year.

And, to answer your question in my opinion, C-USA won't be considered less than a major until they consistently only get 1-2 teams in the NCAA's. This year, however, you will have Memphis, UAB, Houston, UTEP, Rice all looking for bids.

Heck, UTEP, UAB would definitely get at-large bids before ODU. Teams also WANT to play them.......look at their schedules.

[TJ Reaper]

Plus, I love the fact that ODU will get the chance to play at UAB this year. They could eat you guys alive.........

I hope both VCU and ODU escape with wins.

[VCU4LIFE]

Jablomi on the Sporting News thread.....


GMU 2nd? NU that far down? No way.
GMU fans seem to hang their hat on their win over ODU last year, a game in which 4-5 of ODU's best players were sick with the flu. That does not change what GMU was, a sub par (6th place in a ten team league) team that never threatened to make noise in the CAA regular season or tourney.
If you return everybody from a below average squad, does that make you good? I don't think so.

I'd take NU, HU, and VCU over GMU in a heartbeat.

[ODU True Blue]

The teams representing the CAA the prior few years, UNCW, Mason and VCU all came closer,( UNCW actually won one) to upseting there first round games then ODU did.

This is funny. It has been how many years since your community college sniffed the NCAAs? 5, 6? And with all your first round tourney losses since then you still think your have a "program". Don't lop that ugly loss of yours as "prior few."

And yes UNCW won a great game. Did GMU? They've never even been close to winning one. Maybe if they'd had someone who wasn't a senior citizen and couldn't bend over to catch a ball rolling SLOWLY between his legs they might have stood a mild chance. Goerge Evans, the Bill Buckner of basketball.

[gmutom]

Goerge Evans, the Bill Buckner of basketball.

True Blue, the Dan Quayle of spellers. :oops:

[Mr. Jablomi]

RR, I did not make the comment about CUSA. I agree they are currently a better conference in hoops than the CAA.
I do, however, feel it's a league that will deteriorate. Their recruiting will suffer mainly because all the marquee programs, sans Memphis and UAB, have left.
If you're a top recruit, is it really that appealing to get to play a home and home with ECU? SMU? S. Miss? I don't think so.

[masonfan]

5-6 years, still less time then it took ODU to JUST MAKE A POST SEASON APPEARANCE!!!!!!

[Mr. Jablomi]

Get some new material, as your act has worn thin. You know the facts, and anyone with a brain from GMU would avoid any hoops comparison with ODU.
Next?

[masonfan]

why do you continue to try and compare your elite ODU program to Mason? If ODU is truely one of the elite programs in the country why don't you try and compare them to Duke, UNC, UMD, and so on? Clearly ODU was the best team in the CAA last year, in a down, rebuilding year, made clear by the lack of senior leadership, but really how can you call your team elite and better then the CAA, while doing nothing but comparing and judging your "greatest" from one year?

[TJ Reaper]

Oops, I see that now.

I was kind of wondering (while I was writing that post) why you would say C-USA "sucks".......I figured you would know better ;)

[monarx]

I still think that outside of Memphis, CUSA is certainly no better than the CAA. They have several teams in the top 100 but so does the CAA. ODU is of equal caliber to UAB and Houston this year. So is Hofstra and probably Northeastern. They have UTEP, Rice & Tulane, We have GMU, VCU and UNCW. CUSA is not much if any stronger than the CAA once you get past Memphis, yet they get tons more respect and is considered a major. Thats why they get more teams in the NCAAs too. The perception that since they are from a "major" they should get more teams in. Yes, Memphis, UAB, Houston, Rice & UTEP will all be looking for bids, but so will ODU, NU, VCU, GMU, Hoftsra. Even the bottoms of the leagues are similar. I'd like to see a JMU/ECU match up. Or Towson take on Marshall. My point is CUSA and the A10 are losing ground and the CAA is gaining on them. If Charlotte had joined us instead of GSU, this league would be as good or better than the A10 this year. After GW & UNCC that league is much like the CAA. Bottom line, the CAA needs to win its OOC games, get to the post season and win, both in the Tourney and the NIT.

[Polito1]

whew...anyway...

congrats to Stokes and Barea - should be an exciting yr in the CAA - can't wait

[EverydayinVA]

I take ODU to hold their own against ANY of those CUSA teams this year. You guys are giving alot of credit to a bunch of NIT teams. I will say that CUSA is better year in and year out. This being an espeicially strong year for the CAA I think we could hold our own against that conference. Next year ? The year after ? but this year for sure.

[masonfan]

Until the CAA does anything in the NCAA we will get no respect. That is the bottomline.

[EverydayinVA]

The CAA is known for having done things in the NCAAs maybe not the last couple years but it always gets mentioned year in and year out.

[VRam2]

I hope the CAA does great this year. Nevertheless, you guys are dreaming. What's the basis for saying that the CAA is so much stronger this year? I'm pro-CAA and I just don't see it.

[hemloche]

MY GOD ITS ANOTHER ODU VS THE WORLD PISSING MATCH!!!!

JABLOMI AND ODUTB, SHUT THE HELL UP UNTIL THE GAMES HAVE BEEN PLAYED AND WON ALL THE TEAMS ARE 0-0 RIGHT NOW SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? ALL THE TEAMS IN THE CAA ARE IN TIED IN 1ST PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE. NO ONE IS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE!!!!! I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THE TWO OF YOU AND MF AND P8 TURNING EVERY DAMNED THREAD INTO A PISSING MATCH!!!!!

[Mr. Jablomi]

Did someone say something?

ODU is better than GMU, I don't care that the season has not started. That's life.

[masonfan]

What was that score again?

[TJ Reaper]

Everyday, who cares about a team winning a first round game? We, as a conference, have to aim higher than just a win.

For example, I would be disappointed if ODU didn't make the Sweet 16 this year. F*$& a first round win. That would just equate them to the likes of Vermont 2004, Bucknell 2004. Get further.

I would also be disappointed if, in arguably our deepest most talented year of the league (from top to bottom not on top), we did not get an at-large bid.



I've always been a CAA booster, but to say that the CAA is better than C-USA is just foul and ignorant. Sure they lost some excellent programs, but they rebuilt the conference with teams from the WAC.....the WAC, a conference ALWAYS ranked higher than the CAA......they only took the strongest programs from that conference......sans Nevada......

Now, if you wanted to argue that the CAA is better than the WAC, I wouldn't disagree. Nevada - ODU are both on a similar level this season. Utah State, Fresno State, Hawai'i, La Tech (with Paul Milsap) of next year are similar to VCU, Northeastern, Hofstra, Mason. I think UNCW, Drexel could prove to play better than Boise State (of next year), San Jose St. New Mexico St and Idaho are just fakers this season. NMSU has GREAT potential to make a name for themselves next season when their transfers become eligible.

You also could argue that the CAA could finish above the Mountain West next season. The MWC has really solid programs in Utah, TCU, BYU (had some down years recently), New Mexico. Their problem is that they struggle OOC vs. their schedules, which hurts their power rankings. Next year won't be as good, IMO, as last year was, but the MWC will still be good because of the type of player they recruit. In a year that could be the CAA's best and a year that could be a down year for the MWC, I wouldn't mind taking a second-look at a scenario where the CAA could finish higher than the MWC.

Colorado State is supposed to be good this year.

[FearTheLion]

We, as a conference, have to aim higher than just a win.


I would also be disappointed if, in arguably our deepest most talented year of the league (from top to bottom not on top), we did not get an at-large bid.



Agreed.

In the very large world outside of these boards, the CAA is garbage. We have lots to prove.

And for the record, most would still believe that C-USA, MtnWest, WAC, and yes the A10 are still proven conferences that are better than the CAA.

We're excited about how we stack up against the rest, but we haven't gotten anything done yet.

Only ODU is riding a wave of notoriety right now and quite frankly, that's considered hype to many universities across the nation. They saw us compete in March but we didn't win. They coiuld care less about an 18-3 record against the rest of the CAA.

The great thing about this discussion is that every year around this time there's a program in the CAA that's talking like the world has so much respect for them. Last year it was VCU who had given Wake a scare in the 1st round. The year before it was UNC-W, etc, etc.

In this business its for each his own and every coach, player and fan has the responsibility to elevate their program. Blaine's been rolling now into his 3rd straight year of advancement, dating back to 2003-2004, when ODU surprised the CAA playing 7-8 fr's and soph's and still got around 17-18 wins. But outside CAA territory, no one respects that.

Another way to look at it...who on this side of the country talked about Gonzaga being strong before they cracked the field of 32 or Sweet 16? Not many.

They commanded their respect on the court. And so should we (or whoever claims the CAA title).

[gmutom]

In the very large world outside of these boards, the CAA is garbage. We have lots to prove.

And for the record, most would still believe that C-USA, MtnWest, WAC, and yes the A10 are still proven conferences that are better than the CAA.

We're excited about how we stack up against the rest, but we haven't gotten anything done yet.

Only ODU is riding a wave of notoriety right now and quite frankly, that's considered hype to many universities across the nation. They saw us compete in March but we didn't win. They coiuld care less about an 18-3 record against the rest of the CAA.

In this business its for each his own and every coach, player and fan has the responsibility to elevate their program. Blaine's been rolling now into his 3rd straight year of advancement, dating back to 2003-2004, when ODU surprised the CAA playing 7-8 fr's and soph's and still got around 17-18 wins. But outside CAA territory, no one respects that.

Another way to look at it...who on this side of the country talked about Gonzaga being strong before they cracked the field of 32 or Sweet 16? Not many.

They commanded their respect on the court. And so should we (or whoever claims the CAA title).

Damn, this could be the most coherent and accurate post I've read on these boards in the last 6 montths. It's good to have you back, Fear the Lion. I know we all rib one another about each other's failures, but the botttom line is that every time a CAA team loses in the first round, it is the entire conference that loses. If this is ODU's year to make a run, we all need them to get past the first round. And I would be your number one fan if the Monarchs are the ones who cut down the net at the CAA tournament.

[Mr. Jablomi]

Our league champ normally does a good job in the 1st round, and we occasionally win the 1st round (despite always getting a poor seeding). We need more than one team in, and a few wins in the tourney, to cement a reputation as a solid league.
Even if ODU goes crazy, wins another 25+ games, and wins a game or two in the tourney, people will stay say it's just a case of one team being really good in a bad league.
I'm hoping we get 4-5 twenty win teams this year, and hopefully 1-2 of them win well over twenty.
The OOC schedule, collectively, is huge this year. We've got 5-6 teams very capable of playing with most of the teams in the country. They need to take care of business.

[EverydayinVA]

I just wanna tell you to read my post again Reaper. I said I liked ODU's chances against those guys, hell I'd even say I like Hofstra, VCU, Mason, and Northeasterns chances of holding their own against those teams, the bottom half who knows. I'm not trying to say the CAA is better than CUSA, just that the difference is minimal especially this year. I watch alot of basketball and I think Jablomi saying that 5-6 teams in this conference could win 20 games this year isnt far off, I would say 4, a few breaks here and there and who knows. I'm proud to be not only a ODU fan but a CAA fan this year too. We are going to be seeing alot of good basketball this year, I cant wait.

[DABIGBLUE]

Don't get me wrong, But who did anything from the CAA in the post season last year. I think it was 0-6, not too respectable. Sometimes I think we get more than we deserve, and GMU doesn't deserve JACK.

[hemloche]

Did someone say something?

ODU is better than GMU, I don't care that the season has not started. That's life.

Will you please stop with the pissing matches. I am getting really sick and tired of your BS...its getting old. The same goes for Blahi, ODUTRueBlue, MasonFan and P8. The season has yet to start and the 5 of you keep running your mouths and frankly I am surprised that ZA hasn't kicked all of you off of here.

[s_curl]

Off Topic Rant:

Lochy, do you feel the need to point out and comment on each and every percieved "pissing match"? If you don't like what's being said, isn't the rule of thumb NOT to read it, and NOT to reply to it? I may have the perfect nickname -- M.O.T.O. (Master Of The Obvious). Yes there are pissing matches....but like a fire that doesn't get oxygen, they will burn themselves out. There is little to NO need to point out each and every "pissing match". So please refrain from doing so in the future.

Rant End.

The last few thoughts from FTL, Tom, and Mr. J (others as well) have been spot on. Winning in the NCAA tournament on a consistant basis is the only way to put the CAA on the National Stage.

Looking forward to following the action this season -- good luck to all CAA teams this year.

[hemloche]

I agree with Reaper. When the CAA gets an at-large, and one team wins one game and another one gets to the Sweet 16, that will be when the league finally gets some lasting respect.

And I also agree that some shuttin' up needs to happen, all around. We can all support our teams without being peckerheads about it. Good natured ribbing is one thing - being an @ss is another. Let the games begin and we'll see who's good and who's a pretender.

Go Monarchs!


S-Curl,

at least this ODU Fan agrees with me. I know the off season has been long but some people need to show some restraint around here (the aforementioned people in my last post). N'uff said

[TJ Reaper]

Everyday, you know I respect your posts. Sometimes I try and bring things back to Earth with facts, etc. Now I see exactly what you mean.

I think teams from the CAA could battle with teams from C-USA; we will get that chance this year in 10 or so games. Let's see how we do in our CAA vs. C-USA challenge.