The Rafters

Tagged: Kentucky RSS

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  shwineka 12:28 pm on June 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: ACC (32), ACC Sunday Night Hoops, Austin American Statesman, Baylor, Big East (3), Charlotte (2), Coaches' Poll (2), Duke (41), expansion, K-State, Kansas (11), Kentucky, Missouri (2), Pac-10 (3), Pacific, Raleigh (4), Roy Williams (70), SEC (5), Tar Heel Fan, Texas (4), Texas A&M, UNC (120), WRAL (2)   

  Taking the offensive: the ACC Superconference 

  With all the hullabaloo over conference expansion going on in the Midwest, I was happy to see that the ACC and North Carolina were going largely unaffected. I like the current setup. Although I wish that UNC were guaranteed more games against perennial league contenders like Wake Forest every year, the competition is good for ACC teams’ RPI and the conference is well respected for its basketball.

  Apparently though there has been talk of hitting us right where it hurts, namely right at us – UNC that is.

  Tar Heel Fan pointed out this SEC wish list in the Austin American Statesman (via WRAL) and I find it quite disturbing. The SEC, pioneers of the 12-team conference and not wanting to be left behind the Pac-whatever-it-is-now, could be eying expansion and targeting UNC and Duke. This, according to THF would be a boon to their basketball prestige giving them three of arguably (well, arguably as far as Duke and Kentucky ) the best teams in college basketball history in the same conference.  It would also look to boost its football stature by adding powerhouse Texas and it’s little brother Texas A&M (not to mention Butch’s boys in blue).

  THF pointed out that the Charlotte and Raleigh markets – let alone football crazed Texas – are nothing to sniff at, both coming in the Top 30 in the nation, so that could play a factor as well.

  Well, that’s all well and good, but rather than sitting on our Atlantic Coast cabooses, why don’t we take the offensive and spawn a superconference of our own?

  

  The Pac-10 has been courting with Texas as well, though I’m not sure what exactly is Pacific about Texas. Using that logic, Kansas, K-State, Baylor and Missouri seem ripe to come to the Atlantic Coast Conference to me.  The ACC’s basketball pedigree would instantly skyrocket. In the last coaches poll of 2010, taken after the tournament,  Kansas (6), K-State (7) and Baylor(10) were all in the Top 10, while Missouri received some votes for the Top 25.

  With that addition, no one could argue that the Big East was the best basketball conference any more, though we at the Rafters know that has never been true, and the spark in competition would make ACC games the must watch affair any night of the week. Forget ACC Sunday Night Hoops. How about the ACC Nightly Knockdown, Drag-out Brawl?

  Now I’m sure Roy Williams wouldn’t be too keen on the idea of his other love, Kansas, joining the conference, but as much as I love Roy I don’t think his personal preference would have much say in the grand scheme of things.

  If other conferences are licking their chops at some of the pillars of our conference, we should be looking around as well. Like I said, I’m happy with the current situation, but to let it fall below its current status would be a travesty, and we should think offensively.

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    kikus 9:40 pm on June 12, 2010 Permalink

    может у кого нить есть ещё информация по этому поводу??

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  hiphopobserver 11:01 pm on December 5, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Kentucky, Roy Williams (70), roy williams tie tracker (33), Tie Tracker (33), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96)   

  Roy Williams Tie Tracker: Kentucky 

  One thing all UNC fans have come to know, love and expect of Roy Williams is his fashionable selection of ties, most often courtesy of Chapel Hill outfitter Alexander Julian. The same man who put the argyle on the side of the basketball uniform is still turning heads with  what he’s putting around Ol’ Roy’s neck. So, here at The Rafters we decided to pay homage to the best accesory in college hoops, if not the entire sporting world, and document every tie Roy Williams wears this season.

  

  The Heels did not pull out the win today in the hostile Lexington gymnasium, but, like always, UNC looked better than their opponent.

  

  Roy again went without the tie because of the sling. I was a little disappointed that he didn’t come out with a strong shirt like he did against Michigan State, but Coach McGrath and Robinson picked up the slack.

  

  Something I did not pick up on from last game which Roy may or may not have done is worn a jacket in the pre-game. The only reason I think Roy may not have worn one last game would be because his shirt was definitely a stand-alone. Nice to see the return of the pocket square.

  Also, it’s hard to see in the pic above, but Roy’s sling is the Donjoy Ultrasling III. Do I hear endorsement deal?

  

  Here’s this years stats:

  Game 1: Florida International, W 88-72 – Small paisley in aqua and dark blue with pocket square

  Game 2: North Carolina Central, W 89-42 – Large paisley in Carolina and navy blue and gold with pocket square

  Game 3: Valparaiso, W 88-77 – Large paisley-ish in gold, navy, brown and Carolina with pocket square

  Game 4: Ohio State, W 77-73 – Diagonal white stripes over light blue back with pocket square

  Game 5: Syracuse, L 87-71 – Large paisley in Carolina and navy blue with pocket square

  Game 6: Gardner-Webb, W 93-72 – Blue and white dotted with pocket square

  Game 7: Nevada, W 80-73 – Carolina blue and white diagonal stripes with no jacket or pocket square, removed tie in first half, black arm sling

  Game 8: Michigan State, W 89-82 – No tie, Carolina blue plaid shirt with no jacket or pocket square, black arm sling, AIDs ribbon

  Game 9: Kentucky, L 68-66 – No tie, white shirt with no jacket, pre-game pinstriped jacket with pocket square, black arm sling

  [Some photos by N&O's Robert Willett]

  http://www.twitter.com/RoysTieTracker

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  shwineka 12:41 pm on December 5, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Adam Lucas (3), Basketball (13), Easy Ed (5), Ed Davis (26), John Calipari (2), Kentucky, Lexington, Roy Williams (70), UCLA (3), UK, UNC (120)   

  Kentucky Diatribe 

  

  (pic from Kentucky.com)

  Kentucky.

  Are there really any worse fans than those who support Big Blue? ………..Well, I can think of a few.

  

  But anyway, a link tweeted by Adam Lucas  has me fuming this morning. A light snow is falling in Lexington, but it was already a cold place before that. It’s not that they don’t have the history to be as boisterous as they are, it’s that they don’t have any respect for any other program. They are too good for your team who has less wins than them, too good for your team that has less championships and too good to hire a respectable coach. For UK, the ends justify the means. Thing is this time, those ends (wins) might not eventually be counted. It’s a theory known as “Cali-vacate-ology.”

  Fine. It’s their choice. But please don’t go crying when your wins record disappears (UNC has 1,991, UK 1,995). Don’t get mad when Roy Williams makes UNC the team with the second-most national titles (not that they had any respect for UCLA anyway). And certainly don’t get mad when Easy Ed and company wipe the floor with you in Rupp today.

  I hope the snow keeps falling. It’s gonna be a long, cold afternoon.

   
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  shwineka 4:23 pm on November 13, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: 2K Sports Classic (3), ACC (32), Austin Peay, Big 10 (3), Cal State Northridge, Clemson (12), Coaches vs. Cancer (3), Cole Aldrich, Connecticut, Duke (41), Fairleigh Dickinson, Florida Gulf Coast, Georgetown (2), Greg Monroe, Hofstra, Jay Wright, John Calipari (2), Kalin Lucas (2), Kansas (11), Kemba Walker, Kentucky, master of your domain, Michigan State (10), Mississippi State (3), Morehead State, Penn State (2), Pennsylvania, Presbyterian (3), Purdue, Rider, Storrs, Tar Heels (49), Tennessee, The Rafters (14), Top 10, Trevor Booker (4), Tulane, UConn, UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96), UNC Greensboro, Villanova, William & Mary (4)   

  Official College Basketball Opening Night 

  

  Unless you’re one of the lucky fans whose team is playing in the 2K Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer — as per us at The Rafters — then tonight begins the best four and a half months of the year.

  And unless you are a Master of your Domain (DVR), you’re going to have to miss some of the action as many teams are playing at the same time.

  SCHEDULE SNAFU:

  Six Top 10 teams are playing overlapping games tonight. Kentucky (5)– perhaps one of the most anticipated debuts — plays at 6:30 p.m., while Michigan State (2), Villanova (6), Purdue (7) and Duke (8) play at 7 p.m. To top it off, the preseason No. 1 Kansas plays at 8 p.m., further complicating things  for the second half of the 7 o’clockers.

  As an ACC junkie, and Tar Heel alumnus, naturally I’ll be glued to the Duke game “just to see if they lose.” It’s amazing how many Duke games I watch under that pretense. I’ll also watch the first half of the first half of Kentucky, because I desperately want the Calipari experiment to fail.

  But what about during breaks in the despised Durhamites’ matchup?

  Of course, when there are multiple games on, it’s inconceivable that one would watch commercials. Here’s my hierarchy of channel flippage for tonight. (We ordered the college hoops package, so yes, be jealous. Or order it, too!) If No. 1 is at commerical, I proceed down the list until I find a game.

  6:30 p.m.

  1. Kentucky vs. Morehead St.

  7:00 p.m.

  1. Duke vs. UNC Greensboro – For Obvious Reasons
  2. Kentucky vs. Morehead St. – I told you I want him to fail!
  3. Michigan State vs. Florida Gulf Coast – Love Kalin Lucas
  4. Purdue vs. Cal State Northridge – Is it me, or is the Big 10 scary this year?
  5. Villanova vs. Fairleigh Dickinson – Will Jay Wright continue to wear pinstripes for an entire season!?

  7:30 p.m.

  Otherwise same as above:

  5. UConn vs. William and Mary – Down year in Storrs?
  6. Penn State vs. Pennsylvania – Hopefully I won’t make it down this far
  7. Villanova vs. Fairleigh Dickinson – Just not that interested for some reason

  8:00 p.m.

  1. Duke vs. UNC Greensboro – Still anticipating failure!
  2. Kentucky vs. Morehead St. – See above
  3. Kansas vs. Hofstra – Are they really THAT good?
  4. Clemson vs. Presbyterian – ACC with a capital A!
  5. Michican State vs. Florida Gulf Coast – Remember when UNC beat them twice last year?
  6. Purdue vs. Cal State Northridge – Again, I hope I don’t make it down this far.
  7. UConn vs. William and Mary – Kemba Walker is fast

  9:00 p.m. and on

  1. Kansas vs. Hofstra – I will never forgive you, Cole Aldrich
  2. Clemson vs. Presbyterian – Can Trevor Booker carry you guys?
  3. UConn vs. William and Mary – W&M has a nice campus
  4. Georgetown vs. Tulane – Greg Monroe should be beastmode
  5. Tenneessee vs. Austin Peay – It rhymes!
  6. Mississippi State vs. Rider – Blocks, blocks and more blocks
   
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  shwineka 4:36 pm on October 29, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: ACC (32), andre dawkins (3), Big 10 (3), coach K (12), david wear (13), dexter strickland (18), Duke (41), elliot williams (2), john, Kentucky, Kyrie Irving (2), Larry Drew II (19), Mason Plumlee (4), Miles Plumlee (4), plumlee brothers (3), Recruiting (4), scheyer, Tar Heels (49), travis wear (14), ty lawson (11), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96), wear twins (10)   

  UNC, Duke Tie for preseason No. 1 ACC ranking; Duke inks PG 

   

  Late with posting both of these – apologies – but it’s only fitting that in the 41-year history of preseason ACC rankings, UNC and Duke would be the first to tie for the top spot. What’s disturbing is that Duke garnered more first place votes, yet tied when it came down to total points. I know they just signed Kyrie Irving and all, but c’mon, he’s not playing this year.

  

  Actually what’s striking to me is that both of these teams are at the top with huge expectations of their current freshmen. Granted UNC has arguably the best recruiting class in the country (some weird folks might argue Kentucky), they has very little experience. Duke has a 17-year-old point guard who should be good, and Mason Plumlee, the supposedly more talented Plumlee brother.

  Side thought: Wouldn’t it be great if the Wears vs. the Plumlees became a big rivalry over the next three years?

  Anyway, both teams will be shorthanded in the backcourt. It’s my suspicion that Andre Dawkins (the young PG) will get a lot of time at the position, even after John Scheyer ended up playing the spot for them a lot last year. That puts a freshman PG in the mix for Duke, never a good thing in the ACC. Usually, if a PG does relatively well as a freshmen in this league, then we all knew about him well before he sets foot on the court. This is not exactly true in this case, considering Dawkins rushed to graduate early after Elliot Williams transferred. Man. How much of a factor do you think Coach K was in getting that to happen?

  The Heels will have sophomore Larry Drew II, who saw some regular, though limited, minutes backing up Ty Lawson, and freshman Dexter Strickland. Strickland is ranked higher than Dawkins as far as I know, and is actually a more natural two guard.

  Between Dawkins and Strickland, it’s probably a toss-up. I don’t like putting tons of merit into unproven freshmen, so let’s just say they cancel each other out. After that we have a Drew II vs. Scheyer match-up at point. I might actually give the nod to Scheyer, who started more games and generally played a bigger role as a PG, though I think Drew II has more upside.

  Regardless, there are a lot of question marks on the top two preseason teams in the ACC. Are these indicators it might be a down year for the league? Tough to tell. After a few months it will be more evident which conferences are the best. The Big 10 looks strangely good this year, but I digress. The best conference argument must be later by necessity. Now’s time to get ready for Thursday night football.

   

  Go Heels!

  UNC No. 4 In First Preseason Coaches’ Poll « The Rafters is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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  shwineka 5:24 pm on October 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: December, Kentucky, Michigan State (10), Texas (4), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96)   

  New Poll: Heels' Tough December 

  The Heels have a tough two first weeks of December, where they face National Champion runners up Michigan State, Upstart Kentucky and Big 12 power Texas. Which team will prove to be the mightiest?

  Which team will be the toughest for the Heels in December?
  (polls)