We've Got Point Spreads

[B9j2j6s]

Alright folks yeah we lost last night to Canisus. WTFC, it was a meaningless game. Did everyone come home healthy? That is what I was most concerned about. Move on we got two important games coming up to build momentum. The season is not over by a long shot. My prediction is that UMBC is going to fall, sorry 7 man rotation playing two games back to back is not going to cut it. This team can beat any team in the AE. We have a siena load of experience we just need to bucker down and play like it means something. Keep the faith Ladies and Gentleman of Dane Nation.

[JonUA97]

Alright folks yeah we lost last night to Canisus. WTFC, it was a meaningless game. Did everyone come home healthy? That is what I was most concerned about. Move on we got two important games coming up to build momentum. The season is not over by a long shot. My prediction is that UMBC is going to fall, sorry 7 man rotation playing two games back to back is not going to cut it. This team can beat any team in the AE. We have a siena load of experience we just need to bucker down and by like it means something. Keep the faith Ladies and Gentleman of Dane Nation.

 

Amen and Praise Jesus!

 

Although admittedly I would have loved a win in the 'meaningless bracket buster game' in the end the AE and the MACC are one bid conferences this year

 

It's all about the conference tourney.

 

Flush Hard!

[dslyank]

I have been following great Dane basketball since 1968. I read this blog nearly everyday, but seldom comment as I am usually quiet and reserved, but I am compelled to comment today. First of all I do not think there is any such thing as a "meaningless game." I feel good teams play every game as if it is their last.

That begs the point is the current UA team good or not. I think we have good talent and a great coaching staff, but the results this year have not been good, and I do not necessarily mean record wise. I do not think anyone would argue the point, when we shoot badly, we are a BAD team. When the shooting is off, coach says we can make up for it with good defense, but we have not shown the good lock down defense of the past two years.

Some have commented about the early "BAD" D1 teams, but in many respects they showed more desire to win than the current unit. They were simply out manned and often ran out of gas or simply ran out of bodies, but they played every game as if it had "meaning."

This current unit seems to feel that winning three games in March will right all the wrongs of the season and perhaps it might, but IMO they have played too many "meaningless" games to get it turned around now. I hope I am wrong, because I do not feel we are a BAD team, but we simply may not be a GOOD one either.

[haggyland]

I have been following great Dane basketball since 1968. I read this blog nearly everyday, but seldom comment as I am usually quiet and reserved, but I am compelled to comment today. First of all I do not think there is any such thing as a "meaningless game." I feel good teams play every game as if it is their last.

That begs the point is the current UA team good or not. I think we have good talent and a great coaching staff, but the results this year have not been good, and I do not necessarily mean record wise. I do not think anyone would argue the point, when we shoot badly, we are a BAD team. When the shooting is off, coach says we can make up for it with good defense, but we have not shown the good lock down defense of the past two years.

Some have commented about the early "BAD" D1 teams, but in many respects they showed more desire to win than the current unit. They were simply out manned and often ran out of gas or simply ran out of bodies, but they played every game as if it had "meaning."

This current unit seems to feel that winning three games in March will right all the wrongs of the season and perhaps it might, but IMO they have played too many "meaningless" games to get it turned around now. I hope I am wrong, because I do not feel we are a BAD team, but we simply may not be a GOOD one either.

 

Well said.

This season has been an endless stream of "Wait until next game."

I have waited for the results to change but there have been many disappointments, particularly with a solid core of seniors.

I will support the team to the end, but I fear it may come sooner than many loyalists wish to consider.

 

Best of luck the rest of the way, and in the end the program looks to be in good shape for the future. (Even if it is the present we may need to address.)

[olddog71]

I have been following great Dane basketball since 1968. I read this blog nearly everyday, but seldom comment as I am usually quiet and reserved, but I am compelled to comment today. First of all I do not think there is any such thing as a "meaningless game." I feel good teams play every game as if it is their last.

That begs the point is the current UA team good or not. I think we have good talent and a great coaching staff, but the results this year have not been good, and I do not necessarily mean record wise. I do not think anyone would argue the point, when we shoot badly, we are a BAD team. When the shooting is off, coach says we can make up for it with good defense, but we have not shown the good lock down defense of the past two years.

Some have commented about the early "BAD" D1 teams, but in many respects they showed more desire to win than the current unit. They were simply out manned and often ran out of gas or simply ran out of bodies, but they played every game as if it had "meaning."

This current unit seems to feel that winning three games in March will right all the wrongs of the season and perhaps it might, but IMO they have played too many "meaningless" games to get it turned around now. I hope I am wrong, because I do not feel we are a BAD team, but we simply may not be a GOOD one either.

 

dyslank,

 

As haggyland replied, "well said."

 

I think your post echoed more accurately the thoughts behind my original post on the topic than how I wrote it.

 

The only point I might want to add is the idea that in the past few seasons the team has shown noticeable progress from the early going to the end of the season. I have not witnessed that trend this year. My hopes were very bright at the beginning of the season when I saw UA beat teams, such as Sacred Heart, a team with which we have had our troubles the last few years. But then it seemed the progress more or less stopped, and that aspect troubles me.

[Patch]

Great recent comments - anyone who is not frustrated by this team must come out of their coma like trance.

 

Some talent is there but I don't know if it is due to poor chemistry, injury or coaching this team just hasn't developed as teams in the past.

 

With that said our 13 victories are the third most in our short DI history and we are guaranteed a .500 conference record for only the fourth time in our DI history - yet most of us are totally frustrated.

 

This to me is a good sign we have reached a stage where the expectations are high - as they should be.

 

Weds. at Bing who knows what will happen our last 4 losses are 3 by 4 and 1 by 5.

 

This team had the opportunity to easily win 17 or 18 games and hasn't!

 

That's frustrating!!!!!!

[Dane96]

I have been following great Dane basketball since 1968. I read this blog nearly everyday, but seldom comment as I am usually quiet and reserved, but I am compelled to comment today. First of all I do not think there is any such thing as a "meaningless game." I feel good teams play every game as if it is their last.

That begs the point is the current UA team good or not. I think we have good talent and a great coaching staff, but the results this year have not been good, and I do not necessarily mean record wise. I do not think anyone would argue the point, when we shoot badly, we are a BAD team. When the shooting is off, coach says we can make up for it with good defense, but we have not shown the good lock down defense of the past two years.

Some have commented about the early "BAD" D1 teams, but in many respects they showed more desire to win than the current unit. They were simply out manned and often ran out of gas or simply ran out of bodies, but they played every game as if it had "meaning."

This current unit seems to feel that winning three games in March will right all the wrongs of the season and perhaps it might, but IMO they have played too many "meaningless" games to get it turned around now. I hope I am wrong, because I do not feel we are a BAD team, but we simply may not be a GOOD one either.

 

I just wanted to add: WELL....NO...PERFECTLY STATED!

[UA_MA_2000]

I know many of you may disapprove, and most definitely, the UA coaching staff will, but I'm going to call it as I see it, a la Coach Brown when I say that 2007-08 has been the most disappointing season of UA men's basketball I have ever witnessed. It makes no difference whether I'm looking at Division III or Division II years or more recent times. I knew there would be a slight drop this year without Jamar and Siggers, but the results have been very underwhelming. Granted, except for Duke, we have not been really blown out this year, but I am very disappointed with the overall record.

 

In 2003-04, the team stank, but they tried hard, AND you knew the team would be far better the following season.

 

I know the loss is disappointing (though pretty insignificant at this point in the season), but aren't we still 3rd place in the conference and have been right around at least .500 for much of the season?

 

And since we know we're not in the 8-9 game in the tournament, we still have just as good a chance of winning the AE tournament and making a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament as anyone else in the conference. We need to win 3 straight..just like everyone else in the conference.

 

I think I just may hold judgement til the season's actually over.

 

Nothing surprises me at this point, just nothing. We've seen almost everything this season from crazy buzzer beaters to tough road wins to squandering an 18 point lead??? I wouldn't be suprised if we lose the rest of the way or win the rest of the way, through the AE tournament. The only sticking point with that last part is that we would indeed have to win three games in a row, which we haven't done since bloody November.

 

Both of you are correct--the results have been a disappointment, but we could still take the whole thing. I must admit UMBC seems like a team of destiny, just like we were in 2006. But nothing and nobody is going to surprise me from this team, short of Carl Ross returning and putting up a triple-double or something.

 

Crazy, exasperating times,

S€

 

Carl Ross is more than capable of putting up for us a "triple-double or something" --- afterall, he is free now! (*joke*).

 

Anyways, like many of the foregoing posts, I too was frustrated by the Saturday loss, but no more so than any other loss. As a fan, I hope for the best, expect the worst, and usually something in between happens (like this season). But when it is all said and done, the Danes provide me with great entertainment -- win or lose -- and that's all I can ever ask. Whether it's at a game at SEFCU, or watching a LAX or football game, I find that when watching the Danes play I completely forget about anything else going on in my life and truly enjoy my time at SEFCU on game day. And win or lose, I am thankful for the entertainment and effort that they provide to me! I have a great time at SEFCU watching the hoops games, and it's something I greatly look forward to every week during the winter. This doesn't mean that I don't feel as frustrated as the next guy when, for example, we fail to pull one out in overtime against UMBC, but it simply means that I enjoy my time on game day, win or lose.

 

I think the future is bright for this squad, not only next season, but in Binhamton as well for the Tournament! I'll be there!

 

Question: Also, as someone who has never even bought a lottery ticket or played poker (or gambled at all), what the heck does a -7.5 point spread mean?? Does that mean we are picked to lose or win by 7.5 points? I understand over and under bets, but the spreads I can't figure out. I know it's a dumb question, but like I said, it's nothing I ever really paid any attention to my whole life. Thanks!

[UA_MA_2000]

Great recent comments - anyone who is not frustrated by this team must come out of their coma like trance.

 

Some talent is there but I don't know if it is due to poor chemistry, injury or coaching this team just hasn't developed as teams in the past.

 

With that said our 13 victories are the third most in our short DI history and we are guaranteed a .500 conference record for only the fourth time in our DI history - yet most of us are totally frustrated.

 

This to me is a good sign we have reached a stage where the expectations are high - as they should be.

 

Weds. at Bing who knows what will happen our last 4 losses are 3 by 4 and 1 by 5.

 

This team had the opportunity to easily win 17 or 18 games and hasn't!

 

That's frustrating!!!!!!

 

Good post, I agree! The good thing is that if we get our shooting straight -- especially from the 3-point range -- these close losses will hopefully turn into wins for games like these this season and next.

 

The only thing else that us fans might consider is whether we as fans, myself included, expect freshman to develop and come along too fast? I think the coaches have done an amazing job this year with the turnover that we had, and I think the current freshman are really going to blow us away in the coming years. There's such a difference between being 18 years old (or 19) and being an upperclassmen -- not only as far as maturation, knowledge of the game, and overall skill, but in terms of physical development as well!

 

I often get reminded of how well our teams play as a team and how great a job our coaching staff does when I watch any NBA game or even other college games on TV. When I watch a Big East game, for example, I sometimes feel like I'm watching a chaotic 100M dash at a track meet, without lanes to run in.

[JustDrastik]

UA_MA_2000:

 

In response to your odds question,

 

-7.5 means that that team must win by 8 points or more.

 

If it was UA -7.5 vs. UVM, we would need to win by 8 or more (since there is no half point) to cover the spread.

In this case, we are the favorite and expected to win by that margin.

 

Similarly, if it were UA +7.5 vs VCU, we would have to lose by 7 or less, or win, to cover the spread.

In this case, we are the underdog, and would need to pull the upset by winning, or by losing by 7 or less.

 

Hope that helps.

 

 

This season has been a roller coaster ride. I know I'm quick to jump to conclusions and stances, but I do think that we are capable of pulling this off, if not just because the rest of the AE is weak. Our inconsistent team has been in every game and has won some tough ones. Who knows.

[UA_MA_2000]

UA_MA_2000:

 

In response to your odds question,

 

-7.5 means that that team must win by 8 points or more.

 

If it was UA -7.5 vs. UVM, we would need to win by 8 or more (since there is no half point) to cover the spread.

In this case, we are the favorite and expected to win by that margin.

 

Similarly, if it were UA +7.5 vs VCU, we would have to lose by 7 or less, or win, to cover the spread.

In this case, we are the underdog, and would need to pull the upset by winning, or by losing by 7 or less.

 

Hope that helps.

 

 

This season has been a roller coaster ride. I know I'm quick to jump to conclusions and stances, but I do think that we are capable of pulling this off, if not just because the rest of the AE is weak. Our inconsistent team has been in every game and has won some tough ones. Who knows.

 

 

Thanks Drastik -- excellent explanation!

[S-money]

Good post, I agree! The good thing is that if we get our shooting straight -- especially from the 3-point range -- these close losses will hopefully turn into wins for games like these this season and next.

 

The only thing else that us fans might consider is whether we as fans, myself included, expect freshman to develop and come along too fast? I think the coaches have done an amazing job this year with the turnover that we had, and I think the current freshman are really going to blow us away in the coming years. There's such a difference between being 18 years old (or 19) and being an upperclassmen -- not only as far as maturation, knowledge of the game, and overall skill, but in terms of physical development as well!

 

I often get reminded of how well our teams play as a team and how great a job our coaching staff does when I watch any NBA game or even other college games on TV. When I watch a Big East game, for example, I sometimes feel like I'm watching a chaotic 100M dash at a track meet, without lanes to run in.

Regarding the first point, this is what often exasperates me about our team and others who live and die by the 3-ball. Unless you've got at least three or four long-ball specialists to rely on, you can be dead a lot due to cold shooting. Nominally speaking, this year we've had Wilson, a sometimes Martin, and a half-healthy Iati. I'm no expert, but I think a team that can use size to its advantage (rather than to its disadvantage) can dominate in leagues such as the AE. I am hopeful about Big Al's role in this regard and also hope that the Giff can develop enough confidence to be consistent; he has shown flashes of skill in the paint and has better hands than K-Zo did for us.

 

On your second point, I think much of the frustration has not been due to high expectations of the freshmen, but rather unfulfilled expectations of some of the upperclassmen. Coach and players have already spoken on this, so I won't comment further.

 

Lastly, I do prefer watching our style of play to a lot of the track meets you see on TV. I'm probably in a tiny minority, but I was pretty bummed when the shot clock changed from 45 to 35 seconds, but I guess 35 is still enough time to see some good ball movement and play development.

 

S€