Welcome to The Holy Land of Hoops

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/ ... e-decline/

PROGRAMS ON THE RISE:
Virginia Tech
Memphis
TCU
Western Kentucky
Rhode Island

PROGRAMS ON THE DECLINE:
UNLV
Georgetown
Missouri
Stephen F. Austin
Nebraska

Why is Nebraska "on the decline?" They have one tournament appearance this century. They were an 11 seed. You can't really decline when you already suck.

Summary:

Virginia Tech: To me, they suck and are overrated and beat no one in non-conference... I watched a lot of their Northwestern OT game and they were horrible. Article likes them because of (1) Buzz, (2) they beat UNC last year and (3) they beat Florida State (who sucks) in the ACC tourney.

TCU: Team sucks. The article likes them because of (1) Jamie Dixon, and (2) they are building a new practice facility or something.

Memphis: Team sucks and they've had a million transfers out. The article likes them because of (1) Tubby Smith. That's it.

Western Kentucky: To me, I agree with this. The coach has done a great job recruiting. I love transfer Junior Lomomba of course because he's such a great kid and gentleman (bumped into him at a restaurant and he was so nice to my wife and kids), but he's noted as a big reason why WKU is on the rise.

Rhody: To me, I agree that they should be solid. They're on this list really just because of EC Matthews returning.

I think a big part of it is recruiting for both Va Tech and TCU. TCU is #30 right now, and Va Tech is #45(and could go up if they get Bede tonight). This is year 3 for Buzz. He's got a lot coming back from a team that wasn't that far from the tourney.

I do understand the Memphis one. Tubby Smith is a light years better coach than Pastner was. Might not be this year- but Memphis will be MUCH better off with Tubby Smith.

Georgetown had a bad year. If picked for this dishonor last year, the writer would be prescient. As long as they are better than last year, the program is technically rising.

SF Austin hasn't played a game with their new coach. Yes they lost a great coach, but I think it's unfair to say they're already declining.

stever20 wrote:I think a big part of it is recruiting for both Va Tech and TCU. TCU is #30 right now, and Va Tech is #45(and could go up if they get Bede tonight). This is year 3 for Buzz. He's got a lot coming back from a team that wasn't that far from the tourney.

I do understand the Memphis one. Tubby Smith is a light years better coach than Pastner was. Might not be this year- but Memphis will be MUCH better off with Tubby Smith.

Do you see why citing early recruiting rankings and projecting them to improve for other conferences while arguing this same thing should not be done for the Big east in another thread might come across as...hypocritical?

marquette wrote:

stever20 wrote:I think a big part of it is recruiting for both Va Tech and TCU. TCU is #30 right now, and Va Tech is #45(and could go up if they get Bede tonight). This is year 3 for Buzz. He's got a lot coming back from a team that wasn't that far from the tourney.

I do understand the Memphis one. Tubby Smith is a light years better coach than Pastner was. Might not be this year- but Memphis will be MUCH better off with Tubby Smith.

Do you see why citing early recruiting rankings and projecting them to improve for other conferences while arguing this same thing should not be done for the Big east in another thread might come across as...hypocritical?

The thing is, for both of Va Tech and TCU- they're already with the class they have this year better than they normally ever are. I mean- TCU has got 2 4 star guys already. Va Tech has 1 4 star already(and may be getting another one tonight).

But into this conversation- the fact that VT and TCU are getting 4 star guys like this- shows that their programs are on the upswing. Even if they didn't get anyone else, it's one of the stronger classes that they've ever had. when you combine that to the coaches, its understandable that their programs would be viewed as being on the uptick.

Buzz will probably make the NCAAs before Marquette does.

stever20 wrote:

marquette wrote:

stever20 wrote:I think a big part of it is recruiting for both Va Tech and TCU. TCU is #30 right now, and Va Tech is #45(and could go up if they get Bede tonight). This is year 3 for Buzz. He's got a lot coming back from a team that wasn't that far from the tourney.

I do understand the Memphis one. Tubby Smith is a light years better coach than Pastner was. Might not be this year- but Memphis will be MUCH better off with Tubby Smith.

Do you see why citing early recruiting rankings and projecting them to improve for other conferences while arguing this same thing should not be done for the Big east in another thread might come across as...hypocritical?

The thing is, for both of Va Tech and TCU- they're already with the class they have this year better than they normally ever are. I mean- TCU has got 2 4 star guys already. Va Tech has 1 4 star already(and may be getting another one tonight).

But into this conversation- the fact that VT and TCU are getting 4 star guys like this- shows that their programs are on the upswing. Even if they didn't get anyone else, it's one of the stronger classes that they've ever had. when you combine that to the coaches, its understandable that their programs would be viewed as being on the uptick.

You said the same thing about LSU last year.

GoldenWarrior11 wrote:Buzz will probably make the NCAAs before Marquette does.

Ain't over 'til it's over.