Basketball from a fans perspective
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday---October through May published daily
Stunning news
Coaches serve at the pleasure of an NBA GM or at the college level the athletic director. On Wednesday June 5 Ohio State AD Gene Smith decided a change was required. Thad Matta is out of a job after 13 seasons leading the Buckeyes. The majority of those years consisted of 20+ winning teams at Ohio State. Some might disagree however I believe Ohio State is one of the high profile coaching positions in the nation. Final question why the coaching change and so late after every coaching position in the nation has been filled, we can only refer that question to Gene Smith.
Not that confusing
More than one person has said to me; “Why you talking about my Cavs you a Laker fan! “ No denying the fact I’m a Laker fan however I’d like to point out a fact. A number of Cavs fans one in particular has no problem with providing me his view of the Lakers for the last three seasons. In any event back to the purpose of this account the Cavs. Simple proposition teams score baskets by making shots, the only problem on Sunday night besides the trio of LeBron, Irving and Love few others managed to make shots.
The Warriors defense has been stifling shutting down the Cavs offense thus far, that statement is true but only to a degree. LeBron and company have been unable to sustain their offense and defense through the first two games.
This is quite a contrast thus far to the Eastern Conference run. The Cavs suffered a single loss proving they were the best the Warriors have proven to be a different story. Are the Cavs capable of winning this series you ask? It’s certainly possible a 0-2 deficient is difficult but not impossible to still compete. The Cavs return home, tonight they should improve their play over Sunday. I was wrong on Sunday I expected the Cavs to win Game 2 after suffering an initial loss, I was proven to be incorrect.
Weak non-conference
Kansas basketball one of the pre-eminent programs in the nation stubbed its toe with the release of it‘s non-conference schedule. Bill Self would always tout the school‘s schedule which in most years was second to none. As for 2017-18 that’s a totally different story, the number in parenthesis is the record from last season. After two exhibition games Kansas will play in order:
Tennessee State (17-13)
Kentucky (32-6)
South Dakota State (18-17)
Texas Southern (23-12)
Oakland (25-9)
Toledo (17-17)
Syracuse (19-15)
Washington (9-22)
Arizona State (15-18)
Nebraska (12-19)
Omaha (18-14)
Stanford (14-17)
No doubt many of the above teams could be improved over their 2016-17 record. In the past Kansas basketball has played a much tougher non-conference schedule than what we see above. 10 of the 12 schools on the schedule sustained double-digit losses last season.
