SEC Conference
I don’t wish to get ahead of myself however allow me to re-check once again. Several sources were researched prior to compiling this information, Mizzou is predicted to finish 9th in the 14 team SEC. A few based their summation on Jontay Porter being available while others made no mention of Porter. There were quality wins versus Xavier, UCF and Illinois but also disappointingly performed losses to Iowa State, Temple and Kansas State. So where does that leave Mizzou in the conference race? I’m pleased you ask prior to their January 8 conference
start the Tigers are in…you guessed it 9th place.
I don’t wish to get ahead of myself however allow me to re-check once again. Several sources were researched prior to compiling this information, Mizzou is predicted to finish 9th in the 14 team SEC. A few based their summation on Jontay Porter being available while others made no mention of Porter. There were quality wins versus Xavier, UCF and Illinois but also disappointingly performed losses to Iowa State, Temple and Kansas State. So where does that leave Mizzou in the conference race? I’m pleased you ask prior to their January 8 conference
start the Tigers are in…you guessed it 9th place.
Will they remain in that position for the
balance of the schedule, I don’t think so.
Barring injuries or academic issues I think they can finish in the top
half of the conference. Kentucky,
Tennessee and Auburn are probably a lock for the top three slots in no order,
Mizzou could finish anywhere from 4 through 7.
To end the season at 4 Mizzou must play outstanding basketball if they are
to finish that high. 7th
place is a real possibility if they win 2-3 games that might be projected as a
loss. So, there you have it, I’m out
with my bold prediction. Bookmark this
account and check back in March, allow yourself a laugh on me or offer me congratulations
for being spot-on.
You make the call
After witnessing Luka Doncic amaze us I wanted to recheck a scouting report prior to the 2018 draft. I’ve always believed those things you don’t do well you minimize, others you accentuate. Consider this little jewel from a scouting report on Doncic. “His biggest flaw is his lack of quickness and lateral speed, which affects his effectiveness in 1 on 1 defense against more explosive opponents ... Furthermore this also limits his offensive effectiveness in ISO situations when he has to rely on his body control and fakes to create the space for the shot or to draw contact.” Most of us only can view the game with the eye of a fan. Consider the fact there might be occasions a scout would profile a poor game by the individual.
After witnessing Luka Doncic amaze us I wanted to recheck a scouting report prior to the 2018 draft. I’ve always believed those things you don’t do well you minimize, others you accentuate. Consider this little jewel from a scouting report on Doncic. “His biggest flaw is his lack of quickness and lateral speed, which affects his effectiveness in 1 on 1 defense against more explosive opponents ... Furthermore this also limits his offensive effectiveness in ISO situations when he has to rely on his body control and fakes to create the space for the shot or to draw contact.” Most of us only can view the game with the eye of a fan. Consider the fact there might be occasions a scout would profile a poor game by the individual.
A basketball black-eye
You may have been mesmerized by the Adidas trial of the past 2 years however there is no comparison to 1960-61, a gambling scandal impacted college basketball and was more widespread than Adidas. 22 colleges and 37 players were implicated in point shaving. We can state with conviction the events surrounding many of the athletes of the era could not occur in the 21st Century. This is not stating a person or persons wouldn’t be corrupted by the prospects of a financial reward. Former NBA player and gambler Jack Molinas was the name most identified due to his connection to Connie Hawkins and Roger Brown.
You may have been mesmerized by the Adidas trial of the past 2 years however there is no comparison to 1960-61, a gambling scandal impacted college basketball and was more widespread than Adidas. 22 colleges and 37 players were implicated in point shaving. We can state with conviction the events surrounding many of the athletes of the era could not occur in the 21st Century. This is not stating a person or persons wouldn’t be corrupted by the prospects of a financial reward. Former NBA player and gambler Jack Molinas was the name most identified due to his connection to Connie Hawkins and Roger Brown.
In both instances
neither was ever convicted of any crime.
Hawkins and Brown both are enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame, Doug
Moe former Nuggets coach was also implicated simply for not reporting a
teammate who attempted to include him in point shaving.
It should also be of
note Paul Tagliabue former NFL commissioner was never charge with any criminal
activity but played in one of the games point shaving occurred. Hawkins, Brown and Moe were expelled from
their respective schools and banned from play in the NBA. Apart from Brown, the others would later find
success in the NBA. Hawkins through his
attorneys would sue the NBA winning his case on the ban, Moe after ABA play
would begin his coaching career in the league and later moved into the NBA as a
coach. The black-eye suffered by college
basketball during this period is far too broad to cover in two paragraphs, research the scandal for yourself later.
“I’m from Missouri…. Show Me”
I’ve used the age-old adage above several times, I live in Missouri so it’s okay for me to use it. This time my response is aimed at Laker power forward Kyle Kuzma after losing two games in a row with no LeBron in the lineup. Winning the third game with no LeBron and Rondo Kuzma said, “We are more than one player” and I can agree with his position.
I’ve used the age-old adage above several times, I live in Missouri so it’s okay for me to use it. This time my response is aimed at Laker power forward Kyle Kuzma after losing two games in a row with no LeBron in the lineup. Winning the third game with no LeBron and Rondo Kuzma said, “We are more than one player” and I can agree with his position.
The problem Laker
fans have not witnessed any consistency at times LeBron is out of the
lineup. Much earlier I mentioned Lonzo
Ball, I could also add Brandon Ingram to the list as well. As for Kuzma his play has been somewhat
consistent with and without LeBron on the floor. Question, is this Laker fan expecting too
much improved play over last season? The
return of LeBron and Rondo is still up in the air, let’s see how the Lakers
play over the next 5-7 games.
