We'll show 'em again
One of my side projects is writing mostly college hoops/scouting for DraftExpress.com, a fine and hard-working web site devoted to the NBA draft. The site is run by a Florida grad, and he and I both know that we have a hard time coming to grips with (a) our Homerism and (b) the fact that Kentucky is just better than Florida.
Why do I mention this? Because I lost the battle, though not the war. DraftExpress' preseason college hoops rankings are coming out in bits, and after much discussion, I was unable to convince my colleagues (mostly one of them hint hint) that UK was better than Alabama and that UK was worthy of a top 11 position.
Now, I personally don't feel I was being a homer in this instance. Purely on talent and experience, Kentucky is one of the 11 best teams in the country. Here's 11 quick reasons why (there are many more):
(1) Rajon Rondo stealing the ball
(2) Rajon Rondo running the show
(3) Shagari Alleyne coming of age
(4) Rekalin Sims filling in for Hayes
(5) Joe Crawford playing more minutes
(6) Sheray Thomas playing healthy
(7) Bobby Perry doin' his best Allen Edwards impression
(8) Ravi Moss saving UK's ass over and over
(9) Patrick Sparks leaning in to draw fouls on Louisville
(10) Ramel Bradley scoring and shooting threes like a pro
(11) Tubby Smith Tubby Smith Tubby Smith
Why do I keep insisting on 11 and not top 10? Well, there are questions. Randolph Morris' impending suspension is one, Rondo's ability to grow without getting too big for his own head is another. Perry's go-to abilities, Sparks' shooting percentage and Shagari/Woo's usefulness are all on the table.
But we're better than Louisville and Alabama and several others, and it's just going to have to be up to Tubby & Co. AGAIN to show the world they are a top 5 team.
Why do I mention this? Because I lost the battle, though not the war. DraftExpress' preseason college hoops rankings are coming out in bits, and after much discussion, I was unable to convince my colleagues (mostly one of them hint hint) that UK was better than Alabama and that UK was worthy of a top 11 position.
Now, I personally don't feel I was being a homer in this instance. Purely on talent and experience, Kentucky is one of the 11 best teams in the country. Here's 11 quick reasons why (there are many more):(1) Rajon Rondo stealing the ball
(2) Rajon Rondo running the show
(3) Shagari Alleyne coming of age
(4) Rekalin Sims filling in for Hayes
(5) Joe Crawford playing more minutes
(6) Sheray Thomas playing healthy
(7) Bobby Perry doin' his best Allen Edwards impression
(8) Ravi Moss saving UK's ass over and over
(9) Patrick Sparks leaning in to draw fouls on Louisville
(10) Ramel Bradley scoring and shooting threes like a pro
(11) Tubby Smith Tubby Smith Tubby Smith
Why do I keep insisting on 11 and not top 10? Well, there are questions. Randolph Morris' impending suspension is one, Rondo's ability to grow without getting too big for his own head is another. Perry's go-to abilities, Sparks' shooting percentage and Shagari/Woo's usefulness are all on the table.
But we're better than Louisville and Alabama and several others, and it's just going to have to be up to Tubby & Co. AGAIN to show the world they are a top 5 team.
1 Comments:
At 8:10 AM, The Old Doc said…
That picture of Alleyne holding the basketball as if it were a grapefruit is a fascinating one. It truly looks like he could wrap his two hands nearly all the way around the ball. Freakish, really.
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