Thurs 12/12 BE Game Thread (1 Game)

[Lavinwood]

Speaking about UConn, I don't understand why they have their own show on SNY. It's Connecticut, not New York.

[stever20]

Well, already for UConn for instance- gets 2 games at MSG and then the game at Temple(neatly replacing Nova). Really, only one they're missing is DC area(wouldn't be shocked if they can't get Georgetown to play them for them to play the Terps some).. I think they may be in better shape than some like Pitt for instance.

As far as TV- I think a lot of what FS1 is giving us are the dog games this month, which frankly doesn't help much at all... We have almost as many games on CBSSN as the AAC does. The money isn't equal of course, but the AAC is going to be getting pretty good exposure.

You may be right with UCONN. The more interesting thing to watch with them will be how Ollie keeps the program going at a high level now that their HOF coach has retired, and now that they have lost every rivalry that they've had for the past 30 years. Napier, for instance, is a Calhoun and a BE recruit. In 2-3 years if Ollie can keep the Huskies in the Top 20 consistently and make a run or two I will be VERY impressed.

I think for the AAC if Memphis, UConn, Cincy, and Temple can be really good- it's goign to be a good enough league for UConn to get the really good recruits. I mean- Memphis for all those years was able to recruit well out of CUSA.

[HoosierPal]

Speaking about UConn, I don't understand why they have their own show on SNY. It's Connecticut, not New York.

Which two basketball teams are the most recognizable brands in New England? In my book, pick two out of these three, UConn, Syracuse, and Georgetown. It's all about the money.

[stever20]

Big difference is distribution... Fox Sports 1 is available in standard cable/satellite tiers in nearly every home, often just above ESPN in the channel guide. CBS Sports Network is still a premium channel for many with pitiful ratings.

That's not what I was saying. This year only 18 BE games are on there and 25 are for the AAC- but next year it's 30/30. The AAC got a great deal from all counts on the tv exposure side. Much better than anyone expected.

[billyjack]

I caught the 2nd half of Florida Atlantic at DePaul Thursday night.
Some thoughts:

1. DePaul's offensive gameplan was excellent.
2. DePaul focused almost completely on feeding it in low and shooting layups... that's why their shooting percentage was so high. Great plan.
3. They finally had great patience on offense. When FAU went zone, DePaul either drove the lane sensibly or worked the ball around for an open 3-pointer.
4. Cleveland Melvin, who is prone to taking ridiculous off-balance running fadeaway 15 footers, made one or 2 mistakes only and was reined in.
5. DePaul's center last night, last name "Marcius", apparently pronounced "mar-SHOOSH", is limited in ability, but grabbed a ton of rebounds... nothing fancy, but he did yeoman's work... he fell asleep several times on defense, like he literally was standing there stationary looking up in the stands.
6. Billy Garrett Jr and Tommy Hamilton add a lot to DePaul compared to last year. Some size inside and some quickness outside, and neither is undisciplined... they don't really make bad decisions.
7. FAU is coached by our old friend Mike Jarvis, who I didn't recognize because he shaved his beard and lost a bunch of weight. Was at Boston University way back, then at George Washington, then at St John's. Great coach with some great teams in the past.
8. DePaul didn't run their press thankfully. They were in M2M from what I remember, had some lapses, but played well and cleaned up the glass enough on defense. DePaul's guards also made a point of getting back on defense rather than fight for offensive rebounds and by doing so limited typical uncontested fast break layups for their opponents.
9. In conclusion, I realize their opponent was only FAU (though they have a great coach), but DePaul played a much more disciplined game than in the past several years. We're talking basic stuff but it's important-- running the clock down with under 5 minutes to play (rather than have Melvin take insane 20 footers with 29 on the shot clock in years past); solid defensive rebounding; no dumb backcourt fouls.
10. DePaul has no bad losses... teams they've lost to have combined for only 4 losses, plus they have the Oregon State win, plus the road win at Milwaukee.

[stever20]

The jury really still out on DePaul...

Their 4 losses are like you said but....
Southern Miss- 1 win better than DePaul (#76 North Dakota St)
Wichita St- no shame there
Texas- 1 top 100 win(#99 Texas)
Arizona St- 1 top 100 win(#45 Marquette)

We'll learn a lot about DePaul 22nd and 27th when they play at Illinois St and at Northwestern.

[OutlawWales]

Speaking of UConn, etc. -- I follow "BigEastTweets" on Twitter -- and that twitter account seems to be almost entirely posting stuff about schools like UConn and Rutgers, former UConn players, etc. Those schools aren't in the conference anymore, so anyone know what gives? Is it really just a UConn/Rutgers fan who had the name before the realignment or something?

[Westbrook36]

Big difference is distribution... Fox Sports 1 is available in standard cable/satellite tiers in nearly every home, often just above ESPN in the channel guide. CBS Sports Network is still a premium channel for many with pitiful ratings.

Fox Sports 1 was not available to m as part of my basic DirecTV package. I had to add an expanded sports package to get it.

That's strange, it's part of my basic DirecTV package. Channel 219, just above NBATV, NFL network, MLB, ESPN is 206-209. From pretty much everything I've heard, except for you, it's on the basic tier.

[stever20]

Big difference is distribution... Fox Sports 1 is available in standard cable/satellite tiers in nearly every home, often just above ESPN in the channel guide. CBS Sports Network is still a premium channel for many with pitiful ratings.

Fox Sports 1 was not available to m as part of my basic DirecTV package. I had to add an expanded sports package to get it.

That's strange, it's part of my basic DirecTV package. Channel 219, just above NBATV, NFL network, MLB, ESPN is 206-209. From pretty much everything I've heard, except for you, it's on the basic tier.

I wonder if he's talkign about Fox Sports 2, which may be on a sports package.

[Jet915]

Depaul has been a pleasant surprise, for supposedly being the basement Big East team, they have no horrible FDU type of losses and actually have a top 100 RPI.