zippy5

Absolutely! Those who believe that statistical analysis plays no role in formulating winning game plans, and who are totally close-minded to any data that might suggest otherwise, should avoid this thread like the plague. There's nothing here that will be good for those folks' health and well-being, and it will only make them upset and angry over the perceived challenge to their fundamental belief systems. This thread was started for the purpose of providing an example of how one winning NFL coach and team put a high priority on statistical analysis in helping give them an edge over teams that don't. It's intended to provide data to those who are curious and open-minded about learning new things. In the basketball forum, the best example cited was Brad Stevens, who coached his surprising mid-major Butler team all the way to this year's NCAA national basketball championship game. Like Bill Belichick in the NFL, Stevens is a leading practitioner of using statistical analysis to gain an edge over other teams. Statistical analysis is only one part of a successful sports program. There are many other better known factors, such as physical conditioning, etc. But so many coaches and teams have tried to optimize so many other factors that they're now looking beyond the obvious to find a competitive edge. Statistical analysis is just the newest and least known and understood factor. It's a subject that will be of more interest to nerds than jocks. I'm just kidding. I enjoy reading your stuff Dave

at least this is all in one thread so we can avoid it

Can't has a nicer campus. There, I said it. If you're at akron, and want to go play frisbee/catch/football, where do you go? honestly? Coleman Commons, with the big bumps in the middle? The track practice field? If there isn't a track practice, it's down to that place or the old softball field. We need more "green space," if you will. I think one day, pretty soon actually, our campus will be nicer, a lot nicer. But right now, I just don't see it. As an out of state kid that lives on campus, our food options are pretty limited. Everything closes at like 6. Not many places to go outside for stuff. I don't know, I feel like we still have a ways to go.

you know what, now that LeFevour is no longer a MAC rival, I wish him the best of luck. How lucky to be able to play for the team you grew up watching. I expect him to compete for Cutler's starting position within a couple years, especially if Cutler has a year like he did last year. I don't understand why guys are making fun of him here. We should want conference members to make it to the NFL. It brings cred to the MAC. We need all the cred we can get the MAC. So do you root for #7 from Pittsburgh? 2x Rapist, 1x motorcycle stunt man, all-time douchebag Are your really comparing a rookie QB to a rapist, criminal that plays for my teams rival? If so, you are beyond even reasoning with. I must've missed where Ben was proven guilty. Oh wait, or even charged with rape.

The State College Spikes, a Single A baseball team that plays on PSU's campus. Their motto? Fear the deer.

Gordon Hayward reminds me a lot of Nate Linhart.

looked like a knee-on-knee hit. Terrible pain at first, but usually goes away...Although sometimes (see: Sergei Gonchar getting hit by Ovechkin in the NHL playoffs last year for the hockey fans out there) those hits end up in torn ligaments too. Hopefully it isn't as bad as it looked.

how's that one cheer go again? defense! defense!

We're in the MAC. There is not much talent needed, and no reason to have to rebuild for four years. A good coach will be able to come in and win, in the first two years. No rebuilding process necessary. It's not like we're DePaul playing Big East basketball...

Unquestionably, UCONN has been the best Big East team in recent years. They are a fast paced, offensive orriented team. Defense is fine if you can score once you get the ball. I don't know about unquestionably. Maybe 5 years ago... Pitt and Nova have to be up there now, too. Pitt, more of a defensive squad, has had the better regular season success, and Nova with their guards, the tournament success. This year it's all about the Mountaineers (unfortunately; I'm a Pitt fan outside of the Zips) and their 1-3-1 zone. Every game I've seen them play, it seems like no one can hit their outside shots. Must be that every team has a off night against them, I suppose. Big East basketball is exciting, it's not all defense, Miami-style ball like the Big 10. Man that is a boring conference to watch. And the refs let them play.

no it's wrong, you must not have read this thread. offense is carrying these teams.

Honestly, how could anyone believe that he would go to the Knicks or Nets? The guy is so focused on winning that he would never go to two of the worst teams int he league and start all over again. Maybe if they signed Kobe, DWade, and a decent big guy first then LeBron would think about it. Basically, you're kidding yourself if you think there is any chance that LeBron will go to either of those two teams. You're also kidding yourself if you think this guy wouldn't win anywhere he goes. What makes you think that's true when he cant even win here? how many games did they win last year? and whats their record this year? and when you say "he doesn't win in the postseason," you shouldn't fret losing a playoff choker, right?

I agree Jake, until they move the Polsky building and Quaker Inn conspicuously into the center of campus, they will not truly be a part of campus. If you'd stop being juvenile perhaps you could understand adult thinking and not be so intellectually dishonest. Really, you argue like an eight year old. I'm just greatful this blog doesn't represent any genuine example of those who support UA. The answer to the Polsky building is for. The answer for QS is for UA to make it look more integrated. Your failed attempt at wit and sarcasm really makes you look very stupid and small. Actually I don't think anyone has a problem with Quaker Square or Polsky, except for you. But you seem to have a problem with everything, and everyone... Why would UA want to sell polsky? just because it's across the street? thats a good idea. I had to cross the street today to get to InfoCision Stadium. I guess the best thing to do with the stadium is for UA to sell it. I had to cross a parking lot to get to the Union today, should probably sell it too. Thanks for helping me to make my point about your juvenile and dishonest mentality. I couldn't have illustrated your rabid and pessimistic idiocy any better. Why do you even come here? I mean you're obviously so much mature and better than everyone, and the only one here that actually represents a true UA fan. Why waste your time on us earthlings?

Auto bids will remain the same. One per conference given to the winner of the conference tourney. The regular season champion still gets nothing, but has a chance for an at-large. Well first nothing is set in stone, second most of the coaches (including Coach K) supports the idea as stated. Coaches opinions have nothing to do with the proposal. The powers at be have not even considered and will not consider giving conferences two auto bids. Keep in mind that the conferences already have the option of awarding the automatic bid to the regular season champ so the NCAA really doesn't have any reason to switch. It is important to note that the NCAA mandates for all sports tournaments that the number of at large teams be equal to or greater than the number automatic bids. If you give an auto bid to both the regular season and a tourney champion, that brings the total auto bids to 62 which won't work with a 96 team field. Conferences dictate who participates in their tourney's, so the regular season champ in that scenario would likely not even participate in conference tourney to ensure that the conference got two bids. It's just not going to happen. Where's that rule? The current system is 65 teams there are 33 conferences each receive at least one auto bid. My guess is that the loser of the play-in game doesn't technically make the "tournament." So then it's down to 64 teams and 32 auto bids. edit: zippyman beat me to it, 34 auto bids anyway.

Honestly, how could anyone believe that he would go to the Knicks or Nets? The guy is so focused on winning that he would never go to two of the worst teams int he league and start all over again. Maybe if they signed Kobe, DWade, and a decent big guy first then LeBron would think about it. Basically, you're kidding yourself if you think there is any chance that LeBron will go to either of those two teams. You're also kidding yourself if you think this guy wouldn't win anywhere he goes. He only wins if he has the right core of people. Look at it when he was with Ricky Davis and those Cavs... he was also a rookie. Lebron will turn any team in the NBA to at least an above .500 team. And you bet if the Knicks sign him, he won't be the only one arriving at MSG next year.

Honestly, how could anyone believe that he would go to the Knicks or Nets? The guy is so focused on winning that he would never go to two of the worst teams int he league and start all over again. Maybe if they signed Kobe, DWade, and a decent big guy first then LeBron would think about it. Basically, you're kidding yourself if you think there is any chance that LeBron will go to either of those two teams. You're also kidding yourself if you think this guy wouldn't win anywhere he goes. No doubt he'll win. He's just that good. The question is, will he have the help to win a championship? just playing devil's advocate here, I want him to stay...but he obviously hasn't had the help here to win a championship either.

Honestly, how could anyone believe that he would go to the Knicks or Nets? The guy is so focused on winning that he would never go to two of the worst teams int he league and start all over again. Maybe if they signed Kobe, DWade, and a decent big guy first then LeBron would think about it. Basically, you're kidding yourself if you think there is any chance that LeBron will go to either of those two teams. You're also kidding yourself if you think this guy wouldn't win anywhere he goes.

yeah, vmd, quit obsessing over the new arena, geez man.

Please not Zeke.

What a great recruiting tool. Yeah really. "Hey wanna go to the final 4? Come to msu."

Did you know every player that has ever played for Tom Izzo has been to a final four? That's pretty neat.

With the logic and stats and facts that he employed, no I will not change my mind. Because the facts did not warrant me changing my mind. I will if there are different/more useful/better stats and facts that can be used to back up his assertion. Using the almighty KENPOM stats, here are the defensive ranks of the four teams. With offensive ranks in parenthesis. DUKE 3 (1) BUTLER 6 (46) WVU 10 (12) MSU 33 (25) three of the top 10 defenses make the final four, with one top 10 offense, albeit, it is the number one offense. Obviously no one will win if either facet of their game flat out sucks, but I think it's a little easier to cover up a lacking offense with a good defense than vice versa. edit: the real test will be Butler's performance. Their 46th ranked offense has somehow made it to the final 4, lets see how much further it gets.

Yes, but when you think about it, that wasn't really all that impressive. How do you think he would have done this year against your 8th grade team?

Steve dunked on our team in the Croatian tournament when I was in 7th grade. Random fact of the day.