[yvonne]

and when did they kidnap the Stanford men's basketball team?

[yvonne]

and when did they kidnap the Stanford men's basketball team?

[TreeFitty]

Shooting 3s up by 28 is kinda unseemly.

[TreeFitty]

Shooting 3s up by 28 is kinda unseemly.

[JeffInCorvallis]

Those of you who have been against Johnny Dawkins (and I put myself in that camp):  Does Stanford's NIT performance so far do anything to keep Dawkins off the hot seat?

[JeffInCorvallis]

Those of you who have been against Johnny Dawkins (and I put myself in that camp):  Does Stanford's NIT performance so far do anything to keep Dawkins off the hot seat?

[Card Fan in OR]

I have not been a big Dawkins fan of late, due to what I consider to be the team's chronic underachievement. Not been the case in the last three games. Tonight, the team was awesome. If they played like tonight all season, how many losses would they have had? Five or fewer. Of course, they did not play like tonight all that frequently. Still, if Dawkins can keep them at this level, he deserves more time to show it will continue. I was really impressed with the team's play. Granted, I don't see that many games, but I said to my wife, "I haven't seen a Stanford [men's] team pass like that since....since Mike Montgomery was coach." On to MSG. Best of luck to the team.

[Card Fan in OR]

I have not been a big Dawkins fan of late, due to what I consider to be the team's chronic underachievement. Not been the case in the last three games. Tonight, the team was awesome. If they played like tonight all season, how many losses would they have had? Five or fewer. Of course, they did not play like tonight all that frequently. Still, if Dawkins can keep them at this level, he deserves more time to show it will continue. I was really impressed with the team's play. Granted, I don't see that many games, but I said to my wife, "I haven't seen a Stanford [men's] team pass like that since....since Mike Montgomery was coach." On to MSG. Best of luck to the team.

[97fan]

I've been disappointed in the team's performance this year, but even before the NIT run, it didn't make sense to fire Dawkins after this season. Not with a young nucleus and another touted recruiting class coming in. Next year, though, the recruiting rankings need to translate into an NCAA tournament berth.

[97fan]

I've been disappointed in the team's performance this year, but even before the NIT run, it didn't make sense to fire Dawkins after this season. Not with a young nucleus and another touted recruiting class coming in. Next year, though, the recruiting rankings need to translate into an NCAA tournament berth.

[76lsjumb]

Just got back from Maples and saw that Yvonne stole my intended subject line/message verbatim...!  ;D  Two thumbs up for that!

After Jarrett's first dunk, I explained to the Nevada fans next to me that was a sure sign the end times had arrived.  Then he did it again AND made two free throws back-to-back.  The Nevada folks couldn't understand why we were all so amazed...

As for Johnny, I'm not sure what happened before these last three games, but I really do think he deserves [and gets] an apology from me  -- and a chance to see what he can do with this group next year -- regardless of what happens at MSG.  We actually looked like we were running an offense with some purpose out there tonight [and on Monday] against a team that wasn't [totally] chopped liver.  I know I'm flip-flopping on this and, again, possibly setting my self up for another season of misery based on only a week of good results, but still...

[76lsjumb]

Just got back from Maples and saw that Yvonne stole my intended subject line/message verbatim...!  ;D  Two thumbs up for that!

After Jarrett's first dunk, I explained to the Nevada fans next to me that was a sure sign the end times had arrived.  Then he did it again AND made two free throws back-to-back.  The Nevada folks couldn't understand why we were all so amazed...

As for Johnny, I'm not sure what happened before these last three games, but I really do think he deserves [and gets] an apology from me  -- and a chance to see what he can do with this group next year -- regardless of what happens at MSG.  We actually looked like we were running an offense with some purpose out there tonight [and on Monday] against a team that wasn't [totally] chopped liver.  I know I'm flip-flopping on this and, again, possibly setting my self up for another season of misery based on only a week of good results, but still...

[FarmBoy]

Those of you who have been against Johnny Dawkins (and I put myself in that camp):  Does Stanford's NIT performance so far do anything to keep Dawkins off the hot seat?

Think of it this way, does the team performance allow you to brag to you C.al Barebacker co-workers? I think not. We just beat Cleveland St, Illinois St., and Nevada. yeah.

Don't get me wrong, I just got back from the game and I had a blast. The team is playing with abandon and they look like they're having a good time. If they'd played like this all year, I think we'd be in the NCAA (and we certainly wouldn't have lost to Utah just a couple of weeks ago.) But it was Dawkins' job to prepare them to play this way all year. He still doesn't know what to do with Jarrett Mann or how to manage a player rotation effectively in game. My greatest hope is that this helps the team prepare for next year.

Best of luck to the boys in NYC. Bring home the trophy.

[FarmBoy]

Those of you who have been against Johnny Dawkins (and I put myself in that camp):  Does Stanford's NIT performance so far do anything to keep Dawkins off the hot seat?

Think of it this way, does the team performance allow you to brag to you C.al Barebacker co-workers? I think not. We just beat Cleveland St, Illinois St., and Nevada. yeah.

Don't get me wrong, I just got back from the game and I had a blast. The team is playing with abandon and they look like they're having a good time. If they'd played like this all year, I think we'd be in the NCAA (and we certainly wouldn't have lost to Utah just a couple of weeks ago.) But it was Dawkins' job to prepare them to play this way all year. He still doesn't know what to do with Jarrett Mann or how to manage a player rotation effectively in game. My greatest hope is that this helps the team prepare for next year.

Best of luck to the boys in NYC. Bring home the trophy.

[76lsjumb]

Think of it this way, does the team performance allow you to brag to you kal Barebacker co-workers? I think not. We just beat Cleveland St, Illinois St., and Nevada. yeah.

Funny thing, though, ... when I went to talk with my kal Barebacker co-worker about basketball earlier this week, he really didn't seem particularly interested, and, for some reason, wanted to change the subject to women's swimming...  :o

[76lsjumb]

Think of it this way, does the team performance allow you to brag to you kal Barebacker co-workers? I think not. We just beat Cleveland St, Illinois St., and Nevada. yeah.

Funny thing, though, ... when I went to talk with my kal Barebacker co-worker about basketball earlier this week, he really didn't seem particularly interested, and, for some reason, wanted to change the subject to women's swimming...  :o

[fullmetal]

The team is starting to play for itself again, probably much like they did in the preseason NIT--they have nothing to lose.  I wonder if this hints at coach/team dynamics.  At the moment, I don't really care.  One game at a time! :D

[fullmetal]

The team is starting to play for itself again, probably much like they did in the preseason NIT--they have nothing to lose.  I wonder if this hints at coach/team dynamics.  At the moment, I don't really care.  One game at a time! :D

[washingtonismoney]

For me, I've stopped bothering about deeper implications at all. Am I having fun? I am. At this point, all that matters.

[washingtonismoney]

For me, I've stopped bothering about deeper implications at all. Am I having fun? I am. At this point, all that matters.

[Spiny_Norman]

I noted this little tidbit from the AP story

LSU coach Trent Johnson, who coached both Stanford and Nevada in the NCAA tournament, was in attendance.

Did any Cardboarders see him there?

[Spiny_Norman]

I noted this little tidbit from the AP story

LSU coach Trent Johnson, who coached both Stanford and Nevada in the NCAA tournament, was in attendance.

Did any Cardboarders see him there?

[Renaissance Man]

The strangest thing that I have observed this season is the difference between conference and non-conference games.  In the pre-season and post-season non-conference games Stanford has looked llike a well-coached, upper-ecehelon team, regardless of the quality of opponent.  During the PAC-12 schedule, Stanford often looked inept, and almost always seemed to be poorly coached.  Aaron Bright has played like an All-American out of conference, but was often a liability during league play.  Some of this can be attributed to opponent familiarity during PAC-12 play (Nevada was defending Mann on the perimiter last night), but that should work both ways.  I have honestly never seen anything like this at any level of basketball.  Thoughts?

[Renaissance Man]

The strangest thing that I have observed this season is the difference between conference and non-conference games.  In the pre-season and post-season non-conference games Stanford has looked llike a well-coached, upper-ecehelon team, regardless of the quality of opponent.  During the PAC-12 schedule, Stanford often looked inept, and almost always seemed to be poorly coached.  Aaron Bright has played like an All-American out of conference, but was often a liability during league play.  Some of this can be attributed to opponent familiarity during PAC-12 play (Nevada was defending Mann on the perimiter last night), but that should work both ways.  I have honestly never seen anything like this at any level of basketball.  Thoughts?

[deepred]

Those of you who have been against Johnny Dawkins (and I put myself in that camp):  Does Stanford's NIT performance so far do anything to keep Dawkins off the hot seat?

Stanford might not have a chance to put Dawkins on the hot seat... Illinois might steal him away first.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/col...3156.story

Though not sure how accurate this article is given it's characterizing Dawkins as an assistant at Stanford.

[deepred]

Those of you who have been against Johnny Dawkins (and I put myself in that camp):  Does Stanford's NIT performance so far do anything to keep Dawkins off the hot seat?

Stanford might not have a chance to put Dawkins on the hot seat... Illinois might steal him away first.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/col...3156.story

Though not sure how accurate this article is given it's characterizing Dawkins as an assistant at Stanford.

[FarmBoy]

Stanford might not have a chance to put Dawkins on the hot seat... Illinois might steal him away first.

Just so long as the next coach doesn't release our top recruits from the LOI so they can sign with his alma mater.

[FarmBoy]

Stanford might not have a chance to put Dawkins on the hot seat... Illinois might steal him away first.

Just so long as the next coach doesn't release our top recruits from the LOI so they can sign with his alma mater.

[76lsjumb]

Though not sure how accurate this article is given it's characterizing Dawkins as an assistant at Stanford.

There you go.  We all owe Johnny an apology for the criticism over the past four seasons.  He was only an assistant.  It must have really been Dick Davey's fault...

[76lsjumb]

Though not sure how accurate this article is given it's characterizing Dawkins as an assistant at Stanford.

There you go.  We all owe Johnny an apology for the criticism over the past four seasons.  He was only an assistant.  It must have really been Dick Davey's fault...

[cardfan09]

Colorado St. and N.C. State were both NCAA tournament teams.

[cardfan09]

Colorado St. and N.C. State were both NCAA tournament teams.

[FarmBoy]

Colorado St. and N.C. State were both NCAA tournament teams.

And the point of this is...? Should Utah be pumped because they beat a team going to the NIT final four (us?)

[FarmBoy]

Colorado St. and N.C. State were both NCAA tournament teams.

And the point of this is...? Should Utah be pumped because they beat a team going to the NIT final four (us?)

[burger]

Regardless, it gave me a big smile to see Josh Owens, Andrew Zimmerman, Jack Trotter and Jarrett Mann laughing and beaming when they came out late in last night's game, their final moment at Maples. They have endured some tough moments the last four years. For them to finish their Maples careers with a four-game winning streak, starting with an upset of the 59ers and ending with a blowout, was a lovely note.

Agreed.  That was the best moment of the season so far, for me.  Good of the fans, too, to give the seniors a nice standing O when they came out.

[burger]

Regardless, it gave me a big smile to see Josh Owens, Andrew Zimmerman, Jack Trotter and Jarrett Mann laughing and beaming when they came out late in last night's game, their final moment at Maples. They have endured some tough moments the last four years. For them to finish their Maples careers with a four-game winning streak, starting with an upset of the 59ers and ending with a blowout, was a lovely note.

Agreed.  That was the best moment of the season so far, for me.  Good of the fans, too, to give the seniors a nice standing O when they came out.

[CrazedZooChimp]

Colorado State, in the Sagarin Predictor ratings, is No. 102. North Carolina State, it's true, is No. 36. But you've got to balance that against Fresno State (174), San Diego (224), Seattle (227), Bethune-Cookman (271), Pacific (279), Central Arkansas (309) and The school that shall not be mentioned (326), among others. It's easy to look good against those teams.

Hey, Bethune-Cookman almost won the MEAC, losing by three in the final to future bracket buster Norfolk State, that's gotta count for something. 

Stanford's Sagarin is 40, so if that's the basis we're pretty good.  I also like to count our game against Syracuse as a positive, what with being on the road and them being #4 in the Sagarin rankings.  I keep expecting them to lose based on our performance against them...

[CrazedZooChimp]

Colorado State, in the Sagarin Predictor ratings, is No. 102. North Carolina State, it's true, is No. 36. But you've got to balance that against Fresno State (174), San Diego (224), Seattle (227), Bethune-Cookman (271), Pacific (279), Central Arkansas (309) and The school that shall not be mentioned (326), among others. It's easy to look good against those teams.

Hey, Bethune-Cookman almost won the MEAC, losing by three in the final to future bracket buster Norfolk State, that's gotta count for something. 

Stanford's Sagarin is 40, so if that's the basis we're pretty good.  I also like to count our game against Syracuse as a positive, what with being on the road and them being #4 in the Sagarin rankings.  I keep expecting them to lose based on our performance against them...

[FarmBoy]

Hey, Bethune-Cookman almost won the MEAC, losing by three in the final to future bracket buster Norfolk State, that's gotta count for something.

The problem with college basketball is that every team plays 30+ games, so you can always play 6 degrees of separation that demonstrates by the transitive property that some team under 0.500 in a middle major conference could beat the national champion. All it takes is catching fire one night. To be honest, we got lucky to beat Illinois State. How often can we go 12 of 20 from 3pt range (though Illinois St was also in the midst of a hot streak with 13-30 3 pters)? The real test is grinding it out over the course of a season.

Still, the past two weeks have been a fantastic ride. I was honestly shocked that we were even selected to play in the NIT. Then to be able to host the first game, see Bright have a career night (where does it rank in the all time list of performances by Stanford players?) on Monday, and then have it all come together last night against Nevada. See the seniors go out on a high is fantastic (compare that to Kal losing 4 of their last 5 and laying a turd in the play-in game). I was optimistic going into the Pac12 tourney that we could do some damage. It seems my hope was premature, but based on something substantial.

It would be fantastic to "hoist a banner".

[FarmBoy]

Hey, Bethune-Cookman almost won the MEAC, losing by three in the final to future bracket buster Norfolk State, that's gotta count for something.

The problem with college basketball is that every team plays 30+ games, so you can always play 6 degrees of separation that demonstrates by the transitive property that some team under 0.500 in a middle major conference could beat the national champion. All it takes is catching fire one night. To be honest, we got lucky to beat Illinois State. How often can we go 12 of 20 from 3pt range (though Illinois St was also in the midst of a hot streak with 13-30 3 pters)? The real test is grinding it out over the course of a season.

Still, the past two weeks have been a fantastic ride. I was honestly shocked that we were even selected to play in the NIT. Then to be able to host the first game, see Bright have a career night (where does it rank in the all time list of performances by Stanford players?) on Monday, and then have it all come together last night against Nevada. See the seniors go out on a high is fantastic (compare that to Kal losing 4 of their last 5 and laying a turd in the play-in game). I was optimistic going into the Pac12 tourney that we could do some damage. It seems my hope was premature, but based on something substantial.

It would be fantastic to "hoist a banner".