Not getting much love.

[BBG]

So the sites I'm visiting pretty much are universally picking us to lose opening round.

Not sure how those "experts" came to that conclusion, but I hope the team comes out and plays angry this weekend and just puts a hurt on.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

lol we are gonna crush that team. They don't score, they don't rebound, they don't pass. And they for damn sure have not seen anything like H&H block.

 

[BBG]

lol we are gonna crush that team. They don't score, they don't rebound, they don't pass. And they for damn sure have not seen anything like H&H block.

See that is what I was thinking too.. which is why I was scratching my head over what I read.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

See that is what I was thinking too.. which is why I was scratching my head over what I read.

Our performance against the press so far this year is my biggest concern. I'm more worried about LR than I am about round two.

 

[delish1]

Our performance against the press so far this year is my biggest concern. I'm more worried about LR than I am about round two.

Agree. If Purdue comes out focused hits a few shots and keeps Little Rock from going bonkers from 3, it will win that and then steamroll Iowa State (if it beats Iona, which I would hope for)

 

[Boiler Buck]

To me it is more about how we play, than how ALR plays(which is a good defensive team). Play like we have been lately and is a W. Additionally, one would think after the first round loss last year, this team should come out angry & hungry.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

So the sites I'm visiting pretty much are universally picking us to lose opening round.

Not sure how those "experts" came to that conclusion, but I hope the team comes out and plays angry this weekend and just puts a hurt on.

I think it's a good thing when this happens because it keeps the players from looking past the first game.

 

[SIBoiler2]

So the sites I'm visiting pretty much are universally picking us to lose opening round.

Not sure how those "experts" came to that conclusion, but I hope the team comes out and plays angry this weekend and just puts a hurt on.

Likely most of the experts are the same ones that have posted on here all year.

 

[BBG]

Likely most of the experts are the same ones that have posted on here all year.

Okay that was funny

 

[lbodel]

To me it is more about how we play, than how ALR plays(which is a good defensive team). Play like we have been lately and is a W. Additionally, one would think after the first round loss last year, this team should come out angry & hungry.

Also, taking care of the basketball.

Losing in the first round often comes down to playing sloppy. If we turn the ball over, aren't focused, etc. - then yeah, I could see us getting upset.

 

[bonefish1]

They haven't faced bigs like ours. Pound them into submission inside. Get them in some foul trouble. Then, when they try to double down low, need to hit some 3's. Game over.

 

[Lionheart1]

Team needs to use the disrespect of the committee and talking heads as fuel.

 

[TC4THREE]

It's not a gimme but it's a game we should win if we play well. If we don't play well, we can lose any game from here on out but aside from a handful of first round matchups you can say that about almost any team in the tournament in almost every game. In this game our turnovers will tell the story because it's the one potential advantage they could have. If we take care of the ball, we dominate. If we give them 15+ turnovers then they could knock us off.

 

[Dryfly88]

Agree completely with the guys above. Turnovers are the key. We don't turn it over we win period. They will not have an answer for the inside game, we just need to get the ball there. If we turn it over and don't get into our offense then it's a possible upset.

 

[PBoiler84]

I don't know much about Ark Little Rock other than they are 29-4 (good record) but played only 1 major conference team this year (Texas Tech) and lost by 12 to them. Stats show they are not a prolific scoring team with most wins they are in the 60s or low 70s. So my guess is they are not a wild 3 point shooting team but I don't know. I'm guessing they have not seen a similar combo like Hammons and Haas before.

 

[lbodel]

I don't know much about Ark Little Rock other than they are 29-4 (good record) but played only 1 major conference team this year (Texas Tech) and lost by 12 to them. Stats show they are not a prolific scoring team with most wins they are in the 60s or low 70s. So my guess is they are not a wild 3 point shooting team but I don't know. I'm guessing they have not seen a similar combo like Hammons and Haas before.

They won @ DePaul and also won @ San Diego State (bubble team) and Tulsa (tourney team).

Those teams are not world beaters (particularly DePaul), but to win multiple games on the road - this is not a slouch team.

 

[lbodel]

Agree completely with the guys above. Turnovers are the key. We don't turn it over we win period. They will not have an answer for the inside game, we just need to get the ball there. If we turn it over and don't get into our offense then it's a possible upset.

Turnovers and rebounding.

In all of our losses, we've had over 13+ turnovers except 2 games. And in those 2, we lost the rebounding battle (Michigan) and tied in rebounding (Maryland).

So basically if we keep turnovers decent and out rebound our opponent, we put ourselves in a very good spot.

 

[Dryfly88]

Turnovers and rebounding.

In all of our losses, we've had over 13+ turnovers except 2 games. And in those 2, we lost the rebounding battle (Michigan) and tied in rebounding (Maryland).

So basically if we keep turnovers decent and out rebound our opponent, we put ourselves in a very good spot.

I'm not nearly as worried about rebounding as I am turnovers, but agree it would be in our best interest to "win" both of those stats.

 

[icewind7]

You cannot have it both ways, because those are the experts who rank us #18 all year long. We need to trust these experts.

 

[Professor Emeritus]

So the sites I'm visiting pretty much are universally picking us to lose opening round.

Not sure how those "experts" came to that conclusion, but I hope the team comes out and plays angry this weekend and just puts a hurt on.

Reminds of when everyone thought Siena over the Boilers was the smart pick a few years back. That worked out well!

 

[rgarlitz]

Here's the Little Rock RPI breakdown from CBS sports:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/teams/rpi/ARKLR/little-rock-trojans

It's not a lot to go on. There were no common opponents this year.

They've only played 6 games against the RPI top-100 (three of those were against #96 Louisiana Monroe).

They do have 2 top-60 road wins (SDSU, Tulsa). We also have 2 such wins (Wisky, Pitt) plus top-60 neutral court wins over Florida and Michigan.

They closed the regular season by losing @#259 Appalachian State - a game that might have been a throw-away since Little Rock had already won their league outright.

 

[BBG]

They haven't faced bigs like ours. Pound them into submission inside. Get them in some foul trouble. Then, when they try to double down low, need to hit some 3's. Game over.

Welcome back lemming

 

[Gemini95]

Good. The most popular upset pick is rarely the one that happens, though this game is certainly not a 'gimme'.

I like Yale over Baylor as this year's 12-5.

 

[depthcharge623]

I'm picking Chattanooga over IU of course

 

[TC4THREE]

Here's the Little Rock RPI breakdown from CBS sports:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/teams/rpi/ARKLR/little-rock-trojans

It's not a lot to go on. There were no common opponents this year.

They've only played 6 games against the RPI top-100 (three of those were against #96 Louisiana Monroe).

They do have 2 top-60 road wins (SDSU, Tulsa). We also have 2 such wins (Wisky, Pitt) plus top-60 neutral court wins over Florida and Michigan.

They closed the regular season by losing @#259 Appalachian State - a game that might have been a throw-away since Little Rock had already won their league outright.

FWIW, on their message board I read a couple of fans of other Sun Belt teams that might be a little more familiar with us weigh in that this was a bad draw for them. I think Western Kentucky and Arkansas State fans.

 

[OsRitmos]

I don't think there are any 12-5 upsets. Parity was overrated this year. 3rd year in a row.

 

[honey_badger]

I don't think there are any 12-5 upsets. Parity was overrated this year. 3rd year in a row.

What? Chattanooga is the best 12 seed in the tourney this year. They will destroy Indiana. I remind you of the Witchia State game IU played. WSU won that game in the first round of the tourney vs IU. This Chattanooga team is BETTER than that Witchita State Shockers team!!!!! Much better. So do you REALLY think that there won't be an upset of a 5-12 now that you know this info? That's what I thought, please re-group your thoughts.

 

[nagemj02]

It's just another reason for them to outplay their opponents in these upcoming games. They can show most of these talking heads or sportswriters the truth.

Boiler Up

 

[honey_badger]

It's just another reason for them to outplay their opponents in these upcoming games. They can show most of these talking heads or sportswriters the truth.

Boiler Up

Denver newspapers are showing much love for Purdue.

 

[Cleanface]

4 vs 13 Cinderella upset is the new 5 vs 12

I see potential 4 v 13 upsets, not so much 5 v 12. Been like that for a few yrs IMO.

 

[purdue4sure]

You cannot have it both ways, because those are the experts who rank us #18 all year long. We need to trust these experts.

So you are betting the house on a Purdue loss?

 

[boilerzz]

The thing peope are forgetting is that, had Louisville and SMU not been ineligible, UALR and Chattanooga would have been a 13 seeds.

 

[*4purdue*]

So the sites I'm visiting pretty much are universally picking us to lose opening round.

Not sure how those "experts" came to that conclusion, but I hope the team comes out and plays angry this weekend and just puts a hurt on.

wait for it .................. Obama's bracket. Has us losing to UVA in the S16

 

[honey_badger]

wait for it .................. Obama's bracket. Has us losing to UVA in the S16

Obama's picks have been awful, as pointed out by ESPN. Purdue is absolutely going to be in the Elite 8 for sure and the Final Four is very likely --------- It's Purdue's year.

 

[IndyBoilers2000]

If you have the Big Ten Champsionship game still recorded go watch as the final buzzer sounds and look for AJ. He is pissed and a fire in his eye that I have never seen from him before! I think we are going to see the best from AJ from a play standpoint and from a leadership standpoint. I think he is hungry and is going to be dialed in.

This team can go far...just need to stay focused and play one game at a time!

BTFU!

 

[honey_badger]

If you have the Big Ten Champsionship game still recorded go watch as the final buzzer sounds and look for AJ. He is pissed and a fire in his eye that I have never seen from him before! I think we are going to see the best from AJ from a play standpoint and from a leadership standpoint. I think he is hungry and is going to be dialed in.

This team can go far...just need to stay focused and play one game at a time!

BTFU!

yes, we all noticed this and it has been commented on.

 

[PaBoiler78]

yes, we all noticed this and it has been commented on.

FWIW, the NY Post lists Purdue as one of the sleeping giants in the tourney.

 

[mryankee2397]

play like we did at illinois and anyone can beat us. play like we did down the stretch and we are hard to beat. take care of the ball and please dont have a 2 for 19 3 point day.

 

[BBG]

If you have the Big Ten Champsionship game still recorded go watch as the final buzzer sounds and look for AJ. He is pissed and a fire in his eye that I have never seen from him before! I think we are going to see the best from AJ from a play standpoint and from a leadership standpoint. I think he is hungry and is going to be dialed in.

This team can go far...just need to stay focused and play one game at a time!

BTFU!

I hope so. If he has a good performance in the tourney that will help us and his draft stock imo.

BTFU!

 

[BoilerDaddy]

The thing peope are forgetting is that, had Louisville and SMU not been ineligible, UALR and Chattanooga would have been a 13 seeds.

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I've also noticed that Little Rock (even more since this thread was started) has become a popular upset pick. I'm assuming that they are a tough opponent who could give Purdue some trouble. Purdue needs to be dialed in and ready to play.