AU Basketball Cranking Up

Snaggletiger · « **on:** October 24, 2011, 03:38:07 PM »

Roundball has sort of flown under the radar, and rightfully so. For a variety of reasons, this program has struggled for a long, long time. Unfortunately, it's pretty much always been that way. With the exception of the odd run here and there, when the moon and stars and the Chris Porter's line up, Auburn arguably has the worst overall basketball program in SEC history. So, why get excited?

Last year, the long overdue new arena was opened and a new coach is in place. Barbee was doing all the right things, getting out and meeting the people, trying to drum up support for this anemic program and most importantly, recruiting his back side off. He gets commitments from several top flight players that could make this club competitive right off the bat but alas, this is Auburn basketball, and for a variety of reasons, none of them made it to campus. Then, the starting point, Frankie Sullivan, is lost for the season and Auburn fans are again treated to a band of misfits that can't ball with the Samford's, Troy's and Presbyterian's of the world.

Is there room for hope? Has to be. There's nowhere to go but up. A few things stood out to me in watching last year's squad. First, they always played hard. Second, they played tenacious defense, which Barbee has said will be the staple of this team again. Also, they actually looked like they had a purpose on oiffense, with constant motion and real live plays and stuff....unlike Lebo's two passes and launch the first available, or unavailable 3. Problem was, the talent level of Auburn's players was so far behind everyone else, they just couldn't match up with anyone they played. Honestly, I have no idea if this version will be better but a simple check of the roster and some of the bio's of these players suggests this club may be a little more competitive.

They have Sullivan back along with guys like Josh Langford and Kenny Gabriel and some pretty impressive freshmen. It appears this squad will have decent size with a few guys at 6'10" and several more at 6'7" and 6'8". 6'10" fouling machine, Rob Chubb is back but experince can only make him better. The home schedule looks like teh sux but overall, the OOC schedule looks decent with teams like Seton Hall, South Florida, Kansas State, Xavier, Clemson and FSU. Some of those are teams included in tourneys Auburn will be in.

It may just be more of the same old, same old, but I have a feeling this team could be pretty good. I like Barbee so far and the way he handles the club. The interview I read with him after the first couple of practices has him .

Saniflush · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2011, 03:56:34 PM »

I'm predicting 20.

Not sure if it will be wins or losses but 20 is a solid number.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2011, 04:05:32 PM »

Quote from: Saniflush on October 24, 2011, 03:56:34 PM

I'm predicting 20.

Not sure if it will be wins or losses but 20 is a solid number.

I like the way you think, Mister.

AWK · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2011, 06:33:22 PM »

When is the first game? Who do we play?

wreckingball · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2011, 03:12:00 AM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on October 24, 2011, 03:38:07 PM

Auburn arguably has the worst overall basketball program in SEC history. So, why get excited?

We aren't the absolute worst if you go by winning percentage, and we can look forward to being a little bit better of a program that TAMU when they decide to join! You getting excited now?

1   Kentucky   76%
2   Arkansas   64%
3   Alabama   62%
4   Tennessee   61%
5   Vanderbilt   59%
6   LSU   57%
7   Miss St   55%
8   Florida   54%
9   Auburn   54%
10   South Carolina   53%
11   Texas AM   52%
12   Georgia   52%
13   Ole Miss   49%

GH2001 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2011, 09:05:16 AM »

Quote from: wreckingball on October 25, 2011, 03:12:00 AM

We aren't the absolute worst if you go by winning percentage, and we can look forward to being a little bit better of a program that TAMU when they decide to join! You getting excited now?

1   Kentucky   76%
2   Arkansas   64%
3   Alabama   62%
4   Tennessee   61%
5   Vanderbilt   59%
6   LSU   57%
7   Miss St   55%
8   Florida   54%
9   Auburn   54%
10   South Carolina   53%
11   Texas AM   52%
12   Georgia   52%
13   Ole Miss   49%

Glad you posted that. I was gonna guess that Ole Miss was the worst.

Fla might would be if not for their recent 10 year string of success.

AUChizad · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2011, 09:38:05 AM »

I was under the impression aTm was good for some reason. That was one of the selling points I was told as to why they're a worthy addition to the SEC.

Ole Miss is really terrible at everything. I would like to see aTm just replace Ole Miss and fuck Mizzou.

Saniflush · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2011, 09:46:22 AM »

Quote from: AUChizad on October 25, 2011, 09:38:05 AM

I was under the impression aTm was good for some reason. That was one of the selling points I was told as to why they're a worthy addition to the SEC.

Ole Miss is really terrible at everything. I would like to see aTm just replace Ole Miss and fuck Mizzou.

I think that conversation was revolving around foosball.

AUChizad · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2011, 10:07:20 AM »

Quote from: Saniflush on October 25, 2011, 09:46:22 AM

I think that conversation was revolving around foosball.

That conversation was, but I was also told "Look at how good they are at baseball and basketball".

I guess they've been in the tournament the last six years in a row, all of which they won the first game. Made it to the Sweet 16 in 07. I guess that's decent. Looks like they sucked until 2006.