Maui Invitational

[ConnersvilleBulldog]

Here's a link to the bracket for Maui Invitational.

http://espn.go.com/photo/preview/!pdfs/120725/2012_Maui_Bracket.pdf

Look's like it's Marquette in game 1 and either Mississippi St. or North Carolina in game 2.

Also, ESPN has a preview of the tourney. Gives Rotnei some good press. And Eamonn Brennan picks us to win, while most pick NC over Texas.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/61669/bracket-reveal-maui-invitational

[butlerfan]

I like the way Brennan thinks.

If we were to beat Marquette/North Carolina and Texas, that should vault us up into a Top 10 ranking before meeting probable top ranked Indiana.

One thing I do like about the bracket is the extra rest we will get before facing North Carolina. 2 to 3 hours is huge on a 1 day turnaround. Texas/USC and Illinois on the other side will be playing much later games(EST). It could have an effect. I like Butler's draw from a time perspective ALOT. I do think the other side of the bracket is much easier though from a talent perspective. I don't see USC and Illinois having very good teams YET.

[Mr X]

There’s a reason almost all of the analysts from ESPN thinks the championship game is going to be North Carolina and Texas, it’s pretty obvious that’s the matchup they want to see and set up the bracket as so. As butlerfan said, the bottom half of this bracket is pretty terrible. I can’t really see any team other than Texas giving Butler any trouble. So the nice thing about that for Butler is that I can’t see them doing any worse than 2-1. The other nice thing about the tournament this year is how young the other contenders are so that should give Butler an excellent chance to get some pretty high quality non-conference wins.

As for playing Marquette in the first round that was one of the schools I was hoping Butler wouldn’t draw. Like the other contenders they are going to be young, but they are not losing as much as say North Carolina and they are getting a decent transfer from ASU that should help offset their losses. This is both a very winnable game and tournament for Butler this year. However, given the slow starts Butler has gotten off to the past couple I don’t see it happening.

[ButlerWay]

I'm expecting a much quicker start this season. There really shouldn't be that large of an adjustment period. Most likely the entire starting 5 will have been with the team last year (and if that isn't the case, it means one of the freshman are really good, which obviously is even better).

[Mr X]

I think the slow starts are more on Stevens than the players. Stevens is pretty consistent in messing around with the rotation in November trying to find the best combinations for later in the season and he has also shown himself for being too loyal to certain upper classmen players at least initially until it's obvious that an adjustment needs to be made.

[Tiles52]

I would agree that the last two years Stevens has messed around with the rotation early on and stuck with some of the upperclassmen; but I think a big part of that was because he couldn't get consistent play on a regular basis from a number of players. Prior to that, with Hayward, Mack, Nored, Veasley & Howard, he pretty much stuck with the same rotation from day one. Who knows what will happen this year, but if Marshall and Hopkins have improved and become more consistent during the off season as has been reported, then I think there is a good chance for a consistent starting 5 of Clark, Hopkins, Jones, Marshall & Smith. But even when they had Hayward, Mack, Howard, etc. they still had their bumps in the road early on.

[Irishdawg]

I think the slow starts are more on Stevens than the players. Stevens is pretty consistent in messing around with the rotation in November trying to find the best combinations for later in the season and he has also shown himself for being too loyal to certain upper classmen players at least initially until it's obvious that an adjustment needs to be made.

I wonder with the summer workouts that they have been able to have this year if there will be as much messing with the rotation as in year's past. Because the coaching staff is able to see how each player is progressing, it should be easier to set the rotation.

In the case of being loyal to the older guys, I understand, but I think that in some cases it really needs to stop. We know what Stigall is going to bring, and I'm fine with him getting minutes, I just don't want him shooting the ball unless they're just leaving him wide open on the perimeter.

[firedupkaren]

I think the slow starts are more on Stevens than the players. Stevens is pretty consistent in messing around with the rotation in November trying to find the best combinations for later in the season and he has also shown himself for being too loyal to certain upper classmen players at least initially until it's obvious that an adjustment needs to be made.

I wonder with the summer workouts that they have been able to have this year if there will be as much messing with the rotation as in year's past. Because the coaching staff is able to see how each player is progressing, it should be easier to set the rotation.

In the case of being loyal to the older guys, I understand, but I think that in some cases it really needs to stop. We know what Stigall is going to bring, and I'm fine with him getting minutes, I just don't want him shooting the ball unless they're just leaving him wide open on the perimeter.

If he's in the game, and not shooting...why is he getting minutes? And why are you fine with it?

[Ignatius J. Reilly]

I wonder with the summer workouts that they have been able to have this year if there will be as much messing with the rotation as in year's past. Because the coaching staff is able to see how each player is progressing, it should be easier to set the rotation.

In the case of being loyal to the older guys, I understand, but I think that in some cases it really needs to stop. We know what Stigall is going to bring, and I'm fine with him getting minutes, I just don't want him shooting the ball unless they're just leaving him wide open on the perimeter.

If he's in the game, and not shooting...why is he getting minutes? And why are you fine with it?

I'd assume its because he is a senior and he can hit open shots. Im fine with him having minutes too, as long as the shots he takes aren't fade away jumpers from the NBA line. He can hit open shots, I just think he has a history of taking bad shots. Just a guess, but when someone says they don't want him shooting, I think it is the high degree of difficulty shots they are talking about moreso than shooting in general....obviously if he is open he is going to (and should) shoot.[hr]
But I shouldn't really talk for other people, just my guess....also, Irishdawg I have basically the same opinion.

[Title]

He's a 30% career 3 point shooter. He is a bad shooter, who happens to be a shooting specialist.

I doubt he'll get minutes and frankly there really isnt any good reason for him getting more than odd ones