Adam Morrison- Is He The Best Player In College Basketball? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

flames_1987 · 02-13-2006, 01:37 PM

As of today Adam Morrison sits at 28.6 points per night only .1 behind JJ Redick for the nations leading scorer at 28.7. Watching this kid develop these last 3 years as a huge Zags fan has been awsome. He lives for the big moments, and has been big for the Zags every year in the tourney. Morrison may not play as many of the elite opponets that Redick does, but JJ Redick has also been surrounded by some of the best players in the country year after year. Morrison being 6'8 and having such a good jump shot makes it nearly impossible to guard him, while Redick's size could defintley be a factor in the pros. Who do you think is the better college player? Morrison? Redick? Brion Rush? or someone else

nfotiu · 02-13-2006, 02:55 PM

He sure took over the game yesterday.

It is a hard comparison. If the ACC was the NHL, the WCC is like the ECHL. Morrison did look good in the tough out of conference games though, but not good enough to beat the best teams. I've never seen a better clutch performer than Morrison though.

Honestly, why are the Zags still in the WCC?? Is there any talk of moving them to the PAC-10 for basketball or something? I think they have suffered in the NCAAs lately due to the fact that they don't play any tough teams in the couple months leading up to the tournament. I'm sure the other teams are tired of Gonzaga picking up the WCC automatic bid year after year as well.

flames_1987 · 02-13-2006, 05:28 PM

The Zags defintley deserve a better divison then the WCC. The skill level from Gonzaga and then the rest of the group is a hugeee gap. Other schools playing against top teams in the confrence championships defintley helps them get ready for the madness more then the Zags do playing through the WCC. You got guys like Dickau, Turiaf, now Morrison who in my mind is the best of the group all with enough talent to play in the NBA. Dickau had a great year last year and if it wasen't for Turiaf's health he'd be in a lakers uniform. Not to mention Mark Few is one of the nations best coach, the Zags do deserve to be somewhere else.

While Turiaf struggled sometimes in the tourney, Morrison even in his first has played great. His shot against OKS this year to win it off the glass was just amazing. And against Standford, getting basically contained all game and then just absolutley taking the team on his back in the last 5 minutes was amazing.

Displaced Flames fan · 02-13-2006, 07:31 PM

Adam Morrison is awesome...and will be in the NBA as well. But, J.J. Reddick is better at this level. I've tryed to watch him this year. I'm not a big fan of Duke, though I respect Coach K and what he does year in and year out.

Reddick is unbelievable. Truly. I think he's got Morrison by a bit. I think Reddick's motor is a bit better to. Morrison can be lazy at times.

Displaced Flames fan · 02-13-2006, 07:36 PM

Why do they need to change conferences?

The WCC is down this year, but in the past several years it has been tough! Quality teams in Santa Clara, USF, Pepperdine all within the last several years. It's a quality conference.

Putting Gonzaga in a power conference would be sad IMO. The best basketball in the country is played in conferences like the WCC and the Missouri Valley. It's about BASKETBALL and not ATHLETES. My opinion of course.

Besides, Few does such a great job of scheduling that Gonzaga never has to worry about RPI.

cSpooge · 02-13-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Why do they need to change conferences?

The WCC is down this year, but in the past several years it has been tough! Quality teams in Santa Clara, USF, Pepperdine all within the last several years. It's a quality conference.

Putting Gonzaga in a power conference would be sad IMO. The best basketball in the country is played in conferences like the WCC and the Missouri Valley. It's about BASKETBALL and not ATHLETES. My opinion of course.

Besides, Few does such a great job of scheduling that Gonzaga never has to worry about RPI.

the WCC is pretty much down every year. Other then the 'Zags there arn't any good teams.

Displaced Flames fan · 02-13-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cSpooge

the WCC is pretty much down every year. Other then the 'Zags there arn't any good teams.

Oh really?

I guess you missed Santa Clara making the Sweet 16 a few years back.

No, you're wrong. It's not down every year. It's not great top to bottom, but more often than not over the last dozen years or so there have been 2 or 3 top 50 RPI teams in the conference.

nfotiu · 02-14-2006, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Why do they need to change conferences?

The WCC is down this year, but in the past several years it has been tough! Quality teams in Santa Clara, USF, Pepperdine all within the last several years. It's a quality conference.

Putting Gonzaga in a power conference would be sad IMO. The best basketball in the country is played in conferences like the WCC and the Missouri Valley. It's about BASKETBALL and not ATHLETES. My opinion of course.

Besides, Few does such a great job of scheduling that Gonzaga never has to worry about RPI.

It is pretty hard to say that Gonzaga is anything like a mid conference team anymore. They consistently recruit players who go on to be first round NBA draftees. They get prime time national coverage. Their conference games aren't so much about basketball anymore. They are expected to win every single conference game every year. They are clearly a level (or two) above the rest of the conference.

Also, more often than not, the WCC is a one bid conference. Every once in a while they produce a second bubble team. It is an exageration to say that they consistently have 2 or 3 top 50 teams.

And what is your basis for calling Morrison lazy? He, IMO, is one of the hardest working and most dedicated players in basketball.

socalwingfan · 02-14-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Dickau had a great year last year and if it wasen't for Turiaf's health he'd be in a lakers uniform.

Turiaf is signed and in uniform with the Lakers - though he has not played yet. Can't wait to see his kid's energy on the court - maybe some of his effort and intensity will rub off on the other scrubs

EDIT - Turiaf got some minutes last night - Laker fans are going to love this guy

flames_1987 · 02-14-2006, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

Turiaf is signed and in uniform with the Lakers - though he has not played yet. Can't wait to see his kid's energy on the court - maybe some of his effort and intensity will rub off on the other scrubs

EDIT - Turiaf got some minutes last night - Laker fans are going to love this guy

That's awsome!! thanks a bunch for the update. I knew he was playing for one of there "farm teams" but had no clue he had already been brought up! I would love to see this guy succeed in the NBA

You seem to know your Zags, what do you think about JP Batista's future? Could you see an NBA team taking a chance on this guy with a late pick? I think a deep tournament run for the Zags could really get his name out there, maybe he starts off in Europe or gets a camp invite? Or is that a little to much?

flames_1987 · 02-14-2006, 01:24 PM

The WCC has absolutley no depth what so ever. There is one team every year besides the Zags that may push for a tourney spot but that is it.

As for your call on Morrison being lazy, I've got to ask what are you watching? Adam Morrison is hands down one one of the hardest working basketball players I've seen. To actually have gone through what he has and be this good of a player is amazing. His diabetes is so severe that to do what he's doing at the level he's doing requires so much commitment and hard work.

He's actually been working this year on proving to NBA teams that his diabetes will not be a problem when it comes to the NBA's heavier schedule. Last night against Portland he didn't have his best game but still put up 30 plus and overtook Redick as the nations leading scorer. I really don't see much of a chance in Adam returning for his senior year, right now to me he is a top 3 pick

Displaced Flames fan · 02-14-2006, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfotiu

It is pretty hard to say that Gonzaga is anything like a mid conference team anymore. They consistently recruit players who go on to be first round NBA draftees. They get prime time national coverage. Their conference games aren't so much about basketball anymore. They are expected to win every single conference game every year. They are clearly a level (or two) above the rest of the conference.

Also, more often than not, the WCC is a one bid conference. Every once in a while they produce a second bubble team. It is an exageration to say that they consistently have 2 or 3 top 50 teams.

And what is your basis for calling Morrison lazy? He, IMO, is one of the hardest working and most dedicated players in basketball.

Agree with your first paragraph wholeheeartedly. But just because they fit in with power conferences doesn't mean they should move to one. What is the benefit for them if they do? I think it's better for Gonzaga to stay put. It's not because they don't deserve to be recognized among the power programs in the country because they certainly do.

As for the WCC...again, I'm talking about RPI. Yes, Gonzaga is ahead (and significantly) of every other program in their conference. However, the WCC has been consistently producing at least one if not two more top 50 RPI teams. This year is an exception to that.

I didn't call Morrison lazy. I said he can be lazy at times. That's completely different thought. I really LIKE Adam Morrison. I thought I made that clear!

Displaced Flames fan · 02-14-2006, 08:36 PM

87...thanks for proving my point about the WCC. There is always one or two other teams (not this year though) that are QUALITY basketball teams. Hell not they aren't top 20. But a top 50 RPI is a quality basketball team. I'm not sure why this is so difficult for you guys to get. You must be obsessing with the top 20 or something.

As for Morrison, again....I didn't say he is lazy! I said he can be lazy at times. I was watching them play St. Mary's the other night. You know, the game they won by a single point. Morrison wasn't guarding at times. That's what I meant by lazy at times. It's not really a negative thing either. Just an observation. Not even a flaw IMO.

I think Morrison is a lock to be a top 3 pick.

I think Batista will get a chance in the NBA. Not sure he'll be drafted, but he might be. He'd be a dominant player in Europe. He's really good IMO.

flames_1987 · 02-14-2006, 09:04 PM

If anybody does get the chance to, there are numerous articles up on the net about Adam's sturggle with diabetes and there truly amazing. He being the leader of this team right now makes me feel more confident about the Zags going into march madness then I have in years. As great as Rony was he never had his best games in March, even in Adam's first year he has been the best Zag come crunch time.

If the Zags are to make a deep run it is this year, looking at this team they just might have it. Ravio although struggling is a very good PG, Batista is just amazing in the paint, Knight plays good enough defense to shut down the other teams best player, then you also can turn to the likes of Sean Mallan, Cespides, Pendigraft, Pargo, heytvelt just came back from injury and looked great last night (this kid is gonna be huge for the Zags in years to come).

The Raps don't look like they'll have a top 3 pick this year as they've really turned it on, but would Morrison not be a perfect fit? Correct me if I'm wrong but couldn't the raps use a SF. Guys got a with a work ethic Sam Mitchell would love, he's not gonna come with a huge ego just look at the way he handles himself. I can dream...

nfotiu · 02-15-2006, 11:53 AM

Getting Raivio shooting well is very important for the zags. The last few games I've seen, he's been pretty crappy at shooting 3s. Early in the year and some games last year, he was awesome. Morrison and Batista will be great in March, Raivio could go either way and that is going to be the difference of losing in the 2nd or 3rd round or making the final 4.

Displaced Flames fan · 02-15-2006, 12:59 PM

You know what I like the best about Gonzaga and specifically Mark Few? They are doing it largely with players from the state of Washington. That's damn tough. You're recruiting in a very limited area and recruiting against 5 PAC-10 schools every year for the bigtime players in the state.

It's impressive that Few has been able to find the players that others have passed over. Nowadays, though, he's got a program that's as attractive or more to any top recruit to any of those other 5 schools....(Washington, Wazzu, Oregon, Oregon St. and UCLA).

flames_1987 · 02-15-2006, 06:20 PM

Ravio has been in a big slump of late, he even missed a few FT's monday, which is wayyy out of charachter for one of the nations leaders at the line. He looks afraid to put shoot out there, but I thought he had a much better game against Portland. If he gets his confidence back he can be a huge assest for this team.

To me you can't find many better coaches in the nation then Mark Few. Weak confrence or not, Gonzaga has been one of the most consistant programs in the NCAA. Year after year you see players emerging from the program, whether it be Dan Dicaku, Blake Stepp, Rony Turiaf, Adam Morrison. Gonzaga hasen't tried to go punch for punch with the big guys for recruits, Morrison was actually found because all the Zags we're talking about this kid that was just schooling everyone at some of the outdoor city courts. Look at the players that have come from Gonzaga, John Stockton is arguablly one of the classiest players ever to play in the NBA. Few has stuck to what he beleives in and is doing a great job.

Displaced Flames fan · 02-15-2006, 08:21 PM

Just to add more Few to the fire, you know damn well Mark Few is contacted a dozen times a year to go take over programs at bigger schools. He may move on eventually, he may not. But I think it shows character when a guy doesn't jump at the first big opportunity that comes his way. Of course, Few may not need to ever leave to accomplish his personal goals as a coach now.

Since some of you are so interested in NCAA basketball (Why does the NBA not realize how inferior their product is??) I'll give you a team (I'm a homer) to watch out for come tournament time.

Wichita State.

Leading a very, very tough Missouri Valley Conference. Barring a total collapse they will get in to the tournament whether they win the conference tournament or not. The Valley is the same tournament that has produced Cinderella teams in Creighton, Northern Iowa, Southwest Missouri State (now just Missouri State) and Southern Illinois over the last half dozen years.

The Valley is so good as a mid-major conference this year that the conference RPI is 6th out of the 32 division 1 conferences. They rank ahead of the PAC 10, WAC, Atlantic 10 and Mountain West...none of which are considered mid-majors. In fact, talk among the experts that project tournament bids suggest it is a very real possibility that the Valley gets 4 teams into the dance. That's unheard of for a mid-major conference.

Back to Wichita State itself...coached by Mark Turgeon...former Kansas point guard and coincidentally, close friend of Mark Few. They are the #21 RPI team in the nation. The team starts only 2 upper classmen, 1 senior. They are a bit like the Flames. They play aggressive 'tenacious D' and score in transition situations. Oh, and they can stroke the 3 ball! Watch out for them and watch them play if you have the opportunity. Fun, fun team to watch and a little guy that you guys might be able to get behind and root for.

They lost to Illinois by 1 point earlier this season.

flames_1987 · 02-15-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Since some of you are so interested in NCAA basketball (Why does the NBA not realize how inferior their product is??) I'll give you a team (I'm a homer) to watch out for come tournament time.

.

Thank you for bringing that up. A few times I've watched a college game in almost full length on a Saturday and then switch over to an NBA game, there so far apart it's not even funny. Right now to me, the NBA is at one of the most un-exciting parts in it's history. Not only are the games becoming more and more boring, but the league as a whole is as well. The playoffs must be the worst of all sports leagues, there is no parody, and the only teams that go really deep are teams that a Pistons or Spurs type of game. As for the salary cap really working, ummm New York Knicks

socalwingfan · 02-16-2006, 09:20 AM

For the Gonzaga fans out there - Rony Turiaf got his first NBA points last night - hit both free throws after a flagrant foul - dude was so excited when he got back to the bench - it was awesome. Unfortunately Phil Jackson will not play rookies more than a minute in a game - Rony has more heart in his little finger than that slug Kwame Brown has in his whole body