Non-Conference Schedule should be finalized tomorrow

[Chris Flanagan]

ESPN is releasing the brackets for all the early season tournaments and tomorrow they will release the 2K Classic at Madison Square Garden's bracket. Here is 2K Classic's tweet:

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011


Here was my prediction on Twitter: 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011


I think they are going to set up a Texas vs Syracuse final at all costs. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

What will Iowa do this year?

 

[BudreauReye]

Iowa vs. Texas in the first round game of the 2K Classic, with hopes for a Texas vs. Syracuse final. In the first round game, Texas vs. Iowa will probably not be a walk up the court half court affair.  Out of the four teams, In their 2014-15 pre-season rankings, CBS has Texas at ninth does not rank Iowa.  Bleacher Report has Texas at eleventh and Iowa at twenty two. Cal, the forth team in tournament is not ranked either by CBS or Bleacher Report. 

Elsewhere in the pre-conference schedule, Texas will also play UConn, ranked twentieth by Bleacher Report and nineteenth by CBS, and Kentucky, ranked first by both pre-season rankings.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/99805/bracket-reveal-2k-classic

"Initial thoughts: Subregional rounds will be played on campus, but the championship rounds are locked in with Texas facing Iowa and Syracuse playing California. The winners meet in the title game, and the losers will play a consolation. It’s as competitive a four-team bracket as can be during nonconference play."

"Regardless of how much burnt orange invades the place, it’s the first of three big tests for Texas away from home. The Longhorns will play at Connecticut and Kentucky before final exams end. They’re built to handle it, though, with Rick Barnes coaching his way off the hot seat last season and into what should be a preseason top-10 team."

"The 2K Classic will mark the national collegiate debut of Texas 7-foot center Myles Turner, who was ranked second overall in the 2014 class. The Horns figured to be good before he signed, but Turner’s arrival boosted expectations in Austin further. He’ll be a heavily monitored freshman from the start.

The similar philosophies of Iowa and Texas should make for an entertaining game as well as neither team wants to be locked in a halfcourt battle.

The finals matchup we’d want to see is Texas and Syracuse. Despite all the talent the Longhorns have, the vaunted Syracuse zone and Garden crowd have been known to mesmerize opponents who haven’t seen it before."

 

[Chris Flanagan]

Iowa should be a good team this year and a good first test for the Longhorns. If they are going to be a final four team. They must be ready to handle Iowa well. Probably a close game at half and the Longhorns pull it out late.

Syracuse is playing essentially a home game at MSG. So that would be 3 tough road games before conference play. I believe that is by Rick Barnes's design. The road was not kind to the 2013-2014 Longhorns. They will get plenty of experience in the non-conference schedule to hopefully perform better this upcoming season.

I doubt they beat the Orange at MSG.

 

[BudreauReye]

Iowa should be a good team this year and a good first test for the Longhorns. If they are going to be a final four team. They must be ready to handle Iowa well. Probably a close game at half and the Longhorns pull it out late.

Syracuse is playing essentially a home game at MSG. So that would be 3 tough road games before conference play. I believe that is by Rick Barnes's design. The road was not kind to the 2013-2014 Longhorns. They will get plenty of experience in the non-conference schedule to hopefully perform better this upcoming season.

I doubt they beat the Orange at MSG.

Don't forget that we play at UConn, the defending national champs, on Sunday, 11.30.2014 and pre-season numero uno Kentucky in Lexington  on Friday 12.05.2014.  Kentucky will be probably the only team that Texas will play in the regular season where Texas will not have a height advantage.  Kentucky will have five players listed at 6'-8" or taller, six players at 6'-7" or taller.  Of course, as soon as I say that, I go check on UConn  and they have five players taller than 6'-8" and one at 6'-7". And, of course, then I go check on Kansas' roster, and THEY have five players 6'-8" or taller and one player 6'-7" ... so, NEVER MIND!    Let's just say that we will probably match up well height wise with just about anybody we play this season.

 

[Juan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[Chris Flanagan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

Big Monday games are good preps for NCAA tournament games. Learning how to prepare your body for a quick turnaround is essential to NCAA tournament success.