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While the Pacers would be a better team with Chris Paul - who wouldn't be - I am pretty happy with the construction of the Pacer's roster. The only player who really needs the ball in his hands too much is Paul George who is having a season that reminds me of a second year Kevin Durant. George Hill often goes long stretches without taking a shot and Lance Stephenson - much to my surprise - is a really good and really willing passer who has increasingly become the de facto point guard for the Pacers.

The issue of Roy's role in the Pacer's offense is more complex. Roy is taking about a shot less a game this year than last year despite slightly increased minutes. Some of this is to be expected given the expansion of offensive options which include a more assertive Paul George, a greatly improved Lance Stephenson, a healthy Danny Granger and the addition of Luis Scola. A bigger issue is that Roy is quietly in the midst of a somewhat poor offensive year which has been obscured by the greater appreciation of his pivotal role in the Pacer's awesome defense. Through the wonders of NBA League Pass and the DVR I have watched almost all of Roy's possessions on offense this year and, simply put, Roy is having trouble scoring at the rim in a lot of games and a greater percentage of his shots consist of hook shots from the wing which look good when they go in but which he really doesn't convert at a high rate. The Pacers understand that Roy is struggling a bit and they seem to be looking to establish Roy early in games as he often has two or three shots on post ups in the first five minutes of games. They tend to go away from the post feeds and Roy if these initial efforts are unsuccessful. The common theme of most of Roy's big offensive games this year has been a big first quarter.

Some thoughts from the Creighton game.

I don't think the issue is physical fatigue any more - it was in the Xavier game - but the pressure on Markel and D'Vauntes to be the offense is clearly fatiguing. Essentially they are in an offense that is supposed to get them good shots but there are about zero good shots when you are playing with three non scorers on the floor and both Markel and D'Vauntes are both double- teamed any time they touch the ball.

I thought our defense last night was quite good. Creighton's season-to-date offensive efficiency was 128 coming into the game which is other-worldly and they could not have been much over 100 for the game. Mikael did an exceptional job on McDermott.

The foul against Reggie on the three point shot took place about 15 feet from me and was beyond absurd.

Both Markel and especially D'Vauntes had an unusually high number of shots go in and out. It has been that kind of year.

Creighton is an awesome place to watch a game. Tickets were going for $800 on the street and the atmosphere inside had a final four feel to it. The local base of fan support is amazing. Of course,I must have had five people say to me "what else are you going to do in Omaha in the winter". They will need that fan support next year, too, because there won't be much left on the roster.

I am not meaning to bash Nate here, but our offense needs the 4 to make the 12-15 foot jumper and Ike just made more of them in this video than Nate has in his career.

I cannot remember disagreeing more with a post on this talk board from a poster that I respect. First, Hoya basketball players receive - as they should - significant academic accommodation. They take a lighter course load (making it up in the summer)and they have access to a superb tutoring program. Their courses are organized with regard to the flexibility necessary to accommodate in-season travel.

During the 42 years of the Thompson era at Georgetown well over 100 athletes have been offered the opportunity of a Georgetown education.
The fundamental purpose of a university is to teach and I am extraordinarily proud of the graduation record of the basketball team, because of the University's commitment that said graduation means that the degree actually means something.

This does not mean that we can't take one and done or two year players. Both Greg Monroe and Otto Porter were easily on course to graduate with their classes should they have remained at Georgetown. Jeff Green left after three years and cared enough about the diploma to finish 5 years into an NBA career. We should not begrudge a basketball player looking to earn a livelihood any more than we would tell a sophomore software wizard to stay in school and turn down an IPO.

Other than my family and my work, nothing matters more in my life than Hoya basketball. I share Big Dog's frustration with what Josh Smith's and Greg Whittington's absence probably means for the rest of the season. But I know that there is no support among the donor base to either the basketball program or the University for a lessening of academic standards that Big Dog suggests.

Finally, can we dispense with the false dichotomy that posits an either/or choice between being an Ivy League program or competing like Kentucky. Since the start of the 2006=7 season, we are somewhere in the top 10 for victories against top 25 programs. While we sometimes forget that on this board, this achievement has to mean something.

Go Hoyas!!!

Seriously, DSR "has not met a shot he does not like"? DSR is a 180 shooter taking 10.6 shots a game while playing 33 minutes. Our big problem is that we can't get DSR more shots, not that he is good for a few forces.

John Thompson Jr (Coach) 68
John Thompson Jr (player)58

Wingate as a defender is pretty rarified air. With the possible exception of Gene Smith, Wingate is the best on ball defender ever for the Hoyas.

Wham fans everywhere are insulted.

Kansas State just got a big win at home against Oklahoma State. K State is better than they were at the start of the season, but our blow out may be helpful at selection time.