College Basketball Discussion

[soitgoes...]

Lookout Pac-10 (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylt=AqUAT2O.x70fOvZfSorT vjM5nYcB?slug=ap-preseasontop25&prov=ap&type=lgns)

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'm really hoping John Beilein can help turn Michigan's program around. We've been toiling in obscurity for far too long.

[soitgoes...]

Yeah I pretty much can't stand Michigan St.

[shaun]

Wow. First time my UConn hasn't had a preseason ranking since like 1994.

F recruits who continually leave after their freshman year.

[Spinal]

I root for one of the four non-ranked Pac-10 teams. I think they've played in exactly one post-season game (NIT) in the past 15 years.

[MadMan]

Yeah I pretty much can't stand Michigan St.I hate MSU.

My favorite college bbal teams:

*ISU
*UNI
*Arizona
*North Carolina

And I really like Wisconsin and Kentucky.

[soitgoes...]

I root for one of the four non-ranked Pac-10 teams. I think they've played in exactly one post-season game (NIT) in the past 15 years. What are talking about? University of Oregon is ranked fairly high.






;) :runs:

[rocus]

College basketball? Is it March already?

[MadMan]

College basketball? Is it March already?Its never too early to be talking college basketball rocus :p

[Spinal]

What the hell? Kentucky lost by 16 to Gardner-Webb? Has anyone even heard of a school called Gardner-Webb?

[Justin]

What the hell? Kentucky lost by 16 to Gardner-Webb? Has anyone even heard of a school called Gardner-Webb?

I have, I know some people that go there, but then again I do live in North Carolina.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Ohio State lost to D-II Findlay earlier this week, and Michigan St. lost to D-II Grand Valley State. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come this season. Nothing better than programs I can't stand getting their asses handed to them by unknown schools.

[Ivan Drago]

GO SIU!!!

[Gizmo]

Ohio State lost to D-II Findlay earlier this week, and Michigan St. lost to D-II Grand Valley State. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come this season. Nothing better than programs I can't stand getting their asses handed to them by unknown schools.

It's starting to look like football repeated. Only makes things more interesting and fun. Lucky for these teams 1 loss doesn't kill a season like it can in football.

[chrisnu]

I listened to the fourth quarter of O.J. Mayo's first game for USC. He had 32 points, but on 12-27 shooting, 4-11 on threes, with eight turnovers. USC lost the game, 96-81. That's an awful lot of points allowed.

[Justin]

Seeing Michael Beasley score 32 points and grab 24 rebound makes me depressed because we(Charlotte 49ers) almost landed him.

[Justin]

Went to our second home game tonight, man have I missed college basketball. And wow, our recruiting has improved so much more.

[Justin]

I am so happy that our team is finally turning things around after two lackluster seasons, we had a big win against Davidson tonight, and it is even more impressive since we have a ton of freshman.

[Ivan Drago]

SIU desperately needs a three-point shooter.

And players who can MAKE THEIR GODDAMN FREE THROWS!!!

[Justin]

SIU desperately needs a three-point shooter.

And players who can MAKE THEIR GODDAMN FREE THROWS!!!

We have a home game versus SIU this saturday, and I am going to be able to attend, woot.

[MadMan]

UNI lost to Iowa. Balls.

I'm happy though that Arizona may have found a successor to Lute Olsen. Now I don't want him to retire but Lute isn't exactly a spring chicken anymore and season after season can wear down a coach.

Great to see UNC is even better this year. Kentucky still needs a lot of work though...

ISU will have its worst season in forever sadly. I miss Tim Floyd now more than ever.

[Justin]

Look at this dunk from tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Lhp-iz1A0

[Kurosawa Fan]

Seems Michigan basketball is still irrelevant. We lost to Harvard a few days ago, putting us at 3-5. Our victories came against Radford, Brown, and East Washington.

*sigh*

[Justin]

Booyah Drago.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/2096939880_3de968fbe4.jpg?v=0

[MadMan]

ISU beat down Iowa today. Awesome stuff :cool:

They're 4-4, which after the way they've played so far this season (Drake kicked the shit out of them) I'd say is pretty solid so far.

I guess Kentucky might either be worse, or it could be their strong early schedule. Indy beat them down today-yikes.

Arizona won though, getting their revenge on Illnois and springing a second consective come back victory. Nice.

[origami_mustache]

Roooooock Chaaaaaalk Jaaaaay Haaaaawwwwk....K...U!!!

[origami_mustache]

Roooooock Chaaaaaalk Jaaaaay Haaaaawwwwk....K...U!!!

Ugh of all teams to give us the first loss it just had to be K-State...think I'm going to vom.

[Justin]

Ugh of all teams to give us the first loss it just had to be K-State...think I'm going to vom.

That does suck, I hate Beasley and pretty much everything about Kansas State.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It's good for Kansas to lose a game right now. This is the perfect loss for them. It'll serve as motivation to continue to improve, and there's enough time to get hot before the tournament. This could end up being the best thing that happens to them.

[MadMan]

Wahoo UNI won tonight! And by 8 points at home against a good opponent. Cool.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Bob Knight Resigns (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3230737)

My guess is that the timing of this is to get his son a little time in the spotlight in case he's replaced next season.

[Spinal]

Bob Knight Resigns (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3230737)

My guess is that the timing of this is to get his son a little time in the spotlight in case he's replaced next season.

Anyone going to be willing to come out and say that Knight is giving up on his team like they would for anyone else?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Anyone going to be willing to come out and say that Knight is giving up on his team like they would for anyone else?

Definitely. His team has won some significant games, and they have a shot at the tournament. It's a lame move on his part. Do it after the season is over. Like I said, he's probably doing it to try to get his son the job for next year.

[MadMan]

While I don't agree with Knight leaving the team in the middle of the season, I can understand why he resigned. Being a coach, especially in college, is one of the most grinding, hardest jobs in sports.

That said Bobby Knight for all of his faults was a legend. He'll always be a bastard, but a complex bastard who was good at winning and taking each school he was at to the next level (in the case of Texas Tech it was to the tourney multiple times, something they rarely did before him-the same could almost be said of Army). I have to say I believe that we may never see another team go undefeated in college basketball, which is what the 1975-1976 Indiana team did.

[shaun]

Good to see UConn back in the top 25. They deserve it after beating 3 ranked teams in the past 2 weeks. If not for our crappy home loss to Gonzaga, we'd probably be in the 10-12 range.

[Justin]

Home game versus Xavier tonight, I am feeling an upset.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Kelvin Sampson and Indiana Face Five Major Violations (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3243793)

It's always nice when a grown man can't learn from his previous mistakes.

[Justin]

Grrrrr, lost by two points.

[Ivan Drago]

WOOOOO!!!!! SIU beat #14 Drake!!!!!!!

[MadMan]

WOOOOO!!!!! SIU beat #14 Drake!!!!!!!Damn. I wanted to see Drake continue their winning streak. However it does take the pressure off of them to keep that streak going and thus plays to their advantage in some ways.

UNI won in OT. I wish I had been able to go to the game (I had work) but that's still awesome. They have to get hot if they even want to have a remote chance of making the tourney this season.

[origami_mustache]

Rock Chalk Jayhawk...Sweeeeet redemption!

[Kurosawa Fan]

Beasley is a fucking beast. Congrats on the win.

[MadMan]

I'm depressed that the only team from Iowa that will make the tourney is Drake. However I'll still be rooting for them anways, although I'm not sure if they'll make it out of the first round or not. At this point I'm already looking ahead to next season, and I'm hoping that this year an SEC team (aside from Kentucky or Florida-the latter I'm okay with, the former I actually like) doesn't win it all again.

[shaun]

And UConn busts in the Big East tournament to WV. Disappointed obv.

They're a Jekyl and Hyde team. I'm a big fan and I have no idea whether they're going to the Final Four or busting in the first 2 rounds, neither would surprise me.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Who's ready for Michigan to win the Big Ten Tourney and make the field of 64 with a 9-21 regular season record? Huh? Yeah?


Me neither.

[Justin]

Charlotte comes back after being down 19 to UMass, on to Temple, woooo.

[MadMan]

Who's ready for Michigan to win the Big Ten Tourney and make the field of 64 with a 9-21 regular season record? Huh? Yeah?


Me neither.:lol:

At least UNI showed some life in their tourney and actually won a game. Iowa and ISU concluded their suck fest seasons yesterday. How depressing. Today I am a Drake fan, and I don't even know if they'll last beyond the second round of the tourney.

I'm still worried that Arizona won't get in, and I'm somewhat puzzled about Kentucky's chances. On one hand some are saying they'll make the tourney others say they won't. At least I know for certain with UNC. Speaking of UNC, that win on the road at Duke was nice. But I wonder if they would have beaten Duke at home with a healthy Lawson in the lineup.

[Ivan Drago]

:lol:

At least UNI showed some life in their tourney and actually won a game.

Yeah, against my SIU Salukis.

Ah well, NIT here we come...

[MadMan]

Yeah, against my SIU Salukis.

Ah well, NIT here we come...Yeah, I know. I actually expected SIU to win, but I guess UNI finally woke up too late and realized that they had to win to further any of their slim hopes of going to the NIT. I think SIU has a better RPI....

[Kurosawa Fan]

:sad:

The dream is over.

[MadMan]

:sad:

The dream is over.Yeah I knew they weren't going to get past Wisconsin. Still it would have been awesome if a 9-21 team had made it to the Big Ten Tourney championship game or even the quarterfinals. It would have been hilarious.

Take heart though KF: I'd say that Michigan team is still good enough to contend in a mid major conference like the MVC or the Sun Belt.

[Spinal]

Wow, Coppin St. gets into the tourney after starting the year 4-19.

Well, into the play-in game at least.

They won their four conference tournament games by a total of 6 points.

[Benny Profane]

Villanova was the last at-large team. Wow.

[shaun]

Nova cemented it when they beat Syracuse in the Big East tourney. I think it was expected.

I'm happy UConn got a 4 seed in the West, I guess. I'm not particularly impressed with UCLA as a #1 so I like their chances at making the Elite Eight if they play up to their ability.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Arizona St. was robbed. How does the committee justify sending Arizona when they had the same record as Arizona St., a worse conference record than Arizona St., and lost both times they played Arizona St.? There's no explanation for that aside from reputation.

[Benny Profane]

Nova cemented it when they beat Syracuse in the Big East tourney. I think it was expected.



Every mock bracket I saw had Nova as one of the last four teams OUT. This was after the win v. Syracuse. Not much hope for a 12 seed though. Best I can possibly hope for would be a sweet 16 appearance.

[Justin]

The NIT seeding makes no sense

Charlotte Resume:
Record: 20-13
RPI: 69
SOS: 64
vs. RPI Top 100: 9-8
Last 10: 6-4

Nebraska Resume:
Record: 19-12
RPI: 95
SOS: 94
vs. RPI Top 100: 6-9
Last 10: 5-5

We are the 6 seed and Nebraska is the 3 seed with the home game.

[Spinal]

The NIT seeding makes no sense

We are the 6 seed and Nebraska is the 3 seed with the home game.

How many people does their facility seat versus yours? It's probably a money thing.

[Ivan Drago]

Arizona St. was robbed. How does the committee justify sending Arizona when they had the same record as Arizona St., a worse conference record than Arizona St., and lost both times they played Arizona St.? There's no explanation for that aside from reputation.

Well, I was watching ESPNU's Bracketology last night and one of the reporters was interviewing the head of the committee who decides the seedings and the teams in the tournament, and he said that Arizona St. didn't get in because they had the 303rd ranked non-conference strength of schedule. Kinda makes sense.

But what doesn't make sense is why the committee throws in-conference resumes out the window and ignores them completely.

[Justin]

How many people does their facility seat versus yours? It's probably a money thing.

Their arena seats 13,000 and ours seats a little over 9,000. And they will be on spring break during the game.

[Raiders]

Every mock bracket I saw had Nova as one of the last four teams OUT. This was after the win v. Syracuse. Not much hope for a 12 seed though. Best I can possibly hope for would be a sweet 16 appearance.

I have Nova beating Clemson and Siena to make the Sweet 16.

[Benny Profane]

I have Nova beating Clemson and Siena to make the Sweet 16.

I'd re-think that if I were you. I have watched almost all the Nova games this year, and they are a very young team (no seniors) who does not handle frenetic full-court pressure well at all, which is exactly Clemson's style. They get rattled.

Anything can happen, but I think Nova gets blown out. Pains me to say so.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yep, I don't have Nova winning a game in the tourney. Not only does Clemson have great defense, but they're really hot right now.

[MadMan]

I'm a fan of Arizona and I don't really think they should have gotten in. But hey they made the tourney. Not much you can do about that.

Considering how crappy they were at one point I'm happy that Kentucky made the tourney.

As for UNC, yeah they're a clear favorite to win it all. But something tells me they won't, although in one bracket I do have them winning it all. I've only filled out two so far though.

[Ezee E]

Cinderella Teams?

Western Kentucky...

[Raiders]

Cinderella Teams?

Western Kentucky...

Uh, no. In fact, I have Drake making the final four.

[Ezee E]

Uh, no. In fact, I have Drake making the final four.
I also have Purdue in the Elite 8.

[Raiders]

I also have Purdue in the Elite 8.

I have them losing in the first round and Baylor going to the Sweet 16.

[Ezee E]

I have them losing in the first round and Baylor going to the Sweet 16.
Or maybe it's Temple I have, whoever has the sixth rank.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Anyone who has any faith in the Big Ten (MSU and Wisconsin aside) hasn't paid attention to the last few years of the tourney. Aside from the top 1 or 2 seeds, the Big Ten usually gets smoked.

[MadMan]

I only have Wisconsin going even remotely far in the tourney. I don't think MSU will last long. I think Purdue will lose to Baylor.

[Kurosawa Fan]

If this Xavier/Georgia game continues like this, my bracket will already take a pretty big hit. Man I'm bad at this.

[shaun]

I have Xavier losing 2nd round because I don't think they're that good so I'm not overly concerned, but Georgia sucks plain and simple. A fluke SEC tourney win should not equal a run in the NCAA.

I'm really disappointed that Temple isn't playing this closer as I have them +7.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I have Xavier losing 2nd round because I don't think they're that good so I'm not overly concerned, but Georgia sucks plain and simple. A fluke SEC tourney win should not equal a run in the NCAA.

I'm really disappointed that Temple isn't playing this closer as I have them +7.

Being someone who is fairly familiar with State, you're not out of that yet. They're either on fire and kill their opponent, or they play inconsistent ball and either lose or just squeak out a win. This game feels like the latter.

[Watashi]

Dude, Xavier is looking really shitty right now.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Dude, Xavier is looking really shitty right now.

Stop reminding me. Well, at least Kansas is the dominating force they should be. The worst feeling is when the team you picked to win it all is struggling in the first game or two. It's not like I have Xavier going to the Final Four, but I do have them going to the Elite Eight after knocking off Duke.

[Raiders]

That's right. I predicted the UGA upset. Hope it holds true.

[Kurosawa Fan]

That's right. I predicted the UGA upset. Hope it holds true.

I figured UGA was like Syracuse in 2005. They made an improbable run in their conference tourney to clinch a spot in the big dance, and were totally spent and stunk it up and were bounced in the first round. I didn't count on Xavier being terrible.

[Benny Profane]

Xavier is down by only 4 points you j/asses.

[Kurosawa Fan]

COMEBACK!!!

[Kurosawa Fan]

Xavier is down by only 4 points you j/asses.

Oh, c'mon. What's a tourney without jumping to conclusions halfway through a game and claiming your bracket is fucked? :P

[Justin]

I knew Xavier would come back, they are too good.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I knew Xavier would come back, they are too good.

For being so good, they sure are playing like shit. Sloppy as hell.

[shaun]

Mich State is screwing me by finally playing well. Bastards obv.

I'm going to have to chase my losses with a play on Pitt.

[Kurosawa Fan]

So Xavier gets back into the game by scoring in the paint, and then come back from a timeout and hoist up ill-advised 3's the next 4 times down court?

[Raiders]

:|

Oh well.

[origami_mustache]

That's right. I predicted the UGA upset. Hope it holds true.

blah I had Georgia too...the wheels fell off the wagon.

[shaun]

Garbage time run by Temple. Goooooooooo.

Edit: ok nevermind.

[Kurosawa Fan]

This Xavier/Georgia game is the first good game of the tourney. I'm nervous.

[Benny Profane]

EFF WORK FOR NOT ALLOWING ME TO WATCH THE TOURNEY!

[Kurosawa Fan]

EFF WORK FOR NOT ALLOWING ME TO WATCH THE TOURNEY!

Did they block cbssportsline.com? You can watch the games free on that site. That's what I'm doing. I'm sure you already know this, and that your computer is blocked, so I'm basically just rubbing it in right now.

[Benny Profane]

Did they block cbssportsline.com? You can watch the games free on that site. That's what I'm doing. I'm sure you already know this, and that your computer is blocked, so I'm basically just rubbing it in right now.

I didn't know.

EFF ME FOR NOT KNOWING!

[Kurosawa Fan]

I didn't know.

EFF ME FOR NOT KNOWING!

Well, in that case, fuck you for not knowing.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Oh, and a word of caution. Once you get in and you're watching the games, a message will pop up on the screen every 30 minutes to ask you if you still want to watch. If you don't click "Okay", it will boot you from the player and you'll have to go back in again. They do this to eliminate dead weight so the video will run smoother.

[Benny Profane]

Oh, and a word of caution. Once you get in and you're watching the games, a message will pop up on the screen every 30 minutes to ask you if you still want to watch. If you don't click "Okay", it will boot you from the player and you'll have to go back in again. They do this to eliminate dead weight so the video will run smoother.

Screw it. I'm too busy at work to deal with that.

And I'm like 633rd on the waiting list. EFF THAT.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Screw it. I'm too busy at work to deal with that.

And I'm like 633rd on the waiting list. EFF THAT.

They bring in about 500 people every 30 seconds. Your wait time would be about a minute.

[dreamdead]

C'mon, Kent State. Don't make me think that 2002 will be the only time you ever put up a fight in the tourney...

[Benny Profane]

How do people pick these 8/9 or 7/10 games? Flip a coin?

[Kurosawa Fan]

How do people pick these 8/9 or 7/10 games? Flip a coin?

If I haven't seen either team play, I usually look at their record and if there isn't a staggering difference then pick the team from the stronger conference.

[Ezee E]

If I haven't seen either team play, I usually look at their record and if there isn't a staggering difference then pick the team from the stronger conference.
I go with record VS. top 25. Or whatever capsule I like the most.

[Raiders]

25 to 6? 25 to 6???

[Kurosawa Fan]

:lol:

10 points at the half. That's gotta be close to a record.

[shaun]

How do people pick these 8/9 or 7/10 games? Flip a coin?I picked Kent State so I'm maybe not the right person to ask.

My Purdue and Pitt lines are looking quite good though.

[Benny Profane]

Baylor is getting their ass handed to them in a non-gentlemanly fashion.

[Raiders]

Baylor is getting their ass handed to them in a non-gentlemanly fashion.

I had them in the Sweet 16 too.

[dreamdead]

I'm gonna negative rep all of you who mocked my alma mater.

After I pick myself off from my sword.:cry:

[Robby P]

I like filling out the brackets, but I'm pretty ambivalent about watching these games. I can only take amateur sports for so long. When do the NBA playoffs start, again?

[Raiders]

I like filling out the brackets, but I'm pretty ambivalent about watching these games. I can only take amateur sports for so long. When do the NBA playoffs start, again?

Ugh. Not only do I find "amateur" sports more interesting and rewarding to watch, the NBA playoffs are a joke with their current structure.

[Benny Profane]

The NCAA men's tourney is the greatest sporting event ever.

If all college football games were played on Monday mornings at 3am, I would not care in the least.

[Robby P]

It's certainly arguable that the NBA's postseason is poorly structured, given the disproportionate strength of the two conferences, although nobody was claiming the Western Conference needed 10 teams during the Bulls dynasty years. Conference depth is a cyclical matter, and I don't see much benefit in re-seeding for short-term benefit. However, how is a single elimination tournament a better format? That in no way proves who the best team is. George Mason made the Final Four, for goodness sake. Longer series reduce the statistical probabilities of an inferior opponent emerging victorious. Single elimination tournaments are a very poor measure of a "champion".

More to the point, the quality of play in college basketball is, well, amateurish. As much as I love watching two teams combine for thirty fouls and forty turnovers, I think the concept of March Madness is much more appealing than its actual execution.

When I watch sports, I want to watch the greatest players in the world. Less than 1% of the people populating my television screen over the next few weeks will go on to play professional basketball. That's why I don't like amateur sports. I might as well go down to the YMCA and watch a pickup game.

[Raiders]

I might as well go down to the YMCA and watch a pickup game.

Indeed. Those are awesome. So much passion and joy. So little whining.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Baylor is getting their ass handed to them in a non-gentlemanly fashion.

I got this one wrong, but I have them losing to Xavier, so it's not much of a smudge on my bracket.

I distinctly remember telling myself that Kentucky was totally undeserving of a spot in the tourney and not picking them to win a game, but I just checked and I have them beating Marquette. What the hell was I doing? :confused:

[Benny Profane]

I distinctly remember telling myself that Kentucky was totally undeserving of a spot in the tourney and not picking them to win a game, but I just checked and I have them beating Marquette. What the hell was I doing? :confused:

Too lazy to play sports, too dumb to gamble on sports, I think you need a new hobby.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Too lazy to play sports, too dumb to gamble on sports, I think you need a new hobby.

:lol:

I play sports asshole. I'm just winded as all hell halfway through.

[Benny Profane]

:lol:

I play sports asshole. I'm just winded as all hell halfway through.

Air hockey is not a sport.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Air hockey is not a sport.

If poker is a sport, air hockey counts.

[Ezee E]

If poker is a sport, air hockey counts.
Both count in my book.

Damn, I should've had air hockey in my sports accomplishments.

[origami_mustache]

I gotta say the "no Cinderellas" commercial they keep showing is very cool.

[shaun]

Come oooooooon Belmont!

[Ivan Drago]

Ugh, the Cal State Fullerton/Wisconsin game is ugly. Turnovers all over the place, and no one is making their shots - heck, Wisconsin is winning right now, but they're shooting at a 37% field goal percentage.

[Barty]

Go Fullerton!!!!

[Benny Profane]

Come oooooooon Belmont!

I watched Atonement cos I figured I wouldn't be missing much in that game. Bad decision.

[shaun]

Betting the NCAA tourney through Bodog via iPhone while at work.

Degeneracy or valid way to pass the time during a vendor con call?

[Ezee E]

Betting the NCAA tourney through Bodog via iPhone while at work.

Degeneracy or valid way to pass the time during a vendor con call?
since you're on the conference call. it's all good.

The best thing ever for the internet is on cbssportsline's stattracker/video part. The Boss Button. Love it.

[Spinal]

Holy crap, just saw the UCLA score from yesterday.

[Raiders]

Fuck you, Drake. Fuck. you.

[shaun]

Drake comes back from the dead to force OT. Wow.

[Derek]

Drake comes back from the dead to force OT. Wow.

Great stuff. They'd have full control of the game now if they'd stop settling for threes. It still looks like they have it...hopefully.

EDIT: Forget that, keep shooting 'em. :)

[Derek]

Holy shit.

Ok now, fuck you Drake. Fuck huuuuuuugh.

[shaun]

What a sick end to that game. Unreal.

[Raiders]

Wait... Drake called the timeout with five seconds left? What the fuck are you thinking?????????

[origami_mustache]

What a sick end to that game. Unreal.

haha yes I loved it...finally some closer games today.

[Kurosawa Fan]

WESTERN KENTUCKY!!!! MY SLEEPER!!!!

I have them beating UConn in the next round.

[Derek]

Uh, UMBC is starting to scare me just a little bit.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Uh, UMBC is starting to scare me just a little bit.

I'd love UMBC to win. I have Georgetown losing to Wisconsin, and many have them going further. I haven't been impressed with Georgetown all season. I've seen at least 4 of their games, and in all but one Hibbert just disappears. He's one of the most overrated big men in college basketball right now, and a solid defensive team should take care of them unless they get red-hot from beyond the arc.

[Derek]

I'd love UMBC to win. I have Georgetown losing to Wisconsin, and many have them going further. I haven't been impressed with Georgetown all season. I've seen at least 4 of their games, and in all but one Hibbert just disappears. He's one of the most overrated big men in college basketball right now, and a solid defensive team should take care of them unless they get red-hot from beyond the arc.

Heh, I had USC beating Wisconsin (but the Big 10 has always fucked me in the past, so I now I'm sure they'll go to the Final Four :)). G-town has to hold their end of the bargain and wait until they see Kansas to lose. I agree about Hibbert being overrated b/c he is really inconsistent, but there's not exactly a lot of other great big men out there who should be getting press instead of him.

At this point, I just need Butler to keep winning, since I have them knocking off Tennessee. I've taken some hits but only lost two of my Sweet Sixteen so far.

[Ezee E]

Phew, Western Kentucky sure couldn't hold a lead very well. Those last two minutes were tough to watch.

So, out of the two picks I mentioned and disagreed with Raiders on, I predicted right. Should that mean anything? :)

[Derek]

So, out of the two picks I mentioned and disagreed with Raiders on, I predicted right. Should that mean anything? :)

You're luckier than Raiders?

[Derek]

Wow, another amazing game and finish. San Diego played their hearts out and kept coming back even once UConn took the lead with a few minutes left. Good for them and now we can look forward to a wonderful 12-13 match-up. :)

[shaun]

I said earlier in the thread that it wouldn't surprise me to either see UConn go to the Final Four or be ousted 1st round.

This doesn't surprise me at all, but boy am I crushed. Dammit.

[Fezzik]

What the hell is in the water in Tampa?

Two games, both go to overtime and both are decided by a shot w/ less than 2 seconds left.

Damn.

That Drake-WKU game was incredible. I had Drake in my bracket, but damn.

[Kurosawa Fan]

That San Diego win will help my prediction of Western Kentucky making the Sweet Sixteen.

[Watashi]

I took a nap, and look what I missed... :(

[origami_mustache]

Looks like I have a good chance of going 1/4 for this session.

[Derek]

That San Diego win will help my prediction of Western Kentucky making the Sweet Sixteen.

And it should make UCLA's road to Final Four even more absurdly easy. I have them in the finals, but I'm rooting against them every game now. Screw my bracket, I want to see those fuckers to go doooown.

[origami_mustache]

I like how the sports threads bring out the hostile less eloquent side of everyone.

[Derek]

I like how the sports threads bring out the hostile less eloquent side of everyone.

I like them shiny courts and bouncy orange baaawls!

[origami_mustache]

I like them shiny courts and bouncy orange baaawls!

SPOOOORRRTZ!!! (bites into raw piece of red meat and pounds chest)

[Raiders]

I had both San Diego and Siena (Vandy is sooo lame), so that takes a little sting off of Drake, but not really when you have them in the fucking final four (yes, I know them over UCLA was a huge risk--but what's the point in these things if you don't pick a big cinderella?).

[dreamdead]

Duke's loss to WVU just butchered my bracket. Even though I didn't believe this team was all that great, I still had them getting to the Elite 8. Why do I still believe in the Duke tradition...? :frustrated:

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

I had Duke winning it all. I'm done.

[Justin]

I had Duke winning it all. I'm done.

Haha, seriously?

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

yeah. I really didn't pay attention to college basketball at all this year because I knew the Illini were going to suck. I filled out my bracket in 2 minutes.

[Derek]

Duke's loss to WVU just butchered my bracket. Even though I didn't believe this team was all that great, I still had them getting to the Elite 8. Why do I still believe in the Duke tradition...? :frustrated:

Silly, silly dreamdead. They were overrated all year and I knew once my Demon Deacons beat them, they weren't for real. Finally I get an upset pick worth noting, although due to my biases, I rarely, if ever, put either UNC or Duke in the Final Four. Now I need Louisville to make my dream come true!

[Kurosawa Fan]

I had Duke losing to Xavier, so their loss has me happy as can be. Plus I hate Duke.

[Ezee E]

I called WV over Duke.

But I had Purdue beating Xavier. That's looking doubtful.

[Derek]

Plus I hate Duke.

And that's all that's really important in the long run. :)

[Derek]

Wow, my pick of Marquette over Stanford may not be as dangerous as I thought. Stanford's down 6 and Trent Johnson got tossed, so this could turn out to be a great afternoon.

[Fezzik]

I started bad, going 15-9 over the first 24 first round games.

I went 8-0 in last night's games and am perfect so far today, so I'm feeling a little better...I called Duke's loss, which is good for me, but even better than I expected because just about everyone in my pool had them going to at least the elite 8.

That'll help my chances a lot.

(I should note Im talking about my office pool, not my Match-Cut pool. Although in that one, Im currently tied for 2nd so weee!)

[Derek]

Goddamn, this Marquette/Stanford game is great.

[Spinal]

Goddamn, this Marquette/Stanford game is great.

What a shot!

[origami_mustache]

Goddamn, this Marquette/Stanford game is great.

yeah...I wanted Marquette to win :(

[Derek]

yeah...I wanted Marquette to win :(

:frustrated:

But that was a hell of a game to watch, maybe the best of tourney so far, at least that I've seen in full.

[DSNT]

That was exciting, but it'll be hard to top this game (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tre8Xa04g8Q) from being best of the tourney.

[origami_mustache]

That was exciting, but it'll be hard to top this game (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tre8Xa04g8Q) from being best of the tourney.

agreeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Ezee E]

UCLA down at the half. C'mon.

[Derek]

That was exciting, but it'll be hard to top this game (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tre8Xa04g8Q) from being best of the tourney.

Easily the best finish of the tourney and a hell of a game, but overall, I still think that Marquette/Stanford was a tiny bit better. It was just fantastic, pure basketball and there were not only a number of lead changes throughout the second half, but each team seemingly had control of it multiple times. Drake's comeback was impressive so maybe I'd give that the edge. I was pulling harder for Marquette than Drake though, so maybe that's why I was more into it.

In other news, I will not be bothered in the least if UCLA completely destroys my bracket. If they lose, I will bask in the glory that is LA sports radio bitching/whining/making excuses for the next several days.

[Derek]

UCLA down at the half. C'mon.

This would be sweet justice after being handed their last games and given the easiest road to the Final Four despite not being the #1 overall.

[MacGuffin]

That was awesome.

[DSNT]

That was some game. Too bad they showed MSU/Pitt instead and could only catch the end.

[ledfloyd]

so, the tournament is over for me. my team (pitt) is out. and my bracket is toast. i'll likely watch tomorrow and then switch over to baseball mode.

[Ezee E]

haha. one of my roommates has all four of her Final Four teams out of the tournament already. I wish I could've seen it happen though.

[Derek]

haha. one of my roommates has all four of her Final Four teams out of the tournament already. I wish I could've seen it happen though.

Is this the same roommate who missed all but two of her Oscar picks? If so, you should take her to Vegas and bet on the exact opposite of whatever her instinct tells her. :)

[Ezee E]

Is this the same roommate who missed all but two of her Oscar picks? If so, you should take her to Vegas and bet on the exact opposite of whatever her instinct tells her. :)
That IS the same one.

Good idea.

She actually just came back from Vegas with the other two roommates. One is "sick". I'm thinking he lost a shitload of money and that's his way of making it look better without saying it.

[Derek]

Come ooooon, Butler. Make my day!

[dreamdead]

What a putback by Green!

[Derek]

What a putback by Green!

No kidding! That was great, unlike the last two possessions. No shots at all in the final 30 seconds? Oh well, it should be a great overtime period.

[dreamdead]

Come oooon, Davidson. I don't care if you knock off my predicted NCAA Champion, pull an upset!

[dreamdead]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

[Spinal]

Yes, hurray for Georgetown going down.

[Derek]

Hurray for seeing more of Stephen Curry's hot mom!!

[DSNT]

Davidson and Kansas State were my only sleeper sweet 16 picks. 1 out of 2 isn't bad. My bracket's looking pretty good so far.

[origami_mustache]

haha I'm dead last in 2/3 bracket pools.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'd love UMBC to win. I have Georgetown losing to Wisconsin, and many have them going further. I haven't been impressed with Georgetown all season. I've seen at least 4 of their games, and in all but one Hibbert just disappears. He's one of the most overrated big men in college basketball right now, and a solid defensive team should take care of them unless they get red-hot from beyond the arc.

:cool:

[Kurosawa Fan]

I have seven of my Elite Eight left, and all four Final Four teams. I'm just waiting for the wheels to fall off.

[MadMan]

With the exception of my Icine/Match-Cut bracket the rest of my brackets are still alive despite taking some hits this weekend. I'm not used to seeing my brackets survive the first weekend.

[shaun]

Dead last in the Icine/Matchcut bracket.

Woo?

[Benny Profane]

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20080325_2_of_3_65_million_got _Sweet_16_right.html

2 of 3.65 million got Sweet 16 right

Who could have predicted these Sweet 16 teams? Only two entries out of 3.65 million on ESPN.com.

Who knew Western Kentucky, Villanova and Davidson would reach the round of 16 in the men's NCAA tournament?

Only two people from the more than 3.65 million entries in ESPN.com's bracket contest can brag they correctly picked the final 16 teams.

That's a huge drop from last year, when 45 of 3.3 million entries accurately predicted the regional semifinal field. Then again, no seed lower than a No. 7 advanced to the round of 16 in 2007.

This season, there are two No. 12 seeds (Western Kentucky and Villanova) and a No. 10 (Davidson).

The two entrants with the perfect regional semifinal fields were not infallible in picking the first round.

One got six games wrong, the other seven. But they had the correct team advancing to the round of 16 in each case.

Both chose UCLA to win it all.

[Raiders]

I have Nova beating Clemson and Siena to make the Sweet 16.

:cool:

[MadMan]

Dead last in the Icine/Matchcut bracket.

Woo?I'm pretty sure I am. But hey its easy to overlook the crappy bracket I entered in that group.

[shaun]

I'm pretty sure I am. But hey its easy to overlook the crappy bracket I entered in that group.You are correct. I didn't see that the standings only reflected the top 10 of 19.

I bow to your inferior bracket.

[MadMan]

You are correct. I didn't see that the standings only reflected the top 10 of 19.

I bow to your inferior bracket.:lol: Wahoo I suppose. Although I think I'm getting better at this, as last year I was done after the first weekend.

[Benny Profane]

I love Louisville tonight. I think they smash Tennessee.

I think Wazzou gives UNC a good run tonight but falls a few shots short.

Xavier over WVU in another close one.

UCLA pulls away late to beat the Hilltoppers by double digits.

[origami_mustache]

I love Louisville tonight. I think they smash Tennessee.

I think Wazzou gives UNC a good run tonight but falls a few shots short.

Xavier over WVU in another close one.

UCLA pulls away late to beat the Hilltoppers by double digits.

I think West Virginia will beat Xavier.
Louisville/Tennessee can go either way.
...and UNC and UCLA are too good to lose just yet.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'm praying for an upset of UNC. I don't care when, I just want them to fall. It would help my bracket immensely. I don't have them in the Final Four.

[Benny Profane]

Wussup with these whistle-happy refs in the Xav-Wvu game? Sucking the blood out of a great matchup.

[Benny Profane]

There is literally a foul called on every possession. Somebody needs to chill the frick out.

[Kurosawa Fan]

w00t!

[Justin]

I have Xavier in the final four, if they manage to do it it will give me a huge boost in the bracket challenges.

[MadMan]

With the exception of the Vols losing I did pretty well tonight. I wasn't surprised to see UCLA beat down WKU or UNC kick the crap out of WSU. But the Xavier-WV game was pretty damn close.

[Benny Profane]

I love Louisville tonight. I think they smash Tennessee.

I think Wazzou gives UNC a good run tonight but falls a few shots short.

Xavier over WVU in another close one.

UCLA pulls away late to beat the Hilltoppers by double digits.


Anyone need any stock tips?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Anyone need any stock tips?

Well Wazzou didn't exactly give UNC a good run, but other than that it was pretty impressive.

I don't know why I let Tennessee sucker me again. I'm learning my lesson this time. They won't be advancing past the Sweet Sixteen in any of my future brackets unless at some point they win a championship under Pearl.

[Benny Profane]

I'll stick with what my bracket says and take the chalk tonight.

I like Wisconsin to blow out Davidson.

I think Texas eeks by Stanford.

Kansas is just too tough for Nova, though Nova covers the 11.5 point spread.

Memphis goes OFF on MSU and wins by many.

If everything works out this will be the first year I have the entire elite 8.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'll stick with what my bracket says and take the chalk tonight.

I like Wisconsin to blow out Davidson.

I think Texas eeks by Stanford.

Kansas is just too tough for Nova, though Nova covers the 11.5 point spread.

Memphis goes OFF on MSU and wins by many.

If everything works out this will be the first year I have the entire elite 8.

I agree with all of those, however I don't think Wisconsin wins in a blowout. They rarely blow teams out, mainly because they're a defense-first team. I'd say they win by 12 or so.

The only result I disagree with is Memphis, though that's probably only because I had Pitt beating them in my bracket. Maybe my positive energy will help eliminate them. :|

[origami_mustache]

Go Davidson!

and of course Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

[Benny Profane]

Playing a basketball game at Ford Field is dumb.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Note to Stephen Curry: Enter the draft immediately after your season is over. Your draft stock will never be higher.

[origami_mustache]

Note to Stephen Curry: Enter the draft immediately after your season is over. Your draft stock will never be higher.

that 9 year old can ball.

[Benny Profane]

Fuck these Davidson fucks. Bracket busting fucks.

[MadMan]

Fuck these Davidson fucks. Bracket busting fucks.Heh. For the most part the Sweet 16 (with one notable exception) has featured blowouts up the wazzo. I'm bored out of my mind and hoping that somehow the rest of the Sweet 16 will be watchable. Right now I'd have to say that's not likely to happen (looking at the current scores) although I'm optimistic about the Final Four being good.

[DSNT]

I really hope Davidson wins, not because I like to root for the underdog (although I usually do), but because the lazy bastards who chose a final four of all #1 seeds do not deserve to win their brackets.

[origami_mustache]

I really hope Davidson wins, not because I like to root for the underdog (although I usually do), but because the lazy bastards who chose a final four of all #1 seeds do not deserve to win their brackets.

Unlike most years I think all four #1 seeds are actually championship caliber teams, but I'd totally be rooting for Davidson against any other team, but I went to KU...sooooo it's out of the question haha.

[dreamdead]

Crap. At least it was a fun game. Davidson really needed more of an inside presence. Curry taking 16 3-pointers is not the answer.

[DSNT]

Crap. At least it was a fun game. Davidson really needed more of an inside presence. Curry taking 16 3-pointers is not the answer.
Yeah, but even with him forcing shots all day, they were still a few inches from making it. KU is played him well in the 2nd half.

Grats chalk!

[Benny Profane]

It will be interesting to see what happens when they push the 3 point line back by a foot next year. I do know that it's long overdue.

[origami_mustache]

I felt like I was gonna vomit the whole game. Bill Self's reaction at the end said it all. Hats off to Davidson. Finally get to see the long awaited KU vs. UNC matchup since Roy William's departure.

[MadMan]

I'm actually pissed that because of work I missed a good, close game. Too bad that Davidson couldn't pull the upset, but honestly I'm not too surprised as this season's Kansas team appears to the best one Bill Self has ever had.

[shaun]

I have no choice but to root for Memphis at this point since Derrick Rose is pretty much a god.

[Benny Profane]

Also rooting for Memphis.

If Louisville had beaten UNC I would have won my bracket (over $1K), but as it stands now I probably won't win, place, or show.

[MadMan]

I'll have to check, but I'm pretty sure the bracket I submitted for the Icine/Match-Cut group is one of the worst I've ever put forth. Heh.

[shaun]

I'll have to check, but I'm pretty sure the bracket I submitted for the Icine/Match-Cut group is one of the worst I've ever put forth. Heh.Points - 49
Possible Points - 49

Very impressive.

[MadMan]

Points - 49
Possible Points - 49

Very impressive.I don't know whether or celebrate or get drunk :lol: What the hell I was thinking at the time I honestly don't know.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Well, there's a taste of things to come. It's going to be sad days at the KF house, I'm sure.

[MadMan]

So much for UCLA. And right now Kansas is wiping the floor with UNC's ass. 9:49 left in the 1st half and its already a bloodbath.

[Derek]

Man, that first 13 minutes was glorious, but despite the nice cushion, Kansas had better come out swinging in the 2nd half or Carolina's gonna make their way back into this game.

[Derek]

Jesus Christ, I almost had a heart attack. Poor Roy and poor, poor Tywah. And finally a championship game between two teams I actually like.

[Kurosawa Fan]

WOO!! One Kansas victory from the jackpot!!!

GO JAYHAWKS!!!

[MadMan]

I hate Kansas, and I don't like Memphis. However I actually like Bill Self a good deal, and I think highly of him. While in one or two of my brackets I had Memphis winning it all and thus I need the Tigers to be victorious I'd rather see Kansas take it simply to shut up Self's idiotic critics. Seeing as it appears that not even reaching the Final Four or merely getting to the title game will be enough. Personally I just want a great title game, something we haven't seen in quite a long time.

[Spinal]

My alma mater has just hired Barack Obama's brother-in-law as its head basketball coach.

[Benny Profane]

The Finals are always on Monday. Why Monday? Why not 6pm on Sunday? I don't like this.

[shaun]

I'm still rooting for Memphis even if it means the Knicks will have to win one of the first two picks in the draft in order to grab Derrick Rose.

Two months ago I thought he might fall to the 4-5 range. Bah.

[Benny Profane]

I'm still rooting for Memphis even if it means the Knicks will have to win one of the first two picks in the draft in order to grab Derrick Rose.

Two months ago I thought he might fall to the 4-5 range. Bah.

If Memphis gets in the top 2, they would not likely draft Rose cause they just took Conley and Lowery two years straight. There's a slimmer of hope.

[MadMan]

Pretty awesome, fast paced game so far.

[Raiders]

:eek:

One man taking the game over.

[DavidSeven]

Un-fucking-believable.

[Raiders]

Fuck you, Memphis. I could shoot that many free throws.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Wow. What a game.

[Justin]

Holy shit what a shot, my bracket stays alive.

[dreamdead]

So much of a better game than last year's travesty. I heard at least 10 people shout in other apartments as the 3 went in...

[MadMan]

Fuck you, Memphis. I could shoot that many free throws.That has already come back to bite them in the ass. Plus that one shot that was only counted as a two instead of a three also didn't help things.

Anyways this game is already ESPN Classic material. The last time a title game went into overtime was Arizona-Kentucky, which I have found memories of and was one of the earliest title games I ever saw.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'm in the money! I'm in the money!

[DavidSeven]

You really have to feel for those Memphis kids. Heartbreaker.

[Justin]

So in the matchcut/icine pool, not only did i pick the correct championship game and winner, but also guessed the correct final score, go me.

[MadMan]

Damn Kansas. Still that was a game for the ages.

[shaun]

Wow. What a sick choke job at the line by Memphis.

[Kurosawa Fan]

So in the matchcut/icine pool, not only did i pick the correct championship game and winner, but also guessed the correct final score, go me.

How can you tell that you guessed the right score? I can't find what I guessed, only what the actual score was.

[Justin]

How can you tell that you guessed the right score? I can't find what I guessed, only what the actual score was.

Click on my bracket, then click on the semis and final tab, it is at the bottom.

[Raiders]

How can you tell that you guessed the right score? I can't find what I guessed, only what the actual score was.

I think the first step is to not be senile.

Old fart.

[MadMan]

I think the first step is to not be senile.

Old fart.Game. Set. Match. :lol:

Hopefully next year will go better for Iowa sports teams. This season was absolute torture.

[origami_mustache]

ROCK CHALK CHAMPIONSHIP! WE DID IT! GREATEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN!