2010 NCAA Tournament (and NIT) Thread

[mckerney]

If being mad at Butler for causing me to pick UTEP in the first round because they gave up 82 the only time I saw them and they play in a conference where they don't play anyone, I can live with that. :D

That I had them picked to lose in round one and that they beat Michigan State make me really want to see them lose.

[sterlingice]

In 2008, I didn't care how late I stayed up but that was a different story, particularly after my wife and I decided to head to the downtown party to celebrate :)

SI

[Radii]

I have to hit you on one other thing. Based on what you write here, the NY Yankees aren't even the NY Yankees. Since you are including only what happened after the 'streak' concluded, both Duke ('01) and the Yankees ('09) have one championship and lot of making the dance and coming up short.


You completely misunderstand and misrepresent what my point has been. Remember my original question: "How long does Duke have to be out of the spotlight before we stop giving them the blind hate that are reserved for...." teams like the yankees. I'm not only looking at the period since 2001. I'm saying that Duke was not dominant over a long enough period that they should have earned the "we are the best in the history of the sport, everyone should root against us" status that they somehow have, and that even if they had it briefly, it should have fallen away during the first decade of the 21st century.


Anyway, its clear that people are going to hate Duke as if they dominated the last century of college basketball and there's no close second place(hint: they didn't),and its clear from the discussion here that there's no rational reason for it. So its time for me to give up on this little tangent.


Good luck to Duke tonight in their effort to become the team with the 5th most national championships all by themselves. ;)

[Lathum]

Butler must be loving this pace

[Swaggs]

Okay... Who had the 7 footer, Zoubek, with the first flop of the game? And not until 6+ minutes in! :)

[Swaggs]

First successful flop, I should say.

[ColtCrazy]

I really hope the quality of this game lasts....it's been great so far.

[sterlingice]

Man, Butler is really good with their hands for getting boards. The ball just sticks there- very few fits of batting around.

SI

[Radii]

Definitely impressed with Butler so far, keep it up!

[Groundhog]

Brian Zoubek is the embodiment of the over-the-back foul.

[ColtCrazy]

Not sure about Howard's second foul. Seems like the Duke guy didn't have great position. No matter though, they've lived without him most of this tournament! :D

[RainMaker]

Sort of seeing where some of you were coming from with the refs and Duke.

[Easy Mac]

The refs seem to want to let the teams play unless it is a ticky tack foul

[sterlingice]

The refs seem to want to let the teams play unless it is a ticky tack foul

Yeah, murder is allowed underneath but you can't touch foul up above

SI

[sterlingice]

Great move, Clark? That was like 8 steps.

I can make great moves if I don't have to dribble

SI

[ColtCrazy]

Yeah, murder is allowed underneath but you can't touch foul up above

SI

Exactly. Pumley (sp) may have tipped that ball cleanly, but he grabbed the Butler guy by the shoulder to get to the ball.

Even with Butler's style, letting it get too physical favors the bigger Duke team.

[Easy Mac]

Good TO by Butler, this is normally the time when Duke makes a run and gets some separation. There's a big difference right now between a 6 point lead and a 10 point lead.

[Eaglesfan27]

Butler really impressing me. 2 very good possessions to end that little Duke run.

[ColtCrazy]

Good TO by Butler, this is normally the time when Duke makes a run and gets some separation. There's a big difference right now between a 6 point lead and a 10 point lead.

This 7-0 makes Stephens look like a genius.

[Easy Mac]

Who would have thought Butler couldn't miss from outside and Duke couldn't hit. The longer duke stays cold, the better for Butler.

[Easy Mac]

Really, that was a foul on duke?

[Easy Mac]

This 7-0 makes Stephens look like a genius.

Stephens has been very impressive in his coaching. Unless he needs a new challenge one day, he'd be a fool to ever leave butler.

[Lathum]

Duke should be dumping it down low to Zoubek (sp?) every possession. Butler has no answer for him.

[ColtCrazy]

Stephens has been very impressive in his coaching. Unless he needs a new challenge one day, he'd be a fool to ever leave butler.


Agreed. This run will do wonders for their recruiting/fan base.

[ColtCrazy]

Duke should be dumping it down low to Zoubek (sp?) every possession. Butler has no answer for him.


He seems like a stiff offensively. Picks and rebounding seem to be his limitations.


Crap on the steal/3 by Duke.

[sterlingice]

Jukes is huge!

And what is up with Zoubek always at the top on defense?

SI

[Easy Mac]

Duke should be dumping it down low to Zoubek (sp?) every possession. Butler has no answer for him.

As a duke fan, you just made me want to vomit.

[Eaglesfan27]

Stephens has been very impressive in his coaching. Unless he needs a new challenge one day, he'd be a fool to ever leave butler.

He wouldn't be a fool if Oregon offers him enough money..

[ColtCrazy]

Zubek never went over the back there? How?

Impressive half by Butler. Duke hasn't played poorly, really, Butler has just slowed the game down and staying with them. Hope the next 20 are just as good!

[Scoobz0202]

Duke should be dumping it down low to Zoubek (sp?) every possession. Butler has no answer for him.


Howard had been on the bench for what, six minutes? Second howard sat down I thought for sure that's what they would do.

[Groundhog]

Good to see Butler are finally defending those little curl-screens that Duke's big 3 has been using all game to get those nice little jumpers from just outside the key.

[k0ruptr]

great championship so far! lets go Butler!

[Groundhog]

Zubek never went over the back there? How?

Impressive half by Butler. Duke hasn't played poorly, really, Butler has just slowed the game down and staying with them. Hope the next 20 are just as good!

Duke has played pretty well outside of a couple of missed open 3s that they were knocking down the rest of the tournament. Butler has been playing with more urgency though, and that's been the difference so far. So many 2nd chance points and hustle plays.

[DaddyTorgo]

c'mon butler!

[Easy Mac]

So at the half, butler is knocking down threes, and duke is struggling at the line and shooting threes. History tells us these things will even out in the 2nd half. As a duke fan, I hope so. The pace seems a little fast for butler, but I think they would be smart to push it a little more with Jukes, Nored and Mack. Duke hasn't found an anwer for their speed on the penetration. Duke needs to switch up their defense. Zoubek is being stretched to far, and having Plumlee and Thomas cover outside is really exposing their lack of speed.

[mckerney]

Let's go 50 point second half for Duke.

[Groundhog]

Obama can stroke it.

[panerd]

I admit that I rarely watch halftime shows. Do the fans in the background always act like complete jackasses to try and get on tv?

[ColtCrazy]

I admit that I rarely watch halftime shows. Do the fans in the background always act like complete jackasses to try and get on tv?

Yes, I have yet to go to a sport eventing where someone doesn't act like an idiot to get on TV....or catch a cheap t-shirt.

[Easy Mac]

Someone tell Nolan smith to stop shooting 3s an for CBS to stop using that camera angle.

[sterlingice]

To be fair, this is starting to look less and less like fixed refereeing and just crappy, arbitrary ref'ing

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

this camera angle sucks balls...i'm so tired of it. the players all look like giants...it's weird

[ColtCrazy]

To be fair, this is starting to look less and less like fixed refereeing and just crappy, arbitrary ref'ing

SI

I think so too. Butler got some generous calls to start this half and no it's just inconsistent as hell. Touch foul one minute, full body checking goes uncalled the next.

[Groundhog]

Refs are letting everything go. Zoubek has had about 3 over-the-back fouls not called, and Howard is lucky he has 3 fouls instead of 5. Bad officiating.

[Swaggs]

Enjoying this game. It helps to not be invested in either team when you have a game as close as this.

Duke really does seem to be missing out by not using Zoubek underneath much on offense -- the refs have been letting him have his way all weekend (other than stupid reach ins).

[ColtCrazy]

Me thinks the clock keeper fell asleep on the timer though.

And a stupid foul by Howard.

[kingfc22]

How does Howard ever stay in a game? The guy fouls like crazy.

[Swaggs]

Has anyone else mentioned that "the Plumlee Brothers" sound like Harry Potter characters? :)

[LloydLungs]

Am I wrong to think Matt Howard is sort of stupid?

[Easy Mac]

Quality minutes from Howard this tourney

[DaddyTorgo]

howard has played like total crap these last couple games

[Swaggs]

Yeah -- Howard could easily have about 8 fouls right now.

[sterlingice]

The silly thing is that I could probably name 5 things in the last two minutes that were worse fouls than what Howard did but that one was called.

SI

[RainMaker]

Howard completely crumbled in this Final Four. Can't make a shot and plays like a moron.

[Swaggs]

Such as Zoubek playing like a pulling offensive guard on about 30% of Duke's offensive sets...

[CleBrownsfan]

weak foul on Howard - imo

[ColtCrazy]

If Butler does lose, I hope I don't hear a bunch about "well, Howard got into foul trouble" Jukes has played much better in this game.

[Swaggs]

Am I the only one that is noticing a dramatic volume difference between the game and its commercials?

[Groundhog]

I'm surprised Butler has been able to get away with trapping on screens... I would've expected Duke to light them up with the open looks, but so far it's worked out OK, though Butler hasn't exactly been getting the turnovers off Duke that would make it worth the risk.

[Noop]

Am I the only one that is noticing a dramatic volume difference between the game and its commercials?

You're not alone my friend.

[ColtCrazy]

Not. A. Charge.

[k0ruptr]

wow, shitty call (the charge)

[Easy Mac]

I like how Stevens reactions are those of an upset 12 year old. And that was a charge on Hayward if they were a few feet farther out.

[DaddyTorgo]

well that call was for shit. shoulda been a 3pt play

[Eaglesfan27]

Not. A. Charge.

Yep. Some bad officiating tonight.

[Groundhog]

If Heyward is a guard, that's a blocking foul. Crazy stupid.

[ColtCrazy]

I hope that's not the turning point. I remember the Duke-Baylor game had a similar play. A charge on Baylor that looked like a block. It opened the door for Duke to take command.

[Galaril]

Yep. Some bad officiating tonight.

Wow, I did not expect the favoritism by the refs for Duke to start this early.

[Swaggs]

I'm surprised Butler has been able to get away with trapping on screens... I would've expected Duke to light them up with the open looks, but so far it's worked out OK, though Butler hasn't exactly been getting the turnovers off Duke that would make it worth the risk.

Their defenders are doing a great job of fighting their way through picks (w/ the help of the refs not seeming to care how they get through them, for the most part). Duke made a killing against WVU by using the pick and roll to Zoubek followed by him kicking it out to open perimeter guys. Butler isn't having any of that.

[k0ruptr]

Heyward needs to keep driving to the basket, they have no answer, and will just keep fouling him.

[Easy Mac]

Wow, I did not expect the favoritism by the refs for Duke to start this early.

You're an idiot

[Swaggs]

Was Singler the bad guy in The Da Vinci Code?

[k0ruptr]

C'mon Butler! you can hang and win this game!

[k0ruptr]

Would love to see a quick one on Zoubek and get him out of there.

[Swaggs]

Surprised that Zoubek is back so soon.

[k0ruptr]

Surprised that Zoubek is back so soon.

agreed

[Swaggs]

That was odd looking...

[k0ruptr]

damn, this is starting to get ugly.

[ColtCrazy]

I was enjoying this game. What happened?

[Easy Mac]

They got a break with the foul. Now they can bring Hayward and Mack back in without having to lose a lot of game time. Duke looked poised to make a run with them on the bench.

An aside, is it just me, or has duke shortened their bench this game. It seems like they had a larger rotation against West Virginia.

[Galaril]

You're an idiot

And to pull one from JIMGA.

Fuck you asshole.

[Swaggs]

Does Howard have the best faux mustache since Adam Morrison?

[k0ruptr]

hard foul.

[k0ruptr]

Does Howard have the best faux mustache since Adam Morrison?

yes.

[Swaggs]

They got a break with the foul. Now they can bring Hayward and Mack back in without having to lose a lot of game time. Duke looked poised to make a run with them on the bench.

An aside, is it just me, or has duke shortened their bench this game. It seems like they had a larger rotation against West Virginia.

To be fair, Duke had a pretty comfortable lead for a good part of the game. WVU chipped it down to six for a little while in the second half, but for the most part, it was 10ish (or more) for probably 25 minutes.

[Easy Mac]

Ok, Nored just butt ducked scheyer on screen with no call

[k0ruptr]

Butler's defense has been a semi let down this game, after so many games in the 50's this one is just a little bit more, but too much.

[Noop]

Zoubek with the dumb play.

[Swaggs]

Ok, Nored just butt ducked scheyer on screen with no call

Butler has gotten a lot of help from the refs on the screens. They just haven't called it all night and they are doing a good job of fighting through them, but usually you can't get away with being that physical on them.

[Noop]

Butler's defense has been a semi let down this game, after so many games in the 50's this one is just a little bit more, but too much.

I disagree but whatever.

[Galaril]

They should be a flagrant foul.

[Eaglesfan27]

Wow. That was very ugly looking.

[Swaggs]

I disagree but whatever.

Same here. Duke has three pretty elite "go to" guys between Scheyer, Singler, and Smith. It is hard to keep more than one down.

[Noop]

I got to say I am unimpressed by these refs and very impressed by Butler's defense. In a tight game you always have to favor the defensive team because you shouldn't go cold on defense.

Duke has to put the nail in the coffin or else Butler will take this to OT or win in regulation.

[k0ruptr]

Butlers Defense has been great, I was just saying not as good as they have been recently, thats all.

[Neuqua]

Clark Kellogg is being extremely obnoxious tonight.

[Easy Mac]

As a duke fan, I just want this to be over, somehow. Us fat people can't handle the stress.

And regardless of the outcome, would it be poor form to celebrate/agonize so loudly that I wake the baby?

[Mustang]

Clark Kellogg is being extremely obnoxious tonight.

I think he wants Duke to win... just a guess.

[BrianD]

Clark Kellogg is being extremely obnoxious tonight.

Tonight?

[Easy Mac]

Wow, I did not expect the favoritism by the refs for Duke to start this early.

Clark Kellogg is being extremely obnoxious tonight.

Could you imagine Gus Johnson calling this game?

[k0ruptr]

its now or never Butler. 3 mins, you can do it!!!

[Noop]

As a duke fan, I just want this to be over, somehow. Us fat people can't handle the stress.

And regardless of the outcome, would it be poor form to celebrate/agonize so loudly that I wake the baby?

Off topic. P90x would do you wonders my friend.

[EagleFan]

its now or never Butler. 3 mins, you can do it!!!

+9999999999999999

[Easy Mac]

I Think if you polled people as to which team would score most of their second half points from FT, most people would have said duke.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I actually love Clark Kellogg. I'd like to watch him eat bananas.

[Noop]

Travel? That is a blocking foul.

[Easy Mac]

Of all the calls they could have made, traveling was not one.

[mckerney]

Travel?

[Swaggs]

Awesome championship game. :)

[Easy Mac]

Off topic. P90x would do you wonders my friend.

I blame my wife for getting pregnant and me gaining sympathy weight.

[k0ruptr]

HELLUVA GAME!!! WOOOOO

[Eaglesfan27]

Wow. 2 great plays.

[EagleFan]

Sweet!!! They can do this!!!!

[Groundhog]

Damn, amazing 20 seconds from Howard.

[sovereignstar]

Butler within one in the NCAA Championship Game. This is awesome times 1000!

[sterlingice]

Well, this is definitely coming down to the wire. Again, nothing will ever top 2008 for best title game, in my mind, but this is definitely exciting :D

SI

[Eaglesfan27]

Of all the calls they could have made, traveling was not one.

At least it is some ammo against those who think the refs are biased in favor of Duke.. the refs have been bad to both teams tonight.

[Easy Mac]

butler fouls, right?

[Scoobz0202]

He's probably running laps outside trying to calm down.

(Gus Johnson that is)

[Radii]

I Think if you polled people as to which team would score most of their second half points from FT, most people would have said duke.

I think there are probably people in this thread who have watched the entire game would would say that Duke has shot more free throws. Its insane.

[EagleFan]

At least it is some ammo against those who think the refs are biased in favor of Duke.. the refs have been bad to both teams tonight.

Not really, should have been an offensive foul. As he was taking his walk he leaned his shoulder into the defender.

[sovereignstar]

YES!!

[sterlingice]

Zoubek- wrong sport for tackles

SI

[Swaggs]

That loked like Zoubek's fifth right there.

[RainMaker]

LOL at Zoubek throwing Howard to the ground and no call.

[k0ruptr]

foot! Butler ball!

[Eaglesfan27]

Now, that was a good call.

[kingfc22]

Butler needs to shoot at least with 5 seconds to go in case they miss.

[Neuqua]

How was that not a foul on Zoubek?

[Lathum]

How the fuck was that not a foul on Zoubek?

[sterlingice]

Here we go!

SI

[Radii]

Could you imagine Gus Johnson calling this game?

Gus Johnson Soundboard 2010 NCAA MARCH MADNESS (http://www.gusjohnsongetsbuckets.com/)

I've been clicking randomly on this for the last 30 minutes, in my dreams Gus is calling the finals!

[kingfc22]

Call a Timeout.

[k0ruptr]

I say just hold for last shot and win

[EagleFan]

Who wants to take that last second shot? Time for someone to step up!!!

[Galaril]

How was that not a foul on Zubek pushing Howard under the basket on the air ball?

[RainMaker]

Wouldn't that foul have given Howard 2 shots?

[Noop]

In this situation I would foul Butler, although it flies in the face of conventional wisdom.

[Galaxy]

How the fuck was that not a foul on Zoubek?

Howard embellished it.....According to Clarkie. :)

[kingfc22]

How the fuck was that not a foul on Zoubek?

The giant ogre will not foul out. Guaranteed.

[Tigercat]

lol at CBS announcers being quick to call a flop on Butler when Zubek throws the guy to the ground.

[kingfc22]

Give it to Hayward going to the basket.

[Easy Mac]

I have no doubt butler will win.

Lifelong duke fan

[Mustang]

Glad I'm not a fan of either one of these teams because I'd probably have a stroke.

[Swaggs]

This is going to end up being heartbreaking for one of them.

[Scoobz0202]

CMON BUTLER

[Swaggs]

Glad I'm not a fan of either one of these teams because I'd probably have a stroke.

+1

[Galaxy]

I know why I don't watch basketball too much...Way too many damn TOs.

[Galaril]

So Zoubek not being called for that foul is huge since he is huge and is bloating out the sun on the inbounds.

[k0ruptr]

COMON BUTTTTLEERRRRRR .; I'm going crazy watching this, I couldn't imagine being an actual fan of one of these teams.

[RainMaker]

lol at CBS announcers being quick to call a flop on Butler when Zubek throws the guy to the ground.
Kellogg is clueless.

[sterlingice]

In this situation I would foul Butler, although it flies in the face of conventional wisdom.

Who would you foul? I'm not sure of their FT% but I suppose that does guarantee you get a last shot

SI

[Noop]

Is everyone rooting for Butler because they are media darlings?

[panerd]

I need -7, hoping for Butler to make one free throw or to miss, have duke make 2, and then shoot a 3 to tie.

[kingfc22]

Ugh. :(

[BrianD]

I can't believe that is the shot they wanted.

[Galaril]

What the fuck was that?

[k0ruptr]

great great try. wow. unfortunate, but still some kind of chance

[Noop]

Who would you foul? I'm not sure of their FT% but I suppose that does guarantee you get a last shot

SI

I want the last shot.

[Eaglesfan27]

So Zoubek not being called for that foul is huge since he is huge and is bloating out the sun on the inbounds.

Not to mention that rebound..

[Easy Mac]

Glad I'm not a fan of either one of these teams because I'd probably have a stroke.

I've seen my Alma later lose a national champinship (furman) so I'm all stroked out.

[EagleFan]

Good shot?

[kingfc22]

No timeouts for Butler is huge here.

[Swaggs]

Do you miss the second on purpose?

[Easy Mac]

YYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS

[sovereignstar]

Is everyone rooting for Butler because they are media darlings?

.................................

[Swaggs]

Damn... that was close!

[sterlingice]

Oh man. Just off the rim :(

SI

[Eaglesfan27]

Wow. So close.

[kingfc22]

Damn.....

[Galaxy]

Holy cow!

[k0ruptr]

I HATE YOU DUKE. fuck off.


great game.

[Galaril]

Is everyone rooting for Butler because they are media darlings?

No becuz Duke is our a bunch of pompous rich kids. They are the Notre Dame of college basketball.

[Noop]

.................................

So you're one of the sheep as well.

[k0ruptr]

wow, I really thought that last shot was going in, haha.

[Easy Mac]

Great game by Butler.

Duke scored 61. Looks like you have to break 60 o beat Butler

[Galaxy]

I don't get the logic of the shot before that by the Bulldogs.

[DaddyTorgo]

bah...i didn't like that last shot selection by butler...i thought they could have got a better look.

that sucks

[EagleFan]

That would have been a hell of a finish if it went in!!!

[Easy Mac]

And that was afoul on Howard

[k0ruptr]

I'm actually not so sure he got it off in time.

[Galaril]

So, I will remember this game cuz the refs helped Duke at the end that is all. And a great season by a mid-major.So, On to destroying the tourney with 96 teams.

[Noop]

No becuz Duke is our a bunch of pompous rich kids. They are the Notre Dame of college basketball.

Really? Duke? Who play the game of basketball the way its suppose to be played, Duke? Duke doesn't even win all the time.

ACC Pride.

[BrianD]

I'm bummed at the outcome, but it was very exciting to watch.

[cmp]

Is everyone rooting for Butler because they are media darlings?

No, everyone was rooting for Butler because no one can stand Duke.

[Swaggs]

That's a tough way to lose -- I think I'd rather take the beatdown that WVU took than lose such a close one, where you have to think about every missed lay up, free throw, turnover and/or every little foul.

[Easy Mac]

When's the last time a Jewish person started for a national champ?

[k0ruptr]

I'm bummed at the outcome, but it was very exciting to watch.

word.

[Groundhog]

The single most disappointing point of the game was Zoubek literally throwing Howard to the ground near the end there with no call, and Butler just getting the out of bounds turnover rather than 2 shots.

[Mustang]

They keep showing that last shot over and over. Reminds me of the Brady Bunch when they broke the vase with the basketball....

[cmp]

bah...i didn't like that last shot selection by butler...i thought they could have got a better look.

that sucks

I thought that was actually a pretty good look.

[bob]

Who wants to take that last second shot? Time for someone to step up!!!

I wish that refs that don't make late calls because they don't want to help "decide" the game would realize that they are, in fact, helping to "decide" the game by not making the call.

[mauchow]

singler got nailed by howard at the end. hope he's ok

[k0ruptr]

damn, I'm gonna go play mlb 2k10 and calm down. I just wanna punch someone wearing a duke hat right now.

[Young Drachma]

Great game by Butler.

Duke scored 61. Looks like you have to break 60 o beat Butler

This.

I was concerned with at halftime the game was in the 30s, but given the way it boiled down at the end, Butler was admirable to have a last second shot to possibly win.

Heck of a game, no doubt. But...I too wish Butler's shooters hadn't come up cold there at the very end. Still, one of the best I can remember watching two schools I'd otherwise care very little about and far better than a blowout or something else.

Fun times.

[Malificent]

No becuz Duke is our a bunch of pompous rich kids. They are the Notre Dame of college basketball.

I went on scholarship. My family was middle class, at best. Your statement above says more about you than it does about the average Duke student.

[sterlingice]

I would have loved to see that fall at the buzzer. Might have made it the best game of all time, then

SI

[RainMaker]

The single most disappointing point of the game was Zoubek literally throwing Howard to the ground near the end there with no call, and Butler just getting the out of bounds turnover rather than 2 shots.
The worst is the replay where the ref is just watching the whole thing happen.

[Swaggs]

At least Singler got decleated on that last play. Other than him and Zoubek, I didn't mind this Duke team much. Smith, Thomas and Scheyer all seem business-like and talented. Congrats to them.

[Groundhog]

I would have loved to see that fall at the buzzer. Might have made it the best game of all time, then


Hell yeah. As soon as it hit the board and flew at the ring I thought it was in.

[sterlingice]

Good deal- they did actually finish before midnight :)

SI

[BrianD]

singler got nailed by howard at the end. hope he's ok

I couldn't tell if Howard leaned into him or not, but Singler sure got flattened.

[Groundhog]

The worst is the replay where the ref is just watching the whole thing happen.

The worst no-call in a game full of terrible no-calls (against both teams), and some terrible calls (ie. Hayward's charge).

[EagleFan]

Gus Johnson Soundboard 2010 NCAA MARCH MADNESS (http://www.gusjohnsongetsbuckets.com/)

I've been clicking randomly on this for the last 30 minutes, in my dreams Gus is calling the finals!

You can piece together that last shot from there, sounds pretty good. :)

[Noop]

I do want to say this as someone who loves the game of basketball. I loved this game and thought it was an excellent championship.

[RainMaker]

My brother went to High School with Scheyer and said he was a really good guy. He was rooting for him and I'm happy he got the win.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm trying to imagine the atmosphere in that place if that last shot had gone in. I'm imagining the biggest party I possibly can, and it probably would've been even bigger than that. In any case, that was a hell of a finish.

[Mustang]

I would have loved to see that fall at the buzzer. Might have made it the best game of all time, then

SI

At a minimum, wouldn't have to put up with Laettner's shot being the greatest of all time.

[Groundhog]

I do want to say this as someone who loves the game of basketball. I loved this game and thought it was an excellent championship.

For sure. Excellent tournament all around. A few stinkers (Duke-WVU), but on the whole, from the early rounds right up until the championship, some very entertaining basketball.

[k0ruptr]

Brad Stevens is a hell of a coach.

[sterlingice]

At a minimum, wouldn't have to put up with Laettner's shot being the greatest of all time.

In Kansas, of course, we're big fans of Mario Chalmers's shot ;)

SI

[Noop]

Brad Stevens is a hell of a coach.

I agree however his offense could stand to be a little bit more dynamic but I am nitpicking.

[Swaggs]

My brother went to High School with Scheyer and said he was a really good guy. He was rooting for him and I'm happy he got the win.

Overall, it is a pretty likeable team. Thomas, in particular, was a pretty big deal in high school, if I remember correctly, so it is impressive to see him mature enough to become a role player and dirty work guy on a team that needs it.

I've seen Singler do too many assholish things over the years to be happy for him and Zoubek just seems like a dirty player that is just big and not really skilled. Other than those two, props to Duke.

[sterlingice]

I do want to say this as someone who loves the game of basketball. I loved this game and thought it was an excellent championship.

Honestly, maybe the best tourney ever. Tons of upsets, a lot of great and close games, and a title game worthy of being the Championship.

SI

[Groundhog]

Brad Stevens is a hell of a coach.

Yeah, he did well. I think it took him a little too long to address the curl-screens that Duke was running mostly in the first half - about 5 minutes too long - and he also didn't do a very good job of calming his guys down in the last 10 mins of the 2nd half. I know the penetration was working for Butler, but they went about 5 minutes without running any kind of play, and that pretty much coincided with their scoring drought.

[Swaggs]

I'm surprised that no one ever gets injured on those raised floors. It looks like someone with some momentum could really go off the edge and get hurt badly (along w/ fans or the guys on the bench).

[TroyF]

And that was afoul on Howard

Yeah, and Zubeck should have fouled out on a clear foul on howard, a foul that should have sent Howard to the line for a one and one. The refs sucked this game for both teams.

I'm amazed Duke actually got through their BS of a bracket that they get every year and actually won another one.

They won tonight because of Singler. Sheyer and Smith were average at best. 10-27 from the floor, 2 for 10 from three.

For Butler, Heyword and Howard simply didn't step up. Heyword missed a ton of makeable shots. You don't deserve the title if you don't hit those. And Howard missed makeable shots and continued to foul like a bull in a china shop. Intensity is one thing, playing the game dumb and hurting your team with dumb fouls is another. Simply put, the right team won the game, even if I can't stand em.

[Groundhog]

Also, I think this game will have Hayward returning to Butler. He's skilled, but I think his lack of strength was highlighted tonight. Another year in Butler will serve him well as far as the NBA goes. Hopefully Butler have a couple of tall recruits on the way, too.

[RainMaker]

Also, I think this game will have Hayward returning to Butler. He's skilled, but I think his lack of strength was highlighted tonight. Another year in Butler will serve him well as far as the NBA goes. Hopefully Butler have a couple of tall recruits on the way, too.
It would help him but still stupid on his part not to leave early.

[Galaril]

I went on scholarship. My family was middle class, at best. Your statement above says more about you than it does about the average Duke student.

Whatever you want to believe. I just for the record my parents were working class people from Boston and I attended the Air Force Academy and CSU for my graduate degree. So, I guess it says not what you want it to say about me. Have a good night though.

[RainMaker]

This goes down as a whole as the best tournament I've ever seen.

[LloydLungs]

So, On to destroying the tourney with 96 teams.

Yep, between my team going away (UNO to D-III) and college basketball being ruined by the 96-team tourney this pretty much serves as a farewell to the sport for me (outside of FBCB, of course). Would've been the perfect ending for that shot to go in, but of course there is no god. Ah well.

[Groundhog]

It would help him but still stupid on his part not to leave early.

If he's a mid-1st he's stupid not to leave, but I wonder what effect tonight has on his stock. He's got decent handles and is long and relatively athletic, but lacks strength and consistency on his shot, which is a problem considering he's a SF at the next level. I really enjoy watching him play and think that his form is too good for him not to be a solid shooter, but I think if I were an NBA GM I'd want to see him take the next step in his game before I invest too high a pick on him.

[sterlingice]

This goes down as a whole as the best tournament I've ever seen.

Agreed, as I said above. And I realize the gravity of that statement.

SI

[Chief Rum]

Always been a big Duke hater, but this is my "most favorite" Duke team. No one on the squad I can't stand and I don't really watch ESPN much anymore, so I avoided the inevitable Vitale love that turns any unbiased viewer into someone passionately against Duke.

I was still rooting for Butler (underdog and all), but I don't mind as much that Duke won. Good game for both teams.

[mckerney]

I'm surprised that no one ever gets injured on those raised floors. It looks like someone with some momentum could really go off the edge and get hurt badly (along w/ fans or the guys on the bench).

Minnesota plays on a raised court and injuries from it have never really been a problem.

[Swaggs]

I think we'll see a lot of marginal underclassmen leave this season, as it seems like there might be some financial changes in the NBA after this season.

[Tigercat]

I think what I hate most about Duke basketball is the ugly fouls they always get their way. I actually don't think they win much on the basis of calls, it is just every game they get at least one ridiculous call. Usually a call where the Duke player is smart or instinctual enough to be in the right place, but not athletic enough to pull off a clean play. Yet somehow the ref ignores the unathletic play and gives the Duke player the benefit of the doubt. It just kills the flow of watching a good game of basketball.

But tonight was an awesome game regardless.

[chesapeake]

Dear old Duke, thy name we'll sing;
To thee our voices raise!
To thee our anthems ring
In everlasting praise.

And though on life's broad seas
Our fates may far us bear,
We'll ever turn to thee,
Our alma mater dear!

Woo hoo!

What a great game. Both teams worked extremely hard for 40 minutes and either could have won. But, once again, evil triumphed over good. Feel the power of the dark side!

[sterlingice]

Again, I don't think Duke was given this game by the officials. The refs just sucked across the board. :D

SI

[RainMaker]

If he's a mid-1st he's stupid not to leave, but I wonder what effect tonight has on his stock. He's got decent handles and is long and relatively athletic, but lacks strength and consistency on his shot, which is a problem considering he's a SF at the next level. I really enjoy watching him play and think that his form is too good for him not to be a solid shooter, but I think if I were an NBA GM I'd want to see him take the next step in his game before I invest too high a pick on him.
This game won't hurt his stock. He's a 6-9" small forward who can play like a SG. He rebounds well and has a high basketball IQ. With the mismatches he can create with his height, someone will take him in the late teens of the draft.

He's a more athletic version of Mike Dunleavy. Probably won't be a star in the NBA but will be a solid role player.

[Young Drachma]

He proved tonight he was a pro, no doubt about it. But his stock won't ever be higher than it is now, so coming back probably wouldn't make sense...this isn't Florida's back to back team or anything like that, though it'd be cool to see them try it again...the lack of the national spotlight for the bulk of their season would surely hurt him without another run in the tournament and so, you can't take the paycut unless you just don't care.

But any scout watching tonight saw a bonafide pro. The way he drove to the lane with no fear and proved he was the dude that wanted the ball and his teammates saw him the same way was awesome to see.

[RainMaker]

I don't know if I'd agree with that. I mean I think he should go pro because of the uncertainty with the collective bargaining agreement and the fact salaries are going to take a huge hit.

I don't think his draft status is going to be hit though because his best qualities are physical. He's an athletic 6-9" player who can shoot. There just aren't a lot of those guys out there. Butler could have a down year, but so did Davidson (which didn't hurt Curry). Butler has all their top players coming back. He's going to play in the NBA whether he stays or not in my opinion.

[Kodos]

It was a very entertaining game. Pissed about the charging call -- typical Duke favoritism there. Still, Butler had a shot at the end. How beautiful would it have been had that gone in?

[DaddyTorgo]

It's on Butler though...they missed a shit-ton of shots throughout the game. Credit to their incredible defense that they were able to hang in there.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How beautiful would it have been had that gone in?

Not nearly as beautiful as it was when it fell off the rim.

[timmynausea]

How do you not consider Zoubek the MVP after that triple double last night? 10 rebounds, 10 over the backs and 13 moving picks.

(And before 8 Duke fans respond taking this literally - this is a joke. I actually only watched a few minutes.)

[spleen1015]

Other than the asshole Butler student sitting behind me at the game, this was the greatest sporting event I have ever been to.

I was pretty confident that the game would be what it was, a close game, down to the last 10 seconds. The end of that game was probably the longest 10-12 minutes of my life. I was ready to puke. I thought for sure Duke was going to end up giving the game away and Hayward was going to pull it out for Butler. The shot at the buzzer was pretty damn close. Had it gone in, I'd likely still be trying to get out of downtown.

Duke did a good job of denying Hayward the ball in the 1st half. Once Stevens had him bringing up the ball in the 2nd half, it wore him out and he was tired down the stretch.

Hayward won't go pro. Stevens stays a Butler because they aren't losing anyone and they can make another run next year.

That was epic.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How do you not consider Zoubek the MVP after that triple double last night? 10 rebounds, 10 over the backs and 13 moving picks.

(And before 8 Duke fans respond taking this literally - this is a joke. I actually only watched a few minutes.)

It had to be at least a quadruple double, no way he doesn't have at least ten bruises from the muggings that he took (in the very few minutes I saw).

[Samdari]

It had to be at least a quadruple double, no way he doesn't have at least ten bruises from the muggings that he took (in the very few minutes I saw).

He gave worse than he got. Far worse.

Not that I have complaints about the officiating. The players decided this one.

[chesapeake]

How do you not consider Zoubek the MVP after that triple double last night? 10 rebounds, 10 over the backs and 13 moving picks.

(And before 8 Duke fans respond taking this literally - this is a joke. I actually only watched a few minutes.)

Why you dirty rotten so-and-so!

Butler did a pretty good job of mitigating Zoubek's effectiveness. For example, at least 3 times, they made him come out to the 3 pt line to guard a guy and then used him to pick another Duke defender, thus creating an easy lane to the basket.

[Young Drachma]

Highest rated final since 01.

[kcchief19]

I never have and never will understand the grief Duke gets for fouls. Except for this year, Duke has never been described as "physical." It's very hard to describe Duke as a finesse team that commits fouls like crazy. That doesn't compute. However, I will grant that they are a smart team that pushes the limits as much as they can, which I think is what everyone wants their team to do.

These two teams to me looked very similar. Neither Butler nor Duke has the flashy athletes that Kansas or Kentucky had but they have some players who buy into the system and are more worried about doing good than looking good.

Heard Mike DeCourcy on the radio this morning and his argument was that this year's NCAA tournament may have been one of the most loosely officiated tournaments ever and that in every round you saw the teams that played the most physical prevail. During that stretch last night and during the MSU-Butler stretch last night where no one was scoring FGs, it was a junkyard brawl. Both teams clawed and hacked away, and I don't think one was worse than the other.

[Dr. Sak]

You guys have inspired me to take my basketball test and work towards doing college games in both sports.

[Radii]

You guys have inspired me to take my basketball test and work towards doing college games in both sports.

SEE. ALL THE REFS ARE DUKE FANS, GOD. ;)

[Scoobz0202]

NCAA Women's Final

12-5 with 7 or so minutes left in the first half... What the fuck?? Is that a normal score or just a fluke???

[Radii]

NCAA Women's Final

12-5 with 7 or so minutes left in the first half... What the fuck?? Is that a normal score or just a fluke???

I don't think it was unexpected for Stanford to have 12 at that point, but I would have guessed that it was 30-12 UConn. This is insane(now 20-12 Stanford in the final minute of the half) but I think Stanford needed to be a lot more successful on offense and build a bigger lead going into the locker room.

[Swaggs]

Good lord -- I wonder if that floor is as bad to play on as it is to watch on TV.

[sterlingice]

I never have and never will understand the grief Duke gets for fouls. Except for this year, Duke has never been described as "physical." It's very hard to describe Duke as a finesse team that commits fouls like crazy. That doesn't compute. However, I will grant that they are a smart team that pushes the limits as much as they can, which I think is what everyone wants their team to do.

I dunno. It seems a lot to me like how everyone called the Malone-Stockton Jazz teams dirty. Were they particularly physical? No, but everyone thought they "push{ed} the limits as much as they {could}"

SI

[stevew]

I quickly remembered why I don't watch women's basketball. Traveling, double dribbles and the athleticism of Jr high Boys basketball.

12 points at half? Where you at UConn?