March Madness Begins

[tdydynasty]

Big South Final on right now on ESPN2. Charleston Southern vs.Winthrop.

[sooner333]

I can never tell who I am rooting for in this situation in the Big South game. On one hand, like most people, I am a sucker for the upsets. In that case, the 7 seed, Charleston Southern is the logical choice. But, on the other hand, it's nice to reward good seasons, and Winthrop certainly has had one rolling through the regular season with 5 losses and only 1 in conference play. But, it's fun to watch these games for sure as so much is on the line.

In fact, I may drive up to Tulsa tonight to watch some Mid-Con action in the quarterfinals. They are playing their tourney in a high school gym for Tulsa Union. However, this gym is a 15-million dollar project that has a video scoreboard and chairbacks for all 5,600 seats. I'm kind of just interested in this high school arena.

[JeeberD]

I'll catch as much action as I can and root for all the mid-major favorites (Except Nevada) to win. If the Miners don't win the WAC tournament and there are a number of upsets of mid-majors that are considered "locks", then we'll likely be hosting an NIT game... http://www.shalkith.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

[VPI97]

Outside of the ACC & Big East, I don't find college basketball all that compelling.

[panerd]

Outside of the ACC & Big East, I don't find college basketball all that compelling.

You couldn't have said the exact opposite of how I feel much better. I don't know why I feel this way, maybe ESPN, maybe some jealosy, but there is certainly tons of quality basketball west of New York City.

[sooner333]

NCAA bid for Winthrop and they join Pennsylvania as the only two teams officially in the dance.

[Pumpy Tudors]

It's all about UNO, baby! The Privateers take on Western Kentucky in early-round Sun Belt Conference action tomorrow night. We're going all the waaaaaaay to hell.

[JeeberD]

Sun Belt tournament is in Denton this year, right Pumpy? If I get some free time I might have to head up there and check out some games...

[MJ4H]

Right now I am watching a cooking show. I was planning to watch the Arkansas Auburn game, but instead, I am being shown a cooking show. Can anyone explain this to me?

P.S. I am on the correct channel.

[sooner333]

Right now I am watching a cooking show. I was planning to watch the Arkansas Auburn game, but instead, I am being shown a cooking show. Can anyone explain this to me?

P.S. I am on the correct channel.

We're getting the game in OKC. Arkansas up 18-13 with 10:35 left in the first half.

[Cringer]

I guess the correct choice for me was what I picked, As many as possible. That is probably 0 though.

[LloydLungs]

It's all about UNO, baby! The Privateers take on Western Kentucky in early-round Sun Belt Conference action tomorrow night. We're going all the waaaaaaay to hell.

I'm pretty disillusioned with the Privateer program at the moment but three more wins this year would help a lot with that. If McCalebb's ankles have healed up over the last week....

Regarding the question at large, I watch every college basketball game I possibly can in March. Right now I'm flipping channels among all the ESPN Full Court games and the UCF-Gardner Webb A-Sun Championship, watching the Sun Belt WOMEN'S quarterfinals live on the internet, and playing Fast Break College Basketball for good measure.

And this isn't even my favorite SPORT. I prefer baseball. But March is still the best sports month of the year.

[korme]

Wright State is officially eliminated, no March Madness for you fellas.

[JeeberD]

Wright State is officially eliminated, no March Madness for you fellas.


Time to start rooting full time for the Miners, Shortstuff...

[tdydynasty]

Conference tournament meant so much more in the old days when only 1 per conference could get in. NC State beat Maryland in the 1974 ACC Finals in Double OT which is considered the greatest game in ACC history. NC State went on to win the NCAA title beating UCLA in the semifinals in Double OT and Marquette in the final.

[korme]

Time to start rooting full time for the Miners, Shortstuff...
It's funny but I do have a small interest in UTEP's success now, for instance last season I was rooting for them pretty strongly. My roomate and I are running a joint dynasty in NCAA football, he is Boise State, me? UTEP. http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Team's so bad. http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

Anyways, I will be rooting for UTEP of course, but my heart will always pull for the hopeless Bearcats.

[JeeberD]

Uh...I don't think it ever was just one team per conference in the Dance. At least not that I've ever heard about...

[MJ4H]

We're getting the game in OKC. Arkansas up 18-13 with 10:35 left in the first half.

OK now I wish it would go back to the cooking show :(

[VPI97]

Uh...I don't think it ever was just one team per conference in the Dance. At least not that I've ever heard about...Yeah it was...prior to the '75 tournament, only conference champions were invited. That '74 ACC Championship was the game that made them change the rules.

[JeeberD]

Really? I wonder why I've never hard about that?

Thanks for the info, guys...

[korme]

Really? I wonder why I'm never hard about that?

Thanks for the info, guys...
There is a cure for ED Jeeb.

[VPI97]

Maryland fans: What's the deal with this Gilchrist guy? It's one thing to jaw with the crowd...it's another thing to jaw with the crowd while letting your man score at will, turning the ball over repeatedly and having your team trail the entire first half.

[Wolfpack]

Maryland fans: What's the deal with this Gilchrist guy? It's one thing to jaw with the crowd...it's another thing to jaw with the crowd while letting your man score at will, turning the ball over repeatedly and having your team trail the entire first half.

You want a reason for Maryland's lack of consistency? There's your answer. He had that one spectacular run in the ACC tournament last year and was thus annointed as "The Next Big Thing" in College Park. Obviously, the burdens of being the star haven't been kind.

VT pulled the upset off, so the middle of the ACC is going to turn into an absolute train wreck in terms of who's getting in. GT probably got in finally by beating Clemson today. Among the remaining teams, it could very well come down to who goes furtherest in the ACC tournament next weekend.

I'd say Miami and VT still have the most work cut out (meaning, perhaps needing to reach the conference final). Miami at 7-9 in the ACC and a VT team at 15-12 overall (even though they are 8-8 if they win, that VMI loss is devastating) does not inspire the selection committee.

Maryland is squarely on the bubble now because they've pretty much destroyed the collateral with the sweeping of Duke by getting swept by Clemson and then stumbling badly down the stretch and getting beat in a must-win game in Blacksburg.

NC State is 17-11 and has one last chance to make a statement against Wake at home tomorrow. Win that, and I think they get in at 8-8. Lose and they'll need at least one if not two wins to go to the NCAAs. It doesn't matter much to many Wolfpack fans, some of whom hate the coach more than love the program and practically die a little everytime we win right now, knowing the coach will be retained. I can't tell you some of the most assinine things I've read on the Wolfpack boards, bordering on black-helicopter-level lunacy as to how far they think the people in charge are going to retain the coach. I don't love the coach myself and the division he has caused by his middling success makes me think he ought to move on for everybody's sake, but the behavior of some of the other "fans" disgusts me to no end right now. (Sorry for the rant, but I was just at the other board and I need to vent a little.)

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm pretty disillusioned with the Privateer program at the moment but three more wins this year would help a lot with that. If McCalebb's ankles have healed up over the last week....
Yep, we definitely need Bo to be full strength for the tournament. I hope UNO gets to the conference final again, because I think the entire country deserves a chance to see the #5 scorer in the nation. It's really amazing what this kid has done. I know that he's playing in a small conference, but he's really been carrying the team for the past two years. It's nice to see a local kid go to UNO and excel. The Privateers should be so much better next year, considering that all these kids will have another year of experience, and they're ALL coming back. No seniors on the UNO team this year means ultimate cohesion next year, along with one of the top scorers in the country. :D

[VPI97]

I'd say Miami and VT still have the most work cut out (meaning, perhaps needing to reach the conference final). Miami at 7-9 in the ACC and a VT team at 15-12 overall (even though they are 8-8 if they win, that VMI loss is devastating) does not inspire the selection committee.In terms of byes and whatnot, how is the ACC tournament working this year? If NC State loses, I think we'd be the #4 seed in the conference due to being 1-0 head to head over GT.

Also, at this point, a part of me hopes we don't go to the NCAA, but to the NIT instead. When I was in school (Metro/A-10 years), we had a decent basketball team...made the NCAA's twice, but won the NIT in '95. The NIT run was far more satisfying for me (and the rest of campus) and that year's team attained cult status among VT fans. I'd much rather see that kind of post-season than a one or two game stretch in the NCAA's.

[FBPro]

I might have watched one entire basketball game if you combine all the time I've spent watching hoops the last 2 or 3 years.......but you better add in the sportcenter highlights as well just to make sure. Needless to say, not a hoops fan.

[Wolfpack]

In terms of byes and whatnot, how is the ACC tournament working this year? If NC State loses, I think we'd be the #4 seed in the conference due to being 1-0 head to head over GT.

Also, at this point, a part of me hopes we don't go to the NCAA, but to the NIT instead. When I was in school (Metro/A-10 years), we had a decent basketball team...made the NCAA's twice, but won the NIT in '95. The NIT run was far more satisfying for me (and the rest of campus) and that year's team attained cult status among VT fans. I'd much rather see that kind of post-season than a one or two game stretch in the NCAA's.

Top 5 get byes to Friday. Thursday is 8-9 (to play #1 Friday), 7-10 (to play #2), 6-11 (to play #3). Here's the picture as of now:

UNC 13-2
WF 12-3
Duke 11-4
GT 8-8
VT 8-8
NCSU 7-8
Miami 7-9
UMd 7-9*
Clem 5-11
UVa 4-11
FSU 3-12
*Maryland is #8 regardless of outcomes tomorrow

Duke-UNC, State-Wake, and FSU-UVa are on tap tomorrow.
*UNC wins, they are #1. If they lose, they will still be #1 if State wins.
*If Wake wins and UNC loses, they will be #1 (head-to-head over UNC), otherwise, they will be #2. If Wake loses and Duke wins, they will fall to #3 (Duke would be 2-0 vs. UNC, Wake 1-0).
*Duke wins, they would be #2 if Wake loses, otherwise they will be #3.
*State wins, they will be #4 (3-1 vs. VT and GT). If they lose, they slide to #7 (2-1 vs. Miami and UMd, but Miami would be 2-0 vs. State and UMd).
*VT is in the 4-5 game no matter what. If State wins, they go to #5 (2-1 vs. State and GT), else they're #4 (1-0 vs. GT).
*GT is #5 if State loses (0-1 vs. VT) or #6 if State wins (0-3 vs. State and VT).
*Miami is #6 if State loses (2-0 vs. State and UMd) or #7 if State wins (1-0 vs. UMd)
*As noted, Maryland is #8 no matter what happens tomorrow.
*Clemson is #9 if UVa loses to FSU or #10 if UVa wins (0-1 vs. UVa)
*Virginia is #9 if they beat FSU, #11 if they lose (FSU is 1-1 vs. Wake, UVa 0-2--both teams lost all their games against Duke and UNC, so no tiebreaker until Wake regardless of how the top three finish).
*FSU is #10 if UVa loses (for reasons noted) and #11 if they win.

That should cover all the outcomes. Essentially, VT is playing the 2:30 game Friday in DC against either State or GT depeding on the State-Wake outcome tomorrow. Thus, VT is the only team besides Duke, Wake, and UNC guaranteed to be bye'd into the quarterfinals and one of two teams (Maryland being the other) who know what time their first game in the tournament will be. Congrats on a great first year.

[Radii]

Thanks for the scenarios there Wolfpack. The thought of UNC-Maryland on Friday is kinda scary, no matter how poorly Maryland has played lately. So,go Clemson/Virginia :D

[Chief Rum]

NC State is 17-11 and has one last chance to make a statement against Wake at home tomorrow. Win that, and I think they get in at 8-8. Lose and they'll need at least one if not two wins to go to the NCAAs. It doesn't matter much to many Wolfpack fans, some of whom hate the coach more than love the program and practically die a little everytime we win right now, knowing the coach will be retained. I can't tell you some of the most assinine things I've read on the Wolfpack boards, bordering on black-helicopter-level lunacy as to how far they think the people in charge are going to retain the coach. I don't love the coach myself and the division he has caused by his middling success makes me think he ought to move on for everybody's sake, but the behavior of some of the other "fans" disgusts me to no end right now. (Sorry for the rant, but I was just at the other board and I need to vent a little.)

Sounds familiar. That's essentially the attitude that was being expressed in the last two years of Steve Lavin at UCLA. Like you, I was disgusted by the attitude of not really wanting the team to win, but, man, I so love that Lavin is gone.

[sooner333]

OU just clinched the #1 seed in the Big 12 tournament with the KU loss to Missouri, as OU holds the tiebreak over the Jayhawks.

[Radii]

Who the hell gets the 4th #1 seed? BC/Kansas/Oklahoma State/Kentucky all continue to play their way out of them over and over. I'm an ACC homer but if Duke makes the ACC finals do they get it??

[Airhog]

I may be biased here, but If OU can make the finals of the tournament, they have a good shot at getting the #2 or #3 seed. If they win out, there is a slim chance at a #1 seed, but im not sure if they really have a high enough ranking in the polls to deserve the #1, even though they did beat Kansas at home, and went 1-1 with OSU. and Beat Conneticut at home.

[sooner333]

I may be biased here, but If OU can make the finals of the tournament, they have a good shot at getting the #2 or #3 seed. If they win out, there is a slim chance at a #1 seed, but im not sure if they really have a high enough ranking in the polls to deserve the #1, even though they did beat Kansas at home, and went 1-1 with OSU. and Beat Conneticut at home.

OU will not get a #1 seed, nor do we deserve it. However, I can see a case for a #2 if we win the Big 12 tourney, and at least a #3 and a trip up I-35 to OKC if we can get to the finals (with the team we face also in OKC, and the other one sent out to Indy or Tuscon). However, being conference champs with the 1 seed REALLY helps our chances at getting into OKC over OSU, and still helping, but a bit less so over Kansas.

[Ragone]

Who the hell gets the 4th #1 seed? BC/Kansas/Oklahoma State/Kentucky all continue to play their way out of them over and over. I'm an ACC homer but if Duke makes the ACC finals do they get it??

Louisville certainly has played themselves into a shot at the #1.. but i think thats going to require a Duke choke job in the acc tourney

[sterlingice]

Let's see what's up with Langford's injury. If it's serious, someone's going to get that #2 seed that we pretty much have claim to right now. If it's not and we go out and beat Okie State and Oklahoma in the Big XII tourney then we've played our way back into a #1 if we get some help.

That said, I'm cringing at the prospects of KU's matchups for the big dance. I don't really care about a #1 and really *don't* want a #1. The weak #1 seed right now will go to whoever gets a 1 and isn't named Illinois, UNC, or ... ? (Wake? BC? Duke, anyways, because they're Duke?) And almost always that weak #1 seed gets a brutal bracket. That's where they'll send, say, a pissed off at being snubbed #2 like Kentucky, some #3 who should have been a #2, and some other land mines like Pacific and SIU who are seeded too low.

Inevitably, we'll end up as the #2 or #3 seed in the Illinois or North Carolina bracket because the tourney committee, in their infinite "cuteness" will want to have one of those "coach versus former team" matchups. And I'd rather not see us have to face the best team in the country (still Illinois) or a bunch of our players against the coach who left them and the most talented team in the country- that's a lot of baggage for those guys on top of the pressure of an E8 game.

Oh well, if Langford is out or really gimpy for the tourney, they might as well give us a 4 or 5 and ship us to some bracket where Utah or some other cinderella can put us out of our misery.

SI

[sooner333]

Let's see what's up with Langford's injury. If it's serious, someone's going to get that #2 seed that we pretty much have claim to right now. If it's not and we go out and beat Okie State and Oklahoma in the Big XII tourney then we've played our way back into a #1 if we get some help.


Remember: The Big 12 Championship game means very little as for seeding. Basically it's all done before the game and it's pretty much too hard to change it based on what happens. For that reason, I think it will be really, really hard for KU to play back into a 1 seed. I think it would be hard for OU to play to a 2 seed for the same reason. However, I think getting there, for both teams, will solidify a 2 seed for KU, a 3 seed for OU, and a 3 seed in Tuscon or Indy for Oklahoma State.

Of course...they could send KU somewhere else to sell tickets because the OKC sub-regional is already sold out. Then again, they wouldn't do that because OU and OSU in OKC would be death to the hotels. I hate how the politics really does take effect in the pod system. I'd really rather whoever wins the Big 12 championship get the OKC sub-regional with the pods and the other teams sent elsewhere. Plus, when you actually go to the games (like I did in OKC two years ago and KC last year), you end up seeing 2 teams from the same conference a bunch, which sucks.

[Karlifornia]

Stanford's in with their win over Washington. What a fun game to be at. Nick Robinson's senior night, must-win situation, facing a real quality opponent, etc.. I wonder if UCLA will get in....I guess it depends on how they do in the conference tourney.

[MrBug708]

UCLA's more of a lock then Stanford is. You've just happened to beat us twice is all...;)

[Ragone]

so #2 unc beats #6 duke.. and the fans rush the court?

talk about class

[Pumpy Tudors]

UNO is out. Screw college basketball.

(I'll be watching the NCAA tournament anyway)

[Ragone]

UNO is out. Screw college basketball.

(I'll be watching the NCAA tournament anyway)

Uno is never out

http://www.totallygifted.com.au/images/uno.jpg

[Wolfpack]

Chris Paul can jump up my ass....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Along with the entire State team for not making free throws, Engin Atsur for the brain-dead-stupid three, the refs for deciding he MEANT to line drive that three into the sideline rather than got hacked on the arm, and Sendek for drawing up such a shitty out-of-bounds defense that allowed Paul to race downfloor virtually unopposed at the end.

And Chris Paul a second time for that cheap shot to Hodge early in the ball game. And the refs again for no-calling it.

ARGH! :mad:

[Ragone]

what did you expect? the acc was protecting its 2nd #1 seed :)

[sterlingice]

Sorry, Wolfpack, but you're going to get screwed if the game stays this close because you know the refs are going to start getting whistle happy to help Wake even though it's at your house.

SI

[sterlingice]

Remember: The Big 12 Championship game means very little as for seeding. Basically it's all done before the game and it's pretty much too hard to change it based on what happens. For that reason, I think it will be really, really hard for KU to play back into a 1 seed. I think it would be hard for OU to play to a 2 seed for the same reason. However, I think getting there, for both teams, will solidify a 2 seed for KU, a 3 seed for OU, and a 3 seed in Tuscon or Indy for Oklahoma State.
Oh yeah, I remember. Happens every year- whoever wins the Big XII tourney seems to get the short end of the stick and not really credited with that last win and the announcers always spin it that the tourney people didn't get to take that game into consideration. Strange because the ACC and SEC always seem to get credit for that win that they get.

SI

[Wolfpack]

I'm perfectly aware that the refs do such things. We live in the shadow of Duke and UNC, two of the biggest beneficiaries of referee dick(vitale)sucking in the nation. I have come to loathe the officiating in this league along with everyone who doesn't root for Duke or UNC. It's been bad for years and years. There is a reason that the announcers always talk about Duke or UNC being able to make more free throws than their opponents take.

At any rate, we should never have been in that situation, but we sucked it up badly on the free throw line and then brain-farted on our last possession.

In all reality, I wasn't actually surprised. When Bethel clanged his first free throw, I knew bad things were coming. This team under this coach is just snakebit. When Paul hit that shot, I let out a disgusted sigh but that was it. It's not a full-bore rage or anything (we've suffered too many of these kinds of losses in the last five years, so the burning hate of such things is long since gone), but it still hurts. We now get to play Florida State Thursday for a chance at revenge against Wake on Friday. I'm not hopeful.

[ntndeacon]

Wake did not deserve to win this game for sure. NCSt played a heck of a game. I do not look forward to a rematch with them on Friday. (I am kinda assuming a victory vs the Seminoles.) And I am ticked off that the ONE time I root for Duke, they can't handle the pressure and GIve away the game vs UNC.(and give away a possible number one seed for Wake)

[JeeberD]

Ugh, I don't like UTEP's bracket in the WAC tournament. Our first game will be Thursday afternoon against the winner of the Rice-SJSU game. Rice is likely to beat SJSU, and while we've played them well this year (blew them out at our place and eeked out a win at their home...a place we never play well) they've played below their talent level all season long. If they put it together now they could give us some trouble.

If/when we beat Rice we would have to face the winner of the Fresno-SMU game. Fresno beat us earlier in the season at their place, but we handed it to them at home just a couple of weeks ago. I would feel fairly confident going into that match-up. SMU has played us very well this season, making us work hard to win both games against them this year. They have a big white galoot at center who seems to go off on us for some reason, and they have a young, speedy PG who gives us fits.

If/when win our semifinal match-up we would most likely get to face #1 seed and tournament host Nevada. Both games we've played against them this year have come down to the wire with us winning in Reno in overtime and them winning in El Paso when we missed a shot to tie at the buzzer. It should be a great game no matter what happens, and hopefully both teams make it into the dance regardless of the outcome (well, Nevada pretty much had a bid wrapped up even if they lose while we need at least a couple of tournament wins to get an at-large bid).

Go Miners!

[Radii]

so #2 unc beats #6 duke.. and the fans rush the court?

talk about class


100% agree. The second I saw it I said "ugh. Classless." and Oliegirl asked why, and I told her that "UNC is #2 in the nation. You rush the court if you're unranked and you upset the #1 team. There is *never* a game(outside of the ACC and NCAA championship games) so big that UNC fans should rush the court. Ever."

Though really i don't think it says as much about UNC fans, it seems just an extension of the weird tearing down the goal posts thing every time you beat a top 25 team thing that seems to be going around in football.

[Wolfpack]

I think that etiquette (not rushing unless you're unranked) has been retired. Basically, if your team pulls off a win when they were seemingly (a miracle comeback) or supposedly (never supposed to be in the game) going to lose, you get the right to rush the floor or tear down the goalposts. Another influence probably is TV. It's a way to get you and your school on SportsCenter.

[VPI97]

100% agree. The second I saw it I said "ugh. Classless." and Oliegirl asked why, and I told her that "UNC is #2 in the nation. You rush the court if you're unranked and you upset the #1 team. There is *never* a game(outside of the ACC and NCAA championship games) so big that UNC fans should rush the court. Ever." I disagree...It doesn't matter if your #2 or unranked...they beat a top 10 team, they beat their biggest rival, they avenged the earlier loss and they won the regular season title outright. Seems pretty exciting to me.

At the urging of my nine year old, my wife and I took to the field with the kids after last year's football win over UVA...I didn't feel classless for doing that.

[henry296]

I also think the comeback from 9 down with 3 minutes left impacted the court storming.

[Chubby]

all i have to say is I rushed the court with about 100 other fans when Canisius won the MAAC tourny final my freshman year there, 1st trip to NCAA's in 50 years. Only to get crushed by Van Horn and Utah in the 1st round :(

I think UNC rushing after the Duke game was lame but not classless...

[JeeberD]

I rushed the field and helped tear down the goalpost when UTEP beat BYU in 1997, the first time we had beaten the Cougars in 11 years... :D

[oliegirl]

I will be watching only because I married a college basketball fan and if I don't watch at least some of it, it might be weeks before I actually see my husband!

Watched the Duke/UNC game with him yesterday and actually had to laugh out loud a couple of times...he tries to keep himself "composed" and not yell and make too much noise, but all he accomplishes is jumping around while biting his lip or putting his fist in his mouth, and after a while....well, I just couldn't stifle the laughs anymore :)

But it's all good b/c he knows I adore him...

[Radii]

I will be watching only because I married a college basketball fan and if I don't watch at least some of it, it might be weeks before I actually see my husband!



Hey honey, guess what!? The ACC Final is at 1pm on Sunday, so I'm not going to have to TIVO it and wait until after cub scouts to watch it! HOORAY.

I do think my plan of tivo'ing the UNC game Friday at noon, then coming home and watching itduring "lunch break" at 1pm is pure genius. Best month of the year. :D :D :D

[henry296]

Hey honey, guess what!? The ACC Final is at 1pm on Sunday, so I'm not going to have to TIVO it and wait until after cub scouts to watch it! HOORAY.

I do think my plan of tivo'ing the UNC game Friday at noon, then coming home and watching itduring "lunch break" at 1pm is pure genius. Best month of the year. :D :D :D

That's why you need a conference room at work with a TV and a computer, so you can multi-task and watch the games at work.

Todd

[Radii]

Watched the Duke/UNC game with him yesterday


dola,

By far the best part about watching the game yesterday was when our 7 year old sat through most of the first half with us(he plays basketball some but has very little grasp of the rules).

Two moments that stand out most?

Duke has the early lead thanks to Redick and UNC Senior Day, and kiddo says "wow, Duke sure is good" ... i'm sure the look on my face was priceless.

And, Jackie Manual gets some good air and jumps from a bit inside the free throw line for a nice dunk. Anthony is quite impressed(hell, so was I, never seen him do anything other than play D and get a few putbacks) and they show the replay a few times and I say, "He sure did jump a long way, didn't he?" Anthony says "yeah but not as far as I can jump!" and I pause the game as he gets a running start and leaps as far as he can through the living room. We watch the replay again on TiVO and I say "yeah, I think you are right, you did jump a little further" :D

[oliegirl]

Hey honey, guess what!? The ACC Final is at 1pm on Sunday, so I'm not going to have to TIVO it and wait until after cub scouts to watch it! HOORAY.

I do think my plan of tivo'ing the UNC game Friday at noon, then coming home and watching itduring "lunch break" at 1pm is pure genius. Best month of the year. :D :D :D


Great...lucky me!

[sterlingice]

I rushed the field and helped tear down the goalpost when UTEP beat BYU in 1997, the first time we had beaten the Cougars in 11 years... :D
I didn't go down there but I had no problems with KU rushing the football field after beating K-State for the first time in 11 years either. But this is the #2 team in the country AT HOME storming the court after a win.

SI

[sterlingice]

If/when win our semifinal match-up we would most likely get to face #1 seed and tournament host Nevada. Both games we've played against them this year have come down to the wire with us winning in Reno in overtime and them winning in El Paso when we missed a shot to tie at the buzzer. It should be a great game no matter what happens, and hopefully both teams make it into the dance regardless of the outcome (well, Nevada pretty much had a bid wrapped up even if they lose while we need at least a couple of tournament wins to get an at-large bid).

Go Miners!
You got someone who can at least contain Fazekas underneath? I was really impressed with him when they played us in the non-conference season.

SI

[JeeberD]

Our 6'5" small forward is a defensive demon and actually does a fairly decent job containing him. But whenever he's out of the game and Fazekas matches up against our PF, C, or backup C he either scores or gets fouled.

However, our post defense has improved a ton since we faced them the last time. So hopefully we can slow the dude down. He is a stone cold stud...

[sterlingice]

Him and Coppenwrath out of Vermont really impressed me on the teams that we played in the preseason.

SI

[JeeberD]

Southern Illinois lost to SW Missouri State, making the MVC a two team conference.

Bleh...

[Wolfpack]

In spite of the heartburn of last night's game I'm still taking Thursday afternoon and all day Friday off. It's practically a holiday in North Carolina and North Carolinians-in-exile should follow suit. ;)

I found out a meeting I was scheduled to attend at 1 on Thurs got booted to next week, so I'm heading home at lunch to watch the first day, starting with Maryland/Clemson in the 8/9 game at 12:30. I love my wife for all that I'm about to put her through this coming weekend. She knows it's coming and that it's futile to resist so she puts up with it. Besides she knows she'll get a second set of hands to handle our little girl during the day. :)

[Radii]

In spite of the heartburn of last night's game I'm still taking Thursday afternoon and all day Friday off. It's practically a holiday in North Carolina and North Carolinians-in-exile should follow suit. ;)

Man I truly wish I could get back to doign this with some consistancy, I just don't have the vacation time anymore. Last year was the first year I was ever at work during any part of the ACC tournament, and I'll be making good use of TiVO but I need to build my vacation up. :( Maybe next year I'll be able to take the Thursday and Friday off for the ACC tourney.

[sooner333]

I disagree...It doesn't matter if your #2 or unranked...they beat a top 10 team, they beat their biggest rival, they avenged the earlier loss and they won the regular season title outright. Seems pretty exciting to me.

At OU, we didn't rush the court when we beat a top 10 Kansas team or a top 10 Oklahoma State team. We didn't storm the court when we beat a top 15 UCONN team either. We were lower ranked in each case, it's just that we expect to be in games.

I'm okay with rushing the court/field in a few situtations. 1) A true upset...like Northwestern/Ohio State football this year, Virginia Tech/Duke basketball this year. 2) A truely historical event for the program, such as Northwestern clinching a Rose Bowl for the first time in 46 years after no winning seasons since the 1970's or Oklahoma beating Texas, KSU, and Nebraska, all in the top 11 back to back to back and being #1 for the first time since the 1980's after the three worst years in program history.

[JeeberD]

Old Dominion is in the dance...

[VPI97]

Well, Maryland really showed everyone that they belong in the tournament.

LOL

[Radii]

Well, Maryland really showed everyone that they belong in the tournament.

Yup, and I'm sure they'll get it back together for that tournament... Maryland, 2005 NIT Champs??

[henry296]

West Virginia clinches their ticket to the dance with a win over BC. BC has now lost 3 of 5. I think that drops them to a 3 seed.

Todd

[sterlingice]

BC didn't exactly do too well today, either.

SI

[timmynausea]

Thankfully Doug Flutie was there to guarentee victory for WVU. (He was 0-4 vs. WVU as a starter.)

[JeeberD]

UTEP took care of Hawaii easily today, 80-62. Up tommorow is a hot Rice team that we've beaten twice but is very good and very hot right now. Michael Harris has been tearing it up for them lately.

Miners are now 25-7 on the season and with one more win are almost a lock for The Dance...

[sooner333]

Texas lost to Colorado...back to the bubble???

[JeeberD]

Nevada just lost (at HOME?!?!?!) to a bad Boise team. I'm not quite sure if that's good or bad for the Miners. Nevada is a lock, and it's unlikely that the WAC will get three teams in, so it puts more pressure on the Miners to win it all. However, with Nevada out it makes it easier for us to win on Saturday if we beat Rice tomorrow...

[Ragone]

Maryland's going to the Nit.. the not invited tournament :)

[Sharpieman]

Does anyone else hate the fact that CBS has the tourney? Theres so much limit on the amount of games played. I wish ABC/ESPN would get it back. With ESPN there would be 4 channels carrying basketball.

[Ragone]

I just wish they would offer a ppv package for cable to pick whatever game you want to see.. Like i really wanna see Kansas lose in the 2nd round to podunk state Or duke up 89 over murray state and cbs' utter refusal to break away

[Ragone]

http://img29.exs.cx/img29/4570/shop117le.jpg
After listening to dick vitale claim duke/unc/wake forest should get #1 seeds.. i snapped

[JeeberD]

I just wish they would offer a ppv package for cable to pick whatever game you want to see.. Like i really wanna see Kansas lose in the 2nd round to podunk state Or duke up 89 over murray state and cbs' utter refusal to break away

Can't you do that with ESPN Fullcourt? I know last year the sports bar we went to was able to get the UTEP game for us while the main feed was still on some other game.

Of course, since The Dance is a CBS product it isn't Fullcourt. But it is somehow possible to select specific games...

[Celeval]

That's why you need a conference room at work with a TV and a computer, so you can multi-task and watch the games at work.
That's why you need to work from home in front of the television. :)

[JeeberD]

Wow!

Taking the free stuff: UTEP continues to sizzle at the free-throw line. The Miners made 20-of-22 free throws Thursday against Hawaii, a 90.9 percentage effort.

UTEP now has made 169 of 195 free throws in its past 10 games, good for a scorching 86.6 percent.

The Miners current season free throw percentage of 79.5 will easily break the school's all-time record of 76.6 set in 1968-69.

Also, UTEP's 81.8 percentage in conference play is a new WAC record, breaking the previous mark of 80.5, set by Brigham Young in 1988-89.

[henry296]

I just wish they would offer a ppv package for cable to pick whatever game you want to see.. Like i really wanna see Kansas lose in the 2nd round to podunk state Or duke up 89 over murray state and cbs' utter refusal to break away

I know DirecTV offers a March Madness package that lets you do that. I figured, look Full Court, it would be available on Cable as well.

[Radii]

http://img29.exs.cx/img29/4570/shop117le.jpg
After listening to dick vitale claim duke/unc/wake forest should get #1 seeds.. i snapped

image isn't loading, but, what's so unreasonable about duke/unc/wake potentially getting #1 seeds? UNC/Wake are locks barring 1st round upsets(along w/ Illinois) and no one is playing their way into that 4th #1... Duke has as good a chance as any.

[VPI97]

image isn't loading, but, what's so unreasonable about duke/unc/wake potentially getting #1 seeds? UNC/Wake are locks barring 1st round upsets(along w/ Illinois) and no one is playing their way into that 4th #1... Duke has as good a chance as any. I agree....UNC and Wake are two of the top three teams in the country and while I don't think Duke is as strong as a traditional #1 seed, there's no one else out there that stands out as having earned their way ahead of them.

[spleen1015]

UNC is down 8 to Clemson about midway in the 2nd half. If they lose today, are they still a #1? I don't think so.

If Duke can win the ACC tourney, they have to get a #1 seed no way around it.

[mckerney]

Does anyone else hate the fact that CBS has the tourney? Theres so much limit on the amount of games played. I wish ABC/ESPN would get it back. With ESPN there would be 4 channels carrying basketball.

Though with ABC we'd probably end up with Bill Walton and Brent Musburger calling the game with reports from Jim Gray.

[MikeVic]

Who else is watching the UNC/Clemson game?? So awesome. :D Go UNC!

[Radii]

Who else is watching the UNC/Clemson game?? So awesome. :D Go UNC!

Left work early and just finished watching this on tivo. I think all I can say is WHEW.

[sooner333]

They have a broadband package for 20 bucks for the tourney. You can also split screen on the online deal.

That being said, I wish CBS would just put it on the other Viacom networks as well, and just put the same commercials on.

[timmynausea]

WVU just beat Villanova and have advanced to the championship game of the Big East tournament. ESPN finally took them off their bubble page and moved them to the teams that are a lock. I think this will mean 6 from the Big East as Notre Dame doesn't deserve to get in the way they limped down the stretch.

[Celeval]

Well, <b>Virginia Polytech</b> really showed everyone that they belong in the tournament.

LOL
Fixed it for you.

[JeeberD]

The Miners beat a really tough Rice team tonight so they'll be playing for the WAC championship tomorrow night. Boise was leading Fresno most of the night, but now Fresno has stormed back and taken a one point lead with 30 seconds left. Either team we should be able to beat, but hopefully the Miners won't be overconfident after winning what most people considered the real championship game tonight...

[JeeberD]

Dola-

Boise (the WAC's freakin' eighth seed out of ten) wound up winning against Fresno and will face the Miners tomorrow night on ESPN2...

[Ragone]

So When Boise wins the wac.. that'll eliminate one of those super! acc teams

[JeeberD]

So When Boise wins the wac..


BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Airhog]

Horrible Officiating in the Ou-TT Game. OU has just been getting mugged, and no calls.

[Radii]

Damn! :( Well, Ga Tech looks to be back in solid form, UNC missed some opportunities late but they didn't really play poorly, Tech just played a very very good game IMO. I am definitely tired of seeing UNC trail at the half though, luckily there's a 1/16 matchup coming thursday or friday that should cure them of that problem.

[Tekneek]

UNC even got a bogus call in their favor near the end of the game. Go Tech! Some said they were on the bubble going into the ACC Tournament, but they've got to be in now...even if they don't win tomorrow.

[Airhog]

OU played pretty badly in this game. TT played a good game, but I still think the game was badly officiated

[sterlingice]

Horrible Officiating in the Ou-TT Game. OU has just been getting mugged, and no calls.
Yesterday's game with Mizzou sucked, too.

SI

[Tigercat]

LSU UK close late in OT, LSU up by 2. Would be great if my Tigers can take down the Cats, would make life easier on me living in Cat country.

[Tigercat]

Dola, UK gets a big rebound off a missed FT, down by 1, with a chance to win at the end of this game. Regardless of what happens, to be this close to beating a number one seed in whats basically a home tourny environment for them, is huge. LSU could be a dark horse in the NCAA tourny.

[Tigercat]

Double dola, UK wins, great game all around.

[TLK]

beautiful finish to the Wisconsin/Iowa game....

[st.cronin]

Wow... I never would have thought Sconny could have this good a season without a point guard. They're back in the Big 10 title game!

[TargetPractice6]

Dola, UK gets a big rebound off a missed FT, down by 1, with a chance to win at the end of this game. Regardless of what happens, to be this close to beating a number one seed in whats basically a home tourny environment for them, is huge. LSU could be a dark horse in the NCAA tourny.Great game, but Kentucky shouldn't have even let it get to that point. Their free throw shooting at the end of the second half was atrocious. I also thought there were some questionable calls at the end. In particular the foul on Morris, which I thought was clearly intentional.

[Wolfpack]

I now add JJ Redick to the list of people who should jump up my ass...
.
.
.
.
.
.
the State team still remains there for forgetting how to rebound in the second half.

[Airhog]

Yesterday's game with Mizzou sucked, too.

SI

Im sure if I had a chance to watch it I would have agreed. I heard there was something like 40+ fouls called in the game.


Mini-Rant: I just hate it when ref's feel the need to control the tempo of the game.. End rant

[Ragone]

Louisville Becomes the bubble teams best friend.. by fending off the refs.. conf usa.. and memphis's home court to win the conference title..

You had to know conf usa wanted memphis to win that game, and they did everything they could to try and make it happen.. Moving the Conf Tournament from Louisville to Memphis this year, Putting Louisville up in a hotel furthest away from the Forum (that just happened to be under massive renovations being done overnights)

I'd plan for a short stay in this "classy" conference jeeber, fans of other teams coming in..

[bionicgrov03]

[QUOTE=Ragone]Putting Louisville up in a hotel furthest away from the Forum (that just happened to be under massive renovations being done overnights)QUOTE]

You are searching pretty thin to find a reason why your team barely won aren't you? If your beloved Cardinals are so great, how come they didn't win this game by 20?

[Ragone]

Nah, I knew it was going to be a good game, in what amounts to a road game for us.. and a home game for you..

I just find it hard to feel sorry for washington, who flexed and taunted all game long, I do feel sorry for Memphis fans, who are likely one of the first four out of the tournament. But you gotta admit all the conf usa officials(not refs) wanted Memphis to win that game.

[VPI97]

You had to know conf usa wanted memphis to win that game, and they did everything they could to try and make it happen.. Moving the Conf Tournament from Louisville to Memphis this year, Putting Louisville up in a hotel furthest away from the Forum (that just happened to be under massive renovations being done overnights)Gimme a break...Louisville has always been the poster child for that type of shit. Learn yourself some history regarding the Metro conference and how, for years, they screwed everything and everyone associated with that conference.

[Easy Mac]

I now add JJ Redick to the list of people who should jump up my ass...
.
.
.
.
.
.
the State team still remains there for forgetting how to rebound in the second half. It took this long? http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="179" width="512"> <col style="width: 27pt;" width="36"> <col style="width: 26pt;" width="34"> <col style="width: 28pt;" width="37"> <col style="width: 26pt;" width="34"> <col style="width: 24pt;" width="32"> <col style="width: 26pt;" width="35"> <col style="width: 25pt;" width="33"> <col style="width: 23pt;" width="31"> <col style="width: 30pt;" width="40"> <col style="width: 24pt;" width="32"> <col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 27pt;" height="17" width="36">FGM</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 26pt;" width="34">FGA</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 28pt;" width="37">FG%</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 26pt;" width="34">3PM</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 24pt;" width="32">3PA</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 26pt;" width="35">3P%</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 25pt;" width="33">FTM</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 23pt;" width="31">FTA</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 30pt;" width="40">FT%</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 24pt;" width="32">PTS</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">Date</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" height="17">7</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">14</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.5" x:fmla="=$A2/$B2">50%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">9</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.44444444444444442" x:fmla="=$D2/$E2">44%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">6</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">6</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="1" x:fmla="=$G2/H2">100%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">24</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="37643">1/22/2003</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" height="17">3</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">8</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.375" 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12.75pt;" x:num="" height="17">6</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">8</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.75" x:fmla="=$A5/$B5">75%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">6</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.66666666666666663" x:fmla="=$D5/$E5">67%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="1" x:fmla="=$G5/H5">100%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">20</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="38001">1/15/2004</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" height="17">8</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">15</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.53333333333333333" x:fmla="=$A6/$B6">53%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">8</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.5" x:fmla="=$D6/$E6">50%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">8</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">8</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="1" x:fmla="=$G6/H6">100%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">28</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="38032">2/15/2004</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" height="17">1</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">5</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.2" x:fmla="=$A7/$B7">20%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0" x:fmla="=$D7/$E7">0%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">6</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">6</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="1" x:fmla="=$G7/H7">100%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">8</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="38365">1/13/2005</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" height="17">11</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">16</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.6875" x:fmla="=$A8/$B8">69%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">7</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">12</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.58333333333333337" x:fmla="=$D8/$E8">58%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">6</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">7</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.8571428571428571" x:fmla="=$G8/H8">86%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">35</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="38423">3/12/2005</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" x:fmla="=SUM(A2:A8)" height="17">43</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=SUM(B2:B8)">78</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.55128205128205132" x:fmla="=$A9/$B9">55%</td> <td x:num=\"\" x:fmla=\"=SUM(D2<img src=" ../forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif="" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" smilieid="4" class="xl24">8)">26</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=SUM(E2:E8)">54</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.48148148148148145" x:fmla="=$D9/$E9">48%</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=SUM(G2:G8)">43</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=SUM(H2:H8)">45</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="0.9555555555555556" x:fmla="=$G9/H9">96%</td> <td class="xl27" x:num="22.142857142857142" x:fmla="=SUM(J2:J8)/7">22.1</td> <td class="xl24">Total</td> </tr></tbody> </table>

I fully expect Duke to somehow squander any chance at a #1 seed by losing by 7 to Tech. Watch to see if they squander it in the last 4 minutes, its like clockwork.

[Tigercat]

Great game, but Kentucky shouldn't have even let it get to that point. Their free throw shooting at the end of the second half was atrocious. I also thought there were some questionable calls at the end. In particular the foul on Morris, which I thought was clearly intentional.


Every game LSU plays it seems like to the other team's fans that they got most of the bad calls. Its mostly cause A) SEC officiating sucks in general B) LSU does a good job of not fouling the other team. Of course often it looks like Big Baby is fouling the other team more often, because hes hard to miss and weighs 300 pounds. But the refs do a good job of not calling fouls just because other players can't handle his size in the post. (Everyone plays hard in the post in the SEC.)

But, yea, if the refs have a reason to call against a John Brady team they would, no ref likes Brady.

As far as KY's FTs not falling, LSU missed their share of open jumpers that they should have hit which I think cancels that out(And I think it was an evened out day for all the shots that just found the hoop for us in the first round). While both Sparks and Hudson hit some crazy 3s for both teams. All in all TODAY I think both teams were pretty close to even, but one day doesn't mean a hill of beans unless its the NCAA championship game. :)

[Wolfpack]

Yeah, yeah, yeah...he can be mired in a season-long slump, but everything is green-light and a go anytime he plays us. I live in mortal terror every time he catches the ball on the offensive end. It's been this way for as long as you noted there and it's getting really $#%&U old. I fully admit I was wishing for bodily harm to come to him after a while. Not a nice thought to have, but for Pete's sake what he did today was obscene.

[Easy Mac]

I think its because your fans seem to rail on him more than others.

I just live in fear that he'll do something stupid. It just seems like he too confident in his shot, and he just forces way too many. Sometimes you love it as a fan, but other times it just pisses you off.

[Radii]

What is it about march that causes every other post to contain a complaint about officials?

And Wolfpack, I really hope NC state is in now, 5 teams, 3 of them in the top 10 and the other two playing their best ball of the season, could do some real damage in the NCAAs.

And yes, Go Georgia Tech :D

[bionicgrov03]

Nah, I knew it was going to be a good game, in what amounts to a road game for us.. and a home game for you..

I just find it hard to feel sorry for washington, who flexed and taunted all game long, I do feel sorry for Memphis fans, who are likely one of the first four out of the tournament. But you gotta admit all the conf usa officials(not refs) wanted Memphis to win that game.

How about Garcia jumping up on the scorer's table and making the "throat slash" after Washington missed the 3rd free throw? Real classy for a 23 year old.

Please don't bring the officials into this or some pseudo-Conference USA conspiracy. Call it what it was: a damn good basketball game between 2 schools that have no love for each other.

[Ragone]

By Officials i meant the league president and the front office.. not the refs..

I thought the refing would be slanted but it really wasn't now that i watched the game again..

What garcia did wasn't very classy.. i'll give you that.. but someone needs to get ahold of washington and tell him not to flex/dance after every point he scores.

[sterlingice]

What is it about march that causes every other post to contain a complaint about officials?
Because, really, every other game seems to have officials who are calling it one way or another. They really do tend to call it to help one team or another. And this is coming from a Jayhawk, and we get the calls most of the time. It's like there's a pecking order for official bias- if we're playing K-State or Nebraska or someone we should hammer, even in their own gym, we tend to get better calls. Come March, and we face a Duke or a Kentucky and we'll be the ones on the short end of the stick.

SI

[TargetPractice6]

Every game LSU plays it seems like to the other team's fans that they got most of the bad calls. Its mostly cause A) SEC officiating sucks in general B) LSU does a good job of not fouling the other team. Of course often it looks like Big Baby is fouling the other team more often, because hes hard to miss and weighs 300 pounds. But the refs do a good job of not calling fouls just because other players can't handle his size in the post. (Everyone plays hard in the post in the SEC.)

But, yea, if the refs have a reason to call against a John Brady team they would, no ref likes Brady.

As far as KY's FTs not falling, LSU missed their share of open jumpers that they should have hit which I think cancels that out(And I think it was an evened out day for all the shots that just found the hoop for us in the first round). While both Sparks and Hudson hit some crazy 3s for both teams. All in all TODAY I think both teams were pretty close to even, but one day doesn't mean a hill of beans unless its the NCAA championship game. :)I wasn't really talking about the whole game, which I will admit was pretty even. I was just saying Kentucky choked away a lead in the final minute that they should have been able to keep fairly easily. They did the same thing against Florida and it drives me nuts.

[sterlingice]

Speaking of Duke and Kentucky... (granted, it's Andy Katz so take with a boulder of salt)

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/champweek2005/news/story?id=2011862

Saturday, March 12, 2005
Top seed could be on line for Duke, Kentucky
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

The selection committee will face a potential dilemma in its seeding process for the second straight season: What to do with the late Sunday games?

The committee openly discussed a year ago the difficulty of waiting for the conclusion of the Big 12 and Big Ten tournament games and the effect it had on the seeding of Oklahoma State and Wisconsin, respectively.

Both schools won their conference tournaments, but the Cowboys ended up being a No. 2 seed behind Saint Joseph's while Wisconsin was a No. 6 despite winning the Big Ten tournament. The Badgers did get a home-court advantage by playing in Milwaukee but they didn't catch a break with the seeding and were out in the second round after losing to Pittsburgh. Oklahoma State beat Pittsburgh and Saint Joseph's before losing to Georgia Tech in the Final Four.

The committee faces another troubling problem Sunday afternoon in determining potentially the fourth No. 1 seed.

Duke and Kentucky appear to be vying for the fourth No. 1 seed, with Illinois, North Carolina and Wake Forest likely having sewn up the other three. The latter two teams lost in the ACC tournament but they probably don't drop far enough to fall from the first seed line.

Losses by Kansas and Arizona dropped those schools from top seed consideration. Duke has a strong case if it were to win the ACC tournament with a victory over Georgia Tech on Sunday in Washington.

The Blue Devils own victories over North Carolina, Wake Forest, two over Georgia Tech, NC State and, in nonconference games, Oklahoma and Michigan State.

Kentucky's best win is over Louisville. Winning the SEC tournament would certainly carry weight, but possibly not as much as Duke taking the ACC title.

That means three ACC teams could be No. 1 seeds, which wouldn't be a shock considering this was considered the strongest conference at the top, as in teams capable of winning the title, throughout the season.

But the committee begins Sunday without knowing for certain the four No. 1 seeds. From sources close to the committee, the selection process has been an arduous one with discussions ongoing about some teams and the seeding portion of the conversation still unfinished.

Selection committee chair Bob Bowlsby, Iowa's athletic director, said on CBS early Saturday that the committee was still deep in selection discussion. (We're not sure if the members of the committee diligently working on their laptops was staged or not but they sure looked like they were working hard on the subject).

The committee is apparently having long drawn-out discussions on where to seed Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, Connecticut, Oklahoma State and Florida. Arguments can be made for various seeds for all of these teams.

Florida and Oklahoma State are playing Sunday. What if the Gators beat Kentucky in the SEC tournament title game? How high do the Gators move up the seed line? If the Cowboys win the Big 12 title then how high can the Cowboys climb?

Georgia Tech also is an interesting point for the committee. The Yellow Jackets were playing their way into the field a few weeks ago. Now, they could be moving well out of the double-digit seeds, especially if they beat Duke for the ACC title.

The same is true of Texas Tech, which could really make a steady climb if it beats Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament title game Sunday in Kansas City.

Meanwhile, the committee was forced to burn the late-night oil by watching Utah State and Pacific in the Big West tournament title game. The reason? The last few spots will be affected by Utah State's victory since Pacific had earned its way into the field with its undefeated Big West record and Top 25 ranking.

The toughest part for the committee early Sunday will be deciding on the final spots. There were expected to be a few remaining with a couple of teams thought to be done -- like Notre Dame, Northern Iowa and Maryland -- still hanging on the board for possible inclusion into the field.

The goal of the committee by Sunday morning is to be done with the selection process and to be fully engaged into the final tweaking process of the seeding portion of the bracket.

The committee has made it clear that it doesn't like banking on Sunday games to affect the bracket. But they have no choice again this season with the ACC and SEC title games affecting the top seed and the Big 12 and Big Ten title games potentially altering seed lines from two on down.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
Let's go out on a relatively safe limb and say both Duke and Kentucky win. I'll bet dollars to donuts that the following scenario unfolds:
1. They'll be number 1 seeds
2. Some tourney committee official will say how they had already won their way in before Sunday's games
3. The CBS sports team will eat it up like yes-men

SI

[Tigercat]

I wasn't really talking about the whole game, which I will admit was pretty even. I was just saying Kentucky choked away a lead in the final minute that they should have been able to keep fairly easily. They did the same thing against Florida and it drives me nuts.

Yea clutch FTs have to be improved, and as everyone has said Rando is the first one that needs to work on his. Hayes seems to do a pretty good job with them at least.

[JeeberD]

UTEP took care of business last night and beat Boise 91-78. Fili Rivera went off for a career high 32 points to go along with four boards, three steals, and eight assists. Big John Tofi also had a season high 21 points for the Miners, who leave the WAC as tournament champions... :)

http://www.horizons.utep.edu/wacchampionship2005/images/s.jpg

[Easy Mac]

Why does everyone love Luke SChensher? He's useless. He cries after every play.

Duke by 13. It will be down to 3 within 6 minutes if Tech can hit a shot (seems unlikely though) Duke's gone to their "don't shoot unless you have no look and try to give it away" gameplan.

[Easy Mac]

Everytime he touches the ball he expects a foul to be called.. if he put that much effort into his game he might be a decent player.

5 point game with 5 minutes left (2 minutes to prove my prediction).

[Tekneek]

Luke cries after every play? I've never seen that. How many games have you seen this in and perhaps you could define 'cries' for me?

He put a clueless double-double yesterday on UNC. I could dig up some more stats, but it sounds like you've already got your mind made up.

[Easy Mac]

He has 4 double doubles this year... he's the tallest player in the conference, he's 7th in rebounding, barely ahead of Julius Hodge... we can both find stats that shows he's not nearly as good as people want him to be.

[Easy Mac]

These refs are calling cheap fouls both ways, Elder barely touched him... defensive fouls when there are none, offensive fouls when its defensive... ACC refs just seem to randomly make calls at the end of games.

[VPI97]

Everytime he touches the ball he expects a foul to be called. Sounds like he should be playing for Duke.

[Easy Mac]

can you still run the line in college after a made shot? I never see people do it anymore.

[Easy Mac]

Who the hell is this kid shooting free throws?

[Easy Mac]

In one of the Big XII games I saw yesterday, the announcers said you could.

SI
hmmm, everytime I see Duke get the ball after a Tech score, they just stand in one place and don't move... its f'in annoying.

[sterlingice]

Nice job, Reddick. (fuck duke)

SI

[sterlingice]

can you still run the line in college after a made shot? I never see people do it anymore.
In one of the Big XII games I saw yesterday, the announcers said you could.

SI

[Tekneek]

He has 4 double doubles this year... he's the tallest player in the conference, he's 7th in rebounding, barely ahead of Julius Hodge... we can both find stats that shows he's not nearly as good as people want him to be.

Tech has always been about the backcourt. Is this really news?

[Easy Mac]

Tech has always been about the backcourt. Is this really news?
what does that have to do with his difficulty rebounding?

[Airhog]

In one of the Big XII games I saw yesterday, the announcers said you could.

SI

I think you can only move if you call a timeout before the play.