The Official 2006 NCAA Tournament thread

[Butter]

First games up:

(10) Seton Hall v. (7) Wichita St.
(11) UW-Milwaukee v. (6) Oklahoma
(13) Pacific v. (4) Boston College

1 hour to go!

[JonInMiddleGA]

And in the first three games, I've got both a S16 & an F4 pick, so no upsets in the opening session please ;)

[wade moore]

This is a bit ho-hum for me compared to later in the day, I have all of the favorites winning and two teams (BC and Ok) going to the S16 and losing there.

[wade moore]

Dola: This is a benefit to working from home I hadn't thought about. Having a TV next to my PC is going to be GREAT, but no CSTV :(.

[Butter]

I think UWM has a very good chance at beating OU in the first session. But yeah, if BC loses, I'll be crying already.

[JeeberD]

And in the first three games, I've got both a S16 & an F4 pick, so no upsets in the opening session please ;)

I don't have any of those teams getting out of the second round... :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

But yeah, if BC loses, I'll be crying already.

Me & you both.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I don't have any of those teams getting out of the second round... :)

Not planning to do well in the pools this year, eh Jeebs?
;)

[wade moore]

I think UWM has a very good chance at beating OU in the first session. But yeah, if BC loses, I'll be crying already.

BC is the opposite of UT right now. BC is the trendy pick to go farther than they are "supposed to" whereas UT is the trendy pick to go out early. So if BC loses, I bet it blows up a lot of brackets as I think a lot have them in their Final 4.

(It's been fun listening to Tony Kornheiser this week where he basically just has guests on all show giving their brackets).

[JeeberD]

The only one that worries me, Jon, is BC. They looked impressive against Duke the other day, but for some reason I have a feeling that Nevada and Nick Fah-weak-ass'll take care of 'em.

[wade moore]

Not planning to do well in the pools this year, eh Jeebs?
;)

I've never been able to do a bracket just to win. I have to make a certain amount of decisions based on what I want to happen vs. what I think will happen. It's more fun that way for me ;).

[Coffee Warlord]

(10) Seton Hall v. (7) Wichita St.
(11) UW-Milwaukee v. (6) Oklahoma
(13) Pacific v. (4) Boston College

For the money bracket at the office.

And UWM I've got into the 16. BoCo and Seton drop in the 2nd.

[wade moore]

(10) Seton Hall v. (7) Wichita St.
(11) UW-Milwaukee v. (6) Oklahoma
(13) Pacific v. (4) Boston College

For the money bracket at the office.

I am totally and completely unimpressed with Seton Hall this year. I'm hoping they help to prove the fact that the top mid-majors are rightfully considered better than the mid-bottom power conference teams.

[Coffee Warlord]

I am totally and completely unimpressed with Seton Hall this year. I'm hoping they help to prove the fact that the top mid-majors are rightfully considered better than the mid-bottom power conference teams.

Eh, they are one of my several "well, since I know jack shit about either team, we'll go with THIS ONE" picks.

I'm more concerned about Kansas and Arizona, and how they will manage to fuck me this year. Like always. Those two teams destroy my brackets every single year.

[Samdari]

I am totally and completely unimpressed with Seton Hall this year. I'm hoping they help to prove the fact that the top mid-majors are rightfully considered better than the mid-bottom power conference teams.

You did not watch them at NC State and Pitt.

[korme]

First games up:

(10) Seton Hall v. (7) Wichita St.
(11) UW-Milwaukee v. (6) Oklahoma
(13) Pacific v. (4) Boston College

1 hour to go!

I've got Seton Hall, BC, and Oklahoma.

[digamma]

I don't know what's best about this weekend, but here are a few things to which I look forward:

-Opening CBS music.
-My wife watching hoops with me.
-Not feeling bad about eating pizza and/or burritos for four days.
-Masters commercials.
-March Madness on Demand at work.

And a few things I don't like:
-Annoying chicks complaining because they picked Gonzaga to win it all.
-JJ Reddick.
-Billy Packer.

[JeeberD]

I don't CARE about the local news, I want HOOPS, dammit!

[hoosiergoody]

(10) Seton Hall v. (7) Wichita St.
(11) UW-Milwaukee v. (6) Oklahoma
(13) Pacific v. (4) Boston College



Was tempted to take Pacific too- I think that BC can lose to them- just like last year-which BC team will show up? How many teams will the Shockers actually shock this year? I have them going as far as playing either Mich St or NC- probably Mich St.


to add to digamma's "look forward to" file- the recaps or snippets of great moments- that was the best thing about the tourney selection show this year- the lead-in recap!

[st.cronin]

UW-Milwaukee, for those that haven't seen them, has some OLD seniors on their team. I think a couple of those guys spent about 8 years in junior college.

[Butter]

And a few things I don't like:
-JJ Reddick.
-Billy Packer.

Add to that the crappy "canned quotes" that Nantz comes up with during the final, and I'm willing to join you in your global quest for justice.

[ice4277]

I don't CARE about the local news, I want HOOPS, dammit!

We have a shitty locally-produced March Madness segment on. Yippee.

[duckman]

Bah, waiting "in line" to watch the game online. I'm currently 16,006th of 60,431 people waiting. :mad:

[Butter]

So, I'm getting WSU and SHU on March Madness on Demand... but with no audio. The commercials prior to the game had audio, so I guess it's just technical difficulties.

[rkmsuf]

only 84,000 people in front of me. Wohooo!

[duckman]

So, I'm getting WSU and SHU on March Madness on Demand... but with no audio. The commercials prior to the game had audio, so I guess it's just technical difficulties.

I'm assuming you can change games. Is that correct?

[duckman]

I'm 8,199th of 87,972. This is almost as exciting as the game itself. :D

[wade moore]

Watching Wichita St. and Seton Hall on CBS for now...

Wichita St. looks good so far... Seton Hall does not look like they want it as much as the Shockers so far.

[rkmsuf]

I'm 8,199th of 87,972. This is almost as exciting as the game itself. :D

My line isn't moving dammit. At this rate I'll be on in time for the second round next week.

Let's go up there. Move it along.

[Butter]

I'm assuming you can change games. Is that correct?

There is a list on the right side with all of the games on it... you can click on audio or video for any game, so you can switch between games essentially at will. And it works very well... except for the whole missing audio thing here.

[MylesKnight]

Jim Nantz is looking more and more like a puppet version of Billy Packer unfortunately.. That makes those Masters commercials that will air about 600,000 times in the next couple of weeks even more annoying.

[JeeberD]

UW-Mil is giving OU trouble with their press, but it looks like OU has the size to wear UWM down eventually...

[wade moore]

Whoever this big man for WSU is is one hell of a rebounder, but he can't shoot from 2 ft...

[Butter]

SHU better start hitting some shots, or it is going to be a blowout. WSU is on a 1-9 shooting streak, but still up 6.

[korme]

Wichita State is up on Seton Hall 16-6. WTF. I Big East Represented and took Seton Hall. A 10 vs. a 7 where the 10 was the big name program seemed like a no brainer... now I look like an idiot. But Cincinnati should have been in Seton's place anyway..

[wade moore]

Now they switched me to BC and Pacific... good, that overrated mid-major team was whooping the godly power-conference team.

[Qwikshot]

I picked Wichita St in my one pool.

[Coffee Warlord]

Wow. Wichita smoking Seton.

[JeeberD]

I picked Wichita St in my one pool.

Only a fool wouldn't have.

Oh. Sorry, Shorty... ;)

[WSUCougar]

Wow. Witchita smoking Seton.
What a Shocker. *cough*

[Qwikshot]

Only a fool wouldn't have.

Oh. Sorry, Shorty... ;)

And I picked them in my other...course the game is far from over.

[Coffee Warlord]

Don't worry. They'll blow it.

[MylesKnight]

What? A Mo Valley School beating a so-called "Powerhouse League School".. No way.

What is that? D-I Athletics consists of more than the "Big Six Conferences".. Who knew?

[duckman]

Fuck, the game is blacked out because it's on TV. :mad:

[scooper]

Wow. Wichita smoking Seton.

Apparently, they didn't watch the NC State or Pitt games either.

[Coffee Warlord]

UWM doing quite well thus far, too. Nice.

[MylesKnight]

That Arena in downtown Jacksonville (site of the OU/UWM Game) is beautiful.. Right next door to Alltel Stadium and the new Minor League Ballpark (Double AA Team plays there)..

Interesting that the Arena was built with no major indoor sports team here.. Rumor is a Arena League team will be in Jax soon, and maybe Minor League Hockey, but that's it.

[MylesKnight]

Big East down.. Big 12 down.. Nothing like BCS/Cartel teams going down against "inferior" opponents.

[MJ4H]

Big East down.. Big 12 down.. Nothing like BCS/Cartel teams going down against "inferior" opponents.

I think we get it by now

[wade moore]

I didn't know what to think of UW-M without Bruce Pearl so I didn't pick them, but they're proving that it wasn't just about the coach.

[Qwikshot]

Pacific seems to be hanging in there with BC too.

[wade moore]

Pacific seems to be hanging in there with BC too.

Yeah, kind of glad this is the game I have... pretty good, physical game..

[MylesKnight]

A bit of a Pre-Excerpt from the Duke/Southern game later on this evening from Greensboro..


Billy Packer: “Oh, God, please! Please don’t let this happen! Please, God, please – please don’t let Duke lose.”

Jim Nantz: “You know, Billy. Speaking of ‘lose’ – America can’t lose if they watch the world premiere of ‘Locusts’ right here on CBS on April 24th.”

Packer: “Fouls! Fouls! Constant fouling! Duke is getting fouled all the time, even when they’re in timeouts but the refs aren’t calling it. It’s a crime, I tell you – a crime!”

Nantz: “If you don’t like crimes, Billy, then be sure to watch ‘CSI: Miami,’ Monday at 10:00 p.m. on CBS.”

Packer: “No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It’s over. They’ve lost.”

Nantz: “Sorry, Billy. CBS doesn’t broadcast ‘Lost.’ But I will say that Duke’s ‘Numb3rs’ just didn’t stack up tonight. It’s been an ‘Amazing Race’ for them though, but they’re ‘Gone Without A Trace.’”

Packer: “I don’t care what the scoreboard says. Duke is still the greatest team ever and Mike Krzyzewski is the greatest coach of all time.”

Nantz: “And before we go, viewers, please don’t forget to tune in to the premier of the critically-acclaimed new series here on CBS: ‘Billy Packer Has Zero Credibility, Not That I Do Either, But Why Must I Do Games With This Guy?’ hosted by me, Jim Nantz, beginning after the NCAA Tournament.”

[MylesKnight]

40-24 Wichita at the break..

[LoneStarGirl]

I want to know why people in mississippi are seeing the Seton Hall game. I'd rather watch either of the other two games. I would like to know how they decide what game to show where

[JeeberD]

33-31 UW-M over OU a the half...

[wade moore]

33-31 UWMIL over Oklahoma at half..

and right now with 3:45 left PAC and BC are tied at 28.... this is why I love march madness!

[MylesKnight]

A bit of a gripe here...

Why does there always have to be at least one 1st Round Game that basically the entire country minus the west coast does not see?

This year it is UCLA/Belmont.. Gametime is 5:10pm Eastern.. I understand the time zone issue, but still.. CBS pays all of these dollas' for this tourney and basically skips one game for the vast majority of America.

Anyone else notice this?

As much as I dislike the way ESPN does things anymore, it would be much more beneficial as a College Hoops fan if the "Family of Networks" they offer covered the First and Second Round action. Heck, CBS only offers regional coverage for the darn Regional Semis (next Thursday and Friday Evenings).. Could you imagine regional coverage for New Year's Day Bowl Games? Ridiculous.

[rkmsuf]

Fuck, the game is blacked out because it's on TV. :mad:

I can't get the BC game! Arrrgggghhhhh. I waited in a line of 80,000 people even.

[rkmsuf]

i've actually been moved back in line since the last refresh online.

you got virtually cut. classic.

[Easy Mac]

i've actually been moved back in line since the last refresh online.

[st.cronin]

I love timestamp bug.

[rkmsuf]

he just got cut twice. once at cbs and once at fofc.

booyah!

[Drake]

I can't get the BC game! Arrrgggghhhhh. I waited in a line of 80,000 people even.

That's why you should have given an Australian address/zip code (whatever) when you signed up. :)

[rkmsuf]

That's why you should have given an Australian address/zip code (whatever) when you signed up. :)

Stupidly I used my existing CBS account used for FFL. *Slaps forehead*

I should have created another account.

[JeeberD]

It's not too late to create a new one, is it? http://msnemoticons4u.com/cartoons/smurf1.jpg

[Drake]

Stupidly I used my existing CBS account used for FFL. *Slaps forehead*

I should have created another account.

Don't feel bad. I didn't think of it either until I got my first blacked out game. :)

[rkmsuf]

It's not too late to create a new one, is it? http://msnemoticons4u.com/cartoons/smurf1.jpg

today yes. by the time I wait in line again BC will already be back in Boston.


ps - nice smurf

[Easy Mac]

i'm in!!! (sadly not the first time i've used that phrase) I'm about to go back to work though. thank god we've got the local game on the projector in the office we're in... or i could just watch the plasma in the lobby.

[wade moore]

Seton Hall has gone on a bit of a run, it's 55-44 WSU.

[JonInMiddleGA]

This year it is UCLA/Belmont.. Gametime is 5:10pm Eastern.. I understand the time zone issue, but still.. CBS pays all of these dollas' for this tourney and basically skips one game for the vast majority of America.

Because many local affiliates in the rest of the country really don't want to lose their entire evening news and/or prime access blocks to early round basketball games.

[MylesKnight]

I understand the reasoning Jon, but am still miffed by it. This tournament is HUGE.. CBS in my opinion, doesn't give it the amount of TV time it deserves.

[st.cronin]

I understand the reasoning Jon, but am still miffed by it. This tournament is HUGE.. CBS in my opinion, doesn't give it the amount of TV time it deserves.

lol ... you're being sarcastic, aren't you?

[wade moore]

Wichita St. has pulled away again and UW-M has had their lead grow to 11.

BC is the only Power conference team holding it down, and this game is really good. Smith is really controlling the game down low and giving Pacific problems.

[Young Drachma]

I think CBS could schedule it better. You have to wonder when ESPN will buy it and relegate the women's tourney to CBS.

[miami_fan]

The delay in San Diego could make for an extra long night of watching basketball. We already had games scheduled til 11pm central

[wade moore]

The delay in San Diego could make for an extra long night of watching basketball. We already had games scheduled til 11pm central

Yup.. I'm hoping the San Diego deal is a false alarm, but I like the fact that they aren't taking chances.

[rkmsuf]

the ever dangerous exploding hot dog

[wade moore]

tip time is 20 minutes from now and the teams are still at their HOTELS.

[miami_fan]

I am sure the authorities told them not to leave the hotel.

Louie Orr has been on thin ice this whole season. This sorry performance by SH may be enough for him to get the can.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I understand the reasoning Jon, but am still miffed by it. This tournament is HUGE.. CBS in my opinion, doesn't give it the amount of TV time it deserves.

What you're discounting, I think, (or wishing you could discount) is that CBS doesn't own most of the local affiliates & the locals do NOT want to deal with that much basketball. Like most stuff, it's a money thing.

Most markets can make same/more money selling their 5p & 6p news spots and their Entertainment Tonight/Jeopardy/whatever spots than they can make on these early round games (as the networks don't take away most of the commericial inventory). Plus they don't have to piss off their regular advertisers by bumping them out of their spots. PLUS they don't risk losing 52 week a year viewers to other stations that might decide they like if they sampled their product. PLUS there's plenty of markets where some of the basketball matchups (early rounds, non-weekend, non-prime) don't draw as many viewers as the regular programming. The option, of course, is for CBS to make the games optional & let the affiliates decide what to carry but that would create even more trouble (since special event viewers tend to be more vocal about a decision not to carry).

And if you think the affiliates have a lot of gripes there, they all pale in comparison to the uproar that CBS would create by putting the games on, say, some of the lower tier cable networks they have connections to (because the local affilliates do not want to compete with those outlets for the NCAA-BB advertising dollars that are available in their market).

[Young Drachma]

I am sure the authorities told them not to leave the hotel.

Louie Orr has been on thin ice this whole season. This sorry performance by SH may be enough for him to get the can.

That should've been the case in here in Wyoming, given most people wanted the coach gone. But that run in the conference title game gave him momentum and now, they're going to keep his non-recruiting useless self and so...he might parlay that game into keep his job, even if they lose..because they had no business being in the tourney anyway.

[Young Drachma]

78-59....with 2:30 left, looks like the Hall is done.

[Young Drachma]

Pacific is making a run there against BC. Are they really playing well or is BC bagging it in the late going?

[miami_fan]

WTF? Last time I looked BC was up 10 now they are only up 2? What happened?

[MylesKnight]

Pacific is coming back again... Could it be three for three for the "Lower Tier"? :)

[wade moore]

I am sure the authorities told them not to leave the hotel.

Louie Orr has been on thin ice this whole season. This sorry performance by SH may be enough for him to get the can.

I find something funny about the fans standing like 50 ft. from the entry way and the teams are told not to even leave their hotels.

[MylesKnight]

Very good post Jon. At some point in time I believe that demand from sports fans will cause the NCAA to get a cable outlet (a la ESPN) involved for 1st & 2nd Round Games (and possibly the Regional Semis as well).

I want to see more of these games.

[MylesKnight]

Oh, Seton Hall can now join Hampton in the showers. :) Wichita by 19 with a minute left.

[miami_fan]

I find something funny about the fans standing like 50 ft. from the entry way and the teams are told not to even leave their hotels.

Yet another example of the pampered players?:p

[wade moore]

Yet another example of the pampered players?:p

;)....

They just said the arena has been opened, no word on when tip-off will be.

They didn't state whether it was a false alarm either.

[miami_fan]

Very good post Jon. At some point in time I believe that demand from sports fans will cause the NCAA to get a cable outlet (a la ESPN) involved for 1st & 2nd Round Games (and possibly the Regional Semis as well).

I want to see more of these games.

Doesn't Directv already have the PPV package for the first two rounds of the tourney?

[JeeberD]

OK, the OU game is pretty much over. Switch over to the Pacific/BC game already!

[MylesKnight]

Final - Wichita State 86, Seton Hall 66

One for One for the League under scrutiny by the oh so wise Billy Packer.

[ice4277]

OK, the OU game is pretty much over. Switch over to the Pacific/BC game already!

No doubt.

[wade moore]

if BC holds on, I'll come out 2 out of 3, ugh.. I don't like starting out missing games in the first set of games.

[wade moore]

Final - Wichita State 86, Seton Hall 66

One for One for the League under scrutiny by the oh so wise Billy Packer.

MK, sounds like you're as much behind the mid-majors as I am...

If today pans out well and the mid-major at-larges continue to beat the power conferences, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see an interview with Packer tonight...

[MylesKnight]

Doesn't Directv already have the PPV package for the first two rounds of the tourney?

True. Problem for me is I'm in a condo that is perfect except for one thing.. No dishes allowed. There are only a handful of occasions that I use the TV much for anyway, but this is one of them.

[wade moore]

38.3 left, 61-60 BC, BC at the line.

[wade moore]

GREAT play by Pacific. 19.8, 63-62, BC back at the foul line.

[ice4277]

Nice!

[wade moore]

BC should be grateful for this free throw shooting.


WHOLY SHIT. that was one HELL of a 3.

[JeeberD]

HUGE THREE BY PACIFIC!

[st.cronin]

WIDE OPEN

[wade moore]

and NICE job keeping the play alive by the guard when he slipped.

[miami_fan]

FROM DOWNTOWN......BANG

TIE SCORE

[st.cronin]

How in the world does ANYBODY get that wide open behind the arc, in that situation??? Horrible defense.

[Passacaglia]

Nice 3 by Pacific.

[MylesKnight]

MK, sounds like you're as much behind the mid-majors as I am...

If today pans out well and the mid-major at-larges continue to beat the power conferences, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see an interview with Packer tonight...

Oh, I am. UCF Grad with a girlfriend that attended Southern Illinois University. I am a huge BCS/Power Conference Basher, and always will be.

This comment from Neuqua is a previous thread regarding at-large tourney selections describes my feelings very well;

They have it their way in football and now they want it their way in basketball too.

Sak, it's not an even playing field though. Cincy and Wake have much higher athletic budgets because of the BCS money pouring in. Their facilities are better, they can pay more for coaches, etc. It's not an even playground. Even with that, I do think the top teams in the MVC can compete (read: not win) some of the so called BCS conferences. And I consider that a remarkable feat in its own right."

[JeeberD]

and NICE job keeping the play alive by the guard when he slipped.

No kidding. I thought the game was over when he went down...

[Young Drachma]

How in the world does ANYBODY get that wide open behind the arc, in that situation??? Horrible defense.

I was thinking this, too.

I want BC to win because I picked them in my bracket, but...it'd be really cool to see Pacific win the thing.

[timmynausea]

That was awesome.

[JeeberD]

TRAVELING!

[JeeberD]

3.9 second left for Pacific

[MylesKnight]

Final - Wisconsin-Milwaukee 82, Oklahoma 74

[MylesKnight]

Pacific with a chance to win!!!!

[JeeberD]

Bah...

Overtime.

[st.cronin]

travel

lol @ BC

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, seriously. I was wonder what that kid was thinking dribbling into a crowd of 3 players.

[MylesKnight]

Pacific with a chance to win!!!!

Nevermind, what was that? You aren't awarded points for dribbling into crowds.

[wade moore]

Oh, I am. UCF Grad with a girlfriend that attended Southern Illinois University. I am a huge BCS/Power Conference Basher, and always will be.

This comment from Neuqua is a previous thread regarding at-large tourney selections describes my feelings very well;

They have it their way in football and now they want it their way in basketball too.

Sak, it's not an even playing field though. Cincy and Wake have much higher athletic budgets because of the BCS money pouring in. Their facilities are better, they can pay more for coaches, etc. It's not an even playground. Even with that, I do think the top teams in the MVC can compete (read: not win) some of the so called BCS conferences. And I consider that a remarkable feat in its own right."

Somewhere around here I posted my general thoughts which is something I heard from some commentator this week.

You have two ways to select the 34 at-large teams.

A) The 34 teams with the best chance to win the tournament.
B) The 34 teams with the best seasons.

I think it should be B, simple as that.

[MylesKnight]

Hypothetical here: What if the BC inbounder just threw the pass in the basket here..

[DaddyTorgo]

blargh. al skinner's continued insistence on giving the ball to craig smith so he can heave up desperation shots in the final 10 seconds of big games makes me throw up

[MylesKnight]

OVERTIME for the ACC's #2.

[wade moore]

Oh and, I went to W&M (A bottom feeder in the CAA) and am a HUGE follower of the CAA, so that's where I'm coming from.

Edit: Bottom feeder for Basketball, top feeder for football but they're I-AA for football.

[JeeberD]

I was thinking that it woudl have made more sense to put everyone right around the basket and then throw the ball towards the hoop and try to get someone to tip it in...

[st.cronin]

Hypothetical here: What if the BC inbounder just threw the pass in the basket here..

I'm pretty sure there's a rule against that.

[MylesKnight]

The rule states that if the clock is under three-tenths of a second, the only way to score is by a tip.. Not enough time to catch and shoot.

By the way, the CAA should have had three. Remember GMU beat Wichita a few weeks back at their place in the BracketBuster. Hofstra knocked out GMU in the CAA Tourney and deserved a bid. If the Valley got four, the CAA should have gotten all three of there's.

[wade moore]

The rule states that if the clock is under three-tenths of a second, the only way to score is by a tip.. Not enough time to catch and shoot.

By the way, the CAA should have had three. Remember GMU beat Wichita a few weeks back at their place in the BracketBuster. Hofstra knocked out GMU in the CAA Tourney and deserved a bid. If the Valley got four, the CAA should have gotten all three of there's.

agreed 100%, in the meantime the CAA #4 CRUSHED the Big-12 #5 in the NIT last night. I'm hoping the CAA can win a game or two in the NCAA's and have at least one team go deep in the NIT and that should shut some people up.

[MylesKnight]

Give him three. Too close to call replay goes to the officials initial ruling.

[Swaggs]

Oh wow!

[Young Drachma]

Looks like Pacific has a home game ;)

[MylesKnight]

agreed 100%, in the meantime the CAA #4 CRUSHED the Big-12 #5 in the NIT last night. I'm hoping the CAA can win a game or two in the NCAA's and have at least one team go deep in the NIT and that should shut some people up.

At least we got to see Seton Hall's awesome effort though. :)

[JeeberD]

I love it!

I picked BC to win this one, but I don't mind a little red on my bracket if it's one of the "elite" conferences losing a team... :D

[MylesKnight]

Pacific!!! This is not a BCS Bubble Team they are leading by six right now. BC almost beat both of Billy Packer's Wet Dream Orgy Duo (UNC & Duke) in a 24 Hour span this past weekend.

[Samdari]

True. Problem for me is I'm in a condo that is perfect except for one thing.. No dishes allowed. There are only a handful of occasions that I use the TV much for anyway, but this is one of them.

If they allow you to order cable, they cannot prevent you from putting up a dish - in your own area (balcony).

And the package is for the first three rounds.

[wade moore]

STUPID shot by Gray, he's lucky that BC knocked it out.

[MylesKnight]

I love it!

I picked BC to win this one, but I don't mind a little red on my bracket if it's one of the "elite" conferences losing a team... :D

Hey Jeebs, congrats to the Miners on the opening NIT Win. Hope to see you guys get to the Garden (along with Houston).

Also hoping for good results for Memphis and UAB.

[JeeberD]

Doh!

Come on, Tigers!

[wade moore]

wow.

[wade moore]

double wow.

[JeeberD]

Hey Jeebs, congrats to the Miners on the opening NIT Win. Hope to see you guys get to the Garden (along with Houston).

Also hoping for good results for Memphis and UAB.

Gracias! I loved seeing UH beat up on BYWho? and I really think that UAB can beat Kentucky.

We've got a big game against Michigan tonight. If we win that then we go to Notre Dame. Talk about playing against some name schools...

[Lathum]

shaping up for quiet a finish

[JeeberD]

Oh crap.

DEFENSE!!!

[MylesKnight]

Well I would say that I have UTEP favored in Ann Arbor tonight, but I have to remember that you guys somehow lost to UCF in Orlando in the last game of the regular season.. :)

BEAT MICHIGAN!

[Celeval]

THe "Boss Button" on the CBS video player is awesome.

[Lathum]

gonna be a sick finish

[MrBug708]

Smith isnt gonna hit both FT's

[MylesKnight]

Foul? Interesting

[MrBug708]

Smith isnt gonna hit both FT's

Woot! Karma baby!

[MylesKnight]

SHIT!

[JeeberD]

BULSHIT! His hands were straight up!

[JeeberD]

Well I would say that I have UTEP favored in Ann Arbor tonight, but I have to remember that you guys somehow lost to UCF in Orlando in the last game of the regular season.. :)

BEAT MICHIGAN!


Heh, yup. We're much better at home than on the road... :D

[MylesKnight]

Pacific got up by six and then looked like a team that didn't know how to play with a small lead late in a game. Composure went straight through the window.

[MylesKnight]

By the way, calls are being made by the Cartel that is the BCS/"Big Six".

Seton Hall (Big East) - Out. Oklahoma (Big 12) - Out. Boston College (Big East) - You've gotta help us.

[wade moore]

Gracias! I loved seeing UH beat up on BYWho? and I really think that UAB can beat Kentucky.

We've got a big game against Michigan tonight. If we win that then we go to Notre Dame. Talk about playing against some name schools...

Looks like UTEP can't play one of the teams I care about (Hofstra and ODU) until the final 4...

[WSUCougar]

Score?

[MylesKnight]

BC by 2, with the ball. 3 minutes plus to go.

[wade moore]

76-74 BC 2nd OT just starting (don't know exact time cause it's a commercial).

[ThunderingHERD]

Charlotte station cut off the 2nd OT in favor of the Winthrop-Tennessee game :mad:

[wade moore]

Oh, and BC has the ball.

[MrBug708]

Nice dunk. Pacific is done

[Young Drachma]

That should about do it.

[wade moore]

BC nails a 3 with the freshman from richmond and then they follow up with a steal and a HUGE dunk.

It's now 81-74 BC with 2:50 left.

[wade moore]

and another steal and stall the ball.

[MylesKnight]

The Bailout Foul Call with Four Seconds left in the 1st OT looks like it will cause BC to move on.

Oh well, the "Cartel" is going to get a few wins in the opening round as well.

[st.cronin]

It seemed to me that Pacific got a little 3-ball happy in that second OT.

[DaddyTorgo]

bailout foul? bailout? i dunno about that

[ThunderingHERD]

It seemed to me that Pacific got a little 3-ball happy in that second OT.

They did in the first OT as well. They just weren't as lucky this time.

[JonInMiddleGA]

AND the foul

[wade moore]

Yeah, that was a clear foul in my book.

This is more about Pacific just completely collapsing in the 2nd OT.

[MylesKnight]

Yes Bailout it was. PU just ran out of luck and gas. Maybe this will wake BC up, as in Round #2 they will be playing what may amount to be a road game if Nevada gets past Montana.

[wade moore]

Hurry this game up so I can see my Vols prove everyone wrong ;).

[Young Drachma]

I feel for those Pacific fans, your team gives you hope and then completely melts down. Not that I can't relate...

[JonInMiddleGA]

REjected !

[DaddyTorgo]

everyone up here in Eagle country is worried about what the team will look like next year without Hinnet and Smith...I keep trying to chill them out...Tyrese Rice and Marquez Haynes are going to be great players for this program

[PackerFanatic]

Pacific, don't scare me like that...geez...

Almost a big bracket buster on the first day...

[MylesKnight]

DT, how do you see BC recruiting going in years to come now that they no longer compete in conference with schools from the northeast? Will you see a larger amount of players from southern states because of this? Will this possibly turn off recruits who want to play college basketball in the northeast now that trips to Syracuse, UConn, SJU, 'Nova, Pitt, Gtown, etc., are no longer available?

Does the move hurt or help in your eyes?

[Neuqua]

Great start for the little guys. Here's hoping they can continue through the rest of the weekend.

[JonInMiddleGA]

everyone up here in Eagle country is worried about what the team will look like next year without Hinnet and Smith...

Watching the end of regulation & the opening of the first OT, I was thinking they might be _better_ without Smith than with him.

[DaddyTorgo]

Watching the end of regulation & the opening of the first OT, I was thinking they might be _better_ without Smith than with him.

yep! i IMed my sister over at BC and I think my exact words were: "Craig Smith is not that good! Why do they keep giving him the ball with <10 seconds left in the game for him to throw up desperation heaves or lose the ball!!"

[wade moore]

ARGH! Why do I get the Minneapolis bracket instead of the DC bracket when I'm in Frickin VA?!

[Young Drachma]

Woo...c'mon Winthrop...

[Young Drachma]

The way they're shooting threes so far make my NCAA March Madness video game strategies not look so bad.

[MylesKnight]

The first Kryzrasdgkdvdkski commercial I've seen. For Chevy. Oh boy.

[MylesKnight]

May be a lonnnnnngggg night of hoops. The first game in San Diego (Marquette-Bama) begins just before 4:00pm est. Last game may not start until at least 11:30pm est, and that's if they play all four games straight through (no sessions).

[JonInMiddleGA]

Aw FUCK ... we're getting Fla vs S.Alabama instead of UT/Winthrop.

I may understand why the number of games sent to a market is what it is but the (lack of) logic of how games are distributed is something that may perplex until the end of time.

[MylesKnight]

Same here Jon... Hopefully USA gets up by about 30 so they will switch this one over.

Winthrop is due for a breakthrough. GO WU!!

[Young Drachma]

The first Kryzrasdgkdvdkski commercial I've seen. For Chevy. Oh boy.

I've seen it like 5 times already. That's why I watch them on mute.

[wade moore]

Aw FUCK ... we're getting Fla vs S.Alabama instead of UT/Winthrop.

I may understand why the number of games sent to a market is what it is but the (lack of) logic of how games are distributed is something that may perplex until the end of time.

See my post above.

I get freakin' Minneapolis instead of DC, so I miss the Vols...

[wade moore]

Dola: Hopefully at least S. Alabama will give me the payoff of beating those damned gators, but not looking so good for that so far.

[MylesKnight]

Let me see here.... Folks in the TN-NC-VA Tri-State Area, you'll get Nevada-Montana. That's right.

[wade moore]

Let me see here.... Folks in the TN-NC-VA Tri-State Area, you'll get Nevada-Montana. That's right.

When is that game?

Luckily we do get the UNCW-GW game tonight, if we didn't get that I might have to completely kirk-out.

[Young Drachma]

That's pretty weird the way they're distributing the games. I'm in WY and I get the Winthrop-TN game, seems like that might irritate the folks in Montana, who might want to see their team lose.

Seems like Tenneessee is trying to speed up the tempo so much that it takes Winthrop out, but...I dunno that it's going to work.

[Young Drachma]

Gotta love the beer commercials during the college basketball tournament. Aah, that good ol' wholesome NCAA. Always looking out for the students.

[DaddyTorgo]

DT, how do you see BC recruiting going in years to come now that they no longer compete in conference with schools from the northeast? Will you see a larger amount of players from southern states because of this? Will this possibly turn off recruits who want to play college basketball in the northeast now that trips to Syracuse, UConn, SJU, 'Nova, Pitt, Gtown, etc., are no longer available?

Does the move hurt or help in your eyes? In my eyes it helps, no doubt. BC itself is still in the northeast of course, and there is no doubt that being in the ACC competing ACC schools will mean a larger porportion of players coming from the southern states/tobacco row. BC will be competing with Duke and UNC and NC State and Maryland for recruits, as opposed to competing with Syracuse and Pitt (because frankly UConn doesn't compete with the rest of the Big East for recruits). And IMO, as long as we remain a strong program (as we have been with this past recruiting class) we should begin to attract players of roughly that quality (perhaps not a Reddick, but a step below that). Rice for example was heavily recruited by (I believe) UNC (maybe NC State?) but chose BC. Haynes I hear was heavily recruited by Illinois, Oaklahoma and others. And I'm not sure who they have coming in this next year (honestly I am not THAT much of a Bball fan to follow recruiting), but I hear it's a good class. I think for a couple years we may end up with a lower-quality class than Duke/UNC, but eventually I think DeFilippo (the AD) hopes that a move to the ACC will result in us being on par with Duke/UNC as far as recruiting. Academically of course it's a whole different ballgame, and that will have some effect on our recruiting. But overall I think it's a positive move and the quality of our recruiting classes can't help but go up (Smith and Dudley FYI were barely recruited by anyone coming out of HS and look where they've taken this team). If we can put in a few more years of being the 2/3 team in the ACC then I think we will begin to be taken seriously by some of the low 1-st tier guys that Duke/UNC recruit.

[wade moore]

btw - MK, sorry but I have to jump off of the mid-major train just for the Winthrop vs UT game ;).

[Butter]

Lofton is starting to take over for UT... they're up 6. Fla. goes up 9 early on USA, that may be over in a hurry.

[MylesKnight]

What if too many "Lower Tiered Schools" won too much in any given tournament? Seriously, would the powers that be at CBS, the NCAA, and the BCS/Big Six Cartel do something to make sure this did not occur again? What if the biggest names in the Regional Finals next weekend were Wichita State and UAB? Would the "Cartel" take their ball and go home, so to speak?

Would College Hoops become a similar version of postseason College Football in terms of availability?

[Young Drachma]

What if too many "Lower Tiered Schools" won too much in any given tournament? Seriously, would the powers that be at CBS, the NCAA, and the BCS/Big Six Cartel do something to make sure this did not occur again? What if the biggest names in the Regional Finals next weekend were Wichita State and UAB? Would the "Cartel" take their ball and go home, so to speak?

Would College Hoops become a similar version of postseason College Football in terms of availability?

Hmm..doubtful. They'll write it off as a fluke.

[Young Drachma]

Hell, a 16 beating a 1 is enough for Hollywood to make a movie. lol

[MylesKnight]

By the way, I love the fact that Jacksonville got First & Second Round Games but it is kind of funny that the host school for this event went 1-27 this past season.

JU's only win came over D-I newbie and crosstown school North Florida, who beat them later on in the season in a rematch by the way.

JU Basketball is awful! What can Artis Gilmore be thinking?

[MylesKnight]

Oh no... Jay Bilas is doing commentary at the San Diego site? Thirty years from now he may be the current day Billy Packer.

[wade moore]

Oh, so we were just getting Florida South Alabama in order to wait for the marquette vs. alabama game? This is just odd.

[MylesKnight]

Yes it is Wade. Still waiting for the Nevada-Montana extravaganza. The Big Sky Baby!!! :)

[MylesKnight]

A LOT of empty seats for the Marquette/Bama game... Especially so considering folks were given a couple of extra hours to show up.

So many of these sites show tickets as being unavailable for the First & Second Rounds... I suppose the views in the concourses of some of these buildings are OUTSTANDING indeed.

[MylesKnight]

Winthrop down by only 2 with a minute left in the 1st Half.. Just hannnnngggggggiiinnngg around against the mighty Vols.

What could Pat Summit do with the Men's Program in Knoxville? Ever wonder?

[wade moore]

A LOT of empty seats for the Marquette/Bama game... Especially so considering folks were given a couple of extra hours to show up.

So many of these sites show tickets as being unavailable for the First & Second Rounds... I suppose the views in the concourses of some of these buildings are OUTSTANDING indeed.

Maybe some folks went home after waiting so long? I got nothin.

[MylesKnight]

Not just there though.. Only place that looked full so far was Greensboro, and that is a flipping hoops hotbed.

[wade moore]

For someone who has the UT-Winthrop game - what's the deal? What's keeping UT from pulling away?

[wade moore]

Welp, no banter from me for awhile, going to my living room to watch the games in comfort ;)...

[MylesKnight]

12 Seed Montana leading Nevada 17-8, eight minutes into that one.. Interesting as I'm sure Nevada has a lot of fans in Salt Lake for this one.

Tennessee leads Winthrop by only two at the half, 36-34.

Florida leads South Alabama by 11, late in Half #1.

[Butter]

USA with a couple of late 3's to go in at the half only down 6. They can make this a game with a good opening of the 2nd half.

[JeeberD]

What could Pat Summit do with the Men's Program in Knoxville? Ever wonder?

I think she's been offered the job before, but she's turned it down...

[wade moore]

really stepping away now, but Alabama has been ABSURD from 3.

[JeeberD]

Nevada needs to get their act together...I have them in the Sweet Sixteen.

[wade moore]

I think she's been offered the job before, but she's turned it down...
No way she does more with it than Bruce Pearl has done this year. He has performed miracles with a team that I'm pretty sure didn't even go to the NIT last year.

[Young Drachma]

I think she's been offered the job before, but she's turned it down...

I thought about this the other day. I think she came to the conclusion that she probably has more to lose than to gain by doing it, given that she probably figured she'd have a hard time getting top recruits to play for her.

I dunno that I buy that necessarily, but....I could see all the bad scenarios that could happen, versus the good it would do, especially if she was successful.
So, I don't blame her for turning it down, though it'd be cool to see her do it.

[JeeberD]

I hate it when there are three games that I would like to see yet CBS keeps me on the one blowout that I don't care about...

[Young Drachma]

Montana is doing their thing out there. Wow. Nevada better come back in the 2nd half ready to put this thing away.

[ice4277]

Montana is doing their thing out there. Wow. Nevada better come back in the 2nd half ready to put this thing away.

I originally had Nevada losing to Montana in my bracket, but changed it at the last minute.

Montana is therefore guaranteed to win.

[st.cronin]

I originally had Nevada losing to Montana in my bracket, but changed it at the last minute.

Montana is therefore guaranteed to win.

That is the kiss of death.

[Young Drachma]

I originally had Nevada losing to Montana in my bracket, but changed it at the last minute.

Montana is therefore guaranteed to win.

That's what I did in the Seton Hall game, just this morning. Because my Seton Hall pick was really just a homer pick anyway..but then I got sensible.

[JeeberD]

This game needs to hurry up and end. I gotta get in the shower in fifteen minutes, dammit. :mad:

[ThunderingHERD]

Does this Wingate guy normally scream and stare down the baseline every time he scores? Or is that new for the tournament?

[SirFozzie]

What if too many "Lower Tiered Schools" won too much in any given tournament? Seriously, would the powers that be at CBS, the NCAA, and the BCS/Big Six Cartel do something to make sure this did not occur again? What if the biggest names in the Regional Finals next weekend were Wichita State and UAB? Would the "Cartel" take their ball and go home, so to speak?

Would College Hoops become a similar version of postseason College Football in terms of availability?

Dude. Loosen your tinfoil hat. It's cutting off the supply of blood to your brain.

[Coffee Warlord]

Nevada comin' back.

[Coffee Warlord]

And for those who pay a lot more attention to college bball than me...is Tenn just not very good this year? (And/or really overrated?)

[MylesKnight]

That's funny Fozzie.. College Athletics are what they are though.. The Big Six Conferences want it all, and will do everything they can to create every advantage for themselves possible. That's why it's great to see them go down. :)

[Coffee Warlord]

Jesus. Marquette roaring back in the 2nd.

[MylesKnight]

If Tennessee does get by, I wonder if Wichita State would actually be favored as a 7 Seed over a #2.

GO WINTHROP though!

Wichita v. Winthrop is Round #2, Let's Go!!!

[MylesKnight]

Florida, the only heavily favored team to take care of bidness as expected thus far today. They'll get UW-Milwaukee on Saturday.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And for those who pay a lot more attention to college bball than me...is Tenn just not very good this year? (And/or really overrated?)

I think that impression probably depends on when you see them. For most of the last month they've looked mediocre at best. Earlier in the year they looked pretty darned good, better than anybody in the SEC.

I really believe that the problem as much as anything lately has been that they simply don't have any clue what it's like to play at this level; i.e. the problems look more mental than physical or strategic ( like the airball FT). The pressure most surely has gotten to them in both the SEC tourney & today.

[MylesKnight]

Winthrop has got to work the ball around.. Standing around and killing time for tough shots at the end of the clock is not working.

[MylesKnight]

Play two for one here Winthrop... NBA Style.

[Young Drachma]

Is Winthrop really going to pull this thing off?

[MylesKnight]

I like UWM to play well with Florida.. Problem is the game will be a Gay-tor Reunion down the road in Jax (an hour or so from Gainesville).

[Young Drachma]

I decided that the only reason Air Force got in, was because the committee didn't want the Mountain West to be a one-bid league.

[MylesKnight]

Did the Tennessee player just throw the ball into the backcourt???? Was that over and back??

[Young Drachma]

Oh shit.

[MylesKnight]

Wow, Montana back up by nine with 8+ to go.. Nevada makes runs by the Griz answer.

[JeeberD]

HOLY CRAP!

[Young Drachma]

That shot was nuts.

[JeeberD]

Off balance, behind the backboard, a man in his face. And he nailed it.


Amazing.

[Coffee Warlord]

For those of us without TV right now...describe?

[MylesKnight]

Damn. Cartel squeaks by in another one..

Wichita should be favored over Tennessee.

[Young Drachma]

Grr...

[JeeberD]

And the Vols win...

[Young Drachma]

You can't go scoreless the last 3 1/2 minutes against a #2 seed and expect to win.

[Easy Mac]

that was a damn good throw