2011 NCAA Basketball Tournament Thread

[sterlingice]

Selection show in 30 minutes

SI

[mauchow]

31 minutes

[sterlingice]

Oh, close enough

#1's pretty much as follows?
1. Ohio State
1. Kansas
1. Duke
1. Notre Dame/Pitt?

SI

[sterlingice]

What is up with Kenny Smith and Chuck on the NCAA selection show?

SI

[jbergey22]

Oh, close enough

#1's pretty much as follows?
1. Ohio State
1. Kansas
1. Duke
1. Notre Dame/Pitt?

SI

I dunno. You would think Duke would be a #1 but Lunardi has both ND and Pitt as #1s.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, Ohio St is definitely the #1

SI

[Radii]

I can't wait to watch some basketball on TruTV!~

[Lathum]

I can't wait to watch some basketball on TruTV!~

haha

I like how they tried to sell it as "exciting changes!"

[sterlingice]

The last four at-large teams playing is, well, frankly, stupid.

Just do 4 play-in games

SI

[sterlingice]

I can't wait to watch some basketball on TruTV!~

OH YEAH, BABY!

SI

[Lathum]

The last four at-large teams playing is, well, frankly, stupid.

Just do 4 play-in games

SI

I don't really get how it works and am to lazy to look it up

[Lathum]

dola- there has been a pool run by a friend of Gottimds the last few years. I think it was about $10 an entry. Anyone have info on if he is doing it this year or a link to the sight?

[Radii]

I don't really get how it works and am to lazy to look it up

the worst four teams that get in will play "play in games" to fill out two 16 seeds. The last four at large teams will play "play in games" to fill out a couple 12 seeds. So if the last four at larges are Colorado,Clemson,Va Tech and Alabama you might have Clemson-Colorado and Va Tech-Alabama on Tuesday/Wednesday night with the winners being placed in as traditional 12 seeds playing a 5 seed somewhere.

[sterlingice]

The ACC must have lost a bet- there's no regional in Raleigh or Charlotte or some other home game for Duke/NCarolina.

Then again, same with the Midwest- no Chicago, Indy, St Louis, KC, OKC, or anything else close for KU to play at. Then again, Ohio State got screwed by that, too- none of those or anything in Ohio or Pennsylvania.

SI

[jbergey22]

The last four at-large teams playing is, well, frankly, stupid.

Just do 4 play-in games

SI

Going to be difficult on the office pools that still use the paper brackets that have a certain time time schedule to get it in by with them 12 seed play in games.

[Radii]

dola, they're calling those tuesday/wednesday games the "first round". I refuse to do that :P They're play in games.

[sterlingice]

Going to be difficult on the office pools that still use the paper brackets that have a certain time time schedule to get it in by with them 12 seed play in games.

I think what it does is just means office pools are due Thursday at noon. People just continue to ignore the play-in games.

SI

[Radii]

The ACC must have lost a bet- there's no regional in Raleigh or Charlotte or some other home game for Duke/NCarolina.

People harp on this every year but you do realize its decided years in advance right? :)

[Radii]

I think what it does is just means office pools are due Thursday at noon. People just continue to ignore the play-in games.


+1

[sterlingice]

Ugh- as if being a 5 doesn't suck hard enough. Now you get someone who had a warmup game.

SI

[Lathum]

sigh

How the heck are you supposed to do a bracket without knowing who the 12 seeds are?

[Radii]

ohhh, ITS ON LATHUM (in round 2)

[Warhammer]

Right, but come on, Duke/NC play home games every year in the ACC tournament, and then head an hour up the road for their NCAA 1st and 2nd round games. Then, they normally head at most 2 hours to their regional destination.

[Lathum]

ohhh, ITS ON LATHUM (in round 2)

yeah. I like the first round match up and UNC hasn't been playing great lately.

And FU Kenny Smith talking about the great guards in the bottom of the bracket and not referencing Isaih Thomas

[jbergey22]

NC/Long Island is going to be a very high scoring game. NC will probably score 100.

[Lathum]

anyone know where I can find out what time the games are on or has that not been announced yet

[jbergey22]

yeah. I like the first round match up and UNC hasn't been playing great lately.

And FU Kenny Smith talking about the great guards in the bottom of the bracket and not referencing Isaih Thomas

I loved his quote about no game planning for the first two rounds just prepare for the next 2. Thank god he isnt a coach.

[Lathum]

wow.

Texas plummets to a 4 seed

[Lathum]

haha Charles. I guess he thinks Arizona will beat Memphis

[DeToxRox]

wow.

Texas plummets to a 4 seed

Sorry cartman, you guys are about to get fisted fifteen ways from Friday.

[Warhammer]

I do not get the love for the SEC teams. Tennessee is a #9? What? Georgia is a #10? In the words of Chuck, the SEC was TRRBLE this year. TRRBLE.

[jbergey22]

I dont understand these reactions sometimes. For instance Boston already knew they were in and get a first round game against Kansas. Why is this such great news?

They didnt have to play Ohio st?

[sterlingice]

Wow- they dropped Notre Dame all the way down to 7?

SI

[Lathum]

Wow- they dropped Notre Dame all the way down to 7?

SI

huh?

[Lathum]

I dont understand these reactions sometimes. For instance Boston already knew they were in and get a first round game against Kansas. Why is this such great news?

They didnt have to play Ohio st?

They are 19 year old kids who just saw their schools name flashed on CBS to go play in the NCAA tourny. The fact they already know they are going doesn't matter, they are excited kids.

What is so hard to understand?

[jbergey22]

huh?

2 seed, 7th overall

[Radii]

Right, but come on, Duke/NC play home games every year in the ACC tournament, and then head an hour up the road for their NCAA 1st and 2nd round games. Then, they normally head at most 2 hours to their regional destination.


I should just link to the exact same post I made last year but first of all Duke and UNC have to earn the right to play in Charlotte or Greensboro in the first two rounds by being one of the top ~10 or so teams in the nation and getting the benefit of being seeded in a local pod.

Secondly, I believe the only time one of these teams didn't have to leave the state was in 2005 when UNC got to play in Greensboro and Charlotte. These locations are decided years in advance and UNC was the #2 overall seed and totally earned that right.


In 1993 there was a regional final in Charlotte and Kentucky got it. UNC was a 1 seed and went up to East Rutheford. Somehow they were able to miraculously win games without a home crowd and win a championship.

In 1991 UNC was a 1 seed and Duke was a 2 seed. Neither one of them was rewarded with a trip to Charlotte for the Southeast Regional. UNC somehow managed to luck their way into the final four and Duke won a national title without two extra home games.




Going back to 1985 when the tournament went to 64 teams, there have been regional finals hosted in North Carolina 5 times. Duke has never played in one. UNC has played in 3, all three times they were 1 seeds.

UNC has been to 9 final fours since 1985. Duke has been to 11. That's 20 final fours. Three times they played regional finals in their home state. This is seriously the most overblown argument that anyone makes about these programs. Its fucking ridiculous.

[jbergey22]

They are 19 year old kids who just saw their schools name flashed on CBS to go play in the NCAA tourny. The fact they already know they are going doesn't matter, they are excited kids.

What is so hard to understand?

Plenty. Seems staged.

[sterlingice]

I get to be the villain here if we make it to the Elite Eight with either Purdue or Notre Dame as likely opponents.

SI

[sterlingice]

Plenty. Seems staged.

Agreed- it's one thing if we were looking in on UAB. They weren't expected to get in. But it's another for these auto-bid teams.

SI

[sterlingice]

Will Bill be traveling for Utah St?

SI

[Lathum]

Plenty. Seems staged.

Agreed- it's one thing if we were looking in on UAB. They weren't expected to get in. But it's another for these auto-bid teams.

SI

I think you guys underestimate the excitability of 19 year old kids

[sterlingice]

Florida a 2?!?

SI

[Buccaneer]

Florida a 2?!?

SI

WTF???

[Lathum]

Florida a 2?!?

SI

yeah, that stood out to me as well

[jbergey22]

I think you guys underestimate the excitability of 19 year old kids

Well they get ESPN coverage. Its not as if this is the first time they get to see their name on TV. Im sorry but I just dont understand why Boston was so excited.

I would expect the reaction Kansas gave when their name was called more often. Which was the "ok, pretty much what we expected" look.

[jbergey22]

Southeast looks weak.

[Lathum]

Well they get ESPN coverage. Its not as if this is the first time they get to see their name on TV. Im sorry but I just dont understand why Boston was so excited.

I would expect the reaction Kansas gave when their name was called more often. Which was the "ok, pretty much what we expected" look.

We can agree to disagree

[Comey]

This bracket may have more head-scratching decisions in it than any one I've ever seen.

[jbergey22]

VTech again misses out.

[Atocep]

VTech again misses out.

Such a shame.

[sterlingice]

I'm sure we'll get sick of this ad over the next month but is the point of it "Morons everywhere love DirectTV!"

SI

[molson]

Well they get ESPN coverage. Its not as if this is the first time they get to see their name on TV. Im sorry but I just dont understand why Boston was so excited.

I would expect the reaction Kansas gave when their name was called more often. Which was the "ok, pretty much what we expected" look.

People get excited when they hear somebody refer to their hometown at a concert or something.

These guys are celebrating actually partipating in the tournment, and seeing their name officially in the bracket for the first time - that's gotta be exciting. I get excited seeing syracuse's name flashed up there and I'm just a fan, and I knew they'd be there. If I had happened to be with a bunch of su fans at the time, I probably would have even clapped or cheered. You're overthinking this.

[Lathum]

Such a shame.

They had some bad losses at the end of the year in conference play and no good wins in OOC. IMO they didn't earn it.

[jbergey22]

So it looks like the committee was unimpressed with the Big 12 this year. I expected Mizzou, Texas to get a higher seed and Colorado to get in.

[Warhammer]

I should just link to the exact same post I made last year but first of all Duke and UNC have to earn the right to play in Charlotte or Greensboro in the first two rounds by being one of the top ~10 or so teams in the nation and getting the benefit of being seeded in a local pod.

Secondly, I believe the only time one of these teams didn't have to leave the state was in 2005 when UNC got to play in Greensboro and Charlotte. These locations are decided years in advance and UNC was the #2 overall seed and totally earned that right.


In 1993 there was a regional final in Charlotte and Kentucky got it. UNC was a 1 seed and went up to East Rutheford. Somehow they were able to miraculously win games without a home crowd and win a championship.

In 1991 UNC was a 1 seed and Duke was a 2 seed. Neither one of them was rewarded with a trip to Charlotte for the Southeast Regional. UNC somehow managed to luck their way into the final four and Duke won a national title without two extra home games.




Going back to 1985 when the tournament went to 64 teams, there have been regional finals hosted in North Carolina 5 times. Duke has never played in one. UNC has played in 3, all three times they were 1 seeds.

UNC has been to 9 final fours since 1985. Duke has been to 11. That's 20 final fours. Three times they played regional finals in their home state. This is seriously the most overblown argument that anyone makes about these programs. Its fucking ridiculous.

Must have hit pretty close to the mark to get you all riled up like that! :lol:

Seriously, they might not have to play in regionals in state, but its not very often that you see them shipped off to the west coast or anywhere else.

I would argue that the bigger home court advantage is in the first couple of rounds. How often do you see a lower seed stay close and then everyone starts cheering for them when they are playing at a neutral site. You never see that at a NC or Duke game.

[Lathum]

sigh

Just realized our second round game vs UNC, if we make it, would be in Charlotte. Hell of a reward for winning our conference tournament.

[fantom1979]

I still don't understand the method of the "round 1" games. Why do these #11 and #12 teams have to win 1 more game to win the title then say Boston or Hampton? If USC is better than Boston, then USC should get their "1st round bye" and play at the normal time slot on thur/fri and Boston should be moved to the "round 1" game. If Boston is better than USC, then Boston should be the #11 and someone else should be the #16.

Just using Boston and USC as examples here. You could use Hampton versus UAB, Clemson, and VCU as well.

[sterlingice]

So it looks like the committee was unimpressed with the Big 12 this year. I expected Mizzou, Texas to get a higher seed and Colorado to get in.

Yeah, they loved the SEC and disliked the Big 12

SI

[Lathum]

YAY

There is my Isiah Thomas shout out from Kenny!!

[Young Drachma]

I still don't understand the method of the "round 1" games. Why do these #11 and #12 teams have to win 1 more game to win the title then say Boston or Hampton? If USC is better than Boston, then USC should get their "1st round bye" and play at the normal time slot on thur/fri and Boston should be moved to the "round 1" game. If Boston is better than USC, then Boston should be the #11 and someone else should be the #16.

Just using Boston and USC as examples here. You could use Hampton versus UAB, Clemson, and VCU as well.

Because the thought process was that you were letting average teams from big conferences into the tournament at the expense of teams from one-bid leagues simply because those mediocre schools were from big conferences.

So in others, anti-BCS logic.

Oh and the other thing is, they're basically playing for their spot in the tournament. In the past, one of those teams simply wouldn't have been in. So this is basically their shot at beating what otherwise would've been a 'snub.' Don't really see anything wrong with it.

[cartman]

I wonder if the selection committee went out of their way this year to make Lunardi look bad.

[Lathum]

Bilas and Co certainly aren't pulling any punches on ESPN right now

[fantom1979]

Because the thought process was that you were letting average teams from big conferences into the tournament at the expense of teams from one-bid leagues simply because those mediocre schools were from big conferences.

So in others, anti-BCS logic.

Oh and the other thing is, they're basically playing for their spot in the tournament. In the past, one of those teams simply wouldn't have been in. So this is basically their shot at beating what otherwise would've been a 'snub.' Don't really see anything wrong with it.

My point would be, that if you are "playing for your spot in the tournament" then you should be the 16 seed. If Boston has already won their spot, while USC has not, why should Boston be punished by having to play the #1 in their first game?

[Radii]

Must have hit pretty close to the mark to get you all riled up like that! :lol:

The problem is that this conversation happens every year and it happens at the level of "oh unc and duke *both* get to play *all four* games in state *almost every year* to make the final four". so yeah its become a hotbutton with me.

The real issue is that UNC and Duke are in the top 10 in the nation almost every year and therefore almost every year they get favorable draws.


Seriously, they might not have to play in regionals in state, but its not very often that you see them shipped off to the west coast or anywhere else.


That's because there's only one west region. The other three are pretty interchangable if there isn't a regional in Charlotte. There's not much difference in playing in Texas, Kansas City, Detroit, Atlanta, Syracuse, Tampa, etc. Throw the west regional in Arizona,California, or Seattle *and* make UCLA the top seed out there and there's a disadvantage. Luckily UCLA is nowhere near as consistent as UNC and Duke so even when they do get shipped out west it rarely matters.




I would argue that the bigger home court advantage is in the first couple of rounds. How often do you see a lower seed stay close and then everyone starts cheering for them when they are playing at a neutral site. You never see that at a NC or Duke game.

Couple factors here imo;

1) UNC and Duke get WAY more than their share of 1 and 2 seeds. They are dominating their way into the sweet 16 no matter where they play more often and more consistently than most teams. So this isn't too big a deal anyway.

2) I hate the pod system. Before the pod system only UNC or Duke could play in Greensboro, the other was going somewhere else. Now as long as they're both say top 3 seeds they're gonna get that Greensboro pod. This does make this a bigger issue.

3) counterpoint to #2: Every Duke fan in greensboro will be rooting against UNC from the outset and will go nuts if they get challenged. Every UNC fan in greensboro will be rooting against Duke from the outset and will go nuts if they get challenged. So on the whole I don't think this is really a big deal.


UNC getting Washington this year in Charlotte in round two potentially really sucks for Washington, but exactly how much less would it suck in Atlanta or Washington, DC compared to Charlotte? And again its a 2/7 matchup, so I don't have any problem at all with it. If UNC gets a 5 seed and gets shoehorned into Charlotte and plays a 4 seed in Washington, I'm not making any of these arguments. Its the fact that UNC/Duke are top 10 teams, and very very often top 5 teams when this comes up that makes me defend them so heavily.

[molson]

I still don't understand the method of the "round 1" games. Why do these #11 and #12 teams have to win 1 more game to win the title then say Boston or Hampton? If USC is better than Boston, then USC should get their "1st round bye" and play at the normal time slot on thur/fri and Boston should be moved to the "round 1" game. If Boston is better than USC, then Boston should be the #11 and someone else should be the #16.

Just using Boston and USC as examples here. You could use Hampton versus UAB, Clemson, and VCU as well.

I think a lot of people got bored with the play in games with teams fighting for the right to play ohio st. One of those games, ok, but four of them? This way you get some bigger name teams playing in those play-ins, and they can't really complain about fairness - they're the worst at-larges, after all. So its just two spots decided on the court instead of by the selection committee.

I'm just glad they didn't go to 128 teams.

[henry296]

2 seed, 7th overall

The don't actually seed the #2 seeds and align them to the #1 seeds, but rather place them in the regional that is most convenient. Therefore if ND was the best #2 seed they get first choice on a regional location.

[henry296]

2 seed, 7th overall

The don't actually seed the #2 seeds and align them to the #1 seeds, but rather place them in the regional that is most convenient. Therefore if ND was the best #2 seed they get first choice on a regional location.

[Buccaneer]

At first glance, I got OSU, SDSU, ND and someone from the weak SE as the Final Four. My son has OSU, UConn, ND and BYU. We both got ND to win it all for some reason.

[Lathum]

UNC getting Washington this year in Charlotte in round two potentially really sucks for Washington, but exactly how much less would it suck in Atlanta or Washington, DC compared to Charlotte? And again its a 2/7 matchup, so I don't have any problem at all with it. If UNC gets a 5 seed and gets shoehorned into Charlotte and plays a 4 seed in Washington, I'm not making any of these arguments. Its the fact that UNC/Duke are top 10 teams, and very very often top 5 teams when this comes up that makes me defend them so heavily.

The problem I have is we win our conference tournament and for our troubles get shipped across the country to play a round 2 road game.

That being said, no one ever said it should be easy so I'm not to upset. I actually like the way we match up against UNC.

[DeToxRox]

cartman, I know you're in here. Surrender now.

[cartman]

cartman, I know you're in here. Surrender now.

I'd love for the Horns to get to play Michigan to advance to the Elite Eight. :D

[Commo_Soldier]

I think a lot of people got bored with the play in games with teams fighting for the right to play ohio st. One of those games, ok, but four of them? This way you get some bigger name teams playing in those play-ins, and they can't really complain about fairness - they're the worst at-larges, after all. So its just two spots decided on the court instead of by the selection committee.

I'm just glad they didn't go to 128 teams.

I'm one of those people, why do I want to see two 16 seeds play each other just to get crushed, I'd rather see two teams play that might be able to make a mini run. I'd rather they have the last 8 at large play over the the bottom teams. Either way, if it is 16s playing or 11s and 12s, neither are likely to win the championship any how, so as stated earlier, mine as well watch teams that might win the next few games as well.

[DeToxRox]

I'd love for the Horns to get to play Michigan to advance to the Elite Eight. :D

You aren't getting passed Oakland. I will be leading the riots around my beloved commuter school Friday night.

[Lathum]

Man, quite the bitch fest going on ESPN right now

[cartman]

You mean they aren't the Oakland in California?

[Radii]

The problem I have is we win our conference tournament and for our troubles get shipped across the country to play a round 2 road game.

That being said, no one ever said it should be easy so I'm not to upset. I actually like the way we match up against UNC.

Yeah I don't disagree with you there. Why put Temple in Tuscon and Washington in Charlotte exactly??


On the other side of that conversation that's going on w/ Warhammer though... if you had to assign a % to the chances of Washington upsetting UNC should they meet... what chance do you give them in Charlotte? What chance would you give them if it were instead in Atlanta?

[DeToxRox]

You mean they aren't the Oakland in California?

You son of a bitch.

Keith Benson is gonna go for 25 and 15 and you shall know thou schools location.

[Radii]

Go Xavier btw. UNC is clearly going to be prone to being upset with their youth and inexperience, but they have the talent to be a massive threat too. If they do make it to the sweet 16, Syracuse has to be one of the worst matchups that UNC could possibly have. They tend to curl up in a ball and cry at the sight of a zone defense.

[cartman]

You son of a bitch.

Keith Benson is gonna go for 25 and 15 and you shall know thou schools location.

You've already reached the top of the Summit League, so there is nowhere else to go but down.

[Marmel]

I just want Syracuse/UNC in the Sweet 16, in Newark. :popcorn:

[DeToxRox]

You've already reached the top of the Summit League, so there is nowhere else to go but down.

And the gloves are now off.

[wade moore]

Man, quite the bitch fest going on ESPN right now

CAA! CAA! CAA!

I love it.

VCU was a stretch in a lot of ways, but the head exploding over them getting in over VT is just silly - VT simply didn't deserve a bid.

CAA! CAA! CAA!

[cartman]

And the gloves are now off.

I'm trying to figure out a way to work Greg Robinson into the mix.

[sterlingice]

You son of a bitch.

Keith Benson is gonna go for 25 and 15 and you shall know thou schools location.

:D

SI

[sterlingice]

CAA! CAA! CAA!

I love it.

VCU was a stretch in a lot of ways, but the head exploding over them getting in over VT is just silly - VT simply didn't deserve a bid.

CAA! CAA! CAA!

I don't have ESPN any more so I'm watching CBS's little cheerleading thing online.

I suspect they're just bitter because they didn't get the tourney after the renegotiation this year ;)

SI

[wade moore]

I don't have ESPN any more so I'm watching CBS's little cheerleading thing online.

I suspect they're just bitter because they didn't get the tourney after the renegotiation this year ;)

SI

Well, I'll tell you Hubert lost any shred of credibility when he tried to argue that Mason shouldn't be in. I mean, they were ranked #25 before they last on the CAA tournament for goodness sake. They were top 25 in the RPI. etc, etc.

[DeToxRox]

I'm trying to figure out a way to work Greg Robinson into the mix.

Closing in on the ignore button.

[jbergey22]

Well, I'll tell you Hubert lost any shred of credibility when he tried to argue that Mason shouldn't be in. I mean, they were ranked #25 before they last on the CAA tournament for goodness sake. They were top 25 in the RPI. etc, etc.

While I think they should be in I can see a side that wouldnt buy into them.

They didnt win one game outside of their conference against a NCAA tourny team.

They lost to Wofford(14 seed). Split with ODU and VCU. They didnt play the most difficult of schedules.

[Radii]

I just want Syracuse/UNC in the Sweet 16, in Newark. :popcorn:

WTF FAVORTISM. Its ok the committee will find a way to move the game to Chapel Hill by next week. ;)

[gstelmack]

CAA! CAA! CAA!

I love it.

VCU was a stretch in a lot of ways, but the head exploding over them getting in over VT is just silly - VT simply didn't deserve a bid.

CAA! CAA! CAA!

I always love the whining over who should have gotten the last few seeds. These are teams that couldn't make much of a run in their conference tourneys and didn't make enough noise in the regular season to be in the top couple, so SHUT UP! VT may have managed a win over Duke, but decided their season was over and stopped playing. Tough.

[wade moore]

While I think they should be in I can see a side that wouldnt buy into them.

They didnt win one game outside of their conference against a NCAA tourny team.

They lost to Wofford(14 seed). Split with ODU and VCU. They didnt play the most difficult of schedules.

By "not the most difficult" you mean OOC SOS of 157? Yeah, you could say that.

VT is infamous for a terrible OOC schedule. Idiot Greenberg does it EVERY year, yet whines and doesn't understand why he doesn't get in year after year.

He did "ok" in the ACC and "better than average" against a weak OOC schedule.

[Warhammer]

I would much rather see the #2 team (or even #3 team) from the MAC, CAA, CUSA, etc., get their chance than see the #9 team from the SEC, B10, B12, etc.

Also, I agree about the pod system. The problem I have with the South and East is that they really are almost interchangeable. Some time back, they had the rule that you could not play on your home floor. While I understand the rule, it REALLY benefits some teams such as UNC or Duke more than others for reasons that were mentioned.

[RainMaker]

I'll be going on Friday and Sunday in Chicago and feel we got some nice games. Really happy to see Notre Dame play live and Purdue should be good too. Should be packed with their fans. Hope we get some close games.

[wade moore]

I always love the whining over who should have gotten the last few seeds. These are teams that couldn't make much of a run in their conference tourneys and didn't make enough noise in the regular season to be in the top couple, so SHUT UP! VT may have managed a win over Duke, but decided their season was over and stopped playing. Tough.

Yup. The High-Major teams have TONS of opportunities to show why they should be in. If they don't do that, it's their fault.

[sterlingice]

I'll be going on Friday and Sunday in Chicago and feel we got some nice games. Really happy to see Notre Dame play live and Purdue should be good too. Should be packed with their fans. Hope we get some close games.

I'd love to skip work on a Thursday or Friday and go to a tournament site for all 4 games. Unfortunately, I've never been in a convenient location or work environment for it. :(

The only downside is that I wouldn't be able to see the other 12 games that day like I'll be doing from work/home ;)

SI

[wade moore]

While I think they should be in I can see a side that wouldnt buy into them.

They didnt win one game outside of their conference against a NCAA tourny team.

They lost to Wofford(14 seed). Split with ODU and VCU. They didnt play the most difficult of schedules.

Oh, and your facts are way off on VT.

They refuse to schedule the top CAA teams now after losing 3 out of 4 years to ODU. Not sure what you're thinking of - University of Richmond that did split with them maybe?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just not feelin' it this year. Hard for me to cry for many of the bubble teams, the field seems relatively weak, a lot of "upsets" might not be all that shocking.

re: the UNC/Duke playing in NC thing -- Harder for that not to happen when there are several sites in the state that are regular hosts AND when the placement guidelines (http://www.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/files/BracketPrin-Proc10-5-10.pdf)include "Teams will remain in or as close to their areas of natural interest as possible. A team moved out of its natural area will be placed in the next closest region to the extent possible."

re: SEC seeding -- The Vols right in line with where they are in the last official RPI & presumably didn't slip noticeably with the loss to Florida. Having the #2 SOS in the country helps, even if you usually play fair to mediocre b'ball. I think having Florida a #2 if Kentucky is a #4 is a travesty, they're probably both #3's in reality. Georgia as a #10 seems high to my biased eye but only by 1 slot.

And definitely put me in the "hates the pod system" camp. I understand why they do it, but I don't like it & never have. It's even worse for the women's bracket (although I know few people in here care).

[wade moore]

Just not feelin' it this year. Hard for me to cry for many of the bubble teams, the field seems relatively weak, a lot of "upsets" might not be all that shocking.

I agree with your last part, but not the first part. I know you differ from me in this, no surprise there, but I love the upsets and mid-major success.

But it is a weak field. If this was the field last year, my W&M Tribe would have gotten their first birth to the NCAA tournament.

[Scoobz0202]

Anybody look into the online bracket polls? Do they give the option of not having to pick the play-in games like they've always done with the one play-in game. Would like to get my friends together but would be nice to not have to pick those games.

[jbergey22]

By "not the most difficult" you mean OOC SOS of 157? Yeah, you could say that.

VT is infamous for a terrible OOC schedule. Idiot Greenberg does it EVERY year, yet whines and doesn't understand why he doesn't get in year after year.

He did "ok" in the ACC and "better than average" against a weak OOC schedule.

As I mentioned I dont mind George Mason getting in. The CAA has proven they are more than capable of holding their own in this tourny.

My biggest problem is Virginia Tech was 11-11 vs top 100 teams(Kenpom.com) while George Mason was 5-5 vs top 100 teams. VTech has no one but themselves to blame however I still think they are a team that was screwed this year.

I hope people remember this when wanting to expand the tourny even further. Yeah add 3 teams and it eliminates some of the bubble teams getting an unfair deal. Yeah right. There will be bubble teams even if the tourny was 300 teams. The problem will never go anyway so quit trying to pretend it will.(not directed at you Wade;)

[jbergey22]

Anybody look into the online bracket polls? Do they give the option of not having to pick the play-in games like they've always done with the one play-in game. Would like to get my friends together but would be nice to not have to pick those games.

You get the option of picking either of say West Virginia or the other two teams as 1 pick. You dont have to pick the play in game.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

This easily ranks as one of the worst jobs by a committee that I've seen in the past 15 years. Most years, the head scratching is limited to bubble talk. There's no way Colorado isn't a team that should be in. In addition, the seeding work in this tournament is laughable at best.

With that said, you just have to beat the team in front of you. I think we'll see one of the wilder tournaments related to lower seeds advancing in recent memory, just because the seedings are so bad.

[wade moore]

As I mentioned I dont mind George Mason getting in. The CAA has proven they are more than capable of holding their own in this tourny.

My biggest problem is Virginia Tech was 11-11 vs top 100 teams(Kenpom.com) while George Mason was 5-5 vs top 100 teams. VTech has no one but themselves to blame however I still think they are a team that was screwed this year.

Again, if you're in the ACC, you're going to get more shots. They were mediocre in those shots.

It's simple. If Seth Greenberg wasn't such a pussy and schedule real teams OOC, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Either they would be easily in, or clearly out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I agree with your last part, but not the first part. I know you differ from me in this, no surprise there, but I love the upsets and mid-major success. But it is a weak field.

It's the latter that has me more meh this year moreso than the former.

The fact that UT is a very defensible #9 seed says a lot to me about how weak this field really is, because I know far too well just how crappy they are more often than not. By the same token, I don't see much in terms of really good teams from lower profile conferences either, basically their top teams look just as meh as the mid/lower seeds from the power conferences.

Maybe it's just a combination of things all year that have me as blase about the tourney as I've ever been. A dead skunk GT team, a frustrating set of Vols, and a lot of the better teams have been ones that I simply can't make myself give more than a passing shit about. By the time we get to March Madness, a blech field just isn't getting me all that fired up on the heels of a bland regular season.

[wade moore]

This easily ranks as one of the worst jobs by a committee that I've seen in the past 15 years. Most years, the head scratching is limited to bubble talk. There's no way Colorado isn't a team that should be in. In addition, the seeding work in this tournament is laughable at best.

With that said, you just have to beat the team in front of you. I think we'll see one of the wilder tournaments related to lower seeds advancing in recent memory, just because the seedings are so bad.

I'm not sure why Colorado is the team that people are championing as the poster child for bad selections.

Their OOC SOS was 324. There are 345 teams in Division I.

Again, as with VT - create a decent schedule, and we're not having this conversation.

Their RPI of 49 is good, not great - but their OOC SOS is just laughable. Hell, their overall SOS is only 57th.

[wade moore]

It's the latter that has me more meh this year moreso than the former.

The fact that UT is a very defensible #9 seed says a lot to me about how weak this field really is, because I know far too well just how crappy they are more often than not. By the same token, I don't see much in terms of really good teams from lower profile conferences either, basically their top teams look just as meh as the mid/lower seeds from the power conferences.

Maybe it's just a combination of things all year that have me as blase about the tourney as I've ever been. A dead skunk GT team, a frustrating set of Vols, and a lot of the better teams have been ones that I simply can't make myself give more than a passing shit about. By the time we get to March Madness, a blech field just isn't getting me all that fired up on the heels of a bland regular season.

On the flip side, as a HUGE CAA fan, we have 3 teams in this year - a first ever - so my interest is at an all-time high.

That's even with me knowing that UT is going to implode.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm not sure why Colorado is the team that people are championing as the poster child for bad selections.

Their OOC SOS was 324. There are 345 teams in Division I.

Again, as with VT - create a decent schedule, and we're not having this conversation.

Their RPI of 49 is good, not great - but their OOC SOS is just laughable. Hell, their overall SOS is only 57th.

But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Colorado played very well in conference. Sure, they didn't schedule OOC well, but Colorado is a very good team. As was mentioned on ESPN, when we start using the stats too much to judge teams and don't watch a team to see how obviously good they are, we have problems. It's clear that this committee relied far too heavily on the numbers and didn't have a lick of basketball sense when making these decisions.

This is merely argument for argument's sake, since basketball allows for failures while still giving a team a shot at a championship. Did Colorado miss opportunities? Yes. Do they belong in the tourney? No question about it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

That's even with me knowing that UT is going to implode.

I've got 'em winning one then going home ... pending any more drama, crisis, or absurdity between now & 1st round tip off.

Then again, all things considered, this particular team getting to the 2nd round could actually be exceeding reasonable expectations.

[Radii]

Again, if you're in the ACC, you're going to get more shots. They were mediocre in those shots.

It's simple. If Seth Greenberg wasn't such a pussy and schedule real teams OOC, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Either they would be easily in, or clearly out.


I don't like getting too big into the big boys vs mid majors argument but this is starting to sound really hollow. It is coming across to me like you are arguing that a mid major should be judged against an average mid major team and a power conference team against an average power conference team and whichever one is stronger in that measurement should get in. You aren't talking at all about Virginia Tech's resume vs any mid-majors resume, just that "they're a power conference team they have more chances". That's not really how it works at all, nor how its designed to work.

That may suck and I sympathize, but the argument you're making doesn't seem to have anything to do with what the committee looks at to decide who gets in and who doesn't.

[wade moore]

But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Colorado played very well in conference. Sure, they didn't schedule OOC well, but Colorado is a very good team. As was mentioned on ESPN, when we start using the stats too much to judge teams and don't watch a team to see how obviously good they are, we have problems. It's clear that this committee relied far too heavily on the numbers and didn't have a lick of basketball sense when making these decisions.

This is merely argument for argument's sake, since basketball allows for failures while still giving a team a shot at a championship. Did Colorado miss opportunities? Yes. Do they belong in the tourney? No question about it.

So, if we're now moving from the stats argument (which usually you try to use in your favor)..

How much have you watched, oh, lets say VCU (since that is a team I've watched a lot)? Or whatever other team you're saying Colorado should have gotten in over?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

So, if we're now moving from the stats argument (which usually you try to use in your favor)..

How much have you watched, oh, lets say VCU (since that is a team I've watched a lot)? Or whatever other team you're saying Colorado should have gotten in over?

UAB and Clemson are both teams that I would put below Colorado. VCU should be in. USC is a bit questionable, but probably above Colorado.

I run a winery and have 2-3 games on my TV's at all times thanks to the ESPN package. I'm embarrassed to say that I probably have watched far too many games as a side effect of my occupation. :)

[wade moore]

I don't like getting too big into the big boys vs mid majors argument but this is starting to sound really hollow. It is coming across to me like you are arguing that a mid major should be judged against an average mid major team and a power conference team against an average power conference team and whichever one is stronger in that measurement should get in. You aren't talking at all about Virginia Tech's resume vs any mid-majors resume, just that "they're a power conference team they have more chances". That's not really how it works at all, nor how its designed to work.

That may suck and I sympathize, but the argument you're making doesn't seem to have anything to do with what the committee looks at to decide who gets in and who doesn't.

I think you're somewhat mis-reading my intent, or I'm not explaining it very well.

VA Tech was average in a high-major conference. There are a lot of teams that get in the conference with average performances in a high-major conference.

Generally, the ones that don't get in with an average in-conference performance are the ones that were average in-conference and didn't play anyone out of conference - like VT and Colorado.

Let's take Georgetown.

Georgetown was 10-8 (8th) in the Big East. VT was 9-7 (6th) in the ACC.

Georgetown is 31st in RPI, VT is 30th. Georgetown had the 30th ranked OOC SOS. VT had the 157th OOC SOS.

[wade moore]

UAB and Clemson are both teams that I would put below Colorado. VCU should be in. USC is a bit questionable, but probably above Colorado.

I run a winery and have 2-3 games on my TV's at all times thanks to the ESPN package. I'm embarrassed to say that I probably have watched far too many games as a side effect of my occupation. :)

Fair enough. To be fair, I haven't looked at a lot. You probably know by now that I'm pretty defensive of the mid-majors. So, I get into defensive mode.

I just find, in general, that teams (including a lot of the mid-majors) that just barely miss general are ignoring some glaring hole in the resume.

For Colorado, it's pretty easy to point to their TERRIBLE OOC schedule.

[wade moore]

And Radii - I didn't address the mid-major part there. I think mid-majors do need to be judged a bit differently. The mid-majors have a very hard time getting the high-majors to schedule them, especially if they are a good mid-major. So, if they play well in-conference and do well against the few good teams that will play them, I think they should get the benefit of the doubt vs. a high-major team that plays average in-conference and then beats up on a bunch of weak teams OOC.

[Young Drachma]

Colorado lost to Harvard. I was always surprised they were supposedly a lock for so long.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Fair enough. To be fair, I haven't looked at a lot. You probably know by now that I'm pretty defensive of the mid-majors. So, I get into defensive mode.

I just find, in general, that teams (including a lot of the mid-majors) that just barely miss general are ignoring some glaring hole in the resume.

For Colorado, it's pretty easy to point to their TERRIBLE OOC schedule.

The OOC strength on Colorado is pretty misleading. They played four top 100 RPI teams in non-conference. They only beat CSU and lost to Georgia, Harvard, and New Mexico. The problem isn't that they played a 'bad' schedule in non-conference. The problem for them is that they had three losses in that part of the schedule.

It's not just mid-major that's an issue. There's some head scratching majors as well. I don't think it's a big deal in the grand scheme of things. We're not talking about teams that have a realistic shot at the title. My problem is more with the seeding personally. There are some wacking seedings that are going to create 'upsets' that give advantages to some of the higher rated teams in the second and third round. Not good.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Colorado lost to Harvard. I was always surprised they were supposedly a lock for so long.

Harvard was #30 in the RPI. It's not a bad loss. It's just that CU didn't get enough good wins to bump their stats for a committee who apparently focused on that.

[wade moore]

It's not just mid-major that's an issue. There's some head scratching majors as well. I don't think it's a big deal in the grand scheme of things. We're not talking about teams that have a realistic shot at the title. My problem is more with the seeding personally. There are some wacking seedings that are going to create 'upsets' that give advantages to some of the higher rated teams in the second and third round. Not good.

I do agree with the seeding being a disaster fwiw.

[sterlingice]

Colorado lost to Harvard. I was always surprised they were supposedly a lock for so long.

You mean the Harvard that was one point away from being in the tournament?

SI

[RainMaker]

It seems like a particularly tough year to seed. There is so much parity these days.

[RainMaker]

Also, I see arguments for Virginia Tech and think it was a coin flip on whether they get in or not. The committee has shafted some mid-majors over the last few years so I wonder if this was throwing them a bone for that. But I don't view Colorado as a snub. That team was pure horseshit on the road and that should be taken into account.

St. Mary's could make a case but that loss to San Diego was just too miserable to look past. As could Boston College. But honestly, I don't feel like any school left out really has a huge case. None of them really beat good teams and all blew huge opportunities throughout the season.

[Comey]

Colorado lost to Harvard. I was always surprised they were supposedly a lock for so long.

There were many (Jay Bilas leading that pack, it would seem) who considered Harvard not getting in as an at-large to be the biggest travesty of this selection process.

[Young Drachma]

There were many (Jay Bilas leading that pack, it would seem) who considered Harvard not getting in as an at-large to be the biggest travesty of this selection process.

I would've been totally cool with Harvard being in and if I'm in the committee room, I try to float that rubber ducky. They had good wins despite an otherwise weak schedule. Plus, throwing the Ivy two bids for once would be fine to me.

But their strength of schedule would've been the lowest of any of the at-large teams by any measure you used to evaluate these things. I just thought it was interesting that so many of the pundits had CU in and then they didn't make the field in the end, was all. (And I'm sort of a backup fan of CU mostly because the only D1 school I've ever worked at.)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

There were many (Jay Bilas leading that pack, it would seem) who considered Harvard not getting in as an at-large to be the biggest travesty of this selection process.

I'd agree. I think Harvard has an even better argument than Colorado.

[Swaggs]

Still trying to digest things here, but a couple of things that I do not like:

1.) From a personal standpoint, I'm not sure how I feel about WVU getting the winner of a play-in game. I guess there could be the advantage of having a slightly fatigued team, but I think that is outweighed by not knowing who your opponent is until ~48 hours before game time. As a 5-seed, I'd probably rather have the opportunity to spend the next few days studying film and preparing/teaching a game plan, rather than (I guess) splitting attention between two teams and/or trying to guess who you think will win.

2.) I know few will have sympathy for the Big East, but it seems kind of cheesy that there are two pods that have potential second round matchups between Big East teams (East has #3 Syracuse vs #11 Marquette if both win one game and West, which is much worse in my opinion, has #3 UConn vs #6 Cincy if both win one game). It seems like they easily could have avoided any conference matchups until the second weekend.

[molson]

Harvard/Oklahoma St. in the 1st round of the NIT is kind of interesting to me for some reason.

[Comey]

I would've been totally cool with Harvard being in and if I'm in the committee room, I try to float that rubber ducky. They had good wins despite an otherwise weak schedule. Plus, throwing the Ivy two bids for once would be fine to me.

But their strength of schedule would've been the lowest of any of the at-large teams by any measure you used to evaluate these things. I just thought it was interesting that so many of the pundits had CU in and then they didn't make the field in the end, was all. (And I'm sort of a backup fan of CU mostly because the only D1 school I've ever worked at.)

I'm not comparing them to Colorado; I'm more taking issue with VCU/USC/UAB/Clemson, and even PSU to a degree.

[Young Drachma]

Harvard/Oklahoma St. in the 1st round of the NIT is kind of interesting to me for some reason.

How so? Underseeded, maybe?

[Lathum]

I agree with swaggs about a ucinn cinci round 2 game. That stuck out to me.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I'll preface this with an admission that I watch very little College Basketball, and that while I have no love for the school, I DO hear the local sports talk radio blather about them...

...but I think St. Mary's has the best reason to gripe about a "snub." They had an awful loss to San Diego coupled with a fairly weak finish to the season (losses to Utah State and Gonzaga twice), but about 3 weeks ago they were ranked in the top 15 and finished the season with an RPI of 44.

They definitely had their chances to punch their own ticket to the dance, but I think they're the most deserving of the teams that did not make it.

[RainMaker]

The San Diego loss is just so horrible that it killed their chances. I wouldn't complain if they were in at all, but it's one of those teams I don't feel sorry for at all. I feel bad for the schools that didn't have an opportunity to get in despite doing what they had to do schedule wise.

[molson]

Game times/networks have been posted on the ESPN scoreboard pages now, if you're interested:

NCAA College Basketball Scores - NCAA Basketball - ESPN (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/scoreboard?date=20110317)

[jbergey22]

The San Diego loss is just so horrible that it killed their chances. I wouldn't complain if they were in at all, but it's one of those teams I don't feel sorry for at all. I feel bad for the schools that didn't have an opportunity to get in despite doing what they had to do schedule wise.

Wouldnt that be St Marys?

They were 25-8 so I assume the reason they didnt get in was a weak SOS. I would think St Marys is the team that best fits this " I feel bad for the schools that didn't have an opportunity to get in despite doing what they had to do schedule wise" criteria you mention.

Their losses were BYU, SD St, Vanderbilt, Gonzage(twice), Portland, San Diego, and Utah St. Six of their losses were to tourny teams.

[Atocep]

Wouldnt that be St Marys?

They were 25-8 so I assume the reason they didnt get in was a weak SOS. I would think St Marys is the team that best fits this " I feel bad for the schools that didn't have an opportunity to get in despite doing what they had to do schedule wise" criteria you mention.

Their losses were BYU, SD St, Vanderbilt, Gonzage(twice), Portland, San Diego, and Utah St. Six of their losses were to tourny teams.

I can't see a realistic argument for St. Mary's to be in. They just didn't do much other than beat up bad teams. 15 of their wins were also against RPI 150 and below teams. Gonzaga has shown what you need to do in the WCC to get an at-large bid. St. Mary's didn't do that.

[Lathum]

Game times/networks have been posted on the ESPN scoreboard pages now, if you're interested:

NCAA College Basketball Scores - NCAA Basketball - ESPN (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/scoreboard?date=20110317)

I am the happiest person in the world right now. The UW game is the late game on Friday so I'll be able to watch. So excited.

Plus I think it will help that we are playing UGA at 9:45 EST

[jbergey22]

I can't see a realistic argument for St. Mary's to be in. They just didn't do much other than beat up bad teams. 15 of their wins were also against RPI 150 and below teams. Gonzaga has shown what you need to do in the WCC to get an at-large bid. St. Mary's didn't do that.

St Marys isnt really one of the teams I felt bad for in not getting in. I was just trying to understand RainMakers argument so I brought up St Marys.

VTech is the one that bothers me and its not only because they were snubbed this year. Its happened far too often to them in the past few years.

[Atocep]

St Marys isnt really one of the teams I felt bad for in not getting in. I was just trying to understand RainMakers argument so I brought up St Marys.

VTech is the one that bothers me and its not only because they were snubbed this year. Its happened far too often to them in the past few years.

I'm fine with Virginia Tech going through this every year. :D

[LloydLungs]

St. Mary's is a good team and they probably would have acquitted themselves well in the tournament, but you just can't butcher a game like San Diego. I can't feel too bad for them.

I found Jay Bilas' demeanor immediately following the bracket announcement to be the most curious thing about the analysis. He was maintaining what I would call a fit of controlled rage for a good half hour or so. Vitale, he's always complaining after the selections -- if major schools get left out he whines about his coaching buddies getting the shaft, and if mid majors get left out he whines about the little guy never getting a chance. Digger is just a goofball. But Bilas -- it's just weird seeing him that angry. There's got to be something else behind that energy besides a couple of flawed teams getting left out of the NCAAs. I was wondering if it was because VCU knocked off Duke a couple years back. It was strange.

[Lathum]

The problem I have with Va Tech is looking at their OOC schedule they lost to K State, UNLV, and Purdue. Their best OOC win was Penn State.

If you play a crap OOC schedule you better win against the teams that are rater high

[RainMaker]

Wouldnt that be St Marys?

They were 25-8 so I assume the reason they didnt get in was a weak SOS. I would think St Marys is the team that best fits this " I feel bad for the schools that didn't have an opportunity to get in despite doing what they had to do schedule wise" criteria you mention.

Their losses were BYU, SD St, Vanderbilt, Gonzage(twice), Portland, San Diego, and Utah St. Six of their losses were to tourny teams.
They had chances to beat those schools though. Some at home. And if you aren't going to beat those teams, then you can't blow a game to a school like San Diego which is literally one of the worst in all of D-1.

Like I said, I wouldn't be down about them getting in. Just don't think they have a big gripe and had their opportunities. There are small schools that get snubbed that don't get those same chances.

[jbergey22]

They had chances to beat those schools though. Some at home. And if you aren't going to beat those teams, then you can't blow a game to a school like San Diego which is literally one of the worst in all of D-1.

Like I said, I wouldn't be down about them getting in. Just don't think they have a big gripe and had their opportunities. There are small schools that get snubbed that don't get those same chances.

I agree with that. I just didnt really understand what you meant I guess. I wasnt sure if you were saying teams like Long Beach St and Missouri St should be in or teams that did their best with a difficult schedule deserve to be in.

[cartman]

Very surprised that Maryland didn't get an NIT bid.

[Commo_Soldier]

Looking for a site that had a breakdown of teams in by conference, I came across the USA today site for their bubble watch (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2011-bubble.htm), surprised to see the only had one swap wrong, UAB out and VT in.

[molson]

These teams that everyone is freaking out over (the last few in, and out), all look pretty hugely flawed on paper, and I don't see any clear way to distinguish any of them. And they're all listed in pre-selection show bubble discussions. There's people like Jay Bilas freaking out because his own opinion was two teams off from the ncaa's. I mean really? It is indeed strange. If the NCAA doesn't deliver the ESPN bracketology bracket exactly people are yelling about travesties. Nobody got robbed - and a couple teams got really lucky with the tourney expansion.

[Young Drachma]

Here's the CIT field:


Former NCAA tournament darlings Northern Iowa and Valparaiso highlight the 24 teams selected to play in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament on Sunday.
The tourney expanded from 16 teams this season, which creates a few quirks in the schedule.
All 24 teams play first-round games starting this week, with four teams then getting a bye into the quarterfinals. They'll play the winners of four games involving the other eight teams.
The single-elimination tournament will continue through semifinals with a championship game scheduled for March 30. All games will be played at campus sites.
The other teams include: Air Force, Buffalo, East Carolina, East Tennessee State, Furman, Hawaii, Idaho, Iona, Jacksonville, Marshall, North Dakota, Northern Arizona, Ohio, Oral Roberts, Portland, Quinnipiac, Rider, San Francisco, Santa Clara, SMU, Tennessee Tech and Western Michigan.


Oh and here's the CBI field:

March 15 - James Madison at Davidson; San Jose State at Creighton
March 15 - Austin Peay at Boise State; Hofstra at Evansville
March 16 - Duquesne at Montana; Weber State at Oregon
March 16 - Miami (Ohio) at Rhode Island; St. Bonaventure at UCF

[jbergey22]

Maryland and Minnesota turned down invites.

[Young Drachma]

Maryland and Minnesota turned down invites.

I don't blame 'em. Those aren't cheap excursions.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Maryland and Minnesota turned down invites.

Umm ... someone should have told Gary Williams
Maryland basketball: Terps get left out of NIT field - baltimoresun.com (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terps/bs-sp-terps-nit-0314-20110313,0,4825435.story)

"After 19 wins and beating Penn State, Florida State and Clemson, it's disappointing that we're not at least in the NIT," Maryland coach Gary Williams said in remarks e-mailed to reporters. Penn State, Florida State and Clemson made the 68-team NCAA field.

"We played right with Duke for 35 minutes and got a win in the ACC tournament. It's kind of surprising we weren't selected," Williams said. "We worked very hard to get to where we were with 19 wins this year. We're looking forward to the start of next season."

edit to add: Or did you mean they turned down an invite to the pay-as-you-go-Classics?

[Lathum]

who gives a rats ass about the CBI and CIT? Why do you always feel the need to champion the cause of the little guy?

[jbergey22]

Umm ... someone should have told Gary Williams
Maryland basketball: Terps get left out of NIT field - baltimoresun.com (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terps/bs-sp-terps-nit-0314-20110313,0,4825435.story)

"After 19 wins and beating Penn State, Florida State and Clemson, it's disappointing that we're not at least in the NIT," Maryland coach Gary Williams said in remarks e-mailed to reporters. Penn State, Florida State and Clemson made the 68-team NCAA field.

"We played right with Duke for 35 minutes and got a win in the ACC tournament. It's kind of surprising we weren't selected," Williams said. "We worked very hard to get to where we were with 19 wins this year. We're looking forward to the start of next season."

I should have clarified. They didnt get invited to the NIT so they both turned down invites to the other two.

[jbergey22]

who gives a rats ass about the CBI and CIT? Why do you always feel the need to champion the cause of the little guy?

Well I dont really care about the tourny but I wanted the Gophers to get to play some more games and hopefully get something positive going into next year. I am sure they had their reasons for not wanting to play in them tournys but I wouldnt want to end my career losing 10 out of 11 games.

But with your post. Yes too many tournaments right now.

[molson]

I thought one of those two other tournaments was strictly smaller conferences anyway - and it looks like there's only one BCS school in either tournament.

I think it's harmless and fun that Idaho is playing San Francisco somewhere after the season - it's unoffensive, certainly it isn't hard to ignore those games.

[Young Drachma]

I thought one of those two other tournaments was strictly smaller conferences anyway - and it looks like there's only one BCS school in either tournament.

I think it's harmless and fun that Idaho is playing San Francisco somewhere after the season - it's unoffensive, certainly it isn't hard to ignore those games.

The College Insider tourney is specifically for mid-majors, yeah.

who gives a rats ass about the CBI and CIT? Why do you always feel the need to champion the cause of the little guy?

Went to and have worked at small schools, so I tend care about them.

[Young Drachma]

Well I dont really care about the tourny but I wanted the Gophers to get to play some more games and hopefully get something positive going into next year. I am sure they had their reasons for not wanting to play in them tournys but I wouldnt want to end my career losing 10 out of 11 games.


In 2009, The CIT cost about $28k to host a game, the CBI charges $60k. Road team travel costs are covered by the tournament in either case. Most schools opt for the CIT for that reason because they can sometimes break even, where the CBI is a loss. So they probably didn't think it was worth the loss for a banner they wouldn't hang if they managed to win it.

[Butter]

Excited about seeing Clemson here in the First Four in Dayton.

Supposedly, the community is getting behind this despite the NCAA mandating that Tuesday/Wednesday tickets be bought as a package instead of being able to buy single session tickets, and the worst seats in the house still going for $97 a pop.

Luckily, I was able to find a nice, fellow UD fan that was willing to part with his decent seats for one day for half of $97 each so my wife and I can see her beloved (and my adopted) Clemson Tigers beat UAB on Tuesday night.

[Butter]

Also, we will be rooting on UNC-Asheville out of the Big South in Game 1. Have to go with the regional favorites.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Wouldnt that be St Marys?

They were 25-8 so I assume the reason they didnt get in was a weak SOS. I would think St Marys is the team that best fits this " I feel bad for the schools that didn't have an opportunity to get in despite doing what they had to do schedule wise" criteria you mention.

Their losses were BYU, SD St, Vanderbilt, Gonzage(twice), Portland, San Diego, and Utah St. Six of their losses were to tourny teams.

RainMaker was responding to my post about St. Mary's being the bubble team with the most to complain about. I should clarify that original post I made - I'm not saying that I think they deserve to be in the tournament, just that they seem to have the strongest resume of the four teams that everyone is talking about as "snubs."

I think that although the San Diego loss was atrocious and nearly inexcusable, you can't write off a season on one game. Like I mentioned, they had plenty of opportunities to punch their ticket, they just didn't get it handled.

[Thomkal]

Meanwhile Coastal Carolina really gets slammed for its late season woes and only 8 active players, getting one of the last four seeds and maybe even the last seed in the NIT and will travel to Alabama on Tuesday. The good news? The Chants beat an SEC team at their place already this season. The bad news? It was the woeful LSU Tigers. So a likely one and out for my Chants but that might be a good thing given the turmoil surrounding the program right now. If Coastal gets raked over the coals by the NCAA, look for Coach Ellis to be fired despite two near NCAA appearances. The current AD didn't hire him and has already met with him over his recruiting process.

[wade moore]

The weird thing about the CAA getting 3 teams in the NCAAs is they get 0 in the NIT. I thought Hofstra or Drexel would get in, but they didn't.

[Butter]

A10 only got 1 in the NIT as well. They placed like 3 or 4 in the CIT/CBI tourneys.

[wade moore]

Joe Sheehan does a bit of filleting of the talking heads:

Joe Sheehan: From 345 to 68, Epilogue (http://joesheehanbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/03/from-345-to-68-epilogue.html)

Pretty fun read for me.

[LloydLungs]

Joe Sheehan does a bit of filleting of the talking heads:

Joe Sheehan: From 345 to 68, Epilogue (http://joesheehanbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/03/from-345-to-68-epilogue.html)

Sheehan has actually done yeoman's work these past few weeks with college basketball -- topped off by that brilliant roasting of ESPN's idiots today. I've greatly enjoyed his Twitter throughout the conference tourney/bubble/selection/aftermath process as well.

[Scoobz0202]

When you guys are filling out your brackets what resources do you turn to for more info on a team? I'm finding it harder to fill out this year then most. Not sure if it's due to parity or if it's because I didn't pay attention as much this year.

[DataKing]

And already today the annual "Boohoo you stole our coach" nonsense is starting at my office with the Illini grads I work with. I do enjoy it so. :D

[RainMaker]

Joe Sheehan does a bit of filleting of the talking heads:

Joe Sheehan: From 345 to 68, Epilogue (http://joesheehanbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/03/from-345-to-68-epilogue.html)

Pretty fun read for me.
That's a real good read. Not sure how anyone takes ESPN serious anymore. They are just a marketing company for the leagues that do business with them. Jay Bilas is on PTI right now thrashing the committee for picking VCU and UAB.

It's kind of funny how when good non-BCS get shafted, no word is spoken. When a BCS school gets shafted, the whole system needs to be transformed. Jay Bilas likely hasn't watched a single CAA game this season.

[Radii]

Bilas is a frequent guest on the local sports talk radio shows and he is one of my favorite people to listen to. Its really really disappointing to see the BS going on the last couple days over such marginal decisions.

[JonInMiddleGA]

When you guys are filling out your brackets what resources do you turn to for more info on a team? I'm finding it harder to fill out this year then most. Not sure if it's due to parity or if it's because I didn't pay attention as much this year.

I rarely go past the thumbnails at whatever site I'm using for the bracket. Yahoo, espn, cbs, etc.

That + my own "knowledge" + my gut usually gives me a pick. But then again, I'm strictly a free bracket kind of guy for years now, nothing at stake more than bragging rights.

[LloydLungs]

Bilas is a frequent guest on the local sports talk radio shows and he is one of my favorite people to listen to. Its really really disappointing to see the BS going on the last couple days over such marginal decisions.

Most of the ESPN panel is comprised of idiots. Bilas, in contrast, is actually very intelligent -- but he has that attorney arrogance that comes out sometimes. On top of that, he seemed to be taking the UAB/VCU selections REALLY personally for some reason. Attorney arrogance + mysterious apparent personal grudge = extremely off-putting personality display that we saw last night.

Not his best moment.

[RainMaker]

The problem with Bilas is that he isn't really making an argument for those snubbed teams. It's just the standard "why should we let teams from smaller conferences into our tournament". I understand why he can't since the numbers go against his stance, but at least give something.

And I have no idea how UAB gets thrown into this. They won a decent conference. Had a real good RPI too. Much better than any of the "snubbed" teams. They should definitely be in. I think people get carried away with "signature wins" when the entire body of work should be used. While people have shit on the RPI, it's still a really good indicator of how well a school performed compared to others over the course of a season. It should be used much more heavily in determining who gets in.

But I'm sure this will just mean no mid-majors will get an at-large bid next season thanks to the crying.

[Radii]

But I'm sure this will just mean no mid-majors will get an at-large bid next season thanks to the crying.


Does anyone remember the crying 2 weeks later, after all these marginal teams are out anyway? Honest question, my perception is that it gives some people something to talk about for a couple days but the second the tournament starts very few people care anymore. By next year this time this will all be such a distant memory that we'll all be shocked and appalled when the seedings aren't 100% perfect again.

I know that guys like Dark Cloud and Wade who have significant ties to mid-major basketball will remember, but is there any legit reason to believe that next year virginia tech is in and UAB is out because jay bilas threw a hissyfit?

[RainMaker]

Years ago when more mid-majors were getting in, some people through huge fits (Billy Packer, Dick Vitale, etc) and we almost saw a complete end to any at-large bids for them. People started trashing the RPI and the committee started using it less and less. They said all the mid-majors were gaming the system which is perhaps the most retarded fucking statement that anyone involved in college basketball could ever come up with.

[wade moore]

Does anyone remember the crying 2 weeks later, after all these marginal teams are out anyway? Honest question, my perception is that it gives some people something to talk about for a couple days but the second the tournament starts very few people care anymore. By next year this time this will all be such a distant memory that we'll all be shocked and appalled when the seedings aren't 100% perfect again.

I know that guys like Dark Cloud and Wade who have significant ties to mid-major basketball will remember, but is there any legit reason to believe that next year virginia tech is in and UAB is out because jay bilas threw a hissyfit?

I'm 100% with you on this.

I've been guilty of getting "emotional" about it myself, but that's how I debate.

The Tournament Selection fighting is like my 3rd favorite sporting event behind the Super Bowl and the Tournament itself to be honest. It's entertainment.

[wade moore]

And no, I don't think Bilas will make a difference.

There are ebs and flows. Last year (or the year before?) DC and I were complaining because of the lack of mids. This year is a strong mid year.

It's really just an eb and flow.

[jbergey22]

When you guys are filling out your brackets what resources do you turn to for more info on a team? I'm finding it harder to fill out this year then most. Not sure if it's due to parity or if it's because I didn't pay attention as much this year.


http://kenpom.com/fanmatch.php?d=2011-03-16 is a good one. You can click on team names to see the team and player stats of each team.

[Atocep]

Years ago when more mid-majors were getting in, some people through huge fits (Billy Packer, Dick Vitale, etc) and we almost saw a complete end to any at-large bids for them. People started trashing the RPI and the committee started using it less and less. They said all the mid-majors were gaming the system which is perhaps the most retarded fucking statement that anyone involved in college basketball could ever come up with.

Do you really think Billy Packer, Dick Vitale, ect have any weight whatsoever with the selection committee?

The selection process is constantly evolving. They just recently got rid of last 10/12 being part of the data used in selection. Was there a conspiracy from Vitale, ect to get rid of that as well?

[Radii]

I'm 100% with you on this.

I've been guilty of getting "emotional" about it myself, but that's how I debate.

The Tournament Selection fighting is like my 3rd favorite sporting event behind the Super Bowl and the Tournament itself to be honest. It's entertainment.


Oh sure, nothing wrong with that. My comment about the silly reactions wasn't about any fans, fans of mid major conferences or of Virginia Tech or whatever have every right to get into the argument. The silly reactions comment was solely aimed at professional analysts who should be level headed and... analytical about the whole thing, not colin cowherd style blowhards

[JonInMiddleGA]

Do you really think Billy Packer, Dick Vitale, ect have any weight whatsoever with the selection committee?

Indirectly, yeah, I believe they do. Not individually, but as "the media" in general.

It's now commonplace for the NCAA to attempt to defend their selections within minutes of the bracket reveal. That hasn't always been the case as I recall, but now it's not only obligatory but actually seems somewhat desparate. They've also started bending over backwards to get the media on their side with the mock selection committee each year.

Do I think that the members look at each other & say "what's espn going to say about this choice"? Nah. Do I think it's in their heads at some level & definitely influences them subconsciously? You're damned skippy I do.

[Atocep]

Indirectly, yeah, I believe they do. Not individually, but as "the media" in general.

It's now commonplace for the NCAA to attempt to defend their selections within minutes of the bracket reveal. That hasn't always been the case as I recall, but now it's not only obligatory but actually seems somewhat desparate. They've also started bending over backwards to get the media on their side with the mock selection committee each year.

Do I think that the members look at each other & say "what's espn going to say about this choice"? Nah. Do I think it's in their heads at some level & definitely influences them subconsciously? You're damned skippy I do.

I'll agree here. However, I don't think Packer or Vitale are going to have any impact at all in what criteria is used in selection. I believe the selection committee has used the media to help people understand how selection works more than anything else. However, the more info people are given the more they have to bitch about.

RPI is heavily flawed and way behind the work of guys like Pomeroy. I don't know why it's even used at this point. I'm hoping it goes the way of the last 10/12 and is out of the selection criteria within the next couple of years.

[RainMaker]

RPI is heavily flawed and way behind the work of guys like Pomeroy. I don't know why it's even used at this point. I'm hoping it goes the way of the last 10/12 and is out of the selection criteria within the next couple of years.
What flaws do you find in it when it comes to picking out the teams that had the best seasons?

If you want to say it's a bad predictor of who will win a game, I'd agree. But that's not how the tournament or any postseason should be selected. It should be based on the results of the season. The RPI is the purest way of determining that.

[Scoobz0202]

Just filled out my prelim bracket. In the Southeast I have BYU-Utah St, with Utah St making the final four. Yea, I think I'm going to have to do some serious soul searching tomorrow before I submit it :p

[mauchow]

Hopefully this game is a sign of things to come this first weekend of games. It was a good game with Ashville coming out on top. I watch most of the second half of this one to get me in the mood for the upcoming few days. Got another one tonight that we can hope to get us all more excited yet.

[mauchow]

And Bilas really believes that 3 Big East teams will make the Final 4? Doubtful but I guess that's why the tourney is played.

[sterlingice]

What NCAA Tournament game? Silly person, they start on Thursday ;)

SI

[DataKing]

The TruTV Thin Walls commercial is pretty damn hilarious.

[muns]

The TruTV Thin Walls commercial is pretty damn hilarious.

Not when they show it every other commercial. I understand trying to market your channel now that you think you have some viewers but its annoying as heck watching the same 2 tru tv commercials over and over.

[muns]

If UAB keeps this up, Bilas and everyone else is going to continue to have a field day for another 24 hours. 25-7 after 10 mins of ball isn't good. I actually would have thought UAB would have come out fired up with all the hoopla about them being in the tournament, instead they have come out awfully flat IMHO.

[Young Drachma]

http://www.slate.com/id/2288251/pagenum/2

All-Motivated Team
I wanted to see if you could actually field a competitive squad of players with nonstandard majors. Turns out you can. I'd even bet these 15 players would contend for the national title.
G: Nolan Smith, Duke, 21.3 ppg, African and African-American studies
G: Jimmer Fredette, BYU, 28.5 ppg, American studies
F: Kyle Singler, Duke, 17.1 ppg, visual arts
F: Noah Dahlman, Wofford, 20.0 ppg, history
C: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt, 12.8 ppg, economics
Second Team
G: D.J. Gay, San Diego State, 11.2 ppg, women's studies
G: Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame, 18.5 ppg, American studies
F: Jamal Olasewere, LIU, 12.9 ppg, computer science
F: Cameron Moore, UAB, 14.3 ppg, philosophy
C: Zeke Marshall, Akron, 8.6 ppg, computer information systems
Third Team
G: G.W. Boon, Bucknell, 8.8 ppg, biomedical engineering
G: Trian Iliadis, Old Dominion, 6.0 ppg, biochemistry
F: Tim Abromaitis, Notre Dame, 15.3 ppg, one-year graduate MBA program
F: Jamelle Horne, Arizona, 6.2 ppg, creative writing
C: Dan Geriot, Richmond, 9.9 ppg, double major in political science and history

[DataKing]

Wow UAB just looks awful. They're making Clemson look like title contenders.

[Lathum]

G: D.J. Gay, San Diego State, 11.2 ppg, women's studies


:lol:

[Ragone]

I'm trying to figure out a way to work Greg Robinson into the mix.

Oddly enough... Greg Robinson is trying to figure out a way to work.

[TargetPractice6]

:lol:
"How did I fail women's studies? I love bitches!"

[Swaggs]

Sorry to keep up with the coaching movement news, but I can't get enough of this stuff for some reason. :)

ESPN Rumors says that NC State's Debbie Yow has a list of about 10 names "with a decided preference for successful college veterans now coaching in the NCAA tournament." The speculation is that her list includes Turgeon of A&M, Jamie Dixon of Pitt, and Brad Stevens of Butler -- all of whom seem like major reaches. Also mentions that John Beilein might be a candidate. Beilein flirted with NC State the season before he left WVU for Michigan, has East Coast ties, and has a history of leaving his job every 5-6 years, so it wouldn't be a complete shock (still seems like a reach, though).

Providence is reportedly looking at Fairfield's Ed Cooley and former BC and Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien. Cooley is young and from Providence, but obviously much less established. O'Brien is over 60, but has a lot better name recognition and coached in the Big East for a long time at BC, so he'd probably be a safer short-term choice

[muns]

Sorry to keep up with the coaching movement news, but I can't get enough of this stuff for some reason. :)

ESPN Rumors says that NC State's Debbie Yow has a list of about 10 names "with a decided preference for successful college veterans now coaching in the NCAA tournament." The speculation is that her list includes Turgeon of A&M, Jamie Dixon of Pitt, and Brad Stevens of Butler -- all of whom seem like major reaches. Also mentions that John Beilein might be a candidate. Beilein flirted with NC State the season before he left WVU for Michigan, has East Coast ties, and has a history of leaving his job every 5-6 years, so it wouldn't be a complete shock (still seems like a reach, though).

Providence is reportedly looking at Fairfield's Ed Cooley and former BC and Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien. Cooley is young and from Providence, but obviously much less established. O'Brien is over 60, but has a lot better name recognition and coached in the Big East for a long time at BC, so he'd probably be a safer short-term choice


WOW, as I just said in the other thread, this NC State thing has the potential to be another disaster for them.

I don't see either Turgeon or Dixon leaving. If Dixon didn't leave last year for Arizona he certainly wont leave for NC State right???

Stevens is interesting. I know he said last year he is committed there for a long time, but it is Butler and if he ever wants to get bigger he needs a University that can provide him with that.

John Beilein is also interesting to me. He is just getting Michigan where he wants them, would he leave now after all the years getting them there?

[Butter]

Back today from the tournament last night. It was a good showing by all teams (except UAB). Great first game, good result from the 2nd game for a fan of Clemson.

The biggest roar of the night, by far, was the step back 3 that UNCA's guard hit to send the game to OT. Attendance hit over 10,000, which was up from the previous single play-in games at UD Arena.

Clemson brought the biggest fan contingent, maybe 750-1000 fans... there was orange scattered throughout the entire arena. UAB had 200-300 mostly in a section behind their bench. UALR had about 100 folks behind their bench, while Asheville had 40-50 diehards opposite their bench throughout their game. Everyone else was pretty much impartial observers. Fun, if late night, as the last game ended around midnight, and I had to be up at 5 AM today.

[whomario]

I know on paper it´s now the "first round", but who are they kidding ? I would even understand if they had a couple bubble teams from Power Conferences battle out a few spots, but have them play mid-majors seems just weird.

That being said the NC-Asheville vs. Ark-Little Rock game was quite fun to watch.

[muns]

Im going to assume that the PAC-10 doesnt play much zone, cause Dana O'Neil and USC have one of the wrost zone "O'S" I've seen in a while. They can't do anything against VCU with it

[jbergey22]

Im glad VCU pulled away again. For about a 3-4 minute period in the 2nd half it seemed the refs were going to will USC to a victory.

[B & B]

Thats correct. The BS 'intentional' foul call , the reDICKulous blocking call in the lane that was an obvious charge and caused Haley to foul out, etc. Refs, plz dont decide any games.


USC did a piss poor job of getting the ball into the bigs and taking good shot choices. They deserved to lose and ended up quitting pretty much after Jio fouled out.

[Young Drachma]

Oregon offered Stevens a truckload of money and he didn't even give them an interview. NC State can't compete with that.

[Vince, Pt. II]

http://www.slate.com/id/2288251/pagenum/2

Am I missing the point here? What's non-standard about a History or Economics major?

[Young Drachma]

Am I missing the point here? What's non-standard about a History or Economics major?

At a lot of institutions, student-athletes are steered towards easier majors than those.

[wade moore]

Good job VCU!

VCU showed why this CAA homer has them going the farthest in this tournament, despite being the team that everyone questioned getting in.

Despite what that idiot Bilas says, VCU is a good team that can give teams fits - especially if they don't matchup well against VCU's strengths.

[sterlingice]

Is ODU the same as last year, wade? Big NBA bodies without NBA skills? With the right matchup, that can give teams fits, too.

SI

[Butter]

For those with DirecTV, Channel 701 is the Bracket Channel on which you can actually enter picks on a bracket you want to follow and follow them live as the tournament goes on without going online. Seems like a neat idea, if limited in execution as you can only enter 1 bracket and I don't think it is entered in a contest or anything.

[wade moore]

Is ODU the same as last year, wade? Big NBA bodies without NBA skills? With the right matchup, that can give teams fits, too.

SI

Yes, same deal.

The problem for them is they would match-up with Pitt in the 2nd round - bigger NBA bodies with NBA skill.

So, I think it was the worst possible draw for their skillset. Pitt/ODU should be an UGLY game.

On the GMU side - rumors are that two of their starters got hurt in practice on Tuesday which could be a HUGE blow to their chances.

[Butter]

And here we go. Go Clemson!

[Ragone]

These are the refs that call fouls like they are going out of style.. thats not good for wvu at all...

[muns]

These are the refs that call fouls like they are going out of style.. thats not good for wvu at all...

Its not looking good, thats for sure. I will say though that the refs have called some iffy ones on Clemson so they are being consistently bad I guess.

Flowers having to sit down in the first 2 mins of the game really hurts

[Ragone]

it is very nice that all the games will be on tv and watchable by all (with cable)

[Butter]

Clemson has a tendency to go on these ungodly long scoring droughts. They avoided that against UAB, and are doing a good job against WVU so far... but there is far yet to travel.

[Scoobz0202]

Big way to end the half by West Virginia.

[muns]

Big way to end the half by West Virginia.

9-0 run to end the half was pretty big..... I thought that last foul by WVU should have been on flowers and not kolita or however you say his name.... That was a big call

[Butter]

Butler/ODU an unsurprisingly defensive struggle.

[Butter]

Clemson has a tendency to go on these ungodly long scoring droughts. They avoided that against UAB, and are doing a good job against WVU so far... but there is far yet to travel.

And there it is. 7 points in like 14 minutes. Turn out the lights on this one.

[Lathum]

Louisville struggling

[wade moore]

This ODU/Butler game is being called REALLY tight.

[whomario]

what an amazing sequence for Dalton Pepper of WVU, getting 2 buckets off of terrific steals at midcourt within 15 seconds :eek:

AND a 3rd steal 10 seconds later, out of bounds and ball WVU !

[TargetPractice6]

I can't believe there is actually a person named Dalton Pepper.

[muns]

what an amazing sequence for Dalton Pepper of WVU, getting 2 buckets off of terrific steals at midcourt within 15 seconds :eek:

AND a 3rd steal 10 seconds later, out of bounds and ball WVU !

just an amazing individual effort by that kid..... I have enjoyed this one

[muns]

I can't believe there is actually a person named Dalton Pepper.

Normally id say well he does play for WVU ;)

but he is from PA

[muns]

Hey Sak how about PSU and Taylor on fire from 3 point range!!!!!

[whomario]

Butler running an alley oop play there ? Not sure on that one ...

[whomario]

Crazy ending to the Butler vs ODU games, guy shoots falling down, ball tipped and the Howard cleans it up from the weakside.

tourney off to a nice start today :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well fuck.

[Scoobz0202]

SO MUCH FOR MY PERFECT BRACKET.

[JonInMiddleGA]

SO MUCH FOR MY PERFECT BRACKET.

+1

[TargetPractice6]

I forgot that Butler is coached by a twelve year old.

[Ragone]

jesus.. that was a total mugging on siva.. lets not call an obvious foul

[Swaggs]

Glad to see WVU advance (obviously). We seemed like a trendy upset pick by a lot of panelists (Lunardi, Gottlieb, Barkley, at least), so it was nice to pick up a tough one over a good team.

I'm officially pleased with the season -- any more wins will just be gravy, as far as I am concerned. I still think we could make a run if we hit shots, since our defense will almost always keep games within striking distance, but I've seen too many long dry spells from this team to believe we can go 3 or 4 games without one.

[Ragone]

i'm glad wvu won.. my 2nd favorite big east team.. behind louisville of course..

[Comey]

I can't believe there is actually a person named Dalton Pepper.

He was a hell of a player from the Philly area...think he went to Pennsbury HS, but I could be wrong.

[Young Drachma]

So far, so good.

[Atocep]

I'm officially pleased with the season -- any more wins will just be gravy, as far as I am concerned.

Pretty much how I feel. Before the season started I would have been happy with just making the tourney. The job Huggins has done with this team is really overlooked.

[Lathum]

If Morehead state could protect the ball they would have a chance.

I also think it is hilarious that the impartial fans are all chanting MORE-HEAD

[Atocep]

He was a hell of a player from the Philly area...think he went to Pennsbury HS, but I could be wrong.

That's correct. Huggins had big expectations for him and he tends to make plays when he's in the game, but he also makes a lot of little mistakes that keep him from playing more.

He'll have every opportunity to start next year.

[Comey]

That's correct. Huggins had big expectations for him and he tends to make plays when he's in the game, but he also makes a lot of little mistakes that keep him from playing more.

He'll have every opportunity to start next year.

I've read numerous rumors (mainly from Pennlive and PASportsBoard) about him transferring after the season. But, I guess those rumors were there last season, as well.

[Lathum]

Louisvilles body language looks like they expect to lose

[Atocep]

I've read numerous rumors (mainly from Pennlive and PASportsBoard) about him transferring after the season. But, I guess those rumors were there last season, as well.

They've died down as of late but you never know. They have less to do with playing time and more to do with homesickness I've heard.

[Comey]

I have to say, I'm *greatly* enjoying CBS On Demand right now. I have the Princeton/UK game on my TV, the PSU/Temple game on my computer...I was worried I'd be screwed, since I don't have cable. This is fantastic.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, it's pretty awesome to not have to go through a whole bunch of trouble to get the games online.

[RedKingGold]

Morehead

*snicker*

[Atocep]

I hate seeing teams slow things down with 4 minutes or so left unless you're up 10+.

Moorehead is a shining example right now of why that's a bad idea.

[Lathum]

Louisville better hit their freethrows here

[molson]

I hate seeing teams slow things down with 4 minutes or so left unless you're up 10+.

Moorehead is a shining example right now of why that's a bad idea.

And you see it constantly. Just like in football when teams run the ball into 3-and-outs in the 4th quarter when they're up by 10.

[Lathum]

ugh, I see a Morehead State three coming up here

[whomario]

are you kidding me ? What a gutsy (slash crazy) play/shot by Morehead State not going for the tie but the lead down 2 :eek:

huge no-call to end it. I agree with that one though, imo all Faried does is stand there and block view.

[Lathum]

and there it is.

[TargetPractice6]

ugh, I see a Morehead State three coming up here

Good call! :D

[Butter]

Siva guilty of overplaying for the dribble drive, he couldn't have been more open.