Ongoing pro/college basketball thread (2023-24)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Speaking of the SEC, has there been any word about that Florida player? Just saw the aftermath and that looked like a bad one.

from one of the si dot com UF fan sites

Gators center Micah Handlogten is expected to undergo surgery later Sunday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., according to Florida head coach Todd Golden, after suffering a lower left leg fracture against Auburn in the 2023-24 SEC Championship.

Handlogten posted an update to X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter, after the game, thanking fans for their good wishes after he left the matchup, seemingly remaining in high spirits.

[RainMaker]

Well that's positive news I guess considering the leg break was obvious. Saw the blood and think that might have been a compound fracture which is the one injury that makes my blood curl.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Well that's positive news I guess considering the leg break was obvious. Saw the blood and think that might have been a compound fracture which is the one injury that makes my blood curl.

NGL, I didn't see it live and I actively avoided anything that might lead to me seeing it.

I'm not ... overly squeamish IMO, I simply don't feel any need to see that sort of injury (I had assumed compound fracture due to the blood references as well) when I don't have to

[stevew]

Has anyone gone to the NCAA tournament and was it fun? I can probably do the early session in Pitts on Thurs. although it’s Akron at Creighton and Oregon at South Carolina. Definitely don’t know any players participating.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I saw something today that referenced how "the top two 'major conference" NET-rated teams that didn't make the NCAA tournament now get auto-bids to the NIT"

When did that become a thing?

Last I knew was something like "regular season champion that loses conference tournament gets auto-bid"

Somebody posted this info earlier in this thread.

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

No NIT automatic bids for regular-season conference champs - ESPN


Instead, the NIT will guarantee two teams -- based on the NET rankings -- from each of major six conferences, the Atlantic Coast, the Big East, the Big Ten, the Big 12, the Pac-12 and the Southeastern.

The top two teams in the NET rankings not qualifying for the NCAA tournament from each conference, regardless of win-loss record, will be selected. Additionally, the 12 teams automatically selected will be guaranteed the opportunity to host a game in the first round of the NIT.

[molson]

Originally Posted by stevew

Has anyone gone to the NCAA tournament and was it fun? I can probably do the early session in Pitts on Thurs. although it’s Akron at Creighton and Oregon at South Carolina. Definitely don’t know any players participating.

I went in Vegas last year, and in Syracuse years ago. I thought it really fun. I couldn't name a college basketball player. College basketball games are a lot shorter and fast-paced than other sports, the crowds of people representing each school is fun to see, you may possibly see a future-famous moment play out, you can look back in 20 years and realize, "hey, I saw modern NBA superstar X at the NCAA tournament back when the NCAA was a thing".

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by stevew

Has anyone gone to the NCAA tournament and was it fun? I can probably do the early session in Pitts on Thurs. although it’s Akron at Creighton and Oregon at South Carolina. Definitely don’t know any players participating.

I went to the Phil Knight classic last year with my son. Obviously not the NCAAs, but a very similar setup. We had a blast. We watched Purdue, UNC, WVU, Iowa State and others play. I'd do it again without hesitation.

[miami_fan]

It really took three quarters of the NBA season for this to happen?! I would have thought that people would have gone through all the names on different roster to make sure the appropriate jersey swaps took place.

The Magic posted (and deleted) a suggestive Gradey Dick jersey photo

I definitely want to know how the social media person was told to take that tweet down and who said it.

[sovereignstar v2]

Scary to think what Anthony Edwards will be in another few years

[stevew]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Scary to think what Anthony Edwards will be in another few years

Member of the Lakers?

[sovereignstar v2]

ANTHONY EDWARDS OMG ���� pic.twitter.com/AJP27GCkxG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2024

THIS ANGLE IS CRAZY. ��

(h/t @overtime)

pic.twitter.com/naOLWxGTLo https://t.co/ui9ZRgdzRg

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 19, 2024

[Ksyrup]

I guess Kansas sure learned a lesson from FSU getting fucked in the CFP. Sunday, Kansas reported a fully healthy team and got a 4 seed. Today, one of their best players is out for the rest of the season. Curious timing...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I guess Kansas sure learned a lesson from FSU getting fucked in the CFP. Sunday, Kansas reported a fully healthy team and got a 4 seed. Today, one of their best players is out for the rest of the season. Curious timing...

Wellllll ... he'd just missed the conference tournament and had missed half the games down the stretch prior, so it's not like anyone didn't know there could be problems.

Hell, I knew enough about the KU injury situation that it was one of two reasons I was holding up on finishing my bracket until things were more clear. And I've barely paid attention

[Ksyrup]

Well, I saw something where both Self and one of their players said they'd be getting both guys back full strength on Monday (referring also to Dickinson). He seemed much more confident before Selection Sunday than after the seeding was done. Funny.

[Atocep]

The selection committee should be forced to watch this game on repeat.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Atocep

The selection committee should be forced to watch this game on repeat.

But there are idiots who want to expand the tournament.

My God, there's barely 20-30 teams that are particularly good as it is. And the number & quality are just going to keep getting worse and worse.

[Ghost Econ]

UVa baseball scored 15 runs last night.
UVa basketball made 14 FG last night.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

But there are idiots who want to expand the tournament.

My God, there's barely 20-30 teams that are particularly good as it is. And the number & quality are just going to keep getting worse and worse.

I even saw something along the lines of what the P5/4/2 (?) want to do with CFB which is restrict the tournament to just teams from the big conferences. So basically, you'd have a bunch of NIT-like games mixed in with games between the better teams, a lot of whom would have already played the teams in the tournament (either in conference, or as part of some challenge, or just because they happened to be on the schedule that year).

AND they'd be eliminating the entire "Cinderella" storyline from the tournament. Like, are we supposed to buy a 14-18 GT as a "Cinderella" just because they sucked all year but made a run in the tournament? Pure stupidity.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I even saw something along the lines of what the P5/4/2 (?) want to do with CFB which is restrict the tournament to just teams from the big conferences. So basically, you'd have a bunch of NIT-like games mixed in with games between the better teams, a lot of whom would have already played the teams in the tournament (either in conference, or as part of some challenge, or just because they happened to be on the schedule that year).

AND they'd be eliminating the entire "Cinderella" storyline from the tournament. Like, are we supposed to buy a 14-18 GT as a "Cinderella" just because they sucked all year but made a run in the tournament? Pure stupidity.

The Cinderella element is so huge. I'm 1000x more likely to tune in and watch a one-bid league champ try to knock off Kansas or Kentucky than I am if they are playing a low seeded P5 like Boston College or Oregon State.

[Ksyrup]

Exactly. And it's even more important for casual fans who would seem to be more likely to tune into that kind of game (say, a 2/11 match-up in Round 2) than the typical 4/5 match-up.

[jcard]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Exactly. And it's even more important for casual fans who would seem to be more likely to tune into that kind of game (say, a 2/11 match-up in Round 2) than the typical 4/5 match-up.

Presume you mean a 2/10 (or maybe 3/11) matchup? 2/11 would be a REAL surprise!

[Ksyrup]

I knew I should have checked my math!

I know I'm in the extreme minority, but I hate filling out brackets. The older I get, the less I care who wins. I just like to watch. Which is why I generally don't enjoy watching games involving teams I have a rooting interest in.

[stevew]

I picked up a guy at the airport who was in town to see his friend play for Oakland. Check out this statistical oddity guy.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...05/jack-gohlke

Check out that guys stats, he only shoots 3s. Anyways, I’m going to put a few bucks on Oakland tonight. Was going to parlay that with made 3s but apparently we can’t do player props on college here.

[jcard]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I knew I should have checked my math!

I know I'm in the extreme minority, but I hate filling out brackets. The older I get, the less I care who wins. I just like to watch. Which is why I generally don't enjoy watching games involving teams I have a rooting interest in.

I thought that maybe you knew something the rest of us did not about round-by-round re-seeding! I was worried that printing out a bracket was going to require an investment in a 3-D printer!

Also—I appreciate you taking my first message in the completely amicable spirit in which it was intended.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by stevew

I picked up a guy at the airport who was in town to see his friend play for Oakland. Check out this statistical oddity guy.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...05/jack-gohlke

Check out that guys stats, he only shoots 3s. Anyways, I’m going to put a few bucks on Oakland tonight. Was going to parlay that with made 3s but apparently we can’t do player props on college here.

I didn't have the guts to pick a UK upset, but Oakland put up some big numbers in a couple games and shoot 3s well. It very well could happen. UK gives up like 90 points a game in losses. Their D sucks.

[sovereignstar v2]

I haven't filled out a bracket in 20 years. Kind of ruins the experience for me as I'd rather just cheer on who I want, usually the underdogs

[NobodyHere]

I play a game where you get assigned random teams and you win money when they win. It lets me root for teams I might not root for otherwise. And I know nothing about college basketball so I feel at a disadvantage when filling out brackets.

[Ghost Econ]

Why is it so hard to have a multi view in the Max app? Why do I have to download a separate NCAA app?

[Lathum]

Looks like I will be out of the Buffett bracket after the first game.

[sovereignstar v2]

It's really hard to believe there are people that think automatic bids should be looked at, but sure enough dinosaurs like Rick Pitino and Tom Izzo are on board. Please retire and go away

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

It's really hard to believe there are people that think automatic bids should be looked at, but sure enough dinosaurs like Rick Pitino and Tom Izzo are on board. Please retire and go away

Pare off about 100-150 teams from the comically bloated "D1" and maybe that wouldn't be needed.

But with the silliness that has come with adding anything & everything to the top tier, it's a valid idea that's probably overdue.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

I haven't filled out a bracket in 20 years. Kind of ruins the experience for me as I'd rather just cheer on who I want, usually the underdogs

Agreed. Also a factor in me quitting fantasy football. Didn't like having to root for guys I don't like, or being disappointed that the wrong player scored for my team.

[JonInMiddleGA]

At this point I do a bracket purely out of ... call it a combination of habit/nostalgia.

I simply don't find myself caring much anymore. College sports is pretty much ruined to me in terms of being able to have a real rooting interest anymore aside from painfully rare circumstances. It's just like most of the other pro sports, I end up hoping the winners are whichever team I dislike the least.

Hardly any are really likable at this point.

[Lathum]

Hell of a comeback by Dayton, but man, up 3 with 6 fouls they have to foul at the end and not give 2 looks from behind the line.

[sovereignstar v2]

Oakland looking good in postseason

[Ksyrup]

I'm hardly ever right, but I saw this game coming for UK a mile away. That might win, but this is exactly what I expected looking at this matchup.

[Kodos]

Go Oakland!

[stevew]

Originally Posted by stevew

I picked up a guy at the airport who was in town to see his friend play for Oakland. Check out this statistical oddity guy.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...05/jack-gohlke

Check out that guys stats, he only shoots 3s. Anyways, I’m going to put a few bucks on Oakland tonight. Was going to parlay that with made 3s but apparently we can’t do player props on college here.

10-19 from 3

[stevew]

Oakland went down to +575 when I was going to get them so I ended up passing.

[sovereignstar v2]

These damn auto qualifiers. Give me St. Johns!

[miami_fan]

Kentucky has to depend on an OOB play drawn up by John Calipari?

[bronconick]

If you want to go to the NCAA tourney for cheap, a whole lot of folks wearing blue are currently dumping their tickets for Saturday in Pittsburgh

[molson]

I learned 5 minutes ago that this Oakland is in Michigan, but that was still cool.

[Ksyrup]

Cal owned the one-and-done recruiting style, now he owns one-and-done tournament style.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by molson

I learned 5 minutes ago that this Oakland is in Michigan, but that was still cool.

Yeah, I have semi-good memories of Oakland. Caitlin won her last college SB game pitching there, I have family all around the area that got to watch her that weekend. Then they overused her the next day in a DH knowing she needed surgery at the end of the year, and after that weekend, she was never the same and limped (literally) to a shitty end to her career over the following 5-6 weeks.

And oddly enough, that DH was 3 years ago yesterday.

[Atocep]

My bracket is already awful, but Oakland over Kentucky was an easy call.

A guy like Gohlke can get on a heater. I don't trust freshmen backcourts in March and, overall, I didn't think this Kentucky team was that good. Tre Mitchell is soft was warm butter.

[RainMaker]

Shame how the Kansas - Samford game ended. That was an incredible block and the best play of the tournament.

[bob]

I had flashbacks from high school watching that play. I wasn't huge, but big enough for south georgia basketball (6'5"). I'd probably get 2 - 3 foul called on me a game that were nothing but the refs anticipating a foul but no contact occurred.

[Ksyrup]

Funny reading all of the Calipari buyout stuff. $33M is a huge number for an SEC school that's not a FB powerhouse. Add in a buyout for whoever they hire plus the next huge contract and they're probably looking at upwards of $50M+ for the next coach.

[Lathum]

Totally agree with Few on this one. Everyone has a smartphone, if you are that interested watch it there.

Few unhappy with Oakland-UK on big screens during Zags' game - ESPN