Unofficial Official 2012-13 College Basketball Thread

[Passacaglia]

What does 20 minutes of research look like? Not enough time to watch any games. Maybe highlights? If that's the case, he might as well have spent zero minutes. Maybe a look at the RPI for each team, and their schedules? And is that 20 minutes on just comparing the MWC and the B1G, or 20 minutes research on the entire NCAA tourney? I mean, I'm not looking for insightful comments from Barkley, I always thought he was on as more of a comedian anyway, so whatever.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Let's not turn this into another fucking Mizzou-fest. They laid an egg, their season is over, let's move on and enjoy the teams that are actually still IN the fucking tournament. I'm as guilty of it as anyone, but I am as sick of it as anyone also. Let's all sign the moratorium and enjoy some actual hoops today.

Thank you.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Arles

If you look at the most chosen upsets, it's Belmont (over AZ), Minnesota (over UCLA) and Bucknell (over Butler). IMO, this is the best way to get a leg up on your bracket as I feel atleast 2 (and maybe all 3) of the favorites win these games.

Arizona was dreadful defending the 3 early in the conference, but settled down in their last 8 games (34% 3, 41% opp FG). In their conference loss against UCLA, the Bruins shot just 1-12 from 3 and 39% overall. In Belmont's 3 games against somewhat talented teams with length (Kansas, VCU, Stanford), they combined to shoot 21-81 from 3 (26%). One final point, Arizona is 19th in the country in preventing offensive boards and Belmont is 229th in getting offensive rebounds. If Belmont shoots 27-30 3s against Arizona, they will get run out of the gym in transition if they hit 25-30% (as they have against better teams this year). They basically need to go 45-50% from 3 to have a chance with their size mismatch.

Minnesota and UCLA are similar, but UCLA has slightly more talent (even without Adams). Minnesota doesn't shoot the 3 well, had an average FG%, but really good offensive efficiency. How? they lived on the FT line (42 FT rate). The problem - UCLA is the 3rd best team in the nation in limiting FTAs (24.2 rate). That means Minnesota is going to have to make jumpers to beat them - I don't see it.

Butler has really only struggled against pressure defenses like St. Louis and VCU. They tend to turn the ball over on 20% of their possessions. The problem is Bucknell is 346/347 Div I teams in forcing turnovers. Bucknell also has been bit by teams hitting 3s in their losses (Princeton hit 11 3s) and I can see Butler hitting 8-10 3s as Bucknell focuses more on interior defense and rebounding.

All I need is UCLA to come through for me here. I can't believe I'm saying this, but c'mon Bruins!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Arles

All I need is UCLA to come through for me here. I can't believe I'm saying this, but c'mon Bruins!

Yup! UCLA is a tricky one, though, because of losing Adams. That really hurts them. But I am not sure Minnesota has the mental fortitude to stick to the gameplan and make the upset happen. I feel like UCLA, with its talent, can really get it going if it is motivated, and Howland is an excellent game planner. He has had five days to prep for Minnesota.

But UCLA has significant issues in its roster composition and very little depth. I feel like they will need to be carried to the win, and that means Shabazz needs to step it up.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

gratz, digamma!

Originally Posted by cartman

The Harvard win really screwed my bracket.

HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY DIGAMMA!!!!!

Originally Posted by Lathum

Grats Digamma.

I'm glad I decided not to stay up for the 'Cuse game

Thanks. That was....awesome.

I was surprised how much we were able to control the tempo. And Rivard and Webster were on from the outside. So much fun to watch.

My best friend from school also lives in LA. He played hoops when we were in college. He also has 4 week old twin girls (and a 2 year old daughter). Needless to say, getting out to watch the game last night was not realistic. At half time he sent me a text saying, "if we win, I am NOT meeting you for a drink."

Text at the end of the game: "Where? Now!"

We had fun.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Awesome

[Kodos]

March Madness... bringing people together.

[mauchow]

Uncharacteristic Badgers so far. Lots of turnovers and dumb basketball.

Keep forcing Henderson to shoot off balance crap and keep the big guy in check.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by mauchow

Keep forcing Henderson to shoot off balance crap

Not sure anyone needs to force him. I think Ricky Davis and Antoine Walker just tweeted that Henderson shoots a lot of bad jumpers

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Let's not turn this into another fucking Mizzou-fest. They laid an egg, their season is over, let's move on and enjoy the teams that are actually still IN the fucking tournament. I'm as guilty of it as anyone, but I am as sick of it as anyone also. Let's all sign the moratorium and enjoy some actual hoops today.

Less Mizzou, MORE SLU!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Arles

Not sure anyone needs to force him. I think Ricky Davis and Antoine Walker just tweeted that Henderson shoots a lot of bad jumpers

He'll shoot a ton of shots in balance and miss them and then throw up prayers that are answered. You just never know with him.

[mckerney]

Dear NCAA,

Can we stop calling this the second round of the tournament?

plz k thx

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Dear NCAA,

Can we stop calling this the second round of the tournament?

plz k thx

+1

SI

[Suburban Rhythm]

Admittedly, I'm not a huge follower of college basketball, but I knew the name involved here. Just weird.


Shabazz Muhammad's father caught lying about his son's age - CBSSports.com

[Butter]

NC State imploding early, they barely look interested.

Henderson finally gets a 3 for Ole Miss to pull within 3.

[sterlingice]

Anyone actually watching Duke-Albany? Duke seems to be keeping them at arm's length but just can't put them away yet.

SI

[Butter]

Albany blew a golden opportunity down 8 to get a rebound off a miss, but gave up a Duke layup instead. I think it's over.

[mauchow]

Fuckin moving screens and now a foul for boxing out. Load of shit. Big stop now Badgers. Fuck I'm going to punch a hole in the wall soon. Badgers look awful today.

[mauchow]

Congrats to the Wisconsin seniors for going out this way(hopefully not). You guys fucking suck.

Ryan Evans, Mike Bruesiwitz, Jared Berggren. What's it gonna be?

Jackson, you were terrible today.

Step up the last two minutes or its over..

[Thomkal]

so far so bad for games today...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Holy shit. How did Old Miss get a foul called for standing there? Guess they're evening up the fouls to make Bo happy on his way out the door.

[Lathum]

sorry Mau, really seemed like a year Wisconsin could make some noise/

Things setting up nicely for the Zags

[mauchow]

That was depressing.

Good job to Ole Miss for playing a lot better defense than I thought they would.

[TRO]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Holy shit. How did Old Miss get a foul called for standing there? Guess they're evening up the fouls to make Bo happy on his way out the door.

Ya, that was a total charge, but ref that called it was watching the inbounds and not the tackle.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I've now got a pair of 5/12 upsets right...and my bracket is still garbage.
Go figure.

[korme]

Doug McDermott is about to find out what a good defense is like.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by korme

Doug McDermott is about to find out what a good defense is like.

yeah but will Cinci be able to score enough points?

[Butter]

Originally Posted by korme

Doug McDermott is about to find out what a good defense is like.

High "Raiders looking good in preseason" potential in this post.

[Butter]

NC St. woke up.

[whomario]

2 ridiculous 3s to start the game for Wright ...

[korme]

That's no fluke. Cash shoots threes from 25 feet out all day. An alarming number of them go in- but every time he shoots 'em, it's the classic "WTF???? Yes?" kind of shot.

And yes, I know. UC can't score. But hopefully we'll have enough juice to get by the 'jays.

[Buccaneer]

What's the adage? 12 always beat 5?

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Admittedly, I'm not a huge follower of college basketball, but I knew the name involved here. Just weird.


Shabazz Muhammad's father caught lying about his son's age - CBSSports.com

This is crazy nuts.

Question I have: did Shabazz know? How crazy if he did not? If you started telling your two year old he is one, or three year old he is two, would he remember that, or just accept what his dad says as the truth?

That would be more acceptable to me as a UCLA fan--but it's mor elikely Shabazz knew quite well how old he is and has for a long time, and so he was complicit in this little dishonesty. Interesting that the article doesn't ever really seem to delve into Shabazz's own role in this, focusing on just his father.

[Kodos]

I think I'm rooting for Temple here...

[larrymcg421]

Terrible call on that block by NC State.

[Kodos]

These games are a bit less exciting on the Yahoo scoreboard...

[cartman]

Kansas State needs a Frank Martin stare to get them woken up.

[Coffee Warlord]

Kansas State is in my Final Four. Just sayin'

[Butter]

McDermott with 14 and 6 at the break. They're not exactly shutting him down.

[Kodos]

Exxxxxxcellent.

[Karlifornia]

NC State.....this is why you never go anywhere: C.J. Leslie stares at the guy when its inbounded, because he doesn't want to foul out. 5 seconds run off, helping temple seal it. Winners sell out like Suarez against Ghana in the world cup

[Butter]

LaSalle threatening to push the A10 to 6-0 with a giant lead on K-State approaching halftime.

[JonInMiddleGA]

One does not simply show up for the final bit of an 8/9 game and win very often. Another upset (technically) that was pretty predictable.

[whomario]

I love how Kenny Smith keeps on harping on Teams not knowing their scouting report with Barkley sitting there

[Kodos]

Obama picked Indiana. This means something!

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

This is crazy nuts.

Question I have: did Shabazz know? How crazy if he did not? If you started telling your two year old he is one, or three year old he is two, would he remember that, or just accept what his dad says as the truth?

That would be more acceptable to me as a UCLA fan--but it's mor elikely Shabazz knew quite well how old he is and has for a long time, and so he was complicit in this little dishonesty. Interesting that the article doesn't ever really seem to delve into Shabazz's own role in this, focusing on just his father.

So do colleges just not do background checks or anything? If he put the wrong date on his application, surely that's some sore of NCAA violation?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Cincy sure is making it look easy inside in the last few minutes

[larrymcg421]

La Salle falling apart in the 2nd half.

[larrymcg421]

La Salle cannot defend inside. They are simply incapable of doing so. Kansas State should not take another perimeter shot in the entire game.

[nol]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

So do colleges just not do background checks or anything? If he put the wrong date on his application, surely that's some sore of NCAA violation?

Not if you can play. Considering how many players from schools that have later been found to be diploma mills have played in the NCAA, I don't think the NCAA's background checks are the most thorough.

I don't really get the "this makes him overrated because he got to physically overwhelm younger players angle," because players reclassify in high school so often, and nobody bats an eye. He still would have been ranked up there with anyone from the class of 2011 except for Anthony Davis once he burst onto the scene. To me, the age thing is only alarming in the context of the Marinovitch-like upbringing he's had.