The official tournament time thread - Page 9

Chief Rum · 03-16-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBug708

If you can't go at least .500 during the conference regular season, you probably shouldn't be allowed to go to the dance. I'd be really interested to see the amount of teams that have won more then one game with a losing conference record

I'll bet you there have been far, far more teams that have lost less than four games in conference who never won a single game in the tournament.

At large bids are generally between teams from different conferences. Except as it contributes to overall schedule strength and good wins or bad losses, how does the conference schedule record in and of itself mean anything in that comparison?

If it's a bad conference and you go sub-.500, okay, that's something to be concerned about (although this should then be reflected in strength of schedule/RPI/quality wins and losses). If it's in a good conference and the other comparative team does okay in a much worse conference, how does that tell us which is the better team? Fact is, it doesn't. Throwing teams on a hard rule based around a factor with much subdued effect (conference record) is pointless--it is as likely to throw out better teams in favor of weaker teams as it is to ensure that the best teams get in.

It's like comparing right-handed power hitters with the Red Sox and with the Mariners. To compare their power against one another and to not take into account park effects would be silly.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-16-2008, 08:00 PM

NIT bracket being announced on ESPN2 next
(Women's bracket is tomorrow night at 8, btw)

JonInMiddleGA · 03-16-2008, 08:04 PM

And let's not forget about (yeah, right) the College Basketball Invitational, the new post-season tournament that will give 16 teams a chance to play at least one more game.
http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/index_main.htm

Looking around the 'net a little, looks like Houston has already accepted a bid & I believe Virginia has as well pending a possible NIT bid.

Chief Rum · 03-16-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

And let's not forget about (yeah, right) the College Basketball Invitational, the new post-season tournament that will give 16 teams a chance to play at least one more game.
http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/index_main.htm

Looking around the 'net a little, looks like Houston has already accepted a bid & I believe Virginia has as well pending a possible NIT bid.

I'm actually interested to see who makes that and how it plays out (as much as the NIT anyway).

kcchief19 · 03-16-2008, 08:34 PM

Amazingly, I only have one beef this year with the teams selected -- I'd have Illinois State in over Villanova. Kudos to the committee for taking a team like South Alabama and giving them a good seed. Virgina Tech/Miami is a coin flip. I probably would have leaned Va Tech but I don't think it was a screw job. There have been much worse screwings.

I have a few quibbles with seeding but there are some refreshing improvements. Five years ago Drake and Georgia would both be 10 seeds. Nice to see one deservingly getting a 5 and another equally deservingly getting a 14.

I think Tennessee should have gotten the the top 2 seed and it doesn't seem that way. I'm also not sure why Memphis has to go through Texas in Houston. Of local interest, Kansas State gets a huge break playing their pod in Omaha -- not sure why they deserve that. I'm also a little bewildered by that matchup. On paper, this matchup seems much more even than a 6/11 game -- looks more like a 8/9 game.

It's a little disappointing to see the same trend that happened last year with mid- and low-majors getting pitted against each other early on -- Butler-South Alabama, Drake-Western Kentucky, Gonzaga-Davidson. Same thing happened last year.

Would LOVE to see UNC shoot down KU's dreams. I'll be happy if anyone takes down KU. But if Roy does it, the devestation on the faces of KU fans will make it that much more sweet.

digamma · 03-16-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I'm actually interested to see who makes that and how it plays out (as much as the NIT anyway).

It will be interesting to see who accepts. Teams had to put up $60k to host a game.

Chief Rum · 03-16-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digamma

It will be interesting to see who accepts. Teams had to put up $60k to host a game.

Interesting. So does the CBI think those teams will make that money back and then some? I would have to think economic studies were commissioned by the CBI to determine this figure. They can't afford to have teams turn them down (they are already picking from the bottom), so having a prohibitive fee only hurts unless it is clear the home teams will make more than that. Plus, is it per game? You could arguably play five home games (with possible home games in the championship round).

JonInMiddleGA · 03-16-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digamma

It will be interesting to see who accepts. Teams had to put up $60k to host a game.

If that's the case, I have to think they're going to play hell finding 8 teams willing to host.

digamma · 03-16-2008, 10:37 PM

Here's an article that mentions the guarantee:

http://azdailysun.com/articles/2008/..._sports_59.txt

Arles · 03-16-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBug708

I should have added in conference. A team like Arizona should have missed the tournament with a w/l of 8-10 in the PAC-10

I disagree completely. With the Pac-10, you play every team twice. That means you have 2 games each vs. UCLA, Stanford, WSU, USC and Oregon. That's 10 of your 18 games against NCAA tourney teams. Then, you have 2 more against ASU (a team many felt should be in the NCAAs). That means, if you are Arizona, you have 12 fairly difficult conference games (not counting roadies at Wash and Cal as well).

Compare that to Miami, who finished 8-8. Miami had 4 of it's 16 conference games against NCAA tourney teams. If you count VT, that's 6 total - with 4 (UNC, Duke, Clemson, VT) at home. You give Miami the schedule that Arizona had in conference, and there's no way they finish .500. Same goes for Virginia Tech (9-7), who had just 4 total games against the tourney teams out of their 16 conference games (with 2 at home).

MrBug708 · 03-16-2008, 10:50 PM

Speaking of tournament teams, UCLA is 14-2 against tournament teams, Memphis is 6-1, Carolina is 9-1, and Kansas is 8-2

bhlloy · 03-16-2008, 11:06 PM

So, every single pundit on Sportscenter just picked a #1 vs #2 elite eight, with (I think) every single #1 making it to the final four. Thanks for the insight, guys

kingnebwsu · 03-16-2008, 11:10 PM

Am I crazy for having Drake in my Final 4?

Chief Rum · 03-16-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingnebwsu

Am I crazy for having Drake in my Final 4?

Well, they're in UCLA's bracket, so...yes.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-17-2008, 05:28 AM

Pairings for the aforemention College Basketball Invitational

Tuesday, March 18
(East) Richmond at Virginia - 7 p.m.
(West) Houston at Nevada - 9 p.m.
(Midw) Brown at Ohio - TBA
(East) Rider at Old Dominion - TBA

Wednesday, March 19
(Midw)Cincinnati at Bradley - 7 p.m.
(West) Valparaiso at Washington - 9 p.m.
(South) Miami (Ohio) at Tulsa - TBA
(South) Utah at UTEP - TBA

When they get down to four they'll seed 'em again, and the championship round is best-of-three.

sooner333 · 03-17-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Interesting. So does the CBI think those teams will make that money back and then some? I would have to think economic studies were commissioned by the CBI to determine this figure. They can't afford to have teams turn them down (they are already picking from the bottom), so having a prohibitive fee only hurts unless it is clear the home teams will make more than that. Plus, is it per game? You could arguably play five home games (with possible home games in the championship round).

Texas Tech and Missouri turned them down for sure. Alabama did as well.

The problem is that CBI people are really out to make money, they aren't going to give any favors and they want a guarantee. The NCAA doesn't really care how much they make. The article sounds like they take a bunch of the gate (like 75%), but I imagine they would at least let the school break even if it was a financial disaster.

The old NIT wanted to make money, and they did so by seeding the tournament in a way to keep the basketball schools in longer and gave home games randomly with no seeds. It was really a mockery of a tournament. I guess the CBI just is more upfront about the money, but seems somewhat genuine in trying to make a competitive tournament.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-17-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sooner333

The NCAA doesn't really care how much they make.

The pod system strongly suggests otherwise (although it's more of an indirect thing, as TV really doesn't like half-empty buildings much).

Quote:

The article sounds like they take a bunch of the gate (like 75%), but I imagine they would at least let the school break even if it was a financial disaster.

Methinks you have more confidence in them than I do.

sooner333 · 03-17-2008, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

The pod system strongly suggests otherwise (although it's more of an indirect thing, as TV really doesn't like half-empty buildings much).

Methinks you have more confidence in them than I do.

True, the pod system is to make more money...they can sell more tickets this way. I don't like it, but they really aren't screwing anyone over. In fact, they are making more schools happy by allowing them to play closer to home.

The system the NIT has with % of the gate is going to be better for the failure, even if the school loses money, than a larger lump sum. You might not make as much, but you probably won't lose your ass.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-17-2008, 08:07 AM

Interesting little tidbit in my inbox this morning from the weekend overnight TV ratings for Atlanta. (note that the game was on CBS in the two home markets, ESPN2 in the rest of the country).

Yesterday's SEC Championship game with Georgia & Arkansas posted a preliminary overall rating of 1.7 P25-54, peaking at an 8.7 share. By comparison, the Lakers/Rockets game had a consistent doubledigit share peaking in the low 12's while the NASCAR race was consistently in the high teens and had almost triple the average rating. The golf tournament on NBC had ratings just below the SEC title game. I won't mention the NHL on NBC, it's too sad to really comment on.

Even with all the drama surrounding their tournament run, it appears that the locals had relatively little interest in watching Georgia in the title game. I'm not surprised that it was below NASCAR, but I am surprised just how low it really was.

And Saturday was even worse, with the Nationwide(nee Busch) race pulling more than double the households of all NCAABB combined, and the ACC semifinals having more than double the number of viewers of Sunday's c'ship game.

JeeberD · 03-17-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Pairings for the aforemention College Basketball Invitational

Tuesday, March 18
(East) Richmond at Virginia - 7 p.m.
(West) Houston at Nevada - 9 p.m.
(Midw) Brown at Ohio - TBA
(East) Rider at Old Dominion - TBA

Wednesday, March 19
(Midw)Cincinnati at Bradley - 7 p.m.
(West) Valparaiso at Washington - 9 p.m.
(South) Miami (Ohio) at Tulsa - TBA
(South) Utah at UTEP - TBA

When they get down to four they'll seed 'em again, and the championship round is best-of-three.

Woohoo, go Miners...I guess?

sterlingice · 03-17-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchief19

Would LOVE to see UNC shoot down KU's dreams. I'll be happy if anyone takes down KU. But if Roy does it, the devestation on the faces of KU fans will make it that much more sweet.

I have now decided that I am not happy that you are back

SI

st.cronin · 03-17-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

I'm telling you right now Wisconsin is going to the Final Four. That team plays some lockdown D and they're physical.

lol

Pumpy Tudors · 03-17-2008, 09:53 AM

I don't have any great opinions on the bracket itself, but I pretty much want to kill Billy Packer. I know I'm not the only one, but still, it feels good to say.

"WHY ACC ONLY GET 4 TEAMS, WHY, BIG EAST GET 8, ACC #1 CONFERENCE DAMMIT"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT ACC #1, SO WHY ONLY 4 TEAMS FROM BEST CONFERENCE?"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"SEC GET LIKE ELEVENTY TEAMS AND SUN BELT GET SIXTEEN BUT ACC ONLY GET 4. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"ACC ACC ACC ACC!!! WHY ISN'T BOSTON COLLEGE IN PLAY-IN GAME AGAINST NC STATE?"

I seriously expected Billy Packer to complain about George Mason taking some ACC team's spot, even though they got an automatic bid.

Pumpy Tudors · 03-17-2008, 09:56 AM

I just figured it out. Billy Packer is jbmagic.

chesapeake · 03-17-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izulde

Duke in no way deserved a #2 seed this year.

They did until they lost in the ACC semis to Clemson. But once they blew that game, I may have been inclined to switch them with the Big 10 champion -- except for the fact that they blasted the doors off of Wisconsin earlier in the season. I think that 24-point win was probably the deciding factor in placing Duke 1 spot ahead of them.

Young Drachma · 03-17-2008, 06:48 PM

Congrats to the University of Wyoming women's team for finally getting picked up for the NCAA tourney. They'll make their first appearance in school history this year. They were snubbed last year and rode that all the way to the WNIT title and after being upset in the Mountain West tourney, they looked to be on the bubble, but were ranked most of the year and it seemed likely they'd get in. It's a good group and in the 6/11 matchup against Pitt, look for them to pull the upset if they play their game.

They're battle-tested and a lot better than their seed would indicate. I haven't seen Pitt and have no idea how they match up though, so it's hard to say, but...it's still excellent for them as they continue to rise up the ranks.

Groundhog · 03-17-2008, 07:03 PM

Congrats to the Aussies at Baylor, St. Mary's, Vandy, and Washington St.!

Baylor might be a reach to make the 2nd round, but I give the other 3 teams a decent chance of making it at least that far.

I've got Kansas down as my champ favourites. I didn't see much of them during the year, but after watching them in the Big 12 tourney I'm a believer. Great backcourt with Rush and Chalmers, but it's Arthur and, in particular, Kaun in the frontcourt that lead me to believe that it'll take a very bad game to knock the Jayhawks out of the tourney.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-17-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Congrats to the Aussies at Baylor, St. Mary's, Vandy, and Washington St.!

And I presume it's safe to add your congrats to the Aussie for the Georgia Tech Lady Jackets, Brigette Ardossi.

The 6'2" sophomore from Melbourne is the top inside reserve for the #10 seed in the Des Moines pod of the Greensboro regional and will face the #7 seed Iowa State with the winner likely to face #2 seed Rutgers in the second round.

cartman · 03-17-2008, 08:11 PM

I'm glad that Baylor made the big dance. They really needed that to finally put the whole sordid Dave Bliss/Patrick Dennehy/Carlton Dotson saga behind them.

miami_fan · 03-17-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

I'm glad that Baylor made the big dance. They really needed that to finally put the whole sordid Dave Bliss/Patrick Dennehy/Carlton Dotson saga behind them.

To me, that is a pretty amazing turnaround.

wade moore · 03-17-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I don't have any great opinions on the bracket itself, but I pretty much want to kill Billy Packer. I know I'm not the only one, but still, it feels good to say.

"WHY ACC ONLY GET 4 TEAMS, WHY, BIG EAST GET 8, ACC #1 CONFERENCE DAMMIT"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT ACC #1, SO WHY ONLY 4 TEAMS FROM BEST CONFERENCE?"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"SEC GET LIKE ELEVENTY TEAMS AND SUN BELT GET SIXTEEN BUT ACC ONLY GET 4. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"ACC ACC ACC ACC!!! WHY ISN'T BOSTON COLLEGE IN PLAY-IN GAME AGAINST NC STATE?"

I seriously expected Billy Packer to complain about George Mason taking some ACC team's spot, even though they got an automatic bid.

Awesome post.

Lathum · 03-17-2008, 08:55 PM

only a few spots left in my survivor pool, sign up here

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...ad.php?t=64250

sterlingice · 03-17-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I don't have any great opinions on the bracket itself, but I pretty much want to kill Billy Packer. I know I'm not the only one, but still, it feels good to say.

"WHY ACC ONLY GET 4 TEAMS, WHY, BIG EAST GET 8, ACC #1 CONFERENCE DAMMIT"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT ACC #1, SO WHY ONLY 4 TEAMS FROM BEST CONFERENCE?"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"SEC GET LIKE ELEVENTY TEAMS AND SUN BELT GET SIXTEEN BUT ACC ONLY GET 4. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"ACC ACC ACC ACC!!! WHY ISN'T BOSTON COLLEGE IN PLAY-IN GAME AGAINST NC STATE?"

I seriously expected Billy Packer to complain about George Mason taking some ACC team's spot, even though they got an automatic bid.

Awesome

SI

MrBug708 · 03-17-2008, 11:03 PM

Announcer pairings.

Washington D.C...Craig Bolerjack/Bob Wenzel
Omaha...Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner
Denver....Gus Johnson/Lenny Elmore
Anaheim...Dick Enberg-Carter Blackburn/Jay Bilas
Raleigh...Jim Nantz/Billy Packer
Birmingham...Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery
Little Rock...Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel
Tampa...Tim Brando/Mike Gminski

Dick Enberg for UCLA is solid, but I love Gus Johnson as an announcer. He's much more refreshing then some of these guys

sterlingice · 03-17-2008, 11:19 PM

Yay. We get Kevin Harlan

SI

Radii · 03-17-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Announcer pairings.

Washington D.C...Craig Bolerjack/Bob Wenzel
Omaha...Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner
Denver....Gus Johnson/Lenny Elmore
Anaheim...Dick Enberg-Carter Blackburn/Jay Bilas
Raleigh...Jim Nantz/Billy Packer
Birmingham...Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery
Little Rock...Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel
Tampa...Tim Brando/Mike Gminski

ajlsqweiofndasklfjasgfwefwefalj. UGH. At least the Raleigh region didn't get Raftery.

Giving Gus Johnson a region where there are 2 sets of 4/13 and 5/12 games(ie most primed for 1st round upsets) is brilliant, whether intentional or not.

Radii · 03-17-2008, 11:36 PM

Has anyone ordered the Direct TV March Madness package before? is it pretty much the same as Sunday Ticket for basketball?

looking at the schedules I am more and more wanting to be able to have my choice of every game. I'm gonna be stuck watching Duke during USC/Kansas State, and lots of 1/2 seed games during a lot of the more interesting 5/12 games I think.

Arles · 03-18-2008, 11:26 AM

Anyone setup a free ESPN group yet?

Butter · 03-18-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radii

Has anyone ordered the Direct TV March Madness package before? is it pretty much the same as Sunday Ticket for basketball?

looking at the schedules I am more and more wanting to be able to have my choice of every game. I'm gonna be stuck watching Duke during USC/Kansas State, and lots of 1/2 seed games during a lot of the more interesting 5/12 games I think.

I ordered it about 4 years ago. It was great. But with the March Madness On Demand online for free, I'm just going to go with that like I did last year. The streams are obviously not TV quality, but they are usually pretty reliable and they fit my budget quite nicely.

Radii · 03-18-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

I ordered it about 4 years ago. It was great. But with the March Madness On Demand online for free, I'm just going to go with that like I did last year. The streams are obviously not TV quality, but they are usually pretty reliable and they fit my budget quite nicely.

Yeah, I completely forgot about MMOD. I used it last year and liked it. I signed up for it this morning. Thanks

Butter · 03-18-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radii

Yeah, I completely forgot about MMOD. I used it last year and liked it. I signed up for it this morning. Thanks

Just remember me when you make it big in poker.

Gary Gorski · 03-18-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arles

Anyone setup a free ESPN group yet?

I set one up today on our forums. You or anyone else who wants to jump in is welcome to do so. You get like 10,000 brackets to fill out on ESPN now so fill one out and join us.

Get in the action now:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/group?groupID=66576

Game Front:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage

Group: WolverineStudios
Password: wolverine

CleBrownsfan · 03-19-2008, 09:05 AM

Anyone know what times the Saturday/Sunday's NCAA games are usually played at?

Young Drachma · 03-19-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I don't have any great opinions on the bracket itself, but I pretty much want to kill Billy Packer. I know I'm not the only one, but still, it feels good to say.

"WHY ACC ONLY GET 4 TEAMS, WHY, BIG EAST GET 8, ACC #1 CONFERENCE DAMMIT"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT ACC #1, SO WHY ONLY 4 TEAMS FROM BEST CONFERENCE?"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"SEC GET LIKE ELEVENTY TEAMS AND SUN BELT GET SIXTEEN BUT ACC ONLY GET 4. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?"
"Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually."
"ACC ACC ACC ACC!!! WHY ISN'T BOSTON COLLEGE IN PLAY-IN GAME AGAINST NC STATE?"

I seriously expected Billy Packer to complain about George Mason taking some ACC team's spot, even though they got an automatic bid.

Too funny.

Butter · 03-19-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleBrownsfan

Anyone know what times the Saturday/Sunday's NCAA games are usually played at?

Usually there are 4 groups of games on Saturday, and 3 on Sunday.

So, on Saturday, you have a national game at something like 1 PM, then 2 games starting around 3, 3 games starting around 5-5:30, and 2 more games starting around 7:30-8.

Then, on Sunday, I think they do 2 games at noon, 4 at 2:30-3, then 2 more at around 5 so they can try to finish up before 60 Minutes comes on. That is what I recall offhand, without looking at the official web site or anything.

So, if a team plays in the early games on Thursday/Friday, they'll be in the earlier games on Sat/Sun... and later game winners will play later on Sat/Sun.

Lathum · 03-19-2008, 10:56 AM

It really stinks that the tournament falls Easter weekend.

Arles · 03-19-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Gorski

I set one up today on our forums. You or anyone else who wants to jump in is welcome to do so. You get like 10,000 brackets to fill out on ESPN now so fill one out and join us.

Get in the action now:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/group?groupID=66576

Game Front:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage

Group: WolverineStudios
Password: wolverine

Thanks, Gary. I joined up!

JonInMiddleGA · 03-20-2008, 10:13 AM

Round One coverage maps FYI
http://www.hdsportsguide.com/news/20...age-maps/#day1

wade moore · 03-20-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Round One coverage maps FYI
http://www.hdsportsguide.com/news/20...age-maps/#day1

Thanks Jon - I've been wondering about this. I have to miss the UT game tomorrow since it is at noon, but I didn't want to miss GMU tonight.

Mizzou B-ball fan · 03-20-2008, 10:47 AM

Anyone else waiting in line on the 'March Madness On Demand' website? Says the doors open up at at 12:00 PM EDT. I'm 70,000 back in the VIP line.

03-16-2008, 08:00 PM	#402
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	NIT bracket being announced on ESPN2 next (Women's bracket is tomorrow night at 8, btw) __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

03-16-2008, 08:04 PM	#403
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	And let's not forget about (yeah, right) the College Basketball Invitational, the new post-season tournament that will give 16 teams a chance to play at least one more game. http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/index_main.htm Looking around the 'net a little, looks like Houston has already accepted a bid & I believe Virginia has as well pending a possible NIT bid. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis Last edited by JonInMiddleGA : 03-16-2008 at 08:06 PM.

03-17-2008, 05:28 AM	#415
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Pairings for the aforemention College Basketball Invitational Tuesday, March 18 (East) Richmond at Virginia - 7 p.m. (West) Houston at Nevada - 9 p.m. (Midw) Brown at Ohio - TBA (East) Rider at Old Dominion - TBA Wednesday, March 19 (Midw)Cincinnati at Bradley - 7 p.m. (West) Valparaiso at Washington - 9 p.m. (South) Miami (Ohio) at Tulsa - TBA (South) Utah at UTEP - TBA When they get down to four they'll seed 'em again, and the championship round is best-of-three. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis Last edited by JonInMiddleGA : 03-17-2008 at 05:31 AM.

03-17-2008, 08:07 AM	#419
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Interesting little tidbit in my inbox this morning from the weekend overnight TV ratings for Atlanta. (note that the game was on CBS in the two home markets, ESPN2 in the rest of the country). Yesterday's SEC Championship game with Georgia & Arkansas posted a preliminary overall rating of 1.7 P25-54, peaking at an 8.7 share. By comparison, the Lakers/Rockets game had a consistent doubledigit share peaking in the low 12's while the NASCAR race was consistently in the high teens and had almost triple the average rating. The golf tournament on NBC had ratings just below the SEC title game. I won't mention the NHL on NBC, it's too sad to really comment on. Even with all the drama surrounding their tournament run, it appears that the locals had relatively little interest in watching Georgia in the title game. I'm not surprised that it was below NASCAR, but I am surprised just how low it really was. And Saturday was even worse, with the Nationwide(nee Busch) race pulling more than double the households of all NCAABB combined, and the ACC semifinals having more than double the number of viewers of Sunday's c'ship game. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

03-17-2008, 09:53 AM	#423
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	I don't have any great opinions on the bracket itself, but I pretty much want to kill Billy Packer. I know I'm not the only one, but still, it feels good to say. "WHY ACC ONLY GET 4 TEAMS, WHY, BIG EAST GET 8, ACC #1 CONFERENCE DAMMIT" "Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually." "I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT ACC #1, SO WHY ONLY 4 TEAMS FROM BEST CONFERENCE?" "Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually." "SEC GET LIKE ELEVENTY TEAMS AND SUN BELT GET SIXTEEN BUT ACC ONLY GET 4. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?" "Billy, we don't look at conference rankings. We look at each team individually." "ACC ACC ACC ACC!!! WHY ISN'T BOSTON COLLEGE IN PLAY-IN GAME AGAINST NC STATE?" I seriously expected Billy Packer to complain about George Mason taking some ACC team's spot, even though they got an automatic bid. __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

03-16-2008, 08:34 PM	#405
kcchief19 Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO	Amazingly, I only have one beef this year with the teams selected -- I'd have Illinois State in over Villanova. Kudos to the committee for taking a team like South Alabama and giving them a good seed. Virgina Tech/Miami is a coin flip. I probably would have leaned Va Tech but I don't think it was a screw job. There have been much worse screwings. I have a few quibbles with seeding but there are some refreshing improvements. Five years ago Drake and Georgia would both be 10 seeds. Nice to see one deservingly getting a 5 and another equally deservingly getting a 14. I think Tennessee should have gotten the the top 2 seed and it doesn't seem that way. I'm also not sure why Memphis has to go through Texas in Houston. Of local interest, Kansas State gets a huge break playing their pod in Omaha -- not sure why they deserve that. I'm also a little bewildered by that matchup. On paper, this matchup seems much more even than a 6/11 game -- looks more like a 8/9 game. It's a little disappointing to see the same trend that happened last year with mid- and low-majors getting pitted against each other early on -- Butler-South Alabama, Drake-Western Kentucky, Gonzaga-Davidson. Same thing happened last year. Would LOVE to see UNC shoot down KU's dreams. I'll be happy if anyone takes down KU. But if Roy does it, the devestation on the faces of KU fans will make it that much more sweet.

03-16-2008, 10:37 PM	#409
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	Here's an article that mentions the guarantee: http://azdailysun.com/articles/2008/..._sports_59.txt

03-16-2008, 10:50 PM	#411
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Speaking of tournament teams, UCLA is 14-2 against tournament teams, Memphis is 6-1, Carolina is 9-1, and Kansas is 8-2

03-16-2008, 11:06 PM	#412
bhlloy Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003	So, every single pundit on Sportscenter just picked a #1 vs #2 elite eight, with (I think) every single #1 making it to the final four. Thanks for the insight, guys

03-16-2008, 11:10 PM	#413
kingnebwsu College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ohio	Am I crazy for having Drake in my Final 4?

03-17-2008, 09:56 AM	#424
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	I just figured it out. Billy Packer is jbmagic. __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

03-17-2008, 06:48 PM	#426
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	Congrats to the University of Wyoming women's team for finally getting picked up for the NCAA tourney. They'll make their first appearance in school history this year. They were snubbed last year and rode that all the way to the WNIT title and after being upset in the Mountain West tourney, they looked to be on the bubble, but were ranked most of the year and it seemed likely they'd get in. It's a good group and in the 6/11 matchup against Pitt, look for them to pull the upset if they play their game. They're battle-tested and a lot better than their seed would indicate. I haven't seen Pitt and have no idea how they match up though, so it's hard to say, but...it's still excellent for them as they continue to rise up the ranks. Last edited by Young Drachma : 03-17-2008 at 06:48 PM.

03-17-2008, 07:03 PM	#427
Groundhog Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	Congrats to the Aussies at Baylor, St. Mary's, Vandy, and Washington St.! Baylor might be a reach to make the 2nd round, but I give the other 3 teams a decent chance of making it at least that far. I've got Kansas down as my champ favourites. I didn't see much of them during the year, but after watching them in the Big 12 tourney I'm a believer. Great backcourt with Rush and Chalmers, but it's Arthur and, in particular, Kaun in the frontcourt that lead me to believe that it'll take a very bad game to knock the Jayhawks out of the tourney. __________________ Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. --Ambrose Bierce

03-17-2008, 08:11 PM	#429
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	I'm glad that Baylor made the big dance. They really needed that to finally put the whole sordid Dave Bliss/Patrick Dennehy/Carlton Dotson saga behind them. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

03-17-2008, 08:55 PM	#432
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	only a few spots left in my survivor pool, sign up here http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...ad.php?t=64250

03-17-2008, 11:03 PM	#434
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Announcer pairings. Washington D.C...Craig Bolerjack/Bob Wenzel Omaha...Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner Denver....Gus Johnson/Lenny Elmore Anaheim...Dick Enberg-Carter Blackburn/Jay Bilas Raleigh...Jim Nantz/Billy Packer Birmingham...Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery Little Rock...Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel Tampa...Tim Brando/Mike Gminski Dick Enberg for UCLA is solid, but I love Gus Johnson as an announcer. He's much more refreshing then some of these guys

03-17-2008, 11:19 PM	#435
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Yay. We get Kevin Harlan SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

03-17-2008, 11:36 PM	#437
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	Has anyone ordered the Direct TV March Madness package before? is it pretty much the same as Sunday Ticket for basketball? looking at the schedules I am more and more wanting to be able to have my choice of every game. I'm gonna be stuck watching Duke during USC/Kansas State, and lots of 1/2 seed games during a lot of the more interesting 5/12 games I think.

03-18-2008, 11:26 AM	#438
Arles Grey Dog Software Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Phoenix, AZ by way of Belleville, IL	Anyone setup a free ESPN group yet? __________________ Developer of Bowl Bound College Football http://www.greydogsoftware.com

03-19-2008, 09:05 AM	#443
CleBrownsfan Pro Rookie Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: C-Town	Anyone know what times the Saturday/Sunday's NCAA games are usually played at? __________________ *XBox Gamertag:* Pronk32 FOOL-X - Cleveland Naps FOOL - Cleveland Cyclones SLOP - Cuyahoga Spiders

03-19-2008, 10:56 AM	#446
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	It really stinks that the tournament falls Easter weekend.

03-20-2008, 10:13 AM	#448
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Round One coverage maps FYI http://www.hdsportsguide.com/news/20...age-maps/#day1 __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

03-20-2008, 10:47 AM	#450
Mizzou B-ball fan General Manager Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO	Anyone else waiting in line on the 'March Madness On Demand' website? Says the doors open up at at 12:00 PM EDT. I'm 70,000 back in the VIP line.

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