CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

I am headed to the movies to hang with my wife for the day. Look for Conference Tourney updates and a NCAA Tourney Preview tomorrow. Hope you all have enjoyed the read so far.

I will update teams of interest during the NCAA tourney noting what teams are headed to the NIT.

[franch1se]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

No SDSU ranked? Blasphemy

[Gloves 82]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

Nice job winning the WAC regular season title. Looking forward to more updates

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

No SDSU ranked? Blasphemy

It was a down year for the MWC, BYU,UNLV and SDSU all struggled to impress the voters. Only Utah is ranked and it looks like unless someone knocks off the Utes in the tourney the MWC might only get 1 team into the NCAA

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

BRONCOS HEADED TO THE DANCE AFTER WINNING THE WAC!!!

CONFERENCE TOURNEY RECAP

NMSU beat San Jose State 74-54 for the chance to face #1 Seed BSU in the 1st Quarter Finals, where they then loss 103-68 to the Broncos. FR A. Diarra led all scorers with 23 pts off the bench, SO S. Hicks added 21 pts 8 reb in the win. With the win, Boise State will face off against Nevada after the Wolfpack downed La Tech 85-69

#2 Seed Fresno State defeated Hawaii 75-67 for a chance to face Utah State. The Aggies defeated Idaho 74-60 to move on to the Semi Finals.

The Broncos cruised in their 77-53 win over Nevada to earn a spot in the WAC Championship for the 2nd straight year. SO S. Hicks led all scorers with 22 pts and added 15 rebs for yet another double double on the year. FR M. Mbaye added 19 pts in the win.

The Bulldogs showed why they won 20 games this year as they took care of business holding Utah State to just 43 points in the 71-43 victory. 4 players scored in double digits for the Fresno.

WAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

(20-11) VS (23-9)

With a NCAA automatic berth on the line both teams came ready to play. FSU would take the 38-35 lead in the 1st half behind a solid team effort. The Broncos have struggled getting points from the bench and closing out close games, but tonight they were ready to shake that label. The Bronco bench exploded for a season best 30 points including a game tying basket by FR SG B. Sparks to force OT (66-66) In the OT period the bench continued to produce wearing down the Bulldogs as the Broncos crushed they opponent in the extra period.

FINAL SCORE BSU-85 FSU-72

KEY PLAYERS

PG T. Nichols-12 pts 3 asst 4 stls 2/6 3pt
SG D. Wiley-9 pts 5 reb 5 asst 2/5 3pt
PF S. Hicks-17 pts 8 reb (POG)
C. A. Diarra-9 pts 11 reb 4 blks (Season high in blks)
PG D. Fields-10 pts 1/4 3pt (Season high in points)
C I. Otejen-13 pts 4 reb

C G. Smith 21 pts 9 reb
SG J. Willis-17 pts 1/2 3pt
PF K. Young-14 pts 10 reb 5 blks

POST GAME COMMENTS BY COACH D

"We are extremely excited to be going back to the Big Dance. It was our #1 Goal for the season and we accomplished it. Also to be able to come back and win 20 games after a 5-8 start is a huge accomplishment for this team. I am really happy for these guys. They never gave up and played hard"

(With the win BSU takes a 11 game win streak into the NCAA tourney!! Fresno State is now left sitting on the Bubble hoping that their 23 wins and loss to BSU in OT of the WAC will be good enough to get their name called as a At-Large bid.)

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

CONFERENCE TOURNEY RECAPS



AMERICAN EAST
Boston U defeats Maine 83-55

ACC
Duke defeats Maryland 75-73

A-SUN
Belmont defeats Campbell 101-83

A-10
Duquesne defeats Saint Joe's 81-62

BIG EAST
Marquette defeats Syracuse 83-68

BIG SKY
Eastern Washington defeats Idaho State 71-70

BIG SOUTH
UNC Ashville defeats Coastal Carolina 90-62

BIG TEN
Indiana defeats Iowa 94-65

BIG 12
Oklahoma State defeats Kansas 87-77

BIG WEST
UC Santa Barbara defeats Cal Poly 81-79

COLONIAL
VCU defeats Georgia State 92-70

CUSA
UAB defeats Marshall 75-67

HORIZON
Cleveland St defeats Detroit 76-74

METRO ATLANTIC
Iona defeats Saint Peter's 86-67

MID AMERICAN
Ball State defeats E. Michigan 77-64

SUMMITT
South Dakota State defeats IUPUI 74-70

MID EASTERN
Coppin St defeats Morgan St 70-61

MISSOURI VALLEY
Bradley defeats N. Iowa 61-59

MOUTAIN WEST
Utah defeats BYU 84-59

NORTHEAST
C. Connecticut defeats Saint Francis PA 87-86

OHIO VALLEY
Austin Peay defeats Morehead State 78-60

PAC-10
USC defeats ASU 76-68

PATRIOT
Army defeats Lafayette 71-68

SEC
Vanderbilt defeats Florida 87-78

SOUTHERN
Chattanooga defeats Davidson 62-55

SOUTHLAND
Stephen A Austin defeats TXAM-CC 84-60

SWAC
Grambling defeats Miss Valley St 66-58

SUN BELT
Troy defeats Florida Int 70-63

WEST COAST
SAINT MARY'S defeats Gonzaga 83-82
(SMU trailed 55-37 at the half, but GU fell apart scoring just 27 pts in the 2nd half)

[matt314hew]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

Congrats on winning the regular season and tournament championships.

Now go out and go after the NCAA Champ.

It is great to see my Alma Mater winning the A-10. Wish it would happen in real life. Go Dukes.

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

Congrats on winning the regular season and tournament championships.

Now go out and go after the NCAA Champ.

It is great to see my Alma Mater winning the A-10. Wish it would happen in real life. Go Dukes.

Thanks. I think this team has the ability to win a Championship if I was to play a perfect game, but thats a tough road to accomplish playing against the best in the nation, as proven by my 5-8 Non-Conference record this year.

Yeah the Dukes have had past success in my legacies, I actually spent 5 years at Saint Louis with the orginal Coach Dezaron, and really enjoyed my time in the A-10. In my opinion it's the toughest non-power house conference out there

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

NCAA TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

Good Evening and welcome to Selection Sunday. The day in which we find what 65 teams will have a chance to travel Glory's Road in their quest for a National Title. I am you host Greg Gumbel and with me today helping breakdown the brackets are my co-hosts, Clark Kellogg and Seth Davis.


We had some exciting games in the Conference tournaments, as teams battled for a chance to a automatic bid in the field of 65.. Some of the most notable games, where Oklahoma State defeating Kansas in the Big 12 to earn a spot in this years field of 65. Also the Duquesne Dukes winning the A-10 with 4 straight games to finish at 20-9. The Iona Gaels finished tied for 3rd in the Metro during the regular season but with a victory over Saint Peter's in the Championship will send them to the Big Dance.

Well lets get right to it. We will head East, where Duke has secured the #1 seed. After winning the title in 2010, the Blue Devils fell on tough times missing the NCAA tourney for the 1st time in 25 years. Loaded with a roster full of talented freshman (last years #1 class), Duke is ready to play for a chance at a 6th National Championship. They will play #16 Army who defeated Grambling 77-74 for the #64 spot.

Now that we have seen who is #1, lets take a look at the rest of the East Bracket.

#8 Villanova vs #9 Murray State
#5 Kentucky vs #12 Duquesne
#4 Dayton vs #13 Iona
#6 Pitt vs #11 Florida State
#3 Arkansas vs #14 Chattanooga
#7 Georgetown vs #10 Florida
#2 Washington State vs #15 Boston U

GG-What's your take on this bracket guy's?

CK-Well for me it starts and end's with Duke. They have the talent to be anyone in the nation and proved it by going 26-6 and 14-2 in the ACC.

SD-I don't know Clark. #2 Washington State was a #1 seed last year and they are back ready to prove they have the talent to win a National Title. The Cougars played a very tough schedule to prepare them for this (#2 RPI, went 24-8 Overall and 14-4 in the Pac-10) With 6 SR's including SG Klay Thompson and C DeAngelo Castro, this team is what coaches dream of having going into tourney time.

GG-Before we move on to the South Regional, give me a team who you think might pull off a upset in Round 1 and become a Cinderela story.

CK-For me it's Florida. The Gators squeeked in as a Bubble team after losing to Vanderbilt in the SEC Championship game, but the Gators have proven they have the talent to beat quality teams, and I think Georgetown will have their hands full in the #7/#10 matchup.

SD-I am picking #13 Iona. The Gaels are a hot and cold team having won 9 games straight to start the season before struggling their way toward the end, but now Coach Willard has them back on the hot streak having won 9 straight yet again.


Greg Gumbel- Okay now that you have seen the East, let's head South where the #1 team in country Saint Mary's will be the #1 seed. They will take on Ivy League Champion Yale in the opening round. Here is a look at the rest of the South Bracket

#8 OREGON VS #9 BOISE STATE
#5 STANFORD VS #12 BALL STATE
#4 PURDUE VS #13 BRADLEY
#6 CINCINNATI VS #11 OKLAHOMA STATE
#3 MEMPHIS VS #14 COPPIN ST
#7 USC VS #10 SOUTH FLORIDA
#2 LSU VS #15 SD STATE

GG-What's your take on the South guy's.

CK- Again I think you have to focus on 2 teams here. #1 Saint Mary's has proven they can win close games. But other then beating Gonzaga 3 times including the WCC Championship game, The Gaels have only beaten 1 other team who is playing in the tourney (#6 Vanderbilt). I think they will struggle allowing #2 LSU to make a trip to the Final 4, where the Tigers have proven they can win.

SD-Again I agree with CK, in fact the team that I am most looking foward to watching is #9 Boise State. Like Iona, the Broncos are coming into the tourney on a hot streak having won 11 straight and 13 of their last 14 games. The Broncos have never won a NCAA tournament game, but I feel that if they can beat Oregon, then the energy they will have could just be to much for #1 Saint Mary's to handle. Boise State ranks #2 in the nation in scoring at 81.9 PPG behind Kansas (82.8)


GG-Okay now we will move to the Midwest Regional where Maquette has secured the #1 seed. Winners of the Big East tourney, the Golden Eagles are use to playing bigtime opponents and won't take #16 Stephen A Austin any less serious. Now that you have seen the #1 vs #16 matchup, let's take a look at the rest of the Midwest Bracket.

#8 ARIZONA STATE VS #9 WAKE FOREST
#5 MARYLAND VS #12 UAB
#4 SAINT JOESPH VS #13 EASTERN WASHINGTON
#6 WEST VIRGINIA VS #11 GEORGIA TECH
#3 GONZAGA VS #14 BELMONT
#7 SYRACUSE VS #10 RICHMOND
#2 LOUISVILLE VS #15 CLEVELAND STATE

GG-Give me your favorite or a upset you see happening here guy's?

CK-Well I got to go with #3 Gonzga. The Bulldogs finished the year 25-5 which is pretty amazing considering 3 of those loses where to #1 Saint Mary's. They started the year with 17 straight wins and have 2 very talent bigmen in PF E. Harris and C R. Sacre. Plus they are #6 in scoring at 81.2 PPG so they know how to light up a scoreboard.

SD-Last year we watched #10 West Virginia shock the nation as they won the National Title. I don't think lighting will strike twice for the Mountaineers, in fact I like #11 Georgia Tech pulling off the upset in Round 1 here. The Yellow Jackets finished a disappointing 6-10 in the ACC and just 16-13 Overall, but their #33 RPI got them into the tourney and I think they will make the most of it.


Greg Gumbel-Okay guy's well we are down to just 16 teams left as we head out West where another surprising team has claimed the #1 spot. The Utah Utes finished the season at 27-5 going 15-1 in the MWC including winning the Conference Tourney. They will face off against #16 Central Connecticut State winners of the Northest. Let's take a look at the rest of the West Bracket.

#8 WASHINGTON VS #9 NC STATE
#5 TENNESSEE VS #12 AUSTIN PEAY
#4 MIAMI FL VS #13 VCU
#6 VANDERBILT VS #11 TEXAS
#3 INDIANA VS #14 TROY
#7 UNC ASHVILLE VS #10 KANSAS ST
#2 KANSAS VS #15 UC SANTA BARBARA

GG-Okay guy's well this is it. Of this group, who do you think has what it takes to make a trip to the Final 4?

CK-As impressed with Utah as I am, I don't think you can go wrong picking Kansas. The Jayhawks have proven it time and time again, that they know how to win when it comes to big games and with 12 Final 4's on their resume it's hard to argue against it.

SD- I don't know Clark. They will have a very tough matchup in the 2nd Round if they have to face their instate rival Kansas State. The Wildcats have already beaten Kansas once this year and when it comes to playing the most hated team at your school for a chance at a National Title you can throw out the past and any records that go with it.


Greg Gumbel-Okay now that you have seen the Field of 64/65. Lets take a quick look at what teams just missed out and will be headed to the NIT.

Ole Miss vs UT Pan-American
BYU vs Oregon State
UW-Milwaukee vs Alabama
Hampton vs Georgia State
Xaiver vs N. Illinois
Pepperdine vs Rhode Island
UCLA vs Nicholls State
Oakland vs Fresno State
Fairfield vs Alcorn State
E. Michigan vs Michigan State
Illinois St vs UCF
UC Riverside vs Saint Louis
Michigan vs SC Upstate
Nevada vs Bucknell
Charlotte vs Arizona
Weber State vs Baylor

Greg Gumble-Quickly guys give me a few teams you think might have a chance at claiming the NIT Title?

Clark Kellogg-This tourney is loaded with teams who are use to playing for a NCAA National Title. I would put my money on team. (UCLA,Michigan State, Arizona)

Seth Davis-I don't think you can count out Bucknell. The Bison won it last year and to be able to repeat would be a huge feat for the Patriot League Regular Season Champs. Another school who feels slighted is the Fairfield Stags. The Regular Season Champs from the Metro. Fairfield went 23-7 and avg 75 PPG, so they know how to put the ball in the basket. I also like any team from the A-10 (Rhode Island,Xaiver or Saint Louis)

OTHER NOTEABLE TEAM RECORDS

UNC 15-17 Overall (4-12 ACC)
"Looks like Duke and UNC flip flopped records this year"
Saint Johns 8-22 Overall (3-15 Big East)
"Finished last"
N. Colorado 16-14 Overall 9-7 Big Sky
Missouri 12-17 Overall 3-13 Big 12
"Finished last place"
UC Davis 12-16 Overall 7-9 Big West
Princeton 8-20 Overall 7-7 Ivy
Columbia 18-9 Overall 8-6 Ivy
"Can see say screwed out of a NIT bid"
Dartmouth 13-17 Overall 5-9 Ivy
"Last place in the Ivy"
UNLV 18-16 Overall 9-7 MWC
"Another team that should be atleast in the NIT"
Tennessee State 15-16 Overall 9-11 in the OVC

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

Last year, I had several guy's actually give me a complete bracket of their winners. and I updated who was leading the way as I posted my game results. I would love to see that again for those you want to do it.

If you don't want to post the entire bracket, you can post who you think will be in the Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4, or just pick who you think will play in the National Title game.

Also feel free to try and guess the NIT winner as well.


(I plan on playing the tourney today and look for updates either tonight or tomorrow after work)

[delija66]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

NCAA - Maryland
NIT - Ole Miss

[Yrogergj24]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

I'm predictin Boise makes the Sweet 16

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

I'm predictin Boise makes the Sweet 16

I sure hope you are right

[Deuce2223]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

NCAA - Maryland
NIT - Ole Miss

Interesting choice with Maryland. They played well in the ACC tourney, but not sure I am ready to drink the Koolaid yet on them

[matt314hew]

Re: CH 2K8 "The Rebirth of a Legend" Coach BJ Derozan

I think i will go through this tomorrow and make my picks for the tournament.