March Madness

[Jedi Master Carr]

NCAA hoops madness are upon us. Yesterday had some wild games. Several upsets and the insane but instant classic 6 overtime game last night. If I was UConn I be happy I lost that wild game because winning the big east tourney after that game would have killed their legs for the NCAA tournament. Right now I think the number one seeds are Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Louisville. I think Michigan State has a chance at a #1 but I give Louisville the edge right now. Oklahoma killed their chances losing to Baylor yesterday. I also don't think Memphis deserves it as they haven't beaten anybody out of their conference. Conference USA is a joke compared to the Big East, ACC, and Big Ten, so beating up on those teams don't impress me.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

I watched the entirety of the UConn/Cuse game... wow. That was incredible. Though I seriously doubt Cuse can make it by West Virginia tonight. They will not repeat an '06 effort.

And, er... GO BINGHAMTON BEARCATS!!! WOO! They will make the big show, they just must! ^_^

[Lykaios]

Oh St FTW!

[Jedi Master Carr]

I watched the entirety of the UConn/Cuse game... wow. That was incredible. Though I seriously doubt Cuse can make it by West Virginia tonight. They will not repeat an '06 effort.

And, er... GO BINGHAMTON BEARCATS!!! WOO! They will make the big show, they just must! ^_^

I think they are better off losing. If they won the Big East tourney after that they will have nothing left come Thursday/Fri

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Yea, I know what you mean. And here they are in overtime again. I'd love them to win the Big East, but... I'd rather them be rested up for the big show. Of course, if they win this tourney, they might get a higher seed, with more than likely an easier tourney bracket. Or they could meet an upset cinderella team and lose in the first or second round.

And Cuse wins! ... They will not beat Louisville.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Yea, I know what you mean. And here they are in overtime again. I'd love them to win the Big East, but... I'd rather them be rested up for the big show. Of course, if they win this tourney, they might get a higher seed, with more than likely an easier tourney bracket. Or they could meet an upset cinderella team and lose in the first or second round.

And Cuse wins! ... They will not beat Louisville.

Louisville is going to be very hard to beat. Especially, since Petino loves for his teams to run. I think it will be a close first half but the Cardinals will pull a way in the second half. Syracuse though probably got a 4th seed out of their performance.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

And my Alma Mater, Binghamton (!!!) makes it to their first dance for the first time in their 8 year stint in D1!! Wooooooooooooo! *just a tad excited*:crack

[Jedi Master Carr]

And my Alma Mater, Binghamton (!!!) makes it to their first dance for the first time in their 8 year stint in D1!! Wooooooooooooo! *just a tad excited*:crack

That is very cool, I love the first timers to the dance.

[CMJ]

Man, totally didn't see this thread until just now. The champion of my conference is Western Kentucky. I hate the Hilltoppers during the regular season(they are Goliaths....did you know they have the 3rd most conference titles of any school in Division 1 behind only Kentucky and Kansas?), but now that they are carrying the banner of the Sunbelt I'll be pulling for them like they were my alma mater.

The Hilltoppers will be a tough out for anyone they get. They could easily advance like last year.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Yeah they are one of those dangerous teams like Butler that could make a run. Too bad Davidson faltered in the tourney. I would have loved to see Curry play again.

Three more upsets today so, North Carolina, Michigan State, and LSU all went down.

[Lykaios]

And my Alma Mater, Binghamton (!!!) makes it to their first dance for the first time in their 8 year stint in D1!! Wooooooooooooo! *just a tad excited*:crack
How excited are you now that they're going vs the Blue Devils and coach K?

[Nathanial K'cansce]

I don't wanna talk about it. :(

Though one of my former college apartment mates sent me a message saying "that's a good thing, duke are chokers".

Hey, maybe Bing will be this year's cinderella team that literally came from no where! ...*shakes head no*

[Jedi Master Carr]

Duke are overrated this year. I mean 7th seed Clemson kicked the crap out of them. Also, St Mary's got screwed. Why did Arizona an Wisconsin get in over them? I think UConn might have the easiest road to the Elite 8 of the #1. I don't think Memphis even matches up against them.

[CMJ]

Duke are overrated this year. I mean 7th seed Clemson kicked the crap out of them.

Yeah, and the #1 overall seed Louisville lost to Western Kentucky, so what's your point?

[Figrin D'an]

I think sleeping on Memphis is a mistake. A team with a chip on it's shoulder from the lack of respect they have gotten this year, as well as the experience from last year, makes them very dangerous IMO.

North Carolina is the most vulnerable of the top seeds. If Ty Lawson is still not 100%, they may not get past the Sweet 16.

I think there is potential for a lot of upsets this year. Last year, there were a few dominant teams and the seeds held for the most part all the way to (and including) the Final Four. That won't happen again. At least two of the #1 seeds will not make it to Detroit, and I think the potential for a team seeded 3-5 to make it is pretty good this year.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Duke are overrated this year. I mean 7th seed Clemson kicked the crap out of them.

Yeah, and the #1 overall seed Louisville lost to Western Kentucky, so what's your point?

Well it might show the weakness of Lousiville. I just don't think Duke is that great. They live and die by the 3 too much.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Only one upset so far with Maryland beating Cal. Although, three higher seeds are losing right now.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Michigan moves on as well.. I consider that an upset.


If Bing wins tonight, one of my co-workers is buying me breakfast! woo!

[Jedi Master Carr]

I would love to see Bingmaton win.

[Lykaios]

Cal State Northridge shoulda beat Memphis, they coulda had it but nooooo

Bing better win Snack, I have too much riding on your Bearcats *shakes fist*

[CMJ]

WKU!!!!

Go Sunbelt!

[Jedi Master Carr]

WKU!!!!

Go Sunbelt!

Congrats should be a great game between them and Gonzaga. Well, we had three upsets. Hopefully, have a few more tomorrow.

[CMJ]

I tel you man, it's kinda strange rooting for WKU. During the conference season it's like rooting for the House in Vegas - ie, they always win. You rarely if ever find me rooting for the Hilltoppers during the league slate.

But, come March, we gotta rally around the conference champion. :D

[CMJ]

Nice article on WKU.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/sportsline/main11524681.shtml

[Jedi Master Carr]

Cool, one upset today, although I am not surprised Dayton beat WVU. Big East, and Big 12 are both doing great, so far. ACC might join that group tonight.

[CMJ]

Some great action tonight and we have a 13 seed move on! But my bracket got sodomized today much like Andy Dufrain in the prison laundry. :lol

[Jedi Master Carr]

Some great action tonight and we have a 13 seed move on! But my bracket got sodomized today much like Andy Dufrain in the prison laundry. :lol

LOL mine too, that Siena win was classic, probably best game of the tournament. Glad to see the little schools like Siena and Cleveland State both win. The Acc has had rough tournament 3-4 right now.

[CMJ]

Early games today were lousy.

The late games were awesome.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Yeah they sure were, hopefully tomorrow games were like the ones tonight.

[Lykaios]

But my bracket got sodomized today much like Andy Dufrain in the prison laundry. :lol
^ ditto -_-

[Figrin D'an]

All the 1, 2 and 3 seeds survived to the Sweet 16, which is first time that's happened since the tournament expanded to 64 teams.

The East and South regions are all chalk for the Regional Semifinals. The West has the 5 seed (Purdue) instead of the 4, and the Midwest has 12 seed Arizona playing top seeded Louisville.


There's no real Cinderella teams that made past the 2nd round this year (Arizona doesn't count, they're a big time program regardless of record and seeding, and Gonzaga is an upper echelon program now as well). Everyone left has pretty strong major conference ties and/or significant basketball pedigree.


Breakdown by Conference:

Big East - 5 (a record for Sweet 16 teams by one conference)
Big 12 - 3
Big Ten - 2
ACC - 2
Pac-10 - 1
Atlantic 10 - 1
Conference USA - 1
WCC - 1


At this point, with Ty Lawson looking like he's going to remain effective, UNC is the favorite to cut the nets down in Detroit IMO.

I'm hoping that my Boilermakers manage to at least keep it a competitive game against Connecticut. I'm realistic that an upset is probably not going to happen, but if they can make the Huskies work for the win and make it a tough game, it'll be a good stepping stone for next season.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think Uconn can beat North Carolina.

[CMJ]

I think Gonzaga's size can frustrate and beat UNC.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think we could see several upsets in this round. I think Xavier matches up well with Pitt and same with Villanova with Duke. We could see a couple of 3's beating 2. I think only 2#1s are safe and that is Uconn and Louisville. I just don't think Purdue matches up that well with UConn and Arizona will get steamrolled by Louisville.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I guess Memphis didn't deserve that #1 seed. They played lousy, and I think UConn will beat Missouri. They have nothing to stop Thabeat. Nova-Pitt should be a great game, but I give the edge to Nova with the way they are playing.

[CMJ]

Villanova has been the most impressive team in the tournament to me so far. They annhilated UCLA and Duke.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Villanova has been the most impressive team in the tournament to me so far. They annhilated UCLA and Duke.

They have been impressive, although I think UConn has been playing great too. This looks like the year for the Big East, right now I think the final four will be UConn, Nova, Louisville, and UNC.

[CMJ]

You're biased dude...it's hard for me to take anything you say about UConn seriously. ;)

Connecticut has looked good....but they haven't blown me away like Nova has. That said, I kinda think Pitt has the sort of squad that can chop down Nova(the way you beat all those dude that are 6'7 and can run and jump is to punish them on the inside...which is the make of the Panthers team). Guess we'll see Saturday.

[Jedi Master Carr]

You're biased dude...it's hard for me to take anything you say about UConn seriously. ;)

Connecticut has looked good....but they haven't blown me away like Nova has. That said, I kinda think Pitt has the sort of squad that can chop down Nova(the way you beat all those dude that are 6'7 and can run and jump is to punish them on the inside...which is the make of the Panthers team). Guess we'll see Saturday.

LOL Well I am biased about Uconn :p I think they look a lot better than that 2006 squad which also made it to the elite 8. The thing about Pitt they better play better than they have the last 3 games. If that Xavier player hadn't had his foot on the line, Pitt would have lost that game.

[CMJ]

Survive and advance dude, that's all you have to do.

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Huskies survive, Missouri gave them all they could handle but they are back in the Final Four. I think the Big East gets 3 teams in the final four. I can't see Michigan State beating Louisville.

[CMJ]

I thought Missouri was gonna take that game midway thru the 2nd half. They had Connecticut absolutely flustered. Credit to the Huskies for surving that one.

[CMJ]

Villanova and Pitt played a whale of a game.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I thought Missouri was gonna take that game midway thru the 2nd half. They had Connecticut absolutely flustered. Credit to the Huskies for surving that one.

I was worried myself, UConn played some great defense at the end of the second half. I credit Calhoun for seeing the job Walker gave them. He was a huge difference and gave the team a big spark. This could have been the test game for UConn. I think they can beat Louisville and only UNC really can beat them. Nova-and Pitt was a great game, although I missed it because I went to a party.

[CMJ]

Michigan State has a real chance to win it all now IMHO. They will probably have an overwhelming homecourt advantage at the Final Four.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I don't think that matters since the tickets are divided out evenly to the universities. Regardless, of that home court doesn't seem to matter in these things. Somebody a few years back had that advantage and it didn't do them any good. I still think Uconn can handle them. They have a huge size advantage and pretty much play the same styles.

[CMJ]

Most tickets are actually sold long before the tournament even starts to brokers and the like. I remember that from when the Final Four was in San Antonio back when I still lived in Texas.

Being so close to East Lansing, I expect a huge Spartan presence.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Of course it being in the huge dome may not matter. I still don't understand why they picked that wretched place.

[Figrin D'an]

Believe me, MSU fans are rabid about their support for Izzo's program, and with the Final Four in their backyard, they'll find a way to make sure there's an overwhelming presence of green shirts at Ford Field next weekend. They'll still be the underdog, but the contingents from UNC, Villanova and Connecticut will be dwarfed by massive margins.

That said, my title pick is still UNC.


I'm happy that Big Ten team made it to the Final Four. I've grown pretty tired of the massive man crush that that most in media seem to have on the Big East powers and how the Big Ten was constantly denigrated because of low point totals and the emphasis on defense in conference play.

I'm also fairly optimistic for my school's chances next year. Bringing back every starter and all but one contributor from a team that won 27 games, the Big Ten Tournament and got to the Sweet 16 makes me hopeful that Purdue will finally have what it takes to put together a Final Four run.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think UConn beats Michigan State. They both play tough defense and relies on inside stuff and that UConn is probably the best team at doing that. I see Uconn winning a close game. Villanova can give North Carolina a run not sure if they can win. It will probably be UNC vs UConn which could be an incredible game. I know Uconn will be massive underdogs but they did beat Duke in 99 when everybody thought Duke was going to win.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Why is John Calipari considering going to Kentucky?
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4026848
I think he is crazy neither the Kentucky or UCLA jobs are worth it when they expect competing for the national title every year and if you have one bad year you are fired.

[CMJ]

UCLA might've been that way in the distant past, but they held onto Lavin for awhile when he was sucking up the joint. Kentucky is a demanding job, no question. But when you can win somewhere like there, the world is your oyster.

There are two schools of thought on this. It's monumental to build something up from scratch and make it a premiere program. However, there is also the allure of one of those "special" places.

I mean a title is a title - but if you win one at a place with the history of a Kentucky it is special in a different sort of way. It's like the Yankees in baseball - you're continuing a tradition.

There are 6 truly historic programs in college basketball really.

Kentucky
UCLA
North Carolina
Indiana
Duke
Kansas

Winning at one of those schools means continuing excellence that goes back decades.

[Jedi Master Carr]

And I guess money plays a big role in this too. I think he should stay at Memphis but that is just me. Kentucky just seems like a stressful place right now.

[CMJ]

Michigan State wore down Connecticut with their superior bench. An assist goes to the partisan crowd and FT troubles for the Huskies. Fantastic game I thought.

[CMJ]

UNC pretty much dominated Villanova. Gotta pull for Sparty in the Final!

[CMJ]

Tar Heels Champions again....

Once MSU got their bearings I thought they played okay, but when you're down 24 points or whatever it is, you're just not gonna come back from that against a team as loaded as UNC. If MSU played the 2nd half like they did the 1st, that woulda been a helluva final.

UNC was as dominant through this tournament as any team I've ever seen. I love alot of sports, but college hoops is my favorite....so I'm sad the last game i'll see for 7 months was such a letdown.

Oh well...on to next year.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I am glad I didn't watch now. I had to choose between 24 and House and the basketball game. Since neither I really cared for either team, I didn't watch it.

[Ryan Pode]

I am glad I didn't watch now. I had to choose between 24 and House and the basketball game. Since neither I really cared for either team, I didn't watch it.

I wish I watched the game instead of House. House is so uninteresting these days.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I am glad I didn't watch now. I had to choose between 24 and House and the basketball game. Since neither I really cared for either team, I didn't watch it.

I wish I watched the game instead of House. House is so uninteresting these days.
Well that episode was just depressing. It was a shock that Kutner killed himself.