National Title Game Picks (Must be in by tipoff, Monday night) [Archive]

Figrin D'an

Apr 5th, 2003, 10:25:36 PM

One blow-out, one close game until the final minute in the national semifinals gives us an interesting matchup for the title.

(2) Kansas
(3) Syracuse

Roy Williams vs. Jim Boeheim. Both have been to the final game, both are considered amongst the best coaches in NCAA history to never win it all. For one of them, that will change Monday night.

I don't know who to root for in this game... I wouldn't mind seeing either one of the them claim the title.

CMJ

Apr 5th, 2003, 10:36:39 PM

I'm not sure who to root for either.

I'm picking Kansas though.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 5th, 2003, 10:40:06 PM

I am going with Syracuse, and that is who I am rooting for.

Figrin D'an

Apr 5th, 2003, 11:05:06 PM

I'll root for both, I guess. I'll just enjoy the game, and be happy with the outcome either way.

For the purposes of the picks... I'll take Kansas. If they play with the same fire they had against Marquette, they'll win.

CMJ

Apr 5th, 2003, 11:07:51 PM

If they play like they did versus Marquette the Orange doesn't have a chance. I doubt Kansas can play at THAT high a level again.

It was one of the best displays of basketball I've ever seen.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 6th, 2003, 12:25:34 AM

The thing is I think they peaked too soon, they might should have saved some of that energy for Syracuse, we shall see.

Taylor Millard

Apr 6th, 2003, 01:22:20 PM

Kansas

sirdizzy

Apr 6th, 2003, 03:16:02 PM

Syracuse

Admiral Lebron

Apr 6th, 2003, 07:56:46 PM

The coin says Syracuse.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 6th, 2003, 09:40:07 PM

The Women are set now for the final Game Uconn vs Tennessee, is that Deja Vu or what.

Figrin D'an

Apr 6th, 2003, 10:04:15 PM

Yeah, no kidding...

I like a lot of things about the women's game, but there still isn't enough parity to make it really intriguing. It's gotten better in recent years, but it's still Connecticut and Tennessee at the very top (contenders/favorites every year), then schools like Louisiana Tech, Purdue, Georgia, Duke and Kansas State that are annually very good and legit contenders every couple of years, then there's everyone else... there are about 10-15 programs that really dominate the recruiting scene.

CMJ

Apr 6th, 2003, 10:41:08 PM

Every few years you get someone else winning(like your alma mater Figrin) but yeah....Conneticut and Tennessee are the Goliaths to an amazing degree.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 6th, 2003, 11:06:51 PM

I think Womens will get to be like the mens eventually it is in ins 70 stage and I guess UConn is like UCLA right now, heck they could be dominant for a few years they are a really young team. Tennessee is great this year too, though I think UConn will win it again.

CMJ

Apr 7th, 2003, 02:15:19 PM

The Huskies aren't UCLA dominant. They don't ALWAYS win like the Bruins did.

Taylor Millard

Apr 7th, 2003, 09:32:41 PM

If the Orange pull this out...I'm gonna be surprised...

Admiral Lebron

Apr 7th, 2003, 09:34:51 PM

HE GOT STUFFED.

:D

Nathanial K'cansce

Apr 7th, 2003, 09:36:26 PM

And 'Cuse wins! *jumps around for joy*:crack

Figrin D'an

Apr 7th, 2003, 09:39:19 PM

wow... give Kansas credit for coming back down the stretch and having a shot, but damn... how many free throws did they miss? It has to be 15-20, and so many were on the front end of 1&1's.

Good to see Boeheim finally get a national title. :)

Taylor Millard

Apr 7th, 2003, 09:39:57 PM

Yeah I caught the tail end of it. I bet my roomie is not a happy camper right now (he's from Kansas)

Figrin D'an

Apr 7th, 2003, 09:46:23 PM

The big question now for the Jayhawk faithful is where Roy Williams will be next season... unlike 3 years ago, his ties at Kansas aren't as strong... Hinrich and Collison are graduating, and he has a bit of a strained relationship with the Kansas AD... you have to bet that if Dean Smith gives him a call, he's going seriously listen, at the very least.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 7th, 2003, 09:50:18 PM

It was a heck of game one of the best since at least 98. Glad to see Syracuse finally win it I am glad for Boeheim and for Syracuse. I wonder if Anythony will go to the NBA now.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 7th, 2003, 10:06:20 PM

About that North Carolina Question, man did Williams seem mad that he was asked twice about it, I do agree at this point in time I don't think he cares.

Figrin D'an

Apr 7th, 2003, 10:10:47 PM

I can understand his point of view... I tend to agree that it isn't a very "nice" thing to do... but he had to have known that the question would be asked, whether he won or lost. The frustration is understandable, but he lost his cool a little bit...

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 7th, 2003, 10:28:11 PM

I think he didn't like it when it got asked to him again. I understand that I hate it when reporters ask the same question basically twice when they already know the answer.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 7th, 2003, 10:56:03 PM

Here are the final totals and there is a two way tie for first and a two way tie for third, maybe we should make the tie braker the women's game unless you are satsfied with a tie.

Totals
Figrin D'an 43-20
Admiral Lebron 43-20
CMJ 40-23
Jedi Master Carr 40-23

Grey Drasen 33-7
Taylor Millard 8-7
Sir Dizzy 7-8
Mu Satach 1-3

CMJ

Apr 7th, 2003, 11:24:15 PM

Really good game. The Orangemen looked awesome in the 1st half. Man, the Jayhawks were AWFUL from the foul line. It was painful to watch their valiant comeback get deep sixed at the charity strip.

It's one thing to get beat by great plays. It's quite another to beat yourself. I'm SOO happy for Coach Boeheim. Twenty seven years and no title....not anymore. :)

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 7th, 2003, 11:29:05 PM

Yeah I am very happy for him too.

CMJ

Apr 7th, 2003, 11:35:22 PM

Maybe Roy can get his own soon.....

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 7th, 2003, 11:39:03 PM

Hopefully, I think he would have to stay at Kansas to get one real soon.

CMJ

Apr 7th, 2003, 11:55:05 PM

It's gonna be a tough choice for him either way. Go to his alma mater..or stay at a program that he's run for 15 years. Both have to feel like home.

Figrin D'an

Apr 8th, 2003, 01:00:39 AM

I'm okay with a tie... it's just a friendly competition anyway... but if you want to use the women's title game as the deciding factor, I'll take Tennessee.

ESPN is reporting that UNC is going to offer Williams the job sometime in the next few days. Unlike last time, I think he's going to seriously considering taking it. I'm not sure that he'll take it, but the decision will not be as easy for him as it was 3 years ago.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 8th, 2003, 01:30:13 AM

I will take UConn for a big East sweep (St. Johns won the NIT)

CMJ

Apr 8th, 2003, 10:11:04 AM

No Big East team won the Wome's NIT though. ;)

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 8th, 2003, 11:27:30 AM

The women have a NIT? Who won?

CMJ

Apr 8th, 2003, 01:02:50 PM

Auburn...

Admiral Lebron

Apr 8th, 2003, 05:20:38 PM

Uconn

JMK

Apr 8th, 2003, 06:22:56 PM

It's one thing to get beat by great plays. It's quite another to beat yourself
Hey Court, isn't that the definition of...............choking? :lol

CMJ

Apr 8th, 2003, 08:44:27 PM

Not exactly. It's not like they missed free throws down the stretch. They missed free throws ALL NIGHT LONG. And usually choking implies you had the lead and blew it. Kansas trailed practically from start to finish.

Jedi Master Carr

Apr 8th, 2003, 08:55:57 PM

Uconn won so I guess Lebron brakes the tie. Man Uconn is building a dynasty they might win next year.

Admiral Lebron

Apr 8th, 2003, 08:59:24 PM

Neat. I won. Pwned. GG all.

Figrin D'an

Apr 9th, 2003, 03:14:48 PM

http://espn.go.com/ncb/news/2003/0409/1536529.html

After this, it looks like Roy Williams will likely be staying at Kansas.

CMJ

Apr 9th, 2003, 04:10:01 PM

They have a better shot at least.

Figrin D'an

Apr 14th, 2003, 03:37:45 PM

Wow... now, it looks like Roy Williams is going to be headed to North Carolina...

http://espn.go.com/ncb/news/2003/0414/1538739.html

They just gave some followup info on ESPN about the meeting he held with his players at Kansas... the signs are pointing to him leaving to take the job at UNC.

Edit: It looks to be official now. There is a press conference scheduled for 9:30 PM EST tonight, from Chapel Hill, and Williams is supposedly on a plane to UNC right now.