Preseason NCAA Basketball Poll is released

[UNC41]

Brandon Jennings is an absolute stud. I would be pumped about him if I were a Arizona fan. Assuming Bayless is going, their best bet would be to go small in the backcourt with Wise and Jennings. Then all you need is someone to step into the frontcourt so Budinger can play the 3, because he is way too soft to play the 4.

[seekupig]

here we go....

Georgetown vs. 'Nova on the big screen....

Wake vs. Florida St. on the Picture in picture....

Oklahoma St. vs. Texas Tech on the little tv.....

:multi :multi :multi

[JRod1229]

must be nice... suck to be at work

[41ravens]

nova and dayton having some good second halves. which sucks, cause i'd like them both to lose.

[kydmb99]

Being that you even asked, I'm guessing that you don't have DVR?

Not that I know of.... Obviously I don't at my apartment... We have Directv at my house.

[justinandimcool]

Hey guys, I'm in the middle of 3rd period computer class at the moment :lol

How are the games going? I read in the latest bubble watch that Dayton has a legitly better resume than Kentucky, so this loss could do in the Flyers and solidify UK's spot even further.

Glocker says that with all the locks and auto bids, there are 8 spots left assuming Memphis, Xavier, BYU/UNLV, and Kent State win their bids.

Tier A (in relatively good shape today): Arizona, Kentucky, UMass, Texas A&M, Arkansas
Tier B (right on the cut line): Dayton, Illinois State, Ole Miss, UAB, Ohio State, Villanova, Oregon, Arizona State, New Mexico, Saint Joseph's, VCU, (I'll go ahead an add South Alabama to this list)
Tier C (long shots): Virginia Tech, Temple, Florida, Houston, Maryland, Florida State



So yeah, interesting stuff. Talk to me, only 15 minutes left in this class :lol

[kydmb99]

Looks like Oklahoma State is going to pull out a win... Which is nice because I have them upsetting Texas. :lol

[GavMan33]

consider it done. :)

:thumbsup Well done Dustin. I gotta tell you, lots of love for taking these days off, great stuff. You like yourself some Goldschlager? I can't do it like I used to, but every once in awhile "Mr. Goldschlager" as we affectionately call it, he'll make an appearance, and it's always a great pleasure when he does :D

Looks like Bob's trip to Atlantic City will go off as planned tomorrow after my classes tomorrow. Dad and I will take a trip down there, and he just gave me some great news. The golf course at the resort we stay at is open. So it looks like after a semifinal win tomorrow night, we'll go to sleep, get up early Saturday morning and get a round of golf in. Then the A10 Championship is at 6. How's that for a good weekend huh?

As for the moment, right now I got the picture-in-picture going as well. The two games I'm interested in? The St. Joseph's/Richmond game I got on because the winner plays Xavier tomorrow night at 6:30. And then I also have the Arizona State/USC on. I'm very interested in what this ASU team is gonna do. USC is IN, I think ASU is IN with a win today. So those are my two games of interest right now....

[seekupig]

no Goldschlager for me..... bad experience in college. i can't even chew Big Red gum without wanting to vomit...:lol

i'm watching UConn vs. WVU, NC State vs. Miami and USC vs. Arizona St.

my brackets are taking a beating today....:lol

[seekupig]

any bonus points for picking every single game in a conference tourney incorrectly? that would help me out A LOT..... :BANG

[dmbphan041]

what's a good website to watch today's games online?

channelsurfing.net is OK but kinda sketchy.

[K3nTaKa0s]

I really hope that Dub Vee U knocks off UConn.

[GavMan33]

no Goldschlager for me..... bad experience in college. i can't even chew Big Red gum without wanting to vomit...:lol

i'm watching UConn vs. WVU, NC State vs. Miami and USC vs. Arizona St.

my brackets are taking a beating today....:lol

:lol I had a very bad experience with Captain Morgan when I was 16, ironically at a DMB show. You know those douchebag kids that are always running around all shitty drunk puking everywhere? Yeah, that was me :lol I still can't smell Captain Morgan without have gag reflexes....

[GavMan33]

I really hope that Dub Vee U knocks off UConn.

You haven't seen my WVU rants have you? To sum it up, I think it's ridiculous that that team could get in as an at-large prior to today's game. Their best wins are vs. Marquette, Pitt, and Syracuse, all of whom are seeded below them in the Big East Tournament. Their 12 Big East wins, including last night vs. 12-seed Providence, 9 of them are against the very bottom of the league. Whoever was calling the games last night was talking about their "good" wins, and one of them was DePaul. Are you kidding me? :eek

That said, assuming they hold on today, I guess you can't keep them out now that they beat UConn and are in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament :shrug

[seekupig]

i think the Big East is very overrated as a whole.....

too many bottom feeders making the average to good teams up top look a lot better than they really are...... not to mention the VERY unbalanced schedule.

[snow1868]

Well the Pokes pulled out a nice win against Tech today. I can only hope that we play Texas as well as we did during the regular season. Except, you know, win this time.

[41ravens]

anyone catch the end of the penn st./illinois game? horrible defense on the inbounds play by penn st. frazier was inbounding with 7 seconds left, threw it in to meacham who was behind the three point line. frazier's guy leaves to double meacham and nobody picks up frazier. so meacham hits him as he's standing pretty much by himself under the basket.

[UNLTrpt]

Big 10 are you serious? Two upsets? Spare me.

[ProudestAnt]

Does 'Nova go after that poor showing today?

[GavMan33]

Does 'Nova go after that poor showing today?

Ryan-

Let's look at the profile.

RPI: 50
Last 12: 7-5 with wins West Virginia, UConn, and Syracuse
3-5 vs. the Top 50, 7-8 vs. the Top 100
SOS: 52

Looking at the teams they've beaten, I just threw a bunch of shit at WVU, and I have to stay consistent here. Now granted they were only 9-9 in the Big East, notable wins vs. Pitt, Syracuse, WVU, and UConn.

In that tournament in Florida they did beat George Mason, and got beat to NC State on the bullshit call. They also lost to Georgetown in the same fashion, although maybe some of the luster was worn off of that one by the game today. I'd say the other "good" game on the nonconference was Temple, whose RPI is at 61.

Now maybe some good came out of Arizona St. getting screwed (yes, screwed) just now vs. USC. ASU and Nova are sitting right next to each other in the same boat, even though Georgetown is a bit better than USC.

So the answer is, I don't know. You don't know what's gonna happen in that room. I guess you'd have to give me a team to put them up against, and I could work off that. But by itself, it's tough to judge....

[UNLTrpt]

i think the Big 10 err...11 is turning upside down.

7 & 8 go down to 9 & 10. Minnesota is losing big to Northwestern?! w.t.f.

Colorado over Baylor in 2OT?!?! first 12 seed to win in the Big 12 tourney.

[Pig17]

Well that was a trainwreck. :BANG :lorraine

[JRod1229]

i can't even keep up with how good/bad I'm doing right now...

[GavMan33]

That really sucks for Baylor, that is not good. I was rooting for them too. You think we can knock them off the bandwagon?

The RPI is very good at 33, which happens to be what Xavier's RPI was last year when they got in as an at-large. No losses outside of the Top 100 until today vs. #166 Colorado. They beat Notre Dame and Winthrop in nonconference, with losses to Washington St. and Arkansas. But I would say their Big 12 record is weak too. The only possible NCAA teams they beat were Texas A&M and Kansas St., once each. They did beat Texas Tech twice and OK St. once, but that's not great either. 3-8 in the Top 50, 8-9 vs. the Top 100. Last 12: 6-6. SOS: 29. So comparing them to Villanova, since nobody mentioned anything:

I guess with Baylor. Villanova has more bad losses, worse RPI and SOS. Is that right?

[UNLTrpt]

Holy crap does the Sprint Center in KC look great.

[GavMan33]

Holy crap does the Sprint Center in KC look great.

Can you expand on that? What the hell are you talking about?

[UNLTrpt]

The new arena in KC

Home of the big 12 tourney

http://www.sprintcenter.com/

[GavMan33]

The new arena in KC

Home of the big 12 tourney

http://www.sprintcenter.com/

:thumbsup Yeah you're right, the place looks gorgeous. Who's gonna play in there?

I'm so confused, I have no idea what to watch? UVA/GTech? The Big East game? LaSalle/Temple? Memphis/Tulane? What do I do?? :eek

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot the Cal/UCLA game too. See, it's too much! I'm in complete heaven! I'm not getting up from this couch until 1:30am. Seriously.

[UNLTrpt]

:thumbsup Yeah you're right, the place looks gorgeous. Who's gonna play in there?

they don't have a major permanent tenant yet. I guess they're trying to get a NBA or NHL team eventually

[JRod1229]

i've heard rumors that will be where New Orleans' NBA franchise moves too

[UNLTrpt]

i've heard rumors that will be where New Orleans' NBA franchise moves too

See I thought that OKC would have them. Or is that the Sonics?

[penn darvis]

Congrats Cal Jr. on the win today. Now watch them go down in flames in the 2nd round.

[UNLTrpt]

there are two things I crave when I watch Big 12 basketball

Whataburger & Chick-fil-a

[JamesM]

Dear NCAA Basketball,
Please, please let Villanova into the NCAA Tourney. I'll do anything. They've been bullshitted twice big time this year, against N.C. State and Georgetown. Please acknowledge that as you vote. Other bubble teams like Florida potentially and UAB and Arizona State lost. Villanova got to the 2nd round in the conference tourney of the conference with the most potential spots in the tourney. That is pretty damn good seeing how we played this year out. Syracuse's RPI was higher than ours and we beat them in the first round. Please do anything you can to put us in.

Signed:
JT Moon

[UNLTrpt]

WOW. we're playing great. We'll get spanked tomorrow but damn we're playing great.

[HolyCow]

See I thought that OKC would have them. Or is that the Sonics?
OKC is getting the Sonics. :thumbsup

[kydmb99]

Florida = New king of the SEC.

:lol

[JRod1229]

See I thought that OKC would have them. Or is that the Sonics?

Actually I think you're right about OKC... my fault...

[GavMan33]

Wow Fields almost hit an impossible shot. Overtime at MSG.

I'm so confused, I have no idea what to do. I'm so tired after getting in at 3:30am this morning, getting up this morning at 7am. Was able to catch the end of the Xavier game on a TV at school, then came home, watch more basketball. Still haven't gotten up yet, but I'm tired. And I really wanna see this Arizona/Stanford game, but it's not on till like 11:30. I got class at 8, 10, and 11 tomorrow morning, then I'm hopping in the car and driving 5 hours down to AC for the games, Xavier's the 1st at 6:30.

The MAAC Tourney last weekend and on Monday, the Big East for all four games yesterday, and now the A-10 Tourney this weekend. I'm tellin you. Conference Championship Week is the best :D

[UNLTrpt]

good win. we'll get killed tomorrow. But I'll take the win and securing a NIT birth

[JRod1229]

wow... my bracket just got worked... I had the Ville winning it all, damnit... count this year off

[GavMan33]

good win. we'll get killed tomorrow. But I'll take the win and securing a NIT birth

:thumbsup Maybe this is good things. A good showing for the Cornhusker hoop team, and next season a good showing for the Cornhusker football team, restore it to its former dominance? You all know I hate the stupid BCS, but I do have to say, Tommy Frazier, was one of my favorite players to watch....

So do we have a consensus that Florida is done? I can't think that because there are so many bubble teams losing, they all still have to be in the race if everyone loses. And if Arizona and Oregon both lose tonight, then we're back to square 1....

[GavMan33]

wow... my bracket just got worked... I had the Ville winning it all, damnit... count this year off

:thumbsup I did too bro. You gotta have faith that everyone else is gonna fuck themselves too :lol

[justinandimcool]

I have West Virginia and Notre Dame in the final, so I'm rooting hard tonight.



btw, I see USC absolutely STOLE one at Staples. I love the win, but it sucks for ASU's season to end like that on a blown call. I don't think they're in.


We've also seen the last of Singletary. May he have a good one at the next level :thumbsup

[justinandimcool]

Quick question, do you guys think I should omit bonus points until the quarterfinal rounds? I mean getting me 5 points from a Boston College upset over Maryland in the play-in game (which hasn't happened yet btw) sounds kinda cheap doesn't it? And considering yesterday's upsets were only 9 over 8, it isn't too late to change the rule.

[clayj41]

wow... my bracket just got worked... I had the Ville winning it all, damnit... count this year off

:thumbsup I did too bro. You gotta have faith that everyone else is gonna fuck themselves too :lol


Me too guys...me too. :lorraine


Quick question, do you guys think I should omit bonus points until the quarterfinal rounds? I mean getting me 5 points from a Boston College upset over Maryland in the play-in game (which hasn't happened yet btw) sounds kinda cheap doesn't it? And considering yesterday's upsets were only 9 over 8, it isn't too late to change the rule.

I agree. I don't think those are necessarily upsets.

[justinandimcool]

So I'm officially changing the rule- no upset bonus points in first round games. Logic tells me that upsets really only deserve bonus points from the quarterfinal rounds on, when 1, 2, 3, and 4 seeds are involved. Doesn't really affect today's action much, pending the games going on now and the Illinois game. But the people who picked Pitt to beat Louisville and WVU over UConn (:multi) will get their upset points, considering it's a quarterfinal game.

[justinandimcool]

So the only upset last night was Cal over Washington, so I took that one point back from everyone who picked Cal. Didn't change much.

Day 1 standings- revised.

HolyCow- 8 pts

GavMan55- 7 pts

Jrod1229- 7 pts

kydmb99- 7 pts

SmoothD41- 6.5 pts

seekupig- 6 pts

UNC41- 6 pts

Rkj2wj- 5.5 pts

UNLTrpt- 5.5 pts

41Ravens- 5.5 pts

justinandimcool- 5.5 pts

DMBNick15- 5 pts

clayj41- 3.5 pts



Once again, upset bonus points will only come into effect from the quarterfinal round onward.

[justinandimcool]

Oregon made this a game. I forget this team returns 4 starters from an Elite 8 team.

[GavMan33]

Alright, sorry all, I'm bailing out early. I'm going upstairs, turning on my tv to the ND/Marquette game, and falling asleep. Goodluck to all this weekend. I hope the bubble continues to get nuts just because it's gonna be very interesting to break everything down Sunday. It should be awfully interesting....

[UNC41]

So I'm officially changing the rule- no upset bonus points in first round games. Logic tells me that upsets really only deserve bonus points from the quarterfinal rounds on, when 1, 2, 3, and 4 seeds are involved. Doesn't really affect today's action much, pending the games going on now and the Illinois game. But the people who picked Pitt to beat Louisville and WVU over UConn (:multi) will get their upset points, considering it's a quarterfinal game.

I object. I took first round upsets into consideration when making my picks. I didn't think Illinois was a better basketball team than Penn State, but I looked at it and saw 4 points for an Illinois win and 1 for a Penn State win. Well, I didn't think Penn State was good enough to beat Illinois on a neutral court four out of five times so I took the Illini. I did the same with some matchups in the A-10 and factored heavily into my 4/5 and 8/9 games in the first rounds of tournaments.

[justinandimcool]

I object. I took first round upsets into consideration when making my picks. I didn't think Illinois was a better basketball team than Illinois, but I looked at it and saw 4 points for an Illinois win and 1 for a Penn State win. Well, I didn't think Penn State was good enough to beat Illinois on a neutral court four out of five times so I took the Illini. I did the same with some matchups in the A-10 and factored heavily into my 4/5 and 8/9 games in the first rounds of tournaments.

Ah, good point. Shit, never thought of that. I'll change the rule next year. Okay. Everything back to the way it was. :lol

[JamesM]

Ugh so make me cry tears of anger or joy.....

'Nova in? or out?

[clayj41]

Ah, good point. Shit, never thought of that. I'll change the rule next year. Okay. Everything back to the way it was. :lol

Either way I only have 3.5 points. :lol

[UNC41]

Ah, good point. Shit, never thought of that. I'll change the rule next year. Okay. Everything back to the way it was. :lol

Thank you kind sir.

[justinandimcool]

If fellow bubble teams keep losing, Nova might just squeak in.

Here's who you root against James: Kentucky, Arizona, Texas A&M, Maryland, Ohio State, UMass, St. Joes, Temple, Ole Miss.

It's also a question whether or not Nova gets in before Arizona State, Oregon, or Dayton. It doesn't look ideal, but there's definitely hope.

[justinandimcool]

Look at that, UMass loses to Charlotte, Ole Miss and Maryland are both in trouble.

[GavMan33]

Quite honestly, this tournament will be an absolute shitshow. Nobody's guaranteed anything, including Xavier. UMass is totally capable of not showing up for the tournament like they did last year, and losing their first game. St. Joe's is so tough to figure out, you don't know what will happen with them. And then there's Dayton. They did a great job to get back to .500, maybe they'll ride that momentum.

I still think Xavier's got that big chip on their shoulder that they'll take care of business, but I think that opinion may be a little biased :rolleyes

Wow these guys are a bunch of jerks. If Xavier wins this tournament, it's a 1-bid league. Go figure huh? Now I'm really going to bed....

Good luck all. Bryan, way to object, and take advantage of the rules :thumbsup

Oregon lost, Arizona State lost, Baylor lost, UMass lost, Villanova lost, Maryland losing, Dayton lost, Florida lost. Where does it end? Where does it end? This is shocking. But I guess for the last 3 or 4 weeks, no bubble teams have won hardly any games to help their cause, so why would conference championships be any different? I motion for just shrinking the tournament this year, since so many teams clearly don't want to go. Let's just make it 52 teams; 31 conferences, 21 at-larges. 4 play-in games. I'm game for that....

[justinandimcool]

I'm cheering harder for ND than I did for USC last weekend against Stanford. :lol

I'm doing Conference pickems with my best friend for $20, and his champ UConn already went down, as did many of yours in Louisville. This is huge for me!

And if BC holds on that's a huge 6 point win for me.

[justinandimcool]

Heartbreak.

[justinandimcool]

FUCK. BITCH. ASS. I hate Marquette.

[justinandimcool]

Looks like I gotta root for WVU and Marquette to stay in this thing. I've got one foot off the Irish bandwagon. Harangody was shut down, threes didn't fall, bad sign for tourney time.

[justinandimcool]

Maryland is off to the NIT. What a terrible descend to the bottom.

[UNC41]

I'm fucked in the Big East and A-10. I really need Stanford tonight or it's good game me for the second consecutive year.

[justinandimcool]

Ole Miss goes down to Georgia, god help us.

That's ten bubble teams going down today.

TEN.



10!


What in the fuck.

[GavMan33]

Justin-I got a beef with you. I believe I had 8.5 points yesterday, not 8. 1pt each for the 4 Big East games last night, 3pts for the 2 PAC10 games, and then 1.5pts for 3 A-10 wins. Is that right?

[BreakFree27]

so my Minutemen really choked tonight....:lorraine

well at least they still have a chance with all these other bubble teams losing today. :shrug

[justinandimcool]

Oh my god, you're totally right Bob. 8.5 indeed. Silly me. Now I have to proofread everyone else's :lol

[GavMan33]

Oh my god, you're totally right Bob. 8.5 indeed. Silly me. Now I have to proofread everyone else's :lol

;)

Don't you worry bout that Justin. I started keeping track of stuff when those Carolina guys were in charge of fantasy :lol

[GavMan33]

Georgia/Ole Miss now in Overtime. I'll root for the Bulldogs :thumbsup

[justinandimcool]

All these upsets are gonna kill me with standings tonight. I advise you all to double check your own scores when I'm done.

[justinandimcool]

What the hell? Was I hallucinating when I saw Georgia had already won? What the fuck?

[UNC41]

;)

Don't you worry bout that Justin. I started keeping track of stuff when those Carolina guys were in charge of fantasy :lol

Does that mean you aren't going to win this either if the correct score is kept? :D

[41ravens]

zona's looking decent. just got to keep it up for 20 more minutes. they look good, though.

[justinandimcool]

WOW. Georgia at the buzzer. Awesome.

[justinandimcool]

And Arizona blows it, no way they're coming back with 4 minutes...make that 11 bubble teams losing today.


Dayton
UMass
Baylor
Maryland
Villanova
Arizona State
Oregon
UAB
Florida
Ole Miss
Arizona



unbelievable. Arizona looks like the least affected there, still looking at a 9 or 10 seed in the tourney. As for the rest, I don't think I wanna go through the trouble thinking about it.

[justinandimcool]

Some scores are misleading (Bob's) as a bunch of you guys lost their Big East champs, including me. :( Bob and I got a huge lift in being the only ones to pick BC over Maryland, and about half of us picked up huge from the Illinois win. The Big East looks abysmal for most except for Nick and Royce, and the A-10 is actually saving some people.

As for me, I need a huge USC win tomorrow, as well as West Virginia who I had as my runner-up to Notre Dame :lorraine


Oh and as you can see, our defending champ is well on his way for a repeat ;)

3 days of basketball to go til Selection hour! :multi

Day 2 standings

GavMan55- 41.5 pts
SmoothD41- 40.5 pts
justinandimcool- 40.5 pts
UNC41- 39 pts
41Ravens- 37.5 pts
HolyCow- 36 pts
seekupig- 36 pts
DMBNick15- 35 pts
Rkj2wj- 33.5 pts
Jrod1229- 33 pts
kydmb99- 32 pts
clayj41- 26.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 24.5 pts

[clayj41]

I'm not in last! :lol

[GavMan33]

Some scores are misleading (Bob's) as a bunch of you guys lost their Big East champs, including me. :( Bob and I got a huge lift in being the only ones to pick BC over Maryland, and about half of us picked up huge from the Illinois win. The Big East looks abysmal for most except for Nick and Royce, and the A-10 is actually saving some people.

As for me, I need a huge USC win tomorrow, as well as West Virginia who I had as my runner-up to Notre Dame :lorraine


Oh and as you can see, our defending champ is well on his way for a repeat ;)

3 days of basketball to go til Selection hour! :multi

Day 2 standings

GavMan55- 41.5 pts
SmoothD41- 40.5 pts
justinandimcool- 40.5 pts
UNC41- 39 pts
41Ravens- 37.5 pts
HolyCow- 36 pts
seekupig- 36 pts
DMBNick15- 35 pts
Rkj2wj- 33.5 pts
Jrod1229- 33 pts
kydmb99- 32 pts
clayj41- 26.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 24.5 pts

Thanks for the shoutout there Justin, I appreciate it :rolleyes

The Big East sucks. My Louisville vs. UConn Big East Final is going off just as planned. So the Marquette win over ND tonight is the last win I will be getting out of the Big East this season....

[justinandimcool]

Weren't you ready for bed 4 hours ago? :lol

[HolyCow]

Some scores are misleading (Bob's) as a bunch of you guys lost their Big East champs, including me. :( Bob and I got a huge lift in being the only ones to pick BC over Maryland, and about half of us picked up huge from the Illinois win. The Big East looks abysmal for most except for Nick and Royce, and the A-10 is actually saving some people.

As for me, I need a huge USC win tomorrow, as well as West Virginia who I had as my runner-up to Notre Dame :lorraine


Oh and as you can see, our defending champ is well on his way for a repeat ;)

3 days of basketball to go til Selection hour! :multi

Day 2 standings

GavMan55- 41.5 pts
SmoothD41- 40.5 pts
justinandimcool- 40.5 pts
UNC41- 39 pts
41Ravens- 37.5 pts
HolyCow- 36 pts
seekupig- 36 pts
DMBNick15- 35 pts
Rkj2wj- 33.5 pts
Jrod1229- 33 pts
kydmb99- 32 pts
clayj41- 26.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 24.5 pts
Nice work Justin.

I like where I'm sitting. And even better, I like where Dan is sitting. No repeat champion this year! :lol

[GavMan33]

Weren't you ready for bed 4 hours ago? :lol

Dammit Justin. It's cuz of fools like you that I have to sit up all night long and look over every little point of our Conference Pick'Em because you don't know what 8 + 0.5 is ;) :lol

EDIT: Check your PM

[justinandimcool]

Hey man, math is hard, and we can't all be perfect. At LEAST I still have a runner-up alive in the Big East ;)



Jesus, the bubble is a mess.



Alright guys, I have a test in psychology tomorrow. I'm out for now.

[smeritt]

Every bubble team is losing, so Arizona looks good right now. Hey Justin want to write my English paper : P

[justinandimcool]

Every bubble team is losing, so Arizona looks good right now. Hey Justin want to write my English paper : P

The sad thing is that isn't even an exaggeration. 16 true bubble teams (in my opinion) played today, and only four (4!) pulled it out. Texas A&M, UNLV, Temple, and St. Joseph's. That's unbelievable. Of the 12 losers, I believe only 5 lost to a higher seed- Arizona, Villanova, Oregon, Dayton, and Arizona State.

Baylor, UMass, UAB, Ole Miss, Florida, New Mexico, and Maryland all lost to lesser teams.

According to Glockner there are 8 spots left considering locks and auto bids, so right now I think the 9 teams that didn't lose or weren't upset are in the best shape right now, with Dayton and Baylor neck and neck, and UNLV, Temple, and St. Joe's all in danger of falling off with a loss.


And Sean, I don't even do my own English papers :p

[UNLTrpt]

Some scores are misleading (Bob's) as a bunch of you guys lost their Big East champs, including me. :( Bob and I got a huge lift in being the only ones to pick BC over Maryland, and about half of us picked up huge from the Illinois win. The Big East looks abysmal for most except for Nick and Royce, and the A-10 is actually saving some people.

As for me, I need a huge USC win tomorrow, as well as West Virginia who I had as my runner-up to Notre Dame :lorraine


Oh and as you can see, our defending champ is well on his way for a repeat ;)

3 days of basketball to go til Selection hour! :multi

Day 2 standings

GavMan55- 41.5 pts
SmoothD41- 40.5 pts
justinandimcool- 40.5 pts
UNC41- 39 pts
41Ravens- 37.5 pts
HolyCow- 36 pts
seekupig- 36 pts
DMBNick15- 35 pts
Rkj2wj- 33.5 pts
Jrod1229- 33 pts
kydmb99- 32 pts
clayj41- 26.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 24.5 pts

are you sure my points are right? Cause I have me at about 32.5

[justinandimcool]

are you sure my points are right? Cause I have me at about 32.5

Let's see here...

ACC: Only got Miami. 1 pt.

Big East: WVU, Pitt, Marquette in the 1st round. 3 pts. Only Georgetown right today. plus 2. that's 5 total.

Big 12: OSU. 1 + 1 = 2. Nebraska and A&m for 2 more. 4 total.

Big 10: Only got Minnesota. 1 pt.

SEC: Only got Vandy. 1 pt.

Pac-10: Arizona in the first round. 1 pt. Stanford, USC, UCLA today. 6 more. 7 total.

A-10: Dayton, St. Joe's, Charlotte first round- 1.5. Today you got Xavier and Temple for 1 pt each, St. Joe's with an upset 1 + 1= 2. 5.5 total.

1 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 7 + 5.5 = 24.5

[UNLTrpt]

we're not getting the 5 bonus points in the first round?

[justinandimcool]

we're not getting the 5 bonus points in the first round?

Yes we are, but I don't see any upsets that went your way that would give you 5 bonus points :shrug

Looks like Oklahoma State and St. Joseph's were the only upsets you picked. And since they were only a 9 seed over and 8 seed (meaning +1) and a 5 seed over a 4 seed (another +1) that only gives you 2 bonus.

[seekupig]

go ahead and scratch me off of potential winners of the tourney pool.....

i've already lost two of my conference champs.... (Notre Dame & Arizona)

[UNC41]

I've lost Louisville and UMass, but still intend on winning.

Think Billy Donovan is regretting his decision right about now? He really tore into the Gators yesterday following their loss, and rightfully so if that is the kind of effort they were giving. That is the difference between Kentucky and Florida this year. Gilipse got Kentucky to buy into everything he was selling, while Donovan didn't. It's no coincidence that Gilipse's team will make the tournament and Donovan's won't. Here's a link.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/champweek2008/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3292573

Oh, and I found an inaccurate quote by Mr. Donovan.

"You can't lose three [NBA] lottery picks for the first time in the history of the sport, lose five NBA players and the leading 3-point shooter in the history of the NCAA tournament and not expect to miss a beat," Donovan said. "That's not an excuse, that's reality.

First off, Duke lost three lottery picks in 1999 and three years ago North Carolina lost not three, but four, players to the lottery. Duke was a No. 1 seed and North Carolina a No. 2 following those major coups, while Florida is going to be a No. NIT.

[kydmb99]

I've lost Louisville and UMass, but still intend on winning.

Think Billy Donovan is regretting his decision right about now? He really tore into the Gators yesterday following their loss, and rightfully so if that is the kind of effort they were giving. That is the difference between Kentucky and Florida this year. Gilipse got Kentucky to buy into everything he was selling, while Donovan didn't. It's no coincidence that Gilipse's team will make the tournament and Donovan's won't. Here's a link.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/champweek2008/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3292573

Oh, and I found an inaccurate quote by Mr. Donovan.

"You can't lose three [NBA] lottery picks for the first time in the history of the sport, lose five NBA players and the leading 3-point shooter in the history of the NCAA tournament and not expect to miss a beat," Donovan said. "That's not an excuse, that's reality.

First off, Duke lost three lottery picks in 1999 and three years ago North Carolina lost not three, but four, players to the lottery. Duke was a No. 1 seed and North Carolina a No. 2 following those major coups, while Florida is going to be a No. NIT.

Donovan has gone back to recruiting primadonna's who are soft and have no desire to play any kind of defense. Florida's run at the top of the SEC is over IMO... and I'll take Gillispie over Donovan anyday.

[smeritt]

Duke and UNC basketball will always get bigger better recruits than Florida, no matter how many championships Florida wins

[kydmb99]

Duke and UNC basketball will always get bigger better recruits than Florida, no matter how many championships Florida wins

Florida had the #1 class in the nation in 2007 and one of the best in the country next year. This isn't true.

[UNC41]

Donovan has gone back to recruiting primadonna's who are soft and have no desire to play any kind of defense. Florida's run at the top of the SEC is over IMO... and I'll take Gillispie over Donovan anyday.

Calethsis is anything but that kind of recruit. Speights and Hodge both have rings, but didn't dedicate themselves the way they needed to when the '06ers left. I don't know enough about next year's class to see what kind of players to expect, but I wouldn't count Florida out yet. If Pearl stays at Tennessee you could see three very good teams in the league year in and year out.

[41ravens]

rough second half last night. zona couldn't get a rebound to save their life and stanford made some adjustments at half to contain the cats' offense. oh well. now we wait. but with all these other teams falling, zona is still looking good. we shall see.

[JRod1229]

I don;t think Florida is gone by a long shot... but their current class reminds me of the class they have prior to the previous one... when they had all the talent in the world, just no heart or desire... They got the #1 ranking and promptley got blown out by 20+ and it was never a game... seems to be a think with Billy D... he can recruit the best, but for them to win games they have to care... he isn't a team coach and doesn't really show a knack for motivation...

[kydmb99]

I don;t think Florida is gone by a long shot... but their current class reminds me of the class they have prior to the previous one... when they had all the talent in the world, just no heart or desire... They got the #1 ranking and promptley got blown out by 20+ and it was never a game... seems to be a think with Billy D... he can recruit the best, but for them to win games they have to care... he isn't a team coach and doesn't really show a knack for motivation...

Exactly. This group just looks so similar to the group with Walsh, Roberson, Lee, etc... Talented, but not motivated and very selfish. I think they can still be a player in the SEC but as of now, I don't see this group doing a lot when it really matters.

[UNC41]

rough second half last night. zona couldn't get a rebound to save their life and stanford made some adjustments at half to contain the cats' offense. oh well. now we wait. but with all these other teams falling, zona is still looking good. we shall see.

After watching the second half last night it is clear that Arizona needs a second post player so they can play Budinger at the 3 next year.

I don;t think Florida is gone by a long shot... but their current class reminds me of the class they have prior to the previous one... when they had all the talent in the world, just no heart or desire... They got the #1 ranking and promptley got blown out by 20+ and it was never a game... seems to be a think with Billy D... he can recruit the best, but for them to win games they have to care... he isn't a team coach and doesn't really show a knack for motivation...

Some coaches recruit talent. Some recruit the right players for their team, who are talented as well. Aside from the group that won two titles Billy seems to focus on the former.

[seekupig]

i'm starting to wonder again whether or not Arizona should get in......

against "quality" opponents.....

UCLA - lost twice
Arizona St. - lost twice
Oregon - lost twice
Stanford - lost three times
Kansas - lost once
Memphis - lost once
USC - lost once

___________________

USC - won once
Washington St. - won twice


so other than a sweep of Washington St. and a split with USC what have they done that makes them deserving? a very average at 19-14 record and a below average 8-10 conference record. put it this way, if a team such as Oregon State had the same exact resume would they even be in the discussion right now? or take Baylor for instance...... 21-10 overall record, 9-7 in the Big XII with wins over Texas A&M, K-State and Notre Dame... yet they're considered by many to be out after their loss yesterday. i guess what i'm wondering is do some teams get a benefit of the doubt because of their history when it gets down to the last few teams selected...

[kydmb99]

i'm starting to wonder again whether or not Arizona should get in......

against "quality" opponents.....

UCLA - lost twice
Arizona St. - lost twice
Oregon - lost twice
Stanford - lost three times
Kansas - lost once
Memphis - lost once
USC - lost once

___________________

USC - won once
Washington St. - won twice


so other than a sweep of Washington St. and a split with USC what have they done that makes them deserving? a very average at 19-14 record and a below average 8-10 conference record. put it this way, if a team such as Oregon State had the same exact resume would they even be in the discussion right now? or take Baylor for instance...... 21-10 overall record, 9-7 in the Big XII with wins over Texas A&M, K-State and Notre Dame... yet they're considered by many to be out after their loss yesterday. i guess what i'm wondering is do some teams get a benefit of the doubt because of their history when it gets down to the last few teams selected...

Arizona doesn't deserve to be in. There is no way a team with 10 in-conferences losses should make a tournament, even if it is the Pac-10. The only reason they should be allowed in is the pure shit that is the rest of the bubble.

[seekupig]

Jason Capel is calling the ACC tournament on the local broadcast..... he talks like he's got a mouthfull of marbles.... i can't understand a word he's saying.

[UNC41]

i'm starting to wonder again whether or not Arizona should get in......

against "quality" opponents.....

UCLA - lost twice
Arizona St. - lost twice
Oregon - lost twice
Stanford - lost three times
Kansas - lost once
Memphis - lost once
USC - lost once

___________________

USC - won once
Washington St. - won twice


so other than a sweep of Washington St. and a split with USC what have they done that makes them deserving? a very average at 19-14 record and a below average 8-10 conference record. put it this way, if a team such as Oregon State had the same exact resume would they even be in the discussion right now? or take Baylor for instance...... 21-10 overall record, 9-7 in the Big XII with wins over Texas A&M, K-State and Notre Dame... yet they're considered by many to be out after their loss yesterday. i guess what i'm wondering is do some teams get a benefit of the doubt because of their history when it gets down to the last few teams selected...

You are dismissing some "quality" opponents. Arizona St. and Oregon are bubble teams, as are are Texas A&M, UNLV and Houston, all teams that Arizona beat.

If you are going to compare quality wins with Baylor here's how I break it down, and think Arizona is much more impressive:
- Arizona - Wazzou (twice and Baylor lost to them), USC, Texas A&M (who Baylor was 1-1 against), UNLV, Houston
- Baylor - Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Kansas State

If Arizona gets it I don't think it is on name alone. I think it is because they are without a doubt one of the best 32 teams in the nation when healthy. Eight out of the 12 losses you referenced came without Bayless or Wise and only one of the wins came without either of those two. That sets the Wildcats at 5-4 against quality opponents when healthy. They are healthy now, so I say they go.

[41ravens]

i see where you're coming from dustin, but there's more that goes into it than just the w-l. and you know the injuries to bayless and wise are going to weigh heavily. the two regular season losses to stanford were by a combined 6 points and the last game against ucla was decided by 2. plus, they played memphis and kansas, both away. they could've easily scheduled some cupcakes and taken two free wins.

i think they're a very inconsistent team that lacks depth. but i think they've proven that they can play with the big boys. in my opinion, they deserve to be in.

[41ravens]

You are dismissing some "quality" opponents. Arizona St. and Oregon are bubble teams, as are are Texas A&M, UNLV and Houston, all teams that Arizona beat.

If you are going to compare quality wins with Baylor here's how I break it down, and think Arizona is much more impressive:
- Arizona - Wazzou (twice and Baylor lost to them), USC, Texas A&M (who Baylor was 1-1 against), UNLV, Houston
- Baylor - Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Kansas State

If Arizona gets it I don't think it is on name alone. I think it is because they are without a doubt one of the best 32 teams in the nation when healthy. Eight out of the 12 losses you referenced came without Bayless or Wise and only one of the wins came without either of those two. That sets the Wildcats at 5-4 against quality opponents when healthy. They are healthy now, so I say they go.

:thumbsup

and what he said.

[seekupig]

If Arizona gets it I don't think it is on name alone. I think it is because they are without a doubt one of the best 32 teams in the nation when healthy. Eight out of the 12 losses you referenced came without Bayless or Wise and only one of the wins came without either of those two. That sets the Wildcats at 5-4 against quality opponents when healthy. They are healthy now, so I say they go.

i've heard the injury thing from them all year, and it's a fair point. when Wise came back a couple of weeks ago i decided to watch them at full strength and see what i thought.... since that time they've gone 2-2..... both wins coming against lowly Oregon State. i won't say they're not one of the best at large teams available, but i also don't think they've done anything to help themselves recently. they've had opportunities to make a statement with their "healthy" team and have failed to do so. their saving grace is going to be that nearly every other team in that position has shit the bed as well so they haven't really lost any ground....

[kydmb99]

I just don't believe a team with an 8-10 conference record, 14 losses and no real wins over any real elite team deserves to be in..

[seekupig]

Carolina's come out in a daze..... they'd better wake up.

[UNC41]

i've heard the injury thing from them all year, and it's a fair point. when Wise came back a couple of weeks ago i decided to watch them at full strength and see what i thought.... since that time they've gone 2-2..... both wins coming against lowly Oregon State. i won't say they're not one of the best at large teams available, but i also don't think they've done anything to help themselves recently. they've had opportunities to make a statement with their "healthy" team and have failed to do so. their saving grace is going to be that nearly every other team in that position has shit the bed as well so they haven't really lost any ground....

Again going back to Baylor, and using your reference point of the final four games of the year, Arizona is better off than the Bears. Baylor was 2-2 as well with a loss against the worst team in the Pac-10 and wins against Mizzou and Texas Tech. Arizona's wins in that span have not been impressive, but the key is that they didn't drop games to teams they have no business doing so like Baylor.

And yes, Arizona may be limping in because so many bubble teams have lost, but you can't hold that against them.

[41ravens]

I just don't believe a team with an 8-10 conference record, 14 losses and no real wins over any real elite team deserves to be in..

when all is said and done, there are going to be what, 8 spots open for "bubble" teams? you find me 8 more deserving teams than arizona who are thought to be on the bubble, and i'll side with you.

[kydmb99]

when all is said and done, there are going to be what, 8 spots open for "bubble" teams? you find me 8 more deserving teams than arizona who are thought to be on the bubble, and i'll side with you.

Well, I could present that list but I have an odd feeling you wouldn't agree. :lol

[seekupig]

when all is said and done, there are going to be what, 8 spots open for "bubble" teams? you find me 8 more deserving teams than arizona who are thought to be on the bubble, and i'll side with you.

i think you could probably find 8 more deserving teams, but not 8 teams that have the potential to actually win a few games when they get there. i think the committee looks at that whether they admit it or not....

"Arizona is like a box of chocolates......" - Forrest Gump

[bubba40]

I hope for some upsets at the top of the polls today, continued GU cruising in the BET, and some resulting #1 seed talk.

[seekupig]

I hope for some upsets at the top of the polls today, continued GU cruising in the BET, and some resulting #1 seed talk.

Georgetown has a 0% chance at a #1 seed.

[kydmb99]

Georgetown has a 0% chance at a #1 seed.

Is there anything less than a 0% chance? It think it would fit better.

[snow1868]

Come on Cowboys!! BEAT TEXAS!!!!

[smeritt]

You are dismissing some "quality" opponents. Arizona St. and Oregon are bubble teams, as are are Texas A&M, UNLV and Houston, all teams that Arizona beat.

If you are going to compare quality wins with Baylor here's how I break it down, and think Arizona is much more impressive:
- Arizona - Wazzou (twice and Baylor lost to them), USC, Texas A&M (who Baylor was 1-1 against), UNLV, Houston
- Baylor - Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Kansas State

If Arizona gets it I don't think it is on name alone. I think it is because they are without a doubt one of the best 32 teams in the nation when healthy. Eight out of the 12 losses you referenced came without Bayless or Wise and only one of the wins came without either of those two. That sets the Wildcats at 5-4 against quality opponents when healthy. They are healthy now, so I say they go.15-6 with a healthy nic wise and jarred bayless. Whats that tell yea?

[seekupig]

15-6 with a healthy nic wise and jarred bayless. Whats that tell yea?

that even at full strength you're still just a slightly better than average team.... that i wouldn't want to face in the tourney. :lol

[seekupig]

Come on Cowboys!! BEAT TEXAS!!!!

no dice.

good to see them make a game of it though.... :thumbsup

[UNC41]

Chris Lofton! Damn, I hate being at work right now.

[HolyCow]

Poor first half for the Sooners.

[seekupig]

Chris Lofton! Damn, I hate being at work right now.

could be worse.... you could be at home on your couch and still not be able to watch it due to piss poor decision making by the various networks.... :BANG

[snow1868]

no dice.

good to see them make a game of it though.... :thumbsup

For sure. I didn't get to see it or listen to it as I was running cat-5 cable in the celing for work. Glad I took off next Thursday and Friday for the first round. We played the Longhorns tough all three times this year. Question for those Big 12 followers, do you think Sean Sutton will be the head coach at Oklahoma State for the '08-'09 season?

I think it would be a real bad move to fire him after two years. Who would want to come to Stillwater if you only have two years to prove yourself.

[UNC41]

could be worse.... you could be at home on your couch and still not be able to watch it due to piss poor decision making by the various networks.... :BANG

I just got off a four hour conference call. I still think I win. :BANG

[seekupig]

Question for those Big 12 followers, do you think Sean Sutton will be the head coach at Oklahoma State for the '08-'09 season?

I think it would be a real bad move to fire him after two years. Who would want to come to Stillwater if you only have two years to prove yourself.

i've read that he's going to get one more year..... and then he'll be gone if something doesn't get better.

i've also read that Captain Checkbook (T. Boone Pickens) is ready to throw a truckload of cash at Bill Self to lure him out of Kansas and back to his alma mater. :shrug

[seekupig]

I just got off a four hour conference call. I still think I win. :BANG

i just got done grilling some beer brats..... i think you win too. :D

a sunny 75 degree day, grilling brats, drinking beer, and watching basketball....... it really doesn't get much better.

[HolyCow]

For sure. I didn't get to see it or listen to it as I was running cat-5 cable in the celing for work. Glad I took off next Thursday and Friday for the first round. We played the Longhorns tough all three times this year. Question for those Big 12 followers, do you think Sean Sutton will be the head coach at Oklahoma State for the '08-'09 season?

I think it would be a real bad move to fire him after two years. Who would want to come to Stillwater if you only have two years to prove yourself.
I think Sean needs an extension. He needs his athletic department to get his back the way it has with Mike Gundy. I think that's part of the issue.

But Sean did a great job this year. He lost Mario Boggan and Jameson Curry and a slew of players that were kicked off or whatever happened to them. Granted, there's no excuse for losing to North Texas and ORU and such, but he definitely earned himself next year.

No offense, but OSU isn't the kind of "basketball powerhouse" that should be firing a guy for two mediocre years.

[41ravens]

ohio st. lost. excellent.

[dmbphan041]

Msu Ftw!!!!1

[UNC41]

i just got done grilling some beer brats..... i think you win too. :D

a sunny 75 degree day, grilling brats, drinking beer, and watching basketball....... it really doesn't get much better.

Is there a polite way to say fuck you, you fucking fuck?

[seekupig]

Is there a polite way to say fuck you, you fucking fuck?

not really.... but considering the circumstances, i'd say you're completely justified in saying it just like that. :lol

[smeritt]

not really.... but considering the circumstances, i'd say you're completely justified in saying it just like that. :lolIts 25 and snowing and I was just writing an essay all day. And you keep ragging on my Cats. Am I allowed to say fuck you, you fucking fuck?

[seekupig]

Its 25 and snowing and I was just writing an essay all day. And you keep ragging on my Cats. Am I allowed to say fuck you, you fucking fuck?

sure..... :lol

the "fuck dustin, that fucking fuck" bandwagon is filling up faster than RedSox Nation..... :lol :lol

[justinandimcool]

Ohio State and Miami go down, not a very good way to start things off. Vandy looks like it's in trouble too. I'm pretty damn stoked, but honestly I'm just sweating out before the USC/UCLA matchup. I really think WVU has a shot at Georgetown, although they'll need someone else to step up for them to accompany a big game by Anderson.


Around the Horn inspired this next question: Everyone here likes college basketball, and I'm sure at least some of you keep track or even enjoy (:eek) the NBA. What we love about college despite the tradition and rivalries is the fact that it's basketball played the right way. Team basketball, offensive strategies, defensive tenacity, well coached methodical ways to win, and a passion that just isn't seen in the NBA. Yet so many college basketball fans I know would HATE a Spurs/Pistons final, yet I think these two are the teams that best exemplify what I love about the college game. Great team chemistry, emphasis on defense, and basketball played the right way. Personally these two teams along with a few other substantial exceptions are the only teams I'd go out of the way to watch the NBA for, and it makes me laugh when I hear a Finals matchup is boring (regular season sure, but they turn it on in the playoffs like everyone else in the league). When any of my college basketball loving friends say they're bored by the thought of it, I just think to myself- "yeah, almost as boring as any college game we've seen all year, right?".

[clayj41]

sure..... :lol

the "fuck dustin, that fucking fuck" bandwagon is filling up faster than RedSox Nation..... :lol :lol

We'll take pity on you though when Kansas chokes in the tourney though. :p ;)

[seekupig]

Ohio State and Miami go down, not a very good way to start things off. Vandy looks like it's in trouble too. I'm pretty damn stoked, but honestly I'm just sweating out before the USC/UCLA matchup. I really think WVU has a shot at Georgetown, although they'll need someone else to step up for them to accompany a big game by Anderson.


Around the Horn inspired this next question: Everyone here likes college basketball, and I'm sure at least some of you keep track or even enjoy (:eek) the NBA. What we love about college despite the tradition and rivalries is the fact that it's basketball played the right way. Team basketball, offensive strategies, defensive tenacity, well coached methodical ways to win, and a passion that just isn't seen in the NBA. Yet so many college basketball fans I know would HATE a Spurs/Pistons final, yet I think these two are the teams that best exemplify what I love about the college game. Great team chemistry, emphasis on defense, and basketball played the right way. Personally these two teams along with a few other substantial exceptions are the only teams I'd go out of the way to watch the NBA for, and it makes me laugh when I hear a Finals matchup is boring (regular season sure, but they turn it on in the playoffs like everyone else in the league). When any of my college basketball loving friends say they're bored by the thought of it, I just think to myself- "yeah, almost as boring as any college game we've seen all year, right?".

other than the obvious differences you stated between the NBA and NCAA basketball, the one thing that makes it hard for me to enjoy in the NBA playoffs is the best of seven series..... you never see the intensity until it's an elimination situation. every game you watch in NCAA basketball in the month of March could be a teams last.... you can't beat that.

[justinandimcool]

other than the obvious differences you stated between the NBA and NCAA basketball, the one thing that makes it hard for me to enjoy in the NBA playoffs is the best of seven series..... you never see the intensity until it's an elimination situation. every game you watch in NCAA basketball in the month of March could be a teams last.... you can't beat that.

Well, obviously that's what makes March Madness (and the NFL playoffs) far and above all the other postseasons.

In the NBA and NHL and MLB's defense a single elimination postseason wouldn't make much sense considering such long seasons (though the NBA needs to decrease the number of teams, badly. Sorry, a playoffs with 50% of the team making it, why even watch the regular season?)

But, when we're not considering the aesthetics of single eliminations and brackets and tradition and focusing on what goes on the court. I find it strange that so many people who love how college basketball is played the right way, yet they would loathe a Pistons/Spurs finals, when they are the only teams that actually do play the right way in spite of all the bullshit selfishness the NBA is making money off of nowadays, and in my opinion two of the very few teams worth watching if you actually care about the quality of basketball being shown on the court.

[justinandimcool]

And Vanderbilt goes down. More importantly, a bubble team pulls one off! Arkansas, welcome to the dance.

[justinandimcool]

Here's a fun argument I have for idiots that come up to me and say they hate college basketball and the NCAA tournament because there are too many teams and it's "a bullshit champion":

MLB= 8/30 teams make the postseason. That's 27%
NFL= 12/32 teams make it. 38%
NHL and NBA= a whopping 53%
NCAA Football= the BCS sucks.

NCAA Basketball: 65/341 = 19%



The NCAA tournament is indeed the most exclusive championship tournament in major sports, so there's no arguing that there are too many teams. I'm making this point only incase any of you have any idiots in your classes that are anti-college NBA marks.

[UNLTrpt]

Yes we are, but I don't see any upsets that went your way that would give you 5 bonus points :shrug

Looks like Oklahoma State and St. Joseph's were the only upsets you picked. And since they were only a 9 seed over and 8 seed (meaning +1) and a 5 seed over a 4 seed (another +1) that only gives you 2 bonus.

ok I guess I misunderstood the upset rule then :shrug

yep. I did. my bad.

[justinandimcool]

It's okay, Thad Matta had to explain to Greg Oden what the selection committee was (or something to that effect, Greg was definitely unfamiliar with college basketball when he came into the league) :lol

Champs very rarely know what's going on ;)

[UNLTrpt]

Yeah...its not looking good for a repeat :lol

[dmbphan041]

Here's a fun argument I have for idiots that come up to me and say they hate college basketball and the NCAA tournament because there are too many teams and it's "a bullshit champion":

MLB= 8/30 teams make the postseason. That's 27%
NFL= 12/32 teams make it. 38%
NHL and NBA= a whopping 53%
NCAA Football= the BCS sucks.

NCAA Basketball: 65/341 = 19%



The NCAA tournament is indeed the most exclusive championship tournament in major sports, so there's no arguing that there are too many teams. I'm making this point only incase any of you have any idiots in your classes that are anti-college NBA marks.


341, what a random number, wtf. is that all divisions, or just D1 or what?

[justinandimcool]

341, what a random number, wtf. is that all divisions, or just D1 or what?

All Division I, including the Independent teams.

[justinandimcool]

Mother of christ. Illini upsets Purdue. Another champion down.

Xavier goes down to St. Joe's for the second time this week. Enough to put St. Joseph's in?


UCLA vs USC is huge for me, although much hope is lost. I'm not sure why I'm even keeping track of my own status in the game anymore :lol

[justinandimcool]

UNBELIEVABLE shot by Michael Riley. Bama/MSU in overtime.

[kydmb99]

The SEC tournament has been the best one I've seen in a while.

[kydmb99]

Wow... Tornado hits Georgia Dome.. SEC tourney postponed for a while, may restart later tonight.

[bubba40]

Weather delay at a basketball game...what the hell...

The SEC is going to have quite the quandry on their hands if UK and Georgia can't play tonight.

[justinandimcool]

Awesome column by JA Adande.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=NBAMarch-080314


pause...not.



So are they gonna continue the SEC games tonight?

[justinandimcool]

I hate Kevin Love.

[DmBand801]

Wow... Tornado hits Georgia Dome.. SEC tourney postponed for a while, may restart later tonight.

i just saw this on espn news - really shitty, glad no one was hurt...hopfully they can resume the games

[UNLTrpt]

a tornado hit the dome? wtf!

[justinandimcool]

Hold UCLA to under 60 again, then fucking BLOW IT.

FUCK. ME. IN. THE. ASS.

:BANG

[justinandimcool]

Kentucky/Georgia isn't happening tonight.....now what? Someone's gonna have to play two games in one day?

[justinandimcool]

Minnesota beats Indiana :lol


Gophers against Illinois tomorrow. I'm getting chills.

[justinandimcool]

Kansas State goes down to A&M. Looks like the Aggies wanna be in it after all.

[UNC41]

Minnesota beats Indiana :lol


Gophers against Illinois tomorrow. I'm getting chills.

When I first wrote out my bracket I had Minnesota beating Indiana. :BANG

And now I'm getting T-Wolves/Seattle over Stanford/Washington. Double :BANG

[dmbphan041]

This Atlanta thing is FUCKED!!!!!!!

[justinandimcool]

When I first wrote out my bracket I had Minnesota beating Indiana. :BANG

And now I'm getting T-Wolves/Seattle over Stanford/Washington. Double :BANG


:lol :lol :lol

It's shaping to be a good one too. Poor guy.




Are there any updates on Atlanta?

[dmbphan041]

no looting....yet.

shit's gunna be crazy overnight. Looks like we'll have selection Monday.

[UNLTrpt]

honestly....does anybody know what is going on this year? good lord.

I don't know if this is a sign of things to come in the Big Dance or if teams are getting it out of the way now and the NCAA tourney is going to be boring.

[justinandimcool]

Fuck that. I'm sure there will be facilities. Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, maybe even a large high school gym. And I'm sure UK/GA will be willing to play 2 games in a day.

[justinandimcool]

honestly....does anybody know what is going on this year? good lord.

I don't know if this is a sign of things to come in the Big Dance or if teams are getting it out of the way now and the NCAA tourney is going to be boring.

Blowouts make the tourney boring, not high-seed teams winning IMO. Too bad last year we had alot of both :lol


There's so much parity this year that I think every game outside of the 1/16-2/15/-3/14 matchups could very well be decided by 10 points or less. I could live without upsets if the game quality is good.

[SmoothD41]

I know I'm probably the only one here that saw it, but the last 30 seconds of the Indiana/Minnesota game was the most exciting college basketball I've seen all year....too much happened to put into words.

Now, excuse me while I drive a knife through my eyeball.

Hello #6 seed going down in the 1st round of the dance! What a bunch of fucking underachievers.

Thanks for a great career, DJ.

[UNC41]

:lol :lol :lol

It's shaping to be a good one too. Poor guy.




Are there any updates on Atlanta?

So frustrating. Although I'm texting a good friend who goes to grad school back and forth and he isn't very confident. Not sure why.

I have no update. Watched some great college basketball and college hockey at a sports bar tonight and then came home specifically for this game instead of going out. Again, :BANG

Fuck that. I'm sure there will be facilities. Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, maybe even a large high school gym. And I'm sure UK/GA will be willing to play 2 games in a day.

I'd be fine with Selection Monday. I'm going to see Springsteen on Sunday and it has been more than a decade since I've missed the selection show.

[justinandimcool]

^ I'm pretty pissed I missed it. I'm waiting for College Gameday for highlights. I know it was a buzzer beater though.


You can bet I'll be picking the Hoosiers out of the 1st round though :lol

[UNC41]

I know I'm probably the only one here that saw it, but the last 30 seconds of the Indiana/Minnesota game was the most exciting college basketball I've seen all year....too much happened to put into words.

Now, excuse me while I drive a knife through my eyeball.

Hello #6 seed going down in the 1st round of the dance! What a bunch of fucking underachievers.

Thanks for a great career, DJ.

Big Ten Network at the bar ftw! Hell of a finish.

Indiana has completely quit on Dakich. I feel bad for the guy. He just walked into a horrible situation with a team full of guys so loyal to Sampson.

[SmoothD41]

Big Ten Network at the bar ftw! Hell of a finish.

Indiana has completely quit on Dakich. I feel bad for the guy. He just walked into a horrible situation with a team full of guys so loyal to Sampson.

spot on. DJ is the only one that looks like he gives a shit.

[UNLTrpt]

Blowouts make the tourney boring, not high-seed teams winning IMO. Too bad last year we had alot of both :lol


There's so much parity this year that I think every game outside of the 1/16-2/15/-3/14 matchups could very well be decided by 10 points or less. I could live without upsets if the game quality is good.

see the way the talking heads are talking, the bubble is SO weak this year. Lunardi was saying that this is the perfect reason why we shouldn't expand the tournament.

[SmoothD41]

^ I'm pretty pissed I missed it. I'm waiting for College Gameday for highlights. I know it was a buzzer beater though.


You can bet I'll be picking the Hoosiers out of the 1st round though :lol

i might give them one game....no more than that though.

[UNC41]

spot on. DJ is the only one that looks like he gives a shit.

Was the assistant coach who the players wanted to replace Sampson involved with the calls at all? If he wasn't, then I have to wonder why they didn't name him the interim coach. I've never gotten any indication Dakich is going to be seriously considered to keep the job beyond this year, and naming someone the players didn't feel a sense of loyalty to was only going to disrupt chemistry.

[justinandimcool]

^ true, but for strategy's sake in bracket picking I think it's wise for me to knock em out first round. Especially if they end up as a 6 or 7. I just don't see how an Indiana fan or player can be optimistic right now.

As far as expansion, I say hell no. The NCAA Tournament is probably the most perfected postseason there is in sports. Is there honestly anything wrong with it that's needs to be improved? So what if 1 or 2 bubble teams get left out? They probably weren't deserving anyways, and they had their shot to clinch their bid in the conference tourney just like everybody else. Don't fix what ain't broke, especially if it's absolutely PERFECT the way it is.

[UNLTrpt]

Boehim(sp?) is pretty loud on the side of expansion isn't he?

[SmoothD41]

Was the assistant coach who the players wanted to replace Sampson involved with the calls at all? If he wasn't, then I have to wonder why they didn't name him the interim coach. I've never gotten any indication Dakich is going to be seriously considered to keep the job beyond this year, and naming someone the players didn't feel a sense of loyalty to was only going to disrupt chemistry.

I don't think Ray McCallum was involved with the phone calls....the players really, really wanted him to be the interim coach cause he recruited quite a few of the guys.

It's just an ugly, ugly situation. They are playing with absolutely no heart (except for DJ), they don't like their coach, their coach is only there to finish the season, Gordon's mind is already in the pros (which is kind of funny because he's nowhere close to ready), and several other guys are pondering whether they are going to stay at IU or not after this year.

[justinandimcool]

According to CSTV the Atlanta situation is pretty simple.

They'll inspect the Georgia Dome tonight, and they'll see if it's playable.

If not, they'll find another venue in Atlanta or another city.

Either way, Kentucky or Georgia will play two games tomorrow and Selection Sunday will go as planned.


This is from CSTV, and hasn't been confirmed so it could be all hearsay.

[justinandimcool]

I funny thing just occured to me.

What if Illinois beats Minnesota tomorrow, beats Wisconsin/Michigan State on Saturday to steal a bid, then goes on as a #13 or #14 seed and upsets a high seed in the tourney while Indiana gets upset in the first round, therefore Illinois getting further into March than Eric Gordon :lol

[UNC41]

I don't think Ray McCall um was involved with the phone calls....the players really, really wanted him to be the interim coach cause he recruited quite a few of the guys.

It's just an ugly, ugly situation. They are playing with absolutely no heart (except for DJ), they don't like their coach, their coach is only there to finish the season, Gordon's mind is already in the pros (which is kind of funny because he's nowhere close to ready), and several other guys are pondering whether they are going to stay at IU or not after this year.

McCallum, that's his name. He was a Sampson guy though, right?

Anywho, I'm not one for letting the players run a program, but it was wrong of Indiana to create a situation where they lost all loyalty from most of the team by going with Dakich over McCallum.

I agree about Gordon too. He reminds me a lot of Rashad McCants as a player, and Rashad definitely benefited from more than one year in college.

[kydmb99]

Boehim(sp?) is pretty loud on the side of expansion isn't he?

Yeah, that tends to happen when you're perpetually on the bubble.

[clayj41]

I know I'm probably the only one here that saw it, but the last 30 seconds of the Indiana/Minnesota game was the most exciting college basketball I've seen all year....too much happened to put into words.

Now, excuse me while I drive a knife through my eyeball.

Hello #6 seed going down in the 1st round of the dance! What a bunch of fucking underachievers.

Thanks for a great career, DJ.

:thumbsup I don't see myself picking them to win a game.



And you're right, I feel sorry for DJ. He was the epitome of IU basketball and his teammates are too stupid/selfish to let him get more opportunities.

[UNLTrpt]

holy CRAP!

that guy who hit the winning shot for Minnesota, the SAME FUCKIN KID WHO HIT THIS SHOT...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJoxGpEswOI

HOLY.SHIT!

[justinandimcool]

Yep I was just telling Jared that. Absolutely unreal. I want the ball in his hands at the buzzer, I don't care where he is on the floor (literally)

[clayj41]

holy CRAP!

that guy who hit the winning shot for Minnesota, the SAME FUCKIN KID WHO HIT THIS SHOT...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJoxGpEswOI

HOLY.SHIT!

Yeah, my buddy pointed that out immediately and he even called the shot happening. :lol

[amoore624426]

UNC locked a number one seed today.

[amoore624426]

I hate Kevin Love.

UCLA has the ugliest team in the country.

[UNLTrpt]

Ugh...we lose by 10 to Kansas and they're saying "Nebraska no longer is the punch line to a Kansas basketball joke."

It was one game. We've beaten Kansas before and that didn't make us a good basketball team overnight. Its not losing to teams like Colorado, Iowa St. that make us a good basketball team

[UNC41]

holy CRAP!

that guy who hit the winning shot for Minnesota, the SAME FUCKIN KID WHO HIT THIS SHOT...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJoxGpEswOI

HOLY.SHIT!

I was watching the game in a sports bar two 'burbs away from Hopkins, where Hoffarber is from. The Big Ten Network isn't on cable here so it was packed with Gopher fans and the place absolutely erupted. I am not a Minnesota fan, but it was very cool.

[UNLTrpt]

I was watching the game in a sports bar two 'burbs away from Hopkins, where Hoffarber is from. The Big Ten Network isn't on cable here so it was packed with Gopher fans and the place absolutely erupted. I am not a Minnesota fan, but it was very cool.

i can imagine.

honestly, could this post season get any stranger?

[justinandimcool]

honestly, could this post season get any stranger?


I'm tellin ya man. Illinois.

[clayj41]

I'm tellin ya man. Illinois.

:thumbsup If they were to somehow win the Big Ten tourney, my mind would be blown!

[UNLTrpt]

You have no idea how hard I will be cheering for Minnesota.

I'm a little bit of a Gopher fan anyway but...god I don't want to deal with that Illinois fan.

[UNC41]

i can imagine.

honestly, could this post season get any stranger?

No, and the real tournament hasn't even started. This is great.

You have no idea how hard I will be cheering for Minnesota.

I'm a little bit of a Gopher fan anyway but...god I don't want to deal with that Illinois fan.

I told Justin this on AIM, but my initial Big 10 bracket was Minnesota and Michigan State. Well, I pussed out big time.

[UNLTrpt]

If Tubby gets them to the dance in his first year...they'll erect a fuckin statue of him.

[justinandimcool]

Royce had a real good day yesterday, as he had Pitt, Minnesota, and Texas A&M at where they are now. Things are looking great for him. Bob is making a late push, as is SmoothD who picked the A-10 final, racking up 8 points for himself. Watch out for Nick, who has all of champions still playing tomorrow outside of the A-10.

Thank you Illinois and Stanford, for screwing all the Purdue/Wazzou faithful over.

Day 3 standings

HolyCow- 81 pts
GavMan55- 77.5 pts
SmoothD41- 70.5 pts
DMBNick15- 67 pts
Jrod1229- 67 pts
41Ravens- 65.5 pts
Rkj2wj- 64.5 pts
kydmb99- 64 pts
UNC41- 63 pts
justinandimcool- 60.5 pts
clayj41- 59.5 pts
seekupig- 57 pts
UNLTrpt- 54.5 pts

[41ravens]

minnesota won? that's fucking funny. talk about a freefall for the hoosiers.

[seekupig]

Ugh...we lose by 10 to Kansas and they're saying "Nebraska no longer is the punch line to a Kansas basketball joke."


no, now they're just a punchline to a Kansas sports joke......

this season alone in football (1 game) and basketball (3 games), we've gone 4-0 and won by a combined score of 303-200. :lol ;)

76-39
79-58
84-49
64-54

:D :D

[clayj41]

Royce had a real good day yesterday, as he had Pitt, Minnesota, and Texas A&M at where they are now. Things are looking great for him. Bob is making a late push, as is SmoothD who picked the A-10 final, racking up 8 points for himself. Watch out for Nick, who has all of champions still playing tomorrow outside of the A-10.

Thank you Illinois and Stanford, for screwing all the Purdue/Wazzou faithful over.

Day 3 standings

HolyCow- 81 pts
GavMan55- 77.5 pts
SmoothD41- 70.5 pts
DMBNick15- 67 pts
Jrod1229- 67 pts
41Ravens- 65.5 pts
Rkj2wj- 64.5 pts
kydmb99- 64 pts
UNC41- 63 pts
justinandimcool- 60.5 pts
clayj41- 59.5 pts
seekupig- 57 pts
UNLTrpt- 54.5 pts

The Big 12 is all I've got going for me. :lol

[bustdstuff]

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the SEC game that didn't get played last night?

[clayj41]

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the SEC game that didn't get played last night?

They are playing at noon.




How ya doin' Steph! :)

[seekupig]

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the SEC game that didn't get played last night?

noon at Georgia Tech, winner plays again tonight at 9pm is what i've heard.....

[seekupig]

The Big 12 is all I've got going for me. :lol

i've still got Big XII, ACC, Big 10, SEC & A10.... but i think my picks are so close to everyone else's that it doesn't matter.... :lol

EDIT - i don't have the A10 left, i forgot that Xavier left that chip on their shoulder in the hotel before the game last night....

[bustdstuff]

They are playing at noon.




How ya doin' Steph! :)


I'm pretty good. How about yourself?


I would have thought that even if there weren't a bunch of people that it would have started earlier than that.

[seekupig]

I'm pretty good. How about yourself?


I would have thought that even if there weren't a bunch of people that it would have started earlier than that.

Duke's losing today, FYI. :D

[bustdstuff]

Duke's losing today, FYI. :D

No, that won't happen for at least two weeks.:p :rolleyes

[clayj41]

i've still got Big XII, ACC, Big 10, SEC & A10.... but i think my picks are so close to everyone else's that it doesn't matter.... :lol

EDIT - i don't have the A10 left, i forgot that Xavier left that chip on their shoulder in the hotel before the game last night....

Yeah, my ACC picks are still alive as well.

I'm pretty good. How about yourself?


I would have thought that even if there weren't a bunch of people that it would have started earlier than that.

Great! Expect an invite to our private bracket pool within the next few days. :)


As for the Georgia/Kentucky game, I kinda expected it to start earlier as well.

[JamesM]

:lol This Kentucky/Georgia game just looks weird.

[bustdstuff]

Yeah, my ACC picks are still alive as well.



Great! Expect an invite to our private bracket pool within the next few days. :)


As for the Georgia/Kentucky game, I kinda expected it to start earlier as well.

Sweet! I promise to RSVP.:D

I would have thought they would want to get the winner as much rest as possible. Until, I was just running errands listening to the game on XM. They had on I think the asst chairman (or something like that) of the SEC, and he was saying that the decision was made late (or early) to move, and it's amazing they could pull off a game when they did. Kind of makes sense. The Ala./MSU game didn't actually finish til after 11 or something.

[smeritt]

Is it selection sunday yet? Lol Damn Cats can't beat Stanford.

[UNC41]

As much as I'd love to see Coach Knight back on the sidelines, he is hilarious on Gameday. He has a huge mancrush on Georgetown and when asked who is going to win between Minnesota and Illinois his pick was, "I really don't care."

[bustdstuff]

As much as I'd love to see Coach Knight back on the sidelines, he is hilarious on Gameday. He has a huge mancrush on Georgetown and when asked who is going to win between Minnesota and Illinois his pick was, "I really don't care."


:lol :lol :lol

Edit: So where's the freaking avatar?!?!?!

[HolyCow]

Royce had a real good day yesterday, as he had Pitt, Minnesota, and Texas A&M at where they are now. Things are looking great for him. Bob is making a late push, as is SmoothD who picked the A-10 final, racking up 8 points for himself. Watch out for Nick, who has all of champions still playing tomorrow outside of the A-10.

Thank you Illinois and Stanford, for screwing all the Purdue/Wazzou faithful over.

Day 3 standings

HolyCow- 81 pts
GavMan55- 77.5 pts
SmoothD41- 70.5 pts
DMBNick15- 67 pts
Jrod1229- 67 pts
41Ravens- 65.5 pts
Rkj2wj- 64.5 pts
kydmb99- 64 pts
UNC41- 63 pts
justinandimcool- 60.5 pts
clayj41- 59.5 pts
seekupig- 57 pts
UNLTrpt- 54.5 pts
Woo! Today is a crucial day for me though. I felt good about the A&M, Pitt and Minn. picks though. Came through for me.

[UNC41]

:lol :lol :lol

Edit: So where's the freaking avatar?!?!?!

I'm too superstitious to change it until/if North Carolina loses.

[dmbphan041]

these refs are nuts.

[bustdstuff]

I'm too superstitious to change it until/if North Carolina loses.

I don't even have a response.:rolleyes

[UNLTrpt]

no, now they're just a punchline to a Kansas sports joke......

this season alone in football (1 game) and basketball (3 games), we've gone 4-0 and won by a combined score of 303-200. :lol ;)

76-39
79-58
84-49
64-54

:D :D

:( :(

[bustdstuff]

Wow. VT's up by eight.

[UNLTrpt]

oh, and btw...I've already won the conf. tourney challenge so I'm not upset. (I do have to find a way to crawl out of the cellar though) I gotta win the NIT and NCAA tourney challenge this year so I can complete the trifecta.

[bustdstuff]

Did anyone else just see that shot in the UGA game?

[kydmb99]

God Fucking Damnit.

[dmbphan041]

Hugh's is out, MSU wins in a walk now.

[DMBnick15]

fuck, unc needs to step it up.

[UNLTrpt]

heeeeeeeeeeere comes Wisconsin

[clayj41]

HANSBROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! :multi :multi :multi

[justinandimcool]

Holy shit what a game in Charlotte. Holy fucking shit what a shot.

Best championship week ever?

[nhl123_2000]

And that my friends is why #50 will be hanging in the risers. A win is a win - not our prettiest by any means.

[clayj41]

Holy shit what a game in Charlotte. Holy fucking shit what a shot.

Best championship week ever?