Preseason NCAA Basketball Poll is released

[SmoothG]

Who's the 10-seed, potential Sweet 16 matchup? The Arizona Wildcats....

Fixed it for you...

[kydmb99]

I really love this bracket. This tournament has the potential to be a great one. :thumbsup

VERY proud of UK to get in. Amazing turnaround. I really think we can take Marquette down... But then lose a close one to Stanford.

[clayj41]

Dickie V putting Knight on the spot again about the IU coaching job. :lol

[UNLTrpt]

the real selection show begins in 20 mins!

[clayj41]

the real selection show begins in 20 mins!

:lol :lol :lol

[dreamingtreeIU]

Dickie V putting Knight on the spot again about the IU coaching job. :lol

what'd he say....I'm watching extreme home make over :shrug with the sister.... I was tired of hearing the same thing over and over again on ESPN

[codyk09]

this is bullshit, american gets in because they won the patriot conference but ole miss and other good teams have to try there luck in the nit, that almost pisses me off as much as the bcs

[clayj41]

what'd he say....I'm watching extreme home make over :shrug with the sister.... I was tired of hearing the same thing over and over again on ESPN

Just saying how he got a raw deal and then saying that if he came back, he and Digger would be on his coaching staff. Dickie V doing the recruiting. :lol


The funniest part was Bobby's reaction though. He just sat there resting his head against his hand and staring off into space. :lol

[dreamingtreeIU]

^^ what else would they do?

[kydmb99]

this is bullshit, american gets in because they won the patriot conference but ole miss and other good teams have to try there luck in the nit, that almost pisses me off as much as the bcs

Don't lay an egg in conference play and it won't happen. :)

[clayj41]

^^ what else would they do?

What do you mean?

[codyk09]

Don't lay an egg in conference play and it won't happen. :)

we had some notable wins, alabama, georgia, arkansas, 8 seed state, clemson, florida, lsu. but i guess we couldnt have done any damage in tourney, nothin like american, cs fullerton, umbc, or ut arlington would do

[clayj41]

Bob Knight: Pitt over UNC

[clayj41]

we had some notable wins, alabama, georgia, arkansas, 8 seed state, clemson, florida, lsu. but i guess we couldnt have done any damage in tourney, nothin like american, cs fullerton, umbc, or ut arlington would do

Nice avatar! From Poplar Bluff, eh?

[kydmb99]

we had some notable wins, alabama, georgia, arkansas, 8 seed state, clemson, florida, lsu. but i guess we couldnt have done any damage in tourney, nothin like american, cs fullerton, umbc, or ut arlington would do

Maybe, but those are just the rules. Those teams are also at SIGNIFICANT recruiting advantages to teams in the power conferences and if they have one slip up in their conference tourneys, they're done. Ole Miss is a solid team but they didn't get it done when it mattered... That's just how it goes.

[codyk09]

Nice avatar! From Poplar Bluff, eh?

yep tyler lived right down the road, when he decided to go there unc gained about 14,000 fans this town is crazy about him

[UNLTrpt]

we're in :multi

[dreamingtreeIU]

What do you mean?
To select the field of 65 or 64 or whatever

[codyk09]

yea at least ole miss got a 2 seed in the good ole nit

[clayj41]

yep tyler lived right down the road, when he decided to go there unc gained about 14,000 fans this town is crazy about him

I bet! I'd love to visit sometime.

To select the field of 65 or 64 or whatever

Eh, they all had different opinions.

[seekupig]

North Carolina plays the second best team in their region in the second round. Interesting.

so you think Indiana is better than Tennessee and Louisville? i think Indiana is better than an 8 seed, but they're no better than 5th in that region....

[dreamingtreeIU]

^^ what else would they do?

I was referring to cody's remark up there...

[UNLTrpt]

NIT pick em challenge and brackets coming momentarily.

[codyk09]

I bet! I'd love to visit sometime.


lol i wouldnt advise it

[clayj41]

lol i wouldnt advise it

I'm from southern Indiana. I'm sure it can't be that bad in comparison. Tyler Zeller goes to school 45 minutes away.

[clayj41]

I was referring to cody's remark up there...

That's what the "quote" function is for. :p :lol

[dreamingtreeIU]

That's what the "quote" function is for. :p :lol

I posted it right after he said it, but apparently not quick enough, so I edited with ^^.

And yea, Southern Indiana minus Bloomington, E-ville, and the area right by Louisville is pretty bad as far as upper midwest goes

[clayj41]

I posted it right after he said it, but apparently not quick enough, so I edited with ^^.

And yea, Southern Indiana minus Bloomington, E-ville, and the area right by Louisville is pretty bad as far as upper midwest goes

I barely even consider Bloomington southern Indiana being down this far south. :lol

[codyk09]

I'm from southern Indiana. I'm sure it can't be that bad in comparison. Tyler Zeller goes to school 45 minutes away.

yea i remember that game on espn2 against the school greg oden went to that was pretty cool

[clayj41]

yea i remember that game on espn2 against the school greg oden went to that was pretty cool

Greg Oden:thumbsdow

[dreamingtreeIU]

Greg Oden:thumbsdow

Greg Oden dominating Tyler Hansbrough (sp) when he was a Junior and TH was a Senior :thumbsup

[codyk09]

yea thats whats great about tyler hes the opposite of him, he actually plays hard, and runs down the court, oden was just there to go to the nba and get rich

[dreamingtreeIU]

That's probably why he went to Lawrence North when he was recruited in 7th and 8th grade.

[seekupig]

yea thats whats great about tyler hes the opposite of him, he actually plays hard, and runs down the court, oden was just there to go to the nba and get rich

if you think for one second that Tyler wouldn't have left already if he was going to be a top 5 pick, you're fooling yourself.

[dreamingtreeIU]

Anyone else excited to see the Ohio State UNC-Asheville game in the NIT? I think it will be funny to see how they handle the big man, just watching him play is awesome, let alone playing against a 7 footer...

[UNLTrpt]

oh yeah...he plays for them doesn't he. I guess he doesn't play all that much anyway. It will be pretty easy for OSU

[dreamingtreeIU]

definitely, but still fun to watch

[codyk09]

if you think for one second that Tyler wouldn't have left already if he was going to be a top 5 pick, you're fooling yourself.

well im fooling myself, personally i think hes having the time of his life, and hes not really in a money bind so he might as well stay and try to set some records at one of the best basketball programs in the nation

[seekupig]

my preliminary Final Four..... subject to change..... one million times before thursday. :lol

EAST - Louisville
MIDWEST - Kansas

SOUTH - Texas
WEST - UCLA

National Championship game....

UCLA 76 - Kansas 73

[seekupig]

well im fooling myself, personally i think hes having the time of his life, and hes not really in a money bind so he might as well stay and try to set some records at one of the best basketball programs in the nation


that doesn't sound very Tyler like. you're supposed to say......

"might as well stay and try to add another National Title at one of the best basketball programs in the nation."

[jcc522]

Anyone else excited to see the Ohio State UNC-Asheville game in the NIT? I think it will be funny to see how they handle the big man, just watching him play is awesome, let alone playing against a 7 footer...


i hate him, he puts forth no effort and i've seen him miss plenty of 5 footers and closer

[davehead86]

Id just like to say that Illinois State got a giant shaft in the NCAA tourney by not getting a bid. Its pathetic that our record and RPI couldnt get us in because of one bad loss in the championship game. But ESPN and people are all bitching about Arizona State not making it even though they are just at .500 with their conference and have a shit RPI.

Whatever, the system is slightly skewed and messed up when the 16 seed has to play the 1st seed straight away and that only 6 non-power conference teams make it into the tourney.

Enough of my rant. ISU is def a team to watch in the NIT. Being at home also helps us in the first round, our home games are crazy loud :thumbsup

[JRod1229]

^ it is sad you didn't get in... but it hurt that the last game you played before entering the dance (when you're supposed be hitting full stride) you lost by 30...

[seekupig]

Id just like to say that Illinois State got a giant shaft in the NCAA tourney by not getting a bid. Its pathetic that our record and RPI couldnt get us in because of one bad loss in the championship game. But ESPN and people are all bitching about Arizona State not making it even though they are just at .500 with their conference and have a shit RPI.

Whatever, the system is slightly skewed and messed up when the 16 seed has to play the 1st seed straight away and that only 6 non-power conference teams make it into the tourney.

Enough of my rant. ISU is def a team to watch in the NIT. Being at home also helps us in the first round, our home games are crazy loud :thumbsup

who did they beat this year? looking at their schedule, i only count 4 games total that were played against teams that are in the tournament. all four of those games were losses..... Drake (3 times) and Kent St. (once). i don't really think they have as much as a gripe as a team like Arizona St. who has beaten Arizona twice, Stanford, USC and Xavier. just my opinion, though....

[GavMan33]

this is bullshit, american gets in because they won the patriot conference but ole miss and other good teams have to try there luck in the nit, that almost pisses me off as much as the bcs

This is how it's been since expansion, nothing's changed. I think conference championships are fantastic. For a school like American to go to the NCAAs is awesome, even if they probably won't win. It's fantastic. And look at a school like Georgia; they would have no postseason, their only chance is to win the conference tourney. But the point is even after their season, everybody still has a chance.

Don't lay an egg in conference play and it won't happen. :)

I'm sorry I keep going there, but UK is not worthy. Not saying they aren't good, and not saying they won't win a game. What I'm saying is their whole body of work doesn't cut it, and I woulda been in that room fighting to the death they shouldn't be in. Their best nonconference win is Liberty? Their whole resume is based off of the SEC season. In that season, they beat 4 NCAA Tournament teams, one of whom was Georgia, who was two of their wins. They have the marquees vs. Tennessee and Vandy, both at home. They lost @ Vandy by 41. They lost to Georgia in the SEC Quarters. Not only does their nonconference have that "best win" vs. Liberty, they have two losses to Gardner-Webb and San Diego. No way this team should be in.

How about Arizona State? Losses to Illinois and Nebraska, but they have the marquee nonconference win vs. Xavier. Conference season? How about wins vs. Stanford, Arizona (2), Oregon, USC. I just can't understand it. Keep them out because of two numbers? :shrug

[41ravens]

initial thoughts...


joe alexander frightens me.

[codyk09]

that doesn't sound very Tyler like. you're supposed to say......

"might as well stay and try to add another National Title at one of the best basketball programs in the nation."

yea i think it would be cool but actually i bet the championship is more important in his books

[UNLTrpt]

Come one, come all to the 2nd annual 2nd best pick ‘em tournament that you’ll ever enter. It’s the 2008 antsmarching.org NIT pick ‘em challenge! That’s right, it’s a pick ‘em tournament for those of you who it seems year in and year out can never do well in the big dance. Here’s a chance to drop down a level, sharpen the picking tools and pick the best of the rest. If you feel like you got snubbed in the Championship Week Challenge, get your redemption in the NIT pick ‘em challenge. They call the winner of the NIT the 66th best team in the nation, but if you win we’ll call you #2 in our hearts. Last year our winner was mizzoudmbfan (http://www.antsmarching.org/forum/member.php?u=73186) Yes that's right, Missouri ACTUALLY won something.

Here's the bracket: (HOME TEAM in ALL CAPS)


1) OHIO ST. (19-13) vs. 8) UNC-Asheville (23-9)
4) CALIFORNIA (16-15) vs. 5) New Mexico (24-8)
3) DAYTON (21-10) vs. 6) Cleveland St. (21-12)
2) ILLINOIS ST. (24-9) vs. 7) Utah St. (24-10)


1) VIRGINIA TECH (19-12) vs. 8) Morgan St. (21-10)
4) VCU (24-7) vs. 5) University Alabama-Birmingham (aka UAB) (22-10)
3) NEBRASKA (19-12) vs. 6) Charlotte (20-13)
2) MISSISSIPPI (21-10) vs. 7) Cal Santa Barbara (23-8)


1) ARIZONA ST. (19-12) vs. 8) Alabama St. (20-10)
4) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (17-14) vs. 5) Oklahoma St. (17-15)
3) CREIGHTON (21-10) vs. 6) Rhode Island (21-11)
2) FLORIDA (21-11) vs. 7) San Diego St. (20-12)


1) SYRACUSE (19-13) vs. 8) Robert Morris (26-7)
4) MINNESOTA (20-12) vs. 5) Maryland (18-14)
3) FLORIDA ST. (19-14) vs. 6) Akron (23-9)
2) UMASS (21-10) vs. 7) Stephen F. Austin (26-6)

The Final 4:

Ohio St. region vs. Virginia Tech region

Arizona State region vs. Syracuse region

Very simple pick ‘em rules:
Pick the winners.

See, doesn’t get anymore simple than that.

Scoring:
1pt – 1st round
2pts – 2nd round
4pts – 3rd round
8pts – 4th round
16pts – Championship

Also predict the final score of the championship game. We’ll use that as the tiebreaker. We’ll go on scoring differential. If Nebraska beats Syracuse in the championship game by 20 and two people are tied who ever comes closest to a 20 point differential we’ll declare them the “champion.” If there’s still a tie after that, fuck it, we have co-champions. It still means you’re second best, what does it matter if you’re second best tied with someone else.

I’ll keep track of scores.

Get your picks in soon, NIT games start Tuesday night. I had 10 players last year...lets shoot for 11!

Bracket can be viewed here:

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nit/sports/m-nit/auto_pdf/031608-bracket.pdf

good luck all!

[HolyCow]

Dan, why does Kansas always torture us Big XIIers. I know I'm going to end up picking them. It pains me to do it but I know I will.

[Lee3691]

I think Arizona is one of the best 34 at-large teams, but getting into the tourney over Arizona State is a joke - it shows how flaw the computer programs that spit out the RPI and SOS are. The Pac 10 this year had 9 good teams (Oregon State doesn't count), and against those other 8 teams, Arizona's confernece record was 6-10. Arizona State beat them twice.

Tennesee got hurt by not just losing the 1 seed, but then being the 2 in the 1 overall brackett.

Personally, I would of done this:

East 1). North Carolina 2). Georgetown 3). Wisconsin 4). Wash St
West 1). UCLA 2). Duke 3). Louisville 4). Vandy
South 1). Memphis 2). Texas 3). Stanford 4. UConn
Midwest 1). Tennessee 2). Kansas 3). Pitt 4). Xavier

[UNLTrpt]

Dan, why does Kansas always torture us Big XIIers. I know I'm going to end up picking them. It pains me to do it but I know I will.

they do this every freakin year. I said it earlier, they're bound to disappoint SOME how. You don't pick them...they'll find a way to win the whole damn thing. You think they're a cinch and pick them to go all the way...the run into Bucknell. :BANG

I'm just glad I'm not an ACTUAL fan of Kansas. How frustrating would that be?

[clayj41]

Well I just simulated the tournament on March Madness '08 and it was pretty interesting. Justin you will be very pleased.

Elite 8:

Tennesse over UNC
USC over Kansas
Pitt over Stanford
UCLA over Duke

Final Four:

USC over Tennessee
Pitt over UCLA

Championship:

USC over Pitt




Notable Upsets:

Boise State over Louisville
Cal St. Fullerton over Wisconsin
Temple over Michigan State
Georgia over Xavier
Oregon over Memphis (Second Round)
Georgia over Purdue (Second Round)

[HolyCow]

What's you guy's bracket picking strategy? Fill in the LOCK teams first and then the rest? Fill each region out completely and then move to the next? Pick your final four and then move backwards? (I kind of like that idea.)

Just curious what you guys think.

And here's my preliminary elite 8.

UNC over Tenn.

Kansas over Wisconsin

Texas over Memphis

UCLA over Duke


Darkhorses that could shake it up for me:
EAST
OU - Homer pick and it's tough not to take your team deep. Even when you know they have no shot.

MIDWEST
Clemson - I kind of like them knocking off Kansas in the Elite 8 opening the way for Wisconsin to the final four.

SOUTH
Stanford and Pitt - I'm not a believer in Memphis so I kind of like Pitt over Memphis and maybe Stanford over Texas.

WEST
Easy road for UCLA and Duke here but Xavier is good and I could see them deep. I always like Duke in the tourney too.

[kydmb99]

This is how it's been since expansion, nothing's changed. I think conference championships are fantastic. For a school like American to go to the NCAAs is awesome, even if they probably won't win. It's fantastic. And look at a school like Georgia; they would have no postseason, their only chance is to win the conference tourney. But the point is even after their season, everybody still has a chance.



I'm sorry I keep going there, but UK is not worthy. Not saying they aren't good, and not saying they won't win a game. What I'm saying is their whole body of work doesn't cut it, and I woulda been in that room fighting to the death they shouldn't be in. Their best nonconference win is Liberty? Their whole resume is based off of the SEC season. In that season, they beat 4 NCAA Tournament teams, one of whom was Georgia, who was two of their wins. They have the marquees vs. Tennessee and Vandy, both at home. They lost @ Vandy by 41. They lost to Georgia in the SEC Quarters. Not only does their nonconference have that "best win" vs. Liberty, they have two losses to Gardner-Webb and San Diego. No way this team should be in.

How about Arizona State? Losses to Illinois and Nebraska, but they have the marquee nonconference win vs. Xavier. Conference season? How about wins vs. Stanford, Arizona (2), Oregon, USC. I just can't understand it. Keep them out because of two numbers? :shrug

Look, I'm not saying UK wasn't a very close selection, they were. Their non-conference was very weak without question. However, the 12-4 in the SEC is obviously what put them over the top. The SEC is #4 in the RPI, and they do have wins over two top 15 opponents and are 4-7 against top 50 teams which is comparable to other teams that sneaked in. Their SOS is in the top 15 and they went 11-3 (I think) down the stretch... Basically, their non-conference is weaker than the other teams but their in-conference is stronger than a lot of other bubble teams. San Diego is a tourney team so I don't see how that's such a bad loss, but yes GW was terrible.

However, while other teams were sputtering down the stretch, UK finished strong with wins over Ole Miss, Arkansas, and Florida (All top 75 teams in the RPI). Yes, the loss to UGA hurt but the circumstances surrounding that whole affair were factored in IMO, and the other teams choked as well. In other years, UK would definitely be a weak bubble team. There is no question in my mind that this team was one of the top 34 teams in the nation that didn't get an at-large bid. Also, don't forget we have had at some point, 6 of our top 7 players out with injuries. That, along with the coaching change is why we were so bad to begin with. Teams like Arizona have used injuries as a reason to justify them being in, is that not applicable to UK?

[UNLTrpt]

Come one, come all to the 2nd annual 2nd best pick ‘em tournament that you’ll ever enter. It’s the 2008 antsmarching.org NIT pick ‘em challenge! That’s right, it’s a pick ‘em tournament for those of you who it seems year in and year out can never do well in the big dance. Here’s a chance to drop down a level, sharpen the picking tools and pick the best of the rest. If you feel like you got snubbed in the Championship Week Challenge, get your redemption in the NIT pick ‘em challenge. They call the winner of the NIT the 66th best team in the nation, but if you win we’ll call you #2 in our hearts. Last year our winner was mizzoudmbfan (http://www.antsmarching.org/forum/member.php?u=73186) Yes that's right, Missouri ACTUALLY won something.

Here's the bracket: (HOME TEAM in ALL CAPS)


1) OHIO ST. (19-13) vs. 8) UNC-Asheville (23-9)
4) CALIFORNIA (16-15) vs. 5) New Mexico (24-8)
3) DAYTON (21-10) vs. 6) Cleveland St. (21-12)
2) ILLINOIS ST. (24-9) vs. 7) Utah St. (24-10)


1) VIRGINIA TECH (19-12) vs. 8) Morgan St. (21-10)
4) VCU (24-7) vs. 5) University Alabama-Birmingham (aka UAB) (22-10)
3) NEBRASKA (19-12) vs. 6) Charlotte (20-13)
2) MISSISSIPPI (21-10) vs. 7) Cal Santa Barbara (23-8)


1) ARIZONA ST. (19-12) vs. 8) Alabama St. (20-10)
4) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (17-14) vs. 5) Oklahoma St. (17-15)
3) CREIGHTON (21-10) vs. 6) Rhode Island (21-11)
2) FLORIDA (21-11) vs. 7) San Diego St. (20-12)


1) SYRACUSE (19-13) vs. 8) Robert Morris (26-7)
4) MINNESOTA (20-12) vs. 5) Maryland (18-14)
3) FLORIDA ST. (19-14) vs. 6) Akron (23-9)
2) UMASS (21-10) vs. 7) Stephen F. Austin (26-6)

The Final 4:

Ohio St. region vs. Virginia Tech region

Arizona State region vs. Syracuse region

Very simple pick ‘em rules:
Pick the winners.

See, doesn’t get anymore simple than that.

Scoring:
1pt – 1st round
2pts – 2nd round
4pts – 3rd round
8pts – 4th round
16pts – Championship

Also predict the final score of the championship game. We’ll use that as the tiebreaker. We’ll go on scoring differential. If Nebraska beats Syracuse in the championship game by 20 and two people are tied who ever comes closest to a 20 point differential we’ll declare them the “champion.” If there’s still a tie after that, fuck it, we have co-champions. It still means you’re second best, what does it matter if you’re second best tied with someone else.

I’ll keep track of scores.

Get your picks in soon, NIT games start Tuesday night. I had 10 players last year...lets shoot for 11!

Bracket can be viewed here:

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nit/sports/m-nit/auto_pdf/031608-bracket.pdf

good luck all!

don't forget folks

[justinandimcool]

Well, here you go. Smooth squeaks one out, as Arkansas fell along with Jared's title hopes. Smooth owned us all in the NCAA Tournament Challenge last year, then comes back in the Conference pickems and crushes our dreams once again. We've got a one man Florida Gators in our hands, let's hope we can shut him down with our brackets this year.

ENJOY IT SMOOTH! PUT IT IN YOUR SIG.



Final standings

The 2008 Annual Ants Marching Conference Tourney Pick'em Champion: SmoothD41- 123.5 pts



Jrod1229- 121 pts
GavMan55- 118.5 pts
DMBNick15- 112 pts
HolyCow- 110 pts
41Ravens- 106.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 103.5 pts
kydmb99- 101 pts
justinandimcool- 98.5 pts
clayj41- 97.5 pts
Rkj2wj- 97.5 pts
UNC41- 97 pts
seekupig- 86 pts

[UNLTrpt]

woo hell of a climb out of last place

[GavMan33]

Look, I'm not saying UK wasn't a very close selection, they were. Their non-conference was very weak without question. However, the 12-4 in the SEC is obviously what put them over the top. The SEC is #4 in the RPI, and they do have wins over two top 15 opponents and are 4-7 against top 50 teams which is comparable to other teams that sneaked in. Their SOS is in the top 15 and they went 11-3 (I think) down the stretch... Basically, their non-conference is weaker than the other teams but their in-conference is stronger than a lot of other bubble teams. San Diego is a tourney team so I don't see how that's such a bad loss, but yes GW was terrible.

However, while other teams were sputtering down the stretch, UK finished strong with wins over Ole Miss, Arkansas, and Florida (All top 75 teams in the RPI). Yes, the loss to UGA hurt but the circumstances surrounding that whole affair were factored in IMO, and the other teams choked as well. In other years, UK would definitely be a weak bubble team. There is no question in my mind that this team was one of the top 34 teams in the nation that didn't get an at-large bid. Also, don't forget we have had at some point, 6 of our top 7 players out with injuries. That, along with the coaching change is why we were so bad to begin with. Teams like Arizona have used injuries as a reason to justify them being in, is that not applicable to UK?

First, let me just say I'm not getting all pissed at you, obviously nothing personal. Just wanna make sure that's known :thumbsup

I am NOT justifying Arizona in either. To me, they both are not good enough. All teams have injuries. If we're gonna talk about injuries, no team was hurt more than Dayton. Dayton won @ Louisville and beat the hell out of Pitt at home in the nonconference. They started 14-1. But they clearly got worse as Freshman Chris Wright's injury proved to be devastating. And Charles Little was also out a significant amount of time. Now to me, that's a horrible excuse (plus the fact that I just hate Dayton). 8-8 in the Atlantic 10, then losing in the Quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament, should not get you in.

That's just an example, I don't think injuries hit one team harder than it hit Dayton. So no, Arizona should not use it as an excuse either, and neither should Dayton....

[clayj41]

NIT Picks

1) Ohio St. over 8) UNC-Asheville
5) New Mexico over 4) Cal
3) Dayton over 6) Cleveland St.
2) Illinois St. over 7) Utah St.

1) Ohio St. over 5) New Mexico
2) Illinois St. over 3) Dayton

2) Illinois St. over 1) Ohio St.


1) Va. Tech over Morgan St.
5) UAB over 4) VCU
3) Nebraska over 6) Charlotte
2) Ole Miss over Cal Santa Barbara

5) UAB over 1) Va. Tech
3) Nebraska over 2) Ole Miss

5) UAB over 3) Nebraska


1) Arizona St. over 8) Alabama St.
4) Southern Illinois over 5) Oklahoma St.
6) Rhode Island over 3) Creighton
2) Florida over 7) San Diego St.

1)Arizona St. over 4) Southern Illinois
6) Rhode Island over 2) Florida

1) Arizona St. over 6) Rhode Island


1) Syracuse over 8) Robert Morris
5) Maryland over 4) Minnesota
3) Florida St. over 6) Akron
2) UMass over 7) Stephen F. Austin

5) Maryland over 1) Syracuse
2)UMass over 3) Florida St.

5) Maryland over 2) UMass




Final 4:

5) UAB over 2) Illinois St.
1) Arizona St. over 5) Maryland

Championship:

Arizona St. - 74
UAB - 63

[GavMan33]

Final standings

The 2008 Annual Ants Marching Conference Tourney Pick'em Champion: SmoothD41- 123.5 pts



Jrod1229- 121 pts
GavMan55- 118.5 pts
DMBNick15- 112 pts
HolyCow- 110 pts
41Ravens- 106.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 103.5 pts
kydmb99- 101 pts
justinandimcool- 98.5 pts
clayj41- 97.5 pts
Rkj2wj- 97.5 pts
UNC41- 97 pts
seekupig- 86 pts

:lol Look at that. The Carolina boys can't win when one of their own isn't hosting it :thumbsup

[UNLTrpt]

NIT Picks

first one in.

[clayj41]

Well, here you go. Smooth squeaks one out, as Arkansas fell along with Jared's title hopes. Smooth owned us all in the NCAA Tournament Challenge last year, then comes back in the Conference pickems and crushes our dreams once again. We've got a one man Florida Gators in our hands, let's hope we can shut him down with our brackets this year.

ENJOY IT SMOOTH! PUT IT IN YOUR SIG.



Final standings

The 2008 Annual Ants Marching Conference Tourney Pick'em Champion: SmoothD41- 123.5 pts



Jrod1229- 121 pts
GavMan55- 118.5 pts
DMBNick15- 112 pts
HolyCow- 110 pts
41Ravens- 106.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 103.5 pts
kydmb99- 101 pts
justinandimcool- 98.5 pts
clayj41- 97.5 pts
Rkj2wj- 97.5 pts
UNC41- 97 pts
seekupig- 86 pts

4th last...I'll take it! :lol



Did you see my simulation where USC won the national title Justin? :)

[clayj41]

:lol Look at that. The Carolina boys can't win when one of their own isn't hosting it :thumbsup

Sorry, we only know the ACC. :lol

[HolyCow]

OK, here's my revised elite 8. I hate every bracket I have ever filled out. I never feel good about them.

EAST
UNC over Butler

MIDWEST
Kansas over Wisconsin

SOUTH
Texas over Pitt

WEST
UCLA over Duke

I don't really have any "Cinderellas" per say, but I do have Butler in the Elite 8.

My low seeds right now advancing:
11 Baylor to the Sweet 16
13 San Diego over UCONN
12 Temple over Mich. St.


There's so many teams I'm not sold on that I have going deep. And there's always a low seed going to the Sweet 16 but the lowest I have is 11 Baylor. I just don't see anyone past that that I like. This is a tough bracket.

[justinandimcool]

4th last...I'll take it! :lol



Did you see my simulation where USC won the national title Justin? :)


Oh shit! :lol :thumbsup



If only :sigh

[UNLTrpt]

how do you feel about the KSU matchup justin?

[HolyCow]

Here's the bracket: (HOME TEAM in ALL CAPS)

ROUND 1
1) OHIO ST. (19-13) vs. 8) UNC-Asheville (23-9)
4) CALIFORNIA (16-15) vs. 5) New Mexico (24-8)
3) DAYTON (21-10) vs. 6) Cleveland St. (21-12)
2) ILLINOIS ST. (24-9) vs. 7) Utah St. (24-10)

ROUND 2
1 OHIO STATE over New Mexico
3 DAYTON over Illinois St.

ROUND 3
OHIO ST. over DAYTON

RD 1
1) VIRGINIA TECH (19-12) vs. 8) Morgan St. (21-10)
4) VCU (24-7) vs. 5) University Alabama-Birmingham (aka UAB) (22-10)
3) NEBRASKA (19-12) vs. 6) Charlotte (20-13)
2) MISSISSIPPI (21-10) vs. 7) Cal Santa Barbara (23-8)

RD 2
1 VIRGINIA TECH over VCU
3 NEBRASKA over Mississippi

RD 3
3 NEBRASKA over VT

RD 1
1) ARIZONA ST. (19-12) vs. 8) Alabama St. (20-10)
4) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (17-14) vs. 5) Oklahoma St. (17-15)
3) CREIGHTON (21-10) vs. 6) Rhode Island (21-11)
2) FLORIDA (21-11) vs. 7) San Diego St. (20-12)

RD 2
1 ARIZONA ST. over So. Illinois
2 FLORIDA over Creighton

RD 3
FLORIDA over Arizona St.
RD 1
1) SYRACUSE (19-13) vs. 8) Robert Morris (26-7)
4) MINNESOTA (20-12) vs. 5) Maryland (18-14)
3) FLORIDA ST. (19-14) vs. 6) Akron (23-9)
2) UMASS (21-10) vs. 7) Stephen F. Austin (26-6)

RD 2
1 SYRACUSE over Maryland
7 Stephen F. Austin over Florida St.

7 Stephen F. Austin over Syracuse

The Final 4:
FINAL FOUR
OHIO ST. over Nebraska
FLORIDA over Stephen F. Austin

OHIO ST. over Florida
77-71

[clayj41]

A rematch of last year's championship game, eh Royce?

[UNLTrpt]

Here's the bracket: (HOME TEAM in ALL CAPS)

In. Stephen F. Austin...interesting.

Like the Nebraska picks too.

[HolyCow]

A rematch of last year's championship game, eh Royce?
You know it. But going with the Buckeyes this time

And I went with Stephen because they beat OU in Norman this year so I have respect for them.

[justinandimcool]

Here you go and you're welcome

Thursday March 20

3 Xavier vs 14 Georgia, 12:20 ET
1 Kansas vs 16 Portland State, 12:25 ET
5 Michigan State vs 12 Temple, 12:30 ET

6 Marquette vs 11 Kentucky, 2:30 ET
6 Purdue vs 11 Baylor, 2:50 ET
8 UNLV vs 9 Kent State, 2:55 ET
4 Pittsburgh vs 13 Oral Roberts, 3:00 ET

3 Stanford vs 14 Cornell, 5:00 ET

6 USC vs 11 Kansas State, 7:10 ET
2 Duke vs 15 Belmont, 7:10 ET
4 Washington State vs 13 Winthrop, 7:20 ET
8 BYU vs 9 Texas A&M, 7:25 ET

3 Wisconsin vs 14 Cal State Fullerton, 9:40 ET
7 West Virginia vs 10 Arizona, 9:40 ET
5 Notre Dame vs 12 George Msaon, 9:50 ET
1 UCLA vs 16 Mississippi Valley, 9:55 ET




Friday March 21

2 Tennessee vs 15 American, 12:15 ET
7 Gonzaga vs 10 Davidson, 12:25 ET
5 Drake vs 12 Western Kentucky, 12:30 ET
7 Miami vs 10 Saint Mary's, 12:30 ET

7 Butler vs 10 South Alabama, 2:45 ET
2 Georgetown vs 15 UMBC, 2:55 ET
4 Connecticut vs 13 San Diego, 3:00 ET
2 Texas vs 15 Austin Peay, 3:00 ET

1 UNC vs 16 Doesn't Matter U, TBD, I'm guessing 5:00 ET

6 Oklahoma vs 11 Saint Joseph's, 7:10 ET
4 Vanderbilt vs 13 Siena, 7:20 ET
8 Mississippi State vs 9 Oregon, 7:25 ET

3 Louisville vs 14 Boise State, 9:40 ET
8 Indiana vs 9 Arkansas, 9:40 ET
5 Clemson vs 12 Villanova, 9:50 ET
1 Memphis vs 16 Texas Arlington, 9:55 ET

[siouxsiesue]

Hey are you guys doing a ants pickem bracket on Yahoo again this year?

[dmbphan041]

Here you go and you're welcome

Thursday March 20

3 Xavier vs 14 Georgia, 12:20 ET
1 Kansas vs 16 Portland State, 12:25 ET
5 Michigan State vs 12 Temple, 12:30 ET

6 Marquette vs 11 Kentucky, 2:30 ET
6 Purdue vs 11 Baylor, 2:50 ET
8 UNLV vs 9 Kent State, 2:55 ET
4 Pittsburgh vs 13 Oral Roberts, 3:00 ET

3 Stanford vs 14 Cornell, 5:00 ET

6 USC vs 11 Kansas State, 7:10 ET
2 Duke vs 15 Belmont, 7:10 ET
4 Washington State vs 13 Winthrop, 7:20 ET
8 BYU vs 9 Texas A&M, 7:25 ET

3 Wisconsin vs 14 Cal State Fullerton, 9:40 ET
7 West Virginia vs 10 Arizona, 9:40 ET
5 Notre Dame vs 12 George Msaon, 9:50 ET
1 UCLA vs 16 Mississippi Valley, 9:55 ET




Friday March 21

2 Tennessee vs 15 American, 12:15 ET
7 Gonzaga vs 10 Davidson, 12:25 ET
5 Drake vs 12 Western Kentucky, 12:30 ET
7 Miami vs 10 Saint Mary's, 12:30 ET

7 Butler vs 10 South Alabama, 2:45 ET
2 Georgetown vs 15 UMBC, 2:55 ET
4 Connecticut vs 13 San Diego, 3:00 ET
2 Texas vs 15 Austin Peay, 3:00 ET

1 UNC vs 16 Doesn't Matter U, TBD, I'm guessing 5:00 ET

6 Oklahoma vs 11 Saint Joseph's, 7:10 ET
4 Vanderbilt vs 13 Siena, 7:20 ET
8 Mississippi State vs 9 Oregon, 7:25 ET

3 Louisville vs 14 Boise State, 9:40 ET
8 Indiana vs 9 Arkansas, 9:40 ET
5 Clemson vs 12 Villanova, 9:50 ET
1 Memphis vs 16 Texas Arlington, 9:55 ET


you forgot the qualifier for the 64th spot, Tuesday March 8th, 7:00pm (i think?)

Anywho where's the link to the official ants bracket thread?

[clayj41]

Already saw it on ESPN Justin. My birthday (Thursday) is gonna be a fun day! :multi

[HolyCow]

SWEET!!! Night game! Thanks for the times Justin.

I love it.

PS - I hate my bracket. I want to just pick high seeds so badly but that's no fun. So I'm going with my gut. I have three days to change my mind though.

[dmbphan041]

Hey are you guys doing a ants pickem bracket on Yahoo again this year?

:violent

[clayj41]

Hey are you guys doing a ants pickem bracket on Yahoo again this year?

Anywho where's the link to the official ants bracket thread?

Well we do have a private thread for all the regulars in here, but it is in fact private. We'd love to join any other pools that are created though. :)

[justinandimcool]

Modified for the West Coast kids like me :p

Thursday March 20

3 Xavier vs 14 Georgia, 9:20
1 Kansas vs 16 Portland State, 9:25
5 Michigan State vs 12 Temple, 9:30

6 Marquette vs 11 Kentucky, 11:30
6 Purdue vs 11 Baylor, 11:50
8 UNLV vs 9 Kent State, 11:55
4 Pittsburgh vs 13 Oral Roberts, 12:00

3 Stanford vs 14 Cornell, 2:00

6 USC vs 11 Kansas State, 4:10
2 Duke vs 15 Belmont, 4:10
4 Washington State vs 13 Winthrop, 4:20
8 BYU vs 9 Texas A&M, 4:25

3 Wisconsin vs 14 Cal State Fullerton, 6:40
7 West Virginia vs 10 Arizona, 6:40
5 Notre Dame vs 12 George Msaon, 6:50
1 UCLA vs 16 Mississippi Valley, 6:55




Friday March 21

2 Tennessee vs 15 American, 9:15
7 Gonzaga vs 10 Davidson, 9:25
5 Drake vs 12 Western Kentucky, 9:30
7 Miami vs 10 Saint Mary's, 9:30

7 Butler vs 10 South Alabama, 11:45
2 Georgetown vs 15 UMBC, 11:55
4 Connecticut vs 13 San Diego, 12:00
2 Texas vs 15 Austin Peay, 12:00

1 UNC vs 16 Doesn't Matter U, TBD, I'm guessing 2:00

6 Oklahoma vs 11 Saint Joseph's, 4:10
4 Vanderbilt vs 13 Siena, 4:20
8 Mississippi State vs 9 Oregon, 4:25

3 Louisville vs 14 Boise State, 6:40
8 Indiana vs 9 Arkansas, 6:40
5 Clemson vs 12 Villanova, 6:50
1 Memphis vs 16 Texas Arlington, 6:55

[dmbphan041]

paper due in class on thursday then no classes on friday cause of, well, good friday.

yus!!!!!!

[justinandimcool]

you forgot the qualifier for the 64th spot,


Oh, god forbid :lol

[dmbphan041]

Oh, god forbid :lol

If I went to Copin St. I'd so hate you right now. Then again, if I went to Copin St, I'd probably hate myself just as bad.

[chiznaz]

I'M BACK BABY!

I'm back at school now. Done with the internship and working 12 hour days since January.

Let's see where did I leave off? Oh yeah, I went off on a tantrum about how A&M was not falling of b/c of Gillispie leaving and Turgeon coming in..... only for A&M to drop the next three games :lol

We gave a good showing in the BigXII tourny and end of the conference play. I thought we would be 1/2 spots higher than a 9 seed, but oh well. If we beat the Mormons, then we have a near impossible draw with UCLA.

It is officially the greatest time of the year now.

[clayj41]

I'M BACK BABY!

I'm back at school now. Done with the internship and working 12 hour days since January.

Let's see where did I leave off? Oh yeah, I went off on a tantrum about how A&M was not falling of b/c of Gillispie leaving and Turgeon coming in..... only for A&M to drop the next three games :lol

We gave a good showing in the BigXII tourny and end of the conference play. I thought we would be 1/2 spots higher than a 9 seed, but oh well. If we beat the Mormons, then we have a near impossible draw with UCLA.

It is officially the greatest time of the year now.

Welcome back! Hope you got my bracket invite. :)

[chiznaz]

Welcome back! Hope you got my bracket invite. :)

Just signed up. I love the Hansbrough pick you have in there:thumbsup

[SmoothD41]

Well, here you go. Smooth squeaks one out, as Arkansas fell along with Jared's title hopes. Smooth owned us all in the NCAA Tournament Challenge last year, then comes back in the Conference pickems and crushes our dreams once again. We've got a one man Florida Gators in our hands, let's hope we can shut him down with our brackets this year.

ENJOY IT SMOOTH! PUT IT IN YOUR SIG.



Final standings

The 2008 Annual Ants Marching Conference Tourney Pick'em Champion: SmoothD41- 123.5 pts



Jrod1229- 121 pts
GavMan55- 118.5 pts
DMBNick15- 112 pts
HolyCow- 110 pts
41Ravens- 106.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 103.5 pts
kydmb99- 101 pts
justinandimcool- 98.5 pts
clayj41- 97.5 pts
Rkj2wj- 97.5 pts
UNC41- 97 pts
seekupig- 86 pts

I pretty much kick ass.

[JRod1229]

Well, here you go. Smooth squeaks one out, as Arkansas fell along with Jared's title hopes. Smooth owned us all in the NCAA Tournament Challenge last year, then comes back in the Conference pickems and crushes our dreams once again. We've got a one man Florida Gators in our hands, let's hope we can shut him down with our brackets this year.

ENJOY IT SMOOTH! PUT IT IN YOUR SIG.



Final standings

The 2008 Annual Ants Marching Conference Tourney Pick'em Champion: SmoothD41- 123.5 pts



Jrod1229- 121 pts
GavMan55- 118.5 pts
DMBNick15- 112 pts
HolyCow- 110 pts
41Ravens- 106.5 pts
UNLTrpt- 103.5 pts
kydmb99- 101 pts
justinandimcool- 98.5 pts
clayj41- 97.5 pts
Rkj2wj- 97.5 pts
UNC41- 97 pts
seekupig- 86 pts

brutal... oh well... thought I was out of it early after Louisville went down

[davehead86]

who did they beat this year? looking at their schedule, i only count 4 games total that were played against teams that are in the tournament. all four of those games were losses..... Drake (3 times) and Kent St. (once). i don't really think they have as much as a gripe as a team like Arizona St. who has beaten Arizona twice, Stanford, USC and Xavier. just my opinion, though....

Yes but we also beat Southern Illinois twice this year and once at their home where they are 61-2. We played Creighton and Bradley, both teams are strong and have made appearances in the tourney in the last few years. We lost to Drake by 4 and 6 in the first two games we played, and that was only in the last few minutes of the game.

Our last game did hurt us, but it was not because we played THAT bad, Drake hits the 3-pointers like its going out of style. They were ridiculous with that shot and frankly kept getting lucky with it, now they are ranked fifth. I doubt you see them after the second round.

Arizona State dosent have a grip. Their RPI is shit and their conference wins are just at .500. A team like that just dosent deserve to be in the tourney specifically when there are MULTIPLE teams with better records, conference records and RPI's. Just because a team won against four teams dosent mean they should be in the tourney, look at the teams they lost against. And frankly it dosent make sense. They don't have a grip at all.

[41ravens]

maybe i'm just trying to make the best of it, but i'm kinda happy with arizona's draw. if this team decides to play like they can and heats up, this is the region to do it in. i think it's safe to say that the west is the weakest region. if they can get by wv and then catch duke on an off night, they'll be playing in phoenix the rest of the way to the final four.

or, they could blow dick and bow it in the first round. which i know is what a lot of you are hoping for. gotta love march!

[siouxsiesue]

Well we do have a private thread for all the regulars in here, but it is in fact private. We'd love to join any other pools that are created though. :)

Okay, thanks. I'll create my own private bracket, as well. :)

[seekupig]

I'm just glad I'm not an ACTUAL fan of Kansas. How frustrating would that be?

:lol :lol

[seekupig]

Yes but we also beat Southern Illinois twice this year and once at their home where they are 61-2. We played Creighton and Bradley, both teams are strong and have made appearances in the tourney in the last few years. We lost to Drake by 4 and 6 in the first two games we played, and that was only in the last few minutes of the game.

Our last game did hurt us, but it was not because we played THAT bad, Drake hits the 3-pointers like its going out of style. They were ridiculous with that shot and frankly kept getting lucky with it, now they are ranked fifth. I doubt you see them after the second round.

Arizona State dosent have a grip. Their RPI is shit and their conference wins are just at .500. A team like that just dosent deserve to be in the tourney specifically when there are MULTIPLE teams with better records, conference records and RPI's. Just because a team won against four teams dosent mean they should be in the tourney, look at the teams they lost against. And frankly it dosent make sense. They don't have a grip at all.

beating teams that were good "the last few years" doesn't mean anything this year. the fact remains that they played only four games against teams that made this years tournament and didn't win any of them.

as far as ASU goes, everyone knows the RPI and SOS stats are as flawed as the BCS system. the tourney generally wants teams in that have proven they can beat somebody. ISU didn't do that, ASU did. and the conference record argument you brought up would be a good one if the two teams being compared played in conferences with similar strength. it's pretty fair to say that ASU's conference record in the Pac10 is more impressive than ISU's conference record if you look at the quality of teams played on a nightly basis.

[seekupig]

I
Tennesee got hurt by not just losing the 1 seed, but then being the 2 in the 1 overall brackett.

Personally, I would of done this:

East 1). North Carolina 2). Georgetown 3). Wisconsin 4). Wash St
West 1). UCLA 2). Duke 3). Louisville 4). Vandy
South 1). Memphis 2). Texas 3). Stanford 4. UConn
Midwest 1). Tennessee 2). Kansas 3). Pitt 4). Xavier

Tennessee controlled their own destiny..... win and you get the #1, lose and you don't. it's not like they got screwed any worse though..... playing Kansas in the Midwest isn't much better than playing UNC in the East. either way you're out a pretty big disadvantage. Kansas was the #1 out west last year and had to play what was pretty much a road game in California against #2 UCLA. this years biggest screw job in my opinion goes to Memphis. if the seeds play out, Memphis will have to play Texas in Houston for the right to go to the Final Four. i was expecting it to look more like this yesterday.....

EAST - 1. UNC 2. Georgetown
MIDWEST - 1. Kansas 2. Tennessee
SOUTH - 1. Memphis 2. Duke
WEST - 1. UCLA 2. Texas

[JRod1229]

Well we do have a private thread for all the regulars in here, but it is in fact private. We'd love to join any other pools that are created though. :)

guess I'm not a regular haha... kid kid... i wouldn't wanna lose to me either

[UNLTrpt]

Come one, come all to the 2nd annual 2nd best pick ‘em tournament that you’ll ever enter. It’s the 2008 antsmarching.org NIT pick ‘em challenge! That’s right, it’s a pick ‘em tournament for those of you who it seems year in and year out can never do well in the big dance. Here’s a chance to drop down a level, sharpen the picking tools and pick the best of the rest. If you feel like you got snubbed in the Championship Week Challenge, get your redemption in the NIT pick ‘em challenge. They call the winner of the NIT the 66th best team in the nation, but if you win we’ll call you #2 in our hearts. Last year our winner was mizzoudmbfan (http://www.antsmarching.org/forum/member.php?u=73186) Yes that's right, Missouri ACTUALLY won something.

Here's the bracket: (HOME TEAM in ALL CAPS)


1) OHIO ST. (19-13) vs. 8) UNC-Asheville (23-9)
4) CALIFORNIA (16-15) vs. 5) New Mexico (24-8)
3) DAYTON (21-10) vs. 6) Cleveland St. (21-12)
2) ILLINOIS ST. (24-9) vs. 7) Utah St. (24-10)


1) VIRGINIA TECH (19-12) vs. 8) Morgan St. (21-10)
4) VCU (24-7) vs. 5) University Alabama-Birmingham (aka UAB) (22-10)
3) NEBRASKA (19-12) vs. 6) Charlotte (20-13)
2) MISSISSIPPI (21-10) vs. 7) Cal Santa Barbara (23-8)


1) ARIZONA ST. (19-12) vs. 8) Alabama St. (20-10)
4) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (17-14) vs. 5) Oklahoma St. (17-15)
3) CREIGHTON (21-10) vs. 6) Rhode Island (21-11)
2) FLORIDA (21-11) vs. 7) San Diego St. (20-12)


1) SYRACUSE (19-13) vs. 8) Robert Morris (26-7)
4) MINNESOTA (20-12) vs. 5) Maryland (18-14)
3) FLORIDA ST. (19-14) vs. 6) Akron (23-9)
2) UMASS (21-10) vs. 7) Stephen F. Austin (26-6)

The Final 4:

Ohio St. region vs. Virginia Tech region

Arizona State region vs. Syracuse region

Very simple pick ‘em rules:
Pick the winners.

See, doesn’t get anymore simple than that.

Scoring:
1pt – 1st round
2pts – 2nd round
4pts – 3rd round
8pts – 4th round
16pts – Championship

Also predict the final score of the championship game. We’ll use that as the tiebreaker. We’ll go on scoring differential. If Nebraska beats Syracuse in the championship game by 20 and two people are tied who ever comes closest to a 20 point differential we’ll declare them the “champion.” If there’s still a tie after that, fuck it, we have co-champions. It still means you’re second best, what does it matter if you’re second best tied with someone else.

I’ll keep track of scores.

Get your picks in soon, NIT games start Tuesday night. I had 10 players last year...lets shoot for 11!

Bracket can be viewed here:

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nit/sports/m-nit/auto_pdf/031608-bracket.pdf

good luck all!

Make your NIT picks here!

[seekupig]

1) OHIO ST. (19-13) vs. 8) UNC-Asheville (23-9)
4) CALIFORNIA (16-15) vs. 5) New Mexico (24-8)
3) DAYTON (21-10) vs. 6) Cleveland St. (21-12)
2) ILLINOIS ST. (24-9) vs. 7) Utah St. (24-10)


1) VIRGINIA TECH (19-12) vs. 8) Morgan St. (21-10)
4) VCU (24-7) vs. 5) University Alabama-Birmingham (aka UAB) (22-10)
3) NEBRASKA (19-12) vs. 6) Charlotte (20-13)
2) MISSISSIPPI (21-10) vs. 7) Cal Santa Barbara (23-8)


1) ARIZONA ST. (19-12) vs. 8) Alabama St. (20-10)
4) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (17-14) vs. 5) Oklahoma St. (17-15)
3) CREIGHTON (21-10) vs. 6) Rhode Island (21-11)
2) FLORIDA (21-11) vs. 7) San Diego St. (20-12)


1) SYRACUSE (19-13) vs. 8) Robert Morris (26-7)
4) MINNESOTA (20-12) vs. 5) Maryland (18-14)
3) FLORIDA ST. (19-14) vs. 6) Akron (23-9)
2) UMASS (21-10) vs. 7) Stephen F. Austin (26-6)

ROUND 2

OHIO ST. vs. California
ILLINOIS ST. vs. Cleveland St.

VIRGINIA TECH vs. VCU
NEBRASKA vs. Mississippi

ARIZONA ST. vs. Oklahoma St.
FLORIDA vs. Rhode Island

SYRACUSE vs. Maryland
FLORIDA ST. vs. Umass

FINAL FOUR

California vs. Mississippi
Arizona St. vs. Maryland

NIT CHAMPION...... Maryland over Cal, 81-73

[GavMan33]

A couple things. I'm gonna touch on St. Joe's. This squad will cause problems for Royce. Royce, you may not know too much about SJU, so I'll brief you.

#12 Pat Calethes-Nick's older brother, very very good player. A 6'10 kid who can dribble, pass, defend, and shoot the lights out. I don't know much about Oklahoma comparatively, but Calethes is just a nightmare matchup. But he has one of the ugliest, out-of-place tattoos you will ever see :lol

#0 Tasheed Carr-Their Point Guard, a transfer from Iowa State. He is a good ballplayer, runs Coach Martelli's sets very well. He can also make the open 3 if you leave him open. Not a great defender, but he can give you problems.

#52 Rob Ferguson-He's a big, probably 6'9 to 6'11. But he doesn't like going inside much. He hangs out on the perimeter and kills you with the 3. Deceptively great from outside the line. OK rebounder, but he particularly likes it out there.

#34 Ahmad Nivins-Had a rather disappointing season considering he was preseason Player of the Year in the Atlantic 10. Your classic post player. In both the semifinal vs. Xavier and final vs. Temple, SJU tried to establish him early, which of course will open up perimeter shooting. Nice baby hook shot, hard to block. Very good rebounder.

#13 Darrin Govens-He's a good defender, but can also score the ball, as I remember him getting 15ish points plenty of times this season.

#15 Garret Williamson-Guard comes off the bench, VERY good defender. Went to the same high school as Kobe Bryant outside Philly. He can score the ball, but he's there primarily to guard, and he gets the job done

#41 Arvydas Lidzius-A lithuanian. He comes off the bench for Nivins, he is not good. DO NOT let him score like Xavier did several days ago. I think scored 4 or 6 points, he killed us.

That's kind of a light overview, give you a little bit of an idea. Definitely capable of winning a couple games, you will have your hands full. The conference record looks weak at 9-7 as they lost a lot of games they shouldn't have. It took a long time for this team to gel; they were picked to be the overwhelming pick to be 2nd in the conference to Xavier. Their nonconference just didn't come together, but they were able to get the two wins vs. Xavier late that really got them in.

[seekupig]

A couple things. I'm gonna touch on St. Joe's. This squad will cause problems for Royce. Royce, you may not know too much about SJU, so I'll brief you.

#12 Pat Calethes-Nick's older brother, very very good player. A 6'10 kid who can dribble, pass, defend, and shoot the lights out. I don't know much about Oklahoma comparatively, but Calethes is just a nightmare matchup. But he has one of the ugliest, out-of-place tattoos you will ever see :lol

#0 Tasheed Carr-Their Point Guard, a transfer from Iowa State. He is a good ballplayer, runs Coach Martelli's sets very well. He can also make the open 3 if you leave him open. Not a great defender, but he can give you problems.

#52 Rob Ferguson-He's a big, probably 6'9 to 6'11. But he doesn't like going inside much. He hangs out on the perimeter and kills you with the 3. Deceptively great from outside the line. OK rebounder, but he particularly likes it out there.

#34 Ahmad Nivins-Had a rather disappointing season considering he was preseason Player of the Year in the Atlantic 10. Your classic post player. In both the semifinal vs. Xavier and final vs. Temple, SJU tried to establish him early, which of course will open up perimeter shooting. Nice baby hook shot, hard to block. Very good rebounder.

#13 Darrin Govens-He's a good defender, but can also score the ball, as I remember him getting 15ish points plenty of times this season.

#15 Garret Williamson-Guard comes off the bench, VERY good defender. Went to the same high school as Kobe Bryant outside Philly. He can score the ball, but he's there primarily to guard, and he gets the job done

#41 Arvydas Lidzius-A lithuanian. He comes off the bench for Nivins, he is not good. DO NOT let him score like Xavier did several days ago. I think scored 4 or 6 points, he killed us.

That's kind of a light overview, give you a little bit of an idea. Definitely capable of winning a couple games, you will have your hands full. The conference record looks weak at 9-7 as they lost a lot of games they shouldn't have. It took a long time for this team to gel; they were picked to be the overwhelming pick to be 2nd in the conference to Xavier. Their nonconference just didn't come together, but they were able to get the two wins vs. Xavier late that really got them in.

any chance of getting a full roster breakdown on the Portland State Vikings? thanks..... :D

[UNC41]

After a weekend of lots of basketball, Springsteen and much too little sleep, here are my initial thoughts ...

Elite Eight
North Carolina over Louisville
Kansas over USC
UCLA over West Virginia
Stanford over Pitt

UCLA has an incredibly weak region. The South is loaded. The Committee did the No. 1 overall seed no favors by giving them a very strong 2 and 3 seed and a potential second round matchup with Indiana. Temple and Western Kentucky are the two 5s I like this year. Things should be fun.

[dmbphan041]

Will it happen, probably not. meh.

Final Four
Tennessee
Memphis
Duke
Kansas

Tennessee vs Duke.

Tennessee over Duke, 78-76

[GavMan33]

any chance of getting a full roster breakdown on the Portland State Vikings? thanks..... :D

#15 Dupree Lucas-Formerly of Xavier University, apparently he has become quite the scorer, getting up near 15ppg. Xavier picked him up out of Community College because of being so thin at PG at that particular time, but he got next to no time, and transferred out. Ironically, it his scholarship that went to current PG Drew Lavendar. I guess that worked out OK....

[GavMan33]

My bracket is done. And God Bless me. UCLA bows out in the Elite Eight. To Xavier. Like Jay Bilas, I seem to be drinking koolaid too. I just seem to be drink the Xavier koolaid :rolleyes

[GavMan33]

NIT Pick'Em Challenge-

NIT Picks

1) Ohio St. over 8) UNC-Asheville
5) New Mexico over 4) Cal
3) Dayton over 6) Cleveland St.
2) Illinois St. over 7) Utah St.

1) Ohio St. over 5) New Mexico
3) Dayton over 2) Illinois St.

1) Ohio St. over 3) Dayton


1) Va. Tech over 8) Morgan St.
4) VCU over 5) UAB
6) Charlotte over 3) Nebraska
2) Ole Miss over 7) Cal Santa Barbara

4) VCU over 1) Virginia Tech
6) Charlotte over 2) Ole Miss

4) VCU over 6) Charlotte


1) Arizona St. over 8) Alabama St.
4) Southern Illinois over 5) Oklahoma St.
3) Creighton over 6) Rhode Island
2) Florida over 7) San Diego St.

1)Arizona St. over 4) Southern Illinois
2) Florida over 3) Creighton

1) Arizona St. over 2) Florida


1) Syracuse over 8) Robert Morris
4) Minnesota over 5) Maryland
6) Akron over 3) Florida St.
2) UMass over 7) Stephen F. Austin

1) Syracuse over 4) Minnesota
2)UMass over 6) Akron

2) UMass over 1) Syracuse


Final 4:

1) Ohio St. over 4) VCU
1) Arizona St. over 2) UMass

Championship:

Arizona St. - 64
Ohio St. - 59

[unccrombie]

Welcome back! Hope you got my bracket invite. :)
i really hate having blocked access to this at work

[unccrombie]

any chance of getting a full roster breakdown on the Portland State Vikings? thanks..... :D
:lol

[JRod1229]

I haven't seen Marquette play this year... I of course think Kentucky has a chance... apparantly Marquette is a speed team that likes to run up and down, and Kentucky is VERY good about controlling the pace of the game (see Tenn and Florida)... any other thoughts about them?

[unccrombie]

I haven't seen Marquette play this year... I of course think Kentucky has a chance... apparantly Marquette is a speed team that likes to run up and down, and Kentucky is VERY good about controlling the pace of the game (see Tenn and Florida)... any other thoughts about them?
streaky shooting, i think they're solid, but its a game UK can win, and i do have them winning

[41ravens]

after really looking at the brackets, there's a lot of good match-ups in the first round. which makes for a tough time filling this damn thing out.

[smeritt]

These brackets are tough. I feel like the top 4 teams are so good but there is always an upset and cinderella. I don't know what to do

[unccrombie]

These brackets are tough. I feel like the top 4 teams are so good but there is always an upset and cinderella. I don't know what to do
im dropping memphis and unc pre final 4. as crazy as that may be

[Ascf33]

Welcome back! Hope you got my bracket invite. :)

Shoot me an Invite as well

[GavMan33]

I haven't seen Marquette play this year... I of course think Kentucky has a chance... apparantly Marquette is a speed team that likes to run up and down, and Kentucky is VERY good about controlling the pace of the game (see Tenn and Florida)... any other thoughts about them?

JRod, I think it's a matchup you can win. Marquette is very streaky. They've had some huge wins, especially at home. But I'd be interested to see what they do at a neutral site. Add to that the great fans that UK have, they really do travel well. It's definitely a game UK can win; they are not your typical 11-seed....

[JRod1229]

Here is an article the WSJ did... basically uses statiscal analysis (regressions, correllations) to break down seeding... doesn't say who will win or anything but just uses the last 20 years to show which team should be favored given their seatings... pdf form...

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=6B09D0BB313A519C

and oh yea... says UK is the most underrated given their 11 seed

[MKnight1254]

"I told our own Matt Yette that I’d take Siena (his alma mater) in the 1st round. Well, I didn’t know they were playing Vandy. Vandy is real good – and athletic. I have to go back on my word to him, and grudgingly take Vanderbilt."-Jake

man give us some credit, Vandy is a much better matchup then what Joe Lunardi gave us (UCONN aka 7'3" Thabeet getting 30 rebounds and 10 blocks over our 6'9" Duell). I mean are we gonna lose to Vandy, most likely, but at least we got some publicity and tv coverage from Jay Bilas "this Siena basketball team is really good"

[JRod1229]

^ Sienna over Vandy is the one of the media upsets... I am picking Vandy (more so because I wanna will the SEC to a few wings)... but they don't play well away from home, and they rely too much on one player

[justinandimcool]

Alright, I have my bracket filled out. I picked for strategy mostly, more upsets than will actually happen, and with a few biased picks as well.

But hopefully I can get past all that and look at what the best part of the tournament really is for me personally. Seeing all the teams I got to watch all season, see how they've grown and and how they perform under the spotlight. I love predictiong brackets no doubt, but there's nothing I'm looking forward to more than quality matchups and straight up do-or-die basketball for 3 straight weeks. It's about basketball too folks, not just a guessing game.

[justinandimcool]

Kobe's on Mike Tirico. Says he wishes he had gone to college and played in March Madness every time this time of year comes around. What a sight that would've been. Had he gone to Duke, you think he would've been a completely different player in the pros?

[kydmb99]

Found this on another site...


2008 March Madness All-Porno name teams....

Third team:

G - Desire Gabou, Western Kentucky
G - LeKendric Longmire, Oregon
F - Luis Colon, Kansas State
F - Travis Lay, American
F - Lance Stemler, Indiana

Second team:

G - Dau Jok, Oklahoma
F - Taj Finger, Stanford
F - Gyno Pomare, San Diego
F - Surry Wood, UNC
C - Longar Longar, Oklahoma

And now for your starters:

G - Lee Cummard, BYU
G - Da'Veed Dildy, Stanford
G - Cam Long, George Mason
F - Wayne Chism, Tennessee
F - Alexis Wangmene, Texas

And your NCAA Tournament All-Porno Name Team head coach:

Ken Bone, Portland State

[justinandimcool]

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

That's fucking fantastic.

[smeritt]

Kobe's on Mike Tirico. Says he wishes he had gone to college and played in March Madness every time this time of year comes around. What a sight that would've been. Had he gone to Duke, you think he would've been a completely different player in the pros?I ask myself everyday what would have happened if Lebron had gone to syracuse. Lebron, Melo, Hakim. Wow. Wow. Wow. they wouldn't have lost ever!

[UNC41]

Vandy is very average away from home. I would not be surprised to see Siena beat them and think they lose to Clemson if they advance.

[UNC41]

I ask myself everyday what would have happened if Lebron had gone to syracuse. Lebron, Melo, Hakim. Wow. Wow. Wow. they wouldn't have lost ever!

Except for LeBron wouldn't have been at Syracuse if he went to college ...

[dmbphan041]

USC or Kansas St

?

[kydmb99]

JRod, I think it's a matchup you can win. Marquette is very streaky. They've had some huge wins, especially at home. But I'd be interested to see what they do at a neutral site. Add to that the great fans that UK have, they really do travel well. It's definitely a game UK can win; they are not your typical 11-seed....

Marquette is an excellent matchup for UK IMO. Kentucky will force Marquette to play a grind it out, low-scoring game which isn't their style. Kentucky is in the tournament because of their ability to control the tempo of the game. If Crawford and Bradley can each get 20, I think UK wins. Perry Stevenson can hold down the middle against them, and I think our guards are just as good. I think UK wins 66-63.

[smeritt]

Except for LeBron wouldn't have been at Syracuse if he went to college ...Seriously?I'm pretty postivie on this

[justinandimcool]

USC or Kansas St

?

USC has held UCLA to less than 60, twice. They hustle on the glass and defend the perimeter. Beasley can't beat them on his own IMO, and with a weak supporting cast (I'm looking at you Bill Walker), I just don't see KSU winning. They aren't a very good defensive team either.

[smeritt]

I'm taking a cocky michael beasley as every year the 12-5 matchup yields upsets. thats just fact

[justinandimcool]

I'm taking a cocky michael beasley as every year the 12-5 matchup yields upsets. thats just fact

It's a 6-11 matchup :confused


ps. Lebron would've gone to Ohio State.

[HolyCow]

Thanks for the breakdown Bob. I honestly don't see OU winning, but I have to pick them of course.

I actually have them beating Louisville too and getting into the 16. Loyalty first.

[smeritt]

It's a 6-11 matchup :confused


ps. Lebron would've gone to Ohio State.Damn it I thought it was a 5-12. Son of a bitch. Now I have to rethink my confidence on that pick now.

[UNC41]

Marquette is an excellent matchup for UK IMO. Kentucky will force Marquette to play a grind it out, low-scoring game which isn't their style. Kentucky is in the tournament because of their ability to control the tempo of the game. If Crawford and Bradley can each get 20, I think UK wins. Perry Stevenson can hold down the middle against them, and I think our guards are just as good. I think UK wins 66-63.

McNeill has the ability to take either Crawford or Bradley out of the game with his defense. I don't think it is likely for both of thme to drop 20. Kentucky is going to need someone else to step up offensively.

[justinandimcool]

I love how Georgia had to play 4 games in 3 days, they played the LAST game of championship week, and now they're the absolute first to tipoff on Thursday morning. That's hilarious.

[justinandimcool]

Damn it I thought it was a 5-12. Son of a bitch. Now I have to rethink my confidence on that pick now.

If it makes you feel any better, no 12's won last year, but two 11's did.

[smeritt]

USC is too tough. Especially watching them play all year. It's going to be one of the better opening round games in my opinion

[kydmb99]

McNeill has the ability to take either Crawford or Bradley out of the game with his defense. I don't think it is likely for both of thme to drop 20. Kentucky is going to need someone else to step up offensively.

Well, I think one of them will go off. I'd say Crawford goes for 20-25 and Bradley gets around 15. I think Perry Stevenson is the guy to watch.. He had 13 and 14, and 18 and 10 against Tenn and Florida, both teams who are similar to Marquette inside. I think he can get another double double against the Golden Eagles. I think it's going to be a low scoring game, which favors UK. Marquette could definitely win, but I think UK's defense ultimately wins it for them.

[UNC41]

Seriously?I'm pretty postivie on this

Most likely Ohio State, but Akron had an outside chance.

[smeritt]

If Lebron went to Akron, I would find him and kill him myself

[41ravens]

i know this has been discussed, but how many brackets do you guys fill out? i'll probably do one that i'll use for everything, and then do one for shits and grins for work, cause we can put in as many as we want. for example, do i think arizona is going to the final four? no. are they in my shits-and-grins bracket? yes.

[seekupig]

I ask myself everyday what would have happened if Lebron had gone to syracuse. Lebron, Melo, Hakim. Wow. Wow. Wow. they wouldn't have lost ever!

he wasn't going there.... but if he was i don't see how it would have helped them. they won a National Title without him and there aren't enough shots to go around to keep them both happy.... besides, Lebron would have been a freshman when Melo went pro so i guess they may have repeated when you exchange Lebron for Melo.....

but i think OSU was his choice.

[seekupig]

i know this has been discussed, but how many brackets do you guys fill out? i'll probably do one that i'll use for everything, and then do one for shits and grins for work, cause we can put in as many as we want. for example, do i think arizona is going to the final four? no. are they in my shits-and-grins bracket? yes.

i do one bracket and use the same one for every pool i enter..... easier to keep track of and i feel better about bragging about my upsets when i have it in all of them.... :lol

[seekupig]

i know this has been discussed, but how many brackets do you guys fill out? i'll probably do one that i'll use for everything, and then do one for shits and grins for work, cause we can put in as many as we want. for example, do i think arizona is going to the final four? no. are they in my shits-and-grins bracket? yes.

i want to pick them to win two games, but after they screwed me in the tourney challenge, i just can't do it.... :lol

[UNC41]

Well, I think one of them will go off. I'd say Crawford goes for 20-25 and Bradley gets around 15. I think Perry Stevenson is the guy to watch.. He had 13 and 14, and 18 and 10 against Tenn and Florida, both teams who are similar to Marquette inside. I think he can get another double double against the Golden Eagles. I think it's going to be a low scoring game, which favors UK. Marquette could definitely win, but I think UK's defense ultimately wins it for them.

The game could go either way, but I like Marquette. I think the depth and quickness of their backcourt gets to Kentucky and one of two things happen; Crawford and Bradley use so much energy chasing James, McNeill, Matthews, etc. around defensively their legs aren't there late in the game or one of those two players gets in foul trouble.

i know this has been discussed, but how many brackets do you guys fill out? i'll probably do one that i'll use for everything, and then do one for shits and grins for work, cause we can put in as many as we want. for example, do i think arizona is going to the final four? no. are they in my shits-and-grins bracket? yes.

One bracket. Nothing more.

[41ravens]

i want to pick them to win two games, but after they screwed me in the tourney challenge, i just can't do it.... :lol

i probably will anyways. i hate duke. but the thing is, if i have them making it to the regionals, can i really pick against them in phoenix? until they run into ucla, of course.

[dmbphan041]

how do I post a pdf of my bracket if it's a giant file? can i shrink it down somehow?

[JRod1229]

The game could go either way, but I like Marquette. I think the depth and quickness of their backcourt gets to Kentucky and one of two things happen; Crawford and Bradley use so much energy chasing James, McNeill, Matthews, etc. around defensively their legs aren't there late in the game or one of those two players gets in foul trouble.

there has been only one game where one of them got into foul trouble all year... while I think the refs will play a large roll in this game (Kentucky is extremely physical on defense), I don't see either of them getting into serious trouble... also don't see conditioning being a problem (BCG has done 2 hour practices before every game).. not sayin they are gonna win... but just my thoughts on those two issues

[JRod1229]

also... I am having a hard time with Davidson... they played everyone real tough.. granted they didn't win any of those... I have them beating Gonzaga but just don't think I can show them over G-town

[justinandimcool]

i do one bracket and use the same one for every pool i enter..... easier to keep track of and i feel better about bragging about my upsets when i have it in all of them.... :lol

Same. At least that's the only one I keep track of.


I have others that I don't enter into pools just to have a shot at the $10,000 but I don't even know who I have on those :lol

[justinandimcool]

Who wants to do the CBI Pick-ems? :lol

http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/index_main.htm
http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/cbi_bracket08.pdf

[dmbphan041]

Who wants to do the CBI Pick-ems? :lol

http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/index_main.htm
http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/cbi_bracket08.pdf


wtf? so now literally every team is in a tournament?

[seekupig]

Same. At least that's the only one I keep track of.


I have others that I don't enter into pools just to have a shot at the $10,000 but I don't even know who I have on those :lol


:thumbsup

i just hate listening to people say "oooh, i picked #13 Vermont to beat #4 Syracuse..... i'm the shit!"

then you find out they had 20 different brackets..... :lol

[smeritt]

fucking vermont, fucking bradley. Grr games like that kill me

[unccrombie]

are we throwing down any money on this? $3 paypal or something

[unccrombie]

fucking vermont, fucking bradley. Grr games like that kill me
well from what i remember the vermont game was an easy call

[UNLTrpt]

NIT! NIT! Make your NIT picks now!

[bustdstuff]

Here's my first draft.
East: UNC vs Tenn - UNC
Midwest: KU vs Georgetown - KU
South: Memphis vs Texas - Memphis
West: UCLA vs Duke - UCLA

Memphis vs UNC - UNC

This could all very well change.

[bustdstuff]

i know this has been discussed, but how many brackets do you guys fill out? i'll probably do one that i'll use for everything, and then do one for shits and grins for work, cause we can put in as many as we want. for example, do i think arizona is going to the final four? no. are they in my shits-and-grins bracket? yes.


I only have one when the games tip off (no matter how many pools I'm in). I may rework it quite a few times, but only one that I count.

[41ravens]

1) OHIO ST. (19-13) vs. 8) UNC-Asheville (23-9)
4) CALIFORNIA (16-15) vs. 5) New Mexico (24-8)
3) DAYTON (21-10) vs. 6) Cleveland St. (21-12)
2) ILLINOIS ST. (24-9) vs. 7) Utah St. (24-10)

1)Ohio St. vs. 4)Cal
2)IL St. vs. Cleveland St.

1)Ohio St. vs. 2)IL St.

1) VIRGINIA TECH (19-12) vs. 8) Morgan St. (21-10)
4) VCU (24-7) vs. 5) University Alabama-Birmingham (aka UAB) (22-10)
3) NEBRASKA (19-12) vs. 6) Charlotte (20-13)
2) MISSISSIPPI (21-10) vs. 7) Cal Santa Barbara (23-8)

1)Va Tech vs. 5)UAB
2)Miss vs. 6)Charlotte

1)Va Tech vs. 6)Charlotte

1) ARIZONA ST. (19-12) vs. 8) Alabama St. (20-10)
4) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (17-14) vs. 5) Oklahoma St. (17-15)
3) CREIGHTON (21-10) vs. 6) Rhode Island (21-11)
2) FLORIDA (21-11) vs. 7) San Diego St. (20-12)

1)ASU vs. 4)SIU
6)URI vs. 7)SD St.

4)SIU vs. 7)SD St.

1) SYRACUSE (19-13) vs. 8) Robert Morris (26-7)
4) MINNESOTA (20-12) vs. 5) Maryland (18-14)
3) FLORIDA ST. (19-14) vs. 6) Akron (23-9)
2) UMASS (21-10) vs. 7) Stephen F. Austin (26-6)

1)Syracuse vs. 4)Minnesota
2)UMass vs. 6)Akron

4)Minnesota vs. 2)UMass

FINAL FOUR

1)Va Tech vs. 2)IL St.
4)SIU vs. 4)Minnesota

1)Va Tech vs. 4)Minnesota
64-58

[RJ2kWJ]

NIT! NIT! Make your NIT picks now!

NIT Pick'Em Challenge-

NIT Picks

1) Ohio St. over 8) UNC-Asheville
4) Cal over 5) New Mexico
3) Dayton over 6) Cleveland St.
2) Illinois St. over 7) Utah St.

1) Ohio St. over 4) Cal
3) Dayton over 2) Illinois St.

1) Ohio St. over 3) Dayton


1) Va. Tech over 8) Morgan St.
4) VCU over 5) UAB
6) Charlotte over 3) Nebraska
2) Ole Miss over 7) Cal Santa Barbara

4) VCU over 1) Virginia Tech
2) Ole Miss over 6) Charlotte

4) VCU over 2) Ole Miss

1) Arizona St. over 8) Alabama St.
4) Southern Illinois over 5) Oklahoma St.
3) Creighton over 6) Rhode Island
2) Florida over 7) San Diego St.

1)Arizona St. over 4) Southern Illinois
2) Florida over 3) Creighton

1) Arizona St. over 2) Florida


1) Syracuse over 8) Robert Morris
5) Maryland over 4) Minnesota
6) Akron over 3) Florida St.
2) UMass over 7) Stephen F. Austin

1) Syracuse over 5) Maryland
2)UMass over 6) Akron

2) UMass over 1) Syracuse


Final 4:

4) VCU over 1) Ohio St.
1) Arizona St. over 2) UMass

Championship:

Arizona St. -72

over

VCU - 64

[UNLTrpt]

:) thanks everybody for the NIT picks. Keep em coming.

[justinandimcool]

1) OHIO ST. (19-13) vs. 8) UNC-Asheville (23-9)
4) CALIFORNIA (16-15) vs. 5) New Mexico (24-8)
3) DAYTON (21-10) vs. 6) Cleveland St. (21-12)
2) ILLINOIS ST. (24-9) vs. 7) Utah St. (24-10)


1) VIRGINIA TECH (19-12) vs. 8) Morgan St. (21-10)
4) VCU (24-7) vs. 5) University Alabama-Birmingham (aka UAB) (22-10)
3) NEBRASKA (19-12) vs. 6) Charlotte (20-13)
2) MISSISSIPPI (21-10) vs. 7) Cal Santa Barbara (23-8)


1) ARIZONA ST. (19-12) vs. 8) Alabama St. (20-10)
4) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (17-14) vs. 5) Oklahoma St. (17-15)
3) CREIGHTON (21-10) vs. 6) Rhode Island (21-11)
2) FLORIDA (21-11) vs. 7) San Diego St. (20-12)


1) SYRACUSE (19-13) vs. 8) Robert Morris (26-7)
4) MINNESOTA (20-12) vs. 5) Maryland (18-14)
3) FLORIDA ST. (19-14) vs. 6) Akron (23-9)
2) UMASS (21-10) vs. 7) Stephen F. Austin (26-6)



2nd round:

1. Ohio State vs 5. New Mexico
2. Illinois State vs 3. Dayton

1. Virginia Tech vs 5. UAB
2. Ole Miss vs 6. Charlotte

1. Arizona State vs 5. Oklahoma State
2. Florida vs 3. Creighton

1. Syracuse vs 5. Maryland
2. UMass vs 3. Florida State

Regionals:

1. Ohio State vs 2. Illinois State
1. Virginia Tech vs 2. Ole Miss
1. Arizona State vs 3. Creighton
1. Syracuse vs 3. Florida State

The Final 4:

2. Illinois State vs. 1. Virginia Tech
1. Arizona State vs. 1. Syracuse


NIT Final:
Syracuse over Virginia Tech

[justinandimcool]

I need to talk to someone who has seriously seen BYU play...I had them over UCLA yesterday but I seem to have come to my senses today. BYU is tall and athletic from what I remember, and they can shoot. UCLA doesn't particularly like those teams...but it's the post that troubles me. BYU makes me think tall stiff white people. Tall stiff white people make me think soft around the rim...

[justinandimcool]

I just realized the game's in Anaheim. Fuck that, UCLA it is.

[RJ2kWJ]

I just think UCLA's karma as of late will catch up to them in this tourney.

[kydmb99]

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/03/your-ncaa-announcing-schedule-round-one.html

List of who is announcing what games.

[dmbphan041]

I need to talk to someone who has seriously seen BYU play...I had them over UCLA yesterday but I seem to have come to my senses today. BYU is tall and athletic from what I remember, and they can shoot. UCLA doesn't particularly like those teams...but it's the post that troubles me. BYU makes me think tall stiff white people. Tall stiff white people make me think soft around the rim...

rafael araujo played for BYU. So, as a Raptors fan I give a big fuck you to BYU.

[ShotgunDMB]

I can't stand Billy Packer.

[JRod1229]

will they announce what game they'll be covering live and in which markets? I'm going to be in the Dallas airport but obviously want to catch my team... any thoughts?

[seekupig]

will they announce what game they'll be covering live and in which markets? I'm going to be in the Dallas airport but obviously want to catch my team... any thoughts?


not sure, we get all of them here..... :multi

[41ravens]

will they announce what game they'll be covering live and in which markets? I'm going to be in the Dallas airport but obviously want to catch my team... any thoughts?

it's all done by region. if you're going to be in dallas, you'll get whatever south region game happens to be on at the time.

the best bet for everyone is to sign up for cbssportsline's game viewer (i can't remember what they call it). i've used it the last two years and haven't had any problems with it. the only thing that sucks is you have to "wait in line" when you sign in, but that usually doesn't take very long. and they show every game. unless you're dustin and your cable provider is showing every fucking game. bastard.

[dmbphan041]

will they announce what game they'll be covering live and in which markets? I'm going to be in the Dallas airport but obviously want to catch my team... any thoughts?


channelsurfing.net

??

[UNLTrpt]

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/03/your-ncaa-announcing-schedule-round-one.html

List of who is announcing what games.

damn. I was hoping for Gus in Omaha. Kevin Harlan is good though.

[RJ2kWJ]

Top 25 Biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history.

Some of these games were so fuggin good.

http://www.prepticket.com/slideshow/index.php?new=1&albumid2=823292:Album:51478

[JRod1229]

it's all done by region. if you're going to be in dallas, you'll get whatever south region game happens to be on at the time.

the best bet for everyone is to sign up for cbssportsline's game viewer (i can't remember what they call it). i've used it the last two years and haven't had any problems with it. the only thing that sucks is you have to "wait in line" when you sign in, but that usually doesn't take very long. and they show every game. unless you're dustin and your cable provider is showing every fucking game. bastard.

problem with this is the internet in the airport... while I have no problem paying the $15 one day connection fee... it is spotty at best

[41ravens]

problem with this is the internet in the airport... while I have no problem paying the $15 one day connection fee... it is spotty at best

ah. well, maybe there'll be a bar or restaurant in the airport that will have all the games on.

[HolyCow]

i know this has been discussed, but how many brackets do you guys fill out? i'll probably do one that i'll use for everything, and then do one for shits and grins for work, cause we can put in as many as we want. for example, do i think arizona is going to the final four? no. are they in my shits-and-grins bracket? yes.

For your answer to that and so much more, check out Royce's March Madness etiquette:
http://hub.ou.edu/articles/article.php?article_id=461106724&search_id=1175687086

[unccrombie]

problem with this is the internet in the airport... while I have no problem paying the $15 one day connection fee... it is spotty at best
really? i've been to rochester, baltimore, washington, and a couple fla airports and you dont have to pay anything :freak

[unccrombie]

For your answer to that and so much more, check out Royce's March Madness etiquette:
http://hub.ou.edu/articles/article.php?article_id=461106724&search_id=1175687086
good self promo there

[HolyCow]

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/03/your-ncaa-announcing-schedule-round-one.html

List of who is announcing what games.


:thumbsup Any game Gus is calling is can't miss.

We get Verne and Raftery. I'll take that.

[justinandimcool]

For your answer to that and so much more, check out Royce's March Madness etiquette:
http://hub.ou.edu/articles/article.php?article_id=461106724&search_id=1175687086


I agree with most, especially #2. That's actually my biggest gripe. Brackets and upsets are fun, the best. The absolute best. But at the end of the day it's all about the basketball on the court, and the National Title.

Not sure about #4. I'm rooting for USC all the way, but I'm picking Georgetown over them, frankly because they're better.

[clayj41]

If one more person asks who I'd cheer for if IU and UNC play in the second round....:twak

[clayj41]

Not sure about #4. I'm rooting for USC all the way, but I'm picking Georgetown over them, frankly because they're better.

That's to be expected. You have to be reasonable at the same time.

[clayj41]

are we throwing down any money on this? $3 paypal or something

Ants bragging rights are more important...:rolleyes

Here's my first draft.
East: UNC vs Tenn - UNC
Midwest: KU vs Georgetown - KU
South: Memphis vs Texas - Memphis
West: UCLA vs Duke - UCLA

Memphis vs UNC - UNC

This could all very well change.

Good girl! :)

[SmoothD41]

this is kind of funny to me...One of the things the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee says it has as far as a rule in place is that there can be no rematches of opponents until the regional finals. So nothing in the first three games. Now, I know that no one thinks this will happen and it won't but I find it interesting that if Coppin State gets through the play-in game and then knocks off North Carolina (lolz), and Indiana beats Arkansas, then IU would have a rematch with Coppin State in the second round. IU beat Coppin State in Assembly Hall 73-46 on Dec. 22. I just found that to be an interesting little tidbit of info.

[unccrombie]

Ants bragging rights are more important...:rolley