March Madness Discussion

[tomalak301]

We don't talk much about College Basketball here. I can't say I blame the lack of it, given I'm not much into the college game either except for this time of year. I figured tonight, with Selection Sunday a few days away, would be a good time to start discussing the NCAA Tournament.

Actually, the real reason is because I was just watching Sportscenter, and there was a game in the Big East Tournament that went 6, yes count 'em 6, overtimes. Syracuse beat UConn 127-117, but man they were saying that's the longest game ever in the Big East Tournament. I was flipping back and forth and yeah, that game seemed to not want to end. I can't believe how it ended, with the 20 team beating the 4th team in the country.

This championship week isn't turning out very well for the bubble teams. With all these upsets, chances for teams like St. Marys and Cal are going out the window. I'm looking forward to the tournament. Is anyone else?

 

[Pegaritaville]

My alma mater, Minnesota, is one of those bubble teams. They beat Northwestern in the first round of the Big 10 tourney, but I'm thinking they'll have to go further if they want a berth.

One way or the other, I'll be rooting for North Dakota. They won't go very far, but I'm pretty impressed that in their first year of eligibility, they secured a spot. Go Bisons!!

 

[Dorian Thompson]

North Dakota plays division one b-ball? Good luck with UConn, Pitt, Louisville or Michigan State in the tourney. Yowza.

You want a good game, it's a shame the Oklahoma/Oklahoma State game wasn't carried nationally. That rocked the house here in OKC. 71-70 Pokes over OU and a healthy Blake Griffin. That with State's best scorer in foul trouble for the entirety of the second half. 4 fouls very early on.

 

[Neroon]

After reading the write-up on games last night, I'd love to have seen that Okla/Okla St game. Saw some replays, and Blake Griffin made an absolutely sick move to lay in a shot off the glass. He may be a lottery pick this year. But how Okla St won that with the conditions you just mentioned... wow!

But the game of the night HAD to be Syracuse beating UConn 127-117 in SIX ... yeah, that's right SIX overtimes!!!

ETA: Apparently Syracuse had a player in this game - Andy Rautins - whose father played in 1991 in ow second longest Big East tourney game. 'Cuse player Jonny Flynn played 67 of the 70 minutes, after playing 35 minutes of their game the day before. AND they have to play WVU today. I think somethign like 8 players between the two teams fouled out.

 

[tomalak301]

I forgot the fact that they have to play today. I wonder how they will be, having played an epic game like that and then partying the night away. I'm kinda hoping now Syracuse wins the tournament now.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

As a rule, I root for Big 5 teams, but none of them really seem to stand out this year.

 

[Neroon]

As a rule, I root for Big 5 teams, but none of them really seem to stand out this year.

What teams comprise the "Big 5" of which you speak?

 

[mimic]

Probably Villanova, St. Joes, Temple...two others... (Philly area teams)

Basketball's been going on for a while, and people are only interested in it now that the tourney's about to begin.

 

[Daedalus12]

I just want to laugh Clemson today for some reason.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

After reading the write-up on games last night, I'd love to have seen that Okla/Okla St game. Saw some replays, and Blake Griffin made an absolutely sick move to lay in a shot off the glass. He may be a lottery pick this year. But how Okla St won that with the conditions you just mentioned... wow!

It was wild. Some of the Sooner faithful are pretty pissed this morning because it cost them a potential #1 seed. I don't think they'd have gotten a 1 seed anyway, but the loss sealed the deal.

 

[Neroon]

With UConn and Pitt both losing (and UNC having quite the tussle with Va Tech)... I think those Sooner faithful might have been right. Granted, it's mostly 20-20, saying that now.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Probably Villanova, St. Joes, Temple...two others... (Philly area teams)

Basketball's been going on for a while, and people are only interested in it now that the tourney's about to begin.

Villanova, LaSalle, Temple, St. Joes, and Penn

 

[Neroon]

Looks as if UNC had a tough time with Va Tech, benefitting from a close call on a key defensive stop with 5 secs to go. NObody's safe!

 

[Neroon]

Excellent!!!! The Buckeyes pulled it out against Wisconsin. That probably gets them into the Big Dance, now.

 

[Adm. Bonz]

I noticed nobody started a Tournament Pick'em.


So I did!

Yahoo group ID # 68296
password Pickem

 

[tomalak301]

I noticed nobody started a Tournament Pick'em.


So I did!

Yahoo group ID # 68296
password Pick em

I've been debating whether I want to do it this year. It's been pretty good in the past, but just the prospect of just watching the games and rooting for the upsets with nothing to lose or gain is a pretty good one.

 

[Pegaritaville]

I noticed nobody started a Tournament Pick'em.


So I did!

Yahoo group ID # 68296
password Pickem

I'm in- thanks for setting it up. I'll probably go more by gut feeling when I make my picks, but since anything can happen, that may work just as well as doing a lot of research.


Looks like Minnesota should make the tourney after all. Apparently, not getting slaughtered by Michigan State was good enough.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Just talking about the conference tournaments, how about UMD playing Duke for a chance at the ACC championship? They've had a very good year (beat Wake Forest the other day). Of course, they'll probably get crushed by Duke

 

[tomalak301]

UNC lost. That might also mean losing a 1 seed too.

As for the Pac-10 tournament, what a mess this thing is. For one, it's not necessary, and now we have USC and Arizona St. playing in the Championship game. Um, yay?

 

[TheLonelySquire]

We don't talk much about College Basketball here. I can't say I blame the lack of it, given I'm not much into the college game either except for this time of year. I figured tonight, with Selection Sunday a few days away, would be a good time to start discussing the NCAA Tournament.

Actually, the real reason is because I was just watching Sportscenter, and there was a game in the Big East Tournament that went 6, yes count 'em 6, overtimes. Syracuse beat UConn 127-117, but man they were saying that's the longest game ever in the Big East Tournament. I was flipping back and forth and yeah, that game seemed to not want to end. I can't believe how it ended, with the 20 team beating the 4th team in the country.

This championship week isn't turning out very well for the bubble teams. With all these upsets, chances for teams like St. Marys and Cal are going out the window. I'm looking forward to the tournament. Is anyone else?

Being from Connecticut I am certainly looking forward to the big dance! UConn has as good of a chance as anyone and North Carolina just went down today, so they're not a lock by any stretch. I think there are 6 teams or so that really have a chance at this thing and I'm ready to watch.

Speaking of watching the tournament, I have the DirecTV's Mega March Madness already ordered. 50" HD plasma will be used to watch every tilt!!!