March Madness Discussion

[Alidar Jarok]

I found this amusing. You know that last play by Scottie Reynolds to win the Nova-Pit game? Well, after the game, they pointed out that they practiced that all the time.

Of course, in practice, it never worked

link

 

[Neroon]

I honestly have to wonder that with Pitt's rep for defense, why nobody just stepped in front of Reynolds and took a charge to make sure he didn't get a shot off. Don't get me wrong... Reynolds' made a superb play (and the pass was sweet, too), but still... there really didn't seem to be any real attempt to get in his way.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Well, they didn't want to foul him. Nova was just called for a foul on the other end when trying to take a charge, so that could have been fresh in their minds.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Rutgers only chance to beat UConn is to beat them up physically. They are a team with a brute mentality that isn't even close to UConn from a pure talent standpoint.

If by "brute mentality" you mean unintimidated by the Dogettes and capable of playing the best pressure defense in the country when aroused, you're quite right.

They've had a real problem getting out of their own way this year, granted, but ... they didn't begin the season ranked number two in the country for nothing. The idea that they have no chance against UConn is, frankly, laughable.

Never asserted it was "gonna happen." Said it's likely Rutgers is the only team that could do it, for psychological reasons: They've handled UConn before, even as most other teams have not, and never will. It makes a huge difference, whether or not you can see that.

All that said ... I expect UConn to win the national championship essentially unchallenged, because I don't think Rutgers is going to get that far.

No, I mean that Rutgers is a dirty team that takes cheap shots and tries to injure star players. Either way they're history for this year at least.

 

[Neroon]

Well, they didn't want to foul him. Nova was just called for a foul on the other end when trying to take a charge, so that could have been fresh in their minds.

Yeah, I know.... but it seemed as if there wasn't even token resistance. But I suppose it seemed that way to me because Reynolds hit the shot.

 

[JM1776]

No, I mean that Rutgers is a dirty team that takes cheap shots and tries to injure star players.

Next thing you know you'll be calling them ... aaah, skip it.

[Yawns.] Your opinion is noted.

Either way they're history for this year at least.

Which means that it's safe to crown Connecticut now.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

No, I mean that Rutgers is a dirty team that takes cheap shots and tries to injure star players.

Next thing you know you'll be calling them ... aaah, skip it.

[Yawns.] Your opinion is noted.

Either way they're history for this year at least.

Which means that it's safe to crown Connecticut now.

Sometimes a dirty team is a dirty team because they lack the talent to play it straight. That's why you don't see UConn resorting to such shenanigans. Regardless, the Huskies are in good shape so we'll see how it goes.

On a side note, according to Angel McCoughtry, President Obama is going to be at the women's final four so that should be a trip!

 

[Caligula]

After seeing how the men's side of the action has played out, I would say that it is not entirely safe to crown anybody. That being said, the UConn women will likely steamroll through everyone in their path.

 

[JM1776]

Sometimes a dirty team is a dirty team because they lack the talent to play it straight. That's why you don't see UConn resorting to such shenanigans. Regardless, the Huskies are in good shape so we'll see how it goes.

Granted, UConn is one of the nation's most talented teams—which allows its fans and admirers to mount their fine white destriers and denounce hard fouls, determined scrambles for the ball, withering pressure "D" and an unwillingness to back down before the chosen princesses as "shenanigans."

Simple as this: You want to play in the Big East with the other women, Dogettes fans? Don't expect "girls'" basketball.

[By the way ... I like UConn, and will root for them over any women's basketball team other than RU. The Lady Knights must be defended—especially after this season.]

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Sometimes a dirty team is a dirty team because they lack the talent to play it straight. That's why you don't see UConn resorting to such shenanigans. Regardless, the Huskies are in good shape so we'll see how it goes.

Granted, UConn is one of the nation's most talented teams—which allows its fans and admirers to mount their fine white destriers and denounce hard fouls, determined scrambles for the ball, withering pressure "D" and an unwillingness to back down before the chosen princesses as "shenanigans."

Simple as this: You want to play in the Big East with the other women, Dogettes fans? Don't expect "girls'" basketball.

[By the way ... I like UConn, and will root for them over any women's basketball team other than RU. The Lady Knights must be defended—especially after this season.]

That's cool. Gotta support the team! (Puddy)

 

[Caligula]

[By the way ... I like UConn, and will root for them over any women's basketball team other than RU. The Lady Knights must be defended—especially after this season.]

That's pretty cool. It's a shame our loyalties dictate that we cancel one another out. Being a fervent Tennessee Lady Vols fan, I would naturally root for anyone against UConn.... that is, if I didn't already see the futility in such a gesture. My only other option is indifference, which I find in the world of sports can be a rather healthy attitude.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

[By the way ... I like UConn, and will root for them over any women's basketball team other than RU. The Lady Knights must be defended—especially after this season.]

That's pretty cool. It's a shame our loyalties dictate that we cancel one another out. Being a fervent Tennessee Lady Vols fan, I would naturally root for anyone against UConn.... that is, if I didn't already see the futility in such a gesture. My only other option is indifference, which I find in the world of sports can be a rather healthy attitude.

You know, I was JUST foing to say that I would support Rutgers against Tennessee in ANY scenario. I guess that means we're on the same page. One thing. Why did Summitt not re-up the series with UConn? Hurts the entire sport.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Congratulations to Penn State for winning the NIT (I was about to write NIT tournament, but that would be redundant).

Way back in the day, the NIT used to finish before the NCAA tournament began. There was a team that won the NIT and NCAA tournaments in the same year. I kinda wonder how Penn State would do if they were in the actual tournament.

 

[mimic]

Congratulations to Penn State for winning the NIT (I was about to write NIT tournament, but that would be redundant).

Clearly we belonged in the NCAA. With the exception of the George Mason game (in which we were up 7 before Jamelle Cornley separated his shoulder and had to sit) we won every game pretty handily. But I'll take the NIT win, and in some ways it might be preferable to getting bounced in one of the early rounds.

Talor Battle's little bro committed to PSU, so things are definitely looking up for the program.

 

[Caligula]

[By the way ... I like UConn, and will root for them over any women's basketball team other than RU. The Lady Knights must be defended—especially after this season.]

That's pretty cool. It's a shame our loyalties dictate that we cancel one another out. Being a fervent Tennessee Lady Vols fan, I would naturally root for anyone against UConn.... that is, if I didn't already see the futility in such a gesture. My only other option is indifference, which I find in the world of sports can be a rather healthy attitude.

You know, I was JUST foing to say that I would support Rutgers against Tennessee in ANY scenario. I guess that means we're on the same page. One thing. Why did Summitt not re-up the series with UConn? Hurts the entire sport.

Actually, that would mean that we're not on the same page, since I support Tennessee against anyone, including Rutgers but ESPECIALLY UConn. Why did Summitt choose to discontinue the reg. season series? Beats the hell out of me. Bad blood between her and Auriemma for some reason. I don't know if it's something to do with recruiting or what, but I'm okay with the two meeting up in postseason play only.... Keeps my blood pressure down.

 

[JM1776]

Clearly we belonged in the NCAA.

That's pretty much the customary claim of the NIT champ: "See? We belonged in the tournament! We did! We did!"

Some years it's even a legitimate point.

 

[mimic]

^Thanks for reminding me why I never post here anymore.

 

[InklingStar]

Someone has to win the NIT.

I move into 3rd place in the contest with MSU's win, but that's all I'll get. I have no more live picks.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

HOLY. SHIT.

 

[Neroon]

HOLY. SHIT.

No kidding... Michigan St takes down another Big East school in the tournament. And here this tournament was so predictable for awhile. Thanks to Tom Izzo... it ain't anymore.