NCAA Tourney Thread

by CWSKeith on Mar 16, 2008 11:34 PM CDT Comment 117 comments

Marquette in five -- book it.

--------------

Surprise picks, anyone? Sleepers? Overrated teams?

Big Ten appears to rule the day when NCAA is discussed, so I'll share my brief thoughts on each team (keeping in mind that I probably haven't seen these guys as much as some of you guys have).

- Wisconsin - Oh boy... I might as well get it off my chest. I think they're terribly overrated. They deserve the seed they got, don't get me wrong -- they beat who was on their schedule and that win at Texas is great. They seem to play fantastic defense, too, but I dunno... freaking Marquette handled them at the Kohl Center, and we didn't beat anybody else on the road worth a damn in the Big East. I know Pomeroy loves them, but they love Marquette too (relatively speaking) -- I think it has Marquette at something like 12, and I can't say with a straight face that Marquette is the 12th best team in the country. The Big Ten just isn't very good, so I'm not sure how to judge them. A USC/Wisconsin second round match-up would certainly be an interesting game of two contrasting styles.

(And with that I await whatever comes my way -- much love, fellas!)

Indiana - I'm glad the committee gave them an eight. The committee seems to love how teams play down the stretch (as opposed to body of work) and they certainly applied that to Indiana -- they lost three of their last four and barely squeaked by Northwestern and Ohio State.

Purdue - Purdue is intriguing to me -- I'd say they have a good path ahead of them. They have IMO the weakest of the #3 seeds (probably debatable) as well as the weakest #2 seed in their bracket. I'm interested in seeing who will come out of that bottom half of the West bracket.

Michigan State - I don't have a whole lot to say about them. If they manage to win their first round game, I think Pitt will absolutely pummel them in round two.

As far as my Golden Eagles... I like the first round match-up. Kentucky turns the ball over approximately once every four possessions so that should play into Marquette's hands very nicely. Kentucky is without its best player, so it's really not a terrible draw.

The potential second round game -- if Marquette is lucky enough to get there -- versus Stanford sucks, but it's the NCAA tourney, so you're going to have to play (and beat) quality opponents. Stanford's guards seem rather weak, so Marquette's plan would have to be to pressure the hell out of them and hope to run-run-run the whole game. The Lopez brothers would almost assuredly combine for at least 40, though...

I don't care to speculate beyond that. I'm not kidding myself into thinking Marquette is any great shakes in this field of 65, but they should win against Kentucky. Crean hasn't done squat without Wade... it's time for Crean as well as 'The Big Three' to -- at the very least -- play more than one game in the tourney. If we play past the first weekend I will be satisfied.

SouthSideSox is a community driven site. As such, users are able to express their thoughts and opinions in a FanPost, such as this one, which represents the views of this particular fan, but not necessarily the entire community or SouthSideSox editors.

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the big ten sucks

by Jbasic89 on Mar 16, 2008 11:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

tremendously eloquent

;-)

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Mar 17, 2008 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quick thoughts, more coming later

My Bruins have a cakewalk to the Final Four. UConn scares me more than anyone else in their region, but they could just as easily crap the bed and lose to San Diego. Duke? Please; I think they should have been flipped with Wisconsin.

I don't know why all the pundits are giving USC so much loving. They are a solid team, but after seeing them three times this year against the Bruins, I just don't see them making a final four run. (If they make me eat my words so be it)

If Indiana gets their shit together, I could see them upsetting UNC. For their sakes, too bad they can't bring back Sampson for just the tourney.

Butler got hosed seed-wise.

I think Stanford can do some serious damage. The Lopez twins could quite possibly be the ugliest two guys in the game (I actually typed cave by accident instead of game, becuase they look like freaking cave mans. Honestly, they probably get offended by the so easy a caveman can do it commericals). My knee jerk reaction was to have Texas advancing from that region, but my second knee jerk reaction now is to put Stanford in the final four.

Biggest overseeding may be Oklahoma. They are just not good, and they are seeded equally with Marquette, Purdue, and USC. Seriously, what did OU do? I guess putting up back to back 45 point efforts against Texas and Nebraska (while giving up 62 and 63) really impressed the committee.

Well that's it for now...my quick thoughts turned into to slightly longer ones, so there may or may not be more coming

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Mar 17, 2008 12:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Texas Arlington all the way, baby!

What the hell do I know about basketball? I'm 5' 7" and have a 3" vertical leap.

However, hoops watching is yet another good reason for sipping suds, so count me in!

Share the passion, show the swagger

by tailgater on Mar 17, 2008 1:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Tonight, 8 PM CST, on A&E,

"Intervention", starring 'gater.

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 17, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No intervention needed

I'm a light-weight these days. I just talk a good game to impress the "kids" on the site.

"Intervention" is a great show, by the way. I love how they sucker the addict into the room and then the families lay the guilt rap on him/her. Of course, the addict is usually in total denial - "I can stop smoking crack and being a prostitute whenever I feel like it, I just don't choose to do so."

Great stuff.

Share the passion, show the swagger

by tailgater on Mar 17, 2008 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keith...

Truth be told, even as a huge Badgers fan, I'm ok with them not getting a #2. I think their style often doesn't translate well with certain other conferences' referees and they have had a number of big games over the last few years with these players where they can't hit the broad side of a barn.

That being said, however, out of curiosity I just looked at their away and neutral RPI numbers because apparently the chairman of the committee said that's the most important thing.

UW was 10-2 away (3-2 v. Top 50) and 3-0 on neutral courts (1-0 v. Top 25). That put them at #7 RPI away (ahead of Kansas, Texas, Memphis, and Georgetown) and #12 neutral (ahead of Tennessee, Duke, and Georgetown). Based on those numbers and the fact they won the regular season and conference tournament, I can understand some people being upset at the #3 rather than a #2 (especially, it appears, over Georgetown).

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 17, 2008 5:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Created SSS Bracket at ESPN

Get in the action now:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/group?groupID=55286

Game Front:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage

Group: South Side Sox
Password: SSSwagger

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 17, 2008 6:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Okay, I'm dumb.

Do I have to join the ESPN site to participate? And is the deadline anytime before Thursday's games start?

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 18, 2008 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes to the first question

and I THINK yes to the second.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Mar 18, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does it take much to sign-up?

Will my e-mail be forever overrun with ESPN spam?

I will try to sign-up tonight, after I've decided on my picks.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 18, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think so

I could have them all flagged, but I can't remember getting anything from ESPN in my mailbox. Just make sure you don't check the "I want to receive obnoxious advertisements" box.

I chose ESPN over Yahoo because they update their standings much quicker.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 18, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right

I don't receive any sort of ESPN spam either.

Signing up is painless as well.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Mar 18, 2008 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll sign up later tonight.

I will try to enter my name similarly to what it is here.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 18, 2008 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a heads up

The name that appears is the name that you type in as your own name, not what you put down as a screen name.

If that isn't clear enough, when asked for your name, I suggest defensive as your first name and indifference as you last name.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Mar 18, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it looks like I've joined...

even though the the site never did seem to fully load. But my name is up there now. Indifference 1. I really like that they changed the name I entered.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 19, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are contradicting your name, DI

How Ironic.

"Defensive difference" like it.

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 19, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Badgers

It seems that they are the trendy high seed to get ousted, but I don't think so. If they play USC, i think they match up well (ie USC is 0-2 vs Wash St.). I also think the big difference between Wisconsin now and and Wisconsin last year is:
a) healthy
b) peaking

I'm a bit spoiled by them, but their defense is so good. Flowers is an elite defender and Krabbenhoft and Landry are very, very good. I watch games where there offense struggles for 3-5 minutes and they end up only being behind by 4-6 points after these struggles. Thats what makes Defense so important in a tournament, it doesn't slump and can allow you to stay in a game when your shooting goes cold.

I have them losing to Kansas in the Elite 8. Although I can see them advancing since the game is in Detroit. Still, Kansas has tons of talent.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 18, 2008 12:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Robert Knight L's Badgers

though he likes Pitt more - has them winning it all. But specifically mentioned UW as the type of team that will go far into the playoffs.

(Was tought to watch him Sun. night with his ESPN sweater on. How the mighty have fallen.)

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 18, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's even "harder"

to watch when you realize that digger is fluffing him out of view. there hasn't been that level of manlove since, well, since kenny was talking about JO the other day in the booth.

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 18, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hawk/Erstad?

A close 2nd, perhaps?

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 18, 2008 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duplicates

I accidently created two brackets. Is there a way to delete one?

" You might be impressed with your analysis, but I'm not. Don't waste anymore of my time."

by BoKnows on Mar 19, 2008 9:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fuck You CBS!

It's 6 minutes past 11. I don't give a fuck about Jennifer Lopez' newborn twins. Play some fucking basketball already!

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 20, 2008 11:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Nicely worded!

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Mar 20, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Go Marquette! go go go go

gosh damn another first-round bow-out would suck. Time to pound Kentucky, boys.

by CWSKeith on Mar 20, 2008 12:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i'm going for marquette

until they meet a big ten school.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 20, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn!

It seems like I'm going to miss all of the first round games except for maybe the first game tomorrow. Arrgh!

Uh...c'mon BAYLOR!

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 20, 2008 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bastard!

What do you have against my Boilers, DI?

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 20, 2008 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops!

Big Ten teams always let me down, so I gotta just pick 'em to lose. Anyway, Illinois sucks this year, so I haven't watched ANY college ball this season. I really love the tourney though and would like to be on the couch as much as possible the next few days.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 20, 2008 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BOILER UP!

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 20, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whooped 'em, eh?

Should've gone with the favorites today.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 20, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're usually one and done

But 90 points is pretty special. Xavier should kill us.

Big Ten is 2-0. I'm enjoying it while I can.

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 20, 2008 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bring on the Lopez brothers

by CWSKeith on Mar 20, 2008 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bring on Brook Lopez

and his slightly less caveman-ish sidekick.

Robin will board it up, but Brook is who you have to worry about.

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Mar 21, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else to be REALLY worried about?

I'm strangely becoming more and more confident about this game, even though everybody seems to think Stanford should walk all over Marquette. I really believe Marquette's guards and overall athleticism are going to give Stanford tons of problems.

Also... somebody besides Brook Lopez is going to have to have a big day. Marquette's faced big men this year, and per usual, those big men usually go off for big nights. But Marquette has survived games where the big man goes off for a big night but nobody else is able to do much, such as when they played Notre Dame and Harangody went off for 29 but Marquette still won by 26.

I pay less and less attention to the mainstream media, but as important a question as "Can Marquette stop the Lopez brothers?" is, an equally important question is "Can Stanford keep up with Marquette's guards?"

by CWSKeith on Mar 21, 2008 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

MU will win.

Being in the Bay Area, I've had a chance to see Stanford in quite a few games down the stretch. I think if Marquette can dictate tempo, get some easy transition baskets, and shoot even marginally well well, they will win. Stanford is very physical, but like you noted, not very athletic. And in the games I've seen, the Lopez twins--especially Brook, have been foul prone. Get one or both of them on the bench early and run, run, run.

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 21, 2008 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How you feeling about...

Wiscy versus Team Beasley + Walker tomorrow?

by CWSKeith on Mar 21, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hoping...

that it ends up being in the 60s and the physical defense will frustrate those guys. Teams in the Big East play defense like the Badgers, but not so much in the Big XII.

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 21, 2008 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stanford

Anthony Goods is, um, good.

One thing to watch out for is if B. Lopez starts going to the line. For a goon, he's a surprisingly competent free throw shooter, pretty close to 80%...maybe more like 78% but damn good for someone his size.

There's one guy, I forget his name, who I love to hate. My friend and Alexis and I nicknamed him aspergers because he looks like he has aspergers...he plays point so I recommend calling him that if he starts playing well

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Mar 22, 2008 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big Ten / 3-0

All scored over 70 pts too. Nice win by the Badgers holding CS-Fullerton to 54 points.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 20, 2008 11:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What time is that Michigan game on today?

I'm psyched!

"One thing about Cubans -- they don't like to be embarrassed," says Cora, a native of Puerto Rico.

by ChicagoPete on Mar 21, 2008 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep it going, kid!

I want to see 4-0!

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 21, 2008 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, yeah

Faked me out.

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 21, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tim Floyd - the curse continues

The only "favorite" to lose so far is...Tim Floyd's USC team.

The Bulls have scarred him for life.

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 21, 2008 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What a treat...

for USC fans to see their stud freshman come out for the first round of the tournament sporting socks with the NBA logo on them. Not that everybody wasn't aware he was one and done, but dude should have at least made it a little less obvious where his head is at.

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 21, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tim Floyd - damn your eyes!

I haven't watched a minute of college hoops all year, so I filled out my pool sheet with zero research and just took a flyer having a lot of Pac 10 teams advance. I had USC vs. UCLA in the championship. Ahem, a moment of silence please...well that was a historically short tourney run for me. If I would have known friggin' Tim Floyd was coaching those bums I would've had them out in the 1st round.

"One thing about Cubans -- they don't like to be embarrassed," says Cora, a native of Puerto Rico.

by ChicagoPete on Mar 21, 2008 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was confused as to what all the fuss was about

Since I go to UCLA and all, I got to see the Trojans three times and they looked unspectacular in all three games, including the first one when they beat the Bruins.

Seth Davis (who I respect as an analyst/writer, had USC in the championship, which really made me wonder whether I had overlooked something when watching them

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Mar 21, 2008 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw the last ten minutes or so of that game

and they looked like a Tim Floyd team - they just gave the ball to Mayo and let him go to the hole while everyone else stood and watched. I still can't believe I picked them to go to the finals, thankfully I'm not Cuban or else I'd be really embarrassed.

"One thing about Cubans -- they don't like to be embarrassed," says Cora, a native of Puerto Rico.

by ChicagoPete on Mar 21, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha..the cuban line slayed me :)

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Mar 22, 2008 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kind of admire OJ Mayo

I really hate the new NBA rule that you have to be a year removed from HS ball now. I think it is really bad for the college game. With that said, i kind of admire the fact that OJ Mayo didn't try to hide the fact that he's just going to college b/c he has to. I like that he recruited himself to a big market, I like that he isn't afraid to acknowledge the fact that this is a 1 year stop.

I love college basketball, but I hate the fact that it's so commercialized and everyone tries to hide it, Mayo is kind of refreshingly honest.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 21, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem...

...with making it clear that you're one and done, but you're also playing for the other guys on your team who have busted their asses all year (or in some cases, two, three, or four years). No need to show up with the red, white, and blue logo on your socks. It will be really interesting if he drops out right now and costs them a scholarship.

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 21, 2008 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm.

shatfr, I'm guessing you are around 20 y/o, within spitting distance of OJ's age. It's probably easy to rail against the rules as set forth by "the Man" and enjoy the tweak to the NBA, but I have to agree with Toonder on this one - no need to call attention to yourself to the possible detriment of the team, no need to inflame the opposition, who might interpret it as you attempting to dial it up for the scouts. Mayo has had plenty of national press and didn't need (IMO) to change the focus from that particular game's tasks.

No one likes the "dig ME" aspect of dissent more than me, but I think he might've waited until, well, his team actually won a game in the tournament. Smacked of self-promotion for a kid who hasn't won a thing yet.

Let me tell you what I see as "refreshing". My wife's 22 year-old nephew is in town today from West Point with his buddy. They graduate in June, then head to Alaska for tank batallion training, then head to Iraq. (Morally rightly or wrongly, they chose this path.) My wife told me the buddy, when introduced to her, said "Nice to meet you, ma'am". THAT was refreshing.

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 21, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm 24

and my best friend left for iraq yesterday, when he gets back he goes into BUDs training for the SEALs.

As for Mayo and his team work, I don't know..did you notice all the freshman on that team? Did you know that Mayo recruited most of them? He even had placed a few calls to Beasley in an attempt to recruit him.

He never showed anything on the court to suggest he didn't care about winning. The guy has been talked about in the press since he was a freshman in HS, probably earlier. He was a household name among basketball fans his junior year in HS. I could care less about his socks, his teammates and coach have had nothing but good things to say about him at every level. He's a product of the system, and I like the honesty he displays within that system.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 21, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When your buddy gets back stateside

tell him best of luck in BUDs and during Hell Week.

SEALs are some badass MFers.

by BustedFlush on Mar 21, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no kidding

I'm watching the BUDs documentary from Discovery Channel. It's a 3 disc series, and they just finished hell week.

Started out with 83 people, down to 19.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 21, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah WU, don't hate the player, hate the game ;)

Had to throw that one in there, even if I can't stand that cliche.

Also, in all sincerity, your comment about the West Point duo has peaked my interest. What did you expect the West Point buddy to say when introduced to your wife? Would "nice to meet you" have sufficed, or was it the ma'am that floated your boat?

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Mar 21, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Ma'am" floated the boat that

belongs to the wife - she was impressed. As opposed to hearing "whassup?" or "hey", "ma'am" sounds respectful.

(Coughs loudly, clears phlegm from throat.) Man, I re-read my feedback, and I sound old. Mea culpa, shaftr.

Hey man, this game is a bunch of front-runners. If you're good, they kiss your butt. If not, you're horse s---.

by winningugly on Mar 21, 2008 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no worries

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 21, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I'm not doing so well in the pool.

But at least I got some enjoyment out of that Western Kentucky win. That was exciting! Now I need them to win their next game. Go Hilltoppers!

BTW, their mascot is hilarious. I think it's supposed to be a hill...with a mouth.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 21, 2008 4:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Question:

What is the PPR column on the scoreboard? Is that something to do with how many points are still available for each person to win in future rounds?

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 21, 2008 7:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Possible Points Remaining?

sounds right to me.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 21, 2008 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guess I'm not dead yet.

Go K-State!

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 21, 2008 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

Would've been fun catching the days worth of games down in Tampa. Western Kentucky, San Diego, and Sienna all pulled their upsets down there.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 21, 2008 8:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

wisconsin up 6 at the half

They are hitting the outside shot, but Stiemsma/Butch/Landry/Krabbenhoft all have 2 fouls. They'll need to get in Walker's head and get Beasley to pick up some fouls.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 22, 2008 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They should be up more.

After hitting that many threes and K-State looking like they didn't really want to guard anyone outside of the paint. It's looking good for K-State.

BTW, this is my first time seeing Beasley play. He's huge and athletic. How high do the Bulls have to get in the lottery to draft him? He's going to be a much better NBA player than Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah will ever be.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 22, 2008 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

big win by bucky

They score over 70 again and keep their opponent to a season low 55. Don't forget, the next 2 games are in Detroit.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 22, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, they dominated the second half.

I wouldn't get too pumped up about it though. Kansas State doesn't play defense...at all, apparently. And once the Badgers focused their defense on Beasley, they found out (or, I did at least) that the rest of K-State is a bunch of scrubs.

It was interesting seeing that game right after Bob Huggins and West Virginia beat Duke. West Virginia played a much more disciplined game. And Huggins was able to make adjustments (three guards) after Duke started out well.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 22, 2008 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

K State's D

According to Pomeroy Ratings, was the 18th best coming into the game.

http://kenpom.com/rate.php

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 22, 2008 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just commenting on what I saw today.

I believe I've admitted 2-3 times in this diary and in other recent tourney talk here that I haven't watched any college basketball this season.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 22, 2008 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be a Debbie Downer.

There's always some excuse for why the Badgers really shouldn't get credit. First, the Big Ten sucks so they don't get any credit for going 29-4 (winning at Texas in the process) and winning the regular season and conference tournament titles. Now it's K State doesn't play defense and it's easy to shut down one guy. Funny, nobody was saying K State doesn't play defense after the USC game. In fact, I heard more that a few national commentators slobbering over how K State locked down USC in that game. And what more do you want than a defense that holds teams to their lowest point totals of the year? A lot of people picked the K State/USC winner to knock them out, but now that the Badgers spanked Beasley and K State, they still get no love? I agree that as a 3 seed, they should have won these two games. But you can still give them some credit.

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 22, 2008 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many threes did they make?

Is that what they're leaning on now? Worked out well for Duke.

I'm not trying to say Wisconsin doesn't deserve their seed or being in the Sweet Sixteen. I was commenting more on Kansas State looking like shit today. I realize a lot of that has to do with Wisconsin's defense. I still don't think they can do it consistently enough on offense.

And, anyway, poor f*ckin' Wisconsin, not gettin' any love cause they do it the ol' lunch pale way by locking teams down on D. They're so misunderstood by the national media!

(note: if you can't tell I'm an Illinois fan)

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 22, 2008 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You nailed it.

They shot threes at a 40% clip Saturday compared to their season average of 35%...that's obviously why they won the game.

Our differences in Big 10 allegiance aside, at least the conference got two to the Sweet Sixteen (over a couple of media darlings--K State with the Beasley factor and Pitt with the "now that Levance Fields is back the Panthers are unstoppable").

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 22, 2008 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They also shot six more than usual.

Anyway, sure, it's nice that Big Ten style basketball still exists and can still be effective. At least Indiana got punted quickly. :P

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 22, 2008 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ironically..

the worst thing that ever happened to UW hoops might have been the 2000 Final Four run. That Dick Bennett team really did have a poor offense, and that reputation has stuck with Wisconsin. Even though Bo Ryan's Defense is just as good, they still have a good offense (#29 in Points Per Possession) but people forget that. This team is 61-10 in the last two years. That is incredible.

I find it ironic that Wisconsin's offense will continue to be questioned after two 70 point efforts, more than Duke, UCLA & Pitt and only 3 less than Kansas. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I'm looking forward to next weekend in Detroit.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 23, 2008 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That West Virginia win...

sort of makes up for Clemson screwing me over last night. Now I need for WU's Boilermakers to stop beating up on Xavier. I'm definitely questioning my Big Ten-hate right now, as Wisconsin and Purdue are both beating my picks.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 22, 2008 4:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

An hour till Marquette/Stanford tip-off

Fire up Marquette!

by CWSKeith on Mar 22, 2008 4:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

marquette

Keith,

That was a heartbreaking loss.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 22, 2008 9:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It certainly seems to me...

that the two conferences that play the best defense are the Big East and the Big 10. I wonder if the numbers back that up but the best defensive teams I think of seem to lie in those two conferences (Wisconsin and Louisville).

And yeah, that was the most heart-breaking game of my 19-year life. It sucks because they played so dam well -- sure, I can nitpick a couple of things here and there, but otherwise they played a phenomenal basketball game. My only regrets are McNeal not trying to get to the rim with eight seconds left in regulation (James and McNeal could've easily gotten to the rim like they did all night) and the poor post-defense on Lopez (and even that is a minor grip -- he probably still would've scored anyways, but I would've liked for Marquette to force Brook to make a move towards the lane a little bit more rather than that easy drop-step layup move, but that has to do with positioning and Brook is obviously a very good post player. Robin, on the other hand, is a fucking prick -- he needed an elbow to the face, he ran his mouth after every fucking play).

by CWSKeith on Mar 23, 2008 2:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Was I overly hostile

in that last post? If so, my apologies, folks.

Jeeves -- is Robin Lopez as much of a prick, though, as he was during the Marquette game? Seriously... after every 'positive' play he contributed, he'd get in the face of a Marquette player. He scored over one of our players who stands at 6"5 (Dan Fitzgerald) and he was getting in his face like he'd just posterized Kevin Garnett. Talk about a completely classless jackass.

by CWSKeith on Mar 23, 2008 3:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Robin's Egg

Sorry about the loss. I didn't see any of the early games yesterday so I missed Lopez acting like a jackass. I was shocked to see that Stanford won. But I did see UCLA and they were doing that shit like crazy at the end. Not to mention that they get every single call. It's like Duke was the new UCLA in the 90s and now UCLA is the new Duke.

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 23, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i noticed that

and you are right, Robin was being a prick. Stanford is just such a tough matchup for Marquette with their post presence. I thought they played good D on Brook during the last shot, but awful defense against him the rest of the OT.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 23, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

R. Lopez didn't have any reason to talk

the only time I saw him. I was courtside for the Siena-Stanford game, and Siena defeated them convincingly. Josh Duell (6'7", I think) pretty much shut him down.

Brook seems like the difference-maker.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Mar 23, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Georgetown blows it.

That's about it for me.

The joy of repetition really is in you.

by defensive indifference on Mar 23, 2008 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

UCLA bailed out by refs for 3rd time in last month

First, UCLA scammed by Stanford where the refs called a foul at the end of the game on a clear block, then they got away with a mauling on Cal, and now the "block," according to Ben Howland, that saved them from potentially having to play OT last night. Isn't a #1 seed and playing in Anaheim enough of a reward?

"They say that blood is thicker than water. What we have is thicker than blood."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 23, 2008 4:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Gus Johnson

He'll be doing the Wi/Davidson game.

MrROFL.com - now with real content!

by shaftr on Mar 23, 2008 10:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Final Four Predictions?

I'll stick with my original:

Louisville / Texas / Kansas / UCLA

I'd like to see Mich State and Wisconsin though.

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Mar 26, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Memphis.

UCLA doesn't look all that great, though they'll win this round at least.

Kansas....looking better than I thought they would.

I hope UNC loses, god I hope UNC loses.

And, UGH....I think Wisconsin can do it.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Mar 26, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

DI, I am 100% on board with your projections

I hope UW takes it. A sharp stick in the eye to those that opined that the Big Ten sucks.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 26, 2008 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great!

Now how do we keep Toonder from seeing this?

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Mar 27, 2008 2:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too late.

But know that when it comes NCAA tourney time, I'm all Big Ten (including Purdue and Illinois).

"This has been a very long campaign so, occasionally I am a human being like everybody else. Last week for the first time in 12 or so years, I misspoke."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 27, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta circle the wagons

where "family" is involved. Kick some butt tonight!

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 27, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I tanked

After 28 games, with only the late games remaining on Friday night, I was in the 94th percentile.

After the second round, I've fallen to the 31st percentile. Ouch.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 26, 2008 4:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't quit your day job

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 26, 2008 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

4-4 Thursday night

up to 80th percentile...

Two weeks notice time.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 28, 2008 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna go 0-4 today

I can feel it... well that, and the first two games aren't going my way late.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 28, 2008 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, it's one game from being official:

The Big Ten sucks.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 28, 2008 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't think Kansas will win?

I hate Kansas, so I hope they lose but I doubt they will. That Kansas region has ruined my bracket.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Mar 28, 2008 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are as consistent as the stock market

but on a roll. Good luck! What's the highest %ile you can attain?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 28, 2008 8:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I picked Tennessee to play in the Championship game.

After seeing them play in the second round I knew that was a bad pick. I just wish they could've gone one more round for me! Oh well. I'm really done now. UCLA doesn't look like a team to win it all either.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Mar 28, 2008 10:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

relax, brother...

most champs don't steamroll everybody in the tournament. it's about winning 6 in a row...not blowing out 6 opponents in a row. i hate ucla...more than i can convey in words...but they have played a very tough schedule and lost 3 games this season. just because they lost a little focus and blew a huge lead last night against a team they hadn't played before (especially in light of the early second half foul trouble) doesn't mean they aren't still going to win the whole thing.

"This has been a very long campaign so, occasionally I am a human being like everybody else. Last week for the first time in 12 or so years, I misspoke."

by Toonderstrook on Mar 28, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not going to win it all, UCLA isn't

UNC and WI are looking like they are tougher and peaking at the right time.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 28, 2008 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WI looks like horseshit tonight.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 28, 2008 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They better stop, uh...

relying on the three!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Mar 28, 2008 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

S. Curry is Lord

Damn.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 28, 2008 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Umm...yeah.

Seems like they should just guard him with five guys. Jeez.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Mar 28, 2008 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also...

I just heard he's Dell Curry's son. Crazy! No wonder he plays like he's got ice in his veins.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Mar 28, 2008 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My goodness...

Sorry to Toonder and shaftr, but I don't remember the last time I enjoyed watching a basketball player as much as I enjoyed watching Curry last night. Gosh damn can that kid play. I called my dad after he pump-faked Krabbenhoff out of Ford Field and he answers and says, "Is this kid amazing or what?" He's so smooth and confident with the ball.

Great season for the Badgers, though, regardless of the loss. Coming into the year, this was supposed to be a rebuilding season for Bucky and the Badgers leave with a Big 10 Championship, a Big 10 tourney trophy, a win at Texas and a Sweet 16 appearance? Cripes, send some of that to Milwaukee.

by CWSKeith on Mar 29, 2008 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

It has been a great season and it's nice having some hardware, but it sucks that they played so poorly tonight. I think it shows how much they miss Hughes, he was out in the 2nd half with an ankle injury. Their flow was just gone.

And yes, Curry has been amazing. I've seen performances like his in one game in a tourney, but not 3.

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Mar 29, 2008 2:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was amazing

Reminded me of the Sox in '05, except the guy was doing it by himself. "Anything he wants to do, he does" sure fit last night.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 29, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the pump fake was a highlight.

And wasn't it shortly after that when he had that circus layup that even made LeBron's jaw drop? I don't know if he's going to do anything in the NBA but he's sure got this college game down.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Mar 29, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good idea to be cautious re:

generalizability to the pros. My Purdue Big Dog, Glenn Robinson, is the only guy to score more in 3 games (1994) than Curry, and he was a big disappointment in the NBA.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Mar 29, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs