NCAA Tournament Thread

[blackfordpu]

That three pointer marks the end of the game. Good effort by Xavier but just couldn't hold on. You can't let a sleeping giant, like the Buckeyes, have a chance to wake up like that.

[NDSUFREAK]

1st is good in the 1 and 1
72-65
2nd is no good

BOUND OSU
1:50 to go
conley pass outside
dribbles away
passes back
sub
inbounds OSU
double team outside
lost the ball

XAVIER ball
DUNK
72-67

OSU ball
halfcourt timeout OSU

[PSUVikings]

wow, and Xavier falls apart

[NDSUFREAK]

5 point lead
in bounds
outside
screen
drives
blocking foul on Xavier
2 shots

[blackfordpu]

Xavier is just throwing up prayers now.

[NDSUFREAK]

1st is good
2nd is good
74-67
1 to go

Xavier ball
3 is no good
OSU bound
slow dribble up
at halfcourt
knocked away out of bounds
XAVIER ball

[NDSUFREAK]

in bounds
3 no good
blocked
bound OSU
foul on Xavier

[blackfordpu]

That is game, credit Ohio State for gutting it out and not giving up.

[NDSUFREAK]

2 shots
1st is good
2nd is good
30 secs left

corner 3 is no good
bound xavier
shot good

in bounds OSU
foul on Xavier

[NDSUFREAK]

yup, OHIO STATE is obviously going to pull this game away. Great game, and very fun to watch

[NDSUFREAK]

FINAL
Ohio State 78
Xavier 71
OT

[kardplayer]

How did they not call the foul on Oden an intentional or flagrant? He decked the guy.

[Mr. C]

You have to make your FTs in tournament play. When you have a chance to cut off the monster's head, you better do it. My question is why don't teams FOUL when another team needs a three to tie. Make them shoot TWO FTs with three or four seconds left. The chances are a lot better of coming away with a win that way than letting someone like Ron Lewis drain a three. I saw someone foul like that in a first-round game and was amazed that more people didn't employ that strategy.

[blackfordpu]

Well, my bracket is safe now but I would have liked to see the upset.

I feel bad for the Xavier player who missed the free throw that would have iced the game.

[Mr. C]

How did they not call the foul on Oden an intentional or flagrant? He decked the guy.
You are absolutely right.

[blackfordpu]

You have to make your FTs in tournament play. When you have a chance to cut off the monster's head, you better do it. My question is why don't teams FOUL when another team needs a three to tie. Make them shoot TWO FTs with three or four seconds left. The chances are a lot better of coming away with a win that way than letting someone like Ron Lewis drain a three. I saw someone foul like that in a first-round game and was amazed that more people didn't employ that strategy.

I agree with you C. The only thing I can think of it is that coaches may see that as gutless but if it wins the game who cares?

[Mr. C]

I can't believe that Xavier BLEW this game. Forget the brackets, I love seeing these big boys, who WON'T EVER play teams in their home state, get their heads handed to them. Ohio State is LUCKY (even with Lewis' heroics) to have survived today.

[Mr. C]

I agree with you C. The only thing I can think of it is that coaches may see that as gutless but if it wins the game who cares?
The object is to win and, in that situation, fouling is the best way to win. I heard the old coach at my school, Boyd Grant (one of the most unsung coaches of his era, by the way) say that you had about a 30% chance (if that much) of making a shot at the end of the game to tie, or win. The chances of making two FTs after being fouled are probably 70%, but then you have to either foul and hope the other team misses both, giving you maybe two or three seconds at most to make a miracle shot, or you have to miss one of the FTs and hope you some how get an offensive rebound and then make a shot in a scramble situation at the buzzer. The statistical chances of that have to be pretty high. Any math experts want to weigh in on this?

[kardplayer]

I agree with you C. The only thing I can think of it is that coaches may see that as gutless but if it wins the game who cares?

Would these be the same coaches that are losing and telling their players to foul?

I see no difference.

[Mr. C]

Foul strategy has been pretty engrained in college basketball since Jim Valvano used it to win a bunch of games in the 1983 ACC and NCAA tourneys that NC State should have lost.

[HLecter]

I can't believe that Xavier BLEW this game. Forget the brackets, I love seeing these big boys, who WON'T EVER play teams in their home state, get their heads handed to them. Ohio State is LUCKY (even with Lewis' heroics) to have survived today.

I don't know if X would be considered a "little boy". They obviously won't play them because of the recruiting agenda.

Remember when Rupp would not play Louisville?

I agree with you though, I really felt for Cage when he missed that free throw.

A foul before the 3 pt shot by Lewis would have been the play but it's hard to think of all that without a time-out to discuss it.

How about the way OSU does not even TRY to go to Oden enough? They missed him on a whole bunch of pick/rolls.

[ucdtim17]

I don't know how that shove by Oden wasn't intentional or flagrant. He just plain old pushed the guy over

[AppGuy04]

Halftime 1 2 T
Butler #5 (27-6) 31 31
Maryland #4 (24-8) 25 25

[AppGuy04]

Halftime 1 2 T
Louisville #6 (23-9) 28 28
Texas A&M #3 (25-6) 28 28

[AppGuy04]

Maryland's horrible free throw shooting may cost them this game

[NDSUFREAK]

Well I am seeing the play right now and he looks like he was going for the ball while Cage was a little off balance and the way that he went for the ball was like putting his whole body towards the guy to almost knock him down. It could have gone either way but what can you do.

[AppGuy04]

Well I am seeing the play right now and he looks like he was going for the ball while Cage was a little off balance and the way that he went for the ball was like putting his whole body towards the guy to almost knock him down. It could have gone either way but what can you do.

Even if it was intentional, I don't think you call it in that situation

[NDSUFREAK]

Another close game
Butler
Maryland
61-59

Butler ball
timeout at halfcourt
58.7 secs

[NDSUFREAK]

in bounds pass
tipped
butler gets it back
knocked away again
butler ball
DEFLECTED again

maryland ball
inside
CHARGE ON MARYLAND

[NDSUFREAK]

30 secs
2 point game
outside
no foul yet
double team
inside
3333
no good
bound BUTLER!
going to the line

[NDSUFREAK]

timeout maryland

going to shoot the 1 and 1

[Mr. C]

Even if it was intentional, I don't think you call it in that situation
It was a million times worse of a foul than the "intentional" foul they called on Demetrius Scott in the Appalachian State-College of Charleston game. Refs are very inconsistent on that call.

FYI, Vasquez of Maryland just grabbed a Butler player by the jersey and practically ripped it off him and they didn't call an intentional foul.

[Mr. C]

Same situation for Butler as Xavier. Two FTs to ice the game.

[NDSUFREAK]

throw is gooood
3 point lead
throw is.....no good
3333 NO
he lost the ball!
game over!
wait..........

[Mr. C]

And he made one of two, but Maryland fumbles the ball out of bounds.

[NDSUFREAK]

nope
.6 left in the game, or should be left

[Mr. C]

Maryland is going to have less than a second after the Butler player tried to knock it in and run out the clock.

[NDSUFREAK]

.6 is left

[NDSUFREAK]

still possible.....
in bounds
bobbled pass
BUTLER wins

[Mr. C]

Another fumble by Maryland and Butler wins!

[NDSUFREAK]

oh man, the games today have been absolutely great!! ++++++++++

[blackfordpu]

oh man, the games today have been absolutely great!! ++++++++++

Yea, but not bfp bracket friendly. :(

[Mr. C]

Butler played pretty shaky down the stretch of its schedule and I thought they were destined for an early exit, but now they are back in the Sweet 16. Good luck Bulldogs in the next round. I like upsets when the NCAAs are involved. Love to see ACC teams lose in particular.

[AppGuy04]

Final 1 2 T
Butler #5 « 31 31 62
Maryland #4 25 34 59

[dbackjon]

Third ACC team out...

[Mr. C]

Another good game with Louisville-Texas A&M. I know one of the Louisville players (did a feature three years back on Columbian Juan Palacios when he was in high school, he has a great story), so I'm rooting for the Cardinals.

[blackfordpu]

Another good game with Louisville-Texas A&M. I know one of the Louisville players (did a feature three years back on Columbian Juan Palacios when he was in high school, he has a great story), so I'm rooting for the Cardinals.

Me too, I have them defeating the Aggies.xnodx

[NDSUFREAK]

Yea, but not bfp bracket friendly. :(

My bracket has sucked since day 1.

[HLecter]

I don't know how that shove by Oden wasn't intentional or flagrant. He just plain old pushed the guy over

Yeah it sure looked intentional

A little earlier though they were holding Oden's shirt on an inbounds play and no call, so they obviously just let them play

I don't think they will call intentional unless a guy is on a breakway and gets hammered.

[HLecter]

Great TO by Pitino, Sosa was lost.

Somebody will be going to the basket for Lou

That was stupid, a 3?

Penetrate!

[NDSUFREAK]

I know all to well about refs screwing games for you. I hate it too.

[Peems]

Tough loss for the terps. oh well, at least A&M won, Louisville was a good team that was clicking at the right time. So far BC is showing Georgetown why Dudley was the ACC player of the year. GO Eagles!

[Mr. C]

Wow, what a game between Vanderbilt and Washington State. Looks like double OT.

[Mr. C]

VCU has overcome a 19-point lead and is tied with 1:20 left against Pitt.

[Mr. C]

Really BAD foul call on VCU with two seconds left.

[Mr. C]

Pitt's player Levance Fields misses TWO FTs to send the game to OT. The officials couldn't screw VCU out of this one.

[Mr. C]

I can't remember a second-round day with this many close games. Pretty incredible.

[Mr. C]

Vandy has a chance to go up by six with less than 2 minutes left in DOT.

[Mr. C]

Tough loss for the terps. oh well, at least A&M won, Louisville was a good team that was clicking at the right time. So far BC is showing Georgetown why Dudley was the ACC player of the year. GO Eagles!
I thought Butler deserved to win against Maryland. The Bulldogs were the better team, thought Maryland's style of play makes them a very likeable team, too. If I've got to root for an ACC team, it is the Terps.

[Mr. C]

Vandy wins a classic game over Washington State in double overtime, 78-74.

[Mr. C]

CBS cuts to a commercial while Pitt and VCU are in the middle of play in overtime. Someone there should be lined up and shot. How STUPID! Then they come back from two minutes of commercials just in time for a time out and MORE commercials. And then after those commercials, we get sent to North Carolina and Michigan State. ARRGH!

[BigApp]

hey, had to get those tar wholes on!

[dbackjon]

Vandy wins a classic game over Washington State in double overtime, 78-74.

Great game!!

[Mr. C]

And had to get those stupid, inane commercials we've seen a million times already in the past three days in for two minutes BEFORE switching to UNC's game. It wouldn't be soon enough if they NEVER showed another Tar Pit game as far as I am concerned. That's almost like having to watch the Atlanta Braves. Yuch.

[Mr. C]

Great game!!
There have been some great ones all day, but that may have been the best.

[HiHiYikas]

CBS cuts to a commercial while Pitt and VCU are in the middle of play in overtime. Someone there should be lined up and shot. How STUPID! Then they come back from two minutes of commercials just in time for a time out and MORE commercials. And then after those commercials, we get sent to North Carolina and Michigan State. ARRGH!
If someone from CBS had walked into the restaurant where all the VCU fans were just gathered, he would have been torn to tiny bits. You talk about some ticked-off Ram fans.

[Mr. C]

I bet it was Channel 3 in Charlotte's fault, unless you are saying that the same thing happened in other locations around North Carolina at the same time. For some people in this state, VCU is just as close to them as UNC is. I would have much rather seen the Rams play, but we got VERY little of that game today. I wonder what they would have done if Duke had been playing instead of VCU? Would they have gone to commercials in OT then?

[NDSUFREAK]

unc vs MSU is turning out to be a pretty good game.

[NDSUFREAK]

UCLA vs IU

49-45 UCLAS
IU comes back from 16 down.

IU fade away 3
NEARLY GOOD
but foul
shooting 3

[NDSUFREAK]

1st is good
49-46
2nd is good
49-47
3rd is no good
BOUND IU!!
1:05 left

LAY UP IS GOOOD!!!!
TIE GAME!!

UCLA ball
50 secs
outside
insdie
lay up no good
foul
2 shots

[Mr. C]

UCLA has really mismanaged this game on the floor (not blaming Ben Howland here). It's 51-49 after FTs for UCLA with 36.3 seconds left.

[NDSUFREAK]

1st is good
50-49 UCLA
2nd is good

IU ball
36 secs left
in bounds
full court pressure
kicked out of bounds
IU ball
in bounds
UCLA GETS IT BACK

[Mr. C]

Steal for UCLA and foul by Indiana for FTs to clinch it for the Bruins.

[NDSUFREAK]

28.7 secs left
timeout

[Mr. C]

Darren Collison shoots two FTs for UCLA with 28.7 seconds left and the Bruins are going to survive

[NDSUFREAK]

4 point lead for UCLA after throws
IU shot up
no good
bound IU
looking looking
throws it up
no
bound ucla
out of bounds
ucla ball

[Mr. C]

UCLA 78% from the line and Indiana 48%. That is the difference in this game as the Bruins win 54-49.

[NDSUFREAK]

too bad.....

[Mr. C]

Not for those of us who like the Bruins (I grew up in California, watching those John Wooden teams with Lew Alcindor and company and I know two of the UCLA coaches, head coach Ben Howland and assistant Kerry Keating).

[NDSUFREAK]

xhypedx WELL HERE'S TO A GREAT 2ND DAY OF THE SECOND ROUND!!+++++

[Mr. C]

Best second-round day I ever remember. All the games were decided by seven points or less, but UNC-Michigan State and that was really more like a four-point game than the double-digit game it turned into in the final minute (did anyone see Roy Williams giving his player a dirty look for shooting a three in the final seconds?).

[TheValleyRaider]

Great set of games today, and even better knowing that 7 of them went my way xthumbsupx


Although losing Maryland might screw me, because I had them beating Florida in the Sweet 16. Oh well, Go Butler!

[dbackjon]

Not for those of us who like the Bruins (I grew up in California, watching those John Wooden teams with Lew Alcindor and company and I know two of the UCLA coaches, head coach Ben Howland and assistant Kerry Keating).

Very glad that Howland's team won. Howland is an awesome coach, and great person to boot :O.

Now, to face his old assistant Jamie Dixon - the match up of guys that coached at NAU.

[Mr. C]

Ben is a great, down-to-earth guy. I know his parents, too, and they are genuinely nice folks. They were at every game when he was Jerry Pimm's top assistant at UC Santa Barbara. Ironically, I covered an Appalachian State-Pittsburgh game in 1999 (Pitt won by a pair when Rufus Leach had a shot rim out at the buzzer) and his parents were there, too. They happened to be visiting from Santa Barbara.

Kerry Keating does a great job with recruiting. He was on Buzz Peterson's staff when Buzz was at ASU and Tulsa. As a matter of fact, I watched the press conference with Kerry on TV when Buzz was announced as Tulsa's new head coach.

The Pittsburgh-UCLA matchup will be an intriguing one, but I think UCLA has too many horses for the Panthers this season. Jamie Dixon seemed like a nice guy, too.

[goasu984Life]

Virginia and Tennessee battling it out in the first game today. It has been a battle of the guards so far.

[aggie6thman]

GO VOLS!

[NDSUFREAK]

Tennessee has come back in this game. They now lead by 6 with 10 mins to go.

[AppGuy04]

Wow, thats a dirty river!!!

[AppGuy04]

Come on Cavs!

[Mr. C]

Tennessee did what Xavier should have done yesterday, they fouled before Virginia could get off a three-pointer. The Vols shooting FTs 75-74 with six seconds left. The Vols have made 7 straight from the line.

[Mr. C]

Virginia misses a three at the buzzer. Rimmed out and Tennessee wins 77-74. He had a good look at a 25-footer.

[Mr. C]

Virginia wins this game easily, if Reynolds doesn't get injured. He was the Cavs whole offense early in the game. Good game, thought the refs ruimed things by calling a truckload of fouls. They were calling a lot of ticky-tack stuff.

[kardplayer]

You have to make your FTs in tournament play. When you have a chance to cut off the monster's head, you better do it. My question is why don't teams FOUL when another team needs a three to tie. Make them shoot TWO FTs with three or four seconds left. The chances are a lot better of coming away with a win that way than letting someone like Ron Lewis drain a three. I saw someone foul like that in a first-round game and was amazed that more people didn't employ that strategy.

Tennessee fouled today with a 3 point lead - hard to tell if it was intentional or not... I wonder if they read your post.:D

[Mr. C]

Yes, they fouled on purpose. Bruce Pearl and I discussed this strategy when he was at one of the basketball tournaments I help run over the Christmas holiday.
:D :) xrotatehx xlolx xnodx xrolleyesx xcoolx :p ;) xeyebrowx xsmiley_wix :D

[crunifan]

SIU is showing VT how it is done.

Trivia question: The Big Ten, ACC, and MVC. What do they all have in common?




One team in the sweet sixteen! And the MVC started with 4 less teams!

[AppGuy04]

Halftime 1 2 T
Nevada #7 (28-4) 33 33
Memphis #2 (30-3) 37 37

[AppGuy04]

Halftime 1 2 T
Southern California #5 (23-11) 34 34
Texas #4 (24-9) 27 27

[kardplayer]

SIU is showing VT how it is done.

Trivia question: The Big Ten, ACC, and MVC. What do they all have in common?




One team in the sweet sixteen! And the MVC started with 4 less teams!

4 of the 16 teams will be mid-majors: SIU, Butler, UNLV, and the winner of Memphis/Nevada.

Not too bad considering there were probably only a few other legitimate possibilities out there.

[TheValleyRaider]

Semi-Official FCS School NCAA Tournament Tracker, Continued
Round 2 Winners
#5-Butler over Maryland
#4-Southern Illinois over Virginia Tech
#2-Georgetown over Boston College

Eliminated in Round 1
#16-Jackson State to Florida
#12-(Future FCS) Old Dominion to Butler
#13-Holy Cross to Southern Illinois
#15-Weber State to UCLA
#16-Eastern Kentucky to North Carolina
#16-Central Connecticut State to Ohio State
#13-Albany to Virginia
#14-Penn to Texas A&M
#16a xrolleyesx-Florida A&M to Niagara (Banish the Play-in Game xmadx)
and because I forgot them last time :o : #9-Villanova to Kentucky

[Mr. C]

4 of the 16 teams will be mid-majors: SIU, Butler, UNLV, and the winner of Memphis/Nevada.

Not too bad considering there were probably only a few other legitimate possibilities out there.
I don't think you can really call UNLV, a team with an NCAA banner and four Final Four appearances, a mid-major in all reality. The Rebels are just getting back to a place they always seemed to be through the 1980s and early 90s. UNLV is a national name, no matter what conference it belongs to. Memphis has been one of the biggest names nationally in basketball since losing in the national championship game in 1973. And since when is Conference USA mid-major?

[kardplayer]

I don't think you can really call UNLV, a team with an NCAA banner and four Final Four appearances, a mid-major in all reality. The Rebels are just getting back to a place they always seemed to be through the 1980s and early 90s. UNLV is a national name, no matter what conference it belongs to. Memphis has been one of the biggest names nationally in basketball since losing in the national championship game in 1973. And since when is Conference USA mid-major?


UNLV may be a national name, but if Gonzaga is still considered a mid major (it is BTW) than UNLV most certainly is. The UNLV glory years - as glorious as they were - were brief. They also had only 2 home games by Power Conference schools - South Florida (14th place - didn't make the Big East tourny) and Minnesota (9th in the Big 10). That looks pretty mid-major to me.

Conference USA became mid-major when all the best basketball schools left and it ended up with the 11th best RPI this year and no at large bids. While they certainly weren't mid-major before, but they are now. Memphis did have one visit from NIT bound Mississippi, but I wouldn't be surprised if that became rarer as Conference USA drops off the face of the map.

[aggie6thman]

My entire Elite 8 is still alive, but what am I going to do the next few days without the tourney? It is like they get you addicted and then suddenly cut you off...I feel like a crack junkie who is doing his first stint in rehab...

[Peems]

The ACC totally let me down...but UNC, the dream lives on!

[AppGuy04]

The ACC totally let me down...but UNC, the dream lives on!

It's not like we lost to scrubs. Thats the bright side.

Virginia lost to Tennessee
Maryland to Butler
Virginia Tech to SIU
BC to G Town
Duke to VCU
GT to UNLV

So all of those teams are in the Sweet 16 except one

On another note, we are undefeated in the NIT baby!

[Peems]

It's not like we lost to scrubs. Thats the bright side.

Virginia lost to Tennessee
Maryland to Butler
Virginia Tech to SIU
BC to G Town
Duke to VCU
GT to UNLV

So all of those teams are in the Sweet 16 except one

On another note, we are undefeated in the NIT baby!

I'm disappointed in Maryland and Virginia the most. Maryland was not the team that ripped it up in the ACC, and after Reynolds got hurt in the Tenn. game it was downhill. On a side note G. Tech would have beat Wisconsin!

[spelunker64]

I'm mostly upset by Texas losing to USC. Payback for the bowl game a couple years back?

[AppGuy04]

I'm mostly upset by Texas losing to USC. Payback for the bowl game a couple years back?

Just makes it more apparent that Durant is one and done.

[spelunker64]

Just makes it more apparent that Durant is one and done.


As in good players on the team, or number of years he's playing college ball. xrolleyesx

[Peems]

As in good players on the team, or number of years he's playing college ball. xrolleyesx

pretty much both, poor texas wonder what will happen next year?

[Mr. C]

UNLV may be a national name, but if Gonzaga is still considered a mid major (it is BTW) than UNLV most certainly is. The UNLV glory years - as glorious as they were - were brief. They also had only 2 home games by Power Conference schools - South Florida (14th place - didn't make the Big East tourny) and Minnesota (9th in the Big 10). That looks pretty mid-major to me.

Conference USA became mid-major when all the best basketball schools left and it ended up with the 11th best RPI this year and no at large bids. While they certainly weren't mid-major before, but they are now. Memphis did have one visit from NIT bound Mississippi, but I wouldn't be surprised if that became rarer as Conference USA drops off the face of the map.
Mid-Major is just a plain DUMB tag to try to put distance between the big conferences and the others. UNLV IS NOT by ANY stretch of the imagination a mid-major team. Conference USA is not a mid-major conference, no matter how many bids they received this season. Miami belongs to the ACC. Do you think Miami is a big-time program, while UNLV and Memphis are not? The same for Baylor in the Big 12, or Northwestern in the Big 10. This just shows you how DUMB the tag is. Your argument hold NO water. I wasn't calling Gonzaga a mid-major, by the way. They've done more than a lot of the teams in the major conferences. Let's just lose this stupid term altogether.

[Peems]

Mid-Major is just a plain DUMB tag to try to put distance between the big conferences and the others. UNLV IS NOT by ANY stretch of the imagination a mid-major team. Conference USA is not a mid-major conference, no matter how many bids they received this season. Miami belongs to the ACC. Do you think Miami is a big-time program, while UNLV and Memphis are not? The same for Baylor in the Big 12, or Northwestern in the Big 10. This just shows you how DUMB the tag is. Your argument hold NO water. I wasn't calling Gonzaga a mid-major, by the way. They've done more than a lot of the teams in the major conferences. Let's just lose this stupid term altogether.

I don't think UNLV is a big time program, but I would say Memphis is starting to distance itself from its weaker conference.

[AppGuy04]

As in good players on the team, or number of years he's playing college ball. xrolleyesx

Durant was Texas, they won't go any further next year, so he's gone IMO

[dbackjon]

The Mountain West is NOT mid-major (whatever that means), but by no means is it a MAJOR conference.

In years past, the C-USA was on level with the Mountain West, and closing the gap with the BCS conferences. But since 4 of the 5 top teams left for the Big East, C-USA is closer to mid-major status than major. But, I wouldn't call them mid-major yet (until Memphis leaves).

[AppGuy04]

The Mountain West is NOT mid-major (whatever that means), but by no means is it a MAJOR conference.

In years past, the C-USA was on level with the Mountain West, and closing the gap with the BCS conferences. But since 4 of the 5 top teams left for the Big East, C-USA is closer to mid-major status than major. But, I wouldn't call them mid-major yet (until Memphis leaves).

I agree, C-USA is mid major without Memphis

[Grizalltheway]

Durant was Texas, they won't go any further next year, so he's gone IMO

Exactly why I picked usc. Morrison and reddick proved last year that you can't win a championship with one player xnodx

[AppGuy04]

Exactly why I picked usc. Morrison and reddick proved last year that you can't win a championship with one player xnodx

Reddick had a little more help, but Morrison was certainly alone

[Peems]

Exactly why I picked usc. Morrison and reddick proved last year that you can't win a championship with one player xnodx

Yeah but Durant makes Redick and Morrison look like 6th grade girls on the court.

[BigApp]

I don't think UNLV is a big time program

xeyebrowx How many national championships, Final Fours, and All-american's do they need to have to be a big-time program then? xeyebrowx

[appfan2008]

xeyebrowx How many national championships, Final Fours, and All-american's do they need to have to be a big-time program then? xeyebrowx
that is great that they have a title and a handful of final fours but when you dont win a SINGLE ncaa tourney game for 16 years you are not a big time program... but they can be if they keep this up for a few years! by the way kevin kruger went to my high school while i was there... walton high school in marietta georgia!!!!

[griz37]

You guys who think Texas won't be good next year if Durant returns are crazy. They lose one player this year, reserve Craig Winder. DJ Augustine will be one of the best PG in America, AJ Abrams can really shoot & add Durant w/another year. Texas is easily a top 5 team if KD returns.

[Peems]

You guys who think Texas won't be good next year if Durant returns are crazy. They lose one player this year, reserve Craig Winder. DJ Augustine will be one of the best PG in America, AJ Abrams can really shoot & add Durant w/another year. Texas is easily a top 5 team if KD returns.

No one said they would be bad if Durant came back, they are saying Texas wont be good if he doesn't come back.

[appfan2008]

texas just does not have enough talent other than durant to be a title contendor if he comes back or not

[AppGuy04]

Tonight's games:

(4) Southern Ill. 29-6 (Road: 10-4) 7:10pm

(1) Kansas 32-4 (Home: 16-2) ET


(3) Texas A&M 27-6 (Road: 7-3) 7:27pm

(2) Memphis 32-3 (Home: 19-0) ET


(3) Pittsburgh 29-7 (Road: 8-3) 9:40pm

(2) UCLA 28-5 (Home: 16-0) ET


(5) Tennessee 24-10 (Road: 3-7) 9:57pm

(1) Ohio St. 32-3 (Home: 19-0) ET

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Go Salukis!!!!!!!

[crunifan]

C'MON SIU! REPRESENT THE VALLEY!

I want the Saluki's to just take it to the Jayhawks. Bradley showed them the power of the Valley last year, now SIU needs to remind them!

[dbackjon]

Games are underway!!

Kansas 19
SIU 13
7:24 1st


Memphis 13
Texas A & M 10
14:30 1st

[Peems]

I don't care about the bracket, let's just have upsets.

[dbackjon]

SIU takes the lead!! 22-21 4:47 1st

[NDSUFREAK]

24-23
SIU

3:20 to go in the 1st

[dbackjon]

A&M-Memphis 18 all 11:28 1st

[dbackjon]

Kansas 27
SIU 24

HALF

[dbackjon]

Memphis 23
Texas A&M 19

9:44 1st

[dbackjon]

A&M 42
Memphis 37

Half


SIU 30
Kansas 27

17:18 2nd

[NDSUFREAK]

33-29
SIU!!
16 mins to go

[dbackjon]

SIU 39
Kansas 36
10:46 2nd

[NDSUFREAK]

TIE GAME at 45

7 mins to go

KU AND SIU

[dbackjon]

Kansas up by three - 3:55 left

Memphis up by three - 11:46 left

[dbackjon]

Kansas up 2 with 1:08 left

[dbackjon]

SIU within 1 - 48 seconds left

[blackfordpu]

Kansas wins, great run for SIU. I would have liked to see them win but since Kansas won my bracket it still ok.

Great season Salukies!xhurrayx

[NDSUFREAK]

1:50 to go for A&M and UM

63-63

[NDSUFREAK]

TAMU at the line for 2
1st is no good
2nd is good

64-63
TAMU

Memphis ball
in bounds
at half court
looking for some room
inside
back outside
drives
pass
loose balll
TAMU BALL

1:05 to go

[NDSUFREAK]

Timeout TAMU

54 secs left

[NDSUFREAK]

Back to action

TAMU inbounds at half court
TAMU LOST THE BALL
off memphis

[NDSUFREAK]

8 on the shot clock
full court press
home run passs
lay up no goood!

Memphis ball
at halfcourt
30 secs
jumper no good
offensive rebound

TIMEOUT Memphis

[NDSUFREAK]

25 secs to go

in bounds memphis
1 point lead for TAMU
at halfcourt
looking for room
3333333333333 no good
offensive rebound
tip in no good!
offensive rebound
tip in no good
FOUL ON TAMU!!!

[NDSUFREAK]

1st is gooooood
tie game at 64
3 secs left
TAMU timeout

[NDSUFREAK]

2nd is good
1 point lead for memphis

timeout TAMU

[Mr. C]

Wow, what a couple of games. This Memphis guy goes 1-of-4 on FTs for the game and then drains two to give the Tigers the lead.

[blackfordpu]

A&M vs. Memphis, best game of the tourny so far?

GO TIGERS!!!!

[NDSUFREAK]

we are back
i guess the ball was tipped out of bounds by memphis before the TO
looking for the correct time

[NDSUFREAK]

WOW!!
now only 2 seconds left
bad call IMO

[NDSUFREAK]

in bounds for TAMU
333333333333333 NO GOOD

MEMPHIS WINS

[Mr. C]

WOW!!
now only 2 seconds left
bad call IMO
Put yourself in that position. Time had to come off the clock. Their guess was just that and your guess would have been just as suspect. The refs did their best with that.

[Mr. C]

A&M vs. Memphis, best game of the tourny so far?

GO TIGERS!!!!
We didn't get the whole game out here, so hard for me to say. Ohio State-Xavier in OT and Vanderbilt's double OT win were pretty good too.

[Grizalltheway]

Thanks a lot SIU and A&M! Totally screwed my bracket xbangx xbangx xnonono2x xnonono2x

[dbackjon]

Two great games

[dbackjon]

Next up - the NAU game.

Former NAU HC 8
Former NAU AC 5

15:18 1st

[NDSUFREAK]

Put yourself in that position. Time had to come off the clock. Their guess was just that and your guess would have been just as suspect. The refs did their best with that.

I just don't know where the 1.1 seconds coming off came from.

[blackfordpu]

I just don't know where the 1.1 seconds coming off came from.

The Memphis player hit it before it went out of bounds and the ball took a pretty big bounce before it landed out of bounds to stop the clock.

[NDSUFREAK]

The Memphis player hit it before it went out of bounds and the ball took a pretty big bounce before it landed out of bounds to stop the clock.

Sure didn't seem like it took that much time to get out of bounds in regular time. That is what i saw but idk.

[NDSUFREAK]

Even if it was 2.9 seconds you don't know if TAMU would have made the shot.

[blackfordpu]

Even if it was 2.9 seconds you don't know if TAMU would have made the shot.

Not with the way Memphis defended the inbound pass.

[TheValleyRaider]

My two Final Four teams survived tonight! xhurrayx (Memphis in the FF, WTF? xconfusedx)

Want UCLA and Tennessee to go 4-4 tonight, then need North Carolina tomorrow. Anyone willing to beat Florida and screw my friend's brackets in the next few days is more than welcome to as well... xthumbsupx

[Peems]

A&M got screwed! oh well good game. If they could of gotten a rebound we wouldn't of been having this conversation.

[Mr. C]

How exactly did A&M "get screwed?"

[Peems]

How exactly did A&M "get screwed?"

I believe there should of been more time on the clock. No guarantee they make the shot, but the chances would have improved. But like I said, if they could have gotten a rebound it wouldn't of mattered.

[Mr. C]

Saying that it cost the Aggies the game is pretty severe (I do know the ref who made the call, BTW — Karl Hess does a lot of games out here and is one of the best refs the ACC and SoCon have). At the most you are talking about five or six tenths of a second. The A&M player still would have been forced into a deep three and the chances of making it in that situation is probably only 20% at best. A&M was fortunate Memphis touched the ball on that in-bounds pass, or it would have been a game-ending turnover.

[Peems]

Saying that it cost the Aggies the game is pretty severe (I do know the ref who made the call, BTW — Karl Hess does a lot of games out here and is one of the best refs the ACC and SoCon have). At the most you are talking about five or six tenths of a second. The A&M player still would have been forced into a deep three and the chances of making it in that situation is probably only 20% at best. A&M was fortunate Memphis touched the ball on that in-bounds pass, or it would have been a game-ending turnover.

I was half joking, but I still believe there chances would have increased. the real reason i said that is because I had the aggies winning that gamexsmhx

[Mr. C]

I knew that.

Tennessee, BTW, is shooting the crap out of Ohio State. The Vols are up by 16 with 6:19 left in the half (34-18).

[Mr. C]

Greg Oden just picked up his THIRD foul. The Buckeyes are in deep trouble, down 34-20.

[dbackjon]

UCLA 32
Pitt 26

Half

[Mr. C]

The lead is now 17 for Tennessee. They are shooting great from 3-point range. Make it 19 now 39-20.

[Peems]

I'm cheering for Tenn. i hate oden. He looks like he is 40.(nothing wrong with that for all you who are over 40 :))

[Mr. C]

UCLA 32
Pitt 26

Half
So what are your impressions so far? We only got about the first 10 minutes of the first half back here.

[Mr. C]

I'm cheering for Tenn. i hate oden. He looks like he is 40.(nothing wrong with that for all you who are over 40 :))
Very funny, Mr. Peems. xlolx

[dbackjon]

So what are your impressions so far? We only got about the first 10 minutes of the first half back here.

Unfortunately - at work. Monitoring when I can (mainly when reports are running) xmadx

[Peems]

So what are your impressions so far? We only got about the first 10 minutes of the first half back here.

They still have MMOD going so if you have your computer close to your TV, you can watch the UCLA game.

[blackfordpu]

Ohio State needs to wake up or my bracket will officially be BUSTED!

[Mr. C]

Tennessee is ahead 49-32 at halftime. Wonder what the biggest comeback in a Sweet 16 game has ever been? Ohio State's biggest halftime deficit of the season (previous was nine points in the 16-point loss to Florida).

[Mr. C]

They still have MMOD going so if you have your computer close to your TV, you can watch the UCLA game.
My computer is about five feet away, but living in the Boonies, I'm on dial-up right now. In the past, I had all of the LA stations, in addition to Charlotte and NY affliates, so I would have gotten both games. It is terrible that that new law took that away.

[Mr. C]

They just switched us back to the UCLA game.

[Peems]

My computer is about five feet away, but living in the Boonies, I'm on dial-up right now. In the past, I had all of the LA stations, in addition to Charlotte and NY affliates, so I would have gotten both games. It is terrible that that new law took that away.

Ah understandable. If the Tenn/OSU game keeps this up, they'll definitely switch to the UCLA game.

[Mr. C]

Ivan Harris of OSU is lucky he didn't break his leg, having Greg Oden fall on him like that. Tennessee 51, Ohio State 40, 17 minutes left.

[dbackjon]

OSU coming back. Down 4

[dbackjon]

Meanwhile, the Master is schooling the Pupil 54-42 with 3:25 left.


Will this be Dixon's last game as Pitt HC?

[Mr. C]

Where would Dixon be going?

[Mr. C]

The announcers were talking about Kerry Keating, Ben Howland's assistant, being a likely hire as a head coach. Keating used to be one of Buzz Peterson's assistants at App State and Tulsa.

[Mr. C]

Oden just picked up a cheap No. 4 foul. Tennessee 62, OSU 59, 10:40 left. Hunter also has four fouls for the Buckeyes.

[dbackjon]

Where would Dixon be going?


Kentucky!!! :D

[dbackjon]

Pitt within 6

[dbackjon]

Buckeyes tie it up!!

[dbackjon]

OSU takes the lead. 66-64

[dbackjon]

UCLA is locking this one away 60-52 32 seconds left

[dbackjon]

UCLA 64
Pitt 55

FINAL

[Mr. C]

Tennessee is heating up again. 77-74 Vols with 4:10 left. Oden just came back in.

[SeattleGriz]

I love college ball, but they need to move the 3 point line out further. How about in between Pro and High School.

I hope everyone realizes it is the same distance 12 year old girls shoot from.

[Mr. C]

Ohio State is starting to miss a few FTs after being brilliant earlier. Mike Conley Jr. has missed three straight. Conley, the son of the Olympic jump medalist, hit 8-of-9 earlier.

[Mr. C]

Tied again with 2:40 left. 79-79 after a David Lighti trey for OSU.

[Mr. C]

Conley made a great read on a back door cut and intercepted a pass to give Ohio State the ball back. We're seeing some great games tonight.

[Mr. C]

Ron Lewis is incredible on those clutch treys, but Tennessee answers. 1:38 left. Oden is fouled and shooting two. Hits them both, 84-82 OSU.

[Mr. C]

Chism misses the first of two FTs with 1:18 left, makes the second. 84-83 OSU.

[appfan2008]

last team with the ball might win this one

[Mr. C]

Tough foul call on Ohio State on a nice blocked shot with 38.7 left. Smith misses the first, makes the second to tie.

[Mr. C]

Conley hit FT with 6.5 seconds left, 85-84 OSU. Time out. Another wild finish for OSU. Conley misses the second.

[appfan2008]

I hope OSU can pull it out bc I have them in the final four

[Mr. C]

Smith has a shot rejected by Oden at the buzzer and Ohio State wins another thriller.

[appfan2008]

congrats to OSU

[appfan2008]

what a day in college basketball... four great games all but the ucla one coming down to nearly the last play!

[dbackjon]

Awesome ending!

[appfan2008]

Awesome ending!
gotta love it... that is what the madness of march is all about!

[MYTAPPY]

I still can't get over Law missing that layup for the Aggies. I had them in my final four.
The need to go run layup and rebounding drills over the summer.
xmadx

[lizrdgizrd]

Well, I lost TA&M, but I've got 3/4 so far. xthumbsupx

[spelunker64]

Well, I lost TA&M, but I've got 3/4 so far. xthumbsupx

Yep same here, I only have Florida and G'Town alive yet for tonight though. xrolleyesx


Dang Wisconsin and Texasxmadx

[AppGuy04]

My Final 4 is still alive

[MYTAPPY]

Can't wait for everyone's barcket to be SOL tonight when the the Tarheels (I Hope) go down to the Trojans.

[AppGuy04]

Can't wait for everyone's barcket to be SOL tonight when the the Tarheels (I Hope) go down to the Trojans.

Doesn't affect me at all, I had Texas beating them and Georgetown beating Texas

[MYTAPPY]

Doesn't affect me at all, I had Texas beating them and Georgetown beating Texas

Except for you AppGuy.....
I bet the majority have them in the Final Four.

[Mr. C]

Can't wait for everyone's barcket to be SOL tonight when the the Tarheels (I Hope) go down to the Trojans.
People back here just seem to think that UNC is going to roll in this game, with no idea about how good USC is. This will be one of the toughest games all season for the Tar Heals. By the way, isn't interesting that only one ACC team is still alive in the postseason, while the Pac-10 has three teams in the Sweet 16.

[MYTAPPY]

People back here just seem to think that UNC is going to roll in this game, with no idea about how good USC is. This will be one of the toughest games all season for the Tar Heals. By the way, isn't interesting that only one ACC team is still alive in the postseason, while the Pac-10 has three teams in the Sweet 16.

I agree Mr. C. The Pac-10 has shown up this year. I think it will be a battle tonight.

[appfan2008]

People back here just seem to think that UNC is going to roll in this game, with no idea about how good USC is. This will be one of the toughest games all season for the Tar Heals. By the way, isn't interesting that only one ACC team is still alive in the postseason, while the Pac-10 has three teams in the Sweet 16.
I would love to see UNC go down and I do think they are very vulnerable.xrotatehx xnodx :D :p

[appfan2008]

My Final 4 is still alive

so is mine...

UF
KU
OSU
Georgetown

UF
Georgetown

Georgetown

xnodx xnodx xnodx xnodx xnodx xnodx xnodx

[Peems]

I would love to see UNC go down and I do think they are very vulnerable.xrotatehx xnodx :D :p

We are going to run USC ragged.

[AppGuy04]

We are going to run USC ragged.

Better think again my friend, they have just as much talent

[Peems]

Better think again my friend, they have just as much talent

I should have entered the xsmiley_wix icon, but I don't know if they have as MUCH talent. They are a very talented team and can definitely keep up with the tarheels, however, I think, like with many teams the tarheels face, the difference will be the bench. The tarheels have more talent coming off the bench and so I say "we will run them raggedxsmiley_wix "

[dbackjon]

USC wins ;)

[Peems]

USC wins ;)

you're just trying to get my blood pressure up aren't youxsmiley_wix

[dbackjon]

you're just trying to get my blood pressure up aren't youxsmiley_wix

Nah - the Trojans will do that for ya. xlolx

[AppGuy04]

I should have entered the xsmiley_wix icon, but I don't know if they have as MUCH talent. They are a very talented team and can definitely keep up with the tarheels, however, I think, like with many teams the tarheels face, the difference will be the bench. The tarheels have more talent coming off the bench and so I say "we will run them raggedxsmiley_wix "

more bodies doesn't = more talent, sorry but Quentin Thomas is not talent, nor is Miller

[B&G]

more bodies doesn't = more talent, sorry but Quentin Thomas is not talent, nor is Miller

And from what I hear, Reyshawn Terry won't be playing tonight. I give USC a real shot at winning if they're hot from downtown. But ultimately I think the 'Heels will win by about 5. I will admit that I hope UNC loses because of how a lot of their fans in this area seem to be looking past the Trojans. This is the same squad that lost twice to Virginia Tech so it isn't going to be a sure thing.

[AppGuy04]

And from what I hear, Reyshawn Terry won't be playing tonight. I give USC a real shot at winning if they're hot from downtown. But ultimately I think the 'Heels will win by about 5. I will admit that I hope UNC loses because of how a lot of their fans in this area seem to be looking past the Trojans. This is the same squad that lost twice to Virginia Tech so it isn't going to be a sure thing.

UNC taking teams lightly is exactly how they lost to the Wolfpack

[dbackjon]

Butler with early lead 8-6

[dbackjon]

Now 14-6 Butler

[NDSUFREAK]

butler has come up strong. Let's just see if they can keep this up in the 2nd half as well even though there is 9 mins left in the first.

[Mr. C]

The homerism of Jim Nantz and Billy Packer tonight in the UNC-USC game has me searching for a barf bag. They might as well have had Woody Durham doing this game. Almost openly rooting for the Tar Heals to come back in this one.

[Mr. C]

Did anyone see the replays on the end of the Georgetown-Vanderbilt game? There was an OBVIOUS travel (switch of pivot foots) before the game-winning shot. Georgetown should have lost that game, but the officials missed the call.

Now stupid Billy Packer is trying to say it wasn't traveling. What a buffoon.

[goasu984Life]

Thank God for Marcus Ginyard tonight for the Heels. Whew.

[Mr. C]

USC just ran out of gas. It was a great comeback for UNC, but Billy Packer makes me want to puke. Would somebody at CBS PLEASE fire that dude. The offensive foul on USC was a call you don't make in that situation (questionable at best and unlike what Packer kept harping on, he DID NOT reach out on the play, his hands were at his side). It was Gibson's fifth foul and then you compound a bad call with a technical foul (which was deserved by Tim Floyd for throwing stuff on the court and coming on the floor. But he had a reason to argue that pathetic call). And before anyone calls me a USC homer, let me tell you that there are few schools I hate more than the Trojans. My least favorite team in California.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I have never seen an NCAA tourney like this where there have been so little upsets. The games have been great but i really like the cinderalla aspect of the tourney and that simply did not happen this year. The regional finals should all be pretty good with the UNC-GTown game maybe being the least competitive due to Carolina's speed advantage and depth.

[B&G]

For you Billy Packer lovers out there...

http://www.joesportsfan.com/mediaspace/?id=9

[appfan2008]

did anyone see the foul discrepency through the second half? usc had double unc fouls most of the way... it is a bunch of bull crap

[appfan2008]

all four final four teams still alive

uf
ku
osu
george

uf
george

george

anyone else?

my guess would be yes being the elite 8 is made up of

1 3 1 2
1 2 1 2

does anyone know if that is the best elite 8 ever???

[PantherRob82]

I have 6 of the last 8 and my final 4 left.

Kinda sucks for the mid-majors to have almost every top seed in the elite 8. 7 out of 8 has to be the most ever.

[TheValleyRaider]

3 of my Final Four are still left. Of course, in this year of the top-heavy bracket, the #2-Seed Wisconsin is my 1 missing xmadx

[PantherRob82]

I'm missing Texas and Wisc from my elite 8.

final 4 are:

Florida Gerorgetown

Kansas Ohio St

[HiHiYikas]

This is the best-seeded elite 8 ever. I think the CBS guys mentioned last night, before the conclusion of the North Carolina game, that even without the Tar Heels in yet it had already tied for best ever.

1-1-1-1-2-2-2-3

It would be nice to finally see a 1-1-1-1 Final Four

[appfan2008]

This is the best-seeded elite 8 ever. I think the CBS guys mentioned last night, before the conclusion of the North Carolina game, that even without the Tar Heels in yet it had already tied for best ever.

1-1-1-1-2-2-2-3

It would be nice to finally see a 1-1-1-1 Final Four
those are really amazing numbers and it shows just how top heavy the country was this year... and with such a weak middle of the pack... too bad wisconsin peaked a few weeks ago and has been sliding ever since other wise we could have had the ultimate 11112222

[goasu984Life]

Texas A&M is the only Final Four team that I have lost, so far. I have Florida, UCLA, North Carolina and Texas A&M in Atlanta.

[ucdtim17]

That ending to the D2 championship was amazing

[PantherRob82]

Who won the DII game?