March Madness

[Ebby Calvin]

Who's in your Final Four?

I've got Texas, Ohio State, Kansas & Pitt.  No, Texas won't likely make it there, but I'm a homer and I never do well in these things, so why not.

Should be a fun tourney.

[Limey]

Who's in your Final Four?

Scarlett Johannson, Zooey Deschanel, Jennifer Connolly & Charlize Theron.

Wait, are we talking about the same thing?

[drew corleone]

I filled out two brackets.

#1: Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, Pittsburgh
#2: North Carolina, UConn, Kansas, Pittsburgh

No love for Ohio State or Duke in either bracket. I wanted to pick against Pitt, but the rest of that region was underwhelming. And while I picked Texas to the Final Four in the first one, I have them going out in the second round to Arizona in the other.

[Noe]

Scarlett Johannson MacBook, Zooey Deschanel iPhone, Jennifer Connolly iPod & Charlize Theron iPad.

Wait, are we talking about the same thing?

FIFY

[MusicMan]

FIFY

Bravo.

[Limey]

Bravo.

I'll be in my bunk.

[austro]

FIFY

Surely Scarlett Johannson merits a MacBook Pro, no?

[Noe]

Surely Scarlett Johannson merits a MacBook Pro, no?

You're lucky I even remembered the name of the Apple laptops to begin with.

[MusicMan]

To bring this back to March Madness:

This year's iPhone app is AWESOME.

[Gizzmonic]

I forgot to fill out my bracket.

Oh well, listening to Spring Training games instead.

[MusicMan]

Rick Pitino against a school called "Morehead", and not one joke?

I'm disappointed in you all.

[Bench]

Rick Pitino against a school called "Morehead", and not one joke?

I'm disappointed in you all.

I was thinking about a joke but I lost it after 15 seconds.

[Ebby Calvin]

Rick Pitino against a school called "Morehead", and not one joke?

I'm disappointed in you all.

Pitino Creamed by Morehead?

[austro]

Pitino unable to pull it out.

[austro]

Next target: Calipari.

[ybbodeus]

And Princeton doesn't even run the Princeton offense anymore; Kentrucky does.  Boy, is that state blowing it, especially Lousvyville.

[MusicMan]

At least we get Morehead on Saturday.

[MusicMan]

Next target: Calipari.

Pitino and Calipari out back to back?  I might convulse with joy.

[MusicMan]

And Princeton doesn't even run the Princeton offense anymore; Kentrucky does.  Boy, is that state blowing it, especially Lousvyville.

Dribble Drive Motion does not equal Princeton offense.

[austro]

Pitino and Calipari out back to back?  I might convulse with joy.

I know I would.

[austro]

Crap: Calipari survives to smirk another day.

[Bench]

At least we get Morehead on Saturday.

Wait, I always thought you were a Longhorn guy.

[MusicMan]

Wait, I always thought you were a Longhorn guy.

Bigger "we". Who doesn't love Morehead?

[Bench]

Bigger "we". Who doesn't love Morehead?

Kevin Mench?

[Jacksonian]

Bigger "we". Who doesn't love Morehead?

Ellen Degeneres

[Bench]

Pitino Creamed by Morehead?

face-palm

[VirtualBob]

Ellen Degeneres

SFN

[Limey]

I heard on the radio this morning that, of the 6 million brackets completed on ESPN's website, only 300 remained perfect after yesterday's play.

[MusicMan]

I heard on the radio this morning that, of the 6 million brackets completed on ESPN's website, only 300 remained perfect after yesterday's play.

Mine was in the bottom 5%.

[Gizzmonic]

One tough draw is all it takes to finish Louisville.

[Ron Brand]

Meanwhile, Texas is playing insane sloppy ball against an insane, sloppy and outmanned Oakland and is winning, 63-46 about midway in the second period.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The play by play guy sounds like he's trying to talk through a mouthful of back flesh.

[Ron Brand]

This looks like playground basketball.

[Ron Brand]

Barkley - "Texas is not fundamentally sound. They're winning on talent alone."

[Ron Brand]

80-75 Texas, 1:22 left.

[DVauthrin]

A win is a win, but that game should not have got that tight down the stretch.    Oh, and memo to Gary Johnson, pull your head out of your ass prior to Sunday.  It's been stuck there for weeks.      

[MusicMan]

Barkley - "Texas is not fundamentally sound. They're winning on talent alone."

Chuckster is right.  When they play disciplined, fundamental ball, they're unbeatable.

[JimR]

Fuck Barkley. The plan was to run when possible and pound it inside. We played smart most of the game. #4 kept them in the game with off rebs. Survive and advance, baby. No criticising a W in the tournament. Ask L'ville.

[Limey]

My girlfriend is a vegetarian UT fan, which pretty much makes me a vegetarian UT fan.

[MusicMan]

My girlfriend is a vegetarian UT fan, which pretty much makes me a vegetarian UT fan.

Welcome aboard.  Please recalibrate to have irrationally high expectations at all time, and to piss and moan about the slightest perceived slights.  If you know any Man U fans, that may give you perspective.

[MusicMan]

Also:

Please, Memphis.  Pretty please.  Arizona has no desire to play defense.

[Limey]

Welcome aboard.  Please recalibrate to have irrationally high expectations at all time, and to piss and moan about the slightest perceived slights.  If you know any Man U fans, that may give you perspective.

Comparisons to Moan Utd is one of the reasons I don't want to follow UT.  But Miss Limey's fanaticism for them* and intensity when watching sports** means that if I didn't support them, in addition to loss of benefits, I'd probably get a punch in the mouth.

*  She had a scholarship to UT to play volleyball and tennis, before blowing out her knee in her last game as a high school senior.

**  She was getting worked up about the Astros at Spring Training.  I also had to hold her back from "discussing" a Ravens' fan's "behaviour" with him at a Texans game last year.

[MusicMan]

That's a great woman you found.

[EasTexAstro]

That's a great woman you found.

Are you trying to call down the wrath of the Limey GF Gods?

[ybbodeus]

Well, my bracket didn't have 'em, but I sure was hoping to be wrong and see the young, erratic Tigers from my hometown play ya'lls horns.  Another year, perhaps.

[austro]

Spero Dedes? That's a real name?

[austro]

Well, my bracket didn't have 'em, but I sure was hoping to be wrong and see the young, erratic Tigers from my hometown play ya'lls horns.  Another year, perhaps.

You'll get the Owls twice a year and you'll like it, young man.

[austro]

This just in: Aggies look clueless.

[MusicMan]

This just in: Aggies look clueless.

The basketball team, or in general?

[ybbodeus]

You'll get the Owls twice a year and you'll like it, young man.

This just in:  Rice beat the FUCK out of Memphis a month ago.  In my best Chris Rock:  "...but I understand."

Jesus, Aggies?

[austro]

The basketball team, or in general?

Well, I'll limit myself to the basketball team at this time. Down 9 with 2+ minutes to go; doesn't look good.

[JimR]

Hey, y'all who saw Arizona. Who is going to guard Williams?

[austro]

Hey, y'all who saw Arizona. Who is going to guard Williams?

Thompson, I imagine. But I think the game plan will be to get Williams in foul trouble. They need to pound the ball in to Thompson and Johnson. Williams appears to be very anxious to help from the weak side, and I think you can get him in foul trouble that way.

Did they say he was hitting 60% of his three-pointers? That's ridiculous.

[JimR]

I thought he is a wing player. No?

[ybbodeus]

I thought he is a wing player. No?

No.  He's a kind of a tweener/wild card but primarily does his work around the basket.  He can step out and shoot the lights out, which makes him a double danger and an NBA prodige at worst.  Lottery pick, they claim.

Boston University demonstrating that good basketball is played all over this great nation.

[MusicMan]

Pitt - Butler:

I have never seen any other game where each team fouled in the last 1.4 seconds - when they weren't losing!

[austro]

Pitt - Butler:

I have never seen any other game where each team fouled in the last 1.4 seconds - when they weren't losing!

That is film material for coaches across the nation. In coach-speak: "Stay the fuck away!!!!!"

[JimR]

Thompson and Hamilton say they will be back at UT next year. Huge if they stick with it.

[JimR]

The more I read about Arizona, the scareder I get.

[MusicMan]

The more I read about Arizona, the scareder I get.

Zona will have to play much better D than they did vs Memphis.

[Rebel Jew]

easiest team to root against? duke or red sox, yankees, and ftc combined into a hybrid sports monster?

[austro]

I see that Duke held on to win by two. I suspect that I'm glad I wasn't watching that unfold.

[Lurch]

I see that Duke held on to win by two. I suspect that I'm glad I wasn't watching that unfold.

Yep.  Beyond frustrating.

[Lurch]

George Mason played a great 5 mins of basketball.

[austro]

And it looks like we're being treated to the confused, impotent UT offense today.

[Ron Brand]

They're getting good looks but they aren't going in, which is better than the run down the court and jack it up offense we've been seeing.

[austro]

I am so tired of Johnson doing his WWE act down on the block. He doesn't always have to bulldoze his guy.

[Lurch]

Oh my.  Didn't Texas have a crazy high 3pt against defense percentage?

[austro]

Oh my.  Didn't Texas have a crazy high 3pt against defense percentage?

Their problem is that because they can't put the ball in the basket, they're unable to set their defense. AZ is getting good looks against the scrambling transition defense.

And Brown isn't going to see the floor for the rest of this half after that horrible "lob" pass into the lane. Barnes was PISSED.

[austro]

What an ugly fucking mess. 12 points in the first four minutes, 13 in the next 16, and that only because AZ fouled Brown with 2 seconds left.

[Ron Brand]

Texas better come up with two good runs in the second half. Fucking embarrassing that this team can't drive and score against Arizona.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Game is over at the half. Out coached, out played. Fucking beat down.

[austro]

Game is over at the half. Out coached, out played. Fucking beat down.

I'm not convinced of that. AZ was uncommonly hot from 3-point land, and they could easily cool off in the second half. But Barnes had better figure out some offensive changes to get some people decent shots in the lane.

[Ron Brand]

Starting out doing what they've been needing to do.

[Ron Brand]

Getting Arizona to foul now could be huge if this game is close late.

[austro]

How the fuck was that a foul on Thompson?

[Ron Brand]

The refs are calling ticky tacky shit, but letting it go when contact involving a shot is concerned.

[austro]

Yeah, I can't figure out what they're going to call. I thought Williams simply fell over, but what do I know?

[Ron Brand]

TT has been getting shoved out of bounds all night but they aren't calling it. They're intimidating the freshman, I guess.

[austro]

When a guy flips a pass over his shoulder for an assist, it might not be your night.

[Lurch]

How the fuck do you take JCB out?!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The JCovan Brown show.

[Ron Brand]

Christ. Fucking bullshit refs.

[Lurch]

Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue

[austro]

Well, the good news is that this morning's paper's report that both Thompson and Hamilton are said to be coming back is a lot more likely now. They've both proven that there's a lot more development needed.

[Rebel Jew]

refs are having dirty dirty sex with this game

[Ron Brand]

Barnes looked like some kind of lizard watching that last clusterfuck, tongue flicking uncontrollably.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Great D on Williams that last stand.

[Ty in Tampa]

Wow. Fuck.

[Ron Brand]

Incredible. Texas just got fucking raped by the refs.

[austro]

What a clusterfuck. How do you not get the ball inbounds in that situation?

[Ty in Tampa]

Fuuuuck.

[austro]

Fuck me eight different ways.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Son of a bitch.

[Ron Brand]

Cocksuckers. Goddamn fucking piece of shit cocksuckers. Rot in hell, you worthless sons of bitches. Fuck you all. I hope you die in a fire.

[Rebel Jew]

refs are having dirty dirty sex with this game

[austro]

That is exactly why Brown can't just walk the ball up. You need to give yourself a chance on the rebound.

[Ty in Tampa]

That is exactly why Brown can't just walk the ball up. You need to give yourself a chance on the rebound.

Yeah, he sure didn't look like there was much urgency in his bringing the ball up.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'll never get over the 5 seconds call. Never.

[Lurch]

I'll never get over the 5 seconds call. Never.

It was right.  After 4 seconds you cant call a timeout

[Ron Brand]

It was right.  After 4 seconds you cant call a timeout

That's not the problem. The problem is the mugging going on underneath the basket at the end. Bullshit.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It was right.  After 4 seconds you cant call a timeout

Absolutely. I'm not complaining about the call, I'm bummed by getting the call.

[drew corleone]

It was right.  After 4 seconds you cant call a timeout

That's a pretty fucking stupid rule.

[Lurch]

That's a pretty fucking stupid rule.

I've actually not been able to find it.  That's what they said in the post game show as if it was common knowledge.

I'm pretty sure he took more than 5 seconds regardless.

[drew corleone]

No, he didn't. Rewind and pull out a stopwatch if you don't believe.

As a lot of Twitter folks are pointing out, though, it's hard to blame a call or two when you lose after holding a lead and the ball with 14 seconds left and the opponent out of TOs.

[jbm]

Why did Hamilton call a timeout anyway?  He's one you would want at the line. Kind of a brainlock.

[MusicMan]

As a lot of Twitter folks are pointing out, though, it's hard to blame a call or two when you lose after holding a lead and the ball with 14 seconds left and the opponent out of TOs.

This.

[MusicMan]

I'll never get over the 5 seconds call. Never.

Umm,  I'll get over it a lot sooner than calling a down-the-line option for Colt.

[austro]

Umm,  I'll get over it a lot sooner than calling a down-the-line option for Colt.

No fucking shit. Talk about screwing the pooch.

[MusicMan]

Never fucking mind.  I just read on BON that the ref who called the 5-second call was Jim Burr, the incompetent piece of shit who worked the UT-UConn game but more notable, stopped doing his job in the Rutgers game in the Big East tournament, was let go by the Big East, and is incomprehensibly working an NCAA Tournament game.

Fuck the NCAA.

[roadrunner]

This = Crabtree catch = Pujols homer

Why did Hamilton call the timeout.  The ref counted to 4, btw.  Such bullshit.

[Lurch]

Never fucking mind.  I just read on BON that the ref who called the 5-second call was Jim Burr, the incompetent piece of shit who worked the UT-UConn game but more notable, stopped doing his job in the Rutgers game in the Big East tournament, was let go by the Big East, and is incomprehensibly working an NCAA Tournament game.

Fuck the NCAA.

espn:

However, referee Richard Cartmell called Joseph for a five-second violation, though replays showed he appeared to make the call before reaching five.

"I had five seconds before the kid turned and signaled a timeout," Cartmell said in a statement. "I had to make a decision whether it was five seconds or a timeout, and I made the decision it was five seconds because I had counted five seconds before he called timeout."

And Seth Davis tweets:

My earlier tweet was incorrect. A player can call a time out up until the ref counts to five. Rule changed several years ago. Apologies

[drew corleone]

Him saying he reached five is a complete fabrication. Watch his arm... it doesn't wave five times.

[cougar]

Never fucking mind.  I just read on BON that the ref who called the 5-second call was Jim Burr, the incompetent piece of shit who worked the UT-UConn game but more notable, stopped doing his job in the Rutgers game in the Big East tournament, was let go by the Big East, and is incomprehensibly working an NCAA Tournament game.

Fuck the NCAA.

Further proof that you can indeed fail upwards.

[JimR]

I wonder why Hamilton called the TO. I think it is possible he lost track of the score. Otherwise, why would he not rush it up the floor to use clock and draw a foul?

[Limey]

Incredible. Texas just got fucking raped by the refs.

Everytime I'm tempted back to watch a basketball game - in this case an college game which I'm told are much more entertaining than the NBA - all I see is three guys with happy whistles and the brainpower of goldfish.  It's astonishing how much the refs influence the result of the game.  Vegas knows this, which is why the line on a game often moves after the umpiring crew is announced.

Sorry folks, basketball is bullshit because the officiating is bullshit.

[JimR]

ESPN's Forde suggested that the 5 second call was the "mother of all makeup calls." Everyone says the call was either rushed or at 4.the ref's statement was a bald-faced lie. I can handle losing, but that one was stolen.

[MusicMan]

ESPN's Forde suggested that the 5 second call was the "mother of all makeup calls."

Makeup for what?!?!

[subnuclear]

Makeup for what?!?!

I'm guessing one or more fouls on Brown.

[Limey]

Makeup for what?!?!

Arizona bitched about the no call during the block that immediately preceded the baseline inbounding.  They have an argument.

Of course, Texas took a timeout upon recovering that block, instead of forcing Arizona to foul, which gave Arizona the opportunity to bitch to the refs about the preceding play.

[Rebel Jew]

Everytime I'm tempted back to watch a basketball game - in this case an college game which I'm told are much more entertaining than the NBA - all I see is three guys with happy whistles and the brainpower of goldfish.  It's astonishing how much the refs influence the result of the game.  Vegas knows this, which is why the line on a game often moves after the umpiring crew is announced.

Sorry folks, basketball is bullshit because the officiating is bullshit.

IMO, the regular TV timeouts in 4-minute intervals are an absolute assassin on a college basketball game. Of all sports, basketball is the one that has no real reason to stop except for free throws, yet with the tv timeouts more than half of a college game has the players literally not playing.

[MusicMan]

Arizona bitched about the no call during the block that immediately preceded the baseline inbounding.  They have an argument.

Thompson did not come remotely close to fouling on that play.

[Limey]

Thompson did not come remotely close to fouling on that play.

He gave Davis a good whack on the arm but, because it's basketball, that's not a foul at the end of the game.  Like at the other end about 11 seconds later.

Trust me, I have sympathy here.  But basketball officiating is so fucked that this is just part of the giant clusterfuck of non-calls, ghost calls, make-up calls and betting calls.  Unless anyone gets to grips with the optional nature of enforcement of the rules, then the entire sport is less valid than wrestling.

[MusicMan]

Unless anyone gets to grips with the optional nature of enforcement of the rules, then the entire sport is less valid than wrestling.

I wish TJ Ford had jumped out from behind the basket to hit that no-talent-assclown over the head with a folding chair.

[hostros7]

He gave Davis a good whack on the arm but, because it's basketball, that's not a foul at the end of the game.  Like at the other end about 11 seconds later.

Unless it's approximately 84 feet from the basket with under 5 seconds to play and you're facing Butler.  Which makes total sense.

[MusicMan]

Unless it's approximately 84 feet from the basket with under 5 seconds to play and you're facing Butler.  Which makes total sense.

Standing straight up and down is very different than chopping a guy with BOTH arms.  They had to make that call.

[MusicMan]

I also want to make a point that I think gets lost in the officiating:

As one of the biggest critics of J'Covan Brown... I could not have been more wrong.  That young man put the team on his back, led them to the lead, and handled himself with grace and maturity after the game.

Hook 'em, JCB.

[Limey]

He gave Davis Williams a good whack on the arm but...

FIFM

[Lurch]

I also want to make a point that I think gets lost in the officiating:

As one of the biggest critics of J'Covan Brown... I could not have been more wrong.  That young man put the team on his back, led them to the lead, and handled himself with grace and maturity after the game.

Hook 'em, JCB.

Agree.  That was most unexpected.  Hopefully we see a maturing JCB next year.  He clearly has substantial talent, he just needs to know how to apply it in a team game.

[JimR]

Thompson did not whack anyone. He had 4 fouls and stood there with his arms straight up. I'd like to hear Hamilton's reason for the TO.

After the game, Hamilton was definite about returning. Thompson was waffling.

[austro]

Thompson was waffling.

Thompson needs another year. His inability to deal with those hard double-teams was very telling.

[pots]

As a Syracuse fan, I can tell you for certain that whether they go pro or don't go pro has pretty much nothing to do with whether or not they are ready.

[JimR]

We know that. See Bradley, A.

The difference here, I hope, is the kind of person Tristan is and his solid family. He needs at least one more college year, especially with Todd Wright. The hard double-teams neutralized and frustrated him.

[Duke]

We know that. See Bradley, A.

The difference here, I hope, is the kind of person Tristan is and his solid family. He needs at least one more college year, especially with Todd Wright. The hard double-teams neutralized and frustrated him.

 

I sure hope you're right.  If so, then the Horns will be way fun to watch.

[JimR]

He mentioned Wright and Kabongo the day before as reasons to come back. I have heard rumors for a while that Hamilton's dad wants him to have another year with Wright. Hamilton missed several short shots in the lane yesterday, including a wide open one at 67-67.

[JimR]

The "fire Barnes" contingent is in full tirade today. It makes me so angry I cannot speak.

[Duke]

The "fire Barnes" contingent is in full tirade today. It makes me so angry I cannot speak.

That fire Barnes talk is utter bullshit.  Rick Barnes has done a fabulous job at Texas.  He isn't perfect but I think he's perfect for UT.

[Ron Brand]

The "fire Barnes" contingent is in full tirade today. It makes me so angry I cannot speak.

You've GOT to stop reading that web site.

[JimR]

I agree. Ketchum is a long-time friend, and I told him today I have had enough, especially from Chip Brown.

[ybbodeus]

Officiating crew for Arizona's 1st game:  Jim Burr, Paul Janssen, Terry Oglesby
Officiating crew for Arizona's 2nd game:  Jim Burr, Paul Janssen, Dick Cartmell
Cartmell was among the crew for the Oakland game.

I understand keeping the same officials in a region/bracket logistically, but you'd think they'd mix it up a little more in terms of repeating with the same team.  Doesn't seem all that tough a situation to avoid, given you'd got at a minimum of 4 sets of officials in town to begin a weekend (plus alternates).  Having two of the same three guys do consecutive games just seems odd to me.  Perhaps it isn't.

[Limey]

Officiating crew for Arizona's 1st game:  Jim Burr, Paul Janssen, Terry Oglesby
Officiating crew for Arizona's 2nd game:  Jim Burr, Paul Janssen, Dick Cartmell
Cartmell was among the crew for the Oakland game.

I understand keeping the same officials in a region/bracket logistically, but you'd think they'd mix it up a little more in terms of repeating with the same team.  Doesn't seem all that tough a situation to avoid, given you'd got at a minimum of 4 sets of officials in town to begin a weekend (plus alternates).  Having two of the same three guys do consecutive games just seems odd to me.  Perhaps it isn't.

[Scratched Record] Controlling the referee assignments is how basketball overlords control the results.  [/Scratched Record]

[Lurch]

[Scratched Record] Controlling the referee assignments is how basketball overlords control the results.  [/Scratched Record]

This conspiracy theory works far more for the NBA than NCAA

[MusicMan]

This conspiracy theory works far more for the NBA than NCAA

Correct.  The NCAA just doesn't give a damn, as long as they make their money.

[austro]

You know, Arizona would be beating Duke by 25 if the refs had the guts to call a foul on Duke. Choirboy Singler, in particular, just got away with a forearm to the face that would have resulted in the ejection of anybody else.

[JimR]

UT should be ashamed for losing to that mediocre Arizona team.

[Duke]

UT should be ashamed for losing to that mediocre Arizona team.

Ha!  Sure makes you daydream about what might have been for Texas.

[Mr. Happy]

UT should be ashamed for losing to that mediocre Arizona team.

Yeah! WTF

[ybbodeus]

Both Memphis and Texas have to be scratching their heads wondering how they let their games with AZ get away.  Of course after going over a play made here and a miscue made there, their minds will eventually wander to the fellas in striped shirts.

That said, Arizona had a half that we see about once a tournament, and Duke had no response.  For Duke it had to be a reminder of their second half against UNLV back in '90, in particular looking at AZ's scoring runs.

EDIT:  '90, not '89.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Butler. Yes, Butler is going back to the final four. That's pretty cool.

Also, Kemba Walker is the best college player in the country this year. He should get the Naismith Award. Fredette had a great year and might make a better pro but Walker has been fantastic and clutch. Walker reminds me a bit of Allen Iverson but a step slower and a bit more of a true point guard mentality.

ETA: both Iverson and Walker are shooting guards in point guard bodies

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Derrick Williams is a pretty fucking good too. He'll be a higher draft pick than Fredette or Williams. By far the best sophomore in the country. He could be a top five draft pick.

[Rebel Jew]

Real surprised at this VCU-Kansas halftime result. VCU looked like a very mediocre team in their sweet 16 game against Florida State, and it seemed only won because Florida State was just as bad. They completely outworked Kansas in the first half.

[MusicMan]

Real surprised at this VCU-Kansas halftime result. VCU looked like a very mediocre team in their sweet 16 game against Florida State, and it seemed only won because Florida State was just as bad. They completely outworked Kansas in the first half.

Looks like KU decided to show up for the second half.

[Rebel Jew]

Looks like KU decided to show up for the second half.

Sorry VCU for the jinx. I'll never do it again until I do it again.

[Lurch]

This is unreal

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Tyrel Reed couldn't hit water from a rowboat in the middle of the ocean. VCU wow!

[Rebel Jew]

craziest thing is that you could make a good argument that VCU is the worst at-large team ever. 6 in-conference losses in the horizon, including double digit losses to 20-loss teams northeastern and georgia state. only thing resembling a signature win is a conference tourney victory over george mason:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/vaa

ETA:

I guess they beat UCLA in the preseason NIT also

[Lurch]

Of the 5.9MM ESPN brackets, 8 have Butler, Connecticut and VCU in the final four.  (6 have North Carolina as the fourth, 2 have Kentucky)

[ybbodeus]

Have we ever seen a Final Four with no 1's or 2's?  If Kentoothless pulls this one out, that's what we have.

[Lurch]

Have we ever seen a Final Four with no 1's or 2's?  If Kentoothless pulls this one out, that's what we have.

Nope, this will be the first.  1 in 3 million people successfully picked the final four

[ybbodeus]

At least the team with fans who'll invade town in need of good seats will be able to bail out those locals who prefer to move theirs.  That would have been easier with both K's in town, but the Kentruckies are beyond sick in terms of travel.  

Better stock up on Wild Turkey, Weller, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Henry McKenna and of course Kickin' Chicken for the regular "drankers", sports bars.

Firetruck me to tears!

[MusicMan]

Sorry VCU for the jinx. I'll never do it again until I do it again.

My KU jinx is stronger than your VCU jinx.

[JimR]

VCU got nearly 6 seconds to inbound the ball for the winning basket v FSU. I guess they got the one second that UT did not get.

[MusicMan]

VCU got nearly 6 seconds to inbound the ball for the winning basket v FSU. I guess they got the one second that UT did not get.

And haters say UT keeps everything for itself.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Butler vs UConn

Bulldog vs Husky

I think Butler has a good shot but it's hard to bet against Walker.

On a side note: I was surprised that OU hired Lon "the vagabond" Kruger. $2.2 MM.

[Limey]

Butler Bulldogs Inspire Thousands Of Tall, Goony-Looking Midwestern Dorks

[Ebby Calvin]

22-19.  They play four quarters in the title game, right?

[chuck]

This is just brutal.

[JaneDoe]

No, no, no.....

[Alkie]

Possibly the worst sporting event I've ever watched.

[chuck]

Possibly the worst sporting event I've ever watched.

They didn't televise Figueroa's last exhibition start up in Bloomburg?

[MusicMan]

What.

The fuck.

Was that.

[JimR]

Ugh. What an awful game.

[MusicMan]

Forget the championship game... as anyone ever shot worse than 19% in an NCAA Tournament game?

[Alkie]

They didn't televise Figueroa's last exhibition start up in Bloomburg?

I stand by it.

[Mr. Happy]

Forget the championship game... as anyone ever shot worse than 19% in an NCAA Tournament game?

I seem to recall an LSU-Navy game where the Tigers shot around 15%. Yes, the Admiral was playing for the Midshipmen.

[MRaup]

Hey! I know! Lets keep dumping the ball in to our goofy white guy that's being guarded by UCONN's enormous center! How can that possibly go wrong?!

[ybbodeus]

He was the anti-Walton in terms of shooting.  Then again, so was just about everyone on their team.

[BUWebguy]

I seem to recall an LSU-Navy game where the Tigers shot around 15%. Yes, the Admiral was playing for the Midshipmen.

LSU and Navy played in the 1985 NCAA tournament; Navy won 78-55. But even LSU shot 34% in that game.

[Gizzmonic]

I doubt anyone here cares, but Mark Gottfried will be the next NCSU basketball coach .

[JimR]

I doubt anyone here cares, but Mark Gottfried will be the next NCSU basketball coach .

Barnes told these folks "no, thanks" last week.

[MusicMan]

Barnes told these folks "no, thanks" last week.

Apparently half the coaches in the US did.  Barnes, Stevens, Smart, and others I'm sure I'm missing.

[Gizzmonic]

It's a shit job competing against UNC and Duke in your backyard, not to mention Maryland, UConn, etc.

Apparently Gottfried was drummed out of Alabama for having an affair with a student.

[Mr. Happy]

LSU and Navy played in the 1985 NCAA tournament; Navy won 78-55. But even LSU shot 34% in that game.

Thanks for the reminder. Maybe that 15% percentage was for a half or a stretch in the game. I remember watching the game in the athletic dorm cafeteria, and even our guys were booing their own friends. The bucket seemed to have a cover on it that day for us. Not even Tex Winter could fix that mess. But then the 1986 team made it all the way to the Final Four and was leading Indiana by eight points with less thn two minutes to go and blew it.

[ybbodeus]

I think you meant Lousyville, which Lexington folks refer to as Southern Indiana.