Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

My thoughts exactly, but in regards to Syracuse instead. UL was not a great team this year, way inconsistent and not nearly as good a team as 'Cuse, but they took Syracuse's lunch money twice, no??? Syracuse = overrated, IMO.

Hey, we can trade back and forth all night, but the rubber hits the road when the games start, so we'll see then. I do agree that Kansas was a bit overrated, but I never expected them to go so flat this early in the tourney, and I figured them to make it to the finals over 'Cuse. Can't believe they decided to wait to press till that late in the game.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

How about a little love for my Boilermakers???

I'd love to beat Duke on Friday, but somehow think we'll fall just a bit short without our best player in the lineup.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

:r:r All I can say is I hope we meet...I think it is funny people are still calling UK overrated, yet Cuse and Puke are the other 1 seeds :r

I love it! College Basketball at its finest...

My prediction...UK over KSU 84 to 72 for title number 8! Although I would love to beat Cuse instead. Oh and what team hasnt had close games...I dont care if we won every game by one point..a win is a win is a win, havent you been watching the tournament. I one point game in the championship game means one thing...you just won the National Championship in exciting fashion! :banger And I dont plan on changing your mind....I will let the b-ball do that

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

I am glad for Purdue...nice game

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Well, I'm glad to see there was some activity on this thread while I was gone, since there was so little on the court. :D A few thoughts on the postings:

All props to Northern Iowa for knocking out top-ranked Kansas. I knew they had good help-defense and some decent options on offense, but I never gave them a chance against KU. I doubt if you did either. But I don't doubt you also whooped - one way or the other - when that mad Iranian bomber Farokhmanesh shot down the Jayhawks with that trey at 38 ticks. And from the Kansas viewpoint . . . well, perhaps they should change that "Rock Chalk" to "Brick Choke".

And while we're on the subject, props too to Cornell, St. Mary's, and Washington. Thanks for screwing up everybody's brackets.

When it comes to the Orange, I think they have a good shot at the Final Four, and put them there in my bracket. But I do not trust that zone to win a championship, especially when a talented and well-coached team has a week to prepare for it. Luckily for them, Butler and Xavier is the latter, and K-State the former, but neither is both. Unluckily for them, both Mich. State and Ohio State, possible semis opponents, ARE both.

Duke, another 1-seed, is in my eyes the least talented of the top teams left. But they are more talented than many of you give them credit, and are amongst the best coached squads left. They can beat you at their game or yours . . . and they can fall flat on their face. Fortunately for them, neither Purdue without Hummel nor Baylor/St. Mary's match up well against them, so they could . . . COULD! . . . walk into the FF.

Now for the sticky one: From what I've seen so far, Kentucky has played at a higher level than anybody else so far. If they keep it up, and considering the way they have diddled about in other games this season that is a sizable IF, they now have to be favored. At that point, we will need to wait and see if the NCAA lets them keep their wins. Perhaps you missed it, but a few days back the Sec. of Education Arne Duncan stated that there were a dozen teams in the Tourney with a graduation rate of less than 40%, and due to this he felt they should not even be allowed to compete - and UK was amongst these. As he put it, that's a low bar if you can't graduate 2 out of 5 of your student-athletes. Of course, he has no power over the NCAA, but he says he does intend to use the power of his office to push for such a requirement.

On a subject unrelated to this . . . leastwise for rabid Kentucky fans . . . the appeal of Memphis University to the NCAA regarding the penalties and sanctions levied against their 2007-08 team has been denied, and they have had to forfeit their 38 wins that year. As for whether or not they can keep that loss to Kansas in the championship game . . . you remember, the one they gave the Jayhawks from the line, after Calipari said all season that their poor free-throw shooting hadn't hurt them yet, so why think that it would now? . . . well, I suppose they can keep it. :r

OK, let the spitballs fly. I'm ready!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Incoming.....ptooey!!! :D

I saw the story on Memphis this morning. I am probably not educated enough with the full case, but I thought this hinged on the fact that NCAA bosses told Memphis twice that Rose could play, so they played him. What'd I miss????

On graduation rates, do one-and-done's factor in these grad rates (I'd assume they do)? Why penalize a program whose talented players go off to play for the big $$$ before they finish a degree?

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Can't answer this for sure, but it certainly seems to me that the handful of players who leave school early to play pro ball are going to have a negligible effect on overall graduation rates.:2

What is probably irritating them the most about schools like Kentucky is for some reason there is a huge racial disparity in the athletic grad rates:

http://web.bus.ucf.edu/documents/spo...s_Bball_PR.pdf

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

No spitballs....I just love reading about UK good or bad...because when you are hated, you are damn good. :banger

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Yes, it does count against the rate. As does a player that transfers to another school. :confused:

It's all screwed up.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Boiler-Up!!! I love how Kramer took it to the house for the win.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

According to the story I read in USA Today (available online, if you want to search), that 40% figure did NOT include any players who left early for the NBA, nor did it include any players who transferred. Furthermore, that graduation rate was not calculated over a four-year cycle, but rather a six-year one, which not only makes allowance for the redshirts and fifth-year seniors but also for the added strain put upon a player's time and energy devoted to the team (why no such allowance is duly given to the poor slob who flips burgers or stocks shelves in order to pay tuition, don't ask me). However, it is logical to assume that this figure DOES include those scrubs and walk-ons who sit on the end of the bench, and who feel lucky if they get into a game for a minute at the end of a blow-out, and whose main contribution to the success of the team is as the practice squad against the starters in scrimmages. And although I have no facts to support the assertion, I would think it also logical to assume that the graduation rate of these benchwarmers is HIGHER than that of the team stars. If that is taken as a given, even if just for argument's sake, then the actual graduation rate of those players who truly do account for the success or failure of the team is even significantly LOWER than the 40% figure given in the report.

But hey, who cares? What role does education and integrity play in all this, when there are games to win? Why should an institute of higher learning concern itself whether or not any learning truly happens? What business is it of theirs?


If nothing else, I'm trying my best to keep this thread going until action starts again Thursday . . . since nobody much cares about the NIT games this evening. :D

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

That's not what Doug Gottlieb and other talking heads at ESPN (HYPE) have been saying.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

I believe you, brother. However:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/educati...proposal_N.htm

Look at the paragraph right after the 12 schools cited. That's all I know.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

St. John's has been granted permission by Georgia Tech (who, BTW, is another of those dozen NCAA teams cited for their sub-40% graduation rate) to talk to Paul Hewitt as the Johnnies begin their search to replace the recently-fired Norm Roberts. Hewitt is from New York, which may be part of the incentive from both sides. A second possible one, from his point-of-view, is the possibility that he will lose several key underclassmen to the NBA as well as his - presumably? mebbe not - graduating seniors.

Hey, if he thinks he's gonna waltz into a more talented squad at St. John's, he's nutz. :r

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

I'm with ya. Not even touching on all the behind-the-scenes stuff with boosters/way-more-money-than-sense supporters who are throwing $$$ around behind the scenes and adding to all the unsavoriness (sp?). I love UK ball, but I also am not dumb enough to think UK Blue is pure Blue. I lay a lot of the blame on that right with NCAA, which now comes into billions in revenue on the backs of the "student-athlete". Plenty of blame to go around here. And it all starts well before college.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

I knew you were a Sox fan, but I didn't realize you were this cool. ;)

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Too bad for W. Va. They lost their point guard due to a broken foot.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm...ws&story=16336

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Joe, the more you post here, the more I like you. :tu

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Yeah, I saw that yesterday, and it put another potential hole in my bracket. I picked them to knock UK out. Also, Kalin Lucas is out for Michigan State with a torn Achilles suffered in Sunday's game. It is a shame, but sadly it's all part of the game.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

And while we're on injuries, perhaps we need note that Syracuse will again be without center Arinze Onuaku for their game against Butler, as he is still nursing his right quad. The Orange made it past Vermont and Gonzaga without him, and their zone might also get them past the Bulldogs too, even with that hole in the middle. Beyond that, it becomes more of a possible problem.

Hey, how's about some actual hoops news, for a change. You may have missed it - even on purpose - but there was one heck of a game in the NIT last night. Ole Miss outlasted Texas Tech 90-87 in 2OT, and move on to the semifinals in MSG starting next Tuesday. There they will face the winner of tonight's Dayton/Illinois contest.

Also making it to the Garden, to the site where their season-long collapse all began 'way back on Nov. 20th, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL!! They defeated favored UAB in Birmingham last night 60-55, and now move on to their first NIT semifinals since 1973. Of course, in all fairness, that is mainly because they have spent the best part of the prior four decades in the NCAA Tournament instead. They will face the victor of this evening's Virginia Tech/Rhode Island matchup, and if they can manage to win that one they will - at long last - get their 20th W of the season.

Hey, they have beaten two of the best "bubble" teams dissed by the NCAA in UAB and Miss. State, and are trying to make the best of a no-win situation, so I give them credit for that. Whether or not you choose to do so also, that's your call.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

After helping to lead his Northern Iowa team to the Sweet Sixteen with the biggest win in that school's history, Ben Jacobson has been awarded a new 10-year contract as the program's head basketball coach. The new deal will pay him $450K/season starting next year, with an automatic $25K bump per year. This contract replaces his old one that ran through 2016, and payed him $289,300/year.

Now, that's more like what a college coach SHOULD get, dont'cha think? Hey, if they want NBA-sized contracts they should go to the freakin' NBA, right?

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Don't forget about Robbie Hummel from Purdue being out. A lot of the pundits had Purdue going out in rounds 1 and 2 without their best player, but they still came out on top. Purdue with Hummel in their lineup is in my opinion just as good as any other team left. Duke will certainly be a challenge though.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Just got the call that I have a ticket to the SLC Regionals and where to meet for beers after work(pre game)..... YES!!!!

LOVE having friends in the biz.....!!!

(can you tell I am excited)

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Thanks, though I have mentioned Hummel's absence several times earlier, and only overlooked him due to the fact that he's been out for a month or more now. The Boilermakers have had enough time to adjust to his absence, or at least as well as they are able. With him in the line-up, I could see them taking Dook to the wire, at the least. However, with the defensive pressure the Blue Devils can put on their opponent, Hummel's loss as a ballhandler will make it more difficult for Purdue, without a doubt, and they need now count on the failure on Dook on the other end of the court . . . and, at times, they do just that, and can struggle to score if the iron is unkind.

We'll know better about midnight tomorrow. :D

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

To follow up on that report 2 days ago: Paul Hewitt has declined St. John's offer to become their new head coach, and will stay with Georgia Tech . . . this week, anyway. :r

Maybe you didn't realize it, but there are a few basketball games scheduled for tonight. In order of tip-offs, we have:

Syracuse vs. Butler = I have less faith in the efficacy of the zone defense than does the loyal Orange fans, as I can name a handful of ways it can be beaten. I have even less faith that Butler can manage to accomplish this, however, and see the 'Cuse advancing with relative ease.

West Virginia vs. Washington = The loss of Darryl Bryant has put a crimp in the Mountaineers' game plan, though they do have a capable back-up at the point in Joe Mazzulla. However, he is more a ballhandler and passer than a scorer, so WVA will need more points from someone else . . . like Da'Sean Butler, for instance. As for the Huskies, they have played better in the Tourney than they have all year, and have looked nearly as good as they were suppsed to be. This one's a tough call, both because of the injury and because I don't know which Washington team will show up tonight. But since Butler's the best player on the court, I'll give WVA the nod.

Kansas State vs. Xavier = And this one's not easy for me either. Imprimis, I have not seen K-State too much, and by general impression and history have little faith in their ability to win big games. That's my prejudice, admittedly, but that's what I'm dealt, so tough. As for the X-Men, they have been as consistent as lumpy gravy all season, with smooth creamy play full of "Nots". So, as I must pick one, I'll give K-State one more win this year . . . but only one.

Kentucky vs. Cornell = A no-brainer, you say? Well, OK, I'll grant you that. Yet I've been told I have no brain so many times that once more ain't gonna hurt. The Wildcats have as much talent and athletic ability on their bench as Big Red has had, in toto, in the last 50 years . . . and then there is the UK starters! For many of these kids, their next loss will be their last college game, so they may not want to end their brief visit to Lexington tonight. But the next loss for Cornell will also be the last in their careers, for entirely different reasons . . . they are loaded with seniors. We know the advantage Kentucky has. Cornell, on the other hand, is a much more experienced, more disciplined, and more controlled team, due to their age, their time together, their intellect, and their coach's own abilities. Will that be enough? I can't see it. However, if they can keep it within a few baskets until the final 5 minutes or so, there is the possibility that UK will blink first. Kentucky can win by a ton. Cornell can hold on and edge them at the end. Will they? No.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

LETS GO 'CUSE!

Would really like to see another NY school in Cornell win tonight. Should be two good games to enjoy tonight.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Could even be four, or at least three.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

'Cuse/Butler has had an interesting start. Butler is not laying down by any means, and this could be pretty good.

I'm very interested to see which UK shows up tonight...I only hope I can stay awake, as I usually am in bed by 9:30 :D.

I really hate to see these young guys get hit with injuries and miss such an awesome opportunity. I like to see a team's best play, even if against the team I root for.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Oops...you forgot to mention Butler.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Syracuse played like absolute **** and by no means deserved to win. God damn I see this time and time again, typical Syracuse basketball in March.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

wasn't a basketball game, that was a mugging, :r

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

well for an unranked team at the beginning of the season, not too bad of a year, albeit a disappointing ending.

At least the team has integrity and class, unlike other schools who are constantly under sanction and threat of sanction by the Powers that Be, coached by an asshat with the ethics of a lawyer, :r

Did I say lawyer? I meant a sewer worm;)

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

There you go insulting sewer worms. I would love to see Cornell win not because I like Cornell, I don't since I went to Dartmouth, but because I hate the Kentucky coach. He has left 2 programs after they got dirty.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

:banger

'Cuse me...

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

C-A-T-S

Keep on haters!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Well, at least since he's where he is at now there's no chance of him GETTING a third program dirty, they've always been right down there in the mud with him. :r


Excellent article here Paul:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...uld-be-ashamed

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

:tpd:

Go CATS--Frank Martin is doing a great job coaching this year..:banger











:D

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

"Camby took $28,000 from an agent while in college"-- JC had nothing to do with this.
"player cheat on his SAT and making payments to an associate of a Memphis player of over $2,000 for travel to road games, all during the 2007-2008 basketball season." --JC did not do this.

And as far as him bolting for UK...UK is the best job in basketball (7 NCs, the most wins of all time), and Memphis is hardly "one of the most prestigious" schools in basketball. Anyone with any sense can figure out that when you get the best recruits in basketball, there is a better chance that they were approached by agents or had extra help in HS.

Anyone who blames JC for UMass or Memphis is ignorant or greeeeeeeeeeen with envy. He is a coach who successfully recruits the best players, wins basketball games, and coaches the best team in basketball. Get over it, or get used to being mad about him winning, cause its gonna keep on keepin on.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Frank Martin is a great coach and I like KSU...but they are the 2nd best Cats in this tourney!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Hell of a game last night KSU vs Xavier.
I wanted to shoot Crawford for hitting those 3s!
But the Cats prevail, what a ride this year has been!!!!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

In tomorrow's episode of "Your Baby Can Read", we will work on D-O-G-S.......

let's see if we can get that graduation rate UP!!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

JC had the responsibility of oversight on both programs. It has been used to burn football coaches and if the NCAA felt that the programs had no responsibility, the penalties would not have been as harsh. He did not do his job as a coach and mentor.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Lemme just add this to the discussion, before I get to the games, as readers of this thread already know where I stand on the Calipari/UK issue. As Jonathan states (albeit to put it a bit less prejudiciously), the job of head coach at Kentucky is AMONGST the best in all of college basketball. It is without question the most highly paid, as the $4 million they are giving Cal is greater than most NBA coaches receive. Yet, since the time of Rupp, said job has been a revolving door. Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, Billy Gillespie . . . did I forget a few in there? And with the possible exception of Pitino (who may just have gotten fed up with the crap), none of these could keep the job for very long, due to one of two reasons. Imprimis, they did not win enough to suit the boosters and fans, so were canned. Secundus, they got caught cheating, and were fired in order to sweep this under the Big Blue rug. Nota bene, I said CAUGHT cheating, as the act of cheating in itself, as viewed with the historical perspective of Wildcat hoops, is not the issue . . . it's getting caught that's the problem.

It is not a matter of hating UK basketball for winning: It is a matter of disgust at the attitude they have about doing so at whatever cost to the integrity of the game. If the UK fans don't like this perception, they should take it up with the Chancellor and the Deans of the University, not with me.

Back briefly, with actual hoops news.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

OK, as some of you may have noticed, there was some action on CBS last night which involved initials other than NCIS or CSI . . . namely, NCAA:

Butler 63 - Syracuse 59 = And another 1 bites, and another 1 bites, and another 1 bites the dust. Just as I said, the Syracuse zone can be beaten. And just as I said, Butler was not the team to do it. You read that right, for although the Bulldogs did manage to swing the ball around and get open looks, they missed a lot more of them than they made, and thus should have lost the game. However, I did not count on The Orange being totally incapable of holding onto the orange, and could not predict that they would have more turnovers than a bakery chef. Nor could I predict that they would be the first to panic, as they began to midway through the first half, and would begin to hoist up bad shots much too quickly in an attempt to erase their deficit all at once. When you put these 2 together, you realize why Butler got more shots than did the 'Cuse . . . yet did not hit any more! No, the Bulldogs were 21-52 with 6 threes, and the Orange were 21-48 with 7. The difference was at the line, and Butler's 15-21 was just enough to beat the 10-14 of Syracuse. Hey, you move the ball, you drive, you pass, you try to create, you use time, you get fouled. You run down the court and hoist up a prayer within 10 seconds, you don't. There was your game.

West Virginia 69 - Washington 56 = These two banged and pushed all night long, and the refs seemed to let them get away with it too . . . with the exception of Pondexter, that is. Yet though the Huskies' star had to sit out the end of the first half with 3 fouls, and never seemed to get his flow back in the second stanza, Washington hung tough in a close game for 2/3rds of the contest. But the Mountaineers have been a better team all year, and were again last night, making the plays they needed on both ends to build their lead and take the win.

Kentucky 62 - Cornell 45 = Do I really have to say it . . . again? Once the Wildcats got their rhythm and got the flow going, they were all over Cornell like mint on julip and quickly wiped out Big Red's early lead. That game was over by halftime . . . or so we thought. But once more, as they have done time and time and time and time and time again, the kittens took a 'Catnap, and bam!, Cornell was right back into it, down by as few as 6 with lots of time left. Yet Cal's yelling and screaming finally woke his litter up once more, and they managed to do just enough to make this appear to be no-contest . . . to those who did not watch it. A better, more talented team (can you say WVA?) might just have booted another 1 outta the Dance last evening. Cornell was not that squad. Congratulations to them for their stellar season, and too bad for these Cinderellas that their stars are on a lower sphere than those orbiting Lexington.

Kansas State 101- Xavier 96 (2OT) = What a game. What a freakin' game! There were nearly as many ties and lead changes as there were fouls (53 whistled in all), and neither team gave an inch. Often one feels bad for the team that loses such a matchup, but it's awfully hard to feel bad for the Musketeers who were bested in this duel, that's just how good a game it was. If you missed it . . . well, indeed, you did miss it. Now we'll see if K-State can recuperate in time to give us the same with Butler . . . who is a very similar team to those gritty X-Men.


And speaking of getting one's rest, did you get yours? Reason I ask, there are some more games starting soon:

Ohio State vs. Tennessee = Evan Turner is certainly one of the best individual players left in the field, and he alone may be capable of moving the Buckeyes past the Volunteers. As for the Vols, they did beat Kansas, thus could beat anyone on a given night. But as the men in orange have much less NCAA experience than do their distaff sisters . . . hey, it is called Summit Court, not Pearl . . . I'd say OSU has that edge going for them. Buckeyes by a bucket.

Baylor vs. St. Mary's = The Big 12 crowd wants us to consider this a NC, but the Gaels ain't gonna forfeit. They beat the crap out of perennial fixture Gonzaga a few weeks ago, and they have one thing in their favor the 'Zags never do . . . they do their talking on the court, not in the press. And let's face it: Baylor's not exactly a household-name powerhouse of college hoops itself. They are no more use to the spotlight as is St. Mary's. Might be a lot closer than you'd think. If the Bears are not in hibernation, I'd say they have a slim advantage.

Michigan State vs. Northern Iowa = The Spartans have been here before, in case you don't remember. As for the Panthers, it's virgin territory. This could be a factor, if their scrotes tighten up too much. But don't forget that MSU is without their star PG Kalin Lucas, and keep in mind how tough NI's man-to-man help defense can be. If you can't keep the ball, you can't score it . . . just ask Syracuse. After seeing what Northern Iowa can do, I'd call this a pick-'em.

Duke vs. Purdue = Now that Kansas is done, the Blue Devils have the best mix of talent, experience, and coaching. Sadly for them, that talent comes last in that list. No, it's not that they are bad, but they really do not have some outstanding athlete who can put a team on his back and carry them all if needed. They have good scorers, good defenders, good rebounders, yet none of them are NBA-lottery picks. As for Purdue, they have had difficulty scoring more than 50 points without Hummel figuring into their mix. And with the Dook D . . . maybe not quite their classic Wojo-in-your-sneakers stickiness, but pretty dang good nonetheless . . . it will be a problem for the Boilermakers to do so tonight. If this is played in the 70s or 80s, Duke will cruise to a win. If the iron is unkind and their shots won't drop, and Purdue can keep it in the 50s or 60s, the Boilermakers have a shot. The X-factor? Dook has gotten into the habit of falling on their faces about this time of year. Will these seniors want to get off that snide too badly, or just enough? Duke by 3 possessions, that's my call.

We'll talk more later. As for tonight, enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

It has been reported by "A. Source" that St. John's will interview Boston College head coace Al Skinner for that position previously filled by Norm Roberts, before he was fired after leading the Red Storm to a 17-16 record (6-12 Big East). Skinner led the Eagles to a 15-16 mark (6-10 ACC). Yeah, there's an upgrade for you.


And who exactly is this A. Source fella? Damn, he shows up EVERYWHERE!

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Wow!!! UT makes it's 1st Elite Eight. They just kept hanging around, and then Chism and Prince took it over. Looked like some bad calls against UT, too (I say that as a UT hater :D). Nice play by UT.

Baylor is just kicking the crap outta St. Mary's.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

So let's get these two outta the way first:

Tennessee 76 - Ohio State 73 = I called this as being Buckeyes by a bucket, and it certainly had all the appearance of being just that. OSU had the late slim lead, and had the ball to boot. But with the chance to make me a prophet in their hands, they lost the handle and turned the ball over TWICE in the last minute. Even at that, they had the final shot with an opportunity to send the game into OT, yet they could not get it off, much less hit it. I won't call it a choke, as the Vols played a good game also, and deserve respect for the win. Considering all the stuff they had to play through this season, off the court and on, they earned it.

Baylor 72 - St. Mary's 49 = I had the fear that the Gaels would pucker up under the pressure of such a huge game, and they did just that. They did not play worth a puck. Yet give these guys some credit too. Prior to last week, the Gaels had not won an NCAA game since 1959. That is not meant to take anything away from the Bears, who did exactly what they needed to, and took control over the contest early and late, never giving St. Mary's a sniff. And they too had problems to play through this year, what with reduced scholarships, transfers out of the program, and the NCAA threatening to shut them down completely. Pre-season, they were predicted to be 10th in the Big 12. Now they have the chance to make the Final Four for their first time since 1950 . . . when there were only 8 teams in total competing.

Michigan State 59 - Northern Iowa 52 = Here was my "pick-'em" game, and it was pretty much just that. The magic for the Cinderella Panthers finally ran out, but they did not go easily. Their defense was as tough as ever, and had they hit a few freethrows they may have advanced. But they didn't, whereas the Spartans did hit the shots late they needed to once again advance. And although Izzo's path towards the Final Four is considerably easier than it was last year, he has still proven himself a near-master of March. Hey, you can't call him a TRUE master until he takes a few more trophies back to East Lansing.

Duke 70 - Purdue 57 = As I said, if the game was in the 70s up, Duke would win, and if it was in the 50s or 60s Purdue had a shot. Well, the Boilermakers did play in the 50s . . . thanks mainly to a few late "gimmes' by the Blue Devils D. Sadly for Purdue however, Dook made it to 70. So Coach K's squad avoids another early exit, and are in line to move on to their first FF since 2004. K said he'd rather be known as a "since" team than a "never" one, and because Baylor's sixty-year hiatus may as well be a "never", this will be an interesting matchup tomorrow.

But before tomorrow, we have tonight:

Kansas State vs. Butler = Didn't they just play this game? No, wait . . . that was Xavier, not Butler. Same diff. You can expect same game too. K-State has the edge in athletes, and Butler has a more polished team. Furthermore, these Wildcats are a middlin'-weak 2-seed, while Butler is a solid 5-seed with more experience . . . and even slightly moe success . . . in The Dance. I said before their last win that I'd give K-State one more W this season, but only one. However, that's when I expected them to face the Orange, not the Bulldogs. Yet fair is fair, so although my head is leaning towards K-State, I'll go with Butler in a squeeker.

Kentucky vs. West Virginia = Before Darryl Bryant went down this week (well, actually, on Selection Sunday, to be honest), I picked the Mountaineers to send Kentucky back to where damn few of their players hail from . . . namely, Kentucky. (To be fair, WVA has exactly as many players from West Virginia as does Kentucky . . . one. But that's another issue for another time.) Now? Now? What the hell, I'm gonna stick with that call. WVA has talent too, plus more experience, plus less of a tendency to fall asleep. Further, although I don't think either coach is truly a great teacher of the game, I do feel Huggins' screaming intensity is sometimes more effective than is Cal's laissez-faire "let 'em street-ball" attitude. WVA opens it up in the last 5 minutes, and knocks the 'Cats for a loop.

Then, to spark up your Palm Sunday afternoon, we have:

Tennessee vs. Michigan State = Here's a somewhat unlikely 5-6 matchup for a seat in Indy. And, to be totally frank about it, I don't know which way to go here. Both teams have played great games this season, and both teams have stunk the place up at times. Izzo has more experience in this type of contest, yet the Vols not only just beat another (and a better) Big Ten team but also have had bigger wins this year than have the Spartans. Hey, if you can beat both Kansas and Kentucky, you can beat anybody. OK, so I just convinced myself . . . Vols by a couple.

Duke vs. Baylor = Even were I not an ACC fan (see, not all Tar Heels hate the Pukes :ss), I'd have to go with the Blue Devils on this one. Dook has stumbled in recent times because they had a bad game, and were unable to do the things for 40 minutes which got them through the previous 30+ games. Well, they had that game last night, believe it or not, but since Purdue was even less effective than Duke, the Devils survived. Baylor has had an amazing run this season, and deserve kudos for their effort and success. That ends Sunday. It might be close, but Duke prevails.

I'll be back Monday afternoon to take my lumps. Until then, enjoy.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Kevin Broadus, the suspended head coach of Binghamton University, has filed a racial discrimination complaint against the University, their acting AD, the SUNY Board of Trustees, and its chancellor. He claims the school is attempting to release him from his 5-year deal because he is African-American.

Of course, the fact that the program is under investigation for serious violations, such as the false enrollment of players and academic fraud on their behalf, and the fact that six of their players were dismissed from the program for these and other flaws . . . such as selling cocaine . . . had absolutely nothing to do with the coach losing his job. No, it is simply a matter of his race: scumbag.

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

I think the game will be close. Baylor is not going to be a push over by any means. I'm just glad to see you on the good side Thomas. :D

I hope UNC wins the NIT. ;)

Re: College Hoops Thread '09-'10
 

Or how about L-O-S-S...Syracuse fans might know about that :r