March Madness

[taintedlunch]

For me, March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year. Certainly it's the most exciting sporting event in America.

Who ya got? My heart says Kentucky but my brain is torn between Illinois and North Carolina. My upset special has Old Dominion over Michigan State. If you're doing an office pool this year, find the girl who knows the least about basketball in your office and copy her bracket. She's going to win it.

[jimmything2681]

For me, March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year. Certainly it's the most exciting sporting event in America.

Who ya got? My heart says Kentucky but my brain is torn between Illinois and North Carolina. My upset special has Old Dominion over Michigan State. If you're doing an office pool this year, find the girl who knows the least about basketball in your office and copy her bracket. She's going to win it.


Illinois, barring a bad game, will win it all. Also, I like UW Milwaukee over Alabama, St. Mary's in a minor upset, and Louisville over Washington. Final Four (subject to EXTENSIVE revision) is Illinois, Wake, UConn and Oklahoma.

[taintedlunch]

Illinois, barring a bad game, will win it all. Also, I like UW Milwaukee over Alabama, St. Mary's in a minor upset, and Louisville over Washington. Final Four (subject to EXTENSIVE revision) is Illinois, Wake, UConn and Oklahoma.

I agree with you about Lou over Washington and Mt. St. Mary's over So. IL, but I think Alabama is way to physical for one of any of these mid-major teams. They're a very physical team. I also have Illinois to the Final Four but Oklahoma State will be a very tough out because they're a scrappy team.

My biased Final Four is:
Illinois
Wake
UNC
UK

[jimmything2681]

I agree with you about Lou over Washington and Mt. St. Mary's over So. IL, but I think Alabama is way to physical for one of any of these mid-major teams. They're a very physical team. I also have Illinois to the Final Four but Oklahoma State will be a very tough out because they're a scrappy team.

My biased Final Four is:
Illinois
Wake
UNC
UK

The austin bracket is rough. I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE Duke (shaking as I typed that), and I particularly hate this year's team. They're probably going to go down to Syracuse in the sweet 16, because Warrick can get Randolph and Williams in foul trouble, and if he's hot, McNamara can match Reddick (the biggest whiner in sports). Kentucky isn't playing very well right now, and doesn't seem like a final four team. Neither, really, does Oklahoma, or anyone else in the bottom half of that bracket. Yet for some reason, I can't put Syracuse in the final four.

[Matches Malone]

Don't bet against Duke; it's just not a bright move. :)

[taintedlunch]

The austin bracket is rough. I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE Duke (shaking as I typed that), and I particularly hate this year's team. They're probably going to go down to Syracuse in the sweet 16, because Warrick can get Randolph and Williams in foul trouble, and if he's hot, McNamara can match Reddick (the biggest whiner in sports). Kentucky isn't playing very well right now, and doesn't seem like a final four team. Neither, really, does Oklahoma, or anyone else in the bottom half of that bracket. Yet for some reason, I can't put Syracuse in the final four.

Syracuse is so up-and-down it's hard to judge how they'll do. Warrick is a great player, but who knows if they can put together four great weekends of basketball consecutively. If I were Duke, I'd be a bit nervous to see Syracuse lurking. Their four seed is a bit puzzling, as was Louisville's.

Kentucky probably isn't even as good as their 2 seed. They play up-or-down to the level their competition. This means that they're at risk to lose every game, but they're also going to be in every game, with the exception of yesterday. I'm hoping that the two Florida losses are an anomaly, like Duke's two losses to Maryland. The Austen bracket looks fairly weak outside of the top four seeds so hopefully UK can make it to the regional final and catch Reddick on an off night. If Reddick is hitting the three, Duke, the Evil Empire of college basketball, is almost unstoppable.

BTW, did you see that call Reddick got at the end of the GT game? He was pulling on the GT player's jersey but yet the GT player got called for the foul. Then on the FT Williams practically mounted himself on the Schintzer's (sp?) back to get the tip-in and no whistle. Things that make you go "hmm"...

Duke Blue Devils... I'll see you in HELL! Muuuuhaaaahaaaaa!

[Matches Malone]

BTW, did you see that call Reddick got at the end of the GT game? He was pulling on the GT player's jersey but yet the GT player got called for the foul. Then on the FT Williams practically mounted himself on the Schintzer's (sp?) back to get the tip-in and no whistle. Things that make you go "hmm"...

Duke Blue Devils... I'll see you in HELL! Muuuuhaaaahaaaaa!

Aww c'mon, not the old "The refs conspire to help Duke" drivel. Where were you when we had five guys foul out at Maryland? Terping is out of season...

[taintedlunch]

Aww c'mon, not the old "The refs conspire to help Duke" drivel. Where were you when we had five guys foul out at Maryland? Terping is out of season...

Ah, I don't really believe that it's part of a conspiracy. It was just a shitty call. I hate it when refs try to make themselves part of the game, especially at the end, when they should, for the most part, be pocketing their whistles. You have to admit that Williams fouled the living hell out of Schintzer on that tip-in. Come on, admit it. If you watch the replay, Williams clearly takes his forearm and shoves it into the back of Schintzer's neck, forcing him under the basket. Give me that at least.

Speaking of horrible calls at the end of games, I've noticed two really big ones this weekend. In the Memphis/Louisville game, everyone talked about how that kid missed those two free throws at the end to lose, but what no one mentioned is that it was a bogus foul call that got him on the line in the first place. Poor kid, it was his destiny to miss those because he didn't deserve to be shooting them!

Also in the SEC semifinals, LSU hit a last second shot to send the game to overtime. However, the guy who took the shot clearly carried beforehand. I mean, he dribbled the ball over his head, then hesitated, as if he were waiting for the whistle, finally taking the shot. Good thing goodness prevailed over evil and UK won or I'd be screaming to the basketball gods of the cosmos for justice!

[jimmything2681]

Ah, I don't really believe that it's part of a conspiracy. It was just a shitty call. I hate it when refs try to make themselves part of the game, especially at the end, when they should, for the most part, be pocketing their whistles. You have to admit that Williams fouled the living hell out of Schintzer on that tip-in. Come on, admit it. If you watch the replay, Williams clearly takes his forearm and shoves it into the back of Schintzer's neck, forcing him under the basket. Give me that at least.

Speaking of horrible calls at the end of games, I've noticed two really big ones this weekend. In the Memphis/Louisville game, everyone talked about how that kid missed those two free throws at the end to lose, but what no one mentioned is that it was a bogus foul call that got him on the line in the first place. Poor kid, it was his destiny to miss those because he didn't deserve to be shooting them!

Also in the SEC semifinals, LSU hit a last second shot to send the game to overtime. However, the guy who took the shot clearly carried beforehand. I mean, he dribbled the ball over his head, then hesitated, as if he were waiting for the whistle, finally taking the shot. Good thing goodness prevailed over evil and UK won or I'd be screaming to the basketball gods of the cosmos for justice!

Reffing in all college sports has been pretty terrible this year.

And I'm betting against Duke because I saw what St. John's did to them this year. They're just not as good as their seeding. The pick that's giving me the most heartburn, though, is who's coming out of the Albequerque bracket (remember when they were called "West" "Midwest" "East" and "South"? why stop that?). I keep going back and forth between Louisville and Wake.

[Cam63]

This reminds me of a great cricket story...

[Matches Malone]

And I'm betting against Duke because I saw what St. John's did to them this year. They're just not as good as their seeding. The pick that's giving me the most heartburn, though, is who's coming out of the Albequerque bracket (remember when they were called "West" "Midwest" "East" and "South"? why stop that?). I keep going back and forth between Louisville and Wake.

When in doubt, bet against Conference USA. I'm not nuts about Wake's chances either, though. They just don't play very good defense. I'm thinking this could finally be Gonzaga's year.

Don't put too much stock in Duke/ St. John's. That was our first game without Dockery, and the team was clearly adjusting. The team is much better now.

[Matches Malone]

Ah, I don't really believe that it's part of a conspiracy. It was just a shitty call. I hate it when refs try to make themselves part of the game, especially at the end, when they should, for the most part, be pocketing their whistles. You have to admit that Williams fouled the living hell out of Schintzer on that tip-in. Come on, admit it. If you watch the replay, Williams clearly takes his forearm and shoves it into the back of Schintzer's neck, forcing him under the basket. Give me that at least.



Sorry; I didn't see a foul. Maybe my dark blue goggles were obstructing my eyesight, but there you have it. I agree with you that the refs should be pocketing their whistles at the end, and it sounds like that's exactly what they did. The Redick foul was called, but GaTech was going to foul anyway on the inbounds - they just wanted to foul someone other than Redick.

[taintedlunch]

Sorry; I didn't see a foul. Maybe my dark blue goggles were obstructing my eyesight, but there you have it. I agree with you that the refs should be pocketing their whistles at the end, and it sounds like that's exactly what they did. The Redick foul was called, but GaTech was going to foul anyway on the inbounds - they just wanted to foul someone other than Redick.

Duke was going to win anyway, I was just sayin'...

I would say good luck to Duke but I'd be lyin' ;)

[Matches Malone]

Duke was going to win anyway, I was just sayin'...

I would say good luck to Duke but I'd be lyin' ;)

I take it you're a Kentucky fan? Have you noticed that Duke and Kentucky have been in the same region about 10 times since 1992? Suurreee the committee doesn't pay attention to TV ratings...

[taintedlunch]

I take it you're a Kentucky fan? Have you noticed that Duke and Kentucky have been in the same region about 10 times since 1992? Suurreee the committee doesn't pay attention to TV ratings...

Yeah, and that's why UK is playing Eastern KY and former point guard and now coach Travis Ford. THAT wasn't premeditated at all. I'm surprised they didn't put Iowa in the same bracket as Texas Tech.

Duke and UK games are always classics. They should probably play more often.

I have to ask: even though Wojo played for Duke, you can't possibly like the guy, can you? Is it possible to like Wojo?

[Matches Malone]

I have to ask: even though Wojo played for Duke, you can't possibly like the guy, can you? Is it possible to like Wojo?

If I had a brother, I'd want it to be Wojo. He was our Rudy. I honestly never understood why everyone else hated him. Chris Collins? Redick? Yeah, I get why people don't like them. But Wojo? How can anyone root against a guy like that?

[jimmything2681]

Yeah, and that's why UK is playing Eastern KY and former point guard and now coach Travis Ford. THAT wasn't premeditated at all. I'm surprised they didn't put Iowa in the same bracket as Texas Tech.

Duke and UK games are always classics. They should probably play more often.

I have to ask: even though Wojo played for Duke, you can't possibly like the guy, can you? Is it possible to like Wojo?

At least he didn't go on Sportscenter to complain about how mean people are.

[taintedlunch]

His enthusiasm, I guess. Who do you think is the most hated guy in the tournament this year? Paul from Wake Forest? Reddick? SEC fans love to hate Matt Walsh of Florida, but for me, it's David Lee of Florida because I think he's a dirty player and everytime he gets a rebound he gets this smirk on his face like he's just saved the whole damn universe.

I hope Kentucky at least plays to seed this year. The last two years we've been overall number one seed and lost in Elite Eight and second round, respectively. If we don't reach the Elite Eight this year, and maybe even if we do, there will be rumbling in the Bluegrass about a coaching change, as crazy as that sounds. We haven't been to the Final Four since '98, for God's sake!

You can tell with his change in recruiting tactics that Tubby's feeling the pressure. Traditionally, he's been going after atheletes who will play hard-nosed defense no matter their pedigree. After our last two disappointments, he goes out and gets three McDonald's All-Americans. I guess he's realized that you're not going to satisfy UK fans with Sweet 16s like he did at Georgia.

[taintedlunch]

At least he didn't go on Sportscenter to complain about how mean people are.

Who did that? I'm missing something here.

[jimmything2681]

Who did that? I'm missing something here.

reddick. 10characters

[taintedlunch]

reddick. 10characters

Ah, poor oppressed white man with a killer shot. Kinda makes you weep.

I think Matt Walsh prayed to the devil and siphoned off some of Reddick's evil power that he used in the second half of the UK/Florida game. I thought to myself, "man, that's what ACC teams must feel like when Reddick gets going!"

[jimmything2681]

Ah, poor oppressed white man with a killer shot. Kinda makes you weep.

I think Matt Walsh prayed to the devil and siphoned off some of Reddick's evil power that he used in the second half of the UK/Florida game. I thought to myself, "man, that's what ACC teams must feel like when Reddick gets going!"

Can't deny the kid's talent. But it drives me CRAZY the way he works the refs, the phantom falls, the whining, the negative body language. And then to see him go on Sportscenter to complain about something EVERY OTHER ATHLETE FROM HIGH SCHOOL UP has to deal with, ooh boy I lost it. Not to mention the fact that this is the same network that had the balls to ask "Do you think the media has a bias in favor of Duke?" then comes with "Yeah, well TOO BAD."

[Dreadstar]

Can't deny the kid's talent. But it drives me CRAZY the way he works the refs, the phantom falls, the whining, the negative body language. ...


...so basically what you're saying is, he's Christian Laettner?

Has he stomped an opponent's throat while they were down yet?

[jimmything2681]

...so basically what you're saying is, he's Christian Laettner?

Has he stomped an opponent's throat while they were down yet?

Thankfully, no. He's just an enormous baby.

[Matches Malone]

reddick. 10characters

I was not a fan of the Sportscenter piece; it did come off as whiny. I think what Redick deals with is a little more intense than most players' experience, though. I don't recall quite as much vitriol directed toward a particular Duke player since (I guess) Wojo, and maybe since Laettner.

[taintedlunch]

...so basically what you're saying is, he's Christian Laettner?

Has he stomped an opponent's throat while they were down yet?

Ah, the infamous Aminu Timberlake incident. Classy guy, that Laettner.

[jimmything2681]

I was not a fan of the Sportscenter piece; it did come off as whiny. I think what Redick deals with is a little more intense than most players' experience, though. I don't recall quite as much vitriol directed toward a particular Duke player since (I guess) Wojo, and maybe since Laettner.

I've seen worse than what he gets on a streetball court on west 4th. And I'm one of the people dishing it out. Sure "I slept with your sister" is too far, particularly when she's 12, but EVERYONE gets that. Hell, I got as bad as that when I was playing Babe Ruth baseball. Stop being such a b...pansy about it and let your game do the talking.

[jimmything2681]

http://www.ukfans.net/jps/uk/laettner.html
Biased, but much like my political websites, biased in a way that I agree with.

[jimmything2681]

Dammit! I'm looking at the schedule for today (i took the day off to watch basketball), and the first game is Alabama-UW Milwaukee, but 20 minutes later, Oklahoma-Niagra starts, and while I love Juan Mendez, I think the first game is going to be better. Stupid regional television schedules.

[taintedlunch]

Dammit! I'm looking at the schedule for today (i took the day off to watch basketball), and the first game is Alabama-UW Milwaukee, but 20 minutes later, Oklahoma-Niagra starts, and while I love Juan Mendez, I think the first game is going to be better. Stupid regional television schedules.

Well... I think it's going to be kinda ugly. UW Milwaukee will be bricking threes while Alabama will score a lot from the foul line. I think Niagra/Oklahoma will be a prettier game.

[taintedlunch]

Dammit! I'm looking at the schedule for today (i took the day off to watch basketball), and the first game is Alabama-UW Milwaukee, but 20 minutes later, Oklahoma-Niagra starts, and while I love Juan Mendez, I think the first game is going to be better. Stupid regional television schedules.

You called it, man. looks like the SECs going to lay an egg again. I thought for sure that 'Bama would be too physical on the boards for them. A-UW Milwaukee shot lights out!

Not too impressed with Kentucky's effort, either. Wouldn't be surprised if we went home Saturday.

[jimmything2681]

You called it, man. looks like the SECs going to lay an egg again. I thought for sure that 'Bama would be too physical on the boards for them. A-UW Milwaukee shot lights out!

Not too impressed with Kentucky's effort, either. Wouldn't be surprised if we went home Saturday.

Neither would I. I went 14-16 (wrong picking UTEP over Utah, and the killer, LSU over UAB--I knew "40 minutes of hell" would beat a soph point guard, but I talked myself into LSU's size) on the first day, and I expect to have a similar number today. When I was looking over the bracket at first, I had a strong gut feeling that it would be boring for the first round, and then all hell would break loose in the 2nd. I think we could see Pacific take out Washington and Cincy take out Kentucky tomorrow.

[Matches Malone]

I think Cincinnati shot its load on Thursday; I don't expect them to play anywhere near as well against Kentucky.

I guess 13-16 isn't too bad for my first day, but I had Alabama going deep, so that hurts. I called UAB, though. They were this year's "team that everyone agrees shouldn't have gotten in that inexplicably wins at least one game."

[jimmything2681]

I think Cincinnati shot its load on Thursday; I don't expect them to play anywhere near as well against Kentucky.

I guess 13-16 isn't too bad for my first day, but I had Alabama going deep, so that hurts. I called UAB, though. They were this year's "team that everyone agrees shouldn't have gotten in that inexplicably wins at least one game."

Joe Lunardi said exactly that--"Every year, the one team I leave out seems to win a couple of games."

Cincy, well, who knows. Whenever they're a high seed, they tank the first weekend. Let's see if the opposite is true, because Kentucky hasn't really looked that great all year.

[taintedlunch]

I think all the traditional "blue bloods" should be looking out this year. Kansas and Syracuse: bye-bye. UNCs looking better and better.