After watching Xavier blow an 18-point lead and all but hand the game to West Virginia on a silver platter tonight, I realized that this tournament has to be the signature year for the comeback. Xavier is one of five teams including W. Kentucky aginst Drake (16); Clemson against Villanova (18); Texas against Miami (16); and Georgetown against Davidson (17); where a team had a large double-digit lead at one point only to lift their foot off the heads of their respective snakes and allow the team to have a chance to tie at the end (Miami), force OT (W. Virginia, Drake), or actually win the game (Villanova, Davidson--both parlay killers for me).
What is going on?
I chalk this up to another aspect of careless play that I think marks this tournament more than any of recent memory. Too many offensive fouls, too many careless "me" shots, not enough teamwork and, for God's sake, no killer instinct. Two teams have crushed their opposition so far and, unfortunately, they are in the same side of the bracket. North Carolina and Kansas. Average margin of victory--30 (NC) and 22 (Kansas) and while the fodder of choice has not exactly been UCLA (actually, Washington State for the Tar Heels came the closest--and why are we splitting hairs when Davidson beat supposed power Georgetown??), they have done efficiently and professionally (whoops, should probably change that to "collegiately" or the NCAA may declare them ineligible due to their "pro" status) exactly what they should in each game. No messing around...no me first basketball...no flash and dash. Save that for the NBA boys when you declare after your freshman year, end up drafted in the second round and head straight for Europe because you really can't play in the NBA (I would argue that some of you can't play in the NCAA right now either).
North Carolina and Kansas are the class of the tournament so far. Teams like Stanford, Wisconsin, and Louisville have been workman-like in their efforts and, some could say, Louisville has been crushing their opposition as well but they did let Tennessee back in their game tonight after being up 18 at one point. They also did not show a penchant for blowing teams out during the regular season like the Tar Heels and Jayhawks. UCLA gets bored easily and let Western Kentucky back into this game tonight too easily. My original pick is a pretender who might be the most physically talented team but proved tonight that, much like Georgetown and Clemson before them, physical talent isn't enough if you don't play like a team and maintain a lead.
North Carolina, Kansas, Stanford, Wisconsin, Louisville.
In a tournament of 64 teams and the need to win 6 games against quality opposition to be champion, these five teams have the tools necessary to play, and win, consistently over a competitive timeframe.
And one of these five teams will win the whole thing.
Peace,
Reg
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter Sunday
The most fascinating thing to me about the NCAA tournament to date, in this day and age of religious fanaticism and overreaching causes (I mean, come on, does a fish really need to have "rights"), is that no one raised a stink about playing on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
I'm the last one to take a stand either way since I believe a nation is best served by the separation of Church and sports (yes, I'm talking to you Cris Carter and Randall Cunningham). I just found it interesting that no one on the Catholic side of the ball (and Lord knows there were enough of them in the tournament this year besides just Notre Dame and Marquette) or anyone affiliated with these schools, spoke out about the tournament taking place at the tail end of Holy Week.
I realize the Archbishop of Rome has been pretty busy lately finding new sins with which to tax my Catholic guilt, including pollution (I know I'm a sinner but every morning when I start my car??) but he is missing the one event during Holy Week that combines a "who's who" of sins, including gambling, drinking, profanity and the offensive foul. That last one is the one that gets me the most. If you watched this weekend, you saw more charging fouls than a fraud conference put on by Captial One. These kids put their head down and their best street ball foot forward to recklessly drive for a "me" basket. What happened to an offensive scheme? What happened to a game plan? Davidson won that game against Georgetown because they were more in control. Memphis almost lost to Mississippi State for the same reasons. Yes, an offensive foul should be considered a sin--how do you commit a foul when trying to score? It's basically the equivalent of giving to charity using money robbed from an old lady.
But I digress.
Back to Easter weekend. Again, I'm not advocating that anyone should consider not playing the games on Easter. I just can't believe that some do-gooder blowhard didn't come up with the lame brain idea to protest this outside all of the arenas in force on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Is society actually taking a step towards being more civilized and worrying about things that really matter? But wait, there's the whole St. Patrick's Day fiasco that brings me back to earth. Local church officials declared St. Patrick's Day needed to be celebrated earlier in the weekend instead of the Monday of Holy Week. If St. Patrick's Day is that important for the local church to protest and that took place on the MONDAY of Holy Week, why isn't anyone taking a stand against the tournament?
Maybe it's because the Archbishop has Notre Dame and Marquette in the church office pool.
Peace,
Reg
I'm the last one to take a stand either way since I believe a nation is best served by the separation of Church and sports (yes, I'm talking to you Cris Carter and Randall Cunningham). I just found it interesting that no one on the Catholic side of the ball (and Lord knows there were enough of them in the tournament this year besides just Notre Dame and Marquette) or anyone affiliated with these schools, spoke out about the tournament taking place at the tail end of Holy Week.
I realize the Archbishop of Rome has been pretty busy lately finding new sins with which to tax my Catholic guilt, including pollution (I know I'm a sinner but every morning when I start my car??) but he is missing the one event during Holy Week that combines a "who's who" of sins, including gambling, drinking, profanity and the offensive foul. That last one is the one that gets me the most. If you watched this weekend, you saw more charging fouls than a fraud conference put on by Captial One. These kids put their head down and their best street ball foot forward to recklessly drive for a "me" basket. What happened to an offensive scheme? What happened to a game plan? Davidson won that game against Georgetown because they were more in control. Memphis almost lost to Mississippi State for the same reasons. Yes, an offensive foul should be considered a sin--how do you commit a foul when trying to score? It's basically the equivalent of giving to charity using money robbed from an old lady.
But I digress.
Back to Easter weekend. Again, I'm not advocating that anyone should consider not playing the games on Easter. I just can't believe that some do-gooder blowhard didn't come up with the lame brain idea to protest this outside all of the arenas in force on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Is society actually taking a step towards being more civilized and worrying about things that really matter? But wait, there's the whole St. Patrick's Day fiasco that brings me back to earth. Local church officials declared St. Patrick's Day needed to be celebrated earlier in the weekend instead of the Monday of Holy Week. If St. Patrick's Day is that important for the local church to protest and that took place on the MONDAY of Holy Week, why isn't anyone taking a stand against the tournament?
Maybe it's because the Archbishop has Notre Dame and Marquette in the church office pool.
Peace,
Reg
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Doctor, Doctor
The following is the transcript from an actual session between a doctor and patient about a month ago.
Doctor: Do you realize how long we have been in session now?
Patient: This session or overall?
Doctor: Overall.
Patient: Ten months.
Doctor: Do you realize we haven't made any progress yet?
Patient is silently staring off in the distance.
Doctor: Doesn't that bother you? Why are you being so stubborn?
Patient: You don't understand.
Doctor: What's not to understand? You lost...fair and square.
Patient: It's not that easy.
Doctor: But it is...the fact that you can't come to grips with it is why you are STILL here.
Patient: What do you care? I'm paying you good money.
Doctor: It's not about the money any longer...I'm getting seriously worried about you. Do you realize that when you came in the office today, you had four basketball magazines with you and were trying to read all four at the same time? When I said "Good Morning," you broke into what I can only assume was an impersonation of Dick Vitale, expounding the virtues of some team named....
Patient: Drake.
Doctor: Yes, Drake. And when I asked you what you were doing, you started mumbling something about an acronym...
Patient: RPI
Doctor: I'm not even going to begin to try and understand what that stands for.
Patient: Honestly, I don't even know what it stands for...but I do know it is used to--
Doctor (interrupting): STOP! ENOUGH! Seriously, how did you get to this point?
Patient: I don't know...these last ten months are a blur. I can't even tell you what we discussed at the last session.
Doctor: I can. You told me you grounded your dog because he was watching too much ESPN. You forbid your daughter from using the computer to check basketball scores. She cried. A lot. She's SIX MONTHS OLD!
Patient: Why are you yelling at me?
Doctor: Does any of this seem normal to you?
Patient: Ok, maybe grounding the dog for six months was a little rash. He probably only deserved three.
Doctor: We need to get to the bottom of this. My wife is expecting me home early tonight.
Patient: Oh God! I all of a sudden feel nauseous.
Doctor: Nauseous? Why?
Patient: It must have been something you said...
Doctor: Huh? All I said is that my wife...
Patient: Ugghhhh! My head...
Doctor: What does this have to do with my wife?
Patient (grabbing his head with both hands): Stop saying that word!
Doctor: Which one?
Patient: W I F E (grabs his head and screams in agony again).
Doctor: Wow, it works when you spell it too. Now we're getting somewhere.
Patient: What does it mean? How can you figure it out from that.
Doctor: You're not the only one this has ever happened to...do you run an NCAA pool?
Patient: Ummm, I think so. Like I said it's all a blur.
Doctor: Are you married?
Patient: Well, there is a female in my house with my dog and daughter. But we haven't really spoken in ten months.
Doctor: Does she follow basketball?
Patient: I dunno...like I said, we haven't talked in ten months.
Doctor: She beat you in the pool, didn't she?
Patient (getting agitated): Huh? Yes, I mean no, no way...that's impossible. She doesn't even follow basketball.
Doctor: But I though you just said...
Patient (grabs a pillow and squeezes it, voice rising): She doesn't pay attention! She doesn't watch the games, she just sits there and watches American Idol and then she picks all these games correctly!
Doctor: Calm down--
Patient: Calm down? You don't know what it's like! Three years in a row...THREE YEARS! Last year, I had it wrapped up and then a team that never should have won late in the tournament wins a game they had no business winning and she does this stupid little dance all across the living room floor. She knows nothing about basketball!
Doctor: Maybe you should copy her picks this year.
Patient: Whoa...why would I do something like that?
Doctor: You don't want to lose again do you?
Patient: But a tie?
Doctor: It's not a loss.
Patient: But it's not a win either. I don't want to not lose...I want to crush her. I want her to lose all her picks by round three. I want HER to be frustrated--I want her to hate losing.
Doctor: You said it yourself...she doesn't care. Why would she ever reach that point?
Patient: Then I guess there's only one thing left to do--win the whole damn pool.
Doctor: My advice is to start drinking heavily. You can't win.
Patient: I have to go break down film. I have eight conference tournament games on my DVR and I need to get familiar with the defensive schemes if I'm going to pick upsets. Upsets are the key to winning.
Doctor: Do me a favor--send your dog next week--I need to meet a sane member of your family.
Doctor: Do you realize how long we have been in session now?
Patient: This session or overall?
Doctor: Overall.
Patient: Ten months.
Doctor: Do you realize we haven't made any progress yet?
Patient is silently staring off in the distance.
Doctor: Doesn't that bother you? Why are you being so stubborn?
Patient: You don't understand.
Doctor: What's not to understand? You lost...fair and square.
Patient: It's not that easy.
Doctor: But it is...the fact that you can't come to grips with it is why you are STILL here.
Patient: What do you care? I'm paying you good money.
Doctor: It's not about the money any longer...I'm getting seriously worried about you. Do you realize that when you came in the office today, you had four basketball magazines with you and were trying to read all four at the same time? When I said "Good Morning," you broke into what I can only assume was an impersonation of Dick Vitale, expounding the virtues of some team named....
Patient: Drake.
Doctor: Yes, Drake. And when I asked you what you were doing, you started mumbling something about an acronym...
Patient: RPI
Doctor: I'm not even going to begin to try and understand what that stands for.
Patient: Honestly, I don't even know what it stands for...but I do know it is used to--
Doctor (interrupting): STOP! ENOUGH! Seriously, how did you get to this point?
Patient: I don't know...these last ten months are a blur. I can't even tell you what we discussed at the last session.
Doctor: I can. You told me you grounded your dog because he was watching too much ESPN. You forbid your daughter from using the computer to check basketball scores. She cried. A lot. She's SIX MONTHS OLD!
Patient: Why are you yelling at me?
Doctor: Does any of this seem normal to you?
Patient: Ok, maybe grounding the dog for six months was a little rash. He probably only deserved three.
Doctor: We need to get to the bottom of this. My wife is expecting me home early tonight.
Patient: Oh God! I all of a sudden feel nauseous.
Doctor: Nauseous? Why?
Patient: It must have been something you said...
Doctor: Huh? All I said is that my wife...
Patient: Ugghhhh! My head...
Doctor: What does this have to do with my wife?
Patient (grabbing his head with both hands): Stop saying that word!
Doctor: Which one?
Patient: W I F E (grabs his head and screams in agony again).
Doctor: Wow, it works when you spell it too. Now we're getting somewhere.
Patient: What does it mean? How can you figure it out from that.
Doctor: You're not the only one this has ever happened to...do you run an NCAA pool?
Patient: Ummm, I think so. Like I said it's all a blur.
Doctor: Are you married?
Patient: Well, there is a female in my house with my dog and daughter. But we haven't really spoken in ten months.
Doctor: Does she follow basketball?
Patient: I dunno...like I said, we haven't talked in ten months.
Doctor: She beat you in the pool, didn't she?
Patient (getting agitated): Huh? Yes, I mean no, no way...that's impossible. She doesn't even follow basketball.
Doctor: But I though you just said...
Patient (grabs a pillow and squeezes it, voice rising): She doesn't pay attention! She doesn't watch the games, she just sits there and watches American Idol and then she picks all these games correctly!
Doctor: Calm down--
Patient: Calm down? You don't know what it's like! Three years in a row...THREE YEARS! Last year, I had it wrapped up and then a team that never should have won late in the tournament wins a game they had no business winning and she does this stupid little dance all across the living room floor. She knows nothing about basketball!
Doctor: Maybe you should copy her picks this year.
Patient: Whoa...why would I do something like that?
Doctor: You don't want to lose again do you?
Patient: But a tie?
Doctor: It's not a loss.
Patient: But it's not a win either. I don't want to not lose...I want to crush her. I want her to lose all her picks by round three. I want HER to be frustrated--I want her to hate losing.
Doctor: You said it yourself...she doesn't care. Why would she ever reach that point?
Patient: Then I guess there's only one thing left to do--win the whole damn pool.
Doctor: My advice is to start drinking heavily. You can't win.
Patient: I have to go break down film. I have eight conference tournament games on my DVR and I need to get familiar with the defensive schemes if I'm going to pick upsets. Upsets are the key to winning.
Doctor: Do me a favor--send your dog next week--I need to meet a sane member of your family.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Guest Speaker = Neuman's Upset Specials
Below was posted to the comment section and I thought that despite the author's credentials (I have drank, golfed, gambled, and drank with him, not necessarily in that order, and you, sir, are no Tony Neuman), this post is worth another round of comments. Upsets? We don't need no freakin' upsets! I think the politically correct phrase is "victoriously challenged" or LOSER as Assistant Tournament Director Raap just said.
Enough by me...young Anthony makes some good points so read carefully. These might be big words for some of you.
"I wanted to share some thoughts on upsets. I follow the first couple rounds of the tourney and there seem to be three common threads to watch for with upsets:
1. When Mid-Majors get high seeds. Call this the "Gonzaga syndrome." Teams that are used to being 10's and lower seem to struggle when they're suddenly on top. I will be interesting to see how Butler and Drake handle their high seeds this year. I bet one of them loses in the first round...
2. New Big Conference Powerhouses. This is the same syndrome as above, but it happens to teams from big conferences that are suddenly higher than normal. Washington St. and Clemson look ripe for the picking here. Tennessee was rated high last year which was unusual and they didn't handle it well. It should be interesting to see how they do this year with another year under the belt.
3. Pick against the Big 10. The Big 10 tends to struggle, and I think this could be a particularly brutal year. I wouldn't be suprised if Wisconsin is the only Big 10 team to get out of the first round - and I'd bet anyone money that more than one Big 10 team won't survive through to the weekend...
Here are some first round upsets to watch for:- Winthrop vs. Washington St. Winthrop is a small conference team with tourney experience - they could get lucky and win a game or two. - Kentucky vs. Marquette. Here the major confernece team is the 11 seed vs. the mid-major team with a 6 seed. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. - Villanova vs. Clemson. Was Clemson's run in the ACC tourney a fluke? I think it might be...- W. Kentucky vs. Drake. Drake hasn't been here in awhile, can the justify their high seeding? - San Diego vs. Uconn. Uconn has struggled and I think this game will at least be close. - S. Alabama vs. Butler. Will Butler choke as a 3-seed and "Gonzaga it" in their first game?
Enough by me...young Anthony makes some good points so read carefully. These might be big words for some of you.
"I wanted to share some thoughts on upsets. I follow the first couple rounds of the tourney and there seem to be three common threads to watch for with upsets:
1. When Mid-Majors get high seeds. Call this the "Gonzaga syndrome." Teams that are used to being 10's and lower seem to struggle when they're suddenly on top. I will be interesting to see how Butler and Drake handle their high seeds this year. I bet one of them loses in the first round...
2. New Big Conference Powerhouses. This is the same syndrome as above, but it happens to teams from big conferences that are suddenly higher than normal. Washington St. and Clemson look ripe for the picking here. Tennessee was rated high last year which was unusual and they didn't handle it well. It should be interesting to see how they do this year with another year under the belt.
3. Pick against the Big 10. The Big 10 tends to struggle, and I think this could be a particularly brutal year. I wouldn't be suprised if Wisconsin is the only Big 10 team to get out of the first round - and I'd bet anyone money that more than one Big 10 team won't survive through to the weekend...
Here are some first round upsets to watch for:- Winthrop vs. Washington St. Winthrop is a small conference team with tourney experience - they could get lucky and win a game or two. - Kentucky vs. Marquette. Here the major confernece team is the 11 seed vs. the mid-major team with a 6 seed. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. - Villanova vs. Clemson. Was Clemson's run in the ACC tourney a fluke? I think it might be...- W. Kentucky vs. Drake. Drake hasn't been here in awhile, can the justify their high seeding? - San Diego vs. Uconn. Uconn has struggled and I think this game will at least be close. - S. Alabama vs. Butler. Will Butler choke as a 3-seed and "Gonzaga it" in their first game?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Mid-Major Madness
I'm doing this while I'm watching the selection show. I realize that CBS was thrown a curveball by the SEC tournament fiasco but who really thought we needed to see the replay of the 2007 championship game in its place? If ESPN didn't have so many damn networks, they would have salivated at having an extra two hours early on Selection Sunday to overanalyze the potential field of 65. I'm stunned that CBS didn't just stick Seth, Greg, and Clark on the tube to play another stupid "Jeopardy" type quiz show about which mid-major didn't deserve to make the tourney and which team should just because they were fortunate enough to play in the ACC (that's right, I'm talkin' to you Virginia Tech).
Actually Seth has been an overapologist lately for the mid-majors. I think he was so embarrassing a few years ago with his pro-"power" conference comments that someone politely said, "Seth, tone it down or hit the road"--unfortunately, now he gushes over the mid-majors. Anyone who saw his act a few years ago knows that isn't how he feels. Exhibit A of his recent behavior--he just gushed over the committee for putting in South Alabama, a bubble team after being upset by Middle Tennessee State in their conference tournament (Sun Belt for those of you scoring at home...and if you are, why are you reading an internet post??) and making them a 10 seed. Geez, Seth, there's got to be a middle ground.
Clark just praised the committee for giving Kent State a #9 seed. He just praised the committee for giving a decent conference champion a spot in the top 36 teams in the nation. Brutal. Thank God for the commercials...I need time to go jump start my brain.
Have you ever tried to write one of these things, fill in your bracket and balance your daughter as she falls over on you after she tried for the umpteenth time to sit up by herself. She can do it but she sees me typing and she wants to get a closer look.
Funny that halfway through, no mention of the lack of love for the Kelvin-less Sampsons who only notched a #8 seed. I bet Bobby Knight is cracking a smile like only he can. At least he A). never cheated and B). graduated a significant percentage of his students.
Kentucky and K-State as #11 seeds...wonder who was the last one in. And funny that the 3rd team in from the West Coast Conference, St. Mary's got a 10 seed in Kentucky's bracket. Ohhh, how the mighty have fallen. Think Wildcat fans don't have their Rick Pitino voodoo dolls in full force right now?
How does Pitt get all the way up to #4 based on their run in the Big East? It was a good run but they are not a consistent top 16 team.
Not sure I'm thrilled with Drake's #5 seed and their placement with two other conference champions plus the overrated Connecticut. I would not be shocked to see San Diego knock off UConn and I think this is a perfect mini-region to have a mid-major come out into the Sweet 16 (notice I'm not necessarily saying that's Drake either).
Baylor as a #11--I'm guessing they were in last behind K-State and Kentucky but man was it fun to watch them get fired up when they saw their name. I could swear Xavier got beat in their conference tournament and they still warrant a #3 seed? I guess I should be thankful since a lower seed could have meant Drake would need to beat them but a loss to St. Joe's who ALSO got a #11 seed should have dropped them to #4 (but since UConn lost early in their tournament to a weak W. Virginia team, the committee didn't leave themselves a lot of choices).
What's missing? Illinois State who was a lock according to Lunardi in Bracketology on ESPN.com but I told you last weekend that you can't lose the conference final by 30 in a mid-major conference
Already tired of the references to the "next George Mason", this one by the always inept Billy Packer. Instead of referencing the past, how about just talking about the matchups? But I will say that George Mason's run did go a long way to changing the major/mid-major paradigm with the William Packers and Seth Davises of the world. I just don't like it when a cliche is invented and worn out within one offseason of its invention.
I also noticed Notre Dame's reaction was a lot more boisterous than last year. Remember last year, I told you I noticed how quiet they were when they were announced compared to Winthrop's reaction and Winthrop already knew they were in. Sure enough #11 Winthrop beats Notre Dame in the first round. Didn't really notice anything this year other than Georgia's coach seemed pretty pissed about getting the #14 seed as the SEC conference champion. Hey coach--be thankful you're even in. Granted, you did the yeoman's effort in winning two games in one day (first time in any conference tournament that has ever happened) and then beating Arkansas the next day after the Razorbacks had upset Vandy and Tennessee in the tournament. But you would not be in the tournament without the conference title so you're at least behind the #11 seeds who were the last ones in. 14 might be low but tough. Enjoy your beating by the Xmen.
Quick run to change Izzy--I get back and the first comparison on ESPN Bracketology is Arizona/Arizona State. I'm already tired of it. Billy Packer asked Tom O'Connor, the committee chair, why the #1 rated RPI conference only sent so few teams and the #5 RPI conference sent in 7 teams. Tom's answers was perfect. He said the RPI was a "data point." Just one other piece of a large puzzle the committee puts together to determine a team's worthiness in the field of 65. Everyone who complains about not making it in, usually only has one data point to defend their argument and that's all they focus on. Then they go out in the first round of the NIT because they are too shell-shocked about missing the opportunity to go in the first round of the NCAA.
Expand the tournament? Seth Greenberg, the Va Tech coach, just lobbied for expanding the tournament so more kids could get a chance for that "one shining moment." Huh? The biggest problem with college sports right now is that in sports like football and hockey, too many people make the postseason. A bowl game in football doesn't mean anything any longer because 6-6 and 7- 5 teams are getting in. It's now become ok to be average. I remember when Iowa used to go 8-3 and consider themselves fortunate to be in the Freedom Bowl. It was a big deal to get a bowl bid. Now, all you have to do is hire Glen Mason and go 7-5 with a win over a NCAA Division II team (or is the Playoff division where BCS is a dirty word, and rightfully so). If a team really deserves to be in, they will have a strong, complete resume and there will be no question. The bubble teams shouldn't even be arguing this--if they get in, congrats, you got lucky. If you don't, you didn't do enough. Simply put--there is no bias on the committee--it's the hardest job in the country (other than Rick Majerus' fitness coach and Lindsay Lohan's sponsor) and they do the best with the myriad statistics they have at their disposal.
Let me end with this, Vitale just said that if we expanded to 128, we'd be sitting on Selection Sunday night arguing about 129, 130, etc. Trust me, I don't want to see a 16-16 Iowa team in a field of 128. If you ask me, I'd be for contracting the field to...
64 teams...I still don't get the play-in game.
Peace,
Reg
Actually Seth has been an overapologist lately for the mid-majors. I think he was so embarrassing a few years ago with his pro-"power" conference comments that someone politely said, "Seth, tone it down or hit the road"--unfortunately, now he gushes over the mid-majors. Anyone who saw his act a few years ago knows that isn't how he feels. Exhibit A of his recent behavior--he just gushed over the committee for putting in South Alabama, a bubble team after being upset by Middle Tennessee State in their conference tournament (Sun Belt for those of you scoring at home...and if you are, why are you reading an internet post??) and making them a 10 seed. Geez, Seth, there's got to be a middle ground.
Clark just praised the committee for giving Kent State a #9 seed. He just praised the committee for giving a decent conference champion a spot in the top 36 teams in the nation. Brutal. Thank God for the commercials...I need time to go jump start my brain.
Have you ever tried to write one of these things, fill in your bracket and balance your daughter as she falls over on you after she tried for the umpteenth time to sit up by herself. She can do it but she sees me typing and she wants to get a closer look.
Funny that halfway through, no mention of the lack of love for the Kelvin-less Sampsons who only notched a #8 seed. I bet Bobby Knight is cracking a smile like only he can. At least he A). never cheated and B). graduated a significant percentage of his students.
Kentucky and K-State as #11 seeds...wonder who was the last one in. And funny that the 3rd team in from the West Coast Conference, St. Mary's got a 10 seed in Kentucky's bracket. Ohhh, how the mighty have fallen. Think Wildcat fans don't have their Rick Pitino voodoo dolls in full force right now?
How does Pitt get all the way up to #4 based on their run in the Big East? It was a good run but they are not a consistent top 16 team.
Not sure I'm thrilled with Drake's #5 seed and their placement with two other conference champions plus the overrated Connecticut. I would not be shocked to see San Diego knock off UConn and I think this is a perfect mini-region to have a mid-major come out into the Sweet 16 (notice I'm not necessarily saying that's Drake either).
Baylor as a #11--I'm guessing they were in last behind K-State and Kentucky but man was it fun to watch them get fired up when they saw their name. I could swear Xavier got beat in their conference tournament and they still warrant a #3 seed? I guess I should be thankful since a lower seed could have meant Drake would need to beat them but a loss to St. Joe's who ALSO got a #11 seed should have dropped them to #4 (but since UConn lost early in their tournament to a weak W. Virginia team, the committee didn't leave themselves a lot of choices).
What's missing? Illinois State who was a lock according to Lunardi in Bracketology on ESPN.com but I told you last weekend that you can't lose the conference final by 30 in a mid-major conference
Already tired of the references to the "next George Mason", this one by the always inept Billy Packer. Instead of referencing the past, how about just talking about the matchups? But I will say that George Mason's run did go a long way to changing the major/mid-major paradigm with the William Packers and Seth Davises of the world. I just don't like it when a cliche is invented and worn out within one offseason of its invention.
I also noticed Notre Dame's reaction was a lot more boisterous than last year. Remember last year, I told you I noticed how quiet they were when they were announced compared to Winthrop's reaction and Winthrop already knew they were in. Sure enough #11 Winthrop beats Notre Dame in the first round. Didn't really notice anything this year other than Georgia's coach seemed pretty pissed about getting the #14 seed as the SEC conference champion. Hey coach--be thankful you're even in. Granted, you did the yeoman's effort in winning two games in one day (first time in any conference tournament that has ever happened) and then beating Arkansas the next day after the Razorbacks had upset Vandy and Tennessee in the tournament. But you would not be in the tournament without the conference title so you're at least behind the #11 seeds who were the last ones in. 14 might be low but tough. Enjoy your beating by the Xmen.
Quick run to change Izzy--I get back and the first comparison on ESPN Bracketology is Arizona/Arizona State. I'm already tired of it. Billy Packer asked Tom O'Connor, the committee chair, why the #1 rated RPI conference only sent so few teams and the #5 RPI conference sent in 7 teams. Tom's answers was perfect. He said the RPI was a "data point." Just one other piece of a large puzzle the committee puts together to determine a team's worthiness in the field of 65. Everyone who complains about not making it in, usually only has one data point to defend their argument and that's all they focus on. Then they go out in the first round of the NIT because they are too shell-shocked about missing the opportunity to go in the first round of the NCAA.
Expand the tournament? Seth Greenberg, the Va Tech coach, just lobbied for expanding the tournament so more kids could get a chance for that "one shining moment." Huh? The biggest problem with college sports right now is that in sports like football and hockey, too many people make the postseason. A bowl game in football doesn't mean anything any longer because 6-6 and 7- 5 teams are getting in. It's now become ok to be average. I remember when Iowa used to go 8-3 and consider themselves fortunate to be in the Freedom Bowl. It was a big deal to get a bowl bid. Now, all you have to do is hire Glen Mason and go 7-5 with a win over a NCAA Division II team (or is the Playoff division where BCS is a dirty word, and rightfully so). If a team really deserves to be in, they will have a strong, complete resume and there will be no question. The bubble teams shouldn't even be arguing this--if they get in, congrats, you got lucky. If you don't, you didn't do enough. Simply put--there is no bias on the committee--it's the hardest job in the country (other than Rick Majerus' fitness coach and Lindsay Lohan's sponsor) and they do the best with the myriad statistics they have at their disposal.
Let me end with this, Vitale just said that if we expanded to 128, we'd be sitting on Selection Sunday night arguing about 129, 130, etc. Trust me, I don't want to see a 16-16 Iowa team in a field of 128. If you ask me, I'd be for contracting the field to...
64 teams...I still don't get the play-in game.
Peace,
Reg
Friday, March 14, 2008
We're getting closer: XMen leaveth, those Wacky Goofs, and the Advent of TreeMan
Another quiet Friday night where everyone sleeps but me. If there wasn't so much damn college basketball on this weekend, I'd probably be asleep too. But there is and I'm not.
Besides, who can sleep with all the Gopher stuff going on? It took all of about 10 seconds for the announcers to invoke the memory of Christian Laettner (may he rot wherever he is) in describing the ending to the Gopher/Indiana game. The gutless Kelvin-less Sampsons have been showing their true colors since the Chief Cheater was forced to resign amid NCAA allegations but they really came up with one for the books tonight. After practically being handed the game by the refs after not 1 but 2 questionable calls in the span of the last five seconds of the game, Indiana finally hit a free throw (out of three tries) to take a one point lead with 1.5 seconds left. I could practically predict the press conference during the timeout---"WE fought hard, it's a shame to lose on a couple of calls like that, blah, blah, blah"). Cue the bomb inbounds Hail Mary into a turnaround, left-handed jumper inside the free throw line and the Goofs are into the semis against Illinois???
Yup, even more gutless were the Boilermakers who, despite being the sexy pick to go far as a Big Ten rep in the NCAA tournament, laid a big fat egg against the Fighting Illini (send nickname protests to your local PETA board).
Here's the kicker--the guy who hit the shot is the same guy who played for Hopkins in 2005 and hit a game tying shot from his butt to send the game to Double OT in the NCAA. Who is writing this stuff?
Xavier did a huge solid for a member of their own conference by tanking in the A10 quarters to the supposed "average" Hawks of St. Joe's (not to be confused with Average Joe's who are good at dodgeball). Average defined in this case as their RPI of 51. Thus yet another mid-major "tweener' was added to the list of those who could steal a bid from the so-called "major" conferences (or as Seth Davis would prefer they be called "the only teams who belong in the tournament"--or Division I for that matter). Sometimes I wonder if these mid-major conference powerhouses do this on purpose to get an extra bid. Actually, in this day and age of the BCS and other major conference biases, I wouldn't blame them if they all got together and brainstormed schemes to get more exposure. I'm still convinced I saw a shooter behind the goal post during the Boise State/Oklahoma BCS game in 2007, ready to pick off the first Sooner who sniffed out the Statue of Liberty at the end of the game.
Right now, I'm wrapping up the night with a little late night "Wash St/Stanford." Good game so far but I think I just found out where Stanford's tree mascot has been hiding out, inbetween fights and alcohol consumption. It's wearing #42 and stiffing everything in its way. I swear to God, there are leaves literally growing on its head while it stands in the lane and blocks shots without jumping (I can't tell if that's because the tree has no vertical or if its just so stiff that it can't move period). You know what this tree eats? Anything it wants, based on the brutal assault I have seen taking place in the first half. I think I saw this guy in the movie Knocked Up but he actually formed sentences and had a sense of humor (when asked later, the TreeMan grunted something about it being the hardest part he played since being in the book "The Giving Tree"). It's got to be tough for TreeMan in the Fall when practice starts up and he's still changing colors. Trust me, he's using his branches to their fullest extent.
OK--enough. All this late night chat and I still haven't mentioned the tornado that actually postponed the Kentucky/Georgia SEC tournament game because it tore a hole in the roof of the Georgia Dome during OT of the game before. I personally feel like Kentucky needs this game and maybe one more to stave off another mid-major theft. Someone up there really doesn't want Kentucky in the tournament and if that "someone" cares badly enough to send a twister during the SEC tourney, there's no telling what could happen in the first round if the Wildcats actually make the NCAA's.
That's why I'll be home watching in HD...
Peace,
Reg
Besides, who can sleep with all the Gopher stuff going on? It took all of about 10 seconds for the announcers to invoke the memory of Christian Laettner (may he rot wherever he is) in describing the ending to the Gopher/Indiana game. The gutless Kelvin-less Sampsons have been showing their true colors since the Chief Cheater was forced to resign amid NCAA allegations but they really came up with one for the books tonight. After practically being handed the game by the refs after not 1 but 2 questionable calls in the span of the last five seconds of the game, Indiana finally hit a free throw (out of three tries) to take a one point lead with 1.5 seconds left. I could practically predict the press conference during the timeout---"WE fought hard, it's a shame to lose on a couple of calls like that, blah, blah, blah"). Cue the bomb inbounds Hail Mary into a turnaround, left-handed jumper inside the free throw line and the Goofs are into the semis against Illinois???
Yup, even more gutless were the Boilermakers who, despite being the sexy pick to go far as a Big Ten rep in the NCAA tournament, laid a big fat egg against the Fighting Illini (send nickname protests to your local PETA board).
Here's the kicker--the guy who hit the shot is the same guy who played for Hopkins in 2005 and hit a game tying shot from his butt to send the game to Double OT in the NCAA. Who is writing this stuff?
Xavier did a huge solid for a member of their own conference by tanking in the A10 quarters to the supposed "average" Hawks of St. Joe's (not to be confused with Average Joe's who are good at dodgeball). Average defined in this case as their RPI of 51. Thus yet another mid-major "tweener' was added to the list of those who could steal a bid from the so-called "major" conferences (or as Seth Davis would prefer they be called "the only teams who belong in the tournament"--or Division I for that matter). Sometimes I wonder if these mid-major conference powerhouses do this on purpose to get an extra bid. Actually, in this day and age of the BCS and other major conference biases, I wouldn't blame them if they all got together and brainstormed schemes to get more exposure. I'm still convinced I saw a shooter behind the goal post during the Boise State/Oklahoma BCS game in 2007, ready to pick off the first Sooner who sniffed out the Statue of Liberty at the end of the game.
Right now, I'm wrapping up the night with a little late night "Wash St/Stanford." Good game so far but I think I just found out where Stanford's tree mascot has been hiding out, inbetween fights and alcohol consumption. It's wearing #42 and stiffing everything in its way. I swear to God, there are leaves literally growing on its head while it stands in the lane and blocks shots without jumping (I can't tell if that's because the tree has no vertical or if its just so stiff that it can't move period). You know what this tree eats? Anything it wants, based on the brutal assault I have seen taking place in the first half. I think I saw this guy in the movie Knocked Up but he actually formed sentences and had a sense of humor (when asked later, the TreeMan grunted something about it being the hardest part he played since being in the book "The Giving Tree"). It's got to be tough for TreeMan in the Fall when practice starts up and he's still changing colors. Trust me, he's using his branches to their fullest extent.
OK--enough. All this late night chat and I still haven't mentioned the tornado that actually postponed the Kentucky/Georgia SEC tournament game because it tore a hole in the roof of the Georgia Dome during OT of the game before. I personally feel like Kentucky needs this game and maybe one more to stave off another mid-major theft. Someone up there really doesn't want Kentucky in the tournament and if that "someone" cares badly enough to send a twister during the SEC tourney, there's no telling what could happen in the first round if the Wildcats actually make the NCAA's.
That's why I'll be home watching in HD...
Peace,
Reg
Monday, March 10, 2008
Popping Bubbles in San Diego
Too quiet around here.
I should be thankful that Chewy has chosen to curl up next to me and not bark at the latest neighborhood party.
I should be thankful that Yzzi has actually chosen tonight to "give it a rest" so to speak.
I should be thankful that Asst Tournament Director Raap is resting the brain that remained after giving life to the tiny brain that has become our middle of the night wake up call.
Instead, I am most thankful that San Diego is about to give Seth Davis an aneurysm. If they pull off this upset of Gonzaga (they are up 10 with 4+ minutes to play) after upsetting (?) St. Mary's the night before (coming back from 12 down in the second half to prevail in 2 OT's), they could make it possible for three teams from the West Coast Conference to make the Big Dance. Davis had a hard enough time when the Missouri Valley put four teams in the tournament a few years back and would not shut up about it for days on end. Funny that two of those Valley teams made the Sweet 16 that year.
Now, Seth may have to start pounding Zoloft as he contends with a trio of San Diego, Gonzaga, and St. Mary's from a conference that doesn't start some games until 11:30pm EST. Right now, inbetween shots of Red Bull and Jagr, he's probably composing his note cards with various major bubble teams sprinkled thoughout with a Hokie here, a Wildcat there...here a Buckeye, there a Terp, everywhere a Quack, Quack (that would be Oregon).
Unfortunately, I may actually agree with him only on the point that if San Diego wins, the WCC does not deserve three teams. While St. Mary's has beaten Drake, they have also lost to Kent State at home and San Diego twice, as well as Southern Illinois, the early Valley favorite who laid an egg during the conference regular season. They deserve to not go, not because a major is better but because their resume is undeserving. If you can't beat Kent State at home, you shouldn't be in the tournament (you could however be in line for the play at home version of BracketBusters, the latest fallacy created by your friends at ESPN, the four letters that stand for arrogance at it's finest. I mean, seriously, do we really care "Who is Now?").
Exclamation dunk by San Diego with 18 seconds left. And a technical foul for hanging on the rim. They briefly went to the coach's reaction. In his best professional manner possible, he frowned and shook his head. Inside he was saying "F'n right!! Take that St.Mary's!!"
The last team to win the WCC other than Gonzaga before this year?
San Diego.
Somewhere the bells of St. Mary's are playing "Taps." And Seth Davis is gnashing his teeth.
For me, that's better than a barking dog. Although Chewy will probably make me pay later.
Peace,
Reg
I should be thankful that Chewy has chosen to curl up next to me and not bark at the latest neighborhood party.
I should be thankful that Yzzi has actually chosen tonight to "give it a rest" so to speak.
I should be thankful that Asst Tournament Director Raap is resting the brain that remained after giving life to the tiny brain that has become our middle of the night wake up call.
Instead, I am most thankful that San Diego is about to give Seth Davis an aneurysm. If they pull off this upset of Gonzaga (they are up 10 with 4+ minutes to play) after upsetting (?) St. Mary's the night before (coming back from 12 down in the second half to prevail in 2 OT's), they could make it possible for three teams from the West Coast Conference to make the Big Dance. Davis had a hard enough time when the Missouri Valley put four teams in the tournament a few years back and would not shut up about it for days on end. Funny that two of those Valley teams made the Sweet 16 that year.
Now, Seth may have to start pounding Zoloft as he contends with a trio of San Diego, Gonzaga, and St. Mary's from a conference that doesn't start some games until 11:30pm EST. Right now, inbetween shots of Red Bull and Jagr, he's probably composing his note cards with various major bubble teams sprinkled thoughout with a Hokie here, a Wildcat there...here a Buckeye, there a Terp, everywhere a Quack, Quack (that would be Oregon).
Unfortunately, I may actually agree with him only on the point that if San Diego wins, the WCC does not deserve three teams. While St. Mary's has beaten Drake, they have also lost to Kent State at home and San Diego twice, as well as Southern Illinois, the early Valley favorite who laid an egg during the conference regular season. They deserve to not go, not because a major is better but because their resume is undeserving. If you can't beat Kent State at home, you shouldn't be in the tournament (you could however be in line for the play at home version of BracketBusters, the latest fallacy created by your friends at ESPN, the four letters that stand for arrogance at it's finest. I mean, seriously, do we really care "Who is Now?").
Exclamation dunk by San Diego with 18 seconds left. And a technical foul for hanging on the rim. They briefly went to the coach's reaction. In his best professional manner possible, he frowned and shook his head. Inside he was saying "F'n right!! Take that St.Mary's!!"
The last team to win the WCC other than Gonzaga before this year?
San Diego.
Somewhere the bells of St. Mary's are playing "Taps." And Seth Davis is gnashing his teeth.
For me, that's better than a barking dog. Although Chewy will probably make me pay later.
Peace,
Reg
Sunday, March 9, 2008
The Forgotten Team
Every year, I pray to the basketball gods that at least one Iowa team will make the NCAA tournament so I have a little more of a reason to watch than some pool or silly bet(s) with a friend of a friend of a friend who has an uncle named Vinny.
This year those prayers were answered in the most unusual way. Much like the fifth Beatle and the little known Beach Girl, there is a fourth Division I basketball team in Iowa and they go by the nickname of the Bulldogs of Drake University. What do I, having been a longtime resident of Iowa, know about this school. Very little, including but not limited to
1). A bunch of wannabe lawyers attend there.
2). They are in Des Moines, the state capitol.
3). The last time they were in the tournament was 1971 when only 25 made the cut.
4). They do actually have a Final Four appearance (1969...lost to UCLA in title run #3 of 7 in a row for them and then took third with a victory over North Carolina)
5). The team was molded by last year's coach, Dr. Tom Davis, still probably the greatest coach Iowa has ever had, and is now coached by his son in yet another example of what is becoming an increasingly bothersome trend of nepotism in college basketball coaching (see: KNIGHT, BOBBY and KNIGHT, PAT at Texas Tech)
Anyway, they are in after a 30-point assault of Indiana State on Sunday. Indiana State was considered to be a serious contender for a second Mo Valley bid in the NCAA tourney but I can't believe the committee would hand a bid to a mid-major team that loses the final by 30-points on a neutral floor. Especially without a Larry Bird, circa 1979.
Now if only I knew some of the players. Oh well, I have a week to read up.
Cornell was the first team in this year and, interestingly, is the first Ivy League team not named Penn or Princeton in the last 30 years to win the auto berth. Too bad it's probably their last win of the season. Help me with these conferences that finish their tourneys a whole week before selection Sunday. Is it a TV thing? Why in the world would you want a week and a half before playing again? A few days rest is good but you have to reach the saturation point at some time where you get sluggish and soft. Actually, it doesn't seem to have impacted the mid-majors too badly in the past since they have had their share of Sweet 16 participants in the past but it seems like it would be detrimental.
Michigan State and Indiana proved today why the Big Ten is weak. If you look at the better teams in the league, they can go on the road and beat average teams. In Duke and NC's cases, they can go on the road and beat each other. If you can't win other than at home, how can you expect to beat a mid-major on a neutral floor. Wisconsin is the class of the Big Ten, Purdue is second...the Spartans and Kelvin-less Sampsons are weak. Indiana's players have shown their gutlessness recently by not showing up for important games because they are still supporting their cheating former coach. Get over it. He's gone and he's not coming back (in fact, he never should have been hired in the first place--may the curse of Bobby Knight continue to haunt you for years to come).
As mentioned earlier, a new participant in the pool this year, Yzzi Ecrag, wiil be showing her picking prowess. She's had six months to discuss it with Asst Tournament Director Raap Elleinad and I think they both have a plan to move me from #2 to #3 in my own family this year.
It's 10:30pm and I'm watching Gonzaga in the FIRST of two West Coast Conference tournament games tonight. The second, St. Mary's/San Diego, starts immediately after the completion of this game. No wonder the WCC can't get any respect--all the self-important writers are on the East Coast and can't stay up for a game that STARTS at 11:30pm.
Hell, I'm having trouble and the Gonzaga game is close. But everyone in the house is asleep...maybe that's why they keep beating me in the pool?
Another topic for another time...until then...
Peace,
Reg
This year those prayers were answered in the most unusual way. Much like the fifth Beatle and the little known Beach Girl, there is a fourth Division I basketball team in Iowa and they go by the nickname of the Bulldogs of Drake University. What do I, having been a longtime resident of Iowa, know about this school. Very little, including but not limited to
1). A bunch of wannabe lawyers attend there.
2). They are in Des Moines, the state capitol.
3). The last time they were in the tournament was 1971 when only 25 made the cut.
4). They do actually have a Final Four appearance (1969...lost to UCLA in title run #3 of 7 in a row for them and then took third with a victory over North Carolina)
5). The team was molded by last year's coach, Dr. Tom Davis, still probably the greatest coach Iowa has ever had, and is now coached by his son in yet another example of what is becoming an increasingly bothersome trend of nepotism in college basketball coaching (see: KNIGHT, BOBBY and KNIGHT, PAT at Texas Tech)
Anyway, they are in after a 30-point assault of Indiana State on Sunday. Indiana State was considered to be a serious contender for a second Mo Valley bid in the NCAA tourney but I can't believe the committee would hand a bid to a mid-major team that loses the final by 30-points on a neutral floor. Especially without a Larry Bird, circa 1979.
Now if only I knew some of the players. Oh well, I have a week to read up.
Cornell was the first team in this year and, interestingly, is the first Ivy League team not named Penn or Princeton in the last 30 years to win the auto berth. Too bad it's probably their last win of the season. Help me with these conferences that finish their tourneys a whole week before selection Sunday. Is it a TV thing? Why in the world would you want a week and a half before playing again? A few days rest is good but you have to reach the saturation point at some time where you get sluggish and soft. Actually, it doesn't seem to have impacted the mid-majors too badly in the past since they have had their share of Sweet 16 participants in the past but it seems like it would be detrimental.
Michigan State and Indiana proved today why the Big Ten is weak. If you look at the better teams in the league, they can go on the road and beat average teams. In Duke and NC's cases, they can go on the road and beat each other. If you can't win other than at home, how can you expect to beat a mid-major on a neutral floor. Wisconsin is the class of the Big Ten, Purdue is second...the Spartans and Kelvin-less Sampsons are weak. Indiana's players have shown their gutlessness recently by not showing up for important games because they are still supporting their cheating former coach. Get over it. He's gone and he's not coming back (in fact, he never should have been hired in the first place--may the curse of Bobby Knight continue to haunt you for years to come).
As mentioned earlier, a new participant in the pool this year, Yzzi Ecrag, wiil be showing her picking prowess. She's had six months to discuss it with Asst Tournament Director Raap Elleinad and I think they both have a plan to move me from #2 to #3 in my own family this year.
It's 10:30pm and I'm watching Gonzaga in the FIRST of two West Coast Conference tournament games tonight. The second, St. Mary's/San Diego, starts immediately after the completion of this game. No wonder the WCC can't get any respect--all the self-important writers are on the East Coast and can't stay up for a game that STARTS at 11:30pm.
Hell, I'm having trouble and the Gonzaga game is close. But everyone in the house is asleep...maybe that's why they keep beating me in the pool?
Another topic for another time...until then...
Peace,
Reg
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