Championship Week -- Day Eight
Putting this one up in the AM, because the Big East Tournament actually gets started today. No televised games for anything until tonight (and for the Big East, tomorrow), but just in case any of you don't like working...
Real action begins later, with three League Championship Games:
Summit League (North Dakota State vs. Oakland)
Horizon (Butler vs. Cleveland State)
Sun Belt (Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama)
Let's do this thing...
about 3 years ago
rockchalk
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May I suggest a rolaids......
upset stomach?….Dia…..never mind, you get the picture. Don’t get nervous cause there’s 7 seconds left in the game and everyone is counting on you to make a last second shot, there is no pressure….“there is no spoon”
by 3 ball corner pocket on Mar 10, 2009 10:29 AM CDT reply actions
Big East Tourney
The last seed, Depaul just beat Cincinnati by 10….crazy
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 1:04 PM CDT reply actions
so, what does the first round pairings look like in that tourney?
16 vs. what?
I just got back from your mom's basement.
16 vs. 9
15 vs. 10, 14 vs. 11, and 13 vs. 12
And then it matches up down the line, now Providence plays 16 Depaul instead of #9 Cincy, which probably hurts them NCAA wise
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
OK, actually live games are upcoming.
At 8, EST, we’ve got the Summit Championship — ESPN2. At 9, Horizon — ESPN, and at 10, Sun Belt — ESPN2.
Let’s get it goin’.
been waiting on it
all day. Hopefully the games keep me interested and away from watching some West Wing
I just got back from your mom's basement.
Tomorrow, those worries will exist no longer.
Big East and Big 12 games all day long, along with some Pac-10 first rounders at the end of the night and two Conference Championships (Northeast and Big Sky) mixed in.
I can’t wait.
And Thursday. Don’t get me started on Thursday. That just might be the best day ever! Of course, I’ll be at school…
BIG EAST UPDATE
Depaul began it’s inevitable, 5-games-in-5-days trek towards a surprise NCAA berth by beating Cincinnati today. They won 0 regular season games, and are currently undefeated in Tournament play. Go figure.
To continue the upset trend, 13 seed St. John’s (and Bill Self disciple Norm Roberts, who is on the hot seat) snuck by Georgetown, the 12 seed. Damn, are the Hoyas an odd team. This is a team that beat Connecticut, in Storrs, and also beat Memphis. That’s two Top 5 teams. And yet, they might not even make the NIT, now.
Notre Dame is looking to make a surprise run to the Finals that should give them enough clout to get into the Dance. Of course, that would likely involve beating West Virginia, Connecticut and Pittsburgh on three consecutive days. Still, they’re getting off to a solid start: up 9 on Rutgers at half.
Noticed that about Georgetown when I posted my Fanshot.
4 wins vs. Top 25 teams (at the time) and then they just fell apart.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
No basketball yet: stupid WBC in a game that's already over.
However, Netherlands is tied up 0-0 with the DR in the Top of the 6th. Holy hell, if the Dutch win AGAIN over the Dominican Republic, I’ll just give up.
Loser is done, winner advances.
Rutgers has cut it to 5 on the Fighting Irish.
Man, do I want to see a day of complete upsets in the Big East. That’d just be awesome.
Plus, we can, finally, officially, shut up about Georgetown and Notre Dame. Finally.
Where did all of the press surrounding the Fighting Irish come from, again?
they have a great white hope.
That’s always good for the press.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
And in the Big Sky semis:
Kansas’ first round foe last year, Portland State, is up 7 on Idaho State. Winner goes on to tomorrow night’s finals, against either Weber State (#1 seed and favorite) or #6 seed (out of 6 teams in the entire freakin’ conference) Montana State.
Go Vikings (PSU)!
Of course, Idaho State is the alma mater of Jared Allen.
Just remembered that.
That makes the decision slightly more difficult…
Yeah, read a story about them today in the Star.
Basically discussed their struggles since moving up to D1 and that there are some people who think they don’t belong there.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
Alas, it wasn't to be.
ND is up 9 on Rutgers with less than a minute to go.
Still, a valiant effort put forth by the Scarlet Knights. Notre Dame’s run to the Championship Game lives another day!
The Bud Light commercial with Conan.
One of my favorites.
If you haven’t seen it, you won’t get it. No worries.
Don't tell us you're a Bud Light man already:
We’ve got enough trouble with KC!
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:12 PM CDT reply actions
Yes.
I just posted the other day right as KC did, so it threw him off. Plus, if everyone replies to the same question, it makes for an odd sequence, with the original replies getting out of whack.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions
NDSU, storming back.
Only down 8, now.
Portland State beat Idaho State, by the way. I know everyone was on the edge of their seat.
Cleveland State trivia.
What monster upset first brought them onto the college b-ball consciousness? Extra credit for naming the book it appeared in.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:22 PM CDT reply actions
I remember hearing about it before, but can't place the team.
When I think of Cleveland State, I think of the epic-of-all-epic second round games a couple of years back, between West Virginia and Wake Forest, held on their floor. That Mountaineers team was one of my favorite non-KU teams of all time (actually, it was almost certainly my absolute favorite non-KU team of all time), and they won in one-or-two OTs, I can’t remember.
I started watching them in the Big East Tournament when they were a bubble team, and it went on-and-on-and-on. All of the way to the Elite Eight, where they were narrowly beat out by Lousiville (stupid Rick Pitino). It was one of those years where Kansas lost in the first round (that was Bucknell, IIRC), so I really devoted all of my fandom to the ’Eers and John Beilin. Damn, how I loved that team and Pittsnogle.
It was way before your time actually:
They beat Indiana; 14 seed over the 3 in 1986, first round of the tournament. That was the year John Feinstein wrote "A Season on the Brink’. Kinda showed exactly how whacko Bob Knight was. I guess it gave fair warning to later recruits what was coming when they went to IU.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I just looked it up.
Yep, Indiana. Then they beat St. Joseph’s and made the Sweet 16.
Actually, the only time the Viks have ever even been to the dance.
Totally forgot about that.
He must have put the fear of God into his players, because that didn’t happen the next year.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
Yep. Knight's last national championship the next year.
Keith Smart’s shot to beat Syracuse.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Cleveland State-Butler awfully close, early.
Bulldogs up 4.
Plenty of bubble teams (Creighton, St. Mary’s, etc.) are rooting really hard for Butler, tonight. A Vikings win takes away a bid.
Cleveland State within 6.
I hope they can pull off the upset, honestly. Have always liked them, for some reason.
so more schools
can complain about being left out, I can handle that.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
Oakland & North Dakota State playing in South Dakota:
In the middle of a blizzard. All major roads closed in the area. Supposedly most of the ND State fans couldn’t get there. Good game though.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:43 PM CDT reply actions
Good.
Negates the homecourt advantage.
I think it’s more fun when it is truly played in a neutral environment. Obviously, whichever city you pick will be closer to some schools than others, but to play on the actual, physical home court is unfair IMO.
But, whatever.
And, I'm an idiot.
Just realized the game is in South Dakota, not North Dakota.
I’ve been to Sioux Falls before, too.
I stand by everything I said, but it obviously doesn’t apply in this case.
I thought I was missing something.
Like there were two Sioux Falls.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
ND State all the way back.
Take the lead with a 3.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:49 PM CDT reply actions
I wonder if North & South Dakota have a huge rivalry like MU-KU?
Or maybe there’s so few people up there they all stick together. I’d think ND State would have the advantage in the crowd anyway. If they at least brought their band.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions
What a finish.
I thought Oakland’s last shot was going in, honestly. Which would have risen it to the absolutely ridiculous level.
Still, awfully exciting.
In other, nearly-as-exciting news:
Netherlands and Dominican Republic still ties, 0-0, in the Top of the 11th (!!) Inning.
Winner advances beyond Pool Play, loser sends their players back to their respective big league clubs. Of course, the Netherlands has two players who even played in the majors last year, and only 9 that are even in organizations, so whatever.
Storming the court in Sioux Falls!
That was a great finish. The last shot was close.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 8:55 PM CDT reply actions
If you would have paused it in mid-air
and pointed a gun to my head and say “Make or miss,” I would’ve said make.
I really, really thought it was going in, and preparing to scream my head off (I was cheering for Oakland).
But, it wasn’t to be.
Onwards to the Horizon League.
Let’s see if Cleveland State can keep it close and scare some bubble teams to death.
Cornell's in!
I may have to root for them. I think they’ve been recruiting my daughter.(Academically obviously, I think still no athletic scholarships in the Ivy League)
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:01 PM CDT reply actions
What competitiveness in women's ball:
- Uconn beats #5 Louisville by 39.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:03 PM CDT reply actions
Anyone around?
This Butler Clevland St. game could be a tremendous finish…..my always upset pick, S. Alabama on ESPN 2 also
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:20 PM CDT reply actions
oh and they are playing the funniest mascot....The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Is that mascot named after:
A stripmining operation? Pretty weird.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions
haha
they made a good run last year with that NBA player from the Magic, can’t remember his name
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Courney Lee.
It was their point guard, though, Dywon (Tywon?) Brazleton was the one who was actually their best player i the NCAA Tournament.
And then they had that one white guy, Ty Rogers, who hit the 35-footer to send them into the Second round.
I know waaay too much about CBB.
The last 5 years, particularly, as that’s when I started really following it hardcore.
It’s a disease.
This game is huge for teams like K-State
they have to have Butler win this because they can’t afford any other spots “stolen” away.
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:25 PM CDT reply actions
I thin K-State is in trouble anyway.
They keep holding up the 4 seed in the Big 12 as reason to get in but: They’re tied with 3 other teams who all did better out of conference. They probably have to win two in the tournament to get in.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions
oh I definitely agree, but bubble teams winning conference tournaments
makes that even a question mark
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll get to it more in my Big 12 Tournament Preview.
Which I’m working on, I swear, and I want to post sometime tonight before everyone’s asleep (although that may be impossible…whoops).
But, basically, I don’t think they get unless they get to the conference Championship game. Even then, I think it’s sketchy, although they could very likely get in.
I'd rather they get in than Ok State or A&M,
but it’s just not going to happen unless Ok St and A&M get rolled in their first round games and K-State wins a couple games convincingly (like by 20 points)
I just got back from your mom's basement.
I don't much care if they get in or not but:
I really don’t want to hear their fans whining for the next year about always getting screwed. The old “I’m not paranoid, it’s just everybody’s out to get me”crap.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
win more games against teams in the top 100
and they’d get in. We never have any problems with it.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
I shared it over at BOTC today,
then they said RPI is unreliable. So I updated it and used KenPom, looks almost exactly the same.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
RPI is unreliable, yes.
But the fact remains the same. They just didn’t beat nearly enough good teams.
In bizarre baseball news;
The Netherlands defeats the DR again and eliminates them from the WBC. I guess steroids must finally be banned in the Dominican Republic.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:27 PM CDT reply actions
wow
aren’t they stacked? Is that Jose and Miguels’s team?
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions
oh well
back to surprise for them
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Without looking at their roster,
they seem like a team full of old players who aren’t all that great anymore. But that’s no excuse for losing to the Netherlands.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
Bubble teams are panicking, everywhere!
Omaha is on edge!
Moraga (CA) is holding their breath!
Providence can hardly stand it!
AAAAA!
If Providence gets in,
K-State may have a complaint about Big East bias.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
I think that DePaul's win today really hurts them.
Now, a win tomorrow against DePaul does less than nothing. A win against a decent Cincinnati team would do them some good.
I think they probably have to beat Louisville, now. A win there, though, and no one should be complaining. A loss, and they should be on pins-and-needles.
Providence has 5 top 75 wins,
played the worst Big East schools. It’s not a pretty resume.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
and the Big East has
4 schools that are around Colorado’s level. Rutgers, DePaul, St. Johns, South Florida, and Seton Hall are all bad.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
uhh yeah
I just looked at their season, after they beat Pitt I heard a lot of love going there way, they don’t have a single other good win in my mind.
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions
I think you need the Vroom Vroom Party Startah as your sig line.
That would freak out KC.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions
just can't get the reply thing down..:)
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I used it, but you & Warden are just quicker to reply.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah I know, just giving you crap because of rockchalk calling you out
like the dictator he is
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn 17 year old napoleon. Whoops, now I'm banned.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions
no doubt
I agree with your comment, though, if people don’t follow the unwritten rules there is chaos!!!!!!!!
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Well my 15 year old daughter is over my rank pretty much:
So you might as well be too.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn I'm impressed with Cleveland St. right now
the tough thing for me about watcfhing these games is that, you’ll watch a team in one of these little conferences play really well in their championship and you’ll be tempted to pick them for an upset….the problem is that it’s hard to guage how good they really are with the difference in competition
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:51 PM CDT reply actions
Agreed.
It happens to me multiple times every year. Really, it’s where my unreal fandom of all things CBB bites me in the ass. I bet you that I watch more CBB than just about anyone else (no offense, but it’s my life from the end of football season until April; literally, it’s all I do), so you’d think I would do really well. But, I watch the teams too much, really, and see awesome performances like Cleveland State’s tonight, and see their potential. So I then try to outthink everyone, and they get blown out like one would expect.
definitely
I’ve seen you talking about games during OGT’s and I’m just thinking to myself, “how the hell can he stay engaged in that game?”
Not trying to say it’s dumb, i just get bored with some of the lesser college games and the ones not involving the Big 12 or top teams. This Butler & Cleveland St. game is quality, though, and entertaining.
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions
It's just my all-time favorite thing to do, period.
Everyone has those dumb things.
And I love CFB and the NFL to death as well, and will watch just about every Royals game over the summer, when there’s nothing else to do.
But College Basketball…it’s just the best. If the game is close, I could watch two D-III teams play. It really doesn’t matter, to me.
OK, here is a question
In your mind, what is the key to a cindarella pulling an upset?
1. Senior leadership
2. A dominant and very skilled scorer
3. Great 3 point shooting
4. Other
Only pick one, because obviously if a team has more than one of these they are in really great shape.
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 9:57 PM CDT reply actions
I'd say any of the
top 3 can win a game. Although #2 is the most deadly in one game. A Stephen Curry that can take a game over.
I just got back from your mom's basement.
definitely agree with #2 and the Curry example
but I have to say 3. Great 3 point shooting is the tried and true method….If you’ve got a truly hot 3 point shooting team, sometimes no amount of talent can stop them.
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I think that it just has to be anything unique.
Like, VMI could give certain teams fits.
IMO, it has to be something that is almost impossible to prepare for in a short period of time. Like the Princeton offense (although that’s become commonplace not to be a big deal anymore, IMO) or a team full of 3-point shooters. You have to do something extraordinarily well, IMO. Well-balanced, better pure “teams” don’t pull the upsets, because the more talented team can just outplay them.
But if you are just awesome at one thing, usually something like 3-point shooting or having Stephen Curry or you really slow the game down or something, you have a chance.
Alright
1 minute left, Butler down 2, this could be a crazy last minute
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:00 PM CDT reply actions
Wow
I had no idea that Butler has beat them twice by 2 point each time, hard to beat a team 3 times in one season
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:03 PM CDT reply actions
Craziness.
Just no 3, please.
A 2, I can live with. I just don’t want another heartbreak.
That Illinois State loss is still killing me. Of course, this didn’t make me feel any better.
Misses the front end!
Butler with a chance to tie or take the lead….love it
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:05 PM CDT reply actions
yeah
can’t even get a shot off, thats not cool
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Now you're sounding like Minda33 on RoyalsReview.
Perhaps you can get her number.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
That's a compliment. She's got a job with the Omaha Royals:
And has at least two websites I think. You can mooch off her & she wouldn’t mind your obsession with sports. You better be Catholic though.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I was referring to you setting me up, period.
You’re acting like my mom.
I have one website, though.
You must remember rockchalk:
I am almost always joking. I can never find the sarcasm font though.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I know, I know.
As was I.
All-in-all, this seems to be quite the joke-tastic place. It’s why I love it so much.
What a great defensive stand by the Vikings.
Two straight awesome defensive possessions by Cleveland State.
That’s how you make the Dance, ladies and gentlemen.
81%
you know he’ll miss one, though
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:07 PM CDT reply actions
Pretty cool, though
great to see guys get a chance to play in the NCAA’s
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:10 PM CDT reply actions
S. Alabama makes me mad
I was sure they were going to win their first round game in a big upset a couple years ago and I was very wrong, I remember I picked a couple upsets right but got a couple way wrong too
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:12 PM CDT reply actions
Anyone going to be able to watch the day games of the Big 12 and Big East the next couple of days?
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:12 PM CDT reply actions
what about the KU game
will there be an OGT rockchalk?
Or am I the only loser that has nothing to do during the day and is working at night?
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Labba should be able to help you out.
He seems to be able to post a lot during the day.(Not implying you’re a loser though Labbadabba)
by hunter s. royal on Mar 10, 2009 10:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll be "working" from home so I assume
there will be an OGT on thursday and I’ll join you for sure Esteban
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
I'm attempting to beg my way out of school for Thursday and Friday.
But it’s a complete and utter failure, so far. No-go.
I do think I’m getting out for the NCAA Tournament, though, so that’s awesome.
I do plan on Tivo’ing the 4 games I will miss while at school, though.
OK, all.
It’s been fun, and I’ll stop by occasionally, but I need to get to work on the B12 preview post.
Like, pronto.
sounds good
I’m going to go continue my obsession with The Wire, Season 2 just came on demand and it’s shaping up to be as good as the 1st….I’ll prolly check in later to see if you’ve got that preview done, though
by I need more Esteban on Mar 10, 2009 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
In other news, 6-seed Montana State (6-10 in conference play)
is upsetting 1-seed Weber State (15-1 in conference play) on Weber’s homecourt in the Big Sky Semifinals.
Montana State up 13, less than 4 minutes to go.
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