NCAA Tournament: Day Two - Evening Session
Here is your Open Game Thread for the remaining 8 games in the First Round. For the most part, it's been rather calm, without any buzzer-beaters or huge upsets. OSU-Tenn was close, and ETSU's near upset of Pitt was enjoyable, but I want the real thing.
Here are Your Games:
All Times Eastern Standard Time...
(5) Utah vs. (12) Arizona -- (7:10) Midwest
(1) Louisville vs. (16) Morehead State -- (7:10) Midwest
(7) Boston College vs. (12) USC -- (7:20) Midwest
(4) Xavier vs. (13) Portland State -- (7:25) East
(4) Wake Forest vs. (13) Cleveland State -- (9:40) Midwest
(8) Ohio State vs. (9) Siena -- (9:40) Midwest
(2) Michigan State vs. (15) Robert Morris -- (9:40) Midwest
(5) Florida State vs. (12) Wisconsin -- (9:45) East
about 3 years ago
rockchalk
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Enjoy Gentleman...
I’m off to a local establishment for some adult beverages while cheering for…
Arizona
Morehead State
USC
Portland State (sorry rc)
Cleveland State
Siena
Robert Morris
and
Wisconsin
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
What's KenPom
have to say about tonight’s games?
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't mock KP.
That’s just ridiculous.
But for the record:
Utah
Wake
L’Ville
Ohio State
USC
Michigan State
Wisconsin
Xavier
I'm not mocking him.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's go Arizona & USC!
Warden’s bracket challenge is getting to the money(shirt) phase.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 6:30 PM CDT reply actions
I haven't seen a lot of them(USC especially)
so I’m curious what they look like. I’m doing pretty good on a few bracket’s, so Xavier better not let me down, or rockchalk’s in trouble. :D
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 6:37 PM CDT reply actions
I watched MU gag up a near sure win to them by missing free throws late.
They were incredibly lucky to get that win, but they’ve beaten some decent teams.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions
I've seen USC approximately 20 times this year.
They are ridiculously athletic and talented, and are incredible on D.
They have absolutely no idea how to run an offense, however. Most of the time, they waste 25 seconds before getting Hackett to drive into the lane and :
a) take it all the way
b) dish it off to Taj Gibson
c) kick it out to Dwight Lewis for a three
It isn’t terribly successful. DeMar DeRozan’s emergence, though, makes them a lot more competitive and better on offense.
UCLA has the rep for awesome D.
But USC’s defense is far better, from what I’ve seen. Numbers agree, too.
UCLA can play offense, though.
Yeah
USC’s defense looks good. I’m a fan.
And I just hate everything UCLA.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Big block!
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I really like USC basketball.
Like, a lot.
Would root for Hitler’s Nazis against their football team, but love their basketball team.
Hate USC football.
But I hate Rick Neuheisel more.
A lot more.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Haha.
I used to kinda-sorta like UCLA football with Dorrell.
And will still root for them against USC, always.
But yeah, I’m with you. UCLA = boo.
Neuheisel hurt me.
Dorrell was such a good guy. Former WRs coach for the Broncos, just never seemed like the right fit at UCLA. Could see him flourishing at a place like Arizona, though.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions
That's a pretty nasty ethical choice:
Between slimy Neuheisal or sleezy Pete Carroll. Just root for the phat man.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Morehead keeping it awfully close in Dayton.
Only down 2, less than a minute to go in the first half.
Yesterday, UConn and UNC had zero trouble. Today, ohmygoodness. The 1’s can’t get out of Dayton fast enough.
And hey, maybe Morehead State will be the first ever.
In other scores, Utah has slowly worked their way back to only down 5, and Xavier is only up 3 on Portland State.
USC-BC is the game of the evening, though, so far.
I went with Arizona in my brackets:
Because I know they have talent & all want to go pro, so maybe they’ll show up for a couple games in the tournament. And I have no clue what Utah is like.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Utah is surprisingly good.
Have a 7’2" center, Luke Nevill, who is awesome.
I went with Arizona throughout the week, then switched it up to Utah at the last second late Wednesday night.
I bet Utah still wins. Arizona makes a lot of really stupid plays.
Yea, they were awful late in the year.
Just liked the talent matched with the high seed. I expect to see Lute Olson coming out of the stands at half to take the coaching job back, then quitting again with two minutes left. That carnival has got to be difficult for the players.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions
For those who didn't see...
Kansas baseball took down #1 (yes, in the country) Texas today, 5-4.
Huge win for the Hawks.
Hell yeah!
Take down the evil horn!
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
James Quinn in heaven:
Double win for the Hawks, and Dayton gets through also.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Rice is still in college?
Gah. It seems like he has been there forever.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
USC blowing lay-ups.
Is Marques(spelling?) Johnson related to UCLA Marques Johnson?
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:07 PM CDT reply actions
It's Marcus, for USC, I'm pretty sure.
And I don’t think so.
USC could have extended their lead to like 7, and now they’re down by 4 because they missed 4 layups in 30 seconds.
Too bad. Morehead State within two:
Then a couple of dumb turnovers & Louisville puts them down 8.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:27 PM CDT reply actions
Tyler Hansbrough is graduating:
With a degree in communication skills. Isn’t that the major for the supposed “dumb athletes”? Not impressed.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:31 PM CDT reply actions
Bet they don't have that degree at real academic institutions:
Like, Harvard, Cornell, KU, Xavier…..
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions
We have to give Mangino a little something for recruiting. :D
On another note, USC could really use Relly Ice. They get wide open 3’s & are bricking them up there.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:44 PM CDT reply actions
I remember the tourney game 2 years ago against North Carolina:
Where they looked great for 30 minutes. Then Taj got his fourth foul, had to sit out, and they got blown away. Of course, it seemed they only had 5 guys on scholarship or something goofy.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
It’s close, but it’s Utah trying to scrap back and stuff.
Arizona is clearly more talented.
Ah, well. My initial gut, along with everyone else’s gut, was correct. Arizona is damn good, folks.
They did:
Embarrass us in the second half a few months back. Jordan Hill is a man & a half.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions
That's really cool.
Morehead State is sending in the last 5 guys off of their bench.
One of those special things: to say that you played in an NCAA Tournament game.
Xavier wins!
Arizona wins.
USC wins.
Very ho-hum finish to a slate of games that initially looked promising.
Ah, well. Hopefully the ending 4 provides us a killer upset. Please.
I'm number 1!
Such modesty. For one moment, anyway, I’m leading the Royals Review bracket. I’m celebrating now before the inevitable epic fail befalls me.(Wait, I’m not from Missouri, I still have a chance!)
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 8:31 PM CDT reply actions
It's surprising how chalk the tournament has been so far.
This morning’s session was by far the best, with KU close til very late, then Marquette & OSU winning nailbiters.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 8:39 PM CDT reply actions
Yeah, there have been a lot of close games and such.
But very few actual upsets.
You had two 12s over 5s, but nearly everyone was calling for those to happen (Western Kentucky and Arizona). The biggest upset was almost certainly Dayton over West Virginia, and that’s only a 11 over a 6.
A trio of 10s winning, too, but again, not really a surprise at all (USC, Michigan, Maryland). And that’s it.
Hopefully there are some hardcore upsets over the weekend, though. Just absolutely not our game. Especially if Texas, A&M and OSU can all upset their top seeds + Duke, and the Big 12 could finagle 6 teams in the Sweet 16.
That’d be freaking awesome.
As someone commented earlier:
ESPN headquarters would probably explode in disbelief.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:02 PM CDT reply actions
Robert Morris is sticking with the Spartans, so far.
If RMU could win, that would be awesome, awesome.
Michigan State has had real problems scoring lately:
If the Bob’s can hit some 3’s, they could make it fun.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I think we would beat Michigan State if we were to play them.
That is, if we can get there (obviously) and Sparty can get past USC.
With this newfangled “offense” USC has recently discovered with the emergence of DeMar DeRozan, they are dangerous. Very dangerous.
Yes, USC blew a lot of lay-ups in the first half:
But they turned it on late. If Lewis can make a decent amount of 3’s, they could make a long run. They’ve got fantastic, long-armed athletes.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:15 PM CDT reply actions
Yeah
Umm, there goes my final four pick.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions
The game ain't over yet.
And Wake is one of those teams that could “turn it on” and still make it all of the way to Detroit.
But no, it isn’t looking good.
It isn't over
But I’m still about to hurl.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions
They're already in bonus
But they aren’t making free throws.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Anyone?
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:25 PM CDT reply actions
I'm not getting that game.
I’d think they’d switch over to it with at least one station.(KC or Topeka in my cable area)
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I got it on MMOD
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Robert Morris tied with Michigan State.
Gus is desperate for a huge upset, and is practically rooting his hardest for the Colonials.
Every time they turn it over or miss a shot, his voice kind of sinks.
It’s depressing.
He's usually good:
during the regular season, but he was awful in the KU game. He’s gonna have people pissed at him for a long time. If an upset happens great, but don’t start begging for one.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions
See, it doesn't bother me.
Not one bit.
It’s OK to root for the underdog, I think. Plus, when you get Gus Johnson, it should be expected.
Have you heard/read anything that wasn’t a big fan?
If the underdog is outplaying a sloppy lazy favorite, fine, root for the little guy.
If he just mindlessly goes against the better team, then he’s doing a reverse Vitale imitation, and he’s just being lazy.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't believe FSU scored 4 points in the first 8 minutes
of their game, and they’re ahead now. Big 10 teams don’t know how to put people away.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:29 PM CDT reply actions
Wake needs to find a defensive presence
Inside. I have no idea who this guy is, but he’s killing them inside.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:31 PM CDT reply actions
J'Nathan Bullock?
High white socks, dreads, short for a big guy?
Dude’s an absolute stud. Only 6’6", but otherwise he would be at a much bigger program than Cleveland State. He’s just fantastic.
Exactly
He’s good. He’s schooled Aminu and Johnson. Several times.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Florida State-Wisconsin
looks to be about the most boring game of all time.
I’ll watch anything, as has been well-documented, but it is definitely behind the other two games.
I may watch Robert Morris when they’re down 15 before I watch FSU-Wisconsin.
GO NOLES!, though, for sure.
Always go against the Big 10, plus I was one of the few that didn’t go with the Badgers.
Another free throw missed
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:37 PM CDT reply actions
Wake is next
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Poop.
This sucks. Wake is definitely going to start off the second half on a run and quickly take a lead.
That’s no fun.
Not for you
Other people are about to poop their pants.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Wake's been so schizo lately:
I hope people have the sense not to bet on them.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't feel any other team in that bracket
Is a final four team. As much as I would like Kansas to win it, and I do think they have a chance, the odds are against them, Louisville doesn’t have a prime scorer, they’re good when they play as a team, but when not, just terrible. I think Kansas will knock off MST, so Wake won’t even have to worry about them. KU vs. Wake in the elite 8, and wake wins it.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 20, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree with you.
I don’t think Louisville is nearly good enough on offense to get there, although they might end up there by default.
The Midwest is by far the deepest bracket, in terms of depth, but there is no real lock to make the Final Four.
I’m beginning to believe that we could actually make it to Detroit.
I think there's a lot of tough teams in the bracket:
But they’ve all got some flaws. Wake is clearly the best upside, but they can be so awful I wonder if they can make the final four. Louisville or MSU seems more equipped to slog their way through a tough game or two. But that’s what makes it interesting. This is the most wide open tournament for a long time, imho.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 9:54 PM CDT reply actions
I love how Siena gets up & down the floor;
and how they pass the ball around; BUT THEY DON’T HAVE ANYONE WHO CAN FRICKIN SHOOT. Little skinny guys who try and ram it inside against people twice their size. Now, they just missed a wide open dunk. Does not seem to be a rational offensive strategy.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 10:12 PM CDT reply actions
What's funny
is that their entire offense is based off of making shots. And they are usually excellent on it.
As the graphic said, they are 61.1 FG% on the year. Only 51.6 eFG%, but still.
It’s just today, they can’t hit. Hopefully, they can get hot and come back.
Holy hell, how I absolutely despite all things Ohio State.
Siena coming back against all odds;
and the crowd; and the refs; and their brick-shooting tonight. I don’t think they’ll make it, but I gotta root for them.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Definitely.
Have been a big fan of Siena all year long.
Their halfcourt-trap is really screwing up the Buckeyes. It has pretty much single-handedly gotten them back in the game.
This last little group of 4.
Is shaping up to have two of the better finishes, in Siena-OSU and Wake-CSU.
And don’t forget the close-but-boring-as-hell Wisconsin-FSU game.
Yes, Wisconsin-FSU is close;
but it just doesn’t seem like it because there’s so little action.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Siena seems to have been
on the short end of the stick on all of these late 50/50 calls.
Hopefully they can get one or two late that give them the W.
Have I mentioned how much I hate Ohio State?
I like the last shot by OSU:
Guy takes five steps, bounces once, shuffles the feet four times, then makes a shot. He traveled four times on one play and no call. That may be the end for Siena.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions
It may be just me.
But it seems that the refs are very whistle-happy throughout the entire NCAA Tournament.
Gets a big, fat boo from me.
The green team that won't die!
Siena within 1. Amazing.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 10:45 PM CDT reply actions
Oh.
Geez, I thought that ridiculous underhand “crawler” was going in.
Still, Hasbrouck has a chance to take the lead.
Dayum. I had all but given up.
OVERTIME!!!
Here we go.
I bet Siena runs away with it.
If they can actually put the ball in the basket against Louisville, they could make plenty of noise.
I think if Wake had half the guts of Siena:
They’d be 50-50 to be National Champs; rather than out in the first round.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 10:50 PM CDT reply actions
Agreed entirely.
They have all of the talent in the world.
Although, don’t discount Siena. They have plenty of talent too.
Siena can certainly handle the ball.
That’s a seriously useful skill.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow, that was crazy.
Two very intense games in action at once.
One went well, going to OT.
One not so well, Mullens picking up the rebound.
He’s gotta miss one of these throws, man.
I was just thinking:
Siena’s been great at rebounding despite their lack of size, they blow the rebound, get down 3, then make a 3 to tie and go overtime again. Lookout, Uconn-Syracuse.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions
ohay
I don’t suppose I should be surprised. Exhaustion catches up to me and finally my bracket goes to shit. I hadn’t incorrectly picked a team that I had going past this weekend until I bought into Wake Forest. From here on out, I’m never believing in programs whose history of choking is equal to that of Mike Tyson (I have no idea if he has a history of choking, but with as bat shit crazy as he is, I just can’t count against it).
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
I have 26 out of 28 on one bracket.
Thought Wake was the safe one tonight, and they get completely routed. Siena has been getting screwed by the refs & the crowd all night, and they won’t quit. Insane stuff.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm historically god awful at these things
so my 5 first round misses were totally acceptable to me because my longer teams were staying in it. With Wake Forest out, my Midwest bracket continues to go to all hell.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I just slapped some stuff together and didn't think about it:
Once you start getting a bunch right, it becomes this, oh wow, this feels good, don’t screw me now refs kind of things. Although, it’s been a really chalkfest tournament, so I’m not feeling too Einstein-like.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions
OHMYGOODNESS!!!!!
Finally, the March Madness has officially, 100% arrived.
Finally. March has just been all right, so far, with plenty of close calls and mini-upsets.
All of a sudden, in the last group of games, we’ve got a legitimately huge upset in Cleveland State over Wake and a pair of really good games.
One of which is, easily, the game of the tournament thus far.
See
I picked WIsconsin in the Warden Challenge but FSU in my bracket pool. There’s no loser here, today.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, I forgot about the Warden Challenge.
I picked USC and Arizona and Cleveland State.
That was huge.
I’m up to 65 points, now, I think.
I think
With Arizona and Wisconsin I would finally be on the board! I dunno. I really didn’t get his game until well after the first wave of games were underway.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll be honest
I didn’t give it a thorough read through until probably the evening games yesterday. It’s a cool idea. Too bad SFA didn’t pull it out.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I think I'm up to 72.
It may be you & me battling it out rockchalk.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions
The nature of the beast:
26 out of 28, and I could lose 3 out of 4 tonight. Glad I don’t bet real money. I think I’m still gold in the Warden pool though.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Louisville is dead meat baby!
Siena is gonna destroy those punks!
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:23 PM CDT reply actions
There was the Madness we've been waiting two days for.
What an incredible game.
And yes, hunter, I concur.
SIENA = 2009 NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!
Seriously, though, I’ll be rooting my ass off for them. Not to look too far ahead, because that’d just be ridiculous, but a Siena W would mean the winner from the bottom half of the Midwest would face Siena, Arizona or Cleveland State in the Elite Eight. Zomg!
I don't want to play Siena again. They have mad ball skills:
And if they start hitting shots they’ll be hard to beat.
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Mad ball skills.....
There’s a joke to be found somewhere in there….
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably a picture:
But it might get you in trouble…………
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Most definitely.
Still, I was totally tempted to post a hilarious picture I stumbled across.
Very tempted. But I’ve had enough comments deleted recently.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably just blow up mpfische's avatar.
Maybe rockchalk should look a little closer look at that. And throw the bum out! :D
by hunter s. royal on Mar 20, 2009 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm out.
Will try and put the game recap up sometime tomorrow morning, then all preview stuff tomorrow night.
It’s so March, now. And I’m so pumped, now.
Where are the Roll Calls?
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by A.J. Haefele on Mar 20, 2009 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
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