March Madness - 2008

[JM1776]

I'm pleased my beloved Big East validated the eight bids it received by going 7-1 in the first round. Only UConn shit the bird, and that in a close contest.

It was quite gratifying to watch Villanova kick in the afterburners and blow Clemson right off the court.

Still, the ACC's 3-1 ain't too shabby, and while I think any of the Big East's top eight teams would have finished at least fourth in the ACC this year, North Carolina is my pick to win it all.

Edit: [Cackles happily.] Make that 3-2. Now Duke is out, as well—at the hands of Big East staple West Virginia! Yes! No doubt remains: The Big East is unquestionably the country's toughest conference.

 

[tomalak301]

So the Final Four is today. UCLA, Memphis, North Carolina, and Kansas. All the number 1 seeds in there for the first time in the history of the tournament. Is anyone looking forward to this? I'll probably watch because I think these are going to be really good games. Now that I'm not going to win the thing, I hope it's Kansas and Memphis in the championship game but I just hope we get some good excitement. It's been lacking in this tournament of late.

 

[Neroon]

UCLA is having some serious trouble with Memphis right now. It's been a fairly fast-paced game, which is more Memphis' style. However, the Tigers have two big men with two fouls a piece right now. That's not a big a deal , because Memphis is shooting well and hasn't been getting much on the offensive board anyhow. But it could come into play later. UCLA is having real trouble with Rose and CDR. Both are seemingly too big and too fast for the UCLA guards to handle. But Bruins fans don't need to be too concerned just yet. They've come form behind several times, so they're no stranger to pressure.

But Memphis is looking good. Grudging as it may be for me to admit, they are looking good. Not sure it's good enough to get past both UCLA and Carolina/Kansas.... but they are smoother out there than I have seen them before.


Edit: bang. bang. The two Memphis big men each pick up their 3rd foul, just a couple minutes into the half. They will miss Dorsey's good rebounding ability.

But UCLA's best defender Westbrook picks up his 2nd foul quickly as well.

The more I see of Derrick Rose, the more I thin he's the best pt. guard in the country. He's bigger than Ty Lawson, faster than DJ Augustine... heck, if Eric Gordon thinks he can go pro now, then Rose ought to be going, because he's light years a better talent.

 

[Rat Boy]

Looks like the UCLA Bills...er...Bruins come up short once more.

 

[Neroon]

Memphis really showed up in BIG ways. That final margin of victory was ironically built upon free throws. I don't know the final percentage, but I bet it was miles better than what they had been shooting. They played excellent defense and much as I may not care for him, Dorsey was one heckuva force on the boards. He made a great hustling play to block a shot when UCLA was trying to make a comeback.

Memphis is a VERY deserving winner. Excellent play all the way around!

 

[Mallory]

The last of the PAC-10 goes down...sigh

 

[InklingStar]

Kansas up 40-12 on North Carolina. Didn't see that coming, though I did pick Kansas.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Down with UNC! Down with UNC! Down with UNC! Even though I have them winning!

But then I'm not going to win the damn bracket anyways.

Down with UNC!

 

[Neroon]

What is up with the UNC hate?

This game is stunning. Not because Kansas is winning but because it's winning by so much. That stretch of what ... 9 minutes, when UNC could not buy a basket was largely due to Kansas' outrageous speed. They contested everything. Got all the loose balls. Made most of their shots ... and UNC just plain could not hit even the open shot. The way it looks right now, even with UNC scratching back into it, is if Kansas tires itself out.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

What is up with the UNC hate?

Simple. I'm a DUKE fan. 'Nuff said.

 

[InklingStar]

Carolina is coming back. The lead is only eight now. Crazy.

 

[Neroon]

What is up with the UNC hate?

Simple. I'm a DUKE fan. 'Nuff said.

Would you believe I'm a fan of both? Seriously... both have tremendous tradition, excellent reputations and consistently turn out top shelf teams.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Go Memphis!!!!! Screw all the pundits that picked UCLA almost unanimously. I grow weary of the bias towards the leagues on the coasts from the media. Also, I won big cash betting on Memphis.

Now if NC goes down, what a banner day this will be. Hold on, Kansas. Every time an ACC team loses, an angel gets her wings.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

What is up with the UNC hate?

Simple. I'm a DUKE fan. 'Nuff said.

Would you believe I'm a fan of both? Seriously... both have tremendous tradition, excellent reputations and consistently turn out top shelf teams.

*head explodes*

Clearly you don't live in an ACC state.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Ahhhhh, God bless those darling NC fans who were so easy to goad into making a foolish wager. At least the UCLA fans wagered with a sense of caution and realism, but the NC fans wouldn't even entertain the notion that their Heels might lose. I won so much money today.

 

[tomalak301]

Well, I think today summed up the tournament as a whole, boring, dull and very little excitement. I expected these games to be much closer than it was. Unfortunately they were not.

 

[Neroon]

Go Memphis!!!!! Screw all the pundits that picked UCLA almost unanimously. I grow weary of the bias towards the leagues on the coasts from the media. Also, I won big cash betting on Memphis.

That wasn't bias here. Some were picking Memphis, but those who picked UCLA had pretty good reason to. A 3rd straight trip to the Final Four, a very talented team with an experienced coach, comeback wins recently. Memphis had not been to a Final Four in something like 20 years (Keith Lee and his crew, whenever that was). It was a logical and sensible pick to go with the Bruins.

*head explodes*

Clearly you don't live in an ACC state.

Nope, and it's much more healthful that way.

Well, I think today summed up the tournament as a whole, boring, dull and very little excitement. I expected these games to be much closer than it was. Unfortunately they were not.

If you're someone who just tuned into the last minute or just picked up the final score, I can see how you might get that impression. I watched both games in their entirety and loved it. There was a tremendous collection of talent and intensity. Both games ended up with margins that were a little misleading. Memphis sank an awful lot of free throws that stretched it out. UNC had whittled the Kansas lead down to 4 pts midway through the half.

Not as intensely competitive from beginning to end as I'd have liked but far from boring as far as I'm concerned

 

[mimic]

*head explodes*

Clearly you don't live in an ACC state.

Nope, and it's much more healthful that way.

That depends. You live in the Buckeye State, yes? Not sure that's an improvement...

Anyway, for the second year in a row I rock at this March Madness pool-thingy. I'll get 1st or 2nd in my Dad's pool, and both come with cash prizes.

 

[Rat Boy]

I've been riding Kansas' horse since the get-go, but even I couldn't have predicted what happened tonight. Rock chalk!

 

[Neroon]

That depends. You live in the Buckeye State, yes? Not sure that's an improvement...

It is over Pennsylvania.


Memphis vs Kansas.... if ever the phrase "speed kills" was appropriate...