NCAA Basketball March Madness Discussion

devilsjaw · Post by **devilsjaw** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:24 am

ddtrane wrote: And Florida wins the SEC and gets a 3. I call BS on this one. AFA, USU, TxAM, and Bradley getting in? Questionable selections, no?

I think Bradley won their conference tourney. Could be wrong. I think Alabama and Seton Hall were the bigger ?'s.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:05 am

ddtrane wrote: And Florida wins the SEC and gets a 3. I call BS on this one. AFA, USU, TxAM, and Bradley getting in? Questionable selections, no?

Not sure about the others you mentioned, but A&M deserves to be in due to their 8 game winning streak to end the regular season and a win over Texas.

If you want to scream "BS", what about Air Force getting in, but Cincinatti doesn't? Who did AF beat?

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:55 am

devilsjaw wrote:
ddtrane wrote: And Florida wins the SEC and gets a 3. I call BS on this one. AFA, USU, TxAM, and Bradley getting in? Questionable selections, no?
I think Bradley won their conference tourney. Could be wrong. I think Alabama and Seton Hall were the bigger ?'s.

Bradley lost to Southern Illinois in the tourney final.

Some really goofy seeding yesterday, but overall the field looks good. I like Pitt's chances to do some damage, and I think Gonzaga has a really good shot at making the Final Four this year.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:05 am

billharris44 wrote:I've watched quite a bit of the Big 12 games this year on t.v. Believe me, nobody wants anything to do with Texas A&M. They are a Temple team from the past--absolutely relentless, suffocating defense, and they compete every single second. Even if they lose, they'll wear you out. I'm not a fan, but anyone who meets those guys is in for a war.

Exactly. That's why Syracuse got one tough draw with A&M as a 12. I'd rather have George Mason or N.C.-Wilmington in the first round.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:11 am

fsquid wrote:
Pitt could very well come out of Oakland, as I'm not convinced by Memphis, UCLA or Gonzaga. None of them have a conference schedule anywhere near as rigorous as the Big East.
Memphis played the 2nd roughest OOC schedule to make up for the lack of a conference schedule.

Memphis only played five ranked teams all season. Conversely, six of Syracuse's last eight games of the season came against ranked foes.

I'm certainly not saying that Syracuse is better than Memphis. But I don't care how tough Memphis' non-conference schedule was. That was December; this is now. Memphis hasn't played anywhere near the caliber of recent schedule that a team in a power conference has.

There's no way in God's green Earth that Memphis would be 30-3 and a No. 1 seed if it played in the Big East. But that's why they play the games ...

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:13 am

A lot of love for Pitt here. I think they can do well, but they are a bit streaky of late (played well in the conference tourney but not well the last couple weeks of the regular season). They've proven they can play with anyone based on their performance in the Big East regular season and conference tourney. They played well against two number one seeds losing a close one at Uconn and beating Villanova on a nuetral court.

However, except for Krauser, they are extremely young with a lot of freshman, sophomores, or first year starters seeing significant minutes. Their defense can keep them in most games, but Gray and Young have had a hard time finishing lately with plenty of easy looks near the basket. They also have a tendency to go for long stretches without scoring. On a positive note, they have more scoring options this year compared to prior years and can easily go 10 deep.

I thought for sure the selection committee would lineup Pitt in the first round against Xavier, which is coached by former Pitt star Sean Miller. The Kent State game will be real tough. They knocked Pitt out in the regionals a few years ago. Kansas' performance down the stretch speaks for itself.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:22 am

Is it just me, or is everyone just assuming that Allan Ray will return at full strength and effectiveness for Villanova? If that guy isn't 100 percent, 'Nova could struggle in the later rounds.

I guess if 'Nova gets through this weekend, even with a sub-par Ray, his eye should be completely healthy by the Sweet 16 next weekend.

Still, that injury looked too nasty to be one of those, "Ah, he'll be fine in a day or two" types of things.

Take care,
PK

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:34 am

DivotMaker wrote:
ddtrane wrote: And Florida wins the SEC and gets a 3. I call BS on this one. AFA, USU, TxAM, and Bradley getting in? Questionable selections, no?
Not sure about the others you mentioned, but A&M deserves to be in due to their 8 game winning streak to end the regular season and a win over Texas.

If you want to scream "BS", what about Air Force getting in, but Cincinatti doesn't? Who did AF beat?

AFA beat no one in the top 50 rpi and only had one game against the top 50(Wyoming). If not Cincy then maybe FSU. Bradley, if they can't get the ball to Patrick O'Bryant then they don't score.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:42 am

After last season's loss in the first round to Bucknell, Kansas is definitely not looking past Bradley. Then again, not many from this current team remember the Bucknell loss. KU starts three freshmen and two sophomores. Bradley on the other hand has an respectable RPI of 47 and if you look at the teams from the MVC, they all have strong RPIs. Bradley also has two future NBA players, one of which is 7 foot.

If KU comes out and plays like they did against Texas, they could potentially make it out of their region (12-24 from three point land). However, they are a very streaky team from the perimeter, and if they struggle from the outside, they better get inside scoring from Kaun, Giles, and Jackson for them to have a legitimate shot at beating the likes of Pitt, UCLA, and Memphis.

The one thing that KU can rely on is their defense. They have the #1 field goal percentage defense in the nation. The guards for KU pressure the ball handlers unbelieveably well, resulting in 2-3 steals a piece for each of their guards. They also provide tremendous weak side help, resulting in many turnovers.

Looking forward to getting this one started.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:22 pm

pk500 wrote:
fsquid wrote:
Pitt could very well come out of Oakland, as I'm not convinced by Memphis, UCLA or Gonzaga. None of them have a conference schedule anywhere near as rigorous as the Big East.
Memphis played the 2nd roughest OOC schedule to make up for the lack of a conference schedule.
Memphis only played five ranked teams all season. Conversely, six of Syracuse's last eight games of the season came against ranked foes.

I'm certainly not saying that Syracuse is better than Memphis. But I don't care how tough Memphis' non-conference schedule was. That was December; this is now. Memphis hasn't played anywhere near the caliber of recent schedule that a team in a power conference has.

There's no way in God's green Earth that Memphis would be 30-3 and a No. 1 seed if it played in the Big East. But that's why they play the games ...

Take care,
PK

Memphis also didn't lose to anybody who was bad. The losses came from a 1 seed, 2 seed, and a 9 seed. Cuse got drilled by 40 against a team that didn't even make their conference tourney!! Memphis has wins against 8 teams in the NCAA, that's how they are there. Who would you replace Memphis with in the 1 seed spot?? Texas? They had some pretty bad losses to teams not in the tourney. Ohio State?? You might have a case there.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:29 pm

Ohio State, yes.

Take care,
PK

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:37 pm

pk500 wrote:Ohio State, yes.

Take care,
PK

Their OOC schedule was really cupcake save for LSU. They played a tougher conference, but I also think the Big 10 is overrated this year and is going to get drubbed in the tourney.

Memphis played really well in OOC and took care of business in C-USA. They lost to a tough UAB team that is probably going to beat Kentucky in the opening round. And considering that they beat both the 2 and 3 seed in their bracket, the #1 seems appropriate.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:35 pm

1st round game times have been posted. The times are eastern time.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney06/bracket

I do not like that KU is playing the late game......

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:12 pm

Since nobody has started one... If you guys want to join the SGN Tourney setup I made feel free, assuming you meet the stringent requirements.

The official 2006 SGN March Madness Tourney -

* Click here to Join Up

Group Name: SGN Bracket
Group Password: SGNMM06

* FAQ for SGN Tourney

Q: What are the requirements to join the SGN March Madness tourney?
A: If you are reading this there is a 99.275% chance you can join (read on)

Q: I am a Boston College fan, can I join your tourney?
A: No

/End FAQ

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:31 pm

bdoughty wrote:Q: I am a Boston College fan, can I join your tourney?
A: No

/End FAQ

Putting Parker aside for a moment, how far does everyone have BC going in their brackets?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:45 pm

Murph wrote: Putting Parker aside for a moment, how far does everyone have BC going in their brackets?

Losing to Villanova in the Round of 16.

Take care,
PK

PadresFan104 · Post by **PadresFan104** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:48 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I thought for sure the selection committee would lineup Pitt in the first round against Xavier, which is coached by former Pitt star Sean Miller. The Kent State game will be real tough. They knocked Pitt out in the regionals a few years ago. Kansas' performance down the stretch speaks for itself.

Holy crap! I didn't realize that Miller was now the head coach at Xavier! I graduated from Pitt in 1990, and watched him play many times. I loved his play at PG, and wondered what became of him. Seemed like such a smart guy.

Cool, now I have three teams to pull for. Pitt, SD State, and Xavier! (Though it sucks they are all in the same region!)

Al

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:08 pm

Murph wrote:
bdoughty wrote:Q: I am a Boston College fan, can I join your tourney?
A: No

/End FAQ
Putting Parker aside for a moment, how far does everyone have BC going in their brackets?

Like I said previously in this thread...they are my sleeper pick to win it all.

PadresFan104 · Post by **PadresFan104** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:27 pm

Murph wrote:
bdoughty wrote:Q: I am a Boston College fan, can I join your tourney?
A: No

/End FAQ
Putting Parker aside for a moment, how far does everyone have BC going in their brackets?

I have them losing to UConn in the Final Four...

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:50 pm

bdoughty wrote:Since nobody has started one... If you guys want to join the SGN Tourney setup I made feel free, assuming you meet the stringent requirements.

The official 2006 SGN March Madness Tourney -

* Click here to Join Up

Group Name: SGN Bracket
Group Password: SGNMM06

* FAQ for SGN Tourney

Q: What are the requirements to join the SGN March Madness tourney?
A: If you are reading this there is a 99.275% chance you can join (read on)

Q: I am a Boston College fan, can I join your tourney?
A: No

/End FAQ

Guess I am banned!!!

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:19 am

Murph wrote:
bdoughty wrote:Q: I am a Boston College fan, can I join your tourney?
A: No

/End FAQ
Putting Parker aside for a moment, how far does everyone have BC going in their brackets?

BC is physically and mentally tough, I'd be surprised if they didn't at least make the final four.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:27 am

Let the games begin!!!!! For me, this is bigger than opening day of baseball, and dare I say more exciting than the Super Bowl?!?!!?

EDIT: These tournament games are on the same level as the NFL playoffs in terms of excitement IMO. Many of you will disagree.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:42 am

Even though I followed college hoops less than just about any other year, I'm very fired up for the tournament to get started. I think it is the complete uncertainty I have in what will happen that makes it so much fun.

Just need to figure out a way to get home in time to shovel the driveway and get to a bar before the evening games get started.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:52 am

sportdan30 wrote:Let the games begin!!!!! For me, this is bigger than opening day of baseball, and dare I say more exciting than the Super Bowl?!?!!?

EDIT: These tournament games are on the same level as the NFL playoffs in terms of excitement IMO. Many of you will disagree.

Not me. I agree with you 100 percent!

The only annual sporting event in the U.S. that is more popular and more followed by a vast majority of Americans is the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl. March Madness is bigger than the World Series, NBA Playoffs or any golf tournament, auto race or horse race.

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:56 am

Hell, I'm a big NFL fan, but this is still my favorite postseason. I'd prefer the MLB playoffs and World Series just because I really like baseball, but I miss a lot of it due to the late starts.