First 2009 March Madness thread

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Hey Joey, what are your thoughts on Rhode Island? I think they are in if they win out to their conference tourney final but most of the major bubble watches are completely ignoring them. On the surface the resume looks weak but the closer you look at them the better they look. They beat Penn State on a neutral court and only lost by 4 to Oklahoma St. They played a very tough non-conference road schedule going to Duke, Providence, and Villanova and lost by 3 at Duke and 1 at Providence. The committee will also recognize that beating VCU and winning at Northeastern are both quality non-conference wins. They didn't get the luxury of top teams coming to their building like many of the other bubble teams got. I think they'll have a stronger resume than many of the teams they'll be competing with for the final spot.

They have been really unlucky, seven of their eight losses have come by six points or less, but they still lost to Richmond and St. Joe's and don't really have a quality win to balance that out. If they beat UMass on Saturday, they'll be 12-4 in conference with a seven-game winning streak to close the season, but like you said, I think they have to get to the A-10 Tourney Final to be seriously considered. Not sure whether they'll be on the same side of the bracket as Xavier, but they really need a win over the Musketeers to point to. When your best wins are @ Duquesne, @ Northeastern and vs. Penn State, you've got work to do.

[3kings]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

When your best wins are @ Duquesne,

There's a sentence I didn't think I would ever here talking about a tourney team (Duquesne is my alma mater). They look like they are turning the corner to respectability.

Question for Ateam, Sniper or any other big hoop fan. Are teams like Pitt or UConn, which will be a 1 or 2 seeds at the worst, have anything to gain by trying to win the Big East Tourny? It seems because of the depth and physical play of that league it takes its toll on teams that have to play 3 or 4 nights in a row.

[Cannon Shell]

Please tell me that a KY loss to Georgia will knock them out

[Cannon Shell]

Please tell me THE KY loss to Georgia will knock them out

It would be easier to knock Kentucky out
if the if the SEC was better as a whole.

I would have to think Kentucky is gone.

But we still have all the conf. tourneys
for some bad teams to take at Large bids.

Ok St. is a mediocre team in a bad conf.
TExas and Ok. ST. are out 1st round imo.
Missouri also most likely.

If Texas ATM and or Kansas St. make it
without winning the conf. tourney I will
be forced to regurgitate on myself.

Whoa... Missouri beating OU.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by 3kings

There's a sentence I didn't think I would ever here talking about a tourney team (Duquesne is my alma mater). They look like they are turning the corner to respectability.

Question for Ateam, Sniper or any other big hoop fan. Are teams like Pitt or UConn, which will be a 1 or 2 seeds at the worst, have anything to gain by trying to win the Big East Tourny? It seems because of the depth and physical play of that league it takes its toll on teams that have to play 3 or 4 nights in a row.

It's a good question. Playing in the Garden and establishing yourself as the #1 seed overall in the Tournament may be enough motivation to get them up, but you're right, I wouldn't be shocked to see Pitt or UConn take an early exit.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Please tell me THE KY loss to Georgia will knock them out

They're probably done. That was an inexcusable loss. Add that to the choke against LSU and the blowout at South Carolina and they'd have to do a lot of damage in the SEC Tourney to be considered again.

Florida's loss at Mississippi State last night makes Saturday's UK/Florida game very interesting. The loser will finish the season with a four-game losing streak and miss the Tournament, while the winner will still have the slightest pulse.

Originally Posted by pgardn

It would be easier to knock Kentucky out
if the if the SEC was better as a whole.

I would have to think Kentucky is gone.

But we still have all the conf. tourneys
for some bad teams to take at Large bids.

Ok St. is a mediocre team in a bad conf.
TExas and Ok. ST. are out 1st round imo.
Missouri also most likely.

If Texas ATM and or Kansas St. make it
without winning the conf. tourney I will
be forced to regurgitate on myself.

Whoa... Missouri beating OU.

The Big XII really isn't that bad. It's not the ACC, but it's not the SEC either. I can't see Texas A&M not making it. They've got too many good wins (Arizona, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma State) and no bad losses, good computer numbers and a good road/neutral record. If they beat Missouri, forget it, they're a lock, but I think even without that game, they're in good shape.

For the last time, Oklahoma is not that good. A team like Missouri with a big and deep frontcourt will give the Sooners trouble every time. If they have to rely on their guards against good teams, they get flustered and into trouble.

Of course, Kansas got smacked by Texas Tech last night, so I guess everyone gets a mulligan.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

fsu sleeper..

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by 3kings

There's a sentence I didn't think I would ever here talking about a tourney team (Duquesne is my alma mater). They look like they are turning the corner to respectability.

Question for Ateam, Sniper or any other big hoop fan. Are teams like Pitt or UConn, which will be a 1 or 2 seeds at the worst, have anything to gain by trying to win the Big East Tourny? It seems because of the depth and physical play of that league it takes its toll on teams that have to play 3 or 4 nights in a row.

I've never subscribed to any theory that says losses are good for a team. Now, that doesn't mean that some losses aren't OK and won't hurt but I don't think that as a coach or player, you EVER go in thinking that it's ok if you lose. That's just against everything in the nature of a competitor. The stories are legendary about Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson and how competitive they were in PRACTICES, never wanting to lose. I think it's really overrated how much of a toll it takes on these kids. They are all 18-22 years old and in prime physical condition. If they weren't playing on this stage, they'd be out at some local gym playing for hours and hours straight, day after day. It's comical when people talk about how players are tired on the second night or third night in a row of playing. They aren't. You want to win every game you play in. Period. For teams like UConn and Pitt, the difference could be between being a #1 or #2. As a #2, you theoretically have a tougher path to the title. Not only that but there is also a big lift to being able to claim the conference title. You may not have a lot to gain by winning the conference tournament title but I think you do lose a bit more by not winning it.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

For teams like UConn and Pitt, the difference could be between being a #1 or #2. As a #2, you theoretically have a tougher path to the title.

The winner of the UConn/Pitt game will be a #1 for sure. Maybe the loser of that game is in danger of falling behind Memphis, but the winner has nothing to gain except the #1 overall seed.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

The winner of the UConn/Pitt game will be a #1 for sure. Maybe the loser of that game is in danger of falling behind Memphis, but the winner has nothing to gain except the #1 overall seed.

Assuming that it's Pitt/UConn in the tournament final, yes, a sure #1 spot is guaranteed. But say UConn wins at Pitt on Saturday. If they were to beat them again in the conference title game, they could be looking at a #1 overall. But if Pitt wins Saturday and then UConn wins the final, I don't think either team can get the #1 overall. And if either team were to lose twice, especially Pitt, I don't see that team possibly getting even a #1 seed and they'd possibly fall to a low #2.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Assuming that it's Pitt/UConn in the tournament final, yes, a sure #1 spot is guaranteed. But say UConn wins at Pitt on Saturday. If they were to beat them again in the conference title game, they could be looking at a #1 overall. But if Pitt wins Saturday and then UConn wins the final, I don't think either team can get the #1 overall. And if either team were to lose twice, especially Pitt, I don't see that team possibly getting even a #1 seed and they'd possibly fall to a low #2.

I'm not talking about a Pitt/UConn final. They play this Saturday. The winner is a 1-seed.

[gales0678]

if i were pitt or uconn , i would rather play UNC in the final 4 then have to play each other again

don't think we see a piit/uconn big east final , 1 will lose

i think either team handles a UNC team that doesn't like to play defense

[SniperSB23]

Almost impossible to imagine any of Pitt, UConn, and NC as anything but a 1 seed. Oklahoma was in that same position before losing to Texas, Kansas, and Missouri in their last four. If Louisville wins the Big East tourney it would make a compelling case for the Big East getting three number 1s. If Michigan State wins their tourney they'd be likely to get the fourth spot. Oklahoma still has a chance if they can win their conference tourney. If all of them fail then it will probably wind up with Memphis by default, a team whose only wins over tourney teams would be Gonzaga and Tennessee who could be 6 and 8 seeds.

Florida-Kentucky and Minnesota-Michigan loom as a couple elimination games this week. Penn St can stamp their ticket with a win tonight against Illinois. Lose and they could be in big trouble. USC must sweep the Oregon schools at home to have a shot. Maryland needs to take care of business at Virginia and they'll probably get in. Texas A&M and Providence are both on the right side of the bubble right now but could assure themselves a spot with a big time win in their finales against Missou and at Villanova. Ohio St needs to get by Northwestern to feel good about their chances. I know everyone has UNLV in for some reason but if they can't win a tough game at San Diego State to get to 10-6 in conference they shouldn't even be in consideration. Assuming they lose how could you put them in at 9-7 in a conference that New Mexico is 12-4 and San Diego St 11-5 in? Should be an interesting couple days, especially after all the bubble wackiness the past two nights.

[Crown@club]

I wouldn't discount Minnesota if they lose to Michigan. I think Michigan is considered more of a quality opponent. They did beat Duke, Purdue, UCLA on the road, and gave UConn a rough time.

(They only played Mich. St. once this season. That's weird)