TOURNEY WATCH: 3/20/2011 (NCAA Open Thread)
by BracketCat on Mar 20, 2011 12:00 PM CDT
in Men's Basketball
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For the final day of the NCAA Tournament's first week, this again is your BOTC-hosted home for March Madness discussion.
Saturday was an active day throughout the Big Dance, but for the purposes of this feature, all the relevant action occurred in the wide-open Southeast Region, in which I incorrectly predicted all four Sweet Sixteen teams.
In the headliner of the night, Butler delivered the biggest upset of the tournament by outlasting Pittsburgh in a last-minute dumb-off. While the way the game stumbled to a finish was notable, the final result itself was not.
Butler perennially is an under-seeded team in March, relative to its accomplishments, while Pitt is infamous for its early exits. It was a mismatch from the start. My only surprise was that the score was so close.
The Bulldogs will advance to play the Badgers of Wisconsin, who obviously ended K-State's season last night. The less said about that, the better. I'll let Kellis over-analyze the performance — I don't feel the need to make kids cry.
On the south side of the bracket, BYU and Florida will meet in a rematch of last year's first-round, overtime contest.
I wasn't surprised that the Cougars won in Denver, but I was surprised they won like that. That looked like the Gonzaga from early in the season, when the Bulldogs couldn't guard 3s to save their lives. In a word, they were Jimmer-ed, but their larger failure was an inability to push tempo, pound it inside and capitalize on superior depth.
As for Florida, the Gators grew immensely as the season wore on. I didn't think they would be this good. With both great guard play and great interior play, you have to like their chances to advance to the Final Four out of this region against three teams that don't have the same caliber of athletes.
Associated Press Ranking = 21
ESPN/USA Today Ranking = 24
Overall Record = 23-11
Big 12 Record = 10-6
Top 50 Record = 4-7
Big 12 Seed = 4
NCAA Seed = 5
RPI = 23
SOS = 11
Region (Site) = Southeast (Tucson)
Signature Wins (RPI 1-30) = Kansas, Texas, Utah State
Quality Wins (RPI 31-100) = James Madison, Virginia Tech, Gonzaga, Washington State, Baylor, Nebraska (2), Missouri
Bad Losses (RPI 101 or greater) = none
- James Madison (21-12, 10-8 CAA) | RPI = 88
- No. 1* seed Virginia Tech (22-11, 9-7 ACC) | RPI = 62
- Presbyterian (13-18, 7-11 Big South) | RPI = 204
- No. 11 seed Gonzaga (24-10, 11-3 WCC) | RPI = 56: Loss to No. 3 seed BYU (67-89 in the Southeast Region of the NCAA Tournament)
- No. 1 seed Duke (31-4, 13-3 ACC) | RPI = 4
- Texas Southern (19-13, 16-2 SWAC) | RPI = 192
- Emporia State (16-14, 12-10 MIAA**)
- No. 2* seed Washington State (20-12, 9-9 Pac-10) | RPI = 82
- Alcorn State (4-24, 4-14 SWAC) | RPI = 337
- Loyola-Chicago (16-15, 7-11 Horizon League) | RPI = 197
- No. 2 seed Florida (28-7, 13-3 SEC) | RPI = 8: Win over No. 7 seed UCLA (73-65 in the Southeast Region of the NCAA Tournament)
- UNLV (24-9, 11-5 Mountain West) | RPI = 25
- UMKC (16-14, 9-9 Summit League) | RPI = 212
- North Florida (15-19, 10-10 Atlantic Sun) | RPI = 149
- Savannah State (12-18) | RPI = 252
- No. 3* seed Oklahoma State (20-13, 6-10 Big 12) | RPI = 61
- No. 1* seed Colorado (23-13, 8-8 Big 12) | RPI = 65
- Texas Tech (13-19, 5-11 Big 12) | RPI = 165
- Missouri (23-11, 8-8 Big 12) | RPI = 37
- No. 24 Texas A&M (24-9, 10-6 Big 12) | RPI = 30
- Baylor (18-13, 7-9 Big 12) | RPI = 94
- No. 1 seed Kansas (33-2, 14-2 Big 12) | RPI = 1
- Nebraska (19-13, 7-9 Big 12) | RPI = 89
- Iowa State (16-16, 3-13 Big 12) | RPI = 138
- Oklahoma (14-18, 5-11 Big 12) | RPI = 126
- No. 4 seed Texas (28-7, 13-3 Big 12) | RPI = 11
- No. 19 Utah State (30-4, 15-1 WAC) | RPI = 15
- No. 4 seed Wisconsin (25-8, 13-5 Big Ten) | RPI = 16: Win over No. 5 seed Kansas State (70-65 in the Southeast Region of the NCAA Tournament)
*NIT
**Division II
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Funny you should mention fouls...
I was reading the comment threads from last night’s game at ESPN and a few Wisconsin fans thought K-State was dirty and the officiating was in our favor. Talk about some red-tinted glasses. Also they thought they could have won by more had Taylor not had poor shot selection (It’s called good defense). Others were more gracious and offered nice comments regarding Pullen’s performance.
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. -Wayne Gretzky
One of the major factors that decided that game ...
Was the refs calling KSU for bumps and light hand checks on Wisconsin drives to the basket constantly. And not calling them on Wisconsin players on the other end when Jake and Jamar were driving. Sending Wisconsin to the line for a boatload of easy points … and they needed every one.
The single biggest foul call in the game … and the one you could actually point to as deciding it, somewhat … was Jake’s horseshit second foul. That was TEXTBOOK defense that Jake played on Taylor, but was called for his 2nd foul. After that, not only did we have to sit Jake and do an offense/defense dance with him, we couldn’t have Jake guarding (DOMINATING) Taylor anymore. The head and shoulders best player of the game got neutered for most of the last 30 minutes of the game on D because of that ridiculous call. If Jake stays in and plays O and D like he was up to that point … KSU ISN’T TRAILING BY 7 AT THE HALF, KSU IS WINNING AT THE HALF … and might be going away.
Fuck you, Wisconsin.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
Rec'd
for being completely on the money. Wiscy probably won’t get past Butler, and DEFINITELY doesn’t have NC potential. K-State did. It really makes me ill that the Badgers took us out.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't really think we had NC potential.
We didn’t have enough balanced scoring this year and we still had too many defensive lapses.
I truly think you have to have a roster that is predominantly upperclassmen to even reach a Final Four. That’s the next two years, not this year.
The Sweet Sixteen would been a great accomplishment for this team. The Elite Eight would have been out of this world.
I could not agree more
I generally don’t like saying that one call decided or even had a big impact on a game because they play for 40 minutes, but your comments on Jake’s second foul are dead on. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen another call that had such an effect on a game.
by Ahearn Alley on Mar 20, 2011 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks JB for the heads up on the team's arrival
There were between 20-50 people at the airport last night to welcome the team home.
The time for calm and rational discourse is past, now is the time for senseless bickering -Anonymous the Younger
by Anon_the_younger on Mar 20, 2011 1:14 PM CDT reply actions
how'd it go?
anything news worthy happen?
by WillieWannabe on Mar 20, 2011 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions
not really, I'll do a fan post after a bit ... since that was a long day of basketball yesterday...
The time for calm and rational discourse is past, now is the time for senseless bickering -Anonymous the Younger
by Anon_the_younger on Mar 20, 2011 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
fan post
nothing exciting, but I had the time and the opportunity so had to do it.
The time for calm and rational discourse is past, now is the time for senseless bickering -Anonymous the Younger
by Anon_the_younger on Mar 20, 2011 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions
No problem
Glad you went!! Nice write up on it as well!!
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
Maybe some were too hard on Reggie Miller?
Reggie Miller, the Pacers great-turned-TNT analyst, arrived unannounced at K-State’s locker room to provide some postgame encouragement.
"That was big-time," coach Frank Martin said. "He just told our guys to keep their heads up.
"Reggie is one of the greatest players of all time, and that shows he’s got class."
he might be class
but he needs to learn to call a game.
The time for calm and rational discourse is past, now is the time for senseless bickering -Anonymous the Younger
by Anon_the_younger on Mar 20, 2011 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
was he bad last night?
we were too pissed at the refs to tell. lol
by WillieWannabe on Mar 20, 2011 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I seriously doubt he improved that much over game 1 in less than 48 hours.
The time for calm and rational discourse is past, now is the time for senseless bickering -Anonymous the Younger
by Anon_the_younger on Mar 20, 2011 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Even though he's not a good announcer,
that WAS extremely classy.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Trying to make myself watch bball
and its tough…. It stings knowing I am watching games that dont matter anymore. I have watched thousands of hours of bball this year like every year, and this year it hurts the most being done already. ANYWAYS, I am trying to decide who I want to root for. I am struggling with this. My bracket is shot all to hell, so that rooting interest is dead. I am now taking suggestions for who to cheer for. So far my list of possible and most likely rooting interest include- 1) Mid Majors. 2) Anyone that plays KU. Did I miss anything?
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
I cheer for UNC once KSU goes out.
Why? Two reasons: 1) It pisses KU fans off when Roy’s team does well; and 2) My mom, my brother, and his family all live in North Carolina.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Texas just got royally screwed by the same official that screwed Rutgers.
That was the worst 5-second call I’ve ever seen. You can clearly see Joseph signaling timeout before the referee threw up the 5-second call. It’s just another example of a referee trying to insert himself into the outcome of a game.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 7:32 PM CDT reply actions
That was a ridiculous 5-second call.
You have to go way out of your way as a referee not to recognize Joseph’s timeout there.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Good God Almighty ...
The theme of this tournament is “How Easy Can We Make This For KU?”
Purdue is getting flushed.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 7:34 PM CDT reply actions
Their hardest game may well be tonight.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions
lol ... just when I type that, 8-0 Purdue run.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, still down 15 with 7 to play--it's pretty much over, barring a miracle.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Illinois read the name on the front of the jerseys ...
And is pissing down its leg.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 8:09 PM CDT reply actions
By the way, phoggie crowds are jam-packed with whiny bitches ...
As much as any other crowd anywhere.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 8:10 PM CDT reply actions
I don't think there is any way Marcus Morris doesn't go pro.
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that this was going to be a terrible draft.
Markieff is a step behind him in skills … and because he doesn’t have NBA size/length (iirc … at least it doesn’t seem he does), he may have reason to stay. Then again, they’re twins.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions
To clarify, I meant NBA size/length for the position that Markieff Morris would have to play.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Wouldnt Marcus play the same pos?
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
Yes, but Marcus has perimeter skills that Markieff doesn't ...
and NBA teams can use that to make mismatches at the 4-spot.
Markieff can’t do that.
Either player will probably stuggle mightily to play D and rebound at that level.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
If T-Rob keeps up this play
that he has been on for awhile now then I think his draft status could be the highet on the team. The kid is built
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
Yes, he is much more the prototypical NBA player on that roster ...
He can fill a role.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Dont laugh
But I see a Dwight Howard type player in him. I know hes not the same size and what not. But thats what I see when I watch him play. Side Note- I dont watch a lot of NBA.
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
I think he'll end up filling a role at the 4 as a defender and rebounder ...
Probably off the bench for most of his career, of not all. Depends on exactly how good a defender/rebounder he can be.
But that’s all rank speculation on my part.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
It's unbelievable how badly UT got screwed on that 5-second call.
Turns out, you CAN call timeout right up to the 5th second. And that ref only had 4 arm swipes, and the kid clearly signaled timeout. And THEN his hand went up for the 5-second call.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 8:30 PM CDT reply actions
And now the jerk who made that phantom call is claiming he had counted to 5,
wehn he VERY clearly had only counted to 4. There’s some SERIOUSLY incompetent boobs officiating these games. Guys more interested in inserting themselves into the action of the game than in simply properly mediating the rules of the game.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Buzz Williams is getting PAID
somewhere is going to have to pay that man!!
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
Now Notre Dame is in trouble early ...
I don’t know what the easiest ever road to the Final Four was … but ku is most definitely threatening to shatter it.
And it’s probably their own record.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 9:19 PM CDT reply actions
you're not kidding
If ND is out, I don’t honestly see who else could pose a legitimate threat to them
I would really like to see the Morris's
try to elbow/hook the big guys from Wisc. I dont think that would go over so well….
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
and yes KU fans that stop by
I know everyone does it….
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
They're only up 6 here, guys.
But if they put Illinois away, their road IS pretty clear.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Up 4.
Just realized I was behind on my DVR.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Why couldn't Wiscy have fucking fallen apart like this when we made our big run last night?!?
DAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMN
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 9:48 PM CDT reply actions
Rick Pitino is absolutely full of shit on the 5-second thing.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 9:50 PM CDT reply actions
Him and Sir Charles about got into it earlier
Sir Charles kept saying that the Big East is overrated…. It was awesome!!
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
heres the video
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
Barkley is college basketball moron.
His whole argument boils down to, “The Big East shouldn’t have 11 in, but Marquette beat Syracuse, so Syracuse isn’t that good.” Marquette’s a solid team. All 11 of the BE teams were solid, and more deserving than VCU, their run notwithstanding. I like watching VCU do well, but that proves nothing other than the last 8 teams excluded from the dance probably have enough talent to get hot and make a little run.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I understand
I was just saying that I loved him saying that right to Pitino. And it looked like Pitino wanted to drop some knowledge on him but held back
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
And it looks like Pitino is going to lose his friendly wager on the ND game.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Kenny is right.
It’s not about how much time ACTUALLY passes, it’s about how many times the arm waves. Period.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't like the Big East
but I want ND to win for obvious reasons
After KSU loses, I just root for utter chaos.
All the lower seeds, all the mid-majors, none of the 1s, etc.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Can Richmond really beat KU??
I just dont see it.
"To all the fake fans that just jump on and off the bandwagon who think we suck go cheer for somebody down the road then" -JP
nah, I don't either
It must be nice only having to play a 16, 9, 12, and possibly another double digit seed to get to the final four.
We need to get more #1 seeds if we want to have that potential route.
But, when you think about it, our route wouldn’t have been KILLER or anything:
12,5,8, and either a non-scary 2 or 3. We just couldn’t quite get over the hump, though.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Setting aside the probabilities
I am praying for a Richmond/VCU Elite Eight game now. It would be epic.
My new blog: Those Other Guys. Critiques welcome.
These officials are now eyeballing FSU, looking for an excuse to call a T.
FSU isn’t going to get one 50/50 call down the stretch. In fact, I doubt they’ll get any calls that are even CLOSE to a 50/50.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 10:34 PM CDT reply actions
The Southwest region is officially a joke ...
But that’s what can happen when there are very few really good teams in college basketball and lots of dangerous ones.
It just happened to benefit ku. Shocking.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Mar 20, 2011 11:01 PM CDT reply actions
This kind of thing is why I really thought we had a chance this year.
It’s going to be awhile before I get over losing the way we did last night.
"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp
by K. Scott Bailey on Mar 20, 2011 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions
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