NCAA Basketball

[Mav451]

Talk about ugly. That was the ugliest game I've ever seen from Maryland this year.

But I'll take the W. No doubt about that. Trav was finally a man, scoring in the paint for the most part of the 1st OT. I think he had all 7 or 9 pts for the Terps then. What a time for Trav to step up. http://www.accboards.com/newboard/emoticons/gifs/eusa_clap.gif

[stubeeef]

I wish UNC had beat dook in double OT, it is much better than losing in regulation! MD may be on the bubble, but they have had a difficult schedule, playing dook twice, UNC twice, comeon! I think you are in, and the best thing you can get, is a low seed to get all the hard teams, same bracket as dook too.

Now you wanna talk about a celebration, how about when clemson wins in chapel hill! should this happen before armaggedon, the campus will party like winning the madness! :p

[Kwyjibo]

I can't believe BC stormed the court ... WTF .. you can't storm when you're ranked higher than someone and you beat them at home, you're supposed to do that right?

[stubeeef]

I understand what you mean about BC, but after so many losses to dook over the recent years, if UNC was #2 and dook #20 we might do it too! Kinkda crazy I know......but it is the madness isn't it! ;)

[stubeeef]

If you haven't noticed, the icecicles in Panama and Hawaii, hell is freezing over!

Yes tonight I pull for dook over WakeForest! The ends justify the means. If dook wins UNC is #1 in the ACC once again!

It still hurtz to pull for dook, even worse to admit it! ooopps :p

[stubeeef]

That was confusing, I found myself pulling for wake and then going, oh yea, I mean dook! couldn't remember half the time who i wanted to win, what a tangled web we weave.
But the upside, UNC is #1 in the ACC! The funny part is #2 and #3 (WFU & Dook) have both beat'n UNC! Gotta luv maryland, and the rest of the ACC!


GO HEELS

[emw]

That was confusing, I found myself pulling for wake and then going, oh yea, I mean dook! couldn't remember half the time who i wanted to win, what a tangled web we weave.
But the upside, UNC is #1 in the ACC! The funny part is #2 and #3 (WFU & Dook) have both beat'n UNC! Gotta luv maryland, and the rest of the ACC!


GO HEELSIt will be interesting to see who ends up #3 this week after Illinois and UNC. Could be BC after a nice victory over Syracuse. KU should drop like a rock, and Kentucky will likely slip a couple.

Dang, my Final Four picks aren't doing so well (except, of course, for Illinois).

[Inspector Lee]

That was confusing, I found myself pulling for wake and then going, oh yea, I mean dook! couldn't remember half the time who i wanted to win, what a tangled web we weave.
But the upside, UNC is #1 in the ACC! The funny part is #2 and #3 (WFU & Dook) have both beat'n UNC! Gotta luv maryland, and the rest of the ACC!


GO HEELS

The ACC makes the Big Ten seem like a "Y" league. I mean, Illinois looks like the team to beat but after that there is a serious sloughing off. MSU is rolling but over whom? They've lost 13 straight to ranked teams as Wisconsin rolls into town Thursday. I'll be there and I'll try to act civil. The fraulein will be with me so that should keep me out of the brig. After Wisconsin, you've got Minnesota and Ohio State and the latter is ineligible for the postseason.

I'm 50/50 on MSU making a deep run. On one hand, they can't rise to the competition. On the other, 5 guys in the rotation made it to the Elite Eight back in 2003 and have gotta come around some time. I just hope it's not in July.

[emw]

The ACC makes the Big Ten seem like a "Y" league. I mean, Illinois looks like the team to beat but after that there is a serious sloughing off.It's tough to admit, but I think you're right. I think the Illinois, MSU, and Wisconsin will do pretty well (Illinois the best, I hope ;)), and Minnesota will also make it in. No one else is a serious bet to make it, I don't think. Iowa would have been if they hadn't lost Pierce and had the subsequent distractions - they were playing pretty well before that.

As for the ACC - you have Duke, Wake, UNC are all serious contendders for St. Louis. After that, though, it's been consistently inconsistent (think Md). Even Duke has had trouble winning on the road against good (or even mediocre) teams this year. It's likely because the ACC is just better all-around.

[stubeeef]

Conferences have lives of their own, deep seated rivalries let the SC's beat the UK's let the little guy look like a giant killer, when really it is a battle between brothers.
Illini will be so pumped up in the tourney that the adrenaline alone will cruise them to the sweet 16.
While conference play can be tougher one place than another, Top teams in crappy conferences still do pretty darn well.
I would be happier than a pig in rolling in pig ***** if UNC beats dook on the 6th (in the temple called the Dean Dome).
Lord help the teams that underestimate the MD's and Iowa's of this tourney, and Kentucky/Kansas if on game will win this year! I am praying for a Princeton or Gonzaga to Knock off a high seed (not unc of course) while they aren't looking, prefer to have them knock off a Illini/Kansas/Kentucky/BC, help pave the way for the Heels!
Still important games left that will make a big differences in seeding, Like the Unc/dook game.

[Kwyjibo]

the MD's and Iowa's of this tourney, and Kentucky/Kansas if on game will win this year! I am praying for a Princeton or Gonzaga to ... knock off a Illini

i chopped that one up for a reason


One, theres no guarantee IOWA is making the tourney, they've been doing really poorly lately and without pierce I wouldn't give them a second look but thats just me.

As for watching out for gonzaga, its amazing how fast people forget, 89-72, and we (illinois) were up by much more than that at certain points but we subbed in scrubs, thats not a score that was run up by fouling in the last two minutes.

[stubeeef]

i chopped that one up for a reason


One, theres no guarantee IOWA is making the tourney

Ya your right, I was reaching really deep on that one!

[Inspector Lee]

Maybe I was a bit too harsh in my previous about the Big Ten. I just cannot get over the fact that MSU is basically Top Ten without having beaten anybody. But checking the RPI (http://teamrankings.com/ncb/8powerratings.php3) rankings has them 5-0 against #s 26-50 so they have beaten some decent teams. But still, 0-13 against ranked teams the past two years doesn't bode well come March. Hopefully they get the monkey off their back this Thursday.

Nonetheless, the latest bracketology (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology) has MSU in the same region as Arizona, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and UNC. I think I'd take this seeding in a heartbeat.

[Inspector Lee]

Kansas was down 19 at one point but has cut it to 8. This would make my week.

[stubeeef]

What has happened to Kansas? this is 3 losses in a row i think, just a total meltdown, not good when this is the time of year to win the rest of your games, not lose them.
Thanks for the links inspector, I notice UNC and IL #1 & #2 in the first 3 of the power rankings, would make a helluva a final, especially in UNC won!

[stubeeef]

Heels escape the Wolfpack, for awhile there I was getting a bit worried. Seems UNC doesn't ahave a bunch of close games, most are blowouts or losses. So I can sleep good tonight. :)

Looks like the wrong Maryland showed up tonight. Clemson? Comeon guys don't blow it now!

[Kwyjibo]

threes a streak,that means KU is on a losing streak

[Mav451]

Man, what a bad night.

Loss to Clemson, and its raining outside.

Now I'm back in my dorm room, and i have 0 desire to do my engineering HW. Absolute 0.

[gwuMACaddict]

hey mav, you and i need to get together and drink away the sorrows...

ARGH

how do you sweep duke and lose to some of the teams we've lost to... this season is killing me, ridiculous roller coaster... :rolleyes:

[Jovian9]

After hours and hours of reading and watching NCAA basketball I am going to give my current seed/tournament analysis/speculation:

#1 Seeds:
Illinois
Oklahoma State
North Carolina
Boston College

#2 Seeds:
Louisville
Arizona
Wake Forest
Kentucky

Elite 8:
Illinois vs Louisville
Alabama vs Kansas
North Carolina vs Gonzaga
Kentucky vs Duke

Final 4:
Louisville vs Kansas
North Carolina vs Kentucky

Championship:
Kansas vs North Carolina
but I'm wishing for: Kentucky vs Louisville

Champion:
Kansas or Kentucky:)

[gwuMACaddict]

you are aware that kansas just dropped three straight, right...?

[emw]

After hours and hours of reading and watching NCAA basketball I am going to give my current seed/tournament analysis/speculation:


Although I'm starting to doubt my original Final Four (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=96971) picks with Duke and Kansas, I'm not sure I agree with your analysis (although I'm an admittedly biased Illinois alumnus ;))

First, I think WF will get a #1 seed over OK St. It'll be close, perhaps, but the Nebraska loss will be fresh in everyone's mind.

Kentucky has a real shot, and I predicted them FF in the early goings, but they've really proven themselves to be inconsistent, as have Kansas. The most consistent teams out there are Illinois, UNC, BC, and maybe Wake.

BC has Elite 8 experience, and good coaching, and I'm starting to think they may make it to St. Louis.

There's no doubt in my mind Illinois will be in St. Louis, especially since their road there won't take them more that 3 hours from Champaign. They are the most consistent team out there, I think, and match up well against a lot of teams. Look at who they've beaten and by how much.

UNC could be a tough match-up for anybody since they have a very strong team and great coaching. I'm starting to think Kansas will fall apart and maybe only make the Sweet 16, if that. We'll see how they handle this 3-game losing streak.

The thing that makes this tough for me is that nobody but Illinois, BC, and UNC has made it through without losing to teams that, on paper, they should have creamed:

Kansas by 20 to Villanova
OK St. to Nebraska
WF to FSU
Kentucky to South Carolina
Alabama to LSU

And it goes on.

I still stick with Illinois to win it all. But to each their own :D

[Jovian9]

you are aware that kansas just dropped three straight, right...?

That's exactly why I am picking them. Teams with huge winning streaks are usually brought back to earth come tournament time.....Kentucky the last 2 years, Duke '99, UNLV '91, etc.

Good teams that lose late in the season (especially in the Conference tournaments) usually learn from that loss and come back strong for the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky in '96 lost one of it's first games of the season....and then dominated all year winning 20+ straight games, lost to Mississippi St. in the SEC Tournament Championship....and then won the NCAA Championship.

Kansas is struggling at the right time...they will work out the kinks and come tournament time, with all that talent and experience.....they will be ready.

[Jovian9]

The thing that makes this tough for me is that nobody but Illinois, BC, and UNC has made it through without losing to teams that, on paper, they should have creamed:


UNC lost to Santa Clara:)

[gwuMACaddict]

i also agree that wake will be a #1 seed, not oaklahoma

[emw]

UNC lost to Santa Clara:)Yeah, I remembered that one and almost threw it in just to hassle stubeeef but decided not to since that was their first game of the season. ;)

[Kmacripple]

Kentucky will never make it to the FF this year. Look at who they have beaten. Louisville is the only ranked team they have beaten. They haven't even played the best team from the SEC, Alabama. The SEC just isn't that tough this year, just barely better than the Big Ten. KY is ranked way too high.

[Mav451]

hey mav, you and i need to get together and drink away the sorrows...

ARGH

how do you sweep duke and lose to some of the teams we've lost to... this season is killing me, ridiculous roller coaster... :rolleyes:

Haha luckily (or unluckily) for me, I got a low-tolerance, so even if I wanted to do it, I'd be out pretty quickly.

[stubeeef]

UNC lost to Santa Clara:)

While true, it is ancient history, I think they won 15 in a row after that! It was the first game of the season.

[emw]

The SEC just isn't that tough this year, just barely better than the Big Ten.Ouch, that hurts!

SEC has 4 teams over .500 in conference play. Big Ten has 6. They each of 8 teams over .500 overall.

The SEC has 2 ranked teams, the Big Ten has 3.

The top 5 overall record: SEC (91-31), Big Ten (94-30).

I don't think either conference is particularly strong, but I wouldn't agree that the SEC is better than the Big Ten.

[stubeeef]

OK Md guys and gals, yes I like UNC, Yes I think they should win, and yes I am scared! If I was ranked 299th I would think Md should worry, but since we are ranked 2nd, we have to worry! (those not following NCAA B-ball this year won't understand that comment)

I logically expect us to win, especially because we wacked ya good once this year, but the fact you swept dook and they beat us, and you beat Wake and they beat us, makes my logic weak! This year A=B B=C C does not =A! Don't ask me why.

3 days to go......................... :confused:

[Mav451]

Haha the "advantage" of being inconsistent. Should I expect the unexpected? Anyway, last home game of the year, I hope the place is rocking. I'll be there early.

(the best solution would be holographically placing the Duke logo on the UNC jerseys hahaha).

[stubeeef]

let me guess, You'll being wearing red?

Good luck, up to the point it doesn't hurt me or my team, so I guess I am really just hoping you get a good parking place, and short lines for snacks and bathroom breaks! :) :p :D

[emw]

OK Md guys and gals, yes I like UNC, Yes I think they should win, and yes I am scared! If I was ranked 299th I would think Md should worry, but since we are ranked 2nd, we have to worry! (those not following NCAA B-ball this year won't understand that comment)

I logically expect us to win, especially because we wacked ya good once this year, but the fact you swept dook and they beat us, and you beat Wake and they beat us, makes my logic weak! This year A=B B=C C does not =A! Don't ask me why.

3 days to go......................... :confused:Is McCants back and ready to play?

[Mav451]

let me guess, You'll being wearing red?

Good luck, up to the point it doesn't hurt me or my team, so I guess I am really just hoping you get a good parking place, and short lines for snacks and bathroom breaks! :) :p :D

Nah, no parking required. I live on campus, so I'll probably be taking the Quick Bus up to Comcast (drops you off right next to Student Entrance).

But yes, Red has a 99.9999999999% chance of being my preferred color for that day.

[stubeeef]

Is McCants back and ready to play?

Time is on our side, but haven't heard anything yet!

Last article I read....Link (http://tarheelblue.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/022205aah.html)

[Kwyjibo]

oh no, the big ten / acc challenge was extended NOOOOO

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=1997334

[stubeeef]

oh no, the big ten / acc challenge was extended NOOOOO

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=1997334

thanks for that update, just think it gives the big ten that many chances to pull of the big victory. Would be nice to get an Ill UNC game next year if they don't meet this march. Of course unc will have lost some good ones after this year.

[emw]

thanks for that update, just think it gives the big ten that many chances to pull of the big victory. Would be nice to get an Ill UNC game next year if they don't meet this march. Of course unc will have lost some good ones after this year.

Yeah, Illinois just loses Head, Powell, Smith, Ingram as seniors, and likely Brown and Williams to the NBA.

We'll be losing to Penn State next year! Okay maybe not that bad...

[stubeeef]

Yeah, Illinois just loses Head, Powell, Smith, Ingram as seniors, and likely Brown and Williams to the NBA.

We'll be losing to Penn State next year! Okay maybe not that bad...

Since you put it that way, LETS PLAY! :p

[Jovian9]

oh no, the big ten / acc challenge was extended NOOOOO

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=1997334



Yeah, I was thinking that maybe they should cancel it instead of extend it.....or have the ACC play another conference...........b/c it just has not been competitive b/t the 2 conferences.

[stubeeef]

Kentucky will never make it to the FF this year.

You just ensured they will make it to the FF! :p

[Inspector Lee]

"How to take in an NCAA B-ball game"

or,

"Big Ten Jaunt"

by I. Lee

Stuck around work to tie up some loose ends until around 6 PM. Was picked up by the fraulein (yes, living in a college town, we can survive with only one vehicle) and after a quick stop at the gym to pay monthly dues, shot across campus and parked for free in a nice neighborhood about 10 minutes from the arena. Conveniently located between parked car and arena is pub. Pitched smoke and rolled in at 6:20. Place was hopping with both the young and old sects. Somehow navigated through sea of jacked up pre-game hoopla to place order.

"Two Sierras..."

Spent about 20 minutes enjoying brew and digging the scene. At 6:40, set out into the crisp February night. Mid 20s with thankfully no wind. I've made this walk many a night with the wind in my face both before and after game. Ain't life grand?

Scalpers crowding the promenade.

"Who needs two courtside?"

Player introductions languidly fill the concourse. Smell of hot dogs, industrial cleaner, raw nerves and excitement.

State never trailed but couldn't put those pesky Badgers away. Every time the lead was 14 or 15, Wisconsin followed with an instant three. It came down to free throws and after 12 consecutive unsuccessful battles against ranked opponents, we finally delivered.

The W (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=250550127)

Culminated the night by the book. Stopped off for the best burger in town and enjoyed a pint (or in this case two).

Sorry for this off the cuff analysis. Thursdays are slow in Hoopsville and I thought a little change of pace for this thread would be nice, at least until the serious business commences in March.

[emw]

"How to take in an NCAA B-ball game"

or,

"Big Ten Jaunt"

by I. Lee

...

Sorry for this off the cuff analysis. Thursdays are slow in Hoopsville and I thought a little change of pace for this thread would be nice, at least until the serious business commences in March.Sounds like a fantastic evening. Don't apologize for sharing the tale. Of course, now my Illini need to actually work for the title... :D

[stubeeef]

while no one at NCstate was crying that McCants was out sick, I am sure that no one at UNC will be upset that Sean Dockery (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpc2RicmIxBF9TAzk1ODYyMjM4BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-duke-dockery&prov=ap&type=lgns) will maybe be out for the UNC beats dook game on March 6th.

Now to get McCants back!

[stubeeef]

Well atleast dook won't have dockery, now is maryland hurting? Please? Bhuler? Bhuler?

On Rashad McCants’ condition: “I don’t forsee him practicing today, and really if he can’t practice today, I don’t see how he can play on Sunday. We won’t make a final determination on that until tomorrow. I haven’t gotten any new information from trainer Marc Davis, so that’s where we stand. He told me the day before the Duke game that he wasn’t feeling real well. He played four games and it was just something that never got any better; he couldn’t regain his strength. So I’m hoping, and the doctors are hoping that this rest is going to be really good for him.”


CRAP! :mad:

Good link for the Carolina (http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/355076.html) faithful.

[emw]

Well atleast dook won't have dockery, now is maryland hurting? Please? Bhuler? Bhuler?



CRAP! :mad:

Good link for the Carolina (http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/355076.html) faithful.Relax, it's only Duke. ;)

They haven't beaten anyone good on the road yet this year, have they?

[stubeeef]

Holy moly, didn't hear about this till reading it now!
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- John Chaney's use of a ``goon'' may have ended a player's season, and the Hall of Fame coach's career could be the next casualty.

Chaney was suspended for the rest of the regular season by Temple on Friday for ordering rough play by one of his players, who proceeded to foul out in 4 minutes against Saint Joseph's and broke an opponent's arm.

The Hall of Fame coach had suspended himself for one game Wednesday and apologized for his actions. He will miss Temple's home game against Massachusetts on Saturday and road games against Rhode Island and La Salle, before returning for the Atlantic 10 tournament.

``I think my behavior is reprehensible and, as I've said 1,000 times, I take responsibility,'' Chaney told The Associated Press in a phone interview. ``If it's the judgment of the school to suspend me, I can accept the responsibility of my actions.''


Lets remember people, it is a GAME!

Link (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpN3NjcG9mBF9TAzk1ODYyMjM4BHNlYwN0bQ--?slug=ap-temple-chaneysuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns)

[emw]

Holy moly, didn't hear about this till reading it now!


Lets remember people, it is a GAME!

Link (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpN3NjcG9mBF9TAzk1ODYyMjM4BHNlYwN0bQ--?slug=ap-temple-chaneysuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns)Yeah, I saw that the other day. It's both sad and disgusting. The worst part is, one of the St. John's players had his arm broken (a senior) and will miss the rest of the year. Disgusting, and hard to believe it came from Chaney.

[emw]

Hey gwuMACaddict - sweet ending to the GW v. Dayton game, huh?

[Kwyjibo]

CLINCHED! OUTRIGHT TWO YEARS IN A ROW! IlliNo1S!

[emw]

CLINCHED! OUTRIGHT TWO YEARS IN A ROW! IlliNo1S!I just saw that and came on to post it! Of course, it's disappointing the MSU had to go and lose to Indiana - I'd rather have had Illinois clinch against Purdue at home, especially since Purdue beat them at home last year.

[Kwyjibo]

i understand that opinion BUT we have won 14 games in our conference, Its not like we got it for free.

[emw]

i understand that opinion BUT we have won 14 games in our conference, Its not like we got it for free.Oh, sure - it was never in doubt! :D

But it dims Thursday's Senior Day a little bit - it would have been nice for that to be the clincher, is all I am saying.

P.S. You're not questioning my Illini loyalty, are you? ;)

[stubeeef]

Illini are now boring, yawn, they are already in the sweet 16 (jinx) so lets follow the ACC! There a battle is brewing, UNC #1 going it to the game tonight against the giant killers MD. Wake is #2 in the ACC waiting for UNC to screw up so they can take it. Duke #3 and play their final game at UNC on Mar 6th as the bids are being finalized for the MarchMadness (hereon known as MM or Madness).
The ACC has a heck of a race going down the stretch here. It is anyones to take, or keep. Mostly UNC's to keep or give away.

edit: UNC goes into the night without McCants! So MD, you are at home, with revenge on the mind and UNC is down a starter! What more do you need!?!

[stubeeef]

By the skin of our teeth! Now that was ACC basketball! Of course as previously advertised UNC was without their leading scorer, at Maryland, who are giant killers, so this was a great win for us.

Sorry Mav, I know that was a great game to go to, if only........

Maryland was great, Jones was unconscience. Heels didn't play their best, but the fact that they are the highest scoring team in the NCAA and are #1 for margin of Victory, I'll take getting out of MD with a 2 pt win!!!! :cool:

[Mav451]

Well, we had our chances.

We had a ton of them. Playing defense a letting Felton (I think?) get that single layup, when defense was the most crucial, was killer.

When it was tied in the 70's (on that huge run), MD stagnated. Something that pisses me off to no other is how Travis couldn't get ANYTHING down low. If he had any kind of game, we could have gotten May in foul trouble.

[stubeeef]

before williams hit the 3 to go up by 2, I thought you guys had won it. The problem after that was the 18 seconds left! I was watching jones thinkin he was going to hit a 3 at the buzzer to send us home bummed. Now if UNC could just BEAT DOOK.

edit: I like your link! :p

[Mav451]

Meh, my link sucks now. I can add Clemson and NC State to it, placing MD at the foot of that broom -_-.

Sigh. Well at least McCray had a breakout game. We know he'll be great for us next year.

[Inspector Lee]

I just saw that and came on to post it! Of course, it's disappointing the MSU had to go and lose to Indiana - I'd rather have had Illinois clinch against Purdue at home, especially since Purdue beat them at home last year.

Ever since the loss yesterday, I have tried with all my might to become one with the Boddhisattva but to no avail. The team is getting skewered on talk radio here. Many people are saying "one and done." I'm trying to figure out why a certain aspect of my life seems to hinge on sports. I simply don't need this aggravation.

Nonetheless, it is unfortunate that we didn't deliver and set the table for your team to clinch in front of the home fans. But with Purdue coming to Champaign, it might be best to keep things in the 10-15 point range for Gene Keady's sake. He has had a miserable year. When MSU played there last week, it was "Gene Keady Day" and the place didn't even sell out. Their W/L record shouldn't have mattered on that day - Keady put Purdue on the map and they were the dominant Big Ten team for years.

[stubeeef]

I'm trying to figure out why a certain aspect of my life seems to hinge on sports. I simply don't need this aggravation.


Good Point!

It is strange how it drives ones moods. When the tarheels are doing well in Basketball, and yes, football - or the Carolina Panthers are marching to the superbowl- Everyday is great, and I have bounce in my step. When the heels sucked and panthers too, I didn't know what to do! It was a strange time for 2 years there.

[Inspector Lee]

Good Point!

It is strange how it drives ones moods. When the tarheels are doing well in Basketball, and yes, football - or the Carolina Panthers are marching to the superbowl- Everyday is great, and I have bounce in my step. When the heels sucked and panthers too, I didn't know what to do! It was a strange time for 2 years there.

Tournament time is nerve-wracking, especially if you are rooting for one of the teams to beat (e.g. UNC/IL fans). There is so much pressure to make it to at least the Final Four or the season is a wash. In 2000, when MSU won the title, they were basically one of the favored teams and the Regionals were held that year in Auburn Hills (about 1 hr away). However... in the Sweet 16 round, Syracuse had us on the ropes (down 15 with about 13-14 minutes left). I was in a sandwich shop with my gf and I flat-out couldn't eat. The game was on the TV there and I kept getting up, watching it, then returning to my seat, my gf and my meal during commercials.

Somehow MSU prevailed and wound up winning it all. But those 30-40 minutes in that greek deli were pretty dark for me. Just plain irrational. I was high-fiving guys behind the counter after the comeback too. Was so jacked up, I probably could've bench-pressed a boxcar.

[stubeeef]

I know what you mean, in the heat of battle with everything on the line, I have found myself unable to eat, sit, or be still. :p Then massive amounts of beer when it all goes good.

[Inspector Lee]

I know what you mean, in the heat of battle with everything on the line, I have found myself unable to eat, sit, or be still. :p Then massive amounts of beer when it all goes good.

I agree with that. I also agree with the skid-row poet Charles Bukowski when he said:

"When something good happens, people drink to celebrate. When something bad happens, people drink to forget. And when there is nothing happening, people drink to make something happen."

Should be a great tourney.

[emw]

Their W/L record shouldn't have mattered on that day - Keady put Purdue on the map and they were the dominant Big Ten team for years.Agreed. They ruled the Big 10 for a large part of the 90's, as I recall.

[emw]

I was in a sandwich shop with my gf and I flat-out couldn't eat. The game was on the TV there and I kept getting up, watching it, then returning to my seat, my gf and my meal during commercials.Sounds like me during the Illinois - Wisconsin game in Madison. Man, was I nervous. I was working out at home and could barely focus. Once they won, I think I benched a new PR!

[stubeeef]

Ok, Illini are in, UNC is in, MD? dook is in, Wake is in, Wisc, ............

Are U in? I think GeorgeWashington will get an atlarge. But what about MD GT, and some of the others.

I had Illini, UNC, Kansas, Wake in final four. I didn't announce till late but I think 3 of them are #1 seeds.
UNC has 2 more games going into the ACC tourney, Fl St Un thurs night and we beat dook in the Dean Dome on Sunday the 6th. Should win those two, obviously dook won't lay down but I believe we should win that one.

edit: It turns out that McCants illness coincides with his mothers diagnosis of cancer. He may have to deal with that to get well again, hope that it is soon, his mother told him the same.

[emw]

I had Illini, UNC, Kansas, Wake in final four. I didn't announce till late but I think 3 of them are #1 seeds.
I had Illinois, Duke, Kentucky, Kansas in the FF, but I'm starting to rethink. In my defense, I posted that about 0 days into the season ;)

Also, if ESPN's Bracketology is correct, Duke will be in Illinois' bracket, and Kansas and Kentucky will be in the same bracket, which will preclude my Final Four picks. I guess I need to start a 2005 NCAA Tournament thread...

[stubeeef]

I think I posted my guess work in the first week of January, so not so hard then.
We should regroup when the brackets come out, and see then. I think that there hasn't been a year when all the #1's made it to the final four, but not sure, something I thought I heard on ESPN recently.

[Mav451]

Ok, Illini are in, UNC is in, MD? dook is in, Wake is in, Wisc, ............

I hope MD is in. After Clemson beat VTech (wild finish to say the least), I feel we are getting an angry VTech team at home. The RPI drop may be too much for VTech to get in, but it certainly doesn't stop them from putting all their emotion/energy into the MD game.

There was an article in the student newspaper, documenting C Mac's remarkable improvement behind the arc:
http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/03/02/422546cc3e542

15/32 from behind in the arc. 18PPG [over last 7 games].

Are we finally seeing our SG come out? His 94% from the stripe must mean something about his shooting stroke/consistency. If him and Jones heat up, MD's league low 3pt shooting will be begin to get back in the green, finally.

[stubeeef]

The Great Walter Davis makes the shot as a UNC freshman. (http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/356550.html)

Thirty-one years ago today (March 2), Carolina faced Duke on Senior Day in Chapel Hill. Before the afternoon was over college basketball had recorded one of the most memorable – and miraculous – comebacks in the history of the game.

Trailing 86-78 with only 17 seconds remaining, the Tar Heels milked each second of the clock, played great defense and had a little luck setting the stage for freshman Walter Davis to bank in a desperation 28-foot jumper, tying the game and sending it to overtime where the Tar Heels ultimately prevailed.


Yes 8 pts in 17 seconds! That is UNC vs Dook!

[emw]

stu my friend. 44-41 FSU at the half?? Hope you guys have something goin' in the 2nd half...

Illinois, of course, is struggling with Purdue (50-26 at the half).

[stubeeef]

stu my friend. 44-41 FSU at the half?? Hope you guys have something goin' in the 2nd half...

Illinois, of course, is struggling with Purdue (50-26 at the half).


quite please, your typing too loud, I'm trying to watch the dawm game!

edit: Ok UNC makes a straight 7 and the crowd woke up, FSU takes a TO, now, emw my friend, you haven't lost the faith have'ya? :D

edit: UNC up by 14 with under six to go..........

[stubeeef]

ooopppsss see below!

[stubeeef]

UNC 91 FSU 76


oh yea of little faith, and to doubt while they play in the sacred of all college arenas, the DEAN DOME. How could you emw? How could you show such sacrilege! My oh MY! :p :p :D :D

[Kwyjibo]

of the two teams ranked #1 and #2 somebody easily won their game tonight and somebody struggled at half ... layof emw our team wasn't gaspong for air ... not when dee brown his 7threes in the first half!

[emw]

UNC 91 FSU 76


oh yea of little faith, and to doubt while they play in the sacred of all college arenas, the DEAN DOME. How could you emw? How could you show such sacrilege! My oh MY! :p :p :D :DNow, now. I need to have a little fun. After all, I got bored watching the Illini stomp Purdue. :D

(JK Kwyjibo - it's never boring watching Illinois romp!)

[stubeeef]

of the two teams ranked #1 and #2 somebody easily won their game tonight and somebody struggled at half ... layof emw our team wasn't gaspong for air ... not when dee brown his 7threes in the first half!


Yes, true, and somebody was playing without a starter who is the teams top scorer too! Who could that be?

McCants! ;)

Also, "good teams find ways to win" and don't forget Iowa in Iowa on Feb 19th! A slim 10pt victory! ;)

OH I Just feel the fun corsing thru my viens, cant wait for the maddness!

[gwuMACaddict]

notre dame really needs a win over pitt on saturday...

and maryland REALLY needs to beat VaTech...

[Jovian9]

For those CBB fans out there:

Street & Smith's Magazine has a special publication out right now:

Greatest College Basketball Programs of All Time. It's a pretty thick magazine and has lots of program stats plus summaries of the programs mentioned (obviously the higher they are rated the more that is said about them). They came up with a formula to amass points to determine the outcome. I'll put the top 10 here for you (and some stats for a few of these) :

1. Kentucky Wildcats :) - Most all time wins, 7 National Championships, most tournament appearances, most NCAA tournament games, 9 consecutive seasons leading country in attendance, most 30 win seasons, most NCAA tournament wins, 2nd winningest coach ever, more SEC titles than all other SEC schools combined, highest win percentage, & 2 NIT Championships

2. UCLA Bruins - 11 National Championships (7 in a row), longest win streak, longest tournament win streak, only school with back-to-back undefeated seasons, & 1 NIT Championship

3. North Carolina Tar Heels - 2nd all time in wins, 3 National Championships, winningest coach ever, most Final 4 appearances, & 1 NIT Championship

4. Kansas Jayhawks - 2 National Championships, 3rd all time in wins, coached by inventor of basketball Dr. James Naismith the 2 winningest coaches of all time played for Kansas ( Dean Smith and Adolph Rupp)

5. Duke Bluedevils - 3 National Championships (in 11 seasons), 10 Final 4 appearances

6. Indiana Hoosiers - 5 National Championships, last team to go undefeated entire season and win National Championship as well as starting that season ranked # 1 and maintaining that ranking the entire season, & 1 NIT Championship

7. Louisville Cardinals - 2 National Championships & 1 NIT Championship

8. Arkansas Razorbacks - 1 National Championship

9. Connecticut Huskies - 2 National Championships & 1 NIT Championship

10. Cincinnati Bearcats- 2 National Championships

* Note * The NIT used to be considered by many to be THE championship for college basketball.

And they rate the mascots for each school as well as the top 20 Womens Basketball Programs.

[Jovian9]

The Great Walter Davis makes the shot as a UNC freshman. (http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/356550.html)

Yes 8 pts in 17 seconds! That is UNC vs Dook!

and you have to remember there was no 3-point shot at that time, which makes that comeback even more remarkable.

[kuyu]

1. Kentucky Wildcats :) - Most all time wins, 7 National Championships, most tournament appearances, most NCAA tournament games, 9 consecutive seasons leading country in attendance, most 30 win seasons, most NCAA tournament wins, 2nd winningest coach ever, more SEC titles than all other SEC schools combined, highest win percentage, & 2 NIT Championships


Tubby should get coach of the year. We lost 4 seniors (Fitch, Daniels, Hawkins, and Barbour) last year, and still might get a number 1 tourney spot.

Also, we are averaging 13 players scoring in each game. We have the winningest player in college hoops (chuck hayes), won the SEC title again, and don't have one SEC or national stat leader. Not to mention zero all-SEC players. Oh yeah, 15 consecutive twenty-win seasons.

We won't win the big dance this year, but next year... Our big men stack up at 7'3", 7'1", and 6'11" and we just got a verbal from a 7'2" guy. We are only losing ONE player this year, and he's not our leading scorer.

We will be VERY dangerous next season. ;)

[stubeeef]

Kuyu, you guys are gonna romp next year!

[jefhatfield]

sf bay area former ncaa champs cursed

stanford won in world war II, usf was great in the bill russell days, and cal last won when ike was president

[FatTony]

For those CBB fans out there:

Street & Smith's Magazine has a special publication out right now:

3. North Carolina Tar Heels - 2nd all time in wins, 3 National Championships, winningest coach ever, most Final 4 appearances, & 1 NIT Championship


I have to make a correction here. UNC has 4 national championships: 1924, 1957, 1982, 1993. (http://tarheelblue.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111402aab.html) The last 3 are NCAA championships. There was no NCAA basketball tournament until 1939.

http://publish.netitor.com/photos/schools/unc/galleries/natl-champs/1924B-Ballteam.jpg

[Jovian9]

Tubby should get coach of the year. We lost 4 seniors (Fitch, Daniels, Hawkins, and Barbour) last year, and still might get a number 1 tourney spot.

Also, we are averaging 13 players scoring in each game. We have the winningest player in college hoops (chuck hayes), won the SEC title again, and don't have one SEC or national stat leader. Not to mention zero all-SEC players. Oh yeah, 15 consecutive twenty-win seasons.

We won't win the big dance this year, but next year... Our big men stack up at 7'3", 7'1", and 6'11" and we just got a verbal from a 7'2" guy. We are only losing ONE player this year, and he's not our leading scorer.

We will be VERY dangerous next season. ;)

I agree with Tubby getting the award.....but you can't argue against the Illinois coach getting it. It's tough to go undefeated all season no matter how good of a team you have. Look at the '96 UK team, probably one of the best of all time (they were stacked) but they still lost one season game and the SEC tournament championship before they were able to win the National Championship. If Illinois doesn't win the championship though, they will not be remembered that much (like Duke '99 and UNLV '91).

I think UK has a good chance to win it this year. If Sparks keeps hitting 3's and Azubuike scores more consistently they will be hard to beat. Hayes and Rondo are going to give you good stuff every night, but if Azubuike doesn't make defenses back off at the 3 point line, Sparks will have trouble hitting his 3's...and when UK doesn't hit 3's they struggle.

And yes, they will be great next year:)

[Jovian9]

I have to make a correction here. UNC has 4 national championships: 1924, 1957, 1982, 1993. (http://tarheelblue.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111402aab.html) The last 3 are NCAA championships. There was no NCAA basketball tournament until 1939.


My mistake, that was a typo.


August 13, 1948 - The U.S Olympic basketball team, featuring Kentucky's Fabulous Five, wins the gold medal by defeating France, 64-21, at Wembley Stadium in London.

[stubeeef]

Ok you MD types, what up with this game on now against VT?

[gwuMACaddict]

go GW!

the terps make me wanna rip my hair out... argh!

[Mav451]

To answer Stu:

What's up with the game? NCM taking bad shots. Lack of ANY defensive boards.

Oh, and JGil being a headcase again. I'd say 3pt shooting, but we had a ton of plays in the paint that should have went through.

I've tried, seriously really tried to be optimistic. But the way we came out today...its just downright embarassing. The players just don't understand that this game is important. They just didn't. Hence the horrible 1st half deficit.

Going on runs JUST TO GET BACK are going to kill you in the 2nd half. And in the 2nd half again, we are forced to go on runs just to "catch up". That's how you lose games.

*shaking head*
NCM. He can be so good (Duke @ Cameron); and he can be a TO machine as well. JGil? He can be triple-double good (19-10-9 vs. Duke at home), or he can get the entire VTech crowd into the game (BAD!).

[stubeeef]

THE GAME

is on at 4pm est.

For the unknowing in NCAA B-BAll


UNC beats dook starting at 4pm!

I have every finger, toe, and hair crossed on this one.

edit: if NC state beats WFU then UNC wins the ACC reg season no matter what the dook game outcome. GO STATE!

[stubeeef]

Holy Cow!

Buckeyes are looking to deliver a Blackeye to the nations #1 team. Whatup with this?

All eyes turn to Ohio. Right now Illini 57 OSU 53 with 6 min to go.

[zyuzin4]

wow I'm sad now

[emw]

Holy Cow!

Buckeyes are looking to deliver a Blackeye to the nations #1 team. Whatup with this?

All eyes turn to Ohio. Right now Illini 57 OSU 53 with 6 min to go.Black eye has been delivered - 65-64 Ohio State. Kudos to them - they did a good job containing Illinois all day. They really just out-gutted us at the end. It was a good run, but better now than in 2 weeks...

[jefhatfield]

Black eye has been delivered - 65-64 Ohio State. Kudos to them - they did a good job containing Illinois all day. They really just out-gutted us at the end. It was a good run, but better now than in 2 weeks...

could illinois be showing a vulnerability? this loss will make more people see how the march madness turns out

i don't know who i will root for this year

my schools, and i went to many, were all bad in sports, even in their respected divisions and conferences in most disciplines so i have to root for some other school but it's never fun to root for the nation's #1 in any given year

[emw]

could illinois be showing a vulnerability?All teams have their vulnerabilities. Today, OSU wanted it more than Illinois, who has already locked up a #1 seed in both the Big Ten tournament and the NCAA tournament. Wanting it shouldn't be a problem come tournament time. I'm still picking them to win it all. We'll see how they react to this with their performance in the B10 tournament - they haven't had to bounce back from a loss in a while.

Their guards still played fairly well, except Brown got into foul trouble. Augustine proved he could defend pretty well against a top inside man. Sylvester just was on fire. Sometimes, that's all it takes.

[emw]

wow I'm sad nowFor Illinois? Ending the season 29-1? Heading for a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament? I'll be sad if they don't make St. Louis, but for now I'm going to celevrate a fantastic regular season that just didn't end the way I would have liked. They squeaked by OSU by 1 point in Columbus last year, and just couldn't duplicate it this year. Ah well. I guess the SI jinx hit (as well as the 13th week at #1)!

[Inspector Lee]

For Illinois? Ending the season 29-1? Heading for a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament? I'll be sad if they don't make St. Louis, but for now I'm going to celevrate a fantastic regular season that just didn't end the way I would have liked. They squeaked by OSU by 1 point in Columbus last year, and just couldn't duplicate it this year. Ah well. I guess the SI jinx hit (as well as the 13th week at #1)!

Also didn't rain in their usual 50-60% from three-point land. Shot something like 25% which is atypical. It is all about the bounce-back now. I feel an immense amount of pressure has been relieved from their shoulders. Better yesterday than next week in the Big Ten tourney. Still the team to beat come the big dance.

Side note: I wonder if that Illini bandwagon just got lighter. Seems like they are only the darlings of the state (and media) when something special is happening (which is BS because a solid program should get its fair share of ink). Was talking to a guy visiting work from Chi on Friday. He was all rah-rah-rah. I guarantee if they were 25-5 or 26-4 they wouldn't even be a blip on his radar screen. Pretty sad.

[emw]

Side note: I wonder if that Illini bandwagon just got lighter. Seems like they are only the darlings of the state (and media) when something special is happening (which is BS because a solid program should get its fair share of ink). Was talking to a guy visiting work from Chi on Friday. He was all rah-rah-rah. I guarantee if they were 25-5 or 26-4 they wouldn't even be a blip on his radar screen. Pretty sad.Yeah, but lately it's been a little better since the Bulls haven't been that good. You'd think since Illinois as a state doesn't have a lot of top-notch sports programs anymore (although Southern Illinois is really becoming a consistent performer), that U of I would get more love. But that could just be me as an alumnus. Look at how bad we sucked in football this year... ;)

[emw]

Holy Cow!

Buckeyes are looking to deliver a Blackeye to the nations #1 team. Whatup with this?

All eyes turn to Ohio. Right now Illini 57 OSU 53 with 6 min to go.Now if UNC can get Duke, you're assured of #1. I'd rather it be UNC than anyone else right now, so go get 'em!

See you in St. Louis... :D

[Koodauw]

I think the loss is good for UofI. Just look at all the undefeated teams in that have gone into the tournaments the last few years. They'll be tough to beat come tourny time.

[stubeeef]

Upset Sunday, #3 Kentucky loses to unranked Florida!

Illini lose!

Go Tarheels, break the spell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(ya too many !, so sue me)

[emw]

Upset Sunday, #3 Kentucky loses to unranked Florida!

Illini lose!

Go Tarheels, break the spell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(ya too many !, so sue me)I'm rooting for you at this point. Illinois could use a pressure break. I really don't want Duke as the new #1...

By the way, go revisit this thread. (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=113669) :D

[stubeeef]

I'm rooting for you at this point. Illinois could use a pressure break. I really don't want Duke as the new #1...

By the way, go revisit this thread. (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=113669) :D


That thread is why I made that comment. What up with my heels?! D*mn! :mad:

[Inspector Lee]

Yeah, but lately it's been a little better since the Bulls haven't been that good. You'd think since Illinois as a state doesn't have a lot of top-notch sports programs anymore (although Southern Illinois is really becoming a consistent performer), that U of I would get more love. But that could just be me as an alumnus. Look at how bad we sucked in football this year... ;)

Skiles (MSU '86) has the Bulls playing some pretty good ball right now. Our gridiron team is consistently mediocre. MSU gets most if not all of the ink here in the state when it comes to b-ball because Michigan's program has really spiraled. However, when one reads the detroit news, there exists almost this latent hope that MSU stumbles and U of M rebounds.

Not sure how all the seedings will shake out at this point. State should really have taken care of business at Indiana. They'd be a solid #3 right now. However, I see them as a #4 when all is said and done. Maybe they'll be placed in the Midwest as a #4?

I also wouldn't be surprised if they lose next Friday. And if they win, they better beat Wisconsin Saturday to set up the showdown on Sunday.

[stubeeef]

Heels are rocking the house that Dean built. Well, as the guy said passing the 50th floor after jumping off the top, "everything is ok so far!" ;)

[Inspector Lee]

Heels are rocking the house that Dean built. Well, as the guy said passing the 50th floor after jumping off the top, "everything is ok so far!" ;)

Don't have a tv so I'm quasi-following the action via espn's "play-by-play" and it looks like a real run n' gun shootout. Have been out of the loop for a bit, what is the story with McCants? Didn't see his name in the box score but it might have been an oversight by me.

[stubeeef]

Don't have a tv so I'm quasi-following the action via espn's "play-by-play" and it looks like a real run n' gun shootout. Have been out of the loop for a bit, what is the story with McCants? Didn't see his name in the box score but it might have been an oversight by me.

McCants has missed a few games for his health, some feel that it is related to his mother being diagnosed with cancer.

Right now the damn dookies are up 64 to 62 with 5:20 left, well tied now at 64.

[stubeeef]

Heels down by 6 with 4 min to go. :mad:

[stubeeef]

Classic ending going down, dook by 2 pts with 1:35 to go

under 30 seconds, UNC gets the ball back and down by 2.

19 seconds left, 7 to 0 run and down by 2 UNC on the line, gets 1 down by 1

HOOLLY COW, MISSES THE FREE THROW, UNC REBOUND, GETS THE BASKET TO GO UP 1 AND IS FOULED, GETS THE FREE THROW, UNC UP BY 2 WITH 17 SECONDS TO GO. UNC 11 UNANSWERED PTS WITH UNDER 3 MIN.

[stubeeef]

YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[clayj]

Classic ending going down, dook by 2 pts with 1:35 to go

under 30 seconds, UNC gets the ball back and down by 2.

19 seconds left, 7 to 0 run and down by 2 UNC on the line, gets 1 down by 1Heels with 11 unanswered points win the game by 2! Amazing. UNC rules!

[clayj]

YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stu, I'm with ya on this one... but you are one "1" away from having rocks thrown at you. :)

[stubeeef]

YES YES YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went out the front door and gave the loudest yahoo yell, heard a couple from the other neighborhoods too! Nothing like a good rebel yell!

[clayj]

AND Illinois lost today, spoiling their perfect season... could Carolina move up to #1 in the polls?

[stubeeef]

Love that avatar.

[clayj]

Love that avatar.Feel free to use it if you like... I will likely be switching back to my old avatar ("AQUILA") soon (after the NCAA tourney).

[zyuzin4]

For Illinois? Ending the season 29-1? Heading for a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament? I'll be sad if they don't make St. Louis, but for now I'm going to celevrate a fantastic regular season that just didn't end the way I would have liked. They squeaked by OSU by 1 point in Columbus last year, and just couldn't duplicate it this year. Ah well. I guess the SI jinx hit (as well as the 13th week at #1)!

sad that my friend jinxed them. :-p still one hell of a basketball team I'm proud to support

[stubeeef]

emw, here is a chicago kid going to UNC, a top HS recruit!

link (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=78&p=8&c=1&nid=962839)

[stubeeef]

and gwumac here is a top UNC recruit from under youall's nose.

link (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=78&p=8&c=1&nid=449936)

[stubeeef]

and Mav, here is a nice topHS player from MD, coming on down to chapel hill to play.

Link (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=78&p=8&c=1&nid=449903)

[Mav451]

Yeah Montrose is a pretty nice program. I actually went to one of Stu Vetter's summer camps. I got to play with the then, I guess, 11-year old "KJ". He was already 6ft then, and had a pic of him playing with MJ.

Man, he had game already. I made a few baskets during the games, but comparing then to now, damn, I was in ALOT better shape. College has a way of screwing up your diet/health -_-.

[Kwyjibo]

i was in columbus ... i hate ohio ... i don't think UNC should be number 1 tomorrow, the illini won't be unanimous #1 anymore but IMO are still the best team in the country, UNC only beat Duke at home by 2, thats not huge, of course it would be better if the illini had won, but they still only have one loss, UNC still has triple that. They took our point guards out of the game.
Heres what I saw next to me http://smelkem.com/stormingthecourt.JPG
OSU fans weren't quite classy but taking down undefeated #1 is always fun. first lead with 5 seconds togo, 0 turneovers in the second half, perhaps the most descriptive stat of the night.

[stubeeef]

UNC will not be #1 on monday, although we won our games this week, all without our #1 scoring player.
Illini have earned the position on #1.
UNC has undoubtedly earned #2, they are the regular season champions in the arguably hardest conference in the nation (ACC).

I want UNC playing in Charlotte to start the mess off right!

[Inspector Lee]

Big "W" stubeeef. Heard guys on national radio saying it was the game of the year to date.

Don't think much will change at the top. I heard Kansas lost as well. And Wake is currently in trouble...

edit: scratch that last line, they won at the buzzer. The swine...

[emw]

emw, here is a chicago kid going to UNC, a top HS recruit!

link (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=78&p=8&c=1&nid=962839)Poor kid. Doesn't know what he got himself into - he could be playing for the best team in the "soft" Big Ten :D

Ah, well, just one more reason to look forward to the national title this year. If they only make FF or worse, I think Williams and Brown will be back. With Randle healthy and both Warren Carter and Shaun Pruitt improving, Illinois will be okay next year. Fantastic if both Brown and Williams stay put.

[stubeeef]

should be under 1 hour from rankings, I figure Illini stay #1, and UNC #2, but read some articles that think otherwise. What do you folks think?

[emw]

should be under 1 hour from rankings, I figure Illini stay #1, and UNC #2, but read some articles that think otherwise. What do you folks think?Santa Clara. :D

I don't know what to think. Part of me says that one game at the end of the year shouldn't have a huge impact, especially since there were so many losses at the top. But #1 this week isn't about who's done well this year (although that's part of it) - it's about who's playing the best ball this week. UNC played a couple of good games, and Illinois lost one. So this week, I'd see UNC as #1 and Illinois as #2. I don't see Illinois below #2.

In either case, I don't see it affecting Illinois' seed in the tourney unless they blow something in the B10 tournament - which I don't see happening (but then again, I didn't see the loss at OSU happening either).

[Mav451]

Not to rain on the great victory yesterday, but seeing this double standard against UMD is making me sick.

http://mb5.scout.com/fmaryland43696frm6.showMessage?topicID=39268.topic

When UNC took to the streets, to downtown, they are praised for their "school spirit". There are bonfires in the street, in parking lots. An entire street is blocked off by police.

On the other hand, if Maryland does it, its called a riot. Bull ****ing sh_t.

On a ending note, your police force, thankfully, isn't as stupid as PG County Police. They know that the crowd was not dangerous and didn't shoot people in the face like they did at Maryland.

*sigh*

Our newspaper has been keeping count on the days that PG county has NOT responded to requests on police tactics (translation: brutality) of that night. It is now 16 days.

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/pages/frontpage/3-7-05.pdf

Ok, end rant.

[clayj]

should be under 1 hour from rankings, I figure Illini stay #1, and UNC #2, but read some articles that think otherwise. What do you folks think?As much as I'd like to see UNC move to #1, I think Illinois will keep that spot... after all, they do only have the one loss so far this year, and Carolina didn't exactly beat the crap out of the Dookies.

[emw]

As much as I'd like to see UNC move to #1, I think Illinois will keep that spot... after all, they do only have the one loss so far this year, and Carolina didn't exactly beat the crap out of the Dookies.You are correct. Illinois #1, UNC #2. Much closer, now though. See you in St. Louis, I hope...

[Silencio]

Poor kid. Doesn't know what he got himself into - he could be playing for the best team in the "soft" Big Ten :D

I don't think Bobby Frasor was seriously considering Illinois; they didn't make his final cut IIRC. Hell, he was all set to go to Stanford but Roy Williams put on the razzle dazzle act at the last minute. Oh, and I'll bet Frasor would *not* have been named to the burger team if he had matriculated to Palo Alto instead of Chapel Hill.

Stanford had to settle for Mitchell Johnson instead, who just led his high school team to another Washington state title competing against loads of top-tier talent headed to D1 (if not straight to the NBA) over the next couple of years.

Speaking of Stanford, I've given them up for dead at least a dozen times over the season. After that big win against Washington, it looks like they're firmly in the dance now. Amazing how much they've done with so little - Trent Johnson is going to take the program places that Mike Montgomery couldn't, once he gets the talent back in (Lopez Twins, anyone?). Now they look like an 8 seed who'll get to face in the second round... Illinois or North Carolina. How poetic.

[emw]

Speaking of Stanford, I've given them up for dead at least a dozen times over the season. After that big win against Washington, it looks like they're firmly in the dance now. Amazing how much they've done with so little - Trent Johnson is going to take the program places that Mike Montgomery couldn't, once he gets the talent back in (Lopez Twins, anyone?). Now they look like an 8 seed who'll get to face in the second round... Illinois or North Carolina. How poetic.That's the thing - a lot of teams with a lot of talent. That's what makes the tournament so exciting and unpredictable. Wasn't last year Kentucky was knocked off by an 8/9 seed?

[Silencio]

That's the thing - a lot of teams with a lot of talent. That's what makes the tournament so exciting and unpredictable. Wasn't last year Kentucky was knocked off by an 8/9 seed?

Yes. And so was Stanford. :( :(

I prefer watching the tournament with my team as an underdog, anyway. Less expectations, more emotional space to embrace some of the other teams. I was so shellshocked after Stanford pissed it away against Alabama (and I'm not using Justin Davis' injury or the biased SEC refs as excuses!), I could barely watch and/or enjoy any of the other games, though I enjoyed Nevada's run and secretly thought that Trent Johnson should come back to Palo Alto. My wish was soon granted.

There's more parity than ever this year, so things should be pretty interesting. As usual, I can't wait!

[emw]

As usual, I can't wait!Then you should join the MacRumors Tournament Pool (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=113411)!

[stubeeef]

Some UNC facts for the unenlightened.

This ACC regular season championship is the first since 1993, the same year they won the NCAA tournament. :cool:

The last UNC dook game had the highest attendance ever at the Dean Dome, somewhere north of 22,000. :D

That victory was only the 3rd in the last 16 meetings with dook. :eek:

That is why, even at home and ranked higher, they rushed the court at the end of the dook game. :)

[Mav451]

Current team, has NO respect for the name on the jersey. None.

Trav somehow managed to become even worse than Shavlick Randolph.
5 fouls. 10 mins. And the biggest pu*ssy in the paint, known in MD history, ALL-freakin-TIME.

The only good things i can get from this is that we know McCray is finally shooting better (duh), but Bowers also shut-down Ford for most of the game (and shot 4-4 from the stripe). At least we know who will definitely be starting next year, and who will DEFINITELY be sitting.

I hope Travis never plays, EVER again.

[stubeeef]

Sorry Mav, feel better playing clemson than you guys. You sweep dook and are swept by clemson? Tough year.

Hope clemson gets star struck for UNC game, instead of think'n their are david and unc is goliath.

[Mav451]

Sorry Mav, feel better playing clemson than you guys. You sweep dook and are swept by clemson? Tough year.

Hope clemson gets star struck for UNC game, instead of think'n their are david and unc is goliath.

-_- It hurts to say it, but I think the same way Clemson gets up for MD is the same way we got up for Duke. We beat Duke at Cameron--something no1 else has done as consistently as us. Same with Clemson beating us there and at home. Heck, they rushed the court after beating us.

...even their ACC record is one away (6-11 vs. our 7-10).

[Silencio]

Sorry Mav, feel better playing clemson than you guys. You sweep dook and are swept by clemson? Tough year.

It's all in the matchups: even a team that's weaker on paper and in the standings can do a number on a "better" team if the matchups are in their favor.

Keeping that in mind, I'm taking no joy in Clemson's victory today (or Rutgers' win over ND last night): Stanford's got similar problems against Washington State tonight and I truly hope they can avoid the same three-losses-in-a-season fate. :( Schadenfreude tends to really bite people in the butt this time of year!

[stubeeef]

Well you still have dook to hate! That is always fun! :D

Md should be a NIT contender though. Be glad to have ya pull for UNC, need all the Karma we can get, and of course we need the ACC to win the tourney, if not all the final four teams to be ACC teams!!! :eek:

[stubeeef]

Since everything from here out is or applies to the tournament, shall we let this thread die for the season and revert to the tournament thread?

ps I was thinking how cool it would be to have some beers watchng the tournament with you guys. This year has been the best NCAA year for me in a long time because of this thread. So thanks! ;)

[Mav451]

Well you still have dook to hate! That is always fun! :D

Md should be a NIT contender though. Be glad to have ya pull for UNC, need all the Karma we can get, and of course we need the ACC to win the tourney, if not all the final four teams to be ACC teams!!! :eek:

Meh, to be honest, I haven't given a second thought to Duke. We swept them this year. On the other hand, Clemson hammered us 3 times this year. We are breaking the 11-straight NCAA streak as well.