Crappy National Championship Game, but....

[xubrew]

It was a crappy national title game, but college hoops is not declining. Not even close. That's been going around on the airwaves and message boards tonight, and it is a very shortsighted view of things.

Lets look at the Atlantic Ten. Lets say you never watched that Atlantic Ten at any point and were making your entire judgment RE: the league based on the championship game. There are 14 teams in the league, that play sixteen games each. There are twelve teams in the tournament. You watch none of this except the title game (many people do just this). Dayton vs Richmond.

That's not a good sample size. That's making a judgment on insignificant data. One game. One game out of 11 tournament games and...I won't count how many regular season games.

There are 67 NCAA Tournament games. The chances of the championship game being the best NCAA Tournament game are 1-in-67. It has happened, but it rarely does. It was a shitty game tonight. Having said that, I think we saw an above average number of good games throughout the tournament. So, to say that the play was weak and that college hoops is going to crap because of one game, albiet it was the title game, is very shortsighted.

I'll go further than that. The regular season was exciting too. Lots of great games all year long where we had candidates for #1 seeds, but nothing decisive until the final week. We had bubble teams battling it out. We had exciting regular season games, high stakes games as early as November, and big time results in the conference tournaments. It was a great regular season. It always is.

We had four clear-cut #1 seeds, and maybe even a 5th. None got past the Sweet Sixteen, but the NCAA Tournament models a jamboree sometimes. It's a championship, but with a jamboree feel. You have upsets. You have large arenas backing a weaker seeded team instead of the more deserving team having the game at a preferable site. You have single elimination. You have all kinds of craziness.

So, the national title game sucked, and people that didn't watch until tonight think that college basketball is going to hell.

I've watched some shitty Super Bowls. I don't like the NFL, but I'm not stupid enough to think that out of all the games played, the Super Bowl is always the best one, even if it is the only game I personally watch. No one talks about the NFL going to hell when the Bears get blown out by the Colts in a crappy game.

Tonight's game was crappy, but it was one game out of thousands. Most were good. If you were to watch all the games played over the course of the season, and compare them to last season when we had a great championship game, you'd probably notice little difference. College hoops is fine....

And one of these days, a non-BCS team will win it all......

[xubrew]

One more thought...

I love the Final Four, but to me it's like New Years Eve as a kid. It's great, but it's the end of Christmas Vacation. Most of the time it's major conference teams that I've seen before. The last Final Four I went to was 2007, and I spent most of my time sitting there thinking about how much I already missed college basketball. At least the past two years have given me a rooting interest. I don't like domes full of fans that don't watch games that don't appeal to anything other than a dome full of fans. I like fans who watch all year long, and watch more than brand name teams. I'm a reverse snob, which I guess makes me a non-reverse snob in some circles.

I used to joke that my favorite part of the year was the early exhibition games against div2 teams because it meant that it was the longest part of the season between then and the end.

All kidding aside, I think my favorite time of the year is that week before and after Thanksgiving when we have all those exempt tournaments. It's a ton of teams I've read about, seen before in the previous year, and want to see again in their current format. They're on TV all day, and playing against other teams that you normally don't get to see them play against. AND IT'S NOVEMBER!!!! WE HAVE FOUR-AND-A-HALF MORE MONTHS OF THIS!!!!

That's my favorite time of year. It's Christmas Eve when you're allowed to open one present, and then left to wonder what's in all the rest. I'm serious. I like November more than late March/early April.

This year, we saw Wichita State lead UConn, this year's national champion, for an entire game. They blew it at the end in what was a great game. Had they won, they would have chalked up a huge quality win, boosted their NCAA resume a ton, and played against Kentucky in the semis of the Maui, which would have given them another shot at a big win. This happened in November. What if they'd've held on?? Would Wichita have made it as an at large?? For that matter, would Missouri State have made it as an at-large?? They beat Wichita and finished higher in the standings. One very exciting game could have had a HUGE impact on college hoops had the result been different. It was a November game. It was a high stakes game. That's what I love.

Belmont fell at Tennessee by one, who went on to win the preseason NIT. If Belmont wins, how does that impact them. VCU lost to Tennessee in a very close game, but did beat UCLA. These were NOvember games. If VCU loses to UCLA, do they even get in?? That's what I love.

College basketball, as an entire body of work, is not suffering. It's healthy as hell. It's as exciting as hell, and it's exciting in November.

Yeah, the title game sucked, but if that's all you watched, then you deserve to be miserable, and your opinion means nothing.

I'm ready for the season to start!!!!!

[SixFig]

It's Christmas Eve when you're allowed to open one present, and then left to wonder what's in all the rest.

I will openly boo whoever actually does this. Are kids so spoiled they can't wait eight hours to open their presents? Do we have to give them something every night? Just wait till the next morning, jeez.

That said I agree with the rest of what you said.


Personally, I was rooting for Butler, but then I thought that when Xavier wins next year it will make it more special to be THE non-BCS school to win it in recent history. We will be the culmination of the work done by George Mason, Memphis, VCU and Butler. It is DESTINY

[drudy23]

At the least the NBA playoffs should be entertaining.

[gladdenguy]

Didn't even turn on the game last night. Glad I didn't. Really didn't watch any games after our game that Friday evening. The older I get, the more bitter I am when Xavier loses.
When I was younger I was a Xavier fan and a college basketball fan.
Now that I'm older, I'm more of a Xavier fan, and less of a college basketball fan.
I think my child has a lot to do with that.

On to the Reds then football. A much needed break from college basketball.

[Masterofreality]

Just a horriffic display last night.

On the one hand we have the typical "physical" (read huge and only partially skilled) UCon(n) team that can barely shoot the ball other than Walker, vs a team that abjectly choked on open threes all night.

Looked like an Ironworkers convention, which is your typical Big Greased game. The four letter network would brand an in-season Big Greased game like that "incredible defense".

No, I call it ugly basketball. If this is what the "Big Eastenization" of college basketball is becoming, I'll pass. Maybe it's time to make some rule changes like widening the lane a'la NBA to open it up a little more.

All I know is that it made me sick. I won't watch those "titanic struggles" of Thugsters Pitt vs Semiskilled UCon(n) during the regular season- you know with a final score of 52-50. Unfortunately, I had to watch last night.

[xudash]

Butler gets deserved credit for making it to the title game two years in a row, but this one had a very different feel than last year's contest. It came down to one shot last year in what I recall being a well played game by both teams.

Last night, UConn overwhelmed Butler in the second half, and they made Butler look really bad in the process.

Butler flat out sh!t the bed last night.

And with all that we're stuck with a BE team winning the whole thing. How wonderful.

[drudy23]

Last night, UConn overwhelmed Butler in the second half, and they made Butler look really bad in the process.



I completely disagree with this. If UCONN did anything overwhelming, they would have won by 30.

Both offenses were offensive.

UCONN just played less worse.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Unfortunately Brew, its a double edged sword. The more success the non bcs teams have, the more reasons it gives the NCAA to expand.

In my opinion, it's just a matter of time before they expand due to monetary reasons. But the success of VCU only adds to to their argument for expansion

[xubrew]

Unfortunately Brew, its a double edged sword. The more success the non bcs teams have, the more reasons it gives the NCAA to expand.

In my opinion, it's just a matter of time before they expand due to monetary reasons. But the success of VCU only adds to to their argument for expansion

I personally don't think so. As far as monetary reasons, there isn't a whole lot of money prior to the round of 64, and I think that is going to show when they evaluate everything. The ratings for the opening round were bad, the attendance was low by comparison, and the atmosphere was lousy. As far as VCU's run, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that VCU would have gotten in anyway. (If I ever find this out, it won't be until much later, but it wouldn't surprise me).

As far as the payouts and revenue sharing that came from the TV contracts, those opening round games paid the same as the Final Four, which means they cost the same, which means that they probably lost money on those four games. As a whole, they made a ton of money, but would have probably netted more without the expanded format.

[PMI]

I completely disagree with this. If UCONN did anything overwhelming, they would have won by 30.

Both offenses were offensive.

UCONN just played less worse.

That's how I saw it too. Any excuses for why either team played so poorly are just that... excuses. They played hard defense, but it was the pathetic offensive display last night that left the overwhelming mark.

As for the topic of the thread, I agree that college basketball is in no way declining. I've never felt that way. This was just a down year, no two ways around it. There was no sign of greatness this year for even one second, unless you count Kemba Walker or Jimmer Fredette individually. I agree that it is shortsighted to think that that is a sign of a declining product, but I also think it's shortsighted to try and draw too many overwhelming positives from this year's Final Four and tournament in general. It was fun as always, and random as ever, but there was a lot more stepping down than stepping up throughout the whole thing in my opinion. It sucks as a Xavier fan because this would have been a prime year to make a "surprise" run (I would be much less surprised with a run next year.) I do think that next year's NCAA season is going to feature much more greatness than this year's, and we will just have to be that much more prepared because of it.

[GuyFawkes38]

I found the game to be a lot of fun. But I guess that stems from my hatred of Butler.

I love college basketball. But I'd love to see a shorter shot clock (30 seconds, or perhaps even 24). It would limit the number of upsets and make every possession a little less important. But on the positive side, games would have more of a natural flow and teams will have a better chance at making comebacks. And I think it would limit the number of intentional fouls at the end of games.

Some rumors floated around last year that major conferences opposed and swayed the NCAA to not make a major expansion of the tourney (sort of makes sense...it's much more of a fundraiser for the NCAA, not the conferences who don't want their regular season watered down).

[blobfan]

I will openly boo whoever actually does this. Are kids so spoiled they can't wait eight hours to open their presents? Do we have to give them something every night? Just wait till the next morning, jeez.

That said I agree with the rest of what you said.


Personally, I was rooting for Butler, but then I thought that when Xavier wins next year it will make it more special to be THE non-BCS school to win it in recent history. We will be the culmination of the work done by George Mason, Memphis, VCU and Butler. It is DESTINY

Six, in my family the reason we got gifts Xmas Eve wasn't because we were greedy and spoiled but because my parents wanted to be left in peace to catch up with visiting family. We were allowed to open a gift, one my parents knew was a toy, so we had something to occupy us and keep us out of their hair until we finally passed out. Other families do so because they spend Xmas Eve and Xmas Day with different parts of the family and want them to see the kids open the gifts they brought.

Back on the subject, I am so glad I didn't waste time on the game. While I wanted Butler to win, I wasn't excited enough to cancel one of my scheduled DVR recordings so I could watch. Sounds like I made the right choice.

Here's hoping I have a much better reason to watch next year!!

[LA Muskie]

As most of you know, I've been against playing up the "luck" factor on Butler's side for the last few weeks. So I'm not going to buy into the "bad luck" or "luck catching up to them" factors, either. What I saw yesterday was a team that was physically out-classed at every position on the court. It was bound to happen, you could tell. Every shot 21-feet in was challenged. UConn had 10 --count 'em 10 -- blocked shots. They blocked nearly as many FG's as Butler made. And those that weren't blocked were adjusted to avoid the block or short-armed out of fear of a block. Howard and Smith looked like freshmen when they went up with shots. They had no confidence at all. At least half of their shots on the inside looked like they were just heaved up with the hope of hitting something. That 2nd half was an utter dismantling of a well-coached team. If they hadn't kept playing defense, it would have been a joke.

[LA Muskie]

I found the game to be a lot of fun. But I guess that stems from my hatred of Butler.

I love college basketball. But I'd love to see a shorter shot clock (30 seconds, or perhaps even 24). It would limit the number of upsets and make every possession a little less important. But on the positive side, games would have more of a natural flow and teams will have a better chance at making comebacks. And I think it would limit the number of intentional fouls at the end of games.
I absolutely agree that the shot clock needs to be shortened. Far too many teams are taking the air out of the ball to shorten the game. No one wants to watch a PG dribble the ball at half court for 10-15 seconds every possession.

[danaandvictory]

I absolutely agree that the shot clock needs to be shortened. Far too many teams are taking the air out of the ball to shorten the game. No one wants to watch a PG dribble the ball at half court for 10-15 seconds every possession.

My biggest problem is the number of stoppages. It's becoming like a damned football game with every play scripted from the bench. I was at the First Four and there was one passage where :47 of play in the middle of the half took close to 15 minutes to play. If it's inevitable that there are going to be 4 TV timeouts per half, then they should dramatically reduce the number of timeouts teams have to use, and make them all :30 or :45.

[SixFig]

six, in my family the reason we got gifts xmas eve wasn't because we were greedy and spoiled but because my parents wanted to be left in peace to catch up with visiting family. We were allowed to open a gift, one my parents knew was a toy, so we had something to occupy us and keep us out of their hair until we finally passed out. Other families do so because they spend xmas eve and xmas day with different parts of the family and want them to see the kids open the gifts they brought.


boooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[LA Muskie]

My biggest problem is the number of stoppages. It's becoming like a damned football game with every play scripted from the bench. I was at the First Four and there was one passage where :47 of play in the middle of the half took close to 15 minutes to play. If it's inevitable that there are going to be 4 TV timeouts per half, then they should dramatically reduce the number of timeouts teams have to use, and make them all :30 or :45.
Since I watch mostly on TV, I don't mind those. More opportunities to go to the fridge and the toilet.

[MuskiePimp23]

"And one of these days, a non-BCS team will win it all......"

BCS is a football term, but I know what you mean...That team is destined to be Xavier. Let's get it done.

[xudash]

As most of you know, I've been against playing up the "luck" factor on Butler's side for the last few weeks. So I'm not going to buy into the "bad luck" or "luck catching up to them" factors, either. What I saw yesterday was a team that was physically out-classed at every position on the court. It was bound to happen, you could tell. Every shot 21-feet in was challenged. UConn had 10 --count 'em 10 -- blocked shots. They blocked nearly as many FG's as Butler made. And those that weren't blocked were adjusted to avoid the block or short-armed out of fear of a block. Howard and Smith looked like freshmen when they went up with shots. They had no confidence at all. At least half of their shots on the inside looked like they were just heaved up with the hope of hitting something. That 2nd half was an utter dismantling of a well-coached team. If they hadn't kept playing defense, it would have been a joke.


Totally agree. That's exactly what I saw, and why I responded as I did. No other team had been able to last against Butler's "play every possession mentality" till Monday. You could just see the life beginning to ooz out of Butler around the 10 minute mark.

It was an ugly, defensive war, but one that UConn found a way to actually distance itself from Butler to win at the end.

On that note: screw the Big East.

[xubrew]

My biggest problem is the number of stoppages. It's becoming like a damned football game with every play scripted from the bench. I was at the First Four and there was one passage where :47 of play in the middle of the half took close to 15 minutes to play. If it's inevitable that there are going to be 4 TV timeouts per half, then they should dramatically reduce the number of timeouts teams have to use, and make them all :30 or :45.

Timeouts and halftime in the ncaa tournament are longer than during the regular season. I'm not a huge fan of it either, but when you look at the TV contract and the fact that the payouts are higher, I can live with it.

[danaandvictory]

Since I watch mostly on TV, I don't mind those. More opportunities to go to the fridge and the toilet.

It really affects the game, too. Depth becomes irrelevant when everyone hauls their ass to the bench for five minutes four times a half.

I love basketball because it finds a happy medium between the individual creativity and on-the-fly improvisation of soccer or hockey and the scripted, patterned gameplay of football. Too many timeouts and it seems like the balance tips to the latter.

[LA Muskie]

It really affects the game, too. Depth becomes irrelevant when everyone hauls their ass to the bench for five minutes four times a half.

I love basketball because it finds a happy medium between the individual creativity and on-the-fly improvisation of soccer or hockey and the scripted, patterned gameplay of football. Too many timeouts and it seems like the balance tips to the latter.
Oh, I agree with you. I was just kidding. I could find time to get to the refrigerator and the toilet with fewer time-outs and shorter halftime breaks.

[Masterofreality]

Timeouts and halftime in the ncaa tournament are longer than during the regular season. I'm not a huge fan of it either, but when you look at the TV contract and the fact that the payouts are higher, I can live with it.

With $1.4 million to the partcipating school for every game they play in the Tournament, I can live with the time outs.

[blobfan]

boooooooooooooooooooooooooo

:p

Scrooge.