March Madness Starts Wednesday!

[GoMuskies]

It's actually February 29th, but the Big South Tournament kicks off Wednesday afternoon. The most wonderful time of the year is almost here!

[GoMuskies]

I was wrong. It starts tonight at 7:00 when Radford visits VMI in the opening round of the Big South Tournament. Even better!

[Muskie]

March madness starts for X tomorrow night against SLU. They can't send you home if you win after all.

[X-band '01]

Also starts tomorrow night when Butler hosts Wright State in a 1st-round Horizon League game. All their other games will be at Valpo's gym.

[xubrew]

There are 309 teams that can still make the NCAA Tournament, and in theory win the national championship. That includes all 14 Atlantic Ten teams because all are still mathematically alive, four Ivy League teams, and Nine Southland teams. This is why I see no reason to expand the NCAA Tournament.

After tonight, it will be down to 307. Gardner Webb also plays High Point in the Big South tonight. March Madness has begun!!!!

[GoMuskies]

VMI scored the first two points of March Madness. And they're off!

I like VMI and High Point tonight. HP and GW played two OT games this year, so that one should be tight. VMI should stomp Radford.

[xubrew]

VMI scored the first two points of March Madness. And they're off!

I like VMI and High Point tonight. HP and GW played two OT games this year, so that one should be tight. VMI should stomp Radford.

If I'm ever encountered with the trivia question of which team scored the first two points of March Madness 2012, I will now know the answer.

[xubrew]

The Horizon League is down to the quarters with no real surprises.

The quarters of the Atlantic Sun get underway on Wednesday. The top two seeds will play today, and the other games will be tomorrow. This gives the top two seeds an extra days rest, I guess. Belmont is favored, but it won't be easy. The tournament is at Mercer, who recently lost to Belmont by just two points. That is Mercer's only home conference loss, and their only other loss on the season was to South Dakota State. It's also possible that Belmont would face SC Upstate in the semis, who beat them during the year. Belmont would by far be the most dangerous team in the NCAA tournament out of this league, but winning the automatic bid won't be easy.

Montana has a 32-21 lead on Weber State. The winner will bye into the Big Sky semifinals, and host the conference tournament. Montana has just two home losses on the season, and neither were conference games, so I like their chances if they win this one.

[xubrew]

ASun quarters, Patriot quarters, Big South quarters, WCC opening round, and OVC opening round are all today.

First upset of March Madness.... #7th seeded VMI knocks off #2 Coastal today. UNCA should have a clear shot at the Big South.

302 teams remained at the beginning of the day. We're now down to 301, and will be down to 289 at the end of the day. Congrats to all teams that have made the Final 289. This would almost make as good a t-shirt as Snipe's Final Five idea.

[GoMuskies]

#7th seeded VMI knocks off #2 Coastal today

Dammit, there goes my shot at a perfect entry in pick the conference tournament winners!

[GoMuskies]

My three favorite conference tournaments (not including the A-10):

Missouri Valley (tomorrow night!)
MAAC
CAA

[paulxu]

My three favorite conference tournaments (not including the A-10):

Missouri Valley (tomorrow night!)

I'm going way out on a limb here and guess that Wichita State is in that conference.

[GoMuskies]

They are, but I've enjoyed that tournament for awhile. Arch Madness is a great setup.

[xubrew]

288 teams remain!!

All chalk, exceptin in the Big South where then #2 and #3 seeds both went down in the quarters. We are now guaranteed to have a losing team in the championship game agaisnt either UNCA or Charleston Southern. UNCA is the only team with any real hope of avoiding the opening round, and depending on how things shake out, they may not avoid it either.

[GoMuskies]

VMI is 16-15, so there may be two teams with winning records in the Big South championship game. VMI is generally fun to watch with their up and down pace.

Northeast quarters today at campus sites, and the OVC continues with its QFs in its double-bye format. Tennessee Tech/SEMO is a pretty good matchup. Arch Madness gets rollling, but Indiana State is the only team playing today that I think capable of making any sort of run. Bighampton (1-28)/UMBC (4-25)in the first round of the America East should be a tough ticket in Hartford. WCC is still a day away from getting into their good teams.

Fun stuff all around.

[xubrew]

VMI is 16-15, so there may be two teams with winning records in the Big South championship game. VMI is generally fun to watch with their up and down pace.

Northeast quarters today at campus sites, and the OVC continues with its QFs in its double-bye format. Tennessee Tech/SEMO is a pretty good matchup. Arch Madness gets rollling, but Indiana State is the only team playing today that I think capable of making any sort of run. Bighampton (1-28)/UMBC (4-25)in the first round of the America East should be a tough ticket in Hartford. WCC is still a day away from getting into their good teams.

Fun stuff all around.

I know the NEC perinnially gets a piss poor seed (not that they shouldn't), but it's a fun league to watch. For starters, the conference protects the better seeded teams by awarding them home games. so at least the regular season means something. In the Summit League, all a good seed means is that a team gets to wear white during the tournament.

SFNY and LIU are practically within walking distance, and both are hosting games at the same time. It's a good rivalry by small conference standards. Wagner is another NYC based team that butts heads with LIU and SFNY as well. So, with all three schools hosting games at the same time, it should be a fun night and a fun tournament. Sure, the winner can't hope for much better than a #15 seed, but it's still fun to watch if you can appreciate it for what it is. A winner-take-all tournament among participants that hate each other. Good stuff.

[GoMuskies]

SEMO has made a HUGE comeback against Tennessee Tech. Didn't see that coming. Tied coming down to the wire in Nashville.

[GoMuskies]

Congrats to Binghampton on going out and doubling their win total in the first round of the conference tournament. 9 more wins to a national championship.

[waggy]

Nevada has a guy named Chiz. What a name. Tough to listen to the game when Chiz starts going off.

[GoMuskies]

The state of North Carolina is having a day of it so far:

In the SoCon, 13-17 App State shocked 19-12 CofC (their season went downhill quickly after a promising start; sounds familiar), and Western Carolina has a nice lead on The Citadel early. In the CAA, 9-20 UNC-W got a win against a similarly bad JMU team.

[GoMuskies]

Impressed by the effort out of 1-30 Towson today. Got down double digits early but crawled all the way back to tie a decent Delaware team late.

Of course, there's a reason they came in 1-30 and finished up 1-31. Delaware won by 7.

[xubrew]

Tennessee Tech v Murray just tipped off in the OVC semis.

ESPN just scrolled the following across the bottom of the screen.

"Butler: Not on bubble and must win conference tournament to make the NCAA Tournament." Lunardi

I mean....is that really even noteworthy??

East Tennessee lead Belmont for most of the first half, but it looks like Belmont has finally woken up. What is ETSU's status?? Are they on the bubble?? Do they have to win the conference tournament?? I have not seen an update scroll across the screen, so I'm totally in the dark as to what their status is.

[GoMuskies]

Butler is favored at Valpo tonight.

[xavierj]

Butler is favored at Valpo tonight.

Butler will win the horizon.

[GoMuskies]

Butler will win the horizon.

I watched the second half of their game with Milwaukee last night. I was impressed. I think you might be right about them winning the Horizon, but Detroit might actually be playing better than Butler right now.

[chico]

I'm offended that all these teams are punching tickets. And ESPN even seems to celebrate all this punching by hyping it on their broadcasts.

[GoMuskies]

As a Kentucky native, I always cheer for the non-UK teams from the state. Good to see WKU rally from 13 down in the last 8 minutes to win their Sun Belt QF. Wild night in the Sun Belt all around with Denver being the only higher-seeded team to win today. Wide open in the Sun Belt.

[X-band '01]

Anybody other than Denver wins there and they can start looking up hotels in Dayton next week.

[xudash]

I watched the second half of their game with Milwaukee last night. I was impressed. I think you might be right about them winning the Horizon, but Detroit might actually be playing better than Butler right now.

I guess Valpo had other ideas. Didn't even notice Butler was finished until I happened onto their score yesterday. Valpo blew them out, in fact.

The Little Engine That Could may not even be good enough for the NIT this year.

Butler certainly can remain competitive for the NCAA Tournament by virtue of being viable in the Horizon League, but I wonder if their Huckleberry fans understand that they truly caught lightening in a bottle when they landed Heyseed, Howard and Mack.

[LA Muskie]

I guess Valpo had other ideas. Didn't even notice Butler was finished until I happened onto their score yesterday. Valpo blew them out, in fact.

The Little Engine That Could may not even be good enough for the NIT this year.

Butler certainly can remain competitive for the NCAA Tournament by virtue of being viable in the Horizon League, but I wonder if their Huckleberry fans understand that they truly caught lightening in a bottle when they landed Heyseed, Howard and Mack.

I don't buy into the "lightning in a bottle" theory. Those were great teams with Big 6-level talent. The much bigger problem for Butler is the resurgence of IU under Crean. The void has been filled. They won't get those types of recruits anymore.

[xudash]

I don't buy into the "lightning in a bottle" theory. Those were great teams with Big 6-level talent. The much bigger problem for Butler is the resurgence of IU under Crean. The void has been filled. They won't get those types of recruits anymore.

I think we're in agreement on this. I'm not referencing lightening in a bottle from the vantage point of what they did in the Tournament; I'm coming from the angle of Butler recruiting them in the first place.

Howard, who had narrowed his choices to Xavier and Butler, Heywood and Mack were Big Six level talent. Butler was able to recruit them, at least in part, due to IU's down cycle. Those three players together formed a unique core. Heywood was a unique talent, period.

It was already going to be hard for a program like Butler to sniff 4-star, BCS-level talent. The Horizon League simply isn't appealing enough for that level of talent. Moving forward, as IU continues to fight its way back and as Purdue continues to improve, Butler will be faced with the growing frustration that their runs in the Tournament were not sustainable for program building purposes.

They'll probably continue to do well enough to control their crappy league in most years, assuming Stevens sticks around. They'll get to the Dance on that basis, but getting to the F4 from here doesn't look likely for that program.

[LA Muskie]

I think we're in agreement on this. I'm not referencing lightening in a bottle from the vantage point of what they did in the Tournament; I'm coming from the angle of Butler recruiting them in the first place.

Howard, who had narrowed his choices to Xavier and Butler, Heywood and Mack were Big Six level talent. Butler was able to recruit them, at least in part, due to IU's down cycle. Those three players together formed a unique core. Heywood was a unique talent, period.

It was already going to be hard for a program like Butler to sniff 4-star, BCS-level talent. The Horizon League simply isn't appealing enough for that level of talent. Moving forward, as IU continues to fight its way back and as Purdue continues to improve, Butler will be faced with the growing frustration that their runs in the Tournament were not sustainable for program building purposes.

They'll probably continue to do well enough to control their crappy league in most years, assuming Stevens sticks around. They'll get to the Dance on that basis, but getting to the F4 from here doesn't look likely for that program.

I hear ya now. And yes, we're in total agreement.

[GoMuskies]

None of those guys would have been recruited by IU, so that 's not really going to hurt Butler. Sure, they were in the Zeller sweepstakes, but that was a lot higher profile recruit than they've ever been in on. Without looking, I'd bet that both Roosevelt Jones and Khyle Marshall were more highly rated recruits than each of Heyward, Mack and Howard.

I think lightening in a bottle is the only way to describe what Butler had and that it cannot be replicated, but it has nothing to do with their ability to recruit against IU or anyone else.

EDIT: OK, now I've looked. Jones was more highly recruited than Mack and Heyward, but perhaps a bit less sought after than Howard. Marshall is clearly the most "blue-chip" of the lot. IU might have let those guys walk on.

[GoMuskies]

At this rate we may have the Blue Blob and the WKU Hilltopper both at UD Arena at the same time next week. Which is almost too awesome to imagine.

[xubrew]

Two thoughts of no contradiction whatsoever....

1 Oral Roberts is a good team that had a bad game, and unfortunately if you don't make a strong case for yourself, losing in the conference tournament can wipe out a team that was the most deserving throughout the year. We saw it in the Metro Atlantic as well. I think that's kind of unfairl that the most deserving team and/or the team most capable of pulling an upset gets left out because of one bad game, or because of one good game by another less deserving team. Something needs to be done about that.

2. GO TOPPERS!!!!!!!

[GoMuskies]

Toppers!!!!

[GIMMFD]

Looks like Princeton took care of business, hugeee!

[waggy]

The Hilltoppers looked liked they were going nowhere early in the year.

I heard somewhere, a season is a lifetime.

[XULucho27]

This Summit League Championship game has been the best game today. F*** the Big East tournament.

[GoMuskies]

Detroit is gonna be a tough 14 seed for some 3 seed to handle. Don't run into many 14 seeds with a McDonalds All-American. They've been on fire of late and were lights out in the second half at Valpo tonight.

[PMI]

Detroit is gonna be a tough 14 seed for some 3 seed to handle. Don't run into many 14 seeds with a McDonalds All-American. They've been on fire of late and were lights out in the second half at Valpo tonight.

Who's their AA? They have certainly been good lately.

[GoMuskies]

Ray McCallum

[Backyard Champ]

Detroit is gonna be a tough 14 seed for some 3 seed to handle. Don't run into many 14 seeds with a McDonalds All-American. They've been on fire of late and were lights out in the second half at Valpo tonight.

While they may be tough, MCD AA doesn't mean too much to me any more. I could be wrong, but I think Villinova has like, 4 MCD AA's on their team, and Villinova isn't any good.

[xubrew]

Championship Week has been great so far.

- Every Summit League game but one came down to the wire,
-both Big Sky semis were close,
-the Colonial was rather boring until the second half of the championship game, but what a half,
-The WCC wasn't too thrilling either until the final.
-The SoCon went into double overtime
-Nearly every Sun Belt game, including the final, was close
-The OVC championship was great
-Most (albiet not all) of the MVC was great, especially the semifinal and final that involved Illinois State

Championship Week is now a two week affair, and the first week is now over, but wow. What a week. Most years you get a smattering of good games early on, but the bombardment of excitement generally doesn't start until Thursday. Not this year, though.

[xubrew]

On another note, Western Kentucky had a great ending to what was otherwise a miserable year. This included having their coach fired. This event immediately followed a game they lost where the other team had six players on the floor for the final two possessions, and no one noticed.

They've had quite a week. They finished the regular season by beating Middle Tennessee, who was clearly the most dominant team in the conference. They then went on to win four games in four days, including a win over a pretty good Denver team, and win the conference tournament. They have a losing record, but they're in. Chances are they'll be playing in Dayton.

Kentucky could miss the bus to the SEC Tournament and still get a #1 seed and be placed at the Yum Center in Louisville. I know WKU has to win their opening round game first, but I bet no one reading this will have any trouble guessing which #16 seed the committee will match Kentucky up against.

The MEAC, SWAC, and most likely America East Champions will most likely be joining WKU in Dayton next week.

[GoMuskies]

I was feeling Western Illinois vs. Western Kentucky for a minute there.

WKU should be able to beat a SWAC or MEAC team to get to Kentucky. Ray Harper is a bad man when he's not cheating. Hasn't he won four national titles in 12 years of coaching?

EDIT: Did my own research. Not counting his time at WKU, Harper is 342-83 in 12 seasons with four national championships and five national runners-up. That's insane at any level. His WKU team is mostly freshmen, so they probably won't be losing much in coming years, either.

[GoMuskies]

Pac-12 pillow fight in progress. USC 21, UCLA 13 with about 4 minutes to go in the first half. Fitting way for one of these two to have the season end.

[X-band '01]

They were really packing them in at Staples for USC-UCLA. Crowds at USBarn Arena look packed by comparison.

[GoMuskies]

If UConnn wins five games in five days again, I think I'll be sick.

Of course, I don't hate them anymore than I hate most of the rest of the Big East dreck.

[X-band '01]

Bruce Weber is now on the clock waiting for the Grim Reaper.

[X-band '01]

UConn should make it win or lose today.

I'll be sick if Notre Dame lays down for South Florida - that's the game to watch out of the Big East.

[LA Muskie]

UConn should make it win or lose today.

I'll be sick if Notre Dame lays down for South Florida - that's the game to watch out of the Big East.
I agree. I think UConn's in no matter what.

[GoMuskies]

This isn't the bubble thread. I just hate UConn (and pretty much everyone else in that league).

[GoMuskies]

I don't like UC. Me very mad if UC win this game.

[bjf123]

Headed to double OT.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[danaandvictory]

UC is on a freaking tear right now. It doesn't matter how bad they trip over their dick, they find a way to win.

[xsteve1]

UC is on a freaking tear right now. It doesn't matter how bad they trip over their dick, they find a way to win.

They have a real good shot at winning that Big East tourney. Yates is the best big man in that league which is definitely to their advantage.

[X-band '01]

We'll see how much fatigue plays a factor tomorrow night for UC - any wins beyond today is gravy for them.

In terms of big men in the Big East, wasn't Fab Melo suspended when Syracuse played UC?

[Cincypunk.org]

They have a real good shot at winning that Big East tourney. Yates is the best big man in that league which is definitely to their advantage.

And Gates idn't even make any of the all BE teams!

[GoMuskies]

Pat Knight's press conference apparently struck the right note with his team. They appear on their way to the Southland championship game.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville and UC for the Big East title. How C-USAish.

[bjf123]

Wonder what the odds in Vegas were for that back in November?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DC Muskie]

It looks like Sean is going back to the tournament. They just have to beat Colorado, which shouldn't be that hard. Since their loss at ASU, they have played pretty well.

It's all relative in that shitbag conference.

[Lamont Sanford]

Nice to see Sean crash his shiny new Lexus into a Colorado Buffalo. Hahaha. Have fun in the NIT, Sean. Maybe you can blame Lute Olson for your shitty year.

I'll take an Oldsmobile any day of the week over your Lexus.

[paulxu]

Buick, Lamont, it's a Buick.

[Masterofreality]

Nice to see Sean crash his shiny new Lexus into a Colorado Buffalo. Hahaha. Have fun in the NIT, Sean. Maybe you can blame Lute Olson for your shitty year.

I'll take an Oldsmobile any day of the week over your Lexus.

That was butt ugly, errr male butt ugly. Nice to see that The Raccoon's out of bounds plays have not improved and his end of game management with no time outs left was horriffic.

This was never supposed to happen in the desert. Well done.

[Lamont Sanford]

Buick, Lamont, it's a Buick.

I stand corrected. Thanks paulxu.

Still nice to see Sean and his Lexus in the NIT though.

[Masterofreality]

Of Course...

...Buick is the official sponsor of the A-10 Tournament.