Happy March Madness Everybody!!!!

[xubrew]

This is somewhat premature since the conference tournaments have not officially started, but it is somewhat belated in the sense that we actually have had some elimination games. The win-and-advance portion of the season has begun.

304 teams remain. I want my Final 304 Shirt!!!!

http://hoopshd.com/2013/02/28/list-of-teams-that-have-been-eliminated-to-date/ (not the best asthetlically looking blog, but still good reading)

I think my favorite part of the season is November because it's the time when you have the longest expanse of season in front of you. I love how the regular season takes shape every year. I think it is one of the best and most meaningful regular seasons in major sports when you look at all of the important games.

Having said that, there is something special about the knockout format. There are 304 teams that can still technically win it all. A fun way to look at it is that it is one big 304 team tournament. Granted, there are about 40 of the 304 teams that have locked up byes into the round of 64, but still. The madness is here. And yes, I actually do like watching the opening rounds of the smaller conferences. Me and about ten other people around the country.

[MADXSTER]

I'm with ya Brew.

[Xman95]

This year will be more like March Anger. I hate when we're not in the Dance and, barring a Tourney Championship, we won't be this season. Then again, what better way to leave the A-10 than giving one last reminder that the league has been our bitch?

[Stephen FriarFan]

At least this year I will have an easier time pulling for the C7 & new members. I could never pull for Uconn, even though they were a fellow Big East team.

[Titanxman04]

This year will be more like March Anger. I hate when we're not in the Dance and, barring a Tourney Championship, we won't be this season. Then again, what better way to leave the A-10 than giving one last reminder that the league has been our bitch?

They only need to glance to our rafters... the reminders hang there.

[GoMuskies]

Love this time of year. 'brew, when is the first conference tournament game? Tuesday? Wednesday?

I'm pissed that my Racers are completely fading down the stretch. Nice win over South Dakota State in the Bracket Buster and then completely in the tank. They'll probably lose their OVC semifinal this week.

[X-band '01]

OVC starts tomorrow night, I think.

[GoMuskies]

Big South and Horizon are the first to get things going tomorrow. A few others (including the OVC) start Wednesday.

As a matter of fact, Pat Kelsey and Winthrop actually kick off the Madness at noon Eastern against Radford. Both had very bad seasons (13-16 (6-10) vs. 13-18 (7-9).

[xubrew]

If Harvard and Princeton are tied, there are no tiebreakers. The one game playoff will be at the Palestra a week from Friday, so even though there is no Ivy tournament, we still sort of have the equivelant of one with those elimination games. Harvard has really improved since Tommy Amaker got there, but they have a tendency to make things much harder on themselves than they have to be.

What's crazy is that the last regular season game, as always, is Penn vs Princeton. Everyone else will be done on Sunday. That game is on the following Tuesday. It coulc potentially be a hugely important game.

Big South and Horizon League get underway tomorrow. The HL games will have a free stream. Same with the OVC on Wedensday. Not sure if the Big South is streamed or not. I'm not up on my Big South hoops this year. It's one of two leagues that I saw virtually none of this year. I saw Gardner Webb a few times earlier in the year. and I know Charleston Southern won the league, but that's about it.

[xubrew]

I've got an interesting note about the America East for all you who enjoy the ironic.

Boston U finished second in the standings, but is banned from the conference tournament becuase they are leaving for the Patriot League next year. This means everyone moved up a spot.

The format is interesting. The opening round, quarters and semis are at a predetermined spot. The championship game is on the home floor of the highest remaining seed.

This year, the quarters and semis are at Albany (there is no opening round 8v9 game due to Boston U being banned).

Albany was in fourth place going into the final game of the season, which would have earned them the #3 seed. They're a fairly decent team who beat Washington earlier in the year. Stony Brook is the top seed, and they'll host the championship game if they get there. What's funny is that Stony Brook's win over Albany knocked them down to the #4 seed, which means they'll have face Albany at Albany in the semifinals. It's ironic. Stony Brook would have probably been better off losing because that way they could have avoided having to face Albany in what will essentially be a true road game.

[GoMuskies]

OK, 'brew, now even I think you have too much time on your hands.

Stony Brook is quietly turning into something of a powerhouse, though, what with the CWS last year and the domination of the America East this year. It might be an interesting place for the A-10 to look for an expansion candidate. Sure as hell beats Fordham!

[xubrew]

Fordham would not finish in the top half of the America East.

[xubrew]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/05/championship-week-notebook-and-other-highlighted-games-tuesday-march-5th/

[GoMuskies]

Please post that daily. Thank you.

Go Fighiting Kelseys! Down 8-2 to start, which is bad. But it means March Madness is finally underway, which is great!

[GoMuskies]

So the first game of March Madness goes OT. Does that mean it's going to be a crazy March? Hope so, as Xavier's only hope is for March to be wild.

[xubrew]

I was just about to post that. The first knockout game of 2013 goes to overtime. Hopefully this is an omen.

[xubrew]

Congrats to Pat Kelsey and Winthrop. They are the first team to win and advance in this year's edition of March Madness.

[GoMuskies]

Congrats to the Fighting Kelseys.

Hopefully that isn't the biggest Xavier win in postseason this year.

[GoMuskies]

If Longwood beats UNC-A in the second game, that means all hell is going to break loose this March.

Of course, after breaking a 14 game losing streak at the Fighting Kelseys, Longwood has actually won 4 of 7, and they only lost by 3 at UNC-A earlier in the year. So perhaps a Longwood win isn't so unthinkable.

[xubrew]

Longwood, which is one of the more unfortunate names that a team could ever have, was playing in their first ever conference tournament game today. Good thing for them the Big South decided to include all twelve teams.

I think they lost their first ten Big South games this year. Asheville, along with Coastal, have dominated that league for the past two years. Asheville really crashed and burned down the stretch, though. They lost to Longwood. You never want to get beaten by Longwood. It just an utterly humiliating experience.

[GoMuskies]

After a flaccid start, Longwood is finishing strong. With only one senior (who gets about 4 minutes/game) on the roster, I look for Longwood to penetrate the upper echelon of the Big South next year.

BTW, Longwood was 25-26 from the charity stripe today. Sure would be nice to see Xavier put in a 96% day from the line one of these games.

[chico]

It would be premature to think Longwood can last a long time in the tournament.

[GoMuskies]

Overall kind of wild day in the Big South. Jerry Fallwell U. went into Conway and blasted host Coastal. Surprising.

I'm guessing the rest of this tournament will not be very well attended.

[GoMuskies]

Huh, so the Big South takes today off. The wiinners from yesterday get a free day to sit around in Myrtle Beach before the QFs start tomorrow. That's a pretty sweet deal. I suppose that's an effort to give the teams that played in the opening round a fair crack at winning the tournament? No 4 in 4 required?

[xubrew]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/06/championship-week-notebook-and-highlighted-games-for-wednesday-march-6th/

[GoMuskies]

I'm cheering for Florida Gulf Coast in the A-Sun. Mostly because its name makes it sounds like a school that should always suck at everything. And also because they are potentially dangerous if the make it to the NCAA Tournament. They have a win over Miami, so they're clearly capable of beating just about anyone if things fall just right for them.

[xubrew]

What in the hell is wrong with Gulf Coast???

I haven't been watching, but they're only up two at the half.

UFGC is interesting. They didn't exist in 1996. When I say they didn't exist I don't mean that they didn't have a team. i mean...they didn't exist as an institution. There was no UFGC. This was their first ever winning season as a div1 program. Last year they were in the championship game, and actually hung with Belmont for a half. They won the championship in softball, and actually advanced. They've come very far very fast.

[GoMuskies]

They were only about 6 point favorites, so being up 2 at half isn't too far off.

[xubrew]

They were??

North Florida is awful. Only six point favorites??

[ammtd34]

I'm cheering for Florida Gulf Coast in the A-Sun. Mostly because its name makes it sounds like a school that should always suck at everything. And also because they are potentially dangerous if the make it to the NCAA Tournament. They have a win over Miami, so they're clearly capable of beating just about anyone if things fall just right for them.

Their soccer team has won 3 straight A-Sun titles, too. The school is close to the airport in Ft. Myers (not really close to the beach) but the area around it is expanding.


Edit: If anyone is planning a trip, here are the directions: Head South on I-75. Turn left at Florida Gulf Coast University.

[GoMuskies]

'brew, looks like you'd have won some money on FGCU today. Pulled away near the end.

[GoMuskies]

How about Loyola Marymount rising from the ashes of their 1-15 season and getting a win at the WCC Tournament. All they have to do is win 4 more times (including beating the #1 team in the country), and they're NCAA Tournament bound!

I didn't realize how bad Wyoming faltered when they got into league play. 14-0 in the non-conference and 4-12 in the MWC. Ouch. One of the guys I work with is a Wyoming alum, and he and his wife go to Vegas for the MWC Tournament every year. He said he's been going for something close to 10 years, and he's seen Wyoming play more than one game in that conference tournament one time in those years. Looks like that pattern won't be changing this year.

[xubrew]

Losing Luke Martinez just crippled Wyoming. For those that don't know, he was easily their best player. Just before conference play started, he was out at a bar and kicked a guy in the face, and broke the guy's jaw. When he kicked the guy, it was after he had already been knocked unconsious by another Wyoming player. So....yeah. Their season kind of went down hill after that....

http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/wyoming-basketball-player-luke-martinez-waives-initial-hearing/article_1e77cd13-cb14-57fb-a56c-a22344953a77.html

[xubrew]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/07/championship-week-notebook-and-other-highlighted-games-for-thursday-march-7th/

[QueensbridgeMF]

so who's going to Barclays next week? I don't have a ticket yet but I took the days off work and it won't sell out anyway. And I've been able to get into SJU games below face value at MSG this year from scalpers. What are others planning?

[xu95]

so who's going to Barclays next week? I don't have a ticket yet but I took the days off work and it won't sell out anyway. And I've been able to get into SJU games below face value at MSG this year from scalpers. What are others planning?

I was going to go, but with everything that has happened, I am just going to wait a year and go see us play in the Big East Tourney at MSG.

[GoMuskies]

Forgot all about the Fighting Kelseys playing this afternoon. And now they're out.

Longwood still has a chance to go deep, though.

[SM#24]

Longwood's Viagara ran out

[GoMuskies]

Kentucky lost to Georgia tonight and is in serious Bubble trouble. The NIT sucks, but it might be kind of interesting to have UK visit the Cintas Center for an NIT game.

[X-band '01]

Either that or X goes to Memorial Coliseum for a game if Rupp is booked for NCAA games.

[coasterville95]

That may work in our favor if the NIT is looking for tickets sold. How big is Memorial?

[GoMuskies]

For me, Liberty and LMU are the interesting stories of the first week of March Madness so far. I'm hoping Murray can beat EKU tonight, but I doubt it will happen. They need Caanan to absolutely go off the next two days if they're to have a prayer.

[xu95]

That may work in our favor if the NIT is looking for tickets sold. How big is Memorial?

The NIT is not set up that way anymore. It is strictly seeding based on RPI (after the automatic qualifiers get in) and the higher seed gets the home game.

[Masterofreality]

Morning hoops on ESPN3 for Wofford/ GA Southern at 11:30 then the full Mizzou Valley on Fox College Sports MW starting with Creighton/ Drake at 1.

Man, I love AT&T Uverse! Full freaking access!

[xubrew]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/08/championship-week-notebook-friday-march-8th/

[GoMuskies]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/08/championship-week-notebook-friday-march-8th/

Either this guy or ESPN has the winner wrong for High Point/Liberty. I assume it is this fellow.

[GoMuskies]

Morning hoops on ESPN3 for Wofford/ GA Southern at 11:30 then the full Mizzou Valley on Fox College Sports MW starting with Creighton/ Drake at 1.

Man, I love AT&T Uverse! Full freaking access!

Since we're talking about Xavier being on the edge of the Bubble now, should we all be pulling for Wofford for the slight RPI boost?

[xubrew]

Couldn't hurt.

I hate to think this way, and I hate it when people say things like this. Having said that, I'm gonna say it anyway.

Without the crap losses to Winthrop, Vandy and Wake we'd be right in the discussion. Our wins were good enough. We did enough of the hard stuff. It's just the easy stuff that killed us. You gotta win the big ones, but you gotta win the little ones too.

[GoMuskies]

Winthrop is getting their asses handed to them by Georgia Southern the way that Xavier should have.

[SM#24]

I'm assuming you both mean Wofford

[GoMuskies]

Yes, Wofford. Stop #2 on our Desperation Tour is Arch Madness. 15-16 Xavier victim Drake is in a relatively tight one with Creighton in the second half.

[Masterofreality]

Creighton only up by 6 on Drake with 11:30 to go, second half.

[Masterofreality]

Creighton only up by 6 on Drake with 11:30 to go, second half.

Uh, oh. Creighton only up 3

[Masterofreality]

Uh, oh. Creighton only up 3

The Valley is a fun tourney to watch.

[GoMuskies]

Arch Madness is absolutely one of the best league tournaments out there. Great fan support, excellent basketball and very meaningful (few at-larges out of the Valley, and most of the ones they get are teams that are still on the Bubble come conference tournament time).

[Masterofreality]

Creighton up now by 14 with 5:43 to go. Looks like g-bye Drake.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Arch Madness is absolutely one of the best league tournaments out there. Great fan support, excellent basketball and very meaningful (few at-larges out of the Valley, and most of the ones they get are teams that are still on the Bubble come conference tournament time).

Agreed. I went one time when I was there for school. It was a great tournament. Lots of fan support from all teams, even early, made for a great atmosphere.

[GoMuskies]

LMU tied with Santa Clara at halftime. After 2 and a half games, the Lions are halfway through their attempt to win 5 in 5 coming on the heels of 14 straight losses. If they win tonight, they get #1 Gonzaga for their 4th game in 4 nights, and it would be Gonzaga's first game of the tournament.

[GoMuskies]

Wow, can't believe LMU actually pulled out another one. They tried to blow it, but Santa Clara missed a 1 and 1 down 1 with 4 seconds to play. After watching a lot of the last two games, I'm trying to figure out how they lost 14 in a row with a PG as good as Anthony Ireland. That guys is fantastic. And Max Good is an excellent coach, so it makes no sense. Gonzaga will, of course, smash them.

I'm watching Isaiah Canaan KILL EKU in the OVC. Fun to watch.

[xubrew]

I think Belmont is in whether they beat Murray or not.

As good as Murray was this year, they were still a dissapointment. They oftentimes don't play together, and they routinely seem to play at about 70% of their ability...if that. Still, a win tomorrow and they're in, and even though they haven't played up to it on very many occassions, their ceiling is high and they are a potential live wire team in the round of 64.

[GoMuskies]

You sugarcoated it. Murray has been awful this year. I think the OVC Tournament has been the only thing on their minds for about a month. They didn't even bother to show up a lot down the stretch, but they were really good tonight. Ed Daniel barely played, too, because of foul trouble.

Should be a fun one tomorrow.

[xubrew]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/09/championship-week-notebook-and-other-action-for-saturday-march-9th/

[xubrew]

211 left.

I think it's kind of unfortunate that close to 100 teams get eliminated before people even realize championship week has begun. It's understandable, but unfortunate.

That was my sentimental moment of the day....

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/10/conference-tournament-notebook-sunday-march-10th/

[GoMuskies]

Jerry Fallwell is getting pumped. He's on the verge of heading to Dayton!

[xubrew]

The Big South never should have taken the tournament off of campus sites.

I love upsets, but I like them when an underappreciated team beats a really good team. Liberty is not underappreciated. They're among the worst in the league. If anything, it denies a team like Gardner Webb a shot at the big stage and replaces it with a team that lost more than half their games.

I get why these conferences have tournaments. It's a chance for htem to have a showcase. In many cases, it's their only chance. But, I think inviting all the teams is a mistake. I think not protecting the regular season champion by letting them play at home is a mistake. Neutral sites also take away from the atmosphere. Had Liberty gone out and won four games on the road, it's still kind of crappy, but at least it's something. They won four games at a neutral site, and they're going in despite the fact that they're 6-10 during the regular season.

[GoMuskies]

I like it this way. Nothing was taken away from G-W. They had their shot and choked. This is the beauty (and ugliness) of the 300+ team knockout tournament.

[xubrew]

I flip flop on this issue.

Gardner Webb did have Illinois and UNC (for a time) on the ropes. If they win those games and don't stub their toes in conferences play, then they don't need to win the conference tournament. Nothing is predetermined. The Big East gets the at-larges that they get because of what they do on the court. If the Big South won 80% of their OOC games, they'd be sending half their conference to the dance as well.

Having said that, the virtual 300+ team knockout format is great, but I think we can afford to knock out just a few teams over the course of conference play. Take eight teams to the conference tourney and play it at campus sites like they did last year. Was the Big South tourney really any less exciting a year ago than it was this year?? Didn't teams like UNC Asheville and Coastal Carolina earn the right to play at home?? Or take just six like the Big Sky used to, and play it at campus sites. Or take eight teams, play it at campus sites, and reseed the tournament in the semifinals the way the NEC does. I really think a team that finishes first deserves more than just getting to wear white. I love how the Horizon League does it.

For the major conferences, those are fine. Their first place teams are almost always getting in anyway, and those are more showcases and jamborees than they are anything else.

[Masterofreality]

So, 20 loss Liberty gets to go dancing. That is 15-20 Liberty. I believe they will be playing someone in the dump.

Enough about expanding the Tournament to 96. Everybody starts out with a shot in the Conference Tournaments. Win and you're in, no matter how you did for 4 1/2 months before.

[X-band '01]

Given how weak the bubble has been since the expansion to 68, the cries for expansion have really quieted down.

What is noteworthy next year is that there will be one less at-large bid with the creation of the new America 12 conference next season.

[xubrew]

So, 20 loss Liberty gets to go dancing. That is 15-20 Liberty. I believe they will be playing someone in the dump.

Enough about expanding the Tournament to 96. Everybody starts out with a shot in the Conference Tournaments. Win and you're in, no matter how you did for 4 1/2 months before.

Agreed.

Like I said before, I do flipflop on this, but everyone also starts out with a chance at an at-large. You have two chances to get in. Win the automatic bid, or earn an at-large. Expanding the field doesn't give more teams a chance. It gives them a THIRD chance because they botched the first two chances.

The Big South can get bids. They need to win in November and December like the at-large teams do. That's all.

But....I still think it sucks that Liberty is in and the more deserving Big South teams aren't.

[xubrew]

Speaking of not deserving, we have a Paul Hewitt in Richmond.

Repeating...

We have a Paul Hewitt in Richmond.

George Mason blew a 31-7 lead to Northeastern, and lost in the CAA semis 69-67. This is really a microcosm of Paul Hewitt's tenure at George Mason. You may recall that two years ago, they finished the season in the top 25 and earned a #8 seed. You may also recall that they had their entire starting lineup and most of their bench back, so by all accounts they should have been a top 25 team again last year. You may also recall that Jim Larranaga left for Miami, and that they hired Paul Hewitt, who had just been fired from Georgia Tech.

Well done Paul Hewitt!! He has taken a top 25 caliber program whose cupboards were stuffed full, and completely wrecked it.

[Masterofreality]

Hence, his firing fom GTech.

But.......Brian "The Midget" Gregory?

[GoMuskies]

Rick Pitino, Jr. and FIU are throwing a scare into at-large hopefuls right now. They've got an 8 point lead early in the second half against 27-4 MTSU.

[GoMuskies]

Rick Pitino's proteges are having a big day today. Kevin Willard and Iona won in the MAAC semis, and they will face Steve (the Doosh) Masiello and his Manhattan squad in the finals. His kiddo's FIU team is holding on to a four point lead on Middle Tennessee with less than four minutes to play.

EDIT: I forgot that Willard left Iona for Seton Hall. So it's just two of his guys and not three.

[GoMuskies]

FIU hangs on, so I'm feeling a second straight four wins in four days from the WKU Hilltoppers in the Sun Belt.

[xubrew]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/11/championship-week-notebook-monday-march-11th/

[xubrew]

For the second year in a row, WKU wins four games in four days to win the SBC. For the second year in a row, they are assuredly bound for Dayton.

WKU oftentimes plays pretty badly throughout the year. If they played as well during the season as they do in the conference tournament, maybe they could avoid Dayton. Hell, maybe they could play their way into a situation to where winning a game in the round of 64 was a remote possibility. Maybe, just maybe, they could even play their way into a position of not needing to win the conference tournament. They were beat up for much of the year, and that had a lot to do with why they struggled, but still. They've yet to finish better than .500 in conference play the last two seasons. That's an issue.

Nevertheless, they are the SBC champs.

[GoMuskies]

I think WKU might avoid Dayton. They could be the #1 or #2 16 seed. That's WAY different!

[xubrew]

Hmmmm. Maybe so.

Liberty is there for sure. If Manhattan wins they will be as well. They're currently up on Iona. As good as Momo Jones is, Iona should kill that league, yet they only finished fifth and may lose to a team with a losing record.

The SWAC is almost a fixture in the opening round, but Southern doesn't suck complete balls. If someone other than them wins it, then they'll be in Dayton.

James Madison is pretty bad. I hadn't really looked at their profile. We're also not used to seeing Colonial teams anywhere close to the #16 line, but they suck pretty hard. WKU may avoid it after all....

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology/team-comparison

[X-band '01]

It's too bad Towson had APR issues and was ineligible for the CAA Tournament; they could have just as easily won that tournament. THAT would have made for a compelling storyline considering they had a long losing streak about a year and a half ago.

[xubrew]

It's too bad Towson had APR issues and was ineligible for the CAA Tournament; they could have just as easily won that tournament. THAT would have made for a compelling storyline considering they had a long losing streak about a year and a half ago.

It was a 41 game losing streak, and they had lost 48 out of 49 coming into this year. They were 1-31 a year ago, which is the most losses in a single season in history.

I'm with you. I really hate they weren't eligible. They would have had a chance to win it. To go from being that bad to being 18-13 and finishing second in the league was incredible. They stormed the court after their last game againts Hofstra, and they should have. It's a shame because none of the current players were part of the APR issue.

No one will even think to consider him, but Pat Skerry should be a national coach of the year candidate. Seriously. What they did was INCREDIBLE.

On top of that, they had fifteen straight losing seasons prior to this year. 15 straight. 48 losses in 49 games.

What a turnaround. The biggest turnaround maybe ever.

[xubrew]

Is Tim Cluess going to blow this?? Iona has a long history of blowing games under Cluess. IE last year's First Four game against BYU.

[waggy]

Anyone who hires a coach named Cluess gets what they deserve.

[xubrew]

Most coaches wear a suit. Cluess wears a windbreaker.

....but, they did win. I guess I can't criticize a guy too much that goes to two straight tournaments. Even if they only sort of got there last year.

[GoMuskies]

NKU is playing at San Francisco Thursday night. I find that terribly random. Did NKU decide to essentially schedule what amounts to a bowl game in a fun destination since they were ineligible for the postseason? What, exactly, is San Francisco getting out of this matchup? Odd.

[X-band '01]

I think that's more of a WCC thing since their conference tournament ends a week early. St. Mary's and Gonzaga have also had such "tuneup" games for them in recent years. Nobody outside of the selection committee and USF/NKU fans will even notice such a game is going on.

[xubrew]

NKU is playing at San Francisco Thursday night. I find that terribly random. Did NKU decide to essentially schedule what amounts to a bowl game in a fun destination since they were ineligible for the postseason? What, exactly, is San Francisco getting out of this matchup? Odd.

You're allowed to play thirty. (The conference tournament counts as one of the thirty games). USF only got 29 scheduled and NKU wasn't allowed to play in the ASun. So, why not I guess.

[xubrew]

MVC Commish is pissed off, and rightfully so....

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/mvc-commissioner-irate-over-cbs-blackout

[GoMuskies]

So, why not I guess.

I think why not is the only possible answer to the question "Why?" in this case.

[GoMuskies]

MVC Commish is pissed off, and rightfully so....

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/mvc-commissioner-irate-over-cbs-blackout

That is complete bullshit.

[xubrew]

With CBS SN on the dial, I don't understand why they can't make both games available in their entirety. There is also CBSSports.com.

The same thing happened a year ago when the end of the Valley game overlapped the start of the Missouri v Kansas game. You have to expect that the game will run over the two hours allotted. With today's technology of high speed internet and a million channels, there's no excuse to have to cut one of them off.

I'm with the Commish on this.

[xubrew]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/12/championship-week-notebook-tuesday-march-11th/

[xubrew]

I'm watching the opening round of the MEAC at work.

My God.

I'm actually watching the opening round of the MEAC. At work.

[GoMuskies]

I suppose now that the Big East Tournament (the first of the major conferences) is getting ready to tip, "real" March Madness is starting.

[GoMuskies]

USF and Seton Hall are re-enacting the infamous DePaul/Dayton NCAA Tournament game on ESPNU right now. 35-29 USF with about 4:30 to go.

Not a promising start to the postseason by the New Big East. Maybe DePaul can do better (yes, I'm kidding; DePaul sucks).

[xu95]

Why do I find myself watching the BE tourney games that have our soon to be conference mates playing?

[Masterofreality]

Why do I find myself watching the BE tourney games that have our soon to be conference mates playing?

Scouting.

[xubrew]

Why do I find myself watching the BE tourney games that have our soon to be conference mates playing?

I can't speak for you, but in my case there are two reasons...

1. It's college basketball

2. It's on.

[xubrew]

We have a development going on here.

Grambling, who has lost every game this year by double digits against a truly atrociously weak schedule, actually leads at the half. Granted, they're playing the second worst team in the conference, but still. This Grambling team has a chance to be the worst statistical team of all time in nearly every category.

Here's a few seconds of Grambling in action earlier this year. You may notice that the form on this shot is slightly off....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YRwdK8Rqoo

Here's the free stream of their tournamnet game. Win or lose, it will be a historical night as far as statistically bad teams go. Will they be the worst team that ever actually managed to win a game, or will they be the worst team ever, period???

http://www.swac.org/gamecenter/console.dbml?db_oem_id=27400&spKey=M_BASKETBALL&KEY=&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=rotator&utm_campaign=lerotator

[GoMuskies]

They managed to keep it under 10.

[xubrew]

There is no reason whatsoever for leagues like the SEC and Big East to use a ladder format for their tournaments. Seriously. The sooner you get the crap teams out of the tournament, the sooner you'll have games that are actually worth watching. It's not like the Horizon League. You don't need to protect the top teams. Just use standard seeding and bracketing. Auburn vs Texas A&M and Mississippi State vs South Carolina. It's truly eye gouging.

[paulxu]

Mississippi State vs South Carolina. It's truly eye gouging.

Lighten up there Francis.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1CpjBYyoj2A/TmjcFyuahvI/AAAAAAAAOt8/wfqpqmrlFUA/s1600/9.jpg

[xubrew]

152 left, but that includes Saint John's, who I think is out.

More than half the teams are gone. I can't believe how quickly it goes. I realize this is the ultimate finale, but in a way it's like seeing your favorite band in concert and after two hours hearing their biggest hit song. It's a great song, but it means the show is close to over. That's kind of like championship week and March Madness for me. I love it, but I hate to see it wind down.

[GoMuskies]

That's the way I feel on Sunday of the first weekend of the Tournament. The first weekend is so fun, and then all of a sudden there are only 16 teams left.

[SM#24]

The madness hit the MEAC last night as their #1 (Norfolk St) and #2 (NC Central) seeds, who were a combined 31-1 in conf play this year, both lost their quarterfinal game.

[GoMuskies]

Three tie games right now. Things are getting crazy!

[paulxu]

UC headed into toilet (again.).
Charlotte/Richmond close.

[xubrew]

The madness hit the MEAC last night as their #1 (Norfolk St) and #2 (NC Central) seeds, who were a combined 31-1 in conf play this year, both lost their quarterfinal game.

The tournament is in Norfolk. Norfolk STate probably wouldn't have won in the round of 64 (although they did last year), but they would have at least made the game worth watching. Now, the winner is bound for the First Four. Savannah State is decent by MEAC standards, but still of little threat to compete with a team in the round of 64.

The team that dominates the MEAC rarely wins the tournament. I believe twice Delaware STate ran the table, but lost in the quarterfinals.

[xubrew]

Chris Mooney is one of the most composed head coaches you'll ever see, but he blew his lid today. I don't blame him.

[UCGRAD4X]

Lighten up there Francis.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1CpjBYyoj2A/TmjcFyuahvI/AAAAAAAAOt8/wfqpqmrlFUA/s1600/9.jpg

Don't call me Francis!

Unless I'm the pope.

Otherwise...just call me!

[SM#24]

Like the MEAC, the WAC sees it top two seeds, co-champs La Tech and Denver, both at 16-2, go down in the quarters. Looks like it may clear the way for New Mexico St and Sim Bhullar to go through.

Since I believe we're on the NIT bubble, that's now 9 NIT auto bids (assuming MTSU doesn't make the NCAA field). So far, one bid conferences are 5-9 in their conference tourneys with 5 more to go (Big Sky-Montana, Big West-LB St, MAC-Akron, Southland-Stephen F Austin, SWAC-Southern). Although, I'm not sure what's up with the SWAC since their regular season champ, Texas Southern, is on post-season ban; do they lose their default NIT auto bid or not ?

[xubrew]

The WAC and MEAC tournaments have been complete dumpster fires.

The WAC was charging $8 per game to watch the online streaming. Talk about being out of touch with reality. That's $64 for the entire tournament prior to the championship game. I feel sorry for LA Tech and Denver. I really though Denver was playing like a legit team down the stretch, but I guess they didn't look good in the quarters. I say I guess, because I wasn't paying eight bucks to actually see it. I think both are ahead of Xavier in the NIT picking order.

I do think Middle Tennessee will make the NCAAs. They're an outright first place finisher with a solid RPI. I can't recall an incident where an outright first place finisher with a top forty RPI was ever left out. Teams like that typically get in. I think they'll go in before Saint Mary's will. That doesn't mean that they will, but historically, they fit the profile.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The WAC and MEAC tournaments have been complete dumpster fires.

The WAC was charging $8 per game to watch the online streaming. Talk about being out of touch with reality. That's $64 for the entire tournament prior to the championship game. I feel sorry for LA Tech and Denver. I really though Denver was playing like a legit team down the stretch, but I guess they didn't look good in the quarters. I say I guess, because I wasn't paying eight bucks to actually see it. I think both are ahead of Xavier in the NIT picking order.

I do think Middle Tennessee will make the NCAAs. They're an outright first place finisher with a solid RPI. I can't recall an incident where an outright first place finisher with a top forty RPI was ever left out. Teams like that typically get in. I think they'll go in before Saint Mary's will. That doesn't mean that they will, but historically, they fit the profile.

Missouri State a few years ago finished in first and was bounced early from the MVC tourney and had an RPI in the high 20's I believe and got left out. Lowest RPI to ever be left out.

Middle Tennessee has an 0-2 record vs Top50 teams, I dont know they belong in over some of the other bubble teams.

[Boro Muskie]

Watching Dez tear it up vs. Duke is pretty bittersweet.

[BMoreX]

@SFFiveTu: Dez Wells is currently looking for his apron.. What you want me to put it in subtitles or something.. He's cooking those dudes..

[chico]

It is bittersweet but still great to see Wells play so well. It's also fun to see him do it against Duke. He may have single-handedly gotten Maryland into the tourney.

[Masterofreality]

Cheekz Lyons got picked by Jordan Adams of UCLA to give the Bruins the lead with a minute left and UCLA went on to win.

The Desert Raccoon and the Lexus go down.

Edit: Apparently Adams had a broken foot when he was able to pick and score off Lyons. Wow.

[Masterofreality]

And if anybody cares....

That "bad loss" to Pacific earlier in the year doesn't look so bad now. They're in the Big West Championship game tonight.

[xubrew]

Missouri State a few years ago finished in first and was bounced early from the MVC tourney and had an RPI in the high 20's I believe and got left out. Lowest RPI to ever be left out.

Middle Tennessee has an 0-2 record vs Top50 teams, I dont know they belong in over some of the other bubble teams.

That was 2006. They weren't an outright first place finisher, though.

[xubrew]

Cheekz Lyons got picked by Jordan Adams of UCLA to give the Bruins the lead with a minute left and UCLA went on to win.

The Desert Raccoon and the Lexus go down.

Edit: Apparently Adams had a broken foot when he was able to pick and score off Lyons. Wow.


That was 2006. They weren't an outright first place finisher, though.


Hmm, nevermind. You're right. Two years ago they were an outright first place finisher and didn't get in. I stand corrected.

[SM#24]

Sim Bhullar, WAC Freshman of the Year, punched a ticket with a 16/15 game last night. What a big dude; NMSU also has a very small PG. Last night in one TO, Sim was bent over listening at a complete 90 degree angle and was as tall as their PG.

Brian Walsh also dancing (as is of course Cheeks).

[waggy]

I believe Sim had 10 and 10 at the break.

[X-band '01]

I guess we should also congratulate Chicago State for clinching the first bid into the CIT. Isn't this their first-ever postseason appearance of any kind?

Usually they're on every major program's speed dial when it comes to looking for buy games.

[Masterofreality]

Can you imagine Sim Bhullar playing against VCU?

Oh, the humanity.

[danaandvictory]

Shane Larkin is really, really, really good.

[paulxu]

Party in the Grove!

[STL_XUfan]

The real winner of the ole miss v Florida game is Marshall Henderson's dealer.

[xubrew]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/17/hoops-hd-final-bracket-projections-selection-sunday-march-17th/

[paulxu]

Crimson Cast hasn't scored so well in the past.We'll see how they do this time.

http://bracketproject.50webs.com/rankings.html

[danaandvictory]

http://hoopshd.com/2013/03/17/hoops-hd-final-bracket-projections-selection-sunday-march-17th/

Heh, I know one of the guys who writes that site (in real life, not through the Internet).

[xubrew]

Crimson Cast hasn't scored so well in the past.We'll see how they do this time.

http://bracketproject.50webs.com/rankings.html

they've never actually tried to guess the committee. They simulated the selection process as if they were committee members. In other words, they were picking who they thought should be in, not who they thought actually would be in.

[BMoreX]

Go creighton blue jays

[xubrew]

Bucknell gets a better seed than Oregon and Cal. Awesome!!

[BMoreX]

Butler will lose

[BMoreX]

RMU up 12-2 over UK early on in the opening round of the NIT.

[GoMuskies]

Biggest home game in the history of the RMU program?

[bjf123]

Heard on the news that RMU canceled classes today so they'd have enough parking available for the game tonight.


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[GoMuskies]

Down goes Florida State. Looks like Kentucky is in big trouble as well.

[bjf123]

UK goes down 59-57.


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[Cheesehead]

UK goes down 59-57.


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Aww, that's a damn shame.