Championship Week 2017

[X-band '01]

Okay, it's actually 2 weeks of conference play. It kicked off tonight with 4 quarterfinal games in the Atlantic Sun. Only a mild upset so far (Kennesaw winning at USC-Upstate in a 4/5 matchup).

And as xubrew has alluded to before, there were 336 teams that still had a pathway to the national title when games began tonight.

[XUMIOH12]

love this time of year!

[xubrew]

love this time of year!

Meh, it's okay I guess

[GoMuskies]

Arch Madness is always fun. Looking forward to that one this weekend. The WCC can be good, too, although Gonzaga typically spoils the fun by crushing everyone.

[xubrew]

The Colonial should be good this year. UNC Wilmington is on the bubble, College of Charleston isn't on the bubble but is the second best team and is hosting the tournament, and Towson has played well down the stretch.

[GoMuskies]

Looks like all we've got are the dregs of the Patriot League and Big Soutn tonight.

[xubrew]

Looks like all we've got are the dregs of the Patriot League and Big Soutn tonight.

Yeah, but they're still stakes games. The loser is done, and the winner gets to play another game.

[muskiefan82]

NKU actually has a real shot to win the Horizon tourney and make the dance in their first year of eligibility. That would be a little cool.

[XUMIOH12]

NKU actually has a real shot to win the Horizon tourney and make the dance in their first year of eligibility. That would be a little cool.

they have a shot, but it's a pretty tough route. They'd have to beat Wright St, then probably Oakland, then probably Valpo (or GB), and all in consecutive days.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, I'm not seeing them beating Oakland and Valpo on back to back days in Detroit.

[X-band '01]

Alec Peters didn't play during their last road trip to Wright State and NKU - not sure what his status will be for the Horizon tournament.

[XUMIOH12]

Alec Peters didn't play during their last road trip to Wright State and NKU - not sure what his status will be for the Horizon tournament.

hes supposed to be re-evaluated tomorrow. It sounds like they are thinking he will play, but who knows.

[xubrew]

Behold, the smallest arena in div1!!

2156

[X-band '01]

That's not even the best part about tonight. Charleston Southern was assessed a technical at the beginning of the game for having malfunctioning shot clocks.

[paulxu]

Seriously?

[X-band '01]

It's true. They didn't have backup shot clocks like you'd see in other arenas.

What would you expect from an arena that has a listed capacity of 881?

[X-band '01]

Winthrop's road to a Big South title got a lot easier with UNC-Asheville losing to Campbell in the quarterfinal round today. Chris Clemons had 51 points for the Camels in this one.

[THRILLHOUSE]

UNC Asheville went down to Campbell today. So Pat Kelsey's chances of winning his first Big South tourney got a little better.

[GoMuskies]

I was happy to see Murray State survive last night in double OT. Always like seeing the Racers do well. If they suck again next year, I assume they'll shitcan their coach.

[xubrew]

The Big South has been fun today. It normally is. Although opening round games are usually what kicks off Championship Week. They've changed their format and ruined that tradition!!!!

[THRILLHOUSE]

The Big South has been fun today. It normally is. Although opening round games are usually what kicks off Championship Week. They've changed their format and ruined that tradition!!!!

Liberty going down, means the #2 and #3 seeds now gone. If Winthrop can't win it this year, then Kelsey is just cursed.

[xubrew]

Liberty going down, means the #2 and #3 seeds now gone. If Winthrop can't win it this year, then Kelsey is just cursed.

Liberty wasn't nearly as big of a threat as Asheville. I was actually thinking Radford was the better team coming in. The semifinal game may be tough. Gardner Webb has played really well in the second half of conference play, and almost won the game at Winthrop. But, Asheville was the biggest obstacle, and they're out of the way.

I think Winthrop has been more screwed than cursed. As the first place team, they had to win what amounted to a road game when in reality they should have been hosting it. Glad the league got that fixed.

[GoMuskies]

Jonathan Stark has put up an alarming 65 shots in Murray State's 2 OVC Tournament wins. He's managed 78 points, though. Think he's 13-25 from 3.

[GoMuskies]

Illinois State is currently playing in the Valley QFs as the #1 seed. Illinois State and Wichita State both finished 17-1 in the league, and Illinois State was awarded the #1 seed because....they had the better RPI. Am I the only one who thinks that's a really stupid tiebreaker?

[SM#24]

vs. what ? Coin flip ?
They only lost to each other.
While the most flawed, other metrics factor in margin of victory, which while more accurate, incents running up the score

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, I think coin flip would be better. The result of a coin flip would probably tell you more about the worth of two teams than comparing RPIs of two 17-1 teams.

[chico]

Tug of war!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JSws-iGAQA

I don't know if being described as "deceptively heavy" is a compliment or not.

[xubrew]

Southern Illinois Head Coach Barry Henson...

"We cannot hit a bull in the butt with a base fiddle."

How can you not love Barry Henson??

[xubrew]

There was just a Christmas themed commercial on during the SoCon tournament. I'm not quite so sure what to do with that information, but felt it was worth mentioning

[paulxu]

I would explain to you the intricacies of the Southern Conference, but then we'd have to....well...you know.

[xubrew]

I'm a fan of the SoCon.

In regards to the Big South, had Campbell played like this all year, they would've been playing at home right now.

[Emp]

Behold, the smallest arena in div1!!

2156

But the biggest floor logo. Overcompensating?

[xubrew]

If you're not watching the Big South, then you need to be watching the Big South.

[X-band '01]

If Go's Murray State team loses either tonight or tomorrow, we are guaranteed a first-time NCAA Tournament appearance for either Tennessee-Martin or Jacksonville State (btw, Brew found Ray Harper alive and well as their head coach).

Belmont is the first team to officially lock in an NIT bid after losing to Jax State tonight.

[xubrew]

Ray Harper has to have the all time coaching record for conference tournament wins by teams who sucked during the regular season.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Fighting Kelseys win in OT.

[X-band '01]

If they don't win this year, when do they finally break through? Campbell playing the best basketball in the Big South so far this week.

[SM#24]

Last 2 minutes of the NEC semi between St. Francis (Pa) & Wagner was probably the most enjoyable game finish I've seen all year. A lot of back and forth capped by a wild walk off, well defended 3.

[xubrew]

Last 2 minutes of the NEC semi between St. Francis (Pa) & Wagner was probably the most enjoyable game finish I've seen all year. A lot of back and forth capped by a wild walk off, well defended 3.

Yeah, that tournament is always fun. It's at campus sites and there are a lot of rivalries, and it's great atmospheres in those small venues. In fact that makes the regular season pretty fun as well.

[paulxu]

That last second shot by St Francis was not a shot.

It was a forward pass.

[X-band '01]

Oakland had a brain fart on the final play and allowed an uncontested layup to lose to Youngstown State.

Oakland is now the 2nd team to punch their ticket to the NIT.

[Juice]

Oakland had a brain fart on the final play and allowed an uncontested layup to lose to Youngstown State.

Oakland is now the 2nd team to punch their ticket to the NIT.

Helps pave the way for the Norse

[X-band '01]

They actually lost at Youngstown 2 weeks ago.

[X-band '01]

The door opened even wider for NKU to go dancing - bottom-seed Milwaukee knocked out Valpo.

[X-band '01]

And the first ticket to the 2017 NCAA Tournament goes to first-timer Jacksonville State.

[xubrew]

The door opened even wider for NKU to go dancing - bottom-seed Milwaukee knocked out Valpo.

The bottom two teams have won two games in the HL Tournament. No one else has won anything.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Talked to a Valpo grad tonight, he told me their best player recently was ruled out for the year after injury and they had almost no shot in horizon league tourney without him.

[muskiefan82]

I think it would be amazing for NKU to make it in year one.

[xubrew]

Talked to a Valpo grad tonight, he told me their best player recently was ruled out for the year after injury and they had almost no shot in horizon league tourney without him.

They actually lost two key players for the year, albeit not at the same time. Alec Peters is who got hurt at the end of the season.

[xu82]

I love this time of year. I am just hoping for a Participation Trophy.

[Juice]

I love this time of year. I am just hoping for a Participation Trophy.

Damn millennials

[AviatorX]

Brew,

Any thoughts on teams X fans should definitely be rooting against? Seems like other than the Valley Situation (I think Wichita will be in no matter what so I'm gonna root for them) and potentially UNCW and MTSU, there aren't really threats right?

I have become a major conference hack very quickly since X's ascent to the BE, and I certainly think Wichita St and Illinois St would kick X's ass right now, but if we're going off of the (many of them dumb) metrics the committee allegedly uses, I just don't see how either of them should be ahead of X in line for an at large.

[xubrew]

Brew,

Any thoughts on teams X fans should definitely be rooting against? Seems like other than the Valley Situation (I think Wichita will be in no matter what so I'm gonna root for them) and potentially UNCW and MTSU, there aren't really threats right?

I have become a major conference hack very quickly since X's ascent to the BE, and I certainly think Wichita St and Illinois St would kick X's ass right now, but if we're going off of the (many of them dumb) metrics the committee allegedly uses, I just don't see how either of them should be ahead of X in line for an at large.

We definitely need to be rooting against DePaul, and then Butler after that.

In all seriousness, I think the committee will take Middle Tennessee, Illinois State, and Wichita State, but I really don't know. From year to year I know the committee some years better than others, and I really don't know it this year. I can't even really guess what it is they're going to collectively value.

But, look at it this way. They're going to start off by basically taking 36 teams. And, for the selection committee sticklers, I know it's UP TO 36, but either way they're going to select up to 36, and then add teams until they get to 36. Then, whenever one of those 36 teams wins a conference tournament they add another team. When you see bracketology people saying "this team is now in, this team slipped out, etc" that's really not how it works from a procedural standpoint. Teams are almost never "taken out" once they're in. They're just not added or selected. But, for what they're doing, it makes sense to present it that way.

I cannot imagine that we will be in the original 36. So, we need to do something that will make them pick us, and that probably means either beating DePaul and hoping enough spots open up, or beating Butler and vaulting us to the front of the line so to speak.

[xubrew]

Arch Madness has absolutely sucked this year.

[xubrew]

The PL has been absolutely amazing this year!!

[xubrew]

I didn't realize Chris Jans was back at Wichita State. I do hope that he gets another opportunity to be a head coach some day. He had a decent season in his one and only year.

[X-band '01]

At least the Fighting Kelseys finally punched their ticket after a lot of recent near-misses. They're probably going to wind up around a 14 seed.

[GIMMFD]

At least the Fighting Kelseys finally punched their ticket after a lot of recent near-misses. They're probably going to wind up around a 14 seed.

Fun fact about Winthrop is that one of X's former soccer player's (graduated in 2015 with me) little brother is actually on Winthrop's basketball team. What a nifty little connection there huh?

[GoMuskies]

Arch Madness has absolutely sucked this year.

I thought it was pretty great.

[xubrew]

So Monmouth is having to play on the road at Siena even though they dominated the league. That's kind of shitty. I think Winthrop would agree that it's a lot better to let the first place team host it, or play all games at the site of the better seeded team.

[X-band '01]

Losing Micah Seaborn in the previous game hurt Monmouth's chances even more.

That said, we have now seen the top 3 seeds in the Horizon all lose their openers. That league is completely upside down.

[xubrew]

Losing Micah Seaborn in the previous game hurt Monmouth's chances even more.

That said, we have now seen the top 3 seeds in the Horizon all lose their openers. That league is completely upside down.

Good point about Seaborn. I just hate to see a team that's been that good for the past two years most likely miss the tournament again. They're clearly the best team in the conference, and clearly have the best chance of winning a game in the NCAAs. They had to beat a team on the road that they'd already beaten twice, and do it without a key player who should be back. It's just ridiculous. It would be like the NFL forcing the best team in the NFC to go play on the road against the wild card team. I love the conference tournaments, but I don't like the non power leagues that do virtually nothing to reward the first place team. I like the leagues that actually punish their first place team even less, and that's exactly what the Metro Atlantic does, and that's what the Big South had also been doing to Winthrop prior to this year.

[JAPER]

At least the Fighting Kelseys finally punched their ticket after a lot of recent near-misses. They're probably going to wind up around a 14 seed.

Congrats to Coach Kels!

[xubrew]

It's interesting that NKU went from being in the middle of the pack to being the highest seeded team remaining before they even played a game.

[X-band '01]

Good point about Seaborn. I just hate to see a team that's been that good for the past two years most likely miss the tournament again. They're clearly the best team in the conference, and clearly have the best chance of winning a game in the NCAAs. They had to beat a team on the road that they'd already beaten twice, and do it without a key player who should be back. It's just ridiculous. It would be like the NFL forcing the best team in the NFC to go play on the road against the wild card team. I love the conference tournaments, but I don't like the non power leagues that do virtually nothing to reward the first place team. I like the leagues that actually punish their first place team even less, and that's exactly what the Metro Atlantic does, and that's what the Big South had also been doing to Winthrop prior to this year.

I hear Atlantic City is available if New Jersey wants to host the MAAC Tournament. Why punish Albany who's been a good host?

It's not like Monmouth had trouble winning at Siena a couple of weeks ago.

[xubrew]

I hear Atlantic City is available if New Jersey wants to host the MAAC Tournament. Why punish Albany who's been a good host?

It's not like Monmouth had trouble winning at Siena a couple of weeks ago.

I know they didn't. So why make them have to do it again??

[Masterofreality]

Congrats to Coach Kels!

Agree. He's built that program from nothing. I'd love for him to get a shot at a higher level---how about at Loyola Chicago in the Missouri Valley? The Ramblers are just marking time...again....with Porter Moser. I've never seen a team lose more close games. One or two is one thing, but when you have a talent like Milton Doyle who can score at games end, and you keep losing close and in OT, there is a Coach problem. Good ones win. Mediocre ones lose.

Kels has proven his worth. If CMack would ever leave, and I hope he does not, there's your next X coach.

[X-band '01]

Before Go jumps in to interrupt, Gregg Marshall was the one that initially put Winthrop on the map. I'm glad Kelsey finally got over the hump after a couple close calls himself.

[X-band '01]

I know they didn't. So why make them have to do it again??

Because they failed to cash in a win at either Syracuse, South Carolina (which they lost on a last second shot) or North Carolina.

I know people really, REALLY want Monmouth in the tournament. The cold reality is that their resume just falls a little short. It's also a reason why Mick Cronin's premise of the tournament trying to sell tickets is garbage.

[GoMuskies]

Before Go jumps in to interrupt, Gregg Marshall was the one that initially put Winthrop on the map.

No, MOR is right. Marshall took Winthrop to 7 NCAA Tournaments in 9 years, then the guy who followed him let the program go back to being the festering heap that it was before Marshall. So Kelsey also had to build that program from nothing.

[GoMuskies]

Kels has proven his worth. If CMack would ever leave, and I hope he does not, there's your next X coach.

Eh.....no.

[XU 87]

Kels has proven his worth. If CMack would ever leave, and I hope he does not, there's your next X coach.

I think it would be between Kelsey and Steele.

[xubrew]

Because they failed to cash in a win at either Syracuse, South Carolina (which they lost on a last second shot) or North Carolina.

I know people really, REALLY want Monmouth in the tournament. The cold reality is that their resume just falls a little short. It's also a reason why Mick Cronin's premise of the tournament trying to sell tickets is garbage.

We're talking about two different things.

Yes, Monmouth still had a chance throughout the season to play their way into a position to earn an at-large. I'm not disputing that.

What I am saying is the same thing I've been saying about the Big South for the last three years. It's bullshit for a conference like the Metro Atlantic to give an advantage to a team that didn't finish in first place, hence putting the team who did finish first at a disadvantage.

I don't like it when leagues do nothing to help out their first place team. The Horizon League used to, but now they don't, and I think that kind of sucks. Same with the Southland, the Sun Belt, the WAC, the Big Sky, and some others. But, as bad as that is that they don't give the first place team some sort of advantage, at least they don't put them at any sort of a disadvantage. The Metro Atlantic does. That's complete crap. I love the conference tournaments, and had Siena gone to Monmouth for the semifinal game and beaten them, then fine. At least Monmouth was given an earned advantage, and Siena overcame it. But, Monmouth had to go to Siena. Again. That's ridiculous. Everyone on here is excited for Winthrop. How fair would it have been ahd they had to go to Gardner Webb for the semifinal game?? It would have been complete bullshit. How fair was it when they had to play a road game the last two years even though they were the first place team?? It was complete bullshit. That's why they changed it. It's not fair to put the most deserving team at a disadvantage, and give an advantage to a less deserving team.

I'm not saying Monmouth didn't have a chance during the regular season. I'm saying that's no justification for giving an even less deserving team a chance to play at home during the conference tournament.

[Masterofreality]

Eh.....no.

And why, pray tell?

[GoMuskies]

And why, pray tell?

Let's see a bit (okay, a LOT) more from Kelsey before we make that kind of proclamation. If he steps up to a mid-major and gets them winning and into the NCAA Tournament, I'll be right there with ya. Or if he sticks around at Winthrop and gets them around at-large level. But Kelsey hasn't done enough at this point to rate a job like Xavier. IMHO of course.

[AviatorX]

Doesn't it seem pretty obvious that Steele has been being groomed for the job? Named "Associate Head Coach," been extremely picky about what low-major jobs to interview for, etc. Why mess with what works?

[X-band '01]

I initially thought Steele would get the NKU job, but it turns out they may well have a keeper in John Brannen.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I supported Miller than Mack becoming the new coaches each time. If Mack leaves I would think X is now in a position to go after a hot mid major coach and get someone a little more "high profile"/proven than their own assistant coaches. Unless that guy is just so highly thought of as an upcoming star by X.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Norse now 40 minutes away from a tourney bid

[AviatorX]

UNCW is going to look great taking down UC in Sacramento or whatever far flung location the Bearcats land after Cronin's whining.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, I'm not seeing them beating Oakland and Valpo on back to back days in Detroit.

I nailed it!

[gladdenguy]

UNCW is going to look great taking down UC in Sacramento or whatever far flung location the Bearcats land after Cronin's whining.

If there is anything I want most other than more Xavier wins, it will be the kittens to lose on the first weekend of the tourney. I think they will win their first game, but I'm really hoping whoever they play in the 2nd game beats them (preferably by double digits)

[Masterofreality]

Let's see a bit (okay, a LOT) more from Kelsey before we make that kind of proclamation. If he steps up to a mid-major and gets them winning and into the NCAA Tournament, I'll be right there with ya. Or if he sticks around at Winthrop and gets them around at-large level. But Kelsey hasn't done enough at this point to rate a job like Xavier. IMHO of course.

My point is that A) Wnthrop was Siberia in South Carolina for College hoops before Kels got there. B) somehow the guy was able to recruit his ass off and get players. C) He's taken those players to be the best in his league.

Remember how Skip Prosser was an assistant, went To Loyola MD, got them to an NCAA in one year and was hired at X the next year? Kels has done more.

I love Travis Steal, but he's a recruiter and never managed a game, or program in his life. Kels has, with success.

That being said, I think CMack goes no where for now, and Kels moves up.

[GoMuskies]

Prosser got Loyola to the Tournament in one year. Much more impressive for now than what Kelsey has done to date. Remember, Winthrop had a stretch of going to the Tournament 7 times in 9 years not long ago. Winning at Winthrop isn't exactly unprecedented.

Kelsey is on the right track, but I personally don't think he's there yet.

[SM#24]

I know it was down post-Marshall, but Winthrop was still one of the top jobs in the Big South.

[xubrew]

I think Kelsey is a good coach. Had the Big South structured their tournament last year and the year before the way that they did this year, I think he would have gotten to at least one more NCAA Tournament.

Having said that, I don't believe him to be a shoe in for the Xavier job if it were to suddenly open. That's a pretty bold statement. He's good. Hell, he may even be a candidate. Hell, he may even be a serious candidate. And hell, he MAY end up getting it! But, I wouldn't call it a foregone conclusion. Not even close.

[AviatorX]

Not sure if this is the place for this but what were the details on Kelsey leaving Mack's staff a few years back? I just remember it being weird. I legitimately have no idea but I could see how that could come up if X was going down the coaching search road.

[GoMuskies]

The 14 day forced march that is the ACC Tournament (maybe it only seems that long) starts shortly.

[muskiefan82]

Not sure if this is the place for this but what were the details on Kelsey leaving Mack's staff a few years back? I just remember it being weird. I legitimately have no idea but I could see how that could come up if X was going down the coaching search road.

I thought he left coaching due to stress or something like that.

[xubrew]

NKU and Milwaukee are underway in the HL championship. There is no one in the arena. As odd as this may seem, it appears as though people in Detroit don't care about NKU v UWM.

This is what the Horizon League Tournament used to look like when it was at campus sites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCxNQn2e4F8

Meanwhile, Mount Saint Mary's is sold out for the NEC Championship game.

If this game were at NKU's campus, the crowd would have been much much much much much better. It may have sold out, or come close to it. Granted, it's less likely that the bracket would have collapsed and that NKU would have made it to the finals as the highest remaining seed, but still. This is a pathetic crowd. But, it's entirely understandable why it's pathetic.

[GoMuskies]

I'm imagining a Xavier/Butler final in an abandoned MSG.

[paulxu]

I hope Butler is not in the final this year.

[xubrew]

I'm imagining a Xavier/Butler final in an abandoned MSG.

I would actually love that. For starters, we'd be in the final. But an added bonus is that there is something about sticking it to the old Big East that appeals to me. I don't know why. Furthermore I know that it doesn't make any sense. But, it still appeals to me.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Didn't think I'd be getting so stressed out about an NKU game this March, but here we are.

[X-band '01]

They won't fill the Joe, but I'm sure there is a bigger crowd than the 3,500 at Mount St. Mary's.

What IS surprising is seeing a good crowd at Barclays for a Tuesday night ACC Tournament game. They caught a break with Pitt/GA Tech in the nightcap.

[THRILLHOUSE]

NORSE!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO!!! Unbelievable.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Congrats to NKU!

[muskiefan82]

It is really kinda cool that NKU made it in in year one of eligibility. Everything broke their way and they took advantage of it. Congrats Norse. Congrats.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Anybody have a guess as to what kinda seed they will be?

15? 14?

I know Horizon league is middle of pack so not usually a 15 seed but I have no idea if they Norse beat anyone any good at all.

[muskiefan82]

I see a matchup with UK or UL in the first (second) round.

[Juice]

I see a matchup with UK or UL in the first (second) round.

I'm hoping and praying for one of those two teams.

[xubrew]

They're most likely a #15 seed, and they may be heading to Indianapolis to play Kentucky or Louisville. Then they could face us in the Round of 32 after they win that game and we win the 7 v 10 game.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Anybody have a guess as to what kinda seed they will be?

15? 14?

I know Horizon league is middle of pack so not usually a 15 seed but I have no idea if they Norse beat anyone any good at all.

NKU's RPI isn't bad, somewhere in the 90's last time I checked, but a 15 seed is most likely, unless things really get screwy in the remaining lower conference tourneys.

[xubrew]

During all of the non-major tournament games ESPN gushes over the mid majors and how they get no respect and how the committee should take them over the P5 leagues. Then during the ACC, SEC, and Big Twelve tournaments those same people rant and rave about how tough those leagues are and how teams in the lower half of the standings belong on.

I agree with the former. The top teams from the non-power leagues are better than what they get credit for. They don't rack up top fifty wins, but they do win games that are harder to win than what most realize. Beating a top fifty team at home that has a losing record on the road isn't any harder than winning against a team that wins 75-80 percent of their home games, but isn't in the RPI top fifty. You always see a #12 or #13 team get through to the Round of 32. We usually see multiple teams do it. The reality is that when Hawaii beat Cal last year, it wasn't really a surprise, or even an upset. Cal didn't do shit away from home, and Hawaii beat some Big West teams on the road that were fantastic at home. Cal wasn't even the hardest game for them to win. Same with Yale. Same with UALR.

I really think that if Monmouth had been selected they were certainly capable of beating some one. I feel the same way about them now even though I know the committee won't take them. I'm glad UNC Wilmington won because they are really good, but probably wouldn't have been selected had they not won. They're certainly capable of beating a P5 team that built up their resume by winning top 50 games at home and did little else. They're also better than a lot of the teams the committee will take.

So is Middle Tennessee, although I THINK the committee will take them. I think. They should. But, maybe they won't.

It's hard for teams that have have to build their cases in November and December, and have to do it in games that oftentimes aren't on equal terms, and then if they do pick up some key wins, they basically don't have any games to get amped up for once league play begins. The best they can hope for is to not slip on a banana peal and end up with a bad loss. When all a team is playing for is to avoid a bad loss, that gets mentally tenuous. I think it's easier when you have games to actually get excited about. If Monmouth, and Texas Arlington, and UNC Wilmington, and Middle Tennessee, and Illinois State had the chance to play against tournament caliber power five teams at home the way that the mid-level power conference teams get to, they'd be able to win a lot of those games. They'd probably be able to win just about all of them outside of the top half of the protected seeds.

But, yeah, it's good to hear the love for some of these teams during these tournaments, even if it is from people who have never watched them before tonight and in a couple of days will be making a completely different argument about how the 9th ACC team belongs in.

[paulxu]

Onions!

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/18852635/iconic-announcer-bill-raftery-licences-phrases-likeness

[D-West & PO-Z]

C'mon Canes!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Could use a Huskies win over USC tonight as well. How are they so bad with the potential #1 pick on their team?

[AviatorX]

Could use a Huskies win over USC tonight as well. How are they so bad with the potential #1 pick on their team?

He is incredible, rest of the team sucks. He's also sat the last few games with knee soreness. Wouldn't be surprised (or honestly blame him at this point) if he doesn't go tonight.

Edit: Fultz is out tonight. And probably forever considering it's Washington.

[D-West & PO-Z]

He is incredible, rest of the team sucks. He's also sat the last few games with knee soreness. Wouldn't be surprised (or honestly blame him at this point) if he doesn't go tonight.

Edit: Fultz is out tonight. And probably forever considering it's Washington.

Great, ugh

[X-band '01]

I am going to go out on a limb and guess Air Force beats Wyoming today.

AFA started the game on a 25-0 run. Wyoming didn't score until the 11:30 mark.

[GIMMFD]

Well Duke decided not to collapse down the stretch being up 13 with like 7 minutes to go, Clemson got it down to 1. Thank god they closed them out, wouldn't want anybody else on the bubble to get a big win.

[X-band '01]

As a warning to people who think one bad outing in Championship Week will eliminate you, I give you the 2016 Tulsa Golden Hurricane as an example. They lost by 22 to Memphis and still snuck into the tournament with the last at-large bid.

[paulxu]

San Deigo St comes back from 18 down at half to force OT.

Chanticleers win in 1st round. (They're like a Gamecock wannabe)

[paulxu]

Hah!

Kieran Darcy ESPN Staff Writer

We just witnessed a major flare-up between St. John's and Georgetown, with both players and coaches having to be separated by officials and teammates. Chris Mullin himself had to be physically held back and was issued a technical foul, as was a Georgetown assistant.

[Muskie]

Hah!

Kieran Darcy ESPN Staff Writer

We just witnessed a major flare-up between St. John's and Georgetown, with both players and coaches having to be separated by officials and teammates. Chris Mullin himself had to be physically held back and was issued a technical foul, as was a Georgetown assistant.

That GTown assistant was Patrick Ewing. No joke.
MSG was on its feet.

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[paulxu]

I like that Goodman and the other guy are tweeting about it.
They're either in MSG, or watching FS1.

[D-West & PO-Z]

That GTown assistant was Patrick Ewing. No joke.
MSG was on its feet.

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Ewing is an assistant for Charlotte. Couldnt have been him.

[bjf123]

Ewing is an assistant for Charlotte. Couldnt have been him.

Sure looked like him.


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[D-West & PO-Z]

Sure looked like him.


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Is Ewing Jr an assistant on the team? Maybe it was him. I didnt see it but old Ewing is a Charlotte assistant.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Looked up their staff, Ewing Jr is the Director of Basketball Operations.

[Muskie]

They just said Patrick Ewing over the PA. Maybe it was JR?


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[D-West & PO-Z]

They just said Patrick Ewing over the PA. Maybe it was JR?


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Yes it was Jr.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Mizzou with win #8!

[AviatorX]

Fultz-less UDub jumped on USC early if anyone's staying up late.

[D-West & PO-Z]

He is incredible, rest of the team sucks. He's also sat the last few games with knee soreness. Wouldn't be surprised (or honestly blame him at this point) if he doesn't go tonight.

Edit: Fultz is out tonight. And probably forever considering it's Washington.

Dont look now but UW up 10 with 3 mins left in 1st half.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Fultz-less UDub jumped on USC early if anyone's staying up late.

jinx.

Plus we probably just jinxed UW, USC gonna start rolling now.

[D-West & PO-Z]

jinx.

Plus we probably just jinxed UW, USC gonna start rolling now.

20-5 run for USC since this post.

[XUMIOH12]

20-5 run for USC since this post.

I wouldn't blame the post, Washington just sucks.

[STL_XUfan]

Down goes kansas.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Didnt know Elaine's son played for Northwestern.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Dayton goes down to Davidson. They were down 16 came all the way back and took the lead then lost. They will get the dreaded 8/9 game now

[Porkopolis]

So proud of my other alma mater today. Marshall buried 19 threes to knock of La Tech and earn the finals matchup with MTSU tomorrow. It has been 30 years since the Herd went dancing, but D'Antoni has them on track.

[xudash]

Dayton goes down to Davidson. They were down 16 came all the way back and took the lead then lost. They will get the dreaded 8/9 game now

VD. The mediocre gift that keeps giving in underwhelming abundance.

Way to give the Big East leadership continuing proof that you're useless when it comes to expansion candidates, which they fortunately aren't focused on anyway.

[X Factor]

So looking at Lunardi's brackets, how does he have Wisky and MSU seeded higher than X...Dayton for that matter?

[GIMMFD]

So proud of my other alma mater today. Marshall buried 19 threes to knock of La Tech and earn the finals matchup with MTSU tomorrow. It has been 30 years since the Herd went dancing, but D'Antoni has them on track.

Was just about to talk about this, I remember watching John Elmore at GW when he was a freshman, him and Luke Eddy (went on to play at High Point in NC I believe) were disgusting, I didn't think it would translate to a 20.3 ppg and 6.1 apg player at the D1 level, but whew. Also in the first half Marshall had 49 points, and 48 came off of threes... how crazy!!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Vandy with a big win. I think that is the 3rd time they beat FL this year.

[xubrew]

UT Arlington lost Jalen Jones, who is a key player, in their quarterfinal win yesterday. I didn't realize it until today. That REALLY sucks. They can still win the conference tournament without him, but this team was good enough to really make a #4 or #5 seeded team sweat in the Round of 64, and maybe even beat them. They won at Saint Mary's, and won some other big road games as well. They can't do that without Jalen Jones.

[THRILLHOUSE]

NKU's RPI isn't bad, somewhere in the 90's last time I checked, but a 15 seed is most likely, unless things really get screwy in the remaining lower conference tourneys.

Welp, thanks for some other lower conference upsets, NKU might be on the 14 seed line now.

[powerofX]

AAC championship attendance is impressive. #midmajor

[KabeX]

Wow. There's less people there than your typical D III Women's game. Wait .. Thomas More is really good and draw well.

[nuts4xu]

AAC championship attendance is impressive. #midmajor

That conference is fantastic! They may actually get 2 whole teams in the tourney this year!

[xudash]

Damn shame about the Badgers. Not.

[powerofX]

That conference is fantastic! They may actually get 2 whole teams in the tourney this year!

One less than A10. Actually looked at a10 highlights. I think they had more fans in Pitts.