JuiceCruz16

This just shows you how a tournament setting is a whole different animal. One and done and funny things will happen. I tell you what though Tucker & Koshal are big timers. The rest of DePaul's cast is just putrid though.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Mar 10, 2009 -> 12:43 PM) It's more to get Mills some minutes. But getting to 26 wins won't hurt either. They are done, with how they got beat by Gonzaga last night. Mills is not near 100% and a win will do nothing for their cause. They are headed for the NIT and maybe a bit more time on the court can help Mills prepare for a run in the NOT INVITED TOURNAMENT>

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Mar 9, 2009 -> 02:01 PM) I just spit my drink up when you said number 1 seed. They also did not have to go on the road to Texas, Ok State and did not have to face a Michael Beasley on the road. Yes, we had a better record, but against way easier competition, and a major break(Griffin Injury) I realize this teams has gotten progressively better over the year, but number 1 seed talk is just ridic. As a KU fan, this year is like playing with the house's money. I did not expect them to compete for a Big 12 title, nor make that much damage in the NCAA tourney. The run to the Big 12 Championship shows the amazing coaching by Self. If this team reaches the Sweet 16,I will chalk it up to a sweet rebuilding year. I know the feeling, it reminds me a lot of my Tarheels in '06 and the job Roy did after losing over 90% of the minutes and points from their national championship team. It still sucked when they were eliminated though even though it was house money. George Mason in the second round (after upsetting Michigan State already) didn't seem as bad after they kept rolling to the four.

QUOTE (watchtower41 @ Mar 9, 2009 -> 01:29 PM) This '08-'09 team did better in conference (2 losses) than the Jayhawks' national championship team last year, they very much deserve a No. 2 seed at this point. There are plenty of ramblings going around on if they continue to go on and win the Big XII tourney, they still have an outside shot at a No.1 seed. Many people thinking 1 conference will not get two No.1's this year. The Big East will almost certainly get 2 #1 seeds, maybe even 3. I have not heard of Kansas getting any real consideration for a #1 seed. Oklahoma, Louisville, Memphis, even Michigan State I've heard bantered about, but 2 is as high as I've heard Kansas mentioned. Bracketology 101 is another good site that actually has a bit better record for seeds then Lunardi does. I think they had 40 seeds exact last year. Lunardi was on ESPN radio a bit ago and he said the usually for show conference tournaments take on more meaning this year. Right now he has 8 big 10 teams in, but he said there is zero chance for 8 to make it by next Sunday. almost all are possible bubble teams (except Mich.St., Illinois, & Purdue) and they all need to win which is impossible, because most will matchup with each other. The solid but not strong makeup of the big 10 will make for a very meaningful matchup at almost everygame.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Mar 9, 2009 -> 09:24 AM) I'd go with a 4 at best. 13-16 in the country sounds about right to me. Who have they beaten? I know they beat Purdue at Purdue way back in the first month of the season. A couple of wins over Florida State. Lunardi has them as a 2 right now, which is insane. Again, i'm not saying they're a bad team. But overrated in the sense that they're not going to be competing for a final four spot, as their seeding would indicate. Lunardi has his latest out. Duke is a 3 along with Wake Forest, Villanova, and Washington. 4's Mizzou UCLA, Clemson, and Xavier. I don't know but do you really think Duke's season was more like the 4's then the 3's. Hell, they split with Wake losing at the buzzer on the road, and they finished ahead of Clemson from the same conference. I don't think they are getting any favors. They are super vulnerable to almost any first round matchup though.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Mar 9, 2009 -> 10:31 AM) You don't want to lose a game this time of year... Well, it's not that big of a thing if you lose in some situations, and in can be a negative to win out in others. Pitt was worn out during that crazy run to the Big East crown last year. It can be a benifit in some cases to bow out if it does not effect your seed. I will root HARD for my Heels to win the tourney, but I'm fine if they don't and stay healthy and rested as a 1 seed overall. I would be curious to see the results of NCAA winners and how they fared in their conference tournaments the last 20 years or so.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Mar 9, 2009 -> 09:24 AM) I'd go with a 4 at best. 13-16 in the country sounds about right to me. Who have they beaten? I know they beat Purdue at Purdue way back in the first month of the season. A couple of wins over Florida State. Lunardi has them as a 2 right now, which is insane. Again, i'm not saying they're a bad team. But overrated in the sense that they're not going to be competing for a final four spot, as their seeding would indicate. He had them as a #2 on March 6, before the Carolina loss. Not a current #2 by Lunardi they just haven't updated it since the weekend. They were #2 in rpi rankings before they played Carolina, how could a #2 rpi be a 4 seed at that point? Duke's 25 wins are every bit as solid as the teams around them. Who have the teams directly above and below them beat that is more impressive, like Michigan State. If you don't think Duke has quality wins thats fine, but you will be hard pressed to objectively have them lower then a three and no way below a 4 at this point. I don't equate a upset with not deserving the seed. The seed is on regular season performance, maybe if it was a 3 game series each round okay, but in a one and done format teams will go down to teams who were worse in the regular season quite often. If Mich. St. goes down in the big 10 tourney it doesen't mean they weren't deserving of the top seed. The same goes for the NCAA. Results will vary in a one and done, but the seeds for the tourney reflect only the regular season performance. As a 3 seed they would be expected to lose in the sweet sixteen though, so the seed wouldn't expect national title contention.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Mar 9, 2009 -> 08:27 AM) I never said they weren't elite, but I don't think their in the top 10 programs of the last decade. They've played second fiddle to UNC for the better part of this century. And take away their lofted seedings and I think they'd be a good but not great team. What seed do you think they deserve this year. They are looking at a 3 seed at this point. A 4 at worst is about as low as anyone can logically go. Again I despise Duke, but finding more then 12 to 16 teams with a better resume (3 & 4 seeds) this year is not going to happen. Now, with their limitations every team they face will have a crack at taking them out early, and hopefully that happens again.

QUOTE (Palehosefan @ Mar 8, 2009 -> 04:13 PM) Great career Tyler, Danny, and Bobby. Tyler has so many records and accolades, but Danny Green has been the ultimate glue guy. He's one of UNC's top 40 scorers in history with almost 1,300 points now. Bobby is UNC's best defender when Ginyard is out, and has found his shot again thankfully. What a class and way to end the regular season. A pretty special class. They were not the most highly touted group, and they were thrown right into the fire since "everyone" was gone from the 2005 national championship squad. They shocked everyone that year going 24-8 or something like that. Then as sophs they coughed up a comfortable lead in the elite 8 only to lose in OT to G'town after a stellar year. Jr. year a final four birth after 30 more wins. Disappointing final games (G'town/Kansas) can taint peoples perceptions of a group, but it shouldn't this has been a strong group even with some devastating injuries (Ginyard and Frasor) to deal with. Hopefully they can finish strong in their swan song. Ty and Wayne are junior's but I would be shocked if either will be back, so an impressive group played their last game at the Dean Dome Sunday and left the court with a smile, by beating Duke.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Mar 8, 2009 -> 04:09 PM) Pssh. North Carolina yes, Duke no. Duke is completely overrated (again). When was the last championship again, 8 seasons ago? And don't give me that crap about sweet sixteens and elite eight appearances. Any good team that gets overrated seeding year in and year out would be able to do the same. As much as I dislike Duke and think they are fatally flawed this year they were #2 in RPI going into the UNC game. When you look at the teams that are ranked 7 through 10 they fit in well with them. They are not overrated this year, but they sure as hell don't strike a lot of fear in many teams. No penetration from their point guard and no bigs whatsoever is a major weakness for any team.

There is a debate about wheather it is better to win your conference tourney, if you have to battle out 3 tough games in a row, or is it better to go out a bit early with the real tournament starting next week. UNC seems to have a #1 seed locked up so a lose would not mean that much for their NCAA seeding. Roy has been accused of taking the foot of the pedal for the ACC tourney in similar situations in the past. Last year they battled out tough ones every step of the way to the title, who knows it should be fun anyway. Many beleive Pitt winning the Big East last year in such a rugged fashion may have hurt them.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 12:09 PM) No, will be fired by Angelo (although it should be the opposite.) Biggest surprise in baseball this year? The Oakland A's Will Greg Oden ever become an all star?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 10:13 AM) If they dont horribly choke away home games to Purdue & Illinois, they might have lock status right now. Now they probably have to win @OSU this weekend, and then make it like the finals of the BTT, with at least one win over MSU, PUR or ILL along the way. Northwestern is more enjoyable to watch then most of the Big 11 teams this year, but short of winning the Big 11 tourney they have no chance of going to the big dance. O for forever when it comes to N'western's efforts to participate in the NCAA tourney will continue, that is just an amazing stat. Never making it? Wow.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 10:56 AM) Shut up huh? Smoked by Kansas, beaten by ILL, and was ranked higher than both. Definition of overrated actually. I might agree with you overall, but those 2 games don't scream overrated all by theirself. Hell, Carolina was beat at home by Boston College and they were beat by Wake Forest, (not mentioning the split with Maryland) yet they are ranked ahead of those 2 teams, is that the definiton of overrated?. Do you really think Illinois should be ranked ahead of Mizzou at this point? Really?

Nice win on the road for the Heels on Va. Tech's senior night. Ed Davis was a beast on dee, and Ellington seems to be stroking it which is always key. Pitt looks impressive again running away from Marquette down the stretch. Kansas sleepwalks through a beatdown. Collins pregame comments about how sweet it is to celebrate a Big 12 title in an opponents lockerroom didn't work out so good. Any word on Taylor's injury? Oklahoma seems to have in a bit of internal trouble growing as of late. Padilla's recent suspension, Warren sat for being late for team functions, and then he seems to be pissed about the punishment. This could be a major issue with the dance right around the corner if they don't right the ship and get on the same page.

QUOTE (greasywheels121 @ Mar 3, 2009 -> 08:06 PM) Thank you for your services Kyle Taber (Tots), the lone Hoosier senior. This season will not look pretty by any means on paper, but it's been a blast to watch. Let's burst someone's bubble in the Big Ten tourney, and end the season on a high note. You are one of the few if not the only IU fan I know, and unfortunatly I know many, that would qualify this season as " a blast to watch". Most I know are just downright embarrased, and want to move on as quickly as possible. They have pretty much just written this season off and want to act like it never happened.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 10:54 PM) Proof against my argument? It hasnt happened since 2000. If it happened 2 years ago then its against my point but it happened 9 years ago. And the ACC was a 9 team league back then. The trend doesnt lie. The BCS schools will always have a min. number of teams getting into the bracket. Of course the selection committee is going to say what they are saying. Can you imagine the crap they would get if they came right out and said 18 at-large bids automatically go to the major conferences?There is NO set amount that must come from major conferences. This year it looks like 8 will come from both the Big East & the ACC and that is because the mid majors are WEAK this year, along with the Big 12 and SEC. The MAC, MVC, Conf. USA etc. suck so more majors will go. In most cases a middle of the pack team from a strong BCS conference has a better resume then a 2nd or 3rd place team in a mid-major conference. It's just how it is, there is no conspiracy needed to take the more deserving school in the first place. The "trend" is that usually horizon league teams and the like only should get in if they win their weak ass confernces. The few that merit more consideration get just that equal consideration regardless of the conference they play in.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Feb 26, 2009 -> 07:40 AM) Ever since the beginning of the year, I've liked Williams. He has so much talent but his basketball IQ is still a bit small- he fouls at wrong times, etc. I like what he brings though- effort on the offensive glass and he can shoot pretty well. I think it was more of coach K. being stubborn with playing his best players even if they are freshman. Duke is athletically challenged at the guard spot, but K. would not give E. Williams any meaningful run until it became painfully obvious that they needed to have him on the court. He is by far their best option to defend skilled guards as well, occasional poor fouls and all. Vazquez sitting basically the entire second half was a killer for the Terps, as well.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Feb 24, 2009 -> 02:31 PM) LOL a 2 seed? We aren't even in March and Kansas needs to beat Missouri and win the Big 12 Tournament for a 2 seed. Maybe just winning the tournament will do it, but I would have to think they are on the outside looking in for a 2 seed. There are about 10 to 15 teams all in position for being anywhere from a 2 to a 5 seed depending on how they finish (Kansas fits squarly among them). It is a bit like last year where there were four clear #1 seeds ( who all amazinly lived up to those expectations) then everyone else bunched as possible upset types. This year seems much the same with Oklahoma still being considered top shelf even with a limited schedule, as long as Griffin is healthy. It is weird how everyone is saying Oklahoma will not be hit for being a #2/3 who just lost at home because Griffin was sidelined, but Kansas is getting the props of beating the #2/3 team and is expected to get the boost that comes with going in to the #2/3 place and coming out with the big win. In any case it was a hell of a game but it is MUCH too early to be thinking seeds are set in any concrete way.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Feb 24, 2009 -> 10:56 AM) Memphis conference wins should count as 1/2 victories. I can't recall, but I think I've heard that once the tourney starts it doesen't matter what conference one comes from. It's just one for all at that point. At least that applies to the Big 12 and it's down year, if I remember correctly.. Conference USA was pretty weak last year too.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Feb 23, 2009 -> 02:42 PM) The fact that KU is actually playing in a game of this magnitude is utter shock to me. I thought .500 int he Big 12 for sure going into this season, thanks Coach Self. They have played well, but a lot of the thanks has to go to the piss poor Big 12 this year. Being .500 in this years piss poor Big 12 would be woefully underacheiving, even with the young group the Jayhawks have.

I'm very happy to see Ty Zeller back, he logged 9 minutes and looked pretty rusty (2 points, 4 boards, and 4 fouls), but it will help to get acclamated to the physical play these last few weeks before the tournament. Hopefully Saturday at Maryland he will get some more "tick" and give some much needed depth to the bench after the loss of Ginyard & Graves.

Word is that Tyler Zeller will be back for the N.C. State game. This could be great news, as there is a decent amount of time left in the regular season for him to be a factor come tournament time. Hansborough is expected to play as well, after his slight concussion Sunday night.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Feb 12, 2009 -> 10:55 AM) He's not coming to Kansas. Prized 2010 recruit Harrison Barnes was at the Duke game last night and would be a brothariffic addition. Yep, everyone made a big deal about him wearing a Duke shirt at the game. I tell you what I think does hurt Duke, the fact that guys like Elliot Williams is buried by Coach K. on the bench just because he is a frosh. They are clearly athletically challenged and Williams is a stud recruit with big time athleticism, but K just doesn't give Plumlee/Williams much run at all. For a stud like Barnes/Wall who should be preping for the NBA, this looks like a pretty big minus for going to Duke.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Feb 11, 2009 -> 07:38 AM) I hate these Duke/UNC games. Obviously, you guys hate them for all the publicity they get, and as a Duke fan, I agree to a certain degree but the nervousness that is right now up until tip-off is ridiculous. Atleast Hawks/Thrashers will take me through it. It's just round 1, they will meet again in a month, and quite often a week after that in the ACC tourney. I try to keep it in perspective, with march madness right around the corner, but it's always a bit nerve racking before the matchup. Hopefully Danny, and Tyler can complete their 4 year sweep in front of the "crazies" tonight.