This was definitely one of the better NCAA tournaments in recent memory and here are some of the sites and sounds of the tournament:
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Tags: ncaa tournament, one shining moment
by Big Snack and Diegopierogisnat@gmail.compierogisnat.blogspot.comIt is not only uncommon, but it is unheard of for all four number 1 seeds to make it the to the final four in the NCAA Tournament. This year a record was set as Memphis, UCLA, UNC, and Kansas all marched through the first four games to make it to San Antonio. We are set up for some top-notch heavyweight battles this Saturday. [read more]
We're down to the sweet sixteen in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Here's the guide to what games are on with start times. Day Time (eastern) Team Team 3/27 Thursday 7:10 West Virginia (7) Xavier (2) 3/27 Thursday 7:27 Washington St. (4) North Carolina (1) 3/27 Thursday 9:40 Western Kentucky (12) UCLA (1)
He's got Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA and Pittsburgh going to the final four with North Carolina winning it all, according to media folks who are traveling with the Obama press. Report says Obama put down $10 and filled out his tourney bracket to play with his campaign staff. Hmmm. Pittsburgh. He does need that city's votes for the upcoming Pennsylvania primary.
"It's go time", as Mendlebaum said on Seinfeld. People may not be trying to lift a heavy TV and throw out their back right now but they're probably frantically figuring all the permutations and scenarios dancing in their heads with...
If you've followed our coverage of the NCAA tournament (the first time we've ever done so, by the way) you've probably noticed that our regional champions include exactly zero shockers.Going in to the tourney, we viewed only 7 teams as having a real shot at the title. That's right, only 7: North Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas, Georgetown, Texas, Memphis, and UCLA. These 7 are so strong that we don't see anyone slipping by them from the lower seeds into the Final Four.Our Final Four picks were as follows:East: North CarolinaMidwest: GeorgetownSouth: TexasWest: UCLANo surprises there. And these four will provide some amazing games. We can't wait. Here's what will happen...National Semi-Finals PredictionsNorth Carolina over GeorgetownUCLA over TexasAnd finally...National Championship WinnerUCLAY
Many experts say UCLA has the easiest path to the Final Four. We call this the "kiss of death." Whenever the talking heads start singing your praises, you don't have a chance, right? You're jinxed for sure.Well, that's usually the case. And if you follow our fantasy football coverage, you know there's nothing we love more than proving the experts wrong. But--and we know this might cause you to cancel your subscription to TJI--in this case, we have to agree.UCLA has all the components of a champion. They're battle-tested, have multiple scoring threats, and they're well coach. Last year's run will serve them well, as they won't be distracted by the spotlight. And the biggest change from this year to last--Freshman stud Kevin Love--will help them, too.And when you take a look at the other tea
Not me; footy season has started and a rip snorter it was. Here's one for ya Clive at the Ol' Oz Tek in McCook. Once again me Tiges prevail over your Blues.Richmond Tigers 17.7 (109) to Carlton Blues 11.13 (79)."But trust me, with 21 rounds to go and after 25 plus years of futility I can still experience once again what it is to be a Cubs fan."
John Calipari is going to want to give Dan Marino a call one of these days. No, not to sign up for Nutri-system or borrow some Isotoners. The call's going to need to be made so the two can chat about not being able to win it all. Every winter, we cheered for ol' Danny Boy to will his team to the title. But it never happened. And many-a-March in the 90's were spent cheering on Calipari's UMass teams. But they couldn't pull it off, either.Now John Calipary has a new home, the University of Memphis and yet another 30-win squad. But unfortunately it is not, once again, the year of the Tigers. And we've got two words that sum up the reason why: Conference USA. Memphis needs to get out of that conference and play some real teams. Otherwise, tourney time is going to be more of the same year in, y
Have you noticed that none of the "experts" are bringing you much in the way of upsets this year? Last year, with a tournament that was by our accounts light on Cinderella stories, has apparently made everyone a little gun-shy.But think about it. In years past, what has made the tourney so enjoyable? It's the upsets, baby. It's what's either ruined your bracket or made you the king/queen of the office, if only for a day after you picked Winthrop or Rider or Holy Cross on a whim.Well, we here at TJI think that when it comes to the Elite Eight and Final Four, the Cinderella stories will once again be sparse. But if there's a region where some drama might occur, it's the Midwest. Clemson and Vandy are a bit over-rated, as is chic upset pick USC, and Gonzaga is not the Gonzaga of old.And no on
Tired of relying on experts picks or your own knowledge? Well I have my own strategy at trying to pick some of the NCAA Tournament games myself. Now I will reveal my own strategy and you can decide for yourself if it's useful or not...Picking a National ChampionBefore filling out a single game, pick your national champion first. It just works out better that way, in my opinion. There are a few characteristics a national championship team should have; Here are some qualities you should look for in a champion (In no particular order):1. Guard PlayA title team needs to have floor generals and an experienced PG who lead the team. The teams who lack an efficient floor general will be more susceptible to turnovers and shooting woes.2. DefenseDefense is probably the biggest factor for a national
The beasts of the East, UNC, must be ticked with the way things turned out. In order to make it to the Final Four in San Antonio, they might have to beat Louisville or Tennessee and/or Indiana and/or Notre Dame. That's not right.As the number one overall seed, they deserve an easier path to the Alamodome. But, as a consolation, their first four games would all be played in Carolina. A friendly crowd can be the difference maker in a tough game, so this is key.And while at first glance the other highly seeded teams in this region are tough, in actuality, they've each got issues: Louisville hasn't shown us any proof that they have what it takes to make a title run; Tennessee's zany and unpredictable coach might be their undoing; Indiana has the talent, but the upheaval is going to be too much
The top 3 seeds in each region are:
East
#1 - North Carolina
#2 - Tennessee
#3 - Louisville
Projected winner - North Carolina
Midwest
#1 - Kansas
#2 - Georgetown
#3 - Wisconsin
Projected winner - Kansas
South
#1 - Memphis
#2 - Texas
#3 - Stanford
Projected winner - Texas
West
#1 - UCLA
#2 - Duke
#3 - Xavier
Projected winner - UCLA
I really wanted to pick some underdogs but I can’t [...]
If and when all teams play an equal number of games, the Power Points System will produce the same results as simply adding a team's winning percentage and its opponents' winning percentage (including games against). That said, I have added each college basketball team's winning percentage and its opponents' winning percentage (excluding games against) based on information posted at warrennolan.com in order to approximate the field and seedings for the NCAA tournament if the Power Points System were used rather than a selection committee. The Power Points System and the selection committee disagreed on six teams. The Power Points System favored VCU, Illinois State, Stephen F. Austin, Dayton, New Mexico, and IUPUI. The selection committee favored Kansas State, St. Joseph's, Kentucky, Arizon
NCAA tournament still in sight.
Florida – 77, Georgia – 64
The Florida-Georgia rivalry exists beyond football season and Jacksonville’s “largest outdoor cocktail party of the year.” The Gator basketball team met the Bulldogs last night at the Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, GA.
The Gators (21-7, 8-5 Southeastern Conference) needed another win after three straight road losses. [...]
NCAA tournament still in sight.
Florida – 77, Georgia – 64
The Florida-Georgia rivalry exists beyond football season and Jacksonville’s “largest outdoor cocktail party of the year.” The Gator basketball team met the Bulldogs last night at the Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, GA.
The Gators (21-7, 8-5 Southeastern Conference) needed another win after three straight road losses. [...]
Steve Wieberg, USA TODAY Read the lips of the 10 men who oversee the NCAA’s Division I men’s basketball tournament:
No expansion. At least for now.
Many coaches want it, and NCAA President Myles Brand voiced support in March for limited expansion of the 65-team field. But Princeton athletics director Gary Walters, chairman of the Division I men’s basketball committee, says there’s no sentiment for change as the panel heads into six days of meetings in Denver starting Sunday. That’s holding more…
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — There’s more to the Oklahoma Sooners than Courtney Paris.
Just enough, it turns out, for the third-seeded Sooners to hold off No. 14 Southeast Missouri State 74-60 on Saturday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Freshman Jenna Plumley, all 5-foot-4 inches of her, had 20 points behind six 3-pointers and Leah Rush scored 19 to lead Oklahoma (27-4).
Sonya Daugherty led Southeast Missouri State (24-8) with 25 points in the Dayton Regional’s opening
more…
Finally, a full night of entertaining basketball, both college and pro. The tip-off of the Sweet Sixteen was last night and all four of the games were gripping including 3 of the 4 coming down to the final moments.(5) Tennessee- 84(1) Ohio State- 85Ron Lewis came up HUGE yet again and helped spark a historic 20-point comeback to knock off the 5th seeded Tennessee Volunteers, 85-84. At halftime the Vols were up by 17 and were seemingly cruising to a trip to the Elite 8, because not only did they have the hot shooting, Chris Lofton on their side they also had history with them. The biggest comeback in a NCAA Tournament game at the half that ended in Regulation was the 17 points erased by UNLV. And not only that, the Buckeye's leading scorer, Greg Oden, was on the bench most of the second half due to foul trouble."In this tournament, the two most important words are `survive' and `advance,' and we've been very, very fortunate the last couple of games to do those things," said Buckeyes
Best day of college basketball to watch so far. Thrilling overtimes and fantastic finishes throughout the day which had me jumping out of my seat numerous times.Saturday Thrillers:OSU 78 Xavier 71 OTI thought I was going to see the first 1 seed go down in OSU, who is the first 1 seed I have falling to Tennessee.Ron Lewis revived the Buckeyes' national championship hopes with a long 3-pointer with two seconds left to force overtime, then Mike Conley dominated OT for a clutch victory over Xavier in a second-round South Regional game Saturday.Ohio State trailed 55-44 with 7½ minutes left, and was still down 61-52 with 2:54 to play. When Greg Oden fouled out with a hard shove after Xavier's Justin Cage rebounded an errant Buckeyes shots in the final 10 seconds, they looked lost.But OSU prevailed and showed some poise. Lewis finished with 27 points, going 4-for-5 from 3-point range and making all seven of his free throws. Conley scored 21 and Greg Oden had 14 points, 12 rebounds, two blo
1st RoundPlay in GameNiagara (22-11) vs Florida A&M (21-13)winner: NiagaraMIDWEST(ST.LOUIS)1. Florida (29-5) vs 16. Jackson State (21-13)Winner: Florida8. Arizona (20-10) vs 9. Purdue (21-11)Winner: Arizona5. Butler (27-6) vs 12. Old Dominion (24-8)Winner: Old Dominion4. Maryland (24-8) vs 13. Davidson (29-4)Winner: Maryland6. Notre Dame (24-7) vs 11. Wintrop (28-4)Winner: Wintrop3. Oregon (26-7) vs 14. Miami(OH) (18-14)Winner: Oregon7. UNLV (28-6) vs 10. Georgia Tech (20-11)Winner: Georgia Tech2. Wisconsin (29-5) vs 15. Texas A&M-CC (26-6)Winner: WisconsinWEST(SAN JOSE)1. Kansas (30-4) vs 16. Niagara (23-11)Winner: Kansas8. Kentucky (21-11) vs 9. Villanova (22-10)Winner: Villanova5. Virginia Tech (21-11) vs 12. Illinois (23-11)Winner: Virginia Tech4. Southern Illinois (27-6) vs 13. Holy Cross (25-8)Winner: Southern Illinois6. Duke (22-10) vs 11. Virginia Commonwealth (27-6)Winner:Duke3. Pittsburgh (27-7) vs 14. Wright State (23-9)Winner: Pittsburgh7. Indiana (20-10) vs 10. Gonzaga (23
OK, so here is my rundown of my tournament picks. Stay tuned for Stefan's comprehensive picks tomorrow and more March Madness can currently be celebrated over at Complete Sports.ALL PICKS ARE BOLDEDMIDWESTFIRST ROUND(1) Florida vs. (16) Jackson St.(8) Arizona vs. (9) PurduePurdue has been playing well but Arizona is too athletic for the Boilermakers. Just not a good matchup for Purdue(5) Butler vs. (12) Old DominionButler is coming in cold and Old Dominion is hot right now. It's going to be a very close game but I think you can look for Butler to pull it together a bit and get through the first round.(4) Maryland vs. (13) Davidson(6) Notre Dame vs. (11) WinthropA lot of people like Winthrop as a upset-minded mid-major team. Notre Dame can shoot the lights out and will live and die from beyond the arc. In the first round they live.(3) Oregon vs. (14) Miami-OH(7) UNLV vs. (10) Georgia TechI like Georgia Tech with the upset. Much like the Arizona vs. Purdue matchup this just doesn't do
As promised, below I give you my bracket breakdown by region. Scroll to the end of the post to see my picks for the regional finals and beyond.EAST: Georgetown over North CarolinaThis has the trappings of an awful matchup for the Tar Heels. They love to get out and run, while the Hoyas are the anti-Heels, cutting down on possessions and playing a patient half-court game. I'm not sold on UNC as a championship contender and think the Hoyas are clicking on all cylinders. The team that dictates the pace of the game will win - I think that will be Georgetown.SOUTH: Texas A&M over Ohio StateI know that the Buckeyes have more talent and some NBA team's future franchise player in Greg Oden, but I just believe in point guard Acie Law IV and Coach Billy Gillespie. They've done the unthinkable by making Aggies basketball relevant. Now they'll cement their status as part of the college basketball elite by advancing to the Final Four.WEST: UCLA over KansasDespite their first round loss in the P
