Is it really Thursday already?? I'm not complaining though. Really love tonight's slate and think we're in for a solid night of basketball.
Here are the times: (EST)
7:07 on CBS - Nevada vs Loyola
7:37 on TBS - A& M vs Michigan
9:37 (Probably closer to 10) on CBS - Kentucky vs Kansas St
10:07 (Closer to 10:30) on TBS - Gonzaga vs Florida St
7:07 on CBS - Kansas vs Clemson
7:27 on TBS - West Virginia vs Villanove
9:37 on CBS - Syracuse vs Duke
9:57 on TBS - Purdue vs Texas Tech
Who ya got?
A&M
Kentucky - watched the J Cal 30 for 30 and it was very good
Zags
Kansas
WVU
Duke
Texas Tech
At least thats what I need to finish at least respectable in my pool. I had Arizona winning it all. Nobody from UVA feels bad for me though.
Or the highest remaining seed in that region is a 5 (Kentucky).
Since my brackets are busted, gotta go with Loyola-Chicago. Shit George Mason did it, why can’t they!
A & M
UK
Zags (will be a great game)
Kansas
Nova
Duke
Texas Tech
Otherwise, I'll actually throw my hat in the ring for Kansas St. Haven't watched much of them this year but they've been playing really well and Kentucky has an off night regularly.. Loyola/Kansas St to go to the final four would be crazy.
Think Florida St will give Gonzaga some problems, but the Zags match up well in my opinion. I like Gonzaga to go back to the title game.
Tomorrow will be a lot for straight forward. It wouldn't be an upset but the only lower seed I see winning is Texas Tech. Hope Cuse wins though.
Wagner has to show up and stay out of foul trouble. Otherwise they are in trouble.
My biggest issue is that they bunch all the games together. There are 4 games tonight and if you only have 1 tv you can only really watch 2 of them. At least start the first game at like 6.
...you'd do other things with your time. The lineup tonight wouldnt even make ESPN - it'd be on like ESPNU.
They played as good as they ever could have played last sunday. Carolina probably played their worst game in 3 years.
There's no denying that a&m played terrific last week, but it was obviously a fluke relative to the type of team they are.
They also can't play from behind a big margin. Complete front running team that has had attitude and turnover problems all year
But holy shit some of these turnovers by A&M I would shake my head if my 8 year old nephew made passes like that
24 point lead at halftime and they have nearly as many points as they had in the Montana & Houston games.
+90
People were ripping the ACC last week, but they have 25% of the field remaining
SGA does look good. Knox, not so much so far. Not sure he is worth a top 10 pick. He also seems like more of a 4 than a 3 (which I think is what the Knicks need most).
Nobody gave the Seminoles a chance against Gonzaga, and they are just minutes away from the Elite 8.
Brutal.
Loyola will beat them
Too little too late, though. Not sold completely on either of these Kentucky guys for the Knicks, will watch Mikal Bridges tomorrow night.
I'm sure Duke will win. I find myself rooting for Nova now just to beat rat face. And Novas buzzer beater still haunts.
They've taken out the #8 seed, the #1 seed, and the #4 seed, now they are taking on the #3 seed. And nobody will give them a chance, again. I think it's going to be a helluva game!
I understand the economic incentives for one-and-done, but in the case of SGA and Knox I think both the players and the sport would benefit from them staying in college another year or two. They don't look NBA-ready to me.
This game has been a snoozefest. Syracuse obviously has to play at this pace, but its brutal to watch
Other than Bagley being allowed to continuously lower his shoulder and run guys over to create space
Other than missing a couple obvious travels, I don't think the refs have been bad.
Other than missing a couple obvious travels, I don't think the refs have been bad.
I would certainly hope a team with 4 mercenaries and one senior that has already seen the Cuse zone and coach sees it every year would be built to beat it.
They didn't light the world on fire.
You're just not beating Duke 52-50. Syracuse basically needs to do that.
Michigan State has to be absolutely ill losing a home game to a team that simply can not put the ball in the basket.
Boeheim has sucked every bit out of this team that he can. I hope they have a miracle run in them in the 2nd half. I doubt it but here's to hoping
As ugly as this game has been, if SU's going to pull it out, it'll have to get even uglier.
They really needed a basket there at the end to keep this under 6.
This team has pulled things out before - even winning last game with Howard fouling out, but this will be a tall order.
Jacket is off. Let's counter it with getting Allen to trip the fuck out of somebody.
Never seen a 7-footer blow so many dunks.
But we proved we belonged in the tourney
Too many poor choices made in the past 5 years.
Grant leaving. Lydon?? WTF. Ennis.
None have done a damn thing.
Even Michael-Carter Williams
At one point blowing Coach K for his team full of mercenaries not being able to take and miss shots.
He also deserves to have his wins restored. Afterall, Paterno's were
That would be pretty unbelievable...
He also deserves to have his wins restored. Afterall, Paterno's were
He doesn't have a lot in the cupboard but still coaches them up. Historically good coach...if you put these Syracuse players in Boise State jerseys they would practically be a mid-major on talent. Far more talented and esteemed Syracuse teams have fallen on the first weekend in the tournament.
That being said, he needs some talent and soon, especially if he's going to hand the program over to a successor soon. They will go the way of UConn otherwise
Battle's gone. Just hoping Brissett comes back. Team could be really loaded next year if he does. Lots of talent coming in + returning player development
Battle's gone. Just hoping Brissett comes back. Team could be really loaded next year if he does. Lots of talent coming in + returning player development
I don't see a player on this Syracuse team that is a top-tier player in a major conference like a Carmelo, Coleman, Pearl Washington, etc. That player/players will have to come from their recruiting class
Basically Wesley Matthews has been their best NBA guy - and that's splitting hairs.
So many guys have left and end up in Europe. Maybe Dolezaj can become an agent!!
I hope he comes back, but most NBA talent bolts after their sophomore season as each additional year in college heavily works against you in a league that drafts so heavily on potential.
Again absolutely possible he comes back and hope I'm wrong because it could be the most loaded SU team since 2012.
Just give me Brissett and I'll be happy
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I will say the fact the elite 8 was a realistic possibility for THIS Syracuse team is the most surprising thing I've seen since being a fan. Including the F4 run from 16.
Battle's gone. Just hoping Brissett comes back. Team could be really loaded next year if he does. Lots of talent coming in + returning player development
I don't see a player on this Syracuse team that is a top-tier player in a major conference like a Carmelo, Coleman, Pearl Washington, etc. That player/players will have to come from their recruiting class
Look up Darius Bazley. Ive been telling friends I think he's the best SU recruit since Carmelo
Matthews is carrying them.
Beilen is gonna play him, but it may be the wrong move.
Keep the d up and make some free throws!
The problem is whoever they put in is just as bad if not worst. And I am not exaggerating. Rahkman missing the free throws cant happen. Him, duncan, and Mo need to be on the line.
Nope...Michigan was on death's door against Houston and Jordan Poole hit one from 30 feet at the buzzer
Unreal.
Unreal.
Loyola is an unreal story. Michigan is a legit top 10 team
Agreed. On first listen last night, it came off sounding like he thought he was down more than he was. To give him the complete benefit of the doubt, maybe he thought once Robinson had the ball it was a wrap because he was a 90% FT shooter. Strange either way.
Can't disagree with that, Nova is definitely a better all around team
And wa-la, Duke leads.
Clockwork
OT upcoming
They can't play man defense. They were a horrific defensive team before switching to zone
their two bigs cant defend, especially against a team with 4 shooters. They have played zone the last 10 games or so. They are a bad man to man team.
Big, big call.
He has not done a good job coaching these teams the last two years. That team having to play a two three zone is a joke.
Poorly coached is right on. K is now whet he once was as a coach. 2010 was a a masterpiece from him, the last couple years he has done a poor job.
The UNC game in ACC tourney may have cost him a title. If they win that game they are the two seed in the west and have florida state rather than kansas in omaha. Dont think they lose to Michigan
Yet they haven't won an acc title, an acc tournament title, or even made a final four over those three years.
Media will be silent on it, but outside of 1 year, the one and done model is simply not working for Duke. But K has already sold his soul to the devil and he's not looking back now. Next year they won't have a Bagley on the team, either, and won't have an experienced guard like Allen either.
Top recruiting class in the nation, but I dont think the pieces fit all that well. The pieces actually fit this year, they had a true center, true 4, a great shooter in trent at the 3, and Grayson as the experienced guard, and it still didnt work
This is unbelievable. He had Svi guarding him most of the game. I'd be furious over this if I were a Duke fan
Nope. All three guys essentially play the same role.
I dont know many teams that feature any guys on the blocks anymore. Its a lost art. Even Ayton didnt get the ball against freaking Buffalo.
That was not a charge, Carter slid his foot over as the guy made contact. It was a clear block
It really is a mystery, Coach K is just the worst with big men--(he really isn't that good with many players), he did a terrible job all year with Bagley and Carter.
Roy, on the other hand, develops players. Look at the improvement of Theo Pinson from freshman until this year. Look at Grayson Allen from freshman year until this year. I could go on and on about players Roy really developed over the years, such a Meeks, Hicks, Henson, Zeller etc.
He has not done a good job coaching these teams the last two years. That team having to play a two three zone is a joke.
Also ROy is 28-0 in the first round. Think about that. The GOAT has lost to Lehigh and Mercer in the first round. Coach K is an all-time great, but Roy has been the much better coach and Carolina the better program since Roy returned to chapel hill.
As a Virginia fan married into a Duke family, I was convinced that the only way to make the tournament more of a nightmare for me was that Duke was going to win it all. Boy, was last night a relief.
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But over the last three years, no coach has done less with more than he has. Not one final four with 3 super teams and he somehow puts the ball in Grayson Allens hands at the end of regulation rather than Bagley.
He has not done a good job coaching these teams the last two years. That team having to play a two three zone is a joke.
Also ROy is 28-0 in the first round. Think about that. The GOAT has lost to Lehigh and Mercer in the first round. Coach K is an all-time great, but Roy has been the much better coach and Carolina the better program since Roy returned to chapel hill.
The first round is impressive, but they just lost by 21 basically at home in Charlotte to Texas A&M in the second round. It's not the year to pound one's chest about Roy >> K.
Also i have no idea where you're going in your 9:28am - Grayson Allen attended Duke.
Both Roy and K are HOF coaches - i think we can leave it at that.
When Bolden was in the game, it made it even harder to post him since Bolden is a stiff.
Bagley has some exciting skills, but his strength was a liability against a more seasoned player yesterday.
Bagley doesnt post up well. Plus, there were would have been 2 guys all over him. No one was going to guard Delaurier or Bolden or whoever was in the game.
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In comment 13885983 MookGiants said:
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But over the last three years, no coach has done less with more than he has. Not one final four with 3 super teams and he somehow puts the ball in Grayson Allens hands at the end of regulation rather than Bagley.
He has not done a good job coaching these teams the last two years. That team having to play a two three zone is a joke.
Also ROy is 28-0 in the first round. Think about that. The GOAT has lost to Lehigh and Mercer in the first round. Coach K is an all-time great, but Roy has been the much better coach and Carolina the better program since Roy returned to chapel hill.
The first round is impressive, but they just lost by 21 basically at home in Charlotte to Texas A&M in the second round. It's not the year to pound one's chest about Roy >> K.
Also i have no idea where you're going in your 9:28am - Grayson Allen attended Duke.
Both Roy and K are HOF coaches - i think we can leave it at that.
Grayson Allen did not develop into a better player in his four years at Duke. If anything, his play level was very inconsistent. Theo Pinson, on the other hand, improved enormously each and every year.
Carolina's big men also have historically gotten better under Roy, do you remember Brice Johnson as a freshmen, how did he end up? What about Tyler Zeller or Kennedy Meeks or Isiah Hicks? All of those guys improved markedly. Roy got beat by Texas Tech, ok--it happens. He also made the finals two years in a row and if you look at the trajectory of his program, he always peaks every 2-3 years for a run. 2005 then the 2007-2009. The 2011-2012 didn't make the final four, but would have in 12 with ease if Kendall Marshall didn't break his wrist. Then, they had a couple of off years in 13 and 14 with PJ, Bullock leaving early etc. Then, he revved it up again with the next crew and made it to the finals in 16-17 and won it for the third time. He has won 3 times since he has returned to Chappell Hill, Coach K has won twice. ROy has made it to 5 final fours in that time, Duke 3? Duke has lost to Lehigh and MErcer in that time period. I am quite happy with Roy.
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that in a tie game, last play of regulation, with Azubuike fouled out that Allen held the ball for an isolation play on the last shot and they didn't give it Bagley down low to make a post move on Svi.
Bagley doesnt post up well. Plus, there were would have been 2 guys all over him. No one was going to guard Delaurier or Bolden or whoever was in the game.
I might be forgetting something here but didn't Duval take the three to tie in OT?
Roy uses his bigs differently than K, and both have success with their styles.
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In comment 13886492 PaulBlakeTSU said:
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that in a tie game, last play of regulation, with Azubuike fouled out that Allen held the ball for an isolation play on the last shot and they didn't give it Bagley down low to make a post move on Svi.
Bagley doesnt post up well. Plus, there were would have been 2 guys all over him. No one was going to guard Delaurier or Bolden or whoever was in the game.
I might be forgetting something here but didn't Duval take the three to tie in OT?
Duval took an open 3 to tie it from a feed from Bagley. Duval wasnt being guarded all game either. It was going to be impossible for Bagley to get the ball and a shot off. He was having trouble getting open and when he did get it, he was being doubled.
His tournament:
Round 1: 12 MP, 1 pt
Round 2: 9 MP, 5 pts
sweet 16: 9 MP, 3 pts
Elite 8: 3 MP, did not score
Final 4: 17 MP, 9 points
title game vs Wisconsin: 21 MP, 16 points
... so we are talking about 1 maybe 2 good games.
He had a terrific Sophomore season... then who the fuck knows what through the psychopath's head in his Junior year when he was punished severely ... 1 game... K really showed the world what a disciplinarian he is... for tripping yet another opponent.
Grayson Allen is basically the same player he was as a freshmen. A complementary role.
Against SU, he was woeful behind the 3. Against KU, he missed the potential game winning shot, had another poor game beyond the arc, and missed 3 shots in the final minute of overtime that would have any chance of getting Duke close.
He's either regressed or stayed the same for 4 years.
His tournament:
Round 1: 12 MP, 1 pt
Round 2: 9 MP, 5 pts
sweet 16: 9 MP, 3 pts
Elite 8: 3 MP, did not score
Final 4: 17 MP, 9 points
title game vs Wisconsin: 21 MP, 16 points
... so we are talking about 1 maybe 2 good games.
He had a terrific Sophomore season... then who the fuck knows what through the psychopath's head in his Junior year when he was punished severely ... 1 game... K really showed the world what a disciplinarian he is... for tripping yet another opponent.
I am willing to concede that his trajectory went higher into year 2, it is after that where it has just really suffered.
But you're using it to infer that K has achieved nothing or sucks or something, and it wreaks of blind hate. (which i respect - i cant stand the ferret either... but moreso because the guy has become really slimy in recruiting and in whoring out his school - a school that purports to be top 10 in the country... at least Alabama doesnt pretend to have high academic standards for the rest of the campus while simultaneously embracing a one-and-done for one of their sports programs)
What an incredibly dumb decision by him.