Saturday, March 31, 2007

Final Four Live-Comment

If you're up for it, let's talk about the Final Four -- before, during and after the games. I'll try to jump in, too.

(I've been watching CBS' Final Four preview all afternoon. Ironically, the best piece of the day had nothing to do with college hoops, but instead was about that women's coach of the boys' high school team at Boys and Girls High in Brooklyn. If Long Island University was smart, they would hire her as the men's coach tomorrow. The piece about the late UNC mascot Jason Ray was really touching, too. I'm usually not a fan of the Dick Enberg sappy pieces, but this one was a good one.)

43 comments:

TJ said...

You know what? I much preferred gettinga final four matchup with an 11 seed. And I hate having the late game. This is far more stressful than it has any right to be...

MoonHopper said...

This is not the first time Oden has been on the bench for long periods early with foul trouble. You can't be one of the best players in the game sitting on the bench. I would never draft him.

Now back to waiting for the real game.

IkeKrizzule said...

If Greg Oden was thinking about staying in college, 3 quick minutes today should have shown him why he should leave. In the college game there is every incentive for the other team to attack him, to create contact, and to generate 50/50 scenarios where the refs have to call a foul on somebody. Two quick ones of those is enough to put him on the bench for the next 17 minutes.

Why stay in college when its this easy for the opposition to take him out of the game?

jhawkjjm said...

That's one ugly looking court. It's interesting to hear the commentators even say that Ohio State may be better without Oden. That's not a comment you normally hear about a (underserving in my opinion) 1st team All American.

Kevin said...

Wasn't Georgetown's defense supposed to be good? This was a slow-paced game, and OSU could have easily had 80 if they could finish in the first half...and that's with Oden playing just 20 minutes. Georgetown was sloppy on the offensive end and OSU played solid D...but the Hoyas' defense really disappointed me. OSU was just too quick for them.

Wonder Wheel said...

who wants to take the over/under on how many times they show joakim's dad at 6?

Danielle said...

I will take the over

Steve said...

If they aren't going to show gratuitous cleavage shots they shouldn't show the crowd at all. No one cares about a washed up old tennis player.

Anonymous said...

Afflalo with 2 this early? Game. Over.

Anonymous said...

I can see a 30-21 halftime score here, with a 9-point Florida lead too much to overcome for the offense-deficient Bruins. Plus, they're really racking up the fouls, and their depth blows.

Wonder Wheel said...

but man, that smothering D has got to be frustrating. Florida can't run a play..

MoonHopper said...

What makes you think that many points will be scored?

TJ said...

Holy UCLA defense Batman! Most teams that play such aggressive D against UF tend to wear down by the final 10 minutes. Still, if it's going to be this hard for the Gators to penetrate, the threes better start falling soon.

TJ said...

0-5, all threes? Christ. This has the makings of a 45-43, ugly-as-hell grindfest, doesnt it?

Johnny b said...

2 points in 7 minutes for Florida

they do know that there's a game tonight

MoonHopper said...

Commercials are outscoring both teams so far.

Wonder Wheel said...

and there's the MO shift

TJ said...

"If you're Ben Howland you just want to keep your team in the game." - Billy Packer.

Is he even watching?!

MoonHopper said...

Does Noah do anything other than flail around?

MoonHopper said...

"UCLA is hanging in here. Amazing." - Billy Packer

Packer may rub one out at halftime if Florida leads by double digits.

Wonder Wheel said...

UF is lucky UCLA can't shoot the ball. Really lucky. but as we all know. FL plays amazing 2nd have ball.

TJ said...

UCLA is only down 6 having their two best players basically completely rested for the second half. UF usually wins by wearing teams down, so I wonder how this will affect that. That said, I don't think any coach is as good as Billy Donovan at half-time adjustments, so this should be a good second half.

Kevin said...

Anyone else think Florida doesn't look that great? UCLA has been missing their best player for the entire first half, they look lackluster on offense, they're not moving the ball well, they have nobody inside to match up with Horford and Noah, and they're overcommitting like crazy on defense...and Florida's only up by six? If UCLA starts actually, you know, making shots, this game could be close.

TJ said...

@ kevin. Yes. Very yes. If UCLA remembers how to shoot, UF is very screwed unless (1) Lee Humphrey shows up or (2) Noah/Horfod/Richard are able to penetrate and get the easy buckets consistently. Or as my brother put it: "First team to shoot well wins." And if neither team does, it's probably UF.

Wonder Wheel said...

it's official, Humphrey has shown up.

Wonder Wheel said...

someone please tell me how CBS has the #1 drama AND #1 comedy!?? COMEDY?

jhawkjjm said...

As a KU fan, this is very very depressing. And aggravating. Damn it.

Johnny b said...

evidently the number one comedy is 2 and a half men somehow

Wonder Wheel said...

is it just me or is this game not over... why are they talking like there's 00:59 on the clock?

Mikepcfl said...

I cant believe I'm saying it, but I think Noah has passed Redick and Hurley as completely annoying players who you want to see get smacked around. Noah is simply a whiny little bitch.

pv845 said...

I can't believe you guys don't like Noah. He plays with such passion and intelligence. He is what makes this game great.





Just kidding. He and Brewer are little punks that are going to get posterized in the NBA. Noah is up there with Oden for the most overrated college players of all time.

Mikepcfl said...

Actually, I predict now that Noah gets punched as a rookie by one of his teammates.

pv845 said...

How does UF, especially Horford and Noah, never get called for over the back?

Wonder Wheel said...

that's 3 if you're keeping up on the over/under

pv845 said...

Next how? How is that not a Technical foul on Noah after throwing that fit at the ref?

Pete said...

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Wonder Wheel said...

Gulp

Mikepcfl said...

After such a big win, you know Noah's going to be getting some sex tonight...I just hope his ass stops hurting by Monday night so he can play.

Kevin said...

How the hell did UCLA ever beat Kansas? The Bruins were just plain awful tonight. They didn't match up with Florida well, but they played like crap also.

Anonymous said...

(It just goes to show why we think Pac-10 basketball is overrated.-east coast bias)

Dan Shanoff said...

You all would find it funny how many negative comments I make about Joakim in the privacy of my own TV room.

My wife loves him, so his shittiness in the first half (leading to my cursing him even more) begets her throwing it back in my face when he has a good half like he did in the 2nd.

(You all would be shocked at my language while watching the game. I had blown past the TV room over/under that I would use the F-word more than 20 times before the under-12 TV timeout of the first half.)

I continue to contend (in my TV room) that Joakim will pull a Technical at the worst possible time to cost the Gators in a significant way. But maybe he can hold it together for one more game.

I completely understand everyone's hatred for him. You have to mitigate your hate at least slightly to give a respectful nod to his passion, but he sure makes it hard to actually LIKE him.

Anonymous said...

Dan,Mr.Noah is a lot(trash talk wise) like Jared Dudley in many ways.

The heroin sheik said...

Goodness that first half sucked. We did what was needed and now we get to spank OSU for a second time in a title game. Sometimes it is really hard to be humble when your a gator.