Championship Week gets nasty: OK, NOW we're ready to hit it today, as I shake out the cobwebs from last night's sports-blogger reading event...
Big East: G'town vs. Nova, ND vs. Cuse. (Of course, with wins yesterday, Nova and Cuse are as good as locks. Damn: Nova's Scottie Reynolds is good.) Plus: Did
(By the way: Was there any bigger tempest-in-a-teacup than the new Nike spandex-style uniforms, which Syracuse showcased? In reality, the jerseys weren't nearly as tight-fitting as the released design photos seemed to indicate. Are they ugly? I actually like them. I finally get it: It's the "UnderArmour/Nike Dri-Fit" Effect on top – for performance -- with extra-baggy shorts on the bottom -- for fashion. It actually makes sense, and the players seem to like it. That should be enough for fans. 'Cuse fans are forgiven if they suspend judgment until they see how far the team gets in them.)
Meanwhile, the New York Times' March Madness blog, The Bracket, kicked it into overdrive yesterday for the start of the Big East Tournament. I counted 13 posts throughout yesterday alone. Pete Thamel and Co. are bringing it. Must-read for Big East coverage.
ACC: Clemson (MUST win!) vs. FSU;
Big Ten:
Looking for the best blogging about Big Ten Hoops -- or any college hoops for that matter? You've got to add Big Ten Wonk to your daily routine, now more than ever!
Big 12: Quarters on Friday will be a little bit more crazy, but Texas Tech and Oklahoma State don't just need to win today, but a COUPLE of wins this week.
SEC: Tourney locks
Mid-major Mania:
My favorite Tournament-related Web site of the day: NIT-ology, a Bracketology for the NIT. Before you mock it, consider what you would have said about Joe Lunardi 10 years ago -- or Mel Kiper 20 years ago. (H/T: Deadspin via
Is Kevin Durant sticking around for his sophomore season? Hey, I'd love to see what he and his UT frosh classmates can do with another year of experience (um, national title?), but I agree with MJD over at Fanhouse: Wait until after the season ends for his decision-making process to change. (But hell, this year, he's No. 2 in the draft, short of Oden returning to school, too; if he stays until next year, he's the overwhelming No. 1. What happens if this kid is National Player of the Year as a freshman – as he should be – and comes back as a soph?!) See my post below on the NBA Draft for a follow-up on this Longhorns situation.
NFL Moves: Jamal Lewis to the Browns. Wait, how does that impact the presumption that
NFL Draft: The Florida Gators held their Pro Day, and early-entry DB Reggie "Effing" Nelson (no, seriously, that's the complimentary way Gator Nation refers to him, to pay appropriate homage to his eye-popping skills) might have vaulted himself up the draft rankings, running a 40 somewhere in the 4.3-something range. I'm obviously biased, but Nelson is the best defensive player I have ever seen in college football. He is going to make some team look VERY smart.
NBA:
Meanwhile: You've read my Arenas-as-Obama. Now, here's FreeDarko's take on Kobe-as-Obama.
NBA: Lindsay Hunter suspended 10 games for testing positive for a banned substance. It should make him the butt of countless hilarity that he was busted for taking diet pills. (Was he in it for the Dexatrim high? Or in it to get rid of those unwanted pounds?)
MLB Spring: Pedro is on the road to rehab, and – speaking of rehab – Sammy Sosa hit his second HR of the spring. Prediction: With an unlikely dinger binge, he'll reclaim his role as a fan favorite. Meanwhile, safari-goer David Wells is a latter day Teddy Roosevelt.
MLB: My new favorite baseball team president is Matt Silverman of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who won the auction by that Armchair GM blogger (to benefit Pediatric AIDS Research) to blog about the auction winner's team all season long. And Silverman won. And not just $535 to win the auction, but he put in another $1,000 to add to the charity. What a stand-up guy. Manny Stiles owes that guy the best freaking blog ever.
Move over Gilbert Arenas: Curt Schilling realizes that there's a lot of amazing pub to be claimed by starting a blog -- and, more importantly, speaking frankly through it. I've taken my shots at Schilling over the years as a media-whoring know-it-all, but I tip my cap to him for his entry into blogging, 38Pitches.com. If he really gets into it, it will be a watershed moment for baseball coverage.
NBA Draft: I'm an Draft junkie, so I was excited to see the appearance of Chad Ford's annual Lottery simulator. A few thoughts:
(1) Oden goes No. 1. Oden goes No. 1. Oden goes No. 1. Just stop talking about Durant at No. 1. It's simply not going to happen. (That is, if he even comes out.)
(2) I wonder if it will affect Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young and DJ Augustin's decision-making process to know that Ford has them both as lottery locks. (UNC's Brendan Wright was a no-brainer from the day he stepped on campus earlier this fall.) I sure as heck would come out, particularly if I was 5-foot-10, like Augustin, in a year weak on PGs. Young seems like an early-entry no-brainer, given that he would have been a first-rounder if he had been able to come out LAST year.
(3) Am I the only one who watches Josh McRoberts play and thinks "He's the new Brendan Haywood?" I've never seen a player with the reputation of having such imposing physical skills be so utterly unable to take over a game -- particularly for a big man. I appreciate the criticism of Hansbrough that his game won't translate at all to the NBA, but at least that guy has heart and makes plays. McRoberts? Zzz...
(4) The Gators frontcourt all goes in the Lottery. Last year was a bonus: If this group doesn't win the national title this year, it will be an underachievement of superlative magnitude.
(5) Big men rule. Why is this draft so highly anticipated? Partly due to a one-year blip from the new draft age-limit rules and partly due to the number of 2006 Lottery-worthy college players who stuck around for another year, it is the deepest group of forwards and centers I can ever remember.
Marion Jones gets married: Is it true that, in lieu of rice, wedding guests threw pills?
Finally, HUGE thanks to everyone who came out last night to the Varsity Letters Reading Series event. (The Commenters were well-represented, led by Brian from
-- D.S.
Posts
157 comments:
You neglected to mention UGA in the SEC bubble teams. IF they win tonight against Auburn, they get Florida. A win there could put them in.
If not, looks like i'll be back looking at the NIT bracketology again, but for how far the program fell after Harrick, this season is a success
Dan, I read the other day that UF has actually already worn the new unis--at Tennessee. I remember thinking they were ugly at the time. The darkish blue and the orange... just didnt look good, but no, they're not nearly as tight as indicated in those concept shots.
(Note: for some reason, the "video highlights" on ESPN's page for that game is the entire broadcast. Which I don't particularly want to ever watch again, but if you hate the Gators...)
I think you underestimate the fans if you think Sammy Sosa will regain popularity just by hitting a few homeruns.
I don't mind the new jerseys, but did the shorts really need to be bigger, longer, and baggier?? That was necessary? If the players want free leg movment, wear spandex or skirts.
I don't think Michigan is in right now. It's a soft team, and anyone who has watched them play would not see them as worthy. Their only 'quality' win is at home vs Michigan State.
It's almost baseball season...I can feel my annual fountain of confidence returning about the Reds chances at the post season. 50 homers for Griffey!!
Dan what about the reports out the that Brady might be the father for 2 women that are pregnant. According to the news today Gisele is pregnant with Tom's child.
I heard this morning that not only is UCONN not going to the NCAA's but they might not even make it to the NIT. Boy have the mighty fallen.
The Brady Bunch for real!
Anyone see that O.J. claims to be the father of Anna Nicole's baby?
Sammy Sosa is a sleeper in all fantasy drafts!!
@cmfost...
Yes, the might have fallen. But when you look at the roster you see 8 freshmen and 5 sophomores. Next year, UConn is going to be amazing.
Hey! I linked to NITology first, here in the comments section a few weeks ago! Where's my credit? Take that DeadSpin!
Also, I disagree that Michigan is in right now. The win over Minnesota is must win. They'll probably need their next round game too.
I also disagree about Michigan State's game having seeding implications. In my mind, it's must win.
Texas Tech should be in with a win today. They've beaten A&M twice and KU. 3 wins against top 10 teams isn't too shabby. Plus its Bobby Knight.
Yes, my boy Brian in Oxford got a shoutout. I am curious to hear if the commenters got Shanoff so drunk that he had a "Frank the Tank" moment.
Sosa, regaining popularity? Please...maybe with the Cubs fans (all of them) who claim they "never liked him in the first place".
I am one of the few people that like following the NIT as well as the March Madness tournament, probably because many of the mid-majors I follow will be in it. Retribution versus the "big boys" that go in the NIT with their heads hanging low.
Speaking of which, CMFost- UConn not even in the NIT? That is something. UConn is one of those teams that I have absolutely no affiliation with, yet I find myself rooting for them, even before they started winning national titles.
UConn's probably going to the NIT...if not, with that young team they'll probably win a national title next year with a perception of being snubbed.
Sammy Sosa will never redeem himself in my eyes and I think it'll be the same for most fans. It's not even the alleged (obvious) steroid use. When he forgot English, that was it for most of us.
The elbow from Kobe only warranted a one-game suspension. If he does it a THIRD time, then the penalty could increase. But for the action itself, I think one game was about right. And I'm a Kobe hater.
McRoberts does suck... well against everyone except BC, who he just dunks all over and owns. Still, people were expecting he'd have a dominant year and become an early lottery pick, but that clearly won't happen right now.
Brendan Haywood also played with Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison at UNC, so in all fairness, it'd have been really hard for him to have stood out on that team (how the hell did that team not win a National Championship?)
Anyone else think BC will be NIT bound if they lose there first game in the ACC tourney?
YO, my boss is not a fan of the new Unis at 'Cuse. He doesn't like that they say Orange on the front intead of syracuse. I think he's kinda old school.
I'd have to agree with you though, Dan. I was pleasantly surprised to see they really weren't as tight as expected. Shorts still look too baggy though.
The Browns signed J. Lewis to a one year deal. My guess is that they are still going to take Adrian Peterson and see if he is healthy. Just like the bears with C Benson and T. Jones.
CMFost: No, I think BC is a lock for the NCAA tourney. They're 10-6 in the best conference in America, and they've got wins over Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Virginia as well as NC wins over Michigan State and Massachusetts (not a great win on par with the others, but still good given how UMass has been playing). No, they didn't get it done versus UNC or Duke (or Georgia Tech) but they're still a pretty good team in a solid conference.
Kirk, I agree with that. I think the Browns are taking Lewis for either a split back or back up role with Peterson. There's NO way he can carry the entire team.
Is Reuben Droughns still in Cleveland? I can see them taking Brady Quinn or Jamarcus Russell if he still there when they pick.
Reggie Nelson as the best defensive college football player you have ever seen!!!???
Either you only started watching college football this season (still probably a ridiculous statement) OR you are out of gator-loving mind!
I'm going with the second.
Usually I let that kind of stuff fly and laugh at all the people who feel the need to call you a homer, but saying Reggie Nelson is the best defensive college player you have ever seen is just ridiculous and absurd...and I think you know it.
Doesn't it seem like tehre are 10,000 teams in this year? I have a feeling a Big East team (WVU or Cuse) or a ACC team (BC or GT) is going to be doing some serious bitching on Sunday night when Drexel gets the nod over them.
Joe (Dayton)
I have to agree with Rafael and disagree with Dan about the Wolverines. I don't think they are in without a win over Minnesota and even then I think there's no guarantees for the Blue.
But I agree with Dan and disagree with Rafael about Sammy Sosa. Chicks and everyone else digs the long ball and Sosa's never been as tainted as Bonds, who wasn't well liked before steroids became the reason why.
BC is a lock, but their seeding has really gotten iffy. Right now I have them at about a 9 seed.
If they were playing today, they'd be a little less certain, but seeing as how they got a bye on the first day of the ACC tourney as a 4 seed, I can't imagine the committee would slight them. They also beat FSU twice, and the Providence and Vermont losses don't look nearly as bad as they could've.
Tf: Yeah...this year it seems like there are like 70 teams playing for the 34 at-larges. The bubble is loaded. What I find funny is that a lot of people are saying "so and so is in" and "so and so is in" and eventually they've got like 70 teams in. Case in point: Shanoff saying Michigan is in.
Another fact about BC: Their RPI is 30. I *believe* that conference tournaments affect RPI. It's going to go up even if they only are one-and-done. The highest RPI ever to get snubbed was Missouri State last year (with 27...so a snub wouldn't be unprecedented, but it WOULD be unlikely).
Nothing on LeBron and the Cavs gritting out a tough win in Detroit (in which the Pistons took a D-Wade like 29 free throws in the 1st half!!)? The King looks like he's putting on his Superman cape for the stretch run.
I'm obviously biased, but Nelson is the best defensive player I have ever seen in college football. He is going to make some team look VERY smart.
I seriously can't believe that just happened.
At least one team from Connecticut is going to the big dance. And wow, it was almost Sacred Heart (located a half mile from my ex-dive condo in Bridgeport). CCSU had better teams about 5 years ago, but got stuck as low seeds in bad matchups (Iowa State at the Homerdome in nearby Minny, then Pittsburgh IN Pitt...the faux non-home court...)
It would take away from the selection process if the committee released "teams we've already got in" day by day....and then it would freak out the teams that apparently had work left to do, though.
I'm obviously biased, but Nelson is the best defensive player I have ever seen in college football.
It's amazing how much credibility you can lose on a topic with just one sentence.
I hope Dan meant, "seen in person". Because then that could be understandable, otherwise it's a Dan. Instant. History. Shrugoff comment.
Ok, Let me put it this way if BC lost it's first game I would not be surprised if they where in the NIT and not the NCAA's considering they would not have 20 wins and the other ACC Team that are consider in have 20 plus wins
Both good points todd. If the first is true I cheerfully withdraw my previous comment.
Agree with you that Reggie Nelson is a good player. Not the best I've ever seen (not even close), but pretty damned good.
Plus, he's got the versatility on special teams, and some impressive instincts for the game. Of course, the same could be said about Pac-Man Jones...
I've been saying for awhile now that I'd like to see the Pats move up in he draft a few spots with a package of picks (they've got 2 first rounders but no second round pick) to a team like Houston that has a lot of needs to fill-in and grab Nelson somewhere in the middle of the first round.
Nelson would probably need to be "coached up" a little to fit in, but with the coaches in New England, and veterans like Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson showing him the ropes, I think he'd become an impact player pretty fast.
Also... please don't give me a heart attack and even mention that Durant may be contemplating staying in school. I'm a Celtics' fan - I need something to look forward to. And Joakim Noah just ain't gonna cut it.
And it's finally happened - my office has officially blocked both YouTube and Flickr. The day they ban this site or DeadSpin, I'll resign.
Dan,
I am Michigan alum, and i do not believe we are in, or deserve to be -- i'd love to hear how you figure we are in???!!!!
About TWWL's draft simulator, I've had Durant go number one before... there are certain teams who /think/ they need a scorer/playmaker like Durant more than they need a big man like Oden.
In fact, I just hit it like, 6 times, and I got the following:
1)Bucks - Durant
2)Grizz - Oden
3)Hawks - Noah
4)Celtics - Hawes
Aside from the fact that that would be a disaster of epic proportions for Boston, you've got Durant going ahead of Oden (I guess because they already have Bogut?) Not sure I agree with anyone taking Durant over Oden though -- scorers/playmakers are a dime-a-dozen in the draft, but dominant defensive big men like Oden are once-in-a-generation type talents.
Fost, good point, but despite only having 19 wins, they DO have a ridiculous SOS (11). Right this second, I don't see how they could be left out even with their stumble across the finish line. I think the 19 wins shows how solid the ACC is this year. If they lose to Maryland tomorrow, I admit there is a possibility they'd be NIT bound, but I still think they'd be one of the last 3 or 4 teams in.
Tyler if Boston does not get the #1 or #2 pick I can almost guarantee they will trade it to get some vetern help. With the growth of Jefferson and a solid Paul Pierce, a vetern or 2 could make this team contenders in the east
What's so hard in the Oden v. Durant debate is that it's hard to know if we've really seen all of what Oden can do. We all know what Durant can do (runaway POY), but with Oden's dominant hand injured for most of the year, it's hard to know just how good he really will be.
But for a team needing some instant offense (Memphis), I could definitely understand them at least contemplating Durant, since he'll give more instant gratification. The Celtics need a defensive presence, and Oden would make more sense for them if they get the #1 pick.
That being said, I think there's a significant dropoff between Oden and Durant to Noah. The first two to me are as close to locks as you can get to superstars, but Noah could misfire in the NBA. Not thinking he'll be a bust, but there's clearly not the upside or the skillset in him that there is in the other two.
The danger for BC isn't if they lose to Maryland tomorrow, it'd be if they lose to Miami tomorrow. It'd be awfully hard for the committee to hold a loss against a streaking Maryland against them, though a loss against Miami would look very bad.
But if they got blown out by Maryland (a possibility), we'd have to hold our breaths a little bit. I still think we're in though.
On the bright side, if the Celtics pick 4th, AND Oden/Durant both stay in school, the Celtics will probably suck ass another year and may get the prize another year later.
hey - why no pac-10 love in the tourney review area? ucla-cal, usc-stanford not good enough for you?! there are conferences on the west coast you know, dan.
I don't dig the longball. I've always been a smallball baseball fan. Baseball is too complex a game to settle for mere home runs.
Besides, fans get their homeruns from Pujols..Howard..etc.
Sosa is tainted. Sosa is old. He won't regain popularity nationally.
There are conferences on the West Coast (and UCLA is awesome), but when Farmar left, I think part of the West Coast died to Dan.
Also there's a ridiculous non-presence of West Coasters on the blog.
I think everyone also just assumes that UCLA would run away with it, and really Stanford is the only bubble team (not looking good with a 56 RPI). The Wazzou coach deserves some love for Coach of the Year, what's his name?
Probably the lack of left-coasters has to do with the fact that they don't need an AM Quickie to bring them up to date. They could have a PM Quickie at 10:30 pm, since all the games are done by the time THEY go to bed.
For what it's worth, Stanford is the only team to win at Virginia this year. The distinguished list of losers includes Arizona (blew a 12 point lead in final 10), Gonzaga (beat by 25), and Duke.
Sosa will regain popularity if he plays well. He has the type of personality that people are drawn to when he is doing well, and really I think people have a short memory for hatred. Fans would forgive Bonds if it weren't thrown back into their face every other day.
Nelson is the best defensive player to ever play at Florida in 2006. Beyond that, I could, in the spirit of Steve Martin, name 20 something betters.
Finally, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see both Durant and Oden return. Durant has already said that he is glad he went to college and didn't jump right away. Oden has said some very similar things (talking about how much he has learned and about getting the chance to rehabilitate his wrist). Plus, Oden is at OSU with his best friend and HS teammate. Depending on how they do in the tourney this year, they might want a chance to add an NCAA Title to their 3 HS titles. But -- I guess it all depends on how they do this March. If OSU wins it all, Oden has nothing left to play for in college. If Durant wins POY or makes an Elite 8 run, he's gone. An early exit might prompt a return for a do-over.
Repeat after me, Dan:
"Michigan is not NCAA Tournament-worthy."
"Michigan is not NCAA Tournament-worthy."
"Michigan is not NCAA Tournament-worthy."
"Michigan is not NCAA Tournament-worthy."
And yes, I AM a Michigan fan.
The Pac-10 tournament isn't very interesting this year. That's not to say it's not interesting, but the intrigue isn't there due to a lack of a real bubble. The top 5 teams are all definitively in and I think everyone agrees that UCLA's a 1 seed. The only real intrigue is whether Stanford is in or out. USC-Stanford is gonna be awesome, but there's no intrigue as to whether UWash can make a run since we all know it's auto bid or bust for them.
The Pac 10's very good at the top this year. That means the conference tourney's a bit of a snooze. Now, the Mountain West tourney...that's a fun one. BYU and UNLV are already in...but what if Air Force goes out early? What if San Diego State makes a run? It should be a blast to follow.
And yeah, if BC loses to Miami, throw their chances of making the tourney out the damn window.
Does anyone else dread that their NBA team might get the 3rd or 4th pick that they'd use on Noah, and you'd be stuck rooting for Noah after Dan has turned you into always rooting against Florida, particularly Noah? I keep getting the willies thinking about that.
There is a good story on Cold Hard football facts about the 20 year old kid who got Ron Borges suspended.
check it out
Kevin I do, that is why i am pretty sure if the Celtics do not have one of the top 2 picks or if they do and Durant and Oden stay in school that they will trade the pick.
Just to show a little Left-Side presence in the commenters...
No love for the tweener conferences like my Mountain West? We do have two ranked teams, at least (BYU and UNLV), and are going to get three teams in the Dance (better than any other non-BCS conference). And don't dismiss Weber State, either -- they have a history of pulling first-round upsets (UNC in '03).
Didn't see your comment, Jason. Thanks for the MWC shout-out.
This is off topic but I think I need to find a new place to get coffee.
and here is the reason
And no it is not something disgusting more comical.
Theo, I feel like the MWC is criminally underrated every year. They're usually the best high-mid-major in the country year after year (better than the MVC, imo) and almost always get no love. And it's possible (though unlikely) they could get 4 in this year, which they would deserve.
I guess it should say something about my knowledge of the Pac-10, that when I played the Draft Lottery simulater, and saw the Celtics getting Spencer Hawes, I thought, who the hell is that? Although it is scary that he could go 4th, and his NBA comparison is Brad Miller... yeah, it's a long drop after 1 and 2.
Yeah, definitely too much Rachael Ray overkill. My girlfriend and I used to watch 30 minute meals and $40 a day, but now I really can't stand her. Definitely a case of too much exposure.
One more comment about the MWC before I forget...I believe it's underevaluated because it's a small conference. There's only 9 teams. It's an achievement that a 9 team conference is going to get 3 teams into the field. The Big XII and SEC only have 4 (right now) despite having 3 more teams. If the MWC were to expand to 12 teams (Nevada, New Mexico State, Boise State) they'd be in the discussion as a major conference. (Boise State may suck at basketball, but think of what they'd bring to the football conference.)
Auto loss for Weber State? Don't tell that to Harold Arceneaux!
Think you really have to look at BC as a bubble team at this point. A loss Friday puts them below .500 without Williams in the lineup. Sure, 10 ACC wins, but losing to UNC and Duke at home does not look good on the resume. A BC loss coupled with a Georgia Tech win or two and that could mean NIT for the Eagles.
How about WVU's shooting against my Friars? Absolutely lights out to the point it didn't look like Providence had any sort of clue how to stop them. 1-8 in the Big East tourney under Welsh. Think that spells the end for him (finally)?
Wow... the Bills trade McGahee for 2 3rd rounders and a 7th rounder? Seems like a weird trade to me for Buffalo.
Lunardi's got BC as a 7 seed. I really can't see 1 loss going from a 7 seed to an out. The post-Sean Williams thing is something, but they've still beaten V-Tech since then, two against FSU, and against Clemson. Losses against Duke and UNC aren't bad at all, considering their RPI.
Also, if you take out the Sean Williams factor, you have to take out the loss to Duquense which was without Dudley.
Still, even as a loyal BC supporter, I wouldn't put us anywhere past the first round the way we're playing.
One is "easily an at large" while the other is "50-50"
Team A: RPI of 32, SOS of 86, 3-2 vs. top 50, 11-5 vs. top 100, 7-6 road record.
Team B: RPI of 33, SOS of 117, 6-3 vs. top 50, 9-4 vs. top 100, 5-6 road record.
One would think that Team A would be the "easily at large" team while Team B would be the "50-50" team, right? Wrong. Team A is Xavier and Team B is Notre Dame.
The only time I ever watch The Food Network is when Giada De Laurentiis is on. Rachel Ray looks like she has been eating to much of the stuff she cooks plus her voice is really annoying.
Rachael Ray is pretty evil. And the weird thing is, she only got that spot there because Food TV dropped Martha Stewart after the Worldcom thing.
Hey, will Nova score today? And man, Patrick Ewing is fat!
I think Xavier has locked up an at-large at this point, provided they don't blow it right now with Dayton. Win and they're in. Then it's iffy. According to the WWL's website, X is down 11-8 early.
starting out this game 14 to 0 was not the way i had hoped it would go....
@Jason...that's what I meant. If Xavier wins today, they are in no matter what. But if they lose, they might not make (probably not). Notre Dame, win or lose, is in and that's just bullshit.
note: I hate Xavier...but I am an A-10 homer.
I'm at work...is Georgetown REALLY up 21-2? This does not bode well for Nova. I don't think anyone expected them to win against the Hoyas, but a blow out like this could kick them square onto the bubble.
Thanks again Jason. The Mountain West is in that nebulous not-Midwest-but-not-Pacific-Coast part of the country that most national sportswriters studiously pretend doesn't exist. It's unfortunate because it's a very competitive league. The biggest thing about it is that it is nigh impossible to win on the road. Every team's home court is formidable (BYU hasn't lost at home in 31 games, Air Force hadn't lost at home for 31 until BYU beat them, New Mexico's Pit is legendary, Utah's Huntsman Center is never easy, etc). A road win in the MWC over a good team means something. I don't know that I'd go so far as to rank the MWC over the MVC team-for-team, but at the top they're certainly comparable.
And I wouldn't want the MWC getting too much bigger. We tried that already with the ridiculously bloated old WAC. That was so awful that it led to the formation of the MWC in the first place. Nine or ten (adding Boise State) would be fine, but no more.
Thanks for letting me indulge myself. You may now proceed with not caring.
God I love ESPN 360.
Revscott, you and I both. I'm a huge A10er and effin HATE Xavier (alumnus of G-Dub), but if the A10 stands any chance of recovery back to 4 bids, the X-Men need to be good. I really want them to win this one and lose against their next opponent so UMass gets in with the auto-bid.
ditto futurelegend.
and now its 22-2 hoyas.
ruh roh.
24-2, how did Georgetown lose to Duke?
more importantly, how did texas lose to nova?
Hmmm... Willis McGahee to Balto for 3 low-round draft picks... Seems like a bargain, even if he's going to carp about a new deal for the next 18 months.
Looks like Corey Dillon will be staying in the AFC East after all.
30-5. How did they even beat DePaul yesterday?
Did someone drug Scottie Reynolds? That kid was playing out of his mind. Maybe this is his regression back to the norm.
G-Town's defense is sweet though.
shhh... i'm not giving up the dream.
this is making my wildcat heart hurt.
By the way... I totally forgot that I stil had access to ESPN360. Thank you FLVY.
Of course, I could always just use my backup plan.
35-10...I wasn't sure if they'd make it to double digits, reading the score (stupid no video at work).
apparently we're shooting (or rather, not shooting) for the fewest points in a half in the big east tourney...
...current record holder is Georgetown (14). stupid irony.
@ sheldiz:
A) Where the hell you been?
B) No thoughts about your Ravens grabbing McGahee? For that matter.. where's mikepcfl on this one too?
a) had some family stuff that involved dressing up and being sad. but nothing cheers up the sheldiz family quite like college basketball.
b) i haven't formulated my response on McGahee yet, but i'm very glad we are no longer in possesion of Jamal Lewis.
If Terps fans can warn us to fear the turtle, can Wildcat fans ask us to fear the pussy? ick! But hey, a free throw brings it under 20. 37-18.
Michigan 20 Minnesota 16 with 6 seconds left in the half. What a snooze fest.
brian -- yes, that phrase has happened. we're not proud of it, but its out there.
since i'm a terp by birth and a wildcat by diploma, i can use both fear-based phrases.
woot.
Michigan's only up 4 on the Golden Gophers. How, Dan, is this team Tourney worthy? Going into the half, Xavier's pulling away from Dayton and is punching its ticket. And Florida State v. Clemson is back and forth.
This is like semi-live blogging each game. It's a lot of fun. We should keep it up.
Now a musical interlude
damn nova might be playing it way out of the tourney. Down 19 at half.
cmfost -- that is not the kind of optimisim i need right now!!
sorry hopefully they will make it close in the 2nd half and get them selves in the dance
As long as Nova doesn't lose by more than 25, they're in. Even then, it's to a good G-Town team. 'Nova's got nothing to worry about.
Well... except for looking completely inept right now.
This makes me happy... live blogging a college basketball game, from my office, while listening to three fo the best college basketball guys in the country.
Damn, technology is amazing. Of course, in about 10 minutes, I actually have to do work.
Nova is in, fost....you're getting a bit paranoid between them and BC!
And the 2nd halves have begun...and Eastern Michigan now has the lead on Toledo in the MAC.
i mentally checked out of work at about 12:01.
i hope no one is charting my productivity between now and april 2nd.
D what are you going to do next thursday and friday?
D what are you going to do next thursday and friday?
'Nova is most likely in, today's game not withstanding. Remember - they're not supposed to beat the #8 team in the country. If they can make it close - say, 10-12 points by the time the clok reads triple-zero, they'll be fine.
Remember - half the selection commitee just looks at records and score differentials, not the entire game film.
Now, if they manage to come back and win this thing (hold for laughter...) they're a mortal lock for the tourney.
BC, however, needs one more win in the ACC tourney to lock up their spot.
Nice play there. Hopefully Nova does not expend to much energy making a comeback because that could bite them in the ass later in the 2nd half
I don't think Nova's a lock, Todd and Brian. They're 9-7 and only have Texas to hang their hat on out of conference. They lost to Drexel and Xavier. That said, their computer numbers are staggering. If they lose this big, they're still in but they're gonna get killed in seeding.
I think 'nova is pretty much in either way.... but if we get shellacked today, it could be interesting come selection sunday.
Ok, So what is the over/under on the number of posts monday after all the selctions are out? I think I would set the number at 150
Xavier is up 43-31 early in the second half. The Musketeers started the half on fire. No question that Alabama is happy.
I think it needs to be about 200. Today Dan is going to get over 150 posts so selection Sunday is going to be redonk
Selection Sunday is gonna be a fustercluck of epic proportions. If it's 150 I'm going to take the over. Hell, I'll take the over if it's 200. GITC, Brian in Oxford, and me will probably write half of them. ;)
Falling back to the NFL for a second... is it just me, or have there been an inordinate number of starting or platooning runningbacks moving around this offseason?
Jamal Lewis, Willis McGahee, Ahman Green, Corey Dillon, Tatum Bell, Thomas Jones, Travis Henry. Domanic Rhodes is still out there, and Fred Taylor re-upped in Jax.
Just seems like a lot of movement for one week. Not to mention, it's going ot wreak havoc on fantasy drafts next year.
a) i'm betting high and saying 312. mostly b/c dan will say something about florida and then someone else will compare duke to notre dame.
b) nice use of "redonk", futurelegend.
Is 'Nova on a 16-2 run right now? WTF is going on here?
Uh oh, Nova coming back?
(sidebar -- does anyone know where the VU/GU game is on on TV right now? i'm watching it on the computer, but if for some reason it gets good... i may have to take a field trip)
If BC doesn't make the tourney, I'll be good for at least 40 whiner posts.
But pending a huge breakdown tomorrow, (even a loss shouldn't kill us), we're in.
I know on TV they might not have looked great, but they played pretty well on most of the non-televised games.
Look at the SOS, and the conference rank. No way someone with 10 wins from the #1 ranked conference doesn't get in.
Michigan is finally pulling away. They're still going to the NIT, but at least they're actually putting forth some effort this half. Alabama-Kentucky is on now, by the way. Espn.com says the Tide are up early, 9-8. Florida State-Clemson is still really close, with FSU up right now.
Big D, in most fantasy football leagues I play in, having 2 really good RB's usually means you win. With the clusterfuck of NFL RB's moving and hitting the market this offseason, I feel more and more NFL teams are going to the 2 back system.
Which makes it difficult for everyone who doesn't get lucky enough to draft LJ, LT, or a few of the other "premier" backs.
Sheldiz, it's on ESPN Uno.
thanks
Wow... Brent Musberger calling a U of Michigan athletic event? Well now I've seen everything...
i saw that, big d.
Is Brent working with Lavin? I think they're a good pairing.
Simmons mentioned that Gus Johnson lost his sweet sixteen spot to James Brown this year with CBS. That sucks.
50-33 I think that is the ball game nice effort early in the 2nd half by Nova but G'town has to many horses.
OK, off to do real work. Catch up with all of you tonight or tomorrow.
I like the use of the term "media timeout" so that TV guys don't feel guilty about causing the stoppage.
In other Wildcats news, Kentucky just took the lead from Bama. 22-21 with 6 and change left in the 1st half.
While not a comeback, Villanova deserves credit for closing the gap a little bit. In other news, Xavier's up 16 late. Lock!
well... its slightly less embarassing now.
Xavier is definitely in. It's whether or not UMASS wins the A-10 tourney that's the question. If they can't, UMASS is most definitely out.
'Nova is fine. They won't lose by 20, so this game won't hurt them. What seed they'll be, you got me there. 8 seed sound about right?
Nova's seems like a 9 seed at the moment. So much of that depends on what teams above and below do, though. Lunardi had them as a 9 yesterday, so they probably would have gotten a bounce for the DePaul win and a drop for this loss.
i was thinking 8 or 9. but we'll see how the rest of the big east shakes out.
The thing that can hurt the BC's and the Nova's in the world is when a team that is not a bubble team wins there conference and the best team and that league was a lock to get in. Like Umass winning the A-10 giving them 2 ncaa bids from the division instead of 1.
And Xavier has officially punched their ticket. That was a shellacking.
But compare BC or Nova to other bubble teams (I don't think either are on the bubble), and there's just no contest.
You can't take Clemson or FSU over BC in the ACC (and arguably Virginia), Stanford's RPI isn't in BC's stratosphere, nor is Texas Tech's, or Syracuse or Michigan (real bubble teams).
I'm sorry, but BC isn't a bubble team right now. Neither is 'Nova.
Michigan beat Minnesota by 9. To be taken seriously for an at-large, there should have been a "1" in front of that number. I mean it's friggin' Minnesota. A good high school team could probably beat them by 9 this year.
BC also has a win @ UMASS, so if UMASS wins the A-10, it arguably helps their cause.
well this just got slightly more interesting.
Clemson lost to FSU 67-66. Clemson is now NIT bound. FSU is likely NIT bound as well provided they don't do something ridonkulous tomorrow.
Spirited effort by Nova.
after that first half, i'll take only losing by 5.
time to mentally prepare for the MD game now.
Again, not watching but it seems like Nova put up a hell of a second half effort. No question that they're still in.
good second half by nova that should of definetly helped to punch there ticketed into the dance.
Nevada's up huge in their game (up 18) already. Has Cuse-Notre Dame started yet?
Clemson fans are pretty pissed about the foul call that sent Thornton to the line. I didn't see it, did anyone here? Was it a good/bad call?
Sucks if they'd get screwed again (Duke clock malfunction)
Todd I did not see but would not be surprised, the games are being played in florida.
I was surprised, I thought the ACC tourney was always held in Greensboro. But I suppose it was at the MCI a few years ago, no?
I think you are correct. I think it was at the MCI(now Verizon) 2 years ago.
there actually going to move it around over the next couple of years.
2007 - Tampa, Fla.
2008 - Charlotte, N.C.
2009 - Atlanta, Ga.
2010 - Greensboro, N.C.
2011 - Greensboro, N.C.
2012 - Atlanta, Ga.
2013 - Greensboro, N.C.
2014 - Greensboro, N.C.
2015 - Greensboro, N.C.
ACC tourney should always be in North Carolina. On occasion the MCI center is okay but it should always be in Greensboro
No sign of the TD Garden, huh?
I know that Fenway was thinking of trying for the ACC baseball tourney, but clearly BC was just added so they'd have a 12th football school.
I think that if it were held in Boston, it'd be a distinct advantage for Boston College. You hold it in North Carolina, you have 4 teams so no distinct home court advantage. With Washington you have 3.
Actually Brian one thing I did hear is the possiblity of having like a BC-Miami or BC-VT or BC-FSU football game at gillette to allow more people to go to the game which would be pretty cool. Since it is almost impossible to get tickets to those games. I guess the new field is making this possible.
In NC you really have 2 distinct fan bases, State and UNC. Most of NC hates Duke because all of the students are from the north. Wake Forest is also a private school but they are not seen as having an obnoxious student body like Duke. Plus they have not had the consistent success like Duke.
Was reading how Clemson lost to FSU and was curious how big a deal it would have been if Duke had won in a similar fashion. Please talk amongst yourselves.
If I had seen what happen to Clemson i would be in a better position to comment but my bet is the comments would be flying fast and furiosly if Duke won in that manner.
Well, Atlanta only really benefits Georgia Tech. Tampa....was that announced before or after Miami joined the league? (Otherwise, only Fla. St. benefits, right?)
And what's really funny is that Tampa is a natural for South Florida....which doesn't seem like it'll EVER make the Big East tourney's top 12. Maybe USF will broker a secret deal to replace BC!
Yeah, and it'd be awesome if they could play some of the bigger games, the Duke and UNC games, at TD Banknorth, but it probably won't happen. Here's what BC Athletic Director Gene DeFillipo had to say about it:
BC Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo: There are certainly plusses and minuses for taking a basketball game from Conte Forum to the TD BankNorth Garden, but at this time, we do not plan to play any of our regular-season games away from Conte. Even though it might benefit us financially, it takes away the home-court advantage from our basketball players and causes an inconvenience for the students. We also sell luxury boxes in Conte Forum and those holding a box would not be excited about us playing downtown. So, for these reasons and more, we plan to stay on campus for our regular-season games... We have been aggressive in trying to bring the [ACC]tournament to Boston at some point in the future. We'll continue to try to garner support to get that done.
All right guys I am out of here for the rest of the day. I actually have to go do some work and give a demo to a company so hopefully they buy my product. Talk to you all tomorrow.
Alabama lost to Kentucky. The Tide are NIT bound.
This is off-topic, but news worthy all the same. This is from David Wells in regard to his Africa hunting trip in the off-season:
"Ostrich was phenomenal. Warthog was outstanding. A little different taste, but it's really good," the San Diego Padres' left-hander said while recounting his trip. "Hardebeest, wildebeest, gazelle, all that stuff.
"Very, very tasty. It's just the zebra you don't want to eat. We shot them for bait. For lions."
Even a dik-dik, a furry little antelope, ended up on Wells' dinner plate after he "double-lunged it" from 30 yards with his bow.
"That was probably one of the best-eating things I had," he said. "It doesn't sound good. Cute little suckers, too."
Could you imagine how scary it would be to be animal having Lard Ass hunt you for food?
So, I think ND is in whether they win or lose today ... the question is does Syracuse make it if they get beat by ND?
Right now ND is up 65-59
Post a Comment