tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post3208233370847090622..comments2024-03-17T03:18:56.070-04:00Comments on Dan Shanoff: Monday 03/19 A.M. Quickie:Only If "Sweet" Means "Favorites Advance"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-73860591223825123632007-03-20T08:33:00.000-04:002007-03-20T08:33:00.000-04:00FSN is always regional. At least for me. I'll ge...FSN is always regional. At least for me. I'll get the occasional PAC10 football game on FSN, but only 3-4 a year, and only if it starts at midnight or so.<BR/>That's Skinemax time.rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09286062038193331350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-39222603909532423562007-03-19T19:52:00.000-04:002007-03-19T19:52:00.000-04:00I don't think your conference affiliation really m...I don't think your conference affiliation really makes a difference in determining cinderellas. My only reasoning is that one of the greatest cindy's was NC State. I presume they were in the ACC back then which would have been one of the stronger conferences in the late 70's early 80's. If they can be a cinderella then Arkansas or Illinois could have been worthy of the sobriquet if they could have made a run. I think the only requirement to being a cinderella is for the majority of people to think you have no chance at the title.The heroin sheikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16860402732123149415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-44698485333530740532007-03-19T16:23:00.000-04:002007-03-19T16:23:00.000-04:00Our FSN in our local sports too...some Cavs' games...Our FSN in our local sports too...some Cavs' games, almost all of the Indians' games and some college stuff. Lately they have also been playing the '86 Cleveland State tournament games. Not many of you here are old enough to remember that run when they barely lost to David Robinson and Navy.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071405721004631626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-87765485912969888382007-03-19T16:19:00.000-04:002007-03-19T16:19:00.000-04:00I was talking things over with a couple guys who, ...I was talking things over with a couple guys who, like myself, follow ALL of college b-ball. We determined that you must split conferences into 4 categories.<BR/><BR/>High- ACC, Big 10, Big XII, SEC, Pac-10, Big East, Missouri Valley<BR/>High Mid- A-10, CUSA, WAC, Mountain West, WCC, SoCon, Horizon, CAA<BR/>Low Mid- MAC, Patriot, Ivy, Mid-Con, Southland, Big South, Big West, A-East<BR/>Low- SWAC, Northeast, MEAC, Sunbelt, A-Sun, Big Sky, MAAC, OVC<BR/><BR/>That said, here's where we are now:<BR/>Tourney records against teams in other categories:<BR/>High conference teams: Against High Mid (5-2 in 1st round, 3-2 in 2nd round), Against Low Mid (7-1 in 1st round, 1-0 in 2nd round), Against Low (7-0)<BR/><BR/>So we have 13 teams in the Sweey 16 from the High conferences and the other 3 are from the High Mid (Butler, Memphis, UNLV).<BR/><BR/>That's pretty lopsided.<BR/><BR/>Also see that there was only 1 win by a Low Mid or Low team against a High (Winthrop over Notre Dame).GuyInTheCornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10281686811471557576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-45798046328732024232007-03-19T16:12:00.000-04:002007-03-19T16:12:00.000-04:00FSN is good for watching local MLB games but that'...FSN is good for watching local MLB games but that's about it. I live in Minnesota and I can watch just about every Twins game and even some Brewers games. They also have some college sports but not much. Overall, I feel like the announcers are better than the big networks though. The camera work isn't the best, the overall look and feel isn't the best, but the announcers are smarter, nicer, and more accurate with calls.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02827851943831518318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-42058460861987003302007-03-19T15:34:00.000-04:002007-03-19T15:34:00.000-04:00That's right, they are FSN. The problem is, no one...That's right, they are FSN. The problem is, no one watches FSN (at least not anywhere I've lived). <BR/><BR/>The overall presentation quality is just so low as a whole on the network that it makes it hard to watch anything on there unless it's the only place to find it. The lack of HD (at least for me) is also not good. It's a shame too, since it could be a good alternative to ESPN. It just, well, isn't. <BR/><BR/>Still, the timing of Left Coast games does make it tough to watch.ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-2332138218622931242007-03-19T15:30:00.000-04:002007-03-19T15:30:00.000-04:00Has anyone read Simmons' story in ESPN the magazin...Has anyone read Simmons' story in ESPN the magazine yet, where he rips Billy Packer? He sorta kept it a secret during his tourney blog last week.Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-88139372563636308152007-03-19T15:19:00.001-04:002007-03-19T15:19:00.001-04:006) The Pac-10 is for real.Hey West Coasters, don't...6) The Pac-10 is for real.<BR/>Hey West Coasters, don't blame us on this one. Your games simply aren't nationally televised. Otherwise we might actually know how good Oregon or USC is. Then again, I don't think anyone outside of So-Cal could have picked USC over Texas.<BR/><BR/>Yes they are,it's not that hard to fine where FSN is located on your TV screen. <BR/><BR/>Ps,FSN is 10x better at calling games than ESPN.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-86240608598558659332007-03-19T15:19:00.000-04:002007-03-19T15:19:00.000-04:00Chuck Klosterman has another great article out on ...Chuck Klosterman has another great article out on espn.com.<BR/><BR/>Thought I'd mention it...it's a good take on the steroids issue.rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09286062038193331350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-49400695594088371952007-03-19T14:28:00.000-04:002007-03-19T14:28:00.000-04:00Brian, The 5 second call and the 3 second calls ar...Brian, <BR/><BR/>The 5 second call and the 3 second calls are so infrequently called in college basketball, it's a joke. Basically, if you're a stud, you'll never get either called against you. It's hard though for officials to gauge and simultaneously count the closely guarded thing, especially 30 feet from the basket.<BR/><BR/>The other officiating joke in College Basketball are moving screens. The worst offender in this has to be Illinois, or at least they were with the Dee Brown team.ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-67804312596912013572007-03-19T14:24:00.000-04:002007-03-19T14:24:00.000-04:00Except that basketball already punishes defenders ...Except that basketball already punishes defenders too much as it is. Offensive players are "bailed out" waaaay too much by even the chintziest of foul calls.<BR/><BR/>Hey, did anyone else have a problem with the inconsistency in the 5-second counts on the hideous "closely guarded rule" this weekend?Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-9765368640616656232007-03-19T13:39:00.000-04:002007-03-19T13:39:00.000-04:00Hm. I think the biggest mistake in the game belon...Hm. I think the biggest mistake in the game belonged to Thad Matta.<BR/><BR/>Yes, you have Oden. But your playmaker is clearly Conley. The offense should go through him.rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09286062038193331350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-46545017582229031372007-03-19T12:34:00.000-04:002007-03-19T12:34:00.000-04:00The biggest mistake that Xavier made was letting O...The biggest mistake that Xavier made was letting Ohio State actually take the 3 point shot. If you foul them before the shot they go to line for 2 FT's and Xavier was up three. Any Coach that does not just foul in that situation is a moron.CMFosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05291296862033162143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-20269757136888265062007-03-19T12:31:00.000-04:002007-03-19T12:31:00.000-04:00Dan, With your Varsity Letters involvement, I just...Dan, <BR/><BR/>With your Varsity Letters involvement, I just wanted to see if you caught the obit in today's (3/19) <I>WashPost</I> for Charles Einstein, who died March 7. Not only was he a prolific baseball writer, he created card counting systems for blackjack which are still in use. I came to him through a used copy of one of his Fireside books on baseball, I'd put him on my personal Mount Rushmore with Angell, Boswell & um, I'll get back to you on the fourth.Stormyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03653310052958417894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-60071443346795747662007-03-19T12:14:00.000-04:002007-03-19T12:14:00.000-04:00@troy:I understand your points. As a neutral fan,...@troy:<BR/><BR/>I understand your points. As a neutral fan, you like the drama of the game-tying shot (note: I was pleased with the outcome because I have OSU going to the champ. game). But Xavier isn't playing for the neutral fan, they're playing for their tournament life, so they should have fouled... <BR/><BR/>The second point being a coach not wanting to risk it with fouling. I'm no basketball expert, but it seems to me that situation is something you would prepare for and practice. It was clear from the previous play that they weren't going to call an intentional foul on anything short of giving an atomic wedgie, so that risk shouldn't be a factor. And if you foul early enough, then making a shot shouldn't come into play either. But as mentioned, I'm not a basketball expert.<BR/><BR/>One other note re: David Wells. I work in a Diabetic clinic and research facility, so I'm perfectly aware of how much it sucks being a diabetic. That said, I find it difficult to feel sorry for someone like David Wells. He not only makes poor lifestyle choices, but glorifies them. I hope he realizes how serious Diabetes is and makes some changes, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.verbal97https://www.blogger.com/profile/02282148454169067288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-18453072840436797942007-03-19T12:09:00.000-04:002007-03-19T12:09:00.000-04:00i think siu kansas will be a great game, two compl...i think siu kansas will be a great game, two completely different styles matching up the best defensive team vs the best offensive team, i think in the end kansas has a little to much firepower but it should be a great game. and by vote who else thinks that it was clearly not a charge but a block in the butler maryland gameAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-81148037133017085842007-03-19T12:04:00.000-04:002007-03-19T12:04:00.000-04:00I think 3 free throws for a foul on a three-pointe...I think 3 free throws for a foul on a three-pointer is stupid.<BR/><BR/>The extra point is supposed to be a reward for making such a deep shot. By granting 3 free throws, you're practically assuming the shot would have been made, and thus not playing up the "degree of difficulty" that's inherent.<BR/><BR/>Maybe, like an in-the-bonus situation, I'd be willing to think about the ol' three-to-make-two rule. But otherwise, 2 shots for a shooting foul.Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-23447251355618092012007-03-19T11:56:00.000-04:002007-03-19T11:56:00.000-04:001.) Xavier should have made the free throws to ice...1.) Xavier should have made the free throws to ice the game.<BR/><BR/>2.) They should have fouled once OSU got past half court.<BR/><BR/>There is no other way to play it. If Xavier fouls, there chances of winning are increased because they need to make the first free throw, purposely miss, and then get the rebound and make it. Those odds are what...less than 10%?RevScottDeMangeMDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02220843774217781967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-51732477219026872272007-03-19T11:48:00.000-04:002007-03-19T11:48:00.000-04:00@verbal: As a neutral fan, I always hate it when t...@verbal: As a neutral fan, I always hate it when the team up 3 with a few seconds left fouls--it takes away the potential drama ofa 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie. But if you caught the end of the Tennessee game yesterday, they fouled in the same situation Xavier was in, and did it perfectly.<BR/><BR/>I can understand why coaches might be hesitant to tell their players to foul there, though. I can see how coaches would be afraid that 19 year old kids, in the intensity of the situation, might mess up and foul while the other team manages to get a shot off, creating a situation where they could potentially lose the game. I think a lot of coaches figure the worst taht can happen if they don't foul is a tie, and are willing to live with the risk.TJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14923521765537437204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-76516406254674335922007-03-19T11:39:00.000-04:002007-03-19T11:39:00.000-04:00I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that Xavier sho...I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that Xavier should have fouled OSU when a 3-pointer was needed to tie. If you foul, they would have to make the first one and get the rebound/tip-in on the intentionally missed second shot. A much longer shot statistically speaking than making a 3-pointer.<BR/><BR/>I also agree with Todd on Durant. You can't hold it against one player that a team of five players can't win a team game. As Todd mentioned, Anthony had others around him, including a role playing team leader (Duany) and a much, much, much better coach in Boeheim. Another interesting hypothetical would be to see how far Texas would have gone if you switched places between Noah (or Horford) and Durant. I say they would have been no better than an 8-9 seed.verbal97https://www.blogger.com/profile/02282148454169067288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-54178261334772047632007-03-19T11:32:00.000-04:002007-03-19T11:32:00.000-04:00I think I've discovered the secret to winning brac...I think I've discovered the secret to winning bracket pools. Sadly, it requires making two brackets. One bracket should be exactly the national bracket, and the other should be upset-heavy. Years like this year and two years ago, your national bracket would carry the day, and years like last year the upset bracket would carry the day. <BR/><BR/>(In other news, I'm trying to feel better about my pick of Texas in the final game by reminding myself that I have SIU in the final four.)TJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14923521765537437204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-36388440381754946732007-03-19T11:26:00.000-04:002007-03-19T11:26:00.000-04:00Self factor? What Self factor? This is a guy who...Self factor? What Self factor? This is a guy who's lead 3 teams to the elite 8. One of those teams being Tulsa. Everyone harps on the two first round exits, and rightfully so. But the first one was a senior lead team that had been a few seconds away from a third straight final four the year before. That team should not have needed any extra motivation and they (the team) just choked. Last years team was the youngest in the field starting 3 freshman and 2 sophomores. Coaching can't overcome complete inexperience. Self has his Ferrarri now, let's see what he can do with it.<BR/><BR/>As you can see, I'm not one of those KU fans who rip Self and long for the days of Roy Williams. He had a huge number of tourney flamouts before finally winning it at Carolina, with someone elses players. But yes he did make several (4?) final fours in his 16 years.<BR/><BR/>(and for anyone who listened to Colin Cowerd this morning, he argued you can't use the National Title excuse if you win it in the first year or two with someone elses players.)jhawkjjmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18297634924511036895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-31255795210091089462007-03-19T11:23:00.000-04:002007-03-19T11:23:00.000-04:00I have said it before, the Oden foul was intention...I have said it before, the Oden foul was intentional, but I don't think it was on him. There is another player (number 12 I think) that lowered his shoulder and nailed the Xavier player out of bounds.Luke Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15794556619520450782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-88664318003392708812007-03-19T11:10:00.000-04:002007-03-19T11:10:00.000-04:00What the heck am I supposed to do until Thursday!?...What the heck am I supposed to do until Thursday!?! And I am NOT a basketball fan at all! I only have 11 teams in the Sweet 16, and I've already lost 2 Elite 8s! Ugh, I was really counting on Durant...<BR/><BR/>I wish Wisco would have just lost their first game and gotten it over with!<BR/><BR/>@Todd: you're bad, but I have to laugh with you. My grandfather was a diabetic and it ended up being the cause of his death, so David Wells should take this diagnosis as a huge wake-up call.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071405721004631626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-80123053368761628812007-03-19T11:07:00.000-04:002007-03-19T11:07:00.000-04:00Yeah, Xavier should have had someone down there, a...Yeah, Xavier should have had someone down there, and the whole situation would have been avoided if Cage had made the free throw anyway, but the foul was intentional. I don't think it was just a case of Oden being so much bigger or anything. He threw the guy to the floor. It was intentional. <BR/><BR/>And by the way, has there ever been an older looking 18 year old than Oden??? The guy looks 30!Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02827851943831518318noreply@blogger.com