Random Thoughts on the NCAA Tournament

[Terry in Crapchester]

1. My bracket sucked this year, but I suspect most others did as well. No #1 seeds in the Final Four, and George Mason there. 'Nuff said.

2. Props to Florida, especially given that they didn't return anyone averaging more than 7 ppg off last year's team.

3. Joakim Noah reminds me a little of an erstwhile Florida big man, Dwayne Schintzius, in that both have a godawful hairdo that, for some reason, they're incredibly proud of (of course, our resident Gator, T REX, won't get this reference since he thinks anything before 1990 doesn't count). Having said that, I'm sure Schintzius wishes he had 1/1000th of Noah's game.

4. Speaking of Noah, I didn't realize until last night that he was from NYC. Not to go Schmick, but the Big East needs to do a better job of keeping the NYC talent in conference.

5. For all the harping on Nantz and Packer, they were relatively tolerable to me last night. Of course, there wasn't an ACC team playing, either.

6. Even though I didn't have a rooting interest last night, the NCAA tournament is still the greatest event in sports, bar none. Wish college football had something remotely equivalent to it.

7. College basketball kicks the NBA in the ass.

[Shoalzie]

7. College basketball kicks the NBA in the ass.

RACK!

...and the Big Dance owns the bowl season in college football.

[Mikey]

What they said.

[WolverineSteve]

Racks to Florida.

Will TREX be tolerable...only time will tell. What's the over/under on him using a hoops reference in a CFB thread?

I thought the Final Four was a bit of a letdown after the first four rounds. Up until the FF I thought this was one of the best tournies, game in and out. Only one team brought it every game and that's why they're the champions. Mason, LSU, and UCLA all had their bad game in Indianapoplis where the margin for error is much smaller than in regional play. Florida (as I stated in another thread...rack me) was playing the best ball of the four and proved to be too tough, fast, long, and athletic for all comers.

Bring on football!!

[T REX]

1. My bracket sucked this year, but I suspect most others did as well. No #1 seeds in the Final Four, and George Mason there. 'Nuff said.

2. Props to Florida, especially given that they didn't return anyone averaging more than 7 ppg off last year's team.

3. Joakim Noah reminds me a little of an erstwhile Florida big man, Dwayne Schintzius, in that both have a godawful hairdo that, for some reason, they're incredibly proud of (of course, our resident Gator, T REX, won't get this reference since he thinks anything before 1990 doesn't count). Having said that, I'm sure Schintzius wishes he had 1/1000th of Noah's game.

4. Speaking of Noah, I didn't realize until last night that he was from NYC. Not to go Schmick, but the Big East needs to do a better job of keeping the NYC talent in conference.

5. For all the harping on Nantz and Packer, they were relatively tolerable to me last night. Of course, there wasn't an ACC team playing, either.

6. Even though I didn't have a rooting interest last night, the NCAA tournament is still the greatest event in sports, bar none. Wish college football had something remotely equivalent to it.

7. College basketball kicks the NBA in the ass.

First, Dwayne is from Tampa(brandon). Ever hear of Toney Mack and the heart attacks? Toney led the nation is scoring that year. That was many moons ago. I have been a sports junkie since I was little...high school, college and pro. You always have me completely pegged wrong. What a surprise there.

Second, Noah was in love with G-town since a child. He went to every summer camp John Thompson did from ages 9-15. They did not recruit him until he had grown 5 inches in one year. Too late. Billy D had been recruiting him heavily prior.

Lastly, I agree....there is nothing like march madness. And to use a cliche....One Shining Moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[T REX]

Racks to Florida.

Will TREX be tolerable...only time will tell. What's the over/under on him using a hoops reference in a CFB thread?

I thought the Final Four was a bit of a letdown after the first four rounds. Up until the FF I thought this was one of the best tournies, game in and out. Only one team brought it every game and that's why they're the champions. Mason, LSU, and UCLA all had their bad game in Indianapoplis where the margin for error is much smaller than in regional play. Florida (as I stated in another thread...rack me) was playing the best ball of the four and proved to be too tough, fast, long, and athletic for all comers.

Bring on football!!

UF joins elite company in D-IA programs with BOTH a FOOTBALL title and a BASKETBALL title......FLORIDA, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Cuse, and UCLA.

[Terry in Crapchester]

First, Dwayne is from Tampa(brandon). Ever hear of Toney Mack and the heart attacks? Toney led the nation is scoring that year. That was many moons ago. I have been a sports junkie since I was little...high school, college and pro. You always have me completely pegged wrong. What a surprise there.

Yes, I've heard of Toney Mack and the heart attacks. I lived in Jacksonville for 3 1/2 years while I was in the Navy, and I had Florida sports more or less shoved down my throat back then.

My comment was based on the fact that, whenever you discuss ND football, you always ask what ND has done since 1990. Since you're very specific in the time period you ask about, and always limit things only to that time period, I reached the conclusion that in your opinion, anything that happened prior to 1990 doesn't matter to you. Even if my conclusion was erroneous, it was not unreasonable, in light of your own posts.

Second, Noah was in love with G-town since a child. He went to every summer camp John Thompson did from ages 9-15. They did not recruit him until he had grown 5 inches in one year. Too late. Billy D had been recruiting him heavily prior.

Did not know that. Having said that, John Thompson (the elder one, that is) hasn't been coach at Georgetown since 1999. During the latter part of the time you mentioned, he wouldn't have been Georgetown's coach. Don't know for sure the details of his basketball camp, but I'm not sure that he could legally affiliate it with Georgetown after he stopped coaching there.

[Cicero]

UF joins elite company in D-IA programs with BOTH a FOOTBALL title and a BASKETBALL title......FLORIDA, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Cuse, and UCLA.

I laughed.

[WolverineSteve]

What's so funny...no FSU, or Duke.

[Terry in Crapchester]

UF joins elite company in D-IA programs with BOTH a FOOTBALL title and a BASKETBALL title......FLORIDA, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Cuse, and UCLA.

I laughed.

Hard to think of Michigan State or SU as a football power these days, but there was a time when it was true.

[Killian]

When did UCLA win a football title?

[Terry in Crapchester]

When did UCLA win a football title?

Good catch. You're right, UCLA never won a football title.

http://uclabruins.cstv.com/trads/ucla-c ... ships.html

Edit to add: unless one includes the 1954 team as a national champion.

[ChargerMike]

...different take here:

Grapes?..whetever!

...as strictly a homer, I got a big problem with the officiating, You let the other teams stud take how ever many steps he needs to get to the basket, you let same stud block numerous shots without any fouls called, you let the other team skate on travel after travel, you blow the whistle every time the opponent goes up for a shot, and you're going to have a very tough evening!
The momentum shifts cannot possible be calculated. The 5 point switches are lost in the fury of dunks late in the game. Additionally, the other team plays basically a flawless game and you're done.

Just saying, coulda, shoulda, woulda been a different game. Not saying UCLA would have won, but on another night, with another crew, it's a different outcome.

3-2-1

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

UF joins elite company in D-IA programs with BOTH a FOOTBALL title and a BASKETBALL title......FLORIDA, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Cuse, and UCLA.

I laughed.

You can keep laughing, and you won't twist facts around. MSU is one of the few d1 programs that has won a title in both football and basketball. Deal with it.

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

...different take here:

Grapes?..whetever!

...as strictly a homer, I got a big problem with the officiating, You let the other teams stud take how ever many steps he needs to get to the basket, you let same stud block numerous shots without any fouls called, you let the other team skate on travel after travel, you blow the whistle every time the opponent goes up for a shot, and you're going to have a very tough evening!
The momentum shifts cannot possible be calculated. The 5 point switches are lost in the fury of dunks late in the game. Additionally, the other team plays basically a flawless game and you're done.

Just saying, coulda, shoulda, woulda been a different game. Not saying UCLA would have won, but on another night, with another crew, it's a different outcome.

3-2-1

I agree on the no-traveling calls. They were letting Noah get away with murder in the post.

Still, it was obvious to anyone the better basketball team won.

[Bucmonkey]

UF joins elite company in D-IA programs with BOTH a FOOTBALL title and a BASKETBALL title......FLORIDA, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Cuse, and UCLA.

I laughed.

Damn Cic...you sound just like the few FSU fans that are friends of mine. Glad to see you all squirm on this....

[Bucmonkey]

And CM ?? You are kidding right ?

[ChargerMike]

And CM ?? You are kidding right ?

...about what? :wink:

have you ever seen 10 blocks with "nothing but ball" and no fouls called? (several replays showed arm contact) Did they not let Noah get away with everything? (he played great and was all over they place and clearly the best player on the floor). Did Florida not play a flawless game?

...what was the question again? oh yeah..NO, I'm not kidding, but I'm open to rebuttal.

[T REX]

First, Dwayne is from Tampa(brandon). Ever hear of Toney Mack and the heart attacks? Toney led the nation is scoring that year. That was many moons ago. I have been a sports junkie since I was little...high school, college and pro. You always have me completely pegged wrong. What a surprise there.

Yes, I've heard of Toney Mack and the heart attacks. I lived in Jacksonville for 3 1/2 years while I was in the Navy, and I had Florida sports more or less shoved down my throat back then.

My comment was based on the fact that, whenever you discuss ND football, you always ask what ND has done since 1990. Since you're very specific in the time period you ask about, and always limit things only to that time period, I reached the conclusion that in your opinion, anything that happened prior to 1990 doesn't matter to you. Even if my conclusion was erroneous, it was not unreasonable, in light of your own posts.

Second, Noah was in love with G-town since a child. He went to every summer camp John Thompson did from ages 9-15. They did not recruit him until he had grown 5 inches in one year. Too late. Billy D had been recruiting him heavily prior.

Did not know that. Having said that, John Thompson (the elder one, that is) hasn't been coach at Georgetown since 1999. During the latter part of the time you mentioned, he wouldn't have been Georgetown's coach. Don't know for sure the details of his basketball camp, but I'm not sure that he could legally affiliate it with Georgetown after he stopped coaching there.

1990 is when SOS took over and pulled us from NCAA sanctions. You can go back to when ever you want. For me that was the change. The direction of teh program changed. Oh well.

So....after JT left GU you think he had no affliation with a school that he spent years at? Or that he wouldn't have any sway as to recruits and where they might go?

You are joking right?

[T REX]

When did UCLA win a football title?

Good catch. You're right, UCLA never won a football title.

http://uclabruins.cstv.com/trads/ucla-c ... ships.html

Edit to add: unless one includes the 1954 team as a national champion.

1954

One paper added Maryland to the mix.

I guess its more impressive if both were done recently OR within a same era instead of 50 years apart. That doesn't see as big a deal. Example: UT winning in BB and FB.

edit:

*The 1964 national championship was historic not so much for who won but for when the title was awarded. In 1964, seven different entities named a mythical national champion. The two most notable polls to fans at the time - The Associated Press and the United Press International - did not wait until after the bowl games to award their champion. Because of that, Alabama was named the national champ by the AP, UPI, and Litkenhous groups. However, the Crimson Tide went on to lose, 21-17, to Texas in the Orange Bowl and finish 10-1 on the year. Arkansas remained the only undefeated team in the country at 11-0 with its victory over Nebraska. Two groups who waited until after the bowl games to name their champion - The Football Writers Association of America and the Helms Athletic Foundation - named Frank Broyles' Razorbacks as national champs. Both the AP and UPI changed their procedure the next year, choosing to wait until after the bowls to announce their final polls.

[Diogenes]

You can't make whine without grapes.

[T REX]

And CM ?? You are kidding right ?

...about what? :wink:

have you ever seen 10 blocks with "nothing but ball" and no fouls called? (several replays showed arm contact) Did they not let Noah get away with everything? (he played great and was all over they place and clearly the best player on the floor). Did Florida not play a flawless game?

...what was the question again? oh yeah..NO, I'm not kidding, but I'm open to rebuttal.

Huh? The one where Hollins was bawling like a bitch after his shit was stuffed was ALL BALL. He threw a little tantrum right there on the court. Replay? ALL BALL!!!!

Noah was in ucla's heads all game. They looked over their shoulder all night. Sorry but they called plenty of fouls on florida.

They dominated ucla. Not sure what ucla could have done different but they were not in the same league as UF last night.

[ChargerMike]

And CM ?? You are kidding right ?

...about what? :wink:

have you ever seen 10 blocks with "nothing but ball" and no fouls called? (several replays showed arm contact) Did they not let Noah get away with everything? (he played great and was all over they place and clearly the best player on the floor). Did Florida not play a flawless game?

...what was the question again? oh yeah..NO, I'm not kidding, but I'm open to rebuttal.

Huh? The one where Hollins was bawling like a bitch after his shit was stuffed was ALL BALL. He threw a little tantrum right there on the court. Replay? ALL BALL!!!!

Noah was in ucla's heads all game. They looked over their shoulder all night. Sorry but they called plenty of fouls on florida.

They dominated ucla. Not sure what ucla could have done different but they were not in the same league as UF last night.

...most of them were all ball, but a few were not. Noah was in their heads for sure, no question. The fact his he played his a$$ of but got the run of the floor if ya know what I mean. The game just blew apart for UCLA, and Florida took advantage.. hey said it might be grapes, plus I said the outcome might not have been any different.

still gotta cry a little. :(

[Cicero]

What's so funny...no FSU, or Duke.

Hardly. Mich St and Cuse arent elite in football.

[MuchoBulls]

Hardly. Mich St and Cuse arent elite in football.

They are down now, but they do have rich traditions in football, which is more than we can say for Duke football.

Hasn't Michigan State won multiple national Titles in Football and Men's Basketball?

[Cicero]

No one has said anything about Duke football. There are very few schools that can CURRENTLY say that they are elite in both sports:


LSU
UF
Texas
Oklahoma
UCLA

[The Seer]

You're right, UCLA never won a football title.
Edit to add: unless one includes the 1954 team as a national champion.

1954 is as legit as any so called "title". They're all mythical, remember?

Also, the Pac-8 back then had a "no-repeat" rule in the Rose Bowl, so undefeateds would have their seasons end with the last conference game....

Facts are facts.....

[Terry in Crapchester]

No one has said anything about Duke football. There are very few schools that can CURRENTLY say that they are elite in both sports:


LSU
UF
Texas
Oklahoma
UCLA

You missed Ohio State.

And I'd put West Virginia on that list as well. They're at least as legit on that list as Oklahoma (basketball) or UCLA (football).

[Cicero]

^^


I forgot about tOSU. I would also agree w/ West Virginia.

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

What's so funny...no FSU, or Duke.

Hardly. Mich St and Cuse arent elite in football.

Reading comprehension problems, I see. His focal point was that UF joined the ranks of teams associated with winning both football and basketball titles, and that the schools who have accomplished this feat are in an "elite" class.

Glad I could help.

[Terry in Crapchester]

So....after JT left GU you think he had no affliation with a school that he spent years at? Or that he wouldn't have any sway as to recruits and where they might go?

You are joking right?

My point was that, and I'm not entirely sure of the NCAA rules on this one, Thompson might not have been able to affiliate his summer camp with Georgetown basketball after he resigned.

I don't follow Georgetown closely enough to be able to comment on the relationship between Thompson and Esherick. That being said, considering that Esherick lasted only 4 1/2 seasons at Georgetown, was fired at the first sign that the program might be slipping, and was sandwiched between father and son as coach of the Georgetown program . . . maybe it wasn't all that great.