I'm glad Kentucky lost, but....

[smashmouths@blf 33]

Damn arrogant program. Sick of seeing them. Wish they would've lost to any other team besides UCONN. Can say the same things about them as well. Would've loved to see Wichita State win it all. Tomorrow night we get to watch cocky Geno and the UCONN women. I'm guessing it's gonna be a Husky sweep in both the men's and women's tourneys. Gross. That is all.

[IGotWorms 3,309]

I was rooting for Kentucky. Especially after that one doosh from UConn pushed around his own teammate on the floor. Total doosh move

[Voltaire 4,556]

Considering all the #7 and #8 seeds we've seen over the years, it's a real letdown that it was these two programs that broke through.

[parrot 789]

I was rooting for Kentucky. Especially after that one doosh from UConn pushed around his own teammate on the floor. Total doosh move

 

And they later b!tched at him because they both jumped out of bounds trying to save the ball. I wanted UConn to win, but Napier is a little b!tch.

[parrot 789]

Considering all the #7 and #8 seeds we've seen over the years, it's a real letdown that it was these two programs that broke through.

 

[JT 137]

When you win as regularly as these two programs, is it cockiness? It's really only bragging if you can't back it up, and they have. Different players, coaches, styles of play, yet they're there on a crazily regular basis.

 

I hope Daniels stays and develops his game. I see in him what I saw in the kid from Wichita State (Early) last year. He has the potential to be a big time NBA player, an elite level guy. Needs some more weight and seasoning.

 

Randle looks more like a baby Nique every time I see him. He'll thrive in the pro game. Kind of guy who doesn't need to go to a good team to develop; in fact, touches in the halfcourt is what he needs more than anything.

 

Napier? He's a good pro. Solid, starting guard at the Mike Conley level. Better offensive instincts, needs work defensively and seeing the court.

 

Thought it was a great tournament.

[MDC 5,890]

I was mostly disappointed because I wanted to see Julius Randle play more; this was the only UK game I caught in the tourney. Of the top NBA prospects we got two bad performances out of Wiggins / Parker, Embiid out with back issues and Randle hobbled by a post-win pile up.

 

Exum might have done himself a favor by not playing college ball at all.

[KSB2424 3,082]

Thought it was a great tournament.

 

It was, but I do have a small concern about the regular season not meaning much. Just look at these two teams.....the regular season meant little. I hope the NCAA doesn't go after a money grab and continue to expand the field of teams. 64 teams was plenty, you have to at least have a "good" year to make the tournmanent or win your conference (for the small schools). They expanded to 65, then 68, and I fear they will keep going. Not sure I like that as it will reneder the regular season completely meaningless if they keep going.

 

64 Teams is the sweet spot. They'll fock it up somehow going for more cash.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

 

It was, but I do have a small concern about the regular season not meaning much. Just look at these two teams.....the regular season meant little. I hope the NCAA doesn't go after a money grab and continue to expand the field of teams. 64 teams was plenty, you have to at least have a "good" year to make the tournmanent or win your conference (for the small schools). They expanded to 65, then 68, and I fear they will keep going. Not sure I like that as it will reneder the regular season completely meaningless if they keep going.

 

64 Teams is the sweet spot. They'll fock it up somehow going for more cash.

IMO a truly great tournament will feature ALL D1 teams. Every single one. The final 64 would feature the top 32 vs 32 advancers and would add an extra weekend to the front end. No more bubble. Everyone will love it.

[JT 137]

 

It was, but I do have a small concern about the regular season not meaning much. Just look at these two teams.....the regular season meant little. I hope the NCAA doesn't go after a money grab and continue to expand the field of teams. 64 teams was plenty, you have to at least have a "good" year to make the tournmanent or win your conference (for the small schools). They expanded to 65, then 68, and I fear they will keep going. Not sure I like that as it will reneder the regular season completely meaningless if they keep going.

 

64 Teams is the sweet spot. They'll fock it up somehow going for more cash.

I agree re 64, but that ship has sailed. If there's money involved, they'll do whatever it takes to get it.

 

I don't agree with it devaluing the regular season. There's an ebb and flow to any sport, and I think it's an even greater variance when you're talking about 19 year old kids and a game where one outstanding performer can carry a team for a short span.

 

Kentucky had amazing talent, a coach who has proven that he can get a team there, led the nation in rebounding, and have the guy that should go #1 in the NBA draft.

 

UConn has a budding star in Daniels, who developed over the course of the year; Napier who was well known as an offensive beast; a chip on their shoulder from being banned last year; tradition and were among the best nationally in FT% and scoring in last :10 of the shot clock. They were the last team to beat Florida before they did it again. Of the other teams to last beat that #1 seed? Wisconsin, Michigan and Kentucky (believe they were 4 of the Gators last 6 losses).

 

So maybe all the evidence was there, established by the regular season, and we're still too quick to believe records and seeding as opposed to matchups and style of play.

[JT 137]

 

IMO a truly great tournament will feature ALL D1 teams. Every single one. The final 64 would feature the top 32 vs 32 advancers and would add an extra weekend to the front end. No more bubble. Everyone will love it.

There are 345 D1 basketball teams.

[KSB2424 3,082]

IMO a truly great tournament will feature ALL D1 teams. Every single one. The final 64 would feature the top 32 vs 32 advancers and would add an extra weekend to the front end. No more bubble. Everyone will love it.

 

Why even play the regular season then? I love the tournament but should't it at least try to crown the best team fo the year, not the best team of one tournament only? The regular season would eventually become less popular. There is a delicate balance between making a one and done tournament FUN and also crowning a champion of your sport based on a full basketball season.

 

That would be like having all NFL football teams make the playoffs....would as many people watch on Sundays in September and October? I'd wager a days pay viewership would go down some even in the mightly NFL with that playoff model.

[IGotWorms 3,309]

I get the feeling that the NCAA is focking with the seeding a bit too to create more excitement through upsets. For example in terms of RPI Kentucky and UConn were 16 and 23, respectively. Then when you consider the conferences and history of success in the programs I'm not so sure their mid-seeds were particularly legitimate. However I am no expert in college basketball so maybe I'm looking at it wrong.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

 

Why even play the regular season then? I love the tournament but should't it at least try to crown the best team fo the year, not the best team of one tournament only? The regular season would eventually become less popular. There is a delicate balance between making a one and done tournament FUN and also crowning a champion of your sport based on a full basketball season.

 

That would be like having all NFL football teams make the playoffs....would as many people watch on Sundays in September and October? I'd wager a days pay viewership would go down some even in the mightly NFL with that playoff model.

You actually think someone outside of the top 32 is going to win? This year is as close as it will come. So why even have 64? It's all just a number, why not make it a true cinderella and give everyone a mythical shot.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

 

 

There are 345 D1 basketball teams.

It's not impossible to work out. 1 extra weekend can accommodate 128 teams + 32 teams getting a bye. 2 extra weekends can accommodate 512 teams + 32 teams getting double bye.

 

Limit the season to 28 games + Conference Tournament (which would equal a bye or double bye). Conference Tournaments happen the closest weekend to March 1.

 

Saying it can't be done is the same crap the BCS keeps pulling.

[KSB2424 3,082]

You actually think someone outside of the top 32 is going to win? This year is as close as it will come. So why even have 64? It's all just a number, why not make it a true cinderella and give everyone a mythical shot.

 

The more games in a 1 loss and you're out tournament, the more teams in, means the greater chance the best teams have at losing. It's math.

 

There is a reason all teams dont make the playoffs in pretty every single sport ever invented.

[DankNuggs 305]

 

Why even play the regular season then? I love the tournament but should't it at least try to crown the best team fo the year, not the best team of one tournament only? The regular season would eventually become less popular. There is a delicate balance between making a one and done tournament FUN and also crowning a champion of your sport based on a full basketball season.

 

That would be like having all NFL football teams make the playoffs....would as many people watch on Sundays in September and October? I'd wager a days pay viewership would go down some even in the mightly NFL with that playoff model.

Because teams care about winning conference championships. and seeding definitely plays into your chances going deep in the tournament.

[DankNuggs 305]

 

The more games in a 1 loss and your out tournament, the more teams in, means the greater chance the best teams wont win. It's math.

 

There is a reason all teams dont make the playoffs in pretty every single sport ever invented.

The tournament is a good mix of auto qualifiers and at larges. The format is pretty damn good IMO. makes for an incredibly exciting end to the season.

[KSB2424 3,082]

The tournament is a good mix of auto qualifiers and at larges. The format is pretty damn good IMO. makes for an incredibly exciting end to the season.

 

Agreed, a 64 team out of 345 tournament is a good mix. Timmy wants all 345 teams to make the championship tournament.

[posty 2,296]

IMO a truly great tournament will feature ALL D1 teams. Every single one. The final 64 would feature the top 32 vs 32 advancers and would add an extra weekend to the front end. No more bubble. Everyone will love it.

What about the NIT, CBI and the collegeinsider.com tournaments?

[KSB2424 3,082]

Because teams care about winning conference championships. and seeding definitely plays into your chances going deep in the tournament.

 

I didn't say people/teams wouldn't care AT ALL. But to think the regular season wouldn't suffer would be naive. As a UNC fan, a huge college bball fan, I'd go to less games and probably wouldn't care as much until tournament time. I'd pay attention when they played Duke or State, but who cares if they lose any other games? Everybody is in the tournanet afterall. Fan interest wouldn't go away....but I would argue it would dimish.

 

Not a way to grow the sport imo.

 

The NCAA T is awesome. But there is such thing as "too much of a good thing".

[TimmySmith 2,782]

 

The more games in a 1 loss and you're out tournament, the more teams in, means the greater chance the best teams have at losing. It's math.

 

There is a reason all teams dont make the playoffs in pretty every single sport ever invented.

They all make it to their conference playoffs.

[KSB2424 3,082]

They all make it to their conference playoffs.

 

And?

 

You do realize few people care about those tournaments too....only the small schools who need to win it to get in the the Big Dance.

[Sho Nuff 719]

I get the feeling that the NCAA is focking with the seeding a bit too to create more excitement through upsets. For example in terms of RPI Kentucky and UConn were 16 and 23, respectively. Then when you consider the conferences and history of success in the programs I'm not so sure their mid-seeds were particularly legitimate. However I am no expert in college basketball so maybe I'm looking at it wrong.

 

Yeah...but they were seeded because of how the whole season went...not just their last RPIs.

They may have been a seed or two low...but neither should have been too much higher based on the rest of their seasons.

[JT 137]

They all make it to their conference playoffs.

 

No, they don't. Every conference doesn't include every team in their post season.

[JT 137]

It's not impossible to work out. 1 extra weekend can accommodate 128 teams + 32 teams getting a bye. 2 extra weekends can accommodate 512 teams + 32 teams getting double bye.

 

Limit the season to 28 games + Conference Tournament (which would equal a bye or double bye). Conference Tournaments happen the closest weekend to March 1.

 

Saying it can't be done is the same crap the BCS keeps pulling.

 

I never said it couldn't be done. I think it's a lousy idea, but lots of those are played out daily.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

 

I never said it couldn't be done. I think it's a lousy idea, but lots of those are played out daily.

We are old enough to remember 24, then 32, then 40 then 48, then 52, now 64. And somebody thought every single one of those was a lousy idea. Like 64 is some magic number just because it makes a pleasing bracket. It will expand someday and everyone will love it, just like they have with every change so far, except for the somebody.

[FeelingMN 273]

I was mostly disappointed because I wanted to see Julius Randle play more; this was the only UK game I caught in the tourney. Of the top NBA prospects we got two bad performances out of Wiggins / Parker, Embiid out with back issues and Randle hobbled by a post-win pile up.

Exum might have done himself a favor by not playing college ball at all.

You missed out man. Most of UK's games were classics. Very high level of ball with drama until the very end.

 

Glad UK lost. Couldn't stand to hear Cal keep saying they should have won during the post-game interview. Usually you hear coaches give credit to the other team. Not Cal.

[parrot 789]

You missed out man. Most of UK's games were classics. Very high level of ball with drama until the very end.

 

Glad UK lost. Couldn't stand to hear Cal keep saying they should have won during the post-game interview. Usually you hear coaches give credit to the other team. Not Cal.

Sh!t. I quit watching as soon as the game ended. Now I have to go intentionally suject myself to a Calipari interview.

[FeelingMN 273]

Sh!t. I quit watching as soon as the game ended. Now I have to go intentionally suject myself to a Calipari interview.

The interview....in a nutshell.....we had our chances, we had our chances, I thought we would win the game at halftime, we had our chances, as coaches we have to give our guys a better shot at winning, we had our chances, guys shouldn't hang their heads, we had our chances.

[MDC 5,890]

You missed out man. Most of UK's games were classics. Very high level of ball with drama until the very end.

 

Glad UK lost. Couldn't stand to hear Cal keep saying they should have won during the post-game interview. Usually you hear coaches give credit to the other team. Not Cal.

Yeah I didn't catch as much of the tourney as I would've liked. I admit to mainly being interested in Randle as a possibility for the Sixers if they end up picking in the 3-5 range and to a lesser extent checking out Will Cauley Stein because of the Pells pick at 10 or so.

[smashmouths@blf 33]

And the UCONN women win again. Yawn..,.glad it's over. Please stop comparing Geno to John Wooden. That's hard for me to stomach. It's like comparing Apples to Oranges.