March Madness Thread - 2010

[Big Sexy]

I just realized we don't really have a college basketball thread so I figured I'd make one. The regular season is now over and the major conference tournaments are this week. Some of the smaller conferences are already in the middle of or done with their tournaments. The NCAA tournament officially starts Thursday, March 18th with selection Sunday being the 14th.

So come in here and discuss everything related to March Madness. The conference tournaments, NCAA tournament, NIT, and anything else you can think of.

 

[Big Sexy]

I'm going to start the discussion by talking about who the 4 number 1 seeds will be in the big dance. Kansas, Kentucky, and Syracuse are all pretty much locks. Even if they lose their first games in their respective conference tournaments, they will most likely get the first three number one seeds.

The fourth number one is a little more difficult to predict. The two teams with the best chances are Duke and Purdue. If Duke wins the ACC tournament then they will get the 4th number one, but if they stumble it opens the door for a few teams. Purdue would be the next in line if they win the Big Ten Tournament, but that will be hard without Robbie Hummel. After that you've got teams like West Virginia, Ohio State, Villanova, and even Kansas State who all have a shot if they can win their conference tournaments.

In the end I see Duke being able to win the ACC tournament and getting the 4th number one seed.

 

[gd]

I assume the fourth one will be Duke at this point. Pretty sure they have a really good RPI and they have same quality non conference wins, namely against Gonazage. However, if Duke slips up in the ACC tournament I think Ohio State has a chance to grab the last #1 seed. They've been one of the best team's in the country ever since Turner came back from his injury.

As for who I think will win the title this year, I'm definetly going to go with Kentucky. I've been saying this for at least a month now. They are simply the most talented team. Wall and Bledsoe, while freshmen, and some of the most talented and explosive guards in the country. They're loaded down low with a bunch of productive big guys, especially Cousins. The key will be Patterson. He has the potential to be an All American, but hasn't played that way all year. If he's solid in the tourney, Kentucky will win it all.

 

[Big Sexy]

The thing that concerns me about Kentucky is their youth. They have three freshmen in the starting lineup. Usually it is a more veteran team that ends up winning the tournament. When UNC had Felton, McCants, and May they were always favorites to go far but they didn't end up winning it all until those guys were juniors. Even the Fab Five was never able to win it all.

The only team led by mostly freshmen that has won it all in recent history was Syracuse in 2003 with Melo, McNamara, and Hakim Warrick. Kentucky still has a great shot but history shows that more experienced teams usually do better.

 

[INDYjon22]

I love March Madness and am so excited for selection Sunday. I agree about Kentucky being a young team and thus maybe not being able to win the whole tournament, but I must say they are a damn tough team even for their age. Regardless of if they win or not they be a tough out for any team.

As for who I think we will win, well that would be Kansas. I don't like them but they have a fantastic team that is really well rounded. I will be pulling for Syracuse to win it all but it will be tough against Kansas. Syracuse should have a great showing this year.

I will also be backing Gonzaga. I am a die hard bulldogs fan even if they are a major long shot. I think they can make it to at least the sweet 16 depending on their match ups and could easily knock a team such as Purdue out all together.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I've always been a huge Kentucky fan since birth, and UK basketball is finally exciting for the first time in years. I would like UK to go all the way, but I'm not sure. There are lots of hungry more experienced teams out there they can beat Kentucky. If UK is focused and doesn't slack off after gaining a 19 point lead, I think they could be unstoppable.

I don't think anyone can stop Kansas or Syracuse either though. Except OKST and Louisville which took them out just recently. I think we will be surprised overall when the Final 4 comes around. Maybe Kansas, UK, Syracuse, or Duke might be in the semifinals, or 4 different teams altogether could be in the semis. Who ever advances it should be an interesting tournament to watch.

 

[gd]

Great couple of games just ended a little bit ago. Kentucky was able to send it into OT against Miss ST after a Cousins lay up at the buzzer and eventually won. Duke had a big lead on Georgia Tech but almost blew it at the end.

Both Mississippi State and Georgia Tech wer still somewhat on the bubble coming into the games today and could've gotten automatic bids. While they didn't win, I still think both are definetly deserving of a spot in the tourney, especially considering the weak field this year.

 

[Theo Mays]

I agree GD. Mississippi St should get into the tourney, as should GT. GT has a pretty talented team who could surprise some people if they can put it all together. However they tend to turn the ball over a lot and I think that could lead to a first round exit by the Jackets. Another bubble team, Minnesota is in a battle now with Ohio State. 33-30 at the half in favor of Ohio St. I was discussing with Jon, but I think Ohio State could do some serious damage in the tourney just because of Evan Turner alone.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

As a native Mississippian, I don't think Mississippi State deserves to be in the tournament. They may have beat Vanderbilt and almost lost to Kentucky but where was that intensity and play the whole season. They did beat Houston who won the C-USA but that was their out of conference win. In the SEC, they beat up on weak teams like Georgia, Arkansas, and LSU. They did beat my alma mater, Ole Miss, twice but at least the Rebels have more quality wins out of conference. Every year there seems to be justification into increasing the tournament size because all these bubble teams are left out and don't get a chance to play. If you increase from 65 to 96, there is going to be that 97th or 98th team who thinks they deserve to be in. Teams that you think should be in are going to be left out no matter what. If you want to include every team in the dance, then that is your prerogative. The tournament is fine the way it is and doesn't need expanding.

 

[Theo Mays]

Yea I agree LJL, there is no need to extend the tourney. It is perfect the way it is and provides plenty of excitement. People claim that the more teams will add to the excitement, but honestly I feel that it would dull the excitement. The more games, the more the tourney will drag on and I think it would take some of the fun out of it.

 

[gd]

I think Minnesota's in, even with a loss today, the beat MSU and Purdue in the Big Ten tourney and have a pretty good record this year. Ohio State definetly has the potential to make a big run in the tourney. Turner is the best player in the nation and their supporting cast with Lighty and Buford is rock solid as well. They're a scary team.

Looking at Lunardi's bracketology, he currently has Mississippi State out, but I definetly don't agree. They may not have beaten Kentucky, but played them to OT twice. A win against Vanderbilt as well as a solid SEC season shows that they are deserving of a tourney bid. I'd take Wake, who Lunardi has in right now, off and replace him with the Bulldogs, who are obviously a better team.

I definetly agree with Theo as well. Expanding the tournament would be ludicrous. 65 is the perfect number.

 

[BooCocky]

For being the overall number one seed Kansas got screwed. If I read correctly they have both Georgetown and OSU in the same bracket. They also got Michigan State, Maryland and an athletic Georgia Tech team. The average Panthers basketball team lucked out. There bracket is average at best. Outside of Syracuse I can't really see any good teams. Yes Vandy but they're a little banged up and I can't see Butler doing anything. A team to look out for is Minny in that bracket. Tubby's kids are on fire.

I think Kansas is going to win it all though. I can't really see a huge upset like in years past, but hey, you'll never know... Should be interesting.

 

[Big Sexy]

Duke and Syracuse were the second two number one seeds and they have the easiest paths to the final four. Kansas has to deal with Michigan State, Maryland, Georgetown, and Ohio State. Kentucky has to deal with Wisconsin, West Virginia, and even Texas in round two could be tough.

I have Kansas and West Virginia playing in the title game and I actually have West Virginia winning it all. They're hot right now and that is the most important thing entering the big dance. You want to be playing your best basketball entering the tournament.

The rest of my final four is Baylor and Syracuse. I just don't see anyone in the South Regional matching up well with Baylor, and with Syracuse I just have them there by default. They aren't playing well but I just don't see anyone in the region being able to take them out.

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

I'm a True Blue Kentucky fan... but can be impartial when it comes to picking them as the National Champion. When they're on their A game, they beat any college team in America. Period. Question is... can they get things done playing less than quality basketball? No team has more talent and more upside... but it'll be tough if they play inconsistent in the tournament.

However I can safely pick them to be the champs. Kansas, Duke, and Syracuse also have the best chances. They're the top seeds, but 10 number 1 seeds have won the National Title in the past 25 years. Ohio State has that one special player in Evan Turner, but not much else. Same can be said for West Virginia.

So my Final Four will be the top four seeds. Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Syracuse.

 

[Baller]

I'm a True Blue Kentucky fan... but can be impartial when it comes to picking them as the National Champion. When they're on their A game, they beat any college team in America. Period. Question is... can they get things done playing less than quality basketball? No team has more talent and more upside... but it'll be tough if they play inconsistent in the tournament.

However I can safely pick them to be the champs. Kansas, Duke, and Syracuse also have the best chances. They're the top seeds, but 10 number 1 seeds have won the National Title in the past 25 years. Ohio State has that one special player in Evan Daniels, but not much else. Same can be said for West Virginia.

So my Final Four will be the top four seeds. Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Syracuse.

Lariat you are correct with Kentucky, but I see them managing with talent alone to make it to final four.

It is Evan Turner not Daniels, but Ohio State is good, but nobody is beating Kansas, as they have the experience in Collins, the size in Aldrich, and the superstar in Xavier Henry.

My sleeper is Siena, as Purdue is struggling without their star, and plus I see them making sleep 16 but losing there.

My final 4 are The top seeds, except for Duke as they can't live on the three ball forever, and I will put Villanova in their spot.

 

[TSG]

I'm upset that Duke got a number 1 seed over WVU? I mean, West Virginia played in the Big East, the toughest conference without a doubt, Beat Villanova, Georgetown twice (once when they were top ten), Pittsburgh, only lost to a number 1 seed in Syracuse by 1 point, plus had quality wins over out-of conference teams in a ranked at the time Texas A&M and top ten Ohio State team. They won their conference tournament and played the number 3 strength of schedule and get overlooked for a team who plays in a weaker ACC conference and who played a schedule where there best opposition was probably a team in Gonzaga or Georgetown, and they lost to the Hoyas. I guess it doesn't matter who deserves it, but what your name is it. If you can play a weaker schedule with less quality wins than someone, but finish with a better record and have the name Duke in front of your University, I guess you get the number 1 seed automatically.

 

[Theo Mays]

I've changed my bracket so many times and I as of right now I have the four 2 seeds in my final four. Kansas State is a team to watch out for, they can really bring some heat. They hang with the top dogs and they play in the weakest of the regions in my opinion. Ohio State is on a role right now and I think they can get the lucky win against Kansas and make the run to the title. West Virginia is hot right now and could easily win the whole thing. They are my other final team along with Ohio State. Nova has the experience and great guard play to make a run, despite stumbling down the stretch.

I'd love to see Temple make a run, as them and Nova are two of my favorite teams, but I think they got a pretty cruddy draw. I felt they should have got a 3 at most, but more likely a 4 seed. But they got a tough draw and drew one of the top sleeper teams in Cornell. They could scare some people and I have them going into the sweet 16 before getting trumped by Kentucky. And then of course there is Siena. These guys were my sleeper team last year and this year they got a great draw as a 13 seed. They have a Purdue team in round one who is without their star player, and then they have either Texas A&M or Utah State, who I think Siena could handle. Duke would ultimately knock them out in the end.

 

[Big Sexy]

I'm a True Blue Kentucky fan... but can be impartial when it comes to picking them as the National Champion. When they're on their A game, they beat any college team in America. Period. Question is... can they get things done playing less than quality basketball? No team has more talent and more upside... but it'll be tough if they play inconsistent in the tournament.

However I can safely pick them to be the champs. Kansas, Duke, and Syracuse also have the best chances. They're the top seeds, but 10 number 1 seeds have won the National Title in the past 25 years. Ohio State has that one special player in Evan Turner, but not much else. Same can be said for West Virginia.

So my Final Four will be the top four seeds. Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Syracuse.

Kentucky may very well be the most talented team in the tournament, but they are also one of the most inexperienced. They have three freshmen in the starting lineup and the young teams don't usually have success winning it all. The North Carolina teams with Felton, McCants, and May didn't win the tournament they were juniors. The Fab Five was never able to win it. Syracuse was the only really young team to win it all in recent history and they kind of sneaked up on everyone as a three seed. Kentucky won't be sneaking up on anybody.

I'm upset that Duke got a number 1 seed over WVU? I mean, West Virginia played in the Big East, the toughest conference without a doubt, Beat Villanova, Georgetown twice (once when they were top ten), Pittsburgh, only lost to a number 1 seed in Syracuse by 1 point, plus had quality wins over out-of conference teams in a ranked at the time Texas A&M and top ten Ohio State team. They won their conference tournament and played the number 3 strength of schedule and get overlooked for a team who plays in a weaker ACC conference and who played a schedule where there best opposition was probably a team in Gonzaga or Georgetown, and they lost to the Hoyas. I guess it doesn't matter who deserves it, but what your name is it. If you can play a weaker schedule with less quality wins than someone, but finish with a better record and have the name Duke in front of your University, I guess you get the number 1 seed automatically.

Duke won the ACC regular season title as well as the tournament. The ACC is down a little this year but it is still a very tough conference. They also finished with a 29-5 overall record and had a very impressive 35 point win over Gonzaga earlier this year to bolster their non conference resume. West Virginia had a great season but Duke definitely deserved a one seed.

 

[gd]

For all the anger about the bracket of Kansas, it actually isn't that bad. Sure, they have both Ohio State and G'Town in their bracket, but they're only going to have to play one of them. Kentucky's is definetly much tougher with a possible string of Texas, Wisconsin, and WVU. Kansas definetly didn't get the easiest draw for being the number 1, but it's not the absolute "group of death" that a lot of people are making it out to be.

Anyway, in the Midwest bracket, I have Kansas advancing to the Final Four and don't really have any significant upsets in that bracket. Mostly chalk.

I have Kansas State coming out of the West. I'm thinking they're a really tough team and extremely balanced. I also have Butler in the Elite 8 with a win over Syracuse, because I think they have the shooting to beat Syracuse.

I have Kentucky in the East, despite how tough it is and I have Baylor in from the South. My final is Kentucky over Kansas because the Wildcats just have too much talent.

 

[jmt225]

Great win for St. Mary's over Villanova today.

That St. Mary's team, man... VERY fun to watch. I'm really pulling for them now after watching them today. If Omar Samhan can continue to play like he has the first two games in the tournament, I see no reason for this team not to make it to the Final Four. That dude is just unbelievable.

Also, I'm hoping for Kentucky to blow out Wake Forrest later on tonight so I can watch the BYU/Kansas State game. That should be a GREAT one. Really looking forward to seeing how Jimmer Fredette fares against a top team like Kansas State.

 

[INDYjon22]

Holy cow, the finish to Michigan State and Maryland was great. Lucious may have hit the biggest shot of the entire tournament to this point. Funny thing is he took an unnecessary shot seeing as MSU only needed a 2 to win the game but instead he took a three. Guess it doesn't matter since he hit the shot.

I am also very impressed with Cornell to this point. They just rolled over Wisconsin and I think they could give Kentucky some serious shit. Great NCAA tournament so far.

 

[Big Sexy]

The biggest Cinderella teams left in the tournament are Northern Iowa, Cornell, and Saint Mary's. I'm leaving out Washington because they are a very talented, major conference team that just underachieved all season.

Out of the three Cornell has been the most dominant but I give Northern Iowa the best chance to make the elite 8. Cornell absolutely crushed Wisconsin but they are going against arguably the most talented team in the tournament in Kentucky. Saint Mary's has a good chance but I think Baylor will be able to overcome them and make the elite eight.

Then we have Northern Iowa. They just beat a Kansas team that a lot of people had winning it all. They were the number one overall seed and Northern Iowa led throughout almost the entire game. They get a Michigan State team that has blown big double digit leads in the first two rounds but still came away with the win. The beat Maryland last round with a last second shot from Korie Luscious. However, State will be without their best player in Kalin Lucas who is now out 4-6 months after getting injured against Maryland. Northern Iowa has a great opportunity to knock them out and continue this amazing run.

 

[gd]

So a set of four games tonight to start off the second weekend. I'm really excited as not only are there some great matchups, but I'm leading my bracket pool. Let's take a look.

WVU v. Washington - Sure, WVU is long and athletic, but I think they're in some trouble without Bryant. Mazzula isn't used to playing big minutes this year and there is absolutely not backup point guard. If WVU turns into a jump shooting team, they'll be in trouble because Washington is a very talented team. However, I think the Huskies run ends here as WVU just has too many big, athletic guys to deal with.

UK v. Cornell - Extremely interesting match here. Kentucky has an extraordinary edge when it comes to athleticism. That's obvious simply by looking at the Cornell guys. However, the Big Red are a team with 8 seniors and they shoot the 3 really well, which is the big equalizer in college basketball. However, I think Kentucky just has too much talent and, as I've said before, I think they are the favorites to win it all.

Butler v. Syracuse - This is an upset I picked at the beginning of the tourney, and I'm going to stick with it here. Syracuse has looked realy good the first two rounds, but I think the loss of Onuake is going to catch up to them. They really don't have much of a bench. Butler has the outside shooters to beat the 2-3 Zone plus Hayward and Howard inside. I think they have a really good shot.

Kansas State v. Xaiver - I watched all of the Xaiver/Pitt game last week, and after doing so, no way KSU loses here. Xaiver had a tough time beating a very average Pitt team, and only did so because Crawford absolutely went off. I really like KSU this year as they are just a tough team with a couple of talented guards in Pullen and Clemente.

 

[INDYjon22]

Anyone's bracket still in tact? Three of my final four teams have been dismissed. The most recent being Syracuse. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a wee bit happy they were gone considering an Indiana team was the one to knock them out but this still fucks up my bracket even more. Thank the lord Kentucky is still in this tournament and that I picked them winning over Kansas. My hat goes off to the Butler Bulldogs. Those boys played a terrific game in route to defeating a very talented Syracuse team. I may have to pull for them the rest of the way, well at least until the finals, where Kentucky will win.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

My first final four team in Syracuse lost and it says something about teams like Butler and Xavier. They are considered mid-majors but they always go far in the tournament each and every year because they have good coaching and players who understand their roles. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if either one wins this year or within the next five years.