NCAA Basketball Thread - 2022-3 Season (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

Pack is a RS-Sophomore and likely coming back since he's on the pay roll.
Wong is a Junior but is thought to be NBA material, 2nd Rd at best, he'd be better off squeezing Ruiz for more NIL money
Miami is making a name for themselves and they will attract even bigger names moving forward.
It's just not very tough to sell the amenities surrounding UM.

Miami Basketball 49 years, 6 NCAA tournaments
Under Jim Larranaga, 12 years 6 trips to the NCAA Tournament, Sweet 16, Elite-8 and now Final Four appearance
Love this man @Bri

Pack makes 800k.
I don't think he's an NBA draft talent (two rounds, top 50 w 14 foreign) so I can't imagine why he doesn't return.
Wong wasn't NBA material when he declared last year and lost NIL $. He struggled in one game of playoffs and has done pretty well since.
I love the kid but he's gotta average 20-25 for the NBA. See Mac McClung and others "dying" for a chance to play in the bigs. His game is very nice complimentary supportive. He's not an alpha so it's looked at differently.

Jim is such a good good guy. He often plants a kiss on his player:s head when they're being interviewed. There's lot of stories about teachers/professors involved with players. He sets them up so we'll, he truly cares. What parent isn't going to recommend going to play for him?

I bet they get tagged (idk word or term or...) In the transfer portal from most everyone. Like you said, Miami is a location people covet so add the rest and they look so attractive.

Did I mention Harden practices there in the summer?

Anywho...he won't take trouble and he won't take guys that won't commit to D. Did ya see Wooga apologize for spilling water as he crashed into the reporters table? I bet he spams people with that- this is the kids I want

I was going to PM you but I don't feel there is reason to hide this from everyone.
Mrs and I returned to the Univ of Miami back in August, we were there '08-'16, we now are involved with the Sylvester Cancer Center, philanthropy.

I have a lot to share about the NIL and how it has changed everything quickly. Saw Barkley's comments on 60 Minutes last night, he needed to make those remarks and I agree with a whole lot of what he said. Miami didn't wait for the NIL to evolve, they grabbed it and decided to ride the wave. After decades of different punishments for numerous NCAA violations, as a Miami Alum it is very satisfying to see how this is all turning out.

I know basketball purists will hate the way 25 schools jump to the front because they are buying their players.
And there will be a school or two that nobody thought would pay up that does and becomes the next UNLV let's say.

-Tyler Van Dyke the QB had ZIPPO in the way of NIL and I watched Dan LeBatard basically pay him thru NIL to come be at an event all under the non profit umbrella, it was a charity event sponsored by Meadowlark/LeBatard and the light bulbs started going off quickly what we could do in fundraising and philanthropy by sponsoring some of these lesser known but still quality athletes that are not household names and can be pushed a $1,500-$5,000 NIL deal to come make appearances.

-Again, the Univ of Miami is lucky to have Jim Larranaga and I hope he ends his career here with us.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I know basketball purists will hate the way 25 schools jump to the front because they are buying their players.

Then basketball purists should have always hated the game, because paying players has been going on forever. I have zero problem with what Miami has done. NIL will normalize in several years once a market has been established. It just hasn't found its level yet.

 

[Capella]

Miami bought their players in football too and won one more game all season than the hoops team won this tournament (so far). So, it’s more than just spending money.

 

[TLEF316]

yeah, they got the RIGHT guys.

Jordan Miller is a stud, and he went there with very little fanfare after playing in relative obscurity for 3 years at George Mason

Omier is an absolute animal who started at Arkansas State. Undersized big guy that just plays insanely hard.

Most know the story with Nijel Pack. He made himself available to the highest bidder and Ruiz cut him as big fat check (probably against the letter of the law for NIL rules, as "pay for play" is technically not allowed.....but happening pretty much everywhere). But he was a good fit with the rest of the team. (they're all just really solid and he's kinda the YOLO guy that raises their ceiling on days when he's ON)

I can see how the whole thing rubs some purists the wrong way. Everyone knows the Pack signing was "against the rules" (because Ruiz's company wouldn't be paying him a nickle to play at Oklahoma State or Wisconsin or anywhere else but Miami) but its happening almost everywhere and its entirely the fault of the NCAA. They pushed back on this for so long that when they finally lost in court, they just had to open the floodgates (and didn't have time to put in any sort of measures to try and limit pay for play). They're trying to do it after the fact (slapping Miami on the wrist for the Cavendar twins) but the toothpaste is already out of the tube.

I'm sure some people know this story....but apparently Wong almost entered the transfer portal last summer after the Pack story broke. He wasn't happy that a new guy was getting $400K and he was (presumably) being paid less after leading them to the elite 8. But Ruiz upped the $$$, so he stayed.

Just have to accept that this is college sports now. At the of the end day, Miami built a great team with a great coach and they deserve to be there. Plenty of other teams tried a similar approach (Creighton cut Scheierman a similar deal to Pack to move over from South Dakota State and be their missing piece) and it didn't work.

I dont like the combo of NIL and free transfers, but its clearly here to stay. It will settle down a LITTLE once the 5th year COVID guys filter out, but I dont believe that the $$ is gonna dry up. It isn't about "getting value" for these big boosters. They're wealthy guys that are gonna keep cutting checks in hopes of being the guy that bought their favorite school a title. Its totally an ego thing. John Ruiz is strutting around like he's the king of the world this morning and every other mega booster is trying to figure out how much its gonna cost to buy the next Nijel Pack to lead their team to the promised land.

 

[ChiefD]

I dont like the combo of NIL and free transfers, but its clearly here to stay. It will settle down a LITTLE once the 5th year COVID guys filter out, but I dont believe that the $$ is gonna dry up. It isn't about "getting value" for these big boosters. They're wealthy guys that are gonna keep cutting checks in hopes of being the guy that bought their favorite school a title. Its totally an ego thing. John Ruiz is strutting around like he's the king of the world this morning and every other mega booster is trying to figure out how much its gonna cost to buy the next Nijel Pack to lead their team to the promised land.

A friend and I were talking about this the other day. Something has to give on one or the other as we move forward.

To me, the money doesn't matter. Let them make as much as they want. But these kids shouldn't be able to get a free agent contract EVERY SINGLE YEAR. That's where it should be regulated - at the transfer portal.

Like, if you transfer you have to stay a minimum of two years or something. What's going on now is just dumb.

 

[Capella]

I dont like the combo of NIL and free transfers, but its clearly here to stay. It will settle down a LITTLE once the 5th year COVID guys filter out, but I dont believe that the $$ is gonna dry up. It isn't about "getting value" for these big boosters. They're wealthy guys that are gonna keep cutting checks in hopes of being the guy that bought their favorite school a title. Its totally an ego thing. John Ruiz is strutting around like he's the king of the world this morning and every other mega booster is trying to figure out how much its gonna cost to buy the next Nijel Pack to lead their team to the promised land.

A friend and I were talking about this the other day. Something has to give on one or the other as we move forward.

To me, the money doesn't matter. Let them make as much as they want. But these kids shouldn't be able to get a free agent contract EVERY SINGLE YEAR. That's where it should be regulated - at the transfer portal.

Like, if you transfer you have to stay a minimum of two years or something. What's going on now is just dumb.

I thought you could only portal once unless it was for a hardship.

 

[ChiefD]

I dont like the combo of NIL and free transfers, but its clearly here to stay. It will settle down a LITTLE once the 5th year COVID guys filter out, but I dont believe that the $$ is gonna dry up. It isn't about "getting value" for these big boosters. They're wealthy guys that are gonna keep cutting checks in hopes of being the guy that bought their favorite school a title. Its totally an ego thing. John Ruiz is strutting around like he's the king of the world this morning and every other mega booster is trying to figure out how much its gonna cost to buy the next Nijel Pack to lead their team to the promised land.

A friend and I were talking about this the other day. Something has to give on one or the other as we move forward.

To me, the money doesn't matter. Let them make as much as they want. But these kids shouldn't be able to get a free agent contract EVERY SINGLE YEAR. That's where it should be regulated - at the transfer portal.

Like, if you transfer you have to stay a minimum of two years or something. What's going on now is just dumb.

I thought you could only portal once unless it was for a hardship.

Hope so.

 

[TLEF316]

I believe that's the rule but from what I can gather, most, if not all 2nd transfers are getting approved. Jaemyn Brakefield transferred from Duke to Ole Miss before last year. Ole Miss coach got fired so he's in the portal again. Can't imagine he would do that if he thought he was gonna have to sit a year.

Tre Mitchell transferred from UMASS to Texas before last season (for some NIL $$$ and I believe he had a family friend on the staff). It didn't quite work out, so he left and played at WVU this year. So 3 schools in 3 years.

 

[McBokonon]

Decided I'm not going with a favorite on the MGM "free money bonus thing". Need to swing for the fences, or at least extra bases. It's either Miami in the tourney or I'm hitting up the Masters thread for a top 10 pick that would pay well. Also, there should be ample innernet golf expurt articles to help roll the dice.

I’m just a jabroni but the books are obviously hoping people do YOLO trades with these sign up offers because they’re unlikely to hit. Maybe you can try adjusting the total to a more favorable number and parlay the ML on a favorite you like to get a plus number. Like if the O/U is 154 and you like the over, bring it down to 147 or something and take the ML with it. Or something like that.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I believe that's the rule but from what I can gather, most, if not all 2nd transfers are getting approved. Jaemyn Brakefield transferred from Duke to Ole Miss before last year. Ole Miss coach got fired so he's in the portal again. Can't imagine he would do that if he thought he was gonna have to sit a year.

Tre Mitchell transferred from UMASS to Texas before last season (for some NIL $$$ and I believe he had a family friend on the staff). It didn't quite work out, so he left and played at WVU this year. So 3 schools in 3 years.

As you said above, the Covid Exemptions are going to run out soon. Things will normalize a little after that. I do believe that players should be able to transfer without penalty if the coach leaves, though.

 

[TLEF316]

I believe that's the rule but from what I can gather, most, if not all 2nd transfers are getting approved. Jaemyn Brakefield transferred from Duke to Ole Miss before last year. Ole Miss coach got fired so he's in the portal again. Can't imagine he would do that if he thought he was gonna have to sit a year.

Tre Mitchell transferred from UMASS to Texas before last season (for some NIL $$$ and I believe he had a family friend on the staff). It didn't quite work out, so he left and played at WVU this year. So 3 schools in 3 years.

As you said above, the Covid Exemptions are going to run out soon. Things will normalize a little after that. I do believe that players should be able to transfer without penalty if the coach leaves, though.

I dont disagree. But like anything else.....there will be space to try and bend the rules

Are we just limiting this to head coaches? What if someone claims that they are very close with an assistant and that guy takes another job? Should they be allowed to leave?

For a while (pre-transfer portal), the only way you got an exemption was a sick family member. But then sick parents or siblings turned into sick aunts, uncles and cousins. And then guys started getting waivers because of bad situations at their old school (abuse by the staff)....which makes sense. But now in the era of everything being a "mental health issue".....guys were basically just unhappy and claiming mental health to try and get a waiver.

Basically.....when you give an inch, everyone will try and take a mile. And the NCAA is basically toothless now and doesn't want to spend time explaining why player A got a waiver but player B didn't.

 

[ChiefD]

Decided I'm not going with a favorite on the MGM "free money bonus thing". Need to swing for the fences, or at least extra bases. It's either Miami in the tourney or I'm hitting up the Masters thread for a top 10 pick that would pay well. Also, there should be ample innernet golf expurt articles to help roll the dice.

If you put the $1000 on UCONN and they win, how much do you make?

It would be about $1800.

If it's me, I'm taking that money and betting a heavy favorite and taking what amounts to free money. Like, I might take UCONN at -250 for the final four game and if they win you have $1400.

That's a nice bankroll for future betting and you never have to touch your principal. Now, if I wanted to swing for the fences I might do a parlay for the final four and bet UCONN money line and FAU moneyline.

That gets you +201 and that $1000 gets you $3000ish. And I honestly think that one would hit. I like FAU in that game.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Decided I'm not going with a favorite on the MGM "free money bonus thing". Need to swing for the fences, or at least extra bases. It's either Miami in the tourney or I'm hitting up the Masters thread for a top 10 pick that would pay well. Also, there should be ample innernet golf expurt articles to help roll the dice.

If you put the $1000 on UCONN and they win, how much do you make?

It would be about $1800.

If it's me, I'm taking that money and betting a heavy favorite and taking what amounts to free money. Like, I might take UCONN at -250 for the final four game and if they win you have $1400.

That's a nice bankroll for future betting and you never have to touch your principal. Now, if I wanted to swing for the fences I might do a parlay for the final four and bet UCONN money line and FAU moneyline.

That gets you +201 and that $1000 gets you $3000ish. And I honestly think that one would hit. I like FAU in that game.

If we've learned anything in this year's tournament its that there are no real heavy favorites and any of these teams can beat anyone. I think many of us thought Alabama was a heavy favorite going into the weekend. I've loved UConn all season but they are no juggernaut. They finished 4th in the Big East, could easily be knocked out this weekend.

 

[ChiefD]

Decided I'm not going with a favorite on the MGM "free money bonus thing". Need to swing for the fences, or at least extra bases. It's either Miami in the tourney or I'm hitting up the Masters thread for a top 10 pick that would pay well. Also, there should be ample innernet golf expurt articles to help roll the dice.

If you put the $1000 on UCONN and they win, how much do you make?

It would be about $1800.

If it's me, I'm taking that money and betting a heavy favorite and taking what amounts to free money. Like, I might take UCONN at -250 for the final four game and if they win you have $1400.

That's a nice bankroll for future betting and you never have to touch your principal. Now, if I wanted to swing for the fences I might do a parlay for the final four and bet UCONN money line and FAU moneyline.

That gets you +201 and that $1000 gets you $3000ish. And I honestly think that one would hit. I like FAU in that game.

If we've learned anything in this year's tournament its that there are no real heavy favorites and any of these teams can beat anyone. I think many of us thought Alabama was a heavy favorite going into the weekend. I've loved UConn all season but they are no juggernaut. They finished 4th in the Big East, could easily be knocked out this weekend.

Very true.

And that's the risk obviously.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

I love it. I'm pretty old and have seen enough of Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, UNC (lol), MSU, UCLA, and others of their ilk in the FF to last me a lifetime.

That said, I like really high-level college basketball, too - and that means that we usually need the teams with the best players for that to happen. I remember a few years ago, in a similar thread here, folks complaining that there weren't enough upsets. But we also had the best Sweet Sixteen I've ever seen. I think 7 of the 8 games were decided by two scores or less, and the 8th was on OT game.

 

[Bri]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

This is everything I ever wished for.
The team play is fantastic- absolutely fantastic. These teams are always hitting the open guy and helping on D and stars are only made from the results not from ball hogging.

The hustle and determination on D that are required to still be in this tournament is as high as it's ever been or could be.

Even injuries- I don't need Ronnie Lott but I love the "don't let me teammates down."

I love what the coaches are saying too. Every little kid out there can hear all the right things about what it takes on the court and every single coach mentioned academics too.
There's so much "right with the world" in this tourney.

Dean Smith and some others saw a predictable decline at their schools and Coach K was bound to have the same. They make it look so easy and we overstate it sometimes. Duke's coach did very well for year one but could he make championship caliber decisions? Could he ensure his players could too? Again, he did very well, but there's only one Coach K.

NIL got a lot of hype which it deserves but coaching changes have been gigantic the last ten years. Your buddies are just not seeing the products of these coaches because they retired. I think it's as simple as that

 

[Capella]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

I don’t really care either way but I have a friend who is a CBB and CFB snob who is appalled by this lol. Claims it was all better in the 90s and this would have never happened then.

 

[SWC]

I dont like the combo of NIL and free transfers, but its clearly here to stay. It will settle down a LITTLE once the 5th year COVID guys filter out, but I dont believe that the $$ is gonna dry up. It isn't about "getting value" for these big boosters. They're wealthy guys that are gonna keep cutting checks in hopes of being the guy that bought their favorite school a title. Its totally an ego thing. John Ruiz is strutting around like he's the king of the world this morning and every other mega booster is trying to figure out how much its gonna cost to buy the next Nijel Pack to lead their team to the promised land.

A friend and I were talking about this the other day. Something has to give on one or the other as we move forward.

To me, the money doesn't matter. Let them make as much as they want. But these kids shouldn't be able to get a free agent contract EVERY SINGLE YEAR. That's where it should be regulated - at the transfer portal.

Like, if you transfer you have to stay a minimum of two years or something. What's going on now is just dumb.

I thought you could only portal once unless it was for a hardship.

i think thats right and if you enter it again you can transfer again but i think you then have to sit a year and therefore lose that year of eligibility take that to the maybe bank brohans

 

[SWC]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

I don’t really care either way but I have a friend who is a CBB and CFB snob who is appalled by this lol. Claims it was all better in the 90s and this would have never happened then.

i am loving this tournament so much this is just a hell of a lot of fun man no numbero unos for the first time in how many years this is just awesome and what a tournament should be take that to the bank brochachos

 

[Bri]

Since most, like 99+ percent, won't play in the NBA, then I say let them get their seed money to start life.
Colleges have made most Americans rife with debt to start their lives for decades, it's nice to see some get a good start due to NIL.

I don't care about the dollars for the ones that will play in the NBA. I don't generally think of how much pro athletes have or what they do with it. You're a millionaire, you're blessed. I mean I'll read the occasional investment success or failures articles or see some guys gorgeous lavish home but all in all...I just don't.

I love when athletes give back. Has anyone here ever gone to an old brick city school, walk into the gym and woah that's nice? Seen a pretty ordinary high school with better weights or field than expected? THAT is proper payment or reimbursement or pay it forward or whatever. "I had a great time when I was a kid and I wanna make sure other kids do." It's fantastic.

 

[Bri]

In Women's, UCONN and Tennessee had insane recruiting before NIL.
I lost an appreciation for their legendary coaches a bit at the end.
It was like the top four players each year go to one of these two and all their opponents are lucky to even have a top player on their team. It was quite unfair.
I don't blame kids for wanting to be on the best team or play for the best coach it's just if you followed the recruiting those two were so stacked it wasn't the same vibe that I'm accustomed to.

 

[The Commish]

I dont like the combo of NIL and free transfers, but its clearly here to stay. It will settle down a LITTLE once the 5th year COVID guys filter out, but I dont believe that the $$ is gonna dry up. It isn't about "getting value" for these big boosters. They're wealthy guys that are gonna keep cutting checks in hopes of being the guy that bought their favorite school a title. Its totally an ego thing. John Ruiz is strutting around like he's the king of the world this morning and every other mega booster is trying to figure out how much its gonna cost to buy the next Nijel Pack to lead their team to the promised land.

A friend and I were talking about this the other day. Something has to give on one or the other as we move forward.

To me, the money doesn't matter. Let them make as much as they want. But these kids shouldn't be able to get a free agent contract EVERY SINGLE YEAR. That's where it should be regulated - at the transfer portal.

Like, if you transfer you have to stay a minimum of two years or something. What's going on now is just dumb.

I thought you could only portal once unless it was for a hardship.

I thought you could go multiple times, but after the first, you had to redshirt

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

In Women's, UCONN and Tennessee had insane recruiting before NIL.
I lost an appreciation for their legendary coaches a bit at the end.
It was like the top four players each year go to one of these two and all their opponents are lucky to even have a top player on their team. It was quite unfair.
I don't blame kids for wanting to be on the best team or play for the best coach it's just if you followed the recruiting those two were so stacked it wasn't the same vibe that I'm accustomed to.

John Wooden, Coach K and Dean Smith never got the best players? All legendary coaches got great players.

 

[Bri]

In Women's, UCONN and Tennessee had insane recruiting before NIL.
I lost an appreciation for their legendary coaches a bit at the end.
It was like the top four players each year go to one of these two and all their opponents are lucky to even have a top player on their team. It was quite unfair.
I don't blame kids for wanting to be on the best team or play for the best coach it's just if you followed the recruiting those two were so stacked it wasn't the same vibe that I'm accustomed to.

John Wooden, Coach K and Dean Smith never got the best players? All legendary coaches got great players.

Yeah true

 

[PlayaHata]

Ok, this Clark player on the Iowa women’s team is incredible. Wow.

33 pts 10 assists 8 rebounds 4 steals through 3 quarters of play.

Was going to post this but you beat me to it. I had heard of Kaitlin Clark and knew she was a great player, but I watched her for the first time last night and OMG is she good. At halftime had something like 21 points and 8 assists. She had scored or assisted on 88% of Iowa's points in the first half. Just insane. She took a few bad shots in the 2nd half but the rout was already on by that point. Not only is she an incredible shooter, but her passing is just next level as well. So fun to watch her play.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

This is everything I ever wished for.
The team play is fantastic- absolutely fantastic. These teams are always hitting the open guy and helping on D and stars are only made from the results not from ball hogging.

The hustle and determination on D that are required to still be in this tournament is as high as it's ever been or could be.

Even injuries- I don't need Ronnie Lott but I love the "don't let me teammates down."

I love what the coaches are saying too. Every little kid out there can hear all the right things about what it takes on the court and every single coach mentioned academics too.
There's so much "right with the world" in this tourney.

Dean Smith and some others saw a predictable decline at their schools and Coach K was bound to have the same. They make it look so easy and we overstate it sometimes. Duke's coach did very well for year one but could he make championship caliber decisions? Could he ensure his players could too? Again, he did very well, but there's only one Coach K.

NIL got a lot of hype which it deserves but coaching changes have been gigantic the last ten years. Your buddies are just not seeing the products of these coaches because they retired. I think it's as simple as that

Devil's advocate is these legendary coaches maybe just always had a massive talent advantage, which is much more pronounced in college hoops than the NBA. Now that players are moving more freely and the blue bloods don't have a big leg up at the tip-off due to far better players, we are seeing that some of these emperors had no clothes all along.


I have always been offended by the notion that a kid has to commit to one school for life and the NCAA has the balls to make them sit out an entire season if they need or want to transfer to a different school. Just a non-stop outrage with that organization and I'm very happy seeing some of the walls come tumbling down. College athletes should be able to play as long as they want, wherever they want, so long as they are enrolled. I would love some day to see 29 year old players earning a great living through sponsorships entering their 10th season on a basketball or football team.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

I don’t really care either way but I have a friend who is a CBB and CFB snob who is appalled by this lol. Claims it was all better in the 90s and this would have never happened then.

I love these guys. Invariably an alumni or fan of some well-established legacy program and feeling threatened by the prospect of facing real competition from all the smaller programs they've dismissed as inferior their entire lives.

 

[ChiefD]

Ok, this Clark player on the Iowa women’s team is incredible. Wow.

33 pts 10 assists 8 rebounds 4 steals through 3 quarters of play.

Was going to post this but you beat me to it. I had heard of Kaitlin Clark and knew she was a great player, but I watched her for the first time last night and OMG is she good. At halftime had something like 21 points and 8 assists. She had scored or assisted on 88% of Iowa's points in the first half. Just insane. She took a few bad shots in the 2nd half but the rout was already on by that point. Not only is she an incredible shooter, but her passing is just next level as well. So fun to watch her play.

Amazing. I NEVER watch women's basketball. But that game came on and after about 5 minutes I'm like "Who is this kid?"

Watched that whole game just because of her. Will probably watch their Final 4 game now. What a player.

 

[Scoresman]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

Absolutely disagree with the last part. I love the fact that there are new teams in the Final Four this year. If you're afraid of lack of quality basketball, well you can't get to the Final Four unless you are playing quality basketball. I'd much rather see a team fight for their first ever championship than the same usual suspects filled with one and done recruits year in and year out.

 

[Capella]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

I don’t really care either way but I have a friend who is a CBB and CFB snob who is appalled by this lol. Claims it was all better in the 90s and this would have never happened then.

I love these guys. Invariably an alumni or fan of some well-established legacy program and feeling threatened by the prospect of facing real competition from all the smaller programs they've dismissed as inferior their entire lives.

Yea I guess, but I mean there are no projected top-20 picks this year so it’s also not a very talented field. Would anybody here honestly watch San Diego St play FAU in non-conference in November?

 

[General Malaise]

Miami bought their players in football too and won one more game all season than the hoops team won this tournament (so far). So, it’s more than just spending money.

Their football team is being coached by a man who shouldn't be a head football coach. Great recruiter; horrible coach.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Would anybody here honestly watch San Diego St play FAU in non-conference in November?

I would, but I am not the most representable hoops fan and I reckon you are right about most people..

 

[ChiefD]

Yea I guess, but I mean there are no projected top-20 picks this year so it’s also not a very talented field. Would anybody here honestly watch San Diego St play FAU in non-conference in November?

Of course not.

That's why this game coming up is so great. One of those two is playing for a chance at a national championship game. I expect an all out effort from both teams with incredible high stakes. This game is EVERYTHING to these kids, most of whom will never sniff professional basketball.

Can't wait.

 

[Scoresman]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

I don’t really care either way but I have a friend who is a CBB and CFB snob who is appalled by this lol. Claims it was all better in the 90s and this would have never happened then.

I love these guys. Invariably an alumni or fan of some well-established legacy program and feeling threatened by the prospect of facing real competition from all the smaller programs they've dismissed as inferior their entire lives.

Yea I guess, but I mean there are no projected top-20 picks this year so it’s also not a very talented field. Would anybody here honestly watch San Diego St play FAU in non-conference in November?

No but put them one game away from their school's first ever tournament win, and I'm sold. It's a completely different context.

For the kids playing on these teams, this will be the highlight of their sports careers. Contrast to the 5 star recruit one and dones of the blue bloods, the tournament is just another stepping stone to the NBA for them. I know which one I'd rather watch.

 

[gruecd]

Ok, this Clark player on the Iowa women’s team is incredible. Wow.

33 pts 10 assists 8 rebounds 4 steals through 3 quarters of play.

Was going to post this but you beat me to it. I had heard of Kaitlin Clark and knew she was a great player, but I watched her for the first time last night and OMG is she good. At halftime had something like 21 points and 8 assists. She had scored or assisted on 88% of Iowa's points in the first half. Just insane. She took a few bad shots in the 2nd half but the rout was already on by that point. Not only is she an incredible shooter, but her passing is just next level as well. So fun to watch her play.

Amazing. I NEVER watch women's basketball. But that game came on and after about 5 minutes I'm like "Who is this kid?"

Watched that whole game just because of her. Will probably watch their Final 4 game now. What a player.

I never watch it, either, but I may actually go watch her play in Madison next season if only because I feel like she's the type of generational talent that I'll want to tell my 2-year-old daughter that I/we saw in person.

 

[TLEF316]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

 

[Deamon]

Decided I'm not going with a favorite on the MGM "free money bonus thing". Need to swing for the fences, or at least extra bases. It's either Miami in the tourney or I'm hitting up the Masters thread for a top 10 pick that would pay well. Also, there should be ample innernet golf expurt articles to help roll the dice.

If you put the $1000 on UCONN and they win, how much do you make?

It would be about $1800.

If it's me, I'm taking that money and betting a heavy favorite and taking what amounts to free money. Like, I might take UCONN at -250 for the final four game and if they win you have $1400.

That's a nice bankroll for future betting and you never have to touch your principal. Now, if I wanted to swing for the fences I might do a parlay for the final four and bet UCONN money line and FAU moneyline.

That gets you +201 and that $1000 gets you $3000ish. And I honestly think that one would hit. I like FAU in that game.

@Harry Frogfish said it had to be a single bet, no parlay I believe.

If you're making 1800 off Uconn winning it, with only a 1000 bet, I feel like I'd do this for sure.

 

[ChiefD]

@Harry Frogfish said it had to be a single bet, no parlay I believe.

If you're making 1800 off Uconn winning it, with only a 1000 bet, I feel like I'd do this for sure.

Ah, ok. Thanks.

 

[Capella]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

It is undoubtedly the dumbest way to crown a champ but also one of the most fun ways too. Way it goes I guess. Rarely does the best team win.

 

[TLEF316]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

It is undoubtedly the dumbest way to crown a champ but also one of the most fun ways too. Way it goes I guess. Rarely does the best team win.

For sure. I dont need the BEST team to win (its rarely cut and dry anyway. There's almost always a group of 4-8 schools that are on a reasonably similar level).

But the idea of a 9 seed from Conference USA winning it doesn't really give me great feelings. Cool story for the casuals but as a college hoops junkie, I want to see a high level team win it....not just a hot team. IMO, UCONN and Miami are both deserving champs in a year where there was no standout favorite.

 

[Capella]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

I don’t really care either way but I have a friend who is a CBB and CFB snob who is appalled by this lol. Claims it was all better in the 90s and this would have never happened then.

I love these guys. Invariably an alumni or fan of some well-established legacy program and feeling threatened by the prospect of facing real competition from all the smaller programs they've dismissed as inferior their entire lives.

Yea I guess, but I mean there are no projected top-20 picks this year so it’s also not a very talented field. Would anybody here honestly watch San Diego St play FAU in non-conference in November?

No but put them one game away from their school's first ever tournament win, and I'm sold. It's a completely different context.

For the kids playing on these teams, this will be the highlight of their sports careers. Contrast to the 5 star recruit one and dones of the blue bloods, the tournament is just another stepping stone to the NBA for them. I know which one I'd rather watch.

I wouldn’t say making the final four is a stepping stone for a future pro. I’m sure most are competitive enough to want to win as much as the scrappy FAU kids. It’s not like they got to be a 5-star recruited by Duke because they don’t care.

And of course it’s a difference context but the point is that it’s not really a great matchup if you want to see a talented game. Sure, they’ll care and I’ll watch but I get why others may be turned off to it.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I've got a friend who has gone to over 20 straight final fours (covid year excepted) with the same group of guys. Would you be happy with these games or disappointed? From a neutral's perspective, just sitting at home and watching from the couch, I love it. I think for neutrals, March Madness is all about upsets and David slaying Goliath. But if I had a few grand tied up in flights, hotel and tickets, burning a couple vacations days... Its still a fun guys' trip but I think I might want to see a more classic battle of the blue blood majors.

I don’t really care either way but I have a friend who is a CBB and CFB snob who is appalled by this lol. Claims it was all better in the 90s and this would have never happened then.

I love these guys. Invariably an alumni or fan of some well-established legacy program and feeling threatened by the prospect of facing real competition from all the smaller programs they've dismissed as inferior their entire lives.

Yea I guess, but I mean there are no projected top-20 picks this year so it’s also not a very talented field. Would anybody here honestly watch San Diego St play FAU in non-conference in November?

No but put them one game away from their school's first ever tournament win, and I'm sold. It's a completely different context.

For the kids playing on these teams, this will be the highlight of their sports careers. Contrast to the 5 star recruit one and dones of the blue bloods, the tournament is just another stepping stone to the NBA for them. I know which one I'd rather watch.

I wouldn’t say making the final four is a stepping stone for a future pro. I’m sure most are competitive enough to want to win as much as the scrappy FAU kids. It’s not like they got to be a 5-star recruited by Duke because they don’t care.

And of course it’s a difference context but the point is that it’s not really a great matchup if you want to see a talented game. Sure, they’ll care and I’ll watch but I get why others may be turned off to it.

If I had bought tickets to the F4 this year and had never been before, I'd be pretty disappointed that these were the teams I'm stuck watching. But as a fan watching at home, I think it's kind of cool and hope SDSU or FAU can finally finish off what Gonzaga, Butler, VCU and George Mason couldn't complete as a mid-major. I think UConn rolls this weekend though

 

[stlrams]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

why do you hate UConn fans?

 

[TLEF316]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

why do you hate UConn fans?

Because I've been to 4 uconn games at various venues. Worst fan base I've ever seen live. Total clown show

 

[stlrams]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

why do you hate UConn fans?

Because I've been to 4 uconn games at various venues. Worst fan base I've ever seen live. Total clown show

Why are they a clown show?

 

[The Z Machine]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

why do you hate UConn fans?

Because I've been to 4 uconn games at various venues. Worst fan base I've ever seen live. Total clown show

Why are they a clown show?

I think he was actually attending an ICP show.

 

[stlrams]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

why do you hate UConn fans?

Because I've been to 4 uconn games at various venues. Worst fan base I've ever seen live. Total clown show

Why are they a clown show?

I think he was actually attending an ICP show.

What is a icp show?

 

[TLEF316]

I, like most other people, LIKE early round upsets. They're fun to watch and its a big part of what the tournament is about.

But at the end of the day, as a fan, I would like the tournament to crown a deserving champ. You can't really say that a team who wins six in a row ISN'T deserving,(for better or worse, that's the format) but the tournament is so big (lowering the bar to get into it) and the sample size is so small that you can obviously get fluky scenarios. We saw it with UNC last year. They were awful for 80% of the year, got hot for 3 weeks and nearly won the whole thing (blowing a 15 point half time lead in the title game). Then they reverted to what they really were this year (Manek leaving obviously hurt....but the guards are what we thought they were)

Florida Atlantic obviously earned their way to Houston. They beat a decent Memphis team but obviously got lucky with Fairly Dickinson upsetting the # 1 seed (not that Purdue was that great). Then they played their 4 seed (highest possible they could have) and then a 3 seed.

So they ducked the #1 and #2 seeds as well as Duke (who, despite being a 5, was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch). But at the end of the day...you can only beat who they put in front of you. They won 4 games and earned their spot.

But I'm not gonna lie....I'm gonna be pretty disappointment if they win the thing. SD State has been a really good program over the past 10 years or so and they were robbed of a chance to make a run in 2020 due to COVID (they were 6th on KENPOM). So I'd rather see them in the final if given the choice.

I hate the UCONN fan base but they were undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country for a huge chunk of the year (basically had 1 bad stretch) and clearly have championship level talent. Miami is an excellent team as well. I wish that was the final.

why do you hate UConn fans?

Because I've been to 4 uconn games at various venues. Worst fan base I've ever seen live. Total clown show

Why are they a clown show?

I mean....sorry if you're one of them....but I've never seen a bigger bunch of jerks at a sporting event.(outside of drunken upper deck behavior at giants stadium)

Just non stop obnoxious behavior. Absurd over the top, profanity laden reactions to every call, getting in the face of opposition fans who are just sitting trying to watch the game, groups of 15+ guys sitting in the front 2 rows who literally don't sit down the entire game (totally blocking the views of people begins them)

Just the worst. I've seen them play games in MSG, Hartford and the Meadowlands and it was the same every time

 

[ChiefD]

I’m feeling an FAU/Miami final. That’s the parlay I’m gonna bet.