NCAA HOOPS THREAD! -- K petitions to get Maui Jim Maui Invitational moved to Transylvania (1 Viewer)

[nittanylion]

Whoops, almost forgot about the OVC!

Earlier mentioned #4 Jacksonville St. committing the biggest upset to date, eliminating #1 Belmont. That's going to create some work for Lunardi, as Belmont was slated to dance as a 13-Seed. This one kinda came out of nowhere. Belmont should have been primed to play, as this was the 2nd year in a row they were the #1 Seed and lost in last year's semi's, and they were a legit Tournament Team, and they handled Jacksonville easily in both regular-season meetings. Poor shooting did in the Bruins, less than 40% - 2/3 of their 60 shots were 3's and they only hit 8. #2 Tenn-Martin took advantage of the good fortune and ended #7 Murray St.'s Cinderella run. Jonathan Stark played the entire 40 minutes of his 3rd game in 3 nights, but wound up being a relative non-factor, MSU started running out of gas mid-2nd half, made a late run, but fell short, 73-67. Should Jacksonville win tomorrow, it would mean their 1st ever invite to the Big Dance.

As a #1 Seed that didn't win it's Conference Tournament, Belmont's consolation prize will be an Auto-Bid to the NIT. Evan Bradds, 2-time OVC POY has the game to run the table vs that field, and he's got a solid supporting cast of vets. They also have a tremendous Coach. Keep an eye on the Bruins - if they get over the disappointment, they're a fun Team to watch!

OVC Championship: TODAY!!!

8PM: #4 Jacksonville St. v #2 Tennessee-Martin

As unlikely as it might seem for J'ville to be here, they are. If you're a Tournament Junkie, it's worth looking up the backstory on their Coach, Ray Harper and what he accomplished at Western Kentucky prior to landing here. Besides Belmont, Tenn-Martin is pretty much the only other relatively 'good' Team in the OVC - definitely a down year...but Harper's story is compelling enough to make me think Jacksonville has a shot.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

It's a shame Belmont got knocked out, if only because they could have inflicted some real damage on a Major and I don't see another OVC team able to (now watch Tenn-Martin run to the Final Four - always fade me)

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Big South Championship: Sunday 3/5, 1PM - #7 Campbell @ #1 Winthrop

Following their big-time upset of #2 UNC-Asheville, Campbell benefited from the Big South Bracket system which doesn't re-seed. So instead of playing #1 Winthrop in the semi's as would occur in a conventional bracket, they drew #6 Radford, who upset #3 Liberty,  

How many conferences actually do re-seed instead of following a straight bracket? I can't think of many.

 

[CabinFever]

Duke gonna sweep tonight? 

 

[Uruk-Hai]

How many conferences actually do re-seed instead of following a straight bracket? I can't think of many.

I was thinking the same, though I don't really pay that much attention to the structure of most of the conference tourneys.

 

[derek245583]

Nittany-- How do you keep up with all these college hoops leagues/teams. Its remarkable.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Nittany-- How do you keep up with all these college hoops leagues/teams. Its remarkable.

I think he's a chef. What that has to do with his ability to do the Lord's Work in here, I don't know, but there must be a connection 

 

[fantasycurse42]

Duke gonna sweep tonight? 

UNC by at least 10

 

[CabinFever]

UNC by at least 10

Maybe, but Duke has won 4 of the last 5 in Chapel Hill. As usual, it will likely come down to 3 point shooting vs rebounding advantage.  

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Maybe, but Duke has won 4 of the last 5 in Chapel Hill. As usual, it will likely come down to 3 point shooting vs rebounding advantage.  

I think you're right on what it comes down to, but I have a feeling Carolina's gonna roll the Dukies. I wouldn't bet a plug nickel on it, because this rivalry produces some strange results and I'm the world's worst gambler, but that's my prediction.

 

[CabinFever]

I think you're right on what it comes down to, but I have a feeling Carolina's gonna roll the Dukies. I wouldn't bet a plug nickel on it, because this rivalry produces some strange results and I'm the world's worst gambler, but that's my prediction.

man isn't that the truth. hopefully its an entertaining game (it almost always is), but yeah, Vegas and most everyone are predicting UNC to win at home...and really they should. Frank Jackson is starting tonight for Duke, if he can continue his recent strong play, Duke can win this 

 

[nittanylion]

Tough morning. Important stuff 1st, more to follow...

***8PM ESPN2 OVC CHAMPIONSHIP: #4 Jacksonville St. v #2 Tennessee-Martin

Interestingly, Jacksonville St. is in Alabama. Game is in Nashville, so I'd imagine crowd will be partisan T-M...this was a down year for the OVC, and outside of Belmont, T-M is the only other relatively 'good' Team, but there's a pretty big gap between Belmont and them, so I wouldn't expect them to just replace Belmont's projected 13-Seed in Bracketology. It's a shame Murray St. lost Damarcus Croaker earlier this year, considering how they played in this Tournament...and it's really a shame Belmont won't be dancing, because they have the profile of a giant-killer. A month ago, I was anticipating a Bruins/Racers Final, this is a letdown, but if Jacksonville pulls the upset, Coach Ray Harper's storyline will be one of those things that makes the Big Dance so cool.

Colonial, Northeast and Southern Conference Tourney's all tip-off at Noon. I have to get to the bank before that. Back in a bit...

 

[pandora]

Nittany-- How do you keep up with all these college hoops leagues/teams. Its remarkable.

The internet.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

This UK team makes me throw up in my mouth at times.  

 

[Uruk-Hai]

The internet.

I bet you have unlimited invitations to parties for your humor.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Maybe, but Duke has won 4 of the last 5 in Chapel Hill. As usual, it will likely come down to 3 point shooting vs rebounding advantage.  

These games can always go either way, but im as confident in UNC rolling here as I've been in a while.

With that being said, Duke in the 3rd OT.

 

[In The Zone]

I won't say this very often but let's go Georgia Bulldogs today vs Arkansas. 

A win makes the South Carolina/ Ole Miss game tonight meaningless and wraps up the 3 seed in the SEC tournament and on the opposite side of the bracket as Kentucky. 

 

[nittanylion]

3/4 - Behind schedule...here's today's Mid-Major Tournament slate...

Colonial (CAA): neutral site (Charleston)

#9 Delaware v #1 NC-Wilmington

#5 Elon v #4 William & Mary

#7 James Madison v #2 Charleston

#6 Northeastern v #3 Towson

Northeastern (NEC): @ higher seeds

#7 Robert Morris @ #1 Mount St. Mary's

#4 St. Francis, Pa @ #3 Wagner

Southern Conference: neutral court (Asheville)

#9 Citadel v #1 UNC-Greensboro

#5 Wofford v #4 Chattanooga

#7 Samford v #2 Furman

#6 Mercer v #3 ETSU

Missouri Valley (MVC): neutral court (St. Louis)

#4 Southern Illinois v #1 Illinois St.

#6 Missouri St. v #2 Wichita St.

West Coast (WCC): neutral court (Las Vegas)

#6 Loyola-Marymount v #3 BYU

#5 San Francisco v #3 Santa Clara

#9 Pacific v #1 Gonzaga

# 10 Portland v #2 St. Mary's

Horizon: neutral court (Detroit)

#10 Wisconsin-Milwaukee v #1 Oakland

#9 Youngstown St. v #2 Valparaiso

Summit League: neutral court (Sioux Falls)

#8 Western Illinois  v #1 South Dakota

#7 IUPUI v #2 North Dakota

Metro Atlantic (MAAC): neutral court (Albany)

#6 Rider v #3 Iona

#5 Fairfield v #4 Siena

 

[nittanylion]

I won't say this very often but let's go Georgia Bulldogs today vs Arkansas. 

A win makes the South Carolina/ Ole Miss game tonight meaningless and wraps up the 3 seed in the SEC tournament and on the opposite side of the bracket as Kentucky. 

Good game so far, Dawgs hanging tough early on, but Bud Walton is as tough a place as it gets to snatch a road win, and the current pace plays more in the Hogs favor...but the infuriating thing for me as a Hogs fan is that I sometimes don't know until late in the game which Team I'm gonna get on any given day. Arkansas = predictably unpredictable. Helps that Frazier picked up  2 fouls late in the 1st half. I got a little caught up our 5 game winning streak (which included @ Gamecocks), and thought we could steal a win @ Egbunu-less Florida (silly me), but if we can't beat Maten-less Georgia at home, it's gonna be a tough row to hoe moving forward. Really, really want to get off that 8/9 line, but want another shot at Kentucky on a neutral court in the SEC Tourney even more, just to see how we'd fare.

 

[In The Zone]

Good game so far, Dawgs hanging tough early on, but Bud Walton is as tough a place as it gets to snatch a road win, and the current pace plays more in the Hogs favor...but the infuriating thing for me as a Hogs fan is that I sometimes don't know until late in the game which Team I'm gonna get on any given day. Arkansas = predictably unpredictable. Helps that Frazier picked up  2 fouls late in the 1st half. I got a little caught up our 5 game winning streak (which included @ Gamecocks), and thought we could steal a win @ Egbunu-less Florida (silly me), but if we can't beat Maten-less Georgia at home, it's gonna be a tough row to hoe moving forward. Really, really want to get off that 8/9 line, but want another shot at Kentucky on a neutral court in the SEC Tourney even more, just to see how we'd fare.

Yeah, I think I jinxed them. I want another shot at Kentucky as well but I would rather it be on Sunday. 

 

[pandora]

I bet you have unlimited invitations to parties for your humor.

But you know I am right.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

But you know I am right.

What the hell are you talking about? Ask nittany how he's putting this all together if it means that much to you. I, for one, appreciate him making it neat & easy to consume.

I feel dumber for even responding to this, so my apologies to all.

 

[pandora]

What the hell are you talking about? Ask nittany how he's putting this all together if it means that much to you. I, for one, appreciate him making it neat & easy to consume.

I feel dumber for even responding to this, so my apologies to all.

derek asked him how he kept up with all the teams and leagues.  I just gave him the answer.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I posted this in the B1G thread, but it might be fun to discuss here too:

Who is the biggest favorite in the P5 conferences to win their tourney? 

ACC is absolutely loaded with probably 5 teams able to legitimately make a FF run. As good as UNC is, it can't be them.

Big 12 has an obvious-on-the-surface Kansas, but there are 2 other Top 10-ish programs there

The PAC12 has 3 teams in the AP top 7

B1G has Purdue and a few wildcards

SEC has Kentucky - who I don't trust for a minute - then FLA and SC

Honestly, I'd say Purdue has to be at least as likely as any of the other frontrunners in the P5 groups.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I posted this in the B1G thread, but it might be fun to discuss here too:

Who is the biggest favorite in the P5 conferences to win their tourney? 

ACC is absolutely loaded with probably 5 teams able to legitimately make a FF run. As good as UNC is, it can't be them.

Big 12 has an obvious-on-the-surface Kansas, but there are 2 other Top 10-ish programs there

The PAC12 has 3 teams in the AP top 7

B1G has Purdue and a few wildcards

SEC has Kentucky - who I don't trust for a minute - then FLA and SC

Honestly, I'd say Purdue has to be at least as likely as any of the other frontrunners in the P5 groups.

Think it's Kansas playing an hour from home.  They would only have to play either Baylor or WVU and not both.  WVU does seem to have their number other than 3 minutes of one game this year.

Next would be Kentucky though I agree with you about not trusting them.  

Oregon is probably next since they would only need to beat the Arizona/UCLA winner in the final one night after those teams have to play each other.

Purdue is the best of the B1G but Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Maryland easily capable of beating them as is Michigan, NW, and Michigan State.

It's definitely not the ACC.  Duke/Louisville would have to beat each other, then most likely UNC, then win a third game.  UNC would have to beat Syr/Mia, Duke/Louis, then FSU/ND/UVA/VT.  

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Maryland isn't "easily capable" of even beating the elementary school down the road from me. At least they don't have to blow any more leads at home 

I can't recall a conference as loaded at the top as the ACC is this year. This ain't two or three teams, but 5 or 6 who are legitimate threats to go deep into March.

I guess you're right about Kansas, but I don't have nearly the faith in Oregon you do.

 

[RCon]

Can I pick Villanova as most likely?

In order, I'll take Kansas most likely, Oregon if they're the 1 seed, Kentucky, Purdue, UNC.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Can I pick Villanova as most likely?

In order, I'll take Kansas most likely, Oregon if they're the 1 seed, Kentucky, Purdue, UNC.

I left the non-P5 schools out mainly to exclude Nova, who I think may win the whole damned thing again.

I'll admit to not having seen Oregon many times, but I've seen UCLA more and they remind me of a couple of recent UNC teams that did pretty well. I also like Arizona but, as was pointed out to me, Oregon will only have to play one of them.

My only hesitation in regards to Kansas is that they have won a ton of close games. That says a lot of good things about them, but also that - bluebloods though they may be - they can get caught on an off night in a sprint like a tournament.

 

[Don't Noonan]

I left the non-P5 schools out mainly to exclude Nova, who I think may win the whole damned thing again.

I'll admit to not having seen Oregon many times, but I've seen UCLA more and they remind me of a couple of recent UNC teams that did pretty well. I also like Arizona but, as was pointed out to me, Oregon will only have to play one of them.

My only hesitation in regards to Kansas is that they have won a ton of close games. That says a lot of good things about them, but also that - bluebloods though they may be - they can get caught on an off night in a sprint like a tournament.

As an Oregon fan I would much rather face Arizona than UCLA in the tournament.   Arizona is not at the same level as Oregon and UCLA imo.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I think you have to include Arkansas in the SEC. They have talent and finished strong winning 6 of 7 including a win at SC. Their only loss in that stretch. was at Gainesville.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I think you have to include Arkansas in the SEC. They have talent and finished strong winning 6 of 7 including a win at SC. Their only loss in that stretch. was at Gainesville.

That's fine and solidifies my original point about UK. Suey!

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I think you have to include Arkansas in the SEC. They have talent and finished strong winning 6 of 7 including a win at SC. Their only loss in that stretch. was at Gainesville.

Yeah I admit I don't much about the SEC beyond Kentucky and I'm letting recent history cloud my opinion.  I know Florida was really good but lost a key starter, right?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

As an Oregon fan I would much rather face Arizona than UCLA in the tournament.   Arizona is not at the same level as Oregon and UCLA imo.

Appreciate the insight. Being an OG and living on the East Coast, I don't know as much about the teams in your country. I just know every time I've seen UCLA, they look like a video game scoring-wise. Arizona always seems to have a perfect lineup - I'm going back 30 years here - both size-wise and in ability. It's a wonder they haven't won more than they have.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Yeah I admit I don't much about the SEC beyond Kentucky and I'm letting recent history cloud my opinion.  I know Florida was really good but lost a key starter, right?

Yeah they lost their center. They won for a while without him, but it finally showed up at the end with UK abusing them on the glass last Saturday and Vandy going to rim at will in their comeback yesterday.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

 this Clemons with Campbell is playing out of his mind. 

 

[nittanylion]

That's fine and solidifies my original point about UK. Suey!

SOOIE!

...as in:

Woooooooooo, Pig ! Sooie!
Woooooooooo, Pig ! Sooie!
Woooooooooo, Pig ! Sooie!
Razorbacks!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calling_the_Hogs

...and yes, any conversation about the SEC, if it includes South Carolina, ought to include Arkansas. IMHO the SEC is more of a two-team race between Kentucky and Florida, but with the Wildcats unpredictable and Florida losing Egbunu, it opens the door for the 1B's (Gamecocks, Razorbacks). Vanderbilt is a dangerous group, Georgia is being driven by Frazier, but they need Maten,Tennessee has to be respected when Hubbs is on, Alabama has a tremendous front court, but the true dark horse is Ole' Miss, I think - Sebastian Saiz is a stud, and when his supporting cast is executing, they can be a tough out.

 

[Don't Noonan]

Appreciate the insight. Being an OG and living on the East Coast, I don't know as much about the teams in your country. I just know every time I've seen UCLA, they look like a video game scoring-wise. Arizona always seems to have a perfect lineup - I'm going back 30 years here - both size-wise and in ability. It's a wonder they haven't won more than they have.

With the tournament being in Las Vegas it is basically a home game for Arizona as it is only a 4-5 hour drive.  I went a few years ago and it was all red inside.  Not much of a UCLA showing in fans but that may be different now that they are so highly ranked.  

 

[nittanylion]

Behind, again...

ON RIGHT NOW (ESPN): Big South Tournament Final: #7 Campbell @ #1 Winthrop - true home game for Winthrop, and they lead by 7 at halftime...

2PM (CBS): Missouri Valley Tournament Final: #2 Wichita State v #1 Illinois State

3PM (ESPN): Atlantic Sun Tournament Final: #3 North Florida v #1 Florida-Gulf Coast (Birds of Trey v Dunk City!!!)

You know, there are only 23 college basketball games on today, and not much else going on in the sporting world to compete with them. You'd think they'd find a way to schedule these games so they don't overlap, and we could enjoy them uninterrupted...and although they seem to find a way to reschedule games all the time, strange how they couldn't find a way to schedule last night's OVC Tournamant Final so that it wasn't in direct conflict with Duke/UNC 'THE REMATCH'...the sport would be so much better if some of this stuff got more coverage/exposure, but the big boys and networks can't see past their own noses. Days like this really piss me off.

 

[In The Zone]

Yeah I admit I don't much about the SEC beyond Kentucky and I'm letting recent history cloud my opinion.  I know Florida was really good but lost a key starter, right?

Yeah, I wouldn't rule out Vandy as well. They have a lot of guys that can hit 3's. When they're on the can be as tough as anyone in the conference.

 

[nittanylion]

3/6 other Tournament Games:

Patriot League Semi's:

#3 Lehigh 91 v #2 Boston U. 88 (2OT)

#4 Navy 65 v #1 Bucknell 70

Colonial Athletic Semi's:

#4 William & Mary 94 v #1 UNC-Wilmington 105

#3 Towson v #2 Charleston

MAAC Semi's:

#4 Siena v #1 Monmouth

#3 Iona v #2 St. Peter's

Horizon:

#6 Illinois-Chicago v #3 Wisconsin-Green Bay

#5 Wright State v #4 Northern Kentucky

Summit League:

#5 Denver v #4 South Dakota State

#6 Indiana-Fort Wayne v #3 Omaha

Southern Conference:

#5 Wofford v #1 UNC-Greensboro

#7 Samford v #3 East Tennessee State

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Winthrop is gonna be a pain in the ### for whoever is unfortunate enough to catch them in the NCAAT. They've got skilled guys everywhere and a lot of them are loooooong, regardless of height

 

[nittanylion]

Illinois State (27-6/17-1 MVC co-#1 with Wichita State) on Big Dance Death Row after losing to Wichita State by 20 in the MVC Championship Game, hoping for a pardon before Selection Sunday...

Quoting ESPN's Jeff Borzello: "Going to be a very long week for Illinois State. Resume based on top-30 RPI, 12 wins away from home, and 1 win over Wichita State. But that's it. They're 2-4 against the Top 100, have two sub-100 losses and got lit up twice by Wichita State. Illinois State's 2 losses to Wichita State came by a combined 61 points. (They did beat them by 14, too)".

 

[Uruk-Hai]

They are probably good enough that they should get in, but they crapped the bed when it mattered most. I'd rather see them in than a middling team from a P5 conference.

 

[In The Zone]

Winthrop is gonna be a pain in the ### for whoever is unfortunate enough to catch them in the NCAAT. They've got skilled guys everywhere and a lot of them are loooooong, regardless of height

I agree. Like I said up-thread they are gonna be dangerous especially if they get sent to Greenville, SC.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I agree. Like I said up-thread they are gonna be dangerous especially if they get sent to Greenville, SC.

They have some athletes that can run/hop with most anyone. That one dude, who's like 6'5", had arms longer than Patrick Ewing's. 

Dunk City is in, baby!

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Illinois State (27-6/17-1 MVC co-#1 with Wichita State) on Big Dance Death Row after losing to Wichita State by 20 in the MVC Championship Game, hoping for a pardon before Selection Sunday...

Quoting ESPN's Jeff Borzello: "Going to be a very long week for Illinois State. Resume based on top-30 RPI, 12 wins away from home, and 1 win over Wichita State. But that's it. They're 2-4 against the Top 100, have two sub-100 losses and got lit up twice by Wichita State. Illinois State's 2 losses to Wichita State came by a combined 61 points. (They did beat them by 14, too)".

Illinois State belongs in over all these 12-15 loss P5 teams.  27-6 is still 27-6 in a historical pretty solid conference.  Regular season champs too.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Fun game b/t NW and Purdue

 

[Penguin]

Oof, Monmouth #### the bed, up 15 with 14 minutes to go they just collapsed.

 

[nittanylion]

3/6 - another light day of basketball (17 games), but Championship Week is in full swing as every one is a Tournament game...

...and I'm pissed off again because despite the low # of games, and the most compelling games being WCC Semi's involving ranked Gonzaga and St. Mary's, which won't tip off until 9pm and 11:30pm, respectively, the NCAA still manages to allow two Conference Championship games at the same time!!!

Colonial Championship: 7pm #2 Charleston v #1 UNC-Wilmington

Southern Championship: 7pm #3 ETSU v #1 UNC-Greensboro

MAAC Championship: 9pm #4 Sienna v #3 Iona - yeah, how about #1 Monmouth imploding down the stretch? #2 St. Peter's, as well. At least Siena and Iona are a shade better than Jacksonville State...

 

[Scoresman]

3/6 - another light day of basketball (17 games), but Championship Week is in full swing as every one is a Tournament game...

...and I'm pissed off again because despite the low # of games, and the most compelling games being WCC Semi's involving ranked Gonzaga and St. Mary's, which won't tip off until 9pm and 11:30pm, respectively, the NCAA still manages to allow two Conference Championship games at the same time!!!

Colonial Championship: 7pm #2 Charleston v #1 UNC-Wilmington

Southern Championship: 7pm #3 ETSU v #1 UNC-Greensboro

MAAC Championship: 9pm #4 Sienna v #3 Iona - yeah, how about #1 Monmouth imploding down the stretch? #2 St. Peter's, as well. At least Siena and Iona are a shade better than Jacksonville State...

Yeah let's have those games earlier at like 3 or 4 pacific time when everyone is still at work.