***Official - 2022 NCAA Tournament Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[Harry Frogfish]

Is is just me or have the announcing crews been pretty terrible

The crew announcing this TCU v. Arizona game is terrible.  The forced emotion from them is making me cringe in an otherwise exciting game.  

The only reason I opened the thread was to see comments about this crew.  God awful.

Who decided to top it all off with that combo???  Was that like all they had left or something?  Put them anywhere but that slot, lol bad.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Avery Johnson announcing it's a game of inches was one of my favorites.  The chick had a bag gems too, usually the most obvious of things.  Pretty funny actually.

 

[Bri]

Coach looks like a taller Boeheim

That's my uncle.

He's been coaching a long time, followed Kareem in high school actually. His son is one of the top NBA assistants.

Jim's always been known as a terrific defensive coach. It's difficult. Lot of trust and risk backed up and it's really hard to get players to buy in nowadays. In general, defense and hoops aren't what they used to be.

His George Mason team totally bought in and they were outstanding on d. This Miami team is even better. It was so fun to watch tonight. Sooo many steals and blocks and giving shots the other team doesn't want. I think their first turnover was four minutes before the half- if they can apply that D and not turn the ball over....whew they got a real shot here.

Auburn about stopped passing it into the post midway thru the first half. I've never ever seen that in all my years of playing or watching. I mean even when Shaq was in the paint teams threw to the opposite block. That was just phenomenal- to intimidate by smaller players blocking and swiping the ball from big men...I was so impressed.

Auburn's PG was so smooth but there was nothing there when he drove so he kept having to kick it out. 

They kept leaving their feet on D and falling for the reverse too. The quality of D wasn't close at all. 

Wong looked like a guy that's gonna surprise with an NBA summer invite. He has no idea how tall he is- he's fun.

 

[JaxBill]

wish I could have stayed up for 2nd half of last game

 

[Da Guru]

State had this one and pissed it away.  Seems like a familiar story this year. 2 bad minutes of basketball. Ah well. GOGREEN

Tom has made it out of the first weekend only 1 time in the last 6 trips. Thats a bad trend.

State made a nice run in the second half but ran out of gas with 5 minutes left when Duke took the game over.  Houser did not have a good game.

For the last decade Michigan has been the most consistent tourney team for the BIG and now only Michigan and Purdue left after the first weekend.

 

[urbanhack]

MSU played one of their best games of the season IMO, but it just wasn't enough as Duke pulled out some amazing plays down the stretch.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

MSU played one of their best games of the season IMO, but it just wasn't enough as Duke pulled out some amazing plays down the stretch.

Max Christie has been a disappointment thus far late in the season, as opposed to AJ Hoggard, who has carried the team on his back a number of times this season.  Joey Buckets (Hauser) was very inconsistent all season, as was Walker, Bingham and Hall. Marble evaporated at the end of the season. Gabe Brown came on late, but it was too little too late.

That Duke game yesterday was basically a microcosm of this entire season.

I, like Izzo, have great hopes for next season because this team doesn't have far to go to get back to being great again.

GOGREEN

 

[urbanhack]

Max Christie has been a disappointment thus far late in the season, as opposed to AJ Hoggard, who has carried the team on his back a number of times this season.  Joey Buckets (Hauser) was very inconsistent all season, as was Walker, Bingham and Hall. Marble evaporated at the end of the season. Gabe Brown came on late, but it was too little too late.

That Duke game yesterday was basically a microcosm of this entire season.

I, like Izzo, have great hopes for next season because this team doesn't have far to go to get back to being great again.

GOGREEN

Even though he had that bad turnover late in the game, MSU turnovers were down, which has been a problem for them and they made a lot of 3s.  

 

[tri-man 47]

Tough tournaments for Iowa and Baylor.  For both, the men's and women's teams were highly ranked, but they've all been eliminated.

Michigan and Villanova will now face off for both the women (today) and men (Thursday).  For the men, a rematch of the 2018 championship where a couple of bench players are now team leaders. 

 

[Da Guru]

Max Christie has been a disappointment thus far late in the season, as opposed to AJ Hoggard, who has carried the team on his back a number of times this season.  Joey Buckets (Hauser) was very inconsistent all season, as was Walker, Bingham and Hall. Marble evaporated at the end of the season. Gabe Brown came on late, but it was too little too late.

That Duke game yesterday was basically a microcosm of this entire season.

I, like Izzo, have great hopes for next season because this team doesn't have far to go to get back to being great again.

GOGREEN

Bizarre stat was MSU shot like 51% from 3 point range and around 40% inside.  At one time MSU was 8-11 from downtown.

I don`t get Houser, at times he can take over a game and then yesterday he was invisible. Then when he is not playing well it seems he does nothing well, when he is on fire he does all the others things better.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Bizarre stat was MSU shot like 51% from 3 point range and around 40% inside.  At one time MSU was 8-11 from downtown.

I don`t get Houser, at times he can take over a game and then yesterday he was invisible. Then when he is not playing well it seems he does nothing well, when he is on fire he does all the others things better.

He is a true enigma. Still one of my favorite Spartan Dawgs.

The team had trouble all year putting opponents away for good.  I think that will come with more experience next year.

The team also needs a reliable big body inside, which is something we haven't had for a while.  Bingham was a great shot blocker but zero body strength and got pushed around way too easy. Marble is a banger but just does stupid things to get himself into foul trouble.

 

[culdeus]

Lost in this really is how bad the product as a whole has gotten, the games are low scoring with a lot of just execution issues at the offensive end.  There is still drama, but you have teams now not scoring for 10 minutes at a time.  I don't think the defensive side of the ball has improved nearly as much as simply shooting fundamentals have changed to "chuck up a 3 and let god sort it out".  

 

[Da Guru]

He is a true enigma. Still one of my favorite Spartan Dawgs.

The team had trouble all year putting opponents away for good.  I think that will come with more experience next year.

The team also needs a reliable big body inside, which is something we haven't had for a while.  Bingham was a great shot blocker but zero body strength and got pushed around way too easy. Marble is a banger but just does stupid things to get himself into foul trouble.

Coaches like Izzo are being hurt by the way the game has changed.  Izzo liked having a player for 4 years, molding him with toughness and the way he likes the game played, or the way MSU used to play.  John Beilein was the same.

Now it is 1 and done or 2 and done, or filling in spots with 1 year transfer players. Recruiting a player and they flip at last minute.   I read it was one of the main reasons Beilein left college BB.

I guess it is better for the players but not the programs.

 

[Dr_Zaius]

Lost in this really is how bad the product as a whole has gotten, the games are low scoring with a lot of just execution issues at the offensive end.  There is still drama, but you have teams now not scoring for 10 minutes at a time.  I don't think the defensive side of the ball has improved nearly as much as simply shooting fundamentals have changed to "chuck up a 3 and let god sort it out".  

I'm not sure I'd say the product has gotten worse, but there does seem to be more of a focus on length and athleticism to build teams around, and the assumption being if you have those two and focus on taking good smart statistical shots that will maximize your chance of winning.  Seemingly lost in that is that in the end a lot of non dunk/layup shots will be taken, and if you have players with shooting skill your chances will improve.  Just look at how out of place that St. Peter's mustache dude looks - it's now a real exception to have a guy whose only standout skill is "can shoot really well."  It probably doesn't help that in the modern game players spend half of their time "seeking contact," even on threes, rather than focusing on actually making the shot.

 

[3 hour lunch]

I'm not sure I'd say the product has gotten worse, but there does seem to be more of a focus on length and athleticism to build teams around, and the assumption being if you have those two and focus on taking good smart statistical shots that will maximize your chance of winning.  Seemingly lost in that is that in the end a lot of non dunk/layup shots will be taken, and if you have players with shooting skill your chances will improve.  Just look at how out of place that St. Peter's mustache dude looks - it's now a real exception to have a guy whose only standout skill is "can shoot really well."  It probably doesn't help that in the modern game players spend half of their time "seeking contact," even on threes, rather than focusing on actually making the shot.

Several games were 40 minute rugby scrums. Not sure how it gets fixed without calling a foul every 10 seconds. 

 

[heckmanm]

Several games were 40 minute rugby scrums. Not sure how it gets fixed without calling a foul every 10 seconds. 

I don't think it will be.  The NCAA can talk all it wants about "freedom of movement" but some teams are going to push the envelope and figure the refs won't call everything.  Those teams get the advantage, and you end up with rock fights in the tournament.

 

[The Z Machine]

I don't think it will be.  The NCAA can talk all it wants about "freedom of movement" but some teams are going to push the envelope and figure the refs won't call everything.  Those teams get the advantage, and you end up with rock fights in the tournament.

In other words, bet the under.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Per a tweet by @HookemHeadlines, here are the FT discrepancies in the tourney so far: 

1 Purdue +34 vs. Texas 
2 Purdue +21 vs. Yale 
3 Michigan +15 vs. CSU 
3 Arkansas +15 vs. NMSU 
5 Kentucky +14 vs. St. Pete’s 
6 LSU +13 vs. Iowa State 
7 Murray State +13 vs. San Francisco

Common theme here, save for Texas, who must be losing their collective minds over that disparity.

Other thing that sticks out is how St. Pete's STILL beat Kentucky.  That's awesome.

 

[Major]

Lost in this really is how bad the product as a whole has gotten, the games are low scoring with a lot of just execution issues at the offensive end.  There is still drama, but you have teams now not scoring for 10 minutes at a time.  I don't think the defensive side of the ball has improved nearly as much as simply shooting fundamentals have changed to "chuck up a 3 and let god sort it out".  

I've definitely felt this tournament has been a bit meh.  I was initially blaming it on no buzzer beaters but there have been some tight games and a few good stories like the Peacocks.  Lack of quality on the floor added to horrific announcers are a terrible mix.  Hope things get better in the Sweet 16. 

 

[JaxBill]

Several games were 40 minute rugby scrums. Not sure how it gets fixed without calling a foul every 10 seconds. 

this

You can't drive the lane without getting hacked and most fouls were only being called on offensive rebound put backs. 

Most of the good ball movement has been with teams moving it around the arc. Difficult to drive and kick it out when you're getting fouled.

Other thing is these teams go totally out of control for several possessions at a time. Nobody ever tries to pull up and get a regular offense trip. One team has a break which leads to a turnover and a break which leads to a blocked shot and a break which leads to....you get the idea.

 

[tri-man 47]

Lost in this really is how bad the product as a whole has gotten, the games are low scoring with a lot of just execution issues at the offensive end.  There is still drama, but you have teams now not scoring for 10 minutes at a time.  I don't think the defensive side of the ball has improved nearly as much as simply shooting fundamentals have changed to "chuck up a 3 and let god sort it out".  

I've seen a lot of players pass up the mid-range jumper.  It's either get to the hoop or kick out for a 3.  I still have memories (old memories) of Goose Givens dropping 41 points on Duke to give Kentucky the 1978 championship.  As I recall it, he was just popping jumpers from the free throw line all night long.  

 

[The Z Machine]

I've seen a lot of players pass up the mid-range jumper.  It's either get to the hoop or kick out for a 3.  I still have memories (old memories) of Goose Givens dropping 41 points on Duke to give Kentucky the 1978 championship.  As I recall it, he was just popping jumpers from the free throw line all night long.  

The mid-range jumper has been gone from a lot of hoops though, right?  It's severely diminished in the NBA as well.

 

[tri-man 47]

The mid-range jumper has been gone from a lot of hoops though, right?  It's severely diminished in the NBA as well.

True, although DeMar DeRozan has done nicely bucking the trend.

 

[shuke]

I've seen a lot of players pass up the mid-range jumper.  It's either get to the hoop or kick out for a 3.  I still have memories (old memories) of Goose Givens dropping 41 points on Duke to give Kentucky the 1978 championship.  As I recall it, he was just popping jumpers from the free throw line all night long.  

Mid-range has been gone a long time, friend.

 

[Capella]

Lost in this really is how bad the product as a whole has gotten, the games are low scoring with a lot of just execution issues at the offensive end.  There is still drama, but you have teams now not scoring for 10 minutes at a time.  I don't think the defensive side of the ball has improved nearly as much as simply shooting fundamentals have changed to "chuck up a 3 and let god sort it out".  

Product has been abysmal for years. The tournament is great because of the one-off and the brackets etc. - lot of excitement. But I didn’t watch 5 minutes of college hoops this year before this week and I doubt I ever do again - it’s horrible. 

 

[Capella]

And if you thought this last weekend was bad the final four may be abysmal. Teams always shoot worse in those cavernous domes and it’s in New Orleans. 

 

[urbanhack]

Per a tweet by @HookemHeadlines, here are the FT discrepancies in the tourney so far: 

1 Purdue +34 vs. Texas 
2 Purdue +21 vs. Yale 
3 Michigan +15 vs. CSU 
3 Arkansas +15 vs. NMSU 
5 Kentucky +14 vs. St. Pete’s 
6 LSU +13 vs. Iowa State 
7 Murray State +13 vs. San Francisco

Common theme here, save for Texas, who must be losing their collective minds over that disparity.

Other thing that sticks out is how St. Pete's STILL beat Kentucky.  That's awesome.

Did you watch the game? 

 

[Bri]

Several games were 40 minute rugby scrums. Not sure how it gets fixed without calling a foul every 10 seconds. 

I yell stop the ball at the TV about as often as my old coaches used to.

It's basic D in transition.

 

[Bri]

Product has been abysmal for years. The tournament is great because of the one-off and the brackets etc. - lot of excitement. But I didn’t watch 5 minutes of college hoops this year before this week and I doubt I ever do again - it’s horrible. 

Pick a classic coach, then the game is as expected.

Today's game is streetball and fire the three. 

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Did you watch the game? 

With the Yao Ming / Andre the Giant cross?  Yep.

 

[urbanhack]

With the Yao Ming / Andre the Giant cross?  Yep.

How many Texas guys fouled out against Virginia Tech?

That’s their MO…they hack all game long and Purdue forced into the post all game. Texas took jump shots all game and Purdue doesn’t foul…that’s how they play. 

 

[nysfl2]

You guys are nuts if you aren't enjoying this tournament - tons of comebacks, close games down the stretch, huge shots at the end. Maybe not a lot of true buzzer-beaters to win games, but the games have been great.

 

[culdeus]

You guys are nuts if you aren't enjoying this tournament - tons of comebacks, close games down the stretch, huge shots at the end. Maybe not a lot of true buzzer-beaters to win games, but the games have been great.

It's fun for the drama, but the basketball product is bad.  

 

[Capella]

You guys are nuts if you aren't enjoying this tournament - tons of comebacks, close games down the stretch, huge shots at the end. Maybe not a lot of true buzzer-beaters to win games, but the games have been great.

Lot of drama. Also lot of 38-36 scores in the last 10 minutes of the game. The drama can be good and the hoops can be bad. Both things can be true. 

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Need advice -- Would you guys trade Arizona for Kansas straight up right now? I think maybe one side should maybe kick in a little juice to make it even (which we can do in our draft league by throwing in a team that won one game - adding a couple additional points to the deal.)  I think Arizona is a better team, but they have a more difficult path at this point in the tournament. 

TIA -

 

[ChiefD]

Need advice -- Would you guys trade Arizona for Kansas straight up right now? I think maybe one side should maybe kick in a little juice to make it even (which we can do in our draft league by throwing in a team that won one game - adding a couple additional points to the deal.)  I think Arizona is a better team, but they have a more difficult path at this point in the tournament. 

TIA -

I wouldn't. Kansas is a paper tiger in my opinion. I've watched this team almost every game and I still can't figure out how they are a #1 seed. Sure, they have some players, but man they can put up a stinker pretty easily.

Providence will give them all they can handle Friday.

I guess you could say that about everyone this year, though. But I really like Arizona. They just look totally solid to me.

 

[culdeus]

Need advice -- Would you guys trade Arizona for Kansas straight up right now? I think maybe one side should maybe kick in a little juice to make it even (which we can do in our draft league by throwing in a team that won one game - adding a couple additional points to the deal.)  I think Arizona is a better team, but they have a more difficult path at this point in the tournament. 

TIA -

For what end? Championship, or more games won?  Or what?  Kansas to win more games has to be like -180 right now.  

 

[CletiusMaximus]

For what end? Championship, or more games won?  Or what?  Kansas to win more games has to be like -180 right now.  

Who will win more games, advance further.  I haven't seen Kansas play this year at all, but did watch several Arizona games and love them.  However, for just one measure, 538 has Kansas at 72% to make the next round, 57% to make the final four and 30% to make the final.  They have Arizona as an underdog against Houston, so just 48% to make the final 8, 30% to make the final four and 18% to make the final. 

 

[culdeus]

Who will win more games, advance further.  I haven't seen Kansas play this year at all, but did watch several Arizona games and love them.  However, for just one measure, 538 has Kansas at 72% to make the next round, 57% to make the final four and 30% to make the final.  They have Arizona as an underdog against Houston, so just 48% to make the final 8, 30% to make the final four and 18% to make the final. 

Yeah.  Odds are heavily with Kansas in Vegas .  I don't watch basketball except the tournament though.  Does Luke Walton still play for Arizona?

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Welp, even though one of my grad alma maters is out of it with the Spartans, I can still cheer for my undergrad alma mater, Northwest Missouri State, who are in the D-2 Final Four and play today on CBS Sports Network at 3 pm CT.  They are going for their 4th overall D-2 title - 3rd D-2 title in a row (would have won it probably last season also as they went in as the overall #1 and were a better team then this year - had Ryan Hawkins on the team (now with Creighton), but it got canceled for COVID).

Also, our high school team (Williamston HS) is in the Michigan Boys State Semi playing Friday, and hopefully for the title on Saturday at the MSU Breslin Center.  So all is not lost this weekend for sure. Coincidently they all wear the best colors around...

GOGREEEN BABY!!!!!!

 

[3 hour lunch]

Arkansas is frustrating Gonzaga, who is also missing a bunch of open shots. Every game is this tourney they’ve had to turn it in in the 2nd half but might be tougher against Ark

 

[Mookie Gizzy]

MAKE YOUR F—ING FREE THROWS

 

[AAABatteries]

Refs letting Arkansas play physical all game and then call that?

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Welp, even though one of my grad alma maters is out of it with the Spartans, I can still cheer for my undergrad alma mater, Northwest Missouri State, who are in the D-2 Final Four and play today on CBS Sports Network at 3 pm CT.  They are going for their 4th overall D-2 title - 3rd D-2 title in a row (would have won it probably last season also as they went in as the overall #1 and were a better team then this year - had Ryan Hawkins on the team (now with Creighton), but it got canceled for COVID).

Also, our high school team (Williamston HS) is in the Michigan Boys State Semi playing Friday, and hopefully for the title on Saturday at the MSU Breslin Center.  So all is not lost this weekend for sure. Coincidently they all wear the best colors around...

GOGREEEN BABY!!!!!!

HELL YA...GO BEARCATS!!!

 

[Capella]

Dudes aren’t scared of Chet at all. Going right at him. 

 

[AAABatteries]

They still call way too many charges in college game - I blame rat face and hope he loses tonight by 50.

 

[ChiefD]

Northwest Missouri State

GOGREEEN BABY!!!!!!

No.

 

[AAABatteries]

I don’t give a damn who wins but the refs have #### the bed in this game.  

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Honestly they should change the rules for body fouls in basketball.  It's so dumb that a defender can be standing still or moving away or parallel to an offensive player, the offensive player forces contact intentionally, and the defensive player gets called for a foul.

It should have to be really obvious body contact, not initiated by the offensive player, to be a foul.  Just leaves way too much up to judgment that never gets called right as it is.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I don’t give a damn who wins but the refs have #### the bed in this game.  

I need Arkansas for my bracket but yea all those fouls on Holmgren were nutty.  Basically no way to play defense if those are fouls.