OK, I lied. I forgot the Big 12 is ran by a bunch of idiots and I won't be able to see the first round games because one of the nation's most premiere conferences cannot even get on TV in a city in it's market. The "Big 12 Network" is a complete joke. When most of your games are on ESPN 360, this is a joke. Couple this with KSU-K-State not making national TV last week, and I'm calling for someone else in charge down in Dallas.
In Mizzou's defense, Nebraska shot 60 some percent from the field. They took K-State to overtime in Manhattan. This is probably going to result in Nebraska losing by 20 tomorrow they way these things usually turn out.
Mizzou would be just an average team if they didn't creat so much with the press. I'm not very impressed.
Who is everyones pick for player of the year? It seems all the "experts" think it's going to be Evan Turner or John Wall. I am a Buckeyes fan so obviously I'm going to have to go with ET.
Holy crap Evan Turner! Did anyone see the end of the Michigan vs Ohio State game in the big ten tourny? ET took the in bounds pass with 2.2 seconds left and ran it about 5 feet past half court and drained a three for the win!
I was kind of worried before the game and for the start of the second half that the Buckeye's would loose their legs after playing three days in a row. With about 12 minutes left to play the score was 44-40 and the Buckeyes just took over from there on out, outscoring Minny 46-21.
The two most likely overall #1 seeds (KU, UK) have the hardest brackets. And Duke got the #3 overall and the easiest bracket. Anyone else think the selection committee **** the bed?
Ian, I think his team is Va Tech. I think the NCAA Committee really **** the bed this year. They need to come out with some standards for getting into the tourny as an at large, it seems it changes every year. One year your RPI is the key, the next SOS, or how you do in the conference toury. I'm trying to get tickets for the sweet 16 in STL, hopefully I get to watch the Bucks!
Everyone is saying Duke has an easy road, but I've got Baylor out of that bracket. Baylor is a very good team. They played Kansas and Kansas State well and have some very good wins. I think they match up with Duke pretty well.
I do think Duke has the easiest road but I still think they'll choke it away. There is no doubt that Baylor is a very good squad. Really it seems there are no dominant teams out there. UK has seemed very vulnerable at times this year, Syracuse couldn't even get to the finals of their own conference tourney, Duke is a perennial choker, KSU is a great sleeper pick but they were swept by KU this year... Nova? Georgetown? OSU? I just don't see any of those teams winning 6 games. Hell, KU lost to OSU a few weeks ago. Gotta go with my Jayhawks to win it all this year though in my bracket.
A couple of fun statistics...
-ACC teams 1,2,3,5,6,7 all got in, not No.4
-VT beat 5,6,7 head to head
-VT has a better conference record than wake
-my favorite...In the ACC, a team finishing 4th or better has made the NCAA tournament 23 OF 26 TIMES. ALL 3 CASES WHERE THEY DIDN'T GET IN WERE VT!
As a secondary Duke fan...yea they have a relatively easy road but have been choking in the NCAA tournament since winning it in '01. I feel like they are due for a run, but I dont see this team being a championship contender. Theyre nowhere as good as the 01 and 02 team or the 05 and 09 UNC team.
Damn E.J. looks like you got to see quite a good game between K State and Xavier. That place looked empty (at least in the front by half court).
The ESA was full, but blocks would empty related to teams playing. Place was packed with Orange during the first game and splotches of Purple when looking across from the side we were on(center court row 20). The KState area slowly filled as the first game progressed. After the Orange lost, many wandered out.... "Most" of the Butler fans stayed to bask in their glory.
Because there are no alcohol sales at NCAA hosted events, I assume many wanted to go have a few.....or prime before going into their game.
I am AMAZED at the effort the NCAA takes to brand this thing. EVERY LITTLE THING that you are use to going to a game at ESA is GONE. All advertizing is covered up, all banners & retired jerseys taken down. They bring in their own court.... It is like a whole different arena. I talked with my friend and it is crazy stuff.