Calling all Bracket Guys! Come through and make your bold claims for this, the best time of the entire calendar year!

I have very limited faith in my team. Hopefully they actually play like they care this weekend and we can make it to an inevitable drubbing at the hands of Houston in the Sweet 16. Then again, I lost my shirt on Houston vs. Miami last year, so anything is possible, I reckon. It is, after all, the time for madness.

was hoping Tennessee could be in Houston's bracket, as that is the one-seed they match up best against

but also, Elite Eight matchups haven't been an issue for Tennessee to worry about in 14 years -- so one game at a time (c)

content to avoid UConn and the most dangerous SEC rematches (UK, bama, Auburn)

I’m focusing on the women’s tourney this year.

I'd be very surprised if they make it to Weekend 2-- they have somewhere between 3.5 and 4 players.

>I'd be very surprised if they make it to Weekend 2-- they
>have somewhere between 3.5 and 4 players.

Yea, they're out of there

They were at least 22 rankings lower in predictive metrics than all the 10s, not to mention ranked behind two 11s and three 12s. And they weren't even top 50 in the NET. So analytics didn't want them in. And Lord knows the eye test didn't want them in.

Their strength was their resume. 2 Quad 1 wins, 10-10 in Q1 and Q2, zero losses to Q3 and Q4, decent strength of schedule. Their strength of resume was ranked 32nd on the team sheets. And no high major conference team with 10 or fewer losses going into the tournament was left off.

The analytics would've preferred St. John's, Pitt, Oklahoma, Indiana State... but all of those teams either had worse strength of resumes, worse records against Q1/Q2, or both. And I think the whole world can agree we'd have preferred any of those teams to Virginia.

(Then again, Michigan State is definitely in due to analytics-- so the committee clearly wasn't applying any sort of consistent logic, they were just picking and choosing whoever they felt like. Which is what happens with a human committee that has no transparent consistent methodology of seeding.)

he even admitted he has no idea about NET, KenPom, etc and said we need more basketball coaches on the committee.

Thing is, these coaches like Jim Boheim and Mike K are also bias af.

Just seems like it was easy to look at UVA and MSU and keep both of them out.

Pitt, Seton Hall, St Johns, Providence ALL had better arguments than these 2 teams.

19-14???? C’mon… there is no analytics that show they were worthy. .500 in the conference and 14 losses simply isn’t enough.

>19-14???? C’mon… there is no analytics that show they were
>worthy. .500 in the conference and 14 losses simply isn’t
>enough.

Conference record and loss number has nothing to do with analytics. Those are pure resume numbers. (And, as we know, conference record really doesn't have any bearing in the selection process anyway.)

In analytics, however, MSU is still Top 20 in KenPom, even with the loss number so high, due to the strength of their schedule (second strongest combo of overall SOS and non-conference SOS in the field), the number of good wins they generated (7 Quad 1), and the fact that most of their losses this season were by single digits, including to some really good teams in really hard spots. Margin of victory comes into play in predictive metrics, and MSU benefits from that.

It's very funny to me that people associate UVA with "analytics" and MSU with "anti-analytics" because of who their coaches are... yet this season, UVA sucked in the analytics and MSU majorly benefited from analytics.

(Also, Tom Izzo is *such* a moron with the stupid-ass shit he says about not just analytics, but basically anything he says about how the sport should be run.)

trying to go back and forth for why they are based on each is some lame shit

stop trying to make excuses for bad selections

You said UVA is in because of analytics, when analytics said UVA should be out.
You said no analytics say MSU should be in, when analytics say exactly that.

I agreed that UVA should be out, and I said above MSU would be in my First Four if anything. I'm just trying to help clarify the difference between resume metrics and analytical metrics and which teams benefit from either. If you never had any interest in understanding that, that's fine, and I'm sorry for attempting to explain.

I’n just talking shit

not trying to be cute or anything. I literally might have watched 5 college games, this season. I think I'm sports-involved enough to know that Tony Bennett is generally respected as a good coach and a decent human being....and UVA has played this type of style for some time. Was this year worse than most? Even for them, was this an anomaly? How do you score FOURTEEN points in an entire half of basketball? They went the final 10 minutes of the game without a field goal? How can that be possible?

over an hour in real time 😂

At least not since, like, 2013.

He has a future pro on his team in Ryan Dunn, but Dunn is not a scorer at *all* right now, just an absurdly gifted defender. Reece Beekman just Isn't That Guy, as much as they wanted him to be-- feels very much like a G-League/Euro dude at absolute best. McKneely's a really good shooter, but he's not a self-creator at all... like, it's just a very mid roster for a high major given that teams have to be able to score.

And when you look back, Bennett's success has always been built on having guys that can score. Joe Harris, Justin Anderson, Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy, Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill-- like, he's had a number of NBA guys on his roster. And he deserves credit for building them into pros. (Honestly deserves credit for bringing this roster this year to a 3rd place ACC finish-- although that's also an indictment of what was another very mediocre ACC this year.)

But I wonder in the portal era if Bennett has the juice. It's one thing if you think playing in that system for four years will develop you into a future pro... but if you're looking for 1-2 years somewhere, why bother with them? It's unpleasant to watch, its offense is always limited and slow. Not a sexy style in the slightest.

There have been retirement rumors out there this offseason. Maybe he won't wanna end on this particular note... but if he comes back, they've gotta find ways of attracting more offensive talent, either through NIL or bringing in an offensive guru or something.

Can’t adjust to teams that speed them up and play at a high pace. Thats exactly what Colorado State did to them

they should have never been in it to begin with.

Feels like every single one of them is decided by 1 or 2 points.

Rather watch both of them than Virginia or 16 seeds.

Erik Reynolds on St. Joes….im a fan. Cuse needs a guard, throw a bag at him!

Great first round for them. It's a shame nobody watches.

and even if the coach agreed they needed to go in another direction. This tourney run makes the AD look foolish.

I wish I made a bracket with them getting a first round upset. Thought they played purdue but I think its Arizona.

AD actually said he eas trying to give the team a spark with the firing and it worked.. lmao.

Not especially optimistic that they can beat UNC, but Izzo can be feisty, and Mississippi State is such a bad shooting team that I had zero faith in them in a UNC matchup, so I'm happy with the early outcome today.

And I don’t know a thing about Duquesne.

But I know all I need to about BYU. 6 seed, get the fuck outta here. That’s an NIT team at best, fuck is wrong with these people?

UK couldn't buy a three until the last few minutes, in which their last 6 makes have been 3PT.

Oakland has a player, Golke(sp), who has like 12 3PTs to this point.

78-74 with 29.0 sec left.

just maybe.

https://x.com/bturner23/status/1770986451125014786?s=20

Braiden Turner
@bturner23
·
9m
Kentucky the last 4 seasons

2020-21: 9-16 record missed the tournament
2021-22: lost to 15 seed St Peters in the round of 64
2022-23: lost in the round of 32 to K-State
2023-24: lost to 14 seed Oakland in the round of 64

... is this team was insanely young and lost to an old team. So maybe you could say, "Hey, young teams don't perform as well in this NIL/extra COVID year era, because players with more age and experience have an advantage over younger more talented players!"...

... but in 2022, six of the seven rotation pieces were upperclassmen, and five of them were transfers-- including the Player of the Year-- and they *still* lost in the first round.

So it's not like one can say "oh it's how he recruits, oh it's how he constructs a roster," etc. He's done it a variety of ways, had stars of a variety of ages. The only common denominator? The coaching.

tawmbout maybe I need to add a couple of older guys to the mix.

They were dropping big bags before most anyone else could, and then he’d show up at the NBA draft like a fucking weirdo “all in the videos, dancin’” and spreading that narrative that HE put guys in the NBA, and dumbasses bought into it.

All those guys were pros regardless of where they went, and he ain’t shit on that sideline. Fuck him. He’s really good at cheating, that’s what got him over at UMass in the first place. Everywhere he’s been with a level playing field, he doesn’t do a damn thing.

I wish John Chaney slumped his corny ass 30 years ago, and he went away.

>They were dropping big bags before most anyone else could,
>and then he’d show up at the NBA draft like a fucking weirdo
>“all in the videos, dancin’” and spreading that
>narrative that HE put guys in the NBA, and dumbasses bought
>into it.

LOL

>
>All those guys were pros regardless of where they went, and he
>ain’t shit on that sideline. Fuck him. He’s really good
>at cheating, that’s what got him over at UMass in the first
>place. Everywhere he’s been with a level playing field, he
>doesn’t do a damn thing.
>
>I wish John Chaney slumped his corny ass 30 years ago, and he
>went away.

One of the greatest moments is sports history

The buzz is out there on Cal though

How the hell is Shepard a top 5 pick? I know it’s a weak draft, but damn! That kids looked so shook.

I get he’s a50% 3pt shooter this year, but boy I’ve never seen someone obviously scared of the moment like that in a minute. Not wearing a Purdue jersey at least ( I see you Fletcher, Mason)

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1770991285026914519

Jon Rothstein
@JonRothstein
REMINDER: John Calipari's current buyout at Kentucky is $33,375,000.

He's going to be Kentucky's head coach unless someone paid him just south of $34 MILLION DOLLARS.

holy.

Cal has been in "fuck you, pay me to leave" mode since Kentucky did that

him not getting an all-time recruiting class out of the first round is unbelievable even for him

>just maybe.

worst refs in all of basketball.

I have like 4 teams that are boom/bust can’t trust

Kentucky
Kansas
Iowa St
Tennessee

I would add Purdue but they just got good.

I know I’ll regret this post when Tennessee beat us in elite 8, but f’k it

Big East and ACC doing ok.

Go figure. Should’ve put more of them in.

I'm sad to see him go. One of the most fun players in basketball all year.

I know it was St Mary’s but they were throwing shit into the second row

Think there's 4 or 5 guys on that roster who came from high major ball, so they can hang with anyone.

At any moment I feel like we could either crash and go out bad, or steamroll to a title.

They don't even *sniff* the tournament if they don't win the ACCT. Now they're in the Sweet 16. That's March for you, lol.

Would like to see that aspect of the game make a return, at least somewhat.

Flip honestly did this against Vermont first round. Ended up barely shooting, just kicking out of every feed to open shooters.

I think Jokic is going to inspire true big men to work at becoming elite passers. Burns is a unicorn, but it feels like more big men try to pass more because they see it as essential to success at any professional level.

I do find it funny that literally nobody trying to hype up the ACC claims UVA, the team that won *13* games in-conference and had, objectively, the fourth best regular-season resume out of every ACC team. Whenever anyone hypes up ACC postseason performance, they just ignore UVA entirely, lol.

In all seriousness, as somebody who watched Virginia a lot, I was sort of shocked my alma mater got into the field. Like...really?

I do think, however, that the tournament selection process itself illustrates a very interesting tension: whether the committee should be using predictive measures or just results-based ones.

That tension is most obvious in the case of Virginia. The Cavs had by far the worst predictive metrics of any at-large tournament selection. However, they were without a doubt one of the most fortunate teams in college basketball, with every loss by double figures until their season finale (when the karma gods smacked them with a banked 3 at the buzzer in regulation before losing in overtime) but a 9-0 record in games decided by six points or fewer.

However, the committee can’t go by what it “knows;” it has to follow the rules set out for it. Predictive metrics all think Virginia has no business being in the tournament, and I have zero expectations of success against Colorado State on Tuesday, but Virginia’s resume had wins over Texas A&M and Florida and precious few losses anywhere. The losses that did happen were all by 90, but again, binary win-loss results have to matter for the games to have meaning. Sure, we can watch the Pitt game – the Panthers walked into Charlottesville and smoked the Cavaliers — and “know” Pitt was better, but Pitt didn’t have as good a tournament resume as Virginia.

So, Virginia got in over the Big East trio and Oklahoma and a few others that were almost certainly better, but didn’t have the game outcomes to back that up. That most of the big public bracket experts predicted 67 of the 68 field members indicates that the selection committee executed this part pretty faithfully. It’s a sign of a transparent process when outsiders can replicate your work.

Mountain West with 6 teams and talked about like it was a strong conference is weird to me.

UVA over Pitt is just.. I think you should pick the teams that are hot down the stretch if the records are similar.

... I forget which ranking system it is, but there's one that's notably lower on the MWC than others, and it's the only system that factors in elevation. The long and short of it is that it's harder for most teams to win at elevation, so teams at elevation have a distinct home court advantage-- and it's also less hard for elevation teams to win at other elevation locations.

So when you look at the MWC-- or even at a team like BYU-- their resumes and predictive metrics all line up to say "hey, these teams should obviously be in," but they underperform expectation in the tournament-- and I'd imagine the fact that they don't carry the same type of geographical advantage in the dance plays a sizable role there.

So if there was a way for the NET to adjust to factor in geography... that'd likely skew the MWC down a peg or two.

Every metric had them as the seventh best conference, and they only ended up with six teams due to a combination of lucky road performance, a few key OOC wins, and the bad teams in the conference never blowing up the top 6's resumes... but I do think it'd behoove them to consider that the OOC wins and outsized road performance might be boosted by factors that aren't connected to the teams themselves.

UVA remind me of Pitt teams with Jamie Dixon teams in the Big East or even his TCU teams. They are built to win in conference but are TERRIBLE for tourney play.

not the most athletic teams but play great defense and grind out wins.

3-25 from three

a few extremely dicey late-game situations Tennessee was bailed out from (inbounding to Aidoo for the 1-and-1 -- why?)

but the Vols got more rebounds, forced more turnovers and hit more free throws...team win

this team can do more but a Sweet 16 is always savored at Tennessee

only because they usually lose games like this when you see that 3 pt stat

teams were 0-66 in the NCAA tournament when shooting less than 15% from three (min. 20 attempts) and less than 35% overall

1-66 baby!

Glad they look fully healthy with Koleck back.

They play so hard, and smart

.

Tough.
Shout out to that zebra crew for allowing both teams to play physical all game.

.

now we got OT with Houston missing 2 of their guys.

that bullshit Buzz Williams ball.

I respect the hell out of his fight, but UConn's winning this by 18+.

>I respect the hell out of his fight, but UConn's winning this
>by 18+.

along w Meechie JOhnson ...I really wonder what the hell CH was doing in practices

This look like a vintage headass performance from him

>This look like a vintage headass performance from him

and I am here for him going as far in this tournament as possible.

he was pretty chill. Just having fun with the whole thing.

Wake, Pitt, and Seton Hall should’ve made the tourney.

Some dude actually tried that shit today on sports radio to justify why the ACC was down this year.

Used to be how you finished not a bad loss in November doing your team in.

Teams losing 5 of 7 getting in (MSU and UVA) while Pitt won 5 of 7.. and 10-3 down the stretch.

But the mountain west got 6 in? Could it be because the mountain west signed a contract with CBS last year? Why do they keep trying to hype up this conference?

ridiculous how they did the ACC this year. They even did the ACC dirty by ADDING Virginia to the first4... lol

SDSU just ran into a great UConn team.

The rest of the MWC was trash and way overrated.

With the Pac12 dead, SDSU is probably the best MBB program on the west coast right today.

.

Nelson went wild.

What a beast! How is he not near the top of the nba draft list with the trash that’s up there right now, he’s 6’10”?

Aldo, I’ve watched a few bands games, including us- how did I not remember him

>Aldo, I’ve watched a few bands games, including us- how did
>I not remember him

he did have transfer hype but never really made his mark in the SEC and looked completely lost the two times Tennessee played them

March makes a hero though

Especially RJ dog this is a sell job for the ages

this nigga don’t play you telling me Hubert decides he’s taking the ship down 3 on 5 on offense with him and Withers in the game.

Like damn I know Trimble and Cadeau can’t shoot either but at least they can drive and move the ball well

Just wish we didn’t have the weight of history so I can enjoy this run on it’s own merit. 2 things that have made it worse:

I actually saw Kansas/Gonzaga live in-person last weekend and seeing how much better they are now than November is concerning. But also Kansas was trash. 2- I caught replay of Purdue/Kansas S16 on B1G network, when Glenn went for 30 in first half, 44 for game. Should have been a nice nostalgic confidence boost - opposite. I completely forgot how hard we worked to give away that game… the terrible play at the end of that, plus Glenn’s back doomed us to losing to a much inferior Duke team 2 days later.

Just get thru tonight and we’ll deal with Sunday later…

as a lifelong Gonzaga hater, i'll be rooting for y'all.

Mainly due to this man; the GOAT:

https://images.app.goo.gl/aShzWhtXDQ3ZBFuQ6

NCAAM basketball team for now. I never really had a team I was a die hard for anyway in CB, so it’s pretty easy to root for them while he’s in school there.

Congrats on the W. It sure looks like it’ll be either Purdue or UCONN.

you’re legit the only Perdue fan I “know” in real life, lol. I’m nervous on your behalf.

But some epic failures too.

All in all I scruffily feel really good about the state of the program

i didnt care for him much early on in his career at unc (as a player at that point), and im from the other side and dont rock with the heels but the kid grew on me.

i watched a special with him and his mom where he was buying a condo for he and one of his friends to live in and i got a feel for who he is...the kids got alot of heart and strikes me as a stand up young man...he showed up to play last night. i wish him well and think he will have a solid career in the league.

Some of these teams (like UNC) have multiple 23-25 year olds out there. Breaking records from guys who played 4 years. I understand why it happened, but I’ll be glad when it’s over.

want to come back in this age of 1 or 2 and dones. i wish more kids would stick around tbh

>Some of these teams (like UNC) have multiple 23-25 year olds
>out there. Breaking records from guys who played 4 years.
>I understand why it happened, but I’ll be glad when it’s
>over.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/18/sport/seth-towns-college-basketball-eighth-year-spt-intl/index.html

with his priorities in the right place for the most part.

sucks he couldn't get over that hump cuz he definitely gave his all for UNC.

seems like he’s also about his paper.

and people bemoaning all these "old guys" in college...NIL (where he probably got that commerical deal from) is keeping them there.

no one wants to have to grow up and have "adult" responsibilities. thus, you got young dudes staying longer cuz they're getting money in college w/out having to be a outright grown up.

I think it’s great for the game.

It’s these COVID era Super Seniors who gotta go.

this would be a murder show if they weren’t missing all these gimmes.

right now Houston playing bully ball and these niggas scared.

These dudes street ballin on us ..we missed some gimmies too

6 o 7 turnovers by Duke and only up 2 or 3 points.

I think McCain is the key …I think Mitchell could get going too

Shead’s ankle looked bad. All his weight on it and elevating.

And ends up with a bucket and going to the line.

He should’ve fouled out by now.

Hate we gotta go against state though

Mashack was destructive on defense subbing for Santi, incredible performance against Creighton's perimeter players

Knecht and Zakai carried the team as usual, but motherfucking props to JJJ -- several big-time shots and he helped suck the will out of Creighton on defense in the second half

Elite Eight, 14 year wait!

That would’ve been a shitty way to end your career. Despite his offensive struggles, he more than makes up for it with his D and intangibles, which will be needed against Purdue.

Happy for James too. If he can get to 10 pts, good things happen.

Even without Shead. Houston's just a roach, and they play so physical, and that's always our kryptonite. They still even had a chance here.

Heart breaks for Shead, grateful my team advances.

shabby. and ur right, a month ago its a wrap.

ACC almost had 4 teams in the Elite Eight

Closest thing is the Oregon State run from a few years back. State was cooked-- not even *sniffing* an at-large bid, lost their last 4 regular season games, 7 of their last 9 (!!!). They were up 1 against Louisville with like 3 minutes left in the first round of the ACCT, and they lose to UVA if a terrific FT shooter simply makes a FT. If State loses either of those games, Keatts is cooked and on the unemployment line.

And now, two weeks and change later, they're playing for a Final Four on Sunday. Absolutely bonkers.

impossible lol. im happy for him tho because this is his and states moment. theyve been in unc and dukes shadows since forever. 1986 is a LONG time ago

Feels like this dude is on the hot seat every 2.5 seasons. Around January, when they started choking away games in the ACC, every Clemson fan wanted him gone. Now he's given them their second Elite Eight *ever.*

He honestly might be the most accomplished coach in Clemson history already (at least in regards to what they accomplished while at Clemson). Making a Final Four would truly seal that deal.

they gamed the NET and lost the real games! (c)

SEC football gets all the hype because of a couple schools, meanwhile ACC hoops gets shitted on all year as a 2 team league because theyre not as important to ESPN. And so SEC hoops gets that push, undeservedly so. Ask SV, it’s all bullshit.

Fuck all these agendas and narratives. I didn’t start paying attention until late in the season this year, but it’s real easy to see what was going on now.

I have some concerning things to tell you about conference realignment as well

but the way they’re selecting the tourney field now is so alarming, that I’m paying more attention to all the other noise.

... because the committee is also not watching the games, lol. They're just looking at resume sheets. I mean, everyone in the media talked about how the Big East was a consensus top two conference this season, and the committee gave them 3 bids-- fewer bids than they gave the oft-denigrated ACC.

And even with the amount of bids the MWC received, they got absolutely fucked on relative seeding. The committee stated New Mexico wouldn't have even been on the next four out if they hadn't won their conference tournament, which is *insane* given they were nearly Top 20 in KenPom-- so they presumably only said that because they were prioritizing strength of resume, right? Well, Utah State had a better strength of resume than Kentucky, BYU, Texas, etc-- why were they only an 8 seed? Colorado State had a better strength of resume than St. Mary's and were clearly above teams like FAU, TCU, Washington State, and Northwestern in KenPom-- how were they only a *play-in*? It felt like, while they got a number of teams in, the MWC got the mid-major treatment from the committee based on what their relative seeding should've been based on the combination of their predictive metrics and resume metrics.

While them being so relatively detached from the sport is bad for a number of reasons, it does make them fairly impervious to media narrative. I don't think their bracket formation sucks due to media influence. I think it sucks because it's twelve ADs and commissioners, six of whom come from the respective high-majors, who barely ever watch the games and have no consistency of selection beyond "well, wouldn't it be cool if these teams played?" and, in all likelihood, "hey, I know the guy who's the AD over there, he's a good dude."

If I were the CBB God, I'd put together some sort of computer ranking that factors in predictive, strength of resume, wins over bubble, etc. A transparently constructed formula, where everyone knows how it's put together. (You could cap the margin of victory once a game goes analytically final too, if that's a concern.) We'd look at that master ranking, 1 through 68, based on whatever number that algorithm generates.

And then, after the conference tournaments, we'd have a committee of people-- commissioners, former coaches, independent journalists, whoever-- that has to *actually watch the basketball over the course of the season.* Guys who have outspokenly committed to following the sport, to watching the big games, to catching up on old games if need be, to tracking what happens with resumes and analytics over the course of a year. And that committee could look at that 1 through 68 list and decide if it needs adjustment based on things such as injury, such as geographical advantages, such as consistent improvement over a large sample, etc.

Maybe the committee would change things, maybe they wouldn't. But they'd be starting with a list based on gameplay over the course of a full season, and they could then use eye test and human knowledge to make potential adjustments from there. That'd still be a system open to personal bias and outside influence, obviously, but it'd be a huge step in the right direction compared to the current system, "no transparency of formula, no consistency in how brackets are constructed, no committee members who watch the game."

There's no fixing sports media, but more transparency in the selection process would at least *begin* to alleviate concerns the public has about media influence on selection and on the construction of the formulas that are crucially important at present to selection.

because the committee exists to create the best bracket for TV

it wasn't just metrics that put Tennessee vs Texas in a 2-7 game, or have Duke and Kentucky meeting in a potential Elite Eight, or put San Diego State as the 5 in UConn's region for a national title rematch, or have UNC-Arizona possibly meet in a Caleb Love vs RJ Davis battle for a Final Four...the committee has the system it has so it can create the bracket it wants

They love their storylines. It'll just always end up fucking over a bunch of teams annually. But I realize that'll jut be how it is forever. Sigh.

... I also felt the same way about 2015 Kentucky and 1999 Duke after the first four rounds.

That said, neither 2015 Kentucky or 1999 Duke had to face *checks notes* Clemson or Alabama in the Final Four, lol. So, y'know, that doesn't inspire great confidence.

It would make the ultimate redemption story if Purdue could somehow do it.

lol, I definitely don't think Duke could beat them either. But weirder things have happened, I suppose!

He said "if he blocks 100, he blocks 100." And then proceeded to keep trying to score on Clingan in the post.

You can't score on Clingan in the post. It's just not happening. Terrible strategy, lol.

“We do what we do”. Lol. Be a coach and make an adjustment.

>He said "if he blocks 100, he blocks 100." And then proceeded
>to keep trying to score on Clingan in the post.
>
>You can't score on Clingan in the post. It's just not
>happening. Terrible strategy, lol.

I hope we keep reloading and do this 2-3 more times before Hurley goes off to ESPN or something to become their lead analyst.

Mind you, we only got one true Blue chip player this year (Castle).

The Big East, the little upstart yankee conference that the ACC and SEC thought they left for dead, is back and pillaging your brackets.

.

Great game. Best 3pt shooting team in country, going 4/15 or some shit made it more exciting than necessary. But I’ll take it.

I'm sure everybody wanted to have played a little better, they lost to the better team but fought like wolves until the end

epic senior class -- DK3 is a state legend -- and the Elite Eight, SEC regular season and tournament titles and 57-7 home record over the last four seasons will be well-remembered

great season, one of the best in Tennessee basketball history and it was a pleasure to watch from start to finish

FOH

And they call a T because he’s out of the box? In that situation? Ridiculous.

Man, he’s having one heck of a game. His footwork and touch is next level for a guy his size.

I love it.

...

besides UConn I think this is the worst matchup they could have given how familiar NC State is with Duke.

This team is fun as hell too..

now, that said, they've had years where it was supposed to be their year and still blew it.

but adding Flagg is a huge upgrade for what ultimately was sort of a lower than usual talent level for Duke (IMO).

of course, i'll be rooting for them to lose, as i always do.

>but adding Flagg is a huge upgrade for what ultimately was
>sort of a lower than usual talent level for Duke (IMO).


gonna be funny watching them flame out again next year with what might be the #1 pick overall

must see TV

can't tell me Burns doesn't look like Godzilla

Wish we could've made the Final Four, but I think we'd have gotten smoked next round, so whenever that's the case, it makes the losses hurt a little less, lol. Still, our defense got massacred in that second half. And after playing so well for the previous seven halves. Disappointing.

Really hoping we can bring back a key piece or two, as next year's talent coming in is sensational. Elite Eight in Year 2 would be great for a coach at nearly any school, so if Scheyer can keep learning on the job and build into a deep run, it'd be great.

and when will the men join the rest of basketball and go to 4 quarters?

Shit is a silly ass tradition.

>and when will the men join the rest of basketball and go to 4
>quarters?
>
>Shit is a silly ass tradition.

Never seen a bigger transfer failure in my life. Went from superstar on campus at Louisville to getting clowned on Twitter.

why are you shooting so much?

maybe nobody noticed because she was just gunning at Louisville but this is shambolic

.

How many times did you watch Clark burn individual defenders-- but *especially* HVL-- in PnR and iso possessions before deciding to run switches? I feel like the first switch came with, like, four minutes left in the game, lol.

I get HVL had a rough game offensively too, but I thought that defensive scheme decision by Mulkey was really what cost LSU the game. You just can't allow Clark to get space in PnR like that. Especially when she has like a five inch height advantage over HVL! She'll just shoot right over the top of her!

I cannot believe Mulkey thought deploying HVL as a 5'6 Tony Allen against Clark was LSU's best chance at winning -- I can only assume she was doing some kind of shame/motivational tactic

HVL has been awful all tournament (she had more turnovers than made shots!) but took it a step further tonight with the one-handed tennis volleys out of bounds

I forgot where I read or saw this, but in UL/Iowa's matchup last year, HVL was also guarding Clark, a game they lost.

I haven't followed much basketball, but it seemed when Hailey joined LSU, it could have potentially put them as *the* or one of the top 3 favorites to win.

They still put together a good year, but this year's LSU team seemed cursed from the beginning with Reece's mysterious "suspension" and Mulkey's vague explanation. And finishing up with a less-than-flattering profile and her players caught up by a column riddled with sexism and lazy cultural analysis.

not sure how you call a charge when the defender is shuffling sideways

she is crazy efficient for being a smaller guard

hadn't really watched JuJu much but I see why she nearly averaged 30; she is a demon in transition and getting to her spots in the lane -- bit of a black hole on offense though and needs to work on her outside shot

Its crazy. She is going to be unguardable next year.

Does it all, and rarely makes a mistake.

she would be so even scarier, right now. My favorite UCONN lady since Napheesa.

Despite not being a fan of UConn. But would be great to see her overcome that and become a champion.

Fix is in?

i'm no conspiracy theorist, but it sure looked like "let's make sure Clark is in that final" type call.

Game should’ve ended on whether Bueckers hit the shot coming off that screen or not.

Intentionally or subconsciously, that was not a good faith foul call, at all

too much action, shrunk the court, and even without the screen call there was a lot of traffic to clog the lane or make her shoot over the taller Stueckle

just iso Bueckers and let her win or lose the game

I don't know if Bueckers just was trying to avoid the traffic there or what, but I'm not surprised Edwards was moving on that screen, she had to cover a *lot* of ground.

(I kind of thought a lot of UConn's offense in the second half looked rough-- they were only even in it toward the end because they made a number of long mid-rangers.)

>(I kind of thought a lot of UConn's offense in the second half
>looked rough-- they were only even in it toward the end
>because they made a number of long mid-rangers.)

several wide-open and not even close

which happens, but I felt like there were several possessions were Bueckers didn't even touch the ball during the middle of the fourth quarter

They just seemed rushed, like even when open, they were waiting for someone coming around the corner. That one Bueckers 3 was all alone but looked like a shot you'd see contested with 1 second left in the shot clock, lol.

https://x.com/TraeK_/status/1776454711886889013

I guess it comes down to the philosophy of "if it's a foul in the first half, do you still call a foul like that with under a minute left?" Because that's a textbook moving screen, and if they call it in the first half, nobody thinks it's a bad call at all. The only reason people think it's a bad call is because of the amount of time left on the clock.

So the debate imo is less "is that a foul?" (it definitely is) and more "do you think the game should be called differently on a final possession than on a different possession?" And I don't really have a good answer to that, because I definitely didn't want to see the game essentially end on a call like that, and now the discourse is going to be about this call instead of on the awesome fight back by Iowa.

I don't think people find fault with the level of scrutiny or focus the refs used to make a call that deep into the game, but just that it was off the ball.

And you are right that it is a moving screen. But, with the game building to what was going to be a great climax, for the officials to essentially end the game on an action that was not *directly* tied to the player shooting or defending was a deep letdown. I think it was following the letter of the law but not its spirit, if that analogy makes sense.

Then again, I've been playing with the idea of my reaction to a potential charge called on a Buecker drive in the lane and I still think I'd be pissed - maybe more so. So, maybe I just don't like the idea of the refs decision having such a direct influence on the final result of the game.

If the same call gets made 10 seconds into the 4th rather with 10 seconds left in the 4th, I don't think anyone bats an eye. And it's a shame because I thought refs did a great job overall, but they'll just be remembered as poor only for this one play at the end.

the player getting fouled isnt one of the players that should "decide the game"

thats a logic hole that cant be filled in

It was a bad call, but like I heard Paige say in the presser it shouldn't have come down to that. UCONN had their chances in the first half to get out to a large enough of a lead to potentially intimidate IOWA, but were missing bunnies or not generating good shots.

I was saying in my head that UCONN should have been up by double digits going into halftime. When IOWA got it to just a six point lead given how poorly they played, especially how poorly Clark played, I thought IOWA had a really good chance to win.

UCONN couldn't buy a 3 in the second half and they didn't have anyone playing exceptionally well in the second half, although the freshman and Paige had their moments. You have to give IOWA credit for using Clark more as a decoy and having her play off the ball in the half court. The rest of the team especially Stuelke played their asses off. UCONN needed another gal. Their lack of depth because of the injuries finally got the best of them.

but i still dont like the call in that moment

And that was definitely a clear foul.

That foul didn't cost them the game any more than a foul in the second quarter

>Fix is in?


shitty way to end the game though for sure. i blame edwards more than the refs, she forced them to make that call.

Thats what made it outrageous. Great game either way and I love that the Women are getting the shine like the Men this year.

at the half

UConn is a Terminator

... and I will absolutely hammer that line up to 10. Maybe even to 12. I think Purdue's backcourt is stone cold fucked against guys like Newton and Castle.

Smith needs to show up, he has his worst game all season by far.

Get hot from 3, and need them to struggle from midrange.

I’m looking forward to it, without any expectations

>... and I will absolutely hammer that line up to 10. Maybe
>even to 12. I think Purdue's backcourt is stone cold fucked
>against guys like Newton and Castle.

.

.

.

that travel on Cardoso should have been a tie up, at worst.

she stayed attached to Caitlin for 3 quarters.

has been seared into her mind

Ultimately this South Carolina team has enough shooters where that's just not gonna work. It threw South Carolina off initially, but it's the year 2024, man. You can't just sit in zone unless your opponent has, like, *no* shooters. It went from, like, a 2 point game to something like a 10 point game in a quick run, and the Gamecocks never really looked back.

Staley's a legend *and* easy to root for. A rare combo!

seems like Iowa is playing zone half the time in the few games I watch, which certainly presents its own problems -- but no defense is going to stop SC's offensive rebounding or negate their length and athleticism

yes, SC made more perimeter shots this time but Iowa's main issue is they stopped making theirs

when Iowa cut it to to one possesion midway through the third, they promptly went 0-6 for the rest of the quarter

when Iowa cut it to two possessions with four minutes left in the fourth, they went 0-5 for the rest of the game

I don't think any one thing would work, but I think shifting between a number of things could keep them on your toes. Not like they were going to win the glass anyway, but they *really* weren't going to compete at all on the glass in a 2-3 for an extended period. Without looking, I'd have to guess SC was averaging, like, an offensive rebound per minute in that zone, lol.

You're right that it obviously doesn't really ever boil down to just one thing or another, but that stretch in the third when South Carolina just figured out Iowa's whole deal felt like where it was put away. There was a 4 or 5 minute stretch there where SC only scored once and had a couple turnovers, and Iowa pulls within two... then South Carolina scores on like four of the next five possessions, with something like three 3s-- had they not taken a single three in the second half til they started falling? It felt like they just weren't really running zone offense, and then suddenly they were-- and they were getting wide open looks-- and once Iowa was forced to relent and go back to man, it felt to me like "well, that 4-5 minute stretch was their chance, so that's that."

To your point, unless you're making an anomalous number of 3s, you just can't win when you're getting smooshed on the glass like that. And Iowa used up all their 3-point shooting turbo in the first half. I know they got it back to a 6-point game in the fourth-- and I guess a part of me was holding my breath and hoping for some miracle shots to go in to make the end of the game that much more exciting-- but I just never thought it was really a game in the fourth. South Carolina's too good to beat once you're that far behind.

>To your point, unless you're making an anomalous number of 3s,
>you just can't win when you're getting smooshed on the glass
>like that.

yet Iowa did exactly that last year! they got absolutely annihilated on the glass and didn't make many threes, but Clark was on a scorcher from everywhere and the rest of the team hit their shots when needed

this year Clark was great but not superhuman, the team missed some crucial looks that could have turned the game, and South Carolina shot the ball a lot better

which leads to...

>South Carolina's too good to
>beat once you're that far behind.

this is the main thing: SC is too good

Dawn really took that Iowa loss to heart last season and came back with probably her best shooting team ever -- same defensively smothering, glass-eating formula as her previous two teams that went 71-3, but with 40% three-point shooters instead of 30% ones?

too damn good for anybody, even Caitlin Clark

seems like the media kinda mad at this outcome… lol

Built a hell of a team though. But still a grade A POS

i havent seen Uconn outside of the tournament in the last 2 years. idk shit about him

That's basically it. And its annoying AS F*&^

The difference is now, he listens to his assistants, makes better adjustments, game plans much better, and remembers the game plan before he does some dumb sh&# on camera in the middle of the game. He has always been a lights out recruiter.

But yeah, it gets old.

Talk to our players on top of it. You have the best team, chill out.

I’m sure he donates to orphans of the court

Doesn’t matter who does it. Someone just punch him in the face.

Hurley is stepping over all kinds of lines when he does that stuff IMO.

A solid big, great guards, shooters..
And well coached. Congrats
Shout out to Killa Cam Spencer, Baltimore built!

Congrats to the HUSKIES!!!! Now imagine if Sideline Dan he gets more than one 5 star.

UConn frosh and now a National Champ!

elite half-court offense, elite in transition, elite perimeter defense, elite rim protector, elite against smaller teams, elite against the most dominating center in years, can play fast or slow, better in the second half than first, elite coach who can make any adjustment

to have nobody come within 13 points of them for 12 straight NCAA tournament games is ridiculous defined

>elite half-court offense, elite in transition, elite
>perimeter defense, elite rim protector, elite against smaller
>teams, elite against the most dominating center in years, can
>play fast or slow, better in the second half than first, elite
>coach who can make any adjustment
>
>to have nobody come within 13 points of them for 12 straight
>NCAA tournament games is ridiculous defined

And it’s not debate-able anymore


>Calling all Bracket Guys! Come through and make your bold
>claims for this, the best time of the entire calendar year!
>
>I have very limited faith in my team. Hopefully they actually
>play like they care this weekend and we can make it to an
>inevitable drubbing at the hands of Houston in the Sweet 16.
>Then again, I lost my shirt on Houston vs. Miami last year, so
>anything is possible, I reckon. It is, after all, the time for
>madness.

Their best days may seem like ancient history but they are the standard.

>Their best days may seem like ancient history but they are
>the standard.


I don’t argue about sports prior to 1985 so have at it

They didn’t even win a tourney game between ‘14 and ‘23.

You can’t go a decade without a tourney win and be the best IMO. Too boom or bust.

All time, it’s gotta be UNC or Kentucky. Kansas and Duke a notch below. And UConn can probably slot in with UCLA and Indiana.

Okay. At least that’s how I interpreted it. 16 titles in the past 25 years is pretty damn dominant.

>They didn’t even win a tourney game between ‘14 and
>‘23.
>
>You can’t go a decade without a tourney win and be the best
>IMO. Too boom or bust.
>
>All time, it’s gotta be UNC or Kentucky.

No

Kansas and Duke a
>notch below.

No

And UConn can probably slot in with UCLA and
>Indiana.

No

But obviously can’t take anything away from what he’s doing - he figured out how to coach offense and his team has been a machine. I just think he acts like an obnoxious asshole on the sideline so I root against him.

I greatly enjoyed the Syracuse-UConn rivalry, but a decade in different leagues and rarely playing, plus Syracuse’s recent mediocrity, plus this sport feeling weird and washed…..who really cares about all that anymore? If we’re talking all time, we gotta take a lot more into account, but I see you said above you’re talking since 1985, which is definitely a different discussion and they could be number 1 in that time? I think Duke has 5 titles and more consistency though, so I’d have to give them the nod. And I generally dislike Duke more, so this isn’t that, lol.

>I greatly enjoyed the Syracuse-UConn rivalry, but a decade in
>different leagues and rarely playing, plus Syracuse’s recent
>mediocrity, plus this sport feeling weird and washed…..who
>really cares about all that anymore? If we’re talking all
>time, we gotta take a lot more into account, but I see you
>said above you’re talking since 1985, which is definitely a
>different discussion and they could be number 1 in that time?
> I think Duke has 5 titles and more consistency though, so
>I’d have to give them the nod. And I generally dislike
>Duke more, so this isn’t that, lol.



*I* just dont care about titles won during the Jim Crow era... So that nullifies 4 of Kentucky's titles, 2 of Indianas, 3 of Kansas, 3 of UCLAs,


(I dont even care about our 1965 championship with bob knight, jerry lucas and john havlicek)



since OKP has started, UCONN has won 6 titles, in an increasingly difficult eras of college basketball, with all different kinds of teams and hardly ever any one and dones, with 3 different coaches. It's just undeniable.

6-0 in the finals they always get it done

>6-0 in the finals they always get it done

sheeesh.

Brooklynwhat probably wasn’t even born yet


That’s kind of sad . Even football we’ve managed to win multiple championships

Big ten hoops down bad

Time for MSU to move on from Izzo

>Calling all Bracket Guys! Come through and make your bold
>claims for this, the best time of the entire calendar year!
>
>I have very limited faith in my team. Hopefully they actually
>play like they care this weekend and we can make it to an
>inevitable drubbing at the hands of Houston in the Sweet 16.
>Then again, I lost my shirt on Houston vs. Miami last year, so
>anything is possible, I reckon. It is, after all, the time for
>madness.