Selection Sunday

[biggunsbob]

lol say what ? Punked twice by NC . ok so missing the best player in the country means nothing , but then you say they got lucky beating NC with Zion back . Cmon man , i understand people hate Duke but this is ridiculous . You must not know much about the Zags , not only do they have Brandon Clarke , Rui Hachimura and Josh Perkins , they recently got back Killian Tillie from injury . They are stacked and the only team to beat a fully healthy Duke team .

I agree . I have seen the zags a few times. They looked bad just one game. The point everyone is making is they don?t play in a grind of a Conference like the other top 5 power conference teams. I am sure they would have a lot more losses if they did. But I also they are very good. They went toe to toe with a healthy Duke, and beat them.

 

[biggunsbob]

Ncaa is just being lazy by putting Michigan and Montana together.

 

[SpartyNash]

Ncaa is just being lazy by putting Michigan and Montana together.

But it?s all random matchups according to the NCAA. It?s just a coincidence that Richard Pitino and Minnesota are playing Louisville where his dad coached. Biggest lie in sports.

 

[TheVictors]

Not their fault, just as it wasn't their fault when the higher seeds failed to take care of business in UM's bracket last year. Besides, I don't see Michigan making as deep a run this year.

hopefully we don't pull a choke job like state has over the years when given a similar situation in terms of seeding and bracket 'strength.'

 

[Michchamp]

hopefully we don't pull a choke job like state has over the years when given a similar situation in terms of seeding and bracket 'strength.'

I'm kinda concerned about that potential matchup with UF, and later with FSU, assuming they beat Gonzaga. I think I'd actually rather play Gonzaga than either of those teams.

 

[dubbsco]

I know they aren't going to do away with it. I'm just speaking my opinion on it.

I don't think teams like Ionia is what makes this tournament the best in sports. There are certain teams that come from smaller conferences that sometimes make the tournament interesting, but that isn't the biggest deal to me. Usually those teams are ones that won their regular season AND their conference tournament, not finished under .500 and then won 4 games in 4 days. Those teams usually just get blown out the first day.

Upsets make the tournament fun. I agree with that.

After last year, all bets are off with how things are going to shake out. UMBC was 2nd in their conference and had 0 wins during the regular season that were of note. They not only beat Virginia, they crushed them.

15s can beat 2s. It's obviously not a regular occurrence, but it happens, and those teams can often put serious scares into the 2.

I just do not want to see teams like Indiana, Ohio State (who should not be in the field), Clemson, etc... They are given the king's ransom of opportunities to get into the field.

 

[TheVictors]

I'm kinda concerned about that potential matchup with UF, and later with FSU, assuming they beat Gonzaga. I think I'd actually rather play Gonzaga than either of those teams.

I think Marquette might make some noise ...also a bit concerned about UF if we have an 'off night' shooting. History favors us over FSU and neighbor's kid is a Junior at Gonzaga and wants to wager on a Zags/Wolverines West Final!

 

[tomdalton22]

After last year, all bets are off with how things are going to shake out. UMBC was 2nd in their conference and had 0 wins during the regular season that were of note. They not only beat Virginia, they crushed them.

15s can beat 2s. It's obviously not a regular occurrence, but it happens, and those teams can often put serious scares into the 2.

I just do not want to see teams like Indiana, Ohio State (who should not be in the field), Clemson, etc... They are given the king's ransom of opportunities to get into the field.

yes...it "shook out" just like almost every other year...one of the top seeds won.

 

[Spartanmack]

He shoots a high %, because all of his shots are within 2 feet. I never said he wasn't an asset.

if you're unstoppable from 2' and you can't be stopped from getting to 2', why would you take your game anywhere else? The kid has an amazing handle for a big man, is super athletic and can score at will and he's among the best shot blockers and rebounders. He could be the most dominant college player since Shaq. If there's someone better than him, he's the best second best player in college in a really long time if not of all time.

 

[dubbsco]

yes...it "shook out" just like almost every other year...one of the top seeds won.

I know Tom. You want no little guys in and teams that finish 16-16 in whatever major conference in. I get it.

Your version of the tournament would be flipping boring man. Just all the big name conference teams. No fun stories.

The tournament is fine the way it is. It's one of the most enjoyable few weeks in ANY sport. I don't want it neutered and turned into the NBA playoffs.

You think UMBC EVER thought they would have a chance to do something historic? Or George Mason, Butler, VCU, Loyola, any of those teams? Yeah, they didn't win the whole damn thing (as they likely knew deep down they had no shot), but they'll get to remember something for a lifetime.

 

[dubbsco]

if you're unstoppable from 2' and you can't be stopped from getting to 2', why would you take your game anywhere else? The kid has an amazing handle for a big man, is super athletic and can score at will and he's among the best shot blockers and rebounders. He could be the most dominant college player since Shaq. If there's someone better than him, he's the best second best player in college in a really long time if not of all time.

Well, because if he wants to exist in the NBA, he better learn how to shoot. The game has done an entire evolution since Shaq. There's a reason guys like him don't exist in today's game, and if they do, they aren't super impactful. He can't play bully ball at the next level. The game is space 5 players around the court.

He's gotta expand his game. There have been plenty of case studies of uber athletic guys that own the interior but couldn't do much else beyond that. Not saying that's Zion, but he needs to develop a jumper if he wants to be an all-timer.

 

[tinselwolverine]

I know Tom. You want no little guys in and teams that finish 16-16 in whatever major conference in. I get it.

Your version of the tournament would be flipping boring man. Just all the big name conference teams. No fun stories.

The tournament is fine the way it is. It's one of the most enjoyable few weeks in ANY sport. I don't want it neutered and turned into the NBA playoffs.

You think UMBC EVER thought they would have a chance to do something historic? Or George Mason, Butler, VCU, Loyola, any of those teams? Yeah, they didn't win the whole damn thing (as they likely knew deep down they had no shot), but they'll get to remember something for a lifetime.

We go through this every year. I always tell TomDalton ?just ignore the first two rounds-pretend they don?t exist.?

 

[dubbsco]

We go through this every year. I always tell TomDalton ?just ignore the first two rounds-pretend they don?t exist.?

Which is too bad, because the first two rounds are some of the most intense/enjoyable stuff in sports.

 

[hungry]

After last year, all bets are off with how things are going to shake out. UMBC was 2nd in their conference and had 0 wins during the regular season that were of note. They not only beat Virginia, they crushed them.

15s can beat 2s. It's obviously not a regular occurrence, but it happens, and those teams can often put serious scares into the 2.

I just do not want to see teams like Indiana, Ohio State (who should not be in the field), Clemson, etc... They are given the king's ransom of opportunities to get into the field.

I totally agree with you about OSU, Clemson, NC St, and/or IU and teams like that.

I'd much rather see a tournament champion and a season champion from a lower tier conference than a team like the ones listed.

 

[dubbsco]

I totally agree with you about OSU, Clemson, NC St, and/or IU and teams like that.

I'd much rather see a tournament champion and a season champion from a lower tier conference than a team like the ones listed.

Just out of curiosity because I genuinely don't have a solution, but what would you do if a team won the regular season, and the 2nd place team won the tournament (mid-major conferences)?

 

[hungry]

Just out of curiosity because I genuinely don't have a solution, but what would you do if a team won the regular season, and the 2nd place team won the tournament (mid-major conferences)?

They could put them both in the tournament as far as I'm concerned.

This year the committee was supposedly using NET, but they left out several teams that are high in it. Coming up with teams for the tournament shouldn't be that hard. I think they make it way harder than it needs to be. I was watching ESPN and the people on there were saying that, too. Someone was trying to say how tough of a job it was, and the other guy was like, No, no, it is really easy. I agree with him.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Which is too bad, because the first two rounds are some of the most intense/enjoyable stuff in sports.

For some I guess.

For others it might be the Olympic swimming medley relay.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[dubbsco]

They could put them both in the tournament as far as I'm concerned.

This year the committee was supposedly using NET, but they left out several teams that are high in it. Coming up with teams for the tournament shouldn't be that hard. I think they make it way harder than it needs to be. I was watching ESPN and the people on there were saying that, too. Someone was trying to say how tough of a job it was, and the other guy was like, No, no, it is really easy. I agree with him.

Yeah, they do make it substantially more difficult than it is. We know the teams that are in, give or take a couple opinions.

Personally, I don't want to see it change. When you have this many conferences, the only logical conclusion is to either: a) use the tournament champion (current), or have the top 2 teams in each mid-major face off for the bid. That way you know you are getting the majority of the best teams, and a team that finishes below .500 cannot steal a bid.

 

[tomdalton22]

I know Tom. You want no little guys in and teams that finish 16-16 in whatever major conference in. I get it.

Your version of the tournament would be flipping boring man. Just all the big name conference teams. No fun stories.

The tournament is fine the way it is. It's one of the most enjoyable few weeks in ANY sport. I don't want it neutered and turned into the NBA playoffs.

You think UMBC EVER thought they would have a chance to do something historic? Or George Mason, Butler, VCU, Loyola, any of those teams? Yeah, they didn't win the whole damn thing (as they likely knew deep down they had no shot), but they'll get to remember something for a lifetime.

In my perfect world it would only be the top 16 teams and no auto bids for small conferences. Get it down to 4 teams the first weekend and the finals the following weekend.

 

[tomdalton22]

We go through this every year. I always tell TomDalton ?just ignore the first two rounds-pretend they don?t exist.?

my bracket is usually busted by the second weekend and I lose interest. I don't think I have watched a final 4 or championship game in years.