The Official 2009 NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament Thread!

Got them all today..Again!! Two days in a row..zero loses.  But, it's not going to matter in the end.  I picked Louisville.  Good team.  I watched them for a few minutes. Good players, but very thin and lanky.  Long, lanky and fast...I say that doesn't do it in the finals this time.  We shall see.  

I like Pittsbugh to win this all!!  They could be on a collision course to meet the Orangemen again....I think Pitt is better because they are more experienced.  But both are very tough minded teams.  Hard nose basketball.   

Pittsburgh has the rebounding, big bodies, incredible strength under the basket (this kid Blair is unreal..the position he gets underneath is fantastic) and good backcourt play.  These guys are battle tested...They've seen it all.  Playing in the Big East football  Basketball Conference.  The toughest conference in the country.
 
BB---I got a feeling you are gonna break out the Championship Buffet! Could it be another Steel City celebration? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
 
How about an all Big East Final?  Probably should go that way.....Today was fantastic!

Talk about jumping the gun. Those two Big Least teams had their hands full with teams of lesser talent yesterday.Although the Big Least has five teams in the Sweet Sixteen ,I belive its the first time,So enjoy it while it lasts.

Good job, Ben...my bracket sheet's a train wreck so far but my Final Four is still intact.  FSU, Wake Forest (Weak Forest?), and West VA didn't help me!

Brad

jellybear


Talk about jumping the gun. Those two Big Least teams had their hands full with teams of lesser talent yesterday.Although the Big Least has five teams in the Sweet Sixteen ,I belive its the first time,So enjoy it while it lasts.

They aren't passing out style points; just Ws for the most points when the buzzer sounds. My take is that the lesser teams had their hands full with the more talented teams. At least that's what the updated bracket is telling me!

(Oh, and UConn is freakin' ROLLIN'.... but remember, Pitt has beat them soundly, twice.)

JellyBear - Of course I'm jumping the gun..That's the fun of this whole thing.  But, I feel good (and bad because I'm going to lose) about Pitt.  We shall see. 

I just don't think you can discount the value of physical strength in basketball and from what I've seen, the Big East teams have it all over the rest of these teams still in contention.  They wear you down.

They play a different style of basketball in the Big East...It's more physical and they have been in so many challenging games during the season; witness the fact that so many of their teams are in this tournament.  I mean, that has to stand for something as we wind this thing down.  You can't deny that can you?  The chances of at least one Big East team in the final?

I also agree with Mosca's point..These teams can stay with teams like Pitt until they wear down.  I really was not worried about any of the chalk teams winning yesterday at the end.  I just felt they were going to come through.  Even Mizzo (very good team). 

If you watched the kid that was hot in the first half for Oklahoma State (a pretty good team) he was quick and agile and very thin.  Pitt has two bruisers with lots of experience in Blain and Fields.  Hey, it's just my theory and I'm sticking to it.  Isn't gonna do me any good. 

Brad - I lost the same games you did!  Lots of people did.  West Virginia, Tenn, FSU (pure stupidity), Temple (ditto), Wake (a killer).  My best picks were Sienna and Western Kentucky.  I'm only doing well because the chalk has been winning a lot this year.  So, there are some guys who have only lost 2-3 games!   I have 51 points so far.  I'm tied with another guy across the board..He took NC and I took Louisville..Somebody will be gaining on us in the stretch..ha ha. 
 
Mosca - I have seen Uconn play quite a few times this year and I do think Pitt is a little better.  Can you imagine a final between them.  You never know.....

These next games are really going to be something.  It's gonna get better and better.  

I'm a little disappointed that the entire 16 field is four 1s, 2s, and 3s, two 4s, a 5 and a 12. But it does mean that we're going to see some hellacious basketball this week.

Big East basketball is arguably rougher than Big East football. But watching the games, it still has that grace and beauty of teamwork. When Blair pulls down that rebound, fires the outlet pass to Fields who quickly moves up the court and the teams set into their offense, and they move the ball around the perimeter, then in to the big guys and out to the corner where Young drains the 3, man, there's just something about that college type offense when it's run right. ALL the teams left, they all have "it". Maybe the reason all the top seeds (but one) are here now is because they refuse to be upset.

X A V I E R

Mosca


I'm a little disappointed that the entire 16 field is four 1s, 2s, and 3s, two 4s, a 5 and a 12. But it does mean that we're going to see some hellacious basketball this week.

Yeah but all those doubting the wisdom of the seeding committee should be eating crow.

Davydd

Mosca


I'm a little disappointed that the entire 16 field is four 1s, 2s, and 3s, two 4s, a 5 and a 12. But it does mean that we're going to see some hellacious basketball this week.

Yeah but all those doubting the wisdom of the seeding committee should be eating crow.

As are those who were saying 'Zona didn't deserve to go over St Mary's, Davidson, etc.  

JellyBear..Shame on me.  I didn't check where you reside.  Plah eeeze.  Now I feel even better with my statement regarding Pitt.  This is basketball for tough guys....Real men...Tough minded men.....Ahh...That leaves Carolina out! 
 
Mosca - Davydd - There was a big debate about Arizona on ESPN.  Dickie V said Arizona should not have been allowed in..He felt St. Mary's deserved to go. He and Jay Billis were really going at it.  It was great.

There have not been very many upsets...I would never be doing as well as I have done this year in this pool, if there wasn't so many favorites holding serve so to speak.  Now, there's little chance for a huge upset anymore..Almost all of these teams can now legitimately take claim to beating each other. 
 
Mosca - you're right..It is going to be incredible.

TJ -  Go X! I love saying that!  It infuriates my friends, who graduated from U of Cincinnati. 

What a job X does each and every year.  Just terrific.

Well, either St Mary's or Davidson is getting bounced from the NIT tonight....

BB, I was thinking about that debate; I heard snips from it on Mike & Mike when I was driving into work last week. It reminded me of this Onion News Network report:

NCAA Expands March Madness To Include 4,096 Teams

Mosca - That is great.  Sooooooooooo Funny!ii Am going to see if the debate is on youtube.com  I will let you know.

Ben, What turn Me on to Basketball when I was young was the grace,agility and finese that Basketball brought.I see none of that in the Big East its all about muscle ,power and chest thumpin,I can watch the NBA and see that.

Jellybear..You'll get no argument from me with your comments.  I just think someone from the Big East will win this thing and I'm just guessing it will be Pitt.  We shall see....

Can you recall back 30-40 years ago?  I don't know how old you are?  Did the players spend so much time in the weight rooms as they do today?  Weren't Willis, Wes and Elgin more the exceptions than the rule when it came to body sizes. 

You had guys like Bill Bradley and Bobby Jones finding success.  Go back even further and find Bob Pettit, George Yardley, etc. Go back as far as you like.  Lots of tall, lanky quick players.  Today, it's a different game..Good and bad.  I hate all this chest thumping crap, too.  Just play!

A lot of the players today look more like football players.  Broad shoulders, etc.  Jameer Nelson..Look at his body.  Some of the kids will have to bulk up for the NBA game.  Some of them are already ready for it. 

Who knows if Blair will be a good pro.  He may be a head case like Zack Randoph; a guy with a pro body and a minced brain!  Blain has the bulk..Not sure if he has the size.  But in the college game, his size is a factor..That's for sure.

Boy, Sir Charles has really had a tough battle with his weight hasn't he.  I saw him on the Golf Channel last night.  He has redone his swing.  Looks good! 

Whenever I see one of these kids like Blair from Pitt, I think of Charles.  I love that guy.  I think he is becoming more famous as an announcer than during his stellar pro creer.  He's a natural on tv.  I look forward to listening to him.  Lots of personal issues though.  Hope he can kick the gambling habit.

Mosca

Davydd

Mosca


I'm a little disappointed that the entire 16 field is four 1s, 2s, and 3s, two 4s, a 5 and a 12. But it does mean that we're going to see some hellacious basketball this week.

Yeah but all those doubting the wisdom of the seeding committee should be eating crow.

As are those who were saying 'Zona didn't deserve to go over St Mary's, Davidson, etc.  

Yes.  Apparently, beating one of the worst 5-seed selections ever and "the team that beat Butler" dispels all the critics.  This could have been any of those bubbles (not just St. Mary's), and the result would be the same.  When Arizona finally plays a real team to get into the Elite 8, people will stop nixing them.

the acting man

Mosca

Davydd

Mosca


I'm a little disappointed that the entire 16 field is four 1s, 2s, and 3s, two 4s, a 5 and a 12. But it does mean that we're going to see some hellacious basketball this week.

Yeah but all those doubting the wisdom of the seeding committee should be eating crow.

As are those who were saying 'Zona didn't deserve to go over St Mary's, Davidson, etc.  

Yes.  Apparently, beating one of the worst 5-seed selections ever and "the team that beat Butler" dispels all the critics.  This could have been any of those bubbles (not just St. Mary's), and the result would be the same.  When Arizona finally plays a real team to get into the Elite 8, people will stop nixing them.

Sure, if they beat Louisville we can sit up and take notice. But I can't think of any reason to dis them for winning their first two games. They beat Utah by 14, and Cleve St by 14. I mean, they played and won; what else is there?

Jay Billis said they deserved to be in and he's apparently right.  Nobody is dissing them.  We just brought up a point that there was a great debate between Billis and Dickie V who felt St. Mary's should have gotten the nod.

If they beat Louisville..I'm in the Dead Pool (me and Inspector  Calahan)

GO MIZZOU

Well X put up a tremendous fight.  Terrific team.  How do they do it..Each and every year...Small school, but in the game of basketball, you can get a team together easier than a football team.  Their coach is obviously an excellent recruiter. They were so tough!  Great, great game.

So Pitt moves on.  They are winning ugly.  That shot Fields took....He was missing several of them just a few minutes before.  

I am two for two tonight..I had UConn.  Now, I have Memphis and Nova in the late games.  Boy, it would be nice to be 4 for 4 tonight.

Hey Tusti - Good for you...Bad for me.  

I feel I should have lost the Pitt game so Mizzo just evened things out.  3 and 1 tonight sounds good, but the bad part is I had Memphis beating Conn in the next round.  My days as number one in my pool are just about done.

God I love this Tournament !  I was in first place (tied with one of the sons) and now after tonights games I stand alone in 7th place (out of 12 entries) !!!

This happens to me when I try to use stats, professional advice, and various standings to help me pick the winners instead of using important criteria like uniform colors, mascot appearance or size of the Band!!.

I had Duke playing (and losing to) Louisville in the final game. I dislike Duke but was steered to selecting it by the flow of the Brackets when I marked them....Shoulda listened to my heart and stuck with 'Nova'!!  Same in the Memphis/MO game. Many relatives and friends at Mizzou and don't care much for Memphis, yet I was playing the odds and shot myself in the foot again.

If  Arizona wins against Louisville,  They will deserve congratulations and I probably won't watch the final round !  The Louisville players had a lot of media time on the local news during an open practice in Indy earlier today.  They sure have their mind set on 'the Final Four'.  I wont be surprised to see them get knocked off, based on their smug attitude....On the other hand I have them winning it all...and they are my last hope !!

When Fields tossed up that shot I said "What the heck is THAT?" out loud, and then it went in, all net, and I couldn't believe it. The icer was the steal afterward. That was a nice defensive possession by the Pitt team, not just Fields.

I had to miss the late games, I was too tired.

Baah Ben


I feel I should have lost the Pitt game so Mizzo just evened things out.  3 and 1 tonight sounds good, but the bad part is I had Memphis beating Conn in the next round.  My days as number one in my pool are just about done.

Throw me on a plate and cover me with butter, 'cause I'm toast.  I had Memphis going all the way to the championship game.  At least I got the other 3 right and if Pitt wins the championship I probably won't be hurting too bad.
 
Brad

Mosca


When Fields tossed up that shot I said "What the heck is THAT?" out loud, and then it went in, all net, and I couldn't believe it. The icer was the steal afterward. That was a nice defensive possession by the Pitt team, not just Fields.

I thought the same thing about Fields' shot.  It was so low percentage that even the announcer, who obviously likes Pitt, yelled "No".  Somehow though, Fields always seems to make that big shot when they need it most.

Now that Pitt has finally made the Elite Eight, I think the pressure will be off them and they will be more relaxed.  They should finally play a really good game next time out.  And they will need to, because "Nova looks good!

Mayor Al - Someone in my pool actually picked Nova to win!  I cannot believe it.  He's going to the head of the class soon.  I'm still in first place since the first day of the tournament; that ends on Monday.  I will sink like the Titanic by Monday....

Fields said after the game that someone had to take the big shot?  Big shot?  How about a prayer shot?  He was throwing up brick after brick just prior to that Hail Mary.  I thought they were dead in the water.  

So many good coaches in these games!!

Did anyone in the country pick Mizzo to get to the final game?  They are mentioning Mike Anderson's name as a possible coach for Alabama.

Well one coaching casualty is UK's Billy Gillespie. First time in 21 years Kentucky didn't even make the big dance list, much less make any progress in the tournament. He is gone and the University may hold back some of his $6 Million buyout due to his lack of ever signing a contract during his two year stay.

Mosca


Sure, if they beat Louisville we can sit up and take notice. But I can't think of

I guess that question's been answered...
 
Brad

Well...Orangemen were drained..No juice left....

I'm in trouble...I need NC to stay in this..Then Louisville and Piit and then Louisville  It can turn on a dime..It just did. 

I will say that Louisville did look pretty good tonight. Many say that AZ should not have been in the tournament, but their first and second round games didn't look like tonight. If Louisville can keep up this pace it might just show us why it was the Big East Champs!

Go Cards! (other than the Cardinals, I am all but done in the pool!)

Go Cards!!


Just got Izzo'ed...