March Madness 07

[NEOWatcher]

I'm suprised nobody started a related thread.
Madness seems to be appropriate, but theres some stupidity thrown in.

Example:
Web site uses math to pick NCAA winners (http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=64434)
Math? no, that'll never work. :eek:

[Fazor]

LoL i considered it but declined. Although I'm sure the more my bracket gets trashed the more I'll be wanting to comment on it. I'll never win, not this year anyway. I don't like my picks, but it makes watching the games more fun.

[Hydro]

LoL i considered it but declined. Although I'm sure the more my bracket gets trashed the more I'll be wanting to comment on it. I'll never win, not this year anyway. I don't like my picks, but it makes watching the games more fun.

I use a highly scientific method involving serious and intense statistical analysis merged with advanced forms of eyewitness accounts to ensure that my picks will be right on the money.

I call it: W.A.G. :whistle:

[Fazor]

:) When I was in HS i'd play just for fun, i hated basketball on any level. That's when I first started learning how much energy and excitement was in the tourney games though. I use to do pretty good (never won, but usually 2nd or 3rd place) because I didn't know anything about any of the teams. Just went by ranking and tried to pick possible upsets.

Now I actually watch (a minimal) ammount of college ball, but also listen to sports talk shows when I'm driving places. Now that I know a little about the teams and how they've been playing, my predictions are way off. The games going on right now, I have Bost College winning (last i checked they were up but only by 1 or 2), Louisville (who's embarassing stanford), and Maryland, who was behind, last i checked they made a charge and were up by 1. Close games, I wish I had remembered that I have a portable tv i could have brought to work. Oh well, tomorrow I'll remember to grab it :)

[Hydro]

I have Texas Tech over BC... losing by 6... ouch. Might have to rethink my 'strategy'

I do have Maryland and Louisville however. :razz:

[HenrikOlsen]

NCAA? What's that?

[Maksutov]

NCAA? What's that?Here you go. (http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal)

[Maksutov]

I'm suprised nobody started a related thread....I was going to, but didn't feel up to it, what with year the UConn men had. But the gal's are a number one seed, so this native has at least one team to cheer for!

But, looking on the bright side of basketball life, Virginia Commonwealth beat Duke in the first round! Good job!

http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/sportlich/p015.gif

[Damien Evans]

NCAA? What's that?

And What's March Madness?:confused:

[Fazor]

I was going to, but didn't feel up to it, what with year the UConn men had. But the gal's are a number one seed, so this native has at least one team to cheer for!

But, looking on the bright side of basketball life, Virginia Commonwealth beat Duke in the first round! Good job!

http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/sportlich/p015.gif

Yeah, they royally messed up my bracket. but that's okay 'caus I have a feeling i'm not the only one that picked Duke for that game :-P

Started off good, out of the first 8 games played, i had all 8 right. It was the second half of the games that got me pretty well off-track. Ended up with only 11 of 16 right :-/ Lets hope today's games go better.

[farmerjumperdon]

Doing pretty good so far myself. I used to live for this stuff (pre kids and serious career). Been a fan and ticketholder for U of M Golden Gophers for over 20 years now. (Yes, these are tough times for our men's BB and football programs).

But anyway; flipping to other channels during commercials last night, caught Adult Swim. They spoofed Star Trek. It was hilarious. Sure, most of the lines have been used before, but they did a great job on it.

That and the Big Ten going 3-0 were the highlights of the night. Guess who I got in the final. Go ahead, . . . guess.

BADGERS & BUCKEYES BABY! ALL BIG TEN FOR THE BIG DANCE! WIDEBODYS RULE, GO BIG OR GO HOME, NO BLOOD NO FOUL, KEEP THAT FANCYPANTS GUARD PLAY OUTTA THE PAINT UNLESS YOU WANT A STRETCHER RIDE OUTTA THE STADIUM, and all that vein-popping hyperbole.

[NEOWatcher]

And What's March Madness?:confused:
Playoff games for college basketball.
which includes "final four", "sweet sixteen"

[Fazor]

That and the Big Ten going 3-0 were the highlights of the night. Guess who I got in the final. Go ahead, . . . guess.



You'd think that'd be good news, but after the football bowl games I thought I'd play it safe and not go with (most) big10 teams. So it's kinda bittersweet for me, although I'd rather see OSU win against Wisc and lose big time on my bracket (it'd be well worth the $5 i'd be out). But of the 3 games yesterday, OSU's the only one I picked :-/

Got Wisc and Illonios winning today tho, lets hope they do. Would be cool for big 10 to be 5-0 after the first round.

Neo: you skipped the "elite 8". I forget the first two rounds, tho the first should be called "the nearly-half-the-league 64" :-P

[hhEb09'1]

Neo: you skipped the "elite 8". I forget the first two rounds, tho the first should be called "the nearly-half-the-league 64" :-PFirst, it's not a league, and second, it's 65 :)

The NCAA did buy the NIT though, right?

[Fazor]

65 if you count the play-in game. I don't. That's still a qualifier and not part of the tourney. And i just couldn't think of a better word than "league" :-P

[hhEb09'1]

65 if you count the play-in game. I don't.FAMU (http://thefamurattlers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031407aaa.html) did :)And i just couldn't think of a better word than "league" Division?

[Fazor]

Division. That'd be the one. :) Just remember it's not fair to point out the mistakes I make before having my morning coffee. But don't worry, I make just as many after said coffee.

[Maksutov]

Doing pretty good so far myself. I used to live for this stuff (pre kids and serious career). Been a fan and ticketholder for U of M Golden Gophers for over 20 years now. (Yes, these are tough times for our men's BB and football programs).

But anyway; flipping to other channels during commercials last night, caught Adult Swim. They spoofed Star Trek. It was hilarious. Sure, most of the lines have been used before, but they did a great job on it.

That and the Big Ten going 3-0 were the highlights of the night. Guess who I got in the final. Go ahead, . . . guess.

BADGERS & BUCKEYES BABY! ALL BIG TEN FOR THE BIG DANCE! WIDEBODYS RULE, GO BIG OR GO HOME, NO BLOOD NO FOUL, KEEP THAT FANCYPANTS GUARD PLAY OUTTA THE PAINT UNLESS YOU WANT A STRETCHER RIDE OUTTA THE STADIUM, and all that vein-popping hyperbole.Hey, nice come-from-behind win, especially after being down 25-7, for those Badgers (http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/badger.swf)!

:clap:

[Fazor]

Well, now that my bracket is completely shot I'm rooting for the "home-town heros". Go Bucks!

I was a little ticked off to find out that the Ohio State, Tenn game didn't start until 10pm last night (come on guys, I know you want ratings but two east-coast teams playing until past midnight?). I don't understsand why they start two games at 7:00pm (est) and two at 10:00pm (est). I know they don't want to cut down on the west-coast viewers by starting the game during normal working hours, but don't they realize they cut down on the east coast viewers by not ending the games till almost 1am?

Anyway, enough of that rant. Just wanted to set up that I was already a little miffed by the time the game started. And then Ohio State forgot to show up. At least for the first half. They were down by 20 points with just a few seconds left in the half (a freethrow sent them to half-time down by 19). I *almost* turned the game off and went to bed. Glad I didn't. They rallied in the second half, and with about 4 1/2 min left took thier first lead since early in the game. From there in typical College Tourney style the game went back and forth, up by one or two here, now down by three, etc etc. But with 3 sec left Ohio took the lead by 1 point. And a Tennessee lay-up at the buzzer that could have sent Ohio packing was slapped down by the big-man Greg Oden. What a game!

[farmerjumperdon]

Incredible comeback, and what a force Oden is for a freshman. Yeah, he had an off game but talk about a clutch play. Very exciting. Besides, with an OSU loss, I'd be completely out of the money in our pool. I had 2 sets of picks in, and one had Wisconsin going all the way (such a homer, heh?)

Rooting for the Bucs now.

BTW, anybody see that Tubby Smith is coming to MN to coach the Gophers? Guess I will be keeping my tickets. Funny how radically different the standards are. Kentucky fans getting disgruntled having to wait more than 2 years between Sweet 16 appearances, and unhappy about not being in the Final Four at least a couple times per decade.

Heck, MN fans would be happy with one Final Four appearance per generation.

[Fazor]

Are you allowed to be a MN fan if you live in Wisc? Isn't that like being a Michigan fan here in Buckeye country? :)

Anyway yeah I was really hoping for yet a 4th matchup between da Bucks and Badgers in the championship (go Big10!) so that was a disappointing loss. I can safely say I like the Badgers, since we beat 'em 2-fer-3. ;)

[Serenitude]

I have to admit - I really thought the Bucs were down and out at 20 points down. No life, no fight. What an exciting nail-biter the second half turned out to be, with the cherry on top the Big Man's "not in my house" smackdown of the rock. I hope Bucs fans who turned off the tele and went to bed (it WAS rather late to be watching a 20 point loss...) have it TiVod.

[Jim]

I was watching the Today show this morning as Natalie Morales mentioned the Ohio State win yesterday. She told Matt Lauer he should be feeling pretty good about it.

Lauer looked at her with a smile that would freeze blood and said, "I went to Ohio University."

[Fazor]

I didn't know Matt Lauer went to OU (that's where I go, but branch campus). I'm still an OSU fan. But that's funny.

[farmerjumperdon]

Are you allowed to be a MN fan if you live in Wisc? Isn't that like being a Michigan fan here in Buckeye country? :)

Anyway yeah I was really hoping for yet a 4th matchup between da Bucks and Badgers in the championship (go Big10!) so that was a disappointing loss. I can safely say I like the Badgers, since we beat 'em 2-fer-3. ;)

Well, having lived in Minneaplis for 12 years, and being a 20 year holder of season tickets, I remain faithful. Besides, we are considered as being on the fringe of the Twin Cities metro. I pull for them both, but side with the Gophers when we have the border battles.

It'll be very interesting to see what Tubby does with the program.

[Serenitude]

I didn't know Matt Lauer went to OU (that's where I go, but branch campus). I'm still an OSU fan. But that's funny.

I worked recently with a nurse who was at Ohio U. when Matt was there. Her memories of him, are, well, that he was rather more Bohemian than his current personification ;)

[hhEb09'1]

Heart-attack Heels :)

[Maksutov]

OK, let's look at two total collapses:

Vols (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/recap?gid=200703220443) and USC (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/recap?gid=200703230413&prov=ap).

Whew!

Heck of an effort by Vandy, meanwhile.

[Maksutov]

Heart-attack Heels :)What in Tar'nation?

:clap:

[Maksutov]

What a comeback by Georgetown!

Well the Final Fo is set. Look fo the Hoyas, Bruins, Gators, and Buckeyes to pound the backbodes and flobodes next weekend!

Go Big East!

http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/sportlich/p010.gif

[Fazor]

Yeah, it was nice to finally see a Buck's win that didn't have my sweating bullets and swearing like a sailor. I'm just glad I'm not a UNC fan--and am mighty sorry I opted not to watch that game. Talk about a total meltdown at such a critical point! I'm kinda relieved tho, I think the bucks stand a better chance against GT. But who knows, in March it's anyone's game.

[foreignkid]

The best sporting event (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_fifa_world_cup)ended last July.

Yes, I just had to ruin it for you guys...

[Maksutov]

The best sporting event (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_fifa_world_cup)ended last July.

Yes, I just had to ruin it for you guys...If at first you don't succeed, well, you know the rest...

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/4879/iconbiggrin1kg.gif

Meanwhile, go G'town!

[foreignkid]

If at first you don't succeed, well, you know the rest...

Thanks!

[HenrikOlsen]

If at first you don't succeed, well, you know the rest...

parachuting might not be the sport for you?

[farmerjumperdon]

I'm reminded of:

Quitters never win,
And winners never quit.
But people who never win and never quit are just wasting everybody's time.

[NEOWatcher]

Talk about a long shot...

Contestants Try For Basketball Shot From Blimp (http://www.newsnet5.com/sports/11418850/detail.html)
one from each of the other Final Four schools will get the opportunity for a world record basketball shot on Friday.

[Maksutov]

Talk about a long shot...

Contestants Try For Basketball Shot From Blimp (http://www.newsnet5.com/sports/11418850/detail.html)

...and the winners are... (http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2007-03/artikel-7997312.asp)

[Maksutov]

So, did anyone in BAUTland pick the final four correctly?

(I sure didn't.)

http://www.cosgan.de/images/midi/sportlich/h050.gif

[Maksutov]

Well, that's the end of the first half re G'town and OSU.

The big guys were the same old same old. Some of the little guys stepped up and delivered. But there wasn't much invention or originality.

So much for the commercials, now for the game. I think I saw some roundball in there somewhere between the ads. Maybe.

Meanwhile, I've been supplied with a new oxymoron: "GM Quality".

[Maksutov]

Oh well, that was disappointing. The refs let it be known early that what was normal Big East play would be considered as fouls early on.

What wasn't disappointing were the snacks I enjoyed during the game: jumbo olives stuffed with habaneros. Yum!

Time to avoid more commercials...

[Maksutov]

Congrats to the Florida Gators and coach Billy Donovan. Back-to-back in these days of NBA raids is quite an achievement.

Ohio State had a heck of a year. Only tactical error they made was staying with a perimeter game that wasn't working. Coach Matta (the Larry Bird/Gene Hackman morph) should be proud of his troops.

How about that turtle? Humphrey of Florida showed OSU how it's done from beyond the 3-point arc. Plus he moved pretty quickly for a terrapin.

Now for tomorrow night, go Lady Vols!

[farmerjumperdon]

Bummer for me. I would have taken home 3rd in our pool if OSU had won - not a terribly big deal - $50.

That 3-point shooting by Florida was devastating. Every time OSU came close to crawling back into the game - the dagger thrust in the form of a three.

I don't like the 3-pointer, now less than ever.

[Fazor]

Bummer for me. I would have taken home 3rd in our pool if OSU had won - not a terribly big deal - $50.

That 3-point shooting by Florida was devastating. Every time OSU came close to crawling back into the game - the dagger thrust in the form of a three.

I don't like the 3-pointer, now less than ever.

Yeah, and conversely OSU going 4-for-38 on their three-point attempts...well, you just can't win a game with that. Luck of the bounce I guess. That Humphreys(? that right?) guy on the Gators was unstoppable. They said he was 7-for-12 from three but I can't remember him missing...musta counted his warm up shots before the game ;)

I was not happy to have our home team lose in two different championships to the Gators, but at least this time I can't honestly say that I think we had the better team. (I'll always think our 2006 Bucks football team was the best in the country, even though they lost convincingly).