As I told someone on ICQ earlier tonight, I've seen more walking today than if I had gone to the mall and watched the elderly. And none of it is called. This goes back to my statement a couple of pages ago about how we need to "reset" officiating- call it by the book and to the letter from the NBA down to high school. Basketball would be unwatchable for a year or two but it would be for the best.

SI

I'm so confident Illinois is not coming back, I'm updating the Pick 5 sheet now and shutting 'er down.

UCLA is methodical. They run their offense and defense. They don't panic when things aren't going right and just play their game. I don't think UCLA is that good overall but I also don't believe they will beat themselves. The problem with playing methodical is that an emotional team can beat them. Especially when they get their energy at the right time.

Illini got a gift there.

They've just never been in this game at all (Illinois)

As an aside, I need to start NCAA Tourney Watchers Anonymous. All night, I've had one game on the tv and had both of my laptops up. One for FOFC, Hattrick, and the like. The other with MMOD and a different game than is on tv ;)

SI

Down five and not fouling, we'll see if it pays off.

Wow, another bad call. A foul and ONE. JEEZ, this crew is really choking here.

No foul on Illinois on that loose ball after Mendez-valdez missed the three? Wow.

That was pretty obviously a goal tend there.

I love it when we get import players over here fresh from college. It's almost gauranteed that they'll travel at least twice a game for half the season.

At least we're getting two decent finishes after a day featuring mostly blowouts.

Illinois with the botched press.

Well that was my only missed game on my bracket today. Almost made it through perfect.

and a 12 beats a 5 again

Damn you Illinois! :(

Just saw that. Pretty amazing first day for you.

I was downstairs watching, instead of by the computer, so I didn't get to participate in the pbp here. But here are my thoughts on the UCLA-VCU game.

1. Bug's smoking something about the fouls. That was a fairly called game. Actually probably one of the better reffed games I have seen this year (keep in mind I usually have to watch Pac 10 refs). Only quibble is I think Sanders had six fouls, and he was only called for 4. The refs did tighten up a lot after the Glynn foul.

2. The sideshot on the Drago flop clearly showed Glynn's elbow catching Drago in the upper chest, and it looked hard. Drago went right down, and not of hios own volition, IMO. That said, the throat reach was big time overacting.

3. Maynor's a great player, and Sanders looks like he really has the athleticism to make a difference right up to the next level. That said, I certainly hope they thanked Enberg and Bilas for swallowing.

4. Holliday may have had some iffy moments, and missed a layup or two, like he does, but he showed why pro scouts love his game with some of the plays he made. I hope he comes back (he definitely needs to), but he probably won't.

5. No Malcolm Lee? Drew Gordon, who was reportedly ready to go, despite his bruised knee? Come on, Howland, Sanders was probably the only player on the court more athletic than either Lee or Gordon, and they could have really helped make a difference out there. Or at least given us energy when Enberg and Bilas kept saying "VCU just has mor elife than UCLA".

6. Great defensive play by Collison at the end. Glad he didn't go out on his college career with that block shot on him by Sanders.

2 of my money pools I only missed one game

Yeah - that's all I was trying to say.

I said it a couple of weeks ago and I'll say it again. That loss to Illinois was an embarrassing loss for Mizzou. Illinois is NOT a very good team and they proved me right yesterday.

They also finally called a carry on Maynor on a possession maybe midway through the 2nd. He was doing it damn near everytime, and I couldn't believe how high he was dribbling.

I haven't seen much of him (maybe one other game outside of his NCAA appearances) but despite the big efforts he puts in, I just don't love his game like a lot of others do. Maybe it's his lack of a consistent jump shot, he kinda has an awkward motion...plus I feel like he gets by on his athleticism as far as how easy he gets into the lane to score or dish it off.

The things you point out are why I don't buy him as an NBA player as much as other CAA people do. I think his athleticism and ability to take advantage of it made him a very, very good NCAA player. I'm just not sure that it translates to the NBA.

The draft is so weak this year, if you have any shred of a chance of getting drafted, this is the year to jump. I kindof feel a little sorry for any team that has a lottery pick for this year and was hoping to rebuild.

SI

Agree with both you guys.

edit: That's not to say there's not talent there. I like the NBA potential of guys like Griffin, Henderson, Thabeet, Blair, etc...I just wouldn't want to be taking them high as I don't know if any will be all-stars.

Would everyone please bow their heads with me?

Dear Lord,

Please let Mizzou be rid of the NCAA Tourney Ghosts of Boise Past. Let the 4.8 seconds of Tyus Edney hell and the Northern Iowa upset be blown away with two solid wins and a trip to the Sweet 16.

Amen.

(BTW, God is a Mizzou fan.)

Yeah. I think he (Maynor) could get drafted, I just don't necessarily think he'll be successful.

Of course, the last CAA player to enter the NBA has managed to pull down a salary much longer than I thought he would (Jose Juan Barrea of Dallas). Of course, he doesn't actually play.

Oh stop grovelling...

I know, we were arguing two different points- I agree with both. I was just kindof expanding on what you had said :)

SI

Yeah, I know.

The VCU fans just get a bit out of their minds with their "first round pick, good NBA player" talk - so I have a bit of a chip about this issue.

Most of the mocks I've seen have Maynor in the 20ish range, which is a good deal lower than where all those guys are except Blair. Blair has his own set of questions I think due to his odd size combo....

If he really goes in the 20s, his expectation of success would be pretty low. I'd be suprised if more than half the guys taken in that point of the draft are consistent starters....

They didnt have frazor and I think they have him, they win that game. Tough to loose your leader and expect stuff to get correctly in the first game without him. Granted I agree that they arent that good, but I highly doubt they loose that game with him.

Scottie Reynolds has a lot to prove in the matchup with Collison after struggling in the Big East Tourney and against American.

However, the key is going to be Cunningham and Anderson. Based on what I've read and what I saw last night, the UCLA interior is just not that good.

However, if both settle for jumpers (as they did in the first half last night) instead of driving to the basket (as they did in the second), UCLA could blow Nova out.

Wow. SFAU has a starter at 5 foot 3 inches tall.

Game on :)

SI

I was 15 of 16 yesterday, only missing the Butler/LSU game.

Onuaku might be the worst free throw shooter I've ever seen.

And one point earlier this year he had made 1 out of his last 19.

Wanted to watch Mizzou.. too bad I'm not going to get out of work early.. :(

I know this has nothing to do with basketball but I get chills everytime I hear The Masters' music on CBS.

Utah St has done a nice job of staying in the game despite being outplayed

Does the theme song for "Murder, She Wrote" also give you chills?

Nope

Augusta National is one course that seeing it on TV doesn't do its beauty justice.

SFA's coach looks like Fred Goldman.

come on north dakota state!

Tennessee playing almost exactly like the whole season. Shooting better than usual but otherwise it's the season in a nutshell.

Yep, feels like watching a replay.

Utah State up 6 on Marquette. Come on, Aggies!

Tied at 72 with a minute left, Okie State gets three offensive rebounds leading to a 74-72 lead. What a shock against a team that had players waving to family in the stands during a timeout earlier.

coming down to some great finishes

Go Tennessee!

Go Utah St!!

Wow.

what a drive by Eyton