2009 NCAA Tournament Thread

[Noop]

Originally Posted by panerd

CBS just radioed in to the refs.

I don't see Duke out there.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

I know I'm a Spartan fan, but in the last 5 minutes or so, I can only think of one bad shot - Walton taking a jumpshot at the key after an offensive rebound.

The first shot by Lucas wasn't that bright either IMO but not as bad.


Also, ugh, don't give this game away Spartans.

[adubroff]

I think for the first time all day I agree with Clark Kellog. Don't foul, they can burn the whole clock if they want, try for a stop.

[Schmidty]

AND 1!!!

[Karlifornia]

...and UConn can't quite make the comeback.

[whomario]

bad decicion by the Huskies. Just play D, no need to press that hard 3 down ...

[Eaglesfan27]

Very entertaining game. Hopefully, the next game is as competitive and fun to watch.

[Schmidty]

Come on guys. It's not over.
.

[Schmidty]

Now it is.

[Radii]

grats schmidty

[Schmidty]

Thanks.

[terpkristin]

This has been a great game to watch (though I admit, I'm multi-tasking while watching).

I hope the 'Nova - UNC game is as good. I'm torn on who to cheer for. On the one hand, I have the ACC thing going but on the other one of my very good friends is a 'Nova alum and UNC is kinda one of the enemies...

/tk

[Schmidty]

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

[INDalltheway]

Schmidty, it may just be a coincidence but "Don't Stop Believing" just came up on my shuffle..

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by INDalltheway

Schmidty, it may just be a coincidence but "Don't Stop Believing" just came up on my shuffle..

Oddly enough, "We Are the Champions" just came up on mine...

/tk

[Schmidty]

I'll take all of the good luck I can guys.

[Schmidty]

Digger Phelps is crying in his beer right now. He has literally picked the Spartans to lose in every single round. And Dukie V has picked against them in every game since the second round. Fuck the doubters!!!

[Schmidty]

BTW, good luck to Radii. I want to fact the Heels again for redemption.

[Alan T]

Go Villanova!

I feel like the oddman out, but I'm not rooting for ACC here. Perhaps if it was a school like Wake Forest, Maryland, NC State or whatever I would... but anytime Duke or UNC can lose, its ok with me!

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Go Villanova!

I feel like the oddman out, but I'm not rooting for ACC here. Perhaps if it was a school like Wake Forest, Maryland, NC State or whatever I would... but anytime Duke or UNC can lose, its ok with me!

Yeah, I'll go ahead and my name in the Villanova camp. Let's go, Wildcats!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Let's Go Tar Heels
{clap clap clapclapclap}

[adubroff]

I think Nova is going to come out in this game and trap/press to get the ball out of Lawson's hands (and probably into Hansborough's). Nova has had a lot of success in this tournament over committing to the ball handler and then scrambling to get back to whomever he dishes to. I think offensively they will try and drive the middle and make NC play interior defense. Last week vs. Griffen, they did an excellent job in the post but I think Nova will try and make them defend moving targets driving rather than stationary ones.

[ColtCrazy]

Yeah Michigan St.!!! I've been reading the ESPN message boards, more for humor than any serious discussion, but it's hilarious to see UConn fans trying to trash the state of Michigan because of the economy...like it's some comeback for losing. Funny stuff.

Hope this continues Monday. Izzo has had a great tourney getting his team ready for each opponent.

[Lathum]

Jesus, UNC cant miss

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by ColtCrazy

Yeah Michigan St.!!! I've been reading the ESPN message boards, more for humor than any serious discussion, but it's hilarious to see UConn fans trying to trash the state of Michigan because of the economy...like it's some comeback for losing. Funny stuff.

Hope this continues Monday. Izzo has had a great tourney getting his team ready for each opponent.

The economy is bad there? That just means they're trend-setters!

[Lathum]

UNC is gonna put up 50 this half

[ColtCrazy]

Looking like a MSU-UNC final. I'm thinking a big majority of the experts will pick the Heels, but MSU might have the defense to slow them down. Nova is a good team, but not a great defensive team. You need someone to give Lawson some fits.

[hoopsguy]

I love what MSU has done this tournament but it is pretty tough to pick them to win against a UNC team firing on all cylinders. Particularly when they already played this year, in this building, and the Tar Heels won by 35.

UNC still has a half to get there, but they looked like they were in total command in the first twenty minutes.

[adubroff]

Not a bad little run late for Nova. The thing that has disappointed me from a Nova perspective is that when they've turnovers on Carolina they have basically ended up slowing it down for the most part. They have to play to their strength on the offensive end and try to run some for easy buckets when its there.

[Radii]

rebound please.

[hoopsguy]

UNC would be well served to make foul shots - going back to Lawson's at end of half that is now four misses in last five attemps - and stop letting Nova hang around.

[Radii]

JESUS CHRIST BOX OUT.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

UNC would be well served to make foul shots - going back to Lawson's at end of half that is now four misses in last five attemps - and stop letting Nova hang around.

Yeah, 13 point leads are nice and all, but do the fundamental things right... make your free throws and don't allow nova to have 15 offensive boards and this game is already over. Can't expect Nova to stay this cold.

[Schmidty]

Somebody please tell Villanova that they don't have to shoot 1 or 2 threes on every fricking possession.

[Schmidty]

Good lord, they force the shot on every possession.

[Eaglesfan27]

Feels like there is no chance that Nova will come back.

[hoopsguy]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Feels like there is no chance that Nova will come back.

Billy Packer, while drinking a scotch in his living room, has just called game.

[Schmidty]

Nova's pissing me off from a basketball fan standpoint. They don't take their time, they don't pass the ball, and they just seem one-dimensional with no inside game. It's frustrating.

Of course, I'm sure they play better than this normally, but still. I'm sure facing UNC has a lot to do with it mentally.

[adubroff]

I think if you told Jay Wright he was gonna hold UNC to 16 the first 10 mins of this half he'd have been ecstatic. Villanova has played well enough defensively to make this a game but have nothing consistent offensively.

[adubroff]

Hack a Ty?

[Karlifornia]

Nova's shooting has reminded me that I need to go take a shit.

[Radii]

i'm not normally one to call a game until the buzzer has sounded(not a win at least, I get emo and call losses all the time), but I think that ellington 3 was it.

[Radii]

they would score 5 in 10 seconds as soon as I post that, wouldn't they?

[adubroff]

Originally Posted by Radii

they would score 5 in 10 seconds as soon as I post that, wouldn't they?

That's 5 of 23 for the half....

[adubroff]

Both Nova and Oklahoma have had late success pressing UNC. I think UNC would be one the rare teams that when they get up big they are best off not trying to kill the clock. They are so efficient anyway, that it's better for them to just play their game...

[sterlingice]

Um.. go Big East?

SI

[Noop]

ACC Pride!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Let's Go Tar Heels
{clap clap clapclapclap}

[Radii]

1 more to go!!!! Should be a fun final. UNC should be a pretty heavy favorite but in Detroit and with MSU having the experience of playing UNC earlier in the year (and wanting revenge for that blowout i'm sure), anything could happen.

[adubroff]

Congrats to UNC, well played game. They were clearly the more talented team here. Nova could have played a better game I'm sure but I'm not sure it would have mattered. UNC reminds me of a great speed thoroughbread, if they get the lead uncontested, they aren't going to give it back. Michigan St. will be well served to keep them in their site (or ideally behind) early if they want to make this a game Monday night. That will keep the crowd involved too.