2010 NCAA Tournament (and NIT) Thread

[timmynausea]

Interesting. The University of Michigan is now saying they will match funds to help pay Izzo's salary at Oregon.

[SportsDino]

Shut up all of you, hands off the Izzo!

State loves Izzo, as long as they keep him in the necessary sized pile of money he will be here as long as he coaches college. I don't see him jumping ship from a program where he is icon for some small time school like Oregon or Kentucky or Michigan... those jokers wouldn't respect his talent and start whining the moment he benches John McMoneybags for not sticking with his man on defense.

Izzo gots a blank check at MSU (we can print it on really large paper if it helps)... he can pretty much write himself in whatever he needs and he'll get it. Somewhere else he'll get half-hearted respect until he proves he's the man all over again (which he would, he is that good)...

Only thing he will bolt for is if he gets the urge to prove himself at the NBA level. And I personally think it would be a completely different type of coaching than he is used to. A school would have to spend a lot to get him and I don't think any school will take the gamble on spending the necessary dough and going through a rebuilding where their fair weather fans pan him for not bringing a Final Four team to the school overnight.

[Schmidty]

This makes me chuckle. It happens every year. He's not going anywhere.

Everything SportsDino said is true. NBA would be the only thing, and that won't happen either.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

My alma mater (Gannon University) is in the final four in the D2 girls bball tournament. And to make it better, they beat Seton Hill (ping PUMPY) along the way. Also with their win tonight they are 37-0 and broke the record for the most wins in a season for a D2 team. Go Lady Knights!

btw gfy

[DataKing]

Doug Gotlieb with some interesting insight into the unintended consequences of expanding the field to 96 teams:

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany: NCAA tournament expansion 'probable' - ESPN

[Logan]

Mind summarizing what Gottlieb said? Can't stream video at work. Thanks.

[DataKing]

His key points:

1. The NCAA is ignoring the law of unintended consequences. Proponents of expansion have said that more coaches will keep their jobs due to more teams making the field of 96. Gotlieb proposes that, instead, more coaches who don't make the field of 96 will lose their jobs, because failing to make a field of 96 is a bigger failure than failing to make a field of 65.
2. Expansion to 96 will minimize the impact and importance of Championship Week, especially for smaller conference schools. As things are right now, the biggest motivator in the small conference tourneys isn't so much the tourney itself, but the promise of an invitation to the Big Dance. Small conference tourneys will lose some of that importance, since more invitations will be going out anyways.
3. The impact of making it into the field will be lessened. Not a big deal for teams that make it every year anyway, but he uses Northwestern as a good example. Northwestern has never been to the tourney. The impact of finally making it will be lessened because of the feeling that "the only way we could get there is by them expanding the field."

A different take than what I've heard so far on the topic from others. Also, I should mention that the topic is brought up because the Big 10 AD thinks that it is "likely" that the NCAA will vote to expand, effectively merging the NCAA and NIT.

[sooner333]

I do think we'll see more parity as it will be easier for the new 16/17 winner to beat a 1 than the old 16 seed.

[Butter]

Let's go Flyers!

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by sooner333

I do think we'll see more parity as it will be easier for the new 16/17 winner to beat a 1 than the old 16 seed.

For those who hate seeing Final Fours like this year where the top teams aren't competing will hate this format even more. In the current format, the 1-4 seeds have an extremely high rate of success. You could argue that 1-2 seeds essentially have byes (which they deserve for having a great year).

In the new format, they are likely going to get a bubble team in their first game. So instead of winning 3 games against quality teams, they have to win 4 to get into the Final Four (bubble teams are much more competitive than the typical 15 or 16 seed for instance). It just lowers the probability of them getting there and will cause more lower seeded teams to get there. It would create two more days of college basketball, but potentially at the effect of seeing elite teams go deep in the tournament.

[bronconick]

I was listening to Mike and Mike on the way in this morning and they did have an interesting point in that the NCAA is probably overstating the amount of money they stand to gain from adding in these 32 teams. You either have a weekend with one game for the teams 33-96, where you don't get to watch the actual good teams, the Dukes, Kentuckys, Kansas' etc. or you end up with games on Tuesday and Wednesday of the 1st week, and is CBS or any other network really going to want those games? Two full days of mediocre basketball in the middle of the week? They'd probably be fine with dumping those down on ESPN for those two days.

[RainMaker]

Gus Johnson Soundboard -2010 NCAA MARCH MADNESS-

[Scoobz0202]

Yay for Dayton. Really happy for the Flyer's after all the heartbreakers they had all season.

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Gus Johnson Soundboard -2010 NCAA MARCH MADNESS-

Unfortunately, CBS already took it down.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Yay for Dayton. Really happy for the Flyer's after all the heartbreakers they had all season.

Really bad they couldn't get it together that last part of the season. They could have made a run to the sweet 16. Much better team than their final record shows.

[Scoobz0202]

With all twelve of their losses the average margin of defeat was 4 points. Just a season of what could have been. At least they went out with a win at MGS

[panerd]

Originally Posted by bronconick

I was listening to Mike and Mike on the way in this morning and they did have an interesting point in that the NCAA is probably overstating the amount of money they stand to gain from adding in these 32 teams. You either have a weekend with one game for the teams 33-96, where you don't get to watch the actual good teams, the Dukes, Kentuckys, Kansas' etc. or you end up with games on Tuesday and Wednesday of the 1st week, and is CBS or any other network really going to want those games? Two full days of mediocre basketball in the middle of the week? They'd probably be fine with dumping those down on ESPN for those two days.

Yeah the charm of the first two days is watching your team, watching upsets, and watching buzzer beaters. Most people's teams probably won't play the first round, upsets won't mean as much when #23 beats #10 as compared with when #14 beats #3, and the buzzer beater would have the same effect... not as many people watching the games. But I will be honest that prior to the past two seasons Mizzou has had trouble making the tournament. I would probably have more interest with Mizzou as a #17 seed (fill in your team here) vs them not in the tournament at all.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by panerd

But I will be honest that prior to the past two seasons Mizzou has had trouble making the tournament. I would probably have more interest with Mizzou as a #17 seed (fill in your team here) vs them not in the tournament at all.

Absolutely no way. I'd rather they be out. Average performances should not be rewarded with a shot at the National Championship under any circumstances.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Absolutely no way. I'd rather they be out. Average performances should not be rewarded with a shot at the National Championship under any circumstances.

So you don't pull for them to win the big 12 tournament in years where they are a low seed? You didn't pull for them as a #12 seed in the elite eight in 2002? You didn't cheer for the team that was 7th in the big 8 that got like a 10 seed in like 1993 only because they won the big 8 tournament? That rings hollow. You know you would be on here telling everyone the reasons (which I would agree with) that the #17 Tigers have really come together as a team. (Like you will tell me the #12 seeded team had talent and were better than the seed)

[Lathum]

Just out of curiosity does a team like Dayton celebrate ecstatically after winning the NIT or were they just mildly happy?

[Scoobz0202]

They were pretty damn happy, Lathum.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

They were pretty damn happy, Lathum.

Agreed...it really meant something to them.

[Lathum]

That's cool, nice to see that.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by panerd

So you don't pull for them to win the big 12 tournament in years where they are a low seed? You didn't pull for them as a #12 seed in the elite eight in 2002? You didn't cheer for the team that was 7th in the big 8 that got like a 10 seed in like 1993 only because they won the big 8 tournament? That rings hollow. You know you would be on here telling everyone the reasons (which I would agree with) that the #17 Tigers have really come together as a team. (Like you will tell me the #12 seeded team had talent and were better than the seed)

Rooting for a team to win the conference tournament and earn their way in is much different than handing a 16 win Mizzou team that was 5-11 in conference an 18 or 19 seed. That would make the tournament look as atrocious as some of the bowl games in college football look. There's a reason that college basketball is considered a much more exciting finish to decide a champion.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Just out of curiosity does a team like Dayton celebrate ecstatically after winning the NIT or were they just mildly happy?

The team was mostly seniors (7), plus a guy who might declare for the NBA who could have been in potentially his last game (Chris Wright). They were genuinely ecstatic, seeing as it was the last time half the team will play college basketball. All the fans in Dayton are pretty ecstatic as well. Dayton has a lot of history with the NIT, most of it from the 50's and 60's.... it will be a big deal to hang that banner next year. And even though it is ultimately a reminder of a disappointing season, it will also be a reminder of a team that finally pulled together and beat 4 straight big conference teams away from home (Cincinnati, Illinois, Ole Miss, and the big one, North Carolina... no matter how crap of a season they had, it's still North Carolina).

Consider that Dayton may be the last NIT champs of all time, and it makes it that much more special.

Now, sadly, it's onto the real games that everyone cares about.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like the Butler mascot is living it up in the Final Four spotlight........

Butler's Final Four run gives Indiana new favorite - Photo Gallery - KansasCity.com

Butler's Final Four run gives Indiana new favorite - Photo Gallery - KansasCity.com

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by panerd

So you don't pull for them to win the big 12 tournament in years where they are a low seed? You didn't pull for them as a #12 seed in the elite eight in 2002? You didn't cheer for the team that was 7th in the big 8 that got like a 10 seed in like 1993 only because they won the big 8 tournament? That rings hollow. You know you would be on here telling everyone the reasons (which I would agree with) that the #17 Tigers have really come together as a team. (Like you will tell me the #12 seeded team had talent and were better than the seed)

Personally, I hate the conference tournaments. And I definitely do not root for lower seeded teams to win the conference tournaments so they can become eligible for the NCAA tournament. I'd rather see a conference like the Big 12 complete their full rotation rather than play in a conference tournament.

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Absolutely no way. I'd rather they be out. Average performances should not be rewarded with a shot at the National Championship under any circumstances.

I'm with MBBF on this one. Every year there are a couple of teams that shouldn't be in the tourney at all so now we're just adding more of those teams. That doesn't interest me at all. If it did then I would have watched the NIT's first rounds.

[Swaggs]

Aside from the drugs part -- this is how I feel for tonight's game:

[JonInMiddleGA]

There are games tonight?

Who knew?

[k0ruptr]

LETS GO BULLDOGS! wooo! I'm really looking forward to this game, much more than the other.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Aside from the drugs part -- this is how I feel for tonight's game:

LOL

whats odd is my wife just yelled from 3 rooms away "was that saved by the bell?"

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by panerd

So you don't pull for them to win the big 12 tournament in years where they are a low seed? You didn't pull for them as a #12 seed in the elite eight in 2002? You didn't cheer for the team that was 7th in the big 8 that got like a 10 seed in like 1993 only because they won the big 8 tournament? That rings hollow. You know you would be on here telling everyone the reasons (which I would agree with) that the #17 Tigers have really come together as a team. (Like you will tell me the #12 seeded team had talent and were better than the seed)

There is an element of excitement in just making the tournament. It's exclusive and you have to play your way in numerous ways. You have teams who are in all the time and then teams who consider just an appearance to be a milestone.

He would cheer for Missouri, but it loses it's luster. Missouri didn't do anything to make it, so the accomplishment of getting there is gone. Kind of like making the PapaJohns.com Bowl or something. I mean you cheer for your team, but you didn't do anything special to make it and it probably doesn't matter anyway.

[RainMaker]

I sort of wish the NCAA would make it 6 fouls instead of 5. We have both teams missing a top player because of foul trouble.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I sort of wish the NCAA would make it 6 fouls instead of 5. We have both teams missing a top player because of foul trouble.

It's also a 40 minute game compared to 48 in the NBA.

5 is just fine.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I sort of wish the NCAA would make it 6 fouls instead of 5. We have both teams missing a top player because of foul trouble.

You're allowed a foul every 10 minutes. Just the way it should be.

[Logan]

Does CBS always remove the seeds from the score overlay during the Final Four?

[Eaglesfan27]

Could have been a foul and it looks like a Butler defender last touched it.

[RainMaker]

Has anyone gotten word on whether Hayward is going to declare for the draft or not after the season?

[RainMaker]

This should be a good finish. Morgan is working with 4 fouls and Butler has two of it's top 3 players out with injury.

[ColtCrazy]

The refs have let them play, but now they seem to be calling it tight. I hate when they are inconsistent.

[cmp]

If State could hit some free throws this game would be a lot different.

[ColtCrazy]

Originally Posted by cmp

If State could hit some free throws this game would be a lot different.

Or if Butler could buy a basket.

[k0ruptr]

ONE HELL OF A GAME!!!

[Eaglesfan27]

Ugly shot there.

[cmp]

Right on the arm it looked like.

[bbgunn]

MSU's not tying it.

[k0ruptr]

the Butler Defense is really good. they haven't allowed more then 59 points in 13 straight games now.

[k0ruptr]

i hate that strategy. (fouling) i don't know why.

[cmp]

Clark Kellogg really needs to shut up. All ball?

[k0ruptr]

BUTLER IS PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! WOW!!!

CRAAAAAZZZYYY BULLLLDDOOOOGGSSS