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2006 Crane Pool Forum NCAA Bracket Challenge Thread

Elster88 Mar 03 2006 09:48 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 03 2006 10:34 AM

Anyone interested in doing a bracket for the tournament? soupcan says he's in. Edit: Tightened up the title

cooby Mar 03 2006 09:56 AM

I will do it; we always do this at home

metirish Mar 03 2006 09:58 AM

I'm in.....

MFS62 Mar 03 2006 10:02 AM

Exactly who is challenging whom for what? Or is this an all purpose challenge bracket, to be used whenever we need one in any contest? Later

soupcan Mar 03 2006 10:03 AM

NCAA hoops

Methead Mar 03 2006 10:06 AM

I'll do it.

HahnSolo Mar 03 2006 10:14 AM

I'll join in, if, as Bob Barker says, the Price is Right.

Elster88 Mar 03 2006 10:23 AM

I was thinking we all fill out a bracket on the site I use to set it up (say Yahoo Fantasy Sports since we're using that for baseball). We can play for 5 or 10 bucks if you want, but I think just playing for bragging rights is a lot easier. ______________________ This post had the designation 56) Turk Wendell

soupcan Mar 03 2006 10:31 AM

Agreed. Throwing $ in the mix will make it sticky.

Willets Point Mar 03 2006 11:09 AM

Sure I'll submit my wild guesses and make y'all feel good about yourselves.

Elster88 Mar 03 2006 11:11 AM

$500 says WP wins.

seawolf17 Mar 03 2006 11:52 AM

Yahoo! works for me. Someone set it up.

Elster88 Mar 03 2006 11:54 AM

Give me a moment. I'm on it.

Willets Point Mar 03 2006 11:59 AM

Elster88 wrote: $500 says WP wins. You'll be happy to know that I almost always pick Connecticut to win.

Centerfield Mar 03 2006 12:02 PM

I'm in.

Elster88 Mar 03 2006 01:02 PM

Willets Point wrote: You'll be happy to know that I almost always pick Connecticut to win. Me too. I always pick them to go too far, and have lost a couple of pools that I would've won if I had picked with my brain and not my heart My proudest bracketing moment was the 99 pool when I ran away with every pool I was in, picked the entire Final Four, the last game, the winner and the exact score (77-74). I think only 6 of the Final 8. Gonzaga and someone else f---d me.

Rockin' Doc Mar 03 2006 02:07 PM

Sounds like fun. Count me in. Picking UConn to go far will almost always help one's bracket winning percentage.

KC Mar 03 2006 05:15 PM

I'm in, I'm in a couple and like to change things around a little on each one just so I'm always somewhat interested if one pool melts down early. To make things interesting, and if there are no objections, I'll send the winner of the pool a 1987 Mets Media Guide as a prize.

cooby Mar 03 2006 05:34 PM

Sounds like a nice idea!

HahnSolo Mar 03 2006 07:36 PM

]My proudest bracketing moment was the 99 pool when I ran away with every pool I was in, picked the entire Final Four, the last game, the winner and the exact score (77-74). I think only 6 of the Final 8. Gonzaga and someone else f---d me. To refresh your memory, here is the 1999 Final 8: East regional at the Meadowlands: Duke 85, Temple 64 Midwest regional at St. Louis: Michigan State 73, Kentucky 66 Southeast regional at Knoxville: Ohio State 77, St. John's 74 West regional at Phoenix: Connecticut 67, Gonzaga 62

Nymr83 Mar 03 2006 09:47 PM

i'll join post the link when you can....if my undergrad school makes it (they won the conference in the regular season) i'll pick them to win agame which will help you all right there.

DocTee Mar 03 2006 10:25 PM

Count me in

Elster88 Mar 04 2006 10:17 AM

HahnSolo wrote: ]My proudest bracketing moment was the 99 pool when I ran away with every pool I was in, picked the entire Final Four, the last game, the winner and the exact score (77-74). I think only 6 of the Final 8. Gonzaga and someone else f---d me. To refresh your memory, here is the 1999 Final 8: East regional at the Meadowlands: Duke 85, Temple 64 Midwest regional at St. Louis: Michigan State 73, Kentucky 66 Southeast regional at Knoxville: Ohio State 77, St. John's 74 West regional at Phoenix: Connecticut 67, Gonzaga 62 Temple was the other team I missed. I didn't (and still don't) believe in the A-10.

OlerudOwned Mar 04 2006 05:24 PM

I'll give it a whirl

Elster88 Mar 05 2006 07:36 PM

It's at [url]http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/men[/url]. You'll need a Yahoo ID. Once you have an ID, click the Create or Join Group button at the page I posted the URL to. The league ID is 11845 and the password is kranepool. Do me a favor and either set your Pickset Name to your Crane Pool handle or just post what you will be using below, so I can boot anyone who stumbles on this page and decides they want to mess around. ____________________________ This post had the designation 55) Neil Allen

metirish Mar 05 2006 07:42 PM

I'm signed up, Elster how does this work? on edit - I just read the rules, good job Elster for setting this up.

Diamond Dad Mar 05 2006 07:52 PM bracketology

I'll post an entry. It's free, right? If you want a money pool, I'm running one on Sportsline.com. send email to get an entry. $10 per entry. send entry requests to: skatmankc@yahoo.com

cooby Mar 05 2006 08:59 PM

Elster88 wrote: It's at [url]http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/men[/url]. You'll need a Yahoo ID. Once you have an ID, click the Create or Join Group button at the page I posted the URL to. The league ID is 11845 and the password is kranepool. Do me a favor and either set your Pickset Name to your Crane Pool handle or just post what you will be using below, so I can boot anyone who stumbles on this page and decides they want to mess around. ____________________________ This post had the designation 55) Neil Allen Elster, I'm not finding the Join Group button. Never mind, I figured it out. Group Home, that's kinda funny...

cooby Mar 06 2006 11:46 AM

Annie, I like your little baseball card in your profile!

Elster88 Mar 06 2006 11:48 AM

cooby wrote: Elster, I'm not finding the Join Group button. Oops sorry. It may say Sign Up instead.

cooby Mar 06 2006 11:53 AM

It does say Join Group a couple of pages into the process, you were right

soupcan Mar 06 2006 11:58 AM

Signed up.

MFS62 Mar 06 2006 12:56 PM

Gotta question. The other day I noticed the score of a school called "Belmont". Is that the same school that used to be known as "Belmont Abbey"? I won't be in your tourney. Too much conflict. I live in Connecticut. My daughter graduated from college there. One daughter is a Maryland Terp. I got my Masters from George Washington U. Who do I root for? Later

Elster88 Mar 06 2006 01:00 PM

Just throw a bracket together and you can ignore it, 62. If you win you get a book. And that way even the 8-9 games can be interesting.

seawolf17 Mar 06 2006 01:06 PM

In. (Anyone with a Yahoo! account who plays fantasy games can create that little baseball card on your profile. You just have to create an avatar, which is somewhere on your Yahoo preferences page, iirc.)

cooby Mar 06 2006 01:16 PM

I would have to say that I look like my avatar only in my dreams

Johnny Dickshot Mar 06 2006 01:30 PM

I signed in too. Now what?

soupcan Mar 06 2006 01:41 PM

I look EXACTLY like my avatar. Uncanny is what it is.

Elster88 Mar 06 2006 01:56 PM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: I signed in too. Now what? After the brackets are released on Sunday the 19th, go back and make your picks.

HahnSolo Mar 06 2006 02:12 PM

I'm in, Elster.

cooby Mar 06 2006 02:27 PM

Well if nothing else I'm having a hell of a good time messing with this avatar thingy

OlerudOwned Mar 07 2006 08:54 PM

I'm in, but my name is listed as "Generator" because I had joined another pool prior to this and I can't figure out if I can change it or not.

Willets Point Mar 10 2006 11:35 PM

I'm a Grumpy Old Man.

KC Mar 11 2006 09:24 AM

kc.cranepool It's hard to find combinations of anything with kc on these things - there are too many kc's out there.

cooby Mar 12 2006 12:09 AM

Anybody know what time this'll be ready, and will they let us know?

KC Mar 12 2006 08:30 AM

I imagine it will be up hours after the selection show - these big sites eat this stuff up and it's big hit business.

Nymr83 Mar 12 2006 11:49 AM

My undergrad school has made its first ever trip to the tornament! go great danes! lol

Elster88 Mar 12 2006 01:25 PM

cooby wrote: Anybody know what time this'll be ready, and will they let us know? Silly cooby. The brackets are released at 6, though for some reason ESPN has run its selection show at 7 the past few years (and CBS isn't doing one.) As soon as the brackets are out you can go make your picks. You have until Thursday at 11:40 or so to adjust.

KC Mar 12 2006 07:43 PM

I just checked, the brackets are functional already.

Rockin' Doc Mar 12 2006 08:33 PM

I signed in. I decided to go with my old handle, The Hot Corner. I'll make my picks sometime tomorrow.

apmorris Mar 12 2006 10:38 PM

I'm down.

abogdan Mar 13 2006 12:07 PM

I'm in: Scramble for the Ball

apmorris Mar 13 2006 12:26 PM

anyone make their picks yet? (*use the hard to find "My Picks" link) can we see what others have picked?

Willets Point Mar 13 2006 12:57 PM

apmorris wrote: anyone make their picks yet? (*use the hard to find "My Picks" link) can we see what others have picked? Not until the tournament begins and our picks are set in stone. I guess Yahoo! doesn't want us cribbing off one another.

Rockin' Doc Mar 13 2006 09:38 PM

Well, that is the fastest that I have ever filled out a bracket. This should be a lot of fun.

mlbaseballtalk Mar 13 2006 09:51 PM

Elster88 wrote: It's at [url]http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/men[/url]. You'll need a Yahoo ID. Once you have an ID, click the Create or Join Group button at the page I posted the URL to. The league ID is 11845 and the password is kranepool. Do me a favor and either set your Pickset Name to your Crane Pool handle or just post what you will be using below, so I can boot anyone who stumbles on this page and decides they want to mess around. ____________________________ This post had the designation 55) Neil Allen Elster I'm using my YahooSports ID SteveJRogersJR

soupcan Mar 13 2006 10:13 PM

Nymr83 wrote: My undergrad school has made its first ever trip to the tornament! go great danes! lol Your school's coach was on WFAN today. Funny guy - he said that he's well aware that he's the only person in the country who thinks his team can beat UConn.

Nymr83 Mar 13 2006 11:08 PM

i picked them to beat uconn...if the upset happens i'm a genius, if it doesnt i'm just an alumni picking my school.

seawolf17 Mar 14 2006 06:22 AM

MiniWolf will have his picks in tonight. Peanut is going to help him.

apmorris Mar 14 2006 05:28 PM

Seton Hall = Final Four (I didn't go to college mind you, high school not much)

seawolf17 Mar 14 2006 08:03 PM

Okay, dog & baby are in. Peanut made the picks by selecting between two food bits for each matchup; MiniWolf agreed with each pick by not spitting up.

cooby Mar 14 2006 08:06 PM

Our pets can sign up? Can they post here too? My cat is almost 9

seawolf17 Mar 14 2006 08:12 PM

Let's just say Peanut picked Oral Roberts to upset Memphis in the first round; I wouldn't worry about him winning.

cooby Mar 14 2006 08:19 PM

No wonder you gave him his own bracket I wish we could see everybody's now, so we could make fun of each other

Elster88 Mar 14 2006 09:30 PM

Plenty of time for that.

Elster88 Mar 15 2006 01:22 PM

FINISH UP YOUR BRACKETS LETS GET IT ON MARCH MADNESS BABY HUSKIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

seawolf17 Mar 15 2006 01:28 PM

I mean this in the nicest way I can mean this... but that Husky, as a mascot, sucks. Look at him; he's a big, mushy dog, with his tongue hanging out of his mouth like someone's holding a Milk-Bone in front of his nose. Mascots need to have just a little tiny bit of the "enforcer" in them; that ain't cutting it.

cooby Mar 15 2006 01:29 PM

Go Bucknell

Edgy DC Mar 15 2006 01:32 PM

I disagree. Mascots that play the role of the enthusastic spazz who can't make the team underscore the masculinity and athletic prowess of the actual team members, and make the team's supporters feel a little more virile to boot.

Johnny Dickshot Mar 15 2006 01:43 PM

Panel discussion at the Uni Watch gathering focused in part on the "meaning" of mascots and logos and was decided it was, generally, a bad thing. Most questions were on why the Mets wore black (cue LF's Johnny Cash parody, if that still exists).

Elster88 Mar 15 2006 02:01 PM

seawolf17 wrote: I mean this in the nicest way I can mean this... but that Husky, as a mascot, sucks. Look at him; he's a big, mushy dog, with his tongue hanging out of his mouth like someone's holding a Milk-Bone in front of his nose. Mascots need to have just a little tiny bit of the "enforcer" in them; that ain't cutting it. Don't fuck with Jonathan. His tongue isn't sideways, his head is pointing sideways. His tongue is straight out A beautiful dog that could pull a sled hundreds of miles through snow. Anyway, it comes from UConn Huskies. As in huskies from the Yukon. Get it?

seawolf17 Mar 15 2006 02:08 PM

But the school's in Connecticut. Not Canada. So they have some sort of identity crisis. I didn't say his tongue was sideways; I'm just saying it's not menacing, and I think mascots should have juuuuust a little bit of menace to them. (edit: His name is "Jonathan"?!? Quite frankly, that doesn't help his cause.)

Elster88 Mar 15 2006 02:14 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 15 2006 02:58 PM

seawolf17 wrote: But the school's in Connecticut. Not Canada. So they have some sort of identity crisis. See if you can follow the bouncing ball: University of Connecticut ---> shortened to UConn ---> sounds like Yukon ---> an animal from the Yukon is a husky. It's not that hard ](edit: His name is "Jonathan"?!? Quite frankly, that doesn't help his cause.) You've lost me. Is the name Jonathan not manly enough for you? ]I'm just saying it's not menacing, and I think mascots should have juuuuust a little bit of menace to them. Menace, shmenace. The Husky mascot is one of the coolest around. Do you prefer a giant orange with a smiley face? How about a priest with a giant head (Providence)? Gimme a break. More: What the hell is a blue devil anyway? Where I come from devils are red. Did hell really freeze over turning all devils blue? Wildcats would be cool if there weren't 50 schools with the same name. Miami Hurricanes? Their mascot is a duck. Or how about the Ducks (Oregon I think). The South Carolina Gamecocks? Nothing more menacing then a giant turkey. If you've got a problem with mascots not being menacing enough, you're picking on the wrong school. Start with Syracuse.

Elster88 Mar 15 2006 02:23 PM

BTW, I'm not mad or upset in the least. Just having fun trying to tear into what you said.

seawolf17 Mar 15 2006 02:48 PM

I was just busting on you. So we're all good. And you're definitely right about Syracuse.

soupcan Mar 15 2006 03:06 PM

Otto the Gay Orange - The worst mascot in the world. I've explained before about the history of an orange being the mascot of a school in upstate New York. If you're curious you can read the story [url=http://www.suathletics.com/sports/gen/2001/mascot.asp]here[/url] MUCH cooler looking mascot. Maybe two years ago there was a contest in the Syracuse Alumni magazine where they asked the alum to vote for a new image of Otto. They weren't 86ing Otto just trying to reimagine him. They had three choices - The gay child-friendly image, a more professional cartoony Otto and a more fierce looking Otto - very similar to the Carolina Ram but in Sunkist form. The new versions were both illustrated by SU alum Robbin Troy Armstrong who writes and illustrates the daily newspaper strip 'Jump Start'. Looking at the three I preferred the fierce one, would be content with the professional cartoony one and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the the toddler version would finally be killed. Guess what happened?

soupcan Mar 15 2006 03:30 PM

I just got this email from the university. Its nice, they want to make sure that alumni are all together watching when the team loses in the first round. ______________________________________________________________ This message is being sent to you from the Office of Alumni Relations at the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center, 401 University Place, Syracuse, NY 13244-3020 because of your affiliation with the Syracuse University Online Community at http://www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/SYR/. Watch Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament! As the Syracuse University basketball team prepares to face Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament this Thursday, March 16, many of our alumni clubs across the country will be hosting game watching parties to help cheer the Orange to victory! If you are in the Jacksonville area, The First Coast Alumni Club is pleased to welcome the Syracuse University Men's Basketball team to the city of Jacksonville. The Amsterdam Sky Cafe on 234 A. Philip Randolph will be the official home of Syracuse University fans far and wide. This spacious facility is located right next door to Jacksonville's Veterans Memorial Arena. Pre-game festivities will begin at 7:30 PM and will continue while SU does battle in the NCAA tournament. Post-game festivities will also be a part of the action. The alumni club will be distributing pom-poms and orange stickers. Free drinks will also be available to club members and fans alike. The Amsterdam Sky Cafe is filled with TVs so fans without tickets to the game will still be able to enjoy the action. The alumni club is also planning to host a send-off for the basketball team from the Hilton Riverfront hotel on Thursday evening (tentatively scheduled for 8:00 pm). For questions and further information, contact club president Jon Vredenburg at 904-881-0299 or JonWV@coj.net or events director Rick Persons at 904-728-6986. After SU wins on Thursday, the alumni club will be back at the Amsterdam Sky Café on Saturday. Time TBA. Make plans to join your fellow alumni to enjoy and watch the game together. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:40 PM EST and will be shown on CBS. Alumni Club of the Bay Area (San Francisco) Knuckles Sports Bar & Grill No Cost Across from the Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf (cross street is Taylor) Contact person: Megan Bolduc at applewatch2002@yahoo.com Alumni Club of Boston The Greater Boston SU Alumni Club (GBSUAC) will be holding tournament game watching events. Watch all of the SU NCAA tournament games with your fellow SU Alumni!! Where: GameOn! at 82 Lansdowne Street (across from Fenway), Boston We will have a separate section downstairs where they will be able to put the sound on for us! Contact Matt Woodward at matt@bostonorange.org or visit http://www.bostonorange.org/ for more info. And if you are in Rhode Island, SU fans should head over to McFadden's (Pine Street, Providence, RI). Contact for the RI game watching is Richard M. Bianculli Jr., Esq. ( vermont22us@yahoo.com) . Alumni Club of the Capital District Invites you to come cheer on the Orange with fellow SU alumni and students for MARCH MADNESS Jillian’s 59 North Pearl Street, Albany All are welcome. Wear your orange! You can join fellow Orange fans at the bar or reserve a table. To reserve a table, contact Jillian’s at 432-1997. Jillian’s is fully handicapped accessible. Visit www.AlbanyOrange.org or email: doningram@alum.syracuse.edu for more info. Alumni Club of Colorado Blake Street Tavern 24th and Blake, in lower downtown Denver Contact Bill Michaels at bmichaels@familyresourcecenters.info for more info. Alumni Club of Northern New Jersey We are going to designate The Sportz Bar in the Ramada Inn on Route 10 in East Hanover as the official SUNNJAC Home for NCAA Tournament game watching for as long as we continue to win. We had a great crowd on Saturday night for the Big East finals, so come out and join your follow SU alums as we root for The Orange! Contact Ira Berkowitz at 973-912-9101 or Ira@MonComInc.com for more info or visit http://www.northjerseyorange.org/ Alumni Club of Rochester We will be having a game watching party at the Baird Road Pub, 1226 Fairport Road, Fairport, NY 14450 (585) 641-0149. We are working with the owner to arrange some drink/food specials. No charge for Club Members or guests. Contact Marti St. George at MStGeorge@strongmuseum.org for more info. Alumni Club of San Diego You are invited to join the San Diego alumni club at: The home of Josh Visco '02 and Jen Iles '03 2763 Russmar Drive, San Diego Josh is providing pizza, some sort of veggie, beer and wine!!!! PLEASE RSVP by Thursday morning. E-mail Jeff at jlfarley31677@yahoo.com or call him at (619) 957-3888 to RSVP. Alumni Club of Seattle 6:30 pm at Jillian’s at South Lake Union. Please email ahoyte@wamail.net to RSVP. Directions: I-5 to Exit 167 toward Aquarium/Seattle Center, Turn right onto Fairview Ave N, Turn left onto Valley St, Turn slight right onto Westlake Ave N. Amy Hoyte, President SU Alumni Club of Seattle 253-820-9404 Alumni Club of Southern California If you're an alum in the Los Angeles area, the SUACSC invites you to watch the SU-Texas A&M game at: Barney's Beanery 1351 Third Street Promenade (between Santa Monica and Arizona) Santa Monica CA 310/656-5777 Parking is available in the city lots on 2nd and 4th Streets between Wilshire and Broadway. Admission is free and Barney's Beanery has a full bar and menu. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Stechschulte at sports@socalorange.org or DSafetyGuy@aol.com or visit http://www.socalorange.org/ Alumni Club of Washington, DC March Madness has arrived!!! And what a perfect way to come cheer our Syracuse Orange Basketball team after their HUGE ride through the Big East Championship!! Come join the DC Alumni Club for a special game watching event at Rhino Bar and Pumphouse to celebrate the road to hopefully another championship! This will be an all you can drink event for $20, which includes selected drafts and rail mixers. Food specials will include $.25 buffalo wings and $10 large pizzas. Doors will open for this event at 9:00 pm and the all you can drink promotion will go until 12:00 am. Please note that specials listed do not include gratuity. A portion of the cover charge will benefit our local scholarship fund. More game watching events to follow as the NCAA tournament continues. Rhino Bar and Pumphouse, located at 3295 M. St. NW. is metro accessible using the Rosslyn or Foggy Bottom stop and taking the Georgetown Shuttle to the Rhino front door. Contact Ian Weston at ipweston@hotmail.com or visit http://www.suindc.org/home.html for more info.

Rockin' Doc Mar 15 2006 07:09 PM

Elster - "University of Connecticut ---> shortened to UConn ---> sounds like Yukon ---> an animal from the Yukon is a husky." Thanks, I did not know that. I think Seawolf would better appreciate the Huskies' macot if he was named Spike or Killer. Elster - "What the hell is a blue devil anyway? Where I come from devils are red. Did hell really freeze over turning all devils blue?" Hey, back off the devil. You educated me about the UConn Husky, so I'll return the favor regarding the origin of the Blue Devils. The story of the Blue Devil.

Johnny Dickshot Mar 15 2006 07:21 PM

Aren't they the 'Fighting Insurance Salesmen'? --Norm Peterson on UConn's mascot

KC Mar 15 2006 07:32 PM

The printable output on Yahoo kinda stinks compared to CBSsportsline's. Unless it gets better tomorrow or it's because I'm not all Microsofted up.

mlbaseballtalk Mar 15 2006 08:46 PM

ALL HAIL THE FAIRFIELD STAGS!

SI Metman Mar 16 2006 02:48 AM

hope you guys don't mind. I stumbled in late, 10 hours before tipoff late. I'm the Binghamton Bearcats. I'm not sure how to change my set name since I already had these picks for other yahoo groups.

KC Mar 16 2006 10:02 AM

I got a nice printout on my work computer - thanks for setting this up.

Edgy DC Mar 16 2006 10:15 AM

I'm in, as Caspar the Jasper. I have no idea what I'm doing, but the Ohio State Buckeyes are my pick.

cooby Mar 16 2006 10:33 AM

Hey if Peanut can do it, you can. And his method of picking can't be beat

Elster88 Mar 16 2006 11:08 AM

One hour and twelve minutes until the first tip off. Get those brackets loaded.

Methead Mar 16 2006 11:20 AM

Last year, I felt good about my brackets. This year, not so much.

Elster88 Mar 16 2006 11:21 AM

Me too. Even the top teams can play shitty on any given day. For example, I doubt Duke wins a after the first round if Reddick doesn't score at least 20. Is it 1 'd' or 2 'd's'? _____________________________ First three games: (10) Seton Hall v. (7) Wichita St. 12:20 pm (11) UW - Milwaukee v. (6) Oklahoma 12:25 pm (13) Pacific v. (4) Boston College 12:40 pm

cooby Mar 16 2006 12:23 PM

Looks like the window has closed.

seawolf17 Mar 16 2006 12:27 PM

It's Redick. Good thing I snuck my changes in just before the window closes. Looking forward to finishing somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Elster88 Mar 16 2006 12:28 PM

Did I mention I love March Madness?

Elster88 Mar 16 2006 12:29 PM

My first upset special is UW-Milwaukee over Oklahoma. They currently have a 7-2 lead. In other words, expect Oklahoma to make the final four.

HahnSolo Mar 16 2006 02:47 PM

Nice start for the mid majors: Wichita St. over Seton Hall Wis.-Milwaukee over Oklahoma and Pacific going to OT against BC

Methead Mar 16 2006 02:53 PM

It probably goes without saying, but if BC goes down, a lot of brackets will be instant toast.

Elster88 Mar 16 2006 02:58 PM

Even as I was picking Seton Hall I was telling myself what a bad pick it was. I'm good for one of those every year too. Even though I have BC in the Sweet Sixteen I want them to lose.

Methead Mar 16 2006 03:06 PM

BC / Pacific going to double OT.

HahnSolo Mar 16 2006 03:06 PM

Craig Smith 2 free throws for BC, ties game with 4 secs left in OT. We go on to OT #2.

KC Mar 16 2006 03:18 PM

BC up by 11 with 29 secs left in 2OT - I feel like I just got pulled out that toaster (cranepool pool wise, at least).

HahnSolo Mar 16 2006 03:18 PM

Looks like BC is gonna pull this one out, up 12 (and cover the spread to boot).

SI Metman Mar 16 2006 03:23 PM

Watch the Winthrop-Tennessee game closely. I suspect another nailbiter close one.

Johnny Dickshot Mar 16 2006 03:29 PM

I had Pacific, mainly because in a work-related "pick 10 teams" challenge I got 'em and wanted to align my Cranepoling rooting interests with my take-money-from-my-co-workers rooting. Oklahoma also also killing me in that bracket, so find me near the bottom.

cooby Mar 16 2006 03:30 PM

When do they give us our points?

Elster88 Mar 16 2006 03:31 PM

A bomb-sniffing dog gave an alarm at a hot dog stand in the San Diego arena. They postponed the start of the game, but have since given the all clear and have allowed people into the arena.

Methead Mar 16 2006 03:45 PM

They update the points every night, cooby.

cooby Mar 16 2006 03:46 PM

Gotcha.

Methead Mar 16 2006 04:19 PM

Actually, cooby, it looks like they're already awarding points.

cooby Mar 16 2006 04:26 PM

lol, not too interesting so far... Except that the one on top (abogdan) is smiling

Elster88 Mar 16 2006 04:29 PM

Rough day for the Big East.

cooby Mar 16 2006 04:53 PM

Dang I don't think any of the next round will be over by 5

metsmarathon Mar 16 2006 07:41 PM

um... ahem... count me in... i've gotta pay more attention to these things, don't i?

Elster88 Mar 17 2006 09:11 AM

abogdan (Scramble) hops out to a lead with an impressive 14 picks in Day 1. KC, OlerudOwned (Generator), and Elster sitting pretty with 13. SI Metman (Binghamton), HahnSolo, and Nymr all have 12. A 7 way tie for 8th with 11. While exciting to be at the top of the standings, Day 1 means virtually nothing under the scoring system we're using. Day 1 in its entirety is worth the same as 2 Final Four teams.

Methead Mar 17 2006 09:29 AM

"Day 1 means virtually nothing" That's what I keep telling myself.

Edgy DC Mar 17 2006 09:41 AM

Yesterday mets.com featured various Mets picking the NCAA champions. Most went for somethihng like their home teams. Wright went with Duke, Wagner with NC. Today features St. Patrick's Day greetings. The actual words "Happy St. Patrick's Day came from Matsui --- said pretty well actually, presumeably filmed before he hurt himself yesterday.

abogdan Mar 17 2006 09:57 AM

I'm a college basketball genius, at least until 12:30 today.

Methead Mar 17 2006 03:06 PM

#14 Northwestern State knocks off #3 Iowa in the final seconds...

Edgy DC Mar 17 2006 03:10 PM

Bucknell? Huh?

Elster88 Mar 17 2006 03:11 PM

Well they were a nine seed. Not too much of a surprise.

Edgy DC Mar 17 2006 03:12 PM

They're a dental school!

cooby Mar 17 2006 03:14 PM

They are more than just a dental school...

Edgy DC Mar 17 2006 03:22 PM

Of course. I'm just funnin' and congratulations to them. Have they won any other NCAA games in recent history?

cooby Mar 17 2006 03:28 PM

Are you kidding? They're all over the news! :) (well, around here they are)

soupcan Mar 17 2006 03:38 PM

Edgy DC wrote: Of course. I'm just funnin' and congratulations to them. Have they won any other NCAA games in recent history? Beat Kansas last year. Pick up a newspaper.

apmorris Mar 17 2006 03:40 PM

20th out of 21. Not bad. Ranked 1,124,609 overall.

Rockin' Doc Mar 17 2006 07:23 PM

My bracket sucks. Maybe I should have taken more time filling it out. Of course, it probably wouldn't have mattered. How many people are in our bracket pool?

cooby Mar 17 2006 07:27 PM

There's 21 of us! Log into yahoo, here's the link http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/men/group/11845

Nymr83 Mar 17 2006 07:45 PM

UConn and Albany tied at 11 halfway throug the first! Uconn with 8 turnovers. be ashamed Elster.

Johnny Dickshot Mar 17 2006 08:43 PM

I guess I shouldnta had Marquette & Wisconnsin in the final 4. I bet I lose this thing.

SI Metman Mar 17 2006 08:46 PM

Albany up 7. I don't know whether to cheer because a team from my home conference is possibly 15 minutes away from the greatest upset in college hoops history, or cry because my champion would be eliminated.

Elster88 Mar 17 2006 09:29 PM

That was definitely NOT fun.

SI Metman Mar 17 2006 09:31 PM

Great game. I was hoping Albany would pull off a Vermont x 10000000, but it wasn't meant to be. Brackets everywhere breath a sigh of relief.

Edgy DC Mar 17 2006 09:38 PM

]Pick up a newspaper. Like I pretend to have a clue.

Nymr83 Mar 17 2006 10:47 PM

UConn unfortunately got their act together at the end, but this was definetaly a successful tournament debut for Albany.

soupcan Mar 17 2006 10:49 PM

Albany's got some ugly dudes on their team. Not that UConn's Josh Boone is Robert Redford either...

cooby Mar 19 2006 09:05 PM

Scramble for the Ball just ain't giving up that lead, is he?

SI Metman Mar 19 2006 11:35 PM

I'm surprised my bracket is doing this well.

Edgy DC Mar 20 2006 09:15 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 20 2006 09:38 AM

Hey, Edgy Clueless is proudly ahead of Dickshot and three folks who failed to fill out their brackets. Nice. Sadly, I still trail the bracket-picking Jack Russell Terriier. Standings Member List Rank Team Points 1 Scramble for the Ball 46 1 Binghamton Bearcats 46 3 Generator 44 3 HahnSolo 44 5 Centerfield 43 6 The Hot Corner 42 6 Methead 42 8 Elster88 41 9 kc.cranepool 40 9 Grumpy Old Man 40 9 soupcan 40 12 seawolf17 38 13 Nymr83 37 14 SteveJRogers 36 14 cooby 36 16 MiniWolf & Peanut 35 16 lowercase bandits 35 18 apmorris 33 18 Caspar the Jasper 33 20 Johnny Richardshot 23 21 Lundy 0 21 SwitchHitter 0 21 metirish 0

cooby Mar 20 2006 09:18 AM

Not to worry, Peanut picked Syracuse. He's a goner.

Johnny Dickshot Mar 20 2006 09:22 AM

I like that I'm not only in last place, but in last place by 10 points. I defy any of you to catch me.

metsmarathon Mar 21 2006 01:22 PM

well, despite being only about 12 points ahead of dickshot, i've still got a shot at the win. basically, i can win it all if BC beats Duke, and UConn loses their next game. otherwise, my best case scenario is losing to KC. any other scenario will yield utter failure, and humiliation.

Elster88 Mar 23 2006 11:18 AM

Tournament resumes today. Many college basketball "fans" were quick to call the Big East overrated after the teams went 0-3 on Day 1 (only one of which was really a surprise). People with their heads on striaght will notice that fully 1/4 of the remaining teams are from the Big East. Not including the traitor ass-hole pricks from Boston College. The much heralded ACC still has their king in the tournament, as well as the team they stole from the Big East, but all of the lackeys seem to have gotten lost on their way to the regional locations. (1) Duke vs. (4) LSU, 7:10 PM, 3/23 (1) Memphis vs. (13) Bradley, 7:27 PM, 3/23 (2) Texas vs. (6) West Virginia, 9:40 PM, 3/23 (2) UCLA vs. (3) Gonzaga, 9:57 PM, 3/23 (1) Villanova vs. (4) Boston College, 7:10 PM, 3/24 (7) Wichita St. vs. (11) George Mason, 7:27 PM, 3/24 (3) Florida vs. (7) Georgetown, 9:40 PM, 3/24 (1) Connecticut vs. (5) Washington, 9:57 PM, 3/23

Elster88 Mar 23 2006 11:26 AM Edited 3 time(s), most recently on Mar 23 2006 11:29 AM

UConn last matched up with the fake Huskies in 1998, also in the regional semifinals, the year before their first national title. Down 1 with 30 seconds to play, they set up the play for Khalid El-Amin to drive to the hoop and dish off to Jake Voskuhl if he drew a double team. Jake got a good look at the basket but the ball rimmed out. Numerous tips and put backs were missed, including one by Richard Hamilton, until the ball found its way back to Hamilton. He took a last shot from about the exact middle of the paint, fading away so much that his body was nearly parallel to the ground. The clock expired at about the same time he landed on his back, a moment before the ball went through, nothing but net. At the time, the most exciting finish to a UConn game since the 1990 NCAA Regional Semifinal against Clemson. A screening of the 1998 game will be shown at my house, right before the Villanova-BC game tomorrow. Beer and pizza (cheese only) will be served.

Elster88 Mar 23 2006 11:27 AM

Tournament resumes today. Many college basketball "fans" were quick to call the Big East overrated after the teams went 0-3 on Day 1 (only one of which was really a surprise). People with their heads on straight will notice that fully 1/4 of the remaining teams are from the Big East. Not including the traitor asshole pricks from Boston College. The much heralded ACC still has their king in the tournament, as well as the team they stole from the Big East, but all of the lackeys seem to have gotten lost on their way to the regional locations. (1) Duke vs. (4) LSU, 7:10 PM, 3/23 (1) Memphis vs. (13) Bradley, 7:27 PM, 3/23 (2) Texas vs. (6) West Virginia, 9:40 PM, 3/23 (2) UCLA vs. (3) Gonzaga, 9:57 PM, 3/23 (1) Villanova vs. (4) Boston College, 7:10 PM, 3/24 (7) Wichita St. vs. (11) George Mason, 7:27 PM, 3/24 (3) Florida vs. (7) Georgetown, 9:40 PM, 3/24 (1) Connecticut vs. (5) Washington, 9:57 PM, 3/23

HahnSolo Mar 23 2006 01:43 PM

Incidentally, if you don't have Direct TV and want to see the other games, you can get March Madness on Demand over the internet. I did it last week, and watched some of the first round on my computer screen with the game on the tv in the other room. It was cool. I could go to any of the games, except the one that's on TV in your local area Two negatives: 1) the first time I tried to get on, I waited on "line" for an hour to get my "seat". But every time thereafter, I got on right away. 2) The internet feed is on about a 30 second delay. So if a close game is going on, you might hear the final on TV before you see the end on the web. Anyway, if you're a college hoops junkie, and don't want to let CBS shove Duke down your throat again, I do recommend it: ncaasports.com/mmod

HahnSolo Mar 23 2006 09:50 PM

Duke Haters out there rejoice. For the 4th time in five years, the Blue Devils get bounced in the round of 16. LSU advances despite early and often foul trouble to Big Baby and Thomas. Their defense was awesome though, holding Redick to a Starks-like 3 for 19 shooting from the field LSU 62, Duke 54

Johnny Dickshot Mar 23 2006 10:10 PM

Yeah, I wasn't losing enough cash and dignity as it was.

Edgy DC Mar 23 2006 10:16 PM

Yeah, the Huskies are about the only team still out there earning points for me. Catching Peanut is looking like a pipe dream.

Rockin' Doc Mar 24 2006 12:40 AM

I can't wait for baseball to start! Duke never developed a reliable third scorer, which cost them greatly. Duke relied so heavily upon JJ Redick and Shelton Williams for their offense, that they could not afford for either of them to have a poor game. When either one of them had a bad game, it generally corresponded with a Duke loss. LSU did a great job of defending Redick. Even though Williams had a great game for Duke, there was no one to step in and fill the void offensively when Redick was struggling. This team was far too dependant upon it's two stars on offense. LSU played great and generally out hustled Duke, particularly down the stretch during the final 2 minutes. Their athleticism aned hustle was the difference in tonights game. In the wake of Dukes loss, West Virginia falls to Texas on a last second 3 point shot by Paulina. West Virginia fought valiantly, but in the end, you live by the three and you die by the three. Not a good night in the Rockin' Doc household.

Willets Point Mar 24 2006 12:41 AM

You switched your colors quick.

apmorris Mar 24 2006 01:08 AM

i could have the final four [texas, ucla (yeah!) , uconn, 'nova] and still be in 18th place.

Rockin' Doc Mar 24 2006 06:32 AM

WP - "You switched your colors quick." I'm still a true blue Duke fan, but with their ouster from the tournament and their season now complete, it is now time to focus on the rapidly approaching baseball season. As is my custom, I simply changed my avatar to reflect the changing seasons.

MFS62 Mar 24 2006 07:22 AM

Basketball fans of my generation who live in New York, or basketball historians, were happy to see Bradley eliminated. Later

soupcan Mar 24 2006 09:21 AM

="MFS62"]Basketball fans of my generation who live in New York, or basketball historians, were happy to see Bradley eliminated. Later Basketball fans born in the twentieth century however, have no idea what you are talking about.

HahnSolo Mar 24 2006 10:05 AM

]Duke never developed a reliable third scorer, which cost them greatly. I hate to echo Chris Russo, I really do. But how is it that Duke seems to recruit about 5 McDonald's All Americans every year, and they somehow never have any depth? ]Basketball fans of my generation who live in New York, or basketball historians, were happy to see Bradley eliminated. Wasn't Bradley the team that CCNY beat when they won it all in the 50s? Are you referring to that, or do you really just dislike Hersey Hawkins?

MFS62 Mar 24 2006 10:12 AM

]Basketball fans born in the twentieth century however, have no idea what you are talking about. tsk tsk. some folks show no respect for their elders. :) But since you asked- You may or may not know that at one time, the NCAA championships and the NIT were not played at the same time, and the NIT was the more prestigeous tourney. And the only team ever to win both titles in the same year was CCNY in 1950. (see links below) They beat Bradley, the top rated team in the country in both games. Both were played in Madison Square Garden. During one of the losses, the Bradley coach called a time out and was heard to yell at his players "I can't believe you are getting beat by a bunch of ........ (epithet for Jews) and .... (epithet for Blacks)". This caused such a furor that the Bradley team was banned from Madison Square Garden, and not invited back for many years. http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/ncaa/1950.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950_NCAA_Men's_Division_I_Basketball_Tournament As a graduate of CCNY, son of a CCNY graduate, and a member of one of those groups the coach insulted, you can understand why I still root against them and was glad they were eliminated. Later

Elster88 Mar 24 2006 10:12 AM

[u:77587924af]Shelden[/u:77587924af]

soupcan Mar 24 2006 10:42 AM

MFS62 wrote: As a graduate of CCNY, son of a CCNY graduate, and a member of one of those groups the coach insulted, you can understand why I still root against them and was glad they were eliminated. 56 years ago. If a Holocaust survivor has no problem buying a Mercedes I think you can forgive a long dead hoops coach for something he said a generation ago, no?

Edgy DC Mar 24 2006 10:48 AM

Or the current members of the University. Of course, CCNY entered deep into the Halls of Infamy just a year later.

MFS62 Mar 24 2006 11:09 AM

Just because you can forgive doesn't mean you can or should forget. I don't think a survivor would buy a Mercedes; maybe their children might. But it would be their personal decision. I'm not sure if that was a proper analogy. There's a big difference between verbal insults and the murder of millions. Maybe a better one is the animosity some NY residents still have toward the ball teams that moved from New York in 1958. Later

soupcan Mar 24 2006 12:54 PM

I didn't mean for this to take on a life of it's own but so be it.. MFS62 wrote: Just because you can forgive doesn't mean you can or should forget. Truer words were never written, however it didn't sound as if you've forgiven. ]I don't think a survivor would buy a Mercedes; maybe their children might. But it would be their personal decision. I know plenty of survivors - plenty - that tool around in German cars. Benz, Beemers, Audis, Volkswagens. I just find it very ironic, odd, perplexing. Whatever. I simply cannot rationalize that. ]I'm not sure if that was a proper analogy. There's a big difference between verbal insults and the murder of millions. Well, yeah you're right. My point is that if the survivors of a mass genocide can get past it to the point where they give tens of thousands of dollars to corporations that built themselves on the backs of their slaughtered brethren then maybe its not so difficult for someone to overlook a anti-Semetic comment made by a basketball coach half a century ago.

MFS62 Mar 24 2006 01:17 PM

I was originally pointing out that is exactly what Garden Management did for many years. As for my own rooting against them, I'd guess fans strongly root for and against certain teams for far less than that. It might be one game where the other team piled it on: it may be a team that once beat your team in a tourney; you might like a team because of their mascot or team colors. Each to his own likes and dislikes for their own reasons. ]I didn't mean for this to take on a life of it's own but so be it.. I agree with you, can we please get back to basketball? Later

Rockin' Doc Mar 24 2006 02:09 PM

Elster88 - "[u:a734aae368]Shelden[/u:a734aae368]" Sorry. I knew better, but it was late, I was a little depressed (though not overly surprised), and I was working on my second six pack of the evening. One of my good friends is named Shelton, so I guess it was a Freudian slip.

Johnny Dickshot Mar 24 2006 02:37 PM

When I saw that post I was reminded of the Court scene in Kentucky Fried Movie. LAWYER: Please state your name. WITNESS: (shakes hands out in front of him and concentrates momentarily...) Sheldon. LAWYER: What's this (imitating the hand shaking of the witess)? WITNESS: (singing) Happy birthday to you; happy birthday to you; happy birthday dear... (stops singing) ... Sheldon.

cooby Mar 24 2006 02:39 PM

I thought of the Rob Reiner episode on The Odd Couple

ScarletKnight41 Mar 24 2006 02:50 PM

Sheldn

cooby Mar 24 2006 02:52 PM

Yep! That's my favorite episode "How do you DO?"

ScarletKnight41 Mar 24 2006 02:52 PM

I strayed...I'm sorry...

Elster88 Mar 24 2006 09:27 PM

HUSKIES

Elster88 Mar 24 2006 09:55 PM

See you all in 2 hours.

Rockin' Doc Mar 24 2006 11:59 PM

With the way they are calling fouls in this game, I don't think Washington dressed out enough players. George Mason continues their surprising run through the brackets. Villanova sends Dudley and Boston College home with a one point win in overtime.

KC Mar 25 2006 06:47 AM

Well, I had BC in the cranepool challenge so I'm cooked. Still doing well in two pay pools though with Memphis winning it all. I gotta figure out a way to get Connecticut to go home early. I hate Connecticut, it's always in the way of something.

cooby Mar 25 2006 08:52 AM

Finally I got that dog and baby off my head!

Elster88 Mar 25 2006 10:02 AM

Rockin' Doc wrote: With the way they are calling fouls in this game, I don't think Washington dressed out enough players. If they felt that the only way they could stop UConn from scoring was by fouling the hell out of them, then they should've dressed more players.

Rockin' Doc Mar 25 2006 10:31 AM

The Huskies (both teams) provided us with another great game last night. Both teams played hard and fought to the very end. UConn made some clutch shots when it was do or die during the final moments in regulation. UConn continues to show that they are the most talent laden team in the country. I picked them as the favorites to win the NCAA title at the start of the season and have always maintained that they are the best team in college basketball this season. They are not unbeatable, but the certainly are the toughest team to defeat, at least in my estimation. I guess what I find odd is that when Duke wins it has become fashionable to write that they did so because of some hidden conspiracy amongst the officials to ensure that Duke “gets all the calls”. When Duke defeated Boston College in a hard fought game on the road, BC coach Al Skinner and much of the media claimed it was all due to the officiating and pointed to Dukes 37 free throw attempts to 13 by BC. Of course, nothing was said the following week when Boston College beat Wake Forest by 6 while shooting 50 free throws to only 17 for Wake Forest. When Duke later lost by 5 points at Florida State, no mention of the fact was made that the Seminoles attempted 40 free throws to only 17 for Duke. Even in their season ending loss to LSU, a team that simply outplayed and out-hustled Duke for most of the game, there were articles in the national media that Duke didn’t get all the calls and that was what did them in. Such articles are an insult to the outstanding effort and accomplishment of the LSU team which earned their victory over Duke. I understand that UConn draws a large number of fouls because they are a big, physical team that battles on the boards at both ends and makes strong moves to the basket when they get the ball. Such teams will inevitably draw a large number of fouls. They generally are leading down the stretch, which entices their opponents to foul in hopes of extending the game. I find it interesting however, that none of the talking heads in the media or writers around the country are complaining about the officiating and stating that UConn won "because it gets all the calls". Particularly after UConn shot 47 free throws versus 23 for Washington and 5 Washington players (4 starters) fouled out while all of the UConn players made it through with their eligibility intact to the completion of the game. I in no way mean to detract from last nights fine victory by the UConn Huskies. They made the tough shots down the stretch and elevated their play when the game was on the line. Rashad Anderson’s three in the waning seconds of regulation and his team’s season lying in the balance was tremendous. I just find what I perceive to be a double standard amongst the media, to be both maddening and unfounded. I will climb down from my soapbox now. Congratulations to UConn on the continuation of their fine season and thanks to both teams of Huskies for such a wonderful game last night.

metsmarathon Mar 25 2006 10:32 AM

well... at least i beat dickshot...

apmorris Mar 25 2006 09:45 PM

I thought uconn looked scarily bad. I have them winning it all so I got spooked until texas - hey thanks, you suck - lost (I blame only myself). and I thought UCLA was the weak link for me not winding up with all four of the final four. now, without a dog in the fight, I'd like to see ULCA pull it off.

Edgy DC Mar 25 2006 10:14 PM

1 Binghamton Bearcats 66 2 Methead 62 3 HahnSolo 60 4 Centerfield 59 5 Scramble for the Ball 58 6 Elster88 57 7 kc.cranepool 56 7 Grumpy Old Man 56 9 soupcan 52 9 Generator 52 11 seawolf17 50 11 The Hot Corner 50 13 apmorris 49 14 Nymr83 45 15 cooby 44 15 SteveJRogers 44 17 MiniWolf & Peanut 43 18 Caspar the Jasper 37 19 lowercase bandits 35 20 Johnny Richardshot 27 21 SwitchHitter 0 21 Lundy 0 21 metirish 0

mlbaseballtalk Mar 25 2006 10:54 PM

Hmmm. At least I'm doing better than a doggie and a kid who is barely a month old!

Frayed Knot Mar 26 2006 10:52 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 26 2006 11:10 AM

Texas misses out on the chance to pull off the single-year NCAA football-baseball-basketball trifecta. Don't think they're progressing towards the hockey "Frozen Four" though.

HahnSolo Mar 26 2006 11:02 AM

]I find it interesting however, that none of the talking heads in the media or writers around the country are complaining about the officiating and stating that UConn won "because it gets all the calls". Jason Whitlock on the Sports Reporters this morning said that if UConn wants to win the national championship that they'd better bring along the three officials who did Friday night's game. ]there were articles in the national media that Duke didn’t get all the calls and that was what did them in. I didn't see any of those articles, but I will point out that both Big Baby and Thomas were in foul trouble for a lot of the game. One of the fouls on Big Baby was a typical Duke Flop (TM) by Melchionni that was a terrible call. So anyone who wrote that Duke didn't get calls was not watching the game I saw.

Rockin' Doc Mar 26 2006 01:44 PM

HahnSolo - "Jason Whitlock on the Sports Reporters this morning said that if UConn wants to win the national championship that they'd better bring along the three officials who did Friday night's game." Well, I don't believe that UConn won because of the officiating anymore than I believe that Duke owes it's victories to fortuitous officiating. Jason Whitlock is dead wrong, but I do find it refreshing to at least see some one other than Duke accused of winning because of preferential officiating. It's a stupid accusation to make, no matter to whom the charge is associated. HahnSolo - "I didn't see any of those articles, but I will point out that both Big Baby and Thomas were in foul trouble for a lot of the game. One of the fouls on Big Baby was a typical Duke Flop (TM) by Melchionni that was a terrible call. So anyone who wrote that Duke didn't get calls was not watching the game I saw." Thomas and "Big Baby" did get in early foul trouble in the first half. To LSU's credit, their bench, particularly Lazare did a great job in their stead. It was however, 2 Duke starters that ultimately fouled out and Shelden Williams finished with 4 fouls. The officiating was not a factor in the game, the outstanding defensive play of the LSU team, particularly Temple on Redick and Thomas on anyone near the basket that won the game for the Tigers. The article I saw stating that Duke didn't get all the calls was out of Louisiana of all places. I think it would have been a better tribute to the LSU team to simply say that they outplayed and outhustled Duke. He does get around to doing so, but his headline detracts from the LSU victory.

Frayed Knot Mar 26 2006 04:33 PM

Listening to talk radio Sat morning, I heard several UConn fans - who I find generally to be very apologetic for their team - call up and say; 'man we got the benefit of a lot of calls last night'

KC Mar 26 2006 04:44 PM

HOLY CRAP!

KC Mar 26 2006 04:49 PM

I DOUBLE THAT!

OlerudOwned Mar 26 2006 05:59 PM

Yeah, so that George Mason team seems pretty good.

Rockin' Doc Mar 26 2006 10:23 PM

On the Monday after the 65 team field and pairings were announced, I recall the experts on ESPN talking about who had been snubbed by the selection committee. The general concensus of the ESPN analysts was that Air Force and George Mason were two teams that had no business getting at large bids. They felt that mid-level teams in the major conferences, such as Cincinnati and Maryland were far more deserving of inclusion. I also recall that most believed that Memphis would be the first of the #1 seeds to fall. It was expected that if all went to form, Duke and UConn would meet for the national title. Of course, the NCAA tournament almost never goes as expected. I guess that's why it's called March Madness.

Johnny Dickshot Mar 26 2006 10:36 PM

Mike and the Dog spent a good incredulous hour at George's selection.

MFS62 Mar 27 2006 06:13 AM

They are experts at revisionist history. Mike will no doubt try to tell us George was his original "dark horse" to win it all. Later

Elster88 Mar 27 2006 09:09 AM

My heart is broken. The only team I love nearly as much as UConn is the Mets. I won't be able to discuss college ball for at least two weeks, and with the Met season upcoming I'm sure no one on this site will be caring much by then. Although a disappointing end to the season. it was a heck of a ride. Another video tape to be saved from Friday. And at least there's nothing to blame yesterday on. UConn didn't play badly, George Mason just played unbelievably well. UConn committed only one turnover the entire second half, and not only did George Mason came back from a 9 point halftime deficit, but they should've won it there (if not for a missed foul shot by an 81% shooter to enable the game tying shot to force OT.) UConn missed all kinds of good looks in the second half, and Mason hit all kinds of tough shots. That's why they won. They outshot them in the second half, and went 5-6 from the floor in the OT. And also because their inside men just abused our future professionals. That's how it goes in college basketball. I think UConn wins a 10 game series between these two teams. Maybe not 9-1, but at least 7-3. But that's not how the tournament is played. As a UConn fan, I've been on both sides of it. But oh god damn yesterday hurts. Sports shouldn't mean this much. See you all in a week for Opening Day.

Edgy DC Mar 27 2006 09:11 AM

I'll root for them. I like George Mason, the patriot, so why not the University?

Frayed Knot Mar 27 2006 09:36 AM

M&MD's main objection to George Mason wasn't necc that they got in but that they got in at the expense of local fave Hofstra who were in the same division and beat GM twice in the final 10 days of the season. The Packer/Nantz/network axis objection to them was more along the lines of a pro-big conference slant that takes the view that, aside from the automatic conf winner, no at-large bids should be granted to these smaller "mid-majors" because the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and often even the 7th, 8th & 9th place teams from the big boy conferences (ACC/Big East/Big 10/PAC 10) are far superior to even the runner-ups from the smaller ones. That's the view that's taking a hit this week.

soupcan Mar 27 2006 09:41 AM

Elster88 wrote: My heart is broken. The only team I love nearly as much as UConn is the Mets. I won't be able to discuss college ball for at least two weeks, and with the Met season upcoming I'm sure no one on this site will be caring much by then. Although a disappointing end to the season. it was a heck of a ride. Another video tape to be saved from Friday. And at least there's nothing to blame yesterday on. UConn didn't play badly, George Mason just played unbelievably well. UConn committed only one turnover the entire second half, and not only did George Mason came back from a 9 point halftime deficit, but they should've won it there (if not for a missed foul shot by an 81% shooter to enable the game tying shot to force OT.) UConn missed all kinds of good looks in the second half, and Mason hit all kinds of tough shots. That's why they won. They outshot them in the second half, and went 5-6 from the floor in the OT. And also because their inside men just abused our future professionals. That's how it goes in college basketball. I think UConn wins a 10 game series between these two teams. Maybe not 9-1, but at least 7-3. But that's not how the tournament is played. As a UConn fan, I've been on both sides of it. But oh god damn yesterday hurts. Sports shouldn't mean this much. See you all in a week for Opening Day. I'm watching the UConn - GMU game with my father-in-law who has lived in the Waterbury/Middlebury area of Connecticut for the past 60 some odd years of his life and my brother-in-law who grew up in the area and is still a Connecticut resident (as am I).. My brother-in-law cannot understand why both my father-in-law and I are rooting for UConn to lose. 'You live in Connecticut, you're a Big East fan, why do you want them to lose? My father-in-law hates the perceived arrogance of Calhoun. I'm a Syracuse alum, I've been rooting against UConn for at least the past 20 years. In addition to that, since I've been living in Connecticut I have to deal with all of these gonads who think that UConn basketball is the be-all and end-all of college hoops. Hello? Ever heard of Kentucky? UCLA ring a bell? UConn has been a basketball power for 10 years. NOT the past 50 or 60 as most of their fans seem to think. Hey UConn fans - THIS is what college hoops is all about - taking your lumps. You don't just get to roll the ball on the court and win the title every year.

Edgy DC Mar 27 2006 09:46 AM

My team Manhattan a few years back kicked ass all season but stumbled in the post-season tournament. The Packer Axis went nuts when they got an invitation anyway, and they proceeded to win in a 12th seed-fith seed (maybe 13th-4th) matchup. Go GMU, I guess.

Frayed Knot Mar 27 2006 10:17 AM

Part of the problem (for those buying into the anti-small conf conspiracy) is that those propping up the big boys have built up a kind of self-fufilling system to continue doing so. On those rare occasions that a small conf at-large team is let in they're usually given a low (12-14) seed and thus forced to face one of the top 20 teams in the country right off the bat which hands the in-crowd the excuse of pointing to the almost-assured poor record of mid-maj invitees as justification for future [u:6294ef5947]UN[/u:6294ef5947]-vitations as the Seinfeld crowd would call them. Meanwhile, those major conf teams who just sneak in under the wire are rarely given anything below the 8 or 9 slot.

Elster88 Mar 27 2006 10:52 AM

soupcan wrote: ="Elster88"]My heart is broken. The only team I love nearly as much as UConn is the Mets. I won't be able to discuss college ball for at least two weeks, and with the Met season upcoming I'm sure no one on this site will be caring much by then. Although a disappointing end to the season. it was a heck of a ride. Another video tape to be saved from Friday. And at least there's nothing to blame yesterday on. UConn didn't play badly, George Mason just played unbelievably well. UConn committed only one turnover the entire second half, and not only did George Mason came back from a 9 point halftime deficit, but they should've won it there (if not for a missed foul shot by an 81% shooter to enable the game tying shot to force OT.) UConn missed all kinds of good looks in the second half, and Mason hit all kinds of tough shots. That's why they won. They outshot them in the second half, and went 5-6 from the floor in the OT. And also because their inside men just abused our future professionals. That's how it goes in college basketball. I think UConn wins a 10 game series between these two teams. Maybe not 9-1, but at least 7-3. But that's not how the tournament is played. As a UConn fan, I've been on both sides of it. But oh god damn yesterday hurts. Sports shouldn't mean this much. See you all in a week for Opening Day. I'm watching the UConn - GMU game with my father-in-law who has lived in the Waterbury/Middlebury area of Connecticut for the past 60 some odd years of his life and my brother-in-law who grew up in the area and is still a Connecticut resident (as am I).. My brother-in-law cannot understand why both my father-in-law and I are rooting for UConn to lose. 'You live in Connecticut, you're a Big East fan, why do you want them to lose? My father-in-law hates the perceived arrogance of Calhoun. I'm a Syracuse alum, I've been rooting against UConn for at least the past 20 years. In addition to that, since I've been living in Connecticut I have to deal with all of these gonads who think that UConn basketball is the be-all and end-all of college hoops. Hello? Ever heard of Kentucky? UCLA ring a bell? UConn has been a basketball power for 10 years. NOT the past 50 or 60 as most of their fans seem to think. Hey UConn fans - THIS is what college hoops is all about - taking your lumps. You don't just get to roll the ball on the court and win the title every year. I don't know what else to say but STFU. I don't think UConn is the end all and be all of sports, and I realize there are tons of schools with more storied traditions. If your father-in-law had REALLY been paying attention to sports in CT for the past 60 years, he would know that all UConn fans remember when UConn sports sucked in general. We're just enjoying this ride that Calhoun has provided. No one thinks UConn is the end-all and be-all. And none of us need an arrogant asshole to explain to us about "this is how college basketball works". We've had to endure the pain of a ton of heartbreaking losses all through the 90s (and before that we never were expecting to win more than 10 games a season), so your retarded line about "expecting to roll the ball on the court and win" is a complete load of crap. All we're doing is lamenting the heartbreaking loss of a team that was expected to win. By everyone. No one was expecting to "roll the ball on the court and win" (holy shit I can't believe you posted that fucking line). We've all been through enough shit to understand that anyone can beat anyone in the tourney. Just because you've met some asshole fans don't paint us all with one brush. (And some asshole freshman who just now became a "long-life" UConn fan isn't a good representative of our long-time, true fan base.) Oh and a notice to your father-in-law and whoever the fuck else, Calhoun is one of the least arrogant coaches in the world. I begin to feel for Duke fans and Coach K, as soon as you become a force in sports, everyone wants to hate and perceive arrogance and snobbishness where there is none. Your post makes you sound exactly like Chris Russo did yesterday. Congratulations. Note for the future, don't come with this high-handed bullshit the day after a heartbreaking loss. Unless you're looking to just be a prick when emotions are running high.

soupcan Mar 27 2006 11:06 AM

Yowzer. You're right. I shouldn't paint you all with one brush. I gotta tell you though that the vast majority of people that I interact with who are UConn fans are not alumni and only started to become aware of UConn hoops in the mid-90's when they got very good. Before that - nothing. It doesn't irk you to see all these bandwagon jumpers? That kind of shit drives me nuts and its THOSE folks who know little to nothing about college hoops that can't understand how it is at all possible that their powerhouse team could ever lose 1 game let alone to a mid-major like George Mason. I should've been a bit more sensitive to your tender wounds before posting but c'mon - Husky fans are way past deserving of sympathy for your heartbreaking losses all through the 90's. You've got two National Championships. How about sucking this one up? Before you start getting to lovey-dovey about Calhoun lets talk about his 'if I had a gun I'd kill him' line about the reporter who dares to write unflattering things about the coach.

Elster88 Mar 27 2006 11:15 AM

Shit. I can't believe how much I ranted. That'll be a lesson to me not to post the day after. I'm sorry about that. You're right about bandwagon jumpers. I can't stand them at all. I just try to pretend they don't exist and then get overly self-righteous when someone else notices them (as is obvious in the post above). What I remind myself when I get pissed at bandwagoners is twofold 1) that UConn had a long-suffering fan base before they got good, and that is the core of the fans even today 2) every team that gets national acclaim is going to attract the bandwagon leeches. As far as Calhoun and the writer for the Courant, I think there's more to the story than is generally known. As I understand it, Calhoun and the other guy have had a long standing feud that is mostly the result of this one writer being a dick. I forgive Calhoun because no one else has had a problem with him and the "kill him" line is probably just the result of an Irish temper in a heated moment. You're right though, I do have overly loving feelings b/c he basically revitalized the entire university. If not for him, the school will not have the notice it does today, all of the construction they did would not have been affordable, the football team wouldn't have been able to recruit and would still suck, etc. Sorry I jumped down you're throat. I need more sleep.

Elster88 Mar 27 2006 11:17 AM

soupcan wrote: but c'mon - Husky fans are way past deserving of sympathy for your heartbreaking losses all through the 90's. You've got two National Championships. How about sucking this one up? Not looking for sympathy. Just expressing the pain. The wins of yesterday never make it easy to deal with today's losses. Especially when 8 of the top 9 players are heading out the door, and it might be a while before you contend for even a Big East title again.

Rockin' Doc Mar 27 2006 02:11 PM

Elster, I understand your pain. I think most fans that are passionate about a team can understand the pain and disappointment of defeat. Hell, I took a double hit on Thursday night, when both Duke and WVU fell in the same night. I had hoped for, and to some extent dreaded, a Duke WVU matchup in the Elite 8. At least there is the Duke vs. UConn matchup in the womens NCAA tournament tomorrow night. Should be a hell of a game.

Frayed Knot Mar 27 2006 02:39 PM

A few views on UCONN from a totally dispassionate observer of college hoops: - I think UCONN is a particularly likely taget for the kind of bandwagon jumping from non-alums that goes on all over college sports because it's the one team (two including the women's) that Nutmeg State residents can call their own. Hartford/Storrs sits almost exactly at the midway point between the massive media markets of NYC & Boston and the hoops squads there are the only ones they can latch onto without having to be "borrowed" from one of their neighbors. And non-alums who have no real connection to the school to begin with are precisely the type who tend to drop in or out of fandom depending on the currect state of the team. - I'm not sure that Calhoun is any more or less obnoxious than any other college coach (who, let's face it, are virtual dictators on their own turf) it's just that no one wants to hear whining from someone who wins all the time. He moaned at least once over the weekend (prior to the game) about the unfairness of being stuck with "an away game" because DC is in GM's backyard. C'mon Jim!

Elster88 Mar 27 2006 02:53 PM

A common misconception. Calhoun was in the interview, and was talking about the game, and he simply said "I'm looking forward to an away game". It was a lighthearted, off-the-cuff remark. It was intended as and taken as a joke by the media, who all laughed. Calhoun said it to acknowledge that almost everyone there, both the locals who got tickets, and the people who wanted to see a #11 seed make the Final Four, would be rooting against UConn. It was in no way a complaint, merely a statement of fact. Of course some idiot called the FAN yesterday and said that Calhoun was complaining, which Russo (who hadn't heard the interview) believed and immediately started perpetuating as fact for the rest of his show. I'm sure the "complaint" is being spread around the internet as well.

Willets Point Mar 27 2006 06:05 PM

I don't really care for college basketball much but do have a soft spot for the Connecticut basketball teams because I'm grew up in Connecticut when the state had nothing to root for. Also, I still live in New England a region not known for collegiate athletic success so again Connecticut brings good attention to the region. All that said, I'm rooting for UCLA to win the semifinal now because then I will have won both the Yahoo! pick 'em contests I'm entered in and I can lord it over the folks who actually watch college basketball.

Elster88 Mar 31 2006 09:07 AM

Fake Chicago university scored Final Four tickets By Frank Mathie March 28, 2006 - It's almost impossible to get tickets to college basketball's Final Four tournament. Many years ago some creative people in Chicago found a way to get tickets by creating their own phantom school. It was called Maguire University. Kelly's Pub on Webster has been headquarters for DePaul fans since the early 1930's, but every year at this time there is a change of allegiance. Kelly's Pub is suddenly transformed into Maguire University, founded in 1963. Some of the students even have class rings. "Maguire University started basically with a bunch of high school coaches on the West Side who used to hang out in a place called Maguire's Pub in Forest Park," said John Kelly, dean of Maguire University Fun and Frolic. Those coaches created Maguire University, a fake college, so they could get tickets to the Final Four each year. The NCAA fell for the scam and Maguire U was an official school. "We got away with our ticket allotment for two years and then Bill Jauss broke a story in the Chicago Tribune about it, and from then on the NCAA didn't take too much of a liking to it," Kelly said. Maguire U then had to acquire their own tickets, and they moved to their new administration building at Kelly's Pub, and for 44 straight Final Fours they have partied at the Big Dance. But the students there still like to laugh about the times Division I teams tried to set up games with little Maguire. "Yes, the Air Force Academy," said Art Duffy, career student at Maguire University. "They called and asked for a game." Of course they couldn't. They didn't really exist, but it sure is a great college to attend -- for life. Lyle Sammons is majoring in Final Four festivities What does Maguire University do for him? "Nothing." But what about that "Final Five" title? They say they are always the fifth team at the Final Four.

MFS62 Mar 31 2006 09:23 AM

Now why didn't we think of that? Later

Methead Mar 31 2006 09:27 AM

That's so great.

Willets Point Apr 02 2006 12:43 AM

KC & I are your co-champions proving that we have the skills and knowledge in predicting college basketball. Or in my case at least that random picking can lead to success as easily as close basketball observation.

KC Apr 04 2006 10:26 AM

Hey, cool - I sorta stopped following the pools because was kinda in position to be close with no cigars in any of them. I have an 87 Mets media guide with your name on it if you send me an address. Thanks for setting this up Elster.

MFS62 Apr 05 2006 10:34 AM

Congrats to the Lady Terrapins of Maryland for winning the Women's title. It makes it extra special that they beat Duke. And as for UCLA in the finals - Gotta' give those guys credit - they even tried a last-minute "Gipper" thing with Wooden going into the hospital. Cheap trick. It was announced as "non-life threatening". So why did he have to go in the day of the game? Serves 'em right. Later

Rockin' Doc Apr 05 2006 07:27 PM

Elster - "Congrats to the Lady Terrapins of Maryland for winning the Women's title." It was a great game, far better than any of the men's Final Four games. Maryland went on a tear over the final 10 minutes and hit virtually every shot they took. Duke had a great season, but just came up short to a team that peaked at the right time in the season. Maryland should be the team to beat next season since their starting five included 2 freshman, 2 sophomores, and a junior. Elster - "It makes it extra special that they beat Duke." Come on, you know you're just sore because Duke sent the UConn ladies home in the regional finals game. At least it was a short drive for them since the game was in Bridgeport.

Elster88 Apr 05 2006 08:26 PM

That was 62's post.

MFS62 Apr 05 2006 09:10 PM

Thanks, 88. Doc. One of my daughters was a Maryland Terp. My feelings about beating Duke came way before I was interested in any Duke/ UCONN game. Later

Rockin' Doc Apr 06 2006 07:21 AM

Elster - "That was 62's post." Damn, now I look even more stupid than usual! I guess I need to get my eyes checked and then sign up for a reading comprehension course. My apologies Elster.

Elster88 Apr 06 2006 09:21 AM

No worries.

Edgy DC Apr 06 2006 04:43 PM

That Duke Lacrosse scandal just gets uglier and uglier, huh?