College Hoops 2/27/2006 - 03/12/2006

[SilverPhoenix 0]

http://www.newsobserver.com/content/multim...oachkommercial/ - I leave you all with this.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

The ESPN hype for Duke/UNC was nauseating.

I thought it was great. Duke/UNC basketball is without question one of the best rivalries in college sports, and I really dug the above-the-court feed they had on ESPN2. Really fun to watch, and the game paid off too.

 

I just wish I got ESPN Classic so I could watch the 2OT game from 1995. That's one of the best ever.

[Guest]

Nova locks up their 1 seed and I feel terrible for Gerry McNamara.

[2GOLD 0]

Florida State and Miami are two teams that could have and should have been so much better but they just weren't. I just don't understand either damn team.

 

FSU wins 67-64, grabbing fifth in the ACC and more than 85% likely punching their dance card.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

Time for some more previews. I know I missed the Big South and OVC games, but I had to leave my house at 5:30 AM yesterday. I should catch the rest.

 

First the Missouri Valley.

 

 

Dates: March 2nd - 5th

Location: St Louis, Missouri (Savvis Center)

TV: CBS @ 2PM

 

Teams

 

#2 Seed Vs. #5 Seed

 

Roads to the Championship

 

#2 Southern Illinois Salukis (21-10 (12-6) RPI: 39 SOS:63)

Def #7 Evansville 71 - 55

Def #6 Nothern Iowa 55 - 46

 

#5 Bradley (20-9 (11-7) RPI: 28 SOS: 58)

Def #4 Creighton 54 - 47

Def #1 Witchta State 60 - 52

 

What is on the line?

A lot is on the line besides a Conference Championship. Alot is on the line for a conference. The Valley has had a trememdous year. One of the best since the Louisville/Memphis State/Cinicnatti days. With 6 Teams between 21 - 41 in the RPI. There is talk of the Valley getting 6 Bids which is a record for any Major, Mid Major and Small Conference. However there is alot of talk that the Big 6 Conferences will still take most of the bids. In a year where the Valley has made its case in a good fashion. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

 

Past Tournament Champions

 

1977 Southern Illinois

1978 Creighton

1979 Indiana State

1980 Bradley

1981 Creighton

1982 Tulsa

1983 Illinois State

1984 Tulsa

1985 Wichita State

1986 Tulsa

1987 Wichita State

1988 Bradley

1989 Creighton

1990 Illinois State

1991 Creighton

1992 Missouri State

1993 Southern Illinois

1994 Southern Illinois

1995 Southern Illinois

1996 Tulsa

1997 Illinois State

1998 Illinois State

1999 Creighton

2000 Creighton

2001 Indiana State

2002 Creighton

2003 Creighton

2004 Northern Iowa

2005 Creighton

[Guest Princess Leena]

I think Syracuse is out now... that DePaul drubbing is probably enough to kill their chances. Under .500 in conference play, and a cupcake non-conference should do them in.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

I think Syracuse is out now... that DePaul drubbing is probably enough to kill their chances. Under .500 in conference play, and a cupcake non-conference should do them in.

 

Agreed. I may be a Syracuse fan, but this team that is too young, too inexperienced and too dickless. I feel bad for Gerry, but the NIT would do wonders for this team.

[naiwf 0]

Krzyzewski deserves some of the blame for Duke's troubles as well. He's been playing with pretty much a 7-man rotation this year and they're really starting to wear down.

 

Coach K has done this almost every year I can remember. I forget who said it (maybe Kornheiser or Wilbon) but they mentioned that they don't understand how Duke gets all of these McDonals's All Americans to go there and then they play about 7 or 8 guys all year and burn out the starters about this time every year. When you have Hill, Hurley and Laettner it's one thing, but when it's a fading JJ Redick, a stupid foul trouble prone Shelden Williams and three jabronis it's not gonna work. Paulus has got to be the worst starting point guard I've ever seen on a # 1 team in America. He can't shoot, play D or pass very well and yet there he is. I think Duke will be lucky to stay out of double digit losses next season if they play a decent schedule since no one who will be there can shoot and the coach will once again burn up the starters in the first half of the season.

[cabbageboy 0]

Man oh man, did that Bradley/SIU game suck ass or what? The MVC finally gets a shot on national TV and this is the game we get? My brief Bradley markdom is over now after seeing the shitfest they put on today, including 2 intentional fouls and not scoring the first 9 minutes of the 2nd half.

 

Honestly I think this game might hurt the MVC. I don't think either of those teams looked like a tourney team. I mean hell if you watch Murray St. in the OVC yesterday at least they LOOKED like a team that is credible enough to make the tourney out of a jobber league.

 

Thing is, which of those 6 MVC teams doesn't get in? SIU is auto now, I'm thinking Bradley is likely in even after today's fiasco (31 RPI and conf. tourney finals should get em in), Wichita St. is likely in after winning the reg. season title. Missouri St. is like 18-20 in RPI so they are flat out safe regardless. N. Iowa has some really solid wins over LSU, Iowa, Bucknell and a top 30 RPI to boot, so I think they are in. That leaves poor Creighton at 19-9. I think it'll be hard for a midmajor to get in with less than 20 wins. Their RPI is also middling at 36 I think, which in theory should be enough to get a team in but is also outside of the magic "RPI Top 32" (no one has ever been left out of the tourney with an RPI of 32 or better).

 

Let's face it, the committee will be looking to toss out MVC teams if at all possible, and Creighton is the easiest to toss.

[Guest Princess Leena]

I think Bradley is out. 10 losses with that schedule, and they don't have the very high RPI to help them.

 

I'd leave Missouri St. out... but, they're going to be in because they finished the season strong (a stat I find completely useless), and they have the very high RPI, which I don't understand why they have. Although, Hofstra has an RPI of 22, and they're almost certainly not getting an at-large, so who knows. Plus, they're a team that just doesn't impress me. Outside of Ahern, they're very average and whatever tournament team they play is going to crush them inside.

 

That likely leaves Creighton as the odd team out.

[cabbageboy 0]

Bradley is still in I think. They were utterly horrible today but the RPI is still 31 I think and no one that high has ever been left out. I'm with you on Missouri St....what the hell have they done to warrant an RPI of 18?

 

Lemme check on Hofstra...on teamrankings.com it had Hofstra at #43, so that is a dubious RPI out of a crap league.

 

My bad, that was the power rankings. In the RPI on there Hofstra actually IS 22. Thus I think they would get in.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

So-Con time. It's late, but screw it.

 

 

Dates: March 2nd - 5th

Location: Charelston,SC at the North Charleston Coliseum

TV: ESPN 2 @ 2PM

 

Teams

 

#3 Seed Vs. #5 Seed

 

Roads to the Championship

 

#3 Davidson Wildcats (17-10 (10-6) 101 RPI 166 SOS)

 

Def #11 The Citadel 79-73

Def #2 Elon 65-58

 

#5 Chattanooga Mocs (18-12 (8-6) 172 RPI 204 RPI)

Def #4 College of Chareleston 65-63

Def #8 Applachian State 78-75

 

Past Tournament Champions

1921 Kentucky

1922 North Carolina

1923 Mississippi State

1924 North Carolina

1925 North Carolina

1926 North Carolina

1927 Vanderbilt

1928 Mississippi

1929 North Carolina State

1930 Alabama

1931 Maryland

1932 Georgia

1933 South Carolina

1934 Washington & Lee

1935 North Carolina

1936 North Carolina

1937 Washington & Lee

1938 Duke

1939 Clemson

1940 North Carolina

1941 Duke

1942 Duke

1943 George Washington

1944 Duke

1945 North Carolina

1946 Duke

1947 North Carolina State

1948 North Carolina State

1949 North Carolina State

1950 North Carolina State

1951 North Carolina State

1952 North Carolina State

1953 Wake Forest

1954 George Washington

1955 West Virginia

1956 West Virginia

1957 West Virginia

1958 West Virginia

1959 West Virginia

1960 West Virginia

1961 George Washington

1962 West Virginia

1963 West Virginia

1964 VMI

1965 West Virginia

1966 Davidson

1967 West Virginia

1968 Davidson

1969 Davidson

1970 Davidson

1971 Furman

1972 East Carolina

1973 Furman

1974 Furman

1975 Furman

1976 VMI

1977 VMI

1978 Furman

1979 Appalachian State

1980 Furman

1981 Chattanooga

1982 Chattanooga

1983 Chattanooga

1984 Marshall

1985 Marshall

1986 Davidson

1987 Marshall

1988 Chattanooga

1989 East Tennessee State

1990 East Tennessee State

1991 East Tennessee State

1992 East Tennessee State

1993 Chattanooga

1994 Chattanooga

1995 Chattanooga

1996 Western Carolina

1997 Chattanooga

1998 Davidson

1999 College of Charleston

2000 Appalachian State

2001 UNC Greensboro

2002 Davidson

2003 East Tennessee State

2004 East Tennessee State

2005 Chattanooga

[Bored 0]

As someone who enjoys taking time to post useless facts, fully realizing most will completely skip over the post, good job SliverPhoenix.

[2GOLD 0]

It should be noted the top seed was Georiga Southern, who was 20-9 headed into the tournament. Also, looking at the previous winners of the conference is so incredibly awesome when you think about what those programs are viewed as now compared to what the conference has become.

 

Great work Silver.

Oh and to cap the post, Davidson rolled 80-55 to get into the big dance.

[Damaramu 0]

Well Texas destroys OU.

I was covering the OU/LSU and OU/Troy softball games so I didn't get to see the game but I hear OU really stunk it up.

[Guest Princess Leena]

I'm with you on Missouri St....what the hell have they done to warrant an RPI of 18?

 

I'm guessing it's because most of the non-conference teams they beat... they have gaudy records. Like, they beat independent power Corpus Christi, who has 20 wins. Also, SoCon #1 Georgia Southern. That's why the RPI is flawed.

[Guest]

Well Texas destroys OU.

I was covering the OU/LSU and OU/Troy softball games so I didn't get to see the game but I hear OU really stunk it up.

Hell yeah they stunk it up. I couldn't even watch the whole game, and I was looking forward to it. It helps Texas quite a bit.

[Damaramu 0]

Well Texas destroys OU.

I was covering the OU/LSU and OU/Troy softball games so I didn't get to see the game but I hear OU really stunk it up.

Hell yeah they stunk it up. I couldn't even watch the whole game, and I was looking forward to it. It helps Texas quite a bit.

 

How? OU isn't very good. Yeah they're in the Top 20 but they won 4 games in a row by one point. I'm the beat writer for this team and I know they're limping into the finish. Sampson always tells me to look at their W's and L's. Well I'm not just looking at the number of W's and L's, I'm looking at how they got them and I'm not impressed. OU will take a 2nd round exit from the NCAA tourney.....1st.

[Guest]

It helped Texas because they needed a good bounceback after the A&M loss, and they damn sure got one. OU's going out in the 1st, I'm pretty sure that Texas is going to the Elite Eight or Final Four. OU screams of a 6/11 upset.

[Damaramu 0]

Well all they have to do is play a team that can score consistently for at least half the game b/c it's something OU has proved they can't do.

The only scorer on that team is Michael Neal and everyone knows that so they just guard him and the rest of OU can't do shit.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Texas' lack of consistency worries me. Especially away from home. Gibson and Aldridge can be spectacular at times, then others it seems like they do nothing. When they attack the rim, they seem like a lot better team. They're another one of those teams I wouldn't be surprised to see make the final 4, or lose 2nd round.

 

OU... they're in trouble. And I have the feeling they're facing an MVC team in the first round of the tourney.

 

And Texas fans really suck. They don't deserve a good b-ball team. I hope Dama doesn't read that, though.

[Matt Young 0]

I've been disenchanted with the NBA for years now. It used to be far and away my favorite sports league, but the NFL and MLB have long surpassed it. I never watched college ball, except Illinois, but after seeing UNC/Duke and Gonzaga/San Diego these past 2 nights, I'm wondering- Is the NCAA always this good? or did I just get lucky seeing 2 top teams and the game's 2 top scorers?

[therealworldschampion 0]

All of the contenders seem to have some sort of flaw this year. UConn may be the best of the bunch, but they can't go into the tournament thinking they can just coast through games or it may come back to haunt them. Nova has size issues, Will Sheridan isn't really a top-notch big man, Jason Fraser is pretty much immobile and Dante Cunningham is too inexperienced, they really miss Curtis Sumpter. Duke seems to be wearing down and lack a 3rd option behind Redick and Williams. I'm going to have to see who does the best in the conference tourneys before I make my pick of who I think will win the title.

 

Speaking of Sumpter, he took the medical redshirt for this year, so he'll have one more year of eligibility. Nova should be pretty decent next year with Nardi and Lowry as the backcourt and Sumpter(if he can stay healthy) and Sheridan being quite the experienced frontcourt duo.

[Guest Princess Leena]

It's a real shame Nova doesn't have Sumpter this year... it's scary how good they could have been.

 

Nova worries me in the tourney. They rely way, way too much on the outside shot. I know they have to play that way since they're basically all guards... but, I hate those stretches where all they do is shoot 3's. And a lot of bad 3's. And matchups are going to be important. If they draw someone like Nevada or Bradley in the 1 vs. 8/9 game... could have issues there.

[Guest]

OU... they're in trouble. And I have the feeling they're facing an MVC team in the first round of the tourney.

I think they'll get Northern Iowa.

 

On a side note, I saw Utah State 2 times in person last year. I didn't think they were good enough to get in then, and I don't think they are now. Of course, that means they'll get in.

[therealworldschampion 0]

It's a real shame Nova doesn't have Sumpter this year... it's scary how good they could have been.

 

Nova worries me in the tourney. They rely way, way too much on the outside shot. I know they have to play that way since they're basically all guards... but, I hate those stretches where all they do is shoot 3's. And a lot of bad 3's. And matchups are going to be important. If they draw someone like Nevada or Bradley in the 1 vs. 8/9 game... could have issues there.

 

I've watched a ton of Nova games this year, I really do hate those stretches where all they do is camp out on the perimeter and attempt 3s, basically the same thing St. Joseph's did 2 years ago. The first half of the St. Joe's game this year was especially ugly since they couldn't hit anything. Lowry is more of a slasher than Ray, Foye, and Nardi are, it'd be nice if he took more advantage of those skills.

 

I can't see them losing in the first weekend since they're pretty much playing 2 home games in Philly. The regionals do worry me, especially if they draw a team like Texas, who despite not playing as well on the road did shut Nova down shooting-wise in the first meeting, or Pitt playing their usual game keeping the score in the 50s-60s, though they might see Pitt in the Big East tourney this week so they'll get a look at those defensive teams they may face in the NCAAs.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

Speaking of Upsets. Two #1 Seeds go down in their conference tournaments. As Manhattan lost to St. Peter's and George Mason lost to my Alma Marta in Hofstra. Even though George Mason has gone down in defeat. It has had a great season, and due to its strong conference (it aint crappy this year, Cabbageboy) and strong RPI as of today George Mason should find itself in the tournament. (At large prognosis coming later)

 

Manhattan however like Georgia Southern has found its way into the NIT due it's regular season championship and it's loss in its Conference Tournament.

 

Speaking of the NIT. As some of you know (and all of you will now know), the NIT was acquired by the NCAA as the conclusion to a lawsuit where the NIT took the NCAA to court accusing it of monopolistic practices. This has lead to sweeping changes of the NIT tournament. Which include.

 

- Seeding the Teams from 1 - 40 and the RPI will be used as a tool for seeding

- The Higher seeds will host all games.

- There will be a selection committee.

- Teams under .500 are eligable to be selected

- All Regular Season Conference Champions that don't win their conference championships are guranteed a bid.

 

Personally I feel that these rules have the potential to make the NIT more interesting again as long as they are used correctly. I'm escpecially happy that all champions that lose in their tourney's are guranteed. Far too often we have seen many champions of smaller conferences have good year's...only to not be rewarded with any post season play at all. While bad Power Conference teams get in because they beat up on the SWAC in the non-conference slate. This now evens out that playing field.

 

The one thing that concerns me however is the under .500 rule. How will this be used? Could it be used in rare occasions for teams that are good, but have had bad years. Or used to help Power Conference teams into the post season. We will know in the next 6 days.

[Guest]

George Mason won't get in. It's not their fault, but there simply aren't enough at-large spots up for grabs.

[iggymcfly 0]

I've been disenchanted with the NBA for years now. It used to be far and away my favorite sports league, but the NFL and MLB have long surpassed it. I never watched college ball, except Illinois, but after seeing UNC/Duke and Gonzaga/San Diego these past 2 nights, I'm wondering- Is the NCAA always this good? or did I just get lucky seeing 2 top teams and the game's 2 top scorers?

 

Well, the atmosphere for Duke/UNC is pretty special, but as far as the games go, yes, the NCAA is that good. The kids play with way more enthusiasm and energy and generally try a lot harder than the NBA players do. The NBA players may be taller, but the college kids work the ball around better, play much better defense and sometimes even shoot better than the pros. If you're looking for enjoyment watching over a short period of time then college basketball is way ahead of the pros.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

George Mason won't get in. It's not their fault, but there simply aren't enough at-large spots up for grabs.

 

I think as of tonight, George Mason or Hofstra/UNCW are going to be interchangable as to who in this group of 3 gets left out. However with GM, they would be the first team with an RPI in the Top 30, should their numbers even out as such to be left out of the tournament. Needless to say, I think the scenario that everyone is fearing is going to come to pass. Someone who is very deserving is going to get screwed. The comittee is going to be extremely tested in the next week. Lets hope it does the right thing.