College Hoops: National Semifinals and The Championship Game

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

I will say that I'm pretty uninterested in UCLA/Florida. I had UCLA in the championship game, but I didn't really want to see them there. My hope is that it's a good enough game to cap off this excellent tourney (though, just like last year, the Final Four games were pretty much cakewalks for the winning teams). All I want is each team scoring over 60 points and a margin of victory no greater than...4.

[iggymcfly 0]

So is the Iggy suicide watch on?

 

No suicide watch. I've still got my poker, so it's not that bad. I guess it was only fitting for the UCLA/LSU game to be such a total burial since I got raped so bad with my bets all through the tournament.

 

Anyway, I lost $700 on the LSU game, leaving me at a total of -$1550 for the tournament. I'm too demoralized to bet the championship, but if I did, I'd take Florida, sooo............. bet the farm on UCLA.

[naiwf 0]

So both LSU teams scored 45 on their respective ways out of the NCAA. Way to represent the Bayou bitches.

[Slayer 0]

Before the Super Bowl, they would talk about the Steeler's and "one for the thumb"

 

Does that mean UCLA is gunning for "one for the other big toe"?

[Hawk 34 0]

You know, I haven't a single thing about tonight's game. I flipped through various sports talk shows tonight and hardly anyone even talked about tonight's game. Can a game exist if no one saw it?

[SilverPhoenix 0]

You know, I haven't a single thing about tonight's game. I flipped through various sports talk shows tonight and hardly anyone even talked about tonight's game. Can a game exist if no one saw it?

 

Well the '86 Championship Game existed and no one acknowkedges it besides Louisville Fans (I don't think anyone forgave Denny Crum for spoiling Duke's coming out party.) and knowledgeable fans.

 

In all honesty, this Final Four has been the most anti-climatic finish I've seen ever for a National Championship Game. We have no "favorites", no "legends", no "POY's", no "storylines" besides the Joakim Noah and the UCLA returns to Championship Form storylines (which are flat boring compared to what we could've had), there is nothing there to grip the casual fan.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those who think the Final 4 is ruined because the Marquee Teams aren't in it. They couldn't get it done and it's the reason why they're not there. But I can definetely see where this Championship Game, would not appeal to people.

 

I'll be watching.

[Slayer 0]

There was a storyline going into the Final Four with GMU making it, but of course that went out the window with their loss

[Hawk 34 0]

There was a storyline going into the Final Four with GMU making it, but of course that went out the window with their loss

 

Even LSU, would have had the obvious Katrina angle.

[cabbageboy 0]

SilverPhoenix, what the fuck dude? The 1986 title game is an unsung classic, and it's just this revisionist Duke bullshit has sought to erase that game from history. Hell, even Jay Bilas takes time out every year to bury U of L saying U of L was garbage and had no business beating his mighty Duke team.

 

Is it because the game wasn't a big upset? The sad thing is that game is a very good game with a dramatic finish.

[Urban Warfare 0]

Great first half for the Gators. I'm slightly concerned with Florida's ability to defend Farmar -- he is a great player.

 

Noah back to his usual self, so hopefully UF doesn't pull a Gonzaga.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Real barn-burner so far. UCLA looks like LSU looked against them on Saturday.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

SilverPhoenix, what the fuck dude? The 1986 title game is an unsung classic, and it's just this revisionist Duke bullshit has sought to erase that game from history. Hell, even Jay Bilas takes time out every year to bury U of L saying U of L was garbage and had no business beating his mighty Duke team.

 

Is it because the game wasn't a big upset? The sad thing is that game is a very good game with a dramatic finish.

 

You're preaching to the choir dude. That game was awesome, and you don't have to tell me twice. But ever since I saw that game a few years back on Classic, I've never seen that game, again. I've also only seen the 1986 Final Four Highlights once. But unless you seek it out, and you're not a fan of Louisville, alot of people will never know what went down that year.

 

Not to mention that CBS seems to skip that Championship Game when they do their highlights montage, so they're also in on the attempt to erase that game from history.

 

The sad thing is this...If ESPN had to choose from a fucked up tape of La Salle's Miracle from '47 and a Restored Version of the '86 Championship Game they would choose the former, just to avoid airing it.

[Guest NYankees]

When was the last horrible championship game? This game was overwith after the 5th minute.

[CanadianChris 0]

Maryland/Indiana and UConn/Georgia Tech were both pretty bad.

[Slayer 0]

Maryland-Indiana in '02 was the worst I've ever seen.

 

This game looks like UCLA's punishment for playing ugly basketball

 

It is funny you mention them never showing highlights from the '86 championship game, because I've never seen footage from that, ever. For that matter, they never seem to show anything from the '85 game either, and that's supposed to be one of the greatest ever. By contrast, I've seen Lorenzo Charles' dunk more times than I can count

[Damaramu 0]

What happened in 86 and why are the Dukies upset over it?

[SilverPhoenix 0]

Maryland-Indiana in '02 was the worst I've ever seen.

 

This game looks like UCLA's punishment for playing ugly basketball

 

It is funny you mention them never showing highlights from the '86 championship game, because I've never seen footage from that, ever. For that matter, they never seem to show anything from the '85 game either, and that's supposed to be one of the greatest ever. By contrast, I've seen Lorenzo Charles' dunk more times than I can count

 

They acutally show the '85 Game few times a year, but nowhere near enough for it being the greatest game ever. It ushered the Modern Age of the Tournament and it should be treated as such.

 

And I'm glad you bought up the Lorenzo Dunk, for as much they overkill that highlight, there's only one highligh that's overkilled even more...

 

The Christain Latiner Shot aganist Kentucky. I acknowledge it was the greatest game ever, but come on, it is not the greatest shot, ever, IMHO. I can think of quite a few shots greater than that one (Valpo '98, Arkansas '81, Syracuse in the Big East Tournament this year, Georgia Tech '92, etc.)

[Bored 0]

Somebody had to look it up: This is the first time since 1976 that the Final Four didn't have a game decided by single digits. Back then there were four games as there was a 3rd place game.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

Well, it seems like the Anti-Climantic Championship Game is becoming a Trend. The past 3 out of the 6 Championship Games have been really bad. Yeah, we had Syracuse/Kansas, but we have had Maryland/Indiana (which should be never shown again), UConn/Georgia Tech (Tech took a dump in this game) and now this. At least Illinois tried to fight back. UCLA just got embarassed....

 

And Florida...may be the pre-season #1 for the 2006-2007 season. Escpecially if these Baby Gators stay and evolve into Full Grown ones.

[Slayer 0]

Yeah, but there's a difference between a "bad" championship game just because one team is dominant (UNC-Illinois and UConn-GT) and a bad championship game that is an embarassment to the sport because it was so horribly played.

 

That's where Maryland-Indiana fits in

[Urban Warfare 0]

Fuck yes. Pure domination, this is fucking great. Noah or Brewer for MOP.

[Damaramu 0]

I loved that line "Hey isn't this a football school?"

[SilverPhoenix 0]

Somebody had to look it up: This is the first time since 1976 that the Final Four didn't have a game decided by single digits. Back then there were four games as there was a 3rd place game.

 

I almost wish there was a 3rd Place Game now.

 

Notice how everytime Nantz gives the Mid Majors Props, FudgePacker is silent as hell. It's almost like he's preparing for new ways to dig on them for next season. I would love to see him and Tom Breenan go at it.

[Alro 0]

Who was that with the Million Dollar Belt?

[therealworldschampion 0]

Well, a quick look at 2006-2007, Florida should be preseason #1 if the Baby Gators all stay. Ohio State should be a contender with the Greg Oden-led freshmen class coming in, UNC should be better next year as well.

 

It'll be interesting if Tubby Smith leaves Kentucky for the NBA, I've heard rumors of UK going after Billy Donovan if Tubby does leave. Also it'll be interesting to see who gets the NC State job, there's been reports of them wanting to get Rick Barnes as the head coach.

[cabbageboy 0]

Why would Billy Donovan leave FL for UK? He's already won a title at Florida now and has a stacked team coming back. I do agree that UK badly needs to be rid of Tubby at this point though, with Florida now the champs, Tenn. on the rise in the SEC east, and LSU also a FF team. If Bama or Arkansas improve any UK will be seriously fucked in the SEC for a long time, especially since UK doesn't look to be any better anytime soon.

 

Hell, I think Donovan would leave FL for U of L before he'd go to UK. If I'm him I wouldn't forget all those trashings his teams got at Rupp. Besides, should Master Pitino leave U of L or retire I think Billy D. would do his mentor that favor.

 

Here is why Duke fans never want to discuss 1986. Duke was a really awesome team that year, they were like 37-2 going into the title game. U of L was a reasonably solid 2 seed, but came into the tourney with a 26-7 record. We did get a HUGE break when LSU beat UK in the Elite 8, and got a crap 11 seed in the FF, while Duke had a mammoth 1 vs. 1 seed tilt with Kansas. This is why Bilas is so bitter: He says the Dukies were gassed after the Kansas game, whereas U of L got an 11 pt. win over a mediocre LSU team. Nevermind that Pervis Ellison violated him like a prison whore in the title game.

 

Hell, just thinking back 20 years and it still gives me chills. I remember U of L was up 1, 70-69, and Duke had that last chance. They had seemingly 5 shots at the goal and yet NOTHING dropped. Finally Milt Wagner got the rebound and was fouled with about 3 seconds left. Since there was no 3 pt. line then (the rule was made literally days later), Milt drained 2 FTs and that was it.

 

What's funny is that Duke team might well have been Duke's best team ever. They could have had the most wins for a single season with that title win. Yet U of L to this date gets no credit for that win and the Duke loving assholes at CBS and ESPN have essentially erased the game from history.

 

Ironically enough I actually taped that ONE time it was shown on ESPN Classic. What's funny is that it was shown because it won a voting poll for what game should be shown that night, it wasn't a programming decision. So apparently a lot of people loved that game. I know I did, I still remember my mom and I jumping and dancing around the room.

 

Speaking of CBS, not only did they not show anything from the 86 title game in those highlight reels (they skip from Nova's win to Keith Smart in 87), but they also have tried to erase UK's 1996 and 98 title wins from history. I can sorta see UK's 1996 run being ignored since it had no real markout moments (they were highly dominant and crushed everyone). But the 98 run? I mean hell the Comeback Cats had a great run, coming back from 17 down against Duke, rallying as well against Stanford in an OT classic, and then came from 10 down at the half to beat Utah for the title. But I guess since they beat Duke in one of K's biggest coaching debacles we have to ignore UK's title run. Right?

[Alro 0]

Tubby isn't leaving anytime soon. Plus the coaches UK fans want probably won't leave their programs, either. I have to think that with Rondo declaring for the draft, I can see the team getting better. I really soured on him this season after loving him his freshman year. He doesn't seem to fit in the Kentucky program anymore.

[cabbageboy 0]

Rondo going pro would be such a joke. The guy has zero jump shot, shoots about 50% at the line, and half the time is quite turnover prone. I'm baffled as to how he could be any sort of lottery pick.

 

I think UK can get another big time coach, unlike IU's strange hiring of Kelvin Sampson. At this point though they'd be better off just hiring a midmajor coach rather than keeping Tubby much longer. UK is just flat out stale and the longer they keep Tubby, the more irrelevant they become. If Tubby simply left on his own accord and went to the NBA there wouldn't be an alarming backlash from other coaches like with the IU situation (Knight firing, Mike Davis never being accepted, etc).

[Just John 0]

Does anyone think any of the "Baby Gators" decide to enter the NBA draft this year? The overall draft pool is looking pretty shallow. I think Noah and Brewer will be good NBA players one day.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Does anyone think any of the "Baby Gators" decide to enter the NBA draft this year? The overall draft pool is looking pretty shallow. I think Noah and Brewer will be good NBA players one day.

 

Noah is an interesting case, he doesn't really have to worry about the money because his dad is rich, so I figure he might stay another year or so and put on a little more weight which can help him in the NBA.