NCAA Tournament Thread

[Andy]

Oregon and Wazzou are the only two teams in the entire NCAA tournament who get to play near home in the first two rounds while everyone else in their pod has to travel all the way across the country to play. No point to that, but I thought it was interesting.

 

Miami (OH) had no business a 14 seed. I've seen them play and they should have been in the play-in game. The MAC was a joke this year and the RedHawks weren't even one of the best teams.

 

UNC? They're in Winston-Salem.

 

And I agree with you about Miami Ohio. I've seen plenty of MAC basketball this year and it was pretty pathetic, to say the last. What's real funny is how some people are saying Miami is actually going to upset Oregon. This must not be the Miami team that nearly lost to NIU at home earlier this year.

UNC, however, also has Eastern Kentucky there, who doesn't have to travel all the way across the country.

 

Well, I wouldn't be complaining if the Ducks went down. ND might score 150 on Miami. :D

[reggiemiller rules]

Dosent Louisville also play in Lexington? Thats not to far from Louisville.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Darren Collison sprained his ankle in practice yesterday but is probable against Weber State tomorrow. :?

[CubColtPacer]

Darren Collison sprained his ankle in practice yesterday but is probable against Weber State tomorrow. :?

 

I like UCLA, but go Weber State tomorrow night! It wouldn't feel great though if it's because Collison was down, so I hope he's ready to go tomorrow.

[Exile on Waveland]

Darren Collison sprained his ankle in practice yesterday but is probable against Weber State tomorrow. :?

 

I like UCLA, but go Weber State tomorrow night! It wouldn't feel great though if it's because Collison was down, so I hope he's ready to go tomorrow.

 

I echo that sentiment, as if my Hoosiers beat Gonzaga, I'd love to play Weber State instead of UCLA.

 

The Collison injury is certainly one to track, if it's serious. The Bruins lost at West Virgiana without him, as everybody knows. That said, if recent history is any indication, they've survived one injury to a point guard (Tyus Edny). Regardless, UCLA should win its first two games.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Darren Collison sprained his ankle in practice yesterday but is probable against Weber State tomorrow. :?

 

I like UCLA, but go Weber State tomorrow night! It wouldn't feel great though if it's because Collison was down, so I hope he's ready to go tomorrow.

 

I echo that sentiment, as if my Hoosiers beat Gonzaga, I'd love to play Weber State instead of UCLA.

 

The Collison injury is certainly one to track, if it's serious. The Bruins lost at West Virgiana without him, as everybody knows. That said, if recent history is any indication, they've survived one injury to a point guard (Tyus Edny). Regardless, UCLA should win its first two games.

 

I really like Russell Westbrook's potential but he's no Cameron Dollar.

 

It's a grade one sprain, Darren was seen walking to the plane at LAX with no noticeable problems. Hopefully UCLA can jump up to a big lead and rest Darren the rest of the way tomorrow. Not sure we can beat Indiana or Gonzaga without DC.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

You Tube time!!

 

:D

 

:)

 

Edited March 14, 2007 by CaliforniaRaisin

[Exile on Waveland]

Darren Collison sprained his ankle in practice yesterday but is probable against Weber State tomorrow. :?

 

I like UCLA, but go Weber State tomorrow night! It wouldn't feel great though if it's because Collison was down, so I hope he's ready to go tomorrow.

 

I echo that sentiment, as if my Hoosiers beat Gonzaga, I'd love to play Weber State instead of UCLA.

 

The Collison injury is certainly one to track, if it's serious. The Bruins lost at West Virgiana without him, as everybody knows. That said, if recent history is any indication, they've survived one injury to a point guard (Tyus Edny). Regardless, UCLA should win its first two games.

 

I really like Russell Westbrook's potential but he's no Cameron Dollar.

 

It's a grade one sprain, Darren was seen walking to the plane at LAX with no noticeable problems. Hopefully UCLA can jump up to a big lead and rest Darren the rest of the way tomorrow. Not sure we can beat Indiana or Gonzaga without DC.

 

That's good. Don't like to see anybody injured during tournament play. Without Collison, the second round game might become a near tossup, though I'd still pick UCLA.

[Derwood]

I hope Collison isn't injured as I picked UCLA to go to the Championship game in all 3 of my pools :(

[ChiCubsFan]

I still have time to edit my bracket. I had UCLA going to the championship. You think with Collison's injury, I should change that?

[Exile on Waveland]

I still have time to edit my bracket. I had UCLA going to the championship. You think with Collison's injury, I should change that?

 

My opinion is that it doesn't sound like Collison's injury will be much of an issue -- at least past this weekend's games. If you're not as comfortable with that assessment, I'd say without Collison I don't think UCLA will/can make it that far. (But I don't have them that far anyway). Please, please don't put too much stock into what I think, but you did ask.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I still have time to edit my bracket. I had UCLA going to the championship. You think with Collison's injury, I should change that?

 

I honestly doubt it affects him playing and playing to his ability. He's starting tomorrow and UCLA has completely downplayed it (which they didn't done with injuries when a player ended up missing a game). As I understand it, the main concern would come from re-aggravating the injury.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I still have time to edit my bracket. I had UCLA going to the championship. You think with Collison's injury, I should change that?

 

I don't know everything about the injury, but I wouldn't change it unless you think they'll lose in the first weekend. Collison is already probable for the first round game, and he'll probably get limited playing time if/when they blow out Weber State. Then, barring him reaggravating it in the second round he'll have a week to recover it before the sweet sixteen.

[Guest]

Well, this figures. They're playing 1st and 2nd round games 3 miles from me but its all crappy teams like UCLA and Indiana. Meanwhile, Illinois would play its sweet 16 games within a driveable distance but they have little chance to get there. bah.

[ChiCubsFan]

Alright...thanks for the input. How good is Oregon? I haven't seen them play this year (excpet highlights) but wanna put them in my final 4. Wisconsin just doesn't impress me and I don't really want to pick FU. I was thinking possibly Maryland or Oregon. Who does everyone have coming out of the midwest?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hey now, UCLA is not crappy.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Alright...thanks for the input. How good is Oregon? I haven't seen them play this year (excpet highlights) but wanna put them in my final 4. Wisconsin just doesn't impress me and I don't really want to pick FU. I was thinking possibly Maryland or Oregon. Who does everyone have coming out of the midwest?

 

I don't think they can beat Florida's athletic bigs, but I do have them in the Elite 8. Great shooting team that can put points up in a hurry, Brooks is a fantastic player and they're getting hot at the right time. They're finally playing defense too. I have Florida over the Ducks in that region.

[Exile on Waveland]

Well, this figures. They're playing 1st and 2nd round games 3 miles from me but its all crappy teams like UCLA and Indiana. Meanwhile, Illinois would play its sweet 16 games within a driveable distance but they have little chance to get there. bah.

 

Easy now, IU is not crappy. Also, Illinois has a great chance to lose to Kansas in the sweet sixteen.

[Exile on Waveland]

Alright...thanks for the input. How good is Oregon? I haven't seen them play this year (excpet highlights) but wanna put them in my final 4. Wisconsin just doesn't impress me and I don't really want to pick FU. I was thinking possibly Maryland or Oregon. Who does everyone have coming out of the midwest?

 

I don't think they can beat Florida's athletic bigs, but I do have them in the Elite 8. Great shooting team that can put points up in a hurry, Brooks is a fantastic player and they're getting hot at the right time. They're finally playing defense too. I have Florida over the Ducks in that region.

 

I also have Oregon in the elite eight. Oregon has a terrific perimeter attack and are very quick. However, like CaliforniaRaisin said, I don't see how they can match-up with Florida's bigs. Quite like what happened to them in 2002 in the elite eight against Kansas.

 

You're right about Wisconsin. They were very, very good before the Butch injury but have been less than impressive since. He was a skilled big man and very important to their offense flow.

 

I'd be very surprised if Florida doesn't make the final four out of this region. Maybe the team with the best chance to upset them is up-and-down Maryland, if they get there. I have Wisconsin going out to Georgia Tech, and think Oregon (or maybe Notre Dame) will be in the elite eight. Don't think either can match-up with Florida.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

For those concerned about your brackets, here's a blurb from Brian Dohn in today's Daily News:

 

LA Daily News[/url]"]SACRAMENTO - UCLA received a scare late in Tuesday's practice when sophomore point guard Darren Collison suffered a Grade I left ankle sprain, according to a school spokesperson.

 

Collison is expected to play Thursday when No. 2 seed UCLA plays No. 15 seed Weber State in the first round of NCAA Tournament at Arco Arena.

 

The Bruins were practicing at Pauley Pavilion when the injury occurred, but Collison was on the team flight to Sacramento. He is to be re-evaluated today.

 

However, if Collison cannot play, or is hampered, it would mean freshman Russell Westbrook would play more minutes, and the last time that happened it did not turn out well for the Bruins.

 

When Collison sat out a Feb. 10 loss at West Virginia because of a shoulder injury, Westbrook was 1 for 11 from the field, scored four points, had four assists, committed three turnovers before fouling out.

[Guest]

Well, this figures. They're playing 1st and 2nd round games 3 miles from me but its all crappy teams like UCLA and Indiana. Meanwhile, Illinois would play its sweet 16 games within a driveable distance but they have little chance to get there. bah.

 

Easy now, IU is not crappy. Also, Illinois has a great chance to lose to Kansas in the sweet sixteen.

 

They have a better chance to lose to Virginia Tech in the first round though or SIU in the second. IU lost to Illinois therefore they are crappy. UCLA is crappy because they lost to Cal. :D

 

sadly, I didn't even know there were games here until I saw the goodyear blimp (why send a blimp to an indoor event?). Anyway, I can get tickets if you want 'em Raisin (or anyone else) - six hours of driving and $61 a ticket.

[Mark Priors Calves]

please start these games already.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Well, this figures. They're playing 1st and 2nd round games 3 miles from me but its all crappy teams like UCLA and Indiana. Meanwhile, Illinois would play its sweet 16 games within a driveable distance but they have little chance to get there. bah.

 

Easy now, IU is not crappy. Also, Illinois has a great chance to lose to Kansas in the sweet sixteen.

 

They have a better chance to lose to Virginia Tech in the first round though or SIU in the second. IU lost to Illinois therefore they are crappy. UCLA is crappy because they lost to Cal. :D

 

sadly, I didn't even know there were games here until I saw the goodyear blimp (why send a blimp to an indoor event?). Anyway, I can get tickets if you want 'em Raisin (or anyone else) - six hours of driving and $61 a ticket.

 

I can't make it, sadly (heck, UCLA played 2 hours away in San Diego last year and I couldn't go). Thanks for the offer.

 

And screw Cal. :P

[Flames24Rulz]

Well, this figures. They're playing 1st and 2nd round games 3 miles from me but its all crappy teams like UCLA and Indiana. Meanwhile, Illinois would play its sweet 16 games within a driveable distance but they have little chance to get there. bah.

 

Easy now, IU is not crappy. Also, Illinois has a great chance to lose to Kansas in the sweet sixteen.

 

They have a better chance to lose to Virginia Tech in the first round though or SIU in the second. IU lost to Illinois therefore they are crappy. UCLA is crappy because they lost to Cal. :D

 

sadly, I didn't even know there were games here until I saw the goodyear blimp (why send a blimp to an indoor event?). Anyway, I can get tickets if you want 'em Raisin (or anyone else) - six hours of driving and $61 a ticket.

 

I'd love to go if SIU made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll have the funds to get a plane ticket/hotel out there :x

[TruffleShuffle]

Well, the good news Raisin, is that I've picked UCLA to win it all. The bad news is that in years that I've won my brackets - Maryland in '02, UConn in '04, UNC in '05 - I knew who I was picking even before the brackets were released. Years when I haven't been too sure, I've done pretty badly. And this year, I didn't decide until today who I was going to pick.