2005-06 College Basketball Thread

[Derwood]

I hope Illini fans aren't the ones complaining about Air Force....talk about a gift!

 

Anyone think they tourney will expand to 66-68 teams in the future to accomodate more of the weak conference winners and make more room for the at-larges?

 

And what is up with Villanova getting to play the "play-in" team? Wouldn't it stand to reason that the overall #1 seed (Duke) would play that team?

nope because if they did they wouldnt have been in the atlanta region because of not being able to play two days in a row. Illinois didn't play the play in game winner last year either.

 

huh? The play-in is Tuesday. Where would back to back games happen?

[illiniguy]

I hope Illini fans aren't the ones complaining about Air Force....talk about a gift!

 

Anyone think they tourney will expand to 66-68 teams in the future to accomodate more of the weak conference winners and make more room for the at-larges?

 

And what is up with Villanova getting to play the "play-in" team? Wouldn't it stand to reason that the overall #1 seed (Duke) would play that team?

nope because if they did they wouldnt have been in the atlanta region because of not being able to play two days in a row. Illinois didn't play the play in game winner last year either.

 

huh? The play-in is Tuesday. Where would back to back games happen?

It might not be the case, but precedence was set last year, we were the number one seed last year but UNC got the play in game.

[Derwood]

I hope Illini fans aren't the ones complaining about Air Force....talk about a gift!

 

Anyone think they tourney will expand to 66-68 teams in the future to accomodate more of the weak conference winners and make more room for the at-larges?

 

And what is up with Villanova getting to play the "play-in" team? Wouldn't it stand to reason that the overall #1 seed (Duke) would play that team?

nope because if they did they wouldnt have been in the atlanta region because of not being able to play two days in a row. Illinois didn't play the play in game winner last year either.

 

huh? The play-in is Tuesday. Where would back to back games happen?

It might not be the case, but precedence was set last year, we were the number one seed last year but UNC got the play in game.

 

just another thing they do that makes no sense to me

 

EDIT: i quickly perused these guidelines and saw no precedent for te play-in game

[illiniguy]

I hope Illini fans aren't the ones complaining about Air Force....talk about a gift!

 

Anyone think they tourney will expand to 66-68 teams in the future to accomodate more of the weak conference winners and make more room for the at-larges?

 

And what is up with Villanova getting to play the "play-in" team? Wouldn't it stand to reason that the overall #1 seed (Duke) would play that team?

nope because if they did they wouldnt have been in the atlanta region because of not being able to play two days in a row. Illinois didn't play the play in game winner last year either.

 

huh? The play-in is Tuesday. Where would back to back games happen?

It might not be the case, but precedence was set last year, we were the number one seed last year but UNC got the play in game.

 

just another thing they do that makes no sense to me

The whole system is just wrong. I mean I really think that they should just have Joe Lunardi do it. he seems to have a better grasp than the committe itself does. I think the 4s are better than the 3s which makes a big difference. Oh well, you gotta beat everyone to win it anyways.

[SouthSideRyan]

Not only was Kansas given the same seed as Illinois, they got the game in Auburn Hills and U of I was sent out to San Diego, saying that the committee thought Kansas was ranked higher than U of I. In summary, not only was U of I a 4, they weren't even the top 4. Insane.

 

Additionally, Ohio St. had to have been ranked as no better than the 3rd #2 seed, as they drew the same bracket as the play-in game. Insane.

[illiniguy]

Not only was Kansas given the same seed as Illinois, they got the game in Auburn Hills and U of I was sent out to San Diego, saying that the committee thought Kansas was ranked higher than U of I. In summary, not only was U of I a 4, they weren't even the top 4. Insane.

 

Additionally, Ohio St. had to have been ranked as no better than the 3rd #2 seed, as they drew the same bracket as the play-in game. Insane.

Yeah but, seriously how good is Kansas right now. I ask because I don't know. They have beaten everyone in front of them lately, but I question if any of those teams were any good. I realize they have a ton of talent, but I just don't know how you could have seeded them without questioning yourself. I am ok with them being a 4. I am not ok with a team going 25-5 in the number 1 conference in America getting a 4. It is a joke. Plus we essentialy are playing a road game vs Washington in round 2(assuming a good utah st. team doesn't knock them off or afu doesn't get us).

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Yeah but, seriously how good is Kansas right now. I ask because I don't know. They have beaten everyone in front of them lately, but I question if any of those teams were any good. I realize they have a ton of talent, but I just don't know how you could have seeded them without questioning yourself.

 

I think you see a little bit of both sides with kU right now. They didn't play very good competition after they turned it around(save the two UT games), but they overwhelmed the teams they did beat. Since the Mizzou loss, all their wins were by 10 or more points except 2(OU and OSU(B12 tourney)).

[illiniguy]

Yeah but, seriously how good is Kansas right now. I ask because I don't know. They have beaten everyone in front of them lately, but I question if any of those teams were any good. I realize they have a ton of talent, but I just don't know how you could have seeded them without questioning yourself.

 

I think you see a little bit of both sides with kU right now. They didn't play very good competition after they turned it around(save the two UT games), but they overwhelmed the teams they did beat. Since the Mizzou loss, all their wins were by 10 or more points except 2(OU and OSU(B12 tourney)).

I agree, I don't know what to make of them. Had they lost again to Texas by a fair margin yesterday I would have ruled them out, but that was such a good win I wonder are they legit final four contenders. if so Bill has done a hell of a job molding that team this year. Major props to him, now stay the hell out of our state for high school players.

[Andy]

The Big Ten is not the number 1 conference in America. Absolutely no reasonable analyst disagrees that the Big East is. Cincy goes from a 7 seed to out. ND, IMO, was a better team this year than last and yet they finish 12th in the Big East whereas they were 6th last year. Plus the Big East has two 1 seeds.

[illiniguy]

The Big Ten is not the number 1 conference in America. Absolutely no reasonable analyst disagrees that the Big East is. Cincy goes from a 7 seed to out. ND, IMO, was a better team this year than last and yet they finish 12th in the Big East whereas they were 6th last year. Plus the Big East has two 1 seeds.

Well they normally have wet dreams over the rpi and according to it we are the number 1 conference. Whether or not that is true who knows, after all the Big Ten was so down last year before it put two teams in the final four.

[SouthSideRyan]

The Big Ten is not the number 1 conference in America. Absolutely no reasonable analyst disagrees that the Big East is. Cincy goes from a 7 seed to out. ND, IMO, was a better team this year than last and yet they finish 12th in the Big East whereas they were 6th last year. Plus the Big East has two 1 seeds.

 

The bottom 4 teams in the Big East are worse than any of the 11 in the Big Ten. Rutgers is worse than everyone but Purdue. That's why the Big 10 is a better conference.

[hawkcub]

The Big Ten is not the number 1 conference in America. Absolutely no reasonable analyst disagrees that the Big East is. Cincy goes from a 7 seed to out. ND, IMO, was a better team this year than last and yet they finish 12th in the Big East whereas they were 6th last year. Plus the Big East has two 1 seeds.

 

Lets see here, the Big East got 8 of 16 teams in. That makes 50%. While the Big Ten got 6 of 11 teams in. That makes 54.5%. Illiniguy has already mentioned the RPI. I give the edge to the Big Ten. It's pretty easy to be good when you have 4 to 6 more teams than any other major conference. Please don't mention Cincinatti not getting in, because the Big Ten has Michigan.

[Andy]

The Big Ten is not the number 1 conference in America. Absolutely no reasonable analyst disagrees that the Big East is. Cincy goes from a 7 seed to out. ND, IMO, was a better team this year than last and yet they finish 12th in the Big East whereas they were 6th last year. Plus the Big East has two 1 seeds.

 

The bottom 4 teams in the Big East are worse than any of the 11 in the Big Ten. Rutgers is worse than everyone but Purdue. That's why the Big 10 is a better conference.

Inside sources tell me that DePaul beat 5-seed Syracuse by over 30 points just two weeks ago. I'd wager that Purdue can't beat anyone in the Big Ten, and probably not anyone in the major conferences outside the basement teams, by that much even on their very best day. And St. John's and Providence are no slouches either. Of course, since these conferences don't tangle that much, we can really just throw around numbers.

 

The Big 10 went 6-4 against the Big East this year

 

6 wins:

Illinois over Rutgers

Illinois over Georgetown

Michigan over ND

Michigan over USF

Northwestern over Seton Hall

Wisconsin over Marquette

 

4 losses:

UConn over IU

DePaul over Northwestern

Pitt over Penn St

Pitt over Wisconsin

 

Most of those games went exactly how they should. The Big Ten went 3-2 in the 5 games between teams of relatively equal strength (in italics).

 

Personally, I'll stick with the Big East because of UConn and Nova...but to each their own.

[SouthSideRyan]

Is DePaul beating Syracuse by 39 really supposed to be something in the Big East's favorite?? DePaul lost to Old Dominion by 44 points. Nobody in the Big 10 or any other power conference outside of South Florida could do that.

 

Georgetown lost to South Florida. Nobody in any power conference could do that. Most of the teams in the non-power conferences couldn't do that.

Edited March 14, 2006 by SouthSideRyan

[illiniguy]

The Big Ten is not the number 1 conference in America. Absolutely no reasonable analyst disagrees that the Big East is. Cincy goes from a 7 seed to out. ND, IMO, was a better team this year than last and yet they finish 12th in the Big East whereas they were 6th last year. Plus the Big East has two 1 seeds.

 

The bottom 4 teams in the Big East are worse than any of the 11 in the Big Ten. Rutgers is worse than everyone but Purdue. That's why the Big 10 is a better conference.

Inside sources tell me that DePaul beat 5-seed Syracuse by over 30 points just two weeks ago. I'd wager that Purdue can't beat anyone in the Big Ten, and probably not anyone in the major conferences outside the basement teams, by that much even on their very best day. And St. John's and Providence are no slouches either. Of course, since these conferences don't tangle that much, we can really just throw around numbers.

 

The Big 10 went 6-4 against the Big East this year

 

6 wins:

Illinois over Rutgers

Illinois over Georgetown

Michigan over ND

Michigan over USF

Northwestern over Seton Hall

Wisconsin over Marquette

 

4 losses:

UConn over IU

DePaul over Northwestern

Pitt over Penn St

Pitt over Wisconsin

 

Most of those games went exactly how they should. The Big Ten went 3-2 in the 5 games between teams of relatively equal strength (in italics).

 

Personally, I'll stick with the Big East because of UConn and Nova...but to each their own.

Well then after we dispose of UCONN in the sweet sixteen you will see how our third best team beat your first. Purdue is an extreme case because of injuries. They lost their entire starting lineup sans Kiefer. Lets take away 4 of Villanova's top 5 and I wonder how many big east games they win.

[Keener98]

Way too much emphasis was put on the conference tourney's this year.

 

See this is where the committe lost me. They punish U of I for losing to Mich State in their tourney, but Tenn lost early in their tourney and get awarded a 2 seed? So did they or did they not put emphasis on the tourneys? Seems to me like they just picked and choose what tourney was important and which one wasnt. Losing early in the Big 10 tourney to a good Mich St. team, should mean more than losing to whoever they hell Tenn lost to in a weak SEC.

 

I think Bruce Pearls reaction said it all. When Tenn was shown as a #2 you could see Bruce Pearl saying, "holy @#$*". Now thats not a reaction from a coach who thought he deserved a 2 seed. The committee was a joke plain and simple. Ill be rooting for all B10 and MVC teams to win as many damn games as possible just to stick it up the committee's butt. Also I think Bradley is going to give Kansas all they can handle.

[Andy]

I severely doubt anyone's beating UConn in the tournament this year.

[NewUserName]

I would bet a paycheck that UConn doesnt win the title. I like Illinois chances better then UConns. They dont have a go to guy when it really matters. Yes they are very talented and will dominate lesser teams. When a close game is on the line against a team with equal talent they dont have a go to guy though.

 

Is it just me or would Illinois of last year run away with the title this year. Even if Deron Williams came back I think Illinois would mop the field with this years tourney. If North Carolina would have had 2 guys stay they would do the same. This just doesnt seem like a very good tourney this year. Personnally as much as I dont want to say it I think Duke is going to win.

[SouthSideRyan]

UConn isn't invincible. Notre Dame nearly beat them on the road, and despite ND having all those near wins, they weren't a tourney team. They had a bunch of close wins to bad teams to go along with the close losses to superior teams.

 

That said I have UConn going to the championship, but wouldn't be all that shocked if they fell to UAB. As much disparity as there is between the 1s and the rest, I'd only be shocked if Memphis didn't make it to the sweet 16.

[snoodmonger]

Outside of Dee, UI doesn't have much of a goto guy either. And if Dee's cold, it will be real hard for UI to beat the better teams in the tourney. I'm, not sure how they have a better chance than UCONN.

 

As far as Duke...personally I'd want to play them more than any other one seed, Memphis included. As good as Redick is, all it really takes is one bad shooting night. Also, once you get Shelden in foul trouble, the middle opens up (although McRoberts does have beast potential.)

[SouthSideRyan]

Last year's Illinois or North Carolina team would run away with it this year.

[Productive Outs]

UConn isn't invincible. Notre Dame nearly beat them on the road, and despite ND having all those near wins, they weren't a tourney team. They had a bunch of close wins to bad teams to go along with the close losses to superior teams.

 

That said I have UConn going to the championship, but wouldn't be all that shocked if they fell to UAB. As much disparity as there is between the 1s and the rest, I'd only be shocked if Memphis didn't make it to the sweet 16.

 

Kentucky will beat UAB.

[SouthSideRyan]

Boredom leads to lots of things...like this.

 

My conference records for the tourney from my nsbb bracket.

 

C-USA: 5-2

Big Ten: 13-6

Big East: 16-8

Big XII: 6-3

A-10: 3-2

Valley: 4-4

Pac 10: 3-4

ACC: 3-4

WAC: 1-2

SEC: 2-6

CAA: 0-2

MW: 0-2

 

Yeah, I don't think much of the SEC.

[illiniguy]

Yes luckily for Illinois fans our best team ever had to be in a year with a professional team in NC. That team was loaded and I really think if Deron or Luther's three would have fallen to take the lead just once we would have won. They were ready to go away, but we couldn't land the knock out punch. I wonder how long it will take until that game stops hurting?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Boredom leads to lots of things...like this.

 

My conference records for the tourney from my nsbb bracket.

 

C-USA: 5-2

Big Ten: 13-6

Big East: 16-8

Big XII: 6-3

A-10: 3-2

Valley: 4-4

Pac 10: 3-4

ACC: 3-4

WAC: 1-2

SEC: 2-6

CAA: 0-2

MW: 0-2

 

Yeah, I don't think much of the SEC.

 

Memphis in the final 4? Or UAB knocking off UConn?