The NCAA tournament selection show

[fishwax]

The four number one seeds are:

Duke
UConn
Villanova
Memphis

What's your team? Will they make the tourney? How far will they go?

[fishwax]

1. TX A&M gets in for the first time since the Raygun administration

:toast:

[salin]

2. Indiana should finally make it back to the tourney

though they have had a very up and down season - so don't know how long they will (if in) last.

[fishwax]

6. They made it in as a 6th seed

just announced :toast:

They play San Diego State in the first round. I think that should actually be a good game ...

[salin]

43. bit of irony per the coaches

Steve Fischer inherits a big-time team... the team has huge talent - wins the ncaa in the first year or two... gets huge taleng - but a group that tends not to listen to the coaching much - ups and downs (and due to real talent - some rallies to the finals in the tourney but not so much to his coaching)... seen as a 'good guy' - but not nec a great coach- after a few more seasons... out. Now at SD State.

Almost a mirror per Davis, except Davis only gets to one finals instead of two...

Now the two meet when Davis is in his swan song for IU (though I due think after some more experience - we will see more of Mike), and Steve is in act two - where it is his coaching that is moving his teams forward...

Point being it will be a good game - but also per coaching/big ten stories a back story that is also interesting.

[fishwax]

53. good point about the coaches

I've always kind of liked Mike Davis, and never understood the animosity towards him, other than that he followed Bobby Knight. (Since I don't care for Knight, I have no problem with Davis :)) My only big problem with Davis is that he beat my Sooners on his trip to the final four :)

Those Michigan teams of Fisher's were sure fun to watch, especially the year he took over and they won the title with Rumeal Robinson and Glenn Rice. Of course, Fisher got run out of Michigan on violations, right?

I agree with you that Davis will definitely resurface.

[thinkingwoman]

64. The Mike Davis problem at IU (or with IU fans)...

is complicated.

I was a fan who wholeheartedly supported him being hired after the Knight firing debaucle. And I continued to support Davis up to this year.

He seems to have two problems coaching IU (at least according to community gossip/analysis)--he's not a good recruiter and he doesn't enforce enough discipline with the team.

Of course, I have no first hand knowledge of either.

But neither of those sank him completely. He did that to himself when he lashed out at fans. After that, his name was mud in Blgtn and it was only a matter of time before he and IU parted company.

My impression is that he is a great guy, who might do better as head coach of a different team. I hope he does resurface that way.

[salin]

73. I think he is a very good recruiter

but hasn't demanded discipline (per his coaching) from his team. I was in Ann Arbor when Steve Fisher was "coaching" the 'fab five' (which included Chris Weber, Juan Howard, and Jalen Rose, among others) - but they never gave him full respect as a coach. Tons of talent - but just didn't play consistently as a team and didn't follow the coaching. Davis reminds me of Fisher.

I, too, have been supportive of Davis since he took over. But at times it has been hard - his teams don't always listen to him - and seem to play more on the faith of their abilities (which was what Michigan teams did under Fisher). I am sorry to see him go, in that he brought a level of class back to IU ball. However it was time, and he has been a class act in his resignation and inthe time past that (I was at Assembly hall at the final home game, and the senior honors ceremonies after the game - he was gracious and supportive - reminded me of just what a class act he has been.

As an asst under Knight his gig was doing the recruiting, I think he has done a very good job (indeed better than had been in the later Knight years post the 1992-93 team.) I think that he has had great talent - that didn't play together as a team, and was at times (as is often the case with kids who think they are the next NBA superstar) hesitant to rely on the coaches to direct the play of the game. On this point I find the parallel with Steve Fisher who inherited Michigan in, I believe, 1989. I have to say that I not only wish Davis well (and agree that the time has come to part), but that I intend to follow his coaching career, and expect to see blossoming things from him in the future.

[thinkingwoman]

78. The complaint I keep hearing

is that he can't get Indiana stars to play at Indiana University.

I know he did recruiting under Knight, which is one reason there is such disappointment with his recruiting efforts as head coach. But, your point about him having talent that won't play together is spot on!

I too think he's brought a lot of class to IU basketball and while I wasn't in Assembly Hall for the final home game, from the coverage it appears he may have put on the best senior night in a long, long time...perhaps ever. I think he'll land on his feet (well $800,000 won't hurt in that effort) and do well in his next endeavor.

[rene moon]

3. I HATE DUKE

ARGH

[fishwax]

4. i'm no fan either

ugh.

I definitely don't think they'll win it all ...

[ncrainbowgrrl]

70. I see the future for duke and it involves...

CHOKE!!

Early exit from the tourny! :evilgrin:

[bigwillq]

13. Me too.

:mad:

But Redick is the best player in the game right now.

[Va Lefty]

69. Sanctimonious bastards!!!

Duke makes me puke

[WeRQ4U]

81. Duke will crush anyone in their bracket untilTexas.

And Texas will choke before they get there.

They most likely won't win it all, but an early exit isn't in the cards.

[vikegirl]

5. Oral Roberts?!?!

:wtf:

And no Iowa State? :cry:

[fishwax]

7. oral roberts would be great if they had the 900 ft jesus playing center

:rofl:

I guess they won the Mid-Continental conference tourney earlier this week.

Sorry about Iowa State, though ... maybe next year :)

[vikegirl]

8. LOL!

I guess they have God as their cheerleader. :o :-)

[fishwax]

9. Oklahoma is a 6 Seed

Go Sooners!

[Dave Sund]

10. Mo. Valley Got SCREWED

Air Force, Utah State, and George Mason over Missouri State or Creighton (who beat George Mason BIG early this year)?

Bradley as a 13 seed?

I'd have been able to swallow it if Creighton lost out to Cincinnati or another power conference team, but Utah State? Air Force? A George Mason team they beat by 20 points? You've got to be freaking kidding me.

[fishwax]

28. I agree with you about Missouri State

though I think Creighton's claim is more tenuous ... RPI wise they're about even with the other two (slightly behind Air Force, slightly ahead of Utah State) and the other teams have better records. Creighton has a better non-conference win with George Mason, though. The swoon at the end of the season hurt Creighton pretty badly ...

[Dave Sund]

37. I agree that Creighton only hurt themselves

Though part of that was missing their freshman PG Dotzler. Ah, well, an unusually strong year for the Valley, I think they deserved at least one more bid (and can't figure out how Bradley only got a #13 seed), but this same thing happened to CU in 2004, (only their NIT fate was sealed long before selection Sunday), and they were back strong in 2005. I expect the same from 'em next year. Nate Funk back with a medical redshirt, Anthony Tolliver, probably the most improved player in the conference this year, Dotzler returning for his sophomore year, and Kansas transfer former Nebraska all-stater Nick Bahe eligible to play next year.

Now, if only Nebraska would hurry up and fire their coach...

[fishwax]

54. Overall, a great year for the conference, though

They've never gotten four in before, have they?

I'm sure your justified in your confidence for Creighton next year. Alas, Nebraska's problems might extend beyond the coach :) Are they really talking of firing him?

[carpetbagger]

63. No, the ACC got screwed.

This year, you had to be in the AP top 25 to get in as an ACC team, which only placed four. FSU didn't get in with 19-9 (including a win over Duke), much less Maryland with 19-12. Team for team, the ACC has much, much more depth, yet got the same number of teams as Mo Valley.

[WeRQ4U]

82. Damn right they did.

The at large bids are supposed to go to the 35 best teams remaining. Air force would get crushed by Florida State AND Maryland. Hell, if Wake would have somehow won the conference tourney, THEY could have beaten AF for sure.

The Missouri Valley getting 4 teams, regardless of who they are, is a bunch of shit.

[fishwax]

86. Florida State had one big win and that's it

The only team in the tournament that Florida State beat is Duke. They had one win in five games against the top teams in the ACC, and I think that Nebraska was the only non-conference team they beat with a winning record.

Of course, Air Force only beat one tourney team too (I think, anyway)--but they did go 2-0 against the ACC (Ga Tech and Miami). I'm not convinced Air Force deserved to get in, but I don't buy the Florida State hype, either (in spite of how much fun it was to see them beat duke :rofl:)

[WeRQ4U]

87. Neither team is worth a shit.

But Florida state plays in the ACC and beat Duke. AF plays in the MO Valley and they beat GA Tech and Miami. On the basis of that alone, they're in. If Florida State played AF tomorrow they would win.

[fishwax]

88. I'm not sure they'd win

First, I think AF will lose to Illinois, but so would FSU. And FSU lost to Miami. AF beating FSU would not be a big stretch.

[LostinVA]

11. Go 'Heels!

[ncrainbowgrrl]

71. Hi there, LostinVA! GO HEELS!!!

:hi:

TAR----

HEELS

[LostinVA]

74. I lived in NC for 17 years, and Duke sucks -- HEELS!!!

[bigwillq]

12. CUSE!

:bounce:

NO. 5 Seed. They have a tough one with Texas A&M but the Cuse are hot.
I think they can make a run it all depends on how much fatigue plays a factor.

[Common Sense Party]

14. I just enjoyed seeing my once-upon-a-time school, Iowa, smack

the bejeebus out of Ohio State. I'm rooting for the Hawks.

[fishwax]

56. Congrats to the Hawkeyes!

They're one of the teams I usually root for when I don't hvae one of my own shcools in the game. :toast:

[Common Sense Party]

68. What are your schools?

I doubt Iowa has any chance of winning--or even of getting to the Final 4, but it's nice to have an underdog do well.

[fishwax]

76. Oklahoma is my main one

That's where I did my undergrad, but I have a number of other schools I cheer for based on various connections, such as Colorado State and Michigan ... Iowa is one of those too: my grandfather taught at Iowa in the 60s and I spent a few summers in/around Cedar Rapids.

Iowa may not make the final four, but anything's possible :)

[Common Sense Party]

77. I'm from Cedar Rapids, originally. Looooong time ago.

Or maybe it just feels like a long time.

[fishwax]

79. cool! I really liked Cedar Rapids

I only spent one summer actually in Cedar Rapids; the other two summers I was halfway between Atkins and Shellsburg, out west of CR. But I really liked living in Iowa :toast:

[LynneSin]

15. Please Please Please Please smack me...

...if I pick Villanove to win it all

Every year I pick Philly teams to do well in the tourney and every year I get screwed. I'm picking Villanova to choke in the second round which means they'll probably win the tournament.

Also, no matter who they play, I'll have Cincinnati losing in the first round - they've screwed me over enough times too!

[Dave Sund]

17. Well, you're in luck

Cincinnati didn't make it... Because the selection committee felt Utah State and Air Force were better teams...

I don't recall two more perplexing at large bids than those in the last few years.

[fishwax]

18. I might just pick them to win it all ...

they've been very impressive in the games I've seen so far this year :)

[hatredisnotavalue]

16. BC What a game! Duke...yuckn/t

[bigwillq]

19. That was a great game.

Duke always finds a way to win those close games. They are very talented, as much as one might hate Duke, you have to admit that.

[hatredisnotavalue]

65. I think that was the best game I ever saw...you?

[mvd]

20. I'm glad Villanova got the #1 seed

My prediction is that if Ray is healthy, they'll get to the final four. Not super confident about a championship. They're capable of upsetting anyone, and they can also BE upset.

[bigwillq]

21. They deserved a one seed

And I think they can get to the Final Four. Their guard play is incredible and that usually carries teams in the tourney.

[mvd]

23. Do you think they can win a championship?

I think they can, but just a Final Four appearance is more likely.

[bigwillq]

25. They have the talent too.

It's all about matchups and who can stay healthy. I don't think I am going to pick them to win it all in any of the pools I will enter but I think they have a shot.
I am not sure who I will pick yet to win it all. I haven't really studied the brackets yet.

[mvd]

32. I'll be hoping!

They did beat UConn once and only had one more loss. :hi:

[bigwillq]

38. It would be nice to see

a Philly team win one. I was rooting for St. Joe's a few years back. I love Philly (except for the Eagles); it's a great city! :hi:

[mvd]

I'm a long suffering fan of all four Philly pro teams..

and the college teams. Any good vibes help - thanks!

[bigwillq]

42. I wouldn't mind rooting for

NOVA if Syracuse gets knocked off. I root for every and all Big East team.

[mvd]

55. Syracuse is on a roll

And they have a good tournament coach. They could go far.

[bigwillq]

59. As long as it's not

another first round upset. The first one is always the biggest. I worry a bit about fatigue and a letdown. I wish they were playing on Friday and not Thursday but oh well. You just have to go out there and play the game.

[fishwax]

29. there aren't that many teams they can "upset"

since they're one of the top three teams in the country :)

[mvd]

30. I'd consider beating Duke or UConn an upset

Everyone else, though, I would not.

[bigwillq]

33. But 'Nova has beaten UConn this year

You can't consider that an upset. Can you? :shrug:

[mvd]

35. Well..

They played us better at their home than we played them at ours. And they are a perennial powerhouse. That said, I'd say minor upset.

[lizziegrace]

22. Memphis!

I went to Tiger High. I'm so glad to see in the top four.

:bounce:

[bigwillq]

27. I think Memphis

is one of the weaker No. 1s in awhile. But we'll see what happens.

[fishwax]

36. I was pretty surprised to see Memphis get a #1 seed

But I think they deserve it. Their three losses have all been to tournament teams, with two of them against Texas and Duke (and I think both games were pretty close.)

[bigwillq]

40. If Texas or Ohio. St. won today

in their conference tourneys, I think one of those teams should've gotten the one seed over Memphis.

[fishwax]

58. I wouldn't argue with either of those had they won n/t

[GOPisEvil]

24. YOU'RE GOING DOWN SYRACUSE!!!!!

It's nice to be excited about A&M basketball again! :bounce:

[bigwillq]

26. Aggies suck!

GO CUSE!!!!! :bounce: :party: :bounce:

[GOPisEvil]

31. Bah - they don't deserve to be a 5 seed. 12s ALWAYS whup 5s!

:P

[bigwillq]

34. Yeah, it's an interesting match up

I thought a 5 was high but that's what they predicted for the Cuse on ESPN earlier today. I thought they would be a 7 or 8 but they climbed to 17 in the RPI so I think a 5 is just about right.
Plus three wins in four days over Top 25 teams help! :)

[GOPisEvil]

41. To tell the truth, I don't know much about NCAA hoops.

A&Ms teams sucked for so long that I never cared. Watch out for AC Law IV - that kid can play. :)

[fishwax]

44. Again?

:shrug:

;)

Seriously, though, congrats to the Aggies. They played some great games and I thought they might pull off another upset against kansas in the big 12 tourney.

And it's not just that they're having a fluke of a season, either. They seem to have a decent foundation, and with the instability at OSU and Bobby Knight at Texas Tech there's a bit of a vacuum under texas and oklahoma in the big 12 south. Maybe A&M will be around for the long haul ...

[GOPisEvil]

47. LOL!

Billy Gillispie can coach. He learned from Don Haskins, and later coached at UTEP. A&Ms team isn't pretty, but they play really tough defense.

Remember the name AC Law IV. :)

[WeRQ4U]

83. I think you're right on this one....

This is my 12 over 5 pick for the year. Syracuse is coming in emotionally drained after that conference tournament and they've had time to sit down and REALIZE what they just did. If the first game of the tournament were today, I'd pick Syracuse. But since it isn't for another 3 days, I'll bet against them.

It was an awesome run for them through the Big East Tournament though. I jumped on that bandwagon.

[Reverend_Smitty]

39. Duke all the way!

and to all those haters out there...well...like my mom always said if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all...so I will hold my tongue.

It will just be that much more sweet when we are cutting down the nets in Indy!

[WeRQ4U]

84. x eleventybillion

I like the bracket. Texas freaks me out, but I'm fully confident that they'll choke before the Elite 8.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

45. Guess what team I'm pulling for...

:D

I think that UConn has a very easy road to the final four.... IMHO, only Carolina can stop them and, should they meet, I'll be pulling for Carolina.

[fishwax]

48. I agree with you about UConn

They've got a pretty easy road. I think Duke's road is quite a bit tougher. Their second round game will be a fairly tough one, and they've got a few traps potentially awaiting them in the sweet 16 as well ...

[bigwillq]

50. The UConn bracket is the toughest, imo.

Followed by the Villanova one.

Just my opnion though.

[fishwax]

60. I think the bottom half of that is really tough

Michigan State, UNC, and Tennessee (even though I don't think TN should've gotten a two seed). In the top half of the bracket, though, I'm not sure who can stop UConn. Of course, anything can happen ...

[bigwillq]

49. Easy??

:shrug: I think the UConn bracket is the toughest one.

[NJ Democrats]

46. UCONN Will win it all!

How do Cincy not get in? and Air Force did?
See my Big East Bias post in Sports for my Big Easr Bias.

[mvd]

51. We'll see about that

Nova will be marking that matchup on the calendar if they face UConn, just like UConn marked the date of their last matchup. :hi:

[bigwillq]

52. Cinncy played its way out

I guess by losing to Syracuse. I would've had them in. 9 Big East schools.
But now Big East only has 8! Only! Big East is best conference in America, imo.


GO SYRACUSE! :bounce:

[NJ Democrats]

61. The Big East is the Best Conference in America

I agree!
I would like to see Cincy vs. Air Force.
It would be a blow out.
But the Committee helped out Seton Hall. Hall has an easy 1st round game, and then will play Tennessee, who is not a No. 2 seed, and has proven it can loose.

[GOPisEvil]

57. Jay Bilas can kiss my Aggie ass!

OK, so he's telling the truth, A&M didn't play anyone, but leave it alone already. 21-8 is 21-8.

Damn Dookie. :P

[CrownPrinceBandar]

62. GO MOUNTIES!!!!

#6 seed. So. Illinois shouldn't be a problem, but I'm not too optimistic about our chances against Iowa.

[NJ Democrats]

66. I have WV in the Final Four

They are part of my All-Big East Final Four. I think they beat S. Ill., iowa, and then Duke (Hooray!)But I think they lose to Pitt in the Final Four.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

67. Good on you.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

72. I love the names on that team!

Go West VA- just so I can keep hearing the all- cool name team! :hi:

And if you have them beating Duke, even better!!! :evilgrin:

[tigereye]

75. GO Pitt!

I am personally sick of Duke and UConn. Nice to see Nova in there, though.

I love the teams that never get in there otherwise, and the alsorans. It's fun to see them play.

[Radio_Guy]

80. USA Today adds its two cents worth on the show

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2006-03-13-hiestand-ncaa_x.htm

Given the endless media speculation about what would happen in the tournament seedings — if only there had been this much public scrutiny of whether Iraq really had weapons of mass destruction — there weren't many surprises left for CBS' actual selection show. Except, that is, when CBS' Billy Packer began analyzing a bracket that hadn't been announced yet.

:rofl:

[fishwax]

85. that is funny

:rofl:

(and sad :cry:)

:rofl: