The Official March Madness Thread

[primushead]

Actually, all teams should play in Hawaii year round.  We could hold the conference tournaments there, and even have the big dance there.  

Who would argue with this?

[sweatboard]

Should we start a thread with the bracket?


http://mmjforum.mayhem.cbssports.com/brackets

[bowl of soup]

Here we go again.  AMD, we can have our annual slap fight about this; but is the Big Ten really about to get more teams in the field than the ACC.  Don't get me wrong, I don't think either deserves more than 5 or 6 - but 8 teams from the Big Ten!?!?!?!

It happens every year and it is disgusting.  We've played the ACC/Big Ten challange for how many years now?  The Big Ten has won how many times?  Oh, that's right: never.  The Big Ten disgusts me.  The eight or ninth best team in the ACC (Maryland) beat the best Big Ten team (MSU).  Stop the insanity.

[capt. scotty]

Man, Louisville has such an easier run to the BigEast championship game than the rest of the teams (which I guess makes sense since they are the #1 seed, but the disparity between having to play Marq/Nova instead of Pitt/UConn in the semis is hugemongous).

Im surprised how theyre talking right now that even if Louisville wins the tourney, they wouldnt be a lock for a #1. Theyd be a lock IMO, regardless of what Oklahoma does.

[capt. scotty]

Here we go again.  AMD, we can have our annual slap fight about this; but is the Big Ten really about to get more teams in the field than the ACC.  Don't get me wrong, I don't think either deserves more than 5 or 6 - but 8 teams from the Big Ten!?!?!?!

It happens every year and it is disgusting.  We've played the ACC/Big Ten challange for how many years now?  The Big Ten has won how many times?  Oh, that's right: never.  The Big Ten disgusts me.  The eight or ninth best team in the ACC (Maryland) beat the best Big Ten team (MSU).  Stop the insanity.

Im sure it's bias and the annual floor pooping our basketball team does, but I think Penn St deserves a bid. Then again, theyre the 5th team in the Big 10 and not the 8th.

[capt. scotty]

Down goes Kansas to Baylor.

I was laughing when I heard people talking about them as a 1 seed if they won the Big 12 tourney  :o

[BH]

KU goes down in first round!   WOOT!!!!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

[tower]

Here we go again.  AMD, we can have our annual slap fight about this; but is the Big Ten really about to get more teams in the field than the ACC.  Don't get me wrong, I don't think either deserves more than 5 or 6 - but 8 teams from the Big Ten!?!?!?!

It happens every year and it is disgusting.  We've played the ACC/Big Ten challange for how many years now?  The Big Ten has won how many times?  Oh, that's right: never.  The Big Ten disgusts me.  The eight or ninth best team in the ACC (Maryland) beat the best Big Ten team (MSU).  Stop the insanity.

It doesn't happen every year.  Yep, Maryland beat MSU, quite handily.  I know because that's my team, alma mater.  But using that logic UNC got beat by Boston College who then turned around and lost to Harvard, #6 in their league.  So does that make them not a #1 seed?  I'm not saying the Big Ten deserves 8 teams but winning games early in the season (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) is far different from winning them in Feb/March.  Just ask Louisville, they lost to Western KY and some others but now they're poised for a possible #1 seed.  IMHO, ACC teams start strong and don't improve much, Big Ten teams (at least MSU) start more slowly and are much better by March.  Maybe the Big Ten gets the nod so much because we tend to play the old school bball, defense and rebounding, which supposedly wins championships.

[BH]

Number of Teams in a given round of the NCAA tourny from each conference over the last four years.

CHAMPIONS
Sec      2
Big12     1
ACC       1

Final Two
SEC       2
Big 10    2
Big 12    1
ACC       1
Pac 10    1
CUSA     1

Final Four
SEC       3
Big 10    3
Pac 10    3
ACC       2
CUSA     2
Big 12    1
Big East  1
Colonial  1

Elite Eight
Pac 10    5
Big East  5
SEC       4
Big 12    4
Big 10    4
CUSA     4
ACC       3
Big East  1
Colonial  1
A10        1
Southern 1

I wouldn't exactly say the ACC and Big East have been very successful base on those results.

[primushead]

KU goes down in first round!   WOOT!!!!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

That always makes me smile.

[bowl of soup]

Here's the breakdown since 2000:

08- BT - 4; ACC - 4.
07- BT - 6; ACC - 7.
06- BT - 6; ACC - 4.
05- BT - 5; ACC - 5.
04- BT - 3; ACC - 6.
03- BT - 5; ACC - 4.
02- BT - 5; ACC - 4.
01- BT - 7; ACC - 6.
00- BT - 6; ACC - 3.

So, you're right it doesn't happen every year, just almost every year.  In the last 8 years there's been 2 ties, the ACC has gotten more bids twice, and the Big Ten has gotten more bids 5 times.

This end of year stuff really gets me going.  The Big Ten's performance in the tourney is embarassing.  Given that the ACC has won 3 national titles and the Big Ten 1 in the same time-frame leads me to believe that maybe the ACC is playing better ball at the end of the year.

[tower]

Again, I'm not saying the Big Ten deserves all the bids they get.  My Spartans have made the most of theirs with numerous final fours and a Nat. Championship.  Ohio State made a good run with Oden and Co.  Wisconsin is one that always stings, they are almost always very solid in the Big Ten season but then don't have the horses for the NCAA.  Indiana with Kelvin (phone call) Samson made a mess there.  Purdue is similar to Wiscy.  

[aMillionDreams]

Should we start a thread with the bracket?


http://mmjforum.mayhem.cbssports.com/brackets

I think so, it'll get buried in here.

[bowl of soup]

BH, your numbers are fun, but based on too small of a sample.  Florida won the title in 06 and 07, so the SEC looks great.  Go back to at least the turn of the century.  When UNC wins this year the ACC will have won 4 of the last 9 titles.  Next year Maryland will give the ACC half of the titles won this century.  ;)

[aMillionDreams]

BH, your numbers are fun, but based on too small of a sample.  Florida won the title in 06 and 07, so the SEC looks great.  Go back to at least the turn of the century.  When UNC wins this year the ACC will have won 4 of the last 9 titles.  Next year Maryland will give the ACC half of the titles won this century.  ;)

Yeah, those numbers don't reflect the current reality.  Who's going to contend the Big East won't make a showing this year? I'll go on the record to say the ACC will fare worse than both the Big East and Big Ten.  Davidson has never won a championship, does that mean they don't deserve in or that they are automatically worse than every team from the SEC?

[Ruckus]

This is an off season for the Big Ten.  However, their ugly ball does seem to get the job done in the middle rounds of the tourney even if they do not have the most talented teams.  If Luther Head hits one J against UNC in the final....  :'(

Nothing makes me happier than watching Bill Selfish go down!!! ;D

That said, I don't see any team really making a run other than MSU and maybe Purdue if they get their stuff together.

Would anyone else like to join me on the Texas A&M, St. Mary's final bandwagon? [smiley=thumbdown.gif]

[Ruckus]

Should we start a thread with the bracket?


http://mmjforum.mayhem.cbssports.com/brackets

Can't get into the tourney.  Says private, invite required.  Should I PM you my email?

[aMillionDreams]

Should we start a thread with the bracket?


http://mmjforum.mayhem.cbssports.com/brackets

Can't get into the tourney.  Says private, invite required.  Should I PM you my email?

I should be able to send you an invite. pm me

[bowl of soup]

BH, your numbers are fun, but based on too small of a sample.  Florida won the title in 06 and 07, so the SEC looks great.  Go back to at least the turn of the century.  When UNC wins this year the ACC will have won 4 of the last 9 titles.  Next year Maryland will give the ACC half of the titles won this century.  ;)

Yeah, those numbers don't reflect the current reality.  Who's going to contend the Big East won't make a showing this year? I'll go on the record to say the ACC will fare worse than both the Big East and Big Ten.  Davidson has never won a championship, does that mean they don't deserve in or that they are automatically worse than every team from the SEC?

I'll take that bet.  Clemson and Wake are way better than people seem to think.  If the ACC fares better than both the Big Ten and Big East - then you change your avatar to the State Flag of Maryland for a month.  You tell me what you want mine to be.

[aMillionDreams]

Im surprised how theyre talking right now that even if Louisville wins the tourney, they wouldnt be a lock for a #1. Theyd be a lock IMO, regardless of what Oklahoma does.

I posted about this the other day and totally agree.  I think it won't be most of a converstion once everything plays out. If they do win the Big East tournament they will have to beat wither Pitt or UConn and will have the most impressive resume of any team. They will have won the toughest conference in the country regular season and post.  We will be 9-1 against ranked teams including beating Pitt (perhaps twice) and perhaps UConn.  I know I'm looking ahead, but why people who get paid to analyze these things don't realize this is beyond me.  Let's say we beat Pitt in the finals, we will have beat them twice and won both championships in their conference, so why would they get a number one and not UofL?  It seems simple to me.