Saturday Picks and Open Thread

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 7:46 PM CDT in Basketball

I am sad to report that PB's flight to Vegas was canceled yesterday, and he was forced to spend the night in an airport hotel. He has decided not to fly out today and is in route back to South Bend. Hopefully, we'll see him later on the blog.

In the standings, PB continues to lead. We've got some different picks today, however. I will either be back in it or totally done.

AGAINST THE SPREAD: PB ~~[19-12]~~ [19-13] / AW ~~[15-19]~~ [15-17]

STRAIGHT UP: PB [23-9] / AW [24-8]

OVER/UNDER: PB [16-14-2] / AW [19-11-2]

Saturday Picks
Match Up	Line / Over	PB	AW	Time/Result
#2 Duke vs #7 West Virginia	Duke (-3.5) / 147	Duke 69 West Virginia 65	Duke 70 West Virginia 69	WVU 73-67 (F)
#3 Wisconsin vs #11 Kansas St.	Wisc (-4.5) / 131	Wisconsin 65 Kansas St 61	Wisconsin 66 Kansas State 60	Wisc 72-55 (F)
#3 Xavier vs #6 Purdue	Xavier (-3) / 130.5	Purdue 71 Xavier 65	Xavier 68 Purdue 64	Xav 85-78 (F)
#4 Washington St vs #5 Notre Dame	WSU (-2.5) / 133.5	Washington State 62 Notre Dame 59	Washington State 71 Notre Dame 63	WSU 61-41 (F)
#3 Stanford vs #6 Marquette	Stanford (-3) / 133	Marquette 68 Stanford 66	Stanford 60 Marquette 59	SU 82-81 (F/OT)
#1 Kansas vs #8 UNLV	Kansas (-13.5) / 138	Kansas 77 UNLV 69	Kansas 80 UNLV 66	KU 75-56 (F)
#4 Michigan St vs #5 Pittsburgh	Pitt (-2.5) / 131.5	Michigan State 67 Pittsburgh 66	Pittsburgh 64 Michigan State 60	MSU 65-54 (F)
#1 UCLA vs #9 Texas A&M	UCLA (-10.5) / 125	UCLA 64 Texas A&M 54	UCLA 59 A&M 50	UCLA 53-49 (F)

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Comments

Horrible to hear that

That totally sucks. Sorry to hear that, PB. I was really jealous. Vegas during the first week of March Madness is awesome!

Greg Paulus is a little bitch.

Hook 'em

by jimmer on Mar 22, 2008 2:24 PM CDT 0 recs

Awful

Sat in O'Hare for hours on end, waiting for it to stop snowing. Which it never did. Thank God there was basketball on at least.

Duke in big trouble right now. Down 7 and showing little on offense.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 22, 2008 2:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

0-13

Duke's missed 13 straight threes. What's worse, they don't seem to be able to get any quality 2-point looks.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 22, 2008 3:07 PM CDT 0 recs

Their done...

They just don't have it any more.

they need to rethink how the approach some of these games.

Sorry to hear you missed out on Vegas PB. That would have been Awesome!

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Mar 22, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

They had nothing else

I made a comment 2 days ago that I stick by: this year's Duke team is basically Belmont with better athletes.

If the 3-pointers aren't falling, they're in trouble becuase they have absolutely no inside presence. Not only can they not score 2-pointers to save their lives, they also can't really rebound. Or at least they didn't in this game, as WFVU held a 45-19 advantage on the boards for the game and an 18-3 advantage in the second half.

Ridiculous.

by billyzane on Mar 22, 2008 6:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Deck Almost Cleared for UCLA

Left in the West:

#3 Xavier or #6 Purdue
#7 West Virginia
#9 Texas A&M
#12 Western Kentucky or #13 San Diego

Nobody left in that bracket even close to UCLA's level.

The Final Four rematch many saw coming in early December is on track for when Texas clears the South.

Hook 'em ]-

none

by RkyMtnHorn on Mar 22, 2008 3:45 PM CDT 0 recs

Tournament Trivia

Texas
Tournament Appearances: 25
Final Fours: 3
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 29-28

OU
Tournament Appearances: 24
Final Fours: 4
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 31-24

Aggies
Tournament Appearances: 8
Final Fours: 0
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 6-9

OSU
Tournament Appearances: 22
Final Fours: 6
Championships: 2 (1945, 1946)
Win-Loss: 37-21

Baylor
Tournament Appearances: 4
Final Fours: 2
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 3-6

KSU
Tournament Appearances: 22
Final Fours: 4
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 27-26

Kansas
Tournament Appearances: 36
Final Fours: 12
Championships: 2 (1952, 1988)
Win-Loss: 76-36

Colorado
Tournament Appearances: 10
Final Fours: 2
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 9-12

Tech
Tournament Appearances: 14
Final Fours: 0
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 8-15

Nebraska
Tournament Appearances: 6
Final Fours: 0
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 0-6

Missouri
Tournament Appearances: 21
Final Fours: 0
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 18-20

ISU
Tournament Appearances: 13
Final Fours: 1
Championships: 0
Win-Loss: 12-13

Life is an Occasion. Rise to it.

by patienthornsfan on Mar 22, 2008 4:04 PM CDT 0 recs

This point up more than ever that Big 12

has never won a Championship in basketball. But we've been beating on the door a lot in the last decade.

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Big XII has won four

Though three are ancient history; most recent is Kansas in '88. We're (over)due.

by NYCHorn on Mar 22, 2008 7:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wasn't that the Big 8?

And didn't include Texas, A&M, Baylor and Tech.

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 7:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ah, you're right

by NYCHorn on Mar 22, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Just curious

I noticed some of the teams have more losses in the tourney than appearances, was the tourney not always a one loss and you're out situation?

by afaeguy on Mar 22, 2008 7:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

They had a third-place game at one time

if I remember correctly.

So, a loss in the semis sent you to another game.

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 7:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hey, there's some other numbers that don't add up

even with that.

Missouri - 20 losses, 21 appearances, no final fours
Tech - 14 appearances, 15 losses, no final fours
Aggies - 8 appearances, 9 losses, no final fours

Maybe there's something else.

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

yeah

Some of those losses could be explained by 3rd place games, but I noticed the same thing. Either bad info or there was some other sort of way the tourney was held in the past.

by afaeguy on Mar 22, 2008 7:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, we know one of Texas' appearances

had no third-place game (2003), so how do we get to 28 losses for 25 appearances.

I'm watching games so too involved (read lazy) to hunt up the facts.

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 7:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

You Guys are Pathetic

You'd think Texas was a football school, or something. I can't believe you don't even know your own basketball history.

When the tournament started it was eight teams split into two regions: East and West. The teams would play and the winners would go to the regional championships. The losers would play in the 3rd place game before the Regional Finals (semifinals for the tournament). So everyone played at least two games in those days. You could go 0-2 which is what Texas did in 1939.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939_NC...

The tourney expanded to 16 in 1951. The first rd losers didn't have to play a second game, but they continued the regional semifinal losers game. So, some teams would still have 2 losses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_NC...

Throughout the 1950's the tournament continued to expand adding a few more teams every year. Most years the East would have a few more teams than the West. Finally in 1956, the 4 regions were setup East, Midwest (later Mideast, currently South), West (now Midwest), and Far West (now West). Again the regions were unbalanced (this was done to keep teams in their regions) the East had 8 teams and the Far West only 5 teams. Prior to this 3 teams every year would have 2 losses, now 5 teams would have 2 losses.

The tournament abandonded the regional 3rd place game in 1975 (the last year it was held). It was dropped from the Final Four, when Reagan was shot the day of the 1981 Finals. The 3rd place game was played normally 2 1/2 hours before the championship game. It was scheduled, but many thought it was unecessary due the shooting, yet they ended up playing it. However, the NCAA was criticized for the decision and they dropped the game the next year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NC...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_NC...

The coaches wanted to get rid of the third place games fairly early on. Teams would go 25-5, why would you want to add another potential loss after the path to the championship was blocked? The 3rd place games for the Final Four were pretty popular, they were kind of like a Bowl game and served as good warm-up for the championship. Also the Championship game used to be held on Saturday until the 1977 Marquette-North Carolina game moved to Tuesday. Once they went to the weekdays, they stopped showing the 3rd place game, and it lost its last reason to be played.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_NC...

by Blackjackhawk on Mar 22, 2008 10:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

meh

just too lazy to actually do the research.

Thanks for the info. The win-loss records make a lot more sense now.

by afaeguy on Mar 22, 2008 10:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

Goodness

Great game with Stanford and Marquette. Headed to OT tied at 71.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 22, 2008 7:53 PM CDT 0 recs

Why do I keep pulling for teams

that I didn't pick? Do I have a deeply submerged masochistic streak?

Does anyone else find the Marquette uniforms distracting...but interesting for a change?

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 7:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Quick Question

So...which team is the better match-up for us? Assuming we annihilate the U of course. These Lopez brothers are really pissing me off...

by lnghrnchad on Mar 22, 2008 8:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Both are tough

And we'd have different advantages/disadvantages over both. Not sure there's a 'better' team to face. I'd say Marquette, though, if only because a good night from the Lopez twins means Stanford beats almost anyone.

But it's close. Marquette's a legit team.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 22, 2008 8:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

So, 9.2 to go, two 7-footers,

the only question is which one you get it into, right?

I voted Robin.

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 8:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ohhhh, Brooke. Tricky. nt

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 8:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Stanford and the Lopez twinkies will

be a handful.

Does anyone know if Gary Johnson will be ready to play by the sweet 16?

I'm wondering if Barnes will take the same approach he did against UCLA. Make the twinkies gaurd out near the perimiter, then have them defend jump shots and on the dribble moves to the hole by Atchley and James.

One thing is for sure. Texas can't afford a cold night from AJ and DJ. They need to provide points in a big way.

....this all assumes Texas care of bidness against Crocket and Tubs.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Mar 22, 2008 8:28 PM CDT 0 recs

True, the Horns need to be hitting from the time

they get off the bus.

Stanford seems very deliberate on offense, almost too much so. Didn't leave themselves much leeway, but they never panicked either.

This is where we wish Dex was the player we need him to be - but probably will not be tomorrow night. Just blocking out of one of the twinkies would help so Connor/James/Mason can operate to keep the RBs even.

This is the big hurdle...

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 8:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Solid half by Aggies on both ends

A&M leads UCLA by three at half. If Sloan keeps hitting off the dribble and the pace remains very, very slow, then the Aggies will have a shot at the end.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 9:29 PM CDT 0 recs

Aggies up 8, early in 2nd half

My national champion pick is in serious trouble.

A&M just made one off the top of the backboard. The bounces are definitely going the Aggies' way tonight.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 9:49 PM CDT 0 recs

Wow, when aggies get lucky, weird shit happens.

Wonder how many ucla fans are on suicide watch?

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 9:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

for real?

i picked ags over ucla

by abcdmetrius on Mar 22, 2008 10:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not surprised

Again, it's all about the matchups, and A&M can play with UCLA because of their size and defense. UCLA's offense is rather mediocre, so A&M would at least be in the game. If the Aggies can just hit some shots, like Carter/Sloan/Kirk threes, and Jones/Jordan/Davis can score inside on the UCLA bigs, a W is no shock to me.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 22, 2008 9:54 PM CDT 0 recs

A&M by five, under 16

Aggies had extended their lead to 10 before last five knocked in by the Bruins.

Good game in Anaheim if you like low scoring, physical, defensive struggles.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 9:57 PM CDT 0 recs

You Called it AW

first one to 40 wins.

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Mar 22, 2008 10:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah

but I also called a UCLA win. Not looking good for my bracket.

I do have the under, though.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 10:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Moonrise in Anaheim at 8:20 PDT.

That's in 16 minutes and will give an emotional boost to whoever is in the lead.

Altogether marginal consideration; most of it bled out last night. But....

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 10:05 PM CDT 0 recs

A&M up six, under 12

UCLA pulled to within three but a Josh Carter three puts the Aggies back up six.

Six may not sound like a lot but at the pace at which this game is begin played, it is.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 10:07 PM CDT 0 recs

At your next job interview

when they ask you if you can multi-task, say sure. I can watch UCLA - A&M on TV and Pitt - Michigan State on the computer at the same time. In fact, on the first 2 days of March Madness, I can follow up to 4 games at once.

Who says college doesn't teach you real world skills?

by Longhorn in Canada on Mar 22, 2008 10:12 PM CDT 0 recs

UCLA

looks totally confused

by SaintBevo on Mar 22, 2008 10:14 PM CDT 0 recs

Four point swing there

Olenu has potential dunk blocked and Westbrook finally finds the basket on the other end.

UCLA within six again.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 10:14 PM CDT 0 recs

If aTm wins or even keeps it close to end

they're not gonna get rid of turgeon no matter what beergut says.

by whills on Mar 22, 2008 10:16 PM CDT 0 recs

UCLA with just one timeout left

If I was a Bruins fan, I would hate that about Howland. Why does he call so many timeouts after his team scores? It just doesn't make sense. Timeouts are meant to slow down the other team, not yours.

It cost Howland in the Texas game and could cost his team a chance to move on here.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 10:16 PM CDT 0 recs

Still down six, under 8 tv timeout

I feel an epic ending coming on.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 10:17 PM CDT 0 recs

i hate watching this on cbs

i do it's the most irritating thing ever
you see the same commercials over and over again
any time there's a stoppage in play rather than talk about the game
analysis
replays
stats
they do ads
it drives me ape shit nuts

by abcdmetrius on Mar 22, 2008 10:18 PM CDT 0 recs