Late Thursday Games: Picks and Open Thread

by PB @ BON on Mar 20, 2008 4:55 PM CDT in Basketball Comment 73 comments

We are officially under way, but we've yet to be treated to any fireworks. Six of our seven early winners advance with double-digit victory margins, leaving us with only my prayer pick Cornell to get the early upset train rolling. (They're down 32-17, missing 23 of their first 28 shots, so don't hold your breath.)

I'm expecting more competitive games this evening, where USC-KSU, A&M-BYU, and WVU-AZ all look like potential battles. I'm actually looking for some Mason Magic tonight and won't be surprised if Notre Dame exits on day one for the second straight year.

I didn't get a chance to post it this morning, but AW's expecting a great one in Omaha tonight as well:

"The best game of the day and the best game of the first round is clearly Kansas State and USC. Not only are we treated to the best player in the country in Michael Beasley, but we get OJ Mayo playing against his former high school teammate and good friend, Bill Walker. Walker and Mayo won two high school state titles together and have known each other since age 3. The athleticism on the court is going to be off the charts, but I’m a strong USC lean because of the coaching match up. Frank Martin, who is in way over his head in the Big XII, vs. Tim Floyd, one of the best college coaches in the country. This one isn’t even close. Floyd finds a way to shut down Walker and everyone else but Beasley. The Trojans will march on."

Thursday Late Picks
Match Up	Line / Over	PB	AW	Time/Result
#6 USC vs #11 Kansas State	USC (-3) / 139	USC 70 Kansas St 68	USC 74 Kansas St 70	KSU 80-67 (F)
#2 Duke vs #15 Belmont	Duke (-21) / 154	Duke 92 Belmont 59	Duke 92 Belmont 64	DUKE 71-70
#4 Washington St vs #13 Winthrop	Washington St (-9) / 111	Washington St 64 Winthrop 54	Washington St 58 Winthrop 45	WSU 71-40 (F)
#8 Texas A&M vs #9 BYU	Texas A&M (-2) / 128	Texas A&M 62 BYU 59	Texas A&M 24 BYU 20	A&M 67-62 (F)
#5 Notre Dame vs #12 George Mason	Notre Dame (-7.5) / 141	George Mason 77 Notre Dame 74	Notre Dame 70 George Mason 68	ND 68-50 (F)
#3 Wisconsin vs #14 CS-Fullerton	Wisconsin (-11) / 136	Wisconsin 70 CS-Fullerton 53	Wisconsin 50 CS-Fullerton 45	Wisc 71-56 (F)
#7 West Virginia vs #10 Arizona	West Virginia (-2) / 138	West Virginia 80 Arizona 74	West Virginia 74 Arizona 70	WVU 75-65 (F)
#1 UCLA vs #16 Miss. Valley St.	UCLA (-29) / 127	UCLA 84 Miss. Valley St. 50	UCLA 71 Miss. Valley St. 38	UCLA 70-29 (F)

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Comments

24-20!!!

Damn, that's quite a game. I expect this game to be low-scoring and kind of boring, but it would be oddly thrilling if the combined score was under 50.

by hornbone on Mar 20, 2008 5:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Vitale, Knight, Digger commentary

I'm sitting here watching ESPN and I can't help but notice something funny about their commentary.

Is it just me, or does it seem like Bob Knight is the "new, cool kid on campus"? Vitale and Digger seem to be competing for his praise and are hanging on his every word. They sound like a couple yes men now that he's on the set.

Don't get me wrong though. I'm glad Knight is with their crew now. He doesn't take anything from anybody and I like that about him.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 5:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

2 fouls on Beasley 15:45 left in 1st half

Look out. This is when the attitudes usually come out and KSU falls aparts.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 20, 2008 6:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A&M with 3 TD's and a FG?

Seems reasonable. Look's like BYU should have gone for it on fourth down instead of settling for the three...

Made me chuckle.

Go boom, mothers. Please, just go boom.

by Horn Brain on Mar 20, 2008 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duke Struggling Early

Up just 26-25, seven min left in first half.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 20, 2008 6:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

as long as belmont is hitting its shots...

Duke doesn't have the inside presence to dominate the way big conference teams usually do against teams like Belmont. Unless and until Belmont goes cold shooting, they look like they can hang with Duke. They don't have a post presence, but they're taking Duke off the dribble and scoring in the lane as well as hitting 3's.

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tonight shaping up better than this morning alrea

BYU has yet to score, first TV timeout. Terrible.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 20, 2008 6:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

BYU with six through ten min

Maybe 24-20 won't be too far off. Just gross.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 20, 2008 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

USC looks stunned

No intensity, no agressivenees, no energy.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 20, 2008 7:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, I'll shut up now

Quick 5-0 run by SC and they're back in it.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 20, 2008 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

did anyone else

see this sort of game out of k-state? especially after beasley got in foul trouble?

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 7:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bill Walker

I've always felt like they had a chance to win any game as long as Bill Walker showed up. It's just so rare that he has this year when I've watched them play. Pullen is doing a good job penetrating also.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i picked k-state

and i hopin they hold on and keep my bracket perfect

OU Sucks

by HornFan124 on Mar 20, 2008 7:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

belmont on a 9-0 run

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 7:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

belmont

has floppy-haired white guys taking duke players off the dribble. duke will probably win this game, but they're in trouble in this tourney.

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

belmont up 1 with a FT to come

i was initially upset that i was getting this game rather than k-state/usc, but i feel better about it now.

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BELMONT

takes the lead?

OU Sucks

by HornFan124 on Mar 20, 2008 7:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I picked USC to win

but I was worried about this game and I'm not surprised if K-State wins.

It's probably a surprise to us, but K-State is ranked 15th in Pomeroy and 21st in offensive efficiency.

USC is only ranked 23rd overall with a 48th ranked offense efficiency.

Who's the 6 and 11 seed here?

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 7:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I had K St

But watching them, it seems like they hate their own teammates.

by Wells on Mar 20, 2008 7:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Josh Carter

Has 20 points (most of them from 6 threes)

Rest of team: 19 points.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 7:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If USC and Duke lose my bracket will be hurting

I had both of them winning two games.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 7:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Winthrop collapse in the 2nd half

It was tied at 29 at half. Since then, Wash St. outscored them 36-5. Ouch.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 8:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

just for the hell of it

Bill Simmons had USC in the final four.

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 8:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There are few people

that I take more pleasure in their failure than him.

by Wells on Mar 20, 2008 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This Belmont team

that's hanging with Duke (down 2 with 2:40 to play) beat Austin Peay twice this season, both times by double digits. I hope that doesn't mean a damn thing come tomorrow.

by NYCHorn on Mar 20, 2008 8:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Scratch that

Belmont LOST to AP twice this season. (sorry, I have the flu)

by NYCHorn on Mar 20, 2008 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can see why

That's a good looking team for a 15 seed.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

belmont up by 1

2 minutes to go

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 8:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone pick Belmont?

I never gave it a second thought to go against Coach K in the first round as a 2 seed.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the thing about this duke team is...

that they're just not that good. they're basically belmont with better athletes. no inside presence whatsoever. they just jack up a bunch of 3's.

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah they are very one-dimensional

I noticed that earlier in the year. If they aren't hitting 3s, they lose. Still, I expected them to get a few wins on determination and coaching.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Put AW on suicide watch

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 20, 2008 8:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Along with ESPN

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Washington State

has outscored Winthrop 42-11 in the second half. Ouch

by NYCHorn on Mar 20, 2008 8:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This CBS On Demand isn't too bad

It's delayed a little, but the quality isn't too shabby.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, what a finish in the Duke game

This is good stuff

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

cant believe im saying this

but I'm cheering for duke.

Great finish though.

by afaeguy on Mar 20, 2008 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking the same thing lol

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now this is fun

Let's get a Belmont buzzer beater. Sorry, AW.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 20, 2008 8:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If Duke loses, my thinking must change

I thought teams that could jack up threes could work in college. I already knew it didn't work in the NBA, but I thought the short three in college would allow this style of game to thrive.

Great commentating going on. Announcing the play by play without screaming like a Gus Johnson esque psychopath.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 8:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the outcome of one game

probably shouldn't change your fundamental philosophy on anything....

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sage advice

almost never followed.

by Wells on Mar 20, 2008 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm about to lose it.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 20, 2008 8:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

K-State will win

Wow... I feel almost guilty that I underestimated a Big 12 team. A&M's up too. I should've prevented myself from listening to the media and just stick to Pomeroy stats among other things.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 8:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly I didn't think KSU had a chance

They always look sloppy. I figured on the road in a big game against someone they don't play, that they were toast.

I picked A&M because when they are on, they can hang with just about anyone. I was just hoping they were on for one game. Plus I didn't know anything about BYU.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kudos to Walker for stepping up against USC

It's about time he put his aggressive play to good use. He messed up my bracket a little, but it's good to see the Big 12 doing well.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

C'mon...

Give us an epic buzzer beater.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 20, 2008 8:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank God

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well shit

Moral victory is that I didn't lose one of my Sweet 16 teams.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 8:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rule of the tournament

Unless it's your team (e.g. Texas), you have to set aside your bracket for epic upsets.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 20, 2008 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

were you guys actually rooting for your brackets

over a 15-2 upset? seriously? root for your bracket in an 8-9 game or a 7-10. you HAVE to root for the 15 over the 2 unless you're a fan of the 2.

by billyzane on Mar 20, 2008 8:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If I felt like Duke would be a problem

I wouldn't be rooting for them. They will lose to Xavier though, if they don't lose in the next round. Belmont looked like the better team anyway.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I second that

OU Sucks

by HornFan124 on Mar 20, 2008 8:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can K-State beat Wisconsin?

UW has a great defense, but suddenly Walker has become a force.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 8:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Some ESPN analyst said...

"Teams that face Wisconsin for the first time rarely beat them.."

It will be really tough for a team that usually struggles to score (outside of Beasley and Walker) to figure out a tough defensive team like Wisconsin. I guess the one thing they do have going for them is that Wisconsin doesn't put up big numbers.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

When Walker shows up, KSU is really prettty good. When he doesn't, it doesn't matter how great Beasley plays, they usually still lose.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 20, 2008 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

someone commented

something like any smart coach has already figured out how to play KState, let Beasley get his and shut down the rest of the team. I think that was USC's problem. They tried to shut him down, let his teammates get good looks and build confidence, and picked up fouls. By the time they switched at halftime, he's being covered by guys in foul trouble who have to be careful.

Will be interesting to see if Wisconsin falls in the same trap.

by tenuki on Mar 20, 2008 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want to say nice things...

about the Aggies and even root for them when they play the magic underwear squad, but then I see things like this and I just can't bring myself to do it.

Be nobody but yourself in a world that desperately wants you to be like everybody else.

by 54b on Mar 20, 2008 8:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

damn

missed the campaign meeting last night.

by afaeguy on Mar 20, 2008 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Those poor mislead lemmings

Things like that seriously make me sad.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Main page is cute...

... But nothing beats the ultimate all-time top-ten awkward that you will feel upon viewing...

The Values Page!

Go boom, mothers. Please, just go boom.

by Horn Brain on Mar 20, 2008 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I keep wanting to make a joke about his slogan

"Reload with Reagan"

That just screams to be made fun of.

by UTAth on Mar 20, 2008 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. nt

by whills on Mar 20, 2008 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh dfg

Where to start?

The poor grammar?

The pathetic pictures?

If I were a current student today, I'd never vote for this guy, simply b/c he can't write a complete sentence.

How did you find this, 54b?

I haven't looked at a campaign website since a female decided to run for yell leader ~2000, but even that site was better than "Reload's" masterpiece.

by Beergut on Mar 21, 2008 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Emailed to me from a fellow Texas Ex

No idea where he got it...once I got beyond all the cheesiness, I was just blown away to the extent at which this guy went to be elected. Is this par for the course?

Cheerleader try-outs have definitely evolved since the days when I was in school. A web site is one thing, but to have a strategy session/pep rally too. Wow, it's like running for office.

I'm sure being a yell leader is a highly sought-after prize at A&M, but this leads me to believe there are bigger ramifications later on post graduation. Either that or yell leaders get laid a lot.

Be nobody but yourself in a world that desperately wants you to be like everybody else.

by 54b on Mar 21, 2008 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's one for you

Five Milkmen

Fletcher Massie is the stud who represented with his Paterno-deathbed/coffin comments at the Alamo Bowl.

Please help re-elect him so we can be blessed with more Good Bull!

Longhorns don't litter

by horndude on Mar 21, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watching ND

Tells me why I have big east bias. That guy was big east player of the year?!

by Wells on Mar 20, 2008 9:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

thanks usc for f'ing up one of my brackets. i had you guys in the finals for my espn bracket...

TEXAS LONGHORNS #16 Jermichael Finley 36 rec 500 yards 2 td

by clra2 on Mar 20, 2008 9:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Had a long meeting tonight, of all nights.

I had USC in my bracket for here but KSU on my other one in another place.

The more I looked at the game, the more it was approaching 50-50 contest.

Kudo to them for winning, even though it cost me a second loss for the day (11-2).

by whills on Mar 20, 2008 10:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Full moon tomorrow night.

All the upsets hit Friday - and maybe carry into Saturday and Sunday.

Usually this works for emotional home dogs. With the tourney, this requires a lot more knowledge of the teams that I have. But it does give an edge for the underdogs that can generate good runs.

by whills on Mar 20, 2008 10:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

ESPN BON group

Standings

Three brackets are still perfect. I will say that one of the participants that has a perfect bracket "K. Rosen" put multiple brackets in the group, which is lame.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 20, 2008 11:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs