Saturday Picks and Open Thread
by awiggo on Mar 22, 2008 7:46 PM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Basketball
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PrintI 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]
| 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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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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 ]-
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
by patienthornsfan on Mar 22, 2008 4:04 PM CDT reply actions
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.
Big XII has won four
Though three are ancient history; most recent is Kansas in '88. We're (over)due.
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?
They had a third-place game at one time
if I remember correctly.
So, a loss in the semis sent you to another game.
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.
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.
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.
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.
by Blackjackhawk on Mar 22, 2008 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions
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?
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Wow, when aggies get lucky, weird shit happens.
Wonder how many ucla fans are on suicide watch?
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 reply actions
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.
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....
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.
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 reply actions
Four point swing there
Olenu has potential dunk blocked and Westbrook finally finds the basket on the other end.
UCLA within six again.
If aTm wins or even keeps it close to end
they're not gonna get rid of turgeon no matter what beergut says.
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.
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
I had UConn in Elite Eight
if A&M wins this game, then it's even more depressing that AJ Price injured his ACL.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 22, 2008 10:20 PM CDT reply actions
i got wkentucky AND san diego
i ate my lucky charms that morning
by abcdmetrius on Mar 22, 2008 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
But you'll have a lot of company.
I had ucla and pittsburg. It twas a good day until now.
A&M still holding on, two pt lead, under four
Starting to slide away. No A&M field goals in over six minutes.
I've doubted Love this year,
no more. Very impressive performance. Beautiful fade away puts Bruins up two. WOW.
Collison Clutch
Wow, Dareen Collison with back to back layups. Impressive.
Am i the only one who genuinely enjoys Dick Enberg's 'Oh My's?
if the bruins win
Mine, too. Great effort, though.
They play two fine games. We need to keep an eye on that.
that's what I thought,
I also thought one of Love's blocks was a foul.
by WestTxHornFan on Mar 22, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Apparently not but it was close.
Just had replay and hard to tell. TV has 53-49.
Not even close...
...to counting. I DVR'd it and his arm -- with the ball still there -- was a good distance away from the rim when the red light came on. I hope the final score wasn't close to any 'official' over/under lines or Vegas might be pissed...
First one to 50 won.
Game went exactly as expected.
ugh
The UCLA win leaves me unsatisfied...I mean screw A&M but what an ugly game. The refs were bipolar! And I just cant understand the Kevin Love love affair. He's a solid player...but he's not amazing if you ask me. And terrible final possession for A&M. Just bad.
UCLA keeps dodging bullets. How long will the breaks be on their side?!
BOOM! MUTHA!!
Dude...I'm in 3rd place. Best showing in a bracket evar! TOOT-TOOT!! GUZZLE-GUZZLE!!
Hopeful word on Johnson for tomorrow
In the Dallas Morning News:
Johnson says he's close: Texas freshman forward Gary Johnson said Saturday he's "real close" to being ready to return from a right leg injury, which has sidelined him the last three games.
"Miami is a good team," he said. "I'm just hoping I'm able to get out there and help my team."
Texas listed Johnson as a game-time decision.
<a</p>
apparently, Kevin Love is the best defensive
Either that, or those refs swallowed their whistles an awful lot.
That's the price of playing in Anaheim, though.
Turgeon did a great job at the end of the season, in the Big 12 Tourney and the Dance.
Maybe he does better coaching in tournaments?
I'm proud of our team, but that was a heartbreaker.
I'm now rooting for Kansas
UCLA isn't good enough to win it all; they're a tow-man team. If they make it to the Final Four (very good chance now), Memphis will destory them.
Yep, you got screwed
I suppose with so many games on the same day, there just aren't enough good refs. But the Aggies played great in the first half and showed they could perform at a high level.
One correction though: Memphis will not destroy them, because Memphis will not win its regional.
you might be right
Memphis didn't look good last night.
The Mavericks seemed to be able to hang with them somewhat.
I just don't want UCLA to make it to the national title game.
Times headline: Aggies couldn't beat off Bruins,
Officials got there first.
by AgentBurntOrange on Mar 23, 2008 1:30 AM CDT up reply actions
All thats missing
is a couple of other Bruins grabbing his ankles... As much as it pains me to say it.. Aggies got robbed.. They played an excellent game and should have been at the ft line on this one.. at least to put it into overtime. This was a poorly officiated game and you cannot make me believe that all 79897 blocks that Kevin Love had were all clean..Ridiculous.. Great game Aggies...
by LadyLonghorninOK on Mar 23, 2008 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions
No disagreement here...
But the Aggies were just terrible at the line in the late going. hit just 3 of those FT's and the game takes on a whole different look.
the Gutties will either win it all or their luck will run out in some horrible fashion. Pains me to say it but it's probably the former...but I am hoping for the latter.
I didn't like the last play
Who really thought they would call a foul on that last play anyway? You knew they would choke their whistles.
I thought A&M should've just gone for the win right then and there. UCLA had the momentum even if it went into OT.
I would've put Carter, Kirk, Sloan, and either another shooter (Sloan/Muhlbach/Walker) or two big guys (Davis/Jones) capable of getting an offensive rebound. Go for the three with around 5 secs left. If they missed, try to get the offensive rebound.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 23, 2008 12:52 AM CDT reply actions
Not sure if A&M Had Any Real Options
I agree, I think they should have gone for the 3pt. shot. However, if UCLA is fouling with impugnity, what difference does it make if they go for the 2 or 3 pt shot? If the refs are not going to call a foul in the paint, what makes us so sure they don't swallow their whistle on the three? I have seen a few games where unexpected "airballs" are thrown at the buzzer as the shooter is hacked on the three point looking in vain, as the refs head for the bar to beat the rush.
I don't watch Kansas St., UCLA, and UNC all the time, so perhaps the games I have seen are not representive,but it is amazing how many travels and fouls (Beas, Love, and Hans) are allowed that mere mortals are not. All three are outstanding, I am not calling into question their excellence. I almost spit out my drink when Beasley was called for traveling today.
by Blackjackhawk on Mar 23, 2008 1:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Turgeon wanted the 3
claims he wanted Sloan to pass to Carter for the 3 and the win but Sloan felt like he could take it to the hoop. Sounds about right, the right play called but the kid got excited.
by AgentBurntOrange on Mar 23, 2008 1:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Say what you will
but in the second rounds, UCLA won by 5 last year against Indiana, by 3 against Alabama the year before, and by 1 against Missouri in 1995. Hopefully, the common thread still holds true: Final Fours.
Of course, under Lavin, they beat Cincy by 4 in 2002, Utah St by 5 in 2001, and Michigan by 3 in 1998, and lost in the Sweet 16. Of course, this team isn't coached by Lavin anymore.
Btw, the refs weren't good in that game for either side. It's not like UCLA had a decided advantage over A&M. I saw a bunch of missed calls on both sides. It may have mattered more at the end (and I need to see a replay of the final block but I was too busy going crazy and trying to get my heart back to a normal pace), but it's not like UCLA was getting the calls all night.
Aside from that final block, Shipp was horrendous. Hopefully he can find a way to put the ball in the basket for the rest of the tournament. Aside from Love and Collison, offensively it was terrible (to A&M's credit, defensively). Thankfully they turned up that defense and Collison and Love took over at the end.
A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.
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