NCAA MARCH MADNESS

And Duke lost to GA Tech last night. First loss at home in over 40 games. Can't wait 'til the tourney, where the ACC will stop beating up on each other.

 

There are still a few games remaining plus the conference tournaments, but who do you think deserves the four #1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament at this point?

Stanford (26-0, 17-0 in PAC 10)
St. Joseph's (27-0, 16-0 in Atlantic 10)
Gonzaga (25-2, 14-0 in West Coast Conf.) (Only losses are at Stanford and at St. Joseph's)
Duke (24-4, 12-3 in ACC)
Mississippi St. (24-2, 13-2 in SEC)
Oklahoma St. (23-3, 13-2 in Big 12)
Pittsburgh (26-3, 12-3 Big East)
UConn (24-5, 12-3 Big East)

 

Since Eddie Sutton brought Arkansas to college basketball prominence, I'll be rooting for Oklahoma State in the NCAA tournament.

 

Syracuse will not win the Tourney again.

And SaltCityBaptist...as a Graduate of IU...all I have to say is great memories of 1987...IU over Syracuse for the National Title.

And since Syracuse is so used to winning, how many National Titles do they have?

IU is having a down year this year, but have the one of the top 5 recruiting classes coming in next year.

 

Stanford finally lost this weekend and Mississippi State survived a scare against Alabama. Kansas beat Missouri in a great game and Kentucky destroyed Floriday. Reluctantly, I might have to add Kentucky to my list of potential #1 seeds I posted previously. My Sooners beat Baylor, but I still think they need to win at least 1, maybe 2, games in the Big 12 Tournament to make the Big Dance.

March Madness has officially begun with some conferces already finishing their conference tournaments and most of them beginning their tournaments this week. I stayed up late and watched Gonzaga make a thrilling comeback win against Santa Clara last night. The Zags were down 10 point for most of the game but somehow were able to overcome their poor shooting to win it at the end. The Bulldogs are my sentimental favorite win it all since I don't think my Sooners have a chance. Their point guard, Blake Stepp, in one of the best in the country even though he doesn't get credit in the media for it.

 

Stanford got lucky against Washington State last week and finally lost to Washington. Just checked the RPI. St. Joes had the 66th toughest schedule in the nation this year and Stanford the 146th! Is it any wonder some of us have been sceptical about their high rankings? Both will leave the tournament early. Have to add Gonzaga to the list of over rated mid-majors, too. Southern Illinois also got a taste of reality yesterday.

 

Where do you find estimated RPI and strength of schedule numbers? I know ESPN has it as part of a package you have to pay for, but I don't know of any that list it for free.

 

cbssportsline.com has all that information, Rod. It's a much better site that ESPN.com.

 

my alma mater Liberty University made the tournament this weekend...looking forward to a 16th seed ranking!

I don't Syracuse can repeat, they aren't as good as last year. I do however believe that the ACC will be well represented in the final 4 and Duke (I don't like Duke) will win the tourney...

 

Thank you! I will go check it out.

 

Syracuse looked good this weekend beating UConn, but like it was said earlier in this thread, they will have to play a lot more consistently if they want to repeat. I wouldn't coun't them totally out yet.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Final Four made up of 3 or even 4 ACC teams depending on how they are seeded. Of course as unpredictable as the tournament has been, I guess I wouldn't be totally surprised if none of the ACC teams made it. It all depends on who gets hot at the right time.

 

I am a Duke fan. I hope they go all the way and win. But I wouldnt promise anything. As its been said one bad game(like a loss to a Purdue look-alike) could take them out of the tournament. I saw part of the Kentucky-Florida game, my brother is a Florida fan but Florida is still terrible, and Kentucky did play very well(I dont like Kentucky though). Anybody see Duke beat the Heels? Way to go Dukies.

 

I watched both Duke-North Carlina games this year. It is amazing how they are almost always great games even when one team is having a bad year. I have liked the Tarheels since the legend Dean Smith was calling the plays. Of course Duke has their own legend of a coach now, but I still have always liked North Carolina better. I was impressed how they were able to fight back after people had given up on them this year and were saying they wouldn't make the tournament. Once they adjust to Roy Williams' system and he is able to get a couple recruiting classes of his players I think they will be back to battling Duke for the conference championship (and maybe national championship) every year.

 

Rod,

You might be right about the Heels battling or maybe beating Duke for the conference or national championships. But I hope not.

 

It looks like Syracuse got the #4 seed in the Big East Tournament which gives them a first round bye. Thursday they will play the winner of Boston College vs Georgetown. It looks like most of the games are on ESPN. Here is a link to the information: Big East Men's Basketball Tournament

 

Alright, I am rooting for University of Northern Iowa (now in) and Liberty! Rah!

 

87-67. Nah, St. Joe's hasn't been overrated.

 

There, there, fellows. You're still #1.