March Madness 2023

[mjg1]

The Big 10 got 8 at-large bids. That's not a sign of a weak conference, it's actually the opposite.

How many of those teams advanced in the tournament, most lost in the 1st rd. The B1G always gets a lot of teams in, Purdue was over-rated all year and they got exposed. If you get eight teams in and none can get past the sweet sixteen, and your #1 seed B1G champ loses to a #16 seed, it's a bad year.

 

[LiveInTorontoPartyInMontreal]

This is a very strange year for the # 1's/#2's. For bettors, in hindsight we could of made a lot of coin taking the Money line of their opposing dogs.

 

[K Douglas]

In all my years of following the March Madness tournament (since I was in high school) this is the craziest outcome of a final four I've seen
FAU #9 seed
SDSU #5 seed
Miami (FL) #5 seed
UConn #4 seed

Last time a #9 seed made the final four was in 2013. The last time a #1,#2 or #3 seed didn't make the final four was.....NEVER.

 

[K Douglas]

My final four was
Alabama #1
Marquette #2
Texas #2
UConn #4

 

[princekwekua]

In all my years of following the March Madness tournament (since I was in high school) this is the craziest outcome of a final four I've seen
FAU #9 seed
SDSU #5 seed
Miami (FL) #5 seed
UConn #4 seed

Last time a #9 seed made the final four was in 2013. The last time a #1,#2 or #3 seed didn't make the final four was.....NEVER.

The seeding is practically meaningless because there are no dominant male players and therefore no dominant team. Cant name a single player who is supposed to be elite.

The women tournament is completely different. Aaliyah Boston at South Carolina (1), Kaitlin Clark at Iowa (2), Angel Reese at LSU (3), Elizabeth Kitley at Virginia Tech (1) are super elite, which is why those are the Final Four teams.
Friday's matchup between South Carolina and Iowa could be a match for the ages.

 

[basketcase]

UConn has been pretty dominant in the tournament so far.

I'd also argue with you about the role of dominant players in the past. IMO, far more top seeded teams are there because they have 3 or 4 very good players.

 

[LiveInTorontoPartyInMontreal]

I'm tempted to parlay UCONN and Boston Bruins ( cup) for odds about 8:1 . . any thoughts ?

 

[princekwekua]

Shoots like Curry passes like Magic. Caitlin Clark demolishes defending champions South Carolina in a 41 point performance for the ages. Hawkeyes in final against LSU on Sunday. Must watch

 

[mjg1]

Shoots like Curry passes like Magic. Caitlin Clark demolishes defending champions South Carolina in a 41 point performance for the ages. Hawkeyes in final against LSU on Sunday. Must watch

Iowa and Caitlin Clark looked a bit tired and some bad calls on Caitlin got her in foul trouble. Then again, LSU got really hot from the outside and were draining 3's at a high rate. LSU also had advantage on the boards and a deeper bench. Caitlin did her best, but LSU was just too good on Sunday.

 

[LiveInTorontoPartyInMontreal]

Iowa and Caitlin Clark looked a bit tired and some bad calls on Caitlin got her in foul trouble. Then again, LSU got really hot from the outside and were draining 3's at a high rate. LSU also had advantage on the boards and a deeper bench. Caitlin did her best, but LSU was just too good on Sunday.

Pretty lame technical , that particular play had 4 FT's , LSU didn't drain them all, but I think that was the TSN turning point. . .

 

[princekwekua]

Iowa and Caitlin Clark looked a bit tired and some bad calls on Caitlin got her in foul trouble. Then again, LSU got really hot from the outside and were draining 3's at a high rate. LSU also had advantage on the boards and a deeper bench. Caitlin did her best, but LSU was just too good on Sunday.

In their Final 4 matchup, Iowa left South Carolina guards open and dared them to shoot 3s. It worked as Carolina couldnt convert and Iowa won going away.
After the match, LSU guard Alexis Morris warned Iowa would be burned if they adopted similar strategy in the final. Looks like Iowa wasnt paying attention.

The 2 leading LSU scorers, Alexis Morris and Angel Reese, got flagged for 2 fouls each early and didnt play a single minute of the second quarter.
The refs were calling it tight both ways. LSU bench, particularly Jasmine Carson, erupted and that was the difference.

Ratings for the final women game came in at 9.9 million, the highest in decades. Dont think the plodding men's game would be remotely close

 

[princekwekua]

NCAAW Controversies:

During their elite 8 match up against Louisville, Iowa super star Caitlin Clark was caught trash talking and making the "You cant see me" gesture several times. The press and the public laughed it off.
During the final moments of the final, LSU super star Angel Reese returned the gesture against Clark. The press and public went ballistic, calling Reese crass. The chorus died down only after Clark's earlier gestures were played back.

Championship teams visiting the White House have returned under Joe Biden. Vanquished teams never show up.
But Jill Biden, who was at the game, suggested that the vanquished Hawkeyes and the champion LSU should both be invited to the White House. LSU players retorted they will visit Michelle Obama instead.

In America, race is never far from the surface.
Iowa coach is white. Team is comprised of mostly white players. Saw just one mixed player.
Iowa defeated South Carolina, who have a black coach and comprised of mostly black players.
LSU have a white coach, the legendary and flamboyant Kim Mulkey. Team is almost all black - brash and in your face
LSU players said beating Iowa was revenge for South Carolina loss. No explanation was provided but understood by everyone.