March Madness

[lawyerman]

Too bad Gonzaga made those TOs in the first half, the difference in that first half was the points UNC got off the Gonzaga TOs. Looked like the Zags were making a run there in the 2nd half led by Pargo when they closed the gap to 11 points but then Roy Williams called a timeout and then Bobby Frasor came off the bench and hit back-to-back trey's and then UNC followed that up with back-to-back 3-point plays the old fashioned way with Ellington and Hansborough, that all but sealed the deal for the Tar Heels. I also thought UNC was doing a better job of getting inside than Gonzaga did for the most part. Lawson had a heck of a game and showed no ill effects from the toe.

I was surprised that CBS stayed with that game as long as they did, the Michigan State/Kansas game was in the balance and CBS kept going back just for one or two plays and then would quickly return to the UNC game. I guess its the UNC factor at play I suppose. Kalin Lucas came up big for the Spartans though down the stretch, I would have liked to have seen more of that game than CBS showed though.

I was watching the games online so I really didn't miss a beat. The Score network has done a good job covering the games. Sherman Hamilton seems to pick the right things to say at most times. I was watching the Michigan State/Kansas game online since it was a closer score. State was relentless and never gave up. Lucas was great in the end. I must say that I am a little disappointed by Arizona, Syracuse and Gonzaga. I thought that these games would be closer than they were. I think that Pittsburgh will beat Villanova but only if DeJuan Blair does not run into foul trouble. If he does, Pitt is pretty much done. I also think that Connecticut will beat Missouri.

 

[ckupets04]

I was watching the games online so I really didn't miss a beat. The Score network has done a good job covering the games. Sherman Hamilton seems to pick the right things to say at most times. I was watching the Michigan State/Kansas game online since it was a closer score. State was relentless and never gave up. Lucas was great in the end. I must say that I am a little disappointed by Arizona, Syracuse and Gonzaga. I thought that these games would be closer than they were. I think that Pittsburgh will beat Villanova but only if DeJuan Blair does not run into foul trouble. If he does, Pitt is pretty much done. I also think that Connecticut will beat Missouri.

I think Gonzaga really shot themselves in the foot in the first half with the turnovers, UNC capitalized on those turnovers and I think the turnovers in the first half coupled with the 12-0 run UNC made after Roy Williams called the timeout after Gonzaga had gone on a run of their own to get within 11 was the difference. The game would have been more closer at halftime had it not been for the 1st half turnovers by the Zags.

 

[lawyerman]

I think Gonzaga really shot themselves in the foot in the first half with the turnovers, UNC capitalized on those turnovers and I think the turnovers in the first half coupled with the 12-0 run UNC made after Roy Williams called the timeout after Gonzaga had gone on a run of their own to get within 11 was the difference. The game would have been more closer at halftime had it not been for the 1st half turnovers by the Zags.

I completely agree with you. The Zags looked frustrated for a while there and could never come back against a powerhouse like UNC and when the Tar Heels are on their game, they are very difficult to beat.

 

[OnTheWayOut]

Wow

That Nova- Pitt game was something, probably the best game of the tourney so far. Started out looking like a Nova blowout and then there was something like 15 lead changes and a ton of ties. Let's hope Nova has some gas left in the tank after that one .........

 

[lawyerman]

That Nova- Pitt game was something, probably the best game of the tourney so far. Started out looking like a Nova blowout and then there was something like 15 lead changes and a ton of ties. Let's hope Nova has some gas left in the tank after that one .........

It was the best game of the tourney so far. Without a doubt. I believe it was one of the best college games I have ever seen. I think the next best game during this year's tournament might have been Western Kentucky/Gonzaga.

I think that Louisville will beat Michigan State. Not so sure about the cover but they should win.

I have the same feelings about North Carolina over Oklahoma. Blake Griffin will make it interesting. He is absolutely dominant and the Tar Heels will have a tough time with him. Hell, any team is going to have a tough time with him.
I just think that North Carolina is too deep a team to lose.

 

[The Spartan]

So far I'm O for 2 in my final four picks so lets keep it rolling with Blake Griffin over NC and in a totally biased pick The Spartans over Louisville. Hoping that the blow to Morgan's nose will knock some(basketball) sense back into his head.

 

[lawyerman]

So far I'm O for 2 in my final four picks so lets keep it rolling with Blake Griffin over NC and in a totally biased pick The Spartans over Louisville. Hoping that the blow to Morgan's nose will knock some(basketball) sense back into his head.

I knew Michigan State was good but they were awesome yesterday. Goran Suton was more solid than his usual self and really put up big numbers in the first half. Kalin Lucas has come a long way as well.

 

[lawyerman]

Does Blake Griffin not winning help our argument that the PF can't be the franchice player in order to win the whole Championship .. It seems that Carmelo Anthony was the last player to carry a team on his back all the way to the Championship and Blake Griffin was statistically dominating this year but couldn't do it .

Not one player can win the Championship by themselves. That is a proven fact.

 

[lawyerman]

In NCAA a guy like Carmalo did it .... The NCAA it is easier to do it then at the next level and in American High Schools it's even easier ...

The NBA it virtially impossible ... I didn't mean one player and a bunch a crap can win but when a PF is your centre piece like Blake Griffin and Beasley last year are your centre piece it doesn't seem to work ... Carmelo a SF / SG can
take over a game..

Melo did not win the Championship all by himself. He was awesome but if he didn't have Hakim Warrick, Gerry McNamara and even Kueth Duany, he wouldn't have won anything. It was a TEAM effort.

Name one Championship team that had one player and the rest of the team was crap? I can't name one.

 

[ckupets04]

Melo did not win the Championship all by himself. He was awesome but if he didn't have Hakim Warrick, Gerry McNamara and even Kueth Duany, he wouldn't have won anything. It was a TEAM effort.

Name one Championship team that had one player and the rest of the team was crap? I can't name one.

YOu are 100% right Lawyerman. It doesnt matter what sport we are talking about , in any team sport, one player cannot win a championship all on his own. Melo was certainly the superstar on that Syracuse team, and every championship team will have a superstar or two or three but the stars still need to be surrounded by a good supporting cast of role players.

 

[lawyerman]

YOu are 100% right Lawyerman. It doesnt matter what sport we are talking about , in any team sport, one player cannot win a championship all on his own. Melo was certainly the superstar on that Syracuse team, and every championship team will have a superstar or two or three but the stars still need to be surrounded by a good supporting cast of role players.

Thanks ckupets04. Syracuse had Warrick and McNamara and they were pretty damn good players to say the least and there was no doubt that Melo was the star of the team that year.

 

[slowandeasy]

Are you finish padding yourself on the back ... I think you missed the point of my post .... I was talking about the PF position ... When your most dominate player is at the PF it seems it's not enough to win and it seems my point was made at this years tournment again ... Blake Griffin this year and Beasley last season the most dominate players in the country at their level couldn't carry a team to a National Championship but Carmelo at the SF / SG was able to bring the Orangeman a championship .... Also I didn't say one player and a bunch of crap .... To play basketball l at a Division A school like the Orangemen means your not crap and got game .....

Your argument about one player winning a championship alone can't be done seems to be proven by the fact that ..... when was the last time a first overall NBA pic has also won a Championship .... You could say Carmelo ( I know he wasn't number 1 but if you apply this years rules ie Highschool players can't jump into the NCAA ... then he would have been number 1 )

I don't see why you would think that a PF would not carry a team, but an SG/SF can carry a team to a championship.

If the PF's game is well rounded enough he would be a more dangerous player than your SG/SF.

Griffin looked like an awesome player 5' from the basket. He did not seem comfortable outside of his comfort zone. Griffin is a dominant PF, but he is no where near a complete player.

If you are saying PFs at that level have not developed a complete game, and that is why they don't succeed I can believe that.

I only got to watch part of that game, but I could not understand why Griffen was always standing at the top of the key.

 

[lawyerman]

Are you finish padding yourself on the back ... I think you missed the point of my post .... I was talking about the PF position ... When your most dominate player is at the PF it seems it's not enough to win and it seems my point was made at this years tournment again ... Blake Griffin this year and Beasley last season the most dominate players in the country at their level couldn't carry a team to a National Championship but Carmelo at the SF / SG was able to bring the Orangeman a championship .... Also I didn't say one player and a bunch of crap .... To play basketball l at a Division A school like the Orangemen means your not crap and got game .....

Your argument about one player winning a championship alone can't be done seems to be proven by the fact that ..... when was the last time a first overall NBA pic has also won a Championship .... You could say Carmelo ( I know he wasn't number 1 but if you apply this years rules ie Highschool players can't jump into the NCAA ... then he would have been number 1 ) ... How about this ... Highchool 1 player maybe able to do it ... NCAA it requires at least 2 players and the NBA it requires 3 ....

Saying that lawyerman your number one in my books in NCAA knowledge .... Your carrying this March Maddness Thread ... Enjoy this weekends games..

Thanks for the clarification guyroch. I am not an expert in NCAA basketball but I know quite a bit about it.

I do like North Carolina to beat Villanova but I'm not sure they will cover the spread.

I think I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb here and pick Michigan State over UConn.

Unfortunately, I am going to miss the games tonight and I am trying to get to Detroit for the Final on Monday.

Enjoy everyone.

 

[Stradler]

Good pick with the Michigan State pick, looks like North Carolina is taking Villanova to the wood shed early.

 

[lawyerman]

Good pick with the Michigan State pick, looks like North Carolina is taking Villanova to the wood shed early.

Michigan State has become so strong but North Carolina will be a tough opponent. State will be playing like it's a home game. It's going to be great and I am anxiously awaiting. I'm not sure who will win this one but I do like the spread right now. I have to do the comparisons and let everyone know who my pick is. I'm leaning towards North Carolina right now.

 

[LatinDancer]

Michigan State has become so strong but North Carolina will be a tough opponent. State will be playing like it's a home game. It's going to be great and I am anxiously awaiting. I'm not sure who will win this one but I do like the spread right now. I have to do the comparisons and let everyone know who my pick is. I'm leaning towards North Carolina right now.

North Carolina is too strong, but I'm hoping Michigan State will win it all. Michigan can sure use some positive event as it has been pummeled by the recession. Besides, one of my favourite ladies is a Spartan alum.

 

[The Spartan]

How 'bout them Spartans!!!!

A rare great night in Detroit. Nice weather(snow storm for Monday though ), tons of green and white fans everywhere and all capped off by a magical run to the championship game.

NC clearly has far greater talent, but if the refs let them play hard physical basketball like they did against UConn(loved seeing big bad mighty UConn being pushed around and ultimately backing down)....then they have a legit chance.


On a future note, lot's of good young players on this Spartan team and great recruits coming in this year and next.



Sparty Hard!!!!!

 

[lawyerman]

My heart is with Michigan State but my head is going with North Carolina.
I think the Tar Heels will take care of business.

 

[LatinDancer]

North Carolina is too strong, but I'm hoping Michigan State will win it all. Michigan can sure use some positive event as it has been pummeled by the recession. Besides, one of my favourite ladies is a Spartan alum.

Go Spartans Go! Wish I were with you tonight Jackie!

 

[healer677]

I took Michigan St plus 4 1/2 for the first half line. But, went with NC for the money line win.

I think the Spartans will come out guns a blazing but in the end NC should take it.