NCAA tourney open thread (Sunday, 3/20)
I imagine that many of us are watching the tourney today and not just the Michigan-Duke game.
Just a minute ago, the announcers mentioned Makhtar Ndiaye, in part because he played for UNC and because Washington has a player named Aziz N'Diaye (no relation to Makhtar), and it reminded me of my favorite Makhtar moment from when he played at Michigan. It was a tight game, and Juwan Howard had the ball in the post. He was fouled as he shot the ball. The whistle was clear, and the ball was hanging on the rim, and everyone was just staring at it, wondering if it would fall in. I was in the student section and it seemed like the ball was just sitting on the rim for ages...
until Makhtar came flying in from just outside my vision, and thunderously dunked it. A collective sigh/scream erupted from the student section, and all the other players were looking at Makhtar incredulously. It was horrible at the time, but hilarious in retrospect.
I've tuned into the UNC/Wash game and realized we probably should be rooting for UNC to win this. Now this normally goes against my desire for top seeds to go down, but the rationale is there. If UNC loses, more of there fans will probably leave than stay and root against Duke.
So root for UNC, and hope those fans stay to heckle the Cameron Crazies. Any little bit to help the Wolverines would be welcome.
What if UNC loses. I feel like the UNC crowd would still be as passionate to not see their foe advance further in the tourney than they did, and cheer just as hard, of even harder, for Mich to beat Duke.
Just a thought.
Great Point!
I was just thinking that playing in Charlotte was gong to be a huge disadvantage for us, so go Tar Heels!
Pretty awesome first half between Washington and Carolina. They're putting on a good offensive show.
It's unreal how quickly into the shot clock both these teams shoot. I expect the opposite out of our game.
before Washington can settle into their zone. You might see Duke do the same against us.
I hate them for beating us in '93.
I am thinking the UNC fans are more likely to stick around and give us a bit of a crowd in our favor if they can pull this win off. If UNC loses I don't see their fans sticking around to rout against Duke.
I'm thinking the same thing
I remember Makhtar getting called for a technical foul once because he kept raising his fist in the air every time he thought he got fouled like it was Gus Macker or something.
I love these fast-paced games. Isiah Thomas is fun to watch, even when he's not playing extremely well.
Yeah, there is a lot of team speed on that floor. The talent level at Carolina is amazing. I can only imagine what that team would be like if players hung around for four year.
Go Blue - Beat Puke!
Yeah, it's a shame--in a way. Kevin Garnett ruined college basketball when he went pro. I think he made the right call for him, but it crushed the game because every good kid realized they could do the same.
Also, what a finish.
could anyone figure out what on earth Jordan Taylor was doing last night? His offensive philosophy seemed to be to throw the ball at the basket at random times and places. It's a wonder Wisconsin still found a way to win.
Wow UNC just goaltended that last shot. Luckily it was a 2 point anyway so it doesn't matter.
Replay shows the official was already turning and walking away, not to mention the lack of quality clock management at the end. Wow, close no-calls. I have NC in my bracket, but I like a fair game, regardless of the outcome.
Not to mention the time was wrong.....By about half a second which is a lot.