NCAA tourney week open thread

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March 18th, 2013 at 11:14 AM
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ijohnb
Joined: 09/21/2009
MGoPoints: 2785
NCAA tourney week open thread

I guess for all random NCAA tourney discussion/observations that don't come close to warranting their own thread.  I know I will spend a good deal of this week with these thoughts etc., so why not have a place to discuss it on the blog if you please. 

A couple to start.  I think SDSU has yellow road uniforms.  I think that means we are in whites.  I hate the whites.  Boooo.

Any word from anywhere as to whether Tim Hardaway's ankle is attached and functional.  I was surprised that he returned to that game and was wondering if the rumor mill had issued any word on his status.

I like Staee out of the Midwest.  I think they will hulk-smash both Memphis and Duke (if Duke gets by Cinci-not a given) with size, muscle, and neck flagrants.  I also think they benefit from having played Louisville last year and match up well with the Cardinals.  I know I know, I hate Spartan fever in Michigan during March as much as the next guy, but I like their prospects with that draw.

 

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March 18th, 2013 at 11:17 AM | I went through and did a (Score:2)
joeyb
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Joined: 10/12/2008
MGoPoints: 11301

I went through and did a rough bracket without paying much attention until the end. I ended up with 3 B1G teams in the final 4. So, I decided to try to do things how I did them last year and hope for less excitement in the round of 32 this year. This is the post that inspired that:

http://mgoblog.com/content/bracketology-because-its-bracketology-week

March 18th, 2013 at 12:15 PM | also (Score:2)
los barcos
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Joined: 03/27/2009
MGoPoints: 214

went through a rough draft and came up with three big ten teams (and florida...). big ten is good - but not that good.  

unfortunately, i think both ohio and indiana are as close to locks as you can get - but im not sure about the other two teams.

March 18th, 2013 at 2:03 PM | I kind of feel the same way, (Score:2)
joeyb
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Joined: 10/12/2008
MGoPoints: 11301

I kind of feel the same way, however, I don't ever think a team is a lock. OSU has an easy bracket, but my number crunching has convinced me OSU will lose somewhere before the Final 4. At the same time, my nubmer crunching shows Indiana losing before the Final 4, but I'm pushing them through.

March 18th, 2013 at 11:22 AM | I am nervous for the week. (Score:2)
bacon1431
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Joined: 07/26/2008
MGoPoints: 3283

I am nervous for the week. The last two years, my coin flip bracket has correctly predicted the round and opponent that Michigan has bowed out to. This year in mine, South Dakota St made it to the Finals. Very nervous.

As for the actual tournament, I think alot of the Big Ten teams got good draws. MSU should cakewalk to the Sweet 16 IMO and I don't think Duke or Louisville are invincible, though it's a tough region. OSU should make the Final Four. Wisconsin could get to the Elite 8 or further. Indiana shouldn't have a tough time until the regionals, and I wouldn't be surprised if we made a run. Even Illinois and Minnesota wouldn't shock me if they pulled some upsets.

For a' that, an' a' that, 
Our toils obscure an' a' that, 
The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 
The man's the gowd for a' that. 
March 18th, 2013 at 11:22 AM | I think (Score:0 Flamebait)
March 18th, 2013 at 12:54 PM | I think the paranoia is due (Score:1 Normal)
EricTheActor
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Joined: 06/20/2011
MGoPoints: -1000486

I think the paranoia is due to the way this team has played over the last month or so. While most of the other "top" teams have gone through a stretch of shitty play, they have come out of their funk. M, however, not so much. The effort against IU last week was great but the looked uninspired against PSU and did not show up against wisky.

"Ack ack!"

March 18th, 2013 at 2:54 PM | i think (Score:3 Normal)
ijohnb
Joined: 09/21/2009
MGoPoints: 2785

people are making a little too much out of the way Michigan played in the Big Ten Tournament.  Aside from the Penn State loss, Michigan closed by beating Illinois, a 7 seed, Staee, a 3 seed, won a tough road game, lost a heartbreaker to Indiana, avenged Penn State by 20, and lost a tough one to Wisky, a 5 seed that almost won the entire tournament.  There are certainly concerns, but this team still has a lot to like.

March 18th, 2013 at 2:56 PM | I can talk myself into (Score:1)
Needs
Joined: 08/05/2008
MGoPoints: 4159

I can talk myself into Michigan making a long tourney run....

We looked improved against Indiana and took care of business against Penn State. We got caught by the Bo Ryan slow-down machine, but that's a team seemingly designed to defeat Belein's 3-intensive strategy (and at least we haven't lost 12 straight to them). And we're now actually going to see fouls called on players impeding our ball-handlers, so Burke and Hardaway should be that much more efficient.

Kenpom says we match up well against SD St. VCU struggles against teams that don't turn the ball over, and we don't. Kansas has proven that their shooting will abandon them and that they can lose to literally anyone with their loss to TCU (and we'd be playing them in a cavernous dome, making shooting that much more difficult). I'm not convinced Florida's going to make it past their first close game, as they haven't won one all year. G'town is good but we have more weapons. No one else on that side of the bracket scares me. 

 

That said, I can also talk myself into a rain of 3's against SDSt and an early exit. Right now, I'm predicting Sweet 16, which is a step but still depressing.

March 18th, 2013 at 9:35 PM | Really?? (Score:0 Trolling)
March 18th, 2013 at 2:49 PM | I have been watching a different Michigan team. (Score:1)
champswest
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Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 2001

I think we are turning it around and are on an up swing.  Plus, I think they are motivated to have a good tournament performance and remember what happened last year.  Our draw looks very doable, a;so.

"I hate losing more than I like winning." - Zack

March 18th, 2013 at 4:40 PM | No question that amounted to (Score:2)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28964

No question that amounted to a vote of no-confidence from the committee.

Not necessarily. The committee will often give a team a lower-than-expected seed but a better location/draw, especially when it wants to spread out teams from one conference.

March 18th, 2013 at 11:22 AM | So youre nervous cause a (Score:3 Funny)
zguy517
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Joined: 03/18/2010
MGoPoints: 2026

So youre nervous cause a 50-50 chance says we lose?? Alright then...

March 18th, 2013 at 4:19 PM | The coin has been correct the (Score:0 Flamebait)
March 19th, 2013 at 9:09 PM | There was a 25% chance of (Score:2)
zguy517
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Joined: 03/18/2010
MGoPoints: 2026

There was a 25% chance of those coins coming up that way...

March 18th, 2013 at 11:21 AM | I have Sparty losing to (Score:3 Funny)
ReadYourGuard
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Joined: 08/21/2008
MGoPoints: 6191

I have Sparty losing to Valpo. If they happen to win that, I have them losing to Memphis. If not then, then the next round, or the next, and finally, I have them losing to us in the Finals.

"the Spirit of Michigan...is based on a deathless loyalty to Michigan and all her ways....and a conviction that nowhere is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours" - Fielding Yost
March 18th, 2013 at 11:59 AM | So you keep advancing them (Score:5 Normal)
goblueram
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Joined: 08/18/2009
MGoPoints: 1942

So you keep advancing them even though you have them losing?  Interesting strategy.

March 18th, 2013 at 12:43 PM | Or he's some kind of Pick 'em genius (Score:1)
Gobgoblue
Joined: 07/07/2012
MGoPoints: 781

and knows all the other outcomes so that he only needs focus on State. 

I love Greg Mattison

March 18th, 2013 at 11:22 AM | Next time... (Score:5 Normal)
BPocern
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Joined: 03/12/2011
MGoPoints: 113

Try this:

Heads: Michigan wins

Tails: South Dakota State loses

 

-BP-

March 18th, 2013 at 11:22 AM | montana (Score:2)
TaiStreetsMyHero
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Joined: 08/08/2012
MGoPoints: 727

montana to the sweet 16. syracuse is garbage, cal upsets unlv, montana rollllllllllls

I do it for my love of the Streets

March 18th, 2013 at 11:33 AM | My request for a vacation day (Score:3 Normal)
Butterfield
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Joined: 01/15/2011
MGoPoints: 1943

My request for a vacation day on Thursday was approved by the boss, so I'm looking forward to a long day on the coucn.  Although......maybe I'll get a spur in my ass I and just decide to make the drive from Phoenix to Vegas this weekend. 

I love this sporting event.  It's a rare event that I can enjoy even if my favorite team is not involved, and the first weekend is just so damn jam packed with action.  Thursday can't get here fast enough. 

The swag is back. 

March 18th, 2013 at 2:17 PM | I've got a meeting at the (Score:2)
joeyb
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Joined: 10/12/2008
MGoPoints: 11301

I've got a meeting at the other company building in the afternoon, so I'm going to take the afternoon off and watch the tourney.

March 18th, 2013 at 11:42 AM | Re: the uniforms.  If we wear (Score:5 Normal)
acnumber1
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Joined: 10/19/2009
MGoPoints: 2653

Re: the uniforms.  If we wear the Cazzie throwback whites I will be pleased.

5 4 3 2 1 Touchdown!

Touchdown Billy Taylor!

Touchdown Billy Taylor!

March 18th, 2013 at 2:48 PM | Yes, please (Score:2 Normal)
wolfman81
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Joined: 12/17/2008
MGoPoints: 443

I logged in simply to upvote this.

My wife thinks the all yellow unis make them look like "walking bananas".

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

March 18th, 2013 at 11:47 AM | Michigan (Score:-1 Trolling)
March 18th, 2013 at 11:53 AM | They (Score:5 Normal)
ijohnb
Joined: 09/21/2009
MGoPoints: 2785

don't play great defense.  They force a lot of turnovers.  They are not the same thing.  A pressing aggressive can be the easiest to exploit.  I would not get on the bandwagon just yet.

March 18th, 2013 at 2:07 PM | Ken Pom (Score:1)
m1jjb00
Joined: 11/21/2009
MGoPoints: 1417

has VCU 46th in defense.  As ijohnb says, that's not great.

March 18th, 2013 at 12:14 PM | I forget where I saw this stat (Score:3 Insightful)
Gordon Berenson
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Joined: 04/13/2012
MGoPoints: 1548

but I basically read that when VCU loses the turnover battle, they lose. Almost guaranteed. With Trey Burke leading us most of the way, I think that's a battle we can win

March 18th, 2013 at 11:51 AM | Hey NCAA, it's time to end (Score:3 Normal)
Wolverine Devotee
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Joined: 06/29/2009
MGoPoints: -9994437

Hey NCAA, it's time to end the disaster that is the first four. Nobody watches because it's usually mediocre at best mid majors.

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

March 18th, 2013 at 2:23 PM | I think they added the first (Score:3 Normal)
joeyb
joeyb's picture
Joined: 10/12/2008
MGoPoints: 11301

I think they added the first 4 so that they could accomodate more conference champions without removing spots for teams on the bubble. What I heard is that they aren't going to accomodate the Big East split. Since they aren't going to accomodate all conference champions now, I would have to agree that removing the first round would be the best thing they could do for the tournament.

March 18th, 2013 at 3:52 PM | Let's be real honest (Score:1)
cheesheadwolverine
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Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 2137

They actually created the first four because people us with pay to watch whatever televised garbage is tangentially related to college athletics.

"I just hope Tressel doesn't fire me"

-Gordon Gee

March 18th, 2013 at 11:56 AM | Opening Line (Score:0 Flamebait)
March 18th, 2013 at 11:59 AM | Also OT but purdue became the (Score:2 Normal)
Wolverine Devotee
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Joined: 06/29/2009
MGoPoints: -9994437

Also OT but purdue became the first B1G team ever to accept a CBI bid.

CBI madness, it's awesome babby!

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

March 18th, 2013 at 12:06 PM | Can't blame them one bit.  (Score:2 Normal)
Butterfield
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Joined: 01/15/2011
MGoPoints: 1943

Can't blame them one bit.  Painter has a young team that can only benefit from the extra games, particularly Hammonds.  That guy is going to be a beast.

The swag is back. 

March 18th, 2013 at 1:01 PM | What is CBI (Score:2 Normal)
jocular_jock
Joined: 01/03/2012
MGoPoints: 97

College Basketball Invitational, held on campus venues.

"The CBI provides a meaningful opportunity for teams that are deserving of a postseason experience."

I could really use a good ass kickin, but I would rather have my 200 dollars 

March 18th, 2013 at 1:18 PM | Take a trip back into the (Score:1 Normal)
Wolverine Devotee
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Joined: 06/29/2009
MGoPoints: -9994437

Take a trip back into the wayback machine, Michigan was projected a 1 seed for the 2010 CBI. Beilein turned down the invite however. 

Dark times. 

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

March 18th, 2013 at 3:55 PM | I had no idea teams turned (Score:1)
cheesheadwolverine
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Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 2137

I had no idea teams turned the CBI or any postseason tournament down ever?  Hopefully we will never see Michigan again in the days where it can't at least make the NIT.

"I just hope Tressel doesn't fire me"

-Gordon Gee

March 18th, 2013 at 12:04 PM | I love March Madness! Rick (Score:2 Normal)
Andrew Jackson Jihad
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Joined: 10/30/2011
MGoPoints: 1008

I love March Madness! Rick Stanzi loves March Madness!

 

AMERICA LOVEZS MARCH MADNESS!!

 

 

www.eatacheeseburger.blogspot.com Brian Cook has read this blog!

March 18th, 2013 at 12:10 PM | Our region is the most intriguing one to me (Score:1 Trolling)
jhender85
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Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 1385

It's heresy, I know, but I think VCU has a pretty nice draw to make it out of the south. Past that, Minny absolutely has the potential to be a giant killer and play much better than their 11 seed suggests. Would not be surprised if they make it out that region as long as they don't have to go through us.

March 18th, 2013 at 12:23 PM | Minny? LOL. They could, but (Score:0 Flamebait)
March 18th, 2013 at 1:50 PM | Minnesota (Score:1)
ijohnb
Joined: 09/21/2009
MGoPoints: 2785

is a quick out.  That is one to stay away from.

March 18th, 2013 at 12:21 PM | I hate the whites too. They (Score:0 Normal)
March 18th, 2013 at 12:30 PM | Louisville cannot win it all, (Score:0 Offtopic)
March 18th, 2013 at 12:35 PM | That monkey is way too happy (Score:2 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38797

For the position he's in.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

March 18th, 2013 at 12:45 PM | Why he is happy hanging on (Score:2 Normal)
Hoek
Hoek's picture
Joined: 01/29/2010
MGoPoints: 1771

Why he is happy hanging on that banana!

Go Blue

March 18th, 2013 at 12:34 PM | "I hate the whites too." (Score:2 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38797

I don't know that obvious is always so obvious.  Some have MSU coming out of that bracket. I think that's crazy. Beyond your in-depth examples of why Louisville is, like, really good (sigh...darn you Pitino's wife liking Kentucky), I think people are sleeping on Duke. In any other region I'd probably have them in the Final Four. They're back at full strength and looking fearsome lately. That bracket is just really tough.

Which makes my strategy vs. talent really go up against each other this year, because I like to go with who most plausbily get there to win (because if you have a better chance to lose early, your odds of winning it aren't great), but I can't really pick Ohio State over Louisville to win it even if the Buckeyes got the cake region.  And Indiana winning 6 in a row doesn't really excite me either. So I guess it's Louisville, even though everyone will pick them and their region is brutal.

 

 

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

March 18th, 2013 at 12:43 PM | As soon as I saw how my post (Score:4 Normal)
His Dudeness
His Dudeness's picture
Joined: 11/24/2008
MGoPoints: 13558

As soon as I saw how my post read I thought about the "EDIT:" but then I thought who is going to get offended if someone hates whites?

or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.

March 18th, 2013 at 12:59 PM | Uh, I prefer European (Score:0 Normal)
March 18th, 2013 at 2:29 PM | What, just because I'm white (Score:5 Normal)
joeyb
joeyb's picture
Joined: 10/12/2008
MGoPoints: 11301

What, just because I'm white you assume that I emigrated from the country of Europe? That's racist.

March 18th, 2013 at 1:34 PM | Not Offended (Score:1 Flamebait)
hvsiii
hvsiii's picture
Joined: 08/18/2010
MGoPoints: 780

I hate white people as well.  Equinsu ocha!!

March 18th, 2013 at 12:42 PM | The Dude, at it again.  Y U (Score:2 Normal)
CooperLily21
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Joined: 03/05/2013
MGoPoints: 452

The Dude, at it again.  Y U so mad bro?  Get over it.

 
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