OT: NCAA Tournament Round of 32 Open Thread

Submitted by OccaM on

So who thinks Cincy can keep UK at bay for the whole duration of this game? I'm pleasantly surprised. 

ijohnb

March 21st, 2015 at 4:00 PM ^

half time interview was an effective display of dick-headedness. I didn't think she was being overly negative - they were both valid questions. It not like she was some sniper, she was the softball halftime questions lady. Geez Cal? Didn't quite get his defensiveness there.

rob f

March 21st, 2015 at 3:33 PM ^

about what it would do to my bracket, I would love to see Kentucky get knocked off.  Doesn't matter who does it, as long as somebody does.

victors2000

March 21st, 2015 at 4:01 PM ^

Coach Brown did said they would make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Apart from stuff like that I haven't seen too much that tells me they are overrated. Kentucky didn't play the best first half while the Bearcats did and yet the Bearcats are down by seven.

OccaM

March 21st, 2015 at 4:20 PM ^

I wouldn't say that UK would make the playoffs, but I think they could beat the 76ers, Lakers, Celtics and Knicks... Those teams are filled with D-leaguers, which I think would be the floor for many on UK's team this year... 

If UK is equatable to the D-league then is it that wrong of a statement to say they can beat NBA teams? 

victors2000

March 21st, 2015 at 5:34 PM ^

to the D-league isn't the same thing. The NBA is the cream of the crop, a crop that keeps adding to itself every year from the best college teams and pro teams from around the world. UK is a great college team but they would get beat by even the bottom dwellers of the league, or at least that's where my money would be.

blackstarwolverine

March 21st, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^

I'm not going to debate the cheating at UMASS and Memphis, but to my knowledge UK hasn't been reported since Calipari arrived, whereas UNC, Syracuse, UConn, UCLA have had notable scandals. The man could possibly be the best at covering his dirty laundry (which I think is the case, based on what I've heard from friends). Also, almost all of his main players returned from last year, and I doubt that he is hardly the only coach who tells recruits that they can use their program as a springboard to the NBA. Why wouldn't he? His players get to play for one of the most storied basketball programs, gain wide-spread media exposure, and compete with some of the best players in the nation. The man might be a scum-bag, which I think he probably is, but some of the hate (understandable after the Harrison dagger last year) is a bit irrational, as should be expected on a sports blog.

enlightenedbum

March 21st, 2015 at 3:56 PM ^

Cinci let themselves get sped up and away from what was obviously their plan.  Bad shots mean fast break chances and that's where Kentucky's ridiculous athleticism overcomes their terrible coaching.

LSAClassOf2000

March 21st, 2015 at 3:57 PM ^

It has been a fun after of basketball yet again so far - rather nice to see UCLA find a spot in the Sweet 16 when they were a controversial pick to be here at all, and although I can see Kentucky likely pulling away in this one, this seems like a tougher matchup for them (though Cincy doesn't really have the size and isn't quite that physical) so it should be interesting all the same. 

Speaking of Kentucky, they are winning right now with a 37.93% eFG% right now, less than Cincy's 46.15%. The difference statistically has been that Kentucky has been to the line 11 times and made nine of them. 

gwkrlghl

March 21st, 2015 at 4:02 PM ^

I maintain that the odds on favorite for this year's national title is "VACATED" as Calipari has shown himself to be a master of getting his past accomplishments vacated

victors2000

March 21st, 2015 at 4:07 PM ^

talk and had them taking an early exit against SMU. I'm sure that served to motivate them - I should have taken that into consideration when I made my pick - and they looked pretty good against UAB. They better not beat Gonzaga or they will single handedly ruin my bracket.

blackstarwolverine

March 21st, 2015 at 4:33 PM ^

UAB's performance is one of the reasons (the other being a busted bracket) why I hate Cinderella's who play very well one round to knock out a top team, and then choke in their next game against relatively equal opposition. Which allows teams like UCLA to advance even further.