**OFFICIAL NCAA TOURNEY THREAD**

[Soccer55]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: Soccer55
Let me be the first to say that St. Joe's should not have been a #1 seed. St. Joe's should have been a #2 seed with Oklahoma St. being the 4th #1. I think this is going to be an interesting tournament, especially since the Atlanta region is loaded with UNC at 6, Arizona at 9, and Louisville at 10.

-Tom

PS- GO CUSE!

Lmao, listen to the WAAAAAAAHBULANCE about St. Joes! Who really cares, not that much difference between #1 and #2, plus St. Joes deserved it since they had the highest RPI besides Duke (not to mention that Pacific made the tourney, and Xavier won the A10). Cry me a river please.

You have to be kidding when you say that there is no difference between #1 and #2. Have you even looked at St. Joe's region? I would much rather be the #1 there and not have to face (potentially) Pitt or Wisconsin until the regional finals. St. Joe's is overrated. They play in the A-10 which is a pretty poor conference for being considered a major conference. 5 of the 12 A-10 teams have sub-.500 overall records while only 3 of 14 in the Big East and 2 of 12 in the Big XII had losing overall records. So beating up on Fordham, LaSalle, Duquesne, St. Bonaventure, and UMass twice in one season is hardly impressive. Not to mention, Fordham has played more Top 25 teams this season (3) than St. Joe's has (1) and that was the first game of the season against Gonzaga (preseason #12). In addition, they have been outrebounded in just about every game this season without having played a team like OSU or Pitt that have a strong presence in the paint.

I just don't think you can give a #1 seed to St. Joe's over teams like Oklahoma State or UConn given their weak schedule. I know the RPI says that St. Joe's #2, but if you look at the formula, 25% of their RPI comes from beating up on the Fordham's of Division I (winning %) and another 25% from their opponents' SoS. When you play both BC (#14 SoS) and Villanova (#21 SoS), their SoS is going to be pretty high due to the fact that they play in the Big East. Even Pacific has played 3 Top 25 teams (4 if you count St. Joe's) this year.

In summary, St. Joe's is a good team and I think they'll make it at least to the Sweet 16, but I think it's a joke that they're a #1 seed over the likes of Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, or UConn.

-Tom

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Soccer55

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: Soccer55
Let me be the first to say that St. Joe's should not have been a #1 seed. St. Joe's should have been a #2 seed with Oklahoma St. being the 4th #1. I think this is going to be an interesting tournament, especially since the Atlanta region is loaded with UNC at 6, Arizona at 9, and Louisville at 10.

-Tom

PS- GO CUSE!

Lmao, listen to the WAAAAAAAHBULANCE about St. Joes! Who really cares, not that much difference between #1 and #2, plus St. Joes deserved it since they had the highest RPI besides Duke (not to mention that Pacific made the tourney, and Xavier won the A10). Cry me a river please.

You have to be kidding when you say that there is no difference between #1 and #2. Have you even looked at St. Joe's region? I would much rather be the #1 there and not have to face (potentially) Pitt or Wisconsin until the regional finals. St. Joe's is overrated. They play in the A-10 which is a pretty poor conference for being considered a major conference. 5 of the 12 A-10 teams have sub-.500 overall records while only 3 of 14 in the Big East and 2 of 12 in the Big XII had losing overall records. So beating up on Fordham, LaSalle, Duquesne, St. Bonaventure, and UMass twice in one season is hardly impressive. Not to mention, Fordham has played more Top 25 teams this season (3) than St. Joe's has (1) and that was the first game of the season against Gonzaga (preseason #12). In addition, they have been outrebounded in just about every game this season without having played a team like OSU or Pitt that have a strong presence in the paint.

I just don't think you can give a #1 seed to St. Joe's over teams like Oklahoma State or UConn given their weak schedule. I know the RPI says that St. Joe's #2, but if you look at the formula, 25% of their RPI comes from beating up on the Fordham's of Division I (winning %) and another 25% from their opponents' SoS. When you play both BC (#14 SoS) and Villanova (#21 SoS), their SoS is going to be pretty high due to the fact that they play in the Big East. Even Pacific has played 3 Top 25 teams (4 if you count St. Joe's) this year.

In summary, St. Joe's is a good team and I think they'll make it at least to the Sweet 16, but I think it's a joke that they're a #1 seed over the likes of Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, or UConn.

-Tom

Either way (1 or 2 seed), one team would have to play Wake Forest and Pitt/Wisconsin winner. Both are extremely tough teams, you can't argue that either Pitt or Wisconsin are better than Wake since Wake played in the toughest conference this year. Like I said, 1 or 2 doesn't matter, you are still going to have to prove your worth, and the strong will survive.

 

[UTmtnbiker]

All I can say is Utah State got robbed. How does a top 25 team (before losing to Northridge in the conference tourney) not get invited to the Dance?

My team made it, Utah, but I don't expect them to go too far this year. Of course, we're in the same bracket as Kentucky - the bain of any Utah fan's existence, so even if they do, I'm already set up for heartbreak!

 

[mpitts]

Originally posted by: Khaos

Originally posted by: mpitts

Originally posted by: Khaos
Why did they rename the regions?

To confuse people and piss them off.

Sounds about right. BTW, I've got Kentucky, Pitt, Duke and U Conn in the final 4.

FWIW, I am going with Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Texas and Connecticut.

 

[CChaos]

I'm basking in the love for UConn in this thread and in the "experts" final four picks. It's been an up and down year for the Huskies, but they are clearly a talented team and I love to see them getting respect.

I can't say I'm crazy about the crap that everyone is giving St. Joe's though. Call them untested if you like, but please don't say they suck. Xavier, or almost any other team that goes out and shoots 70% from the floor is going to win the game. Very good teams lose all the time when they come up against talented, if less consistent teams that put together extraordinary performances. You won't catch me saying Maryland is better than Duke, but they were this weekend and Gilchrist was absolutely out of his mind for the whole tournament. If he played like that all year, the Terps wouldn't be 19-11.

I haven't had a chance to look at the brackets yet, but I'd expect alot from Kentucky (naturally), Ok State, UConn, Duke and Pitt. I could see any of those teams in the Final Four and I'd be suprised if it didn't turn out to be 3 of them and 1 suprise like a Wisconson or Georgia Tech. Most of all though, I'm just rooting for some fun games to watch! I'd love to see St. Joe's do well just to validate thier season, and as always I'll be rooting for the Big East!

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
All I can say is Utah State got robbed. How does a top 25 team (before losing to Northridge in the conference tourney) not get invited to the Dance?

My team made it, Utah, but I don't expect them to go too far this year. Of course, we're in the same bracket as Kentucky - the bain of any Utah fan's existence, so even if they do, I'm already set up for heartbreak!

I agree. Only 3 losses. But I guess they didn't win their tourney. Sucks for them.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: CChaos
I'm basking in the love for UConn in this thread and in the "experts" final four picks. It's been an up and down year for the Huskies, but they are clearly a talented team and I love to see them getting respect.

I can't say I'm crazy about the crap that everyone is giving St. Joe's though. Call them untested if you like, but please don't say they suck. Xavier, or almost any other team that goes out and shoots 70% from the floor is going to win the game. Very good teams lose all the time when they come up against talented, if less consistent teams that put together extraordinary performances. You won't catch me saying Maryland is better than Duke, but they were this weekend and Gilchrist was absolutely out of his mind for the whole tournament. If he played like that all year, the Terps wouldn't be 19-11.

I haven't had a chance to look at the brackets yet, but I'd expect alot from Kentucky (naturally), Ok State, UConn, Duke and Pitt. I could see any of those teams in the Final Four and I'd be suprised if it didn't turn out to be 3 of them and 1 suprise like a Wisconson or Georgia Tech. Most of all though, I'm just rooting for some fun games to watch! I'd love to see St. Joe's do well just to validate thier season, and as always I'll be rooting for the Big East!

People who say St Joe's sucks are just casual fans. They've never watched them play.

 

[cmdavid]

Originally posted by: Khaos

Originally posted by: mpitts

Originally posted by: Khaos
Why did they rename the regions?

To confuse people and piss them off.

Sounds about right. BTW, I've got Kentucky, Pitt, Duke and U Conn in the final 4.

ive got KY (I'd like GT to beat them, but unlikely), Pitt, Duke, and Maryland in the Final 4.

 

[gistech1978]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
All I can say is Utah State got robbed. How does a top 25 team (before losing to Northridge in the conference tourney) not get invited to the Dance?

My team made it, Utah, but I don't expect them to go too far this year. Of course, we're in the same bracket as Kentucky - the bain of any Utah fan's existence, so even if they do, I'm already set up for heartbreak!

I agree. Only 3 losses. But I guess they didn't win their tourney. Sucks for them.

1 of their 3 losses is to pacific a tourney team
the other is BYU a tourney team.
and the Cal State Northridge
but when you only play four teams ranked in the top 100 and win 2 at home and lose 2 on the road and then turn around and lose to Cal St North on a neutral court, youre not going to impress anyone (or me at least).

 

[Soccer55]

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
All I can say is Utah State got robbed. How does a top 25 team (before losing to Northridge in the conference tourney) not get invited to the Dance?

I think Air Force took Utah State's spot in the tournament. While it's nice to see Air Force in the tournament, IMO, they don't belong. They had a woeful SoS (#196) and from what I heard, their non-conference schedule was even worse. In addition, they didn't even play a Top 25 team all year. Aside from Utah State, I think the tournament committee did very well this year with selecting the at-large teams.

-Tom

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: CChaos
I'm basking in the love for UConn in this thread and in the "experts" final four picks. It's been an up and down year for the Huskies, but they are clearly a talented team and I love to see them getting respect.

I can't say I'm crazy about the crap that everyone is giving St. Joe's though. Call them untested if you like, but please don't say they suck. Xavier, or almost any other team that goes out and shoots 70% from the floor is going to win the game. Very good teams lose all the time when they come up against talented, if less consistent teams that put together extraordinary performances. You won't catch me saying Maryland is better than Duke, but they were this weekend and Gilchrist was absolutely out of his mind for the whole tournament. If he played like that all year, the Terps wouldn't be 19-11.

I haven't had a chance to look at the brackets yet, but I'd expect alot from Kentucky (naturally), Ok State, UConn, Duke and Pitt. I could see any of those teams in the Final Four and I'd be suprised if it didn't turn out to be 3 of them and 1 suprise like a Wisconson or Georgia Tech. Most of all though, I'm just rooting for some fun games to watch! I'd love to see St. Joe's do well just to validate thier season, and as always I'll be rooting for the Big East!

People who say St Joe's sucks are just casual fans. They've never watched them play.

People who say St Joe's rocks are Saulbadguy, SP33Demon, and alumni.

Charlotte will knock them out in the second round

 

[SpecialEd]

Originally posted by: Soccer55
Let me be the first to say that St. Joe's should not have been a #1 seed. St. Joe's should have been a #2 seed with Oklahoma St. being the 4th #1. I think this is going to be an interesting tournament, especially since the Atlanta region is loaded with UNC at 6, Arizona at 9, and Louisville at 10.

-Tom

PS- GO CUSE!

I completely agree. This bracket it full of over inflated top seeds like the Zags, St joes, miss st, Xaiver... We'll be seeing upsets like crazy.


CUSE IN THE HOUSE!!!!!

 

[CPA]

All I know is that the 'Cuse is still the National Champs until they lose.

BTW, Lunardi mentioned a procedural error in one of the regions, similar to last year with BYU. Can't remember which, but has anyone seen a response to the error by the committee.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Wow. Lots of Syracuse fans on the board. Well, i'm sure there will be an influx of (insert 2004 NCAA BBall Champion here) fans posting after the game. 'Cuse doesn't stand a chance.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Wow. Lots of Syracuse fans on the board. Well, i'm sure there will be an influx of (insert 2004 NCAA BBall Champion here) fans posting after the game. 'Cuse doesn't stand a chance.

They were saying the same thing last year too. Let's just play the games and find out.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Wow. Lots of Syracuse fans on the board. Well, i'm sure there will be an influx of (insert 2004 NCAA BBall Champion here) fans posting after the game. 'Cuse doesn't stand a chance.

They were saying the same thing last year too. Let's just play the games and find out.

Well, it helps when your sweet sixteen/elite eight games are in Albany.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

UConn baby!!! It's the 5-year anniversary of their last NCAA title, now would be a great time to win another one
That's all I've got

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3
UConn baby!!! It's the 5-year anniversary of their last NCAA title, now would be a great time to win another one
That's all I've got

49ers fan, UConn fan, who lives in Oklahoma. care to explain that one?

 

[Electric Amish]

Utah State got HOSED!!

Nationally ranked and they get left out because they lost in their conference tourney.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3
UConn baby!!! It's the 5-year anniversary of their last NCAA title, now would be a great time to win another one
That's all I've got

49ers fan, UConn fan, who lives in Oklahoma. care to explain that one?

LOL, yeah, I sure am an interesting mix when it comes to being a sports fan
I'm not *from* Oklahoma, I just moved down here to go to school is all.
I've moved probably 25 times in my life and lived in the following states at least once:
Minnesota
Maine
Michigan
North Dakota
South Dakota
Iowa
Illinois
California
Oklahoma

I've been a Niners fan for 15 years or so (since I was old enough to really get interested in football) and a UConn fan for about 10 years. I generally only have one favorite team in each sport (pro or college) with baseball being the rare exception with my having 3 favorite teams: the Twins, the Cardinals, and the Red Sox (in no particular order). Other than that I like the Orlando Magic, Florida State Seminoles, and the Detroit Red Wings.
I don't like to hop on any bandwagons (although most every team has a bandwagon to hop on, whether it be because they're winning, or because they're local, or because they've shown potential for the next season) so I pick a team and stick with em till the end

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3
UConn baby!!! It's the 5-year anniversary of their last NCAA title, now would be a great time to win another one
That's all I've got

49ers fan, UConn fan, who lives in Oklahoma. care to explain that one?

LOL, yeah, I sure am an interesting mix when it comes to being a sports fan
I'm not *from* Oklahoma, I just moved down here to go to school is all.
I've moved probably 25 times in my life and lived in the following states at least once:
Minnesota
Maine
Michigan
North Dakota
South Dakota
Iowa
Illinois
California
Oklahoma

I've been a Niners fan for 15 years or so (since I was old enough to really get interested in football) and a UConn fan for about 10 years. I generally only have one favorite team in each sport (pro or college) with baseball being the rare exception with my having 3 favorite teams: the Twins, the Cardinals, and the Red Sox (in no particular order). Other than that I like the Orlando Magic, Florida State Seminoles, and the Detroit Red Wings.
I don't like to hop on any bandwagons (although most every team has a bandwagon to hop on, whether it be because they're winning, or because they're local, or because they've shown potential for the next season) so I pick a team and stick with em till the end

Good enough. As long as you aren't a Zero U fan.

 

[MaxDepth]

bah, humbug! My thread is better looking and has links.


(oops, I just posted.)

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Wow. Lots of Syracuse fans on the board. Well, i'm sure there will be an influx of (insert 2004 NCAA BBall Champion here) fans posting after the game. 'Cuse doesn't stand a chance.

They were saying the same thing last year too. Let's just play the games and find out.

Cuse won't make it past Maryland, u heard it here first... No way a team that loses to BC will beat Maryland.

On a sidenote, funny as hell on the Rome show with all the callers pissed off that Pitt is going to play Wisconsin in Milwaukee... they will be lucky to survive that, I don't think they can pull it out, Wisconsin is tough this year, and add to the fact they're playing at home....

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Wow. Lots of Syracuse fans on the board. Well, i'm sure there will be an influx of (insert 2004 NCAA BBall Champion here) fans posting after the game. 'Cuse doesn't stand a chance.

They were saying the same thing last year too. Let's just play the games and find out.

Cuse won't make it past Maryland, u heard it here first... No way a team that loses to BC will beat Maryland.

On a sidenote, funny as hell on the Rome show with all the callers pissed off that Pitt is going to play Wisconsin in Milwaukee... they will be lucky to survive that, I don't think they can pull it out, Wisconsin is tough this year, and add to the fact they're playing at home....

I agree with Maryland beating Cuse. I think Maryland actually has a good shot of getting to the elite eight.

Pitt will destroy Wisconsin. The Big 10 was a joke this year, almost as much as the Pac-10. When your top 3 teams are MSU, Illinois, and Wisconsin..you are a joke conference.

 

[SpecialEd]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Wow. Lots of Syracuse fans on the board. Well, i'm sure there will be an influx of (insert 2004 NCAA BBall Champion here) fans posting after the game. 'Cuse doesn't stand a chance.

They were saying the same thing last year too. Let's just play the games and find out.

Cuse won't make it past Maryland, u heard it here first... No way a team that loses to BC will beat Maryland.

On a sidenote, funny as hell on the Rome show with all the callers pissed off that Pitt is going to play Wisconsin in Milwaukee... they will be lucky to survive that, I don't think they can pull it out, Wisconsin is tough this year, and add to the fact they're playing at home....

I agree with Maryland beating Cuse. I think Maryland actually has a good shot of getting to the elite eight.


Pitt will destroy Wisconsin. The Big 10 was a joke this year, almost as much as the Pac-10. When your top 3 teams are MSU, Illinois, and Wisconsin..you are a joke conference.

Don't forget that Syracuse beat UCONN and PITT in the final weeks of the regular season. Maryland is on a good winning streak but I don't think they'll stand up to Syracuse 2-3 zone def. Both teams will have their hands full beating UCONN assuming all goes well for them.