***OFFICIAL*** pyonir-endorsed NCAA tournament thread and bracket group(s)

[GagHalfrunt]

First time since seeding in 79 that a region didn't have any of the top 4 seeds advance past the first weekend (South Region). Only 7 of the top 4 seeds in each region (16 total) have advanced so far...possibly 8 if Xavier advances.

And down goes Xavier. Holy crap, what an opening, that's probably the craziest first four days in March Madness history.

 

[zinfamous]

I like upsets as much as the next guy, and I will always want the NCAA championship to be one-and-done, forever and always....but this concentration of upsets is just ridiculous. I am feeling that this year we really won't be getting an assessment of the best team in college bball for 2017-2018. :\

Eh, whatever. usually, the first weekend upsets are fun and then these teams are swiftly put in their places by the second round or the sweet 16; but the South is so completely devastated (only Kentucky, a bit of a shadow of "Kentucky," as it is, remains?) that I'm left to ponder if we will end up with a Pepperdine situation in the NCG.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Ibut this concentration of upsets is just ridiculous. I am feeling that this year we really won't be getting an assessment of the best team in college bball for 2017-2018. :\

I think we're getting a perfect end to the 2017-2018 season. This whole season has been upsets, mediocrity and parity with no teams truly able to distinguish themselves or separate from the pack. As soon as a team got hot and looked good, they lost and fell back into the chaos. Whoever wins it's not going to be a mandate of dominance, just a product that in a single elimination tournament somebody HAS to win six in a row. If the whole tournament was played round robin we might have 64 teams that were all 3-3, that would be a fitting end to 2017-18.

 

[zinfamous]

I think we're getting a perfect end to the 2017-2018 season. This whole season has been upsets, mediocrity and parity with no teams truly able to distinguish themselves or separate from the pack. As soon as a team got hot and looked good, they lost and fell back into the chaos. Whoever wins it's not going to be a mandate of dominance, just a product that in a single elimination tournament somebody HAS to win six in a row. If the whole tournament was played round robin we might have 64 teams that were all 3-3, that would be a fitting end to 2017-18.

that's a relatively good point, but I do think UVA established themselves rather well, at least. My team, NC State, was a complete basket case: defeating two number 2s, UNC, FSU, Clemson, nearly finishing 3rd in the freaking ACC, and then a solid handful of losses against teams like UNCG, getting thumped by shitty Notre Dame, etc.

Arizona (one of those number twos), had its own basket case season (if you simply ignore all the other drama going on with that program).

How many number 1s were there throughout the season, 11?

 

[Muse]

Eh, whatever. usually, the first weekend upsets are fun and then these teams are swiftly put in their places by the second round or the sweet 16; but the South is so completely devastated (only Kentucky, a bit of a shadow of "Kentucky," as it is, remains?) that I'm left to ponder if we will end up with a Pepperdine situation in the NCG.

Well, Kentucky's alive (a 5 seed) and they have to overcome only an 11, a 7 and a 9 seed to get to the final four. But I doubt they'll survive the semi-final if they get to it.

My favorite games (on CBS) yesterday were Purdue vs. Butler (I thought it was a shame one had to lose) and Syracuse' gritty win.

 

[lupi]

Thought I'd be lower in the pool than I am when I finally checked last night. Not too bad with 5 of the 8 still alive. Goes bad from their quick though as only 2 of 4 and none in the final.