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Community => JD Sports Forum! => Topic started by: JediMAC on March 9, 2005, 05:09 AM
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So, anyone into College hoops this year? Getting excited for March Madness? Your alma mater gonna make it to the dance?
I'm just excited that it looks like UCLA's gonna sneak in there this year, after not having much in the way of expectations for this season. The win at Notre Dame last week, after the Irish beat Boston College earlier, cemented it for us, I think.
The field's looking pretty wide open this year, though Illinois should still be considered the favorite, despite some weak play of late. Duke will be right in the mix again, as usual...
Anyone playing their office pools? I ran, and won, ours a couple years in a row, but decided I should retire and just keep all my winnings after that! ;) Haven't played since, which is probably a good thing, since I get a little too agro on the research when this kinda stuff rolls around (like with the Fantasy Leagues I now avoid like the plague)...
So, who's gonna win it all this year?
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I'm getting hyped up for the Madness as well. I don't follow college hoops incredibly close throughout the season, just watching a few games here and there (mostly UNC), but around this time I start paying much closer attention. I have been a big North Carolina fan for as long as I can remember (elementary age or so), so I'm really hoping they can put it together this year. Like you said Matt, the field seems to be wide open. Our company usually has an office pool, the best I've ever finished is 2nd. My wife won it all last year though (we allow spouses to enter if they want), somehow she picked Georgia Tech in the finals, and was the only one who did :). As far as local colleges, well, Nebraska has no hope (NIT maybe?), but it looks like Creighton is in after winning the Missouri Valley Championship the other night. A friend and I always take off work for that first Thursday and Friday, its always fun watching hoops all day basically, with these teams you would usually never see play. Let the Madness begin...oh, and go Heels ;).
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I am into it more this year since Illinois (my state) is doing well. Not really expecting them to win it all, but you never know.
My former high school just made it to the state's elite 8 last night. I went to the Super-Sectional Championship (final 16 teams). That was exciting to see them make it. It's a small school that rarely if ever makes it that far.
So, March Madness is in the air for me you could say.
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I much prefer college hoops to pro basketball, so it's the start of a really fun time. I end up attending a meeting in the US usually during that week too, so it's great to be in the atmosphere. Two years ago I was in Madison when Wisconsin won their first round game as the lower seeded team on a last second shot, so that was an incredible experience. This year I'm off to Purdue, but the Boilermakers apparently suck this year, so I guess I'll watch the NCAA diving championships while I'm there ::)
Obviously I have no alma mater playing in this tourney, but I've been a long time Louisville fan so that's where my heart goes for the tournament. Been a long drought for the Cards.
Office pools are too frustrating for words. I've lost to people that pick on the basis of what color they like better ::) or which mascot would win if they were to fight head to head >:(
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Yeah, the current office pool has to be rigged. The same guy has been the head of it 3 years straight. Three straight years he has won. How is that possible when we have like over one hundred people in on it?
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Yeah, the current office pool has to be rigged. The same guy has been the head of it 3 years straight. Three straight years he has won. How is that possible...
Earlier:
Anyone playing their office pools? I ran, and won, ours a couple years in a row...
Are you calling me a cheater, Brian?!? >:( :P
I'd like it noted that we only had about 8-10 people in our pool each time, and only one or two of them actually knew anything about sports. God, I love taking advantage of Sports idiots! :D
But yeah, yours sounds a little fishy there Brian. I'd demand a full refund (for all 3 years) if I were you...
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Office pools are too frustrating for words. I've lost to people that pick on the basis of what color they like better ::)
Sore loser :-*
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I'm just excited that it looks like UCLA's gonna sneak in there this year, after not having much in the way of expectations for this season. The win at Notre Dame last week, after the Irish beat Boston College earlier, cemented it for us, I think.
Of course, no sooner do I say that, does UCLA go out and get bounced in the first round of the Pac-10 Tourney. Then to add insult to injury, Boston College gets spanked again, lessening our formerly impressive win over the Irish.
I think we're now officially back on the bubble, after today's fiasco. >:(
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Well the brackets (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/i/ncaa/05mens_bracket.pdf) are all set. Bit of a surprise seeing Coaches' Poll #7 Washington get a 1 seed, while #4 Louisville gets a 4 seed. It should be another fun tournament. Some of my favorite basketball to watch, especially this opening weekend with all these unknown schools trying to slay the powerhouses. Good luck to everyone's team(s)....Go Heels ;).
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Yeah, that Washington #1 was suprising. Just glad UCLA snuck in there. Backed in there, more like. We get Bobby Knight and Texas Tech in the first round, but if we get past them, we're looking at Gonzaga. Crossing fingers...
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Gophs made it too, #8 seed. They played a weak ass non conference schedule and racked up 20 wins. They play IA State in round 1, and then if they win, they'll get smoked by UNC :)
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Yeah... the national poll at ESPN (http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/html/nationalBracket) has the Gophers beatin Iowa St., but look at the numbers for the eventual game vs. UNC:
UNC 98.8%
Minnesota 1.2%
:o
Not much faith in the Gophers beating UNC I guess...
Jeff
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Oh yeah it's time for the big dance everyone. I'm hyped with the Fighting Illini's overall #1 seed in the tournament. While it won't be a cakewalk, the Chicago regional isn't as difficult as the other regionals and the Illini should definitely be in the final 4. They had a a below average performance in the Big 10 tourney, at least offensively, but if they can get their guards up to the speed they had during the regular season, no one can stop them!
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Yeah, the current office pool has to be rigged. The same guy has been the head of it 3 years straight. Three straight years he has won. How is that possible...
Earlier:
Anyone playing their office pools? I ran, and won, ours a couple years in a row...
Are you calling me a cheater, Brian?!? >:( :P
I'd like it noted that we only had about 8-10 people in our pool each time, and only one or two of them actually knew anything about sports. God, I love taking advantage of Sports idiots! :D
But yeah, yours sounds a little fishy there Brian. I'd demand a full refund (for all 3 years) if I were you...
Yeah, you filthy $%^&* cheater!!! LOL!
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Oh yeah it's time for the big dance everyone. I'm hyped with the Fighting Illini's overall #1 seed in the tournament. While it won't be a cakewalk, the Chicago regional isn't as difficult as the other regionals and the Illini should definitely be in the final 4. They had a a below average performance in the Big 10 tourney, at least offensively, but if they can get their guards up to the speed they had during the regular season, no one can stop them!
They have me a bit worried. They have not shot the ball well the past 4 ballgames. At least the other teams shot bad in the Big Ten Tourney as well. Maybe it's just the United Center's rims?
Really I think it depends on how well or off Dee Brown is. It seems like if he is on fire the rest of the team just feeds off of him. If not they kind of struggle.
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After Day 1:
Correct:
Illinois
Nevada
Boston College
UAB
Arizona
Washington
Gonzaga
West Virginia
Wake Forest
Utah
Oklahoma
Kentucky
Wrong
Alabama (lost to WI-Mil)
Pittsburg (lost to Pacific)
UCLA (lost to Texas Tech)
Iowa (lost to Cincinatti)
12-4 the first day, not too bad.
The best part was that all of the losers I picked to win in the first round, I picked to lose in the second round, so my bracket isn't screwed yet... :)
Jeff
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I lost 4 games yesterday as well. Unfortunately I had LSU going to the Sweet 16. That will probably kill me.
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...Just glad UCLA snuck in there. Backed in there, more like. We get Bobby Knight and Texas Tech in the first round, but if we get past them, we're looking at Gonzaga. Crossing fingers...
Yeah, so that worked out real well... >:(
Too many freshmen on our team. Better luck next year, Bruins. Thanks for the memories. :-\
The SEC's feeling pretty lousy right around now too, I'd suspect.
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Went 13-3 yesterday, losing LSU, Alabama and UTEP. But like Jeff, not too worried. I have them all losing next round.
Wake Forest was a little scary for awhile, losing at halftime. Would have ****** me royally. I have them going to the Final Four.
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...Just glad UCLA snuck in there. Backed in there, more like. We get Bobby Knight and Texas Tech in the first round, but if we get past them, we're looking at Gonzaga. Crossing fingers...
Yeah, so that worked out real well... >:(
Yeah, thanks a lot. >:(
It was only because of you I picked them in the first round, giving your team a positive buzz. At least I had them losing to Gonzaga, so it didn't screw me up too much...
Jeff
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I had six wrong so it looks like I am out of it. My son had none....I hate him >:( ;)
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I'm 22/24 so far, with the 2 misses being games that were tied in the final minute (W. VA/Creighton & Ohio/Florida). >:(
I went out on a limb and have some interesting picks (UW-Mil. over BC, Utah taking out both Oklahoma and Kentucky, etc.), so my bracket has lots of opportunities to go very, very wrong.
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I went out on a limb and have some interesting picks (UW-Mil. over BC, Utah taking out both Oklahoma and Kentucky, etc.), so my bracket has lots of opportunities to go very, very wrong.
Like, oh, I don't know, Vermont taking out Syracuse, who I had going to the Final Four. Oh well...
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Like, oh, I don't know, Vermont taking out Syracuse...
Yep, big upset.
But even bigger was Kansas getting waxed by Bucknell... Who's the hell's Bucknell?
Shaping up to be an exciting tournament for the Cinderalla's this year. I guess that's cool, since I don't have anyone to root for anymore... :-\
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Oh yeah it's time for the big dance everyone. I'm hyped with the Fighting Illini's overall #1 seed in the tournament. While it won't be a cakewalk, the Chicago regional isn't as difficult as the other regionals and the Illini should definitely be in the final 4. They had a a below average performance in the Big 10 tourney, at least offensively, but if they can get their guards up to the speed they had during the regular season, no one can stop them!
They have me a bit worried. They have not shot the ball well the past 4 ballgames. At least the other teams shot bad in the Big Ten Tourney as well. Maybe it's just the United Center's rims?
Really I think it depends on how well or off Dee Brown is. It seems like if he is on fire the rest of the team just feeds off of him. If not they kind of struggle.
I'm a bit worried too, they didn't have a strong Big Ten tourney and didn't seem to be the dominating force they should have been versus Fairleigh Dickinson. They best not take Nevada lightly, or there will be hell to pay. But I think if they play strong as they did at the end of the regular season, minus the trip to Ohio State, they can still go all the way.
And oh yeah, go Bucknell! beat all over that Kansas team, woooo! :)
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I had Wake Forest going to the final four. I am now officially screwed since the leaders of one of the pools I am in actually picked Wake Forest & Syracuse to lose. The only consolation is my son is no longer sitting with his perfect score but he looks in good shape to win the 10 person family pool...damn kid.
Now I need my two Big 10 teams to help me out today and the way State played Friday night, I might be screwed in the office pool as well. I'm comforable with Duke and NC and the Badgers should be able to hold of Bucknell (whereever the hell they are from) so the damage won't be too bad if that's true but State...damn...they got to start playing the ball they are capable of.
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Yeah, I'm officially screwed too.
I had Wake Forest in the Final Four and Kansas in the Elite Eight. :(
In fact, after going 24-8 in the first two days, I was royally screwed yesterday - I only picked 4 winners (Illinois, Arizona, Washington, Kentucky) and ended up with 6 losers (BC, Gonzaga, Wake, OK and Kansas & Syra who didn't even win the first round).
Ah well, it's always fun to try. Maybe next year...
Jeff
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Oh yah!! The wolfpack helped me out with that win!! I have NC State vs. NC and every guy in the nieghborhood pool picked U-Conn to go to the final four. Nice...this could work out well if the Big 10 comes through. It's only a free steak dinner for the winner but bragging rights in the sub division is priceless :).
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Yeah, I'll join the club of people whose brackets are sufficiently screwed up at this point. I had Wake Forest and Syracuse in the Final Four, and Kansas in the Elite Eight. I know they say that someone picks all these games right every year, but I really find that hard to believe. Anyone who had the Bucknell - Kansas upset picked was just out of pure luck, and then on top of that to have Syracuse and Wake losing early as well. They must be genius. At this point, I'm just hoping that the Heels can keep on winning (maybe this is finally the year again), and otherwise, the more upsets the better. I always enjoy rooting for the underdog...as long as it isn't vs. UNC. :)
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Well hey look at this way. In the town of Normal, Il (right next to where I live) the leaders right now are a 4 year old and a lady who knows nothing about basketball. Just kind of picked the teams at random.
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oh man, how about that Illinois/Arizona game? probably the best game of the year as well as one of the most exciting comebacks ever in the sport. I just about had a stroke watching that game. the Illini down by 15 with only 3+ minutes left and they win by 1 in overtime. I was drained both emotionally and physically after watching it. but now it's onto the final four baby, woooo!
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Just an absolutely crazy weekend of college hoops. Some of the best games, 3 games in overtime (with one in double), comebacks, crazy threes, and upsets. I'm just really happy that UNC got through unscathed, and I hope they are able to continue. Should be a nice Final Four, and one that is somewhat surprising in some instances.
Michigan State vs. North Carolina
Louisville vs. Illinois
Good luck to everyone's teams or picks, and...Go Heels :).
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yeah this will certainly go down as one of the, if not the greatest, Elite 8's ever. just amazing stuff.
GO ILL-INI! ;D
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yeah this will certainly go down as one of the, if not the greatest, Elite 8's ever. just amazing stuff.
Just what I was about to say. Yeah, some absolutely amazing games this weekend, starting with that Arizona collapse against Illinois. That sucked for Pac-10 fans, so that one bummed me out, since our conference is officially toast now.
We watched the other games as well, and even had a pretty close contest with Wisconsin against NC. Came down to the final minute in that one as well, with NC finally sealing the deal there, unfortunately.
That Kentucky shot at the buzzer to send it into OT has to be one of the top 5 College shots of all-time. That was like in the movies, where the ball hangs on the rim for several seconds, with everyone in the building nervous with anticipation, before finally rattling through the hoop. Of course, unlike the movies, Kentucky didn't quite wind up winning that game. Glad to see Mich. St. pull through though...
Hopefully the Final 4 is equally entertaining! 8)
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I was hoping for a Kentucky Louisville final, but the announcers jinxed it by mentioning it last night :-\ Still pulling for the Cards though. I don't hate Pitino like a lot of people seem too and it would be mighty cool to wander around C3 wearing my Louisville hat and shirt being an ass :P
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Obviously since I live in central Illinois I was all for the Illini. I thought they were deader than a doornail. Nope!
It should be a wild Final Four I would imagine. Everyone seems to be able to beat anyone really. I don't think any team is head and shoulders above the rest.
I am just happy Illinois made it to the Final Four. It rarely happens for us.
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Illinois vs UNC by the looks of things. Good game with Louisville for a while, but how do you beat a team that shoots that well in the second half and played fantastic defense. I was disappointed with Louisville's offense more than anything else. They seemed really tentative.
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Well they have been a joy to watch the entire season. The whole area where I live loves this team to death. I am glad they are in the championship game. I just hope they can pull it all together for one more game. UNC is going to be really hard to beat though. But Illinois can do it I think if they shoot the ball well. Illinois just has that certain something that makes them really hard to beat.
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Only one thing to say about the big game tomorrow...
Go I-L-L-I-N-I! ;D
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I'm so happy that Carolina was able to pull off the W on Saturday and make it to the championship. Going to be awfully tough against Illinois, who seem to run their offense with great proficiency. Should be a good game at least, and I hope entertaining for everyone. Go Heels :).
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Wow what a great game that was! My sympathy to the Illini fans here. I wasn't really pulling for either team but found myself hoping the Tar Heels would win for some reason. I think because Illinois was setting those crap screens the last 5 minutes (similar to the Arizona game) I had picked Illinois to win it and they are a Big 10 School so I'm suprised I did that, sorry :-\
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****!
So depressed now about it, thankfully I'm at work and it's keeping my mind off of the loss for the most part. I feel so bad for the Illini players, they had the game just out of their reach. Worse part will be tomorrow when everyone says the better team won, which will be a crock. Both teams were pretty even I think, the only difference being that Sean May was allowed to play as a goddamn linebacker instead of a forward. Should be used to this kind of disappointment by now....
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I was pulling for the Illini, for the simple reason that NC's already won 3 of these things. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. Of course, shooting an NCAA record 40 three-pointers didn't help matters for them, especially when they only connected on 12 of them... They needed to develop more of an inside presence at some point, but due to Sean May scaring the poor guys to death in there, they just kept settling for the long range bombing. Poor game plan, which should've been altered a bit at some point in the game, I think.
But the better more talented team won. NC could be sending anywhere from 3 to 5 of those guys to the NBA next year, so they certainly had the studs to make it happen, and thank God for Roy Williams having those players, to finally get that gorilla off his back. He would've been screwed had they not held onto this one. Sorry Brian R. and Jason, and any other IL fans out there...
NCAA hoops. That's a wrap! See ya'll next year, when UCLA will surprise everyone with a return to their former glory. Yeah. You heard it here first... 8)
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Well that one hurt for us Illini faithful. I could not be prouder of the team though. Despite the Illini's poor play the first half and a few questionable non-calls on Sean May (and some ticky-tack calls on Augustine) Illinois almost pulled off another miracle comeback.
Down 15 points and got it down to 2. Went down another 10 points and tied it up with 2:01 to go. I thought Illinois was going to squirt ahead there and possibly steal the game or at least get a lead. Close but no cigar.
North Carolina was a ton though. So congrats to them.