Well, sports fans, I suggested yesterday that in the past few years, the first Friday of the NCAA tournament has typically provided some of the best games and the most exciting upsets. March 21, 2008, certainly did not disappoint!
Regardless of how they may have screwed up your brackets, if you weren't fired up and knocked off of your couch by Davidson, West Kentucky, San Diego, Siena, and Villanova, I suggest quite strongly you go visit your doctor!
So, what's going to happen today? Where will the big upsets occur?
My choice for upset of the day is Duke, which should come as a great surprise to many of you that know me to be a Blue Devil fan. I just think there's something wrong with this team right now. They lack spunk, and WVU will be fired up.
I also think Marquette can beat Stanford, with the game of the day being MSU against Pitt. That'll be old-fashioned college basketball at its finest. Thoughts?
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Duke
March 22, 2008 - 11:41 ET by Gat New YorkThey have been living off their legacy for the last several years.
Their recruitment has not been what it once was. Since Sheldon Williams they have not had a good center. While they have a very strong group of guards, they cannot be competitive without any inside game.
I am not sure if Coach K has lost his ability to recruit or is too pre-occupied with Team USA.
Unfortunately I look for Duke to lose to West Virginia.
Gat
March 22, 2008 - 13:24 ET by candanceCoach K has definitely lost his edge in the past three to four years.
The ACC used to be the best conference in the nation, but now it's going through a slump.
Can
March 22, 2008 - 13:33 ET by Noel SheppardCan,
The ACC had the highest RPI in the nation this year. What makes you think it's slumping? ns
Well Noel
March 22, 2008 - 13:44 ET by candanceI do think a lot of the ratings are influenced by name recognition. As a Heels fan I believe in the ACC as much as anyone but I don't think we're as tough overall as we were five years ago.
The Big East and the Pac 10 are making a comeback.
The Big East ever
March 22, 2008 - 13:59 ET by Roger the ShrubberThe Big East ever left?
Last 10 national champs:
Big East: 3 (UConn twice, Syracuse)
SEC: 3 (Fla twice, Kentucky)
ACC: 3 (Duke, Maryland, NC)
Big Ten: 1 (Mich St)
Sure, I am a Big East homer (big time!), but the Big East never went anywhere. If anything, they are now the best conference in basketball now that they added teams like Louisville, Marquette, DePaul, etc...) - but, I am a homer, so take that with a grain of salt :p
rpi
March 22, 2008 - 13:48 ET by forestI don't put much stock in the rpi. It puts a little too much emphasis on SOS. I've been following it a bit this year for my favorite team, and it looks like they got more credit for losing to rpi top 10s than they did for actually beating rpi 50-80. Seriously, WVUs rpi appeared to be helped more by lossses to Tenn and Georgetown than their wins against teams like Providence, UMBC and Winthrop. There's something a little out of whack there.
Well anyway, it should be a good game today.
Duke suspect
March 22, 2008 - 13:39 ET by nkviking75You gotta wonder about Duke when a small school like Belmont can come that close to knocking them out in the first round
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
The Duke "Doughnut"
March 22, 2008 - 14:23 ET by scamoramaCoach K has had WIlliams, Boozer, Brand, and never used them in a traditional sense. He hasn't to, because he has always had terrifc guards and forwards.
Reruiting has gotten tougher, because Duke became a target, and teams can recruit against targets.
Duke's crop of freshmen look like a step back to the good times. Singler could end up making people say "Shane who?"
Duke can get past WestVa, but they'll have to do it on guts and grit.
IS ANYBODY ELSE
March 22, 2008 - 11:48 ET by drillanwrHaving problems with incessant ad pop-ups on newsbusters? My pop-up blocker is on, and I have NEVER had problems on the site before ... but all this week every single time I click on the site, or a thread, or try to post a reply and return to the thread pop-ups all over the place.
One source seems to be adgardener.com
Truth be told ... I am NOT having this problem on any other sites I frequent. And when I do look at my Pop-Up Blocker count the number is always in the high double digits.
It's kind of kept me from coming on NB as I usually do ...
Anyone else?
Answers?
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
As long as UNC loses in the
March 22, 2008 - 13:24 ET by wiwfAs long as UNC loses in the tourney I don't care about the outcome.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
drill
March 22, 2008 - 13:36 ET by BlondeCheck out Avatar's forum posting on Pop-Ups. This happened yesterday, Matthew indicated it had been fixed, apparently not. Although I'm not experiencing any issues today. Try logging out & back on.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Hi drill... Yes, same
March 22, 2008 - 13:50 ET by bigtimerHi drill...
Yes, same here, I had exact same problems and settings as you, doing the exact same thing to me... as I posted yesterday afternoon here on OT and it stayed that way until early afternoon for me today...it seems to be gone now for me though.
It was maddening...I thought it was my PC because nobody answered although I was gone for a bit and never really checked back there...anyway I saw later when I came back on Avatar has a thread about this very thing, Matt put a post in saying he thought it was about or possibly fixed...yes I hope I never see adgardener again....lol!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
the auto refresh seems to be
March 22, 2008 - 13:55 ET by botgthe auto refresh seems to be no longer on also.
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"----Syrius
Yunz guys ...
March 22, 2008 - 14:27 ET by drillanwrThanks ... I'll try what you've suggested ...
YES! It IS maddening! ARGGGG!!
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
Well I'm a hopin' for San
March 22, 2008 - 13:54 ET by bigtimerWell I'm a hopin' for San Diego or UCLA now...gonna' be fun..that is if I can get my husband to change the channel whenever they play...lol.
Here is pretty neat sport link...I bet most of you already have yours anyway...I just kind of enjoyed it, thought I'd pass it on.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
sport link?
March 22, 2008 - 13:59 ET by botgi like this one (pick your game)
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"----Syrius
Hey botg... Thank
March 22, 2008 - 14:02 ET by bigtimerHey botg...
Thank you...and leave it to you to know the best...I've got it saved.
I'm serious here...
Trust me...lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
BT
March 22, 2008 - 14:11 ET by botghow else would a fellow living in San Diego ever get to see URI Rams basketball? (even some Patriots football)
sometimes the games are blocked but if you scroll down there are at least 10 NCAA basketball games there today.
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"----Syrius
Once again
March 22, 2008 - 14:18 ET by bigtimerOnce again botg...thanks.
We are watching the Duke.WVU game at the moment...if he decides to turn it I know where to go...lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Go Hoopleheads!!! Beat
March 22, 2008 - 14:01 ET by Roger the ShrubberGo Hoopleheads!!! Beat Dook! It's a good day for burning some couches in Morgantown!
I hope my Panthers can handle the Spartans tonight. I think they will win, but cannot shake that feeling they will choke once again!
NASCAR Nationwide Series.
March 22, 2008 - 14:13 ET by Gary P JacksonNASCAR Nationwide Series. Can Carl Edwards win another one today in Nashville?
Go Mountaineers!
March 22, 2008 - 15:50 ET by candanceWVU has finally showed up for their game, and dook is clearly rattled! We'll have to see if they can sustain it long enough to win. They need to get a couple more dookies in foul trouble to offset their own worries. And they need to stay in control on those fast breaks.
Can
March 22, 2008 - 16:11 ET by Noel SheppardCan,
What's up with you Heels fans calling it Dook? I mean, honestly, regardless of the rivalry, is this fine school to be disparaged? This is one of the finest universities in the country. ns
okay Noel
March 22, 2008 - 16:16 ET by candanceJust for you I shall call it Duke on NB. :-)
Seriously though, West Virginia is playing hot right now and this game has become very exciting.
and it's getting later by
March 22, 2008 - 16:18 ET by botgand it's getting later by the minute
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"----Syrius
And who put it in writing
March 22, 2008 - 16:22 ET by Noel SheppardAnd who put it in writing that Dook...er, I mean Duke would lose this one? :-) ns
Noel
March 22, 2008 - 16:26 ET by botgit is recorded in my pick-em bracket
look for the fouls to be starting now
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"----Syrius
I did!
March 22, 2008 - 16:27 ET by candanceAfter watching Duke play all season, I called it two days ago that they would lose this game.
Very Weak team
March 22, 2008 - 16:47 ET by Gat New YorkDeMarcus Nelson did not show up for this tournament and Singler did not show up today.
I hate to tell you that their outlook for next season is no better and possible worse.
Duke is no longer getting top picks out of high school other than some guards. Based on how they fell off near the end of the season and in the ACC they should not have been a #2 pick.
LOL...Lookin' bleak for
March 22, 2008 - 16:17 ET by bigtimerLOL...Lookin' bleak for Dook...er Duke.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Noel,
March 22, 2008 - 16:23 ET by scamoramaFind a copy of "To Hate Like This Is to Be Happy Forever: A Thoroughly Obsessive, Intermittently Uplifting, and Occasionally Unbiased Account of the Duke-North Carolina Basketball Rivalry" by Will Blyth.
Good read.
scam
March 22, 2008 - 16:28 ET by Noel Sheppardscam,
http://www.slate.com... ns
Accurate review
March 22, 2008 - 16:38 ET by scamoramaYep, he captures the book well.
Another good read
March 22, 2008 - 21:05 ET by scamorama"Last Dance" by John Feinstein.
UNC fans probably won't like it, even though it ends with UNC winning the title.
Noel
March 22, 2008 - 16:59 ET by ricklailBefore I was laid off in '96 I had worked for Duke Power for 23 years. I once saw a kid write it as Dook Pire. That is where I picked up the DOOK. We do it for fun. I don't know of any other major universities that sit in as close proximity as Dook and UNC except maybe for UCLA/USC. You would just have to live here to experience the intense rivalry.
On one side of I-40 is Blue Heaven. On the other side in Dook and one of the highest per capita crime cities in the state, maybe even the US. Mike Nifong. Need I say more about Durham. They do have a good hospital but so does UNC.
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
Rick
March 22, 2008 - 17:07 ET by Noel SheppardRick,
As the crow flies, Cal and Stanford are probably separated by 15 or 20 miles. Throughout the Bay Area, you mostly see either Cal or Stanford hats/shirts/sweatshirts. ns
I think that is only about
March 22, 2008 - 17:17 ET by ricklailI think that is only about 10 miles or so from each other on US 15/501.
If I remember correctly the DOOK originated with the Bottom 10 poll that used to come in our paper. There was Purdon't, Texas El-intersepto Paso,-I can't remember all of them.
Is the Cal/Stanford rivalry as heated at Dook/UNC? It goes back before basketball. At one time Dook had a nationally ranked football team. The Rose Bowl was played in Wallace Wade during the war. Football is really where the big rivalry got started. It was Dickie V that really help boost the rivalry in B-ball. Before that it was UNC/NC State. Frank McGuire/Evertte Case.
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
Rick
March 22, 2008 - 17:23 ET by Noel SheppardRick,
Cal-Stanford rivalry comes from football. The Big Game dates back to 1892. Herbert Hoover was Stanford's coach -- I kid you not. ns
I knew the Hoover Institute
March 22, 2008 - 17:57 ET by ricklailI knew the Hoover Institute was at Stanford but I never thought it was for Hebert. I have never tought of Stanford as being conservative but wasn't Condelisa Rice the provost there?
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
Rick
March 22, 2008 - 18:28 ET by Noel SheppardRick,
Stanford is certainly more conservative than Cal. But, we're still talking about a Bay Area school quite proximate to SF. However, the Hoover Institute is pretty conservative as you likely know. ns
K-State
March 22, 2008 - 16:25 ET by Noel SheppardNBers,
I want to also go on record: K-State can beat Wisconsin in game two. ns
Noel
March 22, 2008 - 16:28 ET by botgcan or will?
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"----Syrius
b
March 22, 2008 - 16:30 ET by Noel Sheppardb,
A very definite maybe! ns
i will go on record
March 22, 2008 - 16:34 ET by botgMemphis will not make the 8 of course they can win it all.
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"----Syrius
Don't understand
March 22, 2008 - 16:35 ET by candancePeople do not understand the level of hatred Duke and UNC fans have for each other.
I root for two teams on any given day: UNC and whoever is playing Duke!
Can
March 22, 2008 - 16:45 ET by Noel SheppardCan,
I guess I've never understood this kind of hatred in sports. I don't hate the Tar Heels. By no means.
Furthermore, I went to Cal, but don't hate the Cardinal.
I'm an A's fan, but don't hate the Giants.
I'm a 49er fan, but don't hate the Raiders.
Now, there are teams that I hate, but it's either because of their fans, or their owners. For example, the Cowboys, the Yankees, and the Red Sox.
But, I don't hate any college or university. That just seems silly to me. ns
DOOK IS DUN
March 22, 2008 - 17:02 ET by ricklailThis morning Tim Montemeyer opened his show for those to answer why they hated DOOK. Tarheel fans were not allowed to answer. I tried to tell them it is in our blood.
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
The Rivalry
March 22, 2008 - 17:21 ET by Gat New YorkI believe the rivalry stems from the fact that they are jealous of each other because Tar Heels are not dorks and Blue Devils are not dumb.
Good Call Noel
March 22, 2008 - 17:21 ET by forestNow, to see who's next for the Mountaineers. Purdue?
forest
March 22, 2008 - 17:24 ET by Noel Sheppardforest,
Boilermakers looking strong now. Still early. ns
Go Musketeers!
March 22, 2008 - 18:46 ET by Roger the ShrubberGo Musketeers!
college b-ball
March 22, 2008 - 17:30 ET by botgmake your picks for the tourneyment
Go Davidson !!!
March 22, 2008 - 17:41 ET by LionKingI love this tourney.
Did anyone happen to catch Stephen Curry's performance against the Zags? ... One word.... AWESOME!!!
Georgetown is next.
LK... Yeah I saw
March 22, 2008 - 17:44 ET by bigtimerLK...
Yeah I saw it...sniffle...sniffle...
He was great...even though my team lost.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
BT...sorry
March 22, 2008 - 17:46 ET by LionKingI am just psyched for my alma mater. Davidson has not had any success in the Dance since Left Driesel coached Davidson.
Hey LK... I'm glad for
March 22, 2008 - 17:51 ET by bigtimerHey LK...
I'm glad for you...really.
It has taken the Zags years to get where they are...which is nowhere now but I know what you mean.
Be psyched all ya' want...understandable that's for sure!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
All hail the Hoopleheads!
March 22, 2008 - 18:55 ET by Roger the ShrubberAll hail the Hoopleheads!
hoopleheads?
March 22, 2008 - 19:13 ET by botgdude
Stan/Marquette
March 22, 2008 - 20:49 ET by candanceAnyone watching the Stanford/Marquette game? Very exciting.
cd... Yes I have been on
March 22, 2008 - 20:59 ET by bigtimercd...
Yes I have been on and off...exciting indeed!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
OT
March 22, 2008 - 21:00 ET by scamoramaYes, they just went into overtime.
I admit to having a soft spot for Marquette because I loved Al McGuire, I respect Tom Crean, and I'm a fan of Maurice Lucas, but I don't want to see Stanford lose today.
scan
March 22, 2008 - 21:09 ET by candanceI've always liked Marquette.
Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
Drat you Lopez boys!
Stanford wins by one.
Wow!
March 22, 2008 - 21:12 ET by scamoramaHow'd you do that? I was going to reply to your comment, and when the window opened, the comment had changed!
What a finish.
No lack of thrills in this tourney!
WOW!
well scan
March 22, 2008 - 21:14 ET by candanceNo lack of thrills in this tourney!
Watching Kansas clownstomp UNLV aint that thrilling....
Neither were UCLA's 70 - 29
March 22, 2008 - 21:21 ET by scamoramaNeither were UCLA's 70 - 29 walk over MVS, or the job Kansas did on Portland State.
But there have been some great games.
The best is yet to come: UCLA 75 UNC 70.
Pitt-MSU
March 22, 2008 - 21:24 ET by candanceThat's the game I really want to see but stupid CBS up here is showing me other stuff.
Pitt
March 22, 2008 - 21:27 ET by scamoramaI like Pitt in this one.
The Big-10 isn't a basketball conference anymore.
Go Pitt
March 22, 2008 - 21:33 ET by candanceI've been a Pitt fan for a while and wouldn't mind seeing MSU get beat.
CBS is showing that game now that the Kansas game is over.
If Pitt can minimize Neitzel it will severely hurt MSU, while the Panthers have more weapons overall. Should be a good game.
Can et al
March 22, 2008 - 21:35 ET by Noel SheppardCan et al,
I said this morning I expected this to be the game of the day. Going to be tough to top Marquette-Stanford. But, I really like how these teams match up on paper, and how their philosophies mesh.
Wish this would have been earlier in the day, because we've got to go to dinner. :-( ns
Pitt with the dagger!
March 22, 2008 - 21:40 ET by candancePitt has woken up and the game is on!
Keep on hittin those free throws...
Can
March 22, 2008 - 21:43 ET by Noel SheppardCan,
Yeah, and because I'm on the West Coast, CBS just switched to UCLA-TX A&M. Don't these people understand that this is Northern CA, and we couldn't care LESS about UCLA?!? ns
Update
March 22, 2008 - 22:01 ET by candancePitt has let Drew Neitzel get open way too much - he's already dropped the bomb on them three times. They're going to have to change up their defense to stop him.
Pitt's about to go home
March 22, 2008 - 23:21 ET by candanceMSU has control of this game and, barring some kind of meltdown, will probably win.
Pitt had no answer for Neitzel.
Like I was lamenting
March 23, 2008 - 11:57 ET by Roger the ShrubberLike I was lamenting earlier this weekend, Pitt always chokes, always disappoints.
I was musing to my father yesterday about how good Pitt might have been if Michael Beasley had picked Pitt over Kansas St.
Sigh. Coulda shoulda woulda, right?
UCLA/Aggies
March 22, 2008 - 23:31 ET by candanceCan the Aggies pull the upset?
NO!!!
March 22, 2008 - 23:40 ET by RESTLESS 1NO!!!
no dice
March 22, 2008 - 23:44 ET by candanceUCLA wins by 4.
Bruins
March 22, 2008 - 23:45 ET by bigtimerBruins WIN!
YES!!!!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt
March 22, 2008 - 23:47 ET by candanceNot to sound like sour grapes, but...UCLA got outplayed through most of that game.
cd... LOL! Like I
March 22, 2008 - 23:50 ET by bigtimercd...
LOL!
Like I said...
Bruins WIN!
Yes!!!
My Dad would be tickled.....I know I am.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill