Since there's not already a thread-Elite 8 Saturday

[gilpdawg]

X needs to hit some shots. They've already had 3 open threes that didn't even draw iron.

[GoReds33]

Can someone tell me why Derick Brown shoots threes? He becomes much less valuable as he drifts away from the basket.

[RedR8R]

X is playing like arse but still only down 5. If they could get their schmit together they'd be alright. Gonna need a cushion, cuz you know the zebras are going to give UCLA every benefit of the doubt.

[OnBaseMachine]

33-24 UCLA at halftime.

[gilpdawg]

X only shooting 33% from the field. UCLA at 52%. If both teams regress to the mean a little bit, with only a 9 point margin X may be able to make a run. Without UCLA's turnovers, they'd be up by 15-20 by now though.

[OnBaseMachine]

45-28 UCLA with under 16 minutes to go.

[gilpdawg]

Wow, UCLA is really good today. 14-0 run to go up by 20. This one's over, folks. Nice season, Muskies. Congratulations on a good run.

[OnBaseMachine]

UCLA wins 76-57 to advance to the Final Four for the third straight season.

[Boston Red]

That wasn't the Xavier team we saw most of the year. UCLA obviously had something to do with that, but Xavier played much, much better most of the year. They would have had a tough time winning no matter how well they played, but it's disappointing that they did not at least acquit themselves better on the big stage with a national audience.

[Reds Freak]

Xavier would have needed to play a near flawless game to beat UCLA and obviously they didn't. They couldn't get anything to fall, couldn't capitalize on turnovers, and missed free throws. But I'll choose to remember that team by its 30 wins prior to this game. Those three seniors gave it everything they had all year and it was an absolute joy to watch Josh and Stanley for four years and Lavender for two. They have certainly set a wonderful example for the underclassmen and hopefully they will continue moving Xavier's program and forward. And hopefully Miller stays put too!

[guttle11]

I've watched 5 or 6 UCLA games over the last month or so, and that was a different team tonight. Probably the best game they played all year.

[GoReds33]

I've seen a few UCLA games this year, but their speed far exceeded Xavier's. As soon as UCLA would get a steal they were gone for a dunk. It was a great performance by the Bruins.

[WMR]

UNC is beating Louisville soundly right now. Lawson is a one man press buster. Wow, he is impressive.

[joshnky]

Is it really fair that Louisville played tough all year and finished as one of the ten best teams in the nation and has to play a road game in the Elite 8? I can understand the pods for 1st and 2nd round games but this is a ridiculous advantage at this point.

On another point, UNC is really, really good. No one has done this to Louisville all year long and they've played some tough teams. I don't think it will be a blow out in the second half but they need to play smart basketball the rest of the way. They really fell apart that last minute.

[WMR]

Yeah every year it seems like UNC or Duke doesn't have to leave the state of North Carolina until the FF.

[WMR]

Padgett didn't do anything the first half. He's gotta get more touches and scores if UL is going to have a chance. Also, less jump shots, more penetration.

[joshnky]

I'm interested to see if Pitino makes adjustments or just tries to solidify the bread and butter. Something needs to be done about the rebounding and it might require them to play more man-to-man. Also, Sosa and Smith were having success driving to the basket. More of that will be necessary.

[joshnky]

Padgett didn't do anything the first half. He's gotta get more touches and scores if UL is going to have a chance. Also, less jump shots, more penetration.

Padgett was awful. I was screaming at the TV for him to play some aggressive defense. I think Hansborough has proved that he can shoot over a stationary David Padgett. Also, if they're going to front him they have to lob it over the top and make them pay.

[WMR]

It's like he's sleepwalking out there.

[Boston Red]

UNC would be kicking Louisville's ass right now if this game was being played at Shawnee Park.

Hopefully the Cards will put up a little better fight in the second half.

[Boston Red]

Padgett's been tough early in the second half. Great rebound and kick out for Smith's three.

[Boston Red]

UNC fans in Charlotte have apparently never seen a game where UNC does not get the benefit of every single call.

[WMR]

Turnovers killing the Cards.

[WMR]

Dagger from Hansbrough.

[joshnky]

Dagger from Hansbrough.

Agreed. He singlehandedly beat us. He is really, really good. I know Beasley gets a lot of hype but the way Hansbrough played tonight I don't think anyone's better.

[joshnky]

Hopefully one positive that comes out of this game is that TWill and Clark will hopefully realize that they need another year in college to improve. With those two back, next year's Cards will be even better.

[joshnky]

I have no doubt that UNC was the better team but I would have liked to see a game on a neutral court. The crowd definitely made a difference when UNC seized the momentum late.

[WMR]

Padgett has had a rough game, but you guys will miss him a bunch next year.

[WMR]

Hopefully when you guys get your new arena built, we'll get more regionals in Kentucky.

[Boston Red]

I think Williams could definitely go and be fine. Clark? Not so much.

[joshnky]

Padgett has had a rough game, but you guys will miss him a bunch next year.

Agreed. He was the key behind the second half surge. Hopefully, improvements in Clark and Williams and the guards combined with some dynamic freshman will bring a more athletic and improved team.

[joshnky]

Hopefully when you guys get your new arena built, we'll get more regionals in Kentucky.

That would be great although it wouldn't help Louisville any. Kentucky would get to play in Louisville but the Cards would still get shipped somewhere else.

[WMR]

That would be great although it wouldn't help Louisville any. Kentucky would get to play in Louisville but the Cards would still get shipped somewhere else.

Ahhh, didn't know that. Well, we'll be cool with it. ;)

They had a huge advantage tonight and it escalated throughout the game.

[Boston Red]

That would be great although it wouldn't help Louisville any. Kentucky would get to play in Louisville but the Cards would still get shipped somewhere else.

Maybe Louisville can play their home games in Freedom Hall any year the regional is going to be at the downtown arena. :)

[joshnky]

Maybe Louisville can play their home games in Freedom Hall any year the regional is going to be at the downtown arena. :)

Great idea! ;)

[GoReds33]

Samardo Samuels should help stop the bleeding of losing Padgett. He's a terrific 6, 8 forward, rated #5 in the country by Scout.com.

[joshnky]

It won't happen but it would be great if Louisville got a Final 4. That would be the only way the Cards could play at home. However, I don't think the arena will be big enough and Louisville doesn't have the hotel space that the NCAA desires.

[AccordinglyReds]

#%@*

[joshnky]

Samardo Samuels should help stop the bleeding of losing Padgett. He's a terrific 6, 8 forward, rated #5 in the country by Scout.com.

Not to mention Terrance Jennings. 6'10" center and the #15 prospect on Rivals.

[joshnky]

Louisville played about as good of a ball game as they could and still lost to an amazing team. This team really turned it around this year and put together a remarkable run. I hoped for the title but its hard to be disappointed with an elite 8 loss to UNC. Great job Cards!

[klw]

I have no doubt that UNC was the better team but I would have liked to see a game on a neutral court. The crowd definitely made a difference when UNC seized the momentum late.

Carolina also planned ahead. See this blurb from the story on the UNC-Davidson game in November.


It was the start of an ambitious schedule for Davidson, which also plays No. 2 UCLA, Duke (No. 10 ESPN/USA Today, No. 13 AP) and North Carolina State (No. 22 ESPN/USA Today, No. 21 AP).

While it was a Davidson home game, the crowd was predominantly pro-Tar Heels. North Carolina agreed to the game to get players acclimated to Charlotte Bobcats Arena, which will host the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament and the NCAA East Regional.

Williams thinks this game will make them that much better come March.

"I think it's great even if you lose," Williams said. "But it's a heck of a lot better to get tested like that and win."

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273182166

[Matt700wlw]

UCLA made Xavier look slow, and Xavier isn't slow.

Wow...they are good. REALLY good.

Hell of a run, X....

[gilpdawg]

This Memphis game is getting ready to get out of hand.

[WMR]

Memphis has looked like a different team the past 2 games.

[WVRed]

Memphis has looked like a different team the past 2 games.

No kidding.

I had Memphis going out in the third round. I figured the C-USA would do them in at some point, but they are for real.

Imagine if Rose decides to stay(doubtful) and Calipari adds Evans and Ebanks.

[GoReds33]

I have Memphis winning the National championship. I didn't want to put UNC or UCLA like most other people did.

[CrackerJack]

Probably the most boring tournament ever. Davidson and XU were nice stories, but will probably both be over with after today.

[Matt700wlw]

This should officially end my bracket...I had Texas in the title game.

[vaticanplum]

I have Memphis winning the National championship. I didn't want to put UNC or UCLA like most other people did.

I do too. I have had the crap laughed out of me. Time will tell.

(Of course I also had them beating Tennessee, so there's that.)

[WVRed]

This should officially end my bracket...I had Texas in the title game.

I got two right. I picked Wisconsin to make it.

[guttle11]

One game away from an awesome Final Four.

[Razor Shines]

Not really surprised that Mem. won, but I expected Texas to play better than that.

[Reds Fanatic]

Davidson is hanging in with Kansas. 30-28 Kansas at the half. Curry has 15 points in the first half.

[Revering4Blue]

Curry just hit a huge 3. Davidson is within 2 with 54 seconds left.

[reds44]

It's Steph time.

[Reds Fanatic]

Davidson ball 16.8 seconds left down by 2 points.

[Chip R]

KU wins. First time 4 #1 seeds make the Final 4.

[WMR]

Curry needed to shoot that. Too bad.

[klw]

unprintable disappointment. I was hoping that DC could meet up with UNC and UCLA again. this run reminded me of Davidson's run in the soccer tournamet in 93 except that Davidson hosted the final 4 that year.

[improbus]

I like the upsets in the 1st & 2nd round. But after that, I want to see good basketball between good teams. I'm am thrilled that the four #1's made it. Should be a great Final Four.

[WVRed]

Curry needed to shoot that. Too bad.

I really don't know whether Kansas' defense was that good, or if Davidson just choked at the end.

[klw]

I like the upsets in the 1st & 2nd round. But after that, I want to see good basketball between good teams. I'm am thrilled that the four #1's made it. Should be a great Final Four.

Davidson should have won its earlier meeting with UNC, blew an 18point lead at UCLA, and beat two top ten teams this week. They would have held their own.

[WMR]

Davidson had no answer for Kaun inside. Hansbrough would have absolutely eaten them alive with the way he is playing now. Kansas will provide the much better test for UNC.

[Johnny Footstool]

I really don't know whether Kansas' defense was that good, or if Davidson just choked at the end.

Nah, the guards were all over Curry for the entire second half. They kept him in check right down to the end, trapping him with a double-team and forcing him to give up the rock. That last shot was a prayer from way beyond the arc -- no shame in missing that.

[Chip R]

I really don't know whether Kansas' defense was that good, or if Davidson just choked at the end.


Little of both, I think. Everybody in the building knew that Curry was going to try to take the last shot and they really put the clamps on him and kept him far enough from the basket that he couldn't put up a shot. But he probably handled it too long and the KU defenders clamped down on the guy who shot it as well. Maybe the best play would have been to let Curry drive to the hoop and put something up or try to get fouled.

[klw]

Davidson had no answer for Kaun inside. Hansbrough would have absolutely eaten them alive with the way he is playing now. Kansas will provide the much better test for UNC.
They shut Hansbrough down in the 2nd half and Curry was playing one handed back then.http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/11/17/davidsons-stephen-curry-needs-wrist-surgery-will-try-to-finish/

[WMR]

How many months ago was that game played?

[klw]

How many months ago was that game played?

You are right the game was months ago and both UNC and Davidson are improved since then. I wasn't trying to say Davidson would sweep through the Final Four. I was simply refuting that they would not be competitive. While they do not have an inside presence to take on Hansborough 1on 1, they did show that they were able to neutralize (with the help of officials perhaps) a future NBA 7'2" center of note during their run. :)