Sweet 16 thread.

[WVRed]

WVU with THREE chances to hit a three to force overtime and ends up dribbling out the clock.

[wolfboy]

WVU with THREE chances to hit a three to force overtime and ends up dribbling out the clock.

WVU is my default #2 team because of Huggs. Not only the three chances to hit the three but the two missed free throws late in the game. And why was a three necessary at the end in the first place, especially when WVU plays defense like WVU?

[WVRed]

WVU is my default #2 team because of Huggs. Not only the three chances to hit the three but the two missed free throws late in the game. And why was a three necessary at the end in the first place, especially when WVU plays defense like WVU?

I'd be questioning why Jevon Carter who is the hottest shooter on the team passed it away to Miles at the end.

Odds are Carter isn't hitting that shot but he should still take it.

Unless Xavier pulls it out tonight, I see Arizona knocking off Gonzaga to get to the final four.

[Slyder]

I'd be questioning why Jevon Carter who is the hottest shooter on the team passed it away to Miles at the end.

Odds are Carter isn't hitting that shot but he should still take it.

Unless Xavier pulls it out tonight, I see Arizona knocking off Gonzaga to get to the final four.

Carter had 3 sets of hands in his face, picked up the dribble, and knew there wasn't any way to bail out. An extra time out would have been wonderful there, WVU rushed it and there was no reason too (Absolute worst ending 37 seconds they played probably the entire year).

We needed to attack the rim more. No one except Carter could hit the water if they were on a boat plus the refs were calling it tight.

Gonzaga is legit, I wouldn't be surprised if they win or lose. They won't be any less legit if they lose cause WVU just wore them out and they dont have time to recover. They showed tonight that they are as tough mentally as anyone else. Don't sell them short if the pressure is turned up late vs whoever wins Xavier or Zona.

What cost us tonight was free throws and absolutely everyone forgot how to shoot/settled for long shots.

[Stray]

Cuz Cincy fans talk about it I know. Chris Mack is a better coach than Mick, but I don't think Chris Mack would be more successful than Mick at UC. Circumstances matter, and so do tournament draws. Xavier wasn't beating UCLA last weekend. And Chris Mack wasn't taking over the UC Mick took over and turning into this.

[Stray]

Kansas entertained Purdue for a half, then spent the 2nd half letting them know they're Kansas.

I'm not, but if I were betting I'd put a buncha money on the Jayhawks.

[KronoRed]

Some pretty bad last shot attempts tonight.

[Boston Red]

Xavier or Gonzaga is going to the Final Four. Pope Francis should be pleased!

[Stray]

Xavier is playing great no doubt, but Chris Mack has thoroughly outcoached everyone he's been up against so far. Impressive run.

[WVRed]

Kansas entertained Purdue for a half, then spent the 2nd half letting them know they're Kansas.

I'm not, but if I were betting I'd put a buncha money on the Jayhawks.

Never go full Kansas.

Wouldn't be surprised if Dollar Bill Self chokes it away against Oregon. If there's a way to lose a game, Self will find it.

[Roy Tucker]

Stupid XU game cost me a good nights sleep ;)

Impressive win for the Muskies.

[bucksfan2]

Couple of thoughts from last nights action.

Why in the world start a game after 10 EST when you have an entire day to get it done?

Michigan's run had to come to an end at some point, they just weren't that talented of a team.

While you have to give Matt Painter some credit for who he has recruited, but the guy has wasted more top talent than any coach in the B1G.

Kansas is fun to watch, but it sure is difficult to root for Josh Jackson and a coach who enables that kind of stuff to happen.

WVU and its press style defense is fun to watch, brings back the early days of Huggs at UC. But Huggs poor bench coaching showed up big last night. They should have gone for two early on the possession, the moment the PG pulled the ball out high you knew a very contested shot would have had to be made.

A long stoppage of play when the call was clear was terrible officiating. Nothing like having a tightly contested game coming down to the end only to have the officials take what felt like 10 minutes to make a call.

Xavier vs Arizona was a nice first half. Chris Mack sure can coach, and Sean Miller may be that coach who just can't get over the hump.

[Chip R]

Never go full Kansas.

Wouldn't be surprised if Dollar Bill Self chokes it away against Oregon. If there's a way to lose a game, Self will find it.

True that. I watched the first half of the game last night (fell asleep at halftime) and Kansas looked like a world beater in the last 5 minutes of the half.

[Revering4Blue]

Matt Painter is the Bill Frieder (former Michigan coach notorious for wasting talent) of this generation.

[cumberlandreds]

True that. I watched the first half of the game last night (fell asleep at halftime) and Kansas looked like a world beater in the last 5 minutes of the half.

Kansas was 15 for 28 from the three's. No one is beating you when you shoot like that. If they keep that up they won't be beat. But I doubt they do.

[Bob Sheed]

Cuz Cincy fans talk about it I know. Chris Mack is a better coach than Mick, but I don't think Chris Mack would be more successful than Mick at UC. Circumstances matter, and so do tournament draws. Xavier wasn't beating UCLA last weekend. And Chris Mack wasn't taking over the UC Mick took over and turning into this.


Xavier also wasn't mouthing off to the selection committee. The Bearcats remind me of the Bengals. Some teams find a way, other teams find a way to make excuses.

Best of luck to XU, they earn it. Every season.

[WVRed]

Doug Gottlieb saying Steve Alford to Indiana a done deal 12 hours before UCLA tips off against Kentucky.

http://thebiglead.com/2017/03/24/doug-gottlieb-indiana-steve-alford-is-done/


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[Revering4Blue]

Doug Gottlieb saying Steve Alford to Indiana a done deal 12 hours before UCLA tips off against Kentucky.

http://thebiglead.com/2017/03/24/doug-gottlieb-indiana-steve-alford-is-done/


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Gottlieb's source: Cletus calling from a pay phone in Tipton, Indiana.

Reminds me of the many Calipari to the NBA "done deal" tweets that, of course, were false.

Not shooting the messenger here, BTW.

[cumberlandreds]

Doug Gottlieb saying Steve Alford to Indiana a done deal 12 hours before UCLA tips off against Kentucky.

http://thebiglead.com/2017/03/24/doug-gottlieb-indiana-steve-alford-is-done/


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Rex Chapman must have told Gottlieb that.

[bucksfan2]

Xavier also wasn't mouthing off to the selection committee. The Bearcats remind me of the Bengals. Some teams find a way, other teams find a way to make excuses.

Best of luck to XU, they earn it. Every season.

There are obviously team that get the shaft with each tournament. Look at the region UC was in with UC, Wichita St, Dayton, UCLA and UK, all underseeded if you ask me. Villanova got Wisconsin as a 8 seed in their bracket, probably 2 seeds too low. Every year there are teams who seem to get easy draws. For years I always thought Duke got favorable draws because the longer Duke was in the tournament the more interest there was. UC is a team that I think has always gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to the draw. I thought that when I was a big fan and still think it as a casual observer.

[Bob Sheed]

There are obviously team that get the shaft with each tournament. Look at the region UC was in with UC, Wichita St, Dayton, UCLA and UK, all underseeded if you ask me. Villanova got Wisconsin as a 8 seed in their bracket, probably 2 seeds too low. Every year there are teams who seem to get easy draws. For years I always thought Duke got favorable draws because the longer Duke was in the tournament the more interest there was. UC is a team that I think has always gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to the draw. I thought that when I was a big fan and still think it as a casual observer.

Oh I agree they get the short end of the stick every year. And I agree that there is malice as to why.

But when UC as a collective is trying to figure out why, they need look no further than the nearest mirror.

[Chip R]

Odd that 5 years ago, UC was a major and XU was a mid-major. The tables have turned.

[Revering4Blue]

It's been a great year for Butler, but they're outclassed tonight.

UNC is a different team with Pinson, who has missed a considerable amount of games this year.

[WVRed]

Monk looks extremely timid and Adebayo is getting nothing down low. If not for Fox Kentucky would be down double digits right now.


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[Stray]

Fun game. Kentucky should feel great to be leading considering the foul differential and the guys they have out with 2.

[WVRed]

Fun game. Kentucky should feel great to be leading considering the foul differential and the guys they have out with 2.

Hawkins picked up a third foul and got all ball. UCLA is allowed to play football underneath though while Kentucky gets ticky tack fouls.

[WVRed]

Monk on fire to start the second half.


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[Stray]

Feels like a final four matchup tbh

[WVRed]

Florida is up by 2 on Wisconsin at the half. Possible the SEC gets three teams to the Elite Eight and definitely one to the final four.


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[WVRed]

Fox has 24 pts but only one assist. Lonzo Ball has 8 but 6 assists.


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[Stray]

Fox's jumper doesn't look bad at all. I think he'll end up being a capable shooter at the next level. If so he has legit superstar potential. Unbelievable speed and quickness.

[Stray]

They're executing Cal's gameplan about as well as possible in the 2nd half. Slowing it down, then getting and making good looks in the halfcourt. Feels like a UCLA run is imminent tho, they're shooting lights out.

[WVRed]

They're executing Cal's gameplan about as well as possible in the 2nd half. Slowing it down, then getting and making good looks in the halfcourt. Feels like a UCLA run is imminent tho, they're shooting lights out.

Any run they have though is getting neutralized by Kentucky.

[Stray]

The seniors Willis and Hawkins have been fantastic.

[WVRed]

I just wonder if this game will help Monk and Fox's draft stock.


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[Stray]

I just wonder if this game will help Monk and Fox's draft stock.


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I doubt it. He may help himself at the combine, but as of now I think it's pretty obvious what he is. An unbelievably streaky scorer that is almost unstoppable when he's on. Elite athlete too.

He'll be drafted because of what he is when he's on. They can teach you consistency at the next level.

[Stray]

Ball is fantastic, Lonzo, not LaVar, but Fox outplayed him pretty hard tonight.

That was some high level basketball played by Kentucky. They routinely do this every March. They just gotta avoid the bad game.

Tonight's UK beats UNC on Sunday to go to the F4.

[Stray]

Fox went

39pts
3rebs
4ast
2stls
1to

on 20 shots
against Lonzo Ball

Statement made.

[Stray]

I'm sure literally nobody on the planet had 3 SEC teams in the Elite 8.

Florida is trying to make it happen.

[Stray]

Oh and btw, gotta think Alford takes the IU job. It's prolly already done. Bryce is a senior, his stars are going pro...it just makes too much sense. Would be a fantastic hire...and they gotta figure out a way to play Kentucky again. Cuz it's good for the game.

[RedTeamGo!]

Oh and btw, gotta think Alford takes the IU job. It's prolly already done. Bryce is a senior, his stars are going pro...it just makes too much sense. Would be a fantastic hire...and they gotta figure out a way to play Kentucky again. Cuz it's good for the game.

Why would Alford be a fantastic hire? I just don't see it.

[Stray]

Why would Alford be a fantastic hire? I just don't see it.

It's easier to win at Indiana than it is at UCLA. I think both jobs are pretty overrated, but he'll win big at Indiana. He'd def be a massive upgrade over Crean.

It's not hard to recruit to Indiana if you have a coherent plan for winning.

[WVRed]

Why would Alford be a fantastic hire? I just don't see it.

Agreed, might as well have just kept Crean.

Not to mention given his status in Hoosierland he will be impossible to fire if he falters. It's the same reason I don't want Barry Larkin ever managing the Reds

[Stray]

Wisconsin is trying to make a game of this late. Gusty shots.

[Stray]

Not that it was in doubt, but Lonzo announced he's doing pro. Only question now is if LaVar goes before him.

[Stray]

Agreed, might as well have just kept Crean.

Not to mention given his status in Hoosierland he will be impossible to fire if he falters. It's the same reason I don't want Barry Larkin ever managing the Reds

Crean has been awful man, and beyond that, he's been embarrassing on more than a few occasions. He made rings for a sweet 16 appearance. Really.

Meanwhile, Alford has recruited a worthy 2/3 seed squad to UCLA and an NBA prospect everyone is talking about.

In what world is Alford not a massive upgrade over Crean?

[Stray]

Some choke by Florida for this to be tied. They had this won like 30 minutes ago.

[WVRed]

Crean has been awful man, and beyond that, he's been embarrassing on more than a few occasions. He made rings for a sweet 16 appearance. Really.

Meanwhile, Alford has recruited a worthy 2/3 seed squad to UCLA and an NBA prospect everyone is talking about.

In what world is Alford not a massive upgrade over Crean?

Alford, like Crean at IU, has never gotten over the Sweet 16 hump.

It's also trading defense for offense in a conference that prides itself in smash mouth defense. I doubt a team like this years UCLA team could have handled playing Michigan State and Wisconsin every year, among others.

Indiana needs a John Calipari type hire, and that is only Brad Stevens or Billy Donovan.

[dabvu2498]

What a goofy freaking game.

[Stray]

No offense to the Indiana fans here, but they aren't gonna hire a John Calipari type. Not happening. Or Brad Stevens.

Programs with stupid resources get players who use those resources.

[WVRed]

What a goofy freaking game.

Wow!

Three SEC teams in the Elite Eight. If Kentucky pulls it off Sunday there will be two in the Final Four.

[WVRed]

No offense to the Indiana fans here, but they aren't gonna hire a John Calipari type. Not happening. Or Brad Stevens.

Programs with stupid resources get players who use those resources.

I'm talking about a John Calipari type as someone who can come in overnight and change the culture of the program and make them a top five team nationally competing for final fours and national championships.

I'm a Kentucky fan, but I would like to see Indiana back as a major factor. Basketball is better with IU in contention.

[dabvu2498]

Wow!

Three SEC teams in the Elite Eight. If Kentucky pulls it off Sunday there will be two in the Final Four.

My lowly Vanderbilt Commodores went 4-2 against teams in the Elite 8. (And gave UK all they wanted twice.)

[Revering4Blue]

Alford, like Crean at IU, has never gotten over the Sweet 16 hump.

It's also trading defense for offense in a conference that prides itself in smash mouth defense. I doubt a team like this years UCLA team could have handled playing Michigan State and Wisconsin every year, among others.

Agreed. That's why it's a safe bet that the next coach will be defensive-oriented....that's not Alford. And recruiting has never been an issue for any UCLA coach; consistent bench -coaching has been the issue.


Indiana needs a John Calipari type hire, and that is only Brad Stevens or Billy Donovan.

I'm talking about a John Calipari type as someone who can come in overnight and change the culture of the program and make them a top five team nationally competing for final fours and national championships.

I agree with your general point, but I am unconvinced that, among others, Archie Miller, Chris Mack or Gregg Marshall couldn't also change the culture relatively quickly. As a point of reference, Sean Miller's resume was worse than the three aforementioned coaches when he left Xavier, and he restored Arizona (which, at the time was in much worse shape than IU right now) to prominence within one season. So there's no reason to believe that Stevens or Donovan (only one in which IU has a legitimate shot to land) are the only ones capable of leading the IU progam to, well, once again performing like Indiana again.

[Boston Red]

Alford, like Crean at IU, has never gotten over the Sweet 16 hump.

It's also trading defense for offense in a conference that prides itself in smash mouth defense. I doubt a team like this years UCLA team could have handled playing Michigan State and Wisconsin every year, among others.

Indiana needs a John Calipari type hire, and that is only Brad Stevens or Billy Donovan.

Gregg Marshall would fit that mold. Doubt IU is smart enough to do it, though

[Revering4Blue]

Steve Alford to ESPN: I am Absolutely 100 percent not going to Indiana. Staying at UCLA. I am happy. Love it here. Have a great class coming in, and brand-new practice facility. Obviously, I love my alma mater. Committed to UCLA. I am not going to talk to Indiana. I am staying a Bruin."
- Jeff Goodman, ESPN Insider

[Stray]

Some win by Florida last night. Tough to follow Billy Donovan, but Mike White has been fantastic.

[RiverRat13]

Kentucky's A game is better than any other team's A game. I think they bring it against UNC and their athleticism will overwhelm the Tar Heels. I think Kansas is the only team that is close to that level.

[Roy Tucker]

The first 10 minutes of the second half of the UK-UCLA game was crazy good. Up and down the court, slashing drives, 3 pointer bombs, both teams, it was great fun to watch.

[WVRed]

Some win by Florida last night. Tough to follow Billy Donovan, but Mike White has been fantastic.

Not to be "that guy" but he still has Donovan's players. He's a good coach though in his own right, just hope he follows it up with recruiting so Florida doesn't go the way of UConn lately.

[Bourgeois Zee]

The first 10 minutes of the second half of the UK-UCLA game was crazy good. Up and down the court, slashing drives, 3 pointer bombs, both teams, it was great fun to watch.

The second half, beyond the fouls the last 10 minutes, was beautiful.

The first half was a slog.

[WVRed]

The second half, beyond the fouls the last 10 minutes, was beautiful.

The first half was a slog.

How you feeling about tomorrow?

[Bourgeois Zee]

How you feeling about tomorrow?

Kentucky beat them once and is much better than they were.

Then again, so is Carolina.

The keys are the big guns for each team-- Monk and Fox for Kentucky and Johnson and Berry for Carolina.

Both wings are streaky and matchup nightmares for the opposing squad. Both PGs are playing their best ball of the season right now.

It'll be a great game, IMO, but I think North Carolina's (barely) the better team.

[KronoRed]

Not to be "that guy" but he still has Donovan's players. He's a good coach though in his own right, just hope he follows it up with recruiting so Florida doesn't go the way of UConn lately.

Three of five starters are White's guys, as is most of the bench.

[WVRed]

Kansas doing Kansas things. Down 11 at the half to Oregon.


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[Revering4Blue]

Kansas doing Kansas things. Down 11 at the half to Oregon.


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Full disclosure: I have no room to talk, as, at this point, I'd love for IU to at least be in a position to play for a spot in the FF ---that's how far the program has fallen. But I digress..

Anyway, yeah, Kansas -- and this dates back to the Roy Williams years -- even taking into account the one-game elimination format, has fallen short of where they theoretically should have gone seed wise several times in the past. That stated, even without Boucher, I felt as though the Ducks were/are not only the best PAC-12 team, but one of the best teams in the Nation, seeding be darned. Heck, I didn't think Kansas would make it past Purdue (hey, everyone has a dumbarse attack once in a while), but the Jayhawk's chief weaknesses: lack of rim protection (magnified when Udoka Azubuike was lost for the year prior to Christmas) was exposed) and lack of an inside game altogether were exposed tonight, and it was just a matter of time before that would occur.

So, did Kansas choke this time? IMHO, no; the better team won, and more convincingly than I imagined.

[WVRed]

Full disclosure: I have no room to talk, as, at this point, I'd love for IU to at least be in a position to play for a spot in the FF ---that's how far the program has fallen. But I digress..

Anyway, yeah, Kansas -- and this dates back to the Roy Williams years -- even taking into account the one-game elimination format, has fallen short of where they theoretically should have gone seed wise several times in the past. That stated, even without Boucher, I felt as though the Ducks were/are not only the best PAC-12 team, but one of the best teams in the Nation, seeding be darned. Heck, I didn't think Kansas would make it past Purdue (hey, everyone has a dumbarse attack once in a while), but the Jayhawk's chief weaknesses: lack of rim protection (magnified when Udoka Azubuike was lost for the year prior to Christmas) was exposed) and lack of an inside game altogether were exposed tonight, and it was just a matter of time before that would occur.

So, did Kansas choke this time? IMHO, no; the better team won, and more convincingly than I imagined.

Landen Lucas is actually a pretty decent rim protector. Problem is, that's all he does.

Kansas had the easiest bracket for a number one seed for the Final Four and they managed yet again to screw it up. That said, I'm not overly familiar with west coast basketball, but if Kentucky wins tonight I'll be learning it rather quickly.

[Kingspoint]

If the Oregon women can pull off one more upset on Monday, both men and women would reach the final four. That's just unprecedented around here...shocking. Oregon Men has been a Top-5 school all year, so they aren't a surprise, but there was still doubt if they could get there.

[Chip R]

This game may be the undercard but it's tough to see the nightcap being better than this game.

[WVRed]

This game may be the undercard but it's tough to see the nightcap being better than this game.

Hold my beer.

[Dom Heffner]

Xavier also wasn't mouthing off to the selection committee. The Bearcats remind me of the Bengals. Some teams find a way, other teams find a way to make excuses.

Best of luck to XU, they earn it. Every season.

XU had an easier road, come on.

[WVRed]

2 fouls on Pinson and Berry just went out with injury.

Stillman White in the game.

[WVRed]

Monk and Fox already with two fouls.


Four starters in foul trouble. Even Jay Williams tweeting about officiating.

[dabvu2498]

This game may be the undercard but it's tough to see the nightcap being better than this game.

This is bad basketball.

[WVRed]

UNC going 7 minutes without a field goal and still up by one.


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[RiverRat13]

Theo Pinson may be on the take.

[dabvu2498]

Theo Pinson may be on the take.

It looks like the mob got to a few of them today.

[WVRed]

Unbelievable ending. Feels like Laettner all over again.


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[RiverRat13]

Unbelievable ending. Feels like Laettner all over again.


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It's the reverse for UNC of Villanova from last year - 3 to tie it and then long jumper to win it.

[Joseph]

Man those refs....wish the kids coulda played.

[paintmered]

There was a bad weather cell (tornado warnings) that rolled into Franklin County during the last two minutes of the game. Channel 10 (CBS) tried to go split screen with the weather update but failed and showed nothing more than a blank screen with weather audio for about 10 minutes and didn't come back on air until Kentucky and North Carolina were congratulating each other after the game ended.

People here are not happy. https://www.facebook.com/WBNS10TV/

[WVRed]

There was a bad weather cell (tornado warnings) that rolled into Franklin County during the last two minutes of the game. Channel 10 (CBS) tried to go split screen with the weather update but failed and showed nothing more than a blank screen with weather audio for about 10 minutes and didn't come back on air until Kentucky and North Carolina were congratulating each other after the game ended.

People here are not happy. https://www.facebook.com/WBNS10TV/

WOWK in Charleston cut out during the UNC-Butler game. There is a large contingency of UK fans in the Huntington area(Ashland). I was able to switch to the Parkersburg CBS affiliate but don't know if it came back on or not.

[WVRed]

Do they fine coaches in the NCAA for criticizing officials? Because Cals comments might warrant it.

“You know, it’s amazing that we were in that game where they practically fouled out my team,” Coach Cal said. “Amazing that we had a chance. So proud of how these guys fought.”


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[Joseph]

Is he wrong?

[Stray]

Great games today. UK has won their fair share like that and that's just the way it goes in this tournament. Monk waited a little too long to go all Monk, but beyond that everyone was making plays. Just a game someone had to lose.

Pretty intrigued by the Zags since they're a phenomenal defensive team, but they haven't had to do a whole lot to get to the F4 this year either. Heck the way Oregon is playing they could easily cut the nets down too. Not totally sold on South Carolina yet lol.

[Stray]

Is he wrong?

There's always bad calls, but Fox tried to take a charge near halfcourt and then was reaching 30 feet from the basket. It's risks not worth taking, especially if you already have a foul. He was the killer loss in the 1st half...and he was never able to get into a rhythm after.

I thought they got a bad whistle in the 1st half but also got away with a few in the 2nd. Typical college game...the refs are never that good. Don't think UK got hosed tho.

[WVRed]

Is he wrong?

I'll not deny the officiating didn't have an impact because it did, especially in the first half. It was a miracle they were only down five at halftime.

What lost Kentucky this game was failing to put together any run when North Carolina went ice cold for seven minutes. The best they could do during that stretch was take a one point lead.

[Sea Ray]

Let's hear it for the SEC. The conference that doesn't really care about basketball acquitted itself very nicely in this year's tournament.

[WVRed]

There's always bad calls, but Fox tried to take a charge near halfcourt and then was reaching 30 feet from the basket. It's risks not worth taking, especially if you already have a foul. He was the killer loss in the 1st half...and he was never able to get into a rhythm after.

I thought they got a bad whistle in the 1st half but also got away with a few in the 2nd. Typical college game...the refs are never that good. Don't think UK got hosed tho.

The bad call that hurt was the basket interference on Adebayo. The ball was on it's way down and Bam tipped it back in.

[Stray]

The bad call that hurt was the basket interference on Adebayo. The ball was on it's way down and Bam tipped it back in.

That was close, but these games hardly ever come down to a missed call. Like you said, not capitalizing on their cold streak...and then also Kentucky going cold for a few mins at the end when UNC jumped out to the late lead.

Don't think anyone or anything is to blame, just one of those games that could have gone either way. If Monk had time for one more shot I bet he'd have made it.

[RedTeamGo!]

Let's hear it for the SEC. The conference that doesn't really care about basketball acquitted itself very nicely in this year's tournament.

I mean...Kentucky probably cares more about basketball than anyone.

[WVRed]

I mean...Kentucky probably cares more about basketball than anyone.

I know what Sea Ray was referring to. Kentucky is obvious but the run by Florida and South Carolina stole the show, especially when UNC was the only ACC team left in the second week.

[oregonred]

I know what Sea Ray was referring to. Kentucky is obvious but the run by Florida and South Carolina stole the show, especially when UNC was the only ACC team left in the second week.

South Carolina yes. Impressive. Riding the wave of two accidental home games and looking great in the regionals

Florida stole the show? The #4 seed Gators highest win was against a #5 seed that plays in quicksand They beat a #13 and #5 and then a #8 in OT and eventually lost to a lower seeded team. Having the #1 seed cleared out by Wisconsin.

I believe South Carolina was the only SEC team in the tournament to actually beat a higher seed.

[WVRed]

South Carolina yes. Impressive. Riding the wave of two accidental home games and looking great in the regionals

Florida stole the show? The #4 seed Gators highest win was against a #5 seed that plays in quicksand They beat a #13 and #5 and then a #8 in OT and eventually lost to a lower seeded team. Having the #1 seed cleared out by Wisconsin.

I believe South Carolina was the only SEC team in the tournament to actually beat a higher seed.

Regardless, the SEC landed three teams in the Elite Eight. For a football conference that regularly gets criticized by the media that's saying a lot.

[IslandRed]

Is he wrong?

Subtract the unintentional-intentional foul with 14 seconds left and the total fouls were even, both in the game and in each half. Didn't UK beat them to the bonus in both halves? Not sure on that one but I thought the Cats got into the bonus real early in the game.

But who knows, maybe the whistles were tight. I'm just not surprised there were a lot of calls because both teams are very good at drawing fouls. I might be remembering wrong but I thought several players fouled out when they played back in December.

As for me, guess I'm rooting for Gonzaga now because I don't care a lick for the other three. It would be kind of cool to see a team from outside the power leagues win it for once.

[Revering4Blue]

Regardless, the SEC landed three teams in the Elite Eight. For a football conference that regularly gets criticized by the media that's saying a lot.

This is as good of a thread as any to ask this, and there really is no right or wrong answer:

Outside of obviously UK, what is the best SEC basketball job without factoring current program status, and what is the worst/most difficult job?

[Sea Ray]

I mean...Kentucky probably cares more about basketball than anyone.

That goes without saying. They're clearly the outlier here. Having said that, UK is at home while South Carolina is still playing. Florida and Arkansas also had good runs. Not bad for a much maligned conference going into the tournament. This isn't the first yr the SEC has outperformed expectations in the NCAAs

[WVRed]

This is as good of a thread as any to ask this, and there really is no right or wrong answer:

Outside of obviously UK, what is the best SEC basketball job without factoring current program status, and what is the worst/most difficult job?

Hmmm,

I would say best would be Florida just because of facilities, media marketing, and recruiting. LSU and Arkansas would likely tie for second best.

Worst would be Auburn or the Mississippi schools.

The SEC might as well be a midmajor conference though outside of Kentucky. Any coach at any school save for Florida would likely get poached for a blue blood or a better conference.

[oregonred]

Really most of the runs by the major conferences in the modern era is with the blue bloods. Well pointed out in an earlier thread on pre 2015 expansion history of the ACC outside Duke and UNC.

The Big Ten has been the most balanced even with IU, the one traditional blue blood, being down much of the last 25 years. The B1G always seems to get one team in the Final Four, but the conference was down this year. When IU, Illinois and OSU aren't good B1G basketball isn't the same. Even so the B1G still knocked off a #1 and #2 seed the first weekend.

The SEC has had some nice runs with UF/Donovan and a few surprises here and there like South Carolina. The Big 12 really is a one team conference and the Pac-12 has been UCLA and Arizona. With Oregon crashing the party for the first time since 1939.

Kudos to South Carolina, but again the only SEC team to actually beat a higher seed in the Tournament.

Agree Florida is the second best job in the SEC.

I think the issue with the SEC is that Kentucky is so dominant over the last 60 years that the rest of the conference simply gets lost outside Donovan's run at Florida. And of course being a football first conference only further lessons the spotlight on all other programs outside Lexington.

[Revering4Blue]

Hmmm,

I would say best would be Florida just because of facilities, media marketing, and recruiting. LSU and Arkansas would likely tie for second best.

Worst would be Auburn or the Mississippi schools.

The SEC might as well be a midmajor conference though outside of Kentucky. Any coach at any school save for Florida would likely get poached for a blue blood or a better conference.

Agree that it has to be Florida, at least at this point. The sleeping Giant -- and others have pointed this out -- is Mizzou. Given resources, proximity to talent, and facilities, there's no reason that Mizzou can't return to prominence, ditto for LSU and Arkansas.

Mississippi State hasn't really been a factor since their '96 Final Four appearance. That was a heck of a team, though.

[oregonred]

Agree that it has to be Florida, at least at this point. The sleeping Giant -- and others have pointed this out -- is Mizzou. Given resources, proximity to talent, and facilities, there's no reason that Mizzou can't return to prominence, ditto for LSU and Arkansas.

Mississippi State hasn't really been a factor since their '96 Final Four appearance. That was a heck of a team, though.

Missouri has never even been to a final four and Miss State went once beating UC that year.

I forgot about the Nolan Richardson 90s run, but they joined the SEC in 1992 in the middle of things. Arkansas has two final fours as an SEC member

This is why the SEC is portrayed as UK and evereyone else. Because other than Donovan's terrific run at UF it has been that way for 75 years.

It is almost hard to believe how many SEC league members have been to 1 or zero final fours

UK = 17 (8 champs)
Florida = 5 (2006, 2007 champs)
LSU = 4 (0-4 in FF)
Arkansas = 2 (as SEC member, 1 champ)
Georgia = 1
Miss State = 1 (beat UC)
Tennessee = 0
Alabama = 0
Auburn = 0
Ole Miss =0
SoCar = 2017
Vanderbilt = 0

The newer adds have never been to a final four
Missouri = 0
Texas A&M = 0

[Revering4Blue]

Missouri has never even been to a final four and Miss State went once beating UC that year.

I forgot about the Nolan Richardson 90s run, but they joined the SEC in 1992 in the middle of things. Arkansas has two final fours as an SEC member

This is why the SEC is portrayed as UK and evereyone else. Because other than Donovan's terrific run at UF it has been that way for 75 years.

It is almost hard to believe how many SEC league members have been to 1 or zero final fours

UK = 17 (8 champs)
Florida = 5 (2006, 2007 champs)
LSU = 4 (0-4 in FF)
Arkansas = 2 (as SEC member, 1 champ)
Georgia = 1
Miss State = 1 (beat UC)
Tennessee = 0
Alabama = 0
Auburn = 0
Ole Miss =0
SoCar = 2017
Vanderbilt = 0

The newer adds have never been to a final four
Missouri = 0
Texas A&M = 0

For over two decades, though, before they joined the SEC, Mizzou was a feared power with some close calls on reaching the Final Four.

Mizzou basketball equates with Illinois Football in that both have previously employed coaches who could either coach/strategize or recruit, but haven't employed a coach who could do both since Mike White for Illinois football and Norm Stewart for Mizzou hoops. Martin should at least be able to recruit well at Mizzou.

[Kingspoint]

Gonzaga finally got to a Final Four. Amazing what Mark Few has done there.

[oregonred]

Missouri is a funny one never making it to the Final Four in the Big 8 days. They were always good in the Norm Stewart days. Kind of like Purdue who can't ever seem to get there even with some great teams on paper. Maybe the most solid and known programs that have never been to a FF.

I'd rank SEC BB jobs as Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas and then Missouri. Arkansas seems to have more history. i don't even know if Missouri and Arkansas has become an intense rivalry series? Probably so with the recent coaching move of Anderson.

[Sea Ray]

If the Oregon women can pull off one more upset on Monday, both men and women would reach the final four. That's just unprecedented around here...shocking. Oregon Men has been a Top-5 school all year, so they aren't a surprise, but there was still doubt if they could get there.

Not unprecedented anymore. South Carolina just pulled it off. Both the ladies and the men are in the Final Four

[Boston Red]

It was definitely not "unprecedented" even before yesterday. And Kingspoint was only saying it would be unprecedented for Oregon. Louisville played in both national title games in 2013, and UConn won both the same year at least once (probably more than once). Obviously quite an impressive accomplishment for other Carolina, though.

[bounty37h]

It was definitely not "unprecedented" even before yesterday. And Kingspoint was only saying it would be unprecedented for Oregon. Louisville played in both national title games in 2013, and UConn won both the same year at least once (probably more than once). Obviously quite an impressive accomplishment for other Carolina, though.

LOL:
South Carolina: We are USC
U of Southern Call: Uhm, nope.
South Carolina: Fine, we are Carolina.
UNC: Nope.
South Carolina: ok, we're cocks.
Dook: Nope.