But let me get this out of the way first:

Jeff? JEFF?? Sorry, Jerry - I was so busy trying to get all that junk in yesterday that I had a momentary brainf@rt. Again, I'm sorry, my brother . . . but if your life's been anything like mine, I'm sure you've been called worse. :-)
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OK, enough post-whoring on my own thread, so let's get down to it now. Last night was truly light, full moon and all:

Texas 87 - Oklahoma 76 = As has been the case in most of the Longhorn wins of late, it's a decent enough showing, but nothing to write home about. An 11-point margin over a sub-.500 team, in Austin no less, doesn't impress me much.

West Virginia 81 - Georgetown 68 - And the freefall of the Hoyas continues. I realize they've had some illness problems, but $#!+ happens all over, and there's no point in crying about it. They have now lost 4 of their last 5, and despite their Top 20 ranking their 19-9 overall and 9-8 conference record is threatening to put them on somebody's bubble-list. As for the Mountaineers, they keep rolling along, and have some potential to upset a few teams come Madness-time . . . like Vic's Orange.

And speaking of Madness-time, do you realize that it actually starts tonight? This evening we'll see action kick of in conference tournaments . . . the Big South, Ohio Valley, and Horizon to be perzack. As this group will see few, if any, at-large bids, these games will be huge. Aside from this, we also have:

Minnesota vs. Michigan = The Logans are toast. The Gophers may not be, but they'd better get a few more Ws to avoid that notorious bubble.

Syracuse vs. St. John's = I wouldn't expect The Orange to blow their #1 . . . tonight.

Villanova vs. Cincinnati = 'Nova needs to do a little work to get their 2-seed back, and the Bearcats are on the backside of that bubble. This one could be fun.

UTEP vs. Marshall = Will the CUSA get 4 bids this year? The Miners are in, regardless. But the Herd better not depend upon that 4th invite, and thus need to help their cause tonight.

Vanderbilt vs. Florida = I don't think either of these guys need to worry about that invite, but Vandy sure could use a win to regain hopes for the 3-line. Plus, the Gators would like to remove all doubt from their equation, so expect a battle here.

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson = The Tigers have a better record, but the Wreck has more quality wins. Are these two bubble teams? One bubble team? None? Dang if I know what the Committee's thinking. As these guys don't either, both need the victory.

Missouri vs. Iowa State = These Tigers should be safely in, especially if the Big 12 gets as much respect as they brag that they deserve. As for the Cyclones, they will be blowin' inna wind come mid-March.

UNC vs. Miami = Since I don't believe either of these teams can run the table in the gran'daddy of the conference tourneys, this is a battle to get out of the basement of the ACC . . . and for the defending National Champions, to remain above .500.

Baylor vs. Texas Tech = The Bears are in, and would love to earn a 4-spot. The boys from Lubbock have gone from contenders to chum.

Ohio State vs. Illinois = A lot would have to happen for the Buckeyes to get a 1-seed, but not much for them to lose a 2-slot. A lot would have to happen for the Illini to lose an at-large. The game SHOULD mean more to OSU, but will it?

Louisville vs. Marquette = These two teams could not be much closer, in every regard, and it would take a fairly significant collapse for either to miss an at-large this late in the year. But both could sleep easier tonight with that extra W. This is another with great potential for fun.

Well, there you go. I'll leave the conference tourneys until there's something to actually report, so until tomorrow - enjoy.
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was at the Dome tonight for SU vs. St. Johns. SU had no trouble at all with St. Johns and I thought SU didn't play anywhere near their capability and still ended up winning by 19. Their game against Louisville should be a good one.
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With no offense intended to the loyal Johnnies fans - if there are any left after all these post-Carnesecca years - having no trouble with the Redmen ain't saying much. :-)

I've a lot of work to do, so may not get to my update today - which is a shame, for there's a lot of good $#!+ tonight, like the Battle of Kansas and the Dook/Terps showdown. Oh well - it is what it is. So if I don't see you again before tomorrow - enjoy.
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Getting ready to head out to the University of Maryland to watch the Terps take on Duke. It's going to be a mad house, kids have been lining up since noon to get in. Should be a great game!! GO TERPS!
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Congrats to Sherron Collins--Great Senior Night..
From SI:
This was Collins's 125th win in a Kansas uniform, which is more than any player has amassed during this program's long and storied history. Those wins include four Big 12 regular-season titles, two conference tournament championships, two Final Fours and one NCAA title. And he is not through yet.


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I'll second your congrats, and agree he's not through yet. He has a decent shot at a second ring.

And on a more personal note, I hope Collins has not had to deal with some of the nonsense I heard last year regarding Tyler Hansbrough, for foregoing the NBA Draft to finish his college career. What am I talking about? Well, many of you know that bassmouthed load of crap who works for The FAN here in New York, Mike Francesa. He was amongst many "experts" who predicted Tyler would have no pro career to speak of, despite his college rep. OK, that's an opinion, and we will see. But he also dissed both Tyler and the Tar Heels for his staying for four years, saying at one point that the UNC/Duke rivalry had lost all its juice because Hansbrough had been there "what, seven years now? He's been there so long his SON is playing for Carolina!"

Over the years, I have heard people praise a player for staying in school. I have heard them say an underclassman is ready to come out, or that one is not yet ready and should stay in school. But I have never - NEVER! - heard any commentator condemn a player for staying until graduation. That's just stupid. Furthermore, how could Mike say, in one breath, that Tyler would not be a pro, then in the second say he should not still be in school? Hell, what did he expect - did he want Tyler to drop out, move back to Missouri, and open a used-car lot?

Sorry about that, but it's been eating at me for a year now. Besides, I can jack my own thread if I want to, JaKaacH. :-)

Double-dip update to follow.
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I'm behind by two possessions, so let's put the press on a play a little catch-up. On Tuesday 3/2:

Villanova 77 - Cincinnati 73 = This may have improved 'Nova's seeding a bit, coming off their spanking by the Orange. As for the Bearcats, it likely ended their hopes for an at-large.

Vanderbilt 64 - Florida 60 = It's the same for Vandy, though I'd still give the Gators a bid.

Marquette 69 - Louisville 48 = And this should get Marquette in, plus keep L'ville out.

UTEP 80 - Marshall 76 = Does this tough loss keep the Herd out? Well, how many bids will the CUSA get? Three, for sure, but Marshall & Tulsa are fighting for that possible 4th. Can the CUSA get 5? Not my call.

Michigan 83 - Minnesota 55 = This whuppin' won't get the Logans nowhere, but it may have put the Gophers in the hole.

Ohio State 73 - Illinois 57 = The Buckeyes are hoping to steal a #1-seed late in the game. Can they? See below.

Syracuse 85 - St. John's 66 = And the Orange hold onto theirs . . . for now.

UNC 69 - Miami 62 = OK, this game meant nothing, as neither team's going anywhere. And the fact that it gave the Heels a full step out of the basement means nothing either. And that it may keep them above, or at least AT, .500 for the season means nothing much either. And the fact that it gave the Tar Heels their 2,000th overall win, becoming the 2nd in the nation (and the third this season!) to reach that landmark . . . well, that means nothing much either, since it's just a number. But hey, it's my team, my thread, so there. :-)

There was some more interesting action Wednesday 3/3:

Kansas 82 - Kansas State 65 = Just one good ol' fashion butt-kickin' in Phog Allen. And remember I told you to "see below"? Well, here's one of the openings OSU was hoping to get. Oh, and it also put the Jayhawks at 1,998 wins overall, so I'm fairly confident in what I said above.

Maryland 79 - Duke 72 = And here's the other one. Hey, I've been telling you for weeks now that the Terps are playing some dang good ball, but does anybody ever listen to me? And Bryan, next time you decide to declare the season over . . . remember this game. :-)

Kentucky 80 - Georgia 68 = Again, as often here, the game itself meant little, but it did give UK the SEC East. Funny thing though: Back before their loss Saturday to the Vols, Calipari told his guys that the SEC title meant nothing. Before THIS game, he reminded them how important it was, as it would win them the SEC East title. For all you guys out there with the same opinion of Cal I hold . . . well, you gotta love that.

Florida State 51 - Wake Forest 47 = Ugly as this game was, it may have given the Semi-Holes a slot . . . and taken one away from the slumping Deacs.

Notre Dame 58 - U. Conn 50 = No way this gets the Irish in the Dance. However, Carolina may not be the ONLY #1-seed from last season who's sitting at home this year. :-)

Tonight there's a lot of continuing conference tourney action going on, but as these are the "also-ran" conferences who are lousy dancers anyway, I'll wait until something of import happens there . . . though I will advise Bryan that his Campbell Camels have already been booted from their tourney by East Tennessee State this afternoon, since they lost that 72-64 contest. And other than that, the only game involving the big boys is Purdue/Providence. This game won't keep the Boilermakers out, nor put the Friars in, so it's only significance is giving Purdue another chance to see what they can do with Hummel in streetclothes. So I'll just leave you with this, and ask you to enjoy.
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Hoping UK doesn't blow it in the SEC tourney and lose a #1 seed, though I ought to just be happy we will be going to the Dance this season, after the Billy Clyde era. Also a duke hater, so I hope they pull a #3 or 4 :-).

Also crossing my fingers for Murray State to win the OVC and get the OVC invite. They could upset someone in round 1 with this team.

Was just watching an ESPN story on Hank Gathers and LMU. Can't believe it's already been 20 years. A real shame. One of the best tournament runs ever by his teammates (though it was kind of disgusting the way CBS kept playing Gathers up during that tourney).

I love March Madness!
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I judge my effectiveness by the slings and arrows.

:-)
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Co champs is better than no champs. The last game for each is against bottom dwellers. Maybe UVA will play their hearts out. And UNC will do what they've been doing best this year.

Campbell's not really that good. But the school is only 13 miles for home. And the last time they made it to the big dance Duke won a national title. Just some hopeful wishing.
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One at a time, boys, one at a time! For Joe, I'm not sure either UK or KU will blow their 1-seed this late, since they've been pretty much there all season, and because nobody else seems to want to step up and take it from them. As for Murray State, they'd better win their tourney, as I'm not sure the OVC will get - or deserve - an at-large bid. As for their upsetting someone in The Dance . . . well, it could happen, but I looked at their schedule and, their 28 wins notwithstanding, they really haven't beaten anybody all year so why should they start now? And as for Gathers and Loyola-Marymount's Cinderella/tragedy being 20 years ago already, all I'll say is I can't believe it's closing in on half-a-century since I watched Charlie Scott play for the Heels!

Now Jerry, Jeff, whatever the freak your name is, I'd stack my outrageous fortune against yours anyday my friend. :-)

Finally, Bryan, lemme point out that you're doing it again. Two weeks ago you declared Dook the ACC champs. Now you're crowning them co-champs, when they still could end up below the Terps. The Greeks called it "hubris", but in this age and place we refer to it as "counting your chickens before they hatch." Once you've been around as long as I have, and seen as much weird $#!+ happen, you'll learn not to let you mouth chirp checks your @$$ can't cash. As for the Camels being your harbinger of a title? Well, considering how often Dook's crapped out in the 1st or 2nd round of late, I can't blame you for looking for all the help you can get. :-)

Back soon with the update.
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Scores of note - to me, in any case, last night:

Pittsburgh 73 - Providence 71 = Regular readers of this space (if there are any) may recall my mention in the past of "bad wins." Here we go again. A performance like this won't get the Panthers very far, in either the Big East or NCAA Tourneys.

Michigan State 67 - Penn State 65 = And here's some more of the same, but worse. OK, so maybe the Nuttin'ly Lions have been playing a bit better the last few weeks, but still, jeez.

Richmond 60 - Dayton 56 = I don't care if the Spiders are a game back of Temple and Xavier in the A-10. I don't care if you think the A-10 should not get 3 bids. If Richmond does not receive one, considering what they've done and who they have beaten, there is no freakin' justice.

Arizona State 59 - USC 54 = And I really don't much care if the Pac-10 is down this year. If the Sun Devils don't get in too, as well as California . . . even if a third team wins the bid in their tourney . . . when a dozen teams from never-have-and-never-will conferences get an automatic, there's even less justice. Shoot, 21 wins in a bad Pac-10 is worth as much as 50 wins in some Mickey Mouse collection of crap schools with crap teams in crap conferences who's only reason for existence is getting this one-and-done check from the NCAA every year. Just :-) , but I'm right.

There is a lot of action this evening, mostly in conference tourney action (Colonial, Ohio Valley, West Coast, Southern, Missouri Valley), and some of these games are amongst groups of programs who do NOT fall under the umbrella of my rant above. But there is one game bigger than any of these others this evening, and that is:

Cornell vs. Brown = Here is Big Red's first shot to grab that first slot on The Dancecard. A win against Brown, or losses by Haa'vad and Princeton, will give them the Ivy, and the automatic.


The games tomorrow with an early tip-off time include:

Georgetown vs. Cincinnati = The Hoyas need to right their ship if they want to make more than a squeek in the NCAAs. The Bearcats need to right theirs if they want a check or two from the NIT folks. As both are struggling AND needy, this one could be pretty close.

Villanova vs. West Virginia = The winner here could win themselves a 2-seed. The loser could get themselves a 4-seed. And that works either way, my brothers. Should be a war, and if both show up it will be one.

Florida State vs. Miami = The Seminoles are tied with two other ACC teams for 3rd with a 9-6 conference mark. Since there is always a chance that some team below them will take the ACC Tourney, and get the automatic, these 3 need all the cushion they can get to earn an at-large. They should be able to handle the 'Canes, but you never know until the horn sounds.

Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma = A&M is safely in, and Oklahoma's safely out. But the Aggies would LOVE to get off that 5 or 6-line and move up to a 4-seed. They'll need to do well in the Big 12 tourney, and will need some help too, in order to accomplish that, but they can start here . . . and they'd better, too.

Talk at you tomorrow. Until then . . . enjoy.
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You may win, but it'd be a hell of a conversation, friend :-)
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:-)
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Poet,

I agree; I can't remember any OVC team getting an at-large when they didn't win their tourney, though MSU got close once. The conference has had some future NBA players before, but really no firepower for even one Big Dance win. It's been 22 years since MSU beat NC State in round 1, and took KU to the wire before losing-Danny Manning's team won it all that year. I think we're due for another :-):-):-):-). But, we need our coach to learn to get up out of his chair and occasionally..coach. The guys are turnover-prone (15+ tonight), and really get flustered against the 2-3 zone (coach can't or won't teach them how to attack it).

Looking forward to the SEC next week.

Will it be the Big East with the biggest crowd in the Dance this year?
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Joe, it's good to see some honest appraisal of a team on here, and not just blind homecrowd fandom. Props to you, brother. And the SEC tourney should be fun, since there are maybe 4 or 5 teams that can spoil Kentucky's party - not saying they WILL, but they can. As for the Big Mouth, they may again get the most teams to the Dance, and likely deserve to too. I have no problem with that, as long as they keep their freakin' chirping and hooting to a minimum . . . but knowing them, that ain't gonna happen. :-)

Weekend update to follow ASAP.
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Excellent, lets match them up against the Orange, :-)
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First time I ran in the Boston Marathon I wound up in the newspapers based on my finishing time. Running coach I knew asked why I was so quiet about it and when she heard my answer said
If you can do it it ain't bragging.seems appropriate here. :-):-)
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Thanks, Poet! OVC definitely never a major conference, but I love my Racers. Sure wish Cronin had not left. One thing about MSU; seems we've had a few coaches use the school as a stepping stone to better things in the last 25 years. 'Course, we've had some stinkers too :-). I'm thinking the current coach may trend that way, but we'll see. More than once, I've been tempted to walk over during a game and ask if he needs a blanket and pillow :-).

I'm with you on the chirp/hoot. Also hope the projectiles from the crowd are kept down, too. I'll be real interested to watch Kansas in this Dance. Also, never been an Okie State fan, especially while the Suttons have been there, but I like what Travis Ford seems to be doing with them (another coach who used the OVS as a stepping stone; good on ya).
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