2024 NCAA Tournament Thread

[The Sultan]

Yeah, he's really giving off a "cranky old man" vibe. Along with Pitino. Both were coaches I enjoyed back in the day, but FFS you need to adapt or get out. Honestly, if you are just going to bitch about analytics is and can't manage NIL, it's just time. They're not going away.

Or be more like Jim Laranaga, who embraced analytics early on and pretty much rolls with the changes. He's been to a Final Four more recently than the cranks.

[Uncle Rico]

Yeah, he's really giving off a "cranky old man" vibe. Along with Pitino. Both were coaches I enjoyed back in the day, but FFS you need to adapt or get out. Honestly, if you are just going to bitch about analytics is and can't manage NIL, it's just time. They're not going away.

Or be more like Jim Laranaga, who embraced analytics early on and pretty much rolls with the changes. He's been to a Final Four more recently than the cranks.

I have a piece of analytics for him:

His Final 4 teams usually had NBA players on them.  He should get some of those but I don't understand the nuances of coaching

[Hards Alumni]

It's hard to argue with his logic. If there's one thing that everyone hates about the first weekend of the tournament, it's all those annoying underdogs cheering from the bench and celebrating mid-court after an upset.

Generally, I agree.  I didn't read the article (don't care to) but he isn't wrong.  But it is also a reason people love the first two rounds of the tournament.  Ultimately, the mid-majors don't have enough fans to sell tickets to the second and third weekends, but the people at home enjoy the early upsets.

[The Sultan]

Generally, I agree.  I didn't read the article (don't care to) but he isn't wrong.  But it is also a reason people love the first two rounds of the tournament.  Ultimately, the mid-majors don't have enough fans to sell tickets to the second and third weekends, but the people at home enjoy the early upsets.

They love the idea of upsets but would rather watch the blue bloods.

[Uncle Rico]

They love the idea of upsets but would rather watch the blue bloods.

Replacing mid-majors with Providence, Indiana or Pitt would still lead to upsets.  The money would just stay where they want it to.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

It'll be a great day for the sport when Izzo is out to pasture

I can almost hear Izzo humming, "Never Can Say Goodbye."

[Jay Bee]

How dare all of you. Izzo gave us CTC!

[Hards Alumni]

They love the idea of upsets but would rather watch the blue bloods.

Very true

[NickelDimer]

That's a shame more experts don't believe in us. This team obviously doesn't perform as well when they're doubted.

[StillAWarrior]

They love the idea of upsets but would rather watch the blue bloods.

Which is why the tournament is absolutely the best sporting event out there. Generally speaking, we get our upsets out of the way the first weekend -- enjoying the carnage, but then we get to settle in and watch the blue bloods battle in the Sweet 16 and beyond. Granted, last year was a bit of an aberration.

[Uncle Rico]

Which is why the tournament is absolutely the best sporting event out there. Generally speaking, we get our upsets out of the way the first weekend -- enjoying the carnage, but then we get to settle in and watch the blue bloods battle in the Sweet 16 and beyond. Granted, last year was a bit of an aberration.

There will be years like last year, like 2011.  And there will be years when 8-seeded Carolina (twice now), 8-seeded Kentucky, 7-seeded South Carolina make Final 4's or a 7-seeded UConn wins it all.

End of the day, the major conferences still have more teams and a greater chance to succeed in March.  Eliminating mid-majors to add mediocre, including Big East, teams is unnecessary

[TSmith34, Inc.]

If you're playing a 16 v 16 play-in game, does the winner really get to claim they've won their first NCAA tournament game ever?

[tower912]

Grambling/Montana St is actually a fun game.  I appreciate a spirited comeback leading into a back and forth down the stretch.

I hope Purdue gets help with their Grambling problem.   It is a sin.

[MuggsyB]

Congrats to Grambling. 

[mugrad_89]

Congrats to Grambling.

Great interview with their coach afterwards.

[PGsHeroes32]

I know all 3 teams are solid and all 3 are teams we need to beat to achieve our goals of the last two years

But am I wrong that of Colorado, Florida and Boise.....Boise is the most preferred match up?

[tower912]

IIRC, that is what kenpom says.

[FairWeatherEagle]

So, will be interesting to see how competent these two teams are. If they (whoever they are)  beats FL., we will be facing a winner.

Yes I'm assuming a WKY win. Can't even think of the alternative

[nyg]

Great interview with their coach afterwards.

Reminded me of the 2012 game in which #15 Norfolk State beat #2 Missouri.  Norfolk State was the largest point underdog in NCAAT history to win, until FDU beat Purdue.  Norfolk State center Kyle O'Quinn went off in that game with like 30 and 15 and ended up being drafted and having an extended NBA career. 

Missouri didn't have a 7ft 4in 300 lb monster, so Grambling should be enjoying their first win while they can.  Still, good for them and their fans.

[MuggsyB]

Not a bad start for BSU.  They like to vertically attack. 

[The Sultan]

O'Quinn also had a crap ton of rebounds in that game where Norfolk State almost beat Marquette earlier that year. I think that was the "we haven't practiced our zone offense" game.

[Galway Eagle]

Reminded me of the 2012 game in which #15 Norfolk State beat #2 Missouri.  Norfolk State was the largest point underdog in NCAAT history to win, until FDU beat Purdue.  Norfolk State center Kyle O'Quinn went off in that game with like 30 and 15 and ended up being drafted and having an extended NBA career. 

Missouri didn't have a 7ft 4in 300 lb monster, so Grambling should be enjoying their first win while they can.  Still, good for them and their fans.

I blame that Norfolk team for us losing in the sweet 16, I think Mizzou beats Florida and Crowder was better than Ratliff and DJO was at least on par with Denmon. We just didn't have an answer for young and their other giant.

[Galway Eagle]

O'Quinn also had a crap ton of rebounds in that game where Norfolk State almost beat Marquette earlier that year. I think that was the "we haven't practiced our zone offense" game.

To be fair we had also beaten the crap out of them that year already. Those games were almost back to back if I recall so there was probably a bit of "let's get them back" was otule injured for the second game yet?

[MuggsyB]

I know all 3 teams are solid and all 3 are teams we need to beat to achieve our goals of the last two years

But am I wrong that of Colorado, Florida and Boise.....Boise is the most preferred match up?

Probably. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

To be fair we had also beaten the crap out of them that year already. Those games were almost back to back if I recall so there was probably a bit of "let's get them back" was otule injured for the second game yet?

Virgin Island Tournament.