2024 NCAA Tournament Thread

[MU82]

I have been telling Big 10 fans all season that I think UConn would take Purdue because Clingan might not be as good as Edey, but he should be able to contain him better than anyone Edey has faced. Then I think UConn’s supporting cast and coaching are far superior.

Purdue seems totally dependent on Edey whenever  things are tight. I didn’t see the game Sunday but, according to a Game Tracker nobody else for a Purdue even took a shot, much less scored a point, for 8 minutes starting with 10:30 left in the game. They did pretty much the same thing at the end of regulation and OT in the loss to the Badgers in the BET. I don’t think they would get away with that against UConn.

Now that it looks like the matchup could happen, I still think UConn would win unless Clingan gets in foul trouble.

That all sounds about right ... although I'd argue that Purdue was very smart to keep going in to Edey. It was their best advantage and they exploited it. If it wasn't their best advantage, maybe they'd have been able to exploit something else - or not.

Clingan getting in foul trouble obviously would hurt UConn - and Edey is great at drawing fouls, so maybe we'll see.

[MuMark]

I have been telling Big 10 fans all season that I think UConn would take Purdue because Clingan might not be as good as Edey, but he should be able to contain him better than anyone Edey has faced. Then I think UConn’s supporting cast and coaching are far superior.

Purdue seems totally dependent on Edey whenever  things are tight. I didn’t see the game Sunday but, according to a Game Tracker nobody else for a Purdue even took a shot, much less scored a point, for 8 minutes starting with 10:30 left in the game. They did pretty much the same thing at the end of regulation and OT in the loss to the Badgers in the BET. I don’t think they would get away with that against UConn.

Now that it looks like the matchup could happen, I still think UConn would win unless Clingan gets in foul trouble.

Purdue is the 2nd best 3 point shooting team in the country……….sure they utilize Edey a lot….as they should…but they are far from 1 dimensional.

When other guys shoot……Purdue gets a ton of offensive rebounds…….again Edey a huge part of that.

I do think UConn does matchup better with them than probably anyone else……but it should be a really interesting game…..if it does happen.

[wisblue]

I realize that you can’t lean too heavily on this, but UConn’s handling of some Big 10 teams that Purdue struggled with or lost to might give Purdue fans some cause for concern.

It’s probably a moot point because Purdue will probably be taken out by the unbeatable Wolfpack, even if UConn gets past Alabama.

[Scoop Snoop]

I realize that you can’t lean too heavily on this, but UConn’s handling of some Big 10 teams that Purdue struggled with or lost to might give Purdue fans some cause for concern.

It’s probably a moot point because Purdue will probably be taken out by the unbeatable Wolfpack, even if UConn gets past Alabama.

NC State is gonna kick UCONN's ass in the championship game. Probably by 30 points or so.

[Uncle Rico]

TV ratings rocking for a sport doomed because of the transfer portal

TV ratings for the women are rocking despite chauvinists on scoop saying no one watches

[Dr. Blackheart]

TV ratings rocking for a sport doomed because of the transfer portal

TV ratings for the women are rocking despite chauvinists on scoop saying no one watches

TV Ratings booming because of prop bettors that the NCAA said that states should outlaw (only because they aren't getting a piece of the revenue).

[TSmith34, Inc.]

TV ratings rocking for a sport doomed because of the transfer portal

TV ratings for the women are rocking despite chauvinists on scoop saying no one watches

You spelled dentists wrong

[Big Papi]

You spelled dentists wrong

Probably an anti-dentite.

[WhiteTrash]

NC State is gonna kick UCONN's ass in the championship game. Probably by 30 points or so.

Agreed, but only if UCONN refuses to shake their hands. UCONN handshakes = UCONN by 30. NCST will lose their juju. 

[MuggsyB]

TV Ratings booming because of prop bettors that the NCAA said that states should outlaw (only because they aren't getting a piece of the revenue).

Bingo.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Hardly anybody watches chick bb.

https://x.com/theathletic/status/1775281156839416319?s=46&t=ppua9BCUAa7dWM9-SthPmg

12.3 million watched Iowa v. LSU last night.

[Uncle Rico]

https://x.com/theathletic/status/1775281156839416319?s=46&t=ppua9BCUAa7dWM9-SthPmg

12.3 million watched Iowa v. LSU last night.

Just for gambling purposes unless you believe social media engagement

[lawdog77]

Larry Blurred doing work in the NIT semis

[MuggsyB]

Just for gambling purposes unless you believe social media engagement

Clark moves the needle regardless of the gambling degenerates. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Just for gambling purposes unless you believe social media engagement

Most bet Women's game of all time

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/2024/04/02/iowa-lsu-betting-record-march-madness-elite-eight/73184652007/

[MU82]

I realize that you can’t lean too heavily on this, but UConn’s handling of some Big 10 teams that Purdue struggled with or lost to might give Purdue fans some cause for concern.

UConn is the defending champion, and they're better this year. They have no weaknesses. That's what should give Purdue fans the most cause for concern.

Doesn't mean UConn is unbeatable. The best team often - maybe even usually - doesn't win it all.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Most bet Women's game of all time

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/2024/04/02/iowa-lsu-betting-record-march-madness-elite-eight/73184652007/

That’s not driving these numbers.

[MuggsyB]

That’s not driving these numbers.

What is driving those numbers?  Media?  Easy access to betting? 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

What is driving those numbers?  Media?  Easy access to betting? 

Growing interest in women’s basketball and a bunch of interest in Caitlin Clark.

[MuggsyB]

Growing interest in women’s basketball and a bunch of interest in Caitlin Clark.

Definitely Clark, we agree there.  It will be interesting to see how she impacts the WNBA. 

[MU82]

Along with 100+ others, I participate in an investing chat room most days, and we occasionally talk about other topics. Women’s college basketball in general and Clark in particular have been popular non-investing topics.

These folks aren’t gamblers. They’re just into it. And why not? It’s great competition, skill and entertainment.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

https://awfulannouncing.com/ncaa/did-espn-suddenly-land-the-best-bargain-in-sports.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

"To put the 12.3 million number in perspective, it would be the 8th most-watched non-NFL sporting event in 2023. It would rank ahead of The Masters, four NBA Finals games, every World Series game, and every Stanley Cup Final game. And this is for a property that costs less annually than the ESPN contract for the American Athletic Conference at $83.3 million per year.

Sure, once Caitlin Clark leaves for the WNBA, the ratings may drop. But even non-Iowa games are up huge from last year. And with new stars emerging like USC’s Juju Watkins, the future is still unquestionably bright."

But according to willie "Hardly anybody watches chick bb."

[MU82]

nm

[Uncle Rico]

Guys, women sports popularity is rising.  Includes golf, basketball, volleyball, softball and gymnastics.  Soccer has always been popular.

You’ve had multiple generations of women who have had more access and support to play these sports than ever before.  It only makes sense the interest is going to increase across the spectrum.  Your masculinity isn’t being threatened.

And yes, stars like Caitlin Clark drive the sport.  Stars drive sports.  News at 10.  And yes, gambling is legal just about everywhere.  Here’s my shocked face record numbers are being set

[MuggsyB]

Guys, women sports popularity is rising.  Includes golf, basketball, volleyball, softball and gymnastics.  Soccer has always been popular.

You’ve had multiple generations of women who have had more access and support to play these sports than ever before.  It only makes sense the interest is going to increase across the spectrum.  Your masculinity isn’t being threatened.

And yes, stars like Caitlin Clark drive the sport.  Stars drive sports.  News at 10.  And yes, gambling is legal just about everywhere.  Here’s my shocked face record numbers are being set

Uhhhhh......tennis?????