(03-18-2013 10:35 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I do think Creighton is a bad matchup for the Cats,

Nah. Creighton does look good playing in their mid-major conference. Just like handicapping horses, its all about class. And this will be a huge jump up in class for Creighton.

Cats win by 10.

Jackson, Rubles and Parker will all take their turn on McDermott. Hopefully we get an energetic, controlled JJ. I know it doesn't happen often, but he could be what we need to get the W.[/quote]

(03-18-2013 01:31 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  

(03-18-2013 10:35 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I do think Creighton is a bad matchup for the Cats,

Nah. Creighton does look good playing in their mid-major conference. Just like handicapping horses, its all about class. And this will be a huge jump up in class for Creighton.

Cats win by 10.

Also looked good putting up 84 against Wisconsin. I think people undersell some of these mid major programs. There is a reason Butler, VCU, and George mason have been to the final four in recent years. There is a reason Gonzaga is a 1 seed. There is a reason everyone loves this years St. Louis team.

I hope you are right, and certainly think UC can win, but I still think Creighton is the type of offensive team that gives UC trouble on defense. I do think UC will score better than they did throughout the Big East and the key will be how well UC can pressure the Creighton guards. UC cannot let the guards get into the offense and move the ball like they want. If that happens Creighton will get open shots and they will hit them.

Haven't seen this posted anywhere, but according to Cronin on twitter, and a few others, it sounds like UC will be holding an open practice on Wednesday. The time hasn't been announced yet.

(03-18-2013 01:54 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(03-18-2013 01:31 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  

(03-18-2013 10:35 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I do think Creighton is a bad matchup for the Cats,

Nah. Creighton does look good playing in their mid-major conference. Just like handicapping horses, its all about class. And this will be a huge jump up in class for Creighton.

Cats win by 10.

Also looked good putting up 84 against Wisconsin.

And we put up 78 and then 77 against two tournament teams on successive nights. The second score was against the Pac 12 Tournament champs.

But both Creighton and UC were playing early in the year. The Blue Jays could not break 70 in their conference tournament against the powerhouses of Drake, Indiana St, and Wichita.

Fair enough. Just unlike two years ago when I absolutely loved the Missouri matchup, because I thought they were prone to trying to force pace which would be a disaster against that UC team, or last year against Texas a team who depended on foul shots, something UC did not give up a ton of, this year I think Creighton plays a style that we tend to struggle with.

They remind me more of Notre Dame than any team on the schedule (though Notre Dame plays at a slower pace). I think our bigs struggle guarding bigs that play on the perimeter and I really don't know who can guard McDermott.

how the heck did oregon get a 12 seed? they got screwed

FUCLA and arizona get a 6. cal got a 12. how does cal get the same seed as oregon?

the committee definitely put UNC on the 8 line with kansas a 1 for TV ratings

i think james madison and gulf coast will give indiana and gtown games

bearcatmark whats your take on illinois-colorado? game looks like a toss up to me.

i find it funny that people bash "mid majors" on here when not long ago UC played in a mid major conference. was UC overrated and only faced crappy teams when they were in C-USA? creighton might be playing in a better conference in a couple years.

creighton will be a tough matchup

C-USA was not a mid-major conference when we played in it.

(03-18-2013 06:48 PM)subflea Wrote:  C-USA was not a mid-major conference when we played in it.

Agreed. CUSA was mid major in football but not in basketball.

Creighton can beat UC...for sure. In fact they could run away with it. But...they are a seven seed and the best team from the Mo Valley. I watch a lot of Mo Valley games...it's NOT a physical conference in any way shape or form. I think our defense will give the Jays all they can handle...esp if they "let em play".

officiating may be the difference maker. got to hope whoever calls the game, the let em play.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, There are no conference officials, rather officials do games in a certain geographic area, correct?

If so, playing in Philly means the refs will probably be guys who do a lot of Big East games, which means no blood no foul. Obviously benefiting UC.

(03-18-2013 09:29 PM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  Correct me if I'm wrong here, There are no conference officials, rather officials do games in a certain geographic area, correct?

If so, playing in Philly means the refs will probably be guys who do a lot of Big East games, which means no blood no foul. Obviously benefiting UC.

Officiating crews are assigned to a tourney site but can travel in from another part of the country to officiate. Could get guys who officiate BE or any other league...

(03-18-2013 09:29 PM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  Correct me if I'm wrong here, There are no conference officials, rather officials do games in a certain geographic area, correct?

If so, playing in Philly means the refs will probably be guys who do a lot of Big East games, which means no blood no foul. Obviously benefiting UC.

You are correct that during the regular season officials are not assigned by conference, but by regions. However, during the NCAA tournament they usually mix things up and refs will come from a wide variety of regions.

Cool picture...no Texas schools, no Georgia schools...a first?

That is a cool picture, Senior.

Really looking forward to the St. Mary's and Middle Tennessee State game tonight. The Gaels look like the better team, but you can never underestimate the team whose bid was more scrutinized. MTSU is a very balanced scoring team. Only 1 double-digit scorer and 6 other guys that average at least 6 a game. Dellavedova is always fun to watch.

St. Marys has been up since 3am on travel plans and the early practice schedule...I think SMC are the better side here, but you can't overlook the travel problems.

Not a single NCAA entrant from the "Great State of Texas". Wow!

Something sort of interesting.

This is the highest (or lowest depending on how you look at it) seed that UC has ever been in the tournament. Their previous worst seed had been a 9.

It's really annoying hearing these play in games being called tournament wins. C'mon, it is not a tournament win.