(02-25-2021 09:23 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  If ever there were a year for Gonzaga to win it all ... this is the season.

To me, the biggest question going in to the big dance will be "is this the year the B1G finally wins the national title again"?

The B1G is having an amazing season, almost Big East 2011 in nature. They have at least three teams with a bona-fide shot to win the title.

But last year we reached the 20th anniversary of the last time a B1G team won the national championship. That was on April 3, 2000, now 7634 days ago.

Of course, we're still at 20 college hoops seasons, not 21, because last year there was no champion. But still, for a conference that is *always* at power level, and usually one of the top two or three, to have gone that long without having a team win it all is astonishing. I mean, the ACC, which arguably hasn't been overall any better than the B1G during that time, has won 8 national titles since the last time the B1G won one. The Big East has won 5. Even the SEC has rang the bell 3 times since then. It's been a remarkable dry spell.

(02-26-2021 09:02 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 09:04 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Marquette with an upset win at UNC. Unreal.

Arguably the upset of the year. I didn't give Marquette one chance in thirty to win this game. Great result for you.

The "upset of the year" might have taken place early in the season when Samford (now 6-12) beat now 24-2 Belmont (which lost last night but was without injured 6-11 junior big man, and legitimate OVC player of the year candidate, Nick Muszynski). If those two teams played today, Belmont would win by 30 or more.

True, I'm a Belmont fan so I'm a bit biased. But that one, looking back, is a true stunner.

(02-26-2021 09:09 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-25-2021 09:23 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  If ever there were a year for Gonzaga to win it all ... this is the season.

To me, the biggest question going in to the big dance will be "is this the year the B1G finally wins the national title again"?

The B1G is having an amazing season, almost Big East 2011 in nature. They have at least three teams with a bona-fide shot to win the title.

But last year we reached the 20th anniversary of the last time a B1G team won the national championship. That was on April 3, 2000, now 7634 days ago.

Of course, we're still at 20 college hoops seasons, not 21, because last year there was no champion. But still, for a conference that is *always* at power level, and usually one of the top two or three, to have gone that long without having a team win it all is astonishing. I mean, the ACC, which arguably hasn't been overall any better than the B1G during that time, has won 8 national titles since the last time the B1G won one. The Big East has won 5. Even the SEC has rang the bell 3 times since then. It's been a remarkable dry spell.

Very good points. The Big Ten has suffered a major drought with national titles. Some of that has been that Illinois and Indiana have been so mediocre for a long time.

At the least, the Big Ten needs to get one team in the Final Four this time.

(02-26-2021 09:02 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 09:04 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Marquette with an upset win at UNC. Unreal.

Arguably the upset of the year. I didn't give Marquette one chance in thirty to win this game. Great result for you.

What!?!?

You obviously have not watched Carolina much this season. They don’t have a floor general and the offense is anemic half the time. Marquette beat Creighton and Wisconsin, so it’s no surprise they were able to win.

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:02 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 09:04 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Marquette with an upset win at UNC. Unreal.

Arguably the upset of the year. I didn't give Marquette one chance in thirty to win this game. Great result for you.

What!?!?

You obviously have not watched Carolina much this season. They don’t have a floor general and the offense is anemic half the time. Marquette beat Creighton and Wisconsin, so it’s no surprise they were able to win.

Agree, esayem. This ranks as one of the worst UNC teams in years. Marquette is average. But so is Carolina. The wasn't a major upset.

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:02 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 09:04 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Marquette with an upset win at UNC. Unreal.

Arguably the upset of the year. I didn't give Marquette one chance in thirty to win this game. Great result for you.

What!?!?

You obviously have not watched Carolina much this season. They don’t have a floor general and the offense is anemic half the time. Marquette beat Creighton and Wisconsin, so it’s no surprise they were able to win.

I have not watched UNC, but I have watched every single minute of Marquette Basketball this season. It continues to boggle my mind how anyone that has watched just a single minute of game film on MU this year does not press for 40 minutes (even with their 9th, 10th, 11th guys). We do not have any ball-handlers, nor any consistent outside shooting threats. DJ Carton is the only true PG on the team, and he leads the team in turnovers. We have several players that are terrified of putting the ball on the floor because they cannot dribble. We play regularly with two posts that are slower and also cannot dribble. We average close to 15 turnovers a game and it probably should be more. We do not value the basketball and it shows.

The key to winning against UNC was us hitting our 3PT'ers and UNC committing way more turnovers than usual (while also not getting as many 2PTA or ORBs). If that game gets played ten times, MU probably wins once, maybe twice.

Very happy that MU won, but I am also not using it do disguise the fact that this year's team is just not very good. Yes, they beat Wisconsin and Creighton (and now UNC), but they have just as many bad losses and have three-separate three-game losing streaks.

Would love for a UNC return game to Fiserv, but I also realize, after Roy's comments on Wednesday, that is unlikely to ever happen.

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:09 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-25-2021 09:23 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  If ever there were a year for Gonzaga to win it all ... this is the season.

To me, the biggest question going in to the big dance will be "is this the year the B1G finally wins the national title again"?

The B1G is having an amazing season, almost Big East 2011 in nature. They have at least three teams with a bona-fide shot to win the title.

But last year we reached the 20th anniversary of the last time a B1G team won the national championship. That was on April 3, 2000, now 7634 days ago.

Of course, we're still at 20 college hoops seasons, not 21, because last year there was no champion. But still, for a conference that is *always* at power level, and usually one of the top two or three, to have gone that long without having a team win it all is astonishing. I mean, the ACC, which arguably hasn't been overall any better than the B1G during that time, has won 8 national titles since the last time the B1G won one. The Big East has won 5. Even the SEC has rang the bell 3 times since then. It's been a remarkable dry spell.

Very good points. The Big Ten has suffered a major drought with national titles. Some of that has been that Illinois and Indiana have been so mediocre for a long time.

At the least, the Big Ten needs to get one team in the Final Four this time.

The Big Ten has no problem getting teams in the Final Four on a regular basis. Lots of Big Ten teams have made the Final Four since Michigan State won it all. Michigan State many times including 2019, Wisconsin back to back years, Michigan a couple of times, Ohio State a couple of times, even Illinois and Indiana (although those were in the 2000's and not the 2010's). In fact, the Big Ten had the runner up in 2002 (Indiana), 2005 (Illinois), 2007 (Ohio State), 2009 (Michigan State), 2013 (Michigan), and 2018 (Michigan). The only issue with the Big Ten is winning the national championship.

I feel like the Big 12 should have more pressure to perform in the dance than the Big 10. They've chronically underachieved.

(02-26-2021 10:42 AM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  I feel like the Big 12 should have more pressure to perform in the dance than the Big 10. They've chronically underachieved.

Kansas has helped out a lot though. 1 title, a title game appearance, and 3 other final 4's in the last 20 years.

I'm as big a Big East fan as anybody, but outside Villanova, unfortunately, no other current program has made a Final Four in the current incarnation of the Big East (for sake of discussion, I won't include UConn's trip while a member of the AAC). Xavier was well-positioned in 2017 (and the fact that the conference had two #1 seeds in the same year is a tremendous accomplishment in itself). All of the major conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, PAC and SEC) send a majority of teams into the dance annually. Some conferences have had success more than others. It is incredible that the Big Ten has not won a national championship in over 20 years. Part of that could very well be bad luck; I would argue that Indiana has not duplicated any semblance of success that Knight had, while Illinois has (mostly) been down and Maryland, since being added, has not had same success in the ACC; in addition, there are a few historically poor/under-performing programs in Northwestern, Rutgers and Nebraska that make up the bottom of the league.

For as much as many, including me, like to promote and celebrate a conference's success in March, it is completely random. We can play the same tournament multiple times and undoubtedly get multiple winners and different permutations for Final Four/Elite 8/Sweet 16. It is what makes March magical, beautiful and special.

What I continue to maintain is that the more elite/major/high-major brands a conference has, the greater the likelihood/probability of a conference having success in March. No conference can depend on just one program. This is why it was huge that UConn returned to the Big East, as now there is two elite programs under the banner with many more high-major programs capable of a deep run.

This March will be truly unlike any other. It will be more maddening than ever before IMO.

(02-26-2021 10:50 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 10:42 AM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  I feel like the Big 12 should have more pressure to perform in the dance than the Big 10. They've chronically underachieved.

Kansas has helped out a lot though. 1 title, a title game appearance, and 3 other final 4's in the last 20 years.

I actually think they embody the problem. They've underachieved as much as anyone in that league (probably more really). 3 final four's under Self, despite being a #1 seed 8 times in that span and a #2 seed three times. They've been upset 9 times in 16 appearances under Self. To his credit he did beat the Rose and company in 08 but otherwise they've been a disappointment.

(02-26-2021 10:32 AM)schmolik Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:09 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-25-2021 09:23 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  If ever there were a year for Gonzaga to win it all ... this is the season.

To me, the biggest question going in to the big dance will be "is this the year the B1G finally wins the national title again"?

The B1G is having an amazing season, almost Big East 2011 in nature. They have at least three teams with a bona-fide shot to win the title.

But last year we reached the 20th anniversary of the last time a B1G team won the national championship. That was on April 3, 2000, now 7634 days ago.

Of course, we're still at 20 college hoops seasons, not 21, because last year there was no champion. But still, for a conference that is *always* at power level, and usually one of the top two or three, to have gone that long without having a team win it all is astonishing. I mean, the ACC, which arguably hasn't been overall any better than the B1G during that time, has won 8 national titles since the last time the B1G won one. The Big East has won 5. Even the SEC has rang the bell 3 times since then. It's been a remarkable dry spell.

Very good points. The Big Ten has suffered a major drought with national titles. Some of that has been that Illinois and Indiana have been so mediocre for a long time.

At the least, the Big Ten needs to get one team in the Final Four this time.

The Big Ten has no problem getting teams in the Final Four on a regular basis. Lots of Big Ten teams have made the Final Four since Michigan State won it all. Michigan State many times including 2019, Wisconsin back to back years, Michigan a couple of times, Ohio State a couple of times, even Illinois and Indiana (although those were in the 2000's and not the 2010's). In fact, the Big Ten had the runner up in 2002 (Indiana), 2005 (Illinois), 2007 (Ohio State), 2009 (Michigan State), 2013 (Michigan), and 2018 (Michigan). The only issue with the Big Ten is winning the national championship.

Fully understand. My point (made poorly) was to stress that it would be doubly frustrating for the Big Ten to at least not have a Final Four team this time around.

(02-26-2021 11:30 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  I'm as big a Big East fan as anybody, but outside Villanova, unfortunately, no other current program has made a Final Four in the current incarnation of the Big East (for sake of discussion, I won't include UConn's trip while a member of the AAC). Xavier was well-positioned in 2017 (and the fact that the conference had two #1 seeds in the same year is a tremendous accomplishment in itself). All of the major conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, PAC and SEC) send a majority of teams into the dance annually. Some conferences have had success more than others. It is incredible that the Big Ten has not won a national championship in over 20 years. Part of that could very well be bad luck; I would argue that Indiana has not duplicated any semblance of success that Knight had, while Illinois has (mostly) been down and Maryland, since being added, has not had same success in the ACC; in addition, there are a few historically poor/under-performing programs in Northwestern, Rutgers and Nebraska that make up the bottom of the league.

For as much as many, including me, like to promote and celebrate a conference's success in March, it is completely random. We can play the same tournament multiple times and undoubtedly get multiple winners and different permutations for Final Four/Elite 8/Sweet 16. It is what makes March magical, beautiful and special.

What I continue to maintain is that the more elite/major/high-major brands a conference has, the greater the likelihood/probability of a conference having success in March. No conference can depend on just one program. This is why it was huge that UConn returned to the Big East, as now there is two elite programs under the banner with many more high-major programs capable of a deep run.

This March will be truly unlike any other. It will be more maddening than ever before IMO.

Creighton has a solid shot at the Final Four this time. Would be hugely helpful to the Big East's overall reputation to have CU make it.

(02-26-2021 10:32 AM)schmolik Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:09 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-25-2021 09:23 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  If ever there were a year for Gonzaga to win it all ... this is the season.

To me, the biggest question going in to the big dance will be "is this the year the B1G finally wins the national title again"?

The B1G is having an amazing season, almost Big East 2011 in nature. They have at least three teams with a bona-fide shot to win the title.

But last year we reached the 20th anniversary of the last time a B1G team won the national championship. That was on April 3, 2000, now 7634 days ago.

Of course, we're still at 20 college hoops seasons, not 21, because last year there was no champion. But still, for a conference that is *always* at power level, and usually one of the top two or three, to have gone that long without having a team win it all is astonishing. I mean, the ACC, which arguably hasn't been overall any better than the B1G during that time, has won 8 national titles since the last time the B1G won one. The Big East has won 5. Even the SEC has rang the bell 3 times since then. It's been a remarkable dry spell.

Very good points. The Big Ten has suffered a major drought with national titles. Some of that has been that Illinois and Indiana have been so mediocre for a long time.

At the least, the Big Ten needs to get one team in the Final Four this time.

The Big Ten has no problem getting teams in the Final Four on a regular basis. Lots of Big Ten teams have made the Final Four since Michigan State won it all. Michigan State many times including 2019, Wisconsin back to back years, Michigan a couple of times, Ohio State a couple of times, even Illinois and Indiana (although those were in the 2000's and not the 2010's). In fact, the Big Ten had the runner up in 2002 (Indiana), 2005 (Illinois), 2007 (Ohio State), 2009 (Michigan State), 2013 (Michigan), and 2018 (Michigan). The only issue with the Big Ten is winning the national championship.

Yes, what makes the B1G drought doubly amazing is that, as you say, they have been very successful, better than most of the other P5, at all other levels of the tournament, including making the Final Four and even the national title game. Since 2000 they've had 5 different schools play for the national title. I doubt any other conference can say that.

They just haven't been able to win that final game.

(02-26-2021 09:09 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-25-2021 09:23 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  If ever there were a year for Gonzaga to win it all ... this is the season.

To me, the biggest question going in to the big dance will be "is this the year the B1G finally wins the national title again"?

The B1G is having an amazing season, almost Big East 2011 in nature. They have at least three teams with a bona-fide shot to win the title.

But last year we reached the 20th anniversary of the last time a B1G team won the national championship. That was on April 3, 2000, now 7634 days ago.

Of course, we're still at 20 college hoops seasons, not 21, because last year there was no champion. But still, for a conference that is *always* at power level, and usually one of the top two or three, to have gone that long without having a team win it all is astonishing. I mean, the ACC, which arguably hasn't been overall any better than the B1G during that time, has won 8 national titles since the last time the B1G won one. The Big East has won 5. Even the SEC has rang the bell 3 times since then. It's been a remarkable dry spell.

IMO, the level of randomness associated with the NCAA tournament is not really appreciated. I remember when UNC and Duke had reputations for “choking” in NCAA championship games. Dean Smith lost his first three national championship games; Duke lost their first four championship game appearances (under three different coaches); and it took Coach K six Final Four appearances before winning his first championship. The media always needs a compelling story...even if it’s flawed. Given UNC and Duke’s performance over the past 40 years, it’s hilarious to think about such misguided reputations.

Although I’m much happier with the results of the ACC schools during the past two decades, it’s still impressive that six different schools from the BIG have made the NCAA finals during the past 20 years. That’s very strong depth for basketball. The BIG has a lot of depth again this year. I won’t be surprised with another BIG FF team this year. Maybe it’s Iowa or Purdue’s turn for a run.

(02-26-2021 09:18 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:02 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 09:04 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Marquette with an upset win at UNC. Unreal.

Arguably the upset of the year. I didn't give Marquette one chance in thirty to win this game. Great result for you.

What!?!?

You obviously have not watched Carolina much this season. They don’t have a floor general and the offense is anemic half the time. Marquette beat Creighton and Wisconsin, so it’s no surprise they were able to win.

Agree, esayem. This ranks as one of the worst UNC teams in years. Marquette is average. But so is Carolina. The wasn't a major upset.

This team is another example of Roy not adapting as a coach. Change your freaking game plan! You have monsters down low and NO point guard. Good grief. We Heel fans were spoiled with Dean Smith. He analyzed the opposition for the entire first half, saw everything they had, and then beat them in the second half.

Love scored 1 point in 30 minutes. Kessler had 10 in 8. What kind of coach does not see this and make some adjustments? Black had a horrible game, same with Bacot.

Dickie V, please take Roy Williams off your Mt. Coachmore and add somebody more deserving. Maybe John Thompson.

(02-26-2021 05:50 PM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:18 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:02 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 09:04 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Marquette with an upset win at UNC. Unreal.

Arguably the upset of the year. I didn't give Marquette one chance in thirty to win this game. Great result for you.

What!?!?

You obviously have not watched Carolina much this season. They don’t have a floor general and the offense is anemic half the time. Marquette beat Creighton and Wisconsin, so it’s no surprise they were able to win.

Agree, esayem. This ranks as one of the worst UNC teams in years. Marquette is average. But so is Carolina. The wasn't a major upset.

This team is another example of Roy not adapting as a coach. Change your freaking game plan! You have monsters down low and NO point guard. Good grief. We Heel fans were spoiled with Dean Smith. He analyzed the opposition for the entire first half, saw everything they had, and then beat them in the second half.

Love scored 1 point in 30 minutes. Kessler had 10 in 8. What kind of coach does not see this and make some adjustments? Black had a horrible game, same with Bacot.

Dickie V, please take Roy Williams off your Mt. Coachmore and add somebody more deserving. Maybe John Thompson.

Strong points. As a fan of multiple typically strong programs that have fumble and bumbled about this season ... very frustrating. I've watched less college hoops on TV than ever this year. Roy needs to get it in gear.

(02-26-2021 10:26 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 05:50 PM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:18 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:02 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Arguably the upset of the year. I didn't give Marquette one chance in thirty to win this game. Great result for you.

What!?!?

You obviously have not watched Carolina much this season. They don’t have a floor general and the offense is anemic half the time. Marquette beat Creighton and Wisconsin, so it’s no surprise they were able to win.

Agree, esayem. This ranks as one of the worst UNC teams in years. Marquette is average. But so is Carolina. The wasn't a major upset.

This team is another example of Roy not adapting as a coach. Change your freaking game plan! You have monsters down low and NO point guard. Good grief. We Heel fans were spoiled with Dean Smith. He analyzed the opposition for the entire first half, saw everything they had, and then beat them in the second half.

Love scored 1 point in 30 minutes. Kessler had 10 in 8. What kind of coach does not see this and make some adjustments? Black had a horrible game, same with Bacot.

Dickie V, please take Roy Williams off your Mt. Coachmore and add somebody more deserving. Maybe John Thompson.

Strong points. As a fan of multiple typically strong programs that have fumble and bumbled about this season ... very frustrating. I've watched less college hoops on TV than ever this year. Roy needs to get it in gear.

I still watch even when Carolina is disappointing. Don’t give up the good fight. DePaul might crawl back one day. Maybe a Blue Demon themed haiku will help us?

Villanova’s three-point shooting today in the loss to Butler: 2-27.

(02-26-2021 11:58 PM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 10:26 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 05:50 PM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:18 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(02-26-2021 09:17 AM)esayem Wrote:  What!?!?

You obviously have not watched Carolina much this season. They don’t have a floor general and the offense is anemic half the time. Marquette beat Creighton and Wisconsin, so it’s no surprise they were able to win.

Agree, esayem. This ranks as one of the worst UNC teams in years. Marquette is average. But so is Carolina. The wasn't a major upset.

This team is another example of Roy not adapting as a coach. Change your freaking game plan! You have monsters down low and NO point guard. Good grief. We Heel fans were spoiled with Dean Smith. He analyzed the opposition for the entire first half, saw everything they had, and then beat them in the second half.

Love scored 1 point in 30 minutes. Kessler had 10 in 8. What kind of coach does not see this and make some adjustments? Black had a horrible game, same with Bacot.

Dickie V, please take Roy Williams off your Mt. Coachmore and add somebody more deserving. Maybe John Thompson.

Strong points. As a fan of multiple typically strong programs that have fumble and bumbled about this season ... very frustrating. I've watched less college hoops on TV than ever this year. Roy needs to get it in gear.

I still watch even when Carolina is disappointing. Don’t give up the good fight. DePaul might crawl back one day. Maybe a Blue Demon themed haiku will help us?

A Blue Demon-themed haiku would be joyous. Sadly, old Dazzy can't pen haikus. He is a limerick man only. So on that note ...

This hoops season has ho-hummed us all
Producing less than normal roundball
Yet, Bill Walton stays true
Perhaps yielding a clue ...
... good again one day will be DePaul