Wow!

Plenty of mid-major upsets again in early rounds of NCAA & NIT…just not our Rockets (men’s team anyway—stay tuned for the ladies).

This just reminds me that we get head-faked every season…we win a boatload of games by beating MAC teams that really aren’t that good, and then we just can’t finish the deal in March come MAC tournament time & the NIT. It’s time once & for all to finally get ALL the necessary pieces AND team commitment AND toughness to be one of these “upset” teams next season. And let’s invest in some better sports psychology to help the guys handle the pressure come March. Maybe TK can ask for advice in the off-season from the coaches of some of these other mid-majors who become “ giant killers”?

That was a great game, and FDU played their ass off. I hope I can stay awake for the Kent Game.

Zack Edey who !!!!!!!!!

(03-17-2023 08:23 PM)Screwball Wrote:  That was a great game, and FDU played their ass off. I hope I can stay awake for the Kent Game.

FDU sure did! They played the game all over the court, including challenging Edey in the paint when an opportunity presented itself; meanwhile, Purdue relied on throwing up air balls from 3 point land. Lesson learned—when you live & die with the 3, it makes it much easier for your opponent to catch up, stay with you, & ultimately beat you when they make “old school” 2-pointers at a higher %.

FDU is the smallest team in the country as well.

Fairleigh Dickinson didn’t even win their conference tournament. They lost to Merrimack in the championship game, but Merrimack is not eligible for the NCAA Tournament since they are transitioning to Division I, so FDU got the automatic bid!

(03-17-2023 09:00 PM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  Fairleigh Dickinson didn’t even win their conference tournament. They lost to Merrimack in the championship game, but Merrimack is not eligible for the NCAA Tournament since they are transitioning to Division I, so FDU got the automatic bid!

That transition rule makes absolutely no sense to me.

But, little about the NCAA does make much sense to me nowadays.

Nice to see a Big 10 team fall on their sword. Come on Kent State, let's do a number on Indiana.

Purdue's record in the tourney is horrid.

The studio guys think they need to stop Carry and all is good. I don't want to root for Kent....but I will make an exception tonight.

(03-17-2023 09:25 PM)Springboromark Wrote:  Nice to see a Big 10 team fall on their sword. Come on Kent State, let's do a number on Indiana.

If Kent State plays their game, I think they make it to the Sweet Sixteen. Their style & strengths are almost ideal for tournament play.

(03-17-2023 09:40 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(03-17-2023 09:25 PM)Springboromark Wrote:  Nice to see a Big 10 team fall on their sword. Come on Kent State, let's do a number on Indiana.

If Kent State plays their game, I think they make it to the Sweet Sixteen. Their style & strengths are almost ideal for tournament play.

UNfortunately so does IU. The major difference between IU and Purdue, is the raw talent. The speed and quick. Purdue has Mr Basketball's but for the most part, they do not have highly coveted players. I've said it here and I've said it other places, it's a game of geometry. You can't be a one trick pony be it post or guard. A team balanced to the court area of the modern game is the best chance, regardless the most athletic and best basketball players. Unless you're a Duke or Kansas or similar that is attracting five star one and dones, the best chance a team has is experience and being able to defend the space.

It's no coincidence that Purdue lost to St Pete and to FD and it's no coincidence what has happend to Toledo in tourney and post. It's because they're not teams designed to beat the teams balanced for the geometry.

Kent's shooting has been awful, and they have had some nice shots. 26% as a team and Carry 3-11.

Kind of reminds me of Toledo.

The winner plays Miami, and they have a coach we have all heard of. The irony.