Dion Blaster
Member
I think that's the flaw with the scoring system for brackets. Getting the ENTIRE first round perfect is way more impressive than correctly picking the Final 4. Idk why they are worth the same.
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2014 NCAA Tournament March Madness |OT|
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I think that's the flaw with the scoring system for brackets. Getting the ENTIRE first round perfect is way more impressive than correctly picking the Final 4. Idk why they are worth the same.
PotatoeMasher
Member
Are you going to be able to watch a game at Zeke's this season? We had a raucous crowd today:
Aw man, that looks awesome. Unfortunately, I got a place in San Jose about 6 months ago. For proximity to my wife's new job. She was originally just going to commute, but a really nice spot in SJ opened up so yeah. Maybe I'll try to make it up there next weekend, though.Are you going to be able to watch a game at Zeke's this season? We had a raucous crowd today:
I thought this post from Louisville's scout board was pretty funny. I very rarely talk trash or pay attention to opposing fans. I'm really not into rivalries and all that to be honest. But this is...interesting
nillapuddin
Member
So much salt and hand wringing on TDD about this UK team, from claims that they are just out talenting teams (lol), their grandma could coach this team (lol) and really its just luck and Cal is a cheat.
I've been one to believe that Cal hasn't had to cheat since he got to UK (not saying he did or didn't prior, not enough strong evidence so I really don't care). I think Cal is similar to Roy Williams, better coaches than their detractors say, but they definitely succeed when they have players that can exploit their preferred systems. I'd say K is not far from this but 2010 and 2014 are strong evidence to the contrary.
I remember that Cal had a pretty good defensive reputation and liked pushing turnovers and transition baskets at Memphis. He's got his dribble drive O working well in this tourney, and he is taking advantage of size, the outside shooting is also a HUGE factor.
To assume that this is going to happen in a vacuum and that Cal is just the used car salesman at the helm is naive. He knows how to coach, his kids have bought in and are peaking and thats why they are where they are. I think if they just tried to "out talent" some team, Wichita St would have sent them home.
Besides.....rumors are Parker is seeing the run UK is putting together and he knows that could be Duke next year...barring games vs Lehigh and Mercer that is. (he gone anyway).
I've been one to believe that Cal hasn't had to cheat since he got to UK (not saying he did or didn't prior, not enough strong evidence so I really don't care). I think Cal is similar to Roy Williams, better coaches than their detractors say, but they definitely succeed when they have players that can exploit their preferred systems. I'd say K is not far from this but 2010 and 2014 are strong evidence to the contrary.
I remember that Cal had a pretty good defensive reputation and liked pushing turnovers and transition baskets at Memphis. He's got his dribble drive O working well in this tourney, and he is taking advantage of size, the outside shooting is also a HUGE factor.
To assume that this is going to happen in a vacuum and that Cal is just the used car salesman at the helm is naive. He knows how to coach, his kids have bought in and are peaking and thats why they are where they are. I think if they just tried to "out talent" some team, Wichita St would have sent them home.
Besides.....rumors are Parker is seeing the run UK is putting together and he knows that could be Duke next year...barring games vs Lehigh and Mercer that is. (he gone anyway).
Well put, truly. I'm not saying Calipari is Wooden or Rupp or Coach K, but the guy can coach.
Also, someone on our forums said their friend has contacts at Duke and there are rumors that Jabari will return. Could easily be bullshit, but if not then that team is the title favorite next year I'd imagine.
Also, someone on our forums said their friend has contacts at Duke and there are rumors that Jabari will return. Could easily be bullshit, but if not then that team is the title favorite next year I'd imagine.
Calipari's a good coach from an X's and O's standpoint. Not great, but good. He generally gets his teams playing hard, playing good D, and being relatively unselfish which is a big feat considering the egos he has to manage.
I understand talent attracts talent but they're definitely doing something when they get so much elite talent to where there's people warming the bench like Marcus Lee that would start for 95% of the rest of the teams in the country.
I can understand the HS players from Kentucky being fine warming the bench, but not the Top 50ish recruits who can go anywhere. I know Kentucky has great facilities but Lexington (while nice) isn't a destination city or a warm-weather city.
I understand talent attracts talent but they're definitely doing something when they get so much elite talent to where there's people warming the bench like Marcus Lee that would start for 95% of the rest of the teams in the country.
I can understand the HS players from Kentucky being fine warming the bench, but not the Top 50ish recruits who can go anywhere. I know Kentucky has great facilities but Lexington (while nice) isn't a destination city or a warm-weather city.
Holy. Effing. Crap. As a UK fan, holy god this weekend was the most nail biting, crazy, stressful, insane weekend of the tourney. For some strange reason last year after Louisville won the Tourney I decided "Hey, I've got cousins in Dallas.... I'm going to get Final Four tickets." With those damn things on the line this entire tourney run has become insanity. I'm so freaking pumped. Can't wait to get there, and even if we can't make the final or win it all this Tournament run has been simply amazing. Dallas GAF, I'm going to need some suggestions of things to do close to the Stadium, because I plan on getting down there 5 hours before both tipoffs. Also, where's a good bar with an actually decent beer list?
Hah, I feel like you and I read different articles. It screams of the desperation of someone shouting "Are you happy? Are you happy you're doing everything wrong, and everything I hate, and destroying basketball? You shouldn't be, but are you happy?" After how mean that first article Forde wrote was, this is hardly the apology he should have written.
And "the tweak" was nothing more than psychological warfare at it's finest.
I think you could absolutely say that Cal's stretch since Memphis absolutely puts him in the argument as one of the best coaches of the last 20 years. If not for X's and O's, then at least for somehow every year teaching basics to a bunch of all-star AAU kids, getting them to actually play as a team, and then pulling all together at the right time. Just look at last year as an example of how hard it is every single year! I'm constantly amazed he actually can pull a bunch of freshmen together and somehow get them to play like veterans.
I think it has a lot to do with just how popular everyone on the Kentucky basketball team is in the entire state. There are very few places in the US that treat their basketball college players quite like this state does. I'd imagine they come because it's equal parts "rock-star", training for media relations in the future, amazing facilities, and the fact that somehow Cal get's players drafted in the first round that have absolutely no business being there (Daniel Orton). Lexington isn't a big shiny metropolis, but I'd say it's equally on par with all the other major basketball programs' cities.
Hah, I feel like you and I read different articles. It screams of the desperation of someone shouting "Are you happy? Are you happy you're doing everything wrong, and everything I hate, and destroying basketball? You shouldn't be, but are you happy?" After how mean that first article Forde wrote was, this is hardly the apology he should have written.
And "the tweak" was nothing more than psychological warfare at it's finest.
I think you could absolutely say that Cal's stretch since Memphis absolutely puts him in the argument as one of the best coaches of the last 20 years. If not for X's and O's, then at least for somehow every year teaching basics to a bunch of all-star AAU kids, getting them to actually play as a team, and then pulling all together at the right time. Just look at last year as an example of how hard it is every single year! I'm constantly amazed he actually can pull a bunch of freshmen together and somehow get them to play like veterans.
I think it has a lot to do with just how popular everyone on the Kentucky basketball team is in the entire state. There are very few places in the US that treat their basketball college players quite like this state does. I'd imagine they come because it's equal parts "rock-star", training for media relations in the future, amazing facilities, and the fact that somehow Cal get's players drafted in the first round that have absolutely no business being there (Daniel Orton). Lexington isn't a big shiny metropolis, but I'd say it's equally on par with all the other major basketball programs' cities.
RellyRell28
Banned
So it seem to me that some of the analyst figure that Wisconsin is all Frank Kaminsky and if you stop him they can win. If Kentucky has that mind set going in to the game they will get destroyed.
If the #1 draft pick returns that's when people should start questioning if players are getting paid. Well, that or K has photos of him in bed with a dude or something.
Hasphat'sAnts
Member
1. He's not the #1 pick because both the Bucks and the Sixers have Wiggins at the top of their board.
2. All season long scouts/reporters/analysts have pointed out that Jabari is different. I don't expect him to turn down $20 million, but he's the only one I wouldn't be shocked by doing exactly that.
In other words, he's the anti-Shabazz
Grover Cleveland
Member
Cal can flat-out coach ball. Is he shady? Maybe, but I'm not sure who hasn't at least dabbled in the forbidden arts at the highest level of college athletics these days. That's just the name of the recruiting game these days.
Cal's got his own speed, his own way of doing things and that can be abrasive to a lot of fans, media, other coaches. But he's always looking out for his guys and his program and I can respect that.
Plus, I don't buy into this pseudo-rivalry between Duke and UK. I see two great programs who have played in four historically significant games (66 FF, 80 S16, 92 E8, 98 E8) over the entire 85 year history of the "rivalry" with the two teams splitting those games. Other than that, there's not that much intersect between the two.
Cal's got his own speed, his own way of doing things and that can be abrasive to a lot of fans, media, other coaches. But he's always looking out for his guys and his program and I can respect that.
Plus, I don't buy into this pseudo-rivalry between Duke and UK. I see two great programs who have played in four historically significant games (66 FF, 80 S16, 92 E8, 98 E8) over the entire 85 year history of the "rivalry" with the two teams splitting those games. Other than that, there's not that much intersect between the two.
For the record, Laettner should have been ejected, but that's neither here nor there
If it happened in today's game, Laettner WOULD be ejected, but I think back then, something had to be pretty egregious for a player to be kicked out. It didn't help that Aminu Timberlake was clapping and smiling after Laettner got T'd up. Today he would act like Laettner hit him with a steel chair. I still remember the media coverage from back then, nobody was that disturbed by the play or played up moral outrage, it was more like, hey Christian Laettner did this asshole thing and got a T, and it moved on from there. When the perception of Duke changed in the late 90s, early 2000s, the perception of the whole thing changed as well, it was just another instance of how Duke cheated, and supposedly Laettner never admitted stomping Timberlake, and K told him how it was good he kicked him and all this other horseshit. I think that stomp helps make the game...from a story perspective. You have pretty much everything Laettner is, good and bad boiled down in that game...and sometimes the bad guys win.
Beyond that, I've never felt the duty to HATE UK, or even dislike them. I'm just indifferent. My OOC conference arch enemy was always UConn and its not even close. If Calhoun was still coach, I would be cheering for any team, including UK to beat them. They cost us two titles so fuck those guys.
You forgot the 78 title game when Goose put up 41 on them.
You are right though, they are not rivals in the same sense that Louisville or even Florida are, but between the Laettner game and Duke's holier than thou aura(and I realize this is mostly the media's doing), I find enough to dislike about Duke to the point where I would never root for them in any game ever.
That's the sad part of the whole thing though. That shot was a dagger through the heart to a very young me at the time, and every time I see that shot I feel a little of the same pain again. And goddamn it if they don't show that shot every time there is a promo for any college basketball game, and the dagger plunges in again and again. In short, I'm glad back then cameramen didn't focus as much on crying kids in the audience (that poor Kansas fan!).
UK got it's revenge later, and has won enough games to soften the blow, but I still cringe every time I see that shot.
Plus, the Duke friends I have seem to have the thinnest skin, and are thus really fun to mess with
. Too bad they always just come back with that damn shot.
Pollux
Member
One of my first memories of Kentucky basketball was that shot. For that reason alone I don't think I'll ever root for Duke. I don't hate Duke, I don't consider them a rival, but I'll never root for them.
For me, as a Kentucky fan, I would say our top 3-4 rivals are Louisville, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Indiana doesn't rank up there for me, I'm indifferent to them and they're pretty much irrelevant these days. When your program has to make a shrine to that one shot by Wofford, you really don't count in my book.
For me, as a Kentucky fan, I would say our top 3-4 rivals are Louisville, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Indiana doesn't rank up there for me, I'm indifferent to them and they're pretty much irrelevant these days. When your program has to make a shrine to that one shot by Wofford, you really don't count in my book.
Grover Cleveland
Member
If we're going out-of-conference, I harbor much more ill will towards UConn than I do UK.
Fucking Richard Hamilton and Emeka Okafor
Top 3 Rivals:
UNC
Maryland (lol)
UConn
Fucking Richard Hamilton and Emeka Okafor
Top 3 Rivals:
UNC
Maryland (lol)
UConn
vas_a_morir
Banned
2011-12 could have been a rekindling of a rivalry, but then Kentucky beat them in the game that counted that same season pretty handily, so back to the cellar.
It also didn't help that Cal got pissed with how they were treated in Bloomington, and then refused to play another home and home series because of it (also because Kentucky really got nothing out of it), and then Crean and Indiana refused to do neutral sites.
I miss the IU Rivalry. I also miss when Arkansas was good, because those UK Arkansas games were always fun as hell.
bucknuticus
Member
Smartest thing Crean has ever done. Neutral site games are for the birds and should be outlawed in college athletics (outside of tournaments).
Grover Cleveland
Member
Although, games in Cameron North, Brooklyn, and the Meadowlands are basically Duke home games so...
Agreed. Maybe it's a generational thing? I know older fans who despise Duke, but I was 6 years old when Laettner hit that shot. I don't even remember it.
Grover Cleveland
Member
Nicole Auerbach ‏@NicoleAuerbach 33m
F4 refs: Pat Adams, Joe DeRosa, Verne Harris, John Higgins, Mike Roberts, Doug Shows, Doug Sirmons, Mike Stephens, Mike Stuart, Terry Wymer
No mention of TV Teddy, Look at Me Jamie, Tony Greene, or Karl Hess.
These games may actually end on time without 20 minute reviews or egregious calls being made.
F4 refs: Pat Adams, Joe DeRosa, Verne Harris, John Higgins, Mike Roberts, Doug Shows, Doug Sirmons, Mike Stephens, Mike Stuart, Terry Wymer
No mention of TV Teddy, Look at Me Jamie, Tony Greene, or Karl Hess.
These games may actually end on time without 20 minute reviews or egregious calls being made.
78 National Title too. I don't get the hate for Duke. Shit happened forever ago and Kentucky had some of their best years after that.
Doug Shows is also awful.
And I'm sorry, but I'm not going to hold it against Cal for refusing to go back to Bloomington. The fans in that last game were violent, and that's not something that should be tolerated. The change to home and home is very recent anyway. From 92 - 2006 we had played them at alternating neutral sites and it seemed to work just fine. It would really just be a return to status quo, but apparently IU's students don't have cars or something. IU refuses to play game anywhere but Assembly Hall. It came up again this year when they needed to avoid their safety hazard arena.
Plus Kentucky is contractually obligated to play a game in Assembly Hall in Louisville and we would really prefer to have a marquee matchup there every other year rather than WKU or something.
I'm sure we will eventually resume the series and they can beat us and erect another monument.
Avinexus
Member
We're fucked.
My coworker managing the office pool just came in to alert me that I'm poised to win our 80-person group. I had myself counted out after midling among my friend pool. Checked the GAF group and I'm sitting pretty at number 5 with the highest point potential left!
Not counting my chickens yet, especially in this bracket, but redemption feels good.
Not counting my chickens yet, especially in this bracket, but redemption feels good.
One of my friends was in Lexington for some event and was taking a cab. They started talking about basketball, and she mentioned she was a Duke fan.
He stopped the car and asked her to step out.
nillapuddin
Member
yeah, 22 y/o checking in.
I hate Duke
My mom was taking me to UK games even when the "3" sign was bigger than me, Ive been bred to bleed blue.
I have no recollection of "the incident" however I caught on early enough in life, and was an early adopter of internet videos...
The hate is real.
Just by that one player, I could never under any circumstances cheer for them, its completely illogical, and simply isnt worth it anymore, but whatever
If you follow UK closely enough you would know that "he" has made himself quite the public figure the past few years, he seems to enjoy his villian status, and doesnt use it for evil, pretty sure a Laettner dunk tank could flip this country's debt
also
I hate Duke
My mom was taking me to UK games even when the "3" sign was bigger than me, Ive been bred to bleed blue.
I have no recollection of "the incident" however I caught on early enough in life, and was an early adopter of internet videos...
The hate is real.
Just by that one player, I could never under any circumstances cheer for them, its completely illogical, and simply isnt worth it anymore, but whatever
If you follow UK closely enough you would know that "he" has made himself quite the public figure the past few years, he seems to enjoy his villian status, and doesnt use it for evil, pretty sure a Laettner dunk tank could flip this country's debt
also
Grover Cleveland
Member
This is a joke, but NCAA only hears $$$$
Lmao. So stupid. NCAA probably won't stop themselves, but they really need to. I had some friends say that the elite 8 games in Lucas Oil were also pretty bad. Since it's not like they close off the farther parts of the arena. They sell all those seats and just call them "limited viewing" seats.
This is a joke, but NCAA only hears $$$$
Love that Calipari had us play in that very stadium earlier in the season against Baylor, though. Don't think it'll make any real difference in the actual game, but our young guys won't be shook by the venue at least.
I went to the 2011 Final Four in Houston. They would literally have to pay me to attend that kind of garbage again. What's worse, I had tickets from UK's allotment that were in the lower arena, maybe 20-90 rows back. It didn't matter. The viewing angles were awful and I spent the entire game looking up at the big screen. I have and would rather watch a game from the very last row in Rupp Arena, which is itself a pretty mediocre view. I feel sorry for anyone at the top of the arena. NEVER AGAIN.
RellyRell28
Banned
ErasureAcer
Banned
Gophers one win away from being NIT champs. We so should have made the dance man.
Pollux
Member
Pretty much, and Crean just isn't that good of a recruiter of coach. Oh well.
ErasureAcer
Banned
NIT CHAMPS!!! OH YEAH!
If the committee had done it's job and saw that our 2 bad losses were without our arguably best player, Andre Hollins and his first game back...we'd be dancing and would have won at least a game. Tough to call who the MVP was this season. Austin Hollins really got his stroke going later in the season and no doubt was key but Deandre Mathieu has to be the teams best player this year. Dude can drive on anyone and finish or pass for open shots. So glad he's coming back next year.
Props to Oto Osenieks for playing in the semifinal game where we were without our starting center due to an ankle injury. Osenieks(a junior) had been deemed retired after a knee injury and is set to be a team assistant next year but he got out there and played against FSU's frontcourt which was much needed because King and Walker were in foul trouble and we needed another big guy in the game.
Minnesota will probably come in second place behind Wisconsin next year in the B10. We are only losing Austin Hollins as Ahamnisi isn't that great and Smith throws up a bunch of bad 3's. We're going to have a senior filled team next year with Walker, Hollins, Elliason, Mathieu. Hope Pitino can get some good recruits to fill their spots. Charles Buggs is going to be a breakout player next year. He was awesome in his limited playing time this year.
If the committee had done it's job and saw that our 2 bad losses were without our arguably best player, Andre Hollins and his first game back...we'd be dancing and would have won at least a game. Tough to call who the MVP was this season. Austin Hollins really got his stroke going later in the season and no doubt was key but Deandre Mathieu has to be the teams best player this year. Dude can drive on anyone and finish or pass for open shots. So glad he's coming back next year.
Props to Oto Osenieks for playing in the semifinal game where we were without our starting center due to an ankle injury. Osenieks(a junior) had been deemed retired after a knee injury and is set to be a team assistant next year but he got out there and played against FSU's frontcourt which was much needed because King and Walker were in foul trouble and we needed another big guy in the game.
Minnesota will probably come in second place behind Wisconsin next year in the B10. We are only losing Austin Hollins as Ahamnisi isn't that great and Smith throws up a bunch of bad 3's. We're going to have a senior filled team next year with Walker, Hollins, Elliason, Mathieu. Hope Pitino can get some good recruits to fill their spots. Charles Buggs is going to be a breakout player next year. He was awesome in his limited playing time this year.
Grover Cleveland
Member
The view from $200 seats at the Final Four
You can either watch the court and then it's like paying $200 to watch ants, or you watch the JerryScreen and then it's like paying $200 to watch TV.
You can either watch the court and then it's like paying $200 to watch ants, or you watch the JerryScreen and then it's like paying $200 to watch TV.
CaptainABAB
Member
As a UConn Alumni and fan, Duke was on our most-hated list, and revenge was so sweet in 99 and 2004.
1990: Losing 79-78 in the Elite Eight in OT as Laettner hits a buzzer beater.
1991: Losing badly (81-67) to Duke in the Sweet Sixteen
Plus, there was some animosity from that 1991 game...
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-03-27/sports/1991086175_1_sellers-laettner-elbow
http://articles.courant.com/1992-03...-connecticut-s-rod-sellers-christian-laettner
lazybones18
Banned
Go Huskies! Go Wildcats!
I guess the Gator Nation is big in Delaware?
Alligatorjandro
Banned
Go Gators
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