Running 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament thread

UM-OSU went to two OT's and had 13 first round draft choices and scores of other NFL players.

 

Duke was terrific at switching on and fighting through screens. Both teams were, actually. I guess I have to disagree with Junkie. I thought it was a really well-played game. I'd like to watch it again to test that thought, but at first watch it seemed like every possession was a struggle, though I'm interested in some more thoughts on the fact that not that many possessions went down to the end of the shot clock and how that reflects on the defensive efforts.

 

Oh, yeah, wow. Forgot about that one. There were two football classics in the 2000's, with four of the sport's all-time brand names duking it out. I stand corrected.

 

I suck because I'm jaded about the television coverage of the championship game.

I know that they have a bunch of little segments all ready in the can that they'll air at opportune moments. So, when they did the little vignette of the Butler players' and coach's faces, I caught myself murmuring, "Oh, just stop."

Luckily, I turned off the set before the moment began shining.

Perhaps all the "Blah, blah, blah", filling time while I'm sure some folks in a little room somewhere were pulling their hair out trying to patch that production together was just too much for me.

I tried to explain my frustration to my wife this morning. She quietly said, "Honey, CBS doesn't care what you think, You're not one of their happy people."

 

FWIW, I thought it was a shitty shot until I saw how close it came. That turn and fade made it look like Kobe was throwing the rock up.

 

Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted the following last night: "Well-respected NBA GM just texted on Brad Stevens: "Is he an NBA coach? Pretty sophisticated for his age and experience."

For all the talk about Stevens going to a major conference program or Coach K to the Nets, I thought this was kind of an interesting idea. I don't think Stevens is in position to go to the NBA right now, but in a few more years, why not? Seems like he's got the demeanor and personality to mesh with NBA players, instead of the authoritarian nature of other college coaches who've tried to make the leap and failed.

 

That last shot by Hayward was right on except just a bit long. That was the shot of the night, if only he had been Keith Smart. It was a good look, just wished he had a chance to go more towards the basket or back to the middle. I guess if you slow it down, Zoubek's rotation will be more apparent; if so, great D by him (he should have been out of the game though for that throwdown of Howard when the ball went out of bounds off his foot; how does the official miss that call?)

A great game, for the pure setting of Butler in Indy and the fact that Butler had a chance to win; twice.

 

Blanket meet wet. Jesus.

 

Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State have won national championships out of the Big Ten. Illinois, Iowa and Purdue have played for the national championship. Minnesota was in the Final Four, but it was vacated.

When it comes to consistent Final Four participation spread out among its teams, the Big Ten takes a back seat to no one.

 

Cool storyline 1: "Small" school on big stage.

Cool storyline 2: Location of game and "Hoosiers" and yada yada yada.

Anything else?

One "cool" storyline that you might be able to replicate, and another than was just a complete stroke of luck and consequence that never will be duplicated if they play the tournament 400 more years.

Please don't let this deteriorate into a hoops vs. football debate.

 

Sorry, just thinking out loud, not trying to "deteriorate" the conversation. I wish there was a football playoff is all. I love football.

 

I didn't think it was a bad shot. It wasn't a great angle, but he had a good look and I'm sure it's a shot he's hit a few times before. Throw in there how close it missed and I don't think he could have asked for much more of a chance. He'll probably think about that back iron from time to time in the future.