Running 2023-24 NCAA Basketball Thread

And then poor Penn went against Magic and the Spartans. Really close second half, with Michigan State holding a 51-50 edge. Unfortunately for Penn first half was 50-17.

Clark-UConn: She would have of course been amazing there and her and Bueckers would have been incredible but thankfully she didn't go because as is the case often in hoops, having too much talent on one team robs us of seeing great players at their best. It's one reason the Durant to Golden State adventure annoyed me. The team was amazing but we didn't get to see Durant or Curry at their finest. UConn had a similar thing back with Delle Donne, who would have been on the Maya Moore teams that dominated. She would have made them even more ridiculous but women's hoops benefited from having her eventually end up with Delaware.

I kind of look at Clark and Bueckers like Steph and LeBron. Clark's brought eyeballs and changed the game, but I still would put Paige above her overall (that could also be Minnesota bias as well). And Clark might put up 45 on Friday and make that last sentence look dumb. She has had two chances at vengeance against UConn and mean old Geno and is 0-2. 2021 NCAA Tourney UConn won 92-72 and Clark was 7-for-21. Then last year, with no Bueckers, UConn won 86-79 and Azzi Fudd was best player in the game as Clark went 9-for-24. Should be fun. I think UConn matches up well with Iowa but in the Finals I think Iowa would be the only one with a shot against South Carolina.

 

The NCAA. Going pro in something other than logistics.

 

Well, I will say its nice that the NCAA doesn't just screw up the women's side of things.

 

Wonderfully on brand there.

Whitlock, here to tell Miss Angel that Mister Tucker won’t never let her in the house with all of her carryin’ on and whatnot.

 

I'm sure Dan Hurley will be very patient with the travel problems.

 

I thought her signature moment was leading a team to the national title?

 

That wasn't it for me.

It was the pointing at the ring finger in front of her opponents. Game's decided. You won. You're the champs. No more "heat of competition" bullshit. Be happy and gracious. Don't rub it in.

Why the fuck do we praise what hockey teams do at the end of a series if we don't believe that's the right way to behave?

 

Clark was every bit the trash talker, but somehow she’s just spunky. I wonder why.

 

After games were decided and her opponents were eliminated? If so, shame on her.

There's a time to talk trash. There's a time to at least pretend to be gracious.

 

I mean, holy shit.

PC, if you don't think this formed a lasting impression of her for many casual fans, I don't know what to tell you.

 

That is some strained parsing right there.