Running Sweet 16 thread

What a horrible showing from Pitt.

If it can't advance past the Sweet 16 this year, I doubt it will ever happen. Well, unless the Panthers land a top 20 recruit. :

 

I just want to say that the quality of this year's tournament is what...10 maybe 15 times higher than last year's?

As fun a story as George Mason was last year, I think this year's SIU team would've run them off the court by double digits. Such a stronger crop of squads this year top to bottom.

 

Ohio State is who we thought they were, and that's why we took the damn court. Now, if you want to crown them, crown their asses.

 

Aaron Gray's draft stock just went through the floor......

 

Word. Yesterday was a lot of fun, even that last one...

 

Re: why Tennessee didn't call a timeout at the end.

Pearl rarely likes to do that ... his belief it gives the defense a better chance to set up whereas his offense is based on up-tempo and quick shot selection anyway.

In the 2003 NCAAs, Pearl did the same thing with UWM against Notre Dame. ND hits the shot to go up by 1 in the final 20 seconds. UWM doesn't call timeout ... Clay Tucker brings the ball up and waits patiently near half court ... with about 8 seconds left, he drives the lane then dishes to a wide-open Dylan Page for the easy layin ... and he misses.

Fucking Dylan Page.

Anyway, I do think Lofton should've made himself a little more available than just sitting in the corner waiting for a 3, which they didn't need anyway.

 

That's very true, but that's the second time this year when Ramar Smith took the last shot, which means Lofton didn't. Pearl loves Ramar Smith, who is an outstanding freshman point guard who got very little love outside the SEC, but don't you have to have Lofton take that shot? Not calling the timeout doesn't bother me ... just get it to Lofton.

 

I completely agree ... Lofton should've received the ball one way or another.

 

Tenn calls timeout, they win.

 

I think they had two timeouts left.

 

So would SIU have run last year's Michigan State, North Carolina and UConn teams off the court by double digits, too?

Agree on the basic premise, though. This year, the elite are living up to their seeds, which makes for some great games in the later rounds. Salukis were great prepartion for Kansas with UCLA coming up, that's for sure. What a great defensive team.

 

Jesus, Jay Bilas can be more wrong in more syllables than anybody I know.
He's spouting off on my radio this morning that anyone -- like me -- who though SIU was an aesthetic blight on this tournament and is happy they're gone probably didn't like watching Bob Gibson or Sandy Koufax pitch.
Yes, Gibson throwing the high heat and SIU's shading the man toward the trap are equally compelling as drama.
Nitwit.