March Madness

[bigkev]

Sounds like we have quite a few college basketball fans on here. There have been some great games going down to the wire along with the usual upsets. I was fortunate to play 4 years of Division 1 basketball, in which we won over 100 games and made the NCAA Tournament 2 times and NIT once. My freshman year, we were the cinderella story, making it to the Elite 8 after upsetting the #! undefeated team in the nation. They still play that clip on the last 15 seconds on TV during March. It was an amazing feeling and gave me memories that I still cherish. I was fortunate to be drafted in the 3rd round of the NBA draft and played professionally about 7 years in the US and overseas, again with memories that will never leave me.

Good luck to everyone with your teams, should be another great round later this week.

[KCCubano]

My Razorbacks have been winning ugly! Now have Gonzaga. Also a KU fan as family has had season tix for years. Some are going to Chicago to see KU Providence at United Center. 

[Chibearsv]

Very cool story Kev.  Sounds like you and your team were hugely successful. 

When I was a gym rat during and after my second attempt at college (skiing got in my way during my first try at CU 😁), I loved following all of college hoops and filling out the brackets etc. 

I just don't have the time to dedicate any more but I sure enjoy watching the games.  I find the NCAA tournament so much more enjoyable than NBA ball.  I think regular season NBA games are unwatchable bores.  I think the beauty of basketball is best displayed in the NCAA tourney.

 

[jakebarnes]

That's awesome, Kev. Huge college basketball fan here. On the athletics front, briefly tried to play D3 golf in college, but preferred skirt chasing and alcohol more--so that went by the wayside.

My CBB rooting interest comes from my law school--made the tourney in the first year of our new coach, Shaka Smart. Sadly, Marquette ran into the buzzsaw of UNC this year. Excited to see what Shaka can do now that he's away from the UT-Austin boosters and can prioritize team chemistry and need rather than "every five star" to appease the boosters.

 

7 hours ago, KCCubano said:

My Razorbacks have been winning ugly! Now have Gonzaga. Also a KU fan as family has had season tix for years. Some are going to Chicago to see KU Providence at United Center. 

That Providence team has surprised me, I get that they won the Big East, but I didn't see them lasting long based on their metrics (lots of 1-2 pt wins this year). That said, Ed Cooley is such a great dude. I see why his players love to play for him.

Let me know if your fam needs any tips for where to eat/drink in Chicago.

[KCCubano]

19 minutes ago, jakebarnes said:

That Providence team has surprised me, I get that they won the Big East, but I didn't see them lasting long based on their metrics (lots of 1-2 pt wins this year). That said, Ed Cooley is such a great dude. I see why his players love to play for him.

Let me know if your fam needs any tips for where to eat/drink in Chicago.

They are staying with another family member who lives in Evanston. I am sure some Lou Malnatis is on the menu for 1 night! If KU wins they are going to Sunday game. Yes Providence has won many close games this year. KU'S Agbaji needs to find his shot again or else they will be going home! 

[Chibearsv]

32 minutes ago, jakebarnes said:

That's awesome, Kev. Huge college basketball fan here. On the athletics front, briefly tried to play D3 golf in college, but preferred skirt chasing and alcohol more--so that went by the wayside.

My CBB rooting interest comes from my law school--made the tourney in the first year of our new coach, Shaka Smart. Sadly, Marquette ran into the buzzsaw of UNC this year. Excited to see what Shaka can do now that he's away from the UT-Austin boosters and can prioritize team chemistry and need rather than "every five star" to appease the boosters.

Sadly, my rooting interest is/was NIU where I finally completed my undergrad schooling at 24 years old 😆.  Got to see and play practice ball with Kenny Battle before he transferred to U of I.  Also got to see Ron Harper play against him since Ron played for Miami Ohio.  That was pretty cool at the time.  

[jakebarnes]

25 minutes ago, KCCubano said:

They are staying with another family member who lives in Evanston. I am sure some Lou Malnatis is on the menu for 1 night! If KU wins they are going to Sunday game. Yes Providence has won many close games this year. KU'S Agbaji needs to find his shot again or else they will be going home! 

Nice! Not super familiar with Evanston food scene generally outside of the coffee shops I stop at on the way back from my rides to Ft. Sheridan. However, when I would take the purple line up to Evanston to go to my wife's office, we'd usually grab a bite and drink at Smiley Bros Brewing. Nice patio and good atmosphere. Also like FarmHouse (american farm to table bar), Blind Faith Cafe (vegan, really good brunch food), and if you enjoy the cinematic masterpiece Mean Girls, Walker Brothers Pancake House for breakfast. 

[LLC]

I really enjoy March Madness. Don’t have a particular team I root for but the quality of the basketball is generally very good with lots of good games last weekend. 

[Huckleberry]

The basketball has been stellar at almost every turn.  I live in Iowa and cheer mostly for U of Iowa but also really enjoy Iowa State.  The odds of the Cyclones still dancing with the Hawkeyes early bounce from the tournament would have been huge in Vegas.  If the Cyclones are making shots they remain dangerous, I think that goes for all of them. 

Manchurin's dunk for Arizona in the last game was one of the best dunks I have ever seen in my 50 years.  He was still rising even after the ball went through the net.  Unreal.

It's going to be interesting and I personally hope there is no letdown from the cinderellas after several days off.  St Peters has truly been special to watch this year.

Where did you play BigKev?  

[jakebarnes]

@Huckleberry Tyrese Hunter is a special kid for ISU. Excited to see his growth for them

[Huckleberry]

8 minutes ago, jakebarnes said:

@Huckleberry Tyrese Hunter is a special kid for ISU. Excited to see his growth for them

Totally, when he is hitting shots he is something else.  He and Brockington together make a great backcourt/wing duo.  The tall curly head kid is also something else.

The Clones don't usually land recruits like Hunter.  He is their second highest ranked prep recruit since internet rankings were created.

[jakebarnes]

14 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

Totally, when he is hitting shots he is something else.  He and Brockington together make a great backcourt/wing duo.  The tall curly head kid is also something else.

The Clones don't usually land recruits like Hunter.  He is their second highest ranked prep recruit since internet rankings were created.

TJO knows how to recruit. Gonna be a boon for ISU

[bigkev]

8 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

The basketball has been stellar at almost every turn.  I live in Iowa and cheer mostly for U of Iowa but also really enjoy Iowa State.  The odds of the Cyclones still dancing with the Hawkeyes early bounce from the tournament would have been huge in Vegas.  If the Cyclones are making shots they remain dangerous, I think that goes for all of them. 

Manchurin's dunk for Arizona in the last game was one of the best dunks I have ever seen in my 50 years.  He was still rising even after the ball went through the net.  Unreal.

It's going to be interesting and I personally hope there is no letdown from the cinderellas after several days off.  St Peters has truly been special to watch this year.

Where did you play BigKev?  

St. Joseph's University

[KCCubano]

1981 St Joseph took down DePaul who finished #1 in AP Poll. Great team that year. Cant wait for tomorrow nights. My Hogs have been winning with defense as offense has gone south. Not sure if will have answer for Timme and Holmgren

[jakebarnes]

4 hours ago, KCCubano said:

1981 St Joseph took down DePaul who finished #1 in AP Poll. Great team that year. Cant wait for tomorrow nights. My Hogs have been winning with defense as offense has gone south. Not sure if will have answer for Timme and Holmgren

The 2004 St Joe's team was a blast to watch too. I loved the 5-out that they ran at that time. Created chaos.

No one really matches all that great with Timme and Holmgren. The key is going to be frustrating Nembhard and disrupting the offense that way. 

[KCCubano]

On 3/23/2022 at 11:59 AM, jakebarnes said:

The 2004 St Joe's team was a blast to watch too. I loved the 5-out that they ran at that time. Created chaos.

No one really matches all that great with Timme and Holmgren. The key is going to be frustrating Nembhard and disrupting the offense that way. 

Hey my Hogs pulled it off!!

[jakebarnes]

2 hours ago, KCCubano said:

Hey my Hogs pulled it off!!

I made a nice penny off your hogs! Wooo pig sooie!

[KCCubano]

6 hours ago, jakebarnes said:

I made a nice penny off your hogs! Wooo pig sooie!

Not bad for what was supposed to be a rebuild year. Musselman has #2 ranked recruiting class coming in next year. Now back to back Elite 8. Now have Duke. Need a repeat performance of 94 National Championship game when we beat them! 

[bigkev]

11 hours ago, KCCubano said:

Hey my Hogs pulled it off!!

They sure did! Looked good and their scrappy play was the difference. Strong offensive rebounding and loose ball wins had a huge impact and they hit big shots.

Nova also looked good and beat a strong Michigan team.

[jakebarnes]

1 hour ago, bigkev said:

They sure did! Looked good and their scrappy play was the difference. Strong offensive rebounding and loose ball wins had a huge impact and they hit big shots.

Nova also looked good and beat a strong Michigan team.

Jay Wright just knows how to coach. Undersized? Not a problem. Everyone is in such control. Impress me year after year. Didn't hurt that everyone was older and experienced on the team. But man...just a stud of a coach.

[KCCubano]

1 hour ago, bigkev said:

They sure did! Looked good and their scrappy play was the difference. Strong offensive rebounding and loose ball wins had a huge impact and they hit big shots.

Nova also looked good and beat a strong Michigan team.

JD Notae has to have a better shooting night if they want to beat Duke. He was short on his 3's and floaters in the lane. Been cold last few games. 

[Kenton1971]

As a longtime Kentucky fan (family from KY and most went to school there) this year was a bit more fun than recent years.  That said, all is not well in Whoville (esp. after the early exit) and there's a slow but steady drum beat of growing frustration with Calipari...aka Triple C (Can't Coach Cal)...as some have taken to calling him over the last week.  The grass isn't always greener on the other side but there sure seems to be more and more folks asking where the ROI is for his rather high *cough cough* salary.   In the absence of UK being in the tournament I'm pulling a little for Houston.  

[KCCubano]

Well St Peters did it again and made history!

[bishop532]

11 hours ago, KCCubano said:

Well St Peters did it again and made history!

What a run so far! Those kids play with a lot of heart. Purdue was talented as hell this year, but so inconsistent. 

[KCCubano]

22 hours ago, Kenton1971 said:

As a longtime Kentucky fan (family from KY and most went to school there) this year was a bit more fun than recent years.  That said, all is not well in Whoville (esp. after the early exit) and there's a slow but steady drum beat of growing frustration with Calipari...aka Triple C (Can't Coach Cal)...as some have taken to calling him over the last week.  The grass isn't always greener on the other side but there sure seems to be more and more folks asking where the ROI is for his rather high *cough cough* salary.   In the absence of UK being in the tournament I'm pulling a little for Houston.  

Years ago I went to KY AR in Fayetteville. It was the week that Cal told Archie Goodwin that "I cant coach you Archie" the student section chanted it every time Archie got the ball. I just read article that many KY fans are not happy with Cal and his 8 mill salary. Think last time they won was 2012 when beat KU for championship. I think given the current transfer portal we will see many good teams but not elite or unbeatable teams.