<p>OT, but I think this thread needs some levity.</p>
<p>March Madness indeed! H opened the pool yesterday. We live near Chicago.</p>
<p>As I said, Barrons, Vanderbilt’s shooting was awful. However, there is no doubt that the officiating (early “charge” calls) was a factor in the outcome, too. I was very disappointed (being a Big Ten fan) in the attitude of the Wisconsin coach and team during the game. By the way, you would make a GREAT Kentucky fan, barrons, but then, this is your normal persona on CC anyway. I’m finished arguing. I’m not making excuses for my team’s loss, and we are all disappointed, but we’ll see how the flopping works tonight!</p>
<p>Wonder how Wisconsin would do against Kentucky? Seems like Vanderbilt beat them!</p>
<p>I really don’t care to debate this, but it’s fairly common for basketball players to act/over-exaggerate. It’s nothing new. You learn to play around it. You also learn to play around refs. My varsity coach used to threaten us with benching if we complained about calls because you have to learn to play around that. That is all I’m going to stay on this subject because tensions are too high in this thread. </p>
<p>So let’s have a fun weekend of games :D. I’m definitely excited for round two. My bracket’s doing well but one loss could break it beyond repair. But hey, that’s the fun of the game!</p>
<p>Wow Wiscy looked terrible. The score should not have been that close.</p>
<p>WOW- is anyone watching the MSU-Louisville game? WHY did they get 3 shots on ONE miscalled foul? I’ve NEVER seen anything like that. </p>
<p>It wasn’t going to make a difference, but I’m speechless.</p>
<p>I hope Indiana can represent the Big Ten- and Ohio State.</p>
<p>Well, I think I have a lock on last place in the ccparents group this year–although I might wind up essentially tied with the few other people who picked Michigan State to win the whole thing. I picked Kentucky in a different group, so maybe there’s still some hope for that one.</p>
<p>Have to add: My percentage of correct picks far exceeds the Spartans’ field goal percentage on that game, to say nothing of their three-pointer percentage.</p>
<p>Dropping fast. Why-oh-why didn’t I keep my bracket called “Syracuse-all-the-way” have Syracuse winning like this?</p>
<p>This is a first year for me doing these brackets. Do most people kick themselves like this? Urg!</p>
<p>Note to self: next year, create vastly different teams. Maybe that will even out a little better. Right now, all of mine are at the bottom.</p>
<p>I got the only points I could tonight. Tomorrow’s games are much more interesting for me.</p>
<p>I’m doing ok in my pool, but Missouri really hurt me. I bought the hype and picked them to make the Final Four.</p>
<p>The top bracket at ESPN still had like 3 wrong. It’s been a tough year.</p>
<p>For those that don’t follow Wisconsin; never bet against them in the future, at least as long as Bo Ryan coaches them. They rarely underperform; in the tournament they usually get a round past where there seed predicts them. </p>
<p>I thought Ohio State would go far because of Sullinger, and they’re doing pretty well so far.</p>
<p>Quantmech, I think Kentucky was a good pick, especially since Syracuse and UNC both lost stars this year during or right before the tournament.</p>
<p>Missouri hurt me, too, but I’m not doing so great in the other regions, either. I would love to see NC State beat Kansas, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.</p>
<p>One icon after last night’s game:</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>I’m doing OK but I think my bracket is going to run out of gas. I had both Duke and Michigan State in the Final Four and they both let me down. Dang it! That’s what I get for playing a hunch and betting on teams I absolutely can’t stand, but whose coaches I fear and respect so much that I convince myself they can do magic with teams that are, for them, pretty sub-par. Too much respect for those you hate is not a good thing.</p>
<p>I put Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin teams in that category, too. Can’t stand 'em, and I think they chronically play some of the ugliest basketball on the planet, but it’s tough, hard-nosed, well-coached, disciplined basketball, and it’s usually winning basketball. You’ve got to respect a coach who can take what is usually pretty mediocre talent and fuse it into a winner. But man, is it ugly to watch! Brazilians call soccer “The Beautiful Game,” and they play it that way. Bo Ryan’s Badgers are the polar opposite of that.</p>
<p>oh my Spartans broke my heart last night (and shot my bracket to you-know-where) :(</p>
<p>Well this is for division ll but it is pretty exciting!</p>
<p>* Rory Blanche, Zach Henifin, and their teammates on the Western Washington University men’s basketball team will have a chance Saturday, March 24, to win a national title in a men’s team sport for the first time in school history.</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>Read more here: [MEN’S</a> COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Vikings to play for national title - Local Colleges - bellinghamherald.com](<a href=“http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/03/22/2449760/mens-college-basketball-vikings.html#storylink=cpy]MEN’S”>http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/03/22/2449760/mens-college-basketball-vikings.html#storylink=cpy)</p>
<p>I’m doing fine so far as I picked Louisville- Kentucky-Syracuse-North Carolina to make the Final Four, and Louisville-North Carolina in the finals. I figured Louisville to be peaking at the right time after the Big East Tournament.</p>
<p>Syracuse’s coach Jim Boeheim said that Wisconsin was better than he expected and he felt both teams played a great game. There were so many lead changes and it came down to the last shot. Syracuse seemed to either penetrate inside the lane and hit short jump shots, or drive on Berggren (who didn’t want to pick up fouls) for layups. That’s good coaching. Wisconsin meanwhile concentrated on breaking the zone with good ball movement that created open three-point shots for them. More good coaching.</p>
<p>Since my brackets were blown to pieces long ago, I am enjoying watching Ohio U hanging right in there with UNC. I picked OU over UMich, and my pick surprised my office of UM grads. However, I didn’t pick them past that win. I do love to see the underdog do well, though.</p>
<p>Wow ! Overtime.</p>
<p>I’d love to see Ohio upset UNC. Both for my bracket and cause I love an underdog. </p>
<p>Not looking too spiffy…</p>
<p>Also, I came across this story earlier. Thought it might interest someone or another. [Kansas</a> hoops star plays for little sister, in memory of late mother - CNN.com](<a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/23/us/sports-sweep-thomas-robinson/index.html?hpt=hp_c1]Kansas”>http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/23/us/sports-sweep-thomas-robinson/index.html?hpt=hp_c1)</p>