<p>Bclintock–thanks! I was wondering what the numbers were but too lazy to look them up! Xiggi–it’s interesting how you can get invested in things you weren’t interested in before. Didn’t really follow, but I decided to do the bracket thing for the first time, and it’s been really fun so far! (haven’t seen an opening ceremony in many years, so Ican’t compare.)</p>
<p>State representation in the Sweet Sixteen: Florida–3 teams; Michigan–2; Kansas–2…states with 1 each–Ky, Or, NC, Pa, Az, Oh, In, NY, Wi.</p>
<p>Who’d a thunk…I thought football was supposed to be king in Florida.</p>
<p>If I could super-score my brackets in all my pools, I would be doing great (well, except for the FGCU thing). However, I can’t, and the one I was winning took a dive yesterday since I picked Duke to lose.</p>
<p>Oh who cares, xiggi? If you don’t like it, don’t watch. Why the need to rag on people that enjoy this time of the year? Sheesh</p>
<p>My husband and son usually attend the Final Four and we actually received 4 tickets when we registered for the ticket lottery last year. Unfortunately no one can use them this year so we are trying to sell them for face value. I guess no one has a team in this dance as we haven’t had a buyer yet 
It sounded like such a good idea last year to try and get tickets in advance instead of picking them up from scalpers on game day. I may have to pay a nephew to go down on game day and try to sell them!</p>
<p>A bit on the sensitive side, Romani? Or are we supposed to only express OPINIONS that are aligned with everyone? I’ll invite you to read a few comments when the WC Soccer in Brazil will start. You can expect more than a few that will say they do not “get” soccer and find it just as boring as watching the grass grow. To each his own! </p>
<p>And, fwiw, is posting an amusing cartoon really “ragging on” people and calling the exercise of measuring the prowess of the conferences … fascinating? Really!</p>
<p>I’ll come back and applaud the next victories of MSU.</p>
<p>Nope. Just don’t understand the point of entering a thread just to tell us how boring the topic is. I find soccer incredibly boring but see no point in going in to a soccer thread to say how boring it is.</p>
<p>I do not think there is any debate- the BIG was the best basketball conference this year.</p>
<p>I also don’t think there’s any debate – both soccer and basketball are exciting! You’re BOTH wrong! ;)</p>
<p>Lol :p</p>
<p>Tom, it’s true that big ten is by far the strongest conference but from this point on I don’t think it means much. Too much parity. I could easily see any of the teams screwing up. I don’t think they’re that consistent, especially my Michigan teams.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why college football doesn’t have the same or similar playoff system. </p>
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<p>Well I disagree with Xiggi but then what’s the point in entering a thread to say how much you enjoy it? After all you’re only expressing your opinion, which is just the complete opposite of that of others’.</p>
<p>have to agree with Romani here. The participants in this thread are not here to say, I like this thread, or I like the Tournament,;they are TALKING ABOUT IT. It’s a discussion on a discussion board. “I don’t get this” or “this is stupid” or whatever, is a poor excuse for discussion. Which is why Romani wouldn’t go to a discussion on the World Cup to make that statement.</p>
<p>I like WC soccer, so I might. </p>
<p>I never was into March Madness before, but I didn’t feel a need to stop by and tell everyone how it bored me–like my every negative reaction was important to communicate. There are television shows that get discussed that I don’t watch, but again, no need to make sure everyone knows that.</p>
<p>And yes, Tom, agree completely on Big Ten.</p>
<p>I’m not in any bracket, but can those of you who entered see how everyone is doing?</p>
<p>If so, who are the ones doing best? If not, can those “winning” come here to let us know?</p>
<p>TIA</p>
<p>xiggi- nevermind</p>
<p>Most correct picks so far orchestramom and bclintonks</p>
<p>Most possible points Quantmech and Mowc</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Because the bowl system is essentially a private commercial enterprise. Whereas the NCAA basketball tournment is essentially owned and operated by the NCAA. NCAA gets NO MONEY from the football bowls. The basketball tournament, however, is a cash cow for the bureaucrats at NCAA HQ.</p>
<p>I’m enjoying the tournament tremendously! If my Spartans can get past Duke, I would expect a Michigan State-Louisville showdown to be thrilling. As a family we are MSU and Louisville partisans (which is why I split my bracket choices). Time will tell…I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of the unexpected or upsets.</p>
<p>orchestra, we’re joking that my family (and the state of Michigan!) is going to tear apart if it’s a Michigan/MSU final. I go to MSU now (the third MSU cousin), Michigan in the fall, and my closest (and younger) cousin goes to U of M. The rivalry is intense 
(though remarkably good-natured considering).</p>
<p>Hey give me a break! </p>
<p>I could have come here and written … I have followed the tournament for years, but I am not impressed with this year’s version. After a lackluster season, the final weeks lack the panache, the excitement of previous years, etc. </p>
<p>What if I expressed my current disdain for the tournament because of the past cronyism and poor officiating? Should I bring back the scandalous inbound timing decision that impacted Texas? </p>
<p>Or, would you feel better if I described the tournament as one with only teams I dislike a lot. You may like one or more teams and when your fav drops out switch to a conference proxy. Good for you. </p>
<p>I do not share your excitement, but if that offends anyone, so be it. That is what debating sports is all about. If you do not believe me, try reading the comments about my beloved Cowboys on the Dallas Morning News. </p>
<p>Again, give me a break! ANd because of the words fascinating and a cartoon? Sheesh.</p>
<p>^ Well, Texas did get to host.</p>