PDA

View Full Version : So NOW who do you want to win the NCAA Tournament



davekay1971
03-18-2012, 07:37 AM
Yes, it took me this long to recover enough from the Friday night debacle to want to come on DBR, think about basketball, watch any basketball, etc.

But now it's Sunday, and my OTHER team is playing. For me, this season, it's pretty easy to pick up another team and cheer for them to win the tournament. I'm married to an NC State gal and, for the first time in a loooooooong time, they're still playing while Duke isn't. So, let's go State!

Hopefully I won't be having to find a new team to cheer for by mid-afternoon today...

Of course, I always have another team to cheer for, automatically: the University of ABC. The only thing worse than Duke getting bounced in the first round would be Carolina winning it. Ugh. The thought is too nauseating to bear.

So, for me, it is now, in this order:
1) Go Pack!
2) Go ABC!

Who are you all cheering for and why?

wilko
03-18-2012, 07:43 AM
My cheering is ALWAYS ABC.

But now that Duke isnt in it, whats the point? I don't plan on watching anymore games.
MAYBE if UNC is getting blown out I'll peek in at that, but otherwise.... just not into it right now

dukelifer
03-18-2012, 07:59 AM
Yes, it took me this long to recover enough from the Friday night debacle to want to come on DBR, think about basketball, watch any basketball, etc.

But now it's Sunday, and my OTHER team is playing. For me, this season, it's pretty easy to pick up another team and cheer for them to win the tournament. I'm married to an NC State gal and, for the first time in a loooooooong time, they're still playing while Duke isn't. So, let's go State!

Hopefully I won't be having to find a new team to cheer for by mid-afternoon today...

Of course, I always have another team to cheer for, automatically: the University of ABC. The only thing worse than Duke getting bounced in the first round would be Carolina winning it. Ugh. The thought is too nauseating to bear.

So, for me, it is now, in this order:
1) Go Pack!
2) Go ABC!

Who are you all cheering for and why?

Do not want UNC for the obvious reasons. I have been impressed with KY and believe they are the best team left. But I would pull for Marquette because they are hard-nosed and Mich State who have been an amazing post season team of late and deserve a little good fortune.

Buckeye Devil
03-18-2012, 08:14 AM
I can't believe that anyone would want UK with criminal Calipari at the helm. Yes I would rather see UNC than UK simply because Calipari is not worthy of being a head coach in the same ranks as Coach K. He has no integrity and has left every program he has taken to the Final 4 with huge blemish. I would hate to see UNC win another championship but I can't stomach that villain.

It's a long shot but being from Ohio, I am following my heart with the Buckeyes. I don't see them beating the Seminoles in the Round of 16 but if they get past them I think they are better than Syracuse without Fab Melo for the Final 4. But my bracket has Fla St in the Final 4.

There is a huge hole and little enjoyment watching the tournament after Duke's exit. It just isn't right.

DevilWearsPrada
03-18-2012, 08:15 AM
ABC, all day long!

I like NcState, and would love for them to be the Cardiac Pack 2.0.

Kentucky and Unc have really really talented and athletic teams. Any Team that can take them out.

GO Creighton! I love their story and their Coach/son on the team. Beat Unc!

Besides Duke, my family always pulled for NcState, as we had family members that went to school there, also. I was given a NcState ballcap last summer, and I pulled it out, to wear Today! GO Pack! Beat Georgetown!

ABC! GTHC! GTH!

JG Nothing
03-18-2012, 09:02 AM
I can't believe that anyone would want UK with criminal Calipari at the helm. Yes I would rather see UNC than UK simply because Calipari is not worthy of being a head coach in the same ranks as Coach K. He has no integrity and has left every program he has taken to the Final 4 with huge blemish. I would hate to see UNC win another championship but I can't stomach that villain.


ABC means ABC. A UK title would be vacated in a few years anyway.

grossbus
03-18-2012, 09:04 AM
"A UK title would be vacated in a few years anyway."

LOL


for me, FSU or Marquette. i really like crowder.

edunnjr
03-18-2012, 09:09 AM
I would like to see NC State, FloridaSt or ABC win it all! Really hard to watch now since the our guys are done.

ArkieDukie
03-18-2012, 09:12 AM
I agree with Buckeye Devil regarding UNC and Kentucky. Of course, other rational folks have pointed out that any UK championships under Calipari would likely be vacated anyway.

State is my first choice, but I'd be happy pulling for FSU as well. If they perform up to the level of the ACC Tourney, they could seriously make some noise in the NCAA Tourney.

bluedevilfan1998
03-18-2012, 09:12 AM
FSU or Kansas. I wouldn't mind Indiana winning either. I'd rather Kansas win than anyone else.
I like pretty much everybody on the team, and I think they have a good chance of beating UNC. I don't
really like Tyler Zeller, but his brother's pretty good, and Indiana did beat Kentucky and Ohio State this year.
Hard for me to cheer against them.

wavedukefan70s
03-18-2012, 09:18 AM
Any acc team.the fans of state,unc and fsu that i go to games with root for duke.so i do the the same.i would prefer nc state of fsu.

oldnavy
03-18-2012, 10:12 AM
Well, I will NEVER pull for UNC to win. EVER!!

But, the possibility of a UK, UNC final presents me with a real problem...

I think I would have to pull against UK, even though it would be easier on me personally if UK won that match up (would not have to listen to my son's yap for eternity), plus there are hardly any UK fans around here to drive me nuts....

Plus 2, you always have the satisfaction of knowing that Calipari's win will be vacated down the road....

burnspbesq
03-18-2012, 11:06 AM
Georgetown. They do things the right way.

BlueDevilBrowns
03-18-2012, 11:17 AM
1.NCSU(that would mean no Final 4 for HB & co. and the embaressment of losing to State, whom UNC fans treat like an owner treats their pet):)
2.FSU
3.ABC

gumbomoop
03-18-2012, 12:02 PM
For the obvious reason that my only team is now out of it, my answer to the question as posed is, "one of the low seeds - Norfolk St., Lehigh, South Fla, St. Louis, or maybe Purdue [Robbie Hummel deserves a marvelous ending]."

Now, if I imagine myself to be an absolutely neutral fan who wants to see an excellent title game, featuring several excellent players at the top of their game, I then come at the issue from a somewhat different angle.

The UK team I saw last evening met a solid early 2d-half challenge from a pretty good Iowa St. team, and then demolished the Cyclones. Maybe it sounded more amazing than it was, given the excitement of all those UK fans in Louisville, but UK looked like it can and should get to the NC game. As I look at the South and West brackets, UK just looks like it should breeze through. I realize that may not happen, but on their "side" of the tourney bracket, they look far more dominant than any team on the other side, the teams in the E/MW.

I'm still inclined to think that UNC will get to the FF, even the NC game, but their putative excellence may be more putative than excellent. For I just can't tell whether Barnes is a superior player, or just a good one. Barnes looks like he must be a great player; he infrequently plays like one. And although Bullock and Hairston look like they have sweet 3-strokes, their numbers suggest that looks can be deceiving [not to mention that Wheat and/or ChicagoHeel have bemoaned the Heels' 3-pt-shortcomings].

Further, given the eye-test qualitative difference between UK and UNC, there's also an eye-test qualitative and quantitative difference between UK's side of the bracket [S/W] and UNC's side [E/MW], the latter [MW] of which has a number of teams that could stop the Heels from reaching the NC game: KU, G'town, and the Pack. The Pack, naturally, want payback, and their solid performance v. the Heels in the ACCT will surely have convinced them that they belong on the same court with the Heels, even with a healthy Henson.

If the Heels get by KU/G'town/NCSt in Elite Eight, their semifinal opponent would probably come from a solid foursome of OSU/'Cuse/FSU/Wisconsin.

In the role of the neutral fan, therefore, it's hard for me to avoid thinking about how exciting a NC game between an in-form UK and a battle-tested UNC should be. As an ACC-fan who has some reason to admire the play of NCSt and FSU, I'd be happy to see both of them in the FF. They've both shown some spunk, as have quite a few of the remaining teams.

Spunk does not describe the Heels. Potentially excellent, but more smugly confident than spunky. [Not sure "smug confidence" is fair or accurate; nor, if accurate, am I sure it's undeserved. But I'm pretty sure it's not smart.]

Not sure exactly how to describe UK with its A+ game. Maybe "unbeatable."

"Un-vacatable"? No clue.

elvis14
03-18-2012, 12:10 PM
1.NCSU(that would mean no Final 4 for HB & co. and the embaressment of losing to State, whom UNC fans treat like an owner treats their pet):)
2.FSU
3.ABC

I agree with DlueDevilBrowns. State fans have suffered enough (even it they do blame the refs for every game they lose to Duke). FSU has played well of late and are and ACC teams. And ABC is just a given.

coldriver10
03-18-2012, 12:41 PM
Aside from the obvious (ABC), I'm hoping Kansas wins. It's really hard to root against a team with Thomas Robinson on it.

wilson
03-18-2012, 12:43 PM
What tournament?
T-minus 18 days until Opening Day. Put me in, coach...

davekay1971
03-18-2012, 12:44 PM
The Pack, naturally, want payback, and their solid performance v. the Heels in the ACCT will surely have convinced them that they belong on the same court with the Heels, even with a healthy Henson.
.

While I'm all for the Pack avenging 20 years of frustration at the hands of the Heels (not to mention a bit of come-uppance for the unbearable arrogance the Tarheel fanbase has toward all things NCSU), I think a healthy Henson makes the Heels a nightmare matchup for the Pack.

Specifically, without Henson, the Heels had no answer whatsoever for Leslie. Henson, on the other hand, is the PERFECT answer for Leslie.

Henson can shut down the Pack's best offensive weapon. That leaves you with Brown, who can get some points against Marshall; then Williams who has been hit and miss being defended by the taller Bullock; Wood, who hasn't yet shown that he can be an offensive force against Carolina even with Barnes' lackadaisical defense on him; and Howell contending with the much taller Zeller.

With Henson out, the only thing that stopped Leslie, or even slowed him down, was some of the most ridiculous officiating in recent memory. But, if the Heels and Pack meet in the regional final (and it's obviously WAYYYYY premature to think too hard about that), Henson will be back, and I think that gives the Heels a very decided advantage over State, even with the game being refereed outside of the state of North Carolina. As much as I'm a Pack fan (when they ain't playing Duke), the ABC side of me would much rather see the Heels facing Kansas in the regional finals.

gumbomoop
03-18-2012, 01:20 PM
While I'm all for the Pack avenging 20 years of frustration at the hands of the Heels (not to mention a bit of come-uppance for the unbearable arrogance the Tarheel fanbase has toward all things NCSU), I think a healthy Henson makes the Heels a nightmare matchup for the Pack.... As much as I'm a Pack fan (when they ain't playing Duke), the ABC side of me would much rather see the Heels facing Kansas in the regional finals.

Good points throughout your post. I will maintain that, should the Pack beat G'town [Pack came back to lead just now at half....] and then, presumably, KU, they'd have reason to be confident that they can play the Heels even, and even with Henson.

My larger point is that, whereas the Heels really should have a fairly easy road to the Elite Eight, they'll finally have to play one of 3 teams that will be on a decided uptick. NCSt or G'town v. KU should be a good game. For that matter, maybe Purdue could upset KU. As you say, probably still some surprises to come.

Just curious, does ABC tend to make you prefer G'town over Pack?

tommy
03-18-2012, 01:29 PM
Of course, ABC. And to me it's obvious to root against Kentucky because Calipari is a slime.

After that, really anyone is OK, but even though I like and respect Izzo and to a slightly lesser extent Self, I'd rather they not win either. Why? Because I don't want anyone getting any closer to K's 4 championships. I definitely didn't like Calhoun getting to 3 last year, and Roy would be at 3 should UNC win. Michigan State and Kansas are contenders just about every year, so to me, every year they miss is a blown opportunity to get into the conversation with K and Duke. Last year was a huge opportunity for Kansas, for example, so when they got upset it just left Self that much further back.

So I guess I'll root for the State and FSU, and while I'd rather root for all the lower seeds, especially the non-big conference teams, I find myself rooting for the teams with the best chance to upset UNC and UK, unless and until those two teams are eliminated.

Johnny Chill
03-18-2012, 01:31 PM
Anyone but Carolina

Then anyone but Kentucky

Then I dont care.

Gthoma2a
03-18-2012, 01:55 PM
Not Kentucky, not Carolina and I am fine. Baylor (Quincy Miller seemed like a cool kid), State, Lehigh, etc. I will be fine as long as it isn't Kentucky or Carolina.

uh_no
03-18-2012, 02:00 PM
kansas....because that's who i picked :P


but anybody but:
carolina
kentucky
syracuse

in that order

CameronBlue
03-18-2012, 02:01 PM
The Duke Women. Oh you mean on the MEN'S side, silly me. Well then anyone other than the Old Testament plague commonly known as UNC.

jamesfrommaiden
03-18-2012, 02:09 PM
First and foremost I do not want to see UNC win it. But I also do not want any other ACC school to win it eirher. I may be in the minority, or just brave enough to voice my opinion out loud, but I root openly not just against the tarheels but all other ACC schools in the big dance every year. I always have and always will. Just think about the hatred all of these other universities have for Duke. It is well deserved mind you, and I love every second of it, but how can you pull for FSU or NCSU? If Duke doesn't win it, I will be damned if you think I would take solace in the fact a conference foe cut down the nets instead. My brackets are set all year long. It never changes. Do or die with my beloved Duke and to hell with all the rest. Especially you UNC.



GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Furniture
03-18-2012, 02:17 PM
State!

Dukehky
03-18-2012, 02:22 PM
I absolutely love this NC State team. If not them, I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas Robinson getting a ring or Thad Matta finally getting one. Really I would like to see ABC and would prefer for the anybody not to be Kentucky, but outside of that, I don't really care. Again, preferably State. Lorenzo Brown and CJ Leslie may be the best pair of sophomores in the country

Gthoma2a
03-18-2012, 02:34 PM
I absolutely love this NC State team. If not them, I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas Robinson getting a ring or Thad Matta finally getting one. Really I would like to see ABC and would prefer for the anybody not to be Kentucky, but outside of that, I don't really care. Again, preferably State. Lorenzo Brown and CJ Leslie may be the best pair of sophomores in the country

I love them too, but they can't close out a game! I was ready to call this thing a few minutes ago. Now, I am hoping for them to find a way to save it.

I think they've done it!

cptnflash
03-18-2012, 02:45 PM
Kansas - because that would mean the heels don't make the final four.

TheDukeCreed
03-18-2012, 02:46 PM
NC State, Florida State or North Carolina. I want the ACC to win this tournament even if it means sleeping with the enemy.

Turk
03-18-2012, 02:50 PM
Lehigh!! BELIEVE!!!!

arnie
03-18-2012, 02:53 PM
I love them too, but they can't close out a game! I was ready to call this thing a few minutes ago. Now, I am hoping for them to find a way to save it.

I think they've done it!

Recognize that State fans and their players intensly hate Duke - in fact their hate for Duke is equal to their hate for the heels (recent NC polling). They also believe Duke gets all the calls (that gets very tiring if you live in the triangle area). Don't have a link but N&O quotes both Howell and Leslie being very happy that Duke lost.

Anyway, I only pull for State when they're playing the heels.

uh_no
03-18-2012, 02:55 PM
Recognize that State fans and their players intensly hate Duke - in fact their hate for Duke is equal to their hate for the heels (recent NC polling). They also believe Duke gets all the calls (that gets very tiring if you live in the triangle area). Don't have a link but N&O quotes both Howell and Leslie being very happy that Duke lost.

Anyway, I only pull for State when they're playing the heels.

Isn't it kinda cute? Sounds like a huge inferiority complex to me....all the more reason to root them on!

bluedevilfan1998
03-18-2012, 03:14 PM
After seeing State play again, I think it's definitely Kansas and NC State. Unfortunately, they both can't go, but even if one of them goes
it still means UNC won't. I like that. :cool:

northernduke
03-18-2012, 03:15 PM
I wouldn't mind seeing only FSU and State as the only two ACC schools standing after today....

Watching State play this year, Lorenzo Brown reminds me of Daniel Ewing quite a bit. Anyone else see this?

If not State or FSU, Wisconsin or Michigan St. Immense respect for both programs.

Dukehky
03-18-2012, 03:16 PM
The state fans that I interact with most frequently are always very courteous and often defer to Duke in a lot of circumstances. I'm glad that their players don't like Duke, I wish some of our players had a little more of that in them. Everyone except Tyler and Austin are buddy buddy with everybody they play, there's no animosity, which I like to see in rivalries. Lets also not forget that the last time Leslie and Howell saw Duke, they had just blown a 20 point lead in Cameron.

Regardless of how state fans and players feel about Duke, I like the way this team plays, I like the way the players play, I like Gottfried a lot, and if State manages to cut down the nets, then that's 3 of the last 4 champs to be from the triangle. Plus, I feel bad for state fans, growing up in North Carolina as a Duke fan, I got a ton of crap, but I had ammunition to come back at them with and often won arguments because of they were left with was Coach K looks like a rat and curses a lot, okay, cool, good argument. But the state fans, man, they just got pounded, with no real hope of retribution with the exception of the year that Philip Rivers and TA McClendon were running the ACC in football.

Go Pack

Gthoma2a
03-18-2012, 03:35 PM
I get along with all the State fans that I know. I find UNC fans to be intolerable, but State fans always just talk about the game, not the hate. Perhaps it is that my mother went to State and I can mention that to disarm them, but I get along with them. I also like the idea of having State and Duke both thriving in the triangle. That will keep us a healthier conference with Syracuse and Pitt coming in. I would like UNC to fall into the Earth, but other than that, I like State.

CDu
03-18-2012, 03:39 PM
1. FSU (childhood allegiances)
2. NCSU (local team, friends graduated from there, "cinderella" story)
3. Anyone else not named UNC
4. Anyone else not name UK

captmojo
03-18-2012, 03:47 PM
Lehigh!! Believe!!!
1) Lehigh...
If the Devils are knocked out, I usually root for their conquerors. Whatever can be said about Duke's loss can be answered by the fact that it took the Champion to take Duke out. Who did your guys lose to, Whatsamatta U?
2) Believe...
I just can't do it. I truly "Believe" that this Duke team was taken down by an inferior opponent.

Greg_Newton
03-18-2012, 04:03 PM
ABC!

...is the only correct answer. Hell, I'll buy Anthony Davis a new Escalade if they win.

It's all about escaping this epic recruiting cycle of UNC's alive. As hard as it is to see now, we'll be in the drivers seat going forward if Zeller/Henson/Barnes all assume their rightful spots in the lottery and at least one of Mason/AR return.

I'm rooting for

1. Creighton
2. Kansas
3. OSU, and
4. UK

Hopefully one of those four can take them down. (not holding out much hope for Ohio/whoever the 12-seed is)

SmartDevil
03-18-2012, 05:04 PM
As of now, rooting for Izzo and ACC representatives FSU and NCSU. Rooting for the conference does not include UNC. Before the Roy Williams era, I would have included them. But he's just too despicable to cheer on his team succeeding.

Currently, NCSU has won today, FSU plays tonight, and Michigan St. is leading.

Gthoma2a
03-18-2012, 05:06 PM
ABC!

...is the only correct answer. Hell, I'll buy Anthony Davis a new Escalade if they win.

It's all about escaping this epic recruiting cycle of UNC's alive. As hard as it is to see now, we'll be in the drivers seat going forward if Zeller/Henson/Barnes all assume their rightful spots in the lottery and at least one of Mason/AR return.

I'm rooting for

1. Creighton
2. Kansas
3. OSU, and
4. UK

Hopefully one of those four can take them down. (not holding out much hope for Ohio/whoever the 12-seed is)

Do we really want Calipari to have more recruiting leverage either?

uh_no
03-18-2012, 05:08 PM
Do we really want Calipari to have more recruiting leverage either?

As soon as he gets a title, he'll go to the NBA for more $$$

Greg_Newton
03-18-2012, 05:30 PM
As soon as he gets a title, he'll go to the NBA for more $$$

This is my thinking too, maybe even earlier. WWW will get him an offer before too long.

Besides, he already pretty much gets whoever he wants. In my warped world of priorities, at least, the cost of UK/Cal winning a big one is like .000000001% of that of UNC. And that's rounding up significantly.

Gthoma2a
03-18-2012, 05:33 PM
I am a huge Creighton fan today.

gus
03-18-2012, 05:42 PM
This is my thinking too, maybe even earlier. WWW will get him an offer before too long.

Besides, he already pretty much gets whoever he wants. In my warped world of priorities, at least, the cost of UK/Cal winning a big one is like .000000001% of that of UNC. And that's rounding up significantly.

After 3 less then mediocre seasons in the NBA that culminated with him being fired by the Nets, do you really think Calipari is itching to go back? I guess one advantage is that he can let others deal more publicly with the player's payroll in the pros, but beyond that I gotta think life is better for him now.

uh_no
03-18-2012, 05:49 PM
After 3 less then mediocre seasons in the NBA that culminated with him being fired by the Nets, do you really think Calipari is itching to go back? I guess one advantage is that he can let others deal more publicly with the player's payroll in the pros, but beyond that I gotta think life is better for him now.

if they pay him $$$ he'll go anywhere...heck if pitino retired today and louisville offered him more money...he'd probably go there....

DukieInBrasil
03-18-2012, 06:08 PM
NC State. Made it to the S16, upsetting a 6 and 3 so far. They've got a big dude in the post (Howell) a versatile athlete at the 4 (Leslie), a great (and tall) 3pt shooter at the 3 (Wood), and a nice collection of guards. Their drawback is a lack of depth: Painter and de Thaey, and even Vandenburg, can fill in for a few minutes in the post but only Johnson is getting any time as a backup G. They've basically been playing 7 lately, withe top 5 playing 30+. That's not necessarily a doom situation, but fouls could be a big problem (as it was vs Duke).
GO PACK! (now that Duke is out)

LSanders
03-18-2012, 06:21 PM
if they pay him $$$ he'll go anywhere...heck if pitino retired today and louisville offered him more money...he'd probably go there....

LOL!!

1) Any ACC school with STATE in the title
2) Wisconsin
3) Ohio State

This year, ABC needs to be amended to ABC/K ... A C/K final, which is the final sign of the apocalypse

uh_no
03-18-2012, 06:27 PM
LOL!!

1) Any ACC school with STATE in the title
2) Wisconsin
3) Ohio State

This year, ABC needs to be amended to ABC/K ... A C/K final, which is the final sign of the apocalypse

Anybody but Carolina/calipari

ABC!

Greg_Newton
03-18-2012, 06:39 PM
After 3 less then mediocre seasons in the NBA that culminated with him being fired by the Nets, do you really think Calipari is itching to go back? I guess one advantage is that he can let others deal more publicly with the player's payroll in the pros, but beyond that I gotta think life is better for him now.

Absolutely (here's one mention of "sources" (http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/275951-source-calipari-wants-back-in-nba) from a quick googling, but I've heard it many other places). He's also been open about how he has no intention of staying at UK for a full decade.

weezie
03-18-2012, 07:40 PM
Leaning towards michigan state.

Dukehky
03-18-2012, 07:51 PM
I think Draymond Green should make himself 2 years younger and transfer to Duke along with Michael Kidd-Gilchrest. I don't like MKG enough to pull for Kentucky the rest of the way, but Draymond Green is a different story, he is larger than life, I would like to see MSU get another shot at Carolina but that puts the heels entirely too close to winning a national title... no more of that from them, enough Carolina, relegate yourself back to NIT status.

Rogue
03-18-2012, 08:29 PM
I need more choices

:cool:

CDu
03-18-2012, 08:42 PM
NC State. Made it to the S16, upsetting a 6 and 3 so far. They've got a big dude in the post (Howell) a versatile athlete at the 4 (Leslie), a great (and tall) 3pt shooter at the 3 (Wood), and a nice collection of guards. Their drawback is a lack of depth: Painter and de Thaey, and even [B]Vandenburg[\B], can fill in for a few minutes in the post but only Johnson is getting any time as a backup G. They've basically been playing 7 lately, withe top 5 playing 30+. That's not necessarily a doom situation, but fouls could be a big problem (as it was vs Duke).
GO PACK! (now that Duke is out)

no Vandenburg for them. He is out for the year. Harris occasionally comes in though.