MBB: NCAAT East Regional Discussion Thread (Michigan St Wins)

[pfrduke]

Discuss here.

[hurleyfor3]

Villanova is the #1 and is the second-strongest #1. Virginia is the #2. NC State is the #8. Regionals are Friday/Sunday in Syracuse's dome.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Nova earned it. Congrats.

Tough for UVa

[gocanes0506]

Duke, Wisconsin, UVA >>>>>> Nova. Nova is the number 5 team but they have a 22nd SOS. All the first three mentioned have much bigger wins.

C'mon their best wins are Georgetown, VCU, and Butler.

[Les Grossman]

Thought we'd end up in this spot. Looks very Doable for UVA

[rsvman]

Thought we'd end up in this spot. Looks very Doable for UVA

Agreed, but only if Justin Anderson gets his health and mojo back soon.

[gurufrisbee]

Gut guess - Northern Iowa beats Virginia 32-28.

[brevity]

Here (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25109120/ncaa-tournament-selection-committee-releases-1-68-ranking) is the Selection Committee's 1-68 ranking. East Regional teams in bold:

1. Kentucky
2. Villanova
3. Duke
4. Wisconsin

5. Virginia
6. Arizona
7. Gonzaga
8. Kansas

9. Iowa State
10. Baylor
11. Oklahoma
12. Notre Dame

13. North Carolina
14. Maryland
15. Louisville
16. Georgetown

17. Utah
18. Arkansas
19. West Virginia
20. Northern Iowa

21. SMU
22. Providence
23. Butler
24. Xavier

25. Michigan State
26. Wichita State
27. Iowa
28. VCU

29. Cincinnati
30. Oregon
31. NC State
32. San Diego State

33. St. John's
34. Oklahoma State
35. LSU
36. Purdue

37. Indiana
38. Davidson
39. Ohio State
40. Georgia

41. Texas
42. UCLA
43. Ole Miss
44. BYU
45. Boise State
46. Dayton

47. Wyoming
48. Buffalo
49. Wofford
50. Stephen F. Austin

51. Valparaiso
52. Harvard
53. Eastern Washington
54. UC Irvine

55. Georgia State
56. Northeastern
57. UAB
58. Albany

59. New Mexico State
60. Belmont
61. Texas Southern
62. North Dakota State

63. Lafayette
64. Coastal Carolina
65. North Florida
66. Robert Morris
67. Manhattan
68. Hampton

[gus]

Gut guess - Northern Iowa beats Virginia 32-28.

I guess you think UVA will fold in OT?

[jipops]

Not knowing how healthy Justin Anderson is going to be makes this difficult.

[Neals384]

Duke, Wisconsin, UVA >>>>>> Nova. Nova is the number 5 team but they have a 22nd SOS. All the first three mentioned have much bigger wins.

C'mon their best wins are Georgetown, VCU, and Butler.

Yeah, they only split two with GTown, and played no one else higher than a six seed.

[CR9]

Crazy to me how many folks have MSU beating Virginia. People must have forgotten how good UVA were with Justin Anderson. Ring rust, sure, but he's too good a player not to get it sorted relatively quickly. Got UVA rolling to the FF personally.

[FerryFor50]

Crazy to me how many folks have MSU beating Virginia. People must have forgotten how good UVA were with Justin Anderson. Ring rust, sure, but he's too good a player not to get it sorted relatively quickly. Got UVA rolling to the FF personally.

A few reasons for this:

- UVA has been slumping and no one knows how healthy Anderson really is or if it's just been an issue of rust
- MSU is a rugged defensive team, just like UVA (though not nearly as efficient). But they score better.
- MSU historically does well in the early rounds this time of year. Or at least has the perception of doing well.
- MSU had Wisconsin on the ropes. And I think Wisconsin is a better team, personally.

That said, I think the game is a toss up with no clear winner. Maybe slight edge to UVA. But that's why they play, right?

[Kedsy]

- MSU is a rugged defensive team, just like UVA (though not nearly as efficient). But they score better.

Michigan State's adjusted defensive efficiency (in Pomeroy) is exactly the same as Duke's (96.1), while Virginia's is #1 in the country (85.4). And while Michigan State might score a little better than Virginia (114.2 to 112.2), it wouldn't appear to be nearly better enough to make up for the defensive difference. Not only that, but since Pomeroy doesn't account for injuries, if Anderson is back and effective, then Virginia probably scores better than Michigan State.


- MSU historically does well in the early rounds this time of year. Or at least has the perception of doing well.

As you allude, this is largely perception rather than reality (though not completely). Surprisingly, more than half of Izzo's NCAA appearances have come with a 5-seed or lower (10 of 18, including this season). And as a 5-seed, he's done remarkably well, with two Final Fours and a Sweet 16 in three tries. The six times he's had a 6-seed or worse, though, he's had four first-round exits, one second-round exit, and one Elite Eight (as a 7-seed). His two times as a 4-seed resulted in an Elite Eight and a Sweet 16.

So, historically he may have done as well as anyone as a 4- or 5-seed, but as a 6-seed or worse his track record is not so good.

[Troublemaker]

Sparty doesn't have a stretchy big man like Adreian Payne last year.

Whole different ball of wax playing UVA without one of those.

Then again, Louisville and UNC were able to beat a depleted UVA team without one.

Anderson's health is the key.

[Duvall]

Michigan State's adjusted defensive efficiency (in Pomeroy) is exactly the same as Duke's (96.1), while Virginia's is #1 in the country (85.4). And while Michigan State might score a little better than Virginia (114.2 to 112.2), it wouldn't appear to be nearly better enough to make up for the defensive difference. Not only that, but since Pomeroy doesn't account for injuries, if Anderson is back and effective, then Virginia probably scores better than Michigan State.

Sure, but Anderson was pretty far from being effective on Friday. Can he get there by this Sunday?

[CR9]

A few reasons for this:

- UVA has been slumping and no one knows how healthy Anderson really is or if it's just been an issue of rust
- MSU is a rugged defensive team, just like UVA (though not nearly as efficient). But they score better.
- MSU historically does well in the early rounds this time of year. Or at least has the perception of doing well.
- MSU had Wisconsin on the ropes. And I think Wisconsin is a better team, personally.

That said, I think the game is a toss up with no clear winner. Maybe slight edge to UVA. But that's why they play, right?

Playing in a much worse conference, though. I think I heard on Bracketology last night that Izzo has been a 6 seed or below 6 times and has been out after the first weekend 4 times out of 6. Georgia are probably a W but Virginia are just a superior version of them, I think. I think they are a little more versatile and not as reliant on the 3 ball as State are. The fact that Nairn isn't going to hurt them, Dawson is only a threat inside 10 feet and they get nothing from the 5 spot hurts them too much.

[W&LHoo]

Sure, but Anderson was pretty far from being effective on Friday. Can he get there by this Sunday?

From a trajectory standpoint he's already on an incredible pace. The kid played a game in less than seven days after an appendectomy. Then another one the next night. Did he play well? No, but that'll come. Another week will do him wonders. Two more and he'll be back in something like his old form.

Honestly, I don't even want him banging in the lane like he used to - just defend and be a 3-point threat.

[AIRFORCEDUKIE]

This entire region is underwhelming to me, other than UVA with a healthy Anderson. I really don't want to pick any of them.

[SCMatt33]

This entire region is underwhelming to me, other than UVA with a healthy Anderson. I really don't want to pick any of them.

I think this region isn't that bad, but it's also a reflection of the general blah factor this year outside of the true contenders. The 3/4 line across all regions this year is fairly weak. The Big XII 3 seeds all have similar profiles in terms of wins and losses, with the vast majority of their damage coming in conference. Oklahoma probably has the most Good wins out of conference, beating UCLA and Butler in the Bahamas plus a road win over a former bubble team in Tulsa (though I'd imagine that a few OU fans were in the house). Iowa State beat Arkansas at home and Iowa on the road, but also lost to South Carolina on a neutral floor. They're also the "hot team" right now by winning the tourney, but they were also down double figures in each of those games. Baylor didn't have any tremendous ooc wins, Stephen F. Austin and @Vandy are the best, but they don't have any terrible losses either (@ Illinois is it). The fours aren't much better with Louisville at less than full strength, UNC's only good wins since January are against less than full strength UVA and L'ville in Greensboro, and Georgetown probably being over seeded. The best on those two lines right now might be Maryland and ND. Given that it's so hard to pick a team outside the top 4 to make the Final Four, and the fact that Nova has been buried on FS1 all year and relies super heavily on three's I can see where it's tough to pick someone out of that region.

If Anderson is healthy enough that they can skate through this weekend and he is "back" for the regional, UVA is in decent shape, especially because as good as Villanova is (and they are really good), UVA is a terrible matchup for them. If Anderson isn't truly back, I wouldn't be shocked to see Izzo pull off maybe his most unexpected Final Four run of his career, and that's saying something. They've had some yips at home this year, but they really look to be jelling at just the right time.

[ArtVandelay]

This region is the one that flummoxes me most. How legit is Nova? They've played and beaten solid, but not truly elite, teams. Oklahoma has an impressive resume, but they want to get out and run and are not great in the half-court. That is a recipe for disaster against UVA, if they knock off MSU. The problem with UVA, of course, is that nobody knows how good Anderson might be. They haven't beaten anybody notable in a while, and they've lost their recent games against the upper tier teams. On the other hand, this is not a great Sparty team, but they *might* be good enough to knock off a weakened UVA. And Louisville is not the same team without Jones.

Where does that leave us? Maybe Northern Iowa comes out as the "sleeper" (if you can call them that) Final Four team? This region seems wide open to me. Anyone disagree?

[Troublemaker]

The 16s in the South played a much more entertaining game than this rock fight between the 11s in the East.

[Duvall]

The 16s in the South played a much more entertaining game than this rock fight between the 11s in the East.

At least Dayton is guaranteed at least one appearance in all the tournament highlight packages.

[weezie]

Are these new shorts on the wolfies?

[NYBri]

Are these new shorts on the wolfies?

Hate those UNIs

[bedeviled]

Are these new shorts on the wolfies?They decided to wear cumberbunds to the dance. Faaaaancy.

[NYBri]

LSU runnin' the Wolfies wild.

[FerryFor50]

LSU runnin' the Wolfies wild.

Looks like they just woke up a bit.

[Kfanarmy]

They decided to wear cumberbunds to the dance. Faaaaancy.

Wow...State deserves an L just based on those unis.

[davekay1971]

Wow...State deserves an L just based on those unis.

Maybe they'll change uniforms to the classic, and classy, red and white at halftime. It might help.

[Troublemaker]

Man, I am so glad LSU wasn't Duke's 8/9 seed.

[Newton_14]

Man, I am so glad LSU wasn't Duke's 8/9 seed.You and me both brother.

They look like world beaters at the moment. It's like every kid is 6'8, bouncy, lengthy, dunks, and shoots the 3 like JJ. I am actually having flashbacks of 06! You always look at a team like this while obviously playing one of their better games of the year, and ask "how did that team lose so many games?"

State's not playing great, but dang LSU looks like the 80's Lakers.

[dukelifer]

You and me both brother.

They look like world beaters at the moment. It's like every kid is 6'8, bouncy, lengthy, dunks, and shoots the 3 like JJ. I am actually having flashbacks of 06! You always look at a team like this while obviously playing one of their better games of the year, and ask "how did that team lose so many games?"

State's not playing great, but dang LSU looks like the 80's Lakers.

LSU handing State the game and State cannot make a shot

[dukelifer]

LSU handing State the game and State cannot make a shot

State with a chance

[Ultrarunner]

LSU handing State the game and State cannot make a shot

And now they do. Welcome back, Cardiac Pack.

[dukelifer]

State with a chance

State wins on Anya last sec hook

[brevity]

Please do not pop your jersey, BeeJay Anya. Think of the children.

[-jk]

Nice finish!

-jk

[Kfanarmy]

And now they do. Welcome back, Cardiac Pack.

Trailed right to the final shot.unbelievable

[dukelifer]

You and me both brother.

They look like world beaters at the moment. It's like every kid is 6'8, bouncy, lengthy, dunks, and shoots the 3 like JJ. I am actually having flashbacks of 06! You always look at a team like this while obviously playing one of their better games of the year, and ask "how did that team lose so many games?"

State's not playing great, but dang LSU looks like the 80's Lakers.

And now we see why LSU lost so many games

[Furniture]

Go ACC!

[Troublemaker]

Wacky day for the ACC

3-0 in W-L, but 0-3 against the spread. (Obviously only the W-L matters)

[Newton_14]

State wins on Anya last sec hook
Wow! Great ending. Weird play with the panic pass from Lacey, but credit Anya for not panicking and going up strong with the lefty jumphook. Sweet.

And LSU missed like every FG and FT in the final 5 minutes. Had State hit some of those wide open 3's in the last 3 minutes they would have won going away. Great job by State weathering the storm, hanging in there and gutting out the win.

[dukelifer]

Wow! Great ending. Weird play with the panic pass from Lacey, but credit Anya for not panicking and going up strong with the lefty jumphook. Sweet.

And LSU missed like every FG and FT in the final 5 minutes. Had State hit some of those wide open 3's in the last 3 minutes they would have won going away. Great job by State weathering the storm, hanging in there and gutting out the win.

Glad I am not an LSU fan- what a collapse.

[Newton_14]

Please do not pop your jersey, BeeJay Anya. Think of the children.
Well, thank God he kept the jersey on. The children indeed.

[brevity]

And LSU missed like every FG and FT in the final 5 minutes.

This guy called it (https://twitter.com/D1scourse/status/578738007165034498) over an hour ago:

Patrick Stevens
@D1scourse

LSU still hasn't uncorked its trademark five-minute "where are we and what is this orange spheroid?" stretch in this game.

9:01pm - 19 Mar 15

[ice-9]

That last NC State play might have been basket interference though.

https://vine.co/v/OY7bQ22eETW

[NSDukeFan]

Hate those UNIs

What did university of Northern Iowa ever do to you?

[dukelifer]

That last NC State play might have been basket interference though.

https://vine.co/v/OY7bQ22eETW

Did not look so from another angle

[Newton_14]

Did not look so from another angle

The one angle showed clearly he did not touch it.

[PackMan97]

Glad I am not an LSU fan- what a collapse.

Ask any State fan, we've seen this collapse so many times. It is almost "Sendekian" in fact. Heck, State was up 59-45 with five left to play against St Louis last year and blew it. There was Hodge's last game against California that had a similar collapse. Trust me, this game had some serious NC State ****...somehow I think it got confused and bit the wrong State. :)

[FerryFor50]

The one angle showed clearly he did not touch it.

Yea, no way he touched the ball.

However, his hand *did* touch the net on the way down. But I don't think that qualifies for interference.

[subzero02]

Anyone watching UVA? They are on pace to give up 80+ to Belmont.

[Duvall]

Okay, Anderson looks sufficiently back to make UVa at least the co-favorite in this region.

[CDu]

Okay, Anderson looks sufficiently back to make UVa at least the co-favorite in this region.

I think that was always going to be the case. The only real question was whether he'd be healthy enough to play (and more importantly be useful) in the ACC tournament. But I think everyone figured he would be back to full strength by the second weekend of the NCAA tournament at the latest. So as long as they survived the early games, they'd have him at full strength against the stronger opponents.

[subzero02]

I hope you all are right... I have them beating villanova in one bracket and louisville in the other to reach the final four

[Bob Green]

Belmont is being pesky but I believe Virginia is in a comfortable position up eight at the half.

[jhmoss1812]

Belmont is being pesky but I believe Virginia is in a comfortable position up eight at the half.

I am not comfortable at all. Man, these guys can really shoot the ball.

[Olympic Fan]

Major mid-second half meltdown by the Cavs -- from a 51-37 lead to a 53-50 advantage -- helped by a major shot clock screw-up by the refs.

Cavs back up five, but it's a dogfight.

[Bob Green]

Belmont has used an 11-0 run to hang tough. Brogdon has not scored in the 2nd half after scoring 16 in the 1st.

[Bob Green]

Virginia wins and the ACC improves to 4-0 in the tournament.

[TNDukeFan]

UC Irvine tied with Louisville 35-all at the under-16, second half. Sounds like a thriller...

[jhmoss1812]

That game took some time off my life for sure. Glad to get the win but Belmont looked really good for a 15-seed. They spaced us out, took shots early in the shot clock, made some really tough contested shots and took it to us. They had some swag as well. Glad to survive and move on but it wasn't easy. Looking forward to the rematch with Sparty. I think we match up a lot better with them this year than we did last year.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

UC Irvine tied with Louisville 35-all at the under-16, second half. Sounds like a thriller...

The big man on UC-Irvine (7'6") is mesmerizing to watch. He isn't the world's most mobile big man, but he also isn't the least.

He dwarfs Montrezl

[burnspbesq]

Looks like UCI - Louisville is going to go down to the end. Louisville can't speed up the Anteaters, who are playing smart, composed basketball.

Zot!

[DukieInKansas]

Looks like UCI - Louisville is going to go down to the end. Louisville can't speed up the Anteaters, who are playing smart, composed basketball.

Zot!

As much as I like to see most of the ACC win (sorry *nc), it is hard not to pull for the Anteaters.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Looks like UCI - Louisville is going to go down to the end. Louisville can't speed up the Anteaters, who are playing smart, composed basketball.

Zot!

Their big guy is almost impossible to referee. On offense or defense.

[Bob Green]

ACC improves to 5-0 in the tournament.

[CDu]

ACC improves to 5-0 in the tournament.

If we win tonight, there is a very real chance of 5 ACC teams in the Sweet-16.

[pfrduke]

ACC improves to 5-0 in the tournament.

And the non-Virginia teams have a collective margin of 9 points in their 4 victories. Survive and advance.

[Troublemaker]

Yeah, ACC is 5-0 W-L but 0-5 against the spread.

I'd be okay with that trend continuing tonight, but maybe the ACC's been saving all those points for Duke.

[Newton_14]

Their big guy is almost impossible to referee. On offense or defense.

That was bizarre. I honestly have never seen a human being that big. My word. He made Harrell look 6'0 tall.

[brevity]

East Regional games this weekend (all times Eastern).

Saturday

7:10pm, TBS: (8) NC State vs. (1) Villanova

Sunday

12:10pm, CBS: (7) Michigan St vs. (2) Virginia
6:10pm, TNT: (11) Dayton vs. (3) Oklahoma
9:40pm, TBS: (5) Northern Iowa vs. (4) Louisville

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

That was bizarre. I honestly have never seen a human being that big. My word. He made Harrell look 6'0 tall.

Kenny George played ball here locally and he was 7'7". I ran into him at a Blockbuster Video (remember those?).

He wasn't nearly as mobile on the court though. I know he had foot problems that led to him eventually having part of it amputated. Sad story.

But this anteater kid looks like he has game.

[newclasspack]

Kenny George played ball here locally and he was 7'7". I ran into him at a Blockbuster Video (remember those?).

He wasn't nearly as mobile on the court though. I know he had foot problems that led to him eventually having part of it amputated. Sad story.

But this anteater kid looks like he has game.There is a kid down in Florida who is about 7'5" named Tako "Taco Taco" Fall. He's Extremely mobile. I think people are finally figuring out how to save these kid's legs and knees before the mess them up.

[bedeviled]

That was bizarre. I honestly have never seen a human being that big. My word. He made Harrell look 6'0 tall.This article (http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/19/3698157/from-senegal-with-size-uc-irvines.html) might explain why
He arrived from Senegal, on the west coast of Africa, as a 16-year old and the tallest soccer defender imaginable. He had been playing basketball for all of one year when he came to Simi Valley northwest of downtown Los Angeles to Stoneridge Preparatory School, a landing spot for many international players [such as Enes Kanter]. Seven months after he arrived in America, doctors found the reason Ndiaye was already 7-5. A brain tumor had grown to the point it was pressing on and affecting the regulatory functions of his pituitary gland — but not his ability to speak his five languagesThe article also points out that people questioned his decision to go to UC-Irvine, which he made because of the friendships he had established in the area.
----------------------- -------------------- --------------------------
----------------------- -------------------- --------------------------

There is a kid down in Florida who is about 7'5" named Tako "Taco Taco" Fall. He's Extremely mobileLooking at his internet presence, I really like this kid. Great smile. This article (https://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-rise-of-7-foot-6--and-growing--tacko-fall-170003305.html), states that none of his siblings or parents are tall (though he does have a 6'8" uncle). Uh oh. I wonder if he should be checked for a tumor, too :( Something in the Senegalese water?
Soccer was his sport until a few years ago, when a man named Ibrahim N'Diaye spotted him and offered him a chance to train in his Senegalese basketball academy. N'Diaye was credible: his brother, Mamadou, played in the NBA and is now an assistant coach at Georgia Tech.
1. I wonder if soccer in youth is what keeps these guys mobile (maybe I'm just mythologizing Hakeem Olajuwon)
2. He committed to UCF. I'm surprised and relieved that he isn't going to Georgia Tech (also got offers from big man schools like Georgetown, FSU, and, if we can count it, Wake Forest). The article goes on to state that Tech's N'Diaye helped Tacko relocate to Central Florida. Further, he has a 4.0 GPA and wants to pursue engineering with a goal of working for Siemens or Microsoft (Stanford and Vandy also offered). But apparently, family and friends are important enough to him to stay in his home area, too.

[JBDuke]

The Wuffies played a heck of a first half! Here's to another strong half and a nice, big upset.

[dukelifer]

The Wuffies played a heck of a first half! Here's to another strong half and a nice, big upset.

Pack can be tough. They have beaten a lot of good teams.

[OldPhiKap]

Pack can be tough. They have beaten a lot of good teams.

Pack ain't scared. Or consistent.

[FerryFor50]

Kenny George played ball here locally and he was 7'7". I ran into him at a Blockbuster Video (remember those?).

He wasn't nearly as mobile on the court though. I know he had foot problems that led to him eventually having part of it amputated. Sad story.

But this anteater kid looks like he has game.

He also had the misfortune of being dunked on by Tyler Hansbrough.

[OldPhiKap]

I'm just hoping the usual State finish isn't ahead. Villanova is missing a lot of open shots.

[subzero02]

The pack is in trouble...

[Philadukie]

I'm just hoping the usual State finish isn't ahead. Villanova is missing a lot of open shots.

As much as I want to see the ACC do well, it's hard for me to pull for State in this one. Aside from the damage it will do to my bracket, I just keep seeing flashbacks of past NCAA Tourney Duke losses.

The better team is missing lots of easy shots and lots of open threes (5/22; Arcidiacano - big east player of year - with only 2 pts) while a slightly bigger and maybe more athletic team is playing confident, loose, and aggressive.

But hey, as they say, it's not the best of 7.

I hope our guys are watching this and paying close attention.

[dukelifer]

The pack is in trouble...

Nova in more

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Cmon State. Don't Clemson it up here!

[Duke79UNLV77]

What a play by Desmond Lee!

[gocanes0506]

I picked State because I thought they would win. Although, I don't want them to. Only solidifies my thought that Nova was way overrated.

[dukelifer]

I picked State because I thought they would win. Although, I don't want them to. Only solidifies my thought that Nova was way overrated.

Lots of fouls at the end of these games

[dukelifer]

Cmon State. Don't Clemson it up here!

Lacey is a pro

[uh_no]

Only solidifies my thought that Nova was way overrated.

yep.

[rsvman]

Phantom foul call on Abu was one of the worst calls in the tourney so far.

[dukelifer]

yep.

Well State played in the best conference

[subzero02]

That was a heck of a drive by Barber...

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Lacey is a pro
That was a ballsy shot he took there. And who's that in Cat Barber's uniform?

[gocanes0506]

Let's see if State can make free throws

[dukelifer]

That was a ballsy shot he took there. And who's that in Cat Barber's uniform?

That is the good Cat Barber- shows up now and then

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

What are they doing not covering the three point shot? State...

[dukelifer]

I picked State because I thought they would win. Although, I don't want them to. Only solidifies my thought that Nova was way overrated.

Nova shooting 3's now

[uh_no]

Well State played in the best conference

state was the obvious pick in my book both because they played in such a good conference and because these teams with gaudy records in mediocre conferences rarely live up to the billing.

gonzaga
st louis
pretty much every other top-4 seed mid major the past few years.

as I say that state misses some free throws and nova hits a ridic three....and then chokes it over.

[DukeDiva]

What are they doing not covering the three point shot? State...

State is doing what State does, giving it away. :mad:

[dukelifer]

What are they doing not covering the three point shot? State...

Wow- horrible pass

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Clemson...

[rsvman]

Wow. Are you serious?

[subzero02]

What a terrible pass

[dukelifer]

Ennis blew a wide open shot for the lead

[JBDuke]

Phantom foul call on Abu was one of the worst calls in the tourney so far.

I thought the same thing, and it was the back ref that called it. He was near mid-court and the play was along the baseline. The ref 5 feet away didn't blow his whistle.

[dukelifer]

What a shot- geez

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Game. Set. Match.

[gocanes0506]

State dodged a big bullet with the wide open three. Both players sank and left him wide open.

Free throws!

[NSDukeFan]

What a shot- geez

Good thing for State Ennis missed the easier one.

[uh_no]

1.7s

WHY THE HECK don't teams just chuck it down court. 1.7s is not enough time to get off a full court shot...especially if you just tip it up.....ugh. i hate that play under your own basket with so little time. WAY too much chance for a turnover. seen it happen before and it'll happen again.

[pfrduke]

This look at the monitor is giving Villanova a free time out to draw up a last second play. There's no reason whatsoever to go to the monitor here. WTH?

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Brick the second FT and done...

[subzero02]

If it were 2.1 seconds instead of 1.2... Nova might have a shot ;-)

[dukelifer]

State is moving on

[rsvman]

ACC over Big Least. Works for me.

[fisheyes]

ACC!!!!!
Now GO HOGS!

[InSpades]

Terrible play by 'Nova at the end there. Why throw the ball so far? Take the half or 3/4 court open shot. They threw it so far that there was no way they would get a clean shot off (and very unlikely they'd get off any shot).

Feel bad for 'Nova (lots of familial connections there) but they are the typical #1 that didn't beat anyone. See Wichita St. last year. Great record but no wins. ACC rolls on... maybe this win can make up for UNC's loss :).

[gocanes0506]

Yes keep eliminating the final four bracket matchup big dogs.

[duke4ever19]

Called it!!

My bracket is killin' :cool:

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Heckuva game

[NYBri]

Down goes Frasier!

[dukelifer]

Terrible play by 'Nova at the end there. Why throw the ball so far? Take the half or 3/4 court open shot. They threw it so far that there was no way they would get a clean shot off (and very unlikely they'd get off any shot).

Feel bad for 'Nova (lots of familial connections there) but they are the typical #1 that didn't beat anyone. See Wichita St. last year. Great record but no wins. ACC rolls on... maybe this win can make up for UNC's loss :).

I agree - the guy could have gotten a shot off with a dribble. Nova took too long to make shots

[-jk]

Woo! f

-jk

[duketaylor]

Why did Nova throw the ball into 2 territory when they needed 3?

3>2, correct? And they needed 3 to tie, didn't they?

[rsvman]

Why did Nova throw the ball into 2 territory when they needed 3?

3>2, correct? And they needed 3 to tie, didn't they?

Dang good question

[duke4ever19]

Why did Nova throw the ball into 2 territory when they needed 3?

3>2, correct? And they needed 3 to tie, didn't they?

Because they are Villanova. People up here in Philly don't have much faith Nova come tourney time.

[Henderson]

UVa should be given a "nee-ner-nee-ner-nee-ner" moment.

[bedeviled]

Not only did Villanova make a poor end game decision, but State gave them so much room to make an open pass/shot around half-court. BUUUUUT, the broadcast team of another game said that Villanova's final play was the same one they ran successfully earlier in the year. Maybe State knew what was coming.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Boom! My bracket rules!

[dukelifer]

State could end up playing Louisville and Virginia. Familiar foes.

[DukeDiva]

Great, had State advancing. Made my bracket look a lot better after missing the Cinderella teams on the first day.

[OldPhiKap]

Big props to State!

[bedeviled]

I suspect people will be claiming that the result was due to a poor shooting night for 'Nova. I, however, credit State for that - it was a very active performance. Although 'Nova had some open looks, they were rushed. It looked like the game was too fast for them at times. They still hit nine 3's - which they accomplished by shooting well off the 3-pt line (further from the defense). Also, they shot over 91% from the line, so pfffft to the 'poor shooting' excuse.

[FerryFor50]

Sad Nova fan

4897

[FerryFor50]

I suspect people will be claiming that the result was due to a poor shooting night for 'Nova. I, however, credit State for that - it was a very active performance. Although 'Nova had some open looks, they were rushed. It looked like the game was too fast for them at times. They still hit nine 3's - which they accomplished by shooting well off the 3-pt line (further from the defense). Also, they shot over 91% from the line, so pfffft to the 'poor shooting' excuse.

31% shooting by Nova = karma for 1985

Basketball gods are vengeful.

[Duvall]

Sad Nova fan


Nah. March is cruel.

[OldPhiKap]

Sad Nova fan

4897


Nah. March is cruel.

I think that was a fantastic shot. NCAA Tourney in a single photo.

[Henderson]

Sad Nova fan

4897

If someone told me I couldn't go to Syracuse, New York for Spring Break, I'd be sad too.

[newclasspack]

VUhoops wrote a pretty afwul article and then came over to our site to rub it in our faces

http://www.vuhoops.com/2015/3/20/8265661/whos-next-a-closer-look-at-the-ncsu-wolfpack?_ga=1.213892882.745651993.1418328860

so i call this karma

[OldPhiKap]

VUhoops wrote a pretty afwul article and then came over to our site to rub it in our faces

http://www.vuhoops.com/2015/3/20/8265661/whos-next-a-closer-look-at-the-ncsu-wolfpack?_ga=1.213892882.745651993.1418328860

so i call this karma

Wow, have not read anything that pompous in a long time.

As we say in Cameron: ahhhhhhhhhhhh, SEE 'YA!!!!!!!!!!!

[FerryFor50]

VUhoops wrote a pretty afwul article and then came over to our site to rub it in our faces

http://www.vuhoops.com/2015/3/20/8265661/whos-next-a-closer-look-at-the-ncsu-wolfpack?_ga=1.213892882.745651993.1418328860

so i call this karma

Yep saw that, too. Speed bump?

A lot of talk by a fan base of a team that didn't really play anyone this season.

[BlueDevilBrowns]

A lot of talk by a fan base of a team that didn't really play anyone this season.


This is true. The Big East Conference isn't anything special anymore. IMO, it's basically a mid-major with name recognition.

I thought Villanova would be exposed in the NCAAT(like I predict Gonzaga will too) and sure enough they were.

The ACC looking pretty dominant right now.

[FerryFor50]

It was only a matter of time...

4898

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

It was only a matter of time...

4898
Creepiest photoshop job ever.

[burnspbesq]

Wait a sec. Didn't at least three of the Butler players play against us in the 2010 championship game? How is this possible?

[ice-9]

Regarding NC State vs. Villanova.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why games are played on the court.

Not on KenPom.

[uh_no]

VUhoops wrote a pretty afwul article and then came over to our site to rub it in our faces

http://www.vuhoops.com/2015/3/20/8265661/whos-next-a-closer-look-at-the-ncsu-wolfpack?_ga=1.213892882.745651993.1418328860

so i call this karma

that is what i call "how to abuse stats"

from a major stats advocate.

[Newton_14]

Pack can be tough. They have beaten a lot of good teams.

They honestly have as good a talent as anyone in the Country and that's not hyperbole or embellishment imo. They have outstanding PG play in Barber, two really good wings in Lacey and Turner, a plethora of bigs (I love Abu), and a diverse and deep bench. They are young, even by today's standards with freshmen and sophomores playing large roles, even with the Sr Turner and Jr Lacey (who is a first year player for State). I have discussed them at length with a manager at work who is a unc grad and huge fan, and we both agree that when they are playing well they can beat anybody. I was not shocked at all that they beat Nova.

Great game. Credit Nova and Hilliard especially for hanging in there and fighting to the end, but credit State for a great game. Big win for them and the ACC.

[CDu]

Wait a sec. Didn't at least three of the Butler players play against us in the 2010 championship game? How is this possible?

It is not possible (well, not realistically possible). None of the current Butler guys were there in 2010 (or 2011). Their two seniors arrived for the 2012 season.

[iragsdale]

From http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2015/03/22/north-carolina-state-wolfpack-villanova-wildcats-upset-ncaa-tournament:



In that same locker room before the game, a team manager had passed around a blog post suggesting that even N.C. State’s finest effort would not be enough to fell the Wildcats, losers of just two games all season and 9.5-point favorites coming off a 41-point thrashing of poor Lafayette. It would not let that go by easily either.

“We used all that to add fuel to the fire,” Lacey said after the game, in which he scored a team-high 17 points. “It shouldn’t take that, but we like those things to get us over the hump.”


It's not exactly a bulletin board, but it's essentially a fan post. I thought it was interesting.

[jv001]

VUhoops wrote a pretty afwul article and then came over to our site to rub it in our faces

http://www.vuhoops.com/2015/3/20/8265661/whos-next-a-closer-look-at-the-ncsu-wolfpack?_ga=1.213892882.745651993.1418328860

so i call this karma

Article says that NC State is over rated for those that follow the church of Ken Pom. Well we see how that turned out. :cool: GoDuke!

[dukelifer]

VUhoops wrote a pretty afwul article and then came over to our site to rub it in our faces

http://www.vuhoops.com/2015/3/20/8265661/whos-next-a-closer-look-at-the-ncsu-wolfpack?_ga=1.213892882.745651993.1418328860

so i call this karma

Well State is up and down but after the LSU escape - they were up again. On paper - Villanova should have moved on - but on the court - they went home. So hard to use stats to predict the outcome in a one and done tourney. It comes down to moments and players executing in those moments. State was good enough to beat a number of very good teams this year - that is the only stat that matters.

[MChambers]

I thought the same thing, and it was the back ref that called it. He was near mid-court and the play was along the baseline. The ref 5 feet away didn't blow his whistle.

There were several amazingly bad calls against State in the last five minutes. The call on Beejay, the one where Turner was called for fouling a Nova player's elbow with his face. Amazing that State managed to hold on.

[OldPhiKap]

There were several amazingly bad calls against State in the last five minutes. The call on Beejay, the one where Turner was called for fouling a Nova player's elbow with his face. Amazing that State managed to hold on.

It sure looked like the refs were jobbing the underdog at the end. And Nova hit their ft attempts, letting them set up the press. Big kudos to State for showing composure and rebounding like demons.

[Bob Green]

There were several amazingly bad calls against State in the last five minutes.

The tripping call on Cat Barber earlier in the game was suspect as well. On the replay it certainly looked like the Villanova player stepped on Barber's foot.

[CR9]

Time to wake up, UVA.

[NYBri]

Sparty doing what you need to do to beat the Hoos: hit 3s and run.

[Wander]

Sparty doing what you need to do to beat the Hoos: hit 3s and run.

Some of these MSU shots are ridiculous. I don't think they can keep it up.

[Les Grossman]

TIME FOR BROGDON to take over.
sorry for the caps
scoring is such an effort for VA

[subzero02]

UVA has given away several paints in the paint by missing shots that are normally not missed. That being said, it is very physical in the paint right now on both ends. I am surprised that neither team is in the bonus but I'm glad the refs are letting them play.

[duke4ever19]

UVA on pace to score 36 points. Great defense or not, this is downright ugly to watch.

I have them going to the Elite 8, but at this point I'd rather not see this style of basketball again till next year, or . . . ever again.

[Les Grossman]

Someone will win this, but...

[subzero02]

UVA is getting out toughed right now

[newclasspack]

tbh UVA is the one team in our region i don't think we can crack as a team yet. so them going down works for me

[ice-9]

1/8 three point shooting. Ouch.

[slower]

Watching UVa basketball is like watching giant snails fight to the death.

[Les Grossman]

its painful

[CR9]

Have Virginia always been so slow in transition?

[jipops]

This is not all the same UVA team we saw in the regular season. Something has been amiss ever since Anderson got hurt.

Still plenty of time though...

[dukelion]

This is not all the same UVA team we saw in the regular season. Something has been amiss ever since Anderson got hurt.

Still plenty of time though...

Slightly disagree. They do seem off but teams in ACC play only shot 30% against Virginia from 3.......Mich St. is currently pushing 50%.

Much like when we beat them.....we simply started hitting our threes.

I agree that their offense looks disjointed but with the pace they play that happens more often than not.

[CR9]

Somebody please explain to me why UVA aren't going to the goal on every possession. They're either getting a lay up or a foul.

[subzero02]

They need to run the zamboni over the court before we tip-off.

[Les Grossman]

MS first to 50. It would take VA 15 min to make up 8 pts

[Troublemaker]

Slightly disagree. They do seem off but teams in ACC play only shot 30% against Virginia from 3.......Mich St. is currently pushing 50%.

Much like when we beat them.....we simply started hitting our threes.

I agree that their offense looks disjointed but with the pace they play that happens more often than not.

What about UVA's offense? That's where the collapse has been since Anderson's injury.

[dukelifer]

What about UVA's offense? That's where the collapse has been since Anderson's injury.

UVa in huge trouble

[CR9]

Thank you Virginia for single-handedly busting my bracket.

[subzero02]

That'll do it

[duke4ever19]

This side of the bracket is about to blow up.

[dukelifer]

This side of the bracket is about to blow up.

Could even be the Wolfpack!

[CDu]

What about UVA's offense? That's where the collapse has been since Anderson's injury.

3pt shooting has been the difference in this game. MSU has gone 6-12, UVa has gone 1-14. If both teams shoot their norms, UVa probably wins. Unfortunately for UVa, they couldn't shoot at all today.

Hitting the 3-ball at a reasonably high clip has been critical for their offensive efficiency this season. Bad time to have your worst shooting game of the season, and especially bad to do it when the other team is hot from 3.

[jipops]

Slightly disagree. They do seem off but teams in ACC play only shot 30% against Virginia from 3.......Mich St. is currently pushing 50%.

Much like when we beat them.....we simply started hitting our threes.

I agree that their offense looks disjointed but with the pace they play that happens more often than not.

Mich St is beating them on effort and drives to the paint, much like unc did. Nobody would have done that back in February.

[dukelifer]

Mich St is beating them on effort and drives to the paint, much like unc did. Nobody would have done that back in February.

UVa has never been a good NCAA tourney team- still a big monkey on the program's back

[Troublemaker]

3pt shooting has been the difference in this game. MSU has gone 6-12, UVa has gone 1-14. If both teams shoot their norms, UVa probably wins. Unfortunately for UVa, they couldn't shoot at all today.

No doubt. Every team, from Kentucky on down, has to hit shots to win. 30% shooting isn't going to get it done for UVA.

[CR9]

No doubt. Every team, from Kentucky on down, has to hit shots to win. 30% shooting isn't going to get it done for UVA.

The sad part is it could have. 3 straight possessions they got a tip in, a foul and a tip in on drives to the goal. They stopped running the pick and roll which got them easy baskets early and generally went away from anything that worked. And how Trice gets away with that step back push off EVERY TIME I will never know.

[DukieInBrasil]

down go the top 2 seeds.

[Troublemaker]

Disappointing loss for UVA.

This was a team they matched up well against. No stretch big men for MSU. And Sparty's two best players, Trice and Valentine, fit into UVA's defensive strength of Brogdon and Anderson.

That long 3 Trice hit in Brogdon's face was cold-blooded.

[newclasspack]

Welp the east has offically turned into the wild wild west.

Anything can happen

[dukelion]

What about UVA's offense? That's where the collapse has been since Anderson's injury.

2-17 from three and 0-4 from Anderson who was hitting near 50% in ACC play.

Hate to make is so simplistic but Mich St. hit their threes and UVA did not.

UVA plays a style ( i.e. low tempo) that leads to close games and eventually that"ll cost you.

While the KenPom's of the world love the efficiency the reality is that they play with a very small margin of error.

[Troublemaker]

2-17 from three and 0-4 from Anderson who was hitting near 50% in ACC play.

Hate to make is so simplistic but Mich St. hit their threes and UVA did not.

UVA plays a style ( i.e. low tempo) that leads to close games and eventually that"ll cost you.

While the KenPom's of the world love the efficiency the reality is that they play with a very small margin of error.

I agree that shooting was the difference. Just saying that UVA's offense has been trending poorly for awhile now.

As for UVA's "small margin of error," that isn't consistent with their 32-4 record against the ACC the past two years. Consistency is one of their strengths, and you don't have consistency without a large margin of error.

They just played/shot awful today. It happens, and single-elimination is cruel.

[jhmoss1812]

It was pretty plain and simple. We were horrible today. We were out-hustled, out-manned, and out-performed. No one outside of Atkins really stepped up.

It's a tough way to end a really good season overall. I just feel bad for the guys.

[Kfanarmy]

I agree that shooting was the difference. Just saying that UVA's offense has been trending poorly for awhile now.

As for UVA's "small margin of error," that isn't consistent with their 32-4 record against the ACC the past two years. Consistency is one of their strengths, and you don't have consistency without a large margin of error.

They just played/shot awful today. It happens, and single-elimination is cruel.
They are very consistent and do have a small margin. Their consistency has kept them from losing many more games.

[Henderson]

Sorry to see the Hoos out and cheaters in.

If Dayton beats Oklahoma (2 pt. game at the half) the whole East bracket explodes.

[NYBri]

UVa has never been a good NCAA tourney team- still a big monkey on the program's back

Let's hold off until after next year. They have almost everyone comes my back.

[CR9]

This is ridiculous. Dayton are throwing it in the ocean.

[dukelifer]

Let's hold off until after next year. They have almost everyone comes my back.

They will be very very good again next year. They still play a style that hasn't translated - but as you say- they will be a top 3 team preseason with all those seniors.

[dukelifer]

Sorry to see the Hoos out and cheaters in.

If Dayton beats Oklahoma (2 pt. game at the half) the whole East bracket explodes.

Can't win if you cannot make a shot at the end of the game.

[dukelifer]

Louisville is a tough physical matchup for these Northern Iowa kids. I can see why folks are high on them but Louisville is very long and quick.

[duke09hms]

Nice breakdown of UVA vs MSU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncb0chJyWf0

UVA ran some great offense to get good looks from 3 but just couldn't hit and several uncharacteristic breakdowns on defense let Trice get hot.

As much as MSU's defense is lauded in this clip, it's interesting to note that their D is Kenpom #45, and ours is now #44.

[Bob Green]

Let's go State! The Wolfpack are as talented as they are inconsistent so here's hoping they bring their A game onto the court tonight. Louisville looked like a team on a downward spiral a couple of weeks ago, but they've put it together so far in the tournament. This should be an entertaining affair.

[weezie]

Both teams sporting the cummberbunds.

[rsvman]

State not shooting well at all.

[weezie]

Thunk, clang, boiiing, thud.

[hurleyfor3]

Thunk, clang, boiiing, thud.

You woulda had fun in the weightroom today. Teenagers doing 350-pound deadlifts and dropping the barbells at the end of every set...

[brevity]

It must be painful for Syracuse fans and personnel to host a regional and see 2 ACC teams playing each other when their team is disqualified from postseason play.

With that in mind, maybe the NCAA can move those First Four games from Dayton to Chapel Hill after they issue their punishment against the Heels.

[MChambers]

What did Gottfried do? The refs just ignored Barber being pushed down. This after a couple of other odd calls. Very reminiscent of the Villanova game.

[cptnflash]

State suddenly pulling a State.

[dukelifer]

State suddenly pulling a State.

Louisville is playing free and easy- a dangerous team as they have a couple of pros who can take over games

[dukelifer]

Louisville is playing free and easy- a dangerous team as they have a couple of pros who can take over games

Rozier took a nasty fall - hope he is okay. He will be sore

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Wow. 4 vs 7 for the FF spot. Someone threw a grenade on that regional bracket.

[brevity]

Patrick Stevens (https://twitter.com/D1scourse/status/581671980253970432): Michigan State-Louisville tips off 2:20pm Sunday on CBS.

[Duke79UNLV77]

Virginia has to be kicking itself. Shot less than 30% and still had a chance to win, and then the bracket was opening up.

[Henderson]

Bump time.

[Troublemaker]

Yeah, do we have a preference in this game?

Louisville, right? I don't care about the ACC thing, but rather that MSU is probably the more talented team and has better guards than Louisville overall.

[Wahoo2000]

Virginia has to be kicking itself. Shot less than 30% and still had a chance to win, and then the bracket was opening up.

Don't remind me - I told all my friends who asked my thoughts on UVA getting to the final four this:

If we get by MSU, we'll make it. Anderson still wasn't QUITE right last week. Pretty sure he'd have been 100% back into the groove by this week. On today's matchup: If both teams play their A or B game, I like Sparty. If MSU goes cold from the outside, I think Louisville takes it.

[Bob Green]

Yeah, do we have a preference in this game?

Louisville, right? I don't care about the ACC thing, but rather that MSU is probably the more talented team and has better guards than Louisville overall.

I agree with you on Sparty guards. We match-up better against UL.

[Henderson]

I agree with you on Sparty guards. We match-up better against UL.

And have successfully done so on their home court. Yeah, Louisville.

[-jk]

DBR Chat (http://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/misc.php?do=cchatbox) is open!

If it gets a bit slow, refresh the page. As always - please follow the DBR Posting Guidelines.

Let's Go Duke! Go ACC!

-jk

[CR9]

Pathetic Louisville effort this half. Taking some horrendous shots.

[dukelifer]

Pathetic Louisville effort this half. Taking some horrendous shots.

Louisville just put in a kid to hit a free throw that looked like he was 15 years old . The kid ended up playing a possession of D. Not sure I have seen a player so nervous to be in a big game at a big moment in my life. Pitino had to call a TO just to take him out.

[Dukehky]

Rozier, jesus what was that?

[dukelifer]

Rozier, jesus what was that?

Hero ball rears its head again

[Newton_14]

Rozier, jesus what was that?

An incredibly dumb shot. You gotta go to Blackshear or Harrell. Terrible shot.

[dukelifer]

An incredibly dumb shot. You gotta go to Blackshear or Harrell. Terrible shot.

12 secs to win or lose

[CR9]

An incredibly dumb shot. You gotta go to Blackshear or Harrell. Terrible shot.

Especially with Schilling having 4. Just don't get it. Hero ball.

[Newton_14]

Louisville just put in a kid to hit a free throw that looked like he was 15 years old . The kid ended up playing a possession of D. Not sure I have seen a player so nervous to be in a big game at a big moment in my life. Pitino had to call a TO just to take him out.

But hey, the kid made the FT and then did not get burned on defense. They got a stop, so it worked. Pitino sure put a lot of value on that one point though because that was a heck of a risk to take with less than 5 to go in a Regional Final!

[InSpades]

Another great game... tough miss on the bunny. 2 free throws...

[Newton_14]

Wow. Cant believe they called a foul there. Normaly they eat the whistle.

[dukelifer]

Another great game... tough miss on the bunny. 2 free throws...

50% free throw shooter for the game. Need to bloody his nose in this timeout

[dukelifer]

Wow. That shot did everything and went in. One more

[dukelifer]

Overtime!

[CR9]

Ball game. Harrell hacked 3 times with no whistle.

[dukelifer]

Ball game. Harrell hacked 3 times with no whistle.

Louisville with a poor OT. MSU will be moving on

[davekay1971]

Looks like it'll be on Duke to represent the ACC in Indy. I'm sure all the other ACC schools will be cheering us on...:rolleyes:

[gocanes0506]

ACC 0-2 in elite 8 games. Hopefully, the basketball gods shine on Duke. Big 10 look like the best conference right now.

[Duke79UNLV77]

I sort of don't like when such a high seed makes the Final Four, unless it's my team or a team like Butler that didn't have an opportunity to earn a high seed. Sort of plays into the regular season is meaningless and the tournament is a crap shoot argument.

[dukelifer]

ACC 0-2 in elite 8 games. Hopefully, the basketball gods shine on Duke. Big 10 look like the best conference right now.

Although we beat both representatives. Both ACC teams played well but not well enough to win.

[dukelifer]

I sort of don't like when such a high seed makes the Final Four, unless it's my team or a team like Butler that didn't have an opportunity to earn a high seed. Sort of plays into the regular season is meaningless and the tournament is a crap shoot argument.

Only one way to change that. Only allow the conference regular season winner to play in the tourney and reduce the number of entrants. Money made the regular season meaningless a long time ago. It is what it is.

[77devil]

MSU will be moving on

To Indianapolis as they did in 2010 along with another team playing today.

[gurufrisbee]

This was the ultra flawed region. None of the top seeds looked like they were really great bets to make the final four. It was just a question of how far down would you need to go to find someone who could win four in a row here. Turns out it was seven.