Personally, I don’t like when thread titles get changed. First it was No ACC teams in the Sweet Sixteen, now it’s what?
Personally, I don’t like when thread titles get changed. First it was No ACC teams in the Sweet Sixteen, now it’s what?
Turns out the dominant conference this year was … no conference — assuming Princeton doesn’t run the table for the Ivy.
Big East
I know it's fashionable here to diss the Big-Almost-12, but they can also claim two of the remaining eight teams, along with arguably the most impressive player of the tournament (Nowell) and a success story that few are dwelling on (Texas succeeding under an interim coach). Since they can also claim the past two natty champs (different schools than those still in the running this year), they can justifiably lay an early claim of conference-of-the-decade.
Time to root for Miami. We were fortunate to not have to play them with Omier in the ACC tournament. We might have still won, but it would have been more difficult. They play beautiful ball, not thug ball like so many teams.
I also like KState, a school that gets no respect in their conference. Speaking of which, really sad that Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the Big 12 for the SEC. One would think this tournament would prove the worth of basketball. So much more fun than watching 50 boring bowl games prior to the football championship.
It seems a linkup between the Big 12 and ACC might make a lot of sense. Their schools are all in the Central Time zone, and not much if any further distance from Durham than BC or Miami.
I know we're derailing the thread. Basketball always has been and always will be there for the Big 10. Basketball will never be there for the SEC. ESPN owns all the southern properties, which is why we'll be watching a challenge that will be 10-5 ACC indefinitely in two years.
One man's observation and opinion, take it for what it's worth: When I read a post that contains the word "thug" (and there have been quite a few in the past week), I immediately stop reading.
Plan on rooting for Miami if you like a future winning program. Their ability to offer huge contracts (Pack), maybe renegotiate other contracts (Wong - we will never know), bring on other free agents and still stay under the salary cap is amazing. Year end bonuses for Elite 8 and possible Final 4 loom large.
Ucla's two key players out injured was definitely a huge factor in their loss to Gonzaga, particularly in the second half when Ucla looked gassed. On the west coast I am not a Ucla fan but even less of a Gonzaga fan.
Possibly but Daddy Warbucks' (John Ruiz) company stock price has crashed. Going forward he might be more concerned about dealing with a delisting than NIL deals. It's a problem with a singular big "look at me donor" that suddenly doesn't have the money. Even in this Wild West of NIL he managed to get Miami an NCAA infraction.
Looking at their football recruiting rankings, I believe Ruiz has helped out equally there as well. (Although I know it didn’t help their results on the field last year, but it is expected to going forward).
I would be more than pleased if Ruiz was not in a position to help them in the future.