NCAA Basketball Tournament 2013

[gryphs also]

I couldn't see if anyone started this already, but if it hasn't, let the Madness begin!! My favourite time of the sports year is starts next week with Selection Sunday. I think that this will be the most wide open tournment ever. There are no clear favourites (maybe Duke), but there are potential #4 seeds that would have been #1 seeds a month ago. And what to think about mid-majors like Gonzaga and New Mexico getting high seeds?

This should be fun...

[Vic2012]

I normally don't pay attention to college hoops but this year I'm following the Hurricanes (who just won their conference championship). Lots of excitement in this town over this (despite the college team being dwarfed by the NBA team). I expect the Hurricanes to at least make it to the sweet sixteen. I honestly don't know how they won that game yesterday. They were sloppy, and they turned the ball over repeatedly. I think the other was just worse. They couldn't capitalize on all those turnovers. Anyway, we'll see what happens. Go 'Caines.

[saatuk]

My favourite time of the sports year is starts next week with Selection Sunday. I think that this will be the most wide open tournment ever.

This should be fun...


I actually start tuning college basketball out on Selection Sunday. I most enjoy the conference season and the conference tournaments. By the NCAA tournament, after watching since November I find I'm losing interest, and I often prefer the NIT in any case.

[Facelift]

I've followed this year pretty closely. Though I don't like them, I think that Duke should be a big favorite to win it all. They were a different team without Kelly, and the guy is back now. Sure they could lose to a good team that can match up well with them, but I think they're head and shoulders better than all of the other teams out there.

[Reginod]

Die-hard Dookie since 1977. I hope they can get it done but I won't lose any sleep if they don't. With Kelly, they can provide some pretty severe matchup headaches for a lot of teams; Kelly doesn't need to score to be effective. They've got some tough-as-nails guards in Cook and Thornton, and if Curry is hitting shots like his brother and dad, Duke should be OK. The freshman Sulaimon has looked to be in something of a funk over the last two weeks, though. Plumlee will get about 12 points and 10 boards per, win or lose. I hope he isn't on the charity stripe late in the game. K will probably go with a seven-man rotation as always this time of year, and if/when they lose it will be to a team with a lot of big, quick, nasty athletes and one or two stone cold ballers. Maybe someone like Louisville? Duke is still pretty much the most hated team in college basketball so they'll probably get everybody's best shot, but they should be used to that by now.

Curious to see how far the Zags can go. Olynyk is fun to watch and Stockton looks (but only looks) just like his dad.

Curious to watch St. Louis. They could be a team on a mission.

Curious to watch UCLA (AKA the home for wayward Tarheels) and the short-timer Muhammad. Haven't seen much PAC 10 this year.

My (sort-of) darkhorse final four pick is Georgetown. Curious to see how all the Big East teams will do as their conference implodes.

Not really sure that I like the way the conference landscapes are changing so radically. Guess I liked it better the way it used to be. Next thing you know Hawaii will be in the Atlantic 10. :roll

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Go Evansville!


Oh thats right...


Anyway, should be a fun tourney. The lack of a big standout makes this years anticipation grow and grow.

[JKL2000]

F the Hoyas!!!

[Camelogue]

My favorite sporting event, although usually a disappointed Pitt fan.

As with almost every sport though, the season is too long.

[Garion81]

Die-hard
Curious to watch UCLA (AKA the home for wayward Tarheels) and the short-timer Muhammad. Haven't seen much PAC 10 this year.

My (sort-of) darkhorse final four pick is Georgetown. Curious to see how all the Big East teams will do as their conference implodes.

Not really sure that I like the way the conference landscapes are changing so radically. Guess I liked it better the way it used to be. Next thing you know Hawaii will be in the Atlantic 10. :roll

I can tell you something about Pac 12/UCLA. Shabazz is a lottery pick but not sure how effective he is going to be in the NBA at 6'5" and is kind of a tweener. He is very good catching and shooting and getting points off of offensive boards. He is not as athletic as some might think and his defense suffers for it but he is a very talented basketball player. His body is very mature for 18 year old. The most unusual player I have ever seen though is Kyle Anderson. He is 6'9" who can handle the ball. They call him slow-mo as he is not really quick but he sees everything. Right now he is playing the 4 for his rebounding. One more year some more muscle and this guy is going to be a star. As for the NC transfers, who by the way were heavily recruited by UCLA all of them being west coast players, Larry Drew II has been a pleasant surprise. He set the single season record for assists all time at UCLA. Looking at their history you should know how big of a deal that is. He is a first team all Pac 12 player. I also think he leads the nation in assist to turnover ratio or he is very close to leading. The Wear twins are a mixed bag. This year Travis had some very good offensive numbers until he suffered a concussion against Arizona two weeks ago and then a sprained ankle just before last weeks games. His brother on the other hand is lost out there. These guys have been asked to play the 5 and the 4 and they aren't fit for those but with josh Smith leaving and Tony Parker being a freshman there is little choice. Neither one can lay any defense. The 5 is the difference from UCLA being a decent team and a great one. Yes they can beat the hell out of Arizona but then stink up the joint against Wazzu.

For the rest of the Pac I think Arizona is overrated by a mile, Oregon played well early but have faded a bit at the end which allowed UCLA to sneak back in to take the conference. A lot of that had to do with their freshman point guard Dominic Artis
who got hurt mid season and has not regained his early season form. California might be the top team playing right now except they lost to Stanford in a game, if they won, could have given them the conference title. They have a very good coach in Mike Montgomery. Allen Crabbe was the Pac 12 POY. Colorado could have a run in them but they have been very inconsistent this year after doing well last year. Spencer Dinwidie is a pretty good player.

That is about it on who is going to go to the tourney.

I like Georgetown as well. I think they will make the final four.

[Reginod]

As for the NC transfers, who by the way were heavily recruited by UCLA all of them being west coast players, Larry Drew II has been a pleasant surprise. He set the single season record for assists all time at UCLA. Looking at their history you should know how big of a deal that is. He is a first team all Pac 12 player. I also think he leads the nation in assist to turnover ratio or he is very close to leading.

That's information that a lot of people around here might be surprised to hear (can't wait to bring it up to my UNC-grad buddies at work :lol ). Drew II was a walking turnover at Carolina and he got (unfairly) raked over the coals and tossed under the bus by a lot of Tarheel faithful. Ironic thing was, he announced that he was leaving just as he was starting to play better. I think he just never quite meshed with the other players that were on the squad at the time, at least not trying to run Roy Williams' system. Then when Kendall Marshall (who had immediate chemistry on that team) stepped onto the court, Drew was obviously the odd guard out. I have "osmosed" enough to get the sense that he's had some big games at UCLA this year and some big plays in recent games and it's cool that it's worked out for him better in Westwood.

Great post! Nice to hear so much from someone who keeps a closer eye on the other conferences.

[oilersfan]

Hoping that Wichita State does indeed get an at-large bid on Sunday (they should). Also hoping, as always, that KU and K-State get knocked out ASAP so their completely annoying fans will shut the hell up...

[Garion81]

That's information that a lot of people around here might be surprised to hear (can't wait to bring it up to my UNC-grad buddies at work :lol ). Drew II was a walking turnover at Carolina and he got (unfairly) raked over the coals and tossed under the bus by a lot of Tarheel faithful. Ironic thing was, he announced that he was leaving just as he was starting to play better. I think he just never quite meshed with the other players that were on the squad at the time, at least not trying to run Roy Williams' system. Then when Kendall Marshall (who had immediate chemistry on that team) stepped onto the court, Drew was obviously the odd guard out. I have "osmosed" enough to get the sense that he's had some big games at UCLA this year and some big plays in recent games and it's cool that it's worked out for him better in Westwood.

Great post! Nice to hear so much from someone who keeps a closer eye on the other conferences.

Believe me, there was a lot of worry that Drew II was not a good player and that he was really the only option at point. He struggled through half the season with his shot. He hit that jumper against Washington to win the game at the buzzer and he seems to have a bit more confidence now. It certainly will help his ball distribution as well if he can hit some jumpers.
Oh and watch for the top teams from the mountain west conference. They are pretty good this year along with Gonzaga.

[progeezer]

Which Bo Ryan Badger team will show up for both the BIG tournament and the dance?

That's the local media talking.

[gryphs also]

I agree, Steve. Probably the most enigmatic (or maybe schitzophrenic) team in the country this year. Every time I think I have them figured out, I end up being wrong.

[Shadow]

Did see this morning that Maryland beat Duke yesterday. Not that Maryland is going anywhere, just a moral victory for their program.

[Vic2012]

When does the tournament start anyway?

UM vs NC State at 1pm today.

[progeezer]

Badgers/Indiana at 1:40 (Badgers try to go 2-0 against IU this year)

[Reginod]

Oddly enough the ONLY player that showed up for Duke yesterday was Sulaimon, who had been in the doghouse for a few weeks. :| The rest of 'em played like they were asleep. Could be another quick out if they don't get their s#!t together.

NC State - Miami should be good. I'm wondering which Pack team will show up. Usually they step up in big games.

[Garion81]

The tournament starts next week. UCLA beats Arizona for the third time this year and I think they will still end up with a lower seed. I cannot fathom the national media when it comes to the west coast 2 wins in December outweigh 3 in January through March.? Really?

Tough for Jordan Adams broke his foot on the last play of the game last night

[Vic2012]

Damn Hurricanes can' t protect the ball. Turnovers are gonna kill ' em.

[SteveSly]

If you are looking for a good bracketbuster in your brackets this year I would recomend the Akron Zips. I follow the MAC and as usual the conference is underated this year. Akron has won 19 in a row and assuming they win the MAC tourney tonight (they are winning as I write this), I think they could be a sweet 16 team. Ohio should make the big dance too, but probably won't.

I also think the Big 10 is going to do a lot more damage this year than they have the past few years. The conference is very deep and the top half have been basically beating each other up for the past 2 months. Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconson, Indiana, Michigan and even Minnesota are all quality teams and in some case are better than their records may indicate.

Steve Sly

[progeezer]

The good Badger team showed up again today. That's 2 days in a row.

Could it be 3?

[UnephenStephen]

i play 5 sheets on ESPN's Tournament Challenge every year but never get close on any of them. still enjoy filling them out though. just wish UConn was a part of it this year.

[SteveSly]

I couldn't see if anyone started this already, but if it hasn't, let the Madness begin!! My favourite time of the sports year is starts next week with Selection Sunday. I think that this will be the most wide open tournment ever. There are no clear favourites (maybe Duke), but there are potential #4 seeds that would have been #1 seeds a month ago. And what to think about mid-majors like Gonzaga and New Mexico getting high seeds?

This should be fun...

New Mexico is an under the radar team that could do big things IMO. In fact I even think they are a potential final 4 team depending on how their bracket ends up working out. I am going to have them as a major spolier in my brackets this year.

Gonzaga is good, but not at the level they have been in past years IMO.

Steve Sly

[SteveSly]

New Mexico is an under the radar team that could do big things IMO. In fact I even think they are a potential final 4 team depending on how their bracket ends up working out. I am going to have them as a major spolier in my brackets this year.

Gonzaga is good, but not at the level they have been in past years IMO.

Steve Sly

Ya know what.......after taking a little closer look at Gonzaga and who they have played this year, maybe I am underestimating them. They are looking better to me after a bit more research. Being in the mid-west I rarely get to see them play on tv.

Steve Sly

[Vic2012]

Way to go Caines!!!!! Woohoo!!!

[expojeff]

Go Zags!

[Vic2012]

Hurricanes are ACC Champs!!!!! Woo yeah!!!!!!!

[Vic2012]

Cheers y'all. I just drank a green beer in honor of St. Paddy :up

[Yanks2014]

Go Zags!

I'm with you on that. I'm tired of the same old teams winning it all. I haven't watched a lot of games this season, but I am certainly looking forward to the madness this year. I should do a pool, can't do worse than I did a couple years back, coming in second to last.

[progeezer]

Anyone else watching the WI-Ohio State game?

[Camelogue]

Anyone else watching the WI-Ohio State game?

Watched the last 10 minutes Steve, didn't think the play was that spirited. Selection show at 6 eastern and then "Survive and Advance" on ESPN at 9.

Wisconsin has some similarities to Pitt. It's the most wonderful time of the sporting year.

[Facelift]

The tournament starts next week. UCLA beats Arizona for the third time this year and I think they will still end up with a lower seed.

FWIW, they both got 6 seeds, though UCLA got the tougher 1st-round match-up. In fact, I expect that Minnesota will be the favorite over UCLA, by the point-spread.

[Vic2012]

The Caines are seeded number 2. Shit YEAH!!!! :up

[gryphs also]

How does Louisville get the overall #1 seed and get the toughest bracket?

[progeezer]

There's one 2nd round game (can't remember who), where the #12 seed is practically playing at home against a #5 that had to travel a lot farther:O.

I do know it's not #5 Wisconsin & #12 Old Miss in KC, MO.

[Garion81]

FWIW, they both got 6 seeds, though UCLA got the tougher 1st-round match-up. In fact, I expect that Minnesota will be the favorite over UCLA, by the point-spread.

Yeah they both got 6 seeds but Arizona is in the west, UCLA in the south and more strange, Oregon is a 12 seed in the East. Consider UCLA and Oregon beat Arizona this year and never lost to them, both finished higher in the conference, UCLA won the regular season conference and Oregon the tourney winner yet both get shipped out and Az remains in the west. California is given, what is as close as can be called, a home game in San Jose. As Ben Howland said in reaction to their seeding I would rather be a 12 seed in San Jose than a 6 seed in Austin, Tx. Sean Miller and Mike Montgomery must have some good friends on the selection committee.
Minnesota will not be favored over UCLA although they certainly could beat them especially after the Bruins losing Jordan Adams. I can see the game going either way but I will give Ben Howland this he is a great preparation coach given the time as he has now. I will also state Ben Howland will not be the Bruins coach next year.

[Garion81]

There's one 2nd round game (can't remember who), where the #12 seed is practically playing at home against a #5 that had to travel a lot farther:O.

I do know it's not #5 Wisconsin & #12 Old Miss in KC, MO.

Cal vs UNLV in San Jose.

[Facelift]

How does Louisville get the overall #1 seed and get the toughest bracket?

This was explained on ESPN. Georgetown, the last seeded #2 couldn't be seeded as a #2 in the same region as Louisville (because they're both in the same conference). Miami was automatically sent to the East, by virtue of their being the highest seeded #2 (the highest #2 gets assigned to their "home" region). They didn't want Ohio State seeded in the Indianapolis region, as the overall No. 1 is rewarded by their No. 2 being prohibited from being from the same home region (their #2 couldn't be a Big 10 team). So that left Duke. According to the S curve, the top #1 seed gets the top #3 seed, which they apparently did, with Michigan State. So their region looks tougher because they got the 2nd #2 (which a lot of people think is really the first #2 - and frankly, I thought Duke should be the 4th #1) and not the 4th No. 2.

Basically, they did everything by the book, it's just that the rules didn't produce the most equitable outcome .

[progeezer]

This was explained on ESPN. Georgetown, the last seeded #2 couldn't be seeded as a #2 in the same region as Louisville (because they're both in the same conference). Miami was automatically sent to the East, by virtue of their being the highest seeded #2 (the highest #2 gets assigned to their "home" region). They didn't want Ohio State seeded in the Indianapolis region, as the overall No. 1 is rewarded by their No. 2 being prohibited from being from the same home region (their #2 couldn't be a Big 10 team). So that left Duke. According to the S curve, the top #1 seed gets the top #3 seed, which they apparently did, with Michigan State. So their region looks tougher because they got the 2nd #2 (which a lot of people think is really the first #2 - and frankly, I thought Duke should be the 4th #1) and not the 4th No. 2.

Basically, they did everything by the book, it's just that the rules didn't produce the most equitable outcome .I got a headache reading that!;)

[Facelift]

I got a headache reading that!;)

Re-reading it, so did I! I guess the simpler way of putting it is that the top 2 no. 1 seeds, Louisville and Indiana, in order, "should" have faced Georgetown (the lowest #2) and Ohio State (the 2nd-lowest #2) respectively, based on the committee's S-curve. But because of rule conflicts, Louisville couldn't play either of these teams, so they got the next #2 in line, which was Duke. Indiana, being seeded in the East, had to get Miami as their #2, since Miami got an automatic assignment to their home region, by virtue of their being the highest-seeded #2 seed.

[Vic2012]

I got a headache reading that!;)

So did I :lol. That's why I only watch the games and leave all the off-court technicalities to the much smarter members here ;).

Anyway, great game yesterday between NC and Miami. Like I said before I normally don't care for college hoops but since I have a team to root for it's gonna be fun. The big U here has never had a great basketball program but obviously they've created a buzz this year. The thing I've noticed about this team since I've been watching the games over the last couple weeks is that some of the guys don't protect the ball enough. Seems like every time they dribble into coverage they turn the ball over. Makes my head explode.

[gryphs also]

Two things this season has taught me: Jim Larinaga can flat out coach and that George Mason was not a fluke. Shaka Smart can flat out coach and it doesn't matter what league he is in, he will be successful. VCU was/is not a fluke (even though his #1 supporter on this board is quite flukey).

[Yanks2014]

How does Louisville get the overall #1 seed and get the toughest bracket?

The whole system seemed convoluted. However, being the #1 overall seed, it means they should be able to beat anyone they play. Still don't know why they are above any other #1, especially Gonzaga, who are still on top of the rankings. Of course once the tourney starts, throw out all those rankings.

[Garion81]

The polls are the least of the criteria used. It is now mostly RPI and conference RPI they use for weighting. Here is the breakdown:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rpi/_/sort/RPI

[Facelift]

The polls are the least of the criteria used. It is now mostly RPI and conference RPI they use for weighting. Here is the breakdown:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rpi/_/sort/RPI

They don't use the polls or RPI. RPI is a closer indication of how the committee rates a team than the polls (which only go 1-25 anyway), which is why it's often referenced in conversations about the tournament field. But they have their own metric, which is based on similar criteria to the RPI. And even then, that metric is only one of several factors that they use to seed the teams (and those factors - such as performance over last 10 games, strength of best wins, weaknesses of bad losses, non-conference schedule strength, injuries to key players - seem to wax and wane in importance depending on what year it is).

[Garion81]

They don't use the polls or RPI. RPI is a closer indication of how the committee rates a team than the polls (which only go 1-25 anyway), which is why it's often referenced in conversations about the tournament field. But they have their own metric, which is based on similar criteria to the RPI. And even then, that metric is only one of several factors that they use to seed the teams (and those factors - such as performance over last 10 games, strength of best wins, weaknesses of bad losses, non-conference schedule strength, injuries to key players - seem to wax and wane in importance depending on what year it is).


Obviously they have other factors but it is close enough and head to head is not one of them.

[Camelogue]

I loved the explanation (or lack thereof) as to why Oregon got a 12 seed even though they were "slotted" to be an 11.

Despite the flaws, I love it.

[Garion81]

The biggest problem is, to me, that in conference and out of conference means nothing. In other words a non conference game against a ranked opponent in November in Hawaii or New York holds equal or more wight than a conference win or loss. Conference is way harder because of the familiarization and the rivalry factor.

[progeezer]

Shaka Smart can flat out coach and it doesn't matter what league he is in, he will be successful. VCU was/is not a fluke (even though his #1 supporter on this board is quite flukey).My son Mike (now 36) played high school basketball against Shaka in the same conference, and for 2 years they were BOTH 1st team all-conference. They were friendly (rivals) with each other all through HS, and Mike's elated at Shaka's success.

[Garion81]

Shaka's name is being bandied around as a possibility for the now vacant UCLA job. Others are Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan. We shall see.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Florida Gulf Coast 4eva.

[SteveSly]

Everything that I said earlier in this thread turned out to be totally wrong (especially the Akron pick), but so far I am doing good in my brackets. I'm in 2nd place in one and 4th in the other (out of 20). FGCU is a great story and part of what makes the tournement so much fun.

Steve Sly

[progeezer]

I'm rooting for FGCU to embarrass Donovan's Gators. They've already made history as the first 15 seed to get to where they are, and I hope their acquired bravado sticks around a while longer.

[Yanks2014]

I'm rooting for FGCU to embarrass Donovan's Gators. They've already made history as the first 15 seed to get to where they are, and I hope their acquired bravado sticks around a while longer.

How much fun are FGCU to watch? I just love their enthusiasm, like kids on a schoolyard with nothing to lose. And I'm so thankful for this because nearly all the teams I usually pull for are elliminated. I saw some of the Georgetown game, but I made sure to watch every second of the win against SDSU. Those SDSU guys had a look at the end of the game like they had no idea what hit them. And they played tough D in the first half, but had no answers in the 2nd.

I know the Gators will be highly favored on Friday night, as they should be. But anyone not giving FGCU a shot at winning is just foolish. They are legit and on a roll, anything is possible. If they lose, its still been an incredible story.

BTW, anyone look up photos of the FGCU coache's wife? I did! :O :)

[Facelift]

How much fun are FGCU to watch? I just love their enthusiasm, like kids on a schoolyard with nothing to lose. And I'm so thankful for this because nearly all the teams I usually pull for are elliminated. I saw some of the Georgetown game, but I made sure to watch every second of the win against SDSU. Those SDSU guys had a look at the end of the game like they had no idea what hit them. And they played tough D in the first half, but had no answers in the 2nd.

I know the Gators will be highly favored on Friday night, as they should be. But anyone not giving FGCU a shot at winning is just foolish. They are legit and on a roll, anything is possible. If they lose, its still been an incredible story.

BTW, anyone look up photos of the FGCU coache's wife? I did! :O :)

Florida is a 13.5 point favorite, which seems about right, IMO. Fla Gulf Coast *is* a legit team - after watching them against good competition, I can see that they were definitely better than the seeding that they got -- although you can't fault the committee too much for this, given the team's schedule and the fact that they've been a D-I basketball school for all of 2 years.

Florida is one of the best teams in the country (a real candidate to win it all, IMO), though they have been subject to concentration lapses all season and will sometimes underperform against lesser teams. Could they be thinking ahead to a Sunday afternoon regional final against either Michigan or Kansas? If they are, then we could have another upset on our hands.

[ohiomark]

The Buckeyes fall on their face tonight.

[oilersfan]

Just hoping the Shocks make it to Saturday...

[UnephenStephen]

same thing is happening this year that happens every year - my final four teams in my best bracket start dropping like flies starting in the sweet 16. Indiana and Kansas are already gone now it looks like Ohio St will fall as well.

[progeezer]

Just hoping the Shocks make it to Saturday...Did you say PAST Saturday, Brian?;)

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Shocker's all the way!!!!!!!!!

[Yanks2014]

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted with FGCU. I thought maybe when they got off to that fast start vs. Florida they had a chance. But big time D and too many unforced turnovers did them in. One underdog left, Wichita State, first final 4 in what, 48 years? Loved that they knocked off Ohio State.

[Vic2012]

Gators are gettin' an ass kickin.'

[Reginod]

Whooooaaaaaa gruesome injury. Gotta be hard for either team to focus after that.

[NogbadTheBad]

Louisville looked completely dominate.

Tough tough injury. Double fracture, out a year.

[oilersfan]

As you can imagine it's been a great couple of weeks here in Wichita. College basketball is easily the most popular sport in Kansas but its rare that the Shocks get more notice than KU (or even KState) around this time of year so it's been fun to not only watch Wichita State but also get in a few lighthearted (well, some of them) verbal jabs at the KU and KState fans. As a WSU alum this is going to rank right up there with my favorite Shocker sports memories and I couldn't be prouder of how the guys have played in their four tournament games. Regardless of what happens this weekend coach Marshall and the boys have had a helluva ride...

[Yanks2014]

I guess now my team to root for is Wichita State. I was surprised by some co-workers who never even heard of the university before. OK, I admit to not knowing their name was the Shockers until the tourney, but knew the school existed. And what has it been, 48 since their last final 4? I wasn't even born yet!

[Yanks2014]

Louisville looked completely dominate.

Tough tough injury. Double fracture, out a year.

Before yesterday, I would have said "Anyone but Louisville!", but admit now I have some sympathy after seeing that injury. So it actually makes it a tough call since they will play WSU.

[Facelift]

Louisville looks pretty tough to beat. I don't think that Wichita State has much of a chance to beat them. Michigan doesn't match up very well with them and wouldn't do much better, IMO. Syracuse is the only team of the three that has a real chance of beating them, IMO, as they already beat them once.

And how about the Rutgers coach? Couldn't Rutgers basketball have managed to come in 12th in their conference *without* the verbal and physical abuse?

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/03/sport/rutgers-video-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

[Yanks2014]

The Rutgers situation is horrible. Now I'm a huge supporter of their football program, but never really follow them in basketball -for my local team I support Seton Hall. If I did, I couldn't possibly stick up for Rice. The screaming at players, cursing at them, call them faggots, not a big deal really, they are big boys and can handle it. Bill Parcells and Bobby Knight could do that with the best of them. But physically abusing them, throwing basketballs at their heads, that is not acceptable. OK, I bet Bobby Knight did stuff like that. But at least he was a championship coach -that would ALMOST make it forgivable. All this nonsense, and Rice had a losing record. I knew he would get fired the moment I saw the video. Good riddence. Maybe they will get a good coach out of all this.

[Jerjo]

That Rutgers thing was deplorable. Someone showed the video to LeBron and he said if he had a kid on that team he'd kick the coach's ass. Apparently one of the assistant coaches played several years in the NBA and tried to report this to the AD. He was fired. Guess who is suing the university for wrongful termination?

[Yanks2014]

Apparently one of the assistant coaches played several years in the NBA and tried to report this to the AD. He was fired. Guess who is suing the university for wrongful termination?

Are you sure about that? I haven't heard that confirmed. I thought he left the program. Pernetti is actually a good AD, I hope he didn't fire the assistant over this. Wouldn't make sense considering he DID suspend and fine Rice after the initial video was presented to him.

[Jerjo]

From what I read, Pernetti saw the video back in December and suspended the coach for three games. Once ESPN got the video and went public with it, then the coach got fired.

http://deadspin.com/rutgers-finally-fires-mike-rice-468213503

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/04/sports/ncaabasketball/rutgers-fires-basketball-coach-after-video-surfaces.html?_r=0


The video, which was compiled by Eric Murdock, a former Rutgers director of player personnel, showed Rice not only physically going after his players — throwing basketballs at them from point-blank range, kicking and shoving them — but also verbally chastising them with gay slurs. Murdock’s lawyer said he presented the video to Pernetti and other Rutgers officials in November.

[Facelift]

Are you sure about that? I haven't heard that confirmed. I thought he left the program. Pernetti is actually a good AD, I hope he didn't fire the assistant over this. Wouldn't make sense considering he DID suspend and fine Rice after the initial video was presented to him.

Eric Murdoch was fired over this. The University said it was for "insubordination" rather than anything to do with this, but Murdoch states otherwise. He is the one who released the tape to the media, in retaliation for his firing.

[Facelift]

Just announced that Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti was fired over the Rice incident. The school president is supposedly next.

[Yanks2014]

Just announced that Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti was fired over the Rice incident. The school president is supposedly next.

What a HUGE overreaction. I agree with firing Rice, but it should have ended there. The story would be out of the news in a couple days. Instead the idiot faculty have to drag the university through the mud for a whole lot longer. Funny thing is, the players didn't even want rice to be fired. He overstepped the line and desevered to pay the price, but obviously didn't cause any permanent damage on anyone. By the reaction to all this, you would think Rice was another Sandusky. A shame, Rutgers really is a fine school, but they are doing some self inflicted damage here.

[Facelift]

What a HUGE overreaction. I agree with firing Rice, but it should have ended there. The story would be out of the news in a couple days. Instead the idiot faculty have to drag the university through the mud for a whole lot longer. Funny thing is, the players didn't even want rice to be fired. He overstepped the line and desevered to pay the price, but obviously didn't cause any permanent damage on anyone. By the reaction to all this, you would think Rice was another Sandusky. A shame, Rutgers really is a fine school, but they are doing some self inflicted damage here.

I definitely agree with firing the AD, but it's really the president who needs to go, since it was his ultimate decision not to fire the coach when this first came to light. He's doing a press conference right now, where he is embarrassing himself and the school in an attempt to keep his job. He's being interrogated by the press and a bunch of "I don't recalls" started pouring out as soon as things got dicey. He doesnt recall events that happened a few months ago about something so unique as this? LOL. It's very wrong if the AD and the school's general counsel (he resigned today, too) goes but the president stays. They should all be out.

As far as the players go, there are several who did have huge problems with the coach, but they didn't raise complaints at the time, for the very obvious reasons.

[Vic2012]

I'm watching film of this Rice guy right now with my :beer. What an a-hole. He needs a foot up 'is azz and a punch in the nose. WTF? He deserved to get hiss ass fired.

[JKL2000]

Go Orange!

[Reginod]

Wow the refs just killed Wichita's last chance. I hate to see that.

[SteveSly]

Monday night is going to be interesting. Living in Michigan having the Wolverines in the final has become a very big deal around here. I am more of a Michigan State fan myself, but it is certainly cool for the state to have U of M in it and I would love to see them win. But.........if Louisville wins that means I win 2 differnt bracket pools that I am in and around $500. I'm torn......

Steve Sly

[Hobo Chang Ba]

I guess go Wolverines.

[NogbadTheBad]

Wow the refs just killed Wichita's last chance. I hate to see that.Way too quick with a whistle and it could easily have been a foul to Wichita.

[JKL2000]

I guess go Wolverines.

Yeah, those bastards were pretty good. Dammit!