2010-2011 NCAA Basketball Thread

[dfwabel]

As Verne/Raff alluded to, UConn, Arizona, and UNC did not even make last year's tournament.

Gator/Butler was good, close, and competitive, but not great. The game was poorly played in the first 40 minutes to be considered great. Butler was 17-27 from the foul line while 9-33 from 3. Florida was 3-14 from 3. Hardly great.

[RyanMcD29]

Butler is officially trolling the NCAA Tournament. They were so bad at the beginning of the year, how the hell are they doing this again?

If Butler had a better regular season, I'd definitely would've picked them going further in my bracket. I didn't even think they'd get past a very good Colonial team in ODU the first round. Amazing what Stevens has done with this team come tournament time.

Also, highly against my defense of the Big East and toleration of Kevin W., I'm rooting for the Wildcats tonight. They're a fun team to watch and I hate UConn and Kemba Walker, so there's no way I'm rooting for them even if they are carrying the Big East flag

[NEW.ERA]

It was great when it had to be and it rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

[Kevin W.]

As Verne/Raff alluded to, UConn, Arizona, and UNC did not even make last year's tournament.

Thank God that's in the past. Order has been restored at all three programs.

[knnhrvy16]

Butler is officially trolling the NCAA Tournament. They were so bad at the beginning of the year, how the hell are they doing this again?

Genius coaching, my friend. Genius coaching in all seriousness, Brad Stevens has proved over the past two years that he is one of the best coaches in the nation. The way he's led this run to Houston this year is an unbelievable testament to that, especially. I for one hope he stays at Butler for many, many years. He could probably go to any school he wants to now, but I do hope he ends up remaining at Butler for a long time. I think he will.

[Lights Out]

Yeah, I definitely see him as a Mark Few or (in football) Chris Petersen type that cares more about building up his current mid-major program than promoting himself for a possible major program job.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

I don't. I could see a former big-time program, like Indiana, paying him very big bucks to come over in the off-season. Depending on how close to Bloomington he lives now, he probably wouldn't even have to move.

[rams80]

I don't. I could see a former big-time program, like Indiana, paying him very big bucks to come over in the off-season. Depending on how close to Bloomington he lives now, he probably wouldn't even have to move.

He doesn't want to deal with that fanbase. He saw what happened to his predecessor at Iowa, and Indiana actually cares about basketball unlike that state.

[Sport]

That region was so wideopen and I had no idea who I thought would come out of it. Part of me really wanted to pick Butler, but I went safe and of course, I regret that now. I'd be rolling in it if I had gotten that correct.

[dfwabel]

I don't. I could see a former big-time program, like Indiana, paying him very big bucks to come over in the off-season. Depending on how close to Bloomington he lives now, he probably wouldn't even have to move.

He doesn't want to deal with that fanbase. He saw what happened to his predecessor at Iowa, and Indiana actually cares about basketball unlike that state.

I agree, but that decision is his and his family's not mine.

There are more "mid-major" coaches who did not have success within the "Power Six" than those who did/have. Regardless of their "coaching tree" it does not work out as well as the schools thinks it should. it is still a coin-flip for both the coach and the school. I think there was a reason why Dana Altman didn't take the Arkansas job and waited. Don't take a "Power Six" job with bigger expectations than what you can immediately deliver. Some examples are:

Stan Heath: Kent State to Arkansas (now at USF)

Todd Lickliter: Butler to Iowa

Dan Monson: Gonzaga to Minnesota

Pete Gillen: Xavier to Virginia (via Providence)

Keno Davis: Drake to Providence

Jim Christian: Kent State to TCU (soon to be a member of the Big East)

Bobby Gonzalez: Manhattan to Seton Hall

John Pelphrey: South Alabama to Arkansas

Jeff Capel: VCU to Oklahoma (book is still out on Anthony Grant)

Herb Sendek: Miami (OH) to NC State then Az. State. Did he really improve either program?

[Lights Out]

Ugh, I'm really starting to loathe UConn, especially Kemba Walker.

[RyanMcD29]

BIG BEAST PROVIN' THE H8'ERS WRONG BITCHEZZZZZ

Yeah, no, I'd much rather would have liked to seen Arizona pull it off there at the end. They should've tried to go for the tie instead of the win but I guess you can't blame them with how well they were shooting the 3-ball there towards the end

[Kevin W.]

Good luck, UConn. My bracket's :censored:ed anyway, and since my grandfather was a Huskie, I'll be rooting for them.

Great game. We will have our revenge, though, just like Duke.

[See Red]

Arizona is really good. A lot better than I'd have thought they were, but then again, I haven't seen much of them. Every time UConn pulled away, 'Zona just came right back. I really thought they were going to hit that last three. Great game, though. I'm a UConn fan, so I'm obviously happy with the result. Hope this run continues!

[Dogeshak]

Who do you think is going to be the first pick in the Draft?

[infrared41]

Good luck, UConn.

Ha! That will teach you to talk about my alma mater. Serves you right. It wasn't by 40 but I'll take it.

Oh, and Kentucky is going to win this thing.

[Kevin W.]

Good luck, UConn.

Ha! That will teach you to talk about my alma mater.

^ Sweet Sixteen.

< Elite Eight.

'Nuff said.

[infrared41]

Good luck, UConn.

Ha! That will teach you to talk about my alma mater.

^ Sweet Sixteen.

< Elite Eight.

'Nuff said.

Do you really think I give a flying that Ohio State was knocked out? We're a football school dude. Basketball is...hell, I really have no idea why we have a basketball team.

You're doing your best to put up a calm front here but we all know it's just -ing killing you that your boys lost tonight. The Wildcats were oh so close to the Final Four. They had what, three open shots at a three to win at the buzzer? And they missed them all! If just one more shot had fallen you'd be celebrating right now but nooooo! Instead they're headed home and you're at home all alone. Just you, your lotion, a box of tissues, and nothing to "pull" for. Enjoy the rest of the tournament.

[Kevin W.]

Nah, honestly, I'm good. We had a damn good season. Most coaches would kill for a 30-8 season. We swept ASU for the first time in a few years and we got revenge for the 2001 title game. Would I have liked to have gone all the way? Hell yes, but I am damn proud of the fact that my team went above and beyond expectations.

You know absolutely nothing of how I think. Bite me.

[Kevin W.]

you're at home all alone. Just you, your lotion, a box of tissues, and nothing to "pull" for. Enjoy the rest of the tournament.

Except not. I'm about to head over to McKale Center with several thousand other loyal Wildcat fans who are proud of how this season went. We're going to welcome the team home.

Seriously, shut the up.