stringertom
Bionic Poster
When will Izzo get T-ed up for coaching on the floor???
March Madness 2019
- Thread starter stringertom
- Start date
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Good start our size is bothering them
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Duke run was inevitable gotta weather it. 2 on Zion is big
stringertom
Bionic Poster
NCAA looking like NBA with these two runs traded to close the half. Too many mistakes from Zion but I expect him to clean that up. Will be another thriller!
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
This is too much lol
F
FRV
Guest
Lets go Duke. I want to see history.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Phoenix visits only once a year.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Congrats @Federer and Del Potro ! Goins draining the trey was the difference. Nuggets and your mom are relieved!
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Wow. That’s heartbreaking for duke but glad we won
F
FRV
Guest
I really wanted this Duke team to take it. Now I gotta go listen to Jalen Rose.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
As I said yesterday, this game was final-worthy!
stringertom
Bionic Poster
F
FRV
Guest
Probably. I just meant about Duke not being champions. Now he will continue to claim that this starting 5 was nowhere near his own, which may actually be true. I wouldn't be surprised if he secretly wanted Michigan State to take this.
I haven't been watching a lot of ESPN lately though, so I don't know if this is still a thing.
D
Deleted member 754093
Guest
Duke loses! America Wins!
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
I feel bad for Zion. I really like him. But am glad one of those finally went our way in the rivalry.
F
FRV
Guest
At least he's about to get paid.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
F
FRV
Guest
I have no knowledge regarding most sports history, so I can't really say otherwise.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
I don't think this Duke team was better than even their 2015 iteration to be honest. That iteration smacked the ever living crap out of us. This team was so good because Zion is one of if not the best collegiate player of all time.
Zion carried Duke and without him I'm not sure they're even a 2nd weekend team.
Zion carried Duke and without him I'm not sure they're even a 2nd weekend team.
F
FRV
Guest
How high do you think RJ Barrett will be drafted?
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
F
FRV
Guest
My guess would be #2
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Who is the BEST superstar player in this tournament that will become a superstar in NBA next year ?? LA Lakers need him
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
What a crap weekend for ALL my teams! 
Kentucky was done in by exactly what I feared a few months ago...immature and inconsistent guard play. A lot of very poor decisions in crunch time and no one willing to step up in the back court.
Hokies broke my heart but what a great game. I was sold on Duke losing to Sparty after cardiac games against UCF and my Hokies. Multiple games in a row NOT going to Zion in crunch time? What!?
UNC just ran into a hot buzz saw and with multiple ill players, didn't stand a chance.
Is UVA the team of destiny? That was such a nail biter against Purdue. Not sure many teams could have withstood that Carsen Edwards onslaught (when you bank a 3 in crunch time, you know the basketball gods are on your side). Really impressed with their smart play and ability to stay calm under stress. I can't remember a better free throw shooting team, particularly down the stretch in pressure situations. That and their D will come in handy against Auburn.
Kentucky was done in by exactly what I feared a few months ago...immature and inconsistent guard play. A lot of very poor decisions in crunch time and no one willing to step up in the back court.
Hokies broke my heart but what a great game. I was sold on Duke losing to Sparty after cardiac games against UCF and my Hokies. Multiple games in a row NOT going to Zion in crunch time? What!?
UNC just ran into a hot buzz saw and with multiple ill players, didn't stand a chance.
Is UVA the team of destiny? That was such a nail biter against Purdue. Not sure many teams could have withstood that Carsen Edwards onslaught (when you bank a 3 in crunch time, you know the basketball gods are on your side
). Really impressed with their smart play and ability to stay calm under stress. I can't remember a better free throw shooting team, particularly down the stretch in pressure situations. That and their D will come in handy against Auburn.
T1000
Legend
Is UVA the team of destiny? That was such a nail biter against Purdue. Not sure many teams could have withstood that Carsen Edwards onslaught (when you bank a 3 in crunch time, you know the basketball gods are on your side
Seems like it. They needed the second worst coaching decision of the tournament and a miracle on a broken play to force OT. Figures the one year I don’t pick UVA to go far they win the whole thing
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
Yep. Sometimes a guy gets hot. Sometimes there's a whole lot of luck involved. I'm unwilling to accept Edwards was that hot.
But as is usually the case, a shooter thinks they can't miss and Edwards took a couple of poor, early in the shot clock deep 3's that hurt them. I actually picked UVA this year, against my better judgment. UVA is all I have left. After starting out on fire, the sweet 16 and Elite 8 really killed me. I had an all ACC affair:Duke
Florida St
UVA
UNC
stringertom
Bionic Poster
I’m going chalk in the SFs and Sparty over UVA in the final.
In a way, it’s better MSU got dissed for a #1 seed and have 6 days to come down from the win over Duke (not an upset to me; poor trey/FT shooting was always a yellow flag). They cannot overlook TTU though...a solid defending team with some offensive firepower especially in transition (like playing themselves, no?).
UVA should shut Auburn’s backcourt down and that sad injury leaves the bigs depleted vs a deep Cavaliers front court.
Sparty wins the title Monday night with Cassius showing the world, “I am the greatest!”. He wins MOP unanimously.
In a way, it’s better MSU got dissed for a #1 seed and have 6 days to come down from the win over Duke (not an upset to me; poor trey/FT shooting was always a yellow flag). They cannot overlook TTU though...a solid defending team with some offensive firepower especially in transition (like playing themselves, no?).
UVA should shut Auburn’s backcourt down and that sad injury leaves the bigs depleted vs a deep Cavaliers front court.
Sparty wins the title Monday night with Cassius showing the world, “I am the greatest!”. He wins MOP unanimously.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
I think any of the 4 have a shot. Don't like some of my fellow Michigan State fans/alums acting arrogant and like the title is already locked up. There are 3 high level teams left to still beat. Do I think Duke is the best team? Yes. But anyone can be beaten in a Best of 1 tournament.
Michigan State fans always whine about Michigan/Duke being 'arrogant' yet have no problem being arrogant themselves. Hopefully the players heads aren't as fat as the fanbase or they will get pounded by Texas Tech.
Starting to remind me of the arrogance shown when we made the College Football playoff and got absolutely embarrassed.
Michigan State fans always whine about Michigan/Duke being 'arrogant' yet have no problem being arrogant themselves. Hopefully the players heads aren't as fat as the fanbase or they will get pounded by Texas Tech.
Starting to remind me of the arrogance shown when we made the College Football playoff and got absolutely embarrassed.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Getting nervous for this one. I think in a lot of ways Texas Tech is a taller order than even Duke was. Tech is a bit more fundamentally sound - they rank even higher than Duke's defense, shoot the 3 ball way better, hit FT's better, and have way more experience (3/5 of their starters are seniors). Chris Beard is also an excellent coach and might even be more dangerous than K at this point based on hunger alone. Michigan State also doesn't carry any kind of aura that scares their opponents like Duke does, so Tech will not be nervous or scared.
State does a lot better when they're an afterthought, and they're not any more. This will be State's hardest game of the season.
Tech has traveled an even more difficult path than we have - Buffalo was underseeded at 6 and they destroyed them. They destroyed Michigan. And they outclutched Gonzaga, who was actually the odds on vegas favorite ahead of Duke after the Sweet 16.
I feel better about either of the 2 opponents in the final than I do of Tech. I think they're that good.
State does a lot better when they're an afterthought, and they're not any more. This will be State's hardest game of the season.
Tech has traveled an even more difficult path than we have - Buffalo was underseeded at 6 and they destroyed them. They destroyed Michigan. And they outclutched Gonzaga, who was actually the odds on vegas favorite ahead of Duke after the Sweet 16.
I feel better about either of the 2 opponents in the final than I do of Tech. I think they're that good.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Much will depend on how well Cassius Winston can be defended by all-Big 12 defensive guard Matt Mooney, the graduate transfer that helped TTU rebuild the Elite 8 roster without much of a hiccup.
Tournament sages always talk about success revolving around guard play. This year is no exception. Winston outplayed a really good defender in Duke’s Tre Jones and Mooney held his own vs Gonzaga’s Josh Perkins.
Watch that matchup; it will probably determine the outcome. Mooney will try to take inside moves away from Winston and yield the path to the baseline where his teammates swarm in support.
Also, shadow the Italian marksman Moretti...the dude is lethal from the arc. I think Sparty’s inside size can deal with Culver’s driving prowess enough to keep him fairly neutralized.
I agree this is the better of the two SFs and the winner will probably take the title.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
The first game sets a high bar for March Madness in early April. Fundamentals, Bruce Pearl...make FTs and NEVER foul the 3-point shooter with a two-point lead.
Chuckles O’Barkley must be rekt!
Chuckles O’Barkley must be rekt!
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
It is Better than Virginia won....... They are more of a glamour team. Who cares about Auburn,, nobody knows them nor care for them. Good for TV rating that Virginia won today
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Question for your know-it-allness: Which of the two universities produced an NBA MVP?
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
We also need Michigan state to win. Michigan state vs VIrginia will bring the most rating
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Awful. I knew State was going to think they were all that after Duke. You aint all that.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
If you had told me Sparty could hold Culver to one point in 30 minutes I would have thought it would be a MSU cakewalk.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Another empty final 4 for Izzo. He's worse than Fed on break pt once he gets to the FF
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
trying to come back. I'm not hopeful
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Yep GG Tech. Better team won. I'll probably catch snippets of the final but I'm so annoyed at MSU always shrinking on the big stage. They're good as underdogs not favorites.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
QFT except for the more one-sided ending of this SF than the other one.
Mooney dogged Winston...4/16 FGs and outscored him 22 to 16 on 50% FGs and treys.
Got TTU in the final in a low scoring affair with two leaders in defensive efficiency shutting each other down.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Izzo 8 FF's 1 title. Barfalicious. Final Fours are a great achievement but I think State fans overvalue them. Blue Bloods don't aim for Final Fours they aim for titles. So we shouldn't either. Anything less is not good enough.
Nuff said no excuses as 90's Clay would say.
Good season, but it could have been great. Oh well
Nuff said no excuses as 90's Clay would say.
Good season, but it could have been great. Oh well
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
MSU fans are really sore losers. Attacking me on social media because I dare defy the legend of Tom Izzo by pointing out his abysmal FF conversion rate.
Like I said earlier in the week, we like to pretend we don't have the bravado or arrogance of a Michigan or Duke (while crying about theirs), but we do. And we tend to be sore losers.
Duke fans would never have acted like they won a Natty winning an Elite 8 game. We did. And we paid the price. Wasn't it a Sparty coach that said "Pride comes before the fall"
I can just admit we lost to the better team. That's the way it goes. Probably should have lost to Duke anyways
Like I said earlier in the week, we like to pretend we don't have the bravado or arrogance of a Michigan or Duke (while crying about theirs), but we do. And we tend to be sore losers.
Duke fans would never have acted like they won a Natty winning an Elite 8 game. We did. And we paid the price. Wasn't it a Sparty coach that said "Pride comes before the fall"
I can just admit we lost to the better team. That's the way it goes. Probably should have lost to Duke anyways
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Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Final will be a great game. I'm too salty to watch the whole thing but I'll catch snippets. Hope Texas Tech wins, they've just smashed everyone in their wake. UVA could have lost any of its last 3 games.
Really don't mind either way though.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
This was no fluke win for TTU, for sure. Even if Duke had survived y’all, Tech would have had the answer for them.MSU fans are really sore losers. Attacking me on social media because I dare defy the legend of Tom Izzo by pointing out his abysmal FF conversion rate.
Like I said earlier in the week, we like to pretend we don't have the bravado or arrogance of a Michigan or Duke (while crying about theirs), but we do. And we tend to be sore losers.
Duke fans would never have acted like they won a Natty winning an Elite 8 game. We did. And we paid the price. Wasn't it a Sparty coach that said "Pride comes before the fall"
I can just admit we lost to the better team. That's the way it goes. Probably should have lost to Duke anyways
Read a great article at The Ringer on Beard’s formula before this game and everything addressed turned out true. They play team defense honed from a practice routine called The Kill Drill, where to end the practice they must hold their opponents scoreless for three minutes. Allow a score and the clock goes back to 3 minutes. Even if the practice squadders miss, if there’s any kind of breakdown (no help, no communication) their defensive coach Mark Adams will rewind the clock to three minutes.
Practice is harder than a game, no?
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Someone was raving about their practice before their game against Michigan too.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
I was working and only saw from afar the last seconds of the Auburn/UVA game. Now that I’ve seen it on replay in detail I’m shaking my head not concerning the foul called...the refs got that right. It’s the obvious double dribble those blind zebra monkeys missed before the play. The Auburn defender never touched the ball before the UVA player bounced it off his own leg. You can only regain possession and pass to a teammate.
May be the worst call EVER!
May be the worst call EVER!
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
Tough to end that way. Def a foul on the 3 in my book and by letter of the rule. Def a missed double dribble. But Ty Jerome said in an interview what I was thinking during the play...Auburn defender was trying to foul him and you can actually see his hand on Jerome’s torso on the replay. Bummer someone had to lose.
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