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Around SBN: Bill Parcells, Jerome Bettis Lead Hall of Fame Finalists

Open Thread: Pac-10 Tournament Championship (USC vs Arizona State)

Pac-10 championship is at 6 PM EST, 3 PM PST on CBS.

Demar_derozan_dunk_ucla_usc_pac10_medium

via latimesblogs.latimes.com


This game is interesting from the standpoint of USC since if they win, they're in the dance. ASU is pretty much locked in, so I doubt winning this will mean that much to them. (For those who care about such things, ASU is 1-2 point favorites at most sportsbooks)

You kind of (and I stress 'kind of') root for USC to win so the conference can get five teams in the tourney. They have such good athletes in Gibson and DeRozan that if they got hot, they could make a run in their bracket with some upsets and make the conference look pretty good. Of course they don't play so well as a team; UCLA shot the ball like they had broken glass jammed in their eyes and the Bruins were only down 6 with a minute remaining. 

Arizona State, with Pendergraph and Hardin both relatively healthy, and their flop-happy guard Glasser, seem to be the best organized team in the Pac-10. They dominated the Pac-10 champion Huskies for much of yesterday's game, let them have a brief run to take a slight lead, then dominated them some more. Of all the Pac-10 teams they probably have the best chance to make some noise. Yet it wouldn't surprise me if they got bounced early either. Every team in the conference has a weakness.

For those not interested in the men's game, you can speculate in the comments: Who do you feel has the best chance in the conference to go deep in the tourney? Cal has the jump shooters, USC (if they win) has the talent, UCLA has the tradition, Arizona State has the complete team, Washington has the pieces, but who's got the potential in them to make a run?

Game again starts at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT. Women's game starts at 9 PM PT, 6 PM ET and there'll be an open thread for that too.

Poll
Who has the best chance in the Pac-10 to go deep in the tournament?
Cal
16 votes
Arizona State
13 votes
UCLA
14 votes
Washington
10 votes
If they win today, USC
10 votes
If they somehow get selected Arizona
1 votes
Oregon could own them all.
7 votes

71 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 172 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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I’m back!

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 2:39 PM PDT reply actions  

Let’s get this party started. I made some guac, and I’m ready to go!

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:13 PM PDT reply actions  

Are you actually going to watch the game?

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

While I eat, yeah. But then I might actually do some studying once I get bored of it.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

Maybe there’s college football on ESPN Classic???

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

there is college football on my tivo.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Cal games. A few random other ones, like the Red River Shootout. Plus, I have coaching DVDs, and old Cal games on DVD to watch too. The problem is just finding the time.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh that’s easy. Instead of sleeping, you watch football. Simple as that.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

Haha it’s Enberg. Can’t wait for him to call Pendergraph “Penn and Teller”

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:21 PM PDT reply actions  

I don't know WHO'S voting for Oregon

but they’re ridiculous. :)

It's spelled "M-A-R-C-H-I-N-G-B-A-N-D."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Mar 14, 2009 3:21 PM PDT reply actions  

I thought you had that stud frosh.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Harden is so damned versatile.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:28 PM PDT reply actions  

I hate U$C.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

My hatred is in this order: (1) U$C; (2) fUCLA; (3) $tanfurd.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

second this

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Mar 14, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

But do you hate CC or BN more?

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

BN, hands down.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great start to the game. Both teams playing really well.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:30 PM PDT reply actions  

Conquest Chronicles has ZERO comments in their game thread. They sure do love their basketball.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:33 PM PDT reply actions  

Strange, they had like 150 last night. Maybe they’re all at the game. I know they have barely any comments during football season either because everyone goes to the game.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

basket-ball? Do they play that at the Coliseum?

by DC Trojan on Mar 14, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

Harden is playing floor general right now. Those are some sweet passes.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:35 PM PDT reply actions  

He kind of emulates LeBron in the way he drives into the paint, dishes the ball out and in his jump shot stroke. He’s going to be pretty exciting to watch in the NBA.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

I hate when the announcers use the term “giving/getting ____ a blow” to describe giving a player rest… That’s drugs or sex, NOT resting

FREE HYDROTECH!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 3:38 PM PDT reply actions  

I hate those Microsoft commercials with the cutest little kids ever way more.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

How can you hate those cute kids? How can you hate Kylie and her little fish Dorothy?

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

LookiemeIcantakeapicture!

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

Where are you all watching this from? Any way to watch online?

by tjalorak on Mar 14, 2009 3:40 PM PDT reply actions  

Well...

I have access to a TV but then my parents will know I’m watching TV instead of doing homework… not worth the argument. :P Thanks for the link.

by tjalorak on Mar 14, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

You RASCAL you

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Whenever I come home to visit my parents, I feel weird watching TV. I feel like they’re wondering why I’m not studying. But how can I study when I can watch 50 inches of HDTV???

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Exactly!

Unfortunately, that excuse never seems to work… XD

by tjalorak on Mar 14, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Are we going to have a thread for the women’s USC-California game later on tonight? It’s on DirecTV channel 692.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 14, 2009 3:45 PM PDT reply actions  

Is that one going to be cast anywhere?

I feel like it could be a big confidence game for them to at least get to the championship game for a little redemption against Stanford

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

The light finally turned on for DeRozan… PLEASE LEAVE FOR THE LEAGUE!

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 3:48 PM PDT reply actions  

He’s really kicked it up a notch in the past few weeks.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Anybody know about the likelihood of that happening?

I know USC is supposed to have another stud Frosh coming in – I wouldn’t want him to team up with DeRozan and make our lives miserable.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

Floyd is outrecruiting the hell out of UCLA. At least from last night’s game it appeared that way.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

He seems to go too much after the 'one and done' type players

so USC doesn’t seem to get any consistency or flow in their seasons. They always have to break in new players so by the time they figure things out they’ve lost a bunch of games and are stuck on the bubble. If DeRozan leaves, they’re right back to square one with no real expectations of post season success.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

They beat UCLA a lot now though. That’s probably all Trojan fans care about.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

not true.

ucla has been getting great, complete classes.

by concordtom on Mar 15, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions  

There are some concerns about the incoming Frosh

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

He's like OJ Mayo all over again

lots of talent, might be a gigantic jerk

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh. That’s no big deal for hoops players. Much bigger issue in football.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Only because Mayo prospered in SC and is doing well in Memphis.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

I’M FREE!!!

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

well, the one good thing about this game is that both teams’ have good looking cheerleaders.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:52 PM PDT reply actions  

They don’t bring the Song Girls here do they?

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

Looks like the song girls and the dance team are there.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Mar 14, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

Pete Carroll’s in the stands, twittering the awesome

There’s nothing better than being champions… Go get it Trojans!! Beat the sun devils!!!

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

You could have posted this as your parody of him

and I would have believed it without questioning it.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

“Listening to Public Enemy, inspired by beating bruins to fight the power!”

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

ASU’s defense is stifling USC; Trojans are just settling for jumpshots. And Harden’s controlled the offensive end while barely scoring.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 3:55 PM PDT reply actions  

how to grab defensive boards:

make the other team settle for outside jumpers.

How to give up 23 offensive rebounds: let the other team penetrate so your bigs have to collapse on the ball, leaving a bunch of big, athletic guys all alone.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Mar 14, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

That’s Randle’s biggest issue; his physical limitations make it hard to keep the point guard in front of him, so he’s able to drive and penetrate. We might need to see a lot of Guiterrez on the ball handler.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

our defensive rebounding is a huge problem

not only do we lack size and athleticism in the post, but we also allow a lot of dribble penetration. It’s hard enough to keep a guy like Gibson off the offensive glass when you’re boxing him out with guys like wilkes (can’t move, weak), boykin (undersized an unathletic), or kamp (undersized, can’t jump due to injuries). When you compound this with opposing guards and wings getting in the lane, forcing our bigs to leave their assignments and collapse on the ball, leaving no one to box out opposing bigs, you’ve got a recipe for disaster (23 offensive rebounds).

Gibson is going to get his share of offensive boards against any team. When you put him against athletically inferior players who have to stop the ball instead of boxing him out, he’ll eat you alive. A team like USC presents horrible matchup problems for us – if we can avoid a team like this, we should at the least win our first round game. And the fact that we came back from so far down, against such a difficult draw, makes me optimistic for our team’s chances in the tourney.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Mar 14, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

The big question is whether these problems will be corrected next year?

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Twin Towers of Imperialism.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

not really

it depends on whether Randle can improve his defense, if harrison can return to the team, if kamp can get his legs healthy, and if Markhuri Sanders-Frison (our incoming big) can play at a moderately high level. Neither Bak-bak or Max are going to play much or have any significant impact on the team next year.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Mar 14, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Praise not be to Bak-Bak?

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

I dont know about you, but Im emotionally devastated!

TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 14, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

that's no solution

switching Gutierrez onto the ball handler just means Randle has to guard another player, who is likely even taller, and will likely post him up.

The solution is to get better, bigger, recruits.

by concordtom on Mar 15, 2009 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions  

to be fair

Randle has done more per inch than anyone in the league. He’s been great!

by concordtom on Mar 15, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions  

39-24 ASU half time.

by tjalorak on Mar 14, 2009 3:58 PM PDT reply actions  

ASU will probably have a cold stretch

the question is if USC has the offense to take advantage and make it a game again. They don’t play fast and they don’t shoot 3s. Hard to see them getting back into it easily.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 3:59 PM PDT reply actions  

So back to the original question

Which Pac-10 team do you think can go the deepest? Arizona State looks pretty dominant after the Furd shredded them. UW is on and off. UCLA is mad inconsistent, as is Cal. USC actually has the most raw talent, but if this stands they’re probably not getting in.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:04 PM PDT reply actions  

I think UW will be a really tough out.

They’ve been the most consistent in the Pac-10 by a wide margin. If you take away the crazy triple OT loss, here are their Pac-10 losses:

Road to Cal
Road to UCLA
Road to Arizona
Neutral to ASU

Three good teams that play well at home, and a solid ASU team. They haven’t lost to a single team they “shouldn’t” lose to. They have good guard play, they rebound well, and they get to the free throw line.

Unless they get a real bad matchup against a team that can exploit their questionable defense with good shooting I think they’ll probably be the last Pac-10 team standing.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

Lucky for UW… they won’t play Cal in the tourney

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Interestingly, bracketology has them as a four against North Dakota St.

who, if my memory serves me right , is 2nd in the NCAA in 3 point percentage behind Cal…Brockman could probably destroy them inside, but you never know…

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, that IS a bad matchup for Washington. Very good shooting white men =D

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

Biggest problem with the Huskies is that they have one of the best homecourts in the league. They play several steps down on the road and I wonder if that’ll negatively impact them.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

He seems like a football coach

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

He seems like a struggling used car salesman

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

“I’m a PC and I’m 7 years old”

My PC’s 7 years old too. It is damned slow.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:18 PM PDT reply actions  

Those commercials make me hot.

MEOW

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Why do all horror stories

take place in late 18th century houses in Connecticut

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:18 PM PDT reply actions  

It’s like all Hollywood producers went to Yale.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Double team Harden? Do we ever see double teams in college? How often was Melo doubleteamed at Syracuse?

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions  

Obviously not enough

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

Are the song girls the only ones chanting anything? All I hear when $C is on offense is a bunch of prepubescent girls saying “Let’s go Trojans!”

by Sharkbit12 on Mar 14, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions  

That’s the USC bench you’re hearing

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

“GO SC! GO SC! GO SC! GO SC!”

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

More pro moves by DeRozan.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:28 PM PDT reply actions  

I have never seen a guy cooler under pressure than Harden on that shot.

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Jerome Randle in a lot of our wins

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

I dunno if that’s cool more than OMG how the hell did he stroke that

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

ASU 3 pointer + and 1 to ice the game.

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, “OMG how the he hell did he stroke that???”

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Relevant departing Pac-10 players by school

Washington: Brockman, Dentmon
UCLA: Aboya, Shipp, Collison
ASU: Pendergraph, Harden to declare?
Cal: Wilkes
WSU: Banes, Rochestie
Arizona: None, Hill and Budinger to declare?
USC: None, DeRozan to declare?
OSU: Ricky Claitt
Stanford: Johnson, Goods, Hill
Oregon: None

Discuss

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:29 PM PDT reply actions  

UCLA’s biggest star next year will be JH, JA, ML, or MR?

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

I know nothing about UCLA's incoming Freshman class

but wouldn’t it be great, with all of that talent leaving, if they sank to 5th or so in the conference?

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

Don’t forget DG! They don’t lose lose MR?

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

They need more XXX and DDs.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Fighting Bozemans up 7 with 7 minutes left in the 1st half

I still can’t believe he got rehired anywhere. Isn’t ‘paying a recruit’ a career ending offense for a coach?

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:37 PM PDT reply actions  

Morgan St. vs Norfolk St. in the MEAC championship

winner probably gets a 16 seed

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

Morgan State probably gets a 15 with some of the other low Div-1 programs that got at-larges

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

so if we got a magical 7 seed… MAYBE?

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

Who’s playing in the draw-in game (64 vs. 65?)

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

According to Lunardi

Alabama St. and Chattanooga

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

He was away for 10 years, and plus it’s all the way across the country in the low Div-1 level. Kelvin Sampson got a number of shots…

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

how many times you think that happens in similar or other forms at big schools?

bozeman was just stupid how he went about it, I’m sorry to say. I just don’t trust that there aren’t lots of situations like that.

by concordtom on Mar 15, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions  

Harden’s playing Go while USC’s playing checkers. Sweet dribbling and dish.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:39 PM PDT reply actions  

Pendergraph’s a great finisher. He’s got a little bit of Tyson Chandler in him, with a jump shot.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:48 PM PDT reply actions  

USC’s got the right strategy here. Drive, draw contact, get to the line or get baskets in the paint. Keep those legs ready for the finish.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:52 PM PDT reply actions  

Is the consensus that ASU goes back to being a bottomdweller after this season?

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 4:55 PM PDT reply actions  

I've certainly seen that opinion expressed at House of Sparky

course, that was after they lost to Stanford and were pissed.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

interesting talk is that AU hires so-cal bred Jaime Dixon from Pitt, and Sendek (who grew up in Pittsburgh) goes from ASU to Pitt. Doubt that will happen, but losing Pendergraph and Harden means ASU sux next yr.

by concordtom on Mar 15, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

which means it will be even more fun heckling Glasser the Flopper.

by concordtom on Mar 15, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

Looks like DeRozan’s going to try and take over.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 5:00 PM PDT reply actions  

I don't like either of the last 2 foul calls

you let them play at this point unless it’s obvious

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 5:03 PM PDT reply actions  

Harden wouldn’t have got called for the charge if he had kept his head up; it looked like he was just barrelling into Hackett.

I’m pretty sure Hackett got checked.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

It would be nice to see a replay

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Looks like the home crowd might’ve gotten to the refs a little bit.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Let’s just say I’m pretty sure there was the same amont of contact on Hacket’s drive and Harden’s drive that led to the block. I almost always prefer no-calls at the end

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

Free throws

21 to 4.

Nahhh

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Mar 14, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

What a game by the Trojans

Even if they lose…what a tournament for them.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 5:05 PM PDT reply actions  

USC is in!

I’m not envious of the team they have to face.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 5:14 PM PDT reply actions  

USC and Arizona will likely end up as 11/12 seeds. How would you like to be the 5/6 seed that has to take them on in the first round.

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

Zona’s not going to make it… They got their bubble bursted by Temple

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

I still think it is hard to keep AZ out. There are a number of conferences that just aren’t getting that many teams in (like the SEC) and there really aren’t any mid-major at-larges like the past few years (Butler I guess lost their conference tourney). I think AZ will get in over some of the lower Big 10 teams

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

They really need Utah and Tennessee to win their conference tourneys

If SD st. and Miss. St. steal at large bids I think Arizona is sunk

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

I mean, Lunardi already has SDSU in over Zona… I don’t know how he did last year, but in years past he’s gotten 64 or 65 out of 65

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

Kinda a weird call though as Arizona did beat SDSU pretty soundly.

Is getting 64/65 impressive? Seems to me it generally comes down to something like 3 fairly obvious teams for the final two spots.

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

IDK about this year… Lots of meh teams were meh down the stretch

Who thought Zona should’ve gotten in over ASU last year?

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

It’s tough for Zona too because they also got smoked by UNLV, and SDSU beat THAT team soundly at least twice…

There are just a lot of weird teams with funky resumes

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yes, and just a lot of mediocre teams. It just seems to me that there are zero teams who should be one seeds, 10 two seeds, 20 seven seeds, and another 20 eleven seeds.

The Big 10 apparently is getting 7 or even 8 teams in, which seems crazy to me. And some major conference champions are going to fall pretty low in the seedings.

When it comes to the Pac-10, Washington is going to get a 5-ish seed and USC a 12-ish…but I would sure as hell prefer to play U-Dub in the second round if I was a four seed.

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

Even better for my argument I guess.

Watching the Pac-10 games in comparison to other conferences I have gotten the feeling that the Pac-10 teams are playing at a much higher level than people think. I know that it is near impossible to judge conferences relative to each other, but I get a sense that the Pac-10 is going to surprise people in the tournament.

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

The offenses definitely have been… just look at KenPom’s efficiency ratings

HYDROTECH IS FREE!

by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh, wow, that is impressive. As are the Pac-10 teams positions in the overall Pomeroy rankings.

On top of the efficiency, there just seem to be a lot of plays in the average Pac-10 game that make you ooh and aah. Harden’s passing in the first half was ridiculous. DeRozan was ridiculous. The defense from Hackett and Gibson’s defense was too.

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

My predictions are now:
UDub 5
ASU 5
UCLA 6
Cal 8
USC 11

They were a little different yesterday

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by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Nothing about that seems wrong to me. I have a feeling UCLA might get a slightly higher seeding based on their three straight Final Fours.

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, UCLA could go as high as 4. Their stinky nonconference resume holds them back though

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by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Maybe they'd fall out if they lost to Utah?

but yeah, with all of the action this weekend it’s hard to see Arizona in.

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by norcalnick on Mar 14, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

Lunardi just says that if SDSU loses to Utah, that St. Mary’s would get in. St. Mary’s is definitely screwing up bracketology considering they were really good right up until the point Patty Mills got hurt.

He also has Creighton in, which is just one of those cases where the movement for giving mid-major teams more respect has just gone overboard. They have exactly one quality non-conference win (over Dayton) and lost in their conference tourney by 24 to a mediocre Illinois State team.

by Tedfordisgod on Mar 14, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree. I don’t like Creighton over the majority of the 8 teams he has in the final cuts.

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by Thoroughbred on Mar 14, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great win for SC

I hate their football team, but I really admire the effort and heart their basketball team puts into each game. They’re the type of team I’d dread to have to play. If they can maintain some consistency, they could be a surprise team in the tourney.

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by Berkelium97 on Mar 14, 2009 5:15 PM PDT reply actions  

Especially if Bozeman decides to pull a ’Melo in ’03 performance.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Their team has also been chronically unhealthy all season. Hackett and Bozeman are very intimidating, along with Gibson and Simmons on the defensive end. Quality talent.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 14, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Be careful, Berkelium97

Thoroughbred will rip your head off for paying USC a compliment.
That said, I agree with you 100% and said this long ago. Look, we ALL hate USC, right? But this collection of about 8 basketball players? You have to not only like their talent and chances in the tourney, but admire the fight that they displayed in yesterday’s comeback. It would have been sad for them to not be in the tourney. We know Taj and Hatchet are fighters, but DeRozan was a freshman who is finally growing up. This time of year, the game is just starting to click for him. That gives them 3 “special” players, which is my magic number for a good team. And they have them in the right positions: guard, wing, center. If Dwight Lewis, who was their leading scorer for the first part of the season, can regain his early shooting form then that gives them 4 “players” and makes them definitely a tough out.

by concordtom on Mar 15, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions  

Careful now. CBKWit is convinced you should add three more players (the refs who allowed a 21 to 4 advantage).

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 15, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

Does anyone actually think that free throw disparity was justified?

Even 21-10 would have given the game to ASU. SC had an impressive run, but if this tourney is held anywhere else (excluding the “neutral” Galen Center), they’re going to the NIT

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Mar 16, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions  

I dunno, given that they snuck Arizona in there, USC probably gets in too or at least takes their spot.

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 16, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions  

fair point

but they shouldn’t have won the title game.

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by CBKWit on Mar 16, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions  

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