2017 March Madness Tournament Thread

[TheWatShot]

South Carolina and Gonzaga are in the Final 4 for the first time. Oregon is there for the first time since 1939.

 

That's three more schools you can add to the list of teams that have been to a Final 4 since the last time Purdue made it.

[HoosierAloha]

I was rooting for the NCAA to stop the game tied in the waning seconds. They escort Pitino onto the court. Three tables with lie detector tests are assembled and the coaches are sat down with the world watching. The tests begin with the baseline common questions. All three sweating their @$$ off. As they gather their required answers and begin to move onto the dirt Trump walks out and tells them "your fired" one by one. The NCAA "balls" finally drop and clean their dirty **** up.

I guess the second best outcome would be UNC getting clobbered in the FF.

[Brass Cannon]

UNC should just tell the NCAA that if they can call them Student Athletes with a straight face they will accept all sanctions 

[reconmkd]

Hahaha what a weekend! Then to come to work Monday morning, to bask in the tears of the lowly pUKe fans! Da*n I'm gonna have to run back home to get my waders the prostitute U fans are adding to the flood with the rumors of slick rick getting tagged with a suspension! Oh what a day I'm having in so. Indiana and Louisville!


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[VeevlandBrowns]

Take away the uniforms and focus on the kids and players then you'll realize why basketball might be your favorite sport. Terrific theater...nothing like the tournament and NBA playoffs. Sudden death makes it that much more special.

[OliviaPope40]

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/north-carolina-luke-maye-shot-video-8-am-class-standing-ovation/1q8zul73wbz5b1wsguqy2va6lz

The first time a UNC player managed to attend class.

[OliviaPope40]

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/ncaa-tournament-2017-north-carolina-kentucky-finish-result-luke-maye-shot-kris-jenkins-nate-britt-brother/wcbybvww473f1n0sl9h620mc4

This is truly an inspiring story.

[rebelhoosier848891]

Whiner Alert!!! The Never in my life have I heard (and enjoyed) so much whining from UK fans about how they were cheated by the refs. And--after Cal's positive comments came out about Archie they have been a lot more respectful of our new coach. Just sitting back and enjoying the good vibes. Good times down here on the south side of the state!


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[rebelhoosier848891]

Almost Final 4 Time!
Let's go Carolina!
But--South--not North!
And --*****--not Heels!


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[rebelhoosier848891]

Wow --did not realize BTown was so politically correct--the above post should be modified to say "And --Gamecocks--not Heels!"
Lol


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[LIHoosier]

Wow --did not realize BTown was so politically correct--the above post should be modified to say "And --Gamecocks--not Heels!"
Lol


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C'mon, replacing Mr. Vitale's name with Purdue Person is funny.

[VeevlandBrowns]

Four specific things to watch for, one piece of analysis for tonight's match up between Gonzaga and South Carolina and then one tip for entertainment purposes only. 

1. Which of these two great defenses will be better tonight? You've got the #1 ranked Kenpom defense in Gonzaga and the #2 ranked defense in South Carolina. However, they play defense very differently. Gonzaga's position defense, rim protectors, playing gaps. South Carolina is right up in your face, really intense, trying to turn you over and be really physical. 

2. Can South Carolina score enough? They ranked #150 in Kenpom adjusted offense throughout the year and in the 200's in points per game. It hasn't been a factor so far in the tournament but playing such a good defensive team, can South Carolina muster up enough points? 

3. Gonzaga has a clear advantage up front. Karnowski, Williams and Collins battling Kotsar and Silva for South Carolina. See how that frontcourt edge plays out. 

4. Sindarius Thornwell vs Nigel Williams-Goss. In big games like this, sometimes whoever the best player on the floor is will have a big impact on the game. 

Analysis: Watch carefully for how Gonzaga takes away dribble penetration. South Carolina is going to run a lot of ball screen action, some off the ball action into some clear outs and iso's. How does Gonzaga contain the dribble? What ball screens do they switch on? How do they keep South Carolina out of the paint? 

Last, for entertainment purposes only, look at that under first half for Gonzaga-South Carolina at 64.5. For a prop, Nigel Williams-Goss under 19 points. Should be some great basketball. 

Edited April 1, 2017 by VeevlandBrowns

[rebelhoosier848891]

Final 4 has tipped--let's go South Carolina-- beat the Zags! But regardless --I hope whoever wins this game goes on to win it all! I have always respected Few for doing his own thing out west and finally gets to the final 4--and Martin and South Carolina are definitely the Cinderella story. Ok with either of these teams beating Ole Roy and the academic fraudsters and Oregon with their suspicious recruiting and Baylor-esque uniforms. Great game so far.


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[rebelhoosier848891]

Love it--this is a war! Go SC


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[LIHoosier]

S Carolina had a bad couple minutes to end the half and now they're in a hole at halftime.

[theriverpilot]

Love SC's defense. Zags just can't miss right now


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[VeevlandBrowns]

Entertaining first half, quicker pace than many expected, and certainly more offense than I expected.

Few things from pre-game.

1. The Gonzaga bigs have been great. Karnowski before he got hurt had a big impact in the first half. Collins ended up with 8 and 6 and was probably the second best player on the floor. So Gonzaga’s frontline has been the story.

 2. Neither defense has been great. Frank Martin has been searching a bit. He went match-up zone for probably a third of the first half, tried a 3 ¼ trap, and nothing could stop Gonzaga that he threw at them in the first half.

 3. Nigel Williams-Goss was the best player on the floor significantly outplaying Sindarius Thornwell. He finished the first half with 12 points, 3 assists and some really tough mid-range jumpers late in the shot clock.

Some key first half stats. Everything looks different when you make shots. Gonzaga shot 58% from the floor in that first half. 53% from three point range. South Carolina shoots 37% from the floor. That’s a big stat for the first half. The Zags won the rebounding edge 21-15 in that first half.

What do we watch for in the second half?

1. Pace and depth. If they keep playing at that pace and speed, the Zags are going to be tough to beat. I have a hard time thinking they are going to shoot 58% again in the second half but with a little more depth and certainly more bigs, that pace is going to favor Gonzaga.

2. Can Karnowski come back from the eye injury in the first half? If he does, they’ll force South Carolina to guard him in space, either with Silva off the dribble or off some ball screens, to kind of expose him for that lack of lateral quickness.

3. What’s the Frank Martin adjustment? He’s used to teams scoring like this against his Gamecocks. There’s a few different things he can do defensively. What does he go to in the second half?

4. Can a South Carolina team that’s not explosive offensively play catch up against a team as good as Gonzaga? Should be a great second half. 

Edited April 1, 2017 by VeevlandBrowns

[rebelhoosier848891]

OK---Have to admit Zags are better than I thought!

[schoosier]

Thornwell has been sick and shot is flat.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

I remember watching Nigel Williams Goss when he played with Stan Robinson in HS. Not surprised at all NWG is playing in Final Four. He was always the best player on the court in those games. Impressive player.


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