2025 NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Discussion

[HoosierHoopster]

16 minutes ago, Hoosier987 said:

I’m all Houston. They play with such a style that is respectable. So much heart and grit it would make any fan of basketball proud. 

Yeah. Many are hung up on what Sampson did to IU, but for me, it was the IU pres/admin extreme overkill, following the self-reporting to the self-imposed insane sanctions that deconstructed the program into the dirt, over phone call violations. Sampson then did his time on show cause, came back and has built UH into one of the best bball programs. UH and IU of course run their programs and oversight differently, but there’s no aura of cheating or bad stuff around the UH program and the players love Sampson— and end if the day for me, he’s at least in the conversation for best current college bball coach, the strategy and the buy just a blast to watch.

And my middle kid is a senior at UH…. Him getting to experience what I did in 87 would be kinda cool….

[Demo]

26 minutes ago, hoopsta007 said:

So who are we all rooting for on Monday?

I find the idea of Indiana fans rooting for Kelvin Sampson nauseating. If I get infuriated enough with people whitewashing him I may post a bit on what a complete piece of $hit human he’s been for a very long time even if one is inexplicably willing to give him a pass for burning IUBB to the ground. Buy, hey, his team’s play hard

[BA47591]

43 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

If only IU could find a Kelvin Sampson….

His time here did a lot to make him the coach he is now. I met him when he was here and immediately liked him. Had a chance to talk to him multiple times. He's a better coach now than he was then. His time under Scott Skikes was huge. He's better now in specific situations, creating mismatches to exploit. His teams have always been tough though. If they win it all I won't be surprised if he retires. He has some medical issues you mightve picked up on. 

[Hoosier987]

17 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Yeah. Many are hung up on what Sampson did to IU, but for me, it was the IU pres/admin extreme overkill, following the self-reporting to the self-imposed insane sanctions that deconstructed the program into the dirt, over phone call violations. Sampson then did his time on show cause, came back and has built UH into one of the best bball programs. UH and IU of course run their programs and oversight differently, but there’s no aura of cheating or bad stuff around the UH program and the players love Sampson— and end if the day for me, he’s at least in the conversation for best current college bball coach, the strategy and the buy just a blast to watch.

And my middle kid is a senior at UH…. Him getting to experience what I did in 87 would be kinda cool….

Exiting for your son. I was at IU when Kelvin was here. Unfortunate it didn’t work out here…but I think he learned a lot. He’s a really good guy. He’s done a lot for players and former players that came from very little. 

[Jeff Flabjohns]

38 minutes ago, Demo said:

I find the idea of Indiana fans rooting for Kelvin Sampson nauseating. If I get infuriated enough with people whitewashing him I may post a bit on what a complete piece of $hit human he’s been for a very long time even if one is inexplicably willing to give him a pass for burning IUBB to the ground. Buy, hey, his team’s play hard

I’d love to read this, honestly

[woodenshoemanHoosierfan]

I had Florida and Houston in the title game with Florida cutting down the nets

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[Rico]

Just speaking for myself, that performance by Flagg ranked right up there with Bird’s game against Arkansas for a high stakes NCAAT game.

[Asha’man]

7 hours ago, Demo said:

I find the idea of Indiana fans rooting for Kelvin Sampson nauseating. If I get infuriated enough with people whitewashing him I may post a bit on what a complete piece of $hit human he’s been for a very long time even if one is inexplicably willing to give him a pass for burning IUBB to the ground. Buy, hey, his team’s play hard

Except he didn’t burn the program to the ground. IU self imposed penalties on themselves. IU could have chosen to back Sampson and they chose to go the other way over phone calls. Meanwhile Duke boosters are buying players families houses, giving 6 figures in jewelry away etc. Coach K just smiles and is viewed as a saint. College basketball has been dirty since before UCLA won its titles. Roy Williams would give large “graduation gifts” to players at Kansas. Pitino, Calhoun, the list keeps going. To win in college basketball you’ve always had to skirt the rules. Even Knight broke rules but just in a different way, player abuse. When you hire a guy like Sampson then you need to be prepared to play by his rules. It was like a year later the NCAA changed the rule he broke anyway. Heck Florida’s current coach sends dick pics to coeds and then charges get dropped, sounds like a payoff to me. 
 

Go Houston. 

[Dave from Dayton]

6 hours ago, Demo said:

I find the idea of Indiana fans rooting for Kelvin Sampson nauseating. If I get infuriated enough with people whitewashing him I may post a bit on what a complete piece of $hit human he’s been for a very long time even if one is inexplicably willing to give him a pass for burning IUBB to the ground. Buy, hey, his team’s play hard

I understand this sentiment.  And I hear those that may blame IU and not Sampson for the overreaction.  Also there is enough blame to focus on IU's lack of oversight upon hiring Sampson while he was on non-double-secret probation.  One could also blame Knight and his mishandlers in the administration for not dealing with him before he blew it in the press.  Oh well.

I do not believe that people that act badly are inherently bad people.  One thing that is great about the philosophy or belief some hold is that one can redeem themselves.  It almost never is too late to change.  

A whole lot of people screwed IU basketball (and football).   To blame one person or two, or to focus on only one time or a couple of years does not encompass what many see as an effort to downplay major sports at IU.  Does this sound like a conspiracy theory?  Or is it a bunch of clowns?

Why not a lot of really counterproductive agendas?

I was not happy about any coach hiring decision since RMK.  But have cheered for each one to win while keeping eyes mostly wide open.  

I realize that no coaching hire is perfect.  To continue dwelling on or hating what happened before does not really matter today if we have learned from it and the person is not acting the same generally bad way.

I am saddened that Coach Sampson did not work out at IU.  He should not have cheated.  IU should have watched him so closely that he could not cheat.

I do not have a big feeling, personally, about which team I will cheer for in the upcoming championship.  I will let you know...maybe.  What I really enjoy is watching individual performances, excellent efforts, smart plays, shrewd moves, tactics and taking advantage of what is offered by the other team.   I want great teams playing at the highest levels.  I want A.J. Moye-type leaps.  

Excessive money and lack of controls and human beings all being involved means that the game is not perfect in a sense.  Has it ever been?

But the NCAAT is a hoot.  Enjoy the games.

 

 

 

 

 

[Asha’man]

8 hours ago, Asha’man said:

That was my thought for most of the year.  But they are generally very well coached and run good stuff. That’s translating well in the tournament. I’m looking forward to the title game vs Florida. Probably pull for Duke. Scheyer doesn’t come across as being slimy like the Florida coach. 

This aged well. Haha. I went to bed when Houston was down 10 with like 7 minutes left. Hahaha. Should have stayed up. 

[RoadRage]

7 hours ago, Demo said:

I find the idea of Indiana fans rooting for Kelvin Sampson nauseating. If I get infuriated enough with people whitewashing him I may post a bit on what a complete piece of $hit human he’s been for a very long time even if one is inexplicably willing to give him a pass for burning IUBB to the ground. Buy, hey, his team’s play hard

Kitchel, is that you? :-)

[RoadRage]

4 minutes ago, Asha’man said:

This aged well. Haha. I went to bed when Houston was down 10 with like 7 minutes left. Hahaha. Should have stayed up. 

When they went down by 9 with less than 2 minutes I almost turned in myself, but Duke choked big time, which was quite enjoyable to see!

[Asha’man]

Just now, RoadRage said:

When they went down by 9 with less than 2 minutes I almost turned in myself, but Duke choked big time, which was quite enjoyable to see!

Oh I agree. Outside of Bruce Pearl, there wasn’t a team or coach I would be excited to see win it all. 

[IUCrazy2]

10 minutes ago, Asha’man said:

Oh I agree. Outside of Bruce Pearl, there wasn’t a team or coach I would be excited to see win it all. 

Now that Duke is out, I don't care who wins.  I always root against the other teams who are around or ahead of us in Title count.  I haven't liked Duke since 1992.  One of the dirtiest programs in college sports and ACCSPN always whitewashed for them.

[Asha’man]

Just now, IUCrazy2 said:

Now that Duke is out, I don't care who wins.  I always root against the other teams who are around or ahead of us in Title count.  I haven't liked Duke since 1992.  One of the dirtiest programs in college sports and ACCSPN always whitewashed for them.

If you win then it doesn’t matter as the voices of the sport will support it. K, Roy Williams, Self, Calhoun, Izzo, etc. 

[go iu bb]

8 hours ago, Demo said:

I find the idea of Indiana fans rooting for Kelvin Sampson nauseating. If I get infuriated enough with people whitewashing him I may post a bit on what a complete piece of $hit human he’s been for a very long time even if one is inexplicably willing to give him a pass for burning IUBB to the ground. Buy, hey, his team’s play hard

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

SIAP

Borzello - Walter Clayton Jr. is the first player with back-to-back 30-point games in the Elite Eight and national semifinals since Larry Bird in 1979.

[FloridaHoosierGirl]

11 hours ago, hoopsta007 said:

So who are we all rooting for on Monday?

Gators!

[Stuhoo]

13 hours ago, Demo said:

I find the idea of Indiana fans rooting for Kelvin Sampson nauseating. If I get infuriated enough with people whitewashing him I may post a bit on what a complete piece of $hit human he’s been for a very long time even if one is inexplicably willing to give him a pass for burning IUBB to the ground. Buy, hey, his team’s play hard

*’Kevin’ Sampson

i heard he appreciates that.

[jonz44]

This aged well. Haha. I went to bed when Houston was down 10 with like 7 minutes left. Hahaha. Should have stayed up. 

Hell, don't feel bad. With a minute or so to go I thought Houston had no chance... but i was happy when the horn sounded lol. I will pull for Florida Monday night only because I prefer their style of play.

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