NCAA Tournament Blog – Day 2

Fri 3/18 9:28

Not NCAA Tournament-related, but Andrew Bynum’s going to get suspended for that. Whether Beasley deserved it or not, Bynum’s not going to be playing the Lakers’ next game. The NBA doesn’t like that kind of thing… — OM

Fri 3/18 9:19

A question someone asked Ben Howland today:

QUESTION: To hear the Florida media and then the Florida coaches talk about Josh Smith, you’d think he was a unicorn. They’ve never seen a guy like him ever. Is he that unique to you? Obviously you’re his coach, but is he someone that shocks you when you see what he does or who he is and his body and everything?

Fri 3/18 8:57

Still not the 2nd round. Just wanted to make that clear. Quit trying to tell me it is!

Loco- Fish used to drive to the hoop all the time in college. He was a circus shot artist actually… funny to think of now though. — OM

Fri 3/18 8:50

Really impressed with the Huskies Isaiah Thomas. So under control, so comfortable within himself. I love the way he faces people like Derick Fisher with that left shoulder pointed toward the hoop, then with better speed than Fish, he explodes to the cup for an easy score.–Loco

Fri 3/18 8:39

Washington has been the most talented team in the Pac-10 for the past few years. The Lavin-Romar similarities (at least for Lavin’s time at UCLA) are pretty interesting. Washington seems to always be a really talented team that loses to teams it shouldn’t. Does that remind you of anyone?

Lavin and Romar both assisted Jim Harrick on the 1995 UCLA team that won the National Championship, but neither have ever been able to get their teams over the “hump.” Maybe Romar’s team this year will be better than that. It’s more likely, though, that they’ll play a team with similar talent who is mentally better and they’ll break the Huskies down like Alka-Seltzer in water. It might not happen ’til the Sweet 16 or maybe Elite 8, but when they go down, they’ll go down hard. Makes for interesting viewing. — OM

Fri 3/18 7:54

Watching Georgia v Washington. Isaiah Thomas is a stronger version of Damon Stoudamire. The Bulldogs guard Travis Leslie is the 2nd coming of Corey Maggette: strong build, athletic, and poised.–Loco

Fri 3/18 7:53

The ghost of Eric Maynor haunting Georgetown and helping his alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth. VC by eleven at the half. Hoyas senior guard Austin Freeman: 4pts on 1-5 shooting. Not gonna cut it–Loco

Fri 3/18 7:35

That guy on Syracuse looks freaking huge. He makes Lamar Odom look like a short-armed little person. Baye Moussa Keita is 6’10” and 213 pounds. A LONG 6’10”.

Fri 3/18 6:43

North Carolina 102, Long Island 87. North Carolina is bar none the most uber athletic, deep, and talented squad in the country. Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, and Henson are fantastic. But they better start playing some defense.–Loco

Fri 3/18 4:20

Decent games today. The game of the night will be Marquette and Xavier. Funny how coaches like John Beilein and Mark Few and teams like Xavier, Marquette, West Virginia, and others always seem to do well in the tourney- whatever the seed. UCLA’s win over Michigan State was an exception to that rule, but Xavier and Marquette both fall into the “always do well in March” category and are facing off in the first round. Happy Friday! — OM

Fri 3/18 3:43

God dang,  Oakland can shoot the three. But I like this Longhorns team and think Barnes youngsters needed a grind out game like this. Tristan Thompson was what he’s been referred to all year, a PTPer. They are deep and will challenge the Dukies in the sweet sixteen.–Loco

Fri 3/18 3:37 PM

Tennessee looked dead and have Bruce Pearled over like a stump of roadkill: slimy and pearly with fat..gross. How do you lose by thirty when the winning team shoots ZERO freethrows?–Loco

Fri 3/18 2:32 PM
Most entertaining game thus far has been Arizona v. Memphis. What a game! I like Josh Pasten’s future with the Tigers in Memphis. Zona is getting back to where to where they used to be. How good is Derick Williams going to be in the pros? Dang.–Loco

Fri 3/18 2:30 PM

Jay Wright and Nova’ are in the worst shape of any Big East team going into next year. Lose 11 of their last 16. Blow a twenty point lead in the first game of the Big East tourney to a mediocre South Florida and blow a ten point lead today to George Mason. –Loco

Fri 3/18 11:15 AM

Commentators are saying that Tenn. is crumbling. You could argue they’ve been crumbling since before the season started. It’s a testament to the players’ skills and talent that they are in the tournament. Don’t think they’re moving on this year. One more loss in my bracket… Don’t fret Loco. OM

Fri 3/18 9:55 AM

Still in the first round. I don’t care what they say or what it says at the bottom of the screen. The “Play-in” games are cool, just don’t try to tell me they’re a round unto themselves.

Second point to make- how cool is the Internet. You can watch these games from anywhere, anytime. Good for the NCAA for making their games available on the web. You can get there from ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, NCAA, etc… It’s super-handy.

Third thought of the morning: Bruce Pearl: How long will he last? If he loses today, will it be his last game as a Tennessee coach? Should the Vols keep him on? Have they only kept him there thus far because there weren’t any other options at that point in the calendar? I guess all the Pearl-related questions will be answered soon… OM

Fri. 3/18 7:16 AM

The reason they call this thing March Madness is because it truly can make one feel that way. I lost two of my final four teams yesterday: Louisville and St. John’s. I dreamt all night of what it would be like to wear fishnet stockings and high heels. I remember the blisters that formed on my feet. Take a breath Luke, take a breath. –Loco

Fri. 3/18 7:00 AM

It’s the second day of the tournament. Can Loco’s teams rally? Will Andy’s brackets maintain their hot start. Stay tuned to fansmanship throughout the day! OM