March Madness Discussion Thread

[Byrd]

Did Oregon suddenly turn into a great college basketball program, because they're shooting for the stars. I hope they're offering up a boat load of cash, because I see no reason anyone would want to go there.

They have a brand new $200 million basketball arena they are opening next year, outstanding support facilities, are in a big 6 conference and, most importantly, they have Nike paying a lot of their bills. Did you see they just gave their AD (former head coach) $2.3 million when he quit to go to ESPN? As someone who was in charge of procurement for a contractor on one of their athletic facilities, I can personally vouch for the fact they are willing to spend far more money than they need to in order to get what they want.

That being said, they're not nearly as big a deal as many of their fans seem to think they are, particularly in basketball. I don't think the administration was serious about Tom Izzo, but I get the feeling they were definitely interested in Jamie Dixon, Mark Turgeon and maybe Steve Alford.

[Mizango]

Alford is living the good life, I doubt he can be coaxed to leave at this point in time. Didnt he sign a new contract this week? I know that means jack shit in sports but, he's riding high right now. Izzo I dont think would leave Michigan State, I personally would love it if he did, but I dont see it happening.

Dixon and Turgeon, I see much more as a likelihood.

[Biddinger]

We ignore you because your state is your handicap. Talk to my wife, shes a real Dook fan unfortunately. Gone to games at Cameron, watched them play multiple times here in Charlotte etc.., at least you'll always have your TV right?

Yes, I'm a fan because they were on tv a lot when I was a kid. I will never refer to Duke as "us" or "we". I didn't go to school there(East coast blows), so that wouldn't be right. I'm just a fan of Coach K and his program. Is that a crime?

[Plow]

I was a Duke fan til Bobby Hurley's wreck, never cared about a Duke player since.

[Mizango]

Yes, I'm a fan because they were on tv a lot when I was a kid. I will never refer to Duke as "us" or "we". I didn't go to school there(East coast blows), so that wouldn't be right. I'm just a fan of Coach K and his program. Is that a crime?

Yes.

[Mizango]

It's actually quite obnoxious when you rub it in peoples faces as if you are an alumni or something. Come over here and see some RL hate son.

[Mizango]

I was just trying to provoke...

Sup?

[Biddinger]

<3

[Eticket]

Did Oregon suddenly turn into a great college basketball program, because they're shooting for the stars. I hope they're offering up a boat load of cash, because I see no reason anyone would want to go there.

Whoever they get will probably be in the top 5 in the nation as far as salary goes. With the new stadium opening up, they're trying to make a huge splash.

[Arvin]

It's actually quite obnoxious when you rub it in peoples faces as if you are an alumni or something. Come over here and see some RL hate son.

So are you saying if I rub it in peoples' faces at some point in the future that its legit?



Also on the whole Oregon coaching thing, I wonder if they'll pursue Tubby since there was a few rumors of him being pursued for I think Auburn? Minnesota's program isn't the absolute best, but I guess neither are the ducks.

[Byrd]

Also on the whole Oregon coaching thing, I wonder if they'll pursue Tubby since there was a few rumors of him being pursued for I think Auburn? Minnesota's program isn't the absolute best, but I guess neither are the ducks.

Tubby Smith has been a hot name around here as well, but I think he just signed an extension, or otherwise removed his name from consideration. Oregon is willing to spend money on their program, which is something that (reportedly) Tubby Smith has found frustrating at Minnesota, specifically in regards to an inability to get a practice facility built. Assuming that's true, that wouldn't be an issue at Oregon. Plus, they'll probably pay him a shit load more.

[Headspace]

So are you saying if I rub it in peoples' faces at some point in the future that its legit?

It's legit, it's just annoying.

[Stiker]

It's actually quite obnoxious when you rub it in peoples faces as if you are an alumni or something. Come over here and see some RL hate son.

Just be glad there are no ND Subway Alumni that post on BG. The college football thread would be filled with so much rage lol.

[Kyrra]

That video proves it! Zoubek got tackled to the ground and no foul called, its amazing duke still won with the preferential treatment Butler got.

Bet the refs had some money riding on the game.

[Headspace]

Just be glad there are no ND Subway Alumni that post on BG. The college football thread would be filled with so much rage lol.

shitty coach, etc.

[Headspace]

Colin on Sportsnation, I wanna punch him square in the face.

No star defenders on duke or butler? nigga never heard of team defense.

[Ryany]

Purdue is losing Chris Kramer and Keaton Grant, assuming JaJuan Johnson doesn't leave, which it looks like he isn't going to. Kramer will certainly be missed, but he's not one of the "Big 3," per se. They should probably be a Top 5 team pre-season, but we'll see how important Kramer really was. I'm curious if we're going to see a Duke-Purdue game in the ACC challenge again, or if they'll switch it up so that it's Purdue-UNC and Duke-Michigan State.

They have more coming in than they have going out in my opinion. Terone Johnson looks like another E'Twaun Moore and Anthony Johnson supposedly is a point guard that can shoot. (unlike Barlow or Jackson) There should be 3 new big men, which if just one of them can give quality minutes, things should be much better depth-wise there.

I personally feel they should be pre-season #1 if Hummel recovers on schedule and there aren't any un-expected departures/injuries. They were #3 when he tore his ACL and Kansas/Kentucky (2 teams ahead of them) are losing a lot. I'd be fine with #2 just to keep the target off the back.

I think losing Kramer will hurt some, but he was a liability on offense other than a few select games. Plus, Jackson and Barlow play almost as good of D.

I'm wondering how much will be made out of a lineup that might look like:
Robbie Hummel
E'Twaun Moore
JaJuan Johnson
Terone Johnson
Anthony Johnson

I expect to hear the announcers mention that none of the 3 are related about 5 times a game the entire year.

I'm betting the ACC/B10 game will be Purdue@UNC since they haven't played each other in that yet.

[Biddinger]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=506...goryid=2459792

Mr. Vitale...always a credible/unbiased fountain of hoops knowledge and his top 6 for next year

[Kyo]

He also had duke going out in the sweet 16 this year.

[Kyo]

Xavier Henry and Evan Turner declaring today, just a few more days till the deadline.