2013 NCAA Tournament Thread

• sportswizuhrd

  Killer...completely random question but was thinking about it earlier. Maybe you can answer it, maybe you can't (don't know your age or how long you have been a 'Cuse fan) or maybe someone else can. Here goes...In your opinion, how does Southerland compare to Preston Shumpert from years past? I haven't seen enough of Southerland to know, but was a big fan of Shumpert back when he played for Syracuse (John Wallace, Tony Bland and Jason Hart as well over the years).
• Classyposter58

  

  Pick6;1417333 wrote:Without taking the time to look, I'd venture to guess the B1G has more wins than the SEC and Big East in the tournament.

  The B1G was the best conference this season. 4 Sweet 16 teams, just bad performances shooting from MSU and OSU
• killer_ewok

  

  Classyposter58;1417344 wrote:The B1G was the best conference this season. 4 Sweet 16 teams, just bad performances shooting from MSU and OSU

  
  Agreed. That said, the Big East was the best conference in several recent seasons and somewhat poor showings in the tournament a couple times drew ample criticism. It happens.
• killer_ewok

  

  Cleveland Buck;1417342 wrote:I don't know who claimed they were weak, except maybe Sleeper the idiot. Even though it wasn't the best conference, those teams will always be tough. Having one great team and a team made for a single elimination tournament with their gimmick defense doesn't make the conference legendary either.

  
  LOL at "gimmick defense." And I never claimed that the Big East was a legendary conference this season.
  
  EDIT: Can't remember if it was sleeper but definitely remember a few others making negative comments about the Big East early this tournament.
• Pick6

  

  I dont really see how people struggle so much with the 2-3. Its very common in HS, you would figure these guys wouldnt go in full retard mode when they face it.
• killer_ewok

  

  sportswizuhrd;1417343 wrote:Killer...completely random question but was thinking about it earlier. Maybe you can answer it, maybe you can't (don't know your age or how long you have been a 'Cuse fan) or maybe someone else can. Here goes...In your opinion, how does Southerland compare to Preston Shumpert from years past? I haven't seen enough of Southerland to know, but was a big fan of Shumpert back when he played for Syracuse (John Wallace, Tony Bland and Jason Hart as well over the years).

  
  Southerland and Shumpert were similar in the sense that both can obviously stroke the 3 ball but I think that Shumpert was more well-rounded offensively while Southerland has the longer wingspan and brings more to the table defensively in the zone due to his length.
  
  John Wallace was the man on that 1996 team that finished as national runner-up to a LOADED Kentucky team that year. Tony Bland was a good player but ended up transferring to San Diego State before his college playing days were done. Hart was a very good college PG but I never felt that he lived up to expectations.
• killer_ewok

  

  Pick6;1417348 wrote:I dont really see how people struggle so much with the 2-3. Its very common in HS, you would figure these guys wouldnt go in full retard mode when they face it.

  
  Syracuse zone isn't passive. Very active and their length and ability to close out on shooters makes it very tough to attack. I was extremely worried about Marquette being familiar with Syracuse and the zone but Marquette shot poorly and Syracuse's defensive energy had a lot to do with that.
• Azubuike24

  

  The B1G was the best conference. However, basketball is a different animal. Style of play and match-ups are HUGE in a tournament format. It's not always about the best talent, best coaching, best style, etc. A bad match-up, a bad shooting night, a questionable whistle, and it's over.
• vball10set

  A trip to the FF was the NC for last night's winner (in this case WSU), since they'll get destroyed by Louisville/Duke. This would've been the same scenario had OSU won.
  
  
  153 days 'til kickoff
• ActionJackson

  Pick6;1417333 wrote:Without taking the time to look, I'd venture to guess the B1G has more wins than the SEC and Big East in the tournament.

  
  B1G!!!! B1G!!!! B1G!!!!!
• ActionJackson

  One of the studio guys nailed it (not Barkley), at halftime when he gave credit to Devon Smith, who played for OSU in 99-'00 and is on WSU staff now. He used the plan that Wisc had in Feb. to lead 39-22 at half (35-22) and it worked. Stop Thomas and let Craft roll over screens.
• royal_k

  

  Too bad Ross wasn't as aggressive in the first half as he was the second. He passed up numerous open looks. Just a little too tentative. I think next year he will be almost unstoppable. He's got a super smooth shot and has proven he can get to the rim. He needs to work on his ball handling and defense for sure. He also rebounds fairly well.
• vball10set

  ccrunner609;1417387 wrote:It was never going to be their game to win, it was only going to be the Shockers game to lose. The whole comeback was partially the fact that the Shockers started playing preventive basketball.

  lol
• vball10set

  Azubuike24;1417355 wrote:The B1G was the best conference. However, basketball is a different animal. Style of play and match-ups are HUGE in a tournament format. It's not always about the best talent, best coaching, best style, etc. A bad match-up, a bad shooting night, a questionable whistle, and it's over.

  reps
• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  killer_ewok;1417345 wrote:Agreed. That said, the Big East was the best conference in several recent seasons and somewhat poor showings in the tournament a couple times drew ample criticism. It happens.

  Well said ... but, let's not forget that the Big East got national titles out of Syracuse and UCONN in the past decade.
• vball10set

  As I reflect the morning after, did anyone honestly think six weeks ago that OSU was an Elite Eight candidate? I was hoping, but I sure as hell wasn't counting on it. 29 wins, B1G tourney champs, made it to the EE..I'd say it was a pretty darn good season. GO BUCKS!!!
• Prescott

  If OSU shot the ball as poorly as the did last night in any game after Iona they would have lost.How many games will Thomas go 0-6 from the 3 point line? WSU made 3 more 3's on 5 fewer shots.That was the difference in the game.
  
  It is a disappointing end to a fun season.
  
  Good luck to the Wheat Shockers, I think they will need it.
• vball10set

  Terry_Tate;1417243 wrote:....and I just pray Ross isn't gone as well.

  http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2013/03/21051/ncaa-tourney-notebook-thomas-on-fence-ross-coming-back#more
  

  The Buckeyes’ other pro talent, LaQuinton Ross, ended any speculation about his future by revealing he hasn’t even considered leaving Ohio State.
  “I’m coming back next year,” he said. “Right now, I really haven’t thought about next season. I really haven’t thought about that. I’ve only been focused on this year.”

• royal_k

  

  ccrunner609;1417387 wrote:It was never going to be their game to win, it was only going to be the Shockers game to lose. The whole comeback was partially the fact that the Shockers started playing preventive basketball.

  Is this guy serious?
  
  They came back with better defense (causing turnovers) and shooting, especially Ross getting to the Basket and drawing fouls.
• vball10set

  royal_k;1417412 wrote:Is this guy serious?
  
  They came back with better defense (causing turnovers) and shooting, especially Ross getting to the Basket and drawing fouls.

  He (ccrunner) rides the short bus, so we try and cut him some slack
• reclegend22

  

  I kind of look at it like this. The old Big East isn't even a real conference anymore. There are three future ACC teams still alive, and, as along as K, Pitino, Boeheim and Roy Williams are still on the sideline, the ACC will be the best conference from here on out.
  
  This year, the Big Ten was. The Big Ten NEVER had a chance at getting four teams in the Final Four, probably not even three; it was a ridiculous notion to think they could get four in. So you can't count that against the Big Ten. It's hard as hell for one conference team to get to the Final Four, let alone for three or four.
• Pick6

  

  vball10set;1417398 wrote:As I reflect the morning after, did anyone honestly think six weeks ago that OSU was an Elite Eight candidate? I was hoping, but I sure as hell wasn't counting on it. 29 wins, B1G tourney champs, made it to the EE..I'd say it was a pretty darn good season. GO BUCKS!!!

  Well said. I thought Sweet 16 was the absolute ceiling for them, so maybe thats why Im not all upset. Wish we could have played better, but it is what it is. Hopefully Williams can improve a ton next year. It would be nice to have an inside scoring presence.
• LJ

  

  Pick6;1417423 wrote:Well said. I thought Sweet 16 was the absolute ceiling for them, so maybe thats why Im not all upset. Wish we could have played better, but it is what it is. Hopefully Williams can improve a ton next year. It would be nice to have an inside scoring presence.

  I think if Williams and Mcdonald make good improvements this team could be something special next year.
• DeyDurkie5

  

  Definitely still hurts for me. Get it to a 4 point game, WS misses, and we can't get a fucking rebound to save our life. Pisses me off that we got manhandled on the boards when it mattered most. Also, that first half we got away from what got us there in the first place: attacking the basket on offense, and getting out in transition off turnovers/missed buckets.
• Laley23

  

  As far as the B1G goes...OSU and IU are kind of in the same boat as the season ends on both teams, for different reasons. I dont think either fan base should be upset about the way anything went down. Fantastic seasons for both.
  
  I think Michigan needs a FF to feel good about their season, MSU had an about average season and Wisconsin is probably feeling very upset with themselves.
  
  No one else was ever expecting to do anything this season.