NCAA Weekend Open Thread

by PJS on Mar 27, 2009 5:57 PM CDT

My bracket in the TDG pool is all but dead. Thankfully the only other pool I entered I have a nice chance of winning with all Elite 8 possibilities still on the board. How's your bracket?

I loved how Missouri played last night. I'm sort of jealous, actually. That's the style of play I'd like to see the Gophers use. And how about Levance Fields? What an ending to that game against Xaiver for him.

Have at it, and don't forget to enter the contest below to come up with a nickname for the Twin Cities most spiteful columnist.

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Bracket

Mine is doing very well but I’m worried about Pittsburgh. I have them winning it all and now I can’t see them getting past Villanova. Thank goodness MSU came back to win! 7 out of 8 left.

Mark 8:36

by lonebadger on Mar 27, 2009 11:32 PM CDT reply actions

5/8

But all of my Final Four are alive.

by SpartanDan on Mar 27, 2009 11:48 PM CDT reply actions

What's Up With This Story?

I don’t understand how this can be possible. Can someone please explain it to me.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/41716657.html

Mark 8:36

by lonebadger on Mar 27, 2009 11:58 PM CDT reply actions

HaHa

Look up the recruiting rankings and tell me who the best players in the state are and where they are playing…

by GreasyLlama on Mar 28, 2009 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Let's see how he does in a one on one game with Royce White?

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 28, 2009 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions

He'll Come In 2nd

Royce is the best player in MN this year.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 28, 2009 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I think this was more than just about basketball

Bruesewitz, the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, has made a name for himself not just as an athlete, but as a team leader, a community volunteer and a young man with a solid future.

You can question the criteria but I’m guessing that is was put him at the top of the STrib’s list. That or POS got a vote and wanted to pick a Badger commit to piss off Gopher fans.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Mar 28, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

What About the Comments?

What did you guys think of the comments for that article? More than one commenter who saw White and Williams play numerous times said they shouldn’t have finished as high as they did. What about the comment that recruiting rankings are based off of AAU ball where almost zero defense is played and one on one offense is the norm. Did you really pose that question PJS? Do you actually think that the result of a one on one game between those two players would be a good indicater of how well they will play with teammates on the floor at the next level? How about a game between 2 Bruesewitz’s vs. 2 Royce White’s? Who do you think would win that? I expect better from you! You usually don’t comment based on emotion.

Mark 8:36

by lonebadger on Mar 28, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions

The 2 Royces > 2 Other Guys

Royce > him.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 28, 2009 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions

lol. calm down!

I haven’t seen either White, Williams, Mbakwe or Brusewitz play. Most (all?) accounts I’ve read have White as the most talented player in the state. That’s all I was saying! But you’re right, one on one isn’t a good indicator.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 30, 2009 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think

I do not think Tubby will ever want to play like Missouri or Louisville. He is a traditional guy…he wants to control tempo. He is a believer in great half court defense. He believes, that in the end, great half court defense wins rather than a franetic style. Louisville may get away with that style this year due to them having 2 NBA players on their squad, but Missouri most likely will not.

by huff huff plop go the bricks on Mar 28, 2009 3:55 PM CDT reply actions

My bracket is so the toilet...

I don’t even want to see how I rate.

by COJOMAY on Mar 28, 2009 8:39 PM CDT reply actions

Non-Tubby Rumors

Yes non-Tubby.

I am not going to wade through the msg board chaos at the various sites, so I’ll lean on the gang here. Anybody have any strong feelings or legitimate rumors about Izzo to Arizona or Kentucky? Wonder how Spartan fans are reacting… Or Matta rumors as well? Saw Izzo be honest and basically say he’s not promising anything.

Contrary to some chatter out there, I’d prefer those guys to stay in the B10.

I realize most of it is just rumor mill still, but appreciate the help DGers. (or is it just DGs? Daily Gophers, or Daily Gopherers? sorry…)

by InflectionPoint on Mar 29, 2009 11:20 AM CDT reply actions

Listening to Kentucky Radio Stations this morning...

It seemed clear to them that Izzo is the clear favorite of the Big Blue. They were saying that Izzo made it clear in his press conference that he would listen to offers.
Like you, I would prefer Izzo to stay in the B10. The other big name circulating down here is Sean Miller from Xavier.

by COJOMAY on Mar 29, 2009 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

First Worries About Tubby

Ok guys… don’t want to start something up, but bear with me here…

First of all this could all be wrong, but this is the first time in all this Tubby chatter I’ve felt worried. And also I’m not one for drama/troll, whatever. So forgive me if I’m wrong.

A gentlemen who has been with the Wolves organization, played football at The U, and in general is connected in basketball and Gopher circles, well just passed word that Tubby is out. Like I said now hearing in from the MN side as well, first time I’ve been worried. I hope I’m wrong. Sure would keep our offseason busy here, though. : (

Ok sorry about that.

Nice work by Sparty, they looked awfully impressive and definitely helps the B10. Feels good.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 29, 2009 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

I Sent Your Rumor To AD

Let’s see what he says.

I’m not buying it.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 29, 2009 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Cool...

Pass it on. I hope to hear otherwise. You guys have plenty of reasons not to trust me, but an originial Twolves brass has no reason to pass on gossip to someone 30 years his junior. Which why it struck a chord to me.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 29, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I Did > He Replied

I don’t think so.

Knowing his style, that translates to No.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 29, 2009 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions

SPARTANS WINS

I couldn’t be happier. The only downfall is that I DIDN’T GET TO WATCH THEM HOUSE LOUISVILLE.

Michigan State doesn’t have anywhere near the talent as Louisville so tip your hat to Tommy Izzo.

Oh, DIgger also thought that MSU had no chance of winning….more evidence that Digger is past his prime. …then again, I thought MSU had no chance of winning…I guess that means Digger is as dumb as I.

by huff huff plop go the bricks on Mar 29, 2009 5:58 PM CDT reply actions

So Izzo goes to Kentucky...

…and Tubby goes to Michigan State?

by COJOMAY on Mar 29, 2009 7:59 PM CDT reply actions

I Don't Think So.

It is a common ploy of any coach who is being courted by another school to play coy in order to secure a new and better deal from his (or her) current employer. Watch for MSU to give him a new deal. And maybe the same for Tubby from UM as well.

Mark 8:36

by lonebadger on Mar 29, 2009 8:07 PM CDT reply actions

Izzo has no reason to go to kentucky

Unless MSU doesn’t want izzo as their coach anymore, which would be a completely stupid thought on their behalf, then there is no reason for him to go anywhere. And, tubby is not going anywhere either…he has been here for two years….coaches do not leave after two years, unless they are fired. If he leaves he has no good reason for an excuse. His job as a coach is to bring this program into prominence, not to stay here until he finds a program already in that stage….that is what you call gold-digging…something Bill Self did a great job of (I like Bill Self as a coach, but it was wrong for him to go to Kansas).

If coahes do not wish for a challenge then what is the point to coach. After all, isn’t Roy Williams getting bored at all….all he has done, for which seems forever, is win over 20 games a year…it would do him good to have a mediocre team sometime…maybe, then, he would learn not to cry whenever things do not work out. Maybe he could start over and coach Northeastern or something. That way, he can actually start COACHING again, rather than letting the best athletes in the country win games because of their skill!

…I liked how Pitino payed his respects to Izzo after the game by giving him a pat on the chest…finally some love for the big 10…especially for MSU, since a person named Digger said something like “there is a real chance that all the big ten teams lose in the first round.”

by huff huff plop go the bricks on Mar 29, 2009 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions