So if anyone wins this bracket, they certainly deserve Buffett/Gilbert's $1 billion. First Dayton over OSU and now Mercer over Duke?? Hell, that was a home game for Duke....

 

I dared to pick Harvard over Cincinnati in the first round.

 

That might be the #1 upset that "everyone" is picking.  Which makes me think it won't happen.

 

Well, it turned out that "everyone" was right (Gramarye too).  And congrats to Dayton for being the final Ohio team remaining in the tourney.

 

I didn't know 2 forwards could miss so many easy shots than Justin Jackson and Titus Rubbles did. I read that in the last whatever games down the stretch Jackson

was 4-21 on FTs and in the Harvard game he 5-15 from the field, most at point blank range. I thought Craft was going to make that basket against UD, congrats can't get higher than a Dayton Flyer.

 

 

Duke has now lost 2/3 years to a 14 and a 15 seed, WOW. Kinda glad because K runs his mouth too much. He whined about the Big East getting all of the attentions and getting Big Monday on ESPN, so ESPN helps ACC raid the Big East. Then he runs his mouth about Maryland going to the Big Ten and how bad they are for doing that, and this year he runs his mouth about the A10 getting too many bids. Wasn't the A10 8-2 vs the ACC this year?

per the trivia i read this morning - every posted bracket was busted for good yesterday. including all 11 million+ just on espn. there was only 1 officially known 32-0 run ever over the past 7 years. the odds are nearly absolutely impossible, something blah blah quintillion to one, ie., very similar to the odds of getting the cle warehouse district parking lots rebuilt.

 

 

Carnage. Brackets getting slaughtered. I stated upthread, there's no alphas anymore. Parity has never been stronger

that dukeface -- my sides!!!

 

We all love the upsets.  But we could've done without Kentucky's "upset" of undefeated Wichita State.  Now we have a Sweet 16 matchup between Kentucky and Louisville.

^UK vs Louisville is a classic matchup.  I'm excited to watch that game. Much more than I would have been to see Wichita State.

^yep

plus its going to be in indy that place is going to be packed and rockin

^yep

plus its going to be in indy that place is going to be packed and rockin

 

Yeah lots of tickets will be sold for this game. The Cincy / UK game in Indianapolis was well over 30,000 in 2005.

MSG should have a really good crowds with UConn playing there.

Can't get higher than a Dayton Flyer

Three Big Ten teams made the Elite Eight.  Including Michigan who will face UK (who beat Louisville last night).  Go Michigan!

Go Michigan!

^Sorry, Ann Arbor is still a wh*re!  I just can't root for scUM.

Ugh.  Three in the Elite Eight, but only one to the Final Four.  And the SEC puts two in.  Bah.

^ For sure, the state of Michigan let the Big Ten down.

 

#1 overall seed Florida faces #7 underdog UCONN in the first game.  And #2 Wisconsin has a chance to redeem the Big Ten by knocking out "underdog" #8 Kentucky in the second.

But for all the talk about the teams playing in the Final Four, it might be overshadowed by the venue itself.  Overshadowed quite literally because the football stadium sized scoreboard is 66 feet longer than the entire basketball court!

 

The scoreboard is so big that a smaller temporary scoreboard needs to be hung underneath - just so the players, coaches and officials can read the info.  I think this is from last year's regional final held at the stadium.

 

And for those of you jealous of those who got tickets to the Final Four.  Don't be.  This is probably what your view of the game would be like.  I think this is from when the NBA All-Star Game was held there.

All right, I'm always OK with a little bit of anti-Michigan Schadenfreude and cheering for the underdog, but for the sake of the Big Ten, we kind of need people to step it up a bit here.

 

The NJIT game was hilariously awesome, but now Michigan just lost again to Eastern Michigan and Nebraska just lost to Immaculate Word (a team in its second year of D-I play and which had played four D-II schools in six games before playing Nebraska, though it was 5-1).

 

The Big Ten already has no undefeated teams left and not a whole lot of signature wins, though we did go 8 of 14 in the ACC-Big Ten challenge, at least.  And our last few matchups against major schools weren't with our leading teams: Indiana lost to Louisville and Illinois lost to Villanova.  We were predicted to lose those games, but we lost both pretty badly and those are the kind of games where we need to see upsets if we're going to keep the mantle of the best basketball conference out there.  Even though we edged the ACC straight up, they're definitely looking better than us at the moment overall with Michigan and Nebraska dropping out of the rankings.

Go Cards!

All right, I'm always OK with a little bit of anti-Michigan Schadenfreude and cheering for the underdog, but for the sake of the Big Ten, we kind of need people to step it up a bit here.

 

The NJIT game was hilariously awesome, but now Michigan just lost again to Eastern Michigan and Nebraska just lost to Immaculate Word (a team in its second year of D-I play and which had played four D-II schools in six games before playing Nebraska, though it was 5-1).

 

The Big Ten already has no undefeated teams left and not a whole lot of signature wins, though we did go 8 of 14 in the ACC-Big Ten challenge, at least.  And our last few matchups against major schools weren't with our leading teams: Indiana lost to Louisville and Illinois lost to Villanova.  We were predicted to lose those games, but we lost both pretty badly and those are the kind of games where we need to see upsets if we're going to keep the mantle of the best basketball conference out there.  Even though we edged the ACC straight up, they're definitely looking better than us at the moment overall with Michigan and Nebraska dropping out of the rankings.

 

Being a bit of a stathead, I like looking at the ratings from KenPom and Sagarin, among others. Anyways, in terms of conference rankings, Sagarin actually has the Big XII as being the highest-rated conference.

Go Cards!

 

Go indeed!  I saw just how good Louisville is earlier this season against my Buckeyes.  Can't wait to see #4 UL vs. #1 UK later today.  If Kentucky can't be beaten at Louisville - who can beat them this season?

If Kentucky can't be beaten at Louisville - who can beat them this season?

 

Maybe no one beats UK this year:  http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400587874

Kentucky is 34-0 going into the tournament.  40-0?

For some reason, I don't think they are as dominant as that team a few years back with Anthony Davis.  I think there are 5-6 teams that if they give Kentucky their very best, they can get them.  What I am most excited about is the regional games in Cleveland.  You are looking at some major fan bases taking over this city.  Kentucky, Kansas, potentially Notre Dame, Wichita State, Maryland or West Virginia.  Should be fun.

For some reason, I don't think they are as dominant as that team a few years back with Anthony Davis.  I think there are 5-6 teams that if they give Kentucky their very best, they can get them.  What I am most excited about is the regional games in Cleveland.  You are looking at some major fan bases taking over this city.  Kentucky, Kansas, potentially Notre Dame, Wichita State, Maryland or West Virginia.  Should be fun.

 

Buffalo gave them a hard time. It was actually Kentucky's second unit that helped them take the lead and pull away in the second half.

 

I'd like to see that rematch.

Priceless moment of March Madness:  #14 Georgia State knocks off #3 Baylor.  Georgia State's coach, who tore his Achilles tendon celebrating their conference tournament victory, falls off his stool celebrating his son's game-winning shot over Baylor.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/georgia-state-s-ron-hunter-falls-off-his-stool-and-into-our-hearts-205306061.html

 

^ how many ACL injuries have we seen because of dangerous celebration lol.

Ya'll ready for Big Blue Nation to take over the #CLE. Hearing like 30k Kentucky fans could be running around here?! Probably another 30k of the other fan bases combined. Businesses should hit their nut for the year this weekend, lol.  I'm gonna head down after work Thursday and try to soak in some of the vibe

UK is playing WVU.  Should make for some interesting people watching in the Cleve...

 

I went to the two games in Columbus last night.  There is really nothing like the NCAA tournament, imo.  Such a fantastic sporting event, and it was cool to watch the games without the stress of actually caring who won either game.  I was in a section of nearly all WVU fans for the second game, though, which made me start rooting for Maryland in the second half.  Damn if they aren't some of the loudest and most annoying fans I've ever encountered.

A few updates from local respective media outlets of the visiting teams:

 

http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Irish-Mens-basketball-team-departs-for-Cleveland-297448041.html?device=phone&c=y

 

http://ksn.com/2015/03/23/wsu-fans-looking-to-travel-to-cleveland-several-options-can-get-you-there/

 

 

EDIT -- a few more after some quick googling:

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2015/03/insider-tips-for-shocker-nation-headed-to.html

 

http://vaughtsviews.com/sports/college/uk/basketball/northeast-ohio-uk-alumni-club-hosting-ncaa-pre-game-gathering/article_1446d2f2-d2ae-11e4-897b-7f7e4141b525.html

 

http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20150324/DM01/150329550

^ from this article above: http://ksn.com/2015/03/23/wsu-fans-looking-to-travel-to-cleveland-several-options-can-get-you-there/

 

"Many Shocker fans are looking to follow there team on their run through the tournament. Bamelia Edwards just returned from Omaha Monday morning. She says she will be back out on the road Wednesday evening, as her and her husband make the drive to Cleveland. “We’re going to enjoy Cleveland, we’ve never been there before, but I’ve heard great things about Cleveland,” said Edwards."

 

Great to hear that people who've never been here have heard good things and are excited to come!

And really great quote from Mike Brey! Glad he appreciates the work.

UK is playing WVU.  Should make for some interesting people watching in the Cleve...

 

I went to the two games in Columbus last night.  There is really nothing like the NCAA tournament, imo.  Such a fantastic sporting event, and it was cool to watch the games without the stress of actually caring who won either game.  I was in a section of nearly all WVU fans for the second game, though, which made me start rooting for Maryland in the second half.  Damn if they aren't some of the loudest and most annoying fans I've ever encountered.

 

I saw UK landing at BKL last night on their chartered 737.  Not exactly traveling like hillbillies....dey making money for that school!

And really great quote from Mike Brey! Glad he appreciates the work.

 

Agreed.  I have a feeling they'll be some rave reviews of Cleveland after this weekend is over.

Cleveland will need an enema after #BBN leaves.  Those people are like a mindless cult. 

do a quick twitter search of "NCAA Cleveland" and you will see a lot of chatter about people travelling here.  It seems Kentucky fans are happy and excited.  The most criticism of the city and mocking comes from Mountaineer fans.  Which is ironic considering the state they come from.  Lots of jokes and demeaning comments, including people posting links to Mike POlks video.  Who would've though Polks video infiltrated the city's perception more than say, the gay games, and really strong publicity stunts.  But I guess when you are a struggling comedian you have to do whatever it takes.

do a quick twitter search of "NCAA Cleveland" and you will see a lot of chatter about people travelling here.  It seems Kentucky fans are happy and excited.  The most criticism of the city and mocking comes from Mountaineer fans.  Which is ironic considering the state they come from.  Lots of jokes and demeaning comments, including people posting links to Mike POlks video.  Who would've though Polks infiltrated the city more than say, the gay games, and really strong publicity stunts.  But I guess when you are a struggling comedian you have to do whatever it takes.

There is a lot people from the Pittsburgh area that go to WVU.

do a quick twitter search of "NCAA Cleveland" and you will see a lot of chatter about people travelling here.  It seems Kentucky fans are happy and excited.  The most criticism of the city and mocking comes from Mountaineer fans.  Which is ironic considering the state they come from.  Lots of jokes and demeaning comments, including people posting links to Mike POlks video.  Who would've though Polks video infiltrated the city's perception more than say, the gay games, and really strong publicity stunts.  But I guess when you are a struggling comedian you have to do whatever it takes.

 

Lots of Stoolers fans down there, and they also know how prone we are to commenting on them (and their cousins).

 

As for Polk, once again he's not Drew Carey, he's the opposite.  The equivalent of the "Laugh-In" writers from here that started the jokes.

Polk's a schmuck.

It's too bad the weather is so bad on a weekend with so many visitors. 

It's too bad the weather is so bad on a weekend with so many visitors. 

 

I know, really frustrating.  Hopefully they will enjoy our indoor talent and walk away happy.

But most of the visitors are from WV,Kentucky,PA,Indiana, so their weather isn't that much different.

Kentucky got smacked HARD with snow this year. They should be sufficiently inoculated.

Out of curiosity I searched "Cleveland" on Twitter.  Not the most positive comments in the world.  A lot of complaining about the weather and apparently half of the street lights are out downtown.  Hopefully things improve for those people as the day/weekend goes forward.

Cleveland is the only cold place on earth.

For what its worth, its supposed to be 81 in Wichita this weekend, didn't realize they were in that nice of a climate

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/underground-explosion-reported-in-cleveland

 

Such nice timing....

Out of curiosity I searched "Cleveland" on Twitter.  Not the most positive comments in the world.  A lot of complaining about the weather and apparently half of the street lights are out downtown.  Hopefully things improve for those people as the day/weekend goes forward.

 

This was reported on channel 5.  Apparently the outage is construction related.  It's unclear if this were planned or not, but everything should be back to normal for tonight's games.  Still not a good look for the city.

 

Lights out downtown leave Cleveland dark before NCAA tournament

Courtney Danser

6:13 AM, Mar 26, 2015

 

CLEVELAND - Lights are out in downtown Cleveland, leaving the city dark right before the NCAA tournament descends on Northeast Ohio.

Street lights between Quicken Loans arena and Public Square aren't shining right now and Cleveland Public Power says it's because of the recent construction.

 

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/lights-out-downtown-leave-cleveland-dark-before-ncaa-tournament

 

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/underground-explosion-reported-in-cleveland

 

Such nice timing....

 

Wow first the power outage last night because of construction and now an explosion today...this is the worst timing possible for things like this to happen.