Center Court: Ben Ball (VCU) Madness Pre-Game Early Thread
by Nestor on Mar 19, 2009 9:15 AM PDT
in Basketball
128 comments
Well the Madness gets started in a matter of mins. We thought it would be a good idea to start it off with this:
UCLA Where Amazing Happens (via 805Bruin)
BTW in case you missed it our official site posted the entire Q&A featuring Coach Howland and DC &JS from yesterday's tourney presser in Philadelphia. Lot's of good bits in there including this one from DC and JS:
Q. You are somewhat unique in how many times you've been in this. People always talk about that in terms of experience, but they don't elaborate on it. If somebody said to you, What is your library of knowledge? What is it about this thing that you think you've learned over the years?
Darren Collison: Well, we just won a lot of games throughout the past three years. Being a 6 seed doesn't really matter to us, because we know what we're capable of as a team. We have a lot of veteran guys that have been to the Final Four three straight times. Even though this year we're not expected to make it again, it just makes it that much more challenging and fun to us.
We like to play as a team, but we're also competitors. We like to compete and go against the grain. So if everybody is saying it's going to be an upset tomorrow, that's fine. That's something we're going to use as motivation.
Josh Shipp: That experience, I mean, is key. A lot of players, they don't make the tournament. For us to have gone to the Final Four three straight years is just huge. I think it just speaks for our program, how we prepare, how we do in this tournament. It says a lot about Coach Howland, how he prepares us to play in these game situations.
As for the games this afternoon here is a link to time and schedule for CBS coverage. If you are trying to follow all the action via your desktop go over CBS's March Madness On Demand
Also in case you missed it you might want to check out what CRN told Dan Patrick about bracket business in the Neuheisel household. lol Good stuff.
Enjoy the Madness.
GO BRUINS.
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Northridge is giving Memphis an early challenge
CSUN leads 17-16 after 8 minutes, and Memphis is in early foul trouble.
by bruinhoo on Mar 19, 2009 9:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
33 27 Memphis, 2 min left in 1st half
CSUN hanging tough. Memphis sucked at the FT line
by drebruin on Mar 19, 2009 10:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
CSUN hasn't been much better
They got Memphis in early foul trouble and were in the bonus 8 minutes in, but missed the front of a 1 and 1 three times.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
looks like memphis expected to breeze through
they’re just not with it at all. can’t shoot and aren’t playing D.
i think they’ll blow CSUN away in the 2nd half
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 10:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Butler turned the ball over 11 times and LSU dominated
but the Tigers lead by only 6. This is how you kill yourself in a tournament game. When you’re the better team you need to put a team away early and not let them stick around.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
agree 100%
and i’m happy about it because i picked Butler :)
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
also how the Lakers lost the other night
to the 76ers…OT but they were up and couldn’t finish them off. when a game goes to the wire anything can happen
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jim calhoon hospitalized, will not coach UConn this afternoon
Hope that it is nothing significant, and that he returns to the sideline soon.
by bruinhoo on Mar 19, 2009 10:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Considering he recently was dealing with cancer
that’s scary. Hopefully it’s not a big deal and he can get back for Saturday.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kept hearing about how Memphis wasn't as dynamic offensively
but were fantastic on the defensive end and could shut down just about anyone. Right now their defense looks porous though, especially on the perimeter. I haven’t seen Memphis play much since January so maybe the talk about their defense was exaggerated, but I’m not impressed. If Northridge were just a little bit better and not turn it over so easily they’d be ahead by double digits right now.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i think
Memphis just expected to cruise today. i’m seen a few of their games and their D is incredible when they commit to it (sort of like a certain team we all follow)
If they survive today they should wake up
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alright
I wasn’t sure if they were a product of their inferior competition or just cruising.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well it's possible
that the inferior competition inflated their numbers and how good they looked
but they did destroy Gonzaga earlier this year and the Zags has a really good team up there this year
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
Gonzaga wasn’t playing as well then as they are now, but that was still an impressive defensive performance. I forgot about that game, but it was also the last time I saw them play so I didn’t know if that was their true form or something closer to this.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would definitely say closer to the gonzaga game
also, Tyreke Evans and Robert Dozier are Memphis’ two best defenders, and both have been in serious foul trouble…that might have something to do with it
i thought highly enough of them that I have them in the Final 4…so i hope i’m right lol
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The foul trouble I don't dismiss as a reason for poor D though
because Evans got in foul trouble when he got beat off the dribble and had to reach and Dozier got in foul trouble because the Memphis perimeter D was struggling. We’ll see though. This is a fun one right now. I’m rooting for Northridge, but most importantly, I’m a huge fan of March Madness On Demand.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh i agree with you about the foul trouble
but once Memphis realized that they had to bring it, their two defenders were already in trouble lol
and yes…MMOD is a godsend
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Northridge is keeping up the fight, so far in the 2nd half
by bruinhoo on Mar 19, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Quick note...
In the same piece in which he disrespects the Bruin senior class, Jason Whitlock called CSU-Northridge: .“..the worst team in the tournament”. Good to know :P
by bruinhoo on Mar 19, 2009 10:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Whitlock's prediction for this game:
“Memphis pulls off a "double-up” — 110-55."
by bruinhoo on Mar 19, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you decipher what regions get what games though
I’m in Dallas so I’d have to imagine we’ll be getting OU vs. morgan st.
O.A.
by Ollie on Mar 19, 2009 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I haven't been able to find any coverage maps yet
All I have is the schedule for our local CBS channel here in LA.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya well if it comes down to it I may just use the laptop
i know our fraternity house gets all the games, but i don’t want to go through agony of watching with OU and Texas fans lol
O.A.
by Ollie on Mar 19, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's like a state secret
I’ve been searching everywhere and I can’t find it.
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Watching the CSN game on CBS on-line seems to work OK
Gives you an option
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 19, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the PG on CSUN is absoultely on fire
he’s hit 3 or 4 threes in a row
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 11:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Dilemma
I’d love to see the upset, but I had Memphis going decently far in my brackets.
But then there are probably many people who would be equally screwed.
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 11:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I always root against my bracket when it involves the underdog
plus coach cal is slime, i hate memphis
O.A.
by Ollie on Mar 19, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me, too.
Memphis losing would kill my bracket, but since I live and work in the San Fernando Valley, I would be ecstatic if CSUN pulled off the upset nonetheless.
by snorkeldorf on Mar 19, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am with you on the underdog over the bracket
And I was in MA when he was at UMASS…cal is slime
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 19, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mels and Hill are lighting it up from behind the arc
62-56 CSUN with 10:02 to go.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
man this memphis game is getting reallly good, CSN up 6
O.A.
by Ollie on Mar 19, 2009 11:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
CSUN up by 6!!!
10 minutes to go, Sleazy Cal calls a timeout!
Maybe I shouldn’t give underdogs any mojo today…but given the expectations, isn’t UCLA an underdog today?
Maybe I should root for Memphis because I have them going far in my brackets…but I just don’t like Memphis.
So how do I justify rooting for CSUN? They’re a SoCal team and they’re playing great! Good enough for me!
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
only up 3 now
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah that was a great finish
and could have gotten the foul. He was definitely hit on the arm.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i feel like memhpis has slapped CSN on these last 3 possesions
they finally got a foul call under the hoop
O.A.
by Ollie on Mar 19, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
memphis turning up the D
up 67-64
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 11:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
FINALLY!
Took three attempts to get this Memphis game to load on MMOD
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 11:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
well when every shot is a fallaway
in the late 2nd half that’s gonna happen
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They stopped going to the rim
that was working for them earlier
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Anderson is getting hot for Memphis
That midrange jumper is deadly.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 11:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope our game isn't like this!
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sallie
has been on fire. Even though his first name is misspelled (RobUrt).
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
GOOD GRIEF
35 points, 10/15 from 3. I hope he didn’t use that all up in the first round.
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's the dagger
10 point lead, memphis ball, 1 minute left
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sallie has been ridiculous today
Without him, Memphis would already be boarding the flight home.
by bruinhoo on Mar 19, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And he's not even a starter ....
Averages 15.6 mins and 6.6 points per game …. wow!
by snorkeldorf on Mar 19, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
35 points
10-15 from 3-pt. That’s ridiculous, how do they not have someone in his face?
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The perils of a zone
You can’t make sure there’s someone always in his face.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They should have played
zone +1 :)
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
CSUN looks tired
Doing things our team does when not playing well — slow transition on D, jacking up 3’s
by gradstudentbruin on Mar 19, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
BYU is screwing me
again.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LSU was practically written off, too, as was Texas A&M
who are up 14 on BYU with 2 minutes to go.
by snorkeldorf on Mar 19, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually went with Texas A&M
No compelling reason why, other than “I am NOT picking BYU.”
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I should have known
they almost beat us last year in the tournament.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
likewise
And Memphis’s performance does not make me optimistic for the future.
by bruinhoo on Mar 19, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nah
they shook it off, I think they’ll be fine, that bracket is not very difficult.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm with you
this is a wake up call. this will help in the long run IMO
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol ya, but that was the one game i really wanted
to be wrong about
O.A.
by Ollie on Mar 19, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had A&M but not LSU
so 2/3 so far
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Help! Can anyone get MMOD to work on a G5 PowerPC Mac?
It works on my Intel MBP laptop, but not my desktop which is a G5PPC.
It’s also working on my iPhone.
Want multiple screens to watch multiple zones.
In Texas, we are getting Big 12 teams.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Mar 19, 2009 12:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
try a different internet browser
if you’re using Safari it might not work. Firefox is working on my Mac
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's working on my Mac
but I’m using Firefox.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do i want Cal to win?
Bracket says no.
MD scores off the opening tip, and following posession Cal brings it back into the backcourt. Great job.
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 12:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
MD up 7-0
and now Cal turns it over. This isn’t looking good for our Pac-10 pals.
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 12:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cal down 1
nice comeback, 22-21
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Maryland 34, Cal 31 Half
Randle kept them in the game, but if they want to win, Christopher needs to step it up (3-10 FG).
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 12:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
They're calling that game pretty tightly
by dokein on Mar 19, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well randle just got jumped on
and it was a jump ball
that was a horrible call…
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Northern Iowa-Purdue getting interesting
Purdue up 52-46 with a little less than 3 minutes remaining.
by gradstudentbruin on Mar 19, 2009 1:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Purdue up 4
with 17 seconds left. Northern Iowa ball
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cal not shooting well
Only 4/15 from 3-pt, meanwhile MD just hit two 3’s in a row.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 1:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
but they're not doing themselves a favor
with turnovers
by blinkshot on Mar 19, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cal is getting hosed right now
they’re being called for a foul every play and Maryland isn’t getting called for anything
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
68-59 MD
six and a half to go.
2 bears with four fouls.
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pac 10
I’m rooting against all Pac 10 teams this year, except for us and ASU.
Washington is dirty and gets help from the refs.
Cal’s fans are repulsive and hate UCLA.
Southern Cal is, well, JustSC.
I will always associate Arizona with Lute, and I never liked Lute.
I just can’t find any reason to dislike ASU but perhaps someone can enlighten me.
That is all for now…
by Barnes2JJ on Mar 19, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Harden's off arm?
Getting swept? There isn’t much else.
by jaffa on Mar 19, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Refs in the Cal game
look like Pac-10 refs. Calling ticky tack so there is no momentum at all. Cal making lots of mistakes though.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And that Vasquez kid
is a little punk.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Almost 1/4
of the refs working the tournament are from the Pac-10, so it wouldn’t surprise me
by Sideout11 on Mar 19, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
how does randle not get the foul call when the guy jumps on him
by blinkshot on Mar 19, 2009 1:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
"Everything going Maryland's way"
Yeah, easy when the refs dont call a ticky tack foul on your team, but calls it on the other
by blinkshot on Mar 19, 2009 1:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
this is beyond rediculous
Cal is getting hosed beyond belief
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 1:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd love to know
where these refs are from.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're like SPTRs
Calling fouls when they don’t matter to even it out
I need to mute these goons calling the game
by blinkshot on Mar 19, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
74-61 MD
3:32 to go.
UW game starts soon.
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 2:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I didnt realize you could jump into someone
And not get a foul
by blinkshot on Mar 19, 2009 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
when you're getting the calls
you can do anything
but let’s be serious here….Cal lost this game all by themselves
by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
5 straight points by MD
82-69. 50 seconds left
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
game over
MD wins, 84-71.
Now, over to UW’s game
by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 2:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully the Rose Garden is packed with Husky fans
Washington had the fewest fans at the Pac 10 Tourney of any team to play on Thursday and it didn’t get much better as the tournament went on. Portland is close to Seattle though so hopefully it’s better and they can help get the Huskies a win.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 2:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
An interesting called game by the refs in UW/MSU
They haven’t favored either side, but they’re going through phases of calling everything to calling nothing. It’s as if they change every 3 minutes.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i don't like this UW team
overton is such an actor—he’s worse than kelly tripucka.
i don’t like this team. ever since that bs play throwing the ball off of PAA’s face i’ve been negative about them. everytime i watch them i see them over-acting, making dirty plays, throwing up their arms and making other sudden movements when the opponent is on the free-throw line, grabbing the ball on made baskets to slow down the play and set their defense, etc. etc. to me it reflects the coach’s attitude which i would describe as win at all costs.
so i’m gritting my teeth while rooting for the pac-10 to not start 0-2. not surprised about cal—they were fading at the end of the season IMHO.
Bruins Forever
by bruinsince69 on Mar 19, 2009 2:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Elston Turner has 7 points in the first 11:30 off the bench
The game isn’t pretty, but both teams are working their tails off.
21-16 Washington
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 19, 2009 2:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Price is right
What the hell?!?!? The Price is Right is on instead of the UW game. Why waste billions of dollars on an exclusive contract if you are going to show junk like this instead. Ugh, guess I’ll watch the ACC center on ESPN.
by bruinponcho on Mar 19, 2009 2:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Overton's on his way
To becoming the Joakim Noah of the Pac 10
by bluebland on Mar 19, 2009 3:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't stand that guy
He is such a punk.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice win by UW though
Brockman is still hitting people with his elbow.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
American hanging tough with Villanova ...
only down 1 after 8 minutes.
by snorkeldorf on Mar 19, 2009 4:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Now up two ... on a 3-pointer ...
had an earlier 3-pointer called a two after the TV timeout.
by snorkeldorf on Mar 19, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Closing this thread up
for a brand new one.
by Nestor on Mar 19, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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