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Center Court: Ben Ball (VCU) Madness Pre-Game Early Thread

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

As do I

But I would sacrifice my bracket for an upset here

by bruinhoo on Mar 19, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

that's the dagger

10 point lead, memphis ball, 1 minute left

by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

Purdue up 4

with 17 seconds left. Northern Iowa ball

by bucknellbruin on Mar 19, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

Harden's off arm?

Getting swept? There isn’t much else.

by jaffa on Mar 19, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

True

There’s not much there. I guess I will root for them.

I’m glad Cal went down. Trust me, their fans always root for UCLA to lose. I don’t really understand it, but whatever.

by Barnes2JJ on Mar 19, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

"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  

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  

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  

Funny

I’ve got the sound on but I just don’t hear the goons…somehow blocking them out.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Mar 19, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

74-61 MD

3:32 to go.

UW game starts soon.

by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 2:00 PM PDT reply actions  

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  

correct

extremely sloppy play by them did not help

by blinkshot on Mar 19, 2009 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

game over

MD wins, 84-71.

Now, over to UW’s game

by freesia39 on Mar 19, 2009 2:08 PM PDT reply actions  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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