Friday Madness Open Thread
ASU Reps the Pac 10 and gets to the second round, joining the Bruins and Huskies.
Pitt escapes being the first 1 seed to lose to a 16.
Marquette (a fellow 6 seed) beats (barely escapes in UCLA terms) Utah State by 1.
And Dayton may be on the verge of taking takes down WVU (another 6 seed).
Looks like the media picked the wrong 6 seed to pick against.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Michael Perez
Come on in and lament/gloat over your busted/pristine brackets in Friday's Open Thread.
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Now I'm at 22/24.
At least both of the ones I’m wrong, I had that team losing in the second round, so it doesn’t hurt as much.
I think there are a lot of people that saying: "Survive and play again"
UCLA’s one point win has a lot of company today…..and looks better as the day goes on.
That is why they call it MADNESS.
And WOW you guys are doing well in your brackets!
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 20, 2009 2:35 PM PDT reply actions
20/24 here
I forgot I had Dayton…but I did.
We were all rooting for the American Eagles last night.
Today: GO BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES.
Here's a slightly more complicated dilemma
Do we root for Arizona or not? On one hand, they’re in the Pac 10 and them moving on makes us look better. On the other hand they’re Arizona, and they shouldn’t have been in the field in the first place.
I'm not
I have never really liked Arizona, ever since I went to UCLA in the late 80s. I hate Lute and I never cared much for their fans. But that’s just me.
It’s probably a good discussion for another time, but I don’t really get the whole “Root for the Pac 10” thing. I don’t think Cal ever roots for us. We know SC doesn’t. I haven’t a clue whether any other Pac 10 schools root for us.
So, I’m kind of torn on the whole Pac 10 allegiance thing. But again, it’s probably a discussion for another time. We have bigger fish to fry, starting with Lil Romeo.
Cal roots for us
They root against us within the PAC10. All part of the “LA Sucks” mantra in the Bay Area. I attribute it to the small guys pissed at the big guy (= Boston saying “NY Sucks”)
But against the rest of the world, the root for the rest of the PAC 10.
At lkeast that is my experience (went to CAL for grad school)
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 20, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Fair enough
I mean, I get the whole “LA sucks” thing, having lived most of my life in San Diego.
But I don’t see why people just have to absolutely detest any particular area in the country. LA has some sucky qualities. And LA has some great qualities.
But the Bay Area folk (and a lot of people in San Diego) just hear “LA” and equate it with Pure Hell.
I don’t get it.
I'll be rooting for them
I’m not the biggest fan of a few programs in the Pac 10, Arizona included, but I still root for every team in the conference except for SC.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Likewise
Also, in regards to what other Pac-10 fans think of us (or any other team) in tournament play: I don’t know what the consensus among fans are, but my experience among my fellow Pac-10 alums in law school was positive. We had alums of all the Cali schools + UW and Arizona, and we all supported each other once the Madness began. Whether it is a natural feeling, or the effect of being surrounded by ACC alums/Pac-10 haters/Ivy leaguers thinking that Duke is the greatest thing ever, I do not know.
I'm rooting for any PAC-10 team
even $C and Arizona. As much as I detest those !*ckers, I love to see the PAC-10 do well on a national stage.
I refuse to root for any pac 10 team simply because they're in the same conference
Once tourney time starts. Only time I root for a team is if it directly affects the Bruins in the standings, and at this time of the year it doesn’t matter one iota.
by bruinhopeful on Mar 20, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions
I let any outside alliegences factor into rooting (or not) for other Pac-10 teams
All else equal, I support the Pac-9, but if there is another team that I like, or have family connections to, they come out on top.
If Virginia ever makes the tournament again, I root for them against everybody but the Bruins. Texas gets my support over most of the Pac-10, while I would also lean somewhat in favor of Michigan and Marquette (for my uncle’s sake).
i gotta root for them all
atleast the beginning. i’ve gotta deal with big 10 people so anything to shut them up about the pac 10 being weak i appreciate
also i wouldnt normally want usc to win but if we had to go down for them to make it in im glad they atleast did something with it…
by millikinbruin on Mar 20, 2009 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions
So I just got our tickets for tomorrow
We are taking the train to Philly early morning to watch our Ben Ball warriors in person.
GO BRUINS.
Root us on to victory N
We need to get a W so I can make the trip to Boston next weekend.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Think of it this way
If we win, you were there to see it.
If we don’t win, you get to see Josh, Darren and Alfred in their last college game.
Sweet.
A win for us, too
If those of us in Exile could pick a proxy, our votes would be with you.
No one deserves to attend more than you do.
What you do for all Bruins is extraordinary.
I am excited knowing that you will be there.
Will you be able to throw in a mobil post, from the game, now and then?
sjh
Nah for some reason
Can’t throw up mobile post from my bberry. I have asked SBN tech folks about it. They are looking into it.
Try installing the Opera Mobile browser onto your bberry
I have a palm, rather than a bberry, but switching from the default browser to Opera does allow me to post.
I should send you....
My lucky “Moute Kicks Boute” shirt, which happens to be the reason Gonzaga ’06 happened.
Have fun. Win or lose, you’ll be glad you went to support the team nobody wants. If nothing else, you can get a cheesesteak on the way home…
Dayton played West Va. in MINNEAPOLIS.
Although I want OUR guys to buck the trend, I always love picking a first weekend upset or two based on sheer geography.
Dayton filled that role nicely.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
Oh, and 22/24 so far.
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
Ditto
but I had WVA beating Kansas…so I’m the lowest #1 seed right now :)
Yes, my moniker is USCcheats…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I had Cal beating Memphis, so the wife has 2 more potential points than me...
… despite us both being tied at 22/24.
Oh, and my yahoo brackets moniker in the family pool gorup?
“4 Straight 4s.”
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
Dammit I had Utah State.
upset pick almost panned out…also picked west virginia. Hope it gets better tonight.
WVa
totally gave up and played horribly. They play in the supposedly toughest league, with the toughest defense, and yet couldn’t handle Dayton’s defense? Not a good job by Huggy Bear.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
well...
i had WVU and Utah St upsetting their way into the Sweet 16…
so…
yeah
by bucknellbruin on Mar 20, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions
good point
I kind of pushed the envelope with my late-round picks; an all or nothing approach. If anything, I thought that Gonzaga would be the first to screw me.
SC wins the tip
and the rest of the team decides that chasing down the ball is too much work, and lets it go out of bounds.
LOL
guess they’re not as excited as they were in the pac 10 tourney
by bucknellbruin on Mar 20, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
hahahaahaha oh my god
Gus is freaking hilarious! hope y’all are listening to suc and bc
by harveyismyboy on Mar 20, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Everyone swoons over Dick Vitale's enthusiasm
but Gus matches his enthusiasm with relevant comments, good timing and actual insight.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
SC
looks better than BC right now. Too many easy buckets and rebounding better. SC looks quicker, too.
Long way to go.
Here here...
That’s my big upset pick in the first round. Dominguez is 3-3 to start the game, but picked up 2 fouls already…
Someone tell Arizona
I picked them to lose.
I mean they don’t listen to me when I tell them to lose. Maybe if someone else tries…
NO!
My national runner up cannot go down in the first round!
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
i know. first thought on SS was our one's are pretty weak,
but nobody REALLY STOOD OUT this year. I don’t think Uconn shoulda been a one
Well he's been alive longer than anyone else on the court
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions
as a side note
he’s younger than aboya :)
Man, I gotta get home...
and watch these games. Thanks BN for getting me through the afternoon at work
GO BRUINS!
louisville
up by 1. It is exciting, but I’m out west and would rather watch arizona or sc game.
BC up by 4 at the half
Go Eagles.
Sorry Rye—I’m into bracket busters.
Go Morehead State! I don’t even know who or what their mascot is.
When Austin Peay and Morehead play (they're huge rivals)
there are some rather entertaining chants from both sides.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Morehead state
I just started watching the game. IMHO, they are pretty bad but how were they trailing only by 2 at half? Were they playing better in the 1st half?
I'm watching USC/BC and Arizona/Utah so I don't know
but looking at the boxscore I see 7 Morehead offensive boards to Louisville’s 3.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Taylor King
Anyone else happen to recall that he’s a Villanova Wildcat? I was just reminded as I started to read the Blue Ribbon scouting report on the Cats. He’s sitting out the year because of transfer rules, but I find it an interesting turn of events that his team is now facing UCLA.
by Dexter Fishmore on Mar 20, 2009 5:29 PM PDT reply actions
Haha I forgot about it
It would have made for an interesting storyline if he could play.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Arizona goes up by 9 with 14 to go
and Utah’s best player is on the bench with 4 fouls.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 5:35 PM PDT reply actions
Many people, myself included
have given Chase Budinger a lot of crap for not showing up in big games or when Arizona needs him, but he’s showing up in a big way tonight. He has 18 on 7-11 shooting and 5 boards.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 5:44 PM PDT reply actions
A couple turnovers by AZ lead to a couple buckets bt Utah
The Wildcats are trying to give the game away now and their lead is down to 6.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 5:52 PM PDT reply actions
Arizona is killing themselves at the line
8-15 from the stripe and the lead is only 5
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 5:58 PM PDT reply actions
SC stretches their lead to 12
Taj is killing BC. He’s 10 for 10 from the field and dominating the glass.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 6:04 PM PDT reply actions
was he a huge recruit coming outta high school?
by harveyismyboy on Mar 20, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions
4 star out of Stoneridge
Not sure what he was out of high school.
by SuperBruinMan on Mar 20, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Very talented and highly regarded physically
but his academic record was spotty at best and most schools shied away.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Well looks like he played himself into the draft
Maybe even low first round depending on who comes out this year.
This Arizona game reminds me of our game
They just can’t put Utah away and are letting them hang around, even if it’s not a one score game.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 6:06 PM PDT reply actions
and earlier, in first half of xavier game, announcer said,
“He got banged by two guys”
(dominguez got fouled) haha
Is Tyrese Rice injured
Haven’t been watching and his stats don’t seem to have changed since near the begininning.
He's playing
but Simmons has locked him up.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Good day for the Pac 10
5/6 teams advance. Cal must be feeling pretty lonely.
So much for the Pac-10 being down
Lets keep this going
27/28!!!
- in all of espn’s brackets
lets show the doubters that we can play ball on the west coast. If i recall correctly, most sportscasters on TV had only washington into the second round, and 0 pac-10 teams after that.
GO BRUINS!!! CHEER LIKE CHAMPIONS!!!
25 out of 28 for me
No idea how I rank on ESPN, but in the smaller groups I’m in, I’m near the top.
I need Wisc to win. That was a reach for me, I don’t know why I picked it. With Arizona winning, I don’t know if it’s possible for THREE 5/12 upsets in one tourney.
Great day for the pac-10
5/6 teams advance to round 2. It feels like we have a good chance to get a couple teams to the Sweet 16.
Mixed emotions re Pac 10
While I feel semi vindicated that the pac 10 went 5/6, while watching the AZ and SUC games I felt indifferent to whether they won or lost. I’m interested in what happened to Cal to have them lose so bad – I heard it was bad refs and likely also missing the 3s.
Also, Fox71, if you are out there, we exchanged msgs a couple years ago on bruinsnation while i was writing my law review article (or supposed to be) and appreciated your words of wisdom that helped get me through that dark time.
Vaya con dios.
It's important for the PAC to do well
1. It doesn;t give the East Coast biased media as much ammo to bash the West Coast Athletics and credibility.
2. If they don’t do well it leads to arguement that UCLA (and other PAC teams) didn’t play anybody, decreases our strength of schedule, and leads to lower seeding. The reputation of the conference lives on for future years. So a strong showing will hopefully lead to higher seeds in the long run.
3. Like it or not, if the PAC consistently does don’t do well in the tourney, the PAC will become like the WCC, Big Sky, WAC, etc . . . this would not bode well for UCLA
4. If the Bruins are typically winning the PAC every year, it means a whole lot more to win a strong conference.
Enough said, I think it’s clear that we should root for the PAC (now SC is a different story though, sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t)
by shaq on Mar 20, 2009 7:08 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Clev St
up 20-10, I almost picked them over Wake because they’re a strong defensive club, but couldn’t get myself to do it
I root for all
the Pac 10 teams, because a strong Pac 10 showing in the Tourney can only help UCLA basketball. I was disappointed by Cal’s loss to lower seeded ACC team Maryland. They lost their shooting touch and got lost on defense in the last 10 minutes of that game.
Frickin Wake.
There goes my bracket.
And now a 12 is going to play a 13!! Arizona is going to play Cleveland State. Crikey, Arizona first didn’t really deserve to make the tourney, and now they luck out not having to play Wake.
i'm lovin it
this is what March is all about!
by bucknellbruin on Mar 20, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions
OSU shoud've fouled!
when will teams learn?
by bucknellbruin on Mar 20, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm so happy
all the weddings I am attending are in May, and not March. I’d be a very squirmy wedding guest.
OMG WISCONSIN!
basket with seconds left AND THE FOUL!
60-59… Wisc… and he… MAKES IT!
61-59 wisc. FSU calls timeout
Wow, so much for the ACC
After BSPN hyping up the ACC all year long, and the ACC calling themselves the #1 conference…
Wake Forest, Florida State, Boston College, and Clemson out
So much for the ACC being deep.
The pac 10 was horrible as the pundits expected
I mean, sending only 5/6 teams instead of 6/6 teams past the first round? Ridiculous.
My favorite play of the night was in OT
FSU versus Wisconsin. It’s a loose ball and a player from each team runs over to it. Neither got a handle on it and it went out of bounds about 2 feet in front of the ref. What does the ref call? A jump ball of course because he didn’t know who it went off of and why would he? He was only three feet away from it with the perfect angle. What conference does he referee for? The Pac 10 of course.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 20, 2009 10:15 PM PDT reply actions
Ok, which one of y'all has Wake Forrest in the National Title game on the BN bracket group?
Thanks for making me feel slightly better about my West Virginia final 4 pick. ;)

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