What a game!

[Baseball Guru]

Anyone else watching this WVU/Louisville game?

They are now into OT and WVU has set a regional record for 3's.. They have like 18 3's and still the Cards were able to hang in and force OT..

My boy Garcia fouled out in a BS call.. Actually 2 BS calls!!

The Cards are now up by 4 in OT with 3:29 let:eek:

[Baseball Guru]

Now it is tied!!

Damn, GREAT, GREAT game:thumbsup:

[yagsy]

Is anyone else watching this game? :duh:

WVU was shooting sick threes. The Cardinals and the brilliance of Rick Pitino just came out. Unbelievable game. :Wow:

Now it's the Wildcats and the Illini. Gotta go, gotta see THIS matchup!!!

[Chisox73]

:eek: What a comeback by Illinois to force OT!!!!

The Illini were down by 14 points with 3 minutes left,then Deron Williams drained a 3 with 30 seconds left.

I don't know how much I can take right now. :eek:

[Chisox73]

Illinois outscored Arizona 17-3 to end the 2nd half.

[Chisox73]

Luther Head is playing his butt off here tonoght.

[Baseball Guru]

Zona seriously CHOKED at the end of that game...

Give it to Illinois though, they hit their shots...

2 great games today:thumbsup:

[Chisox73]

Illinois does not necessarily need a 3 here,but it would be nice though. :thumbsup:

[Chisox73]

Now I'm really nervous. :no:

[Chisox73]

FINAL FOUR BABY!!!!!!
ILLINOIS WINS!!!!

[racinghoss]

FINAL FOUR BABY!!!!!!
ILLINOIS WINS!!!!

OMG!!! Illini Win!!!!
OMG!!! Illini Win!!!!

The absolute greatest game I have ever seen in any sport!!!

[Steffo]

Wow.. Just wow.

Two comebacks led into overtime in one day.

[Chisox73]

Now this is what I call March Madness!!! :banana:

[Steffo]

OMG!!! Illini Win!!!!
OMG!!! Illini Win!!!!

The absolute greatest game I have ever seen in any sport!!!

Except for how Illinois sucked for most of the game? :ugh:

[Steffo]

But I gotta give it to them, that was probably the most entertaining game I had ever watched either.. Just thought an Illini fan might think different. ;)

[Chisox73]

It looked really bleak there for a while,being down 74-60 with 4 minutes left.

[racinghoss]

KEGGER AT MY HOUSE!!!

How about the job Deron Williams did on Stoudamire!! I was worried about what Illinois would do since Head has a bum leg and he usually matches up with the best opposing player. What a performance playing like that with a bum hammy. I did not think that Arizona could shoot like that 2 games in a row but they did. Props to Illinois' defense and clutch shooting. I am still shaking! What a game. 2 great games today.

I cant wait to see Illinois play Louisville.

Now if MSU and Wisconsin can win tomorrow.

[Chisox73]

Deron Williams played the game of his life tonight.What a genius move by Bruce Weber putting Williams on Stoudamire tonight. :thumbsup:

Not to mention those clutch 3s.Deron was 5-for-9 from beyond the arc.

[racinghoss]

Except for how Illinois sucked for most of the game? :ugh:

We only sucked for the first 17 mins of the 2nd half :) . Look at it this way, alot of teams would have been alot farther behind than we were. I dont think anyone other than Illinois would have been able to do it.

Say what you want, I dont care because my team in going to St Louis! :banana:

[Chisox73]

I cant wait to see Illinois play Louisville.

Now if MSU and Wisconsin can win tomorrow.
Wouldn't be cool if Illinois played Wisconsin for a 4th time this season,this time for all the marbles? :)

[racinghoss]

It looked really bleak there for a while,being down 74-60 with 4 minutes left.

Yeah, I was feeling pretty dejected then. It has been a long time since I have seen one of my teams win a championship (the 85 Bears, but I was only 11 years old then), unless you count Dale Earnhardt Sr in 1994. Seems like I get robbed every now and then (White Sox robbed by the strike is a good example).

All is well now though! :clap:

[racinghoss]

Wouldn't be cool if Illinois played Wisconsin for a 4th time this season,this time for all the marbles? :)

Yeah, it would be cool to have an all Big 10 champ game. However, I want a piece of UNC.

[racinghoss]

Deron Williams played the game of his life tonight.What a genius move by Bruce Weber putting Williams on Stoudamire tonight. :thumbsup:

Not to mention those clutch 3s.Deron was 5-for-9 from beyond the arc.

These are reasons I think he is the best point guard in the NCAA. Much better in the clutch than anyone else and he has led his team all year with play like that. Chris Paul is good, but Williams is better.

[Chisox73]

http://www.stlouisarch.com/photos/001.jpg
St.Louis,Here we come!!

[Chisox73]

Arizona is having thier press conference on ESPNEWS right now

[Steffo]

Not trying to burst anyone's bubble.. But wisconsin really didn't prove they belonged in the elite 8. They played the scrap heap, IMO.

I know everyone's gonna get on me for loving the ACC (which I don't) and hating the Big Ten, but Wisconsin has yet to prove to me they are good. Sure, they won 3 games and advanced to the elite 8, but fortune was too good.

Their first round game was against Northern Iowa, but I can't complain, considering it was a given win. ;) Anyhow, later that night was the shocker of Bucknell.. Now everyone knew that lightning wouldn't strike twice for the Bucknell Beast, so they looked ahead to see who would get a free ticket to the sweet sixteen. And looky here, wisconsin, who was thought by most to play a tough game vs. 3 seed kansas instead gets a ride vs. bucknell.

And bam. Sweet 16. Little did we know, later that day, another upset would arise. The NC State wolfpack eliminates UConn. The second biggest shocker of the second round. And let's see who this 10 seed, who really didn't stand much a chance in the first place, gets to face and most likely be eliminated against.

And looky here. NC State vs. Wisconsin.

Now I'm not trying to say Wisconsin is a bad ballclub, they would kill my New Mexico Lobos any day of the week, what I'm trying to say is they, IMHO, can't make the final four. They got a cozy ride to the elite eight, beating a 10, 11, and 14 seed. Of every other team in the elite eight, except Illinois, the sum of their three opponent's seeds were the highest. And they didn't exactly blow these guys out like Illinois did. The average margin of victory was a little under 8.

I just don't think wisconsin has the stuff to beat UNC... They haven't played anybody and their free ride to the elite 8 is over.

Now, we could say the same thing about how MSU got the fortune of playing vermont.

But then again, the spartans beat Duke by 10.

[Chisox73]

I totally see where you're coming from here Steffo.I didn't think Wisconsin was Elite 8 material myself.But I would be shocaked myself if they beat UNC tomorrow.

[Steffo]

I guess what I'm trying to say is this whole "3 teams from the Big Televen" buisiness is skewed.. Wisconsin basically got in here by default.

But even putting kansas in instead of wisconsin, The big ten would still have 2 teams in the elite 8 and the MOST teams in the elite eight, and that really isn't too shabby at all.

[racinghoss]

Yeah, I dont think Wisconsin can beat UNC, but anything is possible. UNC did not impress me last night against an injured 'nova team. You know what they say, "You can only beat who is in front of you".

I had them picked to beat Kansas, so I am not surprised they are in the elite 8, but they will have to play the game of thier life to advance. The posts about an Illini-Badger champ game were just speculative dreaming.

MSU deserves to be where they are and I think they will beat Kentucky handily.

[rockin500]

i agree with you steffo that they played the scrap heap. they still had to win the games. lol

but damn, it was a GREAT day for basketball.

[Steffo]

Ahh yes, sorry if I made the impression that MSU was bad.. I think MSU is probably one of the most underrated basketball teams in the college basketball universe... But I'm not sure they'll win handily. ;)

[Chisox73]

The last time the Big Ten sent 3 teams to the Elite 8 was in 2000.Those teams were oddly enough Illinois,Wisconsin,and MSU.That was the year Wisconsin made it to the Final Four.

Bruce Weber is now speaking.

[Chisox73]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050327/lthumb.ilrg13003270318.ncaa_arizona_illinois_ilrg1 30.jpg
Illinois head coach Bruce Weber,right,is congratulated by his brother,David,after the Illini beat Arizona 90-89 in overtime to win the Chicago Regional Championship Game of the NCAA tournament at Rosemont,Ill.(AP Photo/Brian Kersey)

[racinghoss]

Ahh yes, sorry if I made the impression that MSU was bad.. I think MSU is probably one of the most underrated basketball teams in the college basketball universe... But I'm not sure they'll win handily. ;)

When I say handily, I mean in a similar fashion to how they beat Duke last night. Duke never really had a handle on the game.

[awefullspellare]

My brother missed the end of both games lol... watched a little of Louis-WVU but WVU was up 15 so he stopped watching... I don't think he saw any of Illinois-Zona...

both amazing games.

[Timberwolf]

WOW! Good job by Louisville and Illinois.

Both teams showed me something coming back.

I was at the Olive Garden eating my dinner as I was watching the game. I thought West Virginia had that in the bag as I left. I was thinking how West Virginia could win it all, but now that idea has gone down the toilet.

Illinois really showed me some championship swagger with that comeback. Great job by them. Still shame on Arizona for choking and Salim Stoudamire came up lame.

[Misha77Piazza]

I watched most of Illi and AZ game but missed the end of the game because I fall asleep for some strange reason. (wellllll, I rarely fall asleep that early, according to my hubby that I fall asleep at 9:30 pm! That's not me! I usually sleep between midnight and two am, go figure)

So I'm rooting for Louisville all the way. I'm aware of UNC but I like Louisville because of Rick Pitino.

[Kiwideus]

Dang it! I was rooting for Arizona to beat Illinois but oh well...

Still UNC is gonna win all the way! :D :thumbsup:

[racinghoss]

Dang it! I was rooting for Arizona to beat Illinois but oh well...

Still UNC is gonna win all the way! :D :thumbsup:

Maybe, but they sure haven't looked that good in the tourney. They are just barely getting by these teams that they should be blowing out. I hope Illinois gets to play them in the final game, but they might lose to MSU if they play the way they did yesterday against Wisconsin. The Badgers almost got 'em.

[Timberwolf]

How about Michigan St? What a job Tom Izzo has done. I think this might be
his best coaching performance of his great coaching career. He got a lot out of a team with full of role players. Not many stars. Good to see Minnesotan native Allen Anderson being in the Final Four with MSU. To take a talented team in Kentucky to double OT and pull it out is very darn good. I never thought the Spartans would be in the Final Four. It's a great time to be at East Lansing with the men's team doing well and the women's team is within a striking distance for the Final Four.

Hoss: You are being such a hypocrite. I like how you ripped me for criticizing Illini for close wins yet you rip UNC for doing the same.

[Baseball Guru]

This time of the tourney, no one should be getting blown out.. They blew out their teams in the 1st and 2nd rounds and won vs good teams in the Sweet 16 and Great 8.. They did what they had to do to win and thats all you need to do...

Both Final 4 games should be great!

[Timberwolf]

This March Madness tournament has been very good with the upsets, the OTs in the second round, and all.

[I Are Baboon]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050327/lthumb.ilrg13003270318.ncaa_arizona_illinois_ilrg1 30.jpg

Whoa! It's Bill Pullman.

[Tigers#1]

FINAL FOUR BABY!!!!!!

GO MSU!!!

Tom Izzo now has the best winning percent in the tournement of any active coach. 4 final 4's in 7 years!

[Misha77Piazza]

HOLY F*CKING SH*T!

UK/MSU game was so damn INTENSE and thrilling to watch. It felt like you're really on the roller coaster for the whole time, especially in two Overtimes. OMIGOSH! UK's Sparks' right foot was thisclose to white line but I knew it's really three pointer, not two but this was cutting way toooooo close that caused the officials to check the replays for entire five minutes. Whoah! Yeah, I was rooting for UK....well, at least they tried their best.

[Misha77Piazza]

Ohh ohhh, forgot to mention one interesting tidbit.


Both MSU men and women are advancing, too. They may be the next ones to win the champs if they continue doing that just like UConn Men and Women did last year. :eek:

[Kiwideus]

Ohh ohhh, forgot to mention one interesting tidbit.


Both MSU men and women are advancing, too. They may be the next ones to win the champs if they continue doing that just like UConn Men and Women did last year. :eek:

Dont forget about UNC men and women :D

[Timberwolf]

I hope UNC's ladies team beat Baylor tonight. That Baylor head coach is a firecracker waiting to happen.

[Chisox73]

I hope UNC's ladies team beat Baylor tonight. That Baylor head coach is a firecracker waiting to happen.
Well, that won't happen,UNC women lost by 10 to Baylor.

[racinghoss]

Hoss: You are being such a hypocrite. I like how you ripped me for criticizing Illini for close wins yet you rip UNC for doing the same.

I went back and re-read my posts in the threads pertaining to the tourney and I cannot find where I criticized you like you said. I was looking to see if I owed you an apology or if you misunderstood, but I found nothing of the kind. I am not trying to criticize anyone here. I just try to make my point and maybe argue a little bit (but it is done "sportingly" and not to be mean) about the teams and games.

Besides, Illinois has beaten every opponent, except Arizona, by double digits. What close wins??? My team is Illinois and I hate the ACC and the teams within it --> call it a rivalry, at least to me. So if I come off a little biased, it is because I am. If I have hurt your feel-bads then I am sorry, but grow up.

[Baseball Guru]

Besides, Illinois has beaten every opponent, except Arizona, by double digits. What close wins??? .

UNC beat their 1st 2 opponents by over 20 pts and beat a good Wisconsin team by 6..

IMO it really doesnt matter how you get to the Final 4 as long as you are there.. 20 pt wins or 1 pt wins, its all good now:thumbsup:

Both Final 4 games should be great!!

Personally I am rooting for Louisville to win it all..... I like Garcia:thumbsup:

Carolina already won me the $200 pot:D

We pick a team at the beginning of the year, put $20 in a pot and the team that wins it all wins the pot... If none of the teams win the tie-breaker then the team that has the highest ranking wins... This past weekend the only 2 teams left were my UNC and my roomates Kentucky... I kinda wanted to see UK win only to have it come down to each of our teams playing each other for all the marbles in the Final 4... Anyways, with the UK loss, even if UNC doesnt win, they were #3 going into the tourney and with Duke losing 2 rounds ago and no one picking Illinois, I am a lock:D

[racinghoss]

MSU is gaining support and confidence from the media. I listened to some of the ESPN folks last night say that MSU would win the game vs. UNC. Talk about a change of heart. They did not seem to think that UNC could stand up to the physical play and good defense of the Spartans. With UNC not playing up to thier potential and MSU playing beyond thiers, I guess some people are jumping on bandwagons.

I personally would love it if UNC got beat and there was an all Big 10 final, but I have also been looking forward to an Illini/UNC matchup. I will be rooting for the Spartans though --> I just cant bring myself to cheer for an ACC team :)

[Baseball Guru]

lol... If MSU can stay hot from the perimeter I think they will beat UNC.. UNC plays bad perimeter D IMO..... They allow way too many open 3's....

It seems as though all they care about is trying to outscore their opponents...

[racinghoss]

lol... If MSU can stay hot from the perimeter I think they will beat UNC.. UNC plays bad perimeter D IMO..... They allow way too many open 3's....

It seems as though all they care about is trying to outscore their opponents...

Agreed, UNC's defense is horrible. Wisconsin scored 82 on them for crying out loud!!!

That poor perimiter defense is why I think that Illinois could beat UNC. The Illini shoot the 3 better than almost every team out there, and all 3 guards can do it well. With the Illini defense and shooting, I think the Tarheels would be outmatched.