Dude, you have to go. Not going to get to see your team that easily very often if your not in KC or Lawrence.

IT'S EITHER A CRAP SHOOT OR IT IS 100% ABOUT THE BEST TEAM. THERE IS NEVER GREY AREA EVER BECAUSE THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR IT TO BE BOTH ABOUT ABILITY AND LUCK.

Just play triangle and two. Game over. Roy wont find out until the post game interview. Easy game.

yeah, this is feeling pretty God Damn mandatory to me. Its not like Des Moines gets to host the NCAA tournament every year, DSM might get to host once every 3 or 4 years, and how likely is it that Kansas gets sent there in the year that DSM is a host? And the #1 overall seed no less? My wallet is going to be in pain, but I don't think I have a choice.

Maybe if Kentucky and Indiana both lose on Thursday, it won't be so bad.

Its absolutely about ability and luck. Yes I know you are being sarcastic.

People on the Phog actually think Trent is a very good coach. I realize its tough to win, but that program is trending in the wrong direction. I feel bad for Karviar Shepherd. Trent Johnson lets him play like such a pussy

I like Johnson the guy but if he were my coach I'd want him out.

Much like KU football it's hard to tell what direction to go with a coach and how much time to give him.

You're saying that you can't see the difference between a 1 loss and done format and a multiple game series? :hmmm: :spock:

It's not a crapshoot. We know that because the last 14 years of Pomeroy the avg rank of winner was 2.7 in the country, and 1.8 if you take out the two UCONN runs. One of the elites wins it nearly every year. The only crapshoot is normally which elite it is


Crapshoot is what KU fans say to avoid addressing Bills shortcomings in March. Something he has a golden opportunity to change

In fact, the last time that the two best teams in the tournament played in a final was 2008, Kansas and Memphis. Also the year of the four #1 seeds in the FF.

Which again reaffirms exactly what the tournament is. A six game single elimination is not so much designed to get the best teams to the end as it is to create upsets.

As opposed to who? Roy? I dont recall Roy bringing home a NC, and frankly he had much more talent that stayed longer than Self has had to deal with. That said, I get it...you hate on Self. So be it.

Yeah, imagine that, there could be more than one variable at play...

Just because a high ranking team wins it doesn't mean it's not a crapshoot. Statistically it should be won by a 1 or 2 seed every year. The crapshoot part is that some years a 1 and 2 seed will lose on the way there, one bad game and you're out. That doesn't mean that the 9 seed is going to win it, it means that the other 1 and 2 seeds get an easier path. Even if the 9 seed makes it past the first #1 seed they still have a path of a 4,2,1,1 or whichever team beats those.

Opposing coaches reveal how top seeds can be beaten and by whom

KANSAS (No. 1 seed, South Region)

Big 12 assistant coach on Kansas: "They want to score inside the arc. That's what they want to do. Perry Ellis is so important to them because when things don't go their way, they want to throw it to Perry. If they don't have that option, it makes them a little more perimeter-oriented. I don't think they want to win that way. I think they'd rather win with Perry scoring first or their guards driving it. Now if they hit a couple threes early, [Bill Self] will sit over there and they'll win. But when they aren't making it, he really stresses getting to the rim or throwing it down to the block. ... Wayne Selden surprises you with his lack of confidence when he misses one. I know that sounds crazy, but he'll make one and it changes the way he approaches the rest of them. Everyone is affected by that to some extent, but he's one of the most extreme. At the end of the year, it seems like he always goes through that where he's struggling with his confidence. Where I think he's improved is he has found ways to help them win even when he's not making threes. He'll get an offensive rebound or get to the rim. ... A point guard who's good on ball screens gives them problems. You've got a chance if you have a really good point guard, you can match their physicality inside and then you've got some guys who can make some threes. I know that's a lot to ask for from somebody, but that's what you need. ... Landon Lucas is always in the right place from a rebounding perspective. He really cleans up the glass and gives them extra opportunities. He doesn't make many mistakes defensively. He's also not a guy who requires shots, so those other four guys can be more aggressive.

Who does Kansas want to see in the South Region? Colorado. Without a point guard who can create off the dribble for himself and his teammates, scoring on Kansas is very difficult. The eighth-seeded Buffs have a strong back-to-the-basket center in Josh Scott and a couple shooters, but they would have a hard time initiating offense off the dribble or dealing with Kansas' toughness in the paint.

Who does Kansas want to avoid in the South Region? Maryland. The Terps didn't finish the season strong, but they do possess some of the qualities mentioned above. They have one the best ball-screen point guards in the country in Melo Trimble, a couple of capable shooters and plenty of size inside. Are they tough enough to handle Kansas' physicality though? Maybe we'll find out in the Sweet 16.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-...164911758.html

10 Bold NCAA Tourney Predictions

Let's be honest. I know why you're here. You know why you're here. You're here to laugh at the guy who once finished 0-for-10 in a bold predictions story. You probably figured I'd quit by now. Well, you're wrong because I'm back, baby! Here is my latest round of bold predictions for the 2015-16 NCAA tournament:

1. National title? North Carolina won't even make the Sweet 16

The 23 combined losses by the top four seeds is a record for an NCAA tournament. That tally follows the script of a season that has presented the most unstable top-10 fleet we've witnessed in recent years. The ceilings remain high for every top seed. But no team in the field will enter this tournament as an infallible group. North Carolina is a strong group and favored by many to cut down the nets in Houston. But Tar Heels fans should keep the tissues close because Providence will defeat USC in the opening round and upset North Carolina in the second round.

2. Three Final Four teams will come from the Big 12

Last season, the Big 12 earned the "best conference in America title" after sending seven teams -- 70 percent of the league -- to the NCAA tournament. But the league failed after Selection Sunday. Only two Big 12 teams survived to make the second weekend a year ago. This season? Thirty percent of the conference (West Virginia, Kansas and Oklahoma) will be represented in the Final Four.

3. Big Ten champ Indiana will lose to Chattanooga in the first round

We're all excited about the potential Indiana-Kentucky matchup in the second round in the East Region. The two blue-chip programs refuse to play each other during the regular season. So this is a rare chance to witness the clash. But I think Chattanooga's defensive intensity (54th in defensive turnover rate) will disrupt the rhythm of a turnover-prone Indiana team (the Hoosiers have committed turnovers on 19.8 percent of their possessions, 283rd per KenPom.com). Guess that ruins that idea, huh?

4. Kentucky will lose to Stony Brook in the first round, too

You can't blame Indiana alone for this. Stony Brook will play a role, too. Kentucky is a beast in Lexington. Outside Lexington, however, the Wildcats showcased their vulnerabilities in multiple matchups this season. I like Stony Brook because the Seawolves can spread the floor (37.5 percent from the 3-point line) and they won't back down inside (44th in offensive rebounding rate, per KenPom.com). Big win for Steve Pikiell.

5. Oregon will lose to Saint Joseph's in the second round

I like Oregon. The Ducks walloped Utah by 31 points -- that ain't right -- in the Pac-12 tournament title game. They're rolling right now. But Saint Joseph's, the Atlantic 10 champ that commits few turnovers and thrives behind the leadership of upperclassmen DeAndre Bembry and Isaiah Miles, will stop that momentum in the second round.

6. No Sweet 16 squads from the Pac-12

It's not just Oregon. The Pac-12 won't send any teams to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. Nothing against the Pac-12. Great league throughout the regular season. But the NCAA tournament selection committee didn't give any Pac-12 team an easy path. Arizona may face Wichita State in the first round. That's vicious. Cal has to get through Hawaii and Maryland, possibly, to reach the Sweet 16. In the first round, Colorado has to deal with a Connecticut team that caught fire and won the American Athletic Conference tournament.

7. Northern Iowa messes with Texas and Texas A&M on the way to the Sweet 16

Wes Washpun. Google the name now or just wait until he leads the Panthers to the Sweet 16 via upsets over the Longhorns and Aggies.

8. Kansas will win every game by double digits on the way to the national championship

The Jayhawks haven't lost since Jan. 25. They won the regular-season and conference tournament championships in the strongest league in the country. They're deep and backed by Devonte' Graham, Frank Mason, Wayne Selden and Perry Ellis. Get ready for a dominant Kansas run to coach Bill Self's second national title.

9. Temple will win the all-Philly matchup against Nova

Philadelphia is rich with college basketball interest. The NCAA tournament selection committee knew a potential second-round matchup between Philly favorites, Villanova and Temple, would warrant interest from the City of Brotherly Love and beyond. Even more intriguing? This city rivalry game will ruin Villanova's push to reach the second weekend for the first time since 2009. But Temple isn't worried about that. Coach Fran Dunphy's team will overcome a sliding Iowa squad before it dismisses the Wildcats in the second round.

10. South Dakota State over Maryland in the first round

This isn't personal. And Maryland fans, in private, will tell you that they're more certain of this outcome than a Final Four run. Maryland and SDSU have a common opponent: Minnesota. Maryland lost to Richard Pitino's squad by five and SDSU beat the Gophers by 14. But that's not a fair method to measure this matchup. The Jackrabbits, however, can spread the floor -- something that confused the Terps in losses to Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana and Wisconsin. They're ranked sixth in the country with a 43 percent clip on their jump shots inside the arc, per hoop-math.com. Maryland is a good team. But SDSU has the personnel to pull off this upset.