Sorry buddy...at the bar still screaming at the tv....FWIW, hope my TARHEELS possibly avenge this loss...you know us B1G folks gotta stick together....
Michigan played great in the B10 and NCAA tournaments. They have nothing to be sad about, although it always sucks to lose. Their two seniors inspired great play down the stretch. Beilein is a phenomenal coach. That was the first time I've seen Oregon play. They are a very good team with a very good coach. They'll compete with Kansas.
I was pretty certain we were not going to run the table. Very happy how the season played out. At mid srason, it looked as if we were not going to the dance. Team got hot, thumped MSU at AA, won the BT Tourney, and beat an outstanding Louisville team to make the Sweet 16. We may never win the whiole thing under Belien but he is a great and ethical coach.
Oregon lost their big man in the semis of the P12 tournament. I was wondering how they'd handle it and it appears they are just going to play a Kansas style, wide open run-and-gun type of offense. Michigan could have had them and they have no reason to hang their heads. I'm still trying to figure out Arizona. They can maul a UCLA team, but then struggle against others that I had assumed they'd beat. Hats off to Xavier. Judging by my local radio, tonight is the rematch of 'the game that never happened.' They all see Kentucky winning, perhaps handily. I don't know how it'll go. That's what's fun when two of the big locomotives wind up on the same track.
:idea: UCLA has a better team than Kentucky. The Bruins 7'2" power forward T.J. Leaf may be the best player in this tournament. He's the smoothest guy in the paint since Bill Walton and he has legit 25 ft range from outside too. Like all young teams, the Bruins have occasional lapses on defense, but their offense is second to none. IMHO...
Ball didn't play well on the big stage. Kentucky also rose to the occasion. Those 2 things just didn't bode well for the Bruins. I've said this before, but I really hope that Ball comes back next year. Hyperbole aside, I'm just not sure he's ready for the NBA. Some of his best games, and some of his worst games, came when the spotlight was brightest. In the NBA, the spotlight is on you every night. I think the kid could use a year working on his defense and maturing as a leader. I agree with Walton, and JOCO, in that Leaf is the best guy on the floor for UCLA.
Don't forget my Gators, dominating performance against Wisconsin to reach the Elite 8. Well let's just be truthful, we did reach the elite 8.
Ball already announced he's done with College Basketball. I wonder if he'll even bother to go to the rest of his classes. Alford of course will be back and another Ball kid will arrive to take Lonzo's place for a year. I can't wait till Mr. Ball to butt heads with the NBA if Lonzo doesn't get picked by the Lakers. Archie Miller to IU is a very good hire, but then 9 years ago Tom Crean to IU was considered a very good hire! I do think Illinois made a very smart move hiring the Ok.State coach. He's very familiar with Chicago and Illinois recruiting where the Illini should dominate.