NCAA tourney games

[rossid]

www.marchmayhem.net is still around. It was posted out here a couple of years ago.

There was a Yahoo tournament last year but I'm not sure who formed it. A search here could provide the answer.

Any others?

NOTE: of course we are talking about playing for fun. If the winner gets a free gift that is fine as long as there is no cost to enter. Do not reference any other type of tourney. Dan correct me please if I'm wrong.

[Howlin' Wolf]

psssh

Playing for money always makes it more interesting.

[rossid]

Perhaps for you subviridis sum(???).

:D

[Les_Is_More]

I'm in.

[Dan!]

www.marchmayhem.net is still around. It was posted out here a couple of years ago.

There was a Yahoo tournament last year but I'm not sure who formed it. A search here could provide the answer.

Any others?

NOTE: of course we are talking about playing for fun. If the winner gets a free gift that is fine as long as there is no cost to enter. Do not reference any other type of tourney. Dan correct me please if I'm wrong.

Sounds good. Can't promise any prizes, and as for money, what goes on in Vegas will have to stay in Vegas.;)

[rossid]

My good friend Dr. Schwank may set something up too. :)

Why haven't I been to Vegas if that is the rule? :P

[rossid]

Okay go to http://www.marchmayhem.net, sign up as a prior player or new player, and join my Third Day Gomers bracket.

[jrmitch]

Notre Dame may be left out and my Illini will get bounced in the 2nd round by Gonzaga - but I'm in. :D

[RevZeek]

I'm in!

btw...I'm picking the Illini will squeak by Gonzaga but get murdered by UNC.

[rossid]

Two of you drinking Illinois Kool Aid?!

[jrmitch]

Two of you drinking Illinois Kool Aid?!*Snort* Illinois gave you Michael Payne, who was one of the best big men your Hawkeyes ever had. (Hey, I gotta brag a little - he's a product of my alma mater in Quincy...:D ).

And that would be Orange Kool-Aid........;)

[rossid]

1982 - Big Ten freshman of the year

1985 - co-MVP

1982 - 1983 - 1985 - NCAA tourney

1983 - Sweet Sixteen

I was a freshman in 1984 and had tix for the 1985-1986 season.

[ZippyApplePants]

Notre Dame may be left out and my Illini will get bounced in the 2nd round by Gonzaga - but I'm in. :D

You 're in what, hot water? :D

*Snort* Illinois gave you Michael Payne, who was one of the best big men your Hawkeyes ever had. (Hey, I gotta brag a little - he's a product of my alma mater in Quincy...:D ).

And that would be Orange Kool-Aid........;)

Excuses excuses.....all I have to say is, go UCONN!

94700

[jrmitch]

1982 - Big Ten freshman of the year

1985 - co-MVP

1982 - 1983 - 1985 - NCAA tourney

1983 - Sweet Sixteen

I was a freshman in 1984 and had tix for the 1985-1986 season.I traveled to Iowa City several times to see Mike play (he and former Illini member Bruce Douglas ran roughshod over the Illinois high school hoops scene when they were teammates at Quincy; I played ball with Bruces older brother and a small army of us went to both Champaign and Iowa City as often as we could to see 'em play). The state championship team he played on as a Senior was voted the best high school team in the country by ESPN, and many basketball fans in Illinois consider it to be the best high school team in the history of Illinois basketball.

Oh, and Zippy? Please accept my advance condolences on UConn getting shutdown by Memphis State........:D :P

http://www.quincybluedevilsports halloffame.com/year/payne.php

[ZippyApplePants]

I traveled to Iowa City several times to see Mike play (he and former Flyin' Illini member Bruce Douglas ran roughshod over the Illinois high school hoops scene when they were teammates at Quincy; I played ball with Bruces older brother and a small army of us went to both Champaign and Iowa City as often as we could to see 'em play). The state championship team he played on as a Senior was voted the best high school team in the country by ESPN, and many basketball fans in Illinois consider it to be the best high school team in the history of Illinois basketball.

Oh, and Zippy? Please accept my advance condolences on UConn getting shutdown by Memphis State........:D :P

http://www.quincybluedevilsports halloffame.com/year/payne.php


Condolences duly noted and ignored. :P :D

[jrmitch]

Condolences duly noted and ignored. :P :DThat's okay; I'll be sure and remind you after the game.......:D

[ZippyApplePants]

That's okay; I'll be sure and remind you after the game.......:D

Fine, if that happens I'll just have some ice cream and ignore you some more. :D

[rossid]

Anyone want to join my NCAA tourney bracket?

www.marchmayhem.net

Group Name: Third Day Gomers

I think you have until Thursday at noon (March 19th) to sign up. Isn't that reassuring that I'm not sure of the time? ;)

There is a deadline of like 6 pm tonite for 50 points if you pick the winner of the play-in game. So if you do not make it by then you still may be able to sign up before Thursday's first round.

Now there does appear to be a prize per this message on the original email from MarchMayhem.net:
This game is free, does not give out email addresses, and is a hobby of mine. So invite your friends, forward this email if you like and we look forward to seeing you in a few days. Don't forget the winner receives:
- A collegiate t-shirt of his/her choice ($20 value)
- A MarchMayhem.net Championship T-shirt
- A trophy beside your username to show off your victory for years to come.
(Sign-up, login and check out other winners from the past.)

Now if you already got this information in your email invitation from me accept my apologies for the duplication.

(You can sign up for John McCain's basketball bracket at his PAC http://www.countryfirstpac.com/bball09/.

If anyone is using these websites they did not get me to the signup page:
http://www.friendsofjohnmccain.c om/bball09/ or
facebook http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=60058732 396&ref=mf#/note.php?note_id=60058732 396)

[rossid]

Try this John MCain link I just got today:

http://link.countryfirstpac.com/?187-212-423630-903

The group ID is:
16903

The group password is:
country1st

You will need to become a member of ESPN.com

I'm listed as rossid1

[jrmitch]

Uh, Doriano? Problem......

I just went to fill out my bracket and when I clicked on "My Bracket" nothing happened. So I bounced around the site a little bit and finally stumbled upon the rules (which, being the bright guy that I am I'd totally ignored). The rules say that you have to sign up by March 16th, which was the day I signed up. But the site won't allow me to access my bracket in order to fill it out.

I e-mailed the site administrator, but unless they get back to me immediately it looks like I'm out of luck......:mad:

[jrmitch]

Try this John MCain link I just got today:

http://link.countryfirstpac.com/?187-212-423630-903

The group ID is:
16903

The group password is:
country1st

You will need to become a member of ESPN.com

I'm listed as rossid1Now, this one I can play - been a member of ESPN.com for years. I'm in as 20stew20.

[Les_Is_More]

Lets go CSU Northridge!!! Only down by 4 to Memphis with three and a half minutes left!!! This is why this is arguably the best time of the sports year.

[rossid]

Sorry about that one but glad you are on the second one. Although there are like 2 trillion entries so who can find anyone? I even forgot I was signed up for ESPN a long time ago.

Northern Iowa could not pull it out but there was a good fight.

[RevZeek]

The upsets are killing me...

[ZippyApplePants]

My team is in the Sweet 16! :D

[danbos]

This was the first time I've ever really watched Blake Griffin. Wow, if this is the way he plays all the time, he would be nothing without the help he gets from the refs. The way he was playing tonight, he should've been fouled out in the first half.

[jrmitch]

My team is in the Sweet 16! :DYou mean the Husky meat that the Memphis Tigers are gonna chew on next week......?? :D :P

[danbos]

You mean the Husky meat that the Memphis Tigers are gonna chew on next week......?? :D :P

That is, if the Huskies can get by the Boilermakers. ;)

[ZippyApplePants]

You mean the Husky meat that the Memphis Tigers are gonna chew on next week......?? :D :P

That is, if the Huskies can get by the Boilermakers. ;)

Sheesh, with friends like you who needs enemies?! :P :D

Good thing I can't hear either of you. Coach Calhoun lent me his two Championship rings and I'm using them to plug my ears. :D

[jrmitch]

Sheesh, with friends like you who needs enemies?! :P :D

Good thing I can't hear either of you. Coach Calhoun lent me his two Championship rings and I'm using them to plug my ears. :DGood thing he only has two, since he graduates so few of his players most of 'em probably can't count much higher than that.......:P :D

[rossid]

Sheesh, with friends like you who needs enemies?! :P :D

Good thing I can't hear either of you. Coach Calhoun lent me his two Championship rings and I'm using them to plug my ears. :D

"I couldn't really hear you. My Super Bowl ring was making too much noise."

-Mike Ditka from 'Kicking and Screaming'

http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/k/kicking-and-screaming-script-transcript.html

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384642/

[ZippyApplePants]

Good thing he only has two, since he graduates so few of his players most of 'em probably can't count much higher than that.......:P :D

The St. Patrick line was fuuny, the groan was funny, but this was an insult.

[jrmitch]

The St. Patrick line was fuuny, the groan was funny, but this was an insult.Zippy, I'm truly sorry I offended you; that was probably a low blow. But this has always bugged me about Calhoun. (And in fairness, it's not just Calhoun. Guys like Louisville's Rick Pitino and Memphis's John Calipari are just as bad).

Overall UConn does a great job in demanding that their athletes are also pulling their weight in the classroom: they graduate about 70% of their athletes in all sports. And when you look at the grad rate for all athletes who stay in school for their full 4 years of eligibility, womans head coach Geno Auriemma has a 100% graduation rate - and he's done that for 24 years.

Meanwhile, at the same school, Jim Calhouns graduation rate is 33% - and if you look at the grad rate for black athletes in his program it's only 14%. Now, that's an insult - at least it is to those who actually believe in the student part of student athlete........;)

[rossid]

86% at North Carolina?! http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney09/news/story?id=3987923

I did read on ESPN.com how you want the complete opposite in graduation rates if you want basketball wins. NC is an aberration.

There were some other points and I can't find the exact article but here is another one: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=keown/090317&sportCat=ncb

• But with a CSUN degree, those guys are set for life: The basketball-player graduation rate at Cal State Northridge, as listed by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics and Sports -- 8 percent.

[jrmitch]

Okay (deep breath) - here we go.......:D

A few numbers.......A couple of years ago the NCAA went to a new formula for determining the athletic academic success or failure of a given school. Called the Graduation Success Rate, it removes all student athletes who don't finish school (for whatever reason) and only uses stats from all scholarship athletes who stay in school for the entire six year period of their eligibility and are supposedly staying on track towards some sort of degree. According to the NCAA, the average student athlete grad rate for all schools in all sports is 78%. Using the latest grad rates available (the incoming freshman class of the 2001/02 academic year), the grad rate for basketball players is 59%. (In this years tourney field 40 of the 64 teams graduate more than 50% of their players) Now, (another deep breath):

This is where I run into a problem with guys like Calhoun and Pitino. Here's how they stack up compared to the overall academic performance of both athletes and non-athletes at their given schools:

UConn:
Grad rate for all students: 75%
GSR grad rate for athletes: 78%
Basketball grad rate: 33%

Louisville:
Grad rate for all students: 65%
GSR grad rate for athletes: 75%
Basketball grad rate: 42%

As a basis of comparison, here's how North Carolina's Roy Williams and Floridas's Billy Donovan (who, like Calhoun, has two rings) have done:

North Carolina:
Grad rate for all students: 83%
GSR grad rate for athletes: 85%
Basketball grad rate: 86%

Florida:
Grad rate for all students: 81%
GSR grad rate for athletes: 87%
Basketball grad rate: 89%

What's my point? Simple - if guys like Williams and Donovan can demand that their players actually go to class and get a degree, why can't guys like Calhoun and Pitino (among many others)? The same thing applies to the long-term view; over the course of their careers guys like Bobby Knight, Dean Smith, and Digger Phelps all graduated over 90% of their players, and even though they've all retired their respective schools still maintain that classroom performance. Academics is either a priority for these coaches and their schools or it's not. But I think they've run out of excuses about why you can't do well in both sports and the classroom.

For those who want to compare how the athletes at any given school are doing here's the link to the latest figures from the NCAA:

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=38757

[ZippyApplePants]

Zippy, I'm truly sorry I offended you; that was probably a low blow. But this has always bugged me about Calhoun. (And in fairness, it's not just Calhoun. Guys like Louisville's Rick Pitino and Memphis's John Calipari are just as bad).

Overall UConn does a great job in demanding that their athletes are also pulling their weight in the classroom: they graduate about 70% of their athletes in all sports. And when you look at the grad rate for all athletes who stay in school for their full 4 years of eligibility, womans head coach Geno Auriemma has a 100% graduation rate - and he's done that for 24 years.

Meanwhile, at the same school, Jim Calhouns graduation rate is 33% - and if you look at the grad rate for black athletes in his program it's only 14%. Now, that's an insult - at least it is to those who actually believe in the student part of student athlete........;)

It seems we've had this conversation before. I believe it was during College Football season. I agree that too often the emphasis in College is placed on athletics instead of getting a good education. I didn't finish College though so I guess I should just keep my mouth shut. :D

[jrmitch]

It seems we've had this conversation before. I believe it was during College Football season. I agree that too often the emphasis in College is placed on athletics instead of getting a good education. I didn't finish College though so I guess I should just keep my mouth shut. :DNah, don't keep your mouth shut. Who'd pick on me if you did that?

Of course, technically you can still rag on me as long as you can type. So if you really want to keep your mouth shut, I guess that's okay. I just don't want to carry the guilt.......:D

Sorry I wounded you. ;) :o

[ZippyApplePants]

Nah, don't keep your mouth shut. Who'd pick on me if you did that?

Of course, technically you can still rag on me as long as you can type. So if you really want to keep your mouth shut, I guess that's okay. I just don't want to carry the guilt.......:D

Sorry I wounded you. ;) :o

Don't worry, I will still talk (and type) enough to pick on you. :P :D

Need a wheelbarrow for that guilt? :D

Don't worry, I think I am just too easily offended. :)

[jrmitch]

Don't worry, I will still talk (and type) enough to pick on you. :P :D

Need a wheelbarrow for that guilt? :D

Don't worry, I think I am just too easily offended. :)It's all good on my end........;)

[ZippyApplePants]

It's all good on my end........;)

Heh heh heh Ahem! I mean that's good. :)

[jrmitch]

Heh heh heh Ahem! I mean that's good. :)Hey, wait a minute.......:eek:

And I didn't say which end.....:D

[ZippyApplePants]

Hey, wait a minute.......:eek:

And I didn't say which end.....:D

LOL! You make it so easy sometimes. Thanks though, I needed a good laugh. :)

[jrmitch]

LOL! You make it so easy sometimes. Thanks though, I needed a good laugh. :)You're welcome....and, as usual, you and I have conspired to derail an otherwise fine thread. So to get this mess back on track......:)

I've hit 82% of the picks on my bracket, and 15 of my Sweet 16 teams have survived. How are the rest of y'all doing with your picks?

[ZippyApplePants]

You're welcome....and, as usual, you and I have conspired to derail an otherwise fine thread. So to get this mess back on track......:)

I've hit 82% of the picks on my bracket, and 15 of my Sweet 16 teams have survived. How are the rest of y'all doing with your picks?

Great minds think alike! :D

My pick is still in. :)

[rossid]

I'm at 77.5% and have 13 of 16 in one bracket.

Not sure about the one at ESPN.

Do I look at the top of page one?

Drake for example:

FRESHMAN-COHORT GRADUATION RATES All Students Student-Athletes #
2001-02 Graduation Rate 73%(all) 83%(student athletes)
Four-Class Average 71%(all) 71%(student athletes)
Student-Athlete Graduation Success Rate 86%

[jrmitch]

I'm at 77.5% and have 13 of 16 in one bracket.

Not sure about the one at ESPN.

Do I look at the top of page one?

Drake for example:

FRESHMAN-COHORT GRADUATION RATES All Students Student-Athletes #
2001-02 Graduation Rate 73%(all) 83%(student athletes)
Four-Class Average 71%(all) 71%(student athletes)
Student-Athlete Graduation Success Rate 86%Correct, my good man. Then if you scan further down you'll find the individual breadown by ethnic group and by specific sports. ;)

[rossid]

Is it PC to put in ethnicity? :P

*said the 100% Italian whose kids are almost half hispanic and do not use that minority identification*

[jrmitch]

Is it PC to put in ethnicity? :P

*said the 100% Italian whose kids are almost half hispanic and do not use that minority identification*Don't quite know how they'd label your kids, but the ethnic police just lump all of us fair-skinned Western European types together and call us Whitey........:D

Actually, ethnicity is a huge issue with those seeking reform in the world of college sports and academics, because some of the biggest name coaches and schools in the country have huge disparities in the percentages of white and black athletes who graduate. This is a chronic problem in both hoops and football; the worst offenders routinely graduate over 30% more of their white athletes than they do black athletes.

[ZippyApplePants]

Don't quite know how they'd label your kids, but the ethnic police just lump all of us fair-skinned Western European types together and call us Whitey........:D

Actually, ethnicity is a huge issue with those seeking reform in the world of college sports and academics, because some of the biggest name coaches and schools in the country have huge disparities in the percentages of white and black athletes who graduate. This is a chronic problem in both hoops and football; the worst offenders routinely graduate over 30% more of their white athletes than they do black athletes.

I'd call D's kids American but I guess that is too easy. :) I'm such a Whitey I make ghosts look tan. :D

[rossid]

Don't quite know how they'd label your kids, but the ethnic police just lump all of us fair-skinned Western European types together and call us Whitey........:D

ROTFL!!!

Oh and I just spoke with my cousin in Italy on fb. Reminded me of her when you spoke of Western Europe.

I'd call D's kids American but I guess that is too easy. :) I'm such a Whitey I make ghosts look tan. :D

You can call them greasy Italians. ;) White skin? Amen!!!

[ZippyApplePants]

ROTFL!!!

Oh and I just spoke with my cousin in Italy on fb. Reminded me of her when you spoke of Western Europe.



You can call them greasy Italians. ;) White skin? Amen!!!

Greasy Italians? What are they, cheap meatballs? :P

[Les_Is_More]

I must say that this thread sure has taken quite a detour. ;)

Back to our regularly scheduled program. After handling UCLA and Duke, Villanova looks very good and could give Pitt some trouble.

[ZippyApplePants]

You mean the Husky meat that the Memphis Tigers are gonna chew on next week......?? :D :P

Hmmm, looks like Mizzou didn't get that memo. :D


Les, you know how easily threads get derailed around here. :D

[jrmitch]

Hmmm, looks like Mizzou didn't get that memo. :D


Les, you know how easily threads get derailed around here. :DUh, Zippy? Don't forget that Mizzou is also the Tigers - and they proved last night they've got a pretty nasty bite.......;)

I also agree with Les about Villanova - that's a solid ballclub. And most of 'em will actually (gasp) graduate............:eek:

[ZippyApplePants]

Uh, Zippy? Don't forget that Mizzou is also the Tigers - and they proved last night they've got a pretty nasty bite.......;)

I also agree with Les about Villanova - that's a solid ballclub. And most of 'em will actually (gasp) graduate............:eek:

I haven't forgotten either of those things (like you would let me anyway!) I know they are very tough. I'm actually more worried about them than I was about Memphis.

[jrmitch]

Memo to Jim Calhoun: when a story breaks about alleged recruiting violations in your program, and you make statements about things the NCAA knew about the situation, and then the NCAA issues a public statement stating that your statement is not true, that's not a good thing........:eek:

[ZippyApplePants]

Memo to Jim Calhoun: when a story breaks about alleged recruiting violations in your program, and you make statements about things the NCAA knew about the situation, and then the NCAA issues a public statement stating that your statement is not true, that's not a good thing........:eek:

*sigh* :(

[jrmitch]

*sigh* :(Sorry, Zip; I know you're a UConn fan. And until the NCAA issued their statement today I've tried hard not to jump to conclusions. However, for several years there has been a lot of suspicion within the Big East Conference that UConn was playing dirty in recruiting and just hadn't got caught yet. If these charges are legit they're in serious hot water.

*Sigh* Back on track to the tourney: with Memphis going down my final four has taken it's first hit. I think Mizzou can control the tempo enough to keep UConn on the run and that the depth of the Tiger bench will wear the Huskies down late in the game. My final four predictions are Louisville; Mizzou; Pitt; and North Carolina.

[ZippyApplePants]

Sorry, Zip; I know you're a UConn fan. And until the NCAA issued their statement today I've tried hard not to jump to conclusions. However, for several years there has been a lot of suspicion within the Big East Conference that UConn was playing dirty in recruiting and just hadn't got caught yet. If these charges are legit they're in serious hot water.

*Sigh* Back on track to the tourney: with Memphis going down my final four has taken it's first hit. I think Mizzou can control the tempo enough to keep UConn on the run and that the depth of the Tiger bench will wear the Huskies down late in the game. My final four predictions are Louisville; Mizzou; Pitt; and North Carolina.

I wasn't sighing because of what you said, I was sighing because I am afraid you are right. I think I'll forget the College stuff for now and use all my energy cheering for the Nuggets.

[jrmitch]

Congratulations, Zip - I honestly didn't think they'd get there (I had Pitt and Louisville in the title game).

I'm now a Villanova fan - go 'Cats! :D :P

[danbos]

I've got Nova and Louisville in the finals....there's still hope. :D

[ZippyApplePants]

Congratulations, Zip - I honestly didn't think they'd get there (I had Pitt and Louisville in the title game).

I'm now a Villanova fan - go 'Cats! :D :P

Aw shaddup! :P :D I was hoping Louisville would make it in the Final Four too.

I've got Nova and Louisville in the finals....there's still hope. :D

For 'Nova yes, Louisville not so much. :)

[danbos]

For 'Nova yes, Louisville not so much. :)

Well, I guess I'm a Villanova fan now too. Go 'Cats! :D

[ZippyApplePants]

Well, I guess I'm a Villanova fan now too. Go 'Cats! :D

Well you know what they say, goofballs think alike! :D

[danbos]

I've always heard that great minds think alike. ;)

[ZippyApplePants]

I've always heard that great minds think alike. ;)

Nice try Dan. :P

[rossid]

Don't want to "jinx" myself so no comment on my MarchMayhem bracket. ;)

I have moved up from 2.7 M to 1 M on ESPN.com :eek:

[ZippyApplePants]

Good job D!

[rossid]

MSU - booyah!!! :D

[ZippyApplePants]

MSU - booyah!!! :D

LOL! :D

[rossid]

So I get bumped from second to tenth because I picked NC and they won!!!

[RevZeek]

Yeah, some of the scoring seemed arbitrary.