NCAA tournament phrases that should be banned

For the record, the guy at NIT-ology predicted 64 of 65 NCAA teams and all but three of the NIT field. That's not bad.

He's also the only reliable online source for NIT information I've been able to find. That comes in handy if you're covering a college team that's good enough to finish .500 but not good enough to be on the NCAA bubble.

 

I don't see that as being extremely impossible, given that you're spotted the 34 automatic berths, plus numerous teams with resumes beyond reproach. At the NCAA level, at least, what does that mean, about 5-6 question marks? I'm talking about the guys who try to figure out seedings and matchups and stuff like that well in advance. Why does anyone care what Joe Lunardi thinks about that on Feb. 1?

 

That's an excellent point. The huge, complete brackets ESPN.com insists on putting up twice a week starting in February are pretty much a complete waste of time.

 

To us, probably. But ESPN does it because Lunardi's bracket of guesses gets a ton of hits.

 

\"He can score the ball.\"

 

As dumb as "score the ball" sounds, when coaches use it, it has a specific meaning. "Score the ball" refers to a player who can get his own shot in traffic, usually off the dribble, as opposed to just "shooting the ball." It's a convenient shorthand.

 

Anybody who doesn't think bracket, field and seed projections aren't big for websites isn't dealing in reality.

You might personally find them worthless. They get a TON of eyeballs, and generate a ton of debate and feedback concerning teams that are thought to be in our out or on the bubble or whatever.

 

"Bigs" for post players, center/forwards.

"Long" players. I don't need to know how "long" a player is, eh?

 

Not restricted to tournament play, but: three ball. LSU play-by-play man Jim Hawthorne uses that term, and nothing else, for a 3-pointer.

Oh, and while on the subject, the Kentucky radio guy -- for baseball -- uses the phrase two ball (either for a double or a double play. Not sure which, but either way I hate it.).

 

Anybody who uses two-ball for a double play is an eight ball.

 

Been some time since I heard him, but after further review I think he says that for a double play.

 

I heard that, too. That's so friggin stupid.

Cal and Stanford should do a dual trademark and let everyone use it free.