Running 2017 NCAA Tournament thread

[LongTimeListener]

I think it usually ends up as a separate thread from the regular season, right?

There's only one way to start this one.

 

[Songbird]

Final 4: Gonzaga over Virginia
Final 4: UCLA over Kansas

Championship: UCLA 90, Gonzaga 87

I have Wisconsin over Villanova. Vermont over Purdue. Gulf Coast over the Noles. Not too many other major upsets though there will probably be a handful.

I want Notre Dame to make a deep run. There is something so satisfying about watching them move with and without the ball. No one does it better.

 

[poindexter]

The concept of the extra four teams was a turd when it was introduced, and it is no better today. It does nothing for the tournament

 

[Michael_ Gee]

The concept of the extra four teams was a turd when it was introduced, and it is no better today. It does nothing for the tournament

In an organization of ADs and college presidents, it pisses off four less of them.

 

[expendable]

I'm a little disappointed this isn't "The 2017 College Rings Tournament Thread."

 

[cisforkoke]

(1) Big Dance -- a cliche that should have been retired long ago.

(B) **** Vitale's annual rant -- ugh.

(III) These might be the worst First Four games ever.

(Four) Vanderbilt must have a new set of pictures of the selection committee. Undeserving and totally non-competitive last year. Undeserving this year.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

That tweet is awesome to the nth degree. Didn't realize she had a son on the team.

Don't get Wisconsin falling to an 8 seed. Which does no favors for the defending champs.

Love the FGC/FSU matchup in Orlando.

If most of the seeds hold, the first weekend games are going to be something. Which means they probably won't.

 

[I Should Coco]

Having seen Wisconsin dismantle Northwestern on Saturday — not to mention the Badgers' better record in and out of the Big 10 — how are both teams an 8 seed?

Oh well -- Gonzaga will take its relatively easy path to the second weekend.

 

[Bronco77]

Having seen Wisconsin dismantle Northwestern on Saturday — not to mention the Badgers' better record in and out of the Big 10 — how are both teams an 8 seed?

I'm also scratching my head over that one. Still, I'm happy to see Northwestern make it, no matter the circumstances.

 

[Della9250]

Having seen Wisconsin dismantle Northwestern on Saturday — not to mention the Badgers' better record in and out of the Big 10 — how are both teams an 8 seed?

Oh well -- Gonzaga will take its relatively easy path to the second weekend.

Hell -- how is Maryland a 6 and Wisconsin an 8 when they tied for second in the conference, Wisconsin won the only meeting and made the tourney final?

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Tourney chairman on CBS basically said, "we have the whole field seeded on Wednesday and only change it in case of catastrophe." Said Duke came in at last four seed and wound up as a two and made it sound like a papal dispensation. I'm sure NCAA broadcasting partners were delighted to hear that the conference tourney week they pay for doesn't mean ****.

 

[cisforkoke]

The opening-round games last year were a pleasant surprise, except for Vandy proving it had no place in the tournament.

 

[terrier]

If Providence and USC put on anything like their first-rounder last year, you will enjoy First Four. Probably one of the top five games of the '16 tournament.

 

[LongTimeListener]

@Big Circus is setting the lines now?

Vegas sportsbooks favor Duke to claim crown

Duke 5-1
North Carolina 6-1
Kentucky 8-1
Villanova 8-1
Kansas 8-1
Gonzaga 10-1
Louisville 12-1
Arizona 12-1
UCLA 12-1
Oregon 25-1
Florida 30-1
SMU 30-1
Purdue 30-1

 

[da man]

Don't get Wisconsin falling to an 8 seed. Which does no favors for the defending champs.

Yeah, Villanova is the overall top seed and has to play the stinking Badgers in the second round? WTF?

It's ridiculous.

 

[dixiehack]

@Big Circus is setting the lines now?

Vegas sportsbooks favor Duke to claim crown

Duke 5-1
North Carolina 6-1
Kentucky 8-1
Villanova 8-1
Kansas 8-1
Gonzaga 10-1
Louisville 12-1
Arizona 12-1
UCLA 12-1
Oregon 25-1
Florida 30-1
SMU 30-1
Purdue 30-1

That's damn good value for Arizona

 

[Michael_ Gee]

That's damn good value for Arizona

SMU worth a minor flutter at 30-1. UCLA also a good value at 12-1, but I don't fancy them.

 

[playthrough]

I have tickets to the first weekend in Indy and second weekend in Memphis, so that means UK, the Ville and Michigan followed by maybe UK, UNC, UCLA and Butler. Not bad.

 

[Chef2]

SMU worth a minor flutter at 30-1. UCLA also a good value at 12-1, but I don't fancy them.

UCLA is a fun team to watch on television, but couldn't guard you with a gun and a badge. A sub-par shooting night means doom.

 

[LongTimeListener]

That's damn good value for Arizona

If Sean Miller and Mark Few face off in a game that guarantees one of them will reach the Final Four, I think North Korea launches the nukes and the world ends before that game does.