TicketsNormally, I try to keep things pretty light here with a steady stream of jokes, sports chatter, funny videos, etc. But on a day like today its hard to. No, not at all because of UC's 89-51 loss last night to Notre Dame, rather, we should all have woken up with this morning after seeing some of the wild images from the Japan earthquake and tsunami with some persepective of how little that game actually meant.
Some of the video you've all likely seen by now is incredible. You almost feel guilty for being the slightest bit down about the results of a basketball game. Thoughts and prayers certainly go out to everyone affected.
But, let's attempt to move on...
--- Not much you can say about last night's loss to Notre Dame. The Irish played extremely well, executed their offense to perfection and UC was overwhelmed defensively. The game was essentially over with about 12 minutes left.
Here is some of the rehash from Mick Cronin, Yancy Gates and Dion Dixon in the short postgame presser.
"We were at our worst they were at their best," Cronin said. "We got taken to the woodshed."
That about says it.
--- Dan and Chuck talk about the loss. The topic of Gates playing another strong game, not only on the court (12 points, 9 rebounds) but as the positive voice in the huddle trying to bring the team back was encouraging.
--- Was there any tangible effect? Joey Brackets still has UC as a 6 seed. Jerry Palm kept them as a 5.
Yes, 89-51 will be the final image placed into the brains of the selection committee but they are trained to view an overall body of work. Five Top 25 RPI wins, 25 wins overall and 12 in the Big East speak much louder than one horrific night at MSG. The lack of movement in the seeding reflect that. They may slip back a bit, but not much.
Not one even marginally respected bracket on the Interwebs has UC below an 8 seed right now.
--- The bigger question isn't how the committee will respond, rather how the Bearcats will. Bill Koch broached the topic in his blog
--- So, how does an embarrassing loss in the final game of the season translate to the tournament? At all?
Let's take a look at examples from 2010:
Tennessee: No better example exists than this. UT lost by 29 points to Kentucky in the SEC tournament semifinals. They went on to the Elite 8 and lost by one point to Michigan State.
Michigan State: Was upset by .500 in the Big 10 Minnesota in the first game of the Big 10 tournament and went on to the Final 4.
2009:
Michigan State: Gave up the second-most points of the season in an 82-70 loss to a middle of the road Ohio State team in the quarters of the Big 10 tourney. They ended up in the national title game.
Villanova: The Wildcats were soundly beaten, 69-55, by a good Louisville team in the BE tourney semifinals and went on to the Final 4.
Oklahoma: Was upset by a middle of the pack Oklahoma State team in the quarters of the Big XII tourney and went on to the Elite 8, losing to eventual national champ North Carolina.
2008:
Louisville: Was upset in the Big East opener by a middle of the pack Pitt team, but went on to the Elite 8.
There are a myriad of teams that advanced to the Sweet 16 or pulled an upset in the first round after suffering bad defeats or upsets in the conference tournament in recent years. A bad taste in the mouth doesn't at all predict failure in the Big Dance.
--- The Irish weren't lacking motivation. Turns out Kemba Walker's ankle-breaking embarrassment of Gary McGhee jumpstarted their engines. This from Brian Hamilton at the Chicago Tribune.
--- Remember a brighter time. When birds were chirping, the sun was shining and all was cheery with UC basketball. You know, 18 hours ago? Dan Hoard had this Top 10 list from NYC before the ND game.
It's crazy if anybody lets one game wipe out what has been a fantastic run for the Cats.
--- Mick Cronin said he thought it would be better for his team going into the NCAA tournament like this rather than winning the Big East tournament because it plays better with an edge. He thought they lost their edge with the easy win against USF.
This team has responded to losses well this year, particularly of late. Maybe their best games of the season were agianst Louisville and Marquette, the two games following tough defeats.
--- Did we see a national championship contender last night at MSG? The Irish looked like a squad that deserves a No.1 and will be a favorite to reach the Final 4.
--- Maybe its just the Kenyon Martin relapse in me, but hearing St. John's would drop two or three seed lines because of the D.J. Kennedy injury makes me sick. (It's about body of work not potential to win, people.) But nowhere near as sick as I am for a senior who was about to play in his first NCAA tournament.
--- As for yesterday's predictions, well, they went about as well as the final 2:40 of my Ohio Bobcats MAC quarterfinal last night. (Ironically, I started watching on ESPN3 with them up nine with 2:40 left. They lost in OT. I continue to bring down the reputation of that university)
I managed to get the Syracuse pick correct, but Kemba and the fightin Pitinos kept me from an above .500 day.
I'm now 6-4 on the tournament.
Here is tonight's schedule:
7 p.m.: No. 9 UConn vs No. 4 Syracuse
9:30 p.m.: No. 2 Notre Dame vs No. 3 Louisville
And the picks...
UConn: The Huskies run has the feel of one of those special ones in the BE tournament. And how fitting would it be if in the year of greater depth than the conference has experienced a No. 9 seed was in the final? Makes perfect sense to me.
Notre Dame: How do you pick against a team that moves the ball and shoots like Notre Dame is right now. Just a matchup nightmare for every team.
With no blog post coming tomorrow morning, I'll go ahead and go on the record with the Irish winning the whole thing. Anybody who reads this blog shouldn't need an explanation for why.
--- Some randomness...
--- Somewhere there is a mother who is proud that just because her son's friend jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, doesn't mean he had to do the same.
Of course, near her, there is another mother who believes her son is an idiot.
--- I've made little secret on here that I enjoy watching the Jersey Shore, but anybody who thought The Situation would be a great standup comic probably needs to spend less time in the tanning booth.
--- Are you addicted to your smartphone? Welcome to the nerdery version of "This is Your Life"
--- Kemba Walker's move on Gary McGhee will forever go down in Big East tournament history. Not sure how McGhee was allowed to stay on that assignment, but it is one of the nastiest game-winners you'll see.
I could watch it over and over. Of course, Sportscenter assured that happened.