2009 Selection Show Running Commentary
This year a bit different as I was in the middle of building a squirrel fence around my wife’s garden (don’t ask…seriously don’t ask, cause definitely not the sharpest idea I’ve ever had as I got about 75% done and realized a tree hangs right over it…so yes the fence will keep the squirrels on one side or the other but since the whole point was to keep them outside and now if they feel like jumping out of the tree I just created a damn squirrel pen where maybe they can breed or something…..%*%#…so don’t ask) when the show started so heard a lot of it in pieces and then saw stuff over the last day or so until I got a chance to go back to the recording and watch it in detail. So some of this will sound kinda dumb coming a day or two later, but think of all it real time…and while imagining, imagine me a job.
Couple of pre-show notes going in:
- If Memphis doesn’t get a number 1 seed, they should seriously stop bothering – by all rights they are the number one team in the nation as they were #3 and 1 and 2 both lost – I’m sure they’ll get jumped by Louisville, but should be a number 1 without a doubt.
- This year definitely feels much more open than last year. While I have some favorites, I don’t have a feel of “clear cut top teams that should make it”
- I can’t express how happy I am that I won’t have to see Billy Packer’s ugly mug this year…he’s the perfect combination of looks and personality – neither of both and seems proud of it
Away we go…
- Greg Gumbel weirds me out a bit – he just looks off…
- That was pathetic – two guys on the committee attempted a fist bump/elbow knock/hi five/wtf-was-that sort of move and by the end realized “we’re middle-aged white guys with computer science masters…maybe we should have them turn the camera’s off”
- Louisville at overall number 1 – makes sense, but really did come out nowhere the last few weeks. I’m a huge Big East fan and think it is the top conference, but for some reason in watching the tournament I have a feeling they may not look that great this year in the Dance. When Syracuse can do as well as they did as about the 5 seed, I just think it’s a very competitive conference but may not have the teams to go all the way (then again, I think I’d say that about everyone this year)
- CBS cracks me up with this show because they mention the word “exclusive” about 20 times like it’s one of those pay-per-view fights where all the other networks can only show a few photo’s till a week later…umm, 10 seconds after you say anything, it’s posted on 1000 sites and ESPN will run probably a 2 hour program next – I wouldn’t get too proud of paying millions for the right to show a fancy spreadsheet first..
- Man, my favorite parts are seeing all the teams react to getting in – just the differences among them all is terrific.
- Let’s see how directionally challenged things get this year – so far, doing well with L’Villin in MW and Pitt in East. A week ago, Pitt was my choice to win it all – now not so sure as foul trouble and lack of 3 pt skill spells problems if they get behind.
- UNC in the South – first team ever that honestly took the year off and still is a number 1 seed. They were essentially pre-destined to be the 1 seed in the south coming into the year, played zero defense almost all year…and are the number 1 seed in the south.
- Here it comes – you gotta be kidding me….Memphis not a 1 seed is ridiculous. UConn without Dyson isn’t worthy of the 1 seed they got…What’s really going to annoy me is if the Big East doesn’t lead in teams that make it because they essentially said “Big East play trumps 25 game winning streak and winning conf tourney” so if they then turn around and give the crappy Big 10 the same or more teams than the Big East, it’s an oxymoron, with the emphasis on moron.
- Sweet – the first flash to a team, and it’s the wrong team – they announce UConn and show the Pitt guys clapping – pretty basic scene in some sort of meeting room…my favorite is the one from last year that were definitely at a bar. Next is when they are crammed in someone’s living room – hope they have one of those this year.
- Looking at the four number 1’s, I like Pitt and UNC more than Louisville, and will be shocked if UConn makes it. Offhand before anything else comes out, predict one number 1 seed makes it to the final four.
- Greg Anthony instead of Clark Kellog at the desk with Seth Davis – kindof blah on Anthony, although was just as blah on Kellog, so it’s basically a blah-wash there. Davis is usually wrong about everything, so hate when he agrees with me on an upset (although last year we agreed on a few moneyline plays that ended up paying well)
- Everyone defending UConn over Memphis…you have to factor in the Dyson injury here…ever since he went down, they are not the same team, and Memphis got better all year and is peaking. They absolutely dismantled Tulsa or Tulane or whoever that was getting beat by 25 in the C-USA championship…
- Here’s Clark with some librarian glasses…why in the world does he look shorter than Nantz – stop slouching
- They both look like they played in the Big 10 championship instead of just calling it…sweating and red – guys, it’s just announcing – go hit a treadmill
MIDWEST
- The play-in game…once again, gotta call stupid- either have 8 of these, or none – one is just a waste of time (but give me Morehead St and the points…especially with that reaction in the cafeteria - probably thinking “yea, Louisville will beat us by 50, but c’mon, our school’s name is consistently a punchline so just getting in makes our day”)
- Looks like they stuck Ohio St in the janitor’s closet to watch this
- Siena gets some respect at the 9 seed – love them to take down your Big 10 tourney runner-ups in the first round and won’t even be much of an upset…
- Shocking that the majority of the Utah congregation was of the caucasion persuasion, just shocking…get lucky and pull Arizona as they fell apart down the stretch
- Wake did things right – nice well appointed room, players in the front, everyone else in the back…almost makes me consider them as a possible surprise final four team, although I’ve always liked Cleve St, who for some reason was all wearing their warm-ups like the game actually starts in a few minutes
- Mich St at the 2 seed here – considering I’m sure Memphis is a 2 somewhere, to equate those two is a joke as Memphis would take out the Spartans by 15 easy
- I’m somewhat surprised BC made it…ever time I saw them, seemed they were blowing games down the stretch.
- Ok, that’s odd – flash to USC, and the whole front row of the little theatre room they are in is empty except one dude – like the team took a bathroom break at the wrong time. After all the hype USC got last year to blow it in the first round, may need to take BC here
- Is North Dakota St going to pull a Bucknell and take down Kansas in the first round – it’s up near Bison territory…could be an interesting moneyline to take
- HOLY CRAP…North Dakota State had a whole airplane hanger full of people let out a roar…unfortunately, if that’s their team on the stage that look like the cast of Up With People, I may have to rescind that moneyline talk…they are going nuts though – gotta like that
- I don’t know what to make of West Virginia – saw a number of games, and still have no real feel for them…ok, now hate them after the choreographed “feet kick in the air” thing…what are they, the Rockettes
- BTW, CBS has really stepped up the number of teams they are following- feels like almost every team has a camera on them – as usual, killing a good thing with too much of it
- The A-10 was quiet this year – offhand I don’t like any of the teams chances, but don’t know much about Dayton….who looks like a gymnast team (and seemed to have a huge crowd off camera – kinda weird)
- Seems like a pretty easy draw as Mich St, Kansas, Wake and Utah are 2 through 5, and none of them strike fear in anyone’s heart. Should be Louisville, but if not could go all the way up to 9 and Siena possibly…can already tell this will be the region that each bracket sheet I fill out will have a different team listed in the final four (none of which will probably be right)
- Some insightful analysis there by Anthony…”don’t discount Dayton” – good, he’s going to fill me in on a team I don’t know much about – “very good basketball team” – that’s it…great, thanks Greg, appreciate the details
WEST
- How many times will I have to hear UConn has come out of the west for their two championships….not that many cause they’ll be out early, but still going to annoy me
- How many ‘corporate champions’ does the NCAA have…and these days, is that really the wisest use of sponsorship money “hey, I know – lets give them a million to sponsor the West Region”
- Wait, the West region is playing in Philly…only thing Philly is west of is my home state of Jersey and since Rutgers and NCAA tournament seem to go together about as well as Jay Cutler and his new coach, not sure anyone going to the West Region is thinking Philly is their locale
- And of course, it’s UConn that get’s to go ALL THE WAY to Philly as the 4th number 1 seed…that's a damn short commute for the last of the 4 number 1's
- Give me Texas A&M over BYU in a rout….for no real reason other than I’ll take an ampersand over an acronym every time
- Now I know whey Ohio St got the janitor closet – the Big 10 winners (Purdue) got the nice room at the stadium – the old football rule – Losers Walk.
- Too bad that’ll be the last fun time for Purdue – that Northern Iowa team is going to take them down in a classic 12-5 upset for a big MONEYLINE Cash
- Man, that’s one hell of a purple carpet at Washington…and then one of the players does the 10 second ball hug when they are announced…I’m sure Mom is proud
- Miss St going to get waxed – similar to Georgia last year (even think they have the same seed)..got hot at the right time to win the SEC, but then have to travel all the way to Portland and play essentially an away game…and oh yea, the SEC is terrible
- Our first living room shot, and it’s my jilted Memphis squad…think they became my early pick to win it all, especially as they get the pleasure of taking down UConn (if UConn even lasts that long) along the way
- Nice disparity there- Memphis relaxing in a plush living room (probably Calipari’s) while their victims in the first round are crammed into a crappy looking cafeteria
- Maryland – Cal would seem to be all about which conference you like this year….I think I’ll take the ACC in this one
- this tourney is just wide open I think – I’m not sure anything will shock me…seeing Missouri at a 3 I first think “too high”, then “wait, too low”, then “crap, I obviously have no idea what’s going to happen”
- But they will blow out Cornell
- Marquette fell apart down the stretch – too injured. Like Utah St to pull the upset there.
- Seth Davis agreeing with me on Wash, and pairing up the Memphis-UConn matchup. Can only hope…once again, just not a lot of tough teams after the 1 seed and shoulda-been-a-1-seed – Missouri, Washington, Purdue, Marquette – all not bad, but all can lose to anyone- look out for Utah St or Northern Iowa to go to the sweet 16 or even further
EAST
- Damn, Pitt looks big…that’s a team of men there (Blair is just a monster). They get to whip up on my wife’s alma mater, ETSU…sorry honey.
- Oklahoma St v Tennessee – don’t you have to take the Big 12 team here as bad as the SEC was?
- FSU going to Boise – woohoo for them. They are going to roll Wisconsin…
- I don’t like Xavier at all – and do like Portland St quite a bit - nice moneyline play there
- Duke at a 2 – they deserve it (although can thank Ty Lawson), but won’t make it to the 2nd weekend for the 3rd straight year…
- Not sure that Binghamton can take Duke down, but I like Texas to send Singler and co packing
- Nice – put Villanova in Philly – gotta like that if you’re a cat fan. Couldn’t they find a nicer place than the bus terminal to watch this though
- Watch out for American though – saw them and they aren’t bad
- UCLA fell apart down the stretch a bit..and get a good experienced VCU team in the first round – a good moneyline play here, and I won’t be surprised if VCU gets to the 16
- And once again Davis agrees with me…
- And then again he does with FSU being the toughest team for Pitt here. I like a lot of teams in this bracket, but outside of FSU and that’s a long shot, don’t think any can hold off Pitt, especially Duke
- Michigan packed their arena for this – be hilarious if they don’t make it – “sorry folks, go home”
- St. Mary’s should make it – that Mills injury sunk them, but with him back they are a legit top 20 team…considering the number of mediocre main conference schools getting in (Arizona comes to mind), to not put St. Mary’s in would be a travesty
SOUTH
- Would be a huge disappointment if UNC doesn’t get to the Final Four (which I just realized I have no idea where they are playing this year)
- Not a high enough line for the UNC-Radford game…I’ll give the pts, no matter how many
- Butler will take down LSU most likely…think the SEC is done after the first round.
- Western Ky has been a great upset pick since I was a kid, and doesn’t take much for me to pick against the Big 10 so another nice moneyline pick here…plus they got a whole stadium of people there – always like to see that
- Gonzaga at a 4 - I remember when that would be shocking, now it’s the norm (yet they never get past the sweet 16)….can’t pick a team named “the zips”
- Can Oklahoma get it together – they were looking so strong till Griffin got hurt, and now no one is picking them
- Michigan makes it and wow, what a reaction – you’d think they have sucked for years…oh wait, they have – probably lose to Clemson.
- I really loved watching Syracuse play in the Big East tourney – Deverdorf cracks me up cause he looks like a complete hood, but can get real hot and talks a bunch…however, can’t see them going too far as seem to be heavily reliant on the 3 and that normally catches up with you
- Temple reacted like they weren’t sure they were going to get in – did no one explain “umm, you won your tournament so you automatically get in” – think they go out quick..
- Would love to pick Oklahoma or Syracuse, but think UNC takes this pretty easily – some decent teams here though
Looking at the top 4 seeds in each bracket, the South is definitely the best with two teams that were a few weeks ago looking at overall number 1 seeds, the tough Syracuse squad and a good Gonzaga team. All the others have at least some form of major question mark at least by seed.
Way to go out on limbs there Greg and Seth – “Louisville and Pittsburg are good”…really?? Tks for showing up
Big East tied with ACC and Big 10…nonsense
Only 4 non power conference teams – that’s CRAZY – St. Mary’s definitely should have made it over Zona or Wisconsin, and appears San Diego St was even more deserving by RPI
How is Nantz still bright red – I don’t want to theorize, but exactly what are he and Clark doing while not on camera…
Ok Clark, stop toeing the company line (“Potential rematch of Kansas-Mich St, a game we had here on CBS back in January”…yes, cause when I think rivalry, it’s Duke-North Carolina followed closely by Kansas-Mich St…)
Clark seems to love the potential of every combination along the bracket…essentially saying “doesn’t matter who wins, going to be a great matchup…right here on CBS”
How can Memphis be upset? I don’t know, they were number 3 in the country, were the only one in the top 4 to win their conf. tourney…and don’t get a 1 seed.
Lot of folks liking VCU…who knocked VCU out of the CAA tourney last season…that’s right, your William and Mary Tribe (who lost about 100 games this year it felt like)
Greg goes all number 1’s but Memphis…last year Kellog went all number 1 and was right, but don’t see it happening here. Seth picks VCU as the major sleeper…
Great, the commissioner – cause this will I’m sure be a hard-hitting question and answer…so “winning conf, reg season and a lot of games, especially at the end” was the reason Louisville was the overall, but Memphis…sorry, no real reason – just like the other ones
What a load of crap – “it’s all about teams, not about conferences” – that’s a joke…if so, just go with the RPI, and I always thought it was about how teams were playing going in, not this “full body of work” thing – jesus, shocking that these are the same guys that run the BCS which is even a worse debacle
That was dumb – “we don’t identify teams, just groups of teams…” when asked who was the last one in, then he turns away and says “we had to pull one team off when Miss St won” – ok, which one? Man, he’s not a good representative…
Ok, last thing - just looked it up - Final Four is in Detroit?? Hell, a team may purposefully lose to not have to fly there...what were the other cities competing for it, Havana and Baghdad?