Good point about that 3rd game. UVa had also beaten Syracuse twice this season and then comes their epic collapse in the 3rd game. -- Al
NCAA Basketball (1 Viewer)
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jazzeum
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Boeheim already served his suspension and the program sanctioned so it's not "brewing" right now. However, the sanctions will continue for another three years.
Nonetheless, I'm sure the NCAA is not happy to have them in the final four. On the other hand, they chose them to be in the tournament so they're sending mixed messages.
Nonetheless, I'm sure the NCAA is not happy to have them in the final four. On the other hand, they chose them to be in the tournament so they're sending mixed messages.
Warrior
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Al,
You've got more sports knowledge that I'd ever hope to have; have you ever seen anything like that meltdown before? VA was up 16 and then Syracuse goes on a 28-7 run to win the game going away.
I blame that entirely on coaching; you know the press defense is coming, how can you get caught with your pants down like that, it looked like the ball ended up in the wrong hands almost everytime.
What an epic failure, a classic example of VA lost the game, Syracuse did not win it...........
6th Wisconsin
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I agree with Syracuse catching some breaks and the meltdown against Virginia (that was shocking considering the way Virginia plays), but I am mixed on whether Syracuse belonged in the tournament. The ACC was deep this year, not with a lot of great teams, but with a lot of very good teams, so their record in conference has to be taken with that in mind. I do not think they can beat UNC unless the Heels have a cold shooting game, but they did give Carolina two very good games this year (I was nervous during both for sure); they actually played them better than Duke (which won one they should not have against UNC) and Miami. As a Carolina fan, I am not sure which I would prefer to play if we do get to the final, but I see Oklahoma advancing. Both have impressed me throughout the tournament, but I have seen Oklahoma as being on a roll more than Villanova. Momentum is huge in the NCAA tournament.
Hi George,
As you know, I am a UMd Terp fan, so I can honestly answer, Yes, I have seen collapses similar to that before. UMd has done it on several occasions. I think it was in the Final Four in 2001 that UMd built a 22 point 1st half lead and eventually lost to Duke by 11. I have also seen UMd blow a 10 point lead to NC in the last 60 seconds of a game. UVa's choke was huge, but not unprecedented. Just unfortunate that it was on such a big stage. Up by 16, inside of 10 minutes. Those boys won't ever forget it. -- Al
Now that was a collapse for the ages. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. -- Al
Warrior
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Thanks for the information; that was an epic fail, just incredible, they looked like worldbeaters for 30 minutes, then melted down in the last 10 and that was that.
Sometimes it's not who you play in the tournament, but who you don't and again, Syracuse dodged two huge bullets when Michigan State and then Seton Hall lost, throw Utah in there too, they were the #2, #3 and #6 seeds in that region...................
Warrior
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And I'm sure if they win the tournament, they won't give it a second thought that they lost to St. Johns; but that said, wow, that loss leaves a mark, just God awful.......................
Panzer ace
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If Syracuse wins it all then they earned their invite, that is how I look at all at-large bids.
The only slack I give UVA in their loss to Syracuse is that it is very difficult to beat a team 3 times in 1 season (which is why I thought Oklahoma would beat Kansas if they met again in the tournament). It is also why I give Syracuse a slight chance of beating North Carolina.
The only slack I give UVA in their loss to Syracuse is that it is very difficult to beat a team 3 times in 1 season (which is why I thought Oklahoma would beat Kansas if they met again in the tournament). It is also why I give Syracuse a slight chance of beating North Carolina.
At this point I'm kind of inclined to give Syracuse the benefit of the doubt. Anyone remember 1983 and the run NC State went on? NC State finished the regular season with a 17-10 record (9-7 in the ACC) and only made the NCAA tourney by going on a spectacular run that started by winning the ACC tournament. Counting the ACC tourney, NC State went 9-0 in the post season to win the championship and finish 26-10 overall. True, NC State did earn their way to the NCAA's with the ACC tourney win, but Syracuse was invited and are now on the same kind of run. It's up to the favorite's to stop them and so far they haven't. -- Al
Warrior
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I guess that's the true beauty of sports, there is no script, often times things don't go as they should.
As a sports fan all my life, I've seen numerous occasions in playoff scenarios where a team comes out of nowhere, gets on a hot streak and rides it to title.
In hockey, a goalie can stand on his head and carry a team, in basketball, a guy can go nuts on a hot shooting streak and carry a team, in baseball a guy can catch fire at hit everything in sight or a pitcher can go on a hot streak and be lights out in a playoff run, in football a team can get all sorts of lucky bounces, breaks and turnovers and go on a run.
That's why we watch, to see the unexpected.
In the NCAA basketball tournament, often times like I said, it's who you don't play vs who you do; would Syracuse be in the final four if they played Dayton/MSU/Seton Hall vs Dayton/Middle Tennessee/Gonzaga.............I doubt it.
As a sports fan all my life, I've seen numerous occasions in playoff scenarios where a team comes out of nowhere, gets on a hot streak and rides it to title.
In hockey, a goalie can stand on his head and carry a team, in basketball, a guy can go nuts on a hot shooting streak and carry a team, in baseball a guy can catch fire at hit everything in sight or a pitcher can go on a hot streak and be lights out in a playoff run, in football a team can get all sorts of lucky bounces, breaks and turnovers and go on a run.
That's why we watch, to see the unexpected.
In the NCAA basketball tournament, often times like I said, it's who you don't play vs who you do; would Syracuse be in the final four if they played Dayton/MSU/Seton Hall vs Dayton/Middle Tennessee/Gonzaga.............I doubt it.
Panzer ace
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George:
I get it, and agree that this is part of the beauty of sports. On the other hand, unlike most sports, many teams in the Tournament get 'invited' rather than gaining a spot via standings or victories. At large bids are essentially awarded not earned via wins and losses.
And I also agree that Syracuse versus MSU or Seton Hall would have created a different outcome.
Best,
Jason
Warrior
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Agreed; you should earn you way into the tournament, you either win your conference or win the post season conference tournament, it's that simple.
All of the at large bids are IMO for the most part based on school or coach reputations................19-13, no conference win, no tournament win, no dice.
Warrior
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I thought you were talking about big soccer match tonight, USA vs ...........ah....................um......................some random south american team.
God forbid USA loses, they might not make the World Cup.................if that happens, I'll throw myself off a bridge.
Warrior
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Ok, thank God that USA USA USA USA!!! won their match.
I saw a blurb the other day that MLS is 21 years old; good God, imagine that, we've had professional soccer in the US of A for 21 years.
And I thought that league wouldn't last 21 days, nevermind 21 years.
I could give a toss about professional soccer here in the US, but I greatly enjoy the World Cup, it's one of my favorite sporting events, I'd rank my favorite sporting events as the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup Finals, the World Series and the World Cup. I enjoy it because Soccer is truly the worlds sport and there are so many passionate soccer fans around the world who live and die for their national team, the sense of national pride for a country when theirs wins the World Cup is second to none.
So there you go; ok, back to the George W Bush Colonials and their quest to win the NIT..................