Winner: ViperOverLord -- College Hoops 2010-11

[flexmaster33]

All tournament brackets are updated...not conference bids decided yet, but we're getting close on a few of them.

Also the standings are updated with overall records updated to reflect wins in the conference tourneys.

[flexmaster33]

The Selection Show announcing the field for the 68-team March Madness championship tournament will be held at 9 a.m. PST (Noon EST) on Thursday, March 31. Catch the show in live chat. Here's hoping people can catch it during their lunch hour in the east or when they arrive at work in the west

More details and a time confirmation coming in the next day or two, but that's the plan for now.

[ViperOverLord]

Butler Bulldogs first team to win automatic bid

Published March 27, 2011 | Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Second year coach VOL has won a regular season title and won a conference tournament for the second time in his brief illustrious coaching career. The Butler Bulldogs 73-72 Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship win against the Charlotte 49ers marks the first championship title and automatic bid for the 2010-2011 college basketball season.

Last season, Coach VOL's Gonzaga Bulldogs also won a regular season title and tournament championship in the WCC. They then entered the NCAA Tournament with a one seed and a 25-7 record. The Zags would finish with the year with a 27-8 record after being bounced in The Sweet Sixteen by the 12 seeded Fordham Rams.

Ironically, it was Coach VOL's Butler Bulldogs that ended Fordham's season this year. The Bulldogs beat the Rams 79-69 in the conference quarterfinals. The loss left Fordham with a 14-20 record and no shot at postseason play.

Coach VOL played down the revenge factor. "I just joined Butler because I thought it was fine institution and I wanted to bring it back to prominence. I did not even know that Fordham was in the league when I accepted the position." Coach VOL added, "Coach Dean is a good coach and I've always wished him the best." Coach VOL further joked, "Heck, I didn't even know that Duquesne was in the conference and they made it to the NCAA Championship Game last year."

Coach VOL likely felt no bitter feelings because food poisoning (Bad drops - lost D-Day in 5 rounds and Italy in 3 rounds) derailed last year's Gonzaga Bulldogs tournament chances. Only six players dressed for that game. And only one player was a starter.

The Gonzaga Fordham NCAA Tournament game is still a point of notoriety for Coach VOL. Late in that game, one of his players fouled out. He refused to substitute. He simply told the referees, "My team is on the floor."

Perhaps it is fitting that this Norman Dale wannabe would end up in the holy land of Hoosiers. The Butler Bulldogs home court, Hinkle Field House is where the 'Hoosiers' championship game was filmed.

The Butler Bulldogs (24-10) won a hard fought final against the Charlotte 49ers (21-16) by a point. Although, the score looked closer than it really was after the Charlotte 49ers scored a meaningless three at the buzzer. The game was tied 61-61 at 3:27 when in the space of 1:07, the Butler Bulldogs scored on three straight possessions to make the score 70-61.

"Those Charlotte 49ers are a tough team," Coach VOL remarked. "I think that they deserve an at-large bid still." Charlotte was 5-4 against the RPI Top 40 and they were in and out of the RPI Top 40 throughout the year. They also had an impressive AC10 Tournament run. They beat 3rd seeded UMASS 80-67 in the quartefinal and 2nd seeded Duquesne 77-69 in the semifinal.

The 49ers are among four Atlantic 10 teams that are on the bubble. Along with Charlotte, Duquesne is expected to earn an at large bid. After a horrendous 6-9 non-league start, they went 13-7 against the conference to finish 19-16 and second place in the Atlantic 10. They also have a 5 point winning margin and were 5-2 against the Top 40 RPI. "It would be hard to leave out last year's finalist," Coach VOL told reporters.

The Temple Owls (17-16) and UMASS Minutemen (17-17) are also Atlantic 10 bubble teams. Entering the conference tournament, they both needed desperately needed wins to solidify their resumes. After losing their opening round games, they will have to hope that their fellow bubble teams crash and burn and that the Tournament Committee likes their resumes more.

"The Atlantic 10 definitely deserves three teams in the tournament," Kenny The Jet Smith said in a post game wrap-up. "And if Temple and UMASS are on the bubble then I think that their conference rank should be considered. I have the Atlantic 10 as the fourth toughest conference behind The ACC, Pac-10 and The Ivy League."

Asked what seed, his Butler Bulldogs should receive, Coach VOL stated, "I'm not going to politic for position. It's like I tell my players all of the time. Worry about what you can control and not what you can't control."

Butler Bulldogs radio play-by-play analyst Brandon Gaudin was more candid. "I think this team deserves a two seed. Yes they had ten losses. But look at how this team finished. They won seventeen of their final twenty-two games. They've really been playing top seed quality basketball for that long. i don't think that they should be penalized too much for their slow start." Gaudin also opined, "I think the way Coach VOL turned this program around, he deserves the Coach Of The Year."

Meanwhile, after their own slow start, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are back to a respectable 17-15 and in the WCC Semifinal. Nonetheless, they are a bubble team. It has been a sharp fall for the Gonzaga faithful who watched their team spend last season ranked number one for more weeks than any other team. "I still get about twenty to thirty hate mail letters every week," Coach VOL stated. "And all's I can tell them is I wish Gonzaga the best. I still root for them. But something inside of me just needed a change."

It seems that Coach VOL's instincts were right. The coach, who has now compiled a 51-18 overall record during his first two seasons and he is riding high after being carried off the court by his Butler Bulldog players.

[flexmaster33]

Congrats to Butler (ViperOverLord) and Cal (blinkadyblink) for pulling down the tournament's first two automatic bids...no other conference title game are ongoing as of yet, but many are close to that point. So far the ACC bracket is the wildest...packed with upsets...a #11, #8, #7 and #5 into the conference semifinals.

[Nate the Great]

Duquesne appreciates the plug submitted by Atlantic-10 rival Butler. Having come so close to winning it all last year, the Dukes definitely suffered from the post-championship run hangover at the beginning of the season. The season seemed to be going out of control. It was then that coach Nate called a team meeting and let the returning letter men speak their minds. The team decided a bonding exercise was needed, so they decided to hold a weekend tournament playing a game similar to Risk, but not having any official connection to it . It worked perfectly and the Dukes starting playing at the level they finished with the year before. Unfortunately, the hole was just a little too big and Duquesne could not overtake the Bulldogs for the A-10 title. After a first round victory they then fell to a talented, yet underrated Charlotte team. Despite this, the Dukes have proven that they are not only the most dominant team in Pennsylvania, but among the nation's elite as well!

There is no doubt the A-10 deserves at least 3 bids to the tourney. The competition and level of play merits that. The conference also represents itself in the tourney with great respect and success. We're sure this year will be no different.

[flexmaster33]

NOTE: The tournament selection show will meet in chat at 9 a.m. (PST) Noon (EST) Thursday, March 31. Find out if you've made the field. The March Madness bracket will be unveiled followed by the NIT bracket...opening games will be sent out shortly after.

[flexmaster33]

A reminder that the tournament Selection Show is set for 9 a.m. (PST) on Thursday, March 31...be there if you can...otherwise everything gets revealed here on the thread, so check in at some point tomorrow to see where you're at.

I should be able to get a slug of games out tomorrow, as well, but not all may be available.

[natking]

i would like join.

[vykingsfan64]

i would like join.

That's funny!

[flexmaster33]

All right....the Selection Show goes live at the top of the hour....to join in...go to live chat and click the Social tab...discussion will take place in chat, and the brackets will be unveiled here on the opening post in the tourney thread over the next 10-15 minutes.

Good luck to all and thanks for playing in the tourney if you didn't advance. All players who finished the year will be getting a pm at the start of next season if they'd like to rejoin

[flexmaster33]

A couple things before we get started...

With some of the conference tourneys still active, our "play-in" matches aren't concrete.
What will be listed is the play-in games if no "underdog" teams sneak in by winning their conference tourney. Each time one of those underdog teams gets in, they will take the spot of the team listed lowest on the "play-in" rankings. Right now, we have seven potential conferences with such a scenario still in play, and three where "underdogs" are currently in the final.

For that same reason, I haven't been able to finalize all spots in the NIT bracket, so that will either go up later tonight or over the weekend.

POWER-UPS
Power-ups will be listed for each team on the Regional breakdowns...if you are convinced you are missing a power-up that you have earned pm me and I'll check it out. I will be sending pms about how to use your power-ups and coaches will have the next 24 hours to respond or it will go to a default setting.

Opening games should be going out late tonight and through the weekend.

[flexmaster33]

Feel free to leave your comments on the brackets in this thread...Midwest Region is up...

[Culs De Sac]

Awesome job with the narratives Flex.. def the highlight of my day.. sorry I missed the selection... Not to mention Columbia was slated as you picked Cal over them.. tisk tisk tisk. =)

[dcc1220]

3 of the 5 teams that have earned all four power-ups are in the Midwest. OUCH!!! How did that happen? One of the region did get any.

[Bones2484]

3 of the 5 teams that have earned all four power-ups are in the Midwest. OUCH!!! How did that happen? One of the region did get any.

The powerups aren't given to the best teams, they are given by completing random objectives throughout the year.

[reptile]

Amazing job with the brackets flex! enjoyed reading all your predictions as well.

Personal opinion is that Iowa State will dominate through the tourney like they did in the Big 12. It is possible to beat Iowa State in a game or two, but best out of 7 while Iowa State has 3 bonuses... Good Luck!

Who is your pick to win the tournament?

[dcc1220]

3 of the 5 teams that have earned all four power-ups are in the Midwest. OUCH!!! How did that happen? One of the region did get any.

The powerups aren't given to the best teams, they are given by completing random objectives throughout the year.

Are you trying to say they aren't an advantage? That's silly. I just think a #3 seed with all four bonuses could have been switch with say another #3 seed that doesn't to even the brackets that way as well.

Flex, fantastic job. Always some of the best tournaments run.

[Bones2484]

Are you trying to say they aren't an advantage? That's silly.

No? How does what I said even remote imply that's what I'm saying? They are huge advantages!

I just think a #3 seed with all four bonuses could have been switch with say another #3 seed that doesn't to even the brackets that way as well.

This is a very good point, though. I hadn't thought about it that way.

[ViperOverLord]

Just my opinion:

Butler got raped on their seeding and potential second round match-up!

It's hard to imagine any 24 win team that won its league and conference tourney getting below a four seed (especially in a tough league like the A-10). Not to mention that Butler posted a double digit point differential.

Why give a three seed to a team like Cornell that went sub .500 in league play (and has not won their tournament)? Texas Tech received a four seed and had comparable numbers to Butler, but a league title should definitely be something of a tiebreaker in that case.

The five seed in and of itself is tough to take; but then to having the toughest four/five match-up against perennial power and MVC Champ, four seeded Northern Iowa (the other team with a strong claim for a three seed) is even a bigger bitter pill! Northern Iowa went 4-2 against the Top 40 as well.

I think the counter argument would be that Butler was mediocre against the Top 40. I think that'd be a good reason to drop them out of contention for the three seed. But dropping below the four when considering the rest of the resume is very questionable.

It still would not be such a big deal to be in a five four match-up if Butler wasn't facing the only four seed with a star, sharp shooter and sixth man! No other four seed has that. And since my team also has it, I think NI can't feel happy about their placement either!

---

On a separate note; it's good to see the A-10 getting six teams into the tourney (If Richmond holds). Watch out for Duquesne and UMASS. They have every much as a good of a shot as making a run as my team. Although I do think UMASS has their work cut out for them against San Jose State in the opening round. And Duqesne will need to bring their A game in a potential second round game against Cal.

---

On a final note. It's my duty to criticize my seeding lol - But great job all the same Flex.

[chiefsfan4ever]

I like seeing you picking two Pac 10 teams in the final four

[Culs De Sac]

Just my opinion:

Butler got raped on their seeding and potential second round match-up!

It's hard to imagine any 24 win team that won its league and conference tourney getting below a four seed (especially in a tough league like the A-10). Not to mention that Butler posted a double digit point differential.

Why give a three seed to a team like Cornell that went sub .500 in league play (and has not won their tournament)? Texas Tech received a four seed and had comparable numbers to Butler, but a league title should definitely be something of a tiebreaker in that case.

The five seed in and of itself is tough to take; but then to having the toughest four/five match-up against perennial power and MVC Champ, four seeded Northern Iowa (the other team with a strong claim for a three seed) is even a bigger bitter pill! Northern Iowa went 4-2 against the Top 40 as well.

I think the counter argument would be that Butler was mediocre against the Top 40. I think that'd be a good reason to drop them out of contention for the three seed. But dropping below the four when considering the rest of the resume is very questionable.

It still would not be such a big deal to be in a five four match-up if Butler wasn't facing the only four seed with a star, sharp shooter and sixth man! No other four seed has that. And since my team also has it, I think NI can't feel happy about their placement either!

---

On a separate note; it's good to see the A-10 getting six teams into the tourney (If Richmond holds). Watch out for Duquesne and UMASS. They have every much as a good of a shot as making a run as my team. Although I do think UMASS has their work cut out for them against San Jose State in the opening round. And Duqesne will need to bring their A game in a potential second round game against Cal.

---

On a final note. It's my duty to criticize my seeding lol - But great job all the same Flex.

Just curious if you were on when the live selection took place? If not, then don't complain now, when you could have vouched for yourself during the selection process. (Devil's Advocate)

[Culs De Sac]

Columbia advances to the Ivy Tournament Finals

Defeats Penn in a sweep. =)

Game 8777120 RD 12 28-21
Game 8777121 RD 9 29-19
Game 8777123 RD 8 30-19

3/3 = + 3

Final Score = 90-59


oh Yale..Here we go again.. It's on like Donkey Kong.. Vengeance!!!!

[ViperOverLord]

Just my opinion:

Butler got raped on their seeding and potential second round match-up!

It's hard to imagine any 24 win team that won its league and conference tourney getting below a four seed (especially in a tough league like the A-10). Not to mention that Butler posted a double digit point differential.

Why give a three seed to a team like Cornell that went sub .500 in league play (and has not won their tournament)? Texas Tech received a four seed and had comparable numbers to Butler, but a league title should definitely be something of a tiebreaker in that case.

The five seed in and of itself is tough to take; but then to having the toughest four/five match-up against perennial power and MVC Champ, four seeded Northern Iowa (the other team with a strong claim for a three seed) is even a bigger bitter pill! Northern Iowa went 4-2 against the Top 40 as well.

I think the counter argument would be that Butler was mediocre against the Top 40. I think that'd be a good reason to drop them out of contention for the three seed. But dropping below the four when considering the rest of the resume is very questionable.

It still would not be such a big deal to be in a five four match-up if Butler wasn't facing the only four seed with a star, sharp shooter and sixth man! No other four seed has that. And since my team also has it, I think NI can't feel happy about their placement either!

---

On a separate note; it's good to see the A-10 getting six teams into the tourney (If Richmond holds). Watch out for Duquesne and UMASS. They have every much as a good of a shot as making a run as my team. Although I do think UMASS has their work cut out for them against San Jose State in the opening round. And Duqesne will need to bring their A game in a potential second round game against Cal.

---

On a final note. It's my duty to criticize my seeding lol - But great job all the same Flex.

Just curious if you were on when the live selection took place? If not, then don't complain now, when you could have vouched for yourself during the selection process. (Devil's Advocate)

I don't know that 'vouching' is really the final barometer. Also I did write a long article that probably did all the 'vouching' I needed. And I will complained based on my resume rather than whether I was at the tourney selection show or not.

[Blinkadyblink]

Are the RPI scores currently posted the final ones?

[flexmaster33]

Yes...those are the final counting RPI numbers as far as power-ups and such.

And no bother on the gripes and such...I like hearing everyone's thoughts on seeding. And like in the real tourney, some are going to be unhappy and others joyous about where they were placed. In the end, it's the first to six wins gets the title

To answer viper's concerns somewhat, 1) the top-40 factored a solid amount into seeding.

To answer viper's and dcc's question on power-ups...I made the brackets based solely on performance during the regular season and added the "power-ups" after the brackets were set. I didn't want them to influence where teams were placed, and I think it makes for some interesting matchups.

Often times, the committee will try to rank teams in a certain order only to have the analysts vote a different region as the toughest to emerge from. All in all, I'm loving the tourney this year...it will be back with a pretty similar format in 2011-12. Just wish I was part of the March Madness field, but alas my Beavers appear bound for the NIT.