NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Thread - 2017 Edition

[HogBreath]

  And given that we all know there's some unwritten rule that refs tend to call games differently for North Carolina.

Fify.

[HogBreath]

Ok. Bell himself said he cost them the game. Not the refs.

Oh, he played it horribly, no question about that.

[Hogz87]

Fify.

Ok.  Thanks.

Still, though, there wasn't anything blatant or obvious in regards to a "foul" at the end by Kennedy Meeks.  Bell didn't block out.  On the first one he didn't even kinda sorta block out and Theo Pinson outjumped him for the rebound.  On the second one, Kennedy Meeks, a bigger and stronger player, took advantage of a very weak blockout by Bell and outworked him for the rebound. 

That last sequence had nothing to do with the refs and a contrived conspiracy that they call games differently for them because they're UNC.  It was a result of very poor blocking out by Oregon and very determined play by UNC.

[Boarcephus]

Still like Jim Counce's comment, "I don't wish Dana any ill will.  But I won't be pulling for Oregon in the Final Four". 

[niels_boar]

Watch the replay from underneath the basket.  Bell takes one step into the lane facing the sidelines.  Meeks then uses his bulk to push him to virtually the other side of the basket.  By rule that's a foul, though arguably it is rarely called.  The push had occurred before the ball was off the rim.  The refs usually only call pushing when the players are in process of going after the ball.  By the time the ball was off the rim Meeks had superior position for the carom.

Blocking out wasn't the problem on the first miss.  Pinson just got off his feet faster.  He was a good step behind Bell.  Bell had played 35 minutes.

[hawgdavis]

Looks like the Zags will have to beat the refs too

[ChicoHog]

UNC can't shoot tonight.  Both teams playing good D but not much quality offense.  UNC needs to keep going inside as outside shots are not falling.  Bulldogs hit 3's in second half they will win.  Should be a good second half. 

[PonderinHog]

UNC can't shoot tonight.  Both teams playing good D but not much quality offense.  UNC needs to keep going inside as outside shots are not falling.  Bulldogs hit 3's in second half they will win.  Should be a good second half.

That pretty much describes what I saw.  Both teams seem tight.  Whoever loosens up first, probably wins.  Screw it!  Go Zags!

[ChicoHog]

The last couple minutes has been some really bad basketball.  Bad shooting, bad passing, out of control, you name it.  It was all bad.  Everyone wants to "be the man".  They need to settle down, and work it inside.  that goes for both teams. 

[HamIAm]

they need to throw the flagrant 1 and 2 rule in the trash and start over. That was BS, the NC player came up under him and knocked the ball loose. He reaches out to get the ball and the NC player is moving.

[Dr. Starcs]

Refs have hijacked the damn game.

[HamIAm]

Well, the officials are starting to turn it on for NC

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Refs have hijacked the damn game.

Exactly.

[latrops]

Refs have hijacked the damn game.

Feels like one of those early season games where a foul is called every few seconds as officials target the season's new points of emphasis.

[HamIAm]

can they review something else to kill the flow of the game

[PonderinHog]

Make your damn free throws, Gonzaga.

[Paul]

is Raftery dating Roy Williams?

[Dr. Starcs]

The only dating Raftery is associated with is carbon.

[PonderinHog]

The only dating Raftery is associated with is carbon.

He preceded carbon dating by a couple of seasons.

[ChicoHog]

Foul trouble spells doom for the Zags... UNC will win title on backs of the refs (shocker) 

UNC foul shooting was so bad it didn't matter.  That was not a well played game on either side.  I think UNC was the better team but neither one played well tonight.  Jackson had his worst game I have seen him play.  Williams-Goss struggled most of the night.  Hard fought but not well played. 

[HogCzar1]

Poorest played and poorest officiated championship game I can remember.

[Dominicanhog]

I think the outcome shows how close we are as opposed to, feeling like your wandering in the wilderness and no light to be seen...

[HardingHog]

Poorest played and poorest officiated championship game I can remember.

As far as play goes, don't forget the 2011 game between UCONN and Butler. That was atrocious

[hogbud]

Basketball in football stadiums = bad games

[Razorod]

Basketball in football stadiums = bad games

I agree. Play it in nice 20,000+ NBA arenas.That's plenty of seats and it would make for much better basketball.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

I agree. Play it in nice 20,000+ NBA arenas.That's plenty of seats and it would make for much better basketball.

Sadly, that's not what drives the selection of the venues. 

Ticket sales.  Straight cash, homey.

[Hogz87]

I agree. Play it in nice 20,000+ NBA arenas.That's plenty of seats and it would make for much better basketball.

Unfortunately, when you can play it in a football dome and put 75,000-80,000 butts in the seats, that's always going to win out with the NCAA over a more conducive basketball atmosphere in a 20,000 seat arena.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/849281041877671936

Not Jerry Tipton‏ @NotJerryTipton Apr 3

Meanwhile, here's an actual paper written by an actual UNC basketball player.

It got an A.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/marchmadness/status/849106725743603712