College Basketball

	Jon - 3375 Posts 11/14/2006 @ 09:19:32 PM
It took a few weeks but hey I'll comment on this blog. Wisconsin is rated 9. I saw that on the ticker the other day and it wasn't really too weird until I saw Duke was 10. Wisconsin is ahead of Duke??! It just doesn't seem natural.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - Ignorance is bliss to those uneducated 11/28/2006 @ 07:58:03 PM
Some school needs to give Majerus a coaching job because I can't stand his play-by-play. People think that Madden bumbles and mumbles...		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - No, I did not change your screen saver settings 11/29/2006 @ 09:14:20 AM
ACC/Big Ten Challenge Why didn't Wisconsin play one of the ranked teams? Wisconsin plays unranked Florida State while 10th ranked Duke gets to feast on unranked Indiana. Find a better balance for next year's contest.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - I don't need to get steady I know just how I feel 11/29/2006 @ 12:36:53 PM
I had that though as well, and without going back to actually check if this makes sense, my theory is that each conference is basically given a "gimme" to avoid having either conference sweep. A conference sweep really does nothing except weaken BOTH conferences in the eyes of the public. One conference got swepted, obviously that's really bad, but even the other conference's wins aren't impressive anymore. A balanced challenge result is best for everyone so they skew a few games in each conference's favor.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.
Alex screwed with this 2 times, last at 11/30/2006 12:03:53 am

	Scott - 6225 Posts 11/29/2006 @ 12:56:16 PM
Not a bad explanation at all. I give it 4 nuts.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 11/30/2006 @ 11:03:34 AM
The Big Ten got owned. This is a weird happening, the ACC is now 8-0 in this tournament. The weird thing is that the Big Ten and the ACC have been equally successful in the NCAA tournament over the past 5 or 6 years, but head to head, the ACC has a cleary advantage. Weird.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 12/16/2006 @ 01:19:31 PM
The Badgers just beat the No 2 team in the nation by 14 points. Actually, they just crushed the No 2 team in the nation. Go Badgers.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - 3619 Posts 12/16/2006 @ 03:58:57 PM
Apparently Butch had been saving all his good playing time over the last 2 years for that game. He played 100 times better than any other game I've seen him in. We know Tucker will be awesome all year, but if Butch plays like that and Taylor plays like he did in the second half of the game, they will be very tough to beat.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - Resident Tech Support 12/18/2006 @ 10:13:15 PM
Badgers are ranked #4 and #5. I believe this is the highest they have ever been ranked.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Micah - 584 Posts 12/19/2006 @ 08:25:26 AM
Congrats to my alma mater...this is the highest ranking ever...now we just have to beat Ohio State		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - 3619 Posts 01/09/2007 @ 11:43:28 PM
Done.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - Refactor Mercilessly 01/13/2007 @ 11:07:23 AM
There's an ESPN sportsnation poll for the top basketball team in the country. Go vote for Wisconsin!		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 01/13/2007 @ 02:06:54 PM
a link would be nice.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 01/13/2007 @ 02:07:06 PM
Nevermind, I found it.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Scott messed with this at 01/13/2007 2:08:00 pm

	Scott - 6225 Posts 01/13/2007 @ 02:07:07 PM
This comment was a mistake		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Scott edited this 2 times, last at 01/13/2007 2:08:20 pm

	Micah - Even now in Heaven there are angels carrying savage weapons 01/15/2007 @ 08:26:05 AM
Nice http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9930826		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - You're going to have to call your hardware guy. It's not a software issue. 01/15/2007 @ 04:00:49 PM
I liked that article. I think the national sports media is unreasonably obsessed with Florida. Florida has only beaten one ranked team. Wisconsin has beaten 2 ranked teams, including No. 2 at the time Pittsburgh. What would it take for Wisconsin to be number 1.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone! 01/15/2007 @ 04:01:35 PM
I am giddy about the fact that the Badgers received 21 first place votes in the AP poll.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - Refactor Mercilessly 01/15/2007 @ 07:48:44 PM
Everyone is voting on Florida's potential, not their current form. Which would be fine if it was still the preseason. All that really matters is being a #1 come tourney time.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 01/15/2007 @ 08:10:36 PM
Sarah Here - I'm watching the Twins Classics on FSN North, Morneau just hit a homer. Liriano looks sooo good.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 2 times.

	Alex - I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose 01/28/2007 @ 03:35:57 PM
Has anyone bought tickets to Atlanta yet?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Micah - I'm on a boat! Everybody look at me cause I'm sailing on a boat! 01/28/2007 @ 03:58:28 PM
I would consider it		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 02/05/2007 @ 03:34:23 PM
So Wisconsin has a better record than Ohio State, not to mention Wisconsin beat Ohio State head-to-head, so it makes complete sense that Ohio State is now ranked ahead of Wisconsin. Wait, what? Ohio State is ranked ahead of Wisconsin? That seems pretty insane.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 02/18/2007 @ 12:56:15 PM
Here's my argument for why Wisconsin should now be ranked #1 over Ohio State: 1) Wisconsin has a better record 2) Wisconsin beat Ohio State head-to-head 3) Ohio State is only 1-4 against ranked opponents. I understand that Ohio St.'s 3 losses were against teams ranked 6th or higher, but they simply didn't win them. Wisconsin has a 3-1 record over ranked teams, including wins over a #2 and a #5. Ohio State has not proven that it can beat a good team. 4) In both of their most recent games (Penn State) Ohio State won by 2 while Wisconsin won by 16. With Florida losing and a new number 1 is on the way, it would be insane to justify putting Ohio State ahead of Wisconsin in light of the performance of the Badgers.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 02/19/2007 @ 01:49:45 PM
Wisconsin is #1 in the AP Poll for the first time ever. Ohio St. is #1 in the ESPN/Coaches Poll. Ultimately it doesn't really matter, but I need to hear a really well thought out argument for making Ohio St. the #1 team in either poll behind a team that has a better record overall and a better record head-to-head. Is it more than a lack of respect for Wisconsin? Because that's all I can think of at this point.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 02/19/2007 @ 02:14:06 PM
The problem is that those polls are based on the same criteria I do my NFL picks based on. Who was the best over the course of the last half decade. It takes a while for a team to "earn the trust" or "lose their crown" and usually about the time they do they are headed in the opposite direction anyway.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - If you aren't enough without it, you'll never be enough with it. 02/19/2007 @ 06:13:34 PM
also, the coaches who vote in the "Coaches Poll" generally don't pay attention to the same details that the sports writers do. So while the sports writers clearly see that Wisconsin deserves to be rated ahead of a team they have a better record than and whom they beat, the coaches see Ohio St. and see a team that "probably should" be better than Wisconsin by name alone.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - I don't need to get steady I know just how I feel 02/20/2007 @ 12:01:06 AM
The only problem is Ohio St hasn't really ever been a powerhouse in basketball, and the last real good team i remember them having was in like '97. It's still all the preseason hype I think that has them ahead of Wisconsin. Considering that the game is still 5 days away, I'm much too excited right now. I guess they better beat down MSU first though.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 1.21 Gigawatts!?!? 02/20/2007 @ 02:49:43 PM
Clearly this thread killed the Nutcan.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Micah - I didn't make that! It fell out of your hair that way! 02/20/2007 @ 08:08:30 PM
Well that was a short-lived #1 experience.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - I don't need to get steady I know just how I feel 02/20/2007 @ 08:12:54 PM
Stupid Sparty. What was Flowers' deal? He was chucking up 3s like they were going out of style. 1-6 on 3s, 2-10 overall. Meanwhile the rest of the team shot 39% on the moneyball. Although there's also no good reason for Tucker to ever shoot 9 3s either, but at least he went 4-9. Oh man, Taylor really stank too with 2 points and 4 missed treys. I want to see more Bohannon and Landry and less 3 pointers (29 attempts), particulary on the road.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 02/20/2007 @ 08:15:58 PM
If the Badgers beat Ohio St. I could see them still being number 1, but that was a disappointing loss. They were up by like 4 or 5 with 3 minutes left and then got outscored like 20-5. Don't take so many 3's when you have the lead.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Matt - 3875 Posts 02/20/2007 @ 08:54:36 PM
It seemed like the Badgers couldn't get the ball inside all game. It didn't matter in the 1st half because they were hitting all their outside shots, but in the 2nd they couldn't hit anything. I think Flowers may have been trying to make up for the fact that Neitzel kept hitting threes against him.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Matt edited this at 02/20/2007 8:54:56 pm

	Alex - 3619 Posts 03/03/2007 @ 02:09:58 PM
I'm guessing since no one commented on "the game" it was as painful for them as it was for me. I forgot to even watch the game today, it's like all the wind has left the sails. Judging by the final score of today's game the team was feeling that way too. Luckily, the regular season is over and tournament play should get every one refocused. If they can serve out some beat downs and get to the title game it's not wholey unlikely that they could still be a #1. Speaking of which, I was watching ESPN Thursday night I think and 2 guys were still saying that Florida should be a #1. That's crazy talk.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Alex perfected this at 03/03/2007 2:10:35 pm

	Jon - Nutcan.com's kitten expert 03/03/2007 @ 02:53:23 PM
I watched most of it, including all of the second half. I expected a close game so it wasn't frustrating for me but it was intense somewhat. Drew Neitzel absolutely scares me as an opposing player. I don't want anything to do with him or Michigan State. You could still argue Florida as the best team in the nation. With no dominant teams, they're as good as anyone. I was so happy for Kammron Taylor though. Three straight bad games and then he hit an improbable three to win the game. Good way to end senior day.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.
Jon perfected this at 03/03/2007 2:54:54 pm

	Alex - 3619 Posts 03/03/2007 @ 04:35:32 PM
They're potentially the best team in the nation. They've been playing like a jv high school team lately though. Ergo, they should not get a #1 seed, barring the collapse of a couple other teams. Taylor has always been streaky. He just better be on later this month.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - Refactor Mercilessly 03/03/2007 @ 05:18:20 PM
Lunardi has Ohio State, UCLA, Kansas, and Wisconsin as 1 seeds and Memphis, North Carolina, Florida, and Texas AM as 2 seeds.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 03/04/2007 @ 12:21:16 PM
I really hope people are starting to reconsider their opinions of Florida. Florida has dropped 3 or the last 4 games to unranked opponents by double-digit margins. There is no credible argument anymore that puts Florida as a number 1 seed let alone the number one team in the nation. Unless they win their conference tournament, they should be a number 2 in the big dance.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Micah - Shaken not stirred gets you cold water with a dash of gin and dry vermouth 03/04/2007 @ 06:42:29 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aq_zYElRH_2n322DidJO9ehDubYF?slug=jc-green030407&prov=yhoo&type=lgns someone that can make posts might want to make a new one with this		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose 03/05/2007 @ 12:55:38 PM
Argggg! Latest Bracketology: Ohio State, UCLA, Kansas, and Florida as 1 seeds and Georgetown, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Texas AM as 2 seeds.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - But let history remember, that as free men, we chose to make it so! 03/05/2007 @ 01:04:00 PM
Just checked out the Big Ten tourney bracket. Bad news for Neitzel fearers, Michigan State is most likely Wisconsin's first matchup. The good news is that it's entirely possible and even likely that Wisconsin will have a chance to avenge all 3 of their conference losses in the tournament (Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State).		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Alex screwed with this at 03/05/2007 1:04:51 pm

	Scott - 6225 Posts 03/05/2007 @ 03:16:59 PM
There is an unjustified love affair with Florida. They have done NOTHING to earn it. If you want to make the argument that the Big Ten already has a number one seed, then fine, but Florida is not a better team than Wisconsin. Losing three games to unranked opponents by 10 or more is ridiculous. Do the voters even look at the scores? I know that most of them don't watch the games, but come on, look at the margin of defeat for once. The Badgers lost to the Number 1 team by 1 point on the road. And the Badgers have only lost 2 games to an unranked opponent (Florida has lost 4). There is a clear bias that may even require some investigation if Florida ends up as a number 1 seed, because they DO NOT deserve that spot.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 03/05/2007 @ 03:19:50 PM
On a lighter note, Wisconsin is 3 and 4 in the AP and ESPN/Coaches poll, respectively. Overall, I think the Badgers control their own destiny for getting a number 1 seed. If they make it to the final round of their Tourney, they should be a number 1. If they win the tourney, it should be a lock.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - But let history remember, that as free men, we chose to make it so! 03/05/2007 @ 07:21:08 PM
Someone else made the "win the tourney = #1" comment, but usually the field is picked before the Big Ten championship game is played or finished at least. Ok nevermind, I checked the bracket and they did move the game up to 2:30 CDT. Rock on.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - 3375 Posts 03/07/2007 @ 06:03:59 PM
The thing about the tournament as I understand it is that seeding doesn't have to really reflect how good a team has done this season like the BCS or something. When Kenyon Martin got injured just before the tournament years ago, Cincinnati got a lower seed I think. That's how I remember it at least. Anyway, the point is that with Florida being the defending champion and basically being the same team but one year more experienced, plus knowing that they had a losing run similar to this year's just before last year's tournament time, if the poeple in charge think they fit the number one seed status, then it's not exactly a high crime or misdemeanor. I feel like all I do is defend florida lately, regardless of the sport. Florida Hockey is #1!!!!!!!!!!!		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - Refactor Mercilessly 03/07/2007 @ 06:12:53 PM
A fair comment to be sure. Likewise Lunardi has in his Wisconsin comments something about how will the committee look at the Badgers minus Butch. Plus things like spreading out same conference teams and accouting for regions and travel distance go into it to. Certainly there is leeway and there's no computerized formula (well, other than the RPI) that has the final say. That being said, I think they should consider the "sophomore slump" theory and not give Florida a #1 unless they win out in their conference tournament.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - infinity + 1 posts 03/07/2007 @ 06:13:25 PM
To clarify: I looked around and Cincinnati went to a number two when they were basically the best team that year before the injury which happened in like the last game. To clarify more, I don't really think it's good that they do that type of thing. Cincinnati should have been rewarded with the number one seed. From the other angle though, the tournament probably didn't want to see one of its one seeds bounced in the first round. (they went to round three two* in reality). I think they try to mix both how good a team performed with how well they think they will perform. If you give Florida the bump because of their potential, they seem like a fair number one if you believe in that system.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Jon messed with this at 03/07/2007 6:19:18 pm

	Jon - 1 bajillion posts 03/07/2007 @ 06:16:00 PM
Correction! *Cincinnati lost in the second round, thus making the committee look smart in one regard.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Jon screwed with this at 03/07/2007 6:19:46 pm

	Alex - 3619 Posts 03/07/2007 @ 07:01:48 PM
I think it's fair to bump a team up or down a notch based on recent injuries or recoveries, but potential is for the preseason polls. Or at best maybe it's for the last 4 or 5 at large bids of teams just trying to make the tournament. Teams should have to earn a #1 seed though.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 03/07/2007 @ 07:19:26 PM
Florida is indeed gathering a fair amount of apologists lately. My question: why does the "2006/2007 poll" take into consideration anything that happened in 2005/2006? The Gators have not proven themselves to be as good as Wisconsin, Kansas, or UCLA, (I think Ohio State is better than Florida, but Florida did win head-to-head). That Gators should not be a higher seed than any of these 4 teams. That's my point.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - 3375 Posts 03/11/2007 @ 02:56:53 PM
(with the recent SEC results backing me up) I still don't think you can say with any real certainty that Florida isn't as good as any of those teams. They have the same starting lineup as last year's championship team! To clarify, I think you can argue they shouldn't get a #1 seed. That's a fine position, but I guess I don't see it as something that's so clear that it's an outrage if they get a one seed. Again, I am saying this with the luxury of the SEC tournament already done, but I think I basically said the same thing a few days ago. Also, just for the record, Head to Head is what the tournament is all about, but it's not what the process to the tournament is all about.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Alex - 3619 Posts 03/11/2007 @ 06:25:49 PM
Florida winning the tournament I think took away all doubt about their getting a #1 seed. But before the tournament they were not playing well, and losing early in the conference tournament probably cost UCLA a #1 seed. So if Florida had laid an egg in the first or second round (depending on who they played) then I think it would've been dicier. Anyway, Ohio State is just too gangly for the Badgers to handle without Butch on the floor. I thought Tucker got fouled inside early on a few times but the refs were letting some contact go which was not good for the Badgers either. I need to research some of Wisconsin's potential matchups before getting too excited, but it seems like a pretty good draw. Maybe Georgetown is the #2 seed with the easiest path, but Wisconsin would be next I think. At least up until Florida.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - 3375 Posts 03/11/2007 @ 06:36:26 PM
I was surprised Florida was number one overall with UNC being second. I would have had Ohio State, then Florida, then Kansas. I'm not even sure I would have given UNC a one seed but I guess I was way off on that one. I dunno about Wisconsin's road. Oregon could be tough but that would be a round before Florida who would be wayy tougher still I think.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 03/11/2007 @ 07:03:21 PM
How does a team ranked 6th jump over 3 other teams that also haven't lost to become the #1 overall seed? Florida is the #1 overall, which is reason enough to believe that there was a very heavy bias to put Florida into that spot. Considering that Ohio St. won their tournament, beat the number 3 team in the nation, and also was #1 in both polls, I guess it makes perfect sense that a #6 team should end up higher than Ohio State. What was I thinking. It is ME who is mistaken, clearly. At this point I don't care that Florida got a 1 seed, but the number 1 overall leads to me believe that there was an agenda to get Florida into that spot for reasons unrelated to basketball, and I'm fairly serious about that. There is no secret that sports in general has a west coast bias, and college sports definitely has a SEC/ACC bias.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - 1 bajillion posts 03/11/2007 @ 07:17:24 PM
The polls are all independent of the people doing the seeds. So, those numbers basically don't matter at all. If Florida had spread out their losses rather than have them bunched near the end of the season they could have been ranked right near the top anyway. As I said before, I personally think Ohio State is the number one overall, but again, it's a seed thing not a ranking thing, so they put the team they think is best at number one to a certain point. So, in conclusion, I think Ohio State probably deserves the number one overall seed (as if it even matters), but it's not like Florida has nothing on their resume to justify being so highly regarded.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - Knuckle Sammich 03/13/2007 @ 03:23:12 PM
I just put ten bucks on two brackets. I want to put 5 more using the "Do-women-like-the-color-of-their-uniform method" as proven in EVERY SINGLE POOL ever.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	PackOne - 1528 Posts 03/12/2008 @ 09:12:58 PM
Is there a nutcan bracket. I could start one at a reliable site, or, I am in a money league if anyone is interested.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Matt - Ombudsman 03/12/2008 @ 10:20:04 PM
We've done a Yahoo pick'em bracket the past couple of years. I can set one up in the next week or so if people are still interested, unless someone beats me to it.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	PackOne - 1528 Posts 03/12/2008 @ 11:20:24 PM
Go for it.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.