2024 March Madness Thread

NT80 · March 26

The top two seeds from each region are headed to the Sweet 16 for just the fifth time.

https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-32702c7f1620f8e4aeeca3b6fbdf122a

Matt from A700 · March 26

1 hour ago, MCMLXXX said:

The Mastodons win the CIT. Tournament had 9 teams with 4 from Texas and most games including the Championship were played in Stephenville.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401649396

It looks like the mighty Mastodons still have to get through Norfolk State:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_CollegeInsider.com_Postseason_Tournament

But needless to say, I don't think anyone was asking for the CIT to return this year. After only finding 9 teams to play in the originally-planned 16-team tournament, I think NCAA, NIT, and CBI is all we need next year, assuming the CBI can fill their 16-team field.

I like keeping the NIT on campuses the first three rounds, though I wish the Final 4 would return the MSG. The CBI can keep the "mystique" of playing four days straight in a neutral destination city.

CMJ · March 26

Indianapolis and Hinkle is a much better location for the NIT than Las Vegas' Orleans Arena IMHO though. It's a historic venue and that is total basketball country. Only the fact that Indy is so often in the rotation to have the Final Four would prevent it from moving there on a more permanent basis.

Matt from A700 · March 26

3 hours ago, CMJ said:

Indianapolis and Hinkle is a much better location for the NIT than Las Vegas' Orleans Arena IMHO though. It's a historic venue and that is total basketball country. Only the fact that Indy is so often in the rotation to have the Final Four would prevent it from moving there on a more permanent basis.

I will be interested to see how the attendance is if the championship is something like Seton Hall vs. VCU, and not Ohio State vs. Indiana State/Cincinnati.

CMJ · March 26

Plenty of the NIT semis and finals I watched on TV weren't exactly highly attended. Traveling to NYC (unless you're in the north east corridor) on short notice in the middle of the week isn't easy or cheap. When you had a school like St. Johns, or Penn State - the Garden would be rocking. Not so much when it was Stanford vs Miami.

NT80 · March 27

11 hours ago, Matt from A700 said:

I will be interested to see how the attendance is if the championship is something like Seton Hall vs. VCU, and not Ohio State vs. Indiana State/Cincinnati.

Ohio State and Cincy lose in the NIT.

NT80 · March 28

Seton Hall beats UNLV 91-68 in the NIT quarterfinals.

UNTLifer · March 28

3 hours ago, NT80 said:

Seton Hall beats UNLV 91-68 in the NIT quarterfinals.

Strong team.

CMJ · March 30

Some great games in the Sweet 16. Connecticut looks basically unbeatable though.

emmitt01 · March 30

8 hours ago, CMJ said:

Some great games in the Sweet 16. Connecticut looks basically unbeatable though.

I think Purdue would like a word.

And don’t forget Houston…oh wait, never mind.

Edited March 30 by emmitt01

greenminer · March 30

6 hours ago, emmitt01 said:

I think Purdue would like a word.

And don’t forget Houston…oh wait, never mind.

Purdue can have a word. Then they'd get steamrolled.

I don't see anything short of a miracle stopping the Huskies this year.

NT80 · March 30

27 minutes ago, greenminer said:

Purdue can have a word. Then they'd get steamrolled.

I don't see anything short of a miracle stopping the Huskies this year.

Houston thought same. Things happen, that's why they should just play the games instead of award some fake rankings to determine the best (CFP).

greenminer · March 30

4 hours ago, NT80 said:

Houston thought same. Things happen, that's why they should just play the games instead of award some fake rankings to determine the best (CFP).

But "I" never thought the same about Houston. 😉

you're right, though, that anything can happen.

CMJ · March 31

I never thought Houston was anywhere as good as Connecticut. UConn might be beaten, but it'd be the biggest upset in at least 20 years if they don't win it all.

Edited April 1 by CMJ

CMJ · March 31

Since its first title in 1999, Connecticut has won five title (looking like six, but we'll see) Amazingly they've also missed the tournament nine times since then. So they've won five titles in the 15 tourneys its played in, with three different coaches.

3 First-Round losses

4 Second-Round losses

2 Elite Eight losses

7 Final Fours (5 wins...and counting)

Basically if they get to the Sweet 16, they have a better than even chance of cutting down the nets. It's remarkable. People may hate Kentucky, Duke, or UNC, or Kansas or pick your blue blood, etc. for their consistent greatness -- but most everyone has slept of the Huskies as they continue to own the the sport for the last generation plus. Best stretch of dominance since UCLA.

It should be noted that I really have never liked UCONN much. Calhoun always rubbed me the wrong way and the feeling has never left how I view the program.

Edited March 31 by CMJ

greenminer · March 31

When this is over and we look back at this UCONN run since 1999, what will we be talking about? A great defensive scheme, like Boeheim’s 2-3 zone? Or maybe something on the offensive side?

What makes this so special?

CMJ · April 1

I'm not sure what the connective tissue is. I feel like the teams have all been constructed differently.

CMJ · April 3

Indiana State looks like they have about 95% of the fans and Hinkle is rocking. It's gonna be tough for Utah or whoever they may face in the NIT Final on Thursday to beat them there.

Edited April 3 by CMJ

greenminer · April 3

Sycamores have my vote.

Their coach is on a roll, career-wise.

Matt from A700 · April 3

On pace to be Seton Hall. They're already up 40-18 on Georgia with 4+ minutes left in the first half. Will be a fun matchup of two teams playing really good basketball.

UNTLifer · April 3

I have to pull for Seton Hall since they ended our season but Indiana State has been fun to follow.

CMJ · April 3

St. Joes had SHU dead to rights. I wonder if they'd have gotten rid of the Prates, if perhaps we may have had a run to Indy. St. Joes and UNLV would have been tough, but beatable. Oh, the what ifs.