BracketBusters / UT-Memphis open thread

I'm expecting a busy afternoon and evening, and thus probably won't be able to watch as much basketball as I'd like. But there's plenty to talk about, with the day's biggest games being Drake @ Butler at 5:00 PM on ESPN2 (the BracketBusters marquee game) and, of course, Tennessee @ Memphis at 9:00 PM on ESPN2. Although, don't sleep on Kent State @ St. Mary's at midnight on the Deuce, which Kyle Whelliston says is potentially the most consequential 'Busters game of them all, bubble-wise.

Anyway, here's the scoreboard. If you're watching the games and you feel like commenting, fire away.

P.S. Nice wins for USC and Notre Dame on Thursday night, eh?

P.P.S. Check out 4th through 9th place in the Pac-10 standings. Wow. Is that conference balanced or what?

UPDATE: Tennessee wins, 66-62! Come Monday morning, the Vols will be #1 in the nation for the first time in school history. (Er, on the men's side, that is.)

And so ends Memphis's bid for an undefeated season. The Tigers were 8-for-17 from the free-throw line, and they didn't hit a single three-pointer after their white-hot start in the game's first 12 minutes.

Oh, and Drake beat Butler in another very exciting game.

Comments

[Andrew]

We were getting killed in the first half of that game, I thought there was no hope. I don't know what the hell happened, but the Trojans snapped out of it a few minutes into the second half and shut down Oregon pretty well from there on out. Once OJ started hitting treys, it was all over.

[Jay Johnson]

GO TIGERS GO!

[Andrew]

Oregon giving fUCLA all it can handle, up 34-31 at the half on ABC.

[Andrew]

Oregon faltering down the stretch, looks like the 'ruins are gonna pull this one out.

[Scientizzle]

The Ducks faded badly as Love woke up. I think Oregon needed at least one win in LA to be considered seriously for the field of 65 (barring a deep conference tournament run).

[jalypso]

I seen barak old bama shooting hoop with
some muslim.While being cheered on by the
Klu Klux KLAN. They have donated millions
to his campaign. This guy is a peace of
work!!!

[jalypso]

I seen barak old bama shooting hoops with
some muslims.While being cheered on by the
Klu Klux KLAN. They have donated millions
to his campaign. This guy is a peace of
work!!!

[Brendan Loy]

That is one very blue crowd.

[jalypso]

Amen!!! Look like Robert E Lee Might get
to see General Custards little Big Horn.

THats a Blue and oddly grey crowd?

[Brendan Loy]

Did anyone else catch Bruce Pearl manhandling Erin Andrews? And how uncomfortable she looked for the rest of the interview? LOL!

[NDLauren]

While both teams are obviously very athletic, I wasn't completely blown away by the play in the game. There was quite a bit of sloppy play, but I suppose in a match up like that where the teams just don't really like each other, there is some of that to be expected. I need to make sure I watch these teams again before March Madness starts so I can get a better feel of whether I think they have a legitimate chance of winning it all.

[NDLauren]

Oh, and I'm selfishly glad Memphis lost, as ND's home winning streak is now the second longest in the NCAA :-)

[Brendan Loy]

I will be very, very reluctant to put a team that shoots free throws as poorly as Memphis through to the Final Four in my bracket. I see the Tigers as potentially vulnerable to an upset in the Sweet Sixteen, or even the second round if they face a quality #8 or #9 seed. Any team that can manage to play them close down the stretch has a good chance to win, because of the free-throw problem.

[Brendan Loy]

Possible Sweet Sixteen kryptonite for Memphis: #4- or #5-seed Butler?

The Bulldogs played a similarly athletic, talented, physical, NBA-star-laden #1 seed -- the Florida Gators -- VERY close in the Sweet 16 last year. (I remember it well, as I was there.) Indeed, if the refs had called a few more fouls, Butler very well could have won. (I'm not saying the refs were biased; they called it the same on both sides. But they really swallowed their whistled throughout, which inherently benefits the more physical team.)

Anyway, with the right game plan, Butler can hang with a team like Memphis. And unlike the Tigers, the Bulldogs are REALLY REALLY GOOD at shooting free throws.

(So is Drake, for that matter, though I'd expect them to be seeded more in the #6-7 range.)

Just sayin'.

[Brendan Loy]

P.S. On the other hand, Lunardi's current bracket sets up a potential Sweet Sixteen matchup between Memphis and... #4 seed Notre Dame.

But only if the Tigers can get past... #9 seed USC.

If that happens, it's on, Johnson. ;)

[domindc]

more rocky top please!

[MHiggo]

Signs of life in the MO Valley? Whodathunkit? If Drake can win their last two regular season games (at MO State, vs. Wichita State) and not win Arch Madness, the MVC might sneak a second team in the tournament yet.

Oh, and spare a thought for the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Losing at Utah Valley State means the Highlanders complete their first season in Division I with a record of 0-29.

Chicago State and Longwood finally have someone to abuse....

[Andrew]

I hate bracket projections that show rematches of regular season games, so please, put us in another bracket from Memphis.

I feel like an SEC honk saying a statement like this, but I think Memphis would go .500 in the Pac-10.

[Andrew H]

How come no love this year for the Fightin' Irish? Notre Dame has had a wonderful season to date and I've hardly heard you mention it this year. Nice work by Mike Brey, no?

[Brendan Loy]

Andrew, I've barely blogged about college basketball at all (at least by my hyperactive-blogging standards), as I have limited free time -- I blame the eight-week old baby for that one. :) And almost all of my blog time has been devoted to politics. So I've said very little, compared to past years, about the fortunes of USC, Notre Dame or Gonzaga. But I have certainly mentioned the Irish's success several times. See in particular this post from February 8:

But Notre Dame has been doing really well, building a 7-2 Big East record, with two of those wins (along with both losses) on the road. The Irish are currently alone in second place in the conference standings, and ranked #21 or #22 in the country, depending on which poll you believe. Admire Mike Brey!

I'm thrilled they're doing so well. You can be sure I'll be talking about them more next month. :)