NCAA 3/24 Everyone else

[Bball Girl]

ASU brought their offense in the first half against BGSU - I'm looking to the Sun Devils to keep it up.

[wwi_flying_ace_17]

Lead down to 9 now. We'll see if Bowling Green can get any closer.

[Bball Girl]

The Devils are a deep team and it's wearing Bowling Green out.

Devils now up by 18.

Sorry to see January on the bench with a concussion

[Dale8R]

I liked what I saw from BG the other day, but I just didn't see them beating ASU. The Sun Devils have way too many weapons, and has been shown numerous times, the ability to wear out the opposition.

Yeah, what Bball Girl said. REALLY, I didn't see what she said until after I posted mine.

[YCN]

Bowling Green just doesn't have the depth, or the offensive or defensive consistency to hang with a rugged, deep team like ASU.

I will say however, that ASU doesn't handle the ball as well as I thought they did. That's going to ruin them against a better team.

[Bball Girl]

Dale - Great Minds Think Alike :)

You're right about their weapons - when they're working, they're very impressive. I really enjoy watching this team and I love Coach Charlie...I hope she stays in Tempe.

YCN - ASU averages 17.3 tos per game, they force 21.8 (19th in the country) turnovers by the opposition, assist/turnover is 1.1 (all better than a certain Big 12 team).

I just HATE seeing these kids crying as they come out of the game. I can celebrate ASU's win, but I can't celebrate BGSU's loss. Mann is a WARRIOR - they had 31 wins this season. Congrats to BGSU for a wonderful season.


WAY TO GO SUNDEVILS!!!! 1st Elite 8!

"I shot the ball and it went in" Orsillo

[YCN]

Anyone wanna bet that the Duke-Rutgers game won't be just a tad more hotly-contested than this one? Duke has a very dangerous opponent today.

And I can't believe I'm saying that. Rutgers played a game on national TV in December that was so comically bad, it was almost surreal. They've advanced amazingly since then, a sign of good coaching and motivated talent.

[YCN]

Does anyone have an idea how long the forums have been back up? I repeatedly got database error messages earlier.

[YCN]

Rutgers looks a lot more focused and determined this year. I sense a real battle coming...

[YCN]

What a tough, tough game this has turned out to be. In the end, it might be Rutgers' inability to get their offense flowing that decides this game. That's the curiosity of CVS's teams, how they can play so well, yet be so offensively retarded.

Game's not even close to over, however the time is starting to dwindle. Duke just has been completely unable to pull away. If Rutgers was to get hot for just 2-3 possessions, they could pull off the upset.

[ChipperF1]

That was the same Arizona State team I saw dismantle Nebraska last November. Defensively tough and they take advantages of opportunities. A good pressure game will hurt the Sun Devils, though.

I hope Arizona State beats whoever they play next. They aren't the most talented team, but they go hard every play

[wwi_flying_ace_17]

Upset coming?

[JacknCy]

WOW! 12.5 seconds left. Duke with the ball down 1

DUKE TURNS IT OVER !!

[ChipperF1]

Great play by Prince!!!!!!! Much maligned because of a high school record...and she make a play in the NCAA.

ESPN's nightmare -- No Duke!

Lindsey Harding just did a Sleepy Floyd!!!!! OUCH!
She may have just fumbled away player of the year.

[wwi_flying_ace_17]

I had Duke winning it all and Stanford was my pick out of the Fresno region. I might have to throw my bracket away, but I don't care one bit :)

Harding to the line with under a second left! Bad inbounds play by Rutgers.

Rutgers wins!

I do want to give Lindsay Harding a hug. I really enjoyed watching her. I feel awful for her right now.

[Bball Girl]

YEAH!!!!! Rutgers

GO SUNDEVILS!!!!

[ChipperF1]

What a rough-slab defensive game in the regional final....Arizona State vs... WHAT THE HECK!!!!!! Lindsey Harding with the steal and the foul!!!!!!!

You gotta love this!!!!!!! Viva March!

First Vandy-G'Town and Butler-Florida now this!!!

HOLY COW....SHE CLANKED IT!!!!!!!

Choke City USA!!!!!!! Oh my!!!!! Rutgers wins 53-52!!!!!!!

[JacknCy]

She Missed Both!

[Dale8R]

How hard to believe was that???

[YCN]

The odds-on favorite for the Wade Trophy cannot find the bucket when the golden opportunity arrives and Rutgers "steals away" with the win.

That's one of the most amazing finishes ever. I would never have predicted that Harding could miss TWO FREE THROWS with the game on the line.

This is just a great tournament!

[wwi_flying_ace_17]

How hard to believe was that???

I caught the end of the Men's DII title game and I thought that had a crazy ending.

Two of the big three from the ACC are gone now? I hope UNC loses and then I will really laugh.

[ChipperF1]

Candace Parker or Courtney Paris have a serious shot at Player of the Year now..

This is ESPN's worst nightmare right now -- unbelievable...what is UConn, Tennessee, and North Carolina lose, too?

If you think the womens tourney lacks drama? Think again! :)

[Bball Girl]

One #1 down - 3 more to go.

I feel bad for Harding and Bales too...they're great players and Duke had an excellent season.


ASU and Rutgers should be a fun game.

[Jennifer]

Wow.
I do feel for Lindsay Harding, but way to go Rutgers!

Never thought Harding would miss 2 FTs to lose the game. After the first miss, I really thought OT was coming.

Wow.

[Jennifer]

This is ESPN's worst nightmare right now -- unbelievable...what is UConn, Tennessee, and North Carolina lose, too?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[Row6Seat10]

Maybe Goestenkors better go where she can win a championship. ;) :UT:

[Bball Girl]

This is ESPN's worst nightmare right now -- unbelievable...what is UConn, Tennessee, and North Carolina lose, too?

If you think the womens tourney lacks drama? Think again! :)

Well then ESPN and co. might - just might understand that WBB is a pretty special thing. Dales and Lawson know that (I love these two), we know that and it's time for everyone else to know that.

Next up ....the World Strongest Man (thanks ESPN)

[sybarite]

I don't think anything that happens in the Sweet Sixteen can be considered an upset any more. It would not surprise me to see all four number ones go down this weekend.

Meanwhile, on the men's side, I think they have all four number ones, three number twos, and a number three left.

[DblT81]

Wow what a finish.

I'm at work. No TV, so I listened to the Rutgers radio broadcast. To say the announcers were excited is an understatement.

Now we have a break to watch the men.

I've really loved watching Kansas men in this tournament.

[Dale8R]

I know it shouldn't come down to what a player does on one single possession, or in this case, a pair of free throws, but I am afraid this was the defining moment for Harding's MVP chances.

[wwi_flying_ace_17]

I don't think anything that happens in the Sweet Sixteen can be considered an upset any more. It would not surprise me to see all four number ones go down this weekend.

Meanwhile, on the men's side, I think they have all four number ones, three number twos, and a number three left.

Yeah, isn't the women's side supposedly more predictable?

I picked Duke to win it all, but they just haven't been the same team that was steamrolling opponents earlier in the year. This has been one of the most exciting tournaments that I can remember though.

Come on Jayhawks! Let's have a Big 12 team in the Men's Final Four!

[ChipperF1]

"the World Strongest Man (thanks ESPN)

The company makes money showing this stuff. How I do not know lol

What a Final Four we could have...ESPN's remote staff may have to work overtime now

[Gator]

I know it shouldn't come down to what a player does on one single possession, or in this case, a pair of free throws, but I am afraid this was the defining moment for Harding's MVP chances.I feel SO sorry for that kid!

Are the votes already cast? if now, when must they be cast?

[Bball Girl]

Some happy SunDevils!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070324/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkw_ncaa_bowling_green_arizona_state_7

We get a lot of Pac 10 games and I really, really like this team. Just saw a very nice feature on the team during "Runnin with the Pac" - most of the show was devoted to their story.

"We told Coach that we packed our offense for this trip," Westerberg said. "I always say that you can't shoot that bad all the time. We knew we had gotten all of it out of us."

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/0ec4742c-fc1b-4b4c-a1f8-3c15871c9819_thumbnail.jpghttp://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/338ad517-fb84-4806-bda4-d70c4affea11_thumbnail.jpg



"I don't think this one loss can take away from the great things we accomplished here," Mann said. "It's just been an amazing ride. We've done things people never thought we could do."

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/1ae53833-1396-4802-b49c-ed4fe1166a73_thumbnail.jpg

Ali - you are a warrior and a terrific basketball player. It's been a pleasure to watch your passion and work ethic and grit.

[LadyBuff]

Thank you, Rutgers. Now I don't face the prospect of having to watch Duke this season. I refuse to watch Duke during the regular season and haven't seen an NCAA game of theirs yet. and I hope UConn, Tennessee, and North Carolina all lose, too. I like seeing different teams in the Final Four. I'd love to see Oklahoma pull it off. If not OU, then NC State for Kay Yow. I've been saying all year anybody but Duke and I got my wish.

[swok34]

I've never been much of a Dookie fan, but to see a game come down to 2 missed free throws by a senior will probably haunt Harding. :( I'm really not a Rutgers fan.

I almost wonder if this team didn't believe some of the press they were reading about GG.

[Scamp]

I almost wonder if this team didn't believe some of the press they were reading about GG.Florida has a lot to answer for, firing Carolyn Peck so early; that started the coaching carousel which is making some teams queasy. :p

[sybarite]

NC State us up 15-11 early. Nobody can stop anybody. NC State is 7-9, and UConn is 4-6. UConn is 2-2 on free throws, and both teams are 1-1 from threes. Nobody can miss five minutes into the game.

[wwi_flying_ace_17]

Look at all of those fans! *sarcasm*

I know these teams are from the opposite side of the country, but come on.

[sybarite]

Isn't that about what they draw for a home game?

[Bball Girl]

That's what disappointing...to see those empty seat and then to see 18,000 for one of the men's games today.

[BeBe]

Come on NCState.... win another for Coach Yow.

Besides, the state of Connecticut has its NCAA WBB champion ... Southern Connecticut State won the Div II championship this afternoon. We need to spread them around and have a different state win Div I. No better team to knock off UConn than Kay Yow's team.

[YCN]

Men's basketball is a very established sport, while women's basketball is still growing. While I don't believe that the numbers for the women's game will ever match the men's, the gap between the two will continue to diminish over time.

NC State played a very poised, structured game in the first half. I definitely believe that they can win this game.

[MsProudSooner]

If the people on the women's committee think that by putting the women's regionals in cities that don't care bout women's bb they will increase interest, they are sorely mistaken.

They could pick 'neutral' cities that are still within less than a days drive for teams, instead of putting NC State and UConn on the west coast.

The men's regional finals are going to sell out no matter where they are. The women's tournament has to be a little bit more intelligent about what cities get the tournaments and what teams they put in each region.

I'd love to see a map of the US with the states that support women's bb the most highlighted. I would bet money that most of the support is in the middle third of the country.

[YCN]

NC State is not playing good ball in the second half, and Connecticut is. They'll have to get back to playing with intelligent decisions to have a chance of getting back into this game.

And as soon as I say that, they score four and steal the ball. It's obvious to anyone that UConn has the better players, but who wants it more?

[YCN]

Now down to three. UConn worked HARD to develop that lead, and it's almost vanished in no time at all.

I think the bigger question is why a team with the talent of UConn playing this way? Was it their easy romp in the first and second rounds, or are they just not committed enough to winning a national championship?

I'm sensing the latter. They are reminding me a bit of Duke right now.

[Bball Girl]

Key has fouled out :(

[YCN]

It's looking like UConn is going to escape after a much less than impressive performance. However, the game's not over yet.

[YCN]

It's over now. But UConn does not look at all like a championship team to me.

[Bball Girl]

Jimmy Dykes (?) is annoying as hell...if he mentions Taurasi one more time :mad: he is as bad as SW

[Bball Girl]

:( :( :( :(

Thanks Coach Yow and Whittington! You are the very best. We are very proud of you.

[Cyclones Rule]

Congratulations to Coach Yow and NC State on a magical season. No matter the score NC State and Coach Yow are still winners tonight.

[MsProudSooner]

They commented during the game that all 5 UConn players average double figures and they don't have a real 'go-to' player, unlike past Husky teams. They certainly aren't as good as the 2002 UConn team.

[vickie1ok]

What a tourney! Who would have thunk Harding would miss 2 fts to lose? Of course, she didn't have a good game all around.

Good for Rutgers, but I just heard Vivian Stringer say they beat a Duke team which had the best assembly of players in a long time. Well, I don't know what she calls a "long time" but I think UCONN's 2002 team has this Duke team trumphed, big time. But I understand Vivian is trying to be complimentary to her opponent.

[Bball Girl]

The 2002 UConn team was a very special team and in no way comparable to any team in this tourney. I was in San Antonio too.

But this UConn team is pretty solid, they take care of the ball, they shoot the ball well and they're pretty darn dangerous. They were the aggressor in the 2nd half on offense and defense and NC State somewhat lost their poise.

It's anybody's tournament right now.

[jcarter]

I had Duke winning it all to my bracket is really messed up now

[vickie1ok]

UCONN has no big star, but they just keep on winning. LSU ahead of FSU 20-8. But I would bet for UCONN to make the final four, in spite of Sylvia Fowles.

[YCN]

FSU's posts BOTH have 3 fouls with a bit over five minutes left in the first half. I'm debating whether or not this game is worth staying up for.

[JohnHenry]

Proll y ought to go to bed YCN. 27-18 LSU at the half.

But...anything can happen and really 9 points is nuthin'...LSU should be dominating this game as FSU can barely get a shot off, but they've left the door open just a crack if the FSU guards can start cutting and finding the seams in the 2nd. They lulled Stanford to sleep and then slit their throats in the 2nd.

I think LSU will win, but I think UConn is gonna carve them up Monday night.

God I'm so sick of UConn.

[YCN]

I'm still here JohnHenry. I may not like it, but like you I recognize that at this level anything can happen. LSU just has the look of a team living on borrowed time to me. In spite of the first half threes, they really aren't that good of a perimeter shooting team. And although Fowles is a terrific defender, her offense is a bit dicey and unpredictable, in spite of her first half.

Now about those post fouls for FSU...

[YCN]

Speaking of <strike>teams living on borrowed time</strike>UConn, they really don't look to me like a complete enough team to win the championship. I know that they have five starters averaging in double figures, but I just don't see the spark there, and really haven't very much all season long.

Geno's a terrific coach, but to me they look more like a team for another year.

[vickie1ok]

I agree, YCN. But they just keep winning. They are lucky to be in Fresno, though. They are the only school left with a fan following.

I think a Stanford/UCONN game would be far different than LSU/UCONN. But that's Stanford's problem.

[JohnHenry]

I dunno YCN; UConn started out a little tentative nut once they got going they looked pretty damn good. That team can shoot. And they were playing a darn good and quite motivated NC St. team. I think their chances are as good as anyone's at this point. Yes, it pains me to say that.

Uggh. 10-0 run by LSU to start the 2nd. This one is pretty much over with 15 to go.

[YCN]

Paraphrasing a line from The Sound of Music...

It's time to say goodnight. Goodnight!

[Dale8R]

Getting back to the Lindsey Harding situation, I have been reading game accounts from several sources, and what I read makes me wonder if these people actually saw the game or were just rewording what someone else wrote. Didn't any of these writers see McCurdy turn and run over Harding? They all make it sound as though the distraught player suddenly lost the will to stand up or somehow just collapsed. Now I admit that she didn't jump right up, I'm not sure I would have either, but she did not fall of her own volition, she was pushed.

Here are some excerpts from various accounts:

Harding fell to her back and covered her face in horror,

After missing her final free throw, Harding fell to the court and covered her face as her teammates surrounded and consoled their senior leader,

Harding collapsed, distraught.

the best player 5-8 and under in the country — backpedaled and collapsed to the floor
and later in the same article
After she hit the deck following the two missed three throws,

the 73-percent free-throw shooter crumpled to the floor, dropped to her back,

When Harding's second free throw bounded off the back of the rim, she fell to the floor, sprawled out on her back

The Rutgers bench erupted in celebration as Harding had to be helped up by her teammates after the devastating loss.

That last one does not specifically state that she "fell", but it doesn't tell the whole truth either. I think writers have an obligation to get it right, not write something that makes a better story.

[LadyBuff]

Great season NC State and Kay Yow. I hope Kay is able to coach the Wolfpack next season.

[Bball Girl]

Dale - DRAMA is everything...it's often the words left out the lend the most drama...what some of them fail to realize that it's the wrong words they are leaving out and they're putting in words that aren't needed.
I agreee - they should just tell it like it happened (that would quite a concept).


Mechelle however doesn't need to create drama about what happened....but she does offer dramatic perspective
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/ncaatourney07/columns/story?columnist=voepel_mechelle&id=2811519

[QUOTE]Your significant other dumps you -- via text message. Your dog runs away -- to go live with your ex-significant other. Your boss calls you worthless -- your car gets stolen (and your laptop was in the car, by the way). And your best friend is moving to New Guinea.

Wow, do you feel like crap.

But you probably don't feel worse than Duke's women do right now.


And a nice article about the Rutgers/ASU game. I remember we had some discussion about why Stringer kept her team away from the gym that day - if they'd shown up they would have gotten a "empty" win - but she chose sportsmanship instead and the game was cancelled
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/ncaatourney07/columns/story?columnist=voepel_mechelle&id=2811474

Charli Turner Thorne was asked about the regional final matchup that awaited her Sun Devils on Monday (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET). But ASU had just defeated Bowling Green 67-49, so Turner Thorne didn't know whom her team would play next. Duke-Rutgers had yet to tip off.

Yet there was an odd look on her face that suggested, somehow, she did know. Or at least suspected.

"Our players and the people in our ASU family think that it might be fate that this game will happen," Turner Thorne said
Four months later, Rutgers, ASU to meet after all

Instead, Rutgers is going for the program's second Final Four appearance. And the matchup that tragedy prevented will happen after all.

"After the game, I just went up to Aubree," ASU senior Emily Westerberg said, "and told her, 'I think Jordan's with us.' "