Session Two - Night Games

By Mark Buckets

The dust has cleared and the damage has been done. The two games at St.Pete Times Forum today were the two best of the tournament.

Drake and Western Kentucky was everything you could want in a college basketball game. It featured big play after big play - the game was decided in overtime and on a last second shot and ultimately, the requisite live theater NCAA Basketball fans demand.

In the second game of the day, San Diego overcame a late Connecticut surge (in regulation) and won 70 to 69. A.J. Price went down early in the game with a knee injury and the Huskies lacked a leadership presence they sorely needed.

Tonight should offer up another firecracker or two. Villanova over Clemson is the trendy pick - just watch ESPN - but I feel that the Tigers are playing too well at the moment.

Should be a fun night, and we'll have it all here for you to enjoy.

6:05PM- Time for tonight's upset special picks, this all courtesy of CBS: Seth Davis is going with St.Joe's and Siena, whereas Clark Kellogg continues to lack any courage in his picks, with action "returning to form" tonight. (I.e. I have an inkling there'll be an upset, but won't put myself out on a limb)

6:09PM- A sea of powder blue at the RBC Center - that's weird. Well, not really, considering they take it over when they play NC State.

6:12PM- Carolina runs out to a 7-0 lead. Hansbrough jumps the passing lane and dunks it to start the surge. The Mount looks shell-shocked early on.

6:15PM- Old footage of Mt.St.Mary's coach Milan Brown playing for Howard during his college days. Ironically, he was the player of the game as his team lost to, yes, you guessed it, Carolina.

6:18PM- The Mount has started to settle in and have cut it to a 17-12 score.

6:19PM- One thing that I will give Tyler Hansbrough - he is a master at drawing fouls that...aren't fouls. And I'm not in the minority in saying that.

6:22PM- I have a feeling the Oklahoma-St.Joe's game - I did pick OU - might provide another nail-biting moment or two.

6:30PM- Carolina is getting to all of the loose balls and, also, seems to be getting all of the calls. I'm not biased, or anything.

6:33PM- I hear a whistle, and the foul isn't against Mt.St.Mary's. Am I hallucinating?

6:34PM- One and One for the Heels already. 9:51 to go in the first half, Carolina up 10.

6:35PM- Siena off to a roaring start in Tampa. Exactly the type of start the Saints were hoping for.

6:40PM- The Mount can't be too disappointed with the scoreboard thus far. It's been an up and down game and they only trail by 12.

6:42PM- Longar Longar exhibiting his athletic ability. A beautiful finger roll and the Sooners maintain the slimest of leads.

6:48PM- Carolina starting to flex their muscles. This team, however you slice it, can score in bunches and demoralize the opposition in the process.

6:49PM- Jump ball won by Psycho T. Nothing new, except for the fact that he puffed his chest out after winning it from a 6 foot 2 point guard. Hmmmmm....

6:55PM- Mount St.Mary's with 40 points at the 2 minute mark in the first half. Ol' Roy can't be happy with that....

6:58PM- ...although he'll be happy with 60 points at the break. 60-41 Tar Heels.

7:00PM- For as much flack as Billy Packer receives - some of it is self-inflicted - he is as insightful as any color man in the business.

7:02PM- Luckiest man in college hoops tonight? Tim Brando, who is calling the games in St.Petersburg. The first two, as we documented, were instant classics. Tonight's Siena-Vandy game is on the fast track to classic status, as well.

7:07PM- Vanderbilt really needs A.J. Ogilvy to break out of his elongated slump. He's showing signs of that tonight, filling up the stat sheet as we near halftime in Tampa.

7:09PM- Siena hits a huge three as the half ends extending their lead to 46-34.

7:11PM- We haven't touched on the Oregon/Mississippi State game in Little Rock. Oregon is playing with a purpose, something they haven't done losing 6 of 9 before the Pac 10 tournament, where they lost in the quarterfinals.

Three Pt Field Goals: Oregon-7 MSU-0. Hence the Halftime score of 38-28, UO.

7:20PM- This game in Raleigh is resembling a bad NBA game. Up and down - not in a good way. Bad passes that resemble a soccer match crossed with a volleyball game. Shot selection has left much to be desired, too.

7:24PM- The fighting Joe Lunardi's (Joey Brackets picked SJU to win in this 6-11 game) are starting to fade into basketball oblivion tonight. After keeping it close for about 10 minutes of the first half, the Sooners have seized control and lead by 20.

7:27PM- Marcus Ginyard just blew a dunk. I mean, really blew it. He had a WIDE OPEN path to the rack and came up short on a basic dunk. Rejected by the rim! I'm laughing here in the Drive & Dish studios.

7:29PM- Time to pull the starters, Roy. You're up by 29. Call off the dogs.

7:31PM- I think Billy Packer just called a travel on Hansbrough. He really did!

7:35PM- Second half starting in Tampa. Can the Saints continue their torrid shooting in the second half? I'd lean towards "no."

7:41PM- Vandy getting out and playing the passing lanes. When they do that, they should handle this team.

7:43PM- Keegan Bell showing a little versatility for the Commodores. He might be the offensive spark that this team needs. Lead cut to 50 to 43.

7:45PM- Jamont Gordon having an absolutely brutal game so far. Five points on 2 of 10 shooting. If he heats up, the Ducks better look out.

7:47PM- Phil Martelli's Hawks have made a nice little comeback to trim the lead to nine. Oklahoma's inability to convert from the free throw line has aided this St.Joe's comeback.

7:48PM- Technical Foul, Kevin Stallings. His team down ten, with 12:28 to go in the game and he's t'ed up. Not a good call, coach.

7:50PM- A common theme throughout today has been the slickness of the playing surface. The NCAA logo at midcourt at all of the sites has been the main culprit to this problem. It's as though they're playing this game on one of Lifetime Fitness's worn and dilapidated courts.

7:54PM- Coach Stallings' is on the verge of being tossed. You just don't pull a Larry Eustachy when your team is down 10 in the second half.

7:55PM- Shots are starting to fall for St.Joe's, and with plenty of time left in the second half. Perhaps I will be eating "crow," at the end of this one.

7:56PM- There goes Tasheed Carr, who will foul out with 7 points for St.Joe's. The lack of depth will eventually catch up with St.Joe's, who are in a world of foul trouble.

7:58PM- Blake Griffin is a manchild in every sense of the word. He makes even the most innocuous play - a block after a foul is called - look magnificent.

8:00PM- Longar Longar displays some of that, in the same situation, blocking a shot into the second row. None of this matters, however, as the lead has been cut to five. 61 to 55, OU, 4:36 to play.

8:01PM- Superstars have carried the mail for some teams today. Stephen Curry had 40 earlier in the day, and Jack McClinton of Miami put up 38....without getting a double-figure effort from one of his teammates. Charles Rhodes of Mississippi State is continuing this trend, scoring 28...the only player on his team with double figures.

Both of those teams were victorious. However, Mississippi State only leads by one about halfway through the second half.

8:05PM- Blake Griffin has been a difference-maker down the stretch for Oklahoma tonight. With the Hawks threatening, Griffin has taken over with three consecutive scores putting his Sooners safely ahead by eight with 1:13 to go. Not over yet, however....

8:12PM- It's been surprisingly easy for the Siena Saints tonight. They haven't once trailed tonight, and are on course for one of the easier 13 over 4 wins in recent memory. (to say the least)

8:15PM- Oklahoma putting the finishing touches on St.Joe's. You have to commend the Hawks for not folding the tents early in the second half, as they easily could have. If ever a team was a "reflection of their head coach," St.Joe's would be exhibit A.

8:17PM- A good one brewing in Little Rock. Two evenly matched teams playing an evenly matched contest. Oregon was unconscious early, and can't seem to buy a basket now. 63 to 58, Bulldogs, with 4:31 remaining. 33 for Charles Rhodes.

8:20PM- Speaking of putting a bow on things: Siena is on the verge of renaming Tampa Bay as "Upset City." Final score Siena-83 Vanderbilt-62.

8:31PM- Time is starting to run out on Oregon and the career of Malik Hairston. From ballyhooed recruit to being labeled as a "college bust," to recovering and making the most out of his senior year, Hairston's career has been filled with trials and tribulations. He goes out with 22 points and a lot of respect from this blogger.

8:35PM- I would be remissed if I didn't mention Maarty Leunen and his importance to Oregon Ducks basketball the past four years. He's a true student-athlete, and is the poster boy for college basketball purists like myself.

8:41PM- Final Score: Miss State-76 Oregon-69. Could this be Ernie Kent's swan song as the head coach at Oregon?

8:43PM- Is there a college basketball player that's as out-of-shape as Indiana's DeAndre Thomas? He also is a bit of a scatterbrain too.

8:46PM- Eric Gordon trying to post up shot-blocking machine Steven Hill? I know Dan Dakich is a lame-duck coach, but come on....

8:46PM- Speaking of which, Dakich is T'ed up 4 minutes into the game. Another coach with good intent, just a poor way of carrying out that intent.

8:52PM- Louisville and Boise State are underway in the fourth and final game today in Birmingham. Somebody get the defibrillator ready for Verne Lundquist. He's the one doing the true "marathon" today.

8:55PM- Indiana trying to establish D.J. White early. They've passed on several open looks from the outside to feed it down low. I like the strategy. They've always got Eric Gordon in their back pocket to kick it back out.

9:01PM- Sometime I wonder how DeAndre Thomas ever got a D-1 scholarship...

9:05PM- D.J. White just picked up foul numero dos. Having to rely on the aforementioned Thomas for post defense - especially against a team with as much size as Arkansas - isn't a good proposition for the Hooisers.

9:09PM- Clemson got off to a flying start against Villanova and are up 12 to 7. It's still early, and Villanova is - as has been stated before - calming down and playing their style of basketball.

9:18PM- UT-Arlington out to a 6 to 3 lead early on in Little Rock. The Southland Conference champion Mavericks aren't going to win tonight - but will put up a much better fight than Mississippi Valley State did last night.

9:26PM- Billy Packer and Dick Vitale actually agree on something. In reference to Indiana University's announcement that they will construct a search committee for a replacement to Dan Dakich. They both think - right on the money too - that the timing of this announcement is "horrendous."

9:28PM- Halftime score: Arkansas-37 Indiana-30. Eric Gordon has been ice-cold and D.J. White was in foul trouble. All in all, the Hoosiers are lucky to be down only 7.

9:33PM- The style of Louisville resembles that of Boise State..but the talent doesn't, and that is reflected on the scoreboard: Louisville-44 Boise State-31 at the break.

9:33PM- If this were a real marathon, I'd be at about the 20 mile point. It's a good feeling to think about what you accomplished - 20 miles - but the last 6.2 are the most daunting.

9:42PM- With Villanova trailing 39 to 25 late in the first, the Cats have decided to mix it up a little bit with some pressure.

9:45PM- Nearing halftime in North Little Rock, Memphis has kept it's distance from UT-Arlington. Like I said before, the Mavericks will put up a better fight than MVSU.

10:12PM- Everytime Indiana seems to be making some headway, Arkansas sets the Hooisers back. 53-47 IU with 10 to go.

10:13PM- Where is Eric Gordon?

10:14PM-There's another three, this time from Arkansas' Sonny Weems. This would be a perfect time for Mr.Gordon to show up.

10:15PM- Clemson and Villanova locked in a fight. Clemson has cooled off and Scottie Reynolds is starting to fire up.

10:18PM- Arkansas has by far been the more aggressive team, and the free throw discrepancy illustrates that.

10:28PM- You never really get the feeling that Indiana is in this game. Down ten with 4:15, IU is showing little sense of urgency.

10:31PM- In Tampa, Clemson is getting all they can handle from Villanova, who has done a great job of neutralizing the Trevor Booker and James Mays. 48-47 Tigers with about 12 minutes to go.

10:33PM- D.J. White looks like he is cramping up. He's got three fouls, and with him on the bench, IU has been lifeless inside. The senior is fighting for his collegiate life.

10:34PM- This is a classic SEC vs. Big 10 matchup, basketball style. 1)Both teams have talented athletes, but Arkansas has more. Would DeAndre Thomas be on any SEC roster? I'm serious about that.

10:43PM- Louisville made mince meat of Boise State tonight. The Broncos had to be emotionally spent after winning a triple-overtime thriller to earn this NCAA Tournament birth.

10:44PM- Eric Gordon's brief career at Indiana will end tonight with a 8 points on 3 of 15 shooting. Yikes.

10:48AM- Final score: Arkansas knocks off Indiana, 86 to 72. Indiana's loss drops the Big 10's spotless first round record to 3 and 1.

10:54PM- I get the same vibes from the 5/12 game in Tampa as I did with the IU/ARK game. It's still a 63-55 game, but it seems as though Clemson has accepted defeat.

10:57PM- The NCAA Tournament is memorable in more ways than just on the court. Here's a prime example of that. UT-Arlington's Rog'er (pronounced Roge-ear)Guignard just hit a three. And if you're curious - it's hour 11 of the liveblog and I'm sure you are - he isn't French Canadian.

11:00PM- Approaching the 12th hour of coverage, I'm starting to melt down almost as fast as Clemson is against Villanova(That was a joke....I LOVE doing this)

11:01PM- An interesting sidebar to these final two games - one that is out of hand and another that seems like it is - Which one will get done first? 7 minutes to go in a blowout (UM-UTA) or 3:30 in a "nailbitter"(CU-VU)?

11:04PM- I guess I should have known picking Clemson to advance a few lines in my bracket was a mistake. The Tigers are shooting a 43% from the FT line - shouldn't surprise me - since D&D's very own Trashtalk Superstar harped on their mental toughness all year....

11:07PM- Important technical foul of the day - this time from Villanova's Jay Wright....

11:08PM- And of course, Clemson sends Terrance Oglesby to the line and makes 'em both...huge swing in this game

11:08PM- CU gets the ball and an open look from Oglesby, which rattles out...could have put the Tigers ahead by one.

11:10PM- Tim Brando and Mike Gminski are still very lucky men.

11:10PM- And a foul from Mays, his fourth....Booker already out....serious foul trouble for CU, now down by 4 with 2:25.

11:12PM- Clemson getting clutch free throw shooting from their two best - Oglesby and K.C. Rivers. TIED at 66!

11:13PM- Oh my, James Mays fouls out on a ticky tack call 17 feet from the basket. The Tigers are going to have to win it without their two best big men. Can Raymond Sykes save the day?

11:15PM- Not to be (as of now). Oglesby and Sykes go for a screen and roll and the ball tips off of the hands of Sykes...who bowls over a VU player trying to get the ball.

11:16PM- 1:14 to go, 70-66 Villanova, with the ball and the game squarely in their hands. It looks as though Jay Wright won't be the goat of Philly, after all.

11:18PM- The shots aren't falling now for Clemson, as another three goes in and out...Nova fans starting to celebrate...

11:21PM- Final score: Villanova-75 Clemson-69.

11:25PM- There goes one of my Round of Eight participants...it's been messy in Mark Bucket's version of Bracketville.



11:40PM FINAL BLOG ENTRY- It's been a long and enjoyable day. Today was a little more entertaining than yesterday, offering a few close ones. From the opening tap in Birmingham to the last free throw in Tampa, we had you covered here at Drive & Dish.

I hope today was as enjoyable for you as it was for me.

Look forward to doing it again tomorrow, starting with Duke and West Virginia at 1:10PM CDT.

Until then, enjoy the madness!

Belated Bucket Blogging- Mark Goes for the Gold

By Mark Buckets

I, Mark Buckets, have a confession to make. I apologize for being late "to the dance." In this case, I missed out on the first half of the first session of today's "Liveblogging Super Marathon."

You're probably asking yourself, why would he be late to this marathon?

The reasons must remain confidential - I can assure you that it was a worthy excuse - for fear of serious repercussions.

Anyway, let's get to this, as the second half begins in Tampa.

12:43PM- Snow warning here in Chicago. Not only that, but it's a lake effect snow warning. Good thing I don't have to drive while liveblogging. That wouldn't be pretty.

12:45PM- Drake looks extremely out of snyc against the more athletic Western Kentucky Hilltopers. Nothing is coming easy for Drake.

12:46PM- Another contested three pointer for the Bulldogs. They just can't seem to get any good looks. Kudos to the WKU defense.

12:47PM- Over in Birmingham, Tennessee is getting all they can handle from American, leading the Eagles by two early in the second....it's a game worth keeping an eye on (and of course D&D will do that for you)

12:49PM- In Little Rock - a game in which most of the country is missing out on - Miami has inched back and is in a dog fight with St.Mary's. A 6-0 run has put the Hurricanes equal with the Gaels, 33 apiece.

12:51PM- In a game that has garnered most of the early attention - and rightfully so - Gonzaga is taking it to Davidson up eight in the second half. The Bulldogs have been in control most of this game, and are showing no signs of letting up. Davidson better be careful - GU smells blood.

12:52PM- Right on cue, Tennessee goes on an 8-0 run and takes the lead by...you guessed it, 8. Ridiculously athletic starting five count: Tennesesse-5 American-1

1:00PM- This is unreal. American is staying in this game behind the three point shot. They're within four, with a little under 5:30 to play. Don't count them out.

1:03PM- Whenever Bruce Pearl experiences any kind of strain - off the court, but especially on it - the Drive & Dish staff collectively smiles.

1:11PM- The Eagles aren't going away quietly. And get this: American is outrebounding Tennessee.......by 18!

1:31PM- Looks as though Davidson's gonna overcome a bit of a deficit and beat Gonzaga.

1:33PM- Adam Morrison looking on at the RBC Center...a bit dejected

1:33PM- One of Drive & Dish's favorite - he caught our eye in torching Duke - Jack McClinton has put up 33 as Miami is on line to put away St.Mary's. This is a dangerous team going forward.

1:36PM- Tim Brando just called Klayton Korver....Kyle Korver...again

1:44PM- OOOOOvertime at the St.Pete Times Forum. (A wonderful venue, by the way.)

1:53PM- What a thriller in Tampa. You think Duke relies on the three too much? Drake has lived (erasing a huge second half deficit) with the three. Lead extended to four here in Overtime.

1:58PM- Some questionable calls here in overtime - the refs letting almost everything go - except for the phantom "charge" in regulation to give Drake new life.

1:59PM- WKU's Boris Siakam fouls Josh Young with the game tied - 30 seconds to go and Drake basketball.....Darrin Horn can't believe it.

2:00PM- I ask you this: who, from Cameroon, is named Boris?

2:03PM- Drake to the line for two after a huge series of rebounds....

2:04PM- We're tied at 98! Darrin Horn wants a timeout, another shot for Drake's Jonathan Cox.

2:05PM- Who would have expected Western Kentucky to outshoot - percentage wise - Drake from behind the arc? Tyrone Brazelton has put on a clinic, going for 33.

2:06PM- Second shot on the way for Cox...and it's GOOD! 99-98. Timeout Drake!

2:06PM- If you're WKU, you've got to get the ball in the hands of Brazelton. The guy has been lights out all day. Courtney Lee comes to mind as the man you want, but I saw Brazelton gets it...

2:07PM- Rogers get it...and drains the three..My god...WKU wins 101-99 in OT. I'm speechless.

2:08PM- Both teams combined to make 30 three's, a new...NCAA...Tournament......RECORD

2:10PM- CBS just cut to the UMBC pep band in anticipation of their game vs. Georgetown. EVERY piece of the band was decked out, head to toe, in Retrievers gear. Not impressed? They all were wearing gold and black face paint, billowing out beautiful basketball music. PROPS, BALTIMORE-COUNTY.

2:32PM- The Retrievers hanging tough early against Georgetown 21-17. Their 2-3 matchup zone was probably the only defense to throw at Georgetown. They are, in fact, overmatched physically at almost every position on the floor.

2:37PM- Butler starting to heat up. Drive & Dish - especially Mark Buckets - is a huge supporter of the Bulldogs. One thing we both agree on - Trashtalk Superstar and I - is that they are the most fundamentally sound team in the field.

2:38PM- Splash. Butler goes up eight with yet another three ball, this time from Pete Campbell, who is 4 of 6 from behind the arc.

2:45PM- Coach K press conference over on ESPNEWS. Apparently, he experienced flu-like symptoms and had a 104-degree fever during the game last night. I'm sure his team's performance didn't assist in his recovery.

2:50PM- Halftime score at the BJCC: Butler-47 South Alabama-30. It's raining threes, as Butler has filled up 8 of 17 from long range.

Butler Bob has to be happy with that first half performance.

2:52PM- Smile Greg Gumbel! You're on candid camera! I guess he had something stuck in between his incisors as I spotted him wiping his mouth before going on the air.

2:54PM- Halftime in Raleigh. UMBC hanging tough with the Hoyas, down 34-22. Big three by Summers at halftime extending the lead to 12 as time expired.

3:04PM- A.J. Price of Uconn came down awkward on his left knee as he went up for a layup. He immediately went down in a heap of pain and had to be carried off the court. He is perhaps more important to this team than Hasheem Thabet, although in different ways.

3:10PM- Interesting tidbit: Butler is 23-0 when leading at the half. That's gotta concern USA fans, for sure.

3:11PM- Look on the bright side, Jaguar fans....Your team just scored the first four points of the half on Butler turnovers. They've gotta exert their style, up the tempo and get back in the game.

3:41PM- On paper, this wave of games looked weak. Par to course, nothing has really changed that assertion. Butler, Texas and Georgetown all in control.

In the only competitive game, San Diego is surprising Uconn at the half, 34-29.

3:45PM- Jessie Sapp with the take down of the tournament. He literally pulled a UMBC player by the jersey and threw him to the ground. Should have been an intentional foul.

3:54PM- Gotta say I'm pretty disappointed in Austin Peay's performance today. Texas has just steamrolled them today. Not even close.

3:55PM- Butler well on their way to a victory. Looking ahead to the second round matchup with Tennessee, it's the classic good guy v bad guy game. I think you can put two-and-two together on that one.

3:56PM- San Diego continues to scortch Uconn from the mid range. The popular idea to attack a team with a big man is to do...just that. Today, however, USD has done a great job of drawing him out and kicking it around for the open shot.

4:02PM- Butler ends USA's misery and wins by 20. This was probably the most impressive performance of the tournament to date.

4:03PM- Am I the only one that misses Brad Sham in Westwood One's NCAA Tournament studios? I can't get into Tommy Tige's helter-skelter, can't-understand-what-your-saying schtick.

4:09PM- Not having much to cheer for today - the Austin Peay fan contingent belts out the "LET'S GO PEAY" chant. Ahhh yes, some comic relief.

4:11PM- Spencer Ross of Westwood One should work for the Greater Austin Tourism Board. During a prolonged timeout, the angelic play-by-play man raved about how great Austin is. That may be true, but what about Clarksville, TN?

4:13PM- Update from Tampa: Uconn has made a run and cut the USD lead to one. It would be poetic justice if Uconn were to lose this game as the heavy favorite. If you'll recall - and if you're reading this blog, you do - Uconn beat Duke as a huge underdog for the 1999 National Title. (That game was at Tropicana Field and this one is at the St.Pete Times Forum.)

Speaking of which: Why was that Final Four the final basketball game at the Trop? I guess that concrete facade - which was a huge complaint amongst players as a poor shooting backround - isn't pretty enough for the NCAA.


Trashtalk Superstar adds:

Mark Buckets said:

"1:33PM- Adam Morrison looking on at the RBC Center...a bit dejected"

Adam Morrison was looking on, but I wouldn't say that he was looking dejected. I'd say he was looking baked (as usual).

Live Blogging the Sunday Selection Special: Courtesy of Drive & Dish

By Mark Buckets

4:45PM- Hello and welcome to Drive & Dish's coverage of Selection Sunday. We won't bore you with "Bracketology" or mention "Corporate Champions." We will, however, be as opinionated as anyone out there. Let's get it started.

4:56PM- John Calipari is being grilled by Greg Gumble and Seth Davis. Predetermined questions? Not a chance. These guys are flying by the seats of their pants. Riiiight...

4:57PM- Earlier in the day, Jim Nantz took a pot shot at ESPN. He said something to the extent of "The NCAA Tournament Selection Show clock is more accurate on CBS than it is on ESPN." I understandthat, Jim, but take it easy. The ESPN family of networks did pick up the SEC Title Game.....

5:00PM- Here we go.

5:01PM- UNC #1 overall. I don't question that at all. Neither do Clark Kellogg and Seth Davis.

5:02PM- The four #1s....UNC in the East, Memphis in the South, UCLA in the West and Kansas - by virtue of their Big XII Championship - is #1 in the Midwest.

5:03PM- Nantz and Packer seem to have no quarrels with the brackets this year. Billy boy hasn't softened, has he?

5:04PM- Oooh, I like this. Hollywood Squares, College Basketball style! Tick-tack-toe, Baylor-Notre Dame-Temple! Nice touch, CBS.

5:08PM- If I see another commercial for Sonic's calorie-laden fried brownie bites, I think I'll puke....

5:09PM- North Carolina vs. Indiana in the second round possibly? I'm juiced!

5:10PM- In the 2/15 game, Tennessee will take on American. These two teams are polar opposites...It might not be pretty.

5:13PM- As a non-partisan onlooker, it appears that Carolina should have a cakewalk to the Elite 8. From there, a Louisville #3 led by Rick Pitino-Roy Williams game at Bobcats Arena would be a wonderful game.

5:16PM- Villanova gets in. I'm still in shock that they got a bid.

5:17PM- Davidson gets a 10. 22 in a row in conference will earn you that.

5:20PM- Looking at this side of the bracket, the potential Kansas-Clemson 1-4 game in the Sweet 16 should be great.

5:21PM- Nobody will talk about this, but how about the prospect of a USC-Cal State Fullerton second round matchup?

5:22PM- USC earned a 6th seed and will take on Kansas State. Beasley v Mayo - neither will be near the other during the game - has the folks at CBS Sports licking their chops.

5:24PM- Looking over the Midwest, I like Davidson's chances to beat a Gonzaga team in the 7-10 game. It'll be played in Raleigh....bad news for Few's bunch.

5:25PM- Oregon gets in with a 9 seed.

5:29PM- Drive & Dish is experiencing some technical difficulties, so hang in there....We'll have it up soon and post some passionate opinions throughout the night.

5:30PM- Okay Roy < Jesus, give it to me. Duke apparently will be shipped out West with UCLA as the #1. That means that Duke will have to beat - if they're lucky enough to get that far - UCLA in the Regional Final being played in Phoenix.


Trashtalk Superstar adds:

Mark Buckets said:

"5:22PM- USC earned a 6th seed and will take on Kansas State. Beasley v Mayo - neither will be near the other during the game - has the folks at CBS Sports licking their chops."

The Tournament Selection Committee always denies that they deliberately seed teams in order to create match-ups that will generate interest from television audiences. Yet year after year, they never pass up an opportunity to create interesting "story lines" with their first and second round match-ups. Maybe it's just a coincidence. But it happens every year.

The battle of the superstar freshmen, Mayo vs. Beasley, is a sure-fire bet to generate media attention.

Mark also said:

"5:04PM- Oooh, I like this. Hollywood Squares, College Basketball style! Tick-tack-toe, Baylor-Notre Dame-Temple! Nice touch, CBS."

Thankfully, the NCAA Tournament Selection shows aren't really like "Hollywood Squares." If they were, Whoopi Goldberg and Bruce Vilanch would be mainstays on them instead of Billy Packer and Digger Phelps.

More on Bruce Vilanch here.

Although on second thought, Dick Vitale's shtick is so over the top that he could probably hold his own on Hollywood Squares.

Finally, Mr. Buckets said:

"5:16PM- Villanova gets in. I'm still in shock that they got a bid."

Never, not even for one minute, did I think that Villanova would be left out of the Tournament. I never considered them to be a true "bubble" team. They were in all along, in my opinion.

But Dick Vitale is already complaining that Syracuse got left out.

Live Blogging the Conference Tournaments- Day 2

Yesterday, yours truly (Mark Buckets) live blogged the college basketball conference tournaments. It was the trial run for live blogging basketball games on Drive and Dish. But based on the results of extensive market and focus group feedback conducted by Drive and Dish founder and editor Trashtalk Superstar, we can report that it was a resounding success.

So let's do this again, people:

2:00PM- Tennessee holding serve against South Carolina. The Gamecocks have played a wonderful game thus far. Devan Downey is probably the best player you've never heard of. If USC could make their FTs, this game might have a different outcome. Right now, UT leads by 4 with about six to play.

2:00PM- It appears that the Big 10 Network have coaxed Comcast to allow their programming to be free of charge. Great timing boys. By the time the contract is finalized, the basketball season will be over.

2:01PM- The buzzards are circling around South Carolina. It's crunch time for them, as they trail by four with 3:15 to play. This hasn't been a good season for Dave Odom and company (Talent-wise, not a bad roster) but a win here would quell some of the pain of his tenure in Columbia.

2:03PM- Earlier in the Ohio State-Michigan State, Kosta Koufos left the crowd at Conseco Fieldhouse speechless as he slammed it home from a tough angle. They haven't had much to get excited about thus far in the Big 10 Tournament.

2:05PM- I was pretty harsh on the Michigan-Iowa game yesterday. Turns out, the Wisconsin-Michigan game came to an absolute crawl as the top-seeded Badgers "outran" Michigan by a score of 51-34. A little advice: Remove the shoulder pads and lift the lid off of the hoop. Just my two cents.

2:08PM- South Carolina has cut it to one with about 90 seconds remaining. Fans in Lawrence, Durham and Austin are crossing their fingers for a South Carolina victory. A Tennessee loss - which would drop them to a two seed - coupled with strong performances in their respective conference tourneys, and each team makes a strong case for a #1 seed. (Obviously, Texas and Kansas will battle it out for that opportunity.)

2:11PM- What a game in Atlanta. It's been a see-saw battle for most of the game and now the Gamecocks have a chance to pull the upset of the year.

2:13PM- The Gamecocks have inched ahead by one, 87-86. Digger Phelps apparently wants USC to foul Tennessee to quote "Extend the game." Digger, South Carolina is up one, why would they even FATHOM that thought?

2:14PM- I guess years of inhaling Mr.Sketch markers distorts reality a bit. Digger finally corrects himself, realizing that South Carolina was up one. D'oh!

2:15PM- Chris Lofton is lethal, draining a huge three and South Carolina is about to lose...

2:16PM- But wait, there's still 1.1 to go....

2:17PM- Fitting of South Carolina's season, the Gamecocks fail to get a shot off as the clock expires. Final Score: Tennessee-89 South Carolina-87

2:18PM- Pure sleaze(Bruce Pearl) wins over pure class(Dave Odom). The world just ain't right.

2:19PM- It is cliche to say, but you never know what can happen during Championship Week. During the NCAA Tournament - you'll get your first weekend upsets and maybe a second week - the cream eventually rises to the top. During Championship Week, however, lower seeds can advance and win their tournaments. Nevertheless, this is the best month of the year.

2:26PM- For the past two days, "Jim Rome is Burning" has been preempted by the Big Ten Tournament. For the life of me, I can't decipher the more painful proposition hmmmm...

2:27PM- Earlier today, Texas took out Oklahoma State in the Big XII Tournament. The result wasn't shocking, and winning here sets up Texas nicely for a rematch with Kansas Sunday afternoon. The time slot of the Championship Game often hurts the Big XII, with NCAA brackets taking shape well before the final whistle. I'll be interested to see how that shakes out.

2:30PM- The game between Miami and Va Tech could be a defacto elimination game. However, with a huge portion of "bubble" teams losing yesterday, the loser here could still back their way in.

2:38PM- Is there a more annoying voice on TV than Anish Shiroff of ESPNEWS? You're probably asking yourself "who in the hell is Anish Shiroff," and rightfully so. His voice makes Ron Burgandy's sound ligit. A little backround: He went to Syracuse. He was on that fabricated ESPN show "Dream Job." Picture this marquee sign: "Syracuse Broadcasting vs. Missouri Journalism. Winner gets to talk about their school the rest of the year."

2:43PM- A Lefty Drissell sighting in Charlotte. The old man is still pesky as ever, and seems to be in good health. Huge crowds convene around him whenever he makes public apperances. Be it the Final Four or the ACC Tournament, he's still a draw.

Luke Winn's Got Nothing on Us: Live Blogging the Conference Tournaments

By Mark Buckets

From 11 this morning til we burn the midnight oil late into the Chicago night, Drive & Dish has your every need and wish accounted for regarding Conference Tournament coverage.

Power conferences throw their hats into the ring as their tournaments begin in earnest today. From the Georgia Dome (which is extremely devoid of any atmosphere) to the Sprint Center in Kansas City, this is a day for the big boys.

Move over, Horizon League. Step aside, Sun Belt. Au revoir, Summit League. The big hitters take to the dish today and we couldn't be any happier.

Stay tuned to Drive & Dish for a new wrinkle to our program, Live blogging. We'll start it off shortly before tipoff at Madison Square Garden and run it all the way til game four of the Pac 10 Tournament at Staples Center.

This is just a precursor of things to come, as Drive & Dish goes wall-to-wall next week with the NCAA Tournament commencing.

We at Drive & Dish relish the opportunity to bring you the best college basketball has to offer.

And thus, Mark Buckets live blogs the conference tournaments:

10:43AM- This morning's edition of USA Today offers some insight into Georgetown's dynamic senior class. It appears that these guys are close on and off the court. Scary proposition for Villanova and teams beyond.

10:45AM- I guess it's too late to get Subway at this point. If I have to get delivery, I will.

10:47AM- TheACC.com is offering a package deal for viewing of their conference tounrey. Sure beats dishing out ten bucks for one game of the UEFA Champions League via ESPN Soccernet!

10:53AM- Okay, my heart is racing. Today is when things get vaaa-rey inter-esting. The Monster Energy I just chugged might be contributing to my rapid heart rate as well.

11:00AM- Does ESPN have to produce poetic rap songs before every big college basketball event? Listening to Bill Raftery is painful enough.

11:05AM- And the Villanova Wildcats go...MANTOMAN! (when is reality they're playing a matchup zone, Mr.Raftery)

11:07AM- Georgetown sharp early on. Jonathan Wallace looks poised for a big game.

11:10AM- The rims are rocking already at the Big 10 tourney between Iowa and Michigan. First to 45 wins?

11:11AM- It's the Jonathan Wallace show at MSG. Three 3's and Jay Wright has seen enough. 12-4 Hoyas, early on.

11:13AM- Tom Brennan and Doug Gottlieb bickering already. This time, they're arguing over mascots and their weaponry. It's gonna be a long day for Karl Ravich.

11:14AM- Reason #100000 Comcast sucks: ESPN360 is unavailable to Chicago Comcast users. This whole live blog thing would be a hell of a lot easier with access to more games.

11:17AM- Bob Knight referring to Texas Tech as "we." You're a member of the media now, Coach Knight.

11:20AM- Midway through the first half in Indianapolis and Iowa has put up 7 points. The Hawks are on pace to score 28. Somehow, I think that's attainable for the boys from Iowa City.

11:23AM- Two words that satisfy any pallet: Lean Cuisine.

11:24AM- Yahoo! Sports to the rescue. The SEC Tourney opener between LSU and South Carolina is available to ANYONE - take notes Comcast - who has a high bandwidth connection.

11:25AM- On second thought, why would anyone watch that game? I'll watch it for one reason and one alone: It could possibly be Dave Odom's final game as a major college coach.

11:26AM- Georgetown extremely impressive early on. They've already hit seven threes.

11:28AM- The Scotty Reynolds lovefest is up and running. Dana O'Neil documented his struggles early in his career on ESPN.com yesterday. It's a good read. Most of O'Neil's work is worthy of your time.

11:30AM- The ever-soothing pipes of Ron Franklin - who is in KC for the Big XII Tourney - are filling the Drive & Dish Headquarters. Welcome home, Ron.

11:32AM- Hubert Davis over on ESPN's studio coverage. Poor John Saunders. He's gotta work with this clown the rest of the morning and afternoon.

11:35AM- I love the sound of the pep band playing to an empty arena. Texas Tech's fight song is making sweet love to my ears right now. You can really sense the woodwins.

11:39AM- Speaking of which....There's no excuse for a non-family member/people associated with the program to be in attendance for these early morning games. Shelling out money for Oklahoma State and Texas Tech? I'm sure it's only available in a "session" package too. Gawd.

11:41AM- Something that I failed to mention at the outset: Jay Wright and JT3 are two of the best dressed coaches in the country. Semi-Pro has the Mega Bowl. The Big East Tournament has their version of the NYC fashion show.

11:46AM- Pat Ewing jr. T-ed up for tossing the ball after a whistle. Very un-Georgetown like

11:47AM- Michigan up on Iowa 34-25 at halftime. Iowa has recovered and closed the gap to 9. I still don't expect them to crack 45.

11:55AM- Here's a remarkable statistic: Texas has produced over 100 current Division One players. For a state that prides itself on everything football - and rightly so -They haven't been too shabby churning out roundball stars as well.

11:58AM- Our Jonathan Wallace predictions were spot-on. The English major has put up 19 at the half, and is perfect from the field. Needless to say, the Hoyas have built a commanding 40-29 halftime lead.

High Noon- When the Georgia Dome is rockin', don't come a-knockin'. The door's wide open at this point, however.

12:01PM- The fashion police are out in full force. Sean Sutton's orange tie get two thumbs up.

12:01PM- Lil' Mama? Is that the best act you could come up with for the SEC Tournament intro, Raycom Sports? I guess that's how they roll in the ATL.

12:04PM- Dave Neal going solo pre-and-postgame coverage for Raycom. Obviously, the market crunch is effecting the SEC too.

12:09PM- The rims at the Georgia Dome have a certain "twang" to them. No, they aren't from the dirty-dirty south.

12:14PM- Apparently Bob Knight had something for Eastern European big men. I guess he needed to harken back to his days avoiding land mines and killin' the enemy. But who knows?

12:17PM- It's also a prerequisite that they sport untrimmed facial hair.

12:29PM- Thanks to a technical glitch, all material was lost from the past 10 minutes.

To recap: Hibbert with four fouls. No points. Yikes.

12:32PM- This is for all of my anti-Duke peeps out there: Georgetown hasn't shot a free throw today. How many has Villanova attempted? 21. WOW

12:33PM- Well there you have it. The first free throws of the day for Ewing jr. Don't look now, but the Hoyas are closing the gap!

12:35PM- Speaking of foul trouble - or lack thereof - Dayton has committed 20 fouls so far.....with 11 MINUTES LEFT IN THE GAME. Strange days, indeed. (RIP Jim Morrison)

12:40PM- Foul shooting disparity case #3- Michigan has 19 and Iowa with 9. The world is truly out of whack.

12:41PM- Bad news for the nine-to-five working public: Some companies are taking the drastic step of blocking CBS's March Madness on Demand, and it's not for the reason one would think. No, it's not because of the decline in employee productivity. No, the reason is that it will jam the network. I'm glad these people have their priorities in order.

12:43PM- Georgetown stretching their lead to 59-50. Scottie Reynolds is still on the bench receiving attention for a cut above his eye. Nova needs him back on the court. Fast.

12:46PM- Back in Kansas City, Texas Tech's Mike Singletary just tied it up for the Red Raiders. There's no room for two Mike Singletary's in the Big XII! (See the Baylor alumnus and former Chicago Bears great)

12:48PM- Boy has the luster worn off of Wake Forest. After their impressive home victory of Duke, the Deacons are in danger of ending their conference tournament campaign in the first round. Florida State is one team you can't out-athletic, unlike Duke. This is still a team to watch in the future.

12:52PM- Roy Hibbert just fouled out. 0 points. 1 shot. 4 turnovers. NBA stardom, here we come.

12:53PM- His nervous twitch is still bothering me.

12:54PM- Michigan-51 Iowa-41 with 1:44 remaining. I'm sticking to my guns. Iowa doesn't get to 45.

12:56PM- Georgetown has put the gas down and can't miss a shot. 17 made three pointers, a new school record.

12:56PM- Trashtalk Superstar is smiling somewhere right now. The Hoyas are putting on a dribble-drive-and-dish clinic. (I'm impressed as well)

1:00PM- Dat gummit. Iowa gets to 45 with a minute to play down 9. Enjoy the CBI, Hawkeye fans.

1:02PM- I do feel bad for Iowa big man Seth Gorney, who will close his basketball career with a wimper. Oh yeah, he's still got the CBI to prepare for.

1:03PM- Dayton is running out of gas. In all seriousness, this team will be a tough out in the NIT.

1:05PM- Recapping: Georgetown pulls away from Villanova behind 17 three pointers. Florida State still has a pulse and could give North Carolina a battle tomorrow. Iowa still sucks.

Drive & Dish's coverage of "Championship" Week will adjourn for now......

By the way- Sean McDonough, it's "alma-matter," not "alma-matta."


Trashtalk Superstar adds:

Although most professional broadcasters aren't able to advance to the top of the broadcasting profession if they don't lose the regional accents that they grew up with, Sean McDonough can get away with dropping "r's" off the end of words (or adding "r's" to the ends of words where they don't belong -- a la JFK's references to the missile crisis in "Cuber," rather than in "Cuba") because his regional accent is an East Coast accent. ESPN (located in Bridgeport, CT) apparently exists in such a parochial East Coast bubble that they don't realize that, comforting as they may be to all the Syracuse alums among ESPN's executives and employees (most ESPN employees are Syracuse alums), bad Eastern accents are still -- to the rest of the world -- bad regional accents.

Just listen to ESPN radio. Most of their national radio hosts speak with pronounced New York area accents (usually of the Brooklyn or Jersey variety). Which is fitting, since the primary subject of their sports talk programming is usually one of the following teams: the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Giants, Syracuse, the Celtics or the awful Knicks.


Also:

When I see live blogging, I usually imagine the blogger doing the live blogging to look something like this:



Mark Buckets says:

I know I was laboring up and down the court the other night, but I'm not that out of shape, am I?