MSG Hopes to Land NCAA Tournament Games

Sports Illustrated is reporting that Madison Square Garden is interested in playing host to NCAA Tournament games in the near future:

"Madison Square Garden, which last hosted an NCAA tournament game in 1961, is hoping its $500 million renovation will help it land the East Regional championship as early as 2012."

ACC Unhappy About Only Getting 4 NCAA Bids, Mulls Changes To Increase Number of Bids

At the ACC spring meetings, league coaches and administrators complained that their conference only received 4 bids to the NCAA Tournament this year.

As Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton told the Charlotte Observer:

"'When it appears that we're always one of the top one or two conferences in the country, it's hard for me to figure out why other conferences or other teams are receiving more bids than us,' said Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton."

What's more, the ACC coaches and administers devised a plan to increase the league's bid in the coming years:

"ACC Commissioner John Swofford has sent a letter to the Division I men's basketball committee requesting that conference strength be added to the list of criteria considered when the NCAA tournament field is selected.

Coaches say they plan to remind the media more often next season about the conference's strength."

Preview of Tonight's NCAA Championship Game

By Trashtalk Superstar

Tonight, Memphis and Kansas will play for the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship. The game will tip off in little over an hour.

So what are Drive and Dish's thoughts on tonight's game?

For what it's worth, this is one of the toughest championship games to prognosticate in recent memory. Last year's Championship game was pretty easy to predict: Although both Ohio State and Florida had outstanding talent, Florida was the defending National Champion and Billy Donovan's team still had all the key players from its 2006 Championship team. Ohio State was talented, but the Buckeyes' best players were freshmen. And it usually takes experience to win championships. So a Florida win was easy to predict in last year's Championship game.

But Memphis and Kansas appear to be a toss up.

As alluded to, few freshmen are able to lead their teams to championships. And freshmen who have done so can probably be counted on one hand. What's more, the few freshmen who have led their teams to NCAA Championships (Carmello Anthony, Michael Jordan?) have played for teams that had talented upperclassmen surrounding them.

But Memphis' freshman point guard, Derrick Rose, doesn't play like any freshman point guard that I've seen (and that includes Ohio State's sensational freshman PG, Mike Conley, from last year). He plays with the poise and savvy of a 5th year senior. And he's as special a talent as the college game has seen in years.

What's more, Rose is surrounded by talented upperclassmen.

Memphis' back court tandem of Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts may be without a peer in the college game. But Kansas' back court absolutely stymied North Carolina's much-hyped back court duo of Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington.

And it was Kansas' backup point guard, Sherron Collins, who did the most damage to North Carolina in the second half of Saturday night's Final Four Semifinal game.

Plus, Kansas has multiple point guards. And that makes them extremely dangerous.

As Drive and Dish noted before Saturday's games, Memphis has a collection of incredibly athletic, long, and skilled players on the perimeter. And although Kansas can counter with their deep, versatile back court and with Brandon Rush (himself a long, athletic, talented wing), Memphis should have an advantage on the perimeter.

Memphis' back court is simply bigger and more talented ... which is really saying something, considering how good Kansas' back court is.

And I'd be surprised if Kansas will be able to slow Derrick Rose.

Strategically, I think Kansas needs to take away the dribble drive from Memphis' guards. Memphis employs an almost revolutionary wide open offense, which takes its cue from International basketball. Unlike traditional college (continuity) offenses, Memphis' offense is not predicated on using ball screens to create shots. Rather, the Tigers push the tempo and try to beat their opponents off the dribble. Then they either finish at the rim, or dish to a cutter/kick it out to a perimeter shooter.

Memphis looks to get points via the play from which this website derives its name -- the drive and dish.

And they've got the ideal point guard to run that kind of offense -- Rose.

So, although Kansas beat North Carolina by pushing the tempo and running the Tar Heels out of the Alamo Dome, I think that Kansas will try to slow Memphis' running game and force the Tigers to run half-court sets.

Then Bill Self's Jayhawks will have to contain Memphis' dribble drive ... which will be easier said than done. However, if Kansas can manage to contain Memphis, the Jayhawks might be able to take Memphis out of its game--and force the Tigers to shoot jump shots.

While Memphis has the advantage on the perimeter, Kansas should have the advantage in the paint. Kansas has the bigger front line. And make no mistake: that's a significant advantage in in the Jayhawks' favor. Remember, Memphis' big man, Joey Dorsey, struggled against UCLA (despite the Tigers' overall dominance in that game). And although I expect Dorsey to come out with a chip on his shoulder tonight, I also expect Kansas to try to feed the ball into the low post.

Unless Dorsey plays like a man possessed, I don't think that Memphis' bigs will match up well against Kansas' front line.

So who do I think will win?

As I said before, this one is tough to prognosticate. I thought that, by virtue of having all four #1 seeds advance to the Final Four, this would prove to be one of the better Final Fours in recent history. And I couldn't have been more wrong.

Thus far, the entire NCAA Tournament has been characterized by one blowout after another. And the Elite 8 and Final Four weren't any more interesting ... which I really didn't see coming.

So, although this may seem like a cop-out, I really don't know what to expect in tonight's Championship game.

If it's a close game, Memphis' poor free throw shooting percentage could ultimately be their downfall. But poor free throw shooting hasn't been a factor in any of Memphis' games in this Tournament, to date. Plus, the Tigers have actually shot better from the charity stripe in the Tournament than they did during the regular season.

But I'll leave you with this: One of the best basketball minds that I personally know has been saying all season long that Kansas is the most talented team in the country, and that he expects the Jayhawks to win the National Championship. And for the record, this guy is a basketball coach and he starred on one of the most famous Final Four/Championship teams in college basketball history. I put a lot of stock in whatever he says.

And he's been talking Kansas up for some time.

So although I can see it going either way, my best guess would be Kansas if I had to pick the winner of tonight's game (but I still don't see how they'll stop Memphis' Rose and Douglas-Roberts).

But unlike Saturday night, I won't be surprised if either team wins tonight.

Sweet Sixteen Field Set

(Click to enlarge bracket).

The first week of the NCAA Tournament is over. 48 teams have been eliminated. The field of 64 teams has been whittled down to the remaining Sweet 16.

Western Kentucky and Davidson are this year's surprise Sweet 16 participants. They'll, no doubt, be called "Cinderellas." Villanova and West Virginia are also surprises, but since they hail from the Big East Conference, they won't be called "Cinderellas."

Kansas, Memphis, North Carolina and UCLA were all 1 seeds and were expected to get this far. So were Texas and Tennessee, which were both 2 seeds (Duke and Georgetown were 2 seeds who couldn't quite get over the "hump").

In addition to the 1 seeds, all of the 3 seeds (Louisville, Stanford, Wisconsin and Xavier) live to fight another day.

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).

Drive and Dish Fills Out NCAA Brackets

After pulling yet another impromptu all night meeting/brainstorming session, the editorial board of Drive and Dish has emerged with its NCAA Tournament brackets filled out in their entirety.

Hours were spent in heated debate. Scouting reports were pondered, poured over and internalized. Individual player and team matchups were examined, discussed and dissected.

Arguments may have occurred. Feelings may have been hurt. Punches may have been thrown. Computer screens may have been smashed. Authorities may have been called. Officers may have intervened. Drive and Dish editorial board members may have been taken away, shirtless, in the back of a Crown Victoria patrol cruiser. Misdemeanor assault and battery charges may have been filed. Certain Drive and Dish editorial board members may have spent the night in jail. The same editorial board members may or may not have dropped the soap in the jail shower and been forced to get in touch with their "feminine sides." Trashtalk Superstar may have helped certain Drive and Dish editorial board members out, but disappointed police, by neglecting to press charges (hey, a little fighting is no big deal to me -- it's water under the bridge). Certain Drive and Dish editorial board members may or may not be featured on a future episode of Cops (again, shirtless, of course).

Anyway, after a couple of long nights, we've got our brackets all filled out.

And thus, we present Drive and Dish's official 2008 NCAA Tournament brackets (click on brackets to enlarge):


Mark Buckets



* Asterisks denote games about which the respective Drive and Dish contributor feels less than certain about his predicted winner (and might be inclined to change his pick, were it not prohibited by the editorial board of this blog).


Trashtalk Superstar



*Trashtalk Superstar adds:

1.) I picked Kentucky over Marquette in the first round, but believe that Marquette should (and probably will) win that game. However, I think that Kentucky will give Marquette a tough time and I don't think that Marquette will have a long Tournament shelf life.

2.) I picked Villanova over Clemson, but believe Clemson to be the better team. However, Clemson's point guard shoots under 50% from the free throw line. And should Clemson find itself locked in a close game, the fact that Clemson's primary ball handler can't be relied on to make his free throws presents a major weakness that opponents can exploit (especially in the final minutes of the game).

3). West Virginia is capable of beating Duke. I wouldn't be surprised to see Bob Huggins' Mountaineers upset the Blue Devils if the two teams meet in the second round (although I picked Duke to win that hypothetical game in my bracket).

CBS TV Coverage Map for Thursday's NCAA Tournament Games

Note (3/17/09):

This post is from 2008. Due to the heavy traffic this old post has received over the last few days, Drive and Dish feels the need to make clear that this post is old and contains no information pertinent to CBS television's coverage of the upcoming 2009 NCAA Tournament.

Original Post:

Awful Announcing has found -- and revealed -- CBS's TV coverage map for Thursday's NCAA Tournament games.

Follow the link to Awful Announcing link for individual coverage maps of Thursday's opening round games (Awful Announcing has four separate coverage maps in PDF format).

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.