2024 NCAA Basketball

[tripplej]

Now that football season is ending soon, I see more televised college basketball now on OTA tv.. More sports to watch.

 

[JStewart]

Now that football season is ending soon, I see more televised college basketball now on OTA tv.. More sports to watch.

I’m going to enjoy it while I can. When the college hoops season ends, the long wait ‘till September and college football begins. I wish I could get into baseball. I’ve tried and just can’t.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

It's hard for me to stay focused... just not a fun watch for me.

I went to the Sweet Sixteen in B'ham, Alabama many years ago, only because we had several tickets left over we needed to sell (that was when I was ticket scalping in the early 90s). The atmosphere was electric, to say the least... and I thought I was going to finally get into hoops, but I couldn't hang, so I left early.

 

[JStewart]

Big game today as Calipari makes his highly anticipated return to Rupp Arena with the Razorbacks.

Rick Pitino, once scorned for his departure from UK to in-state rivals Louisville, where he transformed them into national champions, received a reception at Big Blue Madness before the season started that was nothing short of legendary— with the Big Blue faithful reacting as if he’d just won them another championship.

But will Calipari be met with such fanfare? I think not!

 

[JStewart]

The annual ACC premiere event, Duke vs. North Carolina is also on tonight 6:30 Eastern!

Just for fun, I asked copilot to write something for us about the game tonight.

Here’s the prompt…

“North Carolina plays Duke tonight in basketball. Write a paragraph as a sportswriter touching on the history of the rivalry and the significance of tonight’s game for their respective seasons”

And the response (with all the source hyperlinks removed) …

“Tonight's clash between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils marks another chapter in one of college basketball's most storied rivalries. Dating back to their first meeting in 1920, this rivalry has seen countless memorable moments, with both programs consistently vying for ACC titles and national championships. As the Tar Heels (13-9) travel to Cameron Indoor Stadium to face the second-ranked Blue Devils (18-2), the stakes are high for both teams. Duke, led by freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, is riding a 14-game win streak and looking to solidify its position as the nation's hottest team. Meanwhile, North Carolina is eager to bounce back from recent struggles and prove its mettle against a formidable opponent. With ESPN's "College GameDay" in town and the eyes of the basketball world watching, tonight's game is not just about bragging rights but also about shaping the trajectory of each team's season.”

 

[tripplej]

It is harder for me to focus on basketball, just too many games, not enough time to look..

 

[tripplej]

week 12

 

[tripplej]

week 13

 

[JStewart]

It is harder for me to focus on basketball, just too many games, not enough time to look..

I can understand that. My basketball universe is actually pretty small. It’s easier being a fan of a single team.
Outside of that there are a few classic rivalries and the best tournament in all of sports, March Madness!

 

[tripplej]

I mostly pay attention for march madness. Of course, I always bust my bracket! lol

 

[JStewart]

Saturday did not go as planned, that’s for sure. Calipari’s Razorbacks were propelled to victory primarily by the players that left UK with him to play at Arkansas and who reportedly played their best game of the season.

North Carolina got rolled by Duke which made for a really boring game.

And my early season pick for a team that looked as though they couldn’t be beat, Kansas, had a total attitude collapse toward the end of the game with Baylor. Baylor, on the other hand, actually wanted to play the game and play they did coming back from a 21 point deficit to demoralize the Jayhawks before finishing them off with an 81-70 victory. Congrats to Baylor and their fans.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

It's really odd not seeing the usual teams at the top. Where are UConn and Gonzaga this year?

Granted, Duke is up there, but they are the only blue team in the mix thus far. Kansas and Kentucky are still worthy, I suppose. North Carolina is MIA.

The landscape of basketball is changing. I guess NIL is paying... uh... I mean playing into the picture.

 

[tripplej]

NIL is indeed making a huge difference.. Players are going where the money is.

 

[JStewart]

Need a little more NIL over at UK then.

They’ve now managed to drop 4 of their last 5 and among the games remaining on the schedule are Tennessee, Alabama, and Auburn. Tough row to hoe as they say.

 

[tripplej]

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Need a little more NIL over at UK then.

They’ve now managed to drop 4 of their last 5 and among the games remaining on the schedule are Tennessee, Alabama, and Auburn. Tough row to hoe as they say.

Yeah... 3 of the top 4... that's a serious hurdle there. I bet if they beat all three it would spring them back into contention real quick like.

Auburn and Dude are looking almost unbeatable right now.

 

[JStewart]

Yeah... 3 of the top 4... that's a serious hurdle there. I bet if they beat all three it would spring them back into contention real quick like.

Auburn and Dude are looking almost unbeatable right now.

The fan in me will be optimistically hopeful going into those games. The realist in me will be happy with any seeding in the big dance.
If they can get there and manage to play like they did earlier in the season then it could be a respectable season.

 

[JStewart]

It’s so great having Dick Vitale back with us!

 

[tripplej]

 

[Sonnie Parker]

4 of the top 5 are SEC... and Kentucky is not one of them. Amazing.

Who would have ever thunk that Auburn and Alabama would be 1 and 2... crazy!

 

[JStewart]

4 of the top 5 are SEC... and Kentucky is not one of them. Amazing.

Who would have ever thunk that Auburn and Alabama would be 1 and 2... crazy!

UK beat Tennessee last night. I’d expect the loss to knock Tennessee out. Soon to 3 of 5 I think.

And that was the easiest of the 3 top teams that remained on Kentucky,s schedule. Alabama and Auburn will be tougher competition.

 

[tripplej]