12/21/24
March 19, 2006
George Mason Stuns Tarheels: The 11-seeded George Mason Patriots beat the no. 3 seed defending national champions UNC Tar Heels, 65-60.
posted by kirkaracha to basketball at 09:04 PM - 16 comments
its good to see different teams winning,even if my brackets look like shit
posted by zepp70 at 10:20 PM on March 19, 2006
Duke vs. LSU Gonzaga vs. UCLA George Mason vs. Wichita State Villanova vs. BC Which one doesn't belong? It's always great to see the committee smooth the way for UConn to get to the title with the easiest bracket.
posted by fatfryar at 11:03 PM on March 19, 2006
Oh, please;doesn't belong, give me a break. Agree or disagree with the committee's selection, all of these teams earned their way in(OK, maybe not ALL of them earned their way in). But like it or not, this is what happens every year in the NCAA tournament. Some mid-major gets into the tournament and pulls off an upset that is shocking to everybody, except for that team. This is why they call it March Madness. You win one game, and all you do is survive to play another team who wants to get rid of you. It's one and done. You don't bring your "A" game on even one night, and you're gone, no matter who you are. Both GM and Wichita State are this year's cinderella(Personally, I like WSU in this matchup). One of these teams is goin' to the Elite 8 and maybe the Final Four. Perhaps if the Heels took the Patriots more seriously, they would've won.
posted by headgames at 11:22 PM on March 19, 2006
Yes it is good to see teams play good ball even if they beat my team! UNC has had a great year and these freshmen will be back!
posted by Taimaishu at 04:10 AM on March 20, 2006
Fresh off its historic win over sixth-seeded Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament, the George Mason men's basketball team met and faced another challenge, toppling the defending national champions, the no. 3 seed University of North Carolina Tar Heels, 65-60. I hope this is a student newspaper. After your underdog team pulls off two huge upsets to reach the Sweet Sixteen, this is the best lede you can write?
posted by wfrazerjr at 08:20 AM on March 20, 2006
It's always great to see the committee smooth the way for UConn to get to the title with the easiest bracket. The committee didn't smooth UConn's path, the teams did (this assuming that Wichita St. or G. Mason provide a "smooth" path -- considering how UConn played against Albany, there are no sure bets here). UConn's projected path was Albany, Kentucky (very good 8 seed), Illinois/Washington (both tough, and Washington certainly won't make the next round easy for them), then either UNC or Tennessee. That's no free ride. The fact that UNC and Tennessee got tripped up isn't the fault of the committee.
posted by BullpenPro at 09:04 AM on March 20, 2006
North Carolina seemed to get out of it's game early and ended up paying the price. That happens to a young team, but they'll definitely be back next year. I love some of these mid-major schools being in the tournament. That Missouri Valley Conference plays some great basketball, and even though some of the players on opposing (big-name) teams may think they're getting a break playing them instead of another (supposed) basketball powerhouse, I think all the coaches involved know they're in for the fight of their lives. Having some of these lesser-known teams succeed is what makes the NCAA hoops tournament probably the best sporting event going, year in, year out. It always lives up to expectations.
posted by dyams at 09:04 AM on March 20, 2006
It's almost commonplace these days to have a Cinderella or 2 or 3 in the Sweet 16. Then Billy Packer noted last night that "all 4 number 1 seed's are still alive." He said it almost as if that fact was a relief. It's so easy to fling poo in this guy's face when he incessantly roots for the favored team to win.
posted by 1651 Naismith at 09:51 AM on March 20, 2006
for added measure. http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/Billy_Packer/ (I have nothing to do with this petition, it was the first thing that came up after Googling this man.)
posted by 1651 Naismith at 10:04 AM on March 20, 2006
Packer knows CBS signs his paycheck. He wants the best ratings possible for the Final Four games and the final game. While it would be nice to see one of these Cinderella teams make it to the Final Four, it becomes more and more likely they'll eventually fall victim to a blowout. If all the number one seeds advanced to the Final Four, Packer would be turning cartwheels.
posted by dyams at 10:13 AM on March 20, 2006
I like Cinderella teams and all, but the Witchita State / George Mason game is not interesting to me. I like to see a Cinderella team against a big school, but not against each other.
posted by bperk at 10:22 AM on March 20, 2006
Although I don't think all four number ones will make it to the FF, I think that would be just as good as a cinderella making it. Think about it, you have four teams that were basically predicted all year to win this tournament, and now it comes down to two games to determine. That would be some great basketball to watch.
posted by sublime4390116 at 12:26 PM on March 20, 2006
bperk: I like Cinderella teams and all, but the Witchita State / George Mason game is not interesting to me. I like to see a Cinderella team against a big school, but not against each other. Well, you're going to get your wish. One of the two Cinderellas will face either UConn or Washington.
posted by L.N. Smithee at 01:14 PM on March 20, 2006
It's always great to see the committee smooth the way for UConn to get to the title with the easiest bracket. Spare me. You know how it's in the NCAA's best interests to see UConn in the final four...capture one of those huge television markets. It's been an outstanding tournament so far. I think the fact that the four number ones are still in it proves their quality and facing these lower seeds will make for some great theater over the next weekend. It's easy to say that the four #1's have an easier road ahead of them, but who's to say that there isn't a real cinderella in there.
posted by YukonGold at 02:00 PM on March 20, 2006
Hansbrough, projected by some here as an instant future lottery pick, lost all composure in the second half. It wasn't noted, but Hansbrough pulled a "Laettner" in a scramble for the ball, stepping on Mason forward Folarin Campbell's back.
posted by L.N. Smithee at 04:31 PM on March 20, 2006
My brackets look like $hit. Games like this have helped it happen.