River Walk Chronicles ♦ ///

[kibaxx7]

Looking good Thierry, congratulations on getting so far through the season. Can't wait for the playoffs.

Thanks a lot bro, right now the NBA season is in kind of a pause because of the whole NCAA craziness.

Tomorrow I'll preview the East Region and will post a Bracket for you guys to make your predictions.

[Fresh8]

Will be interesting to see who comes out on top of the NCAA tourney. I'm of course going for the Blue Devils.

[hova-]

Good to see we made the tournament. Ima dominate Jeff Williams, my all-around game can't be countered.

[Houndy]

I sense the fact that Baylor is gonna go all the way.

[kibaxx7]

We started with 65 teams at the big dance, but now it is Sweet Sixteen time. Very soon, we will know which teams will be flying to Houston as members of the elite Final Four. Upset after upset in the regular season showed us why we tune in to enjoy March Madness, but as I just said, that's the regular season. An upset in the regular season doesn't mean anything: it's on March when the upsets count. I will give some of my thoughts on each of the eight games, provide some statistics and maybe throw a bet or two out there for anyone who wants to grab it. If you ask me, it's time that we have some bracket-busting upsets already; but both number one seeds (Texas and Duke) will stay for at least another round. Dark horses like North Carolina or Kansas could post an upset and move on to the Elite Eight, but both have really tough matchups against Georgia Tech and Villanova, respectively; but let's look at the whole picture. Today, the East Region:

East Region
(1) Duke [23-6] vs. (8) Tennessee [17-12]


Speaking the truth, Tennessee has already won more games than previously thought. That will almost certainly have to suffice for Tyler Smith, JP Prince and the rest of the Volunteers, as they made the Sweet Sixteen in the last day, with Butler and West Virginia losing their last contests of the season. They don't shoot the ball well -- only two players shot over 40 percent for the whole season, and both were frontcourt players -- and they have only one player at 6'10'' or higher. That doesn't sound like the profile of a team that can topple the Blue Devils, who have both. Three Blue Devils shot over 50 percent from the field, two shot over 50 percent from beyond the arc and three players stand at 6'10''. The Blue Devils will have far too much firepower for this to be close; this is one of the best teams that coach Mike Krzyzewski has fielded in recent years, with the three-headed monster that it is Will Sit, Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler, and not to mention bench players Nolan Smith and Seth Curry. Duke could be dealing with an interesting clash in the Elite Eight with Georgetown or Baylor, and if the bracket plays out, an incredible battle against Michigan State in the Final Four.

♦ Who will win?: Duke //
♦ Look out for... Will Sit, Duke (13.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.8 APG) //

(4) Georgetown [21-8] vs. (5) Baylor [20-9]


A lot of NCAA analysts heaped praise upon Georgetown in the regular season, partly because the likes of Austin Freeman and Jesrie Calimbas have exploded, and partly because they have proven to be a title contender with their record and great play. The Hoyas walloped both Baylor and Villanova in their last week to secure the 2nd seed behind Duke. Freeman is bombing with confidence, shooting 47 percent from the field and averaging over 21 points, four rebounds and three assists per game. The point guard duo of Calimbas and Chris Wright averages a combined 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game. Power forward Julian Vaughn missed six games with injury, but should Georgetown followers lose sleep with this? Nope. Jerrelle Benimon slid into the starting lineup without any big problems and pairing him with Freeman and Hollis Thompson is a nightmare for any opponent. The Bears, led by LaceDarius Dunn and Willie Lewis face their first true test. Dunn flirted with triple-doubles multiple times this season, and that’s why bench players like Tweety Carter or Cory Jefferson will have to offset that for the Wildcats with being much more of a X-factor.

♦ Who will win?: Georgetown //
♦ Look out for... Jesrie Calimbas, Georgetown (12.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.7 APG) // Willie Lewis, Baylor (11.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 8.3 APG) //

(3) Villanova [22-7] vs. (6) Kansas [18-11]


Kevin Johnson, Reggie Redding and Corey Stokes have been logging all the minutes for Villanova -- so many, in fact, that some outside the program have questioned whether they're being overused. In a loss against Georgetown, though, the Wildcats couldn't seem to squeeze enough juice out of them. This is where depth comes into play, and where it could hurt Villanova down the stretch today against Kansas. In order for Villanova to make a comeback from that loss, one of those guys -- most likely Johnson's all-around play -- is going to have to carry the team. On the inside, Mouphtaou Yarou will be trouble for Kansas up front. I’m interested to see if Jeff Withey and Thomas Robinson can handle him on the paint; Mouph is a load to deal with. The guard contest is quite a contrast: the Jayhawks' backcourt, Brady Morningstar and Tyshawn Taylor, will surely struggle to keep Redding and Johnson in front of them and out of the lane, but the game decision could come down to how effective Morningstar and Taylor can be for Kansas. A lot of people would be shocked if Kansas has an effective plan to counter the offensive onslaught that the Wildcats bring night in, night out, but if the Jayhawks can pull it out, it will be one of the biggest upsets of this round.

♦ Who will win?: Villanova //
♦ Look out for... Kevin Johnson, Villanova (12.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 6.1 APG) //

(2) Michigan State [22-7] vs. (7) Purdue [17-12]


Dolph Lundgren Jr. acknowledged it's hard to walk around Michigan State's campus without somebody asking when the Spartans will make another deep run in the NCAA tournament. Spartans fans are understandably anxious to see their team get their first national championship since 1999-2000. The program that is coached by Tom Izzo has fallen on hard times before -- for example, 2004-05 Final Four appearance, first that time since 2000-01. Their players don't want to focus on those disappointments either, but it's a subject that's hard to avoid. So is this year's edition that ends the dry spell, or is it just another overrated Michigan State squad, who will fall short again? Critics have already wondered if the Spartans have what it takes to get to Houston. Their path isn't very easy, with a clash against No. 3 seed Villanova -- if they beat Kansas -- and a match against either Duke or Georgetown/Baylor in the Final Four. if you ask me, they have the roster and players to go all the way. This Spartans team relied in both outside and inside offense, and the plan succeeded: point guard Kalin Lucas and Lundgren lead the team in points per game. The emergence of Lundgren as a rebounding force too helped the Spartans allow just 73.3 points per game, second to only Villanova. Robbie Hummel and JaJuan Johnson lead this Boilermakers team, that will need a miracle to past through the Spartans.

♦ Who will win?: Michigan State //
♦ Look out for... Dolph Lundgren Jr., Michigan State (14.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.2 APG) //

[kibaxx7]

Will be interesting to see who comes out on top of the NCAA tourney. I'm of course going for the Blue Devils.

You have a place in the Elite Eight, at least. Only a disaster will make you lose to Tennessee.

Good to see we made the tournament. Ima dominate Jeff Williams, my all-around game can't be countered.

Both of you looked like Kidd sometimes. Lot of rebounds and also playing great in every aspect.

I sense the fact that Baylor is gonna go all the way.

I think you could upset Georgetown, but then against Sit and Duke, you're gonna need more than luck.

Copy this and make your predictions! Check the bracket to make Elite Eight, Final Four preds.

Code: Select all

[size=150][b]Sweet Sixteen[/b][/size]
Texas vs. Kansas State --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
Ohio State vs. Connecticut --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
Kentucky vs. Syracuse --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]

Duke vs. Tennessee --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
Georgetown vs. Baylor --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
Villanova vs. Kansas --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
Michigan State vs. Purdue --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]

[size=150][b]Elite Eight[/b][/size]
TEAM vs. TEAM --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
TEAM vs. TEAM --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]

TEAM vs. TEAM --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
TEAM vs. TEAM --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]

[size=150][b]Final Four[/b][/size]
TEAM vs. TEAM --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]
TEAM vs. TEAM --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]

[size=150][b]National Championship Game[/b][/size]
TEAM vs. TEAM --- [i](write winning team here)[/i]

[Axel The Great]

Sweet Sixteen
Texas vs. Kansas State --- Texas
Ohio State vs. Connecticut --- Ohio State
Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina --- Georgia Tech
Kentucky vs. Syracuse --- Kentucky

Duke vs. Tennessee --- Duke
Georgetown vs. Baylor --- Baylor
Villanova vs. Kansas --- Villanova
Michigan State vs. Purdue --- Michigan State

Elite Eight
Texas vs. Ohio State --- Texas
Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky --- Kentucky

Duke vs. Baylor --- Duke
Villanova vs. Michigan State --- Michigan State

Final Four
Texas vs. Kentucky --- Texas
Duke vs. Michigan State --- Duke

National Championship Game
Texas vs. Duke --- Texas

[Martti.]

Sweet Sixteen
Texas vs. Kansas State --- Texas
Ohio State vs. Connecticut --- UConn
Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina --- GEORGIA TECH
Kentucky vs. Syracuse --- Kentucky

Duke vs. Tennessee --- Duke
Georgetown vs. Baylor --- Georgetown
Villanova vs. Kansas --- Villanova
Michigan State vs. Purdue --- Michigan State

Elite Eight
Texas vs. UConn --- Texas
Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky --- Georgia Tech

Duke vs. Georgetown --- Duke
Villanova vs. Michigan State --- Villanova

Final Four
Texas vs. Georgia Tech --- Georgia Tech
Duke vs. Villanova --- Duke

National Championship Game
Georgia Tech vs. Duke --- Georgia Tech

[dare]

Sweet Sixteen
Texas vs. Kansas State --- Texas
Ohio State vs. Connecticut --- Ohio State
Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina --- North Carolina
Kentucky vs. Syracuse --- Kentucky

Duke vs. Tennessee --- Duke
Georgetown vs. Baylor --- Baylor
Villanova vs. Kansas --- Villanova
Michigan State vs. Purdue --- Michigan State

Elite Eight
Texas vs. Ohio State --- Ohio State
North Carolina vs. Kentucky --- North Carolina

Duke vs. Baylor --- Duke
Villanova vs. Michigan State --- Michigan State

Final Four
Ohio State vs. North Carolina --- Ohio State
Duke vs. Michigan State --- Duke

National Championship Game
Ohio State vs. Duke --- Ohio State

[kibaxx7]

Manu, Blair, San Antonio overcome 11-point deficit, win close one against Nuggets in Denver
Preview | Recap | Game Info | Full Play-by-Play | Boxscores (SAS :: DEN)
DENVER, March 23 -- The San Antonio Spurs already knew Manu Ginobili was a winner and a big shooter in difficult times. But coach Gregg Popovich picked up DeJuan Blair and his recently found mid-range jumper in hopes of winning a little more this season. The pair worked together to perfection, with Ginobili taking over the game in the first half and Blair hitting the game-winner with 10.3 seconds left for a 92-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets -- the 11th straight win for Ginobili & company. “I always have confidence in making my shots,” Blair said. “I've been in those situations before, but not this year. I must thank the Coach for his faith in me.” Manu led San Antonio with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists, and a huge block on J.R. Smith in the fourth quarter. The Argentinian took the game right from the beginning, scoring seven points for his team in a 11-2 run, including a 3-pointer with the shot clock running down for a 29-27 lead, after being behind 25-18 entering the second period. After having that 25-18 lead in the first half, the Nuggets then posted a 61-50 lead on a dunk by former Spur Alonzo Gee, in the middle of the third quarter.

But the Spurs worked the ball to Tim Duncan -- who scored all of his eight points in the second half -- and Corey Maggette, who joined to run a 10-0 run for their team and short the deficit to only one point. With the game tied at 87, Rudy Fernandez made a layup for a 89-87 lead with only one minute left in the game, but Gary Neal made a miracle 3-pointer for a 90-89 advantage. This 3-pointer by Neal and the trey by Ginobili in the first half were the only two shots from beyond the arc that the Spurs could make in the whole game, and Tony Parker was worried. “We are used to making them from the experience we've had in recent years,” said Parker, who, along with Maggette, scored 11 points apiece for San Antonio. “Right now they aren't dropping for us, we gotta work on that. It looked like it was over early, but we just kept trying to hustle and got the victory.” Smith then missed a go-ahead jumper for Denver, and with only 30 seconds left, the Nuggets throwed a double-team on Duncan, who passed the ball to Blair, just inside the arc, completely open. The big man from Pittsburgh made the mid-range shot to give the Spurs the lead for good; Blair finished the game with 14 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Fernandez then missed a potential tying 3 on the next possession and the Spurs played some deep defense to ice the win.

Smith led Denver with a game-high 22 points and also added a season-high seven rebounds. “I don't look at this as a step back for our team, even though it's a loss,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “We fought hard but it didn't go our way tonight.” Kenyon Martin showed a rare all-around display with nine points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals and three rejections, and his frontcourt partner Nené made his first five shots and finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, but then went 1-of-6 from the floor in the second half. The Brazilian was called a technical in the third quarter for kicking the ball in frustration in that Spurs' 10-0 run. Duncan struggled in this one for the Spurs, finishing with only eight points and never taking over the game; the Nuggets played double-teams on him constantly. Devin Harris had 15 points and 13 assists to go with five boards, showing more signs of coming out of a slump that had him making only less than 45 percent of his shots this year. In fact, for a while in the second half, it looked as if the night would belong to Harris, but instead it was Ginobili and Blair jumping in celebration.

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Video Music :: Passion Pit • “The Reeling”

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[kibaxx7]

Props to Axel, Martti and Dare for their brackets Keep them coming (not only guys with a player in the NCAA, anyone who wants to participate, go on!)

[Grandmama Johnson]

Nice job weathering that first quarter deficit against the Nuggets. LOLed a bit hearing Gary Neal come up huge like that

[megarover]

I really do like Blair. He is hard nosed guy who gets after the basketball.com

[hova-]

Nice to see Blair hitting the game-winner, he's doing well as of late. I'm a bit too lazy to fill out the bracket, maybe I'll do it later

[kibaxx7]

Nice job weathering that first quarter deficit against the Nuggets. LOLed a bit hearing Gary Neal come up huge like that

Yep I was really happy when I evaporated their lead, twice. Gary Neal is my savior, check my schedule in the first page, there's a 20 point game in the second half only against the Clippers, and one against the Raptors with 15 4th quarter points.

I really do like Blair. He is hard nosed guy who gets after the basketball.com

Blair is one of my favorites in the team. I just got his release perfectly, so I was able to hit some mid-range shots with him. Hopefully I can get him to win a MIP next year.

Nice to see Blair hitting the game-winner, he's doing well as of late. I'm a bit too lazy to fill out the bracket, maybe I'll do it later

Blair is up-and-coming Bracket's there to fill for a couple of weeks!

[Houndy]

Blair Hit a 3 ball?

[Bucket]

Houndy, Nope
Nice win against Nuggets, tough but nice
About rookie? I am in your story or no?

[kibaxx7]

[kibaxx7]

Blair Hit a 3 ball?

Nope, just inside the arc.

Nice win against Nuggets, tough but nice
About rookie? I am in your story or no?

Thanks man. No, I don't have your info Check Page 4, there's the application.

Tomorrow a new Spurs contest @ Portland...

[Valor]

Sweet Sixteen
Texas vs. Kansas State --- Texas
Ohio State vs. Connecticut --- Ohio State
Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina --- North Carolina
Kentucky vs. Syracuse --- Syracuse

Duke vs. Tennessee --- Duke
Georgetown vs. Baylor --- Georgetown
Villanova vs. Kansas --- Villanova
Michigan State vs. Purdue --- Purdue

Elite Eight
Texas vs. Ohio State --- Texas
Kentucky vs. North Carolina--- North Carolina

Duke vs. Georgetown --- Duke
Villanova vs. Purdue --- Villanova

Final Four
Texas vs. North Carolina --- North Carolina
Duke vs Villanova --- Duke

National Championship Game
Duke vs. North Carolina --- North Carolina


Been a while since I last came onto the forums, loving the march madness coverage; and yes, WE BELIEVE IN UNC

Side note: My player's primary position is SG yeah? and of course the comparison should be Kobe Bryant!

[Bucket]

Sweet Sixteen
Texas vs. Kansas State --- Texas
Ohio State vs. Connecticut --- Ohio State
Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina --- Georgia Tech
Kentucky vs. Syracuse --- Kentucky

Duke vs. Tennessee --- Duke
Georgetown vs. Baylor --- Georgetown
Villanova vs. Kansas --- Villanova
Michigan State vs. Purdue --- Michigan State

Elite Eight
Texas vs. Ohio State --- Texas
Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky --- Kentucky

Duke vs. Georgetown --- Duke
Villanova vs. Michigan State --- Michigan State

Final Four
Texas vs. Kentucky --- Texas
Duke vs. Michigan State --- Michigan State

National Championship Game
Michigan State vs. Texas --- Texas

[hova-]

JJ Meredith Not enough names in the game I guess. Some promising prospects, will be interesting if the Spurs can land a steal late in the 1st round like they usually do.

[Justine.]

Sweet Sixteen
Texas vs. Kansas State --- Kansas State
Ohio State vs. Connecticut --- Ohio State
Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina --- North Carolina
Kentucky vs. Syracuse --- Syracuse

Duke vs. Tennessee --- Duke
Georgetown vs. Baylor --- Baylor
Villanova vs. Kansas --- Villanova
Michigan State vs. Purdue --- Purdue

Elite Eight
Kansas State vs. Ohio State --- Ohio State
North Carolina vs. Syracuse --- North Carolina

Duke vs. Baylor --- Duke
Villanova vs. Purdue --- Villanova

Final Four
Ohio State vs. North Carolina--- Ohio State
Duke vs. Villanova--- Duke

National Championship Game
Ohio State vs. Duke --- Ohio State

[kibaxx7]

Roy, Aldridge surprise Spurs in Portland; Blazers win thriller with thirteen lead changes
Preview | Recap | Game Info | Full Play-by-Play | Boxscores (SAS :: POR)
PORTLAND, March 25 -- Andre Miller is never bashful about taking a shot. What he really enjoys is putting one up in a tight game. “Of course, I'm not going to turn them down. It's going to be one of two things: in or out. As long as it's a good look and one of my teammates finds me, I'm definitely willing to take it,” Miller said after his late jumper sent the Portland Trail Blazers to a surprising 97-91 victory over the West-leading San Antonio Spurs. Playing in front of a sellout crowd, the Blazers didn't fell flat on their faces and Miller connected the jumper to end all San Antonio's hopes with 10 seconds left, after a pass from Nicolas Batum. The point guard commented: “Nicolas gave me a great pass. We needed a win like this. It's always good to score when it counts the most.” Brandon Roy led the Trail Blazers with 26 points and seven assists, forming a great duo with LaMarcus Aldridge, who added 20 points and seven rebounds. Batum had 17 points, while Miller, who was 2-of-9 from the field before the game-clinching shot, scored seven points and nine assists. Roy and Aldridge outgunned the Spurs, combining for 46 points, and the power forward shooting 8-of-14 from the field. There was no rough stuff in this one, only the smooth shooting of both, as the Blazers ended San Antonio's 11-game winning streak.

Six players scored in double figures for San Antonio: Corey Maggette led the team with 15 points and also grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds for a double-double, while Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker scored 14 points apiece. Parker also had five boards and six assists. Off the bench, Larry Hughes had 11 points for the Spurs, who forged an eight-point lead in the second quarter as Hughes hit a 3-pointer and Maggette made a baseline jumper. But a 3-pointer by Roy -- who was perfect beyond the arc, 4-of-4 -- triggered a 12-2 run for Portland, which posted a 48-44 lead before intermission. The Spurs made just one field goal in the final three minutes of the first half. “We ran out of gas a little bit toward the end,” San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich said. “But I was really happy with the effort and what we did for most of the game. We'll get better this last ten games.” The game featured more than ten lead changes, thirteen to be exact, in what was a thrilling game, back and forth for the entire evening. The Spurs outrebounded the Blazers, 51-43, and also made 25-of-28 free throws, but it was Portland's accuracy from 3-point land and smothering defense that made the difference.

Greg Oden scored 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Trail Blazers, while Renaldo Balkman contributed with six points and four rebounds, but was more valuable for his team because of his great defense on Maggette and Ginobili. Maggette shot 5-of-13 while the Argentinian shot 4-of-14, including 1-of-6 from 3-point territory. “Renaldo is establishing himself as a great defensive weapon,” Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. DeJuan Blair had 10 points and eight rebounds, but only played 26 minutes battling with foul trouble: he grabbed four personal fouls in the second half and then one in the third quarter, and spent nine of the last quarter's 12 minutes on the bench. “There's always some adjustments to make when you play without DeJuan,” said Tim Duncan, who had 13 points and nine rebounds to go with five rejections. “We needed to step up, and we didn't,” added Blair. “I'm disappointed with the way we played in the second half. We just didn't deliver.”

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Video Music :: Adam Freeland • “We Want Your Soul”

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[kibaxx7]

Been a while since I last came onto the forums, loving the march madness coverage; and yes, WE BELIEVE IN UNC

Side note: My player's primary position is SG yeah? and of course the comparison should be Kobe Bryant!

I think UNC can make a deep run. I think is SG, yes, my mistake.

JJ Meredith Not enough names in the game I guess. Some promising prospects, will be interesting if the Spurs can land a steal late in the 1st round like they usually do.

Yep some prospects are interesting. Hopefully I can land a steal!

Up next -- Sweet Sixteen recap. I'll give you guys another day to post your brackets.