2020-21 College Basketball Discussion and Pick'em Thread

[GeorgiaModerate]

Loyola's Sister Jean who's 101 and fully vaccinated for the COVID is currently locked out from attending the opening round!

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/loyola-chicago-sister-jean-ncaa-tournament-173751769.html

https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1371939378768052226

[NewYorkExpress]

Dave Paulsen has been fired as Head Coach at George Mason.

George Mason men's basketball coach Dave Paulsen is out after six seasons, the school announced Tuesday.

Paulsen failed to make the NCAA tournament in any of his six seasons at the Fairfax, Virginia, school, but finished above .500 in four of his last five seasons. This season, the Patriots finished 13-9 overall and 8-6 in the Atlantic 10. They won four in a row to end the regular season, including a road win at VCU, before losing by 32 to Davidson in the conference tournament.

"After an extensive review and evaluation of our men's basketball program, I have decided to make a change in our leadership," athletic director Brad Edwards said in a statement. "I am grateful for Dave's commitment, tireless work and leadership in directing our program over the past six years. He did an admirable job in stabilizing our program."

Paulsen had one year remaining on his contract, which was previously extended.

[GeorgiaModerate]

The deadline for teams to withdraw from the NCAA tournament passed last night with no teams dropping out.  If any team subsequently has to withdraw for COVID reasons, they will not be replaced.

[GeorgiaModerate]

https://twitter.com/CoachingChanges/status/1372277334640836611

Possibly related: a ton of Cincinnati players have entered the transfer portal in the last two days.

[NewYorkExpress]

https://twitter.com/CoachingChanges/status/1372277334640836611
Possibly related: a ton of Cincinnati players have entered the transfer portal in the last two days.

Creighton didn't fire Greg McDermott (and they should have) for a similar infraction, so John Brannen's job might be safe?

[Donerail]

Possibly related: a ton of Cincinnati players have entered the transfer portal in the last two days.

Creighton didn't fire Greg McDermott (and they should have) for a similar infraction, so John Brannen's job might be safe?

Greg McDermott didn't drive an entire class of recruits (up to six now) to leave the school. Either keep him and finish bottom of the conference next year or can him now.

[Ferguson97]

Round of 64
East
Michigan 1 over TXSO/MTSM 16
LSU 8 over St. Bonaventure 9
Colorado 5 over Georgetown 12
Florida State 4 over UNCG 13
BYU 6 over MSU/UCLA 11
Texas 3 over Abilene 14
Connecticut 7 over Maryland 10
Alabama 2 over Iona 15

Midwest
Illinois 1 over Drexel 16
Loyola 8 over Georgia Tech 9
Tennessee 5 over Oregon State 12
Oklahoma 4 over Liberty 13
San Diego 6 over Syracuse 11
West Virginia 3 over Morehead 11
Rutgers 10 over Clemson 7
Houston 2 over Cleveland 15

South
Baylor 1 over Hartford 16
North Carolina 8 over Wisconsin 9
Villanova 5 over Winthrop 12
Purdue 4 over North Texas 13
Texas Tech 6 over Utah 11
Arkansas 3 over Colgate 14
Florida 7 over VA Tech 10
Ohio 2 over Oral Roberts 15

West
Gonzaga 1 over NORF/APPST 16
Oklahoma 8 over Missouri 9
Creighton 5 over UCSB 12
Virginia 4 over Ohio 13
USC 6 over Wich/Drake 11
Kansas 3 over E. Washington 14
Oregon 7 over VCU 10
Iowa 2 over Grand Canyon 15

Round of 32
East
Michigan 1 over LSU 8
Florida State 4 over Colorado 5
Texas 3 over BYU 6
Alabama 2 over Connecticut 7

Midwest
Illinois 1 over Loyola Chicago 8
Oklahoma 4 over Tennessee 5
San Diego 6 over West Virginia 3
Houston 2 over Rutgers 10

South
Baylor 1 over North Carolina 8
Purdue 4 over Villanova 5
Arkansas 3 over Texas Tech 6
Ohio 2 over VA Tech 10

West
Gonzaga 1 over Oklahoma 8
Creighton 5 over Virginia 4
USC 6 over Kansas 3
Iowa 2 over Oregon 7

Sweet 16
East
Florida State 4 over Michigan 1
Alabama 2 over Texas 3

Midwest
Illinois 1 over Oklahoma 4
Houston 2 over San Diego 6

South
Baylor 1 over Purdue 4
Arkansas 3 over Ohio 2

West
Gonzaga 1 over Creighton 5
Iowa 2 over USC 6

Elite 8
East
Florida State 4 over Alabama 2

Midwest
Illinois 1 over Houston 2

South
Arkansas 3 over Baylor 1

West
Gonzaga 1 over Iowa 2

Final 4
Gonzaga 1 over Florida State 4
Illinois 1 over Arkansas 3

Championship Game
Illinois 1 over Gonzaga 1

[GeorgiaModerate]

Possibly related: a ton of Cincinnati players have entered the transfer portal in the last two days.

Creighton didn't fire Greg McDermott (and they should have) for a similar infraction, so John Brannen's job might be safe?

Greg McDermott didn't drive an entire class of recruits (up to six now) to leave the school. Either keep him and finish bottom of the conference next year or can him now.

There are some rumors that the coach mentioned in the tweet is South Florida's Brian Gregory, but still nothing solid on it.

(But yes, Cincy should ditch Brannen.)

[GeorgiaModerate]

Georgia Tech's Moses Wright, the ACC Player of the Year, tested positive for COVID on Monday and will not play in Tech's opening round game against Loyola-Chicago.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/reports-moses-wright-out-for-georgia-techs-ncaa-game/RFVFWDPYMNCMRAOEMTI57NGVOM/

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Sister Jean will stop at nothing to be in the spotlight an extra day, the absolute thug.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

USC or Zags are my picks for Natl 🏆

[GeorgiaModerate]

The Wichita State-Drake game is strange.  Wichita led 21-10 with a little over 4 minutes left in the first half, but then Drake outscored them 10-0 before the half and only trails 21-20.  It's not exactly what you'd call a barnburner.

[GeorgiaModerate]

The Wichita State-Drake game is strange.  Wichita led 21-10 with a little over 4 minutes left in the first half, but then Drake outscored them 10-0 before the half and only trails 21-20.  It's not exactly what you'd call a barnburner.

A mostly dull game was redeemed by an exciting finish.  Drake again fell behind by 12 in the second half, but came back to take a late lead and survived several late mistakes and a last-second miss by Wichita to win 53-52.

[DINGO Joe]

Got my first COVID shot today and then went by the B&N and saw this new book.  Didn't pick it up. but it seemed liked like it was made for smilo

[Drew]

Women's bracket:

Alamo region:

1 Stanford over 16 Utah Valley
8 Oklahoma St. over 9 Wake Forest
5 Missouri State over 12 UC Davis
4 Arkansas over 13 Wright State
6 Oregon over 11 South Dakota
3 Georgia over 14 Drexel
10 UCF over 7 Northwestern
2 Louisville over 15 Marist

1 Stanford over 8 Oklahoma St.
4 Arkansas over 5 Missouri St.
3 Georgia over 6 Oregon
2 Louisville over 10 UCF

1 Stanford over 4 Arkansas
3 Georgia over 2 Louisville

3 Georgia over 1 Stanford

Hemisfair Region:

1 South Carolina over 16 Mercer
9 Florida St. over 8 Oregon St.
12 SF Austin over 5 Georgia Tech
4 West Virginia over 13 Lehigh
11 Bradley over 6 Texas
3 UCLA over 14 Wyoming
7 Alabama over 10 North Carolina
2 Maryland over 15 Mt. St. Mary's

1 South Carolina over 9 Florida State
12 SF Austin over 4 West Virginia
3 UCLA over 11 Bradley
2 Maryland over 7 Alabama

1 South Carolina over 12 SF Austin
2 Maryland over 3 UCLA

1 South Carolina over 2 Maryland

River Walk Region:

1 UConn over 16 High Point
9 South Dakota St. over 8 Syracuse
5 Iowa over 12 Central Michigan
4 Kentucky over 13 Idaho St.
6 Michigan over 11 FGCU
3 Tennessee over 14 Middle Tennessee
10 Marquette over 7 Virginia Tech
2 Baylor over 15 Jackson St.

1 UConn over 9 South Dakota St.
4 Kentucky over 5 Iowa
6 Michigan over 3 Tennessee
2 Baylor over 10 Marquette

1 UConn over 4 Kentucky
2 Baylor over 6 Michigan

1 UConn over 2 Baylor

Mercado Region:

1 NC State over 16 NC A&T
9 Washington St. over 8 S. Florida
12 Belmont over 5 Gonzaga
4 Indiana over 13 VCU
6 Rutgers over 11 BYU
3 Arizona over 14 Stony Brook
7 Iowa St. over 10 Michigan St.
2 Texas A&M over 15 Troy

1 NC State over 9 Washington St.
4 Indiana over 12 Belmont
6 Rutgers over 3 Arizona
2 Texas A&M over 7 Iowa St.

4 Indiana over 1 NC State
2 Texas A&M over 6 Rutgers

2 Texas A&M over 4 Indiana

Final Four:

1 South Carolina over 3 Georgia
1 UConn over 2 Texas A&M

1 South Carolina over 1 UConn

[Drew]

Men's Bracket

West Region:

1 Gonzaga over 16 Norfolk St.
9 Missouri over 8 Oklahoma
5 Creighton over 12 UCSB
4 Virginia over 13 Ohio
6 USC over 11 Drake
3 Kansas over 14 E. Washington
10 VCU over 7 Oregon
2 Iowa over 15 GCU

1 Gonzaga over 9 Missouri
5 Creighton over 4 Virginia
3 Kansas over 6 USC
2 Iowa over 10 VCU

1 Gonzaga over 5 Creighton
2 Iowa over 3 Kansas

1 Gonzaga over 2 Iowa

South Region

1 Baylor over 16 Hartford
8 North Carolina over 9 Wisconsin
12 Winthrop over 5 Villanova
4 Purdue over 13 North Texas
11 Utah State over 6 Texas Tech
3 Arkansas over 14 Colgate
7 Florida over 10 Virginia Tech
2 Ohio State over 15 Oral Roberts

1 Baylor over 8 North Carolina
12 Winthrop over 4 Purdue
3 Arkansas over 11 Utah St.
7 Florida over 2 Ohio St.

1 Baylor over 12 Winthrop
7 Florida over 3 Arkansas

1 Baylor over 7 Florida

East Region:

1 Michigan over 16 Texas Southern
8 LSU over 9 St. Bonaventure
5 Colorado over 12 Georgetown
4 Florida St. over 13 UNC Greensboro
6 BYU over 11 UCLA
3 Texas over 14 Abilene Christian
7 Connecticut over 10 Maryland
2 Alabama over 15 Iona

1 Michigan over 8 LSU
5 Colorado over 4 FSU
6 BYU over 3 Texas
7 Connecticut over 2 Alabama

5 Colorado over 1 Michigan
7 Connecticut over 6 BYU

5 Colorado over 7 Connecticut

Midwest Region:

1 Illinois over 16 Drexel
9 Georgia Tech over 8 Loyola Chicago
12 Oregon St. over 5 Tennessee
4 Oklahoma St. over 13 Liberty
11 Syracuse over 6 San Diego St.
3 West Virginia over 14 Morehead St.
10 Rutgers over 7 Clemson
2 Houston over 15 Cleveland St.

1 Illinois over 9 Georgia Tech.
12 Oregon St. over 4 Oklahoma St.
3 West Virginia over 11 Syracuse
2 Houston over 10 Rutgers

1 Illinois over 12 Oregon St.
2 Houston over 3 West Virginia

2 Houston over 1 Illinois

Final Four:

1 Gonzaga over 5 Colorado
2 Houston over 1 Baylor

1 Gonzaga over 2 Houston

[GeorgiaModerate]

Colgate, a trendy upset pick, currently leads Arkansas 33-19.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Colgate, a trendy upset pick, currently leads Arkansas 33-19.

I must have jinxed Colgate by posting that, as Arkansas then went on a 17-0 run to finish the half and leads 36-33.

[Ferguson97]

Florida vs Virginia Tech was a great game

[Drew]

Ohio St./Oral Roberts going to OT.  Potential huge upset of a 15 over a 2.

Edit:  and there it is.  RIP Brackets.

[Alben Barkley]

Well this is the worst year for Kentucky basketball in my lifetime and to add insult to injury, Ohio State just singlehandedly wrecked my bracket.

I guess basketball is canceled this year.

Maybe our women’s team can do something?

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

So much for my bracket, we are gonna have bracket busters due to no fans in the stands which pact younger athletes than pros due to it being practice

[GeorgiaModerate]

That was one impressive performance by Wisconsin.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

That was one impressive performance by Wisconsin.

I really didn't think of UNC as a quality team at all, and this still seemed like the biggest surprise of the day for me. Wisconsin did not look good anytime I saw them this year. We all knew the ACC was down, but I didn't know by quite this much. Friend made me realize Cuse just gets by with the zone...

Maybe Wisco can do us a favor and repay us for the time they very unfairly knocked us out as the top overall seed in 2017 (with the help of the NCAA penalties and a laughable seeding decision switched with 5 seed Minnesota for ratings potential). Take down the evil empire before it rises further! Baylor has not looked good lately including today. It can be done!

Arkansas was my pick for this region, and all season frankly, to be the FF Dark horse but they still have a treacherous road ahead. Nice to see them eke out a nice win against an underseeded Colgate squad. Texas Tech had a fabulous performance today but still like the Hogs to take em out. Move over Beard, Musselman is the new hot commodity in the ol Southwest. If he knocked out Nova, I'll still call it a fine season.


While the Zags and Illini look to be on an unstoppable collision path, I'm very excited to see the only actually deep and highly uncertain region finally tip off tomorrow. Hoping Hoyas and UConn deliver the goods and Rick Pitino gives the favorites all they can handle (before the Tide march forward and potentially far).

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

It's no surprise that even in NCAA the WC and SE still dominate sports, Zags, USC, I hope either one wins