Even more upsets tonight!

[pinotbear]

This was widely bantered about on the ESPN boards too. The speculation there being that Muffet knew that emotions run high during senior night. But, the ND posters stated that the scheduling was done a certain way to accomodate attendance & mid-term exams. quote]



yeah, yeah, sure, sure..

 

[Fightin Choke]

Further explanation.
I'm assuming Duke is doomed to slide, regardless of previous losses but because of future losses. Enough to be jumped by "that team"? Maybe not. But ESPN is not above shuffling its opinions on what's good for the game, not what's legit in the loss column.

Only 4 teams between the assumed top 4 and UT. Two lost last night and can be justifiably dropped if ESPN wants them justifiably dropped. UT won last night and can justifiably be pushed up. if ESPN wants them pushed.

Two drop/two rise. Looks like ESPN can have UT as high as 6 going into tourney week (I know your argument about who loss to whom, but we got the raw end of Tennessee's might when Kim was first trying to get us to the sweet 16 so we know what the weight of Knoxvilled can do--and my cynical side says in a year with few really strong teams to promote, ESPN would love to raise Tennessee out of the ashes in the first year of transition.

You guys beat ND, a Stanford hiccup, an impressive tourney for Tennessee---I dont fear for you or us, but I'm not sold on ND and Stanford. One of those two could hiccup themselves right in to a #2. And who takes their place? I'm certainly not sold on the oncourt team of Tennessee, but I AM convinved (not sold) of ESPN's power to make things happen a line or two out of logic.

That's my point. The black helicopter thing.

(I'm also at home, recouping from surgery, and on Vicodin--it's a good life, but probably just too illogical for you guys. But I DID read IceBear's Saints/Sinners blog last night and that was fun).

I'm not a UConn fan, but a Notre Dame fan, and I am sure that there is nothing Tennessee could do to jump ND into the top 4. UConn, Baylor, Notre Dame, and the PAC12 champ are the top 4 seeds. ESPN has no input, as Vowelguy pointed out.

 

[Fightin Choke]

Most people thought that - except the ND posters on the ESPN boards insisted (and heartily insisted) it was because of mid-terms and I quote "Why do we even care."

Well I could certainly be wrong. They may know more than me, as I have no source close to the team. I heard some UConn posters suggest that Muffet moved senior night because she was afraid of losing to the Huskies on senior night, and I seriously doubt THAT was her motivation. Maybe the Irish posters were being defensive about that. I don't really know.

 

[Icebear]

PSU has not clinched. If they lose their last game @Nebraska, they share the regular season title with the Huskers. Incidently, Minnesota shot 67% against Penn St., and Lucas was 2/11 from 3-point land. If they lacked focus, it may have been because the Gophers are not good (6-9 in the B1G).

They have clinched a share, however. So it is correct to say they clinched. Being regular season champion is rather meaningless in the B1G, except that it comes with the moniker "Conference Champion" which still applies.

 

[Justavisitor]

Let's just say UT is #6 or #7 going into conferernce tourney week and if any one of us guys (1-4) hiccups in our post season tourney, UT all of a sudden, though not bona fide since SEC is down, is looking at a national seed and one of us previous top 4 guys has to travel in the regional round.

Please tell me that a Baylor fan is not proclaiming the SEC to be down. You do realize that after your #1 team, the next closest Big 12 contender is ranked #22 in RPI. Meantime, that weak SEC has 5 teams in the top 15 of the RPI. Just thought a reality check was in order.

 

[Justavisitor]

IMHO with the losses tonight and if Tenn goes undefeated the rest of the year, they're looking at a #2 seed. They have two bad losses, but they will be playing well (by Winning) and the committee will take that into consideration.

Tenn will end up as a 2 seed, best case scenario. No way are they a 1 seed, unless one of the top 4 teams falls apart and loses out, which isn't happening.

 

[Justavisitor]

Looks to me that WCBB is getting closer to parity within the top 30-40 outside of Baylor, UConn, ND and maybe Stanford. Duke before Gray's injury.

You would think that Baylor will come back to the pack next year as will ND when Diggins graduates. UConn should still be in the group (maybe alone) where only a top 4 team has a shot at them. Duke might jump into that group as well.

All these upsets remind me of men's hoops in that regard. And it's fun to see.

Baylor and everyone else! I know you'd like to think that TN is on the outside looking in, but with a healthy team, they can go toe to toe with the rest. In every game this season against the top non-conference opponents, TN has been without a post player and making it work with power forwards and guards. They've also been without Burdick for an entire month, whose worth can't be quantified by a stat sheet, similar to Farris. The hope is that Ariel can return to action (still an unknown), but this is possibly the first time since December that they will actually have their full roster. The missing players were not just role players. These players are key to their success, as witnessed by Harrison having 10 pts. in a short time span of 15 mins. against Bone and company, and Burdick having 15 points and 14 rebounds. Against ND, without Cierra, that TN team was toe to toe and ND only separated themselves after Harrison was lost for the game. She only played 13 minutes.

I'm sure you will also say that TN fans are delusional, but the reality is that at the start of this season, the fans said that TN would be good this year and great next year. They seem to be on schedule with that thinking, as proven by winning the SEC. Most here claimed that TN would finish the season outside of the top 5 of the SEC, so wrong again on that front. I vividly recall TonyC saying to let those TN fans celebrate getting Mercedes, because that was the only thing they would celebrate this year. My oh my, delusional...I think not.

Any way, we've had a blast this season thus far. We all love our perspective teams. Both of our teams will be in the discussion of all things relative to women's basketball in the foreseeable future. Count on it!

 

[rjp172]

The thing about UT going toe to toe with the top teams is that they did it on their home court. That's not going to be the case when they meet again and UT has shown it occasionally struggles against bad teams on the road, not alone top teams. I think UT can win out and if they do could shake up regional placements. Another Duke loss or two and the committees past history of adjusting seeding to reflect player injuries could get UT into Norfolk.

 

[John Glass]

I think PSU had already clinched, so their focus and effort may have been subpar.

Duke, after beating Maryland, had a chance to claim the # 5 overall seed and maybe #4. Instead, Stanford and Cal are looking good.

Maryland is slipping. They lost by 1 as Alyssa Thomas shot 6-17 and 5-12 on FTs. Ouch!

Tenn is playing pretty good ball. They look like a team that could go to the Elite 8. But not likely any farther.

Thomas had 8 turnovers too, Frese thinks she is a point guard.

 

[baylorprof]

Don't want to wear out my welcome with what you think to be ludicrous, but in big time sports, ESPN is paying the freight, and anyone who thinks there's not a wink, wink connection between ESPN's rights and the bracket is missing something.

And please remember, my premise is "if anyone of the top four hiccup (meaning primarily if Stanford doesn't hold serve and if you guys take out Notre Dame convincingly). Is it not at least feasible that the Committee would look to put a Tennessee who is winning out above a Notre Dame who might have an end of year significant loss?

As for SEC being "down" pardon moi; bad choice of words. In terms of placing four teams in New Orleans ESPN chalk does NOT want another UCONN/ND; it wants another Baylor/UCONN, thus the other two "supposseds" Stanford and Notre Dame are vulnerable unless they win out.

I'm not crazy; on vicodin yes, but not crazy. Probability is extremely low this conspiracy theory of mine, but probabilility is not nil.

But out of respect for your board, your years of experience, and your gracious acceptance of me as a guest, I'll tap out on this one and absorb your guffaws.

 

[doggydaddy]

Baylor and everyone else! I know you'd like to think that TN is on the outside looking in, but with a healthy team, they can go toe to toe with the rest. In every game this season against the top non-conference opponents, TN has been without a post player and making it work with power forwards and guards. They've also been without Burdick for an entire month, whose worth can't be quantified by a stat sheet, similar to Farris. The hope is that Ariel can return to action (still an unknown), but this is possibly the first time since December that they will actually have their full roster. The missing players were not just role players. These players are key to their success, as witnessed by Harrison having 10 pts. in a short time span of 15 mins. against Bone and company, and Burdick having 15 points and 14 rebounds. Against ND, without Cierra, that TN team was toe to toe and ND only separated themselves after Harrison was lost for the game. She only played 13 minutes.

I'm sure you will also say that TN fans are delusional, but the reality is that at the start of this season, the fans said that TN would be good this year and great next year. They seem to be on schedule with that thinking, as proven by winning the SEC. Most here claimed that TN would finish the season outside of the top 5 of the SEC, so wrong again on that front. I vividly recall TonyC saying to let those TN fans celebrate getting Mercedes, because that was the only thing they would celebrate this year. My oh my, delusional...I think not.

Any way, we've had a blast this season thus far. We all love our perspective teams. Both of our teams will be in the discussion of all things relative to women's basketball in the foreseeable future. Count on it!

"UConn should still be in the group (maybe alone) where only a top 4 team has a shot at them."

Maybe you don't understand what that means.

UConn only lost to Baylor and ND. I don't see anyone else beating them other than those two teams. You can say the same for Baylor. ND has shown that they can beat anyone, but going to OT with USF gives me some doubts on them but they are dominate as well.

Tennessee this year is not in that group. Not even close.

Next year? Well, I'm sure you will downplay the losses of Williams and Spani. And of course the incoming freshman along with everyone coming back healthy will make them one of those teams where only a top 4 team has a shot at them.

Sadly, injuries appear to be the jinx if the Lady Vols the last few years. How much confidence that Harrison can come back and contribute starter minutes? It would be great if she could, but it's more likely to be a Baugh or Doty career.

Hopefully Massingale is not seriously injured (haven't seen a report), can Carter come back 100%?

Tennessee will definately be a top team, maybe top 5 next year. But they are not in the group that only another top 4 team will beat. As much as you want them to be that good, they are not.

And it was pretty trollish of you to bring up what was posted here on a UCONN board about Tennessee's chances in 2012 back in November. There is still time for them to lose the SEC tourney and in the sweet sixteen.....

 

[doggydaddy]

Don't want to wear out my welcome with what you think to be ludicrous, but in big time sports, ESPN is paying the freight, and anyone who thinks there's not a wink, wink connection between ESPN's rights and the bracket is missing something.

And please remember, my premise is "if anyone of the top four hiccup (meaning primarily if Stanford doesn't hold serve and if you guys take out Notre Dame convincingly). Is it not at least feasible that the Committee would look to put a Tennessee who is winning out above a Notre Dame who might have an end of year significant loss?

As for SEC being "down" pardon moi; bad choice of words. In terms of placing four teams in New Orleans ESPN chalk does NOT want another UCONN/ND; it wants another Baylor/UCONN, thus the other two "supposseds" Stanford and Notre Dame are vulnerable unless they win out.

I'm not crazy; on vicodin yes, but not crazy. Probability is extremely low this conspiracy theory of mine, but probabilility is not nil.

But out of respect for your board, your years of experience, and your gracious acceptance of me as a guest, I'll tap out on this one and absorb your guffaws.

Don't apologize. He's a Tennessee fan. You couldn't tell?

 

[stwainfan]

"UConn should still be in the group (maybe alone) where only a top 4 team has a shot at them."

Maybe you don't understand what that means.

UConn only lost to Baylor and ND. I don't see anyone else beating them other than those two teams. You can say the same for Baylor. ND has shown that they can beat anyone, but going to OT with USF gives me some doubts on them but they are dominate as well.

Tennessee this year is not in that group. Not even

Next year? Well, I'm sure you will downplay the losses of Williams and Spani. And of course the incoming freshman along with everyone coming back healthy will make them one of those teams where only a top 4 team has a shot at them.

Sadly, injuries appear to be the jinx if the Lady Vols the last few years. How much confidence
that Harrison can come back and contribute starter minutes? It would be great if she could, but it's more likely to be a Baugh or Doty career.

Hopefully Massingale is not seriously injured (haven't seen a report), can Carter come back 100%?

Tennessee will definately be a top team, maybe top 5 next year. But they are not in the group that only another top 4 team will beat. As much as you want them to be that good, they are not.

And it was pretty trollish of you to bring up what was posted here on a UCONN board about Tennessee's chances in 2012 back in November. There is still time for them to lose the SEC tourney and in the sweet sixteen.....

Carter has a shoulder injury so she should be fine. I think next year Tenn is a top 5 team. As for this year. I think it comes down to health of team and the draw in tournament.

 

[Icebear]

I'm not crazy; on vicodin yes, but not crazy. Probability is extremely low this conspiracy theory of mine, but probabilility is not nil.

And maybe a mystic and a visionary.

 

[doggydaddy]

Carter has a shoulder injury so she should be fine. I think next year Tenn is a top 5 team. As for this year. I think it comes down to health of team and the draw in tournament.

I wish her no ill will, but ask Parker about shoulders.

Any update on Massingale and Harrison?

 

[doggydaddy]

Most here claimed that TN would finish the season outside of the top 5 of the SEC, so wrong again on that front.

The Lady Vols were picked to finish fourth in the preseason by the media and fifth by the coaches. So, to make it like it was just the fans on this board that had this opinion is more trolling.

 

[stwainfan]

Q

I wish her no ill will, but ask Parker about shoulders.

Any update on Massingale and Harrison?

Parker should had surgery after the aTm game. She didn't want to end her Tennessee career like that. Carter did have surgery she is running, doing ball handling drills. She has had a good amount of time to recover.

 

[Vowelguy]

Don't want to wear out my welcome with what you think to be ludicrous, but in big time sports, ESPN is paying the freight, and anyone who thinks there's not a wink, wink connection between ESPN's rights and the bracket is missing something.

The committee has 10-15 members (each representing different conferences) and a portion changes every year. With that number of people over many years, if there were a conspiracy I'm sure it would've leaked out by now.

You have no proof, nor even the hint of _any_ proof, of anything improper.

 

[Icebear]

Q
Parker should had surgery after the aTm game. She didn't want to end her Tennessee career like that. Carter did have surgery she is running, doing ball handling drills. She has had a good amount of time to recover.

It was a second torn labrum that ended my nephew's college career.

 

[stwainfan]

It was a second torn labrum that ended my nephew's college career.

Sorry to hear about that.

 

[triaddukefan]

I think PSU had already clinched, so their focus and effort may have been subpar.

Duke, after beating Maryland, had a chance to claim the # 5 overall seed and maybe #4. Instead, Stanford and Cal are looking good.

Maryland is slipping. They lost by 1 as Alyssa Thomas shot 6-17 and 5-12 on FTs. Ouch!

Tenn is playing pretty good ball. They look like a team that could go to the Elite 8. But not likely any farther.

Not that its any excuse for their poor effort last night... but Duke had clinched the outright regular season title on Sunday with a huge road victory over Maryland... and this Sunday is Senior Night vs our blood rival UNC.... so some letdown could be expected. Add to that fact that Miami was desperate for another quality win.. and voila...

 

[caravaggio]

I watched the Tenn game yesterday, and I'm actually inclined to agree with Justa because while I don't think they are shall we say "elegant" as UConn, I thought they have a gritty athleticism that was very impressive at times. I think the UConn team that played against Pittsburgh the other night would probably lose to the Tenn team I saw last night.

Cierra Burdick was indeed Faris-like, with actually better offense than Faris as a sophomore; Bashaara Graves was extremely impressive: I think, at this point, she should be FOY over Lloyd, Stewart, and Jones. And as much as it pains to say this, Meighan Simmons has definitely improved in her ability to play within a team and her shot selection (she still jacked up some shots, but is not nearly as disruptive to her own team as previously). Taber Spani and Kamiko Williams seem to be meeting expectations as seniors.

Finally, as much as I personally dislike some of the showboating of Simmons and some of the other Tenn players, I think it's the same attitude and exuberance that has made ND so challenging and successful.

Baylor and everyone else! I know you'd like to think that TN is on the outside looking in, but with a healthy team, they can go toe to toe with the rest. In every game this season against the top non-conference opponents, TN has been without a post player and making it work with power forwards and guards. They've also been without Burdick for an entire month, whose worth can't be quantified by a stat sheet, similar to Farris. The hope is that Ariel can return to action (still an unknown), but this is possibly the first time since December that they will actually have their full roster. The missing players were not just role players. These players are key to their success, as witnessed by Harrison having 10 pts. in a short time span of 15 mins. against Bone and company, and Burdick having 15 points and 14 rebounds. Against ND, without Cierra, that TN team was toe to toe and ND only separated themselves after Harrison was lost for the game. She only played 13 minutes.

I'm sure you will also say that TN fans are delusional, but the reality is that at the start of this season, the fans said that TN would be good this year and great next year. They seem to be on schedule with that thinking, as proven by winning the SEC. Most here claimed that TN would finish the season outside of the top 5 of the SEC, so wrong again on that front. I vividly recall TonyC saying to let those TN fans celebrate getting Mercedes, because that was the only thing they would celebrate this year. My oh my, delusional...I think not.

Any way, we've had a blast this season thus far. We all love our perspective teams. Both of our teams will be in the discussion of all things relative to women's basketball in the foreseeable future. Count on it!

 

[baylorprof]

Maybe I just better stay at home until announcement Monday and play my "what if" games with the voices coming out of the vicodin bottle. You guys are too classy for me to want to alienate.

See you in two weeks.

 

[triaddukefan]

Cierra Burdick was indeed Faris-like, with actually better offense than Faris as a sophomore; Bashaara Graves was extremely impressive: I think, at this point, she should be FOY over Lloyd, Stewart, and Jones. And as much as it pains to say this, Meighan Simmons has definitely improved in her ability to play within a team and her shot selection (she still jacked up some shots, but is not nearly as disruptive to her own team as previously). Taber Spani and Kamiko Williams seem to be meeting expectations as seniors.
ul.

Not sure what Jones you are referring to... perhaps Alexis ?? You did leave out McDaniel of UNC..... ... she will be the ACC Rookie of the Year for sure...

 

[caravaggio]

Baylor Prof: you definitely should not crazy alone! I always assumed the point of message boards is to be crazy together! At least you have a chemical excuse, I blame my delusions on my kitty kat!

Maybe I just better stay at home until announcement Monday and play my "what if" games with the voices coming out of the vicodin bottle. You guys are too classy for me to want to alienate.

See you in two weeks.