WBIT

[azfan]

Nah regarding the attendance. It wasn't "pushed", it was the best of any game played on the day. Low non-big dance attendance is the norm for post-season 2nd rate tournaments, especially in the early rounds.

I wonder how it compared to the games yesterday with the big dogs playing

 

[azfan]

The preview in the paper including remarks on NAU by Salvo was very complimentary. We didn't just lose to them in the regular season, we were beat on. At their place, but still.

Yep, back in November it was a beat down as the players looked unprepared and unmotivated. The jacks put 92 on a kitty team that is known for defense.

 

[azfan]

Only with an extreme case of recency bias. Come on now.

Well if you consider recency the last 3 years. The Jacks have had a better record and improved each year over that 3 year. The same cannot be said for the kitties. Moreover the Payne approach over that 3-year. Includes no players leaving the program.

The body of work of each coach shows that Barnes has more victories and had a much hotter start and as you say in a previous post she did turn around a program that was in horrible shape.

Payne also came into a program that was a disaster over the previous 11 years, in fact in worse shape than the kiddie program.

Both have completed wonderful jobs at turning programs around. If recency is 3 years then there is bias but the trend for Payne is clearly up and the trend for Barnes is down with the exception of salary and her fashion.

It's interesting there is always push back after coaches have achieved level of the success and it seems as if the grace that we've discussed based upon history does not involve any consequences in the present.

That said I'm confident that the 1.2 million dollar coach (I believe she's the highest paid woman's coach in the Big 12 she certainly in the top three so her salary is not reflective of her big 12 performance or the last 2 years in the pac-12) will stay in the dirty t and soon become a 1.8 million dollar coach. I suspect Payne maybe one of those young coaches on the way up and her days in Flagstaff may be limited.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Second Round action today.

Minnesota 78
Missouri St. 71

Gonzaga 64
Colorado 55

Villanova 62
St. Joe's 60

 

[nwhoopfan]

Belmont 81
Northern Arizona 80

NAU was up 17 at the half.

 

[azfan]

Thrilling and heartbreaking game in Tennessee as NAU is unable to hold on blowing a 21-point lead and losing on a last second shot.

The Jacks can't overcome the absence of the Moran twins who fouled out and the injury to Star big Sophie Gancy and the intense pressure by Belmont in the last 5 minutes of the game.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Portland 61
Seton Hall 55

Another come from behind win for the Pilots, because that's what they do.

Texas Tech 69
Virginia Tech 59

I don't think TT even had a mediocre season, but they are making the most of the post season.

 

[nwhoopfan]

James Madison 80
Marquette 76 OT

 

[nwhoopfan]

Florida is kind of like Texas Tech, had a nothing burger of a season, but here they are with a chance to beat UNLV in the final 10 seconds. I'm really not sure how either TT or Florida even got into the WBIT.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Florida 86
UNLV 84

buzzer beater, broken possession that looked like it was going nowhere

 

[nwhoopfan]

Didn't realize Texas Tech and Florida's paths have led them to each other. One will be among the last 4 teams standing in the WBIT.

James Madison vs. Belmont looks like an intriguing matchup.

Here's the others:

Gonzaga vs. Minnesota
Villanova vs. Portland

 

[packwrap]

Second Round action today.

Minnesota 78
Missouri St. 71

Gonzaga 64
Colorado 55

Villanova 62
St. Joe's 60

Gonzaga appears pretty angry about their loss to Oregon St.

 

[azfan]

Officiating at the end of the Texas Tech - Florida game is an embarrassment. It shows officials really overreacting I think to the first missed call.

That said Texas Tech incredible offensive rebounding but a player who could make a free throw if my life depended upon it.

Florida advances after Tech misses five consecutive free throws and Shavers turnover.

Congrats to Florida but a real bummer that the officials intervened so pathetically at the end. Also the last 18 seconds seemed to take 10 minutes.

 

[azfan]

Zaga and Gophers in a thriller On to OT. Minnesota hits three consecutive threes after trailing by 6 as the game winds down to take a three-point lead. In the final minute Zags hit a three to tie it.

Battle is a baller

 

[azfan]

Gophers advance to final four to face Florida.

Battle is the real deal and sets a career high in leading her team at home to a really tough victory over the Zags 82-77. I really think the home court played a role in this OT victory for Minnesota.

 

[nwhoopfan]

So...the game that I thought was really gonna be a barnburner was an absolute smackdown. Belmont over James Madison 90-45. Really? Did not see that coming.

Nova took out Portland, so the WCC is eliminated.

 

[oldude]

So...the game that I thought was really gonna be a barnburner was an absolute smackdown. Belmont over James Madison 90-45. Really? Did not see that coming.

Nova took out Portland, so the WCC is eliminated.

Nova is having a nice run in the WBIT. They jumped on UConn in the 1st qtr of the BE conference tournament before getting a big dose of Paige with the Huskies pulling away in the second half. It would be good for the conference if Nova can win the tournament.

 

[cancontent]

Gophers advance to final four to face Florida.

Battle is the real deal and sets a career high in leading her team at home to a really tough victory over the Zags 82-77. I really think the home court played a role in this OT victory for Minnesota.

Good for Minnesota but bittersweet to see Gonzaga knocked out. Most know I'm a huge Yvonne Ejim fan. Was hoping she could end her career with a WBIT title.

In Minnesota's case, considering they're missing two key pieces this season, this a great run. The fan base must be really happy to see this and are looking forward to next season.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Minnesota vs. Belmont for the Championship.

 

[azfan]

Minnesota advances to the final to face Belmont, who escaped with a last second bucket to overcome NAU in the 2nd round.

Battles had a tough game but teammate Grocholski scored 20 in 39 minutes. Grocholski is a an iron woman having been on the bench for only 3 minutes in the course of the five victories by the Gophers. She has played 40, 38, 40, 45 and 39 minutes!!!!!