courtside

...Roy...you could say the same thing for Wade...I think Miami will roll Washington. I would like to see Wade and Shaq match up with Phoenix in the final.......

...I caught Wade's ESPN News interview live...and I am still laughing out loud....his reactions were priceless.

...I would have to ask around....a few months back DeSmet coach Bob Steiner said Leonard...who hadn't been in school since the fall, was looking at prep schools. Don't know what has changed since then.

The Michelob Golden Light Drafts.....any A-B person on this board knows the wild popularity of that beer in the State of Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin. Ever been to Minnesota? Crazy....Anytime in the mid 1990's and after....you would have an easier time getting one than a Bud or Bud Light at a bar. Reeally a bizzare scene.

Shocking that 6% liked it. Why not be the Marquette Platinum...more precious than gold. $$$$$$ All about the buck people.....safe way out, ....Warriors merchandise is all the more precious....now the few who liked Golden Eagles can get their collectible stuff too...and now "Gold." Those poor Native Americans donate a lot of coin there....obviously they did their research to find out that donations to the school haven't been affected as much as the buzz says since change from Warriors...or they would be Warriors....I do find it neat that their graduation speaker last, a Marquette alum, head of Kimberly Clark or something of the like, offers up $1 million to change the name back to Warriors about ten feet from the President of the school. That would have been fun to see the surprised reaction. I am sure he wouldn't have been invited if they knew that was in the speech. They could be the Golden Retrievers...but if the basketball team starts winning like the past...people would be wearing Golden Retriever sweatshirts...doesn't really matter over time. In the near term, one wonders...if all those people were clamoring for a return to Warriors...why make such a big production out of the announcement...short term heavy backlash...long term, $$, and indifference. My only question is why not the Marquette Yellow, or another version of the color yellow...there is absolutely zero gold in their colors. Gold is the color of Notre Dame's helmets.

two cents....Mason regressed a little this year...highly touted Chicago kid, top 40 recruit...they all don't pan out...he is classic tweener....6'5, but not a great handle, or great jumper, and certainly not the best court awareness...great in high school, a nice start...but didn't improve and thought he was better than he was....to be frank all of the kids that left Marquette weren't good enough to play for a top 25 team....so no loss there...but...the coach has to bear responsibility for bringing in kids in the first place who aren't good enough. When he started Crean got caught offering too many schollies...the Final Four is a big big deal, paid for the new prac facility, increase attendance, $$ etc...etc....and it will get him two more years.....by all accounts their class is top 10, best Crean has had(minus Wade)...on paper....they should be a bubble team next year. It is interesting ...the pattern of bringing in kids who think they are bigger than the team....and aren't as good as they think they are....we'll see

Let me preface by saying I was indifferent on all Final Four teams...gasp even Louisville...chuckle chuckle...but I seriously was indifferent. Skip, I couldn't disagree more(respectfully however about May)...someone sitting near me said the same thing...but I even went back and watched tape of the game...and several times May did drop the shoulder...on offense...but EVERY single time...the Illini defefnder just backed up instead of allowing any contact...intimidated would be a word coming to mind. I strongly believe the game was very well officiated for the most part, and was called evenly...something I was very thankful for. Roy is right imo, all of the calls on Augustine were legit and needed to be called. Weber falling over on the one call when clearly it was a stupid reach in the lane for Augustine...got a chuckle on that one, at least Bruce tried to sell it.(off topic, but I think Soderberg worries too much during games on calls...back to topic).... Illinois has(had) three very good shooters, most teams don't have three very good ones, and most teams don't have the spacing, motion, and don't make the extra pass, which Illinois does each time. Augustine had some nice tourney games, but that wasn't one. And no depth hurts. Illinois doesn't go inside, even off of the dribble, and they didn't again on Mon. And they still almost won. IMO UNC had more talent, it was a matter of...would UNC come out ready to play, answer yes, and could match Illinois in talent and play. Williams made adjustments defensively mixing defenses at appropriate times. There were lapses when UNC should have switched more, later in the game...but they were solid. May had a great game. If Illinois doesn't win those loose balls, and long rebounds earlier in the game and in the middle, they lose by a lot more imo. It wasn't the best played game, but hard fought and exciting. Over 40 3's for Illinois, and they still almost won the tourney. ...without much inside besides Powell.

Charter is NOT the answer. It is pretty embarrassing for a place like Humphrey's or wherever not to be able to get a SLU game on the tube because it is charter. It is also very very small potatoes.....for the out of towners... Not all SLU alums live in STL...and there is more out there than STL....hopefully those folks can see some games soon.

....am I the only one who thinks we can do a bit better/younger than those three? Parker..not too shabby getting what $40 million for a few months work....WOW!

I don't have any problem with Altman...or his interviewing elsewhere seemingly most seasons...but in the end remaining at Creighton. If it were me and a school I was interested in wanted to talk to me...I would listen too. It is sort of lightly humorous I suppose that it happens so frequently for Altman, and yet he is always back at Creighton. If you are asking about Pearl's numbers....he used to get 250k at UWM, then upped to 300k...not counting tv, radio shows, country club membership etc...and some other perks....the UT deal is 5 years, 800k per year, not counting tv, radio shows, and some other things...that figure does include 250k addidas deal......total package is rumored to reach above $1 million.

....ah....typcial KY chatter. sigh.... He did it with Pitino's players. And Weber and Williams did it this year(Final Four) with Dougherty and Self's recruits.....and Lowry had a nice season with Weber's kids....and so on and so on....when does it end? You could go throughout the tourney and play that game. It is true at certain unrealistic schools like UNC, UK etc...that every year a national title is expected by many of the "fans." KY wasn't exactly winning any national titles for a long time prior to Pitino. Tubby wins one, and then follows with some very successful teams at UK. It'd be different if UK had seen a significant drop in play.... Tubby isn't going anywhere, and once again UK will be very good next season.

I have heard different things on Tubby. Some local scribes love Tubby and some don't. It is mixed. I think he is a terrific coach and has done fine at UK. They will be loaded next year, big time. If people want to judge him on the end of OT plays...that is too bad for those people. There will ALWAYS be some outspoken boosters, good ol boys who won't except Tubby. He never was going anywhere, and is determined to win at UK....I hope he wins another title there. I for one like him. Every year schools like UK UNC etc...only care if you win it all...and if you do win it all...they say...he won't win it again next year. etc.... How about Roy Williams...did anybody here his audio this week...discussing the story of a UNC "fan" bumping into him saying "coach don't let us down," ....Williams a little ticked, snapped back at him...as if to say buddy, I have more vested in this, in my little finger than you ever will....good for him.

....right about Kruger...money talks.... Pearl will be getting a $600k raise. It is my understanding that Pearl was their top choice. .....Pearl's total package will be in the SEVEN figures...so much for the saving money theory or other coaches pricing them out theory....Who would turn down a $600k raise in a regular job? As for a proven successful coach...that is the one thing Pearl is....a proven successful coach everywhere he has been....and some tough places to coach too.... as for not staying somewhere...this is a different case...Pearl wants to coach in big time ball to see what he can do. Despite his success at Milwaukee...they are not big time ball with big time resources...when your coach greets fans at the gym at games...it isn't big time ball. Tennessee happens to be the opening right now, and he has to strike while the iron is hot...he could have been luckier with the opening. I wouldn't bet against him...his team was good last year but blew the conference tourney...and should have beaten ND in the dance two years ago.... One thing I do find interesting...for a guy who always says he's happy where he is...Dana Altman sure does interview elsewhere plenty.

...yes they do except McCants a big player and leader. So, how is a jewish guy from the Northeast going to fit in at Knoxville? We'll see. Couldn't be any worse than the Irish Catholic. Pearl's people skills are better. As long as they don't screw up the coach UWM will be good next year. If Tucker develops his ball handling skills a little more, he will be even better than the NCAA tourney, which was pretty darn good.

...I am sure you were kidding about the Savvis rims....but I have long been opposed to those tight things...they are brutal. How about rims like Freedom Hall, where every shot goes in.

I don't mean this in a bad way...but I have always held the belief that Billy Packer is clinically depressed. I think I am very objective when it comes to announcers...Packer does at least pay attention to the game closely...strike one for Vitale. imo Packer over-analyzes the game...on television, I don't need constant commentary...he goes overboard. He also is too combative and too negative for my taste. The Rudy Martzke's of the world love him. I was extremely impressed with Jay Bilas. ...especially for never getting a shot at big games before....after he had started in a 3 man booth with Raftery. Raftery is positive, extremely likeable, sure he makes some mistakes...but that likeability and non bias compensates well for him. Vitale is a classic want to hear himself talk...he doesn't listen for information, rather he already has his response ready and can't wait to jump in...which obviously rubs many the wrong way. I enjoy Jimmy Dykes, though thought it wasn't his best season. Really preferred him with Carpenter. It shows you have to be patient...Steve Lavin has to be most improved...I remember when he couldn't spit out a sentence on tv...he is dramatically improved....and if you ever get the chance terrific on radio shows etc...I am hopeful this will happen with Rick Majerus....Majerus has a otugh time spitting things out on tv...but his knowledge is a ton. He just has a hard time with tv so far. I hope he works at it.

Yeah they did....but O'Neil is a chronic job hopper...the former Lute assistant ...let's see off of the top of my head...Marquette...inherited nothing, very bad program and made them sweet 16, ...never embraced alums, the Al McGuire stuff etc..by all accounts an ass to deal with...goes to Tennessee...clash from the start...did get some good recruits...but that was never going to work. Northwestern...are you following this chronic "rebuilding thing" going on....academic standards tough...not great hoops support...etc...NBA assistant through his connections to guys like Van Gundy ...at Detroit and New York before that...credited for great opponent field goal percentage defense....Toronto Raptors job...that one didn't last...and around he goes.....he once was a tremendous recruiter...got burned out bgi time on college game...and made the NBA assistant jump....good dough...little accountability...off of the top of my head don't even know where he is now....anyone? Pearl...that one is interesting...he obviously is afraid he won't get another crack at a big time conference any time soon....especially when/if UWM doesn't repeat their success....the guy nevert got a sniff for 9 long years in D II....sure it is a lot more $$....too....the kids in that area go to Memphis, Louisville, and UK. I think there is enough talent and potential for possible sweet 16 in future there...he will have to pull off some magic for more than that. But he has to strike while the iron is hot...get in...make some progress and see where it takes him...and his seven figure package. What if he stayed, UWM loses tourney final next year and no NCAA....Pearl fades away again....Tennessee happens to be the opening...could have gotten luckier with the opening...it will be some tough work for him...but very possible....and this shows he wasnts to be in big time ball.

Yeah in Wade's win to go to Final Four...he put up a triple double vs a UK team that was better than the current one. When Wade extends his jumper range like Jordan did, Bryant etc...in a year or two, he will be even more scary.

Is it Lute's fault Salim was walking up and down the court with a couple of minutes left? Not like they can go to someone else on the bench for him either. Adams was AWESOME all game. While I would have pick and rolled with Stoudemaire and Frye, dishing to Adams cutting or Frye keeping it at end of the game....he went a different play to isolate Adams. Didn't work. Illinois had way too many open relazed easy 3's at end of the game. More than half of their shots were 3's. Make them go inside. Bilas said it over and over again, AZ wasn't tough enough with the ball. Obviously they stopped playing. Olson took timeouts, etc...not sure what else he was supposed to do. To lose by one point on the road to the number one team in the land...sign Lute up, he can coach for me anytime. As for fans...UK(if they make it) vs U of I....who will bring more? That is the question. Louisville will bring a lot, but they will be third in numbers.

Couldn't agree more about UK Bob. I was wondering a few years ago with KU and UK who would travel more...wasn't even a contest. You can go far far away and you will still find UK nation. Should be a good crowd matchup U of I vs UK if UK makes it....I would give the edge to UK. Wow...do you think Illinois wins more than once if they play AZ ten times? even in a "home" game environment. Gag city for AZ...too bad for Lute. I like him. Bilas was right on the money in this game.

It is unfortunate that Raftery and Lunquist got the call wrong on CBS. IMO they have been the best duo in the tourney. Bilas is good. Not an Endberg guy. Gus Johnson is brutal.

The "travel" call was a mistake. ....No, I don't think Wisconsin is one of top 8 teams. But I also said they are a good team. Doesn't mean they aren't top 25. The tourney is about matchups. They have gotten some good ones for themselves. Nothing wrong with that. I think they will play UNC tough for a little while and lose....but a very good post season for them. Obviously they will finish in the top 8 in the tourney.

Somehow I feel as though I have this discussion a million times...no not on here or this thread...but it is a topic of which is a pet peeve of mine. One of the MOST irksome phrases to me is "defense wins championships." uh...no....and neither does "offense." I wish these tv and radio dipshits would stop it. BALANCE wins championships. Balance doesn't necessarily mean 50-50 offense defense, but it could. Balance could also mean 75% offense and 25% defense etc...and so on.... Plenty of high powered offensive teams won high scoring games Thurs night. And one did Fri night. Lower scoring teams can win too. The NCAA tourney is about matchups. Do you really think Wisconsin is one of the country's 8 best teams? I don't. Matchups are everything, and they just play who is scheduled. Taking nothing away from their success. They are a good team. There are two topics going on here. Style of play, as it pertains to fan interest etc...and we all agreed, so I thought....that we didn't mean Vegas run and gun, nor did we mean walk it up style. somewhere in the middle.le The other topic seems to be "what style wins?" MANY different styles win. Take the STL Rams football when they won Superbowl...was there defense that good? No...they were ranked well because of run defense stats...well, those Rams team were usually up 7-0 or 14-0 out of the gate, and teams felt forced to throw. The Rams won with balance. They had a great offense, very good special teams, decent defense. Easier schedule helped win games early for confidence...etc...many reasons. In hoops...high scoring offensive machines win, grind it out low scoring defenses win, ......more times than not the teams that win are the ones that can play a game near 90 and also play a game near 50 and win them both. Take AZ off of the top of my head...they can go up and down high scoring and win...but I have also seen them grind out last minute road wins against tough opponent in a game in the 40's, 50. Those versaitle teams win most...but the high scoring and low scoring teams can win too.

...did I miss something in that game...I wouldn't exactly go that far. UWM had trouble getting from 7-9 to closer...but I wouldn't exactly call it a rout. A few breaks in first half and perhaps UWM is leading going into end half or close to it...U of I had a nice run to open it up, but it was a 7 point game that UWM couldn't turn the corner. U of I too good and held on and pulled away. Perhaps you listened to Seth Davis too much. It's unfortunate that Ok St and U of A had to play so early...a shame. Not sure if U of A will bring the consistency...they certainly have the talent to go to the four over Illinois. OK St would have been a nice matchup for U of I as well, easily the toughest region.

Not sure I understand your question Dave? I think all parties were at fault in different ways... ...lowest scum of the earth of anyone ever met....etc...to me I guess is a bit too strong. My comment was meant to mean...there are a lot Worse people out there. My thoughts...well...I understand all sides.... I think Pearl made a mistake in his late 20's....I think he has paid his dues and debt after all of this time. I think it is time to move on. I feel strongly also about the Don Denkinger umpire saga. What did Pearl actually do...well, he set up a kid, recruit and got him to say U of I gave him improper stuff...he broke a fraternity code in the business...and I am not defending him for it...I have also done my homework on Pearl a little bit...and he really answers the test in a lot of other aspects in life that are tough to ignore...sure I think he is in the slick salesman category of hoops coaches....but big deal... He gets introduced, U of I fans boo...and it should be over....anything more than that, I guess I just don't understand. Getting another chance is the lesson here. Pearl depending on who you are and what you think...made a mistake, perhaps big, intentionally, and was punished for it(9 long years in D II ball) just to get a UWM job...which is a DI version of UMSL for more years... I think what hurst Pearl is the chip on his shoulder which he readily admits...kind of like TLR. He could serve himself better by saying a few things different and it could go away more easily for him. But he doesn't. To me, that is just ego, stubborn....etc... Murderers, rapists, etc....don't get nor deserve second chances in life...by all acconts he has been squeaky clean and well liked on and off the floor for a long time.... time to just talk about the 1-2-1-1 and Ed McCants and Joah Tucker....and the team ball UWM plays, etc.... time to turn the page.