Post by doc on Mar 15, 2017 14:58:44 GMT
I think I've mentioned before that I'm a 'sports writer wannabe'. That's one of the reasons I enjoy commenting on this forum.
Well I run the NCAA pool at work and I try to entertain my participants throughout the three week tournament with commentary about the games. Here's a sample from my Final Four write-up from 2015...
So as I'm sure you've all heard, there will be no 40-0 team this year. Wisconsin 'badgered' Kentucky in their semi final rematch to earn the right to face the Puke Blue Devils in tonight's National Championship game. Puke dismantled the over achieving Spartans from Michigan State in the first semi-final game and will play in their 11th title game in school history.
It's been a banner year for the Big Ten in athletics. So far they've won national championships in football (tOSU), women's volleyball (Penn State), Wrestling (tOSU), Synchronized Swimming (tOSU) and Pistol (tOSU). Can Wisconsin add to this list with a win over Puke tonight? They have a great shot. And no one will be cheering for it more than Mark K who has already clinched no worse than a tie for the 2015 UR NCAA pool. Mark sits at 114 points, which easily puts him in first place. He picked Wisconsin to win (and actually got the entire final four correct) so a Badger win will give Mark the title. If Puke wins, Pete O can tie at 114 points; should that happen we'll need to go to the tie breaker - Mark picked 142 points while Pete projected 134. If the final score winds up being 138 we'll call it a tie and split first and second between Mark and Pete.
Also pulling for Wisconsin are Patrick J and Nancy F. They are in line to claim 2nd and 3rd if Wisconsin wins. If Puke wins, I think Patrick would finish in 3rd. I'll post the entire list tomorrow after all the dust has settled.
So here are some questions I pondered while watching the Final Four on Saturday....
- With the technology available, why would you only review potential shot clock violations in the final two minutes of the half?
- How hard do you need to slap someone in the face to get a flagrant foul called against you?
- Coach K is close to 70 years old and has jet black hair - does he dye his hair or did he find the fountain of youth that eluded Ponce De Leon?
- How many UK players will declare for the NBA draft?
- When are they going to make it a flagrant, technical foul with 2 free throws and possession of the ball when a player flops trying to draw a foul? I guess the laws of Physics cease to exist on a basketball court. That's the only way to explain how a 160 pound guard can 'knock' into a 260 pound center and send him flying into the first row of seats. Maybe they should send referees to a Physics class.
- And speaking of refs, how do they 'earn' the right to do Final Four games? If those guys Saturday night were the best in college basketball, what does that say about the ones who were home watching?
- Finally, there's a lot of talk going around about how to fix college basketball. I don't think it's completely broken but if I could be the czar of the sport for one day, here's what I'd do...
1. Get with the NBA and let kids enter the draft right out of high school. If they choose to go to college, it's a minimum 3 year commitment...
2. Move the 3 point line back to the NBA distance and widen the foul lane...
3. Make it a flagrant foul with 2 foul shots and possession of the ball when a player clearly flops trying to draw a charge.
4. They also need to do something about poor officiating but I don't know how you address that issue. It's a difficult game to call but the charges, phantom fouls and anticipated fouls that don't happen are ruining the game.
OK - I think that's enough for today. Good luck to everyone who still has a chance at winning - all 4 of you, may the best team win tonight! On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin.....
