THE FINAL FOUR: National Semifinals and THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, April 2nd & 4th

[LilBTheBasedGod]

http://www.howellmainfour.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2011-Final-Four-logo1-300x248.jpg


And Then There Were Two...

The National Championship Game
http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa/release/sites/default/files/images/logos/schools/c/connecticut.70.png UConn Huskies vs. Butler Bulldogs http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa/release/sites/default/files/images/logos/schools/b/butler.70.png
Houston, Texas
9:00PM on CBS






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Southeastern Regional Champions
Butler Bulldogs
http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa/release/sites/default/files/images/logos/schools/b/butler.70.png
VS.
Southwestern Regional Champions
Virginia Commonwealth Rams
http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa/release/sites/default/files/images/logos/schools/v/vcu.70.png
6:00PM ON CBS



Western Regional Champions
Connecticut Huskies
http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa/release/sites/default/files/images/logos/schools/c/connecticut.70.png
VS.
Eastern Regional Champions
Kentucky Wildcats
http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa/release/sites/default/files/images/logos/schools/k/kentucky.70.png
8:45PM ON CBS

[B-Rich]

VCU in.

[DeronMillsap]

3 UConn vs 4 Kentucky
11 VCU vs 8 Butler

No #1's for the first-time in NCAA bracket history.

[LilBTheBasedGod]

bump

[timlush]

3 UConn vs 4 Kentucky
11 VCU vs 8 Butler

No #1's for the first-time in NCAA bracket history.

Actually this is the 3rd time it has happened.

[InspiredLebowski]

Just hit me that Stevens will be the older coach against VCU. Probably the first time that's ever happened.

[InspiredLebowski]

Actually this is the 3rd time it has happened.First time there's not been any 1s OR 2s though

[HB40TheNextStar]

I will predict,

UConn over UK, 76-71.

Butler over VCU, 67-64.


I think Butler have a whole week to prepare for VCU gives them a huge advantage. I just like UConn over Kentucky.


Then UConn over Butler. Something like, 69-62. Kemba wins the MOP.

[ukfan22]

I'm pretty sure the VCU/Butler game is first.

[LilBTheBasedGod]

I'm pretty sure the VCU/Butler game is first.

http://www.ncaa.com/scoreboards/basketball-men/d1/2011/04/02

[ukfan22]

http://www.ncaa.com/scoreboards/basketball-men/d1/2011/04/02
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/scoreboard?date=20110402

:confusedshrug:

[ukfan22]

also

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/scoreboard/ncaa-tournament/20110402

[NoName22]

Since that cooking dance, VCU has been on a tear.

They've been blessed by the holy spirit brethren :bowdown: :bowdown:

[LilBTheBasedGod]

also

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/scoreboard/ncaa-tournament/20110402

Fixed it

[LilBTheBasedGod]

Since that cooking dance, VCU has been on a tear.

They've been blessed by the holy spirit brethren :bowdown: :bowdown:

Only by the power of the Based God can VCU make the Final Four :bowdown:

[Skywalker]

I had Louisville vs. CONNECTICUT in the final I thought that bracket was busted in the first day.... cmon CONN

[brownmamba00]

Since that cooking dance, VCU has been on a tear.

They've been blessed by the holy spirit brethren :bowdown: :bowdown:
:bowdown:

[OSUBaller]

I would like VCU to make it into the final. I am pulling for UConn in the other semi as I don't like KY.

[JMT]

UConn's primary weakness is their lack of quality size. Enter, Josh Harrelson, arguably the MVP of the tourney so far. His size on both ends of the floor will pose problems. Knight is playing like a guy with a chip on his shoulder; seems the media talks about every other guard in the tourney except him. I like Kentucky.

Butler-VCU is actually a tougher call. Loved what I saw of Skeen this weekend, and I don't think Butler has a matchup for him. But Mack, Howard and the rest are a fantastic team who don't get rattled. I'll take experience and the week to prep for VCU's pressure.

Kentucky sends Butler to it's second straight title game defeat.

The way this year has gone, be sure to bet the opposite way.

[UConnCeltics]

I had Louisville vs. CONNECTICUT in the final I thought that bracket was busted in the first day.... cmon CONN
You know whats good. Only one team left knows anything about WINNING.

[SourPatchKids]

April Madness.

[LilBTheBasedGod]

April Madness.

Not as catchy :no:

[DeronMillsap]

March Madness refers to the crazy 1st round, Round of 32, Sweet 16 rather than the Final Four and national title game.

[LilBTheBasedGod]

March Madness refers to the crazy 1st round, Round of 32, Sweet 16 rather than the Final Four and national title game.

Yea, Final Four isn't as mad as it is important.

[InspiredLebowski]

This Matt Painter to Missouri things grown some real legs. He's meeting with them today. I'm terrified. Not necessarily strictly just of losing Painter, more what it says about Purdue as a program that a school like MISSOURI can poach our coaches.

[enayes]

I have UCONN winning it all in my bracket.

[DeuceWallaces]

I'm starting to get hype. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting belligerent this weekend.

[LilBTheBasedGod]

This Matt Painter to Missouri things grown some real legs. He's meeting with them today. I'm terrified. Not necessarily strictly just of losing Painter, more what it says about Purdue as a program that a school like MISSOURI can poach our coaches.

You realize this is the Final Four thread?

Not trying to be a douche or anything, just throwing that out there :confusedshrug:

[DeronMillsap]

PTI just mentioned that today is the 35th anniversary of the Hoosiers undefeated season. :applause:

[JellyBean]

I got my boys, UConn winning the whole thing over VCU.

UConn: 86

VCU: 74

[SkyR#1fanCapCou]

3 UConn vs 4 Kentucky
11 VCU vs 8 Butler

No #1's for the first-time in NCAA bracket history.

2006 Final 4:
#4 LSU vs #2 UCLA
#3 Florida vs #11 George Mason

And it happened one other time

[LilBTheBasedGod]

3 pages and its not even within 3 days :rockon:

[LilBTheBasedGod]

Bump games are tomorrow night! :djparty

[JMT]

I'm liking Kentucky over UConn. Harrelson has been the MVP of the tourney as far as I'm concerned. No, his sheer numbers don't match the stars, but he's the piece nobody else has been able to matchup with. Shows the dearth of bigs...legit grown men...in college ball. Also think Knight is on a mission vs more hyped guards.

Butler over VCU. With a week to prep and their experience, I think the Bulldogs take this one. VCU's 3 pt shooting, of course, could throw that off. If they come out like they did vs Kansas, they're tough. But given time to get ready, I'll take Stevens, Mack & Howard over their counterparts.

Kentucky beats Butler for the same reasons they beat UConn. I really hope this materializes so we get to see Howard vs Harrelson.

I think Kentucky beats either VCU or Butler, but I'd like Butler if the matchup is with UConn.

Enjoy! Best tournament ever imo, and I've been riveted to it for over 40 years.

[Jailblazers7]

Hopefully the Kentucky/UCONN game ends in s Knight or Kemba game winner.

[LilBTheBasedGod]

The game is fukkin' on and nobody is discussing it?

[D12"Magic"]

The game is fukkin' on and nobody is discussing it?
Watching it now bro.

[LilBTheBasedGod]

:mad:

[chips93]

both teams playing great defense, vcu full court turnover forcing, butler just somthering

i expected skeen and howard to play better and lead their respective teams better.

i cant seen vcu winnin this without skeen carrying them or them getting hot from three, they're lucky to be as close as they are right now imo, just not as talented on offense

[Al Thornton]

shaka flocka flame one hood ass nikka.

[chips93]

big foul on skeen

[D12"Magic"]

VCU coming back.

[chips93]

howard is now 0/5 on threes, but 7/8 from the line

[brownmamba00]

Anyone got a link?

[chips93]

Anyone got a link?

http://www.ncaa.com/mmod/player/console.html?gameID=602

[brownmamba00]

http://www.ncaa.com/mmod/player/console.html?gameID=602
:cheers:

[Doranku]

Butler is getting EVERY call.

[UtahJazzFan88]

Is anyone else getting tired of Jim Nantz being the guy who calls every big event for CBS? FOX does like the same thing with Joe Buck.

I'd rather hear Ian Eagle or Gus Johnson.

[KG215]

VCU finally having a bad shooting night from three and are in a little bit of trouble. It seems like Butler has had four or five shots in the lane touch every part of the rim and pop out.

[Junior G]

who's watching my game tonight as we go up against kentucky!!!

shit should b a wild one.

look out for number #15 of uconn.:applause:

[Scoooter]

This Skeen fellow looks like he could be a next-level sort of guy. What are his hopes as a prospect?

Oh shit he missed the conversion on the possible four-pointer.

[Scoooter]

This game's over. Two consecutive NCAA Finals for Butler. Wow.

[chips93]

This Skeen fellow looks like he could be a next-level sort of guy. What are his hopes as a prospect?


not great, he can hit the three, but thats the only nba level skill that he has

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jamie-Skeen-1214/

[leopoldstotch]

congrats to butler.

[STATUTORY]

Now the real game is bout to be on

[CelticBaller]

UUUUCOOONNNN

:rockon:

[chips93]

i'll be rooting for uconn, but i think kentucky wins it, brandon knight is long and quick, he has the tools to slow down kemba, jeremy lamb and oriakhi will need to make plays, cause kentucky has surely been game planning for kemba all week, cant wait for the game

[STATUTORY]

Kemba struggling against the length of Kentucky. Makes me question his prospect on the next level

[chips93]

calhoun is gonna wase kemba into the game as usual i guess, hasnt really run anything for him yet, just let him get his feel for the game first

[chips93]

Kemba struggling against the length of Kentucky. Makes me question his prospect on the next level


he is just easing his way into the game, its how he always plays

[LilBTheBasedGod]

Knight is playing ugly

[Doranku]

Kemba is f*cking legit.

[MayCeltics]

Kemba droops swagger.

[JaE_BLiZZy]

Kemba Juice!

[CelticBaller]

winning by 10

:banana:

[CelticBaller]

god hates us I swear

[CelticBaller]

kemba :(

[leopoldstotch]

we may be on our way to watching a classic game here. i can feel it. :bowdown:

[CelticBaller]

Brandon knights needs to shave his hairline is worse than lebron's

[CelticBaller]

3 point game with under a minute to go

[JaE_BLiZZy]

Brandon knights needs to shave his hairline is worse than lebron's


LOL! Real Talk, or wear a head band...

[Hulk Hogan]

Knight chucking like its game 7!

[CelticBaller]

UK panicking?

[CelticBaller]

this is going to be huge

[JaE_BLiZZy]

wow commercials, i hate em...

[Grim]

terrible shot selection. game.

[CelticBaller]

NATIONAL HERE WE COMEEEEEEEEE!!
:banana: :rockon: :djparty :hammertime: :dancin :party:

[Jailblazers7]

I'll be rooting for Butler but I won't mind UCONN winning as a representative of the Big East.

[Grim]

congrats to Uconn. Big East actually in da chip lmaoo

[Grim]

hahahaha damn if Uconn missed dat FT, coulda been OT. Knight wit da 3.


congrats Uconn though.

[MayCeltics]

:hammertime: :hammertime: :hammertime:

[leopoldstotch]

this uconn team reminds me a lot of the 98-99 uconn team that won the national championship. they just know how to win games.

[The Big Skinny]

People got tear gassed in Richmond.

Damn shame that VCU couldn't pull it off.

Its all good though...felt pretty damn good to watch markeef or w/e the EFF his name is cry on national television!

[LilBTheBasedGod]

Game time is posted on the OP.

[leopoldstotch]

kemba walker is logging some serious minutes in this tournament. he's played a total of 194 of the possible 200 minutes so far.

[Hawker]

oh shit...we might win in women's basketball.

[Jailblazers7]

Shelvin Mack has been unreal in this tournament. I hope he has another great game against UCONN. I'll be interested to see what kind of scheme Stevens throws at them on D.

[JMT]

Shelvin Mack has been unreal in this tournament. I hope he has another great game against UCONN. I'll be interested to see what kind of scheme Stevens throws at them on D.

I expect Nored to see lots of time on Walker, sparing Mack the potential foul trouble. Mack will still have to contend with Lamb, but I've seen an awful lot of streaky young shooters lose that touch in title games. If Lamb is content to shoot 3's it'll play into Butler's scheme.

For as great an offensive rebounding team as they are, UConn is lousy on the defensive boards. They get lots of second chance shots when Kemba draws the defense to himself on dribble-drives. Howard and Smith have to play big on the offensive glass for Butler while keeping out of the foul trouble that killed Kentucky when Harrelson had to go to the bench.

Butler is sneaky good offensively. People focus on their defense, but this team is better all-round on the offensive end than last year's team. Howard is so much more comfortable at the 4 than the 5, which he had to play last year to give Heyward room to operate.

I'm really interested in how UConn defends Mack. I think he's too strong for anyone but Kemba, unless Lamb's length disrupts him. I don't see it, and I think the last thing they want to do is put Lamb in a situation to fail.

[KG215]

Maryland vs. Indiana, 2002, might have some competition for most poorly played national championship game in the shot clock era. God that was a tough half of "basketball" to watch.

[The Big Skinny]

please tell me i wasn't the only one that heard the blatant "WHAT THE F**K!"
:applause:

[Maga_1]

please tell me i wasn't the only one that heard the blatant "WHAT THE F**K!"
:applause:

I heard, it was Lamb :oldlol:

[JellyBean]

Man this is going to be a long 3:17.....

[boozehound]

man, that wild crazy spin by smith under the hoop about summed up butlers night

[LilBTheBasedGod]

what a shitty game

[JellyBean]

1:50 away from another title.....

[kentatm]

why the hell did they wait until there was about a minute and a half left to start pressing on D?

[JellyBean]

Out of all of UConn's NCAA titles, this one is special. We weren't even on the radar..all season. They (media) had us picked to finish 9th or worse in the Big East. The media had us going out in the 2nd round of the NCAA!!

Congrats, Coach Calhoun and players

:cheers: :cheers:

[SourPatchKids]

Woot!

[KG215]

Thank God that abomination of a basketball game is over.

[JellyBean]

Time to order my National Championship shirt and hat now.....


UConn Huskies!!!!:cheers: :rockon:

[KG215]

Time to order my National Championship shirt and hat now.....


UConn Huskies!!!!:cheers: :rockon:

Congrats on the national championship and all, but if I were a UConn fan, I'd be a little embarrassed that we won a national championship shooting 34% and only scoring 53 points.


Still, UConn and Calhoun win their 3rd national championship since 1999.

[Maga_1]

It was defense all the way, there wasn't too many easy shoots .. it was a defensive game you gotta give credit to all !

[RandomBalla55]

Congrats on the national championship and all, but if I were a UConn fan, I'd be a little embarrassed that we won a national championship shooting 34% and only scoring 53 points.


Still, UConn and Calhoun win their 3rd national championship since 1999.

Doesn't matter how you do it. They won the National Championship.

This is the best postseason run in college basketball history. Winning the Big East Tournament + winning the NCAA Tournament? Yeah.. congrats to UConn even though this championship game was terrible. Once they beat San Diego St., I didn't think they would be denied. Jeremy Lamb is a beast and was the true catalyst for the UConn "surge" in the second half. Ironic how the last two games, it wasn't "all" Kemba. It was guys like Oriahki, Jeremy Lamb, etc.. stepping up.

[SkyR#1fanCapCou]

waits for upcoming NCAA violations

[InspiredLebowski]

It was defense all the way, there wasn't too many easy shoots .. it was a defensive game you gotta give credit to all !The defense was solid, but it was at best a 50/50 split between good D and just putrid offense.

[ukfan22]

The game me want to throw up, for more than one reason.

[Harrison_Barnes]

Was just a terrible game to watch..

[JMT]

Man, that was awful. Butler could have shot everything lefthanded and done about as well.

Good defense on both sides, though the shooting was horrendous on both as well. Question Butler going to the zone. It looked like the game was slipping away, but I still like to stay with what brung me. But I've got to yield to Stevens knowledge of basketball and his team. His defensive gameplan to open the game was brilliant.

Kudos to UConn. Ugly or not, it's a title. Even more impressive to me is the streak of what...22,23...consecutive elimination games won. That's a degree of mental toughness that's impossible to coach. You just hope the kids you recruit grow into it.

[WhySoInsecure?]

I'm happy for uconn but this was one of the worst NCAAB seasons in a while. No talent what so ever and that's why we had all these lower seeds moving up in the tournament

[Maga_1]

I'm happy for uconn but this was one of the worst NCAAB seasons in a while. No talent what so ever and that's why we had all these lower seeds moving up in the tournament

I don't think this is true.
It's a very very very underrated season in my opinion, i enjoyed a lot.

[JMT]

I'm happy for uconn but this was one of the worst NCAAB seasons in a while. No talent what so ever and that's why we had all these lower seeds moving up in the tournament

I think there was decent talent throughout NCAA hoops this year. Bigghest problem, imo, is that the media and most fans knew three guys: Kemba, Kyrie and Jimmer.

Derrick Williams of Arizona was clearly the best, most NBA-ready player in the college game this season, and nobody said a word about him. He wasn't in POY dfiscussions, and there weren't any threads here or elsewhere talking about his ability. A truly great season.

Kenneth Faried/Morehead St is probably next on the list. A generational rebounder who, even AFTER the tourney, nobody says much about. Those who pay attention to such things had him pegged as a 'Rodman waiting for a place to happen' a long time ago.

Jones/Baylor and Burks/Colorado are really good players with NBA skill sets.

Nolan Smith was on DUKE for chrissakes and people couldn't get past the trendy names.

Not to dismiss the guys mentioned earlier. Walker and Fredette were great college players. I don't think either of them will be great pros. The jury is out on Irving in my book. Barely played, but had impressive games when hoops fans were hungry to watch some ball. He really needs another year in college.

Unfortunately, more people derive their opinions about players from :18 second highlights than ever before. The talent was there. You just can't rely on sportswriters, who are trying to make their jobs as easy as possible, to point it out.

As for lower seeds advancing? What's the problem? The more competitive the teams, the more likely "upsets" will happen. I hate the term "upsets". They're only "upsets" if you believe the seeds are accurate, and it's long been proven that they're not.