Basketball Hell

[D. Scarlatti]

I'd just like to point out that Wisconsin has three teams in the NCAA tournament: University of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Marquette. Generally I have zero interest in this sport, but these games can be pretty exciting. Plus they're an excuse to go watch one in a local bar, where people are going insane.

It's possible, but unlikely, that Marquette will meet Oral Roberts in the third round, the Jesuits vs. the Fundies.

Here's the "bracket" (http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/gen/img/mar06/06ncaabracket-men.asp).

[TomJoe]

No 16 seed team has ever won its first game. I believe Oral Roberts chances of meeting Marquette are nil.

However, there are at least (at last count) two potentially big time Catholic v. Catholic face offs:

Villanova (Augustinians) v. Boston College (Jesuit)
Gonzaga (Jesuit) v. Marquette (Jesuit)

Plus there is Iona (Christian Brothers), Xavier (Jesuit), Seton Hall (Archdiocese of Newark), Georgetown (Jesuit).

8 Catholic universities represented (by my count) in the NCAA tourney. Not bad. Another sign that the Catholic Church is taking over the United States. First SCOTUS, now the NCAA. :muahaha:

[D. Scarlatti]

I just noticed the first-round games take place at like noon or 1 p.m.

That's an unseemly hour to start drinking, even for a Jesuit.

[TomJoe]

I just noticed the first-round games take place at like noon or 1 p.m.

That's an unseemly hour to start drinking, even for a Jesuit.

Which is probably why Villanova will win it all.

[D. Scarlatti]

Is that your prediction? I have no idea.* According to a poll at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's website, of the three Wisconsin entries, Marquette has by a considerable margin the best chance of advancing beyond the first round.

Since I live about three minutes from the campus, I'm bracing myself for a spate of drunken undergrad obnoxiousness in the event of a Marquette victory on Thursday.

* I don't even know where Villanova is.

[TomJoe]

Yes, I'm leaning towards picking 'Nova in my poll. The Big East is "kick ass" this year. I'd like to see Oklahoma win, but it's not going to happen. They'll be lucky to get out of the 2nd round (if they beat UW Milwaukee in the 1st) against Florida.

Villanova U. is located in Villanova, PA.

[D. Scarlatti]

For several reasons I'll be rooting for the Marquette Golden Eagles. In the event of their elimination I'll transfer my allegiance to the next most suitable Jesuit institution. I have a soft spot for Jesuits* and if it weren't for the somewhat insurmountable fact that I don't believe in God, I might even be a Jesuit.

* So long as they're not burning heretics.

[godfry n. glad]

For several reasons I'll be rooting for the Marquette Golden Eagles. In the event of their elimination I'll transfer my allegiance to the next most suitable Jesuit institution. I have a soft spot for Jesuits* and if it weren't for the somewhat insurmountable fact that I don't believe in God, I might even be a Jesuit.

* So long as they're not burning heretics.

I can see that.

I can also understand why Wisconsin would produce good basketball teams. It's an indoor sport in a place where there's not much to do outdoors during the hard winters. It's March Madness then out to plant. Milking probably helps build ball-handling skills. (And I'll bet most of the team players come from somewhere else. :wink: )

[D. Scarlatti]

#11 UW-Milwaukee whupped #6 Oklahoma 82-74.

Marquette tip-off delayed due to discovery of "suspicious package" at arena.

Forward!

[TomJoe]

Bah! My bracket is already shot to poop.

[D. Scarlatti]

I haven't watched a lot of basketball, but I don't think I've ever seen so many offensive rebounds collected by a team (Alabama) in 15 minutes. I also just learned yesterday that Marquette's coach, Tom Crean, makes 1.625 million a year.

[D. Scarlatti]

He nearly earned it in the second half today, during which Marquette stormed back to take the lead after being down 15 points at the break. They were within three with less than a minute to go, but wasted 30 or 40 seconds ragging the ball around the Alabama key. There was too much pressure on Novak to make that three-pointer with seconds to go, and Alabama upset Marquette 90-85. And then there were two.

[Godwhacker]

My sister in law owns a tailor shop in Milwaukee. On Monday, a guy came in wanting to adjust two very expensive suits in two hours, as he needed to catch a plane. My sister in law and her husband, who helps run the shop, said that they couldn't do the job that fast, but could have it ready by the next day.

The gentleman who was my sister in laws customer was the head coach of UW-Milwaukee (Jeter). He will be wearing said suit at UWM's next tournament game.

For me, however, what is really cool so far in the tourney...

AGGIES WIN!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOP!

[godfry n. glad]

Does anybody else here remember the Ballhog, from Bored of the Rings?

[D. Scarlatti]

My sister in law owns a tailor shop in Milwaukee.

I wish I'd known that before I bought a suit on Wednesday. You could have hooked me up.

[Godwhacker]

Julie's Sewing....located in the basement of Mayfair Mall.

Actually, if you bought the suit at any store at Mayfair, and had it altered, they probably did the alterations. They do most of the stuff for most of the stores there at Mayfair

[Kevlar]

Well, I can relate to the excuse to visit the local bar. We've got four team here in the tourny. Duke, UNC, NC State, and UNC Wilmington. And of those four teams to start, three have made it to the second round. Basketball is like this state's religion, so hanging out with the fans at the bar can be quite interesting. It's wild how people have drawn lines in the sand regarding their teams. The saying here is that a UNC fans two favorite teams are UNC and whoever is playing Duke. You can switch around UNC and Duke in that statement, or replace them with NC State or Wake Forest.

I'm originally from TN, so I was happy as hell to see UT in the tourny. They are playing here today in Greensboro, I wish I could get tickets.

[ChuckF]

WHAT?! George fucking Mason?

[inland wave]

WHAT?! George fucking Mason?


YES SIR, Sweet!!!!!! :yup:

[ChuckF]

:glare: