Interesting game here. I realize there's discussion about the game going on in other threads, but after 11 years this deserves an OGT.

I haven't seen Clemson play much this year. I know they started 16-0, but I also know they've lost 8 of their last 15.

I know they're deep, they have 9 guys that have played every single game and average 13 minutes or more per game. (Michigan has similar depth as well, fwiw).

I know they aren't huge - the tallest of those 9 players is 6'9".

A number of these factors would seem to benefit UM. The potential is there for this to be a very, very good game.

Interesting game here. I realize there's discussion about the game going on in other threads, but after 11 years this deserves an OGT.

I haven't seen Clemson play much this year. I know they started 16-0, but I also know they've lost 8 of their last 15.

I know they're deep, they have 9 guys that have played every single game and average 13 minutes or more per game. (Michigan has similar depth as well, fwiw).

I know they aren't huge - the tallest of those 9 players is 6'9".

A number of these factors would seem to benefit UM. The potential is there for this to be a very, very good game.

Absolutely it does.

Thanks for the lil write up.

all i was hoping for was a team that couldnt kill us with a 7 foot stiff. sounds like we atleast got that, if your right.

i think theyre considered a tough draw but its not like we were getting a cupcake either way. i suspect we'll be getting points but i think this game is a coin flip. now if beline can beat griffin he'll impress me...

please let this be a night game, is all i can say.

I saw Clemson play Illinois in the ACC/Big 10 challenge. They look like the best team on earth when they are forcing turnovers with their press, but if you slow them down, they fucking suck. They can't pass the ball more than 3 times without turning it over, and they don't have much of a post game.

Clemson's D against the 3 will be interesting. 1/3/1 D iirc.

Clemson's D against the 3 will be interesting. 1/3/1 D iirc.


Yeah, but it's not the traditional 1-3-1 that UM plays. They use it in a trapping scheme.

Looking at season stats it seems like Clemson is more aggressive. UM played 2 more games than Clemson did, but Clemson had 200+ more points, 100 more rebounds (big difference was offensive rebounds), almost 100 more blocks, 50 more fouls, 75 more steals. However, they also had 70 more turnovers commited and 50 fewer assists.

Shooting percentages:
UM .427 FG%, .755 FT%, .332 3PT%
CU .467 FG%, .684 FT%, .379 3PT%

By the way, nobody is talking about UM to go to the Final Four, and the chances are next to impossible, but could anyone get a more difficult draw than having to go through Clemson, then Oklahoma, then Syracuse, then North Carolina?

Meanwhile, I think State landed in the 2nd easiest bracket.

I think Michigan will win. Clemson has a thing about shit getting into their head, and they KNOW this UM team can beat some of the best (UCLA, Duke). Although Clemson spanked Duke earlier in the season, the pressure will be on to take care of the Wolverines. I think the pressure will get to them.

I still can't get over that shot of the Ohio$tate group awaiting their bracketing. I swear, there was only about four of them. It was pretty sorry.

Looking at season stats it seems like Clemson is more aggressive. UM played 2 more games than Clemson did, but Clemson had 200+ more points, 100 more rebounds (big difference was offensive rebounds), almost 100 more blocks, 50 more fouls, 75 more steals. However, they also had 70 more turnovers commited and 50 fewer assists.

Shooting percentages:
UM .427 FG%, .755 FT%, .332 3PT%
CU .467 FG%, .684 FT%, .379 3PT%
There's so much manlove at E$PN for the ACC, I'm shocked ALL of the teams didn't get in. Send Vitale to the selection committee meeting and annoy them to the point that they give in and rename it "The NCAA-ACC Tournament"

There's so much manlove at E$PN for the ACC, I'm shocked ALL of the teams didn't get in. Send Vitale to the selection committee meeting and annoy them to the point that they give in and rename it "The NCAA-ACC Tournament"

Mike Patrick too.

Mike Patrick too.

And Legler, because they can.

Face it ladies, this smells of a Clemson victory in a large way. Their aggressive play, their trapping, stifling defense, and the fact that they are an ACC team, playing tougher teams game in and game out gives them a huge mental and physical edge.

UM is inconsistent, and unless they drop threes like Scout posters tossing UM players under the buss for 3-9, UM just doesn't win games. Can Manny be a driver/slasher? Will Sims play aggressive in the paint, or will he play ballerina girl by becomming a jump shooter? Will the UM who beat Iowa like a drum show up, or will UM who lost to Iowa (without their two best players) show up?

I say Clemson 85-66.

And Legler, because they can.

ESPN is now bigger than sports. Better get used to it.

michigan has been inconsistent most of the year in shooting but not in controlling pace. i think thats one of the assett's to beline's offense. even in our losses i feel like michigan dictated tempo, so im not really worried about them taking it to us. in fact, i think we'll use it against them.

not saying it will earn us a win (im leaning towards atleast one win) because they couldj ust kick us in the teeth or we might be a no show. but to say the just, im impressed with b-line this year (maybe just because i compare it to amaker's coaching).

This game is so tough to call. A Clemson win by 18 wouldn't shock me, but neither would a Michigan win by 12.

I'm glad Michigan got the 10 seed instead of an 8 or 9. I don't think they beat Clemson, but they can. And if they get to the second round, I've never been all that impressed with Oklahoma. Blake Griffin is the best player in college basketball and can win games himself, but the rest of his team is suspect. I can't see OU making it past the sweet sixteen.

You wanna hear the worst strategy ever...........

With Sparty I always pick them to win at least 3 or 4 games (for the most part) and if they win my bracket looks good and if they lose I'm happy because Sparty lost.

Now that Michigan's name will appear in a NCAA bracket I can comfortably pick Clemson and either get bracket points with Clemson or watch Michigan win and be ecstatic.

Kind of a cheesy method, but I like to look at it as a win-win scenario because as we all know the brackets are a business.

You wanna hear the worst strategy ever...........

With Sparty I always pick them to win at least 3 or 4 games (for the most part) and if they win my bracket looks good and if they lose I'm happy because Sparty lost.

Now that Michigan's name will appear in a NCAA bracket I can comfortably pick Clemson and either get bracket points with Clemson or watch Michigan win and be ecstatic.

Kind of a cheesy method, but I like to look at it as a win-win scenario because as we all know the brackets are a business.

My dad did this betting against the lions in the 70s and 80s, made a lot of cash.

the early line is michigan getting 5.5.

if i were to bet i would take michigan outright rather taking the points... if i were to bet. i think winning or getting blown out are likely than a close loss, being the reason.

Clemson is in a weird position: they're good enough to beat UM, but not good enough to go deep, and I think they know it.

Michigan, on the other hand, could do wonders for their recruiting if they beat a good ACC team (two in one season). I think Michigan will be the more motivated team.

Denny, this is the NCAA Tournament, not the Meineke Morning Fresh Acid Douche Bowl, where one team is motivated to be here because they were poop, and the other team is pissed to be here because they thought they should have made the Charmin Parkinson's Disease Bowl instead. They'll both be motivated.
And Clemson started out 18-1. They may be more motivated to prove they're better than a 7 seed. This game will boil down to one thing: Can UM hit their three point shots, and early. Nothing else matters, because that's all UM can do.

Denny, this is the NCAA Tournament, not the Meineke Morning Fresh Acid Douche Bowl, where one team is motivated to be here because they were poop, and the other team is pissed to be here because they thought they should have made the Charmin Parkinson's Disease Bowl instead. They'll both be motivated.
And Clemson started out 18-1. They may be more motivated to prove they're better than a 7 seed. This game will boil down to one thing: Can UM hit their three point shots, and early. Nothing else matters, because that's all UM can do.

Exactly

Izzo will have MSU extremely motivated, however.

Clem/UofM Thurs 7:10pm EST

I'm pretty sure thats correct.

I'm going to get hosed because Texas plays at the same time and this is Big 12 country.

I'm hoping to be able to find an alternative channel somewhere.

You can watch the game online for free, I think.

Yes, Yes. I believe ESPN has streaming as well as CBS. Also, try www.justin.tv or www.channelsurfing.net

So which one of :us: Sparties is going to start the Bob Morris OGT?

Dhani Jones banner ad, lol

This game is so tough to call. A Clemson win by 18 wouldn't shock me, but neither would a Michigan win by 12.

So in other words: Michigan could win, but they could also not win.

If their defense shows up...

this killed me


True March Madness
This, my friend, is a bracket buster.

Dr. J. Stephen Jones, chairman of regional urology at the Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, has noticed lots of guys seem to schedule vasectomies this time of year.



"I'm booked up," Jones tells the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "My schedule for that part of the month filled up very quickly. It filled up ahead of time."


Why, spring housecleaning, so to speak? No, Jones says it's so they can use some "me" time and watch NCAA tournament games while they're recuperating on the couch.

He said if guys are "going to have a day off, it might as well be on a day when they would be watching basketball, as opposed to watching 'Oprah.' "


nothing like chopping your nuts off to watch college basketball.

i know viscectamies dont actually involve cutting your nuts off

^lol

this killed me


nothing like chopping your nuts off to watch college basketball.

i know viscectamies dont actually involve cutting your nuts off

Never underestimate the benefits of not being able to get someone pregnant.

Holy shit. I live in Omaha, and JUST found out Michigan plays their first game in friggin' Kansas City, which is a scant 3 hour drive from here. And I KNOW you can easily get tickets to first round games. Dammit, had I known sooner, I'd be there, as I am on spring break from skool right now. Shit.

First round tix are usually hard to get to. Nomally they come in package deals.

Mix yourself a drink and watch at home.

Have you ever watched a first round game? It seems the arenas are only half full most of the time.

And I don't need AMYONE telling ME to have a drink! FUCK YOU!

What kind of drink?

We bought tix when it was here in Sac a million years ago. We had to buy a package or no deal. Things have prolly changed.

If I were you, I'd cool some vodka and then just a splash of grapefruit juice.

You fucker. Now I have to go to the store and buy some ice.

Why is that? Not following

Why is that? Not following

Because we have these modern inventions called "refrigerators" with "freezers" that make "ice"..so I was just kind of playing on that whole "Well, Polacks don't have ice because the guy with the recipe died" thing. Nevermind.

You know why I like Shakespeare? Because he called Polacks "Polacks". Check it out, "Polack" is all over Hamlet. I love it. It's almost as funny as if Hamlet would have said, "To have a boner or not to have a boner." Or, "To fart, or not to fart" Hilarious. FART BONER FART BONER

Yeah, those fucks aren't fooling anybody when they call themselves Polaks.

Shakespeare? Never heard of him.

Just have a vodka grape. Its better.

Because we have these modern inventions called "refrigerators" with "freezers" that make "ice"..so I was just kind of playing on that whole "Well, Polacks don't have ice because the guy with the recipe died" thing. Nevermind.

You know why I like Shakespeare? Because he called Polacks "Polacks". Check it out, "Polack" is all over Hamlet. I love it. It's almost as funny as if Hamlet would have said, "To have a boner or not to have a boner." Or, "To fart, or not to fart" Hilarious. FART BONER FART BONER

Ever have a chick fart on your boner?

Yes. It's a very pleasant feeling. I've also farted when a chick has been blowing me. I don't care. They're usually so drunk they think it's funny.

Or they might be into that kind of thing.

Well, nothing will stop them once you hand them the fiver.

I think UM will win this game. UM 73 Clemson 66. However, UM will then lose to Oklahoma in a spirited game, OU 77 UM 70.

Oh god, the PBP guy on CBS, Brando, just threw out a "Manny Being Manny".

UofM 27-24 at the half. Not bad.

:we: just might do it!

:we: just might do it!

Don't be so sure yet. 58-52, Clemson ball.

Ruh oh.

15 point lead with 5:15 left now down to a 3 point lead with 59.7 left.

That was kind of a big and 1 for Michigan.

I'm finally getting the game.

Michigan wins.

That was a fun one to watch...all 34.7 secs. Fucking assholes.

Clemson has NOTHING to be ashamed of. They gave it their all and came back to give the team that will most likely end up being the Tournament Champ a scare.

That last part almost got by me...almost.

Holy hell. I just watched, what, I couldn't tell you. I think it was a basketball game. Sheesh. Good call by bdiddly saying UM is great at controlling the pace.

Got to really give it up for Belein. This team of walk-ons, freshmen, no point guards, one really solid guy (Harris) and another playing completely out of position (Sims) beats a damn good Clemson team to advance. Skunk me. I had Clemson rolling them. I am astounded that this team can do this. When you watch them (and even when you don't), they can play perfect basketball (three times in the second half they walked through Clemson's press for easy dunks), and then they can look even worse than the Pistons offense during their championship seasons. They go 5 and 6 minute stretches without even getting a good look at the basket. Yet they can beat teams like Duke, UCLA, Illinois, Purdue, and now Clemson.

They've gotten WAY better WAy faster than anyone could have imagined. Well done. I now look for Oklahoma to beat the living shit out of them. But it has been a great season! OOPS! They play their BESTEST against the BESTEST teams! Who knows now?

Looking ahead to next year, the addition of Darius Morris is going to work wonders. He'll be a freshman, but he will be just what this team needs: A true point guard. Harris, Douglass, Novak will all be a year older and better, able to take some of the pressure off him. They'll get a couple of big stiffs to clog up the middle and free up Sims to use his athleticism and not have to pretend to be a power forward or a center. With another year and Morris on the team, they'll be at least 36% better.

Glad to see UM take it to the ACC yet again.

ALSO, MY NORTHRIDGE MATADORS ALMOST MADE DENNY MCLAIN A PROPHET, BUT NOT QUITE.

If it wasn't for that no-name bench scrub having an all-life game.....

this game was this team's season as a microcosm. unbelievable highs, crushing lows, and occassional what the fuck was thats (the back to back quick 3s that opened the door).

as far as im concerned, b-line is a golden god

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/3123535122_7bcf03f76a.jpg

this team is a mess when it deviates from his system. looking at these rosters, manny and simms are the only two guys that would have played for clemson, and most of our rotation players couldnt even walk on to most of the tourney team's rosters.

as for ok, i cant expect this team to beat them. b-line has been a rain maker using smoke and mirrors, but you can only do so much against a thorough bred. barring injury or foul trouble, i see no way of us beating ok. i'd rather go up against uconn again than griffin.

Nice penis, diddy.

NEED A NEW OGT

We bought tix when it was here in Sac a million years ago. We had to buy a package or no deal. Things have prolly changed.

If I were you, I'd cool some vodka and then just a splash of grapefruit juice.

This is way late, obviously, but....:

Yes, they generally make you buy the tickets in a package if you're trying to buy them legit, but this is the very thing that causes the easy availability of cheap tickets.

Someone who doesn't want tickets to the Michigan group, for example, but is forced to buy them, then puts them onto the secondary market and will generally take whatever they can get.

Hey thanks Vinny! Armed with that New Info, I'm leaving for KC right now to catch the next Michigan game! GO BLUE! FINAL FOUR HERE WE COME YAHOOOO!