McDonald's AA Game

Don't forget to catch the Ticket tonight in the AA game -- 10 pm ESPN.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=102164&ran=142855

The MJ AA game is on national tv next month -- featuring both Ticket and Summers. And Rivers will be playing in the Cap classic in D.C. Hopefully, the IPB and I can make it out there to scout him.

Victor Page

Interesting yet sad article. It does put a positive spin on his life though.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/24/sports/ncaabasketball/24page.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Sapp's sister

http://www.nydailynews.com/03-24-2006/news/story/402630p-340998c.html

Uh Oh...

Let's hope that Roy is too busy to surf the web.

-CLICK HERE-

Fan of the Game

Nothing against those who waive the foam finger, but I think this guy takes the taco. Is this you IPB?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0603/gallery.fans/content.1.html?cnn=yes

If Noah beats us, this game will go down as Esh's revenge.

Of course, he also brought us Green and Hibbs.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/colleges/university_of_florida/14147940.htm

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/SPORTS/603210325/1002

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/Headlines/sptBKC01032106.htm

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2006/03/21/a7c_ufhoop_0321.html

Sweet 16

Personal biases from the IPB pool aside, what are the thoughts on GU's chances to make the Elite 8? I must admit that I don't know much about Florida, but given the way GU played today, especially Hibbert (who had a big-time performance - or Prime Time as Dickie V would say), I think we have more than a good chance.

To win by 18 on what was pretty much a 100% road game environment, I must say that I'm thinking that we should fare well on a neutral court. To me, the way GU kept the half-time lead intact was the way the game against Syracuse game should have gone.

Hopefully the solid play continues.

Hoyas v. Buckeyes

http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9319083

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/18/AR2006031801309.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/18/AR2006031801251.html

Austin update

Per IPB's request:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/15/AR2006031500013.html

Esh's fresh picks

This is priceless:

http://slog.cstv.com/coachesblog/2006/03/eshericks_fresh_pick_atlanta.html

National Champ Picks

Interesting reviewing the brackets. If UConn goes out earlier than Duke, Mary becomes the clear favorite to win. Damn it - I hate her random methodology.

Let the Madness Begin

Although not an impact on the overall bracket, I'm calling for Monmouth to pull out tomorrow's play-in game. (I've got to go w/ the local NJ team.)

(My idea to "spruce up" the tournament is to also have a play-in game between 2 bubble teams with the winner getting a 11 or 12 seed.

Pardon The Interuption

Though I would normally consider it extremely poor form to interject non-basketball commentary into the blog given that we are currently in the grips of March Madness, I just couldn't help myself with this one.

I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Jester and I purchased a house this week. Though I am sure Diamond will disapprove of the commute dictated by the location of my new land holdings, we are quite happy with the decision. Unfortunately, however, we will not take possession of the new Jester Homestead until mid-June. Accordingly, there will be no Madness viewing party at Case de Jester this year. However, I would encourage you all to mark your calendars for next year accordingly.

For photos please follow this link.

Surprise Seeding

I'm not arguing w/ our 7 seed (don't think the 'Cuse merited higher than 6 seed). I don't know how BC got 4 seed & Tennesse gets 2 seed. I am calling that Tennesse is the sacrificial 2 seed that goes down in the first round.

To me, the biggest surprise was UNC as a 3.

Good to see the Pirates back in the Dance.

What the F@$!

Ok, I know that as far as the Dance goes, tonight's game was not exactly crucial. Aside from improving seeding, it was a game between two locks. I'm not bothered by the fact that the 'Cuse and the little fuzzy guy (aka gerry macnamara) won as much as I am by the fact that we seemingly squandered a 15 point lead. Given the outcome of the Pitt / Nova game, winning tonight would have basically meant GU would take the BE crown (I KNOW we would have beaten Pitt).

I didn't follow the 2nd half as close as the first, but at what point did GU decide to pack it in? I also don't understand JTIII not calling the TO with 9 seconds left. Going for the speedy attack was a nice thought, but under the circumstances, I don't understand not using the final TO in a one possession and very winnable game. I don't know that it changes the outcome, but given the turnover on the previous possession, to me this was a bonehead call.

Exciting Stuff!

I was wrong, the game was on Sportstalk 980. I ended up listening to the last 5 minutes in my office online. A real exciting game with us almost blowing an 8-point lead in the final minute. But, again, it seemed that Brandon played really clutch down the stretch, hitting key free throws, etc. Maybe being a senior really is good for something in the post season.

While I fully expected us to lose to Marquette, I am now looking forward to a potential berth in the finals. I know that Cuse is playing great basketball, but I'd much rather play them then Nova...I just think we match up better. That being said, I'm sure that they'll have revenge for their late season loss on their mind. But bring them on! I have to try to get home to see this one ("damn you long commute!")

Whew!

Yesterday's game was a nail biter. I closed my office door and listened to the last 10 minutes or so online (unfortunately, it doesn't look like DC's Sportstalk 980 is covering today's game). I definitely did not feel like we were going to win until about the last 30 seconds.

I don't share Italian's or Diamond's optimism about today's game. Though we should really be able to beat Marquette if we want to be considered a "real" tourney team (I know we've pretty much made it, but there's a difference between making the tourney and really being a team that is there to play), I don't think we will. Marquette is better than they've been given credit for this year, and we've definitely been worse that we're given credit for as of late. Right now we are not the number #23 team in the land. But I do think we were at least that good earlier in the year. I just hope we can rediscover our game.

PS - IPB has to be killing himself that Brandon pretty much won the game single handedly for us yesterday. When it really looked like ND was going to build on their lead and start hammering us Bowman came up with some huge shots. If only he could learn to play well consistently.

Worst. Loss. Ever.

Doesn't change my feelings for the Dukies but an interesting read.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2351760

BE Tourney

Anybody heading up for BE Tourney next week? I am still looking for tickets, but am about 99% sure I'll be watching on TV. Was curious if anybody was making a trip up for any of it.