Arena March Madness 2011 - Live Chat Thread

Most of you probably remember how we did this last year, and it was a lot of fun for all involved. So given last year's success, we're going to do it again!

For the first time, we're actually going to get to pick which games we want to watch on TV, without being restricted to what CBS wants to show us! I should be able to take Thursday and Friday afternoon off, so I should be able to be here constantly while watching (and probably flipping through) the games. I'm definitely looking forward to that, and not being restricted to following games via score updates on the computer.

The first play-in games are tonight, starting at 6:30, so we have about 5 hours before the tournament officially gets underway, though I think most still think of the tournament as truly beginning at midday Thursday.

So, while we wait for the games to start... what are you looking forward to this year? What games strike your interest? Who do you think will be the early exits, and who's going to make the Final Four? And if you haven't already, be sure to join our bracket challenge game!

 

I'm going with UNC Asheville in this one.

 

Yep, first game is underway! I'm going to borrow Inty's format from last year

Game 1: UNC-Asheville vs Arkansas Little Rock

Pick (not official for the play-in games): UNC-Asheville
Pulling for: UNC-Asheville

Best case scenario: The winner of the game is ready to beat Pitt in two days

Don't really know much about either team, but I'm pulling for Asheville just because I remember when they had the giant 7'7" guy who couldn't run but could dunk without jumping. He's gone by now, but that's still more than I can say about Little Rock.

 

Conversation on the way home:

Radio guy on an update: Early on, Arkansas-Little Rock leads UNC-Asheville

Inty: Sweet, I bet 25 bucks on Little Rock

Mrs Inty: WHAT?



Hurray, March Madness. Where my obsession can briefly convince my wife that I have degraded into the most addicted and hopeless gambling-holic.

 

Biggest NCAA news of the day: Coach K said earlier that there is a chance Kyrie Irving could be available on Friday for Duke's opener. He won't start and will be limited in minutes (if he does play), but that would help him get back in the flow with the rest of the team. Excellent news!

 

Thanks for gettting rid of the blue on blue. It was really bothering me.

 

Good. The Cavs need a few games to evaluate him and see if he's worthy of the top pick (should they get it). I was sold on Sullinger until I watched Barnes in the ACC Semifinal. Now, not so sure.

 

A friend and I were talking just the other day about the chances of the Cavs ending up with Irving and Sullinger. They'd need some kindness in the lottery, but its possible

 

I definitely see the Cavs taking Sullinger. Irving, as you said, is definitely going to be a longshot.

 

Haven't been watching too much of the NCAA game, but it's looking like a pretty good game. Arkansas LR still leading, but not by too much.

 

I had it on MMOD, but I felt my soul slipping away as I watched two 16-seeds play.

Bummed I won't be able to watch nearly as much of the opening weekend as I did last year. But, I am angling to be able to leave work early enough on Friday to get home in time to watch the OSU game.

 

It's turning into a better game here at the end, but yeah, it was sort of sucking my soul out of my body for a while there, too.

 

And ... I just got sucked back in. One possession game, in March, less than three minutes to play?

I just can't not watch!

 

While you two were losing souls, I was watching Dayton and CofC. But by now? Yeah, I'm watching the NCAA game. Looks like a good finish coming up.

EDIT: tie game, 10 seconds to go!

 

MARCH MADNESS!! We're tied with ten seconds left!!

 

I had my doubts as to if I'd care about the "First Four", but this is a fun game to watch.

Really don't like the "keep passing and trying bad three pointers" offense, but it worked there.

 

Overtime!

Also, agreed about the bunch of passes followed by a bad 3 though

 

R...J, at least Inty and I have souls to lose. Duke fans generally lack one of those.

 

Oh Snap

 

UNCA with the lead.

I started watchimg at the half and it's been fun so far.

 

What's up everyone. I hope this dosen't go to mulitple overtimes.

RJ how many do we have in the bracket challenge now?

 

If UNCA hits their FTs, it should be over.

 

@ Trika

Asheville up 2 with the ball, 22 seconds to go. Dangerous pass. LR has to foul, and they're not! Ok, there we go with the foul. Way too long if you're LR.

hey, reche. Let's see... looks like 15 so far in the bracket challenge. Not bad

Now a 4 point lead with 12 seconds to go.

EDIT: and that'll do it! Great first game regardless of the seeding!

 

Nice job, Asheville. Now go beat Pitt. lol

 

And, if there was any doubt these were 16-seeds, it's all gone after watching both teams try to execute in clutch time.

Fun game, though. At least the endings.