NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge Invitation

Just like last year, I'm setting up another bracket manager over at CBS Sportsline.

Many of you participated last year, and it came down to two ladies, Julie and Amanda, who ended up in a tie with Amanda winning by a hair when she nearly predicted the final point total for the championship game. This year we're hoping for even more participation. No, this one doesn't cost any money. There are plenty of money pools out there to enter. This one is simply bragging rights. Please come by and participate - we'd love to have you!

http://rots3.mayhem.sportsline.com/e

Our Group password is: madness

 

I'm there! Hopefully there won't be too big of a bracket buster this year like there was last year.

 

Similarities between the 1993 Heels and the 2005 Heeels

* Both teams lost two games in the conference. The '93 team lost their two games at Wake Forest and at Duke. This year's team lost...at Wake Forest and at Duke.

* Both teams suffered an early nonconference loss, with the '93 squad falling to Michigan and this year's team dropping the opener to Santa Clara.

* Both teams won the ACC regular season title with a 14-2 record and exited the ACC Tournament at the hands of Georgia Tech--77-75 in 1993 and 78-75 this year.

* The 1993 team was perfect at home, lost two games on the road, and lost two games on neutral courts. This year's team is perfect at home, lost two games on the road, and lost two games on neutral courts.

* Both teams took trips to Hawaii during the nonconference portion of the schedule--the 1993 squad played in the Rainbow Classic, whereas this year it was the Maui Invitational.

* Eight players averaged double figure minutes for the 1993 team (Eric Montross, Derrick Phelps, Henrik Rodl, Pat Sullivan, Donald Williams, Kevin Salvadori, Brian Reese, and George Lynch), which was led in scoring by a center from the state of Indiana (Eric Montross, 15.8 points per game). This year's team has eight players averaging double figure minutes and is led in scoring by a center from the state of Indiana (Sean May, 16.5 points per game).

* Both teams include a senior forward who would be acknowledged by the players as the leader of the team (in 1993 it was George Lynch, who scored 14.7 points per game, this year it's Jawad Williams at 14.1 points
per game).

* Outside shooters from the state of North Carolina play a major role on both teams (Donald Williams, from Garner, in 1993, and Rashad McCants, from Asheville, in 2005).

* A player with the last name of Williams wore jersey number 21 on both teams (Donald in 1993, Jawad in 2005) and backup point guards on both teams wore number 11 (Scott Cherry in 1993, Quentin Thomas in 2005).

* The lowest scorer among the regular 1993 starters? Henrik Rodl, number 5. The lowest scorer among the 2005 starters? Jackie Manuel, number 5.

* The 1993 team started NCAA play in the state of North Carolina (Winston-Salem) on March 18 and 20. This year's team begins NCAA play in the state of North Carolina (Charlotte) on March 18 and, if they win that game, March 20.

 

I happen to like this article myself. Well, except for the outcome of the Championship Game. The team they said would win would not win. The other team would.

 

I think I did have NCSU getting past UConn in some of my brackets. (I feel out a dozen it seems like). I just thought their Princeton offense would be good for neutralizing UConn's inside presence, forcing them to out away from the basket. But a lot of that also requires State to hit some 3's.

 

Well, I've seen it all. The bracket I filled out for the CBS Sportsline thing is busted wide open now. I'm just glad I wasn't in any money pools this year.

Anyway... GO HEELS!!

 

I didn't fill out a bracket but I think if I had it would not be anywhere close, except for NC State of course. I think just about everyones bracket is all screwed up now. Although this one girl at work did choose Vermont over 'Cuse and for UW-M to make it to the Sweet 16......

 

Yeah, I didn't do any brackets for money this year. I just can't think with my head instead of my heart with those things anymore.

I did make a bet on UNC to win it all last summer when I was in Vegas. If I win that, that'll be enough. Then I can go back and tell my wife that my last trip to Vegaas actually may have turned a small profit. Last summer the Heels were 8 to 1 or 10 to 1 to win it all, depending on the casino. Now I see they're 9 to 5.

 

Whatta weekend of basketball! Gotta love it when you get excited about games and teams you don't even care about. Gotta hand it to Villanova and Wisconsin - they definitely didn't give anything away. I can't believe that Kentucky/Michigan State game. I sort of thought Sparks was on the line for that 3 pointer, but not sure enough to overturn it though. I really hope we get a UNC/Illinois final. I hope the Heels aren't looking ahead, though I'm guilty of it.

 

WOOHOO!!! I knew my boys had it in 'em! Make that not one, not two but THREE Big Ten teams in a row to finish off the season with the title. It doesn't get any better than that.

 

I pulled a Roy Williams and nearly blacked out at the end jumping around! I am so psyched! This was totally their championship to win! Nobody was going to beat them except themselves, and they didn't let that happen! Go Heels!

 

my roomate is from illinois, he was furious, i couldnt stop laughing.