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Wishes And Ponies And Stuff

With bubble teams falling into the abyss of NIT consideration throughout Championship Week, Penn State's loss to Purdue in Indianapolis was accompanied by the end of their good fortune elsewhere.  

David Jones:

The condition of the patient: critical. Penn State suffered a demoralizing defeat that at least won't look as bad as it really was when committee members glance at it.  But the code blue really took hold when four scores came clicking across during the night:

Bubble-sitting Maryland upset Wake Forest by 11 in the ACC quarterfinals. The Terrapins now likely have enough juice to steal a bid.

Then came two semi-stunners in the Atlantic 10 semis that positively plucked a bid from the at-large pool - Temple over Xavier and Duquesne over Dayton. Someone is certain now to win the A-10 who very likely would not have received a bid otherwise. (The Owls had a good RPI but not much of a resume.)  

Finally, bubble-sitting San Diego State beat nationally ranked Brigham Young in the Mountain West semis.

Those A-10 results are killers.  As Jones notes, we're not likely to see a Duquesne auto-bid / Temple at-large combination, but we'd still like Temple to win to be sure.  In most bracket predictions, San DIego State seemed to be even with Penn State heading into last night.  They're likely a half-notch above us now.  

The fine folks at Bracketology 101 essentially have Penn State as their second-to-last team in, with only St. Mary's in a more precarious spot.  B101 gives us this handy weekend wishing guide:

 

Star-divide

 

Here's what the bubble team fans needs to hope for in Saturday's action: Memphis over Tulsa, LSU over Mississippi State, Tennessee over Auburn, Duke over Maryland in a blowout, ASU over USC, Temple over Duquense, Utah over SDSU, Utah State over Nevada, and most importantly - Missouri over Baylor. The potential of 4-5 more bid stealers still exists, so nobody on the last 4 in line is safe.

 

Obviously, it's a minefield.  Your complete viewing guide for the afternoon and evening, with pointspreads.

 

11:35 a.m. Memphis (-14.5) vs. Tulsa (CBS)

1:00 p.m. Mississippi State vs. LSU (ESPN2)

3:15 p.m. Tennessee (-4.5) vs. Auburn (ESPN2)

4:00 p.m. Duke (-9) vs. Maryland (ESPN)

6:00 p.m. Baylor (+5) vs. Missouri (ESPN)

6:00 p.m. Arizona State (-1.5) vs. USC (CBS)

6:00 p.m. Duquesne (+4.5) vs. Temple (ESPN2)

7:00 p.m. San Diego State (pk) vs. Utah 

10:00 p.m. Utah State (+1) vs. Nevada (ESPN2)

It's out of our hands now.  We're a six year old kid strapped to a sheep, hoping to hang on and not get trampled.




 

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Mutton bustin' is not to be trifled with.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

plenty of it going on lately in these parts

they just added it to the houston rodeo this year. girls are so much better at it than boys, which just perplexes me.

by formerlyanonymous on Mar 14, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lunardi's Bracketology Update

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

LAST FOUR IN

Maryland
San Diego State
Creighton
Saint Mary’s

FIRST FOUR OUT

Penn State
Arizona
Auburn
Southern California

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Seemed like for the past week or so Lunardi was the only person who had PSU in… now he has them out… that can’t be good.

by WETSU on Mar 14, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Last Team Out

A 22 win team misses the tournament because their athletic director thought it would be a better idea to run up wins against NJIT than lose to good teams. Shame on him.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

NJIT

To be fair, NJIT (and Hartford) was scheduled as part of the Philly Hoops Classic, so it was not explicitly PSU’s decision to play them. Lafayette, Army and William & Mary on the other hand….

by Laaaaazzz on Mar 14, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

When you schedule a tournament...

…with those teams in it, you deserve what you get. Theres talk around Pittsburgh of starting a basketball tournament around here with Pitt, Penn State, Robert Morris, and Duquesne with some players to be named. I’d be in favor.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

tournament

There was talk of a “Keystone” tourney to be held in Hershey at one point (I think ~2 years ago) that never happened. We’ll see what happens.

As for the Philly Hoops Classic, we signed up and got assigned teams and who knows if everyone was signed up when we committed. It would have been better if we had faced Nova (obviously) but the other factor is that happened to get two crappy teams with NJIT/Hartford in the opening round. If we had gotten Niagra (who went 28-6 this season), we would have been in much better shape.

by Laaaaazzz on Mar 14, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tournament

The idea behind this Pittsburgh thing is that the city is opening an arena in a couple of years.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We asked to play

a few easy teams in the Philly classic with the idea that we would win them and get get to play nova. Didn’t quite work out.

Don’t be so easy on the AD, we knew who we were playing in that tourney.

JoePa in '09

by JGuiher on Mar 14, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Of course, with a harder schedule

Maybe we’re an 18 or 19 win team. And not part of this conversation AT ALL.

by Tailgate Shogun on Mar 14, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe

but instead of RPI 250-300, I still think this team could beat a RPI 100-150 without too much drama. Having three or four more of those schools would do wonders for PSU’s RPI and we probably wouldn’t be sweating it out right now.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Mar 14, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, but we also lose to Iowa

Rhode Island, Michigan (twice), etc.

We’re a good team. We’re not exactly a great team.

by Tailgate Shogun on Mar 14, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We only lost to UM once.

I’m not debating whether PSU is a great team, but we were saying over at pennstatehoops that the OOC schedule was going to hurt us then. Just replacing Army and Lafayette could get us 6 or 7 spots in the RPI imagine if we replaced more of them. We should have won the RI game, and gotten Nova.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Mar 14, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right, I get it.

I just think that there are some folks out there who say, “replace NJIT & Army with Duke and Syracuse”. Those are two games we’re likely to lose.

by Tailgate Shogun on Mar 14, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah While that would be ballsy

it’s unnecessary. There is nothing wrong with not playing an insane OOC, but playing some teams with a pulse is an extremely easy way to improve an RPI.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Mar 14, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't like how there is so much emphasis on the conference tournaments

for the bubble teams. It’s like people forget about the whole season or something. MD was 7-9 in the ACC, and supposedly blew their chances aginst UVA at the end of the regular season….and now suddenly they are IN. And how does Creighton jump ahead of us when they didn’t even play? 10-8 in the #2 RPI league with the quality wins that we have should show that we can compete with anybody, but it is gonna take a lot of games to go our way for us to get a chance to show that.

by mundyscorner99 on Mar 14, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Its all a projection

It isn’t gospel. I’ll be shocked if all three of those mid-majors he has ahead of us get in.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

True that

Don’t get too worked up about the projections, none of them carry any official weight.

by Laaaaazzz on Mar 14, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think PSU is probably still in

We’ve done enough in our conference schedule to get in, I think. How many other bubble teams have 6 wins against the RPI top 50?

Granted, if we don’t get in, it’s certainly because of our lifeless non-conference schedule, and the committee may well want to make an example out of us just for that. That would stink, but it might get us scheduling better competition in the future that won’t be such a liability. And if we don’t get in, well, then we should’ve beaten Iowa, Wisconsin, Temple or Rhode Island along the way. If we would’ve won just one or two of those games, we would not be in this precarious situation. It’s our own fault for being perched on the bubble (fault of the team and the athletic department schedule-makers, not us fans, obviously).

That being said, cheer like crazy against all the Cinderellas out there today! Normally I’d cheer for all of ’em, but not today!

Let's Go State!

by Gopher Broke on Mar 14, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Committee Example

Last year Arizona State had a similar tournament resume. They went to the NIT becuase of their non-conf schedule having a SOS of 300+.

Penn State is currently in the same boat. It’ll be interesting to see.

by DrDetroit on Mar 14, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We're a six year old kid strapped to a sheep

That’s the perfect description of our situation
(i’m gonna have to remember this phrase)

"The sea was angry that day, my friends." G. Costanza

by NJ lion on Mar 14, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

MEMPHIS WINS.

Okay, now it’s LSU’s turn. Tight game in the first half.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If things don’t get better, Mike’s gonna have to fill the front page with kittens tomorrow.

John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Mar 14, 2009 1:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

question

Does our loss against Temple look any more impressive if they win the A-10?

by AdamShell on Mar 14, 2009 1:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Well, it’s better than them not winning the A-10.

Anyway, no one is calling our loss to Temple a “bad loss” (nor our loss to Rhode Island). But the problem is that it is a loss, not a win. Beating either Temple or Rhode Island would have helped a lot in the criticism of our non-conference schedule. As is, our best non-conference win was Mount St Marys.

by Laaaaazzz on Mar 14, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually

ESPN had that loss as our ONLY key loss. Though I’m not sure that the WWL is quite up on Penn State basketball.

by AdamShell on Mar 14, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think "key loss" = "bad loss"

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

HALFTIME: MISS. ST. 31, LSU 29.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It feel like watching week 16 of the NFL

You know LSU is better, but they just don’t care enough.

OSU-MSU is a fun game, though.

BSD

by Kevin HD on Mar 14, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

*feels

BSD

by Kevin HD on Mar 14, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If we don't get in...

…Then there should be an “I blame Iowa” t-shirt for sale in the BSD store.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

In or not!!!

There should be an “I blame Iowa” t-shirt simply for emotional damages over the past 6 months.

"Even though it was bouncing, I knew it was so soft that it was just going to stay in," Battle said. "Then I ran around like a lunatic."

by bconway6 on Mar 14, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stupid Wake Forest

I got so pissed watching them lose yesterday. How dare they force me to have to root for a Duke victory.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Anyone else playing the drinking game?

I mean WTF it’s Saturday and raining. One beer for ever time a team RUTS bolded wins, two for every time they lose.

Shotgun every time someone (1)mentions PSU’s SOS, or (2) lists them on a “last four in/out” list.

This will get fun around 8pm if I can figure out a way to stay inside that long…

BSD

by Kevin HD on Mar 14, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm playing a similar game

I drink every time someone says the word “Bubble”. I will be blacking out in 3…2…1…

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It’s taking you that long?

John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Mar 14, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

In better news...

The Vols are up 11 at the half.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

question

If you could see the future, would you rather be a one and done in the NCAA tournament or make it deep into the NIT. I am actually ambivalent about this, but it would be fun to have more games to watch which is obviously more likely in the NIT. Just to make myself clear, I would most like to make it deep into the NCAA.

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Mar 14, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

One and done....no doubt

I’d even rather lose the play-in game than win the damn NIT. The NIT is just one big consolation bracket.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

NCAA Hands down

You can build a program on that.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Mar 14, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Winning the NIT..

is the equivalent to a gold medal at the Special Olympics…great you’ve won. But in the end you’re still retarded.

We are not normal. We are legends.

by NittanyAlum02 on Mar 14, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I can't stand the Purdue all-black uniforms

They look like a bunch of shadows running around out there. That’s a definite Pur-don’t.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 4:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

and Illinois is getting PWNED

down 20 at half

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow

I’d have to root for Purdue in that one

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Purdouche...

If they continue to dismantle Illinois any chance this makes our loss not look so bad (i.e., just ran into a buzzsaw)? Curious if anyone has thoughts.

We are not normal. We are legends.

by NittanyAlum02 on Mar 14, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think that may be the perception

Hopefully the commitee will look at the game, because Purdue was just on fire.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I would think

it would have to.

"Even though it was bouncing, I knew it was so soft that it was just going to stay in," Battle said. "Then I ran around like a lunatic."

by bconway6 on Mar 14, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I mean, really

If Purdue keeps playing that well, they could go far in the tourney.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It can also make our two wins over Illinois look not as good.

I think Purdue can go to the Final Four if they play the way they have the last two days.

by mundyscorner99 on Mar 14, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

True

But in all honesty, I’ve never been sure that Illinois was that good.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Illinois is definitely a jeckyl and hyde team

that will probably not go very far. But I’m just really impressed with the combo of size and outside shooting by the Boilers. They look like a totally different team now that they are healthy.

by mundyscorner99 on Mar 14, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Doing okay so far

DOOK up at the half, and Auburn’s gonna have to mount a big comeback with only 5:30 left

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You know, the half just got started

But I think DOOK is totally gonna blow this.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah!!!

Way to taunt those of us that cant get one…Asshat!

Damn, now I’m really thirsty.

"Even though it was bouncing, I knew it was so soft that it was just going to stay in," Battle said. "Then I ran around like a lunatic."

by bconway6 on Mar 14, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

DUH

Need some vocabulary or lingo, or whatever help. What do RPI and PWNED stand for?

Sa Da Tay, Hoochie Ma

by JuniataMan on Mar 14, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ratings Percentage Index

PWNED is just a way of saying your ass has been kicked.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

all your vocabulary are belong to us!

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thank you

I am now well schooled, drink to that

Sa Da Tay, Hoochie Ma

by JuniataMan on Mar 14, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Now a 7 point deficit

1:17 left, timeout Maryland

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 6:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

DOOK WINS

VITALE IS HAPPY, BABY

Dook, please get killed by Florida State

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 6:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This isn't right

Come on, scheduling gods, I can only handle 2 games at a time.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 6:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This is where it gets interesting...

All these conference finals tonight are huge for us… Still… I have this horrible feeling we’re gonna be team 66 tomorrow night…

by hammy8700 on Mar 14, 2009 6:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

We'll see

No one really knows what the committee is gonna do so things can still happen. We do need a few things to go our way tonight.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Mar 14, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why does Temple have to win again?

They’re not gonna get an at-large if they lose are they?

by hammy8700 on Mar 14, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Quoth RUTS:
As Jones notes, we’re not likely to see a Duquesne auto-bid / Temple at-large combination, but we’d still like Temple to win to be sure.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Temple and Duq tied

STRUGGLE BUS NOT GETTING HELP

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

All right

See yawl. I’m going to get something to eat.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Back!

Mmmm, steak sandwhich…

Anyway, Temple wins which is okay.

In not good news, San Diego State leads Utah 20-18 at the half.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 7:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think Rambler should get a trophy

for most consecutive posts by 1 person. Well done!

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 7:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks

But I better not find out that no one found those posts useful!

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, considering these game are all on national TV

I don’t think they’re quite as useful as they might be for games that are on the BTN for example.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have been checking on and off

I don’t have time to watch any games until later, so very helpful. Plus I would rather just have you tell me who to root for than actually go to the trouble of understanding.

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Mar 14, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mizzou up by 11 with like 3 left

Meanwhile, freaking U$C is now within 1

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 8:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think the thing that pisses me off the most are their fans. “WHOOO! We’re winning! I didn’t even know about basketball until yesterday, but I like it now!”

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks

The Pac-10 teams shit the bed the whole fuckin weekend. Fuck these conference tournaments, none of the good teams give a shit.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Mar 14, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually, I was thinking about this the other day

for conference tourneys where teams already have a spot locked up, it makes sense for them to lose and let shitty teams make the tourney. It leaves less competition for them in the tourney.
For instance, when Butler lost to Cleveland State, all that did was make someone’s road easier.
If all the “already ins” did this, there would be 12 or so more shitty teams in the tourney, making the road easier for the “good” teams.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know this is WAY late, and no one will probably read this

but this wouldn’t really be a good strategy, since they try to seed the tournament so teams from the same conference have the least likely chance of playing each other. If you let a weaker team from your own conference in, then it just makes the road easier for another team, making other top teams less likely to be upset, therefore YOUR team has a greater chance of playing other top teams, and less of a chance of playing the team that pulls an upset.

by The JuggerNitt on Mar 15, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

U$C about to win. God, this sucks.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

crap crap crappity crap crap

I hate you USC… f-ing racists

by AdamShell on Mar 14, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Nothing to do now but watch San Diego State on Gamecast, curse U$C, blame Iowa, and wait for the game at 10. Ugh.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So realistically speaking....

do you guys think we’re in or out? I say out at this point.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 8:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Out

The selection committee was looking for a way to keep 8 Big Ten teams out… this was it

by AdamShell on Mar 14, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Out.

I think we’re down to about a 15-20% shot to get in.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We would have been in

b/c we would have been the #2 seed…and would have has a 1st round Big 10 tourney bye

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who do we want in the Buffalo - Akron game?

The team we killed last year vs. the team we’ll kill this year (footbally speaking)

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 8:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Killing 2 birds with 1 stone

Shows the crazy eyes and the nickname…

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 8:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Starting to feel cursed here

Maybe you all, y’all – or youns – are ahead of me, but if it’s not wins/losses, it’s strength of schedule. If it’s not schedule strength, it’s dependent on other teams to win or lose. If it’s not on other teams, it’s voters/BCS computer/selection committee.

And it’s all working against us. Repeatedly.

by Mr. Rosewater on Mar 14, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice, high scoring game between the Utes and SDSU

But I thought only Big Ten teams scored low!!!

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Falling...asleep

Utah up 41-33. 5:30 left. Snore.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Aztecs hit a three, though

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Okay, quickly

Someone give me an argument for why Penn State might still be in. Counting on SDSU and Nevada losses, of course.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Because we fucking rock

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Mar 14, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Latest From Lunardi

7 teams fighting for 3 spots.

IN: SDSU, Mayland, Creighton

OUT: St. Mary’s, Penn State, Arizona, Auburn

Lunardi said an SDSU takes them out, and puts St. Mary’s in as St. Mary’s has already beaten SDSU. Hubert Davis proceeded to rip Creighton, while Digger Phelps kissed Arizona’s ass. It’s Creighton, Maryland, Penn State, and Arizona for 2 spots.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 8:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What is this Creighton / St. Mary's nonsense?

Weren’t they generally considered to be behind us heading into this last-minute frenzy, and both crapped out in their tournaments?

I don’t get it.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Patti

But you’re close enough.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

pattie

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tiffany.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Shelly

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Assuming SDSU loses...

I like our chances. We’ve got better wins than Creighton, and our win @ MSU cancels out Maryland’s at the Old Spice Classic.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

is there somewhere where you can find SOS for both in conference and out of conference?

I’d like to see how our OOC SOS matches up against Creighton and St Mary’s. I would imagine our in conference SOS is significantly better than theirs. It seems hypocritical of all these analysts to take about PSU’s OOC schedule but never say how crappy the mid majors schedule in conference is…

by mundyscorner99 on Mar 14, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If you believe in a God...

…Please, go to church/temple/mosque/synagogue tomorrow and pray thy ass off.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Good times.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 8:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

:5 left

Utah shooting 2 again. 1 point lead. This is not “good times”, thank you, Mr. RUTS!

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

They had a five point lead with less than :20!

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

SWEET!!!

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

2 more games left that will impact us

We need Utah St to win 2nite and Tenn 2morrow.

by mundyscorner99 on Mar 14, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

UTAH WINS!!!!

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Mar 14, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Balls.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have returned to my friend nectar nugget for the evening.

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Mar 14, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Too hoppy

But I’m about to break out some homebrewed vanilla bourbon porter.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

now that sounds good.

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Mar 14, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You a big homebrewer

My roommates and I are thinking of experimenting with that.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Mar 14, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's really easy.

I’m still using kits and adding occasional ingredients to them. You can usually get 2 to 2 1/2 cases from each batch.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do it!

Way worth it.

"Even though it was bouncing, I knew it was so soft that it was just going to stay in," Battle said. "Then I ran around like a lunatic."

by bconway6 on Mar 14, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Update

According to Lunardi:

IN: Maryland, Creighton, St. Mary’s

OUT: Penn State, Arizona, Auburn

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 9:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Its the corn, Its all about the corn

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Mar 14, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

9-5 vs top 100 compared to 7-10

Granted, most of PSU’s were top 50 and most of Creighton’s were 51-100, but I can see the argument. That’s going to be a very difficult call. I think you have a better argument against St. Mary’s. Which means you desperately need everything to break right from here on out.

by SpartanDan on Mar 14, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, thanks, I guess

I was wondering what the commitee could think

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

crap, I wish Talor had driven to the hoop against Iowa before OT

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Mar 14, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm okay with that, actually.

I think he’s dead wrong about Creighton and St. Mary’s. Maryland is probably in.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

I can’t see us getting beat out by Creighton. I don’t care how much the commitee doesn’t like the Big Ten.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Depends on the emphasis on SOS vs. road-neutral success. Arizona’s just 2-9 in true road games (both wins over sub-150 teams), 5-10 in road-neutral compared to PSU’s 5-6 (two top 25 wins) and 7-8.

by SpartanDan on Mar 14, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I mean, I just don't see the argument for them.

Other than raw RPI numbers.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey...

…don’t shoot the messenger

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I like the message

If Lunardi’s right to an extent, it may be good. Because I can’t see us losing to Creighton. I’ll say we have 25 % chance. I’m too worried about Arizona.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why?

2-22 at Arizona St. 24-8 (13-7) 24 68-70 L
  02-26 at Washington St. 17-15 (9-11) 91 53-69 L
  02-28 at Washington 24-8 (15-5) 14 78-83 L
  03-05 California 22-10 (11-8) 39 77-83 L
  03-07 Stanford 18-13 (7-13) 104 101-87 W
  03-12 vs Arizona St. 24-8 (13-7) 24 56-68 L

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't know

I can just see the commitee picking them for 1) more prestige and 2) “We can’t have 8 Big Ten games!”

God, I hope I’m wrong.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Creighton has an odd logo

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Mar 14, 2009 9:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And only one win against the top 50

we have 6.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And you know what, re: Utah State?

If they lose, I think we may be in before them. I don’t care what their RPI is, their best wins were against Utah and Wyoming. They’re bullshit.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

(word.)

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Of all the baseball bandwagons I’ve ridden, this one has been the most fun.

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Random

I haven’t changed the channel from Versus on my tv. Right now, they’re showing bullriding. Worth watching just for the names. They just talked to a cowboy named Flint or something. I’m waiting for “Tuff McNally”.

Anyway…

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I hope the updates posted here were useful, because they’ve bogged the thread down. ;)

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I could start another.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Doesn't Tell You Much But...

This is from ESPN.com Mark Schlabach’s “bubble watch”.

Penn State [22-11 (10-8), RPI: 68, SOS: 115] After trouncing Indiana in their opening-round game in the Big Ten tournament, the Nittany Lions lost to Purdue 79-65 on Friday night. Penn State didn’t put up much of a fight against the Boilermakers, which isn’t a great lasting impression for the NCAA selection committee. But unless the NCAA just doesn’t want eight Big Ten teams in its tournament, it will be hard to ignore Penn State’s 10-8 finish in Big Ten play and its six victories over RPI top-50 opponents. Penn State might be penalized for its soft nonconference schedule, but its performance during conference play might be enough to get it in the 65-team field. The Nittany Lions beat Michigan State (road), Illinois (home and road), Purdue (home), Minnesota (home) and Michigan (home).

His opinion seems to slant in our favor

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 9:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

"Not much of a fight"

Well, Purdue shot like 100000% from the field…

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

My God

For as easy as it is for ESPN to flash up tournament resumes during the games, I’m having a helluva time finding those same things all in one place on the internet…

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 9:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

6

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Try these

Crashing the Dance – go to the “At-large selection” tab and click on a team name. Penn State’s profile is here. Think it’s updated daily. For quicker updates, try the Nitty Gritty Report at Warren Nolan.

by SpartanDan on Mar 14, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dick Vitale said

Our only big wins were against conference opponents, like there’s something wrong with getting big wins in conference. OR that wins against B10 schools don’t count as much.

Sa Da Tay, Hoochie Ma

by JuniataMan on Mar 14, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

its really wierd now watching the syracuse game

and not having to root for one team or another to help penn state out

by mjs2103 on Mar 14, 2009 9:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If you don’t have tv, Utah State – Nevada is on ESPN360

by ReadingRambler on Mar 14, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Right

Sa Da Tay, Hoochie Ma

by JuniataMan on Mar 14, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is it weird...

That I view Buffalo as the little school that could? I’m pulling for them to come back in the MAC Championship. Same thing happens to me in football.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Mar 14, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Historically...

…How would you rank missing the NCAA tournament against, say losing the National Championship in ’94.

I tend to think that this will be more damaging than losing any of the national championships, because in those instances, someone ELSE robbed us. Also, our football teams always come to play. We had memories to fall back on when times were tough, and promise for the future.

That isn’t the case in basketball. This is undoubtedly the most special season we’ve ever had. Missing the tournament would suck, but I think more than anything we’ve suffered in football because, if we miss this thing, we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves. Look at the schedule. We could have done better. All it would have taken was a phone call…

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by fugimaster24 on Mar 14, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Okay, okay, new thread.

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2009/3/14/797628/last-in-first-out

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Mar 14, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe this is the best we could do with what we had.

Personally, I’m surprised we got this far with such a thin bench that contributed little. Battle, Pringle, and Cornley carried this team to where they are and it’s amazing they held up so well.

Sa Da Tay, Hoochie Ma

by JuniataMan on Mar 14, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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