OT: College Basketball 20-21

[Wildcat Khan]

This is definitely a historical season and here are some stats:

1st time since 1981 that Duke and UNC are both not in ap poll
1st time since 1961 that Duke, UNC, and Kentucky are not in ap poll.

Duke was the 2nd longest streak at 91 weeks in the top 25, which is from 2016. Gonzaga now takes over the 2nd longest current streak at 87 weeks, way behind Kansas and their 229 weeks! Kansas streak is very, very impressive.

[shipfbfan1]

Former Temple HC John Chaney has passed away at the age of 89 years old. He not only cared about winning games he wanted to graduate young men to be productive and respectful members of society. His passion for the game was unmatched and while he had drastic ways of getting his kids attention he genuinely loved each of them.

[Wildcat Khan]

For crixus I see that the MWC has 4 teams that have a legit chance at making the tournament. They have 4 teams in the top 55 of the NET with Utah State who won the last 2 conference titles as the lowest of the 4. San Diego State may not have a legit title chance like last year's cancelled tournament, but it looks like the conference as a whole is up from last year.

Next few weeks will be interesting for sure as teams fight for quality wins to get into the tourney.

[Wildcat Khan]

Saw Jay Bilas talk about another bet with Gonzaga facial hair after his loss to Karnowski's beard's twitter feed and needing to grow a beard. Here is the latest: https://twitter.com/jaybilas/status/1362613489030881281

He mentioned this during the Duke/Virginia game last night and I thought it was a bit of fun for this thread.

[Twincitiesmav]

[Wildcat Khan]

First bid of the tournament goes to Liberty. They still have to play the championship game, but because UNA is still transitioning to D1 the Lions are unable to go to the tournament. Congratulations to UNA for reaching their conference finals already!

[Wildcat Khan]

With all the covid cancelations, let's talk some positives. Ewing and the Hoyas are going to the Big East Finals as the 8 seed! Also there have been lots of close games with Virginia winning on a last second shot for the shooter's only points of the game. March Madness is alive and well. There is also the giant elephant in the room storyline too related to the 1976 Hoosiers.

What a semi-final tonight too if you aren't watching it. Oklahoma State and Baylor are going down to the wire.

[Wildcat Khan]

1972 John Thompson Jr became the Georgetown coach on this day. Now today, his biggest recruit Patrick Ewing leads the Hoyas to a Big East title as the 8 seed and into the Dance. Also joining him... Rick Pitino is back with Iona taking the 9 seed from his conference into the Tournament with his 5th team.

[twolfbenchwarmer]

[Wildcat Khan]

ACU is in the tourney! I'm sure Catatonic will love this.

[laker]

Men's tourney teams by state.

[Wildcat Khan]

Men's tourney teams by state.

That one Arizona team isn't Pac-12, but a school that for one offseason was a GNAC football member in Grand Canyon University. They were officially on the schedules, but never played a game in the GNAC.

[SW_Mustang]

Gophers part ways with Richard Pitino after 8 seasons.

Minnesota Golden Gophers fire men's basketball coach Richard Pitino after 8 seasons (espn.com)

Both Pitino and former SMSU HC Tim Miles are leading candidates for the job at New Mexico.

Richard Pitino Is Reportedly A Candidate For Another College Job (thespun.com)

I met Pitino a handful of times. I always liked him, though I understand why it was time to let him go. He carried himself well as the coach here and I wish him luck wherever he goes.

[SW_Mustang]

That one Arizona team isn't Pac-12, but a school that for one offseason was a GNAC football member in Grand Canyon University. They were officially on the schedules, but never played a game in the GNAC.

Crazy that a for-profit university can make the NCAA tournament. I imagine this is a first - and hopefully, a last.

[Clean Liver]

Gophers part ways with Richard Pitino after 8 seasons.

Less than 24 hours after Mini-Soda, he has already been hired at New Mexico. The Pitino family is not unlike cats with 9 lives.