Who is #1 in college Basketball?

[Ignatz]

I am biased because I went to Villanova undergraduate and law school but darned if they don't look good. I think they beat UNC last year except for the worst call by a referee I have ever seen.
On the other hand, when they last won the championship they quadrupled the price of my season tickets and changed my tickets from courtside to nose bleed and I told them to stick it.
What will beating Connecticut do for their standing in the polls?

[Fuzzie]

I've never watched basketball...and never intend to :P

[Fonsz]

I am biased because I went to Villanova undergraduate and law school but darned if they don't look good. I think they beat UNC last year except for the worst call by a referee I have ever seen.
On the other hand, when they last won the championship they quadrupled the price of my season tickets and changed my tickets from courtside to nose bleed and I told them to stick it.
What will beating Connecticut do for their standing in the polls?
This is the first time that you lost me completely. I haven't got the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Apparently you're a big baseball and basketbal fan aficionado(sp?). I'm sorry that I can't help you out here.

[Rurouni Kenshin]

If UCONN is still what they used to be and Villa beats 'em I believe youre still stuck with the nosebleed. :disapp:

Can they even do that like that; changing your tickets just like that? I know they did but I mean....WTF?!

Commercialization sux......... seems like it's all about the benjamins nowadays.....innit?

[Ignatz]

This is the first time that you lost me completely. I haven't got the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Apparently you're a big baseball and basketbal fan aficionado(sp?). I'm sorry that I can't help you out here.

College basketball and Major League Baseball Fonz. And if I had to choose it would be MLB. We listend to the games on the radio when I was a kid and it was great.When you finally got a chance to go to the real ballpark it was like a muslim going to mecca. My first game was in 1958 and the Giants (their last year in NY) played the Phillies. Willie Mays was playing for the Giants and he was like a ballet dancer/acrobat/circus performer all rolled up in one.

Take a look at the World Baseball Classic, the Netherlands has a team playing. Unfortunately they are in a bracket with Cuba, Panama and Puerto Rico (I guess in baseball world, Puerto Rico is a country) The games start in March.
www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/index.jsp

[Kendo-Militia]

So who do you think will win the Baseball Classic? I think Japan or Dominican Republic has a good chance of winning.

[Mr. T.]

Like all most Duchies on this tread, baseball to us is like soccer (or “real” football :D) to you USA inhabitants. You have a team, but no clue who's in it and/or don't care. It doesn't get a lot of coverage by the media over here. Football is our national sport and speed skating is a good number two, although the Dutch skaters are getting their ass kicked on the Olympics, big time (which is a good thing, it makes speed skating exiting again).

[Ignatz]

So who do you think will win the Baseball Classic? I think Japan or Dominican Republic has a good chance of winning.

Final Four=Japan, USA, Cuba and Dominican Republic

[Mr. T.]

Oops, an error on my side. My post was suppose to look like this (the copy-pasting went wrong and I copied the wrong text into forum, sorry):


This is the first time that you lost me completely. I haven't got the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Apparently you're a big baseball and basketbal fan aficionado(sp?). I'm sorry that I can't help you out here.

Like all most Duchies on this tread, baseball to us is like soccer (or “real” football :D) to the USA inhabitants. We have a team, but no clue who's in it and/or don't care.

Baseball doesn't get a lot of coverage by the media over here. Football is our national sport and speed skating is a good number two, although the Dutch skaters are getting their ass kicked on the Olympics, big time (which is a good thing, it makes speed skating exiting again).

[Kendo-Militia]

Final Four=Japan, USA, Cuba and Dominican Republic

Yea i am guessing Japan will come out of their pool and the US will come out of their pool and play each other in Anaheim. I just hope the MLB players don't pull out at the last minute.

[Fonsz]

Take a look at the World Baseball Classic, the Netherlands has a team playing. Unfortunately they are in a bracket with Cuba, Panama and Puerto Rico (I guess in baseball world, Puerto Rico is a country) The games start in March.
www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/index.jsp (http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/index.jsp)
Just checked the thread you provided. Indeed Nederland is there to compete with all the big guns of baseball. Well the things we learn here. Do they have any chance of getting somewhere? If I recall I read that at some tournament that they have won from Cuba who are supposedly the best team/the team to beat? If so out of a sense of patriotic duty I will support the Orange team. (Our national color)

[Rurouni Kenshin]

I'm also guessing it's going to be JApan, USA, Cuba and the Dom. Republic in the final four. Depending on their line-ups though and if their big guns are playing; or allowed to play. Multimillion dollar contracts and games not related to that contract dont always go great together.

[Ignatz]

Do they have any chance of getting somewhere? (Our national color)
Fonz, the rule in baseball (and kendo too if you think about it) is that on any given Saturday anything can happen. Sometimes thing just click. And of course there is the saga of the Mighty Casey and the Mudville Nine.

Casey at the Bat
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that—
We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despisèd, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt;
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped—
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, "Strike two!"

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.

[Fonsz]

Just read the poem a few times to get it. I don't think I can ever really get it. It's just like cricket I guess, because I also haven't got a clue what that's about. But if someone can make poetry which was inspired by a sport then I suppose the it goes deeper than just watching it as a pastime.
Are the US players the pro's from the major league? Because the few Dutch players that play in the major league are in the Dutch team.
And why is this in the flames section?

[Kendo-Militia]

Final Four=Japan, USA, Cuba and Dominican Republic

Where the heck did Mexico come from? I guess they were the sleeper in their pool.

[Fonsz]

Final Four=Japan, USA, Cuba and Dominican Republic
2 out of 4 isn't that bad when anything can happen.

[Ignatz]

2 out of 4 isn't that bad when anything can happen.
Think I got 3 out of 4 my brother.

[Fonsz]

Think I got 3 out of 4 my brother.
Shobu ariiiiiii!!!!
You never thought the US would be struck out I guess.:cheeky:

[Paikea]

And why is this in the flames section?Because when you say innocent things like "UCLA can't find the basket with two hands in the dark" some people are going to take it the wrong way.

[Ignatz]

Because when you say innocent things like "UCLA can't find the basket with two hands in the dark" some people are going to take it the wrong way.
Looks like they might be able to find the basket at least so far.

[LarsCW]

And why is this in the flames section?

You didn't know Ignatz wasn't allowed to make treads anywhere but here?:D

It's just that whatever he make a tread about someone will flame about.

[Ignatz]

Tonight: Connecticut vs. George Mason and Villanova vs. Florida

My pick is George Mason (big upset) over Connecticut and Villanova over Florida
Then U.C.L.A. and Villanova in the finals (last time was 1971)
Villanova winning 83 to 81

[Ignatz]

Oooops! Two uspets. Oh well.

[mistabushido]

Is UCLA still in? I don't care much about basketball, but Jordan Farmer graduated from my high school. I have this obligation to watch because my old school friends keep telling me to.

[Kendo-Militia]

Is UCLA still in? I don't care much about basketball, but Jordan Farmer graduated from my high school. I have this obligation to watch because my old school friends keep telling me to.

Yes UCLA is still in it

[Paikea]

Yes UCLA is still in itThat and that Prince Albert thing have really screwed my day.

[Ignatz]

That and that Prince Albert thing have really screwed my day.
How exactly does that work with the Prince Albert thing? The nose rings baffle me, how can you get a decent nose pick with that thing in there?
On the same topic, my son had a bunch of piercings and has full body Japanese tattoos, looks like a darned Yakuza, can't take him to Japan. I got inked on my 50th birthday and when I went to Fiji I got many complements. Kid finally got rid of the piercings.
At least he never had a stupid haircut.

[Inouye02]

Yes UCLA is still in itonly until saturday, then they're going home,

I think it's Farmar, not Farmer

[Lloromannic]

How exactly does that work with the Prince Albert thing? The nose rings baffle me, how can you get a decent nose pick with that thing in there?
On the same topic, my son had a bunch of piercings and has full body Japanese tattoos, looks like a darned Yakuza, can't take him to Japan. I got inked on my 50th birthday and when I went to Fiji I got many complements. Kid finally got rid of the piercings.
At least he never had a stupid haircut.


You should have used the cane more.
My dad freaked out when I pierced my tongue. It took him a while to get used to it. Then I decided taking it out for kendo/visiting grandma was too much of a hassle and took it off forever.

[Ignatz]

You should have used the cane more.
Boy recently turned 33. All in all, I am pleased. Never used the cane. The trick is not to react, just like kendo.

[Lloromannic]

Boy recently turned 33. All in all, I am pleased. Never used the cane. The trick is not to react, just like kendo.


Most of the boys my age whose parents did "use the cane" are rather violent and unfriendly.

[Ignatz]

Not an unusual thing at your age. Da might be cool then ma starts acting out and kid senses the conflict and attempts to make advantage (for what purpose exactly I never could understand) and starts baiting everybody causing more conflict until somebody loses it.
I think kendo at least teaches you to recognize this kind of stuff as it unfolds and you don't become a victim.
Good luck and don't forget to thank your P&M every once in a while, they will appreciate it.

[mistabushido]

only until saturday, then they're going home,

I think it's Farmar, not Farmer

You're right, my bad. It's because in our school (Taft) we called him FarmER (including his friends and school announcers).

UCLA hasn't been in the Final Four since 1995! They need to win.

[Penguin Rush]

I was rooting for Duke as always. American sports always interests me! We don't have much sports here.

[Kendo-Militia]

only until saturday, then they're going home,

I think it's Farmar, not Farmer

Why you gonna hate. You still mad that USC didn't win the Rosebowl? Damn that was over 3 months ago. Let it go. USC will never make it to the final 4 or to the big dance in basketball. After tonight I'm gonna buy you a UCLA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SHIRT. What size you wear large or XL. Let me know.

[Ignatz]

gee, we have not gotten the results here yet.:grin:
Get me one of those shirts in XL because Fla. is going to win 83-81 and the UCLA shirt will be funny then.

[Kendo-Militia]

gee, we have not gotten the results here yet.:grin:
Get me one of those shirts in XL because Fla. is going to win 83-81 and the UCLA shirt will be funny then.

Ok I'll get you one too. hehehehe It's gonna be a good game.

[Kendo-Militia]

damn not looking good at half time. Another 20 minutes to go.

[Penguin Rush]

damn not looking good at half time. Another 20 minutes to go.

At 3 mins it looks like Florida has the upper hand by 12 points. It'll take a miracle now.

[Penguin Rush]

Too bad militia! Looks like you owe Ignatz some useless UCLA Championship shirts.

[Kendo-Militia]

Ignatz, ok I may need your servces. I invested like $10 g's making UCLA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP T-SHIRTS and HATS. I want to sue UCLA and all of whole team for losing. HAHAHAHAH DAMN that kid Noah was all over the place. UCLA got out played. Was a good game.

[Ignatz]

Ignatz, ok I may need your servces. I invested like $10 g's making UCLA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP T-SHIRTS and HATS. I want to sue UCLA and all of whole team for losing. HAHAHAHAH DAMN that kid Noah was all over the place. UCLA got out played. Was a good game.
Silk screen a big red circle with a line through it, send them to Fla. and double the price. I'll send you my bill.:silly: