Cheers or Jeers to those 22 AP sportswriters who voted UNC #1?

[joeybee12]

I say dying's too good for the likes of them!

Seriously--I am NOT an Illinois fan, but I don't see how those 22 schmucks can justify their votes. Three losses, after all, is 3 losses. I think it has a lot to do with the pro-ACC bias.

I also wonder if one of the people is the same prick who kept Diana Taurasi from being a UNANIMOUS First Team All-American last year. The jackoff was from North Carolina, a very pro-Duke supporter. Diana is the greatest college player EVER! The guy should resign.

[Burma Jones]

1. UNC plays a much tougher schedule

But then, I'm biased toward the ACC.

[B Calm]

4. Much tougher schedule, what!! The Big 10 has always been the

powerhouse in basketball!

[tx_dem41]

6. "THE" Powerhouse?

Please, please try to back that up. I don't see one reason to agree with you on that statement.

[underpants]

7. NOt that I follow too closely these days but the ACC is college basketball

and from what I have seen the SEC has been pretty powerful the last few years to include this one.

[rurallib]

2. The wonderful thing about bball

is that they play a tournament to really pick a champion. Unlike football. So, who cares?

[joeybee12]

3. Yup, and we'll see another year when the eventual champ DOESN'T

come from the ACC!

[ThorsHammer]

5. UNC's schedule is much harder, but IMO Illinois is still a no-brainer #1

Illinois had one loss to a middle of the pack team on the road. UNC had a bad loss to Santa Clara, and losses to Duke and Wake (in fairness, they beat both in the home games; and Felton was hurt vs. Santa Clara, although they should have still won). Illinois also rolled over 2 very good OOC opponents in Wake and Gonzaga. The Big TenLeven has been weak this year, but the ACC also drops off drastically after the big 3 (UNC, WF, Duke). If they were within one loss of each other it might be understandable, but Illinois still has a 2 game lead. These 2 should be the hands down top seeds in the bracket, barring a Wake win over UNC in the ACC tourney.

[joeybee12]

8. I agree--if UNC had only 2 losses, I might understand voting them #1

...also, I might object to the UNC having aharder schedule--not strenuously, though. They've played higher ranked teams, but again I tihin it's a pro-ACC bias--when was the last time an ACC team won it all? Wasn't it Duke about 8 years ago now?

[SW FL Dem]

9. Duke won in 1991, 1992 and 2001 n/t

[joeybee12]

11. I forgot about 2001--then I recalled they won after UCONN won in '98

[ThorsHammer]

10. In addition to what SW Fl Dem said, Maryland won in 2002

Like I said, the ACC drops off drastically after the big 3. Ga Tech is a very talented and experienced team, but has underacheieved big time this year. VT is a middle of the pack team, as is Maryland. Both are capable of beating teams like Duke (which they each did), but both also got swept by Clemson.

W/r/t UNC's schedule, they had 4 games against elite teams (Duke, Wake) within the conference, and also beat Kentucky OOC. Illinois had games against 2 good conference teams (MSU, UW), one good OOC game (Gonzaga), and one win against Wake. It's not Illinois' fault the Big TenLeven is weak, and they did beat the 2 good OOC teams, so I'd still put them #1.

I also think the Big East is a better conference top to bottom, although the ACC is more top heavy and has more title contenders. UConn gave UNC a helluva game without Anderson, and Cuse/BC could run with Duke/Wake. The next level down is where the BE gets a big advantage. Pitt/ND/GT/WVU are clearly better than VT/MD/GT/NCSt. I'm also surprised the Big 12 gets no love. Kansas was a very good team up until a few weeks ago, and is still a #2-3 seed at worst. OSU is another #3-4 type seed, TTU is a top 20 team, and both UT and OU are tough teams as well.

[tcfrogs]

12. Good call on adding the love for the Big 12.

I could see Oklahoma, Kansas, or OSU making the final four. Depends on how the brackets fall next Sunday night.

However, you left out Iowa State from your mention. They beat ALL of the other Big 12 teams you mentioned, with the exception of OSU. And they beat KU & UT on the ROAD!

The Big 12 WILL get 6 teams in the tourney, and if A&M makes a run, it could be 7.

[dpt223]

13. Maaryland '02

"when was the last time an ACC team won it all? Wasn't it Duke about 8 years ago now?"

Maryland won the dance in 2002.

[MikeG]

14. Illinois will have all its tournament games within a bus ride.

Don't complain too much.