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The return of...SONGS THAT I LIKE!
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 12/29/2003
Posts: 6,311
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"Gym Class Heroes - Cupid's Chokehold" has the "take a look at my girlfriend... she's the only one I got"
Whoa. I apparently heard the song before but never realized what the song was called. The video with the cupid is sort of cute. The main guy reminds me a lot of this one guy I know for some reason...
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 11/6/2002
Posts: 10,641
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Those are some stellar tracks my friend.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 10/1/2002
Posts: 14,726
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Woo for Lily Allen. love that track.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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News flash: Being sick sucks.
So, I now know that I have passed the GED test that I had last Friday and that I am getting a diploma. It is, unquestionably, one of the most satisfying feelings in my entire life. I feel like I could walk on water right now, that's how satisfying it is.
However, this also brings up a very sensitive subject for me and that's the fact that I was home schooled from 7th grade on. I know that there is this huge stigma over home schooled people when compared to public schooled people. Actually, if you ask me, it should be the other way around. When I was 13, I left public school. There were multiple reasons why I left. Bullying and lack of friends helped, for sure, but it was being bored of it all that made it an easy decision. For YEARS, I tried to prevent this secret from leaking out to anyone on this forum, even going as far as to lying about going to public school and making up friends and enemies and teachers and everything, because I was afraid of the stigma that would be put on me had I said I was home schooled. Luckily, when I actually revealed the truth, people here accepted me in and still treated me the same way that they did previously. But I can't help but think what it would be like if I did the exact same thing around other people. Would I have been treated the same way? Better? Worse?
The worst part about this whole stigma is that there is enough evidence to make a strong case for home schooled people being smarter than public schooled people. But no one listens to that. Everyone just assumes, "Hey, look! This person didn't go to public school! That automatically makes him/her dumber than I am! Haha, look at the dumb home schooled person!" Yeah, keep building your ego and confidence up, bub. We'll see what happens when i'm actually making something of myself, while you're still at the grill at McDonald's, making those burgers that everyone seems to love.
I'm almost as afraid to reveal this to your common person on the street as I am to reveal that I don't believe in God. The only difference between the two is that you're not considered to be dumb if you are seen as an Atheist. What a world we live in, huh? Those who barely squeak by in public school and go on to cook burgers for their entire lives are considered smarter than those who got the highest score out of anyone taking the GED in the same room as that person AND someone that actually plans to go to college, have a career and live a long, prosperous life. Yeah, what a crazy, senseless, ****ed up world we live in.
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Banned
Member Since: 8/24/2003
Posts: 4,785
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You were home schooled? Lucky git .
I guess it depends on the area and the people's attitudes within it because where I am there's mixed feelings about home schooling. I would have preferred it personally, I wouldn't have even needed a tutor(s). My mum was an awesome educational teacher to me; she taught me how to initially go about looking for knowledge and how to work through problems/questions as well as providing the books/tools.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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^ Haha, I wish I was "lucky".
I think the problem is that there shouldn't be a stigma at ALL. I was home schooled for years and just yesterday, I found out that I am getting a diploma, having the highest scores among those who I was taking the GED test with. I didn't turn out bad, now did I? But it's still the general consensus that you're dumber if you're home schooled. It just makes me sick.
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Banned
Member Since: 8/24/2003
Posts: 4,785
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I agree that there shouldn't be a stigma at all and that home schooling should be aided and organised in such a way as to make it an official alternative for those students who would for various reasons be better schooled at home (or similar environment). Obviously it's not going to work for the general majority of students and it mustn't be used as a avenue of 'escaping the school system' which many may worry about but for those particular ones who do have it - I thnk there should be more official status to it.
I hope that it future you'll be able to see that you were probably lucky to have home schooling as long as you don't have regrets directly related to it. I say that because unless you're a popular or respected school kid with good grades, school can be a horrible little mini society rampant with bullying, heirarchy and day to day irks. There's more distraction, they'll always be those that spoil it for others and favouritism. I know that you're facing people's stereotypes and I can't really advise on how to overcome that or deal with it fully or in regards to your individual situation but put it this way - in general, when you feel confident (not arrogant/obnoxious, egotistical or self-conceited hopefully) people tend to pick up on that. It's easier said then done but for example - people automatically think I'm dumb because I'm blonde, semi-'attractive' (sometimes), have a feminine name that most people associate with their early stereotypical memories and because I'm female. But when I talk to people I just talk to them and they realise that they're the ones with the huge blind spot for judging me without knowing me in any way. So when faced with people you think or know have that bias against home schooled pupils and you have to talk to them or talk about something - just do it and they should soon see the error of their ways.
I know it's aggravating but it's hard to consistently prevent it or deal with them all, particularly as you'll never get the chance to talk with all those who look down on you (and you probably wouldn't want to some of the time) but if you just get on with things as if there's no difference between you and your public school peers it should reduce the level of friction you come up against. If you're in a society where you feel/know that just by saying you were home schooled that you wont even get a chance to be yourself then unfortunately like you've realised and done here - it's probably best to not mention until you've made your impression on others. It's not fair and not the way I should be but I'm trying to be practical. I've found that you can't show everybody, because there will always be those who just don't listen to reason. But as long as you realise that you don't need to prove anything (unless of course we're talking about exams and interviews etc) or show superiority, your ability will show itself.
Also, well done on your scores.
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Member Since: 10/5/2005
Posts: 11,422
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...I actually have a few friends that were home-schooled on their own terms; I think they faired very well. I've never thought Public >>> Home, or vice-versa. If anything, I enjoyed public school, and had the opportunities to participate in school-mandated clubs, activities, and maybe a sport or two (if I had decided) with some friends who are kinda keeping in touch to this day. Plus I was at places where one-on-one help was availiable on some of the levels my home-educated friends were getting. (All of course if I decided that I needed or wanted to SOS on something.)
But at the same time, I bet home-schooling has it's time advantages where you can learn at your own pace. (Which really doesn't happen with most High Schools and Colleges.) I've been on a set scheadule where I have to be at certain places at certain times every week, whether I was in a state to learn or not. I'm actually starting to find this factor true with my first online class I'm taking.
Congrats, so is this a regular equivelent High School Diploma or some other specialized GED you're getting?
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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Quote:
Congrats, so is this a regular equivelent High School Diploma or some other specialized GED you're getting?
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It is the equivalent of a high school diploma.
Dora, my girlfriend has blonde hair and blue eyes and she is one of the smartest people I know. That stereotype is one that died out a long time ago. How anyone could stereotype you or my girlfriend as dumb just because of hair color or gender is ridiculous and wrong.
I left school to get away from all of my problems, the biggest of all generally being a lack of enthusiasm and boredom with the school system and its lack of growth. I think it's a big problem when people are dropping out of school simply because they're bored with it. I think I am smarter, wittier and generally more interesting of a person than quite a few people who drudged their way through high school. It's not necessarily because of getting out of public school and being home schooled, but I do say that I felt like I was being under taught, I felt like my brain was not being stimulated enough and I still feel that I was not given a reason to be more enthusiastic about going to school every day. More and more people who are generally smart and have common sense are going to leave public school because of under stimulation and get home schooled and **** up the school system more and more until the government steps in and gives home school a little more respect than they do now, unless the teachers and general staff try to stimulate the minds of children more than they are now.
The most ironic thing about all of this is that my girlfriend is going to school to become a teacher. Knowing her, she'll definitely do things to stimulate minds and make school a better place and she will have the technology to help her do so in the coming years. I just happened to go to a couple of schools that were not willing to take my mind and actually do something worthwhile with it. That's a damn shame.
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Banned
Member Since: 2/5/2007
Posts: 7,024
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Well hi Ryan
I go to a private school, and I'm happy with it. I put too much pressure on myself, but I woudln't do good homeschooled, because I put so much pressure on myself at school, but I wouldn't have much motivation.
Home-schooled people turn out the same, depending on who they are. You seem as if you turned out well.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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College Basketball Blog #1(Also Read: The High School Stigma)
Alright, this is your new home for everything college basketball, leading up to and including March Madness. Of course, naturally, I will be bringing back the now infamous Tournament Pick'em that has brought intense battles over the years. Last year, my bracket was ruined when Michigan State lost in the first round after I picked them to go to the championship game(yeah, that was stupid). This year, I think my predictions will be a *tad* better, and a lot more stat-inclined.
First, a look at some Top 25 final scores, starting things off with an INCREDIBLE shocker. Home teams are in italics.
LSU - 66 | #3 Florida - 59
-- I mean, how the hell did this happen? This LSU team had a huge lead on my Wildcats and STILL lost. Big Baby did not play. So how did Florida lose? It's actually much deeper than meets the eye. Obviously, Joakim Noah only shooting the ball four times and playing 21 minutes hurts and Al Horford was the leading Florida scorer with only 13 points, but this Florida team is not right. Looking at their schedule, you will see that Florida was losing AT HOME to both Vandy and Alabama before winning and also barely squeaked past a terrible Kentucky team(lets face it, they are) after leading them by double digits early on in the game. Then the second game against Vandy happened, where Vandy pretty much DOMINATED Florida at the end. Then they beat South Carolina underwhelmingly, which leads up to this atrocity of a game, where they lose to an LSU team that has the worst record in the SEC. They trailed LSU by 18 points near the end of the game! Come on. This is not what defending champions do. This is not what a Final Four team does. If they continue to play like this, then a second round exit is not looking that improbable.
#4 UCLA - 75 | Stanford - 61
-- On the flipside, here's UCLA, the loser of the final game against Florida. In said game, Florida dispatched them handily. This...is not that team. They've only lost three games this season, one to an Oregon team that was much better at that point than anyone gave them credit for, one to a West Virginia team that is UNQUESTIONABLY going to the NCAA tournament(even after losing to Providence)...and a loss to the team they played today, Stanford. Brook Lopez had a very solid game, but everyone else decided not to show up and UCLA had an easy win. If you had told me a month ago that I would think UCLA has a better chance of winning a national title than Florida, I would have slapped you in the face. But this team looks good. Strike that, they look DAMN good.
#8 Texas A&M - 97 | Baylor - 87
-- This was an even closer game than the score indicated, but Acie Law IV and Dominique Kirk would not let Baylor beat them at College Station. Law, in my opinion, is one of the top five players in the country, along with Kevin Durant from Texas, Joakim Noah from Florida, Alando Tucker from Wisconsin and (a rather unconventional choice) AJ Graves from Butler. He makes everyone around him better and will DESTROY you on any given night and he proved it here in this game. The Aggies are a serious threat to any team in the NCAA tournament, especially if Law gets hot.
#19 Texas - 68 | Oklahoma - 58
-- Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin combined for 50 of the 68 Texas points. Luckily, when you're playing a team like Oklahoma, you don't need much help from the other players. However, there are two important things to note about this game. First of all, they have now won five straight games after losing four of their last second. This is very important, as their next two games are against, in my opinion, the best team in the Big 12 in Texas A&M(if they were more consistent, there'd be no contest) and a red hot Kansas team. Secondly, Kevin Durant had 32 points and 10 boards, as well as shooting 5 for 6 from the three point stripe AND going 9 for 10 from the free throw line. Folks, it's clear to me now not only who is better between Durant and Oden and who is clearly the player of the year. Durant is averaging 25 a NIGHT as well as getting close to 12 rebounds. He shoots almost 40% from three and shoots 83% from the free throw line. This is the single most NBA ready player in college basketball. If he does NOT enter the NBA draft, I will be shocked. Anyway, Texas' next two games are critical towards my opinion of their success in the NCAA tournament. If they can even just split the next two games, I will consider them to be dangerous.
#12 Georgetown - 61 | Pittsburgh - 53
-- Roy Hibbert had four fouls and had only 12 points and five rebounds. Their highest scorer had 17 points. So how did Georgetown beat such an apparent "powerhouse" in Pittsburgh? Quite simply, Pittsburgh did not come to play. Aaron Gray is seemingly still not fully healthy and the rest of the Panthers seem to falter when he's not healthy. Meanwhile, Georgetown now has sole possession of the Big East conference lead and has won 11 games in a row, with 13 wins in a row to end the season seeming more and more likely with Syracuse and UConn remaining on the schedule. When a team can shoot 3 for 15 from three, can get outrebounded AND can commit more turnovers and STILL win, well, that team either is really lucky or really good. I don't know if they really look like a Final Four team, but stranger things have happened.
And now, the first edition of:
What's More Likely: First Round Exit or Final Four Bound?
Memphis
Record: 24-3(13-0 Conference USA)
Biggest Wins: Kentucky, Oklahoma, @Gonzaga
Most Harmful Losses: Georgia Tech, Arizona
What They Have Going For Them:
-- What Memphis has going for them is quite simple: A chip on their shoulder. Everyone has put them down time and time again because they have played a weak schedule and play in a very inferior conference, yet they are ranked in the top ten. Memphis THRIVES on this feeling. They WANT you to think they will become inferior in the NCAA tournament because they haven't played enough quality teams so that, when they make it to the Final Four, people will finally have to shut their mouths. It should also be noted that two of the three teams they lost to were unranked at the time and the other has not lost at home this season.
What They Don't Have Going For Them:
-- Exactly what I just talked about. They have not played anyone, other than an overrated Kentucky team, who they beat, a just plain bad Georgia Tech team, a Tennessee team that has been majorly inconsistent and an Arizona team that should have been a dominant force but ended up being a middle of the road team. Yes, Tennessee has not lost at home this season, but they have still been inconsistent. And then, you factor in Conference USA, which is just bad. This is, of course, exactly why Memphis STAYED in C-USA, but it doesn't change the fact that C-USA is terrible.
My Prediction: First Round Exit
-- Here's the thing about Memphis. Does this team REALLY strike you as that impressive? They win the games they are supposed to win, but what else? I think that they will have a lot of trouble in their first round game, especially if they are matched up against a team like VCU, Davidson, Appalachian State or Xavier, who could give them fits. Do not be surprised if this is the team that everyone talks about when people complain about their brackets being ruined.
Nevada
Record: 25-2(12-1 WAC)
Biggest Wins: @ Akron, @ Gonzaga
Most Harmful Losses: I don't think either of them are that harmful, though one of them was at home.
What They Have Going For Them:
-- Having 25 wins is never anything to sneeze at, but what they truly have going for them is a balanced and deep team that will be a tough matchup for any team, even the North Carolinas of the world. Nick Fazekas is the guy everyone talks about, and for good reason. He is a terrific perimeter shooter for a big man, shooting 48% from behind the arc, and can also rebound the ball with relative ease. But lets not forget about Marcellus Kemp and Ramon Sessions. When needed, these two can light up the scoreboard and make any team pay for double teaming Fazekas.
What They Don't Have Going For Them:
-- Like with Memphis, they play in an inferior conference. Unlike with Memphis, they do have a couple other teams that could give them trouble(like New Mexico State and Utah State). However, their schedule still does not look all that good. It will more than likely neglect Nevada to a four or five seed, which will put them up against the #1 seed in their bracket sooner rather than later.
My Prediction: Final Four Bound
-- There's nothing that I don't like about this team. NOTHING. They have depth, they can play inside and outside ball, they play good defense and they have a player who can score and shoot with the best of them. When I look at this Nevada team, I think to myself, "Now see, there's a good team, there's a team that could make a Final Four run." It will depend on their bracket, but I would not be surprised one bit to see Nevada come out of their bracket as the Final Four representative, even if they are a bit lower seeded than they should be.
Alright, next time, i'll bring you some more analysis as well as look at a couple of teams in big conferences that have more than a few chips on their shoulders. Until then, IN ONE SHINING MO-MENNNNNNTTTTTTTTTT....
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 12/29/2003
Posts: 6,311
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Congrats on the GED! ^_^
It does stink that there is a stigma at all about being home-schooled but there seems to be a stigma for anything that is out of the norm. That is ironic because back in the day there weren't a lot of public schools and majority of the country had homeschooling anyway. At least these people never expect anything out of you, so anything you do would be a surprise to them and sometimes that alone can be fun... knowing that you can surprise even one person.
My friend has been so happy that selection sunday is close that he practically has a countdown for the day.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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The Oscars Are Tonight!(Also Read: The High School Stigma)
Alright, it's time for Hollywood to piss everyone off again! This is always fun.
It's funny to me that every major award appears to be a lock other than the biggest one of all. Of course, it has been proven before that locks aren't ALWAYS locks, but you know...
I'll give you some major award predictions as the Oscar telecast gets closer and closer...
Best Picture:
-- This is the only major category that has an questionable result. It appears that The Queen and Iwo Jima have a very minimal chance of winning. Babel PROBABLY doesn't stand a chance due to Crash winning last year, so that leaves two movies, one that has had Oscar buzz since the beginning of time and another that is quickly gaining steam. I loved both movies and I will be fine with EITHER of them winning, but if I had to predict who I think will win, I think Little Miss Sunshine has just a bit more steam than The Departed as of right now.
Your Best Picture Winner: Little Miss Sunshine
Best Actor:
-- I want Peter O'Toole to win so badly. He deserves this award more than so many other actors before and since his arrival. But this is Forest Whitaker's award to lose.
Your Best Actor Winner: Forest Whitaker
Best Actress:
-- This is the lock to end all locks. If this somehow goes another way...no, it won't.
Your Best Actress Winner: Helen Mirren
Best Supporting Actor:
-- A two-horse race. Alan Arkin is gaining steam due to Little Miss Sunshine also gaining steam, but Eddie Murphy is the frontrunner and has been for quite some time. Some people say that Norbit is going to hurt his chances, but I don't see it.
Your Best Supporting Actor Winner: Eddie Murphy
Best Supporting Actress:
-- Jennifer Hudson is very close to lock status. Abigail Breslin was incredibly cute in Little Miss Sunshine, but J Hud looks to be the first American Idol winner to win an Oscar.
Your Best Supporting Actress Winner: Jennifer Hudson
Best Director:
-- I am so afraid of this category. Everyone seems to think that this is, FINALLY, Martin Scorsese's year. I would be inclined to agree, but the past has not been kind to poor Marty. His supreme directing performances in Raging Bull and Goodfellas were not rewarded. Neither was his directing for Gangs Of New York. Even when Marty looked like a lock for his direction in The Aviator, Clint Eastwood(who, coincidentally enough, is nominated against Marty AGAIN) won for Million Dollar Baby. The competition, however, just doesn't have enough steam this year. Or so it would seem. I am very weary to do this, because I honestly do not want to watch the Oscars just to see Marty lose AGAIN, but I can't help but think that, finally, this is his year.
Your Best Director Winner: Martin Scorsese
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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That's it, Kentucky. I'm done.
I've had it. I can't do this anymore. I have logical proof that says that EVERY SINGLE ****ING TIME i've tuned into a Kentucky game this season, they have lost. They were beating Vanderbilt, they had them on the ropes and they ****ing gave it away.
That's it. I'm DONE. **** YOU, KENTUCKY, AND **** YOU, TUBBY SMITH. ****. YOU.
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Member Since: 10/5/2005
Posts: 11,422
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$5 says Abigail from Little Miss Sunshine starts taking on the same mannerisms as Dakota Fanning or starts a huge celeb-beef with her...Barbies will fly.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 1/5/2002
Posts: 11,088
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goooooooooooo ohio state now??
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 11/6/2002
Posts: 10,641
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I agree Ryan, Kentucky pretty much has played like **** lately. They will be lucky to get an 8 or 9 seed in the tourney.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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College Basketball Blog #2(plus: WHOO! THE DEPARTED!)
First of all, I just have to say: **** YES, THE DEPARTED WON! And, of course, Marty won. Truly a beautiful night, last night was.
Alright, onto the second edition of my college basketball blog, the preeminent sports blog in all of Popfusion...or, really, the only one. Please note that this post is going to be EXTREMELY LONG. I have a lot to say this goaround. Trust me.
First, a couple scores from yesterday. Same thing as before...
#17 Vanderbilt - 67, Kentucky - 65
-- Okay, i'm a little bit more rational about this game than I was yesterday, so here goes...Kentucky had this game in the bag. They were pummelling Vandy. And then, Vandy started making a run. Kentucky had plenty of chances to rip the hearts out of the Commodores, but they wouldn't do it. The last 30 seconds of the game summed up Kentucky's season. A missed Vandy free throw went to Derrick Byars, who knocked it down over a leaping Randolph Morris to take the lead. Kentucky calls timeout immediately afterwards and then does absolutely nothing and loses the ball. Kentucky has ANOTHER chance to tie it after Shan Foster missed the first free throw of two(but he made the second) and Ramel Bradley tries to be hero again and fails again. And speaking of the timeout, this is a huge pet peeve of mine: I CANNOT STAND when teams call timeout in those situations. You give the opposing team a chance to set their defense! The same exact thing happened in the next game I will talk about and it had the SAME EFFECT! Are you listening to me, everyone? The lesson is simple: IT ALWAYS HAS THE OPPOSITE ****ING IMPACT! Why do coaches always do this? Do they think it's going to help them at all? More on this later.
I never thought i'd hear myself say this after Tubby led Kentucky to a national title in 1998 but, please, Kentucky, I beg you, fire him yesterday. He has officially lost touch with his players. It's time to cut him loose and look for somebody that can actually put Kentucky back into the Final Four.
#2 Ohio State - 49, #1 Wisconsin - 48
-- This had to be, up until the last three minutes, the single most dull 1 vs 2 game i've ever seen. There were also a ton of ******** no calls and ******** calls on the floor by the refs that really hampered the game as well. There were some entertaining moments, such as Thad Matta picking up the gum from the court after having it fall out and put it back in his mouth and Mike Conley Jr.'s awesome shot at the end, but it was a dull game, mostly. Once again, a crucial bad timeout call led to the end, as a blocked shot sent Wisconsin away with their second consecutive loss. What's worse, Wisconsin ran down the court and hit a three as Wisconsin called timeout, just to spite me and show that, yes, I am right about this theory. You DO NOT call a timeout in those kinds of situations. Bobby Knight is a master of the OPPOSITE of that theory. Take a look at the Tech/A&M game from not too long ago, for instance. A&M hits a shot to tie the game. What does Bobby do, call timeout? NO, that's what ******* do. Instead, Bob decided to let his kids decide their destiny and Jarrius Jackson hit a shot at the buzzer to win the game for Tech. See, kids, that's why Bob Knight is the winningest coach in Men's Division I history.
Alright, it's now time for the second edition of...
What's More Likely: First Round Exit or Final Four Bound?
Here are today's two combatants...
Tennessee
Record: 20-9(8-6 SEC)
Biggest Wins: Memphis, Texas, Vanderbilt
Most Harmful Losses: @ Auburn, @ South Carolina(and by 17 points!!!)
What They Have Going For Them:
-- They have played 8 games during the season against teams that are or were ranked in the Top 25. Out of those games, they've won 5 and lost three. The three losses? UNC, Florida and Ohio State. And they pushed Ohio State to the limit. Meanwhile, they rather easily beat a Memphis team that people are creaming themselves over as well as DECIMATING a Vanderbilt team that i'm very high on. When they are consistent, they are one of the 25 best teams in the country, easily. And, oh, that Chris Lofton guy. He's apparently pretty good.
What They Don't Have Going For Them:
-- Inconsistentcy has obviously hurt this team, but it's their road record that is shockingly bad. They are 2-9 on the road, if you count the Preseason NIT. 2-9! Granted, quite a few of these losses were to teams that are definitely going to the NCAA Tournament, but it's never a good sign when you can't win away from home, especially when you have zero home games in the NCAA Tournament. Well, unless you're UCLA. *grumble*
My Prediction: This is tough... First Round Exit
-- I really like this team when they are consistent, but they just aren't consistent enough. And the fact that they can't seem to win on the road will hurt them BIG TIME in the tourney. I love Chris Lofton, but I can't see this team doing much in the tournament. I hope i'm wrong.
Duke(DIE DUKE DIE!)
Record: 22-7(8-6 ACC)
Biggest Wins: Georgetown, Air Force, Indiana
Most Harmful Losses: @ Georgia Tech, Florida State
What They Have Going For Them:
-- What else do they have going for them? THEY'RE ****ING DUKE. They get blowjobs from every major media outlet in the country. They are destined to get a 2 or 3 seed because they are Duke and they are from America's favorite conference in the ACC. In a less sarcastic note, I think Coach K really is an incredible coach. This team is one of Coach K's worst teams and yet here they are, back in the top 15. He is a master motivator.
What They Don't Have Going For Them:
-- Well, many things. They are Duke and, as such, they are expected to be this amazing team that can run wild over every team out there. But lets look at their highest profile games. They beat a Georgetown team that just lost to a pretty crappy Syracuse team, Gonzaga and Clemson, who are both struggling to stay on the bubble, and Boston College, who aren't as good as they look. Meanwhile, they lost to both Marquette and North Carolina at home in rather convincing fashion. Don't let the UNC score fool you. It wasn't as close as it looks on paper. And losing to Florida State at home...I mean, good god. Yeah, I know, they beat Florida and all, but you do NOT lose to teams like Florida State at home. You just don't.
My Prediction: First Round Exit
-- Ah, how sweet it is to be able to say that about a Duke team. This team is going to fail and fail miserably against whomever they face in the first round, unless they somehow get a 2 or 3 seed and get the worst 14 or 15 seeds, just because they're Duke and everybody :heart: Duke. I don't care if this is one of Coach K's best coaching jobs. This team still SUCKS. This team should not be ranked in the top 15. Period.
I'm going to close this out with a look at the teams that kick some major ass...here's my Power 16!
1) UCLA
-- I think they are the single best team in college basketball RIGHT NOW. They are getting final four good at just the right time.
2) Nevada
-- One of the most balanced teams in the country, and they have been all season. If there's anyone who thinks Nevada isn't that good, I haven't seen it.
3) Southern Illinois
-- Here's some interesting stats for you: Southern Illinois has allowed 70+ points only twice. They're 1-1 in those games, proving that they can score if they desire to. They've won 11 straight and 13 of their last 14. In that span, they beat the other team that looks to be in the tournament for sure from the Valley in Creighton twice and beat a very solid(but shaky as of late) Butler team.
4) Texas
-- Looking real, real good right now. They are incredibly talented and, I must say, Kevin Durant is a MAN.
5) Winthrop
-- Look at their four losses. They are all against teams that are going to be in the NCAA tournament. Plus, of those games, they gave both UNC and Wisconsin a tough time. They're also undefeated in their conference and they have won 15 in a row. This is going to be a team that will destroy brackets. I guarantee it.
6) Texas A&M
-- Last year, they showed that they can hang with some damn good teams(well, LSU...) in the NCAA tournament. This year, they'll show that they can more than hang.
7) Appalachian State
-- Here's a team to watch out for. They've won 19 of their last 22 games(yes, those three losses include a home loss to Elon, but bare with me), including defeating another really good team in VCU, Vanderbilt, Virginia, UCF, Davidson, and Wichita State. What's the most impressive thing about all of these wins? All of these wins came on the road. Every last one.
8) Ohio State
-- While I, personally, thought the OSU/Wisconsin game was pretty crappy up until the last three minutes, I still think that the Buckeyes are the #1 team in the country for a reason.
9) VCU
-- If they don't make it to the tournament even without winning the CAA conference tournament, something is seriously wrong.
10) Old Dominion
-- Slightly below VCU. I think both teams deserve to be in and in at respectable seeds, but I think VCU is just a slight bit better, though Dominion has rolled off 11 straight wins and 13 of their last 15.
11) Xavier
-- I hope I don't regret putting them in my Power 16 later. But they look good right now. They are taking care of business at the right time.
12) Washington State
-- You'll notice that most of the remaining teams have lost recently. I don't care. I still think they are great teams, especially Washington State. Four of their five losses are all defendable. They lost to then #1(now #2) UCLA by three points at Pauley Pavilion, they lost at Stanford by three points and Oregon...well, Oregon has just had their number all year. Their next two games, however, at home against UCLA and USC, are huge.
13) Kansas
-- I HATE putting this damn team on this list, but there are few teams hotter right now. However, another early exit is imminent. You just wait and see.
14) Florida
-- I still maintain that, if they play consistently, they are the best team in the country. I still maintain that it's Florida's championship to lose as long as they play like the Florida team I know. But right now, I don't see that team. In particular, Joakim Noah looks unfocused and unmotivated. That's not good at all.
15) Vanderbilt
-- They should great resilience in beating Kentucky after being down by double digits late. They got *thrashed* by Mississippi State in the previous game, but they've beaten too many ranked teams and too many good teams to not be considered a good team themselves and, thus, too good to leave off.
16) Butler
-- If they didn't lose to Loyola Chicago, they'd be in the top 10. They NEED to win the Horizon tournament to get a good seed at this point, which is a shame, but that's all well and good if they get shafted with a seed in the 7-10 region. They'll just make a #1 or #2 seed look really bad come tournament time.
Alright, finally, it's over. Next time, in What's More Likely, i'll look at two teams that are incredibly hot right now. Will they take their hotness all the way to a Final Four, or is it all a First Round Exit charade? Find out next time. Woo for college basketball!
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 11/6/2002
Posts: 10,641
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Great Blog Ryan...
March Madness is the best time of the year!
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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College Basketball Blog #3
Alright, long time no see, children. Quite a bit has went on since the last time I updated this bad boy. No look at the various games this week, but I am making up for it, trust me.
First off, lets take a look at the nine teams that have already clinched their ticket to the Big Dance...
(Note: All projected seeds are from Joe Lunardi's "Bracketology", so blame him. )
Automatic Bids:
1) Pennsylvania
Record: 21-8
RPI: 86
SOS: 159
Non-Conference RPI: 141
Non-Conference SOS: 152
Key Wins: Drexel
Key Losses: Yale, Fordham
My View:
-- See, the big problem for me is that they play in the Ivy League, which is almost always perennially bad. They also lost by 38 to North Carolina. I don't see this team winning a game in the NCAA Tournament. One of those cases where a team is just happy to be here.
Projected Seed: 13
Projected Elimination Round(By Yours Truly, Of Course): First Round
2) Winthrop
Record: 28-4
RPI: 69
SOS: 266
Non-Conference: RPI: 29
Non-Conference SOS: 42
Key Wins: Mississippi State, Old Dominion
Key Losses: Wisconsin(lost by three points), North Carolina(and it was tight throughout, I watched the game)
My View:
-- Okay, everyone knows how much I love this team. I have been high on this team ever since they gave North Carolina a real scare and they haven't given me much reason to not like them since. This is one of the best teams in the country and one that will make whatever bracket their in their own personal playground. Naturally, they'll be a 10 or 11 seed.
Projected Seed: 11
Projected Elimination Round: Sweet Sixteen(But they have the potential to go further, depending on their bracket)
3) Belmont
Record: 23-9
RPI: 113
SOS: 261
Non-Conference RPI: 126
Non-Conference SOS: 160
Key Wins: None to speak of, really.
Key Losses: Lipscomb(twice), Campbell
My View:
-- Okay, they have been pretty hot, winning seven straight and eleven of their last thirteen, but LOOK AT THEIR COMPETITION! I'm sure that the likes of Mercer, Campbell, Gardner-Webb, Stetson and North Florida strike fear in the hearts of college basketball fans everywhere. Another entrance into the NCAA tournament, another first round exit.
Projected Seed: 15
Projected Elimination Round: First Round
4) Davidson
Record: 29-4
RPI: 51
SOS: 194
Non-Conference RPI: 33
Non-Conference SOS: 75
Key Wins: Charlotte
Key Losses: None of their losses were that bad, but the loss to Appalachian State makes me wonder, "What if?")
My View:
-- The thing that underwhelms me about Davidson is that, while they have won 13 straight and 25 of their last 26, ALL of the games they won were games they were supposed to win. It's also arguable now, because of Appy State being knocked out in the SoCon semis, that their home loss to Appalachian State was one they were supposed to win as well. It should also be noted that they lost by 28 to a Duke team that has underwhelmed just about everyone. Oh, and by the way, here's something to chew on: Their only four losses? All to Top 100 RPI teams. They haven't beaten a single Top 100 RPI team this season.
Projected Seed: 13
Projected Elimination Round: First Round(but they could squeak out a win with the right matchup)
5) Eastern Kentucky
Record: 21-11
RPI: 130
SOS: 238
Non-Conference RPI: 76
Non-Conference SOS: 62
Key Wins: None to speak of, really.
Key Losses: Southeast Missouri State, Jacksonville State, Tennessee State, Youngstown State
My View:
-- Just another team that lucked out in their conference championship game and are just happy to be in the Big Dance. Nothing to see here, move along.
Projected Seed: 15
Projected Elimination Round: First Round
6) Creighton
Record: 22-10
RPI: 21
SOS: 17
Non-Conference RPI: 71
Non-Conference SOS: 27
Key Wins: Xavier, Bradley(twice), Missouri State(three times), Southern Illinois(MVC Championship Game)
Key Losses: Nebraska, Indiana State, Drexel(not a bad loss, per say, but they did lose to them on their home court), Illinois State
My View:
-- One of the more interesting teams in the NCAA Tournament. On one hand, look at their victories. They beat a Xavier team who's chances of making the tournament are now looking real good. They beat two bubble teams in Bradley and Missouri State in their games with a record of 5-0 on the season. And that victory against the Salukis in the MVC title game cannot be understated. On the other hand, they lost to Indiana State and Illinois State, two teams that are, honestly, terrible, and a Nebraska team that has underwhelmed all season long. However, if Nate Funk gets hot and the rest of the team comes together, this is a very dangerous team. Oh, and this team is 12-8 against teams in the RPI Top 100, along with an impressive 7-3 record against teams in the RPI Top 50.
Projected Seed: 7(honestly, it should be a bit higher than this)
Projected Elimination Round: Second Round(and, if they get Wisconsin in the second round, as Lunardi is predicting, maybe Sweet Sixteen)
7) VCU
Record: 27-6
RPI: 47
SOS: 130
Non-Conference RPI: 77
Non-Conference SOS: 92
Key Wins: Old Dominion, Drexel(twice)
Key Losses: Toledo, Bradley, Hofstra(honestly, those were the worst I could find. And they're not even bad losses, really!)
My View:
-- I love this team, just like I do Winthrop. This is a team that, when they click, can easily dominate the teams they play. They beat the teams they were supposed to beat and had a fine 5-6 record against the RPI Top 100. They also defeated Drexel twice, including in the CAA tournament. Remember, Drexel was the team that had the best at large hopes in the CAA for a while. And VCU put them down twice. The most important thing about this team? They have no bad losses. Not a one.
Projected Seed: 12(should be higher)
Projected Elimination Round: I could honestly see this team go to the Sweet Sixteen, no matter what bracket they draw. You have to understand, I think this team is fantastic.
8) Gonzaga
Record: 23-10
RPI: 60
SOS: 89
Non-Conference RPI: 45
Non-Conference SOS: 10
Key Wins: North Carolina, Texas, Washington, Stanford(all when they had Josh Heytvelt)
Key Losses: Georgia, St. Mary's, Loyola-Marymount
My View:
-- All of the big wins and all of the key losses they have, however, will probably be null and void because Josh Heytvelt was on the team for ALL of these happenings. It's much harder for the committee to choose seedings for teams that have lost a key player at some point during the season. However, after Heytvelt was kicked off of the team, they have been 6-2, with their only losses coming to Santa Clara(which they avenged in the WCC championship game) and Memphis(in a thriller of a game). Still, I can't see this team doing that much in the tournament. At least, not yet, anyway.
Projected Seed: 12
Projected Elimination Round: First Round(especially if they are paired up with Tennessee, as they are in Lunardi's bracket)
9) Niagara
Record: 22-11
RPI: 136
SOS: 241
Non-Conference RPI: 237
Non-Conference SOS: 280
Key Wins: Um...
Key Losses: Binghamton, Fairfield, *Delaware*(seriously, DELAWARE?!)
My View:
-- See #5. They do have a 11 game winning streak, but it was against rather easy competition.
Projected Seed: 16
Projected Elimination Round: First Round, anyone?
And tonight, three more teams will join them, as the winners of the Horizon, Mid-Con and Sun Belt conference tournaments will join these nine teams in the Big Dance.
Alright, it's time for the latest edition of everyone's new favorite game show...
What's More Likely: First Round Exit or Final Four Bound?
This time, we take a look at a couple of teams that are getting very hot at the exact right time. Now, for one of these teams, getting into the NCAA tournament is not a guarantee, BUT it's looking very likely at this point. Lets start with a team that has skyrocketed back into the top 5...
Kansas
Record: 27-4
Biggest Wins: Florida(who was #1 at the time), USC, Oklahoma State(drubbed them at a time when they were top 10), Texas, BC
Most Harmful Losses: Oral Roberts, DePaul
What They Have Going For Them:
-- Hmm, lets see...they have won eight straight and eleven of their last twelve(with their only loss in that span being to the Aggies of Texas A&M). Up until their last two games, they were, simply put, taking teams out to the woodshed and whipping them. They have a very balanced offensive attack and there's no limit in terms of how many points they can score. This team is incredibly dangerous heading into the NCAA tournament.
What They Don't Have Going For Them:
-- Take a look at the last couple NCAA tournaments. You notice Kansas' last two tournament appearances? Yeah, they got knocked out in the first round twice. Now, if they get a #1 seed, it's not likely they will go out in the first round, but the second round is still possible, especially with Lunardi's bracket and a inconsistent but still talented Arizona team looming. This team has had a stigma as of late. The question for them is...can they overcome it?
My Prediction: Final Four Bound
-- I have tried to deny it, over and over again...but, the more and more I look at this team, the more and more i'm getting behind them. Their past couple of NCAA tournaments are a sign that should NOT be overlooked, but this team is just so talented. Depending on their bracket, of course, this team could be well on their way to the Final Four. However, it should be noted that none other than NEVADA(!) is in the same bracket as Kansas, according to Lunardi. Now that would be a special game.
Xavier
Record: 23-7
Biggest Wins: VCU, Villanova, Illinois, Kansas State, UMass
Most Harmful Losses: Bucknell, Cincinnati, Saint Louis, Duquesne
What They Have Going For Them:
-- They are, simply put, one of the hottest teams in the country. Over their current eight game winning streak, only one of their wins was decided under double digits, and that was at Dayton by eight points. Assuming they make the NCAA tournament, they have the credentials and the experience to make it far, if they desire to.
What They Don't Have Going For Them:
-- Just LOOK at their losses! Bucknell, okay, they look like a possibility to make it back to the tournament. But Cincinnati? Saint Louis? Duquesne?! If you consider yourself to be a serious NCAA tournament team, you cannot, I repeat, CANNOT lose to these teams!
My Prediction: First Round Exit
-- At this point, I really don't know with this team. I think they can be truly special, like they are now, but sometimes, they just throw a stinkbomb out there, like the game against Cincy. Even if they play at their peak, though, it still may not be enough to defeat the Floridas and North Carolinas of the world. I like this team, I really do, but I don't know if they are a Final Four team.
And that's the end of that chapter. Next time, i'll provide you with my analysis with some more automatic bid teams as well as come back with another edition of What's More Likely, with a couple of teams that are given a ton of respect by analysts AND fans alike, but will that be enough for me? Find out next time. AND THEY'RE OFF!
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