Mid-Majors in the Sweet Sixteen

[tornado]

Xavier
Davidson
Western Kentucky
and Butler got robbed.....Graves' soft layup looked to be a goaltend and the shot attempt at the end of regulation by Green was a foul as the defender grabbed his wrist on the shot. Tough breaks.....
All four #1 seeds, UCLA, Kansas, UNC, Memphis are still alive.

Here's my 1st Team All American Clutch Players (guys who save their best games for when it's needed)-
AJ Graves, Tyler Hansbrough, Stephen Curry, Joe Alexander, Adam Emmenecker
2nd Team- Luke Harangody, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Drew Lavender, Courtney Lee
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Crouch, Kevin Love, Drew Neitzel, Dominic James, Jeremy Pargo

[scout4126]

I've said since his sophomore year that Courtney Lee would be a star. He's been very underrated the past two years. He's going to be a very good NBA player. 6'6" with good strength and a long frame. He's a lights out shooter and scores well off the dribble. I've always thought he's one of the nation's best and until this year I've felt he was the best mid major player but now, Curry is my favorite!

[BradleyBrave]

Butler winning would have really made my day. Mike Green killed them in regulation and overtime with his missed free throws, layups, and his inexplicable turnover. Why he had the ball instead of Graves is beyond me. Graves' shot was goaltended IMO. Nonetheless, only 1 ACC and 2 Big Least teams left is very satisfying. I wonder if Georgetown passes the 'eye test'?

[Bravesfan]

Xavier
Davidson
Western Kentucky
and Butler got robbed.....Graves' soft layup looked to be a goaltend and the shot attempt at the end of regulation by Green was a foul as the defender grabbed his wrist on the shot. Tough breaks.....
All four #1 seeds, UCLA, Kansas, UNC, Memphis are still alive.

Here's my 1st Team All American Clutch Players (guys who save their best games for when it's needed)-
AJ Graves, Tyler Hansbrough, Stephen Curry, Joe Alexander, Adam Emmenecker
2nd Team- Luke Harangody, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Drew Lavender, Courtney Lee
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Crouch, Kevin Love, Drew Neitzel, Dominic James, Jeremy Pargo

Yeah, that was tough for Butler. They should have done what Davidson did and have at least a five point lead going into the final minute. Then they would not have to rely on questionable officiating.

It has been basketball bliss for me today just watching all of these close games going back and forth like this. That's what makes this event the best sporting event, period!

And for the record, I did have Davidson going to the Sweet 16 in my bracket. Of course I also had St. Joseph's going to the Elite Eight, USC to the Final Four and Duke to the championship game too, so this was not one of my better brackets. But any loses by UCLA, Kansas, Memphis and Tennessee prior to the Final Four will help me move up the ranks by default!

[tornado]

I've said since his sophomore year that Courtney Lee would be a star. He's been very underrated the past two years. He's going to be a very good NBA player. 6'6" with good strength and a long frame. He's a lights out shooter and scores well off the dribble. I've always thought he's one of the nation's best and until this year I've felt he was the best mid major player but now, Curry is my favorite!

I recall seeing Lee when WKU played at Bradley, and I thought his height might be just a bit overstated
but he is strong for his height and has great leaping ability.

I have not seen him listed as 6-6 but almost everywhere claims him to be 6-5

http://www.wkusports.com/profile.cgi?profile=1507

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Courtney-Lee-471/

But the nbadraft.net experts believe him to be between 6-4 and 6-5

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/courtneylee.html

.....still big enough to play the 2-guard in the NBA. Certainly if Hersey Hawkins and Luther Head can have a fine career then Lee can as well.

[BradleyBrave]

And just as Dave Snell...we would have had Courtney Lee if it wasn't for 'facilities'...

[pfunk880]

Butler winning would have really made my day. Mike Green killed them in regulation and overtime with his missed free throws, layups, and his inexplicable turnover. Why he had the ball instead of Graves is beyond me. Graves' shot was goaltended IMO. Nonetheless, only 1 ACC and 2 Big Least teams left is very satisfying. I wonder if Georgetown passes the 'eye test'?

Big East will have three if Louisville beats Oklahoma (and they are looking real good so far).

[Lakeview Brave]

Isnt Memphis a midmajor?

[MacabreMob]

Isnt Memphis a midmajor?

Well, IMO... they are not BCS, so.... there is BCS and then there is the rest.

[tornado]

Sure, we'll count them as a mid-major, so there are four mid-majors in the Sweet Sixteen.

[JBinPeoria]

You know...watching the performances of teams like Davidson, Xavier and Western Kentucky and the early upsets of schools like Vandy and and UConn to the hands of mid-majors really makes me wonder if anyone on the NCAA committee realizes that perhaps more at-large spots should go to midmajor teams than middle of the road teams from big conferences. It bothers me that year after year, midmajors show they can play with the majors...yet year after year many deserving teams get shafted by the committee.

[Beninator]

Just saw some highlights of the Butler-Tennessee game. Graves' layup looked to be a good block to me.

[lefty]

You know...watching the performances of teams like Davidson, Xavier and Western Kentucky and the early upsets of schools like Vandy and and UConn to the hands of mid-majors really makes me wonder if anyone on the NCAA committee realizes that perhaps more at-large spots should go to midmajor teams than middle of the road teams from big conferences. It bothers me that year after year, midmajors show they can play with the majors...yet year after year many deserving teams get shafted by the committee.

Davidson and Xavier were in the top 25. Which mid-majors were in top 25 that didn't get in?

[lefty]

Actually you have one mid-major in the sweet sixteen that wasn't in top 25...and one BCS bubble Villanova that is in too.....It would be tough to choose from the bubble teams every year and someone is always going to cry foul but I think the committee did ok.

[Beninator]

Davidson and Xavier were in the top 25. Which mid-majors were in top 25 that didn't get in?

I realize there can be some debate about certain teams being seeded too high or too low, but I think this year's selection committee did a pretty good job.

I am really impressed with Xavier. That team is fun to watch.