The Official 2025 March Madness Discussion Thread

[feathersax]

Watched most of the 1st half before falling asleep. LOTS of contact early, players knocking one another about...but only 4 PF's called. 2nd half saw 23 PF's called. For those who noticed, please tell me whether or not the officiating was inconsistent, artibrary, etc. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[VolCalls]

I’m not concerned about my “image” on a message board. And I don’t feel wrong to be grossed out about Golden being celebrated. People should be grossed out about it

I think Golden’s demeanor and conduct in general are very unbecoming of a head coach. He acts more like a college student than a professional. I can’t think of another coach of a major program in any sport, college or pro, who would gesture with his arms while backing up and yelling “we got the natty baby!” like he did. Maybe it’s just an age thing but even the younger generation of coaches like Scheyer, Ryan Day, Mark Byington, etc conduct themselves with decorum and professionalism as opposed to acting like the students they coach.

Maybe I need to go outside and yell at the clouds but his entire schtick on and off the court is a real turn-off.

 

[UT_Tix79]

4 fouls in the whole first half

23 fouls in the 2nd half.

Refs were way too integral in the outcome. Missed a bunch of calls, called fouls that weren’t fouls, didn’t call fouls that were clearly fouls. Realized it was 7-2 in favor of Houston and called a bunch of make up fouls which put several players into foul trouble and onto the bench.

Entertaining game, but hated the way it was called all the way around.

 

[sami]

Watched most of the 1st half before falling asleep. LOTS of contact early, players knocking one another about...but only 4 PF's called. 2nd half saw 23 PF's called. For those who noticed, please tell me whether or not the officiating was inconsistent, artibrary, etc. Inquiring minds want to know.

We've seen this movie too often in CBB in the last several years - complete inconsistency from one half to the next. They let them play in the first half and it was a tough, competitive game, then started with the ticky-tack off ball fouls in the second, and both teams were in the penalty by the 11-12 minute mark. Then add the pointless "video reviews" on obvious calls, and you get a game slowed to a crawl.

Fortunately I watch every game delayed to be able to skip through halftime, silly banter, and those reviews or it would be impossible to watch.

 

[sami]

I think Golden’s demeanor and conduct in general are very unbecoming of a head coach. He acts more like a college student than a professional. I can’t think of another coach of a major program in any sport, college or pro, who would gesture with his arms while backing up and yelling “we got the natty baby!” like he did. Maybe it’s just an age thing but even the younger generation of coaches like Scheyer, Ryan Day, Mark Byington, etc conduct themselves with decorum and professionalism as opposed to acting like the students they coach.

Maybe I need to go outside and yell at the clouds but his entire schtick on and off the court is a real turn-off.

100% agree. I was rooting for Houston as much because of the coaches as anything else.

 

[sami]

Once it got tight late, Florida just had more places to go on offense once they took away Houston's low post game, and Clayton worked his usual magic. I felt going in to the tournament that Florida was the best team I'd seen all year, but the best team more often than not doesn't win these one-and-done crapshoot events.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

About 200-205 days until tip off.

 

[Lekvolrrah]

Watched most of the 1st half before falling asleep. LOTS of contact early, players knocking one another about...but only 4 PF's called. 2nd half saw 23 PF's called. For those who noticed, please tell me whether or not the officiating was inconsistent, artibrary, etc. Inquiring minds want to know.

It was pretty bad. At one point 3 fouls were called on Houston in 9 secs I believe. The calls shifted the momentum and Houston struggled offensively the rest of the half. Last few minutes was just bad offense from Houston.

 

[hUTch2002]

He did ? Proof?

Not yet so can't make assumptions.

I agree with you but it’s hilarious how you change your requirement of proof based on the target of the accusation. A simple stroll in the PF shows many times you did the assuming.

 

[RikidyBones]

We've seen this movie too often in CBB in the last several years - complete inconsistency from one half to the next. They let them play in the first half and it was a tough, competitive game, then started with the ticky-tack off ball fouls in the second, and both teams were in the penalty by the 11-12 minute mark. Then add the pointless "video reviews" on obvious calls, and you get a game slowed to a crawl.

Fortunately I watch every game delayed to be able to skip through halftime, silly banter, and those reviews or it would be impossible to watch.

The inconsistency within game is unacceptable. It happens in most games. There has to be some ridiculous directive to attempt even stats but it often leads to an uneven experience. It's one of the main things I'd fix in cbb.

 

[OrangeCola]

Yuck

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

Yuck

You can say that again.

 

[Volprofch05]

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

View attachment 733753

That will pay for a week or two of coaches, administrators, and support staff salaries.

 

[lawgator1]

Just read that Florida led in the game a total of 63 seconds.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Just read that Florida led in the game a total of 63 seconds.

Didn’t you watch the game? The announcers talked about that when Florida finally took the lead in the final minute.

 

[volfan102455]

Just read that Florida led in the game a total of 63 seconds.

Final score is all that ever counts - though that was a very strange way to end the game with the Houston mistake leading to "no shot" at the basket.

 

[volfan102455]

View attachment 733753

So while we sometimes may root against another SEC team, at the end of the day from a financial perspective the more games the better.

 

[Volprofch05]

So while we sometimes may root against another SEC team, at the end of the day from a financial perspective the more games the better.

Just a silver lining to consider

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I’d rather forgo the $375,000 if FU and Barn were NOT in the Final Four.

 

[Volprofch05]

I’d rather forgo the $375,000 if FU and Barn were NOT in the Final Four.

Ok, well last time I checked we don't get to make that choice, but I'll check again

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Ok, well last time I checked we don't get to make that choice, but I'll check again

It’s in the NCAA guidelines. Well below their definitions of traveling, fouls, and administration of in-game reviews.

 

[CAVPUT]

The inconsistency within game is unacceptable. It happens in most games. There has to be some ridiculous directive to attempt even stats but it often leads to an uneven experience. It's one of the main things I'd fix in cbb.

Funny you should use the word "fix". When you note the betting line along with the total inconsistency in the officiating, you have to wonder. I've seen folks question how Vegas almost always seems to know? Do they know or are they able to manipulate outcomes? If someone had this level of success at the card table or stock market, I think some questions would be asked.

 

[lawgator1]

Funny you should use the word "fix". When you note the betting line along with the total inconsistency in the officiating, you have to wonder. I've seen folks question how Vegas almost always seems to know? Do they know or are they able to manipulate outcomes? If someone had this level of success at the card table or stock market, I think some questions would be asked.

That's true of every line Vegas sets. Eerie how often they get it smack on.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

Agreed. Don’t want to hear about UT choking. This one might be the worst one ever. BCS.

Just curious what does 'BCS' mean here?
People use so many abbreviations these days and I hardly ever know what they mean.