It’s ridiculously physical everywhere in the tournament – even more so than in the regular season.  The Michigan State – Louisville game might as well have been a rugby match.

The head of officials for the NCAA claims to want to control it, but I’ve seen no indication they’re making any effort to do so.  As it stands, the college game is now much more physical than the NBA.

I agree officiating was awful for that game, and for most games of this tourney, hell for this season and for past seasons.  I want to know why NCAA football officals are so much more reliable than basketball officials,  First of all football officials much more consistent than basketball officials and far less needless reviewing occurs in football games (note that i said *needless* not saying there is more reviewing in basketball bc i dont believe theres is however more needless reviews).  I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that there is no association for the officials in basketball they are basically free lance, at least the way people have explained it to me.  NCAA needs to get each conference to have a basketball offical association that educates these guy in a certain way every single year and also have a association for the entire NCAA that all ncaa officials are part of, not simply have a head of officials whose only job is to watch tape and decide which officials are good and which ones arent, because they are terrible at that anyway

UofL (and IU) fan here – nice to see the comments about the Cards’ classy play.  I feel the same way about IU’s players.  Two teams that are easy to root for.  That being said, I was sad to see the careers of Draymond Green and Jordan Taylor end last night.  Really enjoyed watching them play the last four years.  Pulling for the Hoosiers against UK tonight.

That’s fantastic!

I totally agree Bergen’s foul trouble in that first half really shifted the momentum in the first half.  Their backup center did not help them at all, and one of their backup guards was not ready to shoot in the corners on a few possessions that they managed to find an open man.  Also I want to say that the second fould call on Bergen was awful.  He got all ball, no body, and the ref had to just anticipate a foul.  That is one of the worst things that an official can do. 

Also, speaking of horrible officiating, the group of officials that called the Marquette/Florida game were very bad.  That game was far too physical and once again, another group of officials decided that it was not necessary to call someone elbowing an opponent in the face by ruling the contact incidental.  Sort of strange considering how it was a “have to make that call” situation when Sheehey grazed someone with his forearm in the VCU game.  It drives me crazy to see the lack of consistency with this call. 

Pitino does, that’s for sure. Their defense was stifling last night. MSU with only 44 points. I think they shot something like 28% for the game. That press has to wear opponents out, especially with MSU not having a deep bench. Louisville has been on a tear lately. MSU probably knew things wouldn’t be going their way when Dieng sank that three pointer. First one he’s made in two years.

It is a good thing to remember; you’re right. And it’s too bad it had to happen in the tournament for MSU. They were slow and out of synch for most of the game. Izzo said, “I never saw us play that bad.” I didn’t think they looked too good in the game before either, so maybe they were just worn out by the season. That happens to teams, too.

10-0 in the Sweet 16. I never knew that about Pitino’s tournament record until last night.

Pitino knows what he’s doing. They have a great penetrating guard..at least 2 guys who can shoot the 3 and a great defensive center. UL plays team defense and can be physical… total package..but they’ve had scoring droughts and are not deep on the bench.

I hated to see Cincy and/or X be rewarded with a good touranment performance given their early season “thugery”.

Agree..Both guys doubling Jordon were taller than he was..making any shot tough. Been a perfect time to let Evans or the center take an outside shot. I know Bo has ridden Taylor’s back for four years..but that was a poor last play call..unless the Orange did something we didn’t see on D to make it inevitable. Man that zone is tough..but WIS had the patience  with the way they like to operate anyway to peck away at it. Losing their center for most of the first half was a real problem for WIS.

Agree..Both guys doubling Jordon were taller than he was..making any shot tough. Been a perfect time to let Evans or the center take an outside shot. I know Bo has ridden Taylor’s back for four years..but that was a poor last play call..unless the Orange did something we didn’t see on D to make it inevitable. Man that zone is tough..but WIS had the patience  with the way they like to operate anyway to peck away at it. Losing their center for most of the first half was a real problem for WIS.

I agree with this.  There is no excuse for not knowing that Bergen needed to be ready to go into the game.  In the post game conference he talked about already having the play call made, and that play had given them success leading up to that last possession.  The problem with the play is that instead of having Bergen’s big body setting the high pick and getting the pop, they had a small forward setting the pick that was easily defended.  He should have called a timeout, or Jordan Taylor should have called a timeout before settling for that shot. 

That was a terrible last possession.  I actually don’t think they called timeout.  If I remember it correctly (I could be wrong here), the ball was knocked out by Syracuse and Wisconsin didn’t call timeout. 

Bo Ryan sent Berggren to the scorer’s table but he wasn’t there in time (inexcusable for him not to be in on your last offensive possession).  Then Taylor dribbles around and throws up a horrible shot when they were only down one and in the bonus.  Go the hole and try to create. 

It was awful execution to end a very enjoyable game.