1. The refs are ruining the game. Way too many ticky-tack fouls called, a couple against Gonzaga's big guys that might have derailed a less experienced team. Just as NBA players are so much more skilled than college players, so too are NBA refs so much more skilled than college refs. Sure, they make mistakes, but full-time salaries, and the constant on-court discussions between players and refs that you see in the NBA I believe make the refs more keen in their observations, and more consistent in their calls. College basketball is now a billion dollar business, but it relies on part-time moonlighters to referee their games. You get what you pay for--and it shows.
2. Ya gotta make shots! Oregon had more than a dozen turnovers against North Carolina, and missed shot after shot, yet only lost by one point. Finally, it just comes down to who can shoot the damned ball. Who can make a basket? The great Tyler Dorsey, Mr. March himself, turned into a Fool on April 1, and it cost his team dearly.
3. Ya gotta make free throws! One key way the college game is different from the NBA is, in college it's one-and-one up to ten fouls, two after that, where in the NBA it's an automatic two shots after five fouls. So the onus is on you in college to make the front end of those one-and-ones, where a bad shooter in the NBA gets a second chance (and one point per possession is not the worst thing in the world.) You can lose a lot of points at the free throw line, and a lot of close games late, as our Griz found out this year.
4. Skills aside--and these kids are not NEARLY as good as the pros--these have been fun exciting games to watch. In fact, I would rate the UConn--Mississippi State women's game as one of the best I've seen, ever. March Madness remains my all-time favorite sporting event, more so when our Griz are in it.
2. Ya gotta make shots! Oregon had more than a dozen turnovers against North Carolina, and missed shot after shot, yet only lost by one point. Finally, it just comes down to who can shoot the damned ball. Who can make a basket? The great Tyler Dorsey, Mr. March himself, turned into a Fool on April 1, and it cost his team dearly.
3. Ya gotta make free throws! One key way the college game is different from the NBA is, in college it's one-and-one up to ten fouls, two after that, where in the NBA it's an automatic two shots after five fouls. So the onus is on you in college to make the front end of those one-and-ones, where a bad shooter in the NBA gets a second chance (and one point per possession is not the worst thing in the world.) You can lose a lot of points at the free throw line, and a lot of close games late, as our Griz found out this year.
4. Skills aside--and these kids are not NEARLY as good as the pros--these have been fun exciting games to watch. In fact, I would rate the UConn--Mississippi State women's game as one of the best I've seen, ever. March Madness remains my all-time favorite sporting event, more so when our Griz are in it.