MinnesotaGriz said:
First of all Puzzled, I want to congratulate you on your first reply where you actually didn't call me some sort of derogatory name, I appreciate it. However, I still think you are way off. How can you say Washington was a mediocre #1 seed? They dominated the first 2 rounds, including a very impressive performance against a very tough Pacific squad. They did lose in the Sweet 16, but to a Louisville team who is headed to the Final 4 with a legitimate chance to win the national title. Also, if you want to call call Washington mediocre, you will have to say the same to Duke, which also lost in the Sweet 16.
I believe hands down the NCAA Tournament is the best sporting event on the earth. Every single year a team pulls an amazing upset that people talk about for years and years. Do you think Bucknell and Vermont fans will soon forget what happened this year? Or Syracuse or Kansas fans for that matter? By playing the best you have a chance to pull the unthinkable, and by playing in the tournament Montana had the chance to be the team people talked about for years.
You can think what you want about the UW game, but if you throw away the first 5 minutes, the Griz are probably playing for a last shot with the opportunity to be the FIRST team ever to beat a 16 seed. I know, it didn't happen, we lost by 11, but it was a competitive game. Just having the opportunity is way more exciting than a Fort Lewis State football game or even a 1-AA Championship for that matter, cause you simply aren't competing with the best.
MinnesotaGriz, you just don't get it!
Montana is so far out of the loop playing in the NCAA Basketball tourney, it is a pitiful sight! They simply have no chance of winning with the level of talent they put on the floor. Frankly, I get no excitement out of watching a "sure-thing" defeat, whether it be basketball or football.
I think it is a shame that 1AA schools are forced to compete with 1A schools in basketball. I'd much rather see Montana competing for a National Championship in Basketball just as they do in football, where they might have a chance on winning in 1AA.
Montana could never compete on par with USC or Oklahoma in football - they'd be slaughtered - lets face reality!