Built Ford Tough

As much fun as it is to watch huge upsets like Norfolk St. over Missouri yesterday, it does really suck for the later rounds when we get games like Florida vs. Norfolk St. The Gators are currently on a 24-0 run right now and have a 22 point lead 10 minutes into the game.

They should've given him the opportunity after the trade deadline last season. Him only getting the last 10 games as the starter last year when the Raptors had nothing to play for other than lottery position was a travesty. I was fine with him being handed the starting role from the beginning this season to see what he could do, but Casey seemed to want to use him in the same way that Terry was used for the Mavs. I also think the Raptors wanted to showcase Calderon a bit to other teams, but I don't ever really believe they were serious about trading him regardless.

I don't know. I can understand why somebody would think that he is overrated (although he isn't close to being the most overrated player in college) based on his numbers and role on the team, but another part of me thinks that if he was in a different system he would thrive. UNC's double-post motion offense leaves little opprotunity for the wing players. It is all about feeding the ball into Henson and Zeller on the block or having Marshall get into the paint. The wing players are used more as spot up shooters and as an out for when defenses collapse on the big men in the post. The only times they are really expected to do any dribbling is when they have a straight-line to the basket or improving the passing angle when feeding the ball into the post. It leaves guys like Barnes. Bullock and Hariston little chances to do anything with the dribble. Their entire offense is based on feeding the ball into the post or have Marshall create off the bounce or in transition. So I'm not sure what to think. He obviously isn't the can't miss prospect that everybody thought coming out of high school, but I also think in a different system or in the NBA where the lane isn't as congested and there is a lot more spacing he would look a lot better. Marshall going off right now, though. He puts together games like this and UNC makes a deep run, he will be picked in the lottery, assuming he declares.

Barnes better have a good game today. I'm going to be very, very disappointed if he gets out played by McDermott today (although they probably won't be directly matched up with each other). Of course, I'll be happy as long as UNC wins, though.

Green goes up and grabs the rebound between 3 St. Louis players. He has really left his mark on this game int he last few minutes with some huge plays. The best is he has done everything. A huge jumper, a block, an assist for a 3 and then that last rebound. He has such an all around impact.

Where does Fisher end up?

I'm shocked at how this game has gone. Out of all the 3rd round games for the #1 seeds, I thought Michigan St. would have the easiest time whether it was St. Louis or Memphis, even if they were the 4th ranked #1. I did not think it would be this close. I still think they are going to win and can see them pulling away in the final 2:30, but I thought it would be a relatively easy game for the Spartans. Green taking over with a jumper on one end and then a block on the next. He may not be much of an NBA prospect, but he is an awesome college player.

Except that isn't what Flash said at all, but I guess you just wanted an excuse to post that gif. Agreed. The funny thing is that those are the best ways to get calls. For the Raptors, Bayless always does that head snap flop (and yells for good measure) and gets the call about 80% of the time. Meanwile, DeRozan hardly ever flops and gets legitimately hammered on many of his drives, yet he probably gets about half as many calls as he should on most nights. So for that reason, I can't really blame players for flopping.

St. Louis' bigs really suck in the post. They get the ball and immediately throw it back out or throw it at the room. They are completely out of their element inside.

The funny thing is he had a fairly open look at a 3 off the original kickout from Sims, but decided to step into the defense and take a contested mid-range pullup. I don't understand why you don't have Thompson on the same side of the floor as Sims considering how well he has shot the ball today.

I'm the opposite. With the way State has choked at the line and defensively in the last minute, it seems like Georgetown is destined to win this game. EDIT: Well, guess I was wrong. Brutal shot from Porter lol. Absolutely terrible.

NC State doing their best to choke this game away. Nice to see Sims finally grow a sack, though. He was playing way too passively for the first 39 minutes of this game.

Why the hell ws Wood on the other end of the floor during that inbounds? You would think you would want the ball in the hands of your 92% free throw shooter.

Sims is playing so afraid right now. He is scared to even touch a State player in fear of picking up his 5th foul. Damn, what a floater from Brown.

Granger is incapable of keeping his mouth shut. By far my least favourite player in the league. I can't stand that guy.

The problem is that Calderon is expected to return on Tuesday against the Knicks. Will this have Bayless go back to the bench? Even if he stays in the starting lineup, will he be constantly looking over his shoulder again now that he knows Calderon is in the lineup? He plays so much better when he is playing loose, but when Calderon is around his games tightens up and he forces things.

I noticed this year that whenever he got into early foul trouble it completely took him out of games and this one is another example of that. Terrible performance from him. Way too passive.

Sorry, I accidently deleted a post from DemarDeRozanDunk. He posted this: "NC St. playing well so far. If I get this pick right i'm going to be pumped. "

NC State should feel really lucky to be in this game with their very poor free throw shooting. I think they are under 50% from the line and yet they are only down by 3 after that Brown three.

Yeah, I read it a couple days ago already. One of the few times I actually enjoyed reading Doug Smith, haha.

Another great game for him last night, at least on the offense end. His defense on Augustin wasn't up to his usual standards, but considering he played 44 minutes the night before, all the trouble Toronto had getting to Charlotte, then when they get to the arena the fire alarm goes off and they have to evacuate the arena and him playing 39 minutes in the game itself, I can understand why his legs might be a bit dead defensively. Anyways, offensively he had: 29 points, 6 assists, 4 steals on 10-16 shooting including 5-6 from 3. He also sparked the late 4th quarter run that almost resulted in the Raptors erasing a double digit lead in the final 3 minutes of the game. Luckily, it fell 4 points short, but it doesn't take away from his excellent game.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120317_GS@UTA

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120317_BOS@DEN

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120317_SA@DAL

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120317_PHI@CHI