mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The 68 College Teams have been selected, and the tournament will begin on Tuesday, with four lower selected seeded teams. This Tournament is college basketball's finest moment. Duke University is the overall favorite to win it all. They have this player named Zion Williamson, who is just 18 years old, 6'7" tall, and 275 lbs. And a very talented basketball player. He will only play one year at Duke, and he will enter the NBA Draft, and will most likely be drafted #1 overall. And will later sign a contract for millions of dollars, and a million dollars shoe deal, probably from Nike. A decade or so ago, it was suggested that college athletes stay in college, and get a college degree. Not anymore. They now have a new slogan, for the most talented players. "One And Done." Which means, I'm only playing one year for you coach, and I'm gone. Coach K of Duke, knows Zion will be gone after his freshman year. With all the money they are paying in some pro sports today, can you blame them for leaving early? Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillie's baseball team, just signed a $330 million, 13 year contract. Manny Machada of the San Diego Padres, just signed a $300 million contract for 10 years. Who would turn that kind of money down? Don't count out the North Carolina Tar Heels to win it all. They have a very good team too. Duke respects them a lot. Enjoy the Tournament everyone. It will be exciting, as always.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Looking forward to it and agree about UNC. They beat Duke twice this season when Duke was without Zion and barely lost to Duke (with Zion) in the ACC by one point. Between those 2 schools, and my alma mater, NC State Univ (who is not going to the NCAA this year), we have 13 past NCAA men’s basketball championships here in the Triangle area, so we’re always interested in “March Madness”. And I think the “one and done” is ludicrous in college athletics. I graduated in 1974 from NC State when we won our first championship. I knew all the players personally, and they all went a full 4 years I believe.

Cheers

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Yes, I remember the 1983 NC State Championship game, when Jim Valvano was running around the court, looking for someone to hug. That was an upset win against the University of Houston. It was coach Guy Lewis
versus Jim Valvano. Houston coach Guy Lewis passed away in late 2015. NC State beat potential NBA All-Stars Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in that game. That game is considered one of the best college basketball Championship games ever played. Jim Valvano died of cancer many years earlier than Guy Lewis.The hero of that game was Lorenzo Charles, who made a buzzer beater in the last second. The score was 54-52, NC State.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

UNC Greensboro got robbed. Ohio State is going??? That's a laugh. Rutgers beat them for godsake. LOL

Ksocha Loc: Bethesda, MD

30 for 30 last night was devoted to Valvano and that game. Terrific show. Much commentary from the players.

big sky montana Loc: Great Falls Montana

college is just the farm system for the NBA

FrumCA

While UNC is undoubtedly a fine team I'm not counting out UVA. The Cavs are one of the best offensive teams in the nation. And their defense isn't too shabby either. If they play well I think they could move through their region well. UVA - Duke in the championship game.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

VA is an excellent team - I think they just had a bad night in the ACC.

FrumCA

I agree TriX. Hopefully for the sake of all UVA fans they got it out of their system!!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Three of the four #1 Seeds are from the ACC. Gonzaga, the other #1 Seed is located in Spokane Washington. A long way from the Atlantic coast. I'll be watching them, to see just how good they really are? They get into the Tournament regularly though. Just can't win it all.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’ve watched the “Zags” in the NCAA a number of times, and I wouldn’t discount them.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

NCAA really has to do something about the one and done IMHO.

Don

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yeah, there is a lot of basketball pride and history in the ACC, especially among the Tobacco Road (I-40) schools. I remember watching that 1974 championship game, seeing coach Jimmy Valvano cut down the net after jumping for joy across the court.

Duke and UNC basketball is probably one of the biggest sports rivalries anywhere. It's always a shootout. I'm not making any predictions... With 68 teams, there's a lot to be decided.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Actually it was 1983, not 1974. North Carolina State did win the Championship in 1974, but against UCLA. Norm Sloan was the coach of NC State then. That win against UCLA ended their dynasty with coach John Wooden and the great Bill Walton. Bill Walton was selected among the top 50 greatest NBA players. His son is coach of the LA Lakers. Probably not for long though. I didn't see that game. But, have seen video clips of it on Sports TV networks. Yes, North Carolina is serious about their college basketball teams.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I remember it well - we lost to UCLA in the finals the year before so it was especially sweet. David Thompson was a phenomenal NC State forward, and it was a great Thompson-Walton battle.

A beer truck stopped in the middle of the crowd on Hillsborough street in front of campus after the win, and whether by design or just brazen theft, the entire contents disappeared into the crowd. I had a convertible, and we rode down the street with the top down and a car load of girls blowing the horn. Before the night was over both horns had burned out (and so had we 😎).