Baylor game open thread

by BoilerTMill on Mar 20, 2008 11:20 AM EDT

One of the joys of working for the NCAA is that watching the opening rounds of the tournament is not banned, but encouraged. I am being forced by my employer today to get off the phones from answering dumb questions, herded into the break room with a plasma TV and DirecTV, and forced to eat pizza and watch basketball. It is a hard life, but these are the sacrifices I must make for my readers here at Off the Tracks. That is why I am opening up the forums today to see if I can break my comments record of 12 on one article. That record was set on the infamous Notre Dame 1-7 or 0-8 prediction for their start to the 2007 football season, and most of it came in the form of angry Notre Dame fans who thought I barely had the ability to walk upright, let alone write about football. Hopefully if we reach 12 or more comments on this entry they will be generally more positive. I am also planning a more in depth wrap-up of the game tonight while I watch even more basketball at home with the benefit of a fine crafted Colorado Ale. If I could just be at the actual restaurant in Breckenridge while watching the game with a buffalo burger life would be perfect.

So during this afternoon's game feel free to stop by and comment as the game goes along. I will be right here with March Madness On Demand up and running as the Boilers take on the Bears in round one of the tournament. I'll try to comment along with everyone as the game goes on. It's time to Boiler Up and carry Purdue into round 2! As of now, Off the Tracks is officially turned over to you, the readers that make this great. Comment moderation is also turned off, so it will be real-time commenting today.

Quick notes:

Lake the Posts is taking this blogging thing one step further. That fine Northwestern education is paying off as they are stepping forward with original video content in an interview with Gary Barnett. Lake the Posts has long been one of the finest blogs in our distinguished little network, so I offer them this tip of the cap for another job well done.
Baylorfans.com has picked up on the preview of the round 1 game, and yea it was good! One of the posters is now even immortalized in the "What people are saying about Off the Tracks" section on the right. The Bears have some quality, classy fans and they are indeed a worthy foe in round 1.
Today's final item is one of nervous anticipation. Yesterday I applied to be the Purdue representative over at SB Nation. They do not have a Purdue blog at the moment, but our friends over at Black Heart Gold Pants, Around the Oval, Maize and Brew, and Black Shoe Diaries have already received the honor of being linked. Being accepted would be another huge step forward for this small labor of love.
BTFU!!!!!!

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Comments

MMOD up and running

up: yes
running: "Buffering 10%"

Not giving up hope.

Go Boilers

by Chris on Mar 20, 2008 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

I got mine going... but it's pretty choppy during live gameplay... here's hoping my CBS regional picks up the Boilers...

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Hey guys, if you're at work in Central Indiana (or Texas) they took off the local braodcast restriction this year. You can pick any game now!

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

Here's to hoping you break 12 as well. Purdue should have little problem with the Bears. The toughest Big Ten matchup will be Indiana with Arkansas, but as I'm typing this, Xavier is being beat by Georgia who is only in the tournament by virtue of their tournament win. So good luck to the Boilers.

by Nittany White Out on Mar 20, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Lets go Boilers!
So assuming we win, do we want to play Xavier or Georgia? That's a good game right now...

by Troy on Mar 20, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

It's gonna be Xavier, unfortunately...

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Hightower is at it again in the Georgia/Xavier game... LOL.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

Xavier finishing off Georgia... so that's who we'd have next if we were able to survive today.

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

anybody else not seeing the Purdue game as an option on MMOD yet?

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

That's right J, they are way behind schedule at the DC Pod... Look for PU game to start at 3:05 ET at the earliest.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

J Money,
I don't have an option on the Purdue game yet, but earlier today, MMOD showed the tip time as 2:40. Now it shows the tip time as 3.

by Troy on Mar 20, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks guys... just saw that myself... way to tease me, CBS!

Shoot, so I gotta work for another 15 mins?

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

J, CBS just showed a splash screen...Purdue tips at 3:09pm.

by Troy on Mar 20, 2008 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

I'm here in Chicago... my tv guide says Baylor/Purdue... I hope they give it to me because Marquette is also playing right now.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

I'm in Tex-ass so I'd get Baylor-Purdue because of Baylor... but I'm also at work today so I'm relying on MMOD.

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

How many times must we see that doofus trying to park his Jeep Grand Wagoneer?

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Thus begins the rediculous repition of commercials between now and early April...

Here comes the Boilers!!!

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

Here we go fellas, BOILER UP!

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Great D early!

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

first mention of Baby Boilermakers...

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

I really don't want to run n gun with this team...

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

Smooge and Ostrich!!

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

J, I agree, slow this down... and we really need to see some boxing out...

Baylor is extremely athletic too, i'm concerned.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

now my sound is cutting in and out as WELL as my picture... getting angry... like hulk smash angry...

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

Guards crashing the boards, good coaching by painter...

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

1st TV timeout: We're playing this game at their pace and that's not good. They are too quick for us to the basket. We're putting up 3's way too fast. Rebounding looks awful too.

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Johnson and Calasan have both been factors so far... Painter needs to keep them involved in this game!

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

We will not win a shootout unless we have multiple career games out of these guys. Yikes, I hope Painter sees that... I'm sure he does....

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

JuJuan came to play!

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Painter to Johnson, "You keep your head in the game! You keep your head in the game!"

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, the effing snackwrap commercials seems to be streaming perfectly! Amazing!

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Think anyone remembers Aaron Bruce beat us in the McKnight game? One of those guys where it's kind of a bookend to his career.

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

J, stick with it... I had the same problems earlier and it seemed like only commercials were streaming correctly... but eventually the game started working. good luck to ya.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

Calasan should have the same shooting rules as Strap in Hoosiers -- no shooting unless you're all alone under the basket.

But taking a three two seconds after coming down the court is unacceptable.

(Yes, I know we're up ten)

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

PU up 14 right now... let's put this game away!!!

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

is it me or are these guys rooting for Baylor?

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:38 PM EDT reply actions

What town is it that everyone has a dalmation?

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:39 PM EDT reply actions

Baylor's zone not very effective...

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

is Hummel alive???

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

jajuan johnson is a beast.

by Prince on Mar 20, 2008 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

fsdiajiorjwja;dsj;~!!!!!!!!!!

CBS just switched my TV feed to freaking Marquette!!!

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

That "they don't realize the magnintude of the moment" baloney is pure claptrap and I hate it. I don't care how "young" they are -- they know the stakes.

Lazy commentating.

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

It is hard to watch this game and take phone calls. I can't cheer if I am talking to some parent!

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

If someone had told me that Purdue would be up by 16 and Hummel would have 0 points I'd have slapped them in the face and called them Bernadette.

by Tim on Mar 20, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

J, I agree the announcing is one-sided and also very lazy. At the beginning of the game they just said random facts to "get them over with." Terrible.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

Almost all of these games are quickly in blowout mode. I look like a dumbass for picking Kent State to win a game now.

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

cbs prolly wont come back till after the half. thats why i opened mmod when the game sstarted too.

by Prince on Mar 20, 2008 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Feeling pretty good at the half. With the way these guys can hit threes though it is far from over. All they need to do is get hot.

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

Good lead at half... any notes on Hummel??

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

What balance we have, and with no Hummel!

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

Travis -- I picked Kent State, too.

This lead is actually necessary... remember how poorly we've started second halves this year...

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Also -- that Spy Hunter Pontiac commercial is awesomeness. I LOVED that game...

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

Slap me, Bernadette!

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

Second half. It's like playing Mortal Kombat. FINISH THEM!!!!

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

I just want to see quality possessions for the rest of the game. Baylor really plays Matador defense!

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Martin in for Hummel already... I wonder why...

CBS? any sideline reporters? any insight into the game?

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

OK, Ostrich back on the floor... I'll calm down.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

Good call, BP... these CBS guys are just like reading factoids off a sheet of talking points. Terrible.

Also, matador defense is correct... I heard a lot about how Baylor may score a lot but they don't play D worth a lick. But hey, they're a Big 12 team... a lot less D in the B12 than the B10.

Ole!

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

KG with the SWAT!!!!!!! Don't bring that weak, son.

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

Lazy pass by Grant... but great hustle for the block.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

Is that Raftery?

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

I love this 5 on the floor...

Grant, Hummel, Moore, Kramer, Martin... Very similar to Duke's rotations.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

J, what do you think the reasons are for the lack of defense in other conferences? Or is it just Big Ten coaches adapting to the styles of Izzo, Ryan, Weber et al?

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

Good timeout by painter... things were starting to run too quickly...

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Well, why is any aspect of the game more prevalent in any conference? I guess it's just trends... but yeah, I think coaches -- and more usually, programs themselves -- are successful and then others fall into line if they want to succeed. Wisconsin and MSU have been successful in the B10 for years... and it's been through low-scoring, defensive stuggles with good fundamentals. Purdue, too, always focused on fundamentals and tenacious defense since we never could recruit five-star guys, you know? Then when a program starts winning with a particular approach, the copycat theory goes into place (much the way Joe Tiller changed the way offensive football was played in the B10 in the late-90s).

IN the Big 12, who has always been the powerhouse? Kansas, right? For years and years... and while they have good fundamentals, the Roy Williams teams always ran you out of the gym... run and gun, shoot high percentages, defense optional.

by J Money on Mar 20, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

Up 17 with 10 minutes left. All we need to do is play our game and this is over. Be patient, work the ball, and get good looks. If we tak 20-25 seconds per possession we can close this out easily.

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions

Purdue laziness on defense... come on boys!

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Well, I think barring a collapse we have this one, some early thoughts on Xavier, anyone?

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

From what I saw today, Xavier does play pretty good defense. PU needs to control the tempo once again and avoid turnovers to feed their transition game. I think it should be a tight one, but I like the way the Boilers have come out and played thus far.

by bp on Mar 20, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

Great game! It got a little close at the end, but I don't think we ever let them get inside 11. this was very business-like.

Thanks to everyone else for stopping by. It was a huge success. Look for a more thorough wrap later tonight.

by T-Mill on Mar 20, 2008 5:17 PM EDT reply actions