The field has been cut to 32 members! The few who did not show up for the first round have been punished (check out their avatars). These users took up valuable space in the tournament, and I think we should ostracize and ridicule them until we get an apology.
Round two starts now, so check out the updated Bracket and Message Board! Grading for round one is below.
First Round Grading
East Region
Dookisevil (UNC)
I remember where I was, what I was doing when UNC won the 1982 NCAA Championship. I knew this Championship game was huge! As a young fan, the emotion and elation that I experienced was intense. I cheered on the edge of my seat, screamed, bit my fingernails, had moments I could not watch, then Jordan hit the shot, the clock hit :00. I was beyond excited, MY team was National Champions, cutting down the nets, I sat there with tears running down my face and the biggest grin you’d ever see…my Tar Heels were the Champs, they were #1!
Grading:
Words: 100
Passion: 20
Creativity: 19
Clarity: 12
Knowledge: 13
Voting: 10
Penalty: 0
Total: 74
FutureNole10 (Coppin State)
Considering Coppin State has hardly any sports moments, and NC has more than any program in history. I would have to say the best moment was when CSU beat Morgan State for the MEAC title. For a 20 loss team to b in the title is a huge cinderella story, and is great for that program. They were able to battle through 4 games in the tournament, and won a shot at the field of 65. Even though they lost to Mount Saint Mary's today, it is still a great feat. So vote for CSU, Go Eagles!
Grading:
Words: 97
Passion: 16
Creativity: 16
Clarity: 15
Knowledge: 13
Voting: 10
Penalty: 0
Total: 70
Richyankee80 (Indiana)
My favorite Indiana Hoosier moment is a tough choice but I would have to say when Indiana was down two points with thirty-eight seconds on the game clock and Syracuse on the free throw line, making one of two shots to go up three. Smart drove to the hole to score with thirty seconds left on the clock to come within one, with Syracuse on the line to miss both shots. Keith Smart again to hit the final shot with one second left to win the National Championship 74-73.
Grading:
Words: 89
Passion: 13
Creativity: 13
Clarity: 17
Knowledge: 16
Voting: 7
Penalty: 0
Total: 66
HogsRoll07 (Arkansas)
My favorite moment in my time as a Razorback fan? Not hard to decide here. March 24, 1995, Arkansas was playing Memphis in the Final Four, the game was tied 85-85 when Scott Thurman faded away and hit a tough 3-pointer to break the tie, and turn the momentum to Arkansas’s side, Memphis had led the game by as many as 12 points with 7 minutes left. Arkansas went on to win the game 96-91, but was cut short of back-to-back titles by UCLA; but is still considered one of the most memorable shots of the NCAA tournament. Go Hogs!
Grading:
Words: 100
Passion: 16
Creativity: 16
Clarity: 16
Knowledge: 18
Voting: 13
Penalty: 0
Total: 79
Doodlebugger (Notre Dame)
My favorite memory of Notre Dame is the first college basketball game I ever went to, as a High School Sophomore, in 1981. My Dad and I drove to the Horizon Center in Rosemont, Illinois to watch the Irish take on the undefeated Cavaliers (28 game streak) led by POY Ralph Sampson. The game was a nail biter from start to finish until Woolridge hit a Jordanesque turn-around fade-away jumper with no-time left for a one-point victory. We jumped, screamed and hugged in victory. If you would like to re-live the moment, check out youtube “Notre Dame Virginia 1981.”
Grading:
Words: 99
Passion: 18
Creativity: 17
Clarity: 15
Knowledge: 17
Voting: 10
Penalty: 0
Total: 77
Uvaman123 (George Mason)
After losing twice to Hofstra in the last weeks of the regular season, I thought that Mason's hopes of making the 2006 NCAA tourney were all but done. I was surprised when on selection Sunday when we got the call over Hofstra and was lined up to play perennial powerhouse Michigan State. That is where the magical run started that led to the Final Four. My favorite moment in that run was when sophomore Folarin Campbell, and senior veteran Jai Lucas led the Patriots past Michigan State. That was the first ever NCAA tournament win for my George Mason Patriots.
Grading:
Words: 100
Passion: 16
Creativity: 16
Clarity: 15
Knowledge: 16
Voting: 10
Penalty: 0
Total: 73
WazzuBrian (Washington State)
Grading:
Words: 0
Passion: 0
Creativity: 0
Clarity: 0
Knowledge: 0
Voting: 6
Penalty: 0
Total: 6
IamTheMan172 (Winthrop)
The NCAA tourney first round game of 2007- The Eagles came into the tourney with their most highly publicized team. This senior squad was led by New Zealander Craig Bradshaw, sharp-shooter Torrell Martin, and big man Phillip Williams. The Eagles hung around with the Irish, then in the second half the Eagles offense exploded for a 21 point lead. After a late charge by Notre Dame, the lead shrank, but was too little too late. The Eagles walk off NCAA the court winners for the first time in their history. Except for the late De'Andre Adams who couldn't contain his excitement, so instead of walking, he danced off.
Grading:
Words: 108
Passion: 17
Creativity: 16
Clarity: 13
Knowledge: 17
Voting: 14
Penalty: 0
Total: 77
OK_Cubsfan (Oklahoma)
My favorite moment as an OU fan was the 2002 NCAA tournament. Lead by Hollis Price, Naismith Award finalist, and Aaron McGee, the Sooners made a run to the Final Four, knocking off three ranked teams on the way. The Sooner's finished the regular season at 31-4, then won the Big 12 tournament over 2nd ranked Kansas. The Sooner run was very surprising and thrilling for Sooner fans all around, after barely being ranked in the top 25 in the preseason polls!
Grading:
Words: 82
Passion: 17
Creativity: 15
Clarity: 14
Knowledge: 12
Voting: 9
Penalty: 0
Total: 67
Dormanium (St. Joseph’s)
My best moment as a Saint Joseph's fan came of course during the 2003-2004 undefeated season. My brother has friends that played on that team, one of which is John Bryant, who would break his arm when Temple famously "sent in the goons" in 2004. Another friend though, was Brian Jesiolowski who played during the senior night blowout against St. Bonaventure. In the last few minutes of the game, Brian came down and had a ridiculous circus lay-up that drove the packed house at Hawk Hill absolutely nuts. It was also featured on Sportscenter's Top Plays that night. It was the closing statement on that magical 27-0 regular season. And I have to say that personally, it was my best moment as a Hawks fan.
Grading:
Words: 125
Passion: 17
Creativity: 17
Clarity: 17
Knowledge: 17
Voting: 11
Penalty: -10
Total: 69
Cardfan Drewski (Louisville)
He played mixed acrobatic dunks with a smooth outside shooting touch... but shortly after his time as a Cardinal, he had been paralyzed. His name was Marques Maybin. And he had returned.
There was an endless ovation; while some cheered for an old player, others wished they could disrupt the cosmic order and right all the wrongs. Mixtures of melancholy, gratitude, and hope permeated Freedom Hall.
However, when the crowd finally sat when my six year old nephew tugged softly at my right arm and said, quietly, "I like this place."
That was the greatest moment, ever.
Grading:
Words: 97
Passion: 20
Creativity: 20
Clarity: 15
Knowledge: 14
Voting: 12
Penalty: 0
Total: 81
Govt0 (Virginia Tech)
The nervous crowd was deftly silent as our senior PG Zabian Dowdell steeped to the line. Our 22 point lead against the number 1 team in the country had been trimmed to 3. This seemed like our season although it was only January. As the ball swiftly floated through the net, Cassell Coliseum erupted into madness!
The Hokies were about to beat North Carolina, the number 1 team in the land. As the final horn sounded, students and alumni rejoiced in the greatest win in Virginia Tech history! Fans poured onto the court and it was evident Virginia Tech basketball had reached a new level!
Grading:
Words: 105
Passion: 18
Creativity:18
Clarity: 15
Knowledge: 15
Voting: 8
Penalty: 0
Total: 74
CubsFan1908 (Butler)
It was the 2006 NIT Season Tip-Off. Butler, a heavy underdog, went through a Big East team in Notre Dame, a Big 10 team in IU, a SEC team in Tennessee, and in the finals upset No. 23 Gonzaga. This put the Bulldogs on the map, and led to them jumping into the top 25, eventually into the Top 10, and to a #5 seed in the tournament. They easily got past Old Dominion, and squeaked out over favorite Maryland, and make it to the Sweet Sixteen. This was a great season for Hoosiers, especially with the state’s down year.
Grading:
Words: 100
Passion: 17
Creativity: 16
Clarity: 14
Knowledge: 16
Voting: 9
Penalty: 0
Total: 72
Misteright1 (Dayton)
Favorite Flyer moment this season was when 11-0 and 6th ranked Pittsburg rolled into sold out UD Arena December 29. Pittsburg had just beaten Duke in overtime on a neutral court and figured Dayton would be easy prey. Dayton has one of the biggest fan base in the country and is considered by many to be one of the toughest places anywhere to play. The arena was absolutely rocking that night as Dayton buried Pitt 80-55! Brian Roberts burnt Pitt for 31 points to lead Dayton's scoring.
Grading:
Words: 87
Passion: 16
Creativity: 16
Clarity: 14
Knowledge:16
Voting: 11
Penalty: 0
Total: 73
Awvols1985 (Tennessee)
My proudest moment as a Vol fan? When I took my first breath of Tennessee air three weeks before the 1986 Sugar Bowl! Lying in the floor watching “The Game” while my Dad whooped and hollered as Jeff Powell ran 60 yards for a TD! Watching the team run through the “T” for the first time at “Neyland Stadium“! Going to “TBA” for basketball games ! Getting Chamique Holdsclaw’s autograph before she came to UT. Having Craig Faulkner as my camp counselor at the Boys Club!
Seeing Peyton, Slay, Helton and all of the others “REPRESENT” for the Big Orange Nation!
They are why I’m PROUD TO BE A VOL
Grading:
Words: 110
Passion: 20
Creativity: 18
Clarity: 11
Knowledge: 18
Voting: 11
Penalty: 0
Total: 78
CuseWarEagle (Syracuse)
My favorite Syracuse basketball moment was when Hakim Warrick blocked what would've been the game tying three against Kansas in the 2003 Championship game. It summed up the dream season for the Orangemen and Coach Boeheim. That was and will be Syracuse's only legitimate shot a championship for years before and years to come. They were not nearly the most talented team in the country but they played with heart and that is why I appreciate their efforts as much as I do. I know all of Syracuse held its' collective breath when the shot was released but we screamed for joy when big #1 sent the shot flying out of bounds.
Than you. Go Orange!
Grading:
Words: 116
Passion: 17
Creativity: 17
Clarity: 16
Knowledge: 15
Voting: 9
Penalty: -10
Total: 64
Midwest Region
Jayhawksku88 (Kansas)
Grading:
Words: 0
Passion: 0
Creativity: 0
Clarity: 0
Knowledge: 0
Voting: 8
Penalty: 0
Total: 8
Pinktoad (Portland State)
My favorite moment for Portland State Vikings by far was rushing the court in the Rose Garden after they beat Northern Arizona in the Big Sky championship! The fans and players were at mid-court celebrating together like one huge team. It was an historic occasion, one of the most euphoric experiences of my life, and one that I will never forget. Their championship victory over NAU was their 14th straight Big Sky win, and earned them their first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament! Does it get any better than that? GO VIKES, BEAT KANSAS!!
Grading:
Words: 94
Passion: 19
Creativity: 18
Clarity: 16
Knowledge: 13
Voting: 12
Penalty: 0
Total: 78
UNLV (UNLV)
I was in the basketball band at UNLV from 1992-1996 and have many great memories, but my favorite