24 Comments

The fact any given team can beat another given team is what makes the NCAA’s so compelling & fun! How could you not like & root for a grinder like Musselmam? I can’t wait for Saint Peters tonight & I wouldn’t want to be Purdue..

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Yes... come to play or you lose.

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Play to win or play not to loose.

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I think you need to make clear the games played in 1939 on Treasure Island was a west regional. Oregon beat Ohio State for the championship at a game played at Northwestern March 27, 1939. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939_NCAA_Basketball_Tournament

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I love Gonzaga!… But, congrats to Musselman what he has done his men’s lives!!

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I grew up in Arkansas and have always been a Razorback fan. It's great to see them on another successful NCAA run. Looking forward to the rematch with Duke! Go Hogs!

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I like Arkansas over Duke. Am I nuts?

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Refs have been inconsistent the whole tourney but I loved last night game. As an Arkansas Alum if feels good to be one step closer to our goal. Love your columns John; honest, insightful and relevant. Keep it up and on Saturday #WPS.

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Love reading your stuff! Especially articles about CYO!

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Thanks Lynda.

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Gonzaga did not deserve to win with how they shot the ball, but those refs were terrible

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Officiating has been suspect in this tournament. I don't recall talking this much about it in prior years.

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Please please please can we at least go to an 8 team playoff. As you can see I prefer football my bracket was tanked the first day.

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Yes. Eight or 12?

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Thanks, John. Good job with your new endeavor.

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Thank you Michael. Blown away by the reader support. Appreciate you all.

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You were the best writer in the Oregonian! I know because I've been reading it for 30+ years. So glad you decided to go this route.

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Thanks Ann. Glad you're here for it! Appreciate all who support.

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I can't stand Arkansas - one of four schools I despise, so it makes me sick that they beat Gonzaga. I hope Duke clobbers them!

I love this new platform you're using - much better than old-school newspaper.

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Another informative article. I have to admit I LOVE my paper and always looked onward to your articles and many others. I will continue to subscribe and read every inch of the paper BUT of course will follow you wherever you lead us. Nice job Soji.

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Who doesn’t love the anything-can-happen March Madness tourney? Yes it’s big business, but on the floor it’s such a joy to watch the unexpected unfold. BTW John, totally loving your prolific prose since you broke free from the O. Keep those keys a smokin’!

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Looking at Arizona now, it beggars belief how many 'experts' picked them for the Final Four with many suggesting they might just win the whole thing. This despite - I think I heard this on the broadcast - not a single player on their team had ever played in an NCAA tournament game. Think about that. As for Gonzaga: Not going to blame their loss on the refs. In my mind they lost to a better team. With that said: Seemed to me like ARK got away with extremely physical play because that's their 'style'. A lot of plays could have been called fouls but weren't, while Chet Holmgren fouled out for simply standing his ground as ARK players forced contact.

And love me some E-Muss.

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John I saw Elgin Baylor play for Seattle U in Cow Palace in Western Regional Final. Maybe 1939 date is wrong.

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1939 is correct for Treasure Island games. Also your recollection of Elgin is correct... (but technically the Cow Palace is in Daly City, CA).

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