Conference Tournament Saturday with live blogging all afternoon!!!!

That's right, since I am going to be a waste of human existence until around three this afternoon, I thought I would make the most of it and post some thoughts on today's action.

10:41 am- Memphis is already out to an 8-0 lead on Tulsa in the C-USA Title game. The Tigers are in all white, and by "all white," I mean "making half of you reading this look tan" white. Gus Johnson is also calling the game, so I'm sure he will have some fantastic line throughout this game.

10:46- The American East conference is another conference where the regular season champion hosts the tournament, so Binghamton is playing UMBC in wherever Binghamton is...and there is an Oompa-Loompa in the crowd?!?!?

10:49- The Bearcats, that's Binghamton for those of you who don't know, just finished the half on a 7-0 run thanks in part to officiating that makes Mike Stewart and Anthony Jordan look like Tony Greene.

10: 57- Gus Johnson just informed the viewing audience that David Barrett, the man behind the NCAA Championship song, "One Shining Moment," has lost his battle with cancer. For anyone who enjoys basketball, that is definitely some somber news.

11:02- This happened last night, apparently, but it is why I follow ESPN headlines on Twitter. Apparently the Utah State mascot ripped the moustache off of the New Mexico State mascot during their game last night. Turns out, the USU mascot did it as a dare for one hundred dollars and he did get his money. You can't make this stuff up.

11:07- Tulsa is making a run on Memphis right now, only down six with about five minutes left in the first half. The Golden Hurricanes need this game to get into the tournament, according to Joe Lunardi of ESPN. Lunardi, even though I think he is a bumbling idiot who uses extreme facial expressions when he gets in front of a camera, has Tulsa at the bottom of his "next four out" distinction.

11:14- So, having sat through the AEC final, I have discovered where these two teams are. Binghamton is in New York, and UMBC is University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I will say that even though Binghamton believes a bearcat should be green (just look at their mid-court logo), they can definitely represent with the student population in a whiteout by the home
crowd. Just a little cheap if you ask me.

11:22- Just watching this Memphis/Tulsa game is confusing me a bit. Apparently the Golden Hurricanes have a player by the name of Ben Uzoh. Being greek, everything I hear Uzoh's name, I think of that licorice drink that will knock you on your butt. Hey, its my blog and you chose to read it, so get over it.

11:25- Clock malfunction in Memphis brings out the best of Gus Johnson. "He dribbled so fast that the clock operator was amazed." Classic. Memphis up eight at half.

11:31- For those of you who don't know who Gus Johnson is and why I could possibly be excited for him to be calling Memphis/Tulsa, here is a small example as to why you want his games come next week.

11:38- While watching UMBC head coach Randy Monroe go ballistic on the sidelines in New York, I have just been told that Ty Lawson will be out for the Tar Heels game today against Florida State. Binghamton's lead is only six, and that half court logo still looks hideous and something that a full moon would bring about.

11:41- Binghamton's band just played the Jeopardy theme during a UMBC timeout. Classic.

11: 51- Block by Tulsa followed by a Gus Johnson, "And he said. 'Get that out of here!' Hahaha." Seriously, you pray for this man to do a game on your CBS affiliate next week.

11:57- Binghamton is about forty seconds away from their first NCAA tournament bid in school history. Making their free throws down the stretch has given them a ten point lead with 29 seconds left. A stout defensive effort by the Bearcats also secureed their lead has UMBC will not score a point in the final five minutes of the game. Binghamton 61, UMBC 51. And the court floods with white clad fans.

12:00pm- Memphis is now up sixteen in their search for a number one seed come next week. With the losses of UConn, Pitt, and Oklahoma on Thursday, the door was open for more than one top seed potentially. Sure, Memphis plays in Conference USA, but you can't deny their ability to dominate in conference (60 straight wins) and have quality OOC wins. I think they should be a number one seed for sure.

12:03- I would like to thank ESPN for blacking out the SEC semifinals in the area, forcing me to watch Raycom for both games this afternoon. I will be able to get through MSU/LSU with Tim Brando calling the game, but having to watch Auburn play Tennessee with crappy announcers, that game will be painful. Interesting crew for the game with Rick Crawford, Teddy Valentine, and the deplorable Mike Stewart.

12:09- Memphis now up 22 on Tulsa with under eight minutes to play. If the Tigers can't secure a number one seed with this game, it is either time to change conferences or time for John Callipari to change schools (hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink wink), just leave the thugs in Tennessee.

12:15- With just seven minutes left in the game, Tulsa only has 30 points so far. Their season low is 44, which they achieved twice against Illinois and Oklahoma. Memphis is on a mission for the number one seed.

12:23- State up five on LSU after a minute long possession. Apparently LSU can't block out against five bench Bulldogs. Doesn't bode well for the Bayou Bengals.

12:28- Memphis holds Tulsa to just 39 points in the game, taking the C-USA title 64-39, on their way to yet another NCAA Tournament. Ticket number two of the day.

12:35- Jarvis Varnado already has 10 points against LSU, partly why the Bulldgos have a two-point lead currently. Big Ten and ACC action just about to being as well.

12:41- Florida State out of the gate fast for the Seminoles against UNC, scoring six points in the first minute of play in Atlanta.

12:50- Michigan State and Ohio State are off to a quick start, but Big Ten standards at least, putting 14 points on the board in the first four minutes, with the Spartans up two.

12:52- State is up two on LSU at halftime, 31-29. Jarvis Varnado has 13 points already, but is just 3-8 from the free throw line. SEC Player of the Year Marcus Thorton only has eight points, but he shouldn't have been POTY in the first place.

12:59- Ohio State and Michigan State are on pace for around 60 points each for the day, which is unheard of in the Big Ten. Apparently a tournament spot up for grabs means this game might actually keep me awake for once.

1:03- After starting the game on fire, the Seminoles have gone Andre 3000 ice cold as North Carolina is slowly expanding a lead. FSU is already in the bonus with nine minutes left in the half. O wait, they just scored again. And again! This is why you have to post these things quickly. Tar Heels up three.

1:05- Meanwhile, Michigan State's bid for a number one seed is taking a big hit right now as Ohio State is up seven with nine minutes before halftime. For the time being, though, Izzo and Mata are fighting over a two or three based on foot position. This is allowed, but not checking for goal tending in a game-winning situation...nope, can't do that. Rules Committee!!!!

1:19- This is where multiple TVs would come in handy. That, or if I actually didn't have a vested interest in the UNC game. State and LSU are back on the floor, and the Bulldogs still have a one-point lead on LSU. Ohio State is still up on Michigan State, and UNC is still holding on against FSU. Three regular season champion teams are on the floor right now.

1:22- Wayne Ellington has been carrying North Carolina before Hansbrough's first field goal. If you want to see how the high post is suppose to be run, just watch the ACC semifinal on ESPN right now.

1:24- Michigan State making up ground, but William Buford just shut the Spartan supporters with a runner to stop a 12-5 run by the crew from East Lansing.

1:26- Once again, I need three TVs. UNC's lead has shrunk to 32-29 at halftime in the Georgia Dome.

1:29- State is starting to pull ahead at Trent Johnson wants a timeout to stop a 7-0 run over the last four minutes and a 13-4 run over the past 6:14. The Bulldogs are starting to feel it, but the Tigers aren't going to go away easily. 47-41 State.

1:32- Ohio State is up by five at halftime on Michigan State, putting two of the three regular season champions behind currently. Great day for basketball, but local sportscasters calling out viewers on the #4 station in the DMA can really put a damper on it.

1:44- The ACC and Big Ten are back on, but I can't take my eyes off of the LSU-Mississippi State battle going on right now. Both teams are playing half court basketball and very fundemental.

1:50- LSU is starting to get frustrated, with four players playing with four fouls, including Marcus Thorton. State is now up eight once again with just under four to play. BTW, Jarvis Varnado is a frickin beast down low with seven blocks on the day.

1:51- Peaks on the other games, and Ohio State is looking for their first win over Sparty this year in three tries, currently up seven after the first four minutes of the half. In the ACC, Florida State has surged out of the half to a 42-38 lead, opening up the half on a 13-6 run.

1:55- The concern is starting to mount not only for LSU, but for many bubble teams around the country. Mississippi State is now up 12 and obviously LSU is in trouble. The Tigers are now without Marcus Thorton for the rest of the game after just fouling out and Delwan Graham just got a technical as well. Trent Johnson has thrown in the towel, so the Tigers will enter the NCAA Tournament after losing three of their last four games. Not the direction you want to be heading.

2:03- State is about to wrap things up against LSU, moving on to the finals tomorrow against Tennessee or Auburn. Jarvis Varnado finishes with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven blocks as the Bulldogs win 67-57. Time to check up on other conferences.

2:06- While one MSU celebrates, another is on the ropes. Ohio State is now out to a 54-41 lead in their Big Ten semifinal. Both teams are already in the tournament, says Joe Lunardi, but Ohio State is definitely working to improve their seeding.

2:08- UNC is in a familiar position, trailing with ten minutes left in the game in the ACC Tournament. After coming back to beat Virginia Tech yesterday, North Carolina will have to do the same today to overcome FSU as the Seminoles have a five-point lead which is quickly shrinking.

2:16- UNC still can't ovecome the FSU lead, but the Tarl Heels are only down two. Meanwhile, Ohio State is controlling Michigan State, dominating by 16 points with just under eight to play. It is now safe to say that Michigan State is out of the number one seed conversation.

2:23- Wayne Ellington just had a steal and lay up to pull UNC within two, but they still can't completely overcome the FSU lead as Toney Douglas is keeping the Seminoles ahead with 25 points so far in this game. Two Hansbrough free throws bring the Heels within two again.

2:27- Michigan State is trying to make a surge, but Ohio State isn't letting it happen, making their free throws to keep the Spartans from shrinking the lead the single digits. Meanwhile, Tyler Hansbrough has four fouls with five minutes to play.

2:32- As Auburn and Tennessee are about to tip, I am reminded of how much of an absolute pain in the you know what the Tennessee band director is. Homeboy can never let the other band get a note in song-wise without having his band squak and squeak over them.

2:39- Danny Green has just tied the game, pulling UNC even with just under two minutes to go.

2:40- Ohio State is still leading Michigan State, holding the Spartans at bay still. The Buckeyes are up 14 with 2:24 left to play.

2:44- Florida State is off to the ACC Championship game after knocking off UNC and holding the Tar Heels scoreless in the final minute. The Seminoles will face the Duke/Maryland winner. North Carolina's loss makes regular season champions from the Big 6 conferences 0-2 on the day, while Michigan State puts it to 0-3 as Ohio State finishes with 48 points in the second half and the Buckeyes win 82-70.

2:50- Auburn and Tennessee are in a battle right now, with these Tigers up one on the Vols. While I am still reeling from my ACC pick and second favorite team going down, but the fact that Rasheem Barrett "The Carrot" is in orange sleeves again, I can somewhat smile.

2:57- Tennessee is starting to make a move on Auburn, pulling ahead by eight after Tennessee gets away with a travel call. O wait, Anthony Jordan is doing this game, so its not something out of the ordinary for a missed call to happen.

3:00- Ugh. Now I have to be productive, but sadly the last post is to the tune of that ridiculous battle hymn of the Daisy Orange, also known as Rocky Top. I'm just waiting for another tornado this year. Ok, too harsh, but I'm glad I don't have to sit through two teams in orange.