College Basketball

Washington Post staff writers Eric Prisbell and Mark Schlabach were online Monday, April 3, at noon ET to take your questions and comments about the NCAA tournament.

Post Coverage:

Men's College Basketball

Michael Wilbon's NCAA Bracket

Tourney Tracker

Printable Bracket

A Few Choice Picks: Tony Kornheiser

The transcript follows.

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Mark Schlabach: OK, folks. This is absolutely my favorite week of the year, other than the start of the college football season. The NCAA title game tonight, start of Major League Baseball season today (can't believe I've got to go to a sports bar to watch the Cubs since the media hotel doesn't have WGN) and the Masters in beautiful Augusta later this week. Eric and I are just happy to be here. We had tornado warnings in Indianapolis last night and, thankfully, we survived after getting evacuated to a second-floor ballroom. You should know Eric would have died happy: RPI guru Jerry Palm was standing next to him. And, believe it or not, although they denied it, Palm has groupies!! Other sights and sounds: Feinstein got ushered out of bed during the tornado drill, which was a sight to behold, followed by a late-night CBS party, for which my good friend Pat Forde of ESPN.com pulled me out of bed at 2 a.m. Try to keep the college football questions to a minimum, although I agree the most burning question in sports right now is whether Matthew Stafford will start this coming season.

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Eric Prisbell: Thanks everyone for joining us. This is the end of a long road tonight. Last night produced one of the more bizarre nights I have had in all my NCAA tournament travels. We were evacuated into a hotel ballroom because of a tornado. In walks Jerry Palm, a quasi-celebrity here. Hours later, when Mark turned to Jerry and said, "Have you ever been to the SEC? Have you ever been to Oxford, Miss.?" I knew the night was lost. Pickup basketball in an hour, so let's start it up.

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BATON ROUGE, La.: I'm a college sports fan from Louisiana and there's something I want to know. Has a college basketball conference had two teams from that conference play for a national title?

Eric Prisbell: Off the top of my head, the two that come to mind are: Kansas-OU in 1988 (very entertaining first half) and G-town-Nova in 1985. If it were LSU-Florida, Mark would not be chatting at this moment. He would be atop the RCA Dome planting a giant SEC flag for all the world to see.

Mark Schlabach: Eric came up with the best two examples, although who can forget that classic 1976 championship game between Indiana and Michigan State, in which Bob Knight's Hoosiers became the last team to finish a season undefeated. As for me, I'm still waiting for the glorious day when two SEC teams play for the BCS national championship, the title that really matters.

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Bowie, Md.: Who do you guys think are the likeliest in the Final 4 teams to make the jump to the pros early? I think Noah might go, but he has no J and no low post moves, and Tyrus Thompson may go also, but he has no J either.

Eric Prisbell: Good question. Tyrus Thomas probably leaves early because he is likely a top 3 pick. Big Baby, not so sure. Probably 50-50, but I remember him flirting with jumping out of high school. Noah could come back because he seems to love college and because his family does not exactly need the money.

Mark Schlabach: I thought Tyrus Thomas would definitely jump to the NBA after this season, but his stock undoubtedly took a hit Saturday night. I'm even questioning whether his coach, John Brady, sabotaged his ability to leave by sitting him for all but four minutes of the second half. I think Davis comes back for one more year, along with Noah and Horford.

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Wolfpack Nation: Gentlemen,

Have you heard any credible stories regarding the next head coach at North Carolina State? I keep hearing Rick Barnes, but find it difficult to believe that he would leave Texas.

Bob Knight? Jay Wright?

By the way, I feel for Herb Sendek and wish him well at Arizona State? He did a great job for the Pack and did not deserve the criticism he received from alleged Wolfpack fans.

Mark Schlabach: Not a lot of information coming out on NC State job since Saturday night. Wolfpack fans have their sights set high: Tubby Smith, Rick Barnes, etc. I don't think Tubby is leaving UK; he is reorganizing his staff, might add Buzz Peterson, the former Tennessee coach, and Rod Barnes, the former Ole Miss coach. I think the NC State folks should take a long look at Greg Marshall at Winthrop and Jim Larranaga at George Mason. It's a tough job because you're competing against Mike Krzyzewsk, Mr. American Express, and Roy Williams.

Eric Prisbell: sorry, my computer froze. i just jumped back on. Barnes would be great, but i don't see him leaving. If Gibson and Lamarcus return next year, Texas will be a favorite to win it all with the likes of Durant coming in.

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Washington, D.C.: Thanks for hosting the chat, Eric. Boy, with the big game tonight it would be nice to find a chat that was hosted by someone who knew something about college basketball. Any suggestions?

Eric Prisbell: Thanks for question. I certain understand your perspective and why you would be envious of my job. When I was in high school, I made it my goal to have the exact job I have now. It's a terrific job. There is no need to feel discouraged. Trust me, I honestly believe that if you work hard and stay focused, someday you may be able to find the line of work you really enjoy as well.

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Falls Church, Va.: Do you think the media and attention finally got to Mason? They looked just a little off. Just enough to miss easy layups and not be able to get in 3 point rhythm.

Eric Prisbell: Considering the level of media attention Mason received, it would be hard for that not to affect someone. But I think Florida's perimeter defense, which also clamped down on Gtown and Nova from three-point range, was the big reason for the long-range shooting troubles. The dome background also may have been somewhat of a factor as well.

Mark Schlabach: I think they just got beat by a better team. I couldn't tell you if the crowd or atmosphere overwhelmed the Patriots -- I was watching the game from the back pressroom thanks to our friends at the NCAA.

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Washington, D.C.: A couple things:

First, I've been here touting the Gators all season and LOVE it when Schlabach promotes the SEC. I remember snide comments from Prisbell and Rennie about the Gators sitting at home during the Final Four.

Second, the main debate seems to be UCLA's D vs. UF's O. While that's the best matchup to watch, what about Florida's defense? I mean, it has been just as smothering and efficient. Can UCLA score more than 50 points?

Third, who are GMU fans cheering for? Is there a general Gator hatred in the area? Do I need to watch my back on the streets?

Thanks for all the work this season!

Mark Schlabach: I wouldn't call it promoting the SEC, just trying to share my knowledge of the only major college sports conference that matters. Just remember that a certain sportswriter also wanted to include Penn State and Notre Dame in the Post's preseason top 25 football poll, and was rebuffed by two others on the college staff. As far as tonight's matchup, I think the key for the Gators will be if Lee Humphrey, Corey Brewer and Taurean Green can knock down some early three-pointers. Florida matches up better against UCLA because the Gators can actually shoot from the perimeter. LSU can't shoot. Period. Green vs. Jordan Farmar is a great matchup because I think Green is still evolving into a point guard, and Farmar is a really, really physical defender. He's much better than I thought. Most Mason fans have left the area, I think they're pulling for Steinberg to write the Larranaga book.

Eric Prisbell: The SEC debate got pretty heated late last night. We agree on one thing: No other conference has characters as colorful as the SEC. LSU's storylines are amazing, truly amazing.

I put the over-under on Florida's point total at 54. I see UCLA scoring more than that. And I see Jim Harrick celebrating with the Bruins long into the April night.

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Washington, D.C.: Worst Final Four ever? Five minutes into the UCLA-LSU game and the night had just become depressing. And I don't know anyone who is fired up for the Final. Is this the dullest one you remember?

Mark Schlabach: Definitely the worst semifinals Saturday I can remember. No drama whatsoever. Very bad basketball. Almost had me clamoring for a Herb Sendek-run offense. I think tonight's game will be pretty good. It's a little like watching SEC football -- defense eventually growns on you.

Eric Prisbell: The best game all weekend was the pick-up game I played in Saturday.

The semifinals were poor, to say the least.

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McLean, Va.: So when does Larranga sign his contract at OU?

Mark Schlabach: After John Calipari turns it down.

Eric Prisbell: How about a Sampson for Mike Davis trade straight up?

Everyone, please, don't get Mark started on Mr. Sampson or it will be a long afternoon.

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Woodbridge, Va.: I certainly hope some of the conversation today should be for the Lady Terps. They haven't nearly gotten the press coverage that the George Mason men did (not to say GMU didn't deserve it, they definitely did!!), but the women should also be getting equal coverage, and even more so now that they've made it to the championship game.

With all that said, what do you believe their chances are against Duke, even though they beat Duke in the ACC tournament??

Eric Prisbell: I think it will be a great final. I wouldn't be surprised to see either team win. One can argue that the two best teams are in the final. Tough to make that argument in the men's bracket, but I think the men's tournament is better because there is a heck of a lot more parity. Just look at the bracket, which, by the way, is on my sneakers that I am wearing now.

Mark Schlabach: Just happy to see somebody other than Tennessee, U Conn, North Carolina in the finals. I'm all for parity. And Eric isn't kidding about his sneakers. He paid $200 for Nike high tops with the brackets on each side of both shoes. They're something to behold.

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washingtonpost.com: Virginia: Were Florida players arrogant at GMU?

Eric Prisbell: I heard that after the Florida game, Corey Brewer simply said, "Midnight, baby!" Great line.

I can't fault the Gators for being a little irritated at all the coverage Mason was getting. The better team won the game, but Mason had a run that won't ever be forgotten.

Mark Schlabach: Having witnessed the Gators' perceived arrogance during 14 of the last 16 football seasons, it wouldn't have surprised me at all. But I think the Florida players are actually pretty nice kids. They've been fun to be around the last couple of weeks.

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Mt. Lebanon, Pa.: Months ago I ask you and your running mate in this online forum something to the effect of: Isn't Ben Howland the undiscovered gold nugget in this year's field of coaches?

Predicatably, you guys yawned and didn't bother with the question. No doubt you were thinking that Heebie Jeebie of YabbaDabbaU was a much better choice. We won't even bother this morning with your UCONN/NOVA dribbles. (I thought you guys were going to grab bridal gowns and race off to Massachusetts and marry them all)

So. Wanna mention Mr. Howland. FOR A CHANGE.

You might remind us that UCLA holding their last two opponents to a miserly 45 points is similar to the style (his) at his last place of employment. When he won all the coaching awards.

The topic is Coach Ben Howland. Know anything?

Thanks much.

Mark Schlabach: Fabulous defensive coach. Great quote. Hasn't shied away from the UCLA tradition and shadow of John Wooden. Really seems to be comfortable in L.A., where he started. It's an ugly style of play but it's effective. One of the top 10 coaches in the country, in my opinion.

Eric Prisbell: I was very high on UCLA before the season as a national sleeper. A Sweet 16 type team. I loved Farmar and Arron since high school. It seems like Bozeman has been there since Walton left. Howland will have UCLA back in this position in the future. UCLA lost Travis King, but Howland is landing top player after top player. The Bruins likely will be better next year, assuming Farmar stays. Remember, Josh Shipp is out.

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Evanston, Ill.: When none of the teams in the Final Four and only five of the teams in the Sweet Sixteen meet the academic standards of the NCAA, we should all be concerned. At a time when education is being stressed as the salvation of our society, this spectacle should be used to remind us of the real meaning of a student-athlete.

Eric Prisbell: The way the NCAA deals with the APR is very interesting. Brand makes this big deal about a "sea change" in college sports. Yet none of the Final Four teams gets a qualifying score. And none of those teams even gets penalized. Many big-time coaches don't understand the APR. Some don't care about the APR. It's unfortunate, but I don't see things changing too much because of the APR.

Mark Schlabach: The APR is a joke, but the academic culture in college basketball is about change with the prep school reform that will be introduced this summer. It's going to be a lot tougher for some of these recruits to get admitted to school.

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Springfield, Va.: Do you really see Larranaga leaving George Mason? I am sure that some university is going to throw some big bucks his way and he won't have any choice.

Mark Schlabach: Don't know if he'll leave, and I'm sure he'll have some suitors after the season G. Mason just had. Seton Hall remains open. Oklahoma. N.C. State. Heard last night Oregon situation might get interesting. You couldn't blame Larranaga for leaving. He's in his late 50s, hasn't made an awful lot of money during his career so far, and this might be his last and best chance at a well-deserved big payday. I'm sure he'll remain loyal to George Mason, but the Patriots can't compete with Oklahoma, Seton Hall and N.C. State in terms of money, nor should they compete.

Eric Prisbell: There was at least one report that Ernie Kent's name has been linked to Oklahoma, but there also seems some dispute about that. It doesn't look like Larranaga is in the mix for Seton Hall right now. I don't know why Oklahoma does not go to Turgeon, who would be a great choice.

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Arlington, Va.: I'm a Maryland alum, who has followed women's basketball for some time. I'm dismayed at the lack of NCAA women's coverage. Plus, I don't have cable, and won't be able to watch the final. Do you think that eventually - especially as more women dunk - that we'll have regional coverage of the final four and championships in our lifetime?

Mark Schlabach: We've got three staff writers in Boston covering the women's NCAA tournament. We've got three staff writers and John Feinstein in Indy covering the men. As far as television, I think the NCAA could do a little better in marketing its women's tournament and seems like it would be a good fit for CBS, which has to be dying for quality programing. They do throw a great late-night Final Four party, though. Prisbell was already in bed.

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Mason Nation: Yes, I'm disappointed they didn't win. But at least they showed themselves to be gentlemen and professionals.

Also, did you catch that quote from Florida players before the game- "We're not here to have fun." Did they really feel THAT ignored and defensive? Even if I wasn't a Mason fan already I would have become one-I'm not going to support a bunch of 19-year-olds who are already going straight for the big bucks and bypassing the spirit and excitement of competition at the college level.

Mark Schlabach: I think the Florida players have made it pretty clear from the start of the tournament that they were going to be focused and concentrating on the task at hand. Florida's teams of the past were heavily criticized for being soft and worried about other things. This team thought they had the talent and chemistry to win the national championship. I'm sure they were peeved about getting overlooked by the Cinderella team.

Eric Prisbell: Mason really enjoyed the run, and they should have. Spending time with the Florida players in the locker room, I thought Brewer and Noah, among others, were having run as well. The team that did not seem to have any fun was UConn. They did not look like they enjoyed being on the court in the tournament.

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Washington, D.C.: So are you guys watching the Terp women crush team after team in the women's tourney?

Eric Prisbell: We watched the Terps women's team from a fine restaurant last night before the storm hit. As I have said, I would not be surprised at all if Maryland won Tuesday.

Mark Schlabach: I caught part of the game while watching Jerry Palm play pop-a-shot. I'll watch the title game while breaking down film of Georgia's first two weeks of spring football practice.

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Washington, D.C.: Why is it that the two losing teams in the Final Four no longer play a consolation game prior to the championship game?

Mark Schlabach: Because it would screw up too many brackets. Actually, I'm not sure why they don't. I guess if South Carolina finds pride in being the NIT champions and 66th-best team in the country, rewarding Nos. 3 and 4 would only make sense.

Eric Prisbell: Feinstein and I said at the end of Saturday's games that the true consolation game this year would be Mason vs. Hofstra - a contest to settle all debate.

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Fairfax, VAa. Why on earth do they have the Women's NCAA tourney on the same time frame as the Men's? Now I love most women's sports but women's B-Ball is HORRIBLE. It was a joke they "lay-up dunk" recieved in the press. If they really want to expand the women's game - try moving the tourney before or after the men's ... because right now all that matters is UCLA vs. Florida.

Eric Prisbell: This is a related thought: I believe parity will increase the interest in the women's game more than the dunk. I was at the dunk contest when Parker won and, yes, she won, but she still can't dunk like Josh Smith or the other guys there. I think it would be more interesting to see 16s beat No. 1 or 15s beat No. 2s. Just total chaos in the women's bracket would create more interest, in my opinion. Right now, it seems pretty predictable.

Mark Schlabach: Completely agree with Eric. Right now it seems they'd be better off with a 32-team field because the lowest-seeded teams have no chance against the teams from the BCS conferences.

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Richmond, Va.: I know it's effective, but, my God, UCLA makes the game difficult to watch. The LSU slugfest was like have a tooth pulled with no Novocain.

Also, props to Mason - damn nice run.

Mark Schlabach: It is very difficult to watch. The only thing that saved me the other night were UCLA's cheerleaders and dance team. I thought I was going to have to restrain a couple of our more recognizable staffers. It's grueling to watch, but you've got to admire a team that plays defense that hard on every single possession. It's a tribute to Howland as a coach that his players have bought into his system so well, especially at a place like UCLA.

Eric Prisbell: Here is my only comment on that: I did not notice the cheerleaders. I did not notice the dance team. I continued to write my two sidebars during commercial breaks for each game. It was a good game. Both teams played hard.

Please send the above statement to my wife at her office. This needs to be documented.

UCLA made quite a statement in the way they totally frustrated LSU's offense. Howland won the coaching battle Saturday in a landslide. I'm very interesting to see if the Gators can run at all on UCLA. Every point will be difficult to come by for Florida.

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Washington, D.C.: Tuesday night's game should be easy to pick - Maryland OWNS Duke, right?

Mark Schlabach: Thank God the Terps aren't playing Clemson.

Eric Prisbell: Great line. we should do a story on the five reasons why Maryland owns Duke.

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Bowie, Md.: The Lady Terps and the Dukies might put on a game much more worth watching than the men's game tonight, judging by the semifinals ... hope not but given what happened the past few days ... so maybe women's game will get some more attention ...

Mark Schlabach: I think the men's game will be pretty entertaining, especially if we get shots of the Florida player's parents all the way through the telecast. My final score: Florida 57, UCLA 56.

Eric Prisbell: The women's game will get more attention in the DC area, but I like this matchup in the men's game.

UCLA 60, Florida 56

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Dubai, UAE: A few weeks ago, someone wrote in expressing frustration that it was hard to tell the difference between articles about women's and men's sportspieces and suggesting that women's sports should be segregated. The person specifically mentioned articles relating to Maryland sports teams. Well, here's a clue: the piece today is about the women's team winning. Still confused?

washingtonpost.com: Terps Leap Into NCAA Final (Post, April 3)

Mark Schlabach: I'm not completely sure if I understand your question, but, yes, I was confused after reading Eli Saslow's fantastic game story from last night. I could figure out if the players crying were J.J. Redick and Adam Morrison or two of the Maryland women's players.

Eric Prisbell: Yes, I am confused. Very confused by the question.

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Clifton, Va.: Word down at the Clifton, Va., Post Office is Jim Larranga is going to Oklahoma to be there coach. Big ceremony had to rescheduled to make sure the coach was there. GMU just cant hold onto its coaches. Rick Barnes was at GMU before Texas. Same folks were right when Larranga was hired.

Mason Alum Class of 81

Mark Schlabach: Rename the post office after him and maybe he'll stay.

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Go Blue!: Uh, that was Michigan, not Michigan State, that played Indiana in 1976.

Mark Schlabach: Thanks, Matt Rennie.

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Bethesda, Md.: Memo to "wolfpack nation". You're smoking something if you think Jay Wright would leave Villanova for NC State. That'd be a downgrade, he just inked a 7 year extension, and he's got roots in the program.

Mark Schlabach: Agreed. State's a tough job. And the Wolfpack had a very good coach they just ran off. You've got to compete against Duke and UNC and the rest of the ACC, and there are high expectations because of the 1983 national championship. It's a very difficult job. But there are great facilities and it's a great league. They'll get a good coach.

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Reston, Va.: OK, I'll betray my total ignorance. Who is Jerry Palm?

Eric Prisbell: To some area coaches, Jerry Palm is evil. To others, he is simply an RPI guru, a genius of sorts.

We're trying to get Palm to write a book. We outlined two chapters so far: How to beat the RPI. Another simply called "Air Force." Another one has to be called "Gary" And yet another has to be called "Have you ever been to the SEC?"

That's an appropriate last question for me. I have to take off 10 min. early, but thanks everyone for submitting questions all year. I've really enjoyed the back-and-forth banter. Hope we have a great game tonight and, in the spirit of Mark, long live the SEC and everything in Oxford, Miss.

Take care.

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Mark Schlabach: That's it for me, too, folks. Thanks for all the great questions. Try to enjoy the game tonight, I think it will be a good one. Only five months to football season.

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