Deadspin: March Madness

Expect To See A Lot More Of Jim Rome, As CBS Plans To Use Him For Nearly All The Sports They Broadcast

Timothy Burke — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST

Details of Jim Rome's future with CBS emerged today when new boss Sean McManus showed up on Rome's radio show to discuss all the ways the Tiffany Network plans to exploit their acquisition. More »

Former UConn Star Tate George Charged In $2 Million Ponzi Scheme

Dom Cosentino — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:35:00 EDT

The Right Place At The Right Time: Remembering Lorenzo Charles

Owen Good — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:41:26 EDT

In the photographs of that moment, he doesn't show an expression of power, of joy, of triumph or even relief. His eyebrows are arched back, his eyes are wide, his face drawn into a grimace. N.C. State's Lorenzo Charles does not look like a man dunking a basketball, but rather a man returning to Earth, to a world that had changed forever in the time he spent floating above it. More »

Gus Is Gone, But His Most Famous Calls Mashed Up With Internet Memes Lives On Forever

Emma Carmichael — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:45:00 EDT

During the 2010 playoffs, David "Crashtern" Matthews, former Deadspin staffer and current production coordinator for the Sports Show with Norm Macdonald blog, put together a tribute for our man Gus, who we learned today is "parting ways" with CBS. It is Gus calling the O.J. chase, Gus calling the infamous New Mexico ponytail takedown, Gus calling people getting hit in the head with different objects, and Gus calling the ending to Citizen Kane. More »

Cats vs. Dogs: We Have A Winner!

Jezebel — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:12:00 EDT

So it was written, and so it was done. Corgi, winner of the Dog Conference, has narrowly defeated Cat Conference champ Tuxedo. It took blood, sweat, and thousands of votes, but now it's official: DOGS ARE BETTER. Canines are the superior pet, plain and simple. But getting here wasn't easy. [Jezebel] More »

Cats vs. Dogs: Judgment Day Has Arrived

Jezebel — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:49:07 EDT

This is it. The day we've been waiting for. We started this war with 16 supercute kitties and 16 precious puppies. Now, brave warriors — Tiger! Pit Bull! Tabby! MUTT!!! — lie fallen on the bloodied fields. Only two critters remain: Tuxedo and Corgi. One cat. One dog. And there can only be one winner. We must declare, once and for all, which animal means the most to us. Which beast is best. Even if you love cats and adore dogs, you know, deep in your heart, that one of these creatures is superior. But which one? Let us decide. Together. [Jezebel] More »

UConn: The Unappreciated Cinderella

Luke O'Brien — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:50:48 EDT

All the talk yesterday was about Butler's Cinderella run to its second consecutive NCAA final, and much of the talk afterward was how disappointing it was to see the Bulldogs fall short again, and in such hideous fashion. More »

UConn Provides An Official Celebration Video That Conveniently Excludes Rioting And Fire

Emma Carmichael — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EDT

A premiere research university like Connecticut has a certain image to uphold, even when its Division I basketball team wins a national championship and the entire student body goes apeshit crazy overnight. At UConn, this video suggests, students join together to peacefully sing "We Are the Champions" and sway in the falling confetti. Who even needs a narc when the kids are so fun-loving? More »

Jim Nantz Predictably Overdoes It With The Dog Puns

Emma Carmichael — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EDT

To be fair to Worst Man Jim Nantz, we understand that a Huskies-Bulldogs final is a bit like Christmas for him. A Christmas trimmed with multiple opportunities for insufferable references to dogs and winning. And so when the buzzer sounded, Nantz dropped three dog puns in under 20 seconds. It was either that he'd been saving them up for this moment, waiting to crown the "top dog," or that the wordplay just came out naturally. Like projectile vomit. Not even #jimnantzpunpredictions took it to this level. But that's what the Nantz is for. More »

This Year's "One Shining Moment" Includes Very Few Moments From The Title Game

Emma Carmichael — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EDT

Your morning roundup for April 5, the day Michael Jackson took watch over Fulham FC's stadium. More »

Your UConn-Butler NCAA Championship Open Thread

Barry Petchesky — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EDT

This one's for a considerable amount of the Tostitos. Will it be the likable Bulldogs, swiftly moving from giant-killers to giants? Or the Huskies, who haven't lost since we still considered the Big East fearsome? More »

Cats vs. Dogs: Here Are Your Ferocious Final Four!

Jezebel — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:30:14 EDT

What a long, strange trip it's been! As we near the end of the road, we have just two clawing, crazy kitties and two snarling dogs left. The journey has not been without surprises and upsets. And questions! What happened to Pit Bull? Why did the mighty Tiger fall? Who among us would believe Lion would get left behind? Where were Hello Kitty's fans when she needed them? How did mutt not make it to the final four?! [Jezebel] More »

Cats vs. Dogs: The Top Seeds Have Left The Building

Jezebel — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:05:00 EDT

Do you feel that? It's fur. And it's static-y, brimming with energy and excitement and electricity - because the end of the big dance is near. But first, there are two tough players waiting to move forward, to take a shot at greatness. The Final Four is around the corner, so grab your sunblock, because someone's getting burned. [Jezebel More »

Cats vs. Dogs: Ladies And Gents, Meet Your Elite Eight

Jezebel — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:20:01 EDT

Our game began with 32 brave players, but after a fierce, fur-flying frenzy, we have only eight strong competitors left. Yes, friends: Just four cats and four dogs remain, and we are one step closer to declaring a victor! Who will it be? Team Bow-wow or Team Meow? [Jezebel] More »

Coach K, Please Shut Up (Also: Jalen Rose Arrested For DUI)

Jack Dickey — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:00:00 EDT

We do some Duke-hating around these parts. And maybe a hair too much of it, if you ask no one. I mean, hey, Duke lost to VCU in 2007 in the first round, before it was cool. More »

The NCAA May Be Approaching Its Day Of Reckoning

Jack Dickey — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:55:00 EDT

Once upon a time, complaining about exploitation in the NCAA made you the turd in the punch bowl and/or Jason Whitlock. "College athletes should be paid" marked troll territory. Rollie Massimino selflessly forges boys into men, damn it! He's never made a dime off basketball! More »

Yes, Someone Bet $10 On VCU To Win It All

Barry Petchesky — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EDT

Forget those two perfect Final Four brackets on ESPN.com. How about someone who stands to earn some real money? One lone soul laid down a ten-spot on the Rams at the Las Vegas Hilton during the regular season, and got 5000-1 odds. That's looking a little closer right now. [USA Today] More »

The VCU Band Director Is Just As Buoyant In The Wild As He Is At The Games

Emma Carmichael — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:15:00 EDT

A dedicated Deadspin reader, known around here as Malik Sealy Dirt Mattress, made it to San Antonio this weekend to see the finale to the Southwest Regional. Out on Saturday night, he and a friend spotted somewhat known-person Ryan Kopacsi, the gyrating director of the VCU pep band and — as Out Sports carefully documented (NSFW) — a former male underwear model. Mr. DirtyMattress shares his story below [sic'd]: More »

Shaka Smart's Key To Success: Quoting Scarface

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EDT

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Every morning, the fine folks at Sports Radio Interviews sift through the a.m. drive-time chatter to bring you the best interviews with coaches, players, and personalities across the sports landscape. Today: VCU likes to be the bad guy. More »

Sad Jayhawk Has "Absolutely No Regrets" About Being Sad Jayhawk

Barry Petchesky — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:30:03 EDT

Before he was Sad Jayhawk, Matt Rissien was just another superfan: going to away games, wearing a costume, posing with luminaries like Erin Andrews and Scot Pollard. But, thanks to the vagaries of the universe and an alert cameraman, he's become more: a symbol of fallen hubris. A Crying Duke Kid or Weepy Tebow for a new generation. More »

VCU Students Need To Step Up Their 'Riots'

Barry Petchesky — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:35:10 EDT

Virginia Commonwealth is celebrating their upset in the time-honored small school way: causing more mischief than destruction (that's fire extinguisher smoke, not tear gas). Fans jammed Richmond's Broad Street, and even had an old fashionedwelcome-the-team-back-from-the-airport pep rally. I won't say "act like you've been there before," because...you know. More »

Steven Pearl Laughs On Twitter At Dad's UT Replacement

Jack Dickey — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EDT

You didn't really expect Bruce Pearl and kin to exit Knoxville quietly, with great dignity, especially when Tennessee didn't wait a full week before hiring a replacement, Cuonzo Martin, did you? More »

VCU Has No Business In The Final Four, And We're Glad They're Here

Barry Petchesky — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EDT

Last week at this time, we were laughing at the Big East for being a weak conference, despite all the late winter talk about it being the best in college basketball. The evidence proffered was the number of teams left in the tournament. By that logic, the best conferences in college basketball at this moment are the Big East, the SEC, the Horizon League, and the good old Colonial Athletic Association. More »

The Weeping Kansas Jayhawk, In Happier Times

Emma Carmichael — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EDT

Your morning roundup for March 28, the day Lindsay became the artist formerly known as Lindsay Lohan. More »

Your VCU/Kansas Commemorative Keepsake Poster

Brian Hickey — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EDT

Writes the Richmond Times-Dispatch: The VCU Rams pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history, beating Kansas 71-61 in the championship game of the Southwest Region. The victory puts VCU in the Final Four. The Rams, considered a mid-major team from the Colonial Athletic Association, play Butler, another mid-major team, Saturday in Houston. More »

Your VCU/Kansas Halftime Update

Brian Hickey — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:15:00 EDT

Should VCU hold its 14-point-lead form in the second half and defeat the Kansas Jayhawks, this will be the second time since the tournament expanded to 64 (or more) teams that no No. 1 seeds made the Final Four. The first: 2006 (Florida was a third seed, UCLA a second, LSU a four and George Mason was an 11.) More »

Your Second Elite Eight Open Thread

Brian Hickey — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EDT

Virginia Commonwealth and Kansas will play for the right to face Butler in the Final Four next Saturday. The winner of Kentucky/North Carolina will draw UConn. Let the games begin. More »

Let's Start The Day With A Story About Kindness

Brian Hickey — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EDT

Your morning roundup for March 27, the day people continue to concern themselves with Dennis W. Peterson losing his front teeth at a Hooters. More »

Your First Elite Eight Open Thread

Brian Hickey — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EDT

The Elite Eight will become seven after the Butler/Florida game, which tips off around 4:30 p.m. Seven will become six after Arizona tries to do to UConn what it did to Duke. (It really never gets old.) And then, we'll wait for tomorrow to learn the other two entries into the 2011 Hall of Final Four Class. More »

Richmond Fought The Good Fight Against Kansas Until The Game Started

Brian Hickey — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EDT

Your morning roundup for March 26, when James Corley of Conroe, Texas mulls the misfortune of not stopping after his 15th DUI conviction. Now, he'll have 99 years to practice counting to 1,030. More »

Your Second Sweet Sixteen Open Thread

Barry Petchesky — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:10:00 EDT

Remember kids, now that Duke is gone, UNC is the new Duke. They're up first tonight against Marquette. Also on the slate: Richmond-Kansas, Kentucky-Ohio State, and an intriguing VCU-Florida State game that will decide our weekend's Cinderella representative. More »

Let Us Rejoice In Duke's Misery

Emma Carmichael — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:05:00 EDT

The Duke University men's basketball team has earned a special privilege in college sports and within March Madness: It will never be considered the underdog. As far as we're concerned, for as long as Coach K is patrolling the sideline and as long as his hair stays a surreal jet-black, Duke will exist solely to be on the wrong side of an upset. We watch them to watch them lose and we hope they will look sad while doing so. And last night, they lost to a team that for 20 minutes made them seem lazy on defense and inferior on offense, and they looked so very sad when it was all over. More »

Newark A Horrible Place To Visit, But Better Than Syracuse

Barry Petchesky — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:40:00 EDT

Yesterday, the big news was that John Calipari had moved the Wildcats out of their Newark hotel, giving some excuse about wanting a place "on the outskirts of the city ... so they didn't have any distractions." I don't know if I buy that, because I don't think you can get any more outskirty than an airport Wyndham in North Jersey. More »

If You Didn't Know Derrick Williams Before, You Do Now

Jack Dickey — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:15:00 EDT

"He just gives you a presence all the time, that kid. He looks like he never gets tired. He is unique. He's a very unusual player to guard. He's a great player. A great kid. I told him afterward he is special .... He gives you confidence. You always know you have that guy on the court. There is a physicality to this game. Clean, beautiful. He's a beautiful player." More »

Jimmer Left The Court With A Bandage On His Chin, But Kyle Singler Probably Saw His Mom Crying

Brian Hickey — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EDT

Your morning roundup for March 25, the day rockhopper penguins fight for their oil-slicked lives. More »

Your Omnipresent Sweet Sixteen Starter Open Thread

Brian Hickey — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:14:00 EDT

Tourney games is comin', yo. UConn/San Diego State at 7:15 p.m. BYU/Florida a dozen minutes later. Arizona/Duke at 9:45 p.m.-ish. Finally, Butler and Wisconsin close out the Sweet Sixteen's first night starting at three minutes before 10 or thereabouts. More »

Cats vs. Dogs: The First Round Goes Out With A Bang

Jezebel — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:02:00 EDT

Round one of our March Madness Dogs vs. Cats tournament ends today with our final two matches, after which we'll have sixteen of the sweetest competitors. Grab your flashlights, 'cause no one's going gently into the good night. [Jezebel] More »

BYU And The Mid-Major Hype Cycle

Barry Petchesky — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:10:00 EDT

Today's Sports Illustrated asks the question: Are the BYU Cougars America's Team? (They also have an awesome cover photo, by Robert Beck.) The answer is no, BYU's not America's Team, because that phrase really has no meaning beyond a marketing slogan formulated more than 30 years ago. But it speaks to the myth of the underdog, a mantle BYU and teams like them will happily cling to. More »

NBA Scouts Agree: Jimmer Fredette Is Very, Very White

Luke O'Brien — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:15:35 EDT

The best part about yesterday's foreseeable New York Times story on Jimmer Fredette wasn't the obvious notion that Fredette might make for a less-than-dominant NBA player. Far better and more obvious was the list of less-than-dominant NBA players that several front-office types used to assess Fredette: Jeff Hornacek, Steve Kerr, Kyle Korver, and Jason Kapono. (Adam Morrison makes an appearance later in the story; how J.J. Redick doesn't is a mystery.) Notice a common theme? More »

The UConn Fans Ruined Geno Auriemma's Birthday

Emma Carmichael — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EDT

Hours before his 57th birthday, and just after his Huskies beat Purdue by 24 points in Storrs to advance to the Sweet 16, Geno Auriemma sat down in a press conference and found something to complain about. Only about 5,700 people — just about half the capacity of Gampel Pavilion — had come out to see his team's second-round tournament game. "We have a spoiled group of fans who assume we are going to win, who assumed we would be in Philadelphia [for the regionals] and be at the Final Four," Auriemma told reporters. "We had the season, the Big East in Hartford and now the NCAA tournament. You are asking them to do a lot. So I think we don't bid on [hosting the NCAA first round] for five years." More »