Scott Shanes

[John Fanta @John_Fanta]

Some thoughts on the NCAA Tournament thus far: Thought this year’s first round delivered more memorable moments & shots than last year. VCU comeback was insane, High Point/Wisconsin + Kentucky/Santa Clara were incredible games.

To have 13 of 32 games be decided by 20+ & have no 13-16 seeds winning is obviously tough for the sport because the massive upset is what captivates the country. That’s back-to-back seasons for the first time ever and just the 7th time since ‘85 that seeds 1-4 went unbeaten in first round.

Now: From 2007-09, only non top 3 seed to make Elite Eight was Davidson with Steph Curry. Get this: 12 of the 15 wins by 15 seeds in NCAAT history have happened 2012 or later. We’ve had two 16s win in last eight years after it never happened. So, it’s a sharp contrast after the upsets had been as plentiful as we’ve ever seen.

But the takes on this feel a bit extreme when literal blue bloods are getting tested or beat by schools with a tenth of their budget, if that.

Of course the massive climate change and chaos was going to affect the tournament. That being said, for Siena to do what they did vs. Duke and to watch Furman/Wright St/Kennesaw and some others compete, there were some more interesting games than we saw last year at this stage.

Will we see a non high major make the second weekend? It’s possible and needed for the sport — and that’s when you really feel the madness.

All this being said, there are a couple upset candidates who lost. Because of conference tournaments, we don’t have Belmont/Yale/Liberty etc in the field. Part of the blessing and curse for some MM leagues because there’s many situations where their best team doesn’t make the dance.

College basketball is quite different (the portal chaos plays a mammoth role too) but television ratings have never been better and in a make-or-miss sport, one Oweh miss would change how one feels. Credit to him for drilling it but that’s the thrill of these games. As for mid major coaches ripping high majors for not playing them, they’re right and credit to them for trying to create change but let’s not act like this is a new issue.

Upset possible? Yes. But there’s no denying it’s harder. There are still many fun aspects to the tournament that other sports would like to duplicate and it’s even more difficult to do so.

Let’s have a Saturday.

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

@coachajkings I just saw that
Love it

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

@SNY_Mets @WillSammon He's an Ace

[The 7 Line @The7Line]

🚨FREE GIVEAWAY!🚨Retweet this for good juju and after the game today we’ll randomly pick one of you to get a YA GOTTA BELIEVE wood sign for free.

If ya don’t win, you can still buy one here: https://t.co/RHgJrAk1yR

#LGM

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

@casano_steve @lcorsentino

[MetCast @MetCastPod]

🚨METS GIVEAWAY🚨

The Subway Series is here! I’m partnering with FOCO to give away one Francisco Lindor New York Mets Get Happy Sports Illustrated Bobblehead ⚾️

TO ENTER:
🔷 Repost
🔶Follow @MetCastPod, @focobobbles & @focousa

*Bonus*
- Tag 2 Mets fans

Winner called Sunday!

[MetCast @MetCastPod]

🚨METS GIVEAWAY🚨

The Subway Series is here! I’m partnering with FOCO to give away one Francisco Lindor New York Mets Get Happy Sports Illustrated Bobblehead ⚾️

TO ENTER:
🔷 Repost
🔶Follow @MetCastPod, @focobobbles & @focousa

*Bonus*
- Tag 2 Mets fans

Winner called Sunday!

[SNY @SNYtv]

🚨 GIVEAWAY 🚨

💥 REPOST THIS 💥 for your chance to win a signed Gary, Keith, and Ron baseball!

Coverage of the Mets' home opener begins FRIDAY at 1:30 p.m. on SNY and streaming on the MLB App.

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

@BrandonTierney @StJohnsBBall Thanks, BT. It was a great run. It hurts right now, but hopefully, we are set up for years to come. Go Johnnies!!!

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

@BrandonTierney BT, we are ready. Hope you can make it happen. Let's Go!!!

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

@BrandonTierney Can't wait for the Redman train to invade Providence. The Pitino Posse will be hanging with BT and all SJU fans. Let's Go!!!

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

@BrandonTierney The Pittino Posse look forward to following the Johnnies with BT. Sign us up!!! @casano_steve

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

@BrandonTierney Sal & Hoff taking it in @ Halftime
Go Johnnies!!!

[New York Mets @Mets]

In celebration of Ron Darling's birthday, enter to win his signed baseball!

Repost this and follow us for your chance to win! ✍️⚾

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

Congratulations ladies!!!
Well earned and well deserved.
Skies the limit
👏 🏃‍♀️ ❤️ 💙
@patticake2466 @TinyGreenNBS @rfh_ad @njmilesplit @lambo2126
@chipgmc @DylanCahill10 @sarahhughes2027 @mulry1

[Atlantic 10 Conference @atlantic10]

Congrats to our #A10XC student-athletes earning All-Academic and All-Rookie honors 👏👏

📰: https://t.co/tKw0ovSVI6

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

Congratulations ladies!!!
Well earned and well deserved.
Skies the limit
👏 🏃‍♀️ ❤️ 💙
@patticake2466 @TinyGreenNBS @rfh_ad @njmilesplit @lambo2126
@chipgmc @DylanCahill10 @sarahhughes2027 @mulry1

[GW XC and Track @GWXCTrack]

First-years Julia Shanes and Lola Dinneen have been named to the @atlantic10 Women’s Cross Country All-Rookie Team! Read more about their outstanding seasons below. ⬇️ #RaiseHigh

https://t.co/ph9mddPlWP

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

Great job ladies!!!
💪 🏃‍♀️

[GW XC and Track @GWXCTrack]

4️⃣ Program Records lead the way as we kicked off the 2023-24 indoor season at the Youree Spence-Garcia Meet! Read more about our great day using the link below🏆⬇️

https://t.co/GQ5yHA3DIs

[GW XC and Track @GWXCTrack]

4️⃣ Program Records lead the way as we kicked off the 2023-24 indoor season at the Youree Spence-Garcia Meet! Read more about our great day using the link below🏆⬇️

https://t.co/GQ5yHA3DIs

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

Freshman XC season concluded today @NCAATrackField Mid-Atlantic Region Women's 6k Championship It was a great day 2 👀 Julia PR & post the 10th fastest⏰️in program history Congrats Julia we R so proud of u ❤️
@patticake2466 @rfhxctf @TinyGreenNBS @lambo2126 @njmilesplit @rfh_ad

[Scott Shanes @ScottShanes2]

It was a wet & rainy day @UVATFCC XC23-Pre Nationals but great to watch Julia get a PR shaving off 25 seconds to 21:47. She was also able to meet up with old RFH team-mate.
Congratulations 💕
@rfhxctf @patticake2466 @TinyGreenNBS @lambo2126 @njmilesplit @rfh_ad @melissastark