[Farm93]

makes no sense, the night in the hotel was already paid for. Was a 1:15 a.m. flight that much cheaper???? Sheesh.

I don't think this was driven by finances or traditional compliance issues.   
I believe this was built on the same idea that was in play during the NBA Bubble, and that would be COVID-19.
The idea for the NBA bubble was to get eliminated teams out of the bubble ASAP to reduce the risk of COVID spread.
Imagine, the players from Michigan spend Wednesday eating breakfast in the same hotel as Baylor or Gonzaga or used the workout room.
Best to get them out of the bubble ASAP to avoid those troublesome COVID-19 protocol issues.

The packing/unpacking burden on the players was probably not properly factored into the logistics, but why would the NCAA worry about the actual student-athletes.    The NCAA needs 4 teams to compete in the final four, and keeping Elite 8 losers around was an unnecessary risk.

Losers please get away from our precious revenue machine NOW.
Oh and please take Coach Mulkey's advice, don't test any of your players again for COVID until the day after the championship game.

[Farm93]

makes no sense, the night in the hotel was already paid for. Was a 1:15 a.m. flight that much cheaper???? Sheesh.

I don't think this was driven by finances or traditional compliance issues.   
I believe this was built on the same idea that was in play during the NBA Bubble, and that would be COVID-19.
The idea for the NBA bubble was to get eliminated teams out of the bubble ASAP to reduce the risk of COVID spread.
Imagine, the players from Michigan spend Wednesday eating breakfast in the same hotel as Baylor or Gonzaga or used the workout room.
Best to get them out of the bubble ASAP to avoid those troublesome COVID-19 protocol issues.

The packing/unpacking burden on the players was probably not properly factored into the logistics, but why would the NCAA worry about the actual student-athletes.    The NCAA needs 4 teams to compete in the final four, and keeping Elite 8 losers around was an unnecessary risk.

Losers please get away from our precious revenue machine NOW.
Oh and please take Coach Mulkey's advice, don't test any of your players again for COVID until the day after the championship game.

[82lsju]

makes no sense, the night in the hotel was already paid for. Was a 1:15 a.m. flight that much cheaper???? Sheesh.

I don't think this was driven by finances or traditional compliance issues.   
I believe this was built on the same idea that was in play during the NBA Bubble, and that would be COVID-19.
The idea for the NBA bubble was to get eliminated teams out of the bubble ASAP to reduce the risk of COVID spread.
Imagine, the players from Michigan spend Wednesday eating breakfast in the same hotel as Baylor or Gonzaga or used the workout room.
Best to get them out of the bubble ASAP to avoid those troublesome COVID-19 protocol issues.

The packing/unpacking burden on the players was probably not properly factored into the logistics, but why would the NCAA worry about the actual student-athletes.    The NCAA needs 4 teams to compete in the final four, and keeping Elite 8 losers around was an unnecessary risk.

Losers please get away from our precious revenue machine NOW.
Oh and please take Coach Mulkey's advice, don't test any of your players again for COVID until the day after the championship game.

then they should have planned ahead and had a remote hotel for the losing team to use.

[82lsju]

makes no sense, the night in the hotel was already paid for. Was a 1:15 a.m. flight that much cheaper???? Sheesh.

I don't think this was driven by finances or traditional compliance issues.   
I believe this was built on the same idea that was in play during the NBA Bubble, and that would be COVID-19.
The idea for the NBA bubble was to get eliminated teams out of the bubble ASAP to reduce the risk of COVID spread.
Imagine, the players from Michigan spend Wednesday eating breakfast in the same hotel as Baylor or Gonzaga or used the workout room.
Best to get them out of the bubble ASAP to avoid those troublesome COVID-19 protocol issues.

The packing/unpacking burden on the players was probably not properly factored into the logistics, but why would the NCAA worry about the actual student-athletes.    The NCAA needs 4 teams to compete in the final four, and keeping Elite 8 losers around was an unnecessary risk.

Losers please get away from our precious revenue machine NOW.
Oh and please take Coach Mulkey's advice, don't test any of your players again for COVID until the day after the championship game.

then they should have planned ahead and had a remote hotel for the losing team to use.

[BostonCard]

Farm, your explanation makes sense, but it is example number 346213 of how the NCAA doesn't give a crap about the "student" in student-athlete.  NBA pros who go home from the bubble can crash in their own home and don't have school the next day (and their season is over; they don't have to do anything the next day).  They are paid handsomely for their inconvenience.   College basketball players, unless they are on spring break, theoretically have to worry about school.  How in the hell are they supposed to do that when they arrive in Corvalis at 4 am?

Again, this just reflects the fact that the NCAA views them as "basketball players" and not students.

BC

[BostonCard]

Farm, your explanation makes sense, but it is example number 346213 of how the NCAA doesn't give a crap about the "student" in student-athlete.  NBA pros who go home from the bubble can crash in their own home and don't have school the next day (and their season is over; they don't have to do anything the next day).  They are paid handsomely for their inconvenience.   College basketball players, unless they are on spring break, theoretically have to worry about school.  How in the hell are they supposed to do that when they arrive in Corvalis at 4 am?

Again, this just reflects the fact that the NCAA views them as "basketball players" and not students.

BC

[French Rage]

If they were already in the bubble, and if they keep them obeying bubble rules until they leave it (even if they have lost), shouldn't it be safe to keep them in the bubble?  Don't get me wrong, if they lose and immediately start hitting the town, yes by all means kick them out.  But I'm assuming the night immediately after they'll just want to rest for going home the next day, so why not let them?

[French Rage]

If they were already in the bubble, and if they keep them obeying bubble rules until they leave it (even if they have lost), shouldn't it be safe to keep them in the bubble?  Don't get me wrong, if they lose and immediately start hitting the town, yes by all means kick them out.  But I'm assuming the night immediately after they'll just want to rest for going home the next day, so why not let them?

[Farm93]

If they were already in the bubble, and if they keep them obeying bubble rules until they leave it (even if they have lost), shouldn't it be safe to keep them in the bubble?  Don't get me wrong, if they lose and immediately start hitting the town, yes by all means kick them out.  But I'm assuming the night immediately after they'll just want to rest for going home the next day, so why not let them?

The NCAA bubble was really not that strong.   They likely live in great fear of losing any of the Final Four (men's) games since that is the NCAA's biggest show each year.   They didn't have that revenue last year, so I can only imagine how much they want to make sure all three games happen this year.

The weakest link in the bubble?  Player families
The player parents were definitely not in the bubble and were in the stands.  After a team's season ending loss do we really believe the players would not visit with their parents and friends?
Other common spread opportunities would exist because of bus drivers, hair stylists, food service workers, school administrators, etc.   

Not too sure why the NCAA didn't have an outside of the bubble option for the losing teams playing in those 9PM, or later, tips, but this is the same crew that thought a few of yoga mats and a dozen hand weights would be suitable training equipment for hundreds of players in the women's championship bubble.

[Farm93]

If they were already in the bubble, and if they keep them obeying bubble rules until they leave it (even if they have lost), shouldn't it be safe to keep them in the bubble?  Don't get me wrong, if they lose and immediately start hitting the town, yes by all means kick them out.  But I'm assuming the night immediately after they'll just want to rest for going home the next day, so why not let them?

The NCAA bubble was really not that strong.   They likely live in great fear of losing any of the Final Four (men's) games since that is the NCAA's biggest show each year.   They didn't have that revenue last year, so I can only imagine how much they want to make sure all three games happen this year.

The weakest link in the bubble?  Player families
The player parents were definitely not in the bubble and were in the stands.  After a team's season ending loss do we really believe the players would not visit with their parents and friends?
Other common spread opportunities would exist because of bus drivers, hair stylists, food service workers, school administrators, etc.   

Not too sure why the NCAA didn't have an outside of the bubble option for the losing teams playing in those 9PM, or later, tips, but this is the same crew that thought a few of yoga mats and a dozen hand weights would be suitable training equipment for hundreds of players in the women's championship bubble.

[magnus]

UCLA v Gonzaga all tied at 43 with less than a minute to go in the 1st half.

[magnus]

UCLA v Gonzaga all tied at 43 with less than a minute to go in the 1st half.

[magnus]

77 all, 2:18 left

[magnus]

77 all, 2:18 left

[JohnR34231]

77 all, 2:18 left

81-81 going into OT. UCLA had thr ball with a chance to win it in the last few seconds, but couldn't get it done.

[JohnR34231]

77 all, 2:18 left

81-81 going into OT. UCLA had thr ball with a chance to win it in the last few seconds, but couldn't get it done.

[chrisk]

First final four since Stanford-Kentucky.

[chrisk]

First final four since Stanford-Kentucky.

[CompSci87]

Wow, a desperation 3 at the OT buzzer banks in to win it for Gonzaga, 93-90.

[CompSci87]

Wow, a desperation 3 at the OT buzzer banks in to win it for Gonzaga, 93-90.

[magnus]

Wow!  Down to the buzzer.  With 3.3s left,  Suggs drives 2/3rds of the court in 3s before unleashing a banked 3 for the buzzer beating win.

[magnus]

Wow!  Down to the buzzer.  With 3.3s left,  Suggs drives 2/3rds of the court in 3s before unleashing a banked 3 for the buzzer beating win.

[chrisk]

Can the Zags maintain through Monday?

[chrisk]

Can the Zags maintain through Monday?

[magnus]

UCLA has lost at least 3 buzzer beaters this year.   Ouch.  

(this one,  us and usc.  Maybe twice to usc)

[magnus]

UCLA has lost at least 3 buzzer beaters this year.   Ouch.  

(this one,  us and usc.  Maybe twice to usc)

[PVTree]

What an enjoyable game. The Polar Bears made it such a close game with great strategy. I thought this would be a 15+ point win for the Zags, but the slowing down of the game and accurate shooting by UCLA kept the game within reach.

[PVTree]

What an enjoyable game. The Polar Bears made it such a close game with great strategy. I thought this would be a 15+ point win for the Zags, but the slowing down of the game and accurate shooting by UCLA kept the game within reach.

[Canalejas]

Such a crushing finish.  I was so hoping the Bruins would win.

[Canalejas]

Such a crushing finish.  I was so hoping the Bruins would win.

[Farm93]

Such a crushing finish.  I was so hoping the Bruins would win.

So proud of UCLA.   They really did a great job showing the nation that even the 4th best team from the Pac-12 can hang with the best team in the USA.  Wanted them to win for the Pac, but not super worried about it since it was an all upside deal for the conference and its rep.

Now I want to see Gonzaga absolutely thrash Baylor.    Baylor has amazing athletes, so my guess is they will be unable to resist playing at the Zags preferred pace.

[Farm93]

Such a crushing finish.  I was so hoping the Bruins would win.

So proud of UCLA.   They really did a great job showing the nation that even the 4th best team from the Pac-12 can hang with the best team in the USA.  Wanted them to win for the Pac, but not super worried about it since it was an all upside deal for the conference and its rep.

Now I want to see Gonzaga absolutely thrash Baylor.    Baylor has amazing athletes, so my guess is they will be unable to resist playing at the Zags preferred pace.

[cardcrimson]

Guess I'm an outlier here (now, there's a shock). T'was rooting for the Zags. Would love to see a mid major finish with the first undefeated season since our bicentennial. Would love to see a mid major win, period. Not a one and done on the team, just tons of commitment and work. Their offense is a ton of fun to watch, too.

[cardcrimson]

Guess I'm an outlier here (now, there's a shock). T'was rooting for the Zags. Would love to see a mid major finish with the first undefeated season since our bicentennial. Would love to see a mid major win, period. Not a one and done on the team, just tons of commitment and work. Their offense is a ton of fun to watch, too.

[BillBradley]

I'm with ya! Small correction though...Suggs is definitely a one and done :>

[BillBradley]

I'm with ya! Small correction though...Suggs is definitely a one and done :>

[Canalejas]

Plus, it would have been nice to have a win over the champs.

[Canalejas]

Plus, it would have been nice to have a win over the champs.

[lex24]

Such a crushing finish.  I was so hoping the Bruins would win.

So proud of UCLA.   They really did a great job showing the nation that even the 4th best team from the Pac-12 can hang with the best team in the USA.  Wanted them to win for the Pac, but not super worried about it since it was an all upside deal for the conference and its rep.

Now I want to see Gonzaga absolutely thrash Baylor.    Baylor has amazing athletes, so my guess is they will be unable to resist playing at the Zags preferred pace.

The day I root for any Calif sports team south of Santa Barbara will be a cold day in hell.  UCLA having a nice run does nothing for Stanford.

[lex24]

Such a crushing finish.  I was so hoping the Bruins would win.

So proud of UCLA.   They really did a great job showing the nation that even the 4th best team from the Pac-12 can hang with the best team in the USA.  Wanted them to win for the Pac, but not super worried about it since it was an all upside deal for the conference and its rep.

Now I want to see Gonzaga absolutely thrash Baylor.    Baylor has amazing athletes, so my guess is they will be unable to resist playing at the Zags preferred pace.

The day I root for any Calif sports team south of Santa Barbara will be a cold day in hell.  UCLA having a nice run does nothing for Stanford.