To help pass the time as we approach the big day, Hildy and I got together for a little tourney chat. We tried to stay on topic the best we could. If you like this first part, click READ MORE at the bottom to see the full conversation

J Lou: If you view A&M from a non fan's view, what do you think?

Hildy: I think we are a relative unknown to people outside of Texas and the Big XII... people probably think we are a Arizona St-esque team that shows up every few years and disappears right after. ASU is probably not the right comparison... maybe st. Joes

J Lou: I agree with that. I think people still view us as Acie Law.

"THAT'S WHAT I DO!"

Hildy: Even more... Billy

J Lou: Long term, I like that Turge has his views on establishing a steady program. He won't move after this. He is a family guy. He has seen what Roy Williams and Dean Smith have accomplished at long tenured stays, and I think he wants that.

Hildy: I hope that is true... I hope we want him around and I hope he wants to stay

J Lou: Short term, I think that the normal basketball fan is bored to tears by the way we play. We are sloppy, inconsistent, and go long stretches with no scoring.

Hildy: Definitely. It is similar to when Billy arrived; he slowed things down big time until he found somebody he trusted to handle the ball. I have to applaud Turge's tactics over the Big 12 Tourney and a few weeks before: minimize possesions and try to get a good shot on each trip down the floor. Very boring and mathotical but that is why we were in the game agains KU.

J Lou: You mean methodical, and yes, that is the best way for us to play. I think that you will see that change in the next few years. Thursday will be all about playing smart basketball. I am high on team's like Drake right now, b/c they don't turn over the ball. They play within themselves, and stick to their game plan.

Hildy: You can bet BYU will do the same. I don't think our game will have the highest TV ratings of Thursdays games, but as long as we win, right?

J Lou: Well before we get to BYU, lets step further away from Aggieland and look at the whole tourney. Who are your Final Four teams?

Hildy: Currently... Tenn, Kansas, Pitt, and Duke. I have not arrived at a final draft, yet. Who are yours?

J Lou: Playing your cards close to your chest huh? I respect that. My final four isn't fancy: UNC, Georgetown, Memphis, UCLA

Hildy: 3 one seeds... very bold

J Lou: I really feel the #1 seeds are that much better this year. I could see Duke in that group, but I never have and never will predict them in a bracket.

Hildy: I was virgin before yesterday in that regard

J Lou: Guards win you tournament games, and Texas has plenty of them, but they have no depth. I really think that Memphis, after two straight Elite 8's, takes the next step. The players are there, and Rose is the missing piece.

Hildy: So I suppose UCLA is going to the championship then?

J Lou: Yeah, but bowing out to my beloved Tarheels in close 83-77 contest.

Hildy: Nice. I have Kansas edging Tennessee in 92-89 thriller

J Lou: That my friend would be great basketball. (Side note, if you haven't already, you need to go read Pat Forde's column on Bruce Pearl's journey to Tennessee). Well, that's who we have getting to the Alamo, what are your upsets in the first weekend?

Hildy: I have Georgia, St. Joe's, & KState in first round upsets

J Lou: Interesting. Have you seen the Rack 'em Willie youtube video from UGA?

Hildy: I have not...

J Lou: What!? An injustice. I will have to change that when this post goes up.

Hildy: Maybe I have... it is some black dude saying rack em over and over again

J Lou: Comedic Gold

Hildy: Didn't know it had anything to do with UGA, but haven't seen it in a while

J Lou: He says a UGA cheer at the end....I digress

Hildy: I have seen it then ok... upsets are sure to be plentiful... who puts on cinderella's slipper??

J Lou: My upsets look like this: Kentucky rides the superior coaching of BCG to the second weekend (over Marquette and Stanford). Ronnie Arrow finishes what he started at South Alabama as the #11 seeded Jaguars upend Butler. St. Joe's over OU (they beat Xavier twice). Temple over Michigan State. and USC over Wisconsin in the round of 32.

Hildy: Wow... I actually have the Powercats of Manhatten over Wisconsin in the second round... also, picking Pitt to go to the Final Four would be an upset... and Georgia advancing to the sweet sixteen

J Lou: Good things. Good things. Alright, with the millions of dollars 12th MC makes, we are sending you to any region this weekend. Where do you want to go?

Hildy: Ok, i would take the Omaha site for KSttate-USC and the winner of that game playing Wisconsin. hard to beat a first round match up with the two best freshmen in the country

J Lou: Not bad, you also get Kansas there. Okay, not being a homer, but I got to Anaheim. Good city. Nice weather. And you get Big East vs. SEC in Marquette vs. Kentucky, and then Kentucky vs. Stanford in round two. That is good basketball. Also, if we win, UCLA vs. A&M will have some great athletes on the floor. Next topic: most overhyped team in America?

Hildy: Agreed... it was a coin flip b/t Aneheim and Omaha. Hmmm.... I would probably take Duke or Texas... both great teams, but seems like most ESPN/CBS/Dick Vitale think these teams walk on water

J Lou: Beat me to the punch. Duke baaaaby! Coach K=great, but if I hear about it one more time, while having to look at that elfish looking little face, I am going to go crazy. I can just see it when that dork Wojo takes over and the love fest is passed on to him.

Hildy: oh man it will be monumental... was watching an ESPN Classic game with a Wojo led Duke team... even then Dicky V was all over Wojo like he was the second coming of Stockton.

J Lou: Okay, we have to stop before I ruin my day. I can only take so much of the dookies. Wanna break down our game with BYU a little bit?

Hildy: Other teams that are overhyped: almost every Big East team... do they not play on ESPN every single night?? I feel like I have seend UConn, Pitt, Louisville, and Syracuse play 30 times this year

J Lou: Try living in DC.

Hildy: Alright lets do BYU

J Lou: Guards:

Hildy: Lee Cummard (click here for bio) hitting 3's at a 46% clip is concerning Their guard play will be no where near the level A&M has seen in the last 2 months. Ags should take advantage of this and harass the hell out their guards

If this kid beats us, I am going to lose it

J Lou:Cummard scores 15ppg, 3.5 assists, 6 rebounds He is their backbone. Hopefully Kirk can take him out of his game.

Forwards:

This has to go to A&M. They only play 7 players regularly, and only two of them are taller than 6-9.

Hildy:Agreed, offensively they like to shoot from the peremiter at this position... but you would think there would be no way they could guard Davis or Junior. I am pretty sure they like to shoot it out of every position.

J Lou:It is hard to go any further in analysis, they don't really have any centers. Am I supposed to believe that a 6-9 guy and a 6-11 guy are going to lock down Jones, Jordan, Davis, and Junior?

If we can get just one of those big men in foul trouble by controlling the tempo of the game and milking the clock, the Ags win easilly.

Hildy:Definitely a key to the game... no way a softy from Brazil and his equally soft buddy are going to slow down A&M's inside game

J Lou:That's what I am banking on. Okay my ADD is kicking in, let's wrap this up.

Mormons or Corps of Cadets?

Hildy:No kidding... Equally bad

Just kidding... I'll take that cadets in a land slide

J Lou:The similarities are frightening though

Hildy: You are right on there, J Lou

J Lou:Good talk. Good talk. I'll see you out there