Ok, we are past the play-in games, which I could have sworn were called the Regular Season, but turns out it's so that the 4 teams that should have been left out get a check too.
Learn something new everyday.
Anyway, I am not going to waste your time ranting about how stupid I think it was to move up 68 teams. Such an arbitrary choice and messy implementation. The issues seem clear, so lets move on now that we have reached the first full day of the tournament.
So, I am going to rank the 16 first round games I am most looking forward to, by my level of interest, and then wax sarcastic for a bit.
1.
WICHITA STATE
vs.
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
For those of you who don't follow basketball closely or care about mid-major basketball, this just looks like this year's mid-major against the Cinderella from last year. But if you look back a bit, you will come across a game that took place just over a year ago. Last February 18th, VCU travelled to Wichita Kansas to play in the ESPN bracket buster series against the Shockers. It was a tight, physical, game between 2 well coached and deep teams. VCU's point guard Joey Rodgriguez drew a foul with under a second left, hit the free throws and won the game. It is widely beleived that the winner of that game was going to the tourney and the loser to the NIT. The interesting thing about the game is, it didn't just give VCU momentum, it ignited runs for both teams. We have a final 4 team against the winner of the NIT. When I first saw this matchup I was angry, seeing it as a cop-out so that the big schools could knock one of these teams not really being worth because they didn't even win a game. But, I doubt either of these squads, and I know the Shockers for sure, would rather play anyone else.
That said, I now beleive that the big boys didn't do this to protect their conference reputations, they made this happen because they are scared. And they should be.
2.
NEW MEXICO
vs.
LONG BEACH STATE
This one catches my interest because I want to see who is for real. My first thought it.....both. LBSU went all over and put some serious scared into several of the top seeds in the tourney. They are deep, taleted and experienced. New Mexico has a star in Drew Gordon who transferred from UCLA to escape the mess that Ben Howland is dealing with. Both of these are teams that play withour a true center, so it should be an exciting, fast-paced affair.
3.
CREIGHTON
vs.
ALABAMA
This is a game that I look to for the rest of the country to see that not all of the mid-majors are 'system teams'. The Creighton Blue Jays have a legit star who was in player of the year talk, and he's a sophomore. They have the Missouri Valley defensive player of the year inside who transferred from the Big East, and they have a point guard who could start for nearly anyone in the country. Throw in a handful of quality role players and shooters, and it's no accident that they were ranked much of the year. Their weakness is defending on the wings. Luckily for them, Alabama is not really known for it's outside shooting. That said, Bama is one of the most athletic teams in the country and if Creighton doesn't work at it, they will just rebound and pound them into submission. This one could be fun, but I have to admit I will be rooting for Creighton. I really would love to see McDermott match up against his high school teammate Harrison Barnes in the second round. Seriously, think about that high school team for a second. 2 guys 6'8" who can score with anybody, playing in Ames Iowa.
4.
GONZAGA
vs.
WEST VIRGINIA
This looks like the classic case of the one man show against the solid team concept. Kevin Jones is a stud, while Gonzaga has 4 guys who average double figures. Normally, I would think the Zags a prohibitive favorite, but this game is a near home game for the Moutaineers. Funny how that happens. The higher rated, small school, has to go to the big conference team's backyard to play. Weird...huh
VANDERBILT
vs.
HARVARD
This is easily the highest IQ game in the tournament.
6.
IOWA STATE
vs.
UCONN
This is the game of misfits. UConn shouldn't be in after their mid-season collapse and some would say that half of Iowa State shouldn't be allowed to play after their off-court shenanigans. That said, both teams are redemption stories for some very good players and both teams have very good coaches. I like UConn because of their size, but you never know which Husky team is going to show up.
7.
MARQUETTE
vs.
BYU
I like the story from Marquette, but every time I saw them this year they were largely underwhelming. BYU is riding high after their huge comeback to start the tourney off. I like them to keep it going and think their size will be troublesome for Marquette and good ol' Buzz. One thing though, about BYU and their vaunted honor code. Funny how they enforce it when they have Jimmer and think he can carry them through and then forgive and forget when they need a kid like Davies to have a solid team.
8.
KANSAS STATE
vs.
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
This is the classic contrast game. KSU is big and physical. They are going to smother the boards and make you shoot from outside. Southern Miss is going to run you to death and shoot from outside. I really think this will be determined by the style of officiating. The more physical they are allowed to play, the less likely the Golden Eagles are to have a chance. That said, over/under on concussions heading back to Hattiesburg is at 2.
9.
NOTRE DAME
vs.
XAVIER
Notre Dame came on late, in conference, after a very poor showing out of conference. Xavier was slow to recover after their mid-season brawl with Cincy. These kids should be as mentally tough as you are going to find after finding ways to pull their seasons back from the brink. There will be no quit in this one. Some punches...yeah maybe, but not quitting.
10.
MEMPHIS
vs.
SAINT LOUIS
Much like game #8, contast is the name of the game here. The Tigers average 75 a game, the Billikends less than 70. Saint Louis has a young coach, Saint Louis' looks like he ate a young coach. Whoever sets the pace, wins the game. Saint Louis does not want to run, Memphis plays 9 guys 10 minutes or more a game.
11.
SAN DIEGO STATE
vs.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
This is the little team from out west coming to play the Big team from the coast. And those descriptions are literal. The Wolfback has 7 players 6'8" or bigger, SDSU has 2. NC State has to dominate the boards and take away any second chance shots to have a chance against the Aztecs 3 guard attack.
12.
CINCINNATI
vs.
TEXAS
Texas is between recruiting hauls, but J'Covan Brown is the kind of player who make them forget that for a night. That said, here is the real trick for the Longhorns to pull this one out. Give someone some headgear and have them insult Yancy Gates' mother, and/or manhood. Don't worry, after he is done pummeling your guy, they will kick him out and you will win. I promise.
13.
SAINT MARY'S
vs.
PURDUE
Saint Mary's has slowly ground it out until they became a top-25 team. They are there and Matthew Dellavedova is a fun player to watch. He looks more like a rowdy from the front row than a point guard, but he is the engine that make this train go. Robbie Hummel, on the other hand, is my hero.
14.
GEORGETOWN
vs.
BELMONT
I want to see Georgetown lose to a double digit seed.....again.
They are consistently overrated. Maybe noone realizes that this John Thompson is not that John Thompson. First team to 70 wins.
15.
UNLV
vs.
COLORADO
This should really just be a play-in game for the Pac-12. Colorado loses and Washington State gets kicked out in favor of UNLV. Seriously, like soccer, a little promotion demotion can be very motivating.
16.
LOUISVILLE
vs.
DAVIDSON
The Cardinals can't shoot, Davidson's players weren't good enough to play at Louisville. I hope their coach reminds them of that before the game. Siva will have a day, but Louisville is an immature team and might just get frustrated by Davidson's hustle and shooting.
No comments:
Post a Comment