| Andrew |
 | 3 Comments |  | 1939 Read | Mar 13, 2009 |
 |
So I meant to start writing a post about how great college basketball's championship week is, but I've been a little distracted watching the UConn-Syracuse game. Chances are, if you live on the east coast, you've been asleep for awhile. At the moment, there is 2:11 left in the sixth overtime. Yes, six. I've seen some epic battles and some great basketball games, but this is quickly climbing the list.
If the game somehow reaches an eighth overtime, it will become the longest game in college basketball history. The Orange lead by six right now though, so it might not go that far. But regardless, this game has been the crowning jewel of a fantastic week.
(Pause to watch more of the game...)
Syracuse still up by eight, with 1:47 left. See, as a Michigan State fan, I usually don't have a rooting interest in high-scoring games. Big Ten basketball is tough, grind-it-out basketball, which admittedly isn't the most entertaining brand of basketball. I've been very impressed with Syracuse though (and increasingly less impressed with UConn). The Orange have the look of a Sweet 16 team, while UConn looks vulnerable to me.
(Syracuse up by nine with just over a minute.)
I know once I get my hands on the brackets this Sunday I will struggle to fill it out. Granted, that happens every year. But this year in particular, I can't identify any favorites. There are no teams that jump out to me as sure-fire, can't-miss tournament teams.
(It's a final. 127-117 Syracuse. Six overtimes. Just amazing stuff. It makes me love the game of basketball even more.)
Anyway, back to the bracket talk. I think at this point I have North Carolina as my favorite. They are the deepest, most experienced team. Then after that I would probably go with Louisville, Memphis, Michigan State and Oklahoma, in that order. Louisville doesn't get as much press as they probably deserve, but I would take them over UConn or Pitt any day. Pitt is flawed, and without Dyson, UConn looks just pretty good, not great. Memphis has a ton of pieces, so I see no reason why they can't make another Final Four run. The Spartans have a lot of talent and depth, which is something that often goes overlooked. They don't have one go-to player, but rather a strong group of playmakers. Plus, they play intense defense. That usually helps in the tournament. And Oklahoma has Blake Griffin. That's enough for me.
Of course, a lot depends on the bracket and the matchups all of these teams will have. I'll post more on that once I get to look over the bracket and analyze it a bit. But assuming these four teams are in the four different regions, I'll go with a Final Four of North Carolina, Louisville, Memphis and Michigan State. As far as potential sleepers, I really like Syracuse this year. Butler is a favorite of mine as well. And I think Villanova has a possible Final Four run in it as well. For a DEEP sleeper, how about Siena or Cleveland State? Siena is very underrated, and I liked what I saw out of Cleveland State against Butler this season.
Like I said, I'll post more organized, analysis-driven thoughts in the coming days. I just had to get something up about this UConn-Syracuse game tonight. It was truly a classic.
Tags:
Louisville (NCAA CB), Michigan State (NCAA CB), Oklahoma (NCAA CB), Memphis (NCAA CB), North Carolina (NCAA CB), Basketball, College Basketball, Big East Tournament, Big East, Connecticut (NCAA CB), Syracuse (NCAA CB), NCAA CB , UConn, NCAA, Siena (NCAA CB), Cleveland State (NCAA CB), Butler (NCAA CB), Villanova (NCAA CB), Pittsburgh (NCAA CB) |
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john brindger: That's a great story about Boeheim. He's definitely an all-time great college coach, and sounds like a good guy too. I'm an '08 graduate of Ithaca College, so I spent the last four years only an hour or so from Syracuse. They are definitely crazy about their Orange up there (as I'm sure you still are). Like I wrote, they really opened my eyes this week. I like their chances of making a decent run.
Tre: Louisville certainly has as good a chance as any team going into the tournament. However, I think to judge North Carolina on a few bad losses isn't fair. EVERY top contender has some bad losses. Take a look: Louisville - Minnesota, UNLV, blowout loss to Notre Dame; Pitt - Providence, West Virginia; Wake Forest - Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech; North Carolina - BC, Maryland, Florida State; Michigan State - Northwestern, Penn State, Maryland; Memphis - Xavier, Georgetown; Duke - Michigan, BC and on and on and on. Now we can argue to what degree all of these losses are really "bad," but the point is that the teams should have beaten these opponents. But they didn't. Every team is vulnerable. Did Michigan State get wrecked today? Sure. They played one of, if not their worst game of the season, yet still managed to score 70 points (despite 38% shooting). They have had some letdowns this season, but they are dangerous. Not to mention Tom Izzo is a proven tournament-tested coach. Also, consider the Big Ten's history in the tournament. Over the last 10 seasons, Big Ten teams have reached the Sweet 16 eighteen times. In only two of those 10 seasons did at least one Big Ten team fail to reach the Sweet 16. As a fan of a Big Ten team, I know there's a reason why the conference does well in the tournament - all the teams play great defense. Also, I think you're way off on Minnesota, but you're certainly entitled to your opinion. We will see what the tournament brings us.
Michigan State is nothing but "average". Sorry. A team that turns over the ball as much as they do, is in trouble. Just take a look at what Ohio State did to them today. I will go out on a limb here and say Michigan State will not even make the Sweet 16.
Oklahoma has been in a funk as of late and that is w/ Blake in the starting lineup as well. History has it that the winner has been "hot" going in to the tournament. Losers of 3 of their last 5 is anything but "hot."
Pittsburgh would be a good pick if Blair could keep himself composed. But his basketball maturity has a tendency to show. I don't see this team as Final Four material.
Connecticut has looked just "average" as of late since the loss of Dyson. This hurts to say being a UConn fan myself. They seem to play when they want to play.
North Carolina has lost to teams that they should NOT have lost too. Blowing a 17 point lead to Maryland and losing the game was just atrocious. How they lower themselves to their opponents quality has to sit in the back of everyones mind. That and their defense is below average. I would not count them as a favorite this year.
My Pick: Louisville.
Dark Horse: Minnesota (Yes, Minnesota)
Andrew: I agree. It was truly a classic! I watched every second through the end of the 6th overtime and the victory for the Orange! I was on a Carribian Cruise with my wife in June of last year. Jim Beheim was on the cruise also with a crew for "Coaches against cancer". I introduced myself (have a son who is a senior at Syracuse) and said I heard a rumor he was contemplating retirement...He got this boyish Beheim grin and said, "Oh no. I have too many really good young guys I want to watch develop..." I am sure Johnny Flinn was one of them!! No matter how far they go toward the "big dance", I now understand the Beheim boyish grin! John B., Orange fan
