For those of us who are rose-colored-glass half-full starry-eyed optimists, the first and second round of the NCAA Tournament was a kick in the collective bracket.
Where were the Cinderella’s? Some media outlets banned that C-word from their tournament coverage this year, being as it was such an overused term in past years coverage. They shouldn’t have bothered. No such fairy tale creature exists in 2007.
For the first time since 1995, the tournament’s Sweet 16 is without a double-digit seed. In nine of the past 10 tournaments, at least two of these long-shots have qualified for the second weekend of play. Yet starting Thursday, when the sixteen will begin to be whittled down to four, the lowest-seeded team to play will be a No.7, UNLV – the same UNLV who had 30 victories and won their conference tournament title.
Pretenders to Cinderella’s crown, Virginia Commonwealth, did beat Duke but quickly went bye-bye to a seriously good Pittsburgh. Winthrop did take out Notre Dame, but got ducked by Oregon. Winthrop was everyone’s pre-tourney pick as the team most likely to go mad. However, they were ranked No. 22 in the AP poll going in. How can a team be deemed “Cinderella” if they were nationally ranked?
The sixteen teams that remain all deserve to be there proving that for this year at least, the NCAA Committee actually knew what they are doing – and considering my propensity for taking all those long-shots, that I don’t.
So… with my confidence brimming over its time, once again, to get picky:
Texas A&M (3) vs. Memphis (2)
Texas A&M plays their biggest game in school history against Memphis, who could be missing their leading scorer, Chris Douglas-Roberts with a bum ankle. The Aggies, who are the 3-point favorite, have never been where they are whereas the Tigers were the No.1 seed last year before losing in the regional finals to UCLA.
Experience counts: Memphis
Ohio State (1) vs. Tennessee (5)
With 9.3 seconds left against Xavier, 7 ft. freshman Greg Oden lost it against Justin Cage and should have been called for a flagrant foul. He wasn’t, so he simply fouled out of the game instead of giving the two shots and the possession to Xavier therefore losing the game for his team – and ending his college career. But here he is to live at least one more day.
Too tall: Ohio State
Kansas (1) vs. Southern Illinois (4)
In the opening rounds of the tournament Kansas is averaging 95 points.
Southern Illinois is ranked third in the nation in defense. For the Salukis (The what?) to advance they have to keep this game in the 60-point range, as three of the Jayhawks’ four losses have come when they have scored less than 70 points. Something has got to give. Since I picked Kansas to win it all, it had better be Southern Illinois.
Bracketolgy says: Kansas
UCLA (2) vs. Pittsburgh (3)
Personally I hate it when the biggest story of a match-up is the coaches. I like my compelling stories to take place on the court. However, you can’t deny the Ben Howland vs. Jamie Dixon storyline isn’t compelling. Best friends off the court this game pits Head coach vs. former assistant.
Home court and travel time advantages: UCLA
Georgetown (2) vs. Vanderbilt (6)
Vanderbilt has already lost to Georgetown this season, 86-70 at home in a game in which they were favored. This time Georgetown is favored by 7.5 and considering they way they have looked they could go double-digits over the Commodores.
Because I want to see a classic in the next round: Georgetown
North Carolina (1) vs. Southern California (5)
It’s all about depth for North Carolina. How deep? Two returning starters from last season are now bench players. They are quicker, taller and more talented than USC.
And again, because I want to see a classic in the next round: North Carolina
Florida (1) vs. Butler (5)
Florida’s Joakim Noah and Al Horford are going to dominate inside over their undersized opponents; however the outside game goes to Butler. So if the Bulldogs can stay red hot from near and beyond the 3-point line they should be able to upset the vulnerable looking Gators.
There had to be one upset: Butler
Oregon (3) vs. UNLV (7)
UNLV are playing up the underdog role a bit, but come on. They have won 9 straight, are 11-1 in their last 12 games and have won 16 of their last 18 overall. The Ducks have been on cruise control facing only a 14th and an 11th seeded team thus far, and the only way they should lose if they are guilty of looking ahead.
Moving on: Oregon
This year most of the games are going by the numbers. It’s been not so much “March Madness” as “Going according to plan.” Personally I prefer an occasional glass slipper.
Cheers and good luck with your picks -
Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch
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