If you don't understand the title of this post, here's the explanation: this post is my 100th on the blog. Although I only get about six views per week, and there are only about four die-hard readers of the blog, I can honestly say that it's those six views and four die-hard readers per week that have kept me writing. So, I'd like to extend a big thanks to you guys, and to anyone who has read even one of my posts. Hopefully my writing stimulates your mind, and keeps you interested in the many stories that are constantly developing in the sports world. That's really what opinionated journalism is all about. So, here's to 100 more, and hopefully bigger and better things in the future!
This weekend was an interesting one in college football. While I wasn't overly surprised about Oregon's close game with Cal, I think it finally opened the eyes of many people who are already placing the Ducks in the national championship game. They are beatable, and while Arizona and Oregon State may not instill the utmost confidence that number one will go down, we saw this weekend that it is possible. With every win, the pressure amounts for the Ducks. I honestly think that the Oregon State game will be the toughest of the year for Chip Kelley's team. The game will be played in Corvallis, and I think that Oregon State will be up for the game. It could make what has been an overly disappointing season for the Beavers little bit more bearable heading into the offseason if they could upset the Ducks.
Although people's eyes were opened to the fact that Oregon may not be untouchable, people still seem to be ignoring another team out West that may be just as good, if not better, than the Ducks. Last Friday, Boise State manhandled in-state rival Idaho, beating the Vandals 52-14. At one point, the Broncos were up 28-0...in the first quarter. It truly looked like a game in NCAA Football 11; the Broncos could do no wrong early on. Idaho isn't exactly a total slouch, either. Although the Vandals do have some defensive issues, this is a team that went to Nebraska earlier this season and gave the Cornhuskers fits the entire first half, before bowing out 38-17. I don't want to get into the cliché argument about Boise State's strength of schedule, but I am getting pretty sick and tired of hearing from all the Boise bashers that haven't even watched Boise State play other than against Virginia Tech. I know that most people have lives and don't watch the Friday night WAC battles, but thanks to my inability to get a date now and again, this source of entertainment is my best friend. The bottom line is, it doesn't matter who Boise State is playing; they look like a team capable of playing heads up with anyone in the country. Also, Boise has a date in a couple of weeks with a very solid Nevada team, who earlier this season took it to that same Cal team that gave Oregon fits this past weekend. One more thing; with every passing week, Boise’s win over Virginia Tech continues to look better. Since their 0-2 start, the Hokies are undefeated, and look to be headed for an ACC championship.
In other news, I think I may actually watch the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Homestead this weekend. This is really one of the first races this season that I've actually been interested to watch. If you would have told me that three years ago, I would have said you were crazy. However, I think that sums up the state of NASCAR right now. Jimmie Johnson not being in the lead, yet having a chance, is the best thing that could have happened to the sport. Since Johnson began his tear of consecutive Spring Cup championships almost five years ago, the sport has lost a significant portion of its fan base, for multiple reasons. Although it's doubtful that one race will turn the tide in the right direction for NASCAR, ending the season with a potential thrilling points finish can't hurt the sport. When NASCAR implemented the Chase for the Cup system back in 2005, I'm sure that they thought this type of excitement at the end of the season would be the norm. Although it has been anything but (with the void-of-personality Jimmie Johnson racking in the titles with ease), it will be nice to see what we thought we were getting every year with the Chase for the Cup format.
Now that college basketball has begun, I thought that I'd mention one of my favorite events of the entire year. Starting November 16th (that's tomorrow) at 12 a.m., the College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon will begin. Basically, ESPN will be broadcasting games all day, until 12 a.m. the next day. That's right; you can be sipping your morning coffee while determining whether the Monmouth team you're watching will be able to make it into the NCAA Tournament. Not only is this a cool event in that it is out of the ordinary, but it also gives teams (such as Monmouth) a chance to play on national television, which is an opportunity they may not have again until February, when ESPN does their Bracket Buster Weekend.
- K. Becks
Showing posts with label college basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college basketball. Show all posts
Monday, November 15, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
And Then There Were Two
For the second time in two years, a team playing in their home state will face off against an ACC opponent in the Division 1 Men's NCAA Basketball Championship. This is the classic David vs. Goliath story; the real life Hoosiers. At first glance Duke seems like the bigger, more athletic team, but are they? Butler guard Gordon Hayward may be the best NBA prospect on the floor tonight, and forward Matt Howard has the ability to match up with Duke center Brian Zoubek.
Also, with four white players starting for Duke, and Butler's two best players being white, the athleticism seems pretty even to me. Talk about putting Miracle Whip on your Wonder Bread.
If I were Butler coach Brad Stevens, I would make my speech to the team short and sweet. It'd probably go something like this:
Well guys, this is it. The National Championship. Be honest, how many of you guys had us going out in the Sweet 16 on your brackets?....You guys are a bunch of liars. Well, as most coaches say, you guys are going to have to play this game. I can't play it for you, and neither can the other coaches. Of course, if I put a uniform on, they probably wouldn't question it.
Anyway, gentlemen, you have the chance to do something today that no other Butler University basketball player has ever done before; win a National Championship. Let's get after loose balls, stay focused, take smart shots, and play our game. No matter what happens tonight, remember that you have elevated yourself beyond everyone's expectations. But let's win this one and become more than underdogs, cause I'm pretty goddamn tired of people asking me where Jimmy Chitwood is. That's about as funny as people yelling "Run, Forest, Run" to a marathoner.
Inside Lucas Oil Stadium tonight, roughly 75% of the crowd will be rooting for the hometown team. Something tells me that probably holds true for the entire nation as well. Not only do Americans love the underdog, but after seeing Duke receive possibly the easiest road to the Final Four, as well as seemingly receiving lots of calls from the refs, they are almost the equivalent to the Evil Empire. With that being said, here are my thoughts on the game.
Let's go Butler. Destroy the Blue Devils. You've had more than just one shining moment, but tonight you have the chance to capture the brightest one of all.
- K. Becks
Also, with four white players starting for Duke, and Butler's two best players being white, the athleticism seems pretty even to me. Talk about putting Miracle Whip on your Wonder Bread.
If I were Butler coach Brad Stevens, I would make my speech to the team short and sweet. It'd probably go something like this:
Well guys, this is it. The National Championship. Be honest, how many of you guys had us going out in the Sweet 16 on your brackets?....You guys are a bunch of liars. Well, as most coaches say, you guys are going to have to play this game. I can't play it for you, and neither can the other coaches. Of course, if I put a uniform on, they probably wouldn't question it.
Anyway, gentlemen, you have the chance to do something today that no other Butler University basketball player has ever done before; win a National Championship. Let's get after loose balls, stay focused, take smart shots, and play our game. No matter what happens tonight, remember that you have elevated yourself beyond everyone's expectations. But let's win this one and become more than underdogs, cause I'm pretty goddamn tired of people asking me where Jimmy Chitwood is. That's about as funny as people yelling "Run, Forest, Run" to a marathoner.
Inside Lucas Oil Stadium tonight, roughly 75% of the crowd will be rooting for the hometown team. Something tells me that probably holds true for the entire nation as well. Not only do Americans love the underdog, but after seeing Duke receive possibly the easiest road to the Final Four, as well as seemingly receiving lots of calls from the refs, they are almost the equivalent to the Evil Empire. With that being said, here are my thoughts on the game.
Let's go Butler. Destroy the Blue Devils. You've had more than just one shining moment, but tonight you have the chance to capture the brightest one of all.
- K. Becks
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sweet 16 Preview
After my less than acceptable post a few days ago, I have come back with enough thoughts and opinions to make this post more worthwhile. In less than a day, we will kick off the second week of games in the NCAA Tournament. There are always those that will complain that the top seeds being out make the tournament less interesting, but here is a simple solution to all of those who feel that way: Take your bracket, find the nearest wastebasket, and do your best impression of Mickey McConnell chucking up a three. Forget your bracket, and just enjoy the games. Admit it or not, that's the only reason you feel that way. So far this has been one of the most competitive and exciting NCAA Tournaments that I have ever seen, and I would take that any day over ho-hum games in which the top seeds all advance.
I've come up with a list of games that you should definitely pay attention to during the next two days. I'll also give you my thoughts on who will be moving on to the Elite 8.
Games to Watch
Thursday
#2 Kansas State vs. #6 Xavier (starts approx. 9:37 pm)
Xavier does not feel at all like they are lucky to be here; this is the third season in as many years that the Musketeers have made the Sweet 16. The confidence of both teams is a big reason why this game should be so interesting. Expect a lot of shots from guards Dennis Clemente and Jacob Pullen of Kansas State, because their production will be a major factor in determining the outcome of this game. The Wildcats stopped do-it-all guard Jimmer Fredette in the last round, and the defense will be called on again to stop Xavier's big time scoring threat Jordan Crawford. If Crawford continues to play well and the Musketeer defense can play solid perimeter defense, limiting the outside attempts for Clemente and Pullen, then this game should be as exciting as their last game against Pittsburgh.
#1 Kentucky vs. #12 Cornell (starts approx. 9:57 pm)
This game has probably been the most talked about and anticipated matchup throughout this week. Cornell has the size, experience, and the ability to control the tempo of the game. Kentucky has the outstanding athleticism and can run opposing teams right off the court. Cornell will need to control the pace and shoot the ball well from behind the arc if they want a chance to win this game. This would likely be the biggest upset of the tournament so far if Cornell were to win, but don't count out the Big Red. The experience and leadership of their core of seniors gives them the upper hand over the youthful Wildcats in that respect.
Friday
#2 Ohio State vs. #6 Tennessee (starts approx. 7:07 pm)
No offense to Michigan State and Northern Iowa, but the winner of this game will likely be the team representing the Midwest region in the Final Four. Ohio State has not played their absolute best basketball in the tournament thus far, but has been getting good production out of guard Jon Diebler, who is often streaky. Tennessee did not play their best basketball in the first two rounds either, but received help from their bench in order to make it this far. The Volunteers will likely have trouble down low against Dallas Lauderdale, so they will need good three point shooting from the guards in order to spread the defense underneath. The three ball will be flying a lot in this game, so it may come down to who is stroking better on Friday night.
#3 Baylor vs. #10 St. Mary's (starts approx. 7:27 pm)
This is possibly my favorite Sweet 16 matchup, mostly because I love watching St. Mary's play. Matthew Delladova's mouthguard, Omar Samhan's trash-talking, and Mickey McConnell's rainbow shot that seems to always find the basket (if you didn't click on the link above, do so and you'll see what I mean) make this team one to fall in love with. Samhan is a beast inside, although Baylor center Ekpe Udoh will be his toughest test of the tournament thus far. It will be interesting to see if the Gaels can create open shots and hit them like they did against Villanova, or if Baylor's tough defense will force them into taking contested shots. The Gaels will need to force Bears guard LaceDarius Dunn to play a game similar to the one Villanova's Scottie Reynolds played against St. Mary's if they want to win, but they can't forget about point guard Tweet Carter, either. This will definitely be St. Mary's toughest game so far, but Omar Samhan's mom knows what the Gaels are capable of doing. Instead of buying tickets to Providence to see her son play last weekend, she told him she was only going to buy tickets to Houston, where this Sweet 16 game will be played. Tough love, huh?
My Picks
Midwest
#9 Northern Iowa over #5 Michigan State
#2 Ohio State over #6 Tennessee
West
#1 Syracuse over #5 Butler
#2 Kansas State over #6 Xavier
East
#1 Kentucky over #12 Cornell
#2 West Virginia over #11 Washington
South
#1 Duke over #4 Purdue
#10 St. Mary's over #3 Baylor
I probably won't post a new entry after the Sweet 16 games until the Final Four is set. With that being said, all I'm asking for is that these games are close and exciting, continuing the trend of what has already been an outstanding tournament.
- K. Becks
I've come up with a list of games that you should definitely pay attention to during the next two days. I'll also give you my thoughts on who will be moving on to the Elite 8.
Games to Watch
Thursday
#2 Kansas State vs. #6 Xavier (starts approx. 9:37 pm)
Xavier does not feel at all like they are lucky to be here; this is the third season in as many years that the Musketeers have made the Sweet 16. The confidence of both teams is a big reason why this game should be so interesting. Expect a lot of shots from guards Dennis Clemente and Jacob Pullen of Kansas State, because their production will be a major factor in determining the outcome of this game. The Wildcats stopped do-it-all guard Jimmer Fredette in the last round, and the defense will be called on again to stop Xavier's big time scoring threat Jordan Crawford. If Crawford continues to play well and the Musketeer defense can play solid perimeter defense, limiting the outside attempts for Clemente and Pullen, then this game should be as exciting as their last game against Pittsburgh.
#1 Kentucky vs. #12 Cornell (starts approx. 9:57 pm)
This game has probably been the most talked about and anticipated matchup throughout this week. Cornell has the size, experience, and the ability to control the tempo of the game. Kentucky has the outstanding athleticism and can run opposing teams right off the court. Cornell will need to control the pace and shoot the ball well from behind the arc if they want a chance to win this game. This would likely be the biggest upset of the tournament so far if Cornell were to win, but don't count out the Big Red. The experience and leadership of their core of seniors gives them the upper hand over the youthful Wildcats in that respect.
Friday
#2 Ohio State vs. #6 Tennessee (starts approx. 7:07 pm)
No offense to Michigan State and Northern Iowa, but the winner of this game will likely be the team representing the Midwest region in the Final Four. Ohio State has not played their absolute best basketball in the tournament thus far, but has been getting good production out of guard Jon Diebler, who is often streaky. Tennessee did not play their best basketball in the first two rounds either, but received help from their bench in order to make it this far. The Volunteers will likely have trouble down low against Dallas Lauderdale, so they will need good three point shooting from the guards in order to spread the defense underneath. The three ball will be flying a lot in this game, so it may come down to who is stroking better on Friday night.
#3 Baylor vs. #10 St. Mary's (starts approx. 7:27 pm)
This is possibly my favorite Sweet 16 matchup, mostly because I love watching St. Mary's play. Matthew Delladova's mouthguard, Omar Samhan's trash-talking, and Mickey McConnell's rainbow shot that seems to always find the basket (if you didn't click on the link above, do so and you'll see what I mean) make this team one to fall in love with. Samhan is a beast inside, although Baylor center Ekpe Udoh will be his toughest test of the tournament thus far. It will be interesting to see if the Gaels can create open shots and hit them like they did against Villanova, or if Baylor's tough defense will force them into taking contested shots. The Gaels will need to force Bears guard LaceDarius Dunn to play a game similar to the one Villanova's Scottie Reynolds played against St. Mary's if they want to win, but they can't forget about point guard Tweet Carter, either. This will definitely be St. Mary's toughest game so far, but Omar Samhan's mom knows what the Gaels are capable of doing. Instead of buying tickets to Providence to see her son play last weekend, she told him she was only going to buy tickets to Houston, where this Sweet 16 game will be played. Tough love, huh?
My Picks
Midwest
#9 Northern Iowa over #5 Michigan State
#2 Ohio State over #6 Tennessee
West
#1 Syracuse over #5 Butler
#2 Kansas State over #6 Xavier
East
#1 Kentucky over #12 Cornell
#2 West Virginia over #11 Washington
South
#1 Duke over #4 Purdue
#10 St. Mary's over #3 Baylor
I probably won't post a new entry after the Sweet 16 games until the Final Four is set. With that being said, all I'm asking for is that these games are close and exciting, continuing the trend of what has already been an outstanding tournament.
- K. Becks
Monday, March 22, 2010
Weekend Review
What an awesome weekend! Although your bracket is probably buried in a random trash can by now (trust me, mine deserves to be too, but I like to keep it until the end), you probably still enjoyed the way the last four days played out. There was no shortage of great moments, and although we lost some of the top seeds, I think that this coming weekend will be very exciting as well.
Obviously, there were a lot of things that I liked about this first weekend of March Madness. Of course, there are also some things that I wish could have gone differently. Here is my recap of the weekend.
Things I Liked
Mid-MAJOR Performance
Northern Iowa, Cornell, St. Mary's, Murray State, Old Dominion....and the list goes on. The so called mid-majors definitely showed up to play this past weekend, which always makes the tournament fun to watch. The clutch shots by Ali Farokhmanesh (Northern Iowa) and Danero Thomas (Murray State) are just a few of the highlights put together by this tough bunch of teams that busted many people's brackets. These kinds of moments are why the NCAA shouldn't tamper with the 64 team tournament that is as close to perfect as anything in college sports, as it would eliminate much of this drama, but that is a story for another day...
Buzzer Beaters
The three buzzer beaters in the first day of competition matched the number of buzzer beaters in the entire tournament last year. The plethora of close games kept you on the edge of your seat for the entire slate of games, which is exactly what March Madness is all about. The image of one team mobbing each other in center court while the other team looks on in disbelief is what makes the first two rounds so fun to watch. I personally also like running down the stairs at almost midnight, barging into my parents' room, and asking my dad if he saw "that play". I'm pretty sure he enjoys that part too.
Things I Didn't Like
That's actually a joke...the first round of the NCAA Tournament are the two greatest days of the year for me. Add the fact that it was probably the best first round in the last few years, and this writer was completely satisfied.
I think I'm still recovering from the weekend, because I can't think of anything else to write about. On Wednesday, I'll post again with my preview of the Sweet 16, including some teams that could send more top seeds packing. Since my post contains very little interesting material, I want to know what you guys think. What did you like about the first weekend of the tournament, or what didn't you like? Post a comment or send me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com. Thanks guys.
Oh, and one more thing. The guy who is in first place in ESPN's Men's Tournament Challenge goes to my school. That's right, I know the guy. I've always wanted to have a chance to say "I know that guy". You may have met a famous rock group or be distantly related to Eric Clapton, but I know the guy who is in first place in the ESPN Men's Tournament Challenge. So my congratulations to you, Jay, because my bracket sucks.
- K. Becks
Obviously, there were a lot of things that I liked about this first weekend of March Madness. Of course, there are also some things that I wish could have gone differently. Here is my recap of the weekend.
Things I Liked
Mid-MAJOR Performance
Northern Iowa, Cornell, St. Mary's, Murray State, Old Dominion....and the list goes on. The so called mid-majors definitely showed up to play this past weekend, which always makes the tournament fun to watch. The clutch shots by Ali Farokhmanesh (Northern Iowa) and Danero Thomas (Murray State) are just a few of the highlights put together by this tough bunch of teams that busted many people's brackets. These kinds of moments are why the NCAA shouldn't tamper with the 64 team tournament that is as close to perfect as anything in college sports, as it would eliminate much of this drama, but that is a story for another day...
Buzzer Beaters
The three buzzer beaters in the first day of competition matched the number of buzzer beaters in the entire tournament last year. The plethora of close games kept you on the edge of your seat for the entire slate of games, which is exactly what March Madness is all about. The image of one team mobbing each other in center court while the other team looks on in disbelief is what makes the first two rounds so fun to watch. I personally also like running down the stairs at almost midnight, barging into my parents' room, and asking my dad if he saw "that play". I'm pretty sure he enjoys that part too.
Things I Didn't Like
That's actually a joke...the first round of the NCAA Tournament are the two greatest days of the year for me. Add the fact that it was probably the best first round in the last few years, and this writer was completely satisfied.
I think I'm still recovering from the weekend, because I can't think of anything else to write about. On Wednesday, I'll post again with my preview of the Sweet 16, including some teams that could send more top seeds packing. Since my post contains very little interesting material, I want to know what you guys think. What did you like about the first weekend of the tournament, or what didn't you like? Post a comment or send me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com. Thanks guys.
Oh, and one more thing. The guy who is in first place in ESPN's Men's Tournament Challenge goes to my school. That's right, I know the guy. I've always wanted to have a chance to say "I know that guy". You may have met a famous rock group or be distantly related to Eric Clapton, but I know the guy who is in first place in the ESPN Men's Tournament Challenge. So my congratulations to you, Jay, because my bracket sucks.
- K. Becks
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
South Region
Less than one day away until the tip off of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. The more I look at it, the more I think that this tournament could be one of the more interesting ones in the last few years, simply because of its uncertainty. No team is a heavy favorite entering this tournament, and anywhere from eight to twelve teams have a real, legitimate shot of cutting down the nets in April.
My last bracket breakdown features the South Region, which many people have been labeling as the weakest region of the four. However, I think this bracket has the potential to get crazy and produce some of the more memorable games of the tournament.
First Round Games to Watch
#4 Purdue vs. #13 Siena (Fri, 2:30 pm)
Many people are wondering whether or not Purdue can put up a fight after losing Robbie Hummel for the season with an injured knee. However, before you pencil in the Siena Saints as your upset special, be warned that this year's Saints team does not have a marquee win on their schedule. In fact, they lost virtually every big game that they scheduled out of conference. They do have experience though, which isn't something to take lightly. This game has generated a good bit of interest already, and is definitely one to keep tabs on Friday afternoon.
#7 Richmond vs. #10 St. Mary's (Thurs, 2:50 pm)
This game is not receiving as much hype as it deserves. Richmond is a very talented team who (like another A-10 conference team....ahem, Temple) has been flying under the radar most of the season. The Spiders are led by Atlantic-10 Player of the Year Kevin Anderson, and feature a very athletic starting lineup. St. Mary's is led by center Omar Samhan, who can play heads up with any big man in the nation. The Gaels play great team basketball, and finding the open man against a tough Richmond defense is a must if they want to have success. Whichever team comes out of this game the winner has a great chance of upsetting Villanova (the likely candidate to be the second round opponent for one of these teams), which makes this game all that more interesting to watch.
Team That Could Make a Run
Louisville
This team has all the tools to be a top seed. The problem is that they don't always seem to bring their A-game to the court. Regardless, Rick Pitino is one of the best in the nation at preparing his team for tournament games, and with the talent that he has at his expense, don't be surprised if Louisville knocks off top seeded Duke and rides that momentum all the way to the Final Four. The Cardinals are an extremely dangerous nine seed.
My Picks
First Round
#1 Duke over #16 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
#9 Louisville over #8 California
#12 Utah State over #5 Texas A&M (upset alert)
#4 Purdue over #13 Siena
#11 Old Dominion over #6 Notre Dame (upset alert)
#3 Baylor over #14 Sam Houston State
#7 Richmond over #10 St. Mary's
#2 Villanova over #15 Robert Morris
2nd Round
#1 Duke over #9 Louisville
#12 Utah State over #4 Purdue (upset alert)
#3 Baylor over #11 Old Dominion
#2 Villanova over #7 Richmond
Sweet 16
#1 Duke over #12 Utah State
#2 Villanova over #3 Baylor
Elite 8
#1 Duke over #2 Villanova
Now that I've given you my regional champions, here are my picks for the Final Four games.
Final Four
National Semi-Finals
#1 Kansas over #2 Kansas State
#2 West Virginia over #1 Duke
Championship
#1 Kansas over #2 West Virginia
So, there you have it; my complete bracket for the 2010 NCAA Tournament. If you'd rather not scroll through my last three days of posts to find my picks (I'm with you; I wouldn't want to either), you can view all of my picks right here: http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/entry?entryID=4299515.
Also, in an effort to attract more readers to my blog, I have decided to put up an NCAA Tournament widget that allows you to keep up on the tournament happenings right from the blog! I know...I'm going to be spending my entire day on the blog too...
Hopefully we are just hours away from experiencing a great March Madness. Good luck to all the teams participating.
- K. Becks
My last bracket breakdown features the South Region, which many people have been labeling as the weakest region of the four. However, I think this bracket has the potential to get crazy and produce some of the more memorable games of the tournament.
First Round Games to Watch
#4 Purdue vs. #13 Siena (Fri, 2:30 pm)
Many people are wondering whether or not Purdue can put up a fight after losing Robbie Hummel for the season with an injured knee. However, before you pencil in the Siena Saints as your upset special, be warned that this year's Saints team does not have a marquee win on their schedule. In fact, they lost virtually every big game that they scheduled out of conference. They do have experience though, which isn't something to take lightly. This game has generated a good bit of interest already, and is definitely one to keep tabs on Friday afternoon.
#7 Richmond vs. #10 St. Mary's (Thurs, 2:50 pm)
This game is not receiving as much hype as it deserves. Richmond is a very talented team who (like another A-10 conference team....ahem, Temple) has been flying under the radar most of the season. The Spiders are led by Atlantic-10 Player of the Year Kevin Anderson, and feature a very athletic starting lineup. St. Mary's is led by center Omar Samhan, who can play heads up with any big man in the nation. The Gaels play great team basketball, and finding the open man against a tough Richmond defense is a must if they want to have success. Whichever team comes out of this game the winner has a great chance of upsetting Villanova (the likely candidate to be the second round opponent for one of these teams), which makes this game all that more interesting to watch.
Team That Could Make a Run
Louisville
This team has all the tools to be a top seed. The problem is that they don't always seem to bring their A-game to the court. Regardless, Rick Pitino is one of the best in the nation at preparing his team for tournament games, and with the talent that he has at his expense, don't be surprised if Louisville knocks off top seeded Duke and rides that momentum all the way to the Final Four. The Cardinals are an extremely dangerous nine seed.
My Picks
First Round
#1 Duke over #16 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
#9 Louisville over #8 California
#12 Utah State over #5 Texas A&M (upset alert)
#4 Purdue over #13 Siena
#11 Old Dominion over #6 Notre Dame (upset alert)
#3 Baylor over #14 Sam Houston State
#7 Richmond over #10 St. Mary's
#2 Villanova over #15 Robert Morris
2nd Round
#1 Duke over #9 Louisville
#12 Utah State over #4 Purdue (upset alert)
#3 Baylor over #11 Old Dominion
#2 Villanova over #7 Richmond
Sweet 16
#1 Duke over #12 Utah State
#2 Villanova over #3 Baylor
Elite 8
#1 Duke over #2 Villanova
Now that I've given you my regional champions, here are my picks for the Final Four games.
Final Four
National Semi-Finals
#1 Kansas over #2 Kansas State
#2 West Virginia over #1 Duke
Championship
#1 Kansas over #2 West Virginia
So, there you have it; my complete bracket for the 2010 NCAA Tournament. If you'd rather not scroll through my last three days of posts to find my picks (I'm with you; I wouldn't want to either), you can view all of my picks right here: http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/entry?entryID=4299515.
Also, in an effort to attract more readers to my blog, I have decided to put up an NCAA Tournament widget that allows you to keep up on the tournament happenings right from the blog! I know...I'm going to be spending my entire day on the blog too...
Hopefully we are just hours away from experiencing a great March Madness. Good luck to all the teams participating.
- K. Becks
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
West and East Regions
Yesterday I covered possibly the most stacked region in the bracket. Today's regions are filled with a lot of talent as well. These two may actually be the more difficult regions to predict, due to various things such as injuries and past performances' of certain teams.
West Region
First Round Games to Watch
#5 Butler vs. #12 UTEP (Thurs, 4:45 pm)
Both of these teams feature players that will be exciting to watch. For Butler, guard Gordon Hayward and forward Matt Howard will try to counter the guard-forward attack of Randy Culpepper and Derrick Caracter. Both teams play pretty good defense, so Butler will need to hold on to the ball (they've had problems with turnovers this season) if they don't want to be one and done.
#6 Xavier vs. #11 Minnesota (Fri, 12:25 pm)
After Minnesota held Purdue to 11 first half points on their way to a 27 point drubbing of the Boilermakers, a lot of people jumped on the Gopher bandwagon (or, maybe just jumped off of the Purdue one). There is good reason for this, as Minnesota shoots the ball well and has capable big men in Damian Johnson and Ralph Sampson III. However, the Musketeers have their own playmaker in guard Jordan Crawford, who can single handedly change the outcome of a game. This game could come down to the last shot.
Team That Could Make a Run
BYU
This team has a very difficult path. If they manage to beat Florida in the first round, they would likely face Kansas State in the second round. It doesn't get any easier after that, either. However, BYU has an explosive offense headed by Jimmer Fredette who is a do-it-all talent (he has two 45+ scoring outputs this season). If they can continue to score at will and play decent defense, both things that they are capable of doing, they have a chance to ruin a lot of brackets after the first weekend.
My Picks
1st Round
#1 Syracuse over #16 Vermont
#8 Gonzaga over #9 Florida State
#5 Butler over #12 UTEP
#13 Murray State over #4 Vanderbilt (upset alert)
#6 Xavier over #11 Minnesota
#3 Pittsburgh over #14 Oakland
#7 BYU over #10 Florida
#2 Kansas State over #15 North Texas
2nd Round
#1 Syracuse over #8 Gonzaga
#5 Butler over #13 Murray State
#3 Pittsburgh over #6 Xavier
#2 Kansas State over #7 BYU
Sweet 16
#1 Syracuse over #5 Butler
#2 Kansas State over #3 Pittsburgh
Elite 8
#2 Kansas State over #1 Syracuse
East Region
First Round Games to Watch
#5 Temple vs. #12 Cornell (Fri, 12:30 pm)
This game should definitely be one of the more interesting games to watch on Friday. Cornell has been a popular pick to upset Temple, but Temple has been flying under the radar all season, and is pretty good in its own right. The Owls have wins over Villanova and Xavier, and Cornell played heads up all game long against Kansas earlier this season at the always tough venue Fog Allen Fieldhouse. The question will be, can Cornell shoot the three point ball well, or will Temple's extremely good perimeter pressure force Cornell into a bad shooting day?
#6 Marquette vs. #11 Washington (Thurs, 7:20 pm)
This game is on the "Games to Watch" list primarily because Washington has been playing well as of late and because Marquette has the talent to be a Final Four dark horse if they play to their potential. Washington loves to crank up the tempo on offense, and since Marquette doesn't exactly feature a lockdown defense, this game should produce a lot of points. It is also a real possibility that this game will come down to the final minutes, as Marquette leads the nation in playing in games decided by five or fewer points (with 16).
Team(s) That Could Make a Run
Marquette
As I mentioned above, Marquette has the talent to be a Final Four participant. Lazar Hayward is a stud, and Jimmy Butler helps carry the scoring load as well. The Golden Eagles do not have a very deep bench, but as long as they can stay out of foul trouble, that shouldn't affect them too much. Also, close games are bound to happen in the later rounds, and Marquette is battle tested in those type of games (refer to my statistic I included in the "Games to Watch" section).
New Mexico
A lot of people on the Eastern half of the country have not seen too much of the Lobos, which is why it is understandable that some people may think New Mexico is over-seeded. However, this team is the real deal. They have beaten six NCAA Tournament teams, and boast one of the most talented players in the tournament with guard Darington Hobson. It is unusual to think of a three seed making the Elite 8 as overly surprising, but if the Lobos do it, expect to see some eyebrows raised.
My Picks
1st Round
#1 Kentucky over #16 East Tennessee State
#8 Texas over #9 Wake Forest
#12 Cornell over #5 Temple (upset alert)
#4 Wisconsin over #13 Wofford
#6 Marquette over #11 Washington
#3 New Mexico over #14 Montana
#10 Missouri over #7 Clemson
#2 West Virginia over #15 Morgan State
2nd Round
#1 Kentucky over #8 Texas
#12 Cornell over #4 Wisconsin (upset alert)
#3 New Mexico over #6 Marquette
#2 West Virginia over #10 Missouri
Sweet 16
#1 Kentucky over #12 Cornell
#2 West Virginia over #3 New Mexico
Elite 8
#2 West Virginia over #1 Kentucky
Tomorrow I will break down the final region, the South Region. In related news, congratulations to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who defeated Winthrop earlier tonight in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament and won the right to play Duke in the First Round. Quite a prize, don't you think? Actually, I'm sure they're ecstatic to have extended their season.
- K. Becks
West Region
First Round Games to Watch
#5 Butler vs. #12 UTEP (Thurs, 4:45 pm)
Both of these teams feature players that will be exciting to watch. For Butler, guard Gordon Hayward and forward Matt Howard will try to counter the guard-forward attack of Randy Culpepper and Derrick Caracter. Both teams play pretty good defense, so Butler will need to hold on to the ball (they've had problems with turnovers this season) if they don't want to be one and done.
#6 Xavier vs. #11 Minnesota (Fri, 12:25 pm)
After Minnesota held Purdue to 11 first half points on their way to a 27 point drubbing of the Boilermakers, a lot of people jumped on the Gopher bandwagon (or, maybe just jumped off of the Purdue one). There is good reason for this, as Minnesota shoots the ball well and has capable big men in Damian Johnson and Ralph Sampson III. However, the Musketeers have their own playmaker in guard Jordan Crawford, who can single handedly change the outcome of a game. This game could come down to the last shot.
Team That Could Make a Run
BYU
This team has a very difficult path. If they manage to beat Florida in the first round, they would likely face Kansas State in the second round. It doesn't get any easier after that, either. However, BYU has an explosive offense headed by Jimmer Fredette who is a do-it-all talent (he has two 45+ scoring outputs this season). If they can continue to score at will and play decent defense, both things that they are capable of doing, they have a chance to ruin a lot of brackets after the first weekend.
My Picks
1st Round
#1 Syracuse over #16 Vermont
#8 Gonzaga over #9 Florida State
#5 Butler over #12 UTEP
#13 Murray State over #4 Vanderbilt (upset alert)
#6 Xavier over #11 Minnesota
#3 Pittsburgh over #14 Oakland
#7 BYU over #10 Florida
#2 Kansas State over #15 North Texas
2nd Round
#1 Syracuse over #8 Gonzaga
#5 Butler over #13 Murray State
#3 Pittsburgh over #6 Xavier
#2 Kansas State over #7 BYU
Sweet 16
#1 Syracuse over #5 Butler
#2 Kansas State over #3 Pittsburgh
Elite 8
#2 Kansas State over #1 Syracuse
East Region
First Round Games to Watch
#5 Temple vs. #12 Cornell (Fri, 12:30 pm)
This game should definitely be one of the more interesting games to watch on Friday. Cornell has been a popular pick to upset Temple, but Temple has been flying under the radar all season, and is pretty good in its own right. The Owls have wins over Villanova and Xavier, and Cornell played heads up all game long against Kansas earlier this season at the always tough venue Fog Allen Fieldhouse. The question will be, can Cornell shoot the three point ball well, or will Temple's extremely good perimeter pressure force Cornell into a bad shooting day?
#6 Marquette vs. #11 Washington (Thurs, 7:20 pm)
This game is on the "Games to Watch" list primarily because Washington has been playing well as of late and because Marquette has the talent to be a Final Four dark horse if they play to their potential. Washington loves to crank up the tempo on offense, and since Marquette doesn't exactly feature a lockdown defense, this game should produce a lot of points. It is also a real possibility that this game will come down to the final minutes, as Marquette leads the nation in playing in games decided by five or fewer points (with 16).
Team(s) That Could Make a Run
Marquette
As I mentioned above, Marquette has the talent to be a Final Four participant. Lazar Hayward is a stud, and Jimmy Butler helps carry the scoring load as well. The Golden Eagles do not have a very deep bench, but as long as they can stay out of foul trouble, that shouldn't affect them too much. Also, close games are bound to happen in the later rounds, and Marquette is battle tested in those type of games (refer to my statistic I included in the "Games to Watch" section).
New Mexico
A lot of people on the Eastern half of the country have not seen too much of the Lobos, which is why it is understandable that some people may think New Mexico is over-seeded. However, this team is the real deal. They have beaten six NCAA Tournament teams, and boast one of the most talented players in the tournament with guard Darington Hobson. It is unusual to think of a three seed making the Elite 8 as overly surprising, but if the Lobos do it, expect to see some eyebrows raised.
My Picks
1st Round
#1 Kentucky over #16 East Tennessee State
#8 Texas over #9 Wake Forest
#12 Cornell over #5 Temple (upset alert)
#4 Wisconsin over #13 Wofford
#6 Marquette over #11 Washington
#3 New Mexico over #14 Montana
#10 Missouri over #7 Clemson
#2 West Virginia over #15 Morgan State
2nd Round
#1 Kentucky over #8 Texas
#12 Cornell over #4 Wisconsin (upset alert)
#3 New Mexico over #6 Marquette
#2 West Virginia over #10 Missouri
Sweet 16
#1 Kentucky over #12 Cornell
#2 West Virginia over #3 New Mexico
Elite 8
#2 West Virginia over #1 Kentucky
Tomorrow I will break down the final region, the South Region. In related news, congratulations to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who defeated Winthrop earlier tonight in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament and won the right to play Duke in the First Round. Quite a prize, don't you think? Actually, I'm sure they're ecstatic to have extended their season.
- K. Becks
Monday, March 15, 2010
Midwest Region
Let me make a disclaimer to everyone who decides to read this blog in the next few days: These are my opinions on the NCAA Tournament. I cannot guarantee that taking my advice on anything will help you win your respective office pool or any other bracket game you may play. The truth is, a lot of it comes down to luck and circumstance, and no matter how much I analyze and stress over the matchups, I am not really giving myself (or anyone else who decides to listen to me) a true advantage over anyone else. I have never won a bracket pool with more than five people in it, if that does anything to help validate my argument. With that being said, I do this purely out of joy for the game, and out of hope that I can stir up conversation between anyone who reads my work.
I will be breaking down the bracket region by region over the next three days leading up to the tournament. That should lighten the reading load, as well as give me time to adequately prepare my writing. So now, without any further disclaimers, I will give you my breakdown on the Midwest Region.
First Round Games to Watch
#8 UNLV vs. #9 Northern Iowa (Thurs, 7:10 pm)
Obviously, most 8 vs. 9 matchups are expected to be close. This one will be no different. The teams play a contrasting style of basketball. Northern Iowa is extremely good at slowing down the tempo and making other teams play at their pace. They also have a stifling defense. The Runnin' Rebels will try to capitalize on the offensive possessions that they do get, because if they don't, they could be in for a long night. It will likely be a low scoring battle that may come down to free throws.
#6 Tennessee vs. #11 San Diego State (Thurs, 9:45 pm)
San Diego State has been a popular pick to be an upset special. However, Tennessee is somewhat confused with their seeding, and wants to show the Selection Committee that they messed up. Tennessee has been somewhat inconsistent this year, losing to USC and Georgia, but also has wins against Kansas and Kentucky, proof that they can beat anyone in the nation. San Diego State will be looking for their first NCAA Tournament win ever, and will likely look to get out to a lead and keep it. The Aztecs are shooting 61.7% from the line, so they would rather not be in a close game down the stretch.
#7 Oklahoma State vs. #10 Georgia Tech (Fri, 7:15 pm)
Both of these teams are very dangerous when they play to their potential. Oklahoma State is the only team in the Big 12 to have beaten Kansas this year, and Georgia Tech (who was squarely on the Bubble entering the ACC tournament) may have found their groove at the right time. Also, this game will not lack star power, as the Cowboys are lead by Big 12 Player of the Year James Anderson.
Team That Could Make a Run
Tennessee
Yea, I know. This team could be out after the First Round. However, if they do manage to make it past San Diego State, then they have the talent to beat every team in their Region. Their athleticism is their biggest asset, which allows them to match up with almost any opposing team on the floor.
My Picks
1st Round
#1 Kansas over #16 Lehigh
#9 Northern Iowa over #8 UNLV
#5 Michigan State over #12 New Mexico State
#4 Maryland over #13 Houston
#6 Tennessee over #11 San Diego State
#3 Georgetown over #14 Ohio
#7 Oklahoma State over #10 Georgia Tech
#2 Ohio State over #15 UC Santa Barbara
2nd Round
#1 Kansas over #9 Northern Iowa
#5 Michigan State over #4 Maryland
#3 Georgetown over #6 Tennessee
#2 Ohio State over #7 Oklahoma State
Sweet 16
#1 Kansas over #5 Michigan State
#2 Ohio State over #3 Georgetown
Elite 8
#1 Kansas over #2 Ohio State
Obviously there are going to be some things that you guys agree or disagree with. I'd love to hear your thoughts, so either leave me a comment in the comment section or send me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com. Thanks guys.
- K. Becks
I will be breaking down the bracket region by region over the next three days leading up to the tournament. That should lighten the reading load, as well as give me time to adequately prepare my writing. So now, without any further disclaimers, I will give you my breakdown on the Midwest Region.
First Round Games to Watch
#8 UNLV vs. #9 Northern Iowa (Thurs, 7:10 pm)
Obviously, most 8 vs. 9 matchups are expected to be close. This one will be no different. The teams play a contrasting style of basketball. Northern Iowa is extremely good at slowing down the tempo and making other teams play at their pace. They also have a stifling defense. The Runnin' Rebels will try to capitalize on the offensive possessions that they do get, because if they don't, they could be in for a long night. It will likely be a low scoring battle that may come down to free throws.
#6 Tennessee vs. #11 San Diego State (Thurs, 9:45 pm)
San Diego State has been a popular pick to be an upset special. However, Tennessee is somewhat confused with their seeding, and wants to show the Selection Committee that they messed up. Tennessee has been somewhat inconsistent this year, losing to USC and Georgia, but also has wins against Kansas and Kentucky, proof that they can beat anyone in the nation. San Diego State will be looking for their first NCAA Tournament win ever, and will likely look to get out to a lead and keep it. The Aztecs are shooting 61.7% from the line, so they would rather not be in a close game down the stretch.
#7 Oklahoma State vs. #10 Georgia Tech (Fri, 7:15 pm)
Both of these teams are very dangerous when they play to their potential. Oklahoma State is the only team in the Big 12 to have beaten Kansas this year, and Georgia Tech (who was squarely on the Bubble entering the ACC tournament) may have found their groove at the right time. Also, this game will not lack star power, as the Cowboys are lead by Big 12 Player of the Year James Anderson.
Team That Could Make a Run
Tennessee
Yea, I know. This team could be out after the First Round. However, if they do manage to make it past San Diego State, then they have the talent to beat every team in their Region. Their athleticism is their biggest asset, which allows them to match up with almost any opposing team on the floor.
My Picks
1st Round
#1 Kansas over #16 Lehigh
#9 Northern Iowa over #8 UNLV
#5 Michigan State over #12 New Mexico State
#4 Maryland over #13 Houston
#6 Tennessee over #11 San Diego State
#3 Georgetown over #14 Ohio
#7 Oklahoma State over #10 Georgia Tech
#2 Ohio State over #15 UC Santa Barbara
2nd Round
#1 Kansas over #9 Northern Iowa
#5 Michigan State over #4 Maryland
#3 Georgetown over #6 Tennessee
#2 Ohio State over #7 Oklahoma State
Sweet 16
#1 Kansas over #5 Michigan State
#2 Ohio State over #3 Georgetown
Elite 8
#1 Kansas over #2 Ohio State
Obviously there are going to be some things that you guys agree or disagree with. I'd love to hear your thoughts, so either leave me a comment in the comment section or send me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com. Thanks guys.
- K. Becks
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Thank You Supporters
The title may be misleading, because this post isn't going to be a drawn out thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. However, it is just a little shout out to everyone who has been promoting the blog during the last few days. I'm really anticipating the day when I get more than ten readers in one day. I really do appreciate all the help, guys.
As we continue to move right along in championship week, the excitement of March Madness keeps growing. I'm really looking forward to some of the major conference tournaments starting up in the next few days. However, as I promised, my focus will continue to be on the smaller conferences.
Horizon League
Automatic Bid: Butler
Projected Seed: Anywhere from 5 to 7
Probability of Being a Cinderella: N/A
Butler has been a tournament regular for the last decade or so now, which is an extremely commendable feat for a team from a mid-major conference. However, a five seed is probably the highest seed they could receive (even with their stellar record), due to the general perception of the Horizon League. Like Northern Iowa, I wouldn't consider them a Cinderella unless they make it past the Sweet 16. If they get a favorable region, they have the talent to pull that off.
Sun Belt
Automatic Bid: North Texas
Projected Seed: 15
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Unlikely
Although most people didn't get a chance to see this team play until their conference tournament final, they were very exciting to watch. They won their three conference tournament games by a combined 13 points. They have a balanced scoring attack (four players averaging double-digits in scoring), and are a sound defensive team. However, last time they made the Big Dance (in 2007), they were bullied by a more physical and athletic Memphis team. It is likely that they will have to face a similar team this time around as well. Their backcourt will have to play extremely well if they want to have a chance to move on to the second round.
Summit
Automatic Bid: Oakland
Projected Seed: 13 or 14
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Unlikely
The Grizzlies rolled through their conference schedule as well as their conference tournament, going 17-1 in league play and recording double-digit wins in all three of their conference tournament games. There is no doubt that they can score the ball (1st in the Summit league with 76.8 PPG), but the challenge for them will be stopping the other team from scoring as well. They have suffered blowout losses against Kansas, Michigan State, and Syracuse, in which they gave up more than 85 points in all those games. If they can find a way to stay with the opposing team on the offensive end, they may be able to make it interesting, but they will need to play better defense if they want to win.
Northeast
Automatic Bid: Robert Morris
Projected Seed: 16
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Very Unlikely
The representative from the Northeast Conference tends to have their "Welcome to the NCAA Tournament" greeting in the form of a sound beating by a top seed. The Colonials will be playing hard, but should remember take in the experience of an NCAA tournament game, one that many do not ever get to experience. Keeping the game moderately close would be a commendable effort. If they manage to keep it close for a half, then they will have done well.
West Coast
Automatic Bid: St. Mary's (CA)
Projected Seed: Anywhere from 8 to 10
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Good
Other teams from the conference that will probably be in: Gonzaga
The Gaels finally got the win against Gonzaga that eluded them in the regular season by beating them in the finals of their conference tournament. This was important, as their schedule did not really have a signature win before this point. Unlike many teams from mid-major conferences, St. Mary's relies on the down low presence of their big men. Senior center Omar Samhan, a big 6'11 bruiser who leads the team in scoring (20.9 PPG), will carry the team on both ends. In addition to being a scorer, he was the WCC defensive player of the year. If Samhan and the rest of the team can stay out of foul trouble, they have the potential to be the darling of the tournament.
Southern
Automatic Bid: Wofford
Projected Seed: 14 or 15
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Decent
Wofford comes in to the NCAA tournament with a lot of confidence. In addition to being the first Wofford team ever to go Dancing, they are riding a 13 game winning streak. It really depends on the seed they get for whether or not they can be an upset special. Another factor will be their free throw shooting, which has been suspect at times throughout this season. If they shoot the ball well and play tight defense (and that's a fairly big if), then they could surprise a lot of people.
- K. Becks
As we continue to move right along in championship week, the excitement of March Madness keeps growing. I'm really looking forward to some of the major conference tournaments starting up in the next few days. However, as I promised, my focus will continue to be on the smaller conferences.
Horizon League
Automatic Bid: Butler
Projected Seed: Anywhere from 5 to 7
Probability of Being a Cinderella: N/A
Butler has been a tournament regular for the last decade or so now, which is an extremely commendable feat for a team from a mid-major conference. However, a five seed is probably the highest seed they could receive (even with their stellar record), due to the general perception of the Horizon League. Like Northern Iowa, I wouldn't consider them a Cinderella unless they make it past the Sweet 16. If they get a favorable region, they have the talent to pull that off.
Sun Belt
Automatic Bid: North Texas
Projected Seed: 15
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Unlikely
Although most people didn't get a chance to see this team play until their conference tournament final, they were very exciting to watch. They won their three conference tournament games by a combined 13 points. They have a balanced scoring attack (four players averaging double-digits in scoring), and are a sound defensive team. However, last time they made the Big Dance (in 2007), they were bullied by a more physical and athletic Memphis team. It is likely that they will have to face a similar team this time around as well. Their backcourt will have to play extremely well if they want to have a chance to move on to the second round.
Summit
Automatic Bid: Oakland
Projected Seed: 13 or 14
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Unlikely
The Grizzlies rolled through their conference schedule as well as their conference tournament, going 17-1 in league play and recording double-digit wins in all three of their conference tournament games. There is no doubt that they can score the ball (1st in the Summit league with 76.8 PPG), but the challenge for them will be stopping the other team from scoring as well. They have suffered blowout losses against Kansas, Michigan State, and Syracuse, in which they gave up more than 85 points in all those games. If they can find a way to stay with the opposing team on the offensive end, they may be able to make it interesting, but they will need to play better defense if they want to win.
Northeast
Automatic Bid: Robert Morris
Projected Seed: 16
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Very Unlikely
The representative from the Northeast Conference tends to have their "Welcome to the NCAA Tournament" greeting in the form of a sound beating by a top seed. The Colonials will be playing hard, but should remember take in the experience of an NCAA tournament game, one that many do not ever get to experience. Keeping the game moderately close would be a commendable effort. If they manage to keep it close for a half, then they will have done well.
West Coast
Automatic Bid: St. Mary's (CA)
Projected Seed: Anywhere from 8 to 10
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Good
Other teams from the conference that will probably be in: Gonzaga
The Gaels finally got the win against Gonzaga that eluded them in the regular season by beating them in the finals of their conference tournament. This was important, as their schedule did not really have a signature win before this point. Unlike many teams from mid-major conferences, St. Mary's relies on the down low presence of their big men. Senior center Omar Samhan, a big 6'11 bruiser who leads the team in scoring (20.9 PPG), will carry the team on both ends. In addition to being a scorer, he was the WCC defensive player of the year. If Samhan and the rest of the team can stay out of foul trouble, they have the potential to be the darling of the tournament.
Southern
Automatic Bid: Wofford
Projected Seed: 14 or 15
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Decent
Wofford comes in to the NCAA tournament with a lot of confidence. In addition to being the first Wofford team ever to go Dancing, they are riding a 13 game winning streak. It really depends on the seed they get for whether or not they can be an upset special. Another factor will be their free throw shooting, which has been suspect at times throughout this season. If they shoot the ball well and play tight defense (and that's a fairly big if), then they could surprise a lot of people.
- K. Becks
Monday, March 8, 2010
These Are The Little Guys, Right?
Tomorrow marks the start of the so called "major" conference tournaments, with the Big East kicking off play at noon. The start of the bigger conference tournaments often overshadows the smaller ones, but don't worry; I'll continue to cover the little guys up until Selection Sunday.
The last few conference championship games have been very interesting. I was starting to wonder if these games were going to produce some teams that we wouldn't have expected to be dancing (hello, Fairfield and William & Mary). However, for the most part we got what we expected.
Missouri Valley
Automatic Bid: Northern Iowa
Projected Seed: Anywhere from 5 to 7
Probability of Being a Cinderella: N/A
This team has more or less been on college basketball fans' radars for the entire season. That is why I don't even consider them an upset special, lest they make it to the Final Four. Still, this team may take some casual fans by surprise, as they are not a household name. In addition to having a stifling defense, they sport a slow-paced, tempo-controlling offense that will (in the words of Peter Griffin) grind your gears. They may not be the most entertaining team to watch, but they know how to win. Expect the Panthers to do just that in about two weeks.
Colonial
Automatic Bid: Old Dominion
Projected Seed: 12 or 13
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Decent
The Monarchs were the best team all year long in what is usually a pretty decent conference (remember George Mason and VCU, anyone?). In addition to having knocked off Georgetown earlier in the year, they stayed close in their losses against Richmond, Missouri, and Northern Iowa (all likely tourney-bound teams). Keep an eye on Old Dominion in their first round matchup, because they will likely keep it close no matter who they play.
Metro Atlantic
Automatic Bid: Siena
Projected Seed: 12
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Decent
For the third time in as many years, the Saints are the representatives from the MAAC. After upsetting Ohio State last year and Vanderbilt the year before, no one will be taking these guys lightly heading into the tournament. Although they don't really have any marquee wins to hang their hats on to suggest they are capable of upsetting the big boys, the Saints have experience. Led by seniors Ryan Franklin, Edwin Ubiles, and junior Ryan Rossiter, Siena has a core set of players that know what it's like to play in an NCAA tournament game. With that being said, do not count the Saints out to send someone packing early yet again.
- K. Becks
The last few conference championship games have been very interesting. I was starting to wonder if these games were going to produce some teams that we wouldn't have expected to be dancing (hello, Fairfield and William & Mary). However, for the most part we got what we expected.
Missouri Valley
Automatic Bid: Northern Iowa
Projected Seed: Anywhere from 5 to 7
Probability of Being a Cinderella: N/A
This team has more or less been on college basketball fans' radars for the entire season. That is why I don't even consider them an upset special, lest they make it to the Final Four. Still, this team may take some casual fans by surprise, as they are not a household name. In addition to having a stifling defense, they sport a slow-paced, tempo-controlling offense that will (in the words of Peter Griffin) grind your gears. They may not be the most entertaining team to watch, but they know how to win. Expect the Panthers to do just that in about two weeks.
Colonial
Automatic Bid: Old Dominion
Projected Seed: 12 or 13
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Decent
The Monarchs were the best team all year long in what is usually a pretty decent conference (remember George Mason and VCU, anyone?). In addition to having knocked off Georgetown earlier in the year, they stayed close in their losses against Richmond, Missouri, and Northern Iowa (all likely tourney-bound teams). Keep an eye on Old Dominion in their first round matchup, because they will likely keep it close no matter who they play.
Metro Atlantic
Automatic Bid: Siena
Projected Seed: 12
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Decent
For the third time in as many years, the Saints are the representatives from the MAAC. After upsetting Ohio State last year and Vanderbilt the year before, no one will be taking these guys lightly heading into the tournament. Although they don't really have any marquee wins to hang their hats on to suggest they are capable of upsetting the big boys, the Saints have experience. Led by seniors Ryan Franklin, Edwin Ubiles, and junior Ryan Rossiter, Siena has a core set of players that know what it's like to play in an NCAA tournament game. With that being said, do not count the Saints out to send someone packing early yet again.
- K. Becks
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Just Getting Started
As I returned Friday night from my vacation in Chicago, I knew that I wouldn't have much time to rest. Conference tournament time is upon us, and Saturday presented us with three more automatic bids to join Cornell as teams that punched their ticket to the Big Dance (Cornell won their league on Friday, and the Ivy League regular season champion receives the automatic bid to the tournament).
As I watched the conference tournament finals on TV today, I thought about what seeds these teams will earn, as well as the chances they have of upsetting a higher seed in the NCAA tournament. In my next few entries, I will share with you my thoughts on these topics. I will try to predict which seed these small and mid-major conference teams will get, their likelihood of being a Cinderella, and whether or not any other teams from their respective conferences will make the Dance as well.
Ivy League
Automatic Bid: Cornell
Projected Seed: 12, possibly an 11
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Good
This team has the capability of beating the best teams in the nation (as we saw in their close game against Kansas earlier this season). They are a good three point shooting team, which allows them to score at will. The problem with this team will be setting the pace; if they let the opposing team dictate the pace of the game, then the Big Red are in trouble. If this team shoots the ball well during the tournament, don't be surprised to see them upset someone in the first round, and possibly make it to the Sweet 16.
Big South
Automatic Bid: Winthrop
Projected Seed: 15 or 16
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Unlikely
Winthrop has been a dangerous team in the NCAA tournament before. In their last appearance (in 2008), they upset Notre Dame as a 13 seed. In 2006, they were two seconds away from upsetting Tennessee as a 15 seed. However, those years the Eagles were the best team in their conference all year long. This year, they were not. If they can keep the score low, then they have a chance to upset a top seeded team. However, most top seeded teams are going to score more than 60 points a game, which is what Winthrop will try to limit the opposition to if they want a chance to win.
Atlantic Sun
Automatic Bid: East Tennessee State
Projected Seed: 16
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Very Unlikely
No 16 seed has ever beaten a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Of course, ETSU has not officially been given a 16 seed, but since that is my prediction, I am also predicting that they will not win their game. Much like Winthrop, ETSU were underdogs to win their conference tournament (they were a 5 seed). That being said, the Buccaneers should take in the experience and be happy to be playing the in NCAA tournament.
Ohio Valley
Automatic Bid: Murray State
Projected Seed: 12 or 13
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Decent
This team will scare whoever is unlucky enough to draw them in the first round. The Racers are an extremely unselfish team (5 players average double-digits in scoring), which will make it hard for whomever is playing them to prepare to stop their offensive attack. If the Racers can spread the scoring load out among multiple players as they have done all season, then they will be a nightmare for teams to face.
I will be doing something similar to this for the other small and mid-major conferences as the automatic bids continue to pour in this week. Although I will not be doing this for the larger conferences, I will still mention top stories concerning them.
- K. Becks
As I watched the conference tournament finals on TV today, I thought about what seeds these teams will earn, as well as the chances they have of upsetting a higher seed in the NCAA tournament. In my next few entries, I will share with you my thoughts on these topics. I will try to predict which seed these small and mid-major conference teams will get, their likelihood of being a Cinderella, and whether or not any other teams from their respective conferences will make the Dance as well.
Ivy League
Automatic Bid: Cornell
Projected Seed: 12, possibly an 11
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Good
This team has the capability of beating the best teams in the nation (as we saw in their close game against Kansas earlier this season). They are a good three point shooting team, which allows them to score at will. The problem with this team will be setting the pace; if they let the opposing team dictate the pace of the game, then the Big Red are in trouble. If this team shoots the ball well during the tournament, don't be surprised to see them upset someone in the first round, and possibly make it to the Sweet 16.
Big South
Automatic Bid: Winthrop
Projected Seed: 15 or 16
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Unlikely
Winthrop has been a dangerous team in the NCAA tournament before. In their last appearance (in 2008), they upset Notre Dame as a 13 seed. In 2006, they were two seconds away from upsetting Tennessee as a 15 seed. However, those years the Eagles were the best team in their conference all year long. This year, they were not. If they can keep the score low, then they have a chance to upset a top seeded team. However, most top seeded teams are going to score more than 60 points a game, which is what Winthrop will try to limit the opposition to if they want a chance to win.
Atlantic Sun
Automatic Bid: East Tennessee State
Projected Seed: 16
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Very Unlikely
No 16 seed has ever beaten a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Of course, ETSU has not officially been given a 16 seed, but since that is my prediction, I am also predicting that they will not win their game. Much like Winthrop, ETSU were underdogs to win their conference tournament (they were a 5 seed). That being said, the Buccaneers should take in the experience and be happy to be playing the in NCAA tournament.
Ohio Valley
Automatic Bid: Murray State
Projected Seed: 12 or 13
Probability of Being a Cinderella: Decent
This team will scare whoever is unlucky enough to draw them in the first round. The Racers are an extremely unselfish team (5 players average double-digits in scoring), which will make it hard for whomever is playing them to prepare to stop their offensive attack. If the Racers can spread the scoring load out among multiple players as they have done all season, then they will be a nightmare for teams to face.
I will be doing something similar to this for the other small and mid-major conferences as the automatic bids continue to pour in this week. Although I will not be doing this for the larger conferences, I will still mention top stories concerning them.
- K. Becks
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
C U In Sochi
After nearly two weeks of great competition, the Olympic Winter Games came to an end two nights ago. There were triumphs, heartbreaks, comeback stories, and an early tragedy that helped make this a unforgettable Olympics.
In the end, I believe that it was one of the best Olympics that I have ever witnessed. Sure, I haven't witnessed all that many, but I think even older individuals agree that these Games featured everything that we expect when we watch the world compete. Also, I think the Games were capped off well, too. Call me un-American, but Canada winning the gold in hockey was icing on the cake for these Games. I would have liked to see the United States win, but the jubilation and happiness that the Canadian fans showed after that game was terrific. The U.S. team has nothing to be ashamed about, either. Not only did they beat the Canadians once, but they played them heads up for the entirety of the rematch. In my opinion, that game (and the entire tournament, really) will benefit the NHL and hockey as a whole. Many casual fans, after watching that epic final, will tune in to hockey more often. The step the NHL now needs to take is to get their marquee games on channels that the general public has access to.
Most of the time, I get upset when things such as the Olympics come to a close. However, it's March now, and that can only mean one thing: college basketball. Lots of it. I'm one of those guys that not only watch the NCAA Tournament, but the conference tournaments as well. Getting me away from a TV during this time of year would be extremely difficult if it weren't for the fact that I don't lift. I figure if I have the endurance to run away from anyone bigger than me, what's the point in lifting? Yes, I am joking.
So, starting this coming Saturday (I won't have access to a computer for the next few days), I will be posting a lot of entries concerning all things basketball. I've been ready for March since the first tipoff in November. Hopefully I can help you get ready, too.
On a side note, I was listening to the Ohio State game on the way home from my game, and I heard the announcer say that Mark Titus entered the game. Mark is one of the reasons that I started this blog, as he has one of his own that happens to be very humorous. The reason that this is relevant is that not only did he record a "trillion", but he was playing with a torn labrum (he is scheduled to have surgery this Thursday). Congratulations to Mark for ending his Senior Night right, and the best of luck to him in his future endeavors (one of which I'm sure is to continue writing the blog).
On a second side not, you may have noticed that my title for this entry looks like it could have been written by a fourteen year old girl in a text message. The reason for this is that I'm not sure if the original spelling is copyrighted, as the Russian athletes were holding up scarves with the phrase during the Closing Ceremonies. Then again, since I only have about five frequent readers anyway, I'm probably not in any danger of being sued.
- K. Becks
In the end, I believe that it was one of the best Olympics that I have ever witnessed. Sure, I haven't witnessed all that many, but I think even older individuals agree that these Games featured everything that we expect when we watch the world compete. Also, I think the Games were capped off well, too. Call me un-American, but Canada winning the gold in hockey was icing on the cake for these Games. I would have liked to see the United States win, but the jubilation and happiness that the Canadian fans showed after that game was terrific. The U.S. team has nothing to be ashamed about, either. Not only did they beat the Canadians once, but they played them heads up for the entirety of the rematch. In my opinion, that game (and the entire tournament, really) will benefit the NHL and hockey as a whole. Many casual fans, after watching that epic final, will tune in to hockey more often. The step the NHL now needs to take is to get their marquee games on channels that the general public has access to.
Most of the time, I get upset when things such as the Olympics come to a close. However, it's March now, and that can only mean one thing: college basketball. Lots of it. I'm one of those guys that not only watch the NCAA Tournament, but the conference tournaments as well. Getting me away from a TV during this time of year would be extremely difficult if it weren't for the fact that I don't lift. I figure if I have the endurance to run away from anyone bigger than me, what's the point in lifting? Yes, I am joking.
So, starting this coming Saturday (I won't have access to a computer for the next few days), I will be posting a lot of entries concerning all things basketball. I've been ready for March since the first tipoff in November. Hopefully I can help you get ready, too.
On a side note, I was listening to the Ohio State game on the way home from my game, and I heard the announcer say that Mark Titus entered the game. Mark is one of the reasons that I started this blog, as he has one of his own that happens to be very humorous. The reason that this is relevant is that not only did he record a "trillion", but he was playing with a torn labrum (he is scheduled to have surgery this Thursday). Congratulations to Mark for ending his Senior Night right, and the best of luck to him in his future endeavors (one of which I'm sure is to continue writing the blog).
On a second side not, you may have noticed that my title for this entry looks like it could have been written by a fourteen year old girl in a text message. The reason for this is that I'm not sure if the original spelling is copyrighted, as the Russian athletes were holding up scarves with the phrase during the Closing Ceremonies. Then again, since I only have about five frequent readers anyway, I'm probably not in any danger of being sued.
- K. Becks
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