March 24, 2008 9:19 AM
Bracket blog: Finally, a buzzer-beater
So what was in the water in Tampa? Four lower seeds advanced to the second round and 12th-seeded Western Kentucky and Villanova are in the Sweet 16.
And brackets across the country were shattered and battered.
Ten of my Sweet 16 picks are still alive: I missed on Washington State, Villanova, Davidson, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Net from the weekend: Kansas' route to the Final Four got immeasurably easy on paper with No. 2 Georgetown going down to Davidson.
Biggest surprise is Davidson; I remember covering Wildcats games in their old campus gym and the old Charlotte Coliseum when I was in Charlotte. Don't think they can survive Wisconsin, however.
Memphis is going to have major trouble with Michigan State's defense, but I have the Tigers winning, then losing to Texas in the regional final. This four-day break between rounds is generally when the Cinderellas come back to earth, which is why I'm taking UCLA to handle Western Kentucky.
Best Thursday game: Xavier vs. West Virginia. The Mountaineers had a splendid game plan against Duke and Xavier's guards have been terrific: in the tourney, go with guards.
No. 1 North Carolina has been virtually ignored on TV. All the Tar Heels have done is score 113 and 108 points in rolling to easy victories. Washington State is a nice story but can't imagine the Cougars being good enough to slow the Heels as they roll to a Great 8 showdown with Tennessee. 1:37 p.m.
March 18, 2008
1:18 PM
Stone Cold writes:
UCLA's defense is astounding, and they score in bunches.
They are physical, they own the boards, and can score either inside or outside.
I'm picking the Bruins to win it all.
March 18, 2008
1:34 PM
history buff writes:
I'm picking UCLA for the same reason as Stone Cold. Hopefully the refs will let the Bruins play physical in the final four. Last year, the game was called so closely that nearly all of UCLA's starters were in trouble during the first ten minutes.
March 18, 2008
2:13 PM
Mark Wolf writes:
History Buff, that's one of the big reasons why I picked the Tar Heels. For the past few years the officiating in the Final Four has tended to be tight, especially early. If they let them play, the Bruins are in pretty good shape - but I'll still take Tyler Hansborough over UCLA's freshman Kevin Love in the championship game. They've been playing Love at the four spot defensively. Wonder if he'll guard Hansborough. But I guess that's why they play the games. Kid who lived in our neighborhood played for Howland at Northern Arizona and enjoyed the experience.
March 18, 2008
2:19 PM
jay writes:
rock chalk jayhawk.
the bruins won't be able to hack their way into the final four this year
March 18, 2008
3:24 PM
Shaggy writes:
I'm picking Wyoming...oh wait...never mind.
However I do want to say kudos to the Wyoming Cowgirls for making it to the NCAA for the first time in History.
That alone is huge for such a small School...If they can get past the first round would be incredible for them...
Go Cowgirls.
March 18, 2008
3:39 PM
Tree writes:
I ran with Memphis. As Jim Carey said in Dumb and Dumber "So there's a chance".
March 19, 2008
2:35 PM
benn writes:
How is Baylor in... yuck
March 19, 2008
2:56 PM
just sayin' writes:
you're right about Wyoming Shaggy. Hats off to them whenever they get to the tourney or a bowl game. I don't even know if they have 10K students. Used to be about the size of UNC (Greeley) and for many, many years the sports teams outperformed CSU and CU. Fiesta Bowls, Sugar bowls, Sweet 16's all from the least populated state in teh country. (my uncle was a HARD CORE fan and is buried with a view of War Memorial)
March 19, 2008
3:57 PM
Shaggy writes:
Just,
I have no idea why people seem to bond with Wyoming...maybe it is because they are always acquiring kids who have been rejected from CSU, CU or some of the bigger well known Colleges.
Serious, most top athletes do not look at Wyoming as their first choice.
Go Figure????
March 20, 2008
9:47 AM
gr8fuldude writes:
Call me partisan to my alma mater, but I'm down with UCONN.
March 20, 2008
11:13 AM
jay writes:
KU is absolutely tearing apart Portland State. I almost feel a little sorry for them.
Almost
March 20, 2008
11:33 AM
Mark Wolf writes:
Shaggy:
If you didn't see it earlier, you'll love Clay Latimer's terrific story on the Wyoming Cowboy who basically invented the jump shot - and ought to be in the Hall of Fame.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/07/catching-the-sport-flat-footed/
March 20, 2008
12:57 PM
Shaggy writes:
Thanks Mark..I did see that. When I got done reading it I called my Dad and asked if he knew who Kenny Sailors was and he immediately replied "yea, he invented the jump shot". That was/is an awesome article. I cut it out and sent it to him. My Dad is a die hard Cowboy fan. He played college b.ball in Sheridan Wyo.
Did you know Irv Brown is a big Wyoming fan?
I believe one of his sons went to School there. Hell he probably Coached there at one time or another.
March 23, 2008
11:13 AM
SASQUATCH writes:
Glad to see that Duke failed to make Sweet-16 for the second year in a row. Maybe the very recent LX law suit against Duke involving 38 former playes and the earlier antisocial behavior of the Duke leadership that quickly jetisoned the playes in a disgusting display of PC is finally taking a heavy toll. "Guilty as charged" is hardly the position to embrace before the criminal justice system is deployed. Now they are paying overtime--justice long overdue.
Oh well Blue Devils, there's always your noteworthy football program to rally around.
March 24, 2008
9:18 AM
Anonymous writes:
You're glad to see Duke lose because of lacrosse players???? You obviously don't know squat about basketball. Really sad that everything in the world is some kind of political point. It's guys like Sasquatch that make me want to hurl.
March 24, 2008
11:15 AM
history buff writes:
CONTENDERS
North Carolina
UCLA
Memphis
Kansas
Texas
Tennessee
DARK HORSES
Wisconsin
Stanford
Louisville
Xavier
Washington St.
Michigan St.
West Virginia
CINDERELLAS
Davidson
Western Kentucky
Newtown (Villanova)
March 24, 2008
3:06 PM
Tree writes:
HB-
I screwed up my bracket listening to people. Bobby Knight was pumping up Pittsburgh so I took them over MSU, my own alma matter - So I get a pass out of jail card and go straight to hell.
Then my orthodontist ( I don't get no respect) graduated from Notre Dame and was pumping them up so I took ND over Washington State. Doooooh.
At least I didn't pull a Charles Barkley and bet $100K on Patriots to cover b/c he listened the the ESPN guys. I have a 4:30 appt. with Doctor ND today, I'll let him have it.
March 24, 2008
7:04 PM
Shaggy writes:
Well the Wyo.Cowgirls lost, they made a good showing and could have and should have but hey...at least they made it.
Kudos gals...
Now that we have our sweet 16, I have to go with NC matching up with Memphis with NC taking it all in San Antonio.
If NC keeps scoring over 100 plus, they are going to be tough to beat.
March 27, 2008
7:46 AM
Anonymous writes:
Why do we have yet another feel-good campaign--this time, to turn off "non-essential" lights in city facilities on "green Saturday"? Why isn't every day "green"? Why aren't all "non-essential" lights turned off everyday? Huh? We missing something here? Bet we are. It's another Hickenlooper PR campaign to look good.