Now that the field has been cut down to 16 teams,... it has gotten real. Sure the first two rounds were great and there was some amazing ball gettin thrown around and all, but that is just too much to deal with at this pay rate. I bet there are some really out of whack brackets as well. We(I) didn't do one because I don't watch enough of the sport to justify an opinion on all teams in the tournament. However, I have had the chance to see several of the Sweet 16 teams play this year so I know what they are capable of doing. Like out of the East region, Kentucky and West Virginia. Both Solid and I expect them to battle for the chance to go to the Final Four. I really want to cheer for Cornell because they are such an underdog, but if KY keeps playing like they have been, I just don't know if they can keep up. I mean, Cornell is gonna have to shoot lights out from 3-land. They can do it, but I mean, they have really gotta be bringin it. KY seems to be really hot right now, so we shall see if they can keep it up with all those talented underclassmen and bring a title to the SEC.
The West is like a who's who of teams that are in the tournament seems like every year or when they are in the tournament, they are a team that is given a tremendous amount of respect regardless of where they are seeded. I like the Orange out of this region.
The South, you gotta think Duke has the upper hand here. Not giving Purdue much of a chance, I know, but Duke has Coach K. He's crafty and can draw the best out of his players.
Out of the Midwest, I really want the Vols to win this region for the sake of the SEC. Having two teams in the Final Four is a great exclamation to how strong the athletics are in this conference. But, who knows at this point. I am sure most had Kansas winning this region, but Northern Iowa screwed that up. Maybe Northern Iowa can pull it off. I think it would be kinda cool.
Oh well, here are the matchups with a little analysis courtesy of Yahoo...
The West is like a who's who of teams that are in the tournament seems like every year or when they are in the tournament, they are a team that is given a tremendous amount of respect regardless of where they are seeded. I like the Orange out of this region.
The South, you gotta think Duke has the upper hand here. Not giving Purdue much of a chance, I know, but Duke has Coach K. He's crafty and can draw the best out of his players.
Out of the Midwest, I really want the Vols to win this region for the sake of the SEC. Having two teams in the Final Four is a great exclamation to how strong the athletics are in this conference. But, who knows at this point. I am sure most had Kansas winning this region, but Northern Iowa screwed that up. Maybe Northern Iowa can pull it off. I think it would be kinda cool.
Oh well, here are the matchups with a little analysis courtesy of Yahoo...
Thursday, March 25, 2010
EAST REGION In Syracuse, N.Y.
EAST REGION In Syracuse, N.Y.
No. 2 West Virginia vs. No. 11 Washington
TIME: 7:27 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: Washington needs to force the tempo to have any chance at its third consecutive upset. The Huskies can hurt WVU in transition, but they are going to have trouble scoring inside if they’re forced to play a half-court game. For the second game in a row, the main job for WVU’s guards will be to withstand defensive pressure and get the ball inside to a standout frontcourt.
No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Cornell
TIME: 9:57 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: Cornell eviscerated the defenses of Temple and Wisconsin to get here, and those teams are more defense-oriented than Kentucky. But the Wildcats are better offensively – vastly better – than the Owls and Badgers. Cornell should get its points, but there doesn’t seem to be any way the Big Red can slow the Wildcats.
TIME: 7:27 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: Washington needs to force the tempo to have any chance at its third consecutive upset. The Huskies can hurt WVU in transition, but they are going to have trouble scoring inside if they’re forced to play a half-court game. For the second game in a row, the main job for WVU’s guards will be to withstand defensive pressure and get the ball inside to a standout frontcourt.
No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Cornell
TIME: 9:57 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: Cornell eviscerated the defenses of Temple and Wisconsin to get here, and those teams are more defense-oriented than Kentucky. But the Wildcats are better offensively – vastly better – than the Owls and Badgers. Cornell should get its points, but there doesn’t seem to be any way the Big Red can slow the Wildcats.
WEST REGION In Salt Lake City
No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 5 Butler
TIME: 7:07 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: The biggest storyline will be whether Syracuse center Arinze Onuaku will be healthy. Butler can’t run with the Orange, so look for the Bulldogs to try to control the pace. That’s hard to do against the Orange. But consider: Syracuse was held under 70 points three times this season – and the Orange lost twice (to Louisville both times). The other game was a 59-57 win at DePaul when the Blue Demons fell apart down the stretch. The flipside: Butler allowed 70 points just three times this season – and lost all three (to Minnesota, Clemson and Georgetown).
No. 2 Kansas State vs. No. 6 Xavier
TIME: 9:37 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: Both teams prefer a fast pace – not surprising, considering that both have good guards – but K-State is better defensively. While the guards are the focal points for each team, the frontcourt battle will be worth watching. Xavier’s Jason Love and Jamel McLean going against K-State’s Jamar Samuels and Curtis Kelly actually could have more impact on the outcome than the play of the backcourts. Speaking of backcourts, let’s hope both coaches decide that K-State’s Jacob Pullen should guard Xavier’s Jordan Crawford and vice versa.
Friday, March 26, 2010
SOUTH REGION in Houston
No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 10 Saint Mary’s
TIME: 7:27 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: For a mid-major Saint Mary’s certainly has good size, and the Gales have had two good matchups so far - against guard-oriented Richmond and Villanova. Baylor is guard-oriented, too, with Tweety Carter and LaceDarius Dunn. But the Bears have something that Richmond and ’Nova don’t: They have a standout center in Ekpe Udoh. Saint Mary’s has survived two quick backcourts so far. Can the Gaels survive another? And the Udoh-Omar Samhan showdown should be a good one.
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 4 Purdue
TIME: 9:57 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: Duke is looking for its first Elite Eight appearance since 2006, and it will be doing so against an undermanned Purdue team. Even without star Robbie Hummel, the Boilermakers got past defense-challenged Siena in the first round and offense-challenged Texas A&M in the second round. Now comes Duke, which is a well-rounded team. But, hey, if Chris Kramer can score 17 points in one game, anything can happen for Purdue.
MIDWEST REGIONAL In St. Louis
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 6 Tennessee
TIME: 7:07 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: This region has opened up with Kansas’ shocking departure. Can either of these teams take advantage? Ohio State runs a four-guard offense and lacks both big men and depth. But the Buckeyes have Evan Turner leading the way. Tennessee rarely looks pretty when it wins, but the Vols have done a lot of winning this season. Expect Vols coach Bruce Pearl to concoct some off-beat defenses to try to deter Turner. Neither team is overpowering on the boards, so that bears watching.
No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 9 Northern Iowa
TIME: 9:37 p.m.
QUICKIE ANALYSIS: On the face of it, your first thought probably is, “Northern Iowa beating Mr. March himself, Tom Izzo, and the Spartans? Come on.” Then you sit back and realize that if UNI can beat Kansas, the Panthers can beat anyone. And then you think back to 2006, when George Mason beat Michigan State, North Carolina and Connecticut on the way to the Final Four. Besides, will Michigan State star Kalin Lucas be healthy and able to play?
No comments:
Post a Comment