SWEET 16 ANALYSIS
Ahhh...nothing like the start of a new spring in Michigan. Birds begin chirping, the sun shines again, you can even begin to feel your fingers and toes outside, and the emotional roller coaster that is the NCAA Tournament is well underway.
As usual it was an up-and-down first weekend on almost all fronts. While the Oakland Region of my bracket has more red lines through it than a Vince Young Wonderlic test, I still feel rather optimistic of my bracket as a whole. Hey, no one is perfect.
With only 16 teams remaining I figured it would be time to provide a brief review of how each team has done and their rank in comparison to the 15 other teams (1 being most equipped to win title, 16 being least equipped).
I will begin right after I send this letter to the Big Ten Conference informing them that the Tournament did indeed start LAST week:
- UConn: UConn enters the Sweet 16 on the heels of two unimpressive victories. Pushed to the limit by Albany and Kentucky, they could be going home early if they don't show up against Washington. Moral Victory for the UConvicts as they have gone a week without having someone on the team steal something or shoot someone. Rank: 1
(Crowd chant of the year goes to the Pitt students for chanting, "Where's my laptop?" when Marcus Williams shot free-throws)
- Duke: If you are counting that is nine straight Sweet 16's for the Dukies, which is pretty darn impressive. Duke looked sluggish in Round One against Southern University but rebounded well to handle a pesky George Washington squad. Their role players are stepping up and Josh McRoberts has been huge, but he and Sheldon Williams will have to be ready to bang when they face Glen Davis and the upset-minded LSU Tigers on Thursday. Rank: 2
- Boston College: After almost giving me a heart-attack in their opening game, BC rebounded nicely against Montana. Craig Smith is dominating and should get work done against Villanova, but if the Eagles want to get past the Cats they will have to do it on the defensive end. My bet is that they get it done. This veteran group knows this year is their big chance, and here's betting that they get it done. Rank: 3
- Texas: Like a few other teams, the Longhorns started round one slowly. They later rebounded to dismantle a pretty good NC State team. Texas is dangerous with big man LaMarcus Aldridge and guard Daniel Gibson. They aren't just a football school anymore. Rank: 4
- Villanova: I finally got footage of Allan Ray's eye partially exiting his orbital bone in the Big East Tourny. It's really, really disgusting. Do not click this link if you don't want to see something that's pretty gross. Somehow, he appears to be doing fine, and is playing well. Nova can play with anyone and can be dangerous if they get on a roll. Rank: 5
- LSU: The Tigers needed a deep three just before the buzzer to get past Texas A&M in Round Two, and will need more to get past Duke. I, for one, think they have it in them. The Tigers can score inside and out, which pretty much covers the two ways you can score points. The game will be in Atlanta, so LSU should have some fans. Key to victory: Keep Glen David out of the hotel buffet line. Rank: 6
- Memphis: I still don't trust them after they let Oral Roberts hang around for about 80% of the opening round. If their young guns get on a roll and get used to winning in the Tourny, they can run the table. Given their placement in the weakest remaining Region, this is entirely possible. Rank: 7
- West Virginia: Everyone's darling team is back, but they didn't exactly have a tretcherous path to the Sweet 16 with wins over 11-seed Southern Illinois and 14-seed Northwestern State. The more I see Kevin Pittsnogle, the more I am amazed as to how I missed him while he was going to Waterford Mott High School (That's Metro-Detroit Humor at its best). As I said before, this team can beat anyone when they are on and hitting shots, who knows, maybe it could happen all the way to April 3rd. Rank: 8
- Florida: Yannick Noah's son can actually play some pretty good ball, while doing an excellent tribute to Side-Show Bob with his hair. Florida has some good and athletic bigs, but streaky shooting will likely be their demise. Rank: 9
- Washington: Under the radar team with two standout defenders that can guard either forward or guard. Brandon Roy will be a Lottery-Pick in the next NBA Draft. They have a chance because of stout defense, but just don't have enough beef to handle UConn. Rank: 10
- Gonzaga: Another team that I just really don't trust, and I really, really wish I did. I think Adam Morrison is great for the game, and its terrible that his struggle with type-one diabetes isn't a bigger story. This team just can't play defense, but they can outscore most teams. They have room for a little run, but a title is a long shot. Rank: 11
- Georgetown: Seven-footer Roy Hibbert dominated against Ohio State and showed why this team upset Duke earlier in the year. Which team shows up, the one that beat Duke, or lost to South Florida. Rank: 12
- UCLA: I just plain don't like UCLA, and I don't even really know why. I think most of it is because Jordan Farmar looks like a cross between Kevin Federline and Marc Anthony. I guess they are a pretty good team, but I don't like them...and this is my posting, so....Rank: 13
- Bradley: After upsetting Kansas in round one Bradley and the refs beat Pittsburgh in what was one of the greater foul disparities of the year (second half free throws for Bradley-26 for Pitt-4).
That doesn't take away from what is a very good basketball team built around a NBA-caliber player in Patrick Obryant (he is what puts the Braves above the other mid-majors). A victory over Memphis is not out of the question, but running the table probably is. Rank: 14
- Wichita State: After blowing out Seton Hall and going on a late run to finish off Tennessee the Shockers won't be afraid of George Mason. Well, I guess they wouldn't be too scared of George Mason even if they were coming off triple-digit wins over the North Dakota School for the Blind. The Missouri Valley's second sweet sixteen team is also a good one. Big man Paul Miller can play. Rank: 15
- George Mason: The main reason George Mason and Wichita are so far down on my ranking is because even if they reach the Elite 8, UConn will be there salivating waiting to mug...er beat them at basketball. Give Mason props from beating basketball powerhouses Michigan State and UNC. I like them to beat Wichita, but they have less of a chance than the Shockers to beat UConn. Rank: 16
If my luck holds true to form UCLA will defeat George Mason in the Finals and Farmar will win Tournament MVP.
Congrats to Dion Harris for his buzzer-beating fadeaway three in double overtime to advance the Michigan Wolverines to the NIT Quarterfinals. Michigan owns the NIT, they are only about 50 years too late.
Coming later this week...first non-college basketball entry...All-Star teams from sports movies.
Ahhh...nothing like the start of a new spring in Michigan. Birds begin chirping, the sun shines again, you can even begin to feel your fingers and toes outside, and the emotional roller coaster that is the NCAA Tournament is well underway.
As usual it was an up-and-down first weekend on almost all fronts. While the Oakland Region of my bracket has more red lines through it than a Vince Young Wonderlic test, I still feel rather optimistic of my bracket as a whole. Hey, no one is perfect.
With only 16 teams remaining I figured it would be time to provide a brief review of how each team has done and their rank in comparison to the 15 other teams (1 being most equipped to win title, 16 being least equipped).
I will begin right after I send this letter to the Big Ten Conference informing them that the Tournament did indeed start LAST week:
- UConn: UConn enters the Sweet 16 on the heels of two unimpressive victories. Pushed to the limit by Albany and Kentucky, they could be going home early if they don't show up against Washington. Moral Victory for the UConvicts as they have gone a week without having someone on the team steal something or shoot someone. Rank: 1
(Crowd chant of the year goes to the Pitt students for chanting, "Where's my laptop?" when Marcus Williams shot free-throws)
- Duke: If you are counting that is nine straight Sweet 16's for the Dukies, which is pretty darn impressive. Duke looked sluggish in Round One against Southern University but rebounded well to handle a pesky George Washington squad. Their role players are stepping up and Josh McRoberts has been huge, but he and Sheldon Williams will have to be ready to bang when they face Glen Davis and the upset-minded LSU Tigers on Thursday. Rank: 2
- Boston College: After almost giving me a heart-attack in their opening game, BC rebounded nicely against Montana. Craig Smith is dominating and should get work done against Villanova, but if the Eagles want to get past the Cats they will have to do it on the defensive end. My bet is that they get it done. This veteran group knows this year is their big chance, and here's betting that they get it done. Rank: 3
- Texas: Like a few other teams, the Longhorns started round one slowly. They later rebounded to dismantle a pretty good NC State team. Texas is dangerous with big man LaMarcus Aldridge and guard Daniel Gibson. They aren't just a football school anymore. Rank: 4
- Villanova: I finally got footage of Allan Ray's eye partially exiting his orbital bone in the Big East Tourny. It's really, really disgusting. Do not click this link if you don't want to see something that's pretty gross. Somehow, he appears to be doing fine, and is playing well. Nova can play with anyone and can be dangerous if they get on a roll. Rank: 5
- LSU: The Tigers needed a deep three just before the buzzer to get past Texas A&M in Round Two, and will need more to get past Duke. I, for one, think they have it in them. The Tigers can score inside and out, which pretty much covers the two ways you can score points. The game will be in Atlanta, so LSU should have some fans. Key to victory: Keep Glen David out of the hotel buffet line. Rank: 6
- Memphis: I still don't trust them after they let Oral Roberts hang around for about 80% of the opening round. If their young guns get on a roll and get used to winning in the Tourny, they can run the table. Given their placement in the weakest remaining Region, this is entirely possible. Rank: 7
- West Virginia: Everyone's darling team is back, but they didn't exactly have a tretcherous path to the Sweet 16 with wins over 11-seed Southern Illinois and 14-seed Northwestern State. The more I see Kevin Pittsnogle, the more I am amazed as to how I missed him while he was going to Waterford Mott High School (That's Metro-Detroit Humor at its best). As I said before, this team can beat anyone when they are on and hitting shots, who knows, maybe it could happen all the way to April 3rd. Rank: 8
- Florida: Yannick Noah's son can actually play some pretty good ball, while doing an excellent tribute to Side-Show Bob with his hair. Florida has some good and athletic bigs, but streaky shooting will likely be their demise. Rank: 9
- Washington: Under the radar team with two standout defenders that can guard either forward or guard. Brandon Roy will be a Lottery-Pick in the next NBA Draft. They have a chance because of stout defense, but just don't have enough beef to handle UConn. Rank: 10
- Gonzaga: Another team that I just really don't trust, and I really, really wish I did. I think Adam Morrison is great for the game, and its terrible that his struggle with type-one diabetes isn't a bigger story. This team just can't play defense, but they can outscore most teams. They have room for a little run, but a title is a long shot. Rank: 11
- Georgetown: Seven-footer Roy Hibbert dominated against Ohio State and showed why this team upset Duke earlier in the year. Which team shows up, the one that beat Duke, or lost to South Florida. Rank: 12
- UCLA: I just plain don't like UCLA, and I don't even really know why. I think most of it is because Jordan Farmar looks like a cross between Kevin Federline and Marc Anthony. I guess they are a pretty good team, but I don't like them...and this is my posting, so....Rank: 13
- Bradley: After upsetting Kansas in round one Bradley and the refs beat Pittsburgh in what was one of the greater foul disparities of the year (second half free throws for Bradley-26 for Pitt-4).
That doesn't take away from what is a very good basketball team built around a NBA-caliber player in Patrick Obryant (he is what puts the Braves above the other mid-majors). A victory over Memphis is not out of the question, but running the table probably is. Rank: 14
- Wichita State: After blowing out Seton Hall and going on a late run to finish off Tennessee the Shockers won't be afraid of George Mason. Well, I guess they wouldn't be too scared of George Mason even if they were coming off triple-digit wins over the North Dakota School for the Blind. The Missouri Valley's second sweet sixteen team is also a good one. Big man Paul Miller can play. Rank: 15
- George Mason: The main reason George Mason and Wichita are so far down on my ranking is because even if they reach the Elite 8, UConn will be there salivating waiting to mug...er beat them at basketball. Give Mason props from beating basketball powerhouses Michigan State and UNC. I like them to beat Wichita, but they have less of a chance than the Shockers to beat UConn. Rank: 16
If my luck holds true to form UCLA will defeat George Mason in the Finals and Farmar will win Tournament MVP.
Congrats to Dion Harris for his buzzer-beating fadeaway three in double overtime to advance the Michigan Wolverines to the NIT Quarterfinals. Michigan owns the NIT, they are only about 50 years too late.
Coming later this week...first non-college basketball entry...All-Star teams from sports movies.
posted by The All-Manac at 3:09 PM
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