KSJ will preview each region of the NCAA tournament with links, videos, and dumb comments. I'll start off with the South Region, where the collective hatred of Duke will be directed.
Everyone Is Down on Nova?
Okay, maybe not everyone. But Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead is calling Nova the weakest number 2 seed in the tournament. Sorry, but I don't see it. Villanova has a veteran team with three seniors that played in the final four last season. Scottie Reynolds is one of the best leaders in the nation. Reynolds is a part of a deep backcourt. Villanova does have a lack of size and does have a knack to pick up a lot of fouls. In the tournament though, I'll still take a veteran team over a team that features a lot of Freshman and Sophomore's.
Whitlock Is Right
Love him or hate him, Jason Whitlock absolutely nailed the reason why Duke is a one seed in the weakest bracket. Duke is a one seed and is in the weakest bracket because of TV pressure.
"The explanation is simple: Duke is television ratings gold, and the NCAA is in the process of negotiating a new TV contract for its prized tournament."Whitlock is right. Duke is ratings gold. People either watch Duke games because your fan of the team or because you want to watch them lose. And that right there brings ratings. Since I would say more people hate Duke and will probably watch their games just to see them lose, then ratings will poor in for CBS. It was a smart decision by the selection committee to give Duke the easiest bracket.
"It’s no different from Tiger Woods’ brown skin in a traditionally white-skin sport sending golf ratings (and sponsorship dollars) skyrocketing. Coach K and his band of Boys Next Door are the Great White Hopes of Hoops. Three of Duke’s five starters are white. Their top two scorers are white."
Potential Rematch
I think everyone wants a Duke-Villanova rematch from last year's Sweet 16 in the Elite 8. Nova thrashed Duke last year. If Villanova can play like it did earlier this season, then this should be the Elite 8 game. And Duke will struggle to keep up with the array of guards of Villanova.
Siena a Sweet 16 Team?
It's easy to get caught up into the hype of Siena and jump on their bandwagon. They beat Ohio State last year in the 1st round in a classic, then took the number 1 seeded Louisville to the limit before losing. It's easy to see why people are taking a flier on Siena and picking them to make the Sweet 16. And why not? They play a reeling Purdue team in the 1st round and will play either Texas A&M or Utah State in the 2nd round. Their good enough to make it to the Sweet 16. Of course it could be a major scheme by the NCAA to have Duke have the easiest road to the Final 4 because they would play Siena in the Sweet 16.
Potential 2nd Round Upset
Saint Mary's vs. Villanova: Saint Mary's has height that could give Nova major problems. Nova doesn't have a single person who can match up with Omar Samhan. Also Mickey McConnell is good enough to hang with Scottie Reynolds. Or course, Saint Mary's would have to get by Richmond in the 1st round.
Most Intriguing 1st Round Match Up
It's a tie between 8 California vs. 9 Louisville and 7 Richmond vs. 10 Saint Mary's. I've watched Cal all year and have seen how inconsistent this team is. If Cal point guard Jerome Randle is playing well, then their hard to beat. Also Louisville plays a zone defense that favors a 3-point happy Cal team.
The other intriguing match up of the 1st round is Saint Mary's vs. Richmond. The Spiders have an excellent backcourt with David Gonzalvez and Kevin Anderson. The Gaels on the other hand, thrashed Gonzaga in the WCC Championship game and have plenty of confidence heading into the tournament. Should be a fun game to watch.
Final 4 Pick: Villanova
Experience means more in the tournament than you think. The past three Champions were all teams that had experienced starting lineups. Nova features one of the best leaders in the country in Scottie Reynolds, but also features players in Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes, Antonio Pena, and Reggie Redding. Experience matters in the tournament and Villanova has it.
Villanova got a great draw. Believe it or not, the team that I fear the most is Baylor just because I think they may present match-up problems. But at the same time, as the tourney goes on, how will Baylor's inexperience in the big time limelight effect it? Sure they are a Big 12 team and I will give them that they are good, but when has anyone ever given Baylor a second thought?
ReplyDeleteI don't like making locks and guarantees because it pretty much always backfires, but if I can guarantee you one thing, it is this: If Villanova meets Duke in the Elite 8, Villanova will win. People are talking about Duke getting such an easy bracket, yet at the same time, their #2 seed is their worst possible match-up period. What happened in last year's Sweet 16 was no fluke. I don't know if you really want to know how bad Duke matches up with Nova, Dick Vitale had Villanova beating Duke in the Elite 8.
@JFein: That's why I didn't break down each game and make predictions. My predictions usually back fire.
ReplyDeleteBaylor is really,really good and I think they're going to take the region. If Louisville can get past Cal, I think the Cardinals will beat Duke.
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