I would like to begin with a little known fact. Who owns the rights to the term, "Sweet Sixteen?" It's not the NCAA if that's what you were thinking. My favorite professor, Dr. Kristi Sweeney dropped this knowledge on me at some point during my college career. I think she shared this tidbit of trivia in her Sport Law class. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) actually owns the rights to "Sweet Sixteen." The KHSAA trademarked the term in 1988. They use it to describe their own state basketball tournament. The KHSAA allows the NCAA to use the term exclusively for collegiate-level marketing. Drop that on your co-workers or homies and see how they feel about that.
Going against all tradition, all top three seeds made the Sweet 16. The remaining four teams are made up of a 12, 5, and two 4's. In probably the most surprising matchup we have Louisville against Arizona. Most of America has Lousiville here but I believe most of America does not have Arizona here. In fact, many people thought 'Zona didn't belong here. I think they have proven themselves. As much as I want to say Arizona is going to win this game, I just don't see it happening. However, between them and Cleveland State I think Arizona will give Louisville a better game. Nic Wise can handle the rock and Chase Budinger is a do all player. However, I think the combo of Terrence Williams, Earl Clark, and Samardo Samuels will be too much for the Wildcats. Louisville advances to the Elite 8.
Kansas and Michigan State will be playing a rematch game from earlier in the season. Oddly enough the first game was played at Ford Field to test the future site of the Final Four. Michigan State won that matchup by 13. Clearly both team are different than they were back then but I think Michigan State has an extra motivating factor in this game. Throwing all personnel aside, all Tom Izzo has to do is throw a picture of Ford Field up in the locker room and say, "Fellas, with two wins we're going home and you're playing in the Final Four in front of a home crowd." Don't get me wrong, I think Kansas has really surprised a lot of people including Bill Self. If you would've told him that they would be in the Sweet Sixteen this year after losing 90% of their scoring he would've probably laughed at you in your face. But, here they are and playing pretty good basketball. This game is a tough decision for me, but in the end I like Michigan State mainly because Tom Izzo is as good as anyone else in March. In fact, since he's been at Michigan State he has lead each class to the Final Four. This senior class he has right now has not been to the Final Four, I think it's about time they come home and play at Ford Field in front of The Izzone.
UCONN and Purdue is the first game in the West Region. Ever since Robbie Hummel has been healthy Purdue has been clicking on all cylinders. Purdue won the Big Ten Tournament and played very solid against Northern Iowa and Washington. To me UCONN has been the most dominant team and makes me want to change my mind about who I think is going to win this tournament, however, my picks are already in. They have been so dominant that their combined margin of victory in their first two games is 82 points! Ouch. Jeff Adrien and AJ Price have been playing like men possessed. Hasheem Thabeet hasn't even done anything noteworthy besides being told to sit back down by Jim Calhoun when he tried to check in against Texas A&M. I'm sorry Purdue, but I like UCONN in this game.
Perhaps the most intriguing game and best game, at least on paper, to watch will be the Missouri and Memphis game. Strap your seatbelts on, this game is going to be a track meet. There actually may be a combined 200 points scored in this game. Between Mike Anderson's "40 Minutes of Hell" and John Calipari's run and gun style you're going to see a lot of points scored. Memphis has not lost a game since Tyreke Evans has been put at the point guard position. Memphis has been here before. Missouri is just now getting back into the tournament since Quin "Greaseball" Snyder left. I really want to say Missouri is going to win this game, but I just can't do it. Not right now. Memphis is going to win this game solely on the experience factor. I feel like if you're going to get into a run and gun battle, Memphis is the wrong team to do it with. Not to mention this team is fresh off a runner-up performance last year. I think Memphis is battle tested and with members of this team having been there before I like them to advance to the Elite 8.
I'm halfway through my analysis and the World Baseball Classic is still bad. Way to not represent USA in a tournament being held on your own soil. Hey Bud, take a pay cut ($18.5 million/year), stop thinking this was ever a good idea (at least play it in the middle of the season or something), and don't ever make the All-Star game end in a tie ever again.
I love the Syracuse and Oklahoma matchup. Syracuse is one of the hottest teams in basketball right now and Oklahoma has more or less been dominant all year. If you don't think Jonny Flynn is one of the best, if not the best point guard in the country then you must be crazy. By the way, he's only a sophomore. Arinze Onuaku is a bruiser down low. Eric Devendorf may be a thug but he will make you pay from deep and he's not scared to shoot and make a big time shot i.e. Big East Tournament. He also dropped 84 points in four days. Andy Rautins has a mowhawk and is just as lethal from deep as Eric. Paul Harris isn't too shabby himself. All five I just mentioned average above 10 ppg. To me a team with 5 dudes above 10/game is pretty impressive and tough to beat. Oklahoma has the obvious player of the year on their team. A real nice point man in Austin Johnson. Willie Warren is the best, least talked about freshman in the country at just under 15 ppg. This is going to be a heck of a game. Syracuse wins though.
North Carolina has tournament veteran and mid-major favorite Gonzaga. No need to analyze, UNC wins. This is too easy. I think North Carolina is too deep, too talented, and just the better team in this game. Gonzaga certainly has its weapons, but needed a last second layup to beat Western Kentucky. With Ty Lawson back in the lineup UNC is just too tough to beat.
Russ Pennel, interim coach at Arizona probably won't be offered the job at Arizona which is unfortunate considering what he's done with the team this year but he certainly has done a nice job auditioning for potential vacancies. As Russ leaves look for Mark Few to get the offer here. I think this is finally the big time job that he takes. Jeff Capel makes the most sense at UVA right now. Capel is a Richmond native, spent time at Old Dominion University, played in the ACC, and wants to get back into the ACC. Why not do so and come back home at the same time. Oklahoma will be solid next year but not outstanding. UVA arguably has the best facility in the ACC which makes recruiting fairly easy. Other names to be in the mix at UVA include Anthony Grant and Sean Miller. Don't worry Xavier fans, Sean isn't going anywhere. Capel I've heard is the best bet and makes the most sense in my opinion.
In the second most intriguing game we have Villanova and Duke. This game should be guard dominated as both teams are lead by their perimeter play. Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher are big time players for Nova. Gerald Henderson has exploded onto the scene this year and is as dominant as anyone else in the country. Jay Wright is well on his path to the hall of fame and Coach K is a sure fire Hall of Famer. Basically, this game has all the ingredients of a thriller. In the end, I think Duke is the better team. However, I like Villanova's style and having played in the Big East all year gives an edge to 'Nova. Night in and night out Nova is playing the best of the best. Nova pulls out a close one.
Xavier and Pitt has the best storyline, Sean Miller is going up against his alma mater where he dominated as a point guard. Some of his records still stand at Pitt. Pitt clearly is the favorite in this game. They have been just as good as anyone else this season. DeJuan Blair is a hoss. Sam Young is capable of doing big things. Lavance Fields is a real solid point guard. With Xavier you have a team that is very balanced. Each night you never know who's looking to lay the pipe. You can try and shut down one dude but you'll just end up getting burnt by another dude. The key for Xavier in this game is to get Blair in foul trouble, not necessarily in the first four minutes of the game. But, at some point he has to sit and sit for an extended amount of time. Xavier must also limit Young to less than 20. Both tasks are not easy and it's going to take a monster effort by Xavier's team defense, boxing out skills, and ability to pound the ball down low. Jason "Buddy" Love needs to have a monster effort. Frease and Jamel "Clean" McClean need to continue to get better and have their best games. BJ "Or You Could Do It Like the Post Office" Raymond needs to light it up. Dante and TuTu gotta handle that rock like it's the Hope Diamond. Hey Redford, don't be scared to show America your range. CJ, time to get to the rack and finish with authority like I know you can. Derrick needs to rebound offensively and defensively, stay out of foul trouble, and have the outside game clicking. Basically, Xavier needs to being their best shot to pull this one out. Lets face the facts, they're playing with "house money" as my friend Pete said. Everyone is predicting Pitt in this one and not giving Xavier a chance. Xavier is due for a big time effort game. They are due for some breaks to go their way. They are due for a little blessing from Saint Francis Xavier. They are due for Joe Sunderman Sr. to narrate another "Run" DVD (cue chills running through my body). Byron needs another, "DO IT BJ, DO IT BJ!" moment. In the end, this season has been a success because how many of us were saying Sweet Sixteen at the beginning of the season? Xavier played the toughest schedule on record, won the Puerto Rico jam, won the regular season A-10, and reached the Sweet 16. Sean Miller is arguably the best at what he does. All in all, if Xavier is in it at the end they have just as good of a chance as anyone else to win this game. Do what we do fellas.
I challenge you to watch this and not get goosebumps.
War Bill Raferty and Gus Johnson in March.
-'Killa