Monday, April 4, 2011
.
Leading off
No matter what happens today, Kemba Walker's March has been amazing. His ability to put a young team on his back and carry it to the championship game has been impressive. But win today and Walker joins some elite company. Some of the most memorable title runs have been tied to the efforts of one guy.
Christian Laettner, Ed O'Bannon, Mateen Cleaves and Carmelo Anthony all wouldn't let their teams lose in the NCAA Tournament. Kemba Walker can be one of those guys. From his performance in the Big East Tournament all the way through to tonight, this will be Walker's title if UConn can finish it off.
Fearless prediction:
UConn over Butler
What to look forward to today:
One Shining Moment
Question I don't know the answer to:
Frank Haith? You go from Matt Painter to Frank Haith? Missouri couldn't do better than Frank Haith?
Recommended reading:
Wetzel on Brad Stevens.
A look at UConn's Charles Okwandu.
I've never understood why the Washington Post feels the need to have a stupid style on how it writes "U-Conn." and "U-Mass." with the unnecessary hyphen and period. But they make up for it with a great sports section including this story on Walker.
Buzzer beaters:
Will Jim Calhoun retire after this?
...6 months til Midnight Madness...
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Brad Stevens will get an opportunity for redemption this weekend that few mid-majors get to experience.
Leading off
I'm a little surprised there hasn't been more talk about reseeding the field once the Final Four arrived. I figured that having the blue bloods playing on one side and the upstarts on the other would spark some debate.
But I'm glad it didn't. It makes today's games more compelling and guarantees that there'll be an underdog playing for a title Monday night.
Fearless prediction:
UConn over Kentucky, Butler over VCU
What to look forward to today:
More VCU magic? We can only hope.
Question I don't know the answer to:
Which One Shining Moment are they using?
Recommended reading:
Oregon's ridiculous court design affected the finals of the CBI.
Kemba Walker = Danny Manning?
Lots of great coverage of the event in today's Washington Post.
Buzzer beaters:
NC State hasn't hired a coach yet which tells you the Wolfpack is hoping to back up the truck for Shaka Smart or Brad Stevens. Missouri probably too. It'll be interesting to see who either school turns to if that patience doesn't pay off.
...9 hours til VCU-Butler...
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Before the season, who'd have thought of last year's Final Four teams that Butler would be the one going back.
Leading off
What's more impressive:
1. A school that was in the play-in game playing for a shot in the Final Four today?
2. A school from the Horizon League making the Final Four in back to back years?
3. A school winning five straight in the Big East Tournament followed by four straight in the NCAA Tournament?
It's been a pretty amazing March to here.
Fearless prediction:
Kentucky over North Carolina
What to look forward to today:
More VCU magic? We can only hope.
Question I don't know the answer to:
Will its relatively easy path hurt Kansas if it makes the Final Four? It would likely be a different level of intensity.
Recommended reading:
Mike DeCourcey on Matt Howard.
Pat Forde has VCU following the George Mason script to this point.
Nice look at Josh Harrelson by Dan Wetzel.
Buzzer beaters:
No matter what happens today, Shaka Smart should take the job. Whichever is the best job he gets offered. Sign the contract and move on. Because it will never be this good again at VCU.
This will forever be the season against which all future Rams teams will be judged. It will be an unfeedable beast. There will be boosters that assume.
So run, Shaka, run.
...6 hours til VCU-Kansas...
Friday, March 25, 2011
Derrick Williams and Arizona brought down Duke emphatically.
Leading off
The deadline Wooden Award ballots is Monday. By design you can include tournament, but not Final Four, performance in your consideration. A month ago, Jimmer Fredette was everyone's choice to be the national player of the year. But after the Big East Tournament and three games in the NCAA Tournament it has to be Kemba Walker now doesn't it?
My top five right now: 1. Kemba, 2. Jimmer, 3. Jared Sullinger, 4. Derrick Williams, 5. Kawhi Leonard
Fearless prediction:
VCU over Florida State
What to look forward to today:
Richmond vs. Kansas
Question I don't know the answer to:
Why do the people in those annoying Subway commercials have little kid voices?
and more relevantly...
Is Rick Pitino auditioning for his post coaching career? After going on CBS last weekend after getting bounced he was on ESPN last night. What's next Saturday Night Live? The View? Replacing Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men?
Recommended reading:
A look at stat guru Ken Pomeroy impact on the college game.
Many people met Derrick Williams for the first time as he was stomping Duke. Here's his backstory.
Buzzer beaters:
One of my favorite television episodes of all time was the final episode of Cheers. The episode itself was OK, but it was the last scene that stood out to me. In it, each of the main characters watched off the screen by himself or herself one final time. I'm reminded of that every year in the NCAA Tournament. As the games progress, star senior after star senior walks off the stage for the final time, as do many players that will obviously be declaring for the draft. Nolan Smith and Jimmer Fredette made their exits last night.
..10 hours til Williams vs. Williams...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Its a fun time to be a college hoop fan in Richmond.
Leading off
Time to determine the true legitimacy of San Diego State. It was a great year in the Mountain West, but other than BYU, SDSU hasn't played anybody like UConn. Are they up for it?
Fearless prediction:
Butler over Wisconsin.
What to look forward to today:
More Kyrie Irving. He's an interesting subplot in this tournament.
Question I don't know the answer to:
Who do you watch tonight Jimmer or Kemba? College basketball's two most
dynamic players are both on in the early time slot tonight.
Recommended reading:
Can Jimmer make it in the NBA?
Kawhi Leonard will take center stage tonight.
Nasir Robinson has handled what has to be the worst week of his life in admirable fashion.
Buzzer beaters:
College basketball will be a less interesting place without Bruce Pearl. He's getting what he deserved I suppose. But his team played a fun style and his oversized personality was entertaining. It's a shame he threw away a career with momentum. I imagine he'll be a broadcaster before long.
..eight hourst til UConn-SD State...
Sunday, March 20, 2011
I don't know if Jacob Pullen has an NBA future, but college basketball will miss him. This was a terrific player..
Leading off
Is Brad Stevens tempted to leave Butler now? After last year's title run he's taken the Bulldogs back to the Sweet 16 at least. I have to think Oklahoma or North Carolina State would offer huge contracts to woo him and you could certainly win at either of those schools if you can win at Butler.
Fearless prediction:
I'm feeling fiesty. Washington over North Carolina.
What to look forward to today:
Duke vs. Michigan - On one level it's interesting because it's an opportunity for John Beilein who was a great tournament coach at West Virginia to be great again. But it's particularly relevant today because of all the Duke-Michigan attention tied to the Fab Five documentary.
Question I don't know the answer to:
How much self doubt is Jamie Dixon feeling? The Pitt coach, who has done as well as any coach in the regular season, has to be feeling cursed in the NCAA Tournament.
Recommended reading:
Bob Ryan has a column on a coach who looks like Curly, but whose coaching performance has been far from Stoogelike.
Buzzer beaters:
Has there ever been more defining blocked shots and fouls in the same NCAA Tournament? Kenneth Faried's was the biggest since Hakim Warrick's in Syracuse's championship, but since then there's been swat after significant swat.
...two hours til Washington-UNC...
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Isaiah Thomas is still playing most of his games after most people have gone to bed. But he'll make a name for himself if the Huskies upset North Carolina tomorrow.
Leading off
Upsetville? Some people still call it Richmond, Va. but that was for the centuries before it became apparent that the Virginia capital is a nurturing ground for giant killers, dragon-slayers etc. Just this year the Richmond upset Vanderbilt and Virginia Commonwealth hammered Georgetown after winning the play in game.
But its not just this year. Richmond has made a living off of bouncing big boys with five wins as a No. 12 seed or higher. VCU, meanwhile beat Duke on Eric Maynor's game winning shot in 2007.
Richmond will play today as the higher seed against Morehead, while VCU will get a chance to enhance its reputation against No. 3 Purdue on Sunday.
Fearless prediction:
Kentucky beats West Virginia.
What to look forward to today:
UCLA vs. Florida - These two heavyweight programs will play for the third time in in the NCAA Tournament in recent years. The last two ame in the Final Four.
Question I don't know the answer to:
Will VCU's win make people think that there's an advantage to play in the play-in game?
Recommended reading:
Calipari and Huggins will put their friendship aside for another NCAA Tournament game today.
Wetzel on Obama's 29-3 start in bracket prediction.
Buzzer beaters:
The NCAA committee can't be happy that there are two Big East vs. Big East matchups in the second round.
...9 hours til at 12 and a 13 get play to be in the Sweet 16...
Thursday, March 17, 2011
UD Arena makes the play-in game feel big time.
Leading off
I love the first day of the NCAA Tournament and today is the real first day no matter how many days of prologue play-in games they set up. It's unlike any other sports day because its an all-you-can-eat buffet of tournament action from noon til midnight.No other sport offers a day like this.
I love St. Patrick's Day too. I am Irish. I honeymooned in Ireland and I love the Irish connections to the holiday and all the Irish music. But I love it too, because it's a holiday when people celebrate being festive and being happy. There's no presents or cards really. It's just a a fun day for fun sake.
So I especially love it every few years when St. Patrick's and Tournament Day fall on the same day.
It's a day of hoops and heritage, beer and brackets and a lot of missed work. I can't wait for it to get started.
So I'll tip off this day guide with some gaelic that I'm sure doesn't translate perfectly:
Sasta fonsai la ...Happy Hoops Day.
Fearless prediction:
Richmond beats Vanderbilt
What to look forward to today:
Hopefully upsets and buzzer beaters.
Question I don't know the answer to:
Did the NCAA really have to make Clemson play at hoon?.
Recommended reading:
College hoopsters and majors.
A look at rebounding machine Kenneth Faried.
Pete Thamel looks at the officiating.
How to throw a St. Pat's/NCAA Party. This is a lame article, but I felt obligated to throw them a link because I'm using their leprechaun graphic.
Buzzer beaters:
There isn't an elite job opening in college hoop yet. But there are several B+ jobs likely to offer a lot of cash. NC State, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma are all hunting and there's no better tryout spot than the NCAA Tournament. Win a game and you might get your next gig.
...one days til it really starts...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
UD Arena makes the play-in game feel big time.
Leading off
Part II of the play in blog:
USC over VCU - Not only will the Trojans beat the Rams, but they'll be the Hoyas on Friday as well.
UT-San Antonio over Alabama State - With maybe the coolest nickname in the field, go with the Jackrabbits.
Fearless prediction:
See above
What to look forward to today:
More Charles Barkley foolishness. I think Charles' lack of real college basketball knowledgemight get annoying as the tournament progresses, but for now I'm amused.
Question I don't know the answer to:
Can Duke find on-court chemistry quickly with Kyrie Irving? He's been out an awfully long time and guys have established roles in his absence.
Recommended reading:
Dick Jeradi breaks down the a bracket.
Buzzer beaters:
I saw a headline touting Brad Brownell getting Clemson its first NCAA Tournament win in 14 years. Please. Clemson won a play-in game. Call it first round or First Four or whatever you want. It's a play-in game. Winning it is better than losing it and losing it is still better than being Colorado. But its not really an NCAA Tournament win. Don't insult fans intelligent by suggesting otherwise.
...one days til it really starts...
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
It all starts tonight at UD Arena.
Leading off
When there was one play-in game, I never included it as part of my annual predict the bracket column, which will run on Thursday.
But now with four play-in games (I know they're officially "first round games," but lets face it, they're play-in games) this is part one of the play-in blog prediction. Winners make the column.
Ashville vs. Little Rock - Take the Bulldogs.
Clemson vs. UAB - Pressure game for the Blazers, who are trying to prove they belong in the field at all. I'm taking Clemson.
Fearless prediction:
See above
What to look forward to today:
I'm curious to see how the broadcast looks on TruTV.
Question I don't know the answer to:
Will the potential excitement of the NCAA Tournament get people to turn on TruTV at 9 p.m. tonight. Or are these play-in games just appetizers before people really tune in on Thursday. Essentially will people watch games that aren't part of their bracket pools.
Recommended reading:
The New York Times has a Gus Johnson profile. -http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/sports/ncaabasketball/15gus.html?ref=sports
Among my favorite traditions of this time of year is Dan Wetzel's pretournament column.
Buzzer beaters:
After tomorrow Dayton will have hosted more NCAA Tournament games than any other arena in America.
...two days til incessant commercials for "The Masters, a tradition unlike any other...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
After the Pistons/Knicks/FIU/CBA guy ruined it, this unrelated Isaiah Thomas is restoring the name to greatness.
Leading off
They probably won't become die-hards, but there are a lot of new Richmond fans today. They're in Boston, Blacksburg, Birmingham and everywhere else on the bubble. Eight teams play today. Six have bids assured. Penn State is probably in regardless. Dayton is in with a win and out with a loss. Anyone hoping for an at-large bid is rooting hard for the Spiders to knock off the Flyers.
Fearless prediction:
North Carolina over Duke
What to look forward to today:
Brackets!!!!
Bids today:
Atlantic 10, SEC, ACC, and Big 10
Question I don't know the answer to:
What would happen if the 3:30 Big Ten game today involved one team that was a lock to get into the NCAA Tournament and one that needed a win to get in? What if it went multiple overtimes? Would they hold up releasing the bracket? Not a likely scenario, but not ridiculous. We've seen a six OT tournament game. We've seen teams with no chance of an at-large win conference tournaments. It could happen.
Recommended reading:
Kemba Walker makes some history.
For links throughtout the NCAA Tournament
Buzzer beaters:
If the Pac 10 Tournament happened earlier today, Washington's Isiah Thomas would have become a household name this week
...9 hours til Brackets...
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Love for Jimmer knows no gender lines.
Leading off
Winning five games in five days would be a historic acheivement for
UConn and would put Kemba Walker along side Randolph Childress, Gerry
McNamara and John Gilchrist on the Mount Rushmore of Conference
Tournament heroes.
Fearless prediction:
Boise State over Utah State
What to look forward to today:
BYU-San Diego State III
Bids today:
America East, Big XII, Mountain West, Big East, Pac 10, Conference USA, MEAC, Southland, Big West, SWAC
Question I don't know the answer to:
How many people saw the Penn State-Wisconsin final and thought it was a halftime score?.
Recommended reading:
Rematch of the heavyweights.
Buzzer beaters:
"We won a game two years ago 38-33 over Illinois, so we're pretty good in the 30s," - Penn State's Talor Battle after his team upset Wisconsin, 36-33.
...7 hours til an Ivy playoff...
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday was a happy day to be a Husky a continent apart.
Leading off
Your heart has to go out to St. John's D.J. Kennedy, a glue guy for that team, who tore his ACL Thursday.
"I've wanted to play in the NCAA tournament since I picked up a
basketball in grade school, and this is a real blow," Kennedy said in an ESPN article. "I
am disappointed on a personal level, but I am happy that I will be with
my teammates on the road during the tournament, supporting them the way
they always support me." .
What to look forward to today:
Syracuse vs. UConn - Anything short of six overtimes and I'm not going to be satisfied.
Prediction of the Day:
Bucknell over Lafayette
Bids today:
Patriot League
Question I don't know the answer to:
Could Harvard get an at-large bid? There RPI (34) is better than BC and Colorado and on top of that, the Crimson beat both of those teams. That combination ought to count for something.
Recommended reading:
.
Buzzer beaters:
Thoughts with the people of Japan and my sophomore year roommate Li-Fang Chen, who lives in Japan. He's O.K. but I can't imagine what the immediate future holds for people there.
...2 days til an Ivy playoff...
Thursday, March 10, 2011
A Big East Tournament win was just out of reach for the Mountaineers.
Leading off
The referees from the St. John's-Rutgers game are rightly getting shredded for the end of that game. It'll be interesting to see how carefully other officials proceed after that.
What to look forward to today:
Big Ten and ACC Tournaments get underway.
Prediction of the Day:
At least one double-bye team in the Big East gets beat today.
Bubble guide:
Colorado vs. K-State - Buffaloes might already be in. Win this one and they will be for sure.
Southern Miss vs. Memphis - Loser's at-large hopes are likely dead
Iowa vs. Michigan State - Iowa beat Purdue last week. If the Hawkeyes win today, MSU is likely dead
Bids today:
None
Question I don't know the answer to:
Will the play-in games be part of NCAA Tournament bracket pools?
Recommended reading:
The NCAA doles out "justice" inconsistently? Just another day for college sports governing body. Baylor thinks its the latest victim.
Buzzer beaters:
Keno Davis out at Providence. Three years is a short sample size for a coach to get canned. Is it an anomoly or a sign of things to come?
...2 days til an Ivy playoff...
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
While it's called the Big Dance, the quality of the moves is never implied.
Leading off
Butler and Gonzaga were both on the bubble heading into their conference tournaments, but both schools put any questions to rest to assure the big-name little guys another chance to impact March.
What to look forward to today:
More Big East Tournament. The beauty of the double bye format is three days for four games a day.
Prediction of the Day:
Montana over Northern Colorado.
Bubble guide:
Tulane vs Southern Miss - The Eagles needs a run in the Conference USA Tournament to have a shot at an at-large bid.
Oklahoma State vs. Nebraska - Winner has work to do. Loser is NIT bound.
Colorado vs. Iowa State - Colorado is close. But another loss to ISU would push them out.
Bids today:
Northeast Conference, Big Sky
Question I don't know the answer to:
Could Villanova really be at risk of not making the tournament? That's become a popular topic. I'd be stunned. But no team has ever made the field after losing five straight.
Recommended reading:
I won't tell you how to receive the Sports Illustrated profile on John Calipari beyond that its well-written and interesting.
Buzzer beaters:
Bob Knight has become awfully soft on coaching colleagues. He absolved
Jim Calhoun earlier this month for the infractions that ran the UConn
coach afoul of the NCAA. This morning on Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio,
Knight shilled for Ohio State's Jim Tressel. When excusing Knight's
bullying behavior and temper issues, Knight's defenders always pointed
to his clean program and high standards for running a program. That
seems to be slipping a little.
...3 days til an Ivy playoff...
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Nothing came easy for Gonzaga this year.
Leading off
Welcome to Day One of Year Five of the Day Guide. Every day when conference tournaments or NCAA Tournament games are play, I'll post a primer on the day's action before noon. The only exception will be days I have to travel, which could be limited if UMass loses tonight.
What to look forward to today
Princeton at Penn - This used to be a showdown for the Ivy League title. This year it will just affect it. Penn will throw a scare into the Tigers, but I think we're headed for a one-game Ivy playoff between Princeton and Harvard.
Prediction of the Day:
Oakland over Oral Roberts.
Bubble guide:
Butler vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Horizon Final - The Bulldogs may or may not already be in UWM certainly isn't.
Providence vs. Marquette - A loss to the Friars would bounce the Golden Eagles into the NIT.
Bids Today: Summitt, Horizon, Sun Belt and perhaps the Ivy
Questions I don't know the answer to:
How is it possible that UConn hasn't won a Big East Tournament game since 2005? Think about that? I imagine that streak ends today over DePaul.
Recommended Reading
New York Times profile on St. John's Dwight Hardy.
Buzzer beaters
I always think of Randolph Childress at this time of year. My favorite all-time college player was brilliant in the 1995 ACC Tournament leading Wake to the title. Who'll be Randolph Childress this week?
...9 hours til UMass-Dayton...
Monday, November 15, 2010
Jim Boeheim sings an aria of joy at the return of the Week Guide.
LEADING OFF
Welcome back to the weekly look at college hoops. I'm ready for premature speculation on RPI, bracketology and seeds.
Bring on games in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and Amherst, Massachusetts. I'm sad that Robbie Hummel won't be a part of all of it, but I'm looking forward to watching JaJuan Johnson, Kalin Lucas, Jacob Pullen and a whole lot of new stars.
TOP 24:
GAMES OF THE DAY: Obviously there will be early season tournament matchups to be added as well.
MONDAY: St. John's at St. Mary's, 2 a.m. - It's technically a Tuesday game I guess, but you'll be staying up on Monday to watch it. The beginning of the Steve Lavin era figures to be interesting and St. Mary's has annually been very good.
TUESDAY:
Virginia Tech at Kansas State, 4 - The Hokies are underrated and Jacob Pullen is one of the best there is in the game.
Ohio State at Florida, 6 - This could be a late NCAA Tournament matchup in March.
Butler at Louisville, 8 - Bulldogs' chance to prove they're still a national contender.
San Diego State at Gonzaga, 11 - If you're not aware of the Aztecs now, you will be.
WEDNESDAY:
Utah State at BYU, 9 - Utah State is always a challenge, while Jimmer Fredette begins his final campaign.
THURSDAY:
Maryland at Pitt, 7 - A good game in any year.
FRIDAY:
Alabama at Seton Hall - Even early in the season, Fridays aren't a great college hoop day, but this one's not bad.
SATURDAY:
New Mexico State vs. UMass, Springfield, 7:30 p.m. - Should provide some clues to how good or bad UMass actually is.
QUESTION I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO: How many times will the regularly slow-down Badger basketball team match the 83 points their football team scored on Saturday?
QUOTABLE - Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim gets points from me, no small feat, for his blunt honesty about his schedule after beating Canisius:
"This Canisius team that we played lost 17 games last year. We need to get realistic. Right now we’re the most overrated team I’ve ever had. And I'm a little shocked that everybody's bought into this whole thing. We've got a long ways to go. We are not a good basketball team. We played at home against Northern Iowa, a team that lost three major players on their team -- their leading scorer, best shooter and best inside player, and you're up three at halftime? Canisius is a good solid team, but they lost 17 games last year. They don’t have anybody over 6-6. We’ve got a long ways to go. We got a lot of work to do. I'm telling you because I just told those guys (the players) the same thing. Everybody needs to get realistic here and understand where we're going."
RECOMMENDED READING: The Washington Post looks at a rare entity - Kyle Singler, an unloathed Duke star player.
BUZZER BEATERS
From Twitter, it appears that Ricky Harris and Tony Gaffney, who are both several time zones away, stayed up very late to watch UMass' comeback win over Rider.
...12 days til the Cage game...
Monday, April 5, 2010
Leading off
I'm finding the Hoosiers debate amusing. Whether Butler's run to the national championship game bears a lot or a little resemblance to the state title won by Hickory in the semi-fictional Gene Hackman movie, quite a few TV and media people not paying attention misrepresented either what Butler is or what Hickory was in the story.
It's pretty simple actually. This is an impressive but not amazing run for this Butler TEAM. The Bulldogs were ranked higher than Duke in the preseason polls and have been good all year. This is a really good run by a really good team.
What's amazing is the run by this Butler PROGRAM. That a small school in the Horizon League could recruit well enough to have a team this good is what's truly impressive.
What to (not) to look forward to today
People trying to make up conspiracy theories about the NCAA wanting Duke to win if the Devils win the title. The NCAA isn't nearly organized enough to create a conspiracy.
Questions I don't know the answer to:
At any point when the Atlantic 10 expanded, did it consider Butler?
Links:
Jeff Goodman looks at the Blue Devils' route to this point.
Wagner was either brilliant or stupid in hiring Dan Hurley, but I like the courage.
Buzzer beaters:
As a huge nerd I have similar friends, two of which I had long conversations about One Shining Moment with today.
...3.5 hours til tip...
Saturday, April 3, 2010
For a football field, Lucas Oil Stadium looks like an oversized fieldhouse from the outside.
Leading off
The Final Four is often anti-climactic at the end of the tournament, but no matter what happens there's going to be an unlikely team playing for a title.
What to look forward to today
Duke vs. West Virginia - Most people, including me, thinkthe winner of this game will win the whole thing.
Fearless Prediction of the day (I'm 5-3 on these so far)
WVU over Duke
Questions I don't know the answer to:
How much of a homecourt advantage will Butler have?
Links:
Tom Brennan is interested in BC. I love TB. He's one of my favorite people ever in college basketball, but I can't see that happening.
Dan Wetzel has Indiana native John Wooden talking about Brad Stevens and Butler.
Joe Posnanski loves the basketball magic in Indiana.
Buzzer beaters:
Sadly at this point I'm just hoping they delay NCAA Tournament expansion..
...8.5 hours til tip...
Sunday, March 28, 2010
As a good team that's been ranked all year, Butler isn't truly a Cinderella, but the Horizon League champions are Final Four bound and its hard not to think of that as being a little magical. Get ready for all sorts of Hoosiers references this week.
Leading off
There has been upset-loaded tournaments before. Plenty of them. But almost always order is restored in the second weekend. Not this year. Butler could win the national championship. By the time the ball tips next weekend, they might be one of the favorites.
What to look forward to today
Duke vs. Baylor - Could be a terrific up-and-down game.
Fearless Prediction of the day (I'm 4-3 on these so far)
Michigan State over Tennessee
Questions I don't know the answer to:
How many Butler fans bought Final Four tickets just to see the event and now have their hometown team involved.
Does Brad Stevens get carded... at Rated R movies?
Links:
Mike DeCourcey on Bob Huggins' redemption.
Wetzel too.
Andy Katz says despite the loss Kentucky is back.
Buzzer beaters:
America is rooting for Baylor today. Not just to prevent the unpopular Blue Devils out but to keep the tournament's craziness going.
...5 hours til tip...
UMass Sports
UMass-St. Bonaventure
High School Sports
Girls Hoop Playoff Picture
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Readuponit
France has a new Louvre and lots more for 2012
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New Winklepicker festival brings Mardi Gras north
Walking the beat
Dazed and confused
The Conspicuous Consumer
Triple Bagel: A birthday giveaway at Bruegger's
