NCAA Tournament Part IV: The Final Four
Thanks Jon for the kind words on your excellent blog. I’m still waiting for the merger though. A Rendezvous Absence? I like that name.
You were too kind though because I’ve been wrong about everything else so far with college basketball this season (except for my Drew Neitzel comments way back in December). But thank you, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the posts.
Also, I too would like to jam a soldering iron into someone’s face. Let’s do that together. It would be therapeutic and no one would get hurt…except the dude who got stabbed, but f**k him, he probably deserved it.
Okay onto the final installment of my NCAA coverage: The Final Four. I have two Final Fours, my Fantasy Final Four and my Reality Bites Final Four. I’ll start with the Fantasy Final Four.
Final Fantasy Final Four
1. Duke – the Blue Devils have a legitimate shot to make a run at the national championship. Do I think they will? No. LSU could bounce Duke in the Sweet Sixteen or George Washington in the second round. JJ Reddick is a scoring if no one else knew that by now and although Sheldon Williams is ugly he has improved his 15-foot jump shot and will be tough to defend for most teams. If Duke survives GW and LSU they could meet Texas in the Elite Eight in a rematch from the 30 point drubbing the Dukies put on the Longhorns earlier this year. Payback is a bitch. I don’t see Duke going to the final four; hence they are in my fantasy final four.
2. UCLA – I don’t know why I have the Bruins going this deep. I think it is because they always find a way to win. I’ve watched the Bruins erase a double-digit deficit on the road against U of M and come back and beat Leon Powe and Cal on the road. I think UCLA is in a bracket ripe for upsets and they can slide easily into the final four. However, because they are so young and inexperienced I think they may get bounced by Gonzaga (if the Bulldogs get by Indiana) or Indiana. So the Bruins are more of a fantasy final four than a legit final four contender.
3. The OSU – Yeah the Buckeyes are good. Are they that good? I don’t know. JJ Sullinger can create his own shot, but at times takes bad shots and tries to isolate without dishing off to Terrance Dials in the post. The three-point field goal is always nice in the Tourney, but teams live and die by the three. I generally don’t like picking teams that play three-point line to three-point line to make a deep run, but when the Buckeyes are on, they’re really dangerous. However, Georgetown is tough. Getting by the Hoyas is no small task and thus I don’t see the OSU in the final four.
4. Michigan State – I always pick the Spartans and four out of the last seven years I’ve been right. I’ll take those odds. Paul Davis, Maurice Ager and Shannon Brown are unstoppable when clicking on all cylinders. The problem is that rarely happens due to inconsistent point guard play. The return of Matt Trannon is huge and the Spartans have depth and experience at the four again. On the down side the Spartans have never beaten the Tar Heels in the Tourney under Tom Izzo (0-2, but Izzo is undefeated in second round games) and it is an even year. In 2002 and 2004 the Spartans bowed out in the first round. I’m superstitious and therefore think this is more of a fantasy than a reality.
Reality Bites Final Four.
1. Duke – Why? Well it’s a weak bracket and who can really challenge the Blue Devils? Why not? The Blue Devils aren’t a great team and if Williams gets in foul trouble who can score inside? Moreover, Greg Paulus is a defensive liability and cannot find Reddick in close games.
2. Memphis – Why? Athleticism and the Tigers can control tempo. Rodney Carney is an outstanding athlete who has learned how to play basketball and can take-over a game. Why not? Tough defense seems to rattle this team and they have not been in too many close games. The Tigers played a tough non-conference schedule, but Conference USA is weak (minus UAB). Memphis may not know how to play in a close game and may fold under the pressure.
3. UConn – Why? The Huskies are the most talented team in the country. If Marcus Williams can distribute the ball to Josh Boone (also an all-ugly team candidate) and then get superstar Rudy Gay involved UConn is unbeatable. Why not? Boone disappears for periods of a game and Gay is out of control at times on isolation plays. UConn will only lose if they beat themselves. I find it hard to believe any team can flat out beat the Huskies.
4. Boston College – Why? Great inside-outside game and can control tempo (a common theme). Jared Dudley is versatile, Craig Smith is a load inside and Louis Hinnant can score when he needs to. Their physical play is their strength and BC can impose its will on other teams. Why not? The Eagles go on scoring droughts and sometimes don’t execute well, especially in an up-tempo game.
You were too kind though because I’ve been wrong about everything else so far with college basketball this season (except for my Drew Neitzel comments way back in December). But thank you, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the posts.
Also, I too would like to jam a soldering iron into someone’s face. Let’s do that together. It would be therapeutic and no one would get hurt…except the dude who got stabbed, but f**k him, he probably deserved it.
Okay onto the final installment of my NCAA coverage: The Final Four. I have two Final Fours, my Fantasy Final Four and my Reality Bites Final Four. I’ll start with the Fantasy Final Four.
Final Fantasy Final Four
1. Duke – the Blue Devils have a legitimate shot to make a run at the national championship. Do I think they will? No. LSU could bounce Duke in the Sweet Sixteen or George Washington in the second round. JJ Reddick is a scoring if no one else knew that by now and although Sheldon Williams is ugly he has improved his 15-foot jump shot and will be tough to defend for most teams. If Duke survives GW and LSU they could meet Texas in the Elite Eight in a rematch from the 30 point drubbing the Dukies put on the Longhorns earlier this year. Payback is a bitch. I don’t see Duke going to the final four; hence they are in my fantasy final four.
2. UCLA – I don’t know why I have the Bruins going this deep. I think it is because they always find a way to win. I’ve watched the Bruins erase a double-digit deficit on the road against U of M and come back and beat Leon Powe and Cal on the road. I think UCLA is in a bracket ripe for upsets and they can slide easily into the final four. However, because they are so young and inexperienced I think they may get bounced by Gonzaga (if the Bulldogs get by Indiana) or Indiana. So the Bruins are more of a fantasy final four than a legit final four contender.
3. The OSU – Yeah the Buckeyes are good. Are they that good? I don’t know. JJ Sullinger can create his own shot, but at times takes bad shots and tries to isolate without dishing off to Terrance Dials in the post. The three-point field goal is always nice in the Tourney, but teams live and die by the three. I generally don’t like picking teams that play three-point line to three-point line to make a deep run, but when the Buckeyes are on, they’re really dangerous. However, Georgetown is tough. Getting by the Hoyas is no small task and thus I don’t see the OSU in the final four.
4. Michigan State – I always pick the Spartans and four out of the last seven years I’ve been right. I’ll take those odds. Paul Davis, Maurice Ager and Shannon Brown are unstoppable when clicking on all cylinders. The problem is that rarely happens due to inconsistent point guard play. The return of Matt Trannon is huge and the Spartans have depth and experience at the four again. On the down side the Spartans have never beaten the Tar Heels in the Tourney under Tom Izzo (0-2, but Izzo is undefeated in second round games) and it is an even year. In 2002 and 2004 the Spartans bowed out in the first round. I’m superstitious and therefore think this is more of a fantasy than a reality.
Reality Bites Final Four.
1. Duke – Why? Well it’s a weak bracket and who can really challenge the Blue Devils? Why not? The Blue Devils aren’t a great team and if Williams gets in foul trouble who can score inside? Moreover, Greg Paulus is a defensive liability and cannot find Reddick in close games.
2. Memphis – Why? Athleticism and the Tigers can control tempo. Rodney Carney is an outstanding athlete who has learned how to play basketball and can take-over a game. Why not? Tough defense seems to rattle this team and they have not been in too many close games. The Tigers played a tough non-conference schedule, but Conference USA is weak (minus UAB). Memphis may not know how to play in a close game and may fold under the pressure.
3. UConn – Why? The Huskies are the most talented team in the country. If Marcus Williams can distribute the ball to Josh Boone (also an all-ugly team candidate) and then get superstar Rudy Gay involved UConn is unbeatable. Why not? Boone disappears for periods of a game and Gay is out of control at times on isolation plays. UConn will only lose if they beat themselves. I find it hard to believe any team can flat out beat the Huskies.
4. Boston College – Why? Great inside-outside game and can control tempo (a common theme). Jared Dudley is versatile, Craig Smith is a load inside and Louis Hinnant can score when he needs to. Their physical play is their strength and BC can impose its will on other teams. Why not? The Eagles go on scoring droughts and sometimes don’t execute well, especially in an up-tempo game.
posted by az at 12:02 AM
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