Each day here on the Blog and on the show we'll break down this year's Sweet 16 region by region. We are doing this despite the fact that my bracket is blown up the fact that Syracuse is out. I'm a glutton for punishment and hopefully you are too. You can click to see the Southwest, Southeast, and West regions that we have covered. Today we tackle the East region.
Teams Left Dancing: (1) Ohio State, (2) North Carolina, (4) Kentucky, (11) Marquette
Games: Friday - (2) North Carolina v. (11) Marquette 7:15 CBS, (1) Ohio State v. (4) Kentucky 9:47 CBS (Newark, NJ)
Story Line: What many felt was the toughest region of the four essentially held to form throughout the first weekend of the tournament. The one obvious exception is the fact that Syracuse is home after Marquette beat the Orange for the second time this season. Regardless of that upset, the East region semis are loaded with talented teams, players, and coaches. The main story line, however, has to be centered on The Ohio State. The Buckeyes have super frosh Jared Sullinger in the paint and senior sharp shooter Jon Diebler firing away from distance. Throw in a cast of experienced players and coach Thad Matta and OSU may be that dominate team everyone seems to think college ball is lacking this year. Can Ohio State get through tradition rich teams like Kentucky and North Carolina?
Most Likely Regoinal Final: I think we are headed for a potential classic as the Buckeyes and the Tar Heels should be playing in the finals on Sunday. Obviously young, the Tar Heels can counter Sullinger with Tyler Zeller (who's playing great basketball) and John Henson. Plus, Harrison Barnes has started to live up to his preseason hype. Although I like Ohio State's chances, a finals showdown with Roy Williams' bunch would be a fight to the finish.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Breaking Down The Sweet 16 - Southwest
Each day here on the Blog and on the show we'll break down this year's Sweet 16 region by region. We are doing this despite the fact that my bracket is blown up and the fact that Syracuse is out. I'm a glutton for punishment and hopefully you are too. Click here to see our breakdown of the Southeast and West. Today is the Southwest region.
Teams Left Dancing: (1) Kansas, (10) Florida State, (11) VCU, (12) Richmond
Games: Friday - (1) Kansas v. (12) Richmond 7:27 TBS, (10) Florida State v. (11) VCU 9:57 TBS (San Antonio)
Story Line: If your personal brackets are blown up it's likely the Southwest region is the reason for your pain. Top seeds like Notre Dame (2), Purdue (3), Louisville (4), Vanderbilt (5), and Georgetown (6) have all been sent packing. That leaves heavy favorite Kansas playing against teams more likely to be considered Cinderellas rather than champions. Can Kansas avoid the upset bug, and live up to expectations (something Bill Self coached teams have had issues with in the past) or can this region produce a double digit Final Four representative?
Most Likely Regional Final: I love the fact that the city of Richmond has two teams left playing and both happen to reside in the same Southwest region (Richmond, VCU). I am hopeful to see a gutsy, tough, Florida State team bring defense to Houston. I have, however, resided myself to the fact that Kansas will certainly be playing Sunday for the right to appear in the Final Four. Whom the Jayhawks will face is an interesting question. The Seminoles hammered Notre Dame and seem to have the experience and the toughness to beat the CAA rep VCU Rams, but I don't know if anyone can count VCU out? I'll say it's likely to be Kansas and Florida State, but VCU could be on a run similar to their conference neighbor George Mason was on back in 2006.
Teams Left Dancing: (1) Kansas, (10) Florida State, (11) VCU, (12) Richmond
Games: Friday - (1) Kansas v. (12) Richmond 7:27 TBS, (10) Florida State v. (11) VCU 9:57 TBS (San Antonio)
Story Line: If your personal brackets are blown up it's likely the Southwest region is the reason for your pain. Top seeds like Notre Dame (2), Purdue (3), Louisville (4), Vanderbilt (5), and Georgetown (6) have all been sent packing. That leaves heavy favorite Kansas playing against teams more likely to be considered Cinderellas rather than champions. Can Kansas avoid the upset bug, and live up to expectations (something Bill Self coached teams have had issues with in the past) or can this region produce a double digit Final Four representative?
Most Likely Regional Final: I love the fact that the city of Richmond has two teams left playing and both happen to reside in the same Southwest region (Richmond, VCU). I am hopeful to see a gutsy, tough, Florida State team bring defense to Houston. I have, however, resided myself to the fact that Kansas will certainly be playing Sunday for the right to appear in the Final Four. Whom the Jayhawks will face is an interesting question. The Seminoles hammered Notre Dame and seem to have the experience and the toughness to beat the CAA rep VCU Rams, but I don't know if anyone can count VCU out? I'll say it's likely to be Kansas and Florida State, but VCU could be on a run similar to their conference neighbor George Mason was on back in 2006.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Breaking Down The Sweet 16 - West
Each day here on the Blog and on the show we'll break down this year's Sweet 16 region by region. We are doing this despite the fact that my bracket is blown up and the fact that Syracuse is out. I'm a glutton for punishment and hopefully you are too. Click here to see our breakdown of the Southeast. Today is the West region.
Teams Left Dancing: (1) Duke, (2) San Diego State, (3) Connecticut, (5) Arizona
Games: Thursday - (3) Connecticut v. (2) San Diego State 7:15 CBS, (1) Duke v. (5) 9:45 CBS (Anaheim).
Story Line: San Diego State had an amazing year and their head coach, Steve Fisher, has seemingly redefined his career following his fall from grace at Michigan. The Aztecs actually won their first ever tourney game last week! However, the story lines out of the West Region revolve around Duke and Connecticut. More specifically, we're all watching the Blue Devils Kyrie Irving and the Huskies Kemba Walker. Irving, a star freshmen who missed the majority of the year with a toe injury, is back and could be the difference in helping Duke repeat as national champs. Conversely, Walker has been amazing all year long and over the last two weeks has led Connecticut to the Big East tourney title (playing five games in five days) and to the Sweet 16.
Most likely Regional Final: Yes San Diego State is a great story, and yes Arizona is actually still playing here, but it's all about Duke and Connecticut. Not only should both teams win in their semis, they both could win easily (although it should be noted that the Aztecs are playing very close to home). That sets up a battle of Mike Krzyzewski against Jim Calhoun. A battle of Iriving (and Nolan Smith) v. Walker. A battle, in all reality, of the Big East v. the ACC.
Teams Left Dancing: (1) Duke, (2) San Diego State, (3) Connecticut, (5) Arizona
Games: Thursday - (3) Connecticut v. (2) San Diego State 7:15 CBS, (1) Duke v. (5) 9:45 CBS (Anaheim).
Story Line: San Diego State had an amazing year and their head coach, Steve Fisher, has seemingly redefined his career following his fall from grace at Michigan. The Aztecs actually won their first ever tourney game last week! However, the story lines out of the West Region revolve around Duke and Connecticut. More specifically, we're all watching the Blue Devils Kyrie Irving and the Huskies Kemba Walker. Irving, a star freshmen who missed the majority of the year with a toe injury, is back and could be the difference in helping Duke repeat as national champs. Conversely, Walker has been amazing all year long and over the last two weeks has led Connecticut to the Big East tourney title (playing five games in five days) and to the Sweet 16.
Most likely Regional Final: Yes San Diego State is a great story, and yes Arizona is actually still playing here, but it's all about Duke and Connecticut. Not only should both teams win in their semis, they both could win easily (although it should be noted that the Aztecs are playing very close to home). That sets up a battle of Mike Krzyzewski against Jim Calhoun. A battle of Iriving (and Nolan Smith) v. Walker. A battle, in all reality, of the Big East v. the ACC.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Breaking Down The Sweet 16 - Southeast
Each day on the Blog and on the show we'll break down this year's Sweet 16 region by region. We are doing this despite the fact my bracket is blown up and the fact that Syracuse is out. I'm a glutton for punishment and hopefully you are too. Let's explore the Southeast region.
Teams Left Dancing: (2) Florida, (3) BYU, (4) Wisconsin, (8) Butler
Games: Thursday - (2) Florida v. (3) BYU 7:27 TBS, (4) Wisconsin v. (8) Butler 9:57 TBS - (New Orleans)
Story Line: - With the ouster of top seed Pittsburgh it looks as though the Southeast may be up for grabs. Although, it should be noted that the second, third, and fourth seeded teams are still alive. I think the nation will be interested in the Southeast to see BYU's Jimmer Fredette, coach Billy Donovan of the Gators (2 national titles already), and the Cinderella Bulldogs of Butler. Wisconsin, on the other hand, a team that lost a game two weeks ago by a score of 36 - 33, is getting zero coverage. These Badgers of Bo Ryan, however, can play solid enough defense to take the region.
Most Likely Regional Final: - Both regional semis should be outstanding (I don't think Butler can contractually win a game in the tournament by more than 2 points). You can make an argument for all the teams to win on Thursday, but I'll go with Florida and their commitment to defense to face Sconny and their commitment to defense. By the way, 'commitment to defense' is code for low scoring, ugly, 53 - 52 games. Having wrote that, I wouldn't be shocked at a BYU - Butler regional final either. There is something with Butler and Matt Howard right now that seems like it could be March Magic. Not to mention Fredette could shoot BYU to Houston. Looking at both game though, I see the Gators advancing to take on the Badgers.
Teams Left Dancing: (2) Florida, (3) BYU, (4) Wisconsin, (8) Butler
Games: Thursday - (2) Florida v. (3) BYU 7:27 TBS, (4) Wisconsin v. (8) Butler 9:57 TBS - (New Orleans)
Story Line: - With the ouster of top seed Pittsburgh it looks as though the Southeast may be up for grabs. Although, it should be noted that the second, third, and fourth seeded teams are still alive. I think the nation will be interested in the Southeast to see BYU's Jimmer Fredette, coach Billy Donovan of the Gators (2 national titles already), and the Cinderella Bulldogs of Butler. Wisconsin, on the other hand, a team that lost a game two weeks ago by a score of 36 - 33, is getting zero coverage. These Badgers of Bo Ryan, however, can play solid enough defense to take the region.
Most Likely Regional Final: - Both regional semis should be outstanding (I don't think Butler can contractually win a game in the tournament by more than 2 points). You can make an argument for all the teams to win on Thursday, but I'll go with Florida and their commitment to defense to face Sconny and their commitment to defense. By the way, 'commitment to defense' is code for low scoring, ugly, 53 - 52 games. Having wrote that, I wouldn't be shocked at a BYU - Butler regional final either. There is something with Butler and Matt Howard right now that seems like it could be March Magic. Not to mention Fredette could shoot BYU to Houston. Looking at both game though, I see the Gators advancing to take on the Badgers.
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