I lived through both the Mike Davis and Kelvin Sampson eras at IU, and so I can say this with a bit of authority: Tom Crean is the best coach IU has had, on balance, since they fired Bobby Knight. Davis was a far worse in game tactician than Crean is (even if that is saying something; Crean's in game adjustments leave a lot to be desired). Sampson, while a better in game coach, was corrupt and couldn't play by the rules, so his achievements in recruiting talent and on the court are tainted. Crean sits somewhere in the middle: a better coach than Davis and able to run a program without relying on cheating like Sampson.
Unfortunately, that's likely not enough. Indiana Basketball hasn't won a national title in 29 years, and based on the way this year has gone it seems impossibly unlikely that they will even have a chance to stop that streak from moving to 30. Put another way, barring a shocking turnaround which leads to the team running the table through the Big Ten Tournament to secure an automatic bid, Indiana basketball will miss the NCAA tournament for the fifth time in nine years. This article, which lays out the argument that Crean's sin is lack of consistency in getting to the tournament, is kinder than I am, giving Crean a pass for his first three years. Certainly, the first three years have an asterisk due to the state of the program when Crean took over, but nonetheless he is poised to fail to make the tournament the majority of his first nine years in Bloomington.
For a program that grades itself by how many banners it has hanging in Assembly Hall, the first goal has to be to make the tournament with consistency. As the article lays out, in table form, that is what allows programs like Duke, UNC and Kansas to have a chance to win titles. They simply make the tournament with consistency. IU hasn't done that since the 1990s; that is a large part of why their title drought is about to roll over 30 years.
This concept is not specific to NCAA basketball either. Consider Alabama football. The program, which judges itself based on national titles, hadn't won a title since 1992. Then they entered Nick Saban, and the program's finish since his first full year has been, in order, sixth, first, tenth, first, first, seventh, fourth, first and second. That is nine consecutive top ten finishes, with four national titles. Simply put, Saban's team is always in the running, ready to take advantage of the breaks of the game. Last year they narrowly missed their fifth national title in nine years. The smart money has them finishing in the top ten next year; already, they are the projected to be a top team by most publications.
This is the same theory that Theo Epstein had coming to Chicago, and before that in Boston. You can't focus on trying to make any one year the year. Instead, you have to focus on making the playoffs year after year, and then wait for your pitching to get hot ... or a ball to fall just right ... or to take the right bounce. In hockey we know this to be true as well: get yourself in position, get the hot goalie or the hot scorer, and anything can happen. The Blackhawks had made the playoffs just once in ten years prior to their recent string of success. Since then they have made the playoffs eight straight years, resulting in three Stanley Cup Championships, and are currently poised to make the playoffs for a ninth consecutive year. And just recently I wrote about this same concept regarding the New England Patriots, just before they added a fifth Super Bowl title in an unprecedented age of parity.
This, ultimately, is why Crean must go. Indiana Basketball is not poised to recruit like Duke, UNC, Kansas or Kentucky is, at least not at this time. But to get there, and to improve their chances of hanging banner number six, the team has to get consistently to the NCAA tournament. Crean has failed to do that, and in doing so he's made his team even more susceptible to being on the wrong end of the breaks of the game. Who knows who will replace Crean; it's unlikely they will get someone with even the same amount of name recognition that Crean had coming in. But a good coach who can maximize the talent on the roster will be a start. Getting to the tournament yearly, ideally with a top four seed, has to be the goal. It's time for IU to move on and try to find someone who can build a program capable of that.
Showing posts with label NCAA Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA Basketball. Show all posts
Friday, March 3, 2017
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Nine ... Plus The Wizard
"So who would be your top five college coaches of all time? Beyond Wooden it's got to be a close race, right?" - Luke R.
It is close, and thanks for asking! I don't have a ton of time to go deep in depth with this today, but I will even one up your question; here are my top ten college coaches of all time. Again, always remember that as much as I try to consider all of history, it is difficult having not "been there" to determine what was 100% legit and what wasn't. Also, we are considering men's basketball coaches only (sorry Geno and Patty Summit ... you're great, but you also coach a vastly different sport). Finally, the honorable mention: Henry Iba, Pete Newell, Brach McCraken, Phil Woolpert and if Billy Donovan can prove that those two national titles at Florida weren't flukes, he'll find his way on here soon. Also, Tom Izzo continues to build a pretty impressive resume, and could mount a challenge as well.
10. Rick Pitino - Coached at Boston U, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville; Career record: 521-191; .732 winning percentage; 1 National Title (1996 at Kentucky); led three different teams to the final four (Providence, Kentucky and Louisville)
When considering Coach Pitino one needs to throw out his two failed NBA stints (in New York and Boston), as well as all his personal life drama, and just focus on his body of work. What you are left with, if you can narrow the focus, is a Coach who has led three different schools to a decent amount of success; a coach who has won one national title, and been on the verge of four other national titles (3 final four, 1 championship game beyond the title year). He wins most of his games, and he seems to have a good rapport with his players. On the whole, he's a really good coach who will be able to jump up this list as he continues to win, and especially if he wins another national title.
9. Denny Crum - Coached at Louisville from 1971 until 2001; won two national titles at Louisville in 1980 and 1986; won 675 games in his career; 4 Final Four appearances in addition to the two national titles
Crum had a less than stellar end to his career, although it is important to remember that he was not tied to any of the NCAA sanctions levied at Louisville in his final few years there. Taking that into consideration, his teams generally overachieved during his tenure at Louisville, and he is one of only 11 coaches to win multiple NCAA titles, while also ranking in the top 20 in career wins.
8. Lute Olson - Coached at Long Beach St, Iowa and Arizona; Won one NCAA championship (1997 at Arizona) and made another four Final Four appearances; 780 career wins
Olson is placed here because he had the gusto that few men have. While coaching at Iowa from 1974 through 1983 he built a program that made a final four, and seemed to be capable of being an annual contender in the Big Ten (his last five years at Iowa saw one first place, three second place and one fourth place finish in the conference). Yet, driven by a desire to build something his own, and to get away from the "fish bowl" of Iowa, Olson went to a traditionally terrible Arizona. There, he turned the program into a frequent (11 time) Pac-Ten champion, as well as a periodic national powerhouse.
7. Jim Calhoun - Coached at Northeaster and Connecticut; two time NCAA champion (1999 and 2004); 823 career wins (and counting)
I battle putting Calhoun here if for no other reason than that his UConn program seems so steeped in corrupt patterns that I'm not entirely sure that he's accomplished this legitimately. Still, it's hard to overlook his mounting win total, his national championships, and the long list of professional players who owe allegiance to the man. Let's just say that if the NCAA decided to have UConn vacate some of these wins I wouldn't be sad.
6. Adolph Rupp - Coached at Kentucky (1930-1972); 876 wins (third most all time) and 82.2% winning percentage (2nd best all time); 4 NCAA Championships (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958); Two additional Final Four appearances
S0me interesting facts for Rupp: he was forced into retirement at the age of 70 because that was the mandatory age for all Kentucky employees to retire; he was a four time Coach of the Year; he wore a brown suit to all games. What holds Rupp back is a number of things. First, he coached in a different era; his teams were generally all-white up until 1969, and his Kentucky team was famously defeated by Texas Western in 1966, in a match featuring an all-white starting five (Kentucky) and an all-black starting five (Western). Was he a racist? It is generally held that he was, but for the purposes of this list it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that he didn't coach in the modern era for long, and his greatest successes came in a game that was vastly different than today's game.
5. Roy Williams - Coached at Kansas and North Carolina; 614 career wins (and counting); 2 NCAA Championships (2005 and 2009); five additional Final Four appearances
Williams has gone from being the Coach who couldn't win the big one while at Kansas to a two time national champion with little standing in his way of continuing to build an impressive resume. While at KansasWilliams built a dynasty that could never get over the top, but one that was routinely in the top ten of the nation. Now at UNC, his teams have seen some volatile moves from NCAA champions to missing the tournament, but he was solidly placed himself inside the top five coaches, with a chance to move up the list towards the crowded top.
4. Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski - Coached at Army and Duke; 3x Coach of the Year; 4x NCAA Champion; seven additional Final Four appearances; 868 wins
I have to make a confession: Coach K will likely be at the number two spot on this list before long. He as more NCAA titles than the next two coaches, and he will soon have more wins than either of them. More importantly, it seems like there isn't really much of a slow down; just when it became "common knowledge" that Duke couldn't compete for the national title anymore, they went off and won it last year. Coach K is a great tactician on the sideline who learned under the best (see number two) and who will likely move into the number two spot on this list. What is left to be determined is if he can mount a serious offensive at the number one spot.
3. Dean Smith - Coached at North Carolina; 879 career wins; 4x Coach of the Year; 2x NCAA Champion; nine other Final Four appearances
Dean Smith is in this spot as much out of respect for his tremendous coaching style as anything. Over the course of his tenure at UNC his teams were routinely among the best in the nation, and although they only won the Big Dance twice, they were in the mix frequently from 1967 (his first Final Four appearance) until 1997 (his last Final Four appearance in his final season at UNC). Dean Smith is basketball at one of our nation's top basketball schools. He is currently number two on the all-time wins list, although he likely will be passed shortly by Coach K. Beyond everything else, Coach Smith held a dignity that few others (although certainly our number one) can match.
2. Robert Montgomery "Bobby" Knight - Coached at Army, Indiana and Texas Tech; 902 career wins; 3 National Titles; two additional Final Four appearances
Let's get one things straight: Bob Knight was a full-of-himself, better-than-thou jerk. But he was also one heck of a coach, and throughout his career that was proven time and again. What is funny is that if he had been able to reign himself in, to focus a bit more on humbling himself in front of recruits and containing himself on campus, he might have been able to win a few more national titles, have won 1,000 games, and have retired a Hoosier. But often times our greatest strengths are our greatest weakness, and for Coach Knight that is reality as well. He has more wins than any other coach, although he will also be passed by Coach K in relatively short order. He has his national titles, and his team was the last perfect season in the NCAA, but he also has his career being finished in exile in Lubbok, TX. What speaks volumes for Coach Knight is that his players are devoted still, that his graduation rates were better than anyone at a major program during his era, and that his program's were pristine with the NCAA: not even a sniff of a violation. Coach Knight did what Sinatra said: he did it his way. His way was being a brilliant tactician, an on the court general who could coach circles around the rest of the Big Ten and most of the nation. His way was not cheating as contemporaries at other schools did, and by only taking a player if that player made a commitment to getting his degree, not just using Indiana and its unique heritage as a spring board for the NBA. His way was winning the right way. On the one hand, if he had begun to bend the rules and change his approach he could have had it all: five or six titles, 1,000 + wins, retirement from IU. But that wouldn't have been Coach Knight. Say what you will about him. He did it his way.
1. John Wooden - 664 career wins; 10 National titles; two additional Final Four appearances; six time Coach of the Year
As I said yesterday, little can be said about Coach Wooden that hasn't already been said. I've argued before that the top three on this list could go in any order with a compelling argument, and that still holds true. The ten National Titles in twelve years is impressive, but it is partially an artifact of a different era, and to that end an argument can be made, and it can even make sense. But the fact still remains that Coach Wooden's UCLA dynasty stands alone, built upon his unique coaching ability, and his personality that permeated the game long after he was done coaching, and will continue to do so now that he is gone. When Coach K gets to his 1,000th win and cuts down his fifth National Title banner the argument will begin anew, the same way it did When Dean Smith became the all-time leader in wins, and the same way it did with Coach Knight. Maybe Coach K will even be able to get to six or seven National Titles, and then he will be able to make the argument 1 and 1A. But he'll continue to be 1A. Coach Wooden will be #1.
It is close, and thanks for asking! I don't have a ton of time to go deep in depth with this today, but I will even one up your question; here are my top ten college coaches of all time. Again, always remember that as much as I try to consider all of history, it is difficult having not "been there" to determine what was 100% legit and what wasn't. Also, we are considering men's basketball coaches only (sorry Geno and Patty Summit ... you're great, but you also coach a vastly different sport). Finally, the honorable mention: Henry Iba, Pete Newell, Brach McCraken, Phil Woolpert and if Billy Donovan can prove that those two national titles at Florida weren't flukes, he'll find his way on here soon. Also, Tom Izzo continues to build a pretty impressive resume, and could mount a challenge as well.
10. Rick Pitino - Coached at Boston U, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville; Career record: 521-191; .732 winning percentage; 1 National Title (1996 at Kentucky); led three different teams to the final four (Providence, Kentucky and Louisville)
When considering Coach Pitino one needs to throw out his two failed NBA stints (in New York and Boston), as well as all his personal life drama, and just focus on his body of work. What you are left with, if you can narrow the focus, is a Coach who has led three different schools to a decent amount of success; a coach who has won one national title, and been on the verge of four other national titles (3 final four, 1 championship game beyond the title year). He wins most of his games, and he seems to have a good rapport with his players. On the whole, he's a really good coach who will be able to jump up this list as he continues to win, and especially if he wins another national title.
9. Denny Crum - Coached at Louisville from 1971 until 2001; won two national titles at Louisville in 1980 and 1986; won 675 games in his career; 4 Final Four appearances in addition to the two national titles
Crum had a less than stellar end to his career, although it is important to remember that he was not tied to any of the NCAA sanctions levied at Louisville in his final few years there. Taking that into consideration, his teams generally overachieved during his tenure at Louisville, and he is one of only 11 coaches to win multiple NCAA titles, while also ranking in the top 20 in career wins.
8. Lute Olson - Coached at Long Beach St, Iowa and Arizona; Won one NCAA championship (1997 at Arizona) and made another four Final Four appearances; 780 career wins
Olson is placed here because he had the gusto that few men have. While coaching at Iowa from 1974 through 1983 he built a program that made a final four, and seemed to be capable of being an annual contender in the Big Ten (his last five years at Iowa saw one first place, three second place and one fourth place finish in the conference). Yet, driven by a desire to build something his own, and to get away from the "fish bowl" of Iowa, Olson went to a traditionally terrible Arizona. There, he turned the program into a frequent (11 time) Pac-Ten champion, as well as a periodic national powerhouse.
7. Jim Calhoun - Coached at Northeaster and Connecticut; two time NCAA champion (1999 and 2004); 823 career wins (and counting)
I battle putting Calhoun here if for no other reason than that his UConn program seems so steeped in corrupt patterns that I'm not entirely sure that he's accomplished this legitimately. Still, it's hard to overlook his mounting win total, his national championships, and the long list of professional players who owe allegiance to the man. Let's just say that if the NCAA decided to have UConn vacate some of these wins I wouldn't be sad.
6. Adolph Rupp - Coached at Kentucky (1930-1972); 876 wins (third most all time) and 82.2% winning percentage (2nd best all time); 4 NCAA Championships (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958); Two additional Final Four appearances
S0me interesting facts for Rupp: he was forced into retirement at the age of 70 because that was the mandatory age for all Kentucky employees to retire; he was a four time Coach of the Year; he wore a brown suit to all games. What holds Rupp back is a number of things. First, he coached in a different era; his teams were generally all-white up until 1969, and his Kentucky team was famously defeated by Texas Western in 1966, in a match featuring an all-white starting five (Kentucky) and an all-black starting five (Western). Was he a racist? It is generally held that he was, but for the purposes of this list it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that he didn't coach in the modern era for long, and his greatest successes came in a game that was vastly different than today's game.
5. Roy Williams - Coached at Kansas and North Carolina; 614 career wins (and counting); 2 NCAA Championships (2005 and 2009); five additional Final Four appearances
Williams has gone from being the Coach who couldn't win the big one while at Kansas to a two time national champion with little standing in his way of continuing to build an impressive resume. While at KansasWilliams built a dynasty that could never get over the top, but one that was routinely in the top ten of the nation. Now at UNC, his teams have seen some volatile moves from NCAA champions to missing the tournament, but he was solidly placed himself inside the top five coaches, with a chance to move up the list towards the crowded top.
4. Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski - Coached at Army and Duke; 3x Coach of the Year; 4x NCAA Champion; seven additional Final Four appearances; 868 wins
I have to make a confession: Coach K will likely be at the number two spot on this list before long. He as more NCAA titles than the next two coaches, and he will soon have more wins than either of them. More importantly, it seems like there isn't really much of a slow down; just when it became "common knowledge" that Duke couldn't compete for the national title anymore, they went off and won it last year. Coach K is a great tactician on the sideline who learned under the best (see number two) and who will likely move into the number two spot on this list. What is left to be determined is if he can mount a serious offensive at the number one spot.
3. Dean Smith - Coached at North Carolina; 879 career wins; 4x Coach of the Year; 2x NCAA Champion; nine other Final Four appearances
Dean Smith is in this spot as much out of respect for his tremendous coaching style as anything. Over the course of his tenure at UNC his teams were routinely among the best in the nation, and although they only won the Big Dance twice, they were in the mix frequently from 1967 (his first Final Four appearance) until 1997 (his last Final Four appearance in his final season at UNC). Dean Smith is basketball at one of our nation's top basketball schools. He is currently number two on the all-time wins list, although he likely will be passed shortly by Coach K. Beyond everything else, Coach Smith held a dignity that few others (although certainly our number one) can match.
2. Robert Montgomery "Bobby" Knight - Coached at Army, Indiana and Texas Tech; 902 career wins; 3 National Titles; two additional Final Four appearances
Let's get one things straight: Bob Knight was a full-of-himself, better-than-thou jerk. But he was also one heck of a coach, and throughout his career that was proven time and again. What is funny is that if he had been able to reign himself in, to focus a bit more on humbling himself in front of recruits and containing himself on campus, he might have been able to win a few more national titles, have won 1,000 games, and have retired a Hoosier. But often times our greatest strengths are our greatest weakness, and for Coach Knight that is reality as well. He has more wins than any other coach, although he will also be passed by Coach K in relatively short order. He has his national titles, and his team was the last perfect season in the NCAA, but he also has his career being finished in exile in Lubbok, TX. What speaks volumes for Coach Knight is that his players are devoted still, that his graduation rates were better than anyone at a major program during his era, and that his program's were pristine with the NCAA: not even a sniff of a violation. Coach Knight did what Sinatra said: he did it his way. His way was being a brilliant tactician, an on the court general who could coach circles around the rest of the Big Ten and most of the nation. His way was not cheating as contemporaries at other schools did, and by only taking a player if that player made a commitment to getting his degree, not just using Indiana and its unique heritage as a spring board for the NBA. His way was winning the right way. On the one hand, if he had begun to bend the rules and change his approach he could have had it all: five or six titles, 1,000 + wins, retirement from IU. But that wouldn't have been Coach Knight. Say what you will about him. He did it his way.
1. John Wooden - 664 career wins; 10 National titles; two additional Final Four appearances; six time Coach of the Year
As I said yesterday, little can be said about Coach Wooden that hasn't already been said. I've argued before that the top three on this list could go in any order with a compelling argument, and that still holds true. The ten National Titles in twelve years is impressive, but it is partially an artifact of a different era, and to that end an argument can be made, and it can even make sense. But the fact still remains that Coach Wooden's UCLA dynasty stands alone, built upon his unique coaching ability, and his personality that permeated the game long after he was done coaching, and will continue to do so now that he is gone. When Coach K gets to his 1,000th win and cuts down his fifth National Title banner the argument will begin anew, the same way it did When Dean Smith became the all-time leader in wins, and the same way it did with Coach Knight. Maybe Coach K will even be able to get to six or seven National Titles, and then he will be able to make the argument 1 and 1A. But he'll continue to be 1A. Coach Wooden will be #1.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
R.I.P. Coach Wooden
I'm not sure that words can really describe how great John Wooden was, not only as a basketball coach, but also as a man. He is someone that we all can aim to be more like, no matter our age. Rather than try to paint a picture here, I'll just pass along this video to help us all reflect:
Rest in peace Coach Wooden. Thank you for all you taught us, and for setting the example you did. You were the greatest of all time, leaving no doubt about that statement, and allowing only debate on who followed you in that list at number two.
Rest in peace Coach Wooden. Thank you for all you taught us, and for setting the example you did. You were the greatest of all time, leaving no doubt about that statement, and allowing only debate on who followed you in that list at number two.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
March Madness - 2010
Welcome to the NCAA tournament! After a rough month with nothing of consequence in sports occurring (probably the roughest month in sports, with a special acknowledgment going to that God-awful day after the Baseball All-Star game when there is nothing remotely of consequence going on), here we are, brackets in hand, ready to make fools of ourselves. So, I'll gladly dive right in to be the first to do so!
A few things you might notice when you pick up this bracket:
- my number one team (Indiana) is nowhere to be seen, and won't even make the NIT. Kelvin Sampson, please pick up the crap sandwich in your office; it is a to scale replica of the one you left in THE Assembly Hall.
- my number two team (North Carolina) is also nowhere to be seen. Graduating a great team can be rough on one's talent level, but this was a pretty ugly fall. Here's to hoping that both these iconic giants will be back next year.
- my number one arch-nemesis (PurDon't) has fallen precipitously from a probable number one, all the way to a number four seed ... and they get a good Siena team in the first round to boot! Here's to hoping that Bruce the Bitch disciple Matt Painter will follow in the great tradition of Gene Keady and get bounced super-duper early this year! The way Minnesota treated them yesterday, it looks entirely possible.
- my number two arch-nemesis (Illinois) didn't even qualify. Bruce Web(b)er is a special: you don't even realize how incorrigible the man is until you've seen him live, seen him complain throughout the entire game and stomp his feet anytime something doesn't go his way. One has to wonder how much longer Illinois will let him ride on the coattails of that amazing 2005 team.
So as I look over the bracket I see that I: A) have no horse in this race; B) really just want PurDon't to replicate their performance from yesterday on March 26th. Beyond that, John Calipari is a sleeze-bag, so I'm not going to be pulling for Kentucky. Bill Self isn't much better, so rooting for Kentucky isn't too likely either. I do like Jim Boeheim a bit, so Syracuse wouldn't be too far down my list ... but they got a rough draw. What to make of all this? Here's what I think:
MIDWEST REGION
(1) Kansas over (16) Lehigh - because the 16s haven't done it yet, and I don't think they'll start here
(9) Northern Iowa over (9) UNLV - because 9s tend to beat 8s, and UNLV seems to still carry the stink of Jerry Tarkanian ... which does not bode well at all for my beloved Hoosiers...
(5) Michigan State over (12) New Mexico State - because Tom Izzo is one of the best, and generally always has his teams ready to go
(4) Maryland over (13) Houston - Houston has some momentum, making the tourney for the first time in a long time. But Maryland seems too logical here. This one does have some appeal as a potential upset, but not enough
(6) Tennessee over (11) San Diego St. - Another potential upset pick here, but Bruce Pearl generally has his team ready to go, and they have more talent.
(3) Georgetown over (14) Ohio - Does anyone else think it's interesting that Georgetown has basically become a Monarchy of Thompson's?
(10) Georgia Tech over (10) Oklahoma St. - because I'm antsy to take another underdog at this point...
(2) Ohio State over (15) UC Santa Barbara - because I love Evan Turner, and think this OSU team ... as much as I don't like Ohio State much ... might just have what it takes. Tough break for them being put in the same bracket as Kansas.
MIDWEST REGION 2nd Round
(1) Kansas over (9) Northern Iowa - because Kansas is just too good
(5) Michigan State over (4) Maryland - because Michigan State is too well coached, and always prepared
(3) Georgetown over (6) Tennessee - because the Big East is a tough conference, and Georgetown proved they could hang with the big boys
(2) Ohio State over (10) Georgia Tech - Listen ... not enough has been made of Evan Turner this year. I think, with his toughness, he will make a tremendous pro. He's not going out this early. Oh, and Thad Motta is one heck of a coach too.
Midwest Region - Sweet 16
(1) Kansas over (5) Michigan State - MSU could give Kansas a run for their money here if Self doesn't have his guys prepared. Izzo can coach circles around Self in a vacuum, but Self has way too much talent. Kansas prevails...
(2) Ohio State over (3) Georgetown - My man crush on Evan Turner aside, I love the way OSU has been playing. This will be a tough game, but they are a tough team and Turner will be the best player on the court.
Midwest Region - Elite 8
(1) Kansas over (2) Ohio State - Asking Bill Self to out-coach two straight superior talents is asking a bunch. I want to pick Ohio State here; I really do. But Kansas just has so much talent, and they seem to be peaking and playing well together. They are the number one overall seed for a reason. I hope I'm wrong here.
WEST REGION
(1) Syracuse over (16) Vermont - Vermont is division one?
(8) Gonzaga over (9) Florida State - Tough draw for the Zags, but that's what happens when you blow your own joke of a conference tourney. In other news, did anyone else know that Florida State had other sports programs besides football?
(5) Butler over (12) UTEP - Let me tell you what I've seen from this Butler team: tough as nails D, enough shooters to get by, and determination. I really like them, but putting them in the same draw with Syracuse, Gonzaga and Vandy is just dirty.
(4) Vanderbilt over (13) Murray St. - Vandy shouldn't have issues here...
(6) Xavier over (11) Minnesota - Tubby Smith's team handled Purdue with ease, but I like Xavier just because that is an awesome name. Sometimes it's that simple, unless you actually follow college basketball closely. Minnesota could easily win this game, but they kind of looked just happy to be there during the Big Ten Championship game.
(3) Pittsburgh over (14) Oakland - Something I didn't know before: evidently "Oakland" is from Michigan.
(10) Florida over (7) BYU - Brigham Young always seems to do me in because I rotate on them yearly: one year I'll fall in love with their superior record and they'll get it handed to them, the next year I'll say "not this time" and they win. At least it seems that way. Not this time ...
(2) Kansas State over (15) North Texas - Let's just say that I think Kansas State is really good. Too bad they can't beat Kansas...
MIDWEST REGION - 2nd round
(1) Syracuse over (8) Gonzaga - I think Gonzaga has the horses to win this one, but they just blew their own weak conference tourney, and Syracuse is a really good team that plays the zone as well as anyone. Should be a close game, however.
(5) Butler over (4) Vanderbilt - See above; I like this Butler team
(3) Pittsburgh over (6) Xavier - No matter who survives the first round, the X-men or Minnesota, I think Pitt takes them out here.
(2) Kansas State over (10) Florida - Too much talent, and Joakim Noah isn't walking through that door. Of course, he isn't walking through the door at the United Center either due to an injury. But you get the point.
MIDWEST REGION - Sweet 16
(5) Butler over (1) Syracuse - Maybe I love defense too much, but this team can play D. In a year with no discernible powerhouse, could this be the year of the mid-majors?
(2) Kansas State over (3) Pittsburgh - I don't like it, but Kansas State may make it their business to lose to Kansas a 4th time this year.
MIDWEST REGION - Elite 8
(2) Kansas State over (5) Butler - These cinderella runs always seem to end abruptly, and in unsatisfying fashion...
EAST REGION
(1) Kentucky over (16) East Tenn. State - Why wasn't it legal for Sampson to cheat and it is for Calipari to cheat? You've got me, but at least we're back on the path of the tradition of one of the NCAA's cleanest programs. Kentucky isn't.
(8) Texas over (9) Wake Forest - I haven't heard about Wake this year, which may be good for them since they seem to flame out every time I have heard about them (Duncan, Chris Paul come to mind). Still, Texas should be able to handle them.
(12) Cornell over (5) Temple - I've got it on good information that Cornell is good this year. Really good. Now we get to see how good my source is.
(4) Wisconsin over (13) Wafford - Wafford ... that's a new one. Wisconsin, coached by the excellent Bo Ryan, is a team that normally manages to play Big Ten ball (tough D, slow it down, grind it out) with some success in the big dance.
(11) Washington over (6) Marquette - this seems like a really low seed for a team that went 24-9 out of a major conference (Pac-10). Just doesn't seem right ....
(3) New Mexico over (14) Montana - I love Montana ... the state that is. Nice place. You can really see the stars out there ... not unlike New Mexico! Very high seed for a New Mexico team; let's see if they can validate it.
(10) Missouri over (7) Clemson - Just a hunch ...
(2) West Virginia over (15) Morgan State - I just can't see a Big East powerhouse choking this early
EAST REGION - 2nd Round
(1) Kentucky over (8) Texas - "John Calipari, you've got Memphis fans on line one. They'd like to know if you really loved them, or if that was the same way you loved UMass before you screwed them too."
(12) Cornell over (4) Wisconsin - because we need a Cinderella story
(11) Washington over (3) New Mexico - Something just doesn't seem right about Washington's seed, I'm telling you. Did I miss the part where they lost their last nine games or something? Should I research this? I probably should, shouldn't I? Oh well ...
(2) West Virginia over (10) Missouri - Big East tough ... other conferences not so tough ... ugh
EAST REGION - Sweet 16
(1) Kentucky over (12) Cornell - Underrated possibility: Kentucky has all this talent, but almost got dropped today in the SEC Championship. Maybe they don't know how to play together ... not unlike a few Memphis teams I seem to recall from years past! I hope I'm wrong here...
(2) West Virginia over (11) Washington - Yeah, time to hedge my bets ...
EAST REGION - Elite 8
(1) Kentucky over (2) West Virginia - too much talent ... can't stop Calipari ... too effective at breaking the rules ...
SOUTH REGION
(1) Duke over (16) Ark-PB or Winthrop - Let me go on record as saying I never believe in Duke, and this year is no exception. I have absolute confidence that bias will bite me in the rear before I'm done with this region.
(8) California over (9) Louisville - Any other year I'd take Louisville. This year, with the Pitino stuff, I can't. Seems like a logical one and done.
(5) Texas A&M over (12) Utah St. - Almost put Utah St winning this one, but decided I'd wait for other picks to be crazy.
(13) Siena over (4) West Lafayette Ladies - "God? It's me, Mike. I just wanted to thank you for all you've done for me lately. Great job, nice weather, wonderful family. That INT for TD in the Super Bowl was awesome as well; thanks for letting Tracy Porter have the athleticism to jump that route. So, while we're talking about sports, I was just wondering ..."
(6) Notre Dame over (11) Old Dominion - Always thought I'd like to go to a school with a name like "Old Dominion." Just pretty cool. Anyway, driving back from a conference I listened to about two hours of sports radio. The argument? Is Luke Harangody an all-time college basketball great. Seth Davis (who has a PHD in tool) was arguing that he was. The guys on The Score were saying no. For once I agreed with the guys on 670 out of Chicago. Even though they root for the White Sox.
(3) Baylor over (14) Sam Houston State - Baylor is sneaky good ...
(10) St. Mary's over (7) Richmond - I think St. Mary's beat Gonzaga ...
(2) Villanova over (15) Robert Morris - Is the Big East this good?
SOUTH REGION - 2nd Round
(1) Duke over (8) California - Not yet...
(13) Siena over (5) Texas A&M - See, I told you I really liked Siena, and that it wasn't just an anti-PurDon't thing. This will make it that much more awful if Painter's ... boys ... manage to win.
(3) Baylor over (6) Notre Dame - This should be a really good game, if it happens.
(2) Villanova over (10) St. Mary's - Hey look! Same result as Gonzaga!
SOUTH REGION - Sweet 16
(13) Siena over (1) Duke - There it is! I knew my Duke bias would bite me! Just like my Purdue one did! Awesome! I knew my faults would come through for me! (If Siena isn't any good I can at least take solace in the fact I didn't watch much college basketball this year. And that Seth Davis is a tool).
(3) Baylor over (2) Villanova - Just a hunch
SOUTH REGION - Elite 8
(3) Baylor over (13) Sienna - Yeah, if we actually end up with these two matching up here I'll eat my hat. Hope I'm right about this whole "year of the underdog" thing.
So that would leave us with the following final four:
- Kansas V Kansas State
- Kentucky V Baylor
I'd like Kansas and Kentucky in that one, and then Kansas over Kentucky. In other words, I think my subconscious hates me. Self! Calipari! A sleezebag matchup of epic proportion, NEXT ON CBS!!!
A few things you might notice when you pick up this bracket:
- my number one team (Indiana) is nowhere to be seen, and won't even make the NIT. Kelvin Sampson, please pick up the crap sandwich in your office; it is a to scale replica of the one you left in THE Assembly Hall.
- my number two team (North Carolina) is also nowhere to be seen. Graduating a great team can be rough on one's talent level, but this was a pretty ugly fall. Here's to hoping that both these iconic giants will be back next year.
- my number one arch-nemesis (PurDon't) has fallen precipitously from a probable number one, all the way to a number four seed ... and they get a good Siena team in the first round to boot! Here's to hoping that Bruce the Bitch disciple Matt Painter will follow in the great tradition of Gene Keady and get bounced super-duper early this year! The way Minnesota treated them yesterday, it looks entirely possible.
- my number two arch-nemesis (Illinois) didn't even qualify. Bruce Web(b)er is a special: you don't even realize how incorrigible the man is until you've seen him live, seen him complain throughout the entire game and stomp his feet anytime something doesn't go his way. One has to wonder how much longer Illinois will let him ride on the coattails of that amazing 2005 team.
So as I look over the bracket I see that I: A) have no horse in this race; B) really just want PurDon't to replicate their performance from yesterday on March 26th. Beyond that, John Calipari is a sleeze-bag, so I'm not going to be pulling for Kentucky. Bill Self isn't much better, so rooting for Kentucky isn't too likely either. I do like Jim Boeheim a bit, so Syracuse wouldn't be too far down my list ... but they got a rough draw. What to make of all this? Here's what I think:
MIDWEST REGION
(1) Kansas over (16) Lehigh - because the 16s haven't done it yet, and I don't think they'll start here
(9) Northern Iowa over (9) UNLV - because 9s tend to beat 8s, and UNLV seems to still carry the stink of Jerry Tarkanian ... which does not bode well at all for my beloved Hoosiers...
(5) Michigan State over (12) New Mexico State - because Tom Izzo is one of the best, and generally always has his teams ready to go
(4) Maryland over (13) Houston - Houston has some momentum, making the tourney for the first time in a long time. But Maryland seems too logical here. This one does have some appeal as a potential upset, but not enough
(6) Tennessee over (11) San Diego St. - Another potential upset pick here, but Bruce Pearl generally has his team ready to go, and they have more talent.
(3) Georgetown over (14) Ohio - Does anyone else think it's interesting that Georgetown has basically become a Monarchy of Thompson's?
(10) Georgia Tech over (10) Oklahoma St. - because I'm antsy to take another underdog at this point...
(2) Ohio State over (15) UC Santa Barbara - because I love Evan Turner, and think this OSU team ... as much as I don't like Ohio State much ... might just have what it takes. Tough break for them being put in the same bracket as Kansas.
MIDWEST REGION 2nd Round
(1) Kansas over (9) Northern Iowa - because Kansas is just too good
(5) Michigan State over (4) Maryland - because Michigan State is too well coached, and always prepared
(3) Georgetown over (6) Tennessee - because the Big East is a tough conference, and Georgetown proved they could hang with the big boys
(2) Ohio State over (10) Georgia Tech - Listen ... not enough has been made of Evan Turner this year. I think, with his toughness, he will make a tremendous pro. He's not going out this early. Oh, and Thad Motta is one heck of a coach too.
Midwest Region - Sweet 16
(1) Kansas over (5) Michigan State - MSU could give Kansas a run for their money here if Self doesn't have his guys prepared. Izzo can coach circles around Self in a vacuum, but Self has way too much talent. Kansas prevails...
(2) Ohio State over (3) Georgetown - My man crush on Evan Turner aside, I love the way OSU has been playing. This will be a tough game, but they are a tough team and Turner will be the best player on the court.
Midwest Region - Elite 8
(1) Kansas over (2) Ohio State - Asking Bill Self to out-coach two straight superior talents is asking a bunch. I want to pick Ohio State here; I really do. But Kansas just has so much talent, and they seem to be peaking and playing well together. They are the number one overall seed for a reason. I hope I'm wrong here.
WEST REGION
(1) Syracuse over (16) Vermont - Vermont is division one?
(8) Gonzaga over (9) Florida State - Tough draw for the Zags, but that's what happens when you blow your own joke of a conference tourney. In other news, did anyone else know that Florida State had other sports programs besides football?
(5) Butler over (12) UTEP - Let me tell you what I've seen from this Butler team: tough as nails D, enough shooters to get by, and determination. I really like them, but putting them in the same draw with Syracuse, Gonzaga and Vandy is just dirty.
(4) Vanderbilt over (13) Murray St. - Vandy shouldn't have issues here...
(6) Xavier over (11) Minnesota - Tubby Smith's team handled Purdue with ease, but I like Xavier just because that is an awesome name. Sometimes it's that simple, unless you actually follow college basketball closely. Minnesota could easily win this game, but they kind of looked just happy to be there during the Big Ten Championship game.
(3) Pittsburgh over (14) Oakland - Something I didn't know before: evidently "Oakland" is from Michigan.
(10) Florida over (7) BYU - Brigham Young always seems to do me in because I rotate on them yearly: one year I'll fall in love with their superior record and they'll get it handed to them, the next year I'll say "not this time" and they win. At least it seems that way. Not this time ...
(2) Kansas State over (15) North Texas - Let's just say that I think Kansas State is really good. Too bad they can't beat Kansas...
MIDWEST REGION - 2nd round
(1) Syracuse over (8) Gonzaga - I think Gonzaga has the horses to win this one, but they just blew their own weak conference tourney, and Syracuse is a really good team that plays the zone as well as anyone. Should be a close game, however.
(5) Butler over (4) Vanderbilt - See above; I like this Butler team
(3) Pittsburgh over (6) Xavier - No matter who survives the first round, the X-men or Minnesota, I think Pitt takes them out here.
(2) Kansas State over (10) Florida - Too much talent, and Joakim Noah isn't walking through that door. Of course, he isn't walking through the door at the United Center either due to an injury. But you get the point.
MIDWEST REGION - Sweet 16
(5) Butler over (1) Syracuse - Maybe I love defense too much, but this team can play D. In a year with no discernible powerhouse, could this be the year of the mid-majors?
(2) Kansas State over (3) Pittsburgh - I don't like it, but Kansas State may make it their business to lose to Kansas a 4th time this year.
MIDWEST REGION - Elite 8
(2) Kansas State over (5) Butler - These cinderella runs always seem to end abruptly, and in unsatisfying fashion...
EAST REGION
(1) Kentucky over (16) East Tenn. State - Why wasn't it legal for Sampson to cheat and it is for Calipari to cheat? You've got me, but at least we're back on the path of the tradition of one of the NCAA's cleanest programs. Kentucky isn't.
(8) Texas over (9) Wake Forest - I haven't heard about Wake this year, which may be good for them since they seem to flame out every time I have heard about them (Duncan, Chris Paul come to mind). Still, Texas should be able to handle them.
(12) Cornell over (5) Temple - I've got it on good information that Cornell is good this year. Really good. Now we get to see how good my source is.
(4) Wisconsin over (13) Wafford - Wafford ... that's a new one. Wisconsin, coached by the excellent Bo Ryan, is a team that normally manages to play Big Ten ball (tough D, slow it down, grind it out) with some success in the big dance.
(11) Washington over (6) Marquette - this seems like a really low seed for a team that went 24-9 out of a major conference (Pac-10). Just doesn't seem right ....
(3) New Mexico over (14) Montana - I love Montana ... the state that is. Nice place. You can really see the stars out there ... not unlike New Mexico! Very high seed for a New Mexico team; let's see if they can validate it.
(10) Missouri over (7) Clemson - Just a hunch ...
(2) West Virginia over (15) Morgan State - I just can't see a Big East powerhouse choking this early
EAST REGION - 2nd Round
(1) Kentucky over (8) Texas - "John Calipari, you've got Memphis fans on line one. They'd like to know if you really loved them, or if that was the same way you loved UMass before you screwed them too."
(12) Cornell over (4) Wisconsin - because we need a Cinderella story
(11) Washington over (3) New Mexico - Something just doesn't seem right about Washington's seed, I'm telling you. Did I miss the part where they lost their last nine games or something? Should I research this? I probably should, shouldn't I? Oh well ...
(2) West Virginia over (10) Missouri - Big East tough ... other conferences not so tough ... ugh
EAST REGION - Sweet 16
(1) Kentucky over (12) Cornell - Underrated possibility: Kentucky has all this talent, but almost got dropped today in the SEC Championship. Maybe they don't know how to play together ... not unlike a few Memphis teams I seem to recall from years past! I hope I'm wrong here...
(2) West Virginia over (11) Washington - Yeah, time to hedge my bets ...
EAST REGION - Elite 8
(1) Kentucky over (2) West Virginia - too much talent ... can't stop Calipari ... too effective at breaking the rules ...
SOUTH REGION
(1) Duke over (16) Ark-PB or Winthrop - Let me go on record as saying I never believe in Duke, and this year is no exception. I have absolute confidence that bias will bite me in the rear before I'm done with this region.
(8) California over (9) Louisville - Any other year I'd take Louisville. This year, with the Pitino stuff, I can't. Seems like a logical one and done.
(5) Texas A&M over (12) Utah St. - Almost put Utah St winning this one, but decided I'd wait for other picks to be crazy.
(13) Siena over (4) West Lafayette Ladies - "God? It's me, Mike. I just wanted to thank you for all you've done for me lately. Great job, nice weather, wonderful family. That INT for TD in the Super Bowl was awesome as well; thanks for letting Tracy Porter have the athleticism to jump that route. So, while we're talking about sports, I was just wondering ..."
(6) Notre Dame over (11) Old Dominion - Always thought I'd like to go to a school with a name like "Old Dominion." Just pretty cool. Anyway, driving back from a conference I listened to about two hours of sports radio. The argument? Is Luke Harangody an all-time college basketball great. Seth Davis (who has a PHD in tool) was arguing that he was. The guys on The Score were saying no. For once I agreed with the guys on 670 out of Chicago. Even though they root for the White Sox.
(3) Baylor over (14) Sam Houston State - Baylor is sneaky good ...
(10) St. Mary's over (7) Richmond - I think St. Mary's beat Gonzaga ...
(2) Villanova over (15) Robert Morris - Is the Big East this good?
SOUTH REGION - 2nd Round
(1) Duke over (8) California - Not yet...
(13) Siena over (5) Texas A&M - See, I told you I really liked Siena, and that it wasn't just an anti-PurDon't thing. This will make it that much more awful if Painter's ... boys ... manage to win.
(3) Baylor over (6) Notre Dame - This should be a really good game, if it happens.
(2) Villanova over (10) St. Mary's - Hey look! Same result as Gonzaga!
SOUTH REGION - Sweet 16
(13) Siena over (1) Duke - There it is! I knew my Duke bias would bite me! Just like my Purdue one did! Awesome! I knew my faults would come through for me! (If Siena isn't any good I can at least take solace in the fact I didn't watch much college basketball this year. And that Seth Davis is a tool).
(3) Baylor over (2) Villanova - Just a hunch
SOUTH REGION - Elite 8
(3) Baylor over (13) Sienna - Yeah, if we actually end up with these two matching up here I'll eat my hat. Hope I'm right about this whole "year of the underdog" thing.
So that would leave us with the following final four:
- Kansas V Kansas State
- Kentucky V Baylor
I'd like Kansas and Kentucky in that one, and then Kansas over Kentucky. In other words, I think my subconscious hates me. Self! Calipari! A sleezebag matchup of epic proportion, NEXT ON CBS!!!
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