Wow. We hoped that the second weekend would be just as good as the first, and thanks to the Instant Classic between Kansas State and Xavier, it looks like going that way. What an unbelievable game with some of the best and longest clutch shotmaking in recent memory. But, there were 3 other games last night and 4 more tonight. Let's roll!
1) Biggest Winner - College Basketball
-When you watch a game like Xavier and Kansas State played last night, college basketball is the winner. Sports is the winner! My Lord. You can test the significance of a game like that because random people become totally invested. When your Facebook and Twitter feeds are blowing up over a game between Xavier and Kansas State, you know you are watching something special. Where else in the world could a game between a bunch of college kids captivate an entire country? It's a shame either team had to lose, but everyone won last night.
2) Biggest Loser - Offensive Basketball in Syracuse
-Yup, it's time to call out Cornell and the Wash/WVU game. The first half especially in the Wash/WVU game was some atrocious offense and there were 44 total TO's. On one possession, Washington had 6 shots at the basket and couldn't make one! West Virginia really struggled without Truck Bryant but Washington couldn't capitalize. Then... everyone's favorite Ivy League team went out and scored 45 points including 6 in the final 15 minutes of the 1st half! Cornell and Washington had great chances to get upsets, but they might as well have been shooting from where Jordan Crawford was in Salt Lake City last night with their offensive ineptitude.
3) Best Performance - Jacob Pullen, Denis Clemente, Terrell Holloway & Jordan Crawford... and Gus Johnson
-The 4 guards in the classic combined for 111 points! Crawford had 32, Holloway 26, Pullen 28, and Clemente 25. Unbelievable. This game was so special because of the insane shots these guards made down the stretch. Holloway made 3 out of 3 FT's to get the game to OT. Clemente scored 21 points after the 1st Half. Pullen scored 15 points in the final minute of regulation and the 2 OT's including a clutch shot at the end of every period. His game-winning shot at the end of the second OT was fantastic basketball IQ running to the top of the key and fooling the defense. And, what can you say about the 30+ footer of Jordan Crawford... yes, it was waaaaay better than his dunk over LeBron James.
All of these guys were stars. It's a shame that Xavier had to lose another close NCAA tourney game. It seems like they are always on the short end of these classics. But, all of these guys had such epic performances that it made for an unforgettable night. Especially, when Gus Johnson had the call. Is there a better marriage in the universe than Gus Johnson and March Madness? Why is he not announcing the Final 4?!?! Below are the highlights with Screamin' Gus at his best last night, but why the heck not show the Gus Johnson tribute video right now!
4) Best Game - DUH!
-Of course the game of the day was the KSt/Xav showdown, so we'll use this space to rank where that game places amongst the Top 5 Tourney Games of the last 10 years...
1) Kansas/Memphis - Nat'l Title '08
2) KSt/Xavier - Sweet 16 '10
3) Illinois/Arizona - Elite 8 '05
4) George Mason/UConn - Elite 8 '06
5) UCLA/Gonzaga - Elite 8 ''06
Yes, Kansas State and Xavier places right behind the '08 title game, and could maybe even go above it. These are some great games on this list, but what set K State and Xavier apart last night was the incredible long-range clutch shooting. While Crawford and Holloway were going nuts on one end, Jacob Pullen was the epitome of clutch for the Cats. Xavier ran out of miraculous shots at the end of 2OT in an absolute thriller.
5) Biggest Escape - Kentucky
-UK escaped because they clearly played their worst offensive game they will play this tournament. John Wall was inconsequential, Eric Bledsoe was invisible, and Patrick Patterson thinks he's Dirk Nowitzki all of a sudden. However, it was the muscle of DeMarcus Cousins down low that enabled Big Blue to win ugly. UK's defense led the way, but they escaped because Cornell's 3 PT shooting didn't arrive in the Carrier Dome. Cornell had a big chance last night to get a legendary upset. The rest of the field won't be so lucky on the road to Indy.
6) Biggest Choke Job - Andy Rautins & Scoop Jardine (Syracuse)
-My goodness. I could spend an entire article chronicling Syracuse's choke job last night. They trailed most of the game, and found themselves up 4 with 5 minutes to play. This is Syracuse's play by play in the final 5 minutes. Hide your eyes if you are an Orange fan. Remember, the score is 54-50 when this madness begins.
4:25 Scoop Jardine missed 3 pointer
4:03 Kris Joseph Steal
4:22 Foul on Andy Rautins
3:44 Andy Rautins Turnover
2:58 Scoop Jardine missed 2 pointer
2:22 Andy Rautins Turnover
1:37 Andy Rautins missed 3 pointer
:45 Scoop Jardine missed 3 pointer
:37 Foul on Scoop Jardine
:34 Scoop Jardine makes 3 pointer
When this version of March Madness ends... the score was 61-56 Butler. The Bulldogs went on an 11-0 run while Syracuse's backcourt peed down their legs. 0-5 with 2 turnovers in 7 possessions and Wes Johnson, your best player, didn't touch the ball once! Just an amazing choke job. We wondered if Syracuse's backcourt could get it done in a crunch time situation and support Johnson... and they couldn't. Jim Boeheim should thank Xavier and K State for taking the attention off of the Orange being crushed last night.
7) Highlight of the Day - Come on, right?
-The only downer was our own yelling drowned out Gus Johnson. The greatest announcing call in NCAA Tournament history happens at the 1:25 mark.
8) One Shining Thought - Sports Is Fun... So Why Not Scream?
-Allow me to dwell on this announcing theme one more time. As Bill Simmons said last night, any game that makes Gus Johnson a trending topic on Twitter is a good thing. But, for all of the fans of Gus's style, there are many detractors. They don't like the screaming and the schtick. I couldn't disagree more. Sports isn't Larry King Live. Sports is about having fun and yelling and screaming when something amazing happens and losing control when a dude nails a 30 footer to tie the game in OT. Gus Johnson was doing what millions across the country were last night. As someone that does play by play on the small college level, I try to do 2 things - tell the story, and have fun. If you ain't having fun announcing or watching sports, you are in the wrong place - go watch truTV. Gus Johnson is everything that is right about sports and March Madness in particular.
There are some that enjoy Jim Nantz saying "Hello Friends" in his calm demeanor and Clark Kellogg trying his best to make up terrible random euphemisms for things. I like Kellogg, but ever since he became the #1 broadcaster for CBS he is trying way too hard with his nonsensical analogies and lingo *FYI - sounds like a great idea for a running diary*. There are critics that argue Gus is too over the top.. are you kidding? Give me excitement! Give me drama! Don't give me drawn out, complicated analogies that nobody understands and boring play by play. This is March Madness, not March Professional Broadcast Journalism School! I want Gus Johnson announcing the Final 4 and my drive to work every day, make it happen CBS!
FRIDAY PICKS
MIDWEST REGIONAL
Ohio State (2) vs Tennessee (6)
-The Bucks are quietly a heavy favorite to reach Indy. UT has made a great run to make it to the Sweet 16 after all of the early season turmoil, but the run stops here. The Bucks are playing with such amazing chemistry, partly because they only play 6 guys. Nevertheless, if Evan Turner keeps the turnovers down and Jonny Diebler keeps hitting bullseyes from downtown, OSU will advance.
Pick: OSU
Northern Iowa (9) vs. Michigan State (5)
-This game was a toss up before we found out Kalin Lucas would be out. Now, one has to wonder whether Michigan State will have the composure in the half court to play UNI's style. This isn't your older brother's MSU team - this is a group that likes to get out and run. With Ali F and the rest of the Panthers still riding high, they are the favorite to go through. Also, since I have MSU in the Elite 8 in my pool, I'm going with a little reverse psychology here since my picking record is you know... awful.
Pick: UNI
Baylor (3) vs. St. Mary's (10)
-The Gaels are the most under the radar upset bid, but they may have the best chance of any team left against Baylor. The Bears have finally convinced me that they belong in the Sweet 16, but that doesn't mean they will easily run by St. Mary's. SMU big man Omar Samhan makes any All-Tourney team thus far averaging over 30 PPG through the first 2. The Gaels firmly outplayed a reeling Nova team in Round 2, and present matchup issues for almost anyone. On the other hand, Baylor is a team that is solid all the way around and has 3 legit scorers in Dunn, Carter, and Udoh. They haven't been overly impressive, but they've got the job done. I've undersold Baylor so long that I know by picking them now they will lose. Oh, well.
Pick: Baylor
Duke (1) vs. Purdue (4)
-Let me be the first to tell you - these are the games that Duke loses. Michigan State, LSU, West Virginia, Villanova. They all have in common that they beat Duke in the Sweet 16 or earlier in the last several years... and they all beat the Dukies by playing physically dominating basketball. For some reason, Coach K has had soft as tissue paper teams in the latter half of the last decade. Purdue, even without Robbie Hummel, is capable of winning by playing the same type of rugged style.
Chris Kramer (every girl's dream evidently?) can shut down Jon Scheyer and is providing bonus points on offense. He even hit the game-winning shot in OT against A&M. JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore will have to get buckets to win this game... and they will. Everyone, including me, counted out Purdue at the start of this tournament. But, give credit to Matt Painter for rallying his club and finding them ways to win. Yes, maybe this is more hopeful than anything, but the Boilers will shock this Madness-loving world again tonight.
Pick: Purdue
No comments:
Post a Comment