In an exciting and close championship game, Duke managed to muster just enough to beat Butler 61-59. The game was an exciting end to what was an exciting and monumental tournament. While Butler had a stellar run, and their young coach Brad Stevens will become an important new name in the sport, they failed to be able to work their magic one last time. The game drew fans for both teams, Duke with its hordes of loyal followers throughout the country, and the millions cheering for Butler in hopes of seeing an underdog prevail. Even watching the game with friends, their was competition in the room. Many of us were cheering for Butler, while one friend was good pals with Scheyer on the Duke Squad and was adamantly cheering for the devils.
The tournament was an exciting an unexpected one, and the number of upsets is one for the record books. Pools across the country were won by surprised patrons, ones who didn't know much about these teams beforehand. One friend was telling me how in his office draft, the only two left who could win was himself, who admits little knowledge of College Basketball, and a co-workers 6 year old daughter. In the end, the 6 year old won it all.
This might also be the last year of 64 teams. Pressure to increase revenue and include more teams could likely expand the tournament to 96 teams in the near future. The collectively dismal performance of the Big East this year will only reinforce that. This could be a landmark year for the tournament, both exciting and the final chance we have to see the tournament in this form. Lets just hope the years to come can be as exciting.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
WVU vs Duke
After remaining the Big East's final bastion in the NCAA tournament, West Virginia suffered a staggering loss to Duke during the final four. Duke was supposed to have been the weakest of th 1st seeded teams in the tournament, but they have proven to still be difficult to beat throughout. Crushing West Virginia by more than 20 points, Duke stormed into the championship game with momentum and ready to win.
West Virginia struggled throughout the game, and Duke began to take the game away during the second half. West Virginia couldn;t keep up. After leading scorer Da'Sean Butler hurt his knee halfway through the second half, West Virginia looked like they knew their fate.
The game did prove to have a touching moment when West Virginia
s coach Bob Huggins came out on the floor to help Butler. Butler was clearly upset, knowing he would be unable to play. Huggins embraced him on the court, comforting him as he sat injured and frustrated during in a difficult game. It was an interesting insight into the bond that can form between players and coaches.
Butler managed to squeak by Michigan State to advance to the finals as well. Another close game in a tournament that has had several for the team. Coach Brad Stevens team managed to hang on and have become the unlikely Cinderllas in the Championship game.
West Virginia struggled throughout the game, and Duke began to take the game away during the second half. West Virginia couldn;t keep up. After leading scorer Da'Sean Butler hurt his knee halfway through the second half, West Virginia looked like they knew their fate.
The game did prove to have a touching moment when West Virginia
s coach Bob Huggins came out on the floor to help Butler. Butler was clearly upset, knowing he would be unable to play. Huggins embraced him on the court, comforting him as he sat injured and frustrated during in a difficult game. It was an interesting insight into the bond that can form between players and coaches.
Butler managed to squeak by Michigan State to advance to the finals as well. Another close game in a tournament that has had several for the team. Coach Brad Stevens team managed to hang on and have become the unlikely Cinderllas in the Championship game.
West Virginia of the Big East
Going in to the final four, West Virginia remains to lone Big East team in a tournament that has become an embarrassment for the conference. Known for having a strong conference, the Big East is used to fielding multiple teams in the NCAA tournament. This year was no different, with 8 teams making the tournament from the Big East, more than any other margin by a good shot. Several teams, including West Virginia, as well as Syracuse, Villanova, Pittsburgh, and Georgetown received very high seeds. Based on the seeding in the tournament, it looked like the Big East had to potential to dominate many of the games. However they ended up falling flat on their face.
Georgetown, Marquette,and Notre Dame all lost on the first day of the tournament in disappointing upsets. Pittsburgh was upset in the second round, and Villanova lost in an upset during the second round too. Syracuse failed to make it out of the sweet 16. Excepting West Virginia, Louisville was the only Big East team not to lose in an upset.
Overall, the Big East's performance in this tournament will tarnish its reputation. After a season of analysts talking about how strong of a conference they are, the losses in the tournament will make it all look like fake hype. If the tournament remains as 64 teams next year, I wouldn't expect the Big East to have 8 teams unless some amazing basketball goes on next season. This also raises questions about how teams are judged against each other. The lack of inter-conference games with many of these teams makes comparing them to each other very difficult. Hopefully the Big East will be able to recover from this loss in the future.
Georgetown, Marquette,and Notre Dame all lost on the first day of the tournament in disappointing upsets. Pittsburgh was upset in the second round, and Villanova lost in an upset during the second round too. Syracuse failed to make it out of the sweet 16. Excepting West Virginia, Louisville was the only Big East team not to lose in an upset.
Overall, the Big East's performance in this tournament will tarnish its reputation. After a season of analysts talking about how strong of a conference they are, the losses in the tournament will make it all look like fake hype. If the tournament remains as 64 teams next year, I wouldn't expect the Big East to have 8 teams unless some amazing basketball goes on next season. This also raises questions about how teams are judged against each other. The lack of inter-conference games with many of these teams makes comparing them to each other very difficult. Hopefully the Big East will be able to recover from this loss in the future.
96 Teams?!?
One of the topics that has been being discussed lately is growing the pool of the NCAA tournament. The new tournament proposed would have 96 teams included in the brackets. However, the top 32 teams would get a by to through the first round of play, reducing the pool back to the more familiar 64 after the first round.
Their are several arguments being made for this proposal. After a year like this with few dominant teams, the argument that the unfairness of the current selection process comes to mind. Ninety-six teams would make more likely that every deserving team gets a chance in the tournament. The NCAA likes the idea because it adds more games and will help to increase their revenue during the tournament.
Their are a lot of arguments against expansion as well. For all of us filling out brackets, the process would become almost infinitely more difficult. In a already complex process, 32 more teams would make creating a strong bracket almost impossible. Thirty-two more teams would also increase the amount of unbalanced games that take place, leading to dull television. Adding an extra game for half of the teams to play is also a handicap for those teams later in the tournament as teams get tired physically and mentally. Overall, this seems more of a way of increasing revenue than any effort to really improve the tournament.
Their are several arguments being made for this proposal. After a year like this with few dominant teams, the argument that the unfairness of the current selection process comes to mind. Ninety-six teams would make more likely that every deserving team gets a chance in the tournament. The NCAA likes the idea because it adds more games and will help to increase their revenue during the tournament.
Their are a lot of arguments against expansion as well. For all of us filling out brackets, the process would become almost infinitely more difficult. In a already complex process, 32 more teams would make creating a strong bracket almost impossible. Thirty-two more teams would also increase the amount of unbalanced games that take place, leading to dull television. Adding an extra game for half of the teams to play is also a handicap for those teams later in the tournament as teams get tired physically and mentally. Overall, this seems more of a way of increasing revenue than any effort to really improve the tournament.
Syracuse Defeated
As a fan of Syracuse Basketball, I was sorry to see Syracuse lose to Butler during the Sweet 16. It seemed that Syracuse couldn't get their game together, and Butler was bringing the heat. Shots were missed, turnovers were made, and Syracuse went home early.
As a fan, I had been hoping that Syracuse would make it at least to the final four if not win it all. After winning their first two games versus Vermont and Gonzaga by large margins, it looked like Syracuse had the talent and momentum to keep moving. Butler proved a brick wall. One element of the game that really hurt Syracuse was the absence of big man Arinze Onauku. Having hurting his ankle during the Big East tournament, the starter sat out the first two games of the tournament and the Butler Game as well. His strong presence beneath the rim on both sides of the court was sorely missed. Onauku himself must have been pained to watch his teammates struggle while he was unable to help.
Butler however played a strong game. Their win streak before the game was in the 20s, and the team coached by the new young talent of Brad Stevens is talented and plays together great, their play throughout the tournament was extraordinary and they earned place in the title game. As a Syracuse fan, I held a small grudge against the team, but I was happy to see them do well. I figure if my team can't win, then the team that knocked them out should, it will make us look better.
As a fan, I had been hoping that Syracuse would make it at least to the final four if not win it all. After winning their first two games versus Vermont and Gonzaga by large margins, it looked like Syracuse had the talent and momentum to keep moving. Butler proved a brick wall. One element of the game that really hurt Syracuse was the absence of big man Arinze Onauku. Having hurting his ankle during the Big East tournament, the starter sat out the first two games of the tournament and the Butler Game as well. His strong presence beneath the rim on both sides of the court was sorely missed. Onauku himself must have been pained to watch his teammates struggle while he was unable to help.
Butler however played a strong game. Their win streak before the game was in the 20s, and the team coached by the new young talent of Brad Stevens is talented and plays together great, their play throughout the tournament was extraordinary and they earned place in the title game. As a Syracuse fan, I held a small grudge against the team, but I was happy to see them do well. I figure if my team can't win, then the team that knocked them out should, it will make us look better.
The Lone Ivy
Ivy league schools are not generally known for their strong presence during the NCAA tournament. Few manage to make the tournament and none usually advance very far. However one team that hopes to end this long tradition of sub-par basketball is Cornell University. Cornell has been a strong team all year, winning several important games and holding their own against much stronger opponent.
Even Jim Boheim, the coach of Syracuse's basketball team remarked mid season the Cornell was won of the strongest teams his squad had played all year. They easily won a consecutive Ivy League conference title and the Ivy league tournament as well. Despite such a strong year for the team, they still only entered the tournament ranked 12th.
The first two rounds of the tournament demonstrated why Cornell was a force to be taken more seriously. Easily beating both 5th seated Temple and 4th seeded Wisconsin to make it to the sweet sixteen. Although they lost to Kentucky, the team proved they were better than credited. As a testament to the success of the team, Cornell's coach Steve Donahue was recently snatched by Boston College to coach their hurting basketball team. Hopefully Cornell will be able to continue its run ro prove that the Ivies aren't all a joke.
Even Jim Boheim, the coach of Syracuse's basketball team remarked mid season the Cornell was won of the strongest teams his squad had played all year. They easily won a consecutive Ivy League conference title and the Ivy league tournament as well. Despite such a strong year for the team, they still only entered the tournament ranked 12th.
The first two rounds of the tournament demonstrated why Cornell was a force to be taken more seriously. Easily beating both 5th seated Temple and 4th seeded Wisconsin to make it to the sweet sixteen. Although they lost to Kentucky, the team proved they were better than credited. As a testament to the success of the team, Cornell's coach Steve Donahue was recently snatched by Boston College to coach their hurting basketball team. Hopefully Cornell will be able to continue its run ro prove that the Ivies aren't all a joke.
Syracuse Vermont Connection
After an exciting first day of the tournament, I was excited for the second day, particularly for the chance to watch Syracuse in their opener against Vermont. It was a relief to see them win. Ranked 1st in their bracket, Syracuse stood little chance of losing, however this game has a special importance for both fans and players of the team.
For starters, Syracuse fans hold a grudge against Vermont from way back during the 2005 tournament. During that year, Syracuse had just won the Big East Tournament, and star player and crowd favorite, Gerry McNamara was headed to his final NCAA tournament. Their first match was against Vermont, a team ranked much lower, an easy game right? Unfortunately not because after a grueling game that went into overtime, Syracuse lost by a slim margin, ending the team, and Gerry McNamara's run in the tournament. For that reason, Syracuse fans were glad to see Vermont beaten this year.
The game is also notable because it is uniting brothers Kris and Maurice Joseph on the court. Kris plays for Syracuse and his older brother Maurice plays for Vermont. The two haven't played each other in a game in years and the opportunity was one you could tell both players appreciated. The two embraced before the game and took photos with their mother as well. Although Syracuse won comfortably, the tie between the two players added an element of interest to the game, as they clearly competed with each other.
For starters, Syracuse fans hold a grudge against Vermont from way back during the 2005 tournament. During that year, Syracuse had just won the Big East Tournament, and star player and crowd favorite, Gerry McNamara was headed to his final NCAA tournament. Their first match was against Vermont, a team ranked much lower, an easy game right? Unfortunately not because after a grueling game that went into overtime, Syracuse lost by a slim margin, ending the team, and Gerry McNamara's run in the tournament. For that reason, Syracuse fans were glad to see Vermont beaten this year.
The game is also notable because it is uniting brothers Kris and Maurice Joseph on the court. Kris plays for Syracuse and his older brother Maurice plays for Vermont. The two haven't played each other in a game in years and the opportunity was one you could tell both players appreciated. The two embraced before the game and took photos with their mother as well. Although Syracuse won comfortably, the tie between the two players added an element of interest to the game, as they clearly competed with each other.
Day 1
The first day of NCAA was an exciting day this year. I had heard several experts predict that the tournament would be wide open this year based on the lack of any truly dominant teams during the regular season, however I don't think anyone expected the full amount of upsets that took place.
In the first day alone, 7 upsets took place. Not only that, several of the games were decided by plays in the closing moments of their games. Georgetown, ranked third in their bracket fell to the lowly 14th ranked Ohio in a game that wasn't even close. Two 6th seeds, Marquette and Notre Dame also fell in the first round, beginning a trend of Big East let downs throughout the tournament.
Due to all of the upsets, my bracket, as well as most of America's I imagine, was utterly destroyed. People who chose their teams arbitrarily this year could stand a better chance than even the keenest bracketologist. The exciting first day set off a tournament filled with underdogs and should be fun to watch.
In the first day alone, 7 upsets took place. Not only that, several of the games were decided by plays in the closing moments of their games. Georgetown, ranked third in their bracket fell to the lowly 14th ranked Ohio in a game that wasn't even close. Two 6th seeds, Marquette and Notre Dame also fell in the first round, beginning a trend of Big East let downs throughout the tournament.
Due to all of the upsets, my bracket, as well as most of America's I imagine, was utterly destroyed. People who chose their teams arbitrarily this year could stand a better chance than even the keenest bracketologist. The exciting first day set off a tournament filled with underdogs and should be fun to watch.
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