"Dynamic Dozen"...Sweet Citrus and Sour Sooners...

Thank goodness CBS only re-names the field after each round...I don't think I could handle "Fabulous 48"..."Terrific 24"..."Dominant Dozen" or "Super Six"...

Top seeds UConn and Pitt plus number threes Missouri and Villanova advance... no major surprises as Memphis hadn't played anyone of note since most Christmas trees were up and Duke was capable of clunkers (see the Clemson debacle)...nice to see the Panthers break through to the regional finals after more than a few Sweet Sixteen losses this decade--and what a shot by Levance Fields...and I can't wait to see the eventual fallout from the Huskies NCAA recruiting shenanigans...

SOUTH--I originally had Oklahoma beating North Carolina in the regional finals...and while I don't think Gonzaga can beat the Tar Heels...I'm tempted to turn away from Blake Griffin and company...I'm hoping it's because Syracuse's 2-3 zone plus prime guardplay from Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf (not to mention quality minutes from the bigs) makes the Orange legitimate, and not because I'm an SU alum...

MIDWEST--Louisville entered the tournament as the top seed overall; Arizona was considered one of the last at-large teams to make the field. Coach "Rick Pitino has never lost a regional semifinal game--and he won't tonight. Michigan State meets Kansas in the other game... and it's clearly the least compelling of tonight's tilts despite the recent success of both programs. After the winter they've given us, it's rather tough to pick a Big Ten school...

Maybe next year...Beltway Bonanza breaks down...

The tournament waits for no one. In covering college basketball over the years, I'm always taken back a little at how abrupt a loss is the first weekend; teams are thrown off the runaway wagon as it steams towards the Final Four--and instead of anticipation (as has been the case with most of these schools all season) there's plenty of reflection:


Maryland played above itself in getting into the tournament...and unfortunately after outplaying Cal Thursday wound up facing a red-hot Memphis team in the second round. The Tigers weren't fooling around as they did against Cal-State Northridge...and the Terps run ends with a 21-14 mark-- a transitional year to say the least. Good to see Dave Neal go through an entire season unhurt--his junior year was torpedoed with a shoulder injury...one that really hurt the team as well even though he didn't play a lot of minutes.


Offseason questions: Now that they have the reputation as a school that doesn't recruit well, who will the Terps bring in? Will Greivis Vasquez stay, turn pro, or simply stop making inflammatory comments? Will there be any turnover in a coaching staff that's finally solidified? And will Gary Williams have a spread in the Post's Style Section this summer (Recruiting at Rehoboth? Dominating at Dewey?)



American was a made three-pointer by Brian Gilmore away from putting major fear in Villanova in its home city...instead the shot rimmed out and the Eagles 14 point lead slowly dissolved before the Wildcats went on a 15-point run. Still, a nice run through the season by AU...the team's 13 game winning was the second longest in the nation behind Memphis entering the tournament. As I've said previously in this space--AU was expected to win this winter... received everybody's best shot in the Patriot League...and still flourished.

Offseason questions: How will Jeff Jones revamp a roster decimated by the graduation of seven seniors? How come Jones' name hasn't come up regarding any major coaching openings (Georgia, Alabama)? And will the Bender Arena McDonalds continue to offer the Shamrock Shake next March?


Sweet Sixteen Incidentals:
One week ago I had Villanova beating Duke and Xavier upsetting Pitt in the East...no reason to change those picks: the Wildcats' guards will find a way to make the Blue Devils play--and DeJuan Blair's due for a 3-foul first half...after which the Panthers wheels will come off. Wildcards: Duke's Gerald Henderson and Pitt's Sam Young--both can take over a game if the opposition lets them.


Chalk is the rule in the West...UConn and Memphis were deemed the 4th and 5th number one seeds in late February and early March; I see no reason to think otherwise after watching the Tigers and Huskies dismantle their second round opponents. Wildcards: how UConn's alleged recruiting violations will affect the Huskies--what's the deal with phone calls, anyway? First Indiana, now UConn...I feel like the NCAA is turning into a parent ("no phone privileges unless you wash the dishes!")...and if Missouri's tempo can make Memphis uncomfortable.



Finally--a football thought: the NFL is considering expanding its regular season from 16 to 18 games...PLEASE DON'T! The season is perfect as it is (although I'm still getting used to the Super Bowl being in February)...just long enough to give teams opportunities to find themselves yet just short enough to make every game matter...plus a longer season means more injuries and football should not necessarily be a marathon of attrition. Last year's Super Bowl winner the New York Giants looked awful in September and didn't hit their stride really until November--do we want to make early-season games even less important? Tack on the draft and free agency periods and the league has become a ten month a year affair. I love pro football-and have had the NFL as #1 since I was 13...don't mess up a great product! We won't miss you if you never go away!

Bracket busting and seed shifting...

Was anyone surprised at the lack of upsets during the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament? Fourteen of the top sixteen seeds advance to the regional round...by comparison last year there were five upstarts--and ten years ago seven lower seeds crashed the second weekend (I'm not counting 5 seeds-as they're virtually the same as a 4).

Fresh off the heels of all four top seeds advancing to the Final Four last year, one asks where are the upsets?

1--Home is where the heart is...and where the upsets aren't. The pod system keeps schools regardless of region closer to home...so a Villanova is able to play in Philadelphia, Gonzaga makes the short commute to Portland while North Carolina and Duke begin tournament runs in Greensboro.

2--Not enough bite for the underdogs...in three games Saturday and three more Sunday the lower seeds had chances to pull the upset, but whether it second half rallies by North Carolina or Louisville, Gonzaga's Demitri Goodson's last-second layup or Duke's John Scheyer tossing a stray ball high above courtside, the favorites made the plays when they needed to.

Can this be good for the game? While I like to see the spice of a 10 or 12 seed in the second weekend, there's nothing quite like watching heavyweights battle...

Conference Call: This might not be 1985 (3 final four teams) or 1987 (two final fours, a 14-5 record and every team a Big East school lost to went on to lose its next game)...but the Big East is enjoying an incredible March with an 11-2 mark and 5 teams in the Sweet Sixteen (a new record)...while the Big 12 is 9-3...the Big Ten is 6-5...and the Pac Ten is 5-4...the Big Ten is 6-5...and the ACC is 5-5 (1-5 outside of Greensboro)...


Finally, what to make of Arizona? The Wildcats are the lowest remaining seed, but hardly a Cinderella--a national championship, multiple final fours and 25 straight NCAAs will do that. One of the last at-large teams in the field advanced to the sweet sixteen. It's been a topsy turvy couple of seasons for the Wildcat seniors--they were recruited to Tuscon by Lute Olson...who was unable to coach the last two years due to health and personal issues. Just as they got used to Kevin O'Neill, their interim coach was replaced by Russ Pennell...and Olson retired for good. Nice to see a happy ending for a group of kids who probably expected much more when they signed on.

More picks, more pans...

More NCAA Tournament thoughts as the Big Dance tips off in earnest today-- while the NIT is already underway and the CBI (College Basketball Invitational aka Can't Buy Interest) is securely under the radar...


MIDWEST--
BOLD--how did Ohio State get to play the first weekend in nearby Dayton? Did the committee not realize that Dayton is in the state of Ohio? Reminds me of when I was a student at Syracuse and the Orange had to play Virginia in Richmond--which happens to be the state capital of Virginia. Still, I don't think the Buckeyes can beat top seed Louisville...but Arizona is the classic underachieving team that's been given second life--and after hearing they're undeserving of being in the final 65, will turn that criticism into motivation to reach the sweet sixteen.

FOLD--West Virginia has advanced to three of the last four regional rounds...but for some reason this year's team doesn't give me confidence. Is it the lack of offensive explosion? Is it that Bob Huggins always happens to have an early round exit in him? Is it because everyone is gunning for Big East schools? I think it's because Dayton is deep and Minneapolis is so miserable this time of year it makes Morgantown look like South Beach.

GOLD--it's tough to see anyone keeping pace with Louisville...the Cardinals have two freaks of nature in Earl Clark and Terrence Williams...plus Rick Pitino's bunch has won ten straight (seven by double figures). Last year's team missed the Final Four because they couldn't beat North Carolina in North Carolina-- this year the Cardinals rule.


WEST
BOLD--Maryland plays a Cal team that is probably a year or two away from completely being in tune with coach Mike Montgomery's system...is riding momentum from a late-season surge...and the Terps likely second round opponent Memphis hasn't played anyone of note since the Bush administration.

FOLD--Since Dominic James was lost for the season, Marquette has gone 1-5 (the lone win a victory over hapless St. John's)--if they survive Utah State in nearby Boise, Missouri and forward Demare Carroll will show them the way back to Milwaukee in round two. (Boise note: if anyone visits the Gem State's capital, stop by "Chocolat Bar"--and enjoy fine crafted gourmet candies...owned and operated by my Uncle Chris)

GOLD--questions, questions...is Missouri for real? Can anyone stop a Memphis team that had no resistance in 2009? Will UConn bounce back from a Big East quarterfinal defeat...and continue to cover for the loss of guard Jerome Dyson? I'm not sold on anyone...and although I could see the Huskies losing to the other Huskies (Washington) in the Sweet Sixteen-- it's tough to go against Jim Calhoun when he has talent. Yes, UConn can.

Bold, Fold and Gold NCAA picks--and a Shaky parallel

Shame on McDonald's...every year I enjoy multiple shamrock shakes (green peppermint beverages) by the truckload (record was 27 in 1994; my total of 28 in 1996 has an asterisk because Leap Year created a "Maris-Ruth" type controversy)...and 2009 will be remembered as the year that paralleled Georgetown's. For the first week I was on a Shammy roll like none other--finding participating restaurants that didn't Shake up in previous seasons--scoring Shakes morning, noon and night. Minty green goodness came all too easy--just like Georgetown's 12-3 start. Then all of a sudden the Hoyas and yours truly hit the wall...I don't know what was more disappointing--Georgetown's 4-11 finish (with two losses to St. John's) or one Shamrock Shake in the last two weeks--plus NONE on St. Patrick's Day (are you crazy????). Did they not create enough "mix"? I know we're in tough economic times, but I was under the assumption the green mint flavoring had the shelf-life, if not the half-life, of Twinkies.



Time to enjoy the best four days of sports--



EAST REGION-
BOLD--Virginia Commonwealth shocked the world two years ago with it's upset of Duke...the Rams are led by the type of player who can turn a bracket on it's ear: Eric Maynor averages 22 points and 6 assists while his penetrating style will put opponents in foul trouble. VCU also possesses something not many mid-majors have: a legitimate 6-foot-10 big man in Larry Sanders. Could coach Anthony Grant be using this weekend as an audition for the Virginia job?


FOLD--Florida State has Toney Douglas and not much else; they'll be playing a grinder of a game against Wisconsin before likely facing last year's surprise Xavier. The Seminoles are also under extra scrutiny for it's current academic scandal (can't wait to hear Steve Spurrier put an F--S--U spin on that one)...and they already have their memorable March moment in last weekend's upset of North Carolina.



GOLD--It's difficult not to choose Pittsburgh...the Panthers have size in DeJuan Blair, the floor general in Levance Fields, and mister versatility in Sam Young-- but this team has bee notorious for underperforming its seed, whether Jamie Dixon, Ben Howland or Paul Evans is coach. Plus, tournament games are called tighter--exposing Blair to potential foul trouble...something he still has trouble playing with. Guardplay takes a higher priority in March--and Villanova has the best guard in the region with Scottie Reynolds. The Wildcats also play the first weekend in Philadelphia--how is there not an investigation into this?--and coach Jay Wright has two Coreys coming off the bench (Fisher averages 11 points and 3 assists while Stokes nets 10 points and 3 rebounds)--meaning a Feldman-Haim reunion for the CBS open if Nova reaches the Final Four...and who wouldn't want that?

SOUTH--
BOLD-- Temple gritted its way towards the Atlantic Ten title last weekend with victories over Xavier and Duquesne--and face Arizona State in Miami. While the Owls have traditionally overperformed their seed in the tournament--ASU coach Herb Sendek has confounded experts- exceeding low expectations while failing to meet high ones. Plus, Dionte Christmas (19 points and 6 rebounds a game) is a matchup nightmare--and don't we want to hear Jim Nantz come up with a "over-rehearsed yet pretending to be spontaneous" call regarding Christmastime in March?


FOLD--the Big Ten was much maligned this winter, and with good cause. Exhibit A is Penn State's 38-33 win over Illinois...and the Fighting Illini are in the tournament! Coach Bruce Weber's nucleus is tasting its first NCAA action while Western Kentucky lies in wait (the Hilltoppers advanced to last year's regional)...if they survive it's a battle with Gonzaga...and Portland is much closer to Spokane than Champaign (although some of the best Pinot Noir is produced in Portland's Willamette Valley--Ponzi's my favorite).

GOLD--There are more question marks in this bracket than any other-- will top seed North Carolina have Ty Lawson...and how effective will he and his banged up toe be? Can #2 Oklahoma's Blake Griffin recover from his concussion to return to his mid-season dominance? Is third seed Syracuse gassed from playing the equivalent of 195 minutes over four days? I don't think anyone can beat the Tar Heels in Greensboro--but watch out in Memphis. While the Orange alum wants to pick SU--Oklahoma just seems in better shape and has the best player in college this winter...that has to count for something, doesn't it?


COMING SOON...MIDWEST AND WEST PREVIEWS...

Re-racking the brackets...and a little NIT-picking...

And then there were 65. The NCAA Tournament tips off Tuesday (with the obligatory opening round/play-in game)...and I'm glad the Alabama State/Morehead State winner won't have to go far for the first round (both rounds are held in Dayton). I wish they'd do away with the game altogether--but as that will never happen I'd just like for the similar setup to this year--the opening round is played at a first round site. It's rather ridiculous to have one of these schools fly into Dayton Monday amidst trying to prepare for a game--only to get back in the air Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Just keep them at the same hotel and same arena as the other seven schools bracketed there.

Surprises this year were few and far between. With all of the top ten schools falling over the last week, I would have actually had Duke as my fourth number one seed instead of UConn...the Blue Devils have won eight of nine, all of their losses are to teams in the NCAAs--and they won their league tourney.

Arizona making the field caught me off-guard. The Wildcats closed their regular season with four losses in five games--went 2-9 on the road and failed to win a Pac Ten tournament game...can a case be any more unworhty? Evidently the tournament committee felt Arizona's November and December wins merited a birth. I didn't think there would be seven teams from the Big Ten in the tournament... the triumvirate of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota seemed like three flavors of the same bad ice cream--especially when you factor in each school had 2 to 4 soft wins against major dreck (Iowa and Indiana) that couldn't beat anyone this winter. I would have added San Diego State, Saint Mary's or Creighton before Zona or a third team from Mich-Wisc-Minn territory.

Congratulations to the schools that advance--to Maryland that was left for dead at 2-4 in the ACC and had looked as though it had butchered its NCAA hopes with a bad loss at Virginia... quality wins before Christmas (Michigan and Michigan State) plus a sharp finish has Gary Williams ' team in the field after a year's absence. Congratulations to American for winning the Patriot League's automatic berth for the second straight year...a season where AU's dominance was expected and a return trip to the NCAAs was predicted.



Meanwhile, the NIT gets underway tomorrow and Wednesday with a pair of Beltway teams in action--Georgetown visits Baylor while George Mason meets Penn State. Both schools can use the next week as a time where they can readjust for next winter while sending their seniors out on a strong note. Both games are on the road--and I think the Hoyas and Patriots could both advance--Baylor's recovering from 4 games in 4 days at the Big 12 conference tourney...while Penn State's severely crushed by just missing the tournament--and bubble bursting schools usually suffer an NCAA hangover and don't play well in the NIT's first round.

My personal pick six...

Six overtimes. Can you believe it? Syracuse and UConn went toe to toe for 70 minutes last Thursday in the Big East quarterfinals--hands down one of the best games I've ever seen on TV...which made me wonder what my top six games seen live might be. Some are no-brainers--others I didn't know would be special until I was looking up at a clock showing zeros. All stay with me--the buzz of the arena when the crowd realized something incredible was going to happen.



February 2008--Maryland Women over Florida State, 92-84 ... senior day for coach Brenda Frese's first whopper recruiting class Crystal Langhorne, Laura Harper, Ashleigh Newman and Jade Perry. The first two became stars that helped deliver the 2006 National title-- the second pair were just as valuable as role players who subdued egos for the betterment of the program. Coach Frese was also returning from a brief maternity leave-- (her twins had been born one week earlier)...trailing by eight with under three minutes left, the Terps closed regulation with an 11-3 run--and then Kristi Toliver took over by scoring 8 of the team's 16 points in the extra session. My finishing call on our broadcast--"Overtime--their time...one last time!"

February 2007--Maryland Men 89, #5 North Carolina 87 ... Gary Williams' program had missed back to back NCAA's and was on the mat with a 3-6 conference mark just a few weeks earlier...but four straight double digit wins over Duke, NC State, Clemson and Florida State had the Terps thinking tournament--only to welcome conference leader North Carolina. The fifth rated Tar Heels were talented as always and showed it by jumping out to a quick 24-11 lead...and then UNC's ADD surfaced. DJ Strawberry took over (27 points and leadership that doesn't show up on the stat-shet) while big men Ekene Ibekwe, James Gist and Bambale Osby took over underneath (32 points and 26 rebounds over a combined 70 minutes)--as the Terps outrebounded the Tar Heels by 13.

Trailing by 12 with 7:14 remaining, the Terps closed the game on a 24-10 tear that saw two seniors shine--Mike Jones netted 9 of his 18 points in that spurt while Ekene Ibekwe hit four free throws in the final 71 seconds. As time expired, students at Comcast rushed the floor--and Maryland was on its way back to the big dance...with authority.

March 1997--Indiana HS Regional Finals...Delta 56, Anderson 48 ... the final season of single-class basketball saw an upset for the ages as the unheralded Eagles shocked the big-city Indians in their home gym--an 8,996 seat arena known as the Wigwam. Coach Ron Hecklinski's team hailed from the powerful North Central Conference--a league known for state titles (9 of the previous 22) and Mr. Basketballs (15 that included the likes of Steve Alford and Jay Edwards) while the lightly regarded Eagles were moving from the White River to the Hoosier Heritage Conference. But somehow Paul Keller's plucky team behind the combination of Tyce Schideler inside, Petey Jackson outside and Billy Lynch at the controls (only in Indiana do kids still go by Petey and Billy) was enough to deliver victory--and give fans one last ride through the month of March as the Eagles advanced to the state championship game. Flash-forward 12 years: Anderson's population has declined 20% in the last 30 years as many of the General Motors jobs that were the backbone of the area are gone; amidst budget deficits and a troubling economy the city of Anderson is considering closing the Wigwam--which no longer draws even a third of its capacity.

March 1995--Division II East Regional Semifinals...New Hampshire College 113, St. Rose 110 (overtime) ... the Penmen had to contend with 7-foot center Garth Joseph (in D2 6-5 is tall)--thankfully NHC's David, 5-foot-9 Rob Paternostro poured in 44 points and coach Stan Spirou's bunch was on its way back to a third straight Elite Eight appearance. This was my first year providing color analysis to our broadcasts on WGIR as I was the studio host for the previous two winters--and I had pulled an all-nighter preparing features for our coverage before anchoring sportscasts that morning. Powered by Mountain Dew and the excitement of the New Hampshire College Fieldhouse--I kept pace with voice of the Penmen Rich Levine for 45 action-packed minutes...and only stepped on his call once or twice at the end of the game...(sorry Rich). In the "where is he now?" category, Rob Paternostro is now coaching in England after a 13 year career overseas.



March 1990--Syracuse 89, Georgetown 87 (overtime) ...my buddy Max and I painted our faces Orange and Blue (with Blue S's and Orange U's) as SU and Gtown wrapped up an incredible first decade of Big East dominance--squaring off on the final day of the regular season for the title and top seed in the upcoming conference tournament. This was a game that saw Hoyas coach John Thompson get ejected in the first half (SU would knock down a free throw, all four shots on JT's double technical and can a three-pointer to post a TEN POINT PLAY)...the Hoyas would rally and take a two point lead on a pair of free throws by Alonzo Mourning with under ten seconds remaining. All was lost as Billy Owens unleashed a 35-foot prayer...but he was fouled by Sam Jefferson--sank two free throws and the Orange won in OT. Postscript: everyone thought this was the precursor to a Big East Finals battle between the two schools--not realizing UConn was on its way to a first of many Big East championships.




December 1986--Manchester West 78, Nashua 76 (2OT) ... it all began with an early season Class L affair between a Blue Knight squad that had won 2 games the previous winter against the defending champion Purple Panthers...it was the beginning of the "Bleacher Creature" Era on 9 Notre Dame Avenue--led by senior class president Ed Pease, the rowdy and often inappropriate student section (holding up newspapers, wearing blond wigs, throwing dog biscuits, calling refs "Miracle Whip" and players "Stubby McGillicuddy") would receive a lot of heat from the NHIAA over the next two winters. I had always been a football guy--cutting my sports fan teeth watching college football with my dad and then pro football with 3 newspapers at my fingertips. This evening changed everything --it was like the first time I heard REM's "Fall on Me"...I discovered a new world I didn't know existed.

Oh yeah, the game. Somehow coach Tommy Ameen's team jumped out big early before being reeled in by the fourth quarter. Last-second shots by Nashua knotted things up at the end of regulation as well as the first extra session. Tim O'Connell's reverse layup with four seconds left sealed a program-changing victory for the Blue Knights- they'd make the state playoffs that winter, post a winning record the following season and reach the final four in 1990 before finally realizing their dreams of a State Title in 1993. Tim's gamewinning basket? It was his first field goal of the game. While that might not be strange--I told you about the gametying shots at the end of regulation and the first OT? Those respective players' first baskets of the night as well.

ACC Bold, Fold and Gold...

The Atlantic Coast Conference will proudly state throughout the weekend that theirs was the first and best college basketball conference tournament and theirs is the best of the league tourneys. While the luster has been lost a little with league expansion--this tournament is still the Boardwalk and Park Place of college hoops.

As is the case just about every year, there are a few schools competing for top seeds (North Carolina and Duke) plus more than a few scrambling for at-large berths (Boston College, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Miami). Plenty of thrills, chills and spills to go around.

BOLD: Boston College has always played well in the ACC's...from it's run to the finals in 2006 to the Eagles' first round upset of Maryland last March. Tyrese Rice is the type of guard that can take over two or three straight games--averaging 17 points and 5 assists a game. BC's first round opponent Virginia appears to have fired its late-season bullet with their win over Maryland--and the Eagles match up well with Duke (BC beat the Blue Devils 80-74 February 15th).


FOLD: Wake Forest has been inconsistent this winter (they followed up a win over Duke with a loss to Georgia Tech)...they're young (Jeff Teague and James Johnson are sophomores while Al-Farouq Aminu is a freshman)...and not in as desperate shape as Maryland--the Terps needing two wins to solidify their at large hopes...or as ACC Tourney karmic as North Carolina State-the Wolfpack have recently turned March runs into a cottage industry (1997, 2007). Wake beat Maryland by two and split with NC State.


GOLD: North Carolina and Duke--no two schools more define their league with the exception of Ohio State and Michigan in football. The Tar Heels and Blue Devils have combined to win 11 of the last 12 ACC Tournaments--although the last UNC-Duke title clash was in 2001. This year the two titans tangle...with the hungrier Blue Devils taking advantage of the Heels recurring ADD (Boston College, Maryland). Duke cuts down the nets.

Big East Bold, Fold and Gold picks...

I grew up on Big East Basketball. I believe in the Big East--from Hoya Paranoia to 30,000+ at the Carrier Dome clapping out of rhythm. Despite the sixteen school membership (it's not ideal when you have to scroll up and down just to see the entire standings) and despite the fact that recently I have covered the ACC on a more day-to-day basis, my heart still resides in Dave Gavitt's dreamchild.



This year the conference is as good as ever: four contenders for a #1 seed (yes, I include Villanova), four other worthy tournament teams capable of damage in March (yes, Providence makes the field in my book) plus three schools that had a berth in their fingertips if they had only executed down the stretch (sorry Georgetown, Cincinnati and Notre Dame).



Which brings us to five (yes, I'm not crazy about that either) days of excitement and madness at Madison Square Garden...and plenty of thrills, chills and spills...



BOLD PICK: Since dropping seven straight games, Notre Dame has taken five of eight-- including four double digit smackdowns (one against league champ Louisville)... Mike Brey has the Irish playing better and has Luke Harangody (23 points and 12 boards a game) at his disposal (despite the fact last year's Big East Player of the Year looks just like the guy who took Brenda Walsh to her senior prom). Honorable Mention--Syracuse has gotten its act together and as a 6th seed could do damage on its half of the bracket...and does anyone remember the McNamara magic of '06?



FOLD PICK: Just a few weeks ago Marquette was being bandied about as a potential top seed--until Dominic James got hurt. Since then the Golden Eagles have dropped four straight and is still trying to find itself post-James. It's never good to be shaky going into MSG in March.
Honorable Mention--Syracuse is known for early round losses (Villanova in '91, Seton Hall in '94, Georgetown in 2000) where they've marvelously underperformed...and they're due for another stinker.


GOLD PICK: With Marquette falling by the wayside, the top of the league has rotated between UConn, Pitt and Louisville...the three schools a combined 46-8 in conference play...:

Cardinals pro: Terrence Williams (13ppg, 9rpg and 5apg) and Earl Clark are miserable matchups for opponents--and Pitino's up-tempo style will be tough for anyone to slow down.
Cardinals con: Lville hasn't played anyone good since their February 2nd loss to UConn...and top seeds are known as much for mysterious collapses (UConn in '06, Syracuse in '00) than they are for great play in the BET.

Huskies pro: Hasheem Thabeet is the best pure big man this conference has seen in some time... unless you're shooting lights out you will have to go through him to the basket--and that's just not happening.
Huskies con: no Jerome Dyson means less depth and less three-point shooting...meaning a lot more bumping and grinding this week in the Big Apple--and one can only bump and grind so long without wearing thin.

Panthers pro: Dejuan Blair is possibly the only forward who can stand up to Thabeet--Sam Young is the type of wingman who explodes in March, and Pitt has been the most consistent team this season--and Levance Fields is a smart senior who will direct the offense to perfection. PITT IS IT.

Beltway Basketball Bonanza--Shammy Season plus a Better Big East

March Madness (American's 61-60 thriller over Army in the Patriot League semifinals) and March Sadness (George Washington missing the A-10 Tournament after losing to Temple) are already in full force...less than one week before hearts are broken, dreams come true and brackets are filled out. This month also marks the return of the Shamrock Shake, a McDonald's beverage of minty goodness that is not to be missed but difficult to find. You see, not every McD's participates in the Shammy promotion...leaving me dumbfounded more than once-- like many in the college basketball landscape.

Maryland had paid the cashier for its Shammy with quality wins over Virginia Tech and North Carolina before the shake machine busted in the manner of Saturday's loss to Virginia. Mamadi Diane always seems to have his best games against the Terps...and the senior shined one last time with 23 points. Deja vu anyone? Maryland wrapped up the regular season last year with a loss to 4-11 in the ACC UVa when a victory would have solidified its at-large status--this year the Cavs were 3-12 but put a dampener on the Terps postseason hopes. Next up: ACC Quarterfinals against North Carolina State Thursday.

By the way, I've engaged in a Larry Bird-Dominique Wilkins Eastern Semifinals Game Sevenesque contest of consumption of Shamrock Shakes with one of my friends--unfortunately I don't have Dennis Johnson around to bail me out for a few possessions this month.

Georgetown wrapped up its regular season with a dignity salvaging 48-40 defeat of Depaul. How bad are the Blue Demons? Umm, 0-18 in the Big East...the league's first winless club since Miami in '93. What makes things more ridiculous is this week's five-day, double-bye Big East Tournament...again, teachers across this great nation are thankful to the Big East because students will be reading instead of submitting themselves to watching Tuesday's undercard bracket...do I want to see Hoyas-St. John's again? Does Depaul deserve to even see Madison Square Garden, yet alone play a Big East Tournament game? Is anyone Tivoing Notre Dame (can't win on the road) against Rutgers (can't win anywhere)? Please tell me you're staying up late for the classic matchup of Seton Hall-South Florida.

In fact, I wish there could be some way to purge four schools from the league--any more than 12 teams makes for an unwieldy conference: I covered the 13-team Mid-American Conference and wonder what the deal is with a 14 team Atlantic Ten--note to A-10 and Big Ten, IF A NUMBER IS IN YOUR LEAGUE'S NAME YOU ARE HONOR-BOUND TO KEEP THAT TOTAL!

I would get rid of Depaul and Marquette; both are non-football playing schools in the midwest that would benefit more by pulling a Memphis and remaining big fish in the small pond of Conference USA (it would make that league a lot more fun to watch as well). I would give Notre Dame an ultimatum: join us in football or enjoy being an independent in your sports nobody cares about. They've been using the Big East far too long-- and South Bend is not the easiest place to reach. I would let Seton Hall join the Metro Atlantic--the league already has a New York City presence in St. John's and the Redmen/Redstorm are a historic pillar program of the conference...one school has memories of Chris Mullin and Walter Berry, the other has Andrew Gaze and Jersey Turnpike exits.

BIG EAST FOLD, BOLD AND GOLD PICKS TOMORROW...


George Mason and American are each one step shy of returning to the NCAA Tournament... the Patriots topped Towson in the CAA semifinals 56-48, outrebounding the Tigers 38-31 and holding Pat Kennedy's crew to 3 of 20 three-point shooting. Mason meets Virginia Commonwealth tonight in the finals. The Rams won the only regular season meeting between the two schools 76-71 January 24th--Eric Maynor scored 8 of his 28 points in the game's final four minutes...Mason was in position to win after hitting 50% of their threes and outrebounding VCU by 13. While the Rams look like the smart pick-- this is March and Mason is magical in March...plus they have Doc Nix and the best pep band around the beltway.

AU needed a three in the final minute and a free throw with 3.6 seconds remaining to nip Army 61-60...Brian Gilmore stepping up on both accounts. Gilmore also scored the team's first 12 points of the second half--taking the Eagles from a 38-27 deficit to a 39-38 lead. Their reward: a finals date Friday afternoon at Bender Arena against second seed Holy Cross. Each school won on its home court in their regular season matchups; the Crusaders prevailing 71-62 in Worcester while the Eagles won 56-50 in DC. By the way, the McDonald's next to Bender Arena on the AU campus is participating in the Shamrock Shake promotion. I'll pick the game later this week after more research (and more than a few Shammys).

Beltway Basketball Bonanza--Lion or Lamb?

February Fever turns into March Madness for the Beltway bunch...and while the beltway may have been blasted by a bunch of snow earlier this week, it's up to the various schools to determine whether or not they're lions or lambs this month.


Georgetown saw its at-large hopes take a major blow with Tuesday's 59-56 overtime loss to St John's...wasting a 15 point second half lead to the Red Storm...the inability to rebound (outmanned on the glass 42-22) hurt the Hoyas yet again--and it's nearly impossible to comprehend how Georgetown turned from a top ten team into an NIT hopeful...which is where they'll wind up barring a miracle run through the Big East Tournament. Next up: Hoyas wrap up the regular season Saturday with Depaul.

Big East Battles--the Hoyas are currently 13th in the conference standings and would face Seton Hall in the first round next Tuesday...a win over Depaul plus losses by Seton Hall and St John's would catapult Georgetown to 11th and a date with South Florida.

Maryland continues to walk the tightrope--winning games they should (triumphing at North Carolina State) and losing when they should (falling to Wake Forest)...while the Terps are on the cusp of an NCAA berth--a loss at Virginia plus an early exit in the ACC Tournament would come close to extinguishing their hopes. Next up: a visit to Charlottesville--last year a more talented team on paper dropped their regular season finale at John Paul Jones Arena...continuing their slide into the NIT.

ACC destinations--depending on how the final weekend pans out...Maryland's either 7th or 8th and will face Miami or North Carolina State in the first round next week.

George Mason wrapped up its regular season with a 71-59 win over Towson...the Patriots finished second in the Colonial Athletic Association despite losing five of their last six road games. Another banner night for Darryl Monroe inside as well as John Vaughan outside. GMU shocked the world last year with three straight wins in Richmond--can they do the same this March? Next up: the Patriots face the winner of James Madison-William & Mary in the CAA quarterfinals...they split their season series with the Dukes while topping the Tribe in their only meeting.

American's two wins away from a second straight NCAA Tournament berth after a 78-56 thumping of Lafayette in the Patriot League quarterfinals...the dynamic backcourt of Derrick Mercer and Garrison Carr combined for 39 points--while AU held the Leopards to 36% shooting. Next up: Sunday's Patriot League semifinals against Army--the Eagles beat the Black Knights by 22 and 24 in their two regular season meetings.

George Washington's late-season push into may not be enough to get the Colonials into the Atlantic Ten tournament. Despite winning three of five, GW's 77-62 loss to UMass means coach Karl Hobbs' crew needs to top 18-11 Temple and hope St Bonaventure loses its season finale in order to qualify for the A-10. Next up: senior night at Smith Center...one last chance for Rob Diggs and Wynton Witherspoon to shine in front of the GW faithful.

Howard wrapped up the regular season with a 54-48 loss to Hampton...committing 18 turnovers while Eugene Myatt shot 3 for 17 from the field. The Bison will be seeded tenth in the upcoming MEAC tournament and will face Norfolk State in the first round. The two schools split their regular season series--each winning on its home court... Myatt scoring 26 points in the home win-- 20 in the road loss.