Closing in on Midnight! by Jared Whelan

With all this media hype about Davidson, you'd think we're witnessing a Cinderella story of George Mason proportions. But the truth is, we're not. Furthermore, why is Stephen Curry a household name now, while the moniker Courtney Lee remains obscure in the greater landscape of college hoops? I think we need some perspective here…Western Kentucky and Villanova are the lowest seeds remaining in this tournament, and WKU's Ty Rogers is the owner of the biggest tournament shot to date with a three point buzzer beater to take down the mid-major darling Drake. However, these stories apparently are not "sexy" enough for the mainstream media. Why? Two words…Stephen Curry--the son of former NBA sharpshooter, Dell Curry, has lit up the first two rounds of the tournament for 70 points while taking out Gonzaga and the 2-seeded Georgetown Hoyas. Admittedly, the kid is a story. He looks like he gets carded at R-rated movies, barely weighs 150 lbs, was snubbed by his father's alumni, Virginia Tech, coming out of high school, ranks in the top 5 scorers in the country, put 30 points on G'Town….and his mom is hot (thank you CBS for showing Mrs. Curry every chance you got last weekend)!Nonetheless, Davidson should not be such a surprise. They played a greuling out of conference schedule, taking on the likes of North Carolina and Duke, and they fared extremely well. They were undefeated in Southern Conference play, and have demonstrated a history of dominance in that league. Don't get caught up in that little number 10 next to the name Davidson on your bracket. The fact is, Davidson was ranked in the top 25 going into the NCAA Tournament. How a top 25 team gets a 10 seed is beyond me (but I would guess it was the same math used to give Butler a 7th seed as a top 12 team).Tell me the last time the country made such a big deal about a top 25 team making the Sweet 16! I can't remember. The bottom line is that stagecoach is about to turn back into a pumpkin. Much similar to last year's college basketball scene, there are a few teams that are head and shoulders above the rest…and the chalk will remain.For Davidson, they will face the number one defense in college basketball. And Mr. Curry will have trouble getting his numbers against an excellent perimeter defender in Michael Flowers. Wisconsin is too big and too good defensively to lose to Davidson, although both teams' styles can allow for a close game.The same goes for Western Kentucky and Villanova. While they have both made impressive runs, they will run into walls called UCLA and Kansas this weekend. Not many teams in the country can match up with the combination of talent and size that the Bruins and Jayhawks bring to the table.So while the first two rounds of this years tournament have afforded us some great upsets and intriguing stories, that glass slipper will remain in someone's closet (or wherever the heck you keep a glass slipper), because the clock is striking midnight for these wannabe Cinderella hopefuls. I hope the sportswriters can find a new darling to write about next week…Hansbrough is always a good back up plan!

Let The Games begin!!!!

Possible first round upsets:

Siena over Vanderbilt (Siena has a good well balanced team along with a victory over stanford to back it up.)

George Mason over Notre Dame (2 players from a team that made a nice final four run 2 years ago, not to mention some good victories.)

Winthrop over Washington State (Solid players return from a great team last year, victories over Miami and Georgia Tech don't hurt)

St. Joes over Oklahoma (St. Joes knows how to compete with good competition how bout 2 victories over Xavier in the past 11 days)

Nova over Clemson (this team has the guard play and defense to slow down a very potent clemson offense.)

Kansas State over USC (Michael Beasley and Bill Walker enough said)

Temple over Michigan State (Christmas came early for this team, very physical could give the spartans some problems)

Kentucky over Marquette (Kentucky enough said)

Western Kentucky over Drake (Courtney Lee, is a game changer, Drake is new to this tourney experience)

Baylor over Purdue (my sleeper from the beginning of the year watch out for these guards.)


COLLEGE BASKETBALLS FINEST BLOGGERS FINAL FOUR PICKS

EAST
UNC (makes me giggle)

Midwest
KANSAS (I wish I were home)

South
MEMPHIS (We have an Elvis Siting)

West
UCLA (Where is Tyus Edney now)

Selection Sunday Projection

1. UNC, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas
2. Duke, Tennessee, Texas, Georgetown
3. Xavier, Stanford, Louisville, Wisconsin
4. Pitt, Vanderbilt, Butler, Marquete
5. Clemson, Notre Dame, Drake, Uconn
6. Washington St, USC, Purdue, Mississippi State
7. Arkansas, Michigan State, Indiana, BYU
8. Kansas State, Gonzaga, Oklahoma, UNLV
9. Baylor, WVU, Saint Mary’s, Miami
10. Texas A&M, St. Joes, Kentucky, South Alabama
11. Davidson, Western Kentucky, Illinois State, Ohio State
12. Kent St, Temple, Arizona, Arizona State
13. San Diego, George Mason, Siena, Winthrop
14. Oral Roberts, Cornell, Boise State, Austin Peay
15. UMBC, American, Belmont,California Fullerton
16. Texas Arlington, Coppin State, Mt. Saint Mary’s, Portland St, Mississippi Valley St.

Holding on by a Thread
Kentucky, Arizona, Ohio State, Texas A&M, South Alabama, St. Joes, Arizona State, Baylor, Miami, Illinois State

On the Respirator
Florida, Rhode Island, UAB, Houston, Syracuse, Southern Illinois, Dayton, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Villanova, Umass, Charlotte, Ole Miss, New Mexico

Don't Get Your Panties in a Bunch Doug

As you can tell by our latest poll, Doug Gottlieb is not well liked by our readers. This former Oklahoma State standout, referred to as, "The smartest basketball player I ever coached," by coaching legend Eddie Sutton, would no longer be on ESPN if you guys had your choice. Could it be because he loves to rattle on about himself and preach like hes gods gift to the world of college basketball analyzing, maybe? Or could it be that we're just plain jealous of him and feel he doesn't deserve the sweet job on ESPN because he ripped off a roommate's credit card at Notre Dame and decided to charge $900 worth of goodies on it? We all make mistakes and he was a young whippersnapper when it happened so I'm not going to lay into him for that. What I am going to do though is commend him on making a great observation I've been waiting about 3-5 years for someone to notice. I may be way off here but I seriously have never heard anyone mention this until he did about 30 minutes ago.

I have noticed this for the last 3-5 years and wondered how no one either noticed, or had the balls to say to K, hey, why the snubbage? Mike Krzyzewski for years now, for some reason has snubbed the sideline reporter and decided against a Halftime and Post-game on court interview. He usually assigns the job for assistant coach Chris Collins but sometimes has fellow assistants Johnny Dawkins or Steve Wojciechowski fill in. I guess my main question is boiled down into one word, why? Why Mike? What did some over payed sideline reporter say to you or ask you to have you continuously decide not to talk to them? Coach K has absolutely no problem fielding questions after the game during post game press conferences, so what's the big deal with giving your two sense at the end of the half? Is he afraid the other team is watching the broadcast and going to use his words against him? Who the hell knows? Coaches are coaches and are entitled to their space on the court so he absolutely has the right to keep his mouth shut. But when it seems that every other coach is willing to field a question or two on the floor, I just wonder why he chooses not too.

Now I'm sure someone, somewhere has mentioned this before, but I've neither read it nor heard it. So, my question to you is, do you know why this is or have an idea? We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject so feel free to comment. Calm down Doug, we'll get to the bottom of this.

March 14 Bracket (Bubbles Bursting Everywhere)

1. UNC, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas
2. Duke, Tennessee, Texas, Georgetown
3. Xavier, Stanford, Louisville, Wisconsin
4. Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Butler, Marquete
5. Purdue, Mississippi State, Drake, Uconn
6. Washington St, USC, Clemson, Pitt
7. Miami, Michigan State, Indiana, BYU
8. Kansas State, Gonzaga, Oklahoma, UNLV
9. Baylor, WVU, Saint Mary’s, Arkansas
10. Texas A&M, New Mexico, Kentucky, South Alabama
11. Davidson, Western Kentucky, Illinois State, Ohio State
12. Kent St, Temple, Arizona, St. Joes
13. San Diego, George Mason, Utah State, Winthrop
14. Oral Roberts, Cornell, Siena, California Santa Barbara
15. UMBC, American, Belmont, Austin Peay
16. Lamar, Morgan St, Mt. Saint Mary’s, Portland St, Alabama St.

Holding on by a Thread
Temple, Kentucky, Arizona, Ohio State, Texas A&M, New Mexico, South Alabama, St. Joes

On the Respirator
Florida, Rhode Island, UAB, Houston, Syracuse, Southern Illinois, Dayton, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Villanova, Umass, Charlotte, Ole Miss, Arizona State

Sunday March 9th Bracket Projection

1. UNC, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas
2. Duke, Tennessee, Texas, Georgetown
3. Notre Dame, Stanford, Louisville, Wisconsin
4. Xavier, Vanderbilt, Butler, UConn
5. Purdue, Mississippi State, Drake, Marquette
6. Washington St, BYU, Clemson, Gonzaga
7. Baylor, Michigan State, Indiana, USC
8. St Mary’s, Pitt, Oklahoma, UNLV
9. Miami, WVU, Kansas State, Arkansas
10. Texas A&M, New Mexico, Illinois St, South Alabama
11. Davidson, UMASS, Kentucky, Ohio State
12. Kent St, Syracuse, Arizona, Arizona State
13. Ole Miss, George Mason, Utah State, Winthrop
14. Oral Roberts, Cornell, Rider, California Santa Barbara
15. UMBC, American, Belmont, Austin Peay
16. Lamar, Morgan St, Sacred Heart, Portland St, Alabama St.

Holding on by a Thread
Syracuse, Kentucky, Arizona State, Arizona, Ohio State, Texas A&M, New Mexico, UMass, Ole Miss

On the Respirator
St Joes, Florida, Rhode Island, Western Kentucky, UAB, Houston, Temple, Southern Illinois, Dayton, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Villanova

Ticket Punched
Cornell
Winthrop
Austin Peay
Drake
Belmont

Big Time, Big Impact, Pre Conference Tournament-Warm up Games

Ok serious question, who do you think is more scared at the moment, this dog or some of the teams playing this weekend? I know it's stupid but I thought this picture was perfect when trying to describe how some of the teams on the bubble feel right now. Back to the question, if we had to guess we would probably say some of the teams playing this weekend are more afraid. Think about it, if this chair were to break, at least the dog has a shot at survival. Now when compared to this weeks remaining games, if those teams that are on the bubble crumble, they will not only lose all chance of survival in this densley populated bubble watch but will also have to resort to kicking and squealing come conference tournament time.

There are only a few games this weekend that we feel could have a big impact on the NCAA Tournament. That was obviously a joke, we count about 58 games or so that could, make or break some teams come a week from Sunday. We also thought, just incase you arent doing anything but watching college ball the rest of the week and this weekend, here is a list of the major impact games to come.

Thursday

UConn vs. Providence 7:00 Arizona St. vs. Oregon 8:30
Michigan St. vs. Illinois 9:00 Xavier vs. St Joes 9:00
Cal vs. USC 10:30 Stanford vs. UCLA 11:00

Friday

Bradley vs. Creighton 3:35
Northern Iowa vs. Southern Illinois 9:35

Saturday

WVU vs. St. Johns 12:00 Miami vs. FSU 12:00
Louisville vs. Georgetown 12:00 UAB vs. Memphis 1:00
Baylor vs. Texas Tech 1:30 St Joes vs. Dayton 2:00
Stanford vs. USC 2:00 Vanderbilt vs. Alabama 2:00
Missouri vs. Oklahoma 3:30 Wisconsin vs. Northwestern 3:30
Cal vs. UCLA 3:30 LSU vs. Mississippi St. 4:00
Marquette vs. Syracuse 4:00 Kansas vs. Texas AM 4:00
Temple vs. LaSalle 4:00 Utah vs. UNLV 4:00
Ole Miss vs. Georgia 4:00 Kansas St. vs. Iowa St. 4:00
Cincinnati vs. UConn 4:00 New Mexico vs. Colorado St. 5:30
Arizona St. vs. Oregon St 5:30 Auburn vs. Arkansas 6:00
Notre Dame vs. South Florida 7:00 UMass vs GW 7:30
BYU vs. TCU 8:00 UNC vs. Duke 9:00
Houston vs. UTEP 9:35 Arizona vs. Oregon 10:30

Sunday

Florida vs. Kentucky 12:00 Depaul vs. Pitt 12:00
Michigan St. vs. Ohio St. 12:00 Virginia Tech vs. Clemson 1:30
South Carolina vs. Tennessee 2:00 Purdue vs. Michigan 4:00
Oklahoma St. vs. Texas 4:00 Kent St. vs. Akron 6:00
Maryland vs. Virginia 7:30

Now all you need is a TV guide, a big ass satelite, some food, and a few kegs on ice, and your weekend is set. Have fun.

March 2, 2008 Bracket Projection

1. UNC, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas

2. Duke, Tennessee, Stanford, Louisville
3. Vanderbilt, Texas, Xavier, Georgetown
4. Wisconsin, Michigan St, UConn, Notre Dame
5. Purdue, Butler, Indiana, Marquette
6. Washington St, BYU, Drake, Mississippi St
7. Baylor, UNLV, Gonzaga, Clemson
8. St Mary’s, Pitt, Oklahoma, Miami
9. USC, Arizona, South Alabama, Arkansas
10. WVU, New Mexico, Illinois St, Maryland
11. Davidson, Arizona St, UAB, Kansas St
12. Texas A&M, UMass, Kent St, Ohio St
13. Virginia Tech, VCU, Boise St, Oral Roberts
14. NC Ashville, Cornell, Rider, Cal St Northridge
15. UMBC, American, Belmont, Robert Morris
16. Lamar, Morgan St, Austin Peay, Portland St, Alabama, St.

Holding on by a Thread
Texas A&M, Arkansas, Kansas St, Kent St, Arizona St, USC, UMass, Maryland, Miami, WVU, Illinois St, Ohio St, New Mexico, Virginia Tech

On the Respirator
St Joes, Syracuse, Florida, Rhode Island, Western Kentucky, Ole Miss, Houston, Temple, Southern Illinois, Kentucky, Winthrop, Villanova

Ticket Punched

Cornell

Points Anyone?

This week has been the week of individual performances. You have 1 player score more then 50-points in a single game, 3 more score over 40-points in a game, and a couple more have 30+ scoring games. To me it is truly amazing to see a college basketball player score more then 30-points in a game, first off the games are only 40 minutes, and secondly 5 fouls and you’re out of the game. Amazing to see such good individual performances this week, especially since March Madness has officially begun. Below are my top 6 individual performances of the week.

Jack McClinton – A Junior from the University of Miami had a tremendous game this weekend. This guy went off from 3-point land in the second half, at one point he scored 14 straight points in the second half as Miami held off pesky Virginia. McClinton finished the game 7-12 from 3-point land and finished with a career high 34 points.

Sean Singletary – A Senior from University of Virginia (who is good friends with Jack McClinton). He said anything you can do I can do better! Talk about an individual performance this guy single handedly kept his team in the game, as he went off for a career 41 points in the 2-point loss at Miami.

Michael Beasley – Need I say more about this young diaper dandy, a bit of a whiner at times, Beasley for sure has lived up to his hype coming into College. The man child averages 26 points and 13 rebounds a game (not to shabby). Playing in a huge game at the University of Kansas, he was a one man team scoring 39 points and adding 11 rebounds in the loss at Kansas.

Robert Vaden – A junior guard from UAB caught fire in this weeks game against Texas El Paso. Finishing 9-12 from 3pt land and recording a remarkable 41 points. Not to mention his next game out yesterday continued with his hot hand scoring 30 points on 7-15 shooting, and a cool calm and collective 11-11 from the charity stripe.

Robert McKiver – A senior from University of Houston took 34 shot (yes your reading that correctly 34!!) The crazy part is he hit 17 of them, and 7 of those were from downtown. Pair that with a nice 11-12 from the foul line, and you get a grand total of 52 points. That’s good enough for the highest individual point total on the year. Congrats ROB!

Tyrese Rice – Boston College guard takes the cake for best performance in a game. I was lucky, and yes I got to watch this entire game, and I must add that in the first half Tyrese Rice on his own was killing the Tarheels. He went off for 34 points in the first half knocking down 8 three pointers in the first 20 minutes. The Eagles ended up losing the game, but that’s not before Rice finished with 46 a career high. His previous career high was 32 points which he took care of in the first half alone.