Final Four Picks

I had to make sure I got my picks in and surprised that I am even writing to you as I am pulling it out while hungover. I will put it to you this way, I met a guy from Djibouti which was something on my bucket lists of things to do.

Butler vs. Michigan State- People including myself have called the Bulldogs the "real life Hoosiers" and now the question is can they carry this run into the final game?  I feel they aren't scared of anyone especially after knocking off Syracuse/Kansas State.  Gordan Hayward could be a mismatch disaster for the Spartans as they really don't have a player his size to compete with. Also Matt Howard's foul trouble problems probably will not be as much of worry with the Spartans due to the lack of size of their big men. Now for Michigan State I feel they have that same sort of never scared attitude because they know they can win without Kalin Lucas. Korie Lucious played fantastic in last year's Final Four and he played a great tournament so far. Also do not sleep on Durrell Summers because he hits key shots and always seems to have the ball at the end of the game.  I haven't picked Butler the entire year, and I want them to win tonight although I do not think they enough... so I will continue to doubt them.  MSU 65-60

West Virginia vs. Duke- Some people in the media think that this should be the National Championship game and people have pointed out the inabilities of the Dukies against Big East teams (lost the last four times they have seen Big East opponents in the tourney, they have lost).  I think Nolan Smith is the key individual in this game because the only guy that can guard him is Joe Mazzulla and if he gets in foul trouble, the Mountaineers are in trouble with Smith.  The Mountaineers have the ability inside to beat Duke which I do not think I could say about a lot of the teams they faced. The one thing that should concern Blue Devil fans is Da'Sean Butler's big time moments.  I do not think Duke has that guy who can make take over the game, but I think the overall depth of Duke pulls them to victories late in the game.  I could see this game going down to the wire and somebody making the difference. I am going with Jon Scheyer hitting a big three with under twenty seconds. DUKE 75-73 

The Mountaineers Conquer... and the Wildcats Falter

I realize that I am a couple days late but consider this your Monday reaction for the Elite Eight games or even just a post about the team.  Anyways, here we go with the East regional featuring the only game with a one and a two seed. 

West Virginia did the one thing that they weren't able to do all year on Saturday and that was hitting threes like nobody's business.  Da'Sean Butler kept them in the game by raining threes in the first half and the Mountaineers needed the three point basket to keep them in the game against Kentucky.  If West Virginia doesn't hit three pointers in the first half, they get blown out and we are talking about this pseudo-rivalry of Kentucky-Duke.

A quick note about Kentucky, I had them losing in the Elite Eight even though they had the most talent in the field of 65, why you ask?  Simple, John Calipari's teams seem to never be able to seal the deal.  He has never won a National Championship, only got to the Final Four twice.  I really believe the fact Calipari preaches the "one and done" system and encourages kids to leave after a year (if you think I'm crazy look at an interview he did with Dan Patrick, where he said he would be in a fight with John Wall if he decided to stay).  It ruins chemistry, and despite having some great players like Wall/DeMarcus Cousins/Derrick Rose/Marcus Camby/Tyreke Evans it hasn't resulted in a National Championship.

I will admit something to you, I hated... deeply hated Bob Huggins at Cincinnati because he seemed like an asshole and he rolled out a bunch of guys who belonged in community college with their smarts, yet they dominated Marquette for years.  Now my mind has changed on Huggins, I mean he has the 'Bobby Knight' fire that is missing somewhat from college basketball and he truly seems to care about his players. I like the idea that he is back coaching at his alma mater even though it was a snake move to bounce from Kansas State.  I think these guys get Huggy Bear and that might be reason why they will be able to beat Duke. 

Last thoughts on the Mountaineers, I hate the idea of bringing back Truck Bryant for the Final Four. I understand the addition of Bryant would help them for depth reasons and probably not give them the situation of the semi-collapse late on Saturday. But will he be able to keep up with Nolan Smith among others?  I don't think so even with a cool new shoe that protects his foot, I think he will be slow and it might hinder the Mountaineers' chances. 

-Charlie.

Sunday Observations: Love Lucious, Hate for Kramer, and a Perfect Final Four

Welcome back to the observations, I could not do it yesterday because I went on a complete Badger tangent that people decided was worthwhile enough to comment on.  Thanks for the criticism, I love it and use it, but comment on other things that are less controversal!  Call me out on my BS again if you would like, I would try to defend it!

I watched the finish of the Maryland-Michigan State game with B-Squared and honestly, we both were pulling hard for the Maryland Terps.  First, I wanted to help save my bracket and second,  to not give Eric the joy of seeing Tom Izzo in another Sweet 16.  Grevis Vasquez, I realize most of you hate him but seriously, you have to give the guy credit for leading this amazing comeback in the last two minutes.  Then Korie Lucious, pride and joy of Milwaukee, Wisconsin took the final shot and I wanted him so bad to make the final shot. It's pretty cool seeing a guy who played the same year that you graduate and knew all about his ballyhooed career starting in his freshman year of high school. I thought it was a great moment and hope that Lucious can lead his team far without Kalin Lucus. 

I know Badger fans that we disagree on many things, but can we agree that Chris Kramer of Purdue is the biggest tool this side of the Mississippi?  There are so many reasons why I hate this guy... first of all, he doesn't look like a basketball player rather a country-club kid who found a basketball court. Second of all, the way he carries himself bothers me probably the most, which I agree is somewhat weird since I usually love the cocky pricks on the court yet he seems to be worst than most.  Third, he gels his hair, there should be a rule that no player non-foreign should ever gel their hair on the basketball court, it's not needed.  Finally, the reason for the rant is he nailed the game-winner against Texas A&M knocking out another Sweet 16 team.

Finally I am close to last in both of my brackets BUT I have the entire Final Four correct so far and all of them looked damn good on Sunday. Syracuse (my champion) is showing why their 2-3 zone may break the balls of every team they play and if they rain threes like Sunday... rut roh.  Ohio State just doing work in two games, nothing more nothing less.  West Virginia is excelling from the play of Da'Sean Bulter who had 30 on Sunday keep winning too.  The last team is the team no one is talking about... Duke. Brian Zoubek is a beast inside now and the Big 3 is hard to contain.

-Charlie.

East Bracket Picks

Well we are half-way there and I am making a bunch of chalk picks. I am sorry this isn't usually my style but seriously, it appears to be a year where there are chances for upsets all over the place.  Yet everyone has a reason that would say that will not happened. I am telling you there is a part of me that wants to put OSU-SYR-WVA-BAY but I cannot convince myself to do it.  

New Orleans
1. Kentucky vs. 16. East Tennessee St.- I just hope John Wall does his dance and a 360.  UK 89-61 

8. Texas vs. 9. Wake Forest- Both teams struggled down the stretch and we all remember that Texas was number one in the nation at one point of the season.  The difference is Wake has been playing awful in the last three weeks which spells bad news.  TEXAS 78-72 

Jacksonville
5. Temple vs. 12. Cornell- This game I have trouble deciding on because I like the sexy pick of the Bears and alma mater of Andy Bernard, yet Temple has been damn impressive all year.  I think Jay Bilas may have jixed their chances, but I will take the Ivy league bunch.  CORN  59-55

4. Wisconsin vs. 13 Wofford- Would someone tell me why Wofford got a 13 seed?  Anyways the Buzzcuts will take care of business in a big way.  UW 67-51 

4. Wisconsin vs. 12. Cornell- A battle of the white guys! This game will bring us back to the sixties and maybe a clan rally will break out as well.  I cannot see Wisconsin dropping this game, I think they will only get better as Jon Leuer continues to get healthy.  UW 69-58 

San Jose
6. Marquette vs. 11. Washington- This game scares me more than if MU were to advance and I haven't picked a single MU game this year so I am worried this will jinx them. But I think Marquette will be able to hold them defensively on the perimeter better than the Huskies will.  MU 82-71 

3. New Mexico vs. 14. Montana- I haven't see either team this year, I have some friends who are from New Mexico and tell me that they can rain the three. They are coached by Steve Alford and I wish he would bring back that Tank Top from the 1988 NBA Draft.  NM 82-61

6. Marquette vs. 3. New Mexico- Another game that features two teams who run up and down the court and the Golden Eagles I believe still have a chip on their shoulder about the whole season. I think Lazar Hayward will be able to get the Warriors in their first sweet 16 since 2003.  MU 77-73

Buffalo
7. Clemson vs. 10. Missouri- This could be a complete up and down type of game that will be very exciting. I am going straight off conference bias to make this selection. I like the fact the Tigers play in the Big 12 and they can frustrate the Tigers.  MIZZOU 85-77

2. West Virginia vs. 15. Morgan State- The Bears are coached by Todd Bozeman who once got booted from the NCAA for Kelvin Sampson like practices... thats all, they will lose.  WVA  89-64

2. West Virginia vs. 10 Missouri- Never sleep on the Tigers, their pressing style makes things tough for any team but the Mountaineers have that killer instict that not many teams have this year. I think Da'Shan Butler might be the best late game player, the Mountaineers pull away late.  WVA 84-76 

-Charlie.

Throwing Water Bottles is a New College Sport

Once upon a time, I was a super fan for a team.  Granted, it was only a high school experience but I still had a blast in the stands cheering on my basketball team plus I knew they appreciated my support.  I did some things that I probably regret but I never threw anything on to the court like West Virginia, a couple weeks ago and Mississippi State did today.

First of all, I feel bad for anyone who cheers on the Mountaineers and Bulldogs if they are students, alumni, or just overall fans.  Because not everyone in the stands is throwing shit onto the courts, rather it's a few drunken individuals who had a few too many drinks. In addition, a fan who cares way too much like the kid I saw playing World of Warcraft for three straight hours. A message to him and the over-the-top fans, get a life.  Look, WoW and college basketball doesn't matter that much. 

The other thing that is sad about this whole thing is both of these states (West Virginia/Mississippi) are not regarded as "classy states" in the first place.  How many jokes about how dumb the people of West Virginia and Mississippi are? (Not saying that people from those states are but if you look up dumb states jokes, they are near the top of the list)  No matter if you are a Marshall fan or an Ole Miss fan, it's still an embarrassment to the whole state that something like this had to happen.

Also, I know the refs aren't the greatest.  Trust me, I have seen Marquette get screwed over by the bigger team like a Syracuse or UConn but that doesn't give any fan the right to litter the court with water bottles. Bitter rivalries sometimes start fights, but most fans just get jacked up from what happened and now want to kick their asses even more.

I hate to say this but I believe the NCAA should make a rule if this happens once that the students are banned for a game and if happens again, they are banned for the year.  For the most part, I feel the alumni and other fans do not start this sort of shit, it is usually the drunken student body. In addition, I have no problems with the fans going drunk to the game, just not to level where you feel it's okay to throw things. I hope some action from the NCAA comes from this entire melee.

-Charlie.