The slate of games Friday seemed like the hangover most of us suffer on the weekends, nothing compared to the day we had before and just sort of boring. Saturday was another great day of basketball that brought us some new heroes, and new Cinderellas.
In one of my brackets, I went with Richmond over Villanova because I felt the Cats had peaked mid-way through the season and I never thought Jay Wright's prized recruiting class really fit in with the old guns of Corey Fisher, Scottie Reynolds, and Reggie Redding. Well, I was wrong about Richmond but right about Nova riding off into the sunset in the second round. For how good Reynolds played last season in the tournament, he looked like the fifth man off the bench for both games. Despite having 15 against Bob Morris, almost all of that was earned at the line.
The St. Mary Gaels proved that there was another good WCC team other than Gonzaga led by their big man Omar Samhan. He dropped 32 in the second round game and looked like a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the tournament. He impressed me with his multiple post moves, and the energy he brings to the game on the offensive and defensive. I wouldn't doubt them against Baylor next weekend.
The St. Mary's-Nova game was the beginning of an awesome day of basketball when the Panthers of Northern Iowa pulled off the mammoth upset against Kansas. We were cleaning the tornado that was our house when the first half was happening. My buddy Eric informed me UNI was up early and I shrugged it off because I knew Kansas seemingly played down to their opponents then find a way to turn it on leading them to victory. The utter opposite happened as the Panthers continued their dominance over the Jayhawks. Ali Farokhmanesh displayed the biggest set of grapefruits as Vince McMahon once said hitting that three from the corner up 1, plenty of time on shot clock, late in the game... I screamed what was he doing and went nuts after he made the shot. I am not doubting the Panthers couldn't go further than Sweet 16, they seem poised, calm, and that belief they can beat anyone.
A lot like Nova, none of their primetime players showed up when it mattered the most. Sheron Collins was less than steller, Xavier Henry did nothing from the outside, and Cole Aldrich played okay but none of the great Kansas players tried to be the man. Can we agree that Bill Self might be a choke come tournament time? Yes, I understand he won a national championship two years ago, but defeats to Bucknell, Bradley, and UNI speak volumes to me personally. I regret even thinking, pondering that this team could have been as good as 2005 North Carolina... not even close.
Final observation of Saturday is Kentucky overall play. I understand they have beat two scrubs in Wake Forest, and East Tennessee State yet who expects Darius Miller to have the best game of the day? I will be honest with you, I never heard of Miller on UK come Saturday night. He dropped 20 in the first half leading them to victory. The three-headed monster inside of Daniel Orton-Patrick Patterson-DeMarcus Cousins is unlike anything in the tournament. I wish I took the Wildcats further but I believed their youth would get in the way of making a deep run. It's too early to compare them to the Fab Five of Michigan or even mention them together because the FF never had a guy like Patterson who has a ton of experience. I am starting to believe there isn't a team who can stop the Wildcats.
-Charlie.
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Showing posts with label Kansas Jayhawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kansas Jayhawks. Show all posts
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Midwest Bracket Picks...
So here we go, I will give the picks for the first weekend for the Midwest, West, East, and South. At the end of the South picks, I will give you my final four without really any explanation. So here we gooooo....
Oklahoma City (Thursday/Saturday)
1. Kansas vs. 16. Lehigh- This deserves a big Child Please. This game will not even be close. KU 91-57
8. UNLV vs. 9. Northern Iowa- Usually the 8-9 games tend to be the best we will see on the weekend and this one will be a battle of contrasting styles. I saw UNI play last year versus Marquette and the Golden Eagles exposed their slow down style of basketball pretty easily. Tre'Von Mills will be the difference in this one for the Runnin' Rebels. UNLV 72-64
1. Kansas vs. 8. UNLV- The Runnin' Rebs have been known to pull off the upset in the second round (Badgers fans all drive their heads through the wall) but there is little chance that they give the Jayhawks a run for their money, Sheron Collins and Cole Aldrich too tough. KU 78-63
Spokane (Friday/Sunday)
5. Michigan State vs. 12 New Mexico St.- The Spartans haven't been playing well as of late but I think they overseeded an Aggie team who really only beat Utah State in the final game, feels like Murray State belonged here instead, Sparty should roll. MSU 84-65
4. Maryland vs. 13. Houston- I think this game is very interesting and no one seems to be talking about it. The Cougars have an experienced coach and the nation's leading scorer Aubrey Coleman. I think they give the Terps a run for thier money but Greivis Vasquez and company is too much to handle. MARY 78-71
4. Maryland vs. 5. Michigan State- Tough game to pick, two very good teams, and experienced coaching staffs. It's hard to pick against Sparty in the postseason but their late season swoon worries me. Maryland has won the last 9 of 11 and Vasquez can take over a game at any moment. MARY 69-66
Providence (Thursday/Saturday)
6. Tennessee vs. 11. San Diego State- A tough game with many people liking the Aztecs in an upset. The Vols always seem to be a threat to make run with Bruce Pearl at the helm, but their depth worries me. Aztecs did win the Mountain West Conference Tournament and have had a great last two months. I think their size will wear down the Vols. SDSU 69-62
3. Georgetown vs. 14. Ohio- The Bobcats got in after being a hot run in the MAC and the Hoyas seeding improvement from a hot run as well. I don't trust the Hoyas that much, some days they look like world beaters and other days they look like a bottom-feeder. Still doesn't mean they won't win. GTOWN 73-61
3. Georgetown vs. 11. San Diego State- The Hoya Paranoia will be back in the Sweet 16, the Aztecs I don't think have enough to keep up with the speed and size of Georgetown. GTOWN 71-62
Milwaukee
7. Oklahoma State vs. 10. Georgia Tech- This game has the opportunity to be interesting but I feel it will be somewhat of a dud. The reason? The Yellow Jacket guard play is woeful and they turn the ball over more than a lower level City Conference team. Also the Cowboys have a great guard in James Anderson. OSU 75-62
2. Ohio State vs. 15. UC Santa Barbara- The Villian first game in the tournament, it shouldn't be too difficult. Ted is going to try to shake Titus' hand... we can only hope that happens.
2. Ohio State vs. 7. Oklahoma State- I am taking the Buckeyes to the Final Four but this game worries me so much. Anderson could carry the Cowboys deep in the tournament but I think the starting five of the Buckeyes will power them through it. OSU 72-68
on to the West...
Oklahoma City (Thursday/Saturday)
1. Kansas vs. 16. Lehigh- This deserves a big Child Please. This game will not even be close. KU 91-57
8. UNLV vs. 9. Northern Iowa- Usually the 8-9 games tend to be the best we will see on the weekend and this one will be a battle of contrasting styles. I saw UNI play last year versus Marquette and the Golden Eagles exposed their slow down style of basketball pretty easily. Tre'Von Mills will be the difference in this one for the Runnin' Rebels. UNLV 72-64
1. Kansas vs. 8. UNLV- The Runnin' Rebs have been known to pull off the upset in the second round (Badgers fans all drive their heads through the wall) but there is little chance that they give the Jayhawks a run for their money, Sheron Collins and Cole Aldrich too tough. KU 78-63
Spokane (Friday/Sunday)
5. Michigan State vs. 12 New Mexico St.- The Spartans haven't been playing well as of late but I think they overseeded an Aggie team who really only beat Utah State in the final game, feels like Murray State belonged here instead, Sparty should roll. MSU 84-65
4. Maryland vs. 13. Houston- I think this game is very interesting and no one seems to be talking about it. The Cougars have an experienced coach and the nation's leading scorer Aubrey Coleman. I think they give the Terps a run for thier money but Greivis Vasquez and company is too much to handle. MARY 78-71
4. Maryland vs. 5. Michigan State- Tough game to pick, two very good teams, and experienced coaching staffs. It's hard to pick against Sparty in the postseason but their late season swoon worries me. Maryland has won the last 9 of 11 and Vasquez can take over a game at any moment. MARY 69-66
Providence (Thursday/Saturday)
6. Tennessee vs. 11. San Diego State- A tough game with many people liking the Aztecs in an upset. The Vols always seem to be a threat to make run with Bruce Pearl at the helm, but their depth worries me. Aztecs did win the Mountain West Conference Tournament and have had a great last two months. I think their size will wear down the Vols. SDSU 69-62
3. Georgetown vs. 14. Ohio- The Bobcats got in after being a hot run in the MAC and the Hoyas seeding improvement from a hot run as well. I don't trust the Hoyas that much, some days they look like world beaters and other days they look like a bottom-feeder. Still doesn't mean they won't win. GTOWN 73-61
3. Georgetown vs. 11. San Diego State- The Hoya Paranoia will be back in the Sweet 16, the Aztecs I don't think have enough to keep up with the speed and size of Georgetown. GTOWN 71-62
Milwaukee
7. Oklahoma State vs. 10. Georgia Tech- This game has the opportunity to be interesting but I feel it will be somewhat of a dud. The reason? The Yellow Jacket guard play is woeful and they turn the ball over more than a lower level City Conference team. Also the Cowboys have a great guard in James Anderson. OSU 75-62
2. Ohio State vs. 15. UC Santa Barbara- The Villian first game in the tournament, it shouldn't be too difficult. Ted is going to try to shake Titus' hand... we can only hope that happens.
2. Ohio State vs. 7. Oklahoma State- I am taking the Buckeyes to the Final Four but this game worries me so much. Anderson could carry the Cowboys deep in the tournament but I think the starting five of the Buckeyes will power them through it. OSU 72-68
on to the West...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Is Kansas on 05 Carolina Level?
I personally feel like we are seeing something special right now in college basketball right now. Something that only comes around every couple years, a team that is just too damn good for anyone to beat. I believe that team is the Kansas Jayhawks.
I think the Jayhawks are a special team this year because they have the combination of what it takes to win a championship in one team. They have the seniors, the big men, the deep bench, hit free throws, shoot three pointers and a great point guard. I cannot find one flaw in the Jayhawks' game and if you can, please comment on the post below.
The first big reason why I think the Jayhawks are that good is point guard Sheron Collins. He is an absolute stud for Kansas and your classic example of the stubby point guard who will not probably play in the NBA (see Khalid El-Ahim, Trajan Langdon, or Levance Fields). The other thing Collins does so well if he is very clutch and lives in the big moment every time the game is close.
Another reason why is Cole Aldrich is not your typical white guy in the middle. He can bang with anyone in the league and he can run the court with any team. Yes, even Kentucky. There are not many teams that could compete with Aldrich in the middle. He presents a challenge for any team in America and also I think he needs to find a replacement for his tooth because that shit is getting ridiculous.
The bench is probably the biggest reason why I think they might be on that Carolina level. If you remember, the Tar Heels that year had probably the deepest team since the early 2000s Duke teams. You have guys like Xavier Henry, the Morris brothers, Tyshawn Taylor (screw him too, could be a Golden Eagle right now starting but whatever), Brady Morningstar, and Tyrel Reed. They all could probably put up 10 a game for most teams in Division 1 basketball right now.
Finally, looking at Kansas' bracket right now according to bracketologist Joe Lunardi they probably face Michigan State in the Sweet 16 right now and if you listen to resident Spartan fan, Eric he would tell you this will be a blow out for the Jayhawks. I think they play Vanderbilt in the Elite Eight and A.J. Oglivy would be a problem with Aldrich plus they can shoot threes, that would be a problem. I have no idea who they see in the Final Four or National Championship maybe Kentucky who obviously provides problems with the inside presence of DeMarcus Cousins plus John Wall, nothing else needs to be said.
Kansas isn't my pick to win it all because a lot could happened in the coming weeks so who knows who my pick will be for the National Championship starting in March 18th
-Charlie.
I think the Jayhawks are a special team this year because they have the combination of what it takes to win a championship in one team. They have the seniors, the big men, the deep bench, hit free throws, shoot three pointers and a great point guard. I cannot find one flaw in the Jayhawks' game and if you can, please comment on the post below.
The first big reason why I think the Jayhawks are that good is point guard Sheron Collins. He is an absolute stud for Kansas and your classic example of the stubby point guard who will not probably play in the NBA (see Khalid El-Ahim, Trajan Langdon, or Levance Fields). The other thing Collins does so well if he is very clutch and lives in the big moment every time the game is close.
Another reason why is Cole Aldrich is not your typical white guy in the middle. He can bang with anyone in the league and he can run the court with any team. Yes, even Kentucky. There are not many teams that could compete with Aldrich in the middle. He presents a challenge for any team in America and also I think he needs to find a replacement for his tooth because that shit is getting ridiculous.
The bench is probably the biggest reason why I think they might be on that Carolina level. If you remember, the Tar Heels that year had probably the deepest team since the early 2000s Duke teams. You have guys like Xavier Henry, the Morris brothers, Tyshawn Taylor (screw him too, could be a Golden Eagle right now starting but whatever), Brady Morningstar, and Tyrel Reed. They all could probably put up 10 a game for most teams in Division 1 basketball right now.
Finally, looking at Kansas' bracket right now according to bracketologist Joe Lunardi they probably face Michigan State in the Sweet 16 right now and if you listen to resident Spartan fan, Eric he would tell you this will be a blow out for the Jayhawks. I think they play Vanderbilt in the Elite Eight and A.J. Oglivy would be a problem with Aldrich plus they can shoot threes, that would be a problem. I have no idea who they see in the Final Four or National Championship maybe Kentucky who obviously provides problems with the inside presence of DeMarcus Cousins plus John Wall, nothing else needs to be said.
Kansas isn't my pick to win it all because a lot could happened in the coming weeks so who knows who my pick will be for the National Championship starting in March 18th
-Charlie.
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