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Sunday, March 30, 2008

Why dont I trust my instincts?

The Final Four is set, with all four 1 seeds making it for the first time since the field expanded to 64 teams. Although, if Stephen Curry hadnt picked up his dribble with 2 seconds left, we may be witnessing the second double digit seed in the final four in 3 years.

As I looked over the bracket two weeks ago, one thing that stood out to me was the strength of the 1-3 seeds compared to the rest of the field. Obviously, these are always the best team, but as the Nike Sparq commercial says, My better is better than your better. That was never more true than this year. I looked over the bracket and tried to decide who the surprise teams would be, and I got it right. I had Davidson in the Sweet 16. I didnt have the guts to have them beating Wisconsin, even though I really felt they would. Other than Davidson, the 7 teams in the Elite 8 were 1, 2 or 3 seeds. None of this weekends games were even close, until the Kansas-Davidson game.

Now, let me make my point...

I looked over the bracket and thought, "There is a real chance all 1 seeds will be in the final four." Of course, when I actually filled out the bracket, I talked myself into thinking DJ Augustin and Texas could handle Derrick Rose and Memphis. This did not happen, as evidenced by Rose's 21 points and 9 assists. So, I have 3 of 4 teams in the final four and have no chance at winning the office pool.

I am still going to stick with UNC as my winner. Tyler Hansbrough will singlehandedly carry them if he has to. It was a small miracle to hear Jay Bilas (a duke grad and coach k call girl) talk about how he had never seen someone as competitive as Hansbrough, even the great Michael Jordan. As much as I would like to see Kansas win it, even though Bill Self is an overrated coach more on this later, so the rebels will have lost to the eventual champ, I dont think they can handle Ty Lawson and Psycho T.

More on Bill Self...

Did anyone see that "play" he called with 30 seconds left coming out of the timeout? I think it was called, dribble around and try to get in the lane. There wasnt even a ball screen!!!! And people wonder why it took him 6 years to take Kansas to the final four. He almost got beat by a guy that looks like a middle schooler and a white guy who doesnt look much older. Neither of these guys were taller than 6 feet. It is realistic that all 5 Kansas starters will be on an NBA roster next season, 6 if you include Sasha Kaun. I think I cold take a roster like that to the Final Four.

Now, for the other side of the draw...

Memphis and UCLA showdown in a battle of the freshman. I dont know if I am ready to make a pick on this one. All I can hope for is that Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas are not calling that game. I think Jay Bilas is going to be kicked out of the Duke Media club because of the way he drooled over Kevin Love. Even Dick Enberg, who only did 2 of 4 opening day games because they couldnt prop him up that long, got excited about this kid. I think I even heard them talking about the way he shaves his sideburns :) HOW DOES HE DO IT?!?!? THEY ARE PERFECT...AND HE IS ONLY A FRESHMAN!!!!

Derrick Rose is my favorite of this years freshman class. Because of that, I will pick Memphis. They have dominated the last two games, while UCLA has not been able to play a complete game. That means there will be a UNC-Memphis final, which I called at the beginning of the year. The only change is that I picked Memphis to win. I think their free throw shooting will let them down, letting Roy and Psycho T cut down the nets in San Antonio.

3 comments:

Alec and Tiffany said...

Nice call on the UNC/Mempyis championship. I think I heard you call that a while back. I've got UNC winning in my bracket. I didn't want them to but as I went through the bracket I couldn't see anybody taking them. However...

After watching the Memphis' schalacking of each and every team I predict them to win. The Texas game looked like the Celtics against Wyoming...it was a Dunkfest. I was amused, not because it was a good game, but becuase of the amazing dunks and embarassment thrown down on Texas.

Trent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Keith A. Runyon said...

Hey Einstein,

It's spelled: Shellacking...as in "a drubbing." Like those that UNLV put on BYU (twice) this year.

It's true. Look it up.