March Madness Extravaganza Part One

Sorry for the delay in positng. I went bowling with Pac-Man Jones and had to lay low for awhile. Today we bring to you the first of a four part series on the spring extrvaganza known affectionatley as "The Tourney." Alright, for my final four I'm gonna pick Duke, Kentucky, Indiana, and UConn... Wait a minute, maybe I haven't paid that close attention to this season. Is Ron Mercer not leading a talented pack of Sophmores at Kentucky??? So for those of you who just saw the above picks and called your bookies (and in no way do we condone sports betting) this series of articles, is for you. The first thing we will tackle is the opening round.

We open with the Midwest.

Florida vs. Jackson State

LH: Gonna go out on a limb and pick Florida here. Tough call though, with Trey Johnson, the nation's 2nd leading scorer going for Jackson State, it makes this game interesting.
JJ: I concure. Defending champs. And a 1 has never beaten a 16; it's science.
LH: Quick note on Jackson State gaurd Charlie White. He was arrested on weapons charges earlyier in the year. That forced a 5' 6" man to replace him. Need I say more.


Zona vs. Purdue

JJ: As I am a good personal friend of Jet Terry's, he assures me this is Zona's year. With guys like Mustafa Shakur and Ivan Radenovic they have to be tough, I mean Tupac's brother and a Russian.
LH: Redenovic is the key to the game. Purdue's big man is barley taller than me (although I am a rather lanky gentleman). Plus, I think Chase Buddinger is the best white guy in this region. (Even better than half of Joakim Noah.)
JJ: Yeah, that half showed itself in the form of interpretive white guy dance.
LH: I will always go with the team who's head coach is named after a musical instrument. That's just a smart pick.

Butler vs. Old Dominion (A toss up)

LH: The beauty of the NCAA Tournament; picking games invloving two teams you know nothing about.
JJ: Yes, all I know about Butler is they upset Kansas a couple years back. Now they are a 5 seed, and that they have a +10.8 scoring margin. This is the dreaded 5/12 matchup though.
LH: Yeah I'm gonna go with OD on this one. Butler has problems offensivley if Graves, their 2 gaurd, doesn't have his stroke working. OD's Brandon Johnson has some size on Graves and is a hard-nose defender. I think Dominion is more balnced offensivley and they have a Russian power foward with the intials V.V.
JJ: Don't forget the back-up center. In the words of ESPN, he is an "Australian giant who intimidates in the lane and scores only on put-backs."

Maryland vs. Davidson

JJ: Hailing from the ACC, home to some of the best teams in the country, Maryland showed they could hang. Vetran leadership, found in 3 seniors, and 2 juniors is the force behing that.
LH: I agree. I think senior leaders Ibekwe, D.J. Strawberry, and Mike Jones..
JJ: Who?
LH: Mike Jones, will lead the Terps past the really overmatched Davidson team. They don't even have anyone named Harley, what a sham.
JJ: Fear the Turtle.
Note: The 02 national champs feature all 5 starters averaging double digit scoring.

Notre Dame vs. Winthrop (Toss up)

LH: It pains me to say it, because I am a huge Irish fan (Side note, I would be at Notre Dame had my high school guidance counsler not been an absolute waste of life) but I am going with Winthrop. This is a very tough first round match-up. The Irish feature a bunch of slow white guys who shoot the rock well, but play D like the Phoenix Suns. I think Winthrop's outside shooting will lead them past the Irish and their zone derfenses.
JJ: The Irish are very balanced though. They have 4 starters averging double digit scoring. Their outside shooting is very impressive. They also had a quality win over Marquette on the road. Winthrop never winning a Tourney game before also leaves me waery of them.

Oregon vs. Miami (OH)

JJ: It's pretty simple, shut down Pollitz, and you beat the Redhawks. Their only hope is if the Ducks confuse Tim with Eric, his less talented brother on the team.
LH: I feel the Ducks can defeat the Fighting Roethlisbergurs with far superior athletic ability, provided they don't sucumb to the Aaron Brooks glitch. Miami was a crazy 3 pointer off the backboard away from even making the tournament. Their slow, half-court, Princeton style offense won't be able to keep up with the running and gunning Ducks.

Buzz vs. UNLV

LH: 1990 Champs vs. the '04 runner-ups. Gonna go with the team that had the most recent success. Tech is quicker and far more athletic then the Rebles. Plus they have the best player on the floor, Thaddeus Young. (He's black.) They are also one of the hottest teams in the nation right now. This pick scares me a bit though, GT can be reckless with the ball at times and UNLV has a senior point guard that might make them pay.
JJ: They also have 9 guys averging over 12 mpg. This game is pretty evenly matched should be a beauty. I'd say if Grandmama had a year of eligabilty... But he doesn't, the consensus pick is Tech.

Wisconsin vs. Texas A&M- CC

JJ: All I can say is the A&M CC players better be pre-med majors, becasue they need about 50 CC's of talent.
LH: ...
JJ: Medical jokes aside, there's not much doubt about the outcome of this game.

Now on to the West region.

Play-in Niagra vs. Florida A&M

LH: Whatif FAMU and Niagra combined squads? I think Kansas should have to play both of them at the same time, 10 v 5.
JJ: Niagra should definatley win the "who gets killed by Kansas game."
LH: FAMU actually allowed more points than they scored, but somehow ended up with a 21-13 record.
JJ: Somewhere Bill James is rolling over in his grave.
Note: Florida A&M is coached by Mike Gillespie Sr. furthering my theory that all A&M schools have to be coached by a Gillespie.

Kentucky vs. Nova (Toss up)

JJ: I garuntee a Wildcats win.
LH: ...
JJ: In seriousness, I think Kentucky takes this. Decent gaurd play plus they have super fan Ashley Judd.
LH: No way. Nova's gaurd oriented attack will slice-up Kentucky who has really played lethargic this year. Villa' can attack from any spot on the floor and while this year's squad isn't as good as recent versions, they're too good for Kentucky. (Moves to front of line to console Ashley Judd.)

Va Tech vs. Illini

JJ: I think Va Tech is that dangerous team no one is talking about and I think Illinois shouldn't even be in. I would have taken Drexel, 'Cuse, or OK State over them.
LH: Illinois might not crack 50 in this game. They can't score and Va Tech plays a really tight half-court D. They have 3 terrific defenders in Zabian Dowdell, Jamon Gordon, and Dante Hall.
JJ: Ah, the x-factor.
LH: The Hookies have 4 starters who average double-figures ppg while those racists from Illinois have just 2.
JJ: Yes, my personal favorite is 3-point specialist Nigel Munson. He sounds like a cross between a butler and a one-handed bowler. But he shoots the trey like no ones business.

Salukis vs. Holy Cross

JJ: The Salukis defeat the Bill Simmons' with ease.
LH: The Salukis, an old indian word for "the girl who's hard to get", are too talented for any team from the Patriot league (sorry Liberty.) Holy Cross is small inside (You can add, "that's what she said") and SIU big man Randal Falker, 12.5 points and 7.5 boards, should dominate.

Duke vs. VCU

JJ: Our upset special. The number one reason VCU wins is because their SG is a 3-point specialist named B.A. Walker. Could that be short for Bad Ass Walker?!?!
LH: Has to be. VCU is a bit vulnerable down low, aren't we all? But with some deadly outside shooting, which they can provide, the Dukie's go down.
JJ: It may not be a rape, but a win is a win for VCU.

Pitt vs. Wright State

LH: 6'8" 220lb vs 7'0" 270lb -- That is the size mismatch at the center position, Jordan Pleiman of Wright State vs Aaron Gray of Pitt. Levance Fields and Antonio Graves should be good enough defensively to shut down DeShaun Wood, the Horizon League POY (I can't believe I know who the Horizon Leaugue POY is -- thank you March Madness.)
JJ: Pitt is too big and strong for Wrong State.
LH: It's Wright State
JJ: Right.
LH: No Wright.
JJ: 10 min. later...

Zags vs. Indiana

JJ: It is a slight upset and their lack of talent on the blocks could hurt them, but I don't think Indiana has the low post talent to exploite that weakness. The gaurd play of the Zags has me picking them.
LH: I agree. The loss of Heytvelt hurt the Zags chances of going deep in the tourney, but the strength of this team is it's gaurds and they match up well against the Hoosiers who run Kelvin Sampson's 3-gaurd attack. Strength vs strength. But Gonzaga is the team I would most like to party with so they get the edge in my book.
JJ: Did you know Bing Crosby enrolled at Gonzaga in the fall of 1920, intending to become a lawyer. He became a drummer, then a singer, before finally dropping out his senior year in favor of Hollywood. Gonzaga awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1937.
LH: Wow, Bing Crosby. Zag's have the karma factor going for them.

UCLA vs. Weber State

LH: The most storied franchise in the history of college basketball against, ... who?... I'm going with the Bruins.
JJ: Random note here about Weber. On the road against Sacramento State, before a 'crowd' of just 735, the Wildcats laid an egg, losing 105-83.

Heading back East now.

Tarheels vs. Eastern Kentucky

JJ: Quick philosophy here. Typically, if you have a direction other than North, South, East, or West, you aren't a very good program.
LH: Yes. The Heels should make quick work of the Colonels.

Marquette vs. Michigan State

LH: This a very close game, as 8 vs. 9 matchups tend to be, but 9 seeds actually have the edge 53-47%. Another matchup involving gaurd oriented teams, Michigan State has the best gaurd in Drew Neitzel who had an All-American season: 18.3 ppg, 4.1 apg and the best white-guy-ballhandler since Pistol Pete.
JJ: Yeah and I can't pick a team that boasts Dwayne Wade as an alumnus.

USC vs. Arkansas

JJ: I have to go with the Razorbacks because frankly, I'm not that impressed with USC. Also, this is a 5 vs. 12 matchup, where upsets seem to come with more frequency.
LH: USC beat Arkansas 50-14 earlier this year.
JJ: Yeah in football. Plus Charles Thomas is a less dominate version of Corliss Williamson circa college, which is still good.

Texas vs. New Mexico State

JJ: All I have to say is KEVIN DURANT!!
LH: REGGIE THEUS!!
JJ: KEVIN DURANT!!
LH: REGGIE THEUS!!
JJ: KEVIN DURANT!!
LH: KEVIN DURANT!!
JJ: REGGIE THEUS!!
LH: Got ya.
JJ: Whatever. Horns by at least 25. Texas Fight!!

Vandy vs. G-Dub

LH: In what should be a fast paced, high scoring game between two vetran teams, George Washington gets the nod because they can actually play defense. If the Commodores have their outside shots working they can beat anyone. (They beat Florida by 13.) But when it's not they can lose to anyone. (Furman beat them by 8.)
JJ: Yeah, plus they get bonus points for having alumnus Pops Mensah-Bonsu, D-Leauge All-Star game MVP!!
LH: G-Dub allowed just 32.6% of opposing shots to enter the hoop from beyond the arch while amassing 9.3 steals a game. That is why the Foggy Bottom Boys should win.

Washington State vs. Oral Roberts

JJ: So I have to take the Drew Bledsoe's over the traveling Baptist's. Also, Washington St. are the Cougars, and there is nothing more scary than a live Cougar. I just don't think Oral Roberts can handle the fear.
LH: Plus their coach is Tony Bennett, which is close enough to a musical instrument. A random note on this game: This is the highest seed for either team. Washington State has never been above an 8 seed and Oral Roberts, not to be confused with the Anal Johnson, has only ever been a 16 seed.

BC vs. Texas Tech (Toss up)

JJ: I'm picking Tech and Bobby Knight out of blind, unaudultrated love for all things Texas.
LH: I'm gonna take BC in this one. I think Jared Dudley will dominate which ever reality show TV star Coach puts on him. Dude lead ACC in rebounding and was #2 in scoring. Really good PG matchup with Tyrese Rice going against Jarrius Jackson, but Dudley is the diffrence maker. Plus, BC has a center named John Oates, and as a Ranger fan I can't go against that.

Georgetown vs. Belmont

LH: G'town agains the Bruins! Huge game!! Two classic programs batteling... Wait... it's not UCLA?
JJ: Nope it's Belmont man. This could get real ugly. G'town by like 30.

The final region. The south.

Ohio State vs. Central Conn State

JJ: I know it's picky but Ohio State's jersey's look like freakin junior high jersey's. So in the uni battle, Central Conn wins. That is about the only kind of win they are going to see.
LH: THE Ohio State will have this one wrapped up in time for Oden to get the early bird special at Luby's.
JJ: Yeah, he does look like a senior citizen. I want to se a birth certificate.
LH: I thought of something good to say for CCSU... The Association of American Colleges & Univesities selected CCSU as one of only 16 "Leadership Institutions" in the nation -- and the only one in Conneticut.
JJ: Wow, I might have to change my pick now.

BYU vs. Xavier

LH: I'm gonna go out on a limb and say any team that gives up 93 points to Duquense doesn't play enough D to win in March. Not only are the Musketeers a poor defensive team, they are matched up against a first round opponent with great offense, BYU.
JJ: Yeah BYU is an up-tempo, good shooting, unselfish team that starts 4 seniors.
LH: Give me the guys who can't have coffee.
JJ: Somewhere, Shawn Bradley is weeping.

Tennessee vs. Long Beach State

JJ: Tennessee wins for the fact that their coach is the best motivator of all time. And that includes Matt Foley, motivational speaker. Also, their being a 5 seed from the SEC doesn't hurt their chances.
LH: A team averaging nearly 80 ppg while only giving up 74 in the SEC is very different than a team doing it in the Big West. March Madness is all about the Mid-Majors, but the 49ers are going to be overmatched against a deep, athletic, aggressive Volunteer squad.
JJ: A random note: Long Beach State starts 5 seniors, the only such team in this year's tournament.

Virginia vs. Albany (Toss up)


LH: The Great Danes win outright in this one. Albany has the best player in the country that no one knows about, Jamar Wilson the 2x America East POY who will will Albany to victory. Along with their superstar, Albany hosts several role palyers who play hard and do all the things that win ball games. They finished 21-6 and matchup well with Virginia. You heard it hear first. Albany wins!!
JJ: I think you might be hitting the Kool-aid a little too much. The only thing they win is a mascot contest. Virginia rolls.

Louisville vs. Stanford

JJ: This is a no brainer. Louisville runs the Tree's out the gym.
LH: The Cardinal is strong inside, with the Lopez brothers manning the paint (Brook and Robin, think the parents thought they were getting girls?) Louisville won't get many second chance points, but that is because they shoot the rock well. (49% FG and 41% 3PT.) Louisville also nearly averaged 10 points more in scoring margin over Stanford. I have to go with the CardinalS over Cardinal.

Aggies vs. Penn

JJ: The Aggies won't be doing much quaking when Penn comes around. Led by Acie Law IV and a tenascious D (not the band), the Aggies will send Penn packing.
LH: All religous puns aside, I can't argue with this pick.

Nevada vs. Creighton

LH: Nevada has too big a size advantage in this one. Future disappointing lottery pick Nick Fazekas will be gaurded by a tree stump. Nevada is going to make some noise in this tourney.
JJ: Yeah Creighton is a very good 10 seed, but Nevada might be the best team people overlook.
LH: You've said that for like 14 teams.

Memphis vs. UNT

LH: This is actually a good matchup for the Mean Green, they're not facing a top-notch team with a dominate inside game. I think they can keep it closer than many expect, but in reality Memphis is too good. The Tigers don't have to win, but they more than probably will.
JJ: You have it all wrong. The actual talent level is a wash, so it comes down to coaching. And UNT coach Johnny Jones played in a Final Four with LSU and coached Shaq to one as well. Which is good, because that is exactally where the Mean Green Eagles of North Texas are heading.
LH:Such a homer.
JJ: Fine. I concede Memphis wins, but only in double OT. Satisfied.

Our next article will cover all the second round matchups.