Madness? This is Sparta(ns)!
March 22nd 2010 21:51
Is This Heaven? No, it's Iowa.
Before we begin our column, I’d like to take a moment to point out that I am not the Sport (no ‘s’) Guru. Most of you would have probably picked up on that rather quickly due to asking yourselves questions like “why is this blog written so well this time?” and stating “I haven’t been that entertained since Jenga last Tuesday.!” No, the Guru is swamped with college ‘work,’ which I presume includes cleaning the beer pong table, building up his tolerance level, and voiding himself of any coherency required to write a blog. (Kidding, the Guru is a stand-up individual). In any event, he gave me the opportunity to write a guest blog, which I graciously accepted. I also have his login and password, so there may be more than one of these coming out in the next few weeks.
Since this is a sports blog and it is March, I figured I’d do a write-up following what I feel….scratch that, what IS the greatest weekend in sports- The opening rounds of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Like many of you, I was fired up to see if Pat Summit could reach the summit again, if UConn’s men’s team could continue it’s run of winning 71 consecutive games against female opponents, and if that one girl for Baylor would try to land anymore haymakers. Wait….hold on one second…your kidding? There’s a MEN’S tournament too? Who knew?
Ok ok, I really did know there was a men’s tournament. Like many of you I was fired up heading into Thursday. My freshly filled out bracket hung proudly in my office and was posted on numerous online websites. I relished at the chance to talk college hoops with people and carefully tried to figure out ways I could relate office issues to the tournament.
Employee #1: “Why am I only allowed to print in black and white?”
Employee #2: “I know, so unfair.”
Yours truly: “Speaking of black and white, who do you have in the Florida-BYU game? I think Jimmer Fredette goes off.”
Thanks to the internet, a job that doesn’t require I do a ton of work, a strategically placed cubicle and computer screen, and a 3 day weekend, I watched an inordinate amount of college basketball this weekend (excluding the NIT, CBI, and CIT). The Thursday morning session did not disappoint, as BYU-Florida went to double OT (and Jimmer Fredette did go off, scoring 37 points). Murray State shocked everyone except those from the state of Murray, beating Vanderbilt at the buzzer. Even Old Dominion capitalized on a St. Patrick’s day hangover and beat the sluggish Notre Dame Irish. Friday was just as good, with the Nerds of Cornell handling Temple and Northern Iowa getting a huge three from Ali Farokhmanesh to beat UNLV. Then things started to crazy, nay, mad.
The weekend saw 3 double digit seeds and 1 giant killer advance to the Sweet 16 in what feels like the most upset-driven second round in my lifetime. Cornell again blew out their opponent, carving up a Wisconsin defense for 87 points. Previously, Wisconsin’s defense had given up more than 70 points only twice all year, both in overtime games. Though the Ivy League is considered a ‘shooter’s league,’ very few could have predicted Cornell would shoot 63% for the weekend and have no trouble with two highly ranked and very talented teams.
Why study when you can play in the Sweet 16?
Washington gave much-needed credibility to the Pac-10 with their dismantling of New Mexico. After needing a miracle in the form of Quincy Pondexter’s bank shot to beat Marquette, Washington ran New Mexico out of the gym. Though Cal was blown out by Duke and the Pac-10 justifiably only received 2 bids, Washington’s victories may bolster how the National (see, East Coast) media perceives the Pac-10 Conference and may help next year when at-large bids are handed out.
In perhaps the biggest surprise/shock/bombshell, Northern Iowa upset Kansas. 98% of the people who filled out brackets on ESPN.com had KU in the Sweet 16, 48% of America had them winning the whole thing, including this writer. Seriously, I think if you polled America and asked them, ‘Which is more likely to happen- Brad and Angelina will split and I’ll be there to pick up the pieces (depending on your gender/orientation), or Northern Iowa will upset Kansas?’- I’m pretty sure people are getting freaked out because they believe at least half of Brangelina will show up on their doorstep. Northern Iowa epitomized team ball, getting offensive and defensive contribution from everyone who played, none bigger than the charge taken by freshman Jake Koch in the final minute and the boulder-testicle sized 3-pointer by Farokhmanesh to ice the game.
KU will lose or I'll get to kiss one of these people.
Aside from mine and half of America’s brackets now looking like a failing middle-schooler’s math test and my beloved Jayhawks crapping the bed, it was an incredible weekend of hoops and only reaffirmed why it’s the best 3 weeks in all of sports. Before we go, I thought I’d briefly list some of the weekend’s winners and losers in additions to the one’s already written about. You’ve all been a great audience, thanks for your eyes.
Winners:
The cities of Ithaca, NY and Cedar Falls, IA- Thanks to Cornell and Northern Iowa, respectively, now the rest of the country knows you actually exist.
The Ivy League- I won’t tell you why, but it’s nice to see this conference get some respect in something other than academic related areas. And secret societies.
Vegas- Seriously, I’d like to know how much cheddar Vegas just banked when KU lost. I almost wonder if Bill Self made a huge wager in Vegas and then cashed in on his team’s misfortunes. In that case, Bill Self would be a winner too.
Mike Krzyzewski- His look hasn’t changed in 20 years. Seriously, go look him up in the early 90s. Identical.
Pat Forde- see here
Barry-O certainly isn't clapping about his bracket.
Losers:
Gus Johnson- With the exception of a fast-paced Missouri-Clemson game, Gus was given the West Virginia-Morgan State blowout, Gonzaga routing Florida State, and Syracuse cruising in their first two games. Probably the biggest disappointment of the weekend was not having the chance to hear Gus get over-the-top excited. I hope he at least gets a good regional.
Barack Obama- His Baracket is officially screwed after picking KU and Nova (seriously Mr. President? Nova? Your daily planner guy went to Duke and everything) to reach the Final Four. At least his health care thing past, so he can’t be feeling that bad.
CBS- Did anyone else notice the horrendous job CBS did in covering games? In the West Coast we had to watch a Duke blowout of Cal while Purdue and Texas A&M went down to the wire. We got Washington hammering New Mexico while Northern Iowa was taking down Kansas. And when we did get an exciting game, we got the final minute, when it’s usually timeouts and fouls. On top of all that, CBS rejected an offer to interview Tiger Woods. And I’m pretty sure Seth Davis wore the same suit Thursday and Friday. Glad you guys are here.
Cornell- Have fun replacing Steve Donahue.
Houston- What’s your reward for making the tournament for the first time in 18 years? Getting badly beaten by Maryland in the first round and watching your coach retire 3 days later.
Canada- for the 157th consecutive year, no Canadian teams made the field of 65.
- The Sport Maharishi
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West Coast Bias