Alright Alright Alright. That's what I love about March Madness, I get older and it stays the same age...
I haven't watched enough college basketball this season to write a real breakdown of the brackets. Something I've noticed though, with the exception of Melo's Orangemen, is that the championship team always seems to have the most collective talent, period. Good coaching in the regular season, or one spectacular player, can make up for a lack of overall talent. Teams that share the ball on offense and play great team defense, think Duke, can have a very successful regular season but can't get it done in the tourney. Getting it done in the tourney requires stone-cold killers on offense and a shutdown defensive mentality. The real secret to winning an NCAA Championship isn't teamwork or ball movement, which even Billy Donovan can teach, it's to fill your roster with first-round NBA draft picks.
All four #1 seeds have the talent to run the table this year.
I usually disqualify any team coached by John Calipari right off the bat because his teams are always loaded with talent but have no discipline or reliable clutch players. Calipari did an interesting thing this year by holding two-a-day practices over Thanksgiving break but the team still lost to rival Tennessee, at home, in a close game...
I made a vow never to pick the Jayhawks again after Paul Pierce's squad, which was a #1 seed, choked against the #4 seeded, and eventual champions, AZ Wildcats in 1997. Until they prove they can get it done in the tourney, they're out...
Roy Williams proved he can win a championship with very talented players at UNC. It must've been something with Kansas? Ty Lawson could be the MVP of the tourney, he's got unreal quickness and isn't afraid to take the big shot. For all of his perceived shortcomings, Hansbrough is the toughest guy in college and won't back down from anybody. The Tar Heels are also super athletic and play up-tempo in-your-face defense. I think they'll come out of their bracket and meet...
The eventual NCAA Champions, UCLA Bruins. Kevin Love isn't as experienced or as tough as Hansbrough but he's damn close. Collison is a fearless point guard and UCLA's supporting cast, led by Josh Shipp and Westbrook, have NBA $$ signs in their future. They were the best team in the best conference and their coach has Final Four experience.
There are a few other teams I think have a chance to crash the Final Four.
Tennessee and Texas are led by excellent guard play. If they get hot they make it to the Final Four, if not they're Cinderella's step sister.
Pitt made a great run in the Big East and Mich State is always tough in the tourney, but those two will beat each other up so much in their prospective 2nd round game, I don't see either having the energy to make a deep run.
Watch out for the boring Badgers of Wisconsin. They have a plethora of big men that can shoot, defend, post up, rebound, etc. And solid guard play and a great coach. They're not a sexy pick but they're in a weak bracket.
My Final Four: UCLA, UNC, Wisc. Tex.
UNC vs UCLA - UCLA wins!
(Of course I'm going to fill out multiple brackets, with different winners, just like you...)
UChampionshipLA
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Posted By: R. D. Briceland Posted on: Mar. 17, 2008 at 9:26 AM |
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