Let's Get It Started, Again

Opening thought: So last night's entry didn't make it, which was a shame because I actually talked things other than basketball, which was a nice change of pace. Unfortunately, my thoughts on a couple of things didn't make it, so let me recap.

Monday saw the worst school shooting since Columbine, when a 17 year old killed 7 people. Before September 11th, the day I remembered where I was at when I first heard the news was April 20, 1999 when Columbine took place. As many school districts did, mine didn't inform us of what happened. I didn't find out until around 5pm because I had something tennis-related, but the rest of the day, I watched CNN and couldn't believe my eyes that people my age were capable of such horror.

I also talked about Barry Bonds and his being "tired" of everything. I wish I could just say I were "tired" and take a year off. I know Barry hasn't been convicted of anything, but it sure seems like he's running, which won't help his image.

Ok, the Madness resumes tomorrow, so let's preview all of the Thursday/Friday games and get some predictions:

• Illinois/UW-Milwaukee. Obviously, the biggest thing working against the Panthers is their lack of Tournament experience. But, that didn't seem to bother them last weekend, especially against an Alabama team that went to the Elite 8 last year. To have any chance, the combo of McCants and Tucker must continue to light it up from the outside and somehow, UW-Milwaukee must hang with the Illini on the glass. UW-Milwaukee will bring their pressing defense, but I don't think the Illinois guards will have much trouble. Illinois 78 UW-Milwaukee 68.
• Arizona/Oklahoma St. This game will depend on which Arizona team shows up. If they come ready to play smart basketball, they'll win. If they're making silly mistakes early, they're in trouble. No one on OSU has the size and skill of Channing Frye, but the Cowboys have more overall toughness than the Wildcats. The Pokes will be in trouble if JamesOn Curry gets stuck on Hassan Adams. But, the Cowboys made it to the Final 4 last year, and for the most part, experience has been the difference in this year's tournament. This is one game where Salim Stoudamire won't be able to do it by himself.
• Oklahoma St. 73 Arizona 66.
• Louisville/Washington. This is the most intriguing matchup of the regional semifinals. The key to this game is whether or not Louisville can make 3s. If they can, that will put pressure on Washington to score, which they may not be able to under Pitino's pressure D. If the Cards are cold, that will create fast break opportunities for UW, the best transition team in all of college basketball. If the Huskies play the kind of perimeter defense they're capable of, they should slow the Cards' 3 point attack.
• Washington 79 Louisville 70.
• Texas Tech/West Virginia. Can Bob Knight's motion offense be successful against the ever changing defenses of John Bielein? The difference makers for Tech again will have to be Dora and Giles inside. They only have to contend with D'or Fischer, the man in the middle for WVU who protects the basket with his rebounding and shot-blocking ability. Dora and Giles were the reason Tech came back to beat Gonzaga, they will be the reason the Red Raiders advance.
• Texas Tech 67 West Virginia 61
• Duke/Michigan St. The Spartans have the athletes and the depth to beat Duke, but do they have the mindest and the basketball savvy to do it? Another thing working against the Spartans, is their freshman point guard, Drew Neitzel. He will be harassed by Sean Dockery and Daniel Ewing for 40 minutes, and he is susceptible to turning the ball over. Duke will slow the game down and pound the ball inside to Shelden Williams, who is much more physical than Paul Davis. If Williams can stay out of foul trouble, Duke should win. Michigan St. hasn't beaten anyone better than them all year.
• Duke 70 Michigan St. 62
• Utah/Kentucky. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that these two teams find a way to meet up in March. Andrew Bogut has proven he can carry his team, either by scoring, rebounding, passing, or all of the above. The Utah guards must prove they can keep hitting shots to take some of the pressure off Bogut. UK wouldn't have survived the opening weekend if it wasn't for their depth. They will be at a disadvantage because the Utes will slow the game down, making UK's depth a nonfactor. UK will have to value every possession, which can be hard for a young team to do.
• Utah 61 Kentucky 58
• N.Carolina/Villanova. Nova is at a huge disadvantage now that Curtis Sumpter is out with a torn ACL. That won't stop me from sticking with my pick. Nova still has the outside firepower along with the inside brute that will give Carolina trouble. There are many intriguing matchups in this one. Can Mike Nardi contain Raymond Felton? Can Jackie Manuel stop Allen Ray. Can Randy Foye do the same to Rashard McCants, and can the Nova frontcourt hang with May and the Williamses inside? Carolina will have to play their best game of the year to win because Nova is that good. And you know the Syracuse crowd will get behind Nova because of their Big East association. Sorry Roy, this isn't your year; your team just isn't as consistent as it should be.
• Villanova 77 N. Carolina 75
• Wisconsin/NC State. First to 60 wins in this one. Both teams run deliberate offensive patterns while playing tough man-to-man defense. The Badgers won't be fooled by the Princeton offense and may just have too much strength and athleticism underneath for the Wolfpack.
• Wisconsin 57 NC State 53

In Survivor, after winning reward, Oolong lost immunity again, which ended up in James going home because his "unpenetrable" knot wasn't.

Tomorrow begins The Players Championship and the annual drama at the 17th, where I believe ESPN Classic, beginning at noon is televising action from just the island green all day. I don't know if I could hit that green because 135 yards is a little 8 iron for me, but too much for a 9 unless the wind blows.