Sweet 16

This is the most interesting group of 16 that I can remember. There is no North Carolina, Kansas, or Kentucky, but we have George Mason, Wichita St., and Bradley. Billy Packer and Jim Nantz must've had trouble sleeping this past weekend. This was the year we were going to have this type of Sweet 16. The major programs are filled with youngsters while the "mid-majors" have experience and players who aren't afraid of the big boys because they've played with and against the top recruits many times. While AAU basketball hasn't been good for the fundamentals of the game, it is a reason why there's more parity in the game. After you've competed against someone many times, it becomes just another game when you see them again, regardless of the name on the front of their jersey.

Well, 8 of my Sweet 16 survived. Here's a recap of today:

• Bradley 72, Pittsburgh 66. Talk about a fearless team, Bradley was the aggressor, getting to the foul line 32 times and hanging with the bigger, more physical Panthers on the boards. Bradley repeatedly got to loose balls and rebounds first, making up for their low shooting percentage. On offense, they continued to go to the basket, even when Pitt made runs at them. Patrick O' Bryant was unstoppable in the middle: 28 points, 7 rebounds. For a 7-footer, he has a really nice touch from the foul line. Their 13 seed is misleading, Bradley is no Cinderella, they are good. There's nothing mid-major about them. After watching them, there's no doubt in my mind they will play Memphis tough.
• UConn 87, Kentucky 83. UConn did just enough again to win, but they're relying too much on their talent. Undersized Kentucky shot 47% from the floor, one of their best shooting performances of the year, and tied UConn on the boards. UK had no answer for Marcus Williams down the stretch, who is automatic at the foul line.
• Memphis 72, Bucknell 56. Bucknell couldn't handle the Tigers' athleticism, committing 19 turnovers while only shooting 37% from the floor. Memphis has quietly worked its way into the final 16, but they should beware of Bradley in the next round, they will challenge them.
• George Mason 65, North Carolina 60. Carolina jumped out to a 16-2 lead and it seemed this would be quick and easy. But the Patriots switched to a zone and the young Heels got tentative, allowing GMU to get back in the game. The most telling stat of this game: 4. That's how many free throws UNC attempted for the whole game. Not what you expect from a Roy Williams team. George Mason now gets a rematch with Wichita St., whom they beat earlier in the Bracket Buster at Wichita. And, the game is in Washington DC at the MCI Center, a 2 minute metro ride from their campus. There should be a lot of green and gold in the crowd.
• West Virginia 67, Northwestern St. 54. The Cinderella of the field couldn't hang onto their glass slipper, or the ball for that matter. The Demons like to play free and loose, which doesn't work against a team like WVU. The Demons couldn't figure out the Mountaineers' defense, committing 24 turnovers and taking ill-advised shots. They never gave up, even after WVU hit a half-court shot at the end of the 1st half to give WVU a 41-19 halftime lead. The Demons got as close as 8 with 4 minutes left, but couldn't get over the hump. But they'll never forget the weekend they had and I'll remember getting to watch a real Cinderella in person. It was fun to be a part of it.
• Georgetown 70, Ohio St. 52. Well, Thad Matta and his boys got this one wrong. Against Georgetown, you must make them hit 3s to beat you. Even if they hit a couple, you still give them the 3 instead of opening the back door. But OSU left the back door wide open, playing tight man defense on the perimeter, which played right into Georgetown's hands. OSU became impatient on offense, and even the Dayton crowd couldn't bring them back. It's hard to win when you take 11 fewer shots and only get 2 offensive rebounds.
• Texas 75, NC State 54. The Texas guards were 3/14 Friday night; they were 14/26 today. When they make shots and make plays, Texas is as good as anybody, period.
• Villanova 82, Arizona 78. Villanova can play at any tempo, and they proved that today. Arizona sped up the game and Nova was up for it. 54% shooting, 47% from 3, and 17/20 from the line, superb numbers for Nova. Credit to Arizona, they brought their A game this weekend, but the Nova guards are too good at the end of games. They get the shots they want and they make free throws. Allen Ray is showing no ill effects from his eye injury. Villanova/Boston College is the marquee game of the Sweet 16, what a battle it should be.
• The goal of the 1st weekend of the NCAA Tournament is to survive and advance. If you're in the Sweet 16, you have a legitimate shot of getting to the Final 4 and winning it all.
• "MVC" was the chant from the Bradley section after their victory. The Missouri Valley Conference has proven they belong. And it was great to see the celebration after the game. The Bradley players went up into the crowd where their fans were and got mobbed. It was one big sea of red.
• There will be pictures and movies coming from the games for your viewing enjoyment.

Well, all I can say about my bracket is that my Final 4 are still alive and that's about it. Miami hockey will open NCAA Tournament play up in Worcester, MA as a 2 seed. They play Boston College in the 1st round, yikes. Go get em boys!!!!