Another great run of late games. A pretty nondescript middle part of the day with Xavier, Kansas and Arizona winning fairly easily.
Then things got interesting. Pittsburgh is a flawed team. They can be had. I’ve never liked them in previous years and I didn’t pick them this year even though this is by far their best edition. DeJuan Blair disappears, especially if you get him in foul trouble. He’s a monster on the boards (six offensive rebounds) but Levance Fields and Sam Young are both more important to the team’s success.
Fields is such a heady player too. Did you see that fluke free throw where everyone thought it was two shots and he snuck in for the rebound? The one thing I do like about Pittsburgh, this edition can score the ball much better when they need to than previous Pitt teams.
Michigan State is an ugly team, but they get the job done. They rebound, move the ball (20 assists on 22 baskets) and they play tough defense.
The Marquette-Missouri game was incredibly interesting. What a shame to see Dominic James like that. I almost wish he had stayed on the bench, not that he embarrassed himself, but he just couldn’t do anything.
I don’t want to hear anything about the pinch shooter rule. The guy they brought in (Kim English) shoots worse from the line (68%) than the guy he replaced (J.T. Tiller, 75%)
Marquette also has no complaint about the baseline violation. Hayward clearly stepped on the line. Tough way to lose a ball game though.
And you can’t help but feel badly for Jems and a game Siena Saints team. Most underdogs when they get down by 7 (55-48) pack it in, but Siena stormed back on a 15-4 run to take a 4-point lead with 5:30 to go. But Louisville, led by the incredible Terrence Williams, who can score if he wants to, turned it on and put them away.
For al the talk about parity this year, the top 12 teams are all in the Sweet 16. First time that has ever happened. The last two tournaments have been two of the most chalk ever.
One thing the pundits got right was the Big East is awesome. First conference to ever get 5 teams in the Sweet 16. But the real test will be to meet or exceed 1985’s 3 Big East teams.
Monday, March 23, 2009
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I'm disappointed because an epic upset and Sweet 16 birth were there for the taking but also very proud. Siena proved to be one of the top teams in the country and could have beaten plenty of the other teams if the seeding had been different.
At least the school is on the map now and the run last year and especially this year should definitely help with recruiting.
There's always next year. 4 of the 5 starters are returning as only Hasbrouk is a senior. Clarence Jackson is ready to take over at 2 guard, the guy can shoot the lights out of the building and has some size. Watch for them next year and if they can get in for a 3rd year in a row I'd take them for another 1st round win for sure.
Cinderella? No way man!
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