Author: Coach Z (Page 13 of 38)

Two of the last three years have seen the Kansas Jayhawks upset by high seed. First, it was Bucknell then it was Bradley. They showed no signs of flashbacks today as they steamrolled Portland State from the opening tip.

Scoring inside to open the game and then banging three’s when the Vikings collapsed, they showed why they are a #1 seed. If Rush (4-9), Chalmers (3-6) and Collins (3-4) can shoot the three ball like they did today, the Jayhawks will be cutting down the nets. On the defensive side they played with the type of defensive tenacity Bill Self emphasized. This is by far the most dangerous Kansas team defensively in 20 years. They do something that Roy Williams’ Jayhawks teams never did. They swarm and smother!!

Georgia’s miracle run came to an end, but not without some fight. They led the #3 seed Xavier Muskateers for the firs 35 minutes, but finally succumbed to Xavier’s defensive pressure and 3 point shooting. Hats off to Dennis Felton and his team. They really did show that there was some fight left in the Dawgs. Their players should be remembered for a great run under adverse circumstances. Also, Dennis Felton may have earned himself a contract extension. I say may have because you never know with college administrators. He certainly deserves it. Not only for his teams run in the SEC tourney, but also for the class in which he carried him self under trying times. That is the true test of a man’s character and he is a great example for his young men.

Michigan State crushed Temple. It looked like Coach Izzo must have thrown his players out of the lockerroom again. The Spartans played with a determination that has not been seen in the last couple weeks of the season. Balanced scoring was the key on a night when Drew Neitzel looked awful. That’s a good sign for Michigan State.

Mark my words…. All close games will be won and lost by which team bangs consecutive three pointers in the last 4 minutes of a game. Xavier proved that theory today. Making three late is just as important as making free throws!!!

A great article by Kyle Welliston on the differences in college basketball budgets. It is pretty accurate although a little misleading. A lot of schools don’t count scholarships and salaries in the athletic budget. I know that sounds stupid, but it’s true. It has to do with where the funding comes from (fees, outside donations, endowments, institutional aid, etc…).

There are four first round matchups that caught my eye when the brackets came out. Each with a little differenct storyline. No I am not talking about the first timers like Portland State, UMBC and American who all got matched up with opponents they can’t beat. However, that doesn’t matter. They are there and teams like Syracuse, Florida and Ohio State are not.

NOTRE DAME VS. GEORGE MASON
The classic #5 vs. #12. In the history of the tournament there is always an upset in this game. Of the four this year this is my pick. George Mason has the experience and size inside. Campbell was on the team that made it to the Final Four and that is more than what any Notre Dame player can say. Notre Dame’s strength is in their girth inside. However, Mason can match them and their trapping defense will keep the Irish from consistently getting the ball the Harangody. As much as I like Harangody, I still like the coaching acumen of Jim Larranaga better. Go with the Patriots over the Irish.

KANSAS STATE VS. USCThis game matches two former AAU terammates in OJ Mayo and Bill Walker. It also matches three players who are one and done. Michael Beasley has the talent to take over the game at any time. The key will be weather or not the guards for Kansas State can duplicate their play from early in the confererence season. (A road win at Oklahoma and a home win vs. Kansas.) All eyes will be on Mayo and Beasley, but it will be Pullen and Walker who will determine who wins this game. I like Frank Martin’s ability to get his team ready. He will be able to hide their suspect guards for a couple of rounds.

GONZAGA VS. DAVIDSON
Two teams who have dominated their respective conferences for the last five years. Both teams stepped outside the league and played a murderous non-league schedule. Even though they lost a few of those they are battle tested. Pargo and Curry are two of the most underrated guards in the country. If they played in the PAC 10 or ACC they would be hyped as first round picks. They will both play in the NBA someday, but on this day look for Curry to get the best of Gonzaga.

BUTLER VS. SOUTH ALABAMA
Two coaches in their jobs for the first year. Albeit this is the second go round for Ronnie Arrow at South Alabama (different president hired and fired him) and Brad Stevens was an assistant at Butler prior to this year. It is a battle of styles. USA will try to press and push while Butler will try to grind you out in the halfcourt. Look for Butler’s experience and superior poirnt guard play by AJ Graves to prevail.

Billy Donovan threw his team out of the $12 million practice facility because he said his team had become too complacent. Tom Izzo pulled a similar move earlier in the year when his team lost an exhibition game to a Division II opponent.

I wonder if the coaching staff threw themselves out of their plush offices and started driving cars to see recruits? College sports has lost it’s collective mind.