NCAA harsh on Butler
How does the NCAA reward a team that has beaten teams from most all major confrences, won their season and post-season tournament and has been in the top 10 in the nation most of the second half? The answer is screwing them over! Butler was hoping for a 4 seed and would “settle” for a 6, ends up a shocking 7! This means that the NCAA isn’t sold on what Butler is selling.
If the ‘Dawgs want to make noise in this year’s NCAA tournament, they need to beat an athletic S. Alabama team IN ALABAMA nonetheless, THEN if they survive, the best #2 seed in the field awaits in Tennessee. Not a good draw at all for Butler.
As bad as the draw was for Butler, Indiana has a much tougher road. They battle a scrappy Arkansas team in a tough 8 vs 9 game. The winner gets top overall seed North Carolina IN RALEIGH, NC. Nice! If the Hoosiers survive, it will be fun to watch DJ White and Tyler Hansbrough mix it up inside. However, for that to happen, D.J White needs help. It is time for Eric Gordon to forget about shooting three’s and go back to dribble penetration.
The road for Matt Painter’s crew is a little easier. They get #11 Baylor in Washington, D.C. The winner of that game gets either an overrated Xavier team or a Georgia team happy to be there. The Boilers could land in the Sweet 16 if they can find some offense and their Freshman play with more maturity.
Finally, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are a mystery. Which team will show up? When they are right, they are as good as anyone in the country. Harangody inside and their guards outside could make some noise. However, tournament play hasn’t been too kind to the Irish lately. Both NCAA and Big East. Notre Dame takes on the cinderella from a few years ago in George Mason. Mason isn’t the same team as they were then, but their goal is to make George Mason…this year’s George Mason!
Here are the times and dates for the local teams. Games all on CBS.
#6 Purdue vs. #11 Baylor 2:50 on Thursday Afternoon from Washington, DC in WEST REGION
#5 Notre Dame vs. #12 George Mason at 9:50 on Thursday Evening from Denver, CO in EAST REGION
#7 Butler vs. #10 S. Alabama 2:45 on Friday Afternoon in Birmingham, AL in EAST REGION
#8 Indiana vs. #9 Arkansas 9:40 on Friday Night from Raleigh, NC in EAST REGION
Random NCAA Notes:
-North Carolina doesn’t have to leave the state until a possible trip to the Final Four. First 2 rounds in Raleigh and next two in Charlotte
-Memphis is #1 seed in South, but could play a “road” game against Texas in the South Regional Final. The #2 seed is Texas and the game would be in Houston.
-I think Duke could be gone by the Sweet 16….again.
Best first round game:
#6 USC vs. #11 Kansas State: O.J Mayo of USC against the best player in the nation in K-State’s Michael Beasley. 2 of the nations best players (both freshman) playing in the first round is good stuff!
-Possible upsets to keep an eye on:
1.) #10 Davidson over #7 Gonzaga. These guys can play. They gave North Carolina, Duke and UCLA all great games early in the season and ALL were on the road.
2.) #12 Villanova over #5 Clemson. Most years, a 12 beats a five at least once. ‘Nova out to prove they deserved an at-large bid against a Clemson team who may be emotionally drained after beating Duke and losing to Carolina in ACC Tournament.
-Toughest Region: The East
Even though Carolina is at home THE ENTIRE TIME, they have to get by some heavyweights in Tennessee, Louisville, Notre Dame, Indiana, Washington State and Butler.
My Final Four:
North Carolina, Kansas, Texas, UCLA
(North Carolina vs. UCLA in title game and UCLA wins it all.)