Madness Reigns

Eight teams, one dream.

For sports fans, it is an incredible time of year.  For diehard college basketball fans, life becomes worth living this time of year.  I still enjoy this time of year, but it's not an end-all for me.  Last Thursday and Friday were the days I love.  Players from lower seeded teams will tell their grandkids about the time they played in the NCAA Tournament.  The grandkids will mostly ignore them, but all it takes is one inspired individual to move to the next level.

Sherwood Brown of Florida Gulf Coast was a leader among leaders.  He led his teammates from 15 seed to Sweet Sixteen.  Eventually, Florida, led by Billy Donovan, ended their dream, but it was a great ride while it lasted.

Here's my take on Regional Finals:

Wichita State/Ohio State- Ohio State has given credence to survive and advance.  Wichita State has been in the right place at the right time, but eliminated the suspicious number one seed, Gonzaga.  This game could be hard to call.  Wichita has the glass slipper and little to lose.  The Buckeyes have survived twice, begging the question, "Have they already played their best game?"  If they haven't, this game could be an Ohio State romp.  If they have played their best game, Cinderella has straw in her mouth.  I think Ohio State has the percentages, and a little more talent, in their favor.

Syracuse/Marquette-  Syracuse is a very dangerous team.  So much athleticism, so little institutional control.  Marquette survived the best game of the third round against Butler, and looked strong Thursday.  This game could be a defensive struggle, but there is tons of talent on the floor.  I like Syracuse for the experience on the bench, but if it stays close late, Marquette will make more free throws.  I don't think it will be that close.  Orange to the Final Four.

Duke/Louisville- The marquee match-up of this round.  Two high profile coaches, two talented squads.  I like Duke's discipline, and they can control the pace of the game, Louisville will struggle.  The Cardinals' guard play can run the floor, Duke can hang with them.  Give Louisville the advantage, only because Rick Pitino has never lost a game at the Elite Eight level.

Michigan/Florida-  Give Michigan huge credit for eliminating Kansas.  They have a team that could rival their Fab Five days.  Florida has a great coach with the right attitude toward the game, and the Gators rode out an Eagle storm last night to get here.  The Fab Five had to learn the hard way, so does this group from Ann Arbor.  Chomp, chomp in the Final Four.

Yeah, I don't watch a lot of basketball during the season because the point of college basketball is to get into the Tournament.  I may not have a lot of depth in my analysis, but I have an opinion and a knowledge of the game.  Half the fun this time of year is the opinions.  The other half is the unpredictability of 18-22 year-olds. Fred Taylor, the great Ohio State coach, was quoted as saying, "I'm doing well for someone who watched five 20 year-olds run up and down a hardwood floor in their underwear with my paycheck in their teeth."

So...am I off base?