Showing posts with label NCAA men's basketball tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA men's basketball tournament. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
NCAA Basketball Tournament: Florida Gulf Coast
We all enjoy Cinderella in the NCAA basketball tournament. This year we have the ultimate Cinderella in Florida Gulf Coast.
A No. 15 seed has never advanced to the Sweet 16 in the history of the NCAA tournament until Florida Gulf Coast crashed the party.
This team didn’t follow the NCAA script. Usually underdogs surprise the favorite in their opening game. The underdog received national praise and talk and then goes quietly in the next round.
But will this feel-good story end Friday when the Gulf boys play big-bad Florida? You would like to see them continue the magic but with the strength of their opponent and natural pressure (as the stakes get higher) the odds are not in their favor.
The beauty is that the game will be decided between a couple of baskets and not in discussion groups.
Win or loss, Florida Gulf Coast Coach Andy Enfield will become a hot commodity. What big time program will want this guy and will he go? You would think the answer to the second question is “Yes.”
Saturday, March 23, 2013
NCAA Basketball Tournament: Iowa State Dominates
It was a total surprise.
The surprise wasn’t that Iowa State defeated Notre Dame in a No. 10 vs. No. 7 match-up. The surprise was how it happened.
Usually these closely seeded teams play close games. Not Friday night in Dayton, Ohio. The Cyclones started fast and attacked the Fighting Irish. The game was over early in the second half. You kept thinking Notre Dame would mount a second-half run. There was none. Iowa State cleared its bench and provided playing time for little-used reserves. Notre Dame played looked like something hit them but they weren’t sure what.
There was another surprise in this game—HOW the Cyclones dominated. Iowa State is known for its three-point shooting. On this night, the Cyclones decided to move the ball inside and take it straight to the Fight Irish. They threw in some three-pointers for good measure. The strategy worked and worked well.
Simply put, Iowa State possessed better athletes than Notre Dame.
The Cyclones move on to play Ohio State in Round 3. This should be an interesting game. The Buckeyes have the athletes to match Iowa State. But if the Buckeyes noticed, Iowa State is an outstanding No. 10 seed.
As one sportscaster likes to say, “This is going to be fun.”
The surprise wasn’t that Iowa State defeated Notre Dame in a No. 10 vs. No. 7 match-up. The surprise was how it happened.
Usually these closely seeded teams play close games. Not Friday night in Dayton, Ohio. The Cyclones started fast and attacked the Fighting Irish. The game was over early in the second half. You kept thinking Notre Dame would mount a second-half run. There was none. Iowa State cleared its bench and provided playing time for little-used reserves. Notre Dame played looked like something hit them but they weren’t sure what.
There was another surprise in this game—HOW the Cyclones dominated. Iowa State is known for its three-point shooting. On this night, the Cyclones decided to move the ball inside and take it straight to the Fight Irish. They threw in some three-pointers for good measure. The strategy worked and worked well.
Simply put, Iowa State possessed better athletes than Notre Dame.
The Cyclones move on to play Ohio State in Round 3. This should be an interesting game. The Buckeyes have the athletes to match Iowa State. But if the Buckeyes noticed, Iowa State is an outstanding No. 10 seed.
As one sportscaster likes to say, “This is going to be fun.”
Friday, March 22, 2013
NCAA Basketball Tournament: Which Iowa State Team Tonight?
Iowa State fans want to know which Iowa State team will show up against Notre Dame in Round 2 of the NCAA men’s tournament late tonight.
When Iowa State has success on the three-point shot, the results are good. When Iowa State has difficulty connecting on the three-point shot the results are bad. The Cyclones are definitely a two-headed team.
Who wins the “style” battle will also play into the results. Iowa State obviously enjoys the up tempo pace, while Notre Dame prefers the grind-it-out philosophy.
Iowa State has been spotty on defense this season. The Cyclones play offense but struggle on defense. Tonight, might be a good time to pull out the defensive effort.
Iowa State has talented players, but point guard Korie Lucious should determine whether it’s the Cyclone’s night. Lucious was basically a non-factor in the recently completed Big 12 Tournament. He needs to score some points and also collect some assets. Lucious has previously NCAA experience with Michigan State and as a senior this is his last shot.
Cyclone fans hope the word “shot” is plural and not singular.
When Iowa State has success on the three-point shot, the results are good. When Iowa State has difficulty connecting on the three-point shot the results are bad. The Cyclones are definitely a two-headed team.
Who wins the “style” battle will also play into the results. Iowa State obviously enjoys the up tempo pace, while Notre Dame prefers the grind-it-out philosophy.
Iowa State has been spotty on defense this season. The Cyclones play offense but struggle on defense. Tonight, might be a good time to pull out the defensive effort.
Iowa State has talented players, but point guard Korie Lucious should determine whether it’s the Cyclone’s night. Lucious was basically a non-factor in the recently completed Big 12 Tournament. He needs to score some points and also collect some assets. Lucious has previously NCAA experience with Michigan State and as a senior this is his last shot.
Cyclone fans hope the word “shot” is plural and not singular.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Let the NCAA Basketball Tournament Begin
Do you have your brackets ready? Have you dusted off the remote? Are you ready to search and find specific games, times and channels?
The real NCAA tournament begins today. The play-in games are over and there are 64 teams vying for Atlanta and the title. That means in the next two days (Thursday-Friday) 32 games are on the schedule. You got to love the NCAA basketball tournament.
But as I suggested in the past, pace yourself. Remember, the last time you went to a restaurant and your eyes were larger than your stomach? Don’t put yourself on the disabled list before the tournament is really cranking.
I am giving some Gators some love for the tournament. My selection to win the entire thing is Florida. My upset special in the round of 64 is South Dakota State over Michigan. Wouldn’t that get some Jackrabbits (South Dakota State’s nickname) excited?
Who is your tournament winner? An upset special?
The real NCAA tournament begins today. The play-in games are over and there are 64 teams vying for Atlanta and the title. That means in the next two days (Thursday-Friday) 32 games are on the schedule. You got to love the NCAA basketball tournament.
But as I suggested in the past, pace yourself. Remember, the last time you went to a restaurant and your eyes were larger than your stomach? Don’t put yourself on the disabled list before the tournament is really cranking.
I am giving some Gators some love for the tournament. My selection to win the entire thing is Florida. My upset special in the round of 64 is South Dakota State over Michigan. Wouldn’t that get some Jackrabbits (South Dakota State’s nickname) excited?
Who is your tournament winner? An upset special?
Monday, March 18, 2013
Happy or Sad About NCAA Tournament Selections
If your team made the cut for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, I offer congratulations. If your team made it to one of the lesser tournaments, you have my sympathy.
If you’re a serious college basketball fan, today you are either happy or sad. There isn’t such a thing as middle ground.
The NCAA tournament is the gold standard. All other postseason tournaments are just tournaments. If your team is in March Madness, anticipation is high. Teams in the lesser tournaments are feeling jealousy and disappointment.
If I’m a fan of a team that didn’t make the Big Dance (and I’m there), I would almost wish the season was officially over because in reality it feels like it is. They can promote all those lesser tournaments as much as they want, it’s only fluff.
I will be cheering for my alma mater Iowa State in the Big Dance. The Cyclones oppose Notre Dame Friday. Memo to Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg: spend some quality in practice on the defense. Thanks.
If you’re a serious college basketball fan, today you are either happy or sad. There isn’t such a thing as middle ground.
The NCAA tournament is the gold standard. All other postseason tournaments are just tournaments. If your team is in March Madness, anticipation is high. Teams in the lesser tournaments are feeling jealousy and disappointment.
If I’m a fan of a team that didn’t make the Big Dance (and I’m there), I would almost wish the season was officially over because in reality it feels like it is. They can promote all those lesser tournaments as much as they want, it’s only fluff.
I will be cheering for my alma mater Iowa State in the Big Dance. The Cyclones oppose Notre Dame Friday. Memo to Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg: spend some quality in practice on the defense. Thanks.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Falling Sky on University of Northern Iowa Basketball
Earlier in the season, I thought the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) had the best Division I team in the state. My thoughts were soooooo wrong.
UNI is probably in third place now behind Iowa State and Iowa and ahead of only Drake.
The wheels are quickly falling off UNI’s season. Tuesday night the Panthers lost an overtime game to Evansville. UNI led in the closing moments of regulation. Last Saturday, the Panthers lost to Indiana State on free throws in the closing seconds. Two games in the state of Indiana, two bitter defeats.
UNI has a .500 overall record at 11-11 (4-6 Missouri Valley Conference). This is a major disappointment for team that came into the season with large hopes. This is a veteran team with solid playersand a strong coach in Ben Jacobson.
The Panthers are in a danger zone psychologically. They can either try to salvage the season or basically play it out. There a few postseason tournaments besides the NCAA tournament but if UNI doesn’t start winning ballgames even those lesser tournaments might not want the Panthers.
It seems a distant memory when UNI knocked off Kansas in the NCAA tournament and gained a Sweet 16 berth. This is a program that should be competing for a NCAA tournament bid every year. Like last season, this team will come up empty.
What’s wrong with UNI?
Monday, January 28, 2013
Iowa State Men's Basketball on Rise
The Iowa State men’s basketball team is positioning for a NCAA tournament bid. If successful, it will mark the second straight year the Cyclones have qualified under favorite Iowa State son Fred Hoiberg.
Iowa State garnered a big win Saturday over previously No. 11 ranked Kansas State. It moved Iowa State’s conference home record to a perfect 3-0. The Cyclones have lost to Kansas and Texas Tech on the road. Their lone visiting win was at TCU.
So the Cyclones sit at 4-2 in the Big 12 tied for third place with Kansas State and Oklahoma. Iowa State is 14-5 overall.
Iowa State has plenty of talent on its roster. The question is always can the Cyclones play to their talent? Iowa State has looked like world-beaters in some games like a near loss to Kansas. But in other contests, it has resembled an average or marginal club. It’s still hard to fathom that loss at Texas Tech. Tech is the second worst team in the league.
The Cyclones have an upcoming rugged four-game stretch, but two of the games are at home. This Wednesday, Iowa State plays at Oklahoma State—a team some believed was the second best team in the conference at one point. Saturday, the Cyclones host second-place Baylor. Next week, it’s Oklahoma at home and Kansas State away.
It’s time for Iowa State to prove it is NCAA tournament worthy. It’s time for the talent to show up on a consistent basis.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Iowa State Loses a Good One
Assistant men’s basketball coach Bobby Lutz lasted just one season at Iowa State. Cyclone fans knew the day would eventually occur but they were hoping it wouldn’t come this soon.
I figured that Lutz would depart for a head coaching job sooner or later. He was successful at North Carolina-Charlotte leading the 49ers to a 218-158 record including five NCAA tournaments and three NIT tournaments. The guy proved he could coach.
The surprising aspect is he left for another assistant job. Reports over the weekend said he had accepted a job at North Carolina State.
Maybe the North Carolina native wanted badly to return home. Maybe the Southerner couldn’t tolerate the Iowa winters. What’s not to dislike like about a foot of snow on the ground and 20-below wind chill factors?
But Lutz will definitely be missed in Ames. He was first-year Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg’s right hand man. Since Hoiberg had zero head coach experience heading into the 2010-11 season, Lutz’s successful head coaching pedigree was vital. You could observe during timeouts Lutz having a large say in the huddle.
Hoiberg hit a home run when he hired Lutz. Hoiberg is now looking for another long ball and it’s important that he find one.
I figured that Lutz would depart for a head coaching job sooner or later. He was successful at North Carolina-Charlotte leading the 49ers to a 218-158 record including five NCAA tournaments and three NIT tournaments. The guy proved he could coach.
The surprising aspect is he left for another assistant job. Reports over the weekend said he had accepted a job at North Carolina State.
Maybe the North Carolina native wanted badly to return home. Maybe the Southerner couldn’t tolerate the Iowa winters. What’s not to dislike like about a foot of snow on the ground and 20-below wind chill factors?
But Lutz will definitely be missed in Ames. He was first-year Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg’s right hand man. Since Hoiberg had zero head coach experience heading into the 2010-11 season, Lutz’s successful head coaching pedigree was vital. You could observe during timeouts Lutz having a large say in the huddle.
Hoiberg hit a home run when he hired Lutz. Hoiberg is now looking for another long ball and it’s important that he find one.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Darling of the NCAA Tournament
Virginia Commonwealth (VCU) receives my vote as the darling of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
The Rams will play their first ever Sweet Sixteen game Friday night against Florida State.
VCU has been traveling a special road this tournament. First, the Rams knock off Southern Cal in the play-in game. Second, Georgetown is the victim. Last Sunday, Purdue goes home. VCU won three games in five days. You think the Rams were tired, not a chance? They are living on momentum.
Most people don’t know much about this school, me included. VCU plays in the Colonial Athletic Association—the same conference as George Mason another NCAA favorite. The school is located in Richmond and has an enrollment of 32,000 students on two campuses. It also features a medical center.
The Rams never won more than one NCAA game in a season before this year. Coach Shaka Smart leads the 26-11 club. I imagine bigger schools will want to talk to Smart about their vacancy when VCU’s season is finished. Mid-major coaches receive much exposure when their teams make strong tournament runs.
But Smart’s focus is on the Florida State Seminoles now. This should be an entertaining contest between two teams not figured to advance this far. The Seminoles have defeated Texas A&M and Notre Dame.
VCU hopes to continue its darling status. As the Rams march forward, the love grows.
The Rams will play their first ever Sweet Sixteen game Friday night against Florida State.
VCU has been traveling a special road this tournament. First, the Rams knock off Southern Cal in the play-in game. Second, Georgetown is the victim. Last Sunday, Purdue goes home. VCU won three games in five days. You think the Rams were tired, not a chance? They are living on momentum.
Most people don’t know much about this school, me included. VCU plays in the Colonial Athletic Association—the same conference as George Mason another NCAA favorite. The school is located in Richmond and has an enrollment of 32,000 students on two campuses. It also features a medical center.
The Rams never won more than one NCAA game in a season before this year. Coach Shaka Smart leads the 26-11 club. I imagine bigger schools will want to talk to Smart about their vacancy when VCU’s season is finished. Mid-major coaches receive much exposure when their teams make strong tournament runs.
But Smart’s focus is on the Florida State Seminoles now. This should be an entertaining contest between two teams not figured to advance this far. The Seminoles have defeated Texas A&M and Notre Dame.
VCU hopes to continue its darling status. As the Rams march forward, the love grows.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Bubbles, Bubbles and More Bubbles
And you thought the political season was taking a rest.
Not so. The bids for 68 NCAA men’s basketball tournaments slots are available.
This is political. That’s why if you haven’t heard of the term “bubble” and you are anyway connected with college basketball, you have really been outside the United States.
For my foreign readers, the team “bubble” refers to teams hoping to land a spot in the NCAA tournament. Frankly, they are at the mercy of the NCAA selection committee.
The national sports press daily updates fans with teams squarely on the bubble, those beyond the bubble (expected to get in the tournament) and those off the bubble. It creates fan interest but also high anxiety for the bubble teams.
Bubble teams are usually ones who has an average or above average conference record. They also have respectable overall marks with some quality wins and some bad losses.
With the NCAA tournament only a couple weeks away, you listen to lots of campaign speeches. You will hear conference coaches praising other teams in hopes their league will get more teams in the tournament or “Big Dance” as it’s called. Conference commissioners will provide a similar speech. I even heard a couple conference announcers tell their world how wonderful a few of their teams were. I thought to myself…please.
But the bottom line is if teams take care of business on the court, they will impress the selection committee and earn a bid.
Unfortunately, we will continue to hear about the bubble until we are bubbled out.
Not so. The bids for 68 NCAA men’s basketball tournaments slots are available.
This is political. That’s why if you haven’t heard of the term “bubble” and you are anyway connected with college basketball, you have really been outside the United States.
For my foreign readers, the team “bubble” refers to teams hoping to land a spot in the NCAA tournament. Frankly, they are at the mercy of the NCAA selection committee.
The national sports press daily updates fans with teams squarely on the bubble, those beyond the bubble (expected to get in the tournament) and those off the bubble. It creates fan interest but also high anxiety for the bubble teams.
Bubble teams are usually ones who has an average or above average conference record. They also have respectable overall marks with some quality wins and some bad losses.
With the NCAA tournament only a couple weeks away, you listen to lots of campaign speeches. You will hear conference coaches praising other teams in hopes their league will get more teams in the tournament or “Big Dance” as it’s called. Conference commissioners will provide a similar speech. I even heard a couple conference announcers tell their world how wonderful a few of their teams were. I thought to myself…please.
But the bottom line is if teams take care of business on the court, they will impress the selection committee and earn a bid.
Unfortunately, we will continue to hear about the bubble until we are bubbled out.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Expanding the NCAA Basketball Tournament
Apparently, there are college coaches wanting to push the NCAA men's basketball tournament to 96 teams. My response to that is bad, bad, bad idea.
The NCAA tournament is one of the best in sports. Selection Sunday is a big deal. Do the bubble teams make it or fall off? Cinderellas eagerly await their first opposition.
If it's not broken why fix it?
Expanding the field will hurt interest. Marginal teams will get bids. Bubble teams will have poorer records. Student athletes will play more games. Student athletes will miss more classes. The season will get longer including the tournament.
I get it why coaches and schools want the expansion. Frankly, the tournament is job security for coaches. The tournament (in or out) is how many coaches are judged these days. Plus, coaches may receive additional money for appearances and advancing in the tournament. Schools receive great exposure for tournament appearances. It's a wonderful marketing tool.
People say that there will be expanding TV revenue as well. But at what point will the buyer reach that risk-and-reward theme and choose the risk one?
I am still waiting for the day when a No. 16 seed beats a No. 1. It has yet to happen in the 64-team field despite a few close calls. That scene might be in more serious doubt if the field expands.
What do you think about tournament expansion?
The NCAA tournament is one of the best in sports. Selection Sunday is a big deal. Do the bubble teams make it or fall off? Cinderellas eagerly await their first opposition.
If it's not broken why fix it?
Expanding the field will hurt interest. Marginal teams will get bids. Bubble teams will have poorer records. Student athletes will play more games. Student athletes will miss more classes. The season will get longer including the tournament.
I get it why coaches and schools want the expansion. Frankly, the tournament is job security for coaches. The tournament (in or out) is how many coaches are judged these days. Plus, coaches may receive additional money for appearances and advancing in the tournament. Schools receive great exposure for tournament appearances. It's a wonderful marketing tool.
People say that there will be expanding TV revenue as well. But at what point will the buyer reach that risk-and-reward theme and choose the risk one?
I am still waiting for the day when a No. 16 seed beats a No. 1. It has yet to happen in the 64-team field despite a few close calls. That scene might be in more serious doubt if the field expands.
What do you think about tournament expansion?
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