Showing posts with label Sweet 16. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sweet 16. 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.”
Monday, March 25, 2013
NCAA Basketball Tournament: March is Cruel
Iowa State found out Sunday, March can become a cruel time.
The Cyclones were one play away from forcing overtime against Ohio State. They were maybe 1-2 plays from snatching the victory. Buckeye point guard Aaron Craft took care of all those possibilities when he drilled a three-pointer with less than one second remaining.
The Cyclones were done. Finished. Over. It was time to turn to the “What ifs.”
Iowa State entered the game as a real underdog to No. 2 seeded Ohio State. Cyclone fans knew their team had an excellent change however for an upset. Mid-way through the second half, it looked like Ohio State was going to deliver the knockout punch. The Buckeyes held a double digit lead, but then Iowa State marched back to set up a thrilling, but painful finish for Cyclone followers.
The thrill and agony are what makes March Madness special. All experience it, but ultimately only one team stands. Ohio State continues the thrill into the Sweet 16. Iowa State takes their agony back to Ames, Iowa.
It’s March.
The Cyclones were one play away from forcing overtime against Ohio State. They were maybe 1-2 plays from snatching the victory. Buckeye point guard Aaron Craft took care of all those possibilities when he drilled a three-pointer with less than one second remaining.
The Cyclones were done. Finished. Over. It was time to turn to the “What ifs.”
Iowa State entered the game as a real underdog to No. 2 seeded Ohio State. Cyclone fans knew their team had an excellent change however for an upset. Mid-way through the second half, it looked like Ohio State was going to deliver the knockout punch. The Buckeyes held a double digit lead, but then Iowa State marched back to set up a thrilling, but painful finish for Cyclone followers.
The thrill and agony are what makes March Madness special. All experience it, but ultimately only one team stands. Ohio State continues the thrill into the Sweet 16. Iowa State takes their agony back to Ames, Iowa.
It’s March.
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?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Just Another Day at the Office
Baylor’s Brittney Griner continues to lead her team toward a national title.
The 6-8 center turned in another usual stellar performance Tuesday night against Florida. Griner scored 25 points, grabbed nine rebounds, blocked six shots and dished out four assists. Oh by the way, she also recorded one dunk. The second dunk in women’s tournament history.
Undefeated Baylor now moves to the women’s Sweet Sixteen. The Lady Bears are four games away from their second national title.
Can this group be stopped? It is going to become a huge challenge. Griner makes this team a solid national championship contender, but the Lady Bears have other weapons. Baylor entire starting five scored in double figures again the Gators.
It’s nice that Baylor is going on this run. In recent years, UCONN has been the cream of women’s basketball. Maybe it’s time for a new cream. The Baylor gals hope so.
The 6-8 center turned in another usual stellar performance Tuesday night against Florida. Griner scored 25 points, grabbed nine rebounds, blocked six shots and dished out four assists. Oh by the way, she also recorded one dunk. The second dunk in women’s tournament history.
Undefeated Baylor now moves to the women’s Sweet Sixteen. The Lady Bears are four games away from their second national title.
Can this group be stopped? It is going to become a huge challenge. Griner makes this team a solid national championship contender, but the Lady Bears have other weapons. Baylor entire starting five scored in double figures again the Gators.
It’s nice that Baylor is going on this run. In recent years, UCONN has been the cream of women’s basketball. Maybe it’s time for a new cream. The Baylor gals hope so.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thoughts on the Sweet 16
The NCAA tournament is now officially a beauty pageant. Just 16 teams remain (Sweet 16) out of the 68 teams that began less than a week ago.
No. 13 Ohio University and No. 11 North Carolina State are the only two real Cinderellas remaining in the field. No. 10 Xavier might be considered a Cinderella but recent tournament success disqualifies them in my estimation.
Xavier and Florida greatly benefited from earlier upsets. Lehigh shocked Duke in the opening round giving Xavier a better path to the Sweet 16. Florida’s thank-you card should go to Norfolk State who disposed of No. 2 Missouri. Both Xavier and Florida had tournament history on their side. No 15th-seeded teams have ever advanced to the Sweet 16.
There are plenty of traditional powers remaining. For example all the No. 1 seeds are still playing—Kentucky, Michigan State, Noth Carolina and Syracuse. Then you have teams such as Florida and Kansas. So besides a few bumps on the Final Four highway, the selection committee did another good job.
The window for upsets is becoming smaller. But wouldn’t it be great if Ohio and NC State could keep advancing? I cannot give Xavier any love because the Musketeers play Baylor Friday night.
No. 13 Ohio University and No. 11 North Carolina State are the only two real Cinderellas remaining in the field. No. 10 Xavier might be considered a Cinderella but recent tournament success disqualifies them in my estimation.
Xavier and Florida greatly benefited from earlier upsets. Lehigh shocked Duke in the opening round giving Xavier a better path to the Sweet 16. Florida’s thank-you card should go to Norfolk State who disposed of No. 2 Missouri. Both Xavier and Florida had tournament history on their side. No 15th-seeded teams have ever advanced to the Sweet 16.
There are plenty of traditional powers remaining. For example all the No. 1 seeds are still playing—Kentucky, Michigan State, Noth Carolina and Syracuse. Then you have teams such as Florida and Kansas. So besides a few bumps on the Final Four highway, the selection committee did another good job.
The window for upsets is becoming smaller. But wouldn’t it be great if Ohio and NC State could keep advancing? I cannot give Xavier any love because the Musketeers play Baylor Friday night.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Finding New Funding Critical for Mid-Major Athletic Programs
Mid-Major athletic programs are finding it increasingly difficult to fund their programs due to lack of state monies. And these schools are being forced to ween themselves off this type of funding.
Here in Iowa, the state legislature has basically told the University of Northern Iowa to become more self-supporting. Northern Iowa takes the most athletic money from the general fund of the state's three public universities.
Last year, Northern Iowa dropped its baseball program because of budget problems. There were also cries that the Panthers should consider dropping football too or at least play a non-scholarship brand. This about a program that is a consistent playoff team in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (former Division 1-AA).
The problem with the football program is it loses money.
But according to a study discussed in The Des Moines Register, findings suggest no real financial change if the football program switched status.
By the way, the men's basketball team is the only program that makes money at Northern Iowa. The Panthers improved their standing with a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament this season.
So Northern Iowa, like many other programs in the country, will need to raise large sums of private money to keep athletic departments and sports afloat. The days of just showing up and requesting public money are history.
It's a new day for many in college athletics without the fun and games.
Here in Iowa, the state legislature has basically told the University of Northern Iowa to become more self-supporting. Northern Iowa takes the most athletic money from the general fund of the state's three public universities.
Last year, Northern Iowa dropped its baseball program because of budget problems. There were also cries that the Panthers should consider dropping football too or at least play a non-scholarship brand. This about a program that is a consistent playoff team in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (former Division 1-AA).
The problem with the football program is it loses money.
But according to a study discussed in The Des Moines Register, findings suggest no real financial change if the football program switched status.
By the way, the men's basketball team is the only program that makes money at Northern Iowa. The Panthers improved their standing with a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament this season.
So Northern Iowa, like many other programs in the country, will need to raise large sums of private money to keep athletic departments and sports afloat. The days of just showing up and requesting public money are history.
It's a new day for many in college athletics without the fun and games.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Norfthern Iowa Returns 'Home'
Northern Iowa loves playing in St. Louis. And tonight's Sweet 16 match up against Michigan State just happens to be in the Gateway to the West city.
The Panthers have won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis the last two years. It's really their home away from home. Even though this game is played in a different venue (the Edward Jones Dome), Northern Iowa will appreciate the familiarity of St. Louis
The fans enjoy it too because they are within driving distance. Look for a huge Panther gathering tonight.
I look for Northern Iowa to perform well. This veteran, no-nonsense club will be ready. The Panthers need to control the pace because Michigan State will want to run them out of the arena. The Spartans will also try to pressure them to submission. Northern Iowa needs to withstand that and get the basketball in their half-court offense.
The Panthers strength is their defense. But they must play outstanding offense too. They need sold three-point shooting and their usual success at the free throw line.
Northern Iowa wants to have a chance for the victory near the end of the game. This tilt promises to be a war against a tournament-tested Big Ten opponent.
And the Panthers need to seize the opportunity. With two victories already in the tourney, they hope to continue to surprise the expects. This Northern Iowa team is going where no other Panther squad has been before and there is no reason to interrupt the march now.
The whole state of Iowa is cheering for the Panthers. I sense most of America will support them too.
Can the Panthers really beat Michigan State?
The Panthers have won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis the last two years. It's really their home away from home. Even though this game is played in a different venue (the Edward Jones Dome), Northern Iowa will appreciate the familiarity of St. Louis
The fans enjoy it too because they are within driving distance. Look for a huge Panther gathering tonight.
I look for Northern Iowa to perform well. This veteran, no-nonsense club will be ready. The Panthers need to control the pace because Michigan State will want to run them out of the arena. The Spartans will also try to pressure them to submission. Northern Iowa needs to withstand that and get the basketball in their half-court offense.
The Panthers strength is their defense. But they must play outstanding offense too. They need sold three-point shooting and their usual success at the free throw line.
Northern Iowa wants to have a chance for the victory near the end of the game. This tilt promises to be a war against a tournament-tested Big Ten opponent.
And the Panthers need to seize the opportunity. With two victories already in the tourney, they hope to continue to surprise the expects. This Northern Iowa team is going where no other Panther squad has been before and there is no reason to interrupt the march now.
The whole state of Iowa is cheering for the Panthers. I sense most of America will support them too.
Can the Panthers really beat Michigan State?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Beware of Michigan State
The Michigan State Spartans are entering Friday night's Sweet 16 match up against Northern Iowa with a wounded squad. They best player, Kalin Lucas, was injured in the second round Maryland win.
But don't feel too sorry for the Spartans because coach Tom Izzo is still the reason Michigan State wins games. And you know for that reason, the Spartans will be difficult to beat Friday.
Izzo has had plenty of success in the NCAA tourney and he's not just happy to make an appearance in the Sweet 16. Izzo has taken the Spartans to five Final Four appearances in 11 years. He garnered one national championship. Last season, the Spartans lost to North Carolina in the championship game.
When it's tournament time, Izzo's squads put it into high gear. They peak at the right time. The Spartans are not a fun team to play in March/April. They live for the NCAA tourney.
So it will become another day at the NCAA tournament office for Michigan State. The Spartans will be ready. Expect full-court pressure defense. Expect Michigan State to run, run, run and run more. Expect a full 40-minute game and maybe more. Expect a war.
The Spartans will not overlook Northern Iowa. They are on their usual mission: go to the Final Four.
But don't feel too sorry for the Spartans because coach Tom Izzo is still the reason Michigan State wins games. And you know for that reason, the Spartans will be difficult to beat Friday.
Izzo has had plenty of success in the NCAA tourney and he's not just happy to make an appearance in the Sweet 16. Izzo has taken the Spartans to five Final Four appearances in 11 years. He garnered one national championship. Last season, the Spartans lost to North Carolina in the championship game.
When it's tournament time, Izzo's squads put it into high gear. They peak at the right time. The Spartans are not a fun team to play in March/April. They live for the NCAA tourney.
So it will become another day at the NCAA tournament office for Michigan State. The Spartans will be ready. Expect full-court pressure defense. Expect Michigan State to run, run, run and run more. Expect a full 40-minute game and maybe more. Expect a war.
The Spartans will not overlook Northern Iowa. They are on their usual mission: go to the Final Four.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Northern Iowa Rocks College Basketball World
Goodbye, Kansas. Hello, Northern Iowa.
The Panthers truly believed (as I suggested they should in a previous post)and ousted the No. 1 Jayhawks from the NCAA Tournament Saturday afternoon.
Wow, what a game. Northern Iowa played its style and put the foot on the gas when necessary. And when Kansas punched hard a couple times in the second half, the Panthers took the blows.
Ali Farokhmanesh three-point dagger near the end of the game was like, "why is he shooting that shot NOW (with ample time on the shot clock), oh, nice shot."
The Panthers were in control of the game from the beginning. Kansas only led one time at 2-0.
Northern Iowa offered its usual workmanship performance. And on this stage, the Panthers were two points better than mighty Kansas.
These Panthers are forcing their way into the hearts of college basketball fans across the land. They are Sweet 16 bound. Why stop now? St. Louis here they come.
Can Northern Iowa continue its magical ride. You bet it can. These players will continue to believe.
And for good reason. This bunch is truly believable.
The Panthers truly believed (as I suggested they should in a previous post)and ousted the No. 1 Jayhawks from the NCAA Tournament Saturday afternoon.
Wow, what a game. Northern Iowa played its style and put the foot on the gas when necessary. And when Kansas punched hard a couple times in the second half, the Panthers took the blows.
Ali Farokhmanesh three-point dagger near the end of the game was like, "why is he shooting that shot NOW (with ample time on the shot clock), oh, nice shot."
The Panthers were in control of the game from the beginning. Kansas only led one time at 2-0.
Northern Iowa offered its usual workmanship performance. And on this stage, the Panthers were two points better than mighty Kansas.
These Panthers are forcing their way into the hearts of college basketball fans across the land. They are Sweet 16 bound. Why stop now? St. Louis here they come.
Can Northern Iowa continue its magical ride. You bet it can. These players will continue to believe.
And for good reason. This bunch is truly believable.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Winning Will Take Care of Northern Iowa's Seed
Many in the University of Northern Iowa basketball camp are upset over the Panthers ninth seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Northern Iowa draws eighth seeded UNLV in the opening round with the winner probably playing mighty Kansas in round two.
Northern Iowa backers believe the Panthers were slighted despite winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title and the conference tournament title. They also wonder how the selection committee can treat a team this way with a 28-4 overall record.
Panther coach Ben Jacobson took the high road on the matter in public and I appreciated that. However, he might use that as motivation behind close doors and use the 'us against them' cry.
The bottom line is Northern Iowa must win one game at a time and it really doesn't matter about the opponent or the seed. In the NCAA tourney, the game is called survival. You can plan for tomorrow, but if you don't take care of today, the season is over.
Heading into the selection show, many in the Panther camp thought the team could make it to the Sweet 16.
Well, Northern Iowa can still do it. It appears much more challenging, but look at the bright side. Wins over UNLV AND Kansas would shock the basketball world. And isn't that what March Madness is all about?
What do you think of Northern Iowa's NCAA tournament chances?
Northern Iowa backers believe the Panthers were slighted despite winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title and the conference tournament title. They also wonder how the selection committee can treat a team this way with a 28-4 overall record.
Panther coach Ben Jacobson took the high road on the matter in public and I appreciated that. However, he might use that as motivation behind close doors and use the 'us against them' cry.
The bottom line is Northern Iowa must win one game at a time and it really doesn't matter about the opponent or the seed. In the NCAA tourney, the game is called survival. You can plan for tomorrow, but if you don't take care of today, the season is over.
Heading into the selection show, many in the Panther camp thought the team could make it to the Sweet 16.
Well, Northern Iowa can still do it. It appears much more challenging, but look at the bright side. Wins over UNLV AND Kansas would shock the basketball world. And isn't that what March Madness is all about?
What do you think of Northern Iowa's NCAA tournament chances?
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