A Very Sweet 16 - Let the Excitement Begin!
Yesterday, I received my weekly copy of Sports Illustrated Magazine just as I do every Wednesday. Just one day before the start of the Sweet 16, I was reminded of all of the stories that make the tournament so exciting.
Which team will have an opportunity to redeem itself - from past tournaments or even this year. During the regular season, Duke lost twice to North Carolina. Now, they sit 2 games away from possibly facing them again. Similarly, there is a chance that #1 seed UConn could end up facing #1 seeded Pittsburgh in the Championship game - the team who knocked them out of the #1 spot in the rankings twice during the regular season.The lowest remaining seed, #12 Arizona faced skepticism for being invited to the Big Dance. Now, they have an opportunity to advance with the best of the best (despite 13 losses during the regular season).
In reading the article by Kelli Anderson (SI 3/09), I was reminded that it was as recently as 1995 when coach Dan Monson began each press conference by announcing “it’s pronounced gone-zag-ah.” Now, the Bulldogs are a legitimate contender. So, here we find ourselves with the final 16 consisting of the 14 top teams. We have the dynamic duo from Carolina - Tyler and Hansbrough; several coaches with rings and those looking for their first (among those being John Calipari of Memphis - who lost last year’s title game to Kansas).
So, while it doesn’t look like there will be a “Cinderella Story” this year, it looks like we can expect some in your face, do or die, basketball with some great matchups. Will Calipari get his ring? Will Senior, A.J. Price get his? I anticipate some very close games and the likelihood of another historic buzzer beater. Which team will be sent home with hopes shattered? Who will make history and fulfill their dreams as the next champ?
Be sure to check out our March Madness Predict-a-thon to get your picks in and see how well you do against others. Let the excitement begin!