I was a freshman at Michigan State the year of the NCAA basketball final that every sports pundit seems to be talking about this year. Magic and crew defeated the evil Larry of Indiana State and I thought that I could get used to winning this thing every year. Alas, I was well out college when they once again took the title in 2000.
I thought State looked really shaky in a few games this year and I didn’t know which version of the team would show up for the tournament. They can obviously play defense against anyone. It’s a matter of how much they turn the ball over and if at least one shooter can put up points when the rest of the team goes cold. After last weekend, I’m a full believer and I’m picking them to go all the way, albeit with my Green and White tinted glasses on.
UNC / Villanova is a toss-up in my mind. ‘Nova really won me over last weekend with their play against both Duke and Pitt last weekend, so I will go with them in a squeaker.
My heart is with ‘Nova. My wallet is hoping UConn over UNC. But I think program pedigree is huge in the tournament. You see a real gap between the top programs and all others in their ability to withstand rallies and runs, and re-adjust strategy on the fly. Also, I’m not sure ‘Nova has a deep enough bench to hang with the players, same with State. The 30-35 minute mark is when you so often see the #1 seeds begin pulling away in a close game. Unless State gets ahead early second half, they’re done.
There’s a good chance I don’t know what the h-ll I’m talking about…