I admit, I have probably watched more college hoops than most of your TV analysts, and certainly more than John Thompson (who on the CBS Radio bracket unveiling, reacted to New Mexico State's #12 seed with a perplexing, "I thought they might'a did better. New Mexico is pretty good now"). Yes John, they are pretty good. Like a #3 seed. This team is a different team than that team. But he is right, Ex-Zay-Vey-Er is always dangerous in the "tuna-mint."
Seriously, I almost jerked my car off the road on accident. By the way, my resume is attached to the bottom of this column...
Oh, if only someone would pay me the same ammount of money to cover hoops, the world would be a better place, both for me and my twenty two (or so) loyal readers.
But alas, the point. After watching way, (yes honey, I agree, WAY too many) games this year, I admit we are right back where we started. Kansas is the best team in the country. They are the only team without a discernable fatal flaw. Kentucky? Too young, too sloppy at times with the ball. Duke? I think "too" is generally attached to Duke in so many ways it scantly bears repeating. Syracuse? To thin up front, especially with Onawaku dinged up. West Virginia? Point guard issues; too many turnovers, not a geat foul shooting team. Kansas State & Baylor? Good guards, decent interior defenders. K-State's 0-3 versus big boy Kansas is a big red flag, and Baylor hasn't won a tourney game in over 50 years. These lights are a lot brighter than the ones in Waco. Villanova? In a total tailspin. Georgetown? Tantilizing, but why have they lost so many games (for the last time annoying emailers - Freeman did NOT miss as many games as you think. They just LOST a lot).
Ohio State? Not much depth, and despite winning the Big Ten tourney, LOOK at the Michigan and Illinois boxscore. You won't see any teams that poor after round one. Purdue, Michigan St and Wisconsin all make the Big Ten seem...well, Little.
Speaking of "little" could it be the year of the little guy? Butler, Temple, Xavier, Richmond and Gonzaga hardly seem "mid" major by now (with the exception of the Spiders). But does anyone really see any of these clubs getting all the way to Indy? (my sleeper Final Four team is easily Butler, and it is all match-ups and draw and a versitile 4-man who can work in the high paint against the zone and pass out of traps). But aside from me - anyone honestly see this group crashing the party??
Which brings us back to square one. How do you convincingly go anywhere other than the KU Rock "Chalk?" I hate the brackets with the three one seeds in the Final Four, and then the edgy "off the wall" #2. Upsets are going to happen this year, but picking them is anyone's best guess.
I can make a pretty good statistical arguement for about forty different scenarios, all different depending on a few key plays, a few kind whistles, and the siezmic changes in the landscape of the tourney that follow.
So, one final admonishment to all of you with some machismo - leave KU off your CHAMP line. Are they the best team in the field? Yes. Does the best team ALWAYS win? No. In fact, in the past 10 years it has happened four, arguably five times. (UNC 06 & 09, Mich St 00, UConn 04 - and I suppose UF in 07).
Anything can happen, and let's be honest, saying "I told you so" if Kansas wins won't have near the satisfaction if you hit on Ohio State, West Virginia, Duke, or ANY of the field...
Besides, have you seen Kansas's uniforms? Mom says they're terrible...
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