Its a great time to be a sports fanatic in LA. I’m still hung over from celebrating the Laker victory and basketball season is just around the corner. Just imagine?! The starting five could be the following:
Kobe, Artest, Odom, Gasol and Bynum
The only weak point might be Bynum, but with more experience and “practice” (a la Allen Iverson), we should be and are the favorite to raise another banner in 2010 in Staples Center.
On top of those good feelings, the Dodgers are experience a momentous revival in the postseason with Joe Torre at the helm. Up 2-0 on the St. Louis Cardinals, the Blue Crew should be set up to meet in the NLCS.
As if that was not good enough news, the Angels of Anaheim (of also Los Angeles; all I can say is que?) are on off on the right foot in the postseason with a dominating performance against those hated Boston Red Sox. Hopefully, this trend continues and we shall also be in the next round, the ALCS.
My hope is that the World Series this year will be one known as the Freeway Series. Let’s make it happen guys! Go Dodgers and Angels!
Its definitely going well in these parts. I’m rooting for my hometown teams, including the USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins and UCI Anteaters! Go LA (and the OC)!
So North Carolina took the championship as predicted (not by me of course). A second time, I have guessed wrong. However, that is not much a problem. I don’t work for Vegas and people are not hanging on my every word for the predictions. I’m not paid to do that. Rather, it is through the pure joy and exhilaration that I get for following sports and in this particular case, college basketball. I think that’s what the rest of America needs, the ability to enoy sport for what it is, sport.
These kids are amateurs and not every one of these players are going to be in the NBA. They will go on to different careers and follow different passions. We should celebrate the paths they choose in life nonetheless. In addition, they are at the university for the purported purpose of bettering their own lives through academics. It is within education and their creativity that they can propel themselves to the betterment of society. Within these kids that the future lies the key to humanity’s future
However, on the same token I understand that people outside of the court (TVs, coaches, administrators) are creating fortunes off of student talents. In our society, we believe that talents deserves praise. In the case of college basketball, we should not only laud kids for their athletic ability, but we should also pay these kids as well. Why? If a coach can get a raise for the student’s ability to play, doesn’t the student also get a “raise?” I understand that some of these students get scholarships, but is that really enough when college basketball and college sports in general generate millions of dollars through TV deals and advertisements. They should spread some of that wealth to the players, especially when the “higher ups” get their pay as a direct result of student athletic play.
Yes, college should be for education and not for profit. But at the same time, the standard should be applied to administration, coaches and school as a whole. You cannot have a dichotomy, a double standard.
Detroit has not had much going for it lately. A once proud booming city, formerly known as the automotive capital of the world, is in much decline. The population has plummeted, the economy tanked and the spirits in shambles. You could say it has been as much a disaster as New Orlean’s encounter with Hurricane Katrina, but over a longer time span.
Courtesy of gailbouton from Webshots.com
With that said, it has been a small blessing that the NCAA Final Four has come to this accursed city where the people can take a break from their misery. Add to that Michigan State’s presence in the national championship game and you have a mini miracle. Now if the Spartans were able to capture the title, not only would the upset be spectacular, but it would be truly special for the suffering in Detroit as well as Michigan as a whole. Do you know where I’m taking this post now? That’s right, in laying down the pity I feel for Detroit and Michigan, I feel that Michigan State can and will win the national championship. I’m also going with my gut.
I know, I know! I understand I’ll be rooting against my former home state of North Carolina, but there is so much in the background story that you cannot root against Michigan State though I believe the game will be a close one. The Spartans showed in the last game that they can play a little offense of their own and when you couple that with the defense, you have an all-around competitive team. Plus you know the old adage, defense wins championships. Michigan State proved they could slow Connecticut’s offense down with their blue collar defense and sealed the deal with their offense.
North Carolina is still in my heart and in the hearts of many, a number one team. They proved it by offensively demolishing Villanova. In any other day, North Carolina would be winning this game, but with Michigan State basically playing a home game in addition the the many intangibles discussed earlier, the title will not leave Michigan.
Michigan State is playing with Detroit in their hearts and this will spur them to victory.
Finally we are here at the Final Four and I guess this place, Ford Field, is a fine representation of the current state of college basketball. What does that statement mean you say? Exactly, I’m not surprised you do not understand, but I will not leave you in the dark. Essentially, the fiercest teams (Michigan State, Connecticut, North Carolina,Villanova) that have made it this far all reside east of the Mississippi River and, since the site of the Final Four is also east of the Mississippi, it is only right that Ford Field can be used to as a median to represent averages (mathematical you see) in the current college basketball landscape. The dominance of college basketball lies east of the Mississippi. Yes, I know it is hard for me to say such a statement coming from the Golden State, but I truly have to admit that performance equals merit. I congratulate the eastern part of the country for their development of powerhouse basketball teams. I must say, I was spoiled by UCLA’s presence at the Final Four these previous four years.
Now onto more serious matters. It is a good thing I am not betting on college basketball and no one serious is asking me for their analysis, because here at Imdownfield.com, we are a secondary news source and analysis site for sports. In other words, whatever floats our boat is going to be the “North Star’ guiding the thoughts on our posting “strategery.” Hence the “downfield analysis.” (Aside: ideas are always welcome). Apparently my picks on teams that were supposed to make it this far were “biased” to allow “western teams.” I’ll get it right this time. (A.k.a, my bracket is really busted).
Well enough said about the disclaimer, here are my thoughts on the national seminfinal games:
Villanova vs North Carolina: All I have to say is when you have a hunch in your gut, go with it. All bets are off, my heart lies with Carolina blue and they will ride to the finals with a monster game from all-around, all-heart Tyler Hansborough.
Michigan State vs Connecticut: Defense wins championships and the Michigan State defense is absolutely beautiful (a.k.a ugly offensive game, but gets the job done like the Detroit Pistons of old). Connecticut’s recruiting problems will be highlighted on this grand stage and that destraction will be their downfall.
Hopefully I get the job done this time. I’ll give you my national championship predictions next time.
The dominance in college basketball surely belongs to the east this year. If you don’t believe me, check out the Elite 8 teams for yourself:
Big East Conference: Louisville, Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Villanova
I guess you can say the seeding was correct as the top three seeds in the tournament are still alive and are expected make it to the Final Four. However, there’s more to this eastern dominance:
Big Ten: Michigan State
ACC: North Carolina
Both these teams are traditional basketball powers and they both reside in the east.
Big 12: Missouri, Oklahoma
Luckily, the Midwest has some representation in the Elite 8, but that’s as far west you go. Gone completely off the map are the UCLAs and USCs. The teams that made it to the Sweet 16 were actually Arizona (normally thought of as a powerhouse, but were not expected to make it this year) and Gonzaga (from the WCC). Is the committee conspiring against the West? Continue reading
Are your brackets already busted? Just for the record, mine is pretty messed up in the West and Midwest Regions, but my top picks in every region so far are still alive. Actually according to Yahoo!, I stand in the 39th percentile of all brackets. Though I’m not a statistical genius, I’m proud that I’m above average, possibly in the elite category. Speaking of being elite, let’s figure out who is going to make the Elite 8:
Midwest Region:
Both Louisville and Arizona have the fire power to light the night sky with displays of offensive fireworks. However, something tells me that Louisville will be able to dominate this game because of the scare they got from Siena. Arizona’s path surprisingly has been much easier then Louisville’s, but that will hurt them in the end.
If defense wins championships then my bet is on Michigan State running the show and slowing the offensive machine that is, Kansas. This younger, retooled Bill Self squad will not be able to hang with Tom Izzo’s defensive tactics.
West Region:
Connecticut is shooting the lights out! Therefore I do not believe a Purdue team that has had to grind out close wins can brace for a Connecticut team on a swerve.
My bet is on Memphis over Missouri. Why? They are hell-bent on getting back onto the national final after losing to Kansas in last year’s championship game. No offense to Missouri, but you have to bring your AAA game if you truly want to win this one.
East Region:
Xavier is generally a perennial contender year after year, but those credentials will not thwart Pittsburgh. Jamie Dixon will have them playing solid defense that leads to baskets on the offense.
Though I have Duke over Villanova in this game, the hardwood gods insist on painting a different story. Jay Wright has somehow sparked a fire under his team and they are playing at a “monster” level of energy. Duke has been shaky this season and as a result, I think the buck stops here for them. I’m changing my pick.
South Region:
North Carolina is too powerful for Gonzaga. I commend Mark Few for his ability to get consistent play from such a small school in the Pacific Northwest, but a team from the WCC cannot take on the almighty ACC. It is like Goliath x2 versus David -1. Miracles can happen, but I doubt it in this case.
Syracuse has been on shooting opponents up from downtown since the Big East Tournament. Jim Boeheim has ignited a firestorm under his team’s collective arses and they have responded. With that said however, the beast that is Blake Griffin shall not be stopped. I have Oklahoma making it all the way to the championship final.
Have you missed me? I sure have. However I have returned just in the nick of time for the beginning of one of my favorite sporting events of the year, college basketball’s March Madness. To me, this type of playoff is truly about guts and glory. You win or go home. You have to be in tip-top form to grab the national championship crown (unlike college football).
The tournament absolutely makes me go bananas in every shape and form with one exception, the play-in game or opening round game. The reason for this conundrum was due to the fact that the Mountain West Conference received an automatic bid in 2001 after it split from the Western Athletic Conference in 1999.
The game is an oddity to me because it pits the last two teams to make the tournament to decide who is the 16th seed that gets creamed by a number1 seed. I have no problem with that necessarily, but a tournament of an odd number (65) is rather quirky. In addition, the winner of this game plays one of the number 1 seed that is decided upon arbitrarily.
Why have a tournament of 65 teams? Can we somehow do this differently?
I have a solution. One could be to expand the tourney to 128 teams. That would be unwise however as the talent level would be diluted with teams that should not be there at all. My solution is to add 3 more opening round games that would meet the other number 1 seeds fairly. Why? Every year there are a few teams that are left out of the tournament that should be there for example, San Diego State or St. Mary’s for this year. We can include them now with those extra games to fully accommodate these worthwhile deserving teams. Also, you don’t have to expand the tournament too much to dilute the talent. A tournament of 68? Not totally a true tournament, but it looks better then 65.
