Ineligible Man Downfield

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.

Courtesy of scooter1727 from Webshots.com

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?
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