Thoughts on the Sweet 16
From 68 to 16 to 4. That is where we are. And the four? We knew one was a regular (UNC). We knew one was building up to be a power out west (Oregon), but just hadn't gotten over that hill. We knew one is always a tournament darling but never got to the top because of their "strength" in their conference, or lack thereof (Gonzaga). And one nobody really picked to do much (South Carolina).
So is it a year where we see the usual suspects like North Carolina, Arizona, Duke, and Kansas? Nope. Not even close. So what to make of the Sweet 16 this go around?
1. KANSAS IS NOW OFFICIALLY THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL VERSION OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES 1991-2005: For what it is worth, unless you're Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, and a few others, the college basketball world is jealous of the success Kansas has had and for a VERY long period of time. Every year they start out at the top of the nation or near the top of the nation. Every year they have to go toe to toe with the Big 12 powers such as Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, etc, win in impressive fashion by winning the conference while being the top dog in the nation. And every year the story remains the same.....2nd round loss, Sweet 16 loss, Elite Eight loss, giving Kansas more and more heartbreak. And we look at the likes of Duke, North Carolina, and others who are making Final Fours with ease. Some think the style of play is one part. Another may be the one-and-done players just do not have what it takes to play in those tournament games. Sometimes the Jayhawks rely too much on the three. Others they just have that "soft" label as Oregon really outplayed them throughout and really took it to the Jayhawks. One thing I like to think is that it gets too easy sometimes for Kansas on a yearly basis, but when the tournament rolls around, they hadn't handled much adversity in the regular season that it bites them in the tournament. But whatever the case may be, it is becoming an epidemic in Lawrence.
2. ARIZONA IS NOT FAR BEHIND KANSAS IN THAT ASPECT: Arizona is another one that befuddles me. I had them to win it all this year with their depth, and they had the road probably the easiest. And they blew it. Big time. And again, it seems to be the Wildcats have such great talent but nothing to show forth year in and year out.
3. UCLA'S UP-TEMPO STYLE IS USELESS WITHOUT ANY DEFENSE: The Bruins can score with the best of them, thanks in part to Lonzo Ball. But they are a wreck on defense. How often do you see a team shoot red hot from the field (70% at one time in the 2nd half against Kentucky) and actually have the deficit widen? Happened to the Bruins. If Ball is about the flashiness, and the defense which most view as suspect as is, UCLA will continue to have problems when the other Ball brothers get to Westwood.
4. THE SEC IS GOING TO LOOK VERY GOOD NEXT YEAR: We know Kentucky. We know Florida. But we now know Frank Martin is building a quality program in South Carolina. Vanderbilt is a tough team and has been for a while. Arkansas is looking good (nearly took down North Carolina). You have Alabama and Auburn with some top recruits coming in and Ole Miss is one to watch next year. What you saw with the SEC this year is a sign of things to come.
5. THE COVERAGE OF THE TOURNAMENT WAS PRETTY GOOD OVERALL: I have knocked television coverage of sports, notably in baseball and football, but what they put on for college basketball and the games that were called was very good, from the play-by-play commentators to the analysts like Reggie Miller, Grant Hill, etc. was just great. And I was probably in the very rare minority that wasn't bothered by Chris Webber. Plus, would you rather have Dan Dakich over him?
6. INSIDERS KNOW "NOTHING." How often did we hear that it was a slam dunk that it was Kansas and UNC for the de facto National Championship? Or it was UCLA and Lonzo Ball running to cut the nets? We make predictions, I get it. I do it all the time, but I am not one to ever say a game is a "slam dunk" so to speak. That's why they play the games.
Fan in the Obstructed Seat
