"The Stack" 3-23-18

Kansas State pulled off the quite the feat Thursday night, taking down Kentucky for the first time in program history 61-58. Kansas State is in the Elite Eight.

The Stack is back on this Friday and obviously I am a jinx when it comes to picking who is winning in the NCAA Tournament. So my apologies to all of the fans yesterday. Who am I jinxing today? We’ll find out shortly in “the stack” for today, Friday, March 23rd:

Thursday Sweet 16 reaction

I swear I’m not stupid. I swear I watch college basketball and know the game for the most part. And yet how can you not look at what happened last night and what I predicted in yesterday’s blog and not come to the conclusion that I either have terrible luck and will not win at anything or am a jinx for whoever I pick? Let’s start with the first game. Nevada got off to an incredible start and it looked like it wasn’t going to be Loyola-Chicago’s night. Yet they kept chipping away and Nevada didn’t make a field goal almost the final eight minutes of the first half. Then in the second half Loyola-Chicago made their first thirteen shots, but Nevada would not go quietly. It was a three-pointer by Marques Towns essentially put the game away. Sister Jean and Loyola-Chicago survive again and are in the Elite Eight thanks to a 69-68 victory.

What can you say about the performance that Michigan put on display against Texas A&M? They canned threes all night long. They were red hot and A&M had no answer. The Michigan offense was not good in Wichita last week. That game-winning three pointer against Houston clearly instilled new confidence and new life in them. They rolled A&M 99-72. Watch out everyone! Michigan is good.

Surely Kentucky wouldn’t have any problems with Kansas State right? Wrong. In a game that saw 50 fouls (many of the fouls I would deem to be too ticky-tack) Kansas State overcame multiple big guys who fouled out and won 61-58 thanks to Barry Brown Jr. whose layup with 18 seconds left turned out to be the game-winner. Xavier Sneed was tremendous as well for Kansas State with 22 points. Kentucky had the size all night, but missed free throws by P.J. Washington all night long would doom them. What a win for Kansas State.

The Wildcats (Kansas State that is) aren’t the only #9 seed headed to the Elite Eight. Florida State is also headed there following their 75-60 win over the four seed Gonzaga. Everyone was making contributions for the Seminoles and their length clearly bothered Gonzaga. I did not see this coming. Florida State did not look like they were a team that would be winning a game in the NCAA Tournament let alone three to make it to the Elite Eight. Quite remarkable.

So we have a #11 seed (Loyola-Chicago) versus a #9 seed (Kansas State) in the South Region (first time an #11 seed has played a #9 seed) and a #9 seed (Florida State) against a #3 seed (Michigan) in the West Region. Can you say madness?! Let’s see, who gets the kiss of death today.

#5 Clemson vs. #1 Kansas 7:07 PM ET CBS (Omaha, NE) Midwest Region

I did not expect Clemson to be here. I did not think they had the firepower to get past New Mexico State. But they are here. Kansas is playing what essentially will be a home game for them. They haven’t played a complete game yet in the NCAA Tournament. I’m not saying they will play a complete game in this one, but Devontae Graham and company will get by.

Predicted winner: Kansas

#5 West Virginia vs. #1 Villanova 7:27 PM ET TBS (Boston, MA) East Region

West Virginia has played really well so far this tournament on both sides of the floor. Offensively especially they have been impressive. But you know who else has been impressive? Villanova. The barrage of threes they hit against Alabama in the second round was something else. Mikhal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, it was a thing of beauty. Villanova is the most complete team left in the field and I think their offense is just going to be too much for West Virginia to keep up with, even with the “Press Virginia” mentality.

Predicted winner: Villanova

#11 Syracuse vs. #2 Duke 9:37 PM ET CBS (Omaha, NE) Midwest Region

Syracuse’s 2-3 zone is the reason why they are here. They won their play-in game and then took care of business against TCU and Michigan State. Those teams weren’t prepared for the 2-3 zone and couldn’t figure it out. Know who knows how to thwart the zone? Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils. They are playing really well right now. They beat Syracuse in the regular season. They are both in the ACC after all. I don’t see how Syracuse can slow down the Duke offense enough to win.

Predicted winner: Duke

#3 Texas Tech vs. #2 Purdue 9:57 PM ET TBS (Boston, MA) East Region

Texas Tech plays pretty good defense. Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith have been tremendous putting the ball through the hoop for them as well when they need it most. With no Isaac Haas for Purdue, they barely got by Butler. Against this good Texas Tech squad, I don’t think they will have enough. Give me the Red Raiders. Sorry Lubbock :(

Predicted winner: Texas Tech

Coming up Saturday: Friday Sweet 16 reaction plus Saturday’s Elite Eight preview and predictions