Hello,
Yesterday I spent the day at Energy Solutions Arena as part of the University of Utah's support team for the NCAA Tournament. Being there in an official capacity with an All Access pass certainly had it's advantages. Where we were located I was right next to the Wichita State Shockers locker room. I was able to ask one of their reps what exactly a Shocker is. He told me a shock is a binding of wheat (I'm guessing something similar to a bale of hay?). Back in the olden days, as he said, to earn money the football players would bale up the wheat in these shocks. Thus they became the Shockers. And obviously Wichita State shocked the nation yesterday with their inspired 76-70 victory over Gonzaga.
Of course anyone that saw part of the Southern-Gonzaga game knew that Gonzaga was vulnerable. And this comes from someone who was cheering for the Bulldogs entering the tournament, but hadn't seen them very much during the season. The Southern Jaguars big men were able to block Zags center Kelly Olynyk many times in that game. I also knew that the Shockers were tenacious defenders, if not the best shooters.
Going into the WSU-Gonzaga game I still thought the Zags would win. However following their ugly, but tenacious, victory over Pittsburgh my allegiances swung to the Shockers. I was cheering for them. I'll proudly be wearing my Shocker shirt. For the second straight game Gonzaga showed that they are completely overrated. And as for Olynyk on the cover of Sports Illustrated, wow that's a major fail. Not that you could blame SI for their jinx affecting the Zags. The Zags fought valiantly, but clearly the Shockers wanted it more.
As for Olynyk, I hope he never ends up on the roster of the Jazz. If he's in the NBA for extended it will only be a a fringe player, basically a taller version of Jimmer Fredette. The thing I was most surprised about Olynky is that he's soft. You'd never know that he's a 7 footer based on how much his shot get blocks. Also yesterday his shot selection was terrible. He only made 8 of 22 field goals and was 0-3 from the 3 point line. He did make 10-14 free throws, but those 4 free throws he missed were huge. He should be a complimentary player, never the main player. He does seem to be a good ball handler for a man of his size.
Anyway it was a hard fought game that had all the excitement of two evenly matched teams. This is one of those games that shows the magic of March Madness, where any thing can happen. Anything can happen is one of the things that makes the college game so much more exciting than the NBA. In college there are 10 or 15 teams that could win the national title. In the NBA there are 3 teams that can win the title- Miami, San Antonio and Oklahoma City.
Another thing that I love about college basketball is how both teams line up after the game and shake hands. College basketball players also care a lot more, many of them knowing realizing they won't make it to the League.
Shockers coach, Gregg Marshall, rotates his players constantly throughout the game. It seemed like new players rotated in every clock stoppage. I'm not sure why he does that, but it seems to be effective. And the Shockers are one of those teams that depend on the three pointer, sometimes too much. But when they got it going, watch out. It was very impressive when they hit 5 straight free throws in clutch time. Now the Shockers, who upset the #1 team in the nation, will next play the winner of LaSalle- Ole Miss. Both of those teams scored upsets in their second round games.
Other games on Saturday:
The other game in Salt Lake City yesterday was Harvard-Arizona. It was quickly clear that Arizona is a much better and more athletic team. Arizona won easily 74-51, but Harvard never stopped fighting. I liked the heart and tough play of Harvard's Steve Moundou-Missi. The Wildcat player that seems to get all the attention is Mark Lyons. But the player that may have the most potential is Soloman Hill. Hill had an impressive baseline to baseline power dunk. Arizona next plays the winner of Iowa St.-Ohio St., the game going on as I'm writing this blog. (Speaking of Arizona, whatever happened to Derrick Williams? Oh he went to the Timberwolves? Enough said.)
Other games of note yesterday, well really there weren't that many. It was blowout Saturday, let's hope the games are much more competitive on Sunday. Michigan destroyed VCU, Oregon dispatched of St. Louis relatively easily and Louisville handled (mishandled?) Colorado State. I saw a little of that game, Louisville is very impressive. Unlike Gonzaga, Louisville is a No. 1 seed that scares me. Especially with their tenacious, relentless defense.
I'm also glad that Notre Dame and their ugly uniforms have been eliminated.
Games of note today: I'm hoping for another incredible upset today when Creighton plays Duke. Although I don't think the Blue Jays have a chance, I'll be cheering for them tonight. (Hmm Should I watch "The Walking Dead" or the Puke White Devils?) How will FGSU do in their third round game against the Aztecs of San Diego State. Who's going to win the Roy Williams game, North Carolina vs. Kansas.
The Mountain West Conference sent 5 teams to the NCAA Tournament and their only team remaining is the Aztecs. They'll play the upstart Eagles of FGSU. Meanwhile the Pac 12 sent 4 teams to the NCAAs and two have reached the Sweet Sixteen. Meanwhile the Big Ten (they are still called the Big 10 right?) could have 6 teams reach the Sweet 16. Through the first game on Sunday, Michigan, Ohio St. and Michigan St. have made the Sweet 16. Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota also all play today to join their Big 10 conference mates. Preceding Sunday's game are there really only 3 ACC teams left? It's possible, but highly doubtful, that no ACC teams will reach the Sweet 16.
I have to admit that my favorite basketball result of the weekend was the Lakers losing to the terrible Wizards in LA. Seriously all you delusional Lakers fans, isn't it time you admit this isn't a good team? The Lakers will claim the 8th seed in the playoffs, that's because the three closest teams are even worse than them. The pathetic Jazz who have no clue what they are doing, the undermanned Mavericks and the inconsistent Trailblazers. Being the 8th seed in NBA playoffs is about exciting as going to the execution chamber with a ruthlessly efficient executor. I'll enjoy watching the Lakers being picked apart and destroyed by the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
themusicaddict
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