If you didn’t get to watch the early session games today, you missed some great ones. I do not have time for awards at the moment, but I did want to offer a few thoughts on today’s action.
The Name Game – Did anyone besides me notice how many interesting names appear on the rosters of Gonzaga and Davidson? Bouldin, Pargo, Heytvelt, Pendergraft, Kuso, Lovedale, Archambault, and Gosselin. I didn’t know if I was watching March Madness or Lord Of The Rings. One thing is certain. Stephen Curry is the real deal. In case you missed it, he scored 30 points…in the second half. This was a great win for Davidson, to be sure, even though a 10 over a 7 is really an upset in name only. Did you notice the cameo shots of Adam Morrison on the sidelines? Fear the ‘stache and the hair, man.
The First Real Upset of the tournament came at the buzzer in overtime of Western Kentucky vs. Drake. It has been an iron law of March Madness for years that at least one 12 always beats a 5. However, this iron law proved to be mixed with a little clay last year, when all four 5 seeds won for the first time ever. It looks like basketball equilibrium has been restored in the universe. Again, if you missed it, Western Kentucky led virtually the entire game, only to cough up the lead in the closing minutes. Overtime was a heart-attack special. The only thing that happened more often than lead changes was commercial breaks. Drake had a one point lead with 2.something seconds to go. In a blur, Western Kentucky manages to get the ball to about 30 feet from the basket, where Ty “Don’t Call Me Mister” Rogers burried a three, literally, as the horn sounded. Unbelievable. As my friend, Brad Schafer, said, “Never bet on a duck.” All the Hilltopper pickers look like geniuses right about now.
At this writing, about the only other item of interest is that Connecticutt is locked in a close battle with San Diego. That’s 9 bonus points for those brave enough to pick the Terreros.
And with that, it’s time for me to head off to Good Friday service. Look for the day 2 awards in your inbox in the morning.
Jeff, Bracket Busted