Quick Observation
24 games and 514 contestants – that’s a lot to keep up with, but I’m giving it my best effort. While Ohio State completes the formality of waiting on the final horn to sound in the UTSA debacle, I will jot down a few thoughts from the first eight games of day two.
I think I played a pick-up game with those guys once
If you’ve ever played pick-up basketball at the local park, you will find this scenario all too familiar. In pick-up basketball, defense is optional. In fact, if you get frustrated with your randomly selected teammates for not putting forth the effort on defense necessary to win, they look at you as if you just told them they had rhubarb sprouting from their navels. Pick-up teams play matador defense, shrug their shoulders after getting beaten off the dribble, and demonstrate a general lack of interest in anything other than sprinting down the court and doing their best Michael Jordan imitation. I’ve played with guys…a lot. Have you?
I’m not sure how it happened, but I promise those guys from the playground were wearing Arizona Wildcat uniforms today. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a team more disinterested in anything going on in the game. Their facial expressions and body language were indicative of five guys who had dates after the game and just wanted to get it over with. Were it not for Memphis’ propensity to foul, miss free throws, and generally self-destruct, Arizona would have been the second 5 seed to go home early.
The Pearl of no points
Going into their game with Michigan, there were questions surrounding if Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl would keep his job, and if he didn’t, would his team play hard for him anyway. Both questions were answered in the resounding negative as the Volunteers had a certain portion of their collective anatomy handed to them in a 30-point drubbing. I heard the announcers quip that Michigan made history by winning a tournament game without making a single free throw. They didn’t have to. They were too busy dunking.
Who is this year’s George Mason?
According to the T-Shirts being sported by George Mason fans, this year’s George Mason is George Mason! This was probably the best game of the afternoon in terms of competition and quality of play. While another magical run by George Mason would be a neat story, I think the buzz saw awaiting them in the next round (Ohio State) is going to be too much for them to overcome.
What did he say?
I just can’t resist offering up a couple of quotable quips I heard while watching games today.
- “He came into this game shooting 41% from the line. I think he is going to leave this game shooting 41% from the line, too, if he doesn’t get some arch in that shot.” – Len Elmore
- “That posterior! He’s got a million…dollar…posterior!” – Gus Johnson
Cinderella?
Not today – only ugly step-sisters. And judging by the lopsided final scores we saw today, those are some awfully ugly step-sisters. The only upset of the afternoon was tenth seeded Florida State’s victory over seventh seeded Texas A & M.
A Few Awards
A few midday accomplishments of note:
- The Your Wish Is My Command award goes to Frank “Go Oakland Grizzlies” Riviera. You want the Grizzlies to go? You got it. They are GONE!
- The Riddle Me This, Batman award goes to Jason “Picking by B” Roehl, a pun that I didn’t get even though I was looking for it. It wasn’t obvious until he gave me a hint – “No, I’m not blind.” If you still don’t get it, note that his last name rhymes with rail. If you still don’t get it, email me.
- The Wynner Wynner Chicken Dinner award goes to Tará “NCAA Illiterate” Wynn, whose alias belies her prognosticating abilities. Tará is 22-2 so far!
- The What Do You Have, A Crystal Ball? award goes to our contest leader Ben “Big Ben” Hodson, who thus far is an incredible 23-1, his only miss being Gonzaga’s victory over St. John’s.
And now back to our regularly scheduled basketball. Check back this evening for the day two wrap-up and awards.
The Wizard of Whiteland