With the first set of games in the books tonight both teams, North Carolina and Kansas, not only won, but won with authority. I didn't watch much of the Kansas game so I can't comment much on the game, but I can comment on the days leading up to it. Bill Self did his best to be politically correct when asked about playing double digit seeds. From the looks of the highlights and the score Richmond played like a double digit seeded team. But like he said you can't prepare for them that way. This Richmond team is a very dangerous team, and has a reputation as a giant killer. If overlooked could make for a long night for Kansas. Well, Richmond sealed their fate before the game even tipped off. The two teams "exchanged words" in the tunnel before coming onto the floor. You don't piss of a giant. Apparently this did and KU came out firing. When KU is hot and playing their game no other team stands a chance, and Richmond just added fuel to the fire. KU has by far the easiest path to the final four, the highest seed they play will be Illinois as a 9 seed. Not to take anything away from those teams, but they are seeded like that for a reason. They are seeded because of the entire body of work. KU is the #2 overall seed for a reason. As VCU is an #11 seed for a reason. Kansas fans can downplay it as much as they want to, saying these teams are better than they seem. But, would you rather be Ohio State and have to play George Mason, Kentucky, and possibly North Carolina? Or would you rather play Illinois, Richmond, and VCU/FSU?? I think Duke, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, etc would LOVE to be in KU's position over theirs.
North Carolina played their best game of the tournament tonight. To say the first half was a clinic would be an understatement. After the first few minutes, the Tarheels went on a tear, ripping Marquette a new one. Marquette switched to a zone in the second half and fought as hard as they could, but still couldn't get within 15 points. Both teams advanced with ease, and await the games being played right now. North Carolina plays the winner of the giants. Kentucky wants to show they are for real. If they were in any of the other 3 regionals they would be a final 4 team for sure. I'm interested to see what happens in the VCU v FSU. VCU has been riding that underdog role. Us against the world. Coaches love that attitude and it makes for great pre game and post game speeches. But, after a few games, they talk about these teams and they start getting respect. Then they aren't the underdogs any more, and when that happens, their dream run usually comes to an end. One team that comes to mind is the Colorado Rockies of a few years ago. They had to win a playin game to reach the post season and went on a tear until they ran into the Red Sox in the World Series. VCU has gained publicity and respect and analysts and writers are giving them a chance now, and that diminishes the impact of a game. Can VCU be like Butler and still play to that standard now that they are respected, or will reality catch up to them?
I've made comments on my facebook about Charles Barkley. He joined the CBS crew this year when they added Turner Sports into the mix. He covers mostly NBA games and many thought he wouldn't know much about the college game. Well, so far in this tournament he has embarrased the "know it all's" of college basketball. Seth Davis covers college basketball for Sports Illustrated and CBS sports. Seth Davis has got as many picks wrong as Barkley's got right. If he predicted and upset, there wasn't. If he predicted there wasn't an upset, there was. So, an interesting factoid going into that game, Charles Barkley, who has been consistantly right picked FSU to win this game, and Seth Davis, who has been consistantly wrong picked VCU. I wonder who I'd side with on that one...
Another thing I find funny is Rick Pitino. After his team lost in the first round, he joined the CBS crew. Sunday evening after most of the Big East teams were illiminated Pitino was trying to defend the Big East and Barkley didn't hold anything back, stood up to him, and basically told him off. Now Rick Pitino has moved to ESPN where no one has the balls to stand up to him the way Barkley did. He didn't like being put in his place so he went to ESPN where they will kiss his ass.
In the past week, as well as throughout the season I have heard a lot of criticism about KSU's coach, Frank Martin. He is widely known for his yelling on the sidelines. What coach doesn't yell?? You show me a coach that doesn't yell at their players at some point, whether it be practice, half time, during the game, whatever. I watch Roy Williams, one of the greatest coaches of our time throw a temper tantrum and put in 5 walk-ons in an ACC tournament game. Coach K can yell with the best of them. I don't care who the coach is, you can't tell me he doesn't yell at some point or another. Frank Martin is criticized because he does it with such intensity. A comment was made in the middle of the season about his players being tired of being yelled at, and that they quit on him. Well, they went on a tear in the Big XII and became one of the hottest teams going into the tournament. If that's quitting on your coach, then basketball has really changed. Frank Martin's players a very loyal to their coach. Despite how he yells during the games, they still love and support him. Off the court he is one of the classiest coaches in the Big XII. Before the KSU-KU game in BRAMLAGE COLISEUM he grabbed the microphone and asked the fans to donate to Thomas Robinson's sister's college fund. That's class, to ask your home fans to donate to a fierce rival. Frank Martin is also VERY loyal to his players. Rick Pitino is probably one of the best coaches of our time, up there with Roy Williams, Coach K, and Bill Self. After their first round loss to Moorehead State, he basically threw a few of his players under the bus. Frank Martin would NEVER do what Pitino did. He may chew a kids ass for something they did, but he will NOT blame a loss on a player. He will defend that player like a coach is SUPPOSED to do. If I had the opportunity and the choice, I would send my kids to play for Frank Martin over Rick Pitino or Bill Self. Frank Martin is one of the best recruiters in college basketball. For him to still be able to land players like Jacob Pullen, Will Spradling, Rodney McGruder he's doing something right. If he were the mean hard-ass everyone makes him out to be, these players wouldn't be there. Frank Martin demands your best and nothing less. More coaches should be like Frank Martin.
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