Last week, we had to skip Must See because, on Thursday, I didn’t know WHO we must see. With no compelling First or Second Round action in the NCAA Tournament, no particularly compelling NBA action, and no knowledge of who would be in the Third Round, there was not much Must See to write about.
This weekend is a different story. The participants in the Elite Eight will be determined by Sweet Sixteen action tonight and tomorrow.
Get your popcorn ready!
Thursday, March 22
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – Regional Semifinals
West Region – (1) Michigan State Spartans vs (4) Louisville Cardinals
Earlier today, I heard this matchup described on ESPN Radio as the “Paisan Bowl” – as in future Hall of Fame coaches Tom Izzo of Michigan State and Rick Pitino of Louisville, both Italian-Americans. In addition to the coaching matchup, I think the matchup of the stars, Draymond Green (16 PPG, 10 RPG) of MSU and point guard Peyton Siva (9 PPG, 6 APG, 2 StlPG) of Louisville, will decide this one.
Both teams are capable. However, the Spartans have been hot and consistent. The Cardinals have had a number of badly timed hiccups this season. I like Michigan State.
Advantage: Michigan State
West Region – (3) Marquette Golden Eagles vs (7) Florida Gators
Regular readers are probably thinking, “Oh boy. He’s going to pick on Florida again!” Florida has improved and gotten hot down the stretch. The question is can the pairing of Florida’s Kenny Boynton (16 PPG, 3 APG) and Erving Walker (12 PPG, 5 APG) match wits with the sheer dominance of Marquette’s defense and post presence of Jae Crowder (17 PPG, 8 RPG).
Marqeutte, on paper, is the better team and, for the last two seasons, I have consistently stated that Florida is great until they run across a better opponent. I do have concerns about the Golden Eagles matching up with Florida in guard play. I think Florida has an opportunity to break through and slay an opponent with a better resume, but like the State of Missouri, they will need to “show me” first.
Advantage: Marquette
East Region – (2) Ohio State Buckeyes vs (6) Cincinnati Bearcats
This is an eagerly awaited intrastate, interconference game between the Buckeyes from the Big Ten and the Bearcats from the Big East. Cicinnnati, behind the power and presence of senior forward Yancy Gates (12 PPG, 9 RPG), has had an impressive run, particularly late in the season. But I think the tandem of Naismith Award candidate Jared Sullinger (18 PPG, 9 RPG) and Will Buford (15 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 APG) of OSU will be too much and the Cincy run stops tonight.
Advantage: Ohio State
Friday, March 23
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – Regional Semifinals
South Region – (1) Kentucky Wildcats vs (4) Indiana Hosiers
Do not think for one second that Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari and his team did not circle this date on the calendar and begin licking their chops the moment the brackets were released and they saw Indiana paired up with them in the South Region. The Hosiers handed Kentucky their only regular season loss of the season at Indiana on a last second shot by Christian Watford (12 PPG, 6 RPG), spoiling what had been a perfect season at that time.
I don’t think the Hosiers’ Cinderella story will repeat itself in Atlanta on Friday. Indiana plays good team basketball, but none of their guys are a match for Kentucky’s Anthony Davis (14 PPG, 10 RPG, 5 BlkPG), a Naismith Award finalist and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s national player of the year. In addition the Wildcats, whose starting lineup consists mostly of freshmen, have had time to gel since their December meeting with Indiana. Frankly, I don’t think the Hosiers have a chance.
Advantage: Kentucky
The remainder of Must See will be published on Saturday morning, after the Regional Semifinals have concluded.
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