Thursday,
March 20, 2008
By
Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer
TOURNAMENT
CENTRAL –
As you sit there in your office, at your school, or in the privacy
of your own home, you are probably wondering…what is Rich
Barton’s favorite four-day stretch of the entire year? The
answer is this Thursday through Sunday in which the first two
rounds of the NCAA Tournament are played. From amazing shots,
to spectacular individual and team performances, to shocking upsets,
the NCAA Tournament has a little bit of everything for the common
basketball fan.
In a television world
that is virtually dominated by ‘reality’ programs,
the NCAA Tournament provides the most real version possible of
reality television. No matter what the seeds, when two teams meet
during the tournament, the winner moves on and the loser goes
home.
When
looking at an NCAA bracket, there are those who know what they
are talking about, and those who barely recognize many of the
schools in the tournament. Then are people like yours truly, Richie
Ballgame, who think they know what they are talking about, only
to get proven wrong year after year.
As I am generally up
late writing award-winning stories, I’m simultaneously watching
a bevy of college basketball games. So for those who are curious
to know my take on the NCAA Tournament…here it is, Richie
Ballgame’s Bracket Buster (for entertainment purposes only,
of course).
EAST REGION
Player
to watch:
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
This
guy has an awkward style of play and zero finesse, but he knows
where his strengths are and makes everyone else on the court adjust
to him. The 6’9” junior puts the power in power forward.
He has tremendous upper-body strength, he is as tenacious as any
player in the country both offensively and defensively, and he
knows how to finish. But more impressive than anything else is
he gets to the foul line nearly 11 times a game and shoots 81.7
percent, a high percentage for a big man. Averaging 23 points
and 10 rebounds a game; this is a player who can take over a game
at any time.
Biggest
First-Round Upset:
No. 11 St. Joseph’s over No. 6 Oklahoma
Oklahoma
has a handful of wins over ranked teams this year and had a strong
season in the Big 12. But I watched the game they had against
Texas in the Big 12 semifinals and they looked absolutely listless.
Not a good sign heading into the Big Dance. Meanwhile, the Hawks
of St. Joe’s are flapping their wings at the right time.
Led by Ahmad Nivins, who played his high school ball at St. Anthony
in Jersey City, they are riding high and brimming with confidence.
The bottom line is this, one team is on its way up, the other
on its way down and out for the count.
Sleeper
Pick:
Butler
The
Bulldogs have been in the Top 25 rankings all year and have steadily
gotten better throughout the season. They have been around the
Top 10 in recent weeks, only to get snubbed a bit andsaddled with
not only the No. 7 seed, but also a tough first-round game against
South Alabama in the Jaguars' home state. Regardless, this is
a team ready to prove itself against the best. This is a team
that can lose in the first round, but also has the talent to reach
the Final Four. Always watch out for a dog with a mean bite.
First-Round
Winners:
UNC, Indiana, Notre Dame, Washington State, St. Joseph’s,
Louisville, Butler, Tennessee
Second-Round
Winners:
UNC, Washington State, Louisville, Butler
Region
Finalists:
UNC, Louisville
Region
Champion:
Louisville
The Cardinals have
flown under the radar as of late and are boosted by a favorable
draw through the first two rounds. They have no players that average
over 12 points per game and only two that average over five rebounds.
But that is exactly what I like, a team that does not need a superstar
to get by. They have balance, and head coach Rick Pitino knows
how to manage a team in the NCAA Tournament.
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