Today kicks off what is now commonly known as “March Madness”. The NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament. It is arguably the second biggest sporting event of the year behind the Super Bowl. Don’t believe me? Come on tell me really how many brackets have you filled out this year?
So what started all this madness? Most so-called “experts” refer back to the 1979 National Championship game between Indiana State and Michigan State when the world was introduced to the very first Magic vs. Bird showdown. That battle won by the smiling freshman Earvin “Magic” Johnson is credited with creating the buzz that is now known as March Madness.
The madness was further cemented by two events that followed a few years later. The first was the 1982 Championship game between North Carolina and Georgetown. This was another marquee match-up, this one featuring two coaching legends, Dean Smith and John Thompson. Carolina was lead by All-American forward James Worthy while Georgetown relied on freshman center Patrick Ewing. But the memorable moment of the game that made it “one for the ages” was the game winning basket made by the “relatively” unknown freshman guard from North Carolina, Michael Jordan.
But what really pushed March Madness over the edge happened the next year. It can be called the introduction of the “Cinderella” factor. In 1983 the North Carolina State Wolfpack led by Coach Jim Valvano were the number six seed in the West Region. Every game they played was close, so close in fact that they earned the nickname “Cardiac Pack” for all the anxiety they bestowed upon their fans, of which I was one. Having attended NC State I was on pins and needles watching every second of every game.
The Wolfpack defeated Ralph Sampson and the number one seeded Virginia Cavaliers 63-62 in the West Regional final. Then after beating Georgia 67-60 in the National semi-finals, the Pack knocked off a second number one seed, Houston’s Phi Slamma Jamma, with Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, in a historic national title game in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jimmy V’s frantic postgame search for somebody to hug is still the most enduring image of this game. Lorenzo Charles’ last-gasp slam dunk of a Dereck Whittenburg air ball (or was it a pass?) won the game. The slipper fit and the Cinderella Wolfpack were National Champs.
There have been so many lasting memories over the past 25 years that the madness has grown beyond anyone’s imagination. I bet even the folks at CBS never imagined the madness would be what it is today. Do you remember the 1985 Championship game when another Cinderella the Villanova Wildcats upset the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas to claim the title? Or how about the 1991 Richmond team who became the first 15th seed to knockout a number two seed Syracuse in the first round? We can’t forget the 1992 East Regional Finals when Duke’s Christian Laettner hit a buzzer-beater shot to beat Kentucky 104-103.
Each year just seems to create more madness memories. Did you realize that last year for the first time in tournament history since seeding began, the top seeded team from each of the four regionals made it to the final four: Kansas, Memphis, North Carolina and UCLA? The Kansas Jayhawks defeated Memphis 75-68 in overtime to claim the crown.
So what does 2009 have in store for us? Well I deliberately waited until this morning to post this blog to make sure everyone had “locked” in their picks before I shared some of my prognostications with you. First a little insight into my own “bracketology” philosophy. Number one; do not listen to the experts. Don’t get caught up with what Dickie V, Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas or Clark Kellogg predict. In my opinion they all have their own agendas. Next, don’t be afraid to go for the first round upsets. The risk reward is minimal in early stages of bracket challenges so step out and take a shot at the next Cinderella. With that being said my bracket does include two #12’s upsetting #5’s (Arizona over Utah and Western Kentucky over Illinois) as well as a #11, VCU over a #6 UCLA. I also have Maryland a #10 beating #7 California. Finally do your homework on the strength of the “power” conferences. The Big East and ACC were up this year, the SEC, Big Ten and Pac-10 not so much.
So here’s my Sweet 16. Midwest: Louisville, Wake Forest, Kansas and Boston College (re: BC remember ACC up, Big Ten down BC will upset Michigan State). West: UConn, Memphis, Marquette and Purdue. That’s a #5 and a #6 advancing. I’m just not a believer in Washington coming out of the Pac-10 or Missouri from the Big 12. East: Pitt, Florida State, Villanova and Duke (again its all Big East and ACC). South: UNC, Gonzaga, Arizona State and Oklahoma. Here’s where I went against my “power” conference strategy and picked Arizona State to eliminate Syracuse. One strategy I failed to mention earlier is the “superstar” factor. When teams are evenly matched take the team with the superstar. ASU’s James Harden is one of the best players in the country and he will lead ASU to a spot in the Sweet 16.
So who makes it to Detroit and the final four? From the Midwest I like Louisville to defeat Kansas and earn a spot. I think UConn will have their hands full with a very talented Memphis team but edge them out to represent the West. In a showdown of Big East powers Pitt will knock off Villanova for a trip to Motown, while the South region will feature a match-up I definitely want to see when the Tarheel’s Tyler Hansbrough faces OU’s Blake Griffin in a battle of big men. As much as I hate to say it I see UNC advancing.
The finals will pit the North Carolina Tarheels against the Connecticut Huskies. Look for the Huskies to come out on top 78-70. Good luck with all your picks.
The Buyline 