First and foremost, Happy Easter to all our readers. I hope you had a wonderful holiday.
It was a weekend that provided some surprises, and some trouncings, but most of all, it gave us this year’s Final Four for next weekend. Here’s how we got here...
#4 Syracuse over #3 Marquette 55-39 in Washington DC – East Region
Right from the opening tip, Syracuse had Marquette’s number. The zone defense that they had seen before and prevailed against, should have given them an advantage. It didn’t.
Marquette shot a pitiful 23% from the Field and 13% from outside the Arch. Syracuse’s shooting performance wasn’t much better at 38% and 30%.
Marquette actually outrebounded Syracuse 51 to 40. All other stats were on par, except that The Orangemen stole the ball ten (10) times and they converted on almost all of them.
Syracuse wasn’t the prettiest team going to the Final Four, but going they are, as I expected. They’re taking their very effective 2-3 zone defense with them. It will be interesting if their success continues.
#9 Wichita State over #2 Ohio State 70-66 in Los Angeles – West Region
The “Shockers” came out right away and established their own tempo for the game. Regardless of how they tried, Ohio State was powerless to respond. Wichita State led 35-22 at the half.
Taking their Coach’s instruction to “Play Angry” to heart, the Shockers jumped to a 20 point lead by the 11 minutes-to-play mark.
Ohio State’s LaQuinton Ross tried to take over and scored 15 of his 19 points in the 2nd Half, but despite another valiant effort, Wichita State became just the 5th team seeded #9 or higher to make it to the Final Four.
Wichita State outshot Ohio State 37% to 31% from the Field, and 40% to 20% from outside the Arch. Both teams shot the same from the Charity Stripe.
I expected the Buckeyes to ride “Uncle Mo” but the Shockers had other ideas.
Wichita State will have their hands full with whomever they face, but they’re going to Atlanta and the Final Four, so that will make for a great week to look forward to.
#3 Michigan over #3 Florida 79-59 in Arlington – South Region
The Wolverines came out with their guns blazing and almost shot the Gators out of the arena 47-30 at the Half. Florida tried to come back, but the best they could muster was to cutting the deficit by 3 points.
Nik Stauskas had an incredible shooting day with 7/8 from the Field and 6/6 from outside the Arch, plus 2/3 from the Charity Stripe. The team shot 46% (Field) and 53% (Trifecta). If there was a down-side, it was their 69% Free Throw shooting.
Mitch McGary had another exceptional day with 11 Points, 11 Rebounds, 5 Steals, and 2 Blocks. Trey Burke had another rough shooting day but still managed 15 points while orchestrating the performances of his ensemble.
Even though Florida was favored, I picked Michigan, so I was happy with their performance.
Florida gets knocked out of the Big Dance in the Regionals for the 3rd year.
#1 Louisville over #2 Duke 85-63 in Indianapolis – Midwest Region
This first half of the game was marked by a freak injury to Kevin Ware who incurred a compound fracture of his leg after landing badly trying to block a Tyler Thornton trifecta. It is the hope of this writer that he is resting comfortably after the inevitable surgery he will need.
Louisville came into this game as the overall #1 Seed and proved why. They proved to be a handful for Duke, who was able to keep things within three (3) points at the half.
Louisville came out after what had to be an inspiring Halftime, reminding the team of Ware’s words while being attended to: “Just go win the game !!! .” They came out with a vengeance and never looked back. During each Time Out, Coach Pitino would remind his team with “Let’s get Kevin home” referring to his home towm of Atlanta.
All the stats in the world can’t explain what happened as Coach K did afterward. “I thought we had a chance there, and then, boom …” “That’s what they do to teams. They can boom you.”
Coach finished with his classic: “We got beat by a better team”
Yes they did, and while I hoped for a better outcome as an ardent Duke fan, I would not be honest if I didn’t say I was not surprised.
So, #3 Michigan will meet #4 Syracuse and #1 Louisville will get #9 Wichita State. Look forward to a detailed look at these games later this week.
