NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.24.12 Edition
Posted by WCarey on March 24th, 2012
The NCAA Tournament is here and there’s more news, commentary and analysis than any of us can possibly keep up with. To make things a little easier, we’ll bring you a list of daily links gathered about teams in each of the four regions all the way through the Final Four.
Midwest Region
- Kansas has been winning dangerously throughout the NCAA Tournament against seemingly inferior competition. If the Jayhawks do not play better against North Carolina on Sunday, their run in the tournament may very well come to an end.
- Kansas center Jeff Withey’s block with 10 seconds left helped save the Jayhawks from an upset by NC State. That block was one of 10 for the junior from San Diego.
- NC State made a surprise run to the Sweet Sixteen this season with a coach that many doubted when he was hired by school. Hiring Mark Gottfried looks like a good choice because the future is bright in Raleigh.
- Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports believes that North Carolina’s run in the NCAA Tournament will come to an end Sunday. Forde says the Tar Heels have seen what life is like without the services of Kendall Marshall and it is not pretty.
- Every year it seems like a mid-major school that has success in the NCAA Tournament vaults it coach into being a hot commodity for high major schools. This year Ohio’s John Groce fits that description.
West Region
- For all the branches of Louisville head coach Rick Pitino’s coaching tree, the first seedling was his former player and protégé Florida head coach Billy Donovan.
- Louisville lost three of four to end the regular season. Since then, the Cardinals have won the Big East Tournament and are now in the Sweet Sixteen. When the Cardinals’ outlook was gloomy, they bought into the rosy outlook provided by Rick Pitino.
- Louisville assistant coach Richard Pitino is a former Florida assistant, thus Pitino is a key factor in familiarizing Louisville with the Gators.
- This is an interesting piece about how Florida freshman sensation Bradley Beal would look good in a Phoenix Suns uniform if he decides to go pro. Beal insisted Friday that he had yet to make any decision about his future.
- Louisville guard Chris Smith, who is a walk-on, has established the trust of the Cardinals’ team and coaching staff.
East Region
- Wisconsin pounded the Syracuse zone for 14 three-pointers Thursday night, but Orange head coach Jim Boeheim is not about to abandon the team’s famous 2-3 zone.
- Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas has a well-known reputation as a shoot-first player. However, the sophomore is not going to be an apologist for his shoot-first ways.
- Syracuse guards Scoop Jardine and Dion Waiters share a special bond. The two guards are both Philadelphia transplants.
- After struggling in the first two games of the NCAA Tournament, Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger regained his form in the Buckeyes’ Sweet Sixteen victory over Cincinnati. If Sullinger continues his solid play, Syracuse will have problems with the sophomore big man.
- Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft will play against Syracuse with his older brother in mind. Brandon Craft will be deployed to Afghanistan on Saturday.
South Region
- Kentucky may eventually lose in the NCAA Tournament, but it is very unlikely that the Wildcats will beat themselves.
- Kentucky sophomore forward Terrence Jones only recorded four points and one rebound in the Wildcats’ loss to Indiana on December 10. Jones redeemed himself Friday with a solid 12 points and five-rebound performance.
- Motivated by its lack of a postseason appearance last season, Baylor has really earned its redemption this season. The Bears will play Sunday in their second Elite Eight in three years.
- Scott Drew’s parents and brother Bryce were able to attend the Baylor-Xavier game Friday evening. Drew’s mother and father are both battling cancer and Bryce is the head coach at Valparaiso.
