NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.20.14 Edition
Posted by Griffin Wong on March 20th, 2014
March Madness is finally upon us, and we here at RTC are here to make everything a little bit easier for you. From the First Four until One Shining Moment, we’ll be dropping daily tidbits of knowledge regarding the teams in each region.
South Region
- Even though the SEC had an awful year, Florida has emerged as the NCAA Tournament favorite.
- Both Colorado and Pittsburgh have had to overcome injuries to key contributors to find themselves back in the Tournament.
- In just his first season, Stephen F. Austin coach Brad Underwood has taken the Lumberjacks to “new heights.”
- After Coach K criticized the A-10, VCU coach Shaka Smart fired back saying that Krzyzewski’s were “low level.”
- UCLA is known for its outstanding guard play, but watch out if they’re bigs get going.
- Ohio State’s opening game against Dayton has brought attention to the Buckeyes’ non-conference scheduling, particularly against other teams from the state of Ohio. According to Bill Livingston, the Buckeyes have no excuse to “duck” their in-state rivals.
- Syracuse dominated during non-conference play, but struggled to five losses in the ACC. However, coach Jim Boeheim isn’t all that concerned. “I don’t think we played any differently at the end of the year than we played all year,” Boeheim commented on Wednesday.
- Instead of Selection Sunday festivities at The Pit, New Mexico decided to take an easier, more business-like approach to the NCAA Tournament.
- Stanford reserve Robbie Lemons is temporarily stepping away from his academic pursuits after the season in hopes that international basketball can take him on an incredible experience throughout the world.
- He’s not the first option on his team. Or the second or the third and maybe even not the fourth, but forward Perry Ellis is developing into a key, consistent player for Kansas.
West Region
- The Arizona Wildcats can make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament, and their road begins with taking care of the Wildcats of Weber State.
- Oklahoma State has Marcus Smart, Markel Brown, and Le’Bryan Nash, but could the Cowboys’ X-factor prove to be their little 5’11” guard Phil Forte?
- He reached the 1994 Final Four at Florida, but Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger hasn’t come close since. Kruger looks to project his experience on his players in hopes that they can win their first Tournament game since 2009.
- According to the experts’ predictions, North Dakota State is looking like the overwhelming favorite to be the trendy 5/12 upset this year.
- New Mexico State has a tough test ahead of them in San Diego State, but 7’5” giant Sim Bhullar could give the Aztecs some trouble.
- Baylor point guard Kenny Chery has been paramount to the Bears’ success, especially with the loss of Pierre Jackson to graduation.
- For Creighton guard Grant Gibbs‘ relationship with superstar Doug McDermott goes beyond their chemistry on the court. McDermott gave Gibbs his scholarship after Gibbs was given a surprising sixth year of eligibility.
- You may not believe it, given their history as a football school, but Oregon actually won the first ever national championship in basketball in 1939.
- Junior point guard Matt Carlino needs to step up if BYU is going to have a shot at Oregon.
- Wisconsin has a reputation for early exits from the Big Dance. For the Badgers, 2014 is the year that they change their reputation.
East Region
- A Washington native, Virginia senior Joe Harris followed coach Tony Bennett all the way across the country to Charlottesville. For Harris, Bennett has proved to be much more than just a coach.
- In what has been a week full of disrespect, George Washington took to calling out President Obama on picking Memphis to beat the hometown Colonials in the second round.
- Cincinnati senior Justin Jackson made an incredible improvement during this offseason due to hard work and… technology?
- Boston College fired Steve Donohue on Tuesday, so is Harvard coach Tommy Amaker looking to make a move across town? With the NCAA Tournament on deck for the Crimson, Amaker declined to comment.
- Michigan State is a 4-seed, but they know that they aren’t going to sneak up on anyone.
- With national championship contender Michigan State to worry about, Delaware coach Monte Ross was too busy to answer his phone. Little did he know, the caller turned out to be Delaware-native, Vice-President Joe Biden.
- For Providence, a criminal investigation is happening at the worst possible time.
- St. Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli and UConn coach Kevin Ollie are still friends from their NBA days.
- Villanova has had an incredible season, but to the Wildcats, much of it would be invalidated without postseason success.
Midwest Region
- Wichita State knows that they have a tough road ahead, but they’re ready for it.
- Kansas State coach Bruce Weber has settled in nicely, but he realizes that there’s still business to take care of.
- Louisville coach Rick Pitino took a jab at the Selection Committee. But it’s not just because of this year, Pitino also cites the Cardinals’ 2012 Elite Eight victory over Florida. That season, Louisville was a 4-seed and Florida was a 7-seed, but Pitino felt that Florida was underseeded.
- NC State star and ACC Player of the Year TJ Warren put on a show in the First Four, but don’t get used to watching him. Warren is likely gone after this season.
- Saint Louis isn’t exactly coming in hot to the NCAA Tournament, but senior Jordair Jett looks to reverse last year’s fate.
- Tennessee made a late run to take down Iowa in the First Four, and it was Jarnell Stokes and Jordan McRae who carried them. If the Volunteers are going to win any more games this season, it’s going to be the experienced duo that carries the way.
- Duke is arguably college basketball’s iconic program, but some believe that 14-seed Mercer could pull off the upset.
- Jahii Carson is all but gone to the NBA draft, but he still has some unfinished business to take care of while he’s still in an Arizona State uniform. Does his legacy as a Sun Devil rely on winning at least a game in the Tournament?
- Sophomore “spark plug” Javan Felix gives Texas a presence on the perimeter, and could possibly be the key to the Longhorns’ success over the coming week(s).
- Michigan made it this far without Mitch McGary, but he would sure love to be out there with his teammates.
