NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.24.15 Edition
Posted by Griffin Wong on March 24th, 2015
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.
Midwest Region
Can Huggins Use His Press to Get WVU Back to the Final Four? (USA Today Images)
- Kentucky may not be 1991 UNLV, but they’re looking pretty darn tough at 36-0.
- Kentucky has been tested a couple times this season, but West Virginia may provide the Wildcats’ most physical battle yet. The “relentless” Mountaineers are not only strong, but they will also keep up the pressure all game long.
- For West Virginia, the formula to beating Kentucky will have to involve the press. The Mountaineers have forced 40 turnovers over their past two games, and will need to force a bunch on Thursday to have a chance against the undefeated Wildcats.
- West Virginia had a huge win over Maryland in the second round of the tournament, but much was made after the game about the way in which coach Bob Huggins‘ daughters behaved during and after the game. The daughters were particularly harsh towards Maryland senior Dez Wells, taunting him with references to rape allegations he faced at Xavier. Wells’ case was never taken to court and he received a settlement from Xavier for a wrongful expulsion in 2013.
- Notre Dame may have one of the best offenses in the country but the Irish wouldn’t have reached the Sweet Sixteen without its defense. Down late against Butler, the Irish came up with a couple huge stops to send the game into overtime. “Everybody talks about our offense,” said senior captain Pat Connaughton. “But to be able to get that stop on the defensive end to send us into overtime and send us to the Sweet Sixteen is something I’m very proud of these guys for.”
- Steve Vasturia may only be Notre Dame’s fifth leading scorer, but he’s played a huge role in the Irish’s run so far. With much of the defense’s focus on Jerian Grant, Pat Connaughton, and Zach Auguste, Vasturia exploded for 20 points against Butler.
- Kansas may be the blue blood, but Wichita State earned the title of Kings of Kansas for 2015. Making a Sweet Sixteen is always great, but doing so against Kansas made it even sweeter for the Shockers.
- Kansas Governor Sam Brownback was given resounding boos when showed on the jumbotron at the Kansas/Wichita State game on Sunday. Whether it was the fact that he had both teams on his shirt or his new policy on education funding, Jayhawks and Shockers’ fans came together for that one moment this past weekend.
West Region
- Check out Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes having some fun with an NCAA stenographer during a media session. Yes, like a court stenographer.
- Wisconsin is looking forward to Thursday’s matchup against North Carolina. With UNC’s size and athleticism, the Badgers are expecting a fun game.
- It’s looking more and more like North Carolina big man Kennedy Meeks will be out against Wisconsin. Given Wisconsin’s outstanding front line, this could prove especially problematic for the Tar Heels.
- Even though coach Roy Williams has a resumé that includes two National Championships, seven Final Fours, and 16 Sweet Sixteens, he’s not taking this most recent trip for granted. However, it can be tough to do so, considering the degree to which excellence is demanded at UNC. “Let’s not have a misconception. These kids have had a pretty doggone good run for the last three years,” Williams said. “We’ve won 25, 24, and 26 [games], and … a lot of teams would like that.”
- Xavier big man Matt Stainbrook is known for his play on the court, but he’s not actually on scholarship. To make a little cash on the side, Stainbrook drives part-time for the popular mobile application Uber.
- Though the Musketeers have seemingly flown under the radar, this is Xavier‘s fifth Sweet Sixteen in the past eight years. The only other teams to achieve that level of sustained success are Michigan State, Kansas, Duke, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Arizona. That’s not bad company.
- Other than Kentucky, Arizona may just be the hottest team in college basketball. The Wildcats haven’t lost since February 7 and have cruised into the Sweet Sixteen. If the Wildcats can keep it up, things may come full circle with a potential Elite Eight matchup against Wisconsin, the team that knocked them out in the same round just a year ago.
- Arizona sophomore Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has played extremely well for the Wildcats thus far. In addition to his ability to lock down just about anyone, Hollis-Jefferson has the athleticism and skill to be a force on the offensive end.
East Region
Cat Barber and His NC State Teammates Want Their Props From President Obama (USA Today Images)
- NC State point guard Anthony ‘Cat’ Barber may have gotten caught up in President Obama’s lack of faith in the Wolfpack, but it’s clear that reaching the Sweet Sixteen has helped him find some forgiveness for Mr. President.
- Mark Gottfried took over an NC State program that was pretty down in the dumps, but thanks to some outstanding recruiting and some big wins in the NCAA Tournament, he has the Pack returning to the national stage.
- Louisville is looking like the favorite to advance to the Elite Eight over NC State, but let’s not forget about how the Cardinals lost to the Wolfpack on February 14. Here’s a trip down memory lane.
- Northern Iowa was a popular sleeper pick, but Louisville‘s suffocating defense thwarted the Panthers’ upset bid. In a battle of offense vs. defense, defense prevailed.
- Oklahoma is two wins away from its first Final Four since 2002. According to Ryan Gerbosi, here are five things the Sooners must overcome to get there.
- The Sooners may not have a ton of NCAA Tournament experience, but their coach does. After beating Dayton on Sunday, Lon Kruger has officially taken four different schools to the Sweet Sixteen. “When you do something like he’s done with four or five different schools, that shows you his system is in place,” Izzo said of Kruger on SiriusXM College Sports Nation. “Because he’s plugging in not only different players, but in different conferences. … Lon has done an incredible job.”
- Of all the sleepers you could have chosen to make a run, perhaps Michigan State was the most popular pick. But if its a Tom Izzo coached team, does it really count as a sleeper? Izzo seems to always have his teams playing its best basketball at the right time, and this year is no different.
- After losing Gary Harris, Adreian Payne and Keith Appling from last season’s team, Michigan State couldn’t be as talented this year. However, the Spartans have made up for this talent gap with preparation and execution. “We’re just not quite as talented as we’ve normally been, so we’re always cheating and trying to find an edge,” Izzo said after winning on Sunday.
South Region
- In an NCAA Tournament with Karl-Anthony Towns and Frank Kaminsky, has Duke’s Jahlil Okafor really been the “most impressive” player thus far?
- Duke has stumbled a bit in the NCAA Tournament over the past few years, but that’s not been the case yet this year. After a rout over San Diego State in the Round of 32, Duke looks like it is peaking at just the right time.
- Duke will be a tough challenge, but Utah isn’t convinced that it’s done quite yet. After the Utes’ huge win over Georgetown, they were naturally fired up. “I promise you we’re going further than this,” said [Utah’s] Brandon Taylor, shaking his head and characteristically repeating his words. “I promise you.”
- Even though one has 1,000 wins and one has just over 100, there will be a battle of the Coach K’s on Friday. Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak isn’t backing down against Duke, but he is willing to give the title of “Coach K” to his counterpart, Mike Krzyzewski. “Yeah, he’s the man — 1,000 wins,” he [Krystkowiak] said. “I’ve got 100.”
- Is it better to be lucky or good? If you ask UCLA, there’s a good chance the Bruins might say lucky. Here’s a list of reasons why UCLA should feel fortunate to be in the position it’s in.
- UCLA may have been unlucky, lucky, or both, but the Bruins will have a chance to keep it going on Friday night against Gonzaga. The Zags defeated the Bruins earlier this season, but UCLA feels battle-tested and expects to put up a fight. “People are going to say whatever they want,” UCLA guard Bryce Alford said Saturday. “But when you look back on it, we’ve been in the Sweet Sixteen last year, and we’re there again this year. That doesn’t just happen. You’ve got to win big games to do that.”
- Averaging 14.4 and 5.7 rebounds per game in seven contests against UCLA while at USC, Gonzaga graduate transfer Byron Wesley will have a final chance to torch the Bruins again.
- After an 87-68 rout of Iowa, it was all fun and games for Gonzaga in the locker room afterwards. It’s the Bulldogs’ first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2009.
