Boom Goes the Dynamite: Elite 8 Day One
Posted by nvr1983 on March 28th, 2009
We’re back for the Elite 8 today. As we mentioned yesterday, the tournament up to this point hasn’t been as exciting as we are used to, but perhaps all this chalk means that we will get a phenomenal last three rounds. The match-ups today look like they will produce some solid action (particularly in Boston) so we’re definitely looking forward to that.
- 4:40 PM: #3 Missouri vs. #1 UConn
- 7:05 PM: #3 Villanova vs. #1 Pittsburgh
In the first game, it will be interesting to see how Missouri’s frenetic style holds up against UConn and what impact Hasheem Thabeet will have in that style of game. One guy to look out for on UConn is Kemba Walker who might thrive in an up-tempo game. In the nightcap, we have two of the Big East’s top teams going against each other in a rematch of a game that Villanova won behind Reggie Redding‘s 18 points and 7 rebounds. DeJuan Blair only had 9 points and 8 rebounds in 23 foul-riddled minutes. An interesting subplot to this game is that some are heralding it as a look at the future of Big East coaching with Jamie Dixon pitted against Jay Wright.
3:55 PM: I love college basketball, but is it a good idea to encourage people in Detroit to spend their last dollar to get tickets? Isn’t that what caused this financial crisis (outside of the idiots on Wall Street playing around with CDOs and credit default swaps)?
4:15 PM: I’m guessing this is the part of the NCAA tournament where CBS uses human interest stories as filler.
4:38 PM: Here we go… let’s hope for a group of E8 games like in 2005 (where three of the four went to OT)…
4:43 PM: The problem I see with Mizzou pulling the major upset in this game is that UConn is very comfortable playing this style. A matchup against Pitt would have been a more interesting contrast for Mizzou to take advantage of.
4:46 PM: Horrid start for Mizzou and fantastic start (obviously) for UConn. The Huskies are already 6-7 from the field with several wide-open shots available. The thing about Missouri is that theie pressure can get them back into games, but it’s going to be tough to turn over AJ Price and Kemba Walker.
