Okay, so I didn't keep up with the Week 1 blog as closely as I'd hoped. Things got crazy around the office last week and I had very little down-time to sit and wax poetic on the Field of 65. Here are some thoughts as we enter the second week of the Tournament....
Unofficial reports out of Omaha vary, but it appears that K-State was less than enthralled with their second round game against Wisconsin. One person who was there when the 'Cats huddled up before the Wisconsin game (and by "there" I mean about five feet away) says only about half of the KSU players even bothered to engage in the pre-game ritual. As we mentioned on OTL Sunday night, Dave Phillips witnessed Michael Beasley happily strolling down the hallway to the post-game news conference while cracking jokes and eating a sandwich, only to put on the "sad face" upon stepping in front of the mics moments later. He then proceeded to vilify the media for even bringing up the subject of going pro, "moments after a real tough loss." Is this a crime? No. But don't sit up there and tell me that you're all broken up about a loss and that's why I can't ask you if you're going to the NBA if that's not how you really feel. Mike-- If you don't want to answer questions about the NBA because you don't really know yet OR you want to make a big, grand announcement when you do make the call OR there are still details to be worked out OR it's simply not the right time to make that kind of announcement.... than just say that. But don't make the media out to be villians simply for asking when YOU don't REALLY feel victimized. That being said, he's nuts if he doesn't go pro. All this, "he really enjoys college life" stuff goes out the door when there's multi-millions on the table. Ya know what, I really enjoyed college life, too. But I would've gladly traded in my first bottom-less cup at The Fieldhouse (and all the ones that followed over 3 years) to have MILLIONS OF FREAKING DOLLARS IN MY POCKET! You don't carry around a winning lottery ticket in your pocket.... you cash that thing at the first opportunity you have. Now..... with Beasley out of the way, let's talk Walker. Billy boy has to stay. Right now, nbadraft.net has Walker as the last 1st round pick... OF THE 2009 DRAFT! The experts think he'll be a bottom of the 1st round pick IF HE STAYS ANOTHER YEAR. Going now would be insane. If Walker stays, he can average a double-double next year and raise his stock with a 2nd or 3rd team All-American season (certainly 1st Team All-Big 12). If he goes now, there's a good chance he ends up playing in Spain or Italy (which would suck because we all know the top-paying European league is in Belgium... or so I've been told).
Buy your Final Four tickets now, KU fans. With Georgetown out of the way, its a mortal lock. I'm not saying I think Georgetown definitely would have beaten KU.... but they could have. Wisconsin and Davidson can't. Neither can 'Nova. I love Nova's guards and I think they're going to be really good next year if Scottie Reynolds comes back, but KU's guards are better (and they've got more of them). Plus, Nova's only big man is out for the rest of the Tournament (Casiem Drummond messed up his knee and is out). That leaves the Wildcats with a front-line that averages 6'8". Ya think Arthur, Kaun and Jackson might have some fun with that?! KU hammers them inside for the first 10 minutes, Villanova brings a double-team to help, Rush and Chalmers nail a few 3's and before you know it the Jayhawks are up by 15. End of story. Hello Elite 8.
Other thoughts: UCLA's in the Final Four... Darren Collison is too good. I just don't think West Virginia can beat them. UNC should make it, too. But don't rule out a tough Elite 8 game with Louisville. I wish I could comment on Louisville better, but they've never been on here since the Tournament started. I hear that they're playing very well, though. UNC-Louisville could be the best Regional Final we see. I still like Texas in the South. Memphis is talented and athletic, but so is Texas. I think UT can keep up with Memphis' "dribble-drive-motion" offense (which is basically an offense where guards drive and kick over and over again until someone slips to an opening... it's intended to emphasize their superior athletic ability.... which works when you're playing Conference USA teams that don't have anywhere close to the same caliber of athletes that Memphis has... but Texas just might be able to match them in that area). I can see Texas really frustrating Memphis by sticking with them in the half-court and then burying shots on the other end. Of course, I'm the guy who picked Michigan State to beat Memphis in the Sweet 16 in my bracket anyway. Ahh, how fun is the Tournament!
hit me with your comments... I'll continue to get "interactive" as the games start up again tomorrow.
bpa
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