Final Four Picks

I planned on doing this long, extensive post about the Final Four but then it dawned on me that everyone has heard the stories about each team. We know these squads like the back of our hand in the day and age of the world we live in. Instead, I am going to deliver my points in a couple sentences with hopes not to ramble to either look like a champion, or an idiot by the end of night.



11) VCU v. 8) Butler: It's kind of useless to put the seeds in there, but hey, it's what the cool kids are doing. I think this will be a better game than people expect to be because I am sure casual fans *cough Brett Boyer cough* see this as an ESPN BracketBuster.  No power conference tend to turn people off. It's like being at the bar with a bunch of fairly attractive people, no one is really that hot, it's perfect way to sum this battle. VCU has played out their mind in the past two weeks, but at some point that magic will run out. The clock strikes midnight for the Rams as Butler will play them strong on defense, which will translate into a victory. Butler 71-65

4.) Kentucky v. 3.) Connecticut: The purists of the game have a difficult time watching this one. It's two of the most unethical coaches in college basketball going up against one another for a shot at the National Championship. It's like watching a fight between Bernie Madoff and Rod Blagojevich (yes I had to look that up) and you really don't care who wins because you do not want the other to succeed.  For me, I just see it as basketball and there will always be shitty people no matter what industry you are in.  Even though the Wildcats can earn me some money with a win plus my mancrush on Josh Harrellson, I have a hard time seeing them pull through. People don't nearly give Kemba Walker enough credit for his defense and I think that will shine as he shuts down Brandon Knight, Kentucky's x-factor. UCONN 75-67

-Charlie.

The New VCU Fight Song

OOGA SHAKA OOGA SHAKA.  Just an awesome song and even more reason to cheer for VCU this weekend. Love it. New poll coming out tomorrow of what team you will root for, and trust me my vote is for the Rams. 

-Charlie.

March Madness: More Special Than Ever

2011 has been special for me as a sports fan.  I know we have only enjoyed three months of professional and college sports. But I have been on a Dazed and Confused-like high with how great my personal sports life has been. It does sound selfish, and there are people in Seattle, Cleveland, and Salt Lake who all disagree with me. Trust me, I have had those years, but I hope people are lucky enough to experience something this special. Also this would all come to a crashing halt if the Milwaukee Brewers lose 85 games.

March Madness has brought another joy like the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badger football did earlier this year. It's not at the same level, but still I have never been so locked into the NCAA tournament. Without question, the new format of games on different channels has allowed people to know these teams better. What if I only got to know VCU in the Elite Eight?  I think my level of  appreciation is much lower than it is today. Instead, I am hoping he wins the whole effin' thing like he said before the Kansas game because I actually know his character by watching him rather than reading a profile of Smart in a prominent newspaper. I still read those profiles because I want to absorb as much as I can about one storyline.  

There is no doubt about it that Twitter has further this process for me.  Various sportswriters who are at the game, or watching the game from their couch like I am is absolutely fantastic. I feel that I am sitting at the sports bar watching the game with Seth Davis, Jay Bilas, Michael Smith, Bomani Jones, and Jason McIntyre (The Big Lead) amongst others who I follow. It's awesome to see if I'm thinking the same thing they are, or they fill me in with stats plus other things going on at the game. When Marquette went to the Sweet 16, I hit refresh like a mad man for the next couple of hours to see what others had to say about them. Right now, there is nothing better than getting a rapid reaction from a game I just watched.

CBS executives probably have the same catatonic look like the girl from The Ring has about the ratings for VCU-Butler. But I do not care in the slightest. I talked to Eric on the phone a bit yesterday, and he said "you know we all love Cinderella, but once it gets to the Elite Eight, we want to see the good teams play for it all." While I agree somewhat, I still love the chance for a school like VCU to have a chance to win it all. VCU winning it all makes March Madness that much better. Additionally, it might be the best underdog story we as sports fans could see in any level. I will always root for that story over seeing two snakes winning, and sure that guy from Indianapolis wouldn't be bad story either. 

March is always special, but this one will always be remembered. 

-Charlie.

Elite Eight Picks Part Deux

Well I went 0 for 2 yesterday, and I woke up later than I wanted to so I am going to basically give you a three sentence prediction. Likely, more to come from us today with the first Half Assed Previews (HAP) for Major League Baseball and the latest Brewer trade.

11.) VCU v. 1.) Kansas- In no way should I doubt the Rams in this game. CBS executives woke up from nightmares watching the Rams play the Butler Bulldogs in the Final Four.  The Rams need to come out firing threes if they want to win. The Jayhawks just need a good performance out of the Morris Twins and Thomas Robinson. I think if Tyshawn Taylor plays well, this could be a long day for the Rams. Kansas pulls away late. KU 80-70

4.) Kentucky v. 2.) North Carolina- The Wildcats are on a roll, and I love everything they are doing right now. I think Jorts Harrellson will be a problem for the skinny Tar Heels inside. If I am North Carolina, I am taking it right at the Cats' big man trying get him in foul trouble. I think Brandon Knight hits another big shot late and the Cats head back to the Final Four.  UK 91-89

-Charlie.

The Good, The Bad, and The Rebecca Black

I liked the format that I used for the games yesterday so much, I thought I would use it again. Also since Marquette's first half was the ugliest thing on Friday, I decided to use Rebecca Black's name instead. Hit me with the cyberbullying charges!

The Good

-So far this March Madness had brought us Mr. Onions, Brandon Knight. He is a stone cold assassin in the late game situations. Knight struggled mightily all game, but nailed the shot when it mattered   

-Josh Harrellson has become the centerpiece of the Kentucky Wildcats offense, and my favorite white center since Kevin Pittsnoggle. I also loved that he spiked a ball off Jared Sullinger. 

-The Fightin' Shakas live for another day!  Even though Florida State threw a block party, the Rams were able to survive to face Kansas. David meet Goliath. 

-Tyler Zeller had another great game and played tough defense all game. We all should forget that asshole who said he couldn't play defense, whoops.  

-If you review my predictions, I basically laid out the Kansas game for you.

-The Dwight Buycks Era is over!  (Yes I know he did some nice things, but bad outweighs the good)

-Pumped that Robert Forenza hit a three in his final game of his career. Beyond awesome ending to a great Marquette season.   

The Bad 

-Florida State not getting a shot off in regulation or overtime.  The Noles late game situation troubles made Marquette's look minor.    

-The ref who gave Jae Crowder a T when Marquette is down 26. Don't worry that cushion is big enough for the Heels to win, stripes.  

-Marquette's three point performance was horrendous especially after they fueled the three-point goggles phenomenon this week. Embarrassing. 

- Roy Williams leaving his starters in until the 2 minute mark, I wish Devante Gardner would have leveled that pretty boy Zeller. 

-Dallas Lauderdale bows out in his college career with a five minute performance.  That would be tough to swallow if I were him. 

The Rebecca Black 

-I am very glad I watched the game with my parents because if I watched with my boys, it would have been non-stop jokes. Marquette could not have played more tight.  MU threw up so many breaks in the first half, they could have built an Extreme Home Makeover home. 

-Anyone who scheduled the second round games in Newark. Horrible choice.  

-Darius Johnson-Odom did way too much for my liking. It's okay, he will be great next year.  

-Florida State was 7/18 from the line, which has to bite you in the ass if you are a fan. If I were a Noles fan I would tell myself, 'well at least we got Jenn Sterger.'   

-William Buford missed the final shot and went 2 for 16, yikes. He will be thinking about this one for awhile.  

-Charlie.

Friday Picks (Southwest and East)

Well we went 2 for 4 last night, obviously hoping for better this evening. I'm really not that nervous about the big one, more so excited for it to start. Tacos and Miller Lite are awaiting me after I let the Sno Tap nation in on who I am picking tonight, which is also very exciting.

Southwest


12.) Richmond v. 1.)Kansas: Can someone explain to me why ESPN and others act like this one will be even close? I have seen 1 v. 12 matchups before, and they go a little something like this... the 12 seeded team will give a strong effort for the first 10 minutes playing their asses off and then run out of gas faster than Kristie Alley's treadmill workout. The Spiders do have some good talent in Justin Harper and Kevin Anderson, yet they lack size underneath. The Morris Twins will drain this team, and win in convincing fashion. KU 87-71 

11.) VCU v. 10) Florida State: I guess Shaka Smart needs to stop playing the tapes of all the naysayers because that's long gone. He created the Havoc defense, which I personally love and think most high schools if talented should adopt as their primary system. Florida State has a ton of size, but they fail to score the ball plus they turn the ball over too much. I like the Rams because of their defense and their ability to score. I think they win going away for the third straight game. VCU 71-57 

East
11.) Marquette v. 2.) North Carolina:  Whoa nelly, I have been ready for this game since Sunday night. From everything I've read and heard, the Warriors seem pretty loose and ready to play against the Tar Heels. I really hope Darius Johnson-Odom, a Carolina kid doesn't do too much in the beginning of the game. Marquette needs to be strong on the perimeter or else it will be a long day for the Warriors with Carolina's ability to shoot threes. The Tar Heels have great size, and they need to attack right away down low with Tyler Zeller/Gumby Henson.  I got called out last week for being a biased homer, so why ruin tradition?  MU 79-76 

4.) Kentucky v. 1.) Ohio State- I am eagerly excited for this game because I feel the Buckeyes will get exposed if they do not scorch the earth from three.  Ohio State cannot matchup with both Josh Harrelson and Terrence Jones at the 4 and5. I am assuming that Jared Sullinger will take Harrelson leaving Dallas Lauderdale on Jones, which is more of a mismatch than a war between US and Bangladesh. If last night was the Derrick Williams show, tonight could be Jones'. Also I feel Brandon Knight can tire out Aaron Craft very quickly. The only thing I worry about is Ohio State coming out strong, and Kentucky not responding. The Cats win with a Jones' tip-in at the buzzer.  UK 84-83 

-Charlie.