Midwest - The Center of Attention

Four Score and 32 Teams Ago...

By Caleb Musselman

Two days ago I was chomping at the bit to get this tournament started. This morning I just finished shredding my brackets, buying a new box of tissues and flipping a coin on today's games. As was expected, the second round of this year's Big Dance has delivered. Each year for the past thirteen years a 12 seed has beaten a 5 seed. In each of the past six seasons, a #13 has toppled a #4. Fourteen times in the history of the tournament, a #14 has shocked a #3 seed. Only seven times in the history of the NCAA tournament has a #15 seed demoralized a #2. Well, as you might have guessed, all of these happened in the first two days of the 2013 tournament. In fact, three #12's (Oregon, Cal and Ole Miss), one #13 (Lasalle), one #14 (Harvard) and one #15 (Florida Gulf Coast) all won in a year that the word "upset" doesn't quite hold the same weight. According to ESPN.com, as of last night at 12 o'clock, there are now ZERO perfect brackets out of 8.15 million in their tournament challenge. 

With most brackets at least slightly demoralized, bracketeers around the nation still hold strongly to their Midwest picks. In fact, in the Midwest region, Oregon defeating Oklahoma St. was the only upset to speak of. Now, although upsets weren't a plenty during the first two days, the Midwest still produced some stellar competition. Let's break it down.

Round of 64

Photo Cred: www.bleacherreport.com

Louisville 79 North Carolina A & T 48 - Not much to talk about in this game. Louisville, the number one overall seed in this year's tourney showed no reason to doubt. Russ Smith topped the stat sheet with 23 points 5 assists and 8 steals as Louisville sent the Aggies packing. One thing to take note of: No player on the Louisville squad played more than 25 minutes. They will be ready and rested for their matchup today vs. Colorado St. 

Colorado St. 84 Missouri 72 - In a game between two of the top rebounding teams in the nation, Colorado St.'s front court dominance proved to be the difference maker. The Rams out rebounded Missouri 36-18 with Colton Iverson pulling down 13 boards of his own. Dorian Green led all scorers with 26 points as the Rams held a lead in much of this contest. Colorado St. shot 50% from beyond the arc (7-14) and never slowed down enough to led the Tigers catch up. One thing to note: Iverson only scored 4 points in 23 minutes. If the Rams can shoot this well again and get Iverson more involved in the offensive game, they have a shot at giving Louisville a scare. 

Photo Cred: www.oregonlive.com

Oregon 68 Oklahoma St. 55 - In the only upset of the Midwest, Oregon carried the momentum from their PAC-12 conference championship into their matchup against the Cowboys from the south. Up by 11 at the half, Duck Nation never gave Oklahoma St. a chance in this game. Oregon had four players in double-figures led by Arsalan Kazemi's 11 points and 17 rebounds. My guess is that Oregon loses its momentum against St. Louis and stalls out. Time to the Ducks to fly home for the off-season. 

St. Louis 64 New Mexico St. 44 - Another game that went as planned. Dwayne Evans took this game under his wing early on. He went 11-16 from the field for 24 points while being the only starter to hit double digits. The Billickens (what?) shot 46% from the floor for the game and used their size and solid team D to stifle NMSU. 

Memphis 54 St. Mary's 52 - Fresh off a First Four victory, St. Mary's used a second half surge to give the Tigers a serious scare. With solid tournament experience, the Gales had a chance for a last second game-winner from Dellavedova. In fact, Dellavedova, St. Mary's star senior guard, shot very poorly all day going 3-13. The Tigers can thank St. Mary that Dellavedova didn't get hot. If so the Tigers could be couch potatoes today. 

Photo Cred: blog.mlive.com

Michigan St. 65 VALPO 54 - I don't like to call any game laughable but this one was pretty close. Michigan St. came out in the first half with absolutely no discipline. Turning the ball over and attempting ridiculous alley-oops, the Spartans still led by 17 at half time. In a game that looked like men against boys, Derrick Nix (23 points and 15 boards) showed that he is one of the most dominating front court players in the nation. VALPO struggled against the length of Michigan St. and took too many bad 3 point looks. Spartans roll. Izzo is on a mission.

Photo Cred: www.usatoday.com

Creighton 67 Cincinnati 63 - This was far and away the best game in the Midwest round of 64. In the end, Creighton's no-nonsense half-court game won out against the athletic fast break style of CIncinnati. A tight contest from beginning to end, Doug McDermott scored 27 points and brought down 11 rebounds to lead the Blue Jays to victory. One thing to note: Gregory Echenique is a force to be reckoned with. Look for him and Mason Plumlee to have a physical battle on Sunday afternoon. If the Dukies don't shoot well, Creighton can take them down. Watch out. 

Duke 73 Albany 61 - Blue Devil fans across the nation breathed a sigh of relief as Seth Curry led his team to victory over Albany. Scoring 26 points, Curry led all scorers while playing stingy defense against the Albany back court. Albany kept things close throughout and showed a good sense of tenacity and passion. One thing to note: it is always a cause for anxiety when a big name school lets a team like Albany stick around. I don't see Duke making it to the Elite 8. In my bracket, I have Creighton topping them on Sunday. It's March Madness, why not go craaaaazzzyyyyy?

The Midwest didn't offer any buzzer-beaters or unbelievable upsets in the second round. What does that mean? It's safe to say the battles fought in other regions will transfer to the Midwest sooner rather than later. Louisville fights on toward their quest for the championship and that's why the Midwest is......the center of attention.