Showcase Showdown

Tickets to the Big Dance

by Caleb Musselman and Ben Makin

Photo Cred: www.kidzworld.com

The Super Bowl is pretty great. The Olympics are even better; but is there any sporting event better than March Madness? As each March approaches, perennial powerhouses and fresh new faces litter the cover of Sports Illustrated. A Cinderella team usually emerges and takes a shot at the title, but nearly every year a #1 or #2 seed emerges as the national champion. Could this year be different? In one of the most outlandish and unpredictable regular seasons in recent memory, the division 1 field of the NCAA is more wide open than the corn fields of Indiana. In this week’s showcase showdown, Ben and I will be spitting out opinions about the Big Dance. Let the conversation begin. 

Photo Cred: www.bleacherreport.com

Caleb – Here are my #1 seeds: Indiana, Duke, Gonzaga and Kansas. The national rankings have Louisville and Georgetown at #4 and #5 and many would say that the Big East winner will be the fourth #1 seed. In my opinion, with the craziness of the Big East this year, one or even both of these teams could fall in the conference tourney. If so, Kansas, who will win the Big 12 handily, is going to take that last #1 seed. Who are your #1 seeds Ben? 

Ben- I like your reasoning. I think Indiana, Duke, and Gonzaga are locked in to the #1 slots. The way Duke has finished this season (fans can thank Ryan Kelly); they will get the top 1 seed. Indiana has been as consistent as any team has this year, and Gonzaga only has two losses. I think that the final 1 seed goes to the big east champion IF it is Louisville or Georgetown. I don't see the committee giving up its east coast bias. That being said, I think Michigan has the best chance to grab the last 1 seed. I still think they are the fourth best team in the Nation despite their play as of late. If they win the BIG 10 and can beat Indiana in the process, don't be surprised to see their name at the top of the bracket. Michigan’s guard play is better than almost anyone’s, and if Hardaway Jr. or Trey Burke gets hot-LOOK OUT. We saw Kemba Walker get hot 2 years ago and led his team through two tournaments. The two guards from Michigan have that same kind of sparkability, but even more talent. On that same subject, who’s name do you think we will remember from this March Madness? 

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Caleb - I agree that if Louisville or Georgetown win the Big East, they will get the last #1. However, I think Villanova (yes, I’m biased) will knock off Louisville for the second time this year in the Big East quarters and I think Cuse has a shot at Georgetown in the semis. Moving on, which player will be remembered? I agree that Hardaway Jr. is going to have a fantastic tourney. He is most definitely a future star of the NBA. But their weak front-court will give them an Elite 8 exit this year. Who do I think will be a standout? Look for Doug McDermott to make a huge splash in the Big Dance. Never heard of him? McDermott, a junior forward for Creighton, is averaging 23 points and 7 boards a game. Further, Creighton is cruising into the tourney on a 5 game win streak and anxious to make a name for themselves. As the leader of this Blue Jay squad, McDermott has a unique game that mixes smooth post moves with a consistent mid-range game. Look for McDermott to power his team to a surprising trip to the Elite 8. Not a Kemba-like performance, but memorable non-the-less. Lastly, expect Cody Zeller to absolutely dominate during the tourney. He is truly dynamic. I firmly believe Indiana has what it takes to win it all, and I believe it starts and ends with Zeller. Who is your Cinderella team this March Benny-Boy? 

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Ben- I believe you’re just assuming ‘Cuse is making it past my Pitt Panthers?! (because in all likelihood they are). I do like Hardaway Jr. He is an elite player that has been off a bit lately. Trey Burke needs to facilitate through him a bit more, and look out. I also like McDermott, but I’m weary about their schedule. I know any conference game is tough, but it looks like they’ll have a higher seed, which means they’ll get a team from a major conference in one of the first two rounds. If they have a chance, it’s on the shoulders of McDermott, but I’m not sold. How about those Crimson? No, not the Crimson Tide, the Harvard Crimson (side note: how can your mascot be a color?!).  Projected to be a 14^th seed, I could definitely see this team pulling off a string of upsets. Led by sophomore Wesley Saunders (averaging 16.5, 4, 3.5) these nerds have shown they can play with anyone. 

The Good: Saunders can play. He is only a sophomore, but did get a little experience in last year’s tournament. In my opionion, experience, not matter how small, is a good thing. It helps dim the bright lights of national television. Harvard also beat a good Cal team (projected 9 seed), and only lost two games by more than 10. It’s good to see they’ve been competitive in practically every game, and given the time to prepare for a team, the geniuses at Harvard should have a good chance at winning a couple games. 

The Bad: All of their losses were away. While the tournament will be played at neutral sites, it is worrying to see that the Crimson aren’t as strong away from home. Also, they play in the Ivy League. Conference games are tough regardless, but they weren’t tested as much as much as you’d like. 

The Ugly: They still don't have a real mascot…

Mr. Musselman, who do you see as a team outside the top 25 making a run at the big dance?

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Caleb – My Cinderella is Temple. With an overall record of 23-8, Temple has been a tough team to beat all year long. Over the season, they beat Syracuse when they were a top 5 team, had a close loss at Kansas in January, and are coming off a big win against #21 ranked VCU. A number 3 seed in the A-10 tourney, Temple has what it takes to not only win their conference tourney but also make a deep run in the NCAA’s. Khalif Wyatt anchors this dynamic squad with 20 points per game. In addition, 4 of their 5 starters average double digits. With Anthony Lee down low averaging 11 and 8, Temple has the balance that it takes to make a serious run. What is the most important asset to making a run to the Final Four? Momentum. Temple is closing the season strong on a 7 game win streak. Most people would call that momentum. I’m saying it now; this team could find themselves in at least the Elite 8 two weeks from today. Benny, two things: do you think Pitt has a legit chance at making a run? And is this the year a #1 seed falls in the first round? 

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Ben- I like Temple too, I think they’re strong and have a legitimate chance of pulling off something special. Tons of momentum, and you like to see that coming from a school that supports the Owl population of America. Oh the Pittsburgh Panthers, a team that really is a conundrum. They aren’t the most talented team in the big east, let alone the nation, but there is something about them that makes me want to believe they can make a run. They have two starting freshman- Adams and Robinson who are very good, but with freshman comes inconsistency. Where they do find consistency is on the bench. Jamie Dixon is an awesome coach, and is not afraid to play 10-11 guys a night. Everyone on the team can play lock down defense, and that is their ticket to making a deep run. One thing Pitt needs is consistent shooting from Trey Woodall and Lamar Patterson, they can’t be afraid to score. The only thing that could keep them from advancing far is their free throws. They’ve lost at least three close games in the conference play off free throws alone. I’m excited for this team, who despite the odds could be found in the elite 8 for the first time in a long time. And as for the number one seeds, I’d love to see it happen. I think it would be fitting for this season, but at the same time- It’s not going to happen. One might think Gonzaga could go down, but they’re too feisty for that to happen. Duke wont have a disappointing exit again. And Indiana is too good to see an early exit. The final 1 seed will be coming off a win in the conference finals and their momentum. Where do you see your wildcats going? Any surprises we should look for this march?

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Caleb - Well, it’s now Saturday morning and Syracuse just took down Georgetown like we thought they would. I still believe Cuse will take down Louisville tonight in the Big East Final. If Georgetown and Louisville don’t win the conference then who gets the last #1 seed? Kansas, baby. Now where do I see my wildcats going? This Villanova team is very interesting. With names like Randy Foye, Mike Nardi, Corey Fisher, Kyle Lowrie and Scottie Reynolds (my personal favorite), Villanova has been known as the school that pumps out fantastic guard play. In their nearly perennial tournament runs under Jay Wright, their guard play has always been the driving force behind their success. This year, however, Villanova’s makeup looks a bit different. With Mouphtaou Yarou averaging almost a double-double and the emergence of JayVaughn Pinkston, the Wildcats front-court is now their strong point. With rookie guard Ryan Arcidiacono (Archi-di-ah-ki-no) showing flashes of brilliance, this Nova team could make a legitimate run in the Dance. While the front-court is their strong suit, I believe their success rests squarely on the shoulders of Arcidiacono. If he can perform, they have a chance at winning 2 or more games. If he struggles because of inexperience, they won’t make it past the first round. 

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Moving on, I agree that a #1 won’t fall this year in the first round, but I believe at least one #2 seed will fall in the first weekend. This season has simply been too crazy for the first weekend to not be upset city. Look for experience to play a gigantic part in this crazy tournament. Because of their seniority, Miami is going to go deep. Expect Wisconsin to use their lockdown D and timely shooting to propel them into the Elite 8. With Syracuse’s rising stock, don’t be surprised to see them in the Final Four, Boeheim is arguably the best tournament coach of his generation. This regular season has set the stage for a chaotic and exhilarating national tournament. One thing is certain, there will undoubtedly be a team seeded higher than 4 or 5 in the Final Four. Now it’s a waiting game. Who will it be? Dance on.