 |
| James Southerland's dynamic three-point shooting could propel the Orange to a title. (Credits: AP Photo) |
With the first two rounds in the rearview mirror, we begin to get to the nitty gritty of the NCAA Tournament Cinderellas either continue their magical ride or fade into the history books. Favorites either flame out or make their move. Superstars take over or fall to the backdrop. But, the basketball certainly improves and most of us as viewers have watched our brackets crumble to the ground which turns our attention to either our favorite team or a team we've picked up on the way. Here is a best case/worst case for each of the Sweet Sixteen finalists.
East Region
#1 Indiana
Best Case
Hoosierland has been buzzing about this team since the git-go and a thrashing of Syracuse makes them even more antsy for what could be. Next up for Indiana is a Marquette team that has just been skating by in all their contests. But, like they've done all tournament, the Golden Eagles make this game a legitimate tilt. In the end Victor Olathreepo, as I like to call him, makes a couple huge plays on both ends further solidifying his draft stock. Indiana's Final Four opponent is a familiar foe in Michigan and like the regular season games, this is an absolute thriller. This time it's Christian Watford creating the magic by hitting a buzzer beater three. The "Instant Classic" sends Hoosierland into hysteria before they surprisingly taking care of a cold-shooting Blue Devils team for the team's first National Championship since '87.
Worst Case
Syracuse finds its athletic groove much like they did in the Big East Tournament and only Victor Oladipo seems to be able to generate anything offensively. The game turns ugly as some hard fouls disrupts Cody Zeller's game and the Orangemen prevail in one of the more underrated upsets of the tournament.
#4 Syracuse
Best Case
James Southerland hot shooting continues as the Orangemen ride him to a close, hard fought victory over Indiana. With that major upset behind them, Syracuse gets a Reggie Johnson-less Miami team in the Elite Eight. Without Johnson, C.J. Fair goes off to the tune of 25 points, 15 rebounds sending 'Cuse into its fifth Final Four. In the National Semi-Final, Syracuse plays Kansas and once again Southerland goes off along with Brandon Triche adding to the three point barrage. The Orangemen, widely considered a great bet for the tournament, are moving onto the National Championship. A rematch with the Cardinals goes Syracuse's way in a National Final to remember. 'Cuse gets its second title in 10 years.
Worst Case
The Orangemen run into a determined, angry Victor Oladipo who takes over from the start. With the threes not falling for 'Cuse, Indiana takes them behind the woodshed and continues its determined quest towards the promised land.
#3 Marquette
Best Case
So far Marquette has been getting by with clutch plays by Vander Blue and nothing changes against Miami. The Golden Eagles eventually wear Miami down with their intense defense and finally start penetrating later in the game, annihilating the interior without Reggie Johnson. Marquette musters their best half of the tournament in the first half of the Elite Eight vs. Indiana, but they can't finish the job. Their inability to finish or make shots forces them to surrender their 12-point half time lead and they fall to the Hoosiers. Pretty good run though for a team most thought would be an early exit.
Worst Case
The cylinder seems locked early for the Golden Eagles who fall behind with a huge deficit before mounting a slight comeback in the second half. However, Shane Larkin continues to get whatever he wants around the rim and the Hurricanes move onto the Elite Eight.
#2 Miami
Best Case
The loss of Reggie Johnson deals a decent sized blow to the Hurricanes starting unit but Shane Larkin's play heightens even more because of that loss. The sensational guard leads the 'Canes past Marquette in a pretty easy win. A matchup with Indiana proves to be a tough one, especially with Cody Zeller playing the way he is. The game comes down to wire before Larkin magically scores the final six points as Miami escapes Indiana in dramatic fashion. Unfortunately the 'Canes first Final Four appearance is an embarrassing one as Jeff Withey and the Kansas Jayhawks take it to them in a brutal second half. All in all, what a season for the program.
Worst Case
Johnson's absence proves to be too much as Vander Blue slices and dices the Miami defense in an absolute blowout. The program's second Sweet Sixteen ends way worse than its first did when the 'Canes lost to a lower seeded Tulsa team in a close game.
0 comments:
Post a Comment