Cleanthony Early and the Shockers might still have some more Shock in them. (Credits: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) |
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.
West Region
#9 Wichita State
Best Case
The Shockers are in the cinderella driver's seat after letting it fly against Gonzaga in a minor upset, especially after matching up with La Salle instead of Ole Miss. With the shooting tandem of Ron Baker and Cleanthony Early remaining sizzling hot from three-point range, the Shockers dominate La Salle from the start to finish. Arizona somehow takes care of Ohio St. in a surprising upset, giving Wichita State a good chance for an upset in the Elite Eight. The hot shooting once again continues, but this time Mark Lyons forces them to continue it into overtime. The cinderellas from Kansas continue onto their first Final Four since 1965. But the run ends as Louisville lock down defense suffocates the Shockers perimeter offense.
Worst Case
La Salle's Ramon Galloway continues his solid tournament with another 25-point performance and gets a lot of help from fellow guard Tyreek Duren as the Shockers see La Salle fit the glass slipper in an Elite Eight Appearance. Wichita's Early can't get it going early and the Shockers dig themselves a hole too deep for a comeback.
#13 La Salle
Best Case
Everyone's been talking about Florida Gulf Coast, but people begin talking about La Salle after they make their first Elite Eight Appearance since 1955. They pretty much dominate Wichita State, who can't seem to find the bucket in any capacity. Ramon Galloway's big performance then carries over against Ohio State and the Explorers take the Buckeyes to the wire before Aaron Kraft bails Ohio State out once again.
Worst Case
No contest against at sizzling hot Shockers squad. Jerrell Wright gets dominated inside by Early and Carl Hall who seem to get whatever they want, wherever they want. T'was a nice run for the Explorers, but they don't even deserve to be on the court in this game vs. the Cinderellas from Wichita.
#6 Arizona
Best Case
Mark Lyons makes quick work of the Buckeyes' Kraft, who puts up one of his worst shooting preformances. 'Zona's leading scorer continues his impressive tournament with a 30-point barrage from all areas. Solomon Hill forces DeShaun Thomas into foul trouble on the offensive end and the Wildcats advance behind some lucky late game circumstances. Lyons makes his case for player of the tournament with another 25+ point performance as the high scoring Wildcats make quick work of Cinderella La Salle. In the National Semi-Final they actually burst out to a quick lead before the Cardinals slowly grind it out as Peyton Siva eventually gets everything he wants offensively. Nice, unexpected Final Four run for 'Zona.
Worse Case
Two words: DeShaun Thomas. He goes for 22 and 10 alongside a big shooting performance from Kraft. The Wildcats offensive is stymied by some quality Big Ten basketball out of Ohio State. An ugly, grind it out game leaves Arizona searching for answers on the offensive end. Buckeyes advance.
#2 Ohio State
Best Case
Kraft and Thomas provide enough offense for this team's suffocating defense to get a hold of Arizona which looks more like a rout on the eye test than it does on the scoreboard. Wichita State goes mind-numbingly cold in the Elite Eight matchup as Ohio State once again flexes its defensive muscles. The Buckeyes are slowly starting to look like National Champs when they run into a surprising Michigan State team who just athletically overpowered its way to the Final Four. As a familiar foe, the Buckeyes make alarmingly quick work of Izzo's squad before meeting another heated rival inMichigan in the National Championship. Thomas' inside presence causes fits to the weak interior Wolverines' defense and the Buckeyes get their sweetest National Championship yet by beating Michigan.
Worst Case
The Wildcats offense clicks on all cylinders in a Sweet Sixteen matchup for the ages. The teams trade baskets late with Lyons and Kraft just locked in. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes they just cannot keep up and see DeShaun Thomas' foul trouble as the final nail in their coffin.
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