The real Day One of the NCAA men's tournament produced some great drama, plays, and emotions. For drama, Six of the 16 games were decided by three points or less. For plays, just watch BYU's Jimmer Fredette. For emotion, I can't decide what is more beautiful: watching a Big East team with a moral coach like Rick Pitino lose to a Morehead State or watching a team from the West pound and humble a Big East team with a former ESPN broadcaster.
Either way, the Big East is proving they didn't deserve eleven teams in the tournament. Sure, UConn and Pittsburgh are legitimate title contenders, but as Sir Charles said more than once, the conference is vastly over-rated.
Speaking of over-rated, it was sensational to watch Penn State and Michigan State lose, showing how the Big 10 did not deserve seven teams in the tournament.
Other highlights include Princeton's valiant defeat against Kentucky and Butler's win against ODU. Butler could be the real cinderella again this year: what a coach!
Speaking of good coaches, UCLA and San Diego State have them, and that makes them both the best chance for a team from the West making the Final Four.
Who did I pick to win it all? I might be a defender (and some would say homer) of the West, but I'm also a realist: I took Kansas.
Finally, the television coverage has it right. Not since the ESPN early-round coverage days has it been so complete. And the analysis? While Sir Charles was rather sedate yesterday, he's still Sir Charles, and he has the Big East hyperbole right. He deflates it, too.
Enjoy Day Two!
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