Saturday's college basketball action reminded me of Charles Dickens: it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Both regional finals provided thrills and chills. One sent a familiar cinderella back to the Final Four, while the other sent the last standing team from the West back to Tucson. Unfortunately, both games were marred by game-changing officiating.
The Butler-Florida game, in which the Bulldogs won 74-71 in overtime, was exciting and well coached on both sides. The victory was exciting and satisfying for anybody not living in Florida or a Florida alum.
In the first half, Vernon Macklin was huge for the Gators. The loose officiating allowed the more physical Florida team to beat up on the smaller Bulldogs.
However, Coach Brad Stevens made adjustments at the half, and Macklin was hindered by a better defense in the second half. Also, the refs started calling the game closer, and Macklin wound up in foul trouble. The Bulldogs had the usual strong performances from Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard, and Khyle Marshall. Center Andrew Smith will have to play better next week if the Bulldogs hope to win a title. It was terrific to see a small-budget program like Butler defeat an athletic monolith once again.
In the other game, two powerhouses "duked" it out. UConn deserved to win the game: they took better shots, made better shots, and played with more consistency.
Unfortunately, the officials looked like they were targeting superstar Derrick Williams, for they quickly saddled him with three fouls. He was almost a non-factor the rest of the way, since he couldn't play aggressively. Settling for jump shots, Williams found himself hounded by a tenacious Husky defense. Meanwhile, UConn's one-two punch of Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb put all hopes Wildcat to bed for another year, as the Huskies won 65-63 in regulation.
The West is dead. Another factor in the Big East win: UConn has real size underneath, and they have a good game coach. Arizona's Sean Miller is still working to become a solid game coach. Wildcat tactics as the clock wound down were questionable at best.
Today's games should be equally close. First, a program of basketball royalty, Kansas, takes on cinderella Virginia Commonwealth, with their great coach and swarming defense. The nightcap has two princes of college basketball, North Carolina and Kentucky, fighting it out on a neutral court. Who pulls for Kentucky who isn't from Kentucky or a Kentucky alum? At least, UNC has a clean program and a smaller recruiting budget.
Enjoy the tournament!
No comments:
Post a Comment