The Sports Truth

The Sports Truth senior college basketball writer, Colin Dwyer, will break down the field of 65, if the season ended today. We’ll start with seeds 1-4.

Now that football is coming to a close, and let’s face it, the G-men have zero chance. I’m willing to go ahead and put the infamous “Sports Truth Curse” on the Pats because not even that can stop them. Clear conditions, Arizona, no wind, Brady with a healthy ankle…thanks for comin’ out New York, enjoy the hot chicks at ASU, and have a safe flight home. Anyway, it’s time to talk about college basketball, and talk about college basketball at length. Since I am the unabashed expert on this website when it comes to 18-22 year old basketball, this breakdown of the 65 NCAA teams is probably as close as it’s gonna get to Selection Sunday. Anyway, let’s get goin…

1 Seeds

Kansas
Record: 17-0
RPI: 3
Thoughts: The Jayhawks just look far better than any competition in the Big 12, which is one of the best and deepest conferences in the country this year. Although I’m a little concerned about their lack of depth, their starting five could carry Bill Self’s squad deep into the dance.

Memphis
Record: 17-0
RPI: 2
Thoughts: The Tigers look to be the most talented team in the country. There is not a player in the country with a quicker first step than Chris Douglas – Roberts other than maybe Ty Lawson at UNC. The frontcourt was supposed to be a weakness for this group, but Dorsey and Dozier have been dominant underneath. Dorsey looks like he could easily be in a football uniform and Dozier is the long, athletic inside presence that gives opposing coaches nightmares. If I had to bet with my every penny I own (a.k.a. $57.95), the Tigers would be my choice to cut down the nets.

Chris Douglas-Roberts, a junior 6′7″ guard, leads #1 ranked Memphis.

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The Sportstruth’s senior editor, Lucas Dwyer, provides his observations and thoughts from the weekend that was.

The weekend started and ended with Sunday’s Championship games. Maybe it was just because I live in Boston, but the lead-up to the day felt like a Super Bowl Sunday, but even better. Everyone adjusted their schedules to be able to catch the games and most people gathered at their favorite football-watching spot to enjoy the games. The best was that while everything felt like a Super Bowl Sunday and a Super Bowl party, we were treated two games, not one game and an absurd amount of pre-game analysis and build-up. The games turned out to be competitive and exciting as well, which can’t be said for many super bowls.

We’ve covered time and again that I’m a Patriots fan, but I was LIVID at Norv Turner for punting on 4th and 10 at the Patriots 36 yard line with nine minutes and change left in the game down by two scores. The punt was fair caught at the 11 yard line for a tremendous 25 yard punt. What did Norv think was going to happen? The Chargers would stop the Patriots, forcing them to go 3 and out (the Patriots had the fewest 3 and outs in the league this year) get the ball back and score twice in under eight minutes? Or that giving the Patriots the ball on the 36 yard line mattered at all? The Patriots were as likely to run out the clock from either 36 as the 11 over scoring a touchdown and if the Patriots ended up with a 4th down and time still left on the clock, a field goal still meant it was two-score game. Even if converting 4th and 10 is unlikely, try the 53 yard field goal! Why not? Nate Keading is a good kicker! Turner should have been fired before the game was over.

If Luke owned the Chargers, he would have made an announcement on the Gillette Stadium PA system letting the public know that Norv Turner had been fired immediately after his decision to punt.

Chalk it up to “that’s why the play the games,” but who would have imagined that the reason the Giants won and the Packers lost was Eli Manning and Brett Favre, respectively? Manning didn’t look bothered by the cold at all, electing to go with just a helmet to cover his head, while Favre was holding hand-warmers to his face repeatedly during the game. There was little noticeable effect on Manning, but Favre’s throws obvious lacked any zip, along with accuracy.

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Move over Yao Ming.

A whopping 91 inches tall, Kenny George, a junior center for UNC Asheville, is the tallest player ever for Bulldogs as well as the Big South Conference. Additionally, the Chicago Latin product was the tallest player in the NCAA last year and one of the tallest players in NCAA history.

Make way for the big man! Kenny George, a junior, is a 7′7″, 360 lbs center for UNC Asheville.

George had an injury plagued sophomore season last year, but in his final five games went 30-34 from the field for an astonishing field goal percentage of 88.2%. During that five game stretch, George averaged 11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.3 blocked shots.

The Sportstruth’s senior editor, Lucas Dwyer, provides his observations and thoughts from the weekend that was.

On Saturday, one of the greatest days of television programing ever was aired. Starting at noon, ESPN2 ran the following college basketball games back to back to back (to back to back to back): Wisconsin vs. Texas, San Diego University vs. Kentucky, Tennessee vs. Gonzaga, Oklahoma vs. West Virginia, Pittsburgh vs. Dayton, and capped off the night with Memphis vs. Arizona. Wow. If anyone caught all six games, we need to hear about it.

Unranked Wisconsin shocked No. 9 Texas 67-66 on Saturday off of Michael Flowers’ game-winning three at the buzzer

Speaking of those games, here are a few thoughts from what I caught during the day:

- Kentucky is a mess and we now know why Tubby Smith abruptly left to go coach Minnesota. First-year coach Billy Gillespie said before the game that he felt San Diego did not have anyone who could take his defenders off the dribble. Gillespie’s team is worse than he thought - Brandon Johnson attacked the basket whenever he pleased.

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To view the Colin’s first March Madness bracket, click here

East (Charlotte)
(1) UNC
(16) Sacred Heart/Texas Southern

(8) Ohio State
(9) Villanova

(5) West Virginia
(12) UMASS

(4) Indiana
(13) UC Santa Barbara

(6) Wisconsin
(11) Dayton

(3) Duke
(14) Winthrop

(7) BYU
(10) Virginia

(2) Arizona
(15) Hampton

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This just in: Michael Beasley is a large man.

Ok, he’s actually “only” 6′9″ and 235 lbs, nothing like some of the behemoths that patrol the paint in the NBA, but his game belilies his size. Beasley plays like his 7′0″ and 270 lbs.

Michael Beasley, center for Kansas State, puts up a shot over Vlad Moldoveanu from George Mason.

Going into last night’s match up with unranked George Mason, Michael Beasley was the first player in Big 12 history to have 20 points and 20 rebounds in 2 games. Any two games in any year. Mr. Beasley accomplished that feat in just his first three games of his Big 12 career.

Beasley didn’t continue his run of 20/20 as Kansas State fell to the Patriots, but had 30 of his team’s 77 points along with 10 rebounds. The freshman center also added a 3-pointer, just to show he has some range.

Lost amongst the star power of Michael Beasley and George Mason’s Will Thomas was George Mason freshman Vlad Moldoveanu. The 6′10, 206 lbs freshamn from Romania had his coming out party for the Patriots, filling up the stat sheet with 11 points including a cool 6 for 6 from the free throw line. Moldoveanu also added two rebounds, two steals, a block, and a clutch three late in the game to put the Wildcats away.

Watching every and any college basketball game is pure joy, here are some of the best games of the 07-08 season you won’t want to miss.

Maui Invitational (Nov. 19–21): If rooting for tiny Chaminade to repeat their magical upset of #1 Virginia in the 1987 Maui Tourney isn’t enough for you, then performances like the Adam Morrison/Maurice Ager slugfest in 2005 should be. Morrison set a tourney record with 43 points and Ager wasn’t far behind with 36 of his own as Gonzaga took home a thriller 109-106. This tourney is filled with moments just like that and the 2007 version should be no different. A potential final of Marquette vs. Duke is one filled with lightning quick athletes. Dominic James is back at Marquette and, coupled with Jerel McNeal, they could pose a serious challenge for the young Blue Devils. Greg Paulus seems to be controlling the rock much better in his junior season and the talent around him just keeps getting better.

You may not have heard of him, but Jerel McNeal can light it up for the Golden Eagles.

NIT Preseason Tip – Off (Nov. 21-23): Johnny Flynn. If you haven’t seen this kid play, you’re missing out. Couple him with Donte Green and Arinze Onuaku (who I’m pretty sure is playing D-Line for the Jets on Sundays), and the Syracuse “worst mascot ever” Orange should be fun to watch.

Davidson @ Duke (Dec 1): Stephen Curry & Co. almost knocked off Hansbrough and the Tar Heels and are fully capable of playing with any team in the country. This game is slated to be televised on ESPN so you should probably clear your Saturday schedule (let’s be honest, you had nothing going on anyway), and tune in to the 2007-2008 Cinderella story.

UNC @ Duke: You could point to the February 6th match up between these 2 powerhouses, but playing at UNC just doesn’t have the same atmosphere as Cameron. They stuff 5,000+ rowdy, hammered, and obnoxious students/townies into one tiny building and scream their heads off for 40 minutes. Not to mention there’s a phenomenal chance that these 2 teams could both be ranked in the top 5 for this match up.

Memphis v. Gonzaga (Jan 26): Cincinnati, Marquette, and Louisville did us, the fans, a big favor when they 1) made the Big East incredibly competitive and fun to watch, and 2) forced national powerhouse Memphis to play in a weak conference, and subsequently be forced to schedule the most ridiculous non–conference schedule year in and year out. I don’t care what the rankings say, Memphis is the best team in the country. When they’re on, they could beat the Sonics, and probably the Knicks. Gonzaga will have their hands full, but figures to have freshman phenom Austin Daye, and drug rehabber Josh Heytvelt to provide America’s “Cinderella” with a dress to take down Memphis. If you don’t watch this game, you’re not American. I said it.

Josh may have some difficulty staying away from illicit substances, but the boy can play some basketball.

In honor of everyone’s favorite college basketball analyst, Dick Vitale, our senior college basketball writer, Colin Dwyer, will be chronicling the “are you serious?!?” moments of the 2007-2008 basketball season.

Dick Vitale and his unforgettable enthusiasm.

Gardner – Webb went into Rupp Arena, shot 53% from the floor, embarrassed the ‘Cats into a 35% field goal percentage, and pushed around the most successful college basketball program in NCAA history for 40 minutes, coming away with a 84 – 68 dubya.

Mercer went ahead and spoiled O.J. Mayo’s debut by thumping the Trojans in USC by 15. The Bears forced Mayo into 8 turnovers, 4 fouls, and very mediocre 42% from the floor.

How ‘bout the tourney regulars from Belmont? Knock off Cincy (on the road, obviously)? No problem. Then you’ve got the Bear”k”ats (yeah, that’s a “k”) from Sam Houston State pullin’ off the upset at Texas Tech and making Bobby Knight’s face turn yet another shade of red. Of course, there was the North Texas Mean Green makin’ Oklahoma State look like their…well, you know.

Why is it that mid–majors have the coolest nicknames while the major conferences are so boring? Kentucky Wildcats. UConn Huskies. UCLA Bruins. Yawn. I’d rather root for the Stetson Hatters or the “Tribe” of William & Mary any day of the week.

All of these upsets were topped off by the stunner Siena College pulled off in front of 6,200+ screaming Saints fans Saturday night. After attending the game, my buddies Tex, Gaff and I shuffled down to the hole–in–the wall bar across the street, drank our faces off, and were convinced Siena was goin’ to the sweet 16.

If Dicky V had been calling the Davidson/North Carolina game, there’s a 67% chance two things would have happened: 1) Dicky V would need an oxygen tank halfway through the 2nd half and 2) he may create the single greatest word of all time, “superschintillatingsensationalamazing,” after watching Stephen Curry and Tyler Hansbrough butt heads. Speaking of awesome broadcasters, why are Dicky V and Gus Johnson not broadcasting games together? This is such a slam-dunk. They could have been calling the New England Revolution/Houston Dynamo MLS final on Sunday and I would have watched every second.

What does all of this mean? Simple. It means College Basketball is back, and Cinderella is ready to get her party on. Seriously, you can almost feel March Madness…and it’s only November. We’re in for a season long symphony of Dickie V’s raspy, hoarse voice calling out, “ARE YOU SERIOUS AMERICA???” We’re in for Gus Johnson having multiple heart attacks during the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NCAA Tournament. We’re in for college kids storming courts, and for the most insane season in all of sports to get rollin’.

For longtime Siena fans, Saturday November 17th, 2007 felt like 1989 in the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. Siena College evened the all-time series vs. #20 Stanford with a 79-67 win and avenged last season’s 20-point blowout in California.

Siena’s Kenny Hasbrouck puts up a lay-up over the Cardinal’s Landry Fields in Siena’s shocking 79-67 win over #20 Stanford.

Siena and Stanford have each won two of their four all-time meetings with the most dramatic being Siena’s shocking upset of #3 seeded Stanford in the 1989 NCAA tournament as a 14 seed.

The 20th ranked Cardinal were known for their impressive size, with starting heights of 7′0″, 6′10″, 6′9″, 6′5″, and 6′3″, were run out of the building by the smaller and faster Siena Saints. Using a pressing and trapping defense, Siena forced 14 turnovers and used their superior athleticism to attack Stanford in the open floor.

The win was Siena’s first win over a ranked opponent in 18 years, but it will not be their only opportunity this season. The prohibitive favorite to win the Metro Athletic Atlantic Conference and get their first invitation to the NCAA tournament since 2002, the Saints will travel to Memphis to take on the #3 Tigers on January 3rd, 2008.

Midwest
(1) Indiana
(16) Hampton

(8) Pitt
(9) Clemson

(5) Kansas St.
(12) Penn St.

(4) Michigan St.
(13) Utah St.

(6) Virginia
(11) Florida

(3) Marquette
(14) Belmont

(7) Wisconsin
(10) West Virginia

(2) Tennessee
(15) Montana

West
(1) Memphis
(16) Vermont

(8) Davidson
(9) UConn

(5) Oregon
(12) Providence

(4) Gonzaga
(13) Winthrop

(6) Arkansas
(11) Ga. Tech

(3) Kansas
(14) Austin Peay

(7) Texas
(10) Butler

(2) Washington St.
(15) Princeton

East
(1) Georgetown
(16) McNeese St./Alcorn St.

(8) Texas A& M
(9) George Mason

(5) NC St.
(12) Akron

(4) Maryland
(13) Bradley

(6) Xavier
(11) Notre Dame

(3) Duke
(14) UC Santa Barbara

(7) Ohio St.
(10) Stanford

(2) Louisville
(15) W. Kentucky

South
(1) UNC
(16) C.Conn. St.

(8) Syracuse
(9) New Mexico St.

(5) So. Illinois
(12) VCU

(4) Kentucky
(13) Siena

(6) USC
(11) Utah

(3) Arizona
(14) Oral Roberts

(7) Washington
(10) New Mexico St.

(2) UCLA
(15) Bucknell