Feb. 14, 2006
The unpredictability that exists in college basketball is amazing. Purdue's diaper dandy, Marcus Green, scored 23 points to beat Michigan. The score was deceiving, as the Boilermakers led by 20 at half. Michigan State went into Williams Arena and was shocked by Minnesota. Tom Izzo's club usually peaks at this time of season, but not against the buzz saw Gophers, led by Vincent Grier. Last week, Penn State stunned Illinois in Champaign, ending the 33-home game win streak of the Illini. That helped Gonzaga move into the lead for longest current home court win streak, now at 36. Surprises in the Big Ten, tough showdowns in the Big East -- this is why these are the two best conferences in America. Can we call anything surprising anymore?
Going into the season, the schools with the five longest streaks of making the NCAA tournament were Arizona (21), Kansas (16), Kentucky (14), Cincinnati (14) and Stanford (11). All five have had their bumps in the road this season. Right now, I feel of the group, Kansas is the only lock to make it in this season. The Jayhawks started the season 3-4, but Bill Self's young club has its ship on the right course. Lute Olson will get his guys into the big dance somehow. At 15-9, Arizona has struggled, but Hassan Adams will help the Cats extend it to 22 straight seasons in the NCAA tournament.
As for the other three, they are going to have to go on a big-time run to keep their streaks of invitations to the Dance intact. Stanford is 8-3 in its last 11 games, and Cardinal coach Trent Johnson's club took Gonzaga to the wire. The Cardinal has to overcome early woes, including losses to Cal-Davis, UC-Irvine and Montana.
Kentucky's latest loss, a three-point setback against Vanderbilt, leaves Tubby Smith shaking his head. The Wildcats have some work to do, but there is time to make a late surge. Cincinnati has played hard under interim coach Andy Kennedy, but currently sits below .500 in Big East play (5-6). The injury loss of Armein Kirkland was a major blow. College basketball has been so unpredictable this season. The beat goes on, baby! We'll see whether or not some of those familiar faces can get back into the field of 65.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.
