March 16, 2006

March Madness just began and games are what we projected them to be -- close thanks to parity, parity, parity, baby!

Anyone who says the school without the major name can't play, are kidding themselves.

Thursday night it was heartbreak hotel for the kids from North Carolina-Wilmington. TJ Carter, John Goldsberry and company gave a phenomenal effort, building up an 18-point lead. But George Washington did not quit, putting up an amazing 19-0 run to take back the lead.

Karl Hobbs has to feel like a million dollars because they fought back to get the W! That's why the Colonials are 27-2 after the victory. They know how to play with their backs against the wall. What a spurt to take the lead. Then the game went into overtime and GW was able to survive and advance, as the late, great Jimmy Valvano used to talk about when discussing the NCAA Tournament.

Look at Adam Morrison as Gonzaga struggled to beat Xavier. How good is Morrison? He is absolutely even better than I thought. His effort was a must performance as the Zags were in trouble and looking at another early exit. Gonzaga went out in the second round each of the last three seasons, and in the first round against Wyoming in 2002.

Mark Few's squad was totally up against the wall. Morrison responded in big-time fashion to show why he is a legitimate first-team All-America. His 35 points were clutch, and if he wasn't scoring, he was finding people late in the game. Morrison made a great pass to J. P. Batista for a big basket late.

My friends, Morrison put on a brilliant show, responding to the pressure to keep the Zags alive. One of America's finest, the best forward in the land, came through in crunch time.

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.