March 20, 2006
Some thoughts as we head into the Sweet 16 ...
Two rounds down, and for the first time in almost three decades, perennial powers North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas are all sitting home for the Sweet 16. That's the beauty and essence of March Madness and why it is so special. Right now we are talking about George Mason, Wichita State and Bradley having a shot to go to Indianapolis and the Final Four, while those three big boys are out.
I have said it before and I will say it again many times -- there is such parity in college basketball these days. How about all of those critics who said George Mason and the MVC teams didn't belong in this tournament? I said on our selection show that the MVC deserved five slots and Missouri State, still alive in the NIT, should have made the field of 65. Those teams can play and it isn't a fluke when you beat Pittsburgh, Kansas, Michigan State and North Carolina.
How do you think Hofstra feels after having a solid season and beating George Mason twice? Tom Pecora's Pride can back up its claim that it belonged in the field of 65.
I have one question ... how many kids playing for the Patriots were recruited by the ACC? Not too many, my friends. There are a lot of good players out there and coaches have to do a better job of evaluating. In some situations, it is a matter of blending together as a unit, so coaches like Jim Larranaga, Mark Turgeon and Jim Les deserve a ton of credit.
The Big Ten was a disappointment as all six teams that made the field were sent packing before the Sweet 16. My VBDI (Vitale Bald Dome Index) said the Big East was the best conference all season and four teams are still alive.
It was a great regular season for the Big Ten, but many people look at the tournament results and call it disappointing. Illinois, Ohio State, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State and Wisconsin, all out...
The one sad aspect of the tournament is the win or else mentality. Teams are judged basically on what happens on March Madness and forget about the success of the regular season. It has become so big that coaches are made or broken based on what happens in the tournament, or if they even make the big dance. You see little guys from smaller schools getting fired because the bottom line is, everyone wants that pot of gold, the invite to the big dance for exposure.
School presidents, administrators, fans and boosters want to be like Gonzaga or George Mason, they want their names out in the limelight. If they don't get into the tournament, the quick fix is to fire the coach. I feel that is really, really sad. That is the one negative with the growth of the tournament -- it has become a monster.
Back to the games ... I feel it is important to have a star player leading the way in the Sweet 16.
J. J. Redick, Craig Smith, Rodney Carney, LaMarcus Aldridge and PJ Tucker, Randy Foye and Allen Ray, all the Connecticut Huskies ... wow, the stars will shine, baby!
I still feel Connecticut is the team to beat in the tournament. The Huskies have not played a full 40 minutes in wins over Albany and Kentucky. They have played in spurts that have helped them win. Patrick Sparks went for 28 points as the Huskies did not do a good job defending against him.
Connecticut had one blocked shot against the Wildcats and that tells me they were not aggressive enough defensively. Now they face Brandon Roy and Washington, not an easy opponent.
My Final Four is still alive: Connecticut, Duke, UCLA and Boston College.
Wow, we have had great excitement already and we should have great action as we are a few games away from setting up a great Final Four in Indianapolis, baby!
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.
