Upset madness pervades NCAA tournament

Kyle Nelson Assistant Life Editor

There has rarely been more parity in a Division I men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketballtournament than there was this year. After all, there is not a single one-seed left in the Final Four. In a tourney where defense, not offense, has decided games, this year is up for grabs, and each team is a potential contender.

It all began with a miracle shot by Northwestern State guard Jermaine Wallace to upend third seeded Iowa, forever solidifying Wallace’s place in highlight reel history. Upset wins by the likes of Montana, Bradley, Bucknell and George Mason silenced Billy Packer and other prominent critics of the “Mid-Major” boom.

Marquee names like Illinois, North Carolina and Michigan State all fell before the Sweet 16. By the time the Final Four was set, not one Big Ten, Big East, or Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team remained. The Mid-Major Colonial Athletic Association and two entries from a supposedly draft-depleted Southeastern Conference (SEC) form an unlikely National Championship bracket.

A potentially perfect ending to a classic tourney, the 2006 NCAA Final Four could emerge as one of the best of all time.

LSU has the skill, intensity to win it all

Fourth seeded Louisiana State is the most intense team in the tourney. The stifling defense of Garrett Temple (who has stopped luminaries P.J. Tucker and J.J. Redick) was complimented by the inside tandem of 310 lb. monolith Glen “Big Baby” Davis and breakout freshman star Tyrus Thomas. These talents combined to overcome the odds and defeat Iona, Texas A&M, Duke and Texas. They have displayed composure far beyond their youth and inexperience, and in the process have beaten the greatest offensive powers in the country. However, by valuing defense over offense, a problem arises: they have no offense on the perimeter. Thus far in the tourney, the Tigers have shot horribly from behind the three-point arch and have yet to have a consistent performance by senior point guard Darryl Mitchell.

To advance, Mitchell needs to provide a perimeter presence, Thomas and Davis must maintain their stellar level of playand their talented bench must continue to provide instant energy.
LSU players to watch: Glen Davis (18.5 PPG 9.8 RPG), Tyrus Thomas (9.2 RPG 3.2 BPG).

UCLA falling short of its potential

Second seeded UCLA is an enigma in the tournament. After blowing out fifteenth seed Belmont, they barely edged out Alabama, clawed their way back to beat Gonzaga in a near-impossible run, and then, in perhaps the sloppiest game of the tourney, out-shot a stone-cold Memphis to advance to the Final Four. This team has not even come close to reaching its potential, but if they can shoot well from the field, they could be quite dangerous.

Though their defense is on par with LSU’s, their offense is another story entirely. Guards Arron Afflalo, Jordan Farmar and Cedric Bozeman have all shot poorly. Farmar, who is one of the premier point-guards in NCAA basketball, must take control of his team and move the ball better with fewer turnovers. Late-blooming center Ryan Hollins must continue to be a force around the basket and the team must demand more scoring out of its other guards. This is a team with a lot of potential, but they need to play up to their offensive ability in order to be a threat.

UCLA Players to watch: Jordan Farmar (14.6 PPG 5.2 APG), Arron Afflalo (16.2 PPG, 4 RPG).

George Mason University: A true Cinderella story

George Mason University’s miracle run has brought them to the Final Four. The lowest seed ever to make the Final Four (number 11, tied with the 1986 LSU Tigers), GMU’s run has been anything but easy. After upsetting Michigan State, one of the most talented teams, they pulled another upset against Coach of the Year Roy Williams’ North Carolina. They next won the battle of the “Mid-Majors” by defeating Wichita State, and advanced to the Final Four off of a thrilling overtime upset against top-seeded Connecticut.

GMU was a controversial at-large invite, but they have proven the selection committee correct in every possible way. Jai Lewis is a monster inside and has dueled and beaten the best centers in the country. Tony Skinn and his perimeter offense is shooting an unbelievable percentage from long-range, and let’s not forget the incredible lock-down defense that this team plays. Regardless of any statistic, GMU will be an incredibly hard team to beat. Their momentum is unmatched, and if all goes well, the run could continue and the George Mason Patriots could find themselves in the final game.

GMU players to watch: Jai Lewis (13.5 PPG 7.5 RPG), Tony Skinn (12.7 PPG 1.6 SPG).

Not a “rebuilding year” for Florida

Last year heralded the departure of three of the University of Florida’s leading scorers to the National Basketball Association. Most people predicted a building season for the youthful Gators, but as seen this year, youth and inexperience does not necessarily translate into weakness. Having beaten the Princeton-offense of Georgetown and the up-tempo three-guard attack of Villanova, they have shown that they can win against any system. Coach Billy Donovan has done a spectacular job instilling tough defense in in the team, addition to dominant offense. Though they lack a true point guard, Taureen Green and Lee Humphrey possess the shooting ability to keep the defense honest, and if the three-point shot is not falling, the inside duo of Al Horford and Joakim Noah can control the offense.

The Gators are capable of dynamic scoring and lock-down defense and they play mature, unselfish basketball.

University of Florida Players to watch: Joakim Noah (14.0 PPG 6.8 RPG), Corey Brewer (12.6 PPG 1.6 SPG).

My Prediction: The National Championship game looks to be an SEC rematch between LSU and Florida.

The Gators have a good chance of being National Champions, winning 70-64.