I have loved March Madness dating back to the days of a 32 team field.

As a fanatic, some of my memories are good and some are bad. Then there are the memories that have nothing to do with my fanaticism and everything to do with how great this event is.

My personal memories are easy.

Louisville’s has three national championships in my lifetime. In 1980 the “Doctors of Dunk” slammed their way past UCLA to win it all. The nerve wracking part of this tournament was in Louisville’s first game, which was actually the second round. 1980 was the first year of having a 48 team field, so Louisville got a bye in round one. Rolando Blackmon and Kansas State took the Cardinals to OT. With star Darrell Griffith fouled out, Denny Crum inserted little used senior Tony Branch. As often happens, Branch found himself with the ball at the end of overtime, and he delivered a leaner with one second left to win it for the Cards. It was only Branch’s 30th shot of the year. The rest of the journey seemed like a breeze after that.

In 1986, Louisville was on the back end of a tremendous run of great teams. The ‘86 team was led by “Never Nervous” Pervis Ellison. Louisville was never challenged until the championship game with Duke. A young Jay Bilas couldn’t handle Ellison inside, and the Cards held off the Blue Devils to win it all. Denny Crum cemented his spot as a legend in the coaching world. I watched this game on a little 15 inch TV in my college dorm room at Shippensburg…with rabbit ears up to get a signal.

The 2013 Louisville team was coached by another legend, Rick Pitino. They had the gunner Russ Smith, the NBA center Gorge Dieng, the sharpshooter Luke Hancock, and the bull Montrez Harrell. The Cards had easy wins until the Final Four. Against Duke in the Elite Eight, super sub Kevin Ware broke his leg in a gruesome injury. The team demanded he be allowed to sit on the end of the bench with them for the Final Four. The Cards struggled to beat upstart Wichita State in the semifinal, then went head to head with Michigan for all the marbles. Things started poorly for Louisville, but then tourney MVP Luke Hancock took over. A huge first half run that got the Cards rolling was capped by my favorite dunk of all time.

Dunk

Those are my personal fond memories. As it always is in sports, I also have some not so fond memories of my Cardinals. Number one on my list is something known as “the shot heard round the world.” Louisville won it all in 1980, went to the Final Four in 1982 and 1983, and missed out on four straight trips because of this shot in the second round of the 1981 tournament.

 

 

There was losing the “greatest game ever” to Phi Slamma Jamma and Houston in 1983 and a missed Mangok Mathiang free throw that cost the Cards a trip to the Final Four in 2016, but nothing was as devastating as the U.S. Reed shot.

After the last few years of Louisville basketball, all I have are the memories. Some memories are vivid not because Louisville was involved, but rather they were breathtaking memories from the greatest event in sports.

I remember many buzzer beaters as if they happened yesterday. Kris Jenkins won it all at the buzzer for Villanova. Further back you had Bryce Drew and Valparaiso with “The Play”, Tyus Edney going coast to coast in the blink of an eye for UCLA, and Tate George getting the full court pass, turning and shooting the baseline jumper for UConn. And, of course, there is the Grant Hill to Christian Laettner Duke miracle against Kentucky.

There are the darlings of the tournament that we call Cinderella. We have many to think back on. Some win one or two games from a very low seed like Hampton, UMBC, and Florida Gulf Coast. Some Cinderellas have crashed the party and stuck around even longer. Last year we had Florida Atlantic, a few years back it was St. Peter’s, and the original Final Four crasher George Mason in 2006.

They all make March Madness, well, mad. Nothing is better than an underdog or a buzzer beater. Nothing, but a great story. Here is my list.

1. In 1990 tragedy struck a team destined to have a great March. Head coach Paul Westhead had Loyola Marymount playing a high octane, run and gun style. They were having a great season.

In the West Coast Conference tournament, Loyola Marymount star Hank Gathers collapsed to the court during a semifinal game. Tragically, Gathers died on the court that night. The conference tourney was cancelled and Loyola was given the automatic bid since they had won the regular season title. The team voted, with heavy hearts, to participate in the NCAA tournament.

As if propelled by an angel, LMU raced to the Elite Eight where reality finally caught up with them. Along that tremendous journey, Bo Kimble —Gather’s childhood friend and teammate— decided to honor his fallen friend. Any time Kimble went to the foul line, he decided to shoot the shots left handed in honor of his friend who struggled with foul shooting so much he switched to shooting left handed that season. I still get goosebumps when I think about it.

 

 

2. Georgetown was an unstoppable force in 1984-85. Led by monster in the middle Patrick Ewing, the Hoyas were destined to win it all. That is until they ran into a familiar foe in the finals who played the near perfect game.

Villanova had 10 losses that season and was a soft 8 seed. The Wildcats beat 9 seed Dayton by 2, top seed Michigan by 4, 5 seed Maryland by 3, 2 seed North Carolina by 12, and in the semifinals beat fifth ranked Memphis by 7. Their style was to slow things down and muck up the soup. They did it to perfection, but no way they could do that to Georgetown, who knew all about Villanova. Yet, they did.

Ed Pinckney, Harold Pressley, Dwayne McClain, Gary McClsin, and especially Harold Jensen all played perfectly. They had to play perfectly. Georgetown was a machine led by Ewing. Villanova utilized a zone defense and took chunks of Time off the clock on offense. At the end of it all, Dwayne McClain clutched an inbound pass and hugged the ball until time ran out. Coach Rollie Massimino was carried off the court by his ecstatic players. Maybe not the most exciting game ever played, but one of the best games ever played.

 

 

3. Two years prior to Villanova’s near perfect game, another fiery Italian head coach pulled off an iconic run to a championship. The Jim Valvano led NC State Wolfpack were far less talented than their opponent Houston. The Cougars were nicknamed Phi Slamma Jamma because of their high flying antics. With a hall of famer in Hakeem Olajuwon holding down the middle, NC State was a prohibitive underdog.

NC State required two overtimes and some luck just to survive round one against Pepperdine. A close call against UNLV followed. In the West Region final the Wolfpack were big underdogs agains conference foe Virginia,  who had 7-4 Ralph Sampson. It was supposed to be Sampson and Olajuwon in the championship game. Instead NC State pulled out another one point win and headed to New Mexico for the Final Four.

Valvano often employed a fouling strategy to extend games. With the Championship Game tied, Valvano ordered a foul. Houston missed the front end of the 1 and 1, setting up the greatest finish in March Madness championship history. Derek Whittenburg with the heave, Lorenzo Charles with the dunk, Jim Valvano trying to find a hug. Simply fantastic. All of it.

 

 

March is made for memory making. There is nothing like it in sports. Whether it is left handed free throws to honor a fallen friend, a huge upset, or a fantastic finish, March provides sports fanatics with some of the best memories we hold onto.

Fingers crossed that we have our fair share of buzzer beaters, upsets, and a Cinderella or two this year. There is no rule March can’t make new memories. Actually, March insists that it provides new memories.

Buckle up.

Two Cent Takes

College Hoops

~Championship Week, which is really two weeks is in full swing. We currently have six dancers: Morehead State(OVC), Longwood(Big South), Stetson(ASUN), Drake(MVC), Samford(SoCon), James Madison(Sun Belt). So we have some Eagles and Lancers, Hatters and Dukes, plus a couple Bulldogs. Only 62 more bids to go.

~The committee will have a tough job, as usual. One stride they could make in the right direction is to choose Indiana State for an at-large bid. It is time to reward teams like the Sycamores rather than a mediocre sixth place team from a power conference. The power conference teams get more opportunities at good wins. It is an unfair system for the little guy.  Not to mention, if you watched the MVC Championship Game between Indiana State and Drake you know that both teams are worthy of bids.

~Time for more Two Cent thoughts on the power conference tournaments, plus more on the fours.

ACC

  • Who wins: North Carolina
  • Dark horse: Clemson
  • Who needs to win: Wake Forest, Pitt, Virginia
  • Best bet for bid stealer: Pitt

North Carolina has a slightly better draw than Duke. Wake, Pitt, and Virginia need to make some serious noise this week, maybe even needing to win the tournament. The bubble is crowded, and I think all of these teams’ bubbles are currently popped.

BIg East

  • Who wins: UConn
  • Dark horse: St. John’s
  • Who needs to win: Providence, Villanova, Seton Hall
  • Best bet for Bid stealer: Villanova

It is a total no brainer to pick UConn here. The Huskies are the front runners to repeat as national champs. Providence must win to get in, while Villanova and Seton Hall are teetering. Seton Hall may need to beat St. John’s in their first game to have a chance. Nova seems to have a slightly better resume, but a lot of losses, too. St. John’s should be good, it winning one would not hurt.

BIg 12

  • Who wins: Houston
  • Dark horse: Texas
  • Who needs to win: Kansas State
  • Best bet for bid stealer: None

This could be a crazy, crazy tournament. I went with the obvious choice in Houston, but it won’t be easy. None of the teams that could steal a bid have a chance including Kansas State. I like Texas’s chance if they can escape Iowa State in the quarterfinals. This will be must see TV.

Big Ten

  • Who wins: Illinois
  • Dark horse: Michigan State
  • Who needs to win: Iowa, Ohio State, Indiana
  • Best bet for bid stealer: Ohio State

Call this one a hunch. I think Michigan State takes out Purdue. Tom Izzo has a knack of getting a mediocre team to get hot at tourney time. Illinois will then take advantage of not having to ace Purdue in the finals. Ohio State is red hot albeit with an interim coach. They could make some noise. So, too, could Penn State. The Lions will win two games and give Nebraska a tussle. Iowa needs to win the tournament at this point to get a bid.

Pac-12

  • Who wins: Arizona
  • Dark horse: USC
  • Who needs to win: Colorado, Oregon
  • Best bet for bid stealer: USC

The final Pac-12 tournament really comes down to three teams. Arizona is the obvious favorite. Colorado is the clear choice from the bottom half of the bracket. USC is the team playing the best right now. The Trojans took most of the season dealing with injuries and blending together. 17 losses later USC finally is playing to their talent level. The juggling of the standings on the last weekend gave USC a tougher bracket. The showdown comes in the quarterfinal game with Arizona. USC just beat Arizona rather easily last Saturday. Obviously, this is the only way for USC. That is true of Oregon, as well. The Ducks must win it all. Colorado should probably win its first game to feel safe.

SEC

  • Who wins: Tennessee
  • Dark horse: South Carolina
  •  Who needs to win: Mississippi State, Texas A&M
  • Best bet for bid stealer: Arkansas

When I watch Arkansas play I can’t believe how miserable their season was. So much individual talent. It wouldn’t shock me if they lose their first game or charge to the semifinals. Ultimately, I think this comes down to Tennessee and Kentucky. Though there are multiple teams who could ring that bell, I think Tennessee’s and Kentucky are above the fray. As for the bubble teams, Mississippi State and Texas A&M are close to being out of luck unless they win a game or two in the conference tournament..

~With under one week remaining until bids are handed out, here is my final attempt at picking the fours.

  • Last 4 byes: Michigan State, Oklahoma, TCU, Colorado
  • Last 4 in: Indiana State, St. John’s, New Mexico, Villanova
  • First 4 out: Seton Hall, Wake Forest Mississippi State, Virginia

I know everyone has Virginia in the tournament. Have you seen them play in the last month. It is awful. Villanova and Seton Hall are interchangeable, especially depending on how the first game of the Big East Tournament goes. New Mexico could still be in big trouble. Pitt is off my list after seeing how bad their out of conference schedule looks.

I can’t believe I am about to type this, but if the little guys keeping getting the short end of the stick the I hope they expand to 80 teams. Indiana State over Virginia all day. Sycamore head coach Matt Ertz agrees.

 

 

~Rick Pitino always on point. This commentary is very fair about the state of college athletics.

 

~Jeff Walz, Louisville women’s coach had a funny and interesting rant on his team’s woes. Walz mentions fining the players for turnovers. No word on whether he should be fined for coaching mistakes.

 

 

Golf

~Scottie Scheffler lapped the field at Bay Hill this past weekend. In addition to growing a beard, Scheffler also took Rory McIlroy’s advice and switched to a mallet putter. Scheffler led the field in putting last week. If Scheffler can putt look out. Right, Happy?

 

~So, apparently I am suppose to know who Anthony Kim is. I’ve got news for the kids at LIV. I don’t remember Kim, nor do I care about him. Sorry, not sorry.

NFL

~Free agency is in full swing. Kirk Cousins to the Falcons for a lot of cash. Falcons become instant favorites to win the woeful NFC South. Baker Mayfield back to Tampa will keep the Bucs heads above water. Saquon Barkley, as we all know, when healthy is elite. The Eagles spent big bucks hoping he stays healthy. Austin Ekeler takes his three down abilities at running back to Washington.

~Lots of moves already made in free agency, But as usual the Steelers were quiet so far. Well, except for that one signing. Quarterback, and resident nutcase, Russell Wilson is heading to the Steelers. Oh boy. If the Steelers can get a Time Machine and go back five years maybe they have something. Either way, some of the over top complaints about this signing from people who cover the team are ridiculous. I will have more on this move on my Musings of a Sports Fanatic podcast later this week. Check it out.

The Weekly Shiny Penny

The shiny penny was simple this week. John Tortorella, ladies and gentlemen, is one of a kind.

 

 

A Penny For My Final Thought…

A couple weeks ago the college basketball world lost its collective minds because Duke player Kyle Filipowski got bumped into during a court storm at Wake Forest.

”Cancel court storms!”

“Someone is going to get killed!”

”The fans have no business being on the court!”

Duke head coach, Jon Scheyer,  said it was awful and something needs to be done to end these silly escapades. Duke alum, and ESPN personality Jay Bilas —who I really like— suggested every fan running on the court be cited by police.

“Woe, is me”—every Dookie fan ever.

I am not going to post the video again of the court storm, but you know where I stand. Any injury occurred mainly because Filipowski was trying to give the Wake fan a shot. And, turns out the season ending threatening injury was just a boo boo.

Fast forward to last Saturday night.

This was Kyle Filipowski during the rival game with North Carolina.

 

This wasn’t the first time this season that Filipowski pulled this kind of stunt. Watch as he intentionally comes under a jump shooter trying to bust his ankle if he can.

 

 

This is called the Duke double standard. Referee Teddy Valentine was looking right at the trip and called nothing. To Duke fans, that is the correct way to handle that play. Incidental contact.

Double standard.

Former Dookie, Grayson Allen, got away with tripping more players that anyone in the history of college basketball.

When fans of an opposing team celebrate a big win over your pompous program and run into one of your players the world nearly comes to an end. When that same player commits his 50th dirty play of the year, no problem.

That isn’t enough to convince you?

How about those funny, creative “Cameron Crazies”?

During warmups before the North Carolina game, this was yelled at Carolina player RJ Davis.

 

You know who should be cited, Mr. Bilas? The kid who said, “I want to kill you” to RJ Davis.

But, hey, one bad egg doesn’t make all the “Crazies” rotten.

 


Eh, I bet head coach Jon Scheyer got on the microphone and told the “Crazies” to knock it off. You know, something like, “We are Duke. We don’t do things like this.”

 


Oops, guess not. Scheyer chose to apologize to the “Crazies”. I guess it was his fault they decided to threaten to kill an opposing player and then threw water and bottles at the celebrating team. In case you needed another reason to despise Scheyer, there you go.

This is the Duke double standard that has always existed. Well, at least since Coach K made them good, and developed that entitled attitude.

For the record, the next time you hear a Duke fan criticize that behavior will be the first time. It has always been all good when the Dookies are the instigators. It is incidents. It is clever. It is creative. We are so smart. When they are the “victim” then people need arrested and all fun should be stopped.

Some say people hate Duke because they are good.

Wrong.

I don’t hate Kansas. I don’t hate UConn. I don’t even hate North Carolina.

My God, Duke actually made me root for this 25 year old ***hole that looks like he should definitely be playing for Duke.

 


I hate entitlement.

I hate Duke.

Just my two cents…