We haven't had much to say about the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, mainly because it has been one of the most boring NCAA Tournaments ever played. Last week, for example, three of the four Elite Eight games were unwatchable, and even Wichita State's win over Ohio State was never in much doubt. (Ken Pomeroy went 2-2 in those games, by the way.) The Tournament really isn't the same without Kentucky.
I was doubtful that Louisville could win in all this year, mainly because the Cardinals are not good at outside shooting. And their outside shooting has been pretty weak in this tournament. But so far, the Cards have drawn teams that they could dominate on the inside, so their outside shooting hasn't mattered. If they were playing Ohio State today -- a big, athletic team that could bang with them up and down the floor -- I think the Cards would be at some risk. But last Saturday, OSU was the hare to Wichita State's tortoise, and by the time Thad Matta's Buckeyes started playing, it was too late to catch the Shockers. I am very confident that Rick Pitino's team will play for the whole 40 minutes tonight, and I don't think WSU can keep up with them.
The other game, between Syracuse and Michigan, is extremely hard to predict because both teams have played so well in the tournament. But it would be fitting if the last Big East season ended with an NCAA Final between Louisville and Syracuse -- which would be a rematch of the Big East tournament final.
One more note: this is the first time since 1987 that they've played a Final Four without Kentucky, UNC, Duke, Kansas, or UCLA. Ironically, Rick Pitino and Jim Boeheim were both in the 1987 Final Four as well, as Pitino's Providence Friars were eliminated in the Final Four by Boeheim's Orangemen.
All times Central:
Atlanta
5:09 P.M.: #1 Louisville (33-5) v. # 19 Wichita St. (30-8) (CBS)
7:49 P.M.: #5 Michigan (30-7) v. # 6 Syracuse (30-9) (CBS)
Wichita State jumped out to an 8-0 lead, then U of L scored nine straight points, and with 11:42 to go in the first half, the Cardinals lead 11-10.
ReplyDeleteWSU will have to be much more aggressive against U of L's defense to have a chance. You have to attack Pitino's defense -- as Arizona showed in 1997.
To their credit, Wichita State is trying to attack Louisville's defense, but the Shockers are really struggling to make shots. So far they are 5-19 from the field. Meanwhile, the Cardinals -- who are offensively challenged in the half court -- are 5-14 from the field. With only 7:09 left in the first half, the score is 13-13.
ReplyDeleteThis game is pretty symbolic of the whole tournament so far. CAN'T ANYONE SHOOT THE BALL?
Also, they have to adjust the officiating to cut back on the amount of banging and hitting down low. In my opinion, that is the main reason that scoring has been so low this year.
ReplyDeletePeyton Siva makes a terrible turnover that turns into a run-out dunk for the Shockers, who lead 17-13 with 5:25 before halftime. Pitino calls time.
ReplyDeleteSmartMom really likes the AT & T commercial where the guy is talking to Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I wish more teams understood: If you are taking a shot that you make less than 35 percent of the time -- which is the case with most of the 3-pointers I've seen in this tournament -- you are taking a bad shot.
ReplyDeleteRuss Smith hits two long three's for the Cards, but WSU hangs in there with a free throw and a layup. With 3:05 left in the first half, the Shockers lead 20-19.
ReplyDeleteAlso, that thing where teams dribble and pass for 15 seconds before starting their offense -- that is not making anyone more efficient.
ReplyDeleteTo their credit, however, the Shockers understand that they have to attack the rim.
Russ Smith is now 3-5 from three-point range. Clark Kellogg thinks that the Shockers have to concede that shot to keep Smith out of the lane. But I think they'll eventually have to come out and play him -- if he's on (and he's on tonight), he can be devastating from out there.
ReplyDeleteLouisville is now 4-11 from three-point range, and 8-19 from the field. WSU is 3-10 from three-point range, and 9-27 from the field. Shockers lead 26-25 with 47 seconds to go. They call time.
ReplyDeleteWichita uses up a lot of clock, but misses a layup.
ReplyDeleteSiva then does that thing where he dribbles until there's almost no time left, and then fires up a long three. He misses.
Shockers lead 26-25 at the half. Neither team looks like a National Champion so far.
Someone on the UK message board made the point that the additional ticket sales from holding the Final Four in a dome configured to hold a football crowd shouldn't be that large, compared to the TV money the NCAA gets. CBS should really use its leverage with the NCAA to move these games into basketball arenas.
ReplyDeleteWill I be attending the new "Great Gatsby" movie?
ReplyDeleteSurvey says: Yes!
Wichita State made good adjustments in the locker room, and they are really attacking the U of L defense now. With 15:46 to go, the Shockers lead 38-31 and Russ Smith has three fouls.
ReplyDeleteNow Clark Kellogg says that Louisville has to find a way to speed the game up.
ReplyDeleteShockers lead 41-32 with 14:56 to go.
Russ Smith misses a three, WSU misses a three, Russ Smith turns the ball over, WSU gets a layup.
ReplyDeleteShockers lead 43-32 with 14:16 to go. U of L calls time.
For the record, whatever happens U of L is by far the least talented basketball team to make back-to-back Final Fours. Pitino is a genius to have reached two Final Fours with these players.
ReplyDeleteOut of the timeout, Russ Smith hits a 3. 43-35 Shockers with 13:50 to go.
ReplyDeleteLouisville starting to heat up from three-point range. Cards now 7-21 from behind the arc; they trail 47-41 with 11:56 to go.
ReplyDeleteLouisville's fightback continues. Cards now trail 50-47 with 8:59 to go.
ReplyDeleteBut the Shockers make a HUGE three to go up 53-47 with 8:40 left.
Shockers 6-15 from behind the line in this game.
Both teams playing at a high level now. Shockers lead 55-51 7:37 to go, but the Cards are now scoring on almost every possession.
ReplyDeleteWichita misses a long three -- U of L comes back with a jump shot from Behanan. 55-53 Shockers.
ReplyDeleteU of L steals the ball. Luke Hancock makes a 3. Cardinals lead 56-55.
But then Wichita comes back, scores, and is fouled! Shockers lead 58-56 with 6:05 remaining.
Siva takes a terrible three-point shot, misses. U of L steals the rebound. Wild scramble. Foul on Wichita. Cardinal ball.
ReplyDeleteSiva goes on a wild drive to the basket. Is fouled. Goes to the line.
Siva makes the first FT.
Siva makes the second FT.
We are tied at 58 with 5:22 remaining.
WIchita takes the ball. Louisville knocks it out of bounds. Louisville steals the inbounds pass and Russ Smith gets a slam dunk. Louisville 60-58.
ReplyDeleteWSU comes back, misses, Louisville gets the ball, but cannot score. In the scrum for the rebound, Louisville is called for foul.
WSU will be going to line. They trail 60-58 with 3:50 to go.
This is just about the most violent basketball game ever played. Louisville is just throwing the WSU folks all over the place -- slapping them, knocking them down, grabbing all loose balls and rebounds. That's how they came back.
Last year, in this situation, UK had Anthony Davis -- who had a quality and a physical presence that U of L's football style couldn't overcome. WSU doesn't have anyone like that.
ReplyDeleteI was wrong about the FT's. WSU has to go the length of the floor.
Chane Behanan, a forward who has eight points and six rebounds in this game for Louisville, played at Bowling Green HIgh and had a fantastic rivalry with Warren Central's George Fant, who is now my favorite college-basketball player.
ReplyDeleteWSU has 5 turnovers on its last 7 possessions, but this time the Shockers get a layup. 60-60 with 3:08 left. Pitino calls time.
ReplyDeleteU of L misses, but scores on yet another putback. 62-60 Cards with 2:46 to go.
ReplyDeleteWSU doesn't even come close to getting off a shot on its next possession -- they don't understand that if you hold the ball until there are only 10 seconds left in the shot clock, Louisville can just shut you down completely.
ReplyDeleteThe Cardinals come back with yet another 3-pointer from Luke Hancock. They are now 9-25 from three-point range. Hancock has been the difference in this game -- he is the missing offensive element that U of L needed. He's got 17 points, the Cards lead 65-60 with 1:58 remaining, and this game is over.
Since WSU led 43-32, U of L has outscored them 33-17.
With 46.4 seconds left, U of L leads 67-64. Cardinals ball. They just have to make free throws now.
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how great Luke Hancock has been in this game. He has 19 points on 6-9 shooting from the field and 4-5 from the line. He was the difference; Louisville would have lost without him.
Has Jim Nantz announced Jeb's candidacy during this program?
ReplyDeleteI've had the sound turned down in the second half, because SmartGirl and I are watching Doctor Who.
DeleteDown here in the 270, we're all getting fired up for the season opener of Mad Men tomorrow night.
DeleteAlso, by hitting so many shots, Hancock prevented Siva (1-9 from the field) from shooting the Cardinals out of this game.
ReplyDeleteRuss Smith makes 1-2 FTs. WSU comes back with a putback on an offensive rebound. U of L leads 68-66 with 31.6 seconds to go.
Louisville has outscored Wichita 43-40 in the second half.
Russ Smith is fouled with 29.9 seconds left. He's 2-8 from the line tonight.
ReplyDeleteThis time, he makes them both. Louisville leads 70-66.
I've never had enough swagger.
ReplyDeleteWith 12 seconds left, WSU scores on a goaltending call. 70-68 Cards.
ReplyDeleteWith 8.8 seconds left, Luke Hancock goes to the line.
ReplyDeleteHe makes the first, misses the second. The rebound kicks out to WSU, but Hancock TIES HIM UP. Louisville ball with 6.3 seconds to go, and now it's really, truly over.
Coaches like to talk about 50-50 balls. Louisville got something like 90 percent of those in the last 10 minutes of this game.
Yes.
DeleteRuss Smith makes one more FT, and Louisville wins 72-68. They are not good in the half court, but they scored 47 points in the second half, thanks to Luke Hancock and some amazing effort.
ReplyDeleteWSU has a good coach, but Rick Pitino is a genius.
And now a hall-of-famer.
DeleteAs he should be.
DeleteGood for Louisville! Good for Phil Rollins!
ReplyDeleteYeah, because I'm sure the Louisville fans were pulling for UK against Kansas last year.
DeleteI imagine very few of them did, and I imagine very few UK fans rooted for U of L today. But some of us do, and we're glad Louisville won.
DeleteWe should also mention Tim Henderson, who scored 16 points all SEASON, but who hit two big three-pointers to help Louisville's comeback tonight.
ReplyDeleteAgain, Pitino is a genius.
Tim Henderson's a product of Christian Academy of Louisville (CAL).
Delete