“Meanwhile, last year’s best conference, the ACC, has plummeted and might be the weakest of the power conferences. Granted, Duke (6), Louisville (11), and Florida State (14) are in the Top 20 of the NET rankings, but last year’s national champion Virginia and North Carolina might be easier to find on a milk carton.”
“With Bolden on the bench, Duke’s inexperience showed defensively around the basket. As always, Barrett and Williamson were terrific offensively, but both missed assignments with their rotations on defense. For a while, it looked like Barrett and Williamson might have an easier time learning Hachimura’s native Japanese, than mastering their helpside D.”
“Texas Tech is one of the best defensive teams in the country and Coach Chris Beard’s club might be better than anybody at drawing offensive fouls. Imagine mustering the courage to take a charge on the super explosive 285-pound Williamson (who plowed over the Red Raiders three times in the game) at the rim? Sort of like standing in the way of a refrigerator rolling down a steep staircase.”
“It’s my hunch we saw only a glimpse of what Williamson can do in the future. Can’t wait for Coach K to roll Mount Zion into the post. Might have a better chance of crossing the border and moving the Egyptian Pyramids than getting him out of the lane.”
“Virginia still has to win at least two more and make the Final Four to put last year’s UMBC nightmare behind them. Otherwise, the only way the Wahoos can get off the hook is if Donald Trump exonerates them.”
“Mussleman has clearly brought energy to the Pack program and has an intensity on the sidelines that was interesting to watch in the Utah State game. For most of the first half, he was all over the refs. At one point during a media timeout, he even chased down one of the refs underneath the basket. Surely would have been a technical if the ref had not been in the restricted area.”
“So how many things went wrong for Kentucky in this (118-84 loss to Duke) disaster? I’m sure Coach Cal and his staff can come up with at least 118 reasons (maybe even more) when breaking this one down while requesting FEMA assistance.”
“Halftime score had Michigan beating Villanova 44-17 committing just one turnover. Might have imagined this happening if these two schools were playing in football.”
“Some final thoughts on last year’s rematch. I have to admit my mind was wandering during this surprisingly uncompetitive game. Is it my imagination, or does Villanova’s arena look like a giant spaceship? The Wildcats were surely Lost In Space (Danger Jay Wright, Danger) in this one!”
“I was hoping to make up for the Buffalo debacle by switching gears to another mid-major, Hofstra, which has quietly put together the nation’s longest winning streak. Only there was no TV coverage to be found for the Pride (how do you simulate that with a mascot?) as they beat Towson 84-61 for their 16th straight victory. Do we dare suggest a march on Washington for ESPN 4?”
“Once Pikiell decided to save Baker for the second half, (Cassius) Winston had 12 points by halftime. By the time the final horn sounded, this Cassius had floated like a butterfly and stung like a scorpion and knocked out Rutgers’ pick and roll defense.”