(*8*)Well, we’ve reached the Elite 8 of the boys’s NCAA tourney, and there are solely two “powerhouses” left within the discipline, they play one another subsequent spherical, and certainly one of them (Gonzaga) doesn’t have a title. The different program is UConn, and regardless that the Zags or the Huskies will probably be within the Final Four, this tourney has that new champion scent.
(*8*)I may very well be flawed, and UConn will proceed beating opponents by 20 en path to a fifth title since 1999, which might be essentially the most titles within the time interval by two titles. Yeah, wild stat, proper? If it looks like there are two, three, possibly even 4 faculties which have had a bigger influence on school basketball over the previous 24 years, it’s since you’re proper. Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, and Villanova come to thoughts, however what’s actually on my thoughts is that we’re getting a non-traditional Final Four.
This doesn’t really feel like an outlier
(*8*)Here’s an excellent crazier stat (that you simply’ve doubtless already heard which is why I didn’t lead with it): This is the primary yr since seeding started in 1979 that no No. 1 seed has made it to the Elite 8. That may very well be why 2023 feels so unusual. I imply, Alabama and Houston each misplaced, and neither sport was a fluke.
(*8*)San Diego State led on the break, and though Bama had a nine-point lead halfway by the second half, the Aztecs wanted a timeout and all of a minute and a half to erase the deficit. Then it was SDSU’s flip to construct a lead, one they wouldn’t give up, bringing the Brandon Miller period/saga to a merciful finish with a 71-64 loss within the Sweet 16.
(*8*)Houston… nicely, Houston had an excellent more durable go of it, getting drubbed by a Miami backcourt that did no matter they needed. Isaiah Wong and Nijel Pack mixed for 46 factors, and compelled the Cougars to play catch-up a lot of the sport. The U went on a 16-4 run to push their cushion to 17 on the 10:06 mark of the second half, and cruised the remainder of the way in which to an 89-75 W and their second-straight Elite 8.
(*8*)The 4 groups becoming a member of UConn, Gonzaga, San Diego State, and Miami are FAU, Kansas State, Texas, and Creighton. As far as seedings go, now we have a 2, two 3’s, a 4, two 5’s, a 6, and a 9 remaining. It’s not fairly Reservoir Dogs degree “Really, that’s who’s left alive?” vibes, nevertheless it’s shut.
It’s as much as you, UConn and Gonzaga, to keep up order
(*8*)If you’ve been following the tourney carefully — and who is aware of if you’re as a result of brackets began spontaneously combusting on opening day and haven’t stopped — UConn is the one squad within the Elite 8 that’s been snug in all three wins. Everybody else has had a sport determined by single digits, and I don’t should be the 16 millionth author to let you know the hierarchy of energy within the DC Universe is about to alter.
(*8*)Wait, that’s The Rock’s line.
(*8*)The hierarchy of energy in school basketball has modified, and it’s as much as you to determine the way to really feel about it.
(*8*)My feeling is that this: I’m at all times going to get pleasure from that new champion scent. It’s actually higher than the monotony of school soccer.
(*8*)Sure, if the Huskies win, it’ll be simply one other bizarre UConn yr the place they caught fireplace on the excellent time. However, if it’s one of many different seven faculties, even Gonzaga (however not Creighton; Cornhusker basketball till I die), I’ll be glad.
(*8*)March Madness lastly, really suits the invoice, and I’m glad lighting a few entry charges on fireplace to look at every thing else burn.
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