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So day one is in the books, day two of the first round starts in just a few hours.
Half way through round 1, here are a few teams that both impressed and disappointed me:
Impressed:
Wofford: Poised and well played game from Wofford. For a few minutes it looked like the wheels were coming off for the Terriers as a 16 point cushion turned into a brief one point deficit, as Powell, almost single handily shot Shall back into the game. The crowd was even getting into it chanting his name during one foul call that sent him to the line. However, as quickly as the Wofford lead dwindled, it was built up again, right back to 16, the final margin of victory! I was impressed by Wofford, how they did not panic and after getting down a point, quickly built the lead right back up.
Murray State: I was impressed by just how good this team was in their absolute dismantling of a solid Marquette squad. Better than advertised in my honest opinion, led by an incredible triple-double from Morant whose draft stock is surely sky rocketing. I think Murray St proved they were better than the 12 seed they were given and in the process, might have put a bit of a scare into FSU for tomorrow. Murray has represented the Ohio Valley well.
Honorable mention: Belmont and New Mexico St. - Tough way to end a game for both teams.
Not impressed:
Michigan St: A lackluster performance from a team that, just a few days prior, had been arguing that they deserved a one seed. Well, if that game was anything to go by, perhaps the committee was correct. Granted it is hard to judge a teams merits based on one game, but MSU better wake up and do so quickly if they hope to advance and challenge Duke in a possible elite 8 game. It is hard to imagine Duke bowing out before the elite 8 so if MSU wants to go to the FF, the road very likely goes through the Blue Devils. Down 1 with 6 minutes to go, only a very late 8-0 run saved the Spartans from another first round loss as a 2 seed, coupled with some issues on the sidelines between Izzo and one of his star players, getting to the elite 8 suddenly seems like a tall order. Only time will tell.
Nevada: Granted I strongly felt Nevada was under seeded as a 7, but you need to play with the seed you are given. Uconn proved that in 2014 as we all know. But Nevada simply did not execute for several key stretches of the game and Florida took advantage. I thought an older, more experienced Nevada team that has "been there" (elite 8 last year) and was returning most of their players would have no problem with a Florida team that, though talented, was much younger and more inexperienced and struggled their way to a 19-15 record. I expected another possible sweet 16 appearance from Nevada, or at least a fighters chance against Michigan, possibly losing in a close game.
Who are some of the teams that both impressed and disappointed you in day one? Who are the teams that you think will impress and disappoint in day two?
Overall, I thought that the non P5/BE/AAC teams played very well: Yale, New Mexico St, Belmont, Murray, St. Marys (who probably deserved more like a 12 or 13 but still), Bradley and Vermont. If those teams were anything to go by, perhaps UNCG and even Furman deserved a slot too. I look forward to seeing how the 12 to 14 seeded teams peform today, but so far really solid effort all around from the non "P7" 11/12/13 seeded teams.
Big question: How will Virginia look today? Will they come out punching and leave no doubt in viewers mind? I think they will come out with something to prove in the first two rounds.
edit: BYE BYE CUSE, nice knowing you (NOT!)
Half way through round 1, here are a few teams that both impressed and disappointed me:
Impressed:
Wofford: Poised and well played game from Wofford. For a few minutes it looked like the wheels were coming off for the Terriers as a 16 point cushion turned into a brief one point deficit, as Powell, almost single handily shot Shall back into the game. The crowd was even getting into it chanting his name during one foul call that sent him to the line. However, as quickly as the Wofford lead dwindled, it was built up again, right back to 16, the final margin of victory! I was impressed by Wofford, how they did not panic and after getting down a point, quickly built the lead right back up.
Murray State: I was impressed by just how good this team was in their absolute dismantling of a solid Marquette squad. Better than advertised in my honest opinion, led by an incredible triple-double from Morant whose draft stock is surely sky rocketing. I think Murray St proved they were better than the 12 seed they were given and in the process, might have put a bit of a scare into FSU for tomorrow. Murray has represented the Ohio Valley well.
Honorable mention: Belmont and New Mexico St. - Tough way to end a game for both teams.
Not impressed:
Michigan St: A lackluster performance from a team that, just a few days prior, had been arguing that they deserved a one seed. Well, if that game was anything to go by, perhaps the committee was correct. Granted it is hard to judge a teams merits based on one game, but MSU better wake up and do so quickly if they hope to advance and challenge Duke in a possible elite 8 game. It is hard to imagine Duke bowing out before the elite 8 so if MSU wants to go to the FF, the road very likely goes through the Blue Devils. Down 1 with 6 minutes to go, only a very late 8-0 run saved the Spartans from another first round loss as a 2 seed, coupled with some issues on the sidelines between Izzo and one of his star players, getting to the elite 8 suddenly seems like a tall order. Only time will tell.
Nevada: Granted I strongly felt Nevada was under seeded as a 7, but you need to play with the seed you are given. Uconn proved that in 2014 as we all know. But Nevada simply did not execute for several key stretches of the game and Florida took advantage. I thought an older, more experienced Nevada team that has "been there" (elite 8 last year) and was returning most of their players would have no problem with a Florida team that, though talented, was much younger and more inexperienced and struggled their way to a 19-15 record. I expected another possible sweet 16 appearance from Nevada, or at least a fighters chance against Michigan, possibly losing in a close game.
Who are some of the teams that both impressed and disappointed you in day one? Who are the teams that you think will impress and disappoint in day two?
Overall, I thought that the non P5/BE/AAC teams played very well: Yale, New Mexico St, Belmont, Murray, St. Marys (who probably deserved more like a 12 or 13 but still), Bradley and Vermont. If those teams were anything to go by, perhaps UNCG and even Furman deserved a slot too. I look forward to seeing how the 12 to 14 seeded teams peform today, but so far really solid effort all around from the non "P7" 11/12/13 seeded teams.
Big question: How will Virginia look today? Will they come out punching and leave no doubt in viewers mind? I think they will come out with something to prove in the first two rounds.
edit: BYE BYE CUSE, nice knowing you (NOT!)
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