Last week, college basketball fans again were overcome with March Madness.
It started on Thursday when Arizona shot a hefty 66 percent, yet needed a thrilling last-second basket to defeat Oklahoma State. On Friday came the completely bogus traveling call late that went against Villanova, which negated what sure looked like a score, foul, and potential game-tying free throw against North Carolina. On Saturday, Louisville gave up a whopping 18 three-pointers to West Virginia, yet still managed to erase a 20-point deficit and win in overtime. That night, Illinois produced one of the most incredible comebacks in basketball history, outscoring Arizona by 15 in the last four minutes and holding the Wildcats to zero field goals over the last 6:03, in another overtime classic.
But just when you thought that couldn't be topped, college basketball delivered once more Sunday night with Michigan State and Kentucky. As time expired, Kentucky's Patrick Sparks forced up a dramatic three-pointer that bounced on the rim four times before going through the net to tie the game. Another tense five minutes elapsed as the officials reviewed correctly whether or not Sparks' toe was touching the three-point line. After Kentucky failed to even get off a winning shot attempt at the end of the first extra period, Michigan State took control and won in double overtime.
College hoops fans could not have written a better script last week, and we still have three games to go. Whether it's the pressurized single-elimination format of the NCAA tournament that people love, or the parity that exists where just about any team can beat any other on a neutral floor, March Madness always brings the excitement, and it most assuredly always will for years to come.
Predictions: The picks went 4 and 4 last week, bringing the overall tournament spread record to 11-5. The advice to lean toward the underdogs in the Elite 8 was solid, as all four dogs covered.
Final Four - From 1993 to 1999 and 2002 to 2004, at least one underdog covered the point spread in the national semi-finals, and in all but three of those years one team pulled off an outright upset. Only in 2000 and 2001 did both favorites win and cover. Only in 2002 did both dogs pull off straight-up upsets. So we'll go with one dog and one favorite this round.
Illinois vs. Louisville - Illinois is enjoying a magical season, going 36-1 with the best starting 5 in the nation. Louisville is not a surprise Final Four participant, either, with the sixth-highest scoring team and the fourth-best when it comes to field goal percentage defense. The question is, will the Fighting Illini find success shooting against the Cardinals' stellar D?
Lacking quickness, Louisville has thrived on using the 2-3 zone defense, which helped Syracuse to the national championship two seasons ago. Much like West Virginia in the regional finals, Illinois is a team that can exploit the 2-3 and every other Cardinals' defense, by raining three-pointers. The pick is Illinois -3 and Over 146.
North Carolina vs. Michigan State - The most talented team in the country, North Carolina, led every school in scoring, scoring margin and assists. Tough Michigan State led the Big Ten, apparently the strongest conference in the nation, in rebounding and field goal and free throw percentage. North Carolina's question mark all along has been its defense, and State has the accuracy to keep this one close. Although Carolina should win, considering the recent history of underdog success, five points seem too much to give up. Going with Michigan State +5 and Over 157 -1/2.
Intangibles - If politics get involved, and with the NCAA you know they just might, Illinois and North Carolina should somehow meet in the championship game, and most fans would love to see it. Illinois, having never won a title in its storied history, is close to home in St. Louis and appears to be a team of destiny inspired by the recent death of head coach Bruce Weber's mother. North Carolina coach Roy Williams is in his second year at his alma mater, and is also a sentimental choice, due to win a championship after four Final Four defeats with Kansas.
Championship - Sticking with the pre-tournament choice of North Carolina, but Illinois will be difficult to beat.
Note - Wagering is also available for the Women's Final Four, Major League Baseball, which begins Sunday, and golf's first major, the Masters, which starts next Thursday.
