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By
Adam Stanco
BasketballWriter@cs.com
March
17th, 2005
NCAA
Tournament: Top Games
Some games I’m
interested in seeing more than Jennifer Garner in Playboy:
Austin Region
Eastern Kentucky –
Kentucky
When it could happen:
First Round
Why it interests me:
Travis Ford
was one of the most exciting and successful guards to ever play for the
storied Wildcat program. He’s now the head coach at Eastern Kentucky.
Syracuse – Vermont
When it could happen:
First Round
Why it interests me:
Taylor Coppenrath and T.J. Sorrentine combine for over 44 points a game
and have led Vermont to three straight NCAA Tournament berths.
Experience is valuable in the tourney, but no other Catamount averages
more than 6 ppg.
Oklahoma – Utah
When it could happen:
Second Round
Why it interests me:
Andrew Bogut is the best post player in America. Oklahoma might boast
the best tandem of post players in America, Kevin Bookout and Taj Gray.
There probably isn’t enough room for all of them down low. Let the
bloodsport begin.
Kentucky – Cincinnati
When it could happen:
Second Round
Why it interests me:
Their locations make for the perfect rivalry. The bragging rights for
the winner of this one will be cherished for a long time.
Chicago Region
LSU – Arizona
When it could happen:
Second Round
Why it interests me:
LSU features
a young, talented trio of Brandon Bass, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, and Tack
Minor. They have gotten little recognition nationally and a win over the
Wildcats would give them just that.
Illinois – Texas
When it could happen:
Second Round
Why it interests me:
Dee Brown, Deron Williams, and Luther Head comprise the most heralded
backcourt in college basketball. Texas freshman point guard Daniel
Gibson may one day be better than all of them.
Albuquerque Region
Wake Forest – West
Virginia
When it could happen:
Second Round
Why it interests me:
The Mountaineers proved they are capable of beating anyone after
knocking off Providence, Boston College, and Villanova in the Big East
Tournament. Plus this game would pit two of the most underrated coaches
in the college game, Skip Prosser and John Beilein.
Pacific – Washington
When it could happen:
Second Round
Why it interests me:
Pacific must first survive a first round game against Pitt. If they do
advance to play the Huskies, the school from northern California will
set up the a highly anticipated game for fans throughout the Pacific
Northwest.
Gonzaga – Washington
When it could happen:
Regional Finals
Why it interests me:
The Zags defeated the Huskies by 12 on December 1st. If they
can beat them again, Gonzaga will make like Hickory High and play in the
Final Four for all the “small schools that never got the chance.”
Syracuse Region
Kansas – Bucknell
When it could happen:
First Round
Why it interests me:
Bucknell is a giant killer. In back-to-back games this season, the Bison
beat St. Joe’s and Pitt. With KU’s shooting woes, they should be very
careful not to look past Bucknell.
Villanova – New Mexico
When it could happen:
First Round
Why it interests me:
New Mexico forward Danny Granger is a big time pro prospect and
Villanova is one of the nation’s top defensive teams. Keep an eye on who
is assigned to guard Granger, a 6-foot-8 senior with nice range.
Kansas – North Carolina
When it could happen:
Regional Finals
Why it interests me:
The Roy
Williams game. After Williams told KU fans that he would never leave the
Jayhawks, you can be sure his former recruits will be foaming at the
mouth.
North Carolina –
Oklahoma State
When it could happen:
National Championship
Why it interests me:
The JamesOn Curry game. Curry originally signed with UNC, but Roy
Williams took away his scholarship after a marijuana-related incident.
Curry has grown as a person at Oklahoma State and – as one of the elite
backcourt talents in the Big XII – would love to keep the Tar Heels from
winning a title.
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