Cinderella stories are fun during the excitement of March Madness, but this year’s tournament has showed us that the best basketball takes place when the favorites keep winning. That was some amazing basketball that took place this week as the Elite 8 was winnowed down to the Final Four. My top pick on three of my five brackets, Georgetown, had the most amazing victory. UNC had the game won when they went on one of the coldest streaks a major program has ever had, making only 2 of their last 24 shots. Georgetown was partly responsible for their lack of success with their defense, but a lot of it was also North Carolina losing their poise and launching quick, ill-advised shots, handing Georgetown the comeback opportunity. And damn, they did take it.
With props to my pal and Atlantic City Weekly colleague Chuck Betson, the Gators are looking good too. Their game with UCLA is going to be amazing. Chuck, no more betting against the Gators. I’m picking them to beat UCLA for a second year in a row, although this game will be much closer than last year’s championship blowout. UCLA plays some serious defense. Even though UCLA allowed Kansas a lot of inside looks, they were often contested looks, and the Jayhawks couldn’t convert. I had Kansas winning in several of my brackets.
At least my CBS Bracket challenge has the Final Four intact. Again with apologies to Gator grad Betson, after seeing that game vs. UNC, I’m picking Georgetown to defeat Ohio State, then beat Florida for the national championship. Greg Olden might be the best big man in the country, but his freshmen mistakes lead to too many fouls and too much time on the pine. Georgetown’s Roy Hibbert, with the help of Jeff Green, will keep him in check in the final.
March Madness has lived up the hype. It always does. Check out this great column by my favorite basketball scribe Dick Jerardi of the Philadelphia Daily News.