March Madness: Griffin Ferre and Isaiah Murtaugh discuss the madness that will ensue tonight in the NCAA Divison 1 Mens’ Basketball Tourney.
Isaiah “Big Red” Murtaugh: This is the column where we discuss all the ins and outs of the NCAA March Madness Bracket just like every other basketball writers that know anything about basketball do. With me today is Griffin Ferre, Poly Spotlight’s resident self-proclaimed Bracketologist.
Griffin “Griffin” Ferre: How’s it going, Big Red? Thanks for having me
Big Red: Anytime Griffin. So for starters, a disclaimer. Don’t listen to anything we say because never in history has anyone been completely correct on a March Madness bracket. That being said, especially if you are in Mr. Booth’s bracket competition, do listen to what we say because what we say will help you more than picking brackets based on cool-looking uniforms. This year, especially, that will ruin your bracket because number one-seeded Louisville has absolutely horrendous uniforms.
Griffin: In fact, if a team is picked by a bunch of experts to go deep, then that probably means that they won’t, especially if Sports Illustrated picks a so-called “trendy pick.” Then it might actually be better to pick the most trendily dressed team.
Big Red: What he said. That actually is a great place to start an actual discussion. Griffin, what high seeds will fall first to the madness?
Griffin: Well, only one time in history (2008) have all four top seeds advanced all the way to the Final Four; that’s what puts the Madness in March Madness. I would say don’t be afraid to pick the mid-major teams. Previously relatively unknown teams such as Butler and VCU have had success in the past. As for the top seeds, Kansas has been iffy in past tournaments, and they will face off against VCU in the Sweet Sixteen if both teams advance that far, which could be a potential trap game for the Jayhawks.
Big Red: Agreed. VCU’s Havoc defense, masterminded by appropriately named head coach Shaka Smart, has created an absurdly high turnover rate by their opponents, and Kansas will be hard-pressed to get past the Rams. Indiana has also been plagued by upsets all season and I have them also getting knocked out in the Sweet Sixteen by four seed Syracuse. This year in college basketball has been a tumultuous one in terms of rankings, with no one team running away with the number one spot and upsets almost every week. The other number one and two seeds shouldn’t run into too much trouble at least until the Elite Eight, but it’s called March Madness for a reason. So, moving on, who do you have in your Final Four?
Griffin: Well, Mr. Oravets will be happy to hear this: numbers never lie. In this case, a team’s offensive and defensive efficiency ratings. Four teams that have impressive numbers in these categories are Florida, Miami (Fl), Louisville and Ohio State, so that’s my Final Four. What about you Big Red?
Big Red: You’re right, Griffin, numbers don’t lie, but they don’t always tell the full story. If there’s any place the numbers are shakier than usual, it’s March Madness. Some teams catch the Cinderella bug, others crumble under pressure. So I have VCU, Miami, Louisville and Ohio State in the Final Four. Three of mine match yours, but VCU has a habit of playing to a level far above their seed in these tournaments, and I think that, if they don’t make the Final Four, they will at least surprise a few teams on the way. I agree, though, that the Southern regional is the weakest of the four and will probably be the most interesting quarter of the bracket to watch this postseason. After the regionals, though, it’s anyone’s game, and whatever team has the hottest hand usually moves on. I think that if VCU does make it that far, they have a very good chance of making the final, where I have them losing to Louisville in a very close game. You, Griffin?
Griffin: Every year it seems like one player takes over the tournament. Last year it was Anthony Davis of Kentucky, and it was Connecticut’s Kemba Walker the year before. This year, I really like Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft. He leads the team in assists, steals and tenacity and I think his grit and ability to annoy the heck out of the other team will be just what Ohio State needs to take them all the way. I can see them beating Billy Donovan-led Florida in the finals.
Big Red: Well that concludes this edition of “In the Red Zone.” If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at [email protected] with a subject line of “in the red zone.”