March Madness: Minnesota's The Most Intriguing Region
Published March 15, 2006
Here it is, the greatest month of the year. Of course if you take a simple look at your calendar, you will see it is March. March Madness, better known as the NCAA men's basketball tournament, is considered by many as the most exciting sporting event of the year. I can't say I disagree!
What I found most interesting about this year's tournament is the Minnesota Region. When I filled out my final bracket, and my final opinions, I noticed two very interesting points regarding that portion of the tournament.
The first point, I believe there will not be a single upset in the Minnesota region. I picked every higher seed to win, and the only reasonable upset that could occur is the No. 6 vs. No. 11 game. Although Wisconsin-Milwaukee has tournament experience, I don't see Oklahoma ending their season on three straight losses.
Second, I didn't have Villanova or Ohio State making the finals of the Minnesota bracket. I see Villanova, and the not so 100% Allan Ray being ousted by Boston College in the sweet 16. Ohio State will fall victim to the great Georgetown defense in the second round. Both teams that will top the favorites will meet in the Elite Eight. Boston College led by Smith and Dudley could easily meet Hibbert and crew in the Minnesota Finals.
Although the entire NCAA Tournament should be a completely satisfying experience, the Minnesota region should outshine the other regions. This tricky and unconventional region will have the most interesting final, and could easily produce the lowest seed in the Final Four. What else could a college basketball fan want if they aren't rooting for UCONN, Duke, Gonzaga, Texas, Villanova, and Ohio State?
- March Madness: Minnesota's The Most Intriguing Region
- Published: March 15, 2006
- Type: News
- Section: Sports
- Filed Under: Sports: College, Sports: Basketball, Video: Sports
- Writer: AJ Vaynerchuk
- AJ Vaynerchuk's BC Writer page
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AJ - it's been a while since I heard the phrase March madness. Can't comment on the teams - have been away from the States too long. But the phrase brings back some pleasant memories of Minnesota...
Actually this region is interesting, but not for any reason you mentioned.
It's because of PACIFIC.
The last two years they have defeated Big East foes in the first round (Providence in 04, Pitt in 05)...now they take on a former Big East team and are looking for the upset. It's time for Coach Bob Thomason to finally get that deep run he deserves a la Bruce Pearl or Mark Few.
Just because you don't know about the Pacific Tigers doesn't mean they shouldn't get respect they deserve. Yes I know they are a 13 seed, but they are geting ready to SHOCK THE WORLD on Tuesday.
GO TIGERS!!!
You were almost right on Pacific, Paps. I didn't watch it, but all you need to see in the box score is 2-OT to know it was a gem of a game.
Pappy, good call. I didn't mean to underestimate the Tigers, more so I was very high on Boston College. Word around the Boston campuses (I go to BU) is that the BC flight had a problem and what was suppose to be a 5 hour flight turned into a 11 hour flight.
Great job by Pacific, they truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire game!
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I'm withholding my picks for BC Radio, but the region has a lot of good coaches -- Lute Olsen, Billy Donovan, Ralph Sampson, Al Skinner, and many more. That might make it interesting, but I don't go by "regions to watch" -- I go by games.
With that said, I wonder which Big Ten team will make the Final Four. One of 'em always sneaks in somehow.