Mo's Manic Monday - Bird
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009 by Travis Cody in
Welcome to another Manic Monday with Morgen. Don't forget to cruise by MM HQ at the Manic Monday blog. Today's theme is Bird.
Yes, I have managed to take today's MM word and turn it into a sports post. HA!
#1 seed UConn jumped out to an early lead over #3 seed Missouri in Saturday's West regional final. The Tigers stormed back behind a ferocious pressing defense. But the Huskies withstood the frenetic pace and methodically ran a poised and balanced offensive attack to become the first team to advance to this year's Final Four.
#1 UConn beats #3 Missouri, 82-75
#3 seed Villanova used its superior quickness to take down #1 seed Pittsburgh. I had picked Pitt as my national champion. Instead, the pesky Wildcats not only took out my beloved Duke Blue Devils, but they also put the ultimate bust on my bracket. Villanova becomes the second team, and the second Big East team, to advance to this year's Final Four.
#3 Villanova beats #1 Pittsburgh, 78-76
#2 seed Michigan State went bird hunting today, picking off overall #1 see Louisville. The Spartans expertly handled the Cardinals' vaunted pressure, controlling tempo and forcing Louisville into a half court game. The Cardinals were unable to adjust and force tempo, and so Michigan State becomes the third team to advance this year's Final Four.
#2 Michigan State beats #1 Louisville, 64-52
Player of the Year Blake Griffin didn't get enough help from his Sooner teammates, and #2 seed Oklahoma just couldn't keep up with #1 seed North Carolina. The Tarheels were too balanced, too tough, and too good for Oklahoma. And so UNC becomes the last team to advance to this year's Final Four.
#1 North Carolina beats #2 Oklahoma, 72-60
My bracket was busted on Saturday when Pittsburgh, my pick for national champion, went down to Villanova. And just to make sure, Michigan State took out Louisville which was my pick to play Pitt in the final.
Still, even though I only correctly picked one of the Final Four teams, I'm pleased with how my bracket went this time around. It's usually busted way before regional finals. I'll end up picking 45 of 63 games correctly.
Here are the games for next Saturday.
#2 Michigan State vs #1 UConn
#3 Villanova vs #1 North Carolina
Yep, my Sooners ran into too much balance. They also forgot how to shoot a three! 2/19 from behind the arc will never get it done. Oh well, it was a nice run and the Big 12 made a good impression on everyone by taking three teams into the sweet 16 with two advancing to the elite 8. From what I saw, I think UNC will play MSU for all of the marbles. I thought UConn looked very vulnerable against Missouri and they get MSU in what is virtually a home game for the Spartans. Look for Villanova/UNC to be the best game next week.