March Munch

I figured I would dust off the 'ol blog for my final post of March. (Yep, a quarter of the year is gone already.)

Opening Day
It's the start of a long season for baseball fanatics, with some of the action kicking off today. I'll hold my excitement until Friday, when the Twins get rolling. The Collegian sports staff discussed every crevasse of this year's squad Wednesday night. (A replay is located here.) Hopefully, the Twins will play decent to start the season, decent enough to stay in the AL Central race and that is something that they have done in the past. Nearly every pitcher in the bullpen will have to step up and be consistent. I can't guess who will step up for the Minnies and Pauls at the plate, but someone will. My early shot at it: Denard Span.

Fluke Four
Maybe it is a fluke that both Butler and VCU are in the Final Four but as a basketball fan, I love it. I wish that the two teams weren't playing in the semifinals but what can you do? I like Butler and Brad Stevens. I will not pick against them until they lose and then if they lose, I won't be able to pick them anyway.
Kentucky making the Final Four reminds me how they have always been a favorite team of mine. Yes, that slime-bag John Calipari is their coach but I have always been fan of their history and teams. Then again, I picked UCONN to get this far and that is basically because Kemba Walker is a stud. I'll stick with the Huskies to make the title game. I don't feel like making a title choice yet but my heart wants Butler to win it.

Leftovers

• If you didn't catch my story on former Jordan grad and Gopher Tyler Oakes, check it out. He's the Jackrabbits' new pitching coach this season. 
• I should be upset about the Mass Communications department decision to outlaw electronics use during class, but the policy is pretty much common-sense. Well said, Collegian editorial board.
• Winter will be over eventually. I'm sure of it.
• I have weeks when I don't have any homework and then I have a three day span where I get ambushed by homework. Welcome to college, huh?
• Count me in as one who is excited for the Frozen Four next week. UMD, North Dakota, Notre Dame, Michigan should be fun to watch from St. Paul.

Thanks for reading.

Prognosticating Poorly

If you would have asked me before the NCAA men's basketball tournament if Richmond, Va. would send two teams to the Sweet 16, I would have responded: "Richmond has more than one Division I basketball team?"

Regardless, VCU and Richmond are headed to San Antonio and stand two wins away from the Final Four. Toss in Florida State and the Southwest Region has three teams that weren't high on the list of prospective Sweet Sixteeners. It may not matter if Kansas plays like Kansas and blows out the #10, #11, and #12 seeds on the way to Houston.

As the title of this entry has indicated, my bracket is sort of in shambles (depending on how you evaluate such matters). Three of my Final Four teams are still in tact, with Pittsburgh being the lone letdown (which is almost to be expected now, year in and year out.) Purdue was gone in the third round, mainly because VCU was on a roll and when you have coach Shaka Smart playing the hardest defense on the court and he's in a tie, the Rams will be in the game.

I claimed that Michigan State would put together a run. That didn't happen and they did all they could to pull within two points as the final horn sounded in a loss to UCLA. (Think about what would have happened if Izzo would have taken the Cleveland Cavs job. My goodness. He would be so angry at all of the terrible players in Cleveland and Michigan State probably wouldn't have sniffed the field of 68 this year.)

However, my claim about Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette carrying their respective teams has never been more apparent and they will be huge for whatever run those teams can get on this weekend.

Some Other Tourney Thoughts

• Time to stop doubting Butler. Brad Stevens is probably a top-5 coach in the land. Or the top coach who looks like he's under 25. (For the record, he's 34.)
• I'm most psyched about that Southeast region. BYU vs. Florida, Wisconsin vs. Butler. That will be undoubtedly awesome.
• I liked the four-channel setup. Long overdue and I liked having the control of what game I was able to watch. Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith are nice addition, even though the Round Mound doesn't always know what he is talking about. (He does give Rick Pitino a piece of his mind here.) 
• I would have liked to see Oakland pull out that game versus Texas but the Golden Grizzlies didn't have enough to do the trick. Too bad, because OU and the Summit League could have used a win or two.

Women's Wrap-up
The Jackrabbit women are done for the year, after a 74-56 loss to second-seed Xavier. I would go into deep analysis but the Musketeers were really good, even though they dropped their second round match-up with Louisville.

It's hard to think of this season as anything but a success, with the Jacks notching their third conference championship in as many tries. For where this team was in the middle of January, another trip to the dance will sit well with SDSU over the summer. 

Some Twins thoughts will be coming in the next few days, along with whatever else I can think of. However, I won't make any weather predictions. Thanks for reading.

Bracket Racket

It has been nearly a week and I haven't touched this blog, so here we go again. The NCAA Tournament is on and I fully expect my bracket to be ruined by this time Thursday night. Commence the Madness and the anxiety that comes with it.

I might as well document a few of my picks for all of you to either ridicule me for or so I can say "I told you so." (The former is far more likely.)

• I think that many of the higher seeds will win in the second round (formally known as the first round). I'm just not feeling all the upsets yet and I won't count a 9 seed over a 8 as an upset.
• I have Purdue in the Elite Eight. I think JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore will be the difference makers for them to make a run. They seem to be due and not many have them getting that far, so I'll be the one to take them. I will take Michigan State to the Sweet 16. Tom Izzo always has his team ready and look for Kalin Lucas step up big. I don't usually favor the Big Ten like this, so this is rare.
• Duke has a terrible road to Final Four and they are the only #1 seed that I have missing the Final Four. I could see them losing in the second round to either Michigan or Tennessee or Texas, San Diego State, later on. I have them falling to UCONN in the Elite Eight. (FYI: I have BYU in the Elite Eight, too. "Jimmer-mania.")
• Now, you're probably saying: "UCONN to the Final Four?" Kemba Walker has been awesome and the tourney always has a player who just takes over (i.e: Stephen Curry). I think he could be it. They have seen the emergence of Alex Oriakhi, Jeremy Lamb, and Roscoe Smith, as well. If the Huskies weren't playing Bucknell in the opener, I would have them out because they had the five straight days of winning in the Big East Tournament. However, I think the Bison don't have the same luck they had a couple of years back against Kansas.
• I think either Oakland beats Texas and makes the Sweet 16 or Texas can make a Final Four run. It all hinges on that first round. I want Oakland badly, but I'm afraid it might be the Longhorns advancing. Prove me wrong, Grizzlies.
• To recap: My Final Four looks like this: Ohio State, Connecticut, Kansas, Pittsburgh. 
• Championship: Kansas over Ohio State. Morris twins inside beat out Jared Sullinger, Kansas wears out the short Buckeye bench and shots don't fall for Ohio State. Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

I actually like the First Four format but I wish it didn't mess with team's travel and the sanctity of the 64 team bracket. It gives a team like Clemson or VCU a chance to prove they should be in the field and if it were eight #16 seeds, nobody would watch that. I have always wondered why Dayton, Ohio gets those games, but they have proved this week that they can support teams that they don't have a rooting interest in.

Somebody has to do it
Frankly, I was less than thrilled to see the SDSU women's basketball team draw #2 Xavier in the first round on Monday night, heading to Cincinnati to play on the Musketeers' home floor. Teams start to build reputations in the tournament and the Jacks have proved they are in the field annually recently. Just like Texas and Middle Tennessee State got in the field on their reputation as being good tourney teams. But, if you look at the record (19-13), you see why SDSU is a 15.

In the end, it's just a number and the Jackrabbits knew they were going to be in for a game, regardless of what seed they received. They get a great Musketeer team that is ranked 5th in the nation and has two losses this year, at Duke and at Stanford. Their two terrific posts, Ta'Shia Phillips and Amber Harris, will provide plenty of work for Jennie Sunnarborg and Katie Lingle under the hoop but I think SDSU will be okay. As is usually the case in tournament games, the Jacks will need to be hot from outside to stay close. Hopefully, the game will be fun to watch. (1:30 PM, Sunday on ESPN2.)

Enjoy the next few days of basketball.

Summit Summary

Now that we've had a few days to digest the whirlwind that is the Summit League Basketball Tournament, I figured I would take a look back at what stood out.

• Good grief, another scoreboard malfunction at the Sioux Falls Arena. Whether there is going to be a new arena soon or not, it's time for a new scoreboard at the Arena. You know why? Because it's the only arena in the country that has a scoreboard that you change the teams names on it by lowering it. The #1 scoreboard maker in the world is 50 miles up the road and you can't pony up for a new one. They sponsored the tournament for crying out loud. End Rant.
• Someone complained about the food for the media at the tournament. I think it was pretty good. I'm a college student. That automatically means free food equals good food. (Except Aramark pizza. That is an unforgivable crime.)
• The mayor, governor, and a U.S. senator were all on hand over the weekend. Move over Chili's, business gets done at the Summit League Tournament. Or not.
• Andy North was also at the tournament. After seeing Oakland in person, do you think he'll peg them as a first round upset in his bracket.
• I talked about it this weekend, but this conference has some unbelievable characters for head coaches. Each one brings something different and really all them are capable of flying off the handle.
• I would love to see something similar to what was in the lobby this weekend as a conference tournament-only court design. I know it won't happen (see above: scoreboard), but it's fun to dream.
• Why is it that when I tried to keep score for a game, I get lost in during the middle of the first half? I don't know, just asking?
• Tony Fiegen should be more careful diving into press row. Otherwise, he might end up in the Argus Leader with the sports editor at the Madison Daily Leader hanging on his arm
• The Summit League Tournament can move to another city. They should just know that they won't have nearly the attendance anywhere else.
• Nebraska-Omaha? How will we know that you won't be the second coming of UMKC?

I'm working on an article that will run soon on sdsucollegian.com about the Jackrabbits' seeding in the tournament. There will likely be a blog post coming later to supplement it as well over the weekend. Thanks for reading.

Day 4: Final Thoughts

Well the 2011 #SummitHoops (Oh yeah that's right, I don't have to use that hashtag anymore) Summit League Basketball Tournament is over and it's repeats all around. Oakland and SDSU are able to repeat the feat again advance to the dance. So here we go...

• I thought there would be more people at both sessions today. There will be a point in time (a.k.a: Right Now) where making the NCAA Tournament is not a given for the Jackrabbits. It's not something that should be taken for granted.
• The crowd was loud but I think Oakland handled it well. OU defended well, SDSU defended better.
• That low post duo of Sunnarborg and Lingle played well today. When they are going good, there's no stopping them. Someone should do a story on them.
• Kristin Rotert is a winner. Whatever it takes to do it, she does it.
• Jennie Sunnarborg has 13 points and 9 assists. Jill Young has 1 point, 9 rebounds. Is everything okay?
• Oakland women will be scary good next year. I'm calling it now: The same four teams will meet in the semis. Maybe not same matchups but same squads.
• Keith Benson is the most dominant player in Summit League history, according to Greg Kampe. I'll second that.
• Reggie Hamilton salutes. Game over. 
• I tweeted that the ORU-Oakland game would have a great finish. Then the Grizzlies go on a ridiculous run to demolish whatever hopes ORU had.

I enjoyed my first Summit League tournament. No real complaints and a lot of memorable moments. More on those in the coming days when I recover from sleep deprivation.

Day 3: Final Thoughts

Time for my third weary-eyed look back at the day in basketball that was:

• A week ago, I thought Oakland was the weakest of the top four seeds in the bracket. Now, they might be the best team still remaining. They just pounded the best team in the conference by a lot. That said, they will have a hard time getting past the buzzsaw that is SDSU women's basketball in the Arena. The Jackrabbits are 8-0 in there during tourney games and with 5,000+ screaming fans, the Grizzlies will be in for a game.
• Kevi Luper is great. I think I've said that but she didn't get much help from her teammates Monday and they paid dearly for it. She looked emotionally and physically exhausted from that game and she's the only ORU player that I thought played well.
• Today is as humble as you'll see Jerry Finkbeiner.
• IPFW came up with a valiant effort to rally and they just couldn't get a good shot at the end. Gluey defense from SDSU did the trick.
• If you want an example of senior leadership, there it is at the end of the SDSU-IPFW game. Rotert with the scoop shot, Michelson with a pair of free throws, both with locktight defense to seal the victory.
• Oakland. Hamilton. Valentine. Benson. Bader. Hudson. Wright. Kampe. The list goes on. If you're reading this I don't need to tell you, but Oakland is your hot upset pick for the NCAA Tourney if they win Tuesday.
• Kampe's drink of choice: Diet Dr. Pepper. He says he won't drink regular.
• Great careers for Payton Tivis, Dale Moss, and Clint Sargent. Memorable personalities and players.
• Without a doubt, this is a step forward for the SDSU men. They will improve again next year and they are building something in Brookings. Chad White showed tonight that he can be an important piece to next year's puzzle.
• I won't rule out ORU beating Oakland Tuesday though. They have an freakishly-athletic team and there is a minuscule chance it happens, but it's there.

Championship coverage starts tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at sdsucollegian.com
*Programming Note: SDSU-Oakland women's game is on at 3 pm on ESPNU. Oakland-Oral Roberts is on at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Day 2: Final Thoughts

Over half of the games are done, but my workload is not decreasing because both Jackrabbit teams are advancing to Monday's semifinals. Anyway, here's some thoughts on what transpired during Sunday's slate of games.

• Oakland held down Southern Utah. I couldn't believe that. I had Southern Utah as my dark horse but I didn't think that Pascucci would be held to one point.
• The SDSU women looked more timid to open the game than the Bison did. That quickly passed though after NDSU couldn't buy a bucket for about seven minutes.
• NDSU coach Carolyn DeHoff pointed out something that I hadn't noticed with this Jackrabbit women's team: One strong run is enough to fuel them for the whole game if they can stay up and use it. That really has been the case a lot this year.
• Opponents try to feed off of the full house too when playing SDSU. I thought NDSU and IPFW were able to do that for a while in each of their games.
• John Peckinpaugh was begging for a technical all game. I'm sorry but you can't chirp away at the officials all night and expect them to do whatever you say.
• I agree with Dane Fife that the officials have to make sure of their calls in the postseason. I believe him when he said that Trey McCorkle wouldn't intentionally foul anyone. But, that was the right call and the replay shows it was correct. Good use of the monitor to get it right.
• Nate Wolters goes for 30 in the quarterfinals. What will he have to do to get SDSU past Oakland and into the finals?
• Leroy Nobles is a scoring machine. Ron Hunter yells a lot.
• It's funny how quickly the Sioux Falls Arena can clear out for the night cap.
• I got to see an ejection, so that was cool. My first one witnessed this year.
• UMKC has a lot of talent on their team and could be a team to look out for next year. 

What a day of games set for tomorrow, should be great. Join us tomorrow for more Summit League Tournament Coverage.

Day 1: Final Thoughts

Just a release of whatever knowledge I still have after about 12 hours of basketball:

• Oral Roberts had the best band on Day 1. Their rendition of the "Bed Intruder Song" was the best song of the day. 
• Their women's squad dominated. Kevi Luper is good and they will probably be in Tuesday's championship.
• WIU head coach Leslie Crane bit her tongue and took the high road when asked if she had an problem with ORU's style of play at the end. "No" was all we heard and she had a wry look on her face as if she knew that she wasn't going to say anything that could be taken out of context. Probably a good move with all of the cameras rolling.
• IPFW's Chris Paul is just funny to watch.
• Headgear - whether it be for boxing or soccer - has caught on in the Summit League. Not really a fashion thing but that might be the route now for basketball head injuries.
• Don't drink too much pop.
• Oakland coach Greg Kampe and Southern Utah Roger Reid are each funny in their own ways. Each brings a sense of humor that you can't always suspect.
• How does UMKC let Reggie Hamilton transfer to Oakland? He's a beast.
• Both #8 seeds played decent. But those #1's showed the disparity between the teams.
• Steven Roundtree needs to either make up his mind sooner: Either slam it home or lay it in. Instead, he misses a game-clinching dunk while on a 2 on 0 fastbreak and nearly allows NDSU to steal the game. Just do a layup.
• Great game by TrayVonn Wright. Even better that it didn't come against SDSU. He was about this close to saving the game for the Bison.
• Don't sit by the food, you'll eat too much.

That does it. I'm going to snare some sleep and do it again tomorrow. Stay with http://www.sdsucollegian.com/sports/summit-league Sunday for live coverage of both games (Women's coverage starts at 2 pm, Men's coverage kicks off at 5:30 pm) game stories for Sunday's games. My notebook from Saturday's afternoon session can be read here.

P.S: If you haven't seen this yet, it's pretty cool. Self-promotion at it's best.

Summit Somethings

As I have already beaten into the ground, the Summit League Tournament starts this weekend. Bart Scott will summarize my feelings.

Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple said Thursday that there has never been this many quality players and teams in the tournament. I can't agree with him more. I think the top 5 seeds on both sides are capable of coming out of Sioux Falls as the conference champion. Now, Oakland (men) and Oral Roberts (women) are the prohibitive favorites for a reason and they have proved that they will be the teams to beat. Regardless, it should provide for an interesting weekend of basketball.

Tournament Matchups
Men:
(1) Oakland vs. (8) Southern Utah-Saturday, 6 p.m.
The only real runaway game of the first round, in my opinion. Oakland is far better than the T-Birds and I think this is Summit League Player of the Year Keith Benson's best game of the tournament.

(4) IPFW vs. (5) South Dakota State-Sunday, 6 p.m.
A rematch of last season's 4 vs. 5 game, except the seeds are swapped this year. SDSU has owned IPFW this season and could be able to do it again. Even though IPFW head coach and Bobby Knight prodigy Dane Fife has publicly said that his team doesn't match up well at all with SDSU, I don't see this being nearly as easy again. There will be plenty of scoring and the Jackrabbits advance in a close affair.
*Programming Note: This game can be seen on ESPN3.com.

(3) IUPUI vs. (6) UMKC-Sunday, 8:30 p.m.
The Kangaroos are the grittiest team in the tourney and if they can make shots at all, they will be in this game. Nevertheless, I like the Alex Young-Leroy Nobles tandem to lead the Jaguars into the semifinals.

(2) Oral Roberts vs. (7) North Dakota State-Sunday, 8:30 p.m.
I will preface this by saying that I'm a huge Saul Phillips fan for NDSU. He's a great coach and Bison fans should enjoy having him before he gets snapped up by a bigger school. ORU is unbelievably talented and I think they win a close game but if NDSU brings any of their play from last weekend against SDSU, they will advance.

Women:
(1) Oral Roberts vs. (8) Western Illinois-Saturday, 12 p.m..
Oral Roberts. In a landslide. WIU head coach Leslie Crane will be in no mood to talk about her clothing selection.

(4) Oakland vs. (5) Southern Utah-Sunday, 12 p.m.
I'm a big Challis Pascucci supporter and when you pair her with Caitlin Sears, this is a really good team. I think they have a chance to make the championship game. Or Oakland's Bethany Watterworth could just take over and prove me wrong. Who knows?

(3) South Dakota State vs. (6) North Dakota State-Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
Even though these teams just played, this will be a great game again. If SDSU holds down Abby Plucker and defends the Bison guards, they will advance.

(2) IPFW vs. (7) UMKC-Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
The Mastodons are the "most talented team in the tournament" and the team to beat in Sioux Falls, according to their coach Chris Paul. While I disagree with him on that, they will beat UMKC handily.

It's Spring Break for me, starting right now because Geography class just ended. Check out sdsucollegian.com this weekend. Thanks