2008 Woodie Awards
The Way It Is
Analyzing the madness
By: David Sons
Issue date: 3/22/06 Section: Sports
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March madness has begun and by now your bracket, like mine, has been utterly destroyed. The first two rounds of the NCAA tournament have been nothing short of exciting and the road to the final four continues to heat up this weekend. With only 16 teams remaining, here are some games to keep an eye on this weekend.
1. Duke-VS- 4. LSU
After cruising through the first two rounds of the tournament, Duke faces a real challenge in a fierce LSU Tiger team. The Tigers' depth and strength pose a real problem for the Blue Devils, who have been vulnerable against teams that are not afraid to attack the basket. Watch the marquee match-up between Glen Davis of LSU and Shelden Williams of Duke. These two big men may be the difference in which team moves on and which team goes home.
2. Texas -VS- 6. West Virginia
Staying in the Atlanta Region, an intriguing third round match-up between the Mountaineers of West Virginia and the Longhorns of Texas. The Longhorns are just beginning to reach their potential, making them the most dangerous team in the tournament and West Virginia is their next victim on the war path to Indianapolis. Texas is too big and too fast for West Virginia to contain for a full 40 minutes. Look for the Longhorns to advance.
2. UCLA -VS- 3. Gonzaga
On to the Adam Morrison bracket, the UCLA Bruins and the Gonzaga Bulldogs collide in a meeting of two west coast powerhouses. On paper this appears to be the best match up of the third round, with Ben Howland's defense-minded Bruins facing the nation's top-scorer, Gonzaga's Adam Morrison. UCLA also sports one of the most under rated backcourts in the nation, look for the guards to be the deciding factor. Morrison may score 40, but the Bruins are moving on.
7. Wichita State -VS- 11. George Mason
If you predicted this game, please see me after reading this column. You have just become my official lottery number selector. George Mason defeated North Carolina and Michigan State en-route to their first Sweet 16 appearance in team history. The game will be played in Washington D.C., a mere 16 miles from the campus of George Mason University, making it a home game in all respects. With all these factors leaning in their favor, it will be interesting to watch Wichita State move on to the Elite Eight.
1. Villanova -VS- 4. Boston College
Boston College cruised through the ACC tournament until they ran into Duke, Villanova cruised through the Big East tournament until their star player lost an eye. Both are battle tested in the big dance( Nova against Arizona and BC against Pacific). Both teams are streaky and whichever team comes out with the hot hand in this one will move on. A photo finish, make your own call.
By Sunday, the entire season will be narrowed down to only four teams.
1. Duke-VS- 4. LSU
After cruising through the first two rounds of the tournament, Duke faces a real challenge in a fierce LSU Tiger team. The Tigers' depth and strength pose a real problem for the Blue Devils, who have been vulnerable against teams that are not afraid to attack the basket. Watch the marquee match-up between Glen Davis of LSU and Shelden Williams of Duke. These two big men may be the difference in which team moves on and which team goes home.
2. Texas -VS- 6. West Virginia
Staying in the Atlanta Region, an intriguing third round match-up between the Mountaineers of West Virginia and the Longhorns of Texas. The Longhorns are just beginning to reach their potential, making them the most dangerous team in the tournament and West Virginia is their next victim on the war path to Indianapolis. Texas is too big and too fast for West Virginia to contain for a full 40 minutes. Look for the Longhorns to advance.
2. UCLA -VS- 3. Gonzaga
On to the Adam Morrison bracket, the UCLA Bruins and the Gonzaga Bulldogs collide in a meeting of two west coast powerhouses. On paper this appears to be the best match up of the third round, with Ben Howland's defense-minded Bruins facing the nation's top-scorer, Gonzaga's Adam Morrison. UCLA also sports one of the most under rated backcourts in the nation, look for the guards to be the deciding factor. Morrison may score 40, but the Bruins are moving on.
7. Wichita State -VS- 11. George Mason
If you predicted this game, please see me after reading this column. You have just become my official lottery number selector. George Mason defeated North Carolina and Michigan State en-route to their first Sweet 16 appearance in team history. The game will be played in Washington D.C., a mere 16 miles from the campus of George Mason University, making it a home game in all respects. With all these factors leaning in their favor, it will be interesting to watch Wichita State move on to the Elite Eight.
1. Villanova -VS- 4. Boston College
Boston College cruised through the ACC tournament until they ran into Duke, Villanova cruised through the Big East tournament until their star player lost an eye. Both are battle tested in the big dance( Nova against Arizona and BC against Pacific). Both teams are streaky and whichever team comes out with the hot hand in this one will move on. A photo finish, make your own call.
By Sunday, the entire season will be narrowed down to only four teams.