[NU Sports] Interesting to watch for in the tourney ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

I was struck by the OSU postgame talk last week and
how the Bucknuts continued to play us man-to-man
because that was what they were used to despite
evidence that zone teams like PSU were more successful
against NU.

Well, in the NCAA brackets, it looks as if their
resolve will be put to the test with a potential
second round matchup with Georgetown. Will the
Princeton offense with better athletes give the Bucks
trouble? They'll be in Dayton, but I'm still not
liking their chances given how they played the Cats
close twice. We'll see.

As for other Big Ten teams' draw ...

* Illinois and MSU, the two returning Final Four teams
and ones I thought had the best shot to go far this
year (just not a believer in OSU and Iowa
consistently), got a bad draw being in UConn's region.
At least MSU doesn't have to face UNC in Greensboro. I
think Sparty beats the Heels and makes it to the
regional final - losing to UConn. Illinois will
probably also be eliminated by the Huskies. But both
have good shots at the Sweet 16.

* Rough draw for Wisconsin. The 8/9 game is probably a
tad low for both the Badgers and Arizona -- and then
facing Villanova in Philly as a reward for surviving
round one is even worse. But I wouldn't count out a
Bucky upset or two (after all, Wisky-Nova *should*
have been the east regional final last year if they
had competent refs in the CarrierDome:) ). Still
unlikely they'll make the Sweet 16.

* OSU's gotta be on huge upset alert with Georgetown,
but if they survive that second round game in Dayton,
they could go far. Oklahoma and/or Florida could both
fall early and they could match up well with Villanova
in the final in Minneapolis. But I have a bad feeling
they'll play the Hoyas man-to-man and get beaten in
round 2.

* Iowa's a team I could see losing in round one ...
and if they survive, playing West Virginia in round
two will be tough, even at Auburn Hills.

* Indiana -- oddly enough -- may have the best final
four shot of the league. Steve Fisher in round one
will be a challenge, but this is the weakest region by
far. The Zags can be upset and they could match up
well with UCLA in Oakland in the Sweet 16. But a swan
song run for Mike Davis to end in Indy would be a
great story.

Well, time to get those brackets ready. Dunno if I'll
have any Big Ten teams in the HoosierDome, but it'll
be great to enjoy March Madness fully for the first
time in years.

Go Big Ten!
GO CATS!!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!

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