[NU Sports] March meh ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Well, I think this weekend finally ended the meh with that great Pitt-Nova game (holding up the tradition of Saturday night Elite Eight classics -- from Duke/Kentucky through that amazing Illini comeback on Arizona). And then MSU's win on Sunday seemed to be deemed upset-worthy by most (though I wasn't doubting the Big Ten like Digger :) ).

Still, way too many blowouts this year and blah games. Aside from 3-4 games in the first two rounds (OSU-Siena, Wisky-FSU, WKY-Zaga ... any others?) and a couple this weekend, it really has been tough to find many close games, well-played games throughout or any major upsets.

> Actually, I've been thinking the opposite; a lot of the
> games have gone down to the wire, with some improbable

Maybe I missed some - any besides the ones above?

> If your definition of "exciting" means being able
> to find a quirky angle before the game is played -- you
> know, the kind of thinking that would make Northwestern vs.
> Kansas State the event of the century -- perhaps this

:) - now I never said that. I said that it would be good for marketing a game where they need fans to attend, such as the NIT.

Maybe it's just the games we're being shown -- it just didn't seem all that exciting until Pitt/Nova and MSU/Louisville ... but then UNC's thrashing of OU put a damper on that.

Good to see the Big Ten get a team in the Final Four, though. I don't think anyone questions that the Big East was tops this year, but all the pundits seemed to be doubting the Big Ten and questioning why we got 7 bids. In retrospect, PSU probably should have made it as well and the ACC could have cut one.

It will be interesting to see if Sparty loses any underclassmen next year. Across the league, we have some fine sophomore talent but not really any big names that look like they could jump early ... which means most of these guys could be coming back and making a move to the next level could be really tough for the Cats next year.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT