by Terrence Mayrose

Greivis Vasquez : A proven winner or proving to want the center of attention ?

All I could think of while watching and  suffering through the home stretch of that Duke-Maryland game was what exactly to make of Greivis Vaquez’s actions. My gut instinct was to characterize it as another “look at me” type of performance (see Chad “Spanish illiterate” Johnson) that is not much different from a little child screaming in the grocery store becuase of what it’s aimed for : attention. You saw the act.. the chest pounding, the pointing to the stands, raising his arms, and putting his hand to his ear saying “I can’t hear you”. I was utterly disgusted that he couldn’t just play, and win the game. He made it a show. My attention wasn’t focused on saluting his performance for beating my Dukies, it was not focused on how dumb he looked. Let’s be serious. He’s easily one of the top 10, possibly top 5 players in the country. Does he really  need to hear the fans chanting to be the best player on the court ? Doubtful.

Duke fans have every right to be annoyed by these actions given just how much of a spectacle Vasquez made himself last night, but Maryland fans James “Mopez” Lopez, and Sally I.   have their reasons to justify Vasquez’s actions. ” In my opinion, Vasquez thrives in those situations.” Lopez states. ” He wants to take the shot,and usually hits it. That’s his shot and I’ve seen him hit it consistently for four years.”  When asked about the sideshow act he put on, “A great competitor, and an even better entertainer….if your a Maryland fan. If not, he’s public enemy #1 and I can see why.”

Sally I. was thrilled with the victory as well, and commented “Greivis Vazquez was as emotional as I have ever seen him in any game (including NCAA Tournament games), you could tell he wanted to soak in the Maryland home crowd one last time which is exactly what he did.” The piazon went on to tell me that you shouldn’t jump on his actions so quickly. “ That game was extremely gratifying for Vazquez for three reasons: he won on senior night, gave Maryland a share of the ACC crown (barring a disaster at Virginia), and he finally put together a good individual game versus Duke, who has haunted him and the Terps during his 4 years there.”

Lopez and Sally I. both make valid points about just how important Vasquez is to the squad, which ultimately can justify his actions on the court. Not something a Duke fan wants to hear.

So what’s the verdict ? Is Vasquez a proven winner or proving to be the center of attention ? It looks like it’s a little bit of both, but one thing is for certain. After 20 points, including a back-breaking fall away shot to seal it the clutch, I can see why Maryland fans love him with the ball in his hands in the clutch.

Things can only get better for Terps seed

Lopez, and Sally I, both (separately) predicted that as of right now Maryland will be a 5 seed heading into the tourney. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the Terps slated as a 5 as well in his current bracket, but the pro- Maryland duo predicts things could be better come Selection Sunday. Sally I, “can see Maryland as a 4 seed if they were to win the ACC tourney. No higher given the weakness of the conference.” Lopez thinks ” there’s no reason they can’t be a three with an ACC tourney title.”  Optimistic thinking, especially by Mopez, but who am I to judge maybe the hottest team in the country.

Wildcats can kiss a one seed goodbye after loss to Kansas ?

Heading into last night I was pretty confident that K-State was in great shape to position themselves on the top line of the bracket. I reasoned that if Jacob Pullen and company could topple Kansas to split the season series (after a tough two-point loss to Kansas in January on a questionable coaching decision by Frank Martin), they would be heading into the Big 12 Tournament essentially neck and neck battling for a 1 seed.

That thought ended quicker then Joey on NBC, as Kansas proved once again why they are the best team in the country with an 82-65 win or did it ?

Personally, I don’t think Kansas State is set as the last 1 seed. Although it’s highly debatable. Joe Lunardi has the Wildcats on the top line, based on their “total body of work”, while Doug “who’s credit card is that” Gottlieb and Gary Parrish claim Duke has the spot.

K-State :  24-5 (11-4)   -14 games vs RPI Top 100-       -7-4 vs RPI Top 50-

Duke: 25-5 (12-3)    -21 games vs RPI Top 100-       -8-4 vs RPI Top 50-

Tough call. The T & 2 predicts the final decision should come down to how well each fares in their conference tournament. If both should win, give the edge to Kansas State because they play in a tougher conference.

What Irish Curse ?

Notre Dame moved to one of the last four teams in the field of 65 with a 58-50 slug-fest over UConn.

Seems like the Irish have finally clicked, oddly it comes after an injury to their best player Luke Harangody. The play of Tim Ambromaitis, and the fact that Tory Jackson has changed his 08-09 habit of passing to the other team have been the difference for the team on a mission.

Don’t punch that ticket quite yet. A regular season finale vs Marquette is where the T & 2 predicts the luck runs out and ND loses, which would put the Irish at 20-11 (9-9) to finish the regular season. Heading into the Big East tourney as the 7 or 8 seed. This is where the Irish will need to win a game to secure a spot. 21-11 (10-9 overall) puts the Irish in the Big East Quarterfinals playing with house money, where regardless of the outcome they will be on the bracket.

Clemson and Texas = AWOL

Clemson and Texas might as well be sitting on an island with Red and Andy Dufrain, because they are no where near their pre-season expectations. Texas as high #3, and Clemson #24 both predicted to be capable of deep runs come March. Clemson is unranked, and Texas just sniffs the ESPN/USA today poll at #25. T & 2 thinks Rick Barnes and  Oliver Purnell can start practicing their short game, as neither will go very far in the tournament.

Credit to Boeheim

“Indiana Vance” and “Darren Pajama Pants” emailed the T&2 about a tidbit they each had picked up during Saturday’s Syracuse-Villanova telecast. NONE of Syracuse’s five starters were ranked in the Top 100 coming out of high school. Proving last week’s point that Boeheim should be coach of the year. Thanks Vance and Darren.

Planting the right seeds

Based on Joe Lunardi’s latest bracket :

Team who should love their seed : UTEP

Pegged as a 10 seed in the South region. The Miners face #7 UNLV in a highly winnable first round game. Likely waiting for UNLV is #2 Duke. A great team, but look for much improved 6-9 center Derrick Caracter, 6-11 Arnett Moultrie, and 6-7 Jeremy Williams to give over-matched and sometimes defensively clueless Brian Zoubek fits.

Team who should hate their seed: Kansas

1 seed in the Midwest region. How can you hate a 1 seed ? Well put #9 Louisville and proven winner (and nutjob) Rick Pitino, an underrated #5 Gonzaga, sleeper #12 Siena, and #4 Tennessee (whom the Jayhawks already lost to) in your way of the Sweet 16 and the possibility of #6 Butler, and still improving # 3 Pitt in your way of the Elite 8…. that’s how.

T&2 advises you to look for these type of match-ups when the bracket comes out.

Injury bug likely has coaches bugging out

Purdue’s Robbie Hummel went down last week and will miss the remainder of the season, bubble battler Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody is uncertain of a return, and Georgetown’s Austin Freeman was just diagnosed with diabetes.

Tickets punched to the Dance

With no conference tournament in the Ivy League, Cornell can clinch the regular season title and automatic bid with a win Friday night @ Brown.

Other teams will start to fill out the field this weekend. The guide :

Atlantic Sun :

Things are wild already in  Macon,GA. Three of the top four seeds were upset in the Quarterfinals, as only #2 Jacksonville survived. Friday’s semi’s pit #8 Kennesaw State vs #5 East Tennessee State at 6:30, and # 6 Mercer vs #2 Jacksonville at 9:00.

The winner friday will square off on Saturday March 6th at 6:00 on ESPN 2.

The T & 2 is pulling for Kennesaw State to shock the world, but thinks Jacksonville is a safe bet given their 16-4 record since the turn of the calendar to 2010.

Big South

#1 Coastal Carolina takes on #3 Winthrop Saturday March 6th at 4:00 on ESPN 2.

Anything is possible here, the two squads have split the season series. The T & 2 likes past Cinderella Winthrop to find the glass slipper again Saturday.

Ohio Valley

Friday pits #1 Murray State vs #4 Eastern Illionis at 7:00, and #2 Morehead State vs #6 Tennessee Tech at 9:00.

Semifinal winners square off Saturday March 6th at 8:00 on ESPN 2.

Murray State is 28-4 (17-1)  with a 5 point loss to Cal to open the year. Like balance ? The Racers top six scorers average 10.8, 10.7,  10.6, 10.3, 10.3 , and 9.5. T & 2 senses a team who shares the ball, and can likely be a deadly match-up as a double digit seed. I’ll be watching to see if they prove me right.

Missouri Valley

In a nutshell : one of the most entertaining conference tournaments, with the dumbest name. Arch Madness as they call it, gets underway Friday with Quarterfinal match-ups of #1 Northern Iowa vs #8 Drake at 1:05 , #4 Creighton vs #5 Bradley at 3:35 , #7 Missouri State vs #2 Wichita State at 7:05 and  #3 Illionis State vs #6 Indiana State at 9:35 pm.

The Semifinals will be Saturday, and the Finals Sunday at 2:05pm on CBS.

Northern Iowa just about needs this tournament to secure a bid, but the T &2 likes Wichita State to winner the rubber match final. Expect the selection committee to reward Northern Iowa with a an at-large despite the loss and send a big conference team home unhappy.

T & 2 advice for Fans

Rick Reilly recently wrote about the criteria for fans being allowed to rush the court (which is happening way to much these days). There are some great points but the T & 2 has simple rules for Championship Week.

- STOP RUSHING THE COURT if you’re already ranked. DON’T EVER DO IT. Period. The phrase “act like you been there before” comes to mind.

- For the teams in low level conferences you can rush the floor when you clinch a bid. IF:

-you haven’t been to the NCAA tournament during the entire time of your enrollment

This ensures that all students (freshman-seniors) have never experienced a conference title, making the experience that much more enjoyable.

It’s that simple. Other than that, enjoy the games because it’s the best time of the year.

by Terrence Mayrose

Coach of the Year Award has two candidates this season

The race for Player of the Year is a tight battle between viable candidates like John Wall, Wesley Johnson, and Evan Turner. Every voter would have a justifiable reason for picking any of these 3 fine players, which makes it hard to speculate who will walk away with the hardwood. The Coach of The Year award should not be as difficult. In the opinion of the T and 2, voters have a choice between Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim and Pittsburgh’s Jamie Dixon. There should be no other names even acknowledged on the ballots.

Boeheim has soured people on occasion this season, as he continues to talk about expansion of the NCAA Tournament, but when it comes to coaching his 26-2 team, he’s done a great job. The ESPN USA Preseason poll had the Orange slated #25, and the AP Poll didn’t even rank Boeheim’s boys to start the season. Entering the season you couldn’t really argue that Syracuse had lost some talent from the previous year. Cuse’ lost sharpshooter/trash-talker Eric Devendorf , powerful inside forward Paul Harris, and a kid named Jonny Flynn….we’re sure you know about him. It’s obvious this season that Boeheim put those losses in his rear view mirror, and hasn’t look back since. Taking the Gene Hackman “coach who I’ve got” motto, Boeheim has flourished with “who he’s got”. Who he’s got is superstar transfer Wesley Johnson, improved Rick Johnson, Andy Rautins, and returning from injury Scoop Jardine, a formidable squad to make a run deep in the tourney; and given the way Boeheim has meshed with this unit expect that deep run.

Pittsburgh has been a Big East powerhouse virtually the last decade. Winning two titles in 08 and 03, is a feat in itself, but appearing in 7 of the last 9 Big East Championship games…yes 7.. shows just how much of a mainstay Pitt is in America’s toughest conference. This season was likely to be the year Pitt would have no shot at continuing it’s dominance. In fact it’d be a stretch to even think Pitt could make the Semi-finals of such a loaded conference, given how much Pitt had lost. Departures of NBA bound Sam Young and DeJuan Blair, point guard Levance Fields, and forward Tyrell Biggs, left Dixon in a hole entering the new decade. Such a hole that Pitt was left off the AP and ESPN/ USA preseason polls. How does Jamie Dixon respond ? By channeling Chris “all he does is catch touchdown passes” Carter, and became Jamie “all he does is win basketball games’ Dixon. The name isn’t a stretch. He currently possesses a 77.9 winning percentage to date (184-52), which includes two 30 win seasons, two Sweet Sixteen’s, and an Elite Eight. This year’s squad is 21-7, in a large part to the improvement of Brad Wanamaker, Jermaine Dixon, Gilbert Brown and Ashton Gibbs who Dixon used as role players last year. It’s clear that giving them quality minutes last year has paid off dividends.

So why are Boeheim and Dixon the clear cut favorites ? Aside from terrific records in a year where many didn’t expect it, each of these coaches has showed that developing a system, convincing players to buy into it, recruiting kids who will stay for four years, and having a passion for your team is a respectable way of coaching…and as Boeheim and Dixon have clearly shown…winning.

It’s unfair to say that the players aren’t a factor in the programs success, but it should be noted that no matter what twelve players suit up for Boeheim and Dixon, they’ll find a way to win.

So you can root for the coaches with constant recruiting violations of “one and done players” who bounce from one school to the next just to collect a bigger paycheck if you want, but at least your cap to Dixon and Boeheim because they do it the right way.

Duke and Purdue on a collision course ? They should hope so.

#1 seeds seem to be shaping up towards the end of February. Kansas and Kentucky seem to be locked into a 1 seed barring an utter collapse in their Conference Tournaments, and Syracuse controls it’s own destiny now that Villanova and West Virginia have faded from the top line.

The last 1 spot is a toss up between Purdue and Duke. As the T and 2 sees it, it’s the best case scenario for both teams.

Based on the logic that the weakest #1 seed plays the toughest #2 seed, Duke and Purdue would likely be slated in the same region. The similarities between the two teams gives each a great chance to win the game because they will be playing a team similar to themselves. Purdue is not the quickest team in the nation, and none of Duke’s significant contributors has ever been mistaken for a track star so the speed of the game will favor each team. While both the Blue Devils and Boilermakers can defend, they are not lock down defensive teams which will allow Duke to shoot the three (their  favorite thing to do on offense since Reagan was in office), and Purdue to move the ball inside for Robbie Hummel.

Ultimately what it comes down to is this. Regardless of who gets the #1 seed, Duke and Purdue should be hoping to be in the same region, because the T and 2 doesn’t seem either of them with a better matchup against any other #1 or #2 seed. Kansas, Kentucky and Syracuse are in a league of their own and Sports Illustrtated’s Andy Glockner’s other current #2 seeds are Kansas State, West Virginia and Villanova. Each is loaded with big athletic players who will smother Duke or Purdue all over the court. So Boilermaker and Blue Devils fans have every right to root for that #1 seed, but you should root harder that the team you edge out is in your bracket.

Maryland will be dancing in March

The T and 2 talked about Maryland’s tourney hopes last week, and after Saturday’s win over Georgia Tech on a remarkable 2 buzzer beaters (Gary Williams called timeout just seconds before Grevias Vasquez threw one in from halfourt, only to come out of the timeout and see Cliff Tucker drill a three to win) Maryland may be in much better shape. A huge win on Wednesday vs. Clemson just about sealed the deal for Maryland as an at-large team. Even more impressive is that a win over Virginia Tech on Saturday keeps Maryland in the running to win the ACC regular season title over Duke, if they can knock them off next Wednesday.

No Turtle Power for Maryland because of weak ACC

Isn’t it kind of odd that a 20-7 team with a 10-3 conference record in a major conference, who’s still in the running to win the league title is on the bubble ? It’s odd because the ACC is simply that weak this year. Currently the conference has only 1 ranked team (Duke). The conference will (unfairly) likely get 5-6 teams into the tourney, but the T and 2 likes only 2 to see the Sweet Sixteen, Duke and Maryland. The latter a  team I feel is highly underrated.

Northern Iowa may now forced to win Missouri Valley

#25 Northern Iowa lost to #226 (kenpom.com) Evansville Tuesday night 55-54. A severe hit to the squad’s bubble chances and every other team on the bubble. With the loss, Northern Iowa may now have to win the Missouri Valley Conference Title to make the field of 65. Every bubble team should be rooting for that because if the selection committee decides Northern Iowa is at-large worthy, that’s one-less spot that bubble teams will be vying for.

Blowing Bubbles

Every year around the end of February, “the bubble” is heard everywhere, and rightfully so. It’s the time of the year where it grows or shrinks by the day and sometimes by the hour. T and 2 has begun to evaluate just how big or small it could get, and who you should be rooting for to win conference tourneys. As mentioned above, Northern Iowa winning the conference tourney adds an at-large bid because it’s likely that they would steal one if they didn’t receive the at-large. The same goes for teams in the major conferences. Remember two years ago when Georgia came out of nowhere and stole the SEC title after playing two games in the same day like an AAU team ? The fact that Georgia won the tourney eliminated an at-large bid because there was no shot they would have received one otherwise. Basically, for the major conferences a team who has already proven to a lock to get into the NCAA tournament needs to win the the conference title.

So how many spots are available for bubble teams ? The T and 2 can help figure it out.

Based on SI’s Andy Glockener’s bracket. The ACC, Big East, and Big 12 will each get 7 teams into the NCAA Tournament. Given that three of those 21 teams(one from each conference) wins their respective tournament, the field shrinks from 65 to 62 after penciling in those three conference’s (ACC,BE,Big 12) automatic qualifiers. Then 62 becomes 44 after adding in those 18 teams with at-large spots.

The Big Ten, Atlantic Ten, and SEC are predicted to each get 5 teams into the tourney. Given that each conference champion is already one of the 5 predicted in, the field shrinks from 44 to 41. Then pencil in the other 12 teams as at large bids and you have 32.

( See how a team like (9-18) Iowa winning the Big Ten Championship could shrink a bid ? It only gets worse if that happens in multiple conferences. )

The Mountain West has 4 teams dancing according to Glockner, which shrinks to bubble to 28 given that one of those four wins.

In addition to “locks” winning from each of the major conferences, some mid-major’s are key to the bubble picture as well.

Butler (Horizon), Gonzaga (West Coast), in addition to Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley) all must win the conference title, because they essentially play in one-bid leagues. Taking the field down to 25 available spots left.

Butler,Gonzaga,and Northern Iowa are the three teams who essentially control the bubble. If they lose in the conference tournament (Butler, and Gonzaga especially), it knocks out another bubble team because Gonzaga or Butler will now be in the field as an at-large team (as we mentioned with Iowa above). This could be a devastating hit to a team like Louisville who’s currently sitting on the bubble.

Utah State (Western Athletic), Cornell (Ivy), Old Dominion (Colonial Athletic), Siena (Metro Atlantic Athletic ) winning, helps every team on the bubble because it makes each of these four teams an automatic qualifier instead of a bubble team. Which leaves 21 spots left.

Conference USA is a race between UTEP and UAB, but it’s in bubble teams best interest in UTEP locks up the title and keeps it a one-bid league. Leaving 20 spots left.

Now subtract the 16 conferences(Great West, SWAC, NEC, MEAC, Big South, Patriot, A.EAST, Summit, Southland, Atlantic Sun, Sun Belt, Ohio Valley, Big Sky, Southern, Big West, and Mid American) that will only get an automatic bid no matter what and you have 4 spots available.

Subtract the last automatic qualifier the Pac 10 champion, and you have 3 at-large bids still left on the table.

It’s debatable if 7 Big Twelve teams, and 5 A-10 teams will actually get into the NCAA tournament so the overall # of bids left may grow to 5-6 , but you get the picture…it’s a tight race for the last few spots. The only real way to seperate yourself from the pack ? Take Jamie Dixon’s approach and “just win basketball games” .

Efficiency separates contenders and pretenders

A quick look at the Pomeroy Efficency Ratings of the Top Ten teams in the ESPN/USA today poll :

Kansas OE-2 DE- 3
Kentucky OE-21 DE-9
Purdue OE- 23 DE-6
Syracuse OE-9 DE-13
Duke- OE- 1 DE-11
Kansas State OE-10 DE-22
Villanova- OE-3 DE-67
West Virginia OE-5 DE-32
Ohio State OE-14 DE-17
New Mexico OE-27 DE- 73

Kansas, Syracuse, Duke and Ohio State look like teams capable of a title, and Villanova, and New Mexico look like teams to be cautious about when filling out  the brackets.

by Terrence Mayrose

Coaches Get On Board With the T & 2

Finally ! Finally ! Finally ! Yes, I screamed that three times in the past week while watching   Rutgers upset Georgetown, the Celtics beat the Kings, and, most recently, Syracuse knock off Georgetown. Why was I so excited about an awful NJ school, an elderly team whose fans have awful accents, and a whiny coach who won’t play man to man ? Simple. In the final seconds, THEY ALL FOULED; UP THREE….and of course… THEY ALL WON .

I couldn’t believe it. I was elated. As the texts from T and 2 readers like James Alberino, John Strange, Jon Snediker and Bill Hassett rolled in throughout the week, I just kept smiling.  By the time Syracuse hacked up three, I had perfected the Judd Nelson-Breakfast Club fist pump. Continue reading »

By Terrence Mayrose

Rivalry Week Signals Shift of Focus For Sports Fans

For all you football fanatics out there,  make sure you savor the Super Bowl, because as of this morning, it’s time to focus on hoops.  Despite the endless analysis, highlights and “breakdown” sessions  ESPN may have shoved down your throat last week, you should be beside yourself about the slew of college basketball games coming up over the next seven days. Rivalry Week, as it’s become known, is easily the best single week of the regular season. It’s like the best appetizer on the menu. You make sure you order it. Things start on tonight on ESPN’s  Big Monday when Kansas(1)  travels to Texas (10) and Villanova (2) travels to West Virginia(6).

Continue reading »

by Terrence Mayrose

Kentucky Basketball Falls From Its perch.  Who’s Next?

The 75-76’ Indiana Hoosiers can breathe a little easier now that Kentucky, the last remaining unbeaten team this season, has suffered it’s first loss to South Carolina.  Led by an array of tough, clutch, and “how the hell did he hit that” shots from Devan Downey, the Gamecocks made Kentucky’s stay atop the polls very short.

The recent upset of John (“ never actually been to a Final Four”) Calipari, John (“one and done”) Wall and Kentucky as well as the memories of Mario Chalmers trey to beat an undefeated Memphis in 08’ show that even the best of the best can take a loss.  Which makes hoopsters wonder: Will there ever be another undefeated champion ?

Devan Downey dropped thirty in the 68-62 upset, and put himself on the map as one of the nation’s best scorers; although Gamecock faithful will be quick to tell you that he’s no fluke.  The Chester, S.C. native spurned his home state by electing to attend Cincinnati as a freshman. After posting 11.9 ppg in his freshman year,  Downey decided to come home, and it’s been all good since.  After sitting out the ‘06-’07 season, Downey’s scored 18.4 ppg (07-08),and 19.8(08-09).  He’s even better this season as Downey’s 22.4 ppg leads the SEC.  With a scorer like this, and a decent record, 12-8 (3-3), The Gamecocks have a shot to be a dark horse in the SEC tournament. After all, they have shown they can play with (and beat) the best.

Now that no unbeatens remain,  who is the  frontrunner for a national title?  With such a crop of great teams atop the polls there may not be just one, but Kansas stands out. Bill Self’s crew is currently 19-1 with their only setback to #14 Tennessee. A January 30th trip to #13 Kansas State, and Feb 8th trip to #6 Texas could yield two wins that would give the Jayhawks the most impressive resume in the country. It should also be noted that Kansas currently ranks 2nd in both Offensive and Defensive Efficiency and you know how much we like that.

Speaking of frontrunners… CBSSports.com’s Gary Parrish points out that the end of January is a great time to find out who will make the Final Four. Parrish stated that in the past five seasons, at least three of the Final Four teams (all four in ‘08) have been in the Top Ten during the last week of January. Remember to refer back to this in March when filling out your sheets. Kentucky, Kansas, Villanova, Syracuse, Michigan State, Texas, Georgetown, Duke, West Virginia and Purdue are your current candidates.