Season Recap and Tourney Preview: Louisville

Three of the four teams we focus on at WNG find themselves dancing this weekend while the fourth predictably languished in the basement of the Big Ten. To prepare for the opening weekend we're going to a three part series breaking down each team. To kick things off we've got Sanders breaking down the Cardinals of Louisville.

1. There was a point where all your teams were flirting with the bubble either in the middle or even toward the end of the season. What happened to turn things around and ultimately land in the dance? Who were the key players who stepped up?

After Louisville's 19 point loss at the hands of St. John's, things looked bleak to say the least. A brutal closing stretch loomed, with 2 games against Syracuse and road dates with UConn and Marquette. The Cards somehow pulled off the upset at the Carrier Dome and handed the Orange their second loss of the season. Mike Marra scored 12 big points off the bench to key the win. Louisville has been an enigma all season, and the inconsistency continued as the Cards finished 4-3 to close out the season.

Assistant coach Ralph Willard has said that this year's team is like a box of chocolates, and trust me, you NEVER know what you're gonna get with them. Edgar Sosa had a huge game-winner on the road at UConn and WNG's own Kyle Kuric poured in 22 points in the SECOND HALF against Syracuse as the Cards took down the Orange for the second time this season. Honestly, without those two wins over Syracuse, Louisville's resume is nowhere close to tournament-worthy. The guards will have to step up in the tournament, but Louisville has been as inconsistent a team as there is in the country this season.

2. Give your coach a grade for his coaching job this season.

B+...Pitino had to deal with the losses of lottery picks Terrence Williams and Earl Clark and work in a host of new players. It took him most of the season to do it, but he was able to get his team up for some big games that ultimately got them into the tournament. That being said, he has struggled to address the rebounding deficiencies that have plagued the Cards throughout the year, and it showed in the Big East tourney as Cincy pounded the glass for 28 offensive rebounds in their second round game.

The Cards have been incredibly inconsistent, and some of that rests on Pitino, but when it's all said and done you rely on your seniors to provide some of that consistency, and he just hasn't gotten it from Edgar Sosa and Jerry Smith. Overall a good job for Pitino getting his team into the tournament and into a favorable first round matchup with a chance to knock off Duke in the second.

3. Who is going to be the X-Factor for your team in the postseason?

With Louisville, it's a different guy every night. Sometimes it's Sosa, sometimes it's Samuels, sometimes it's a guy off the bench that you never saw coming (see Kuric against Syracuse). Samardo Samuels should have his way inside against Cal and potentially against Duke, so it's the play of Edgar Sosa that will determine the Cards' tournament fortunes. As he goes, so goes Louisville. If he can limit his turnovers, take smart shots, and keep his composure, Louisville can legitimately upset Duke in the second round. If not, they could easily lose to Cal and bow out early.

4. Play bracketologist and break down your team's draw in the bracket? What are your expectations now that the path is out there for every one to see?

Louisville gets the Cal Bears in the first round in the 8-9 matchup. Personally, this draw is exactly what I was hoping for: a winnable first round matchup and a weak 1 seed in the second round. Samuels should be dominant inside, as Cal has had no answer for strong post presences all season. The key will be keeping Jerome Randle in check. The Cal point guard can knock down shots from anywhere, and it is imperative that Sosa, Knowles, and Smith keep him from going ballistic.

That being said, I think Louisville's pressure defense will give Cal problems, and the Cards will try to make someone besides Randle beat them. I don't think Patrick Christopher is good enough to create for himself and go off if Randle isn't getting him the ball. Jennings and Samuels should be able to control the boards, because I don't think Cal's frontcourt is good enough to expose Louisville's rebounding deficiencies.

If they get past the Bears, Duke is a great matchup for them in the second round. Again, Samuels and Jennings should be able to completely neutralize Zoubek and the Plumlee brothers. The guards will have their hands full with Nolan Smith and Jon Scheyer, but if they can knock down some shots from the perimeter and hound the back court of Duke, Louisville has a legit shot of pulling off the shocker.

The problem for Louisville is Kyle Singler. He will be a matchup nightmare for the Cards, as he is too good off the ball and too strong for Jared Swopshire to defend, and against any guard Louisville can throw at him, he can get his shot off over them. I think our best bet is to have Preston Knowles harass him all game, get in his grill, push and shove, and make his life as miserable as possible for 40 minutes. Louisville is so inconsistent that it's a huge stretch to predict them to the Sweet 16, but that doesn't mean they don't have the talent and the potential.

5. Prediction Time: How far does your team go.

A win over Cal in the first round and a scare of Duke in the second round before bowing out.

Cards Walk the Plank in Newark

Last night's Louisville-Seton Hall game was huge for both teams. The Cards came in on a 2 game losing streak, while this year's much-improved Pirate outfit had just 1 conference win to their credit, despite giving teams like Syracuse and West Virginia all they could handle at home. Louisville's trip to the Prudential Center was a glaring reminder of just how far they have fallen this year, just how much they lost from the previous season, and just how much it's going to take to make a run at a tournament berth. Ever since Rick Pitino walked on campus in 2001, their has been a certain intensity to his teams, especially on the defensive end. The suffocating full-court press and quick rotation on defense has fallen by the wayside this season. No longer are Edgar Sosa and Jerry Smith able to watch quick guards blow by them, only to have Earl Clark or David Padgett send their shots several rows deep in the stands. No longer can Samardo Samuels play soft on the interior, or be a step slow on his rotations, because Terrence Williams isn't there to come over from the weak side and deny what would have been easy looks at the basket had he not been there. This year, the Cards are surrendering almost 70 points a game to their opponents, and to fans like myself, that number seems woefully inadequate to describe the deficiencies on the defensive end. Like most Cards fans, I'm used to seeing the boys give up about 55 points a game, swallow up guards with their full-court press, and push opposing offenses away from the basket and into challenged shots. This year has been a sobering wake up call. As Pitino said after the game, not one Louisville defender is capable of defending off the dribble, and this causes the team to be in constant flux, rotating and rotating to more and more open shooters. The problem is, the team lacks the athleticism and quickness of last year's squad, and is too slow to keep up with any team that moves the ball well around the perimeter. The intensity and sense of desperation that used to strike fear into opposing offenses is gone, and with it goes the chances of a top-tier finish in the Big East or of a deep run in the postseason (unless we're talking about the NIT). Some quick-hitters from the game last night:

-Seton Hall became the 3rd consecutive team to shoot over 50% from the floor against Louisville. Last year, and in years past, there weren't 3 teams that did that over an entire season.

-Although the Pirates undoubtedly came out scorching, when they did miss they usually came up with their own rebound, grabbing over half of their missed shots over the course of the game. The inability to hold teams to one shot per possession and deny second chance opportunities has been a glaring weakness of the this year's team. Clark and Williams are gone, and although he has improved his pursuit of the ball and his blocking out, Samardo Samuels is nowhere near the kind of rebounder he needs to be for this team to go anywhere.

-The Cards were 14 of 25 (56%) from the line last night, including 1 for 3 performances from Sosa, Smith, Samuels, and Reggie Delk. This horse has been beaten well past dead, but just a few of those misses turned into makes changes this game completely.

-Jeremy Hazell lit up the Cards again, making 9 of his 12 shots from the floor, 3 of 6 from behind the arc. Granted, a couple were prayers that found their way into the net, but the interior and help defense has to get on him quicker when he makes his way to the basket. Too many easy buckets for the Pirates' star.

-Louisville had 9 assists on 28 made field goals, including just 2 from Sosa. The ball movement and execution in the half court has to improve dramatically for this team to do anything this year.

All that being said, there are a lot of bright spots and silver linings in this year's team, and a lot of hope for the future. Peyton Siva continues to improve. He is learning to play more in control and set up his teammates, and he made several great decisions in traffic last night. Rakeem Buckles is raw, but when he reins in his offensive game, the kid is going to be a beast. The freshman Mike Marra scored 10 points in 19 minutes of action, and looks more and more comfortable shooting the ball. However, for me, many questions remain. Why does Terrence Jennings only get 12 minutes a game? He is the longest and best shot-blocking defender on the team, and scored 8 points in 8 minutes last night. Kyle Kuric had been averaging about 20 minutes a game in the previous 3 contests, but never came off the bench last night. He is, for my money, the best pure rebounder on the team despite being just 6'4. Surely we could have used him on the boards last night, and maybe he could have cleaned up a few of the missed opportunities that led to easy 2nd chance points for the Hall. I will hopefully be interviewing Kyle soon, and we'll see what he has to say about this year's team and what it needs to do to be a player in the conference and NCAA tourney race. For now, let's hope the Cards can rebound and play well in an absolute must-win game against Cincinnati on Sunday.

And don't think I forgot the clearly blown call at the end of the game. Jerry Smith hits a 3 with .7 seconds left, and with the ref clearly counting off the seconds, Keon Lawrence steps about 2 feet into the court, and with no call from the ref, reestablishes himself behind the end line. It was a horrible call on a clear violation, and would have given the Cards a chance at a game-tying or even game-winning shot.

3 Up, 3 Down, 3 Just About Right

As 2010 gets underway, let's take a look at which teams have surprised (for good or for bad) and which were rated just about right in the preseason.

3 Up:

1. Syracuse: The Orange came into this season unranked in the AP Poll and 25th in the ESPN/USA Today. I think we see now that they were vastly underrated. They're balanced, explosive, and well-coached, and have a slew of impressive victories over Cal, UNC, and Florida to their credit. Had the coaches and pollsters known how good Wesley Johnson was going to be, their preseason ranking would have been higher, but Syracuse has exceeded expectations in a big way this year, regardless of their recent home loss at the hands of Pittsburgh.

2. Kansas State: Frank Martin's squad was picked to finish 4th in the conference in the Big 12 Preseason Poll. While in all likelihood they'll only finish a slot higher than expected, nobody thought the Wildcats would get this good this fast. The boys from Manhattan (Manhappenin' as the locals call it) come out of their nonconference slate with a 13-1 record, with solid victories over Xavier, UNLV, Alabama, and Dayton, with their lone loss coming to a good Ole Miss team. Jacob Pullen is the undisputed leader of the team, and the guard is shooting absolutely lights out from beyond the arc. The experience of Denis Clemente has made for a strong back court, and the Wildcats have several able-bodied big men at their disposal. If they get consistent play from their front court, K-State could be a major factor come March.

3. Temple: I might have picked Wisconsin here, but in the interest of conference variety, I'll go with the Owls. Home massacre at the hands of Kansas aside, Temple has wildly exceeded their preseason expectations so far this season. Picked to finish 5th in the Atlantic 10, the Owls have solid non-conference victories over Siena, Virginia Tech, and Penn State to their credit, as well as a signature win over the 6th ranked Villanova Wildcats. Fran Dunphy's squad has been bolstered by the breakout play of guard Juan Fernandez, who forms a nice back court tandem with experienced senior Ryan Brooks. The blowout loss to the Jayhawks certainly exposed them, but I expect the Owls to be serious contenders in the A-10 and a trendy upset pick come tournament time.

Honorable Mention: USC, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh

3 Down:

1. Oklahoma: Picked to finish 3rd in the Big 12 this season, the Sooners have struggled out of the gate, finishing non-conference play with a pedestrian 9-5 record littered with losses to mediocre teams like VCU, San Diego, and Houston. OU needs better play from star guard Willie Warren, who has an assist to turnover ratio of just 1.13/1. He needs to do a better job of getting his teammates involved, and senior Tony Crocker needs to step up and shoulder a more significant leadership load as the conference slate unfolds. Gotta love the ironically named Tiny Gallon, though. Did anyone see him absolutely shatter a backboard against Gonzaga?

2. Michigan: John Beilein's Wolverines have not lived up to their substantial expectations for this season. They entered the 2009-2010 college basketball year ranked 15th in both polls, but instead have struggled to keep their heads above .500 for much of this early season. A home win over Ohio State on Sunday took them to 7-6 and evened their Big Ten record at 1-1, but Michigan has been a significant disappointment in all areas this year. Manny Harris and Deshawn Sims have been consistent producers on the offensive end, but the role players simply have not stepped up to the plate. Beilein's offense relies on good 3-point shooting, and Michigan simply doesn't have it. They'll need Zack Novak, Laval Lucas-Perry, and Stu Douglass to up their level of play to contend for a top 4 or 5 finish in the Big Ten.

3. UCLA: The Pac-10 is way down this year, and the Bruins are a major reason why. At 6-8, they're making 3 consecutive Final Four appearances under Ben Howland seem light years behind them. I don't think anyone expected the departure of Jrue Holiday to have such a huge impact, but few teams could rebound from the level and amount of NBA talent the Bruins have lost in the past 3 or 4 seasons. They're young and inexperienced, and it shows. While they appear to be showing signs of improvement, they have a long way to go to think about finishing in the top half of a weak Pacific 10 conference. They look balanced on paper with 5 players averaging in double figures, but live and in person it's a different story. Young guards Malcolm Lee and Jerime Anderson have struggled to run the offense and the experienced "leaders" of the team like Nikola Dragovic and Michael Roll haven't shown that they can help to right the ship.

Honorable Mention: California, Butler, South Carolina

3 Who Have Lived up to the Hype:

1. Kansas: If it looks like a rat, smells like a rat, then it probably is a rat. KU is a legitimate #1 team in college basketball, and to my eyes, they look they the best team in the country and the favorite to cut down the nets in March. They are balanced, experienced, and have a stellar freshman in Xavier Henry leading them in scoring, which has been an indicator of championship teams in the past (Carmel Anthony, Derrick Rose, etc). They can hurt you in so many ways, and with so many scoring options, can withstand the occasional bad game from Collins or Aldrich. The Jayhawks would be my pick to win the whole thing if the tourney started today, followed closely by....

2. Texas: Texas was picked 3rd in both polls before the start of the season, and have lived up to those expectations and more, giving college basketball fans the country over an intriguing 1-2 battle between teams in the same conference. Questions about their legitimacy abounded until they posted impressive victories over Michigan State and North Carolina in Cowboys Stadium. They have a legitimate go-to scorer in Damion James, a vastly improved big man in Dexter Pittman, and a stable of guards to run their offense. Once Florida transfer Jai Lucas learns that offense and begins to mesh with the Killer B's (J'Covan Brown, Avery Bradley, Dogus Balbay), Texas will be a major title contender in March.

3. Purdue: The Boilermakers join the Jayhawks and Longhorns as one of 4 remaining undefeated teams. I love this Boiler team. They are balanced, experienced, and play a brand of defense unlike what most teams are prepared for. They really get out and defend, pressure passing lanes, and force opponents out of their comfort zones. Chris Kramer is as efficient a point guard as you could ask for, and although he may be slightly overvalued, I like Robbie Hummel a lot. JaJuan Johnson has been a consistent force on the low block this season, and E'Twaun Moore has provided the same consistency from the shooting guard spot. Expect the Boilers to make a deep run in the tourney this year.

The All-Decade Team: The Best College Basketball Players of the 2000's

Now that I’m home for break, I’ve had plenty of time to dissect the best and brightest of the past decade. You’ve seen my assessment of the top 10 college basketball games of the 2000s, and now I’m going to get a little more particular with the 10 best players of the decade. This list was considerably harder to compile; players, while easier to remember than individual games, are also much more difficult to grade.

With the advent of the mandatory one year of play rule in college basketball, there have been several once-in-a-generation talents to come through the hardwoods of America in recent years. Some, like Carmelo Anthony, led their teams to national titles, while others, like T.J. Ford, Kevin Durant, and Michael Beasely (among others), changed the face of the game and compiled some extensive national hardware in the process. Evaluating the impact of one-and-done players was an especially difficult aspect of this process, but in coming up with this list I took a few key factors into account: individual success (measured by scoring averages, etc.), team success, and overall impact on the game during their time in college.

There’s sure to be a lot of debate about this one, but here goes my list of the 10 best college basketball players of the 2000s. Like my last top 10 list, there are a couple of ties, as some players were nearly impossible to separate, and indeed were almost never mentioned apart from each other during their time in college, while others were simply too good to leave out, and I had to find some way to include them.

10. Stephen Curry, Davidson

-Curry announced his arrival to the college basketball scene in a big way, scoring 32 points in his second career game against Michigan in 2005. He averaged 21.5 points per game as a freshman, setting the NCAA freshman record for 3 pointers in a season, and was selected to represent the U.S. in the FIBA U19 World Championships. In his sophomore campaign, he led Davidson to the Elite 8, scoring 40, 30, and 33 in upsets of Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin before coming within a missed 3 of the Final Four. He averaged just shy of 29 points per game during his junior season, although the Wildcats just missed out on the tournament. Curry changed the face of mid-major basketball forever, and improved vastly during his 3 years in the college game. He never shied away from the spotlight, playing up to the stellar competition of March Madness. He had a great handle, elite basketball intelligence, and had one of the quickest releases I have ever seen in a shooter. The kid could get a shot off from anywhere, at any time. In the 2009 NBA Draft, Golden State selected Curry with the 7^th overall pick.

9. Emeka Okafor, Connecticut

-The man originally named Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor was the best defensive player this decade has ever seen. Although hindered by injuries for much of the 2003-04 season, Okafor played a huge role in leading the Huskies to their second national title in 6 seasons, during which he was named the NCAA Tourney’s Most Outstanding Player. During that season he was named Defensive Player of the Year, leading the nation in blocks and setting the stage for UConn to do the same for the next five years.

8. (tie) Adam Morrison, Gonzaga; J.J.Redick, Duke

-During the 2005-06 season you could hardly turn on the T.V. without hearing these two superstars mentioned in the same breath. They ended up being co-National Players of the Year and were the face of college basketball for this star-studded season. Redick finished his career as the NCAA record holder for career 3 pointers, but developed a formidable slashing and driving game as he matured under the guidance of Coach K. Morrison became one of the more surprising NBA busts, selected 3^rd overall by the Charlotte Bobcats. In college, however, his all-court game was spectacular, with a mid-range game that drew many comparisons to Larry Bird.

7. (tie) Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse; Joakim Noah, Florida

-Although he didn’t have the numbers of Beasley or Durant, Anthony certainly dominated the college game during his brief stay at Syracuse. What’s more, he led the Orange to their first and only national title in 2003, over Kansas. Anthony was named a Second Team All-American, and was the best player in a tournament that included Dwyane Wade, Kirk Hinrich, Nick Collison, and T.J. Ford. He would go on to become a star in the NBA. Had he not won an NCAA championship, Anthony may not have made the list, but how many freshman have we seen put their team on their back and take them to a title? I may get some disagreement from my choice of Noah. Noah played a stellar three seasons in Gainesville, and was the best and most highly regarded player on Florida’s repeat national championship teams. Had he declared for the draft after the Gators’ first championship run, he may have been taken first or second overall. That’s all speculation, but what isn’t is that he was the leader of a team that accomplished one of the most difficult feats in sports: winning back-to-back titles.

6. (tie) Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph's; Juan Dixon, Maryland

-Nelson stayed all four years in Philly, leading the Hawks to a 30-1 regular season and within a shot of the Final Four during his senior season, which culminated with winning the Wooden and Naismith Awards. One of the great four year college players of the decade, Nelson has gone on to become one of the better point guards in the NBA, and his role as the head of St. Joseph’s remarkable 2004 run won’t soon be forgotten. Dixon was not going to be denied a title the 2002 NCAA Tournament, which culminated in a championship victory over Jared Jeffries and the Indiana Hoosiers. Dixon is the only player in NCAA history to record 2,000 points, 300 steals, and 200 3 pointers. He was the undisputed leader of an NCAA Champion, and any time you’re the only man in college basketball history to do anything, you’re something special.

5. (tie) Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley, Kansas State

-Hard to think of these two separately. Although they played in different seasons, no two players dominated college basketball as freshman like Durant and Beasley. Both won Big 12 Player of the Year and National Freshman of the Year honors during their singular campaigns, with Durant also winning National Player of the Year honors, an unprecedented accomplishment for a freshman. Both of these players were clearly NBA-ready, and it showed, giving college basketball fans the world over a brief glimpse of unparalleled greatness.

4. Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

-Griffin was a freak of nature during his 2 stellar seasons in Norman. No one was more dominant, more feared, or more successful than Griffin during his sophomore season, during which he had about as good a season as a player can have. He had 30 double-doubles, and won a few awards during his remarkable campaign: Wooden Award, Naismith Award, Unanimous First Team All-American, SI Player of the Year, Sporting News Player of the Year, Oscar Robertson Award, and Adolph Rupp Award. Anybody who watched him play knows what a dominant force he was, and I don’t think we’ll see another forward like him for a long, long time.

3. Jason “Jay” Williams, Duke

-One of the sadder stories in basketball of the decade was nevertheless a shining star during his three years at Duke. Williams was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that ended his promising NBA career far too soon, but anyone who watched him play in college knows what an impact he had on the game. He led Duke to a national title in 2001, won the Naismith and Wooden Awards in 2002, and finished his three year career in Durham with over 2,000 points and a retired jersey at Cameron Indoor Stadium. His career blossomed early, as he secured National Freshman of the Year honors during his first season at Duke.

2. Shane Battier, Duke

-One of the greatest college basketball players of all time, Battier stayed all four years under Coach K. He led the Dukies to 2 national championship games and a title in 2001. He was as much a defensive star as he was an offensive force, taking home National Defensive Player of the Year honors 3 teams. He remains a defensive juggernaut in the NBA, and although his offense has declined considerably with his national recognition, this was certainly not true of his brilliant college career.

1. Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina

-As much as many of you, including me, may have hated Psycho T during his career at North Carolina, there isn’t a person in the world who wouldn’t have killed to have him on their team, and I don’t think there will be much disagreement over his merits as the top player of the decade. He averaged 20 points and 8 boards over his four years, and swept all of college basketball’s individual honors after his senior season, which culminated in a dominant run as national champions, the final piece missing from his spectacular career. He wasn’t the smoothest or the most athletic player, but his tenacity and will to win was unmatched in the college game. His individual accolades are too extensive to list here, but he is the ACC’s all-time leading scorer and my choice for the top college basketball player of the 2000s.

The All-Decade Series: The Best College Basketball Games of the 2000's

Like Mattare, I too am a sucker for all-time teams and things of that nature. As the decade winds to a close and the college basketball season is in full swing, what better way to look back on the best of college hoops from the 2000's than with my list of the 10 best games of the decade. And, yes, there's a tie for 6, so I guess there's really 11 on the list. Call it a cop-out, I call it a little extra. The Big Ten has 11 teams, right?

10. Oklahoma State 105, Texas 103 (3OT: 1/16/07): Clutch shots, future NBAers, unbelievable momentum swings, and Sean Sutton almost fainting on the sidelines: What more could one want from a game? Mario Boggan matched Kevin Durant with 37 points and the game winning three pointer in triple overtime, just seconds after KD's 3-point play put the Horns up 1 with 10.5 seconds left. 15 ties, 16 lead changes, and a bevy of unreal shots highlighted this one. The most memorable may have come in the first half, before any hint of the bedlam to follow: Terrel Harris threw one in a fadeaway half-courter after chasing down a bad pass, nearly crashing into the stands in the process.

9. Connecticut 79, Duke 78 (Final Four, 2004 NCAA Tourney): Duke led by 8 with under 3 minutes to go, but UConn rattled off 12 straight points over the game's final minutes. Emeka Okafor picked up a couple of quick fouls in the first half and played just 4 minutes in the game's opening salvo. He came off the bench to score all 18 of his points in the 2nd half, lifting the Huskies to the win and a spot in the national championship game, where they would go on to defeat Georgia Tech.

8. Louisville 93, West Virginia 85 (Elite 8, 2005 NCAA Tourney): Maybe it's my emotional investment in this one that has it ranked a little higher than some might have it. Call me crazy, but this was one of the best games I've ever seen, and a game after which I joined half the city of Louisville in a massive downtown celebration. The Cards trailed by as many as 20 in the first half, but survived one of the most remarkable 3 point barrages the tourney had ever seen. WVU made 18 of their 27 attempts from behind the arc, and some were way behind it. The coach's son knocked one down while falling into the Cards' bench and another from about 30 feet away, and Kevin Pittsnogle, one of the greatest white trash players in college basketball history, simply could not miss. With future first-rounder Francisco Garcia saddled with foul trouble, hometown hero Larry O'Bannon poured in 24 despite crippling cramps, and Taquan Dean, the pride of Neptune, NJ, added 7 threes of his own. A furious second half rally and a few overdue misses from the Mountaineers later, Rick Pitino had taken his third team to the Final Four.

7. Gonzaga 109, Michigan State 106 (3OT, 2005 Maui Invitational): The game was played in front of just 2,400 fans, but boy were they treated to a show. Adam Morrison poured in 43 points and 4 lead changes highlighted the last 1:14 of regulation. Maurice Ager scored a career high 36 points, including the game-tying shot at the end of regulation. If this one had been played in March, it would be several spots higher, and maybe it still should.

6 (Tie): UCLA 73, Gonzaga 71 (Elite 8, 2006 NCAA Tourney): Some of Gus Johnson's finest commentary ever, as Jordan Farmar stole it from J.P Batista and fed it to a wide open Luc Mbah a Moute under the basket for the lead. After another steal, Aaron Afflalo made one of two free throws. The Zag's inbounds found an open Batista, who turned and nearly nailed a Laettner to force OT. Instead, UCLA was on to the first of 3 straight Final Fours, and I think we all remember what happened after that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgeqrYxu_YM

6. Villanova 78, Pittsburgh 76 (2009 Elite 8): Six lead changes in the final six minutes and Scottie Reynolds' game-ending shot highlighted a spectacular finish and Villanova's first trip to the Final Four since 1985. Believe it or not, Reynolds still plays for Villanova (I was saying that last year too; I feel like this is his 6th or 7th year).

5. Michigan State 94, Kentucky 88 (2OT, 2005 NCAA Elite 8): Again, maybe it's my proximity to this one that gives it such a high ranking, but you can't imagine the bliss of seeing the Cards on to the Final Four and the Cats sent home packing just a night later. Sparty lead by 8 with 5:43 to play, but a Patrick Sparks 3 that bounced around the rim several times before finally falling tied the game and forced OT. I remember watching this game and having no clue even after the closest close-ups modern replay technology can give showed where Spark's feet were on the shot. I still think he had a toenail on the line, but no matter, ball don't lie and UK lost in double OT.

4. George Mason 86, Connecticut 84 (OT: 2006 NCAA Elite 8): George Mason had already beaten UNC and Michigan State. Exactly 4 people picked them to go to the Final Four on ESPN.com's bracket, and you can bet those 4 people were women who either liked their colors, their mascot, or went there. UConn came in #1 and had far more talent. Quick, name a player from George Mason's 11th seeded squad? I got 2, Will Thomas and Folarin Campbell, but I doubt anyone could name more. Now do the same for UConn: Marcus Williams, Hilton Armstrong, Rudy Gay, Josh Boone, and Denham Brown started for the Huskies, and don't forget Jeff Adrien and Craig Austrie. George Mason would lose to Florida in the Final Four, but they left a Cinderella slipper that will never be worn again.

3. Kansas 75, Memphis 68 (OT, 2008 NCAA Championship Game): We'll all remember Mario Chalmers' unreal 3 to tie it and force OT, but what we might not remember is the Mangino-sized egg the Tigers laid at the end of the game. Questions about their free throw struggles abounded throughout the year, and the critics got it right in this one. Two future NBAers, including #1 overall pick Derrick Rose, missed 4 of 5 attempts from the line in the game's final minute. That 20% mark is probably a little higher than the percentage of questions D-Rose got right on the SAT, but it was enough to give Kansas a shot at winning a game they had no business winning at the end.

2. Syracuse 127, Connecticut 117 (6OT, 2009 Big East Quarters): I was in Dublin for Spring Break during this one, but I wish I had stayed up until 8 or 9 in the morning or whatever it would have been in Ireland to watch this one. I looked at the recap the next day and was flabbergasted. One of the biggest regrets of my sports life has been missing this game. This is why people love college basketball. Nuff' said.

1. Illinois 90, Arizona 89 (OT, 2005 Elite Eight): 6: Number of NBA players in this game. 1: Illini losses during the regular season. 15: deficit overcome by Illinois with 4 minutes left in regulation. Hands down the best game I have ever seen. Watching the comeback now is just as electrifying as it was 4 years ago. You don't come back from 15 down with 3:55 to play without some help, and the Illini certainly got that, but Dee Brown, Luther Head, and Deron Williams orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in sports and cemented this one as the best college basketball game of the 2000s. Best team of the decade to not win a title? I don't see how there's one better.

Disagree? Let's hear it.

Is a victory in the cards for Louisville tonight?

The Cards take on former Conference USA rival Charlotte for the first time since 2005 at 7:00 tonight at Freedom Hall. Louisville won that game, 94-82, and the following season saw both teams move on to new conferences-Louisville to the Big East and the 49ers to the Atlantic 10. While the Cardinals have found their niche within the rugged Big East and established themselves as perennial conference title contenders, the 49ers have finished no better than 4th and an NIT appearance after a 2nd place finish in their first year in the league. They finished 11-20 last year, but came in to the 2009 season with visions of challenging for a top 3 position in the A-10 and a postseason berth of some kind. The addition of Boston College transfer Shamari Spears was a major reason for this year's increased expectations. The junior forward comes in as one of the nation's leading scorers at 21.8 points per game, and has proved to be the number one scoring option the 49ers have been lacking since the departure of Leemire Goldwire. Louisville comes into the second of a stretch of 8 consecutive home games shorthanded. Junior guard Preston Knowles and highly touted freshman Peyton Siva are both nursing injuries to their shooting hands, and each is expected to miss a second consecutive game. To make matters worse, senior guard Jerry Smith is out indefinitely with a strained achilles tendon, which he injured in practice on Thursday a day after scoring a season-high 17 points in a win over Stetson. In Rick Pitino's eyes, the game may hinge on point guard Edgar Sosa: "Edgar is going to have to really play intelligently in terms of fouls and in terms of staying in the game the right way...So much is dependent on him pushing the pace of the game as a point guard."

The coaching match-up is a good one. Pitino's record speaks for itself, but Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz is well-respected and has come up in several job openings, including the Tennessee job that eventually went to Bruce Pearl. You can bet that with the injuries on the Cards' side of the court, he has his squad thinking upset. The 49ers feature a balanced attack led by strong inside play and a stable of solid guards. Senior center Phil Jones and freshman forward Chris Braswell will be charged with combating the Cards' own interior force, Samardo Samuels. Samuels has shown marked improvement on the glass this year, upping his average to 7 a game from just under 5 last year. He will likely be joined in the front-court by George Goode, who is expected to make his first career start. Sophomore Kyle Kuric is slated to make his second career start for the Cards, who are now left with just 3 available guards for this contest, including Chris Brickley, a walk-on with just 48 career minutes under his belt. Charlotte will try to work inside-out, and Samardo Samuels will have to stay disciplined and not pick up cheap fouls trying to defend Jones or help out on Spears. Sophomore center Terrence Jennings will likely see increased playing time tonight, and his remarkable shot-blocking ability will hopefully be on display. Charlotte guards Dijuan Harris, Derrio Green, and Shamarr Bowden will likely try to push tempo on offense in an effort to get Sosa into foul trouble, and with two of the Cards' best 3-point shooters in Knowles and Smith out, will also try to force Louisville into settling for outside shots. Louisville needs to avoid falling in love with the 3-ball and work inside to Samuels. As Pitino said, Edgar Sosa will be the key to the game. If he becomes saddled with fouls, Louisville will not have a viable option at point guard with Peyton Siva sitting out. Senior guard Reginald Delk will also play a huge role for the Cards; Pitino needs him to be a third scoring option to complement Sosa and Samuels and a reliable outside threat. Look for Charlotte to crank up the defensive pressure on the perimeter and deny passing lanes to Samuels, double-teaming immediately when he does get the ball on the block. George Goode and Jared Swopshire need to step up on the inside for Louisville against Charlotte's strong inside attack and secure the defensive glass. Preventing second chance opportunities for the 49ers and giving Sosa chances to get out in transition will be key.

This game gives Louisville an opportunity to work in some of their younger players. The Cards have a month before the big showdown at Rupp Arena against Kentucky, giving them ample time to work themselves back to full strength. This should be the toughest game until that January 2nd showdown, and I expect a pretty close one tonight. Charlotte was completely dismantled by Duke in a 101-59 drubbing earlier this year, getting outrebounded 45-32 and committing 17 turnovers to just 6 assists. If Louisville can force turnovers and put Charlotte's guards in tough spots, I like our chances. Samuels and Sosa need to control both ends of the floor and stay out of foul trouble, but if they do I think the Cards will be able to ride the Freedom Hall crowd to a victory and a 6-1 record. C-A-R-D-S, C-A-R-D-S, GO CARDS GO.

Sizing up the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series

So here goes the inaugural post. My name's Andy Edwards, but most people call me Sanders (I'm from Kentucky). I'm a senior at Notre Dame, and I lived in Mattare's section of O'Neill Hall for 2 years before he went on to bigger and better things. I'm a huge ND and Louisville fan, and even though I'm a big fan of college football, college basketball has always been my one true love. I'll be talking almost exclusively about it now that the season has gotten into swing, and my schedule for the rest of the semester and the spring is emptier than Ron Artest's half-time bottle of Hennessy, so I should be able to contribute regularly. What better way to start than by illuminating a relatively obscure inter-conference early season tournament, the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood series.

I'm a little behind the 8 ball on this one, and this series is a little different from the more well-known Big 10/ACC Challenge. For starters, there are 12 games, leaving open the possibility of a tie (which happened last year), and some teams play twice. USC already lost to Nebraska, so chalk up a 1-0 lead for the Big 12 before I even knew the tournament was going on. Naturally, USC takes the court as a Pac-10 representative again tonight. Being an ND fan, I'd love to see them lose twice in the same tournament, but let's take a look at the match-ups.

Tonight's Games

Washington at Texas Tech (7:00, ESPN2): The 10th-ranked Huskies make the long trip to Lubbock to take on Pat Knight's Red Raider squad. Both teams come in undefeated, and this game should be the first real test for each of them. Texas Tech is off to a 7-0 start, but have played just one road game, which they eked out by 2 over Stephen F. Austin. This should be a great barometer game for both teams, but especially for the Raiders, who were picked anywhere from 9th to 11th in the Big 12 preseason standings by most polls and publications. College basketball is full of teams that feast on subpar competition early in the year only to be ruthlessly exposed as overrated once the level of competition picks up. I haven't seen Tech play, but I know they lack the star power of Lorenzo Romar's Huskie team, which features two of the more NBA-ready prospects in the Pac-10 in Quincy Pondexter and lightning-quick guard Isaiah Thomas. Pondexter heads a thin list of college seniors that have caught the eyes of NBA scouts, and his physical talents are striking. He could be a lottery pick next year if he improves his perimeter game. He's already shown major improvements in the rebounding category (up to 11 a game from 6 last year), and should carry the Huskies to a win here. Texas Tech lacks the speed to handle Thomas and the firepower to neutralize the 42 points per game that he and Pondexter provide. Pac-10 ties the series at 1.

USC at Texas (9:00, ESPN2): Like many teams fresh off the loss of 2 first-round picks, the Trojans are struggling this year. They've struggled to replace the scoring of Taj Gibson and the athleticism of Demar Derozan this year, and it's shown in losses to Nebraska and Loyola-Marymount. The Longhorns, meanwhile, are challenging Kansas for the top spot in the polls and have cruised to an undefeated mark. USC has nobody to bang with Dexter Pittman inside, and do-it-all forward Damion James and freshman J'Covan Brown should provide a lot of help in making the Trojans' first road game a difficult experience. I like the Horns by double digits here. Big 12 takes a 2-1 lead.

Baylor at Arizona State: This is one of the more interesting games of the event. Baylor is always a fun team to watch, and this year is no exception. They get up and down the court, push tempo, and never hesitate to launch a 3-point barrage on their opponents. Defense has always been the issue, but they seem to have improved in that area this year, giving up just 60.3 points per game, albeit against admittedly mediocre competition. Their win over Xavier in the Old Spice Classic had to impress some folks, myself included. The Bears really faded down the stretch last year, and I'm not sure they have the talent to really compete within the conference this year. LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter should put on an show, but I actually like the Sun Devils at home. They're not the most athletic or entertaining, but they're a solid and relatively balanced squad that plays good defense and tries to control the tempo of the game. Center Eric Boateng is shooting a whopping 72% from the field this year, certainly impressive considering I doubt former Indiana Mr. Basketball and ND center Luke Zeller could shoot that high a percentage throwing balls into the ocean. I like their point guard Derek Glasser to limit turnovers and get his teammates in good spots, and the home crowd and some timely 3-point shooting from Rihards Kuksiks wins the game for the Sun Devils and pulls the Pac-10 even at 2.

Tomorrow's Games

Colorado at Oregon State: Not even being the president's brother in law has helped Craig Robinson to sniff the .500 mark this year. The Beavers, expected by many to make a move up the conference standings this year, have been a major disappointment at 2-3. They're allowing more points than they score, which is always a concern this early in the year, and apart from Seth Tarver, do not have a single player scoring more than 8 points per game. Colorado, on the other hand, has been something of a pleasant surprise in the Big 12. They come in at 5-2, but that could easily be an undefeated record with very close losses against Gonzaga and Arizona in OT. Cory Higgins and Alec Burks control the perimeter and provide a lot of scoring, but the Buffs lack the size to compete in the normally power-laden Big 12. I worry a little about them making the trip out West and playing an 11:00 game, but their guard play and firepower should be more than enough to get them past an anemic Beavers squad. Big 12 takes a 3-2 lead in the series.

Saturday's Games

Oregon at Missouri: The Ducks should make a huge rise in the standings this year after finishing 8-23 last year. Coach Ernie Kent has doled out some high praise to freshman Jamil Wilson, and his emergence coupled with the return of senior point guard Tajuan "Cauliflower Ear" Porter should have the Ducks primed to compete for a top 4 or 5 finish in the Pac-10. Missouri, fresh off a run to the Elite 8 last season, has already lost to Richmond and Vanderbilt on the road, and has struggled to replace all that Demarre Carroll, Leo Lyons, and Matt Lawrence gave them last year. I don't think they'll drop off a cliff this year, with Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year J.T. Tiller back and Kim English stepping into a much bigger role this year. This should be an up-and-down, high-scoring affair between a pair of teams that lack a dependable stable of big men. Oregon hasn't gone on the road yet this year, and I think their first trip ends with a loss, as Mizzou rides the home crowd to a victory and a 4-2 lead for the Big 12.

Washington State at Kansas State: The beauty of these inter-conference tournaments is that schools that would struggle to schedule true home-and-home series with fellow Big 6 conference schools can do so in this format, giving themselves a chance to notch victories that will impress the selection committee come March. It's a great way to add quality opponents to the schedule that might otherwise be impossible to play while also building publicity for both leagues. This game is tough to figure out. Washington State has only played two games against teams with winning records in compiling their 6-1 record. Sophomore guard Klay Thompson is second in the nation in scoring, pouring in buckets at 26.4 points per game clip, but a lot of that is inevitably due to the level of competition he's faced. The folks from Manhattan, Kansas (ManHappenin, as I've heard it called) are coming off a lackluster effort against D-II opponent Fort Hays State, in which the Wildcats won by just 7. They lost to Ole Miss earlier in the year, but also beat A-10 favorite and 2009 Sweet 16 team Dayton on a neutral court. You can bet that Frank Martin will have his kids ready to play on Saturday, and when in doubt it's usually a good bet to pick the home team (apart from the obvious advantages, referees do indeed show a home-court bias-a study I'll examine in a future post), so I'm going with K-State in this one. Big-12 takes a 5-2 lead.

Iowa State at California: Andy Katz likes the Cyclones to be on the rise this year, and with All-American candidate Craig Brackins back for another year in Ames, what's not to like? Mix in junior-college transfer Marquis Gilstrap, and Iowa State has a strong 1-2 punch in the frontcourt. Junior guard Diante Garrett leads the team with 6.6 assists per game, and he'll have his hands full with hot-shooting guards Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher in this one. Cal comes in off a surprising loss to New Mexico and sports just a 4-3 record thus far, their defensive inadequacies having been shown to all the world in a 22 point blowout loss to Syracuse and a subsequent loss to Ohio State earlier in the year in the 2K Sports Classic. Theo Robertson and Jamal Boykin will need to control the glass for the Bears and give their guards a chance to get hot, but I like them to do just that and pull the Pac-10 within 5-3 in the series.

Sunday's Games

Kansas at UCLA: What was supposed to be a top-notch non-conference heavyweight bout has turned into one of the biggest mismatches of the tournament. UCLA is off to a 2-4 start, and needless to say I will not be taking advantage of Notre Dame being open one more day into Christmas Break to go see that contest come the 19th. The Bruins desperately miss J'rue Holiday, who they expected to have in Westwood for two years, and losing 6 NBA first-rounders in a four-year span wouldn't be an easy prospect for anyone. The fact that Ben Howland, who took them to 3 Final Fours in a row (wrap your mind-brain around that one, as Scott Van Pelt would say), is struggling so much to get his team to compete is a testament to that. The Bruins have looked uninspired and listless on the court this year, and need Roll, Dragovic, and Keefe to shoulder the load and help turn this team around. They haven't found anything resembling an identity this year, and they followed up a very close loss to a good Butler team with a loss to Long Beach State, marking the first time the Bruins have ever lost to not one but two teams from the Big West conference in a single season. The cherry on top of this season came when sophomore guard Drew Gordon left the team. Cole Aldrich scores at will in this one, and Kansas notches an easy win and a 6-3 lead for the Big 12.

Arizona at Oklahoma: This should be an interesting game between two teams that have struggled to replace the NBA talent they lost last year. Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, and the Griffins are gone, but that doesn't mean we can't have a good game, right? Nic Wise and Willie Warren return to provide a great guard match-up, but the game will hinge on their supporting casts. Will Tony Crocker and the ironically named Tiny Gallon (6-9, 300 pounds) help out their All-America point guard enough to win at home, or will Derrick Williams and Jamelle Horn lead the Cats to the victory? Neither team plays great defense, but Arizona has been tested this year against solid competition, while the Sooners are yet to play anyone better than Arkansas and lost to Houston, VCU, and San Diego. Oklahoma's been a major disappointment this year, and that continues here with a loss to Arizona. Big 12 now leads 6-4.

December 16

Oklahoma State at Stanford: Yet another weird aspect of this event: it won't be completed until December 22nd. After a week and a half break, the Pokes and Cardinal duel in Palo Alto. Oklahoma State is fresh off a 21 point thrashing at the hands of Tulsa, but James Anderson is back and averaging over 20 a game. They should control the boards against an undersized Cardinal squad, but Stanford took Kentucky to OT earlier this year and feature a dyamic duo of Landry Fields (23 points, 9 rebounds per game) and Jeremy Green (15 points, 47% on 3's) that I was very impressed with when I saw them take on UK. I like Stanford at home here. Pac-10 edges to within 6-5, leaving the final game to determine the winner......

December 22

Texas A&M at Washington: This game is a microcosm of the problems associated with this event. It's spread out over a month, and 2 Pac-10 teams have to play twice to ensure that all 12 schools in the Big 12 get an opponent. Although Cal and Kansas play today as well, that game isn't part of the series because of existing contracts between the conferences, so it's hard to determine which games are part of the challenge and which aren't. Anyways, this one is, and it may be for all the marbles. The Huskies head home for their 2nd game of the challenge to face the 22nd-ranked and surprising Aggies. Texas A&M has already beaten Minnesota and Clemson, and played West Virginia tough. They feature one of the better guards in the conference in Donald Sloan and one of its toughest big men in Bryan Davis, who should have his way inside against U-Dub. They are balanced, tough and much more battle-tested than Washington. This should be a good fight, but I think A&M's efforts to schedule big games early in the season will pay off here. Big 12 wins 7-5. The Big 12 is a better conference top to bottom than the Pac-10, which has featured several disappointing teams in the early going. These tourneys are all about match-ups, but conference strength and previous results can definitely illuminate some of the more tossup-type games.

Hope you all enjoyed my first post. The last game of my illustrious broomball career is tonight, so needless to say I'll be channeling my inner Ron-Ron before and possibly during the game. I'll be back in a few days with a new post.