Florida is still a good bet to take all the way live in the Big Dance - battle-tested, consistent starting 5, came back from 20something down against an underrated Alabama team, etc - but they could easily go the route of 1995 Arkansas. It's hard to repeat, and they - like most good teams - can fall prey to what Clark Kellogg called "ceran-wrap defense."
This might be one of the worst years of Lute Olson's life, the Oregon victory nonwithstanding.
There are four mid-major teams in the Top 15, and Southern Illinois looks potentially legitimate.
Georgetown (full disclosure: my alma mater) is good, and the win streak is nice, and they may have the best 1-2 big man punch this side of Noah and Horford in America. Here's my concern: if I was a coach in the Big Sky, and I drew a 14 seed at a neutral site where I'd be playing the 3-seeded Hoyas, I'd study tape of the first half of both games Georgetown played against Villanova this year, then I'd copy that strategy and keep a game close in a random Midwest location where the odd fans are more likely to be rooting for the underdog. Basically, I'd press them and take away the middle. Although, that would make me sad, of course, so hopefully no one reads this.
Who let Oklahoma State near the Top 20? It's a shame, too, because that Curry-Bogan "Could have played for the last two national champions, but instead found themselves in Stillwater" would make for such a good "Road to the Final Four" feature, you know?
If Michigan State can split with Wisconsin and beat Indiana, then win 1-2 games in the Conference Tournament, do they make the Dance? And, if they do, do they make an Izzo-like run?
Is Al Thornton a first round pick in 2007? Consider his performance against UVA today. Also consider THIS:
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