March Madness

Rock Chalk Investigate a Jayhawk

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By Erich R Pilcher

Corruption runs rampant in society. While I do believe there is good in the world., I’m not naïve enough to think that everyone in a position of power obtained it by honorable means. I try to look for the good in everything, that includes sports, which I’m what you would call a “sports nut”.

Recently, my favorite time of the year ended, March Madness. Otherwise, known as the NCAA Tournament. In the end, the Kansas Jayhawks won the championship, overcoming many years of their toughness and resolve being questioned. They overcame a historic 15-point halftime deficit to claim the title and etch their names in history.

That is for the time being at least.

NCAA President Mark Emmert prepares to present the Kansas Jayhawks with the 2022 National Championship while investigating them for major NCAA Violations
Photo Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

Currently, the Jayhawks are under investigation by the NCAA dating back to 2019. The basketball program is cited for five-level one (the most severe allegations a university can be accused of) violations. The main accusations are that Head Coach Bill Self and Assistant Coach Kurtis Townsend partnered with Adidas (the schools athletic apparel sponsor) to, according to the statement of allegations, “Intentionally and willfully engaged in NCAA violations and blatantly disregarded the NCAA constitution and bylaws.” They are also accused of the dreaded and vague lack of institutional control.

Kansas head coach Bill Self speaks during a press conference before the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four at Caesars Superdome on March 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Photo Courtesy: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The investigation began three years ago. It also is not believed any current Kansas players are a part of the investigation. During a Final Four press conference Self stated that he felt the end was coming soon. The question here is what does that end entail? For that answer, we need a brief history lesson.

Former LSU coach Will Wade was fired on March 12, 2022 for reported NCAA Rules Violations
Photo Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

On March 12 (one day before Selection Sunday), Louisiana State University (LSU) fired Men’s Head Basketball Coach Will Wade following receipt of a notice of allegations that Wade provided impermissible benefits. This was the second set of allegations during Wade’s time as head coach. Yet, LSU was still allowed to compete in the NCAA tournament (They lost in the first round to Iowa State). Now, safe to say this appearance and season will be vacated by LSU as punishment. Also, all scholarship players have left the university, leaving the program in shambles, even before the NCAA brings down the hammer of punishment on the school.

The University of Michigan’s Fab Five (from left to right Jimmy King, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Ray Jackson) had all of their accomplishments wiped away due to NCAA rules violations. Photo Courtesy: Associated Press

Going back even further the University of Michigan had Final Four appearances in 1992 and 1993 vacated along with the season results from 1992-93, 1995-96, and 1998-99. They also removed banners commemorating the aforementioned two Final Four appearances, 1997 NIT championship, and 1998 Big Ten Tournament Championship. This stems from players taking money and other items from the late Michigan Booster Ed Martin (notably NBA Hall of Famer Chris Webber). Also, the school was prohibited from having the players from those teams on campus and being mentioned in record books for a period exceeding a decade.


There are many more tales I could tell. The result is some players had nothing to do with the misdeeds that were committed. They worked hard, “did it the right way” and so forth. To have their contributions removed because coaches and other players did not follow the rules is a grave injustice. The solution here is simple.

The NCAA must adopt a rule that if an athletic program is under investigation for major infractions, they are not eligible for postseason play. It does not matter if it is the cash cow of a program that is football or water polo. If they are being investigated, they stay home for the postseason, no questions asked. This would allow players to know upfront, before committing to a university, that the postseason is not an option. It would (hopefully) jumpstart the NCAA to conduct these investigations in a timely matter. And not allow the school the heartbreak of vacating wins and possible championships. Also, with the transfer portal being wide open, players can leave if an investigation is opened after they are with their team, without any eligibility concerns


The time has come for the NCAA to send a message that these investigations are serious. Over the past few years, I have flushed the naïve thought they are “Student-Athletes” they are not. They make billions for their respective universities and are mostly part of professional athlete training grounds. should be able to make money off their likeness (without the school’s influence, as is the current rule). But they should not be subject to the heartbreak of years down the road having their accomplishments and accolades stripped away for the misdeeds of others.

Admittedly, this does not solve the problem. It does not even scratch the surface. What it does do is make the NCAA proactive instead of reactive. A rule of this nature might make coaches think twice before breaking the rules to make an extra couple of million dollars in endorsements for a tainted championship.

Quite frankly, the fans, the students, and the players deserve better. It is time for the NCAA to deliver on that.

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March Madness: Final Four and National Championship Game Previews and Predicitions

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Here we are. The final weekend of the College Basketball season. Hard to believe that just two weeks ago 68 teams were vying to be the National Champion and now we are down to 4. There have been upsets, history made (a fifteen seed made the Elite Eight) and at the end of it all we have four historically great teams and one monumental, never before happened showdown.

FINAL FOUR PREVIEW

GAME 1: (1MW) KANSAS JAYHAWKS VS (2S) VILLANOVA WILDCATS 

TIP-OFF 6:09 PM EST 

Kansas Ochai Agbaji and Villanova’s Collin Gellespie leas thier teams against each other in the first game of the Final Four. Photo Courtesy: Sporting News

When this tournament first started, I had Kansas as one of my Final Four teams (my other three Gonzaga, Arizona, and Kentucky are all gone). This season there have been questions about Kansas’ toughness and consistency. Safe to say, those questions have been answered. They had a battle with undermanned Creighton in the second round, another struggle against Providence and then a dominant second half against Miami turned a deficit into a 26 point blowout. Kansas has leaned on its stars Ochai Agbaji, David McCormick, and Christian Braun. Arizona State transfer Remy Martin has meshed with the offense at the right time. Kansas is starting to look like the team that many had pegged to win it all. 

Villanova has flown under the radar for most of the season. They won the Big East Tournament behind the shooting of Senior Guard Collin Gillespie. The Wildcats have had to be gritty all season long. They only go 6-7 players deep and have lost second-leading scorer Justin Moore to a torn Achilles. On the surface, they should be in trouble. But head coach Jay Wright has been here before and knows how to the most out of his team in these situations.

What I see happening in this game is, Villanova cannot get into a track meet. They have to make this game slow and keep it a half-court game. Kansas is a strong defensive team (especially in this tournament). Gillespie must have a big game and the Wildcats have to find a way to get Kansas into foul trouble to even up the depth issue they will face. To combat this, Martin needs to be the star he is morphing into in this tourney. This takes the pressure off the other three stars and will allow them to operate freely. If this happens, Villanova will be in for a long night. 

I have a hard time picking against Wright. But, Kansas is playing so well right now and they seem destined to play Monday night. The loss of Moore is going to be monumental here and as good as Gillespie is, Kansas is more complete. I got the Jayhawks moving onto Monday night. 

PREDICTION: KANSAS JAYHAWKS 71 VILLANOVA WILDCATS 55

GAME 2: (2W) DUKE BLUE DEVILS VS (8E) NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS 

APPROX TIP OFF 7:49 PM (30 MINUTES FOLLOWING FIRST GAME)

Wendel Moore Jr of Duke drives against Leaky Black of North Carolina
Phot Courtesy: Getty Images

In history, there have been many rivalries and feuds. In college sports, it does not get any better than Duke and North Carolina. These two teams have had monumental battles throughout the ACC and Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski has no bigger rival than the Tar Heels. This is just purely poetic to have him face off with them in the Final Four in his final season. Add in the fact these two storied rivals have never faced in the NCAA Tournament and this is going to be a massively historic matchup. 

Duke has handled this being their legendary head coach’s final year throughout this season. At his point, it is safe to say they are used to it. Of greater concern is the fact that Carolina dominated Duke in Durham in the last game of the regular season for Coach K and his last home game. The Tar Heels did this using a frantic defense that kept Duke out of rhythm all night, especially Stars Paolo Banchero and Wendell Moore Jr. 

North Carolina is spearheaded by a three-pronged attack led by Armando Bacot, Leaky Black, and Brady Manex. During this tourney, the Tar Heels have played exception defense while shooting lights out. They have frustrated opponents by getting out to leads early and using their pace to take teams out of their game. 

Duke, much like Kansas, is showing their preseason promise. Banchero, Moore, and Mark Williams have been dominant this tournament and have shown that they are worthy of all the NBA hype they have received. Add in the rise of Trevor Keels and the timely hot hand of Jeremy Roach and the Blue Devils are a load to defend. If you zone them, they find the soft spots in the zone and get to the line. If you play man, their length is a mismatch because all five players can shoot from anywhere, and that threat allows them to drive the lane with impunity. 

The key is going to be, can North Carolina replicate their performance from Cameron? If they can disrupt Duke early and shake their confidence they can then rely on their three-headed monster to get out, run and force Duke to chase them around. If they cannot do this, Duke will be able to move the ball around and pick their shots. That will then allow them to set their defense and play their game at a moderate pace and wear down their rival. 

This game means everything in this rivalry. If UNC wins, they can say they ended Coach K’s career. If Duke wins they are one step closer to giving their coach a championship ending to his career. This will be ugly early with both teams feeling each other out. However, I think Duke will be too much and their newly found championship resolve will shine through. Banchero hits a late shot and the Blue Devils salt it away at the line. 

PREDICTION: DUKE BLUE DEVILS 68 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS 63

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: KANSAS JAYHAWKS VS DUKE BLUE DEVILS 

In 1992 when Duke won their first National Tittle they beat the Kansas Jayhawks. It was the first of 5 for Coach K and was the beginning of his ascent to greatness. 

These two teams are nearly identical. They both have star power, they both are playing phenomenally at the right time and both were preseason picks to be here (depending on who you listened to or what you read). 

The key to the game will be one thing. Fouls and mistakes. These two teams are reasonably deep, so whoever can get the other into foul trouble first will have a major advantage. Kansas does have issues of cold shooting and turning the ball over. Against Miami in the Elite Eight, Kansas had an eight-point deficit at the half. This was due to bad shot selection and turnovers. They were able to overcome this and win by 26 points. Against Duke, they won’t be able to turn the tide like that. I also feel that Duke’s starting five will be able to keep Kansas off the offensive glass and limit them to one-shot opportunities. Their size will also disrupt the offensive flow of Kansas and force them into mistakes. 

Finally, it will just be poetic for the greatest coach ever to win a championship in his final game against the team he beat for his first national title. Duke wins their sixth title in an explosive, nail-biting fashion. 

Coach Mike Krzyzewski cutting the nets down in 1991 after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks for his first national championship. History repeats itself for his final championship. Photo Courtesy: CBS Sports

PREDICTION: DUKE BLUE DEVILS 83 KANSAS JAYHAWKS 79

I hope everyone enjoys the conclusion to what has been an excellent college basketball season.  

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March Madness: Rounds one and two recap. Sweet Sixteen preview.

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By Erich R Pilcher

My picks. Red equals wrong, sadly for me. Grahpic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

We are one weekend into the tournament and I have good news and bad news. The good, I still have three of my Final Four teams left. The bad news is my bracket is a battlefield of red. I’m sitting in ninth place out of fifteen in my bracket contest. So, I return a broken and defeated man to give some analysis and predictions that will, no doubt, blow up in my face.

ANALYSIS OF ROUNDS ONE AND TWO

Saint Peters Peacocks after upsetting college basketball blue bloods Kentucky in the first round.
Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

The East Region: If there was ever anything that led to the chaos of this tournament it is this region. Gone are seeds one (Baylor) and two (Kentucky, to upset darlings Saint Peter’s). I picked Kentucky to win this region and they are gone. This region is wide open. North Carolina looked impressive, UCLA appears to have found their mojo from last season at around this time, and Purdue, with the most explosive player in the country Jaden Ivey. This region is up for grabs and will be the most entertaining this week. 

Kansas Jayhawks guard Remy Martin celebrates fater a big play against the Creighton BlueJays
Photo Courtesy: Google Images

Toughness and resolve: These two words are required to win this tournament and two college basketball blue-bloods, showed they have it in their second-round contests. The Kansas Jayhawks were in a battle with the Creighton BlueJays. Creighton was vastly undermanned and it looked like another disappointing end for Kansas. But through Remy Martin and David McCormick, they found that toughness needed to thwart Creighton and move on. 

For the Duke Blue Devils, they were playing for more than to advance. They were playing to keep the career of their legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski going (he is retiring when this season ends). Michigan State showed they were up to the task of battling the very talented Blue Devils matching them blow for blow throughout the game. I called Duke immature in my preview and felt they were too inconsistent. But they, like Kansas, showed they are ready for March and can officially be called a threat to cut down the nets. 

Big Ten shows up small: When the Big Ten had nine of the 12 teams make the field, people thought that they would be assured of one or two teams making a run to the Final Four. After the first two rounds, only two teams remain (Michigan and Purdue). I have always believed that conferences that get a majority of their teams into the dance are ripe to be picked off early. That is because they are in a dogfight every game of their conference season. Then they have the conference tourney and finally make it to the NCAA tournament where they could be up against a team that has had an easier go of it, more reset, and have had more time to prepare. That is what has happened here. The Big Ten might have been the best conference this season, but that does not translate to success in March. 

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE SWEET SIXTEEN AND POSSIBLE ELITE EIGHT MATCHUPS

Best Game: Duke Blue Devils against Texas Tech Red Raiders is going to be a contrast of differences. Texas Tech relies on a lockdown defense and Duke relies on scoring and hot shooting to win games. Can Duke use the resolve and experience gained from the Michigan State game to take out one of the top defenses in the country? A better question is can Texas Tech win a shootout against the Blue Devils and handle the depth they present? I feel talent will win out here and give Duke the edge. However, this Wis going to be the most entertaining game of the Sweet Sixteen.

North Carolina’s Armando Bacot drives the lane against the Baylor Bears in the Tar Heels upset victory in the scond round of the NCAA Tournament. Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Upset Special:  I have been very impressed with North Carolina so far in this tournament. I know they blew a twenty-five-point lead to Baylor (worst Flagrant 2 foul call I have ever seen) but they did end up winning and seem to be meshing at the right time. UCLA is a tough match-up but I look at Armando Bacot and Leaky Black to push the tempo and do just enough defensively to propel the Tar Heels into the Elite Eight. 

THURSDAY SWEET SIXTEEN GAMES (picks are in bold):

(1W)Gonzaga Bulldogs vs (4W) Arkansas Razorbacks 6:09 PM CST

(11S)Michigan Wolverines vs (2S)Villanova Wildcats 6:29 PM CST 

(3W) Texas Tech vs (2W) Duke Blue Devils 8:39 PM CST

(5S) Houston Cougars vs (1S) Arizona Wildcats 8:59 PM CST

FRIDAY SWEET SIXTEEN GAMES (picks are in bold):

(15E)Saint Peters vs (3E) Purdue Boilermakers 6:09 PM CST

(1MW) Kansas Jayhawks vs (4MW) Providence Friars 6:29 PM CST 

(8E) North Carolina vs (4E) UCLA 8:39 PM CST

(11MW) Iowa State vs (10MW) Miami Hurricanes 8:59 PM CST 

I hope everyone enjoys the games this week. I will be back next Monday with my Final Four preview.

From a Dream to a Nightmare

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By Erich R Pilcher

“I know you won’t believe me when I say this, but I wish kids, especially black kids, didn’t dream so much about playing in the NBA”

-NBA Hall of Famer/Turner Basketball in-studio analyst Charles Barkley

Those are the words Barkley wrote in the introduction of the book Hoop Dreams, which acts as a companion to the landmark documentary with the same name (this was reviewed on Matt Connarton Unleashed this week). Barkley would explain that while it is good to chase your dream, he has seen so many that could have done anything because of how smart they were. However, because they were only focused on basketball, when that was over they had nothing to fall back on.

A recent picture of the two stars of the 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams, William Gates and Arthur Agee.
Photo Courtesy: Dallas Morning News

For the film’s two stars William Gates and Arthur Agee, they never made it to the NBA. But, due to the film were able to improve the lives of their families. If you have ever watched a college sporting event you have seen the commercial where the NCAA touts that “98% of our athletes become professionals in things other than sports”.

While that is accurate, it does not tell the whole story. Sometimes these youngsters chase the dream of playing professional sports and when it does not happen for whatever reason may be, their flameout is often as bright and explosive as their meteoric rise. There are these tales sprinkled throughout the sport’s lore of these athletes. I have selected some that will show when a sports dream is shattered, life sometimes is not far behind.

This cover of Sports Illustrated launched Sebastian Telfair’s hype into the stratosphere. Sadly, the hype was never realized due to many issues. Photo Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

Sebastian Telfair: Telfair was the number one ranked player in the country in 2004 and committed to play for the University of Louisville. However, following being on the cover of Sports Illustrated and a neighborhood shooting that claimed the life of a friend, Telfair turned pro. He was drafted by the Trail Blazers in the first round, despite his diminutive size (6’0 on a good day). He became a starter but was not able to produce at a pro-level. He played for 11 different teams in the United States and China over his 13-year career that was plagued with legal issues and questions about his maturity. On October 7, 2021, he was among 18 players indicted for defrauding the NBA health and welfare benefit plan. The case is still pending. 

Lawerence Phillips shortly after being drafted by the St Louis Rams despite a criminal history while in college. Photo Courtesy: USA Today

Lawrence Phillips: For three seasons Phillips was arguably the best Running Back in college football. While playing at the University of Nebraska he rushed for 3,102 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also ran afoul of the legal system. He broke into a teammate’s apartment and violently assaulted an ex-girlfriend by smashing her head into a mailbox. Despite this, he was drafted by the Saint Louis Rams with the sixth overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft. While he did show flashes of brilliance, Phillips could not avoid his legal demons. During his two years with the Rams, he spent 23 days in jail. He was cut after storming out of the team facility when he learned he was being demoted. Later he signed with the Miami Dolphins. They cut him after he assaulted an adult dancer at a club. Then San Francisco took a gamble, but his work ethic and attitude were so bad the team paid him to not play. Phillips was sentenced to ten years in prison in October 2008 for running three teenagers over with his car. Then in 2015 Phillips’ cellmate was found dead and he was charged with murder. On January 12, 2016, while in segregated custody awaiting, Phillips tragically committed suicide by hanging himself. 

The list could go on and on. The reason I bring this up is with the NCAA Tournament starting when rooting for our favorite players or teams, when their run ends, we cannot stop rooting for these athletes. We should root for their continued success after athletics. Because to live a stellar life is far better than having a shattered one because of an unrealized, narrow-minded dream that has manifested into a nightmare. 

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March Madness Preview: Final Four and National Championship game

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By Erich R Pilcher

We are a little over 24 hours from the start of March Madness. Today I will make my Final Four selections and pick my National Champion. Without further ado, let’s get started.

WEST REGION WINNER VS EAST REGION WINNER

The Match-up: I predicted that the Gonzaga Bulldogs (West Region one seed) would take on the Kentucky Wildcats (East Region two seed).

 Game Analysis: Kentucky Head Basketball Coach John Calipari has been one of the most successful coaches using the “one and done” philosophy. However this season he has experience on his side. This has led to Kentucky having the most efficient offense in the SEC. The problem has been injuries and the team not meshing well throughout the season. Those issues appear to be resolved (their semi-final loss to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament Semi-fInal non-withstanding). Oscar Tshiebwe is the driving force in their efficient offense. He gathers 40% of the Wildcat’s missed shots when he is in the game. Couple in three starters averaging over double digits, this team can spread the ball around and score. Issues have been defensive lapses and turnovers. Also if Tshiebwe is off the floor, they do not have a major interior presence. 

What can I say about the Gonzaga Bulldogs that has not already been said? The answer is not much. They have been the most consistent team throughout this roller-coaster season. They are also well-rounded they rank in the top 10 for both defensive and offensive efficiency. This coupled with two excellent shooting bigs, Chet Holmgren and Drew Timme, creates matchup nightmares for many teams in the country. These two can shoot and make it from anywhere. On the other end, they pressure teams with a frantic defense that forces bad shots. If they get on a roll they are nearly unstoppable. 

The Prediction: Unlike many college basketball pundits, I’m a John Calipari fan. I truly believe he gets the most out of his players while he has them and then moves them to the NBA. Because of this, him having an experienced team will be a benefit here. The problem I see is Tshiebwe will have to be a perimeter defender at key points because of Holmgren and Timme, that has not been a recipe for success for Kentucky. The longer the Wildcats can keep him in the paint, the better off they will be. Sadly, I do not think they can do it long enough to win this game. I look for the ‘Zags to go on a late run to put this game away and move onto the National Championship game.

I predict Gonzaga will beat Kentucky in the first Final Four match-up
Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

Gonzaga:78 Kentucky: 65 

SOUTH REGION WINNER VS MIDWEST REGION WINNER

The Match-up: I predicted that the Arizona Wildcats (South Region one seed) would take on the Kansas Jayhawks (Midwest Region one seed). 

Game Analysis: The Arizona Wildcats were not a pick to be in this position when the season started. You would have been remiss to find anyone picking them to make any postseason tournament at all. Led by a first-year head coach, NCAA Infractions hanging over them. However, coach Tommy Lloyd has the Wildcats primed for a major run. They shoot the ball exceptionally well (shooting 49% from the field) and have a three-headed monster of future NBA talent Azoulas Tubelis, Christian Koloko, and Bennedict Mathurin. They also defend well ranking in the top 15 of defensive efficiency. 

The Kansas Jayhawks are just as experienced as they are talented. NBA Prospects Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun led the way for the Jayhawks. They also have a great supporting cast around them. They make 56% of their shots from the field. But they do have a fatal flaw, they only regularly play 6 guys. This and coming out of the toughest region in this year’s tournament could be a problem come Final Four time. If Remy Martin can play consistently (something that has plagued him following his transfer from Arizona State this season) that will help with the depth issue and take the focus off of Agbaji and Braun. 

The Prediction: This is going to be a battle of attrition. Neither team has a deep bench so early fouls will be something to watch out for. The team that avoids this trouble will have a major edge in the game late. I do like this Kansas squad. They have been resilient and played well against top competition. What I do not like is after Braun and Agbaji, they miss someone who can step up and take the load off of them. I think Arizona will be more well-rounded in this game and cause problems with their three talented players. This will be a nail bitter, but I take Arizona late. 

I have Arizona continuing thier improbable season, defeating Kansas and moving onto the National Title game. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

Arizona: 68 Kansas: 63

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

The Match-up: I predicted the Gonzaga Bulldogs (West Region one seed) would take on the Arizona Wildcats (South Region one seed). 

The Prediction: I’m skipping the analysis here because I feel that both of these teams have been well covered throughout this three-part preview. The key is going to be, can Arizona find a way to combat the size of Timme and Holmgren. Also, experience is monumental in this situation. Gonzaga has been here two out of the past four years. They have been knocking on this door for quite some time. I would be remiss to not add Arizona Head Coach Tommy Lloyd was hired away from Gonzaga, so he has experience in these situations. But that does not translate to team experience. I just do not see any way the ‘zags do not cut down the nets this year. All season they have been the most consistent team and have been playing towards this moment after being destroyed by Baylor in last year’s title game. Arizona will hang around but Holmgren and Timme take over in the second half and end any suspense. Gonzaga will be your 2022 National Champions. 

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will be the last team standing this year. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

Gonzaga: 78 Arizona: 71

I will be live-tweeting throughout the NCAA Tournament. Feel free to follow me at Erpilcher319 or access tweets on the right-hand side of this page (tweet feed on this blog is only available on laptop or desktop viewing). Also, feel free to comment on any of these posts when my bracket goes up in flames by the end of this weekend. Finally, please enjoy the madness.

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March Madness Preview: South and Midwest Regions

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By Erich R Pilcher

Here we are with day two of the NCAA Tournament breakdown. Next, we will look at the South and Midwest regions. Then Tomorrow, I break down my Final Four picks (that will inevitably go down in flames after the first weekend). 

SOUTH REGION PREVIEW 

The South Region Bracket. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

The Top Seed: The Arizona Wildcats from the PAC 10 claimed the one seed in quite the improbable run. They are led by first-time head coach Tommy Lloyd and had the burden of NCCA infractions hanging over them from former Head Coach Sean Miller. They are led by Bennedict Mathurin and have two other NBA-ready stars in Christian Koloko and Azoulas Tubelis. They are incredibly efficient on both sides of the floor and have excelled against top competition. They hold 15 wins over Quad 1 and 2 opponents. This includes a sweep of the PAC-10 Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships. 

Upset Special: I think in the round of 32 we see a 12 vs 13 seed match-up. I’m picking UAB to upset Houston and Chattanooga to upset Illinois. Houston plays a style that is exactly what UAB wants. And when UAB has been in the tournament, they have made some noise. Illinois, despite winning the Big Ten regular-season championship, has been disappointing this season. I feel there are better teams in the Big 10 than Illinois and just feel that Chattanooga is going to play with no fear and force the vaunted Illinois front line to defend on the perimeter and that has been trouble for the Illini. 

Possible Dark Horse: In yesterday’s post I questioned Michigan avoiding a play-in game. However, make no mistake, they are a good team. They can defend and can go on hot streaks shooting-wise. Where they have struggled is with turnovers and inexperience. This would be a good spot to show everyone they deserve to be in the tournament and being doubted can be a major motivator. 

Best Game: I like the possible Sweet Sixteen match-up between Tennessee and Villanova. There is a saying that “Styles make fights” and that applies here. Tennessee has played stellar defense throughout the season. Then we know what Villanova wants to do, they want to get out, run and shoot the lights out. This is a standard whoever imposes their will first wins. And it will be for our entertainment certainly. 

Region Winner: The Arizona Wildcats. I struggled with this. I think Tennessee could very well win this region as well. But the Wildcats have been more consistent throughout the season and I think the three stars they have are going to be too much for the Volunteers to overcome. Expect a very entertaining Elite Eight contest between the two, don’t be surprised if Tennessee guts out a win. I feel Arizona is the pick with the slightest of edges. 

My South region picks. I have Arizona winning this region. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

MIDWEST REGION PREVIEW 

The Midwest Region bracket. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

The Top Seed: The Kansas Jayhawks. Tell me if you have heard this before, Kansas sweeps the Big 12 conference regular season and tournament championships. You have because it has become normal and not the exception. Kansas Head Coach Bill Self has run one of the most consistent programs in the last 15 plus years. This year they are loaded with veteran talent and great shooting. They do tend to sag off on defense a bit and can become turnover prone. But if they are clicking they are one of the toughest teams to beat in the nation. 

Upset Special: This bracket might have the best top five teams in it (Kansas, Auburn, Wisconsin, Providence, and Iowa). All season I have felt the Auburn Tigers were a tad overrated. They do not have stellar guard play and in March that can be a fatal flaw. Enter the University of Southern California (USC). They have great play all-around at the guard position and this could be big trouble for Auburn. They can get the Tigers frontline into foul trouble, then attack the inside. I’m taking the Trojans to upset Auburn in the Round of 32. 

Possible Dark Horse: There was a time when whoever won the Big East was feared in the tournament. But after having many teams leave the conference, they have become an afterthought. However, regular-season conference champion Providence Friars are not a team anyone wants to play. They do not have any superstars or play flashy. What they do have is 5 players that average double-digit points and they find ways to win big games (they hold wins over Wisconsin, Texas Tech, and Connecticut). That is the biggest truth in March, survive and advance.

Best Game:  The possible second-round match-up between Iowa and Providence. You have two nearly identical teams. Iowa has the star power with Keegan Murray and sharpshooting from Jordan Bohannon. Where the Hawkeyes struggle is defensively and when you are playing a team like Providence that shares the ball well and anyone can score, that can hurt you. This will be a battle but Providence doing the little things well gives them the edge. 

Region Winner: The Kansas Jayhawks. I do not think they will have an issue being motivated in this region. I try to avoid going “chalk”, but this year I feel that the tournament was seeded mostly (ahem, Tennessee Volunteers as a 3 seed?) correctly. Kansas has been generally consistent this season and did not show signs of slowing down in the Big 12 conference tournament. Their veteran leadership and being battle-tested will pay dividends playing in arguably the toughest region. 

My Midwest Region picks. I have Kansas marching on to the Final Four. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

Join me here tomorrow as I make my Final Four and National Champion picks.

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March Madness Preview: West and East Regions

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By Erich R Pilcher

The madness has arrived. As we count down until Thursday at noon eastern when the first game tips off (play-in games on Tuesday and Wednesday non-withstanding) there will be analysis upon analysis and predictions galore. So, if you will indulge me, I will throw my hat into the ring.

Today I will be taking a look at the East and West regions with predictions and regional winners. However, first I will give my opinions on the bracket. 

If these are the numbers the NCAA Selection Comitteee basis thier chocies on, they must explain leaving Texas A & M out of the Big Dance. Graphic Courtesy of Bracketologists.com

Left Out: I thought Texas A&M did enough to play their way into the tournament. And the numbers would agree with that. When you look at their NET rating it is better than Notre Dame, Wyoming, and Rutgers. Their Strength of Schedule (SOS) is better than Wyoming and Notre Dame. The only argument against them would be their Quad One record (4-10, but identical to Notre Dame percentage-wise). However, their overall profile and the way they played in the SEC tournament would dictate they should have gone dancing.

Michigan Head Basketball Coach Juwan Howard led Michigan back to the tournament despite playing the seventh toughest schedule in the country, a 17-14 record and a late season suspension for striking an opposing coach. Photo Courtesy: Michigan Live

Seeding Gripe: Two teams were miss seeded in opposite directions. Michigan, was seeded as an 11 seed and missed a play in-game. In their last game, they blew a 17 point lead against Indiana (selected to a play in-game) and have been inconsistent throughout the season. Their resume was their saving grace. They have the seventh toughest schedule in the country and went 8-13 against Quad 1 and 2 opponents. I feel their record (17-14) and the way the season finished should have put them in the play-in situation. 

On the flip side Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament champion Tennessee Volunteers should have bumped Kentucky from the two-line. They are a three-seed but went 4-1 against Auburn (regular-season conference champion) and Kentucky (who they beat in the Conference Tournament semifinals) that alone should have allowed them to overtake one of them for a two seed. 

Will Wade was fired by LSU the day before Selection Sunday after major NCAA violations were alleged.
Photo Courtesy: Atlanata Journal Democrat

Why are they in: Louisiana State University (LSU) fired Head Coach Will Wade on Saturday after the school was notified by the NCAA of mass improprieties alleged against him and his staff. They were selected to take part in the tournament. No doubt the student-athletes worked hard to get here and from what we know, none of the current players were involved in wrongdoing. But why have them take part in a tournament when the appearance will more than likely, just be vacated once the NCAA concludes their investigation? That is an answer that has not been given and sadly these players will feel the hurt of their accomplishments being wiped away, albeit delayed. 

WEST REGION PREVIEW 

The West Bracket. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

The Top Seed: The Gonzaga Bulldogs suffered no hangover from their destruction at the hand of Baylor in the National Title game last season. Behind Freshman Chet Holmgren and veteran Andrew Timme the Bulldogs appear to be more complete than they were last season. They were dependent on strong guard play last season this year they can shoot from anywhere on the court and defend. There is no mistake with them being the overall top seed. 

Upset Special: Cal State Fullerton over the Duke Blue Devils. This Duke team (In Mike Krzyzewski’s final season) is one of the most talented in the nation. They have 4 probable NBA first-round picks led by Paolo Banchero. However, talent doesn’t always win out in March. This Duke team is inexperienced and has shown major immaturities. These parallels remind me of the Duke teams that lost to Lehigh and Mercer. I feel the same happens here. Duke loses in the first round.

Possible Dark Horse: Texas Tech did not miss a beat when Head Coach Chris Bard departed for rival Texas. They can defend and shoot. The issue is can they shoot it consistently to match up with an offensive powerhouse. The defense will get them to the Elite Eight. But, there is Gonzaga and that inconsistent shooting is hard to overcome against them. But they can play against anyone. 

Best Game: The probable Elite Eight match-up between Texas Tech and Gonzaga will be the best in this region. You have two teams that can score and play defense. It will be a war of attrition and entertainment. Despite Texas Tech being really good they are not exceptional. So that leads to…

Region Winner: The Gonzaga Bulldogs have been the most consistent top team in the country this season. Honestly, I do not see a team that if they are playing to their potential and talent that can match up with them in this region. They might have a close call or two (Texas Tech comes to mind) but in the end, they will be on their way to the Final Four. 

The West Region as I see it. Gonzaga will be headed to the Final Four. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

EAST REGION PREVIEW 

The East Region Bracket: Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

The Top Seed: The Baylor Bears are the defending National Champions. Throughout this season they have shown the heart of a champion. They have overcome injuries and lost players from last year’s squad. They certainly look the part behind Flow Thamba and others. They are not as deep as they were last year. However, to discount them would be a mistake

Upset Special: Virginia Tech over Texas. The Hokies started championship week on the outside looking in on the NCAA tournament. All they did was win four games in four days. And beat the top three teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament on their way to an improbable conference tournament championship. For their troubles, they were awarded an 11 seed and a match-up against Texas. They are playing so well and have momentum on their side. This continues with the upset here 

Possible Dark Horse: Saint Mary’s dominated Gonzaga in a late-season match-up. Despite Gonzaga beating them in the conference tournament final, they are a great team. They defend well and work hard on every possession. Teams will need to give their best effort to beat the Gales. Do not be shocked if they find their way to the regional final. 

Best Game:  The possible sweet sixteen match-up between Kentucky and Purdue will be an offensive slugfest. Jaden Ivey from Purdue can score from anywhere on the court and might be the most explosive player in the country. He can close down on the basket very quickly and is a big body that can finish strong. Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe will be waiting for him. This man is a double-double machine and leads the country in rebounds averaging about 15 per game. Kentucky has had spells of not shooting well and Purdue is not the defensive team they have been. This match-up is great because it is dependent on who overcomes their weaknesses more. 

Region Winner: The Kentucky Wildcats. Being the two seed Kentucky is gifted with not having to see a thin Baylor Bears team until the Elite Eight. when they could be quite worn down (if they make it that far, see my picks below). Coach John Calipari has this team playing well at the right time and is in the weakest bracket. This bodes well for the Wildcats to march onto the Final Four. 

My East Region Picks. I have Kentucky winning this region. Graphic Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

Join me here tomorrow as I look at the South and Midwest regions.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Pilchers Point March Madness Coverage

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It is that time of the year, Bracket Busters, Cinderellas, Upsets, Buzzer Beaters and so much more become a part of our everyday world. March Madness is upon us.

This is my FAVORITE time of the year and to celebrate(sleep and sanity can wait) this site will have wall-to-wall coverage of the tournament.

Starting on March 14, I will be doing a post breaking down two regions (so two on the 14 and two on the 15) in these posts I will break down each region, upsets, and other interesting tidbits I may have.
Then on the 16th, I will break down my Final Four predictions and championship pick.

Once the madness starts (on the 17), I will be live-tweeting (click here to follow me) as best as I can throughout the day. Then each Monday, I will break down the action from the previous four days and write the obituary of my certainly busted bracket.

On March 18, I will be reviewing one of the most heralded documentaries of all time, Hoop Dreams for Matt Connarton Unleashed on WMNH Radio. This film follows two men for their four-year high school career as they try to overcome poverty and tragedy to achieve their dream of making it to the NBA. Also, Friday will be a blog post looking at those that tried to achieve the same dream and it turned into a nightmare.

I hope you join me. Please read, comment and let us discuss this most maddening and joyful time of the year!

MARCH MADNESS COVERAGE SCHEDULE:

Monday March 14, 2022 East and West Bracket Breakdown and Predictions
Tuesday March 15, 2022 South and Midwest Bracket Breakdown and Predictions
Wednsday March 16, 2022 Final Four and Championship Game Breakdown and Predictions
Thursday March 17, 2022 The Tournament Begins with live tweeting. Follow me here ERPilcher319
Friday March 18, 2022 Hoop Dreams Film Review for Matt Connarton Unleahed on WMNH Radio.
Friday March 18, 2022 New Blog Post tying into th Classic Film Review, When a Dream Becomes a Nightmare
Monday March 21, 2022 Blog Post breaking down all the action of the first two rounds and Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight analysis.

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When March Loses it’s Madness

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By Erich R Pilcher

March.

This month alone brings hopes of spring. It takes us away from the doldrums of winter. Our clocks spring ahead an hour, we start thinking about summer vacations, college students entering spring break, and so forth. It is a great time of the year. It also brings us one of, if not the greatest event in all sports. The National Collegiate Association of America (NCAA) Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Or, commonly known as March Madness.

Every year 68 teams compete over three weeks in a single-elimination tournament period to crown the National Champion. There are magical moments, stars are born, upsets happen, buzzer-beaters and Cinderella teams. It is pure magic. It encapsulates all that is beautiful and elegant in the world of sports. To have such a great event, there must be a magical voice to tell the audience the story. Sadly, one of those voices will not be around this season and it dampens the magical madness a great deal.

Dick Vitale with Joe Boyle during one of the first college basketball broadcast in the networks history.
Photo Courtesy: ESPN

Richard John Vitale, known as “Dickie V” has been a college basketball analyst mainstay since 1979 when his coaching career ended when he was a part of ESPN’s first college basketball broadcast. For the next 40 plus years, Vitale would provide the soundtrack to the college basketball season. His unique voice and catchphrases would become a part of common vernacular.

“Diaper Dandies (talented freshman), “P.T.P’er”(prime time player or great player), “Dipsey Doo Dunkeroo” (an exciting dunk), “Super Scintillating, Sensational (said when a great play occurs or to describe a great player) and “Awesome baby” (used to show excitement), among many others. You more than likely have heard these phrases because they don’t even just transcend basketball, they transcend sports, they have become a part of society. That just shows the popularity Vitale has due to his passion and knowledge.

Dick Vitale preparing for one of his cancer treatments.
Photo Courtesy: New York Post

This past August, Vitale announced he was undergoing treatment for a melanoma that had been discovered by doctors. Then in October (right before the start of college basketball season) Vitale was diagnosed with Lymphoma and sought treatment. He made his triumphant and emotional return to the booth in a Final Four rematch between Gonzaga and UCLA. He cried pregame, but he delivered a performance that was the standard of Vitale. It was as if the world returned to normal. Dickie V had reclaimed his throne.

Dick Vitale would make his emotional return to college basketball. Commentating the blockbuster early season matchup between Gonzaga and UCLA.
Phot Courtesy: AP

Sadly, it was short-lived. January 24 Vitale announced via Twitter (following his absence after the aforementioned game) that he was diagnosed with dysplasia on his vocal cords and would need to rest. This effectively ended the season for Vitale. Despite this Vitale has been active on Twitter giving analysis that is on a character limit. But because of Vitale’s limitless knowledge, drive and passion he gives the people what they want within those character limits. Because Vitale has limitless character.

When speaking of Vitale, one would be remiss to not speak of his charitable endeavors. With the same love, joy, and passion he exudes in college basketball broadcast, he does for the V Foundation (click the link to donate). Named after the late North Carolina State Head Coach James “Jimmy” Valvano or Jimmy V (his 1983 team won the national title with an epic upset of the Houston Cougars in the title game). Vitale has worked tirelessly to raise over 290 million dollars for cancer research. Most notable 100% of every penny raised goes to cancer research.

To me, this college basketball season has felt a touch empty without Vitale. So many moments have felt diminished without his exuberance, his excitement, and his love. This March those catchphrases that echoed through our television speakers and brought unbridled excitement to the game are not there. There will be no Dickie V upset special picks on Selection Sunday and no overwhelming joy when Cinderella strikes a sledgehammer to a majority of the nation’s brackets breaking them and the pieces falling to a faint memory.

However, at this time of the year, I do not think Vitale would want us to be sad and glum. He would want us to be excited, to enjoy the madness. To embrace next three weeks. Vitale recently announced he has already won March Madness, his doctors advised he is cancer free. So as we watch let’s loosen vocal cords and in our best Dickie V voice scream “Awesome Baby” at our televisions. Because even if this March will not be the same without him, it is only because no March has been the same because of him.

WRITERS NOTE: I myself have lost many family members to the horrible disease that is cancer. In honor of Dick Vitale being cancer free, or if you have lost anyone to this disease, I would like to ask you to click the link below to donate to the V Foundation. You can contribute in the memory of someone you have lost, do it in your name or remain anonymous. Remember, 100% of ALL DONATIONS go to cancer research. Any amount helps. Thank you for your consideration.

https://donate.v.org/give/353765/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=Homepage&c_src2=DonateButton