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It's the Sweet Sixteen show
10 Plays6 days ago
Don and quest host Gary Cromwell go over the first weekend and preview what's to come. And of course, with a couple of boys from Illinois, there is some Illini talk at the end. Sit back and tune in!
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Transcript
Introduction and NCAA Report Overview
00:00:00
Speaker
This is Gateway Sports. Ladies and gentlemen, I've got a couple questions for you. Do you love college sports as much as I do? Are you always wondering where you can find the latest NCAA reports?
00:00:13
Speaker
Will you come to the right place? Welcome, Sports Fan, to the NCAA report with Don Enron. Gee, that sounds kind of interesting.
00:00:27
Speaker
Ready to win the game.
00:00:40
Speaker
For
00:00:46
Speaker
the win, in the air, it is up and it is good! Look at the air, look at the hang time, look at the flying motion.
00:01:04
Speaker
Look at his head above the rim.
00:01:24
Speaker
A confident young man, a superb athlete. To infinity and beyond.
00:02:06
Speaker
Call on the field stands. Touchdown.
00:02:29
Speaker
You've got to get it done.
00:02:42
Speaker
Pay attention, son. This is for your own good.
Co-Host Introduction and Sweet 16 Predictions
00:02:45
Speaker
The moment you've all been waiting for, here they are, your favorite hosts, Don Glenn and Russ Robinson.
00:02:56
Speaker
Well, thank you to Devin Tyner for that wonderful introduction, as he does always. Well, hell, I've got on recording, so do it right every time. Anyway, this is the NCAA Report with Don and Russ.
00:03:07
Speaker
And Russ so is out on assignment. So, as you guys met him last last time, last show, I have with me Gary Cromwell. We're going to go back over the NCAA tournament so far, ah kind of review what we said was going to happen and what actually happened. Some cases we were right, some cases we weren't. Welcome to the show again, Gary. Good evening, Don. Appreciate you having me on and again. Hello, everybody out there, and welcome to the beautiful March Monday night.
00:03:37
Speaker
Yes, this is Monday evening. right All the games are over with, or well, for the weekend anyway. So, a couple of things before we start out with our picks. A couple of the oddities I've noticed in this Sweet 16. You got a couple right.
00:03:53
Speaker
Well, there's that. Oh, okay. That's part of it. But the other part is, we actually have six Big Ten teams in the Sweet 16, and Illinois...
00:04:06
Speaker
has played eight of the teams in the Sweet 16. That is absolutely true. couple of different oddities there that I think we'll explore later as we go down. So pretty much what we had going, what we had for our Sweet 16 was a couple of reasons were little different.
Tournament Surprises and Game Strategies
00:04:28
Speaker
So our Sweet 16, as we came up with it, we both agreed on Duke, St. John's, Michigan State, and UConn. And already one of the hosts is now gone by the wayside.
00:04:40
Speaker
ah We also agreed on on ah Florida, Nebraska, Illinois, and Houston. We agreed on Arizona. Gary had Arkansas while I had Wisconsin.
00:04:52
Speaker
And Gary took the took the split. He took Texas and b or BYU. I took Gonzaga. He took Mizzou, and I took Purdue. So we've kind of mixed and matched on that one. And then for the South, or no, midwest Midwest, it was, we both agreed on Michigan, Texas Tech, Virginia, and Iowa State.
00:05:17
Speaker
And I do need to make a correction for my last one. I was saying Gonzaga all the time, and I had Purdue beating Gonzaga, so my mistake on that one from the last week. So anyway, so this is Sweet 16s. We came up with it.
00:05:31
Speaker
uh, obviously a couple of games didn't go your way or my way. um and I think the one that's that, I don't know if it's the most shocking one, but the one that did surprise me was, Iowa over Yukon.
00:05:45
Speaker
Florida. Florida. Excuse me. Uh, I was just going to know real quick in the first round, i just had a couple, uh, noted, uh, I thought Sienna played really well against Duke. Yes. And and stayed with them all the way, really, until the end. And, and ah ah you know, Duke pulled it out 71-65. The State, TCU was a good game. And another kind of down to the end, sort of a, not a buzzer beater, but right in the final few seconds.
00:06:16
Speaker
um And the... ah one that kind of affected us, the yeah VCU North Carolina overtime game coming from 19 down. That was hell a hell of run by VCU. It really was. That was really a good run. yeah It was. and ah And then the High Point Wisconsin game. ah Well, I did not have that one on my bingo card. I'm not sure many people did. um But, boy, they they, you know, well, they won and played really good, stayed right in there the whole time, didn't let any separation get too far. And, ah you know, Boyd, who we know very well, and Blackwell, ah Boyd played really good, 27 points.
00:06:56
Speaker
But I think the last three possessions, I think Wisconsin may want to have back. He kind of took it upon himself to win the game and did not. Did not, no doubt. And and actually, High Point played very good in their next game, too. They did, yes. ah Right there again, you know, with Arkansas. And Calipari did not take them lightly. No. He he said, you know, they can play. You know, you just got to stay in the moment. and not look ahead. You're looking to play one team and that team doesn't show up. You're playing the other team. Right.
00:07:24
Speaker
So, uh, so that's, that was some notes from, from the first round I thought was, uh, interesting. And then you, the second round games, uh, yesterday, the the, over the weekend was, was pretty good. Had a few, had a few. There were, never brilliant um, anything stand out to you in the second, in the second weekend, uh, actually, yes, in a sense, um, was, uh, Bama,
00:07:49
Speaker
taking down Texas Tech. I did not see a 25-point win in that. No. I mean, i really i mean that was – it wasn't so much that Bama actually won the game because they are still – even even you know without without one of their better players, they're still a a pretty good team.
00:08:05
Speaker
But to take to take Texas Tech by 25 was just – I thought – Yeah. I hated to say Topp and not in this tournament. I really enjoyed him playing last year's tournament. when they went on a deep run and I'm not sure that would have affected the outcome. yeah You know, you never know, but yeah, I really was really surprised on a 25 point win.
00:08:24
Speaker
The St. John's, Kansas, St. John's, that Kansas couldn't get the ball in bounds. No, they had 16 turnovers. And and I, Don, I've never seen so many air balls in one game.
00:08:39
Speaker
I know you played. at Homer, the legendary high school in Homer. Well, yeah. You know. That was only my sophomore years. you know I know. I know. But, yeah. It was just, I thought it was incredible, just bad shooting basketball at the first half. But all the fans got the inning they wanted.
00:09:01
Speaker
Another buzzer beater. Another play with the buzzer. The Ottawa-Florida game. sorry Speaking about that buzzer beater, how cool is it? that that's the only two points in the game that ah Dylan scored was that layup at the end with with half a second to go.
00:09:19
Speaker
If you're ever to get the scorebook, it might just be that. That's key enough way to do it, you know? And I think they say that's the only time in NCAA history a game-winning shot was made, was made or the game-winning shot that was made was made by the man who only made the one shot.
00:09:36
Speaker
So that was that was... Heck of an ending with the two good coaches and St. John's moves on. The Iowa-Florida game was just crazy. ah Iowa just kind of kept turning over Florida.
00:09:50
Speaker
i I thought Florida might get them there late. Iowa's kind of playing – really can't do it in the 32nd clock today in today's game, but they were kind of shortening the clock.
00:10:04
Speaker
about the last 10 minutes of the game, whatever they could. And it was kind of costing them little by little as Florida caught up. Yeah. But, uh, I, you know, everybody's saying and sort of agree. I, I Florida, uh, after going ahead and they put three guys down there in the back court,
00:10:24
Speaker
You know, I don't know why they they do that. because yeah you and i were told You're not going to get beat 90 feet away from the bucket. Yeah, you and I were talking about this after the show last week. that ah you know We were talking about at the the Illinois game against ah UCLA.
00:10:40
Speaker
And, you know how you're putting somebody on the ball and they've got to go 90 feet in four seconds. And it's it's like, why not guard the people that are already inbounds, either deny them the ball or make or make them make it harder for them to get up court rather than try to guard that inbounds pass. I mean, Iowa got in there and he went past those three guys and then had a break and set play.
00:11:08
Speaker
to the corner. And, uh, cause now you're playing, now you're playing basically almost a a four on two,
Buzzer Beaters and Player Highlights
00:11:14
Speaker
depending on how many people get down the court from the other team. Yeah. Cause you're, cause you got three guys in there. All you got down here is your forward and your center.
00:11:21
Speaker
And, and you know, what a great shot from the corner. I mean, she splashed it. And then, uh, Florida never got a shot off. You can't do that. You have to score. You got to at least get a shot. I mean, somehow I think Florida's coach spent a little bit too much time, uh, barking at the refs all game and not coaching his team in that one. But, uh, Another great ending was one of our Big Ten teams, Nebraska and Vandy. ah I tell you what, i picked we did we did pick Nebraska, and I thought it was going to be a fairly close game.
00:11:50
Speaker
ah But, you know, the ending, like you said, the ending and the game itself, there's been a lot of these games that while – I saw ah saw a post on X. Somebody was saying it's been a week tournament.
00:12:07
Speaker
you know, no buzzer beaters, no, no, no, no. I'm like, what games have you been watching, dude? I kind of, you know, you had two overtime games in the first round. ah You've had, like said, we've already went over two or three different buzzer beaters. You've had some really, really great contests. You've had the Cinderella's like High Point, you know, Texas. You may have not gotten these, all the Cinderella upsets that you kind of hoped for in the Thursday and Friday matchups. 12 and 5s and stuff like that. You know, but and
00:12:38
Speaker
that doesn't mean that you're not going to have good games. I mean, there's, there's still teams that can take it on the chin and, and ah that are the, the, the higher seeds as you go. right And so that, that make great games. um But that, that, that shot from Tanner for Vandy, yeah what, what an effort that was yeah that guy is a player. And I yeah kind of feel bad for him, you know what unless you'd had a rooting interest, Obviously for Nebraska Vanderbilt, I mean, if you didn't as a fan, you know, that was just a heartbreak that I'm be going in. what What a shot that was. And I'm to to be honest, I don't know how it didn't.
00:13:17
Speaker
Boy, yeah. I mean, it looked like it had the good angle cover. had the good angle. Came down and booming and just kind of off the bat and boom, boom and off. Yeah. It's like, wow. But that was, I mean, you know. And who was it that hit that three-quarter court shot? It was one of the overtime games. Senate and Overtime. I can't remember who it was now for.
00:13:37
Speaker
Oh, Kentucky. something like that They hit inside half court. Inside half court, yeah. but Not three-quarter. Inside half court, yeah. Yeah. trying to get the timeout coach, and and ah that didn't happen. It didn't happen. so So anyway, that was a good one. ah The high point Arkansas, Acoff went for 34-35, and that Martin of high point, what a player he is. He's a ball player. He went for 30, and so that that was another good game that night. and He's another one. If he's got any time left and enters the portal,
00:14:08
Speaker
somebody snatching his butt i mean theres there's a blue bud looking for him right now i'll guarantee it and then my last on that was uh texas winning their third game of the tournament and still still marching still marching on and it's kind of it's it is kind of odd to see the the playing winner make it past that first weekend yeah you know they're an 11th seed but you know it's a a popular name out there. and They're not as popular basketball, obviously, as football. right but But still, it' it's not a mid-major by any means. No, no. But in the SEC, they're kind of down there in middle ground with all the the other ones. So, ah yeah, so, you know, one in three games so far. Yeah. They're they're there. So yeah' it's it's it's setting up ah on a little bit. Well, a couple, one quick thing. I know we'll get to it down the road, but
00:14:57
Speaker
um
00:15:01
Speaker
Illinois, looked like they were back to just the December, January four, where they were playing, they they were hitting the boards hard. They were, they won the battle of the boards. They didn't take stupid three pointers.
00:15:13
Speaker
Um, they, they took care of the ball for the most part. Yeah. They, they didn't break too much of a sweat. Um, now that that's nothing against the other two teams. Now, uh,
00:15:25
Speaker
the The VCU game, I mean, Illinois started out hot, and then VCU came back, took a twenty eight twenty six lead. Which you expected them to make a run. That their really good player was hurt. Oh, yeah. that y I think that's a big difference. shirt Yeah, sure it did. and But i I like outside of that few-minute stretch, um um which you knew VCU was going to do something. I mean, they they got a ah good team. But um I like the way we drove the ball to work.
00:15:56
Speaker
Stajakovic and Wagler you know woggler and and that guys driving the ball a little more and and ah getting to the line or or getting the layups. and and That helps instead of throwing up the three-pointers. Then when they did lay, when they got a little comfortable, um you know then they started hitting a few. I thought it was more of ah a mixed game. yeah what and Then I thought ah you know they they played thought they played well. and Then the first round, I thought on Penn,
00:16:24
Speaker
Boswell did a real good job on power. Oh, did he ever. and ah so but I mean, that's the guy that scored 44 points in the Ivy League championship game. Correct. And Boswell held him to six points and none in the second half. He had two three-pointers the first half and nothing after that. Yeah. so i So they they they just they took care of business. Yeah. um So, um you know, they they beat the 14th seed and they beat an 11th seed, which had upset North Carolina. And so here they are along with five other Big Ten teams and those sweet six teams. And I the the i think the most the most fun play out of the two games or one series out of the two games was in in in the game against VCU.
00:17:09
Speaker
Zonavir goes up and blocks a shot on one hand, and is trailing the play, and gets a I mean, he mashed that son of a gun through the hoop and was the only two points he had the whole game.
00:17:25
Speaker
ah that was ah That was a heck of an end-to-end play. to And I know the the VCU coach was on a foul, but you looked at it and he he got ball. He got ball. There was a a little contact after the shot coming through, but that's just – That's just – But to do that and then run the court and there was there was already – outside of Boswell handing the ball on the the left side, there was there was three Aladoy people there. right Z was the last one trailing. And here he come.
00:17:58
Speaker
And it was a... I think Boswell just said, here, you take it. It was was. My goodness. i but dad One thing that has surprised me about Z, and we'll get on here, is he runs the court for a 7'2 guy, runs the court about as well as anybody I've seen. that size I tell you, I believe in that. I really do. I, he, I've, he, he does run hard and he, he runs it well and it don't take him many steps to go from one end to the other. Yeah. Not at seven too, you know, but absolutely.
00:18:32
Speaker
So I have, bet that other guy, seven, nine, I don't know. He probably takes less time. Z's pretty fast. Faster though, I think. on So
Upcoming Game Previews and Predictions
00:18:40
Speaker
we'll get on to the games coming up. Uh, we've got, uh, we'll start again in the East and, uh, we've got, uh,
00:18:47
Speaker
Duke, St. John's. Okay. Now, the East Regional will be played on Friday and Sunday. Okay. And it's in the Capital One Arena. Mm-hmm.
00:19:00
Speaker
And that is home to Georgetown University hosting. Right. In our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. So that's kind of almost in between the Duke and St. John's. So you probably get a good pretty decent mixed crowd for that game.
00:19:12
Speaker
Well, you did pretty good in geography. That was one of my better subjects. Was? Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Of course, you know, I like a lot, but... Shut up for a minute. Call me speechless.
00:19:26
Speaker
ah So, yeah, so i don't I tell you what, watching that St. John's game against Kansas, these are for real. They are definitely for real. i They play with a sense of urgency on every play.
00:19:41
Speaker
And... and You know, Duke's good. Don't get me wrong. Duke's a damn good ball club. those the The Boozer Boys are ah or or a load.
00:19:52
Speaker
Yeah. But I don't know. i think I think we're going to see the second number one seed go down.
00:20:03
Speaker
that's yeah That's a tough one. um
00:20:08
Speaker
On Duke's side of it, ah they are giving... Caleb Foster made me a shot play Friday. Oh, really? Yes. Well, that could change that. I'm not, I don't think how, you know, it's, it's not a given by any means and and not there, but I guess his progression has been incredible and they're not ruling it out. Okay. Um, obviously that could change things, but how much he could go and give them, I don't know. Right. Um, so, uh,
00:20:41
Speaker
This is Duke Sweet 16, fourth time in five years. Yeah. um Boozer, you talk about his stat stuff, 41 points in the two games, 18 for 19 from the line, 24 boards, 7 assists.
00:20:55
Speaker
ah Now, St. John's, ah
00:21:00
Speaker
they, that trap really good down there. i mean, Kansas just, had all sorts of trouble getting the ball inbounds. Right. and And even when they got it inbounds, it was like hard to advance. Yeah. So um St. John's has its nation's defense, that 416 Kansas turnovers. um
00:21:22
Speaker
They didn't shoot the ball real well, but Patino doesn't give up on shooting the threes. No. And ah they haven't, they've only lost one game since January 3rd. ah But saying that, ah my pick is Duke.
00:21:36
Speaker
Okay. All right. But i it's going to be a good one. oh he And, you know, and like I said, i'll i I said St. John's. I'll stay with St. John's, even though, he like, to you with the if if ah um what's his name?
00:21:52
Speaker
boozer er okay Wilson. Wilson plays. or Foster, I'm sorry. fo foster if If Foster plays, I'll i'll so ill still stay with St. John's on this one. um Just because, I mean, that was what I said. So, you know.
00:22:05
Speaker
You can't take them. My fault for not not not keeping up on the news of the day. So, ah and then we got Louisville and Michigan State. No, Michigan State-UConn.
00:22:18
Speaker
nop Oh, wait minute. I'm sorry, I'm looking i'm looking at the at Sunday's game or Saturday's game. Yeah, Michigan State-UConn. Sorry about that. I'm looking at the wrong game there. Yeah.
00:22:31
Speaker
And how do you feel about that one? Yeah. UConn is a two-point favorite. By the way, for you bettors out there, Duke is ah a seven-point favorite against ah St. John's. Okay. And UConn is a two-point favorite currently against Michigan State. Of course, those lines can change. The game is not until Friday. Right. And this is at Capital One as well?
00:22:55
Speaker
Yes, in Washington, D.C. Yep. Okay. um You know, I mean...
00:23:05
Speaker
my my my My brain is telling me the UConn is the better team. But there's something in the back of my mind hitting me saying Izzo.
00:23:20
Speaker
Izzo.
00:23:23
Speaker
I don't know. um Tough, isn't it? It is tough. I mean, because like I said, I think and if Fierce is on,
00:23:34
Speaker
you know, he's one of the best point guards in the game. If he, if he's, if he's on it, forget it. Totally agree. Um, so I think, I think I'm going to go Michigan state.
00:23:52
Speaker
Okay. Now folks out there, I know some of you listen Don all the time. Some of you may know him personally. i don't know what's in the back of his mind, but I can tell you his brain probably will be donated a science. um,
00:24:03
Speaker
so Getting on with that. um So, you know, Michigan State's side, fierce, led the nation in assists, 9.4. Right. So, so far in the tournament, 27 assists, 9 turnovers. Michigan State has top five defense in the nation.
00:24:21
Speaker
They've been shooting 42% from three in the last month. ah UConn, boy, what a game. that that caravan had yesterday, 27 points.
00:24:33
Speaker
points I mean, just drilling three after three, after three of his career high. Yeah. And, uh, I don't know. They're tough. yeah game You come down to the inside play.
00:24:47
Speaker
food And if so, and if, and if so, who does that favor? Well, you know how mission state always is, you know, they're like in a boxing ring down, down low. Um,
00:24:59
Speaker
You don't really want to punch it out within. You don't want trade punching in the paint. Nope. ah But that Terrace Reed is tough inside for UConn. Yes, he is. And ah they have a tenacious defense.
00:25:11
Speaker
And
00:25:16
Speaker
it's tough. yeah yeah all All these games are going to tough. Oh, yeah. There's not going to be easy to do. There might be a couple the that the should go anyway. But um I'm going to go UConn. Okay.
00:25:29
Speaker
All right. Okay.
00:25:33
Speaker
Puts us into the South region. South region, the Big Ten party. I'm telling three of the four teams in the South south region are from the Big Ten. It's a Big Ten party. I'm looking at this, and I just had something else. i I had two little tidbits the start. I have another tidbit now.
00:25:52
Speaker
The Big Ten, the final four this year, could be an all Big Ten affair.
00:25:59
Speaker
Don't get ahead of he yourself. I know. I know. i'm I'm tempting the fate out there. But it could. It could end up that way. no I think. If I if i remember right.
00:26:12
Speaker
I mean, i have the double let me double check that make sure I've got my ah figures right. No, I take that back. I did. No, yeah, I'm right. Yep. Say it ain't so.
00:26:24
Speaker
it is's It's so, because you could have Purdue out of the West, Michigan. know Well, yeah, yeah you could you could get there. i mean But we've already had the Big Ten tournament, right? We've already played that. Well, yeah, but why not play it again?
00:26:35
Speaker
You could. And you could be hiked up with this with the quarterfinal by lineup, Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, and Nebraska. Yeah. No, no, you can't. Nebraska's an RV. Forget that. Producing there. Yeah, producing. So, yeah, we got Nebraska and Iowa.
00:26:59
Speaker
So, the... kind That's a nine versus four. Yeah, and these games will be played on Thursday and Saturday, the 26th and 28th. And it's at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
00:27:13
Speaker
Yeah. More often as part of this group. Yes. But Rice University is the Is the host, so Houston can be it's only a few miles from... the Houston Cougar campus. So, um, that having been said, and we do know that, uh, Iowa, Nebraska will be the early game, right? Illinois and Houston, the nine Oh five. Yeah. They're the premier. They're the, they're the primetime contest as they say. Uh, well, I, I,
00:27:41
Speaker
I don't think you, I mean, it's hard to pick between these two teams, even though there's a, you know, one's a nine, one's a four. yeah I think in some cases, Nebraska might've been a little, uh, overvalued, but not by much. Don't get me wrong. Yeah. Um, Iowa comes in 23 and 12, Nebraska, 28 and six. Right. Uh, I mean, yeah. Nebraska was probably undervalued or Iowa was probably undervalued. Yeah. Well, and one thing I remember a little bit on Iowa, um, now they did, uh,
00:28:12
Speaker
they lost seven of their last 10 games. That hurt them. That hurt their seating. in dead and But um again, they split with Nebraska. And after winning their first game by six over a ah pretty good ACC Clemson team, playing Florida. Now, you've to remember, Florida was the fourth number one seed. And They were 27-7, so they were a seven-loss number one seed. Now, they were defending champions, of course. and that chip But some them shouldn't have played into it. I don't know if it did or not. But seven losses, I mean, there's there's quite a few teams on these rackets in this tournament that are around that that same deal. Yeah, exactly. And had a game or two flip down the stretch, yeah it could have been replaced. that Nothing against Florida on that, folks. Nothing against them. They had a great year and and all that. But just saying that –
00:29:11
Speaker
ah And i Iowa played them well. I mean, they they really, really did. So, and Iowa-Nebraska split their, Iowa wanted home ah the first time and Nebraska wanted home on the revenge game.
00:29:26
Speaker
So, who do you got? What do you like? What do you think? Boy, I mean, you know, we we talked about it last time, you know, um with Iowa.
00:29:40
Speaker
Hoiberg has just done a fantastic job over there, uh, getting that team together, getting the guys to play. Um, then his son's no slouch shooting the ball. No. And then you've got, uh, uh, Sanford out there on the other, on the end.
00:29:56
Speaker
Uh, they got some meat and they got some meat inside. And then you've got, uh, Sturtz for Nebraska, Iowa, or yeah. Sturtz for Iowa. Sturtz for Iowa. Excuse me. And, um,
00:30:07
Speaker
So I don't know. I mean, it's – if Iowa can – I think if Iowa can grab the lead early, I think they've got a shot at taking Nebraska down.
00:30:21
Speaker
um But kind of like with Izzo, you know, and again, maybe I'm playing into their early part of the season when they went, what, 22-0 or something like that.
00:30:36
Speaker
um they're just too good of a team, I think, to be taken by Iowa a second time. I think i'm in a neutral court situation, I think I'm going to take Nebraska on this.
00:30:50
Speaker
Yeah. um This is Iowa's first Sweet 16 since 1999. Wow, that long? um But they do play good hard defense. they the really ah I think they really hit a good coach.
00:31:05
Speaker
um Iowa. Yeah. and ah But they're 10th nationally forcing turnovers. They shoot about 40% from threes, just just quite under 40.
00:31:17
Speaker
um I kind of agree with you. I think they'll maybe need to try to control the tempo. When when they won the game in Iowa City, they played that game in the 50s. Right.
00:31:30
Speaker
And Nebraska usually doesn't play in the 50s. No, Nebraska's not used to that. No, that's not their playground. So ah Nebraska's probably been the story of the tournament, really.
00:31:40
Speaker
I mean, they i mean there there's been several, but 0-8 was the last power conference team to ever win an NCAA tournament or game, and now they've won two two. And they just, them fans just loaded Oklahoma City. Oh, man, that was big red. big right big great look It looked like a Nebraska game. It did. I'm telling you. Absolutely. No doubt. looked like they were Pinnacle Bank and Lincoln. That's right. But um so anyway, ah
00:32:12
Speaker
you know, they're they're jacked after that game with Vandy and and coming down to to Houston. um Boy, and Sanford used to play for Iowa.
00:32:24
Speaker
That's right. remember you know And ah yeah they we tried to get him on this past year. So and the guy can shoot. He's averaging 19. He's got such a smooth shot. He really does. And I see you put Holberg in there and yeah ah the mass. and and Oh, yeah. And a couple of those guys are big, and they play the chip on their shoulder. they they They like to mix it up.
00:32:50
Speaker
Yeah. over the years they've been looked at as Nebraska's a football school. What do we care about their basketball team? And they've always been, I think a weak sister, suppose, especially when they joined the big 10, you know, uh, but now they've got, like i said, they got their feet underneath them. They play with a chip on your show on their shoulder. They're playing with a little bit of bite, a little bit of edge.
00:33:09
Speaker
I think a couple those guys could play football on that team. getting turn of They're an older team. Yes. one of the more older teams in the nation. And, uh, Obviously, that helps, I think. And now they've gained a little experience in the tournament. And I would go with you. I think it'll be a good game, obviously. Two teams know each other. There probably won't be any surprises. Right.
00:33:37
Speaker
So it could be some ugly ball. But Iowa doesn't want to get a shootout, I don't believe. But I would go with Nebraska on this. Okay. All right. So now we come down to Illinois and Houston. As you say, the game is going to be in Houston.
00:33:54
Speaker
Houston's a three-point favorite. Oh, the Nebraska-Iowa was... Oh, I'm sorry. It's close. No, that's right. ah It's just a one-and-a-half point. Wow. As of now. So that's a little... And except betting lines as always can change. So make sure you check your local bookie before making a wager. Yeah. um Illinois-Houston...
00:34:16
Speaker
In Houston, Houston, the number two or number one or number two, the other they're a top five defense. Illinois a top five offense. This is going to be an irresistible force meeting the immovable object, I think.
00:34:30
Speaker
um And I'm not sure which one's going to come out, to tell ya to to be honest with you. Illinois, these two last two games have played good defense. Again, nothing against their opponents, but it was Penn and Virginia Commonwealth.
00:34:45
Speaker
um Yeah. you they They have yet to face a defense. i Michigan's probably the only one that comes to mind with the kind of defense that Houston plays in the Big Ten.
00:35:00
Speaker
um And we only played to Michigan once. So, yeah. I mean, the the thing about the two games that Illinois played so far It's been a different guy leading and taking the the the the ah onus, if you will, ah putting putting it on them. You had Merkiewicz in the first game you know with 21 points.
00:35:24
Speaker
um And then you had was this Stjokovic. No, Stjokovic was in the first game. Excuse me.
00:35:35
Speaker
Merkiewicz was last game. um Taking the lead and and, like you said, driving the ball. um And I i so heard something.
00:35:46
Speaker
He said it in the second press conference, ah bruce ah Brad Underwood did, that he was asked about how they were able to get the lead. And he said, we found a matchup that we liked.
00:36:00
Speaker
We just stayed with it. And he said, when the matchup changed, we we we, you know, he said, it's all about finding the matchups. You find a good matchup, you stay with it. And I'm not, I mean, I can't say there's a good matchup. I don't know that much about Houston as far as their players go.
00:36:19
Speaker
i have ah three very good guards. um they Go ahead. Yeah, go ahead. yeah Yeah, I mean, um you know, like I said, I do know that theyre like i said they're they they are tough on the inside.
00:36:34
Speaker
um But then again, if Illinois playing like they should, You get Hummerk House down there. You get the the Big Z or Tommy. um Illinois can play tough on the inside.
00:36:47
Speaker
And you said the line is what? The line is three right now. Or was was this afternoon. It could have moved. It could have moved. But it should be right around there, I would think.
00:36:59
Speaker
Boy. You know, my heart wants me to pick the upset and take Illinois. and because and i But I will say this. Illinois gets by Houston.
00:37:12
Speaker
They're in the final four.
00:37:15
Speaker
I don't know. I don't think Iowa and Nebraska are going to beat them in the next round if they get past Houston.
00:37:24
Speaker
You got to stick with Thursday night at 9.05. I know. I got to stick with Thursday night. I can't look ahead. i don't I'm not trying to look. I'm just saying. um Boy. i like the way you think, though Yeah. Well, uh, you know, what the hell I'll take Illinois in the upset. Will you?
00:37:42
Speaker
I will, I will take you on it. Cause I think, I think this is going to be the game. Wagler goes off. This is going to be Wagler's game. Folks. That's what we found out was in the back of his mind. The whole time. It was right there. Right there.
00:37:56
Speaker
Um, yeah. So, uh, Houston comes in 30 and six, uh, Illinois, 26 and eight Houston, a three point favor. Uh, Houston is tough on defense. They're shooting the three better.
00:38:11
Speaker
ah Shooting at about 42%, I believe, in the last few games. um I think Houston traps real well.
00:38:27
Speaker
don't think Illinois holds onto the ball real well, but we are taller where we can see over the traps. But Illinois has to stay away from their lazy passing, which they get into once in a while. Yeah, and and that was evident in the VCU game. Absolutely.
00:38:45
Speaker
And, and they you know, they have to stay in the moment. um And it's probably, you know, O'Shea, you know, every – you just have to stay in the moment and and and and make every play count as you go. It isn't Houston.
00:39:00
Speaker
Do we get any fan support from Iowa and or Nebraska? for a big 10. Do they root? did Does that help you help Illinois a little bit in the, in that crowd? So, you know, you you don't know. ah Houston's got three really good guards and Kingston Fleming and ah sharp and using and, ah or if can't pronounce that right.
00:39:26
Speaker
And they're, they're tough. They play hard, but their weakness is defensive rebound. Hmm. plays to Illinois strength on offensive rebounding.
00:39:41
Speaker
If as long as we're not taking wildre wild threes, if Illinois just, if, if, if they can handle the pressure and get down the court and they get in their half court offense and, and, and, you know, try to drive the ball.
00:39:57
Speaker
Houston doesn't defend the three real well as well as some, but, but they are just tough overall. They're just, they're just a tough solid group. Right. They were in national championship last year, and they're there. I think Houston, they said, since 2021-22, is 70-15. So they play well in February and March. All right. Illinois.
00:40:20
Speaker
since two thousand twenty one twenty two is seventy and fifteen so they play well in february and march all right um
00:40:34
Speaker
illinois um second time in the sweet 16 in the last three years. They've played better coming out of the gate, the second half in the first two games, as you mentioned, it was against an 11 seed and a six seed, but still they were doing 141 points per a hundred possession. Just, just lights out something like the Denver nuggets would do in the NBA. Exactly.
00:40:56
Speaker
ah My pick and, and I, I've waffled this and it's, it's definitely not a, a bias pick. I'm, I'm like, uh, Alan, of course, you know, your heart goes one way, but I've studied Houston and Houston and obviously go either way.
00:41:15
Speaker
ah you've got the Houston home crowd down there, but let's face it, you know, the the stakes are higher, of course, got a couple of games on your belt, but Illinois played at East Lansing.
00:41:27
Speaker
They played in Mackey arena, you know, And all the teams travel well, too. They do. I mean, they they they played in the United Center. They played Madison Square Garden. They faced UConn. They faced... Palestra. It's not anything that's going to be really different to them yeah facing the opponent.
00:41:44
Speaker
But they just have to hit their threes and not make silly mistakes on turnovers. I take Illinois in this. All right. Okay.
00:41:55
Speaker
All right. Well, we're going to get to the other eight games here in just a minute. while I talk to you guys about one of my ah two one of my favorite things. Well, okay, maybe not favorite, but I do like the stuff.
00:42:10
Speaker
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00:42:21
Speaker
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00:42:41
Speaker
You need something to replace that. Water won't do it all on its own. You got to have something that's got to, beer won't do it on its own. I'm sorry. um So it's if you want If you want to truly rehydrate, you've got to replace the key electrolytes. And you can do that with Liquid IV.
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00:45:04
Speaker
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Speaker
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Speaker
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00:45:40
Speaker
Okay. All right. So now we're going up to the West region. West region. We're going to go into the West region. Okay. That West region will be played on Thursday, Saturday, the 26th and 28th.
00:45:53
Speaker
and that is at the SAP center. And don't tell me how to pronounce it. It's ah German and I looked it up and it's letters. yeah are yeah and No problem. Yeah. Okay. Gotcha. So, The host of San jos state san Jose State University. yes It's where the San Jose hockey team plays. okay It's called the Artang for good reasons. And that's and obviously San Jose, California. Dark Indian to be there?
00:46:24
Speaker
if i put No. Well, that's pretty good. Pulled one right out of my ass. Anyway, so we got the opening game. It's going to be Arizona. Is Arizona the opening game or is the other?
00:46:38
Speaker
ah For that that night? Yeah. ah The...
00:46:45
Speaker
um It doesn't make any difference, but we'll go we'll do let's go and go with the way the bracket goes. Arizona-Arkansas is one matchup, and then Texas-Purdue.
00:46:57
Speaker
Arizona's a one seed, Arkansas's a four seed. um Arkansas played really good against Wisconsin. Or, excuse me, against a high point. although High Point did challenge him.
00:47:10
Speaker
but All right, so ah you know that that could be something that you know Arizona might be able to see where the weaknesses were that and be able to exploit them better than High Point did.
00:47:22
Speaker
Arizona's really tough. um I think, though, this is going to be, as we said before, this is going to tempo game where I think Arkansas wants to get out there and go And Arizona is saying, wait a minute, let's just sit back and relax a minute.
00:47:39
Speaker
So I think that could really affect Arkansas. um And ah I'm going go with Arizona on this one. Go with Arizona.
00:47:51
Speaker
You're definitely right. This game, ah Arizona comes in Arkansas 28-9. thirty four and two arkansas twenty eight and nine ah Arizona shoots a lot of free throws, lots of free throws.
00:48:08
Speaker
They average 27 free throws attempts during the year. They shot 39 in the first round or 33 in the first round against LIU, 39 against Utah State. ah Utah State had 25 fouls, LIU 22 fouls.
00:48:24
Speaker
Arizona has a great eight starters and three on the bench. A great eight. Great rotation. Yes. That is, I think, tough to match. And I think that's why they are where they are. um Arkansas, ah you know, that was my trendy pick, you know, is as with Calipari and them.
00:48:49
Speaker
ah So Arizona's got the great eight. Arkansas Darius Acuff.
00:48:58
Speaker
Yeah, he fantastic. The epitome tough. I mean, yeah you look tough in the dictionary. His picture should be right there. Yeah. 36.6 assists last game.
00:49:10
Speaker
ah
00:49:14
Speaker
but I just don't know if, if he can carry against, against eight guys, on one on eight stuff to play. Now this game, uh, Arizona is an eight point pick. Uh,
00:49:27
Speaker
and it is the most over under at 167. So, boy, I can't figure that with the, well, Arkansas can score too. I mean, ah yeah but I don't know. They, so I, I'm looking,
00:49:46
Speaker
there's going to be NBA players all over this court. Oh yeah. When that tips off, when that tips off, you guarantee it. Uh, but you're going to say he'll be, he'll be there next year. He'll be. track Yeah. Yeah. Uh, So I think it's a cuff against the world, you know, and and I just, I think they'll hang for a while, but I think in the end, I think ah Arizona takes it. Okay. i You know, quite a week we agree on that one.
00:50:14
Speaker
Okay. So then we've got Texas and Purdue. Texas and Purdue. but The band. So they have like, uh, the biggest drums in the nation on their marching bands. Texas. I think you may be right on that. The horns against the cannon yeah or the train train. Yeah.
00:50:35
Speaker
Uh, you know, and, and yeah, this is going to be one of those where Texas, as we've talked about coming out of the playing game and just basically, I won't say they've been having the way, but they just been able to persevere and push through,
00:50:50
Speaker
um And now they've had a week to rest. Or they'll have a week to rest. um don't know if the cinder I don't know if the Slipper's going to fit Cinderella in this one.
00:51:03
Speaker
But I'm also, in all the years we I've been following the tournament, in the Big Ten, Purdue traditionally...
00:51:20
Speaker
doesn't see the Elite Eight that often. There are the numbers of times there they were they were gone in the first weekend. Yeah, I mean, they were the second team. The last three full years. they Well, they got in there. They played the national championship a couple years ago. so So, you know, I don't know if this trend is going to continue with this current Purdue bunch. I mean, um they've got a great team.
00:51:47
Speaker
They're a number two seed. I don't know. What's the line? yeah The line on the ah Purdue game. Purdue is a seven-point favorite. Purdue within 29-8, Texas 22-14. Yeah, so Texas is definitely the underdog.
00:52:02
Speaker
Definitely the Cinderella if they can make it. um
00:52:08
Speaker
Boy. I never thought I'd have such a heart on a 2-11 pick. You know? um Well, But I'm going to take Purdue. I'm going to take Purdue over Texas.
00:52:21
Speaker
I'm going to go with the Big Ten. um You know, Texas had a great run, but I do think it ends.
00:52:31
Speaker
Hard to win on 2-11. I knew you weren't very good at math. that's That's a tough one. It is a tough one. but Nine points. Yeah. So, you know.
00:52:44
Speaker
Purdue's had the best offense in the country last six games. And for the best adjusted offensive efficiency, however they figure all that. yeah um And that's been since the start of the Big Ten tournament.
00:52:58
Speaker
ah They're playing well. They are. they've They've been taking about 22 three-pointers a game and making about 40%. And ah when the the big four that I call a lawyer,
00:53:15
Speaker
Uh, club, uh, Trey coffin ran and Brady Smith are all playing well. They're, they're the the glue and when they all play well, that team is hard to beat. yeah Uh, we know that painter always plays a hand to hand combat, uh, hard nose defense. Um, you know, woo we, we, we seem a lot being in the big 10 and, and, uh, Illinois.
00:53:42
Speaker
obviously one at Mac arena. There was a few games they lost over at Mac arena this year. Purdue did, but, um but they, they won the big 10 tournament one, three there. um They won their first two here, beating Queens of North Carolina and, and beating Miami by 10. And, ah but I, I think two things that I've seen out of Purdue that's helped them.
00:54:15
Speaker
fluff is getting more involved inside and the offense window saw him mid season playing at Illinois. He wasn't even a factor, right? Not even. no And lawyer was not on his game and now he can't miss. Yeah.
00:54:29
Speaker
And with him shooting well, and then brain Smith at the top of the key or driving and shooting and doing what he does. And along with, uh, ran, I, the,
00:54:41
Speaker
they're They're tough when all four of those are are playing hard. Texas, um coming from the play-in games, they won by two, eight, and six points for their three games.
00:54:56
Speaker
This is the just the second time they've been in the Sweet 16 since 2008. They do have the seven-footer in Matas Volcatatis. I don't know if I did that right. Pretty close. I mean, it sounds like something when I was sick a month ago is what I caught.
00:55:13
Speaker
um And then ah the 6'8 guard, Swain, their defensive efficiency has been really well the last few games.
00:55:29
Speaker
But me I think um i think i think purdue Purdue wins it. I think Texas has had a great run, and And I think but i think they'll play them. I mean, Tex very talented. I think that they'll they'll play Purdue well.
00:55:46
Speaker
um But I think Purdue gets this one. All right. All right. Then we go to the Midwest, Michigan, Alabama. The Midwest, that is played Friday-Sunday games, the 27th and 29th.
00:56:04
Speaker
That is played in the United Center, Chicago, Illinois. okay And the host is Northwestern University, which we all know real well. Right, right. So
00:56:17
Speaker
Michigan is the closest to United Center. From Ann Arbor to United Center, it's about 250 miles. Everybody else is, well, almost and it's not bad. Some good travel for Tennessee and Alabama. That's true.
00:56:31
Speaker
And the United Center, of the house that Michael built, correct? Yes. Yes. Or at least that's what they say. That's what they say. you know can't can't ver Can't verify he had a actually anything to do with the construction, but you night kind of like like the house that Ruth built. you know you you know Absolutely. so man the Michigan and Alabama. Michigan comes in at Alabama and the over under is at once seventy four and michigan is a ten point favor and i would expect that
00:57:03
Speaker
ah you know because bama is still Um, know, they're still missing one of their top scorers. Um, and, you know, and they were, they've been pushed, um, somewhat early in games, but they've seemed to just come back and just take it over and, and, and walk away.
00:57:24
Speaker
um I don't think that's going to happen against Michigan. I think Michigan's not going to just, uh, push them for a little bit and lay down and, and, and roll over. um so, and, and, and,
00:57:38
Speaker
dad If I'm going to admire any other team in the Big Ten beside Illinois, it's going to be Michigan. Just because those guys play hard, they're uber-talented all over that lineup.
00:57:54
Speaker
<unk>ve I've got to go Michigan. I can't go against them. Yeah. um I think this will be an high-scoring game. I think with with Michigan,
00:58:07
Speaker
um And you got, you know, Mara at and then you got, you know, Lindenberg at 6'9", 6'10", and then, of course, we know about Marez Johnson in 6'9", and he's a rebounding machine, and that's a lot of height. And then their guards can shoot it.
00:58:27
Speaker
um They shoot about 37 from three, but they're a top three defense. And ah they they've lost three games, but, you know, they lost to Duke.
00:58:39
Speaker
down in the final minute, final sack. They lost, uh, at home, Wisconsin by one and, uh, and, uh, lost to, um, in the big 10 to Purdue ye and in the final by a few points, uh, Alabama so far. I mean, I, you know, we talked about it earlier. I was surprised that big 25 point win over Texas tech, that it was that, that big of a win, not surprised that Alabama won. Right. I think Alabama's really talented.
00:59:11
Speaker
They have length. um But I think Alabama can shoot the threes. They made 19 three-pointers last game. Oh, wow. 19. And I think they're going to need every one of those.
00:59:25
Speaker
And maybe a couple more. And maybe a couple more to win this game or be in this game. ah How's Marisakins perimeter defense? Pretty good. it's going no i mean, but.
00:59:37
Speaker
Alabama will will get their threes. They'll get three in they'll put them up. Yeah. um If Alabama can make 19 threes or in that area, I think this can be a game. This could be a hell of a game. But I think after Alabama winning their first two games, they did not miss Holloway.
00:59:57
Speaker
I think the Crimson Tide in this game finally misses his 16 points a game and the added depth. Um, I, I, I think it just kind of bites them now.
01:00:11
Speaker
And so, um, I, I go with, go with Michigan. Okay. Yeah. All right. Well, that leaves us to the the final game of the sweet 16. Well, not necessarily time-wise, but for the purposes of the bracket, this is what we got.
01:00:26
Speaker
Uh, Tennessee and Iowa state. Um, Uh, Tennessee comes in, uh,
01:00:35
Speaker
24-11. Iowa State twenty nine and seven Iowa State is a four-point favorite. We played Tennessee a in in Nashville. um yeah i mean and Don't get me wrong. they they were They were a good team then. They're still a good team. They
01:01:03
Speaker
and you know, they, they've won, you know, against, against Miami, Ohio, maha they, they took 22 point win over Miami, Ohio. They were seven point win over Virginia.
01:01:16
Speaker
um And I'll be quite frank. I had Virginia winning that game. So I didn't expect Tennessee to be here. um But Iowa state has, they've,
01:01:28
Speaker
they've never really taken anything over, but they've been in the top 10 almost every week this year that I can remember. Uh, or if they weren't the top 10, they were right outside of it.
01:01:40
Speaker
Um, and they, they, they, they play really good. and I watched them the other day, um, against Kentucky. Um, and that was, it was impressive.
01:01:57
Speaker
Kentucky was rolling the first 10, 12 minutes of that game, and then it was all cyclone. Yeah, then like like like the they flipped a switch and said, okay, it's our turn. And it was it was on nothing all over the show. Kentucky got nothing. No. I mean, ah yeah they were turning it over. If they weren't getting poor shots, they were turning the ball over, and they just looked like they they were seeing deer in a headlight deal. They couldn't do anything the last year. 25 minutes that game. So given all that, I'm going to go Iowa state. Uh, I know it's a chalk line on this one.
01:02:30
Speaker
It's the obvious pick for most people, but I just think it's the right pick. Yeah. And as Josh Jefferson, still the all American for Iowa state that sidelined, uh, I don't know his status, uh, up.
01:02:47
Speaker
Um, but they, you know, they got Lipsy, uh, They forced 20 Kentucky turnovers last game. Tennessee has a tough defense. They're top 15. They're strong.
01:03:00
Speaker
ah Good game with Virginia. But I'm going to pick, though. Lost the pick, folks. That that it happens. and In the upset, Tennessee.
01:03:16
Speaker
Oh, okay. I just have a feeling. i I like Iowa State. I do. But, um, uh, and I, Rick Barnes has never had much luck in NCAA tournament either. Right. Um, either when he was with Texas or now the volunteers.
01:03:35
Speaker
Um, but all you folks out there in the second chance, sweet 16 pool, don't, you have to follow along with that. That's just the gut feeling on my part, Tennessee. Okay.
01:03:46
Speaker
All right. Okay. So that brings us down to, um, who plays, who put the play-ins to get to the final four. ah um And we'll start off back at the top where we started earlier.
01:04:00
Speaker
I've got Duke, you got St. John's. Both of us have Michigan State. I'll let you go first this time. You've got Duke. I've got Duke. Okay. Well, you know, they used to have a dog in the funny section, the comic, the comic's called Marmaduke. They were the biggest dog around. Mm-hmm.
01:04:20
Speaker
and Right now, I think Duke is the big dog in that region, and I'm having them move on. All right. So he you are going with the Dukies, as Dickie V calls them. Okay.
01:04:37
Speaker
So I've got St. John's, Michigan State. um
01:04:43
Speaker
You know, and i think I think if St. John's can take – Wait a minute. Okay. Yeah. St. John. Okay. Yep. Yeah. right. And I think of St. John's. I had, I, if I've got them beating Duke, I've got them beating Michigan state.
01:05:00
Speaker
Very well can. I, I think, you know, out of those, those four teams, um I think any, obviously any four can, can get there. I mean, they're, they're ah ah great coaches.
01:05:17
Speaker
great records, ah great traditions, and and and and great great seasons this year. And I think they can all line up to get to the final four. I think it's a hell of a bracket.
01:05:31
Speaker
One thing forgot to mention was out of each region, um three of the four teams, one through four seed, went chalk.
01:05:45
Speaker
But there was one interloper that come in in each region that messed up going chalk. You're right. And, uh, St. John's happened to be the one in this was at number five, number five. Yeah. But the other three were there. so, okay.
01:06:02
Speaker
um so okay All right, so we got that one. The next one we've got is going to be, and we both were but both for once we both in agreement on two straight games. Well, I'd like to go the opposite, folks. Go the opposite. Yeah, go the opposite of what we say.
01:06:18
Speaker
All right, we got Nebraska and Illinois. um They played each other once or twice. Yep. um Nebraska won in Champaign. Illinois won in Lincoln. Last second shot. In Nebraska to win 83-80 in Champaign. We went to Lincoln and took care of business.
01:06:38
Speaker
and Another second half.
Illinois Athletics and Coaching Changes
01:06:40
Speaker
of Yeah. Turn around for Illinois. turn around And it seems to be the thing with Illinois is they may catch a lead in the first half. And like they did against Fusty, they had a 15 or 12 or 14 point lead and it got down to And then they came back saying, have no, I'm sorry. That that ain't going to you know yeah Or no, it wasn't VCU. That was the first game. It was Penn. But VCU caught us and went up a couple. Went up a couple. had seven-point lead at half. and have a seven impression And then stretched it out. um
01:07:10
Speaker
and you know and And they've done that to a number of different teams all year. um Again, neutral court, so to speak. Well, not so to speak. It is.
01:07:20
Speaker
Houston. um I guess technically close to Nebraska. in some respect, closer to Illinois anyway. um But I think i think if they're playing, if they can get past, like I said before, if they can get past Houston, I don't see anything stopping Illinois to get to to make the Final Four.
01:07:41
Speaker
I don't think Nebraska is going to stop them if they can get past Houston. um Because that team is going to be on such a high, and they're going to have such bravado inside of them, I don't think Nebraska can touch em Yeah.
01:07:59
Speaker
I know you'll probably disagree. as As we watch Iowa and Houston play that elite eight game. No, just kidding. i'm you know Hey folks. And that very well could happen. Yes.
01:08:10
Speaker
No, I, I agree a lot with the Don on that. Um, Illinois, Nebraska, uh, a third time would just be, that would be a great game. And I think that would be a pick them game.
01:08:25
Speaker
ah
01:08:28
Speaker
Those teams have such good qualities, uh, uh, good guard doing things well, doing things well. Uh, and it would be a high scoring game, uh, and it would be, be all out, uh, to get to that final four. Nebraska's on run, but they've never been in Illinois trying to get to the elite eight again, where they were two years ago.
01:08:52
Speaker
Uh, a little, obviously better history and NCAA tournament. Um, but I've had their bad luck as well. Oh yeah. Going deep. Um, ah yeah came down to that. I, either one could win that, but I, I, I think Illinois could, could win it if they get to that game. Okay.
01:09:16
Speaker
All right. So now we've got, well, Arizona versus Purdue, Arizona versus Purdue. Well, again, I, I, um, um That'll be a good physical game. oh be a second game I think it'll probably get a high scoring game. Maybe Arizona but would would like that. Purdue probably wouldn't mind. I'd be a physical game.
01:09:44
Speaker
um but I,
01:09:48
Speaker
i think this Arizona team is really talented as much talented team. Just not this year, but in in many years with all all teams involved in the NCAA in the last several years. right um Obviously, ah Purdue could win if things go right, but I take Arizona.
01:10:15
Speaker
Yeah. i'm I'm going to have to agree with you. I think it's going to be a hell of a ballgame. Either team can win it. um I do think Probably a, as you said, the up-tempo.
01:10:28
Speaker
I think that actually does favor Purdue some. So this is, again, going to be a game where i think if Arizona gets ahead, they can control the tempo. You know, run run clock, as they say, a little bit. I think that could throw Purdue off their game.
01:10:42
Speaker
ah But if it's close, you've got that, you've got like you said earlier, you've got Lawyer, you've got Smith. You've got so many different weapons on that Purdue team.
01:10:55
Speaker
you've got to be really careful. But I'm going to go with you. I'm going to go with Arizona on this one. Well, that and I don't like Brad Painter, but, you know, why let him buy a stock? Yeah. you know But no, i do I do think Arizona will probably come out on top of this, but as we've said before, a lot of these games wouldn't surprise me it goes the other way.
01:11:18
Speaker
Would not surprise me in the least if it goes the other way. Yeah, again, anything's good, really. I mean, it's their they're all good matchups regardless of who, you know, gets there. Right.
01:11:30
Speaker
Um, so now we got Iowa state and Michigan. Of course I took Tennessee. Did you take Tennessee? Yeah, you did. I'm sorry. you did But that's okay. i clo You go, you go first in Michigan, Tennessee, iowa state Michigan, Tennessee. Uh, uh, that was just again, a gut feeling. Yeah. Nothing more. Iowa state's probably the better team there, but getting onto this game, uh, Michigan against one of those two, um,
01:11:56
Speaker
I don't don't care for Michigan. ah Really don't want them to win, but i I don't see any reason where they're going to get stopped there.
01:12:09
Speaker
But I would say that if Iowa State played Michigan,
01:12:17
Speaker
I would pause for that. But since I had Michigan against Tennessee, I'm going to go michigan Michigan. But if it was Iowa State, I would you'd have to take a commercial break and have to probably think about that a little bit more.
01:12:29
Speaker
Well, I do have Iowa State Michigan. Yes, you do. We're not going to have another commercial break, unfortunately. So anyway, ah yeah, Iowa State Michigan.
01:12:40
Speaker
Boy, I tell you what, um you know, I have said before with with the Tennessee, Michigan is just, they're good. They are tough as nails inside.
01:12:53
Speaker
um You know, they're they're they're big, they're physical, us they can they can fill it up from the outside if they if they need to.
01:13:04
Speaker
um Not that great at it, obviously, but, you know, if they can make just enough from the outside to keep you honest where where they can exploit the bigs inside.
01:13:15
Speaker
And that's where I think this game is going to end up being, is on the inside, you know, And I just don't think Iowa State's got the horses inside. So I'm going to go Michigan. Again, if if Jefferson got to play for Iowa State, again, that's an unknown. right At least I haven't seen anything different. that donald I mean, you're not an All-American. mean, that that would tilt it.
01:13:39
Speaker
that would til it That would even it up a lot. Yeah. It would definitely go to even it up a lot. ah But, yeah, that I mean, that's what I think at this point. and That's what we think at this point. And outside of the East region, we are in agreement.
01:13:52
Speaker
Uh, Gary has Duke, Illinois, Arizona, Michigan state for his final or Michigan for his final four. I've got St. John's, Illinois, Arizona, and Michigan for my final four. So any other final thoughts?
01:14:08
Speaker
Been a good tournament so far. Um, you know, I've got, everybody's got a day or two to reset, but then either get back on a plane or stay where they're at. I think Arkansas stayed in California. was, they're still going to be out there. Um, Now, one thing one thing I will go back and mention about Michigan.
01:14:26
Speaker
um The one thing that is going to hurt them a little bit, and and i hate to make this because I just happened to think about it, is Carson is still out. Is Carson or ka the guard? Cason. i think Carson or Cason?
01:14:41
Speaker
The backup guard. Yeah. or the the Well, the guy, to get the yeah, the sixth man. yeah think Yeah. Yeah. No. Yeah. I think he's still, naked he's that yeah I think he's still out. So that may have, and again, that may have an effect on it. And if he's still out and um the guy in Iowa state gets their guy back, that could make it a whole different ball game for sure. So, but I'm still going to stay with Michigan on that.
01:15:07
Speaker
so um and just the, Can't forget about the women. Illinois played tonight, the women, and they got beat at Vanderbilt, who's the number two seed, 75-57. So that ends Illinois' women's season, but boy, Coach Green, she's really got it turned around here, and they're young, and young they had another injury that hurt them, but yeah it was a ah tough game to play there in Nashville, and but ah she's got going in the right direction. Oh, no doubt no doubt. Another good season for her and and and a loaded, loaded big 10 for, for women, just like the men. Yeah. And that's the one thing. And we'll, I know we're going to get into a little bit Illinois love here, but, but you know, what the hell you guys know me enough, know me by now.
01:15:53
Speaker
Okay. So if you don't want to listen Illinois, you can tune out now. ah But, I think that's the one thing, and I've talked about this. I'd turn you out if wasn't here. Thanks a lot.
01:16:06
Speaker
the The one thing, I talked with this a number different guys, like Dave Wischnowski, Pless Hollywood, um couple other people. And one thing we've all come to to to agree on is that when Illinois hired Josh Whitman.
01:16:23
Speaker
Ten years already. as yeah Ten years ago as the athletic director.
01:16:29
Speaker
They started something in motion I don't think they even expected. Now, granted, his first couple moves when he came to Illinois, I looked at him like, all right, we brought you here for what? um You know, Lovie Smith and he kept John Gross. I'm still trying to figure those two out. Well, they but we had our athletic director, oh Thomas. Yeah. And so when Whitman came in, it was like going to get a seat at the circus.
01:16:59
Speaker
we, we got a ring master to replace a clown. Yeah. Well, that's true. yeah yeah That's a perfect analogy. And, uh, I mean, that, that was just ridiculous. John gross is a good coach. Yeah. But he was out of his, he was out of his element. Anybody could have, you know, they made three Mac hires and within days, right.
01:17:18
Speaker
Of the women's coach, the men's basketball coach and the football coach and nothing against those coaches, but they did not belong in the big 10 at that time. Um,
01:17:29
Speaker
the way it was. And, and, and, and, you know, coach, coach, car's got he's done good where he was over at Mac and, and all that, but you know, you need connections. Yeah. And, and like I said, and Whitman is brought in.
01:17:42
Speaker
i mean, you, you, you look at the football team um with coach Bielema. He's bringing in player after player. He's, he's got this team playing and believing in themselves.
01:17:54
Speaker
And first thing he said, when I first interview, I saw with him after he got hired, he said, I'm coming to change the culture. Yeah. He said, he said, I, he said, I, when I talked to Josh, he goes, this isn't Illinois football, what you guys are playing.
01:18:10
Speaker
We've got to change the culture. And he did. Same thing with Underwood. Now Underwood was a little bit, now Bielema was a little bit more well-known when he got hired. People knew about him, especially in the big tent with, with Wisconsin, SEC with Arkansas, people knew about.
01:18:25
Speaker
Underwood kind of made quick jumps. i man Underwood made very quick jumps. Only had the one year at Oklahoma State.
Austin, Texas, and Team Toughness Discussion
01:18:31
Speaker
and Well, before that was hello Austin. Austin. They're in Texas. Austin. Stephen F. Austin, yeah.
01:18:40
Speaker
Which they made the tournament. They made the tournament. he Then he at Western Illinois for a long, long time. Yeah. and and he But he he came in, and one of the things he did was basically say, we've got to get tough.
01:18:52
Speaker
this is this is This is not Big Ten basketball. i've I've watched Big Ten basketball. This isn't it. Shauna Green's another one. She came in and, you know, first for my first thought, oh, great. he' Now he's hiring MAAC coaches. What the hell's going on here?
01:19:08
Speaker
But she has been such a breath of fresh air to this team and and this university. She's great. I mean, she she's just, yeah she's tough and hard-nosed and, and you know, she's she's mission. She's got it going. Oh, yeah. She's got it going. And I have no doubt they will be in a women's final four fairly soon.
01:19:33
Speaker
They'll get there. I mean, you you know, you know, she's going the way she is bringing the players in that she's bringing in. and if she can keep them away from the injury bug, she, she, know, we always have that, that one, you know, but, but, you know, that, that happens. It happens. You it's this way it is.
Closing Remarks on March Madness and Promotions
01:19:49
Speaker
All right. Well, uh, I want to thank you guys for tuning in tonight. Uh, and like I said, you know, if you're, if you're banking on us to make your picks, you might, might want to think about it. Uh, but, uh, you know, Hey, it is what it is. it's It's March madness for a reason. And that's what we're looking at. So, uh,
01:20:07
Speaker
I want you guys to remember that this is the, yeah, there I can't even talk right now. I've lost my train of thought. The NCAA report is brought to you by the Gateway Sports. And at Gateway Sports, you can find a lot of everything. You can find articles. You can find other podcasts, like the two for three with Mighty Moose, Mike Stevenson, the team of rivals with Ron, Pete, and Elliott. Ron also, and I forgot to mention this last time, Ron also hosts the At the Park with Chris Hamilton. That's all about city soccer in St. Louis.
01:20:37
Speaker
Then you've got the stupidest sports show on earth with Rodney Capell and Tim Van Stratton. And like I said, it those guys have too much fun, if it's if that's even possible. Then you've got my other show, Talking Sports with Uncle Don. And, of course, the one and only Derek King with The Derek King Show. You can find all that at gatewaysports.net.
01:21:01
Speaker
All right, so from my broadcast partner, Gary Cromo, this is Don Glenn, wishing you a very happy evening. And as always, have fun, stay safe. We'll see you again next time on the NCAA Report with Don and Russ.
01:21:18
Speaker
Good night, everybody.