Wow. After a relatively boring placid March Madness last year, Day Two this year provided the best single day in many years. And to think, we Some Fool blogged yesterday about day one: Not many close games yesterday (and why does that feel like it will become a developing pattern over the next few days?). Wow. What an idiot!
Not to go all Frank Deford on everyone, but yesterday reminded us why March Madness is so special. It's not about the North Carolina's and Pukes, errrrrrr, Dukes of the world. No, it's about teams you didn't see on TV all season and players you never heard of.
Western Kentucky's Ty Rogers will never play one minute in the NBA. But he is forever a part of March Madness. For the next 10 years (at least), when CBS amps up the March Madness PR Machine, Rogers' shot will be shown, along with Jimmy V running around and Bryce Drew sliding head first on the court. Davidson's Stephen Curry's line will go down as one of the tournament's best ever: 40 points (in 39 minutes), including an eye-popping 8-10 on treys. San Diego's De'Jon Jackson scored just 4 points against UConn yesterday. But his basket with 1.2 seconds left gave the Toreros their first tournament victory ever! Some random thoughts on yesterday's action:
1. Sixteen games resulted in seven being decided by 8 points or less. Two games went into overtime -- where both winning teams (Western Kentucky and 
San Diego) won on what basically amounted to buzzer beaters. Of the 16 games, seven were upsets.
San Diego) won on what basically amounted to buzzer beaters. Of the 16 games, seven were upsets.2. Speaking of upsets, many hopped on the Clemson to the Final Four is Such a Chique Pick Bandwagon. (We did not, thought we did have the Tigers advancing to the Sweet 16.) We openly stated yesterday Clemson would beat Villanova by "double digits". And so it was with horror that we looked on last night as Villanova came from behind to win, 75-69. While we saw 'Nova coach Jay Wright stand, cajole, shout and simply will his players to victory, this is what we saw from Clemson: They suck stink at shooting. Even worse, they take terrible shots. And what did coach Oliver Purnell do? Well, he stood and watched. And then he watched some more. Finally, he watched a bit more. Our wife swears we do more talking in our sleep than he did during the game last night. Oh yeah. And mix in a timeout ever once in a while, Ollie.
3. What in the name of Steve McCoy was up with Siena last night? Led by guards Kenny Hasbrouck (30 points) and Tay Fisher (6-6 three point shooting), the 13th seeded Saints did a drive by on fourth seeded Vanderbilt, 83-62. 4. We yelled and screamed, but NO ONE LISTENED. All winter, we told you the ACC was simply not that good. And then Billy Packer cried his eyes out because the hallowed conference landed just four teams. North Carolina may as well leave for the Final Four now. But Clemson is gone. Duke should be gone. And tomorrow, Miami will be gone (thanks to Texas).
5. What to watch for today? We have Notre Dame "upsetting" (5 v. 4) Washington State. Wisconsin and K-State play at 4:40 in what looks to be an utterly fascinating game. (Can the Badger D stop the Fighting Michael Beasleys?) Pitt and Michigan State will play what will amount to a football game. A game that Pitt will win, by the way. And, of course, America's Team, DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, will play Coach Huggs' Mountaineers of West Virginia. We are hoping in the worst way that Huggs advances. But we see Duke squeaking by, yet again. By the way -- is it us or does it seem that every Dukie who fails to make the NBA (and that's most of them) simply becomes one of Coach K's assistants?
Enjoy the games today!
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