Spring Break
More bracket talk, friendship beginning to fade
Jason Butt & Fletcher Page
Issue date: 3/18/09 Section: Sports
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Butt: It's going to be perfect.
Page: Really? Damn. There's a lot of pressure on me, being the basketball beat writer.
Butt: Pressure? It's not like you're signing autographs, small potatoes.
Page: But I have been compared to Rick Reilly on the message boards lately.
Butt: Page, it's like you never log on to Facebook. You have no status.
Page: Touché, sir.
Any Cinderellas this year?:
Page: VCU - The Rams already have been center stage in the Big Dance previously, upsetting Duke in the first round of the 2007 Tournament. Senior Eric Maynor is a player worth the price of admission, a scorer who can rip open jumpers and create for himself. Maynor's a complete player, averaging 22 points and six assists a game. Head coach Anthony Grant was an assistant coach on Florida's back-to-back championship teams in 2006-07, and has brought a winning attitude.
Butt: Stephen F. Austin - If anyone will rekindle the '98 Valpo magic it will be Stephen F. Austin. Yes, Syracuse should (and will) beat them, but the Orange are known for its NCAA mishaps, such as when it fell to 13-seed Vermont in 2005. Stephen F. Austin is third in the nation at field goal percentage defense, 37 percent, and only give up 56 points per game.
Is there a darkhorse?:
Page: Florida State - FSU surprised many this season, finishing fourth in the ACC and knocking off top-ranked North Carolina in the conference tournament. Senior guard Toney Douglas is arguably the best guard in the nation, averaging 21 points and three assists a game. The Seminoles have a good low-post rotation, headlined by freshmen Chris Singleton and Solomon Alabi. If Douglas gets enough scoring support from his teammates and turnovers are limited, things could get interesting.
Butt: Purdue - I don't see many low seeds advancing past the Sweet 16, but I do like Purdue's chances. If Purdue meets up with top-seed Connecticut in the Sweet 16, it could be an ideal matchup since the Huskies are without Jerome Dyson. With A.J. Price the lone outside threat, Purdue could put just enough pressure on UConn's guards. Robbie Hummel is back in form, too, making the Boilermakers dangerous.
Team to avoid picking:
Page: Duke - Let's face it, Duke has been underachieving since its Final Four in 2004. The Blue Devils haven't made it past the Sweet 16 since, and has been embarrassed the past two years, losing in the first and second rounds. There is no questioning Duke's defensive prowess, but coach Mike Krzyzewski likes to rely on 3-pointers to carry the scoring load, which can be inconsistent.
Butt: Kansas - Only one starter from last year's championship team is back and that's Sherron Collins, who at times has to do everything. Kansas' draw doesn't stack up well, as after North Dakota State gives Kansas a scare, West Virginia will (to my estimation) be waiting,. Alex Ruoff and Da'Sean Butler can light it up from 3 while Devin Ebanks is a force down low on the boards.
- Jason Butt is the sports
editor and Flecther Page is a sportswriter for the Red & Black
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