Despite losing to Ole Miss in the SEC tournament final, the Florida Gators wrapped up a #3 seed in the NCAA tournament. They’ll be taking on 14 seed Northwestern State in the first round. Last year, they made the Elite Eight before losing Bradley Beal to the NBA draft, where he went third overall to the Wizards. This year’s team won the SEC regular season championship and was ranked as high as #2 during the season. Five other Gator items: 1. They have three players
Height is pretty darn important in the NBA, but it’s not everything. With that in mind, here’s today’s question: [Read more…]
For the second consecutive season, the California Golden Bears will make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Bears will be a No. 12 seed in the East Region as they play the UNLV Rebels in San Jose, California. So what do you need to know about Mike Montgomery’s group? 1. This is the fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years under coach Mike Montgomery. The Bruins hadn’t made it to consecutive tournaments since the 2003 season under Ben Braun. 2. The California
For just the third time since 1997, the Colorado Buffaloes will appear in the NCAA Tourney. It’s the second consecutive selection for Tad Boyle and the Buffaloes. So what makes this Pac-12 team so dangerous? 1. This might just be the deepest team in Tad Boyle’s tenure at Colorado. Four players are averaging double-figure scoring, while a fifth rests at 9.0 points per game. Every one of those players is averaging at least 3.0 rebounds. 2. When it comes to players ready to
Oklahoma State is into the Big Dance as a No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region. Here are five things to know about the Cowboys: 1. Point guard Marcus Smart nearly has Jason Kidd numbers. Seriously. The freshman is averaging 15.4 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.9 steals. Kidd’s numbers as a freshman: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 3.8 steals. In other news… 2. Smart is the Big 12 Player of the Year. He carried Oklahoma State
After missing the NCAA Tournament in 2012, the Arizona Wildcats are back in 2013. Led by head coach Sean Miller, Arizona will be a No. 6 seed in the West Region. So what should you know about this Pac-12 power? 1. The Arizona Wildcats have made it to the Sweet Sixteen in each of their past two appearances. That includes a run to the Elite Eight in 2011. 2. Arizona has five wins against teams currently in the NCAA Tournament. That includes victories
The ultimate Cinderella is back, ladies and gentlemen. After missing the NCAA Tournament in 2012, Brad Stevens and the Butler Bulldogs have made it into the 2013 dance as a No. 6 seed. Could we be in store for another magical run? 1. The Butler Bulldogs have competed in two of the past three National Championship games. In that time, they’ve defeated the likes of Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Kansas State, Syracuse and VCU. They eventually lost, but set the standard for
For the first time since 2008, the Oregon Ducks are in the NCAA Tournament. The Ducks won their first Pac-12 conference tournament title since 2007 and will now play as a No. 12 seed in March Madness. The question is, what makes the Ducks such a tantalizing team? 1. The last time that Oregon won the Pac-12 conference tournament was 2007. Led by Aaron Brooks, that team went on to the Elite Eight. Could we see another magical run by Dana Altman and company? 2.