Everyone knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important issues in the sports world with your friends. So we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take different perspectives on an issue and argue their opinions passionately. Then, ultimately, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s crazy.
This week’s topic: Which remaining NCAA Tournament team are you rooting for?
Josh’s point of view
March Madness was…well, madness again this year. No big surprise, no ? For my money, the NCAA Tournament – men’s or women’s, pick your poison – is the best and most exciting multi-day sporting event there is. It’s just a vibe, really. Like the Olympics or the World Cup, but much better. Because there is no power walking, sailing, synchronized swimming or perpetual disappointment in the United States.
And speaking of disappointment: what about the Buckeyes!? Yeah. Thanks to a shocking upset by the Lady Bucks at home, state of ohio no longer has a team in “the” tournament. I mean, sure, the men made it to the Elite 8 of SLOWbut come on… For all intents and purposes, the college basketball season is over for OSU fans.
But that doesn’t mean we should stop enjoying the tournament(s). Whether you have gaming interests or a “backup school” that you’ve always supported, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. Or, in my case, wasted money. But I don’t dwell on it. I promise. Let’s continue with this edition You are crazy.
With both Ohio State teams out of contention for the major title, Gene and I have now hitched – or decided to hitch – our respective wagons to other teams. And for me, it wasn’t a difficult choice or decision. This has never been the case. It never was. Because I’ve been rooting for North Carolina since I was a kid. Probably more than OSU, if I’m being completely honest. So I ride with the Tar Heels, as I have for over 30 years.
My love for or for North Carolina dates back to my obsession with Michael Jordan. When I became obsessed with MJ, I became a UNC fan by proxy. The history of the program, the legendary players, their powder blue jerseys, all that. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that the Heels have historically won a ton of games.
Conversely, Ohio State was in the middle of a really rough patch when I was starting to grow my fandom and learn about the game. Frankly, they (OSU) stunk in the mid-90s. Randy Ayers era was about as bad as it gets. And during that same rough stretch for the Buckeyes, North Carolina brought in Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison. From that point on, my allegiance was divided, to say the least.
Not only have I always kind of supported UNC, but the program has never given me a reason not to either… Looks like I just used a quadruple negative, I excuse… But the Heels win, they bring in players. who are easy to root for, they play in a great environment and they have maintained a special type of continuity.
Since 1997, when the great Dean Smith retired, North Carolina has had four coaches, all with close ties to Smith. Bill Guthridge was an assistant to Smith who took over after Smith’s retirement, while Matt Doherty, Roy Williams and Hubert Davis all played and/or worked for the legendary coach. I mean, how cool is that!? And with the exception of Doherty, they all had great success.
What I like and/or appreciate about recent UNC teams is that they are made up of players who stick around and embrace being Tar Heels. There aren’t many singles in Chapel Hill. And for some reason, I really like it. Call me old school or a traditionalist, but I will always cling to the pageantry of college sports, even though policymakers and those in power seem to be doing everything they can to ruin them.
So I guess that’s been a long explanation of why I’m looking for a single seed with a reasonable chance of winning it all. But don’t call me a bandwagon fan. At least I can honestly say I’ve been rooted in North Carolina for decades. Come on heels!
Gene’s point of view
Unlike Josh, I really enjoyed watching the Ohio State men play in the NIT. Truth be told, I didn’t watch much of the Buckeyes while Chris Holtmann was at the helm this season, because it was clear that the team was following pretty much the same exact script of the last few years under Holtmann. I have, however, watched every game since Jake Diebler took over, and while it was disappointing that Ohio State ultimately did not make the NCAA tournament, it is clear that the team is playing better and with more energy under the direction of its new head coach.
On that note, Ohio State actually has a very good chance of making the Final Four (I know it’s not officially called that, but let me live) of the NIT. The Buckeyes will host Georgia on Tuesday night, a team that went just 6-12 in the SEC this season before upsetting Wake Forest on Sunday night – the region’s No. 1 seed. While the Demon Deacons are now out and Diebler’s team can host another tournament game, an Ohio State win would pit them against the winner of Seton Hall and UNLV for a spot in the championship game NIT.
Although I will continue to root for the Buckeyes in the NIT, the NCAA Tournament has also been a lot of fun to watch. There were a ton of big upsets and intrigue, as well as breakout players and Cinderellas to rely on. With no real dog in the fight for me for any of the remaining teams in the Sweet 16, I’m still a fan of the underdog, and so I’ll hitch my wagon to the lowest seed in the field: No. 11 NC. State Wolf Pack.
NC State began its March Madness run with an upset against No. 6 Texas Tech. While many lower-ranked programs typically rely on a star player putting up big numbers to win games in the tournament, the Wolfpack beat the Red Raiders 80-67 with a complete team effort. Four different players scored at least 16 points in the contest, led by Ben Middlebrooks’ career-high 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting and an impressive 9-of-10 from the free throw line. As a team, NC State shot over 50% from the floor.
The Wolfpack continued their run with a 79-73 win over Jack Gohlke and fellow double-digit seed Oakland on Saturday. While all five of NC State’s starters reached double figures in scoring, it was forward DJ Burns Jr. who led the way this time around with a team-high 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting. The 6-foot-9 Burns scored in double figures with 11 rebounds, as he and Mohamed Diarra (13 rebounds) helped beat the Golden Grizzlies 46-34 on rebounds.
NC State will face their toughest test yet in the Sweet 16, as they will now face No. 2 seed Marquette on Friday. The Golden Eagles are a tough team, led by Kam Jones (17.1 PPG) and Tyler Kolek (15.3 PPG). Marquette narrowly avoided an upset in its previous game against Colorado, with the two teams tied 74-74 with less than four minutes remaining. A three-point jumper with 2:54 left put the Golden Eagles away for good, and the Wolf Pack will now enter Friday’s game as 6.5-point underdogs.
