That's how I would describe this year's NCAA tournament. The one thing we could all for sure say about this season: outside of two freshmen from Kentucky, a junior from Ohio State, and a junior from Syracuse, there was a serious lack of NBA talent in this year's tournament. Yeah there are plenty of guys who will play in the NBA. But John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, Evan Turner, and Wes Johnson are the only ones who are going to have an immediate impact; everyone else appears to only be a role player/ solid bench guy (at least as of right now).
That being said, it is no wonder why everyone's brackets busted in the Round of 32 (even though I was lucky and made it to the Sweet 16 before losing my champion). When the tournament lacks that killer talent it gets crazy (see 2006). That's why this year was literally a crap shoot. It was fun filling out a bracket because no team or teams stood up as dominate. Sure Kansas looked the part most of the season, but with that draw, and their history, it was clear any weakness was going to come out. Then there was Kentucky. Two freshmen who were only there because the NBA says they can't go straight from high school. But here's the thing: they aren't very good defensively and all year they played down to the talent. Essentially all year they showed they were a team that relied on 2 freshmen. Also, Calipari is a well known recruiter. But he also is well known for not making his kids go to class, not following NCAA rules etc., etc. So is it really surprised that an undisciplined coach rubbed off on a young, immature team? I knew that Kentucky was in trouble against West Virginia when Cousins got his second foul and went to the bench and was visibly upset, swearing, and had this look in his eye like a kid who couldn't get his Legos to fit together they way he wanted. Syracuse was done in simply by injuries. You can't go without your starting center in this tournament; bigs are everything and their non-presence this tournament was definitely a factor.
Teams with a viable big made it places this year (Cornell, St. Mary's, Duke). The teams that played tough defense made it places this year (Baylor, West Virginia, Duke). This year was all about team, experience, and sound strategy. Kentucky couldn't adjust to WVU's 1-3-1 zone, rookie mistake, and it cost them. Teams like Michigan State and Butler who have been there, done that, played together for a while, succeeded. Honestly, there was one shocker: Ali Farokhmanesh beat Kansas (although no one should be surprised they didn't win it all since our President took time to pick them, continuing to prove everything he touches goes horribly wrong for America). Everything else makes sense. Duke: 3 senior scorers, West Virginia: Big East champs, Michigan State: pretty much the same team that made the final last year (OK so Kalin Lucas blowing out his Achilles should have derailed them, but they're experienced and deep with a great coach), Butler is senior laden, talent rich, and hasn't lost this year. Whatever anyone tells you, these four teams are good teams and deserve to be there. Next weekend will be fun to watch.
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