NCAA Tournament: 5 Must-Watch Selection Games

Today’s the day! It’s an unofficial national holiday. Selection Sunday is upon us. The NCAA Tournament is at the doorstep. It seems like just a short time ago that we were glued to ESPN for it’s 24-hour tip-off marathon. Now, we’re glued to the TV until 2 in the morning to see who will come away with the Big West title.

On the day, I saved myself, going 5-3 in my picks, with my misses coming in the Kansas-Iowa State game (thanks for that collapse, Jayhawks), Notre Dame’s very impressive ACC tournament championship over UNC, and my misguided faith in the Law of Gus in the Big East final. As it stands, I pulled my record up to 10-21, back up to a respectable batting average. Now, for yesterday’s awards.

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MVP – Ryan Boatright. Seriously, what is it with UConn point guards? First Kemba Walker put Gary McGhee on roller skates, then Shabazz Napier become LeBron James’ favorite player, and now Boatright is single-handedly resurrecting the hopes of the Huskies defending their national title. His 21-point performance in the AAC semi-final against Tulsa saved UConn, who trailed by 10 with 6:39 to play. Boatright’s three-pointer at the 1:46 mark capped off a 13-3 run that tied the game. UConn finished the game on a 19-4 run to advance to the final.

Is Boatright at the level of Napier and Walker yet?

LVP – Basketball Gods, who seem bound and determined to continually rip the hearts out of Stony Brook’s chest. Looking for their first tournament berth ever, Stony Brook led late before Albany’s Peter Hooley went full Robert Horry and buried the game-winning three-pointer after corralling a loose ball at the top of the key.

Why do you hate them so, Gods?

Best Tournament Run – Your first answer might be Auburn, who were playing their fourth game in four days. However, Kentucky took their Cinderella slipper, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it repeatedly. It didn’t help that Cinmeon Bowers was suspended, but they didn’t have a chance even with him.

But the best tournament run goes to the Notre Dame Irish. First, they hung on in the second half against Miami, then shocked the Duke Blue Devils, setting up an unlikely final against North Carolina. For much of the first half and into the second, UNC had control of the game. At the 9:59 mark, UNC led 63-54 after a Marcus Paige and the sense was that the Tar Heels were about to pull away.

Notre Dame then unleashed 13-1 run that gave them a three-point lead. But they weren’t through, pushing the score to 71-64, a 17-1 run. The lead stretched out to as many as 14 points before the final margin of 90-82, a thoroughly impressive victory for Mike Brey and his squad.

The “Love Giving Heart Attacks To Their Fanbase” Award: Imagine how good the Iowa State Cyclones would be if they decided not to give their opponents massive leads before deciding to play. Against Kansas, they trailed by 17 early in the second-half before unleashing a 17-2 run to close the deficit to two points. They would eventually take the lead and hang on late for the Big 12 title, an award that is no small feat.

On to today’s match-ups. There are only five games nation-wide today, all (obviously) conference title games. All times listed will be Eastern.

5. Georgia State vs. Georgia Southern, ESPN2, 1:00 PM

The top two teams in the Sun Belt regular season standings meet for a tournament berth. State’s RJ Hunter is one of the best players you haven’t heard about, having scored 32 points in yesterday’s win over UL-Lafayette. In the game before that, against Georgia Southern, he poured in 35 points.

Winner: Georgia State

4. Kentucky vs. Arkansas, 1:00 PM, ESPN

I rank this so low because it won’t be a contest. Kentucky are absolutely rolling right now, playing arguably their best basketball of the season. No, they couldn’t beat a NBA team, but they can beat Arkansas by 20.

Winner: Kentucky

3. UConn vs. SMU, 3:15 PM, ESPN

Bubble teams across the nation will be massive SMU Mustang fans. The only way UConn makes the tournament is if they win the conference title, which would steal a bid from potential bubble teams. UConn won the last match-up 81-73, so SMU is looking both for revenge and recognition. Right now, they’re the second-most talked about team in their conference despite being highest ranked.

Winner: UConn

2. VCU vs. Dayton, 1:00 PM, CBS

While I predicted a VCU win, I did not expect the throttling they gave Davidson. They are riding really high right now and, despite having lost to Dayton by four in their last match-up, it’s hard not to see them win this, with all respect to Dayton. Maybe I just have too much Shaka Smart fever.

Winner: VCU

1. Wisconsin vs. Michigan State, 3:30 PM, CBS

The cardinal rule of March is to not best against Tom Izzo until the Sweet 16. But Wisconsin is playing great basketball right now, are lethal and efficient, and won’t beat Izzo. Sorry, Bo Ryan. Your powers are useless here.

Winner: Michigan State

Next: Big Ten Tournament Day Four: And Then There Were Two

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