Reflections on the early madness
by Ray Floriani
HILLSDALE, NJ – Ran into an officiating friend on Saturday en route to the Hiilsdale Hoop ‘Mad Marchness’ youth tournament in this quaint Northern New Jersey town. Mad Marchness, have to love that , but the tournament was well organized with nice four color programs. Anyhow my friend jokingly asked, “tell me, Ray, you undoubtedly penciled in Bucknell and Vermont for the second round of your bracket?” Actually this is the first time in over a decade I didn’t do a bracket, which is just as well. I honestly would have not have written Vermont or Bucknell into round two. Just as I would have figured UConn, Syracuse and BC getting to the regional from the Big East. Not West Virginia and Villanova. Suffice to say many brackets were ripped up and thrown into the circular file prior to the end of West Virginia – Wake Forest late Saturday night. A few reflections…
- The gap has closed considerably. A two seed can no longer play a fifteen andbarely break a sweat en route to a double-digit victory. Besides the likes of Bucknell over Kansas and Vermont stopping Syracuse in OT, you had a number of higher seeds that had to come prepared and work to earn their first round victory. Delaware State, for one, was a tough out versus Duke. Even Wake Forest in round one did not have an easy go with UT Chattanooga.
- Villanova advanced to the regionals and one thing that helped was the mindset instilled by coach Jay Wright. Following the Big East semifinal loss to West Virginia in the final seconds, Wright talked about the disappointment with the loss and how he would immediately get his club focused on the next game, the NCAA tournament. So rather than lamenting on losing the chance to win the Big East Tournament, the Wildcats went home to work and prepare as dutifully as expected for the NCAAs. The results showed and ‘Nova is off to the Sweet Sixteen.
- NC State is also headed to the round of sixteen – amazing when you consider State coach Herb Sendek was fighting for his job when the ACC tournament began. The Wolfpack were able to get in the NCAA and their huge win over UConn on Sunday has extended a season many were shoveling dirt on just a little over a week ago.
- The General is back. Worried the game of three point shooting and transition basketball had passed him by, Bobby Knight’s Texas Tech club is another surprise advancing to play next weekend. The game has changed during Knight’s illustrious three plus decades on the sidelines. But the tradition of sound fundamentals, taking care of the basketball and strong defense are still intact.
- Tom Brennan, whose fine coaching career ended with the second round loss to Michigan State, is often remembered for his humor. Make no mistake though, Brennan was one who could coach. The job he did turning around the Vermont program during his tenure was proof. The rest of the nation found out about Brennan though during his finest moment, the upset over Syracuse on Friday.
Where did Brennan get his humor and one liners ? Credit Bill Raftery of ESPN. Brennan served as an assistant to Raftery at Seton Hall years ago. Also give Raftery and another former boss, Rollie Massimino, an assist to Brennan as he came up through the ranks and learned from both coaches. - Two weeks ago, West Virginia lost its last regular season game to Seton Hall at Continental Airlines Arena. The Mountaineers entered the Big East Tournament just trying to win and play their way into the NCAA. A first round win over Providence helped. The quarterfinal win over top-seeded Boston College probably punched their ticket. A thrilling semifinal win over Villanova led to an eventual tournament runner-up finish.
West Virginia defeated a tough Creighton club in the opening round before the epic double overtime win over Wake Forest, a team many had pegged for St. Louis. The game was at Cleveland and the hero of the contest for West Virginia was a local product Mike Gansey. Hitting a career-high (19 in the two OTs) 29 points, Gansey made a succession of big plays to advance West Virginia into the regionals. For John Beilein, who has done a marvelous job rebuilding the Mountaineer fortunes, it has been some two weeks. And Beilein, like his team and WVU followers, don’t want this magical ride to end anytime soon. - FDU gave a strong showing in their first round loss to Illinois. No real surprise there. During his 22-year tenure at FDU, coach Tom Green had his team in three prior NCAA tournaments. In ’85 (Michigan), ’88 (Purdue) and ’98 (UConn) all top or second seeds were battled tough. Green , as in the other years, did a masterful job of preparing his team. FDU came with a respect, not fear, of the Illini. They battled gamely before Illinois’ talent took over. But despite the loss, it was a solid effort and proud showing by an FDU team that had some impartial rooters suddenly backing them as the game wore on.
- Amidst all these upsets and higher seeds putting away the basketballs in storage, it’s time to reflect on the outstanding job St. Joe’s did last season. Following a November win over Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden, the Hawks played with a bullseye on their jerseys. As the wins piled up teams came at them with their A game. On the road arenas were packed. Knocking off Phil Martelli’s club would make one’s season. Through it all, St. Joe’s met the challenges. Off the floor they handled the mushrooming media and fan attention with remarkable poise and cooperation. Martelli knew this was something special and wanted his kids to savor the moment. The first loss was to eventual Elite Eight Xavier in the Atlantic Ten Tournament. St. Joe’s regrouped and head off challenges in the NCAA. They were tested by Texas Tech in the second round. In the regionals they defeated Wake Forest in a thriller. The Phialedlphia-based catholic school then came within one possession of the Final Four. The final record was 30-2. Their run was truly amazing when you consider the upsets today and just how difficult it is to advance in the one and done NCAA tournament.
Where are the Hawks today? Still playing, of course. Martelli expected to lose Jameer Nelson. He didn’t count on the talented Delonte West to cast his NBA lot a year early. Still, they finished runner-up in the A-10 tourney and eventually accepted an NIT bid. They are still alive and have a great chance of getting to that tournament’s Final Four in New York. A truly remarkable run by Martelli and company. Must be truth in the Jesuit school’s faithful who chant ‘the hawk will never die’.
