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Monday, December 23, 2024
Collectively, the 2015 NCAA Tournament was a roller coaster. There was the high of the first few days before the tourney slipped into mediocrity in its middle rounds, only to rise high again for a big finish at the end, worthy of all the history of such a splendid event.
To some, Liberty is a sleeping giant program that been far more asleep than a giant since joining D-I almost 30 years ago. The school’s coaching history, though, has been…interesting? Quirky? Bizarre? Take your pick.
A West Region final rematch is what many have been looking forward to this year, even if they didn’t know it. And a West Region final rematch is what they are getting.
This year’s NCAA Tournament has not brought us many true upsets, but it will bring us a Sweet 16 full of history, though.
A bad day for No. 2 seeds tells us a lot about the winners, including one with a coach whose legend grows. Plus a near miss for one conference, other top seeds move on, and more coaching news emerges.
Friday was pretty much the opposite of Thursday, and almost historic in a very different way, right up to the end. Plus some trendy picks didn’t work out this time around, a Bulldog should be ready for Saturday.
Illinois State coach Dan Muller said it was going to take a player having a special day to defeat top seed and No. 8-ranked nationally Wichita State in his team’s semifinal Saturday at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. It was senior Daishon Knight who delivered, scoring 25 points in a masterful performance as the Redbirds shocked the Shockers 65-62.
Coming off an outstanding season, the Atlantic 10 has flown under the radar this year. The league won’t be getting six teams in the NCAA Tournament again, but hitting the stretch run, no conference is more intriguing at the top than the A-10.
If there’s one thing that the new configuration of the Big East has taught us, it’s that memories of the old Big East are always going to be around the corner, even at times when we’re thoroughly enjoying the league in the present.
While Notre Dame and Duke were putting on a terrific game, one that should confirm both as deserving top 10 teams right now, Wednesday was not a good evening for a couple ACC teams at home, and it could be a night that comes back to haunt those teams on Selection Sunday in just under 6 1/2 weeks.
