March Madness in April, Week 3, Saturday

Villanova-Kansas went just about exactly as I expected. Twelve different Jayhawks got in the game, which tells you all you need to know. It’s not often you get to play the scrubs in the Final Four. They got off to a 10-0 start and built the lead to 19. You have to credit Villanova. Although out-manned and far behind, they played well enough to get the game within six at one point.

Although both teams played well, Kansas came up with a tough combination to beat – their big guy was 10-for-12 inside, and their outside shooters shot 54% from three-point range, including 6-for-7 from their first team All-American. To top that off, they ran a trapping, pressing defense without fouling much, and they didn’t turn the ball over a lot. Given all of that, they would have beaten any team today. If they can repeat that performance, they will go home with the trophy.

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Ol’ Coach K did not get his storybook ending. His traditional kinda-crosstown rival, UNC, managed to defeat him in his last game. The same team had already managed to defeat him in his last home game.

Saturday’s game could not have been closer. The teams were never far apart, and it could have gone either way at the end. It went UNC’s way because the ball bounced that way and they made some key plays in crunch time. It was their day. Duke might work the ball better, and they almost never turn it over (just 4 times to UNC’s 10), but UNC once again absolutely owned the glass. Armando Bacot was superlative again, with another game of 20+ boards, but his teammates also secured some clutch caroms. The team gathered in 50 misses off the glass.

There was some worrisome news toward the end for UNC. Robo-rebounder Armando Bacot appeared to turn his ankle with about five minutes to play. The big guy had to be helped off. He did come back to finish the game until he fouled out, but he was wincing and limping the whole time. In my opinion, they can’t challenge Kansas without him.

What about WITH him? Well, North Carolina has had an amazing run in this tournament for a #8 seed. They’ve already knocked off a #1 and a #2. They are underdogs, but don’t count them out.

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Kansas Jayhawks odds: bet 190 to win 100, 4.5 point favorites, over/under 153.5

2 thoughts on “March Madness in April, Week 3, Saturday

  1. Duke going 12/20 from the free throw line didn’t help, either.

    Krzyzewski’s final two losses coming to UNC, especially in their context, is the best possible outcome for those who dislike Duke. Which, let’s face is, is damn near everyone outside of Duke graduates. I was just sorry he didn’t get one more chance to berate the crowd or participate in a delightfully awkward ceremony after the game 😉

    Interestingly, yesterday’s loss made Krzyzewski’s record against UNC 50-50. His first career loss was to them, as was obviously his last. Give the man this: he’s all about symmetry.

  2. I do like the idea of a “roborebo-under”. Underling… Yeah, that’s the ticket.

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