Saturday, March 18, 2006
METHODS TO MADNESS
It's been a good day for northwest basketball. The ninth-seeded Husky women beat 8th-seeded Minnesota 73-69 to advance to the second round. The Husky men are in the Sweet 16 for the second straight year, but this year they had to run through Illinois to get there, and they did so, winning 67-64. Just a few minutes ago, Gonzaga beat Indiana 90-80.
What a huge win for Lorenzo Romar's Huskies. With everyone that graduated last year, how the season transpired, and the seed they got in the bracket, the way they got to the Sweet 16 this time is a bit more impressive. The Huskies went through Montana and Pacific last year. They beat Utah State and Illinois to get there this year. The Illini led by double digits in the second half, but the Huskies nipped away and the key play came when Justin Dentmon converted the four-point play after getting hacked on a three-ball. What would be even sweeter than all of this would be if the Huskies drew Connecticut in the next round and exacted revenge for Rip Hamilton's jumper.
As for Gonzaga, they've made it to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001. It's weird -- even with their rise to the national radar over the past few years, they'd never gotten further in the tournament since 2001. What we found out today, though, was that the supporting cast stepped up when Adam Morrison wasn't having his best game. Sean Mallon contributed greatly, and Erroll Knight augmented his defensive reputation with some above-the-rim offensive play. JP Batista picked up some slack as well. Gonzaga is one step closer to shutting up their doubters. At least more of them, anyway.
So, the Husky men are drawing the Kentucky/UConn winner next weekend, Gonzaga is drawing UCLA next weekend, and the Husky women are drawing 1st-seeded LSU on Monday.
If I actually filled out a bracket this year, it'd be completely messed up. I definitely wouldn't have had the Shockers going to the Sweet 16. I totally would have had Bucknell in the first round though.
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