Jamie Dixon Playing Hopscotch in a Mine Field

 

by Paul Casey Gotham and Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

Rey!  You watchin’ the play-in game or NIT stuff?

Watching Devan Downey and Stephen Curry battle it out in what could be Curry’s last college game. The tournament is missing out not having these two guards included.

You really think it’s Curry’s last game?

Just a chance.

Have you checked out the East Region?

Yeah – some interesting matchups I’m looking forward to. Villanova and Scottie Reynolds playing the first round in Philly? Fuhgettaboutit.

Yeah – the committee hooked up Jay Wright and his boys.  Huh?

Certainly have to give that some great consideration. They play plenty of games in the Wachovia Center. UCLA or VCU will have their hands full of Wildcat fans. Do you foresee Eric Maynor working any senior guard magic with his 11 seed VCU squad?

Maynor might not need much magic.  He’s gonna give Darren Collison a heapin’ portion of truth serum.

I don’t know. When faced with tougher competition, Maynor has become turnover prone. He’ll be dealing with Collison and Holiday on the perimeter.

Good point.  But I really like Larry Sanders.  He’s a ball getter, and the Bruins won’t have enough inside to slow him down.  Besides when faced with a challenge Collison tries to take too much on his shoulders.  He’ll go one-on-one with Maynor all night.

I almost forgot about Sanders. So I’m assuming you have a VCU upset in the first round. Do you see them advancing any further?

No not at all.  Scottie Reynolds and crew will give Maynor fits.

Speaking about the importance of guard play, Scheyer has been impressive controlling the ball and knocking down shots.

Yeah – it is as if he is the anti-point guard – at least according to the 21st century definition.  If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that Scheyer would be running the point, I would have predicted an early exit for the Blue Devils.  But man, he doesn’t make many mistakes.  He’s not gonna beat anyone off the dribble, but Duke actually can run a half-court offense with Scheyer in control.  Speaking of the Dookies – the committee did them a favor putting ’em in Greensboro for the first two rounds.

Definitely did. Wait a minute – they also did them a favor by putting them in a second round meeting with either the most overrated team in the Big 10, Minnesota, or their overrated brethren from the Big 12, Texas. If Scheyer can continue his consistent play, maybe it will rub off on Kyle Singler. He has to be the catalyst for Duke. He can disappear during certain times of the game that seem inopportune.

Can you believe Steve Lavin is predicting Texas to advance to Detroit?  I don’t get it.  I am surprised the Longhorns aren’t playing tonight in the NIT.  20-10?  And they were lucky to beat Oklahoma late in the year.  If Griffin doesn’t go down with a concussion, there’s no way they pull out that game.  Of course Abrams scares me.  He can go off for 30 without batting an eye.  Speaking of the committee doing favors – how about Portland State.  They are the 13 seed playing in Boise along with Xavier, Florida State, and Wisconsin.  Hate to say it, but the Musketeers gotta be on upset alert.

Strong prediction coming from a Muskie Dad. Where has C.J. Anderson disappeared to? He was useless in the Atlantic 10 tournament, capping it off with a 0-9 performance. If you’re going to win tournament games, your third and fourth options have to step up.

I know, I know.  Not sure what has gone on with the X-Men.  Ever since that loss at Dusquesne things have been kinda dicey.  They seem out of sync.  And now they gotta go a couple of time zones away and play what could be a home game for the Vikings.  Don’t forget Portland State beat Gonzaga earlier this year, and they lost AT Washington by one.  Doesn’t look good for Sean Miller.

Some big wins. We had the opportunity to see Tennessee play in person this year at Temple. Wayne Chism seems to be playing at the top of his game right now. And say what you want about Bruce Pearl, but he’s won over twenty games in each his seasons at the helm in Knoxville. Do you see the Volunteers finding any life in the first round?

They don’t have a conscience, and if I was Jamie Dixon, I’d be sweatin’ like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs.  The Volunteers got a thing or two to prove.  We’ve all been slaggin’ them this year.  I see Tennessee knockin’ off Oklahoma State.  It’s Travis Ford’s first year at the helm.  They have had a nice run to the dance, but that is it.  Then in the second round?  Can the Panthers shoot 3s?  Because that is Tennessee’s weakness.

Even though Sam Young is an athletic freak of nature, he has a sweet jumper. He can knock down all the open shots they give him. He has to be one of the more exciting players to watch not only in this bracket, but the whole tournament. As a team Pitt shoots 35%, which isn’t too shabby. And what’s nice is having Levance Fields. When nothing else seems to be working, he can make something happen in the half court and transition. Is anyone more pressured than Dixon and his Panthers?

Good point Rey.  Too many have been predicting them all season.  They are playing with a weight on their shoulders.  Tennessee has zero pressure.  Then if Pitt gets through the first weekend, they have a potential meeting with Florida State.  Wow!  Have the Seminoles improved or what?

They play basektball in Tallahassee? A well deserved coach of the year honors for Leonard Hamilton in the ACC. If someone can contain Toney Douglas, I can’t see the Seminoles advancing too far.

Hamilton has done a great job.  I don’t see them advancing far either.  At least not beyond the  Sweet Sixteen.  But they could get out of the first weekend.  Echefu can be a pest when he wants.  He makes a nice compliment for Douglas.  Could we be looking at Duke, Villanova, Florida State, and Tennessee after this weekend?  Or maybe Portland State instead of Florida State?

Casey – you just described the Eastern Regional mine field. Dangerous as they may be, I’m going to have to believe in Pitt’s experience and big game play until one of these teams can catch them taking a wrong step.