Your South Regional Menu

by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

Welcome to the South Regional Cafe. The South loves its food, so browse the menu and see what your tastes may get you in this year’s Southern Bracket.

Grits – If you’ve ever seen My Cousin Vinny and have never been south of the Mason-Dixon line, I’m sure you, too, have pondered what exactly a grit is. It looks like baby cereal with no taste, which is why true home grown southerners will cover their grits with butter, cheese or some other condiment. But make no mistake – just like defense in basketball – though bland at times, they’re essential to any southern meal.

This region has two of the top three defenses in the nation in #5 Illinois and #14 Stephen F. Austin. Each school is holding opponents under 57 points per game. The Lumberjacks, champions of the Southland Conference may need to get down to the nitty-gritty of defensive principles in the first round; they play an explosive #3 Syracuse team.

Hushpuppies – These are a staple to all lunches and dinners across the south. A simple recipe: tiny rolls of fried cornmeal bread. These enticing and addicting.

Nothing may be as enticing as a mid-major ready to take on the major players. It seems as though Butler is still a gleam in everyone’s eye. The #9 Bulldogs will face #8 LSU first and if they advance, will likely face #1 North Carolina.

Butler’s best days may be ahead of them as a majority of the players are freshmen and sophomores. Forward Matt Howard has had a stellar sophomore year leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Freshmen Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack will need to grow up fast to get their #9 Bulldogs to the sweet sixteen.

Western Kentucky may seem enticing. It may be that most of that magic left with last year’s hero, Courtney Lee.

Spicy Potatoes – The underrated, underappreciated side dish of the south. The potato is cut into quarters swimming in an orange, spicy sauce. Often passed up by newcomers but appreciated by those who truly know their southern food. There are some spicy players in this bracket who have been underappreciated this season.

Watch 6’4″ senior guard Marcus Thornton of #8 LSU. He’s quietly averaged 21 points per game this year, eclipsing the 30 point mark on six occasions. He can be an explosive player and may cause havoc for the Ginyard-less #1 Tar Heels should his Tigers make it to the second round.

Kevin Thompson of Morgan State is no slouch. This 6’8″ 240 pound freshman will have his hands full in the first round as his #15 Bears, champions of the MEAC conference, take on the Griffin brothers of Oklahoma.

Thompson should be up for the challenge, as he went well above his average in the MEAC championship game scoring 15 points and pulling down 11 boards. If he can get some help from his fellow frontcourt members, the Sooners could have a dog fight on their hands.

Austin Daye of #4 Gonzaga is a rising star on NBA prospect lists. This lanky 6’11” forward continues to cause matchup problems and may give other schools fits defensively. He’s third on his team in scoring at 13 a game, leads rebounding with nearly 7 a game, and just for good measure will throw in 2 blocks a game.

Daye’s Bulldogs will face MAC champion Akron first. Looking ahead, The Zags may have a potential sweet sixteen matchup with the #1 Tar Heels.

Barbeque – Not the sauce. This barbeque is a vinegar mixture with shredded pork. It’s an acquired taste; regardless, it’s a staple on the southerner’s menu.

Certain players will determine the success of their team. Sometimes the best on the team, sometimes the glue that holds things together, but these players will have to show up big on the menu or no true southerner will consider it a meal – just like their beloved barbeque recipe.

James Harden come on down! This 6’5″ sophomore guard opted out of last year’s NBA draft and made many college basketball fans happy. Averaging 21 points per game to go along with nearly 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and close to 2 steals, he is the #6 Sun Devils main course.

However, if he doesn’t come to play starting in round one, Arizona State can expect an early exit. The road to the Regional will be tough, even in the first round game with the Atlantic 10 champion Temple Owls. Syracuse and Oklahoma will probably be waiting in the wings should Harden strap the Sun Devils to his back.

Tyler Hansbrough has become Carolina basketball, but no true UNC fan will tell you that Ty Lawson isn’t the most important player on this Tar Heel squad. First off: will he play? Roy Williams says it is possible he sits out the first round game against #16 Radford. He makes this Carolina engine run, but if this injury doesn’t heal, this bracket is loaded with guards ready to challenge.

Jonny Flynn continues to put his name out there with the best point guards in the country. What better stage to improve one’s NBA stock? He may have a lot to prove as does his school. Syracuse has been disappointing in the tournament since their championship in 2003, even having to settle for the NIT two years in a row. Orange fans are ready for a return to greatness and Flynn has the ticket.

The #11 Temple Owls will bring their own NBA-esque guard with them. Sharp shooting 6’6″ guard Dionte Christmas has to be salivating. A first round game against Herb Sendek’s matchup 3-2 zone and a potential second round game against Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone may have the Owls thinking sweet sixteen. If Christmas gets a hot hand, it could spell trouble for these zone defenses.

No doubt Blake Griffin is it when it comes to the #2 Sooners. Although, we were able to see what his teammates could do when he suffered a concussion and sat out a few games. Those games revealed the athleticism and gutsy play of freshman Willie Warren. The freshman guard scored 27 and 23 in Griffin’s absence, well above his 14 a game average.

Not be forgotten is Blake’s older brother, Taylor Griffin. He averages close to 10 points and 6 rebounds. Most importantly, however, is his interior passing ability. Both Griffin’s are not afraid to move the ball to an open perimeter player or each other to get a better look.

Fried Chicken – Delicious no matter where you go. Sure everyone will have their preferences and claim one area or restaurant is better than another, but in the end, they’re all the same. Don’t be fooled – it’s just like anything you’d have in any other part of the country.

Interesting defensive styles will take the court in the Southern Region. Some like to boast about the prowess of their school’s specific scheme; nonetheless, it’s all about how it’s executed or in fried chicken’s case, how it’s prepared. No secrets but the pressure to do it right is prevalent.

The traditional 2-3 zone could cause trouble if the Syracuse Orange get Temple in the second round. More than likely, though, they’ll face Oklahoma in a sweet sixteen matchup. The Griffin brothers may be passing circles around Arinze Onuaku in the middle of that zone.

Oliver Purnell will bring his #7 Clemson squad to face John Beilein’s #10 Michigan. Both these teams have their signature defense. Purnell will stick to his full court pressure. It’s done wonders against some teams, holding Duke to under fifty points earlier this year. Then in other games it has been their demise as teams’ press breakers seemed to bust the odd front pressure time and time again.

Beilein will put his tall and long 1-3-1 zone up against the Tigers of the ACC. This seems to be a pretty effective strategy when it works; a balanced zone that allows quick close outs on the arc. Terrence Oglesby has become better at attacking with the dribble. He is still as formidable an outside threat as last year, so if the Wolverines fail to identify him at all times, it could be lights out early for Big Blue.

Pig Roast – There is nothing like a huge grill with a pig split open laying in it slowly cooked throughout the day. Most common in the summer time, this delicacy of the Dixie means something special is going on. Grab a plate, get in line, and enjoy the succulent, savory pulled pork.

Let’s be honest: as much as everyone loves upsets and Cinderellas, the South Region comes down to #1 and #2. Who doesn’t want to see Oklahoma versus North Carolina? Former player of the year versus current player of the year? Warren versus Lawson. The seasoned coach in Roy Williams and the new kid on the block Jeff Capel.

Anything else would just be . . . well . . . fried chicken. Enjoy your meal and don’t forget the tip!