2021 NCAA Elite Eight (Day One)

(12) Oregon St 61-67 (2) Houston

Weird game, fun game. Whenever it felt like Houston was gonna wrap it up, Oregon State would come roaring back. Early on, Houston's D was stifling but on offense I couldn't figure out what their game is, I mean they chuck a lot of 3's, but that doesn't feel like who they are. They want to be more balanced, more controlled but they don't know how, so they shoot a lot of 3's and so far it has worked for them. Houston is an interesting team, feels like a lot more talent than they ever really showcase. If they get it together, they can win it all...or they could get slaughtered by Baylor. Good run for Oregon State but the scoring dried up for long stretches of time and they just couldn't overcome their own inefficiency. 

(3) Arkansas 72-81 (1) Baylor

At the first TV timeout, Baylor was up 15-3. I said to myself right then that Baylor would win but by less than 12. Baylor was better but that weren't that much better and Arkansas had a decent shot at coming back. Baylor had a poorly timed drought in the 2nd half that kept the game close even though it felt like Baylor was dominating. But Arkansas' scoring just vanished in the last eight mins and that was that. (Also: Ark, dude, are you fouling in the last minute or not? Are you playing D or are you just running out the clock? Pick one! Real lack of leadership down the stretch, no game plan at work)

NCAA B-Ball updates

Kansas 75-68 (OT) Memphis
Memphis had it and didn't close it. John Calipari is a great recruiter and a snappy dresser but he's not an in-game tactician. Derek Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts are 2 of the best guards I've seen in a while and they'll both be excellent pro players. I like Brandon Rush, probably a little undersized for what will be expected of him at the next level but I think he'll be pretty good.

North Carolina was disappointing but if you think about, the Tarheels have a long history of making the Final Four and then doing nothing. UCLA was just outmatched at every position by Memphis. I like Kevin Love but I think he'd be better served by another year in college and Darren Collison basically proved he can't play at the next level by getting his ass handed to him by Rose. I like Tyler Hansbrough, he's got good hands, good feet and plays with intensity but I just don't think he's got the skills to be an all-star; he could contribute along the lines of what Chuck Hayes is doing with the Rockets.

Tennessee 64-48 Stanford
UT's defense was too stifling for Stanford's attack. Gotta admit defense may win championships but in the ladies' game I'd rather see offense, cutting to the basket, crisp passing, clutch jumpers. Tennessee is a great champion (as usual) but it was a pretty dull game. Candice Parker went on to be the #1 pick in the WNBA draft this afternoon. Damn, they have the draft the day after the championship? No combines? No hype? No fun!