Mar 19, 2014
The NCAA tournament began on Tuesday with opening round games where multiple teams fought for lower seeds in the second round. More than often, these teams are served as a “sacrifice” for higher seeded college programs. In the history of NCAA tourney action, no number 16 seed has ever beaten a number 1 seed. There are no expectations of such an occurrence happening in this year’s tournament.
According to the opinions of fans and basketball analyst, the real NCAA tournament begins on March 20th. Michigan State comes in as the favorite to cut down the nets at AT@T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The Spartans finished the season strong by winning their final three games to go along with a Big Ten Conference title. In Gainesville Florida, there is a team called the Florida Gators. The Gators have won the overall number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament in which they have the easiest path to the Final Four.
Wichita State is a team going into March Madness with the most-to-prove. The Shockers are the first team to enter the dance with an undefeated record since the 1990-1991 UNLV “Runnin” Rebels. Wichita State has the toughest path to reach the Final Four. The Shockers may have to face teams such as Kentucky, Michigan, Duke and reigning National Champion Louisville.
The dark horse of the tournament could be the Virginia Cavaliers. They have a team that consists of veteran leadership, great team defense and excellent shooters. In order to advance to the Final Four they may have to get past Michigan State in the sweet 16. Iowa State is another team that has the capability of making a deep run in the tourney. They are lead by All-Big-12 performers DeAndre Kane and Melvin Ejim.
March Madness 2014 is expected to be a wide-open competition for the crown of National Champion. College basketball has been a league of parody over the whole season. There is usually one team that displays its dominance throughout the season. During one period of time at least 6 teams obtained the nation’s number 1 ranking. Entering the tournament, Florida is riding the nation’s longest winning streak.
The NCAA tournament will be filled with the usual clutch shots, buzzer-beaters and upsets. Every year a number 12 seed beats a 5 seed. The expectation is, it will happen again, particularly in the North Dakota State versus Oklahoma game. March Madness is the most exciting month of the year, where amazing circumstances are guaranteed to be a focal point of the dance.
