Temple Looking Good

A month ago, everyone in Philadelphia believed that Villanova was the region's best team and had the best chance to go far in the NCAA tournament. Many people are starting to change their thinking after watching Temple dominate St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island in the A-10 tournament. While those teams may not seem like tough opponents, Temple made sure each game was never in doubt.

The final score of this afternoons game in Atlantic City was 57-44. Temple beat Rhode Island to advance to the Atlantic 10 championship tomorrow. Temple never trailed during the game. Their stifling defense kept the Rams uneasy all game.

This team is led by guard Juan Fernandez and big man Lavoy Allen. Fernandez is a guy who has it all on the offensive side of the ball. He can shoot the three with the best of them. He can pass the ball because of his uncanny court vision. He can dribble-drive to the bucket.

Allen is a tough rebounder, and while his contributions may not always stand out on the stat sheet, he is a vital part of this team. This Owls' team is packed with supporting players who can come up big at any time.

The Owls will take on Richmond tomorrow in the A-10 title game. Temple, the 17-th ranked team in the country, already had a ticket punched to the big dance before this tourney. After this tournament, they be a 3 seed in the NCAA tourney.

The way I see it, Temple is a complete team. Their defense is 4th ranked in the nation, and defense wins championships. Temple beat Villanova earlier this year. Villanova is an inconsistent team and not too well defensively. Right now I'm saying the Owls will go farther into March than the Wildcats.

But who knows, the 'Cats could regain their rhythm if the beat an easy first round opponent.

Villanova Falls Again

The Villanova Wildcats were eliminated from the Big East tournament after their 80-76 loss to Marquette in a quarterfinal game. The Wildcats had beaten Marquette two previous times this season. This was not a surprising loss for me. Nova has been struggling of late, having lost five of their last seven. At times this season, Nova has looked like one of the top teams in the country. More recently, they have looked like a overrated team that can't defend.

This Villanova team has to pull it together if they hope to get anywhere deep into March. First, they need to consistently knock down shots. Second, the need to limit the turnovers. The defense has been a bit better than the offense. Marquette doesn't have a dominant big man either. Nova's gonna have to tighten up the D if the want to go deep into the Tourney.

Yes this is my first post in a while. I'm gonna ease back into it.

Here We Come Duke!

Villanova will play Duke late Thursday night in a Sweet 16 matchup. This ought to be a close game. Both teams have excellent guards. For Villanova, Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher control the backcourt. Duke gets most of their points from the backcourt of John Scheyer and wingman Gerald Henderson (who's from Philly, no less).

I did pick Villanova in this game, mainly because they are a hometown team. But now that I begin to think about it, the Wildcats have a very realistic shot of sending the Blue Devils packing. These teams are oddly similar. Both teams rely on consistent shooting. I told you about the guards, but both teams also have skilled big men: Kyle Singler for Duke and Dante Cunningham for Villanova. It should be a fun matchup.

There aren't any real cinderella team in this year's 16. You have 12th seeded Arizona, but I don't consider them a cinderella. They are from the Pac-10 and are usually ranked in the top 25. A cinderella can't be from the a power conference like the Pac-10.

It may seem like I am disappointed there is no cinderella, but I'm not. There will be plenty of great games on this weekend. Kansas-Michigan State, Syracuse-Oklahoma, and Missouri-Memphis, just to name a few.

NCAA Tournament Picks

First Round Upsets

VCU over UCLA- VCU upset Duke in last years Tournament. They can do it again.

Temple over Arizona State- I go to go with the hometown Owls here. Plus, Arizona State enters the tournament on a cold streak.

Utah State over Marquette

Sweet 16 Teams

East Region

Pittsburgh
Florida State
Villanova
Duke

South Region

North Carolina
Illinois
Syracuse
Oklahoma

Midwest

Louisville
Utah
Kansas
Michigan State

West

UConn
Purdue
Missouri
Memphis

Elite 8 Teams

East

Pittsburgh
Villanova

South

Illinois
Oklahoma

Midwest

Louisville
Kansas

West

Memphis
UConn

Final Four

Pittsburgh
Illinois
Kansas
UConn

National Championship

Kansas vs. Pittsburgh

Kansas is my National Champion

Temple Gets NCAA Bid

The Temple Owls will be going to the NCAA Tournament. We know that for sure after the Owls beat the Dusqusne Dukes in the Atlantic 10 championship game. The Owls were impressive in the game, especially Lavoy Allen. The sophomore forward Allen scored 10 points and grabbed 14 boards.

Dionte Christmas is the go-to-guy in the Owls offense. Christmas had 29 on the game, and went a fantastic 7-16 from the three point line. The Owls have been playing really well. Last night, they beat Xavier, who were heavily favored and ranked at the time. I did not see that game because I was at the Sixers last game at the Spectrum (scroll down for full story).

I think Temple would have gained an at-large bid to the tourney anyway with their win over Xavier. But now, at least there will be no doubts. Temple is hot right now, and that's the key to making a run deep in March. I think the Owls can make a run. I see them as an 8-10 seed right now. Tomorrow the brackets will be announced.

It's Tournament Time

So, one of the most exciting months in sports is here: March. March Madness is definitely one of the best tournaments in the world. Most of the games are very exhilarating.

Three Big Five teams have made the tournament (Saint Joseph's, Temple, and Villanova), when it looked as if none would make the tournament for the first time since the '70's. I don't think any off the local teams will make it past the second round, however. Here are my picks for this years tournament.

First Round:

East Region:

1 North Carolina will beat 16 Mt. St. Mary's

8 Indiana will beat 9 Arkansas

5 Notre Dame will beat 12 George Mason

11 Saint Joseph's will beat 6 Oklahoma

3 Louisville will beat 14 Boise State

7 Butler will beat 10 Alabama

2 Tennessee will beat 15 American

Midwest Region:

1 Kansas will beat 16 Portland St.

8 UNLV will beat 9 Kent State

5 Clemson will beat 12 Villanova

4 Vanderbilt will beat 13 Siena

6 USC will beat 11 Kansas St.

3 Wisconsin will beat 14 CS-Fullerton

10 Davidson will beat 7 Gonzaga

2 Georgetown will beat 15 UMBC

South Region:

1 Memphis will beat 16 Texas-Arlington

9 Oregon will beat 8 Miss. St.

12 Temple will beat 5 Michigan

4 Pittsburgh will beat 13 Oral Roberts

6 Marquette will beat 11 Kentucky

3 Stanford will beat 14 Cornell

10 Saint Mary's will beat 7 Miami

2 Texas will beat 15 Austin Peay

West Region:

1 UCLA will beat 16 Miss. Valley St.

8 BYU will beat 9 Texas A&M

5 Drake will beat 12 W. Kentucky

4 Connecticut will beat 13 San Diego

6 Purdue will beat 11 Baylor

3 Xavier will beat 14 Georgia

10 Arizona will beat 7 West Virginia

2 Duke will beat 15 Belmont

Second Round:

East Region:

1 North Carolina will beat 8 Indiana

5 Notre Dame will beat 4 Washington St.

3 Louisville will beat 11 Saint Joe's

7 Butler will beat 2 Tennessee

Midwest Region:

1 Kansas will beat 8 UNLV

4 Vanderbilt will beat 5 Clemson

3 Wisconsin will beat 6 USC

2 Georgetown will beat 10 Davidson

South Region:

1 Memphis will beat 9 Oregon

4 Pittsburgh will beat 12 Temple

3 Stanford will beat 6 Marquette

2 Texas will beat 10 Saint Mary's

Sweet 16 Round:

East Region:

1 North Carolina will beat 5 Notre Dame

3 Louisville will beat 7 Butler

Midwest Region:

1 Kansas will beat 4 Vanderbilt

2 Georgetown will beat 3 Wisconsin

South Region:

1 Memphis will beat 4 Pittsburgh

2 Texas will beat 3 Stanford

West Region:

1 UCLA will beat 4 UConn.

2 Duke will beat 6 Purdue

Elite Eight Round:

East Region:

1 North Carolina will beat 3 Loisville

Midwest Region:

1 Kansas will beat 2 Georgetown

South Region:

1 Memphis will beat 2 Texas

West Region:

1 UCLA will beat 2 Duke

Final Four:

1 North Carolina will beat 1 Kansas

1 UCLA will beat 1 Memphis

Championship:

1 North Carolina will beat UCLA by the score of 75-73

I know it looks like I picked all the favorites, but I didn't. One of the major upsets in the tournament will be No. 2 seed Tennessee losing to No. 7 seed Butler. I did pick the Final Four to be all number ones, which has never happened. I looked at the metchups and just thought they could pull it out. I be watching these games 24/7.