The NCAA Offers Memorable Battles for 2014
~Amy Lignor
Okay…not debatable, this is one NCAA season that most everyone will remember. There have been surprises, chokes, major upsets and eye-rolling, from the Sweet 16 to the Elite 8. And March Madness has definitely been ‘mad.’
One of the biggest upsets actually came on the women’s side of things, when Duke was too busy yapping about their amazing season which placed them, apparently incorrectly, in the same region as UCONN. Of course, while they were so upset about this, they lost their very first game in a total surprise before ever reaching a battle with UCONN. Enough said when it comes to ‘keeping a real eye on the ball, coach.’
But there were also other games played that brought surprise to NCAA fans out there. And one even brought in the law when it came to Tucson, Arizona. Sixteen people were arrested on Saturday evening because of the anger they decided to display. Anger that would be on the level with the old NFL Raiders team.
Everything from bottles to beer cans and containers to firecrackers, believe it or not, were actually thrown at officers of the law when the NCAA game came to an end between the Wildcats and Wisconsin. Surprisingly for the Wildcats they suffered a dramatic loss in overtime to Wisconsin (64-63), with Wisconsin definitely earning their right to play in the Final Four.
Now, this was not an issue of a Number 1 seed being taken down by, say, a Number 14 seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. This was, rightly so, a tough match-up between the No. 1 seed in the West Region (Arizona) and the No. 2 seed right behind them on the record books (Wisconsin).
Apparently, however, that did not seem to be a thought in anyone’s mind as hundreds of people decided to block a road on the University of Arizona campus. Once there, the people absolutely refused and ignored the requests made by the law to move, choosing instead to attack with what was in their possession. What the crowd did not remember in their haste was the fact that police are actually given permission to lob objects back at you that will make sure you spend the night in jail for your actions that included, in this case; property damage, resisting arrest, and more.
The first game that sent someone to the Final Four on Saturday was far less loud. Florida earned their spot, beating Dayton in the South Region (62-52).
Now, the Final Four will begin for the men this coming Saturday, April 5th, and chances are the noise and anger will have died down by then in order for everyone to enjoy the games; whether it be under the roof of a stadium or sitting in the recliner at home. (where, by the way, you can throw a beer can at the television set with no worry about backlash from the law.)
So who are the others adding to the final quartet? On Sunday…the East region sent another UCONN powerhouse to the Final Four, as they defeated Michigan State in what looked to be a fairly easy win. While the Midwest brought Michigan and Kentucky together with Kentucky coming out the champion at the very end of a very difficult match-up.
When it comes to the girls…chances are they will be the quieter part of the NCAA Final Four. What it looks like to many is a grand ending between Notre Dame and UCONN – the two teams with the perfect record seasons will ‘duke’ it out for the big prize. (No offense).
Connecticut went up against BYU, which was their first real test when it came to match-ups, and pulled away with yet another double-digit win of 70-51. Mosqueda-Lewis had yet another stellar performance with nineteen points gathered, along with other players who ended-up with double figures as well. This became the 43rd-straight win for the Huskies, as they now face Texas A&M tonight in order to reach the Final Four goal for their seventh straight year.
Notre Dame is also one away from its fourth straight trip, playing Baylor tonight in order to move forward and eventually, according to the President of the United States, get to the end and play UCONN for the whole darn thing. According to the Prez, the UCONN Huskies (women) have it in the bag. However, with all the surprises that have happened thus far, counting on anything would be a big mistake.
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
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