Mar
7
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
The Midwest Regional features an interesting game in the Sweet Sixteen, a combined 2006 & 2007 Florida Gators’ squad versus the upstart 1997 Arizona Wildcats, a team which knocked off three of the greatest programs in college basketball history in Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky (all were number-one seeds) to capture an unexpected title. Arizona throws a ridiculous four-seam fastball of guards–freshman Mike Bibby, juniors Miles Simon and Michael Dickerson, and sophomore Jason Terry–who are all deadly speed burners who can stroke it from the outside. Florida’s starting five of Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Taurean Green and Lee Humphrey care less about stats and more about getting wins. While guards win championships in college, this Florida team goes against the grain, and has the front line and athleticism to hold off Arizona in a thriller in Indianapolis. With repeat championships a rarity in this day and age of parity, the Gators are a special bunch looking to lunch on Arizona and give them the ol’ Gator Chomp.
Mar
7
2000 Michigan State vs. 2002 Maryland Preview
Filed Under Tourney History, NCAA Basketball | 1 Comment
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
A day late and a dollar short, Hoops 4 the Soul gives you a preview of the Southeast Regional clash between the 2000 Michigan State Spartans and the 2002 Maryland Terrapins. This is without doubt the most competitive match up in this Sweet Sixteen tournament of the last 16 (make that 18) NCAA champions. What more could you ask from this game? You’ve got great competitors in Mateen Cleaves and Lonny Baxter, game changers in Juan Dixon and Morris Peterson, wild cards in Jason Richardson and Chris Wilcox, and fiery coaches in Tom Izzo and Gary Williams. Unlike the Democratic battle between Obama Yo Mama and Hil Dog, this one is too close to call.