Upsets galore
UNI Panthers face the Michigan St. Spartans in Sweet 16
Did you happen to see last weekend’s NCAA first round games? Well, if you didn’t — you missed what makes the month of March special. The opening round of the men’s Division I basketball tournament was full of unpredictable upsets and buzzer beaters. Beginning with 64 teams, brackets have been whittled down to 32, and now 16 teams are left standing. This year’s Sweet 16 contains a plethora upset-minded team, including teams from the Missouri Valley Conference, Horizon League, Ivy League and the Atlantic 10. Who would have thought the tournament’s No. 1-seeded team, Kansas, would be knocked out? Or 13 games in the first two rounds were decided by three points or fewer and that four games were decided in overtime? As much as fans don’t like to admit it, you can throw out seeding and favorites when March Madness begins. Now, here is a look at three Sweet 16 match-ups.
(5) Butler vs. (1) Syracuse, Thursday, March 25, 6:07 p.m. Salt Lake City, Utah
There isn’t a hotter team in the NCAA tournament than Butler, winners of 22 in a row. The Bulldogs defeated No. 13-seeded Murray State 54-52 last weekend to end the Racers’ season. Now, Butler is awarded Syracuse, who was previously ranked No. 1 in this season’s AP Poll. The Orange dismantled America’s infatuation team —the Gonzaga Bulldogs — 87-65, showing they may be the team to beat in this year’s field. Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson, who was also named the Big East Player of the Year, scorched Gonzaga for a career-high 31 points. If Johnson can continue the offensive spectacle, look for the Orange to be playing on April 4 in Indianapolis.
Locker Room pick: Syracuse 75 Butler 63
(12) Cornell vs. (1) Kentucky, Thursday, March 25, 8:57 p.m., Syracuse, N.Y.
Upon entering the opening round, basketball insiders predicted the Big Red from Cornell to make a run into the tourney — and did they ever as Cornell beat up on No. 5-seeded Temple and No. 16-seeded Wisconsin. Cornell’s two wins marked the first time an Ivy League team has reached the Sweet 16 since 1979. But Cornell isn’t just looking to make it into the Sweet 16 — they have their sights set higher. Standing in their way is perennial powerhouse Kentucky — a team whose claim to fame is seven NCAA titles. Freshman guard John Wall, a first team SEC selection, can fill it up. And when he feels the pressure, he can distribute the ball to his big men in DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson. Cornell may have an advantage playing close to home, but time runs out on this year’s Cinderella. Locker Room pick: Kentucky 81 Cornell 69
(9) Northern Iowa vs. (5) Michigan St., Friday, March 26,8:37 p.m., St. Louis, Mo.
By now, the whole country has heard of “Ali Farokhmanesh.” The UNI senior guard buried UNLV with a deep three in the opening game and crushed “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk” Kansas with a gutsy trey in the second round. The 69-67 win over the Kansas Jayhawks was UNI’s first ever meeting with a No.1-ranked team. UNI turns to Michigan St., who is coming off a thrilling 85-83 buzzer beater against No. 4-seeded Maryland. Tom Izzo’s has a veteran squad when it comes to playing in March, but the Big Ten coach may be without star guard Kalin Lucas who apparently may be done in the tournament with a torn Achilles tendon. UNI is playing sound ball right now, and with Farokhmanesh on the outside and Missouri Valley Player of the Year, Adam Koch, on the inside, look for the Panthers to march on.
Locker Room pick: UNI 67 Michigan St. 62 CV
Caption: UNI’s Adam Koch (bottom) will play a pivotal role in the the Panthers’ Sweet 16 game against the Michigan State Spartans. Photo courtesy of the University of Northern Iowa
