March Madness Over

This just about sums up my frustration right now with this years March Madness. This was a Facebook response I made to a friend 2 days before the tournament started and prior to a massive amount of research I did on most of the teams. This makes me a little sick to my stomach.

What did this year help cement in my mind for picking the final four and champ next year?:

• Experienced Coach who has been there before - There is a reason why Roy Williams, Tom Izzo, Rick Pitino and the like are always in the mix. They have seen it all and can react accordingly. In a single elimination tournament, the best talent does not always prevail. Making adjustments, working the refs, exploiting weaknesses are what these coaches do best. It is so second nature to them. It doesn't hurt that they always have stud talent to go along with it.
  
  
• Team must have multiple stars, and I would say at least 3 future NBA players - now there may be some players who become draft picks solely on their performance in the tournament, but for the most part every champ is a team loaded with studs.
  

• Team must have stud point guard - By far the most important player in college basketball. If he had switched teams, Ty Lawson could probably have taken any of the sweet 16 teams to the final game. He was that dominant and he made it look so easy. Lawson was exceptional at running the fast break, driving the lane, drawing fouls, making free throws, shooting 3's and causing havoc. If you look back at previous champs, often you will find this type of point guard on the championship team.
  
  
• Big man is not very important anymore - when was the last team that was led by a stud power forward/center to win the championship? The 3 pointer and shot clock have made having a dominant big man a non factor.
  
  
• High scoring team - A good defense beats a good offense right? Not in college basketball, not in a single elimination tournament, and not with the 3 pointer available. How many times do we see the great defensive team dig themselves just a little hole somewhere in the tournament and lose because they can't shoot 3's or score quickly. The championship teams always can convert on the fast break, make 3's, hit free throws, drive to the lane, draw fouls, etc.

So that's it for College Basketball. Now on to the baseball.