Cinderella strikes again. Who knew that she was that strong? There are the corn farmers from up north in Iowa, the scholars reping the big red, Aussies who wondered across an ocean to a tiny school called St. Mary’s, and of course your run in the mill athletic big conference teams, like Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke, West Virginia, blah, blah blah, we heard enough about you during the regular season. So through all this madness lets hear some predictions and since the bracketologists from ESPN used the broadcasting room as a chalk board and were obviously wrong, I’m am happy to explain THE WAY I SEE IT…

Northern Iowa vs. Michigan Sate

Let me just start off by saying this Michigan State team shouldn’t even be here right now after some silly lane violation in the first round vs. San Diego Sate gave them a cheap win. But it doesn’t really matter because they aren’t getting farther then this. What perfect timing for Northern Iowa (I believe I put them as one of my three teams to watch for a few months ago, um yah when I wrote that I thought they were going to get to the sweet sixteen by beating Kansas too), their big man Eglseder, which has to be just the best name in the entire tournament, steps up big time, right as Spartan nation’s heart and soul, Kalin Lucas, who is first in minutes, assists, and points on Tom Izzo’s squad, is out for 4-6 months with a foot injury. My boys from Iowa are going to the elite eight.

Winner plays

Ohio St. vs. Tennessee

Even Turner has no comparison especially against this Tennessee team, which has no one averaging above thirteen points. And even if Tennessee defense, which I will give credit too because they’ll give Ohio St. some problems, decides to try and double team him, Ohio St’s big men down low should be able to make enough plays for this Buckeye’s team to survive. Also with Tennesse only shooting around .310 from the three-point line, I don’t see any upset possibility. Ohio St. should be able to pave their way to the elite eight.

Syracuse vs. Butler

I love this Butler team. They don’t turn the ball over, play tight D, don’t allow points in transition, and have sharp shooters who can nail three’s from every angle. But the key thing they don’t have is athleticism. Now put that in perspective. Compared to the rest of the country, yes they are athletic. But compared to Syracuse? Basically, if Syracuse has their way, which eventually they will, and can run a fast tempo offence then it shouldn’t be close…………er than 20 points.

Winner plays

Kansas St. vs. Xavier

Kansas St. hasn’t been very impressive so far in this tournament. That being said they could still very easily win a championship because they have all the parts necessary, but Xavier should be a challenge. I picked Pittsburg in my suicide poll and was shocked when they lost (thanks Pitt, you’ve now lost me 80 dollars over past two years, I had them over ‘Nova last year). Pittsburg was more athletic, beat them on the boards, ran their style of play and Xavier didn’t just play with them, but it wasn’t even close until Pitt’s Gilbert Brown started stroking three’s at the end (one guy hitting 3 threes in a minute and a half, that’s just ridiculous). Xavier is good, but they just don’t have the weapons to compete with K Sate. I’m not looking at this game as a mid-major against a powerhouse because Xavier has proven itself year in and year out, but when your as talented and experienced at playing on higher stages as Kansas St. is, in all reality this game win sadly be won by the wildcats even if they don’t deserve it.

Kentucky vs. Cornell

I’m going to say it right now for all to hear. Cornell will win this game. Not because they should, or would 19 times out 20, but because of the heart and mentality of champions the Big Red has shown over the past few days. Look, you either believe in this team or you don’t. There is little I can say that can change your mind to believe in a team that doesn’t give out athletic scholarships, when they’re playing against Kentucky, who starts four first rounders. Look, they shoot .430 from the arc which means when their hot, they can slice and dice anyone. And trust me I know their going to have to be on fire if they want to advance. Lastly, something that is very underrated in college basketball, is not only taking care of the ball, but also making the most of your opportunities when you have it. And that is Cornell ball. Go big, real big, big red.

Winner plays

West Virginia vs. Washington

Maybe I’ve just been writing this post to long, but frankly I just find this matchup boring. Because even though I like the Mountaineers way more than the Huskies for some personal reasons, there are no solid stats I can point to that would shape my opinion on who actually wins. Of course it’s going to be close, do I think West Virginia will win, yes, am I positive, not at all. This is a very underachieving Huskies team who can beat anyone if their whole team comes together and produces. Pondexter gave some real senior leadership the past month with Washington now riding a nine game win streak (against no real formidable opponents though, let’s remember we are talking about the PAC 10) and with help from Isaiah Thomas and some other role players, Washington is a major speed bump for a potential West Virginian run to the final four. In the end I’ll pick against the huskies because even though I do think they can win, their depth should be a factor when you compare it to a West Virginia team that has battled throughout the season in a very physical and tough Big East.

Duke vs. Purdue

This matchup just disgusts me. I hate Duke just because they’re good but cocky, have coach K, get every call, and always have some secrete mascot of theirs in the NCAA Tournament committee. And to see them get this easy a road to the elite eight just pains me. If they played Louisville, they definitely could have lost. I f they played Texas A+M they definitely could of lost. But of course, just because that’s how the world works, they get bad teams who both got lucky in their respective games (California over Louisville, every time someone from the golden bears threw a ball up from past the three point line it went in, and in Purdue vs. Texas A+M, Purdue needed to mount a second half comeback and bring the game into overtime to win). So finally Duke will put this depleted, Robbie Hummel less, that’s a name I haven’t heard enough this tournament, not, team in its place, and look good doing it. Oh well.

Winner plays

Baylor vs. St. Mary’s

I am ecstatic for this game. Yes I used ecstatic and it was worth it. My new role model in Omar Sanham. That dude is an absolute stud to the core. Unfortunately, St. Mary’s magical run, that was a force it’s only been two games, will be over soon but of course they won’t go down without a fight. My only problem with St. Mary’s in this game is Sanham has played spectacular and lead to a sweet sixteen birth, but look at the big men he’s been matched up against. Both teams St. Mary’s has played have been guard heavy and guard reliant so there in for a big surprise when Omar starts getting stuffed by Ekpe Udoh and his two 7 feet pals. Two very fun teams going at it but Baylor will prevail.

So, we’re more than halfway through the first round of matches with five of the eight groups (A thru E) in the books and here’s a quick take on the matches thus far.

Group A:  South Africa kept the streak alive of host nations not losing their opening match.  A 1-1 draw with Mexico was a fair result, but I think both sides had their chances to win and grab all 3 points, especially Mexico.  With the 0-0 tie between Uruguay and France, the group is still wide open and a win by any team in the next match-day will be huge for moving on to the next round.  Speaking of Uruguay/France…Uruguay was happy to defend for 90 minutes, but I look for them to go after South Africa in their next game to grab three points.  France looked disorganized and played like 11 individuals rather than a team.  They could be primed for the taking and a loss to Mexico could send Les Bleus in a tailspin.

Group B:  South Korea defeating Greece wasn’t that big of an upset if you looked at just the score.  But after watching the game, the Greeks were totally outclassed and outplayed.  Korea did their job and pounced on them and gained three big points in the process.  Argentina jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead over Nigeria, but it should have been more.  Not too worried, though.  I still think Lionel Messi will break through and score a 2 or 3 goals in the next two group games.

Group C:  Say what you will about the goalkeeping gaffe by England, but sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.  The 1-1 draw was a good result for the U.S, but as I’ve stated, the big match is this Friday when the Americans take on Slovenia.  A loss to Slovenia and this tie against the English means nothing.  A draw and all is not lost, but things will be more difficult and advancing to the next round will not be solely in the American’s hands as they will need help, unless Algeria can pull off an upset on Friday.

Group D:  Two big “wows” stick out.  First: Germany was a machine against Australia.  Granted, the Aussies went down to 10 men, but the pin-point passing and quality finishing was a joy to watch.  Second: Ghana’s win over Serbia was big.  The penalty was unlucky, but fair.  Though, I really expected more out of Serbia.  They were hyped, by me and many others, as a “darkhorse” for the World Cup and their performance was not up to expectations.  They still could move on, but they will need a result against Germany on Friday to get back into the hunt.

Group E:  The Netherlands 2-0 win over Denmark was expected, but the Dutch were lucky to grab the 3 points.  The own-goal by Denmark was cruel, but, just like the Americans, luck is better than skill at times, especially in a World Cup.  The Dutch still haven’t lost an opening match in a World Cup since 1938.  Japan pulled off a bit of an upset in their 1-0 defeat of Cameroon.  The pressure is on both Cameroon and Denmark as both teams square off on Saturday and will go for the win, which should make for a very entertaining match.

One thing I’ve noticed is all wins have been by shut-outs.  The three matches in which both teams have scored(if you include Group F’s Italy/Paraguay match today) have ended up in 1-1 draws.  I expect things to open up a bit more in the 2^nd set of games in all groups, as teams play very conservatively in their openers, but tend to open up their attack as the tournament progresses.  Though, we still have the openers for Groups G and H, and the other match in Group F, in the next few days before we move on to the groups’ second set of games.  Until then…