How does a nationally ranked basketball team (No. 8 in the AP Poll) and a top team in one of the toughest conferences in the nation (No. 2 in the ACC) lose its first game of the tournament? By 11 points? To a team we beat in the regular season?
Wake does this every year. We finish strong in the regular season and then we choke in the tournaments. Of course, I'll be cheering my heart out for them on Friday, but sometimes it's so hard to be a Wake fan.
On a similar note, how does Carolina get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, when Duke had a better overall record than them, AND won the ACC tournament? Meanwhile, Duke is stuck with a No. 2 seed. Carolina has this halo effect with the NCAA officials and, frankly, there would be nothing I would like better than to see Carolina go out like they did against FSU on Saturday. Yes, I said that out loud.
Hey, it's March Madness. And nothing gets me more mean-spirited like a little friendly competition.
4 comments:
According to today's Wall Street Journal, Wake Forest is the biggest choking team in the NCAA field since 1985, scoring an average 5 points less than its seeding would suggest! (I would've thought Arizona would have that honor.) Maybe that will get the Deacons riled up. (Speaking of chokers, my Hoyas couldn't do better than a six seed in the NIT!)
Before we go trashing Carolina's #1 seed, let's not forget they beat Duke twice, and played in the tournament without the ACC Player of the Year.... :)
I'm pretty sure missing a game due to a stubbed toe officially makes you ineligible for the ACC Player of the Year title. :)
But to your point, they did beat Duke twice. It's true.
Let's hope the Deacs get riled up and show this tourney the strength of their team. Maybe Duke, Carolina and Wake will meet in the final four. Maybe that's wishful thinking.
The Deacs truly earned their spot on the WSJ top chokers list!
Post a Comment