By Ed Peak
Random, oft non-connected thoughts:
Gonzaga, Baylor, Michigan, Ohio State, Illinois, Houston, Alabama. Who will win the NCAA Tournament?
Louisville (13-7) is not in the Big Dance. Only the first replacement if a team comes up with a positive COVID test. It doesn’t seem right the way the Cardinals are treated by the NCAA. The Cardinals have no one to blame but themselves losing to Virginia and Duke to close the season. Unless you include two Covid pauses and losing Malik Williams in middle.
The fury of many fans is on coach Chris Mack. He can’t play for them. He can only try and put them into position to win. The Cards were 1-6 versus tier one teams. The loss to Miami hurt a lot, as did the beatings at the hands of Wisconsin and North Carolina. Bid stealers such Georgetown and Oregon State, with upsets in their conference tournaments, were the final straw.
Louisville fans are rooting to be a replacement team. No other way to get into the tournament, Iona coach Rick Pitino is exuberant, his Gaels stealing a 15 seed.
Mack needs to get on the recruiting trail and get more depth. Better front court players and someone to replace graduate student point guard Carlik Jones.
Cards fans turn attention to the women’s selection show Monday. Here’s a bet Cards are a three seed. The NCAA is Louisville’s Darth Vader.