At long last, the seeding speculation is over.
The University of Louisville basketball is seeded fourth in the Midwest Region. The NCAA Selection Committee apparently unable to look past those two losses to Memphis, especially the 72-66 defeat on March 1 — the only loss in 13 games since January.
Louisville belonged among the top 12 seeds, but the committee apparently paying too much attention to computer ratings and ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, possibly basing his picks on the same methodology. He had UofL a No. 4 seed most of the past couple of weeks, with recent performance having little influence in either case.
Not worth shedding any tears over, what’s done is done. The Midwest Region is a challenging one for sure, with teams like Wichita, Saint Louis, Duke, Michigan and Kentucky. That would make winning the region all that more satisfying.
I like our chances of returning to the Final Four, with the way UofL is playing defense and with the offensive prowess of Russ Smith, Montrezl Harrell and Luke Hancock. This is a team with several layers of toughness, having been hardened by the wars on and off the court, a team with heart and desire, with players have been through the NCAA wars before. They are competing on a very high level, one that will be difficult for any team to match.
Especially important is the man calling the shots. Rick Pitino could transform a team of mere walk-ons into a national competitor. Give him the talent he has developed to go with his veterans the past season , and UofL can go a long way. Pitino is among the best to ever coach the college game, he has the game down to a science, and one doesn’t want to be coaching against him when he is this close to achieving a dynasty.
Or as UofL fan Joe Beard @Porscheville says in a Twitter tweet: “Just when the Cards couldn’t be any more lethal, the NCAA boobs put a chip on their shoulder. Thanks idiots!”
Printable Brackets: 2014 MarchMadnessBracket
Pitino has to hate having his team compete against Manhattan College in the first round, against his former assistant, former player and close friend Steve Masiello. They met while Pitino was coaching the New York Knicks, the coach befriending the 12-year-old ball boy for the Knicks. He would later become a walk on for Pitino at Kentucky.
When he took the Manhattan job in 2011, Masiello inherited a Manhattan team with a 6-25 won-lost record. Four years later, he has them in the NCAA tournament with an impressive 25-7 mark.
Fortunately, we have a four-day break before the second season gets under way. Pitino lives for this stuff, as we all do, and he will have Louisville ready.
Play on.
The stunningly poor seed could be seen as a bonus. Better to play with an ‘I’ll show you attitude’ than a ‘Look at me–I’m great’ attitude. An attitude will win or lose a game at this level…
I need another opportunity to wear my tee shirt – Cut the Nets. Go Cards!
Who cares about the seedings? The Selection Committee didn’t take them seriously and neither should we. One game at a time, advance, move on, claim the destiny.
Okay guys, we know how this thing goes. Win another one for UofL and Rick. The program of the decade, just like the Eighties.
Back in the hunt with a bunch of gritty and experienced players. Let’s go claim another one.
You gotta love March madness most of the time, just not when it impairs the judgement of those making such decisions. I have faith and confidence that The Cards can overcome this minor hurdle and win it all again.
Go Cards !