Happy St. Patrick’s Day March Madness Hoopsters.™
Can you say history?
Friday was a story of Cinderella trying on her slippers. It was
David V Goliath, only bigger. It was more like home owner vs Bank of America.
This is a story of freaky Friday.
The headlines were crazy, like Missouri loves company.
A 15th seed hadn’t beaten a 2 seed for 11 years.
Two 15 seeds had never beaten a 2 seed in the same tournament, EVER!
Welcome to Fantastic Finish Friday!
The upset of the day, perhaps the decade was Lehigh over Duke.
Prior to the game, this was an automatic pick. It was a no brainer. Like many of you, I Penciled Duke into the sweet 16.
I didn’t even look to see who they were playing. Lehigh Marmaduke? Poindexter? Whatever. It didn’t matter. Lehigh had as much chance of beating Duke as you have of getting Kate Upton to go to the prom.
Just ain’t gonna happen.
On paper, it wasn’t even worth watching this game. What for?
In real life it was the game of the decade.
And that is why they play the game.
Duke highlights were few and far between. If cartoon like words could have been added to the ESPN wrap up it, it would sound like CLANK. BANG. MISS.
Duke’s legendary Coach K had no answer for the magic in Cinderella’s slipper.
When it was over, I turned to facebook and laughed. The social network was alive with anger and exstasy.
My favorite was my former co-worker Phil Werz saying, “that’s it people, the tournament is over.” He is even more acerbic in later posts saying “Congrats also to the Lehigh cheerleaders – NONE have ever missed a meal!”
Judging from Phil’s profile pick, he knows how to find the 19th hole himself. Just kidding Phil.
Phil’s wrong. The tournament isn’t over, it’s just begining. Every team has a chance. It’s why watching anonymous schools play is fun. It’s why NCAA football needs to take notice. It’s why Boise State could win it all, whether or not you like blue fields or potatos.
It’s why they play the games.
75 -70 was the final. It wasn’t this close.
Lehigh coach, Brett Reed, said:
“This is March Madness and upsets happen. Anything can happen. Games are played within the forty minute realm.”
Their star guard, CJ McCollum, was high on the moment when he said “It’s just another game. It’s just another win. We have to act like we’ve been here before.”
Shut up McCollum. You ain’t never been HERE before. This is rarefied air as they say. Enjoy it. Breathe it in. It doesn’t happen often.
Coach K was succinct. “This game takes you to incredible highs and it also takes you to incredible lows. Tonight is a low.”
UNDERSTATEMENT!
Before the game, I had no idea where Lehigh was. I do know.
Bethlehem Pennsylvania. Cell phone footage shows the entire student body, 4700 students, jumping up and down. There is no fire or tear gas, just tears and elation.
And if this is not enough….
Earlier in the night, Norfolk State beats Missouri. This is David V Goliath.
Norfolk State has never been in the tournament before, EVER.
When other teams start playing March Madness, historically, Norfolk State is at Spring Break doing beer bongs.
Not this year. This year they are seeded 15. They are going up against Missouri, the team that is suppose to use them like a shoe horn to fit their foot into the next round.
I have Missouri going to the final four. So does the President of the United States.
This game will blow up more brackets than any other. Because of the Mizzou game, my bracket looks as suspect as my 401 K.
I have never heard of Norfolk State, but it must exist because I see its students dancing ebulliently on you tube video after the beat down. It’s nice to watch. It’s the Cinderella ball and the kids don’t know it’s midnight. They dont’ care.
Here is the history of 15 beating 2
*1991 Richmond beats Syracuse
*1993 Santa Clara and Steve Nash beats Arizona
*1997 Coppin State beats South Carolina
*2001 Hampton beats Iowa State
That is is.
HISTORY.
Until now.
But since I see the slipper as half full, all the other 2 seeds won, as expected.
And it’s only Saturday morning. What else will happen. who knows? that’s March Madness.
And that is crazy.