<p>I think Northern Iowa was completely underrated as a team coming into the tournament. That being said, I think Northern Iowa played the best game of their lives against Kansas, and that it will be incredibly difficult to conjure up the same excellent level of play against Michigan State (even without Kalin Lucas). Who knows, I could be completely wrong. But I still vouch that a team who has reached the Sweet Sixteen 9 out of the last 13 seasons has a bit more going for them and I am really hoping that there will be an Ohio State vs. Michigan State matchup.</p>
<p>Purdue has done surprisingly well, even without Hummel. I really hope that they can give Duke a good game…</p>
<p>Ultimately though at this point I think it will be Kentucky vs. Syracuse in the championship game.</p>
<p>Do you guys use EPSN to make your online bracket? I used Yahoo to make my bracket and I think I am doing alright. I have Syracuse as the national champs. I should have picked teams that I liked. I can’t believe I didn’t choose St. Marys. That college is 5 min from my house. </p>
<p>Right now I got Cornell, Washington, St. Marys and Syracuse and duke advancing.</p>
<p>SOOOOO happy that Cuse lost. I hate Big East fans since they believe their conference is the best. But, which conference has been doing the best in the tourney? cough cough. :)</p>
<p>I do hope Purdue gives Duke a hard time also tonight. If they win, I really am looking forward to the Final Four this year since there have been so many upsets. It’s been quite an exciting year actually… Cornell and it’s run. Saint Marys run. UNI’s run…</p>
Me too. If Duke wins, I expect nothing less than a blowout. Duke’s in such an easy region and they’ll be playing a team without arguably its best player, so it’ll raise some questions if they have a hard time against Purdue.</p>
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My thoughts exactly. Northern Iowa can shoot pretty well, but Michigan State’s excellent rebounding will more than make up for that. I hope some players on the team step up to take Lucas’ role like Summers did last game.</p>
<p>It was an unbelievable game – first double overtime regional semifinal game in the NCAA tournament since 1997, I think. Both teams played incredibly well and I lost count of the lead changes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kansas State make the final four. They are very tough, mentally and physically and they have taken on the personality of their coach – aggressive and really, really tenacious. They just don’t back down.</p>
<p>Kentucky should have played more in the inside. That’s where they got most of their points from and they had the advantage since nobody from WV could really match up with their big men, but they kept shooting it…and missing it.</p>
<p>Now, there’s going to be two Butlers in the Final Four.</p>
<p>^^^Butler may have the homecourt/audience advantage, but I think MSU strives in the “underdog” position and the Izzo factor just sweetens the pot. The game is going to be close, I don’t doubt that…</p>
<p>I agree with fa-la-la-lena, when it becomes this deep into the tourney then it becomes Izzo’s strength. He’s a coach who can do really well during the tournament. However, MSU needs more production from Green and Summers in order to win this one imo.</p>
<p>Then again, Izzo has won just the one NC in his previous 5(?) Final Four’s. The pressure can do funny things to even the most experienced teams, and some of the least experienced teams often come out playing as though there’s nothing to lose. Butler’s not a typical mid-major centered around a single big star, and in a way that makes them a lot better. Shut down an Arceneaux and you’ll probably win, but Butler’s just a good team. Should be a great game.</p>
<p>^Yeah, Izzo does a great job at going to the Final Four, but not so much winning them. But each final four tells a different story. MSU was beat by a more talented UNC team in it’s last 2 final fours.
Summer’s has been excellent. If he plays like he has in the last 4 games, we’ll be fine. He’s shooting really well, and has averaged 20 ppg so far in the tournament. Green has also been okay, he’s had key plays. He made the winning pass against Maryland and Tennessee. I think the key players that we’ll need to get more from is Delvon Roe, Chris Allen, and some of our bench players, and hopefully Lucious can step up some more. He’s been just a decent point guard thus far.</p>