“Beware the Ides of March!”– Er, we mean, Beware Selection Sunday! Mike Kasdan brings it with the NCAA Tournament flavor.
1. We’ve Officially Run Out of Ways To Say That University of Kentucky Is Really Really Really Good.
The biggest question for everyone’s bracket is whether anyone can beat Kentucky.
No one has yet. And it seems we have run out of superlatives.
Today’s New York Times Sports Section included the article, Kentucky, No. 1 in Height, Too, Relishes the View From on High. The take-away? Kentucky is not only undefeated and really good at basketball, but they are tall. Really tall.
“How tall are they?,” you ask. Well. Taller than every team in college basketball. And – gasp – taller than every team in the NBA, except the Minnesota Timberwolves.
They have incredible length, baybeeee…tremendous upside potential…prime time players, I tell you, PTPers!!!!
Well, thank you for that.
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2. The Agony of Victory? Georgia State Coach, Ron Hunter, Blowing Out His Achilles Celebrating Georgia State’s Trip to Tournament
Georgia State is in The Tournament for the first time in thirteen years!
You’ll forgive Coach Ron Hunter is he got a little bit over-excited. Unfortunately. Hunter tore his achilles as he leapt from the bench in joy, after the Panthers won the Sun Belt Conference by a score of 38-36:
“I haven’t jumped that high in 26 years,” he said. “I knew I had done it. But I wanted to go to celebrate with my team and my son.”
Next up, a date with #3 seed Baylor.
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3. In Wake of Mom’s Death From Cancer, Peter Hooley Wins Game at Buzzer and Sends Albany To The Dance
This is what it’s all about. Albany’s Peter Hooley drains a game-winning three pointer with 1.6 seconds left to win the America East Championship game 51-50 and send Albany to The Dance in stunning fashion.
But wait. There’s more:
Hooley had missed eight games during the regular season to return to his native Australia to be with his mother, who was dying of cancer, and who ultimately succumbed to the disease. The team had worn SH patches on their uniforms to honor Sue Hooley, who died at the age of 52 in late January.
For Hooley, of all people, to hit that shot. It was magical:
“When you’ve got angels watching, you can do anything,” said Hooley.
His game-winner was the only three-pointer that Albany made all game.
Next up for Albany, a first round match-up against #3 seed Oklahoma.
Looking for more GMP Sports NCAA coverage?
Check out:
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5 Quick Tips to Win your NCAA Tournament Pool
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March Madness: Explained
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The Sports Exchange: The NCAA Tournament Files
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Photo Credit: AP Photo/Brian Bohannon
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