Despite it all, I have to believe that this situation will all work itself out and we will get back to prominence. Eventually. I hope. Damn, I really hope it happens soon!
Why did I start this post this way? Well, it informs how I have to watch the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament this year. I have the goal of doing some advance scouting of potential coaches to help recover the glory of America's University. With that, here are some of my notes from the first day of games:
- First, watching 16 games each on Thursday and Friday, and 48 games total over the first weekend is a job. I am out here grinding! Yesterday featured three different bars and my basement for viewing. Thirteen HARD hours.
- The first bar of the day, Walters Sports Bar was live! High Point University had the largest watch party yesterday with at least 25 bougie, purple clad alumni losing their minds. There was a lot going on in this game. High Point played from behind and in critical situations without fear and with great confidence. Definitely a sign of outstanding coaching. Is the next stop for Flynn Clayman an interview at America's University?
- Also, what about Wisconsin. My lord! Wisconsin has lost in the first or second round of the tournament in 6 of the last 8 years. And, one of the years that they didn’t make the tournament was because there was no tournament due to COVID. They are a disaster for a major conference program!
- Nebraska? The only early window blowout? As noted by friend of the blog Kev-O, Nebraska basketball has existed since 1896. This was their first NCAA tournament win.
- Louisville survived the University of South Florida yesterday, but they are in trouble in this tournament! USF couldn't buy a basket in this game and we discovered that Louisville can't handle full court pressure. USF shot just 39% from the field and 15% (5 for 33) from 3 yesterday. Putrid. And they were still in this game. Solid coaching performance from Upstate NY native Bryan Hodgson. Is his next stop an interview at America's University?
- What an effort from Sienna yesterday. They simply ran out of gas at the end of that due to a lack of depth. Four of the five starters played all 40 minutes of the game and Gerry McNamara only made his first substitution with 0:10 left in the game to give a foul. Even Jon Scheyer had to admit he had been outcoached by the Syracuse alumnus. Does this mean that the next stop for Gerry McNamara is an interview to be the next coach of America's University?
- How about McNeese? Also a valiant effort that waned late. I would be willing to entertain a interview with Billy Armstrong to lead America's University, but only if Amir Khan is hired also as a paid graduate assistant. You remember our favorite student manager from last year, don't you?
- How about the old guys? Tom Izzo is still getting it done. He is only 71? He has been head coach at Michigan St for 31 years. And talk about stability, the school has only had two coaches since 1975. On the other end of the spectrum is John Calipari. Everywhere he lands, he builds the exact same long, athletic team. Acuff and that Arkansas team are going to be a tough out.
- BYU's AJ Dybantsa is a beast! He scored 50% of his teams points and it needed to be more. Also, did anyone else note that the BYU basketball team represents like the French National Soccer Team?
- St. Louis! And Robbie Avila! I wonder if we can get Josh Schertz out of his extension and get him into America's University for an interview.
- After watching that North Carolina debacle, I feel like I am going to have to start talking about them like I do the University of Virginia. As a dumpster fire. If you don't remember my tirade about that, you can revisit it here.
- What about Michigan, Texas A&M, Houston, Illinois and Gonzaga you ask? Yeah, I watched them.
With the first day of games completed, we have our first slate of winners. Congratulations to Mick Magee and Kyle Armstrong for being multiple winners on Day 1.
--Your Tournament Host
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