NCAA Tournament Preview (Part I) by Adam Faughn and Matt Reaves
As I’ve mentioned here before, my favorite hobby is college basketball. The NCAA tournament is the greatest sporting event ever conceived. Of all the “championships,” it is the one that never disappoints. There is always excitement.
On April 2, a new champion will take the trophy and CBS will play “One Shining Moment.” Between now and then, though, will be over 60 wonderful, hard-fought games.
Who are all these teams, though, and do they really have a chance to win the tournament? One of my friends, Matt Reaves, is helping me with the “first annual Faughnblog” NCAA tournament preview. I know this isn’t about religion, but we hope you enjoy it.
We have taken the time to rank the 65 teams in the tournament from the least likely to win to the most likely. Keep in mind, this is not the likelihood to win one or two games, but, rather, the entire tournament. We will be unveiling them over the next three days from #65-#1.
And, when our choice for #1 wins, they’ll play “One Shining Moment” just like they did for Indiana 20 years ago.
For each of the 65 teams, we will give you 3 facts to help you as you watch. You will have (1) the reason this team will win the entire tournament, (2) the reason they won’t win the entire tournament and (3) one fun fact about the school or team. In total, 195 facts to help you watch the 3 weeks of madness.
Since the tournament officially begins tonight, here are teams 65-62. Enjoy the preview!
#65: Jackson State Tigers
- Why they will win: Trey Johnson. This kid is averaging over 27 points per game, scoring almost 1000 this season (922 to be exact). He is easily the best player in the SWAC.
- Why they won’t win: Turnovers. JSU averages 17.9 turnovers per game…oh, and they play Florida first.
- One interesting fact: In 1920 a French teacher who had never played football, Earnest Richards, coached 13 football players to an undefeated record. They were honored as the Mississippi state champions of intercollegiate football.
#64: Florida A&M University Rattlers
Why they will win: The Rattlers’ athletic website is http://thefamurattlers.cstv.com/. “CSTV?” Isn’t that run by CBS?
- Why they won’t win: No fan support. When they played on the road, the average attendance was 5059. At home? 1284.
- One interesting fact: The 1952 team is still called the “FAMU Famed Final Four.” No, they didn’t go to the “final four,” they went to–and won–the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament, winning the title game with only four players at the end.
#63: Niagara Purple Eagles
Why they will win: Niagara has won 20 of its last 25 games, including 11 straight.
- Why they won’t win: The Purple Eagles have been outscored in the 2nd half and overtime on the season.
- One interesting fact: Gold is actually a school color, too, but is not used on the uniforms.
#62: Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Why they will win: The players from the opposing teams will be trying to figure out how in the world to spell the EKU nickname.
- Why the won’t win: They have to play North Carolina first. EKU already lost by 29 to another #1 seed: Ohio State.
- One interesting fact: The school’s mascot used to be the Maroons, and that is still a school color. And, yes, the mascot is supposed to look like that KFC guy.
More tomorrow.
