Tag: Texas Tech

IT’S BRACKET TIME!!!!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

It’s here. It’s finally here!!

No, not Christmas, March Madness!!

It’s like Christmas, minus the awkward, social obligation to buy people you barely know (or like) gifts.

Anyway, this is, ‘I collectively watched 12 minutes of college basketball this season, but I’m suddenly an expert’ week. Others fill out brackets based on their favorite mascots or jersey colors. Either way, filling my bracket(s) with check marks and x’s fills my soul with happiness. Before we get to my predictions, let’s analyze the field of “68”.

#1 Seeds

Virginia, Villanova, Kansas, and Xavier. They got these right this year. While watching the #1 overall seed, Virginia, play basketball is like watching paint dry, their defensive style is effective. They finished the year 31-2, their only losses coming to West Virginia and Virginia Tech. Villanova, the #2 overall seed, overshadowed by Virginia, will look to sneak their way through the weakest bracket in the tournament (East).

To see the entire bracket, click here.

Bubble Teams

No matter how many teams are in the tournament, 64, 68, there will always be an odd man out. This year, it’s Notre Dame. According to the NCAA Tournament Committee, Notre Dame was team 69, so Davidson upsetting Rhode Island Sunday afternoon was the final nail in the Notre Dame coffin.

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The last team in, Syracuse. In year’s past, I would have thrown my arms in the air, stomped my feet like a child, and screamed about tournament snubs. Honestly, I don’t have the time or energy for that anymore. Every team straddling the “bubble” has an argument one way or the other. Syracuse, Louisville, UCLA, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, USC, St. Marys, and Oklahoma State all fall into the same category; mediocre basketball teams.

The crazy part is, one of the last teams in, usually makes a deep run in the tournament, “justifying” their entrance. Even though Oklahoma has only won two games since February 1st, Trae Young’s Oklahoma Sooners can beat anyone on any given day. Arizona State has also shown the ability to beat anyone, with wins against not one, but two #1 seeds; Kansas and Xavier.

Under Appreciated and Under Seeded

DeAndre-Ayton-Arizona

While I’m not going to throw my hands in the air, I do have an issue with some of the seeding in this tournament. Arizona and Auburn deserve better than #4 seeds. Arizona won the Pac-12 regular season title, the Pac-12 conference championship, and they have presumably the #1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft on their roster (DeAndre Ayton). They should have been swapped with Texas Tech (a #3 seed), losers of 5 of their last 7 games.

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Auburn should also feel slighted. They finished with a better record then Tennessee, AND they beat Tennessee, IN TENNESSEE!! How are they a #4 seed, while Tennessee is inexplicably a #3 seed??

As for my predictions, they’re coming….

 

 

 

on Thursday.

Check back with DaveTalksSports.com on Thursday morning to find my upsets, locks, and most importantly, my National Champion.

 

What do you think of the bracket?? Who were the biggest snubs?? Who was under seeded or over seeded?? Answer my questions in the comment section below!!

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

 

You’re Only As Good As Your Superstar

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

I’m going to start by doing something I’ve NEVER done before….

 

I WAS WRONG.

 

That was a lot harder than I thought it’d be, but I feel better now. I thought the “new look” Cleveland Cavaliers would lose, on the road, to the Oklahoma City Thunder. While this game remained LeBron James‘ to lose, his new supporting cast provided balanced scoring off the bench (Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, and Larry Nance Jr. all scored in double-digits).

On the other hand, only 6 Thunder scored Tuesday night. Granted, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, and Steven Adams all scored 20 or more points, but that’s not a recipe for success. Do you know what else isn’t a recipe for success?? Allowing Carmelo Anthony to lead your team in field goal attempts (22). Knicks’ fans know what I’m talkin’ about….

With his renewed exuberance, LeBron’s impressive February rolls on. Over his last 5 games, LeBron is averaging 29 points, 11.4 assists, and 9.6 rebounds.

The good: The Cavaliers have won 4 games in a row.

The (sort of) bad: LeBron has played 40+ minutes in 3 of his last 5 games.

LeBron is actually tied for 2nd for the most minutes played per game (37) this season. The ultimate question is: Will this finally effect the 33-year old version of LeBron James come playoff time?? It never has before, but father-time is undefeated for a reason (despite rumors that Tom Brady is immortal). All of those minutes didn’t slow LeBron down last night, as he dropped 17 points in the 3rd quarter en route to a 120-112 victory over the Thunder.

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Prior to the game, LeBron was asked about collegiate superstar, Trae young. Because, ya know, everything LeBron James says is the most important thing anyone says all day. As a reporter began to ask about Trae Young’s decision to go pro, LeBron interjected, simply saying, “Decision?! What Decision?! He better go pro!!” LeBron also hinted that there may be some acting in his future….

Check out what LeBron had to say here.

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Trae Young and LeBron James have something in common. When Trae Young struggles, the Oklahoma Sooners struggle. Over his past 12 games, Young has failed to shoot at least 39% from the field 8 times. Yup, you guessed it, the Sooners have lost 8 of their last 12 games. The Sooners now stand at 16-9 and should fall out of the top-25 after their 88-78 loss to Texas Tech Tuesday night. Young and company will look to get back on track when they take on Texas Saturday afternoon. Despite Young’s most recent struggles, he still leads the nation in scoring, and assists per game (29.1 points, 9.3 assists, and 4 rebounds).

The question is: Can Trae Young’s 6’2″, 180 lb frame succeed in the NBA??

 

Will the “new look” Cavaliers finish as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference?? Will Trae Young succeed in the NBA?? Post your predictions in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!