Your 12:00 March Madness Update

by CW on Mar 9, 2007 12:08 PM EST in Notre Dame Basketball Comment 0 comments

Okay, folks, Bracketology has not been updated yet, but I'll be interested to see what last night's action does to Georgia Tech, UCLA and West Virginia. To get your afternoon started off right...

ACC Tournament: Florida State vs. North Carolina, 12:00, ESPN2: The wrecking ball of phantom fouls and forty-point games known as Al Thornton rolls on in the ACC tournament after yesterday's much-talked about win over Clemson, facing the number one seed in the tournament and a team looking to get a number one seed in the big tournament.

Why this is important to Florida State: They win, they're in. They might be in with just a solid effort here, but defeating North Carolina would thrust them right into the bracket as an official Team Nobody Wants To Play.

Why this is important to North Carolina: UCLA's loss yesterday and the general nature of these conference tournaments means that there's a number one seed up for grabs, and the Tar Heels certainly would like to take the same route as they did in 2005. Also, why can't Roy Williams win a damn ACC Tournament?

Why you might want to watch, other than it's March Madness: Al Thornton is playing out of his mind lately from the forward position, and you won't find a more exciting run n' gun team east of Lawrence, Kansas, than these Tar Heels. UNC did beat down Florida State when they met this season, to the tune of 84-58.

Big Ten Tournament: Michigan vs. Ohio State, 12:00, ESPN: Michigan took care of business against Minnesota yesterday to get here, but they have to do what they couldn't do last weekend if they want in the tournament: close the door on the Buckeyes.

Why this is important to Michigan: If they lose this game, it's NIT time for the Wolverines, and that will make Brian very sad.

Why this is important to Ohio State: Win out and the Buckeyes are a number one seed. Plus, there's a certain sense -at least from myself- that Ohio State really isn't very good at all and needs to establish some street cred before the tournament. I think that's just me that doesn't respect the Buckeyes.

Why you might want to watch, other than it's March Madness: Greg Oden still might have that monster breakout game, and you don't want to miss it, plus it's Ohio State/Michigan. Michigan's desperation should make this interesting. Also, Erin Andrews.