By Paul Gotham

It is that time again. Let’s hear from you readers. We had another week of stellar performances.  Pick the ONE that stands out to you, and tell us a story.

Jon Scheyer grabs my POTW.

I am guilty on all charges. Yes, this is a homer call (POTW is the place to make your “homer” call – DOH!).

I am also guilty of holding out on Scheyer.  I thought of giving him the nod back in January when he dropped 31 against Iowa State. I almost nominated the senior when he scored 24 at Chapel Hill.

But I waited to give Scheyer a chance to make good on his vow.

Scheyer raised a few eyebrows when he talked of winning the national title this year.  That aspiration bordered upon delusion when the Blue Devils fell to Georgetown, 99-77.

Monday, Scheyer made good on his promise scoring 15, dishing out five assists, and grabbing six rebounds as the Blue Devils cut the nets in Indy.

With those numbers,  Scheyer finishes his career at Duke on a plateau with 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, and 200 steals. Scheyer finishes ninth on the all-time scoring list at Duke.

Who gets your POTW?

By Paul Gotham

Now that the dust has settled, and the NCAA Championship is behind us, time to take a look at the conferences. Much gets made about the strength of individual conferences and how a team’s strength of schedule impacts tournament status.

Take the numbers from the last ten years. Put them in jar. Shake them up and see what you get.

Number of titles won; numbers of teams making the Final Four; number of Final Four wins – The Atlantic Coast Conference comes out on top.

The ACC might not get the most teams in the tournament. But when it comes to deciding the champion, the ACC, more often than not, has the final say.

Since 2001, ACC teams have climbed the Werner ladder and cut the nets on five occasions: Duke (2001 and 2010), Maryland (2002) and North Carolina (2005 and 2009).

The Big East and SEC each have two titles. Syracuse (2003) and UConn (2004) account for the Big East shares. Florida (2006 and 2007) claimed the title twice for the Southeastern Conference.

Kansas (2008) brought the title to the Big 12.

When it comes to spots in the Final Four, again the ACC heads the list with nine. Along with their two titles, Duke appeared in the 2004 Final Four. UNC reached the final weekend in 2008. Maryland lost to Duke in the ’01 national semi-final. Georgia Tech lost to UConn in the ’04 finals.

The Big East ranks second in this category. Eight times Big East squads reached the Final Four. The power conference provided the widest variety of teams winning regional titles. Marquette joined Syracuse in the ’03 Final Four. UConn and Villanova each lost in ’09 semi-finals. Louisville won four games in the ’05 tournament as did Georgetown in ’07. Of course, West Virginia reached the plateau this year.

Seven times Big 10 teams reached the Final Four. Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans joined the party in ’01, ’05, ’09 and ’10. Indiana (02), Illinois (05) and Ohio State (07) all appeared in the Final Four.

Kansas (02, 03, 08) tops the list of Big 12 teams in the Final Four. Oklahoma (02), Texas (03) and Oklahoma State (04) all won regional championships.

UCLA (06, 07, 08) represented the Pac 10 three times. Arizona lost to Duke in the 2001 finals.

Along with Florida’s two appearances, LSU (06) reached the last weekend of the season.

Butler represented the Horizon League this season. Memphis (08) carried the torch for Conference USA as did George Mason (06) for the Colonial Athletic Conference.

ACC teams won 11 Final Four games over the last ten years. Big East, Big 10 and SEC teams each won four. The Big 12 won three. Pac 10 teams won two. The Horizon League and Conference USA each won a game on the final weekend of the season.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

By Paul Gotham

Another decade and another national title – such is life for the Duke Blue Devils and Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Kyle Singler scored 19. Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith added 15 and 13 respectively as the Blue Devils trimmed Butler 61-59 in the national championship game.

The victory gave Duke its fourth title under Coach K, and elevated the 30-year coach into some lofty status. Only Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp (4) and UCLA’s John Wooden (10) can claim that many NCAA Division One Men’s Basketball Championships.

Rupp’s titles all occurred from 1948-1958. Wooden’s teams won their 10 crowns from 1964-1975.

Leading his team in 2010, the beginning of a new decade, Krzyzewski has now coached teams to titles in three different decades.

The significance of such a feat is as simple or complicated as 7’1″ Brain Zoubek grabbing an offensive rebound, pivoting, and kicking the ball to a wide open Scheyer for a 3-pointer.

Coach K’s first trip to the Final Four came in 1986. His Blue Devils won 37 games that year, but their third loss came in the national title game to Louisville.

That game was played without a three-point arc or shot clock.

By the time Duke won its first title in 1991, an arc, 19’9″ from the basket, appeared at either end of the floor and a shot clock which counted from 45 stood mounted above each basket.

The Blue Devils avenged an embarrassing loss from the prior year downing UNLV 79-77 in the national semi-finals. Duke used a deliberate, patient offense to slow the heavily favored Runnin’ Rebels.

Two nights later, the Blue Devils completed the run defeating Kansas 72-65.

Bobby Hurley led those Blue Devils with 76 three-pointers.

This past season, Scheyer trumped Hurley’s output from long range with 110. Singler added 85 and Smith poured in 60 from behind the arc.

Krzyzewski’s ’90-’91 team made 176 of 459 attempts from 19’9″. Their opponents went 164-473.

The 2009-10 edition of the Blue Devils finished 296-795 from 20’9″ while holding opposing shooters to 158-559.

Hurley’s squad finished 32-7 – scoring 3,167 points and allowing 2,615.

Scheyer and company went 35-5 and accumulated 3,079 while giving up 2,439.

The result is the same. Both teams won the title. The process used to arrive at that point varied.

Those numbers illustrate just one aspect of Coach K’s ability to adapt.

Over the past 30 years, the game of college basketball has changed, arguably, more than any other period of time in game’s history. Throughout all those adjustments, Coach K has shown that to be a great leader one must change with the times.

The Blue Devils repeated in ’91-’92 with a similar lineup. Hurley’s three-point totals dropped due to injury. So, too, did the team’s totals drop (Billy McCaffery transferred after his sophomore year. He took 70 from behind the arc the previous year.)

The numbers, though, did not show the change in mindset. Frequently, Hurley pulled up in transition and let if fly from long range. A tact that few teams attempted to the same degree of success that Duke experienced.

Duke and Krzyzewski returned to the finals in ’94 but lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Injury and illness forced Krzyzewski from the sideline, and, over the next three years, Duke won just one game in the NCAA Tournament.

Coach K and the Devils returned to the finals in ’99 but fell to UConn 77-74.

Then, Krzyewski would have to learn to adapt to a new situation. For the first time in program history, Duke players left early and went to the NBA. Elton Brand, William Avery, and Corey Maggette all opted to enter the draft.  Along with Trajan Langdon’s graduation, Duke lost four starters.

Kzyzewski accepted it and moved on to his next recruiting class and team.

Within two years, the Blue Devils climbed the ladder at the Final Four again.

Duke reached the Final Four in ’04, and the experience left Coach K with a new scenario with which to contend. Upon the season’s end freshman Luol Deng went to the NBA.

“One and done” is now a part of basketball parlance. The shot clock counts down from 35. Three-pointers come from nearly 21 feet. Throughout it all, Coach K still wins. This year’s Blue Devils not only took more 3-pointers than their fellow alums some 20 years ago, but ’09-’10 Blue Devils might have caused people to look at the game differently.

Trading a deuce for a triple has merit. Instead of defenders trying to stop a rebounder from going back up with the ball, now they have to worry about defending the arc. It’s rather simple. The shooter’s hips are already squared to the basket. All he needs to do is step into his shot.

Why didn’t someone think of this before now?

All in day’s work for Coach K and his staff.

Monday night, the roles were reversed. Once the hunter, Duke was now become the hunted. Instead of Duke slowing the game like they did 20 years ago against UNLV, it was the Bulldogs’ turn to try and dictate the pace.

It didn’t matter. The Blue Devils adjusted.

As the saying goes, the only constant is change. No one embraces that change more than Coach K.

By Paul Gotham

Before we start, I thought it necessary to tell you the title of this piece did not come easily. My first idea was : “All The Reasons To Hate Duke.” I planned to include the recent picture from the Indianapolis Star as a way to lure Duke-Hater Nation, with all its bravery that comes from sitting behind a keyboard, to the site. It could have been a banner day on The Pine. Readers would abound looking to join in the ridicule only to find a trap as I professed my allegiance to the denizens of Cameron Indoor Stadium.

I could not find it in myself to use such bait-and-switch tactics. I’ll leave that to other sites that put scandal before substance.

I amused myself last weekend during the Duke-Baylor game. While commercials played, I refreshed the Twitter account (yes, in my middle age I now follow friggin’ Twitter).  As the end of the game drew near, the anti-Duke venom piled up like roadside trash after the spring-time melt in the northeast. Throw in a little snow blackened from the road grime, and you have an appropriate visual.

Thing is, all of these young writers think they are being original by saying things that I have heard for years…no, decades. “Duke gets all the calls.” “Coach K bullies the refs.” La la la la la la la la la la la la. Here’s hoping these neophyte scribes have better stuff in their portfolios because cliche is NOT a word you want used to describe your writing.

One bad call or 22 offensive rebounds decided that game?

Nonetheless, tip-off is just a few hours away. A trip to the Final Four can mean so many different things to so many different programs, but for Duke it  is an opportunity to reap disdain.

Duke even has some writers pleading for people to reconsider their ways.

Nolan Smith’s story is a good one. DHN can only roll their eyes. This article should fuel their enmity. Make sure you watch the video in this piece. You won’t want to miss Derek Smith “posterizing” MJ.

Surely, there will be those that want to jump in and remind Duke fans what happened the last time the Blue Devils played the Mountaineers. I remember that game well.

Seth Curry only fed the fire of DHN.  Imagine, big, bad Duke going in and stealing Liberty’s best player like that.

If that’s not enough, the story of how the Plumlee brothers landed in Durham will have everyone up in arms.

I have no problem with Butler. In fact, I would welcome the Bulldogs winning the championship. Maybe then, people might start to realize that state-of-the-art facilities are not necessary to be successful (I wanted to tie this to a local school district that constructed a multi-milllion dollar athletic facility only to close an elementary school and stop its AP program because of lack of funds). The Brad Stevens story is also interesting. Pedigree is not a necessity when it comes to good coaching.

Butler should be careful though. With success comes scrutiny. The Bulldogs might want to avoid any future clock malfunctions.

Michigan State winning the title has its merits. Tom Izzo has more than proven himself as a great coach.

But make no mistake, when the ball goes up tonight, I will be cheering for one team and one team only: The Duke Blue Devils. Born out of a Marine Corps sergeant’s allegiance, I started cheering for Duke when the names of Dennard, Gminski, Spanarkel, and Banks roamed the hard wood. Dad attended Duke. He didn’t finish because he was drafted into WWII. He saw active combat in the Philippines, and when he returned to the States, going back to school could not tame his restlessness.

I learned early that relying on a zone defense can hurt. At least that’s what happened when “Goose” Givens lit up those Blue Devils for 41. That game took a year or two from the old man’s life, but it gave me a team for a lifetime.

I was at Plattsburgh State in ’86 when Duke lost to Louisville. Dad and I commiserated with a phone call after the game.

Dad died in ’90.

I like to think the old man had a hand in the ’91 and ’92 titles. Hopefully, he enjoyed those from heaven.

Tonight, Duke makes its 15th Final Four appearance. 15 is one more than the number of players from Duke in the NBA – a list the Blue Devils are at the top of with UNC and UCLA. Oh, and Duke’s graduation rates trump most.

Tonight, Coach K and team try to take another step.

Let’s go Duke!

You’ll have to excuse me. Time to slap the floor.

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana is the stage when Bob Huggins and his No. 2 seed West Virginia Mountaineers (31-6) take on Mike Krzyzewski and the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils (33-5).

Plot: Big East meets Atlantic Coast Conference for a spot in Monday night’s national championship.

Sub-plot: The status of  WVU’s Darryl “Truck” Bryant looms over the result of this national semi-final. Will the sophomore point guard play despite a foot injury?

Flashback: Joe Alexander scored a game-high 22, Alex Ruoff added 17, and Joe Mazzulla chipped in 13 off the bench as the Mountaineers upended the Blue Devils 73-67 in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.  Duke leads 17-7 in a series that began in 1951. The teams have split 4-4 on neutral floors. Tonight’s game marks just the third meeting in the past 32 years.

West Virginia is making its 23rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament and second trip to the Final Four. This is Duke’s 34th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 15th time in the Final Four.

Foreshadowing: Thirteen Mountaineers have played in the NBA. Joe Alexander is the only current alum of West Virginia basketball in the Association.  Fifty-one former Blue Devils have made their way to the NBA. Fourteen of those alums currently dot NBA rosters: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy, Gerald Henderson, Grant Hill, Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, Josh McRoberts, Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, and Shelden Williams.

Conflict: Duke’s rebound margin is 6.5. WVU’s advantage on the glass is 6.6. The margin on the boards is as slim as tonight’s result.

A quick glance might lead someone to believe the Mountaineers are a one-man team. Da’Sean Butler leads WVU in points per game (17.4), assists (3.2), 3-pointers made (70), free throws made (162), free throws attempted (207), and free throw percentage (78.3), and game-winning shots (6).

But the Mountaineers are much more than that. Butler’s success is the result of a team effort. WVU has held their last two opponents well under their season average. Kentucky entered play last weekend averaging almost 80 a game. The Mountaineers won 73-66. Washington’s Huskies averaged 79 points. They lost to West Virginia 69-56.

Huggins deploys seven of his troops for double digit minutes.

Kevin Jones and Devin Ebanks combine for 25 points and 15 and a half rebounds for the Mountaineers.  Jones has 131 offensive rebounds.

Joe Mazzulla has taken over at point since Bryant’s injury. The junior scored 17 and handed out three assists in the victory over Kentucky.

The emergence of Brian Zoubek and freshman Mason Plumlee gives Duke a well-rounded attack. Zoubek grabbed 13 rebounds to go with 14 points in Duke’s victory over California.

Make no mistake though, WVU must slow down Duke’s big three: Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler. The trio combine for 53 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Scheyer scores 18 a game to go with an assist to turnover ratio of 2.9:1. If Duke holds a late lead, Scheyer is deadly from the line – 186-211 (88.2).

Singler’s offensive production dropped as he drew the assignment of staying with Baylor’s LaceDarius Dunn. Still, Singler has 22 double-digit performances in Duke’s last 23 games.

Smith averages 17. The junior guard mixes a long-range game (55-139) from behind the arc) with a quick first step that allows him to get into the paint.

Lance Thomas scores slightly below five a game and grabs 4.8 rebounds.

Resolution: West Virginia used a 1-3-1 zone to slow a young Kentucky team. The Mountaineers will need more against Duke. The Blue Devils will not be confused by any defenses. The common criticism of Duke is that the Blue Devils can not handle athletic teams. Duke dispelled that theory in their victory over Baylor.

Both teams average 18.2 fouls per game. In a game sure to be decided in the paint, WVU and Duke will more than likely each commit at least 20 fouls. WVU finishes 70.3 percent from the free throw line. Duke scores 75.8 percent of the time from the stripe. Duke will advance.

Got any comments about the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Reliant Stadium is the stage as Scott Drew’s No. 3 seed Baylor Bears (28-7) clash with Mike Krzyzewski and his No.1 seed Duke Blue Devils (32-5).

Plot: Big 12 and the Atlantic Coast Conference collide with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Sub-plot: Baylor makes its first NCAA quarter-finals appearance since 1950. Duke last reached the Final Four in 2004.

Flashback: The meeting marks the first between the two schools. Baylor is 6-9 all-time versus the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Bears are making their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Duke has punched 34 tickets to The Dance.

Foreshadowing: Seven Bears have earned paychecks in the National Basketball Association. Brian Skinner wears a Clippers uniform. Fifty-one former Blue Devils have made their way to the NBA. Fourteen of those alums currently dot NBA rosters: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy, Gerald Henderson, Grant Hill, Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, Josh McRoberts, Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, and Shelden Williams.

Conflict: On paper, the Bears and Devils cast mirror-like images. Both teams score 77 a game and grab 39 rebounds while keeping opposing rebounders to 32. Baylor’s opponents score 65 to Duke’s nearly 61. The Blue Devils grab 14 offensive rebounds. Baylor gets 12.

If there is slight edge to be found, it could be in opponents’ offensive rebounds. Duke holds teams to 11 and a half. Baylor gives up nearly 13. Perhaps the effect of an aggressive front line seeking blocks.

Baylor’s front-line is arguably the most imposing in college basketball. Anthony Jones (6-10), Epke Udoh (6-10), and Josh Lomers (7-0) have put the wood to may opponents this year. The trio averages 277 points and 18 rebounds. Combine that with five blocks per games and opponents get headaches trying to plan for these guys.

Opposing teams can not afford to focus merely on Baylor’s front court.

LaceDarius Dunn is tenth in the nation hitting more than three trifectas per game. The junior hits 42.4 percent from long range and has connected 114 times this year.

With opposing defenses focusing on his teammates, Tweety Carter takes advantage of open spaces scoring 15 points a game.

Quincy Acy adds nine points and five rebounds off the bench.

The Blue Devil front court holds a +6 rebounding margin. The emergence of Brian Zoubek and freshman Mason Plumlee gives Duke a well-rounded attack. Zoubek grabbed 13 rebounds to go with 14 points in Duke’s victory over California.

Make no mistake though, Baylor must slow down Duke’s big three: Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler. The trio combine for 53 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Scheyer scores 18 a game to go with an assist to turnover ratio of 2.9:1. If Duke holds a late lead, Scheyer is deadly from the line – 181-206 (87.9).

Singler has scored double figures in Duke’s last 22 games.

Smith averages 17. The junior guard mixes a long-range game (51-133) from behind the arc) with a quick first step that allows him to get into the paint.

Lance Thomas scores slightly below five a game and grabs 4.8 rebounds.

Resolution: Which force is the strongest? Baylor might have the best blend of athleticism and talent in the country. Can Dunn succeed against Duke’s pressure on the perimeter? The Blue Devils limit opposing shooters to 27.8 percent from behind the arc (2nd in the nation). In the Blue Devil defense, Baylor will find a group that does not back down. Dunn and teammates might have hot stretches today, but Duke will make them prove it for the entire game. Scheyer has struggled of late, but Duke continues to win. Singler will force the Bears to use Acy more than they want thus limiting their size in the paint. Duke will earn its 15th trip to the Final Four.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Reliant Stadium will be a buzz Friday night as Matt Painter’s No. 4 seed Purdue Boilermakers (29-5) clash with Mike Krzyzewski and his No.1 seed Duke Blue Devils (31-5).

Plot: Big Ten and the Atlantic Coast Conference collide with a trip to the South Regional Final on the line.

Sub-plot: Purdue has redefined themselves since the injury to Robbie Hummel.

Flashback: Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer scored 20 a piece as the Blue Devil downed the Boilermakers 76-60 as part of last year’s ACC/ Big Ten Challenge. Purdue holds a 4-2 edge in the all-time series. Grant Hill led Duke to a 69-60 triumph over Purdue in the 1994 Southeast Regional final.

This is Duke’s 34th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 25th trip to the Sweet 16.  Purdue has been a Dance participant 24 times. Eight times the Boilermakers have advanced to the Sweet 16.

Foreshadowing: Fifty-one former Blue Devils have made their way to the NBA. Fourteen of those alums currently dot NBA rosters: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy, Gerald Henderson, Grant Hill, Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, Josh McRoberts, Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, and Shelden Williams.

Thirty Boilermakers have earned paychecks in the Association. Former Boilermakers, Brian Cardinal, Carl Landry, and Brad Miller lace them up currently.

Conflict: In the regional quarter-finals Purdue held Texas A&M to 55 points after 40 minutes of play. The Boilermakers won the contest in overtime. Painter’s squad will need to equal that defensive effort against Duke, but it won’t be easy.

Duke averages over 77 points a game. The Blue Devil front court holds a +6 rebounding margin, including 14 and a half offensive rebounds a game. The emergence of Brian Zoubek and freshman Mason Plumlee gives Duke a well-rounded attack. Zoubek grabbed 13 rebounds to go with 14 points in Duke’s victory over California.

Make no mistake though, Purdue must slow down Duke’s big three: Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler. The trio combine for 53 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Scheyer scores 18 a game to go with an assist to turnover ratio of 2.9:1. If Duke holds a late lead, Scheyer is deadly from the line – 174-198 (87.9).

Singler has scored double figures in Duke’s last 21 games.

Smith averages 17. The junior guard mixes a long-range game (50-130 from behind the arc) with a quick first step that allows him to get into the paint.

Lance Thomas scores slightly below five a game and grabs 4.8 rebounds.

E’Twaun Moore scores 16 a game and JaJuan Johnson adds 15.  But offensive numbers won’t be the focus when the ball goes up. Keaton Grant, Chris Kramer, and Lewis Jackson will be counted on to slow the Blue Devil attack.

Purdue’s rebounding margin is a negative one. The Boilermakers can not afford to give Duke an advantage on the glass. Purdue’s opponents have hit 35 percent behind the arc. Duke finishes at a clip of 37.9 percent.

The Boilermakers have plenty of ground to cover. They will need to guard behind the arc and keep Duke off the boards.

Resolution: Purdue will not go down without a fight, but the Blue Devils have too much firepower. With Zoubek and Plumlee contributing in the paint, Duke will be too much to handle for Purdue.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

It is kind of hard to imagine that a region with three Big East teams (Villanova, Louisville, and Notre Dame) and two teams from the Big 12 (Baylor and Texas A&M) could have the makings for a Cinderella run. Especially, when one looks at the fact that Baylor and A&M have the chance to play third and fourth round games in Houston.  Still, Cinderella might exist in the South.

Consider this. The South region has a two seed that has lost six of its last ten. A three seed that hasn’t won a tournament game since 1950. The four seed scored 11 points in a half last weekend.

If ever there was a region set up for a lower seed to make a run, this is it. The question is which team.

On the other hand, this region might play out well for a run by the one seed – Duke.

Maybe, the first question should be what is a Cinderella? Some might say North Carolina State in 1983. The Wolfpack was a six seed. They beat Phi Slamma Jamma, but NC State is not exactly a small school.

Villanova in 1985 was a great story. They were an eight seed who beat Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown. Villanova is not a big school, but there is a rich basketball history there.

Recently, George Mason captured the hearts of many with their magical run to the Final Four in 2006.

Two years ago, tiny Davidson advanced to the Elite Eight. They fell one Stephen Curry trifecta short of beating eventual champ Kansas.

What exactly defines a Cinderella, and can it be found in the South Region?

Before searching for that team, it might be a better idea to discuss why the opportunity is there.

Suddenly, Villanova can’t get out of its own way. The Wildcats are playing like they are doing a penance. They give their opponents plenty of charity. Those personal fouls are contributing to their sliding fortunes.

Baylor as a three seed is a little confusing. If there are four regions, and a team gets a three seed, would that not suggest the team should be ranked somewhere around say 12th in the country. Not that the polls are the be all and end all or anything. It’s just that Baylor has never been any higher than 17 this year. And rightly so. The Bears have made five all-time appearances in The Dance. They lost to Purdue in the first round of the 2008 tournament.

The loss of Robbie Hummel was devastating to Purdue’s chances. That goes without saying. At one time, the Boilermakers looked like a Final Four team. Thing is, they still have enough talent – E’Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson, and Chris Kramer – to carry them. Is 20 points in a half too much to ask for? What’s worse? Minnesota, the team that held them to 11 in a half, looked absolutely feeble the next day.

Now, here’s the other side of it. Siena is 2-2 in the last two NCAA Tournaments. The Saints led the Louisville Cardinals with less than ten minutes remaining in last year’s second round match up. Siena returns four starters from that team. Ronald Moore leads the nation in assists per game. Alex Franklin averages 16 points and eight rebounds. The Saints have four guys averaging double figures. They seamlessly switch defenses and create lay ups. The Saints are not bothered by playing on the road. They do not depend upon the three, but Clarence Jackson has hit 71 from behind the arc this year.

Purdue is in trouble.

The Boilermakers are not the only high seed in trouble.

Villanova is staring at a second round game with Richmond. The Spiders play a frustrating match up zone defense. They limit opponents to 62 points. Their field goal percentage and three-point percentage defense ranks in the nation’s top 20. Worse yet for Villanova? Richmond has great guards – Kevin Anderson was the A10 player-of-the-year and David Gonzalvez is true grit. They will stifle Villanova on the perimeter.

Then there is Notre Dame. Maybe, Purdue should study Irish game film. Since ND’s leading scorer and former Big East Player of the Year, Luke Harangody, has been injured, the Irish have played their best hoops. Now, Mike Brey and crew needs to figure out how to make the best use Harangody since he has returned.

By the way, Richmond and St. Mary’s play Thursday at 3pm. Make sure you tune in to see two contrasting styles. The Gaels score almost 80 a game. They have four players who have taken more than 100 three-point attempts – Mickey McConnell (67/ 130), Matthew Dellavedova (70/ 169), Ben Allen (43/ 110), and Clint Steindl (48/ 128). St. Mary’s has just five losses this year – by two to Vanderbilt, 11 to USC, by seven and 19 to Gonzaga, and by five to Portland. Which Gaels’ team will show up? The one that bombed Gonzaga? Or the one that was bombed by Gonzaga?

Match ups to die for: Notre Dame and anyone is intriguing. Notre Dame and Richmond? Wow! The Irish have learned to play with patience of late. Richmond forces teams to play uncomfortably patient basketball. Tory Jackson versus Kevin Anderson? That is a battle of two cagey point guards. They both pick their spots. They both know how to get the ball in the hands of the players who can where they can score.

Duke and Louisville could meet in the second round. Coach K and Rick Pitino – the last time they met, their teams staged arguably the greatest game in NCAA Tournament history. Maybe, Pitino can get Mashburn out of retirement.

Players to watch: Mason Plumlee (Duke) – everyone knows about Scheyer, Singler, and Smith. The younger Plumlee’s confidence is growing every game.

Justin Harper (Richmond) – he is a 6’10″ junior who is active on the glass, and he can slash. Think of it. He is 6’10″ and he can slash. The prospects are scary.

Isaiah Armwood (Villanova) – the freshman has shown flashes all year. The Wildcats might not be around long, so catch him while you can.

Tory Jackson (Notre Dame) – a little sad to see his career come to an end. Jackson has plenty of unrealized potential still.

Ryan Rossiter (Siena) – for the old timers out there – think Jack Sikma. It’s not pretty, but he gets the job done. Rossiter has great footwork, and he is a savvy player.

What to look for: If Villanova is the weakest two seed in the tournament, then Richmond is the strongest seven seed. Richmond, Siena, Notre Dame, and Duke in the Sweet 16 – there is very real possibility.  From there it is anyone’s guess.

By Paul Gotham

Two wins earns a spot in the Sweet 16. Two more victories finds the Final Four. Then, if all goes well, two triumphs in Indy for the title.

How can something that looks so simple be so difficult?

Coaches and their teams have bunkered down feverishly making plans. They have been and will continue to pour over scouting reports and game tapes looking for answers, looking for weaknesses in their opponent. They will analyze match-ups and lineups seeking the right mix.

For the teams that endure and earn four victories or more, they will likely need a role player to step out of the shadows and take over the game.

Casual fans know Syracuse’s Wes Johnson and Andy Rautins. The two have been the faces of a surprising Orange squad. While many thought SU could not overcome the personnel losses from last year, the Orange proved addition can happen by subtraction.

A big part of Syracuse’s success is sixth man, Kris Joseph. When opponents have keyed on Johnson and Rautins, Joseph has exploited the middle of the floor. He blends size with quickness into a troublesome mixture for opponents. The sophomore forward gives the Orange 11 points and five rebounds off the bench. More than that Joseph brings an attitude. The native of Montreal could start for many teams. Rather than sulk about a diminished role, Joseph relishes it. He comes off the bench with an energy and enthusiasm opposing teams find difficult to counter. Joseph’s role for this weekend increased due to the injury of Arinze Onuaku. When Onuaku returns, watch for Joseph to maintain his contributions to the cause.

Scouting the Duke Blue Devils come down to this: figure out how to stop Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, and Nolan Smith. The three average almost 54 of Duke’s 78 points per game. Averaging nearly eight three-pointers per game, the Blue Devils stretch out their opponents. Brian Zoubek has taken advantage in the paint. Much maligned for most of his career, the seven-foot senior has found his niche. Zoubek averages over seven boards a game and has some of his biggest outputs against Duke’s toughest opponents: Maryland (17 and 13), Virginia Tech (16), UConn (11), and North Carolina (13).  Zoubek has developed a jump hook that he uses sparingly. He averages almost six points a game, but more than that he keeps opponents honest and helps the Blue Devils spacing on the offensive end.  With his size Zoubek allows Duke to extend pressure on the defensive end. After problems in the past the senior averages three fouls in nearly 18 minutes of playing time.

Xavier’s Musketeers have won nine NCAA Tournament games over the last six seasons. Twice, the Muskies advanced to the Elite Eight (’08 and ’04). If the X-Men are to return to the Regional finals, the brunt of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of Jordan Crawford. The sophomore transfer leads the way with 19 points. Opponents will also need to limit Jason Love in the paint and slow down Terrell Holloway at the point. But the player who could make the difference for Xavier is power forward Jamel McLean. At 6’8″, McLean takes up plenty of space. Opponents struggle with his athleticism. McLean is a ball-getter who slices through opponents for rebounds. The junior plays his best when the pressure is at its highest. McLean averages seven rebounds a game including seven double-digit nights. He grabbed 10 boards at Wake Forest and 13 at Florida. In a late-season win over Richmond, McLean turned in 13-rebounds and  nine points. Opponents will need to focus on Crawford, Love, and Holloway. McLean will take advantage of the opportunity.

If Butler is going to shed the Cinderella dress for the title of contender it will take the three-point mastery of Zach Hahn. Playing just 16 minutes a game, Hahn is second on the Bulldogs roster with 43 three-balls. He hits at a rate of 43 percent. Butler will need that to continue as opponents look to neutralize Gordon Hayward, Matt Howard, and Shelvin Mack.

Coaches often profess that there are no small roles. To win a championship, a team needs each player to accept his role. None do it better than Joseph, Zoubek, McLean, and Hahn.

By Paul Gotham

In less than 48 hours, we will be fully immersed in conference tournaments. As the regular season of college basketball ends, here is a smattering of questions to consider.

1. Does Jim Boeheim have any voodoo is in his bag of tricks? Louisville is 11-4 against Syracuse, including a Cardinal win less than a month ago. Rick Pitino seems to have a hex on his old boss’s team.

2. Can UNC make it worthwhile for ESPN? UNC at Duke is the game of the week. Did anyone see the Heels being 16-14 overall and 5-10 in the league? On paper, tonight’s game looks like a mismatch. But this rivalry is never about what is on the paper.

3. Can Purdue take a page from ND? The Boilermakers lost Robbie Hummel. It appears the Fighting Irish have lost Luke Harangody for the foreseeable future. ND is catching some momentum. Can Purdue do the same?

4. Truth AND Consequences? Villanova is 4-4 in the last eight. West Virginia is 4-3 over their last seven, including a home loss to…Villanova. Will the real Wildcats and Mountaineers stand up?

5. Why is Texas in the top 25? Seven and seven since the middle of January? Somewhere, there is a Mountain West team crying foul.

6. When will Rick Barnes learn his lesson? Barnes did a great job bringing in Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin. How is the time spent on those recruits looking right about now?

7. Does Gary Williams know the tonic? The Terps topped Duke earlier this week. They get Virginia today. Is Maryland suffering from a hangover?

8. U.C.L.A. at Arizona State…in case anyone forgot or overlooked it or cared. It would serve me right if a Pac 10 team made a run in the tournament.

9. 3s or rebounding? Mike Brey’s team has put the fight back in Fighting Irish. ND has taken three in a row in the Big East. How are they doing it? Is it the three ball? Is it their rebounding?

10. Will Richmond avoid the pothole? The Spiders rebounded from an overtime loss to Xavier by trimming Dayton. Richmond plays at Charlotte today. The 49ers will be hungry for the upset.