After 45 minutes of basketball, the result came down to one thing – Arizona had no answer for Frank Kaminsky.  The junior scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but his biggest play might have been a tip-in basket with a little over a minute to play to give the Badgers a three point lead in overtime.  The Wildcats would only be able to muster 2 points in the final minute despite getting a bunch of opportunities at the end of the game – and the Wisconsin Badgers held on to make a trip to the Final Four.

The loss means that the Florida Gators, a comfortable winner in the South Regional against Dayton, are now the only #1 seed left in the tournament.

It was a rough day for the Millers – as younger brother Archie had his team’s Cinderella season ended as they never could get into the game against the Gators.  And then, of course, it had to be heart-breaking for older brother Sean to be so close to the Final Four and then lose by a point.

But in the end, it was the Wisconsin Badgers key players making the big time shots, and this time, the shots didn’t fall for Nick Johnson and TJ McConnell as they had when the Wildcats had needed them in earlier games of the tournament.

So, congratulations to the Florida Gators and Wisconsin Badgers – our first two teams to punch their ticket to Arlington, Texas for the Final Four.

Why not – it has been such a great game between Arizona and Wisconsin, why not give everyone the privilege of 5 more minutes.

Expert opinion on the Elite 8 games – as only the Lunatic can bring to you.

South Regional: #1 Florida vs #11 Dayton

Crazed Lunatic – this is very typically where the season of Cinderella teams end.  Dayton has had a fantastic tournament, but Florida was the number one overall seed for a reason – no reason to doubt them at this point.

Mrs. Lunatic – I will take Dayton, because I love an underdog story, and I try as hard as I can never to root for a Florida school.

Charlie – I am into going with what the computer says – it is always right.   And the computer (ESPN’s site) has both scores picking Florida

Katie – I am fraid of Gators.  Editor’s note: I interpreted that as Katie picks the Gators in a fight.

West Regional: #1 Arizona vs #2 Wisconsin

Crazed Lunatic – I think this will be a crazy good game.  But while Wisconsin is hot, I believed at the start of the tournament that Arizona would win this regional – shouldn’t go back on that now.

Mrs. Lunatic – I will take Wisconsin – I have heard that they are good at this basketball stuff.

Charlie – Computer says Arizona – so take the Wildcats.

Katie – Oh, kitty cats.   And their color is close to purple – my favorite.  I will take Arizona.

East Regional: #4 Michigan State vs #7 Connecticut

Crazed Lunatic – If Michigan State loses, Adreian Payne, Keith Appling, and Dan Chapman would become the first 4 year players under Tom Izzo to not make the Final 4.  They seem determined to not be that footnote – pick the Spartans

Mrs. Lunatic – Definitely Michigan State – UConn is another school on my list that I can’t root for.

Charlie – Michigan State looks like the favorite from both picks.  And my daddy loves the Big 10.  What are my chances if I pick the Big 10 school that he will play Disney Infinity with me later?   I will take the Spartans.

Katie – How can you not pick that pretty, big, white doggy.  I wish my daddy wasn’t allergic to dogs and cats – I want a pet.  Oh yeah – I will take Connecticut.

 

Midwest Regional: #2 Michigan vs #8 Kentucky

Crazed Lunatic – I am really impressed with how Kentucky kept sticking in it with Louisville – never quitting.  However, I think the freshman still made a bunch of mistakes, and that eventually comes back to burn you.  Michigan was the regular season champion of the Big 10 – I will take the Wolverines.

Mrs. Lunatic – That’s a tough one – I think the lesser of the two evils is Michigan – so I will take the Wolverines.

Charlie – Interesting, the computer is saying to take the #8 seed.  Well – who am I to disagree with the computer.  I will take Kentucky.

Katie – Oh my goodness, more kitty cats.  How fortunate is that.  I so want a kitty cat.  I will predict Kentucky to win.

Any final thoughts from my experts:

Mrs. Lunatic – Don’t bother me right now, I almost done with dinner – thank goodness its almost April

Charlie – Lets play a game, daddy!!!!   Maybe a video game!!!!   Like Disney Infinity!!!!   I will let you be whatever character you want!!!!!   PLEASE LETS PLAY A GAME!!!!

Katie – NO!!!!!!!!!!   I want to watch a show while we eat dinner!!!!!   Lets watch My Little Ponies!!!!!   Maybe the one where Pinkie Pie creates tons of copies of herself – I know you like Pinkie Pie.  But my favorite is Rainbow Dash!!!!  Maybe we could watch a Ponies starring Rainbow Dash!!!!

Crazed Lunatic – Enjoy the regional finals, everyone!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

The Wildcats never gave up.  When Kentucky was down 18-5 to the defending National Champions, they slowly worked their way back in the game to be down by 3 at half.  With just 4 and a half in the game, Louisville extended the lead to 7.  But there is no quit in these Wildcats.

Alex Poythress kept hitting layups or free throws, and then, Aaron Harrison hit a three-pointer from the corner with 40 seconds left in the game.  And suddenly, it was the defending champs that found themselves looking up at the scoreboard.

And Kentucky hit their free throws down the stretch to finish off the game – so instead of the trendy pick out of the Midwest going to the Final, it will be 8 seeded Kentucky who will go up against the Michigan Wolverines.

The other late game was fantastic as well – as Michigan State and Virginia traded leads back and forth in a defensive battle.  But it was the Spartans at the end who got out to a late lead and then held off an amazing streak of three pointers for the Cavaliers (Virginia scored only 51 points in the first 39 minutes and 20 seconds to then put up 8 points in the last 40 seconds…)

So, the Elite 8 are set – Saturday will see Florida try to finally break the Elite 8 barrier and get to the Final 4 by ending Dayton’s Cinderella season.   And then, Arizona will be put to the test out West against Wisconsin.   Then Sunday, will have Michigan State and Connecticut battle in Madison Square Garden for the East region and surprising Kentucky trying to take down one more elite team in the Michigan Wolverines.

At this stage in the game, the Lunatic is nowhere to be seen (as is expected) – but we do have some amazingly good picks.

Stacy Dooms is leading the standard pool with 690 points.  She is closely followed by Chris Franklin and Steve Glass, who are just 10 points behind.  And don’t forget last year’s champion Kyle Kelly, Chuck Brugh, James Franklin and Amy Lancette who are 20 points behind, and Neeti Vetter, Michael Strange, and Bill Murphy are just 30 points behind.  Considering the Elite 8 games are worth 80 points, this is obviously still anyone’s game.

While it isn’t a lock, Michelle Horgan took major control of the Upset Pool – as her backing of Kentucky has propelled her to 279 points.  Justin Gorman (30 points behind), Christy Lindvall (32), David Gatewood – the amazing, awesome creator of the Loser Pool (34), and Brian Lawton (37) will be the closest competitors trying to catch Michelle.

In the Second Chance Pool, we have only 2 people who were able to get 280 points (7 of 8 games correct) – that was Ayanna Richardson and Will Caldwell.  There is then way too many people tied for 3rd at 240 points for me to type.

Finally, we have our first prize of the tournament.  Sadly, it was a member of the Lunatic’s family who has claimed the last place in the Standard Pool.  With having Wichita State and Cincinnati in the Final Four, the picks qualified as eligible – and with only 210 points and no potential to score any more points, my step-mom, Barbara Hodgson has claimed the prize.  My guess is she just didn’t want to have to wait until I come back to Chicago to visit to pay me her entry fee – so she didn’t really try.

And while it is ridiculous to say this since the Lunatic is no where close to the lead in a tie for 112th place, it is still tradition – congratulations on your prize – but you should not have challenged the Lunatic!!!!

If the Sweet 16 games were any indicator, the games on Saturday and Sunday should be fantastic – enjoy the games, especially if your favorite team is still hanging in there.

 

Congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines as they hung on to a large lead and held off a furious fury by Cinderella Tennessee – but unfortunately for the Volunteers, the clock struck midnight for their season.

Then, almost if on cue, Iowa State started their own rally to try to catch up to Connecticut – but the Huskies held off the run and finished off the upset against the 3rd seeded Cyclones.

Well, it definitely wasn’t a certainty, as San Diego State gave Arizona a fight – and UCLA played well against Florida.   But when the clock hit 0, it was the Gators and Wildcats who had more points and continued on to the Elite 8.

So, that means half the Elite 8 is set – as Florida will get Cinderella Dayton to try to claim the South Regional, and Arizona will tip off against Wisconsin to battle for the West Regional.

Just wish the games weren’t so late – but the late games were definitely worth watching – hopefully, Friday’s games will be more like them.

 

Congratulations to Dayton and Wisconsin – who jumped out early to big leads and coasted.  Considering that Dayton and Stanford had been playing tight games, and Baylor had been one of the hottest teams in the tournament, watching the Flyers and Badgers win by double digits has to be a little bit of a surprise.

But now, Cinderella officially has a name – #11 seed Dayton Flyers refused to let the clock strike midnight and will await the winner of the Florida / UCLA game.

 

When looking at the brackets, I still see relatively easier paths for Florida and Arizona.  Not to diminish the talents of UCLA, Dayton, Stanford, San Diego State, Wisconsin, and Baylor.   But I would probably rather see them in my way than Michigan State or Louisville.

So – I figured I would continue them to the championship – and take the very logical approach.  I have Florida in my main picks, so I picked Arizona in the second chance.

Then, at that point, I though it would be fun to damage the chances of more teams.  So, I picked Virginia and Michigan to join the Gators and Wildcats in the Final Four.

Sorry, Cavalier and Wolverine fans.   And congratulations especially to UCLA, Dayton, Connecticut, San Diego State, Baylor, Kentucky and Tennessee – you guys are the only remaining teams that have no piece of the Lunatic Curse left – so you probably have the best chances to keep winning.

I feel really bad for Wichita State.   My understanding is they are the first team to go 35-0.  But the Selection Committee did them absolutely no favors in their road to the Final Four.

And that bumpy road came to an end as a pesky Kentucky team, who was too young to realize they weren’t supposed to win this game stuck with them the whole game and eventually held on to a two point victory as Wichita State’s three pointer at the buzzer fell short.

And so the upsets continue – this time they claimed a #1 seed.   And sadly, it ended the chance of a perfect season for the Shockers.  Congratulations to the Wildcats – they have made their way to the Sweet 16.  And you can imagine their next game will be crazy.  Indianapolis will be rocking as Kentucky and Louisville come to town and continue their amazing rivalry.

The Dayton Flyers would just not go away – even when they made mistakes to give Syracuse another chance, they quickly took that chance away with a defensive stop.

I do find fantastic irony in this event.  Some of you might have noted some of the posturing by Coach K from Duke around it was silly that the Atlantic 10 was getting 6 teams into the tournament when a stronger conference like the ACC might only get 5.

The posturing might have even worked – as North Carolina State got a surprising 6th bid for the ACC (and they demonstrated that they belonged as they won their play-in game and almost upset St. Louis – the A-10 regular season champion in the second round).

Bur here is the bigger irony.  Dayton was the 6th team from the A-10.  And so after mighty Duke lost to Atlantic Sun champion Mercer, the 6th best team from the A-10 ended the tourney early for a second protected seed ACC team.  The funniest part to me about this is the Flyers are the only one left from the A-10.  That’s right, the only Atlantic 10 team that is still playing is the one Coach K said it was silly that they should be getting in.  And meanwhile, the only ACC teams left do not include Duke or Syracuse – it is just conference champion Virginia and the UNC Tar Heels left to carry the ACC banner.

I guess there is a reason they play the games.  Regardless, congratulations to the 6th best team from the Atlantic 10 – the Flyers have shown through their upsets of Ohio State and Syracuse that regardless of some opinions of one of the best minds in college basketball, they belonged in the Dance – and are the ones who will be hoping to continue to write their Cinderella story.

Meanwhile – I have to chuckle.  The whole day has spent watching defensive battle after defensive battle.   So far, 4 of the 5 games that have gone final have ended with the losing team not getting past 53 points (and Texas only got to 65).   And while I know Oregon likes to run up and down, it makes me chuckle that Wisconsin – a team known for slowing down the game to a crawl is winning 67-63 with a full 10 minutes left to play.   Of course, it would be the Badgers game that turns into a shootout.