Archive for the ‘Columnists’ Category
Greer: Versatile big men power UNC to 5th title
By Jeff Greer
Big men beware: The 2009 NCAA tournament served notice the days of the traditional cement-footed post player are long over. While there were a few old-fashioned big fellas hanging on — players such as Hasheem Thabeet and Samardo Samuels — the new-age big men took over this year’s Big Dance.
Blake Griffin, the national player of the year, was just the latest version of the do-it-all power forward, the 6-8, 6-9, 6-10 guy who can score from anywhere on the floor, either in the halfcourt or in transition. Last year, Michael Beasley dazzled the nation with his inside-outside dominance, snatching double-digit rebounds every night and scoring in a wide range of ways. Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina’s star senior and 2008 player of the year, evolved into a hybrid forward as his career progressed. The list goes on and on.
Osterman: Izzo & Williams join the coaching greats
By Zachary Osterman
Roy Williams said he was “going to enjoy the dickens” out of his team’s Final Four victory Saturday night. Tom Izzo couldn’t even describe his emotions, or those of his team.
Regardless, both men, universally considered among the best coaches in college basketball, have found their way back to the top of the mountain. Up next is a national title game featuring perhaps the best coaching since Williams and Jim Boeheim squared off in 2003.
But these respective runs — Williams from the position of national front-runner and Izzo from the relative mediocrity that has been the Big Ten in recent years — have done more than bring them once again to the national spotlight. Because of how it came about, this game, however it ends, solidifies Izzo and Williams as the two premier coaches of their generation.
Column: Arizona’s ouster ends last hope of underdog drama
By Michael Schwartz
They’ve played the role of David all season, but the Arizona Wildcats finally ran into a Goliath powerful enough to end their season in embarrassing fashion Friday night.
While the Wildcats packed a sling shot with three high-level players, the Louisville Cardinals brought waves of quality depth and an attacking full-court press that unraveled Arizona.
Really the Wildcats couldn’t have drawn a worse matchup than Louisville because of the pressure the Cardinals exerted on the Wildcats’ overmatched starters, causing fatigue while Louisville brings in a new wave of players.
Column: Surprise run is latest twist at Arizona
By Michael Schwartz
If you would have told me in the days leading up to Selection Sunday that the Arizona Wildcats would defeat Cleveland State to charge into Sweet Sixteen, I would have thought you were most certainly talking about the Sweet Sixteen of the NIT.
For a program that used to make a living out of reaching the round of 16 — 12 times since 1988 — this year’s Cinderella run to the second weekend represents a refreshing change.
Let’s be clear, these are not your older brother’s Wildcats.
