Friday Night in Miami
Earlier today, as the brackets were being announced, I kept looking at the fours and fives. G-Man predicted a four, and I thought four or five, no real difference. I knew the RPI had climbed through the Big East tournament; it was up to 11 before the Louisville game. But I have to admit I was more than a little surprised as I saw they would end up a three.
More than that, I was elated to see that the final bracket in the South, where the three and six seeds would open, was to be played in Miami, giving Mike a chance to see the Orange go dancing. I jumped on the computer and sent an e-mail to Lew, asking if he could find tickets for Mike. "Done." was the reply that came back. A few weeks ago, we had talked about getting the family together in Miami that weekend, just for a getaway. I figured we could all watch together, in Mike's living room, as we had last May, when Bron and Pierce lit up the garden in the Celtics Game seven win over the Cavs. But I also figured we'd be watching them play in Boise Idaho, or Kansas City. No way did I ever figure they'd be playing in downtown Miami. Anyway, it's too bad our schedules didn't allow us to get away. But I hope we'll be calling Mike's cell phone every five minutes, starting next Friday night.
I think the three seed was, in part, the committee's apology to Boeheim for overlooking the Orange over the past couple years. Really, when you saw the records of some of the teams that got in with 10, 11 and 12 seeds, it's hard to figure how Cuse got shut out, especially two years ago. Or maybe they were just rewarding him for playing a tougher schedule this year. Of course, had we played the usual schedule of New York schools, we'd have picked up two other tournament teams, Siena and Binghamton. Or maybe they just deserved the three seed; after all they've beaten a one and a two, both away from the Dome.
So the post-season starts on Friday, and they can't take this first round game for granted. I know they've been all over Sportscenter for several days; but all year long, they've had the ability to play up or down to the precise level of their competiton. But from now on, they've got to play every minute with the same intensity they displayed through all seven overtime periods. That, along with fewer turnovers, and a few more rebounds, and continued strong shooting from Rautins and Devo; and maybe then we'll be talking tournament a week from now. Go Orange.
More than that, I was elated to see that the final bracket in the South, where the three and six seeds would open, was to be played in Miami, giving Mike a chance to see the Orange go dancing. I jumped on the computer and sent an e-mail to Lew, asking if he could find tickets for Mike. "Done." was the reply that came back. A few weeks ago, we had talked about getting the family together in Miami that weekend, just for a getaway. I figured we could all watch together, in Mike's living room, as we had last May, when Bron and Pierce lit up the garden in the Celtics Game seven win over the Cavs. But I also figured we'd be watching them play in Boise Idaho, or Kansas City. No way did I ever figure they'd be playing in downtown Miami. Anyway, it's too bad our schedules didn't allow us to get away. But I hope we'll be calling Mike's cell phone every five minutes, starting next Friday night.
I think the three seed was, in part, the committee's apology to Boeheim for overlooking the Orange over the past couple years. Really, when you saw the records of some of the teams that got in with 10, 11 and 12 seeds, it's hard to figure how Cuse got shut out, especially two years ago. Or maybe they were just rewarding him for playing a tougher schedule this year. Of course, had we played the usual schedule of New York schools, we'd have picked up two other tournament teams, Siena and Binghamton. Or maybe they just deserved the three seed; after all they've beaten a one and a two, both away from the Dome.
So the post-season starts on Friday, and they can't take this first round game for granted. I know they've been all over Sportscenter for several days; but all year long, they've had the ability to play up or down to the precise level of their competiton. But from now on, they've got to play every minute with the same intensity they displayed through all seven overtime periods. That, along with fewer turnovers, and a few more rebounds, and continued strong shooting from Rautins and Devo; and maybe then we'll be talking tournament a week from now. Go Orange.
posted by pops | 9:54 PM
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