Happy Sweet 16!

The only thing I can't stand about March (except for Billy Packer) is the interminable wait between the second and third rounds. If life were more like TiVo I would have started fast forwarding on Sunday night only stopping to occasionally check in on Gilbert and my Wizards. But alas, real life is a bitch. On Monday I contacted my health insurance provider to find out if they cover willfully induced comas. Cheap fuckers. I had no recourse.

Well now we can forget all of that, because today it's Thursday and in a matter of hours the Madness will return. This means no more sneaking looks at the Sportsline scoreboard at work (or missing entire games because of an afternoon flight), from now on it's all primetime. As Ray Charles once sang, "the night time is the right time." Just ask the former royal family of primetime television...



Vintage.

Now without further ado let's take a look at the four matchups that comprise tonight's double-dipped doubleheader.

7:10
Southern Illinois #4 vs. Kansas #1

Each team runs a very specific system and they obviously do it quite well. Whenever you get two talented teams with such divergent styles you're pretty much guaranteed to see an interesting game. Kansas is young, versatile, and their athleticism is awe-inspiring. They rebound and run as well as anybody in the country and when their shooting is on point they're as tough an out as anybody in the tournament. Meanwhile So. Ill came in to the tournament with the reputation of having the best defense in the nation. If anything last week's games elevated that rep. The Saluki's perimeter defense will be spread all over the floor this evening, the further out they push the more difficult it will be for Kansas to establish their half court offense. Once the Jayhawks work the ball inside (and they will) we'll be treated to a fantastic individual matchup.

Julian Wright vs. Randal Falker

Wright is 6'8" with the body of a swingman but he's shown the ability to dominate in the paint, especially on the glass. Tonight he faces one of the toughest interior defenders in the whole country. So Ill's chances of victory likely hinge on their dominating inside presence, Randal Falker. If he stays out of foul trouble and keeps up with Wright and the other long bodies on the front line they've got an excellent chance to stay in game.

7:27 (because 7:30 is bourgeois)
Texas A&M; #3 vs. Memphis #2

Nobody knows what's going on in this one, it's kind of like the matchup above without the talent disparity. A&M;'s perimeter defense is quite similar to Southern Illinois and Memphis relies on its length and athleticism. Each team has shown the ability to simply overwhelm their opponents all year by utilizing these strengths. Memphis' best shot to win will come under the basket. A&M has some athletes on the interior but it's likely not enough to deal with both Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier. A&M;'s best chance is to hand the ball to Acie Law IV and step aside. His shot might be ugly but the results, much like the rest of his game, is undeniable in its beauty.

As of now there's been no update on the condition of Memphis' leading scorer, Chris Douglas-Roberts. The hyphenated swingman is still suffering through a sore ankle and Coach Cal' hasn't exactly been forthcoming. If I don't hear something soon I might send John Chaney over to practice for a little bit of up close interrogation.

9:40
Pitt #3 vs. UCLA #2

This very game could make or break my entire year as a sports fan. I like UCLA and I love Ben Howland, but tonight all the allegiances go out the window. I want to watch them suffer like Adam Morrison (the crying, not the diabetes) and I want to taste their sweet sweet tears.

Both teams play great defense and both teams have perfect balanced offensive attacks. This one is going to be an all-out battle, I'm just praying my side comes out ahead.

For more on the matchup check out Deadspin's Sweet 16 Pants Party from this afternoon. That's just good writing!

9:57
Tennessee #5 vs. Ohio State #1

By the time I switch over to this game I'll be too jubilant/high/anguished/drunk to comprehend the high definition images flying through my living room. For those of you planning to watch the game expect more of the same from Ohio State. They have a ton of talent but they have failed to exhibit the ability to put a team down on the mat. Seeing as how Tennessee is a team full of cold-blooded chuckers (and I mean that in the best possible way) the game should stay close down to the waning minutes. I'd really love to think that Chris Lofton could shoot his team past the unbearable Buckeyes but I'm still doubtful (unless Bruce Pearl shows up in drag, then it's anybody's game).

Enjoy yourselves tonight, I know I will.