Transcription
S School makes it into the Big Dance. The weight ends now. It is final. We are in the lower left quadrant, the West, where Florida is the number one team, the fourth overall seed.
Clark: Auburn clearly was the most dominant team all year long, but for the last couple of months, this has been the most complete and impressive team, the Florida Gators.
Adam: Winning the SEC Tournament earlier today. Their opponent will be Norfolk State. They are back. The two-time defending national champs, UConn, leading the country in blocks per game. They will face Oklahoma, who went 13-0 in non-conference play.
>> Including winning the Battle. That was a team supposedly on the bubble. How about a number nine seed for the Sooners? All SEC.
Adam: 12 teams now from the SEC, a new record for a conference. We shift to Friday action in Seattle. Memphis won the American Championship earlier today. They have victories over Michigan State, UConn, and Clemson. They will face Colorado State, coming in on a 10-game winning streak.
>> The country will get to see him. It is a shame they will see him against Memphis because that is a team that can really play. I hope they get Hunter back.
Adam: Also on Friday in Seattle, the Crab Five, the highest-scoring top-five in the country. Maryland is in. Queen leads them in scoring and rebounds. They will face Grand Canyon. The Antelopes are in high gear, third straight tournament.
We now go to the bottom half of the West Region for action in Wichita. Missouri, a bounce-back season, 10-8 in the SEC this year, a top 10 scoring offense.
>> How about the contrast in styles here?
Adam: Are you ready? It is Drake, a program-record 30 victories, a third straight Missouri Valley crown.
Clark: Those Bulldogs are tossed. They defend at one of the highest levels. This will be a must-watch for me.
Adam: Number one scoring defense in the country. Texas Tech, the highest-scoring team in 30 years, led by Toppin, who we have seen take over games. They were the only team to win at Houston. They will face UNCW.
Clark: It never gets old seeing these teams react.
Adam: Way to go, Seahawks. The matchup Thursday: Providence is Kansas. The streak continues, in the tournament for a record 35th straight season. Their opponent is John Calipari and Arkansas, dancing in his first season in Fayetteville.
>> I count 14 teams from the SEC. Self and Calipari, are you kidding me?
Adam: Do you want another big-name coach? The number two seed is Rick Pitino and St. John's. He has taken over New York. He has now taken six different schools to the tournament. Way to go, winning the Big East Tournament crown for the first time last night since 2000. Hide to the garbage cans, Providence, because Omaha is making their first-ever trip after a school-record 22 victories, including the Summit League title.
Let's zoom out and refocus on the top of the bracket.
Seth: I have a mild upset for you, another 12-5 with Colorado State, partially because of the injury issue with Hunter on Memphis.
Clark: Colorado State has been on a roll of late.
Seth: I think Oklahoma, I do. Dan Hurley does not pay attention to the media. I'm taking a look at the top part of the bracket. That Grand Canyon team is not a typical mid-major team. They have size and great experience. I like the Terps to advance. I highlighted this matchup when it was revealed: Missouri-Drake. A contrast in styles. That really makes it challenging for a team that wants to play fast. Can Missouri stay patient and poised against a team that is really good defensively and against the shot clock? I like Drake.
>> Let's look at the bottom: Kansas-Arkansas. It will be interesting to see how John Calipari puts him into the lineup. That will give them some depth that they did not have. Kansas still has veterans. That will be a great game. The winner could get Rick Pitino the next round. It can't get better than that.