First before the Davidson game today, here are some pics and insights. Then later today or tomorrow, I’ll post some UNC game musings and insights.
Davidson. Think Bellarmine meets Ivy League.
Situated in a small historic town of Davidson only a few minutes from Charlotte, the campus is a gorgeous blend of of landscaped , rolling hills and flowering gardens, beautiful old buildings, and a fun and quirky turn-of -the -century Main St. with little shops including an old soda fountain, where you can get cherry phosphates and Coke floats.
It’s at least $40,000/yr to attend this little liberal arts gem. Like Duke, it’s filled with Northerners–but without the obnoxious ego of the Dookies.
In fact, it was refreshing to see the small town spirit. When they reached the Sweet 16, the alumni put out the word that they’d paid the way for ANY student who wanted to go to Detroit for the game. Within an hour, 275 had signed up–overwhelming the planned buses.
Finally, Friday morning at 5am, they jammed about 400 students in 7 buses. When they won the game that night, another 200 got on more buses this morning.
Davidson plays it’s home games in a , uhh, small arena (see above.)
As I strolled the campus, I asked one of the professors about the gym.
“We really packed them in the last game, ” he said. I asked him how many people.
“6300!” he proudly declared. I asked him if they sold out their games.
“Well, no, not that many. It is a small school and town, ” he replied.
The student center (above) was ready to party Friday night– and I’m sure it was wild.
I will say this –it was a bit like entering a Twilight Zone for a basketball fan from Kentucky. Their colors are Cardinal red –but they are the Davidson Wildcats.
A refreshing little, good-feeling story. Go Davidson!
Equal opponent, tied game with 11 min to go-can’t ask for more.
I have seen many Card teams over my 40 yrs of watching them, and I have come to love this team. I will always remember David Padgett.
And there were some great runs, big games and blow-out victories– and an Elite Eight which is nothing to sneeze at.
The team was a 3 seed–it over-achieved by both getting to the Elite 8 AND giving the #1 seed of the tournament and possible eventual National champion, all it could handle in its own backyard (and with Hansbrough being allowed approx. 9 fouls.)
Every team has some flaw. This team could not shoot free throws well (56% tonight), nor could it finish the end of tight, big games well. These proved their undoing tonight as they lost 9 pts on free throws alone. We held our own for the most part elsewhere.
But not quite. They were just a bit better–in virtually every statistic. Not by much– but the cumulative effect was game deciding.
And Hansbrough– I can assure you he is the real deal, fouls or not. Just a damn good, takeover-the-game player, who hit some clutch shots outside his range with people flying at him. We really had no one such complete player like him–few do.
I talked with many Carolina fans after the game–they admitted they were scared stiff when we made our run.
This is when magic occurs. Pitino has “off the charts” Performance Against Seed Expectations in the NCAA– it is by far the highest of any active coach.
Denny created magic, too. It surprised you the first few times. But then you knew to look for it– and almost expect it. (OK, we got downright spoiled by it!)
Coaching geniuses in their prime drive their teams beyond expectations with their wile, wisdom, and sheer force of will.
I’m going to Charlotte to hopefully witness some sparkle in person. At the beginning of the season, with high hopes for this season, I posted this nostalgic piece about my first encounter with Ricky P and his wife– in the ’80s– and why we as fans need to relish each of these special tournament times in U of L history.
Still…it is the team that must play the game. U of L teams traditionally have high PASE over the past 15 years.Can this year’s Card team over-achieve its 3 seed, and reach what we all believe is their true potential– a third title for the Ville?
This team has come close all year–but has not won any major tournaments or regular season championships. It has often failed in those clutch last few minutes.
This team has the talent and depth. Does it have the maturity and force of will –this time– to take the mountain?
The road, never easy, is now ridiculous. First a 2 seed, then most likely three #1 seeds in a row to win to all.
A major first obstacle is Tennessee. The Cards and the Vols…somewhat similar teams…good talent and depth (11 Vols play 10 minutes or more per game). They are more guard oriented and rely more on perimeter shooting.
“Louisville does a great job running their offense through their post,” Pearl said. “I’m so impressed with Padgett on the inside and Jerry Smith on the perimeter – that inside-outside combination – and the athletes they put around those two.
“There’s like four or five big time pros on that team. It’s a very talented team with athletic, skilled front line guys. They’re a better shooting Memphis team with better post-up options.”
The keys to the game: How well we shoot from the outside and how well we defend their outside shooting.
I have a good feeling about the game. I think our D will shut down them down sufficiently.
I’m thinking the Vegas line of Cards by 2 is about right. And could be more if we play well.
Some interesting stats and insights from a SI.com article, about Butler’s scouting on the Vols:”They haven’t won if the other team committed less than 13 turnovers, and they are undefeated if they force 15 or more,” he says.”I want to give you one statistic that I think illustrates their mindset,” Stevens says.
“They are in the top 50 in the nation in offensive rebounding, and they are in the bottom 50 in the nation in defensive rebounding. I’ve never seen that before. It tells you they like it easy on offense and they really get after it, and they like it easy on defense and they won’t pay attention to the details late in the possession.”
Through two NCAA Tournament games, Rick Pitino’s bench is outscoring the opponent’s bench 67-25 Only North Carolina, of the 221 first-weekend points, has scored more off the bench than Louisville (69 to 67). Stanford is the only other team to score more than 40, getting 66 in their two wins.
From Cardinal Empire ( and Prudat who also gets the nod for the wallpapers above):
Big East Continues Sweet 16 Dominance
With West Virginia, Villanova, and Louisville making travel plans for the second weekend, the Big East has now sent at least three teams to the Sweet 16 in four of the past six seasons (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008). The next closest conference to claim that distinction is the Big XII, which has sent three or more teams just twice (2003, 2004). No other major conference can claim more than one season with a trio of teams playing for a berth in the Elite Eight.
And finally from the Card Chronicle, which also has an excellent breakdown of the Vols and the game, a highlight compilation of OKLA game:
First before the Davidson game today, here are some pics and insights. Then later today or tomorrow, I’ll post some UNC game musings and insights.
