ForumsThe Halfcourt Trap Vol. I, No. 33
As the Sweet Sixteen is pared to the Final Four by Sunday, here’s the Trap’s takes on some issues related to the tournament and college hoops is general.
1. Crosstown Shootout Redux. Bob Huggins returns to the Sweet Sixteen. He does so as the coach of his alma mater. The opponent is his former intercity rival, Xavier. Eat your heart out, Nancy Zimpher.
2. Third Time A Charm? Memphis returns to the Sweet Sixteen for a third consecutive season. The Tigers have yet to break through to College Basketball’s version of Valhalla. To do so, they are going to have to go through Tom Izzo’s Spartans and either the Lopez twins or homestanding Texas. No easy task.
3. Break On Through. Bill Self has a fabulous resume. The only thing missing is a trip to the Final Four. Given the gutting of the Detroit region by upsets, he has to be a prohibative favorite to fill in the final hole on his litany of accomplishments.
4. Carolina In My Mind. The Tar Heels face daunting and diverse challenges in trying tom parlay their homestate advantage into a trip to the Alamodome. First, bruising Washington State will test the Heels’ patience and toughness on Thursday. Then, Roy Williams’ crew will play the best team they’ve faced all season, be it Tennessee or Louisville, in the Elite Eight.
5. Indiana. There’s a good chance IU will be free to talk to the three names that seem to pop up most often in regards to their hoops opening after Thursday’s play. Tony Bennett, Sean Miller, and Bruce Pearl are all playing in games that are at best tossups for their teams.
6. Nice Guy Finishes First. Cuonzo Martin was one of the Trap’s favorite players when he was at Purdue. Smart and tough, he was the backbone of Gene Keady’s best teams. Now, after battling cancer a few years ago, he’s been hired to take over at Missouri State. I have no doubt he will win and win big in Springfield.
Until next week, stay classy, Volnation.
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