Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan.
Last week one of our debates centered on the hardest region to win in this year’s version of March Madness. I argued that the South region would be the toughest to win, and provided two primary reasons were Villanova and Siena. Obviously things did not quite pan out for me, and it sure did not pan out for MY bracket which was officially put in the garbage after the loss by Kansas. But despite the loss of Villanova I still believe the South region is the toughest.
Obviously, Duke still remains the favorite to make it into the Final Four. The ACC champs have looked good in their first two games as they won with relative ease. Next up they have Purdue. Now, I have been openly critical of Purdue. I felt pretty confident Siena would knock off Purdue in the first round. In fact, I actually had Siena in this game in my recently disposed-of bracket. To his credit, Bleacher Fan told Sports Geek and I last week that we should not so quickly dispose of Purdue.
“Purdue is more than Robbie Hummel,” Bleacher Fan said. Well, I hate to say it, but Bleacher Fan was right! Chris Kramer, E’Twaun Moore, and JaJuan Johnson have stepped up at different times during the first two rounds. And let’s not forget that Purdue, through all the heat they have felt over the past month or so, still holds a record of 29-5.
The other game in this bracket fascinates me for various reasons, as Baylor takes on St. Marys. I have become a fan of the Gaels during the past couple of weeks. I watched them absolutely beat down Gonzaga in the WCC Championship. After their first round victory over Richmond they messed up quite a few brackets by upsetting Villanova. During this little run, Omar Samhan has become a star. He is averaging 30.5 points during the tournament and pulling down nearly ten boards a game. It is not like he played poorly in the regular season, either. He averaged 21.5 points per game and 10.9 rebounds per game. In fact, he has scored in double figures in 32 of 33 games. It is easy to see why St. Marys comes in with a record of 28-5.
Let’s not discount Baylor. It really is amazing what Scott Drew has down at Baylor. He has turned the whole mindset of Baylor basketball around in a short time. It was not that long ago that the Bears had all kinds of off-the-court drama. That, however, is now in the distant past. Another key point to consider, something that could give a big advantage for Baylor, is the fact that South region games are being played in Houston. It is just a three hour drive from Waco to Baylor so Baylor should definitely have some hometown support.
Three of the top four seeds remain in play in the South region. That, and the diversity shown by the four teams still remaining, makes the South region the toughest to win.
