[adrotate group=”1″] 🏀The college national tournament, also known as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, is one of the most popular and exciting events in American sports. Every year, 68 teams compete in a single-elimination bracket to determine the national champion of college basketball. But how did this tournament begin and evolve over time? The first NCAA Tournament was held in 1939, with only eight teams invited. The Oregon Webfoots (now Ducks) won the inaugural title, defeating, 46-33 in the final. The tournament was created by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and was initially overshadowed by the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), which had started a year earlier and featured more established teams from the East. However, the NCAA Tournament gradually gained prestige and popularity, especially after 1951, when a point-shaving scandal tarnished the reputation of the NIT. The NCAA also expanded the field of the tournament several times, adding more teams from different regions and conferences. In 1952, the field grew to 16 teams; in 1975, it reached 32 teams; in 1985, it expanded to 64 teams; and in 2011, it added four more teams to create the First Four round. The NCAA Tournament also witnessed some of the most memorable moments and players in basketball history. Some of the highlights include: The UCLA dynasty, led by coach John Wooden and stars like Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) (because Alcindor was so proficient at dunking the ball, DUNKS were banned in high school and college from 1967-1976), and Bill Walton, that won 10 titles in 12 years from 1964 to 1975. (As you know I beleive dunking is still an ILLEGAL move. It is GOAL TENDING !!! To dunk the ball you enter the the extended. area above the rim, giving the offensive player an UNFAIR advantage: as the defender is not allowed to enter the same area. NOW if they were to allow the defender the same latitude (to enter this area), Then the DEFENDER is on equal footing. BESIDES, What is so exciting about a player who can stand flat footed and touch the rim, sticking the ball in the hoop, WHOOPIE. If they allow this it should only count as 1 POINT. (difficulty level should come into play here). The 1979 final between Michigan State and Indiana State, featuring the first matchup of future NBA legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, which drew a record 24.1 million viewers. The 1982 final between North Carolina and Georgetown, in which a freshman named Michael Jordan hit the game-winning shot with 15 seconds left. The 1983 final between North Carolina State and Houston, in which the underdog Wolfpack stunned the heavily favored Cougars with a buzzer-beating dunk by Lorenzo Charles off a missed shot by Dereck Whittenburg. The 1992 East Regional final between Duke and Kentucky, in which Christian Laettner hit a turnaround jumper at the buzzer after a full-court pass from Grant Hill, capping off a 104-103 overtime thriller. The NCAA Tournament continues to captivate millions of fans every year, who fill out their brackets and root for their favorite teams or Cinderella stories. The tournament is also a showcase for the best college players, some of whom go on to become stars in the NBA or other professional leagues. The tournament is a celebration of the sport of basketball and its rich history and tradition. 🏀 Views: 151
Tag: North Carolina State
NCAA 2015 MARCH MADNESS
NCAA MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT. Right now it appears that Kentucky will receive the overall number one seed. Which guarantees them the easiest path to the final four. Here is where I make many of you mad. Might just as well get it out of the way right now. After careful consideration I predict KENTUCKY will be the first NUMBER ONE seed out. Kentucky is a good team and appears as of now they will go undefeated in regular season. But if you look at their schedule…..WHO have they played. A few teams that may be in the Tournament. But looking at their overall schedule, it has been pretty much of a soft schedule. In other years it could have been a tough schedule. But this year, well it was a disappointment. All teams have these years….maybe. But it may work out for them. While they have pretty much coasting, and other teams have been going toe to toe. They may be the most rested team entering the Tournament. Is it possible for a team with a losing record be in the BIG DANCE? Just ask MEAC Tournament Champion Hampton Pirates. With a 16-17 record. The answer is yes. Can they wear the Glass Slipper? What is a seed? Merely a starting place. Although unlikely, IT is possible for two 16 seeds to meet in the final game. Would lets say Kentucky were to be seeded as a number 16. They would still have to win all games to be CHAMPION ! OKAY. so I was wrong Villanova was first number 1 out. So That makes Kentucky 2nd Number 1 seed out. I called it right the second time!! Kentucky was the second number 1 out. They did play well. But their weak regular season schedule did not prepare them for the stronger teams. It took a last second desperation shot to overcome Notre Dame. But Wisconsin’s tough season made them ready. The behavior of the Kentucky “FANS” back in Kentucky I am sure did not reflect the feelings of the Wildcat Coaches and Players. However their acts do reflect back to them, the University, and The STATE. I still do not understand this type of childish behavior. It does not change the outcome of the game. Maybe “TOO Much ALCOHOL” is an excuse. But that would be all it was. NOT A REASON! Kentucky did make it a lot farther than I expected. Hats off to Kentucky Team for not quitting. Maybe next year (for a change) they will return with experienced players, and not have to rely on Freshmen. Here is to next year Kentucky. Season is over. Congratulations to DUKE. It is hard to say one bad call changes the outcome of a game. However a couple of bad calls and NO CALLS. Can alter a game. In what I saw was DUKE get more than their share the last 3 minutes of the game. I saw them commit charges that were mis -called BLOCKS. I saw Duke throw up there forearms to clear space. I really think the REFS let the game get out of control. Of course You can make the excuse that they were letting the teams play. HOWEVER, the Most Questionable Non Call was with about 2 minutes +/-. It was plenty obvious the Ball went out last touched by DUKE’s Winslow I think. I am not really good with names. But no one can say for sure if that really made a big difference, DOWN by 5. It would have given the BADGERS a chance to score and cut the lead by 2 or 3, (if they scored). This could have changed the momentum, or not. Who can say? But it is over no going back. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT UNLIKE KENTUCKY, I SAW NO BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF EITHER TEAMS FANS. (hope I’m not speaking too soon). But Hats off to them for showing maturity. Well THAT IS HOW I SEE IT. Check back for other articles throughout the year. Maybe some Public Service Announcements, or who knows what may strike my fancy. Maybe a few sports articles. but I Just have not been able to get into baseball since the strike which brought about the PED thing when they allowed Mark McGuire to hit those home runs to generate interest in the game. Just like the NBA let MJ get by with making his own rules to create interest in their arena. I can’t really call them sports any more. But will be back with our usual Football coverage. ACTUAL / RESULTS https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-MM-Brackett-Actual.pdf ALL-High-Picks. https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-MM-Bracket-ALL-High-Picks1.pdf UPSETS https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-MM-Brackett-Upsets1.pdf MY PICKS https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-MM-Brackett-My-Picks.pdf Views: 120
