Missouri practically ran the high and mighty Tigers (whoops Memphis’ Tigers) off the court in a stunning Sweet 16 shocker

SCOTT JACOBS

The jerseys were hideous, but Missouri’s uter domminace of Memphis tonight was a thing of beauty.  Call it looking ahead, call it over-rated, call it getting beat by a very good Big12 team that plays in a very tough league.  Call it what you will.  Mizzou was better tonight.  Even if their uniforms looked closer to puke than gold.  J.T. Tiller scored 23 points, and the Memphis Missouri Tigers coasted to an impressive win against a team that most felt was a lock for the Elite Eight.

And just like that, half of last year’s NCAA Chapionship game field is erased.  Tonight Kansas gets its crack at Michigan State, and it would not surprise me, just like it didn’t surprise me that Xavier hung tooth and nails with Pitt, if the more athletic, more exciting Jayhawks win.  But we’ll keep that one between you and me.

Meanwhile, the Tigers get UConn, who dismantled “cinderella number one” Purdue (only by seeding really: they did fall outside of the top four) 72-60.  In unrelated news, the Huskies have petitioned the NCAA to let Arizona host every regional every year and that they be put in it, because when they get put in ‘Zona, they win in ‘Zona.  And then they win national titles.  The facts would support this.  1999 and 2005 are not flukes.  It’s got to be those cactuses.  Err… maybe not?

Villanova belted Duke in the mouth, steamrolling to the Elite Eight, and here it comes, are you ready– I think they just might be the best team in this tourney.  And the Big East meanwhile, just keeps on trucking, while the ACC lately at least– keeps on sucking.

North Carolina is the ACC’s last hope, a major disappointment considering that seven ACC teams got in.  Meanwhile in the Big East, or the Big East-y, depending on how you look at it, there is still the unprecedented possibility that the conference could get four teams in the Final Four.  That would be four for four.  It’s never happened before.

Villanova takes on Pitt in the East Final, so they’re getting at least one.  In the West Final UConn gets Missouri, who’s never made the Final Four, and although that game should be exciting, I like the Huskies to give the Big East a two for two.  Meanwhile, Louisville is the favorite to take home the Midwest, while Syracuse is coming on super strong as a contender in the South.  That game against Oklahoma should be a dandy.

So we present to you this possibility.  It’s possible that the national title game in Detroit could be a rematch between UConn and Syracuse.  Ranked in the 20’s going into the Big East tourney, the Cuse have been rollin’ ever since.

In somewhat related news,Madison Square Garden has politely petitioned the NCAA to move the Final Four to the Gawwwwdennn if the Big East sweeps the field.  There was a debate during the year which conference was the best.  I don’t think there’s any debate anymore.

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