March Madness, Turner/Wall

Well its late March, and we’re closing in on the 2010 NCAA Final Four –

Can Turner lead OSU to the Final Four?

This season’s rendition of the tournament has had its pros & cons.  For one, aside from John Wall, and lately, Evan Turner, there’s not that many big names in college hoops.  John Wall is an amazing prospect, but Evan Turner is NBA ready, now.  This begs the question – does America want a Ohio State/Kentucky championship game?  I do.

We’ll get back to that question in a bit, but I must say this – why am I not shocked that there were so many “upsets” in the tournament this year?  We’re not even done yet.  This has to be one of the most even fielded tournaments ever.  If Northern Iowa played Kansas in a best-of-five series, I’m not sure Kansas moves on –

Originally I had hoped that all four #1 seeds would reach the Final Four.  What an amazing draw that would be, right?  Kansas vs. Syracuse (sounds familiar) and Kentucky vs. Duke (I’d say there’s history there).  So much tradition.  Maybe next year.  I think now that the dust has settled, slightly, the Kentucky/Duke game for all intent and purposes, will be the real championship game.  Duke has been underrated all-season long, and they would like nothing more than to stun mighty Kentucky.  Coach K has done a fine job with the Blue Devils this season, but, Kentucky will win that game – which sets this up:

Ohio State vs. Kentucky

Will John Wall deliver the goods for UK?

Evan Turner vs. John Wall.  To a lesser extent, Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson.  Now, obviously neither Turner or Wall is at the level of the two legends I mentioned, but – hear me out now, the “buzz” surrounding a Turner/Wall showdown is definitely circulating.  It’s growing.  That’s something you can’t deny, and with the way the media works nowadays, expect the hype to blow out of proportion the closer we get to a Buckeyes/Wildcats championship game.  I’m buying into this little rivalry, and they haven’t even faced off yet.  I hope this happens –

So there might not be a Carmelo Anthony, or a Derrick Rose in college basketball this season, but hey – it’s still March Madness, baby!  For most of these kids, this is it.  There’s no bright lights and million dollar bank rolls on the other side.  So they play with heart and passion, and nothing more, which makes for great basketball, stars or no stars.

Enjoy the rest of the tournament people!