Hoosier Basketball Has Returned to Normalcy

Indiana University has a rich basketball history, but the past decade was the darkest chapter. It included the Kelvin Sampson scandal, the accompanying NCAA investigation, and a 1-17 conference record that concluded 6-25 2008-2009 season. The storied program hit rock bottom, so the university decided to bring in Tom Crean as head coach to help resurrect the fallen team. That 08-09 season was Crean's first and things started out slowly. In fact, during his first three seasons, the Hoosiers were only 28-66.

But things started to change this year. Indiana's easy schedule started out as expected at 8-0. The Hoosier faithful started to believe and seemingly willed their team to buzzer-beater upset of #1 Kentucky at home. If that wasn't enough, they also beat #2 Ohio State and #5 Michigan State at home as well. Indiana finished 5th in the Big Ten and earned the #4 seed in the South Region of the NCAA tournament bracket. Plenty of folks were still critical of this team returning to the dance for the first time since 2007. The Hoosiers unfortunately lost guard Verdell Jones III to injury in the conference tournament and didn't have an impressive road resume.

Indiana started out the tournament well with a second round win over New Mexico State. Then, tonight, they survived the "havoc" defense of VCU to earn a trip to the Sweet Sixteen, for the first time in a decade. The Hoosiers balanced attack is being led by junior Christian Watford. Now, they have earned a rematch with the #1 overall seed Kentucky. Whether or not they win or lose that game, this team has returned to its place of glory. This team has proved that anything is possible. You just have to believe it can happen.

Are Your Brackets Busted?

It would come as no surprise to me if they were after a day like today. After all entering today, #2 seeds were 105-4 all time again #15 seeds. That all changed when #15 Norfolk State upset #2 Missouri and #15 Lehigh upset #2 Duke. Out of 6.5 million brackets on ESPN.com, only 31,183 correctly picked these games. Additionally, only 24,492 brackets correctly chose #15 Norfolk State, #15 Lehigh, and #13 Ohio. #12 seed South Florida and #11 seed N.C. State both pulled significant upsets as well.

Wow. I mean what else can you say after a day like today. Your bracket is probably destroyed, but you probably loved the basketball you watched. Picking a perfect bracket is next to impossible. So don't feel bad. In fact, the odds of picking a perfect bracket are 1-in-100 million trillion (Weimerskirch). One teenage fan correctly picked every game of the first two rounds last year. The odds of that happening was estimated at 13.46 million to one (bookofodds.com).

So don't feel bad if your bracket is busted. I know that mine is. But that is okay. Now, you can root for all the underdogs and enjoy the madness of March basketball.

Lakers' Trade Deadline Moves Do Not Fix Problems

The Los Angeles Lakers have not been playing basketball they way they have wanted to all season. Coming into the season, it was clear ownership had had enough of the current roster. They dumped Lamar Odom for basically nothing. Then, after failing to trade for Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, they did not to improve their team. At the trade deadline, the Lakers tried to make some big moves, but ultimately didn't have the personnel to get the job done.

Instead, the Lakers made two small deals. In the first trade, they acquired the Cleveland Cavaliers backup point guard Ramon Sessions and seldom used guard Christian Eyenga. The Lakers sent Luke Walton, Jason Kapono, and their 2012 first-round pick to the Cavs in return. In the second trade, the Lakers added backup center Jordan Hill from the Houston Rockets. The Rockets received veteran point guard Derek Fisher and a 2012 first round pick as compensation.

What does this do for the Lakers' problems this season? In all reality, basically nothing. Sessions is younger than Fisher, but isn't that much better of a player to improve the point guard position for the Lakers. They still don't have a solid option at the small forward spot, other than Metta World Peace. Hill will barely crack the rotation, fighting for minutes behind Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. What the Lakers did here is like the equivalent of putting a Scooby Doo band-aid on a gash that requires 50 stitches. This simply won't solve all of the issues this team has. The Lakers will still be a playoff team, but you can bank on an exit similar to last year's playoffs again this season.

My Five Bold NCAA Tournament Predictions

These are ten unexpected things I picked to happen in my bracket. You can call me crazy if you wish, but it is March Madness after all. Anything is possible, so don't say I didn't tell you so when some or maybe even of all of these happen.

5. This year's double digit seed making it to the Sweet Sixteen will be N.C. State.

The Wolfpack are playing their best basketball of the season right now. They made a great run in the ACC tournament, nearly upsetting UNC in the semifinals. I think the success will carry over to the Big Dance.

4. Belmont, a #14 seed, will win their first NCAA tournament game ever.

Everyone jumped on the Bears bandwagon early when they nearly upset Duke earlier this year. This has been a very talented program for the past several years. The only thing that has eluded them is a NCAA tournament win. I think that changes this years. Belmont will have to play very well, but they could certainly upset Georgetown.

3. Two #13 seeds, Montana and Davidson, will upset #4 seeds in the second round.

Don't get me wrong. Both Wisconsin and Louisville are very talented power conference teams. However, both are defensively oriented and struggle on offense at times. This leaves them both vulnerable to upsets. Davidson showed they are capable of pulling them when they beat Kansas in Kansas City earlier this year. Montana comes into the tournament winners of 14 straight, including an upset of Weber State to earn the automatic bid to the tourney.

(These two have to go together.)

2. #1 overall seed Kentucky will be the first #1 seed to lose in the tournament.

1. This year's Cinderella, Wichita State, will make it to the Final Four.

You probably think I am crazy right now, but Wichita State is very talented. They have experience on their side, having won the NIT last season. I truly believe Wichita State can upset an unsuspecting Kentucky team. If they did that, it wouldn't shock me if they went to the Final Four. In fact, that is exactly where I have them going in my bracket. Call me crazy, but you heard this prediction first here.

It Ain't Over Until It's Over

The First Four tipped off the NCAA tournament in style tonight. The President of the United States Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron were attendance to watch the game and festivities in Dayton, Ohio. The one thing we learned tonight is the old saying, it ain't over until it's over, sure is true.

The first game featured a pair of 16 seeds who were vying to get a chance to play against the #1 overall seed Kentucky. Western Kentucky was the only team to make the NCAA tournament despite having a losing record. They did what they had done all year which is fall behind early. Mississippi Valley St. took control behind some hot shooting by Kevin Burwell. The Delta Devils built the lead to 16 late in the second half. But as I said earlier, Western Kentucky did what they did all Sun Belt Conference tournament. The Hilltoppers rallied to go ahead on T.J. Price's three-point play with 33 seconds left. It will be all Bluegrass State second matchup between the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky.

A 16-point come-from-behind is impressive of all, but BYU thought they could do better. Iona, the nation's top scoring team, did not disappoint in the first 16 minutes of the game, pouring in 55 points. The Gael's lead grew to as much as 25, but they did not score the last 4:30 of the first half. It turned out that was a premonition of what was to come in the second half. BYU started getting hot from the field. The Cougars also turned on some stifling defense to hold Iona to just 17 second half points. The win gave BYU the largest comeback win in NCAA Tournament history. As the #14 seed, the Cougars have now earned a matchup against Marquette on Saturday.

What Will Randy Moss Do For the 49ers?

The San Francisco 49ers had a surprisingly good season last year, making it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. One of the main reasons they lost the game was a lack of production from their wide receivers, just one catch for three yards in the loss. Thus, the 49ers were looking for an upgrade or two. They decided to give recently unretired Randy Moss a workout. Head coach Jim Harbaugh liked what he saw, so the team inked Moss to a one-year deal.

The deal is relatively low-risk, in case things don't work out well. Moss will likely have to get use to playing with quarterback Alex Smith. Smith's play can be erratic at times, but clearly showed improvement last season, his first year under Harbaugh. The 49ers should also keep an eye on how Moss relates with Michael Crabtree. Crabtree is a young receiver the team really likes. It is important that Smith, Moss, and Crabtree get along well.

Overall, the move makes sense. The 49ers needed an upgrade at wide receiver. They are taking a low-risk chance on a veteran here. Things could really go either way with Moss. He has mild down some in old age, but it will still be interesting to see him work with Smith. If things go as the 49ers hope, Moss will provide Smith with another consistent target and be a mentoring veteran presence in the locker room. If not, they will just go ahead and cut him.