March Madness-Day 1

Today is March 1, so it must be time for March Madness, right? Well, not quite, but it will be madness on this blog. I'll be posting at least once a day as the events unfold that will take us to the NCAA Basketball Championship. I might look in on the ladies from time to time, but my primary focus will be the men.

Tonight did feature an early taste of madness with Florida State's upset of #1 Duke. What was more shocking, the 79-74 score or the fact that the Seminoles attempted 40 free throws while the Blue Devils attempted only 17? This loss didn't really cost Duke anything except the chance for a perfect ACC record-they are still on track for a #1 seed in the NCAA's.

The much bigger concern has to be J. J. Redick's slump. In his last three games, he has made only 18-59 shots, just over 30%. That won't get them very deep into March. Redick has sat out only one minute during those three games and is averaging 37 minutes per contest this season. Why? Any coach in the nation except Coach K would have to answer that question.

North Carolina is playing the best basketball in the ACC right now. Since halftime of the Georgia Tech game two weeks ago, the Tar Heels have not really been challenged. They humiliated Virginia 99-54 tonight. How interesting does that Duke-NC game Saturday night become?

As for Florida State, they should be in the NCAA's if they beat Miami Sunday. They came into the Duke game with an RPI of 66, but a win Sunday gives the Seminoles a 9-7 conference record amd 20-8 overall. That HAS to get them in.