Thoughts on the NCAA tournament

The first weekend of the NCAA tournament is over. The tournament has been exciting. There have been upsets, players and teams that have stepped up, and players and teams that have disappointed. The CT sports editor gives you his thoughts and insight on the first week of the tournament.

Most Impressive Team: Connecticut

The Huskies blasted two teams by 82 points. Some would say the Huskies defeated two lesser teams. The Chattanooga game was not a surprise, but the Huskies easily dispatched Texas A&M after the Aggies beat up on BYU. Connecticut shot the ball well in both games, especially guard A.J. Price. Connecticut entered the tournament as the weakest No. 1 seed and left the first week as the most dominant.

Honorable Mention: Arizona

Least Impressive Team: Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons came out and laid an egg. Wake Forest was picked by some such as Sports Illustrated to make it to the Final Four. Instead, Cleveland State thoroughly dominated Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons looked liked a championship caliber team when they defeated Duke and North Carolina. Afterward, Wake Forest stumbled to a No. 4 seed in the tournament and a first-round exit.

Honorable Mention: Florida State

Most Impressive Player: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

The double-double machine was at it again during the tournament’s first weekend. Griffin averaged 22.5 points and 14.4 rebounds per game during the season. During the first weekend of the tournament, Griffin averaged 30.5 points and 15 rebounds against Morgan State and Michigan. Griffin is the best player on the Sooners’ roster and Oklahoma needs him to continue to dominate for a shot at the title.

Honorable Mention: A.J. Price, Connecticut

Least Impressive Player: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest

Wake Forest’s most explosive scorer sputtered in the NCAA tournament. Teague averaged 18.8 points per game during the regular season. Cleveland State held Teague to 10 points. Even worse, Teague committed seven turnovers. When thinking about why the Demon Deacons did not advance further, one must start with Teague.

Honorable Mention: Tyrese Rice, Boston College

Most Impressive Conference: Big East

The Big East was thought to be the best conference in college basketball during the regular season. The conference placed seven teams into the Big Dance, including three No. 1 seeds. Five Big East teams made it to the Sweet 16, with Connecticut and Villanova looking dominant. Although it is not likely, the Big East will possibly get four teams in the Final Four.

Honorable Mention: Big 12

Least Impressive Conference: ACC

Like the Big East, the ACC placed seven teams into the tournament. But unlike the Big East, only two ACC teams remain, North Carolina and Duke. The only team that advanced past the first round was Maryland. Wake Forest and Boston College were eliminated in embarrassing fashion. Florida State was picked by many to make the Sweet 16 but faltered in the first round. Clemson also lost in the first round to Michigan. The ACC entered the tournament as the second best conference but proved to be a two-team league.

Honorable Mention: SEC

Most Entertaining Game: Siena def. Ohio State, 74-72 (2OT)

Ohio State had this game won twice but Siena’s Ronald Moore hit two clutch 3-pointers to give Siena the victory. In the first overtime, the Buckeyes led 65-62. With three seconds remaining, Moore hit a 3-pointer to send the game into a second overtime. In the second overtime, the Buckeyes led 72-71 after an Evan Turner layup. With 12 seconds left, Moore hit the game-winning 3-pointer to win the game and send Siena into the second round and Ohio State home.

Honorable Mention:Wisconsin def. Florida State, 61-59 (OT) UCLA def. VCU, 65-64