CaribouJim
08-20-2012, 09:25 AM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/andy_glockner/08/17/NCAA-basketball-early-tournaments/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_bf3_a2
Matchup to watch: Butler-Marquette. I can't believe this was set up as a quarterfinal and also the first game of the opening quadruple header (mid-afternoon Eastern Time tip). The Bulldogs and Golden Eagles could emerge as the two best teams from this field. Butler's major weakness from last season -- perimeter shooting -- should be remedied in a big way by Arkansas transfer Rotnei Clarke and freshman Kellen Dunham. Marquette still has a lot of talent left from its second straight Sweet 16 team, even after the departures of Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder. It's also a terrific style contrast of tempos and approaches, and a matchup of two excellent head coaches. Additionally, with Butler moving to the Atlantic 10 this season, this is a big game for nonconference schedule strength and possible NCAA at-large consideration.
What was the reason(s) the GAS lost all its glamour? It's next to nothing now - sad. I went to the last two and I'd go back in an instant - Alaska is awesome and the vibe to that tourney was unique.
Matchup to watch: Butler-Marquette. I can't believe this was set up as a quarterfinal and also the first game of the opening quadruple header (mid-afternoon Eastern Time tip). The Bulldogs and Golden Eagles could emerge as the two best teams from this field. Butler's major weakness from last season -- perimeter shooting -- should be remedied in a big way by Arkansas transfer Rotnei Clarke and freshman Kellen Dunham. Marquette still has a lot of talent left from its second straight Sweet 16 team, even after the departures of Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder. It's also a terrific style contrast of tempos and approaches, and a matchup of two excellent head coaches. Additionally, with Butler moving to the Atlantic 10 this season, this is a big game for nonconference schedule strength and possible NCAA at-large consideration.
What was the reason(s) the GAS lost all its glamour? It's next to nothing now - sad. I went to the last two and I'd go back in an instant - Alaska is awesome and the vibe to that tourney was unique.