The Connecticut Huskies have quietly been the surprise of the season. Butler and VCU are the surprises of the tournament, yes, but no one expected this out of Connecticut. This season has been full of surprises, but there hasn’t been one bigger than the progression of the Connecticut Huskies. The team went through the Jim Calhoun recruiting violations and his possible … [Read more...] about Who Really Thought the UConn Huskies Would Get Here?
final four
This Kentucky (and Calipari) Team is Different
There is one huge thing missing from Kentucky coach John Calipari’s coaching resume: a national championship. Kentucky Wildcat fans have seen this similar storyline- a freshman point guard leading a John Calipari team deep into the tournament and falling short at the end. It happened at Memphis with superstars Derrick Rose (he’s only the NBA MVP this year) and Tyreke Evans … [Read more...] about This Kentucky (and Calipari) Team is Different
VCU: The Journey to the Unthinkable
The NCAA tournament is known to have upsets and madness, but nothing like this. After VCU’s upset win over the last remaining #1 seed Kansas, practically everyone’s bracket is busted. And no one believed that this team from Richmond, Virginia could do the unthinkable and get to college basektball's Final Four. Why? Because no one believed they even deserved to be here. So the … [Read more...] about VCU: The Journey to the Unthinkable
Midwest Swing: Title Game Edition
By Paul M. Banks INDIANAPOLIS- Signs inside, outside and all over downtown Indy read "the road ends here." Indeed it did, my four venue, three city college basketball tour ended on this night. As did the championship aspirations of the 64th and final team. I literally teared up as Duke cut down the nets and hoisted the championship trophy because for me, the "Midwest Swing" … [Read more...] about Midwest Swing: Title Game Edition
Midwest Swing: Final Four Edition
By Paul M. Banks INDIANAPOLIS- The brightest lights and the biggest stars come for college basketball’s biggest stage. But the biggest and best photo opp? Blue II, Butler's bulldog mascot. He came into the media room and everyone swooned over him. He's adorable! And the paparazzi were hounding him like 12 year old girls swooning over the Jonas Brothers. And by everyone I … [Read more...] about Midwest Swing: Final Four Edition
National Championship Drinking Game
By: David Kay and Peter Christian Since the Duke-Butler National Championship game is going to be as boring as any Wisconsin basketball game, allow the Sports Bank to spicen up your viewing party with our second annual National Championship Drinking Game. When Peter Christian and David Kay collaborate on an article, it is either brilliant or loaded with stupidity. This … [Read more...] about National Championship Drinking Game
Michigan State vs. Butler: Clash of the 5 seeds
By Paul M. Banks In the first national semifinal game, last year's "home team" in the Final Four takes on this year's "home team" in the Final Four. Although to be fair, Butler will have an advantage of being much closer to a true "home-court advantage" than State did in Detroit. … [Read more...] about Michigan State vs. Butler: Clash of the 5 seeds