This is an unfortunate year. I have not seen one single Sweet Sixteen game in its entirety, nor will I see any Elite Eight game. Each game slot coincides with either driving, flying, or attending a wedding. I don’t mind so much — the matchups have not been so compelling — Florida vs. Butler? UNC vs. USC? Georgetown vs. Vandy? Oregon vs. UNLV? But all of the games have been really closes, so I know I’m missing out.

Last night while driving from Dallas to Houston I listened to the Georgetown-Vanderbilt game. Congratulations to all Georgetown fans. All of the Big East is happy for you guys — it’s been quite a while since you’ve been in the Elite Eight. So Hoya Saxa and all that jazz. A few notes on the game and this weekend’s past games:

• Forward/Center: Did that play that Georgetown run at the end of the Vanderbilt game look familiar? Watch it again here. Now look at this play (just endure through Jim Nantz talking your head off for a while — the actual play is around 2:50). Yup, they’re the same. Again, I have to give major props to Jon Solomon over at princetonbasketball.com, who gives the truly inside story to the end of the game.
• Difference between Sweet 16 and Elite 8: Chris Dokish over at Panther Rants breaks it down — the teams that won are the teams with Top 50 recruit talent (and the ones who lost had less Top 50 recruit talent). Of course, he goes on to say that this is why Pitt hasn’t moved on to the higher heights. Honestly? Sounds like sour milk to me.

I’m just glad as a fan that we have a Georgetown-UNC matchup to watch on Sunday. To me, this is easily the most compelling game of the tournament. It’s not the fact that both programs are storied and classic basketball powerhouses. It’s more that we’re looking at two very fundamentally different teams, but both with very good athletes. Can’t wait to (not) watch this game. Sigh.

Categories: Commentary, Georgetown, donald