USC Playing in Spokane but in the East Regional?
In the pas coupld of years, the NCAA has made a change to protect the top 4/5 seeds by seeding them in pods close to their region. Since USC was a 5 seed they are playing in Spokane. If the Trojans were to advance to the Sweet 16, they would travel to East Rutherford, NJ.
What time is the Game?
There are two sessions on Friday in Spokane. With Texas and star power Kevin Durant, I expect them to play in the night session with USC. Durant is one player in the Tournament that can bring big ratings out of market. Times will be officially announced Monday morning.
How to Get There?
Airfare to Spokane was in the $450-500 range on Sunday afternoon. Some airlines that have direct flights include Southwest and Alaska Airlines. If you are an American Airlines advantage member you can use your miles on Alaska Airlines.
Dreaded 5 -12 Matchup
In the last ten years of the NCAA Tournament. 12 seeds pulled off an upset 35.0% of the time (14 times in 40 tries). Last season, Texas A&M and Montana were two 12 seeds that won in the first Round.
Arkansas Run to SEC Title Game Squeezes Them In
Most experts believe Arkansas was one of if not the last team in the Tournament. Arkansas finished with an RPI of 35. They were only 2-8 on the road, but were 6-2 on neutral courts, thanks to their 3 wins in the SEC Tournament.
Arkansas got blown out Sunday in the SEC Title game by Florida. But to get there they beat South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State in consecutive days. They did only finish 7-9 in conference play. They lost at South Carolina, 66-60, but rebounded to blow them out 82-52 in the SEC Tournament. South Carolina beat USC in OT in the first game of the season.
Patrick Beverly of Arkansas SEC Frosh of the Year
Gabe Pruitt spent most of the Pac-10 Tournament running around trying to guard WSU's Derrick Low and Oregon's Aaron Brooks. His next assignment is likely Patrick Beverly, who averaged 14.1 ppg and shot 41% from 3 to win the SEC Freshman of the Year.
Floyd to Chat with LSU's Brady?
You have to wonder if Coach Floyd will call up one of his former assistants, now LSU Head Coach, John Brady to get a scouting report on Arkansas. The two teams split their games this season, both winning on their home courts.
Texas and Durant in Second Round?
Talk about a high and a low in 10 seconds. I screamed when I saw USC received a 5 seed and then cursed when I saw Texas was seeded 4th. Texas went to OT against Kansas early in the day. Since the game was so late in the day, did Texas get pushed out of a potential 3 seed? The other 4 seeds include: Southern Illinois, Virginia and Maryland. Texas and Maryland are two 4 seeds that could make a run to the Final Four.
Pac-10 Gets 6 In
Stanford was sweating all weekend, but they were announced as the last team in the tournament as an 11 seed. When the other Pac-10 teams were announced you had to think Stanford had a good shot at being in, with UCLA a 2 seed, Oregon and WSU 3 seeds and Arizona an 8 seed.
Other Pac-10 Teams:
3 Oregon vs. 14 Miami (OH)
3 Washington State vs. 14 Oral Roberts
11 Stanford vs. 6 Louisville
8 Arizona vs. 9 Purdue
2 UCLA vs. 15 Weber State
USChoops.com will be live from Spokane, WA starting Friday morning.
Overall
