The fact any given team can beat another given team is what makes the NCAA’s so compelling & fun! How could you not like & root for a grinder like Musselmam? I can’t wait for Saint Peters tonight & I wouldn’t want to be Purdue..
I think you need to make clear the games played in 1939 on Treasure Island was a west regional. Oregon beat Ohio State for the championship at a game played at Northwestern March 27, 1939. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939_NCAA_Basketball_Tournament
I grew up in Arkansas and have always been a Razorback fan. It's great to see them on another successful NCAA run. Looking forward to the rematch with Duke! Go Hogs!
Refs have been inconsistent the whole tourney but I loved last night game. As an Arkansas Alum if feels good to be one step closer to our goal. Love your columns John; honest, insightful and relevant. Keep it up and on Saturday #WPS.
Another informative article. I have to admit I LOVE my paper and always looked onward to your articles and many others. I will continue to subscribe and read every inch of the paper BUT of course will follow you wherever you lead us. Nice job Soji.
Who doesn’t love the anything-can-happen March Madness tourney? Yes it’s big business, but on the floor it’s such a joy to watch the unexpected unfold. BTW John, totally loving your prolific prose since you broke free from the O. Keep those keys a smokin’!
Looking at Arizona now, it beggars belief how many 'experts' picked them for the Final Four with many suggesting they might just win the whole thing. This despite - I think I heard this on the broadcast - not a single player on their team had ever played in an NCAA tournament game. Think about that. As for Gonzaga: Not going to blame their loss on the refs. In my mind they lost to a better team. With that said: Seemed to me like ARK got away with extremely physical play because that's their 'style'. A lot of plays could have been called fouls but weren't, while Chet Holmgren fouled out for simply standing his ground as ARK players forced contact.
The fact any given team can beat another given team is what makes the NCAA’s so compelling & fun! How could you not like & root for a grinder like Musselmam? I can’t wait for Saint Peters tonight & I wouldn’t want to be Purdue..
Yes... come to play or you lose.
Play to win or play not to loose.
I think you need to make clear the games played in 1939 on Treasure Island was a west regional. Oregon beat Ohio State for the championship at a game played at Northwestern March 27, 1939. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939_NCAA_Basketball_Tournament
I love Gonzaga!… But, congrats to Musselman what he has done his men’s lives!!
I grew up in Arkansas and have always been a Razorback fan. It's great to see them on another successful NCAA run. Looking forward to the rematch with Duke! Go Hogs!
I like Arkansas over Duke. Am I nuts?
Refs have been inconsistent the whole tourney but I loved last night game. As an Arkansas Alum if feels good to be one step closer to our goal. Love your columns John; honest, insightful and relevant. Keep it up and on Saturday #WPS.
Love reading your stuff! Especially articles about CYO!
Thanks Lynda.
Gonzaga did not deserve to win with how they shot the ball, but those refs were terrible
Officiating has been suspect in this tournament. I don't recall talking this much about it in prior years.
Please please please can we at least go to an 8 team playoff. As you can see I prefer football my bracket was tanked the first day.
Yes. Eight or 12?
Thanks, John. Good job with your new endeavor.
Thank you Michael. Blown away by the reader support. Appreciate you all.
You were the best writer in the Oregonian! I know because I've been reading it for 30+ years. So glad you decided to go this route.
Thanks Ann. Glad you're here for it! Appreciate all who support.
I can't stand Arkansas - one of four schools I despise, so it makes me sick that they beat Gonzaga. I hope Duke clobbers them!
I love this new platform you're using - much better than old-school newspaper.
Another informative article. I have to admit I LOVE my paper and always looked onward to your articles and many others. I will continue to subscribe and read every inch of the paper BUT of course will follow you wherever you lead us. Nice job Soji.
Who doesn’t love the anything-can-happen March Madness tourney? Yes it’s big business, but on the floor it’s such a joy to watch the unexpected unfold. BTW John, totally loving your prolific prose since you broke free from the O. Keep those keys a smokin’!
Looking at Arizona now, it beggars belief how many 'experts' picked them for the Final Four with many suggesting they might just win the whole thing. This despite - I think I heard this on the broadcast - not a single player on their team had ever played in an NCAA tournament game. Think about that. As for Gonzaga: Not going to blame their loss on the refs. In my mind they lost to a better team. With that said: Seemed to me like ARK got away with extremely physical play because that's their 'style'. A lot of plays could have been called fouls but weren't, while Chet Holmgren fouled out for simply standing his ground as ARK players forced contact.
And love me some E-Muss.
John I saw Elgin Baylor play for Seattle U in Cow Palace in Western Regional Final. Maybe 1939 date is wrong.
1939 is correct for Treasure Island games. Also your recollection of Elgin is correct... (but technically the Cow Palace is in Daly City, CA).