But the one that stuck in my craw was as usual, Villanova/Georgetown in '85. Ok, I admit, based on their previous 28 meetings the game was an upset. But it wasn't THAT big, in fact I would call it a mild upset. Look, these were league teams. They knew each other intimately. In January that year the Hoyas beat 'Nova by two points. TWO POINTS! Their later meeting GT won by seven with late free throws making it seem ON PAPER less competitive than it was. These were two veteran teams, well matched, well coached, and Villanova was due for a win. The idea this was some world shattering upset is ludicrous and only a New York WOP with his Dago nose up some Catholic school's ass would even suggest such a thing.
Any objective student of the game knows the greatest upset in the history of NCAA basketball is NC State's victory over the University of Houston. The Cougars had two future "greatest 50 NBA players of all time" with Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon. We had a future women's figure skating commentator, bus driver and failed coach. This Houston team, had they won, would be talked about in the same breath as 1975 Indiana, '68, '71 UCLA, '57 UNC and '74 NCSU. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY gave the Pack a chance, and rightfully so. I repeat, THIS game my friends is the greatest upset in NCAA tournament history, and the Villanova/Georgetown contest doesn't even come close.
Now, on to this year tournament...UNC should have lost! I know, Carolina is a better team. That's true. But Oregon played the better game. One can only imagine the outcome had they had their best player suited up. Note to Oregon: Hit your free throws and block out.
Well, as you know I was looking forward to an 'All Carolina' final. I wanted the thrill of seeing the South Carolina Gamecocks take down the mighty Tar Heels. UNC is the Evil Empire. In the State of North Carolina they control the...well they control, that's all you need to know. What other school in these United States could run a bogus department with bogus classes for 18 long years and escape with a slap on the wrist? Back in the day SMU did much less and had their football program destroyed for all time. But it is what it is, no point in crying about it. If your goal is to run a basketball factory and semi-educate a bunch of debutants, penny loafer wearing pricks and leftist freaks, UNC does it as well as anybody I guess.How 'bout them Zags? That guard of their's Nigel Williams-Goss (the Fifth Earl of Salisbury) is a friggin' machine. I don't think Carolina's guards can handle him. Plus, that big Pole with the beard, Karnowski! My God in Heaven, what a hoss! As I've said previously, I haven't seen that much West Coast ball this year so I didn't know, but that guy can play. When I first saw him I figured (as one does) he's just this big eastern European they found somewhere who's main function is to clog up the lane. No so! This big ugly white boy can play!
So, prediction time. I think Meeks and Big Ugly will neutralize the middle. UNC's star guard Joel Berry CLAIMS to be 100% but he ain't. I've seen too much of this kid this year. He's hitting on about 3 cylinders. Jackson for UNC is a beast so I give that to the Heels. The difference is Gonzaga's freshman forward/center Zach Collins. I haven't seen a kid this young play with such poise and skill since Bill Walton. So....I predict a close one with the Zags in a squeaker. We shall see.
